Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Cupid’s Undie Run Fast Approaching for New Yorkers of the Not-Shy Variety

Cupid's Undie Run Not for the Squeamish

Combining a good cause, a bit of exercise and a Valentine’s Day theme, the appeal of Cupid’s Undie Run is irresistible. Just pull of your duds, dudes, and start running! That’s right, take of your clothes and go the mile to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation on February 9.

Not just a run, there will also be pre and post-race festivities at the Brass Monkey on Little West 12th Street. Those that earn the most money for the cause will get some great prizes like custom-made underwear, embroidered bathrobes, engraved iPod Nanos and some romantic retreats.

Brass Monkey from Noon to 4:00pm.
   * Check in and pre-party begins at noon at Brass Monkey.
   * Run takes place February 9. Pre-party at 12pm, run at 2pm, and dance some more 'til 4pm.
   * Register early and get the jump on fundraising and a cool team name.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Daniel E. Straus and Seniors Post-Hurricane Sandy


A few months ago, prior to Hurricane Sandy, the NY City Council decided to leave patients in hospitals and nursing homes.  At the last minute this decision had to be overturned.  Thus last week, the council was called upon to defend their original decision.  According to Tom Farley, the Health Commissioner, while it’s always easy to say better safe than sorry, in this situation there was no certain safe option.  It was therefore decided they should remain (initially) as moving vulnerable patients is problematic too. No-one knew what to do for the best. Nursing home administrators, owners, medical directors, etc., all had different ideas as to the best action.  There was no unifying decision amongst the organizations and thus what transpired was quite chaotic.  Hence the groups are being called to justify their actions at this time.

Ultimately Farley made the decision before Hurricane Sandy not to move patients as, having weighed the options, officials felt it safer to stay.  However, later on the decision was overturned and what resulted was a rushed, panicked evacuation in New York of 6,300 patients form 37 facilities.  These individuals needed to be moved out following flooding or loss of power.

Another problem of this impromptu evacuation, was the patients’ loved ones.  For days they had no idea of the whereabouts of the patients due to the loss of power.  And thus according to Councilman David Greenfield, the situation was described as “chaotic.”  Thus the reason for the current investigation as to what should have been done, and to what steps are to be taken should there be a reoccurrence of a similar situation.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Chelsea Welcomes WiFi to Its Outdoor Spaces

The largest outdoor WiFi network in Manhattan has arrived in Chelsea, due to the combined efforts of Google, which has its offices in the neighborhood, and the Chelsea Improvement Company.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg commented:
“This neighborhood can now claim to be the first in Manhattan with totally free outdoor WiFi."
Ben Fried, the Chief Information Officer at Google explained the network’s appeal:
 “All you need is a laptop, or a smartphone, or other wireless-enabled device and a web browser to get online.” 
Google and the CIC were especially excited about the proletarian nature of the undertaking, emphasizing that the network was built to first serve the courtyards and streets surrounding the Fulton Houses, home to about 2,000.
“The service will not be initially at 15 Central Park West, or somewhere that you might expect WiFi to be provided," 
Chelsea Improvement Company President Dan Biederman said. "Instead it’ll be in courtyards like these for New York City Housing Authority tenants.”

The WiFi network can be accessed between 15th and 19th Street, from Eighth to Tenth Avenue. About two blocks of High-Line will also be included. There are a number of other public spaces in the area where the WiFi reaches.

Representatives said that the cost of creating and installing the network to Google and the CIC amounted to about $115,000. In at least one case the WiFi can be entered in an indoor space, the Fulton Senior Center, where it was already being enjoyed.
“It’s something everybody uses, something everybody wants. And the fact that it’s free is a terrific bonus," said Mark Milder, a volunteer at the Fulton Senior Center. 
Next stop for free outdoor WiFi? The outdoor areas around 34th Street.