In terms of format, instead of writing, "my colleague . . . reports" or "[m]y colleague . . . says," why not just state what is being reported or said? There is a link to the article being cited anyway. The "my colleague" language suggests that the author is trying to remind us that he is writing for the NYT (like casually name-dropping that you are a fellow Wharton grad). Also, when non-NYT publications are cited, the names of the authors are not provided.
1
Poor summary of the Amazon news. Why exaggerate the proximity of the new campus to Queensbridge? Reports are that it will be about a mile away. Why quote the congresswoman who doesn’t serve the area? Both reporting choices seem intended to sensationalize the story.
1
1) Given that the author noted that turn out would be poor for the public advocate election, it would have been helpful to let readers know that the date hasn't been selected yet, but will likely be February 2019, from the info I've been able to find.
2) I also do not care for the numbering. I don't need my news numbered. News is news and shouldn't be rank ordered as though this represents some sort of priority list. Or imply that the author is indicating their view on newsworthiness through numbering.
3) Still wish the Metropolitan Diary lived somewhere else. Most of these stories are from sometime in NYC history, and this is the NYC Today, not yesterday, section. I want know know what's relevant now, rather than strolling down someone else's memory lane.
6
Is this the place where I can complain about the format? The numbering system makes it feel like we're taking a test or reading a top 10 list. I really enjoyed reading New York Today as a successor to the old City section in the Times. Giving us the top news, but also pointing us to relevant/quirky articles in the Times and other local papers, as well as a diary of what was going on that day. This just feels more like the rest of the paper now, with a Metropolitan Diary attached to the end of it. If this is what the majority wants, so be it, but I'm not a fan.
Also, as someone who lives in Long Island City, can we talk about how big the neighborhood is? The Queensbridge projects aren't even a stone's throw from Big Alice, so the idea that the Amazon headquarters are moving next door is sensationalist. In the greater context of the sweetheart deals corporations receive at the expense of taxpayers makes sense, but really just feels like a story that is getting eyeballs so we read a nearly identical piece every day.
7
"An avian expert at the American Museum of Natural History"
Since I'm on an extended "Chorus Line' playlist loop, all versions, I fleetingly thought this was going to be a link to this great article which had me crying about Bob Avian's step by step reconstruction with Baayork Lee of "A Chorus Line" which starts today.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/12/theater/a-chorus-line-new-york-city-center-bob-avian.html
I never really noticed Joshua Barone's byline before. No one since Enid Nemy has matched Michael Paulson for combining being truly objective as a reporter with being entertaining, but this by Mr. Barone is such lovely piece that's really NYC; Mr., Avian and Ms, Lee keep doing this because they were entrusted with it, and find fun (and I hope remuneration) in this duty, rather than tedium. They are the best of theatre, the best of New York, IMHO!
2
APARTMENT LIVING
Yesterday's phonebooth
(Hello, hello!)
Could soon become
Today's studio.
4
@Leon, these are such fun today, the series of four-liners; maybe a marketing slogan: you've taken the R train or the E train - these are the Quatrains, maybe?
2
THE TECH OUTDOORS
What could possibly
Be more sweet
Than techies working
On the street?
4
WE WORK TRASH
It makes good sense
For computer fans
To work very close
To garbage cans.
4
It would be nice to have links back in all the numbered points. Numbers 2 & 4 have no deep-dive. I usually use this as a quick read through on the train or while settling in to the office and grab the links to the larger article to read later. Not only from a deep-dive sense, but also a legitimacy sense.
Surprised to see the Metropolitan Diary back in here, never really saw the point of it. People must really like it, apparently I'm in the minority. Oh well.
4
What the Amazon deal means for NY: We, the people, get screwed in terms of loss of affordable housing, increased congestion on streets & public transit, and loss of tax income to NY. Meanwhile, Amazon walks away laughing at how easy it is to get over on De Blasio and Cuomo.
There is NO WAY that Amazon should have been given this huge tax incentive - or ANY incentive - to come here for the "promise" of an (eventual) 25,000 jobs. IMO, this deal reflects pure greed & corruption on the part of De Blasio & Cuomo - and we, the people, will live to regret their decision every day.
8
Hi, I'm an editor in the newsroom's Reader Center. We'd like to hear from people who live or work near Amazon's proposed new headquarters, in Queens, N.Y., and Arlington, Va.
As Amazon unfurls its plans, I'm curious what the mood is in your area. How do you feel about Amazon's decision? Be sure to include your city, state and, if applicable, neighborhood. I may pass your information along to a reporter or publish your perspective in another story.
The cities who offered them , Amazon, the most money and tax exemptions appear to have won the big prize. Still think Pittsburgh was the better location though...
2
JOYS OF I.S. and I.S.
I love my work, even the commute,
Yet must in honesty confess,
Despite the short, fast-moving hours,
T.G.I.S. and T.G.I.S.
3
Leave it up to the MTA for never getting it right.
First it takes them forever to issue discount Metro Cards -- and then, they're only available for 7-day or 30-day passes.
As MTA employees, I guess they never went through the agony of ever having lost one....that's why most New Yorkers opt to pay for each single ride instead.
4
@N. Smith
I doubt that "most New Yorkers" forgo the discount because they're afraid of losing the card.
@Kleav
Then you obviously don't know the New Yorkers who would be in dire straights if they lost it, which is basically who this discounted card is being made available to.
1
Welcome, Azi. Thank you for your contributions. I'm liking the new format. The Newstand should be a regular feature. For what it's worth, I would have been just fine with the Metropolitan Diary being elsewhere, but apparently I'm in the majority on that one.
4
@Charles
No, you're not in the minority (what I think you meant) about Metropolitan Diary. It's never been a rewarding feature and shouldn't be smack dab in the middle of this column.
6
@Charles
I'm with you on the Metropolitan Diary, which I never read anyway-- it should be separate like it was before.
Also, I'm not too thrilled with this column's new by-the-number format. But the info is still great. Thanks Azi.
4
@Charles
The Metro Diary makes many of us smile each morning, a short note sharing city experiences. it is a little desert with the morning breakfast.
4
As much as I appreciate the effort, I don't much care for the new format. There's no need to get too cute. The previous format gave me what I needed and did so quickly. Now it's so fragmented.
21
@Munawar "Fragmented" is a perfect word for it, Munawar. It's choppy and unfriendly.
10
@Munawar Perfect description "fragmented." I'm not a big fan of the new format. The previous formats, going back to Annie Correal, were lilty, uplifting, quirky, and just what we needed to start the day. Now it's just a curation of news stories we've either already read or heard. With so much going on, can't we get a reprieve from starting the day with more news stories? And where are the listings of the day's local upcoming sports events, or scores from the previous night's games?
I read Azi when he was at Politico and still follow him on twitter. I hope he and the editors take some of these comments seriously and re-work the page. Thanks for listening!
6
@alm I agree completely. I enjoyed waking up and reading the old format - it was always interesting and uplifting or at least thought provoking. And I loved the listing of local events. Now it feels like every other bland news feed with regurgitated information that I already know.
5
After 60 years of going to the polls, I quit! I will forever vote via snail mail and make my life voting experience substantially better. When will the USA stop this charade and let us vote on Saturday and Sunday.
8
Ah, the BOE is advising that all ills/delays are due to their needing to comply with the ADA. Of course. If voters had trouble with scanners, it is due to the disabled and their need for accessibility.
My wife is handicapped/wheelchair, and you have no idea what a nightmare NY, or any rural area, imposes. Try entering many restaurants without being directed through a back door and through a kitchen area. Try subway stations. Try boarding busses, or finding a spot to get up/down a city curb. it is understandable that an aged city would not be handicapped friendly, as it was built before access became a consideration. But believe this care giver when I say that there is very little effort made to assist the handicapped. If not for the ADA, there would be next to none.
Instead of making all access and voting machines handicapped-accessible, the BOA simply sectioned off a single area and installed ramps there alone---then claim that the delays are beyond their control. Bologna, we know better.
11
@Billy from Brooklyn
My thoughts exactly, Billy. I am thoroughly offended by the comments of Mr. Umane. Maybe they were taken out of context, but it sounds as though the Board of Elections feels beleagured by the need to make polling places accessible. Is this the 19th century? Ostensibly, my polling place is accessible, but actually it's really hard to navigate. I now vote via absentee ballot, but miss the sense of community I felt when I could vote with my neighbors.
6
@Martha and Billy, yes, as a person with a disability covered by law since 1990 or so, I've been shocked that liberals who would never dream of abusing someone for race, orientation, gender, think nothing of hiring lawyers to get around the disability rules, to find ways to make them not apply. My problem is NY City Center, which as a nonprofit has surprised me in this, but maybe our numbers are really too small, and being disabled, have less fighting power.
"You've Got Disabilities" - finding a musical "lighter side" of Human Rights disability abuse, its the only way I seem to ever effectively make anyone care, I guess!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGOX4ygvozY
4
Again, it is about Cuomo and DeBlasio "greasing their own pockets". For them this is nothing more than a political move. The fact that they are giving subsidies to one of the most profitable companies in the world, and the richest man in the world, while small businesses in NYC are continually being targeted and forced to pay more and more in taxes for these subsidies is horrific. Just how much are these 25,000 jobs costing the NY taxpayer?
Did their parents not teach Cuomo and DeBlasio to "think before they act?"
Actually, I guess the did. They both belief this will increase their presence on the national stage.
If we break down the costs of this love fest between these two politicians and Amazon (Bezos), I think the NY citizenry will be very disappointed.
13
In the end it’s our own fault for feeding the system and buying things we don’t really need but want. Lazy culture we are
4
Hello Avi, I am enjoying your writing immensely. It makes me feel like I am back in NYC. I look forward to reading New York Today in the morning. Count me in as one of your fans.
6
@Just Me My apologies, Azi for getting your name wrong.
1