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FRIDAY, MAR. 14, 2025

Dear New Yorkers,

Even before he took office, Mayor Eric Adams, an unabashed partaker in New York’s nightlife, pledged to go to bat for the city’s bars and clubs by using softer alternatives to the police raids and court action that have often trailed complaints about noise, double parking and rowdiness.

To help accomplish this, he anointed former NYPD detective Jeffrey Garcia as the city’s second “nightlife mayor.”

But a review of records by THE CITY shows that Garcia’s own businesses were hauled into court over financial disputes that date back to before his appointment. He faces more than $350,000 in judicial  judgments.

And, unusually, his management position did not require that he file financial disclosure reports with the city ethics board — which would have revealed his debts — until this year.

A City Hall spokesperson said his financial difficulties stemmed from the COVID pandemic and that he was in the process of resolving his debts.

Read more here about the two businesses that took the nightlife mayor to court.

Weather ☀️

Sunny with a high near 57. Happy Friday, everyone!

MTA 🚇

There’s no A train in Upper Manhattan between 168th Street and 207 Street from 9:45 p.m. to 5 a.m. all weekend. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Mar. 14, for Purim.

By the way…

It’s Pi Day today! To celebrate, grab a discounted slice — or just impress (or disappoint) your coworkers with how many digits you can rattle off.

Our Other Top Stories

Wind turbines soon to begin construction miles off the city’s coast have the potential to deliver significant amounts of clean, electric power to the state. But as Trump halts new federal leases and permits for the turbines, that future could be at risk. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters overtook Trump Tower Thursday morning, staging a sit-in in the central atrium for over an hour to demand the release of the Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. “We’re here to say get our names out of your mouth,” one protestor with the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace said, speaking about the building’s namesake and U.S. President. “This is not about antisemitism. This is about chilling a movement, chilling dissent.” Adams has pledged to collaborate with the Trump administration on immigration enforcement. While many New Yorkers will have the opportunity in the June 24 primary to express their view on the mayor, the people at the center of this issue — undocumented immigrants and those who are not U.S. citizens — do not. But if you’re not a citizen and still want to make your voice heard, here are some ways you can do so in local politics. We’ve launched our one-stop-shop for voter information and city election coverage, with key dates, interviews with mayoral candidates, the latest editions of the RANKED CHOICES newsletter and our best campaign coverage. Visit here to see it all — or share with a friend. Adams this, Cuomo that — let’s talk about another race, for once. This year, New Yorkers will also elect a new comptroller, who serves as the city’s fiscal watchdog. We know, not be the most thrilling topic — but it’s important!

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Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Friday, Mar. 14 - Saturday, Mar. 15: It’s the last weekend to skate (for free!) at Wollman Rink in Central Park this season. Various times. Saturday, Mar. 15: Celebrate Holi! This free event will have dance, music, great food and colorful Holi powder play. The Seaport, Manhattan, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 15: Learn about urban wildlife on this discovery hike through the South Jamaica Infinity Garden. Queens, 1 p.m.

THE KICKER: Q Lazzarus, the singer discovered by Silence of the Lambs filmmaker Jonathan Demme in a taxi 40 years ago, has long been a mystery. After her song “Goodbye Horses” became a cult hit, she vanished. Starting tonight, a new documentary on her life is showing at the Angelika.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.

Love,

THE CITY

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