MORNING BULLETIN: BIG CENTRAL PARK LOOP ROAD CHANGES BEGIN, ‘SWEATSHOP’ RESTAURANTS PROTESTED

Photo by Avi.

October 25, 2012 Weather: Mostly Cloudy, High of 62 Degrees.

Notices:
Lots of comedy, free concerts and more are on our calendar.

News:
The city is already painting new bike and running lanes onto Central Park’s loop road, which will narrow the car lanes but give lots more rum to runners and bicyclists. We first wrote about the changes and included a diagram here. “The biggest losers: motorized traffic and horse-drawn carriages. The latter have a rather narrow lane now to the far right on the lower loop; cars are allowed only a single lane when they are allowed in the park at all. Currently cars are banned from park roadways except for a few hours in the morning and evening rush hours.” Update: After we posted this, one local brought up a concern via twitter: “saw drivers going full speed in the new bike lane this morning. it’s an accident waiting to happen.” (Examiner)

Columbia students are protesting and boycotting Upper West Side and Morningside Heights restaurants including Saigon Grill, Domino’s and others that they say make employees work in sweatshop conditions. (Columbia Spectator)

Those Paris-like book stalls put up by The Strand on the East Side of Central Park are up for bid, meaning The Strand could lose the site. (New York World)

The New York Philharmonic has given Alan Gilbert a new 3-year contract. (New York Times)

The pizza delivery boy charged with raping a woman on 61st Street has reportedly also admitted to a burglary while delivering pies. (New York Post)