STAY AWAY FROM PENN STATION AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS IF POSSIBLE.

TOO MANY COPS GIVING US TOO MANY TICKETS IN THESE AREAS.

MIND THE SPEED LIMIT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, EVEN IF IT SEEMS ABSURD.

GETTING THE SPEEDING TICKET IS MORE ABSURD.

FOR EXAMPLE: BROADWAY AT 120TH STREET.

DOWNHILL AT NORTHEAST CORNER

HEADING UPTOWN PAST COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OVER 30MPH

IS, IN THE WORDS OF THE WISE TAXI SAGE GEJZA, "A BIG NO NO".

THE NEW NO TURN RULE ON GRAND STREET IN CHINATOWN AT BOWERY

IS BEING CONTINUOUSLY ENFORCED LATELY. DON'T DO IT.

A STRATEGY IS REQUIRED FOR UPTOWN BOWERY,

SINCE LEFTS ARE ILLEGAL AT CANAL, GRAND, AND KENMARE.

I GUESS HOUSTON IS THE ONLY OPTION LEFT,

AFTER YOU MAKE A PREMATURE LEFT AT ELIZABETH OR BEFORE THAT.

FOR DOWNTOWN BOWERY MAKE PREMATURE RIGHT AT MOTT

AND A LEFT AT CANAL. OR CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON GRAND TO CHRYSTIE AND BACKTRACK VIA HESTER. WOW! ALL THIS SEEMS A BIT OVER THE TOP FOR US CABBIES WHO DON'T HAVE TIME FOR SUCH CIVILIAN TOMFOOLERY.

Turn Signal

I was dropping off a passenger on 125th Street between Lenox and Seventh Avenue in Harlem at around 5:30 am this morning. I was headed westbound and the passenger wasn't clear about where to stop. The plan was to turn right on Seventh and stop at 127th Street, but he suddenly said, "you can drop me off right here." I carefully pulled into the empty parking lane, aware that a cop was a couple dozen feet behind me. The cop stopped in the moving lane and waited for me to complete the transaction. When I signaled and pulled back into the moving lane, the cop's lights came on. I was stopped for failure to use my turn signal. I use my turn signal religiously 95% of the time. I failed to do so when I pulled into the parking lane because it was an abrupt decision on the part of the passenger, but I could have sworn I threw on my hazard lights upon slowing to a stop. I do that 100% of the time. Anyhow, be careful out there. Many tickets being issued to taxicabs. I almost quit my job today, but I'm not going to let irreconcilable cops, hours of vacant cruising, and poor tippers keep me from a job I feel proud doing well in the city I love to serve.

Current Warnings

McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (near the Pulaski Bridge) has become a prime target area for speeding tickets, in both directions. The speed limit is 30. There are undercover vehicles checking you upon approach to and descent from the bridge. It's easy to go 50 or over since it looks and feels like a highway. Don't be fooled.

In another part of town (Harlem), traveling south along Broadway, approaching 125th Street, there is often a vigilant cop car parked on the left, under the overhead train. Not sure what they're looking for, but this downhill stretch offers an easy opportunity to go way over the speed limit.

Hypocrisy on West 23rd Street

No other vehicle in the city do I see more commonly missing a functional headlight (and sometimes tail lights) than their patrol cars. This cab was stopped in Chelsea for having a tail light out. I understand it's dangerous not to replace it immediately and I also understand that the ticket is dismissible upon completion of such a task.

However, like them, we are professionals serving the city's streets under high pressure. Least they could do is show some brotherhood by pulling up next to us and politely informing us of the situation, instead of turning on their intimidating lights, sirens, ground-shaking whoop horn, and wasting our time with a summons.

What we have to do as taxi drivers is to show each other some unity by informing each other of nonfunctional headlights and brake lights. Just lightly tap the horn to get your comrade's attention. That's all. Let's show some concern for each other out there, and maybe even other motorists. I always tell anyone and everyone when their light(s) are out.

Pormanteau

South Brooklyn is not southern Brooklyn. The latter you can say consists of Coney Island and surrounding neighborhoods. South Brooklyn, however, is the area directly below downtown Brooklyn, or the lower half of what was the 18th century Town of Brooklyn.

That being said, it's important for cabbies to know how to navigate these neighborhoods. Housing projects break up streets like Butler and Warren, while the Gowanus Canal breaks up every street from Douglass to below 9th. Only 3rd and 9th Streets cross the canal both directions, while Union and Carroll cross it eastbound only. For example, you pick up a passenger on Fourth Avenue and Bergen. They're going to Union and Bond. Your instinct may be to head down Fourth and right on Union, but even though Union is a two-way street east of Third, not so to the west of that. You're best off staying on Bergen to Hoyt and taking that down to Union. Once you make the left unto Union, there's Bond! Study the area on a street map for a few minutes. And know what BoCoCa stands for: Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens.

thru streets- 37th street and lexington, day hours.

On Lexington Avenue between 36th St. and 37th St. You can bet that there are police in the middle of the block after 10am watching for cars dis-obeying the no left turn sign. there is heavy traffic sometimes coming out of the tunnel. there are no turns allowed after 10 am on lexington avenue. use 35th street instead for left turns on lexington.

PARK AVENUE AT 46th STREET

If you are driving uptown thru the tunnel and over the viaduct, DO NOT make that first right unto 46th street, under any circumstance. If you are driving downtown along Park Ave., DO NOT make a left from anywhere BUT the LEFT LANE, and DO NOT scoot through the crosswalk or gun the gas pedal as the light turns red, IF you are about to make that LEFT TURN unto 46th. It's tempting to try and make the light anyway because too many vehicles clog up that intersection all day long. Well, you know what else happens all day long? STED stands guard at the southeast corner and WILL write you a summons. STED stands for Surface Transportation Enforcement Division. Now you know the next time you see those letters on an NYPD patrol car or uniform pin.

HIDDEN SPEED TRAP

At the end of the Prospect Expressway there is a traffic light at Church Avenue, just before it becomes Ocean Parkway. The speed limit is 30. It's easy to approach that intersection at 60 mph. That's 30 over, which comes with 6 points. The cops hide off to the right and point a lazer at traffic. Be especially careful at the end of each month. Yes, they've got quotas.

Puerto Rico!

Remember tomorrow is the P.R. Parade. @11am on 5th Avenue from 79th to 43rd street. Steer clear of crosstown in the uptowns. starting the day early might be a good idea too, or late, what have you.

For Sunday June Five

- 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street
- 74th Street to 78th Streets 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
The above streets will be closed Sunday from 11am to 4pm for the Israel Parade as permitted by NYPD.

3rd Avenue between East 14th Street and East 23rd Street: This street will be closed Sunday from 11am to 6pm for the Seafarer’s International House 3rd Avenue Fair as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

3rd Avenue between East 61st Street and East 63rd Street: Three lanes of traffic will be maintained from 6am to 9pm to facilitate crane operation. Avoid Third if possible.

West 3rd Street between Thompson Street and West Broadway: This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8am to 6pm to facilitate Con Edison roadway utility work.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE:

Formation:
- 38th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 37th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 36th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
Route:
- Madison Avenue between 38th Street and 27th Street
Dispersal:
- 27th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue South
The above streets will be closed Sunday from 12pm to 3pm as permitted by NYPD.

NYC Current Events & Cruise Schedule

Annual Tattoo Convention at Roseland Ballroom

(W52 btw 8 & BWY): May 13 - 15

ANNUAL TATTOO CONVENTION @ ROSELAND BALLROOM

W52 BTW 8 & BWY: MAY 13-15

Pratt’s 122nd Commencement to be Held on May 16 at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Pratt Institute will honor an expected 1,400 bachelor's and master's degree candidates during its 122nd Commencement at 11 a.m. on May 16 at Pier 94, 775 Twelfth Avenue in New York City.

CURRENT JAVITS CENTER EVENTS:

Int'l Contemporary Furniture Fair May 14-17, 2011 Show Hours: Trade Saturday, May 14–Monday, May 16 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Trade and General Public Tuesday, May 17 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m May 15, 2011 - May 18, 2011 National Stationery Show Show Hours: Sunday, 9 am - 6 pm Monday, 9 am - 6 pm Tuesday, 9 am - 6 pm Wednesday, 9 am - 12:00 pm the Supply Side May 15, 2011 - May 18, 2011 Show Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 12 noon l Tattoo Convention Surtex May 15, 2011 - May 17, 2011 Show Hours: Sunday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday, 9:00am - 6:00 pm Tuesday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 2011 CRUISE SCHEDULE AT MANHATTAN SHIP TERMINAL: W. SIDE HIGHWAY (USUALLY ARRIVING BETWEEN 8 & 9 AM?) Norwegian Gem – February 1, 11, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18, 25 Norwegian Jewel – February 2, 12, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 17, 21, 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20, 27; September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Norwegian Dawn - Norwegian Epic - Queen Mary 2 – May 17; July 1, 6 Queen Elizabeth – September 19, 20 Crown Princess – October 22 Carnival Miracle – April 14, 21, 28; May 6, 14, 22, 30; June 7, 15, 23; July 1, 9, 17, 25; August 2, 10, 18, 26; September 3, 11, 19, 27; October 5, 13 Carnival Glory – June 5, 9, 13, 18, 23, 27; July 2, 7, 11, 16, 21, 25, 30; August 4, 8, 13, 18, 22, 27; September 1, 5, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15 Veendam – May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16 Prinsendam – May 17 Rotterdam – July 12 Marina – April 2, 3 Princess Danae – April 10, 11, 12 Club Med 2 – April 27, 28 Silver Whisper – May 17; September 21; October 11, 20 Le Boreal – October 8 Crystal Symphony – September 13, 14; October 6, 27 MSC Poesia – September 27, 28; October 8, 22, 29 MV Regatta – September 30; October 24 MV Navigator – October 3 MV Columbus – October 11, 12 Seabourn Sojourn – September 30; October 15 Seabourn Spirit – December 9 ms Eurodam -September 10, 30 Aurora – September 25, 26 Arcadia – June 12, 13; September 7, 8 The World – April 28, 29, 30; May 1 AIDAluna- September 17, 18, 19; October 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30, 31 AIDAaura – September 11, 12, 13; October 1, 2, 3, 21, 22, 23

MID MAY MEANS MAYHEM MOUNTING

Street festivals are on the rise. Ninth will close from 57th to 37th for Int'l. Food Fest all weekend coming up.

Saturday, the 14th, Sixth Avenue will be shut down from 42nd to 56th for something called "Children of the World", and 14th to 4th along Second Av.

Sunday, the 15th, Broadway will close from 23rd to 17th for the Gramercy Neighborhood, and Fifth Av from St. John to 12th St.

Saturday, the 21st, Third Avenue closes from 6th to 14th for the Lower 3rd Spring Fest, and Sixth Ave from 23rd to 14th.

Sunday, May 22nd will see Broadway shut down from 47th to 57th for the Times Square Fair, and Park Avenue from 34th to 40th for a Taste of Murray Hill, and Flatbush from Parkside to Cortelyou in Brooklyn.

Friday, May 27th will have 43rd closed from Third to Lex for the Grand Central Spring Fair.

Saturday, May 28th shuts Lex down from 57th to 42nd for a spring fest, as well as Washington Square North from University to Sixth for the Waverly Fest.

Sunday, the 29th we have Lex closed again, but this time it's from 34th to 23rd for Spring Jubilee. Also, Broadway from 72nd to 86th for the West Side Fest.

Monday, May 30th, the Astoria Festival shuts Broadway down in Queens from Steinway to Crescent.

possible street closures for saturday?

Waverly Place between Greene Street and Broadway,

Broadway between Waverly Place and State Street closed 10am-7pm Saturday

Mental Illness Parade closes Fulton, Gold, Spruce Sts, Broadway, Park Row, Chamber Sts bet 10am-2pm Saturday

this was posted by Gridlock Sam. Not sure if this will actually happen or not. but we shouldn't be surprised if they happen and plan accordingly. I apologize for the post I sent before about a bunch of annoying road closures that never happened, I suppose it was the rain that saturday that canceled all of those street closures. but in my memory, it's always the saturdays where annoying things like this happen. and add to that Taxi and Limousine Commission Ford Escapes in blue and grey that patrol the hotels around times square for infractions such as double parking, or not pulling close enough to the curb properly.

5 Boro Bike Tour 2011

Sunday, May 1st. Over 30,000 cyclists. 42 miles of road closures.

It starts in Battery Park at 8 am. Here is a link to the list of streets forming the route. Basically, it slices all of Manhattan in half (along Church and Sixth Avenue) all the way up to Central Park. It pops back out on the northern end at 110th in Harlem and continues up along A.C. Powell Blvd (Seventh Av) to 135th, makes a right, then a left unto the Madison Avenue Bridge into The Bronx. Then it's 138th to Third and right back into Manhattan. Down the FDR Drive to 63rd, over the Queensboro Bridge, up 21st to Astoria Park, back down Vernon and over the Pulaski Bridge. McGuinness. Greenpoint. Franklin. Kent. Flushing. Navy. York. Gold. Front. Old Fulton. Columbia. BQE at Atlantic. Belt Parkway. Exit Fourth Ave. 101st. Fort Hamilton. 92nd. Verrazano Bridge. Fort Wadsworth. Bay. Hylan. Edgewater. Hulbert. Hannah. Bay. Staten Island Ferry back to the starting point. Steer clear of these areas all day long. Before you begin each fare, look at your map and negotiate a route with your passenger that will avoid getting you both stuck in traffic.

summer time- closures commence.

many parades, etc..

International Gospel Uptown closes 6th av from 42-56 sts 10am-3pm Saturday. Street fair also closes 8th av from 14-23 sts 10am-7pm Saturday.

that's avoiding 6th avenue i'm guessing it'll get shut down at 40th street or 38th, only one option really seems appropriate stay east when heading uptown for rides. if you pick up under 23rd at 6th avenue make your turns before 23rd, like 20th street perhaps, the earlier the better, just avoid it all together, try to be uptown and do crosstown trips, and when you get a ride going downtown make the crosstown trips well above 56th street (like 79th) or well below (like houston) i'd go back uptown empty on the fdr drive or 12th avenue and work for a straight trip downtown again with a fare.

if you feel bold there will be heavy demand for rides from penn station to the javits center, but really that won't be too profitable, at around 10am up to 1pm i guess. when 6th avenue opens up again, or depending on how much this closure blocks up crosstown traffic, there will again be a lot of demand for passengers at javits center again.

VVanderbilt Ave. bet 42-46 sts closed 10am-7pm Saturday for Day 2 of Earth Day Fair. so i;d forget about going to grand central station to get fares, because turning is illegal on madison avenue, and 6th avenue is closed at 42nd, wow, your not going to even get to grand central, and you're not going to get out either.

so the plan: upper west, upper east, do crosstown trips there. take anything on the downtown avenues for a relatively smooth ride, but that crosstown traffic will be a nightmare in chelsea and midtown. once downtown, head uptown on the highways to get fares uptown going downtown again, or perhaps try your luck with lower east side, eeast village getting something uptown staying on the east side, but chances could be they could go to midtown and with 6th avenue closed it'd be tough.

Javits Center

had a good day today: The Javits Center appears to be having 3 shows through tuesday, all ending at 4ish on tuesday, monday's show ends later. this is a good idea for pick-ups perhaps to the airports. or they're going to their hotels, but tuesday? mixing of a bad day normally with the possibility for a lot of people who need to go to the airport, sounds like that's worth checking out. Pier 94 had something going on too, wouldn't be surprised if it also ends on tuesday.

Courtesy of Gridlock Sam

THIS WEEK LOOK OUT FOR:

• FIFTH AVE.: Right turn bans in effect at 55th, 53rd, 51st and 47th Sts. through New Year's. Fifth Ave. closed between 48th and 52nd Sts. 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday for tree lighting. Also, 48th to 51st Sts. closed between Fifth and Sixth Aves., at same time.

• SIXTH AVE.: Extra sluggish between 48th and 52nd Sts. from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

• GRAND ARMY PLAZA/59TH ST.: World's largest menorah lighting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for first night of Chanukah.

• LINCOLN CENTER: Winter Eve/Tree Lighting 5:30 p.m. Monday.

• FDR DRIVE: Southbound exit ramp to Manhattan Civic Center closed 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Ramp to Brooklyn Bridge still open.

• MAJOR SHOPPING AREAS: Jammed through New Year's.

• PENN STATION/BUS TERMINAL: Jammed for return trips home Sunday.

• MEADOWLANDS: Giants vs. Jaguars 1 p.m. Sunday.

• THE GARDEN: Events 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

• HOLLAND TUNNEL: Because of Hudson St. closure, other approaches to outbound Holland jammed. Avoid Varick St. and use Canal St.

• LINCOLN TUNNEL: Jammed all day Sunday with 1 p.m. Giants game!

• BROOKLYN BRIDGE: Park Row and Centre St. entrance ramps to bridge closed 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. nightly Monday through Saturday morning next three weeks.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/traffic/index.html#ixzz16cjpQvTm

Don't Drive Like This

NYPD Watching

On the northeast corner of 14th and Ninth Avenue, where Chelsea meets the Meat Packing District, a cop car often sits facing westbound along 14th, right at the light. He is watching for all sorts of traffic violations. In taxis, he is especially looking for improper pick-ups and discharges, such as stopping on the cross walk. Also, left turns cannot be made from the right lane.

Fare to Roos. Isla

If someone jumps in your cab in Manhattan and requests Roosevelt Island, simply drive up Third Avenue (or down Second Ave) and over the upper level of the Queensboro Bridge.

Take the 21 Street exit (fork right) and make a right unto 21st Street, which goes under the bridge. Drive past the Queensbridge Housing Project on the left and make a left unto 36 Avenue.

Follow that straight over the little draw bridge that brings you into Roosevelt Island. There is only one way in and one way out by car.

Upon dropping off, what I like to do is go back down 21st Street, but instead of getting back on the bridge to Manhattan, I continue through the heart of Long Island City and make a right unto Jackson Avenue, or cut over to PS 1 and Courthouse Square. Sometimes there'll be a fare there. Otherwise, it's over the Pulaski Bridge into Greenpoint. Down McGuinness.

Perhaps a right on Greenpoint Ave. and a left on Manhattan Avenue, or a quick loop around the bars on Franklin. On Driggs by McCarren Park there are some bars two. If all of that yields no passengers, go down Driggs through Williamsburg and up Bedford Ave. and down Wythe Street and back up Bedford again, from down by the Willie Bridge. If none of this works, head down Metropolitan to Union or Lorimer. Something's gotta give in these parts!

Tomorrow (Saturday)

59th St. between Second and Third Aves. will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Drivers should use alternate routes or follow posted detours to access the Queensboro Bridge.

On the Manhattan Bridge two lanes in each direction will be open to traffic from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday.

124th St. between Eighth and Seventh Aves. will be closed Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

tonight's events

10:00PM-late night

night club party

Address
SUZIE WONG
27 ST btw 11 and 12 ave
New York, NY 10001

MON, NOV 08

11:00PM-late night

club party

Address
95 SOUTH
778 FRANKLIN AVE btw eastern parkway and atlantic
Brooklyn, NY 11226