Occupy Or Pigeon?

Pigeon:

According to an MTA spokesperson, the authority is aware of the problem and examining a variety of different solutions, including placing jagged spikes on the structure, making it less conducive for squatting.

Apparently they still haven’t solved the pigeon problem along the 7 train.

Moral: Never Tie Your Legacy To School Test Scores

It will eventually bite you in the ass:

In a stunning blow to Mayor Bloomberg’s legacy on education, new national exam results show the city’s math and reading scores have flatlined since 2009.

Eighth-grade reading scores have stagnated since 2003, when the Bloomberg administration reforms first took effect.

There’s also been no significant improvement in the percentage of eighth-graders who tested “proficient” or above in math, the scores released Wednesday show.

All Your JellyNYC Are Belong To Us

Astoria Park to become the next McCarren Park:

While Astoria Pool may be the busiest in the city, drawing more than 150,000 visitors last year, the diving pool nearby has not been used in some 30 years.

Now parks officials are set to turn the former diving pool it into an outdoor performance space, making the park more accessible to residents.

Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. grew up around the corner from the pool and set aside about $1 million for the project.

“This is really going to add something. We’ve got so many artists in Astoria, and this is going to give them a place to perform right here at home,” said Vallone.

“We’re taking this diving pool that’s been vacant for decades and creating a performance space. So what you’ll see is the diving pool filled in, capped over and a nice spot where you can do performances for the public,” said Queens Borough Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski.

Location Scout: Astoria Park.

Was There An NFL Game In Manhattan Or Something?

Because I’m pretty sure the Philadelphia Eagles still play in Philadelphia:

Brookfield is among 40,000 entities that owe the city an eye-popping $149 million in overdue business taxes dating to 2000, the Finance Department says.

The list also includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the WNBA, Heineken USA, Comcast Sports, the company that built the Trump International Building on Central Park West, the Binder and Binder law firm, the OTR Media billboard company, former City Council President Andrew Stein and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

“We fully expect companies to pay any debt owed to the city and we aggressively pursue those that do not,” said city Finance Commissioner David Frankel.

It was unclear why the Eagles owe $15,263.69 in business taxes to the city. A spokesman did not return calls.

Then again, the Giants did play at the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium until Giants Stadium was finished in 1976. So maybe it’s from then?

It’s A Shame About Ray

Funny, because a while back I thought I read that this was the “original” Ray’s. I only learned back in September that was not the case. But apparently it’s not even the original “original” one:

The Ray’s Pizza that sued Famous Ray’s Pizza on Sixth Avenue and West 11th Street earlier this year for copyright infringement says it will soon take over its rival’s former restaurant.

Famous Original Ray’s Pizza, which has eight locations citywide, will move into the the 465 Sixth Ave. space, the former home to Famous Ray’s Pizza, according to Famous Original Ray’s Facebook page.