July 22: The Rise of the Independent Bookstore

It's been a tough year for businesses—especially for those tied to the print medium. 

However, despite the growing predilection towards the digital consumption of books, magazines and—ahem—online media, some bookstores have managed to make their mark in an economic environment that has laid low such giants as Borders, which announced plans to liquidate its remaining 399 stores on Thursday. 

So in looking at the bright side to all this, come learn what's happening at at Greenlight Bookstore led by Andrew Laties, author of Rebel Bookseller. 

Here are your 5 Things for today:

1. Four city beaches have reported contamination as a result of the sewage spill from the North River Sewage Treatment Plant in Manhattan—which has literally overnight become a reminder of what New York City was like before the Clean Water Act was passed four decades ago. 

2. Celebrate Nigeria’s 50th anniversary of independence that began last October with in Prospect Park.

3. As temps are expected soar into the 100s today, Con Edison warned customers that power outages could spread.

4. Despite a lottery to tie the knot on the first day of legal gay marriages Sunday, City Hall vowed to accommodate all 823 applicants in an announcement sent late last night.

5. Alternate side parking rules are in effect.