🌱 NYC Gas, Energy Prices Highest Since 80s + Adams 'Secret' Office

Good morning, neighbors! NYC sees the highest gas and energy price increase since the 80s, Adams has a secret office a few blocks away from City Hall, and a healthcare company may have been scamming elderly patients. Also, it's your chance to help name Prospect Park's new animal mascot.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 87 Low: 69.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

• Have you ever wanted a good ol' fashioned handyman to take care of small jobs around the apartment — like painting, carpet shampooing, mold and mildew, flooring, picture hanging, deep cleaning, flat screen install etc.? Lois and Mark of “At Your Service” are a one stop shop based in Yorkville who specialize in small jobs in NYC apartments and townhouses. They’re insured and also work closely with realtors and landlords. Email or call Lois for an estimate: lois@yourserviceman.com or 917-560-2947.

• Looking for opportunities to volunteer or to be more involved in your community in New York City? Check out Humbler.co, a New York-based platform that matches volunteers with nonprofits and local organizations hosting events and volunteering opportunities around the city. Sign up is free, there are no monthly fees, no long-term commitments and with over 90 local orgs currently participating, it’s never been easier to make a difference. Visit Humbler.co and do some good today.

• Are you an attorney or law firm in need of crisp marketing copy that converts? Legal Copywriting Central are experts in writing copy for emails, web sites and general marketing collateral to help lawyers and law firms land new clients. Focus on writing your next winning motion or bulletproof agreement; let Legal Copywriting Central take care of your marketing copy. Visit them here to learn more, or email them at info@legalcopywritingcentral.com.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. Prosecutors charge that a healthcare company subjected elderly patients in New York City and Long Island to multiple expensive and unnecessary procedures as part of a scheme to defraud medicare. The company itself, which does business as Azura Vascular Care, disputes the claims. (New York City Patch)
2. Thanks to inflation, NYC is seeing the largest gas and energy price jump since 1980, with price of gasoline up 60.2 percent in the past year. Overall costs in NYC have risen 6.7 percent in the same time period. One of the only things that's decreased is fruits and vegetables, which were down 3.9 percent from last month. (New York City Patch)
3. A majority of City Council members penned a letter to Mayor Eric Adams demanding that he immediately restore budget cuts to the city's schools. Adams contends the education budget should be tailored to enrollment and went so far as to call a protestor in favor of increased funding a "clown" on Monday. (Gothamist)
4. Speaking of Adams, did you know that he has a secret (well, now not so secret) office in a high rise just steps from City Hall? Out of the limelight of reporters and lobbyists, it's a space for his team to spread out. Adams maintains he's personally only been there on a few occasions. (New York City Patch)
5. City Council members Christopher Marte and Julie Menin are taking aim at fast app delivery services that promise to bring goods to your door in 15 minutes or less. They're introducing three bills that would regulate the companies’ storefronts, limit the weight workers can carry and more. (New York Post)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

From our sponsor:

Interested in insanely high-paying cash back cards with no annual fee? A long-time credit card writer says these are some of the best deals he's seen in his years of writing for top financial websites.

You can pocket a $200 bonus with these high-paying cash back credit cards. Plus, enjoy high ongoing cash back rates, no annual fee, or 0% interest for 15 months on purchases. Start racking up huge cash back rewards. Visit here to learn more.

Today in New York City:

• TADA! Youth Theater Presents "Adventures from Ezra Jack Keats" Performances (noon)
• Public Private at the SVA Flatiron Gallery - Opening Reception (6 p.m.)
• Bastille Day Block Party (6:30 p.m.)
• The Boss Bitch Show (7:30 p.m.)
• Glenn Raymond at Broadway Comedy Club (Special Bday Set) (9:30 p.m.)

"Ah, sheet!" This Upper West Side linen shop is closing down after 62 years in business, Patch reports.

Crime and safety corner:

• A homeless man, Trevon Murphy, 40, was arrested in Harlem on Wednesday, suspected of having stabbed a series of three other homeless men, one of whom was killed. (New York City Patch)
• Three men, all in their 20s, lost their lives in a matter of hours in Brownsville, Bed-Stuy and Cypress Hills Brooklyn in a spate of shootings on Tuesday night. (New York City Patch)
• A fifteen-year-old girl Aesia McFadden, is missing from her home in NYCHA Ravenwood Houses in Astoria. (New York City Patch)

From my notebook:

• Uber is officially more expensive in NYC than any other city in the US, coming in at a whopping $34.74 average for a 6.2-mile ride. (New York Post )
• Help name Prospect Park's new chipmunk mascot. You might even get a tote bag in the process (if you donate.) (New York City Patch)
• A massive 100 percent affordable housing project with 500 units is nearing completion in Brownsville. (New York City Patch)
• A new documentary, "The Captain," tells the life story of former Yankees baseball legend Dereck Jeter. (AMNY)
• Catch some free outdoor films in LIC and Astoria this summer, including Marvel's Black Panther. (New York City Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Patient Advocacy Services LLC — (Visit website)
• Hach & Rose, LLP — (Visit website)
• Lingerie Making Workshops by Rue du Paradis — (Visit website)
• Gallery 925 — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Kindergarten Admissions Virtual Workshop (July 14)
• Heat Wave Waves 5Rhythms Dance Class (July 15)
• Wet Cash! Free Comedy for Community Aid in Bushwick! (July 15)
• Dance under the Moonlight Jewel Yacht NYC Midnight Friday Party 2022 (July 15)
• You've been served! Hank has a few openings left for age 55+ Ping-Pong! (July 16)
• Screening of Documentary on Abortion Dr. Curtis Boyd + Talkback with filmmakers (July 16)
• Summer Wave NYC Sunset Booze Cruise Cabana Yacht Party 2022 (July 16)
• Stix Bones & The BONE Squad Jazz-Groove Nite (July 16)
• Cabana Yacht NYC Hip Hop vs Reggae® Saturday Midnight Cruise 2022 (July 16)
• Crowd Control Cabana Yacht NYC Cruise House Sunday Sunset Cruise 2022 (July 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (July 19)
• Add your event

Housing:

• Manhattan Luxury 2 Large Bedrooms & 2 Full Bathrooms Condo for Sale. (Details)
• Add your listing

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you soon.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Daily? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com