🌱NYC Open Streets Program Benefits Restaurants: Study + 1K Lb Pumpkin

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the New York City Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening around the city, including...

• ☕️ Starbucks workers are on strike in Chelsea.
• 🍽 NYC's open streets program had a positive effect on some restaurants, a study shows.
• 🎃 There's a massive 1,000-pound pumpkin in Park Slope.

But first, today's weather:

A shower in the morning; fog. High: 70 Low: 56.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in New York City! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Workers at the Meatpacking District's NYC Reserve Roastery Starbucks went on strike Tuesday over reports of bed bugs and black mold which they claim the store's management had not responded to. This Starbuck location voted to unionize in April. (New York City Patch)
2. Health experts are warning of a "twindemic" caused by a flu season that's likely to be stronger than last year, accompanied by the possibility of a fall and winter rise in COVID-19 cases. Reduced mask wearing could make matters worse, according to Machelle Allen, the chief medical officer for Health + Hospitals. (New York City Patch)
3. New York City's open streets program had a positive benefit for food establishments, according to a study by the NYC Department of Transformation. It found car-free streets had average sales 19 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels, while nearby corridors with traditional traffic were 29 percent below. (New York City Patch)
4. Three New Yorkers with disabilities have filed a class-action lawsuit against the MTA, demanding the agency close the gaps between platforms and trains that they say can be dangerous for riders that are blind or use wheelchairs. This follows two other settled lawsuits that require the MTA to install ramps or elevators to most subway stations by 2025. (THE CITY)
5. Thirty million dollars in funding will support New York's teacher residency program which subsidizes a master's degree for graduate-level K-12 teachers. The state estimates they will need a total of 180,000 teachers over the next decade. (AMNY)

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.

Patch deals of the day:

The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think you’ll love. These limited-time offers are worth a look — especially if you’re doing some early holiday shopping.

• Seido Japanese master knife set (71 percent off) — This 5-piece set of chef-quality knives comes in at just under $70. They’re sharp, durable and cost a fraction of what you’d pay for similar high-quality knives.
• Flux 7 TWS earbuds with wireless charging case & power bank (75 percent off) — Why pay $100+ for earbuds when you can get these well-rated wonders on sale for just $25?
• Pressure Putt Trainer (53 percent off) — Small enough to fold up and easily fit in a golf bag, the Pressure Putt Trainer was developed using drills that pro golfers use to build confidence for achieving the perfect putt.

(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

Today in New York City:

• Harvest Festival Prep — 215 Moore St. (4 p.m.)
• Gemma Gené: Mochi's Pugpyhood — The Strand (7 p.m.)
• Tom Gold Dance Company (7:30 p.m.)
• Single What? Female: A Reading by Alexandra de Suze (8:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• New York City, somewhat surprisingly, actually isn't the most rat-infested city in the U.S. Can you guess which city takes first place? (New York City Patch)
• A person was fatally struck by an F subway train at Parsons Boulevard station in Jamaica on Tuesday, according to police. (New York City Patch)
• Meet the accidental 1,000-pound pumpkin on Charlie Pigott's Park Slope stoop. (New York City Patch)
• In case you were wondering, here's where you can find a 12-foot-tall skeleton in New York City this Halloween season. (If any readers happen to come across one, please send us a photo!) (Hell Gate)
• Fifteen climate change protestors were arrested in Midtown on Tuesday for blocking traffic. (AMNY)

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)
• Add your business here

Events:

• FoieGone — A Farewell to Foie Gras, Now a Celebration! (October 26)
• JUST LISTED!! "Welcome Home" Magnificent 6 Bedroom Colonial in Forest Hills Gardens (October 26)
• Fabbri Presents — AMERICAN STRING QUARTET (October 26)
• Frida Kahlo the Immersive Biography Comes to Brooklyn! | Opening October 27 (October 27)
• Learn to Make Gorgeous Coconut Wax Candles — New York City (October 27)
• Parenting Young Children in the New Normal (October 27)
• Share and Learn: Arts, Hobbies, and Handiwork: ‘Photography: Eye of the Beholder’ (October 27)
• Copacabana Interview with a Vampire Halloween party 2022 (October 28)
• Wonderland NYC Friday Halloween Party General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• Elsie Rooftop NYC Halloween Party General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• Jewel Thief Halloween party General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• The Bowery Rooftop Halloween Friday party 2022 General Admission (October 28)
• The DL Halloween Friday Night General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• Chelsea Music Hall Halloween Friday Night General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• The Ainsworth Chelsea Friday Halloween party General Admission 2022 (October 28)
• NYC Halloween Nightmare on Jewel Yacht Skyport Marina Costume Party 2022 (October 28)
• Halloween Costume Party at Marble Collegiate Church (October 29)
• KRASH Halloween Saturday Sunset Avalon Yacht Party Cruise 2022 (October 29)
• NYC Halloween Pub Crawl 2022 only $15 (October 29)
• Loft 51 Copacabana NYC Halloween party 2022 (October 29)
• The Dean NYC Halloween party 2022 only $15 (October 29)
• Tribeca Social NYC Halloween party 2022 only $15 (October 29)
• Mozart at the Salzburg Cathedral (October 29)
• Oumou Sangaré Makes Her Apollo Debut Sat, Oct 29! (October 29)
• Copaween Masquerade Ball Halloween Live Entertainment party (October 29)
• Taj Lounge Halloween Saturday Night General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• District Sporting Lounge Halloween Party 2022 (October 29)
• Lost in Paradise Queens Rooftop Saturday Halloween Openbar Party 2022 (October 29)
• Musica Club NYC Halloween Saturday Night party 2022 (October 29)
• The Orchard Room Saturday night Halloween party General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• Selina Rooftop NYC Halloween Party 2022 (October 29)
• LeGrande Lounge Halloween party 2022 General Admission (October 29)
• Jewel Thief Halloween Saturday party General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• Daintree Rooftop Halloween Saturday party General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• Spritz Nomad Halloween party General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• The Bowery Rooftop Halloween Saturday party 2022 General Admission (October 29)
• St. Cloud Rooftop Bar, Times Square Knickerbocker Hotel Halloween Party (October 29)
• Blue Midtown NYC Halloween Saturday Night General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• The DL Halloween Saturday Night General Admission 2022 (October 29)
• Hip Hop vs Reggae® NYC Halloween Saturday Midnight Jewel Yacht 2022 (October 29)
• The High Line Hotel's Annual Dog Costume Parade Returns to Chelsea (October 30)
• Regina Opera's 'Gotta Sing' Concert (October 30)
• NYC Freaknight EDM Techno House Halloween Sunday Sunset Jewel Yacht Party (October 30)
• Bhagavad Gita Lecture Series Oct 27 - 30 (October 30)
• To Life — Again! Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish Returns (October 30)
• Carnaval Halloween Party at Copacabana Loft 2022 (October 30)
• Bohemia Nightclub Halloween with Nora Van Elken live at Coda Williamsburg (October 30)
• The Funnies NYC @ Stand Up NY @ 8pm @ Free Show (October 30)
• Carnegie Hill Neighbors Annual Spooktacular (October 31)
• Latin Vibes Halloween Costume Yacht Cruise at Cabana Yacht 2022 (October 31)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Sponsorship & Advertising Sales New York City (Details)
• Add your job listing

Other classifieds:

• 3 Simple Things with Demos Parneros (Details)
• Add your classified

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Dashiell Allen

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