🌱 Tasty Bagels Closes + Parvovirus Is Back + City Hall Rotunda Art

Hey, New York City! Today’s National Empanada Day; did you know that adding an egg wash to the exterior makes an empanada’s crust crispier? Sylvia here again in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know that's going on around town. Today you'll learn about:

• 💰 Skyrocketing insurance rates
• 🤔 A drop in life expectancy
• 🎨 An art installation at City Hall

🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 53 Low: 39.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Across New York City

• Conoco at 1610 Utica Ave. in Brooklyn, $3.23
• BP at 200 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park, $3.25
• Speedway at 1620 Neptune Ave. in Coney Island, $3.29

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

1. What’s up with the car insurance? New York neighbors are seeing steep increases in auto and also homeowner policies, which insiders blame on inflation. Currently, the average cost of full car coverage in the city is $3,139; the national average is $2,014. Reportedly, companies are paying out more for claims that, in the past, didn’t cost as much. So, they’re passing the increase on to us. You’ll keep seeing “significant increases for both . . . home and auto insurances through at least 2023, if not longer.” By the way, underwriting criteria have also tightened. (LI Herald)
2. Between 2019 and 2020, New York’s life expectancy fell to 78. The Health Department explained on Friday that the drop of 4.6 years is partially due to the pandemic, but has “also been fueled by a rise in overdose deaths.” How does this figure break down along ethnic lines? Black New Yorkers have a life expectancy of 73 years, Hispanic residents of 77.3 years, and white neighbors of 80.1 years. (NBC)
3. Tasty Bagels at 1705 86th Street in Brooklyn closed its doors. An institution for 40 years, the owners recalled having “fed and catered to tens of thousands.” Saying that “all good things come to an end,” the word “retire” is mentioned in the shop’s social media post. They’ll be missed! (Tasty Bagels)
4. If you share your home with a canine, listen up! Canine parvovirus (CPV) is on the prowl. Hotspots appear to be in the Bronx and Manhattan. Animal Care Centers note that by the middle of March, they had diagnosed 14 dogs, as much as are typically seen in a year. Unvaccinated dogs are at the highest risk. “Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, American Pit Bull Terriers, English Springer Spaniels, and German Shepherds may see increased risk.” If you’re not sure whether your dog’s vaccinated, call your vet and check its records. (NBC)
5. Have you visited City Hall lately? Its rotunda now displays portraits by Roy Nachum, an Israeli-born artist based in New York, and known for his creative collaborations with low-vision individuals, who add “the final touches to their own portraits.” Mayor Eric Adams unveiled the installation on Monday. “As the mayor of arts and culture, I am proud to bring diverse art to City Hall,” he said. Nachum is renowned for creating inclusive art, frequently “incorporating braille and other tactile elements into his artwork.” (Caribbean Life)

📆 Today in New York City:

• Have Brunch with the Easter Bunny at Stella 34 Trattoria (9 AM)
• Explore the Urban Farm at the Randall's Island Park Alliance (10 AM)
• Celebrate Easter with Miffy, the globally beloved bunny, at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (12:30 PM)
• Bring the kids to the NYSoM Easter Eggstravaganza 2023 at Sherman Creek Park (2 PM)
• Dear Mom, I’m Gay! Fundraiser Concert featuring Laura Bell Bundy at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater (3 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "We’re starting to see some avian migrants arrive in Central Park! Visitors are most likely to spot herons and egrets near water bodies and songbirds in wooded areas like the Ramble, the Loch, the Great Hill, or the North Woods." (Central Park via Instagram)
• "It was so great to once again be with our Chinese-American community in Brooklyn to celebrate the grand opening of the new Bensonhurst Senior Center. This new facility is just another landmark of our love for NYC and all the people who call it home." (Mayor Eric Adams via Facebook)
• "Say hello to NYC’s first wider Bike NYC lane! To support increased cycling & e-micromobility, we doubled the width of bike lanes on four blocks of 9th Ave in Manhattan as part of a resurfacing project." (NYC DOT via Facebook)
• "On May 17, Columbia University will confer honorary degrees and the University Medal for Excellence on eight distinguished recipients during the commencement ceremony of Columbia’s 269th academic year. Joyce Ladner, Jonathan Lavine, Jeannie Lavine, Tania León, Nemat 'Minouche' Shafik, Bob Woodward, and Shing-Tung Yau, will receive honorary degrees. Katori Hall will be awarded the University Medal for Excellence." (Columbia University via Facebook)
• "The FDNY urges New Yorkers to be cautious when using devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. Do not leave batteries charging unattended or overnight when you’re sleeping. Do not leave them in hallways, doorways, or exits. Do not use power or extension cords to charge." (New York City Fire Department (FDNY) via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Kate Oh Gallery Reception: Saturday, 6-8PM (April 8)
• Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Lutheran (April 8)
• NYC HipHop vs Reggae® Saturday Night Cruise Skyport Marina Jewel Yacht 2023 (April 8)
• Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity (April 9)
• Bach Vespers Presents J.S. Bach's Easter Oratorio (April 9)
• Parents League Presents: Chasing Childhood, A Film Screening (April 11)
• Geraldine Brooks, in-person at Revolution Books with her new novel, HORSE (April 11)
• New York Open House (April 12)
• Happy Time Apocalypse (April 12)
• We Have Fun: Special Album Release Show (April 12)
• Collector's Jewelry, Fine Artwork, Coins, Porcelain and More | Online Auction (April 13)
• Deconstructing the Best College Essay: A Workshop for Parents (April 13)
• NYC Friday Spring Midnight Yacht Party Cruise at Skyport Marina Jewel 2023 (April 14)
• "Mexican Street Taco" Cooking Class (April 30)
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• Foreclosure: 319 Governors Crt. New Westminster, VANCITY (Details)
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That's it for today. Your regular writer will be back with the next update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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