2025: Best Summer Ever*
*probably not, but it's OK to be a little delusional #124
Summer unofficially starts tomorrow with the official opening of New York City beaches, even though it is a little cold today.
To kick off our second season of Summer & THE CITY (sign up if you haven’t) I spent some time at training classes taken by aspiring lifeguards.
I of course didn’t jump in the pool, I just watched from the sidelines, but it was a fascinating look at just how difficult the whole process is, even with recent changes made under a new contract. There are so many laps, so many fake drowning exercises, so much chlorine.
Hopefully many of these prospective guards will make it to the city’s beaches and pools, where everyone will be safe and have an enjoyable summer.
You can read the full story here.
Mayor Adams celebrated the beach opening tomorrow (even though their office mistakenly said it was today) at Orchard Beach, focusing not on lifeguards or other beach and pool issues but drones and the police. For whatever reason, the outgoing Parks Commissioner had a more traditional beach opening in Rockaway, with the giant piping plover and lifeguards on the dais. Every day there is a new mystery in this administration.
Other interesting stories & links
The “Train Daddy” is returning to New York City [GOTHAMIST]
What the House budget means for our city [THE CITY]
The lobbyist “volunteering” on the Cuomo campaign [POLITICO]
This is how much we’re paying after de Blasio fought the city [THE CITY]
The chef who opened his first restaurant at 46 [GRUBSTREET]
First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro doesn’t use a computer! [GOTHAMIST]
Billy Joel cancels concerts due to medical diagnosis [NYT]
The NYMag lookbook heads to Bark at the Park [NYMAG]
Our latest episode of FAQ.
🚨 Don’t forget out FAQ/Max Politics LIVE show next week! It’s free! You can find information and sign up here. 🚨
Here’s the guide to Rockaway Beach I wrote a few summers ago.
I hope you do have the best summer ever, whatever that means!
Thanks for reading!