news briefs
Brooklyn Bridge Lane Attracts New Cyclists The first full month after a protected two-way bike lane opened on the Brooklyn Bridge last fall, the number of cycling trips over the East River crossing was nearly double the number from a comparable period the previous year. A report released by the New York City Department of Transportation shows that 4,206 cyclists made a trip across the bridge in October 2021, up from 2,239 in October 2020. Also significant is the fact that the number of cycling trips across the nearby Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges didn’t change, indicating that the increased trips across the Brooklyn Bridge reflects an uptick in bicycle ridership overall.
Ornithology Jazz Club Opens in Brooklyn Ornithology Jazz Club opened in Brooklyn’s eclectic Bushwick neighborhood last month, serving up an appropriately eclectic mix: live music, vegan food, cocktails and no cover. The centerpiece of the bohemian performance space is a Bechstein grand piano. Guests can enjoy live jazz every night, as well as a daily happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. The menu features a variety of classic and signature cocktails, including toddies, and four “vegan bites”: tomato or mushroom tortizza, Chinatown fried rice and chana masala (Indian-style chickpea curry).
Location: 6 Suydam St., Brooklyn, NY. For more information, call 917-2314766, email mamajamavista@gmail. com or visit OrnithologyJazzClub.com.
According to DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman, “We have reclaimed space from cars to make cycling over the Brooklyn Bridge safer and easier, while making the pedestrian experience better than ever—and it has been a great success.”
For more information about cycling in New York City, visit www1.nyc.gov.
LifeThyme Helped Expand Organic Movement in Greenwich Village True, organic foods were around long before artificial and prepackaged ones. Yet when LifeThyme All-Natural Market opened in Greenwich Village 20 years ago, most people thought of “organic” as being a bit odd. Funny how times change. LifeThyme was offering organic foods before there was widespread demand from the public and health officials to eliminate additives, pesticides and other unhealthy substances from consumables. Over the years, the store has steadily expanded to include a full complement of natural health and body items; household products; fresh produce; and perishable, nonperishable and frozen foods. “We look at it this way: We care about our customers, and we want them to be around for a long time,” the owners of LifeThyme Market explain on its website. “Sometimes we wonder why so many other companies don’t seem to share our belief and commitment to only make or sell products that start from a better place and are made from only natural ingredients. You’ll notice we stamp everything we package with a Made On date. This tells you when we made and packaged this creation. That’s what we know; that’s what you can trust.”
Location: 410 6th Ave., New York, NY. For more information, visit LifeThymeMarket.com. 8
New York City – Long Island
NYCNaturalAwakenings.com
