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Early Addition: Frankie Focus has outlasted the haters
By
James Ramsay
Published Mar 9, 2026
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Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
By
James Ramsay
Published Mar 9, 2026
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Good Monday morning in New York City, where you unfortunately can't get the limited-edition misprinted "111th mayor" mugs.
Here's what's happening:
- It's shirtless skateboarding weather in the city right now.
- "I just get very excited when I see mascots": In the end, the kids say Gov. Kathy Hochul's fuzzy green phone ban mascot, Frankie Focus, is a winner.
- Mei Mei, the parakeet who survived 10 weeks living with sparrows in Central Park, has a safe new home at a bird sanctuary in Rhode Island.
- Happy retirement to Malcolm Pinckney, the city parks department's staff photographer for 50 years.
- Why power lunch at the Tommy Bahama restaurant by Grand Central when you could power lunch at the obscenely expensive private restaurant inside this 37th floor Midtown co-working space?
- George Clooney has another drink company.
- The geese are flying back up.
- And finally, why not:
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early addition
James Ramsay
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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