GRIDLOCK SAM

Friday, Jan. 1 5 - Sunday, Jan. 1 7

Covid surge + protests = good reason to stay home this weekend! The FBI, in an internal memo, warns of armed protests being planned around the country from “16 January through at least 20 January.” NYC is more likely to see counter-protests and pro-impeachment demonstrations, but we need to be ready for anything. NYC symbols are often targets, so play it safe and avoid the Brooklyn Bridge, City Hall, Gov. Cuomo’s and Sen. Schumer’s offices in Midtown East, Trump Tower, and Times Square.

But New Yorkers have more than just national politics on their mind; Sunday at noon, there will be a rally in support of educational equality at Gracie Mansion (E 87th St. and East End Ave.).

Anticipate additional turbulence around the Javits Center moving forward; the complex at 34th St. and 11th Ave. opened as a vaccine “mega-site” this week. Traffic could spill over to the West Side Highway, so beware.

Friday night, the ramp from the northbound Van Wyck to the westbound Grand Central will be closed from 10:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. From the Van Wyck, take Exit 11, left on Park Dr., left on 69th Rd., then use the exit to the Grand Central.

Rockaway Freeway between Beach 104th St. and Beach 105th St. will be shut Fridays from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through February 20th for repairs to the elevated subway structure.

The Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek will be fully closed for the next three Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use Metropolitan Ave. instead.

The next two weekends, Friday at 9:30 p.m. to Monday at 1 a.m., 4 trains will not run between Bowling Green and Utica Ave./New Lots Ave. As an alternative, take the 2 or 3.

MAILBAG Dear Readers,

Car thefts are way up! A major culprit: key fobs. Always take all fobs with you— check the glove box and cup holder. Also make sure that the vehicle is OFF (about half the cars stolen last year were running; this happens to drivers with traditional keys too) before exiting. Gridlock Sam

NOTE TO READERS: Have you gotten your 2021 Gridlock Sam Parking Calendar yet? It’s free to download at gridlocksam.com/store. Avoid tickets all year long! For hard copies, please send checks for postage and handling to Gridlock Sam, 322 Eighth Ave., Fifth Floor, New York, NY, 10001. One calendar is $3, five are $5, and 10 are $6.