In the New York Times, Social Q's columnist Philip Galanes takes a question from a New Rochelle teen.

I am a 15-year-old girl. At Thanksgiving, and every other time we meet, my father’s friend makes a big joke about how little I know about current events. (Really funny, right?) I wish I was interested in the news, but I’m not. I like music, TV and celebrity magazines like other kids my age. What can I do to shut him up?

Steffi, New Rochelle, N.Y.

For Galanes response, click here.

There once was a mayor named Noam
The south of the city ne’er roam
To the northenders he’d cater
The southend? He’d say, "Later!"
The northend’s where you’ll find his home

A reader sends along photos and a note:

Today, 10/15/2011, while I was with my friend at Davenport Park in New Rochelle, we noticed a dead carcass laying on rocks. The tide appeared to be low. This carcass resembles "The Montauk Monster" from 2008. This carcass may still be laying on the rocks if the tide has not already carried it away.

Every cop, firefighter, DPW supervisor, elected official and Con Ed worker agrees. The tree at 22 Laurel Place needs to come down.

A city tree in the Residence Park section of New Rochelle, NY fell Sunday at about 5 PM, as high winds kicked up on the back end of what was Hurricane Irene, shutting off power to the residence. New Rochelle Firemen and Police officers responded. They looked the tree over and saw it was being supported by a triple combo of another tree, walkway and live electrical wires, Clearly, the all agreed, it should come down. They called it in and the section was yellow taped roped off.

On Monday, Joe from DPW was visiting his sister on Liberty Avenue. He happened upon the yellow tape. Not knowing anything about it, he dutifully radioed it in. Talking to the homeowner, he agreed the tree needed to come down. Later that day Michael Duffy, a Con Edison supervisor from Manhattan meandered up and looked at the tree.