McDonald's awning
near Varrick and West Houston Streets
I have recently finished jury duty, which lasted for three months and three days from October 9, 2012 to January 11, 2013, and a lot has happened in that time period. Perhaps the biggest news was Hurricane Sandy, which hit New York City on Monday, October 29.
Water damage in a power station on 14th street on the east side of New York caused a blackout below 39th street which lasted for about five days. Wind damage was not too bad, but I did observe a number of signs which had blown off of buildings.
An awning blew off a McDonald's restaurant near the corner of Varrick and Houston Streets. I had always thought these awnings were made of sheet metal, but I was able to touch it and see that it was actually made of vinyl.