Time Out Sold Out Watch Out

With three days left before next week's issue, Time Out has sold out at my local newsstand. Was it the great weather, the many tourists or the cover story on toilet-trained cats? Any or all. Who knows.

My newsstand guy happened to mention that, on a windy day last winter, a metal table he keeps on the roof of the newsstand -- which is about nine feet high, with an eave -- blew off. It didn't hit anyone, but easily could have.

I was especially interested, and horrified, in light of the recent lawsuit involving 69 West 106th St., where a chunk of metal fence blew/fell off the roof and hit an innocent passerby on the head.

His lawyer told me it blew off the roof, but one of the building's lawyers told me there was no evidence it blew off, though it did fall off. The passerby, Michael Taratuta, was brain-damaged. He subsequently married but can no longer work.

According to his lawyer, Anthony Gair -- lawyer for the family of Amadou Diallo, whose case against the city was settled for $3 million -- the building didn't have enough liability insurance.

Does the newsstand have liability insurance? Enough? Any? My newsstand guy pointed to the sign saying it was licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The site isn't clear about such insurance, though it does touch on the matter by telling you what to do when a loved one dies.

So watch your back and watch your head. On any windy day, or even on a still one, the sky could fall in.