Cold turkey commute. Don’t even think about lighting up while waiting for your Metro-North train. Doing so could get you kicked off the platform, up to $50 in fines or a trip to jail.

The MTA‘s new ban on outdoor smoking starts today, following a months-long grace period the agency gave smokers to get used to the idea. The ban, which had a soft launch in November, prohibits smoking on Metro-North and Long Island Railroad outdoor platforms, as well as ticketing and boarding areas.

The ban does not apply to Metro-North stations in Connecticut.

Violators have gotten away with just warnings since November. But after several months of  leafleting, signs, announcements and electronic alerts, the MTA now expects passengers to play by the rules.

One comment in online reads, “It is starting to require actual effort to remain completely ignorant of this person.”

For those who’ve been successful to date, here is every story posted by Gothamist on Jeremy Lin, the current Knicks sensation.

And the tabs are making a lot of hay with his apparent move “up” to Westchester to rent  Golden State Warrior David Lee’s apartment in White Plains that Amar’e Stoudemire is relinquishing; It’s close to the training camp in Greenburgh.

Want to see the handshake? (see also Linning.com)

photo: jay santiago on flickr

We hear a fundraiser at the Red Hat in Irvington raised about $30,000 last week towards efforts to find Lauren Spierer. Friends, family and supporters paid $150 per person to attend.

The  21-year-old Indiana University student from Edgemont disappeared June 3rd in Bloomington, 242 days ago.

More information at findlauren.com   twitter: #newsonlaurens

poster from findlauren.com

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, who represents most of Westchester and parts of Rockland Counties in Congress, made fast friends with a group of New Rochelle High School seniors during a classroom visit Monday, inviting them to meet again online Tuesday night during President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“I don’t want to talk at you,” Congresswoman Lowey, a Democrat who represents New York’s 18th District, said.  ”I want to have a conversation.”

Lowey’s visit to teacher Darren Gurney’s AP macroeconomics class was a precursor to the virtual Facebook and Twitter chat with students she has planned for before and after the President’s speech. Students can participate by going to Lowey’s Facebook page  or using the hashtag #LoweyChat on Twitter.

She also will meet with New Rochelle High AP government students in Washington later this week.

Lowey reiterated several times her commitment to staying non-partisan during the classroom discussion, which touched on her priorities: creating jobs, investing in education and tax relief.

She did, however, come right out and say how important she thinks it is for young people to get involved in their government as soon as they are old enough.

“It’s sad to me that in this great country of ours such a small percentage of people vote,” she said.

“Whatever you do with your life, I hope you will take some time for public service because it is very rewarding.”

Photo courtesy of Paul Costiglio

Update: Police say they believe the missing Indiana University sophomore from Edgemont (Greenburgh) could be the victim of foul play.

“We certainly feel like there could be foul play involved,” Bloomington police Lt. Bill Parker said at a press conference Tuesday. There have been no breaks in the case, however.

According to CBS News, police have a cell phone, keys and purse belonging to Lauren Spierer, a 2009 graduate of Edgemont High, though they don’t know whether Spierer simply forgot them after a late night out.

Spierer’s disappearance has mobilized communities from Bloomington to Westchester. A Scarsdale synagogue that the Spierer family attends is holding a prayer vigil for her Tuesday night.

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An Indiana University student from Greenburgh remained missing this morning, four days after she was last seen, as her parents took to the national airwaves to plead for help finding their daughter.

According to LoHud, Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old fashion student, has not been seen since 4:15 a.m. Friday morning a few blocks from her Bloomington apartment.

Spierer’s parents, Robert and Charlene, are in Bloomington, searching for their daughter, along with Bloomington police and a growing group of volunteers.  The couple appeared this morning on NBC’s “Today” show asking for help.

“She didn’t just disappear. Somebody knows where she is,” Charlene Spierer said on the show.

The Spierer family has set up a website with information at www.iuhillel.org.