By Paul Bisceglio Bike theft numbers are in, and they aren’t good. NYPD announced this week that it has seen a 25 percent increase in thefts across the city this year. So far, 1,694 bikes have been reported stolen in 2012. New Yorkers documented 1,346 thefts by August last year. Are thieves getting smarter? 
This past Wednesday night Amanda Palmer, former vocalist for the Dredson Dolls, played a sold out show at the Williamsburg Hall of Music. Backed by bandmates The Grand Theft Orchestra, the night’s performance was packed with surprises, including an unexpected appearance by legendary David Byrne of the Talking Heads. AP pleased the packed room with songs off 
Nydia Velazquez should thank the Aronite faction of Williamsburg’s vote-rich Satmar religious sect for fending off a strong challenge from Councilman Erik Dilan in yesterday’s primary, according to Velazquez supporters. The south Williamsburg Satmar Jewish community is split between two rival brothers, Zalman Teitelbaum and Aaron Teitelbaum — who control the community’s Zalmanite and Aronite factions. 
Nydia Velazquez needed to refuel after a long day campaigning. She was barely soaking in her victory — having addressed the crowd at Williamsburg’s East River Bar shortly before 11 p.m. — and was piling her plate with meatballs, roast chicken, fried fish, pasta salad, rice and some kind of lasagna at a buffet set 
By Paul Bisceglio Just in time for the weekend’s predicted sunshine, Rockaway Beach’s new Williamsburg-to-the-beach “Rockabus” is kicking off its service this Saturday and Sunday with free roundtrip rides to shore. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. and departing every 35 minutes, yellow school buses will cruise back and forth between Metropolitan and Meeker Avenues and the 
