Let’s Hear It for New York
November 24, 2009
“I traveled 3,000 miles for these pumpkin waffles,” said native San Franciscan and former New Yorker Cecile Lozano, who, with knife and fork in hand, proceeded to dig into her breakfast at Sarabeth’s on Madison Avenue.
There have been times when I haven’t wanted to venture into another neighborhood to try “the great new restaurant” simply because it seemed like too much trouble. Sometimes New York, for all the opportunities it offers, can become like a boyfriend you tolerate—in fact, you think you’re doing him a favor by dating him—until someone else comes along and goes after him like he’s the top prize at a church bazaar. Only then do you remember why you liked him in the first place. [Read more]
Sugar Plum Preview
November 24, 2009
Members of the Dances Patrelle’s dance company give a sneak peak of the The Yorkville Nutcracker for audiences at the Barnes and Noble on East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue. The production, in its 14th year, is at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College Dec. 10 to 13. Photo by Andrew Schwartz 
POST OFFICE SAVED
November 24, 2009
Cherokee Post Office is being spared from consolidation, the United States Postal Service announced on Nov. 20.
The decision followed intense lobbying from local elected officials and community organizations. Groups such as the East 79th Street Neighborhood Association held public meetings and delivered 4,000 signatures in support of keeping the York Avenue post office open.
“We’re just thrilled we were able to demonstrate the need in keeping it,” said Betty Cooper Wallerstein, head of the association.
The decision to review Cherokee Post Office for closing was part of the Postal Services’ nationwide consolidation effort due to low revenue and mail volume. There were more than 3,000 offices under review, including 14 throughout the city.
Like most other post offices, Cherokee’s revenue comes from selling stamps and other mailing services.
Residents would have been forced to use the Lenox Hill or Gracie post offices, which are nearly half a mile away, or use private mail services nearby. Seniors and handicapped residents in the neighborhood balked at being forced to travel farther for mailing services. Another proposal would have shifted the Cherokee services to the post office on Roosevelt Island.
“There are so many people who depend on it,” Wallerstein said. “They can’t walk a half mile to another post office.”
Rep. Carolyn Maloney and other East Side elected officials were pleased with the decision.
“Since New Yorkers can’t walk on water, I am delighted that the Postal Services won’t be closing the Cherokee Station and moving its operations across the East River,” Maloney said. “I thank the Postal Service for hearing our concerns and keeping this vital post office, which has become an important part of the community.”
POLS WANT OREO’S LAW
November 24, 2009
New York was stunned when a pit bull named Oreo was thrown off a roof by her owner and survived the six-story fall. Oreo suffered two broken legs. The ASPCA treated Oreo but, due to untreatable aggressive behavior, she was euthanized on Nov. 13. Animal groups launched a last-minute effort to save the 2-year-old pit bull, offering to bring Oreo to a sanctuary that specializes in such cases. The ASPCA refused.
Oreo’s story has inspired Assembly Member Micah Kellner to introduce Oreo’s Law to give animal welfare groups the right to request animals be given to the groups’ care when a shelter is going to euthanize them. Kellner, a dog owner and foster parent for an animal rescue group, wants shelters to work with groups that specialize in rehabilitating dogs.
These organizations will have the authority to take the animal with the payment of a normal adoption fee, if the animal is not rabid or in physical pain.
“I am hopeful that Oreo’s Law will ensure that no animal is ever put to death if there is a responsible alternative,” Kellner said.
State Sen. Tom Duane, who represents parts of the East Side, is expected to introduce the Senate version of the legislation, which is modeled after a California law adopted in 1998.
RECYCLE BATTERIES AT THE MARKET
November 24, 2009
Instead of leaving old cell phone and laptop batteries in a drawer, the Council on The Environment of New York City will take them for free.
The environmental group will be stationed at greenmarkets around the city taking old rechargeable batteries that can be found in most electronics. Batteries collected through the Call2Recycle program will be recycled into new batteries and scrap metal. This will keep them out of landfills.
Upper East Side residents can drop off their old batteries at the greenmarket in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on East 47th Street and Second Avenue on Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Subway Construction Updates
November 24, 2009
Sam Schwartz Engineering released a Second Avenue subway construction schedule through Dec. 13.
In the section spanning East 95th to 100th streets, construction work is slated to include Con Edison projects, as well as sewer, utility and gas main relocation, and the demolition of the Century Lumber building at 1875 Second Ave., between East 96th and 97th streets.
Between East 93rd and 95th streets, workers will continue soil excavation of the launch box and the installation of wales and struts. [Read more]
City of ‘Motherly’ Love
November 24, 2009
I reach the top of the Arc de Triomphe and catch my breath. Paris stretches in every direction. Oh, how I love this city! Filled with emotion, I give my companion’s hand a squeeze and we gaze at the view. Then she turns to me and asks, “Now can we go to a playground, Mommy?”
My traveling partner is my 8-year-old daughter Coco, with whom I have spent the past three Thanksgivings in Paris visiting friends. When I tell people that we’re Paris-bound, the follow-up question invariably is, “Are you bringing Coco?” I tell them that “we” is Coco and me. Phil, my husband, is staying home. [Read more]
Blurry Vision? See Your Doc
November 24, 2009
Q. I’m 70 and I’m starting to see a blurred area in the middle of my vision. Any ideas?
A: Have this checked immediately by an eye care practitioner. What you describe is a symptom of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.
The macula is at the center of the retina in the back of your eye. The retina transmits light from the eye to the brain. The macula allows us to perform tasks that require central vision, such as reading and driving. [Read more]
Thanksgiving 2009
November 24, 2009
We’d have a lot more to be thankful for if even a fraction as much attention were paid to what’s said “over the plate” as to what’s served on top of it. This traditional pre-church sermon prayer could help: “May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable…” And smile.
Again, I maintain there’d be far more to be thankful for if we just smiled. I dared to nod at the stony-faced stranger sitting next to me at a recent funeral. Although she looked startled, she not only nodded back, but smiled. [Read more]
Cool Britannia
November 24, 2009
Mayor Bloomberg and I love the British TV series Foyle’s War. He’s in movie-love with the demure leading lady in Army uniform, Honeysuckle Weeks.
I’m shocked!
Of course, the mayor owns this superb English TV series’ set of DVDs at about $50 a season (each DVD is at least three hours), and I rent them for $4.49 each (delivery and pickup from Video Room, the last classy film library left in the city, 212-879-5333). British TV miniseries are the world’s best comedies, action-adventures and romances—but hey, don’t take my word—call Video Room’s manager-buyer and urban treasure Howard Salen and ask for yourself. [Read more]
