Ilana Yagudayev (left) a pharmacist and owner of Drug Mart on E. 86 Street and York Ave. administers a COVID booster shot to Helene Goldfarb at Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright’s in-office, no-cost clinic. ( Photo: Courtesy Rebecca Seawright) From COVID Booster Shots to a Notary, Local Assembly Member Offers Surprising Array of No Cost Services to UES Constituents Hooray for Constituent Service–For non-stop/one-stop constituent service, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright’s community office... Voices 22 Nov 2024 | 02:54
A group of UES activists and elected officials united under the CommunityUnity Initiative banner to toss a Halloween event for kids. Assembly member Alex Bores (foreground, blue jacket) assisted Faith Bondy (center) and one of her rivals for an UES city council seat, Luke Florczak (in baseball cap, rear) ( Photo: Emily Hassell) There’s Nothing Spooky about This Halloween Crew on UES, Friendly, not spooky–Some local political rivals and community leaders came together to form a new Halloween trick-or-treat... Voices 11 Nov 2024 | 06:40
Actor Eugene Levy (right) and bandleader/musician Paul Shaffer (left) with restaurant owner Dennis Lekic at Benny John’s restaurant. ( Photo: Courtesy Dennis Lekic) Those Annoying Pre-Election Texts Starting to Grate Nerves The texts keep coming–and thankfully after ED (Election Day), they’ll stop. But in the meantime the pings from my phone keep... Voices 11 Oct 2024 | 04:18
Local activist Vanessa Aronson (center) is the latest to throw her hat into the ring to succeed term-limited Keith Powers in Manhattan’s district four City Council race. At least four others have said they covet the seat as well with a primary sometime in June 2025. ( Photo: Courtesy Vanessa Aronson ) Julie Menin Runs Unopposed in CD 5; Vanessa Aronson Declares Candidacy in Council Dist 4 Elections come, elections go. Running for office seems like forever. And, with term limits, prospective candidates are always... Voices 29 Sep 2024 | 12:43
Jordan Stein, grandson of the company founder who started the firm inside Grand Central in 1924, fits a customer for eye glasses. He’s the third generation to be involved in the family business. ( Photo: Grand Central Optical) Still Thriving after 100 Years Inside Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Optical at one hundred years old, is one of the longest established optometrists in the city and, in a rarity... Voices 16 Sep 2024 | 04:13
Hon. Adam Silvera, who has been a civil court judge on the New York County bench since 2014 adds new responsibilities to his role when he gets promoted to deputy chief administrative judge. ( Photo: New York County Civil Court) Adam Silvera Moves Up to Dep. Chief Admin Judge Next Week One of our town’s premiere members of the New York judiciary, Hon. Adam Silvera, will become Deputy Chief Administrative... Voices 04 Sep 2024 | 11:00
Civil Court Judge Gerald Lebovits is expected to run unopposed in the November election for the sole open seat on the Supreme Court in New York County after getting the nod from the local Democratic panel on Aug. 8. He’ll be joining his wife Margaret Chan, who is already a NYS Supreme Court judge in Manhattan. ( Photo: Courtesy Gerald Lebovits) Lebovits Gets Nod from Dems for NY Supreme Court Justice Seat, Running Unopposed in Nov. Judge Gerald Lebovits beat out two other civil court colleagues to secure the Democratic nomination for the sole open seat... News 16 Aug 2024 | 06:38
Keith Powers, the current council member in district four–which stretches from Stuyvesant Town to the Upper East Side and parts of the Theater District– can’t run for reelection in 2025 due to term limits, but four Democrats are currently jockeying to succeed him. Photo: Courtesy Keith Powers Heading to Hot 2025 Primary Battle: 4 Candidates Already Declared for Council Seat Now Held by Keith Powers The race is on–It’s no secret. Keith Powers District 4 City Council seat is up for grabs in 2025. Term limits keep Powers... Voices 19 Jul 2024 | 07:56
NYS Supreme Court Justice Leslie Stroh had a swearing in ceremony administered by NYS Chief Justice Rowan Wilson a little over two months. Now six civil court justices are vying to join her on the Supreme Court. The Democratic Party will hold a nominating convention sometime in August. Photo: Courtesy Judge Leslie Stroh Six Civil Court Judges Vying for 1 Supreme Court Judgeship When judges convene–It was only a little over two months ago that the then-newly appointed NYS Chief Judge Rowan Wilson performed... Voices 08 Jul 2024 | 06:08
Wonder Chelsea ( Wonder Instagram) Food for Thought: Making Sense of Three Recent Openings Food town and eating options–I’m for dining whether fine, casual, fast casual, grab and go. Forget table linen. Can be waitstaff... Home 10 Jun 2024 | 12:04
Peter Phillis seen here with Bobby Ochs outside Phillis’ Home Kitchen Restaurant. Peter Phillis is the fourth generation in the retail food business on the UES. His great grandfather started Lexington Candy shop, still in its original location and currently run by Peter’s dad, John Phillis. Bobby recommends the lobster. ( Courtesy Bobby Ochs) Great Grandson of Lexington Candy Shop Founder Woos Crowd with Home Kitchen Restaurant generations, lobster specials–Everybody knows that restaurants were hit hard by COVID. Closings, re-openings,... News 24 May 2024 | 03:15
Volunteers for Assembly member Rebecca Seawright set up a community outreach booth at the Second Ave. Street Fair on May 4th. Photo: Twitter Big Crowd Turns Out as Second Ave Street Fair Kicks Off City’s Season in Early May Street Fair fare–This year’s Second Ave Street Fair from 66th to 86th Streets seemed different to me. Could be because it... News 13 May 2024 | 01:31
Keith Powers still has a year and half left before his term limited run ends at the conclusion of 2025 but Stuyvesant Town resident Ben Wetzler has already tossed his hat into the ring to succeed Powers. Photo: NYC Council. Some City Council Races for 2025 Already Starting to Take Shape on East Side Campaigning Like Its 2025–Yes, you read it right. 2025 electioneering’s underway even though 2024 elections are not yet history... Voices 29 Apr 2024 | 03:06
Baya Bar, a health food place featuring acai bowls and smoothies moved into a former framing store on Third Ave. near 91st. St. Meanwhile, the popular South African bar next door with the rhyming name, Kaia Wine Bar, which has been there for years seems to be bereft of any signage on its storefront or door, aside from an occasional chalk board out front on non-rainy days. How is one to know about the delightful staff and offerings inside? Photo: Arlene Kayatt. Judge Engoron Turns Out to Support Honorees at Annual Gala of Jewish Lawyers Guild All rise -The Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea was packed with New York State judges, justices, lawyers, colleagues at the... Voices 12 Apr 2024 | 06:03
Assembly woman Rebecca Seawright (left) joined Governor Kathy Hochul in a ceremony in Albnay honoring Upper East Side community activist Amy Scwartz (right). Hochul Honors Civic Activist Amy Schwartz in Albany Celebrating Amy–Upper East Sider Amy Schwartz was honored by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislative Women’s... News 29 Mar 2024 | 04:19
