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... 11 Oct 2024 | 04:18
“Rachel” is a person that the artist Zhenya Gershman met near her studio. On the day the artist’s exhibit opened with “Rachel” one of the featured paintings, Gershman learned that Rachael had fortunately relocated into housing in New Jersey. The joy for her friend was a little bittersweet since Rachel never got to see the finished portrait. ( Photo: Courtesy Zheny Gershman) Artist Marks World Homeless Day on Oct. 10 October 10th marks World Homeless Day. Here in New York, I wanted to do my part in honoring the homeless as individuals rather... Voices 10 Oct 2024 | 11:18
The 2024 U.S. general election will be held on November 5. ( Photo: Wikimedia Commons ) How to Vote in the 2024 General Election November 5, when the U.S. 2024 general election is held, is less than a month away. As such, prospective NYC voters–whether... Voices 07 Oct 2024 | 01:01
Since Nov. 4, 2023, a group of marchers have gathered each week and made a trek across downtown Manhattan to publicize the plight of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, with the hope that they will be returned. Among those snatched were a 24-year old woman, Eden Yerushalmi and a 79 year old grandfather, Gadi Moses. ( Photo: Philip Maier) Protestors Call for Return of Hostages on Grim Anniversary of Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel On October 7, 2023 terrorist organizations, led by Hamas, launched a massive rocket barrage breaching Israeli defenses allowing... Voices 07 Oct 2024 | 12:07
The grave of Eliakum Zunser, and his wife Fannie (Feigel), Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn. The elevated F train to and from Coney Island is in the near distance behind it. ( Photo: Brian Berger) The Resurrection of Eliakum Zunser, “the Father of Yiddish Poetry” What if I told you one of the most famous and beloved Russian Jews of the 19th century—”the father of Yiddish poetry” no... Voices 30 Sep 2024 | 11:07
City Council member Eric Bottcher is expected to join the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce to celebrate ten years of the Chelsea Farmers Market on Oct. 5th at W. 23rd St. and Ninth Ave. at 9 a.m. followed by free coffee and cookies reception. ( Photo: Down to Earth Markets) Farmers Market Celebrates 10 Years of Bringing Local Food to Heart of Chelsea In the early morning hours of a summer Saturday in 2014, an intrepid group of small-scale farmers and food makers set up... Voices 24 Sep 2024 | 10:41
Schools Chancellor David C. Banks at the podium, September 17, 2024. ( Photo: NYC Mayor’s Office YouTube) Ed. Chancellor David Banks Delivers State of Schools Address, Pays Tribute to Tony Bennett, “AI” & Power of Poetry Embattled New York City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks, 62, delivered his second annual State of our Schools address on... Voices 24 Sep 2024 | 10:24
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
Due to the premature deaths of first responders who worked on the pile after 9/11, the FDNY and NYPD pension funds are facing shortfalls that a bipartisan group of Congress members want FEMA to address. ( Photo: Peter Foley) Pension Shortfalls Created when 9/11 First Responders Die Young Hundreds of first responders from the NYPD and FDNY have died before their time from diseases caused by rescue and recovery... Voices 13 Sep 2024 | 06:33
Sen. Ted Cruz is linking a bill regarding a national safety regulation law for lithium ion batteries to another bill that he supports limiting gas stove regulations. ( Photo: Voice of America/Wikimedia Commons) Ted Cruz Is Holding Up Bipartisan Action to Make E-Bike Batteries Safe A federal bill the FDNY contends would help douse the dangerous trend of e-bike battery fires that has killed 31 New Yorkers... Voices 06 Sep 2024 | 01:25
The MTA Eagle team and the NYPD began a crackdown on fare evaders, handing out $100 tickets to anyone it caught skipping out on the $2.90 bus fare. The MTA data said the agency $315 million a year in lost bus fares as nearly half the bus riders skipped out on paying. ( Photo: Marc A. Hermann / Metropolitan Transportation Auth) As Crackdown Begins on Bus Fare Evaders, MTA Should be Embarrassed It Took So Long A few years ago, in these very pages, I wrote a story asking whether I was a hero or a sucker for doggedly paying my bus... Voices 30 Aug 2024 | 01:11
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
Thousands of firefighters lined Fifth Ave. as the coffin bearing Supervising Fire Marshall George Snyder was brought to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for his Aug. 19 funeral. He died on Aug. 10, less than 25 hours after he completed his last tour of duty which meant it was considered a line of duty death, the first for the FDNY in 2024. ( Photo: FDNY) First FDNY Line of Duty Death in ‘24; Adams and Tucker Bid Farewell to Fallen Fire Marshall Mayor Eric Adams: To the Snyders, and to George’s sisters, to Jamora, and to his brothers and sisters of the FDNY. The awkwardness... Voices 27 Aug 2024 | 04:51
Taking the checks and balances away could lead to more development such as the tall partially occupied buildings along the so called Billionaires Row around Central Park. The writer calls the unpopular buldings “the poster childs of City of Yes.” Let’s Give City of Yes Tough Scrutiny Before We Sign Off, Says One Critic The City of Yes debate continues: New York’s City Council amended and approved the first two sections of Mayor Adams’ and... Voices 26 Aug 2024 | 01:17
In a crackdown in July by a multi-agency task force, MTA chairman Janno Leiber pondered the psychology of drivers in expensive late model cars, who still try to beat tolls with ghost plates. ( Photo: MTA Live) Boro Pres Levine Calls for New Crackdown on Ghost Plates Have you ever seen a car zoom by with license plates scratched out or obscured by tinted or reflective covers? What about... Voices 16 Aug 2024 | 04:01