Current News

Albany Out of Order

Nineteen experts tell us their ideas for reforming New York State government

July 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

With any luck, Albany may be back to business by the time this paper reaches readers. But no matter how these next few days unfold, the insanity of the past three weeks—which has included chamber lock-outs, dueling sessions and more finger-pointing than a 3rd-grade classroom—has only made more urgent what we already knew: New York State government needs a big-time overhaul.

As a refresher, on June 8 two rogue Senators switched parties and stripped Democrats of their thin majority. [Read more]

Feature

Valued Vendor or Neighborhood Nuisance?

Pointing to recent citations, city takes action against longtime bookseller

By Josh Zembik

July 1, 2009 · 1 Comment 

On a sun-soaked Sunday afternoon, the corner of West 73rd Street and Broadway is a pinwheel of colors. Men and women hurriedly walk by, iPhones, Zabar’s bags and Starbucks cups in tow. Some scurry into the Chase bank while others wander into the sample sale being held in the adjacent space.

As the sounds of Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” pour from a nearby speaker set, Kirk Davidson, 51, nods along to the beat, his foot tapping in time. [Read more]

Politics

The Next D.A.

Dems fight it out to be top prosecutor

By Dan Rivoli

May 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

The Democratic hopefuls for Manhattan district attorney have similar policies on crime prevention, alternative sentencing and building community coalitions. And they are all alumni of the 89-year-old Robert Morgenthau’s office.

But in the months before the September primary, each has highlighted a different background to illustrate why they are the right person to run the highest profile district attorney’s office in the state. [Read more]

Education

New Writing High School?

Push for a selective school in Brandeis building on West 84th Street

By Dan Rivoli

June 17, 2009 · 1 Comment 

With Brandeis High School being replaced by three new institutions in 2009, the Department of Education is currently considering proposals and gathering community input for a fourth school to open in September 2010. Last week, officials held a community meeting on the campus, at 145 W. 84th St. [Read more]

Film

Love in the Time of Cinema

The Saturday Night Fever-inspired serial killer of Tony Manero and Michael Mann’s Public Enemies

By Armond White

July 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

Cinephilia has been so distorted in contemporary movie culture that it has led to the repugnant Chilean film Tony Manero—a Cannes Film Festival selection that was also widely praised at last fall’s New York Film Festival. In Tony Manero, a middle-aged plebian named Raúl Peralta Paredes O (played by Alfredo Castro) is so infatuated with the 1977 Saturday Night Fever that he identifies with the white-suited, disco-dancing character played by John Travolta. The twist is that Raúl prepares for a TV contest featuring celebrity-impersonators while pursuing his secret passion as a serial killer. [Read more]

Dining

Two Parts Décor, One Part Local Produce

Although still slightly half-baked, Recipe shows real promise

By Christina Livadiotis

July 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

For all you Uptowners who resent having to head Downtown for an intimate, crafty and reasonably priced meal, your day has come. Recipe is that cozy (read: tiny) neighborhood restaurant, charming yet approachable, where you can dress up or down, depending on the occasion. Whether it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday evening, you can bet that close to all 26 seats will be occupied.

Once you are parked on the restored antique bench just behind the bar, you will need to take a moment to notice the painstaking attention to detail that drenches each and every square foot of the interior. [Read more]

Sports

That Elusive Perfect Game

Stuy pitcher Nolan Becker aims for a repeat when he heads to Yale this fall

By Adam Bloch

June 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

Everyone was ready to see the magic happen again. From the players to the coaches to the spectators to the umpires—they were all hoping to see the lightning bolt of an arm that had just produced a perfect game deliver a repeat performance.

Lightning didn’t strike twice for Nolan Becker, the senior lefty from Stuyvesant High School. During this game, played earlier this spring in Central Park, he was facing a top squad in Norman Thomas, one that sported few weak hitters and went on to win the city championships a couple of weeks ago. [Read more]