Black Squirrels in the Bronx

Took these pictures yesterday in Eastchester Heights, Bronx. Actually, I've spotted black squirrels in several areas about town, including Sunnyside and the Bronx Botanical Garden. These beauties are the same species as their gray and brown friends; they're all Eastern Gray Squirrels. It's just a genetic variation that gives them their coloring.

Race-Baiting Doesn't Work

Those of us who attended the Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on April 17 hear a lot of spurious arguments against designation. They don't bother me so much; everyone is entitled to their opinion. But the absolute low point of the day came when a speaker started accusing preservationists of racism and discrimination. Then, when people started grumbling (not heckling) she accused them of being "rude."  

Anyone who has gotten to know the preservationists in Sunnyside as I have will note that they're a pretty broad-minded bunch.  If the group were a bunch of ignorant Archie Bunkers most of us would not have joined it, especially the members of minority groups, who are all represented in its ranks. So, why did this particular person say what she did?   Perhaps she was just looking to strike a blow at the proponents of landmarking by making such a strong accusation. Or perhaps she is used to people who are so hyper-sensitive and insecure about being called bigots that they just roll over when people make that accusation. (I've met people like that, and now avoid them).  To such race-baiters I offer Emerson's closing words to his famous essay /Self Reliance/: "Nothing will bring you peace but the triumph of principles."  We preservationists are broad-minded, and we're also very confident in our principles.  And that peace of mind makes us immune from such accusations.

Why don't New Yorkers Care More About History?

Recently I attended a hearing on the proposed designation of Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, as a landmark. It was great to see so many people there who care passionately about preserving a historic piece of our town. They blew away their opponents, a lame crew of race-baiters and "my home is my castle" types. Sadly, the Sunnyside Preservationists seem to be an exception to the rule. New Yorkers, with the exception of preservationists (and tour guides!) seem to not give a fig about their city's future. Or they may only care about their own little community, their own ethnic group or well-known landmarks.

Some will argue that a city like ours needs to "evolve," and that means parting with historic buildings, parks, streets, trees, etc. Yes, we need to evolve, but do we, or should we, part with these treasures? When I was in Barcelona I saw an old city coexisting well with a new one. Walking along the famous Ramblas you see old buildings side-by-side with Gaudi's modernist creations and numerous modern conveniences. The streets aren't all cut out like a geometric grid. People really CARE about Barcelona, and it shows.

No matter where you're from, once you come to NYC you are also a New Yorker. Our rich history and culture become part of you. Look at it. Enjoy it. Learn about it. And help save it.

The News of June, 2001

Finally, what was going on in Fun City on 6/1/71?

The City proposed an experimental program to put 500 addicts on "maintenance" doses of heroin. No, not methadone, heroin.

Murder and manslaughter were up 7.1% over 1970, and NYC ranked 9th on the list of most dangerous cities in America.  The most dangerous city? Cleavland.

The Enquiring Photographer asked what we thought of Bishop Fulton Sheen's recent remark that Americans had become "anti-everything."  Designer E. S. said this only applied to a "blatant, name-shouting minority group of radicals."  Mr. T. V., meanwhile, added that "Americans are not anti-hero.
They're looking for a hero."

The big play was "Lenny" staring Cliff Gorman, based upon the life of Lenny Bruce (and which my high school class went to see).  "A dynamite schtick of theatre. Rages with scatological fury." - Clive Barnes.

Some prices:

Olivetti-Underwood manual typewriter             $74.50
Dual (brand) turntable                    $99.50
Month of Teleprompter cable TV                    $6.00
Round-trip airfare to Chicago                    $118.00

The News 6/75

Continuing on our tour of the news on various dates, hear's what was
reported on 6/1/75.  Mostly we read about the municipal budget crisis.

The City's welfare rolls topped one million.

Experts were proposing ways to raise revenue for the city, including a 5 to
10-cent increase in the subway fare, applying the sales tax to haircuts,
closing four out of the five city zoos and shutting down WNYC radio and TV
(then owned by the government).

Mayor Abe Beame announced that the Municipal Assistance Corporation would
float "Big Mac Bonds" to help bail out the city.

Artists were being priced out of lofts.

The Enquiring Photographer asked passers by what they thought of a recent
survey indicating one-third of us had lost faith in the American Dream. Mr.
J. S., a salesman from Brooklyn, agreed, pointing out that a year of
college could set parents back $5,000.

All was not sad, however. You could hear Phyllis Diller for 60 seconds by
calling Dial-a-Joke.

"Godfather Part II," "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Prisoner of
Second Avenue" were all on the silver screen, while Broadway featured "A
Chorus Line" and "Grease."

You could get the latest Pointer Sisters LP for $3.97 at Korvettes, while a
pair of Converse sneakers were $9.98 and a basic Sharp calculator was a
whopping $19.95. Who can forget those weighty calculators?

The News: 6/1/1979

So, what happened around NYC on 6/1/79? I've checked the microfilm versions
of the DAILY NEWS and the NEW YORK TIMES to find out.  If you want to learn
about the Seventies I recommend this method!  Pick a date; visit the
library and bring lots of change for the microfilm printer.

Mr. Andrew Medosa was fatally shot in the groin in an argument over
positions in line at a gas station.  As the gas shortage continued, prices
per gallon reached $0.88.4.

In economic news, inflation was running at the rate of 8 to 10% a year.
Passbook savings accounts were paying between 5.25 and 5.5% interest.

DJs Paco (KTU) and Frankie Crocker (BLS) were co-hosting Disco Expo at the
New York Collisseum.

Broadway saw the likes of "Best Little Whore House in Texas," "Sweeny
Todd" and Al Paccino in "Richard III."

Popular films included "Grease," "Hair," "The China Syndrome" and "La Cage
Aux Folles."

At Alexanders, men's "sports" (leisure) suits were only $19.99 and casual
shoes $7.

Leisure Suits

People wore some tacky stuff during the Seventies, but nothing, I mean NOTHING, can compare with the much maligned leisure suit.

Now, I never was into fashion, but as far as I can recall a lesiure suit was a jacket and pants combination designed for casual use without a tie. (Ties were a bit too conservative for many men during the Seventies). The jackets often resembled large shirts and could button up pretty close to the collar, making the wearer look a bit like Chairman Mao.

Only folk musicians, organics and rapidly aging hipsters wore natural fabrics during the Decade of Disco. Leisure suits were for none of the above, and the favorite fabric for these has to have been polyester. Yeah, it didn't "breathe" well, but it didn't wrinkle, either. The "double-knit" weave of this fabric was especially popular.