Watch-Blog
Christmas Trees 24/7
By Claudie Benjamin Tree drove from Florida in his van and met up with Yaya in North Carolina. They continued on to NYC to pick up their gig selling Christmas trees and wreaths on the Upper West Side. The two vendors, employees of Evergreen, a large Brooklyn-based...
Caring for the Artist, the Performer, the Creator Within
By Claudie Benjamin Gaga. Jagger. Whitney. Bono. As the Lawrence Vocal Studio celebrates its upcoming 75th anniversary, the Lawrence family continues to show why they are among the premier teachers of voice in the world. Their studio tradition has influenced some of...
Pharmacy’s Boutique Vibe
By Claudie Benjamin Even among the oldest Upper West Siders, memories are receding quickly of once omnipresent dark paneled and shelved pharmacies displaying decorative apothecary jars filled with blue, green, or amber liquid and a not-just-for-display mortar and...
Finding Treasure
By Claudie Benjamin In the mid-1970s, Louisa and John Craddock were a young adventurous couple being priced out of their apartment with a view of Central Park. Then they heard about what seemed like a great deal. Now in 2022, almost 50 years later, Louisa is...
Cheese & All That Jazz
By Claudie Benjamin Cheese and writing about jazz, (and less often on cultural phenomena--including cinema, sports and other types of music) pretty much sums up Martin Johnson’s intriguing mix of professional passions. Manager of 67 Gourmet, he is proud of his...
A Crowning Success
By Claudie Benjamin Among the many devastating outcomes of Covid, there were surprising but understandable positives. Changed behaviors brought renewed connections between a number of local business owners and their customers. Due to proactive public health...
Steve’s Objects of Desire
By Claudie Benjamin Enter a magical world of objects and stories at More & More Antiques located at 378 Amsterdam Avenue. The complex combination of enticements comes naturally to the shop’s owner Steve Mohr who is from a family of collectors. He has loved...
Strength of Memories
By Claudie Benjamin Surrounded by hardship in childhood and adolescence, Richard Ward still thinks of his youth's happy moments. Now at 78, his memory for detail is exceptional. His perspective on life is judgmental. It seems that seeing and feeling deeply gave him...
Halva for the Holidays
By Claudie Benjamin Judging by the steady stream of customers who enter the Nuts Factory on the corner of 80th Street and Broadway (2240 Broadway), this recently opened shop is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. This is not only because of the overwhelming...
Sparkling Celebrations
By Claudie Benjamin Whether celebrating solo, with a friend, or with a group of family or co-workers, champagne is the beverage that comes readily to mind. Which to buy? Where to shop? If you haven’t already been, Acker has been selling wines and spirits for 200+...
