By Caitlin Hawke

A streetscape that predates Costello's boxes and stone turtles by 100 years. But iron railing endures.


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By Caitlin Hawke


Fresh out of the exhibit he curated at the Museum of the City of New York on affordable housing and right in keeping with one of today's main civic urgencies, Thomas Mellins will address the city's history of housing and how social policy has affected architecture and residential choices.  His presentation is part of the Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group series at Hostelling International.  An architectural historian, Thomas Mellins co-authored New York: 1880, 1930, and 1960.

The talk will take place on April 4, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at Hostelling International New York, 891 Amsterdam Avenue at West 103rd Street. For more information, please call 212-666-9774.

Last fall, the Museum of the City of New York featured Mellins in a symposium "Affordable Housing: What about the Future?"

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By Caitlin Hawke

Waste Less. Live Better. That'ts the zero waste mantra.

So how many trips do you make to your garbage room a week? If you are parenting a kid or two, maybe I should ask how many times a day!  Urban composting is a win-win.  Good for you and good for the environment.  And it's getting easier and easier with a drop-off point right at the Friday greenmarket on W. 97th Street.

So what can you bring?

YES to fruit and vegetable scraps, non-greasy food scraps (rice, pasta, bread, cereal, etc.), coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg shells, nut shells, pits, cut or dried flowers, houseplants, and potting soil.

NO to meat, fish, bones, greasy food scraps, fat, oil, dairy, animal waste (including litter and bedding), coal or charcoal, coconuts, diseased and/or insect-infested plants/soil, and biodegradable/compostable plastics.

But, you ask, how to store the scraps between greenmarkets?  To reduce odor and prevent pests, the city suggests you store your food scraps in a paper bag or reusable container in your freezer or refrigerator.  And then head out to the market between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Fridays.

Also, know that this Monday, March 28th, at 7 p.m. at the 20th Precinct Station house (120 W. 82nd St.), Jacquelyn Ottman, a zero waste advocate, will be the guest speaker.

For more information, visit: nyc.gov/compostproject


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By Caitlin Hawke

It was 87 years ago today that the cornerstone was laid at West 103rd Street and Riverside Drive. And only days ago, this neighborhood icon was added to the National Register of Historic Places for those American sites "worthy of preservation."  Recent additions to the register may be seen here.

Louis Horch would kvell.



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By Caitlin Hawke

New York City plays the role of muse for neighbor and photographer Bob Lejeune.  Urban grit.  Quirky denizens.  Juxtapositions with a tale to tell. There's almost nothing he doesn't love to shoot or that he can't make beautiful thanks to his exceptional ability to compose a shot. To see patterns. To appreciate individuality.

He's allowed me to share past local shots, which I appreciated both for their beauty and their local flavor.  With the new series of photos below, we range a bit to our south for these striking pictures of Tecumseh Playground.  A Civil War general who left Atlanta badly scarred, General William Tecumseh Sherman retired to the Upper West Side.  Sherman Square is also named for him.

To see what I mean about Bob Lejeune's work, visit his gallery online.


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By Caitlin Hawke

Again this year, our own Camille Colon (first row center in blue) and her team wrapped toys that were collected for an annual Christmas toy drive. A word of warm thanks goes out to all the local businesses who contributed and to willing elves who made the drive a great success.