A Thank You from Around Town...

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Snow Removal Tips from 1888

As we prepare for what promises to be an epic snowstorm, let's consider returning to this undoubtedly safe method of getting rid of huge amounts of snow. Did New Yorkers really do this? I mean, the Blizzard of 1888 was bad, but, wow. And if so, I'm really not surprised...I think humans have a long history of being absolutely...brilliant...

Image by Granger, from Fine Art America.

A Crazy Cold Story

The Equitable Building, from the Museum of the City of New York's blog.

This ridiculously chilly cold snap (NY1 says it's a balmy 12 degrees outside...again!) and report of firefighter issues in Chicago reminded me of one of the many freaky weather-related events in New York City: The Equitable Building Fire.

The 1870 building at 120 Broadway caught fire on January 9, 1912, in the middle of a below-freezing, windy night. The multi-alarm blaze became impossible to fight when the water (on the building and in the firefighting apparatuses) froze--rather spectacularly. Read all about this unusual event on the Museum of the City of New York's blog.

Have You Missed Me?

Wondering where I've been?

No, I haven't gone into hiding, or gone mute, or given up. I've been working on a novel! I know, I know...you're thinking, "That's what they all say!" Well, yes, I'll admit I've jumped onto the "I'm writing the Great American Novel" bandwagon...but hey--why not?

I'm still a long way away from publishing, but have decided I'd like to share some of the goodies I've found here. I've been researching lots of New York City history, and have found a few fantastic gems of goodness. So check back from time to time, and you might just learn something fascinating!

More to come soon from the new-and-improved KKNY!

Happy Birthday?

Room for a Cigar?

Pic O' The Day: Really, Zabar's?

"Bloog" oranges?

A February Spring Has Sprung On The High Line

It's February 27th, and unbelievably, there are signs of Spring. Although the global warming aspect of it is frightening, I'm really happy to see some green. I hope it sticks!

(This shot's actually from February 17th... Eek?)

It Figures...

If you need a little action...figure...head to Mott Street.

It's Paramount

I never noticed that the clock on the Paramount Building is made of little (giant) stars...

Just Imagine!

I absolutely love when decades-old futurist views of New York re-emerge--especially when they're Deco-era visions of the late 20th century. Here's a film I absolutely must see: David Butler's 1930 musical (musical?!) set in 1980, Just Imagine, starring Maureen O'Sullivan and El Brendel. Sadly, it's apparently never been released on home video. C'mon Film Forum--how about a Just Imagine + Metropolis double-feature!

Gothamist linked to the clip below. I totally dig this vision of a New York skyline filled with Woolworth Building-esque skyscrapers.

And to prove it's a musical...a drinking song:

And this is just, well... ?

A KKNY Revamp

Many of you have probably noticed I've been a bit quiet in recent months... I've admittedly been busy and trying to work on a few other projects, but I've also been pondering a new direction for KKNY. I haven't been cooking all that much lately (winter socializing has made eating salads at home a necessity!), and frankly, I'm tired of being one of those people who has to photograph everything I order in a restaurant. And without photographs, who can blog about eating out?

The one thing that has remained constant, though, is my love of New York City, and the wonderful things I see as I wander around.

So last night, when a friend said, "Why darling, you're a flâneur!" and explained what it was...a lot about myself and the various ways I like to pass my time suddenly became sparklingly clear.

A chalet on Fulton St.?

He had been reminded of the term when reading Sunday's New York Times op-ed about "The Death of the Cyberflâneur." He said me I was proof, actually, that flâneurs still exist, in spite of what the writer posits in his essay. And when I thought about it...yes, I am indeed a type of flâneur.

In the original sense, flâneurs were people who wandered the streets of Paris, gazing at the sights, the people, and taking in everything else that was wonderful about participating in an urban lifestyle. What's my favorite thing to do? Wander around in a city, taking it all in.

In the cyber sense, I am the same. I often pass the time (or probably more accurately, procrastinate), by surfing the web and reveling in the many weird and wonderful things I discover. It, to me, is what makes cyberglobalization an absolutely wonderful thing.

So what does this mean for KKNY? Well, for now, it will morph into a repository for the fabulous things I see as I wander the streets of this fabulous metropolis--as well as anywhere else I may go.

Who knows what's in store?

Dragon New Year 2012

A few images and a little music from Sunday's Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown.

Pic O' The Day: Really?

Oh East Side...

NYC: The Day After

Handy-Dandy Kitchen Tip O' The Day: How To Peel Garlic Quickly

Thanks, Saveur!

Brooklyn Bagels ca. 1979

Love this vintage 16mm bagel short from the Brooklyn Public Library. Be sure to stick around for the bagel enthusiast at the end, about 6-minutes in...a fabulous character kind of channeling Jimmy Durante. (Video via Gothamist.)

A Christmas Light Adventure In Dyker Heights

Last night I talked a couple of friends into revisiting one of the parts of Brooklyn that goes absolutely nuts with Christmas lights. So, we headed out to Dyker Heights, which is perhaps the community best known for the quantity of displays that pop up around the neighborhood each year.

I'd been there about 10 years ago and was blown away, and it seems like even more houses are participating these days. We centered our efforts around 84th Street and 12th Avenue, where we managed to find what I've now discovered via Wikipedia are the two most famous homes in the neighborhood, the Spatas and the Polizzottos.

After a brief tour of a few of the surrounding blocks (some more of the highlights are below), we headed to Tommaso's (1484 86th Street) for dinner. Sure enough, it was still wonderfully old-school New York: Italian fare, a great host, lots of tchotchkes and family photos, and live music.

Poor deer... What happened? 

This house won for "creepiest display." The animatronic children were awfully disturbing...

Did Eric Idle commission a Mary light when they made Life of Brian?

Happy Thanksgiving!

What am I thankful for this year? The moments of unusual beauty my fair metropolis offers me every day...

Sign O' The Day: Get Your Dougnuts Here!

Apparently parts of Doug go well with gelato...

Seriously...I'd heard about Bomboloni here and there, and finally popped in. The little filled "Dougnuts" are absolutely lovely. Part of me wants to suggest they fix their sign, but it's so funny...I'm curious to see how long it lasts...

Bomboloni, 187 Columbus Avenue.