Soho window shopping #2

dog mannequins...and it gets weirder...

The evil children and the $200 sweater

Trendoids in space

Santa shills for iPod 

Why are these rain boots fashionable? Can someone tell me? And the black plastic milk crate? Wha the -----?

Feeling Cooped Up?

I shot this on 42nd Streetin 1990, the day New York announced it would "revitalize" Times Square. The large background sign dates from the '50s, "Video Peeps" and "Calculators Typewriters" is of the '80s variety. 

William F Miller

Bill Miller, the Editor in Chief of Modern Drummer magazine, passed away December 12, 2008. One of my first real writing gigs in New York came from Modern Drummer, the world's preeminent percussion publication, back in 1990. Along the way Bill gave me more work than I can ever thank him for. Bill was an exceptionally gracious and trusting editor, a great drummer and a true friend. He will be greatly missed. Here's Bill (right) at the 2008 Modern Drummer Festival with renowned Cuban drummer, Dafnis Prieto.

Perhaps this is an odd forum for an obit, but as friends we share in the good times and the bad.

Washington Mews

Near Washington Square Park. 

Soho Silver

More window peeping... 

Celebrating Leaves of Grass

Today, I visited one of my favorite blogs, Leaves of Grass, only to discover that one of my favorite bloggers, Sonia Mascaro of Sao Paolo, Brazil, is taking an extended, indefinite leave from her fabulous site. Oh No! Sonia's gentle spirit, love of life, keen interest in everything around her, and her sweet dog, Flora (!), have become an essential part of my blogging experience.  I will miss her very much. Join me as I revisit some of Sonia's most beloved photos. So here's to Sonia and Flora -- SALUTE! 

Sonia's house.

Sonia's grandmother 

Flora the wonderpooch!

From Sonia: This is a photo of the wedding of my grandparents, from my mother's family, The Marmo family. (Mascaro is the name of my husband's family.)  

Sonia's mom at Carnival. 

Mora Flora.. 

Brasilia..

Flora in flight..

Flora in contemplation..    

Soho Window Shopping

Christmas Op Art. 

Traditional. 

KIDROBOT!

Magic Flume. 

S&M.....do you enjoy window shopping this time of year?

Midnight at the Federal Reserve

You've heard about the Federal Reserve, right? That's the place where they used to stash all the gold, now it's the mysterious bastion of bearded men intent on either saving or destroying the US financial system. That's it's on the left, late night, when all the powerful bankers have gone home....dig those massive concrete blocks intent on preserving the Union....  

Trump/Atelier Offends at Varick & Vandam

Since the early 1950s, perhaps earlier, the low slung red brick building on the corner of Vandam and Varick in the Village was the home to the country's first Spanish language newspaper, El Diario/La Prensa. On March 11, 1992, Manuel de Dios Unanuem, the editor of El Diario, was shot and killed by a member of a Columbian drug cartel bent on revenge for Unaneum's courageous reporting against the Columbian drug warlords.
El Diario eventually left Varick, but is still going strong. The building the paper occupied has been empty for years, or so I thought. Today, I noticed it's a beautiful new, block long City Winery! Now, open businesses are better than closed ones, but this corner of the Village has been overrun of late. Of course, a Starbucks is across the street. Across from that, a giant 40 story Trump Tower is being built, this in an old industrial area that wasn't zoned for condos, until Mayor Bloomberg, against all local protests and Landmark Preservation committee requests, pushed it through.  
Oh, Trump was in such a rush to beat the hearings on the construction (before Bloomie gave him a pass) that one guy laying concrete fell off the 37th floor and died. But still the blue glass goes up. Nice bar, eh? That barrel to the right adds an "old Village touch." 
Here's where the hostess will check you out. Hmm. What are you wearing, sir?
The window of high end clothier, Atelier, also across from City Winery. Don't these shoes looked used to you?   

Wrinkled shoes for $500 a pair? This is the future of the Village I am afraid...

Back to Smith's Bar

No story here, just an old bar near Times Square that serves locals and tourists with equal doses of fun and classic signage!    

Fat Black Pussycat

The Fat Black Pussycat, used to be Kettle of Fish, and the bar's ties to the famous folk days of Greenwich Village are apparent from the faded photos on the walls and the patron's equally faded faces. In the 60s, this address was Gerdes Folk City, a prominent folk venue where the likes of Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel used to play. Upstairs used to be a Gay Liberation Front community center, which housed the Radicalesbians--who fought sexism in the gay liberation movement and homophobia in the feminist movement. Bookended by an evil frat bar and McDonald's, Fat Black Pussycat holds on to the past.   

Skywatch Saturday

The view from my window overlooking the west village, NYC...

Village Characters

For 30 years, Jimmy DiCiccio and his brother Philly (below) ran a butcher shop on lower MacDougal that was patronized by, among others, local mobsters like Vinnie "the Chin" Gigante and on occasion, John Gotti. The brothers grew up in the neighborhood with all the "made guys" though the DiCiccios didn't participate in the hooliganism. "Those guys were good guys," Jimmy says.  Jimmy spends his Thursdays at Aqueduct Raceway betting on the horses. His favorite greeting phrase," Hey, Kenny, what is it?"  

Back in the 60s, Philly DiCiccio was best friends with Jilly, the right hand man of Frank Sinatra. They all grew up in the neighborhood. Sit around sipping coffee (at Lenny's Something Special) with Philly long enough and he will regale  you with tales of the old days: hanging at Atlantic City with Jilly and Frank.  Partying at Sardi's with Sammy Davis and Keely Smith.  Seeing a young Barbra Streisand perform at the Gaslight Cafe. Or when he was a kid and Joseph Kennedy would recruit local teens to run liquor on the waterfront during prohibition.  At 91, Philly's knees are not so good these days, but he's still one heck of a snappy dresser.   

Caffe Reggio on MacDougal Street

Since 1927 Caffe Reggio has served Italian pastries, sandwiches, pasta and "original cappuccino" to hungry Greenwich Village locals and tourists alike (as well as famous poets and folk music artists) . America's oldest cappuccino machine sits in a corner (original Reggio owner Dominic Parasi introduced cappuccino to the US with this very machine) , next to a table marked "reserved" which is never seated. Serpico, The Godfather, Shaft and John Huston's The Kremlin Letter were filmed here; Reggio still serves as a location for new films and TV commercials. Love the chicken sandwiches, espresso and profitto rolls...
From the Reggio site: Looking around the caffe as you sip an Original Cappuccino, you will notice a beautiful array of artwork, some of which date back to the Italian Renaissance period. A dramatic 16th century painting by the Roman master Caravaggio and an antique bench bearing the crest of the illustrious Medici family are among the works that impart a feeling of grace and warmth to Caffe Reggio.


Caffe Reggio proprietor and all around good guy F. Cavallacci...

Route 130 Road Trip

Along America's forgotten backroads you can still find examples of the small business creativity that built this nation's economy. Route 130 in New Jersey moves a little slower than it once did, but the drive is easy and packed with friendly people.  And pride.   The USA Country Diner in Windsor reaches out to the sky, its blue finish and vertical chrome smartly matching the anchoring sandstone base. Closed as of 2006, the diner's shelves are still stacked with plates, cups and saucers, awaiting a new owner who can sling some serious hash.  
Air conditioning and color TV? I'm there.  
The owner at Travelette ran out and shouted, "You no stay? You no take-a pictures!" Dig the mad '60s running couple next to the cursive lettering (double click to enlarge)..  


Can you say "Bates Motel"? "Get Strangled at Stangel's!" 
Mario and Frank's is a homey Italian restaurant in business since 1975. A truly wonderful dining experience.   
LJ's 2nd "hand" Shop was stuffed with curiosities. 
End of the road in Burlington at Amy's Omelet House, a wonderful 1950s chrome diner updated in the '60s with Califorinia styled stone work. The blueberry pancakes rocked!