The mayoral candidates: do they have Patience and Fortitude?

DON'T SHHHHH!

 

Why did the WSJ publish a benign, aw-shucks type of piece on the New York Public Library ("NYPL") "becoming enlightened" and deciding to roll three libraries into one - the "dilapidated" Mid-Manhattan Library as well as the Science, Industry and Business Library into the Schwartzman Library across the street - instead of tearing apart the historical bookshelves (which, oh yeah, are the structural support holding up the ceilings) and rebuilding the...well, buildings? It is smarter than having to defend their actions against two lawsuits brought by scholars and preservationists, including a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, aiming to block the stacks' destruction. I *think* they're trying to say "We're listening [after we've been legally wrestled to the floor]." But does the NYPL honestly think we don't know how valuable NYC real estate is - and we won't wonder how much the "dilapidated" library buildings will sell for?

"Mr. Marx [Anthony Marx, President of the NYPL] has said such a project would require closing the busy Midtown branch for two years—a scenario that would cause significant disruption for patrons. But in the documents provided to the state, the library acknowledged that it could renovate the branch while keeping it open. That would increase the estimated cost of renovating that building to $180 million from $130 million, it said."

So, where are all the people who need the library supposed to go for the next two years? (Could this be the time to discover the "Outer Boroughs"...? *smirk*) And, given the cost, I have to wonder how many more proposed alternatives there'll be. And where the $ from the building sales will go. For an interesting take: google Citizens Defending Libraries and see "The Truth About the Central Library Plan": www.savenypl.org/the-truth-about-the-central-library-plan/

NOT EVERYONE OWNS A COMPUTER - OR A KINDLE OR NOOK OR SMART PHONE

And, considering the attempted closing and sales of numerous borough libraries [to condo builders, etc.], this is not the most important subject heading on Dewey's decimal list - at least for all of NYC. But then, Mid-Manhattan is a more high-profile branch than those in the outer boroughs - which makes it sexier news. Explain that to a new immigrant's kid who can't do her homework because her family can't afford a computer at home and her library is closed. (And both her parents work, so they can't take her to Manhattan every day to do her homework.) Or a senior who lives on a fixed income and wants to keep active in life while doing everything to ward off Alzheimer's - like using his brain by reading.

  PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Anyway, if you're angry over the idea that there might not be libraries anymore or tired of politicians messing up what works for NYC, here's the 411 on things to do:

Citizens Defending Libraries ("CDL") and The Committee to Save the New York Public Library are cosponsoring a 

MAYORAL FORUM ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Friday, August 30, 8:30-10:30 AM
Doors open at 8:00 AM, first come first serve
Kane Street Synagogue
236 Kane Street, Brooklyn (Between Court St and Tompkins Pl. F or G trains to Bergen, or any train, East or West Side, to Borough Hall, plus a 10-minute walk.)

Candidates will be asked to explain their positions on the Central Library Plan, the sale of publicly-owned library buildings for private development, and the reduction in library services across the city. CDL needs you to show up so you can tell the candidates to save our libraries!

CDL is excited to have confirmed a space for a public advocates and comptrollers forum with one candidate accepting so far for Wednesday, September 4th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

NAKED!!!

Is this another Miley Cyrus stunt? [And why would CNN and the WSJ think Miley Cyrus was important enough to comment on...? Like I said in my previous post, the Summer - and the op of hearing anything remotely interesting - is definitely winding down. Eek.]

No. It has to do with the lawsuit won against Naked Juice that claimed to be "natural", but wasn't. If you purchased Naked Juice, you can file a claim: https://www.nakedjuiceclass.com/FileClaim/UnknownClaim

RAW!!!

Is it sushi? No.

It's a trend in food. Don't "ick" until you try it. Gourmet dishes that tickle the tastebuds and are so filling even football players would - well, the entrees would probably make fine appetizers for the gridiron folks, but definitely satisfy our hunger. So go ahead and eat dessert!

My fav: Rockin' Raw on Sullivan Street!

FASHION PREVIEW?

As we New Yorkers anticipate Fashion Week (September 5-12), I thought I would bring you a preview. So I attended a "Mix and Mingle" MeetUp the other night at the sensational Skyroom Rooftop of the Fairfield Inn & Suites, ostensibly to see and photograph their fashion show. Really. Now, MeetUp is hardly a New York-centric phenomenon, but it is a way for intensely-focused careerists to unwind and *possibly* meet someone of like...mind, I guess. But the idea of actually meeting someone was a vague thought - really - compared to my zeal to get us all primed for the big doings next week.

Weeeell, here is the best shot. You tell me... 

And, funny enough, I did meet someone. It just goes to show ya - 

JUST SHOW UP!