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The Big Mouth Does

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Brian Dubé

Many people do not like New Yorkers for a number of reasons. In all fairness, for a number of good reasons. New York is a city that is brash with people who are aggressive and competitive. It’s a sieve for success, filtering out those who can’t make it here or, like Dwanna, those who just don’t want to make it here. It is the ideal home for the self-centered, the narcissist who wants the largest possible audience to fan his or her flames. It is perfect for attention mongers and drama queens. And for those who prevail, it is a place where someone can make it big.

I am always astounded at how the real estate market here manages to be buoyed up regardless of the economy. The average 2-bedroom apartment in Manhattan sells for $2 million. A New York Times article reports that in Brooklyn, there is a shortage of single family brownstones with bidding wars driving up prices beyond the listing price. With pricing like this, obviously this is a city where many have achieved material success. It is also a home to the megalomaniacal or where it may at times be difficult to distinguish between the enormous success and the megalomaniac. It is a place where one truly must abandon preconceived notions or be faced with people like Mark Birnbaum, who, despite appearances and notions to the contrary, is who says he is and has done what he said he has.

Recently while in Washington Square Park, my attention was drawn to a man with a huge crucifix, dressed as the devil. Such a thing will provoke interest and garner attention. There was no shortage of onlookers or those seeking photo ops with Satan. I learned that this was Philip Garbarino, promoting his first book of a trilogy, The Devil Repents. The book is selling directly from Philip’s website. Chapter One can be found for free there as well. An ebook is available from Amazon. I spoke to Philip briefly and videotaped the conversation. Garbarino was eager to mention his acting credit in the film The Bronx Tale, directorial debut of Robert De Niro.

I have no idea as to the quality of the writing or what Philip’s aspirations are. Although perhaps not a necessary condition to success, in a city where everyone and everything is screaming to be heard and seen, self-promotion is a more likely road to success than a quiet unassuming demeanor or the meek, with Donald Trump as perhaps the best example. I do like real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran’s pithy and poignant remark:

In New York City, the meek don’t inherit the earth. The big mouth does.

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in fashion, Only in New York, Parks, People, Rebels of NYC, Videos. Bookmark the permalink.
Just There for the Taking

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Brian Dubé

Nothing gives a good overview like a view over. I have always gravitated towards tall structures – some readers are familiar with my obsession over the Washington Monument, the Chrysler Building, the Arc de Triomphe, et. al. These aerial overviews give a good sense of the lay of the land. So many people have little sense of direction or scale – in New York City, it is particularly easy to get lost in the forest or jungle. I am frequently asked which direction is north in Manhattan, when anyone who has glanced at a map of the city would immediately see that the long axis of Manhattan and its major avenues are oriented north-south. And, of course, a glance at the sun’s position will often easily provide that answer, but this approach to orienting oneself is virtually nonexistent in the urban world.

My first act as a child before coming to New York City was to acquaint myself with the city by looking at street maps. I was fascinated with locating (and hopefully later seeing in person) places I had heard of or depicted on TV. I was particularly intrigued with the opening sequence of The Man From U.N.C.L.E., which showed a nondescript laundromat that was secret headquarters for an international spy organization. Sadly, I was to learn that even the exterior shots were all done in a backlot in Hollywood.

In my travels through the myriad of businesses I have visited over the decades in Manhattan, I am sometimes privy for some moments to a spectacular view from an office or industrial space on a high floor. I was recently shopping for a sofa in the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea at 601 West 26th Street. The property is enormous, spanning an entire city block between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues and between 26th and 27th Streets. The full-block freight terminal, warehouse, and office building was built in 1930-31.

It was a Sunday afternoon, June 3rd. The neighborhood and building were essentially deserted. The showroom was small and spare. The whole experience was rather depressing until I moved towards the windows, which had unobstructed views North, East, and West. Helicopters were taking off and landing from the heliport, affording me the kinds of views I had hoped for when I originally visited. Looking northeast were the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, as well as many lesser-known players in the game of one-upmanship by New York City’s tall buildings.

With a view of midtown like this, I am often reminded of one of my favorite scenes in the film The Producers and the words of Zero Mostel as he tries to lure Gene Wilder into a moneymaking scheme and whispers over his shoulder, “All of these pleasures can be yours.” Like a small boy or girl looking down from atop the Empire State Building, where cars look like toys that can be picked up, when one has a sweeping vista of Manhattan’s cityscape like those in today’s photos, the industry, ambitions, drive, and achievements of generations of New Yorkers seems so tangible, Just There for the Taking 🙂

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, Scenic NYC. Bookmark the permalink.
The Show Must Go On

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Brian Dubé

Chapter 1

It’s Friday evening at the workday’s end. A coworker, Rigel Sarjoo, and I decide to have dinner. However, her time is limited – she also moonlights as a singer with a local band and must leave Manhattan by subway at 7:30PM for a show in Brooklyn. It is 6:30 PM, and we have exactly one hour to get to walk to a restaurant, eat, and pay our bill. We both were thinking the same two options – the newly discovered Meatball Shop, recommended by mutual friend Bill Shatto, or the old standby, Saigon Grill (now Saigon Market). They are both in the Village, but some distance apart. Here’s the dilemma: Saigon Grill is very good with lightning-fast service. However, we LOVE Meatball, but it is typically PACKED and it is Friday night. But it is also Memorial Day weekend – which means it may be dead. We take our chances with our first choice.

Chapter 2
It’s a long walk in the warm, humid weather – about one mile and we are nearly sprinting. Nothing worse than summer heat and humidity in the city. Meatball rarely has no wait. This is a big risk and we agree if they are too crowded that we will try Thali, a micro-restaurant nearby, saving us from a long walk to Saigon Grill. Thali is a new Indian restaurant located in a tiny space, formerly the home of another Indian restaurant. They specialize in Thali – a selection of different food items, served in small bowls on a round tray. It’s a great way to sample a variety of Indian dishes. We have eaten at the new incarnation once. It’s the backup plan.

Chapter 3
We arrive at Meatball. It’s MAYHEM as usual, with at least a 30 minute wait. I tell the hostess to forget it, and we leave. We walk a few doors down Greenwich Avenue, arrive at Thali, and the door is open. There is no A/C, and it is hot inside. Forget it. We are off to Saigon Grill, where we both agree we should have gone in the first place. It has the fastest service I have ever had in a restaurant in New York City. I have seen entire dinners served before friends have returned from the bathroom after ordering. We need that speed now, because it will be 7PM by the time we arrive.

Chapter 4
It’s another long hike to Saigon Grill. It’s 7PM, and now we have only 30 minutes. But we are greeted and taken to be seated immediately. There is A/C, the place is spacious, and there are numerous empty tables. This is why Saigon Grill is an old reliable. They never fail us for large groups or when in a hurry.

Chapter 5
As we are about to sit down, we hear our names being called. Our mutual friends Harvey and Hellen Osgood and Myra Smolev are eating nearby. We are, of course, invited to sit with them. The five of us cram around a table for four. No problem. It’s a nice follow up to a long hike in the heat and a series of restaurant disappointments. Dinner with friends. We are, however, still in a rush. Time is fleeting. My coworker and I do not need menus – we both know what we want and order immediately. Within a few minutes, our meals arrive. Friendly banter dominates the meal. It occurs to me now that all four of my dinner companions have been the subject of stories for this website.

Chapter 6
Our check has been ordered, received and the bill paid. It is 7:30PM on the dot. Rigel makes the rounds getting her good luck hugs and leaves for her show in Brooklyn. She should make it on time. It was a job well done, if not a bit harrowing. My cell phone rings – I miss the call. It’s a number I do not recognize. I decide to return the call anyway. It is Kyle Petersen, a freelance worker who handles all of our social networking. He is a professional juggler and unicyclist. There is an emergency.

Chapter 7
He is scheduled to go on stage at 8PM at the Bowery Poetry Club. However, he is missing two silicone handsticks that he must have for a juggling routine in his show. There is nowhere that these can be had except at my shop, conveniently only a few blocks from the club. He is there now on the street – can I come down right now and open my shop and get him two handsticks?

Chapter 8
Oh man, I REALLY don’t want to do this now. I just left work 60 minutes ago. After all the running and sweating that I did, I do not want to go back to my office. It will take me 15 minutes to get there if I really hustle and leave instantly. But it’s his show, and it would be unconscionable for me to refuse. I tell my friends of the dilemma, my intentions, and the challenge in getting there in time. But there is good news.

Chapter 9
Myra conveniently happens to have her bicycle chained outside the restaurant and offers it to me! After that, I can ride it to her apartment building and just hand it to her doorman. No fuss. And she lives steps from my home, near Washington Square Park. We leave the restaurant and she unbolts her bike. However, a problem remains: I have a very heavy bag and a DSLR camera with no bag for it, and it’s not the best idea to bike with an unprotected camera. Hellen immediately offers to take both to her apartment, also one block away. I can pick both items up on my return. Excellent. Now every detail has been taken care of and I ride off, heading towards Broadway. I have owned and ridden bikes in NYC for my entire life here, and I love bike riding in Manhattan. This lemon is turning to lemonade. The ride to 520 Broadway in SoHo from Saigon Market is a breeze by bike. And fun. I am there in minutes.

Chapter 10
I arrive at my office. Kyle is nowhere to be seen outside. He is, however, inside the lobby. Perfect. He is shocked at how fast I made it. I tell him of my luck regarding Myra’s bike. He is fully dressed for his performance and ready for stage with a headphone mic on. This is like the NYC of moviedom. I hand him the bike. I take the elevator to the 3rd floor, unlock the door, disarm the security system, grab two black handsticks, rearm the security system, and run out the exit door and down 3 flights of stairs – all in one big sweeping motion. Kyle is nothing short of ELATED. He assures me: “You’re the man!” Thanks to the bike, it is only 7:45PM, and Kyle has a full 15 minutes to show time. We have seconds to burn.

Chapter 11
One more thing, Kyle, before you go. Give me a few SECONDS and pose for a photo with that bike because this evening’s events make one hell of a story. I snap a couple of shots, and he is off and running to the Bowery Poetry Club. My job is complete. I bike back towards the Village, arrive at Myra’s residence, hand the bike to her doorman, and walk two blocks to Hellen and Harvey’s. A quick elevator ride to the 11th floor, and I retrieve my camera and bag. Mission accomplished – it’s time for a stroll in the park and then home.

Chapter 12
By the next morning, I have nearly forgotten the episode. I examine my cellphone and find that my text memory is full. After deleting a few messages, I receive a text which had been sent by Kyle at 10:32 PM the evening before, apparently after his show. It proclaims: “Smash success. You saved my life.”

Postscript

It was a real New York City adventure, replete with frenetic rushing, two performers who have showtime pressures, turned away at a restaurant so trendy and crowded that patrons were waiting in the streets, a serendipitous meeting of friends, the fortuitous availability and offering of a bicycle, the helping hands of others, and someone who literally goes the extra mile – on Broadway. It’s what goes on behind the scenes in New York City when we say The Show Must Go On.

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Food and Restaurants, Only in New York, People, Slings and Arrows of NYC. Bookmark the permalink.
Jacked, Part 2

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Brian Dubé

(see Part 1 here)

Shortly after running Part 1, I received the following email:

Love jacked part 1 lol , I’m honored for you to put us on your site . I’m happy your happy with the work on your car. Whenever you need to come in for Anything e mail me here first and I’ll Be happy to help you .
Enjoy your weekend . Thank you .
– Sal A.

Later, his mother wrote to me. She included the photo*, seen above. Here a few of her comments regarding my story and the business:

Hi Brian, My name is Margaret Avallone, my son Sal of Salerno Service Station, gave me your email address-

The article on your website “Jacked, part 1” is beautifully written and we truly appreciate your kind words. All of your articles on your web site are extremely well written and very entertaining and I look forward to reading your future articles.

Believe it or not, that was probably a “quiet” day at the station, as there are many other characters who frequent the station on a daily basis just to socialize.
We enjoyed your view of our business and welcome you back anytime.

I inquired about the name Salerno. Margaret responded:

Salerno is the town in Italy where my father in law came from. He would have told you many more stories himself, but unfortunately, suffered a stroke in October and is just not the same.

Yes, they have great work ethics and they have a passion for cars as well as a passion for the community. Many people seem to find the business and family quite entertaining. We were approached several times with the idea of a reality show and someone did actually do a demo tape- but we refused to go any further. We weren’t looking to gain fame and all the problems that comes along with that.

We own real estate in the neighborhood that my husband built from empty rodent infested lots. When that section of Williamsburg wasn’t considered the trendy neighborhood it is now, it was quite broken down. My husband always loved the neighborhood and bought empty lots where buildings used to be at city auctions with hopes of restoring the area close to the gas station. His father actually thought he was wasting his money, but the neighborhood real estate values jumped tremendously and his investments proved to be quite fruitful.

My husband truly has a passion for the neighborhood and helps out as much as possible, from our huge Christmas display we do every year, to donating toys at local schools & hospitals and sponsoring just about every local youth sports team.

There is a lot more to Salerno then meets the eye.

It was a great pleasure to meet the Avallone family, and I intend to go back soon. I suggest you do too, for any auto repair or maybe just feeling that you need to be Jacked 🙂

*The photo is from the local feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which does a procession through the neighborhood each year. They sell holy bread and make it a point to visit the gas station each year. Mario Avallone is in the center, and his two sons, Mario and Salvatore, are next to him.

More unique New York City businesses and their owners: Not Just Meatballs, That’s Giove, Joe’s Dairy (The Movie, Part 1 and Part 2), A Sharp Focus, Trimmings for Sale, Instincts, Walk Like Di Fara, The Bathroom Closes in 20 Minutes, We Don’t Do Windows, Because I’m the Best (Part 1 and Part 2), Thank You, Mr. Dupal, New York Moment, Hurry, Economy Candy, Alidoro, Space Surplus Metals

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, People, Videos, War Against Wheels. Bookmark the permalink.
Jacked, Part 1

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Brian Dubé

“Me and Mario are jacked out of our minds. We’re pumped up, high energy…” This is how Tommy Santino describes himself and Mario Avallone. It’s an understatement.

Jacked, pumped, stoked – in 42 years living in New York City, I have never seen a business that operates like this. It’s a social club on steroids or, as Salvatore Jr. described it, a circus. Three generations, all present every day. Salvatore Avallone, who founded the business in 1959, sits reading at his desk while his son, Mario, and his grandson, Salvatore, scurry about running the business. Interloper and friend, Tom Santino, comes in daily and makes lunch with Salvatore Sr.

What do you get when you combine honesty, competence, a sense of urgency, customer service par excellence, and fair pricing? A place where people will beat a path to your door. And here at Salerno Service Station at 451 Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, they do. This is a business that elevates customer service above all else. It is unique – after only a few minutes, I knew everything everyone had said about this place was true and that I, too, would become a Salerno devotee.

I needed a muffler repaired, and here in New York City, as elsewhere, auto repair is riddled with charlatans, liars, cheaters, and crooks. The Internet has helped immeasurably to sort businesses out. I began some online searching and became intrigued with Salerno Service Station in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Of over 80 reviews, all but two were 5 stars – remarkable and unfathomable really. The reviews themselves were saturated with superlatives. A visit was in order.

The station is open 24 hours and the auto service department from 8AM to 2PM on Saturday. I wanted to insure that my repair was done Saturday, so, given this place’s popularity, I arrived at 7:30AM. Mechanics were already on the scene in preparation for start of their workday. Ryan approached me immediately and pulled my car into the garage and onto a lift. He confirmed that I needed a muffler and that they could do the job easily. However, parts suppliers did not open until 8:15AM, so he suggested I relax at the Willburg Cafe around the corner. I took his recommendation and had a leisurely breakfast while waiting.
At 8:10, my cellphone rang. A muffler for my 20-year old car had already been located. I was given pricing and was told that I also needed an air filter, but it would be done at no charge. I needed an oil change. No charge. And I had the most annoying rattle that no one could isolate for years. They would investigate. (They found it and repaired it at no charge.) I gave the go-ahead for the muffler replacement.

A fellow diner overheard my conversation, asking if I had a vehicle at Salerno Service. I told him I did. He extolled their virtues, adding that he was their medical doctor, Dr. Zane, a podiatrist. A small and interconnected world indeed, here in East Williamsburg. I was also told that Mario was quite affluent, owning a lavish home in Long Island as well as many buildings in Brooklyn. He ran the business for the love of it. Workaholics. Nothing drives a business like passion and the love of work and people.

My car was completely finished ahead of schedule. I left the diner to pick it up. The place was now brimming with activity, and the family had arrived. I did not want to leave. I was escorted around the garage, given several complementary T-shirts (Mario keeps cases on hand). The original tow truck from 1959, perfectly restored, sits nearby. A sign below Lorimer Street proclaims “Via Salerno” – I was told this was given courtesy of the Guiliani administration. Salerno Service is a power station and has assisted the city in many crises.

I was being educated and entertained by Tommy Santino, who elaborated on business and life. I was to learn that the Avallone family and Tommy were pumped in more ways than one. All have the physiques of body builders – photos and trophies in the back office are testament that they had more than a passing interest. Two decades ago, they installed a gym in a back room. Here, I was escorted for a tour and learned that Tommy had been a professional boxer and headed the New York State boxing commission. His wife, Mary Murphy, is an award-winning reporter and anchorwoman for a local New York City television network. I watched Salvatore Jr. demonstrate his conditioning on the pullup bar. Mario, I learned, has appeared in films, including those of director Spike Lee.

The stories were endless, the achievements amazing, and the energy was infectious. I recorded my visit, and on my next installment of this story, you can see the movie and how everyone in this place, along with me, is truly jacked…

More unique New York City businesses and their owners: Not Just Meatballs, That’s Giove, Joe’s Dairy (The Movie, Part 1 and Part 2), A Sharp Focus, Trimmings for Sale, Instincts, Walk Like Di Fara, The Bathroom Closes in 20 Minutes, We Don’t Do Windows, Because I’m the Best (Part 1 and Part 2), Thank You, Mr. Dupal, New York Moment, Hurry, Economy Candy, Alidoro, Space Surplus Metals

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, People, War Against Wheels. Bookmark the permalink.
Wild Ride

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Brian Dubé

Wednesday night, returning from Brooklyn, I was feeling a little wild, as is sometimes the case when I find myself driving in New York City and life is GOOD. Then the city just ELECTRIFIES me – I can feel its high voltage coursing through my body. Everything is RIGHT and I know I am in the world’s most exciting city.

With no prior plan to do so, I suddenly just decided to pull out a camera and video record a leg of my journey with stream of consciousness narration as I drove. See the NYC skyline from the BQE. Cross the Manhattan Bridge with me, and then cruise the streets of Lower Manhattan, NoHo, and the Village. The footage is raw, jumpy, and a little out of focus at times. It’s not reality TV – it’s the REAL DEAL while on a Wild Ride >>>

Posts referenced in the video: 212 and 2:12, New York Rockies, Sittin’ On Top of the World, No Sir, Pull Ahead, Childhood’s End, Public Theater, Astor Place Cube

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in New York at Night, Only in New York, Videos, War Against Wheels. Bookmark the permalink.
Trimmings for Sale

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Brian Dubé

I was appropriately reprimanded. Marty Silver asked why was I working with a supplier in Georgia when he was the largest tassel manufacturer in the world and was located within walking distance? I had no answer except that I had not done my homework properly. Schoen Trimming and Cord manufactures tassels and cords right in Manhattan at 151 West 25th Street.

There is no phone tree, messaging systems, extensions, or phone tag at Schoen. On my first call, I was told I needed to speak to the owner, Marty Silver, who immediately picked up the phone. A proud New Yorker and native Brooklynite, he proceeded to tell me about the company and his recent job with Victoria’s Secret, who opted for a local source over China. The order of nearly $100,000 was for over 20,000 pieces and was completed in just a few weeks. I described my own project needs, and he suggested I just drop by. He said that he was open at 7AM, so when was I coming in? Tomorrow morning, I answered.

It was clear from the brief phone conversation that Schoen was a no-nonsense operation run by a man who gets things done. No meetings, no memos, no marketing plans, no grandiose schemes, no Twitter feeds. A rarity these days, and a perpetual frustration for me in business to ferret out these kinds of operations. Schoen services a niche market, and they address the needs of their customers with the essential ingredients: good quality, service, delivery, and pricing. This is why they have been in business for 72 years.

When I arrived, Marty was tied up briefly, working with his accountant. He appeared somewhat irritated that this aspect of his business was taking him away from overseeing his production work and meeting with me. We went over my project quickly, and he said he would get back to me.
I was surprised when, only hours later, he called my office to tell me that he had completed some prototypes for me – when did I want to pick them up and discuss them? Tomorrow morning, I answered. I visited Schoen again, went over my samples, and toured the factory. Marty was quite accommodating regarding my request to take photos. Nothing to hide. I like that. And so it was that in less than 24 hours, Marty Silver did what the factory in Georgia has yet to do in two months.

I have encountered business owners like Marty in the last 37 years. This breed of men and women are the ones that have been the captains of industry and have stewarded our city to become the world leader that it is in so many arenas. Some are left and, here and there, the spirit lives on. New York City is as hard-edged as it comes, and if you are going to survive 72 years in business, you’re going to need exceptional tenacity, resourcefulness, drive, and the ability to stay focused on the bottom line.

Schoen typifies the classic old world New York City-style manufacturer or commercial/industrial supplier. They are lean machines, bare bones, and stripped of artifice and excess at every level. The only decorative elements you will find are Trimmings for Sale 🙂

Related Posts: It’s Perfect, Brawling Over Brands, Because I’m the Best

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, Stores. Bookmark the permalink.
Pretty Rad, Part 2

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Brian Dubé

A Slice of Charles Knapp (see Part 1 here)

In Part 1 of Fairway to Heaven, I found myself unexpectedly immersed in a food emporium, the likes of which I had never seen. I traveled there with a friend who you will meet in Part 3 of this adventure in Red Hook, Brooklyn. However, the plot thickened, or perhaps I should say curdled.

I have written a number of stories with the theme Abandon All Preconceived Notions Ye Who Enter Here. However, looking back, it is fair to say that all of the people I have featured could easily fit under this umbrella. In New York City, more than any place I can imagine, you cannot define or judge a person by color, creed, occupation, lack of occupation, appearance, hygiene, education, or any other outward signs – even those things which a reasonable person may use to reasonably judge someone unfamiliar. This city is a salad bowl of ethnicities, types, and kinds. It’s a magnet for luminaries, geniuses, eccentrics, misfits, artists, and every other imaginable variant on the human condition. But the overlying theme is the number of remarkable individuals hidden behind an unassuming or unprepossessing exterior.

As we explored the aisles of Fairway, we approached the cheese department. I love cheese but do not keep it in the house, lest I lose control and consume too much. My eye was drawn to two wheels of cheese stacked on a wooden barrel. My interest was immediately spotted by a man behind the counter who told me of the special nature of this authentic Parmigiano Reggiano.

No sooner did I show interest in a cheese that I was offered a taste. Soon it became a cheese tasting extravaganza with no holds barred. My first and favorite for the night was Amarelo – a strong but extraordinary tasting cheese from Portugal, made with both sheep and goat milk. As conversation ensued, it became abundantly clear that this was not just an ordinary salesperson but also someone who had a passion for cheese and a depth of knowledge. I also knew that this man, who introduced himself as Charles Knapp, would be the subject of a story for this website. Charles gave me a postcard with the details of a wine and cheese tasting that he conducts periodically at botto di vino in Red Hook, Brooklyn (see details here).

As I was leaving, I asked for his full name and contact information. He informed me that he also had a cheese blog which I perused this morning, along with a number of other blogs he authors.*
Charles has had a fascinating life and is far from what one might expect from a counter salesman in Fairway. Born as a Catholic, Charles studied atheism and shamanism in college, then became an SGI Buddhist. His father was in the Air Force, so Charles moved a lot as a child. Here are some ruminations from his website:

Food Trip
Born in San Antonio, Texas. Raised in Europe. Love food Mexican Food only in Texas and California. Ate a lot. Parents had to hold me back. Was a husky kid always.Making lunch for school. Traveling to Holland. France, Italy,Spain. Ate diff foods olives,olive oils, meats, bread, wine, beer, and spirits. Always liked sweets. Candy gum cake. chocolate. Hot oatmeal. Strawberry picking, Elmers food and steak house. SOSC Cafeteria. Mom was a great cook. In Europe brotchen bread bratwurst. In spain, Bread and olives, cheese, wine and olive oils. Not only the food, culture and history for the region. It continues. I want to take Ben carlos. Own Business in Catering. Gouda in Holland. manchego in Spain. Quantro for dessert. Flowers and food. We have been on the go for the first 15 years of my life. learned German in first grade. Spain Rain on the plane to Majorca. The italians where so wonderful. Very giving about everything. They wanted top show off their food and history and culture all the time. Naples was wonderful Roma did we see the churches. After awhile it became dull. Humor and sarcasm were always around. Munich oktoberfest. garmische partenkirchen. The Sound of Music was our family we danced, learned a lot and ate a lot and drank a lot throughout chiildhood. Potsdam. Checkpoint Charlie. Our history together. resentments. Golden Child. Ms Griffith. 3rd grade Wizard of Oz. Tam class president. I supported her a lot. I was the class clown and the mischievous one.1975 we cam home to Oregon. Strange time. Came out of the cocoon of military life. Life is some cocoons. go in and out.

And there you have a Slice of Charles Knapp 🙂

Note: If you want to be even more astounded with Charles’s transparency and the candid exposure of his rich life, follow the links for his various blogs – 21, manspace, spiritworld2011, and snazzysales2011.

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, People, Stores. Bookmark the permalink.
Pretty Rad, Part 1

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Brian Dubé

Fairway to Heaven

Don’t you love a bargain, a deal? A two for one sale? How about three for one? Please come with me on an adventure in three parts and see why New York City is everything you were told it would be, and more.

I do have a tendency to get very excited and animated by things that may perhaps be seen as ordinary, boring, or just “interesting.” And it is true that once unleashed, my unbridled enthusiasm often embellishes – things such as chewing gum on the sidewalk, etched windows on the subway. or a place where one may find nothing. But, nonetheless, I cannot conceive of another place where one can find the plethora of absolutely amazing people, places, and things that can be discovered and explored in one evening in one locale. Let me explain.

Needful of photos and story material, I was prompted last Saturday to corral a friend to explore Red Hook, Brooklyn. I chose Red Hook to visit a highly rated neighborhood bar, Sunny’s. But, as typifies any train of thought travel in New York City to the open-minded, I was quickly derailed, and Sunny’s became a postscript to the novella of the night. I often go on photography jaunts alone, but when possible, I do prefer company in these urban safaris. I have often explored the corners of the city with fellow photographer Bill Shatto.

On this trip, however, I recruited a friend who is a college student and who brings spontaneity, impulsiveness, and a fresh curiosity to the table. You will meet her in part three of this story and learn why this story is entitled Pretty Rad. However, I had no idea that this night would become the next cool adventure, befitting her expectations from a couple of previous outings.

I had visited Red Hook a number of times and was aware of the two big retail attractions of the area: Ikea and Fairway. Fairway is a market very well known to New Yorkers for its extraordinary prices and selection. It is an institution on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Given the scenic wonders of Red Hook and that I already knew Fairway, shopping here was never of interest to me. Hence, I had never set foot inside this particular Fairway. My companion had not been in a Fairway before, so I decided to briefly tour her around the store before our main feature of the night.

I made a big mistake in assuming that this Fairway was just another store and that an excursion here would be a quick perfunctory run through. When I say big mistake, I mean BIG. Have you ever seen limes stacked 20 across and 16 high? Or an aisle of yogurt? An olive oil department? An entire section of vanilla beans?

I have visited suburban Pathmarks and the like, but I have never seen such a mammoth selection of products within one food category as this market in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Those nearby who can shop here regularly are truly blessed with good fortune, and their path there must truly feel like a Fairway to Heaven 🙂

See Part 2 here for a slice of Charles Knapp.

Related Post: Gotham City

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, Stores. Bookmark the permalink.
Esai is Taken

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Brian Dubé

Frequently I have been in a public space, perhaps a place such as Washington Square Park, when someone has pulled me aside and whispered something like “Do you realize who that guy is?” Of course, everyone has different standards as to what constitutes greatness and importance, so my initial reaction is to take these introductions with a grain of salt and do my research later. However, with current technology, later can be now if one has a portable device with Internet access.

On September 5th at 9:20 PM, Joe Rios (producer of the film documentary in which I was host – see here) approached me quite excited and whispered to me that this was ESAI MORALES, a lifelong idol of his. Apparently, this was a name I should have known but sadly did not. I did the prudent thing and took a handful of photos along with some video, just “in case” this person turned out to be worthy of a story.
I moved aside and pulled out my iPad to get a brief overview.

As I began to type his name in the Wikipedia search bar, his full name was completed quickly, so I knew that this person was likely a heavyweight. A few seconds scanning his Wikipedia entry, and I was embarrassed that I had never heard of him. There was a broad range of films and TV series, nearly 100 in total, many of which were quite familiar to me. Morales is perhaps best known for his role in the 1987 film La Bamba.

Reading his bio more closely, I could understand why my friend Joe Rios would have idolized Morales and found him to be an inspiration. Like Joe, Esai was Puerto Rican and grew up in New York City from a working-class family (Esai grew up in Brooklyn, Joe had a very rough upbringing in the Bronx). Morales is the classic success story that every urban youth needs to hear.

I can’t imagine another place where a man or woman who has achieved so much, essentially a celebrity, would sit on a park bench with a local and just sing his heart out. I was introduced to Esai and spoke to him briefly. A piece of the video footage I took that evening may be used in the film documentary that Joe is producing. Although it was crude and hand held, it documents the extraordinary nature of the park and this city, where anything can happen and often does.

Born in 1962, Morales began his acting career by attending the School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. I also learned that Morales is a vegetarian and political activist. Whatever he is doing, it appears to serve him well. He looks to be in great condition and is quite handsome and charming. For any women who might be interested, I am sorry to say, Esai is taken 🙂

Related Posts: Mzuri Sings, Myra’s Isle, Walid Soroor

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, People, Videos. Bookmark the permalink.
Come Back For Jupiter

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Brian Dubé

If you spend enough time on the streets of New York City and mingle, you are going to experience a depth and breadth of humanity that boggles the mind. Not only will you find an absolutely astonishing number of people with incredible talent, but likely, you will on occasion find the serendipitous meetings to be even more amazing.

On Saturday night, I ate dinner at my favorite local Italian restaurant, Trattoria Spaghetto (as mentioned in my story, Donato), conveniently located on Father Demo Square. It was an exquisite evening. Strolling out and through the small park, I saw a man with an enormous telescope, welcoming all to observe and partake in the wonders of the universe for free. There were no shortage of lookers.

Our master of ceremonies on Saturday night was Jeffrey Jacobs, who acquainted me with the organization, The Sidewalk Astronomers. Examples of “sidewalk astronomy” date back over 100 years. One of the popularizers of the sidewalk movement is John Dobson, who pioneered the design for the large, portable, low-cost Newtonian reflecting telescope known as the Dobsonian telescope.

The telescope was set up to observe the moon. However, I was informed that in approximately an hour and a half, Jupiter would be visible above the roofline of the neighboring buildings. Jeffrey encouraged me to “come back for Jupiter.” I intended to wander, stroll, and return, but instead found myself drawn into the social scene that grew around the telescope set up for observing the moon. The time passed quickly.

However, this is New York City, and the evening would not be complete without upping the ante in some more remarkable chance occurrence. A man who, coincidentally, had also eaten at Trattoria Spaghetto introduced himself. Employed at Columbia University, both he and Jeffrey bonded over their mutual acquaintance and reverence for John Dobson.

Soon, Jupiter made its presence, and I was excited to observe it in a telescope for the first time. My turn in line came. I was able to see Jupiter’s bands and its four moons. Jeffrey was ever the patient educator, helping each onlooker to identify the features and moons.

It was an exciting evening, with lovely surprises, chance meetings, and a fortuitous planetary alignment – just another miraculous night in what could easily be another episode in the series Only In New York or Sidewalk University, but for me, more appropriately called Come Back For Jupiter 🙂

Related Posts: This Is Not New Mexico, Back to Our Main Feature, Full Moon, Gothic Night

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in New York at Night, Only in New York, Scenic NYC. Bookmark the permalink.
Sleeping In Jeans

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Brian Dubé

As I observed the body painting display of Mike Lee, a group of my friends became engaged in a very spirited discussion over the validity of Mike’s homeless experiment. Mike is a senior at Dartmouth College and, as an adventure, decided to try living on the streets of New York City with no money and no shelter for 14 days, in the period between his commodities trading internship and the start of fall term. However, the self-imposed homelessness did not sit well at all with my friends, who had many issues with a boy of privilege, enrolled in an Ivy League college, asking for food and donations.

In addition to foraging for food and sleeping in his pink sleeping bag, Mike was given challenges, reminiscent of reality TV shows. The controversy is understandable. Mike’s appearance, education, and the voluntary nature of his exile does strain credibility as to the how much of a hardship this really was. On his youtube channel, one film segment shows Mike snagging food and drinks on SoHo’s Fashion Night Out, something impossible for a truly homeless person to pull off. Another episode shows an evening with a table setup in Washington Square Park and Mike dining with a series of guests.

But for someone of his means and background, what’s a boy to do that fancies to experience homelessness, except to try Sleeping in Jeans?

Related Posts: Caught in the Rain, Because It’s Not, Down On His Luck, Stephanie, Aspiration, Caravan of Dreams, Homeless Art Scene

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York. Bookmark the permalink.
The Agony and the Ecstasy

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Brian Dubé

The first in the family of the city daily photo blogs was Paris Daily Photo, created by Eric Tenin. His vision was to show a slice of daily life in Paris via photos. Inspired by the idea, a friend and I created New York Daily Photo in 2006. Since then, this site has evolved and become an altogether different entity, sharing all manner of people, places, and things through my eyes, not always necessarily to simply show a “slice of everyday life” in New York City. The postings have become much more story-driven.

On a recent overnight trip, it occurred to me, as it often does, how preparing for a trip by car for the single traveler would be anathema and incomprehensible to anyone outside the city. So, for a basic trip that involves an overnight stay with luggage, and in the spirit of the original city daily photo blog, here is how I do it:

I call ahead to the garage to get my car – they require at least one hour advance notice, so I have to plan ahead. Take all my belongings, probably two loads, to the lobby, always keeping the most valuable things with me at all times: three bags with shoulder straps containing my laptop, iPad, and cameras. I’m on the fourth floor with no elevator, so it’s up and down four flights of stairs (photo top left).

I walk about three blocks to the garage, carrying the “valuables” with me and leaving those things which would be least missed if stolen while unattended in the lobby (photo top center).
Even though I have called ahead, I still have to wait for my car to be delivered by the attendant. I drive to my home. Since it is near impossible most days to find a parking spot near my home, I have to double park in front of my apartment building with my hazard lights flashing (photo middle right). Now, I run in to the building with my valuables still slung around my neck. I unlock the two vestibule doors to the building and prop them open (with floor hooks) for easy in and out access (photo top right).

I bring out my things, one load at a time, running, opening and closing and locking and unlocking my trunk on each trip, always carrying my valuables the entire time (photo middle left). I make one last trip to close both building doors. During this entire process, I always keep an eye out for the police to avoid ticketing as well as possible thieves.

On the return of a trip, everything is reversed. Double park, unlock and prop open the vestibule doors, make trips unloading my trunk (keeping my valuables with me) leaving the less bulky and valuable luggage unattended in my building, drive to the garage, drop off the car, walk back three blocks, take the luggage up four flights, one load at a time.

I open my apartment door and drop off everything. It feels good to be home. However, I reflect on the insane process needed to just load and unload luggage for a short trip and question why I and other New Yorkers go through all of this.

On my last trip out of town, to add insult to injury, just after I completed my entire ritual, a car pulled out in front of me, leaving a parking spot right in front of my house (bottom photo). Yes, having a car in New York City is a privilege and a luxury. I am appreciative of that. However, it’s New York City, and most pleasures here come with a price, whether monetary or otherwise, and often cut both ways. It’s what’s behind that love/hate relationship with the city, rearing its head as the Agony and the Ecstasy 🙂

Related Posts: Unforgiving, Ye Who Enter Here, Steaming Masses of New York, Dwanna

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, Slings and Arrows of NYC. Bookmark the permalink.
One Tree at a Time

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Brian Dubé

I have an uncle who was a Roman Catholic missionary priest. Eventually, he left the priesthood, entering academia and consulting work. On one occasion, he asked me if I was into politics and was disappointed when I told him no. He said that at that point in his life going forward, he no longer wanted to help individuals one by one, rather to help people en masse via sweeping political change. This seemed to be a noble aspiration but too disconnected to me. As a self-directed entrepreneur, I never had the stomach for long political process or decision by committee. So, be it perhaps ineffectual from a global perspective, my efforts to make a difference in the world are limited to infrequent isolated acts of charity.

One of the perks of owning a business, particularly a manufacturing company, is the ability to bring tremendous resources to a small problem and fix it easily. I have a factory with a machine shop and a plethora of power and hand tools. Such a facility in Manhattan is now virtually nonexistent.

Additionally, most people in New York City have a much more limited range of tools and no basement shops or garages. Hence, although some old timers may have handwork experience, most New Yorkers have little or no working knowledge of tools, in depth experience of how to repair things or any skills in electrical, plumbing, metalsmithing, or carpentry work.

Performing easy, quick procedures such as cutting something on a table saw, drilling a hole using a drill press, or machining on a lathe are like magical blessings for most New Yorkers. I love doing these things – typically these small acts are uber-appreciated and remembered for years. My “return on investment” is so huge that it is a stretch to even see the small favors as “generous.”

Recently, a customer who knew we had a factory workshop asked if we could do a simple repair on a hand bag with an absurdly designed shoulder strap (unbelievably, the chain was only slipped under the flap, so the bag fell whenever opened). The solution was simple, however, one would need grommets, hole cutters, setting tools, and other hand tools to disassemble and reassemble the linked chain. The repair was made in a few minutes, and Déa Million was elated and profusely thankful. Ebullient, effusive, and perky, there was no better victim for a small charitable act. As repayment, she agreed to this story.

This morning, I perused Déa’s website and learned many things about this woman, who is a graphic designer, originally from Minneapolis. Her interests and skills are quite eclectic – at one time, Déa worked as a project manager for computer-based training systems for a US Air Force helicopter pilot training system. As I continued to peruse her website, the story you are reading just unfolded without planning as a web of interconnected ideas, such as those on the mind-numbing documentary TV show Connections with James Burke.

My attention turned to her interest in reforestation with the organization Community Carbon Trees Costa Rica. As I scanned that organization’s website, I saw that this was a grassroots effort, and the wheels began turning in my mind, seeing the obvious analogy between their and my approach at making a difference. An idea for the perfect story title just popped into my mind: One Tree at a Time.

I continued to scroll the main page, and my eyes fell on the most astounding coincidence. Pseudo-science or not, if there ever was a case for Morphic Resonance, this was it. The metaphor for my way of making a difference and the story title phrase I had thought of seconds before just appeared like magic and leapt off their webpage:

We believe that ONE by ONE, with your generous sponsorship and our commitment, together we can grow huge new expanses of forest on deforested equatorial land owned by local Costa Rican people, One Tree at a Time.

Note to Déa: Thanks a million, Déa, for your cooperation and the opportunity to use your image. I hope you enjoy reading this remarkable tale as much as I did writing it. Thanks for letting me repair your bag 🙂

Related Post: The Book With the Hole In It, Part 2

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York, People. Bookmark the permalink.
Vows of Remembrance

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Brian Dubé

Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Commemorations took place around the USA and in New York City “as America looked back upon a contagion of terrorism and war and renewed its vows of remembrance…”*

*From the New York Times

Photo note: Today’s collage is assembled from the various postings I have done on Ground Zero since 2006: It Behooves One, Universal Impact, Post-9/11 World, Ground Zero, 911

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Brian Dubé

This entry was posted in Only in New York. Bookmark the permalink.

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