B&H Dairy for the win!

There are some things I’ve never thought to put in an omelet - apples, are one of them.   So when I saw a cheddar cheese and apple omelet on the menu at B&H Dairy, I simply had to order it.  The omelet, was complete with home fires and challah bread.  The mix of cultural influences and various unique ingredients make B&H Dairy a great place to grab some lunch. 

For comforting items like potato pancakes, macaroni and cheese and matzo ball soup, B&H Dairy is a Kosher and vegetarian dream come true.  The restaurant, located at 127 Second Ave. between Seventh and Eighth streets is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. 

Though the deli itself is quite small and crowded, the food makes up for the atmosphere.  The service, which is exceptionally fast and friendly is also entertaining.  Sitting at the bar, you can watch your food being made at almost dizzying speeds.  It is clear that the people working there, have been there for quite some time. 

The restaurant has specials everyday, including vegetarian chili over brown rice on Wednesdays and a grilled white fish sandwich and soup on Fridays.  Prices range from $4 for a potato knish to $11.50 for stuffed cabbage and a cup of soup.  My suggestion?  Get the cheese stuffed fried pirogues.  You won’t regret it. 

Empire State of Mind...

In case you can't tell, it is about 15 different colors.  SO COOL.

Thanksgiving colors on the Empire State Building...

View from my roof - NBD

Grand Central to offer audio tours?

In a clever ploy to generate revenue, the MTA Metro-North has teamed up with Grand Central to offer audio tours of the historic terminal.  The self-guided tour will be offered in English, Spanish and French and will include an introductory speech by Mayor Bloomberg.  Visitors can opt to have the "express" or "local" tour, which vary from 30 minutes to an hour or longer.  Discounted tickets at $4 will be available to seniors, but regular prices will be $5 for adults, $3 for students and $1 for children under 12.  While the tour seems rather interesting, offering an architectural history and fun facts/anecdotes about the terminal, it seems like a transparent attempt for the MTA to get more money.  It would be great if it helped subway prices go down, but knowing the MTA, it won't.

To read more... http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Grand-Central-Terminal-to-Offer-Official-Audio-Tours-110430219.html

"Please Kill Me"

Being both a historian and a journalist, there is nothing I like better than delving through New York University’s primary source material.  So NYU’s Fales Library’s latest exhibit, “A Sanctuary for the Arts: Judson Memorial Church and the Avante Garde, 1954-1977” made me feel like a kid in a candy store. 

I’m sorry, I think my nerd is showing. 



Courtesy of Peter McDowell Online



Marvin Taylor, the Director of Fales Library, led me and my journalism class through the exhibit, which is located on the third floor of Bobst Library at 70 Washington Square South.  The exhibit will run from October 28, 2010 to January 7, 2011 and includes videos of ground-breaking performances, pamphlets, flyers, and other artwork. 



There is something somewhat disturbing about watching people, clad only in underwear, move, dance and interact with raw meat.  Despite this element, “Meat Joy”, choreographed by Carolee Schneemann, also holds its own brand of brilliance unique to the avante garde art of Judson. 



Photo of John Sex Courtesy of Andewhyland.com



Another dance, “The People’s Flag Show” included people wearing ONLY the American flag hanging loosely from their necks.  The piece was a commentary on the Vietnam War and the church’s minister, Howard Moody, was arrested for the controversial dance.  

In addition to the exhibit, Fales also has an extensive collection of primary sources on Punk music, including original issues of Punk Magazine and photographs by Richard Hell, frontman for the band, Richard Hell & The Voidoids.  

Perhaps my favorite part was a video-recorded, CNN interview of John Sex, a performance artist whose long, white-blonde hair stood straight up with what I imagine took an entire bottle of hair gel.  The look on the news anchor’s face when being confronted with Sex was priceless. 









What's new in Murray Hill for the week of Nov. 1...

This weekend, I saw an AWESOME exhibit at the Whitney Museum.  It was Lee Friedlander's America By Car.  The exhibit is a collection of photographs that were taken in a rental car on a road trip across America.  In other news, Brian Kavanagh (Democrat) won his third term in State Assembly for the East Side - including the Murray Hill area.  Murray Hill residents continue to voice their concern over the proposal to create "dedicated bus lanes".  The St. Giles Hotel auctioned off a signed Caroline Wozniacki tennis racket to benefit Sean Penn's Haiti relief charity.  Friday's fire in Murray Hill destroyed several popular hangouts.   Bedbugs have officially swept through all of New York City as they found their way into the Empire State Building.

The photos are interesting because they employ the rearview mirror, sideview mirror, windshield and side windows in a unique way, giving the pictures a 3-Dimensional feel and framing each picture.  The exhibit will be open until November 28th.  The Whitney Museum website has one of Friedlander's photos and you can check out any other exhibits here as well. Friedlander Exhibit

Brian Kavanagh beat Republican Dena Winokur in the election.  Kavanagh has lived in New York City for his entire life and he beat Winokur with 84 percent of the vote.  Election Results

"Dedicated bus lanes" are the concrete dividers between bus lanes and regular traffic that have been proposed in the Murray Hill area.  However, residents are seriously concerned.  Read More and See Slideshow

Proceeds from the sale of Wozniacki's racket will go to Haitian refugees.  The racket was on display at the hotel until October 31st, when the bidding ended.  More info

Frontier Coffee Shop and Byblos, a Lebanese restaurant were both destroyed by a 5-alarm fire in Murray Hill on Friday.  Frontier was a family run business and was very popular in the community.  They want to rebuild.  More Info

Though bedbugs have caused several New York businesses to close, the Empire State Building is such an iconic landmark it seems immune.  But, alas... it's true - See for yourself.  Though the city is considering getting trained dogs to sniff out the bugs and stop the problem.

Voting problems at the Mary Lindley School...

"Rock the Vote" and the facebook vote campaign have preached the value of voting to America's younger generation for a few years now.  Yet in Manhattan's youth-dominated Murray Hill neighborhood, young people were noticeably absent from the polls.  


Though the area is heavily populated with college students and recent graduates, Martin A. Lewis and Dominick Sclafani noted that the elderly had the highest number of voters.  Lewis and Sclafani were door clerks at P.S. 116 on Election Day.  

Murray Hill voters were able to vote from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in their neighborhood's elementary school - P.S. 116 The Mary Lindley Murray School located at 210 E. 33^rd St.  


In general, Lewis noted that only approximately 2/3 of Murray Hill's registered voters voted in this election.  Though he says 90 percent voted in the 2008 election. 


Besides for a decrease in voter turnout, Lewis also noted that there were problems with the actual ballot.  "The big complaint is that you can't see the writing," Lewis said, "they better straighten out the ballot by 2012."  


The ballots were not the only problem with the actual voting system.  Douglas A. Kellner, chairman of the New York State Board of Elections showed up at the school to discuss how the setup of the voting machines did not conform to state regulations. 

However, these problems did not stop the dedicated solicitors who stood outside the school trying to sway voters towards their cause.  Clad in a winter jacket, Leyah Farber held her position outside the school all day - from 5:30 a.m. until the polls closed.  Farber was campaigning for her older brother, Saul Farber, the Republican candidate for New York State Senate. 

Joining her in the cold was Michael W. Chan, candidate for New York State Assembly.  Though it is Chan's first election, he believes with his financially savvy background as a bank-regulator he can really change things.  "The New York State government is facing a lot of deficit problems and there's a lot of corruption," Chan said. 

Though there were more than a few problems in Murray Hill, Gail A. Shim, an information clerk still feels privileged.  "As long as we have places where we can go to vote - everything is beautiful," Shim said, "it's a great thing that we can vote today."

Random Murray Hill Moment...

Entrance to clubhouse

As a history major, I found myself very interested in the Union League Club in my neighborhood.  Founded during the American Civil War in 1863, the club was started as a political organization in direct opposition to the Confederacy.  A progressive and liberal group for the time, the club equipped the first African American infantry for Union service. 

This was, obviously, a huge step during the time and the Union League Club was considered to be quite radical.  

The club continues to be a largely involved in the community and in certain political issues today.  

Plaque outside clubhouse

Clubhouse building

I, of course, wanted to interview the club for a journalism piece. Unfortunately, the club was not very receptive to my advances.  After calling, emailing, and even showing up at the club, I realized they were not going to answer any of my questions.  

They helped America overcome a lot of prejudices during the Civil War, but apparently they can't handle a young journalist asking a few questions.  I guess I shouldn't really be upset though.  I mean, who's listening to this group of old white men anyway?  

Murray Hill Market at P.S. 116 proves to be a popular weekend stop for its residents.

            The smell of fresh barbequed pork sausages and pumpkin ravioli is enough to waft anyone out of their Sunday morning slumber.  The fresh produce and speciality food items make the Murray Hill Market an unforgettable shopping experience. 

Entrance of the market

While the Market, which is held on the playground of P.S. 116 Mary Lindley Murray School on East 32^nd street is quite small – it holds appeal for the neighborhood’s residents. 

The market is community oriented and supports P.S. 116, by donating a portion of the proceeds to the community’s public school. 

            Though the market is only held on Sundays, this does not stop the flood of people that line up awaiting the market’s 9 am opening.  The market, is open until 5 pm, but does not start to get busy until around one, said Thomas Harris, a vendor. 

Harris, works a pickles and olives stand at the market; a product of two stores located in New York and New Jersey. Harris’ stand has been at the market since it’s start three years ago. 

  Harris’ stand is quite popular and he has regular clientele.  Though everyone has their favorite items, he says the most popular is the half sour pickles, they’re new and they are causing quite a commotion.  Other items include the Kosher dill pickles, full sour pickles and the hot full sour pickles. 

In addition to food and produce, the market also has vendors selling antique and vintage items.  Johanna Fritsche and Angel Vantzin are friends who combine their tables to sell items including pins, jewelry, sunglasses, glass vases, books and candles.  “Over the years you just shop and shop,” said Fritsche, “I saw the program ‘Hoarder’s’ and I thought, I gotta get rid of it.” 

For Vantzin and Fritsche, the market is a way to meet people, not make money.  “Sometimes you make money.  Sometimes you can’t,” said Vantzin, “Meeting a lot of people… talking to a lot of people.  We enjoy it.”  Fritsche noted that while they love meeting people, a lot of market goers want to bargain down their prices, “They want everything, for nothing,” she laughed. 

            Having only been open for three years now, the market is still growing.  It is small, but it needs the community’s help to become more established.  Harris said of the market’s beginnings, “We were so hopeful.  The neighborhood is so up and coming.”  Harris wants the market to grow bigger, but still admires it’s small neighborhood feel. 

Vince Libasci, a market goer, also wants the market to grow.  “I really love that it’s not super busy.  There are only a few vendors and, while they’re all very good – I would like to see it develop.” 

However, according to Harris, developing the market is harder because of the youthful crowd that they are working amongst.  Since Murray Hill is itself still up and coming, it’s hard to grow the little market. 

            Darcy Donnellan, a recent college graduate, shares the opinion of Libasci and Harris.  Donnellan does not live in Murray Hill, but is in the area often.  “I’m a vegan so I have to be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables affordably,” she said, “they have great, affordable food, I just wish there was more of it.” 

Also, Harris said, because the Murray Hill crowd is so young – it’s harder to grow a following.  Harris blames this on the fact that young people wake up later, tend to be busier and are not necessarily as interested in a local market. 

            Currently, the market functions only outdoors – on the playground, but in past years, they have had vendors inside the school as well.  While some vendors stick around in inclement weather, others just don’t show up.  The tables get rented by the day, so missing a Sunday doesn’t mean losing out on the cost of the table.  The price of the tables depends on the size and how long you’ve been involved in the market, but prices range from $20-$45.    

Greg White, is one of the newest vendors involved with the market.  White, is a chef who recently transitioned to sales.  He cooks various pastas and then sells them to restaurants including the Trump Country Club in New Jersey.  White has only been at the market for four weeks and enlists the help of his two children and their German exchange student. 

White sells homemade ravioli, various pastas, jars of sauce and fresh cheeses at his stand.  His pumpkin ravioli and mac ’n cheese ravioli are among his most popular.  White also hopes for the market’s expansion.  The family is trying to help their German exchange student earn her way to the Golden Gate Bridge.   

White hopes for good business and more people to help her reach her goal of visiting California during her time in the United States.  

            The vendors and clientele both hope for the market’s enlargement. 

            Whitney Young, another market goer, admires the market’s community involvement.  “I like that I am able to buy great food and know that my money is benefiting the local school,” she said, “it would be great to see the market flourish and be able to give back even more.”

This HAPPENED...

I was looking out my window...

Ever wonder about the colors of the Empire State Building?