Pulling a (Judge) Crater (“The missingest man in New York”)
Judge Crater disappeared on August 6, 1930. A long search for him was fruitless. Crater was called "the most missingest man" in New York. However, in August 2005, new details of his…
Archive for 08/2005
Fifth Avenue Mile
The Fifth Avenue Mile is sponsored by New York Road Runners. Since 1981, it's been run for one mile down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The popular race has had various sponsorships, including…
New York Underground Comedy Festival
The annual New York Underground Comedy Festival was started in 2003 by George Sarris. http://www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/112607The 3rd Annual NYC Underground Comedy FestivalBack…
Muslim Day Parade
The annual United American Muslim Day Parade takes place the last week in September. http://www.mfainc.net/Muslim Foundation of America, (MFA) Inc. For Immediate Release On Sunday September 25,…
Brazilian Day
Brazilian Day celebrates Brazil's independence and is held the first week in September. http://thebrasiliansonline.com/brazilfest/main/program.htmlDate: Sunday, September 4, 2005Open 11 a.m.…
9-11 (One Day’s Pay: National Day of Voluntary Service, Charity, Compassion)
9-11-2001 was a national tragedy. Several events are held on the anniversary of that day. One Day's Pay has organized a National Day of Voluntary Service, Charity and Compassion.…
Vendy Awards
Street food vendors are finally getting their due with the "Vendy Awards." How about "negative" Vendy Awards for the really bad ones?…
The New Yorker Festival
The New Yorker Festival started in 2000 simply as a 75th anniversary celebration of the magazine, The New Yorker. It's become an annual event since then. The event celebrates everything that…
New York Kite Festival
The New York Kite Festival is a new annual festival, begun just in 2002. However, it figures to become a tradition in the Rockaways in Queens. http://www.rockawaychamberofcommerce.com/events.htmNew…
Battle of the Badges (Fire vs. Police)
The "battle of the badges" occurs when the fire department fights with the police department, usually on rescue situations. The rivalry has sometimes been fierce. After the 9-11 tragedy,…
Harlem’s Main Street, or the Buckle of Harlem’s Black Belt (125th Street)
125th Street (Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard) has long been known as "Harlem's Main Street." Other terms used less often include "the buckle of Harlem's black…
Parking Card
In 2005, the Department of Transportation introduced "parking cards" to some parking meters in New York City. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/parking/municard.htmlWhere to use…
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
"CERTs" are Community Emergency Response Teams. The teams are being expanded for each community board to protect New Yorkers from disaster situations. The Federal Emergency Management…
Slam Gate (agent-operated gate, or AOG)
One subway entrance/exit that is not a turnstile is the "slam gate" or "agent-operated gate" (AOG). It's an easier entrance/exit for the handicapped and others. (Google…
Miracle on Madison Avenue
The annual "Miracle on Madison Avenue" street fair has helped charities (such as the Childrens Aid Society) since 1987. ...Children's Aid Society -- Miracle on MadisonShare in the…
Zagat (Za-GAT)
Eugene and Nina Zagat started publishing their Zagat Survey of restaurants in the early 1980s. It's since grown to other cities, and it's no longer a survey of only restaurants. A rhyme…
Murray Hell (Murray Hill + hell)
The New York Observer has called the Murray Hill section of Manhattan "Murray Hell." The strip of Third Avenue, between 29th and 38th Street, just has too many young people. The horror!…
Subway Alumni
"Subway alumni" are supporters of a college team who have never gone to that college. Notre Dame had powerful football teams in the early 1900s, and the Fighting Irish often played games…
“Lungs of the City” (Central Park)
It's commonly believed that Frederic Law Olmsted coined the term "lungs of the city" in reference to New York's Central Park. Olmsted helped design Central Park in 1858, and the…
Admiral’s Row or Officer’s Row (Brooklyn Navy Yard buildings)
The ten officers' houses built between 1864 and 1901 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard are called "Admiral's Row" or "Officer's Row." The buildings have been abandoned…