By Carol Tannenhauser
March 21, 2022 Weather: Sunny, high of 60 degrees.
Notices
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News
It is hard to focus on neighborhood news with descriptions and images of the horrors in Ukraine seeping in. With recognition of that we continue onward, with heavy hearts.
Henrietta Mantooth has lived on the Upper West Side for 60 years. At the age of 97, she is still painting and exhibiting her work — in the MOMA in Brazil and the Ford Foundation Gallery. Her paintings were recently displayed at the kick-off party on Columbus Avenue for the Gold Standard Arts Festival — which celebrates older artists. “I actually love being old,” [she] told the NY Post. “There is an excitement and a freedom in many ways. And I feel I am a history book and all of that experience offers me a knowledge that presents itself without conscious effort.”
On Thursday afternoon, another woman in her 90s was randomly punched in the back of her head while standing outside reading a menu at Manny’s Bistro, on Columbus Avenue between 70th and 71st, according to ABC7. But bistro owner Manuel Colon followed the attacker, calling 911, and pointing him out when the police arrived. The 35-year-old man was charged with one count of assault. “The victim said she was feeling okay [and] refused medical attention.”
A townhouse on Central Park West and 85th Street sold for $26 million setting a neighborhood record for townhouses, according to the New York Post, which teased about the “mystery buyer,” reportedly “a New York family.” What does the 10,000-square-foot mansion have to offer? In addition to the “six bedrooms, high ceilings, oversize windows, two skylights, four Juliet balconies…landscaped garden and landscaped roof-deck overlooking Central Park…in the basement, there’s an 1,875-square-foot ‘wellness center’ with a lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and hydrotherapy steam shower.”
Jerry Zaks, “the celebrated Broadway director...whose current projects are ‘The Music Man’ and ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ lives in a more modest — photograph-filled — two-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side, The New York Times reported. And he has an unusual arrangement. “When he wants to visit his girlfriend, Melissa Gooding (or his Tony Awards), he goes down two flights to what is essentially his second home.” Take a look at The Times’ tour and Joy Bergmann’s profile of Zaks in WSR, including his thoughts on making it through the day on the UWS: “Find the behavior that will protect the possibility of a happy ending….try to stay civilized while you’ve got trucks and buses and people asking for money and people being loud on their cell phones, always something coming at you. You gotta be alert.”
New York Times food critic Florence Fabricant found her way to 67Gourmet on Columbus Avenue and 69th Street. “This well-stocked nook up the block [created by the owners of 67 Wine & Spirits] mostly sells cheeses, charcuterie, condiments and crackers — stuff to nibble with wine. They’ve hired Martin Johnson, a cheesemonger…to oversee the store and select the goods. Worth discovering is Moser from Switzerland, whose fluent Cru Blanc Camembert begs for sauvignon blanc alongside.” By all means, satisfy the Camembert!
Finally, news is breaking today about the future of the Metro Theater. Stay with us for the latest reports.
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I’m sorry to focus on the sad story, but the woman who was punched in the back of the head should seek medical attention immediately. For reasons that should be obvious, due to the passing of a wonderful actor, a brain injury is not always obvious when first received. And a police report is necessary along with a visit to a doctor, for insurance purposes as well.
What a shame, that in any neighborhood, it is recommended to have one’s back to the wall, in order to see a possible threat.
Where is this statue in Central Park? Does it have some connection to Ukraine?
This is the statue of Elenor Roosevelt
It’s Eleanor Roosevelt on 72 and Riverside.
72ns St. and RSD
Wait a minute…people are eating camembert and drinking sauvignon blanc on the UWS?
Don’t these people know that there are homeless people all over the city? For shame…
And in case it doesn’t come across in print, I am being (very) sarcastic.
I stopped in at 67 Gourmet wanting to buy some cheese but they are a no-cash-credit-card only.
can anyone explain this policy: why turn away sales (someone with cash)? Makes no sense to me.
I was interested to learn that Blue Marble Ice Cream appears to have found the narrow path between the advantages of card only and the exclusivity of “no cash,” The just don’t make change. So, if a customer has exact change (or wants to leave a tip in the amount of inexact cash they have), the store will accept cash for ice cream. They just don’t require their servers to watch a cash drawer and make change. This is a little odd, but it does actually absolve them of refusing legal tender, which is worth something. You still have to decide if the small cone is worth $6,53 – but that pistachio almondine, makes a strong case! Not an experience you can scoop up elsewhere, to my understanding.
Good for them, that’s actually brilliant.
This has come up before on the West Side Rag. Businesses do it for a variety of reasons even though it is unlawful in NYC. Some businesses have been fined for this, many have not. They don’t seem to care.
But I’m with you. For a variety of reasons, some people can’t or don’t want to use credit or debit cards. If a business won’t accept them, I often choose to shop elsewhere and let management know why.
In 2022 who does not have some form of a credit card? I assume they would accept a debit card?
This is in part a trickle down from the increased crime on the UWS (there are also financial reasons why stores choose to do this). So if you don’t like it, vote for those who will reduce crime. That seems to be what it all boils down to these days…
Many people don’t have some form of credit or bank card.
Separately many people don’t want their every purchase tracked.
Third many, simply don’t want to run every small transaction through a bank, and then have to record that purchase for $12.50. (Don’t say a thing about online banking or credit accounts here.)
I thought NYC had a no credit-card-only requirement for stores as this discriminates against the Un-banked?
Sadly, crime. Stores with cash are vulnerable to violent criminals.
Kudos to the owner of Manny’s Bistro – sounds like a kind, caring citizen. I hope the victim is OK.
Could WSR add this to the list of cases it is following? I am curious to find out when this actually goes to trial and what sentence there is – I’m guessing the assailant will be wandering the streets on no bail and will get a slap on the wrist at most.
If you don’t support capital punishment, you’re part of the problem.
…wait, so we have to believe in the death penalty in order to have a civilized society? I hope you see how ridiculous that statement sounds.