Month: January 2019

Confection Defection

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has decided to remove from the World Trade Center plaza an exhibit of public art that aroused indignation among right wing pundits because it included an image of the flag of Saudi Arabia. The exhibit, entitled “Candy Nations,” was created by French sculptor Laurence Jenkell. It...
The flags of the 20 nations portrayed in the exhibit corresponds to the membership of the "G20" confederation of countries that meet annually to promote economic stability. In the wake of a conservative backlash, the Port Authority has announced plans to remove the exhibit more than a month earlier than planned.

Subterranean Subterfuge

For 58 nights, they secretly dug below Broadway-arguably the most trafficked street in the world in 1869. A good night’s work advanced their tunnel about eight feet. Every few nights, they poked a metal rod up through the street to be certain they weren’t veering off into City Hall Park or undermining building foundations. If...

Today in History January 14

1501 – Martin Luther, age 17, enters the University of Erfurt. 1514 – Pope Leo X issues a papal bull against slavery. 1639 Connecticut’s first constitution, the Fundamental Orders, was adopted. 1699 – Massachusetts holds day of fasting for wrongly persecuting “witches” 1784 The United States ratified a peace treaty with England ending the Revolutionary...
Ford assembly line

Packet Racket

In his Thursday State of the City address, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to expand the NYC Ferry network of commuter boat lines, operated by Hornblower Cruises. “Today I announced the next big expansion of NYC Ferry,” the Mayor said. “We’ll link Staten Island to the West Side of Manhattan. We’ll connect Coney Island...
Ferries in New York Harbor

Today in History January 11

532 – Nika riots in Constantinople: A quarrel between supporters of different chariot teams-the Blues and the Greens-in the Hippodrome escalates into violence. 630 – Conquest of Mecca: The prophet Muhammad and his followers conquer the city, Quraysh surrender. 1693 – A powerful earthquake destroys parts of Sicily and Malta. 1759 – In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,...
Alberto Giacometti

Slow Response

Almost two years to the day after a student at Millennium High School, in the Financial District, was run down by a speeding driver, the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has agreed to take steps that may increase pedestrian safety in front of the school. “The DOT has decided to install a ‘speed hump,’ which...
The curve of South William Street makes it difficult for drivers to see students from Millennium High School exiting that facility's front door, in the middle on the block (on the right).