Watch-Blog
White Hats and FDNY: Joint Responders to Manhole Fires
By Claudie Benjamin July 13, 2017: Alex Elting, then living on the Upper West Side, caught a dramatic moment on his cell when he videotaped the billows of black smoke and flames rising from a manhole fire at Sherman Square at 71st Street just about 100' ft. from where...
Loving Aqua: Difficult and Rewarding
By Claudie Benjamin Aqua fitness training goes by many names. But, the bottom line is that whether you are very fit or adapting to living with a brand new knee, Aqua can only make you stronger and more confident in both how you look and feel, according to Anne Peyton...
City of Yes for Housing Opportunity at the City Planning Commission
By Megan Fitzpatrick After 15 hours (yes, you heard that right) of public comments, Commissioners' pushback, and lively debate, the City Planning Commission's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) public hearing came to a close on July 10th, 2024. Opponents of...
Coronado’s Granite Jewelry
By Claudie Benjamin Nodding to the past and embracing innovation is a recurring theme guiding architects of post-war buildings on the Upper West Side. There have been detours, some more successful than others. A few plain-faced white buildings introduced in the 80s...
Proactive Eco-Attitude
By Claudie Benjamin We’ve all become more aware of the vulnerability of our environment, even young children are being taught about the adverse health effects of air pollution. The importance of sustainability, avoiding wasting precious natural resources, minimizing...
FDNY Social Media
By Claudie Benjamin There’s a videographer Joseph John Ramos, with the handle @THEMAJESTIRIUM1, whose posts, many videotaped on the Upper West Side, capture NYC firefighters in action as they race to fires. Without words, the posts honor the commitment of the men...
City of Yes could eliminate public spaces
By Megan Fitzpatrick The City Planning Commission (CPC) is still deliberating on their upcoming vote on the massive almost 1,400 pages of zoning text titled City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO). The City's residents, however, are not sold on the zoning proposal...
The Look: Boldly Classy or Drably Anonymous
By Claudie Benjamin For decades, the weather-resistant trench coat has been worn rain or shine in the U.S., Britain, and other parts of the world. Australian Elle recently advised, “Fact: a great pair of jeans and a timeless trench coat will forever be staples of our...
Nature Making Itself Heard
By Claudie Benjamin Sahana Shravan, (left) a violinist with roots in Chennai, India, and a childhood in South Florida became involved with the Juilliard Green Club as a Juilliard undergraduate at 60 Lincoln Center Plaza. She is just starting her second year of a...
A Cloud Right in Your Living Space
By Claudie Benjamin Designer Sasha Lakic has always found it both interesting and creatively challenging to work with Roche Bobois. The branch of the renowned, innovative furniture design company’s UWS location is 2040 Broadway. At first, Lakic said he was a bit...
