Commentary
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Can You Help Scout Find This Chinatown Brothel?
So I know this an unusual request, but I’m wondering if anyone can help me track down a Chinatown brothel. Er, let me explain. Way back in 2004, I’d just graduated from college and was scouring Craiglist for apartments when I came across a cheap room for rent in Chinatown – just $700 or so…
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101 Things To Love About NYC (in 1976)
While researching my recent article on Dead Horse Bay, I happened to come across a NY Times article on 101 things to love about New York City. Normally, I don’t pay any attention to Best Of lists, but this one caught my eye because it was written in 1976. I think it’s the oldest one…
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In Memory of Egon Spengler
As a child, Egon Spengler was my hero. It’s funny to think that in a decade populated by such brawny cartoon characters as the steroided-out He-Man gang, the all-powerful Transformers, and the bicep-flexing GI Joe’s, a skinny, awkward, glasses-wearing scientist could somehow stand out from the crowd. But Egon was my favorite. I wore out…
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Dancing Dan’s Christmas
This is a very sweet little New York City Christmas crime story by Damon Runyon (best known for Guys and Dolls). Set primarily in a speakeasy, it’s best to picture it being narrated with a thick Brooklyn accent, with just the right amount of Yuletide inebriation. Merry Christmas! Dancing Dan’s Christmas by Damon Runyon Now…