The author’s father and an origami sailboat. Photo courtesy of Mona Finston New Year’s Grieve In early January, days after holiday celebrations have ended, the haze of hangovers has lifted and Times Square is cleared... Voices 20 Dec 2022 | 12:10
Local climate activists, working with the Insure Our Future Network, gathered outside AIG Headquarters in Manhattan in May 2021 to demand that AIG take action on climate change. Photo: Erik McGregor, via Flickr Investing with the Environment in Mind As residents of New York City, we are all exposed to environmental pollution and social conflicts on a daily basis. More... Voices 06 Dec 2022 | 03:11
Newly-arrived refugees in Port Authority. Photo: Dale Paperno The Look The look. I am beginning to recognize it after only one week of volunteering with Team TLC/NYC helping refugees. I am calling... Voices 16 Nov 2022 | 11:59
The author in Florida. Photo courtesy of Mona Finston Stick a Wick on It It seemed like only yesterday, probably because it was just yesterday, that I was enjoying the cool breezes; the crisp weather... Voices 26 Oct 2022 | 10:56
Bethany Kandel and her husband, Gary Fishman, with sons Ryan (as Cyclops) and Jared (as a pumpkin). Photo courtesy of Bethany Kandel My Kids are Grown and I Miss Halloween My kids are grown and I miss Halloween. It used to be so much fun. It’s not just the door-to-door sugar fest of trick-or-treating... Voices 21 Oct 2022 | 09:05
Bus sign indicates how to find out arrival times. Photo: Meredith Kurz Cheap and Chic: I Was a Bus Snob Until I Wasn’t On a humid Lower East Side July afternoon my gussied-up friends and I needed to get uptown. The thought of climbing down... Voices 27 Sep 2022 | 03:00
Screen shot of the author in “Can’t Stop the Music.” Photo courtesy of Mona Finston Extra Exasperation The other day I flipped on the TV and saw that the original version of “Going in Style” was on, staring George Burns, Art... Voices 19 Sep 2022 | 11:56
Dental selfie. Photo: Mona Finston Tooth or Consequences Unless you’re an unusually self-assured individual, most of us have something about our bodies that we’re not entirely happy... Voices 24 Aug 2022 | 11:47
Photo via clipart-library.com Speaking Up in the Neighborhood We have all types here on the Upper West Side, including those who are shy about public speaking. I used to be one of them.... Voices 12 Aug 2022 | 10:26
Family photo: Paul Newman with Harold Willens. Photo courtesy of Michele Willens Paul Newman: Having Yet Another Moment They were longtime Upper East Siders, though many think of Connecticut as the favored home of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.... Voices 25 Jul 2022 | 09:16
Poster for Ms. Marvel, starring Imam Vellani (center). Photo via @msmarvel on Twitter The Much-Needed Rise of South Asian Representation in Television South Asian representation has come a long way in the film and television industry, from stereotypical white-washed characters... Voices 14 Jul 2022 | 11:02
Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright at Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bill signing event for the first step in a constitutional amendment. Photo courtesy of the Office of Rebecca Seawright Fighting Against a ‘Supreme Setback’ Stunned, devastated, fearful, and outraged were just some of the reactions shared with me on that Friday in June when the... Voices 13 Jul 2022 | 03:41
The author’s local subway stop. Photo courtesy of India Brown Why I Love the Subway The 36 lines of the New York subway system have long served as the arteries of the city, beloved by locals and tourists alike... Voices 05 Jul 2022 | 02:16
District Leader Rebecca Weintraub on the Upper East Side. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Weintraub New York State Needs an Equality Amendment Before the end of this year’s state legislative session, lawmakers took important steps to shore up abortion access in New... Voices 26 Jun 2022 | 05:07
The author with her splint. “Blue Dog with Apple” painting in background used with permission of artist Daniel Kessler. Photo: Mona Finston Face-Plant on First Avenue This week I received a notice from AARP asking if I was “Worried About Falling?” I was not too worried about falling down... Voices 26 Jun 2022 | 09:28
Karen’s Quirky New York Screams for Ice Cream