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East Side Observer
BY ARLENE KAYATT
Coming up ... not — Now that Time Warner Cable is Spectrum, my favorite TV channel for local news, NY1, has a sidebar telling us what news they will be reporting about in the segment and what time it will be coming up. That’s the good news. But when it doesn’t come up and there’s no reason given, that’s the not-good news. I want to know why. That’s news, too, yes? As long as it’s not fake news. Don’t get me wrong, I love NY1 — it’s practically all I can really watch or manage in this post-election era — a TV station that doesn’t do overkill with all-day, all-night coverage of Trump news. Bob Hart, Errol Louis, Grace Rauh, Josh Robin get it right. Just want to know why something gets bumped.
Judge in the son light — Proud parents, family and friends braved the icy streets February 9 night to honor Knickerbocker the Greys Veterans Corps’ young cadets and the retirement of the UES’s David Menegon from the United States Army after 30 years of service. The Knickerbocker Greys is an organization that has served the city’s youth for over a century. Beaming in the crowd was dad Judge Franc Perry, watching a little teary-eyed, as his 9-year-old son Jackson accepted one of the awards given for good citizenship — qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism. And that doesn’t include a busy school and sports schedule. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer came to the Park Avenue Armory where the ceremony was held to honor Colonel Menegon and to present him with a Legion of Merit medal from the Army and a proclamation for his years of service, mentoring and dedication to the Greys. Congrats and thanks to all.
Coat tales — Two women, unknown to each other — one an UES-er, the other a UWS-er — found themselves with each other’s coats when they got home after a snafu in a restaurant’s coatroom. Each felt a little funny when she put on the coat — one found her coat snugger, the other found hers roomier. Imagining? Or, it happens? They knew they were wearing the wrong coat when they reached into their pockets — one found a chewing gum stick (she never chews gum), the other a Saks Fifth Avenue receipt, she who had not been to Saks in months. Each ran to the phone, called the restaurant. All apologies, the restaurant staffer gave each woman the other’s number. The coat exchange took place on a cold, cold Saturday morning at a stop on the 86th Street crosstown bus line. Didn’t matter. Nothing beats putting your hands in your own pockets.
Trump ties and times — I find myself moaning about the Trump presidency but must admit that Trump Tower is a favorite go-to place. Even now, no especially now, I love going there. Let’s face it. It’s a new hub of activity — where heads of state, dignitaries, rappers, rulers alight — maybe align — right before my NY eyes in my NY backyard. Unlike the tone of the presidency, the Trump Tower buzzes with an orderliness and serenity found in few public spaces. Certainly NOT in the Trump presidency. Staffers go about their duties, pleasantly, efficiently. The place is spotless. And there’s a great deal of foot traffic. Things keep moving and get done by building (can you call it a building?) staff. The food court is immaculate. Tables cleaned quickly when people leave. Secret Service men and women carry out their duties with what appears like a minimum of ado or excess. And after checking in at the hot table again, the pastrami goes by its rightful name and description “Carved Pastrami,” NOT “Carnegie Deli’s Pastrami” as it previously boasted. OK, so maybe I don’t get credit for the change. But I did notice and make it known. I was also onto something when I noted Trump’s tie was Scotch-taped when it flipped over and was seen in a front page photo in The New York Times and suggested that perhaps high-end retailers like Gucci’s or Ferragamo’s could make a fashion statement about the faux pax. Not. However, in last Saturday’s Times, a Stanford law professor, who is writing a book about dress codes, published an op-ed piece on Trump and his relation to his ties, uh, make that neckties. Seems the only way to get through the next 1,460 days (maybe 1,461 if there’s a leap year) — with credit for time served since Election Day — is to find some levity as we go through the new presidency. I’m trying. Bear with me.