Disappearing NYC: Saving Westsider Books

As of this moment over 800 people contributed to a GoFundMe campaign to save Westsider Books and it all started because the owner, Dorian Thornley, said flippantly in a local blog that if someone wanted to raise 50K he would take it and keep the store open. Well, the wish was granted.

A Film By Evan Fairbanks and Christopher Ming Ryan With Dorian Thornley, Sally Martell and Bobby Panza Music by ArtList

Originally published by Viewing.nyc, Westside Rag and Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York
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Stephen Harmon: An Appreciation

In the 1960's when Stephen Harmon saw Walker Evan's 1931 photograph of Saratoga Springs' Main Street he said to himself, "Nothing will ever look like this again and thank God that guy took that photo and I'm going to be that guy who takes those photos."

It required moving to the Upper West Side in 1978 for Harmon to find a neighborhood on the cusp of change to gather the motivation. Thank God he took these photographs of Mom and Pop stores gone by and of the people of the Upper West Side that according to Steve, "walked around like they owned the place."

Originally published in the West Side Rag and Viewing.nyc

DISAPPEARING NYC: LINCOLN PLAZA CINEMAS

I'm not taking the news of the imminent demise of Lincoln Plaza Cinemas well. I know I am not alone. For over 30 years, this movie theater has been the Upper West Side neighborhood place to see quality films in a friendly warm environment. It has survived while other neighborhood theaters have vanished: The Regency, The Embassy 72nd Street, The Olympia, The New Yorker, The Metro, Cinema Studio... I can go on and on.

I want to speak to the landlord of this theater directly and tell him he's making a mistake that he can fix.

The night before the theater's closing, I found Upper West Siders and New Yorkers as angry and sad as I am.

I was struck by the passion and feelings people have for this theater. Also, somehow, I missed over the years the unique curves and beauty of the space (probably by scurrying quickly to find good seats).

We have a message to the landlord, Howard Milstein: make capital improvements on this space, but keep the people who run this theater by offering them an affordable lease. Toby Talbot deserves to stay. I want to enjoy the films they hand pick and continue to support the wonderful staff here-- for a very long time. Do the right thing.

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Alas, this movie theater disappeared on January 28th, 2018.

Originally appeared in West Side Rag and Viewing.nyc and Jeremiah's Vanishing NY.