Author Archives: Debra Pangestu

Social media brings Harlem bakery back into business

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

A native of South Carolina, Alvin Lee Smalls bakes some of New York City’s finest rugelach, heralded by the New York Times as “buttery, magnificent and fleeting.” Small businesses may have permanently closed shop during the recession, but not Lee … Continue reading →

Posted in Bakery, Dessert, food, Harlem, Rugelach, Small Business | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Exploring Bryant Park’s Winter Wonderland

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

Each November, Bryant Park transforms into a resplendent winter wonderland nestled in midtown Manhattan. The Citi Pond ice rink is a centerpiece of Bryant Park’s winter season, and this November Citi Pond kicked off its sixth consecutive year as New … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Health and Fitness, Ice skating, New York, Parks and Recreation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Long lines, short on patience at the grocery store

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

With the frenetic demands of living in New York City, a long line at the grocery store is the last thing frazzled New Yorkers want to deal with. Trader Joe’s, in particular, seems to attract lines that wrap around the … Continue reading →

Posted in food, Grocery, Long Queues, shopping | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Great Expectorations: Public Spitting in New York City

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

Smatterings of clear, viscous liquid readily dot the streets and sidewalks of New York City. No, it’s not the rain. It’s spit. An anti-spitting ordinance has been in place in New York City since 1886, but some New Yorkers still … Continue reading →

Posted in Etiquette, Health, Spitting | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Musicians in Manhattan: A Recession-proof Career?

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

People the world over come to Manhattan to “make it big” on Wall Street, Broadway and Carnegie Hall. But with the recession, the City of Dreams has turned into a bit of a nightmare. The economic downturn ended in June … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Job, music, Recession | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Manhattan’s Worst Pests

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

Manhattan is the borough of bright lights and Broadway shows. But it is also home to dirty restaurants, high real estate prices, bed bugs and the worst subway line. Dirty Restaurants: New York city has 24,000 restaurants, and of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Bed Beg Media Coverage, bedbugs, Dirty Restaurant, MTA, Real Estate, subway | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

PDA … what’s your take?

Posted on October 18, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

New Yorkers are on the fence when it comes to Public Displays of Affection, or PDA. Some think these gratuitous displays in public places are offensive and disrespectful, and in this New York Times City Room piece, Nicole Ferraro writes, … Continue reading →

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What’s your umbrella etiquette?

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

With fall showers in full swing, now is a good time to discuss proper umbrella etiquette. Or rather, the lack thereof. On rainy days New Yorkers duke it out in the subway and on cramped sidewalks wielding colorful umbrellas as … Continue reading →

Posted in Etiquette, Rain | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Shall we dance?

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

Reality dance series such as Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and Dance Your Ass Off have made ballroom and Latin dance more accessible – and appealing – to a wider audience. Dancing with the Stars … Continue reading →

Posted in Dancing, Health and Fitness, Television | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sweating it out on the subway platform

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Debra Pangestu

New York City summers are notoriously hot. With temperatures easily rising above 90 degrees, what can be more irksome than gallivanting around the city with beads of perspiration around your neck? Try descending into a mini version of Dante’s Inferno, … Continue reading →

Posted in heatpocalypse 2k10, subway | Tagged , , | 1 Comment