Andrew Baisley

Listing photos by Vizzi Media Solutions

This unique home located in New Rochelle just outside New York City is not only situated on a pair of private islands with over five acres of land, but with a year’s worth of fuel oil, the islands are completely self-sustaining for off-the-grid living right in Westchester County. An inspired renovation by the current owner means custom everything and integration with nature without sacrificing comfort. Asking $13 million, Columbia and Pea Islands–and a 5,625-square-foot home–are definitely not your ordinary property.

Accessed by boat, Columbia Island is home to an innovative residence with four bedrooms and two baths. The home’s current owner is a former physician, a real estate developer, film and stage producer, actor and activist who took on the challenge of creating a livable dream retreat amid nature and water.

Built on bedrock—the same geologic feature that supports Manhattan skyscrapers–the Columbia Island house is surrounded by seawall and landscape decking.

An open kitchen and dining area overlook Long Island Sound.

The home’s massive great room is ideal for entertaining with stunning water views from every angle.

The home’s lower level space features exposed brick walls and high ceilings. The space can be used for a media/game room or art studio, just to name a few creative possibilities.

Up on the roof you’ll find New York City views from your own private perch. It’s a rare opportunity to be inspired by nature and enjoy solitude–or throw unforgettable parties.

The modern home was constructed to be completely self-sufficient. Systems include a solar-supplied electricity and diesel generator back-ups with quadruple redundancy; a reverse osmosis water filtration and desalination system, the same state-of-the-art system used in surgical settings to provide extremely pure water; and triple-redundant flood and storm protection that the system’s builder calls “considerably better than lower Manhattan’s.”

There’s in-floor radiant heat with triple redundant boilers and hot water heat exchanger and a sewage system. The property is protected by multiple on-site fire suppression systems since the island isn’t accessible to municipal fire trucks.

Within paddling distance, the nearly-five-acre Pea Island is a mini-sanctuary offering spectacular views and raw natural beauty including open beach with lush indigenous plants. It has development potential, but it could also just serve as an undeveloped backyard.

Columbia Island got its name from CBS, its owner rom the 1940s-60s. CBS constructed a concrete transmitter bunker, providing emergency accommodations for 10 workers and a broadcast tower that served the New York metro area until 1963.

TV and radio entertainers Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy were the next owners, and used the space to broadcast a “breakfast conversation” talk radio show.

[Listing: 1 Columbia Island by Patti Anderson for Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty]

RELATED:

• Private heart-shaped island with Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes can be yours for $12.9M
• Private seven-acre Connecticut island with a garden wonderland sells for $21.5M
• Own a Collection of Eight Private Islands off the Connecticut Coast for $78 Million
• Own a Mansion with Celebrity History on a Private Island Overlooking NYC for $11M

Images by Vizzi Media Solutions, courtesy of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.

Photo: QueensPost

May 21, 2019 Staff Report

A long-time Sunnyside bagel shop is closing, following the fate of many stores on the south side of Queens Boulevard.

Dave’s Bagels, which has been located at 43-20 Queens Blvd. since 1982, will be shutting its doors for good on June 2. The closure follows the shuttering of two adjacent stores–AAA Hardware Locksmith, which closed March 31, and Riko Restaurant in 2018.

Pablo Perez, who has owned Dave’s Bagels for 9 years and has worked at the store since it opened, said that the landlord did not want to renew the lease. There was no discussion about a revised rent or new terms, he said.

“He said he wanted to demolish the building and put a new building up,” Perez, 68, said. “He’s going to wait until all the leases [on the block] end and start.”

Perez, who is from the Dominican Republic and lives in Manhattan, said that the landlord, OK Champs, notified him two months ago that he had to leave.

Perez said he was disappointed but the timing was not too bad. “I want to retire…perhaps go back to Dominican Republic.”

The bagel shop is one piece of a 9,500 square foot property that covers half the block, which incorporates the now shuttered AAA Hardware, Riko, as well as Amazon Pharmacy, Bajeko Sekuwa and Taiyo Foods, among others.

The owner of Amazon Pharmacy, which opened in March 2010, could not be reached for comment and an employee knew nothing of the lease. The owners of Bajeko, which opened last year, and Taiyo Foods, which opened in 2013, were unavailable.

The large corner property, comprised of a series of one-story stores, was purchased by OK Champs for $9.9 million in May 2018, according to city records. The property was up-zoned in 2011 to R7A, which typically allows for seven to nine story buildings.

City Planning

OK Champs has not filed for demolition permits nor has it submitted new building plans, according to the Department of Buildings website as of today.

The closing of Dave’s Bagels comes at a time when business on the south side of Queens Boulevard is suffering.

South Pole, which was a large store located at 44-04 Queens Blvd, closed in 2018 after being there for decades. The storefront has been empty since.

Additionally, several stores were wiped out between 45^th and 46^th Street on the south side of Queens Boulevard in a fire that engulfed the block in December. The site is still covered in debris.

There is no word as to the cause of the fire. In April, the FDNY said it was “still under investigation.”

South Pole at 44-04 Queens Blvd. (Photo: Nathaly Pesantez)

The aftermath of the Dec. 13 fire. (Photo: Nathaly Pesantez)

The post Dave’s Bagels, Which Has Been on Queens Boulevard for Decades, to Close appeared first on Sunnyside Post.

Machine learning researchers have produced a system that can recreate lifelike motion from just a single frame of a person’s face, opening up the possibility of animating not just photos but also paintings. It does this by frontloading the facial landmark identification process with a huge amount of data, making the model highly efficient at finding the parts of the target face that correspond to the source.

Machine learning researchers have produced a system that can recreate lifelike motion from just a single frame of a person’s face, opening up the possibility of animating not just photos but also paintings. It’s not perfect, but when it works, it is — like much AI work these days — eerie and fascinating.

The model is documented in a paper published by Samsung AI Center, which you can read here on Arxiv. It’s a new method of applying facial landmarks on a source face — any talking head will do — to the facial data of a target face, making the target face do what the source face does.
This in itself isn’t new — it’s part of the whole synthetic imagery issue confronting the AI world right now (we had an interesting discussion about this recently at our Robotics + AI event in Berkeley). We can already make a face in one video reflect the face in another in terms of what the person is saying or where they’re looking. But most of these models require a considerable amount of data, for instance a minute or two of video to analyze.

The new paper by Samsung’s Moscow-based researchers, however, shows that using only a single image of a person’s face, a video can be generated of that face turning, speaking and making ordinary expressions — with convincing, though far from flawless, fidelity.
It does this by frontloading the facial landmark identification process with a huge amount of data, making the model highly efficient at finding the parts of the target face that correspond to the source. The more data it has, the better, but it can do it with one image — called single-shot learning — and get away with it. That’s what makes it possible to take a picture of Einstein or Marilyn Monroe, or even the Mona Lisa, and make it move and speak like a real person.

In this example, the Mona Lisa is animated using three different source videos, which as you can see produce very different results, both in facial structure and behavior.

It’s also using what’s called a Generative Adversarial Network, which essentially pits two models against one another, one trying to fool the other into thinking what it creates is “real.” By these means the results meet a certain level of realism set by the creators — the “discriminator” model has to be, say, 90% sure this is a human face for the process to continue.
In the other examples provided by the researchers, the quality and obviousness of the fake talking head varies widely. Some, which attempt to replicate a person whose image was taken from cable news, also recreate the news ticker shown at the bottom of the image, filling it with gibberish. And the usual smears and weird artifacts are omnipresent if you know what to look for.
That said, it’s remarkable that it works as well as it does. Note, however, that this only works on the face and upper torso — you couldn’t make the Mona Lisa snap her fingers or dance. Not yet, anyway.

The 5,427-square-foot condo has 10 rooms and a private elevator vestibule

Owned by Allen Simon, a pet entrepreneur who created the Wee Wee potty pads for dogs, this opulent condo, asking $39.9 million, is one of nine residences at 838 Fifth Avenue. The building is located at the corner of 66th Street and Fifth Avenue, which overlooks Central Park.

The building, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first covered the listing, was originally designed in the 1950s for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Simon and his wife bought the condo in 2000 for $10.8 million as a “raw space” and built out the lavish interiors from scratch, the broker, Daniela Kunen, told the WSJ.

The Versailles-mimicking interiors at this massive condo are among its most extravagant features. Additionally, it has a private elevator that opens at the reception gallery, a studio area with a kitchenette that can be used as a staff room, a private service hall, and a staff office. The 5,427-square-foot apartment also boasts five bedrooms and five baths, and a wood-paneled library with gold-leaf ceilings.

The sumptuous property also features EuroCave wine cellars, a fireplace, and two Juliet balconies.

The condo is located at 838 Fifth Avenue and listed by Daniela Kunen of Douglas Elliman.

The post The Diary of A Psychiatric Ward Patient appeared first on RICE.

St. Mary in Long Island City

Feb. 18, 2019 By Christian Murray

Nearly 20 priests who served Sunnyside, Woodside and Long Island City parishes were named on Friday when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn released a list of priests credibly accused of child sex abuse.

The diocese, which covers Catholic churches in Queens and Brooklyn, named 108 priests, many of whom have served at local parishes in recent decades.

Fifteen priests spent time serving at one or more of the following churches: St. Teresa in Woodside; Queen of Angels Church in Sunnyside; St Sebastian in Woodside; St Raphael in Long Island City; St. Mary in Long Island City; St. Patrick in Long Island City; St. Mary’s of Winfield; and Corpus Christi in Woodside.

The priests who served in these parishes include:

Hugo Bedoya, St. Mary and St. Teresa

James Frost, St. Sebastian and St. Raphael

Roger Guiry, St. Raphael

Henry McCloud, St. Teresa and St. Raphael

John McLoughlin, St. Sebastian

Francis Mulhall, St. Teresa

James O’Rourke, Corpus Christi

Cornelius Otero, St Teresa

Patrick Sexton, St. Patrick

George Voiland, Corpus Christi

Lawrence Crowley, St. Sebastian

John Padian, St. Teresa

Robert Rodriguez, St. Teresa

Edward Walsh, St. Mary

John Dwyer, Queen of Angels

Christopher Coleman, St. Mary’s of Winfield

Vincent Gallo, St. Mary’s of Winfield

John Thompson, St Mary’s of Winfield

Francis Wildgruber, St. Mary’s of Winfield

The list, according to commentators, indicates how pervasive the sex abuse crisis has been for the church and the steps taken to put an ugly chapter to rest. Just last week, five bishops in New Jersey released the names of nearly 200 priests who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing children.

The list released by the Brooklyn diocese Friday does not state what parish each priest was serving when the abuse allegedly took place. It just lists, without dates, the various parishes each priest served during his career.

The diocese notes that the bulk of the 108 cases involved priests who were ordained between 1930 and 1979. The abuses that took place peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, although most were reported after 2002. About two-thirds of the named priests are deceased, with the remainder defrocked.

The names were released in a letter by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, who said it was part of the diocese’s commitment to great transparency.

“It is my hope that the publishing of this list will provide some assistance to those who are continuing the difficult process of healing, as well as encourage other victims to come forward,” DiMarzio wrote in a letter that was accompanied by the names.

DiMarzio said that he has been working to address the problem since 2004, shortly after he was appointed bishop.

He said he established a toll-free reporting line in 2004. He said that when a report is taken, it is then forwarded to the Queens or Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.

If the District Attorney’s office doesn’t have enough evidence to move forward with a case, it is referred to the Diocesan Review Board, formed to investigate whether the claim is credible and whether the Vatican should remove the cleric.

The diocese, in further steps to address the crisis, established an Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program in 2017, which is being administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Associates. Since its launching, the diocese has become aware of a large number of cases, more than at any other time.

“Out of justice, we will continue to search for additional victims of abuse and we will be conducting a private compensation program for those who wish to participate,” DiMarzio wrote.

“Sexual abuse is a heinous, sinful crime and we as a Diocese are committed to remain vigilant against such abuse.”

Click for list of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing children.

To report a case call: 1-88-634-4499

Bishop DiMarzio Video Statement on List Release (English) from Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office on Vimeo.

Most Reverend Nicholas DiMa… by on Scribd

The post Nearly 20 Priests Who Served in Woodside, Sunnyside and LIC Parishes Named For Sexually Abusing Children: Diocese appeared first on LIC Post.

For the past few years, visual artist Threadstories has been making these amazing masks and posting selfies of her wearing them on Instagram. She starts each mask with a crocheted balaclava:

And ends up at many different endpoints:

You can see the masks in motion in this video and read more about the project in this RedMilk interview.

I don’t have any one line of enquiry or source of inspiration. Everything from traditional basket making to Francis Bacons portraits to the sight of someone with really crooked teeth or an episode of Blue Planet might inspire a mask. Thematically I am questioning how the erosion of personal privacy online effects how we view and portray ourselves. I am constructing facades — masks in response to these questions. We are all so over exposed and to what end? Privacy is precious.

(via swissmiss)

Natural Tofu & Noodles Restaurant at 40-06 Queens Blvd., pictured early January. (Photo: Nathaly Pesantez)

Feb. 4, 2019 By Nathaly Pesantez

Natural Tofu & Noodles, the Korean restaurant on Queens Boulevard, has permanently closed—about two months after a water main burst on site and while the owners face a wages lawsuit brought by a former employee.

The small restaurant, which opened about 10 years ago at 40-06 Queens Blvd., has been closed since mid-December, although it was unclear if the closure was temporary at the time.

The location, however, has officially been on the market since late last month, according to The Pyramid Group, the real estate broker for the site.

Court records show that the restaurant owners, Jungdo Won and Eun Joo Jang, were hit with a wages lawsuit in late 2017 and have been dealing with it since. Proceedings, however, came to a standstill after a water leak on the second week of December forced them to close up shop, according to a letter filed by their attorney.

The Dec. 19 letter addressed to a Brooklyn Federal Court judge, where the case is being heard, requested more time to carry out legal proceedings due to the difficulties in getting the restaurant reopened.

“Given that restaurants tend to do a lot of their business this time of year, this closure is a huge setback that could have devastating consequences for defendants, as well as their employees who are unable to work during one of the most profitable times of the year, and requires defendants to focus almost exclusively on getting the restaurant reopened,” wrote Michael Taubenfeld of Fisher Taubenfeld.

“As a result, defendants are in the process of hiring contractors to permanently fix the leak,” he added.

Taubenfeld, however, wrote in the letter that the leak was caused by the vacant supermarket next door, and that the Department of Health had ordered the restaurant to temporarily close as a result.

In a Jan. 23 letter requesting yet another extension, Taubenfeld added that the owners have been “unable to get the landlord to fix the leak,” despite the prior letter noting that the restaurateurs were set on hiring workers themselves to fix the problem.

The attorney also said that Con Edison shut down the gas to the restaurant “as a result of the closure.”

The DOH did not respond to requests for comment. The landlord, which operates under Ownership Realty, was unable to be reached for comment.

But David Michael, the Pyramid Group listing agent for the restaurant site, refuted the lawyer’s account, and said there was no water leak issue with the vacant supermarket next door, which he is also the listing agent for.

He added that it was up to the restaurant to fix the break apparently contained on site. The restaurateurs, however, decided to stop holding onto the site about two weeks ago.

As far as the lawsuit, Sunkyung Choi, who worked as a waitress and then a manager at Natural Tofu for about 10 years until 2017, alleges that the owners had failed to properly compensate her and other employees over many years.

The lawsuit, filed as a class action on behalf of all Natural Tofu’s employees, claims Won and Jang, who ran the restaurant together, allegedly broke several federal and state labor laws by paying Choi and others below the minimum wage, retaining tips, and failing to pay overtime.

Choi claims she was paid a flat daily wage in cash regardless of how many hours she actually worked beyond her shift, which she often did, according to the suit.

The owners allegedly set her pay at no more than $40 a day for a 12-hour shift when she first started, and paid her $20 a day for “half days,” or five-hour shifts.

Her pay, which came bi-weekly, was allegedly never more than $70 for a full day, and $35 for a half day.

The former waitress and manager also claims there was never a fixed time for a break during work hours, and that the owners allegedly retained some tips from credit card purchases.

Choi is seeking to be awarded all her alleged unpaid minimum and overtime wages, plus an extra 25 percent on unpaid wages until 2011, and 100 percent after that, among other liquidated and punitive damages.

The restaurant owners have denied the lawsuit’s allegations, and said in response that they have acted in good faith and believed their pay practices were within the law.

The case was initially set to be resolved through mediation, but the parties did not settle and decided late last year to move the case forward, now in its discovery phase.

The post Natural Tofu Closes After Water Leak While Owners Face Wages Lawsuit appeared first on Sunnyside Post.

Perhaps the perfect gift for your Modernist Valentine, this private island in Carmel, NY (15 minutes by air from Manhattan via rooftop helipad) has an interesting backstory and boasts a Frankly Lloyd Wright-designed house that rivals his iconic Fallingwater. 6sqft reported on the property when it was previously listed in 2017; Curbed reports that it’s back on the market for $12.9 million. In addition to the amazing home featuring Wright’s signature cantilevering and outdoor terraces outside and massive stone boulders within, the 11-acre, heart-shaped property known as Petre Island boasts a Wright-designed guest cottage.

The island’s remarkable homes include the original 1950s guest house and a spectacular four-bedroom main residence cantilevered over 593-acre Lake Mahopac. A second guest house, tea house, beach, dock and the aforementioned helipad comprise this unique property located one hour north of New York City.

You’re assured plenty of privacy once you get here: The island is accessible only by helicopter, plane or a five-minute boat trip from the mainland.

In 1949, then-owner, engineer Ahmed Chahroudi, hired Wright to design a 5,000-square-foot house; due to lack of funding for the project, Wright ended up building only a smaller 1,200-square-foot cottage on the property.

In 1995, sheet metal mogul Joe Massaro purchased the island for $750,000. The triangular-shaped three-bedroom cottage with redwood ceilings inspired Massaro to build, with the help of architect and Wright scholar Thomas Heinz, the main residence according to the detailed set of plans that Wright had drawn up.

Though local zoning laws prohibited the cantilevered house from jutting directly out over the water, the town eventually decided to approve the project as Wright designed it. In the middle of the winter, a team transported all the building materials over the frozen lake. The home was completed in 2007–but not without controversy:The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has refused to recognize the 8,415-square-foot home as an authentic Wright design.

The main residence is triangular in shape, like the original cottage. The cottage was painstakingly restored to Wright standards as well. It even boasts an authentic-looking 1950s kitchen.

Wright fanatics will delight in the details found here, particularly the way the landscape is integrated into the design. There’s a massive geometric skylight over the center of the house, and the interior incorporates desert masonry, a technique Wright devised that incorporates chunks of exposed rock in concrete walls.

The main residence, completed in 2007, has four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths with sculptural rock and rich wood details throughout.

The home has plentiful outdoor space, with wrap-around terraces and spacious patios. Architecture that showcases such stunning views of nature is another classic element of Wright’s designs, particularly Fallingwater.

In addition to the two Wright properties, this incredible retreat holds an additional guest house, tea house, and dock. Can’t get enough? You’ll find plenty of images in the gallery below.

[Via Curbed]

[Listing: 1 Petre Island by Margaret Harrington for Douglas Elliman]

RELATED:

• Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house and heart-shaped private island ask $15M upstate
• 10 things you never knew about Frank Lloyd Wright
• Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater lookalike asks $3.5M in Greenwich, CT
• A tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright’s built, unbuilt, and demolished New York works

Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

Hotpot, steamboat, mookata – whatever you call it, we just can’t get enough of this piping hot delight that’s perfect for a cold, rainy day in Singapore. For the uninitiated, steamboat is a popular (and fun) cooking method in East Asian households where the cooking is done at the dinner table. A boiling pot of soup stock is placed in the centre with a variety of raw meat, seafood, vegetables, noodles and dumplings. It may be a Chinese New Year staple, but most of us in Singapore like to have hotpot all year ’round. Can’t decide where to go? Let us help you narrow down your choices with our list of the best steamboat buffets in Singapore.

Best steamboat restaurants in Singapore

1. Beauty in the Pot

This hotpot restaurant in Singapore by Paradise Group offers a perfect mix of beauty and the beast of some sort. Indulge in a pot of beauty collagen soup packed with nutrients and a nourishing spicy soup with a choice of three levels of Szechuan spices to put your mala tolerance to the test. Robust soup bases aside, premium and homemade ingredients like melt-in-your-mouth fish tofu and fried beancurd skin are some highlights.
Beauty in the Pot, multiple locations including The Centrepoint, VivoCity and Kinex

2. Shi Li Fang Hot Pot

Looking for an affordable hotpot option in Singapore? Shi Li Fang is the place to be. Get the set menu, and pick a soup base, protein, and noodle type to get started. It comes with a basket of veggies, and it’ll only set you back less than $10. If that’s not enough, you can always pile up on a la carte dishes. Order marbled pork slices and beef tenderloin to dip into flavourful broths. At some outlets, you can even get some toys and trinkets after your meal!
Shi Li Fang Hot Pot, multiple locations including Simei and Orchard

3. Gorogoro Steamboat

All-you-can-eat steamboat ingredients and a Korean buffet? You’ll be stuffed by the time you walk out of Gorogoro steamboat. Not only is it affordable, but it also has a variety of high quality ingredients and local delicacies. Pile up your plates with fish balls and pork belly. While you wait for your soup to boil, grab some Korean fried chicken wings and fries to snack on. Oh, and a heads up – lunch and dinner sessions have exclusive ingredients and dishes, so check out the menu before you make your reservation.
Gorogoro Steamboat, #03-43, The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, Singapore 238843

4. Shang Pin Hot Pot

Go for the mala soup base and pick your level of spiciness (mild, standard and spicy). It’s an all-you-can-eat steamboat buffet concept so select what you like – from pork balls to dumplings. There are also plenty of vegetarian selections, seafood and cooked food.
Shang Pin Hot Pot, multiple locations including Marina Square and Parkway Parade

5. City Hot Pot

For those who are fussy with what goes into your hotpot, this eatery is right up your alley. Even though everyone has their own pot for cooking, you’re still seated as a group. And with the variety of choices, we reckon you’ll be staying for hours. There are just too many soup bases to choose from, including the flavour-packed fish maw soup. Throw in freshly sliced signature wagyu beef, pork belly, and a whole lot of seafood!
City Hot Pot, multiple locations including One Raffles Place and Guoco Tower

6. Parkway Mini Steamboat

Located in bustling Tanjong Pagar, this steamboat buffet restaurant has all-you-can-eat plates served right to your table. Select handmade noodles, pork balls and fish paste, meats, seafood and the like. There are usually three soup bases including mala, tom yum and mushroom. The variety of cooked food is great, too – look forward to bee hoon, chicken wings and even chilli crab.
Parkway Mini Steamboat, 311 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437094

7. Haidilao

Be warned: it’s usually a long wait to dine at this Sichuan-based steamboat restaurant (mostly over an hour) ever since it blew up. Don’t worry about waiting in line though. Believe it or not, you can get a manicure and help yourself to free fruits and popcorn while waiting. Oh, and you can always make a reservation at one of the many outlets. Another highlight? Chefs showing off their skills as they knead hand-pulled homemade noodles right at your table. If you can handle the heat, choose the fiery Sichuan soup base.
Haidilao, multiple locations including Clarke Quay, Plaza Singapura and VivoCity

8. Little Sheep Hot Pot

Don’t be alarmed by the peculiar name; this hot pot chain hailing from Mongolia has more than just lamb. It gained popularity by being one of the first hotpot restos to do without the classic dipping sauce. That’s how you know the broth is flavourful! Meat lovers can chow down on tender lamb and beef skewers dipped in various soup bases. The mala option isn’t too spicy and has just the right kick, too.
Little Sheep Hot Pot, #B1-13, Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858

9. San Laksa Steamboat

Love laksa and all its creamy, spicy goodness? This restaurant, which recently moved to a new spot at Kitchener Road, is one of the few places in the country that offers laksa as a steamboat base. The gravy isn’t thick so you won’t feel like it’s too rich – even after piling on the ingredients. If you still want the good ol’ chicken broth, the pot can hold two different kinds of soup, so order away.
San Laksa Steamboat, 147 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208524

10. Upin Hot Pot

Aside from the flavourful soup bases, Upin Hot Pot regularly holds promos that are too good to resist. If you’d rather stay in, Upin also brings the steamboat experience to your home, complete with the hot pot and all its trimmings. But if you’re at one of the outlets and want a side of entertainment, you can enjoy live hand-pulled noodle and Sichuan opera face-changing performances.
Upin Hot Pot, multiple locations including Clarke Quay Central and Orchard Gateway

11. Tsukada Nojo

At Tsukada Nojo, you can get your wonder protein fix in a hotpot with the super famous bijin nabe: a collagen-rich creation featuring organic chicken broth and fresh ingredients like shrimp, mushrooms and chicken meatballs. It’s literally beauty in a pot. Hailing from Japan, this steamboat restaurant exclusively serves organic and free-range Jitokko chicken from the Miyazaki prefecture. Enjoy great savings with the set menus, and don’t leave without trying Japanese side dishes like nikumaki onigiri (rice balls wrapped in pork) and chicken nanban.
Tsukada Nojo, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura and Thomson Plaza

12. Xian De Lai

This one’s a regular spot for ardent hotpot lovers in Singapore; don’t be surprised to see queues during peak hours. Xian De Lai also offers Korean BBQ and chongqing grilled fish in delish flavours. Spice lovers, you have to try the spicy chicken – it definitely packs a punch! Steamboat essentials include daily brewed soup bases as well as an array of handmade food and impressive side dishes.
Xian De Lai, 18 Liang Seah Street, Singapore 189039

13. Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner

There’s nothing like sipping on flavourful broth from a fishhead steamboat. Book a table for snapper, pomfret, grouper fish boats boiled with ember charcoal for a depth of flavour. Get the Hojiak or Baojiak sets which come with a platter of signature tofu, fried shrimp roll, prawn paste chicken wings, pork belly and drinks.
Nan Hwa Chong Fish Head Steamboat Corner, 812 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198779

14. New Udon Mookata

What makes mookata so awesome (and different) is that you get the best of both worlds – a barbeque steamboat where you can grill meat on a metal skillet in the middle. The metal skillet has grooves on it that lead into the “soup moat”. The juices you get from grilling the meat flow into the soup, giving it that extra flavour. Oh, and did we mention it’s open 24/7? Perfect for a cheeky late-night supper!
New Udon Mookata, 119 Lavender Street, Singapore 338731

15. Coca Restaurant

This well-known stalwart has been around since 1957, so really, it must be doing something right. We particularly like the good ol’ clear chicken broth (double boiled treasure) as a soup base but you can choose up to four with the quadruple pot. For maximum pleasure, dip your favourite cooked ingredients in Coca’s fiery homemade chilli sauce. The outlets are usually crowded, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Coca Restaurant, multiple locations including Suntec City, Ngee Ann City and Kallang Leisure Park

16. Cheese Story Mookata Buffet

If you like a serving of gooey melted cheese with your mookata spread (think seafood-style cheese fondue), Cheese Story has enough refills to go around the group. Seafood lovers can go ahead and pile on the flower crabs, clams, scallops, mussels, prawns, and salmon. There’s also a mix of marinated pork, chicken and beef. End your meal with a scoop of ice cream ’cause there’s always room for dessert.
Cheese Story Mookata Buffet, #01-07, HomeTeamNS Balestier-JOM, 31 Ah Hood Road, Singapore 329979

17. Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot

In the heart of Boat Quay is a little taste of China. Expect a truly authentic traditional hotpot experience done with masterful preparation. Looking to stray away from the usual chicken or tomato soup? We recommend trying the fish with pickled cabbage or the spicy rabbit pot. You can also enjoy sides like BBQ frog or fried mint leaves, and end on a refreshing note with coconut and osmanthus jelly. If you’re planning to dine as a big group, we recommend booking a private room in advance. That way, you won’t have to bump elbows with other crowded tables.
Tong Xin Ru Yi Traditional Hotpot, 6 Lorong Telok, Singapore 049019

18. Guo Fu Hotpot Steamboat

Ready to explore beyond the usual soup bases? Guo Fu Hotpot has 10 bases for you to try – interesting flavours like elderly tonic soup and curry beef soup definitely pique interest. Each person on the table gets a pot so don’t hold back on your choices. And did we mention there’s free-flow of xiao long bao? Now, that’s what we call a bang for your buck.
Guo Fu Hotpot Steamboat, #02-01, Guoco Tower, 7 Wallich Street, Singapore 078884

19. Pot Yummy Yummy

Hotpot for one? This is a haven for introverts – or if you’re picky about what goes inside the pot. You get a mini hotpot or grill to yourself with a variety of soup base choices. The ingredients were placed on a conveyor belt before Covid but they come straight to you now. All you gotta do is wait patiently and then plonk ‘em in the pot. The set lunch and dinner deals are definitely a bang for your buck, too.
Pot Yummy Yummy, B1-01, 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310480

20. Whampoa Keng Fishhead Steamboat

From hawker stall to full-fledged restaurant, this dining spot (and household name to many locals) has come a long way since setting up shop in 1990. The main star of the steamboat is fresh sliced fish with bits of cabbage and seaweed, but don’t forget to order side dishes like prawn paste chicken wings, pig trotters and prawn rolls.
Whampoa Keng Fishhead Steamboat, 556 Balestier Road, Singapore 329872

21. Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant

Imperial Treasure is the kind of swanky place you’d choose if you need to impress the in-laws. Signature dishes include the four treasure ball platter: a combination of prawn, cuttlefish, pork and fish specially prepared by the chef. Plus, the Imperial drunken chicken soup that’s prepared with Shaoxing rice wine, ginseng, wild yam, wolfberries and red dates. The satay, seaweed and kelp, and century egg and parsley soup bases are a cut above the usual Szechuan, pork bone and chicken soup flavours.
Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant, multiple locations including Ion Orchard and Great World

Brace yourself, ‘cos you’re in for a massive hotpot feast at the best steamboat restaurants in Singapore.

The post Let’s get down to hotpot town: Best steamboat restaurants in Singapore for collagen, laksa, mala, veggie broths and more appeared first on Honeycombers Singapore.

I *love* these simple visualizations of how different kinds of relationships change over time by writer and cartoonist Olivia de Recat.

My pal Jesse James Garrett called them “Feynman diagrams of the heart” that depict “the vast entanglement of humanity”.

The illustration is available as a print but currently sold out. :( Hopefully it’ll be back in stock soon? In the meantime, you can take a look at some of her other cartoons (mostly for the New Yorker), peruse her shop, or follow her stuff on Insta.

For this video, freelance animator Nick Murray Willis took the audio from football commentators and made these little animated vignettes to go along with each line. Here’s a sample:

My only complaint about this video is that it was over too quickly. Luckily Willis has done the same thing in videos for NBA, soccer, movie lines, etc.

How much money should you put in those ang bao? Whether you’re new to Singapore or just nervous about these things, check out our handy 2024 ang bao rates chart below!

Ang Bao – Hongbao – Lai See – Red Packet – Lucky Money

It is a Chinese custom to hand out ang bao at Chinese New Year. These little envelopes are usually red (for luck) and contain money. It’s a time when kids can save money for something they truly want, and a time for adults to bestow luck, happiness and good fortune onto others.

Please note: The rates on the chart below are merely a guide with the general hierarchy of who should receive the highest amounts. We understand that every family’s financial situation is different, so just give what you’re comfortable with, mama!

So what else should we know about the ang bao?

1. Ang bao: the tradition

The tradition of ang bao giving is carried out by married individuals and elders as a symbol of well-wishing and good luck to juniors and unmarried singles.

2. Chinese New Year ang bao rates are by hierarchy

Ang bao are bestowed from “big to small”, “old to young”, and “senior to junior”. It’s also largely dependent on the relationship between the giver and receiver. Immediate family members are typically given the most generous ang bao, followed by close relatives, friends, distant relatives, and then children of less familiar acquaintances.

3. Ang Bao for services

For services you frequently use or go to – such as condo staff (security guards, doormen, gardeners), dry cleaners and waiters – just a token amount for luck will do.

Enrichment Teachers are the same, or slightly higher amount if you wish. Note that school teachers are not allowed to accept cash, but you can always send in two Mandarins, Pineapple Tarts, Bak Kwa, Cookie Tins or other CNY Snacks and goodies.

Helpers and secretaries should receive a larger amount as they are your immediate employees.

4. Ang bao and even digits

The amount can be $2, $6, $8 or $10, but never an odd number. Odd-numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals.

5. Ang bao and the number 4

The number 4 sounds like “death” in Mandarin, so never give $4, $14 or $24 dollars.

6. New notes for ang bao packets

Never use coins. It’s a tradition to give new single banknotes instead of old ones. Check with your bank to find out when these new notes will be available in time for CNY. Now you know why there are long queues in banks. You can also check if your bank offers e-hongbao and go digital with our ang bao giving!

7. Giving ang bao: etiquette

When giving, express your blessings and well wishes to the receiver. Don’t forget to give with both hands as this is regarded as a sign of courtesy. The right moment is normally when you arrive and greet at your host’s home or gathering. Do not wait to do it when it is time to leave and say farewell.

Never let children give out ang bao to older folk or service staff – this is considered insulting.

8. Receiving ang bao: etiquette

Receive your ang bao with both hands as a sign of courtesy. It is also impolite to open the envelope immediately to check the amount in front of the giver.

If you receive an ang bao, don’t immediately give them back an ang bao at the same time. It shouldn’t look like an exchange. Perhaps wait for another moment.

9. Keep some ang bao in your bag

You don’t have to give ang bao to everyone you know, but keep a few in your bag just in case you might bump into someone. It’s best to keep a mixture of $2, $8 and $10 envelopes on you from now until February. The larger amount ang bao for your helper and children can be given on Chinese New Year’s Eve or Day.

10. What to say when you give/receive an ang bao

Gong Xi Fa Cai! – Wishing you happiness and prosperity (use this when receiving gifts or Ang Bao)
Xin Nian Kuai Le – Happy New Year (used as a general Chinese New Year greeting)
Huat ah! – Wishing yourself prosperity (generally shouted while tossing yu sheng / lo hei)

You Might Be Interested:

The post 2024 Ang Bao Rates & Etiquette: How Much to Give and Receive for Chinese New Year appeared first on Sassy Mama.

You’ve never seen a townhouse quite like this before

Every so often, a truly unique listing hits the market that’s spectacular beyond words. In this case, it’s this 6,400-square-foot warehouse conversion in West Chelsea, asking a cool $18.5 million.

According to the listing description for this unorthodox home, the space is configured as a three-bedroom, 3.5-bath abode that spans four levels and features both ground and parlor level entrances. In the central atrium, ceilings soar a mind-boggling 32 feet high, with exposed wooden beams, while other dramatic details include the plethora of exposed brick throughout the home, double height rooms with 20-foot-high ceilings, a series of stairs that connect the floors, and a footbridge located on the third floor.

There’s a multitude of ways in which one can utilize this space. After all, it includes a studio on the lower level, an office space on the entry floor, an expansive atrium on the third floor with three skylights, a library on the fourth floor, and a glass-enclosed terrace that overlooks the garden. There’s also the huge open kitchen that’s flourished with custom cabinetry and even comes with “salvaged Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.”

Getting back to the garden, you get 750 square feet of yard space with a bit of landscaping (though it could use some more), a walkway crafted from “original Dutch ballast cobblestones,” and 22-foot-tall walls that give privacy from the outside world.

• Listing: 536 West 29th Street [Christies International Real Estate Group]

Via Wikimedia

“The total shutdown of both tunnels and all service scheduled for April 27 will not be necessary,” reads a statement from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority released Thursday. The announcement comes just a few days after the MTA held an “emergency” meeting to present the agency’s board with information about the new L train plan ahead of a vote on the project. But it appears the MTA will argue that the new plan, which would not require a total shutdown of subway service, does not need board approval to move forward after all.

MTA officials think the agency does not need approval from the board because the plan introduced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month won’t cost more than the original shutdown. And technically the governor’s declared state of emergency of the transit system is still in effect, officials told Politico.

“We do not believe the cost of reconstruction will increase, and given the tremendous benefits to the riding public, reduction in the volume of traffic and savings from the traffic mitigation efforts, it is a clear positive alternative and in the public interest,” the press release from the MTA reads.

On Jan. 3, Cuomo called off the 15-month L train shutdown, which was set to begin at the end of April and had been planned for nearly three years. Surrounded by a panel of experts, Cuomo presented a new last-minute plan to fix the saltwater-damaged Carnarsie Tunnel without closing the tunnel completely.

The new plan would require a new cable racking system on the exterior of the bench walls instead of within them, which is how the system is currently set up. This would require less construction and time, making a total shutdown not necessary, according to the experts and Cuomo. Repair work would require just one tube to close at a time, with trains running every 15 to 20 minutes for up to 20 months.

Cuomo announced the non-shutdown plan as a done deal during his presentation, only to backtrack a day later to clarify that the plan would actually need board approval to move forward. But after a heated meeting on Tuesday, where board members questioned the plan’s feasibility as well as the lack of transparency from the agency, the MTA seems to be changing course.

According to the MTA, they expect the “formulation of the final construction schedule and contract completions to take several weeks.” The release did not mention whether a board vote will be held. But it did promise to provide more definitive information to the public once they have it.

Questions remain about the safety of the new plan, particularly for more than 250,000 commuters who ride the L train daily. As the New York Times reported this week, a plan that was similar to Cuomo’s new L train plan was rejected by transit officials in 2014.

The plan was rejected because officials said the construction work could kick up silica dust, a hazardous carcinogen. Because this plan would not require a full shutdown, with repairs taking place on nights and weekends, workers would be pressed to make sure there is no dust before rush hour service on Monday morning.

And not all bench walls have been evaluated for structural integrity yet, so a silica mitigation plan has not been created yet, consulting firm WSP and the MTA said during the meeting Tuesday. But they did say a safety plan would most likely involve workers cleaning up as they go, setting aside time after their shift for additional cleaning, and wearing masks to protect themselves from the dangerous dust.

RELATED: 

• Five years ago, transit officials rejected L train plan similar to Cuomo’s over safety concerns
• Emergency MTA meeting on Cuomo’s L train plan set for Tuesday
• Cuomo says MTA board must sign off on L train plan, one day after it was presented as a done deal
• Cuomo calls for last-minute halt of L train shutdown in favor of a new tunnel design

Bak kwa—also known to many as rou gan—is a snack that has gained worldwide popularity. What it is is essentially a thin sheet of barbecued pork that boasts sweet, smoky and savoury flavours.

An essential snack and one we see in almost every household during the Lunar New Year, many of us indulge in this sinful treat without fully knowing what goes into it and how it’s made. Ever wondered how bak kwa gets its signature smoky flavour, or how it achieves its thin yet robust structure? Here, we delve into how bak kwa is made—the traditional way.

MINCE OR SLICE, THEN MARINATED

Bak kwa exists in two forms—either it is made using minced pork or sliced pork. The type of pork that’s used varies as well. Generally, choosing meat with higher fat content results in more flavourful and succulent bak kwa whereas those with a lower fat content will probably taste just as good sans the excess grease.

The only key difference between sliced and minced bak kwa is the texture. Minced bak kwa is generally softer and easier to tear apart and bite into whereas its sliced counterpart often comes with a bit of chew.

The pork undergoes several hours of marination in a mixture of ingredients with the common culprits being sugar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, fish sauce and herbs and spices such as ground pepper—of course, this varies depending on who makes it.

SMOOTHENED OUT ONTO A SHEET

Once marinated, the flavourful mixture is spread out carefully onto a rattan sheet using a spatula or a roller to achieve the desired size and thickness.

ROASTED IN A CHARCOAL OVEN

After the meat has been marinated and smoothened out onto a rattan mesh, the individual slices are then placed inside an oven where they are cooked through and through. This process is also what imbues the smoky flavour into the meat.

This process usually takes slightly over an hour. After which, what you get is a bright red sheet of meat jerky that has been evenly dried, smoked and properly cooked.

GRILL IT OVER CHARCOAL FOR THE SMOKY AROMA

Alas, the final process would be grilling the meat over charcoal—the most crucial and essential step to ensure a that there is caramelisation of the meat jerky as well as a slight char around the edges, resulting in a more intensified smoky fragrance—the signature taste of a bak kwa.

The meat is flipped over several times over the charcoal so that it is evenly cooked, yielding the most succulent, juicy bak kwa pieces.

Ideally, the burnt bits are removed to make it more presentable (and less cancerous). Voila! fresh bak kwa is made.

Thank you to the good folks at New Eastern Kim Tee for giving us an insight on how traditional bak kwa is made.

Via Wikipedia

The dreaded 15-month L train shutdown, planned and studied for three years, is canceled. Or is it? Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday presented a proposal for a new L train plan that would no longer require a 15-month closure of the Carnasie Tunnel, the link between Manhattan and Brooklyn and which was damaged by saltwater floods during Hurricane Sandy. During the news conference, Cuomo, along with a panel of experts, engineers, and the acting chair of the MTA, Fernando Ferrer, touted the project as being the shortest and best way to fix the tunnel. But in a conference call with reporters on Friday, the governor called on the MTA board to hold an emergency meeting to vote yay or nay on his new plan, of which most had heard about on the same day it was announced.

“I am calling on them to have a meeting, have a meeting right away, make it a public meeting, let the public hear the plan,” Cuomo said during Friday’s call. “Because New Yorkers, God bless them, can be a little skeptical and I can see why they would be skeptical in this situation.”

Despite years of research and planning for the impending shutdown, originally scheduled for the end of April, Cuomo’s task force found (and which the MTA accepted), just three months before the planned closure, that both tunnels can remain open. Repair work will instead take place on one tunnel at a time on nights and weekends, for up to 20 months, which will make the L train run every 15 to 20 minutes during that time.

As 6sqft reported on Thursday, instead of demolishing the bench walls to remove the old cables, the new plan leaves the cables there, which would reduce the amount of construction work needed,  Mary Boyce, the Dean of Columbia Engineering. Any unstable bench walls will be removed and weakened ones will be reinforced with a polymer wrap. Boyce told reporters that the new design achieves all functional outcomes as the previous plan, but reduces the amount of work needed.

The city has conducted numerous meetings and studies regarding alternative transit options, and real estate prices along the subway line have suffered. And questions remain as to why this new, about-face plan was announced just months before the shutdown was planned, after years of the MTA warning of the necessity of the tunnel rebuild.

In a press release, the MTA accepted the recommendations of Cuomo’s panel. “We have a shared goal in this effort: to make sure New Yorkers are subjected to the least possible disruptions as a result of this necessary repair work,” Ferrer said.

“With the L Project, and all our major projects, we’re consistently looking for new and innovative methods, and the guidance and recommendations we have received today will ease the strain on customers and help us ensure we are providing a consistently reliable service.”

According to Cuomo, the MTA board will have to first vote to “pursue the plan,” and then make adjustments, including things like the prior deal worked out with the contractor. “It’s up to the MTA board and those 17 members which are appointed by various political entities and have their own perspectives,” Cuomo said on Friday.

In an interview Friday with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer, Mayor Bill de Blasio who said he would like to know more information on the L train plan, but called it good news. “I hope when the smoke clears that we have something here that will actually improve the lives of every day New Yorkers.”

RELATED: 

• Cuomo calls for last-minute halt of L train shutdown in favor of a new tunnel design
• Cuomo tours damaged L train tunnel four months before shutdown 
• April 27, 2019: MTA announces start date for L train shutdown

Anyone with working knowledge of Singapore is no stranger to the significance of Sir Stamford Raffles. From social studies textbooks to souvenir shops, this white guy basically gets all the fame and glory for “founding Singapore”.

And up till yesterday morning, his iconic white polymarble statue also stood along the Singapore river, where he was believed to have first set foot in 1819.

For those of you living under a rock, the Raffles statue has … kind of vanished.

Overnight, the statue appears to have been painted from the front to blend in with the OCBC building directly behind it, giving off a trick eye effect, as though the statue were really gone.

Of the many reactions from Singaporeans, most simply think it’s a quirky change to our Singapore skyline, although they don’t immediately link the alteration to a deeper meaning.

“I feel very little emotional connection to Raffles. I think if someone did the same to a statue of Lee Kuan Yew, I would have a stronger reaction. But Raffles was just a figure in my history textbook who has never reappeared in my life or consciousness,” says 29-year-old Clara.

“Sure, I can read something into it if I had to, but I wouldn’t say I see it and automatically think it has meaning.”

Similarly, another Singaporean, Anne, didn’t even notice anything was different at first. Though she likes the illusion and aesthetics, she doesn’t think there’s any broader significance.

Then there’s the shock. After all, any tourist planning on taking a selfie with Raffles today would be sorely disappointed by not getting their travel dollars worth; perhaps a day at the museum would suffice.

Malaysian couple, Azhan and Juraida, say, “We were shocked to see that it wasn’t white as we expected. It’s a historic icon after all. We still prefer the original.”

On the other hand, Christian, who’s from the UK, appreciates the unexpected artistic flair of the Raffles statue ‘fading’ into the background.

“The pedestal and plaques appear classical, whereas the artwork looks modern. To me, I see a merger of the old and new, of Raffles ‘merging’ into Singapore. I don’t see it as an erasure of his existence or a sign of being invisible,” he shares.

Otherwise, there is mostly bemusement. A few reckon it’s merely a prank or publicity stunt.

“Honestly, I never was a fan of the statue. The idea that we glorify the coloniser never sat well with me,” quips Jessica, a fellow Singaporean.

Whatever the case, the message is loud and clear.

The existence of Raffles might not be key to our Singaporean identity, but we can’t deny that the man is an integral part of the Singapore story many of us have memorised and now know by heart. Yet, while we acknowledge Raffles’ part to play in our history, his story must not be the only one we hear.

So much of modern day Singapore is built on an understanding of our past, especially through lessons in school or narratives shaped by the media and public institutions. So when a crucial part of history is altered—such as with the Raffles statue being painted over—we are forced to reconsider what it means to be Singaporean in 2019.

The statue’s disappearance should trigger a reconsideration of Raffles’ broader, romanticised significance in both our country’s history and the current political climate. Since modern day Singapore prides itself on being a multiracial nation that’s been built by our ancestors of various ethnicities, it’s essential that we realise the gravity of allowing a Caucasian man to remain the face of our Singapore story.

In turn, we must realise the need to embrace a more diverse range of narratives and voices. For instance, in the same way that we acknowledge men like Goh Keng Swee and S. Rajaratnam alongside Lee Kuan Yew, we must do the same with Raffles.

After all, the legend of Sir Stamford Raffles didn’t magically materialise from symbols and statues. It was crafted and perpetuated by an unwavering, albeit unfounded, belief that certain Western ideals continue to be more valuable than our own Asian ones.

So an important icon might have been tampered with. But if it prompts any of us to reflect on the importance of community in our Singapore story, and to stop idolising specific individuals, then we dare say the change should have happened sooner.

Who did it? If you have the answers, write in to community@ricemedia.co.

The post The Stamford Raffles Statue Has ‘Disappeared’, and We Are Stoked AF appeared first on RICE.

Recording artist, real estate buff, animal rights activist and philanthropist Moby has sold his two-bedroom midcentury house in Westchester County for $1.1 million in a trade for which he has the best of intentions, according to Mansion Global. 6sqft reported in July that Moby, whose real name is Richard Melville Hall, was putting the 3,100-square-foot modern home in Pound Ridge on the market for $1.3 million just four months after buying it for $1.24M. At the time he explained the sale on Instagram by saying, “It’s one of the most beautiful houses I’ve seen, but to be honest, I’m rarely there. So I’m going to sell it and take the money to: support progressive political candidates, support my animal rights foundation, produce documentaries, and fund scholarships.”

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright-disciple David Henken in 1956, the Westchester home has jaw-dropping mahogany interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the woods and a quaint garden, and a swimming pool.

David Henken practiced Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian principles, designing affordable homes integrated into their landscape.

The great room boasts an unusual corner fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and access to the terrace.

The living room because is anchored by two giant walls of glass that overlooks tall trees. This room also has a fireplace built with stones from a nearby river and a native rock outcropping.

The kitchen is sleek and modern with a cozy breakfast nook.

The master suite has more incredible views and another dramatic ceiling, as well as a sun deck.

The second bedroom also has an en-suite bath, and there’s an additional  “hotel” guest room crafted in full mahogany with a clever Murphy bed.

Outside on the nearly two-acre property, there’s a detached two-car garage and a lovely pool.

Moby is well known for his public philanthropy. His vegan restaurant in LA, Little Pine, donates all of its proceeds to animal rights causes, and his recent anti-Trump studio album “Everything was Beautiful, and Nothing Hurt,”, was released for free. His said his latest endeavor seemed “like a better use of money than a beautiful house I use a few days out of the year.”

[Via Mansion Global]

[Listing: 280 Salem Road by Muffin Dowdle of Ginnel Real Estate]

RELATED:

• Moby lists Westchester midcentury stunner for $1.3M with a promise to donate proceeds
• Moby Sells Off His ‘Tiny’ But Charming Mott Street Penthouse for a Cool $2 Million
• You can own two Westchester homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright students
• Distinctive 1969 modern Westchester County home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright acolyte asks $1.1M

Images courtesy of Ginnel Real Estate.

Hermit crabs use the scavenged shells of other animals as their homes. As the crabs grow, they periodically need to upgrade their housing to bigger shells. When a new shell appears on the beach, the cramped crabs will form a orderly queue nearby and then change shells all at once, with each crab moving into the next biggest shell just abandoned by its former occupant. This is possibly the most British thing I’ve ever seen an animal do…and the David Attenborough narration is the icing on top.

Home for the holidays – LIC-style

PETE Wells, the restaurant critic for The New York Times, has anointed Adda Indian Canteen in Long Island City with two stars in a rave review published yesterday.  Making the accomplishment even more impressive is that it was achieved by a casual and very moderately priced establishment in a less-than-ideal location where the owners unsuccessfully tried to bring another new concept less than two years ago (Unicos Tacos).  Which basically means Adda is all about the food.  Whether it be exotic fare like Kaleji Masala or Bheja Fry (chicken livers and goat brains) or many of the more familiar Indian items like Butter Chicken and Saag Paneer – everything gets a big thumbs up.  Read all the gustatory details below, but given the very favorable press it’s received since opening two months ago make sure to check it out before the hordes quickly descend.  Like maybe when you’re sick of eating turkey and stuffing?

A Full Throated Defense of Traditional Indian Cooking – “Anything that passes through Adda’s tandoor is worth investigating”

Adda Indian Canteen – check out the website and menu

Corte: A Little Bit of Buenos Aires in LIC – restaurant?  no, it’s a new condo building

Jessica Lang Dance to Disband After 7 Seasons – ahh, so maybe that’s what happened to their dance school in LIC?

The post NY TIMES GIVES TWO STARS TO NEW LONG ISLAND CITY RESTAURANT appeared first on LICtalk.

In this video, Jonna Mendez, the former Chief of Disguise of the CIA, explains how disgu — Wait, wait, wait…Chief of Disguise!! That is an actual job title!?! WHAT! Ok, back to the post… — explains how disguises are used in the CIA.

With women, you have a broader range of what you can do. You also have one extra step: you can turn a woman into a man. I would mention that it’s almost impossible to turn a man into a woman. What we do is always additive — we can make you taller, we can make you heavier, we can make you older — we can’t go the other direction. You want to be the person that gets on the elevator and then gets off and nobody even remembers that you were really there. That is a design goal at the disguise labs at CIA.

Interesting throughout. As a fan of the disguises on The Americans and as someone who got to wear some bitchin’ makeup for a short extra appearance on Halt and Catch Fire, I really enjoyed this video, but now I’m wondering what my “dead giveaway” mannerisms are. Friends, any thoughts?

Left: PARIS GEORGIA top. CONNOLLY trousers from MATCHESFASHION.COM. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL pin

Left: KENNETH PAN top. HELEN KAMINSKI X ALBUS LUMEN bag. Right: HELEN KAMINSKI X ALBUS LUMEN scarf (worn as halter top) Stylist’s own knit pants. LADY JAYNE comb. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL belt

Left: KENNETH PAN top: Right: KENNETH PAN top. VALENTINO pants. Model’s own underwear.

Left: SUNSPEL tank. COMMAS pants. BLOCH shoes. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL pin. Right: WHITE STORY jacket. COMMAS swim briefs. GUCCI socks. CALVIN KLEIN JEANS boots.

Left: CALVIN KLEIN JEANS jacket. SPEEDO swin brief. GUCCI socks. CALVIN KLEIN JEANS boots. Customised leather necklace. Right: Stylist’s own strapless top. CONNOLLY trousers from MATCHESFASHION.COM

Left: DION LEE top. JEAN ATELIER jeans. Right: DION LEE top. LEVI’S jeans.

Left: DION LEE top. Right: PARIS GEORGIA suit. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL pin.

Left: COMMAS Jacket and shorts. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL necklace. Right: JAC + JACK shirt and shorts. BLOCH shoes. Customised PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL necklace.

The post MOTH TO A FLAME appeared first on Manuscript.

Located in the upstate wilderness of Armonk in Westchester County, this 13.5-acre estate is as cool as it is unusual. Asking $3 million, the property includes a nine-acre private lake, a 5,500-square-foot mid-century-modern home built in 1959, and a private windmill, all just 45 minutes from New York City.

The 5,500-square-foot house that anchors the property was designed and rebuilt by noted architect Alexander Gorlin.

Custom-designed creative and architectural elements can be found throughout. The sprawling modern home was built in a “u” shape that includes a well-stocked home gym and a massive master suite with separate bathtub and shower and a huge walk-in-closet.  An eat-in kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances offset by an industrial red concrete floor.

The home’s shape allows for many rooms to be facing the lake, making the home feel like it’s tucked into a secluded private park.

The surrounding grounds are equally impressive. A large slate stone terrace, lake cabana, and dock stand out among acres of rolling greenery, woods and gardens–and that private windmill.

Located along the Connecticut border, the estate is near the towns of Greenwich, Armonk and White Plains.

[Listing: 14 Spruce Hill Road by William D’Ambrosio and Al Vanacoro for Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty]

RELATED:

• Former Knicks star Allan Houston lists tricked-out Westchester estate for $20M
• Gluck+ Architects’ Rado Redux is a Naturally Modern Take on a Classic 1950s Home
• Moby lists Westchester midcentury stunner for $1.3M with a promise to donate proceeds
• Jackie Gleason’s circular “mothership” mansion in Westchester is on the market for $12M

Images courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty.

Festivals dedicated to the celebration and modification of Vespa scooters are held in various places around Indonesia. Photographer Darren Whiteside traveled to these festivals to capture the “extreme Vespa” scene going on there. I love the creativity and ingenuity on display here. For more, here’s a video tour of the 2018 festival in Kediri.

(via robin sloan)