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Becky Garnett and Pete DePasquale are architects who have formed their own practice in Manhattan. They have a history of personal and professional collaboration, and in 2019, Garnett joined DePasquale in his practice. During the pandemic, they moved to Sag Harbor and found inspiration in retrofitting a pony barn into a one-room schoolhouse. They have also worked on projects such as rehabilitating the Atterbury Estate and designing the East End Food Market Hall. Their approach combines historic preservation with contemporary design. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the renovation of the lobby and retail spaces of the commercial skyscraper at 712 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The renovation aimed to update the Postmodern aesthetic of the building and incorporate elements of the historic glazing from the adjacent rowhouses. The lobby now features curved glass panels inspired by the Art Nouveau glazing of the Coty Building, designed by René Lalique. The glass panels create a welcoming and luminous entrance, while also paying homage to the building's history. [Extracted from the article]

This section offers library news briefs in the U.S. as of January 2024. Topics discussed include the availability of American Library Association (ALA) scholarships for students completing their master's degree in library science or school library media programs, the Public Library Association's (PLA) conference to be held in Columbus, Ohio on April 3-5, and the launch of a digital toolkit by ALA and the New York Public Library in support of their joint Book for All anti-censorship campaign.

The article highlights the historical significance of New York State's newspapers and the challenges faced by the local media industry. Michelle Rae from the New York Press Association advocates for the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, while publisher Mark Vinciguerra discusses hiring challenges and the crucial role of community newspapers.

Michael Findlay's book, "Portrait of the Art Dealer as a Young Man: New York in the Sixties," offers a charming account of his early experiences in the art world. Findlay, the director of Aquavella Galleries, recounts his journey from buying his first piece of art at the age of seven to working at Richard Feigen Gallery in New York City. He navigates the scrappy and thrilling art scene of the 1960s, befriending artists like Andy Warhol and developing an artistic sensibility that favored innovative and vibrant works. Findlay's book provides an appealing and sentimental portrait of a New York that was transitioning from Abstract Expressionism to pop art, minimalism, and hard-edged abstraction. Art enthusiasts will find this book irresistible. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on environmental concerns and property disputes related to proposed expansions of gravel mines in New York and a rock quarry in North Carolina.

In "Art Monster: On the Impossibility of New York," Marin Kosut, a sociology professor at SUNY Purchase, argues that New York City is no longer able to support artists who are not wealthy, leading to the decline of the artistic community. Kosut attributes this decline to gentrification, which she herself experienced. She profiles artists working in "art-adjacent" careers and highlights the challenges they face in selling their own art or finding representation. While Kosut emphasizes the critical role of artists in the city, she suggests that efforts to reverse current trends may be futile. Some readers may find the book's portrayal of New York overly negative. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the discussion on health and federal leaders are pushing back against a concrete crushing company that is trying to build a facility across the street from Lyndon B Johnson Hospital located on Kelley Street near Homestead in northeast Houston.

"Unknown New York: An Artist Uncovers the City's Hidden Treasures" by Jesse Richards is a delightful and brightly illustrated book that highlights 100 "hidden gems" in and around New York City. The author, an artist, takes readers off the beaten path to explore unique sites such as the 23rd Street & Fifth Avenue subway station, the basement of the New York Public Library, the Pier 62 Carousel, and the fortune telling machine made famous by the movie Big. While some of the sites may not be as hidden as claimed, the book offers charming and conversational entries filled with intriguing information. This book will appeal to visitors and recent transplants to New York City. [Extracted from the article]

"Do Something: Coming of Age Amid the Glitter and Doom of '70s New York" is a memoir by Guy Trebay, a New York Times style reporter. The book follows Trebay's journey as a young man leaving his troubled suburban family to find a new community in New York City's gay demimonde. Trebay recounts his family's struggles in the 1960s and '70s, including his parents' marital problems and his mother's death. He eventually finds his place in Manhattan among rebels and outcasts, including notable figures like Candy Darling, Jackie Curtis, and Dorian Corey. The memoir offers a rich portrait of the city and its characters, showcasing the author's self-reinvention and redemption. [Extracted from the article]

The article highlights Silvi Materials' innovative and cost-effective solution for shipping sand to the New York market by utilizing a newly acquired port with barge-loading capability, addressing the growing demand for high-quality concrete sand in the area.

New York State's ban on organics disposal has led to a significant increase in edible food recovery and donations since it went into effect in January 2022. Feeding New York State, the state association of New York's 10 Feeding America member food banks, reached a milestone of collecting five million pounds of edible food in October 2023. To support the implementation of the ban and encourage food donations, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation provided $4.8 million to Feeding NYS and the 10 regional food banks. This funding has been used to deploy staff to various food industry facilities, increase participation in the program, and purchase equipment to enhance food pickup capabilities. [Extracted from the article]

The New York Attorney General's office recently sued Citibank for failing to reimburse customers who were victims of fraud, sparking a broader discussion about when customers should be reimbursed and the role of their own actions in the matter. Financial institutions have been refusing to reimburse customers who have done nothing wrong, but the issue becomes more complex when the customer is at fault. The article presents three scenarios of fraud and questions whether the financial institution should be required to return the funds in each case. The case highlights how financial institutions are using outdated rules to avoid customer reimbursements and emphasizes the need for clearer laws holding banks accountable for customer fraud. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on a report advocating for the development of anaerobic digestion infrastructure in New York State to address climate goals, public health concerns, and economic growth. Topics include the significant contribution of methane emissions from organic waste in New York, the potential reduction of methane emissions by building new anaerobic digesters, and the environmental benefits of diverting organic waste from landfills to these digesters.

Corrections to articles in previous issues are presented including "A Welcoming Space" in the September/October 2023 issue, "2023 Library Design Showcase" in the September/October 2023 issue and "Tranquil Notes" in the November/December 2023 issue.