Archive by Author
Turning Vandalism Into Artistry
Posted on 06. Dec, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
“Rap is something you do, hip-hop is something you live.” KRS-One A lifelong Staten Islander and hip-hop junkie, Charlie Balducci founded the NYC Arts Cypher, a government funded non-profit organization, five years ago. The Cypher incorporates all elements of hip-hop to provide potentially rebellious kids and interested adults with a forum, not just for recreational [...]
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The Dieing Lighthouse Museum That Never Lived
Posted on 21. Nov, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
After eleven years of relentless but seemingly fruitless effort, Staten Islanders hoping to establish the National Lighthouse Museum at the former St. George Coast Guard Station cling to their last shreds of hope.
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LeBron; Already the King of NY ?
Posted on 07. Nov, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
Nike is either greatly boosting or seriously hurting the Knicks’ chance of ever landing LeBron. Their relentless push of James in the NYC market will either give him complacency with his connection to the city or magnetize him towards the open arms of indignant fans drooling for something that resembles a respectable team. Anyone heading [...]
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The Staten Island Ferry: A Daily Adventure
Posted on 31. Oct, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
With 20 minutes or so to kill floating across the New York Harbor on the Staten Island Ferry, the ways that people spend the ride are as diverse as the people themselves. As a swamped grad student I cant imagine doing anything other than reading but some people just take in the view, grab a [...]
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The Liberian Immigration Labyrinth
Posted on 16. Oct, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
The cyclical narrative of Liberian history is stuck in the middle of an interesting chapter. But for the actual characters in this story, frustration, stagnation and uncertainty nag them daily. Thousands of Liberian refugees in the United States who fled a 14-year civil war face the possibility of a massive forced departure when their temporary [...]
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What's Up With NY's Youth Prisons?
Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
In late August, while news outlets focused heavily on abuse in the CIA’s secret prisons, the U.S. Department of Justice released a scathing report exposing horrid conditions in New York’s youth detention facilities. The report addressed issues ranging from abusive restraining measures to misdiagnoses and over-medication. The New York Times wrote a news story and [...]
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Congressman McMahon on the "Public Option"
Posted on 06. Oct, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
Last night at Staten Island’s Town Hall rally meeting on health care reform, Congressman Michael McMahon was asked plainly for a “yes or no” answer as to whether he supports the”public option.” McMahon said that it depends on its relation to the rest of the bill. The crowd booooed McMahon’s answer response. After the event [...]
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Staten Island's Race Problem
Posted on 04. Oct, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
Staten Island is littered with time warped xenophobes who harbor a deep loathing for dark skin. The Island is a microcosm of the U.S.’s racial qualms. The North Shore population of the Island is about 22% Black and 20% Hispanic as opposed to the South Shore’s which is about 1% Black and 6% Hispanic. Long [...]
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How "Real" Are Restaurant Reviews?
Posted on 24. Sep, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
The Staten Island Advance ran a glowing review of Ciro’s Pizza Cafe, but a local restaurant critic can’t give you the inside dope of a former employee turned journalism student. Full disclosure, they fired me from my delivery job but I’m no bitter blogger. And I’m not going to write about all the customers who [...]
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Smokey Staten
Posted on 18. Sep, 2009 by Michael Cohen.
The new Raekwon album isn’t the only thing smoking on Staten Island. According to a report from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Islanders have the highest cigarette smoking rate in New York City. The New York Times reported on Tuesday that city’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas A. Farley proposed an outdoor smoking ban [...]
