The NeatEngine's Elected Officials

I moved to my new residence in Woodside, Queens about four months ago; however, I only recently became a registered voter in the 40th Election District in the City of New York. Since I started voting in 1997, I've always kept careful lists of my elected officials. In keeping with that tradition, I present here my new list of elected officials:

United States Federal Level
Barack Obama (D), President
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Joseph Biden (D), Vice-President
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Charles Schumer (D), Senator from New York
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D), Senator from New York
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Nydia M. Velazquez (D), Representative from New York (12th District)
[Official Website] [Election Website]

New York State Level
David Paterson (D), Governor
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Andrew Cuomo (D), Attorney General
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Thomas DiNapoli (D), Comptroller
[Official Website] [Election Website]
George Onorato (D), State Senator (12th District)
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Margaret M. Markey (D), State Assemblymember (30th District)
[Official Website] [Election Website]

City of New York Level
Michael R. Bloomberg (I), Mayor
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Betsy Gotbaum (D), Public Advocate
[Official Website] [Election Website]
William C. Thompson (D), Comptroller
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Eric N. Gioia (D), Councilmember (26th District)
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Helen Marshall (D), Borough President
[Official Website] [Election Website]
Richard A. Brown (D), District Attorney
[Official Website] [Election Website]

Charlie on the M.T.A.

I came across an old cassette tape that had a recording of "Charlie on the M.T.A." For those of you who spent time living in Boston, you may be familiar with this tune. The lyrics are about
a man named Charlie trapped on Boston's subway system, then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (the M.T.A. - but I believe now it's called the M.B.T.A.) because of the fare increase (sound familiar?). Anyway, for more information about the tune, go here:

According to this wikipedia entry, the song was made popular by The Kingston Trio in 1959. You can listen to their recording here:

Well, I was listening to the song and I figured why not adjust it New York City and this "doomsday" 2009 Fare Hike?

----

Charlie on the M.T.A. (adjusted for New York City and possible 2009 Fare Hike)

Well let me tell the story
Of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day
He put two bucks in his pocket,
Kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTA

Chorus:
Did he ever return,
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Brooklyn
He's the man who never returned.

Charlie handed in his dollars
At the Times Square Station
As he changed for Jamaica, Queens
When he got there the conductor told him,
"Two more quarters."
Charlie could not get off that train.

Chorus:
Did he ever return,
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Brooklyn
He's the man who never returned.

Well all night long
Charlie rides through the station
Crying, "What will become of me?
How can I afford to see
My sister in Tremont
Or my cousin in Rockaway?"

Chorus:
Did he ever return,
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Brooklyn
He's the man who never returned.

Charlie's wife goes down
To the Harold Square station
Every day at quarter past two
And through the open window
She hands Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumblin' through.

Chorus:
Did he ever return,
No he never returned
And his fate is still unlearn'd
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Brooklyn
He's the man who never returned.

Well you citizens of New York,
Don't you think it's a scandal
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase!
Toll the non-toll bridges!
Get poor Charlie off the MTA!

Chorus:
Or else he'll never return,
No he'll never return
And his fate is still unlearned
He may ride forever
'neath the streets of Brooklyn
He's the man who never returned (2x)

He's the man who never returned.
He's the man who never returned.

-----

And for those of you looking for the original lyrics, you can find them here.

:-)

MAS Walking Tour: Go, Go Gowanus

Saturday, July 26, 11:00 a.m. The Neat Engine and Papa Engine explored the wide banks of Brooklyn’s most famous canal today with the Municipal Arts Society's "Go, Go Gowanus Walking Tour." The tour was led by architectural historian Matt Postal. We began in the Carroll Gardens Historic District (a singular brownstone enclave distinguished by a remarkable street plan), crossed the Gowanus canal over one of the oldest retractile bridges in the United States, and ended in J.J. Byrne Park in Park Slope, Brooklyn. During the trip, we learned about the history of the canal and the surrounding, though faded, industrial zone.

Principles for a Great New Penn Station from MAS on Vimeo.

Mark your calendars! The NeatEngine will be singing in the Young New Yorkers' Chorus on Saturday, June 2 at 8:00pm.

Bus Tour of Robert Moses Sites

Today, the NeatEngine (along with PapaEngine) went on an EXCELLENT "Bus Tour of Robert Moses Sites"- which was organized by the Queens Museum of Art (in conjunction with the "Robert Moses and The Modern City" exhibit) and led by architectural historian and lecturer, John Kriskiewicz. John led us through some facinating discussions and commentaries starting with QMA's Panorama of the City of New York. Along the bus tour, we talked about Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach, the Henry Hudson Parkway/Riverside Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park - not to mention New York's arterial highway system. These photos chronicle our wonderful journey:

Bus Tour of Robert Moses Sites

After this wonderful afternoon tour, the NeatEngine and PapaEngine enjoyed a fine dinner of "Tortelli Alberto" and "Risotto with seaford" at Alberto in Forest Hills, Queens.

A.O.C. Bedford

Before attending the YNYC Winter Happy Hour fundraiser at the Town Tavern ...

the NeatEngine and his sweetheart dropped by A.O.C. Bedford in Manhattan's West Village for a quick bite. (A.O.C. in France, D.O.C. in Italy, and D.O. in Spain are terms used to designate products, which exhibit the finest qualities and characteristics of the geographical area, including natural and human factors. Its use is strictly regulated.) We had no idea what to expect but we wish we spent more time there. Our succulent duck and baked bass were heavenly! If only we had the time to try the desserts!!! This is truly a very special restaurant worth revisiting.

[Oh yeah ... and the NeatEngine won a $100 gift certificate to the Town Tavern.]