Why BUY Chips When You Can MAKE Chips?

Meet the Jiminy Snack King. It's a machine that seems to have a plan to revolutionize the world of potato chip entrepreurs. I don't care so much about that part (but I'm counting the days until one shows up at Franny's Larder or Union Market). I DO care about how amazing it would be to make your own chips in this glorious machine, which seems to be a big brother type operation to your standard popcorn popper. Cool, no? I bought a bag of UTZ Sweet Potato Chips at the grocery store yesterday (try them- YUM) and now i'm thinking that heck, I could be making sweet potato chips all day here, since the machine only has a footprint of about 6 feet or so.......... I'm also picturing plantain chips, onion chips, pepper chips, all kinds of chips! If you are interested in money-making, there's also a nice projected revenue stream chart on the website. You'd have to SELL the chips though, and not eat them, to make that cash. Just FYI.

Those are NOT pizzerias on that map

Those pins are are all sites where development/construction has been officially halted by the Department of Buildings.

There are 362 of them right now, though there are probably more that have not been officially deemed 'stalled'. Think of all the pre-construction deposits! All of the workers who are out of a gig! Of all the loose lumber and rebar and glass open for stealing! Stalled construction sites make for an ugly landscape, dangerous conditions, and bad mojo. Lets hope this recession picks up and peaces out soon. The Times gives us a nifty map and names all the locations, in case you're looking to take a tour.

Weather Update/Crazy Hair Alert

REPORT:72 WITH HAZY SUN. It's going to be deep south hot today with a high around 88. CRAZY HAIR ALERT IN EFFECT + MIAMI SWEAT MACHINE ALERT IN FULL EFFECT. It's not a day to forget to slather on deodorant. T-BANGERS ARE POSSIBLE anytime afternoon...some could pack hail and gusty winds. Throw the old umbrella in your briefcase.

Taking Tug O War to the Next Level

Tugfest '09.


Illinois vs. Iowa in a 2400 ft. tug of war contest across the Mississippi.


You will need to bring your own beer cozy.

Jack White Takes Over the LES

This storefront on Chrystie street may look unassuming, but come Thursday it's sure to be a mob scene as Jack White of White Stripes/Raconteurs/The Dead Weather/record label Third Man/hubby of Karen Elson sets up a pop up record shop to satisfy the vinyl cravings of NYC's music fans. Expect white faces, stringy hair, and some serious blues chatter- bring your banjo, harmonica or pump organ if you want to get in on the action.

Heavenly Bread

I'd been hearing rumblings about a local breadmaker who was driving people crazy with his focaccia, and FINALLY got my hands on some of it yesterday. I can confirm that the bread from Scratch bakery is, indeed, heaven. You can get your hands on it at Franny's new BKLYN Larder on Flatbush Ave, Toby's Public House on 6th Ave in Park Slope, and the charming Dandelion wine shop on Franklin Ave in Green Point (Friday evenings bring a huge spread and wine tastings to this place- if you're around, it looks bountiful and delicious. And free!)

Architecture-Inspired Ice Cream Sandwiches

In addition to pizza, we seem to be experiencing a coast-to-coast ice cream rennaisance as well. News of the Coolhaus ice cream truck (which would have come in handy in March, when I ventured to the Hollyhock House only to find it closed- ice cream would have softened the blow, for sure) signals an even further dive into the niche market of marketing ice cream. Recent architecture grads Natasha Case and Freya Estreller are the purveyors of ice cream sandwiches inspired by great architects and their work- think Richard Meyer Lemon ice cream in a ginger cookie sandwich & “Mies Vanilla Rohe.”
While they're only on the left coast, it still makes me happy to know that summertime still means simple pleasures like ice cream- even if it now involves algorithms and mitered edges. It's edible art!