S: Is for Good Samaritans

Acts of kindness and generosity come in many different forms: Giving food to a hungry stranger, donating one's time to aid homeless people or helping a fellow tenant make the rent. But it's their ability to touch us and stick in our memories that makes sometimes even small gestures a powerful and lasting force in our lives. Sometimes it is the acts of kindness done by children that touch us all. Four-year-old Justin Dingman took the hand of a frightened fellow pre-schooler, serving as the welcoming committee on the boy's first day at school. Liadan Susoeff, 7, took books to a shelter in Pittsburgh at holiday time and read to the children there. Eight-year-old Luke O'Neill took one of his own coats to school so a less fortunate classmate could go outside at recess.

Dreamweavers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in acts of kindness to individuals who have a need or a wish they cannot afford. They fulfill those needs and wishes anonymously. They engage in anonymous acts of kindness by 'paying it forward' to someone new. Paying it forward means that you do not pay 'back' the person who made you a gift but you pay it 'forward' to someone new. If this is a new concept to you, I recommend you rent the video 'Pay it Forward.' You'll be glad you did.
To learn about Dreamweavers log onto www.randomactsofkindness.org.

Sometimes it is the smallest gestures that help people the most and that is a FA.C.T.

T: Is for trying times

The biggest problem facing the monetary system right now, is the value of the dollar. How much is it worth? Nobody seems to know and because of it nobody is lending, able to borrow or spend. Yet amidst this puzzling question a package worth $825 billion, has passed. Not everyone is for it as it was passed by 244 votes to 188, with politicians voting mostly along party lines. Every Republican went against it, while all but a handful of Mr Obama's fellow Democrats supported it. It will now go to the Senate for further debate, probably starting next week. President Obama says the package is a vital remedy to boost the ailing American economy and he was "grateful" the House of Representatives had passed the bill. He said: "There are many numbers in this plan. It will double our capacity to generate renewable energy. It will lower the cost of health care by billions and improve its quality. Yet it doesn't lower some of this but raise the price. "It will modernize thousands of classrooms and send more kids to college. He also stated "But out of all these numbers, there is one that matters most to me: this recovery plan will save or create more than three million new jobs over the next few years." The new spending includes money to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and upgrade healthcare and schools. Yet where in the package is the jobs? I looked at this and I did not see them. What I saw was an increase in things that I believe in such as money to an arts endowment but in these times is this really our priority? My heart says yes, but the realism is no. An interesting note to all of this, all the members of the House and one third of the Senate are up for re-election in just 21 months. Time will tell where all this leads and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Cuisine that's Amore

Lois Vigilante and her daughter Gloria have been eating at Tony DiNapoli’s once a week for 4 years. They bring friends, family and celebrate life here. “When my friends found out I lived in this area I became the envy of all of them. There is not one person I know who doesn’t love Tony’s.” Tony DiNapoli has been giving back to the neighborhood for the past 18 years. Everything is done with the customer in mind. From catering, to take out, to parties (seats 300 guests) to bringing food to the Ronald MacDonald house, they are what being the part of a community is about. Before you enter the scaffolding, normally an eyesore, is decorated to remind you of little Italy. Once inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. They know your name, the owners regularly taste the food in the kitchen and the change the oil once a day. You will notice smiles from the staff and not just at your table. Tony’s is originally a family style restaurant, but has started a new individual menu. We sat down to sangria and the house specialty drink, a frozen Peach Bilini (both $12 but wine starts at $7 with 12 choices.). These drinks were done to perfection and there was no skimping on the alcohol. Starting with Mozzarella in Carrozza ($13.95) half coated in parmigana and served with a sweet pomodoro sauce. As it melted we knew we were in for a evening of delightful treats. Zucchini Fritta ($8.95) was my favorite and I will come back just for that alone. Cut like potato chips, the zucchini dissolves into your mouth as you bite. Served with marinara sauce with fresh garlic, you want to lick the bowl, it is that good. Mary Beth’s favorite was the Roquefort Salad ($8.95) with beefsteak tomatoes and creamy Roquefort. This salad is part of the new individual menu along with the veal I had for dinner. Tony’s Veal ($13.95) is done Milanese style, lightly breaded, chopped tomatoes and arrugula in a light balsamic glaze. Though this is from the individual menu it still serves 2. The first thing, you realize is the portions are huge and reasonable. Mary Beth’s Spaghetti Bolognese ($18.95 on the regular menu) was as good as her mothers. The regular menu states for 2-3, but think more like 4-6. On the individual menu you can order pasta starting at $8.95 up to $12.95 with shrimp. Now that’s a bargain. We also added a house special of the night veal pounded thin on a bed of spinach done in a white wine lemon butter sauce topped with prosciutto and mozzarella. Each bite was like a taste of heaven and the sauce…perfection. For dessert we tried both kinds of cheesecake and the tiramisu, all freshly made. There wasn’t one part of this meal that wasn’t amazing. Tony DiNapoli now that’s Amore.

Tony’s gift for all Informer readers: bring in this article or print this article and make reservations Sunday-Thursday. When you get to the desk, present the article and ask for Tony’s Reward envelope. Inside will be a prize offering gift cards, food, or drinks. Mine was a bottle of wine. At Tony's you win no matter what and that is a F.A.C.T.

A Is for Subway Art

Fast Track and Speedwheels, 1990. Mixed-media sculptures in the passageway between the S and 4, 5, 6 lines in NYC's Grand Central Subway station, detail 4 (left to right).

Artist: Daniel Sinclair.

Dan Sinclair's Fast Track and Speedwheels are assemblages crafted from bright metallic sections that include wavy aluminum sheets, steel wheels, brass disks, copper springs and wires. Installed within a long passageway between the subway and Grand Central Terminal above, they interpret the speed, energy and train travel imagery into a series of relief sculptures. The art-deco shapes and various turning wheels, spinning gears and pistons add to the aura of the location, below one of America's premiere rail stations. "I want my sculpture to make people think of the power of the engines that drive the trains, my sculpture to make people think of the power of the engines that drive the trains, the speed and efficiency of them . . . the sculptures also reflect the architectural elements of Times Square and the Art Deco glamour of Radio City Music Hall," says the artist.

There are several tile mosaic artworks in NYC subway stations all on the westside Manhattan subway lines. For more try the Christopher Street/Sheridan Square platform, Cathedral Parkway/110th Street platform (downtown-bound 1 train only); the mezzanine walls of the 42nd Street (Times Square) for the A, C and E trains; 42nd street/Times Square upstairs platform (1, 2 & 3 trains); 42nd Street/Times Square passageway between the 8th Avenue/Port Authority Bus Terminal (A, C, & E trains) and the 7th Avenue/Broadway (1, 2, & 3 trains) platforms; West 66th street/Lincoln Center Station (1 train); West 34th Street/Pennsylvania Station (A, C & E trains); Chambers Street (A & C trains); Houston Street (1 train); and Pennsylvania "Penn" station (1, 2 & 3 trains) [subway art archives] and, my favorite subway station of all, the American Museum of Natural History station at 81st and Central Park West (B & C trains) [AMNH archives].

Art abounds in New York and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Feast and Festivals in the year of the OX

Happy Chinese New Year or more specifically Happy Year of the Ox! The OX year is a conservative year, one of traditions and values. This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year. An OX year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off. It is is a year of Harvest - when we reap what we have sown. Take care of business this year, do not let things slide.

To ring in the "Year of the Ox" The Peninsula Hotel offers unique Chinese Menus and the Celebratory Lion Dance

To start there is the Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea. Enjoy a selection of Chinese delicacies centered on the tradition of Health, Wealth and Happiness. Your tea service includes items such as Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, Crab Pot Stickers
and Ginger Panna Cotta along with a selection of fine Asian teas. On January 26th, Afternoon Tea is accompanied by a lively musical trio featuring authentic Chinese music. So come to the Gotham Lounge from January 26th to 30th between 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Price is $55 per person.

Then there is the Chinese New Year Lunch and Dinner. Partake in an exceptional three-course prix fixe menu featuring choices such as Cantonese-style Cod with ginger, scallion and coriander soy sauce. Dessert offerings include Jasmine Tea Ice Cream with roasted chestnuts and coconut. Held in the Fives restaurant, January 26th to 30th. Price is$49 per person. For reservations, call (212) 903 3918

For those who are short on cash but want to join in The Celebratory Lion Dance makes its way throughout the Lobby of The Peninsula. January 26th, 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The Peninsula is located at, 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year gives us a chance to begin again and that is always a renewing F.A.C.T.