Famous Ankles

I was recently in Grand Central and noticed something that I hadn’t seen before.

If you look to the right side of the above, you’ll see an American flag in a frame.  When I saw it, I wondered what it was about.  Having framed pictures on the wall isn’t really one of those things you see.

I took a closeup of it and saw that it really isn’t a “real” flag, but rather an artistic representation called “Flag of Heroes”.  The “flag contains the names of the emergency services personnel who gate their lives to save others in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.”

You can see their names in small print on the red stripes.

It turns out that this is a commercially available flag.  That just strikes me as unusual for the City to have in a public space.  However, the proceeds seem to be strickly earmarked to charitable projects.

-H

Just off 36th Street, between 3rd Avenue and Lexington, is Sniffen Court.  There’s not much to it.  Sort of a really, really nice alley.

There’s a nice plaque noting the history (as you probably know, I love to look and read plaques).

I always like to spell out the plaques, too.  It reads:  “Sniffen Court – Designated an historic district on June 21, 1966 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, these buildings were constructed in Early Romanesque Revival style about the time of the Civil War and were used as stables by residents of Murray Hill.  Although many have undergone changes during the past hundred years, the general effect of the district is that originally created providing an unusually pictureesque and charming area.  The real of the court is the exterior wall of the former studio of Sculptress Malvina Hoffman (1887-1966). – Plaque donated by the Sniffen Court Association 1970.”

But the real story of Sniffen Court?  It’s a very private and you need a key to get into it.  A nice and secure place.

I am sooooo envious.

-H