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Cash-strapped towns cancel July 4 fireworks
CNN: As towns and cities across the United States are plagued by harsh weather and a harsher economy, many have been forced to abandon traditional Independence Day celebrations. But in New Rochelle, NY, a lifeline appeared from the unlikeliest of sources.
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The Half King: A refuge for New York journalists
MONOCLE 24: Reporters from far and wide flock to the world’s media capital in search of stories and opportunities. Twelve years ago, three journalists decided to create a place for this community to hang out, share secrets and enjoy good food and drink – all under one roof.
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In El Barrio, a New Bookstore Is Counting on Its Community
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Undaunted by the withering publishing industry, a woman with a passion for literature has opened a Latino bookstore in East Harlem.
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Occupy protesters target Frieze art fair
MONOCLE 24: On May 4-7, thousands of visitors flocked to Randall’s Island in New York for the city’s first ever Frieze art fair. Galleries reported promising profits during a sellout weekend, but on Sunday afternoon, a small group of activists and artists gathered outside to make a noisy stand about commercialization of the creative world....
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How Lenin and Red Square ended up in NYC
MONOCLE 24: In the mid-1990s, a bronze statue of Lenin suddenly appeared on New York's Lower East Side – and became an unlikely symbol of gentrification in this gritty urban neighborhood.
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In conversation with Emanuel Pimenta
MONOCLE 24: Emanuel Pimenta is an intermedia artist who was born in Brazil and now lives between Switzerland and America. He pioneered the concept of "virtual architecture," has collaborated with contemporary musical luminaries like John Cage, and holds exhibitions around the world.
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Kiss and run: new film casts light on pro-Putin youth movement
OPEN DEMOCRACY: Masha Drokova was a rising star of the pro-Kremlin youth movement Nashi, yet she was also friends with Oleg Kashin – a critical journalist who was nearly killed by assailants allegedly connected to her organisation. A compelling new documentary captures this moral dilemma.
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Latinos tell ABC: “We’re not drug dealers”
MONOCLE 24: In January, a new ABC comedy called "Work It" was dropped after just two episodes. The show received sharp criticism for its depiction of cross-dressing men, but one particular scene stuck in the heads of Hispanic New Yorkers – and they've been protesting ever since.
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As Violence Rises, a Sanctuary for East Harlem Women
NORTHATTAN: A recent study revealed that nearly a quarter of American women experienced domestic violence last year. The Violence Intervention Program is working to reduce these negative numbers.
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Park Advocates Uneasy over $7 Million Tennis Center Expansion Plan
NORTHATTAN: Community activists from East Harlem and the South Bronx argue that the John McEnroe Tennis Academy should be more accessible for local people – but the man himself says he shares the same goal.
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A New Approach to Cutting Calories
NORTHATTAN: The Save Half for Later Campaign wants to shrink Manhattan’s waistline, and more and more restaurants are joining the cause.
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Bringing Books to El Barrio
NORTHATTAN: Despite the area’s rich cultural heritage, places to enjoy literature are hard to find in East Harlem. But now one woman has raised over $70,000 to open a new Latino bookstore for the community.