Hello Anne! Hannah Meltzer here, a British writer and journalist who lives in Paris. I recently discovered CAFÉ ANNE and I have quickly become a firm fan. I thought you might also dig Pen Friend, my weekly letter from Paris - https://hannahmeltzer.substack.com/
In any case, thank you for your funny, warm, life-affirming posts. Good wishes from Paris
I'm glad your Angels tour was a safe one, but many of us ( be it current or former) NYC residents
hold the group in such high regard that we never stop rhapsodizing about these community heroes and their esteemed founder ! As the main spokesman Curtis as a radio host has almost turned into the MUCH respected version of Rodney Dangerfield: one never tires of his passionate, thoughtful rants!
The Angels not only provide a sorely needed sense of safety, but they remind us how important we need to be to each other.
Ok, so your tour might have been the Barney Miller episode of their evenings, but God Bless these brave volunteers and may substantial reward find its' way to each of them!
I agree Chris—my favorite thing about the Angels is they don't just complain and wait for others to take care of things. I think that is a great approach to many things in life.
I did not know Curtis Sliwa still had a radio show on 770AM! I used to listen every morning way back in the Giuliani era. But you're right, he's on six days a week!
Another great story, this time under the pseudonym Sparkles. The Guardian Angels is a remarkable organization it seems. I am amazed by their longevity. To me, the thing is people getting involved in their neighborhoods but MUCH MORE THAN THAT b/c the GAs do this work and often not in their own neighborhoods! The ultra walking bagel couple has a similar glossy jacket style but green. Everytime you write about the Mayor I revert to our Governor experiment with Jesse the Body Ventura. Mayor Adams is what I call a "blurter" -- just riffs without a filter. Your partner definitely got a boss nickname!
You know, I never thought about it, but the fact that the Guardian Angels have been around since the late 1970s really is pretty amazing. And yes, unlike your typical neighborhood watch the GAs are looking out for everybody.
Would love to see the bagel walkers join forces with the GAs, haha!
Once more, you transport me back to the early eighties, the fledgling years of the Guardian Angels. They were always in the news for one thing or another. Lovely to hear they're still around and now so respected. Wonderful piece of journalism.
Thanks Jane! As you know, I'm very jealous that you got to experience NYC back in the early 80s. If I had a time machine, I'd seriously travel back to 70s and 80s NYC. The rest of history can go to hell!
What a terrific article & experience! Kudos Anne for featuring these legendary, always relevant Angels. Also Mazel Tov to you and Ralph on your thrilling Astoria patrol. Thank you Curtis Swila, Bruce Lee and the Guardian Angels!!! NYC loves and appreciates you!!! I remember the days I organized the stickball competitions between them and Marty Markowitz. BTW - “Sparkles” is totally your name!
Sarah! I'd love to hear more about this stickball game! Marty Markowitz was such a maniac. SO FUN. I just Googled him and it looks like he's still around—77 years old and living in WindsorTerrace. I should find out what he's up to!
Thank you for finally joining our patrol. The team enjoyed your company as well as with Marcus...They all enjoyed your newsletter and I advised them to join you.
Great story, Sparkles! I've always wondered what's going on with the Guardian Angels, so this was super interesting to read. It tracks with my experience of them too: gathered on street corners in their red berets.
Also your Mayor bits are hilarious! Keep them coming!!
You wouldn't think McDonald's would be part of the deep state would you?! Maybe revisit pink puffy coat lady if you get a chance to learn her views on life in general! That was great about the guardian angels! And I can't believe you get to go back to that cool cool Behr Mansion! Especially on Halloween night!
LOL! Joining the GA is one of many things I’d love to do if I had unlimited free time. Free combat training! Id probably be more of liability than an asset for them though.
“One of the saddest days of my life—and I remember it like it was yesterday—my mother sat me down and she says, ‘Baby, I need to be honest with you. You’re not Sicilian!’”
It may not have been, that’s just where my mind went when I read that. Your mayor sounds like he has a great sense of humour. Thanks again for a delightful read and enjoyable way to start my week.
Haha don't encourage me Alex! If I gave into my worst impulses the whole newsletter would be selfies in the city, cuss-laden rants and songs about my dog.
Hello Anne! Hannah Meltzer here, a British writer and journalist who lives in Paris. I recently discovered CAFÉ ANNE and I have quickly become a firm fan. I thought you might also dig Pen Friend, my weekly letter from Paris - https://hannahmeltzer.substack.com/
In any case, thank you for your funny, warm, life-affirming posts. Good wishes from Paris
Thank you Hannah! I'll be sure to check out your letter from Paris!
Thank you! 💐 all best wishes and I’ll look forward to your next dispatch!
I'm glad your Angels tour was a safe one, but many of us ( be it current or former) NYC residents
hold the group in such high regard that we never stop rhapsodizing about these community heroes and their esteemed founder ! As the main spokesman Curtis as a radio host has almost turned into the MUCH respected version of Rodney Dangerfield: one never tires of his passionate, thoughtful rants!
The Angels not only provide a sorely needed sense of safety, but they remind us how important we need to be to each other.
Ok, so your tour might have been the Barney Miller episode of their evenings, but God Bless these brave volunteers and may substantial reward find its' way to each of them!
I agree Chris—my favorite thing about the Angels is they don't just complain and wait for others to take care of things. I think that is a great approach to many things in life.
I did not know Curtis Sliwa still had a radio show on 770AM! I used to listen every morning way back in the Giuliani era. But you're right, he's on six days a week!
https://wabcradio.com/show/the-curtis-sliwa-show/
I like your mayor.
I get a kick out of him too!
Another great story, this time under the pseudonym Sparkles. The Guardian Angels is a remarkable organization it seems. I am amazed by their longevity. To me, the thing is people getting involved in their neighborhoods but MUCH MORE THAN THAT b/c the GAs do this work and often not in their own neighborhoods! The ultra walking bagel couple has a similar glossy jacket style but green. Everytime you write about the Mayor I revert to our Governor experiment with Jesse the Body Ventura. Mayor Adams is what I call a "blurter" -- just riffs without a filter. Your partner definitely got a boss nickname!
You know, I never thought about it, but the fact that the Guardian Angels have been around since the late 1970s really is pretty amazing. And yes, unlike your typical neighborhood watch the GAs are looking out for everybody.
Would love to see the bagel walkers join forces with the GAs, haha!
Once more, you transport me back to the early eighties, the fledgling years of the Guardian Angels. They were always in the news for one thing or another. Lovely to hear they're still around and now so respected. Wonderful piece of journalism.
Thanks Jane! As you know, I'm very jealous that you got to experience NYC back in the early 80s. If I had a time machine, I'd seriously travel back to 70s and 80s NYC. The rest of history can go to hell!
They were certainly wild days. I feel lucky indeed to have experienced them--and to have survived them.
What a terrific article & experience! Kudos Anne for featuring these legendary, always relevant Angels. Also Mazel Tov to you and Ralph on your thrilling Astoria patrol. Thank you Curtis Swila, Bruce Lee and the Guardian Angels!!! NYC loves and appreciates you!!! I remember the days I organized the stickball competitions between them and Marty Markowitz. BTW - “Sparkles” is totally your name!
Sarah! I'd love to hear more about this stickball game! Marty Markowitz was such a maniac. SO FUN. I just Googled him and it looks like he's still around—77 years old and living in WindsorTerrace. I should find out what he's up to!
Thanks for your kind words!
Thank you for finally joining our patrol. The team enjoyed your company as well as with Marcus...They all enjoyed your newsletter and I advised them to join you.
Keep doing what you are doing. You are the best.
Thank you Bruce! It was an honor to join the patrol and pleasure to meet everyone on the squad. :)
What happened to the laundromat owner!?! Is the poor soul gone forever?
Lol maybe check the lint screen?
Great story, Sparkles! I've always wondered what's going on with the Guardian Angels, so this was super interesting to read. It tracks with my experience of them too: gathered on street corners in their red berets.
Also your Mayor bits are hilarious! Keep them coming!!
Thanks Jillian! I’m sure there’s a ton more going on with the GAs then I was able to capture here but a little slice is fun, right?
So fun! Especially the code names!
You wouldn't think McDonald's would be part of the deep state would you?! Maybe revisit pink puffy coat lady if you get a chance to learn her views on life in general! That was great about the guardian angels! And I can't believe you get to go back to that cool cool Behr Mansion! Especially on Halloween night!
Anne, you would look so BAD ASS in one of those Guardian Angel Red Jackets. Just saying! [🎤drop]
LOL! Joining the GA is one of many things I’d love to do if I had unlimited free time. Free combat training! Id probably be more of liability than an asset for them though.
“One of the saddest days of my life—and I remember it like it was yesterday—my mother sat me down and she says, ‘Baby, I need to be honest with you. You’re not Sicilian!’”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9XQDofW17A
:-)
Ah I had no idea it was a reference. The perils of not being a movie buff!
It may not have been, that’s just where my mind went when I read that. Your mayor sounds like he has a great sense of humour. Thanks again for a delightful read and enjoyable way to start my week.
Hi Anne.
Great post. I love the way you get beyond the mundane and find amazing stories. Love this one.
Thank you.
Oh thank you Martin! That means a lot!!
If Pink Quilted Jacket Lady doesn't get her own CAFÉ dedicated issue, it's a crime against the internet.
OMG, wouldn't that be amazing!
I love seeing photos of you out and about in NYC!! (both in here and in Ralph's post. I vote for more 'photos of Anne out and about in NYC' content!!
Haha don't encourage me Alex! If I gave into my worst impulses the whole newsletter would be selfies in the city, cuss-laden rants and songs about my dog.
I think we need at least one Cafe Anne issue that is All Of Anne's Worst Impulses plzzzz
LOL I love this idea. I am actually putting it on my to-do list.
THE PEOPLE NEED THIS
It's great to see and hear about people who care about their community. Good article.
Thank you Pennie! I'm glad you enjoyed it!