The Salumeria’s Big (Mozzarella) Cheese

There’s one central aisle at Dave & Tony Salumeria. Narrow as a needle and straight as an arrow, it is packed with Italian pastas and cookies, bunches of herbs and cans of tomatoes and olive oil. Dave & Tony Salumeria on 30th Avenue at 36th Street. At the back, it cuts to the right, making a short square that bypasses the meat, cheese, sausage and sandwich counter before rejoining the main artery. Right now, it’s empty. Well, that’s not quite accurate. Albie’s walking…

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The Leaders of the Band

The map on the wall is punctuated with round red pins that look like Rudolph’s reindeer nose. Each one of them, Ben Taylor explains, marks the spot where Beecher’s Fault, the band he leads with Ken Lamken, has played. The dots, nearly two dozen in number, travel up and down, round and round and sideways along the East Coast. Ken’s a native of New Jersey. Last night, the dot was Lancaster, Pennsylvania. By the time Ken and Ben and bandmates Max Maples (drums), Serge Ruccolo (bass)…

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This Cafe In Queens Is Every Dog and Coffee Lover’s Dream

Astoria Characters: The 5-Bark Barista A chocolate Chihuahua, leading a leash-holding woman, prances into Chateau le Woof. Rocky, for that is his name, is a regular. He’s coming to meet his girlfriend, Lola, who’s sitting pretty in a sweet sweater on the sofa. Follow the barks to Chateau le Woof on 14th St. at 30th Ave. Photo by Nancy A. Ruhling In puppy love, they romp around and run in circles while everyone coos and oohs at their coy cuteness. Soon, they are joined by a parade of…

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The Ex-Cop on the Legal Beat

Bankruptcy is not as bad as you think. Before you dismiss this seemingly novel idea, give Phill Mahony a chance to explain it to you. “Unfortunately, there’s a stigma attached to bankruptcy,” he says. “But it doesn’t represent failure. The bankruptcy code really puts people on their feet. You come out like a new person. It’s really a good deal.” Phill has his own law practice. Phill, let the record show, is a lawyer, but this is not mere legal speak. It’s…

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