The Stand-Up Mom

It’s a warm, sunny day, so 2-year-old Ani is dancing around the apartment in anticipation of playing outside. Her mother, Christine Serdjenian Yearwood, has piled the little girl’s unruly ringlets onto the top of her head and has managed to get her to stand still long enough to strap on her sneakers.   Christine became a mother two years ago. They are pink. Ani, who is holding a baby doll, likes them because they are covered in sparkly sequins and light up when she walks. Since…

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The Bug Buster

There’s a fly buzzing around the office. Instead of trying to swat it, Gil Bloom, president of Standard Pest Management, watches in wonder as it wings its way his way. Although Gil makes his living ridding the world of the creepy crawlers that give us the creeps and the shrieks, he’s in awe of them.   Gil’s the president of Standard Pest Management.   “The insects and rodents that we consider pests are industrious, efficient and creative because they have the ability…

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The Face Behind the Mural

Every day, Ron Hall walks three and a half miles. He’s a heavy smoker, has been for 42 years, and he figures that the exercise cancels out the tobacco.   Ron started drawing when he was 10. Now, his strolls have an added purpose: They give him the opportunity to pass by his mural. With support from the community, he painted on the 8th-Street side of the deli on Astoria Boulevard where Two Coves Community Garden meets the Astoria Houses projects.   Ron’s mural on 8th Street…

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The Iron Men

Belmont. JFK Airport. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The World Financial Center. Con Ed. Lincoln Center. Yankee Stadium. The Metropolitan Opera House. The World Trade Center. Aqueduct.   Harvey has been working for Empire City Iron Works since 1961.    As Harvey A. Heffner is reciting this auspicious list, his younger brother, Edward D. Heffner, interrupts: Don’t forget the 1964 World’s Fair. Oh, yes, Harvey says, we did 16 pavilions there. Sixteen! It was a rush job,…

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