Despite continuing Cassandra-lph cries, in last 48 hours I have spotted
plenty of giant wisteria vines around town, and no sign of loss of life or
increased insurance premiums.  Huge wisteria on the east face of Henderson
Place brick 1882 rowhouses (86th-87th, East End Avenue), and a giant mat of
the stuff literally covering the from of 105 East 64th (which photographic
evidence indicates was started in 1948).  No dead or injured reported. Women
and children not affrighted, horses not bolting.  Plant haters: please
inspect and offer your direst opinions.

Also noted examined front of high-rise Dalton School, 108 East 89th (designed
1926 by Richard H. Dana; mutilated 1962 et seq. by Ferrenz & Taylor and
others) double-height pair of engaged Roman Doric columns, half round, about
20 feet high, limestone.  On these columns, the outside faces - that is the
quarters facing directly away from the doorway they flank) have been weather
roughened (with the fine grains of the stone removed, leaving the rougher
grains),  Upon consideration, it appears that the weathering (in this case)
is actually rain washing down the front of the building and onto the outer
faces of the columns.  But the inner faces - slightly protected by the plinth
above - are not rain-runoff washed, and thus retain their smooth (original)
finish.  Possible acid-rain component?

Signed, Christopher "IV League" Gray