In a message dated 1/5/2008 9:03:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: So, are we still milking hedgehogs or have we moved on to another subject? Ruth No hedgehog milking in Joisey, least not in MY part. Must be a Lawn Gyland thing. On the other hand, Chrif had a very interesting piece about an 1880's Moorish synagogue (by the architects of the original Bloomingdales' store) which got converted into a Colonial Revival store in the 1910's (when the Jews moved across town and built another vaguely-Moorish building, which a few years ago had its interior Osterized by rabbis who wanted their congregation to be able to dance) and is now going to become the base of a 12-story residential building. Assuming the real estate bubble doesn't burst in its facade. And speaking of Osterizing interiors, that appears to have happened all over the financial district, to all sorts of fabulous old buildings which have been chopped up into teensy little apartments. Where did the businesses (including banks) go that used to be in these buildings? God knows what was left of the office buildings before the developers got to them, but there ain't nothin' but sheetrock, hollow metal doors and unseasoned and shrinking hardwood floors now. And tax credits. Ralph **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -- To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>