Author Archives: Yelena Melnichenko

About Yelena Melnichenko

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Profile Questions – Bensonhurst

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Questions for Michaela S.

1) What specific demographic changes have you noticed over time? How have they affected you personally?

2) What kind of drawbacks, or downsides, do you think come along with this kind of gentrification?

3) What was the neighborhood like when you first lived here? What has changed that you wish hadn’t?

4) Do you know many people that have lived in Bensonhurst their entire lives? How have neighborhood changes impacted their growth/experience?

5) What kind of future do you foresee for Bensonhurst? Why?

Additional Possible Questions

1) Are more people moving into Bensonhurst than out? For what reasons do you think?

2) With the following information in mind:
Median Household Income Owner Occupied: $73,660
Median Housing Cost: $664,000 (To buy)
Median Household Income Renter Occupied: $42,071
Average Housing Cost: $1,700 (To rent)

Do you think these living standards are affordable? How do you think they’ve impacted the neighborhood and it’s demographic?

[Aside: With a $664,000 cost, at approximately 10% down, with 5% interest and a 15-year mortgage plan, the average cost per month should be $3,500.]

Amanda Burden Response

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“Amanda Burden Wants to Remake New York…” was a somewhat interesting read. However, I found that the profile lacked a lot of personable details. Julie Satow, author of the article, clearly illustrated effort but hadn’t quite hit the mark in my opinion.

In order to describe Amanda’s appearance and surroundings, Julie used a string of adjectives and direct statements. This straight-to-the-point approach did little for the piece and not only seemed forced but also insincere. Throughout the rest of the article, it seemed as though Julie was far more comfortable with facts and statistics than with personal description. Instead of helping readers along by unraveling details about Amanda’s past and present endeavors, she simply stated them one after the other in sequence and separated one part of the story from the other.

Writing a profile piece is a great way to engage readers and tug at their heartstrings. Thus, I believe that a successful profile should have a fair balance between personal interest topics and data. Without personality, sincerity, and flow, it’s a difficult thing to accomplish. And, although Satow makes the effort, she doesn’t quite grasp the personable aspects of Amanda’s life and seems to focus her piece solely on the projects and the business aspect. She struggles to make her writing flow freely and break through the tight constraints of journalistic writing just long enough to accomplish a well written piece.

Even so, I think that even her reporting could use a little work. It follows traditional guidelines but it’s somewhat rigid and lacks a bit of her own personality as well.

5 Questions on Bensonhurst

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#1. How can I find the population demographic by nationality in Bensonhurst?

#2. Is it possible to find an archive of crimes in the area and their type? And is it possible to find details about the parties involved?

#3. Aside from the community board, where would I be able to find a summary of the community’s focus and concerns?

#4. Where do you find the community’s median income by year?

#5. Is it possible to find a compilation of businesses in the area and how long they’ve been there?

Response to “Here is New York”

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E.B. White’s “Here is New York”, although published over 50 years ago, highlights a variety of aspects of city living that still ring true today. Although technological advances have been made over time, and neighborhoods have changed, the very essence of New York City has remained the same. I don’t believe it’s the shops that make the difference. It is the nitty gritty pieces of New York life that help us recognize and differentiate our city.

It seems as though, in the time that has passed, the bustling city life, the ever reaching skyline, and the architecture have only grown bolder. The population has changed but the parks still flourish, businesses run, and every man and woman on the street know this is New York.

While reading the book, I don’t think It occurred to me more than once or twice that this book was written in the late 40’s. His description of the city is so relevant to modern day New York City life that, without the small distinctions, it would be hard to date. New York’s tiny self sustainable neighborhoods with varieties of shops and businesses, the raging traffic hours, and the habits of the natives are simply spot on in his book.

If I’d written this book today, I’d have tried to describe the beauty of New York as it’s always been. I’d incorporate the beauty of its busyness, and the hopeful atmosphere that hangs around the corners, and try not to define this city life by jamming the book with references to modern day advertising, technology, and other things that haven’t contributed as greatly to its prestige.