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“La vie, la vie à un sou le petit verre!” The early modern Parisian water-carrier’s cry did not mention water at all. “Life, life, but a sou a glass!” He bought and sold “life,” and “life” sold well. In seventeenth and eighteenth century Paris it was forbidden to draw water from the Seine. The river was the depository of all manner of human, animal, and industrial waste, and as a result long since declared unfit for drinking or bathing. In the Dutch cities to the north it was common to have a well in your own courtyard. By contrast, Paris’s 700,000 residents had to share a rather small number of public fountains. Queuing was guaranteed. Enter the “Parisian water-carrier.” The “ porteur d’eau ” began at dawn. Thanks to eighteenth century French sculptor Edmé Bouchardon, we have a clear picture of what the Parisian water-carrier looked like. The tools of his trade were in his uniform. For a small investment—two buckets, a strap, a hoop, and a licence—an able-bodied man could claim the ...

Monterey County Supervisors address... MONTEREY COUNTY , Calif. - The Monterey County Board of Supervisors will discuss the issue of illegal camping on Lapis Road when they reconvene on Tuesday. District 4 Supervisor Jane Parker confirmed an agenda item is in the works with input from the Department of Social Services, the Monterey County Sheriff 's Office, Public Works and Environmental Health. The Monterey County Sheriff 's Office said the proposal could possibly allow campers to stay on the county-owned road until a permanent safe parking program was established.The director of the Department of Social Services said there wasn't a specific timeframe, but added a hopeful person would say it would be up and running in 90 days. However, a fix is delicate and not simple, balancing the needs of the entire community and the homeless population."It will be important that we identify the right locations for safe parking," Robinson said. "It will be important ...

The developer of a proposed 195-unit apartment-hotel complex at the former Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury is seeking Town of Hempstead approval to change the zoning from industrial to cluster residential housing . The potential zoning change would make way for the estimated $25 million development -- The Portofino -- near Zeckendorf Boulevard and Corporate Drive. The development, spearheaded by the Beechwood Organization , a residential developer based in Jericho, would be designed to attract young people . Most Popular "It employs a lot of principles of smart growth," Beechwood principal Michael Dubb said about the proposed development near Roosevelt Field mall . "It is a walkable community. You can walk to the supermarket, the restaurants and the movies." The town board plans to hold hearings on the proposal Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the pavilion adjacent to Hempstead Town Hall . The proposed six- floor apartment hotel would sit on 5 1/2 acres and compris...

More homes and yet more homes are going in, with new communities popping up . San Pablo The Silverfield Group of Jacksonville has purchased 21.85 acres at the north end of Pablo Point Drive , nestled in between Pablo Point to the south and Queen’s Harbour to the north. With mostly marsh to the east, it’s about the last bit of buildable land in the immediate area. There, they’re going to put Waterside at San Pablo , a single- family community zoned for up to 42 lots, a minimum of 90-100 feet wide. Home prices are expected to be in the $400s to $600s. Leed Silverfield said the project is still in design and engineering, but they hope to break ground early next year. Builders haven’t been chosen. He said it hasn’t been determined if it will be gated. Silverfield paid $1,175,000 for the property, buying it from the Hodges family. Ponte Vedra A new 23-lot, single- home community is going into Ponte Vedra Beach . EvenTide at 1044 Ponte Vedra Blvd . is being developed by GreenPointe Comm...

The former BP station on East Post Road in White Plains. Photo by Bill Heltzel The White Plains Housing Authority has sued BP Products North America for allegedly contaminating water and soil at a former gas station near Winbrook Apartments . A toxic plume under the former BP station at 34 E. Post Road, the housing authority claims , has migrated toward an apartment building. The plume allegedly threatens the health of residents and potentially jeopardizes financing for a $350 million plan to replace five buildings. The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 17 in federal court in White Plains. BP did not respond to a voicemail and an email request for comment. Winbrook is the city’s oldest public housing site , comprising five 90- unit structures built in the late 1940s. The apartments are in downtown White Plains on South Lexington Avenue , Fisher Court and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr . Boulevard. The gas station was next to Winbrook’s Building 33, home of about 350 residents. BP owned or o...