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Occasionally , a local news story reduces the mess of New York City gentrification to its essential boorishness. Earlier this year, a Torontonian opened a “ boozy sandwich shop ,” according to the eatery’s Web site, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood built on a gentle slope. One might speculate that it was this topography that inspired Becca Brennan, a former attorney and the business’s owner, to name her new establishment Summerhill. One might also surmise that Brennan had reached a bogeyman’s conclusion about the recent demographics of Crown Heights. Last month, Gothamist reported that Brennan had issued a press release featuring a photo of a radioactive-looking cocktail against a dented green wall . “Yes, that bullet hole-ridden wall was originally there, and yes, we’re keeping it,” the release boasted. Brennan’s belief—that the previous renters, bodega proprietors, had operated a clandestine weapons ring in the back of the store—was quickly debunked on social media; on Su...

Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation. OAKLAND — Derek Carr was back at the Coliseum Saturday night , looking for the most part like the guy who led the Raiders to a dozen wins last season. Marshawn Lynch sat for the national anthem, but it’s doubtful the home fan base will get too worked up about it based his first two carries in silver and black. As for the first-team defense, the fans will be in a state of high anxiety until the regular- season opener based on how the Raiders were picked apart by second- year quarterback Jared Goff in a 24-21 exhibition loss to the Los Angeles Rams . The Rams pulled it out when former Foothill High star Sean Mannion threw a 20- yard touchdown pass to Josh Reynolds against Chris Humes with 1:11 to play. Goff led the Rams to a 17-14 halftime lead and completed 16 of 20 passes for 160 yards and a 23- yard touchdown pass , looking nothing like the unsure rookie who was last year’s No. 1 pick out ...

Tiffany Thompson put herself out there. In a pink bra, black pencil skirt , and black pumps, her hair pulled back in a tight bun, a black choker tied around her neck, she stands in front of a wrought-iron fence on a sidewalk at night. Presumably it is in front of the Short North Carriage House , a vacation rental that Ezekiel Elliott’s father had rented for his 21st birthday in Columbus, Ohio’s equivalent of Uptown. She stands, expressionless, for a series of police photographs of her bruises — on her arms and wrists. There are several shots of her hands, but those don’t appear to be injured in the photos. In the police report there is a diagram, essentially a pencil drawing of a female figure where injuries can be marked. Ten areas are circled and marked with a “V” for “Visible Bruise, Mark or Injury,” from her neck to her knees. Like everyone else, I had been reading snippets about the allegations of domestic violence against the Dallas Cowboys’ star running back in news reports ...

Aug 16, 2017 The first time Captain Noorullah Aminyar traveled to the United States, in 2012, he felt calm and peaceful in a way he never had before. Back home in Afghanistan, he had slept fully clothed , boots on, hand on his rifle. The Taliban attacked every night, and he had to be ready. "But when I come to America," he told me, "I have no stress in America. I sleep good. I tell you, I have no stress. It was really easy. It was a good thing. You feel safe. I was born in the war. I grew up in the war. Always, your life is in danger. You find a little safe time, for sure you'll be happy." Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Advertisement - Continue Reading Below For Aminyar, then twenty-eight, coming to America was an honor and an achievement. He attended the prestigious Defense Language Institute in San Antonio, the culmination of more than a decade of studying English, followed by a basic infantry officer 's course at Fort Benning, Georgia, with Ame...