The neighborhood

What's gone:

For 61 years Anthony and Sally Amato created and ran the Amato Opera Company.  It was located on the Bowery just where Bleecker Street begins. It was there when I first moved to the area, but it had many homes.  The first was at Our Lady Of Pompeii church in the west village.  Anthony was the Director, and his wife Sally sang.  The theater had 107 seats and a 20 foot stage.  Seats cost about $30.  It closed 5/31/09.  Sally had passed away and Tony had other things he wanted to do.  He also worked as the Director of The Opera Workshop at the American Theater Wing, where he got a lot of his singers.  He's 90.
Still here but changing:

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art:
This is the main building at the Bowery and Astor Place.  Founded by Peter Cooper in 1859, it was created by him to reflect his belief that the highest quality of education should be "free as air and water".  All students are admitted on merit alone and are provided with a full scholarship.  It is estimated that the scholarship is worth $140,000.  The university is comprised of Art, Engineering and Architecture schools.  It is consistently ranked among the best schools in the country.  Newsweek in 2010 ranked it #1 as the most desirable small school and # 7 as most desirable overall.  The Great Hall in the basement of the building is famous for hosting Abraham Lincoln's speech opposing the extension of slavery into the new territories.  Presidents continue to come to the Great Hall to speak on important topics.  President Obama was there on 4/22/2010 to give a speech on economic policy.  The economic policy at Cooper Union may change.  They are thinking of charging tuition.
John Steinbeck said  America will never be a socialist country.  The people don't consider themselves oppressed.  They see themselves as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.