election day in the flatiron.

The financial crisis has dominated headlines lately, but economic worries weren't the main issue for Flatiron retailers and customers this Election Day. "Business has been slightly slower than usual, but that's not my main focus in this election," Jlee Maldonado, 26, who works at Alma Salon and Spa on East 21st Street and voted for Obama, said. "My family is thinking about healthcare and education. I want to see the end of the war."

Obama's foreign policy was the deciding factor for Roseline Dipty, 28, a manager at the Universal Force Healing Center. However, the economic issue played a small role in her decision. "McCain's tax cuts just seem like what we're already seeing with Bush," she said. "Obama seems more focused on helping individuals, not corporations."

Hilda Davis, 51, who headed to the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park after voting, echoed Dipty's sentiments. "Obama just seems like he will create more jobs for regular people," she said.

But most agree that the economic issue isn't at the forefront of the election. Monica Gmochowska, a financial controller at Full Picture, one of the many Flatiron public relations firms, hasn't seen much change in business recently. She also doesn't think that the candidates' economic policies really matter. "Economic stimulus isn't so much about who the President is, but about Congress's actions. Bills have to pass the House and Senate first," she said.

Others were swayed by simpler reasons. "I have more good feelings about McCain," Amy Nelson, 21, a salesgirl at the East 20th Street pet boutique Trixie+Peanut, said. "I voted mostly on intuition."

the seven deadly sins.

In honor of everyone’s favorite October holiday – Halloween – here’s a list to help even the most straitlaced of us be a little sinful.

Lust
The Museum of Sex indulges our kinky side with exhibits like Sex Lives of Animals and Robots.
Gluttony
New York Times investigates Curry Hill, the area around Lexington and 28th known for its many Indian restaurants.
Greed
On Oct. 28, watch money fly at Swann’s Auction Galleries's Halloween-themed auction. Items for sale include handcuffs once owned by Harry Houdini (starting at $500).
Sloth
On Monday nights, kick back with a cocktail at Hotel’s Giraffe’s Jazz in the Grande Lobby.
Wrath
Vent your anger while getting a full workout at Ironflower's Wednesday kung fu and boxing class. The first visit is FREE.
Envy
On Oct. 25, envy the toned bods and decadent costumes of Le Scandal Burlesque's performers at Chris Noth's club The Cutting Room.
Pride
Be proud of yourself this month for attending the Community Emergency Response Teams’ free training course starting Oct. 23. Learn about disaster preparedness and volunteer to support your local community.

sins and sensibility.

The Flatiron district is pulsing with issues and activities this month, ranging from the serious to the sinful.

Every third Tuesday, the New York Police Department’s 13th Precinct (which covers the Flatiron district) holds a public community council meeting. This week, Brad Kaufman, medical director of the New York City Fire Department, came to educate residents about Rapid Organ Recovery, a groundbreaking pilot program that will enable doctors to potentially harvest organs from those who die outside of the hospital. “The whole country is watching us,” Kaufman said.

A representative from the District Attorney’s office also came to assure concerned residents that they were working closely with the precinct to crack down on prostitution in the area. According to the precinct’s commanding officer, Captain Tim Beaudette, the precinct has processed five arrests in the last month.

Beaudette also reeled off a few crime statistics that will put residents’ hearts at ease. In the last 28 days, crime has fallen across the board, with a 53 percent drop in robberies and a 20 percent drop in assaults due to heightened club detail breaking up those rowdy early-morning brawls.

Grand larceny, however, was up 21 percent, specifically in bike thefts. Nineteen bikes have been stolen in the last 28 days, so invest in an extra-strong chain for your wheels. Flatiron businesses, take note: The Department of Transportation will also install free bike racks outside your store upon request.

The economic crisis is finally beginning to hit the Flatiron. The Village Voice looks at the crippled Downtown lease market – the Flatiron district fell 83 percent short of its monthly average.

But there will always be money in the area: just look at the stats on this year’s Big Apple Block Party, restaurateur Danny Meyer’s annual food-fundraiser for the Madison Square Park Conservancy. The event raised $82,500, serving up an impressive amount of food that included 8,460 lbs of baby-back ribs and 32,488 bottles of Snapple.

And the Park is using those funds well, hosting yet another fascinating art installation. Pulse Park, an interactive nighttime light show, will be on view beginning Oct. 24.

flatiron happenings

In these volatile times, a lot of us are feeling the pinch. But read about the Flatiron district in the news and you’d never know it.

So many new luxury condominiums are coming up in the area that even Dubai, a city where new buildings pop up more often than pictures of Paris Hilton in Us Weekly, is taking notice. Real estate prices continue to skyrocket, a trend we’ve seen for the last couple of years.

“Meltdown? What meltdown?” the New York Observer asks about the crowd at the new French restaurant Allegretti on West 22^nd Street. New Yorkers may be losing money, but they haven’t lost their appetites as they chow down on gnocchi and other Provençal dishes at the Flatiron’s newest dining spot.

The party is still hopping in the Flatiron clubs. The area’s hot new restaurants, shops, and clubs have helped bolster the district's prosperity. But unfortunately, wealth isn’t the only thing that the new establishments have brought to the neighborhood. Clubs have contributed not only to a rise in rents, but also in disorder and occasionally, violent crime.

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Seeing as most of us are now a little bit poorer than we were yesterday, here is a list of free events coming up in the Flatiron district. Hey, Alan Greenspan, it turns out that sometimes, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Enjoy!

ART

From October 2: “Tadashi Kawamata: Tree Huts”

Look upward if you're in Madison Square Park: an art installation of small “tree huts” will be set up until the end of the year.

MUSIC

October 4: Sally Spring + Amy Speace and the Tearjerks

Part of a weekly Saturday concert series, these folk singers will be serenading the Flatiron crowd this weekend at 3 p.m.

FOOD

Fridays: Factory Fridays at Vere Chocolate Factory

You don’t need a Golden Ticket to get into Manhattan’s version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Visit Vere every Friday from 12 to 6 p.m. for a free tour and chocolate samples.

PLAY

October 18: Fall Kids Fest 2008 at Madison Square Park

This day of family fun promises live music, snacks from Whole Foods, a pumpkin patch, and a kids’ Halloween Parade. If you are afraid of clowns, though, stay far, far away.

Saturdays: Rebel Waltz at Aspen

For a night of clubbing without ridiculous cover charges, head to Aspen at 30 W. 22^nd St. for a dance party featuring a heady mix of everything from hip-hop to techno.

LEARN

October 15: Meet Councilwoman Rosie Mendez

Councilwoman Mendez of the 2^nd Council District addresses key issues facing the Flatiron neighborhood. There will also be a complimentary breakfast!