The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 17, NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2021 $2.00 2020—The Return of the Depression? By George Capsis apartment construction in Manhattan came to a dead stop; you can easily tell pre- If you go online right now you can find half Depression apartment buildings—they are a dozen articles on the precipitous drop English Tudor. (English Tudor was con- in the New York City real-estate market sidered the rich man’s style.) Those on brought about by the pandemic. In reading the west side of Washington Square are them I encounter terms that are very famil- perhaps the largest and fanciest examples iar to me, which I discovered when apart- we have in the Village. In the very largest ment-hunting with my mother during the is the residence of the president of NYU. depths of the Depression. The bulk of the five story tenements that Now, when Dusty drives me up Sixth undulate over the five-borough landscape Avenue past the RCA building in which of the city were designed in what might be I worked for RCA a half-century ago, I called Renaissance architectural style, with am disconcerted to see the streets nearly heavy sheet metal roof cornices and large empty of office workers or even tourists. keystone heads over some of the windows— Yesterday I read that owners of the empty architecture you can find in Florence or office towers are thinking of converting Rome. I used to think this was due to the in- them into apartment buildings! Photo credit: Library of Congress. When the Depression hit, in 1929, all continued on page 18 Working to Save West Village Restaurants at saverestaurants.com/take-action/ who wrote to us in time was Laurence Edel- signed primarily for delivery and take out. However, it was pretty clear, even be- man, Chef and Co-owner of Left Bank, on Having Poulet Sans Tete well established fore the stimulus package was passed, that Greenwich Street, whose response we are by March 2020, when the shut-downs were it was not going to begin to cover the fi- happy to be able to include herewith: implemented city wide, enabled us to keep nancial needs of our area's bars and restau- Since 2011, our unspoken motto at Left our restaurant open, let us keep a portion rants. Which is why—since they are such Bank has been: "We never close." That is, we of our staff employed, and gave us a small a vital part of our neighborhood—we felt never close because we've been compelled to revenue stream, enough to buy food, cover we needed to try to save them by coming close by some outside influence be it weather, payroll and taxes, and pay a percentage of up with some serious specific alternative financial burden, or God forbid—and some- our monthly rent obligation. At a very support systems closer to home. And why thing I could never have dreamed would be scary time in the city, when public health Caroline Benveniste and I wrote to local possible—political pressure. This energy had become something that we could no restaurants asking them for their input on drove us to build a business culture that could longer take for granted, when nearly every possible practical solutions by telling us: withstand extreme hardship, and in a sense, I small business, and big business, and every 1. How you've been managing to keep feel like we've been training for 2020 and the restaurant in the city had closed, we were your restaurant open so far pandemic, for the last ten years. quietly doing the work that we set out to 2. The financial burden involved Everything we do is guided by the prin- do; keeping our customers and neighbors LEFT BANK'S EMPTY BAR AREA following 3. How much longer you imagine you ciple that we want to be here for a long and friends fed, and keeping our working the December 14th shutdown. Photo by can keep going time. What little money there is to be made family as secure as were were able. Maggie Berkvist. 4. What solutions you would suggest in the restaurant business gets reinvested to None of this has been easy. I feel like to help this neighborhood's restau- bolster our chances for long term success. we've been reinventing the wheel every By Maggie Berkvist rants and bars stay afloat. To that end, a few years ago we launched week for the last nine months and we still Back in early December, a number of us signed There was one problem—the January is- a new product line called Poulet Sans Tete, don't have a working wheel. The feeling of a petition to Senators Schumer and Maloney sue was closing! And the only restaurateur which is a rotisserie chicken concept de- continued on page 13 City Winery Birds of 2020 Election Primer Reborn at Pier 57, City Finalists for the annual Information about the Winery has found a Millie Awards revealed. primary election coming to breathtaking new home. the West Village in June.

SEE PAGE 17 SEE PAGE 26 SEE PAGE 28 SEE PAGE 8 2 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections West Village.

Publisher Small Business Owner major Democratic Primary election victories have a billion more people before the end Executive Editor Appreciates Support around the nation (like in Illinois in 1986) led of this millennium, century, decade, and George Capsis to the targeting of LaRouche by a combina- the vast majority, 80%, are going to have Managing Editor and Art Director It was such an amazing experience to have tion of Bush Family operators in the Depart- beautiful, darker skin. And they’re going Kim Plosia met Karilyn Prisco, who immediately sup- ment of Justice like William Weld, major to live short lives, short lives of sickness, Advertising Manager and Designer ported my small business at a local street news media, like NBC, the New York Times hunger, pain, ignorance, and violence, un- Stephanie Phelan bazaar on Bleecker and Carmine off 6th and the Washington Post, and Wall Street less we act radically. And these books have Traffic Manager Avenue that has been running for over weapons dealers like John Train, who hosted ideas. Some will work, some won’t work, Liza Whiting ten years. Most small businesses are strug- a meeting with major media representatives but they’re ideas. They can be “tested in the Photo Editor gling during this very intense pandemic to create a narrative based on the phrase “po- marketplace,” as we used to say. Darielle Smolian and these opportunities really encourage litical extremist Lyndon LaRouche.” “And the government came in with a false Photographers us all not to give up. Businesses all around Finally, in 1989, LaRouche was convicted bankruptcy claim, against a non-profit pub- Maggie Berkvist town have closed their shop's doors, and it on phony charges of “mail fraud,” and “con- lishing house, and shut ’em down! What’s Chris Manis, Bob Cooley makes me feel so blessed and humbled to spiracy” and sentenced to 15 years in pris- the First Amendment worth? “We’ll silence Associate Editors still be pushing through, amidst the odds on. About a dozen of his associates were you, you’ll have no books out there.” Justin Matthews, Anne Olshansky in New York City 2020. also railroaded into prison, with exemplary Ramsey Clark also warned that if the Comptroller As a small business owner, with a staff draconian sentences (77 years for Michael LaRouche case were allowed to stand, that Jolanta Meckauskaite of talented women, I want to send holiday Billington, 86 years for Rochelle Ascher) in it would set a precedent of injustice which Architecture Editor cheer from all of us at MaisonLuxeBeaute. order to terrify others into pleading guilty would haunt the United States for genera- Brian Pape We are a beauty brand that features very and destroying LaRouche’s movement. tions to come. That is now clear with the Business Editor special handmade products that are relat- Enter Ramsey Clark cases of whistle-blowers and journalists Caroline Benveniste able, realistic and reusable over time. It turned out that this political witch like Ed Snowden and Julian Assange, who Fashion Director My niece Hermonie, who is my VP Sales hunt had been noticed by former U.S. At- may die in a British prison for his “crime” Karilyn Prisco & Marketing, is a future medical student who torney General Ramsey Clark, who became of telling the truth about war crimes com- Music and Eldercare Editor received a full scholarship to college. This was LaRouche’s attorney on the appeal. Clark mitted by Anglo-American governments.. Hannah Reimann also very exciting news for her as well. wrote in a 1995 letter to then-Attorney If the American people would like to be Science and LGBTQ Editor It feels so grand to go to the newsstand General Janet Reno, about the LaRouche allowed the simple right of making our own Kambiz Shekdar, PhD and be able to pick up some copies to share case, “I bring this matter to you directly, be- decisions, and not herded into wild conspir- Regular Contributors with my family and friends over the 2020 cause I believe it involves a broader range acy theories about Russia and China hack- J. Taylor Basker, Barry Benepe, holiday season. of deliberate and systematic misconduct and ing elections and everything else, in pre-war Caroline Benveniste, John Gilman, Again, thank you Karilyn for noticing abuse of power over a longer period of time propaganda, and if we like to stop being Mark. M. Green, Robert Heide, Anastasia my work! Special thanks to the publisher, in an effort to destroy a political movement spied on and targeted by social media ma- Kaliabakos, Bob Kroll, Thomas Lamia, Keith Michael, Michael D. Minichiello, editors, and designers—thank you! thank and leader, than any other federal prosecu- nipulators, LaRouche must be finally exon- Penny Mintz, Brian J. Pape, Joy Pape, you! thank you... Happy holidays. Please be tion in my time or to my knowledge.” erated. I know Ramsey Clark would agree. Anthony Paradiso, Roger Paradiso, Bruce Poli, safe and thank you all once again for this In a hearing of the Commission to In- —Diane Sare Alec Pruchnicki, Christina Raccuia, opportunity... vestigate Human Rights Violations, also in Hannah Reimann, Karen Rempel, MaisonLuxeBeaute Staff—Shonna Hawes, 1995 in Virginia, Clark said, “But in what Catherine Revland, Martica Sawin, Praise for WestView Donna Schaper, Stanley Wlodyka Hermonie Ricks, Alasia Ricks, Lopah Jocelyn was a complex and pervasive utilization of Contributor Carol Yost law enforcement, prosecution, media, and We endeavor to publish all letters received, non-governmental organizations focussed WestView's Carol Yost frequently writes to the including those with which we disagree. Ramsey Clark on the on destroying an enemy, this [LaRouche] Daily News' Voice of the People Page. A recent The opinions put forth by contributors LaRouche Case case must be number one. There are some, exchange offered praise for Carol's writing. to WestView do not necessarily reflect the where the government itself may have done views of the publisher or editor. Congratulations Carol! I’d like to thank Bruce Poli for his short ar- more and more wrongfully over a period of Voicer John Colella wrote a response to the WestView welcomes your correspondence, comments, and corrections: ticle about one of the pillars of the Village, time; but the very networking and combi- op-ed by Isaac Zaur (“Is 40 years in prison www.westviewnews.org Ramsey Clark, former Attorney General nation of federal, state, and local agencies, enough?” Nov. 23) with the brutal demand Contact Us of the United States. He quoted Clark as of Executive and even some Legislative and for the inmate, Tommy Nelson, to “rot and (212) 924-5718 saying “no one is listening.” I would like to Judicial branches, of major media and mi- die in prison” for his part in a robbery dur- [email protected] encourage the readers of WestView News to nor local media, and of influential lobbyist ing which a fellow criminal shot off-duty listen to the words of Ramsey Clark about types, the ADL [Anti-Defamation League] police office Anthony Abruzzo to death. the case of the American political figure pre-eminently, this case takes the prize. He calls Isaac Zaur a “shyster lawyer” be- HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Lyndon LaRouche, who passed away in “The purpose can only be seen as de- cause he appeals for mercy to be shown to this 2019 at the age of 96. stroying—more than a political movement, inmate. Perhaps Colella knew Anthony Abru- LaRouche campaigned for the U.S. Presi- more than a political figure—it is those zzo. Nothing can bring back this murdered of- dency eight times, starting in 1976, when two; but it’s a fertile engine of ideas, a com- ficer—man, person, father, husband—even if he ran as a U.S. Labor Party candidate, mon purpose of thinking and studying and Nelson could be jailed for 1,000 years. and subsequently for the Democratic Party analyzing to solve problems, regardless of But the purpose of prison is to be a deter- nomination. In 1980, LaRouche was ad- the impact on the status quo, or on vested rent for crime and to try to serve the greater vocating the development of laser defense interests. It was a deliberate purpose to de- good. Nelson could now do the world a against nuclear missiles, and had a conversa- stroy that at any cost. . . . whole lot more good if he could live a useful tion with Ronald Reagan at a debate, which “In the LaRouche case, they’re book life outside of prison after 40 years of ago- ultimately resulted in President Reagan’s people...They had publishing houses go- nizing over the crime. It could seem insensi- March 1983 speech in which he announced ing on. Important publications. Non-profit tive, but under the circumstances, I think 40 the “Strategic Defense Initiative” to make stuff. This is what they were about: ideas, years is already too long. Nelson is repen- nuclear weapons “impotent and obsolete.” information, social change. Meeting the tant. The purpose of his sentence has been MIA SAYS: If a person never changes her mind This commitment by Reagan, and the needs of human people all over the world, more than accomplished. We gain nothing you can't. Photo by Dusty Berke. fact that LaRouche associates were winning humanity all over the world. We’re going to continued on page 15 www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 3

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Scotty Elyanow Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Manhattan & Brooklyn Market Expert [email protected] M: 917.678.6010 @villagescotty HOW SWEDE IT IS: WestView News’ Photo Editor and advertising campaign producer Darielle Smolian married Swedish journalist Johan Eriksson, in a socially distant but personally intimate ceremony near the historic Bow Bridge in Central Park on December 16, 2020. Joined by a handful of family and friends both in person and online, the couple overcame 2020’s unexpected challenges to successfully end the year in the best way possible. Photo by Christopher Skurat. Livable Streets Part III : Where They Are Headed would obtain light and air. In addition they would be laying out the gravitational grid to carry away the liquid and solid wastes generated by these buildings and providing the drink- ing and washing water used by them along with communica- tion lines, electric, gas and steam power. The final and most expressive power of the street is in the architecture which shapes them. Speaking at “Streetscapes For Wellness,” sponsored by the Fine Arts Federation of NY on December 2, Erick Gregory, a member of the NYC Planning Commission said, “The interaction of buildings with streets is where we can do more planting.” Josh Lang- ham, a member of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene added, “Being outside in the open is the BROADWAY, NORTH OF 17TH STREET: Green streets de- only option for personal interaction with others.” The stron- PARK AVENUE POSTCARD: In 1922, Park Avenue was truly signed and installed by Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner gest example of this is the no longer existing Park Avenue, NYCDOT. Photo by Barry Benepe. a park. which in 1922 was truly a park, without steel walls of parked By Barry Benepe motor vehicles. May it one day revert to its one-time beauty. leave the peace and tranquility of our indoor homes for the Streets along rivers, free of parked cars, clearly define peace and tranquility of our outdoor living rooms, where In the earlier part of this series, I pointed out how our for- the water edge. Battery Park City and the Hudson River we will enjoy an informal association with others in a quiet mer Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan ad- Park both powerfully express the river edge of the city. landscaped environment, part street and part park (It is vanced the design and use of streets to make them more These are most powerfully expressed where Paris borders interesting that Frederick Law Olmsted, the co-designer pedestrian friendly. An excellent example was the reclaim- the Seine River where waterfront cafes abound and pe- with Calvert Vaux of Central Park, claims to have origi- ing of the east side of Broadway above 17th Street for cafe destrians lounge on the pavements, like minnows lying on nated the word “park” to describe their Greensward). Free tables and green plantings. In this segment we will experi- the side of a sleeping whale. Freed of the free parking by of parked cars, our outdoor public spaces will be free to ence streets as a fundamental aspect of urban design and private motor vehicles, public streets are safer to cross al- flow seamlessly into each other. settings for architecture. lowing clear views of on-coming motor vehicles. Vehicle As Janette Sadik-Khan summarized our challenge, When the Commissioners established the 1811 Manhat- speed can be slowed by curving streets as is done by NYC- “When I think of what streets will look like in the next two tan grid, they did much more than direct traffic. They estab- DOT in their Shared Streets designs. decades, I hope that the differences will be visible in the lished the constraints under which buildings would be built Our streets of the future will turn back the clock to way that space is used, with more people walking on more with side yards, rear yards and front yards from which they undo the rubbing out of the city's natural forms. We will attractive sidewalks landscaped with trees and greenery . . . ” 4 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org Vaccines: What to Know By Alec Pruchnicki, MD related to the 1918 flu, as originally thought, It would be wonderful if we had more in- backs vs. another’s, and have everything in many more could have died. formation and more time. place like the polio vaccination programs There is a lot of information about the What is true is the situation we’re in. This virus is new and has different char- of the 1950s and 1960s or the New York COVID vaccines coming out in the media, With 325,000 dead, and counting, and a acteristics from other respiratory viruses. City smallpox vaccination program of 1947 so let’s sort out what’s false, what’s true, mortality rate of 1-2 percent, this is no be- There is a lot we don’t know. Will the vac- (look it up). Also, although there will inev- what’s missing, and, most importantly, nign swine flu. It’s not as bad as the 1918 cines, or the natural immunity of people itably be more side effects (both expected what we should be doing. flu, at least not yet, but it’s serious enough who have recovered from it, provide life- and newly discovered) as millions of people Be prepared for false information on so- that there is an immediate need for action. long protection like the measles vaccine, are vaccinated, consider the newly discov- cial media, either from anti-vaxxers who are Masks, social distancing, and some level life-time protection (or in a minority of ered problems in the context of the already against almost all vaccines, well-meaning of lockdown can all contribute to reducing cases, for a few years) like the pneumococ- rampant disease and deaths. but misinformed individuals, or internet the spread of COVID, but effective vac- cal pneumonia vaccine, or only one-year According to the planned schedule, if trolls who are posting clickbait horror sto- cines are needed to eliminate the virus (or protection like the influenza vaccine? Will there are no significant shortages of supply, ries to get your attention. Side effects from do so as much as possible). To achieve herd the inflammation that COVID produces I will probably be getting the Pfizer vaccine the vaccines are just that, side effects, and immunity by letting it run its course can permanently damage other organs in the by the first week in January and will be giv- have to be put in perspective. A handful of result in millions of deaths before it natu- body in ways we haven’t discovered yet? ing it to my patients as soon as possible. I allergic reactions, or brief side effects (low rally abates. The available vaccines: both Will there be residual damage to the lungs wish I had more time to review all the new temperature, arm tenderness, malaise, etc.) Pfizer’s and Moderna’s have been evalu- after the infection is gone, as there can findings about the disease, the vaccines, have to be balanced against at least 325,000 ated by the Food and Drug Administration be with emphysema, or will there be no and the other environmental modifications dead as of this writing. The worst recent and have been given emergency clearance chronic damage? It might take a long time being used to contain it. But after losing episode of vaccine side effects came in 1976 based on the immediate need. The Centers to answer these questions. several patients, and almost losing a doz- when 40 million Americans were vaccinated for Disease Control, FDA, and numerous Meanwhile, what should we do? Most en more, I don’t think this is the time for against a swine flu that was relatively mild. government health experts have been un- public health experts advocate getting the quiet rumination. Get the vaccine when it About 500 people developed Guillain-Barre dermined by the Trump administration, vaccine, any vaccine, as soon as possible. If becomes available to you unless your physi- syndrome, a severe post-viral paralysis, and but these sources of information are all that there were unlimited doses available and cian or public health guidelines give you a 25-50 died. This side effect was labeled a can be trusted other than the preliminary lots of time, we could plan more carefully, significant reason not to do so. And if you catastrophe, but if the swine flu had been research of the drug companies themselves. balance one vaccine’s benefits and draw- don’t want it, good luck. Pandemic Profiles:Who Are the Contact Tracers? By Drew Davis “Having an understanding of the range of Now that our newspaper’s founder George people living in New York is so important Capsis has been infected with COVID-19, when doing this work—knowing the diverse the pandemic has hit close to home. He and incredibly variously challenged composi- then got a call out of the blue from the tion of the public.” NYC Test & Trace Corps, something any Contact tracers face an immediate hurdle. New Yorker can expect after a positive test Human evolution, having focused on eat- or recent contact with the virus. Contact ing, sleeping, and surviving for eons, turned tracers in this organization hold an inter- its attention towards avoiding telemarket- esting job, spending each day engaging ers— and unexpected calls from strangers in personal conversations with complete are viewed with suspicion. But to do their strangers and reaching every corner of job, contact tracers must quickly form a con- the city from makeshift workspaces con- nection with anyone on the other end of the structed in their apartments. And they’ve line, as if they’re running into them on the accomplished a lot in the last few months. street. The vast diversity of backgrounds in Contact tracers speaking more than 40 the organization allows them to meet peo- languages have reached 100,000 people ple where they are (metaphorically). Com- that tested positive for COVID-19 and AT THE PANDEMIC’S PEAK, the streets, shops and travel hubs of the city were all but ing into a conversation already aware of the more than 125,000 people who may have deserted. The Oculus was barren. Now that city goers are getting back to work, going out, resources and obstacles faced by different been in contact with someone who was in- and reengaging socially, contact tracing is a critical tool for tracking the virus and helping to types of New Yorkers helps contact tracers fected. And the work is paying off—96% fight its spread. Photo by Bob Cooley. lay out feasible plans and advice. of contacts in recent weeks report not hav- The NYC Test & Trace Corps material- ing left home since being called, accord- to slow the pandemic, anyone receiving a backgrounds, and back in late April and May, ized so quickly because they were built on ing to NYC Health + Hospitals test and call from the NYC Test & Trace Corps we all said ‘I can shift gears, hop into action, a foundation that was already there. Thou- trace data metrics and demographic data. should know that the contact tracer’s first and do this work’.” sands of individuals who’ve spent decades To find out exactly who these new public priority is your individual wellbeing. Hunt- Nine months ago, the NYC Test & Trace working for their communities in a variety health workers are, I interviewed Jessica ing down leads, making intense phone call Corps didn’t exist. When COVID-19 burst of different ways were ready to help. See- Morris from the NYC Test & Trace Corps. after intense phone call throughout the into existence, it brought with it a sudden, ing a need for their specific skills and their See highlights from our conversation be- working week and weekend to keep up immense need for contact tracing as quickly knowledge of the myriad different people low for a look into the reality that she and with the pandemic is what it takes to fight as humanly possible. Contact tracers came in this city, this public health force was thousands of other contact tracers have an invisible threat that thrives in dense, so- from all walks of life—Jessica was trained born overnight. While we do what we can been living in order to keep our city safe. cial environments like ours. That’s what it in fine art and architecture—and dropped to keep COVID-19 at bay, rest assured that takes to provide essential resources and in- what they were doing to virtually immerse our contact tracers are watching out for us. “We let people know, right off the bat, why formation about quarantine and contacting themselves in the sea of New Yorkers who, we’re calling—putting their health and safe- healthcare professionals. knowingly or unknowingly, had been ex- Drew Davis has been writing for WestView ty first, then focusing next on helping reduce posed to COVID-19. And that breadth of News for the last year. During the day, he is spread of the virus.” “One of the most impressive parts of the orga- backgrounds has been so important. a medical student. While the organization as a whole works nization is that we do all come from different www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 5 What I Wanted for Christmas Was a Vaccine By Roger Paradiso severe pandemic in recorded history. It was caused by an H1N1 virus. According to the “You’ll know when you get the vaccine, but CDC, an estimated 500 million people (a that also tells you it’s working and that your third of the world’s population contracted body is responding,” former FDA Commis- the virus and at least 50 million people died sioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told CNBC. (675,000 in the United States). She was speaking about the two incred- Did you know that the AIDS virus has WORLD-CLASS ible vaccines that have emerged just in infected more than 70 million people and time—thanks to a massive mobilization of about 35 million have died since the late MULTISPECIALTY CARE government and private money, and public 1980’s according to the World Health Or- and private research and ingenuity. ganization? Do you think the families of IN CHELSEA These two vaccines, the Pfizer and Mod- the 35 million dead would want a vaccine? erna, are the first serious threats to the sur- Today, the disease ravages the third world vival of COVID-19 as a pandemic. Perhaps and there is no cure. There is an antiviral others will be developed in the coming drug that manages the disease, and if treat- months and provide enough coverage for ed early, most afflicted with AIDS can live the entire world before the summer is over. a normal life by taking the medication. For our country this is a welcome sign. So, when the FDA, doctors, and regula- Currently, we are losing the war against tory agencies from around the world say we COVID-19. More than 18.8 million cases have two vaccines ready to go that are over 94 NYU Langone Medical Associates—Chelsea have been reported in the U.S. and more percent effective, we should cheer. We should is open for all in-person appointments with our than 331 thousand people have died. The cheer like those parents did when Dr. Salk disease will not go away on its own as some and Dr. Sabin developed effective polio vac- care team that specializes in: have said. It will battle us until we kill it or cines back in the 1950s. I remember going at least beat it back towards extinction. to the playground in grade school and being • Allergy and Immunology • Pediatric Allergy How do we defeat infectious diseases? given a sugar cube with the Sabin vaccine. We find a vaccine which protects us from At this point, 23 million people around • Cardiology • Pediatric Cardiology getting the virus, or at the least keeps us the world have died of polio, according to • Endocrinology • Pulmonary Medicine from dying. And we vaccinate at least 70 the USDA. But it has been almost com- percent of the world’s population. pletely eradicated across the globe by vac- • Internal Medicine • Sleep Medicine Are we willing to subject ourselves to a cination. Nevertheless, there are people new vaccine? Fifty-eight percent of Ameri- who are still skeptical, and they should be. Your peace of mind is important to us. Please cans in the latest Gallup poll said they would Without dissent we cannot argue the ef- know that we follow strict procedures to make get a COVID-19 vaccine, up from a low of ficacy of these vaccines. sure your visit takes place in a safe environment. 50 percent in September. So, what are the You should know that both Pfizer and concerns of the remaining 42 percent? Let’s Moderna have finished Phase 3 of the tri- do a quick review of the history of modern als, with over 60 million people given the If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please make a vaccination before we address that concern. vaccine or the placebo. Pfizer’s and Mode- video visit appointment with one of our primary care Flu vaccines are usually 50-80 percent na’s vaccines proved to be more than 94 doctors, or use NYU Langone’s Virtual Urgent Care, successful in keeping us from getting the percent effective in preventing symptom- available 24/7. flu, which kills 25-70 thousand (mostly el- atic COVID-19, according to data from derly) people a year in the USA alone. large-scale clinical trials. The 1918 Spanish Flu caused the most continued on page 18 To make an in-person appointment, visit nyulangone.org/chelseamedical or use the NYU Langone Health app.

NYU Langone Medical Associates—Chelsea 160 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10001 Phone: 646-660-9999

Named one of the top 10 hospitals in the country and nationally ranked in 15 specialties.

Illustration by Jim Meadows. 6 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org Being Black Isn’t a Crime gun and opened fire. Mr. Hill fell to the protests there, but little was said elsewhere. dressing them. The NYPD budget in New ground. Then, the audio recording started. And, yes, although 3,000 Americans a day York is close to $8 billion, more than the Officer Coy, still pointing his gun, ordered were dying from COVID-19, the response combined budgets of the Departments of Mr. Hill to put his hands to his side and was massively quiet. Health, Homeless Services, and Youth and roll onto his stomach. “Don’t f—n move, There are two big themes which we need Community Development combined. NYC dude,” Officer Coy said as he patted down to draw out of 2020. The first is the woe- spends more on the NYPD than on build- a groaning Mr. Hill. “Roll over, dude.” Mr. ful inadequacy of our healthcare system. ing affordable housing; and our schools are Hill did not roll over. No first aid was ad- It remains a profit-making machine, led woefully underfunded. What we need to fo- ministered. He was dead. by mega-hospitals and behemoth insur- cus on to address systemic racism—housing, 2020 will be “best” remembered as the ance companies. Our only local hospital education, and healthcare—suffers because Year of the Pandemic. The year when a in Lower Manhattan, Beth Israel, had 400 we spend too much on sending armed uni- president who took little responsibility for beds in mothballs until Penny Mintz and I formed officers to deal with problems that fighting COVID-19 will be remembered pulled what the hospital called a “publicity they should not be addressing. (among other reasons) as being responsible stunt” outside their front door on March This is not a condemnation of all cops. for more deaths (in the US) than any other 19th. Then they opened the beds, and now As a labor lawyer I have represented law president in US history. But in late May, as say those beds will remain available. But enforcement unions (court officers and traf- COVID-19 cases temporarily started to de- the system must be fixed; and profit-mak- fic agents) and individuals in law enforce- cline, we were distracted for six weeks by the ing must be taken out of healthcare. ment (at the Port Authority). The problem killing of George Floyd by a cop in Min- The second theme is race, and its role is that there is no leadership at the top to RESIST HATE, RESIST CRUELTY, RESIST neapolis. Demonstrations by angry protes- in our society. And not just the need to be make things better. I was a big supporter of CORRUPTION: As we start 2021, do not for- tors ensued for weeks, some violent, and self-reflective and wring our hands. The Bill de Blasio in 2013, but his leadership this get about George Floyd, or Andre Maurice for a few weeks 80 percent of Americans emphasis during this past June must be year has been disastrous. So too has been the Hill. Selfie photo by Arthur Schwartz. supported the Black Lives Matter move- revived. The NY Times recently pointed absence of leadership from our City Council ment. We saw streets painted, Confederate out (December 4, 2020, Why Did Racial member and Speaker Corey Johnson, who By Arthur Z. Schwartz monuments toppled, and hand-wringing Progress Stall in America?) that every time seems to have disappeared from sight. None confessions by the media, government of- advances occur, the body-politic in the US of these leaders have had a plan. In 2013 de It was almost Christmas Eve when I sat ficials, schools, and business leaders that the reacts negatively—part of the explanation Blasio ended Bloomberg’s “stop and frisk” down to write my last WestView News piece US still suffered from systemic racism, a scar for Trump getting 75 million votes. It is program that saw one in 10 Black men in for 2020. I have a habit of glancing at my dating back to the days when our country shameful that in our democracy, race still NYC stopped by a cop every year. But that NY Times feed numerous times a day, as this was founded on an economy dependent on determines so much—educational success, was it. And Corey’s plan? He did more to crazy year dishes up new news by the min- enslavement of Africans. employment, healthcare, housing, and how promote bike lanes than NYPD reform. ute. I saw a report, for the first time, that Here in New York, demonstrators were one is treated by the police. I am running for City Council, with the a young Black man named Andre Maurice often terrorized by the very cops they were I am a big believer in public safety. I have support of Black Lives Matter. I do not Hill had been shot in the garage of his home protesting against. A recent dispassionate a wife and two teenage daughters, and I want to “defund the police.” I want to “rei- by a White police officer in Columbus, Department of Investigations report found worry—not just about COVID—every magine the police.” Doing that is critical to Ohio. The cops had gone to his house be- that the police response tactics heightened time they leave the house. But the money our city’s future. Look at my website and cause a concerned neighbor called to report tensions and only served to exacerbate we allocate to the NYPD does not all have read about it; www.arthurfornyc.com. that Hill had been sitting in his car, in the anger, without real supervision or conse- to go there. Police should not be asked to And, as we start 2021, do not forget garage, with his engine on for a half-hour. quence. A big debate occurred in late June address every ill facing our society, especially about George Floyd…or Andre Maurice A video cam that the officer was wearing as demonstrators camped outside City when the overreaching approach is not to Hill. We really have not come very far shows Officer Adam Coy, a 19-year veteran, Hall, demanding, without much success, solve a problem but to address its symptoms since the day a cop put his knee on George approaching the garage with another officer that the NYPD be “defunded.” violently. Only two percent of the US popu- Floyd’s neck and killed him. and shining a flashlight inside. A vehicle Race was discussed every day, every- lation has untreated mental illness, but 25 and Mr. Hill are in the garage. Mr. Hill gets where, for a few months. And then, as some percent of police shootings involve people Arthur Schwartz is the Democratic Dis- out of the car, holding a cellphone in his left of my friends in Black Lives Matter pre- with mental illness. There are 10 times more trict Leader in Greenwich Village, and a hand, and walks slowly toward the officers. dicted, much of that discussion dissipated. mentally ill people in prison than in psychi- candidate for the New York City Council in The video has no sound initially. So, when Andre Hill was shot on Decem- atric hospitals. We spend too much money the district encompassing Greenwich Village, Within seconds, Officer Coy pulled his ber 22, 2020 in Columbus, there were some attacking the symptoms rather than ad- Chelsea, and Hell’s Kitchen. What I Learned Navigating a Community Organization During a Pandemic By David Siffert titioning every year with a party in that was an important first step. Meetings went line voting tools. Most recently, we have poorly ventilated basement space. We meet online and, in a way, we could see each moved our free tenants’ clinic—on hold I was, until a few weeks ago, president in person, we debate in person, we knock other’s faces. Then came the text-banking. during the pandemic—onto Zoom, ev- of the Village Independent Democrats. I on doors in person, and we even celebrate During this primary season, everyone in ery Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. If you need served from December 13, 2018 through the holidays in person. Or, at least, we did. the Village with a cell phone number on help with housing issues, you can now December 10, 2020. During that time, What is a community if we aren’t to- file with the Board of Elections got texts email [email protected] the State Legislature passed election re- gether? What is a community if we can’t from us reminding them how and when to for an appointment. form, housing reform, and more. The city see each other’s faces and talk about im- vote. For the general election, we switched The learning process continues, even as amended its charter. We elected a new portant issues? What is a community if we to out-of-district phone-banking, getting the COVID vaccine is distributed. CO- president. And we faced a pandemic. can’t work together to solve our problems? candidates around the country to join us VID is raging harder than ever, and we Community organizations like VID are, The last nine months have been a learn- for Zoom meetings and then calling into need to keep up the good work as a com- fundamentally, about the people. VID is ing process. How can a community be a their districts. We amended our consti- munity in a way that will ensure we will one of the last Democratic clubs to retain community without any of the usual hall- tution, elected new co-presidents, and all be here to celebrate the holidays next a physical clubhouse, and we kick off pe- marks of a community? Zoom, of course, endorsed city council candidates via on- year and beyond. Candidate for City Council District 3

"I've been an NYC activist labor lawyer for more than 3 decades. Helping other New Yorkers has been my life's mission and that's the leadership I will bring to City Council." www.ArthurForNYC.com

Paid for by Arthur for Our Community 8 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org Participate as We Cover VID Endorses City Local Elections Council Candidates By Frank Quinn The 66th Assembly District also over- laps City Council District 3. Its last pri- have been dedicated advocates for immi- Last month, WestView News contributor mary was in 2016, when Deborah Glick grant justice, tenants’ rights, and the envi- Penny Mintz wrote an informative article defeated her opponent with less than nine ronment. I have deep respect for so many on the upcoming 2021 city council elec- percent Democratic turnout and then ran of their members, and know that together tions, providing essential information about unopposed that November. we are going to lead Lower Manhattan local races that probably won’t receive much These numbers reveal a confounding as- into a better future.” attention in the larger citywide press. Inter- pect of local elections when pols win office Chris got 55 votes. District Leader Jen- estingly, Ms. Mintz is an active supporter based on primaries with low party turnout, ny Low came in second with nine. Gigi Li of one particular candidate, a fact she duti- leaving voters to suspect their victories may followed with six, Maud Maron two, and fully noted, yet her piece included valuable be insubstantial. Tiffany Winbush one. reporting on all candidates for the benefit of We tried to make a similar point about VID APPROVED: Candidate Erik Bottcher, Chris was born and raised in the Lower every voter in Downtown Manhattan. Deborah Glick in 2020 when she above. Photo courtesy of Erik Bottcher. East Side, where he stacked cans in his One report concerned a No- dad’s bodega and attended local public faced a neophyte Republican By Edward Yutkowitz vember forum with the de- challenger. She was heav- schools. After working at IBM, he served clared Democratic can- ily favored in the race Village Independent Democrats (VID) has on the Young Professionals Board of Defy didates for District but still declined our endorsed Erik Bottcher, Chris Marte, and Ventures, at which he helped formerly in- 3, video of which invitations to pro- Carlina Rivera to represent lower Manhat- carcerated people start their own business- can be found on vide an interview tan in the City Council. es. He has also served as a legal researcher YouTube. Regret- on the issues or The endorsement votes took place after at an immigration law firm and as the New tably, the video to debate her op- the candidates addressed VID’s member- York State Director at Arena to train po- hasn’t had many ponent. Glick won ship and the public at a virtual forum at litical candidates and campaign staffers. views, indicating the election hand- the club’s December general meeting. More Carlina Rivera, who is running for re- a pittance of voters ily, but we question than 120 members of the community at- election unopposed, got the Club’s endorse- benefiting from an her strategy. By de- tended the forum. ment for City Council District 2. “I want to opportunity to learn nying her constitu- In the “main event” of the evening, Erik thank the Village Independent Democrats about some (and prob- ents the opportunity to Bottcher, who has been an active member for supporting me for re-election,” she said. ably all) of the candidates hear her answer questions of VID and until last week served as Chief “This organization is known for promot- competing for the office be- on important issues, she leaves of Staff to City Council President Corey ing progressive candidates and causes, and ing vacated by Cory Johnson who is herself vulnerable to a lack of public Johnson, got 71 of the 79 votes VID cast I look forward to continuing to work on term-limited. confidence. for City Council District 3. Johnson cur- our shared goals of housing rights, justice The Democratic primary on June 22nd WestView News is committed to reporting rently holds that seat but is term-limited reform, education equity, and gun violence may well determine who wins this of- for the benefit of the public, including can- from running again. prevention into my next term.” fice, given the absence of any Republican didates and their constituents. If you believe The other five contenders for the seat de- Carlina was born and raised in the Lower candidates. While many in the heavily in this mission you can help by sending an clined to participate in the forum, but Dis- East Side by a single mother from Puerto Democratic district may find this appeal- email to [email protected]. trict Leader Arthur Schwartz won six votes, Rico, and began her career as an organizer ing, they should contemplate how it can You will then be notified aboutWestView’s while Marni Halasa got one. Leslie Bogho- working on behalf of seniors and homeless impact their preferred candidate. For ex- election reporting and events, and help us sian Murphy, Phelan-Dante Fitzpatrick, and people in the community in which she still ample, consider two local officeholders in demonstrate to candidates that our readers Aleta LaFargue did not receive any votes. lives. Since joining the City Council in 2017, contiguous districts: are eager to learn about them via interviews Originally from upstate New York, Erik she has focused on a wide range of issues, The 27th State Senate District shares much and debates. Your email address won’t be began his career in public service in 2009 including housing, transportation, and small of the same territory as City Council District shared with anyone outside of WestView as the LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS Com- business, health care, and gender equity. 3. During the 2020 primary season there were News, and your request to unsubscribe will munity Liaison at the New York City As part of its general meeting, VID also 203,485 active voters, 68 percent of whom always be honored. Thank you for your will- Council. As Governor Andrew Cuomo’s elected its new executive leadership. In were Democrats. Only party members can ingness to PARTICIPATE! LGBTQ Community Liaison, he helped a break from tradition, the club will now vote in New York primaries; Brad Hoylman lead the fight for marriage equality in New have a co-presidency: Cameron Krause and defeated his primary opponent with 35 per- York State. During the pandemic, he has Mar Fitzgerald will lead the club for the cent Democratic turnout, and then ran unop- Frank Quinn is a media executive, parent, worked tirelessly to build a network to en- next year, while Lauren Esposito, Jonathan posed in the November election. and musician. Linkedin.com/in/frankjquinn sure the safety and well-being of seniors, Geballe, and Patricia Laraia will serve as organizing food drives and a campaign to vice presidents. clean the Chelsea community. Village Independent Democrats is known “VID is a legendary force for progressive for the energy and enthusiasm of its mem- WestView News is looking for a change and to have their support means the bership and for providing forums for lively world to me,” he said. “I’ve learned so much debate on contentious issues. One of the volunteer to run our social media by reposting at VID over the years about activism and oldest reform political clubs—and among WestView News content. This includes our how to fight for the causes we believe in, the most influential—in New York City, and win. Our city is hurting right now, and VID represents much of City Council Dis- @westviewnews Instagram things may get worse before they get better, trict 3, which includes the West Village, and account and our FaceBook account: but I know that if we come together and fight portions of Districts 2 and 3, which includes for our convictions, we will make it through parts of the East Village and Chinatown. www.facebook.com/WestViewNewspaper/ these dark times and build a brighter future.” VID holds its monthly meetings every The Club endorsed Chris Marte, for third Thursday from 6:30-9:30. During City Council of District 1. “I am honored the pandemic, its meetings and special Please call George if you are and excited to have the support of Village events are being held virtually. Visit the interested, at 212-924-5718. Independent Democrats. They are as com- club’s website, villagedemocrats.org, to mitted to policy as they are to voter out- learn more about the organization and its reach,” he said afterwards. “As a club, they upcoming events. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 9 It’s Just Politics GREENWICH VILLAGE LEGENDS By Penny Mintz that the format was not one where they would Martin Berger: have a fair opportunity to present themselves. A retraction is in order. Contrary to what In addition, the five other District #3 can- was reported here last month, the Down- didates believed that the VID decision was Progressive West Village Champion town Independent Democrats had never a foregone conclusion because Erik Bottcher declined to endorse Carlina Rivera in her was a member of the VID executive commit- bid for re-election to the City Council in tee. Accordingly, the five candidates made a District #2. On the contrary, at their meet- group decision to decline to participate and, ing on December 7, 2020, DID enthusiasti- as a group, prepared a statement explaining cally endorsed Rivera. They also endorsed their decision. Erik Bottcher for City Council in District The five District #3 candidates assigned #3. These endorsements occurred one Schwartz to read the group-prepared state- month after the DID candidate forum that ment during the time that Schwartz was given took place in November, during which the to make his presentation as VID’s elected Dis- six candidates in District #3 and Rivera in trict Leader. Several VID members were in- District #2 had the opportunity to fully dis- censed with the candidates’ statement. Some cuss their positions on numerous issues. expressed their belief that this was a political On December 10, 2020, just three days stunt. Others pointed out that the five non- IN ADDITION TO HIS LEADERSHIP FOR A PROGRESSIVE AMERICA, Martin Berger, above, after the meeting at which DID made its appearing candidates had missed an opportu- served as the Mayor of Saltaire, Fire Island during the last decade of his life. Photo credit: Districts 2 and 3 endorsements, the Vil- nity to present themselves to the more-than Rachel Stassen-Berger. lage Independent Democrats held a can- 100 people in attendance at the meeting. didate forum and endorsement meeting. In the end, VID endorsed Bottcher. By Bruce Poli was the target of sharp criticism from some The VID meeting was very different from On the same night, December 10th, Jews for his action. Two clients fired him the two candidate debates held in Novem- PALM voted to endorse Arthur Schwartz in Martin Berger, one of the founders of the after he got back to his office, and the tele- ber. Besides the one conducted by DID, a District #3 and Carlina Rivera in District #2. Downtown Independent Democrats, Vice phone rang throughout the day with callers candidate forum had been co-hosted by Michael Schweinsburg, president of the President of Village Independent Demo- denouncing him. Berger said he never got a Progressive Action of Lower Manhattan, a 504 Dems, reported that the 504 member- crats, and a great advocate of civil rights, was chance to explain to them why he defended chapter of the New York Progressive Action ship has not yet voted on whom to endorse. a progressive attorney who had West Vil- Rockwell or that more than 30 of his own Network, and by the 504 Democratic Club, The members want to see answers to a writ- lage values written all over him. And for the relatives died in the Nazi extermination ap- a city-wide political club that focuses on ten questionnaire before they make their deci- West Village he loved, he did great good. paratus in Europe. When he left the court- the needs of people with disabilities. After sion. However, the 504 Dems’ screening panel The DID and VID, iconic progressive house, he was berated by some for being a two-minute opening statement, the can- recommended endorsing Schwartz in CD #3. political clubs, were formed in the 1960s to not much less than a traitor to the Jewish didates at the PALM/504 forum were al- The vote was five to one. The screening panel transfer power from political bosses and the people. A Jewish lawyer deliberately spat on lotted one minute to answer each of eight voted four to one with one abstention to rec- party to the people in the communities of the sidewalk as Berger spoke to reporters. A questions. The questions had been prepared ommend endorsing Rivera in CD #2. downtown New York. They stood up for low- gentile youth passing by said, “Look at him, by the moderator, State Assembly Member Upcoming this month, on Tuesday, Janu- income housing, neighborhood preservation, he puts down his own kind.” Harvey Epstein. None of the candidates ary 19th, PALM, the 504 Dems, and other quiet accessible street life—two examples were Berger’s was a humanitarian stance unique had advance knowledge of the questions, NYPAN chapters are co-hosting a meeting the closing off of Washington Square Park to to the progressive West Village character. and the clock started running after each about the COVID vaccine. The rollout of the traffic and the resistance to building a super- Our community has always represented the question was asked. Each candidate, there- vaccine, hesitancy and myths about taking it, highway through the South Village. great ideas, values, and visions of the Ameri- fore, spoke a total of eleven minutes, which and equity are among the issues that will be These are hallmarks of West Village can spirit and its optimistic and creative view included a one-minute closing statement. discussed. As of this writing, the speakers are history that define our neighborhood and of human life and democratic society. At the VID meeting, where many more City Council Member Mark Levine, chair of make it one of the most desirable communi- As a district leader, Martin led the fight for candidates were interviewed, each candidate the Health Committee, Anthony Feliciano, ties in New York. As for political stands, the affordable housing in the creation of the ex- had a two-minute opening statement and director of the Commission on the Public’s members of the DID and VID backed Ad- tensive West Village Housing development then answered three questions. The ques- Health System, and Cherisse Berry, Associ- lai Stevenson for president and campaigned along Washington Street in the 1960s. He tions and answers were allotted five minutes. ate Trauma Medical Director at Bellevue and for him on street corners. fought alongside Jane Jacobs against Rob- So the candidates were left with less than Assistant Professor of Surgery at NYU. There A longtime advocate of affordable housing ert Moses’ Lower Manhattan Expressway, three minutes for their answers. Under these will be ample time to ask questions of the and gay rights before it was popular, Martin which would have destroyed a large part of circumstances, says Arthur Schwartz, who is speakers. You can find the Zoom access to this Berger actually advanced his first amendment South Greenwich Village and Soho. a candidate for City Council in District #3, event by checking out the Facebook page of principles way beyond a protected arena… Later in life, Martin and his wife Keen five of the six District #3 candidates believed PALM or of the 504 Democratic Club. It was 1960 and George Lincoln Rock- (see WVN 8/2014) bought a beach house well, founder of the American Nazi Party, in Saltaire on storied Fire Island where he was in a debate with Berger, who was Jew- became the beloved mayor. He also became ish. Rockwell told him that he “seem[ed] an avid gardener, devoted to flowers and like a good Jew, so I will give you a trial be- seaside plantings. At his Judson Church fore executing you when I take power.” “So, memorial in January 2003, the following I offered to the ACLU that I would defend tribute was read: “The board and staff of his right to free speech if he ever needed it,” Settlement Housing Fund are saddened by Berger told the New York Post. “I don’t agree the loss of Martin M. Berger, indefatigable with anything this man says, but he has a housing lawyer and passionate advocate. right to hold unpopular beliefs.” Thus began We miss his humor, pragmatic wisdom and a series of dialogues which transfixed audi- friendship” (Carol, Clara, and Susan). ences and cost him friends, but as a prin- Half a century after these historic cipled progressive, he stood for the human roots, downtown New York still leads pro- rights afforded all Americans. gressive politics in America. As the saying According to the New Jersey Jewish News goes, Greenwich Village is where “America POLITE ARGUMENTS, like the one at VID or the one in this post-Civil War cartoon, can be 2/18/66: Berger, a volunteer American Civil happens first.” unpleasant, but they are inevitable when human beings have First Amendment rights. Im- Liberties Union attorney who has appeared Thank you, Martin Berger, for your age credit: Library of Congress. on behalf of unpopular causes in the past, leadership for a progressive America. 10 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org James E. Murphy, Consultant

ary School Science Teachers; Workforce offers the nation’s largest private engineer- fundraising and institutional advancement, Opportunity Services (WOS), a national ing scholarship program for economically and program planning with leading educa- social venture enterprise focused on re- disadvantaged students. During his tenure, tion and public service organizations in- ducing poverty through education and the organization achieved record contribu- cluding the American Association for the job creation; NJ SEEDS, a Newark, NJ tions (providing annual scholarship support Advancement of Science (AAAS), Asso- organization that prepares motivated, for more than 1,000 students nationwide), ciation of Governing Boards of Universi- high-achieving, low-income students for established groundbreaking fundraising ties and Colleges (AGB), National Urban admission to private schools and leading partnerships, and provided support for Coalition, Project HOPE, VISTA (Vol- colleges across the country; National Ac- visionary awareness programs for primary unteers in Service to America), and the tion Council for Minorities in Engineering and secondary school students and their Washington Urban League. He worked in (NACME); National Academies of Sci- parents, including Math is Power, a multi- senior positions in election campaigns for ences, Engineering, and Medicine; Inter- million-dollar public service advertising national and international political figures American Dialogue. campaign developed with the Ad Council. and as a volunteer fundraising consultant University and education associations Murphy was liaison officer to NACME’s for a variety of community and education included the National University of Ire- board of directors, comprised of senior ex- organizations including Rice High School land, Maynooth; Polytechnic Institute ecutives from leading global corporations in Harlem, New York. Murphy served for (NYU Tandon School of Engineering); and university presidents, and provided three years on the National Science Foun- University of Canterbury, New Zealand; management support for its development dation (NSF) Advisory Board for Institu- University of Texas at El Paso; the Luther and governance committees. During his tional Transformation and Faculty Diver- Henderson Scholarship Fund at Juilliard. term of office, NACME was recognized sity at the University of Texas, El Paso, Murphy served in Ireland for two years with a White House Presidential Award now a Carnegie ranked top-tier doctoral as chief executive of the Maynooth Univer- for Excellence and a U.S. Department of university. sity Foundation where he directed philan- Labor EPIC Award, given for institutional A native of New York City, James Murphy thropic activities for the National Univer- leadership in advancing engineering edu- earned a BA degree in history from Manhat- sity of Ireland, Maynooth. He established cation and enhancing career opportunities tan College. He lived in Manhattan, and had the university’s first foundation office, sup- for minorities and women. dual US/EU citizenship (Ireland). porting the Campaign for Maynooth—an Previously, Murphy was Deputy Execu- ambitious $100 million building program tive Director of the Citizens Committee JIM MURPHY in 2018. that transformed an historic campus with for New York City, a citywide support more than two centuries of national edu- organization for neighborhood and block By Alexis Parrin cation prominence into a modern secular associations, where he was responsible for university that, today, serves 14,000 stu- one of New York’s most prestigious an- Jim Murphy was an accomplished fund- dents. While there, he was instrumental in nual fundraising dinners, creating a model raising professional with more than 30 creating innovative partnerships to advance for New York’s first million-dollar events. years of experience in leading fundraising academic programs in history and historic Earlier, he was Director of Development operations, creating strategic initiatives, preservation, music, theater, and science for the Federation of Protestant Welfare and securing substantial contributions and and engineering, and in fostering vigorous Agencies, the largest federation of social public support for educational institutions fundraising relationships with alumni and service agencies in New York City. and not-for-profit organizations. In addi- the Maynooth community. Murphy began his career in the Peace tion, he was engaged on the frontlines of Earlier, Murphy spent eight years as Vice Corps, first as a volunteer secondary school major political campaigns in the United President for Institutional Advancement teacher in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and A FIXTURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Jim States and abroad. at NACME, a U.S. non-profit corpora- subsequently as a recruiting and public af- Murphy on his building's stoop, as seen in Clients included Columbia University’s tion focused on engineering education and fairs officer in Washington D.C. Since this photo from the 1980s. Photos courtesy Summer Research Program for Second- science and technology policy. NACME then, he had consulted on public affairs, of Alexis Parrin. GEORGE HAS A BIRTHDAY THE PUBLISHER OF WESTVIEW NEWS, GEORGE CAPSIS, had a birthday on December 20th. Because of the pandemic the contributors could not gather so the photo shown is last year's party. Standing, left to right, Barbara Chacour, Kambiz Shekdar, Jolanta Meckauskaite, Hannah Reimann, Michael Minichiello, Dusty Berke, John Gilman, Bruce Poli, Roberta Curley, Robert Heide and Jackie Taylor-Basker. Seated left to right: Carol Yost and George Capsis. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 11 From Ancient Sparta to Modern Denmark: The Rationalization of Eugenics By Anastasia Kaliabakos Although Zhang attempts to be some- ly-motivated eugenicist turned “feminist and strives every day to better the world Humankind has grappled with the ethics what non-partisan in her presentation of icon” Margaret Sanger did was incredibly around him. In addition to that, my uncle of eugenics for millennia. The practice can what is happening in Denmark, giving and morally wrong. Leaving a newborn motivates me every day to be the best pos- be traced, famously, back to ancient Sparta, both pros and cons to the debate surround- out to die because of the “difficulty” they sible person I can be. I am inspired by his which was revered for its military prowess ing this type of abortion, it is undeniable may pose to society is not ethical, so why is humor, dedication, and love, and hope to and position as one of the most powerful that her piece ultimately serves as a justi- abortion based on prenatal disability test- one day be as influential as he is. city-states in all of Greece. The philosophy fication for what the country is doing to ing any different? Living in a country that does not pro- of selective breeding was promoted by the unborn children with Down Syndrome My Uncle Hippocrates was born with mote the idea of aborting a child simply philosopher Plato, who suggested in The and may be regarded simply as support- severe cerebral palsy. As a son of two Greek because of a disability is a gift. Without immigrants, he has had to face countless my uncle I would be an entirely different challenges throughout his life. Unable to person from who I am today, and the world walk, use his hands, or even speak remotely would be a different place without him in clearly, he has been constantly put down it. Take a moment to think—how differ- by others who do not understand—or do ent would our world be if that 95 percent not wish to understand— the great suffer- of Danish children with Down Syndrome ing he must endure. While he was growing were still here with us today? up, my grandparents made limitless sacri- fices to support him with therapy, doctor’s Anastasia Kaliabakos is a graduate of the appointments, and handicap-accessible Brearley School and is currently a Presiden- schools. Though he faced so much hard- tial Scholar majoring in Classics at the Col- ship and seemingly insurmountable ob- lege of the Holy Cross. She is a features editor stacles, he pushed himself to his limits, for Holy Cross’ newspaper, The Spire, associ- determined to not let his God-given gift ate editor of the Parnassus Classical Journal, of life go to waste. Now, after years of tre- author of Milkshake: A Very Special Pony, mendous work and having taken advantage recipient of the 2019 NYC Scholastic Writ- THE SELECTION OF CHILDREN IN SPARTA, 1785, by Jean-Pierre Saint-Ours. of the opportunities bestowed upon him by ing Award, and an advocate for children living in the United States of America, he with special needs. Anastasia has contributed Republic that human reproduction should ive of modern-day eugenics and selective- is a respected attorney for New York City to WestView News since 2018. be overseen and controlled by the state, breeding. which would institute a system that would Zhang’s piece includes interviews with pair “high-numbered” people (or people parents from both sides of the spectrum: with conventionally desired or advanta- those who chose to let their children with geous characteristics) with other high- Down Syndrome live, and those who chose WE’RE OPEN—FREE ON DEMAND DELIVERY numbered people. He believed this would abortion. Admittedly, Zhang does say that lead to the improvement of the human race. many people who have had, or support The Spartans, who valued human strength having, an abortion due to a disability are VILLAGE required for their militias, embraced this uncomfortable coming forward and say- notion. In Sparta the city elders would in- ing so. She attributes this hesitation to the spect newborn babies, deciding whether sensitivity Europeans have to past histo- they were worthy of life or death. Often, ries of “experimentation,” particularly that the babies who were deemed unfit for life of the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s. She APOTHECARY would be the disabled or “weaker” children also reflects on the views of bioethicists who were typically left out to die, exposed who discuss morality in regard to abortion THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY THAT CARES to the elements. (Plutarch wrote that these and take into consideration genetic abnor- infants were left at the foot of the Taygetus malities. On the whole, though, Zhang mountain range, whose peak was dedicated seems to be more sympathetic to the point to Zeus. Other civilizations (most notably of view that this type of eugenics, in the Come in the Roman Republic) also followed a simi- context of abortion, is for the greater good. for your fREE lar system, but the Spartans are the most She illustrates this point by saying that well-known for it. Adolf Hitler considered for many, abortion is a decision that will Sparta the first “Völkisch state” and praised not only eliminate hardships and struggles it for the practice of infanticide. for the to-be parents of a child with spe- WELCOmE In the December issue of The Atlantic, cial needs (like Down Syndrome), but also Sarah Zhang published an article entitled, will prevent the pain and obstacles a child “The Last Children of Down Syndrome.” would face if born with a disability. KIT! This piece discusses prenatal testing for These views are simply preposterous. Down Syndrome, among other genetic Humanizing abortion is an impossible “defects,” in Denmark and its relation to feat, and there is simply nothing that is hu- BRInG THIs CARd In And RECEIVE $10 off abortion. According to Zheng’s article, mane about eugenics. The rationalization O n A n Y P u RCHAs E O f $25 OR m ORE over 95 percent of parents who receive a of what can be considered a widespread positive Down Syndrome diagnosis elect and unabashed genocide of a “scientifi- to abort their children, resulting in a very cally” weaker portion of the population is Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM disturbing statistic from 2019 that only 18 reprehensible; but, unfortunately, it is tol- children with Down Syndrome were born erated. How can this be? Looking back at 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com in Denmark that year (a country with a history, it is easy to recognize that what the population of about 5.8 million in 2019). Spartans, the Nazis, and even what racial- 212.807.7566 12 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org

just opened a second location in Tribeca. It selling yarn, knitting supplies and needle- now shuttered. A reader alerts us to the clo- turns out that a company purchased all the point thread and patterns has opened at sure of longtime deli Bethel Gourmet Food locations of Oaxaca Taqueria (there are cur- 225 West 10th Street between Bleecker at 79 Greenwich Avenue (between West IN rently 10 around New York City), and with and Hudson Streets. In-person classes are 11th and Bank Streets). Another reader let and the restaurants came a central kitchen in being offered, either private or group, with us know that the news stand at Sheridan OUT Brooklyn. The Greenwich Avenue location the group classes limited to two people to Square had also closed. by Caroline Benveniste of Oaxaca Taqueria turned into Rip’s Malt allow social distancing. Amano Café, a Shop, a short-lived vegan burger and ice- new coffee spot has opened at 172 West Pop-up This month we have been reflecting on how cream counter (which the owners admitted 4th Street at the corner of Jones Street. The The Dame Supper Club pop-up which some shops and restaurants have managed was a concept that needed a bit more work), name refers to the fact that the coffee is took over Abigail’s Kitchen (85 MacDou- to be successful in these very difficult times. and after that, re-opened as a storefront sell- harvested and selected by hand. The beans gal Street just south of Bleecker Street) One example of a business that is doing well ing Biryanis (Indian rice pilafs) for pick-up come from Latin America and are roasted over the summer has morphed into Dame in spite of challenges is Sullivan Street Bak- or delivery. The cooking is done at the central in New York. Baked goods are also avail- Deli and Bottle Shop for the winter. Fish ery. As restaurants closed and tried to control kitchen, so here too staffing is minimal. The able. Misha Nonoo is a US-based British- and Chips and some other seafood offer- costs, Sullivan Street Bakery saw orders from restaurant group has also opened a barbeque Bahraini fashion designer, and has opened ings are still available on the weekends, and them decrease, which meant they needed to spot in Brooklyn called Underground Barbe- a retail flagship store at 654 Hudson Street other provisions such as exotic fruits, pasta, find alternate consumers for their products. cue, and is planning to open up to three tradi- (at Gansevoort Street). She previously sold herbs, beans, oil, rice, chocolates and con- In December, we reported that they had tional taco spots called Revolution Tacos, as direct to consumer. On the window is em- diments are available for purchase. opened small shops on Bleecker Street and well as a pizza shop featuring a novel leaven- blazoned the logo: Empowered Women. in the East Village. They were able to do this ing method, and a wine bar. Finally, Miznon, Empower Women. A new Starbucks has Moving/Other because of lower rents being offered in these the Israeli “everything in a pita” restaurant at opened at 678 Hudson Street (between The UPS Store (480 6th Avenue between areas, and also because they have a large pro- Chelsea Market opened an upper west side 13th and 14th Streets) in the old Papy- 11th and 12th Streets), which has been do- duction facility in Hell’s Kitchen where all the location last year, and recently opened a shop rus space. This is noteworthy only because ing a good business during the pandemic baking is done, so the little stores need mini- in Hudson Yards. The menu of grabbable recently many Starbucks in the city have will be moving to larger quarters on the east mal staffing. Now they have continued their sandwiches lends itself to takeout and deliv- closed. Death by Pizza is open at the cor- side of 6th Avenue near 13th Street, where expansion with a store on Sullivan Street, the ery, and by early afternoon many items are ner spot at 44 9th Avenue at 14th Street. Greenwich Village Mail Center (formerly street where the original bakery opened in already sold out. In addition to pizza, sandwiches, pasta and Mailboxes, etc.) used to be. I noticed 1994 (and remained there until 2000 when, In December we saw an almost equal num- some side dishes are on offer. The epony- that a number of people had posted posi- after splitting with his business partner, ber of openings and closings. Now that indoor mous pizza is topped with spicy Italian tive comments on Nextdoor about La Peri founder Jim Lahey moved his operations to dining has once again been banned, we worry sausage, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, crushed Bakery at 104 West 14th Street near 6th Hell’s Kitchen). Another story involving a about how restaurants will survive the win- red pepper, and basil. Ubreakifix, the elec- Avenue. I have not been yet, but I looked small storefront and a central commissary is ter, but were cheered to see bundled up brave tronics repair chain has replaced travel at the menu and was surprised to see typi- Biryani Kitchen. It opened at 48 Greenwich souls continuing to eat outdoors. store Flight 001 at 96 Greenwich Avenue cal Turkish dishes such as Gozleme (savory Avenue (between Charles and Perry Streets) between 12th and Jane Streets. stuffed crepes) and Simit (a Turkish bagel a couple of months ago in the space where Openings equivalent) that are not readily available in Oaxaca Taqueria used to be, and they have West Village Knit & Needle, a new shop Closed/Closing New York. Another Turkish establishment The Swedish candy store Sockerbit (89 Gyroland, which is located around the cor- Christopher Street between 7th Avenue ner at 519 6th Avenue between 13th and and Bleecker Street) has closed. They fea- 14th Streets, has also gotten positive re- tured a mind-blowing selection of licorice views, and both seem to be owned by the as well as other odd candies. Their products same folks. Loring Place, Dan Kluger’s are still available online. We were very sad to farm-to-table restaurant at 21 West 8th hear that Fany Gerson will close her West Street (between MacDougal Street and Village paletas shop La Newyorkina (240 5th Avenue) has spun off a to-go pizza ser- Sullivan Street near West 3rd Street) on vice called Washington Squares. It serves January 10th. While she had expanded the the thick crust grandma style pies from offerings at her store, she still depended on Loring Place as well as a few salads and a busy summer of paleta sales to sustain the soup, and cookies and a sundae for dessert. business, and as she explained in an email to While Umami Burger closed a while ago, customers, this summer that did not happen I noticed a sign on the window demand- due to the shutdown, and then the dearth ing $470,446.41 in rent for the period NOW OPEN! of students and tourists once the shop re- from 2/20/19 to 12/31/20. Famous Joe’s opened. She had also been unable to come Pizza is still around, but a nearby building SUNDAY 11 AM-5 PM to an agreement with her landlord, some- had a sign demanding $267,272.52 in rent MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 11 AM-7 PM thing else she mentioned as a reason for the from them for the period from 4/1/2020 to upcoming closure. Her paletas are still avail- 12/31/2020. Maximum of four people allowed in the store at one time able for delivery, and she hopes to re-open Masks Required at some point when the situation improves. Please keep writing to us – we love hearing Greek restaurant Voula at 9 Jones Street from you and we can always use your help. We 212-242-5351 (between Bleecker and West 4th Streets) is can be reached at [email protected]

VIEWS BY SUZE Suzanne McAndrews 50 + years in Greenwich Village See Views by Suze at Bonsignour Café Jane Street and Eighth Avenue 646-689-3475 [email protected] www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 13

Restaurants continued from page 1 insecurity as the pandemic pushes on, has for 10% or more of our expenses. When been waxing and waning in my mind. I have our sales are disrupted by city mandate, our moments of pure confidence, when I can see landlords are equally impacted. They also nothing but opportunity on the horizon, but have financial obligations to meet. I feel as we go, that horizon gets pushed further like a workable solution has to involve the into the future. New hardships appear, new landlord-tenant relationship, and will pro- regulation, new shut downs; cold weather vide relief for both parties simultaneously. both literally and figuratively. Besides that, it's critical for the city to allow I would like to say that I do support our restaurants to use our outdoor seating for years politician's decisions to shut down indoor to come with no new financial burden. We've dining for the short term. But in accor- invested our last dollars on constructing out- dance with our cooperation, and the will- door seating that keeps in mind safety, and the ingness of our industry to starve for the beauty of our neighborhood. We did that be- good of the city, I feel we are entitled to cause we were led to believe that our energy and some longer term security granted by the our investment would be honored by the city. same government that is asking us to take We will keep going. With little relief in the short term loss. sight, we will keep going. With no end to the A vigorous and diverse bar and restaurant pandemic, we will keep going. We're here for continued on page 13 industry is critical to the quality of life in our the neighborhood. We're here for our staff. city. Collectively we employ nearly a million We're here for ourselves and the feeling of people. Our industry is responsible for about accomplishment that comes from working 9% of employment state wide. In 2018 our in the face of adversity. The question, "how industry generated $51.6 billion dollars in long do you think you can continue," can sales. These numbers represent a significant only be answered when it's all done. That financial contribution to New York. Mass was how long. And it will be on our terms." scale closures, if the industry isn't watched out for, are imminent. And solutions at the WESTVIEW NEWS INVITES federal and state level have been insufficient. In a sense, the PPP loans we received turned READERS AND OTHER us into an unemployment office, and it was RESTAURANTEURS an eight week solution for a problem that has TO SEND US THEIR continued on for nearly a year now. "SAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD" I don't have the answer, but maybe I can SUGGESTIONS. WE WILL PRINT help to clarify a major part of the problem. CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE The nature of restaurants in new York City is that the store, and the building owner, are FEBRUARY ISSUE. in a symbiotic relationship. Rent accounts

3. In a large saucepan heat the oil over A View from the Kitchen medium heat and add the prepared vegetables; stir them occasionally, By Isa Covo personality than the one who preceded him, preferably with a wooden spoon until as well as a promising government, will be they brown lightly and become fra- 2020 is over, but what problems started installed, I wish you all a good and hopeful grant, about fifteen minutes. in this past year will not be over yet at the year, and a return to a happier future. 4. Add the beans, and stir to mix with start of 2021. Trump still has not accepted vegetables and the oil, then the broth his loss, after numerous ballots have been Mediterranean-Inspired that should cover the mixture by about counted over and over with various meth- Bean Soup an inch. Add water if necessary. Stir ods yielding the same results. Whoever said, again, increase the heat to high and and apparently it was not Einstein, “Insan- A soup inspired by the Mediterranean re- bring the mixture to the boil. ity is doing the same thing over and over gion, it is usually served as a main dish but 5. Reduce the heat to a very slow simmer again and expecting different results”, could it can also be served as part of a selection of and add the garlic cloves (they melt as have been describing this process. Now the small appetizers with drinks before the main the cook), and the spices. Cover the President and his minions intend to put the meal. In this case it is served at room tem- saucepan and simmer for about two Army in play to change the election by mili- perature. Aside from the beans, the home hours, stirring the bean mixture oc- tary intervention. This won’t happen either. cooks and restaurants add their own touch casionally to prevent it from sticking It is illegal, but the President still will not re- with the use of their preferred flavors. Photo by Isa Covo. to the bottom. Add more liquid if the lent. It is his obsession as the nation, which ¼ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper, or to taste contents seem too dry. thankfully has a vaccine to combat the INGREDIENTS 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 6. Mix in the rest of the rest of the ingre- deadly virus that invaded us, and still causes, 1½ cup (6 oz) borlotti, or any other small 1 tablespoon or more of tomato paste dients and continue to simmer anoth- and will cause a great number of infections or medium-sized dried beans 1 small bouquet of a variety of fresh herbs er hour, or an hour and a half, until the and deaths, waits for millions to be vacci- ¾ cup, or more, of extra-virgin olive oil, or such as sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, or beans are very tender, but still whole. nated, something that is still months away. any other vegetable oil any other mix 7. Since its flavors develop as it sits, this For many families this has been an in- 1 small bunch of celery Salt and pepper as needed. dish should be made a day or two be- credibly sad holiday season, with so many 2 medium leeks, white part only fore serving. Remove the bouquet and people isolated, sick, or missing those who 1 medium onion DIRECTIONS the bay leaf before serving. have died. Adding to that the severe unem- 4 carrots 1. Rinse and soak the beans overnight. 8. Serve with toasted slices of French ployment, or for others, the fear of losing 1 quart vegetable or chicken broth 2. Prepare the vegetables: cut the celery bread rubbed with garlic, or a couple one’s livelihood, it is hard to feel festive. 6 cloves of garlic, or to taste, peeled into 1/2 inch chunks, slice the leeks of tablespoons of boiled rice. As we eagerly wait for the 20th of January, 1 large bay leaf into thin slices, chop the onion, scrub Yield: 6 to 8 servings as a main dish, about a when our new President who has a different 1 rounded teaspoon smoked paprika and slice the carrots into 2-inch chunks. dozen as part of small plates. 14 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org The Day the Village Stood Still: Happy Holidays in a Pandemic

By Roger Paradiso owned the day and night. Mom-and-pops back and reduced my rent from December Nick emails me back, “Banks are hold- survived though, as did the bookstores, re- to April. This is better than nothing.” ing out on giving us loans for businesses As the holiday shopping continues online cord stores and cafés. There was just a dif- With customers staying home trying to remaining 100 percent on lockdown. We at a feverish pace, the brick-and-mortar ferent crowd. There was a noticeable change keep their social distance during the pan- are facing bills of hundreds of thousands stores in the Village watch in envy. These in the 1990s, however, as artists, cafés, and demic, shop owners and restaurants are dy- of dollars a year. I can’t afford it anymore. are supposed to be the days they make over clubs were slowly displaced by high rents. ing. The pandemic is also bringing about And this is making room for corporations 50-75 percent of their revenue for the year. And things started getting even more ex- business restrictions such as little or no with money to pick up buildings with The streets are deathly quiet except for pensive in the Village in the 2000s. It was indoor dining. We understand the need to mom-and-pop operations in desperation, weekends when some decent crowds ap- becoming “cheaper” to email friends, and keep the virus under control but it is de- cheaply.” pear. But once the sun goes down, the social media was slowly becoming our new stroying restaurants, bars, and clubs with Almost one year after the pandemic shoppers flee and another crowd comes on entertainment of convenience. live music. caused the lockdown, we are experiencing the scene. These are the ghosts of the Vil- Nick, of Cinema Village (the oldest con- “While we don’t know how many of the second wave and the city will be shut lage past—the homeless and displaced art- tinuously running arthouse in Manhattan, the city’s 25,000 restaurants and nightlife down again. But wait—some good news, as ists gather on the frigid streets to celebrate dating back to the affordable year of 1964) establishments have officially shuttered two vaccines (or more) will save the coun- our digital revolution. is emailing with me. He is in trouble. He because of COVID-19, we estimate the try. Villagers are already being inoculated Those of us who are more fortunate are shocked me when he reversed his position number is in the thousands. A recent re- and it looks like we have finally found a asked by our leaders to stay home and watch of never selling the Cinema Village to pos- port by the state’s comptroller estimated match against the virus. And we have fired our televisions instead of going to a movie sibly selling it, in order to save the Alpine in that one-third to one-half of the city’s res- our celebrity president. or a performance. Streaming, the digital Bay Ridge, the oldest running movie house taurants and bars could permanently close But life goes on for the weary mom-and- transmission of film, performance, and some in NYC, and Cinemart in Forest Hills, a during the next six-twelve months and this pops still surviving. “In order for small busi- news content, keeps us entertained within 97-year-old neighborhood movie house. “I is why our industry needs support,” said nesses to survive we need another stimulus our family units. But it is not the friend of have no choice. The city is killing me with Andrew Rigie of NYC Hospitality Alli- package. It`s criminal that we are almost at the old Village with its shops, theaters, clubs, its real estate taxes for these neighborhood ance. Christmas with no sign of financial aid to and restaurants that struggle to survive in this movie houses in Queens and Brooklyn and I visited Jamal of Village Music World the hundreds or thousands of unemployed pandemic and digital environment. the Cinema Village on East 12th Street.” the day before the city shut down. The hospitality employees or the landlords who I call up Jamal, owner of Village Music Nick is a victim of our new digital age. He mood in the Village and along Bleecker house us,” said Tory of The Half Pint at World on Bleecker Street, who is at home should get some relief from the city but the Street was dark. The governor and mayor West 3rd and Thompson Streets. waiting to commute to his “record” store. city is broke, “they” say. had already made ominous statements As we approach the holidays and anoth- Record stores, which thrived in days of When we morphed into the digital about the virus. There were whispers of a er new year, I don’t know what to say to my old, are competing with new ones online age in the 21st century, life got faster and lockdown. Really, the lockdown had al- friends in the small shops and restaurants. and “digital” streamers of music. Jamal tells more expensive. We kept moving towards ready happened weeks before that day. Vil- We need a Marshall Plan (not Trump’s me, “A lot of places on Bleecker are closing a planned gentrification, which is a polite lagers had started staying home, afraid of version) to save our country. And though forever and it is sad to see. I have noticed way of referring to social displacement. The the invading virus. there is support from the Congress, there some fast-food eateries making money on working-class residents, artists, and shops Standing in the empty record store that is no plan as yet. take-outs. Other regular restaurants are not of the Village were being displaced. Many day in March, I’d asked Jamal how many As we go to print, the president (aka The doing well.” of us were spinning out of control, though customers he had. “None. Nobody on the Grinch) has threatened to veto the current The Village was the epicenter of art and life was still kind to some. We even elected street. What am I to do?” He could apply relief bill unless there is $2,000 dollars per culture in the 1960s. That romantic period a landlord for president—because he was a for relief, which he did. To date, the SBA person provided. There are other disputed continued until Vietnam exploded and Nix- reality show celebrity. And also, because he has yet to respond to Jamal’s application terms. The GOP has voted it down in the on imploded with Watergate. The ‘60s were was a businessman. How did that work out? sent in March. House, which has adjourned for the holi- replaced by the “Me Generation” of the 70s, Jamal called me back when he got to Now, in December, I am still writing day. Will there be a relief bill before Biden aka the disco years. Drugs, sex, and what- work: “I saw some business the last few about the day the Village stood still. Some takes office? Biden has said he will be mak- ever else you wanted to do were on full dis- weeks but nothing like normal business have estimated that dozens (if not over a ing it a priority. play in the Village clubs. Times were flush during a holiday. I’m staying above water. hundred) of businesses in Greenwich Vil- Until then, have a happy holiday. And to and cash was king. Queens and dance clubs The good news is the landlord called me lage could be destroyed by COVID. all, a better year in 2021. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 15

of the buildings’ footprints at speeds up to continued from page 2 Letters 80 miles per hour. Sections of metal columns by destroying another human being. weighing several tons each were hurled up What is the best way to pay for a terrible and out, as far as 600 feet from each tower’s crime? How do we best celebrate the quali- base. A gravitational collapse initiated by fire ties Anthony Abruzzo was cherished for? I cannot generate this lateral force. don’t think I can teach Colella about for- Nor can a gravitational collapse account giveness, mercy or compassion. These are for the near-total pulverization of 110 sep- held up to us as qualities of the highest or- arate acre-size concrete floors—dispersed der. He is hard and cold as stone. The way across Lower Manhattan in a thick blanket he wrote that letter, especially calling the of dust—or the near-total dismemberment lawyer a shyster and saying the op-ed was of 90,000 tons of streel framing in each abhorrent, doesn’t do any of us any good. It structure. Such pulverization and dismem- is to continue the cruelty of the crime. berment requires the use of explosives and/ I could quote the Bible, but that might or nano-thermite, a high-tech incendiary not make any difference. In God’s name, I with explosive properties for which there is ask that Tommy Nelson be freed. abundant and irrefutable evidence. —Carol F. Yost For instance, nano-thermite, but not fire, From the Daily News, December 9, 2020 can explain the presence in the WTC dust Voice of the People Page of billions of previously molten iron micro- I write to praise Voicer Carol F. Yost for her spheres. Nano-thermite, but not fire, can recent letter and to praise the Daily News explain the molten metal present in the de- for leading with it. Ms. Yost, if you are not bris of all three towers, which was acknowl- a professional writer, you should be. Unlike edged by Leslie Robertson, one of the chief many of those The News awards a platform, structural engineers in the design of the Yost never resorts to name-calling or vit- Twin Towers, New York Fire Department riol. Instead, she relies on reason and pas- Captain Philip Ruvolo, and many others. sionate persuasion. Perhaps, as we prepare Molten metal, evidently iron, also poured for a new president, this letter can augur a from WTC 2 for seven minutes prior to new age of decency in how we debate our the building’s destruction, as captured in strongly held views, both in the nation and numerous videos and photographs. on the Voice of the People page. What do Explosives and nano-thermite — but you say, Daily News? not fire followed by a gravitational collapse —Craig Gordon — also explain the many isolated ejections of debris from each of the towers as many Controlled Demolition of as 60 floors below the “collapse” front as World Trade Center? well as reports of explosions from 118 fire- fighters who were on the scene that day. We at Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth The destruction of Building 7, which we wish to respond to two letters from Barry Be- repeat was not hit by an airplane, is even nepe regarding 9/11, one in your October is- more difficult for the official account to ex- sue (“Advertorial Issues”) and the second in plain. Building 7 came down in absolute free November (“Goodbye Conspiracies!”). fall for approximately 2.5 seconds, falling a First, we applaud WestView News publisher distance of about eight stories unimpeded, George Capsis for his courage and commit- meaning that the 40,000 tons of steel struc- ment to free speech in allowing this exchange ture offered no resistance whatsoever. of ideas to take place. We understand that NIST admitted that free fall occurred yet the subject is a difficult one for many, par- it claims the building suffered a progressive ticularly those who live in New York and who collapse. This violates the laws of physics. may have lost friends or family members in Each of the building’s 81 support columns the terrible destruction of the World Trade would have had to fail at virtually the same Center 19 years ago. And we understand that instant to precipitate the symmetrical col- the hostility some express about the evidence lapse we saw. This was confirmed by a we present is more emotional than scientific. four-year study published earlier this year We’d like to direct Mr. Benepe’s attention to by researchers at the University of Alaska what the evidence actually shows: Fairbanks, who concluded that fire could The U.S. government claims that airplane not have brought down Building 7. impacts and fires brought down the Twin Unfortunately, Mr. Benepe repeats the Towers and that ordinary office fires brought unfair charge that questioning the official ac- down the 47-story World Trade Center count of the WTC destruction is disrespect- Building 7, which was not hit by an air- ful of the victims. In fact, many 9/11 families plane. In fact, the scientific evidence clearly don’t believe we’ve been told the truth, and and overwhelmingly invalidates this claim, they continue to demand justice for their lost which is primarily contained in reports is- loved ones nearly two decades later. Do these sued by the National Institute of Standards families not deserve our respect? and Technology (NIST), an agency of the What is needed is a rational evaluation U.S. Department of Commerce. of the evidence in the form of a new and Let’s look at the evidence, starting with independent investigation. We know that the Twin Towers. NIST’s report claims that the government account is false. We know fires ignited by plane impacts weakened the that NIST has produced reports that are steel in the towers, leading to a catastrophic fraudulent. If we value truth at all, we must collapse. But a fire-induced gravitational col- be willing to learn what really happened, lapse cannot explain the lateral ejection of a even if that truth is painful. 95 percent of the structural steel far outside —Richard Gage, AIA, and Craig McKee 16 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org A Long Strange Trip to the West Village and a 2021 Resolution By Kieran Loughney imbalance, or a genetic anomaly away from The neon-green down parka was more being mentally ill ourselves. functional safety gear than fashion state- After several more years I began work ment. Stuffed in my backpack with a with an agency that managed cases of child Grateful Dead tape, a few changes of abuse and neglect. I was entrusted with clothes, a toothbrush, Buck knife and road shepherding children through crises and atlas, it would serve me on wind-blown losses. Their parents, caught in their own highways and alert approaching drivers troubled circumstances, needed direction that I was on the berm, with thumb out, and support. Some faced incarceration for often aching for a ride. their transgressions. Many would lose their At age 18, in May, 1974, I left my right to be parents, but others, with our hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania and help, would develop skills and become sta- spent two years hitchhiking in the western ble and reliable. The children often faced United States with a single aim in mind— all these difficulties with courage, hopeful adventure. I’d earn just enough money to their families would reunite. It took a car- stay fed and keep wandering. I lived on a ing community to rescue and heal them. commune in a redwood forest, with a fish- Nicky, a teenager whose mother brutally erman’s family on the Oregon Coast, in abused her as a child, taught me not to a lakeside log cabin in the Rockies, in a judge others too harshly. “She only did it townhouse in San Francisco, and in a fruit because of her mental illness,” she told me. picker’s shack. I worked as a ranch hand, “How can I ever hate her for that?” operated a carousel for a travelling carnival, Now, retired from social service work, I pruned trees, picked fruit. have a new direction. Living in the West Vil- A yearning to return home never over- lage (having moved here from Pennsylvania took me until December of my second year last year) has given me a fresh perspective on the road. In a cabin near the Canadian LIVING IN THE WEST VILLAGE WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND A RESORED SENSE OF and restored my sense of adventure. While border in central Washington I stoked a ADVENTURE: Author Kieran Loughney, above, at Abingdon Square Park, December 2020. aware that my new neighbors were famously wood-burning stove, my only source of Photo credit: Patrice Adcroft. diverse and highly creative, I soon found, to heat. I longed for a Christmas with family. chair-bound hitchhiker who nicknamed within myself. One resident, Gary, who had my delight, that they are also unpretentious Hitchhiking south, I made it to an on-ramp himself the Rolling Bozo. He showed me been institutionalized and marginalized be- and warm-hearted. Matthew generously of the eastbound interstate. Scarce traffic the uselessness of self-pity and value of self- cause of his disability, showed me that there shares his fine vinyl collection and access to and fierce weather forced a return to my deprecation. So many people I met shared is no place for malice and resentment in any his liquor cabinet. “If you ever want to relax, humble abode. It would be spring when I a lift, a meal, a place to stay. Perhaps it was life. As the men gained skills and confidence, you’re welcome to use my place when I’m at finally stepped onto my family’s porch in now my turn to help others. Taking this new I found myself on a similar trajectory. work,” he has offered. Scranton. I had loved living free of respon- direction, in time I’d find a more profound Next, I applied for a position at a psychi- I’ve learned that there is an inner land- sibility, answering only to my impulses. But freedom—and a fulfillment that only comes atric facility, a locked unit treating acutely scape. While exploring that terrain, in my- I felt a new impulse emerging. And I had from being of use to others. mentally ill patients. From the deeply with- self and in others, I have realized that at returned with more essential items than the I resolved to seek meaningful work which drawn to the floridly delusional, violent, or my core are stories of those I’ve helped and neon parka and Buck knife: I returned with would provide a modest living. A job was manic, these people had lost their way. Two who have helped me. insight I’d ultimately use to find my pur- available supervising a group home for men patients, Sandy and Marie, young women Historically, the West Village has been pose. While I’d felt inspired by the grandeur with developmental and psychiatric disabili- with post-partum depression, bonded and at the forefront of progressive thought and of the Columbia River Valley, the Arizona ties. To my surprise, I was hired with no ex- supported each other throughout their action. I’ve resolved that in 2021 I will add desert and Big Sur, what had really spoken perience. The job required that I live with the hospitalization. They showed me that suf- my small voice to that legacy. My hope is to me was the kindness and acceptance of men for 20 days each month. This work of- fering often brings empathy. I saw the val- that the tales I share of the often-over- those I met along the way. In northern Ida- fered chances for personal growth for the men ue in maintaining an inner calm. I learned looked among us will help to illuminate ho I met Michael Bowes, an intrepid wheel- I served and, with each small success, growth that we are all just a trauma, a chemical and inspire WestView readers. WestView Seeks an Advertising Manager Call George Capsis (212) 924-5718

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512 HUDSON STREET • NYC 10014 WWW.SEAGRAPEWINES.COM • 212-463-7688 www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 17 Local West Village Artist Supports Cure for AIDS By Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D. iconic image combining the use of the pink GetInvolved/ and a donation of any amount tally Tacky Coloring Book.” Of course, any- triangle with their “Silence = Death” mot- to WestView News at http://westviewnews. one can purchase their own copy of Carlo’s Until it was shuttered by the pandemic, to, a powerful and infamous image used to org/. By posting your images, you grant book on Amazon at https://www.amazon. Carlos Abisaab worked as a waiter in West great effect by the activist group ACT-UP. RFTCA and WestView News permission to com/Carlos-Colorific-Totally-Tacky-Col- Village favorite Barbuto. Finding himself Avram Finkelstein and Brian Howard, two re-post and re-print your artwork. Readers oring/dp/1636840442. out-of-work and bored, he created a fam- members of that collective, helped inform who do not have the print copy of West- Thank you for participating. One thing ily-friendly, LGBTQ-themed adult color- and participated in RFTCA’s #SHOUT- View News can download the image online is for sure, your artistic talents and creativ- ing book. The coloring book was launched CUREAIDS campaign. And while a third (or better yet, you can also get your own ity will be a great way to start off the New on Amazon starting on World AIDS Day of RFTCA’s board are scientists affiliated print subscription while there). Year and raise much needed awareness and 2020 with 5% of proceeds going to Research with The Rockefeller University, artists WestView News will print all or a subset support to cure AIDS. Foundation to Cure AIDS (RFTCA). Now, Dennis Ashbaugh, Sherry Vine and Alan of qualifying images in an upcoming issue. WestView News is making it possible for ev- Cumming also served among the founding A panel of judges from RFTCA and West- Rockefeller University alumnus and biotech eryone to join in on the quarantine fun with board members. View News plus Carlos himself will select inventor Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D., is the our very own coloring-in contest! George Capsis, publisher of WestView a grand prize-winner and runners-up. All founder and president of Research Founda- Carlos is using his pandemic-inspired News, is proud to support such home- winners will receive their own signed cop- tion to Cure AIDS. Contact Kambiz at talents to entertain people in good fun grown and local initiatives by offering the ies of Carlos’ book, “Carlo’s Colorific and To- [email protected]. and to support good causes. In fact, he newspaper’s own coloring contest. To par- is already working on his second book as ticipate, simply color in the accompanying part of a series of coloring books each one cartoon by Carlos featuring RFTCA’s logo of which will be dedicated to a different and #FreeFromAIDS torch. Use pencils, cause. Carlos selected RFTCA as his first crayons, ink or oil paints, feathers, eco- Oxidative Phosphorylation: non-profit partner from now until Nation- friendly glitter, mustard and ketchup or al Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness day on anything else imagination desires. April 10, 2021. Finally, 1) Post your image to your own Life’s Energy Source Artists have played a vital role in address feed on Instagram; 2) Tag @RFTcureaids, HIV/AIDS ever since the infectious disease @westviewnews and @colorificandtotal- Abstracted from “A Scientists View of each proton passes by this tiny machine, first reared its head. For example, a collective lytacky; and 3) Make a donation of any Almost Everything” by Mark M Green the machine turns. It’s an amazing dance, of artists known as Gran Fury created the amount to RFTCA at https://rftca.org/ Let’s see how the food we eat is converted an incredible process that has been going to the energy we need to keep us walking, on in life forms long before human beings talking, thinking, sleeping and yes even appeared on earth. Each turn takes the eating and all else it means to be alive. Ev- machine 1/3 of the way around. When this erything we eat and drink contains hydro- tiny machine makes three of these turns, gen atoms. All atoms, including hydrogen a full turn around, what could be called a atoms, contain a positive part (+), the nu- dose, or a packet of energy is released into cleus, and a negative part (-), the electrons. the cell, the very energy that keeps us alive It’s just like a battery with its positive and and kicking, the very energy that we use for negative ends. The positive and negative whatever is our purpose on this earth. are linked, strongly attracted to each other. What happens to those protons after The negative electrons and positive nuclei they finish turning the machine and arrive stay close. You’re going to cause a lot of at the bottom of the channel? Waiting at tension by pulling those oppositely charged the bottom is the oxygen that originally entities apart, by pulling the electrons away took those electrons away from the hydro- from the nuclei. But this is exactly what is gen in the food we consume. Each oxygen going on in the cells in your body. atom got two electrons and became doubly Your body contains approximately 10 negative, 2x(-). Because each proton has trillion cells, most of them about 1/10th only one positive charge 1x(+), two protons the diameter of a human hair. Inside each are necessary for each oxygen so that the of those trillions of cells, (+) is being pulled charges are balanced and this makes a mol- apart from (-), positive hydrogen nuclei are ecule with the formula H2O. being pulled apart from negative electrons. When you see your breath on that cold The biochemical machinery of your body winter day, many of the hydrogen atoms carries this out in a way that doesn’t make a in that water vapor originally came from great ruckus over it, but the job gets done. that bowl of oatmeal, or whatever food This is happening to most of the hydrogen and drink you favor. And that water you atoms in what we eat and drink. It all hap- eject from your body with every breath may pens in a part of the cell called the mito- eventually end up in a cloud and maybe chondria. The electrons are taken away and even be part of a rain storm that ends up sent to a place where oxygen is waiting, the in a river, maybe a river that flows over a same oxygen we take in with every breath. water fall, maybe over Niagara Falls, where The positive hydrogen nuclei, called a torrential flow of raging water is rushing protons, are forced elsewhere in the mi- from a higher to a lower place. Engineers tochondria and crowded together into a force the flow through channels causing small space. The only way nature lets them machines to turn and make electricity. out is for each proton to slide down a nar- A friend of mine summed it up when she row channel, and as each one takes this heard the story, “we are all Niagara Falls.” ride it passes a miniscule machine made of Yes, I love that image, a trillion minute Ni- ARTIST CARLOS ABISAAB’S CARTOON OF THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION TO CURE AIDS agara Falls in each of us. All those trillions LOGO and #FreeFromAIDS Torch. To participate in the WestView News coloring contest, proteins just like what your skin and hair of cells are each on their own like miniature post your entry to Instagram tagging @RFTcureaids, @westviewnews and @ colorificand- are made of. Imagine how tiny the machine totallytacky and make a donation of any amount to both RFTCA at https://rftca.org/GetIn- is—only a very small part of the already versions of Niagara Falls, well sort of. Bio- volved/ and WestView News at http://westviewnews.org/. Illustration by the artist. unimaginably small cell in your body. As chemists call it oxidative phosphorylation. 18 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Depression continued from page 1 per to protect the newly shellacked floors and Vaccine continued from page 5 there is some thought that children under flux of Italian immigrants, but now I suspect we would walk past the tiny bedrooms to the According to CNBC, some of the report- 16 years of age and pregnant women should it was started by the Germans who came in two big front rooms—the living and dining ed side effects include “local swelling, irrita- not take it, but it has been deemed safe for the 1820s; we still have some of their original rooms. After the super told my mother that tion, some pain, sense of fatigue, sometimes the rest of us. Check with your doctor about buildings on the lower East Side. the rent was $65 he would ask, “What do headache. In a percentage of patients, they your risks. If there is any doubt, take the But let me tell you about apartment you think?” My mother would pause and ask, had chills and low-grade fever.” vaccine in a hospital or clinic where you can shopping during the Depression. My fa- “How many months concession?” Dr. Moncef Slaoui, who is leading the be treated if a bad reaction occurs. For the ther was the first—and for a long time Now, I have not heard the phrase “how Trump administration’s vaccine develop- greater population there will be minor side the only—Greek real estate broker work- many months concession” in 80 years, but I ment efforts, has defended the safety of the effects which will go away in a day or two. ing with restaurants and bars in New York. am seeing it in articles about New York’s real Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Earlier this As of December 18th, the FDA was aware And being Greek, even in the Depression estate depression. Today, prospective tenants month he said, “significantly noticeable side of “roughly about five” allergic reactions in he managed to keep the family going. are indeed asking, “How many months con- effects from the shots were reported in only possible connection with the Pfizer vaccine But because he dealt in restaurants and cession?” That means, “How many months between 10-15 percent of trial participants, in different states, including Alaska, accord- bars, he worked nights right up to dawn; free of rent do I get if I agree to sign this lease?” potentially lasting up to a day and a half ”. ing to Dr. Peter Marks of the FDA. But “it’s so we three brothers, John, George, and Yes, it is hard to believe that after 78 These have been the most studied trials difficult to talk about them with any kind Paul saw him for a few minutes while he years of rent control, which had been imple- in history. “Operation Warp Speed” was the of good certainty until we have more infor- took his morning whiskey and, then, not mented at the end of WWII to control the name given to a process in the USA which mation about them. Because vaccines are so again till the following morning. rents on the very few available empty apart- was entrusted with clearing all the bureau- well tested, it’s technically much more dan- My older brother John decided he was a ments—since none had been built since cracy of red tape and time. The science was gerous, much riskier, to get the disease than writer and demanded a typewriter for Christ- 1929—we are once again asking landlords left alone to develop and test these vaccines. it is to get the vaccine” (BuzzFeed News). mas. One of his first treatises was a resignation for concessions. But there is more… There were no short cuts in the science. “I would far rather have headache, muscle from the family, so that meant I had to do all It is not only the Pandemic which has Social media users have been sharing a post soreness, fatigue, chills, nausea, and a bit of the running downstairs to get a quart of milk closed offices, restaurants, and libraries; the that makes several claims of serious negative pain at the injection site than be in intensive or loaf of Wonder Bread (both for 11 cents). online world has made it very possible, and health effects from the Pfizer-Biotech CO- care with a ventilator,” said Paul Duprex, Since my father was never around, and my even mandatory, for preschoolers and grad VID-19 vaccine, including that six people Director of the Center for Vaccine Research older brother had abdicated the family, my scholars to stay home and just finger the keys. died during late-stage trials. Six people did at the University of Pittsburgh. mother made me the substitute father. So, I was shocked to read in the Times that die during the Pfizer-Biotech vaccine trials, I am just a journalist, and WestView News when she had to go to Macy’s to buy a couch a company on lower Broadway, faced with but only two of them were given the vaccine, is not a medical journal. We can only report she took me along and asked my opinion, and signing a new lease for an empty office (ev- the rest were given placebos. One of the vac- what some have said about the vaccines, I gave it to her. And whenever I looked at erybody having been sent home because of cine recipients had a cardiac arrest 62 days calling them the greatest and quickest vac- that couch I took pleasure—it was my deci- the pandemic), said No— it being cheaper after a second dose of the two-dose vaccina- cines ever created. They will save millions sion. So I became an adult at age 10. to let people work from home. tion and died three days later. The other died of lives. You have to question why all these OK, but I was going to tell you about My grandson Teddy, sent home from from arteriosclerosis three days after a first experts and government testing agencies apartment shopping during the Depression. his job working on computer security sys- dose of the vaccination. FDA briefings clari- around the world would say these are vac- Every spring people would start thinking tems in Boston, and his sister, a third-year fied that the deaths were not deemed to be cines you should take. Are they just looking about moving. They would review the neigh- college student, are both continuing at related to the vaccine: “None of these deaths to make money? Are they all mistaken? It borhoods around them, debate the merits of home on their computers. were assessed by the investigator as related does not seem plausible that all these people each, and then take a walk to one just a little Some thirty-five years ago I started a to study intervention.” They explained, “All could be fraudulent given the downside of better than the one they were living in. business developing market strategies for deaths represent events that occur in the gen- lawsuits and discredited reputations. Every building had a metal shield hang- European companies entering the US mar- eral population of the age groups where they Moderna is charging between $32-$37 per ing outside with the legend “Apartments ket; the only way I could communicate with occurred, at a similar rate”. dose for its vaccine and may offer a discount if Available.” And then, on a series of nail them was with a teletype machine! (Young The FDA briefing documents also show it is bought in bulk. Pfizer’s, on the other hand, hooks, it would display the number of readers will have no idea about this ma- that it is true that there were four cases of Bell’s is more affordable. It is reported to be $20 per rooms available in these vacant apart- chine—it was a massive typewriter on a Palsy among those who received the vaccine. dose. “The U.S. has secured 100 million doses ments, “2, 3, 4, 5.” My mother would stand, connected over telephone wires to a Bell’s Palsy is a sudden weakness or freezing of of the Pfizer vaccine, which is enough to vac- stop at a building she liked, where, on the similar machine in Europe, and when they muscles on one side of the face, which in most cinate 50 million people” (Health and Science, left of the entrance door, there would be keyed our machine it would bang out the cases is temporary. The briefing states that the CNBC). The U.S. has also made a deal with a very shiny brass plate with the legend letters—sometimes at 3:00 in the morning.) frequency of Bell’s Palsy in the vaccine group is Moderna for 200 million doses. Vaccines will “Super” inscribed in black letters, and Sometime later, the fax machine was in- “consistent with the expected background rate continue to be in production until the demand a bell. She would have me ring the bell vented and a French client pleaded with in the general population,” adding there is “no worldwide is satisfied. and, within minutes, the super would me to get one because it would be so chic. clear basis upon which to conclude a causal “The goal is to achieve herd immunity, ex- emerge from his basement apartment Today, we have our contributors’ meetings relationship at this time.” The FDA said it perts say; roughly 70 percent of the popula- with a dangling bunch of keys and a “Yes, online instead of in my garden, and I get to would, however, recommend “surveillance” for tion needs to be vaccinated or have natural how can I help you.” know the personalities of our writers better cases of Bell’s Palsy as the vaccine is sent out to antibodies. That’s about 462 million doses for My mother always responded with, by seeing their home-decorating preferences. larger groups of people”. herd immunity and an estimated 660 million “Do you have three bedrooms on the top At this point I should be making some “For most people, Bell’s Palsy is tempo- doses for everyone in our country. Both Pfiz- floor?”—the top floor because it was five predictions as to what the future might rary. Symptoms usually start to improve er’s and Modena’s vaccines require two doses”. flights up and, hence, cheaper. All the apart- look like, but I think we can assume that within a few weeks, with complete recov- The battle with COVID-19 will be over ments we lived in on the Upper West Side communications will get better and better, ery in about six months. A small number of if we put forth the effort to not only get were on the fifth floor, including the last and and that future phone conversations might people continue to have some Bell’s Palsy the vaccine, but also to continue practic- best at 550 Riverside Drive, just north of take place over 50-inch 3D TV screens. symptoms for life. Rarely, according to the ing vigilance. Yes, we will need to continue Grant’s Tomb and the Claremont Inn. My hope is that our knowledge and in- Mayo Clinic, Bell’s Palsy can recur”. wearing masks, keeping out of crowds, and But let us go back—the super would lead telligence—and yes, wisdom—will also The vaccine has been given in Great Brit- washing our hands well into this coming us up the five flights to the available apart- improve somewhat, so that as we continue ain for several weeks. Two recipients have summer. But things will start getting better ment and open the door to the smell of fresh to proceed in the global electronic world developed severe allergic reactions which and better shortly, and life may return to paint. The hall floor would be covered in pa- we will have something worthwhile to say. prompted treatment. Both have recovered. normal by summer’s end. There is also news that two people in Alaska Vaccines to prevent the coronavirus dis- IF THIS PAPER MAKES YOU THINK have had allergic reactions and are recover- ease 2019 (COVID-19) are perhaps the ing. Before you take the vaccine check with best hope for ending the pandemic. While We will print your thoughts in the next issue your doctor to make sure you do not have no vaccines are 100 percent effective, they Send your letter to [email protected] any medical reasons not to do so. If you have are far better than not getting vaccinated. had allergic reactions to any vaccination, “The benefits certainly outweigh the risks 69 Charles St. , New York NY 10014 you should not take this vaccine. Right now, in healthy people.” www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 19 Apartment Available At WestView

This lovely apartment with a marble fireplace overlooking the garden is available at 69 Charles Street.

Village rents are coming down, making this luxury apartment available with access to his- toric garden in WestView 1886 building. We are aware of the 20% drop in Village rents.

Call George Capsis 212 924 5718­—rent concession for right tenant.

Notes From Away: Collins’ Chance to Lead By Tom Lamia Several of these columns have incorpo- of his Supreme Court nominees (Barrett) rated the stories of Maine politics and poli- before the November election. This was I have spoken often in this monthly col- ticians who have stood out for their skills her reward for her efforts to curry his favor umn about Maine, my home for the past and courage on the national stage: Fran- with votes against his impeachment and six years. I have contrasted Maine charac- ces Perkins, Ed Muskie, George Mitchell, for his prior controversial Supreme Court ters and characteristics, with their coun- William Cohen, Angus King and Margaret nominee (Kavanaugh). It is also a chance to terparts in the West Village. Over time Chase Smith. Each of these individuals set salvage her political party and its historical mental images of New York and the West a high standard for integrity in public ser- principles. She can take her text from her Village have receded, while impressions of vice. predecessor Margaret Chase Smith. Maine have moved to the center. As this The West Village can claim its own he- In 1950, in her second year in the U.S. process has evolved, I have found that these roes in these matters: Alexander Hamil- Senate, Smith gave her “Declaration of monthly essays increasingly feature the im- ton is said to have died in a house on Jane Conscience” speech in the Senate. She did Street the morning after being rowed back not mention Senator Joseph McCarthy, but pact of life on Maine and its people. The re- MARGARET CHASE SMITH of Maine. Photo sult has been more stories and observations to New York following his mortal duel with spoke of her concern that “some members” Credit: U.S. Senate Historical Records. about where I live now and fewer about the Aaron Burr; Fiorello La Guardia, born in were turning the Senate into “a forum of universe of my old home on Charles Street. the Village, embodied in his life and po- hate and character assassination.” She ap- Republican senators today in their cower- But, there is often a connecting thread in litical career the essence of New York char- pealed for a return to “the right to inde- ing devotion to a defeated President Trump my thoughts, that finds its way into what I acter—ambition, confidence, progressive pendent thought” and to the principles of needs no elaboration. If that freshman U.S. write, of ideas and forces that are common ideals and likeability—all in a diminutive, the Republican party, saying that the party Senator from Maine could assert her in- to both worlds. fearless physical package. should base its opposition to the Democrats dependence and face the attacks that fol- For example, in recent years I have spo- All were outspoken in their unwilling- on “proved cases” not “unproven charges.” lowed, should we not expect a five-term ken proudly of admirable qualities often ness to sit idle while society suffered fools. Six Republican colleagues joined her; 35 Senator from the same state to declare found in a solid Maine citizenry. A hardy Now, another Maine politician has remained silent. McCarthy reacted sav- openly what is within her conscience and character associated with Maine’s geogra- a chance to join my list of stalwarts, one agely, referring to Smith and her colleagues call out a man whose transgressions exceed phy; the need to make the best of farming whose effort would gain my praise for as “Snow White and the Six Dwarfs” and those of McCarthy and whose effect on her rocky soil, fishing in rough seas and find- political courage. I speak, of course, of caused her to be removed from the Senate’s Republican Party is every bit as malign? ing buyers for hard won products in dis- Maine’s Senator Susan Collins, whose rep- Permanent Subcommittee on Investiga- Collins would have the support of a hand- tant markets. Past columns have featured utation for political courage was in tatters tions, to be replaced by new Senator Rich- ful of Republican colleagues in the Senate, an early Bowdoin College professor turned after she wrung her hands and gnashed her ard Nixon. McCarthy and his allies took as Smith did, and she would no doubt be Civil War general who plugged a gap in the teeth repeatedly over whether or not to side every opportunity to smear Smith thereaf- viciously attacked by a great number of Re- Union lines at Gettysburg; quarry workers with her party’s President on critical votes. ter—until a day four years later when the publicans in the Senate and elsewhere. who cut granite blocks from coastal islands, In keeping the nation on tenterhooks while Senate effectively ended McCarthy’s career She has only to say publicly that Trump loaded it on sailing ships and transported weighing her conscience against her future by voting to censure him. lost in a free and fair election and his efforts it to the Hudson River waterfront to build in politics, she managed to disappoint all The parallels between what Margaret to enlist election officials to “overturn” the New York City structures and streets; and sides and earn a reputation for insincerity Chase Smith of Maine faced in confront- result, are unconstitutional. Not so hard. a diminutive bureaucrat from the northern and indecisiveness. She has now the chance ing a powerful and feared Republican Sen- She outpolled Trump in November by a edge of Maine who refused to authorize a to redeem her reputation after her party ator and a bloc of Republican colleagues large margin, so what can she now be afraid security clearance for Trump’s son-in-law leader abandoned her out of spite over her who would not stand up to his bullying of? Mainers will appreciate such a demon- at the cost of her job. announced refusal to vote for yet another and falsehoods, and the situation faced by stration of courage. 20 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org

THEN: The meat packing industry of Manhat- and investment firm, managed by Charles tan developed around the Gansevoort Mar- Dunne and Zachary Waksal. ket for many years, but the demand for fresh Marketed as 601 Washington at Leroy Then&Now: products to serve butchers, grocers, restaurants (aka 127 Leroy St.), the new condo build- and food processors meant that related busi- ing consists of just 10 large residences, 601 Washington Street nesses spread to nearby neighborhoods as well. designed to take advantage of the abun- Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors is one example. dant exposures, and the large footprint, by By Brian J Pape, AIA Anthony LaFrieda learned the trade of BKSK Architects LLP. BKSK specializes butchery in Naples, Italy, before he emi- in design that is contemporary architec- grated to the U.S. in 1909. In 1922, An- ture inspired by traditional design theory, thony opened his own butcher shop in such as 24 Leonard, 25 Bond Street, The Brooklyn, running the shop with his five Hubert, and 77 Reade Street. The firm sons, who also became butchers. In 1950, has received many design awards, includ- they opened a shop in New York City’s ing honors from the American Institute of meatpacking district on West 14th Street. Architects and multiple Palladio Awards. In 1964, Anthony’s son Pat LaFrieda the The 601 Washington building’s design first, and his son Pat LaFrieda the second features a generous central courtyard, pro- (known today as Pat Sr.), only 18 years old, viding private garden entrances to the triplex took full ownership of LaFrieda Meats and townhouse units, as well as the main lobby. changed the name to Pat LaFrieda Meat Townhouses span from cellar to second Purveyors. As business grew, the shop floor, with their own private gyms and in- moved locations to Little West 12th Street, ternal elevators. A recent sale of townhouse then Bleecker Street, and then to an exist- unit TWNHW, having ceiling heights from THEN: THE PAT LAFRIEDA MEAT PURVEYORS SHOP ON LEROY STREET, viewed from ing building at 129 Leroy Street, aka 601 10’-6” to 17’, sold for $19,942,500. Washington Street, left, was here from 1980 to 2010. Credit: LaFrieda.com Washington Street, in 1980. The units on the third through fifth During the 1980s on Leroy Street, Pat floors are half-floor apartments with at least LaFrieda the third (Pat Jr.) began to learn two exposures. The final four levels, 6-9, are the trade at age 12, showing the same pas- two massive penthouse quadruplexes that sion and talent for butchery that his great- include outdoor terraces, rooftop soaking grandfather, grandfather, and father had tubs, and views of the Hudson River. before him. Working directly with restau- Only one unit currently appears on rants, the family team created some of the the market: Apt. PHW, for $32,274,000 first custom burger blends that have made ($4,500 per ft2) with six beds and six baths them famous all over the country. in 7,172 ft2. When the business outgrew the Leroy The Mankato Kasota Limestone fa- Street location in 2010, they moved their cade of the building is actually a compos- shop to NJ. ite rainscreen assembly of thin ¼” slices of NOW: This block of Leroy Street is com- limestone laminated to aluminum honey- memorated as “Pat LaFrieda Lane.” Af- comb panels, clipped to light-metal fur- ter the LaFrieda business moved in 2010, ring strips, fastened to the concrete frame. NOW: 601 WASHINGTON AT LEROY (aka 127 Leroy St.), looking north, the new condo they rented the building to art galleries for With such a thin veneer of limestone, any building that consists of only 10 luxury residences. This block of Leroy Street is commemo- several years, until they sold it to Shibumi abuse along the sidewalks could quickly rated as “Pat LaFrieda Lane.” Credit: Brian J Pape, AIA. Development, a real estate development cause unsightly damage, difficult to repair. January News and Events

By Chandra/Jo Sgammato Covering the tree beds with light of current scien- benefit one’s health. This inter-generational twigs on December 19 created tific research for chron- Zoom program features singers and pianists And now, it is 2021! Project NYC and the a colorful display to protect the ic pain and stress relief. from NYC’s Juilliard and Mannes schools of West 13th Street Alliance wish our neigh- tulips for the winter. With regular practice, music. borhood, our city, our country, and our plan- Chair Yoga classes and Yoga classes are effective in Mark your calendars for Ask the Ex- et a better year ahead. Let us join together for Arthritis and Chronic Pain the management of ar- perts on February 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in hoping for an end to the pandemic and a provided by certified Integral thritic pain and related with Alex Hellinger, Executive Director of return to normal, or at least a “new normal,” Yoga instructors Drew Kindred symptoms. Lenox Health Greenwich Village, and Dr. manifesting lessons learned in 2020. and Ken Stec brought easeful Live and Through a Lonny Levy, Associate Chair of the Emer- During 2020, our organization piv- exercise and healing practices Screen with Nina Priya gency Department. They will talk about oted from in person to virtual community into your homes. David on Wednesday, COVID updates and take questions. events and enjoyed many happy hours with Yoga for Arthritis and January 13 from 6:30 We look forward with great hope to a neighbors near and far. We came together Chronic Pain with Ken Stec to 7:30 p.m., is a free time in 2021 when we can be together in for some Community Sharing events, for will continue into January on audio-visual concert fea- person again. In the meantime, stay safe, workshops on hand and foot massage with Wednesdays at 10 a.m. on Janu- turing local and world- stay positive and take care of yourselves Nina David, for a virtual program with ary 6, 13, 20 and 27. Here’s the description class singers and pianists. Singer/Director/ and one another. the Whitney, for programs with Mandy for those who might join for the first time: Yoga Teacher Nina Priya David has curated To RSVP for these events, please email Suarez on health and nutrition, for card Certified in Yoga for Arthritis and as a a program of classical and popular vocal mu- Wayne Kawadler at Wayne@TheProject- making with Michele and the Ink Pad and Yoga Therapist, longtime Integral Yoga sic tailored to the technology by which sing- NYC.org. You will receive an email response Ask the Expert seminars with experts from teacher Ken Stec will guide you safely in ers and pianists are able to record and share with the Zoom link. Please also email Wayne Lenox Health Greenwich Village. gentle postures geared for chair and stand- music during these Pandemic times. The with any questions about using Zoom. We were even able to do some street ing practice. Rooted in traditional yogic creative process is unique, the melodies, texts cleanup and plant tulips with generous principles encouraging a healthy body and and images captivating and enriching—and JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST at w13th- volunteers and snacks from Elm Wellness. a peaceful mind, postures are presented in the whole experience has the potential to [email protected] www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 21 Our Way Out of This: I Think Not By Robert Kroll least, stops crying and shuts up. Hence the AUTHOR’S NOTE: This essay was written term “thumb-sucker.” Either type of book exclusively for the denizens of the West Vil- can be helpful, but for different reasons. lage; that is not only because WestView News The T-A can be juicy, spiteful, and full of doesn’t circulate much beyond that boundary, the kinds of details that only an “insider” can but also because I wouldn’t entrust it much to provide. Dozens have been written to try to those living west of the Hudson River, east of explain the machinations of the Trump presi- the Gowanus Canal, or north of 14th Street. dency. Machiavelli’s Prince is one which was quite prescient. Others include Michael Co- hen’s Disloyal: A Memoir, and Stephanie Win- ston Wolkoff ’s Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship with the First Lady. The details of these delightful tomes may or may not be true, but they are often tasty, allegori- cal, salacious, and sexy. Any one of these T-As WE CAN TURN TO BOOKS, which enlighten, can be credible, but in inverse proportion to explicate, or discuss (if not answer) our the anger or grievance of its author. When questions. Artwork by Rose Ray. there are many T-As on the same topic, and Being on the precipice of a new year, I wel- “factual” agreement among them, their cred- Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). come another 365 days of the inexorable ibility rises in direct proportion to the number weather catastrophe, the inexorable political of them. Two T-As are twice as credible as 77 Christopher Street catastrophe, the inexorable health catastro- one, but that’s a low bar. One hundred T-As Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street phe, the inexorable financial and economic that generally agree with each another are a catastrophes, and the pervasive and omni- dead cinch to be close to “true.” “True” only Pharmacy Hours: present inequality fiasco that exacerbates the has a useful meaning when applied to compass Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM others. There are a few other catastrophes directions; in general, no book on the global Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM and fiascos I could mention (don’t ask for weather change or capitalist inequality could Closed Sunday the distinction between those two malefac- truly fit this category and no matter how well tors), but welcome to them also. thought-out, will never be described as sexy. Telephone: 212-255-2525 Fax: 212-255-2524 Suffice it to say we will not fully compre- An insider book on global warming would • hend the enormity of these calamities, short have to be written by Mr. Carbon, who, as email: [email protected] or long-term as they are, by the end of this we know, doesn’t exist. And, if he did exist, he www.newyorkchemists.com article, though that is my assignment, which wouldn’t be that good a writer. I accept. Believe me, it’s a Herculean task, THE THUMB-SUCKER especially in 700 words or less—bear with Inside of every thumb-sucker, T-S, is the me. By the end of this piece you will either product of the author’s thoughts. Although be doing your happy dance, the one that all men are created equal (which applies to celebrates a sudden revelation, or scratch- all genders), not all humans are very good ing your head in wonder. Never mind the thinkers. If you are browsing at Barnes & outcome—I get paid the same either way. Noble and happen to find a T-S by a good We could easily try to meditate or con- thinker, by all means snap it up; you are not Do You Need Home Care? template, or visualize our way out of the ca- likely to find it again. Such rarities as Thom- lamities. Those are all good methods, easy as Paine’s Common Sense, the Madisonian on the back and all potentially great when and Hamiltonian Federalist Papers, Plato’s Continuity Home Health Care you feel the rush of epiphany or discovery. Republic, and the ultimate T-S, John Stuart “Eureka, I understand what’s happening.” Mills’ On Liberty are artifacts from the past. Moments later, when you realize there’s Thankfully, they are all still in print. not a f%$%ing thing you can do with that But even good ideas are fleeting and may Where Healing Continues... understanding, you return to meditation, become ephemeral, passing through history A licensed home care agency providing contemplation, or simple navel gazing… without collecting a neurological barnacle. health care services, both professional Then we can turn to books. Books some- For example, Thomas Snyder’s wonderful and paraprofessional, for individuals times enlighten, explicate, or discuss (if short book , a hit Twenty Lessons on Tyranny living at home since 1996. not answer), our questions. There are two during the Trump years, will probably be broad types of books that have been circu- removed from the Amazon top 100 more lating widely from time immemorial that thought-provoking books, along with Ges- promise answers: the tell-all (the T-A) and sen’s The Future is History: How Totalitarian- the thumb-sucker (the T-S). There’s also a ism Reclaimed Russia as soon as Joseph Biden Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 third type: “Everything you always wanted is sworn into office. Bottom line: keep read- to know about…” I refuse to deal with this ing but don’t expect books to provide the an- or drop in to 198 Avenue of The Americas type because the authors never seem to swers to life’s persistent questions. know everything I want to know. Getting back to where this essay be- We accept most private THE TELL-ALL gan—the near futility of figuring out what The tell-all, or T-A, is usually the result of just happened to us and whether we should insurances anger or grievance and the search for vin- meditate, contemplate, or read our way out and private pay. dication or revenge. The thumb-sucker, or of it. My answer to the extremely optimis- T-S, is the product of stepping back from tic: all three are required but probably not the fray and doing something we used to sufficient. For the pessimist, fugetaboutit. [email protected] call “thinking.” Maybe cogitating is a better term. It’s what a baby is doing when she puts Robert Kroll is a co-op super, Japanese wood- her thumb in her mouth and, for a while at worker, ex-lawyer, and extant journalist. 22 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org

Maggie B’s Quick Clicks DOING OUR BEST TO "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON!"

....Whether shopping for a tree from the Romp Family's or welcoming back Sam Mercado's holiday mural at marveling at the fact that the can collector is still on the annual stand on Jane Street, D'Agostino's, job every Monday night,

and that the farmers continue to come in from the country not to mention being entertained by these dynamite per- And that in spite of the hardships they've suffered this to keep the Abingdon Square market going every Saturday, formers while we shop! year, the restaurants have gamely kept the Christmas All photos by Maggie Berkvist. decorating tradition alive. How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Compliments By Ira Ellenthal ited its print run to 2,500 copies. book and I felt I had to share it with you. have spent my life selling.” When it comes to my latest book, a front- A Philhellene, he brings an artist’s passion, When he had finished the book, Penel- When I was running, or helping to run, runner in a prestigious international awards personality, and imagination to the subject ope emailed me again: “I just spoke with such publications as The Daily News, U.S. competition to determine the best sales book of sales. Aristotle would have approved. Ira George and he loves your book, more than News & World Report, The Atlantic and, of 2020, no one has been more complimentary makes selling an adventure and fills his read- ever. He’s enchanted with your writing prior to that, a dozen trade magazines, I than this newspaper’s leader, George Capsis. ers in on its excitement and challenges—be- style. ‘It’s like talking to someone in a bar,’ received many compliments, most of which I had never heard of the newspaper, or cause selling’s never been a straight path, he said of your writing. He wants a 500- made me wary. Let’s face it, when we have George, for that matter, until recently. The but a trip that challenges all an individual’s word article as quickly as you can get it to power, others tend to butter us up. fact is, I haven’t been in Greenwich Village resources. While entertaining us with his him.” To quote no less a literary authority My power has been long gone, and the more than a dozen of times since attending storytelling skills, he loads his book with than the late great Yankee shortstop Phil compliments went with it—until recently, New York University over six decades ago— anecdotes, information, and some surpris- Rizzuto, “Holy Cow!” Even Hemingway when I wrote a book on the art of selling. even while serving as president and associate ing new ideas and approaches. His book has would have celebrated that compliment. Called The Last Book About Selling That publisher of The Daily News. The Village did won high praise from McDonald’s famed But before George gets arrogant, I feel im- You’ll Ever Need, available on Amazon for make an indelible impression on me: I al- marketing guru Larry Light, as well as from pelled to remind him that his was only the $12.95, it debuted a few months ago and, most rented my first apartment in the city, on billionaire Carl Icahn. ‘It’s a great read by a second-best compliment I’ve gotten about ever since, the compliments have been Horatio Street, before backing out when my brilliant salesman, recommended to any in- my writing. The best came when a Steinbeck flowing as freely as the tide—far less than a roommate-to-be was drafted; I once took a dividual who tunes into and is intrigued by scholar read the book I wrote about my father tsunami, mind you, but steadily and regu- girlfriend to dinner at the Coach House and the art of selling,’ Icahn said.” and commented, “Steinbeck had nothing on larly. And this go-round I’m believing in am still recovering from the trauma of pay- I hardly ever use the words “I’ll be hon- Ira Ellenthal.” That one took my breath away. the sincerity of the admirers because I lack ing the check; it was in Washington Square est” or “To tell you the truth” because they Seriously, I want George to know that the power to do anything for them. Park that I learned the apocryphal legend of suggest that everything that preceded them is I’m exceedingly grateful for his generous Despite being available for only a short Garibaldi and his sword. bullshit. However, I’ll make an exception this praise and allowing me to communicate time, my new book has already garnered But back to my book on selling and the one time; I’ll be honest and tell you the truth: directly with his loyal readers. more compliments and registered more sales man behind this publication. George be- I’m as much a sucker for a compliment as the He should also know that I sent him a than my last one, a memoir about the colorful came aware of it in an email from Penelope next person, so my affection for Penelope check for $24.00 for a one-year subscription life of my father, called Slootie’s Wars, written Karageorge, a talented public relations pro has increased exponentially. I’ll also tell you to the paper. I know it should have been for in 2004. Not even a brilliant introduction by and articulate spokesperson for the city’s that when I heard George’s reaction after he two years—but, at my advanced age it would my friend, author Pete Hamill who recently Greek community. We met years ago when had read only a small portion of the book, I have been bad karma to do that. I responded died, could prevent me from giving away we were both pounding typewriter keys at a was over the moon. “It’s very rare for me to similarly to the Motor Vehicle Bureau when more copies than I sold. My first book, also daily newspaper in Newburgh, NY. The fol- even start a book, but I did so with Ira’s book offered a choice between a two-year and six- on selling, was written nearly 40 years ago. It lowing words are part of an email she wrote this afternoon and I like it—I like it. I like it year license renewal. did well, but it was much narrower in focus to George about my book: “Ira Ellenthal has because it is about a subject I still deal with Hey, these are perilous times and one than the new book, and its publisher had lim- written a dramatically original and essential every day—selling. Indeed, you might say I can’t be too careful. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 23 Using Speech Recognition to Control Your Desktop and Programs A Capsis Family and desktops will have the necessary pro- cessing and storage space to use the soft- Celebration ware optimally. Even some of the budget laptops will be able to harness the power of the software, just avoid opening many programs at once. I recommend a proces- sor of i3, i5 or higher. For the sound card I recommend using an external USB sound card. This is because most tablets and lap- tops have a lot of internal noise (even some desktops do). I also recommend a noise- canceling headset with a mic that can plug into the external sound card. To get the hardware and software set up properly, from your Windows desktop, go to Search on the taskbar. Type “Con- AUTHOR ASA BACON, above, hands-free at trol Panel”. Next, click on “Ease of Ac- the computer. Photo courtesy of Asa Bacon. cess”. Next, click on “Speech Recognition”. When that opens, go through the steps By Asa Bacon to set up your microphone and take the Years ago, I acquired a physical disability, short tutorial. I recommend doing some that affected my fingers as well. Typing voice training at first, so the software un- slowly with many errors becomes a nui- derstands your voice. After using the soft- sance and time consuming. It would be ware for a while, you can go back and do a great if my computer allowed me to dictate little more training so that it adapts to your to it like a digital secretary. Well, as of 2007 voice better. Then go onto the Microsoft WESTVIEW PUBLISHER GEORGE CAPSIS (RIGHT) is surrounded by his family at his it can. With the debut of Windows Vista, support site to get instructions on using recent birthday celebration. Seated left to right are his daughter-in-law Ariadne, son Microsoft introduced Windows Speech specific commands to control your desk- Doric and granddaughter Sophia. Grandson Teddy was unable to attend. Photo by Recognition. top, your web browser, dictate to your word Dusty Berke. Many of us today are familiar with voice processor or email app, etc. There will be recognition from our digital devices such times when the software will get on your as smartphones. But it seems that a lot of nerves. At those times just close the soft- the public is unfamiliar with a very use- ware. Use your keyboard for a bit and then ful part of the Windows (TM) operating reopen the speech recognition software. system called Windows Speech Recogni- On a personal note, this article was cre- tion (WSR). Speech recognition focuses ated, edited and rewritten using the Win- on the translation of audible speech to dows speech recognition program. I also text, whereas voice recognition just seeks use speech recognition when I’m surfing to identify an individual’s voice to perform the web and using either Microsoft Edge various functions. In Windows 10 (also in or Google Chrome. The software is also Windows 7 and Windows 8) the Speech helpful for me when I’m writing e-mails. Recognition feature can be used to con- By the way, similar software is also avail- trol the desktop, launch apps, and convert able in other major operating systems such speech to text in word processing and oth- as Apple or Android. er applications. Good luck with your hands-free speech Windows Speech Recognition was pri- recognition adventure. If you have any marily designed to help people with dis- problems or questions call Windows sup- abilities who couldn’t use a mouse or key- port. If you have any type of physical re- board, as part of Microsoft’s accessibility striction, call Windows disability support features. I have a physical disability myself for in-depth support. and have been using Windows Speech Recognition for years. But anyone can set Asa Bacon is a 50-year-old bookkeeper who up and use this feature to navigate Win- lives in Long Island, New York. He is a dows and dictate text. Once you have it fan of real history, science fact and fiction. set up and have gotten familiar with the Mr. Bacon is on the Board of Directors of program, you will find that you can get up the New York Amateur Computer Club. He to 95% accuracy with speech recognition. will be giving a presentation about speech You’ll be using your Microsoft Word, Ex- recognition in January 2021. Call 516- cel, and email hands-free in no time. 655-6803 or go to NYACC.org for Zoom To use the software effectively you directions. Please email dave.metzger@ should first make sure you have the right gmail.com to receive details on accessing the hardware. Most mid-range tablets, laptops, Zoom meeting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/how-to-use-speech-recognition-in-windows support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-voice-recognition-in-windows-10 24 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org

ute, there was so much beauty in that room. I honestly didn’t know where to begin or how to take it all in. But Karen’s Quirky Style in a magical way, just like on Mr. Dressup, a few special garments beckoned for my attention, and before I knew By Karen Rempel it I had put together a fantastical ensemble. Many girls dream of being a ballerina. Not me! I dreamed When I was a little girl, I loved playing dress up. In of getting dressed up and going on exciting dates. I should Canada we had a show called Mr. Dressup which was on have been born in the West Village, not in a dull suburb of every weekday morning from the time my family got a Vancouver called Burnaby. When I first came to New York, television until the mid-90s. His puppet friends Casey in 2014, I knew I was home. Soon after, I started taking and Finnegan were part of the fun, but the moment I ballet classes at the Joffrey Ballet School. It still blows my liked best was when Mr. Dressup opened his magical mind that anyone who lives in New York can take classes Tickle Trunk and put on a costume and played make- at one of the best ballet schools on the planet. Even during believe. When I learned that my Scottish friends across the pandemic my teacher is giving Zoom classes for her the street, Karn and Stuart, had a dress up trunk, so tan- regular students. I am remedial, to say the least, but my legs talizingly close by, I wanted to go over and play at their love the feeling of the classic barre exercises. Tendu, piqué, house every day. Unfortunately, their mother wasn’t too plié, passé, rond de jambe. So, I couldn’t resist the chance to keen on frequent visits, so it was a rare treat when I got put on a pretty tutu and dress up as a ballerina. Just like the to go over and talk my friends into playing dress up in shoes in the trunk from my childhood, the shoes I found the basement. This was taking dressing Barbie to the at NYV are much too big for me. But they are so high, if next level, being the glamorous doll I fantasized about! I you squint your eyes they create a certain illusion. This is as remember a fur stole (probably moth-eaten), a gold bro- close as I’m going to get to being en pointe! cade gown, and high heels that were (of course) much too big for me. But I loved wearing this ensemble, tot- For more fun Philip Maier photos, see karensquirkystyle.com. tering around the underground room and preening in front of a standing mirror. I always wanted Stuart to dress up and be my date, but since he was only five years STYLE NOTES old he really wasn’t interested. Sadly, this set the tone for my love life for decades to come. Hetero Canadian guys VINTAGE BALLERINA COSTUME FROM GERRY REED. Cream satin and tulle, decorated with carved wooden just don’t enjoy getting dressed up—they prefer a nice flowers and butterflies, twigs, netting, and gold spangles. plaid wool shirt and jeans. New York Vintage. 117 West 25th Street. After wearing the vintage ice blue Victor Costa dress YVES SAINT LAURENT QUILTED CHERRY SATIN JACKET for my column last month, I thought I should pay an- (not in this shot; see karensquirkystyle.com). New York other visit to New York Vintage and see what they Vintage. 212-647-1107. might have in store for me. Oh my God! NYV is a vast BLACK SILK TOP HAT WITH RED SILK BAND. New York treasure trove of vintage goodies—rack after rack of the Vintage. newyorkvintage.com most exquisite designer garments, as well as hats, gloves, WEST VILLAGE MODEL Karen Rempel plays dress-up at VINTAGE CREAM AND BLACK PLATFORM 9½” FETISH shoes and jewelry. I think my heart stopped for a min- Astor Place. Photo by Philip Maier. SHOES. New York Vintage.

in Joe Biden’s honor. So let’s start with Keith! I’ll call him this because he looked like a sexy amalgamation of Keith Catch and Release Richards and Mick Jagger, with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, tinged with salt, and a British accent that re- HOME ON THE RANGE By Karen Rempel ally ignited my spark plugs. A woman I met at the Biden By Roberta Curley gala invited me to a Wine and Design event near Rock- Many girls dream of their wedding day. Not me! I dreamed efeller Center. I had the Ziggy Stardust haircut that you of twirling in glamorous gowns and going to glittering ga- may recall from my early “Karen’s Quirky Style” columns, I bet Obama’s pajamas are the cat’s meow las with arm candy men. Every day after school I swooned with carrots on top and teal at the back. I was wearing mine make me look like a pregnant sow at the thought of being Ginger, alone with Gilligan on his jeans, high black boots, and multi-colored bolero jacket, island. I was born just before the Summer of Love, and the Former President is so neat and trim sampling a pinot noir, when Keith strolled over, and said, he must sleep in silk robes which bear justice to him my heart thirsts for freedom, excitement, and finding out “You look like an interesting person to know.” I thought, what’s around the next bend in the Alaskan Highway. This “You look pretty interesting too,” in his black jeans, gray my “lazing” gear is ancient and polyester passion for discovery has whirled me on a football field full shirt, black leather jacket, and that hair! We chatted a bit, I’d only bare it if I were called to sequester of merry-go-round romantic adventures. and the sparks were shooting in all directions. Embold- In contrast, WestView News Publisher George Capsis ened by the wine I had sampled at half a dozen display clothes make the man, my mama always said was born in 1927, the year of the first talkie The( Jazz rooms, I said “Should we go for a drink?” “Yes, darling!” if she could see me now in each tattered thread Singer) and of Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight across “How about Bar SixtyFive?” I was reaching for the stars— the Atlantic. His mom sent him to school with a quarter pajamas remind me of donning old slippers the next incarnation of the Rainbow Room—the epitome I exalt my PJs like waiters glorify tippers for lunch money, and he went to White Tower every day of New York romance. and got two burgers and a hot chocolate for fifteen cents. As we tried to find the elevator up to Bar SixtyFive, we my red jammies had been trusty for years He had a few adventures himself, but settled down pretty seemed to go through one revolving door after another that dependence leading to angst and tears young and was married for over five decades. Every time at Rockefeller Center—whirling and twirling! As I went I tell George I have exciting news, he says, “You’re getting through the sixth whirligig, I said, “Rockefeller Center is I felt a breeze one night - cursed the burgeoning rip married?” He thinks this is the most exciting thing that nothing but revolving doors!” I was disconcerted that he even a president’s tailor couldn’t mend this blip can happen to a woman, and that I am a strange exotic didn’t come out the other side laughing. But I shrugged it I adored my poly pajamas even more than I love hearsay creature because I don’t want to be tied to one person for off. We finally found the elevator and learned that Bar Six- life—not even for a decade! So he asked me to write a col- but their bottom seam was first to pop astray tyFive was closed for a private event. “How about Otto at umn about my romantic life (aka dating disasters), to help One Fifth?” Keith suggested. “Sure, I live near there.” He I blame the pandemic for abetting a national pajama party, him understand why I prefer to remain single. hailed a cab, and soon we were seated side by side in the for my conspicuous split - and my food frenzy so hearty! In my Karen’s Quirky Style column last month, I men- dimly lit bar, sparkling wine glasses in hand again, drenched tioned meeting a handsome architect after attending a gala in the magic of New York. (To be continued next month.) www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 25 Style on the Street: 2020 QuaranTeam All-Stars

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REISS 309-313 Bleecker “Skylar” Wool-blend fabrication, notch lapels and double-breasted silhouette reiss.com 26 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org City Winery Opens on Pier 57 Amidst Shutdown and a 150-capacity loft performance space, nally projected a spring 2017 re-opening as well as a rooftop pavilion restaurant, are for the site. planned. VIP skyboxes and balcony seat- The revenue-generating Hudson River ing, plus a western glass-enclosed terrace, Park pier, co-developed by RXR Realty, will allow guests to view the Hudson River and soon also serve as offices for Google, plus Diller’s Little Island. indoor and outdoor public seating areas, an There are now many City Wineries exhibit space and classroom operated by across the country, a continuing collabo- Hudson River Park’s science and educa- ration between the architect and Michael tion staff, and other cultural and learning Dorf, CEO & founder. centers, such as the River Project. The Pier Originally designed by Emil Praeger 57 developer is obligated to provide a large and constructed from 1950-54 for pas- ground floor interior public open space on senger ships, the Art Deco-style Pier 57 the south side of the ground floor, currently metal enclosure has stainless-steel signage referred to as the “Living Room.” On the reading “MARINE & AVIATION” and roof will be a large landscaped public park “PIER 57”. Called the “Superpier”, “The with panoramic views of Manhattan, New World’s Most Modern Pier” is an innova- Jersey and the New York Harbor. tive structure, being fireproof, durable and immune to many of the problems that had Brian J. Pape is a LEED-AP “Green” historically plagued wooden waterfront architect consulting in private practice, construction. Just below the main deck, serves on the Manhattan District 2 Com- three large concrete caissons serve as base- munity Board, is Co-chair of the American THE MAIN ENTRY HAS A WINE SHOP AND GIFT STORE, and acts as the main lobby for ment spaces, resting on the riverbed. The access to other areas, featuring this curving stair wall of backlit bottles. Credit: Brian J Institute of Architects NY Design for Aging caissons were formed inside a diked pond Pape, AIA. Committee, and is a journalist, especially on near Haverstraw NY, and after completion architecture subjects. were floated like a barge down the Hudson By Brian J Pape, AIA whether the testing will continue in 2021. River to the site. During the lockdown, wine sales provide Pier 57 was listed in the National Regis- The new flagship location for City Win- the main revenue until dining and live ter of Historic Places in 2004, in large part er y, designed by Brooklyn-based Christo- events can return.” because of the engineering techniques that pher Warnick Architecture, has opened The Pier 57 location of City Winery, at keep it standing. Pier 57 was vacated by the on Pier 57 near West 15th Street. Unfor- 32,000 square feet, is reportedly one of the city in 2004, but then was temporarily uti- tunately, the pandemic shutdown of indoor largest dining spaces in Manhattan, with a lized as a detention center during the 2004 dining means it is mostly off-limits to the total capacity of 900. The well-known res- Republican National Convention, when public, except for the main entry with a taurant and music venue on Varick Street approximately 1200 anti-RNC protesters wine shop and the winery itself. was forced to close due to the Disney Cor- were arrested and sent there. Raul Mesias, Director of Wine Sales at poration buying the entire block to build a In 2009, the Hudson River Park Trust the City Winery reported, “As Manhattan’s new headquarters. selected Youngwoo & Associates to re- ELEMENTS OF THE FORMER VENUE ON only fully-functioning winemaking facility, But many elements of the old venue, develop the Pier 57 site. To comply with VARICK STREET, can be found in the new such as repurposed oak wine barrels and NRHP, original windows have been re- this location offered the unique perk of performance and dining space, with wine free onsite COVID testing with each case heavy timber framing, have been used placed with energy-efficient yet histori- tasting bars, a pizza bar, and a coffee roast- of wine purchased for the month of De- in the new space, with wine tasting bars cally correct windows, and the light green ing station. The balcony fronts are made of cember; check the citywinery.com website with wines on tap, a pizza bar, and a coffee paint and stainless steel Art Deco façade repurposed oak wine barrels. Credit: Brian J for updates on hours, events, offerings, and roasting station. A 350-seat concert hall has been restored. The developers origi- Pape, AIA.

INSIDE THE NEW MAIN LEVEL PERFORMANCE AND DINING SPACE, with wine tasting bars, THE REVENUE-GENERATING HUDSON RIVER PARK PIER 57, co-developed by RXR Realty and a pizza bar, and a coffee roasting station, there are VIP skyboxes and balcony seating to Youngwoo & Associates, will feature the new flagship location for City Winery, new offices for allow guests to view the Hudson River and Diller’s Little Island while enjoying the music. Google, indoor and outdoor seating areas, and other public spaces. Credit: HRPT website. Credit: Brian J Pape, AIA. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 27 West Village Streets, By Any Other Name

ON THIS ARCHIVAL MAP CA. 1812-1824, of the North half of the Village, note that all the FOR THIS SOUTH HALF OF THE VILLAGE ARCHIVAL MAP, CA. 1812-1824, note that the Village streets south of Greenwich Lane (part of today’s Greenwich Avenue), are named, Newgate Prison (#67), and the Episcopal Cemetery are existing for that time. North is up. not numbered, long before the Avenues protrude into the fabric of the Village. North is up. Credit: NYPL Archives. Credit: NYPL Archives.

By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP Landmark Preservation Commission pro- blocks south of the renamed (Little) West Street and Washington Street will be in- vided this historic background.) 12th Street; (Little) West 12th Street seems filled and extended further north to 14th These Village streets, by any other name, Greenwich Lane was obviously a major begging for a name change, but didn’t get Street. Another later addition will be the would be just as charming. But since New street in the early 1800’s, originating at the one. The old Greenwich Lane below it and block-long Charles Lane, an alleyway be- York has a habit of changing names, some river bank, directly east to Eighth Avenue west of 13th Street gets the colorful name tween Charles Street and Henry Street. of our streets have been known by other near 14th Street, and then diagonally down Gansevoort Street, Dutch for the “White South of Charles Street is Amos Street. names over the years. to Fifth Avenue, near the “Manetta Wa- Fort” that was built out on the shoreline. When it was later renamed West 10th Since colonial times, Villagers hired ters” (Creek), where the future Washington Below Greenwich Lane (Gansevoort), Street as it was connected to West 10th surveyors to lay out their streets and plot Square would be plotted. Looking at the Horatio and Jane Streets keep their names. Street further east, making a bend at their properties, taking their cues from juncture of Fifth Avenue and Greenwich Then Cornelia Street (duplicate names Greenwich Lane, and West Fourth Street already-established routes, namely, Broad Lane, “Art Street” angles off to the north- with one further south) will be rebranded is extended north, absorbing William Way, Greenwich Lane (now Greenwich east; today it is no longer there, replaced by West 12th Street as it got connected to Street, it added to the confusion of num- Avenue), Skinner Road (now Christopher more of the 1811 grid, and we would soon West 12th Street further east, making a bered streets crossing one another. Street), and Hudson Street. The streets lose Greenwich Lane below Sixth Avenue. bend at Greenwich Lane. Between Corne- We’ve reached Christopher Street, an- generally followed one another in an or- Note that there is no Tenth, Eleventh lia and Bank Streets, a Bethune Street will other major commerce area, leading from derly fashion, with variations in block sizes or Thirteenth Avenue on the map yet, be added. Below Cornelia, Bank Street re- the shoreline at West Street and the New- and shapes resulting from adherence to and Fifth to Ninth Avenues originate at mains, but will be sundered in two at Hud- gate Prison (#67), east to Greenwich Lane. some existing property lines. Greenwich Lane, run north, and do not in- son Street in order to create a playground When a marketplace replaces the prison, Under English rule, this area was named trude further into the Village at this time. on Bleecker Street. Christopher Street will be widened greatly Greenwich and contained the country es- Individual structures are shown, mainly Hammond Street, just south of Bank, for the market activities from Greenwich tates of colonists, including Sir Peter War- homes labeled with their owners’ names, will be renamed West 11th Street when Street to West Street. Obviously, the ren. With the Revolution, and early de- even when they sit in the middle of a street, it is connected to West 11th Street east plethora of piers and wharfs have not yet velopment of the Republic, large numbers destined for removal. of Greenwich Lane. Below Hammond is reached this area. of tradesmen created a village, with many The central core of the Village was later Henry Street, later renamed Perry Street. None of the other cross streets below summer homes, later year-round living to saved from deterioration by a renaissance in We’ll return to Henry when we look at the Christopher Street extend all the way to escape the noise and dangers of downtown 1916, when realtors and residents made a southern half map. Meanwhile, let’s look at Greenwich Lane, but end at the farm above Manhattan. successful appeal to the City’s Zoning Com- the parallel streets between Hudson Street Manetta Waters (Creek). This farm is where Through the Eighteen-twenties, New mission to set apart the central blocks of the and Greenwich Lane. 8th Street and West 3rd Street will termi- York City was closing the gap between Village for residential use, thereby establish- Catharine Street, just west of Greenwich nate at the future Sixth Avenue. (9th Street itself and Greenwich, with the portion of ing their concern for the future of the area Lane, will become part of Waverly Place in will also end at the future Sixth Avenue.) the Village west of Sixth Avenue as the and halting further erosion of its boundaries. the future, after Washington Square is cre- So, let’s return to Greenwich Lane at Chris- primary area of development; to the east of Now let’s return to 14th Street, the ated. Next, when West 4th Street is extended topher Street and work our way around. it lay the prime residential neighborhood northern boundary of the West Village. north, it will absorb William Street. And Just below Greenwich Lane where it of the City in which stately town houses The numbering of cross-town streets George Street, nearest Hudson Street, will meets Art Street is Amity Street, later were erected. is part of the 1811 grid system that picks later be connected to a series of streets to the renamed West 3rd Street to connect it to Greenwich Village was saved from be- up at Houston Street further east, but Vil- east, and finally be labeled as Bleecker Street. East 3rd Street. East 4th Street will need coming an indistinguishable part of the lage streets south of Greenwich Lane are Hence, the confusion created by West to be added to the area, becoming West 4th metropolis for two main reasons. Firstly, named, not numbered, except for this little 4th Street crossing West 11th and 12th Street, and forming the southern border of its early street pattern detached it from the corner above Greenwich Lane. West 13th Streets. Washington Square. main avenues to the east. Secondly, many Street will remain split by the future Jack- We return to Henry (later Perry) Street, Below Amity is “David Street” which early families remained for generations, son Square at Eighth Avenue. just north of Charles Street, to look at the takes a turn north at Hancock Street and forming a permanence or preservation bloc. West 12th Street is forever divorced from southern half map. When the Newgate will later become part of Bleecker Street. (The Greenwich Village Historic Dis- the other West 12th Street, and the relo- Prison is abandoned, all the streets nearby When Seventh Avenue is later extended trict Designation Report of 1969 by the cated (see below) West 12th Street is four will be extended to West Street, and West continued on page 31 28 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org Bird of the Year 2020 By Keith Michael

We’ve slammed the door on 2020! Of course this presentation of the 15th An- nual West Village Bird of the Year Awards, “The Millies,” will be broadcast on Zoom rather than from the traditional in-person location on the tourist-confounding corner of West 4th and West 12th Streets where my Bird #1, a rosy-hued House Finch, launched my NYC birding quest! A little Zoom housekeeping: for the en- joyment of all, please turn off your videos and mute your mics. There will be ample opportunity for cheering at the end. As a refresher, the criteria for inclusion in “The Millies:” birds must be seen in, above, or from the five boroughs of New York; vot- ing is weighted toward those birds observed during Millie’s daily corgi-walks in the West Village; additional points may be lauded to those candidates actually seen by the award’s namesake. Miss Millie’s patronage includes the privilege of casting the tie-breaking vote (or even the privilege of disregarding these ground rules completely). I promised Millie that this year’s awards ceremony would be a masked ball. It appears she took this quite seriously because she has arrived in a full ears-to-bum Pembroke Welsh NEW BIRD OF THE YEAR: The Yellow-headed Blackbird vacationing in Queens. Corgi ensemble. If this were a costume party, Clinging to tree trunks and hanging upside tion goes out to these one-two-punch blasts grew up swimming with the river tides. which I hate to tell her it isn’t, Millie would down are entry-level skills. Nuthatches up of color: Northern Cardinals for defining (Don’t tell Millie, but they were very cute.) definitely win First Prize. On to the awards! the game by climbing headfirst DOWN RED, Blue Jays for their radiant BLUE, Bal- Hundreds of birds raised families along our trees. Black-and-white Warblers embellish timore Orioles for their snazzy ORANGE, streets, but this special acknowledgement MY CORONA BIRDS. All in all, 2020 was a the basic repertoire with sartorial dazzle. Yellow Warblers aptly named for their sunny goes to the Canada Goose pair who nur- sobering year. This is a grateful shout-out But the surprise entry this year was a Least YELLOW, and Monk Parakeets, famous tured four fluffy goslings to adulthood in to those 79 neighborhood species that I Bittern at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge from Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, for Hudson River Park, entertaining scads of saw during lockdown. Each bird inspired in Queens who stunned me with cantile- their raucous GREEN. passersby with their daily traversing from me to walk to Hudson River Park every vered gravity-defying dining. the river to the grass. Ah, the photo ops. day to be reminded that the avian world URBAN PARENTING. As schools and play- was on its usual FAST FORWARD while JUST BECAUSE. Two Words: Bald Eagle. grounds closed this year, human parenting NOT A BIRD. Millie hates this award. It’s likely our world was on PAUSE. was challenging. Many people told me they not the prize itself she hates, but because this JUST BECAUSE MILLIE LIKES THE PHOTO. were inspired during those months by our presentation usually falls midway through the ACROBAT OF THE YEAR. After that near- American Oystercatchers. urban birds raising their own kids in the ceremony she’s either bored or hungry. Today downer, Millie is glaring at me to cheer wild, somehow surmounting the dangers she’s protesting by getting a drink of water. things up. There were a record number COLOR MY WORLD. Birds’ sheer beauty at- of weather, traffic, and happenstance. Doz- Yes, there were Striped Skunks in northern of contenders for this Olympian prize. tracts many people to watch them. This cita- ens of Black Duck and Mallard ducklings Manhattan, Harbor Seals off Staten Island,

ACROBAT OF THE YEAR: A Least Bittern showing its moves in Queens. BIRD OF THE YEAR 2020: The King Eider from Fort Tilden. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 29

NOT A BIRD: One of the 72 Humpbacked Whales seen in New York waters in 2020.

Coyotes in the Bronx, Italian Wall Lizards in Brooklyn, and Bottle-nosed Dolphins seen from the beaches of Queens. But on December 7th a Humpbacked Whale was spotted in the Hudson River at 42nd Street and was eventually photographed frolicking around the Statue of Liberty before head- ing back out to sea. NYC’s not only an avian wonderland!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Sidewalk pigeons bust a move with head jive as they walk. But some notable birds focus our at- tention elsewhere. The Northern Water- thrush and Spotted Sandpiper (two birds I’d love to add to my West Village List) forage with a comical derriere rhumba. My “10” goes to the Yellow-crowned Night Heron in ANY OWL I SEE GETS AN AWARD: A Great Horned Owl in Central Park. New Jersey that wiggled its butt, seemingly vagrant, there is speculation about how he out of uncontainable excitement, as he got got waylaid thousands of miles from home. closer and closer to nabbing a Fiddler Crab for lunch. (Unfortunately, Millie is back and BIRD OF THE YEAR 2020. It’s time for this she disapproves, both of out-of-state awards honored final proclamation. (Millie, wake and of admirable bums other than her own.) up!) Whether due to climate change, re- Millie’s deciding vote goes to the exception- duced human activity because of CO- ally worthy Palm Warbler who displayed his VID-19, or avian wherewithal, there have tail-bobbing dance this spring on the green been many entertaining and unlikely birds at Abingdon Square Park. to behold. The stories I could tell you about the top contenders: Golden Plover, Western ANY OWL I SEE GETS AN AWARD. I swoon Tanager, Nelson’s Sparrow, Royal Terns, and over owls. Their elusiveness, penetrating so many more! But the birds that literally got eyes, and nocturnal super-powers are cat- my heart racing (because I traipsed to look ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE: The West 11th Street Rose-breasted Grosbeak. nip to me (if I were a cat). 2020 brought for it six times before we were on the same me sightings of Snowy, Saw-whet, Barred, patch of six-mile beach between Riis Park Great Horned, and Long-eared Owls. ‘Tis and Breezy Point) were a King Eider duck the Owl-iday season, once again, to find a and his future Queen. In breeding plumage, few owls staring down at me and wonder- the King grows a striking orange shield on ing, “Who are YOU?” his bill, and the Queen boasts a smirk as if to say, “What’s all the fuss about?” ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE. Millie is There we have it! Y’all can turn your alarmed that many birds I’m honoring are Zoom video back on. Unmute yourself and NOT ones she has seen. To balance that, let out a WHOOPING goodbye to 2020 this fall there were Chickadees and Tufted as a grand year for seeing birds! Millie and Titmice seemingly on every corner, a Great I send you our hearty, healthy, and birdy Horned Owl on Bethune Street (neither wishes for 2021. of us saw that superstar), and Cooper’s and Red-tailed Hawks hanging out on Perry Visit keithmichaelnyc.com or follow @newy- Street. But Millie votes for a snazzy bird orkcitywild on Instagram. JUST BECAUSE MILLIE LIKES THE PHOTO: American Oystercatcher convention at Breezy Point. she saw with me this spring on West 11th Street: a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

NEW BIRD OF THE YEAR. This award was easy because, as was the case last year, there was only one new species added to my list: a glamorous Yellow-headed Blackbird strutting his stuff at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. This bird is aptly named, as it really is a black bird with a strikingly yellow head. All his friends are URBAN PARENTING: Those gawky teenager COLOR MY WORLD: A Northern Cardinal west of the Mississippi River. As with any JUST BECAUSE: A Bald Eagle reigning over Staten Island. weeks growing up as a Canada Goose. defines the color red. 30 WestView News January 2021 www.westviewnews.org Warhol and Wallowitch —a Gay Affair By Robert Heide Party Girl of the Year—1965—taking over from Baby Jane Holzer—ran all over town with Bob Dylan, but was always I first met the photographer Edward Wallowitch on the at Andy’s side at openings, night spots, appearing on TV, in campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illi- magazine photo layouts and pictured in countless articles. nois where I was studying theater under the tutelage of I wound up appearing in two movies directed by Andy co- the great professor Alvina Krause. She had learned ‘The starring with Jack Smith, the artist and avant-garde film- Method’ by working in maker. They were Camp and Batman/Dracula. He made a Russia with the great master himself Constantin Stan- very good movie of my play The Bed, projected on a double islavsky, author of An Actor Prepares. This was in 1954 and screen at the Cinemateque and I wrote a screenplay for him there I performed as Snobby Price in Shaw’s Major Bar- to star Edie, entitled Lupe, which is one of his most popular bara, as one of the Capulets in Romeo and Juliet, and as the movies. Eventually the beautiful, glowing, childlike Edie fell disturbed young man in Tea and Sympathy. In 1956 after into a drugged out state of mind, and tragically died at an ANDY WARHOL in two self portraits. Images courtesy of The studying in New York with Stella Adler, she set me up to early age. Ed Wallowitch, originally a protégé of Edward Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. be an apprentice under John Houseman at the Stratford Steichen, and the youngest photographer included in the Shakespeare Festival Theater in Connecticut where I ap- Death! It’s the latest – famous MOMA ‘Family of Man’ exhibition, became ad- peared in King John and Measure for Measure. Back in the It’s the end. dicted to bourbon and rye and fell dead one day in 1981 Village I returned more sophisticated about gay life, much Take your life and in his Florida studio. His great photos, including a portrait of which I had learned about in Chicago where after school Chuck it. of John F. Kennedy, are still avidly collected and sell for top I hung out in many of the notorious wild gay men’s bars Death! It’s the latest – dollar. For a time in my own youthful glory days I posed in the Near North Side. With my father’s help I rented an Let’s transcend. for Edward on a mountaintop, reaching for the heavens for apartment on Christopher Street and began to frequent the Go and Kick a layout in a religious magazine and for a psychiatric drug late night Village gay bars like Lenny’s Hideaway on Tenth The Bucket. calendar posing in a tight corner and looking depressed. Big Street, Mary’s, and the Old Colony on Eighth Street, and It’s gonna getcha parties continued at the Factory attracting super celebri- the mixed straight and gay late night hot spot on MacDou- In the end. ties like Pope Ondine, Truman Capote, Elizabeth Taylor, gal, the famous San Remo Tavern where one might meet Montgomery Clift, Liza Minelli, Jackie Curtis, Candy Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac or Bob Dylan on a good John was always laughing, acting, ‘swishing’, and telling Darling, Holly Woodlawn, and Tennessee Williams. Andy night. Another favorite gay joint is the historic Julius Bar on ‘nellie’ and campy undercutting jokes. At one of these soi- continued taking his amphetamines and other drugs until Tenth Street, which is still there but barely holding on tight ree’s where singers like Eartha Kitt, Rosemary O’Reilly— the day a mentally deranged writer named Valerie Solanas in these difficult COVID times. It was there that I again ran who starred in New Faces of 1952—Alice Ghostly, and (creator of a group called SCUM—the Society for Cutting into Ed Wallowitch who told me he was now living with Joanna Berretta would show up to perform, Edward came Up Men—and a book of the same name), showed up at his older brother John at 8 Barrow Street. He invited me to out of his small front bedroom and following after him was his Union Square studio and fired several bullets into his meet him and a friend the next evening at Aldo’s Restaurant Andy himself who was giggling and laughing. I asked him body. Clinging to life, he was in the headlines for three days, that was on Bleecker Street next to the Village Apothecary “What’s up?” Referring to Edward he said, “Yeah! We just suddenly displaced when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. on the corner of Tenth Street. made it! It was fun!” Edward’s face turned scarlet red. “He’s Andy somehow hung on, but afterwards, fearful and frail, he When I showed up at the elegant white table-clothed tall isn’t he?” Andy remarked. “He reminds me of Tony Per- carried on with his work in new digs but in a cautious and gay dinner place, he introduced me to his date who was kins…really cute!” He was Andy’s ‘first boyfriend.’ more formalized manner. Andy Warhol; and this was the first time I met Andy. Following these early-on first meetings, I began to see a lot Andy passed away in 1987. He was a huge part of my Pushing his white hair off his forehead, the boyish Andy of Andy, mainly in the Village and also uptown. I would go life—some of my best dates were with him. We went to- shyly asked me if I would like a Martini. A few nights later with him to outdoor flea markets and antique shops where gether to the Café Bizarre where he discovered Lou Reed at the Wallowitch basement apartment which doubled as he showed himself to be an inveterate collector of things ‘Pop and the Velvet Underground. He introduced me to Nico at a salon where singers, actors, and Village writers gathered, Culture’ like Mickey Mouse cookie jars or Howdy Doody the Dom, we saw the Rolling Stones together at the Acad- John expertly played the Baby Grand piano and sang jovial piggy banks or colorful Bakelite jewelry. Often Andy would emy of Music on 14th Street. I personally always have had songs and ballads he had written and performed in New show up after shopping for black leather or suede outfits from a soft spot for Andy—the genius ‘the little boy lost’ from York nightclubs and on TV. One ballad that struck me as The Leatherman at my digs on Christopher Street. At one Pittsburg who once said to me “Gee, what’ll we do to- darkly amusing went, of these visits he stared at my large—five-feet-long by two- day? We need to do something…” My reply was, “Well, feet-high—wood framed 1940s litho-on-metal Coca-Cola Andy, it’s like in Zen emptinessrepetition theory. Just do sign that hung on the wall over my kitchenette. It depicted the same thing over and over again as in advertising—only Betty—the Coke Girl—sipping a Coke out of a green-glass change the colors like a blue and purple soup can paint- bottle. After a moment, a mesmerized Andy declared with a ing or a green and purple one, or an orange/blue, yellow/ smile and a smirk, “That’s the real Pop Art!” On that same red Marilyn Monroe. With a grin, Andy said, “Oh! Gee!” afternoon what seemed to me like an army of Andy’s dis- A year later that is what he produced in volume. Now of ciples showed up for a ‘smoke-in’ ‘pill popping’ session. They course, they are worth millions. Andy is seen as the top included a handsome Billy Name, Gerardo Malanga, blonde visual artist of the 20th century with Pablo Picasso’s work Paul America, and Brigid Berlin, also known as Brigid Polk figuring into the first half of that century in terms of influ- who proceeded to pull out a hypodermic needle and laugh- ence, fame, and yes, money. I still think of those days with ing, arbitrarily inject methamphetamine (or whatever it was) Andy at the Factory and the early Bohemian times with into a guest’s behind right through their clothing. Wild times the great photographer Ed Wallowitch. Drugs and heavy continued at Warhol’s famous loft on 47th Street called the drinking were the order of the day; but so was creativity, Factory where he created (with many of his helpers) his great theater, music, concerts, opera and ballet. The arts were in lithographed silkscreens on super big-sized canvasses of full bloom. That is why we are still singing, Native Manhattanite and West Village resident Campbell’s Soup cans, cow wallpaper, Coke bottles, Mickey Those were the days, my friend, for the past 42 years. Mouse and Donald Duck images, portraits of Marilyn Mon- We thought they’d never end. Licensed in Real Estate for the past 21. roe, Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger, Jackie Ken- Board Certified New York Residential Specialist (NYRS®). Robert Heide is a monthly contributor to Westview News. Here to help you and yours find your next perch or move on nedy, James Dean, and Marlon Brando, self-portraits, and whether in New York or elsewhere, when the time comes again. other ‘Pop’ Americana subjects. His books co-authored with John Gilman include Green- I joined in with the ‘superstar’ factory crowd where every wich Village—A Primo Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Alexander de Bordes Making Merry in true Bohemia , several books for Disney 917-640-3707 day and night it was party time. Bob Dylan showed up for an Andy screen-test and walked out with a giant ‘cowboy- about Mickey Mouse, books about cowboys, movie stars, Art [email protected] Elvis-with-gun’ litho. Edie Sedgwick, one of his model/ Deco and the recently published collection of his plays, Robert actors and eventually his first ‘superstar’ who became the Heide 25 Plays—all available on Amazon. www.westviewnews.org January 2021 WestView News 31

Streets continued from page 27 Jones will get the name Cornelia Street. south to Houston, Hancock Street will North of Burton Street, we see a piece of disappear. Near Hancock is Macdougal Garden(?) Street, that will get renamed Street, which will form the western border Morton, and we see a piece of Commerce of the Washington Square. Street that will be turned to meet Barrow. Below David is “Houstoun Street” but Barrow Street will later be extended all the it only runs from Broad Way to Bedford way to Washington Square, but then have Street, where it became “Hamersley Street” the last leg renamed Washington Place. to the river; later, Houston Street was wid- The next street north is Columbia ened, extended east of Broadway, and had Street, which later becomes Grove Street, its name substituted for Hamersley Street. extended to Waverley Place. As we move west on Hamersley Street, Today, without a map, it can be hard to and continue north from Houstoun and find your way. The streets seemed a little Hamersley Street, we see the familiar more logical in 1810. names of Clarkson, Leroy, Morton, Bar- row, Downing and Carmine. Leroy Street Brian J. Pape is a LEED-AP “Green” will later bisect the Episcopal Cemetery, architect consulting in private practice, but as St Luke’s Place, and then Burton serves on the Manhattan District 2 Com- Street on the east will be renamed as Leroy munity Board, is Co-chair of the American Street also. Institute of Architects NY Design for Aging Just east of George Street and Burton Committee, and is a journalist, especially on Street, the little unnamed street below architecture subjects. Joan’s Shanghai done and the vendor held up a chicken to us, Hong shouted “Put that chicken down.” Af- ter an exchange of macho stares, the vendor opened a cage and dragged out a different bird, obviously alive, and Hong reached out and grabbed the chicken by its gullet and gave it a good squeeze. This was to make sure not too many stones had been forced down its throat to make it heavier. The cruel way the birds were treated meant many of them were dead on arrival. We finally got chickens which passed Hong’s test. Ankles strung together, they hung upside down, one over each of Xiao’s shoulders. Pork came next. Back then, pigs were bred to be big and fat, and their flesh was where dogs play all day. reddish and solidly streaked with white fat. For Chinese, pork was and still is the ulti- mate meat. Xiao was loaded up with vari- THE FOOD MARKET, where, it seemed, any Code: food could be bought. ous cuts over which he threw an old bed sheet to keep flies away. WESTVIEW By Joan Klyhn If it wasn’t a pork day, it could be mut- 15% off 1st week Joan’s Shanghai is a memoir of a childhood in ton day, a very smelly stall, or seafood day, Shanghai in the ‘30’s and ’40s of the 20th centu- the most exciting of all for me. Various re- ry. I am primarily writing it for myself, extend- ceptacles were laid out at the stall—tanks, ing it to my friends, and now to the many people basins and bowls. They would be hauled to who have shown themselves fascinated with this the site daily, and filled with live fish and period in the past. crustaceans. Executions were held on a big marble slab, constantly being hosed down by an assistant. The scene was bloody and The Market turbulent with splashing water. As usual, Hong was rude as he food market blog This was the market, where, it seemed, any 2aggressively handled his prospective pur- food could be bought. Hong might head chases. He’d grab a big fish by its tail, hold to his favorite fowl stall. It was quite large, it up, and if it thrashed vigorously enough, with baskets of live birds, as well as stacks he’d hand it to the fish guy to be killed and of cages crowded with more birds. Hong bagged. Eels were all muscle and had to be took an aggressive stance at most stalls. wrestled on to the marble slab. A big ba- City Tails NYC is a family-oriented, full service dog business proudly The vendor held out a chicken to a woman sin of live shrimp would be emptied into serving the West Village since 2007. We offer a full suite of services in front of us. He actually manipulated the Xiao’s string bag, ready to cleaned and including dog walking, doggy daycare, puppy care and more. bird and I am sure the squawks were com- cooked back home. ing from him. People were crammed together, arguing, Schedule your doggy daycare playdate or walk today! “That chicken is dead” Hong muttered to shouting and waving fists, knives and mer- me and to Xiao, who always enjoyed these chandise, dead and alive. It was always my @citytailsnyc | www.citytailsnyc.com | 55B Leroy Street NY NY 10014 scenes. When the deal with the woman was best life experience. The Voice of the West Village WestView News ...a few words from the Publisher...

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