The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 11, NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2015 $1.00 My Arrest. It Wasn’t Fair Former Attorneys and It Wasn’t Fun. Take Croman to Court: By Arthur Z. Schwartz experienced the searing humiliation of eyes asking “what crime did that man commit.” The Game of Tactics And the humiliation continued when police By Tres Kelvin escorted him into the Criminal Court where he had brought dozens of clients. Now he Greed Bites the Hand That was the criminal. Lawyers and even a few Steals for It judges who recognized him looked surprised The hand-cuffed arrest and and stunned—“why was attorney Arthur subsequent arraignment in Schwartz in handcuffs, what did he do?” Criminal Court of activist Arthur Schwartz had acted because an attorney Arthur Schwartz amoral landlord who contrived to get a and the false anonymous call ninety-two-year-old tenant committed to a to the health department that nursing home and then installed surveillance raw sewerage was contami- cameras had simply gone too far. Schwartz nating the kitchen of Nelly’s removed the cameras—and became a victim restaurant, Lima’s Taste are FIGHTING ATTORNEY ARRESTED: Arthur of those who can afford and relish the abuse just two of many actions Schwartz after his arrest looks at the article in of law. —George Capsis taken by two different West $790 or $2,360—THE HALF MILLION DOLLAR “MISTAKE”: WestView News that started it all—the event Village landlords. These Nelida Godfrey stands at the entrance of her apartment also made the Times, the Post, Daily News Since Ruth Berk got home, I have dedi- landlords use city regulations after winning a court decision. The apartment she leased 9 years ago for $2360 a month should legally have been and NBC TV. Photo by Maggie Berkvist cated myself, as her Guardian, to bringing and false—but expensive to $790. Now landlord, Steve Croman, owes her over about the repairs that her apartment has defend—legal and regula- $500,000—he has appealed the decision. Taken in handcuffs from the 6th precinct needed for twenty years. The situation has tory actions to push out low out onto 10th Street, Arthur Schwartz Continued on page 4 income tenants so they can enjoy the ef- yers who have been doing his dirty work fulgent largess of exploding Village and for seventeen years. City rents. —George Capsis Maggie B’s Photo of the Month Shakespeare, cataloging the reasons to end it all in Hamlet’s soliloquy, cites “the law’s delay” Landlord Steve Croman is notorious for and today we can add the cost of justice as a somehow getting sweetheart treatment reason (to paraphrase the bard) to make our from governmental entities—from the De- quietus with a bare bodkin (or commit hari- partment of Buildings to the Environmen- kari). tal Control Board to DHCR, all the way to Imagine the shock of desperation and de- the wrist slapping Politicians. spair when Carol Yost, in her seventies, opens His favorite Pit Bull is the law firm of a very official envelope instructing her that she Rose & Rose. After over seventeen years is evicted as of March 5 after decades in her of legal services, Rose it seems is no longer Village apartment. (Arthur saved her.) needed. Could it be the impotence of every Or take a young African American attor- major “enforcing” entity (HPD, ECB, etc.) ney living in a Steve Croman brownstone doing Rose’s job for Croman? Or did his who puts out flowering planters and tends own dog just turn on him? them only to see landlord Croman sitting in Rose was the law firm executing thou- the back of a limo watching as his men rip out sands of lawsuits on Croman’s behalf, suing the plants to make him hesitate to represent the real New Yorkers from over one-hundred harassed tenants. buildings for the last seventeen years. We have a tendency to blacken villains to In these cases, even if the Tenant wins, the serve our prejudice, but the more incidents Tenant has spent so much time and money I hear about these landlords who have made that the battle was not worth winning. the Ten Worst Landlords in New York list, the And it’s all legal. more I realize that the unquestioning embrace Each tenant removed (otherwise known as SHADES OF BOBBY FISCHER:This young lad’s performance had certainly attracted a of greed wipes out any vestige of morality. “cleared”) brings in tons of cash. The only the fascinated audience. And his opponent, the regular Union Square chess player, “Twitty- And that goes for paying your lawyers… cost would be: buying out the tenant (so low from-the-City” was genuinely impressed, particularly when, on asking the boy’s father Here is an account of how landlord and so repeated that Bill “Int. No.757” was at the end of the game, “How old is he?”— the answer that came back was “Six!” Steve Croman attempts to stiff the law- Continued on page 4 NOW! For breaking news, WestView Extra... see page19 2 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections West Village. A Euphoria of Praise Publisher (The following is the text of a phone call to LGBTI movement, was a highlight. Executive Editor George Capsis Hi George— the publisher.) It takes a lot of people to make this Associate Editors My wife and I thoroughly enjoy read- “people-to-people diplomacy” happen. We Christy Ross, Katie Keith ing your paper and believe you have a Hello, my name is Lydia Fogerty. I sub- were especially lucky to have working with Design Consultant very good pulse on the neighborhood. scribe to the paper and I want to congrat- us Ms. Carolyn Nomura, and Mitchell Stephanie Phelan We live in Connecticut, but nearly three ulate Mr. Capsis on his diligent reporting Cohn who arranged the New York part of Photo Editor years ago we purchased our dream apart- on Diller Island and how pleased I am for the program. Darielle Smolian ment in the West Village. We have a few him that the story was picked up by the In the process, we have both taught Traffic Manager more years until we call the West Vil- Times. and learned, and so have in our own ways, Liza Whiting lage home due to two sons that are not I am sure it has made a lot of people in brought the world a little closer. Photographer Maggie Berkvist quite done with school yet, but we make the Village happy to not see this horrible — Laurence Frommer it down a few times a month to shop creation in the river. Comptroller Jolanta Meckauskaite or have lunch. Our apartment is being I want to thank him so much for what Lawsuit Will Hurt rented to a great person from Austra- he has done for the neighborhood. I was Architecture Editor Brian Pape lia who takes care of the apartment as if born here ninety years ago at 125 Charles Long-Time Residents Film, Media and Music Editor it were his own and we consider him a Street, so I am an old time Villager. At our monthly planning meetings for West- Jim Fouratt member of our family. Thank you. Bye. View News, the subject of rising rents and Distribution Manager The main reason for my note is to gripe affordable housing comes up frequently. In Timothy Jambeck about some of your readers complaining Future Leaders Visit our latest meeting, I mentioned the lawsuit Regular Contributors about not receiving their paper, and not against the city for granting preference to John Barrera willing to pay $1 per month to have it Stonewall neighborhood applicants, and mentioned that Barry Benepe mailed to them. Being in Connecticut, ours To the Editor: I was writing a letter to Mayor de Blasio and Maggie Berkvist must be mailed—but come on, a dollar!? I was happy to see the July issue of Janet Capron West- other city officials to urge them to fight this George Capsis You cannot even buy a pack of gum for a View News mentioned the LGBT tour lawsuit. WestView’s publisher, George Capsis, Barbara Chacour dollar anymore. Having been in manufac- that I led on June 21, quoting from the asked that I instead write it as an open letter Ron Elve turing for over twenty years, I understand introductory speech outside the Stonewall to be published in the newspaper. Stan Fine material and production costs and applaud Inn by the State Department’s Tom Gal- —Stephanie Phelan Jim Fouratt you for doing this amazing job for “free”! lagher, who made history in 1975 by com- Art Director Mark M. Green Somehow, some way—please keep up the ing out publicly of his own accord. Since WestView News Robert Heide good work. this tour was for a special group of visitors, Keith Michael I enjoy reading all sections of your paper, hosted by the US State Dept, I thought The Honorable Mayor de Blasio Michael D. Minichiello but particularly enjoy your then and now your readers would appreciate knowing a City Hall Clive Morrick section. Being a bit of a neighborhood his- little more about the guests this month. City Hall Park Brian Pape tory buff, I have done some research into They were a special group of up-and- Joy Pape the building my wife and I bought into and coming young leaders who were brought cc: CB2 District Manager Bob Gormley, Bruce Poli David Porat I find it fascinating when you post your to our country by the U.S. Department of CB2 Chair Tobi Bergman, City Council Alec Pruchnicki photos and descriptions. State’s International Visitor Leadership Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Catherine Revland Thank you for all you do, even in Con- Program (IVLP). The goal is for these Member Corey Johnson Arthur Z. Schwartz necticut, we look forward to your paper in individuals to interact with professional We endeavor to publish all letters our mailbox ! counterparts and have a direct experience of Dear Mayor de Blasio, received, including those with which we —Regards America and with Americans. Over three- I was very disturbed to hear that the Anti- disagree. Tony Spadaccini hundred and thirty-five leaders of foreign Discrimination Center is suing the city for The opinions put forth by contributors to WestView do countries are alumni of this program, which discriminatory practices in granting afford- not necessarily reflect the views George, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. able housing by giving preference to appli- of the publisher or editor. Enclosed is a check for a renewal to West- In our case, our two dozen visitors were cants who currently live in the neighborhood WestView welcomes your View. all LGBT activists. The group had meet- where the units are being offered. The reason correspondence, comments, and corrections: Each issue of WestView continues to be ings with such organizations as the LGBT for the lawsuit seems outrageous to me. www.westviewnews.org a God send… Center of New York, which enabled them As I understand it, with tens of thou- Contact Us Hope you are healthy and happy! to speak with Robert Woodworth who sands of applicants for each available unit, Give our regards to the Village. discussed its history and current initiatives. 20% of the units can go to local residents (212) 924-5718 The escorted visit to the famous “Stone- in need of affordable housing. That means [email protected] ­— Eleanor wall Inn” bar (see photo page 7), generally that if a building is offering 20 affordable Tunkannock, PA. accepted as the birthplace of the American Letters continued on page 3 SHALL WE STOP WESTVIEW DELIVERY ? “Why should I subscribe when they deliver’ ? Subscribe now and see how much better WestView can become and make a tax deductible gift to The West Village Fund. SUBSCRIBE- westviewnews.org—hit “subscribe” GIVE: West Village Fund 69 Charles Street New York NY 10014 www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 3

Letters Continued from page 2 pecially the elderly, leaving the place where lice Officer for thirty years, I’ve worked for slim to none. I understand that the St. Luke’s units, two (two!) can be given to neigh- they’ve made their homes can be a hardship. WestView News for several years , and I have project, a few blocks from where I live will borhood applicants who qualify. I’m one of those people who has been a blog that serves the neighborhood with soon be offering applications, and my dear- Many people looking for affordable units fortunate enough to live in the West Village listings of local events and occasional news est wish is to have at least a small chance of hope to be granted one in the community for 37 years, but find it increasingly difficult items. (www.westvillageword.com.) staying in the neighborhood I know and love. they currently live in. Some have lived in to live on my Social Security and freelance I have applied to many other buildings I hope the city will fight this lawsuit with these communities for a long time, perhaps income, and am seeking an affordable unit. offering affordable units, but being in a lot- all its might were even born there. They have strong ties I love this neighborhood. I served here tery group of tens of thousands of applicants —Sincerely, to their neighborhoods and for some, es- in the Sixth Precinct as an Auxiliary Po- makes the chances of even being interviewed Stephanie Phelan BRIEFLY NOTED The Press Holds a Cuomo’s one up-man-ship. Anyway he cer- about a variety of club activities, small busi- phenomenon but this second time I had Mirror up to Cuomo tainly will be conscious of it from now on. ness preservation initiatives and legislation, Isabelle and Kumiko about to descend And if he is not—the press will remind him. and election preparation for November. for breakfast and no table to eat it on. In- The ultimate and fatal flaw in women is — George Capsis Keen Berger, Democratic party district stead we ate on a small, very old, weather- their emotions and in men it is their egos. leader, reported on the recent Senior Ac- roughened marble table. A woman sees “truth” through her emo- Bump in tion Day sponsored by Community Board Later I called Home Depot, where I tions and a man through his ego, and the the West Village 2, progress on the new school at 75 Morton believed I bought the tables originally, larger his ego the more reality is distorted. street, and a variety of internal party elec- and after a very long wait a female voice Cuomo apparently has a very big ego—I By George Capsis tions. Nat Johnson reported on opposition with a German accent told me “no” they mean BIG—and hence Cuomo’s ego has to the new Algonquin gas pipeline which did not have a forty-eight inch round glass made handsome, six-foot-five, super-pro- I returned from the weekend to see an enor- will operate very close to the Indian Point tabletop in stock but “here is the telephone gressive-liberal Bill de Blasio its blind and mous BUMP sign painted in white just out- nuclear plant. number of Pier 1.” (Pier 1? Why was she unreasoning enemy. side my desk window. Soon after, a real, live, In a surprise visit, state senator Brad sending me to Pier 1? ) When de Blasio suggested building a plat- Department of Transportation bump ap- Hoylman reported on a variety of recent I called Pier 1’s main number and got an form over the train yards in Queens to cre- peared on the road. Curious, I asked Jose Bay- and upcoming legislative proposals in- aggressive young lady who I believe said ate acres of low cost housing, Cuomo had a ona of the DOT Press office how it got there. cluding environmental issues, the need for her name was Tiesha or something close to spokesperson say, “They were not available.” Here is what he said: Democrats to recapture the state senate in that. After a search, she said they were out of When de Blasio wanted to continue city This is our response to your inquiry. the 2016 elections, and rent stabilization stock. Disappointed, I asked if I could order education control, Cuomo gave him only Thanks, rules. Concern was raised by a club mem- one. Her response was “No, you can’t order it, a year. On background: DOT installed the ber that in the future legislation can be im- you have to keep calling to see when we get Oddly de Blasio seemed to eat the slights speed bump on June 12th, 2015 as part proved on rent controlled apartments and them in.” month after month—until an interview on of our West Village Neighborhood Slow not just rent stabilized ones. Hmm, I thought after I hung up, maybe June 30th when he let it all out and accused Zone Study. For more information about The meeting was also designated a “Mem- I have missed another turn in selling proto- the Governor of “game playing” and having the West Village Neighborhood Slow bers meeting” where club members could col—now you can’t order an out of stock item a desire for “revenge” for imagined slights. Zone, please read below. bring up proposals not already on the club’s and instead must keep calling to see if and What is interesting is not the careful, West Village Slow Zone: agenda. One resolution, passed unanimous- when it arrives. Hmm. fairly temperate adjectives that de Blasio The Manhattan neighborhood of the West ly, was to work with district leader Arthur I started to ask around with depressing re- used to describe Cuomo’s sometimes silly, Village applied for a Neighborhood Slow Schwartz in an attempt to get presidential sults—a Chinatown shop would make it up self-triggered ego tussles, but the exhaus- Zones in Spring 2013. The application was candidate Bernie Sanders to come to New in four days for a staggering amount and ship tive search for explosive adjectives the press accepted due to the proposed zone’s high York City and present his opinions to lo- it for an even larger amount. and commentators have used starting with frequency of crashes and injuries, strong cal voters. Other topics included supporting But then a faint inner voice made me call Michael Grynbaum of the Times who call natural boundaries and the presence of Mayor de Blasio on his Vision Zero auto the Pier 1 outlet on 15th Street and 5th, and de Blasio’s measured comments “searing multiple schools in the area. The proposed safety proposal, campaign finance reform, and after a short, polite search I got back “we have words.” treatments will lower the speed limit to 20 a new initiative to get high school and college three of them.” It was the lowest price by far Other papers followed with heavy reliance mph within the zone, improving safety for students involved in grass roots and club level and the lowest price to ship. on Roget’s Thesaurus to fan the flames and all roadway users, reducing traffic noise and political activities. I biked over to confirm and within three Channel 1 hosted the 2nd-in-commands cut-through traffic, and enhancing the so- —Alec Pruchnicki hours the table arrived and was inserted— for three previous mayors to reminisce cial quality of the streets. just beautiful—Isabelle and Kumiko were about former feuds—Rockefeller was going http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/ Alec Pruchnicki is a member of the VID surprised and delighted, and we dined in new to come down and take over from Lindsey pdf/2015-02-west-village-slowzone.pdf executive committee. glittering elegance. during the ten day garbage strike. (presented to Manhattan Community When I decided to write this Briefly Not- I have to confess I am prejudiced against Board 2 in February 2015). You Don’t Pay Me ed piece I called Pier 1 HQ again to find out Cuomo for small things like his New York —Jose Bayona why they would not take my order. But I did accent (his father did not have it as bad) Deputy Press Secretary Enough to Think not get Tiesha this time, and the sales girl I and when I see him defending himself on NYC Department of Transportation As I reached the kitchen counter to make spoke to had no idea why Tiesha refused to TV his eyes go wide and he curls up the morning coffee for our French guests, Isa- place an order. When I asked for Mr. Pier 1, corner of his mouth in an unconscious Oh, oh, and just before the bump is a large belle and Kumiko, I glanced through the she gave me the next level up who listened snarl. square hole—too bad they didn’t have garden door and viewed with alarm that the politely, but still had no idea of what her re- Now I wrote this on the morning of June enough hot asphalt to pave it over but hey, glass table outside had shattered into the pro- sponse should be since I had my table top. 8th and then later that evening in an in- it was not on the work order. verbial thousand pieces—glass glittered on She began repeating my words just to have terview, Cuomo was asked directly about the gray slate ground. something to say until I explained that was the gauntlet words from de Blasio. A new July VID Meeting This is the second time—the sister table not necessary as I could still remember what relaxed, smiling and articulate Cuomo ap- in Bridgehampton did the same thing. Bang, I had just said. peared and cataloged all of his legislative Brings New Proposals just like that with no discernable trauma—a To, I am sure, her relief, she stumbled on achievements—some of which de Blasio On Thursday, July 9th, the Village Indepen- thousand pieces. “it must have been a new girl” and that was it. supports like pre K education—a different dent Democrats met in St. John’s Church Google tells me that minute amounts Well, it is still better to talk to a hu- Cuomo, a very different Cuomo. on Christopher Street. Club Vice President of nickel sulfite located at a fracture man than a computer—but sometimes, Perhaps de Blasio’s complaints were a Linda Jacobson substituted for several absent plane will expand and shatter tempered not by much. good thing—it allowed the press to spell out club members and gave the President’s report glass. I have twice been the victim of this — George Capsis 4 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org

My Arrest continued from page 1 He said he would get back to me. would have to have a grand jury indict me. Croman continued from page 1 A half hour later he called me and told We immediately notified the judge that been so bad for so long, that one can look me that Sophia Lamas had come in to file I would testify at the grand jury. Photogra- introduced to stop the Harassment); reno- back to a decision by now retired Justice a complaint. He said that she had been phers were in the courtroom, and the press vating the apartment (renovation defined as Sarah Lee Evans, in 1996, awarding Ruth told that it was a civil matter and that no circled me on my way out the door. Even sending dust and noise towards Rent Regu- Berk an eight year 50% rent abatement complaint would be processed. An attempt the reporter from the Post told me that his lated Tenants, with or without permits.), and along with $62,000 in damages and at- by the Landlord’s lawyer to get Judge Ken- paper was on my side. the cost of litigation (now $725,000 cheaper). torneys’ fees because of the horrible con- nedy involved was rebuffed later that day. I I am writing this about two weeks later, However, Croman figured that it was time ditions, and get a description of what the sent the cameras on to the AG’s office, with with some distance, and have two reactions. for the proverbial, new wife and stopped situation was two months ago. a harassment complaint. First, I believe that what I did was appropri- paying the firm in 2013. Rose, deciding to As of June 2015 little had changed. Fast forward to July 9. I get a call from ate. I stopped a ninety-two-year-old woman cut their losses, sued for $725,000 in unpaid Instead, the Landlord, Lloyd Goldman, a Detective Massey from the 6th Precinct from being harassed. I was doing my job, and fees. Croman, in turn, claims that Rose was began an amazing campaign to evict Ruth telling me that Sophia has come back, after I had been rebuffed and lied to when I asked overbilling but somehow it took Croman and her daughter Jessica from their stun- reading an article about the camera removal “please.” Harassment of any tenant is serious seventeen years to catch on. ning fifteenth floor terraced apartment. in Westview News, and that I had to turn business; harassment of a ninety-two-year- That’s right—in New York’s Supreme There have been a dozen eviction actions myself in on a grand larceny charge, or have old woman who travels in a wheel chair is Court, Croman is going to try to get Judge brought, some alleging non-payment and a warrant issued. outrageous! I can’t wait to retain counsel for Cynthia Kern to believe that after years of others alleging that the Berk’s are a nui- I called a lawyer, James Roth of Stam- Ruth who will sue the landlord and his man- “making” money, it took until now to uncover sance. None have succeeded, although the pur and Roth, the best criminal defense aging agent to stop the harassment, stop the this ingenious scheme—which he had no landlord did manage to get Ruth moved guys I know. I emailed Corey Johnson, lawsuits, and pay Mrs Berk some damages. (I idea was going on…for seventeen years. to a nursing home for eleven months, and am guardian so I can’t be counsel; in Court I Croman, in turn, countersued for “fraud- probably would have declared that location I was handcuffed, am Mrs. Berk.) ulent billing, and punitive damages in an her “permanent residence” (allowing evic- behind my back, and stuffed I can also say, that despite the fun of amount no less than $5 million given the se- tion) had I not intervened and gotten her being in the media (even the Times did a verity of The Rose Firm’s intentional wrong- back home. into the back seat of a car with half page story) for doing a “good deed,” doing.” (According to the NYSCEF Doc. On June 4, the landlord’s attorney, Jes- the cuffs digging deeply the experience was very disturbing. It No. 124, p. 98.) sica Berk’s attorney, Yetta Kurland, and I awful to be locked up and handcuffed for With Rose and Croman choking each had a conference with Judge Tanya Ken- into my wrists. the better part of a day. The photo of me other, Judge Kern stepped in and recently nedy, who is overseeing all Ruth Berk mat- City Council Member, State Senator in Court, published in the Post, shows issued a decision which strengthened Rose’s ters. I asked that she order all repairs to Brad Hoylman, and Borough President the obvious strain on my face when I grip. J. Kern decided that four out of five be made before the latest eviction actions Gale Brewer. By the end of Friday, after faced the Judge. of Rose’s Causes of Action (fingers) may proceeded, and she did. Jessica Berk had I showed that the five cameras were only (In the two weeks since my arrest, remain around Croman’s “neck.” The re- told me that surveillance cameras were worth a total of $550 (grand larceny is two young women committed suicide in maining Causes of Action are: A reasonable watching the apartment; when I asked on $1000 plus), and the Precinct got tons of holding cells, waiting for arraignment; invoice unpaid, a Breach of Contract, No the 4th that they be removed the landlord’s calls, I was told that I would get a Desk the family of one, Kindra Chapman, ac- value given for work performed and a legal lawyer scoffed at me, and said that there Appearance ticket for Petit Larceny. But tually called me to ask for my assistance.) promise broken. weren’t any cameras. at 7:30 pm that night my lawyer got a call I am extremely annoyed that we have a On June 8th, 2015: Croman filed a Coun- Frankly, I wasn’t sure who to believe. On that our new 6th Precinct Commander, new CO at the 6th Precinct who reversed terclaim. The claim is based around the accu- June 18 we met with the building manager Captain John Simonetti, wanted me to what his detectives had agreed to, and sation that he was overbilled (breach of [the (the infamous Sophia Lamas) at the apart- be charged with Grand Larceny, “stealing who thumbed his nose at Council Mem- Attorney’s] duty, Fraud, Unjust Enrichment, ment to assess the work to be done. At the $4000 worth of camera equipment,” and ber Johnson and State Senator Hoylman etc.). Croman is asking for $5 million dollars. end Jessica pointed out the surveillance that I must go through Central Booking, (and me, an elected community leader.) However, it doesn’t sound too convincing. cameras, which, as it turned out, were ex- holding cell in the Tombs and all. I may just start a campaign to make his In his Statement of facts, Croman states that tremely obvious, and which pointed, from So on Tuesday at 8am, after the NY Post stay in our community as short-lived as […] as a result of a “cursory” review of The five different angles, directly inside the Berk ran a page three story, and Channel 4 did possible. Perhaps next month the front Rose Firm’s bills…” He requested an ex- apartment. a sympathetic piece, I went in to the 6th page of WestView can say: “Simonetti planation for what “appeared” to be inflated I was outraged. So as I said to the press, as Precinct with my wife, and met Detective Must Go”. He is a friend of landlords, rates for costs and disbursements”. “Cursory” Ruth’s guardian, “I took appropriate action Massey, who put me in a cell for three hours, and decided, in my case, to get tough on and “appeared to be”? to abate what I perceived to be both ha- no handcuffs. He then said we were going a do-gooder. Was it mentioned that these “inflated rassment and an inappropriate invasion of to Central Booking at 100 Centre Street. Understand dear neighbors: I don’t rates” slipped by Croman? Some of them privacy.” I did no damage. In the end I had He said he would spare me the indignity of mind being arrested. If that is what it slipped right on into many monthly rent Bills five unplugged cameras in a bag, which I going into the underground holding cells, takes to achieve justice I will take an ar- sent to the Tenants…for seventeen yea— intended to deposit with Judge Kennedy or something which can last twelve to sixteen rest. But the charges and the arrest here Oh, never mind. with the Attorney General’s Tenant Harass- hours, and would try to expedite my case. were totally unnecessary. The landlord Yes, it will be a tough sell for him to claim ment Unit. I also called Community Affairs I was handcuffed, behind my back, and should be charged with Harassment he was damaged, let alone that those dam- Officer James Alverici at the 6th Precinct stuffed into the back seat of a car with the in the Second Degree and Ms. Lamas ages add up to $5 million dollars. and told him what I had done; I had been cuffs digging deeply into my wrists. At 100 should be charged with Filing a False In- With Rose’s help, Croman was able to bor- told that Community Affairs had looked at, Centre Street, I was photographed and fin- strument, claiming that the five cameras row more money from the “cleared” buildings and disturbed the cameras a month earlier. gerprinted (cuffs off, thank goodness), and involved were worth $4000. This fight is equity. However, instead of paying all of his then recuffed, behind my back, and marched far from over! (legal) bills and violations or all the repairs up to the hallway outside the arraignment And thank you to the scores of people and maintenance—Croman simply bought courtroom. There I met judges who I knew who reached out to be supportive, most more buildings. And nobody is stopping him. and lawyers who I knew, and a handful of especially Corey Johnson, Brad Hoyl- There are very few signs that the enti- people who said they had seen the story on man, Gale Brewer, and Maya Angelou, ties that issue violations (DOB, ECB, Channel 4 and were supportive. who tweeted about me when a reporter DOT, etc.) will ever start to enforce them That was at noon. It took till 2:30pm for mentioned that the book I took to read as they do against the average real New me to get called into a courtroom, and anoth- in jail was I Know Why the Caged Bird Yorker. However, the NYS Attorney Gen- er forty-five minutes to have my case called. I Sings. eral (Schniederman) declared that he is now was cuffed through it all, even when I faced investigating Croman. With baited breath, the judge, something I had never experienced. Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Male Democratic we are waiting to see whether Judge Kern I didn’t enter a plea because it involved a felo- District Leader for Greenwich Village and or Schniederman (and now) Rose & Rose ny; instead I was given a grand jury date! President of the Public Interest Law Foun- can stop the cancerous Donald-Trump-type Yes, in order to move forward the DA dation Advocates for Justice. growth called Steve Croman. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 5 No Avatar City

By George Capsis market rent or, in many cases, any rent at all. Your West Village Real Since 1981, a Coalition lawsuit has obli- for buyers, On NY1 a very intense Mark Peters, the gated the city and the state to provide shel- Estate Resource city’s Commissioner of Investigation, was ter to those who are homeless by reason of sellers and landlords. cataloguing the horrors in the city home- poverty or due to mental, physical, or social less shelters as revealed in a study ordered dysfunction. New York is the only city in by Bill de Blasio—vermin, pools of urine, the United States in which this is the law. Celebrating 10 Years and festering dead rats. My only question is, do they all need to be Outraged by the situation, I tried to get in downtown Manhattan? It seems a dis- SCOTTY ELYANOWELYANOW of West Village Real Estate the commissioner’s office or the Coalition proportionate number of homeless are be- Licensed Associate Associate for the Homeless to answer some ques- ing housed in shelters in Manhattan. Real Estate Estate Broker Broker tions, but met with no success. They kept De Blasio wants to change the zoning so Long Time West Village repeating “it’s all in the 54 page report.” he can build tall, skinny skyscraper apart- Longresident, time real Westestate Village expert, neighborhood advocate SPRINGWEST VILLAGE IS COMING! SPECIALIST Homelessness might seem simple on ment buildings with tiny, tiny apartments resident, real estate expert, neighborhoodand community volunteer. advocate the surface. The root cause of homeless- four hundred square feet or less (He uses andJUST communityCLOSED: volunteer. ness, though, is often anything but simple: the euphemistic “tall and dense”). PLEASE CONTACT CONTACT ME ME domestic violence, job loss and mental ill- I argue that the city and state should • WEST 11TH 4 BED TOWNHOUSE RENTAL FOR YOUR REAL ESTATE ness are just some of the complex under- build these free apartments in the outer FOR YOUR REAL ESTATE •2 5 CHARLESSTREET lying problems. And this last one, mental boroughs—where land is much cheaper 1BEDCO-OPSALE NEEDS IN IN 2015 2015 illness, is the worst, people who have lost and we still have some trees and you can •232EAST6THSTREET their minds do not know they are out in walk to the sea. I also argue that the city 3BEDCO-OPSALE the killing cold—these are the people who and state should build a retirement colony sleep in the streets and never even think in Florida. Contact Scotty for a no pressure 2015 market evaluation about going to a shelter. We need to keep the best of the old city In January the homeless population hit as we have in the West Village. We need a peak—60,670. The Coalition for Home- to build large apartments in low rise build- Town West Village LLC less is now demanding that 2,500 apart- ings and build on a human scale—we do 446 West 14th Street ments a year be built for the homeless and not want New York to become Avatar City. New York, NY 10014 at least 10% of de Blasio’s goal to build And the next politician that is convicted O: 646 . 738 . 2665 200,000 apartments in the next ten years for taking bribes should be sentenced to live C: 917 . 678 . 6010 E: [email protected] be set aside for those who cannot pay a in the shelter with the dead festering rat. www.townresidential.com “One if by Land” Defaced Archway Removed While Owners Are Away

DEFACED: Removing the archway not only violates a historic landmark preservation ruling, but also leaves the restaurant facade looking generic and charmless.

In early July, while the owners were away in distressed calls about the defacement. They Europe, the company leasing the West Vil- quickly reached out to the Landmarks Pres- lage restaurant at 17 Barrow Street, “One ervation Commission (LPC) to report the If By Land, Two If By Sea,” took down unpermitted work, ask for inspections, and the white stone archway that marked the seek immediate enforcement action. Thus entry. The archway was in place in 1969, far the LPC has issued a stop-work order when the 1834 building was landmarked and violations for the illegal work. GVSHP as part of the Greenwich Village Historic has promised to pursue this case to seek full District. Therefore, its removal is in direct enforcement of the law and restoration of violation of the landmark ruling. As can be the historic architectural archway, which seen in the photo above, in addition to be- the LPC can require. The WestView News ing in violation of the landmark ruling, the will continue to report on this issue until it new façade is generic and charmless. The has been resolved and the original archway Greenwich Village Society of Historic Pres- is restored. ervation (GVSHP) began receiving many —Janet Capron 6 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org Race and the City The Crisis Continues

THE DIVIDE CAN BE OVERCOME : A demonstrator in the peaceful multi-racial New York protest in December 2014 that followed the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown at the hands of police in Staten Island and Ferguson, MO. Photo by Maggie Berkvist.

By Arthur Z. Schwartz ran away from a cop, across a field, in South Carolina, and then watched some I had an interesting experience a cou- more as the cop planted a taser near the ple months ago, entering the R train at body of the dying man, who he cuffed as City Hall, just before a tall guy named he bled to death. Bill de Blasio. It took him five min- Then there was Freddy Gray in Bal- utes to walk the length of the car be- timore, whose spinal cord was severed cause he was mobbed. High fives, lots after a questionable arrest, leading to ri- of selfies (by passengers), handshakes, ots. This, most horrifically, was followed words of endearment. I thought back by the shooting of nine parishioners at to our last two Mayors and how un- a church prayer meeting in Charleston, likely that scene would have been. South Carolina. And last week Sandra When he reached me I got a hug, Bland, a Black young professional, was and we launched into a discussion arrested for Driving While Black and about the City helping to fund repre- “committed suicide” 24 hours later in a sentation of tenants being harassed out Texas jail, which she was sitting in be- of their apartments by rapacious land- cause she could not pay the $5000 bail. lords. We both exited at 49th Street, Blacks and Hispanics continue to have and his greeting from Black and His- a much harder time getting jobs, make panic New Yorkers continued to be ef- less than Whites for the jobs they do get, fusive. De Blasio’s popularity in Black make up an astoundingly large percent- and Hispanic New York remains high; age of the prison population, and suffer not so among White New Yorkers. from far less access to health care and Contrast this pleasant ride with the educational opportunities. continued reports of police shootings Amazingly, even with a Black Presi- of unarmed, young Black men across dent and a Black Attorney General, the nation. In Atlanta a naked, men- progress seems stalled, and the divide tally troubled vet was shot by a white between Whites and non-Whites con- cop, another Black man was shot in tinues to grow—perhaps even faster than Philly, another in Madison, Wisconsin, the gap between the top 1% and the rest and another in Roxbury, Mass. None of working America. had weapons. Then we all watched the On July 24th the New York Times pub- video of Walter Scott being shot as he Continued on page 7 www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 7

Race and the City Continued from page 6 Bringing the World a Little Closer lished an amazing poll: 60% of Black And we need to let our kids and Americans and 68% of White Ameri- neighbors know that we are upset cans view race relations as “Generally whenever racial injustice occurs, and Bad.” The numbers were half of that, that we take it personally for each group, as recently as 2010. And We—residents of Greenwich Vil- 40% of each group felt that things were lage, perhaps the most racially un-di- getting worse. When asked whether verse community in the United States, President Obama had been judged more a community which has a 2% Black harshly because of his race, 80% of population—need to be more con- Blacks agreed, but only 47% of Whites. scious of how we address race in our The anger and the distrust is palpable, everyday lives. but experiencing the reaction to Bill de Blasio in the subway shows me that the City Council Member divide can be overcome. Corey Johnson participated in a What can we do, here in our little en- clave in Greenwich Village? We need to “die-in” on Broadway after the support affordable housing efforts—in Grand Jury cleared the cop who the Village—not just because we don’t want to live in an “all-wealthy” commu- killed Eric Garner; but we need nity, but because we want to live in a ra- to see more, a lot more... cially integrated community as well. We, as educated adults, need to make sure our And we need to demand that our kids and our grandkids learn about slav- political leaders do more. City Council ery as part of our national heritage, and Member Corey Johnson participated in about how persecution continued after a “die-in” on Broadway after the Grand the Civil War with Jim Crow laws and Jury cleared the cop who killed Eric the Ku Klux Klan. Instead of platitudes Garner; but we need to see more, a lot once a year on Martin Luther King’s more, if our City is to become more Birthday, we need to teach our children, liberal and diverse in the future, and and learn ourselves about the real sto- our children and grandchildren can live ries about the Civil Rights Movement in a country which is less divided. DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF AMERICA: Outside the Stonewall Inn, LGTB tour guide Laurence including those of the Freedom Riders, Frommer (facing the camera, left) and the State Department’s Tom Gallagher fielded ques- the Black Panther Party, Malcom X, Ju- Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Village tions from LGBTI activists brought here for the International Visitor Leadership Programs. lian Bond and Andrew Young. Democratic District Leader. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. Thank You for believing in us and making our 1st year a huge success. Dina, Nikitas and Chris

The Pharmacy is Located at 77 Christopher Street (Between Bleecker St. and 7th Avenue) Telephone: 212-255-2525 Fax: 212-255-2524 www.newyorkchemists.com • email [email protected] 8 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org Then & Now Broadway and East 10th Street By Stan Fine

THEN NOW 1884. The busy intersection of Broadway and East 10th Street in 1884. Chester Alan Ar- 2015. The hustle and bustle at the busy intersection of Broadway and East 10th Street in thur was the 21st President of the United States from 1881-85 and Franklin Edson was the 1884 is as familiar today as it was then. The clippety-clop of horse and wagons gave way 85th Mayor of New York City from 1883-84. The Victorian Gothic-Revival style St. Paul the to noisy traffic and the blowing horns of vehicles. Photo: Stan Fine Apostle Church on Columbus Avenue was completed in 1884, as was the Madison Avenue Bridge and The Dakota Residential building. On the right, we can see the edge of Grace Stan Fine, former Ad Agency Creative Director and CLIO judge, is now a freelance writer Historic Parish Church, completed in 1847. who has written plays and numerous travel adventure stories. [email protected] Photo: nycvintageimages

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According to Dr. Cruzen, there have been Lenox Health Passes First Year Anniversary about thirty-five deaths at the facility with many, but not all, predictable advanced illness By Alec Pruchnicki, MD cases. No births yet. The Emergency Department is not the On July 17th, the Lenox Hill Healthplex, only resource planned for this building. Di- now to be renamed Lenox Health Greenwich rector Hellinger showed the fifth and sixth Village, celebrated the first anniversary of its floors which will contain private doctors’ of- opening. How is it doing? fices, along with a separate entrance on 13th To answer this question, Executive Direc- street. Additionally, this floor will have a sepa- tor Alex Hellinger gave a tour of the facility rate area that will house conference rooms and to this writer and WestView photographer meeting spaces for community use, spaces Maggie Berkvist. Although there have been specifically planned with their needs in mind. anecdotal stories, some of which have ap- There will be an imaging center which peared in WestView, the overall volume of the would provide routine x-rays, CT and MRI center has steadily increased from fifty a day to scans, ultra-sounds, mammograms, and some about one-hundred a day, which would give it specialized pediatric services. There will also a yearly visit volume of almost forty-thousand. be an entire floor for an out-patient, same- About 50% of patients are walk-ins and day surgery center similar to other ambula- the others are brought in by EMS ambu- tory surgery facilities. Most of these services lances, similar to previous patterns. Accord- are scheduled to open in early 2016. ing to Medical Director Eric Cruzen, about At a time when the Federal, State, and 7% require hospitalization (about the same HOW IS IT DOING? Lenox Health’s Executive Director Alex Hellinger, right, leading the author City governments are looking for ways to de- as other free standing emergency depart- on a tour of the renovations. Coming soon—private doctors’ offices, a state-of the art imag- crease hospital beds and more treatment is on ments) with the majority going to Lenox ing center and an entire floor for an out-patient surgery center. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. an out-patient basis, establishment of a new Hill on the Upper East Side, but the oth- hospital on the West Side is an uphill fight at ers going to relatively nearby Beth Israel, or EMS ambulances frequently screen higher that occurred, often with the extensive help best, and virtually impossible at worst. facilities of their choice. About 20% of these level emergencies which are taken directly to of the North Shore/LIJ Health System But, free standing EDs throughout the admissions go into intensive care units. in-patient facilities. Lenox Health also has staff, to organize the operation of the facil- country, in the Bronx, and possibly in Brook- Although most visits are lower level started to institute observation status, which ity. Individual rooms (no curtains between lyn (at the old LICH site) are multiplying to emergencies, Lenox Health still gets is common in most EDs for patients where crowded beds), specialized psychiatric and meet some of the community’s needs. This strokes, heart attacks and low level trauma the choice between discharge or admission sexual abuse rooms, personal pagers instead appears to be working as well as can be ex- cases, which appear to be treated on a level has not been determined. of overhead speakers, and even some TV pected and possibly better than anticipated. It similar to hospital based EDs before trans- The Lenox Health staff also seems proud and Internet access makes the visit as toler- had better work out, since this is what will be fer to in-patient facilities. of the patient oriented, bottom up planning able as possible. available for the foreseeable future. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 11 Bernie Sanders Can Be Elected President. Amazing! By Arthur Z. Schwartz forms, every tax proposal and nearly every budget priority. Last Sunday, I ran into a neighbor who I But Democrats preach the importance of hadn’t seen in a while, and she said: “Are you government, while Republicans preach “less really for Bernie Sanders? Do you think he government.” If Democrats call for more can win?” I responded: “Yes, I am for Sand- government, and don’t show people how ers. I actually think that Hillary Clinton has to eliminate the influence of big money on peaked, is headed for big trouble with her government, and rein in corruption, both email business, and is the Democrat most illegal and legal (called taking campaign likely to lose the election.” She was elated. contributions) people won’t vote for them. “Wow, I can’t wait to start talking to people A majority of Americans presently being about Bernie Sanders. It’s so exciting!” polled see Hillary as just another dishonest The Sanders campaign asked its gener- politician. And her actions with her e-mail ally amorphous and mostly web-site net- account, and the inconsistent explanations, worked base of supporters (see https:// haven’t helped. I am not saying that Hill- berniesanders.com) to hold living room ary is dishonest. I think she manifests not meetings on July 29th. Over one-thousand only great empathy and intelligence but meetings took place, and in NYC most also personal integrity. But I also believe gatherings had to turn people away. A that she fails to grasp either the intellectu- meeting scheduled for Brooklyn Heights al bankruptcy of the economic policy put in a two-hundred seat meeting room had into place by her husband (the lessening to move to a five-hundred seat venue, and of government regulation of big-business still folks were shut out. The largest ral- and the banking/finance sector) or the lies of any of the twenty some-odd can- moral bankruptcy of pay-to-play politics. didates for President (and some are very On top of that, her evasive and insular odd) have been Bernie Sanders rallies, and style may prove her undoing. in mid-July the Sanders campaign touted People don’t just care about corruption, 284,000 donors with an average contribu- they hate it. Clinton’s instinct, and that tion of just about $33. President Obama of many of her supporters, is to suppress had about 180,000 donors at this point in the debate. They say a Republican victory 2007. in 2016 would be a catastrophe. I whole- heartedly agree, but the argument cuts both And when CNN did a ways. The worst possible result would be poll on July 22, Sanders was for Clinton to be brought down in the gen- the only candidate who had eral election. The time for full, fierce, open Counselor At Law debate about how to win this election, and more favorable numbers build a Democratic majority in Congress, than unfavorable. perhaps the only time, is right now. Disability Law Bernie Sanders’ remarkable campaign And when CNN did a poll on July 22, continues to shed the most light on issues Sanders was the only candidate who had and offer the country the most hope. His more favorable numbers than unfavorable. continued success is essential. He says: Max Leifer P.C. Hillary’s favorable ratings peaked in break up the big banks. He says “cancel 2009; she has been on a steady downhill all student debt.” He says to give all new Max D. Leifer PC is an established law firm slide since then, despite running a $100 parents twelve weeks of paid leave, and he with over 40 years experience in Personal Injury, million campaign operation with staff and wants a single payer health care system, not Negligence, Social Security Disability, supporters all over the country. Her cam- one enriching insurance companies. He is Long Term Disability, paign is not whipping up anything near not perfect, and he has yet to win much the enthusiasm of Sander’s campaign. support in Black and Hispanic America, Commercial and Union Appeals. The Corruption of Government is, I folks who are key to a Democratic vic- think, the central issue of the 2016 cam- tory. But his continued surge—and his call We are committed to providing paign (and why Trump, the anti-politician for an end to politics as we know it—is high quality representation candidate is running so well on the right). a galvanizing force, just like the Zephyr It is the biggest problem facing our coun- Teachout campaign was when she ran and we work aggressively to obtain try. It’s the reason other problems never get against Andrew Cuomo last year. the best possible results solved. Corruption, not the mess we call I want to be part of that effort to gal- and protect the rights of our clients. “partisan gridlock”, is what makes our gov- vanize a new approach to politics. Ber- Free consult in person or by phone. ernment so inefficient and ineffectual and nie Sanders may force the Democrats to our politics so vacuous. It’s also why Demo- embrace real change and even lead them crats lose elections, though you wouldn’t to victory. If he wins in Iowa and New Please feel free to contact us with any questions know it to talk to most Democratic leaders. Hampshire, Hillary may run away. And and our friendly staff will assist you with your concerns. Most Americans agree with the Demo- with Bernie Sanders we know that what cratic Party on issues, by margins often he says, is what he will do. exceeding 60/40. The list includes not just I invite all of my neighbors to join me. 214 Sullivan Street, Suite 3-C, progressive economic policies like raising New York, NY 10012 the minimum wage and paid family leave, Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Male Demo- Tel: (212) 334-9699 • Fax: (212) 966-6544 but climate change, gun safety, gay mar- cratic District Leader in Greenwich [email protected] riage, all of the President’s immigration re- Village. 12 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org St. Vincent’s Triangle Gets a New Park Father Walter’s Private Passion By Father Walter Tonelotto

“Please, I want you to meet Father Walter” was the daily refrain from Nelida Godfrey—the diminutive fount of energy fighting the fusillade of legal tricks launched by landlord Steve Croman to push her out of her apartment and restaurant, Lima’s Taste–she fights back, saying “I am an Inca!” The hope of a respite from her pleas and the modest pleasure of challenging a defense of this still posturing, but certainly in the West Village aspirating, Roman Catholic faith made me agree. Our Lady of Pompeii is big and elegant, and it was built in 1929 when at last the Italian emigrants had gathered position and wealth that they wanted to show in a gush of baroque marble. It is opulent. I sat in the Church office waiting for Father Walter Tonelotto who was praying, when a fiftyish man en- tered dressed in shirt and pants reserved for cleaning day. When I realized it was Father Walter, I arose and attrib- uted my late rise to my knee operation.

“DESIGNED TO BE A CLASSIC WEST VILLAGE PARK”: St. Vincent’s Triangle Park (as it is currently being called) will show- case the New York City AIDS Memorial in the park’s northwestern point. Rendering COURTESY of STUDIO A+I.

By Brian J. Pape ing around the memorial’s water feature. New York City already has an AIDS Memorial in the West Village residents and tourists will soon welcome a Hudson River Park at the foot of West 11th Street, but the new public park on the site where the Loew’s Sheridan new one will make the connection to the bankrupt hospi- Theatre, and later St. Vincent’s Hospital materials han- tal that treated so many dying AIDS patients. Financed dling facility, once stood. by NYC AIDS Memorial, according to the group’s found- Designed by New York City–based M. Paul Friedberg ers Christopher Tepper and Paul Kelterborn, construction & Partners, the sixteen-thousand-square-foot park, called of the memorial and associated educational programs will St. Vincent’s Triangle Park for now, is a composition of cost about $4 million. The sponsors hope to raise $2.5 mil- curving benches, colorful plantings, and numerous trees. lion from public sources and $1.5 million privately. MINISTERING VIA RADIO AND INTERNET: Fr. Walter A wrought-iron fence encloses the triangular plot, which The Greenwich Lane is a $1 billion project with aver- Tonelotto was born in Sant’Eulalia, a hamlet in Treviso, features light-toned pavers and curvilinear paths leading age prices of $3,500 a square foot with about two-hundred north of Venice, Italy. He’s been pastor of Our Lady of Pompeii since 2013, is a director of the Italian Radio Ma- to a small lawn at the park’s center. Play areas and water residences in the towers and townhouses. 145 West 11th ria USA and is launching a Catholic Faith network. Photo jets are also programmed for the space. Street will be the first of the buildings to welcome Courtesy of Our Lady of Pompeii. The truncated prow of the former theater, built in 1921, residents in September 2015. The new park is sched- with classical treatment and enormous theatre marquee, uled to open this summer and the memorial is slated Father Walter looked sad. He looked buried under de- was immortalized by the artist Edward Hopper. to be unveiled in time for World AIDS Day in early cades of lost efforts to mature his boyish zeal to become Replacing the demolished theater, a one-story St. Vin- December 2015. a priest and buried under the reality of witnessing the cent’s Hospital Materials Handling Facility, with deep end of the Italian community in the West Village—as we basement and tunnel connecting to the O’Toole Building, talked and I looked at his sad eyes I had a sudden thought was completed in 1987. “I wish I could find him a nice wife.” The entire triangular block on Seventh Avenue and I offered that religion is dead and with a faint crackle Greenwich Avenue has been deeded to the city as a con- of energy he replied “Not for everybody” and went on “we cession to the community and the city, by developers Ru- have young people with Italian companies in New York din Management, Eyal Ofer and Global Holdings, as part and members of the consulate who come here…we are the of their “Greenwich Lane” development. The developers only church in Manhattan with a service in Italian” He agreed to cover the cost of the $10 million new park. City then told me“I have spent 25 years in radio,” and what Parks Department will then maintain the park. followed was his joy, his reason to get up in the morning— “It’s designed to be a classic West Village park,” Bill Ru- he was about to launch a multi lingual online religious din, the CEO of Rudin Management, told the Wall Street network. He stood with new life and asked us to walk to Journal. The design showcases the New York City AIDS the next room where we saw a multitude of screens show- Memorial in the park’s northwestern point. ing feeds from all over the world “It is a Catholic faith Brooklyn-based Studio a+i, with the structural engi- network” he explained, and it is about to be launched. neers Robert Silman Associates, won a competition to de- I glanced at Father Walter as he talked, and he had lost sign the memorial in 2012, but its scheme was simplified his sadness. at the request of the Landmarks Preservation Commission —George Capsis and the Parks Department, partly to avoid the temptation for humans of all ages to climb up and over it. An an- Pompeii: The Village Church gular canopy structure eighteen feet tall covers a circular When I arrived at Our Lady of Pompeii as the pastor of water feature. In March 2015, the memorial’s planners an- this catholic community, I realized the great importance nounced that artist Jenny Holzer will also contribute to COMING SOON: A preview of the green space that is the this church has in this area. Its strategic position at the nearly completed park, with its delicate trees and welcome the memorial, by adding 8,992 words from Walt Whit- center of the Greenwich Village, its open door policy and benches, on the sixteen-thousand-square-foot site of the man’s Song of Myself inscribed into paving stones spiral- former St. Vincent’s Triangle. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. Continued on page 13 www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 13

Father Walter show that they are Catholic. Continued from page 12 On Thursday night they gather in someone’s apart- ment to pray the rosary. They have started a Web TV its historical significance make this church one of the most Channel, called Telemater.org in order to reach out to vibrant and welcoming. all the 250,000 Italians who live in New York City; there The first thing I did was to make sure the doors stayed is even an app for that channel, which everybody can open till night. Many villagers and tourists go out to eat download. The energy and enthusiasm of these young at night and many of them stop by the church to relax Italian professionals is incredible. They really feel they and say a prayer. have found their own home away from home, a point of One day I saw a Buddhist monk, all dressed in or- reference, a welcoming community. ange, praying in a corner of the church; in another The last newcomers are the Latin American restau- corner a lady holding her dog and praying; a young rant workers. If you walk up and down Bleecker Street, couple kissing and probably asking God to bless their you can hear Spanish spoken in most of the corners. love; and a young man taking pictures of the differ- These are the waiters who come from Staten Island ent artistic works. Many tourists come in who just say: and New Jersey and work in the Village restaurants WOW!! The soft religious Gregorian music helps peo- and shops. It is difficult for them to go to church, be- ple to relax. In a few months God’s house has become cause they come in to work long hours. But at least everybody’s house. Actually we all are children of the they know that they are welcome and they too are part same God. of our Village. The beauty of this community is that it is very much AS CHURCH DOORS CLOSE AN ELECTRONIC ONE OPENS: Someone told me last week: “Father, you have to ad- diversified. The original group was Italian; in fact the New York just witnessed the closing of seven local church- mit that religion is dead.” church was built by Italians, even though Pompeii has es as Father Walter opens a global multi lingual electronic Maybe religion is changing its face and color, but I always been a “mixed” congregation. The Irish immi- network. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. can tell you that faith and spirituality are growing. I grants have always been present since the beginning remember two Jewish ladies who came into the church of the community; it is very interesting to notice that feel very welcome and at home. The priests next door to request that I give them God’s forgiveness. I tried to many Italian families have an Irish last name, which (27 Carmine St.) are all Brazilians and this makes it explain how we Catholics do our confession, and I felt signifies the common trend to intermarriage between easy for them to be the natural leaders of the Brazilian almost honored to be able to mediate the forgiveness of Italian and Irish youths. community. God for these two sincere ladies. Various people come The second ethnic group is the Filipino. Twenty five Something very exciting is happening in the Italian into the church and when they see me praying they ask years ago, the late Fr. Bob Sison from the Philippines Community. While the original group is in decline, me to pray for them. I don’t know if they are Catholic or started a Filipino Ministry which served as a focal point a new phenomenon has appeared during the last two not, but I know that they are searching for a connection of unity and faith for many Filipino families around the years. A good number of young professionals from Italy with the Supreme; and if I can help, I feel privileged. I five boroughs of the city. Another very interesting group started a new Italian Mass on Saturday nights. These am sure that a certain type of religion is disappearing, are the Brazilians; many of them are fashion designers are the children of Facebook because they are all con- but maybe a better one is coming back. and a good number of them are young models. Even nected through social media; they talk to each other at Certainly it is exciting being a man of God in the though they come from Queens and New Jersey, they least five times a day and most of them are not afraid to middle of Greenwich Village. Nusraty Afghan AFTER-SCHOOL 110 Years of Children’s Imports Arts Education in Greenwich Village 35th • Photography Anniversary • Fashion Design • Sewing and Embroidery Sale • Woodworking 30% Off • Architecture • Robotics Abdul Nusraty Jewelry and Antique Artifacts • Cooking From 28 Countries • Basketball Museum-Quality • Soccer Oriental Carpets, Kilns • French And Tapestries • Spanish • AND MORE!!! Now at 85 Christopher Street Between 7th Avenue and Bleecker Street (212) 691-1012 Ongoing registration at [email protected] www.greenwichhouse.org 14 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org

Concourse, the Ben Shahn Post Office Now Get Out frescoes, the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, and then, ate, happily, far too much on By Keith Michael Arthur Avenue. Back south for an American Princess Summer is golden. Dolphin and Whale Watch Cruise out of Riis Landing (yes, the desired cetacean Millie hruffs inside from a sweltering sightings were seen with the Manhattan walk, shedding a trail of fur-wisps be- skyline as a backdrop—I’m not making hind her. Corgis were bred for herding this up); north to the new Hunter’s Point in northern climes. New York summers South Park in Long Island City (more are not that. Once in the door, she dashes scouting for Manhattanhenge viewing lo- to the bathroom for her water bowl, tags cations—found one!); far west to Breezy rhythmically jingling on the rim as she’s Point (more adorable Piping Plover chicks lapping, finally she belly-flops onto the and thousands of feisty Common Terns); cool tile floor. and east to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Contrary to working a relentless aca- (scores of Mute Swans and Yellow War- demic schedule throughout the school blers, and a tantalizing glimpse of a Barn year, I have the summer off. For about Owl family). I told you—I get around. half a day I feel guilty about that, but it Up for the challenge, another friend just doesn’t stick. I love the time on, but and I walked the Newtown Creek indus- I love the time off too. However, to me, trial shore (the super-fund boundary be- time off means: time out. I’m an obses- tween Queens and Brooklyn). Somehow sive New York City vacationer. By Au- Barn Swallows, Blue Herons and King- gust my To Do list is nearly an I Did It fishers make their homes along that fetid CUTER THAN A CORGI PUPPY: A Piping Plover chick at Breezy Point, Queens. Photo by list, and I begin to dread the relentless Keith Michael. water. Back north to Woodlawn Cem- countdown to September. etery in The Bronx (for the Great Trees, My first official Friday off in June, I spectacle (free); go up and down and up chose Colonels Row for homesteading the impressive mausoleums, and, the day walked the newly reopened High Bridge, again, once again, in the kaleidoscopic this year). A day trip to Staten Island to I was there, a spectacular thunderstorm), and topped off the afternoon with a visit Fulton Street Station (free); wander the see the first nesting Bald Eagles in the as well as east to Queens’ Alley Pond to the Morris-Jumel Mansion. Having new corridors of Brookfield Place (free); city (reportedly in over one-hundred Park and Douglaston (grand houses, salt recently taken a friend to Greenwood then elbow my way to a 1WTC window years), and the summer solstice sunrise marsh and prolific Ospreys). Cemetery (a chance to review my Battle seat (not free) to oogle the sunset. I like concert at St John the Divine, primed There’ve been Gay Pride and 4th of Brooklyn history), standing in George days of oogling. me: “Now, I’m ready for the official start of July parties and fireworks. Oh, and Washington’s bedroom where he, essen- In the neighborhood, I finally basked of summer!” Are you tired yet? I’m just there’s a nest of Ravens in Chelsea—the tially, holed up (comfortably) for a few in the new Whitney (its art and its views) getting started. first nesting Ravens in the city, appar- months to lick his wounds and strategize and further afield, took the tram to Roo- On to Fort Tilden, Queens for Oyster- ently, ever. Two of the kids were playing what to do next about those pesky Brit- sevelt Island to scout out a new vantage catcher and Piping Plover chicks. (Even king-of-the-water-tower on West 11th ish—this was a knitting together of ge- for watching Manhattanhenge. Millie might concede that Piping Plover Street. And, whenever I can, I go to the ography, history and time. I enjoyed my evening walks at Plumb chicks are even cuter than corgi pup- High Line to see the crowds—of flowers. I bought my first ticket for the new Beach, Brooklyn for the horseshoe crab pies, but I won’t risk rousing her to ask). Ah, it’s Sunday, “Millie, let’s go watch One World Observatory and headed mating orgies (a harlequin-billed Surf Lounging on a shaded bench in the gar- the sunset tango at the end of Pier 45.” downtown to revisit the Beaux Arts con- Scoter was a nifty summer visitor), and dens at Fort Tryon Park, I hoped to see What shall we do in August? fection of the National Museum of the weekend outings to Governor’s Island Hummingbirds, but settled for flourishes American Indian (free) with its colossal (for the Common Terns nesting on the of butterflies. Further north, a friend For more information about nature walks, dome, chandeliers and staircases; oogle Buttermilk Channel piers, and the Yel- took me for a day’s walk in The Bronx: books and photographs, visit www.keithmi- the rising winged Santiago Calatrava low-crowned Night Heron pair who the art deco extravagance of the Grand chaelnyc.com. Bringing Poetry to the People Greenwich House Joins with Poets House education and social service programs to idman lamented the rise in popularity of By Joseph Salas our lyrical Spanish our Christmas Lower Manhattan, and Poets House, a oversized doughy bagels, complete with mesmerizing echoes national poetry library and literary center their oversized price in her poem “The Real The New Country of waves slapping the sandy beach based in Battery Park City. Schmeer.” “I yearn for the days of the nickel By Edith Merle weaving these memories This past year, Poets House led an in- bagel. A bakers-dozen for sixty cents.” she into a tapestry of unrealized dreams and timate workshop for a group of aspiring recited; meanwhile, fellow member Marie cold and unwelcoming hopes poets at Greenwich House’s Independence Soffer embraced the new group of “exuber- as unrelenting as the falling snow Plaza Senior Center. The goal of the pro- ant teenagers of every ethnic background” blaring fire engine sirens Edith Merle was raised in Upper Man- gram was to help seniors develop their who now share her commute on the Q60 unfamiliar sounds—the foreign language hattan’s “El Barrio,” an area populated by inner artistic voice while learning differ- bus in her poem “My Q60 Bus Ride.” Ex- unheated apartments devoid of hot water the city’s new immigrants, reflecting the ent poetic styles and techniques. Over the plaining the difference when school is not melting pot that was America after her course of eight months, seniors were asked in session, she read “The same trip in July year round summers—a distant memory parents migrated from Puerto Rico in to recall their earliest memories of New and August. Deadly Silence. Too much sounds or ripened mangoes beckoning search of a better life. Today, Edith writes York and to use those memories as a criti- time to meditate. I miss them.” the children about her childhood, her college days and cal lens to structure a poetic discourse on Starting in the fall, the workshop will falling to the ground while quickly re- everyday life. She has been published in the New York they experience today. The continue with the hope that more burgeon- cused the UFT’s magazine, Reflections. workshop culminated in a reception and ing poets will join in the free program. For the melodious song “El Coqui” Her poem The New Country is the re- reading at Poets House, where their work more information or to join contact Nicole Puerto Rico’s petite frog sult of a partnership between Greenwich was debuted. Brown at [email protected] or House, a settlement house providing arts At the reading, center member Amy Se- at 212-267-0499. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 15

dessert is individual Tiramisu in espresso Food is Love cups with Lady Finger garnish. Just Results. I personally change my go-to dishes ev- By John Barrera ery year. Because I’ve cooked profession- The Leader in Village Townhouse Sales Since 1972 ally, I don’t have a lunch or dinner go-to Have you ever cooked for someone and because I like to cook whatever I have to noticed the other person’s face? I can work with at that time. But, I find break- almost guarantee that person was smil- fast and dessert another story. Last year I ing. How about a conversation with your memorized a pancake recipe that is sure to mother telling her you’ll be coming to please. Seven ingredients—just make sure visit soon? Most times that conversation the baking powder is fresh and the maple would include something about making syrup real, throw in some berries(I always your favorite meal or maybe visiting your keep frozen organic berries in my freezer) favorite restaurant. These are examples and I’m enjoying my coffee, reading the of caring, of love. Before you start think- paper and never going near cleanup— ing I’m writing this as a prelude to an af- while being told what a master I am in ter-school special. I want to reverse this the kitchen. I’m not as interested in mak- thought and think about what you would ing a dessert. Unless my bride is in the make for your loved one. mood to make her Tiramisu, if my guests 54 West 9th Street 743 Greenwich Street 52 West 10th Street I believe everyone has their “go-to ask “should we bring anything,” I suggest FOR SALE FOR SALE SOLD dishes.” Whether it’s a breakfast, lunch, bringing dessert. $12,995,000 $12,500,000 $9,040,000 dinner or dessert, we all have or should But, I do feel as though I should have a have one. go-to dessert. Most cooks will tell you keep it simple and fresh, so I chose Ju- LESLIE lia Child’s clafoutis recipe. Any dessert with fresh fruit is always a GARFIELD crowd pleaser and Julia also keeps REAL ESTATE the preparation very simple. My wife orders six pairs of Matthew Pravda shoes at a time from Zappo’s and [email protected] sends back the ones she doesn’t 212-574-6969 like, so put her at a farm stand in the Hampton’s you end up with Christopher Riccio more fruit then a Dole canning [email protected] plant. To say I’ve made ten as- 212-574-6962 sorted claifotis so far this sum- mer would not be an exaggera- tion—blueberry-peach, peach, raspberry, plum, plum-peach and even chocolate-almond. At one point I was knocking out EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A GO-TO DISH: For author two at a time and giving one John Barrera, it is the simple and fresh clafoutis, away. So it’s a winner. above. Photo by John Barrera. You don’t need four differ- We signed a new lease that ent go-to dishes. You just need I asked my daughter what hers were, one. One dish that you can call on to tell continues our existence in and without skipping a beat, she replied one person or a group of people that you “Breakfast is scrambled eggs and sautéed mean something to me and this is my Chelsea Market for 12 more kale and dinner is rice and beans.” I know humble way of showing it. my wife’s without asking her. Breakfast is years. If you have not visited soft boiled eggs with cubed French bread, If you would like to use any of the recipes olive oil and lots of fresh cracked black mentioned in the article please email me at us in the first 18 years why pepper, dinner is risotto and shrimp and [email protected] not come now to our newly outfitted bi-level store, just next door to where we were. Yes there are tourists here but we like to treat locals special!

www.CMB-gifts.com (212) 727-1111 Open Monday-Saturday 10-8:30 Sunday 10-7:00 • Inside Chelsea Market - 75 9th Ave - NY, NY 10011 Purchase online or in-store and get 15% off, use coupon code WESTVIEW15 good through September 30, 2015 Not combinable with other specials and management reserves the right to limit quantities. Thanks to all my neighbors and friends for your supportive words following my arrest. Special thanks to Council member Corey Johnson and State Senator Hoylman for their calls to Captain Simonetti (which he ignored). And Captain Simonetti: Time for you to find a new precinct. Your type is not welcome in the Village!

We Salute Arthur Z. Schwartz rated as an AV Preeminent ® Attorney by Martingale-Hubbell for 17 years, one of New York’s leading plaintiff’s employment, civil rights, civil liberties and union-side labor lawyers. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 17 Summer in the City: Not a Bad Place to Dine By David Porat several times thirty days in advance. Mr. Obama ate there last Saturday with his 31 EIGHTH ANENUE August in the city, with weather being co- kids, which probably was not too hard to CORNOR 8TH AVE & JANE STREET operative, is a great time to enjoy restau- arrange. I did score a reservation on the rants that are not as easily available at other Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and THE BIGGER THE BURGER times of year. Between reservations that are yes, a good bit of hype is well deserved as THE BETTER THE BURGER generally easier to get and the very suc- long as you do not focus too much on the THE BURGERS ARE BETTER cessful NYC and Co. promotion, Restau- bottom line. AT TAVERN ON JANE rant Week, you can enjoy good food, good The same folks—Major Food Group— value, and maybe a slight bit quieter sound have also brought us Santina, which is a level—and get there quicker and park easi- slightly easier reservation. With their out- er if you happen to be driving. door space, their summer occupancy goes Looking back at some of my favorites, up a good bit. They recently opened for both recently and over the years, and keep- weekday breakfast as well; this would be a ing in mind what deals can be had, the fol- great way to start a summer vacation day. lowing is a list of where to eat in August. I also ate recently at Barbuto down Restaurant Week involves a good num- Washington Street a bit and this is another ber of restaurants looking for business one to try while vacationing. RedFarm through the city and having a three course continues to draw folks and the Decoy’s prix fixe lunch for $25 or a prix fixe dinner Peking Duck in the space below was a for $38. Some restaurants just do lunches, great splurge. Typically it is a hard reser- some are just open for dinner and generally vation, but it could be easier in August. A Saturdays are not included. few other places that are popular and easier The NYC and Co. web site (NYCgo. in August are Rosemary’s, Toro, Market com) has a very comprehensive listing Table and Piora. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK / SERVING DAILY UNTIL 1AM that links with OpenTable, making it Enjoy some local good food in August— BRUNCH, LUNCH, DINNER, LATE NIGHT very easy to check availability and make often better than vacation food. The com- tavernonjane.com ( 212 ) 675-2526 reservations. petition, talent and ingredients available in Participating restaraunts pay dues to NYC keep our city a capital in the world NYC and Co.—an independent, not for for good eating. profit organization that very successfully All’onda promotes New York City, and they all ben- 22 E 13th Street, (212) 231-2236 efit by the publicity that is created around Barbuto this event. During the summer it starts at 775 Washington Street,(212) 924-9700 the end of July and goes at least into the first two weeks of August. Carbone 181 Thompson Street, (212) 254-3000 As a person interested in better spe- cialty food and restaurants, I can some- Decoy times be a bit skeptical of getting the downstairs, 529-1/2 Hudson Street “cheap menu” in a good restaurant in (212) 691-9700 that, as the old adage says, you get what Junoon you pay for. It can be a bit like outlet 27 W 24th Street, (212) 490-2100 center shopping, clothes can be designed Left Bank with a fancy brand but made cheaply to 117 Perry Street, (212) 727-1170 sell for a price point, hence the quality Market Table is not the same. But restaurants do need 54 CarmineStreet, (212) 255-2100 business in the summer, so hopefully the diner can get a bit more for their money Perry Street during this promotion. And it is a great 176 Perry Street, (212) 352-1900 way to check out restaurants that you Piora would less likely find yourself in and try 430 Hudson Street, (212) 960-3801 something new. RedFarm I ate last week at Junoon, a high end 529 Hudson Street, (212) 792-9700 Indian restaurant on 24th near 5th Ave. Rosemary’s which had a very carefully chosen three 18 Greenwich Avenue, (212) 647-1818 course menu and nicely nuanced Indian food. The setting, the service—the whole Santina 820 Washington Street package was a great deal. I am looking forward to eating at All’onda on 13th (212) 254-3000 Painting by Kazuya Morimoto street tomorrow night. Some restaurants Spasso that participate and I have written well 551 Hudson Street, (212) 858-3838 Teich (pronounced tie-sh) is a family-run Teich Toys & Books Teich about in the neighborhood include: Left Tertulia business with two West Village boutiques. 573 Hudson Street 22 8th Avenue Bank, Perry Street, Spasso, Tertulia (just Teich Toys & Books features a collection (at West 11th Street) (at West 12th Street) 359 6th Avenue, (646) 559-9909 of engaging and inspiring products for kids 212-924-2232 212-537-6630 lunch during the week and lunch and din- of all ages and Teich offers a thoughtful Mon–Sat, 10–7PM Mon–Sat, 11–7PM ner on Sundays) and Yerba Buena. Toro mix of gifts and accessories for men, Sunday, 10–6PM Sunday, 11–6PM Getting a weekend reservation at a 85 10th Avenue, (212) 691-2360 women and home. Shop both stores online place like Carbone can be next to im- Yerba Buena at teichdesign.com. @teichtoys @teichdesign possible—even for me who has tried 1 Perry Street, (212) 620-0808 18 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org An Orgy of Killing Discovers the Brotherhood of Life By Erwin H. Lerner enemy back down the trench line in close The above history pertains to an Old Not very many of us truly can Remember quarters combat with grenades, small arms, Baldy outpost by the name of West View. Pearl Harbor, or even recall the Korean bayonets, and occasional rifle butts. When Presently, fortunately for us, this monthly War for that matter. We might be aware of the Chinese lost grip on their last section publication, WestView News, overlooks Gregory Peck’s Academy Award winning of trench, survivors scurried across two- Greenwich Village and areas to the north, performance in the film Pork Chop Hill, a hundred barren yards to the safety of Chi- south, east and west, peacefully spreading clump of land located above the Chorwon nese Communist lines on Old Baldy. They awareness and enlightenment in the demo- Valley in west-central Korea. were chopped to pieces there by American cratically free confines of America. Not far to the west of Pork Chop Hill artillery. lies a hill called Old Baldy, which endured On Sunday, July 26, 1953, night fighting Erwin H. Lerner has long approached his a series of five engagements during ten resumed at the outpost and raged for four life with a keen inner sense of skepsis. Born months in 1952–1953. Old Baldy earned and a half hours, until shortly after mid- on Simpson Street in the East Bronx, raised its nickname after artillery and mortar fire night when the Reds had been stopped. in the West Bronx, in 1952 he enlisted in the destroyed all the trees on its crest. Another wave hit early Monday morning U.S. Air Force for four years of active duty An observation post attached to Old and fighting continued for another hour during the Korean Conflict, serving out of Baldy is described as being an area of ma- THAT REMINDS ME: Playwright Erwin Le- before the enemy fell back. At 9:45 p.m. the range of fire on Crete, in Germany and chine gun and rifle positions atop a sheer, rner recalls his days in the Korean War trig- a cease fire order came down from U.N. at the Pentagon, primarily assigned as a tele- low lime rock battlement. Its crown, a bald gered by a familiar name. Photo courtesy of Command Headquarters. A minute lat- type and cryptography operator. He returned knob connected to Old Baldy by a saddle Erwin Lerner. er, an outpost lookout sounded like Paul to New York City in 1956 and took residence ridge, was only large enough to accommo- Revere: “The Chinese are coming! The in Greenwich Village to further his higher date a platoon of the 31st Infantry Regi- 26-27 cease fire they came charging up the Chinese are coming!” What followed was education at New York University and the ment (nicknamed “the Polar Bears”). There hill, lugging huge boxes of ammunition an absence of weapons fire and shouting. New School for Social Research. Having barely was room for one log-walled lime and rations, determined to take the out- There was no jubilation; only well-meant found his calling as a playwright, four of rock battlement, insufficient to cover a full post and keep it. Wave after wave poured handshakes between adversaries. Both his works have been presented Off-Off- squad. The Chinese were obsessed with uphill, and took half the outpost. But, L sides had seen too much slaughter. Sud- Broadway and two short plays were aired on taking it, and three nights before the July company counter attacked and drove the denly there was peace. WBAI Public Radio. I’m Mad at You, George By George Capsis apartments. If they were put on the market afford even the envelope into which to tendrils of youth are renting further and there would be a new leveling of “market place a rent check. further out into Brooklyn and are spend- “I’m mad at you, George—you told rate” rents—sure rents would go up but not Yes, this is what we liberals believe and ing a good part of their youth commut- Carol Yost that just because she was as much as they do now when a landlord even if we have some hesitation—it is the ing back to MOMA or the MET and the old she didn’t need to live in the Vil- buys out a rent regulated tenant. law, at least here in the most liberal city of other cultural treasures that I enjoyed as a lage anymore, that she should live in But forget it—we have come too far— the world—New York. Manhattan kid for a nickel subway ride. Florida to make room for young people. New York will have rent regulations until And yes, perhaps not Carol Yost, but What I argued for is that we must plan I’ve lived in the Village twenty years, the Brooklyn Bridge turns to rust and we someone like her paying $500 rent for for a growing New York City population George, and I am NOT going to Flori- will continue to grind our teeth in vain a $3,000 apartment would like to live in who less and less will be able to afford da! I’m mad at you…” when we hear somebody boast of his twen- Florida or San Diego for the same $500 market rate rents. This is not a just a city And with that my neighbor of many ty five-year-old rent controlled rent. a month and then again perhaps not but I problem but a federal one—so just as we years stalked off and will never speak to We liberals and now us de Blasio “pro- think she, and we, should have a choice— have federal nearly-free medical care for me again… gressives” believe that nobody should be why not? the elderly, let us have nationwide afford- What I wrote, and yes, I had a moment homeless. We believe that rent controlled We should have not just New York City able rents for everybody from the middle of hesitation when I wrote it, was that or rent stabilized rents are an immutable rent laws, but Federal ones so retiring New class on down—Rentacare. laws of good intention caught in decades page in the sacred text of social justice Yorkers may live near that sister in Florida And as for Carol Yost who sent me an of mindless bureaucracy no longer ad- and should continue until the sunset of or that daughter in San Diego. e-mail asking for help when her landlord’s dress the ills they were made to correct but history and that we should build hous- Right now the young people from all lawyer had sent her an eviction notice—I breed new injustices. ing for those that are old or handicapped over the world who, each spring, used to called attorney Arthur Schwartz and she is We have one million rent regulated or mentally ill who will never be able to seed the Village anew with the searching still in her apartment and not in Florida. 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Don’t miss breaking news! Sign up for WestView EXTRA at www.westviewnews.org/extra www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 19 Science from Away: Short Stories about Serotonin and More

By Mark M Green a different light. As he was heading to- (sciencefromaway.com) ward retirement as emeritus professor at McGill (in 2013) he published a paper in Simon N. Young began teaching at Mc- the November 2007 issue of the Journal of Gill University in Montreal, Canada in Psychiatry and Neuroscience entitled: “How the early 1970s and went on to become to increase serotonin in the human brain Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psy- without drugs” It is worth reading. Here chiatry and Neuroscience. He also sat on we learn that finding a happy way of life committees, which decided who gets is correlated with higher levels of sero- money to do what research—a profes- tonin and longevity and physical health sor of considerable influence. Just about including less cardiovascular disease. when Dr. Young began his career, there There is evidence, that while serotonin were developed drugs to treat depression, enhances good mood, good mood en- a malady of great importance to his pro- hances the amount of serotonin available fession. Professor Young as President of to the brain—a kind of yoga related idea. the Canadian College of Neuropsycho- Bright light is also associated with higher pharmacology played a key role during levels of brain serotonin. Spending time his distinguished career in the increasing outdoors is apparently healthy and the focus on therapeutic drugs. numbers of people seeking relief from The most famous of these drugs, fluox- depression may be connected with our in- etine, was publicly named in 1974 by sci- creasingly indoor life style away from the entists at Eli Lilly, one of the giants of the farm. Light cafes have been introduced in pharmaceutical industry. We know this Scandinavia. And evidence suggests that drug now as Prozac, and do we know it. exercise, especially to exhauston, leads According to a reliable Wikipedia site, to increased brain serotonin. And finally within a short time of Eli Lilly introduc- there is diet—foods that contribute high ing this anti-depressant, with Food and levels of the accessible amino acid, which Drug Administration approval in 1987, is the precursor of serotonin, increase the THE MAN BEHIND ‘SCIENCE FROM AWAY’: A happy-looking Professor Mark Green (above) sales reached $350 million and by 2010 chemical in the brain. discusses the importance of feel-good chemical serotonin in the brain. Photo courtesy prescriptions reached approximately thir- of Mark Green. To return to Eli Lilly: The company is ty million in the United States and Great about to test another blockbuster drug, Britain. This comes as no surprise consid- genic microorganisms that literally share ome leading to a procedure called fecal based on monoclonal antibodies, which ering the widely read and reviewed 1996 our body space.” Those are the words of transplant, in which the fecal matter of is intended to remove the plaques asso- memoir, Prozac Nation, and a film made Joshua Lederberg who won the Nobel a healthy person is transferred rectally ciated with Alzheimer’s disease. Their from it several years later. Though not a Prize in 1958 for understanding much or orally to someone suffering from gut stock has already shot up as I write this book well thought of, the thesis certainly about the genetic makeup of bacteria. related problems to reinstitute a healthy piece, and speculation is rife. demonstrated the wide use of this drug Now we know that the microbiome can bacterial population. and the occurrence of depression. contribute as much as one to three per- Perhaps Professor Young, who played a Mark M. Green is professor of organic Prozac and other drugs of that class cent of our body weight! That deserves role as a young professor in the acceptance chemistry at the Polytechnic Engineering inhibit very large proteins in the brain an exclamation mark, you must agree. of the importance of drugs for treatment School of New York University and an responsible for the reuptake of a small There is a great deal going on now in of psychiatric problems, in his later years investigator of natural insect controls on molecule called a neurotransmitter, se- the medical world about the microbi- as emeritus professor at McGill, has seen his farm in upstate New York. rotonin. After the serotonin plays its role in allowing signals to be transferred from one neuron to another, it is up tak- en by this protein and removed. If Pro- zac inhibits this process, then the sero- tonin can continue to cause signals to be transferred, events that reduce depres- sion by means that are not understood in full detail although the serotonin is very widespread and thought to connect parts of the brain associated with vari- able functions including mood. Serotonin is quite an important bio- logical molecule. Huge amounts of it ARTHUR IN HANDCUFFS! are produced in our gut and it is criti- cally important for the functioning of Within minutes of attorney Arthur Schwartz being handcuffed our digestive system, although that gut- WestView released its first on-line EXTRA produced serotonin is not allowed to pass into our brains. Scientists have recently SIGN UP NOW FOR LOCAL BREAKING NEWS shown that we can’t produce this gut- important molecule without the inter- Go to westviewnews.org/extra, type in your email address and hit subscribe vention of certain kinds of bacteria. The bacteria are one of a very large number LOCAL NEWS AS IT HAPPENS of kinds that constitute our microbiome. What’s that: “the ecological community (and report the news! –[email protected]) of commensal, symbiotic and patho- 20 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org

continued to grow, the family bought a build- store and supervises much of the cooking. Raffetto’s ing on Leroy Street and West Street and pro- Her two sons, Andrew and Richard, have duction was moved there. In 2007, they sold been involved with Raffetto’s since gram- that building and moved the operation to an mar school and currently manage different even bigger factory in New Jersey. Raffetto’s parts of the business: Andrew runs the store, pasta is available vacuum packed at stores like while Richard runs the factory. Two of An- the Fairway and Zabar’s, and those products drew’s daughters, Sarah and Alex, represent are shipped directly from the factory. the fourth generation working at the store. In the late 1990’s Raffetto’s added sauces Sarah started working at Raffetto’s in high and prepared foods to their offerings. All school. While she was in college, Andrew the cooking takes place in the kitchen at the encouraged Sarah to travel extensively and back of the store, and the recipes are mostly consider other careers, but all her experi- Romana’s, Gino’s wife. The Classic Pesto is ences only served to affirm her decision to one of their best selling items, and many cus- continue at the store. tomers (this author included) like it so much In addition to the pasta and pasta-related that they no longer make their own. Another products, Raffetto’s also carries some cheeses, favorite is the lasagna, which some hotels or- salami, bread and other Italian products, mak- der for banquets and weddings. The delicious ing it a convenient place to shop for ingredi- and reasonably priced prepared foods have ents for an Italian dinner, if one is in the mood become very popular as many people don’t to cook, or a ready-made meal, if not. always have the time or desire to cook. ALL IN THE FAMILY: Romana, daughter-in-law of founder Marcello and keeper of the Raffetto recipes, is still at work alongside granddaughter Sarah and son Andrew in the Gino passed away in 2006, but Raf- Cacio e Pepe Houston Street store — a good place to shop for ingredients for an Italian dinner, or a fetto’s continues to be a family business. Ingredients: ready-made one. Photographs by Maggie Berkvist. At eighty-two, Romana still works at the 1 lb fresh Tagliarini alla Chitarra from Raffetto’s By Caroline Benveniste Marcello’s son, was born in the United States 6 oz. grated Pecorino Romano (also avail- but grew up in Italy. He returned after World able at Raffetto’s) When you enter Raffetto’s, you might be War II and worked at a bank for a number of 2 TBS heavy cream greeted by the sound of the guillotine. Not years until one of his cousins retired and left 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil just one swift thwack, but repeated chop- an opening at the store. He much preferred coarsely ground black pepper to taste (at ping. In the back of the store the ninety- working in the family business to climbing least 1 tsp) nine year old pasta cutting machine chops the corporate ladder at the bank, and eventu- • Bring large pot of water to boil with about away, cutting to order four different widths ally ran the business until he retired in the 1 tsp salt of pasta, from linguine to wide fettuccine. early 1990’s. • When water is boiling, add pasta and cook The one inch wide pappardelle must be cut Raffetto’s originally sold dried pasta. The for 5-6 minutes. When pasta is almost al den- by hand. Customers buying pasta choose fresh pasta was formed into nests and allowed te, reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain. not only the desired thickness, but also to dry overnight. Surprisingly, the dry pasta • Turn heat to low. Add water back to pot and the flavor, of which there are more than a was even sent through the mail. As fresh pas- whisk in 4 oz. cheese. Add cream, oil, and dozen, ranging from the basic egg to whole ta became more popular in the 1980’s, Raf- pepper, and continue to mix until the mixture wheat, black pepper, chestnut, saffron, and fetto’s made the transition from dry to fresh. is uniform. even chocolate. Now in addition to the cut pasta, they make • Add the pasta to the sauce, stirring until it Founded in 1906 by Marcello Raffetto, the ravioli (in three sizes and with over a dozen STILL MINDING THE STORE: Over a is completely coated. Turn up heat to thicken store was first located on Sullivan Street. A different fillings), tortellini, cavatelli, gnocchi hundred years after he opened Raffetto’s, sauce, and if desired stir in up to 2 more oz. few years later, it moved to its current loca- and manicotti. founder Marcello is still a presence, gazing cheese. tion on Houston Street, and the family wisely For the first ninety years, all the pasta was down from his portrait on his creation, his • Taste and add extra pepper if desired (the purchased the building in the 1920’s. Gino, made in the back of the store. As the business family and their many customers. dish should be very peppery). The Lost Cinemas of the West Village: It’s A Wrap (Part Two)

By Clive I. Morrick owner, Stephen Hirsch, reopened it as a cinema-restaurant on May 15, 1978. On July 21, 1978, it took over the weekend Remembering some favorite West Village cinemas which I Rocky Horror midnight showings from the nearby Waverly and many readers have known but are now lost to us. Cinema and these lasted until 1989. Hirsch died in July 1986. The Eighth Street Playhouse, 52 West 8th Street, now a Subsequent operators were B.S. Moss (now known as Bow- Beth Israel Medical Center Walk-In (and former TLA Vid- Tie Cinemas) (1986-88), United Artists (1988-89), and then eo store), 1929-1992. One commentator has written that the City Cinemas (1989-closing). loss of this cinema is one of the saddest movie theater tales. City Cinemas said that beginning in the last week of No- Having reviewed its programming from its opening in 1929 vember, 1991, the Eighth Street Playhouse would adopt a (as the Film Guild Cinema) until its closure, I would go fur- “something old, something new” policy of showing film clas- ther—it is the greatest loss to New York cinephiles. sics and new foreign films. But that lasted less than a year and It was billed as the first theater specially designed and it closed in late 1992. constructed as a Little Cinema. (For a history of its radical The Bleecker Street Cinema, 144 Bleecker Street, now a design see Sources in the on-line edition of this paper.) The Duane Reade (and former Kim’s Video Underground), 1960- NY Times reported on May 15, 1930 that the cinema would 1991. Lionel Rogosin, possibly best known as the director of henceforth be known as the Eighth Street Playhouse and On the Bowery, wanted to show his filmCome Back Africa, a would present a series of European silent productions as well protest against apartheid, and created his own cinema to show as American sound pictures. For its sixty-plus years it showed it. His website explains: “In spite of the attention that Come BLEECKER STREET CINEMA: Opened by Lionel Rogosin an eclectic mix of foreign and domestic classics, cult classics, received abroad, Rogosin was unable to find a as a showcase for independent films and revivals. Photo Back Africa festivals, and some way out schlock. courtesy of cinematreasures.org, uploaded by robboehm; commercial outlet for it in the USA and as a result, he decided The cinema closed briefly in January 1978, but a new republished under Creative Commons License. Continued on page 21 www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 21

When Horses Ruled NYC: LOYALTY PROGRAM • GIFT CARDS 53 Christopher Street “The Stonewall Inn” FREE DELIVERY

New York, looking for a job as an architecture apprentice. To my good fortune, Tony Hoffman, a college friend of my older brother, offered me roommate status at 7th Av. and 13th St., and I remember many debates and demonstrations about GREENWICH VILLAGE the war in Vietnam, civil rights, and gay rights in the public 512 HUDSON STREET • NYC 10014 squares of Greenwich Village. Later that summer, I married WWW.SEAGRAPEWINES.COM • 212-463-7688 my college sweetheart, and we talked about going to Wood- stock for the music festival; but without money or a place to stay upstate, and thunderstorms in the forecast, we stayed in the city. A very memorable time. The existing Stonewall Inn building is actually a trans- formation that took place in the 1930’s, as the owners combined the two previously separate structures at 51 & INCOME TAX 53 Christopher into one commercial facility for the use as PREPARATION a restaurant. Today, we see the unifying brickwork around in the privacy of your own home... arched doorways and large picture plate glass windows on very reasonable rates the first floor, and stucco applied to the upper story sur- Call Peter White rounding small casement windows with flower boxes, with 212.924.0389 THESE LITTLE BUILDINGS HAVE SEEN MANY CHANGES: Stonewall Inn at No. 53, and the QQ Salon at No. 51. The Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, is a former stable, Now, let’s go back in time to see why these two struc- ca. 1846, for the mansion of Mark Spencer. Photo by tures were able to be combined and were accommodating Brian J. Pape. to the new uses, and why this fits our theme When Horses Ruled NYC. By Brian J. Pape, AIA No. 51 was originally built in 1843 as a two-story stable for A. Voorhis, and had a third floor added in 1898, only Many in the West Village neighborhood celebrated this to be reduced to two stories again in 1930. June when the Stonewall Inn was listed by the Landmarks No. 53 was a stable built in 1846 for Mark Spencer, whose Preservation Commission, which voted unanimously to country mansion stood at the northwest end of the block approve landmark designation of the Stonewall Inn at 53 (which at that time extended to West Fourth and West Christopher Street, the first such site the Commission has Tenth Streets, since there was no Seventh Avenue there). landmarked based solely upon LGBT history. Similar cel- So there we had two stables, probably arranged in typi- ebrations had been held on Monday, June 21, 1999, when cal fashion with large central carriage doors with smaller Assistant Secretary of the Interior John Berry announced passenger doors at their side, all right at the street level the addition of the site of the Stonewall Uprising ( June 28, for carriages to roll into them. Then when new unnamed CBT Psychotherapy, Ron Elve and Associates 1969) to the National Register of Historic Places (as well owners bought the stables in 1930, they were able to put 212 620 7910 as a listing on the NY State Register of Historic Places). picture windows in the wide openings, and reconfigure the MS NYU Education, NYS Licensed Teacher, Retired CUNY Faculty This is the first site listed on the National Register for its first floor as one contiguous space, easily accessible from • college, career, social success association with gay and lesbian history. the sidewalk. Separate passenger doors still lead to stairs • basics of all successful learning, testing, 1969 was truly the “summer of love” and turmoil, and that for the upper floors. • early childhood and older, enrichment activities included the Stonewall Uprising. For me, your cub reporter, These little buildings have seen many changes to the • tailored, individualized, results oriented/evidence based * reasonable rates — ask about #modal/DIY just having arrived fresh out of my Midwest college, with no cityscape and cultural norms, and have adapted to the chang- [email protected] money and no job, I was thrown into the upheaval that was ing times, an admirable trait that serves them and us well. Think Mr. Rogers!

Lost Cinemas Continued from page 20 to open his own showcase for independent films and revivals. mention four which were nearby, one for its reputation, and Taking a ten-year lease on the Renata Theater in Greenwich three personal favorites. Village, he spent $40,000 to renovate it, renamed it the Bleeck- The Elgin, 175 Eighth Avenue, now the Joyce Ballet er Street Cinema, and premiered Come Back Africa there on Theater, 1942-1978. The Elgin was a senior member of April 4, 1960. He ran the cinema till 1974. It was to be one of the revival house circuit. It showed Mexican films for a the chartered cinemas of the group of filmmakers who met in time, pioneered midnight shows, but ended its days as an New York and became the New American Cinema Group.” adult film venue. In 1974, Sidney Geffen and his wife Jackie Raynal (her- St. Marks Theatre, 133 Second Avenue, 1914-1926 (as the self a film-maker) took over the cinema. They opened a small Astor Cinema); 1926-1985. In the ‘70s and ‘80s this was a second screen in 1980 called the Agee Room (after writer double-bill second run house, seating six hundred. It was the and film critic James Agee), which became the Bleecker 2 in only cinema where I never shushed anyone because everyone 1982. Raynal kept it going after Geffen died in 1986, but a was having such a damn good time. DR. ROBERT S. ADELMAN partnership split killed it. Theatre 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks Place, now an off- It stuttered to its closure on September 2, 1991, first clos- Broadway theater, 1970-1994. Reverse projection, 16 mm Podiatric Medicine ing in September 1990, re-opening two months later as a gay films, lousy seating, and wonderful Howard Otway pro- Podiatric Sports Medicine adult theater, and then went back to its art house roots for a gramming. Foot Surgery short time. Le Cinematheque, 15 Vandam Street, now the Soho Play- Although its capacity was only two-hundred and fifty its house, 1984-1990 (as the Thalia Soho); 1992-1993. A the- By Appointment influence was immense, and many aspiring independent film ater before and after its stint as a cinema, I recall its final year 11 Fifth Avenue Email: [email protected] makers congregated there. when Bleecker Street’s Jackie Raynal ran it as Le Cinema- (Entrance on 9th Street ) Tel: (212) 254-2772 Honorable mentions. Many cinemas of this ilk outside the theque and it seemed to show only obscure film noirs. New York, N.Y. 10003-4342 Fax: (212) 254-4336 boundaries of the West Village have closed in recent years. I To all: R.I.P. Dr. Adelman makes home visit,too. 22 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org Mama Read to Me

By Maria Hadjidemetriou a “high probability” that my daughter would not move into 2nd grade. I’d been begging to “No mamma, you read to me like when I was have my daughter placed into a reading in- little” my daughter said, and I did. This pattern tervention program to avoid this very kind of during bedtime stories continued and it soon problem. became evident that she didn’t want to read That’s when I realized the teacher wasn’t because she was struggling. going to provide the help my daughter need- I had discovered my child’s first learning cri- ed, and my mission started. I quickly started sis and it broke my heart. moving up the school administration, finally Knowing something was wrong, I sent an reaching the Superintendent of our District, email to her teacher requesting a meeting. I Bonnie Laboy. was disappointed, though, when she offered Ms. Laboy was gracious, kind, understand- no solutions, saying instead “it’s still early, chil- ing and sympathetic. I felt someone really had dren regress during the summer months.” I my back. In the weeks to come my daughter asked for my daughter to be placed with the was assessed and placed with a talented and Reading Specialist our school is fully funded loving Reading Specialist, who uses the inter- for, but instead the teacher suggested we wait ventional program Sounds In Motion. several months. My daughter loved the new program, which At home, I created word games, trying to helps improve early literacy by first focusing on make learning more fun for my daughter. I listening skills. She came home excited every would have her write words on an erasable day—eager to share her new sounds and mo- board and create sentences with these words. tions and asking me to repeat them. I saw her mature in her sentence writing from The one-on-one training and attention basic description to a deep sense of self. On one paid off, and Julia was promoted to 2nd grade. memorable occasion, she used the word “be- And now that summer is here, during bedtime come” to write “I will become a woman soon.” stories we found a way to make our special Throughout the following months, I con- time a happy time—she reads one page, and tinued to email and call the teacher, and soon I read one. became familiar with her favorite question: Moms and Dads, don’t be afraid to push “what are you doing at home?” I was trying so until your child gets the services they deserve. hard to help my child, and I’m not a bad par- You are their only advocate. ent, but I’m also not a teacher. I wanted to ask “what are you doing in the classroom?” Maria Hadjidemetriou, passionate Downtown Finally the teacher agreed to meet with me resident for over sixteen years, enjoys life as a in early February—months after I came to mom to her seven-year-old daughter and being her with my initial concern. At the meeting, I a Real Estate Sales Agent. You can find her on was shocked to hear the teacher say there was twitter at @downtownmomnyc A Life of Apartments (Part Three) By George Capsis ary has got to be $90,000. That is much more than most young people just out of Part Three concludes this walk down memo- college are making, so their first apart- ry lane and looks to the future. If you missed ment, and maybe their last, is in Brooklyn. Part One or Part Two, you can find them at Things have to get very bad before this http://westviewnews.org/2015/04/a-life- country turns to government for a solu- of-apartments-part-one and http://west- tion. It was eighty years ago when Mayor viewnews.org/2015/07/a-life-of-apart- La Guardia turned to Roosevelt to tear ments-part-two/ down the tenements to build decent hous- The Depression stretched a very long ing on the lower East Side—the Eleanor time—from 1929 all the way up and into Roosevelt Houses. the War. In that 15-year period, prices I have not heard of de Blasio asking stayed and stayed the same or even went Obama to contribute federal funding to down, so I learned them along with the his 80,000 units of affordable housing over alphabet. A hot dog was a nickel, a slice the next ten years—no, simply not possi- of pizza ten cents, Coke was a nickel then ble—in fact the last federal public housing Pepsi came out and gave you twice as much effort was right here in the far West Vil- for a nickel too, ice cream cones were two lage with the Fulton Houses. scoops for a nickel or one for three cents. I was discussing the idea that all the new The Daily News was two cents, the Times college grads would move to Brooklyn three cents and ten cents on Sunday. The with my next door neighbor, Joan McAli- subway was a nickel, the 5th Avenue bus a ster, when she interrupted “but my kids dime, but they guaranteed you a seat. already have and now their kids are gradu- Now we talk about “affordable apart- ating college and still living in Brooklyn.” ments,” but the amounts considered af- So we already have two generations of fordable today would have been unthink- the new Brooklynites, and I believe we will able in that time. Now, you can get a decent have three and maybe four. Manhattan one bedroom for $3,000 a Only disasters wait on political solu- month, which means your take home sal- tions. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 23 Shaping New York the BIG Way by Barry Benepe its tapering decks and rise to the mast at the 21st floor overlooking the city. In 2006, developer Douglas Durst went Across the highway the existing Depart- with his Danish wife Susanne to Copenha- ment of Sanitation waterfront transfer sta- gen where he met architect Bjarke Ingels. tion will be relocated downtown to Pier 56 Mr. Ingels confronted Mr. Durst with the opening up new design possibilities for the challenge, “Why do your buildings look north end of Hudson River Park where it like buildings?” joins Riverside Park. The Durst Organization had a ground The site suffers what all the sites along lease for a site on the Hudson River at the shore front park suffer to some degree, 625 West 57th Street from the descen- a noisy, high-speed eight lane highway dants of Charles Appleby in whose hands with too few and narrow crossings and traf- the site had rested for generations. Durst fic signals, making the park and waterfront considered a series of possible uses for the relatively inaccessible. From 52nd Street to site zoned for manufacturing: data stor- 29th Street there is virtually no park at all. age, school, medical facility, hotel and of- 29th Street is the first point of access for fice. “Nothing penciled out,” said Jordan pedestrians to the waterfront. Clinton Park Barowitz, Vice President and Director of rises high over the highway where it has External Affairs for the Durst Organiza- its gates closed and locked. The recently tion. After careful consideration, the firm opened Whitney Museum has no crossings settled on residential as the most feasible to the park. use and a change in zoning was sought and GOING BIG: With Douglas Durst’s patronage, this magnificent new building at 625 West Nevertheless, this magnificent building received. There will be over seven-hundred 57th Street will help move our city forward and shape a dynamic and memorable urban due to open next year is truly a triumph. rental apartments under an 80/20 split cityscape. Photo by Barry Benepe. It has a presence unique to Hudson River where 20% will be affordable under a 421a Park much in the same way the Guggn- program, allowing an abatement of the real fully from the north where the elevated series of landscaped gardens, terraces and heim relates to Central Park. Every great estate taxes for twenty years. highway reaches grade as a gateway into cockpits stepping down to the shore.” From artist shines when he has an inspired pa- By 2010 the Bjarke Ingels Group, known Midtown,” exulted Barowitz. “Its angles, the south this building does indeed not look tron. Douglas Durst has moved our city as BIG, had established an office in Man- surfaces, crevices form a dynamic access to like a building, but like a modern cruise ship forward and helped shape a dynamic and hattan headed by partners, Beat Shenk and views and light, especially looking south which has pushed itself inland where its memorable urban cityscape which future Daniel Sundlin. “The site presents beauti- along the Hudson River. There will be a passengers can take in the North River from generations will enjoy. West Village Original: Peter Carlaftes

“A Year on Facebook”), and collections of po- ed out writing back in the 70s,” he replies. inspiring others by what inspired you. I etry (including “Drunkyard Dog”). In addi- “I wrote a lot of short stories about crazy think that’s the ideal.” tion, he and his partner, Kat Georges, own things in my life, kind of like Charles Bu- Carlaftes lived on Charles Street in and run Three Rooms Press, which serves as kowski but in my own voice, of course. It the late 70s and early 80s, moved to San a leading independent publisher of “cut-the- wasn’t until the 90s when I was out in San Francisco, and then moved back here to edge” creative writing. Peter currently lives Francisco that I got involved in writing Bleecker Street in 2003. What was the on Bleecker Street. plays. In doing so I ran into my partner, difference between those periods? “It Kat. She had a theatre and we turned that was a lot less chichi back then,” he says. Growing up in the Bronx after his parents into a den of creativity for ten years. It was “Just a little more solid than other neigh- divorced, writer Peter Carlaftes did a lot of a great experience, making sure the audi- borhoods. It was a true village. You can bouncing around. “I lived with all my rela- ence had a place to get away to and be in- say that now, too, if you didn’t know it tives and was all over the place,” he says. side of another creation. There’s a day-to- then. But there’s really no more regulars “It’s not much of a tale, though. I enjoyed day horror that most people get swept up or neighborhood people. And there’s my handball and the streets, but the Bronx by and art is definitely a way out of that.” nothing new that’s lasting. I don’t want never really appealed to me. I always came At the same time, the couple began Three to complain or seem backwards but I see down to the city and a lot of times I’d wind Rooms Press when they started stapling something that I don’t particularly care up in the West Village. I was always look- chapbooks together with their and other for.” Then he thinks for a moment. “You ing up so much I’m surprised no one cut people’s poetry. Over twenty years later, know, the people that were here before my throat!” He laughs. “My upbringing Carlaftes claims there’s a certain brand that us saw their neighborhood change as certainly affected me as a person, but it’s the Press is known for. “There’s a key com- well and I’m sure they felt the loss too,” VILLAGE COMPARISON OVER TIME: “It nothing I haven’t dealt with and put into ponent that I can’t really describe,” he says. he continues. “It’s not easy and it takes a was a lot less chichi back then” writer Peter perspective.” “It’s always different from the other stuff lot of work but whatever you’re feeling, Carlaftes notes, but “you’ve got to rewire Besides, Carlaftes found that he could but it’s still going to shine. I do know it’s you’ve got to rewire yourself and look at yourself and look at it in a positive way.” take care of himself. “Even though the par- got to be something that inspires. That’s a it in a positive way.” Photo by Matthew Murphy. ticulars of my life weren’t secure, I always necessity. If you can’t be somewhat open in And these days, even some of Carlaftes’ had a sense of security inside myself,” he art there’s not much room to go forward. offspring have ended up in the neighbor- By Michael D. Minichiello says. “I’m also mostly self-educated but I I have no judgments on anyone else’s pro- hood. “One of my sons works at Kettle was a good student as far as that goes. I did cess, but for me that’s the criteria.” In fact, of Fish—which used to be The Lion’s This month’s West Village Original is writ- a lot of work on my own. Mostly I was just this is key to Carlaftes’ art. “The most im- Head—on Christopher Street. Drop in er and performer Peter Carlaftes, born and huffing around trying to figure out a way portant thing is not just to be heard, but to and say hello to Dylan. I named him af- raised in the Bronx. He has published works to make my dream come true, which was inspire in a way that others can find those ter Dylan Thomas, and his middle name is in all genres: playwriting (including the to be a writer.” feelings in themselves and continue them,” O’Neill. Now he’s around liquor so I don’t spoof “Spin-Dry”), comic writing (the recent How did he make that happen? “I start- he says. “It’s passing it along because you’re know how good that is!” he says laughingly. 24 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org A Boomer Roughing it on the Gulf Coast

By Barbara Riddle tions. Current hot issues are overturning Citizens United and climate change lob- Where to live out the last third of a full life? bying and education. You simply cannot Still craving museums, foreign flicks, yoga find a better group of people anywhere classes and organic, local blueberries and kale? in the United States. Check. And, oh yes, I am now in contract to Prefer to walk everywhere? Check buy a one bedroom, 660 square-foot co- Prefer not to navigate black ice and gray op (with a screened balcony and park- slush? Check. ing) for $50K (not a typo) in a mid-cen- Liberal, left-of-center Democrat? Check. tury building which is an eight minute Financially challenged? Check. walk from downtown cafes and movie Creaky bones? Check. theaters, and a two minute walk from So, what’s a boomer bohemian to do? the library and a street with craft beer Bouncing in the 1950’s between the and vintage clothing shops. The month- various abodes of my divorced parents, ly co-op fee of $500 includes a storage refugees from the Midwest drawn to the unit, electricity and central A/C. wonders of Greenwich Village, I lived This is one tenth to one twentieth of on Perry Street, Bank Street, Charles what a similar place would cost in the Street, Washington Place and even re- West Village. I can live like a human sided in “housekeeping suites” in the being for what I hope will be another ungentrified Hotel Marlton across from twenty years! Most importantly, I will the original Whitney Museum at 5 West have time to finish my second novel and 8th Street, the Hotel Albert and the Ho- start my third. GULF COAST LIVING: Mirror Lake, in downtown St. Petersburg, FL, is bordered by a vin- tel Earle (listen to “Diamonds & Rust”). I left the Village because I had to. tage shuffleboard club and an exquisite 1925-era Carnegie library. This small spring-fed My education began at P.S. 41 and P.S. lake across the street from my apartment is also home to wild egrets, ibis, herons and I’m settling in St. Pete because I want to. 3; roaming the streets as a latch-key kid wood-storks. Photo courtesy of Barbara Riddle. completed it. I was brought up to be- Next up: How does a free-lance writer lieve that no matter what your circum- and crafts and home to a thriving arts from the frenetic and demanding New and ESL teacher make a living in a city stances, as long you managed to stay in scene (Dali Museum, anyone?), it also York lifestyle that can be so stimulating like St. Pete? the Village, life was sweet. has a liberal mayor and a strong sense and addictive. But—it is not the only Flash forward to 2007, and I am of social responsibility—supporting way to live. Barbara Riddle has been contributing to reading a New York Times article about movements as varied as gay rights, My friends on the Gulf are gay, WestView News since 2006. For informa- a town called St. Petersburg, Florida. I the Fair Food movement and climate straight, black, white, Latino; they are tion about her novel The Girl Pretending to had already begun to think that I need- change activism. politically active Jewish atheists, Quak- Read Rilke (hard copy and eBook) and its ed a plan for the future. My social se- Haslam’s of St. Pete is the largest ers and Unitarians who bring clothing screenplay adaptation, see www.girlpretend- curity check was not going to cover life bookstore in the Southeast and just cel- and books to migrant worker camps, ing.com. Her memoir, Lovers & Latchkeys: in NYC, and certainly not in the newly ebrated its seventieth birthday. Since teach nonviolent conflict resolution in Tales From a Greenwich Village Girlhood, popular West Village, no longer a haven 2007, I have been going between NYC women’s prisons, and worked to get out can be read online. At www.talesfro- for bohemians without rent-controlled and St. Pete, gradually weaning myself the vote for Obama in both recent elec- magreenwichvillagegirlhood.blogspot.com/ apartments. A free-lancer all my life, I had no company pension. The life I had carefully built up for twenty-two years imploded when I decided to exit from Tips to Enhance Enjoyment a difficult marriage to a complicated open to “friends we haven’t met yet?” Are Czech filmmaker. By Ron Elve fully enjoy each step of the experience. there good photo ops? Souvenirs? Can I hopped on a plane and spent three We should focus on the details of plan- we do more discussing and planning “the days in St. Pete. And, yes, I fell in love Savoring life’s enjoyments before, during ning, call others, start getting excited. If here and now” as well as future experi- with the shabby genteel feel of this and after life experiences can enhance we’re not sure how it might go, we can ences with others who are present? former booming 1920’s tourist mecca. and add significantly to overall feelings anticipate the excitement of the un- Afterwards, we can continue to savor Think of North Fork vs the Hamptons, of wellbeing. known. In the play/movie West Side the experience with nostalgic remember- and that’s how St. Pete compares to One way to do this is to focus men- Story they sing “something’s coming I ing, reminiscing with others, and writing Miami. Much quieter, stunning natural tally on the positive—including details don’t know what it is but it is gonna be about it. beauty, situated between Tampa Bay and of small joys, such as good weather. We great…” These are great words to keep Get more for your enjoyment buck. It’s the Gulf, twenty minutes from pristine tend to go overboard with the negative in mind. free except for the effort involved! beaches and national parks. (road rage and other rages). During these experiences, we should Priding itself on a kind of Brookly- Before an experience, we can pump be actively open to and searching for the Ron Elve ([email protected]) is tutoring nesque emphasis on local organic food ourselves up with anticipation to more positive. In groups, are we sufficiently and mentoring in the West Village.

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Jim Fouratt’s Irrational Man director Woody Allen REEL DEAL: Movies that Matter Allen continues with his short story telling August 2015 in a narrative film form. Irrational Man is skilled at interviews (although used to in- What sets Diary apart from so many a summer mystery that charms as it baffles. August used to be the month that studios terviewing musicians, usually inarticulate teenage girls films, be they Disney or in- In it, a college professor incapable of be- dumped all the films that had failure writ- and suspicious around journalists) with his die, is the authenticity of Minnie as both ing either authentic or empathetic wants ten all over them or the month when indie intuitive sensitivity to a shy author. written and performed by Bel Powley. to plan a perfect murder. films and docs with niche audience poten- It is fascinating to watch as they go back Heller is so full of promise, I look forward Narcissism collides with pathology in tial were slotted. But our good neighbor and forth with Eisenberg always in control to what she writes or directs next. I just the film, and Woody seems to be trying on Bank street Harvey Weinstein upended while letting the author think he is. We see hope she doesn’t have to wait ten years to to say something very serious underneath that cinema game plan when he made a the tension in Segel’s portrayal of Wallace’s raise the money like so many promising the sugar-free frosting on this pastry of a new template called March Towards the depression and, most importantly, the side female film makers have to do. film. Emma Stone is the new Kim No- Oscars and began holding the films he effects the psychotropic drugs have on the vak. She fills each frame she is in with wanted nominated until October-Decem- creative brain. Best of Enemies cinematic magic as light pours off her ber. When Weinstein’s Shakespeare in Love Ponsoldt never tips his hand nor does the directors Morgan Neville and face. Her energy level reaches off the won Oscars, every other studio and the in- Oscar caliber script by New York playwright Robert Gordon screen and scoops you up and plays with die distributors jumped on board. Donald Margulies. The End of the Tour, Oh Boy, it is 1968 and to beef up interest you. Yes—Parker Posey, Queen of US Oscar’s eligibility rules require a narra- along with Tangerine show that—despite in the Republican and Democratic con- Indies, shows up and Joaquin Phoenix tive film to have a theatrical run of no less Hollywood’s attempt to co-op indie pro- ventions ABC hires two of the smartest again proves to be the best younger US than one week in NYC and Los Angeles, ductions into their system—there still exist and TV savvy public intellectuals to debate actor in films today. Irrational Man is like so it began raining quality films almost films of merit whose only goal is to authen- the issues of the conventions. William F. a cup of expensive sorbet that tastes good on a daily basis here and in LA. The cal- tically tell a story in a bold, honest cinematic Buckley, Patrician Editor of the conser- until it is gone. endar is so crowded that first September manner. Ponsoldt achieves this goal and the vative National Review and Gore Vidal— and now August have become targets. two actors and writer deserve award recog- author, Hollywood screenwriter, guest on Listen to Me Marlon Although August is still dicey in voters’ nition be it Spirit, Sag or Oscar. Playboy After Dark and cousin of Jackie director Stevan Riley memories as Weinstein’s The Butler was Kennedy—engage in a crossfire discussion Is there life after death? Well yes, if you are dropped into an August slot and practi- The Diary of a Teenage Girl that sometimes looks like a the finals at clever enough (and Riley is) to take audio cally forgotten, not at box office, but by director Marielle Heller Wimbledon. recordings from Marlon Brando’s personal Academy nominators. They sound, at least in the beginning, archive and make a first person narration This year, the avalanche of movies in Au- like gentlemanly University debaters on of the dead Brando’s thoughts about al- gust is almost reaching tidal wave propor- political ideas. It soon becomes clear the most everything. Showtime’s Listen to Me tions. Sixty-five films will be in theaters in two men do not like each or each other’s Marlon is being released in theaters first so NYC this month. Readers know I do not politics but both thoroughly enjoy the ver- it will be eligible for an Oscar. normally review here movies that have ma- bal and intellectual fencing. Until the line It is unlike any other documentary I jor campaigns behind them—unless like is crossed and Vidal calls Buckley a “cryp- have seen. A portrait of Brando that is Spy they are better than expected. I prefer to-Nazi” for defending the Chicago police riveting because the Brando we are lis- instead to highlight indie features, docu- who are rioting in the Chicago streets as tening to as if alive is the dead Brando. mentaries and foreign films of merit that THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL: Happy the Democratic convention goes on. And the digital mask of Brando we are could get lost. Family? Kristen Wiig, Bel Powley and Alex- Buckley loses his cool. In debate terms, watching and listening to is the same ander Skarsgard. Image courtesy of Sony Vidal wins when Buckley starts to rise out head created for Superman. I wonder— Let’s Go to the Movies Classic. of his chair and says to Vidal “Now listen, are we inside Brando’s head or are we you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi just hearing what he said out loud? Fas- The End of the Tour Sundance’s breakout critical hit and festival or I’ll sock you in the goddamn face and cinating, as is Brando. director James Ponsoldt circuit favorite The Diary of a Teenage Girl you’ll stay plastered.” And suddenly one This film is based on the story of the five- is set in 1970’s permissive San Francisco realizes the seed for hate radio and Fox Back on Board: Greg Louganis day interview between Rolling Stone re- where divorced mom (Kristen Wiig in one news analysis has been birthed. director Cheryl Furjanic porter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) more captivating and complicated perfor- It is a must see if for no other reason than HBO airs a documentary on the four time and the award winning novelist David mance) and her fifteen-year-old daughter to watch how two major debaters parry Olympic gold medal winner and how ho- Foster Wallace (Jason Segel). It takes Minnie live. It is a coming of age story and one-up each other. Politically, the very mophobia—internalized and in the world place right after the 1996 publication of about the sexual awakening of Minnie (Bel ideas they are discussing are in essence the outside—and an HIV+ diagnosis impacted Wallace’s groundbreaking epic novel, Infi- Powley). The diary is actually what we to- same as the ones today: war, military, race, the life of one of America’s greatest Olym- nite Jest. day would call a graphic novel. religion and greed. Oh—and as serious as pians. Wallace was considered a genius with In a home where boundaries have no it is, it is also hilarious. mental health issues. Critically acclaimed meaning, Minnie observes her mom and (cc) Jim Fouratt jimfourattsreeldealmovies. and awarded a MacArthur Fellowship at her friends’ self-indulgent behavior lubri- Trainwreck blogspot.com [email protected] thirty-seven, he wrote widely—including cated by pot and cocaine right in front of director Judd Apatow Rolling Stone after this interview was pub- her. It is a film about hormones and crush- Amy Schumer’s funny, well written com- lished. To most people Wallace would have es and sexual freedom that riot girls would edy is rescued from being just sexist crap seemed odd and somewhat of a recluse. He have a definite opinion on, but they were by Schumer’s sheer intelligence, Bill Had- loved dogs, had a wife, played tennis and not born until the early ‘90s. er’s irresistible comic sense and Apatow’s made music. And he was on serious anti- In this major mother-daughter movie, command of craft. What does a modern depression drugs. we watch this smart, observant teenager woman who is sexually free and not bound Segel, best known for How I Met Your navigate herself and sexual desire while by old fashioned rules of monogamy do Mother and as director/writer of The Mup- rejecting the adults she sees as failed role when she meets the right guy? I know it pets brings alive this complicated, troubled models—complete with a sexy predator has Tilda Swinton, but the film is, in fact, but productive writer and reveals a depth (Alexander Skarsgard, playing the moth- inconsequential. Like a glass of ice tea on of character development not required on er’s boyfriend) who responds to Minnie’s hot summer day at the beach—feels good TV. Jesse Eisenberg is able to balance flirtations with sexual seduction. She has but leaves you still sticky and most likely the arrogant ego of a Rolling Stone reporter her first experience of how insensitive a hungry. The poster says it all in one look. BACK ON BOARD: Greg Louganis never on assignment who knows he is smart and handsome hunk can be. Frame it. stopped diving. Image courtesy of HBO. 26 WestView News August 2015 www.westviewnews.org

This 1951 film is about parents seeking AUGUST a husband for their daughter. Japanese with English subtitles. Tickets $14; for EVENTS show times, go to www.ifccenter.com. by Stephanie Phelan of n Monday August 3, 6 pm: Sextette westvillageword.com An elderly Mae West stars in this 1978 comic film about a woman on her honeymoon with husband number 6. Jefferson Market Library, 425 Sixth wv Avenue. Free. w n Friday August 7, 8:30 pm: River- for flicks Family Fridays —Jumanji WestView News Free movie, free popcorn! Pier 46, Charles Street and Hudson River Park. n Friday August 7-Sunday August 9: The Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice STREET FAIRS AND Yasujiro Ozu’s 1952 comedy will be SPECIAL EVENTS shown in Japanese with English sub- n Tuesday August 4: National Night titles at IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue. Out Against Crime An anti-crime Japanese with English Subtitles. Tick- rally with police, local businesses, orga- “When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad I’m better.” ets $14; for show times, go to www. It’s Mae West month at Jefferson Market Library, showing her films and holding nizations at Father Demo Square. The ifccenter.com. a special Mae West birthday celebration on August 17. 6th precinct hosts a barbecue and offers n Friday August 7-Thursday August tips on safety and crime fighting. 13: The Montage of Heck A docu- n Saturday August 15, 11 am-6 pm: mentary about Kurt Cobain at IFC n Friday August 21, 8:30 pm: Hook n Monday August 10, 2:30 pm: Make Waverly Place Festival Along Wash- Center, 323 Sixth Avenue. Tickets $14; Free movie, free popcorn! Pier 46, Jewelry Make bracelets, necklaces ington Square North from University for show times, go to www.ifccenter. Charles Street and Hudson River Park. and more with marbles and wire. All to 6th Avenue. com. n Friday August 21-Sunday August materials will be provided; for ages n Saturday August 22, 11 am-6 pm: n Saturday August 8, 2 pm: The 23: Tokyo Twilight Yasujiro Ozu’s 12-18. Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Broadway Festival Along Broad- Water Diviner Russell Crowe stars as 1957 melancholy film will be shown in Street. way Street between Waverly and 14th an Australian trying to locate his three Japanese with English subtitles at IFC n Thursday August 13, 6-9 pm: Teen Street. missing sons after the Battle of Gal- Center, 323 Sixth Avenue. Japanese Nights Music, dancing, art and other n Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am-7 lipoli. Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy with English Subtitles. Tickets $14; for activities for youth ages 13-19 at the pm: Our Lady of Pompeii Flea Mar- Street. Free. show times, go to www.ifccenter.com. 14th Street Passage on the High Line. ket Bleecker and Carmine Streets. n Monday August 10, 6 pm: Go n Sunday August 23, 8 pm: Il Postino n Wednesday August 19, 3:30 pm: n Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 West, Young Man Mae West trifles Diners get to enjoy Sunday night mov- Fire and Ice Mad Science teaches am-7 pm: St. Anthony’s Outdoor with a young man’s emotions in this ies at Left Bank restaurant, 117 Perry about the properties of fire and com- Market Vendors will be selling a vari- 1936 movie at Jefferson Market Library Street. Reservations recommended; bustion, then kids get to cool off ety of interesting wares. West Houston 425 Sixth Avenue. Free. 212-727-1170. with demonstrations involving dry St between Sullivan and MacDougal n Friday August 14, 8:30 pm: River- n Monday August 24, 6 pm: Airport ice. Check out the “Big Burp”, the Streets. flicks Family Fridays — Paddington 1975 Charlton Heston and Karen “Screwdriver Sizzle” and the famous Free movie, free popcorn! Pier 46, Black in yet another Airport movie. “Mad Science Bath”. A live, interactive Charles Street and Hudson River Park. Jefferson Market Library, 425 Sixth educational experience at Hudson Park n Friday August 14: We Come as Avenue. Free. Library, 66 Leroy Street. For kids ages Friends A film about African colo- n Monday August 31, 6 pm: Five 4 and up. nialism and the clash of empires with Easy Pieces Jack Nicholson and n Sundays Through August 23: Pop wars over land and resources. IFC Karen Black star in this 1970 film at Up Maker Space Participants design Center, 323 Sixth Avenue. Tickets $14; Jefferson Market Library, 425 Sixth and construct projects inspired by sci- for show times, go to www.ifccenter. Avenue. ence and nautical concepts. 14th Street com. Park at Tenth Avenue and West Street. n Friday August 14-Sunday August SCREENINGS n Mondays, 11 am: Toddler Time 16: Early Spring Yasujiro Ozu’s 1956 n Thursdays August 6, 13, 20 and 27, Picture book stories, songs and rhymes film about a marriage will be shown in 2 pm: Napoleon The 2002 mini-series for ages 18-36 months at Jefferson Japanese with English subtitles at IFC starring Christien Clavier, Gerard Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. Center, 323 Sixth Avenue. Japanese Depardeau, Isabella Rosselini and John Free. with English Subtitles. Tickets $14; for Malkovich will be shown in four parts n Mondays at 4 pm: Stories and show times, go to www.ifccenter.com. at Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Craft Share favorite stories and make a There to Serve n Saturday August 15, 2 pm: Mc- Street. Free. simple craft after school. Recommend- Detective Raquel Warburton Farland, USA Kevin Costner stars as n Tuesdays August 18 and 25, 2 pm: ed for ages 3-6. Hudson Park Library, and Community Affairs Officer Robert an athletic coach in this 2015 film at Napoleon A PBS documentary on the 66 Leroy Street. Jackson give materials and advice on Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. Emperor will be shown in two parts at n Tuesdays at 3:30 pm: Arts and safety and crime fighting at the annual Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. Crafts For kids ages 3-12 at Jefferson Night Out Against Crime Free. on August 4. n Sunday August 16, 8 pm: Wet Hot Free. Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. American Summer Diners get to en- Free. joy Sunday night movies at Left Bank KIDS/TEENS n Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 pm: Chess FILM restaurant, 117 Perry Street. Reserva- n Monday August 3, 11:15 am: Stomp, Master Workshop Kids ages 6 and n Saturday August 1 through Sun- tions recommended; 212-727-1170. Clap and Sing An energetic music and up can learn chess at the beginner, day August 2: Early Summer As n Friday August 21, 11 am: Gone movement experience for babies, toddlers, intermediate or advance level. Jefferson part of their Weekend Classics series, With The Wind A special Summer and preschoolers. Hudson Park Library, Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. IFC Center at 323 Sixth Avenue will screening at Jefferson Market Library, 66 Leroy Street. Free. Free. be showing the films of Yasujiro Ozu. 425 Sixth Avenue, Free. www.westviewnews.org August 2015 WestView News 27 n Tuesdays, 3:30 pm: Phreaky vocal technique for children 8 and up. of the Village in 1927 when the blonde tember 16, 8:30 am: Yoga with Physics Become a junior engineer Open to kids from all over the city, but bombshell was arrested and brought to Soothing Sounds Washington by experimenting with axles, pulleys, is made up primarily of neighborhood Jefferson Market. All this to celebrate Square Park, Garibaldi Plaza. Bring levers, gears and wheels. Jefferson children. As part of the program, they Mae West’s birthday. Jefferson Market your own mat. Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. sing once a month at a Sunday Eu- Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. n Wednesdays Through August 18, Registration required in person or 6:30 pm: Lolë/Fitist Meetup Move- charist. St. John’s in The Village, 224 DRAMA by calling (212) 243-4334. Jefferson Waverly Place. ment and well-being classes at Pier 45, n Saturday August 8, 2:30 pm: In- Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. n Thursdays at 3:45 pm: Owls and Charles Street and Hudson River Park. stant Shakespeare! A staged reading Free. Otters Storytime Picture book stories To participate, RSVP to lole.nyc@lole- of The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas n Tuesdays at 3:30 pm: Afternoon for children ages 5-6 at Jefferson Mar- women.com. Kyd, which many view as an inspira- Movietime Classic and current mov- ket Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. Free. n Thursdays June 4-September 10. ies for kids ages 3-12. Hudson Park tion for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Jeffer- 8:30 am: Yoga with Yoga Vida Wash- son Market Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. Library, 66 Leroy Street. Free. MUSIC ington Square Park, Garibaldi Plaza. n Bring your own mat. Tuesdays at 3:30 pm: Wildlife n Saturday August 1, 2-3 pm: Lesbi- LITERATURE Superhero Series Discover the story n Thursdays, June 4-September an and Gay Big Apple Corps A Clas- n Thursday August 27, 4:30 pm: behind an assortment of animals such 10, 9:30 am: Dances for a Variable sical Music Concert at the 14th Street Beautiful Ruins Jess Walter’s book as an owl or hawk, chinchilla, White’s Population Washington Square Park, Passage of the High Line. Free. will be discussed at Jefferson Market Tree Frog, King Snake, lizard, or even a n Garibaldi Plaza. Friday August 7, 7 pm: Sunset on Library, 426 Sixth Avenue. hedgehog. Recommended for audiences the Hudson Chuck Braman Jazz Band ONGOING EVENTS age 5 and up. Jefferson Market Library, will play at Pier 45, Charles Street and Exhibits OF NOTE 425 Sixth Avenue. Hudson River Park. Free. n Through August 9: Asian Elephant n First Saturday of Every Month, 2-3:30 n Wednesdays from June 3-August 21, n Saturday August 8m 2-3 pm: Art and Conservation Project A pm: Jefferson Market Book Swap 10 am: Kids Yoga with Soothing Sounds Columbia Summer Winds A free group show at Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bring books and/or art you’re willing to Recommended for kids ages 2-7. Class outdoor concert at the High Line, 14th Bethune Street. trade with others to Jefferson Market meets in the seating nook opposite the big Street. Free. n Through September 2: Camera Library, 425 Sixth Avenue. Snacks will be playground at Washington Square Park. n Friday August 14, 7 pm: Sunset Work Framed prints, moving images provided, but bring your own coffee. n Wednesdays at 11:15 am: Tod- on the Hudson Baby Soda Jazz Band on a glowing screen, video installa- n Saturdays, 11 am: Hudson Park dler Time Interactive stories, action will play at Pier 45, Charles Street and tions, mock natural-history dioramas, Book Swap Exchange books one Satur- songs and fingerplays for walking tots Hudson River Park. Free. and Instagram feeds by various artists day each month at accompanied by parents or caregivers. n Saturday August 15, 2-3 pm: Queer at Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, 2 Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. Urban Orchestra Classical music con- West 13th Street. n Sundays July 5- August 23: Big cert on the High Line at 14th Street. City Fishing Rods, reels, bait and RSVP to www.thehighline.org. Free, LEARNING instruction will be provided at Pier 46, n Friday August 21, 7 pm: Sunset on n Friday August 7, 1 pm: Twitter Ba- Charles Street and Hudson River Park. the Hudson Max Gallico & Friends n Tuesdays at 3:30 pm: Yoga sics Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy St. will play at Pier 45, Charles Street and Street. Free. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Hudson River Park. Free. n Saturday August 28, 1 pm: MS Street., First come, first served. Free. n Saturday August 22, 2-3 pm: The n Tuesdays June Through Septem- Powerpoint 2010 for Beginners Corona Youth Music Project The Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. ber, 10:30 am: Tai Chi An introduc- project includes several tuition-free Free. tory class at the High Line, under the after-school programs, and intensive HEALTH AND FITNESS Satandard Hotel. sessions for choral and instrumental n n Thursday August 27m 7-8:30 pm: Tuesdays, April-October: Star- ensembles throughout the year. About Velvet Glove Gentleman’s Boxing gazing The High Line at West 14th 100 children will present a concert to Conditioning classes and lessons in Street. kick-off this celebration. 14th Street boxing technique followed by a social n Tuesdays July 14-August 18, 6:30 Passage on the High Line. RSVP to cool-down at 14th Street Passage on the pm: Sunset Salsa Put on your dancing Bearing Up NICELY www.thehighline.org. Free. A comedy film about an intelligent High Line. RSVP required; go to www. shoes and enjoy free Salsa lessons at 6:30, n Sundays throughout August. 4 pm: bear who can speak English. His thehighline.org/activities/velvet-gloves. and put your new skills into practice with CHOPIN & Frenchies dreams come true when he finds him- Classical music n Tuesdays June Through October the dance party at 7:30. Pier 45, Charles with pianist Emir Gamsizoglu and the self living in London and adopted by a 16: Tai Chi Washington Square Park, Street and Hudson River Park. nice family. Friday August 14, Hudson music of Chopin, Debussy, Saint-Saens, n Every 4th Wednesday, June- River Park and Charles Street. Garibaldi Plaza. Free. Eric Satie, Ravel, Faure and Rameau n Tuesdays June Through Septem- August: ¡Arriba! Latin dance party (There will be no concert on July 19). ber, 10:30 am: Tai Chi An introduc- with Orlando Marin, tthe Last Mambo Caffe Vivaldi, 32 Jones Street. Tickets Free. tory class at the High Line, under the King, at the 14th Street Passage on the (suggested donation) $20. A brunch n Wednesdays at 3:30 pm: Standard Hotel. High Line. Free. and full bar available.For more infor- Preschool Time Picture book stories, n Tuesdays at 3:30 pm: Yoga St. n Thursdays at 5 pm: Hudson Park mation and reservations, email classi- songs and rhymes for children ages 2-5 Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Library Chess and Games Chess, [email protected]. at Jefferson Market Library, 425 Sixth Street., First come, first served. Free. Checkers, Battleship, classic board and n Friday September 4, 7 pm: Organ Avenue. Free. n Wednesdays June through Sep- strategy games. and beginners’ chess Recital with Jan Vermeire St. Josephs n Wednesdays at 3:30 pm: tember: Meditation The seating steps lessons. Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Church, 371 Sixth Avenue. For more Seussology— Oh the Places You’ll on the High Line at 22nd Street. Street. Bring your own games or use information, go to http://washington- Go Kids explore the ideas illustrated n Wednesdays from June 3- Sep- what’s available at the libraryHudson in Seuss’s book and create their own squarecatholic.org. Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. Free. three-dimensional landscape using Magic Noodles. For kids 6 and up. VILLAGE HISTORY Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street. n Monday August 17, 6:30 pm: Free. Onstage Outlaws— Mae West and n Wednesdays at 4 pm: St. John’s Texas Guinan during the Lawless Choristers Free Musical Education Prohibition Era A special presenta- Training in music fundamentals and tion of vintage photos and discussion i n t r o D u c i n g t h e t ow e r r e S i D e n c e S o v e r lo o k i n g h i Sto r i c m a D i S o n S q ua r e P a r k

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