The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 15, NUMBER 3 MARCH 2019 $1.00 Eviction by Property Tax By Stanley Wlodyka If the decline in local businesses in the DEATH AND TAXES—A cry of pain from George Capsis West Village is a symptom of the “rapidly Throughout the city, local businesses disappearing Village,” the next step in are closing up shop, leaving once washing the famous cobblestone streets Neither can be avoided but one can offer considerable and protracted pain. So when I re- bustling streets pockmarked with empty clean of their history is pricing Villagers ceived a very well written plea for help from a neighbor who was facing an impossible-to- storefronts. Nowhere, however, has this out of their own homes. As the ultra- pay jump in real estate taxes to almost $51,000, I sent an e-mail to Chief of Staff for Corey trend been more pronounced than in wealthy move into the neighborhood in Johnson, Erik Bottcher. Erik surprised me by sending back a press release about the city the West Village. Last year, Nicki Perry droves, drawn by the cultural and historical forming a committee last September to look into the unfairness and bureaucratic ineptitude balked when a retail space that had been significance of the neighborhood—though in assessing and collecting what is the second largest source of revenue for the city govern- a coffee shop for over 60 years was forced with nary a desire to continue or contribute ment (when the city needs money they just push the real estate tax button). to close after the landlord upped the rent to that legacy—prices for residential real The closing down of one shop after another on Bleecker is not just the manifestation of to $27,000 per month. “The eggs and toast estate skyrockets. Even if the temptation yelping fang-bearing landlords but exploding real estate tax. went up to $15. How are all these older to sell is resisted, the choice might be My tax when I bought my building was $11,000. It now is $48,000—which is half people supposed to eat their breakfast at taken out of a homeowner’s hands once the of the rent income before heating and repair costs. When I asked the tenants to volunteer $15 a go? A plate of eggs and toast and property tax bill rolls in. a 3% increase in their rent they froze in disbelief. coffee—it’s ridiculous!” Within months, A Charles Street resident, who wished to Now the young City Council folks are casting about for ways to save rent regulations Perry made headlines when she took to remain anonymous, confided, “The receipt with the assumption that landlords are evil and maybe some of the big ones are but some raising funds online in order to save her of my latest Property Value notice made it of us little ones are not (justice is a glove that has to fit all hands). own shop, the West Village institution Tea clear that I will be driven out of the house and Sympathy. continued on page 6

and drug use within feet of the children’s playground.” WestView’s investigation could not con- firm that claim. Park guards, who spoke on Weed condition of anonymity because they other- wise might face termination, confirmed that drug dealers stick to the western edge of the park, the side opposite from where the Greed children’s playground is located. Not one of By Stanley Wlodyka the parents interviewed at the playground, watching their children swing, slide, and “What’s up man—you smoke?” When screech with delight when the odd squirrel asked if his menu contained items besides joined the fray, said they had noticed that marijuana, he offered, “I might be able to get sort of activity. some coke.” But that was an afterthought, Perhaps the greatest shadow thrown and not part of his usual wares. A wide over our reader’s assertion comes from the smile, every third tooth a golden one, com- one man who would know: the custodian. municated that this fella, though certainly Hour after hour, day after day he combs up to no good, wasn’t necessarily a bad guy. through the park, sweeping up all types A concerned WestView reader reached out of garbage, including drug paraphernalia. about alleged criminal activity occurring in Speaking also with anonymity, he stated Washington Square Park, making the spe- JEFF SELLS A THIMBLE’S WORTH OF MARIJUANA FOR $20, and the more standard order that he didn’t recall ever observing drug use cific claim that “there is constant dealing of an “eighth” (for 1/8 of an ounce) for $40. Photo by Stanley Wlodyka. continued on page 5

Welcome My Favorite Mozart and Jumaane! Restaurant Vivaldi Meet the newly elected Tell us about your favorite WestView concerts continue Public Advocate, place to dine in the West at St. John’s in the Village Jumaane Williams. Village—rewards aplenty. Saturday, March 30 at 1:00 pm SEE PAGE 6 SEE PAGE 14 2 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the West Village. Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections

Publisher Letter to George Capsis cal pneumonia. The reason why I went to as part of hospitals. Thus, if only Urgent Executive Editor the old St. Vincent’s facility was that I had Care is necessary, the person can receive George Capsis WestView News Medicare. I did not have to weigh the cost the appropriate Urgent Care and leave. If Managing Editor Dear George, versus benefit of an urgent care facility ver- the person needs a hospital, the person is Kim Plosia It seems you and the WestView News are be- sus an emergency room. (This brings up the already there in the hospital. No getting to Associate Editors Gwen Hoffnagle, Justin Matthews, ing punished by Northwell Health Green- topic of universal health coverage; a subject the hospital is required, especially with the Anne Olshansky wich Village (LHGV) for stating the fact for discussion at another time.) I was in and traffic problems we have. Art Director that its facility is a glorified “urgent care out in two/two-and-a-half hours; which was Kim Plosia center.” Mr. Alex Hellinger as Executive great! Now contrast my visit to the ER with Hi Catherine, Advertising Manager and Designer Director of Lenox Health Greenwich Vil- my friend’s experience. She was diagnosed Let me attempt to clarify some of this for you. Stephanie Phelan lage writes in a letter which you printed in at the very same facility three months ago People call Emergency Departments a vari- Photo Editor February’s issue that you should know better with a necrotic appendix. Did she have the ety of names such as: Emergency Department Darielle Smolian since you’ve “visited the site on numerous surgery at LHGV? No, she was shipped off (ED), Free Standing Emergency Department occasions” and had even been a patient at to Lenox Hill Hospital at 77th Street and (FSED), Emergency Room (ER), Emergency Traffic Manager Liza Whiting the facility. And, in case you miss his point Lexington Avenue! So, contrary to what Dr. Center, etc. These are all describing the same he states “we even advertise in your paper!” Licht would like us to believe, there is a dif- thing and are all required to have the same Photographers Well, times they are a changing; there is no ference between emergency facilities. capabilities. The only distinction with an Maggie Berkvist Joel Gordon ad in February’s issue. The difference between Lenox Hill FSED is that they do not have a full hospital On page four of the same February is- Hospital and LHGV is obvious. The issue within the same walls. Originally ERs were Comptroller sue of WestView News we get a full page is not whether LHGV is an urgent care fa- just that—a room. As they grew into full de- Jolanta Meckauskaite explanation from Dr. Warren Licht, Vice cility or an emergency center but whether partments, most people internally began call- Architecture Editor President of Ambulatory Operations for the it is a true “emergency room,” the ones you ing them EDs or Emergency Departments. Brian Pape West Region of Northwell Health and Di- find in “Hollywood television dramas”— An ER is however very different from an Film, Media and Music Editor rector of Medical Affairs for Lenox Health the ones you go to when you’re shot, or Urgent Care Center in its operations, capabili- Jim Fouratt Greenwich Village, of the difference be- need an appendectomy. I would describe ties, and legal designation. ERs have Emergency tween emergency room/department/centers LHGV as an upscale urgent care facil- Medicine physicians on site at all times, are open Food Editor David Porat and urgent care centers/departments. (You ity. It’s a very lovely doc-in-a-box waiting 24/7/365, treat every patient that presents re- will notice that in his title Emergency De- room with new bright shiny objects, in this gardless of what their insurance is and whether or Distribution Manager partment/Room/Center never appears.) case imaging tools, etc. not they have the ability to pay and receive am- Timothy Jambeck We learn from Dr. Licht that an urgent Keeping in mind that there is no hospital bulances through the 911 emergency system. None Regular Contributors care center is open basically from 9-5 and south of 59th Street and Tenth Avenue on of these are requirements for Urgent Care Centers. Barry Benepe, Caroline Benveniste, you must have insurance or the ability to “pay the west side of the island, I have a simple In your scenario, the guard was correct to Charles Caruso, Jim Fouratt, before being seen” and, in addition, your plan solution to the problem of what LHGV direct you to one of the clinicians. The nurse John Gilman, Mark. M. Green, Robert Heide, Thomas Lamia, Keith Michael, should ideally have that center in its network. can be. Bring in all the services needed to however was incorrect in her answer. I would Michael D. Minichiello, Penny Mintz, If you’re lucky enough to meet the criteria, make it a hospital. Then no one will have a be interested in knowing who you spoke with Brian J. Pape, Joy Pape, Alec Pruchnicki, and you happen to cut your hand and feel problem figuring out whether they should and will investigate. The Lenox Health Christina Raccuia, Catherine Revland, Joseph Salas, Martica Sawin, Donna you need to see a medical professional, you go to LHGV for pneumonia or an emer- Greenwich Village Emergency Department is Schaper, Arthur Z. Schwartz, Gary may be charged as little “as a $40 co-pay” for gency appendectomy. capable of handling all emergencies. I would Tomei, Joseph Turco, Esq., Stanley service rendered there versus a minimum of Thanks for listening. love to discuss all of the nuances and show you Wlodyka a $200 co-pay if you had gone to an emer- —Siggy Raible, Greenwich Village around if you have time. We endeavor to publish all letters received, gency room. Presumably you have the time —Alex Hellinger, Executive Director including those with which we disagree. and you have your wits about you to call your Bring Back Our Hospital Lenox Health Greenwich Village The opinions put forth by contributors insurer before you go to the urgent care cen- Dear George, to WestView do not necessarily reflect the Housing Solution views of the publisher or editor. ter to ascertain whether it is in your plan and The gamut with its nuances (ER in hospi- WestView welcomes your correspondence, comparison shop re pricing! tals, stand-alone ERs, Emergency Centers, Dear WestView: comments, and corrections: Dr. Licht’s explanation sheds very little Urgent Care Centers, etc., and more, prob- After writing over a half dozen articles on www.westviewnews.org light on the difference between an emer- ably more, on the horizon), only adds to the need for housing on Elizabeth Street Contact Us gency room, an emergency department and the confusion. based on facts and figures, I’ve finally come (212) 924-5718 emergency center or Manhattan’s first-of- The expression clear-as-mud comes to across a more obvious argument right here [email protected] its-kind “free-standing emergency room.” mind. in the pages of WestView. On page 17 of In fact he says there is none, they are all Trying to ascertain what is what, several the February issue there is an article by an ERs which are open 24/7 and will treat months ago I went to Northwell and asked elderly person desperately trying to find you whether or not you have insurance. if someone were stabbed, could Northwell housing (“Uprooted” by Mitchell Donian). He goes on to state “at Northwell Health’s take care of it. The guard did not know and There may be thousands of people like him Greenwich Village, the ER is truly a cen- called a nurse. around the city, along with hundreds of ter, a facility that provides emergency care, She said no. thousands waiting for NYCHA and Sec- with various certifications that span many Since St. Vincent’s was killed, leaving tion 8 housing, or just fighting their land- departments, provided in many specialized the west side of Manhattan without a hos- lords to hold onto what they have, who rooms throughout the facility.” But let’s pital with an ER from 59th Street to The need housing right now. They can’t wait get real. Let’s take my recent experience Battery, many neighborhoods are without a for the 5 to 10 to 20 years it might take at Northwell’s emergency-whatever-you- hospital. My hospital is NYU, and I live in to build housing on Hudson Street or the want-to-call-it facility in the Village and Chelsea on 24th and 8th Avenue. With the other imaginary alternative sites proposed compare it with my friend’s visit. traffic being what it is, one can only hope by the supporters of the Elizabeth Street I had been sick for approximately five that one can get there. garden. Build housing on Elizabeth Street days and decided I needed help, so I dragged —Catherine M. Perebinossoff already, and build it now. MIA SAYS: You can ease your depression by helping others lose theirs. Photo by myself over to the 13th Street location. As PS: I think the only viable solution is to —Alec Pruchnicki Dusty Berke. it turns out I was diagnosed with atypi- have Urgent Care Centers within hospitals, continued on page 3 www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 3

Letters continued from page 2 many other documents. the quick way by turning right against traffic reached $ 70 billion!!!) When I searched for the ESSO station at into 4th to get to 8th Avenue. The drivers of It made a negative impression on me. Google Calling? West Tenth and Hudson Streets, I didn’t find a cars lined up on the Avenue, now that they Here there are hungry souls, millions of To Anonymous: photo of this corner, strangely enough. can stand in front of Horatio Street, think people, and they spend so many billions on Our editors appreciate our readers’ letters, However, I did find some adjacent buildings, nothing of blocking the crosswalk, then they dogs! It took years for me to figure out that including the “Defense of Google” letter and this description from the 1969 Historic are bumper to bumper on the sidewalk as I was wrong. from Anonymous (Feb. 2019 issue), re- District Report, which confirms what you have they compete for a place at a pump. No, it I was not right, because a dog or a cat garding the January 2019 article “Why Do brought to our attention. would not bother me in the least if this “only in a home today, especially when someone Google and Hi-Tech Firms Expand in the “The HUDSON STREET West Side (Be- last one remaining” would go the way of the enjoys some financial comfort, is not a lux- Lower Westside?” tween West 10th & Christopher Streets) corner rest and close. ury. It’s not a waste of money. It is a warm Through your letter, we learned much lot is occupied by a gasoline filling station built —Marc Felix presence, full of love and devotion, a loyal about Google employment and their in- in 1947. A most necessary adjunct to any resi- friend who offers his love unconditionally. terior spaces and programs, beyond what dential area, this filling station had been built I know this firsthand. could be covered in our short article. in The Village with low-lying brick houses ad- Enough with the Bike Lanes! When our children brought home a cute However, nowhere in the article does it joining it to the south. It could well have been There has been a continual reduction in puppy, Plato, having no choice, my wife say “Google employees work online and on designed to harmonize better with the neigh- street parking on lower Fifth Avenue. and I welcomed him. the phone and therefore don’t need a large borhood, and through its use of materials and Within the last two years over 40 park- And you know something? We are grate- office space” nor do we express the “sen- attractive design, have been made a feature ing spaces have been lost to bike lanes, or ful to our children for this. timent” of criticism “that is totally out of which contributed to, rather than detracted simply converted to no parking zones (ex- Plato became a member of the family. touch.” Perhaps however, it was an oppor- from, the character of the neighborhood. ample—the west side of Fifth Avenue be- He is indispensable. tunity for the Alphabet PR mechanism to “For the 515 Hudson or 256 W 10th corner, tween 8th and 9th Streets). Street parking So I understand the pain of those people grind out another piece? the station and a parking lot cover half of the can exist with bike lanes, yet the design of who lost their dog and filled the street with Recently, and not previously reported here, block fronts, and is adjacent to a five-story ver- no parking zones have precluded that, leav- signs. And I hope I never find myself in Google has leased 280,000 SF at 315 Hud- nacular warehouse erected in 1897 and altered ing many residents who street park frus- their place. son Street, a former printing industry loft be- in the early Nineteen-thirties. It has rough trated. This is a residential neighborhood! Apparently I discovered in New York the tween Spring and Vandam Streets opposite stone lintels and sills and a tall roof parapet Exacerbating the problem are the new bike true value and beauty of the affectionate Hudson from the new Disney HQ site, and with stone coping. The adjoining corner lot is a lanes on 12th and 13th which have been put and faithful friendship of a dog. another 180,000 SF at 345 Hudson Street, truck loading station.” in place during the L train planned renova- Only if you lose a dog, only then will you an older loft building between Charlton and Thank you for your contribution and support tion. That has eliminated parking on one side understand what I’m telling you. King Streets. Perhaps these are place-holders for Village preservation. of two blocks entirely. Residents need street But I hope you never go through that pain. until the 550 Washington Street offices are —Brian Pape, AIA parking in a residential neighborhood. —Antonis Diamataris ready for move-in, or maybe they will be kept —A neighbor Publisher/ Editor, The National Herald for further growth? Despite Amazon’s with- drawal from NYC, tech will continue to be a No More Gas Stations growth industry here in NY. I really feel for my fellow Villagers with Man’s Best Friend Landmarking Bureaucracy —Brian J. Pape, AIA their SUVs and Merc’s having only one Dear George Capsis, Dear George, gas station left—the one on 8th Avenue. I My neighborhood a few nights ago re- Are homeowners of Greenwich Village remember when Houston Street was lined minded me of being in a pre-election period, now being targeted by the Department of “The Last One Left” with stations, from Lafayette Street to Av- a time when candidates fill the streets with Housing and Preservation Development Hi George, enue C. In the early ‘70s I waited on Hous- signs displaying their photos, their name, (HPD)? As of September 2018, a certifi- This letter is in response to Brian Pape’s ton Street with a hundred other vehicles their party affiliation, and the date of the cate of non-harassment is now required by Then & Now article “The Last One Left,” during the oil embargo just to get a few elections. the Department of Building (DOB) before WestView Feb. 2019 issue. Although we could gallons. Outside of the wait I really did not But these signs were different from elec- being able to file for renovation permits not find the Esso station on Google, Richard mind since my motorcycle only took about tion paraphernalia. They were carefully, and approve plans. If your home/building knows it existed as he lived across the street. three gallons. So now we only have this last lovingly made. Tall, they were resting on falls under this designation you have to pay It was on the corner of West 10th Street station on 8th Avenue, and to tell the truth three metal legs, covered by plastic, under $160.00 per apartment and wait 6 months & Hudson. The owner’s name was Julius I would not mind it if this one also disap- which there was a crisp, beautiful photo of to one year while the HPD conducts an in- Freeze. It was flanked on the Hudson peared. In the last five or more years I have a dog with the words: “Dog lost, Reward,” vestigation to ensure prior tenants weren’t Street side by Ellingers trucking com- made numerous complaints to the 10th pre- followed by a telephone number. harassed into involuntarily vacating their pany and on the 10th Street side by either cinct about their allowing vehicles to park How much time and money the dog own- room of the SRO (single room occupancy) Bilkays or Halls trucking company. on the sidewalk. I have seen mothers with er must have spent on these signs and how building within the last five years. When the trucking companies went out their children in hand or in carriages have to much more would he give to see his dog once After the investigation is complete, a cer- in the late 60’s the gas station closed as they go into the street to get up the block. Once again, I thought with complete sympathy. tificate of non-harassment will be issued. were Esso’s main business. I was trying to take a pic with my phone I like animals too, but I do not think of my- Areas that have long been assigned for this Both Richard and I feel that it is a shame of the cars on the sidewalk to show to the self as a passionate, self-absorbed animal-lover. special designation are Harlem, Clinton, that so many businesses have closed in the authorities. I was standing on the corner When I grew up on the island of Lem- Hudson Yards and parts of the Lower East Village. It looks like a ghost town. of Horatio Street when a short fellow the nos I had a dog. It was black and white, Side that are well known to have a cache of The biggest shame is the closing of Saint size of a jockey wearing what looked like a proud, and of course, skinny. He was not a existing SROs. Vincent’s Hospital. bulletproof vest ran out of the service sta- hound because I was not a hunter. In the early days, New York saw waves We were both born there. tion and up to me cursing and saying that I He went wild with joy to see me when of impoverished immigrants and their ten- Our son was born there. could not take pictures of private property. I returned home from school. But I too ement apartments cut up into single rooms Both our mothers passed there. Besides the sidewalk parking, much of the loved him. Nevertheless he never crossed that might house a whole family—hence Hopefully a way will be found to stop day there is a long line of vehicles waiting the stairs to enter our house. He recog- the term single room occupancy or SRO. the landlords and politicians from killing to get to the pumps. In the past they would nized and obeyed the rules of our friend- After 5 years of construction, curiously, the Village. regularly block traffic on Horatio Street, ship. And I took care that he was always HPD at this late juncture has targeted 35 —Richard & Carol Quigley and on occasion even 8th Avenue. Instead fed. Even when I gave him only bread, he Perry Street (a six apartment co-op for the Dear Richard and Carol, making the owners carry out some control did not disdain it. In fact, he liked it. last 39 years) as the only brownstone in Thank you for your interest in the Then & over the vehicles coming into their sta- When we came to New York, I looked Greenwich Village with this designation. Now article “The Last One Left.” tion, the city has blocked off Horatio Street at the supermarket shelves filled with pet I’m sending this letter to bring attention to As I wrote in my article, the NYC Munici- between 4th Street and 8th Avenue. Traf- food and I could not believe in my eyes. this undue burden that’s being placed on pal Archives of Tax Photos are now at http:// fic now must turn left into the short block Later I read in an economics textbook homeowners like me who are trying to re- nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet, an ex- of 4th Street, then right at 13th, to get to that Americans spend about $26 billion on store our historic homes. cellent resource for 1940 buildings as well as 8th Avenue. Many times, I see drivers take pet food annually. (Now this amount has —Joe Ianco 4 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org BRIEFLY NOTED Diller Island Update Hoylman—Legalize Prostitution State Senator Hoylman offers “It’s unac- nearly everybody has an appetite for sex ceptable that in 2019, New York is still hence our crowded planet. incarcerating and prosecuting sex work- Oh, wait. Prostitution is legal in Nevada, ers. What our current laws treat as a crime so I guess it is only a matter of time be- is, for many marginalized New Yorkers, a fore we can order our sexual pleasures from tenuous lifeline and a livelihood. Crimi- Amazon. nalization renders them vulnerable. It dis- I know I am behind the times because I proportionately impacts LGBTQI+ New don’t know what Senator Hoylman is re- Yorkers, immigrants, and people of color, ferring to when he talks about LGBTQI (I and furthers a devastating cycle of violence mean the QI—that's new to me). and incarceration. This has to end.” If we legalize prostitution think what Yes, well, I suppose it had to happen. If a relief it will be to the Catholic clergy— we legalize what used to be a drug—the they can order up their own altar boys and mere possession of which could get you jail help the impoverished families in the con- time—why not legalize prostitution? gregation at the same time. Not everybody has to smoke pot but —George Capsis

El Chapo for President MODEL PHOTO LOOKING NORTHWARD shows the ramps accessing the new recre- Oh my—on TV last night it showed our name recognition. So suddenly everybody ation pier, Pier 55, and the landscaping on the tulip-shaped concrete pods. Gov. Cuomo Mayor, Bill de Blasio, sitting in a booth in a has now become an expert and says he has last week pledged $23 million to help HRPT pay for the access work. Credit: photo by Anakinra. Greek dinner in Nebraska with the Governor. no chance to become the next president and Nobody even knew who de Blasio was—not should push to be ambassador to France. At last year’s State of the State, Cuomo al- Streets, but does not include the open even the waitress. I mean El Chapo has more —George Capsis located $50 million in funds for the water- space portion of Pier 40, the commercial front park, which has been under segment- redevelopment of Pier 76, or Pier 26’s capi- Spring Can’t Come Soon Enough by-segment construction for more than tal maintenance projects. two decades, and this year he is kicking in HRPT will manage Pier 55, and Mathews Every year about this time, right after the Su- a different story. I have never had so many $23 million more to help finish it. AsWest - Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C. is de- per Bowl (which was a snooze this year), I tell burst pipes, both in my West Village co- View reported in 2016, it will cost taxpay- signing landscaping for the Thomas Heath- my wife this gloom and doom of winter is just op and at my farm. Ceilings have collapsed ers $40 million to build two causeways to erwick’s 2.7 acre park atop 425 piles in the awful and will be until we see the first crocuses and skylights have leaked more this season Diller Island, and the new pier attraction Hudson River at 14th Street. bloom. I go into a morose state. I am just not than I can ever remember. contributes nothing to the cost of ongoing In related news, two other projects have fun to be around. And I usually am. So, here we are in early March, hunkered maintenance of the park. been designed by Thomas Heatherwick Yes, it’s true, and it has become even down holding our breath for late March Madelyn Wils, the C.E.O. and president Studio since the Pier 55 was unveiled, worse because the Super Bowl used to be when those crocuses begin to appear. Late of the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT), namely “the Staircase” (formerly the “Ves- mid-January. March is when once again we can en- said in a statement “With approximately sel”) the bright copper-toned centerpiece Now, thanks to vociferous greed, the joy dining alfresco. We can then start our $900 million in design or under construc- recently opened at Hudson Yards court- NFL season has been extended into Feb- mornings on a sidewalk bench while watch- tion through public and private partner- yard, and a pair of residential towers adja- ruary and has thus made winter even more ing the parade of West Village dogs being ships, the finish line is now within reach.” cent to the High Line at 511 & 525 18th prolonged. By extending the playoffs the walked without booties and coats, and The Trust says that, even with Cuomo’s Street in Chelsea. Related Companies is NFL has lulled us into a false sense that watching the young mothers in their yoga latest pledge, an additional $23 million is the developer behind both these projects, the winter is shorter. It’s not shorter, and outfits pushing their children in prams with still needed for capital projects for por- and the towers are expected to open later it’s worse because it feels extended. You the tops down—all the while, savoring a tions of the park’s esplanade between 29th next year. will hear people say this has not been that cup of joe at Cafe Panino Mucho Gusto. and 35th Sts., and between 39th and 44th —Brian Pape, AIA bad a winter. Well, my plumbing bills tell —Gordon T. Hughes 14th Street Busway. No? Maybe? By Arthur Z. Schwartz ficials and Community Boards. But things bike lanes—now largely used for truck bus service (which is not a problem), but got worse. The Department of Transpor- parking, not biking. The MTA announced DOT and Trottenberg refuse to speak Sometimes government drives all of us tation (DOT) installed bike lanes on 12th several times that the Busway was no lon- to community leaders. The community crazy. Even as someone who plays a role and 13th Streets, narrowing the very streets ger in their plans. The 14th Street Coali- seems to not be involved in determining in government, and often finds himself in that were going to be flooded with cars and tion began to call for dismantling of the its own destiny. But the 14th Street Coali- court suing the government, I find myself trucks. Frankly, it felt like people were in preliminary work. But Trottenberg seems tion lawsuit remains in place, with a ses- scratching my head. charge who didn’t care about us locals, and to have her own ideas. DOT controls the sion scheduled for March 14; at least in Late in 2017, our community was told, who were determined to install a Busway streets around the City. The oddly painted court, someone has to answer. as part of the planned L Train shutdown, and bike lanes as part of a grand scheme to lanes on 14th Street remain. Bus stops have I wrote last month about how the leg- that 14h Street was going to become a bus- redesign New York City. been moved. University Place was reversed endary Jane Jacobs opined that local plan- way for the two years of the shutdown, with The Chief Schemer was Polly Trotten- between 14th and 13th Streets. The bicy- ning, not solutions imposed by City Hall, no cars or trucks allowed, so that 50,000 L berg, DOT Commissioner, who has gained cling advocates, with whom Trottenberg is helped protect communities and improve Train riders within Manhattan could take a reputation around the City as someone aligned, upped the call for the Busway. And them. That message needs to be repeated buses to go across town (say, from Eighth who cares nothing about local community lo and behold, State Senator Brad Hoyl- time and time again. Perhaps our new Pub- Avenue to Union Square). Because this input, not even from Community Boards. man stood at Third Avenue and 14th Street lic Advocate, Jumaane Williams, will help. plan would push car and truck traffic onto But then Governor Cuomo announced in early February demanding the Busway (a Stay tuned. side streets, community leaders, led by vari- that the L Train shutdown was unnecessary. position he now disavows). ous Block Associations, began to push back. Village activists rejoiced. There was no need MTA reps keep coming to Community Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Democratic Dis- We went to court and lobbied elected of- for the Busway or the barely used crosstown Board meetings to talk about 14th Street trict Leader for Greenwich Village. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 5

Weed continued from page 1 and issue citations instead. This came after by the playground, nor has he found drug the discovery that there was a stark racial Representing buyers, sellers, paraphernalia near there. He went on to disparity in arrests. Despite research that say that he has not encountered evidence of shows that members of each race consume investors and landlords more extreme drug use, like needles, while la ganja in equal numbers, approximately GREENWICH VILLAGE • WEST VILLAGE • CHELSEA • ALL OVER MANHATTAN AND BROOKLYN carrying out his duties. 89 percent of those arrested in New York 24 FIFTH AVE 56 JANE 10 CHRISTOPHER The west side of the park is another story City are Black or Latino. SOLD SOLD SOLD altogether. The dealers’ presence on that Bleecker Street resident Cynthia Nixon 61 HORATIO 140 CHARLES 165 PERRY ST side is so prominent that one can even ob- made the legalization of marijuana a cen- SOLD SOLD SOLD serve their easy interactions with the park tral issue of her gubernatorial campaign last 61 JANE 2 HORATIO 708 GREENWICH ST staff, who display a sort of bemused toler- year, stating, “We have to stop putting peo- SOLD SOLD SOLD ance. The custodian confided that drug us- ple of color in jail for something that White 270 W. 11TH ers regularly sniff “dope,” or crack cocaine, people do with impunity.” Many credit her SOLD in the public restrooms right next to and in championing of this issue for influencing the same building as the park staff offices. Governor Cuomo to put the state of New New To Market Indeed, WestView noticed that there was York on the fast track towards legalization. 165 PERRY ST. 305 EAST 24TH ST., 7D 708 GREENWICH ST., 5CD suspicious activity occurring in the men’s With a reported 65 percent of New York- True Loft Huge 1 Bed 3 Bed Loft bathroom stall during the investigation. ers in favor of recreational marijuana, it is $950K $775K $4.15M The custodian maintains that these addicts expected to occur within a matter of months are by and large harmless after doing their and will likely draw as much as $300 million Don’t forget to support local mom and pops this winter! business, and are mostly in a dazed and in tax revenue for the Empire State, which Contact me for a no pressure consultation. confused state of mind that he charmingly would be the 11th state to legalize. See you around the neighborhood! termed “spooked.” NYPD released data from 2018 on nine “Your local West Village broker and long time resident.“ Park guards said that there is a “chain of months of police activity related to this is- command” that goes into dealing with this sue. Of the 4,289 arrests made for mari- type of situation. First, a member of the juana possession during that period, the public must report the infraction by calling West Village’s 6th Police precinct made Scotty Elyanow 311, which is the city line used to report non- only 27 arrests. Meanwhile, drug dealers Licensed Associate RE Broker m 917.678.6010 | [email protected] emergency situations. The local police force approached WestView News five separate www.westvillagebroker.com is notified, whose personnel then relay back times during the investigation. It might @villagescotty Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractor sales to the park guards “to be advised” that such be pertinent to mention that they were associates and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. The Corcoran Group is a nefarious activities are occurring. all Black. Perhaps, aware of the racial ten- licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065 In June of last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio sion, police avoid making arrests. Despite announced that police would stop arrest- repeated attempts, the NYPD press office ing individuals caught smoking in public refused to comment.

Right Wing Graffiti in The Village The graffiti noted in Action Not “Art” in the September issue of WestView has sparked a backlash. There has been isolated “Deport Cuomo” and “InfoWar.com” graffiti around the West Village lately. The most recent addition is on the northwest corner of Hudson and Charles Streets. A neatly-lettered sidewalk chalk marking for the right wing InfoWars has appeared. If Deport Cuomo or InfoWars.com artists would like to express their opinions, maybe they can write something for WestView and stop hiding behind messy anonymous graffiti. —Photo and text by Alec Pruchnicki. 6 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org Welcome Brooklyn Hero of the Poor Jumaane Williams! Now Speaks for All By Arthur Z. Schwartz run over or is found taking money from an By George Capsis Iranian billionaire, the Public Advocate be- As we go to press, Jumaane Williams, of Oh wow! Jumaane Williams won as Pub- comes the Mayor. Oh wow! Brooklyn, is being installed as the City’s lic Advocate and we interviewed him a few Corey Johnson will not take $250 from any fourth Public Advocate. Besides chair- weeks ago as he sat in “my reading the New one person so as not to be bought. Hmm, I ing City Council meetings, the Public York Times chair” in our kitchen conference mean, he made a big thing out of this so we Advocate has rather undefined powers— room at 69 Charles Street. must have a lot of shopping for politicians but largely, it is the position of public We did not exactly endorse him as at- going on. Fortunately Jumaane is near broke ombudsman. torney Arthur Schwartz did, but asked him so he can’t be influenced but he did vora- Jumaane is an activist, a fighter, and an questions mostly about the NYCHA mess ciously dive into the finger food Dusty set effective legislator (53 bills passed in eight and printed his answers (he calls NYCHA out just before he left and I will remind him years). He fears not the Mayor, the Police one of the worst landlords in the city). of this when I call for a favor. Department, the Governor, or the Presi- Arthur kiddingly introduced him as being dent (whom he calls “the Orange One”). arrested like me in the cause of justice and the POSTSCRIPT In his interview in WestView in February, Times indicates it was six times (me only once). With the short month I drafted this piece on Ju- Jumaane stressed housing affordability as How important is the job? De Blasio had maane Williams winning the election as Pub- central to his work. It is an issue we sorely it before becoming mayor. lic Advocate 48 hours before it happened, and I need addressed in the Village. And the Times reminds us that Mark watched his acceptance speech on WPIX when he Jumaane got over 45% of the vote in Green, who previously held that post, tortured talked about a child crying themselves to sleep— the Village, in a 17-candidate field (a win and emasculated Giuliani by cutting the bud- and as he did he hopelessly succumbed to tears and George Capsis takes credit for). I have get to $3.6 million (doesn't leave enough for a was taken into the arms of his mother. made it clear to him how much support he Christmas party). Last night I noticed that his voice is very has in our neighborhood, and how much Funny thing—when I started to write this much like Martin Luther King, and to inspire we need his help. the night before the election I got a call from his Brooklyn constituents he evokes the rhetorical When Borough President Gale Brewer a for-hire call service asking me if I would chants common to King—“Do we want better endorsed Jumaane last month, she said vote for another of the candidates. When I housing”...“Yes we want better housing.” that Jumaane had “real soul and real integ- explained I was a publisher just writing an His father was a doctor, his sister a nurse, and rity” and that he was “genuine, informed article on Jumaane’s victory the caller be- they lived in a brownstone in Brooklyn. The and brimming with passion.” Sounds like JUMAANE WILLIAMS RECEIVED OVER came testy and rang off. family was and are leaders—a voice that has a Villager. 45% OF THE VOTE IN THE VILLAGE. Ju- Here is this strange improvised political earned being listened too. Now he may be speak- maane (above left) with Arthur Schwartz. office of Public Advocate sitting alone out ing for you to the Mayor, to the City Council Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Democratic Dis- Photo by Assemblymember Rodneyse there, whose sole function is to throw verbal and, who knows, to Trump. It will not be a loud trict Leader for Greenwich Village. Bichotte. darts at the Mayor and if he, the Mayor, gets voice, but IT WILL BE a compassionate one.

Property Tax continued from page 1 “Where is a Good I’ve lived in for nearly 50 years.” Retired, of $1.323 trillion for fiscal year 2020, an in her mid-70’s, she received an appraisal increase of 5.8% (or $72 billion) over the from the city in January that claimed her previous year. property had risen in value by 67% over Aware of the public’s concern for the ev- Place to Eat?” the course of a year. She is now scrambling, er-rising tax burden, Mayor Bill de Blasio desperately attempting to scrape together and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson I GET ASKED THIS QUESTION OFTEN— enough funds to pay a property tax bill of announced in May of 2018 that a Property AS WELL AS “WHERE IS A GOOD RESTAURANT?” nearly $51,000. Tax Reform Commission would be formed David Porat, WestView News Food Editor “There are very few of us left who moved in order to, “evaluate all aspects of the cur- here in the mid-1960s and early ‘70s when rent property tax system in New York City It often depends on what you are looking for. In the interest of providing West- there were mostly middle-class owners in and recommend reforms to make it fairer, View’s readers a glimpse of the culinary treasures in our neighborhood and share “insider tips,” we want you to contribute! The restaurant you recommend could be multi-family houses, who worked hard to simpler, and more transparent, while ensur- because of a certain menu item, a comfort level you have with the place, the at- pay their mortgages and struggled to keep ing that there is no reduction in revenue mosphere, maybe the service, or even the value. WestView is launching a special up with the taxes. Now, there are mostly used to fund City services.” Restaurant Section so readership can help each other with recommendations and single-family houses belonging to hedge- The commission conducted five hear- share tips. In a kind of old-fashioned word-of-mouth way, we are creating enticing funders, NYU, a couple movie stars, and ings this past fall where they invited public content for the paper, as well as a way to give a plug to a place that did right by houses which are constantly being flipped,” testimony, as well as several “research hear- you. All recommendations are welcome. she laments. ings” whereby they solicited the opinions of I did have a very good lunch a few days ago at Black Barn in Chelsea Market, Property taxes account for nearly 45% experts in fields related to real estate. Any which in fact has a comfortable and attractive restaurant in the back that you of the revenue for New York City, with day now, the commission is expected to re- can enter from 16th Street. The dish that stood out to me was the generously approximately $24 billion collected an- lease a report detailing their findings with portioned Grilled Artichokes on Hummus, highly recommended—and the service nually. This has caused a lot of friction recommendations for changes they believe was great too. amongst taxpayers, whose feathers are apt should be made to the property tax policy. See our inaugural restaurant feature on page 14 of this issue. Please email to get all the more ruffled when they hear Some of those changes can be done at the suggestions or comments to [email protected] and get a one year what’s in store next year. City officials re- city level, while others may require approval subscription to WestView. cently issued a press release revealing that from state legislators. Once the report is re- their appraisers have estimated the col- leased, an additional five hearings will be lective valuation of all the real estate in held seeking public comment on the prop- CONTRIBUTE TO WESTVIEW’S NEW RESTAURANT SECTION FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION New York has reached an all-time high ositions set forth. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 7 Health Notes

JUST A FEW OF THE PEOPLE who “barnstormed” with the Campaign for New York Health despite the rain and cold on February 13th. Photo by Katie Robbins.

By Penny Mintz This does not sound like a facility that will replace the 250 beds in use every night Beth Israel at the present Beth Israel Hospital, which Members of the Community Coalition to is already down from the 600+ filled beds Save Beth Israel met at Assemblyman Harvey before Mt. Sinai took over and started Epstein’s office on February 7, 2019, to discuss closing down Beth Israel piece by piece. the newest development in the ongoing Beth The CCSBI continues to seek a full- Israel saga. As an active member of PALM service hospital and an independent com- (Progressive Action of Lower Manhattan), munity health needs assessment before any Harvey Epstein had been instrumental in the further changes are made. The coalition also creation of the coalition. opposes tearing down the present hospital The impetus for the meeting was a letter building so that it can be replaced with more Arthur Schwartz had received from Mt. Si- “luxury” condos. nai relating to the lawsuit that he filed in De- cember, 2017, challenging the Department of New York Health Act Health’s approval of the closure of Beth Israel’s News on the New York Health Act is more cardiac surgery, maternity, pediatric intensive upbeat. The NYHA was reintroduced in the care, and neonatal care units back in July, 2016. State Assembly on February 12, 2019. The Schwartz argues in PALM v. Zucker that Mt. prior incarnations of the NYHA, which has Sinai and DOH violated the State Environ- passed in the assembly for the last four years, mental Quality Review Act by closing the four would have provided comprehensive, univer- units before doing an environmental impact sal health coverage for every New Yorker. It study, as required by SEQRA. promised to pay for doctors, hospitals, eye Last September, Judge Hagler ruled that care, dental care, hearing aides, and prescrip- the case would be determined on the merits tion drugs. The current version adds long- and not be dismissed on technical grounds, term care and support services. as the defendants sought. The judge then In the past, there was no chance that suggested that the defendants might con- the NYHA would be enacted. The State sider negotiating with PALM. Senate was controlled by Republicans, who In December, the attorney for the hos- oppose the health care bill. However, six of pital informed the court that Mt. Sinai was the Independent Democratic Conference “rethink[ing] the massing and design of the members, who voted with the Republicans, proposed new hospital.” Soon after, an attor- lost their seats in 2018, as did several Re- ney scheduled a meeting with Schwartz. publicans. Many of the new Democrats Schwartz and I met with the attorneys for campaigned on the issue of comprehensive, Mt. Sinai and the DOH a week or so later. single-payer healthcare. The defense attorneys were not there to So now there is a possibility that the offer settlement negotiations, but they did NYHA can pass in both houses in Albany. provide some interesting information: They To make that a real possibility, our elected said that the replacement hospital would be officials need know that their voters want it. at least 10 stories high, not the two floors PALM has a committee working on that. originally proposed or the six floors that If you want to get involved, write to me at Corey Johnson had suggested they build. [email protected]. Put NYHA in Ten floors! It sounded like Mt. Sinai was the subject line. We are planning to lobby planning for a much more substantial hos- our state officials. pital than the 72-bed facility that they had You can also contact Campaign for New VIEWS BY SUZE been promoting to the community. The York Health at https://www.nyhcampaign. 50 + years in Greenwich Village lawsuit appeared to be having an impact. org. On February 13th, Campaign for New See Views by Suze The most recent letter, however, was York Health “barnstormed” ways to get at Bonsignour Café more sobering. Mt. Sinai now says that the people to telephone their representatives Jane Street clinical services and the number of beds in to urge passage of the NYHA. Attendees and Eighth Avenue the new facility “will be the same as pre- signed up to canvass door-to-door, canvass 917-686-6542 viously described to you [and] the revised at public places, phone bank, or text. These [email protected] building will be somewhat smaller than opportunities are still available, as are lob- previously described to you.” bying trips to state and federal officials. East Village Mural 8 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

HIGH-END CONDOMINIUMS IN THE WEST VILLAGE: A visual inspection at dusk suggests that at least half of these high-end apartments might be pied-à-terres, or second homes. Photo credit: Ananth Sampathkumar. Death By Architecture By Ananth Sampathkumar the West Side Highway between West 12th Street and would also discourage such holdings and force owners to Partner NDNY Architecture + Design Bethune Street. The British architect David Chipperfield consider renting or selling their additional properties. is designing a new condominium at 11 Jane Street that Alec Schierenbeck published a great piece in July 2018 New York is going through an architectural renaissance houses seven residences; the building is currently under on cityandstateny.com titled “A pied-a-terre tax is smart right now. The most famous architects from around the construction. Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF) Associates’ 1 policy—and it’s constitutional.” The article makes a com- world are designing bespoke buildings and infrastructure Jackson Square sits on a prominent site at the intersec- pelling case for implementing such a tax. New York’s out- for the city. The new designs range from museums to sky- tion of Greenwich Avenue and 8th Avenue and features 30 dated property tax system results in new developments scrapers and even waterfront piers. unique residences and a flowing glass façade. being assessed at a fraction of their real worth. Property The West Village has benefited from the signature build- At a time when the city needs more affordable housing, taxes account for the largest slice of revenue generation, so ing boom on the residential side. Developers have hired these developments are a stark reminder of why New York’s the archaic laws are depriving New York of much needed famous architects to design condominiums around the housing crisis is such an intractable issue. A visual inspection capital that could be invested in roads, subways and other neighborhood. One of the first prominent “starchitect”-led at dusk suggests that at least half of these high-end apart- failing infrastructure. developments were the 173-176 Perry Street condominiums ments might be pied-à-terres, or second homes. The 2017 A neighborhood is only as good as its inhabitants. If the by Richard Meier. Completed in 2002, the buildings set a New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey listed the num- trend of building half-empty monuments to architecture new standard for luxury in residential architectural design. ber of “Occasional, Seasonal or Recreational” apartments at continues, the West Village as we know it will lose its most Since then a whole host of high end projects have been just under 75,000, a 36 percent jump from 2014. endearing asset. Residents support local businesses and in- realized. Herzog & de Meuron, the famed Swiss duo, In 2014 Senator Brad Hoylman proposed a pied-à-terre vest time and effort in keeping their neighborhoods safe and completed 160 Leroy Street, which features a curved tax. If the bill passes it could generate upwards of $600 clean. As Jane Jacobs noted in her seminal book The Death concrete and glass façade. Robert Stern’s Superior Ink in- million in additional revenue for New York with only a and Life of Great American Cities, “You cannot rely on bring- cludes 67 apartments and seven townhouses that straddle modest taxation plan on non-primary residences. The tax ing people downtown, you have to put them there.”

Remembrances of the Lost Village: David Amram, Renaissance Man By Roger Paradiso sitions in his spare time. It’s not often you get to meet someone who has done so much in a variety of art forms, I first met David Amram at the Half Pint Bar on West Third and has done it so well. He also has a love affair with the and Sullivan. It was the winter of 2012. He was nice enough Village and the Village loves him. He was the first artist in to come down and be interviewed by me for a documentary residence at The Village Trip Festival last fall. DAVID AMRAM HAS A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE VILLAGE film. As soon as we met we started talking and talking, and “I first came to the Village as a teenager in the nineteen- AND THE VILLAGE LOVES HIM: Roger Paradiso (left) and the conversation hasn’t stopped to this very day. It was like forties. I was just thrilled because I had never seen a place David Amram at the Half Pint Saloon during filming of we had known each other for fifty years. with that unique feeling. All those amazing people and the Searching for Camelot in 2012. Photo credit: Nick Dewitt. He was wearing these beads, like Native American beads, crazy streets and the warmth and the everchanging spontane- but it didn’t bother me at all. I never asked him about them. ity that occurred every time you walked down the streets…” tive] people from around the world…They remind me of Since meeting David, I often think of him as something “It was like an education just being there…And all these how lucky I was being in those places with those people… like an older brother. He’s a renaissance man, having written years later, now eighty-eight years later, I still feel the same way.” It’s a kind of mojo and protection.” several movie scores for films like The Manchurian Candi- “Of course, it’s changed; everything changes. But there’s David, thank you for composing original music for my date (the original), and Splendor in the Grass. How many a thing with the spirit that’s been there from the eigh- two films shot in the Village. “Roger, you can call me any- people do you know who were picked by Leonard Bernstein teenth century on, that somehow has survived and always time especially if I am still alive. That’s a quote from Sasha to be the first composer in residence at Lincoln Center in will survive…So our gig, from when it was affordable and Schneider.” David is also writing another book in his spare 1966? Did you know he played in bands with Dizzy Gil- an oasis from the concrete jungle, is to celebrate that spir- time. It’s called David Amram, The Next 80 Years. I can’t lespie, Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins and many other gi- it…We try to bring the Village with us wherever we go.” wait to read it. ants of jazz? Or that he’s written three books? I finally got the scoop on those beads he wears whenever As David said in closing, “The Village will be my home David is now busy writing three new classical compo- he leaves the house. “Those beads are all gifts from [Na- the rest of my life even though I sleep somewhere else.” www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 9

5G: The Next Generation of Wireless Communication: Village Residents May Want to Get 5G—Is the Price of Better Informed About 5G Technology This Progress Too High? By Elizabeth A. Kelley, electromagnetic polluted environments we Executive Director, Electromagnetic now live in every day. Standards are non- Safety Alliance, and Director, EMFSci- existent when it comes to protecting birds, entist.org. bees, trees and soils. On February 5, 2019, U.S. Senator Rich- The 5th Generation wireless communi- ard Blumenthal (D-Conn) questioned cation infrastructure is being deployed at the Telecom industry representatives who breakneck speed across the nation, with testified before a U.S. Senate Commerce promises of faster speed, lower latency, Committee on “The Race to 5G” about the greater connectivity and seamless coverage health and safety implications: “How much guaranteed with low-Earth orbit satellites. money has the industry committed to sup- The Federal Communications Commis- porting additional independent research—I sion and 22 U.S. states have issued regula- stress independent—research? The industry tions and enacted laws that preempt local representatives answered “none.” At the end control over planning and zoning authori- of the exchange, Blumenthal concluded, “So ties, reduce fees, and that prohibit environ- there is really no research ongoing. We’re mental reviews under the National Envi- kind of flying blind here, as far as health HOW SAFE IS 5G TECHNOLOGY? Some studies show health dangers from the type of ronmental Policy Act and historic reviews and safety is concerned.” See Blumenthal’s radiation 5G technology emits, though many agree that evidence is inconclusive. under the National Historic Preservation remarks at this hearing: https://www.you- Act. A 1996 federal law prohibited states tube.com/watch?v=hsil3VQE5K4. By Sarah Dowson minimally obtrusive ways”, Arnoldi said. and localities from taking health concerns The International EMF Scientist Appeal, New York State’s bill SB6687 directs the into account when denying a permit as that calls for greater health protection from As you walk around the West Village today, Public Service Commission to “prohibit long as the exposure conditions are com- all electrical and wireless sources, is directed look up: utility and light poles and building the attachment of wireless equipment or pliant with the FCC’s inadequate radiofre- to the United Nations, the World Health walls and rooftops are now relatively clear any other like attachments to existing util- quency radiation exposure guidelines. Organization, the UN Environment Pro- of anything attached. But, in 2019, telecom- ity poles in certain circumstances.” The bill These policy changes are designed to gram and all UN Member States. It was munications companies may begin installing is currently in the Energy and Telecommu- streamline the installation of millions of submitted in 2015 and is currently signed by the next generation of wireless technology: nications Committee. small cell 5G antennas on rights-of-way 247 concerned scientists in 42 nations. The 5G, or fifth generation, to enable the inter- Just how safe is 5G technology? Some close to buildings. Multiple antennas will signatories have published peer reviewed pa- net of things (IOT) and much faster/bigger studies show health dangers from this transmit signals using pulsed ultra-high fre- pers reporting that non-ionizing radiation wireless capabilities in New York City. type of radiation, though many agree that quency millimeter waves (MMW) that are sources used for electricity and wireless tech- In June, 2018, New York City’s Depart- evidence is inconclusive. Try doing internet comparable to wireless transmissions that nologies are capable of posing serious risks to ment of Information Technology and Tele- searches for 5G and a telecom company, and the military uses for weaponry and surveil- humankind and nature. The appeal calls for communications (“DoITT”) requested pro- you’ll get one answer. Searches for 5G and lance. Limited available science on MMW biologically-based exposure standards, espe- posals from companies wanting the right radiation and danger give quite another. exposures point to harmful health effects, cially to protect children and fetal develop- to install 5G technology. “Awardees will In a 2013 report to staff and directors of such as painful burning sensations, heart ment. The advisors to the appeal are calling become franchisees of the City, granted the Oregon’s Eugene Water and Electric Board changes, and damage to soft tissues, such as for 5G to not be deployed until it has been right to install technology on city-owned (“EWEB”), lead author Paul Dart, M.D., eyes and testes. More people are already ex- safety tested. This appeal has been dissemi- light poles and utility poles in order to pro- with other physicians, reviewed research periencing electromagnetic hypersensitivity nated world-wide and is often referred to as vide wider coverage and better service...” ac- literature on the biological and health ef- symptoms due to the proliferation of haz- an authoritative and credible statement. cording to its 2018 press release. fects of microwave radio frequency trans- ardous electrical and wireless sources. With This historic and vast wireless deployment In a 9/13/18 article about resistance to missions (“RF”). Their 74-page report con- 5G being deployed, there may be no place to of 5G technology would likely be even more 5G in the Wall Street Journal, “All four na- cludes that excessive RF exposure can cause go to avoid harmful exposures. vulnerable to hacking with consequences tional cell phone companies are pushing to headaches, insomnia and other symptoms The U.S. Congress is working with pri- more far-reaching than the limited connec- build out their networks with a profusion of of electrohypersensitivity (“EHS”), and can vate sector corporations to win the “Race tivity we enjoy today. Consumer purchas- small, local cells to keep their data-hungry also cause chronic problems such as oxida- to 5G’ while ignoring the impact on health ing behaviors, physical location, and other customers satisfied and lay the groundwork tive stress and cancer. They recommended and the environment. There are no U.S. personal characteristics will be profiled and for fifth-generation, or 5G, service.” Because that EWEB adopt methods to minimize safety standards to protect workers or the stored in large data banks. Personal free- “small cells reach only a few hundred feet,” potential risks to residents. Their executive public from overexposure to electricity. The doms could be jeopardized by opportunistic the article says, “carriers need many more summary says that “FCC regulations are FCC’s radiofrequency human exposure and anti-democratic forces that impose and sites” for 5G to work. But in Denver, CO, for only designed to protect against the thermal standards set safety limits based on stud- exploit new technology that connects every- example, residents of an apartment complex effects of high exposure levels”. ies that only protect against heating effects one and everything. complained about a pole with antennas a few On the other side is a September, 2018, and short-term exposure. These standards 5G deployment is being challenged by feet from their entrance. Verizon removed article at www.androidauthority.com, “5G ignore credible scientific evidence showing the U. S. Conference of Mayors and cit- that pole and subsequently, a few others, in Is not Going to Microwave your Brain.” biological and health effects at low intensi- ies and counties across America. There are an effort to work with the city government, The Federal Communications Commis- ties that occur far below the FCC’s so-called safer alternatives, such as installing fiber the article said. sion’s (“FCC”) website offers an 8/8/18 safety threshold. These standards do not optic networks to the premises. It’s not too CBS News on May 29, 2018, reported, “Wireless Devices and Health Concerns” begin to address the multi-frequency pulsed late for citizens to act! “Melissa Arnoldi, who leads AT&T’s efforts guide which advises those concerned about in New York City, said if it’s not already in radiation risks to minimize use of cell your neighborhood, it’s coming.” In this CBS phones and use a headset. report, Arnoldi continued that small cell sites Clearly, 5G technology discussions will SUBSCRIBE ONLINE are needed that are much closer together continue! Curious? Check out links to visit.westviewnews.org than current large towers that are far apart. sources above in our online edition. More and join our email list for alerts to late breaking news! “Existing poles/infrastructure will be used in links are there also. 10 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org Then&Now: Weehawken Street Historic District By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP

THEN: Weehawken Street in 1900, looking southwest from the corner of West 10th Street, NOW: Today’s Weehawken Street, looking southwest from West 10th Street, still has the was formerly the site of the Weehawken Market shed, ca. 1834. Note the crosswalk paving stairway just past the scaffolding as a reminder of the Weehawken Market shed. The last stones, which are smoother than Belgian Block pavers. At mid-block, the external stairway building constructed in the historic district was a one-story commercial structure, designed marks a reminder of the market shed at #8 Weehawken (now 392-393 West Street); 304 by architect William Shary in 1937, for the Gottfried Baking Co. at 388-390 West Street. West 10th Street (aka 1 Weehawken Street), is on the right. Christopher Street buildings are Both sides of the street are included in the Historic District. On the eastside, mid-block, on the left in the background. Credit: Robert L. Bracklow, courtesy of Museum of the City a 3-story neo-Romanesque style stable with an upper-story residence was built at 9-11 of New York. Weehawken Street in 1908 by George M. McCabe; it was converted into a garage in 1922. Nos. 3 and 5 Weehawken Street, previously tenements (at near left), were converted to apartments in 1928. Credit: Brian J. Pape, AIA.

As I look across Christopher Street from my living room win- Christopher Street (formerly Skinner Road) to Perry building in the 1850s; it helped spur commercial activity in dow I see the Weehawken Street Historic District buildings Street. In 1824 a vote deemed that Newgate was to be this vicinity, along with the apex of maritime shipping piers. and think of the changes that took place in the past. closed and replaced by Sing Sing, a new prison in Ossin- After a period of decline prior to World War I, Green- Utility workers are digging pipe trenches in the street into ing. Now, all that’s left to remind us of Newgate are the wich Village was becoming known for its historic and pic- the 200-year-old landfill at the river’s former shoreline. ceramic plaques on the Christopher Street #1 train station turesque qualities, the diversity of its affordable housing, walls, showing a rough rendering of the prison walls. population, and social and political ideas. As early as 1914, The Newgate land was platted and sold by the city in Village property owners, merchants, and social workers Jane Jacobs wrote to the newly formed New York City 1829, reserving the west blockfront between Christopher had embarked on a campaign to combat the scruffy im- Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1963, prior and Amos Streets for a public market connected by name age of the community. An alliance between the Greenwich to the 1965 passage of the Landmarks Law which to Weehawken NJ (the site of the famous duel between Al- Village Improvement Society and the Greenwich Vil- enabled designations, urging that any consideration of a exander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804). The name lage Rebuilding Corporation rallied to arrest the district’s Greenwich Village historic district include the area from helped differentiate the new market from other older ones, physical deterioration, reinstate higher-income level fami- the far western section of the Village to West Street, yet the market was abandoned in 1844 and soon its little lies and young professionals in the Village, and stimulate particularly Weehawken Street. Yet, it wasn’t until the 30’ deep lots were sold off. its economy. By the late 1920s the desirability of this area 2003 Gansevoort and 2006 Weehawken designations A public Greenwich Market had existed on the south as a residential community was exemplified by the con- (which provided data for this article) that some waterfront side of the widened Christopher Street to accommodate version of buildings to middle-class apartments buildings. lots were finally included in the historic district. the market businesses and wagon traffic since 1813 These various factors led to a real estate boom, reporting The land within the (2006) Weehawken Street Historic (now the Archive Building site between Greenwich and rent increases during the “Roaring 20s” of 140 percent and District was part of the four-acre Newgate State Prison, Washington Streets), but it was closed in 1835. in some cases 300 percent. constructed during 1796-97 between Washington Street In 1846 the Hudson River Railroad was constructed Little has changed since the Depression on this little and the Hudson River (aka North River) shoreline, from along West Street with a depot built within the old market street.

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[email protected] • 212-620-0652 www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 11 Fiftieth Anniversary of the Greenwich Village Historic District Celebrations Throughout 2019, Big One April 13-14 By Andrew Berman designated was won, including the role of people like Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses. The landmarking of most of Greenwich We’ll take a look at what fifty years of land- Village took place on April 29, 1969. In mark designation has done, including how honor of its 50th anniversary, the Green- the neighborhood has changed, and how wich Village Society for Historic Preserva- it has stayed the same. We’ll look at how tion (GVSHP), an organization originally preservation efforts in the neighborhood Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). founded in 1980 to protect and care for have expanded since 1969, and at those still the Greenwich Village Historic District, needing to be done. And we’ll look at how 77 Christopher Street will be holding celebrations and programs everything from theater to politics, music to Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street throughout the year, highlighting the in- food, sex to poetry have been transformed credible contributions these roughly one within the bounds of the Greenwich Village Pharmacy Hours: hundred blocks and 2,300 buildings make Historic District, and by those who lived or Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM to the life of our city and country. We’ll also honed their craft there. This will take the Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM be releasing online resources which allow form of everything from lectures and panel Sunday 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM the public to engage with and appreciate discussions to walking tours, performances, the vast historic, cultural, and architectural and online resources. Telephone: 212-255-2525 • Fax: 212-255-2524 treasures found within its bounds. Get a When the New York City Landmarks email: [email protected] complete and updated list of activities and Preservation Commission designated the www.newyorkchemists.com resources available on our website at www. Greenwich Village Historic District in gvshp.org/gvhd50. The marquee event will 1969, they said: “Of the Historic Dis- be our Celebration in Washington Square tricts in New York City which have been from noon to 3pm on Saturday, April 13, designated or will be designated, Green- kicking of a weekend-long Greenwich wich Village outranks all others. This Village Historic District 50th Anniversary supremacy comes from the quality of its (GVHD50) Open House Weekend. We’ll architecture, the nature of the artistic life be joined by dignitaries, city leaders, and within its boundaries, and the feeling of musical performers for a party in the park history that permeates its streets. Walking that will include lots of activities for kids, through The Village at any time of day or COPPELIA so bring the whole family. And throughout night and in almost any direction, one is 207 West 14th Street • NY, NY 10011 the weekend, GVSHP will be partnering struck by the fact that one is in a part of 212-858-5001 • coppelianyc.com with dozens of neighborhood theaters, the City which is very different from any Where Downtown New York small businesses, educational institutions, other, remarkable for its old-world charm houses of worship, parks groups, and many and outstanding as a great historic area of Celebrates Latin Cuisine 24/7 others to welcome the public into the New York. It is the summation of these West Village … Chelsea … Meatpacking District Greenwich Village Historic District and qualities which make it such a memorable experience the rich array of architecture, district, one which is not merely worthy of culture, entertainment, worship, educa- preservation but one which must be pre- tion, and commerce one can only experi- served at all costs.”We couldn’t agree more. ence here. Join us for these celebrations, to savor all Programs from GVSHP throughout this special district has to offer, and help the year will focus on how the battle to get us ensure it is preserved for another fifty the Greenwich Village Historic District years, and then some.

IF THIS PAPER MAKES YOU THINK We will print your thoughts in the next issue Send your letter to [email protected] MEET ME AT COPPELIA 69 Charles Street • New York NY 10014 The Latin Diner with the Old Fashioned Flavor 12 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

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Don’t put off taking off By Bernadette Alexander those extra pounds – and knew what it was like to lose your vision. keeping them off! Glaucoma runs in my family on my mother’s side. My I started taking mobility lessons and got fitted for a long Please allow me mother, grandmother, siblings and even third cousins cane. The mobility lessons were life-changing. Now I am to help you on your have it. Although I was diagnosed over twenty years ago, able to go to all nearby stores by myself, and I am constantly weight management journey I didn’t lose my vision until April 2017. It was devastat- amazed by what one can do even with vision loss. Since vis- ing. I had a successful career as both a state administra- iting VISIONS I have taken dance lessons and performed at Joy Pape, Family Nurse Practitioner tor and Senior Workers Compensation Administrator for venues around the city. I have also tried camping. VISIONS [email protected] the Local Union #3 IBEW, and I had to retire. I had four has been a truly transformative experience. 917-806-1945 surgeries and now have a very small amount of usable vi- All VISIONS services are free. To call for services or sion left. This led to depression; I cried continually and, for additional information, contact Carmen Rivera at often, I could not even get myself out of bed. I went from 212-625-1616, ext. 134, email [email protected], or being able to hop into the car to go to work to having to visit www.visionsvcb.org. rely on others for everything. Vision loss deprived me of my independence, my confidence and self-worth. All of that changed when I decided to do something about my visual impairment. One day, out of despair, I called 311. They gave me the number for VISIONS—a 93-year old social service and vision rehabilitation non- profit organization. VISIONS provides free services, in all five boroughs of New York City and in the surrounding suburbs, for individuals of all ages with vision loss. Their families and unpaid caregivers are given support as well. Services are offered in the home and in the community. In Manhattan there are locations at Selis Manor (community center and senior center) on West 23rd Street and at 500 Greenwich Street. There is also a year-round short-term residential training facility—VISIONS Center on Blind- ness (VCB) in Rockland County. After speaking with a counselor at VISIONS, I got the courage to visit one of their offices. During my tour I met Rocky who is completely blind and a wheelchair user. Rocky had a family, a career, and was thriving. I felt like I was in the right place. I met people who were around the A VALUABLE RESOURCE: VISIONS provides free services same age as me, recently retired, and new to vision loss. for individuals of all ages with vision loss. Photo credit: VI- The staff and the members were so encouraging; they SIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 13 Sexual Abuse by Men of Notes From Away Respected Standing in Religious Winter Break Faiths is Nothing New By Carol Yost tried to hush up complaints to protect the reputation of the Church. Twenty-five years ago, Sister Maura Nuns and priests have been thrown O’Donoghue, a Medical Missionary of out of their churches for reporting abuse. Mary in County Clare, Ireland, submitted Meanwhile, it is common for priests to a report to the Vatican about the alleged abuse nuns and then force them to have sexual abuse of nuns by priests in 23 coun- abortions if they become pregnant (the tries. The Vatican put it aside. priests cover the cost), or force them She told of one religious superior in to give birth; the nuns with babies are Africa who was asked by local priests for then expelled, and may find themselves on nuns to be made available for sex. When the street because their families won’t take the request was refused, the priests replied them; they are seen as prostitutes. This can that then they would have to go to the lo- happen to nuns who have abortions, too. cal non-clerical women, whom they con- Sexual abuse occurs in non-Christian re- sidered more likely to have AIDS. They ligions, of course. When I was 14, a Hindu made these appalling statements as if swami was visiting with my family in Albu- priests, who take an oath of celibacy, must querque, New Mexico, and enthralled our of course be expected to break that oath. guests with his inspired talks about the one- She also said that in 1988, in Malawi, ness of all religions and about what God leaders of a women’s congregation were dis- wanted from everyone. The evening before he missed by a bishop when they complained left, the 33-year-old swami privately asked for that 29 nuns had been made pregnant by permission to give me a “spiritual embrace.” diocesan priests. In another case, a priest He said it was not romantic. I said yes. But took a nun for an abortion during which when he embraced me tightly, and forcibly she died. He officiated at her requiem Mass. kissed me on the lips, I was very uncomfort- RECOLLECTIONS OF LEMON TREES AND SUN-WARMED PATIOS WILL RETURN TO SOUTH The 1994 report by Sister O’Donoghue able. I didn’t know quite what to do. When a BRISTOL, MAINE. Backyard Lemon Tree, Toluca Lake, California. Photo by Tom Lamia. was referenced in 2001 when Joaquin little later he asked to do this again, I said no, Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman at and he said if it “displeased” me, he wouldn’t the time, said the problem was confined push it, but he continued to insist it wasn’t By Tom Lamia difficult and mostly unpleasant. “to a certain geographical area,” which was “romance.” I told my mother, and she said he The mission that brought me here does understood to mean Africa. That was not shouldn’t have embraced and kissed me. She I write from Toluca Lake, California, long- nothing to lighten the burden, but it does the assertion made in the report, and the still respected him as a religious leader. Later time residence of Bob Hope and other early make complaining staggeringly inappro- implication by this spokesman that only we corresponded for a brief time, and he gave Hollywood notables. The weather is, of priate. What this visit, under these cir- Africa had the problem was overtly racist. wise, kindly advice. No hint of the incident course, shockingly good; the sun blinding cumstances, has revealed is the benefit that He said the Holy See was working with came up again. I have never thought he was through the windshield as one drives east comes from concentrating a lifetime of bishops and the heads of religious orders deceitful to me when he kissed me; it was as in the morning rush or west in the evening. sibling memories into a week of sitting be- to resolve the problem. The trouble is that if perhaps he hadn’t understood his own feel- One of my daughters lives here and is giv- side a much-loved sister who is shrinking higher-ups can be very interested in dam- ings. He had not been flirtatious in any way, ing me my annual opportunity to question physically and mentally. age control, and may themselves be guilty and may have mistaken physical attraction for my decision 39 years ago to move from my In a day or two I will retrace the jour- of sexual abuse. At different times Church religious passion. Many others do not have home state and home metropolitan area of ney to South Bristol, Maine. Once there in officials have claimed the problem was that excuse, however, and should know per- Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.; then to the snow and ice and awaiting the dreaded “being worked on,” but it’s been taking an fectly well that what they are doing is disre- New York City; and then again to South mud season that is soon to come, the rec- awfully long time. The Pope has authority, spectful and downright wrong. Bristol, Maine. This questioning is never ollection of lemon trees in the back yard but he has been slow to use it. This was true of another experience I comfortable. Los Angeles, through its sev- and sun-warmed patios in February will be However, news reports say that nuns had. In my mid-twenties, I joined a very eral challenging times (earthquakes, fires, with me. Also with me will be the recol- have more recently been invited to report fine Buddhist sect in New York City. Once, droughts and unfavorable comparisons to lection of Los Angeles traffic that clogs all problems. Now that Pope Francis has in conversation with one of the leaders who San Francisco), has been consistently a win- routes major and minor during morning admitted to the sexual abuse of nuns by had been advising me about a personal ner among American cities that offer the and evening commutes and causes stress- priests, and the #MeToo era is here, there problem, I realized he was trying to insinu- best of climate, economy and recreation. ravaged charioteers to battle for positions is hope that the logjam is breaking. ate his way into a secret sexual relationship The best that can be said for anyone who of meaningless, momentary advantage Experts say that many clergymen are in- with me, even though he was married and abandons Southern California is that a while building unhealthy rage against their clined to believe that priestly abusers are a father. Suddenly there was a decidedly search for something better is a noble effort fellow motorists. really the victims of nuns who are sexual revolting smoothness about him. I didn’t even if it fails. Perhaps the fact that my sister never drove temptresses—Jezebels in holy habiliments— allow him to continue. Later I saw him My sister, a bit older than I, is nearing a car in Los Angeles traffic, or any other, is because the nuns are adults, are supposedly flirting with another woman who seemed life’s end. The alert I received a week ago now working to her advantage. An internal not helpless, and are aware of what is going flattered by the attention. I told a couple of that she was “dwindling” and being assessed reservoir of calm resolve to endure what on. Nuns are also expected to serve priests friends in the organization about how he for hospice care prodded my coming here she is now passing through seems to have and pray quietly. Nuns have also been finan- had acted toward me; one seemed uncom- to Southern California more or less imme- filled during the years when she was not cially dependent on priests, who have felt fortable, but another said she thought she diately. This required a scramble to cover a behind the wheel. Or, it may be the result free to take advantage of them. saw signs that the other leaders were aware great distance in minimal time: bolting from of a lifetime spent as a Sister of St. Joseph Because they are highly esteemed, of this corrupt official’s conceit and arro- home with what seemed to be inadequate of Carondelet, ministering to children and priests have sometimes taken advantage gance, and may have known more than they preparation; flying under today’s conditions their parents in schools or tending to those of women in a confessional or in a reli- were letting on. I regret not having report- of ever-shrinking space for body and bags; who were in nursing homes run by the order gious guidance relationship. But the sexual ed him to these leaders. I had the timidity driving an unfamiliar car on the hive-like that is now looking after her. Whatever the abuse of nuns hasn’t been made public un- many women have about these matters, not streets of a city that has grown too fast; and cause, she continues to smile and bear with til recently. Even Mother Superiors have wanting to cause trouble. living out of a suitcase for a week. All things her infirmities without complaint. 14 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

Caroline Benveniste Recommends BISTRO PIERRE LAPIN My Favorite Restaurant 99 Bank Street (entrance on Greenwich Street between Bank and Bethune Streets)

“CAN YOU RECOMMEND A GOOD taurant and why you selected it. Perhaps you I’ve had a pleasant dinner at Pierre Lapin, and VILLAGE RESTAURANT?” can name a few of the outstanding dishes, also some drinks at the bar (with complemen- or maybe the decor or service—or maybe it’s tary gougeres), but my favorite meal there is When you get asked this question by a tour- the whole experience. brunch. Unlike some brunch places, it’s pos- ist or a new friend what pops into your head? We start with the recommendation of sible to make a reservation, and while the res- Probably it’s a restaurant you have been Caroline Benveniste, who has seen many taurant fills up it’s still fairly quiet and relaxed. going to for years, or maybe it is a brand new restaurants come and go, documenting The seating is comfortable, and the staff is new one that you just found and the food is both in her monthly In and Out column. lovely. The dishes are on the larger side and a absolutely sensational. Contributors get a free one year subscrip- good value. I particularly enjoyed the Croque As you know, nothing is so valuable when tion to WestView and I would not be surprised Madame, a slice of brioche with ham, bécha- it comes to recommendations as word of if the restaurant honored by your praise picks mel sauce and melted cheese accompanied by mouth. This new column offers just that— up the check next time you come in. a serving of delicious fries. A fruit salad comes your selection of your current favorite res- David Porat, Food Editor Photo by Darielle Smolian. for the table and is a nice end to the meal. Seniors Doing Cat Cows By Stanley Wlodyka FREE YOGA: Instructor Malka Percal leads a class perfect for seniors and those looking to increase Jean-Michel Basquiat couldn’t cut it in a mobility, balance and flexibility in a patient traditional high school setting. After drop- environment. Photos by Stanley Wlodyka. ping out, the Brooklyn native enrolled at City-As-School, a continuation school in the West Village. At this institution, students up to the age of 22 can earn their diploma going to class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while intern- ing at companies the school partners with on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Basquiat was an artist in the 1970s and 80s who began expressing himself through graffiti, then transferred those street art sensibilities onto the canvas, mixing in, also, the colors of his Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. If com- merce counts for anything these days, in May of 2017 Basquiat’s “Untitled” (1982) sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $110.5 mil- lion, officially becoming the most valuable painting ever made by an American artist. Thanks to the generous support of a partnership between the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and the nonprofit New York Edge, students of any age can now take a free yoga class at the auspicious City-As- School. Of particular note is the fact that the instructor not only welcomes, but in many ways caters to, yogis of an advanced age or troubled by limited movements. West Villager Sandy underwent surgery for a ruptured ligament in his leg and this class helped him recover some flexibility and motion. Gay Street resident Mary says, “When you walk out of here, your body and found the sidewalk coming up to meet guided deep relaxation at the end that feels so seated yoga. I have a certification in what’s sort of flies—your muscles operate more her. Instinctively her palms shot out in front good you don’t want it to be over. The class called Accessible Yoga, where [people with smoothly.” of her, and with supple, unlocked elbows, comes fully stocked with props, blocks, yoga mobility issues] can be part of the class Instructor Malka Percal is one of the she fell into what’s known in yoga as a plank matts, pads, you name it. You just come, com- even though they may not be able to do all growing number of golden-agers who pose. She remembers vividly how her glasses fortably clothed, ready to move and stretch at of the practices,” she says. have found new purpose post-retirement. sat at the very edge of her nose. Considering your own pace and capacity. Classes take place Mondays and After a fulfilling career as a copyeditor at the risk that falling can pose to the elderly Malka is there to guide and inspire how Wednesdays, unless otherwise noted, from Newsweek, Malka put away her red pen (causing an assortment of injuries, includ- “yoga can make you feel elated.” Admit- 5:00pm to 6:30pm at City-At-School at and picked up a yoga matt at an instructor ing the dreaded broken hip), well, the rest of tedly, her approach to this thousands-year- 16 Clarkson Street, between Hudson and training course offered by West Village’s this sentence just writes itself. old Indian practice is more—how shall we Varick Streets. Due to the success of the legendary Integral Yoga Institute. The class is thoroughly enjoyable, from say?—“patient” than one might usually find class, with the new year comes funding And she certainly has experienced ben- the warmup at the beginning that inevita- in a New York yoga class. “It’s working in for a new Tuesday session from 3:45pm to efits of her yoga practice. Once, pressed for bly produces a couple of pops, creaks, cracks, a more slow, concentrated way in order not 5:00pm. Come 20 minutes early your first time, having picked up a bouquet of flowers clicks and clacks as your joints release gas to strain a person’s capabilities. And also, time to fill out the NYC programs enroll- along the route of her rush, Malka tripped pockets—don’t worry, this is normal—to the if people can’t stand very well, they can do ment form. Namaste. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 15

tended if the concept takes off. Murray’s Mac & Cheese years until it closed in 2013. Our reader spoke with some is located in the old Amy’s Bread location, and offers a workmen who said the space was being combined and number of different preparations of Mac & Cheese as well would reopen as a restaurant. Hudson Medical Wellness as allowing customers to choose their own cheese and top- is coming to the short-lived An’s TaeKwonDo spot (162 IN pings. The dishes can be ordered in 4 sizes, the smallest 7th Avenue South, near Perry Street). Juice and Joy is of which is an 8 oz snack size with a base price of $5. All opening at 434 6th Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets. and the dishes are made with radiatore pasta from local pasta It will serve juice and organic coffee, and presumably OUT maker Sfoglini. Radiatore pasta are round with ruffled smoothies as they are advertising for a “Smoothie Techni- by Caroline Benveniste edges, something that maximizes the surface area of the cian.” Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool is pasta and helps to trap the sauce. I tried the classic which opening in the remaining part of the old Associated space is made with a secret blend of cheeses and then enhanced (SLT, a gym, occupies the other part of the space). Bright This month we saw mostly closings, something that often hap- with cheddar, gruyere and fontina and finished with a Horizons runs over 1000 pre-schools worldwide. The pens in the winter, with five on Bleecker Street alone. Hope- crunchy topping and it was delicious. large corner space at 136 Waverly Place (6th Avenue) has fully next month we will have happier news to report. been empty since The Vitamin Shoppe closed years ago, Closed/Closing but it is finally being renovated. Apparently some work Open Pig Bleecker (155 Bleecker Street at Thompson Street) needs to be completed to comply with Landmarks before announced on Instagram that it would be closing at the a new tenant (which will be a bank) can move into the end of February. Their sister restaurant, Pig Beach, in the northern part of the space. The other part is still for rent. Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, recently expanded and remains open. When Pig Bleecker opened a little Thank you so much for your continued help with tips. Don’t over two years ago, I was quite excited, but I thought the stop now! Please email us your observations at wvnewsin- food in the end was a bit disappointing: it seemed to be a [email protected]. Photos by Darielle Smolian. cross between Italian food and BBQ, and the union was a bit awkward. In addition, the prices were fairly expensive which was no doubt necessary to support the high rent. This corner has seen its share of closings—the previous tenant, Bark, a hot dog spot, closed after an even shorter tenure at that location. Nisi, the Greek restaurant at 302 Bleecker Street (between Grove and Barrow Streets) has abruptly closed. It was surprising to me, as it seemed rea- sonably busy, and in addition, Eater reported in October 2017 that the owner has plans to open at least three more Your West Village resident Nisi locations in the city, as well as restaurants in Miami and real estate expert has North Fork (122 Christopher Street and Bedford Street). and Los Angeles. Nearby, Jachs New York (310 Bleecker moved to Compass! My first This farm-to-table restaurant opened in the old Croman- Street between Grove and Barrow Streets) has closed after listing at this revolutionary owned Lima’s Taste space. I spoke with the Chef, Chris, five years at that location. The brand was started 10 years who used to cook at Loring Place and Hudson Clearwater ago by Hayati Banastey, a Turkish immigrant who is the real estate brokerage has before. As one might imagine, the restaurant will, when- son of a shirt maker there. The brand’s motto is “Great just come to the market! I'd love to share it ever possible, use products from the North Fork of Long style should be effortless.” The clothing is still available with you -- to learn more please contact me. Island. The menu is seasonal, so at the moment there are online and in some department stores. The Bleecker lots of root vegetables featured. There is also a section of Street branch of Variazioni (323 Bleecker Street, between the menu called “La Campagne” (the Country), but this is Christopher and Grove Streets), a women’s clothing store Libby Collins not a reference to country cooking such as fried chicken which was founded in 1980, has a sign outside announc- and comfort food, rather, that section features “seasonal ing “Closing this Location—Everything Must Go!” Many Licensed Real Estate Salesperson farm-style game”. Interestingly, since it is so difficult to other locations remain open in Manhattan. Ikinari, the [email protected] install gas in a timely fashion, the restaurant is all-electric. Japanese chain of stand-up steakhouses opened its first M: 212.635.2500 The restaurant is open for dinner and weekend brunch, location in the United States in the East Village and then and is BYOB while they wait for their liquor license to be expanded rapidly. Now, most of the restaurant’s locations approved. will be closing, including a fairly new one at 205 Bleecker Street (near 6th Avenue). Greenwich Steakhouse (62 Greenwich Avenue near Perry Street) is closed and a Mar- shal’s Legal Possession sign is displayed in the window. The restaurant served excellent steaks (the owner was the former head chef at Smith and Wollensky) and the space was comfortable and quiet, but the prices, while not high for a steakhouse, were high for the neighborhood, and the restaurant never seemed that busy. Twin spots Kut and Jean le Gourmand have suddenly closed. Jean Le Gour- mand served nice and inexpensive crepes, and Kut served kebabs. They seemed like they might be a good addition to the neighborhood, but now the large space is empty again. Last month we reported that Onegin, the Russian restau- rant at 391 6th Avenue between Waverly Place and West 70 GREENWICH AVE. • WEST VILLAGE • NYC 8th Street appeared to be closed—this month we noticed • • a “For Rent” sign on the property, confirming its demise.

Coming Soon Hourly Handyman Services A WestView reader noticed activity at the long empty Professional Painting Projects Electrical & Carpentry Work Murray’s Mac & Cheese (254 Bleecker Street between storefronts at 557 and 559 Hudson Street (between 11th Morton and Leroy Streets). Many news outlets reported and Perry Streets). Da Andrea was housed at 557 Hudson MICHAEL RUSSO, PROPRIETOR that Murray’s Cheese was opening a fast-casual spot next until it moved to West 13th Street in 2009, and later a 917.476.4146 • [email protected] door that would serve Mac & Cheese. What they did not tapas spot called Caliu occupied the space until 2013. Next Serving the West Village for 11 Years report is that this is a 4 month pop-up which may be ex- door at 559, Peppe Verde served cheap Italian food for 15 16 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org THEATER BOOK REVIEW The Transcendent Years By Robert Heide The title of Marshall W. Mason’s remark- first ‘breakthrough’ hit (in 1973) was Wil- able new book entitled The Transcendent son’s Hot L. Baltimore which ran for years, Years—The Circle Repertory Company & The income from which combined with support 1960s for which he was the artistic director from Thirkield’s Ben Gay fortune quickly for eighteen years is his homage to Harold turned the company into an off Broadway Clurman’s Group Theater book The Fer- institution, nurturing many playwrights vent Years. Marshall Mason won a special over the years including Romulus Linney, Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement Jules Feiffer, Sam Shepard, David Stark- and has been, in his career, nominated for weather, David Mamet and William M. many more. He won an Obie Award from Hoffman whose play As Is about the AIDS the Village Voice for Sustained Achievement crisis, after being developed at the Circle in 1983 and five Obies for Outstanding Rep Lab, went to Broadway directed by Direction. He directed 42 productions off Marshall Mason. Hoffman was also an edi- Broadway and 12 plays on Broadway, his tor at Hill and Wang and published, in ad- Broadway debut Jules Feiffer’s Knock Knock dition to Lanford Wilson’s first play collec- in 1976. He was born in a small town in tion, my play At War With the Mongols in his Texas in 1940, and early on became inspired anthology New American Plays. Real plays by the direction of Elia Kazan, first with the about real people and “excellence in acting” movie Pinky (1949) starring Jeanne Crain was the Circle Rep criterion. Actors who and Ethel Waters, and later by A Streetcar have worked there have included William Named Desire with Marlon Brando and East Hurt, Jeff Daniels, Conchata Ferrell, Trish of Eden with James Dean. He later learned Hawkins, Linda Eskenas, Robert Frink, that Kazan also directed theater on Broad- John Malkovitch, Judd Hirsh and Christo- way, notably the plays of Arthur Miller and pher Reeve among many others. Tennessee Williams and that is when he de- Wilson’s later plays with director Mason cided he would become a director of theater. included Fifth of July in 1978 followed by He applied to Northwestern University Talley’s Folly in 1979. After running at the and received a full scholarship (including Circle Repertory, both plays transferred to tuition and board) and set about his stud- Broadway in 1980, Talley’s Folly winning the ies with the renowned drama teacher Al- Pulitzer Prize for Drama that year. Other vina Krause. Famous alumni from North- Broadway plays by Wilson which were also western include Charlton Heston, Patricia first developed at the Circle Rep includeAn - Neal, Jennifer Jones and Cloris Leachman, gel’s Fall, The Mound Builder and Burn This. all Academy Award winners. Once, after Over the years I passed many hours with Mason directed a production of Cat on Lanford, talking and drinking on Sheridan a Hot Tin Roof, Professor Krause point- Square at places like the Lion’s Head and edly told her students, “I suppose you all Marie’s Crisis. I ran into Marshall frequent- noticed the superlative direction,” noting ly because he lived down the block from me that it was the ‘subtext’ that the director at 165 Christopher Street. Though he has focused on which made the play a success. recently moved to Jersey City, he spends In a parallel world, at a different time, I winters in Mexico, in Mazatlan by the too attended Northwestern and also stud- ocean. Once, at the Po Restaurant, now the ied with the great teacher who herself had Drunken Munkey, and the former home of worked in Russia with Stanislavsky. After THE TRANSCENDENT YEARS. Marshall Mason (left) with Lanford Wilson. Book cover photo the Caffe Cino at 31 Cornelia Street, I met arriving in New York’s Greenwich Village, by Daniel Irvine. Lanford and Marshall, along with Robert and also working with Stella Adler, Uta Patrick (Kennedy’s Children), Claris Nelson, Hagen, and Harold Clurman, I wrote Hec- lasted 40 years and is the longest in theater greatest hits running a total of 250 perfor- William Hoffman, Doric Wilson and John tor, a play about Alvina Krause, which was history. mances. Also in 1965, Wilson’s play Balm in Gilman to film a segment for a TV special successfully produced at the Cherry Lane Broadway will be celebrating Lanford Gilead, which had a cast of 28 actors, was a about the Cino which was broadcast on the Theater. David Crespy, Professor of Play- Wilson this Spring with a revival of Burn big success across town at La Mama. In his gay television program In The Life. With writing, Acting, and Dramatic Literature This, directed by Michael Maye and star- book, David Crespy states that the “Circle talking heads Magie Dominic and Helen at the University of Missouri and editor ring Adam Driver—previews begin March Repertory Company was a direct descen- Hanft we can all be seen reminiscing about of Lanford Wilson—Early Stories, Sketches, 15 and it will run for 17 weeks. The play dant of the Caffe Cino.” Joe Cino, who ran the ‘good old days’ long ago at the Cino. It and Poems, published by the U. of Missouri was originally produced on Broadway in the unique café/theater committed suicide was the last time I saw Lanford Wilson. The Press in 2017, states about his fiction that 1987 with John Malkovich. For tickets go in 1967 and the place closed in 1968. Circle Rep came to an end in 1996 and its Wilson had “the rare ability to show, not to: burnthisplay.com. In 1969 Marshall Mason, with Lanford era is marked at the location on Sheridan tell—demonstrating a dramatist’s restraint Lanford Wilson, who was born in Mis- Wilson, reuniting with two actors, both Square with a bronze plaque. Order your allowing the reader to supply the subtext” souri in 1937 and whom Mason calls “a classmates from Northwestern University, copy of Marshall Mason’s wonderful book rightly concluding that “Mason and Wil- playwright’s playwright”, was one of the Tanya Berezin and Rob Thirkield (heir to The Transcendent Years at: https://www. son were made for each other.” Marshall top dramatists from his beginnings in the the Ben Gay pharmaceutical company) goodreads.com/help/show/46-how-can-i- Mason met Lanford Wilson at the Caffe l960s off off Broadway to off Broadway and co-founded the Circle Repertory Theater, buy-books-from-goodreads Cino on Cornelia Street and they began a Broadway in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I became eventually incorporating as a non-profit professional collaboration and friendship friends with Lanford in 1965 after his play off Broadway theater in 1970 when they Robert Heide is the author of Robert Heide that lasted until Lanford’s death at age 74 This is the Rill Speaking, was produced at moved to their permanent home at the 25 Plays, which is available at the Whit- in 2011. Mason points out in his excep- the Cino following the premiere of my play Sheridan Square Playhouse at 99 Seventh ney Museum book store, the Drama Book tional 708-page book that his collaboration there, The Bed. Lanford’s play The Madness Avenue South formerly, at one time, the Store, Three Lives, other select stores and on with Lanford Wilson as writer and director of Lady Bright, was one of the Caffe Cino’s famed Village Nut Club. The company’s Amazon.com. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 17

West Village Original: Greenwich Village: Reminiscence The West Village during the ‘50s and ‘60s Marshall W. Mason was mostly middle class residential, with neighborhoods that were ethnically clustered where he began working in the burgeoning by first and second generation Italians and Off-Off-Broadway theater movement in Irish, and interspersed with folks with long venues such as Caffe Cino and La MaMa. American lineages. Many five-story apart- “I found my voice at Caffe Cino,” he says. ments were transitioning to steam heat and “I did my first play in New York there.” It indoor plumbing from the more primitive was also where Mason would meet play- shared tenement services. I remember sounds wright Lanford Wilson, thus inaugurating of the iceman, knife sharpener and vegetable a lengthy and very successful writer/direc- wagon as they passed down the street. Most tor partnership. “Lanford was quite flattered of the retail stores sold to the local residents. that I’d seen all his plays,” Mason says. “Ul- Grocery, vegetable, bread, meat and pas- timately, I think we were so successful be- try sellers had stores on nearly every block. cause we started off with honesty, which was People bought daily because there were few really important in our subsequent years to- freezers that held more than ice cubes. gether. He and I had the longest profession- My dad had a wine and liquor store on al collaboration in the history of American MacDougal St. I spent a lot of time there ab- "I WAS HEADED FOR THE THEATER AT theater. That was certified byPlaybill about sorbing the culture. The political and sports BIRTH." Marshall W. Mason (above) moved halfway through our career!” THE VILLAGE WAS AND STILL IS A WEL- discussions were heated and never-ending. to Manhattan in 1961 to begin working in COMING PLACE: Author Harry Rissetto's the burgeoning Off-Off-Broadway theater Why does Mason think he has such an grandparents, father (as a young child) and There has been a lot of transition since movement. Photo credit: Daniel Irvine. affinity for directing? “That’s an interest- helper at his grandfather's store, circa 1915. I lived there. Restaurants and high-end ing question,” he replies. “I think because Rissetto's uncle ran the store until the '70's. shops have replaced most of the service By Michael D. Minichiello watching actors performing and creating Photo courtesy of Harry Rissetto. stores. The pushcarts that lined Bleecker right in front of your eyes always excited Street between 6th and 7th Avenues have This month’s West Village Original is director me. When I realized I wasn’t such a great By Harry Rissetto disappeared along with the local families Marshall W. Mason, born in Amarillo, Texas actor myself I also realized that I could that kept them in business. in 1940. Mason co-founded the Circle Reper- help actors achieve more than they thought I grew up in Greenwich Village during the What has remained the same are the artis- tory Company in New York and was artistic they could. I was really an actor’s director period between Robert Moses’ proposed tic creativity and the diversity of the people director for 18 years. He directed such plays as for the first years. It wasn’t until I met Lan- freeway and John Lindsey’s plans for a who live here. From the historic apartment The Hot L Baltimore, Fifth of July, Talley’s ford that I began to shift toward being a tourist mecca. I recently spent parts of a houses to the updated tenements and vintage Folly, As Is, and Burn This. Nominated five playwright’s director as well, in terms of year back there and tried to connect my townhouses, the Village was and still is a wel- times for a Tony Award for directing, in 2016 helping them with their structure, charac- memories and current impressions. coming place, even for an outsider. he received a special Tony for Lifetime Achieve- terization, and dialogue. It’s bridging those ment. Two years ago, Mason moved from his two worlds, between playwright and actor, long-time Christopher Street apartment to Jer- that the director facilitates—turning the sey City with his husband Daniel Irvine. play into a living thing through the actors.” In 1969 Mason and Wilson would join “I was headed for the theater at birth,” says Tanya Berezin and Rob Thirkield to found director Marshall W. Mason. “I was sure I Circle Rep, originally housed in a theater was going to be an actor. I did my first play on the Upper West Side. “We were called Do You Need Home Care? when I was seven and I loved it!” However, The American Theatre Project when we it was a youthful experience that made Ma- began but it was suggested we call our- son aware of another possibility. “When I selves Circle Theatre. So, we agreed. I was Continuity Home Health Care was about nine years old I saw the movie afraid that we would be confused with Pinky. It was a really powerful film about Circle in the Square. We, in fact, were a black woman passing for white and I was confused with them throughout our whole profoundly moved by it. The credits listed existence,” he says, laughing. In 1974 the Where Healing Continues... the director as Elia Kazan. I didn’t know company moved downtown to the old A licensed home care agency providing what a director was, but I went to school Sheridan Square Theatre and spent the health care services, both professional the next day and announced, ‘My favorite next twenty years there. “We immediately and paraprofessional, for individuals director is Elia Kazan!’ ” became a Village institution,” Mason says. living at home since 1996. An important first step on Mason’s jour- “Bringing a theater back to life is a big deal. ney was deciding to go to Northwestern In addition, we had a wonderful audience University. “I studied acting for a couple of and strong subscription list.” years, but it turned out I wasn’t very good Mason attributes much of that success to at it,” he says. “So, I thought, ‘Uh-oh. It’s the special qualities of the neighborhood it- Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 law for me!’ ” But another teacher asked me self. “The West Village back then was quite if I had considered other roles, like writing. wonderful,” he admits. “It was a very sup- or drop in to 121 West 11th Street opposite PS 41 ‘No talent in that,’ I replied. What about di- portive, encouraging, and convivial atmo- recting? Well, there was a play I wanted to sphere. We felt a little bit like the Impres- We accept most private direct— Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It sionists, with the kind of camaraderie that dealt with issues that resonated with me: my existed among those artists who invented a insurances sexual identity, football because I’m from whole new way of looking at painting. I still and private pay. Texas, and Maggie and her poverty because consider a cafe on Christopher Street my of- my family was very poor and I got a full fice, even though I’ve moved to Jersey City. scholarship to NW. My production of Cat And being a Tony voter brings me into the [email protected] was a tremendous success and so I thought, City to see everything on Broadway. People ‘Apparently I’m a director!’ ” always say, ‘Oh, how wonderful that you get Mason moved to Manhattan in 1961, to do that!’ ” He laughs. “Sometimes!”

St. John’s in the Village Enjoy these arts events in the fully-heated and ADA accessible St John’s (corner of W 11th St and Waverly Place) All concerts have an allocation of tickets free to seniors, but booking is essential ([email protected] or 212 243 6192) All bookings through stjvny.org

Throughout March Special Service: Sunday March 17, 11:00 am Gallery: Lisa Kaiser paintings Stellae Boreales of Ottawa Oil on canvas—animals playing at Eucharist

Concert: Friday March 1, 7.30 pm Concert: Sunday, March 17, 3:00 pm His Name Was Israel Baline: The Voice of Ireland: Irish songs and poems Music Of Irving Berlin Concert: Tuesday March 19 , 7:00 pm Concert: Saturday, March 2, 7.30 pm Beth Levin and Reed Tetzloff (pianists) Ember: Carpe Diem in Revelation Gallery

Concert: Sunday, March 3, 3:00 pm Concert: Thursday March 21, 7:30 pm Francesca Khalifa concert International Choirs: The Vocal Collective from New Zealand Service & Concert: Shrove Tuesday, March 5, 6:15 pm Evensong, Burial of Alleluia, Cabaret Concert: Saturday March 23, 7.30 pm Zoya Shuhatovich — Ash Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 pm baroque, classical and romantic piano works Choral Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes Concert: Sunday March 24, 3:00 pm Eve of International Women’s Day The Strings of March Thursday March 7, 7:30 pm Femelody: Instrumental music Concert: Tuesday March 26, 7:00 pm by female composers Carnival of the Animals (piano) in Revelation Gallery Saturday March 9, 7:00 pm In the Gallery Concert: Friday March 29, 7:30 pm Concert for Women’s History Month James Dargan, baritone, sings Italian arias Jeffrey & Riko: Beauty Album Launch and songs with Nick Hay, piano

Concert: Sunday March 10, 3:00 pm Concert: Saturday March 30, 1:00 pm Victoria Minningham FREE TO SENIORS Opera arias in costume Mozart in March — The Strathmere Ensemble plays Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante Discussion: Monday March 11, 7:00 pm Greenwich Village Concert: Saturday March 30, 4:30 pm Historic District Event March of the Guitars with Rob Adler

Tuesday March 12, 7:00 pm Mixed Media Event: Saturday March 30, 7:00 pm Singer-Songwriter Soireé Poet Mario Moroni blurs the lines of in Revelation Gallery performance art and traditional poetry.

Special Service: Friday March 15, 5:45 pm Concert: Sunday March 31, 3:00 pm Stations of the Cross, Bach to Mozart Evening Prayer Francesca Khalifa – Mozart piano and strings www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 19

Maggie B’s Quick Clicks VILLAGE LAST CALL

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All photos by Maggie Berkvist. 20 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org Hunting for Treasures at Home Osteria 57 Flavors West Village with Mouth-Popping Italian Pescatarian Fusion By Karen Rempel Osteria 57 has been lighting up West 10th Street with tiny fairy lights for a year and a half, and delighting our mouth- buds with intricate flavors constructed from the earth and sea. I’ve enjoyed many meals and special occasions at owner and host Emanuele’s Sardinian masterpiece of hospitality and epicurean adventures. Last night I dined with a friend and we sampled some new menu items, as well as our old favorite, Carciofini e Avocado, a construction of tender baby artichoke with just a little crunch, creamy avocado, and a nice bite from arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano. I love MAYBE IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A HIDDEN TREASURE. Annette Benda Fox shows WestView News Publisher, scallops, and have tried them in many variations through- George Capsis, a painting. Photo by Chris Manis. out the city. O57’s Capesante (pictured) equaled the old dowager Blue Water Grill’s (which closed on January 1 By Annette Benda Fox, Fox Gallery NYC used as a lunch table for greasy french fries. due to an astronomic rent increase). The scallops were pan- In addition to Fine Arts and Antiques, Collectibles is by far fried with a nicely crisp, thin outer layer and juicy tender Spring cleaning can be an adventure of discovery! the most popular category and the easiest to overlook. There inside, served on a bed of chestnut purée, red wine poached What if your grandmother’s teapot is worth $500 or is a long list of things you may not be aware have value to pear, and black trumpet mushrooms. Exquisite! Emanuele even $50,000? We have all been surprised by discoveries someone else! Think about toys or record collections, comic and staff have created these innovative flavor combinations like that on Antiques Roadshow. Maybe it’s time to find books, baseball cards or stamps that you never discarded. You with an Italian base and exotic touches from their travels in out if you have hidden treasure. Perhaps you need funds or may have inherited Depression era glass, antique instruments, India, Central America, and Brazil. Another flavor explo- more wall space for a newly purchased print or painting. pocket watches, old jade jewelry or antique rugs. And what sion came in the form of Crochette di Baccala, salt cod cro- Or finally you don’t want to keep cleaning that sterling about first edition books, movie memorabilia, vintage cos- quettes topped with a dollop of basil mayo and a red berry silver tea service or cutlery and nor does anyone else in tume jewelry from a great aunt, vintage kitchenware, or even plate garnish. “These are very good,” my friend burst out as your family. This may be the time to simplify what you vintage Pendleton blankets. One cautionary note to be aware we bit into the crispy batter and dense, satisfying cod filling. have stored in cabinets or drawers: perhaps bone china, of is that condition impacts value. If you want to sell these Fish lovers that we are, we eschewed the pasta and shared crystal goblets or hand embroidered linens which are rarely items, many regional auction houses and reputable antiques a main plate of black cod cooked to perfection, snuggled used. We have all had that liberating feeling of letting go of dealers can help you. Start by taking pictures and walking up into sautéed chanterelles and sunchoke purée, with a things that do not provide us with satisfaction or joy. them into local antiques shops for an opinion. Or check ebay, charming mushroom broth on the side. Osteria 57 rocks an During my visits as an art consultant, I have found many or 1st Dibs, or Etsy online for prices for similar items. eclectic seafood and vegetarian menu with special care for valuable items in residences and storage units, corporate of- Looking for treasure in your home might also be a so- vegan and gluten-free friends. We kept it light last night, fices and warehouses. These works of art and antiques range cial event—an opportunity for community—to share family but last October, on my birthday, my party of ten took over from 19th and early 20th century American, Australian and memories and stories that these objects contain in each of the back room and swooned over three to-die-for desserts. Italian paintings, to mid century modern furniture and Art their histories. In my own family we tell stories at our “swap My friends all agreed that the panna cotta was the best we Deco jewelry. I discovered two Edgar Degas pastels in a meets” during holiday gatherings. We have so much fun ever had. There’s a secret reason why, but I swore not to tell. warehouse, was surprised by a Henry Moore bronze helmet sharing our anecdotes, and our belongings. Spring is almost Emanuele says thank you to the West Village for be- head sculpture hiding behind a plant, and unearthed a pair upon us, maybe its time to go on an archaeological dig in coming part of his restaurant’s family. Starting March of valuable prints from the back of closet. I saw in plain your own closet.You never know what you might find. 1, Osteria 57 is serving brunch Saturdays and Sundays, sight, in an office setting, a Regency wood and brass desk opening at noon with Italian lunch and brunch options. whose naked and unprotected fine fruitwood surface was Annette Benda Fox, Art Consultant • DeacessionNY.com

57 W. 10th Street near 6th Ave, 212.777.0057 MISSED YOUR COPY OF WESTVIEW? www.osteria57.com Basil Weathers Open for dinner at 5:30, 7 days a week. 24/7 Plumber Best to subscribe! Or try these locations: Sunday 1/2 price wine by the bottle. Entrée range $18 to $32. Chef tasting $70/$110 with wine pairing. Named as a Favorite Handyman Jefferson Market Library, in the May issue of WestView News Photo by Alison Morley 425 6th Avenue, 1st Floor

A resident of the Village since1979, Basil is thoroughly Hudson Park Library, knowledgeable about Village pipes and plumbing 66 Leroy Street problems, and is available 24/7 to fix sudden flooding, frozen pipes, restaurant boilers, and any Senior Center at Greenwich House, other plumbing issue that may occur. 27 Barrow Street A cheerful and hard-working local businessman, Basil will always give you a fair and honest price Senior Center on the Square, for your job. 20 Washington Sq. North Senior Center at Our Lady of Pompei Church, Bleecker & Carmine Streets Basil Weathers MCF Rare Wines, 237 West 13th Street Plumbing SeaGrape Wines, 512 Hudson Street 52 Bank Street (at West 4th Street) Ottomanelli, 285 Bleecker Street (845) 866-2329 Photo credit: Ag. Pravda Collective/Raoul Beltrame www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 21 Cutting Edge By Keith Michael It seems that every House Finch is sing- ing the same top-of-the-charts “House We’re bumping up and down on that end- Finch” single that has been a solid-gold of-spring seesaw when weather forecasts favorite of their “hit parade” during every careen between a balmy 60 degrees with spring season that I’ve been tuned in. Has blue sky one day to below freezing with the cadence and melodic lilt of their tune a nor’easter and wintry mix pending the really not altered spring after spring, de- next. Deciding how many layers to put on cade after decade, century after century? or take off is a cardio-sport. Contrariwise to birds, people seem ob- On days like this, Millie, in her per- sessed with changing fashion, not only snickety corgi-ishness (or simply Millie- now but through the eons. What is the lat- ishness), prefers to sniff the air at the front est definition of hip? What is cool? What door and turn tail (if she had a tail) to wait is hot? What is groovy? That electric zing it out in a sunny patch on the floor. Inside. from being au courant seems to make us Lady’s choice. more attractive to other people. Are birds Maybe leaf buds on the trees are already really living in such a perpetual “now” that swelling. Or maybe they’re not. I might be there is no sense of “modern” or “old-fash- making it up. The calendar says spring is ioned”? Or does each infinitesimal shift around the corner but the freezing wind in their evolutionary code, which we can’t today is a master of deception. After a few A HOUSE FINCH on the cutting edge of timeless spring fashion. Photo by Keith Michael. decipher, cause a feather-fluttering quick- rafts of ice from up north drifted down the ening of the heart from bird to bird every river several weeks ago, the winter-that- dripping off the top. do, and gossip that I can’t begin to fathom. spring? Did seventeenth-century House never-was seemed on the verge of drifting Every time I recognize a bird song (which Translated into Millie’s comparably discern- Finches in their native California (before by as well. But then the polar vortex swirled is primarily how I locate a bird on the ing olfactory terms: What is the infinite cor- it was named California) sing the same through. We’re wrapping our scarves a lit- street), I imagine another bird of its kind nucopia of aromas that she detects during songs they do now? Was there a different tle tighter this month. hearing that song as well. I then imagine every step upon street cobblestones, which, melodic motif, harmonic progression, or The only hint of spring in the neighbor- how dimensionally different it must sound for me, is just one more moment noticing “baroque” phrasing? Would contemporary hood that I’ve noted for certain is the arrival to that other bird—all the nuance, innuen- how cold I am? House Finches recognize the serenades of of House Finches with their rollicky songs their forebears? Would we recognize the rolling down from lofty perches. Where crooning accents of our ancestors from a In the 1940s, the House Finch, a West Coast native, was sold illegally on the East they go during the colder months, I don’t Coast as a caged bird, called a “Hollywood Finch,” for its glorious song. To avoid half-century ago? know. Chimneys, cornices, roof-garden prosecution, owners and traffickers later released the birds, and the House Finches treetops—all are suitable venues for these acclimated very well to the Eastern Seaboard. Voilà: Sweet spring songs in the West Visit keithmichaelnyc.com for the latest pink filibusters declaiming their cheerful, Village! schedule of New York City WILD! urban- ardent tunes. For a wintry description of adventures-in-nature outings throughout a House Finch, think of a single scoop of I can’t blame it on Millie this time that it’s time to move on out of the cold. She’s the five boroughs, and visit his Instagram raspberry sorbet in a waffle cone, and the already at home taking a mid-winter’s nap. “Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to work I go.” @newyorkcitywild for photos from around sweet, sweet song is the candied cherry NYC. Only Read This if You are a Real Friend of WestView

By George Capsis, Publisher It is so nice when somebody says “I like your pa- Well, right now we need you to keep WestView show- per” and I wonder if they subscribe and I put myself in ing up in your lobby and fight for that Cath Lab... These are tough times for the New York Times and, yes, their place—would I take 10 minutes to find out how WestView. I really feel for the Times—page after page to subscribe online or how to find an envelope and put _____ Yes, I like to findWestView in the lobby but with no ads, and when you find one it is selling aTimes a check in and...oh well, forget it—$12 is not going to let somebody else pay for it. product like Travel with the Times. They fired half of really help them (it will). _____ Yes, I am sending you $12 bucks for a year's their editorial staff and they are even talking about just When I was a kid the Times was 3 cents. This morn- subscription. being online—no more paper. ing I checked and it is $3.00. Oh wow, who is going _____ OK, here is $24 for two years. WestView still has some ads but not enough, and to pay $3.00 for 20 minutes of reading about religious _____ Here is my contribution to keep you guys going. when I demanded of our regular contributors that they bathing in the Ganges? But we need a newspaper that _____ LOVE the free concerts for seniors. ask their favorite restaurant for an ad or throw them- is going to fight for a Cath Lab to be built right here in Here is my check for ______. selves in front of a speeding cab, the response came the West Village, that will treat our heart attack in the Wish I could give more. back “How fast is the cab going?” 15 minutes we have left to live. My very special Greek restaurant in which I was I jealously watch while PBS does long, long pitches Mail to: WestView Subscriptions, 108 Perry Street, greeted by name by a smiling manager and shown to to raise money while the head of it has a million dollar Apt 4A, New York, NY 10014 my special table just closed, and with it their very nice salary—“we need you to keep PBS on the air and pay monthly ad just disappeared. my salary.” You can also give online at westviewnews.org—hit “donate.” 22 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org A Child’s Stay in the Middle East By Carol Yost ents wrote us that our dog, Blackie, had ence, heard someone say, “Her face is fall- transmitter at a frequency that jammed the been so despondent she wouldn’t eat and hid ing off.” I cried afterwards, but people tried airwaves and suddenly cut off the speech for In the early fall of 1955, when I had just under the bed. My grandparents had her put to comfort me. some distance around. All was quiet again, turned 10, my family went to Syria on a to sleep. That was another heartbreaking My brother and I also took piano lessons and we went back to sitting with our feet grant under a 1948 law called the Smith- loss for our trip, sad to think of to this day. and were in a recital that went much better, on the fountain, having our own conversa- Mundt Act, or the U. S. Information and Our lodging had been arranged in ad- although I don’t think I thought much about tions. Now I’m appalled at our selfishness. Educational Exchange Act. It was desig- vance, and when our Damascus landlord the music beyond just getting the notes right. We were guests in our neighbors’ country. nated “an act to promote the better under- knew we were coming, he relandscaped the Traveling around Damascus and the sur- Shortly after our arrival, my mother, a standing of the United States among the garden at the back of the building where we rounding country was exciting. We saw an- writer, wrote a short children’s story about peoples of the world and to strengthen were to occupy the first floor. It was a beau- cient Roman ruins and stone-lined Roman Arab children and a “rully tully donkey.” It cooperative international relations.” This tiful, geometrical, European-style garden roads with carriage tracks deeply set into was published in Jack and Jill, a children’s included educational activities. My father, with a hexagonal fountain. We soon had a them. We admired the beautiful clothing magazine, while we were in Syria. Although an English professor at Florida State Uni- charming British neighbor living across the worn by the Syrian people, and bought Mother had very early seen her life’s work versity in Tallahassee, had applied and re- hall, and we enjoyed his company. We had souvenir trinkets wherever we went. My as writing short stories, and would spend ceived a grant to teach English at the Syr- a French-speaking maid. The landlord’s mother, with her Leica M3, took many pic- decades at her typewriter hammering out ian University in Damascus. daughters, about my age, were excited to tures. We went into the Souk Hamidiyah short stories and submitting them, reading It was exciting for my brother and me. We meet an American, and they practiced their (a famous old marketplace) in Damascus, popular magazines to see what was selling, went from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to English on me. I regret that I was a little which bore the battle scars of history, in- taking writing courses, carefully crafting New York, and stayed briefly with my moth- snob of a 10-year-old and made fun of cluding the former French occupation and sentences even in conversation, and ex- er’s sister Marian at her New York apartment. their efforts. I made few attempts to learn before. It had a very high roof under which pressing the hope of large success and even Then we traveled to Damascus, first on the Arabic, which wasn’t taught at my English- many vendors sold their colorful wares. of winning the Pulitzer Prize, the donkey SS Independence to Turkey, a very pleasant speaking school, but the landlord’s daugh- We learned they offered three prices—the story was the only one she ever saw pub- way to travel, and then on the SS Samsun, ters could have taught me, and that would highest for Americans, lower prices for lished. Ambitious and hard-driven until with less comfortable accommodations. have been good for them and for me. the English and French, and the lowest of cancer took over her last years, she never Our family had spent seven years in Tal- Every morning, as we ate breakfast, all for Syrians and Armenians. My father, gave up hope. I would like to thank both lahassee, and my brother and I had been about 15 huge stray cats gathered on the George Yost Jr., found he could, at times, my parents, though, for their love of the asthmatic semi-invalids there. Mother tu- wall that bordered our garden. They were get lower prices by speaking French. He English language, which has encouraged tored us at home while following our course waiting for us to put out our garbage so could speak and write in nine languages. me as a writer. Something she wrote years subjects at school. My brother, George Yost they could have their breakfast, too. We continued to celebrate traditional later, that I still treasure, is her description III, made many model airplanes and ships My brother and I went to a school that American holidays. For Halloween, Amer- of my cousin Skip’s death at age 25 after his meticulously assembled from kits, and they was held in a large apartment. It was taught ican parents took their kids to their friends’ truck overturned. What happened, and our were kept in large glass cabinets. Once my in English according to the British Calvert homes for trick-or-treat. I can’t remember family’s reaction, were unforgettable. classmates sent me a big sheet of paper system. My mother said it was secret and il- what costumes my brother and I devised In Syria we met many Palestinian refu- on which they’d written their best wishes, legal, but it was the only way we could go to for ourselves. gees who had been forced to flee the Is- made drawings and signed their names. I an English-speaking school. At first there We traveled to the Arab side of a divided raeli occupation of their land in the great realized I couldn’t remember any of them was no fifth grade for me, and I was briefly Jerusalem and saw beautiful old buildings upheaval that had begun only a few years because I hadn’t been in classes much. Af- put into a sixth grade class. Then another and ruins from different stages of history. before. We kept hearing of violence against ter Mother had taken us to the Delaware American fifth-grader, Philip Funkhauser, We were in the Garden of Gethsemane the Palestinian people who would have Water Gap for a summer, and we were sud- arrived, and they used a couple of portable with the 12 ancient olive trees, and I found wanted peace with the Jews and who denly no longer bedridden—for example, blackboards to wall off a little corner of the it hard to comprehend that we were stand- wished only that the Israeli leaders had al- she saw me rowing a boat upstream—she large room used as an assembly hall, and ing right where Jesus and his apostles kept lowed them to stay. had assertively told Dad that we weren’t we had a teacher. There we spent the day watch the night before he was captured. I’m so sorry for what the Syrians are en- going back to Tallahassee. Just a year be- except for lunch and so on. Philip was fun, We visited the Dome of the Rock. We during now. I hope the war ends very soon. fore our trip to Syria, she saved us by fol- with a good sense of humor, and for a while were on Strait Street, where St. Paul had One of the places we visited was the beau- lowing her parents to where they’d moved I had a crush on him. his sudden conversion, and saw the tops of tiful old city of Aleppo, which I understand in retirement, to Albuquerque. They’d got- For a time I took a French class—I think the old arches just above the road where now has been utterly devastated. ten a nice big house for us to live in, where that might have been part of the sixth- there were modern shops. We were told After the academic year was over, shortly the climate freed us from being bedridden. grade phase of my education—but I didn’t that the original road of St. Paul was 14 before we would have returned to the United Our father had had to stay at his Tallahas- take well to learning another language, and feet lower than the present one. We went States, my father came home excitedly an- see teaching job. He had applied for a posi- my parents hired a private French tutor for to Bethlehem and the Church of the Na- nouncing that he had just gotten an extension tion at the University of New Mexico in me for a while. My mother remembered tivity. We also visited Jericho, which turned to teach another year. My mother had ut- Albuquerque, but when he learned a close me saying I wished the French had been out to be mainly a huge earthen pit in the terly surprising news for him: we were being friend was also applying, he withdrew his born dumb so that I wouldn’t have to learn sides of which were innumerable little slips evacuated to Beirut, Lebanon. English Prime application. We stayed with my mother’s their language. of paper indicating which historical period Minster Anthony Eden had bombed the parents in Albuquerque. I think it was in Damascus that I took was represented by each stratum. Suez Canal, and the United States, fearing Ten days before we left for Syria, our be- dance classes and participated in a dance We all had, unfortunately, a snobbish at- a war in the region, had ordered the evacua- loved parakeet died of a terrible and myste- recital my teacher presented. I was in a titude at times. One hot night, as we were tion of all American women and children in rious illness that left his legs paralyzed for piece called, I think, “The Dance of the all sitting around the fountain with our the Middle East to Beirut, while the fathers the terrifying last minutes of his life. This Skeletons.” My fellow dancers and I wore British neighbor, the air suddenly was filled stayed behind. We didn’t know it, but we haunted me. Many years later, I tried to put black leotards that had the general outline with the loud broadcast of a speech by Presi- were never to be together as a family again. it into poetry. One stanza was: of skeletal bones painted on them with dent Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and al- That night, my mother, brother and I Oh, how could we journey fluorescent paint, and black masks simi- though we didn’t know Arabic we knew it rode in a flying boxcar, as it was called, 19 So long on the wave, larly painted as skulls. The lights went out was about the crisis involving Israel and the minutes over the mountains to Beirut. Af- And leave you, so little, and the music came on with us dancing as Palestinians; it had profoundly affected ev- ter staying for a while in a rundown Plaza Alone in your grave? skeletons. I didn’t know my steps very well, erybody in that part of the world. But it dis- Hotel, we got a penthouse apartment with When in Syria, I carved simple images of and what was worse, my mask kept falling turbed our peace, as all windows were open a terrace balcony and a lovely view of the a parakeet into the low mud walls of the off my face. I held it on with one hand and in the heat and all radios were blasting the city. Across the street were the beautiful school playground. tried to dance, but I was obviously getting speech. Our British neighbor ran into his grounds of the British embassy. We shared Not long after our arrival, my grandpar- the dance all wrong. My father, in the audi- apartment and broadcast on his own radio continued on page 23 www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 23

Middle East continued from page 22 which she would never wear. Later, in the WEST VILLAGE IMAGES BY JOEL GORDON the apartment with Mildred Teasley, an apartment one evening, I saw her on the American diplomat for the U. S. opera- terrace balcony with tears coming down tions mission who had become a very close her face. Her lips were moving. Deeply Ethnic Pride Portraits friend. We had met her at the Plaza. religious, she was praying. This was heart- Portraits of people around the world proud of their heritage, showing ethnic and The night of the Fourth of July, my breaking for all of us, but my parents had religious pride wearing traditional folk regalia and costumes. Below: Greek, Ko- rean, Native American, Hindu, Chinese and American African Muslim. mother and I watched from the balcony far fought for years. Our temporary separation across Beirut to see tiny dots of colored in Beirut made it a little easier, but I think light rise above the skyline. Someone was it still changed us all. I’d had good times shooting off fireworks. Again and again, up with Dad, but for a long time I was angry they went, three dots at a time. Somehow it at him. My mother later said she felt she meant a great deal to my mother. hadn’t cared about him deeply enough, this My brother and I attended school at tall and handsome, Princeton-educated, the American school in Beirut. Again, scholarly man. And years later, only weeks we toured the country a bit and saw more before he died, my father exclaimed to his beautiful Roman ruins, including Baalbek, wife of the time, “I wish I’d been kinder to where there are stagings of operas and con- Frances!” I respect them both for saying certs every year. these things. In the apartment we listened to Ethel Finally, after some months in Beirut, Merman with the original Broadway cast my brother joined our father in accor- of Call Me Madam. We played that record dance with an agreement my parents had over and over. My mother and I loved to worked out (I stayed with Mother), and sing the duet “You’re Just in Love” from when Dad’s time in Syria was over they re- that show. Mildred had told us about Ethel turned to Tallahassee together via ports in Merman, and told us, too, about Marlene Europe. By then my brother had outgrown Dietrich. We also loved a 45 rpm record his asthmatic reaction to the climate. We of “Thirteen Women (and Only One Man corresponded, and I think I still have his in Town).” Mother went around the apart- postcards. ment singing “Thirteen Men (and Only My mother and I joined Mildred, fol- One Woman in Town).” I saw her skipping lowing her reassignment to Bangkok, rope on the balcony one day and exclaimed, Thailand, after we’d been in Beirut eight or “Mommy, you look like a young girl again!” nine months. Mildred had left us perhaps a She was about 45 then. couple of months earlier. I wrote her letters Once, after saying goodbye to me at from Beirut, and in one I described how the elevator door as I left for school, the the tide came up on the beach, and how door to the apartment slammed shut and the waves never seemed exactly the same my mother was locked out. She wore just from day to day. One day they crashed onto her nightgown, bathrobe and slippers. She the shore dramatically; the next they might banged and banged on the door and hol- come in caressingly, peacefully, covering lered, but Mildred was sound asleep. Moth- the sand in an endless multitude of bubbles er went downstairs and walked across the like an enormous shawl of richly textured street, still in her nightwear of course, and lace and ruffles. got a Lebanese gas station attendant to call In the same way that she had assert- the apartment. The phone rang and rang, ively told Dad that we weren’t going back but Mildred slept on. Finally a young man to Tallahassee, Frances Elizabeth Palmer got up onto the roof, jumped down to the Yost telegrammed Mildred saying we were terrace balcony, walked through the apart- coming and bringing the delightful little ment and opened the door. At last Frances convertible she’d left with us; Mildred had Yost made herself a cup of coffee and sank named the car Lapsy, for “collapsible,” into her chair out on the balcony, collect- because of its collapsible roof, which was ing herself and greatly relieved, looking out a novelty at the time. Mother’s telegram onto the city richly blessed with sunlight. read: “Carol, Lapsy, I coming arrive 1st [of Her cup just faintly tapped the rim of the the coming month].” Surprised, but un- saucer as she lifted the cup to her lips. Out doubtedly pleased, Mildred rushed out and of a bedroom at the back there was a sleepy, got a lovely little two-story teak house for impish but subterranean, annoyed little us to live in. growl that grew into a yell: “Who’s hav- Shortly after our arrival in Bangkok, I ing coffee and not giving me any?” Mother saw on TV a report of violence in Beirut. told that story many times. That was the start of a terrible and tragic I collected different species of live snails, strife that tore Lebanon apart for years, some quite unusual, and kept them in cof- and the Beirut that will always live in my fee cans with lettuce to eat. I checked out memory is no more, though it is being re- books about snails from the local library. built at last. While we were at the Plaza Hotel, one After seven or eight months in Bangkok, evening I found my mother lying on her when Mildred went back to the U. S. on va- bed crying. She had decided she could no cation, my mother decided it was time for longer be married to my father, and she us to go home. We returned to Albuquer- was about to take the first steps toward a que. I’d been overseas for about two and a divorce, though I didn’t learn of this until half years. It seems so far away in time now, a bit later. She did try for a reconciliation, almost like a dream, but I was there, it was but my father said it wouldn’t work. Dad real. Yes, it happened. I’m grateful for all Other examples can be found on my website www.joelgordon.com. sent her Christmas gifts of a shawl and ear- of it, even when it was difficult. I am very Photo credit © Joel Gordon 2019—All rights reserved. rings that she said were not attractive and fortunate indeed. 24 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

Caruso’s Quips By Charles Caruso

No one should have guns but the police and army. Anyone found with a gun should be sent to Arizona for an extended stay in the sun and sand.

The color blue is reason enough to be alive.

A writer wants fame and fortune and beautiful women, but what he really music • wants most is to be quoted in 1000 years. America has become a giant studio audience—silly, empty headed, at ready to be manipulated by anyone. The truest test of friends is how they act when you are broke. St. John’s in Would we have loved Che as much if he had looked like Woody Allen? One of those guys who turns the Christmas card over to see how much it costs.

the Village You can tell a lot about people by how long they keep their Christmas lights up. WestView Concert When you are sick everything sucks! Saturday, March 30 Dirty clothes are warmer. 1:00 pm Deep in Febuary snow shop windows have an April glow.

Jack Kulowitsch and the Strathmore Ensemble Performing Mozart—Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Vivaldi—Guitar Concerto in D Major Mozart—Sinfonia Concertante

Tickets $20 Free to Seniors and Children Booking is essential at: stjvny.org or (212) 243-6192

ST. JOHN’S IN THE VILLAGE at the corner of West 11th and Waverly Place

St. John’s in the Village is fully heated and ADA accessible. www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 25 Interview with Rebecca Schosha from the Jefferson Market Library

babysitter in Paris, France, a teacher’s as- sistant, and a receptionist. I felt like there was nothing else that would have made me as happy as working in a library, because I had always known I wanted to work with kids and even when I worked in the school I loved the library the most. The library had always felt like my safe and comfort- able place. So I can’t really imagine myself doing anything else than working here, be- cause bringing books and kids together is special to me.

What is your favorite thing to do in the library? I love recommending books because I love MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY | COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY reading books. The kids come back and tell MOHS SURGERY | LASER SURGERY me if they liked it or not and I enjoy that in- "I LOOK FOR REBECCA EVERY TIME I teraction. I also love doing story time because COME." Yalini and Kavya with librarian Re- there was one time when I was really shy and Bay Ridge West Village becca Schosha at Jefferson Market Library. then I found that I actually enjoyed reading 7901 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11209 67 Perry Street, NY NY 10014 Photo by Ananth Sampathkumar. aloud to others and with older kids you can 718-491-5800 (t) 212-675-5847 (t) recommend books, but with little kids you 718748-2151 (f) 212-675-7976 (f) By Yalini Anne Sampathkumar, 10 have to get them excited by reading aloud Jefferson Market Library has a great col- and do a little performing, which I never lection of kids’ books and some of the nic- thought I would like. I also enjoy having class Ronald R. Brancaccio, M.D | Peter Saitta, D.O. est librarians. I look for Rebecca Schosha visits because people who might not come every time I come. She is one of the librar- here on their own come with their class and I Sherry H. Hsiung, M.D. | Lisa Gruson,M.D. | Anna Karp, D.O. ians, who always gives me a warm greet- get to introduce them to the library. ing. I decided to interview her about the children’s section of the Jefferson Market Why do you think that libraries are im- Library. portant for everyone to have? Libraries are community centers, a place YS: How long have you worked at the where people can come and meet. The li- Jefferson Market Library and what is brary is a place where everyone has equal your favorite thing about it? access, and everyone is treated equally. RS: I have worked at the Jefferson Market Most importantly though, it is where you Library for about eleven years. The combi- can access books and enjoy them, and as nation of working with kids in the library some people know books can change your and helping them discover new books is life. There was a time in my life when I did my favorite thing. Working in this build- not have libraries and it was really differ- ing is incredible because it is so beautiful ent. We might not all notice it, but being Do You Have a and full of history. I also really love my co- able to access books is a luxury and it is one workers here because it feels like I am part that everyone should have. WILL? of a great big team and family. What system do you use to organize Peace of Mind for just YS: What are some of the resources the your books and is it helpful? library uses for children? The system we use is called the Dewey $199 A lot of our books come from the central Decimal System. It is an old system and it Legal Document Preparation Services since 2006 for ordering department where they buy a ton arranges books by category and topic. The of books for us and send them in. We also Dewey applies to nonfiction and informa- WILLS, DIVORCE, do book orders every month where we get tion books, and our fiction is a range, but in to refresh our graphic novel collection. alphabetical order by the author’s last name. BANKRUPTCY, INC/LLC Baker & Taylor is the company where we I think it is helpful but others might not. get most of our books. I am singing their praises forever! I don’t know what I would have If you were sucked into a book which done without their expertise!!! —Claire M. What are some of your favorite chil- one would it be and why? We The People is a great inexpensive option to get your bankruptcy, dren’s books? It would be Anne of Green Gables. I have al- LLC, divorce, etc., done. I’m really grateful to both of them for not Well I don’t have a favorite children’s book ways loved the Anne of Green Gables stories, but here are some of my favorites. the whole world and the friendships that only the services they provided me, but also the warmth and profes- Harry Potter by JK Rowling she had. I have also never been to Prince sionalism in which they aided me. —S. N. Wonder by R. J. Palacio Edward Island and that is where the books Ramona by Beverly Clearly are set, but I have heard that it is beautiful, OFF and so I want to see it. Any Service $199+ What did you do before you came to a $25 library and why did you choose to work During the interview, one lady Rebecca was in a library? helping said, “Rebecca is one of the best li- 233 West 14th Street | 212) 633-2200 | www.WTPNY.com Before I came to the library I worked as a brarians I know and you can quote me!” 26 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

TWO SUSPECTS Can’t make it to the play? Imparting the Wisdom The novel, TWO SUSPECTS: A by Gary Sherbell LEGAL MYSTERY, was published in 2018 by of the Elders will be performed as a staged reading Wordwooze Publishing, of By David Giller & Helene Abrams So, why not look into two possible ap- at the world-famous THE BITTER END. Encino, CA (paperback, E-Book and audiobook.) proaches to imparting your wisdom. 1. Go Remember the ’60’s and ’70’s? Our genera- into your community and work with young tion was so powerful back then…not willing “A deftly crafted and riveting people in your field of expertise…volunteer, to accept that things are the way they are SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 3-5 PM mystery.... unique, entertaining write an article or blog. 2. Get your message just because they’ve always been that way. 147 Bleecker Street and highly recommended...” out there through Social Media. If you don’t We stood up for what we believed in and we Midwest Book Review know how to…then, by all means, ask your changed the world for generations to come. NO COVER CHARGE + TWO-DRINK MINIMUM Small Press Bookwatch grandchildren for their help. This is their Then, we got married, settled down, had February, 2019 expertise. What a great exchange with your Featuring the music of Evan Kremin, kids and lived our lives as best we could. family…to come together to pool resources, and the vocals of Juliana Valente performing As part of “life,” we faced the obstacles… talents and wisdom to make the positive cover songs reflecting the play's themes. aging parents, illnesses, financial hard- difference for all generations! ships…and, by the Grace of God, we came So, if you’re thinking you’re “getting old” Doors open at 2pm. out of it on the other end! and just want to have an easy lifestyle…relax Now, our parents are gone, our kids are Music from 2-3pm and during intermissions. and do nothing...think again. In fact…don’t grown and many of us are retired...playing just think about it…meditate on it! No ______golf, having lunch with friends or, living one has to remind you that our communi- our lives vicariously through our children ties, our country and our world are facing Previously performed at the Cherry Lane and grandchildren. This is all wonderful… enormous challenges. Our very existence, Theatre in NYC in 2016, TWO SUSPECTS is all to have created a loving family, sharing let alone our lifestyle is being threatened about a lawsuit, which is all about a burglary. birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving and daily. An “I’m old…what can I do about it” other holidays, and many other milestones. The outcome of the lawsuit will depend on laissez faire approach to what’s happening And so now we have to ask ourselves two which of two suspects committed the crime. out there is unacceptable. We see it every all-important questions: 1. “Am I happy day, how people who are experiencing the ______and fulfilled?” and 2. “Have I done enough most adverse challenges life can offer, not to make the positive difference?” What is only rise up to overcome the challenges, but IF YOU ARE IN PUBLISHING, THEATER OR THE MEDIA, the legacy you will be leaving to your chil- YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO TWO COMPLIMENTARY DRINKS become our greatest leaders. IF YOU ATTEND. JUST EMAIL GARY SHERBELL, dren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, For more information on how you can AT [email protected], WITH YOUR REQUEST. and generations to come? Is there any- leave a legacy you can be so proud of, go to thing that you can do right now to extend ThinkPositiveWorld.com or write to pos- an olive branch to make it easier for the [email protected]. next generations? Think about all the wisdom you’ve at- Are you a new business? tained. What about the many talents you’ve Helene Abrams and David Giller, Vision- nurtured and skills you acquired? Besides aries for Positive Change, are Founders passing these on to your family, is there any of Think Positive World, a multi-faceted, way you can leverage this knowledge by multi-platformed movement to acceler- reaching out to your community, your city, ate positive change and greater well-being FREE AD IN WESTVIEW your country or the world. in cities and countries, worldwide. Their With today’s amazing technology, you empowerment tools, programs and strategies We want to help start-up businesses with a FREE AD. don’t even have to leave your home to ac- have been specifically developed for people of complish great things. All the tools and every age, from very young children to senior strategies are available at your fingertips… citizens interested in personal empowerment Call 212.924.5718 in an instant. and global transformation.”

nationality of annual visitors. Britain comes Tourism in first, and Canada ranks after China. The 2018 totals for these three groups were: Brit- some may think me not too bright ain, 1.4 million; China, 1.24 million; and Frantic Antics but I would lurch straight through night New York City Canada, 1 million. New York City is the By Roberta Curley without hint or glint of light

sixth most popular tourist destination in the simply to bask in your sight The New York Times reported recently that world; it’s behind Bangkok, London, Paris, New York City tourism has been rising Dubai and Singapore. Included in the tour- To me, you’re no old mare flashbacks of your touch steadily for years. At least 67 million are ist numbers are the day-trippers; people who yet a platinum sheen dapples your hair titillate oh so much expected this year, boosted in part by Gay come for the day from over 50 miles away. your every breath reflects a savoir faire and though we often go dutch Pride events centered around the 50th an- New York City, of course, has many at- accenting your mojo extraordinaire I’d boil the ocean to access your clutch niversary of the Stonewall uprising. New tractions. For example, it is one of the top York City tourism is 50% higher than culinary destinations of the world. The en- if I could pinch a beauteous lock rare I’m sick of geriatric jokes it was in 2007, when Mayor Bloomberg tertainment and cultural arts are unlimited from your tender head—I swear and wiseacres calling us old folks launched a drive to boost the number of in their reach, as the city is a major cultural I’d hug it to my heart in prayer I term them empty-headed cowpokes visitors to the city. Tourism is a huge in- capital of the world. Harlem and the East that your debonair flair we might share soon to be entrapped in selfsame hoax dustry that brings in millions of tax dollars. Village are popular for music tours. The city NYC & Company, once private, is now a has 28,000 acres of parkland and 14 linear I have a gargantuan wish for sure, our allure is the real thing city agency. miles of public beaches. Central Park is the to make you my solo dish not just a Highland fling Surprisingly, despite recent anti-Chinese most visited city park in the United States. and though I savor wolfing down a knish you clang my bells ring-a-ding-ling trade moves by Trump, Chinese tourism I’d much rather catch your pitch fashion me your puppet on a string! continues to increase and is second in the —Carol Yost www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 27 Hey Jude, Lucio’s in the Village with Style

By Karen Rempel Bill Cunningham once said, “It’s not style New York Fashion Week runway show unless it’s on the street.” The West Vil- at One Oak when I was gobsmacked by lage is a glorious neighborhood for peo- Jude Barucha’s Advanced Style (if you don’t ple-watching, as many of our neighbors know it, I highly recommend this book and visitors are likely to be dressed in the by Ari Seth Cohen, and the movie of unique style that makes New York such a the same name by Ari and director Lina fun place to live. On a recent sunny day, I Plioplyte). Judith has been a West Vil- spotted Lucio Abruzzi near the Stonewall lage resident for over 30 years. Judith’s Inn, on his way to meet his husband for mom gifted her with this fabulous Native dinner on Christopher Street. This is what American styled, hand-made coat, which I’m talking about! Check out Lucio’s cream she purchased in Palm Springs, CA, for and black striped pants and exquisitely Jude’s 40th birthday. Jude added match- cobbled cream boots. He looks edible, and ing details to her jean hems, and found the I swear that’s not oedipal! perfect hat to cap it off. Later that same day, I was walking Every style has a story. Let’s take a peek down West 12th Street on my way to a below at yours truly’s…

LUCIO ABRUZZI loves exploring the city on JUDE BARUCHA teaches “Warm Yoga” sunny days. Both photos: Karen Rempel. with Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation at New York Health & Racquet Club.

Karen’s Mademoiselle Mirabelle faux fur coat, 330 Bleecker Street

Quirky Style Wild horses print scarf in rust and olive, gift from friend I saw Advanced Style at the Vancouver In- ternational Film Festival in 2014, right Sparkly vintage sleeveless top, before my first trip to New York, and writ- Krystyna’s Place, 12 Cornelia Street er Ari and writer-director Lina were there to talk to the audience. All the women in the audience showed up wearing their couture and outlandish rigs, and it was a celebration of our unique style as Vancou- ver women (who normally wear GORE- TEX and dayglo cycling gear in all weath- Bianco faux leather jeans, Variazioni, 323 Bleecker Street er). This launched a new life for me, and gave my style permission to fractalize into new shapes and never-before-dreamed-of combinations. I was lucky enough to go to Lynn Dell’s store, the Off Broadway Boutique on W. 72nd Street, that October and again the Helmut Lang fur and suede boots, rare Donna Karan storage sale on following Spring, before Lynn passed away Greenwich Street and the store passed into a mountain of trunks. I have a few treasured items from the store, and it always warms my heart when I wear them and remember Lynn’s fantastic contribution to style divas on the Upper West Side and beyond. Here’s the low-down on the outfit I wore to bring the West Village to a party at Photo by Dusty Berke. VNYL in the East Village. 28 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org

with?”). Young adults may feel conflicting pulls between remaining loyal to the family Empty Nest (and its values) and wanting to break free and discover their own beliefs, feelings, tal- By Christina Raccuia ents, and needs. In an attempt to find their own identities and place in the world, over The “empty nest” refers to the physical and the next few years these young adults will psychological change in the family when be confronting and reassessing parents’ val- a child leaves home or goes away to col- ues, lifestyles, and relationships—with an lege. For about 18 years, we as parents have ever-widening gap between their experi- invested ourselves in the emotionally con- ences and the world of their parents. suming process of raising a family—and Children who are leaving home benefit suddenly one day the children leave home. from knowing that parents are dealing con- As the nest empties, a chapter of parent- structively with the empty nest and know- ing comes to a close, often accompanied ing that parents are seeking to find new by many ambivalent feelings from both meaning and possibilities in this new phase children and parents. The empty space that of their lives. It is much more difficult for opens up in parents’ lives can be both excit- children to leave if parents are unhappy. As ing and anxiety producing. parents face the empty nest, they are chal- Many parents experience deep grief as lenged to re-create their lives and remodel they prepare to let go of their children and the family system in such a way that it nur- the family, as they have known it. There are tures the newly defined needs of the par- multiple losses including the loss of daily ents/partners, along with a new relation- life with children, loss of the sense of fam- AS THE NEST EMPTIES, A CHAPTER OF PARENTING COMES TO A CLOSE. Author Chris- ship with children that embraces, supports, ily that the parents have built, and loss of tina Raccuia's daughter, Sophia, moving into Reed College in Portland, OR in August and appreciates them as adults. the active job of parenting (“I’m out of a 2018. Photo by Christina Raccuia. Here are some suggestions for parents job.” “I’m no longer needed.”). These loss- ent-child relationship at this stage is much who are experiencing empty nest: es can often lessen a parent’s self-worth, reacquainted with one another and co-create like a dance in which the parents have to Acknowledge the importance of this particularly if that parent’s identity has new dreams and projects. It can also be a time be ready to step back as the child steps for- life transition. Your family is changing, as revolved around child rearing. Grief can when partners find that they have very little ward, without stepping back too quickly, as is your relationship with your child. If you be especially deep if it is the first, last, or left in common; many marriages at this point the child may fall. The dance of supporting can tend to your own feelings of loss, you only child to leave home, if the relationship in time end in divorce. children through this transition is a deli- can support your child in his/her awkward with the child was especially close, if the Parents are challenged to let go of the cate one, needing timing and sensitivity. steps toward independence. child played a critical role in the family, or child they protected and nurtured through It is difficult to predict how the young Review your relationship with your if there have been other recent losses. This childhood. As the young adult is now be- adult will move through this transition; it child—what you regret and appreciate, major life passage can coincide with mid- ing launched into the world, parents must can be a rocky time for both parents and what you left out of your parenting, what dle age, menopause, and caring for aging assess the job they have done. Parenting children, with the tension straining the you have given your child, what you have parents, as well as issues around finances. is a very humbling and challenging expe- parent-child relationship. As they leave learned about yourself. Be willing to honor It can also bring to light unresolved family, rience, and it is rare for a parent to have home, young adults are struggling with this phase of your mothering. marital, or personal issues that has been put no regrets. Parents are faced with the real- the developmental tasks of searching for Listen to your child; acknowledge his/ aside while parenting. ity that they will not have a second chance identity and independence. They are say- her fears and anxieties while keeping the Often marriages go through major adjust- and that they have prepared their children ing goodbyes, focusing on their futures, bigger picture in mind. ments after children leave home; as time and as best they can. Now it is time to let go of and struggling with questions (“Who am I, Explore who you are in the world after energy are freed up from parenting and part- their children. Often the relationship has apart from my family and school?” “What your child leaves home. Be open to the ners are left alone in the house with each oth- suffered from the inevitable conflicts of the do I believe in?” “What do I want to do with emptiness and the possibilities within it. er. Marital relationships have often suffered teen years, and parents may feel a mixture my life?”) And self-doubts (“What if I get Explore new questions about the direc- from lack of attention, intimacy, and nurtur- of relief and regret that their son/daughter homesick?” “What if I chose the wrong col- tion of your life. Give yourself permission ance throughout the child-raising years. As is leaving home. Parents also know that the lege?” “What if I don’t find new friends?”). to dream; cultivate interests you may have partners find themselves alone with one an- relationship is changing; once that child Many feel ambivalent about leaving home set aside during your parenting years. Set other in a house without children to distract has left home, the relationship will never and have fears about the change in the rela- a goal to initiate at least two new ideas them, marriages often come under scrutiny. be what it had been, even if the young adult tionship with their parents (“Will they still within the first few months after your child This can be an important time to become returns home for a period of time. The par- love me if I don’t make choices they agree leaves for college. "You forgot to leave my paper!"

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A West Village Generational Story: Dr. Charles Dorato By Allyn Freeman name. Fedora (née Nannini) and husband Henry Dorato (son of Carlo) opened the Consider the many stories fictional or fact restaurant in 1952. She grew up on King about the West Village in novels, short sto- Street, he on Perry. They were married in ries, magazines and newspaper articles. Re- Our Lady of Pompeii Church on Carmine member those involving tales written about Street in 1945. Both parents had worked the bohemian lives of Village artists and at Oscar’s Delmonico, the famous down- writers. Recall the narrations of Village town eatery at Beaver and William Streets, nightlife with anecdotes about jazz clubs, founded by Oscar Tucci. watering holes, and potluck parties in walk Carlo left for New Jersey, making two im- up garrets. And call to mind a potpourri of portant decisions that would have a marked varied recollections from many inhabitants. consequence on his grandson’s life. The first Most of these accounts were written by was to offer the space to restaurateurs who HE IS A TRUE DENIZEN OF THE WEST VILLAGE: Dr. Charles Dorato, above, was born, people who moved into the West Village, opened Bill and Jerry’s. The business failed, raised and worked in the West Village. Photo by Allyn Freeman. coming from somewhere else. This is what leaving a fully equipped restaurant and a makes Charles Dorato’s story so unique, classic neon sign. In 1952, Fedora convinced Class of 1972. While an undergraduate, he since 2007. for he was born, raised, and has worked in her husband to open a continental restau- met his wife, Marylin, a co-ed from Pitts- After Fedora Dorato died in 2011, Gabe the West Village for all but eight years (U. rant in her name. She would do the cook- burgh’s Chatham University in the class of Stulman bought the restaurant and kept Pitt B.A. and DDS from Pitt’s School of ing. She changed the outside neon sign to 1969. The couple married that year, and the Fedora name but changed the neon Dental Medicine) of his 72-years. “Fedora” and this pink and green sign would after graduation, returned to the West Vil- sign to new colors. Stulman also owns Jo- Dorato’s lineage traces back to 1919 achieve landmark status. Grandpa Carlo’s lage where he worked in partnership with seph Leonard and Jeffery’s Grocery both when his northern Italian grandfather, second decision was to rent the empty first Dr. Wallach inside the same house in which on Waverly Place in the West Village and Carlo Dorato, opened a speakeasy at 239 floor at 239 West Fourth to Dr. Jeff Wal- he grew up. operates other restaurants in Manhattan. West Fourth (House built in 1836) be- lach, a local dentist. The newly married Doratos lived first What differentiates Charles Dorato’s tween Charles and West 10th Street. The Charles Dorato was born in 1946 in the on West 11th, and then moved to Bank matchless heritage—the singularity of Prohibition era saloon in the basement now closed Wickersham Hospital on East Street near the Waverly Inn. Their daugh- these unique experiences—comes from was known casually as Charley’s Gardens, 58th Street. The family lived first at 240 ter Amanda was born in 1976. He has made having resided as a boy in the West Village. a card-playing club for local Italian im- West Fourth, and then moved across the the same rustic walk from his house to the And, in his own words that follow, the first migrants, a sandwich snack bar, and a fun street to 239 West Fourth. He attended St. office ever since he returned to Manhattan time ever printed story of a street game in place to drink illegal hooch. One evening Joseph’s Academy at Washington Square in 1972. Few West Village residents can the neighborhood. in the mid-1920s, the police raided and North, and high school at Loyola uptown claim this uncommon born here/lived here/ “As a teenager, I and a group of friends, were surprised to discover favorite Gotham at East 83rd Street and Park Avenue. Dur- worked here neighborhood connection. played stickball against some Westies from politician Jimmy Walker (a Greenwich ing high school, he worked at the family In 1972, Dorato started teaching two- Hell’s Kitchen. When they came down- Village native also) imbibing downstairs. bistro, and here, regular patrons suggested days a week at NYU’s School of Dentistry. town, the game was played on Waverly The savvy police captain said, “Mr. Mayor, he attend a big, out of town, university. Dr. Today, after 47-years, he holds the title of Place near Sixth Avenue where there were we just stopped in to use the toilets.”That Wallach knew a professor at the University Clinical Associate Professor. Dr. Wallach few cars. The home team supplied the pink West Fourth street number may not spark of Pittsburgh and recommended the school retired in 1992, ceding the dental practice Spaldeen balls. I am proud to say I could hit an immediate recognition, but the restau- for undergraduate study. to his partner. the ball the length of two sewers.” rant that has occupied the space will: Fedo- Dorato entered U. Pitt in the Class of Yolanda, the dental hygienist, has worked Dr. Charles Dorato hailed from West Vil- ra. To Dorato, it’s more than just a dining 1968, majoring in Art. He was accepted with Dr. Dorato for more than 25-years. lage restaurant nobility. He is a true denizen, legend for over 65 years, it’s his mother’s at Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine for its Julie, the receptionist, has been with him to the West Village manner born. Adult Protective Services—Don’t Ignore Them

By Arthur Z. Schwartz who will move the senior to a nursing home. But APS can act only after it does a home Last month I wrote about a woman referred visit and assesses someone. Even then, the to my office byWestView who, besides being person who APS wants to provide services terrorized by her landlord, had been contact- to can appeal for a fair hearing. ed by Adult Protective Services (APS) and Last month I received three calls about was now more scared of APS putting her in people being visited by APS, and one who got a nursing home than she was of her landlord. a Fair Hearing Notice. It is imperative that APS, which is part of New York City’s Hu- people who get these visits contact someone man Resources Administration, is supposed to help and advocate for them. Having one’s to help New Yorkers who are no longer chil- life taken over by a guardian—usually some dren who have problems handling everyday super-busy social services agency—is not a life tasks. The idea is good, especially for el- good thing if there is an alternative. derly New Yorkers who have no nearby family And our local elected officials must do or who suffer from dementia and need some more. Volunteer help is available and can be help. The problem with APS is that they are made more available. Senior Villagers have a often called by landlords, who want APS to right to live out their lives at home, even if help them get rid of elderly tenants in rent- they need a little help. regulated apartments. Often elderly tenants have a tendency to collect lots of paper and Arthur Z. Schwartz is President of Advocates tchotchkes, or not to clean properly, and land- VIJA VETRA performed November 18th, 2018, at Latvia's Centennial Celebration in for Justice, a non-profit legal foundation which New York at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. Photo credit: Edgar Zalite. lords use that as an excuse to call APS in the has represented seniors being victimized by hope that APS will get a guardian appointed landlords in our community. 30 WestView News March 2019 www.westviewnews.org www.westviewnews.org March 2019 WestView News 31 Modernism lives in Tribeca.

A collaboration of design visionaries. KPF. David Rockwell. David Mann. Edmund Hollander.