The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 16, NUMBER 10 OCTOBER 2020 $2.00 Corey Johnson Drops Mayoral Bid By George Capsis aunt from Boston who wanted to plea for him: “He’s a nice boy and deserves the job.” (Later, The always smiling and articulate City Corey would remind me of this visit and smile). Council Speaker (who I thought was next Corey had been a football player in a Bos- in line to become the mayor) announced on ton suburb. In the last game against their Thursday, September 24th, that he would arch rivals, his team won and stormed into drop his run for mayor. the dressing room shouting with elation. This came as a surprise to me because Corey climbed on a bench and shouted for whenever I offered his name in an article silence. He disclosed that because his family I would suggest with complete conviction was poor, he, unlike the others, would not be that he was most likely going to be the next going to college. He further explained that mayor; and then the reason for his quitting as this was perhaps the last time he would was a real shocker—the ever-smiling, ever- see them he wanted there to be no secrets; articulate Corey was a victim of depression. and then he announced he was gay. When Corey first attempted to run for Corey has confessed easily to all the vices, the city council he rang my doorbell and alcohol, and drugs. But when seeing him on asked if WestView would endorse him. I TV speaking before the City Council, I’ve explained we didn’t endorse politicians as been struck by his knowledge and easy, effec- we might have to criticize them later. tive delivery—as if he were born to the job— The morning after Corey’s unannounced so I was sure he would be our next mayor. But visit, the doorbell rang again. My wife, Maggie, COREY JOHNSON CITES DEPRESSION FOR QUITTING BID FOR MAYOR. Corey Johnson, yesterday he announced that he was suffering went to the front door and then escorted two now City Council Speaker, in a surprise statement cited depression for quitting the race to from a “loss of joy,” from depression. He quit. slight elderly women dressed in matching black become the next mayor of New York. Seen here with George Capsis, publisher of West- I only wish that WestView could afford to the garden. They were Corey’s mother and View, shortly after winning his seat on the council. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. him—he would make a good editor.

Crowdfunding Campaign Update: "ONE OF THE We Need You THINGS I think—I A Reward Greater Than Cash hope—we learned By Stanley Wlodyka Jiménez from the AIDS pan- A Message from George Capsis for many months until it naturally abated Hello WestView readers! Local papers have demic, which after all continues in some The pandemic became real to me when or a vaccine was discovered and adminis- long been charged with championing com- countries to this day, the Northwell medical complex on Seventh tered to a good part of the planet’s popu- munity first and foremost. As one of the lation—which, obviously, is many, many, is that we are all Avenue attached a truck to their building last few, truly independent local news- intimately connected, to discreetly remove the bodies of virus vic- months away. It was apparent that giving papers in the country, WestView News is away twelve thousand copies of a very and connected to every other life form, and tims. How it would financially impact the proud to back this effort to preserve the we are here to support each other, and love expensive 36-page color-replete newspa- paper became very real when a leading real first AIDS memorial in NYC and the only one another, and learn from one another." estate firm sent a polite letter backing out per for free each month, when the former one in a church anywhere in the world. —Dame Emma Thompson of a contract to advertise on the back page three cents per copy New York Times now Please consider becoming a Caretaker of for the Village AIDS Memorial of the paper because they were not allowed costs $3.00, could not go on very much the Village AIDS Memorial by signing longer and something had to give. to conduct clients to their rental and sales this open letter addressed to Pope Francis, West Village community for the past 130 offerings; and a restaurant does not adver- the head of the Roman Catholic Church. WHY IS WESTVIEW NEWS FREE ANYWAY? years. This case was brought before them tise if they can’t open the front door. The Supreme Council of Apostolic Sig- by former parishioners of Saint Veronica’s The paper was costing way more than we Not only is WestView News free, but it is natura, the highest judicial authority in who have had generations of baptisms, were bringing in from rapidly eroding ad- delivered to the lobbies of many apartment the Vatican, is currently hearing the case marriages and funerals performed at this vertising or subscription sales, and a realis- buildings each month; and every once in of whether or not to reopen the Church historic Christopher Street church. The tic appraisal was that the virus would go on continued on page 20 of Saint Veronica, an essential part of the continued on page 31

Tamara Lashchyk Voting 2020 Halloween In an attempt to inform our readers, WestView offers practical WestView tried to arrange a debate advice to facilitate making your Surprises between Assembly candidates. vote count in a very compli- Only one answered. cated 2020 environment.

SEE PAGE 8 SEE PAGE 3 SEE PAGE 17 2 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections West Village. Advertorial Issues employees, at the trough we were below 10. ber. We learned a lot about the goodness of Publisher Dear Editors, We are currently rebounding, and next week our community and customers. Maybe the Executive Editor I would like to respond to the four-page our 6th and final store at Chelsea Market best way to end this essay is by saying a very George Capsis untitled “Advertorial” which was placed by will be allowed to reopen. It will be a long simple but heartfelt THANK YOU. Managing Editor and Art Director Barbara Honegger’s “Lawyers’ Committee” road before we can rehire all 70 members —Chris Taylor, [email protected] Kim Plosia in the September issue of WestView, which of our team, but we are very grateful we Advertising Manager and Designer sorely needs the $4000 advertising income have now embarked upon the journey. Most Can Bleecker Street Stephanie Phelan (as much as 2000 monthly subscribers, employees were able to get generous un- Make a Come Back? Traffic Manager which we don’t have). employment benefits, but sadly a few fell Liza Whiting The committee is desperately striving to through the cracks. We are blessed none of Coming back from Trader Joe’s via Photo Editor have our readers believe that over 3000 lives our employees were infected by the virus it- Bleecker Street, I noticed several an- Darielle Smolian plus the entire World Trade Center were self, but sadly many of our customers were. gry announcements on some storefronts Four of our 5 Manhattan landlords made Photographers destroyed, not by two hijacked passenger blaming the Governor and the Mayor Maggie Berkvist air liners, but by government agents in black very generous concessions to help keep us for the permanent closing of their respec- Chris Manis, Bob Cooley suits scurrying around secretly at night plant- alive. In particular, Chelsea Market and Hud- tive stores. I agree with them. Bleecker Associate Editors ing little bombs in three or more of the build- son Yards were incredibly supportive. We Street is famous. But will it stay that way? Justin Matthews, Anne Olshansky ings 1-7. They refuse to believe that build- usually love to complain about our landlords, What with the political situation, I believe Comptroller ings 1 and 2, the North and South Towers, this is New York after all. But their support that things are only likely to get worse Jolanta Meckauskaite were struck so violently as to cause them to has played a key role in our survival. With our mere days after the upcoming elec- Architecture Editor collapse and cause fires that spread through- 5th Manhattan landlord, Senator Hoylman is tion. After all, which candidate is more Brian Pape out the entire World Trade Center site. Vir- leading an effort to persuade the MTA to help likely to keep big cities, including ours, Business Editor tually, every standing building on the entire keep their tenants alive. I think that points to safe? Will Bleecker Street be boarded Caroline Benveniste site burned or collapsed to the ground. Since something else that makes our community so up permanently? Some readers have an- Fashion Director World War II, there have been no attacks of cohesive. We are very fortunate in our politi- other or second homes to go to. And then Karilyn Prisco this magnitude. cal leaders. In this neighborhood we love to ar- there are the others, including people like Music and Eldercare Editor In the current case of fires in Oregon, there gue about anything and everything. But when myself. Do I sound somewhat concerned? Hannah Reimann are also conspiracy theorists that those fires the crunch hits, we all pull together and find —John F. Early, Charles Street Science and LGBTQ Editor were ignited by Antifas members. President strong leaders to unite behind. Kambiz Shekdar, PhD Trump blames them on states not raking the Frankly, West Village customers can be Wolf Monument Regular Contributors leaves or removing the accumulated brush. quite challenging. Perfectionists, always de- J. Taylor Basker, Barry Benepe, It is a profound insult to the memories and manding, they definitely keep us on our toes. Dear Editor, Caroline Benveniste, John Gilman, losses experienced by the families and friends We like to think of it as a competitive edge. I was fascinated with Brian Pape's astute Mark. M. Green, Robert Heide, of those who died during the crash and col- But one thing we learned after Hurricane response to the exceptional map produced Bob Kroll, Thomas Lamia, Keith Michael, lapse of the towers and the fires that followed Sandy and again this year, they are also in- by our colonial masters in 1776, chiefly for Michael D. Minichiello, Penny Mintz, credibly loyal. In our stores we threw a fortune Brian J. Pape, Joy Pape, Bruce Poli, to look for conspiracy theories rather than the military purposes (one can see the encamp- Alec Pruchnicki, Christina Raccuia, facts behind the tragedy. What is the Lawyers’ in chocolates away after the crisis hit. (Our ments surrounding the Collect Pond). I Hannah Reimann, Karen Rempel, Committee seeking? Some compromise, say- chocolates aren’t formulated for long shelf life have a similar hand colored map drawn by Catherine Revland, Martica Sawin, ing that thought the twin towers probably did and are only practical in high turn-over stores). the British in the same year, showing not Donna Schaper, Stanley Wlodyka collapse because of the planes, but the collapse But, at the same time, in our internet store we only placement of British forces, but en- We endeavor to publish all letters received, of Building 7 “resembled” controlled demo- couldn’t keep up with demand. Well over a emy colonial forces as well. including those with which we disagree. lition. In fact, films showed to me by Dusty thousand of our customers switching to our I was intrigued as well with the reference The opinions put forth by contributors Berke showed almost the entire non-fire- website enabled us to keep the bills paid. We to the Wolf Monument which was placed to WestView do not necessarily reflect the proofed building containing large quantities will always be grateful for that. at the terminus of Monument Lane at ap- views of the publisher or editor. of inflammable interior partitions, furniture Many businesses and residents have spo- proximately today's Greenwich Avenue WestView welcomes your correspondence, and materials in flames before collapsing. She ken out about the homeless situation. Our projected to 15th Street. I have seen and comments, and corrections: Greenwich Street store was robbed early in www.westviewnews.org pointed out the presence of thermite in the ru- may have filed somewhere a drawing of ins, a molten material which is a product of the pandemic, but we figured that was an the monument. Like Brian, I wonder what Contact Us welded steel buildings, which is just the way isolated instance. Then in June we started happened to it? Maybe it is in someone's (212) 924-5718 Buildings 1,2 and 7 were constructed. seeing homeless sleeping in front of our garden or buried on site? I would like to [email protected] Why is so difficult to accept this evidence? Bleecker Street store. At first we wanted to learn more about Wolf, whom I believe was —Barry Benepe be supportive, since they were are also victims linked to the war on Canada, and why the of the same economic storm buffeting us. But monument was placed at that location. then in July and August our sales were down IN MEMORIAM Bleecker Street Homeless Monument Lane led southeast to Sandy sharply. Sadly, this sales drop translated into Hill Road where it crossed the burial ground The past 6 months have been very difficult for 2 or 3 fewer employees recalled than we had and parade ground in today's Washington all of us here in the Village. But it also brought initially planned. Repeated calls to 311 were Square. The original plan for the park there forth many examples of why the Village is such ignored, but finally – thanks to the support was very similar to the design of Samuel Rug- an amazing community. Neighbors helping of Speaker Corey’s office - the City respond- gles' Gramercy Park laid out in 1831 along neighbors happened all over America. But ed. While our sales there are still well below with Lexington Avenue and Irving Place. it is hard to deny that compassion and mutual par, they have rebounded and we are getting Sandy Hill Road then swung northeast to support were exceptionally tight in our own ready to recall two more employees. Peter Stuyvesant's farm, today's Stuyvesant neighborhood. In many ways, it reminded us For most if not all of us, the past 6 months Place, and St. Mark's Church in the Bowrie. of the time right after Hurricane Sandy. were very stressful. At Li-Lac Chocolates, we It might be appropriate to commemorate Here at Li-Lac Chocolates we are be- did what we had to do in order to survive, but the Wolf Monument with a quiet natural coming increasingly confident we will be that doesn’t mean we feel good about laying sculptural retreat near or at the same location able to survive the crisis. Unfortunately, our off our employees or pressuring our land- as part of our forward looking livable streets. MIA SAYS: Every personality is a puzzle piece survival comes on the back of our employees lords. But the incredible support we received that does not fit yours. Photo by Dusty Berke. and our landlords. In February we had 70 from our community we will always remem- —Barry Benepe www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 3 Voting Can Be Easy: DO IT! By Brian J. Pape, AIA illness or disability” due to the risk of con- Skip the Crowds: Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 tracting the coronavirus. Early Voting: October 24-November 1, 2020 If you do not want to mail your ballot, you can drop it off at any early voting site Vote Early by Mail or in Person during early voting period, at your polling Many of you may have concerns about the November 3, 2020 is General Election day. WestView News wants to ensure you know site on election day, or at the New York coming election and New York’s absentee how, where, and when to cast your ballot for the upcoming election. Here are all of your City Board of Elections at 200 Varick ballot laws. In August, the governor signed options amid the coronavirus pandemic. We encourage people to have a voting plan. Decide Street, 10th floor. a law allowing all New Yorkers to vote ab- which way you’re going to vote and when you’re going to do so. sentee in this election, which means, start- The election and your vote are very im- ing right now, you can (and should) request portant. Only by participating can you in- your absentee ballot. It’s easy to do and fluence how our government is run. REGISTER TO VOTE takes less than a minute. I recommend re- Perhaps equally important, consider To vote in the 2020 General Election, New Yorkers must mail or submit their questing your absentee ballot early, to give helping as a poll worker on the election registration by October 9, 2020. the NYC Board of Elections as much time days. To do so, go online to: nyc.election- Register here: vote.nyc/page/register-vote as possible to process your request. dayworker.com. You will need to log on DMV customers register here: You can order a ballot online at www.ny- and register, or go to www.vote.nyc to view: https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/electronic-voter-registration-application cabsentee.com, or you can call 1-866-VOTE- • Basic Poll Worker Manual Check your registration here: vote.nyc/page/am-i-registered NYC (1-866-868-3692) to request a ballot. • Accessibility videos also available on If you need help registering to vote, call Karen at 347-362-5677 by October 7. If you request an absentee ballot, you will YouTube be able to vote even if you cannot get to • Scanner opening and closing videos. VOTE EARLY the polling place on Election Day. You are Generally, West Village and Chelsea Early voting in New York runs from October 24 through November 1. still eligible to vote in person (early voting residents are in the following electoral dis- Remember to wear your mask and maintain six feet of distance. or Election Day), as long as you haven’t tricts (you will get specifics with your ab- mailed your ballot yet. Do not do what sentee ballot): Early Voting Locations President Trump suggested—sending a City Council, 3 or 6 respectively Our early voting poll sites for the Village: mail-in vote and then voting in-person; Assembly (State), 66 or 75 respectively Skirball Center for the Performing Arts — 566 LaGuardia Place that is a crime. Congressional (US), 07 The Church of St. Anthony of Padua — 155 Sullivan Street When is a request for a ballot due? You Senatorial, 27 Voter entrance 154 Sullivan Street. Accessible entrance: Houston Street. must postmark, apply online, email or fax a Municipal Courts, 01 or 03 respectively. Find other early voting sites here: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ completed application for the general ab- Vote please! sentee ballot until October 27, 2020; you Early Voting Days and Hours may apply in person by November 2, 2020. Brian J. Pape is a LEED-AP “green” ar- Saturday, October 24, 2020 10 AM to 4 PM (Ballots will be mailed, on a rolling basis, chitect consulting in private practice, serves Sunday, October 25, 2020 10 AM to 4 PM beginning on or after September 18, 2020.) on the Manhattan District 2 Community Monday, October 26, 2020 7 AM to 3 PM Here’s what you need to know: Board, is Co-chair of the American Institute Tuesday, October 27, 2020 12 PM to 8 PM To vote by mail, you must request an ab- of Architects NY Design for Aging Com- Wednesday, October 28, 2020 12 PM to 8 PM sentee ballot. mittee, and is a journalist, who focuses on Thursday, October 29, 2020 10 AM to 6 PM You can select the reason as “Temporary architecture subjects. Friday, October 30, 2020 7 AM to 3 PM Saturday, October 31, 2020 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday, November 1, 2020 10 AM to 4 PM It’s Hard to Vote If You’re Old VOTE BY MAIL (ABSENTEE VOTING) Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law August 20 that allows registered New York vot- ers to request absentee ballots because of the pandemic. If you do not want to vote or Sick in NYC in person because of COVID-19, you must request an absentee ballot by October By J. Taylor Basker lot if the resident requested it and would 27. Don’t wait, do it today. still be present in the facility on Novem- New York State has a long list of “Your ber 3. This could be something difficult Request Your Absentee Ballot Rights as a Nursing Home Resident in to predict in advance, since it depends on Request your absentee ballot here: nycabsentee.com New York State and Nursing Home Re- medical conditions and doctor’s decisions. Or call 212-886-2100 sponsibilities” on the Dept. of Health web- When I mentioned I had already request- If your reason for voting absentee is the pandemic, check the box for site, yet your right to vote is not included. ed an absentee ballot for my 101 year old “Temporary illness or physical disability” on the absentee ballot application. You have a right to dignity and respect, friend from Westbeth, Edith Stephen, they quality care and treatment, but nothing is told me to just bring it to her. However, Cast Your Absentee Ballot mentioned about your right to vote as an nothing was mentioned as to whether they Once you fill out the absentee ballot and sign the envelope properly, you must American citizen. There are 17 Medic- would mail the ballots in for the residents. return it by mail no later than November 3. Or you can drop off the ballot at the aid/Medicare Nursing Homes and Skilled I called Village Care in Greenwich Vil- New York Board of Elections office: 200 Varick Street, 10th Floor Nursing Facilities (SNF) in Manhattan lage on Houston Street and Bob Goldman alone with approximately 14,730 residents. of their Communication Dept. was sup- VOTE ON ELECTION DAY Finding out how residents can vote in posed to return my call to answer my in- If you choose to vote on Election Day, remember to wear your mask and maintain six these facilities is quite a challenge. These quiries about residents’ voting, but I never feet of distance. include both private and public institu- heard from him. There are several West Village poll sites. tions, as well as some run by the US Vet- Located in the East Village, New Gou- PS 41 at 116 West 11th Street, PS3 at 490 Hudson, and PS/MS 297 at 75 Morton eran’s Administration, verneur Hospital/SNF told me to contact To find other locations for Election Day: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/ Several calls to the Upper East Side Re- their social worker, and I left a message. habilitation Center on E. 79th Street led She also has not returned my call. MORE INFORMATION to mixed and contradictory information. New York State Board of Elections website: vote.nyc One person said they provide absentee The Veterans Administration at first did New York County Board of Elections: http://www.elections.ny.gov ballots for all the residents; another said not respond to my inquiries, directing me they would only request an absentee bal- continued on page 4 4 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

Hard to Vote continued from page 3 The NYC Board of Election’s web- term nursing home resident must re-register site does not mention the last day to re- (this is not true if their old residence stays HERMAN L. LOWENHAR to a phone number that turned out to be a quest an absentee ballot and when I finally in place and someone picks up their mail.) November 28, 1933 restaurant. I had heard they give long term reached the Manhattan office the gentle- Registering and then arranging for receipt September 29, 2020 residents an absentee ballot, but the process man answering the phone was not sure, of an absentee ballot (absentee ballot appli- was unclear. However, Michael Drake from and transferred me to another phone that cations have already been sent to most vot- the VA returned my call and provided im- never answered. However, it does provide ers) requires assistance. Family members and portant information. In October, 2019 the information on how to obtain one: friends have to help, since all of this requires VA issued a voting directive for their fa- Online—https://nycabsentee.com/ filling out forms, receiving mail, and sending cilities, VHA Directive 1060, that details Email application to: mail. Those reading this article who do not their responsibilities and policies to insure [email protected] have family around to assist are urged to call that veterans can vote from a VA residence. * Applications must be saved in a (.pdf ) their local elected officials, whose staff can be There is training, management of records, format to avoid delays * of assistance; or send me an email at arthur@ and a chain of authority responsible for the Fax application to 212-487-5349 arthurfornyc.com, or call 212-285-1400.” process. I also received a helpful phone call Mail application to local borough office Schwartz is the Greenwich Village Demo- from Ms. Alexander, the Social Worker as- Calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC cratic District Leader and candidate for NY signed to my 100 year old friend, Salvador (1-866-868-3692) City Council. I have not heard back yet from Peter Tomas, in the VA facility in St. Al- I believe these residences resist providing Jerry Nadler or Corey Johnson. bans, Queens. She reassured me that the information to the press due to their ineffi- If you have a friend or relative in a hos- VA staff do their utmost to ensure voting cient or non-existing voting policies. Absen- pital or residential facility, be sure they by the veterans due to the “deep respect and tee voting is now a politically hot issue, and request an absentee ballot as soon as pos- gratitude” the staff has towards them, who one wonders if some administrations of these sible. The residence’s Social Worker should served our country. This was good to hear. facilities are reluctant to provide absentee be helpful, but good luck reaching them. Yet when I called the NYC Board of ballots to their residents. And the Board of You can order a ballot for them if you Elections to ask them about BOE poli- Elections also does not provide information know their name, official address and date cies for nursing homes and hospitals, they on how these residents can vote. Do they of birth, and can get access to their mail to told me to email a Valerie Vazquez with my need to change their addresses and re-regis- retrieve the ballot and get it to them. Bal- questions, but I never heard back from her. ter? Who will distribute these ballots safely lots should be sent in immediately, as soon Time is running out. If nursing home or if they are sent to a residence? Who collects as they are received. COVID has placed A light has gone out. Herman L. hospital residents need to register to vote, and mails them? Are there election officials more obstacles in the voting process for Lowenhar, the beloved President of or change their address, there are only 5 provided for these sensitive tasks, or is it left the elderly and infirm. Some residences Congregation Darech Amuno has days to do this from Oct. 4–Oct. 9. Early up to the nursing home staffs? What can have banned in-person visits, or even mail died. Herman was a universal New voting begins Oct. 24–November 1st, so happen if they change their residence? to their residents. As soon as a COVID Yorker, loved by many. He touched even if a resident is discharged before Nov. The danger is losing their homes when case appears, the residence goes into lock- countless lives in his 86 years. 3 they should still send in an absentee vote they register to vote from a facility. Arthur down and it is impossible to visit or bring from the facility in October. Many resi- Schwartz, tenant and election lawyer, warns things to residents. I received a call from He will be greatly missed. Please share dents, when they return home are still in that “One of the biggest problems that long- the Upper East Side Rehabilitation Center your memories of Herman with us. recuperation, and may not be able to vote term nursing home residents face is the fact stating that any visitor now needs to have Stories and donations greatly appreci- in person, so mailing their absentee bal- that they have lost their residence. Even if a COVID Test within 7 days mandated by ated by Congregation Darech Amuno, lot while they are still in a facility is very rent is paid, landlords will assert that the nurs- the NYS Dept. of Health. This will make it 53 Charles St, NY NY 10014. important. I called the Board of Elections ing home is the person’s primary residence more difficult for residents to have visitors 1-866-868 VOTE hotline to find out the and that they can be evicted. They do this and receive assistance in the voting process. We will celebrate Herman's life by last day to request an absentee ballot, but because most long-term nursing home resi- Absentee ballots will be absent for many. sharing personal experiences in a was told there were 23 calls before mine! dents live in rent controlled, or fairly low-rent At present it appears that voting if you are subsequent issue of WestView News. Calling the Albany office placed me on rent stabilized apartments, and the landlords old or sick is a train wreck in NYC. Imag- hold for over ½ hour with no answer. want them back. In order to vote, the long- ine what it is like in other states! Please America, Not Again By Alec Pruchnicki MD rection Act, a foreign military action, or just refusal to accept Gore. Support for Biden is widely distributed throughout election results—again backed by conservative-packed courts. the country, including in swing states, but it’s not over- Definition of Dukakised: loss of a political contest by acting The “Justice” Department of Bill Barr and hearings and in- whelmingly deep. In 2016 Clinton was leading Trump ethically when the opponent is acting unethically or cheating. vestigations by the Republican-dominated Senate are likely, if also, until then FBI director Comey gave a misleading (see presidential elections: George H. Bush vs. Michael Duka- they have time while forcing us to accept another conservative press conference just ten days before the election. kis, 1988, and George W. Bush vs. Al Gore, 2000) appointment to the Supreme Court. And, of course, there is It has been said over the years that all politics are local. no telling what the Russians are doing, as reports on their ac- Those of us following national issues like COVID response, You won’t see the above definition in Webster’s since it’s rarely tivities by the Department of Homeland Security have been abdication of international leadership, reproductive rights, been used (above is my explanation). But it describes what we suppressed as of this writing on September 20th. anti-racism initiatives, police reform, and global warming en- have seen in many past elections. Will it happen again? Even at this late date there are ways to counteract these vironmental damage, along with many other concerns, can also With a month to go, there is lots of time for unethical be- actions. There is always getting everyone you know to vote, see the hyper local damage that can be done. Will attacks on havior, cheating, and general mischief before November 3rd. or donating to one of the countless emails and snail mail the USPS threaten the postal sub-station on Hudson Street? We have seen some of this already. Undermining the US pleas for donations. The Village Independent Democrats Will global warming make the next hurricane Sandy flood and Postal Service to suppress mail voting, conservative-packed (villagedemocrats.org), the local West Village club, is con- destroy more of the Hudson River side of the neighborhood? courts helping voter suppression in states like Florida, doc- ducting phone banking and postcard writing to remind Will Trump anti-New York and anti-blue state vengeance un- tored videos of Biden, appeals to fear and racism to scare sub- people to vote in swing districts and other states besides dermine our economy at this critical time? You can probably urban voters about threats to their communities, Republican New York. The Downtown Independent Democrats to think of more, but this is just a taste of what might come. support for Kanye West and Green Party diversion of Demo- our south and the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club to When walking to work recently, I saw a home with the cratic voters, and lies about Biden’s positions on a variety of is- our north are conducting similar outreaches. Although title of this piece, “Please America, Not Again” emblazed sues are just a few examples. There is no telling what October Biden is acting ethically and cautiously enough, that type across its front (see last month’s WestView News, page 22). surprise Trump will try—such as martial law under the Insur- of upstanding behavior didn’t help Michael Dukakis or Al Our future depends on it. Act now. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 5 Voter Fraud—

Not Bloody Likely Scotty is a long time current West Village By Robert Kroll and Rose M. Ray, PhD cesses, they have their own ways of mak- and poll worker resident and local broker helping clients ing sure that two ballots don’t get counted,” Anyone out there thinking of voting more said Myrna Pérez, the director of voting calmly navigate these challenging times. than once at the upcoming General Elec- rights and elections at the Brennan Center A loyal contributor to the WestView tion? Think again. The chances of getting for Justice at New York University School away with it in the city of New York or any of Law. News since its inception. of its five boroughs are slim to none. Voters who cast their ballots inside the Firstly, no mailed or handed in ballots booths of the polling place will have been will be counted at the polling places. They checked against a list of people who have Enjoy useful information about New York City real estate, Coronavirus in New York City updates, and supporting local go into a box inside an envelope with the already voted early or at a polling place. businesses by visiting the new westvillagebroker.com voter’s signature on the outside of the en- Absentee voters can track their ballot velope. online using either the confirmation num- Vote-by-mail ballots are verified before ber on the ballot envelope or with personal New Exclusives for Sale they are counted, and one check is whether information. the voter already voted, according to the In other words, if you have a longing 312 W 23rd St | Condo Studio Associated Press. to be criminally prosecuted for voter fraud, $525,000 The Associated Press also states: “all which could be a felony that would void 421 Hudson St, Unit 701 | Corner Loft states have checks in place to avoid vot- your future voting rights, go ahead and at- $1.65M ers casting two votes. In some states, a poll tempt to vote more than once. It could be 4 Lexington Ave | 3 Bedroom Duplex Loft worker may be able to void the mailed bal- your last opportunity to vote. $2.9M lot if the voter prefers to vote in person. If there are any shenanigans committed 225 5th Ave Penthouse | Outdoor Terrace In other states, the voter may be given a in the upcoming election, it won’t be by $2.9M provisional ballot and election officials will individual fraudsters trying to up the vote determine if the provisional ballot should count for their favored candidate. There be counted.” It’s not clear which of these are so many ways to “rig” an election and Scotty Elyanow procedures are followed in New York City. one of the political parties has exploited Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Manhattan & Brooklyn Market Expert Further, the AP provides this assurance them assiduously in the past four national villagescotty from NYU: “States have different pro- elections. [email protected] M: 917.678.6010 “In a Gentle Way, You Can Shake the World”

someone want to curl into a ball and wait ment against police brutality and for racial heartbreaking humanitarian crisis is un- for it to be over. justice, and people are still in the streets, folding before our eyes. Every night, nearly None of us can change the world by our- making their voices heard. People are 60,000 New Yorkers sleep in New York selves. But the truth is that small individual marching for environmental justice, against City municipal shelters. Thousands sleep acts, compounded by the millions, will do the Republicans’ unconscionable effort to on the street and in other public places. just that. ram through a Supreme Court nominee, These New Yorkers are among the hard- Here are some simple but important and in defense of democracy itself. Find an est hit by this pandemic. Nearly all shelters things you can do, right now. opportunity to show up, even if it’s just for a have a basic set of goods that they always little while. It makes a difference. need, including toiletries, new socks and JOIN A COMMUNITY CLEANUP new undergarments. Shelters for women Every Sunday at 11:30a.m, my neighbors JOIN A PHONE BANK (OR RECRUIT A and children often request donations of and I have been meeting to pick up litter FRIEND) feminine hygiene products, baby wipes and SMALL INDIVIDUAL ACTS, COMPOUNDED in our neighborhoods. These Community I don’t need to tell you that the future of children’s books. Donations can be brought BY THE MILLIONS, CAN HELP CHANGE THE Cleanups have been a great way to help the planet is on the ballot this fall. Don’t directly to shelters, like the Bowery Mis- WORLD: Erik Bottcher, above, volunteering our neighborhood during this challeng- freak out; get involved! For the past two sion. Also consider making a monetary in his community. Photo by Erik Bottcher. ing time, while also meeting neighbors and months I’ve been hosting a ‘virtual phone donation to an advocacy organization such new friends. In the Village, we meet up at bank’ via Zoom every Monday night at as Human.nyc, which is fighting to change NYC AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vin- 5:30 p.m., where we make phone calls to the system. These simple acts can make a By Erik Bottcher cent’s Triangle (at Seventh Ave & Green- voters in swing states. We’d love to have difference in people’s lives. wich Ave.). We focus on a different section you! To sign up, visit www.mobilize.us/jo- “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” of the neighborhood every week. When ebiden/event/295910. If you’re not a phone This is an incredibly difficult time. So With these words, Mahatma Gandhi times are tough, New Yorkers roll up their banker, recruit someone who is. Send an much is out of our control. But remember wanted us to understand that each of us sleeves and come together. Be a part of email about this or other opportunities out that whether it’s picking up one discarded has the ability to make a difference in the these efforts and join us on Sunday! Email to your neighbors. You’ll feel great know- coffee cup, helping a fellow New Yorker, or world, even through small actions. me at [email protected] to RSVP and ing you recruited someone who made hun- making your voice heard on an important We live in a chaotic time, dominated by for more information. dreds of calls. The impact of this is huge, issue, each of us can change the world. screens that flash terrible news before our and it’s how we’re going to defeat Donald eyes, morning to night. Feelings of help- ATTEND A MARCH OR PROTEST Trump in November. Erik Bottcher is Chief of Staff to New York lessness abound, especially while we’re at One extra person at a march or protest may City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and is a the mercy of a pandemic that seemingly not seem like a lot, but it makes a big differ- DONATE GOODS TO A HOMELESS SHELTER candidate for New York City Council, Dis- has no end in sight. It’s enough to make ence. We are living through a historic move- In one of the richest cities in the world, a trict 3. His website is www.erikbottcher.com. 6 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org Super Hero VII: The Sociable Democrat— What Can a Super Do to Get Out the Vote? By Robert Kroll plurality, nationally, of registered voters? you may need to show ID to vote. Identification means So, recognizing I’m writing primarily to Democrat Su- either a current and valid photo ID, Driver’s License or The Super of a tenement building is generally viewed pers, and what could be more super than a Democrat (?), NYS identification card; or a copy of a current utility bill, as a servant, an underling, a middle person between the with Democratic owners or boards, I offer the following bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other tenants and the building owner whose job is to refuse to advice for doing your part to send voters to the polls: government document that shows your name and ad- make repairs, ignore tenant needs, and be sure all rules As soon as you are reading this, put up a notice or send dress. and regulations are slavishly followed. out reminders of when early voting begins, in the case Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you But there is another less understood, less followed, of the West Village, October 24 or three weeks from the will be able to vote affidavit ballot. Urge people to do so model for the Super—the role model and conscience of date of this newspaper. if that’s their only choice. the building. The Super can serve as an organizer of the Urge unregistered eligible voters (citizens) to regis- Election day is Tuesday November 3. Republicans have political energies of a building. Before you fall on the floor ter, either online and mailing their registration form to been known to send bogus notices to known Democrat- laughing uproariously, consider that a Super has a natural the address on the form; or register at the office of the ic voters urging them to vote on Wednesday, Nov. 4. It advantage in communicating with the entire building as election official in their borough. The online forms can would be wrong of them to do so. he or she has a database of contact information. So why be turned in at libraries, post offices and the borough’s The notice should include a reason why it is important not employ that information for a good (non-partisan) DMV office. If mailed, it must be postmarked by Oct. 9 to vote in local, state and national elections, and there are purpose: getting out the vote? and received by Oct. 14. many. One of the best: it’s the right, moral and public- Naturally, the Super should not interpose his or her Organize your efforts to communicate when, where spirited thing to do. Whether you think of our govern- politics on the building. He or she would likely be termi- and how to vote in that notice of early voting. If the ment as a republican form or a democratic form, lower nated for trying to abuse their power in that way. And it building has a bulletin board, put up a notice that pro- case r and d, voting is the way of letting the government annoys the peasants, i.e. tenants. But what co-op board vides the location of early voting sites, the times of day know how you feel about the job it is doing. or building owner could object to a Super making ef- that voting is allowed, and the fact that early voting goes Clear all of the above with your co-op board or build- forts on behalf of the cause of democracy by reminding through Nov. 1, a Sunday. Voters can either bring an ab- ing management. Be sure they get the fact you are non- the tenants to vote in an upcoming election? The answer sentee or mail in ballot to the early voting place or get a partisan in this effort and are only trying to get people to to the last question is easily forthcoming: the Republi- ballot at the polling place. participate. can owner. In recent decades, the strategies of the two If you’ve voted in New York before, there’s no need to Be a super Super and motivate your building’s occu- party system have diverged. The Dems try to boost the provide ID to vote. pants to participate in the upcoming national election. Democratic turnout and the Republicans try to suppress If you are a first-time voter, who registered by mail, and It’s the right thing to do. it. How could it be otherwise where one party has a large didn’t provide a copy of your ID with your registration,

WestView Seeks an You Gave Over $17,000 Advertising Manager to WestView's Call George Capsis Crowdfunding Campaign! (212) 924-5718 So you might find it in your lobby or mailbox this month. But what about next month?

The pandemic will continue for many more months and financially suffering restaurants and shops will not, can not, advertise. We need you to give, we need Sending you all you to subscribe, or offer a free subscription to seniors living on a tight budget. a big hug and YOU CAN DONATE OR SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT WESTVIEWNEWS.ORG high five. ❑ Here is my gift to WestView News to keep it going $______Stay strong and ❑ I would like to offer subscriptions to a senior who still love newspapers be well. $12 for six months $24 for 12months Your friend Mail to______

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Zach Mail a check to George Capsis, 69 Charles Street, New York, NY. 10014 www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 7 Britain and the Elgin Marbles: WE’RE OPEN—FREE ON DEMAND DELIVERY How Brexit Can Restore VILLAGE Greek Artifacts and Honor By Anastasia Kaliabakos empire, took many marble sculptures, friez- es, and art from the ruins of the Parthenon. APOTHECARY In the aftermath of Brexit, a debate has He, along with a team of assistants, brought arisen over whether Britain should return these important Greek artifacts back to THE COMMUNITY PHARMACY THAT CARES artifacts that had been “unlawfully removed” England. In 1816 the British Museum from their countries of origin. One specific bought the Marbles from Elgin, and they case that many people feel strongly about are henceforth became known as the “Elgin the “Elgin Marbles,” which are remnants of Marbles,” or the “Parthenon Sculptures.” Come in the Parthenon from ancient Greece. In or- Although the Elgin Marbles’ display in for your fREE der to fully understand the gravity of the sit- the British Museum was indeed breathtak- uation and why Greece has persistently ad- ing and beautiful, it was also the source of vocated for the return of the Elgin Marbles, much controversy. Even back then, it was it may be helpful to turn back the clock and almost shocking for one to see pieces of WELCOmE examine the history of these great artifacts. an ancient monument stripped from their More than two millennia ago, after their place of origin and displayed thousands of victory in a Persian invasion, the city of miles away in a cosmopolitan museum. Athens, led by the famed Pericles, built the When Greece won its independence in KIT! Parthenon in the location of a previously de- 1832, its campaign to reclaim the Elgin stroyed temple. Literally, the word “parthe- Marbles began. However, to this day, the BRInG THIs CARd In And RECEIVE $10 off non” means “the virgin’s abode.” The build- British Museum has refused to give back O n A n Y P u RCHAs E O f $25 OR m ORE ing was dedicated to Athena, the patron what rightfully belongs to Greece. One ar- goddess of Athens. Originally, the temple gument put forward is that the document held hundreds of sculptures, carvings, and that Elgin had acquired before pillaging the Store HourS: Mon - Fri 8aM - 8pM • Sat 9aM - 6pM • Sun 10aM - 5pM friezes by the famed artist Phidias, one of Parthenon allowed him to take debris that the greatest artists of ancient Greece. The had already fallen from the building and 346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com decorations in the Parthenon were mainly even to remove some of the works that ap- allegorical, telling the stories of Greek he- pealed to him. Some say that Elgin was an 212.807.7566 roes and histories of epic battles. At the very original conservator and hero. In the early center of the temple stood an awe-inspiring 1800s, when Elgin traveled to Greece, the gold-plated statue of Athena herself, called Ottomans were using the Parthenon as a Greece. Additionally, global institutions ain, the return of “unlawfully removed cultural the Athena Parthenos (unfortunately, the type of military base, sometimes using the like the British Museum argue that art objects” to their places of origin is called for. fate of this statue remains unknown). ancient statues for their target practice. achieves its true potential through magnifi- Although the Elgin Marbles were not specifi- Over the past two thousand years, the Therefore, some believe that Elgin’s subse- cent public display, labelling the removal of cally mentioned, it is clear that this clause can Parthenon has changed in several ways. It quent actions were heroic, saving many arti- some artifacts from their home countries to be applied to their repatriation. As one of the was rededicated to Mary of Nazareth in facts before they could be destroyed. How- museums as “creative acts.” Opponents of main ideals of Brexiters is that of sovereignty, 450 AD and then became a mosque after ever, now that time has passed and Greece returning the Marbles also say that the re- Britain should abide by this clause and restore the Ottomans sacked Athens in the 1400s. is fully autonomous, it may be time for the patriation of the Parthenon Sculptures may the Parthenon Sculptures to Athens. Not only Finally, in 1687, during the “Great Turkish Parthenon Sculptures to be returned. lead to the gradual emptying and decline would this establish a fully legitimate relation- War” between the Ottoman Empire and The British Museum has justified its of popular “encyclopedic museums.” The ship between Britain and Greece, acknowl- the Republic of Venice, it became a ruin, possession of the Elgin Marbles by stat- British Museum also has other famous ar- edging Greece’s strength through so much op- much of it destroyed by Venetian shelling. ing that they are preservers of the sculp- tifacts in its possession, such as the Rosetta position and strife over the past centuries and In the early 19th century, Lord Elgin, tures, protecting them from incoming en- Stone, that have not been returned to their economic suffering during past decades, but it a Scottish nobleman, journeyed to Greece vironmental damage such as that which rightful countries of origin. would also demonstrate that Britain is able to and, with a “mandate” from the Ottoman is caused by oil refineries and acid rain in In the EU’s negotiating mandate for Brit- resolve a past injustice.

THE "ELGIN MAR- BLES", left, remnants of the Parthenon from ancient Greece, currently on display at the British Museum in London. Photo by ChrisO, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikipedia. 8 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org Deborah Glick Hasn't Perils of the Lonely Census Taker By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP Like our trusted postal workers, census Debated Her Opponent workers would also face the perils of ventur- By Frank Quinn ates the invitation, however, at this time Our founding fathers established our post ing into private streets, yards, porches and she is focused solely on addressing com- office and the decennial census as vital in- even vestibules or lobbies, facing poten- As we reported last month, WestView News munity and small business needs, and on- struments for the benefit of our citizens tially angry dogs, disgruntled citizens, and invited both candidates for the District 66 going legislative priorities as the state faces and government. Throughout wars and impatient doormen. We faced unmarked State Assembly seat to debate the issues its biggest financial crisis of a generation.” economic turmoil the census has been tak- buildings, confusing numbering systems, with us. The challenger, Tamara Lashchyk, We appreciate that Ms. Glick is busy, but en, to help us know what this country has locked gates, and multi-family directories accepted our invitation but the incumbent, as constituents we want to hear a debate be- become and where our resources may need with unlabeled or mislabeled buttons. We Deborah Glick, did not. tween the candidates. We made the effort to to be allocated. stood in doorways and on sidewalks being As a result, instead of a debate we are provide one for the benefit of voters, and as The 2020 census planning began in 2019 attacked by any pesky stinging bugs that providing an interview with Tamara Lash- a well-read source of information in District with high hopes that technology would al- got the opportunity to bite us. chyk. Please visit our website www.west- 66, WestView News had an opportunity to low us to get a truer picture of who lives Doormen/doorwomen would guard the viewnews.org and follow the link to watch present the candidates to the community. here and where they live. The pandemic privacy of residents, refusing entry to cen- our discussion of the issues with her. As a monthly publication, our next chance and politics have changed all that. sus takers. Ms. Glick’s chief of staff, Tracy Jackson, to reach voters will be right before the elec- First, the recruitment and training of But nothing really prepared us for the provided the following response to our in- tion; there’s still time for Ms. Glick to meet census takers that began in December was reality of the empty city caused by the pan- vitation: “The assembly member appreci- with Ms. Lashchyk and the public. halted in February and March as the na- demic; some had to be staying to work at tion began closing down gatherings. When the many jobs that had to get done, right? Visit www.westview.org to view our interview with the training resumed in July, social distanc- Slowly, as multi-family hi-rise after town- candidate Tamara Lashchyk. ing meant many days of very small groups house after tenement was visited, the story gathering in classrooms. Although millions became clear. Many residents had chosen initially responded to questionnaires sent to to leave in March or soon after, waiting at every postal address, field workers, called second (or third, etc.) homes, or parents’ enumerators, needed to go to all addresses suburban homes, or friends’ places else- that had not replied, in order to have forms where for things to return to normal. For filled out in person or to leave notices re- others, NYC was a second (or third) home minding occupants to please do it asap. to which they had not yet returned. Almost 250,000 people needed to be orga- Was it worth the effort and hassles? nized into an army of information gatherers. Perhaps the reminder notices left behind Equipped with smartphones pro- will prompt many to answer the census. grammed with addresses, forms, questions, Without an accurate count, New Yorkers and protocol, this intrepid army of citizens will suffer the loss of funding for schools, was sworn to a lifetime of secrecy to never hospitals, streets and infrastructure, many reveal any of the personal information re- civic programs, and even our members in quested from those they contacted (citi- the House of Representatives. For me, the zenship status is not asked). Details were answer is yes. Encourage everyone to com- sensitive, such as birthdates, race, ethnicity. plete the census. The Census as Metaphor for

TAMARA LASHCHYK. Photo courtesy of the Tamara Lashchyk campaign. America’s Future It was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times By Bruce Poli 3) New York is filled with confusing housing units—hidden living quarters, The US Census is an enormous, complex, rented storefronts, a mishmash of build- decade-by-decade constitutionally mandated ings and places where people stay, includ- national undertaking. You could call it a be- ing shelters—and, of course, the proverbial hemoth. We take it very seriously for a good Airbnb to confuse things further… reason...it shapes who we are as a country. 4) April 1st is the Census date of re- But—wait a minute—it’s also a meta- cord. So, we are four-five months removed phor for America’s future... And WHAT a from the determining date of the Ameri- dysfunctional metaphor it is! can population—the VERY TIME that so I’ve been walking the beat as an enumer- many New Yorkers had fled the pandem- ator for this year’s count. ic… So many West Villagers, for instance, Here are some unbelievable roadblocks have second homes they escaped to, which to completing a fair and equitable census in complicates the process. 2020 (it just ended Sept 30th): 5) Election frenzy and the great distrust 1) Covid. New York is a ghost town. I across the country. would guess that of the millions of New The bizarre and unrelenting news from Yorkers who didn’t respond, one out of 20 the media affects everyone; and very few (five percent) are actually here and can be residents, for instance, are willing to give contacted and interviewed. information about a neighboring apart- 2) Immigration paranoia has been a prevail- ment, let alone their own phone number. ing theme of the Trump administration. Tens We are living in the throes of a frightened DEBORAH GLICK. Photo courtesy of the Deborah Glick campaign. of thousands are scared to be interviewed. continued on page 9 www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 9 Billionaires of the World Unite! By Alec Pruchnicki, MD nomic inequality and is in a secure position “A billion here, a billion there, and before you to donate a goodly amount. George Soros know it, you’re talking real money.” (a mere $8-9 billion) is a constant target of —Attributed to Senator Everett Dirksen. Trump and his followers, so this is a golden opportunity to fight back. Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg recently There are many other relatively low- pledged $100 million for Democratic elec- profile billionaires in the $50-60 billion tion efforts in the swing state of Florida. range who are in the computer and inter- That is a lot of money for one state. Very net fields, such as Google, who are having rough estimates indicate that the Biden a hard time recruiting tech workers from campaign will spend about one billion dol- overseas because of Trump’s increasingly lars on the election, with the Democratic restrictive immigration policies. These Party spending about another billion on could get much worse during another four- House and Senate races. For Trump, the year administration. figure will be about 1.5 billion dollars on If conservatives can’t stand the idea of his hoped-for re-election, and another bil- donating to Democrats, there is another lion will be spent on the Republican House option. There are many anti-Trump Repub- and Senate races. lican groups like the Lincoln Project that But it might take a lot more to crush the have gone after him and his spineless Sen- Trump death cult previously known as the ate enablers. Christy Walton, of the Walton Republican Party, and the cult’s enablers in family, has been reported to donate to the the Senate. Where will this money come Lincoln Project and anti-Trump campaigns. from? In the last four years Trump and his How does this affect the West Village? followers have demonized a lot of billion- There are rumors that there are billion- aires with very deep pockets. Now is the aires, whose names I don’t know, living chance to return the feelings. locally. When the next hurricane Sandy Jeff Bezos, head of Amazon, is worth sends flood waters across the West Vil- about $200 billion when this is being writ- lage to their doorsteps, as it did to mine, ten on September 20th, and probably a lot they might decide the time has come to more by the time you read this. He has do something about global warming other been a constant target of Trump because than just deny that it’s occurring and con- he also owns the Trump-critical Washing- tinue to undermine every public policy and ton Post. Trump has attempted to interfere scientific attempt to curtail it (as the presi- with the Post Office to raise rates dramati- dent does). cally to undermine Amazon. Isn’t stopping Some rich folks like Thiel, the Koch that worth a few billion? family, and maybe even Zuckerberg (who Make an appointment: Bill Gates is worth about $120 billion, might have a truce of convenience with the nyulangone.org/washingtonsquare | 212-460-5622 from Microsoft. He has given a great deal president) might be beyond hope. But you to charities such as medical foundations. have to start somewhere. But he is a target of the QAnon conspiracy It’s pretty easy for me to ask people to believers who think he helped cause COV- donate billions of their dollars. But there is ID-19. Trump is soft on QAnon, and they one more good reason that was explained love him, so who knows what conspiracies in the movie Chinatown as follows: will be imagined with another four years “What can you buy that you can’t already Washington Square Park is one of the most of this administration. Gates can hope afford?” J.J. Gittes ( Jack Nicholson). QAnon goes away or he can put up a little “The future Mr. Gittes, the future.” vibrant places in New York City. NYU Langone cash, let’s say a few billion, to get their ally Noah Cross ( John Huston). Health is proud to announce the opening of its out of the White House. Instead of jockeying to see who can get Mike Bloomberg (worth about $55 bil- higher on the Forbes list of rich people, a new, state-of-the-art medical facility just a few lion) has started to fight back against the legacy to the future—for their own pos- blocks away. Here, you’ll have convenient access president who loves to label him “Mini terity and that of their own descendants— Mike.” Warren Buffett ($80 billion) knows might be in order. It only takes money, to world-class specialists. And we’ve developed the unfairness of the tax system and eco- lots of it. extensive procedures to make sure your visit takes place in the safest environment possible. Census continued from page 8 nor anyone else should have any decision- public’s response at a time when we need making powers. everyone’s help. In this month’s WestView To put all this in perspective, I refer you News Brian Pape wrote about his experi- to a phrase I have used since 2016: “Karma ence as a census taker. When considering is NOT Fake News.” If we don’t get this whether it had been “worth the effort and right, we are in serious trouble. hassles” he concluded, “…yes. Encourage This census, if it is properly managed everyone to complete the census.” and completed, will take at least six months But the REAL problem is: to finish. And then it needs to be reviewed The President has ended the census and considered by a non-political admin- September 30th (it was originally sup- istration. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!! posed to continue through October) so he Like the election, the census outcome #1 in the country for high-quality, efficient, and can Make America White Again by lim- is a LONG way off. In the meantime, be patient-centered care in outpatient locations. iting the outreach. He wants sole control optimistic, be good to others, and follow over America’s future; neither Joe Biden democracy’s journey. We CAN do this! 10 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org The Story Behind the Parties at Washington Square Park Assessing the Recklessness of Hundreds of Student Protesters Having a Party

By Anthony Paradiso ington Square Park, which is the epicen- New York University’s student newspa- ter of NYU’s Greenwich Village campus, per, Washington Square News, published the NYU administration has updated their two articles that provided insights into the “Community Standards and COVID-19 enormous dance parties that took place in webpage.” The university has also been Washington Square Park on Labor Day sending students who volunteer to be “pub- Weekend and the following weekend. lic health ambassadors” to inform students WSN described the party: “The crowd, about the dangers of taking part in these numbering well into the hundreds, was events and to give out personal protective packed tightly together between the foun- equipment. tain and the eastern edge of the square.” On June 15th Governor Cuomo an- As far as the behavior of the participants, nounced that gatherings of up to 50 people most were not wearing masks and “nobody would be permitted. All reports on the re- was social distancing,” and that is not a cent park ragers concur that these parties good thing. No. “numbered well into the hundreds” and Washington Square News interviewed that no one was social distancing. some of those who started the parties and For many of us who know the Village asked them why they were taking part in a and want to keep this community safe dangerous activity. One participant inter- THE COMBINATION OF WARM WEATHER, the return of NYU students, and the continu- from another resurgence of COVID-19 viewed in the article detailing the first par- ing Black Lives Matter rallies have contributed to Washington Square Park drawing huge these parties are an insult. Maybe they ties that took place on Labor Day weekend, crowds of visitors every weekend. Photo by Bob Cooley. were intended to be just that, at least that identified by WSN as “Shaman,” was an is what Shaman seemed to imply: “Friday’s organizer with “Refuse Fascism.” Shaman COVID. So we’re not worried about that.” ment. They saw the large gathering, viola- and Saturday’s parties probably won’t be helped lead a protest march from Union NYU students, and/or young people tion of social distancing—it wasn’t smart.” the last…Shaman floated the possibility of Square to Trump Tower and back down to were not the only ones responsible for WSN reports that the discipline handed ‘pop-up protest parties’ every weekend.” Washington Square Park, where the group the partying. According to Washington down by NYU was aided by students who NBC4 New York reporters interviewed met up with those who had already started Square News, four activist groups—All anonymously reported the gatherings to a young lady who said that NYU students a dance party, or “rave,” in the park in the Matters Matter, Refuse Fascism, America’s the university’s “COVID-19-compliance have been pent-up for so long, referring to early evening on September 5th. The arti- Peaceful Resolution, and NYC Revolution email.” NYU suspended 20 students based a two-week quarantine that was required cle states, “Shaman told WSN that on Sat- Club—joined the party, which transitioned on these reports, but, inexplicably, WSN of all incoming students prior to the be- urday night at around 9:30 p.m., an NYPD the large gathering with live music into a reported that NYU said it “has not received ginning of the fall semester. She explained officer and he made an agreement to end full-blown disaster. any reports of particular NYU students be- that the party was a reaction to that. the party at 1:30 a.m.” Governor Andrew Cuomo blasted ing involved” with the parties at Washing- I say this: NYU can help its students The activist group organizer explained NYU’s administration and New York City’s ton Square Park. feel less “pent-up” by organizing safe ac- why he and his disciples were not wear- law enforcement for not breaking up the It is not yet clear if these massive parties tivities for them to enjoy, with masks on, ing masks or social distancing at the party. party sooner. He stated, “That is not tough have spawned a COVID outbreak. How- in small groups. In the meantime, though, “Our message means more than worrying by the NYU administrators, who as soon ever, at NYU’s Rubin Hall there have been we should all remember that the response about our masks, we die every day on the as they heard it should have said, ‘Stop it,’ six students who have tested positive for to dealing with adversity is not to give up. streets and really get brutalized by police send the NYU security, break it down. It’s the virus. Please do the right thing by not participat- 10 times more than we ever could just by not tough by the New York City enforce- Since the parties took place at Wash- ing in or encouraging big parties! Glick and Hoylman Introduce Legislation Over Police Objections By Frank Quinn Identical bills sponsored in the Assem- strumental in us being able to identify him.” Assembly member Deborah Glick and bly and Senate, by Glick and Hoylman re- The Glick and Holyman bills would State Senator Brad Hoylman have intro- spectively, would prohibit the current use prohibit an extensive category of security duced legislation to ban the use of facial of facial recognition technology by law en- apparatus known as biometric surveillance recognition technology by police depart- forcement. Instead, they would establish a technology. A broad definition refers to ments regardless of its current use as a task force to evaluate whether law enforce- analyzing a range of human physiological crime-fighting tool. ment should be permitted to use such sys- features including appearance, behavior, Last year former NYPD Commis- tems, and specify that the task force should and even cognitive state. According to a sioner James O’Neill published an article not report its findings until 2024. report by the Institute of Electrical and CAPTURING THE SUSPECT'S FACE WAS titled “How Facial Recognition Makes You Recently, police reported how facial rec- Electronics Engineers, biometric technol- INSTRUMENTAL IN IDENTIFYING HIM: Safer.” He described the value of using the ognition helped identify a violent suspect. ogy has grown into a substantial industry Bystander video screenshot of alleged suspect, Jose Reyes. technology to fight crime, acknowledged On Saturday, August 29th, at 11:00 a.m., since the 9/11 terrorist attacks; not surpris- the concerns it raises, and provided insight a 25-year-old woman was attacked on the ingly, this raises privacy issues. and invaluable contributions to police in- as to how the NYPD uses it. “The pub- platform of the Lexington Avenue/63rd There is an abundance of information vestigations are achieved without infring- lic should know how the New York Police Street subway station. The next day police and commentary available about the po- ing on the public’s right to privacy.” Department uses its system, and the safe- held a news conference announcing the ar- tential uses and abuses of facial recognition Mayor Bill De Blasio said recently, “There guards we have in place,” wrote O’Neill. rest of 31-year- old Jose Reyes for attempt- and other biometric identification technol- is a place for facial recognition, but with re- With respect to prohibiting its use he said, ed rape. Chief of Detectives Rodney Har- ogies. The NYPD published guidelines for ally clear checks and balances and really lim- “Keeping New York City safe requires rison reported that an image from a video how it uses the technology, but critics warn ited use.” Assembly member Glick did not enormous and relentless effort. It would was submitted to the NYPD facial recog- of too much leeway in the policy and the make herself available to comment on this be an injustice to the people we serve if we nition unit which worked to help identify lack of a formal legal framework. Commis- or other issues ahead of the November elec- policed our 21st-century city without using Mr. Reyes. “Some Good Samaritans took a sioner O’Neill writes that the NYPD’s use tion, and Senator Hoylman did not respond 21st-century technology.” video to capture his face, which was very in- of the technology is “carefully controlled, to an email requesting comment. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 11 The Day the Village Stood Still: “The Reckoning” By Roger Paradiso was 15. Back then prices were reasonable.” On January 28th President Trump was Now, Nick says, “Cinema Village is almost briefed by Robert O’Brien, his fourth na- a million dollars a year in real estate taxes. tional security advisor, who said, “This will No one is talking about this. The city has be the biggest national security threat you cleaned us out. If we don’t pay, they threat- face in your presidency” (referring to the ened to fine us. They should be giving pandemic, from Bob Woodward’s book us a deferment on payments.” Governor Rage). Cuomo has still not greenlit the opening of As autumn starts to come to the Village, movie theaters as we go to press. we see more people walking around than we By the time you read this we will pass had in the darker days. Not as many as be- 200,000 Americans who died from COV- fore the plague, but more than in previous ID-19. There are those who say that figure is months. People are getting confident, some not accurate and is higher, with more deaths say over confident, as evidenced by their to come. There are over 13 million unem- not wearing masks or keeping appropriate ployed and 11 million jobs that have been social distance. Recently, students partied lost because of the virus (Boston Herald). in Washington Square Park ignoring the On March 19th Woodward taped a sub- health experts. NYU and New School of- sequent interview with Trump who said, “I ficials are calling for help from the police to always wanted to play it down. I still like keep their students from partying and pos- ECONOMIC HARD TIMES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, combined with exorbitant commercial playing it down because I don’t want to sibly spreading the disease. Fox News re- leases have been forcing businesses to close at an alarming rate. Streets that were once create a panic…” “It goes through air,” he’d ported six cases at New York University that filled with local shops and eateries (such as Bleecker St., pictured, and 8th St.) now have told Woodward in a February 7th phone were probably due to the partying. long strips of vacant storefronts often covered with boards or graffiti. Photo by Bob Cooley. call not previously reported. “So that’s a This is not good news for the local shop tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s owners and elderly residents. Tory from I speak to Jamal of Village Music World, I ask Jamal about the students partying also more deadly than even your strenuous the Half Pint on Thompson says, “This on Bleecker Street, where he sells vintage without a mask. He doesn’t like that situa- flus.” At another time, Trump told Wood- whole industry is screwed. Sorry to put it records. He is no closer to getting his SBA tion but all he can control is his store. “No ward, “maybe five times more deadly” so bluntly. The sidewalk café barely covers loan than he had been months ago. “They one gets in the store without a mask. We (NPR Book Reviews). payroll. There is no money in (our type of) are sick liars, it is beyond belief. I call them can control that. But outside we can’t do Tory of the Half Pint has just come back food once you pay for product & labor. The a lot.” They keep him on a string, which is anything.” Jamal is worried about getting from a Pint to Pint blood drive at Amity café has cost me over 10g to get it up and cruel. They keep making him submit the sick. Usually, he travels on the subway to Hall on West 3rd Street. She says, “25 per- running.” application over again. His landlord of- and from work. As for business, he says, “In cent indoor (occupancy) is a joke. The may- And yet, as students around the country fered to help, and is now negotiating for some cases I am getting more customers or should resign. He has ruined New York.” party, the Congress fiddles about like Nero Jamal. Of course, he would like to get his like on Friday or Saturday. But on week- I pass by Jamal’s store. He says, “On while the economy (and California) burns. five months back-rent. Jamal got a small days you’re gonna find it empty.” Bleecker, from 6th Avenue to Thompson, It’s not just students. This president holds part of the PPP benefit, well under 10k. There are no customers at the historic there are about seven people I know that rallies in middle-American states where “We’re still not in a normal situation. A Cinema Village on East 12th Street. There went out of business, and there are more to the virus is devouring people. And yet friend of mine, a doctor, was giving me a has not been a movie shown there in almost come.” He looks at me and I detect some those attending won’t wear masks or keep a ride home to Brooklyn. These motorcy- six months. I call Nick “the Greek” who fear. But then he smiles and says, “but not social distance. clists were weaving in and out of traffic and owns this gem of a theater. “My best friend me. I will stay in business.” When we spoke of the do-nothing Con- they even stopped traffic on the Brooklyn is 91 years old and he drives me around” The plague will not leave our Village gress, Tory told me, “Another stimulus is Bridge. I called the police and they did says Nick. “He’s worked in theaters all his until the pestilence leaves. And that day is absolutely necessary or more doors will nothing about it. The city is losing control life. He started out in Union City working coming closer and closer. There will be a close and unemployment will rise again.” and we are near chaos,” said Jamal. for RKO theaters. I worked for him when I reckoning.

But at the end of the summer, Becky an- ing?” he asked. “She wants us to take her kid In 3rd grade, Themi had a collection of nounced that she wasn’t going back to pre- without having registered!” he was told. John snails. Each student owned a gastropod PS3 school because she was “too old.” We began walked over to Becky and asked her to take a and the word “estivate” was in constant use. By Jeff Hodges re-exploring our options for pre-K which, at walk with him. When they returned, he said: In 4th grade, Joan gave a lesson about that point, appeared to be provided only by “Make room for her in Gail’s class.” Ellis Island. She shouted at her students in When our daughter Rebecca was born in the Seventh Day Adventists or The Little Calvin Trillin, speaking at the 5th grade an unintelligible language and herded them the 1980s, my wife Emily and I were liv- Red Schoolhouse. Little Red agreed to take graduation ceremony, invoked his two roughly into groups around the classroom. ing on Charles Street. The Village was still her on short notice at the cost of $14,000 a daughters, both graduates of Ivy League They were confounded and traumatized. home to a generation of aging bohemians year, but that was beyond our means. colleges. He said: “If you shake either of Such was the immigrant experience upon and vestigial Italians and Irish. There was Emily went back to PS 3 to see if they’d them awake in the middle of the night and arrival in America. no question but that our Becky was going let Becky in. She brought Becky along to ask them where they went to school they’ll In those days the 6th floor was empty, to thrive, even if it meant growing up in a show them what a bright, personable stu- shout, “PS3’!” except for Killer Clown. No one would go bedroom the size of a walk-in closet. dent they would be getting. Becky, fresh Teachers were called by their first names. up there. But Killer Clown made an ap- When Becky was four, we took the tour from her interview at Little Red, stalked Classes were molded into bridge grades: pre- pearance during the 5th grade graduation at PS3 for the pre-K program. The school through the doorway and announced, “I am K/kindergarten, first grade/second grade, etc. ceremony, when speech giver Lily told her was founded in the 1820s as the Charrette not going here. This place looks like a ga- The annual talent show had no winners, and fellow graduates it was time to leave Killer School but reborn in 1971 as a progressive, rage!” The administration agreed, and told went on until all hours. At Halloween, stu- Clown behind and march boldly toward experimental institution often referred to as Emily that there was no way they were tak- dents and teachers in outrageous costumes the new schools that awaited them. the “hippie school.” Near the end of the tour, ing Becky just days before school started. paraded around the block to the enthusiastic That was PS3. A teacher may not have one of the teachers told us he didn’t bother Emily returned the next day and sat by the cheers of parents and neighbors. corrected every math problem, but the test correcting all the questions on a math quiz as front door, hoping the administrators would Becky’s 2nd grade teacher, Ruth, had scores were among the highest in the city. long as he felt the kid was getting the general change their minds. John Melser, the legend- a menagerie of small animals as teaching And you can shake any graduate of this in- idea. Horrified, we stalked out, vowing our ary principal of PS3, wandered by. “Who is tools. We never had to tell Becky the facts of clusive, visionary institution awake in the Becky was never going to that school. this woman sitting here and why is she cry- life—she learned them from the hamsters. middle of the night and they’ll shout, “PS3!” 12 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org A View from the Kitchen By Isa Covo ment. When she started her professional life, any jobs a The title of this song described Ruth Ginsburg well, for Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. No one can say it was not ex- woman could find (even a well-educated woman) were not she had an amazing grace. pected; after all, she was in and out of hospitals in recent on the level that a man could aspire to. But now, we are not Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg was known to be a bad months. She resisted death as much as she could. She was surprised when women are CEOs. OK, there are still not cook, so to honor her there will be no recipe this time. tough—she was from New York, more specifically, from enough women at the top, but that is coming. Wear your mask in public, keep social distance, wash Brooklyn, NY. What did you think of the feminine touch she brought your hands, get a flu vaccine now, keep the air circulating In her last decade Ginsburg became as popular as a rock to the drab judicial robes, wearing those various collars, in your home. We must get past this plague, and I beg star. She visibly enjoyed it, and handled it well with intel- some frilly, some more severe? I found them charming. In you to follow the rules that will slow down its spread until ligence and humor. street clothes she was elegantly and perfectly groomed. there is a vaccine or cure for it. She deserves her fame, not just for her stage presence Did you attend any of those spontaneous celebrations and interviews where she spoke in a soft, almost halt- of her life around town? I did. The participants were loud RUTH BADER GINSBURG, 1933-2020 ing voice. Who would have guessed that she was a steely and passionate, celebrating her life, and at the same time May her life be an inspiration. litigator? it was all very sadly clear to us that we were mourning her. In the courts she was a successful champion of gender Masks were de rigueur, but, unfortunately, there was not If you want more information on Ginsburg’s judicial path, equality. Many current changes that are now well-anchored much distancing. Wear your mask, and don’t stay too long accomplishments, and life, I recommend Jill Lepore’s excel- parts of our lives are the results of her efforts: labor laws, in a crowd. Appreciate an event from a distance. lent New Yorker article: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Great gun laws, reproductive rights, protections of the environ- One song that was repeated often was Amazing Grace. Equalizer,” September 18, 2020.

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Rothy’s in Douggan, China, and the fac- holistic integrated care, including things cations, and I am hoping that some of those tory workers are Rothy’s employees. The like chiropraxy, massage therapy and plate- return as well. business is based in San Francisco, and let-rich plasma (PRP) injections. IN like many stores on Bleecker Street, was Closed/Closing and mostly online. Because of this, they have Re-opened Gabriel Stulman, whose Happy Cooking OUT not suffered as much as some other busi- group owns a number of popular spots in by Caroline Benveniste nesses in the last 6 months, although the the Village, recently announced the clo- staff and store hours have been curtailed. sure of two of his restaurants, Bar Sardine Rothy’s chose Bleecker Street because and Fedora. Bar Sardine had re-opened as While a number of places re-opened, and some “We were charmed by Bleecker Street’s a take-away seafood counter called “The new shops appeared, this month saw more clos- iconic townhouses, cozy restaurants, and Corner at Bar Sardine” in May, but failed ings than I have ever observed. Outdoor din- diverse retail scene. In the heart of West lease negotiations caused it to close in Au- ing continued, with restaurants adding tents Village, Bleecker Street has evolved into a gust. According to Mr. Stuhlman, Fedora, and canopies, just in time for the mayor’s an- premier shopping destination for custom- which provided an experience marked by nouncement that outdoor dining would now ers interested in discovering new brands.” conviviality, was not able to take advantage continue year-round. And in early September Something Navy, which was previously a of outdoor dining given its narrow frontage, WHITE HORSE TAVERN. Photo by Maggie the governor announced that indoor dining style blog, morphed in 2020 into an inde- Berkvist. and moreover, “Delivery and Take Out have could begin again on September 30th at 25% pendent fashion line. This fall they opened never matched the experience that made capacity. Some gyms have also re-opened with their first flagship at 379 Bleecker Street The big re-opening news this month is the Fedora compelling and the already competi- reduced capacity. (near Perry Street). Over at 376 Bleecker White Horse Tavern (567 Hudson Street tive marketplace and onerous fees made it a Street (between Perry and Charles Streets) at West 11th Street). The bar/restaurant losing proposition.” I spoke with Matthew Bleecker Street Stoney Clover Lane, a store that sells cus- was closed by the SLA back in July for so- Kebbekus, COO/Managing Partner at Openings tomizable travel accessories has opened. cial distancing violations. To re-open, the Happy Cooking who explained that while owner, Eytan Sugarman was forced to pay a outdoor dining is a lifeline, and indoor din- $50,000 fine. Prior to re-opening, the island ing at 25% will generate some revenue, for seating on Hudson Street was removed, and most restaurants that won’t even come close replaced with a more sober, but attractive to a break even scenario. He went on to echo terrace abutting the restaurant, complete Gabriel Stulman’s points in his letter to the with White Horse logos. Mr. Sugarman city council that things are further compli- had taken over the restaurant in March cated by a lack of a clear plan from the city or 2019, and at the time there were protests state or material assistance on the federal or by neighbors who feared that he would alter state levels. Happily, the remaining Happy the historic interior, something that did not Cooking restaurants in the Village, Joseph happen. (This stretch of Hudson is home Leonard, Fairfax and Jeffrey’s Grocery to a well-organized NIMBY group who are are open for business with lovely outdoor quick to call 311 on restaurants and bars in set-ups. I am sad that innovative cock- the area, and religiously attend Community tail bar Existing Conditions (35 West 8th Board meetings to oppose the granting of Street between 6th Avenue and MacDougal liquor licenses.) The White Horse will offer Street) has closed. The bar used molecular indoor dining when it resumes at the end gastronomy to produce highly unusual and of September, and with the 25% occupancy delicious drinks, but according to the owner, limits, this translates to an additional 37 Greg Boehm, “the mandated shutdown has seats inside. When I spoke to Mr. Sugar- taken many options off the table and the man he sounded tired, alluded to how his bar is not sustainable financially.”Good restaurant along with most other city res- Stuff Diner (109 West 14th Street near 6th taurants were at their most vulnerable point, Avenue), a neighborhood favorite, has also and said “we may or may not survive”. The closed. According to a sign in the window, ROTHY'S. Photo courtesy of Rothy's. pandemic has been particularly hard on one of the reasons was that the landlord did bars: as we reported earlier, another historic not give any breaks on the rent. A quirky While we have written extensively about The color palate is pastel, and can lead West Village bar, Chumley’s, appears to store that sold only salt, chocolate and bitters the difficult retail scene on Bleecker Street, passers-bye to the erroneous conclusion have closed for good. Two restaurants with called The Meadow (523 Hudson Street I was pleasantly surprised that many of the that the store sells candy and cakes. large outdoor spaces had not re-opened between West 10th and Charles Streets) is stores there had re-opened, and that three previously for outdoor dining, but recently gone. The store embodied the small, unique, new stores had joined the ranks. Rothy’s Also Open they did: American Bar (33 Greenwich independents shops that the Village used to (407 Bleecker Street between West 11th Biryani Kitchen (48 Greenwich Avenue Avenue between Charles and West 10th be known for. Another Village classic that and Bank Streets) actually opened on between Charles and Perry Streets), a Streets) and Morandi (211 Waverly Place has been around for 40 years, Nusraty Af- Monday, March 9th, but closed three days new restaurant specializing in biryanis has at 7th Avenue South). I was delighted to ghan Imports (85 Christopher Street and later, and did not re-open until September. opened in the space that was most recently see that McNulty’s (109 Christopher Street previously at a number of other locations The company sells washable shoes and vegan comfort food spot Rip’s Malt Shop. between Bedford and Bleecker Streets) was in the Village) is calling it quits. Accord- handbags (and now masks), made from There are a number of delicious-sounding open for in-person shopping. In March, the ing to one of our readers, Abdul, the owner marine plastic (found within 30 miles of biryani options, each from a different re- store closed, but was still fulfilling orders. said he would take a six-month break and coastline and marine environments) and gion of India. This is the second biry- Before the pandemic hit, many of the city’s then decide what to do. Also closed are the single-use plastic water bottles. They use ani-focused restaurant on that stretch of Le Pain Quotidien locations had closed, in- following: Sammy’s Noodle Shop & Grill an innovative technique to make the fabric: Greenwich Avenue: Rahi also offers biry- cluding the three in the West Village. The (453 6th Avenue between West 11th and the plastic is crushed into chips which are anis for delivery and pick-up via its partner Belgian company declared bankruptcy for West 10th Streets (according to a tipster, a then made into pellets, and the pellets are biryanibol.com website. Planted (361 6th its US locations, and they were purchased store owner on the block told him that the combined to make a string which is wo- Avenue at Washington Place) is now in the by Aurify, a company that operates Five landlord wanted $34,000 a month in rent), ven into fabric. Unlike most shoe manu- space where Seabird used to be. While the Guys and Melt shop locations in New York Hu Kitchen (78 5th Avenue between 13th facturing, where fabric is cut into patterns, name makes it sounds like it is a vegan res- City. Since the acquisition, some of the Pain and 14th Streets), although their chocolate Rothy’s uses sustainable 3D printing to taurant, there are also ovo-lacto vegetarian Quotidien stores have been re-opening, in- bars are still available for purchase, Azeleas, make its shoes and handbags, so there is and fish dishes on the menu. Over at 7th cluding the location at West 8th Street (10 (125 Greenwich Avenue between Jane and no wasted excess material. Everything is Avenue South (22 Perry Street), Hudson 5th Avenue). Aurify also purchased all the West 12th Streets) a lingerie and swimwear made in a factory owned and operated by Wellness has finally opened. They offer shuttered and bankrupt Maison Kayser lo- continued on page 15 www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 15

In and Out continued from page 14 Hudson Street between Horatio and spot, Blo Blow Dry Bar (113 W 10th Street Gansevoort Streets), a pop up seafood between 6th and Greenwich Avenues), and cocktail bar called SANDBAR on The Meatball Shop (64 Greenwich Av- Hudson has materialized. It is a collabo- enue between 7th Avenue and West 11th ration between High Street on Hudson Street), newish Champagne bar The Rid- and Pizzeria Brunetti across the street. dler (51 Bank Street at West 4th Street), The well-known Philadelphia sister res- Hudson Barber Shop (543 Hudson be- taurant to High Street on Hudson, High Delivery & Pickup tween Charles and Perry Streets), UK shoe Street on Market, has closed. Parcelle exclusively available at ODEONDELIVERY.com maker Fly London (375 Bleecker Street Patio (632 Hudson Street between Jane between Charles and Perry Streets), An- and Horatio Streets), a pop-up wine bar thony Thomas Melilio (405 Bleecker Street operated by the wine store Parcelle will be between West 11th and Bank Streets), Fi- open Wednesdays-Saturdays through the aschetteria “Pistoia” 7th Avenue (167 7th end of October. Wine will be available by Avenue South near Perry Street) however the glass or bottle, and small plates can be the Christopher Street location remains ordered to accompany the wine. Before open, French homegoods spot L’Objet (370 the pandemic, the space was rented out Bleecker Street between Charles and Perry mostly for weddings. Streets), children’s clothing store Yoya (605 Hudson Street between Bethune and West 12th Streets), wine bar Vin sur Vingt (201 Featured Business West 11th Street west of 7th Avenue), The Pho 3 (154 7th Avenue South between ELITE SHOE REPAIR Perry and Charles Streets), Otto’s Tacos 105 West 10th Street between (131 7th Avenue South between Charles 6th and Greenwich Avenues and West 10th Streets), and the short-lived In May 2019, Village Preservation chose kids’ activity and craft shop Wishberry (35 Elite Shoe Repair as their business of the West Village, Chelsea, & Flatiron 7th Avenue between West 12th and West month. I had been looking for a good shoe 13th Streets). repair with reasonable prices so I figured I Every Day until 9pm would give them a try. The owner, Richard Coming Soon An is lovely and does great work. Recently lunch • brunch • dinner Yamada Japanese Supermarket (450 6th I saw a discussion of the store on Nextdoor Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets) is Greenwich Village, and lots of neighbors coming to the old Jefferson Market space chimed in to say how much they liked the Use code view at checkout that was supposed to become a Shakespeare store. Like many businesses, Elite Shoe Re- for a 10% discount & Co. A worker let me peek in the door pair has been having a tough time, so I would and it looks larger and airier than Dain- encourage anyone who has shoes or even obu, a couple of blocks north. Arcteryx is bags that need some work to visit Richard. coming to one of the Brookfield Property- owned storefronts at 367 Bleecker Street at We love to hear from you, and you’ve been the corner of Charles Street. a great help! We would miss so much were it not for you. Please keep up the good work Pop-ups and email us your observations at wvnews- In front of High Street on Hudson (637 [email protected]

NOW OPEN! SUNDAY 11 AM-5 PM MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 11 AM-7 PM Maximum of four people allowed in the store at one time Masks Required 212-242-5351 16 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

Notes From Away A Kind Word for Journalists News offers, as its readers well know. In the ten-mile radius of my home in South Bristol, Maine, there are, I suspect, more local news sources than there are in the West Village. There is, for example, a week- ly newspaper that is delivered to my door in the post every Thursday. It also fills the newspaper racks of local stores and sells out within a few days at 75 cents per copy. My LOCAL NEWS IN MAINE. Photo by Tom Lamia. yearly subscription is $35. This week’s Lin- coln County News carried, on its front page, By Tom Lamia in addition to interviews with local COV- ID-19 victims and political profiles for the In mulling over possible topics for yet another coming election, the news that the Seagull column melding the virtues and fates of small Shop on Pemaquid Point had burned to the town life on the coast of Maine and the es- ground the day before. That shop had stood sence of life among the residents of the West for 83 years and was known to visitors from Village, I chose this topic as one that celebrates across the country and beyond because it community. My thoughts have the virtue of was adjacent to the Pemaquid Point Light, a being complimentary to both communities tourist mecca. But for the local newspaper, and the urgency of the need for praise of each. the loss of this local shop, and its place in The trigger for this is my sincere and the conscience of my neighbors, would have deep respect for George Capsis, the Pub- had the impact of one hand clapping. lisher of this newspaper and my admiration There are many newspapers that circulate of his skills as a journalist. My praise is not, in my Maine community: Some are free, like and should not be taken to be, sycophantic The Coastal Journal (for island residents) and or uncritical, but even if it were it is needed The Working Waterfront (covering commer- and deserved. Without George and his cial fishing). Both are well written, timely bulldog qualities, the West Village and our and popular. They appear to subsist off ads, place in it would be diminished. but not entirely. There are community inter- In the August issue of WestView News, ests that subsidize their publication. George wrote of his family connection to Daily newspapers of high quality are also Izmir, once Smyrna, an ancient center of trade sold locally: The Portland Press Herald, The and culture on the west coast of Turkey, and Bangor Daily News, The Kennebec Journal, the ancestral home of all who go by the name the Lewiston Sun-Journal, and others are of Capsis. The story was well told and timely. published within 70 miles of my home. What it was not was bitter or vindictive— Each is available for purchase on the day of qualities that are characteristic of much of publication at local stores. The major New what is written by Greeks and Greek émigrés. York and Boston dailies are on the news- George is a professional. It must have taken stands daily as well, but their news is often several hard swallows of ethnic pride to lay out a day late. Of course, none of these papers the detailed description of his experience with carries news local to South Bristol, Maine. his cousin, who opened the door for the 1988 Like politics, all news is local to those visit that he and George made to Izmir with- directly affected. To have any community’s out demeaning any Turk, past or present. moments in the sun (or the shade) go un- These thoughts came to me as I read reported for lack of a local news source in- George’s recent appeal for financial sup- flicts an insidious cost on the community, port for this newspaper. The appeal is cer- at once or over time. tainly justified on the merits of the product The WestView News coverage is worthy and its importance to our community. One of the attention of even the most sophis- wonders why it is needed, notwithstand- ticated reader. The West Village has wel- ing the obvious devastation wrought by the comed and nurtured great lives and great COVID-19 pandemic in the world, and in institutions that have left indelible impres- our nation, city and community. The pan- sions on our streets, buildings and memo- demic has sucked much of the life out of ries. George Capsis has corralled and cul- the local news because of the dominance tivated a staff of writers that have earned of that news in every news market. How your attention and respect. Let’s keep them much attention can be left over from the at their task by supporting the enterprise. daily inundation of excellent product from I would like us all to reflect on the im- newspapers, television (in all of its varied portance of our monthly newspaper and forms), podcasts, magazines and all media? act to sustain it. A subscription would be We do know, from the many media sources a good place to start. Pay for it and it will seeking our attention, all manner of fact survive. Other actions include improving and opinion about the pandemic, much our local coverage by your comments, ideas, of it false or repetitive. What we need and OUR CREED: We believe Black Lives Matter, No Human is Illegal, Love is Love, and reporting, by letter or email. These are OUR CREED: We believe Black Lives Matter, No Human is Illegal, Love is Love, Wom- do not have is more of what is happening en'sWomen's Rights Rights Are Human Are Human Rights, Rights, Science Science is Real, is WaterReal, Wateris Life, is Injustice Life, Injustice Anywhere Any -is a my suggestions. They have not been shared within a several block perimeter of our Threatwhere to is Justicea Threat Everywhere. to Justice Everywhere. Photo by Gary Photo Tomei. by Gary Tomei. with George or his news or editorial staff. homes, whether or not pandemic related. If you have your own suggestions, I urge That news and opinion is what WestView that you provide them directly. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 17 2020 Village Halloween Parade Offers Surprises By Kambiz Shekdar be that’s going wrong. The organizer actually has to ask the police to do it. So normally I am dressed in a hot pink The Village Halloween Parade is a symbol of New York leather jacket which makes me very easy to spot. That’s City. In 2018 the parade’s theme was “I am Robot.” In the way I normally come to the parade. Everybody knows 2019 it was “Wild Things.” This year’s theme was to be: it’s me and everybody knows to turn to me if something “BIG LOVE! BIG EMBRACE!” Alas, 2020 is not the goes wrong. All the cops know it, up and down the street. year of the Big Embrace; the parade is canceled, but it This year I guess I don’t necessarily have to wear that cos- is still dedicated to one of its strongest volunteers, Oscar tume, though in a way I guess it’s the first time that it’s ac- Williams of Port of Spain Steel Drum Band, who died of tually a costume—because if I were to wear it, it would be COVID-19. a costume not a uniform! I guess I won’t be in my official George Capsis, publisher of this newspaper, recalls role. I think I will probably will wear it as a comfort piece. the beginnings of the parade when Ralph Lee, one of But also, the Halloween Parade isn’t about me, it not about the original residents of the West Village artist commu- me being in costume, it’s not about me showing off, it’s nity Westbeth, began organizing a parade of puppets for really about everybody else. So I’ve never felt like I needed children on Halloween. The two men’s daughters were to be costumed; this is my job. This is when everybody else friends, and before George knew it, people and puppets of can let loose; but I’m responsible that night. all sorts were dangling from the windows of his 69 Charles Street home. Q&A with Basil Twist, puppeteer of Zohra Forty-seven years later, Mayor Bill de Blasio has this to say, “It’s no secret that Chirlane and I love Halloween, and the spider who will once again dangle up I applaud the Village Halloween Parade for the creative and down Jefferson Market clock tower: spirit it brings to our streets each year. I’m confident that the 47th annual celebration, while different from previous KAMBIZ: How did the idea of having a Spider go up and years, will be both safe and full of the same ingenuity.” down the Jefferson Market clock tower come about? The Village Halloween Parade teamed up with my or- BASIL: Well, actually when the parade was originally begun ganization in 2018 for RFTCA’s parade afterparty, THE by Ralph Lee, who is a puppeteer who lives in Westbeth MASCUREAIDS BALL. I had a chance to catch up for and founder of the parade, the parade was a smaller – a a quick Q&A with Jeanne Fleming, director of the pa- much smaller affair that went through the small streets of rade, at her home in Rhinebeck over Labor Day weekend, PUPPETEER BASIL TWIST—Drama Desk winner and the Village. There were decorative elements all along the as well as master parade puppeteer, Basil Twist. Maybe MacArthur Genius Grant recipient—and Zohra, his giant way like a witch that crossed the street. It ended in Wash- coronavirus will have its way with us this year, but just spider, were Grand Marshall(s) at the 2019 Village Hallow- ington Square where at the arch, there was a skeleton in you watch out, Oh Mr. Corona, we have a rare blue moon een Parade. The arachnid will once again dangle up and the arch, and there was a spider on the tower. But that coming our way this Halloween, and come next year—just down the gothic clock tower at Jefferson Market Library on was stopped when Ralph had stopped doing the parade you wait—perhaps we may march to the theme of “Biol- Halloween 2020. Credit: Village Halloween Parade. and the parade had gotten so big it moved to 6th Avenue. ogy: Virus…and its CURE!” When I joined the parade and I knew about that and I to do will be something that lots and lots of people will be really—I like spiders—I thought that was a cool thing that Q&A with Jeanne Fleming, head of the able to see. So if people are out, not caused by us calling should be done again. So it was it’s an homage to the ori- Village Halloween Parade them out, but if they’re out (which we fully expect, that gins of the parade. Ralph Lee is the one who first had the there will be a lot of people out in the Village and the city idea. You’d have to ask him how did that idea come about. KAMBIZ: Was the parade ever canceled before? on Halloween night), they will get to experience what it JEANNE: Yes, the parade was cancelled once before. Hurri- is that we are doing. And it’s really for New Yorkers, it’s KAMBIZ: So you like Spiders, you said? cane Sandy was the reason. There were no lights in Green- about New Yorkers. It’s something that people will be able BASIL: I do. wich Village. If you remember, pretty much everything to see, large numbers of people will be able to see. But I south of 23rd Street was dark and areas were flooded; and can’t talk about it because if I do, that will cause a crowd to KAMBIZ: Are you scared of any insects, or you’re a friend so that year the parade was canceled. The parade was not gather at various locations, because it’s going to happen in of all bugs? cancelled—we were the first major event—after 9/11. more than one place. BASIL: Haha, No! I don’t like mosquitos or roaches. I like spiders though because I find them incredible creatures KAMBIZ: So, after the 9/11 attacks the parade was not can- KAMBIZ: How is your team taking it this year? How are and I have a kind of a mystical connection to them. The celed, you went ahead that year? you guys handling the cancelation of the parade? way that they weave webs and what they build, I think JEANNE: We were the first large-scale event that happened JEANNE: I think everyone is just extremely sad. People who they’re amazing. after 9/11, just six weeks later. Mayor Giuliani, at the time, make puppets for the parade normally work at costume wanted to show the world that New York City was not houses or they work at places that put on special events. KAMBIZ: How much does your Zohra weigh? going to curl up and die, that we were going to survive, we They build props and sets. Some of them are Broadway BASIL: Oh gosh, she doesn’t weigh much, she’s made out were going to keep on going. Much like there was a ter- scenic painters and designers. It’s their primary way of of Styrofoam, so she’s probably 25 pounds or something? rorist attack right before the Halloween Parade two years making a living. And no one has any work. So it’s just ago—like three hours before—and the same thing hap- extremely sad—the situation that so many people are in. KAMBIZ: And, has she ever fallen down onto someone’s head? pened, both Cuomo and de Blasio came to the parade. I do have a plan to gather a lot of those folks together on BASIL: No!... What a horrible thought! No. :) I walked with them at the head of the parade, again to Halloween night and take them out to dinner, and make show that Halloween wasn’t going to stop, New York City sure that my team is together and that we do get to see one KAMBIZ: One last question I have, what do you think wasn’t going to stop, because of something terrible that another and celebrate a little bit with one another so that makes Halloween such a special time in New York City? happened. But, in this case, there’s really no choice for the we don’t go another year without that kind of connection. BASIL: Well, there’s definitely something about the change safety of New Yorkers, we really have to cancel. Some of the people who work with me have been doing in seasons at the end of October that we go when it gets so for over 25 years. colder and when its winter so there’s something about that KAMBIZ: Can you give us any hints about what to expect sort of last hurrah before we go into the indoors. And in this year? KAMBIZ: What will your costume be this year? New York, there’s so many creative, fabulous people here, JEANNE: Well, the reason I can’t give you any hints is be- JEANNE: Well, that’s a funny question. Normally, you see, New Yorkers just turn it out for Halloween! It’s amazing. cause we can’t cause a gathering. We can’t cause a group I can’t be in a costume because I have to be identifiable to of people to gather. It’s a promise to the governor, it’s a the police. If anything goes wrong, I have to be the person Rockefeller University graduate Kambiz Shekdar, Ph.D., promise to the city, that we will not do anything that will who works with the police and actually gives them the is founder and president of Research Foundation to Cure cause a crowd to gather. However, what we are planning permission to move in and take care of whatever it might AIDS. Follow RFTCA on Instagram @RFTcureaids. 18 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org Epidemiology: The Science Behind Public Health

Celebrating 50 Years Abstracted from “A Scientists View of Almost Everything” By Mark M Green ing to a rational rather than a supernatural on West 13th Street basis for these diseases and a way to pro- Hoosick Falls is a lovely town in upstate tect oneself. It was only thousands of years An Oasis of Peace in Greenwich Village New York near the Vermont border and fa- later that Walter Reed, an army physician, mous as the home of a remarkable painter: made the connection to mosquitoes. But Grandma Moses. As of recently, it is a fa- Hippocrates observation gave the essential mous town for the discovery that a chemi- clue. Hippocrates focused much attention cal associated with the production of stick- on the source of water people drink, which free cooking ware, perfluorinated octanoic may have affected how John Snow (1813- acid (PFOA), is at a level in drinking wa- 1858) tried to track down the recurrent ter found in town wells, that is more than source of cholera in London in the 1800s. suspected of causing maladies as serious as Taking an epidemiological approach Dr. GIVING BACK TO cancer. Excellent evidence of the danger of Snow made a connection to parts of the PFOA is that the corporate source of the city served by distinct sources of water and OUR COMMUNITY! water contamination is handing out free proved his point by removing the handle bottled drinking water in a local market. from one water pump causing a sudden For the month of October, The suspicion of one town resident about drop in cholera cases by people using that the death of his father led him to get a test pump. This was before the bacterial source receive $50 off a monthly unlimited of his drinking water. What was discovered of disease was accepted but demonstrated Yoga class card. led to frustrating conflicting announce- that something was in the water and that ments (!!) from both the federal Environ- the source of cholera was not some myste- $125 value, now just $75! mental Protection Agency and the New rious miasma in the air. York State Department of Health about There is the example of Ignez Sem- 227 West 13th Street * 212-929-0585 the danger of PFOA and related chemicals melweis, a medical doctor in Vienna who Website: iyiny.org in the town’s drinking water. Both agencies observed the difference between two clin- depend on laboratory results, but much too ics in a maternity hospital. In one, women often problems of this kind are not first de- were dying in large numbers from what was tected or evaluated by analytical chemistry, called childbed fever. In the other, far fewer into the pot and put it on him. You blacken but rather by the observations of people met this fate. Doctors were coming directly the person. I feel like you blackened me by living in affected areas. Such observations from autopsies to the deadly clinic without Our Apologies saying what you said.” belong to the category of epidemiology, or washing their hands. After hand washing In giving a summation of Vija’s prodigious to put it in other terms, how coal miners was strictly required, deaths from childbed Ms. Vetra life, which spans 11 decades and 5 continents have protected themselves. Many years ago, fever dropped precipitously, although the (not to mention a variety of dance styles), it coal miners, fearing noxious gases, including reason for washing was not known in this By Stanley Wlodyka Jiménez was mistakenly reported that she only re- deadly carbon monoxide in the mine, would time before an understanding of the germ turned once to her native Latvia in the half carry canaries with them. The bird with its theory of disease. In another convincing ex- century it was under Soviet control. While rapid respiration and small size would keel ample, before the sources of disease were un- that much is true, it is not so accurate to say over long before the miners were affected derstood, it was observed in many places all she danced for communist officials during allowing time for escape. Unfortunately, the around the world that servants who milked that homecoming. And one could see why residents of Hoosick Falls were the “canaries cows would often get cowpox but would be she would take umbridge at this error: just in the coal mine” for the presence of PFOA immune to small pox leading to one of the imagine what was incinerated in order to in the supposed potable water in their town. foundations of the discovery of the value of produce the ashes that she feels blacken her. All too often laboratory tests involving min- vaccination first proposed for this problem In fact, she made that return trip to Lat- ute amounts of chemicals that nevertheless by Edward Jenner (1749-1823). via in 1979 in order to give a command per- are dangerous to health do not reveal the There is so much more demonstrating CELEBRATING 50 YEARS THIS YEAR, formance to an audience filled with artists. danger. It takes the effect on our bodies to the continuing value of this science. For Westbeth Artists Housing can boast tenants While it’s true that after the performance reveal the problem. one example, did we understand the reason like Vija Vetra, who carries the weight of her friends and family in Latvia would begin Epidemiology, as I learned from Wiki- why people who smoked got lung cancer an entire people on her shoulders. Photo to be tracked, tapped and followed, it would pedia, is constructed from the Greek among other maladies? We were the canary Courtesy of the Archive of Vija Vetra. be too much to infer that someone in atten- language (as are many scientific terms): that demonstrated the danger of smoking dance was an informant. No one really knew epi—upon; demos—people; logos—study. long before medical research could find the Vija Vetra, choreographer, dancer, Westbeth how the Kremlin knew everything. There are some very interesting historical reason for this danger. Icon, proudly striding—with an impossibly Artists were considered a particular threat examples of the value of epidemiological We are hearing much about epidemiolo- straight back mind you—towards 98 years to the communist system, as were the intel- studies, which are the foundation of the gy to understand the pandemic we are now of age February next year, an Aquarian soul ligentsia, landowners, military officials: ba- field of public health, taking us from su- suffering from as helping to understand just like many of the best American presi- sically anyone who might sow discord and pernatural sources of disease to a rational what behavior leads to outbreaks of the dents, wants you to know that there was an dissidence. The Soviets developed a fool- scientific basis for illness and death. Hip- disease and how the disease affects those error in last month’s article about her. proof method for dealing with such people: pocrates (460 to 377BC), the source in who unfortunately get it. So much can be “It comes from the Middle Ages, when a make them disappear. The Russians first oc- modern terms of the advice to doctors to learned from going to the web under the criminal, or somebody who did something cupied Latvia in 1940, and it was only a year “do no harm,” is given credit for being the heading “epidemiology of the COVID-19 wrong, was put in the middle of the mar- later that they deported over 15 thousand first epidemiologist. For example, he point- pandemic.” The medical professionals are ketplace and next to him or her was a pot Latvians in cattle cars to forced labor camps ed to the fact that yellow fever and malaria tuned into this ancient understanding of of ashes and everybody could put their hand continued on page 26 occurred most often in swampy areas, lead- disease. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 19 Release from Jerusalem Prison Inspires Bestseller By J. Taylor Basker ics and philosophy for over twenty years in a university in Paris. He is passionately Long time peace activist, Frank Romano, dedicated to Palestinian rights. After his ex- was released from prison in Jerusalem last pulsion from Israel and Palestine he moved year, where he was held on two felony to Lebanon where he worked in Palestin- charges: one interfering with Israeli gov- ian refugee camps. Fortunately, he was in ernment activity, and another for pushing France when the explosions occurred last a policeman. In prison he suffered physi- month, since the cafes he often frequents cal as well as psychological injuries. He was were caught in the fires. He has the fearless expelled from Israel/Palestine and forbid- guts of the frontiersmen from the American den to return for ten years. Upon his return West, dedicated to a vision of peace in the home he completed the fifth edition of his Middle East. He wants a genuine peace, not best-selling book, Love and Terror in the the fake Trump peace deal with the UAE Middle East, adding a new chapter (Epi- and Bahrain—which is not peace between logue 1) to describe this experience. He held FRANK ROMANO AND ELDERLY ABU TIGER, in front of bulldozers in Khan al Amer, 2018. Israel & Palestine, but just a chance for these a book signing at Barnes & Nobles in Union Photo by International Solidarity Movement, 2018. Arab countries to obtain financial benefits Square and will conduct more around the and more weapons to keep their repressive country. He stays in the West Village when marches in Jerusalem, at checkpoints (such accusing Israel of human rights violations. regimes in power, help support war in Ye- in New York City and has presented many as the notorious Qalandiya), in cities like Tel He wanted to continue working with them. men and a possible one with Iran. events here in the past years. Aviv and Hebron and refugee camps such However, after a few months he was set His name, Romano, is an ancient Jew- He was first arrested while defending the as Jenin. He advocates peace and dialogue up for arrest by the IDF. Someone posing ish family name that has a street in Hebron endangered Bedouin Village, Khan al Amer, between Israelis and Palestinians. He also as the famous journalist Olivier Pironet of named after it. In the face of the murders where I visited last summer. Israel was plan- conducts events here in the US including Le Monde, offered Romano an interview at of his activist friends in Israel and Pales- ning to destroy it in order to expand an il- panels at the Left Forum. He has many Is- Khan al Amer, had him cross the highway tine, and the Paris and Nice massacres, he legal settlement adjacent to it. He stood raeli friends who oppose the occupation and to the settlement side, and when he got into continues to believe in the possibility of a blocking the bulldozers in Sept. 2018 and participate with him, including ex-IDF sol- the car he was arrested, jailed, tortured and durable peace in the Middle East and is was arrested. Many Israeli peace activists diers from the group “Breaking the Silence,” expelled. Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, Israeli willing to put his life on the line for it. He came to his aid, including the famous activ- as well as Palestinians. His book is rivet- peace activist working with the Bedouins, plans to picket the Israeli Consulate, 800 ist lawyer, Gaby Lasky, whose brilliant de- ing. Romano decided to go underground later told Romano it was not Pironet, but an 2nd Ave. off 43rd Street on the morning fense got him freed by the Israeli judge, who in Ramallah after his release when he was imposter, which infuriated Le Monde. of Friday, Nov. 13 from 9-11 AM, in case was furious at the military’s legal violations told to leave the country. At the time, Ro- Romano is an American, from Oregon, anyone wants to join. Since the “Peace trying to deport him before his trial. For mano was also helping Palestine prepare a with dual US-French citizenship. An inter- Deal,” Israel has been relentlessly bombing over fifteen years he led non-violent peace brief for the International Criminal Court, national lawyer, he has taught law, econom- Gaza.

Questions About Voting? VID Has Answers! Not sure if you’re registered? Check here: vote.nyc The registration deadline is October 9, 2020. If you’re registered, you can vote:

 On Election Day, November 3, 2020. Find your polling place at: vote.nyc  Early between October 24 and November 1. You’ll find your official early voting place at: vote.nyc  By absentee ballot. Get your ballot by October 27 and return it by Election Day, November 3, 2020.  You can get an absentee ballot at your local Board of Elections, online at vote.nyc, or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC  You can return your absentee ballot by mail, by using one of the official drop-boxes conveniently deployed around the city, or by bringing it to your local Board of Elections or your official polling place on November 3rd. Still have questions? Visit vote.nyc or VillageDemocrats.org. 26 Perry Street, New York, NY 10014 David Siffert, President | Jen Hoppe, District Leader 20 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

Crowdfund continued from page 1 a while I get a call from an irate reader: Crowdfunding Campaign Update “You did not deliver my free copy of the paper this month. Please have somebody Dear readers, neighbors, friends, Barbara Ruether: Daniel L Clay: bring it over right now!” and supporters, WestView News is dedicated to covering our Absolutely adore the local coverage! I hope Yes, well, WestView has been free be- We asked you to help because our beloved Village neighborhood. George Capsis has to keep reading, cover to cover, for years to cause it evolved from the Charles Street local newspaper is in danger of folding brought the neighbors to us on every single come. Thanks for all you do. Block Association four-page photocopied forever. You answered with a surge of do- page and in every single issue. We cannot newsletter given to the yearly dues-pay- nations, messages, and even ad requests! afford to lose this unique, timely vehicle that Roger Paradiso: ing association members. (That was only George and the folks at WestView News are helps us care for all and each other. We de- The WestView News is the Voice of the a thousand copies not 12 thousand.) overwhelmed by your love and support for serve it. Let George keep keeping on along West Village and beyond. And George It was my error to let the paper grow in the paper. with us for a long long time. Capsis is the “unofficial Mayor of The size and to increase the print run month You donated over $17,000 to date. Wow! West Village.” I support the paper and I after month. It was only when Sarah Jes- Thank you! Gordon A Gilbert Jr: hope you can too. sica Parker complimented us for giving You’ve helped us keep the lights on, pay We NEED a hometown newspaper! the paper away for free that I realized the printer, and pay our small staff their Bruce Trigg: that error. And then came the pandemic modest salaries. And you’ve brightened Ricki Fier: Absolutely vital source if you want to know and my error became a collision course. the hearts of everyone who contributes to We really appreciate your efforts and ex- what’s happening in the hood! Save West- But when I began considering that un- WestView News. Your kind and generous pertise at bringing issues to the forefront to View News! less we got advertising, and more of our responses to our request for help is such a all in the West Village. thousands of readers paid for subscrip- strong message that our efforts matter to Hannah Reimann: tions, we would soon be out of business, I you. Norman Kahn: WestView is a remarkable phenomenon asked myself how would I feel about that? To donate today, go to https://www.go- I have always found the articles informa- that deserves to continue to thrive, inform, I would not like it. The paper keeps my fundme.com/save-westview-news tive and interesting. They often covered protect and inspire its devoted audience small crew of staff members and me alive. subjects of interest to West Villagers and and to attract more print readers. Com- I started to cut down on the number of not to be found elsewhere. munity newspapers are a vital tenet of our papers we printed, only to be confronted democracy, influences voter registration by ex-seaman Tim, our distribution man- Nelly Godfrey: numbers and keeps us reading and literate! ager, who chided me: while I may be the Hi Jorgito. You know I would love to put The number of print papers declines ev- publisher, the WestView readers were his an extra two zeros to this donation. It's to- ery day, so many have disappeared or only and he had to have enough papers for his tally worth it to save WestView, the beauti- stayed online...this one WILL NOT! I am readers. ful, colorful paper that comes to my door honored to be part of this community and Then Roger Paradiso began talking to with the latest news about the community urge you to donate whatever you can. me about “crowdfunding,” that he had and the world. used to fund one of his films, and I talked Will and Elizabeth Margaritis: to the young lady who had run that effort Gary Tomei: Let’s keep the West Village the West Village. for him and felt chills. I could not believe WestView gives us the truth, and is our that people were going to click online and community life preserver in these dysto- Patricia Duffy: send us money to keep the paper alive. But pian times when we are living under a ma- West View News is a neighborhood trea- they did, and you, our readers, still are. We Or view this QR code with the Camera lignant regime which drowns us in lies and sure! As a long-time resident of the Village asked you to help because our beloved local app on your mobile phone: distortions. and West Chelsea, I want it to remain part newspaper is in danger of folding forever. of my world! You answered with a surge of donations, SUPPORT FROM OUR DONOR COMMUNITY Christine Tralongo: messages, and even ad requests! Your comments and well wishes mean the The Village isn’t the Village without West- Howard Glener: The nearly $20,000 we have raised sur- world to us at WestView News. You’ve really View News. A great newspaper with infor- IMBY = in my back yard prises and delights me, but the messages shown us how much the paper means to you. mation you can’t find anywhere else. of support touch my heart. I read your Thank you for sharing your heartful appre- Diane Robbens: compliments with disbelief and they stir ciation. Your compliments are the real gold... Ellen Synan: I love this newspaper and George! As I’ve emotions I did not know I had. “We can- I’m sure it’s the best community paper in aged it’s been harder for me to get around. not afford to lose this unique and timely Barbara Lidsky: the nation, and I would miss it sorely if it But WestView helped me feel connected vehicle that helps us care for all and each I read the paper every month and love were no longer published. I am very grate- to the community. Losing it at a time when other.” I never expected to read words learning about my community. Who is do- ful to George for whom I have the greatest so many of us have already lost so much like that. Your comments and well-wishes ing what and what is opening and closing. respect and admiration. would be devastating. mean the world to us and we are over- whelmed by your love and support for the paper. Thank you for sharing your heart- PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ful appreciation. Your compliments are TO HELP WESTVIEW NEWS the real gold... SURVIVE AND GROW: You’ve helped us keep the lights on, pay the printer, and pay our small staff their 1. SUBSCRIBE TO THE PAPER modest salaries. And you’ve brightened Even if you can’t afford a six-month $12 To donate today, the hearts of everyone who contributes to subscription, fill out the form and ask for a WestView News. Your kind and generous free subscription. responses to our request for help send a 2. TALK TO US go to strong message confirming how much the If your super throws out the papers, let us paper means to you and that our efforts know. matter. 3. DONATE gofundme.com/save-westview-news So, my readers, allay your fears—I want Visit our gofundme page. to keep the paper going and I don’t want 4. ADVERTISE it to be just an online paper. I will do my Yes, we know how much money you have lost: best to keep WestView News alive and per- we have special survival ad rates! haps make it even better. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 21 October 2020 Community Events from Project NYC/West 13th Street Alliance By Birgitte Philippides-Delaney and Chandra/Jo Sgammato mind, postures are presented in light of cur- rent scientific research for chronic pain and Project NYC/West 13th Street Alliance is stress relief. With regular practice, classes proud to continue our virtual community are effective in the management of arthritic events with these October programs to pain and related symptoms. serve our block, our neighborhood and all New Yorkers, wherever they may be. Skincare and Beauty to De-stress the Autumn is a good time to revisit your Body with Todd Harris & Brian Underwood skin care routine with beauty experts Todd Tuesday, October 13, 7 to 8 p.m. Harris and Brian Underwood and to find Learn from two beauty experts who have ways to feel better physically with Inte- decades of acclaimed experience work- gral Yoga’s Yoga for Arthritis and Chronic ing with celebrities and national brands. Pain©. Todd is the co-founder of Trans Beauty Feeling better physically can encourage Clinic and a makeup artist and professional you to adopt other healthy habits like more groomer. Brian is the beauty director for O nutritious meal preparation so we’ve en- (Oprah) Magazine. Discover the secrets to gaged Mandy Suarez, cer- vibrant, beautiful skin and Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). tified health coach, to guide be inspired to adopt scien- you through a blueprint tifically based solutions to 77 Christopher Street for living in these extraor- skin care challenges espe- Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street dinary times. Finally, get cially in this time of wear- some artistic inspiration ing masks. Pharmacy Hours: from Nina Priya David, Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM with a workshop on poetry The Poetry of Music with Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM and music. Nina Priya David Closed Sunday Wednesday, October 21, Staying Healthy At Home 6:30 to 7:30 Telephone: 212-255-2525 • Fax: 212-255-2524 with Mandy Suarez This one-hour program Tuesday, October 6, 6:30 presents text and music as email: [email protected] to 7:30 p.m. creative partners in terms www.newyorkchemists.com Join certified health coach Mandy Suarez of artistic expression as well as the mes- for an informative session to learn tips and sages that are meaningful for our times. tricks for creating and maintaining healthy Lyrics are presented as text, as poetry, as habits for you and your family during CO- human experience. The pianist shares ele- VID-19 and beyond. Mandy will address ments of music history and composition universal challenges such as how to cook that are relevant to the lyrics. The singer/ nourishing meals with limited time and actor explains how they go about perform- how to fit movement into your (already ing the lyrics vocally and physically—as busy!) day. She will provide practical solu- spoken word and as song. The pianist Do You Need Home Care? tions to help make these wholesome hab- plays selected passages to illustrate the key its part of your everyday routine. Healthy points that have been made. The program recipes will be shared with everyone who culminates with pianist and actor/singer Continuity Home Health Care attends the session. joining forces—perhaps with a bit of audi- ence participation. Yoga for Arthritis and Chronic Pain with To RSVP for these events, please email Ken Stec Wayne Kawadler at Wayne@ThePro- Where Healing Continues... Wednesdays, October 8, 15, 22, and 29, jectNYC.org. You will receive an email A licensed home care agency providing 10 to 11 a.m. response with the Zoom link. Please also health care services, both professional Certified in Yoga for Arthritis and as a Yoga email Wayne with any questions about us- and paraprofessional, for individuals Therapist, longtime Integral Yoga teacher ing Zoom. living at home since 1996. Ken Stec will guide you safely in gentle postures geared for chair and standing prac- tice. Rooted in traditional yogic principles JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST at encouraging a healthy body and a peaceful [email protected] Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 or drop in to 198 Avenue of The Americas VIEWS BY SUZE Suzanne McAndrews We accept most private 50 + years in Greenwich Village insurances See Views by Suze at Bonsignour Café and private pay. Jane Street and Eighth Avenue [email protected] 646-689-3475 [email protected] 22 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

Maggie B’s Quick Clicks The Long Life of SIGNS OF THE TIMES Mills House No. 1 refused entry even if they had prepaid. Mills House No. 1 was conceived as a wholesome residential hotel for working- class white men but, eventually, it became, ironically, desirable for gay men (of all ethnic groups) because they could live and socialize undetected more easily. In the latter half of the 20th century the Village Gate nightclub and Top of the Gate per- formance venue played host to a number of LGBT notables. Mills had commissioned Ernest Flagg, a young architect who published ideas about low-cost urban housing on 100-foot-wide lots incorporating central light courts. Flagg MILLS HOUSE NO. 1, viewed from the is credited as the architect/builder of Mills northeast corner in 1905. Credit: New York House No. 1, basically a large tenement Public Library Picture Collection. with commercial ground floor leased spaces. The 11-story Italian Renaissance Revival By Brian J Pape, AIA, LEED-AP Style structure of brick with quoins of lime- 1896 witnessed a new building inaugurat- stone at building corners features a primary ed at 156-168 Bleecker Street, a full block facade divided into two wings by a central long and wrapping the corners at 187-191 light court. The light court and south yard Sullivan Street and 187-201 Thompson setback enabled each room to have a win- Street, that replaced a row of formerly dow, required by the 1879 Tenement House fashionable houses called Depauw Row. (old) Law. The 1,554 tiny 20 cents/night The double-height recessed limestone on rooms were 7.5 by 6 feet or 5 by 8 feet. Each the entrance and lobby features a modil- had only a bed with a mattress, two pillows, lioned cornice supported by scrolled brack- a chair, and a clothes rack; the walls stopped ets, a frieze sculpted with “Mills House about a foot below the ceiling, allowing air No. 1,” and a broken pediment cartouche decorated with the initials “DOM” for owner/founder Darius Ogden Mills. Mills was a banker and philanthropist particu- larly concerned in his retirement years with the problems of housing certain elements of the (white) urban poor. He emphasized that his hotels were run efficiently, so as to make a modest profit for investors, and also “[not to offend] the pride or praiseworthy independence of those I serve.” Mills House No. 1 was the prototype of the philanthropic hotel movement, one of a number of similar residential hotels es- tablished by moral reformers as safe, clean, and wholesome alternatives to the city’s THE DOUBLE-HEIGHT LIMESTONE EN- supposedly licentious rooming houses, TRANCE in front of the light court features a transient hotels, and the like. At a time modillioned cornice supported by scrolled when more single men than ever were mi- brackets, a frieze sculpted with “Mills House grating to New York City, Mills intended No. 1,” and a broken pediment cartouche to keep single men away from women and decorated with the initials “DOM” for founder families in the crowded tenement districts. Darius Ogden Mills. Credit: Brian J. Pape, AIA. With clean rooms, restaurants, laundry facilities, lounges, and interior courtyards, flow but no acoustic privacy. There were it was considered “a palace at twenty cents four toilets and six washbasins on each floor a night,” according to Scribner’s Magazine. (for 162 rooms) and bath facilities only on With no income limits, a frugal man with a the ground floor. Annex buildings were relatively decent-paying job could save for erected on adjacent lots, with architect Er- other things too. nest Flagg again designing 183 Thompson Meals cost 15 cents, and were considered Street, ca. 1897, and with J. M. Robinson in excellent faire. Mills House hotels were charge of 183 Sullivan Street, ca. 1907. This closed during the day to encourage resi- was also the first of three model residential dents to seek work or be at their jobs. The Mills hotels for single working men (Mills residents were required to pay in advance, House #2 by Flagg, at Rivington and Chris- All photos by Maggie Berkvist. and could not gain entry after midnight. If tie Streets, has been demolished, while No. they arrived drunk at the hotel, they were continued on page 23 www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 23

Mills continued from page 22 one BR (26 x 18) unfurnished is listed at $3,450. A far cry from $0.20 a night/$6.00 3 by Copeland & Dole, ca. 1907, remains at a month! 485 Seventh Avenue). Notable commercial tenants have in- After Mills’ death in 1910, a family trust cluded the Village Gate (1958-1993), and operated the hotels until 1949. When #1 the off-Broadway Village Theater. (Le) was sold it became the Greenwich Hotel Poisson Rouge was located there prior to (for men), and by the 1960s it became the 2008. Chess Grandmaster Nicolas Rosso- first hotel in New York to be called a “wel- limo had his chess studio at 191 Sullivan fare hotel.” By the 1980s, after earlier at- Street in the 1970s. tempts to develop artists’ studios, then a gut Over the years, historic storefronts were renovation and a renaming to The Atrium remodeled, including new light fixtures, se- (retaining the light courts), the building curity cameras, entrance doors, cornice edges, was converted to a housing cooperative and sign band. Today, a CVS Pharmacy oc- of just 194 apartments, including some cupies the east storefronts, with LPR, a furnished suites available for short-term nightclub since 2008, located below it. Li- rental. Since the original sponsor defaulted Lac Chocolates is west of the main lobby, in the late 1980s, the successor still owns next to Cookie Dough Shop and Mogee many of the units; and the co-op, called a Tee Shop. All four historic facades have been Bond “condop,” has loose rules. The building has preserved, predominantly, in their original © a doorman and live-in superintendent. Be- design features, including basement openings Essential to Your Business cause of the low owner-occupancy percent- with historic iron grilles. age, new owners may find it very difficult An LPC public hearing proposed des- Bond’s COVID-19 Recovery for Business is a multidisciplinary to get financing, making it effectively an ignating all four facades as an individual practice supporting businesses and organizations as they all-cash co-op, or rental. Studios are listed landmark in 1966, but the owner objected. resume operations. Bond can help you assess the shifting legal on StreetEasy at $2,795 monthly, unfur- In 2013, this area and the building were in- landscape, avoid potential hazards and identify opportunities nished, and $3,195 monthly, furnished; a cluded in the South Village Historic District. to get back to work safely and efficiently.

Joan’s Shanghai ALBANY BUFFALO GARDEN CITY NEW YORK CITY ROCHESTER SARATOGA SPRINGS SYRACUSE UTICA 600 Third Avenue - 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10016 • 646.253.2300 • BSK.COM

MOTHER FATHER

By Joan Klyhn seur, the cosmetologist, the dressmaker, the hairdresser, the manicurist, and more. She “Joan’s Shanghai” is a memoir of a childhood in also had a regular mahjong group as well Shanghai in the ‘30’s and ‘40s of the 20th cen- as a bridge group. My father, my mother, tury. I am writing it primarily for myself, ex- and I each had our own suite of rooms, and tending it to my friends, and now to the many we were taken care of by a crew of servants people who have shown themselves fascinated who inhabited our large house more fully with this period in the past. than we did. For me, the vibrant center of the house was the kitchen. I’m told that, starting as a baby, I would crawl around the tiled floor, picking up bits of detritus Home and usually eating them. I grew up in that I was born in Shanghai before the Second kitchen. Later, I’d head there as soon as I World War, the only child of well-off par- got home from school. ents. They were distant from me and from Hong, our cook, was a handsome iras- each other; my father was a man with sev- cible man who always seemed to have a eral businesses, and my mother was occu- cleaver in his hand which he wielded fu- pied with managing the household and her riously upon live chickens, ducks, and many personal needs. My father was out big pork joints. In the Chinese style, he most of the time, and my mother received chopped right through bones. I loved the a stream of service providers all day long. crunching sounds as I ducked the splatter These included the psychiatrist, the mas- continued on page 25 24 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org Greenwich Village 1934 Highlights Map

1934 MAP OF GREENWICH VILLAGE, by The Villager. Courtesy of the Brooklyn Historical Society Library.

By Brian J Pape, AIA moving generally clockwise, the “Society appropriate re-use, while the nearby “Wash- “Our Lady of Mercy Chapel” and “Prov- Library” was transformed into The Pub- ington Sq. M.E. Church” and the “Green- incetown Playhouse” have been replaced A map that captures a moment, as all maps lic Theater, and Wanamaker’s warehouse wich Presbyterian Church” have had their by NYU buildings. “Spring Street Church,” do, but in a simple and fun way, highlight- is now office and commercial spaces, (the interiors transformed into apartments. “Our Lady of Vilna Church,” and the ing some historical structures, is part of the smaller department store building burned Up at the top-center, we see “Hearns” on “Duane M.E. Church” have been demol- Brooklyn Historical Society Library’s new down in the 1950s). NYU remodeled the West 14th Street, one of the more popular ished for new buildings near Broome Street. digital collection. former industrial loft buildings in that department stores in the city until acquired Back at the top, the “Chapel of the Com- Do you think you know Greenwich Vil- neighborhood. Further down, the “Ellin by a corporate chain of stores; without forter” is gone, and the “9th Regt. Armory lage? Ask yourself if you can identify the lo- Prince Speyer Hospital for Animals” is now proper documentation, it’s hard to know if and Civic Repertory Theater” is now a cations on the map above, and which of the mixed-use residential units. the building continues to serve smaller com- modern YMCA building. Finally, “St. Vin- sites still exist today. Swinging over to the left side, the “Fed- mercial enterprises on this stretch. cent’s Hospital” was lost, replaced by luxury We are fortunate that the Village resi- eral Building/US Navy 3rd Naval Dist. Of course, we have lost some of the condo buildings. dents have a strong preservation attitude, so and PO” is now the Archive rental apart- highlighted structures. The “House where Nevertheless, Greenwich Village still has that many structures have been repurposed ment building. Moving towards the middle Washington Irving and Mark Twain Lived a lot of historic and new structures to ap- instead of demolished. On this map, start- of the map, the “Northern Dispensary” on —21 5th Ave.” is now where the modern preciate. Enjoy a walk around. ing at the upper right-hand quadrant and Waverly Place still sits empty, waiting for an Brevoort apartment building is located. We always welcome your comments. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 25 Letter from a NYC Ex-Pat in Maine During COVID

little peninsula on Mill Creek than I ever have because it’s my longest visit. The sum- mer and fall have presented a daily parade of creatures unless there’s pouring rain. In that case, the wildly moving water, churning clouds and ever-changing colors provide a spectacle from the picture window. After two alarming positive cases came and went earlier this summer, there is zero infection and zero death from COVID-19 on this island. Everyone wears masks, there is a limit to number or persons in the four or five stores that are open and there is hand-sanitizer in every business. Even though no one is sick, we are all asked to use it every time we go into any business. It’s uncrowded, it’s pretty, it’s safe. I promise you I’m not writing this to make you jealous. George asked me to write after we spoke on the phone a num- ber of times about my life here. I know New York is a great city. I have faith that HERON AT SUNSET on Mill Creek, Vinalhav- all will be well there, again. I will be back en Island. Photo by Hannah Reimann. and I look forward to being with my Vil- lage community when it gets too cold to By Hannah Reimann live in my seasonal Maine home. The pan- demic will not always be like this—we will The blackberries are late this year because all get through this and life will change there was no rain for many days in July and for the better eventually even if it takes a August. It’s September 13th and I’ve got couple of years. four hand-picked pints in my fridge now Most of the time, I’m on my own here. I and a huge handful covering my buck- have not been lonely since I left New York wheat ployes for Sunday breakfast. I’m on July 31st or when I was here for two looking out at the cove 20 feet away from weeks in June. I have learned to enjoy be- the deck where I sit and I see a seal catch- ing alone. In my case, nature has helped me ing two flopping fish and eating them, his to do that. I was terribly lonely in my apart- cute face peering over to me now and then. ment in the Village, dodging the coronavi- A large bird of prey, an eagle or an osprey, rus wherever I thought it might be, hiding soars high above eyeing the fish in the cove. from it, taking on preventative measures The pogies have been literally jumping out every waking hour, strategizing the equip- of the water this year, splashing about, at- ment I needed, the right way to buy food, tracting the kingfishers who dive like tor- to eat, to avoid congregating, or moving pedoes then dart back onto the top branch- around the city very much. I learned to care es of the spruces. The call of birds from for others with the help of the technology far away and the flapping wings of those that I have come to depend upon as if my approaching the cove tell me that they’re life would be lost without it. looking for breakfast, too. In the distance Here in Maine, I don’t have a TV. I listen two rowers in flat boats are paddling past to NPR and BBC radio every day to know this inlet with their long oars. news all over the world. I listen differently A faun has been eating the large leaves than when I was in New York. of a half-dozen spindly-branched bushes Please create an opportunity to spend a nearby and she waits for me to leave the little time in nature; a day, a week, a drive continued from page 23 deck, unmoving, staring between trees Upstate, to Pennsylvania or to New Jersey, Home forty feet away, the dainty spots on her take a little time away from the city. of blood and bone chips. nothing was wasted. She could spend hours back endearing to me. When the tide goes Even a day in Central Park or Prospect Hong’s favorite chopping block was a meticulously scrubbing and cutting up down, I search with binoculars for the Park, unplugged from your devices, could section of a tree stump, aged into a shal- chicken intestines which were later served great blue heron that my father called his change the entire week. I have found it has low bowl from constant use. Teenage Xiao up as rubbery little tubes in soup. You always “friend.” This year the heron came so close rejuvenated me to reflect on this unique Liu (“little Liu”) cleaned up after Hong knew she was coming because her bound to the shore in front of me that I could see time surrounded by nature, thinking about with various cloths and mops, or squat- feet sounded like hooves on the tiled floor. the colors and fluffiness of his neck feath- what we have, what we need and what we ted on the floor plucking chickens after Our kitchen was modern, but no one stood ers and his keen eyes. can actually do alone and for each other. Hong had beheaded them with a mighty at a counter if a job could be done squatting I see the heron at every low tide, be it If every human suddenly disappeared from thwack. Chickens DID scuttle around on the floor. Amah or one of her helpers a colorful sunset, mist and fog or dazzling the planet, the planet would be fine. My the kitchen (minus their heads), but were would fill a large chipped enameled tin pan blue sky, fishing, comingling with a duck wish is that, when I return to New York, I quickly caught by Amah, and their blood with water. Then she would lower herself on who waddles and quacks in the mud flats, can make a more balanced and insightful was drained into a bowl and saved. to the floor with a groan and drag the pan to gulls and terns. contribution, that I’ll be stronger this fall Amah, who had been my mother’s nurse- her side with whatever cleaning job needed This year I’ve seen more wildlife from our than I was last spring. maid, came from a time and a family where to be done. 26 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

Apologies continued from page 18 accounts, the Polish president’s twin brother, known as GULAGS in remote sections of who also happened to be the Prime Minister nearly uninhabitable Siberia. at the time, and who now is the president of a They felt they had the right to do such a rather more nationalistic Poland, receded be- thing because of the explosive Molotov- cause of the tragedy into a deep and troubling Ribbentrop Pact of August 24, 1939. On the seclusion, harboring secrets, going so far as to surface, this was to be a simple non-aggres- lie to his elderly mother for many years after- sion treaty between Nazi Germany and So- wards: “He’s on a trip.” viet Russia. Unbeknownst to onlookers from Vija might say this is one of life’s many throughout the world, there was a secret por- circles (“There are no accidents”): fate’s tion to the pact in which these two dictator- funny way of making her children reckon ships divvied up Europe between themselves. with the past. She is more prone to believe The west caught a breeze of this easterly wind that it was a conspiracy, however; a con- during the Nuremberg Trials after World War spired event perpetrated by the same old II, however, Stalin obliged that the draft be ig- Soviets going by a different moniker: nored and the true, all-important implications “They just exchanged the flag from red of this pact was not revealed until the Iron to now red, white and blue. They have Curtain finally fell in the 90’s. not changed at all. And Putin is from the The Nazi occupation between 1941 and old method. He is a KGB man. He never 1944 provided a short respite from the fatal changed, he never will. Look! He’s a dicta- deportations, replacing them with other hor- tor, like Stalin. He is a dictator. He has made rors. By 1944, the Soviets were back, and by the law such that he will be the president of the end of the War, Roosevelt and Churchill Russia for another 30 years. That’s what he effectively legitimized their presence in the did right now. He changed the law.” Baltic states at the Yalta Conference. And Vija bears no false illusions, however. Just so, the deportations resumed uninterrupted, because Putin is a bad guy doesn’t mean with another 136 thousand Latvians deport- there needs to be a good guy. Things are ed between 1944 and 1952. Eyewitness ac- never so simple as appearances suggest. counts speak of so many bodies littering the Even reminiscences of her grandfather, who side of the tracks into Siberia, that the wolves painted, is tainted. He was from Dresden. and the bears soon had eaten more than their “The Americans bombed Dresden com- fill and would take to only chewing on the pletely. And there were thousands and cartilage of noses and ears. thousands and thousands dead. It wasn’t a By 1952, the objective had been accom- military goal. There was nothing military plished. The loudest voices in opposition in in the least. Just to raise terror. That’s all.” Latvia had been silenced, in unimaginably While on the topic of American guilt, the terrible ways. Vija remembers hearing about conversation inevitably dives to the bomb- Join Barre3 West Village’s the neighborhood boy scout leader who was ing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The official found with his head bashed in. By then it narrative is that such drastic steps were nec- was a familiar tale: “You may have heard, essary to end the war, even if it meant the Dynamic Fitness Community when the Russians came into Poland that deaths of perhaps more than 70 thousand By Karen Rempel they killed Polish officers in Katyna? Exactly Japanese children under the age of 14. the same happened in Latvia. Hundreds of “They will always say that they needed Is the Quarantine Fifteen getting you officers of the Latvian army were rounded to do it. Because they did it. So, therefore, down? Has your fitness lifestyle been dis- up, told they were going on some excursion. they needed to do it,” Vija spits. rupted due to restrictions during CO- Military. They were taken to a forest, where Poetically, Vija’s last few rays of naivete VID? Are you yearning for a more active a dug out grave waited, and then they were are held in one of her earliest childhood you, but don’t know where to start? Barre3 shot, and they were falling into the grave memories as a girl in Latvia, before the war West Village (B3WV) has inspired an em- and they covered them up. “ and so, too, before a lifetime of challenges powered fitness community since 2014. I Katyna, of course, refers to Katyn Forest, as a refugee commenced. KAREN REMPEL HOGS ALL THE BALLS became one of their devoted members in at the Barre3 West Village fitness studio. the site of an infamous massacre of over 20 “When I was a little child in Latvia, I 2017. Like so many local businesses, they Photo provided by Karen Rempel. thousand Polish military officers by the Soviet would spend always the summers with rela- have been struggling to stay afloat, since Army in Spring of 1940. Strangely, on the 70th tives on the farm from the country. I always group fitness classes are as impossible to I was so happy to see everyone again after anniversary of the Katyn Massacre, in April knew when the full moon is going to come get into as a Broadway show in NYC. the strange and fearful first months of the 2010 an airplane carrying the Polish presi- up and where. I secretly went there and When I had to give up running after 22 pandemic. B3WV is a positive, supportive, dent, the first lady and dozens more top Polish danced for the moon. Because, that was like years, I thought nothing else would keep me welcoming fitness community. government and military officials crashed and a face you see. He still is my best friend and in such good shape. But I was wrong. B3 Come meet some of the teachers and killed everyone on board as they were flying oldest friend. I always felt that he was the challenged me and provided a super-fun, checkout the appealing Barre3 workout to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to best audience for my dance because he un- full-body workout that has kept me in the gear at their sidewalk sales, Saturday after- commemorate the tragedy. According to some derstood me. I still feel that way.” best shape of my life. In March when I had noons at 28 West 8th Street. Now they have to quarantine in a hotel room for 14 days, I outdoor classes every Saturday on West 8th started doing the B3 online workouts. These Street too, socially distanced and sanitary IF THIS PAPER MAKES YOU THINK classes truly saved my sanity. There are doz- to keep everyone safe. Check out all their ens, ranging from 10 minutes to an hour. offerings at https://barre3.com/studio-lo- When B3WV started livestreaming classes, cations/west-village. The B3 teachers give We will print your thoughts in the next issue this brought the best of the in-studio expe- plenty of options to adjust the workout to rience and online workouts together. With your fitness level and capacities, every class Send your letter to [email protected] Zoom, I could see my friends from class and you take, with props optional. Try the B3 my beloved teachers, and we could work 15-day free online trial. I guarantee you 69 Charles St. out together and chat after. I truly wept will feel a good burn, and feel balanced and New York NY 10014 the first time I worked out via live stream, positive about life after your workout. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 27

and a smudge of rust coloring at the sides of square” on their wings. its white front. I only caught glimpses of it A female American Redstart, bounding Spring Into Fall as it darted through the Juneberry branches athletically high through the elm trees, dis- just above eye level. My initial thought was played her non-seasonal name confusion. that it was a Chestnut-sided Warbler, but The male Redstart does have orange-red it might have been a Bay-breasted. What flashes on his wings and tail which he flicks would fall migration season be without repeatedly to distract insects from their mysteries? becoming his next meal. However, the fe- Hudson River Park has also hosted mul- male is more suitably a Yellowstart with her tiple Black-and-white Warblers. Crawling bright yellow highlights which she employs up and down branches like a Nuthatch with equal aplomb as the male to startle up they look unconfusingly black and white lunch. At least neither turns to a Redstart striped like their spring selves—if a tad of a different color in the fall. blurry from the ordeals of the summer. And finally, my cover bird, featured more Next up were a pair of Common Yel- because it’s pretty than because it’s con- lowthroats playing hide and seek through fusing! In the spring the Northern Parula the undergrowth. The male still had his has a jaunty orange and yellow cravat, blue helpful black mask (and was keeping so- head and wings, and with a green back. cially distant from the female or maybe Their fresh molt into fall features a more he just needed his personal space after au naturel look sans the neck bling and one too many Zoom meetings.) The fe- with an overall subtler palette. It’s cheerful male, though boasting her namesake yel- to ponder whether the bird I photographed low throat, gave me wishful pause that she in May could be the same bird returning might be a similarly yellow-throated Nash- for the photoshoot of his fall collection. SPRING: A Northern Parula in full spring finery. FALL: Fall brings a subtler coloring to the ville, Wilson’s, or Yellow Warbler. Hearing my typing slowing down, Millie Northern Parula’s wardrobe. Photos by Keith Michael. That same morning, a Black-throated looks up. Maybe it’s time for an unconfus- Blue Warbler popped out of the shrub- ing treat. bery right after the Yellowthroats. This is one of the least confusingly named war- Visit keithmichaelnyc.com for links to ALL blers. It is, in fact, noticeably blue with a of my WestView articles, books, photo- black throat. (Millie looks up suddenly as graphs, and the latest schedule of New York if to suggest that she is a White-throated City WILD! urban adventures in nature Red Corgi, equally, conveniently and cor- outings throughout the five boroughs (cur- rectly named.) Black-throated Blues get rently on hold). Follow me on Instagram the Best Dressed Award, spring or fall, for @newyorkcitywild for daily photos from never going out without a crisp “pocket around NYC.

where dogs play all day.

By Keith Michael white accents. By contrast, the gaudy col- Code: “They ain’t called confusing fall warblers for ors and patterns of spring warblers might WESTVIEW nothin.” as well have been fantasy birds. Even 15% off I don’t know who I’m quoting here. May- though I’m sure warblers passed through 1st week be myself. But I think the reassuring phrase our Pennsylvania yard, I never recall seeing “Confusing Fall Warblers” can be soundly them before I took up birding as an adult. attributed to Roger Tory Peterson from his So far this fall I’ve only seen seven of game changing 1934 A Field Guide to the the nearly thirty species of warblers that Birds. Paged through endlessly, this guide could pass through the West Village. Let’s was the staple in my house when I was look at them. In the spring, the Black- growing up in Pennsylvania. poll is a tidy black and white bird with a You may wonder why I find the CFW jaunty black cap that could, perhaps, be sobriquet “reassuring”? Across the room, confused with a Black-and-white Warbler Millie is giving me her skeptical corgi-eye though they have very different dining as if to say that she doesn’t wonder why, styles. The Blackpoll also has a helpful tss frankly doesn’t care, and would rather nap tss tss “Here I Am” call that I frequently through this one, thank you very much. So confuse with the brakes of a taxi slowing much for unconditional love from man’s down at a traffic light. But the one I saw best friend. last week had a cryptically striped olive City Tails NYC is a family-oriented, full service dog business proudly But back to the CFWs. Just placing them back, no black cap, no call, and foraging serving the West Village since 2007. We offer a full suite of services in a comprehensive category comforts me on the ground rather than up in the trees. including dog walking, doggy daycare, puppy care and more. with the camaraderie of others who also I sent photos to expert neighborhood bird find identifying fall warblers confusing. I’m watcher Andrew Rubenfeld for a second Schedule your doggy daycare playdate or walk today! not alone. I recall being absorbed as a child opinion because I wasn’t confident nam- by those several pages of Peterson’s yellow ing it on my own. @citytailsnyc | www.citytailsnyc.com | 55B Leroy Street NY NY 10014 and olive illustrations with their black and Another head scratcher had an olive cap 28 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org

fect the mottled colors of the wall were with the tones of the dress. Magical art! I Karen’s Quirky Style felt like I was flying. Of course, these incredible Kurt Geiger gem-embedded By Karen Rempel platform boots would make any drag queen feel like she’s flying! Fun times in I looked at dozens of apartments in the Village in the pandemic. 2017 when I was searching for my dream New York home. One of my favorite apartment viewing expe- For more fun Philip Maier photos, riences was a co-op with loft bed that caught my see karensquirkystyle.com. eye on StreetEasy because it had a vintage chocolate poster on the living room wall. When I viewed the ______charming apartment on West 10th Street, I was a little hungover from dancing and partying with my STYLE NOTES designer friend Michelle Runden at PIECES Bar the night before. But it was a sunny Sunday morn- KURT GEIGER LONDON BLACK VELVET, ing, and I kept my appointment to view the apart- GEM-EMBEDDED PLATFORM BOOTS. ment. The current owner had an elegant drinks cart Designer Shoe Warehouse. 40 East 14th with a sparkling silver high-heeled pump on it. I was Street. more than intrigued, and I soon discovered that the Cinderella behind this single shoe was a drag per- A.B.S. BY ALLEN SCHWARTZ glamorous se- former whom I’d seen the night before at PIECES! quined drag queen dress. Gift from a friend. What a delightful coincidence! It affirmed my deci- ESTETICA PURE STRETCH CAP WIG. sion to move to New York City. I was dialed in! Gift from a friend. So when my friend Dorothy Bishop, the incred- ibly talented star of the hilarious Dozen Divas show, DANGLY HOOP EARRINGS WITH APRICOT gave me this elegant sequined dress from her drag AND PEACH BEADS. Gift from a friend. queen friend, I immediately thought of wearing it in a shoot at PIECES on Christopher Street. Phil was METALLIC CUFF BRACELET. Street vendor amenable, and we got to the location just before they on Sixth Avenue. started setting up outdoor tables for brunch. But the iconic PIECES window cast too much glare, so “SIN” MAC LIPSTICK AND “BIG APPLE we moved a dozen yards east to a dingy doorway WEST VILLAGE MODEL KAREN REMPEL takes flight in sequins near RED” OPI NAIL LACQUER. Drag queen makeup inspired by Miss Fame. marked Private Property. I cannot believe how per- drag karaoke bar PIECES on Christopher Street. Photo by Philip Maier.

Play On: Music In The West Village During The Pandemic By Fr. Graeme Napier aspires to have live music again with indoor has been live-streaming some political con- portunity to music lovers who miss live in- Orsino in Twelfth Night commands his dining (which has just begun), whereas tent and a drama masterclass, but no live- person music. For $300 you can sponsor a minstrels: Gonzalez y Gonzalez (Mercer Street) has steaming music is yet scheduled. concert, attend in person, and invite selected If music be the food of love, play on; not announced any plans to resume live Smalls (West 10th Street), temporar- guests (up to sixteen units, where a unit is Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, music even with indoor dining, and Zinc ily closed, is not live-streaming new per- either an individual or two people who share The appetite may sicken, and so die. Bar (West 3rd Street) laments that it sim- formances but, instead, granting access a home). Some sponsors do this to mark a In this time of the pandemic, of course, ply does not have enough space for both through their website to archival record- birthday, an anniversary, in memoriam a the opposite has happened for music-lov- diners and musicians. ings from the space, with some material departed loved one, or as a gift to another. ers: the dearth of live music has whetted Some venues have gone down the path available almost every night. Some bring a group of friends together to the appetite. However, due to the restric- of live-streaming their performances. The Nevertheless, live in-person music is sponsor and enjoy a “private” concert. tions imposed on live performances, there Bitter End (Bleeker Street) held one live- slowly beginning to re-appear in the West If you are interested in sponsoring a con- are few opportunities to hear live music in streamed (fund-raising) concert in August Village. Groove NYC (MacDougal Street) cert, simply contact Fr. Graeme the Rector the West Village. and has otherwise been closed since the presents multi-instrumentalist singer- ([email protected]) and he will work with A brief survey of nineteen of the best- pandemic began. The Village Vanguard is songwriter Neal Rosenthal outdoors every you on finding a suitable concert that cor- known live music venues in the West Village now live-streaming with one or two per- Saturday this month. Arturo’s Restaurant responds to your tastes. Most of St. John’s gives an overview of the present situation. formances every month; available on 2 (Houston Street) has occasional live mu- concerts are early music, Renaissance, Ba- Some venues have simply closed, either and 3 October, for example, is the Dayna sic performed inside the restaurant while roque, Classical, Romantic, contemporary, temporarily or for good. Cornelia Street Stephens (jazz) Quartet. The Blue Note diners eat outdoors, and soon the diners or jazz; one example is a beautiful concert Café and Café Vivaldi closed before the (West 3rd Street) has scheduled eleven and musicians will be in the restaurant of Renaissance music for harp and viola da pandemic began. The Village Underground live-streamed performances this month, together. Cafe Wha? (MacDougal Street) gamba on Saturday 17 October, a program (West 3rd Street) is temporarily closed. as has Le Poisson Rouge (Bleeker Street). presents singer-songwriter hip-hop/reggae WQXR called “relentlessly beautiful.” Wednesday night arts events at Judson Me- St John’s in the Village has live-streamed artist Robin Andre outdoors every Friday Why not treat your friends to such a heart- morial Church (Washington Square) have some thirty concerts during the pandemic evening in October. St John’s in the Village warming private concert on a cold autumn ceased. St Luke’s (Hudson Street) is sched- thus far, with many more scheduled for the has commenced “fusion concerts,” which night in the Village? Or, give a concert uling neither choral nor orchestral concerts fall and winter seasons. Mannes School of are live-streamed (or recorded), but also at- in December or January to a friend as a for the rest of the year. Greenwich House Music (at the New School) has commenced tended in person with a limited audience Christmas or Hanukkah gift. ran its Music for Munchkins, a weekly out- a series of live-streamed monthly string of sixteen units (where a unit is either an It is good to know that the West Village door toddlers’ event in September, but has quartet recitals; this month, on Sunday 4 individual or two people who live in the is one of the places in NYC where in-per- no concerts scheduled for the rest of this October, the Balourdet Quartet perform same home) more than six feet apart with son audiences can again enjoy the acous- year. Cuba (Thompson Street) remains repertoire by Beethoven, Jessie Montgom- face-coverings required, thus keeping the tics of our great New York venues and the open but has ceased offering live music. La ery, and Bartók. NYU’s Skirball Center for audience and performers safe. talents of our musicians in full safety and Lanterna di Vittorio (MacDougal Street) Performing Arts (off Washington Square) St John’s offers a sponsor-a-concert op- comfort. Play on! www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 29 Style on the Street: Back to School!...kinda,sorta...

CHLOE WILLIAM JUSTINE SUTTON

REEF DANTE AURELIA CHURCHILL

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AESOP 341 Bleecker “Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash” Non-drying, ZURI alcohol-based 363 Bleecker GOORIN BROS. HAT SHOP formulation made SOIELI “Trivial Pursuit”100% 337 Bleecker w/ Mandarin Rind, “Fleurs in the Wild” 100% GRAYERS | 304 Bleecker washed cotton kitenge “Dakota” 100% wool, Rosemary Leaf, silk, hand-painted headband “Riggs Vintage Oxford Workshirt” 7 oz oxford, sourced in East Africa. Leather Hand Tied Knot. Cedar Atlas www.soieli.com heavy duty woven yarns. www.shopzuri.com www.goorin.com www.aseop.com IG @soielisilk www.grayers.com 30 WestView News October 2020 www.westviewnews.org Hibiscus and the Cockettes

ris, the mother, was a star in the cult film with a group called Sebastian and His Hot Honeymoon Killers (she’s the one that got Band), Gary Cherry, John Flowers, Scrum- away) with Shirley Stoler the buxom award bly, Rumi Missabu (who recently presented winning actress who later had a recurring an extravaganza at the Judson Church in role in Pee Wee Herman’s television show, the Village where I ran into drag superstar and the father, George, who appeared in Rollerina), Goldie Glitters, Harlow and The Great White Way on Broadway and others in shows with titles like Pearls Over was featured in dozens of movies including Shanghai (their greatest hit inspired by San Superman. I met George III at the Caffe Francisco’s old Chinatown), Hollywood Bab- Cino on Cornelia Street (now a New York ylon, The Rise and Fall of the World As Seen City historical landmark) where my plays From a Sexual Position, Tropical Heat Wave, The Bed and Moon were initially staged. and Tricia’s Wedding (also made into a mov- The Cino was the first to present what is ie.) Campy movies shown at the midnight known as theater of the absurd, plays that frolics at the Palace included 1930s classics went against the naturalistic realism of starring Mae West and Joan Crawford, as Broadway plays at that time, presenting well as John Waters’ hits Multiple Maniacs, what was called ‘super-realism.’ Tom Eyen, Female Trouble, and Pink Flamingos. It was who later wrote Dreamgirls, a Broadway Waters who came up with the term “sexual musical hit about The Supremes, staged anarchists” stating in his essay in the book, several of his early works there, including “bearded drag queens, freaks in vintage cos- Why Hannah’s Skirt Won’t Stay Down which tumes, glitter scattered everywhere, sitting starred Helen Hanft, known as ‘the Queen partially nude reading Lenin—they were of Off Off Broadway,’ as a woman who hilarious!” acted out her sexual fantasies in a mirrored John Waters also makes the point that fun-house at Coney Island where she stood the Cockettes reminded him of the theater over a breeze hole, the air blowing her skirt of cruelty, Artaud, and the Living Theater, up around her head. Nearby a sexy narcis- incidentally pointing out that not only were sistic muscleman played by Steve Van Vost the performers high (on acid) as a kite, but in a red, white, and blue speedo stared at so were the audiences screaming enthusi- himself in a mirror while watching Helen’s astically every night throughout the crazy, orgasm over the breeze hole. In Jeff Weiss’ far-out performances. When the group, That’s How the Rent Gets Paid, the protag- changed their name to ‘The Angels of onist, played by the author, returns home Light,’ (sans Hibiscus who advised against from a sanitarium supposedly cured of his it) and decided to take a new show Tinsel psychosis, only to rape both his mother and Tarts in a Hot Coma for a three week run father, as well as his little brother—a part at the Anderson Theater on Second Av- played by the blonde, young, and hand- enue in the East Village, they were eagerly some George Harris III. anticipated by all of New York’s hoi pol- Not too long after the Caffe Cino closed loi as well as uptowners and celebrities like JOHN ROTHERMEL, NY cabaret singer and Cockette star, was an avid collector of 1930s 78 rpm records—here on the cover of Zoom magazine, 1971. Photo courtesy of Fayette Hauser. (in 1967) George III met Allen Ginsberg Bianca Jagger and Truman Capote. They and the two went off on a road trip to Cali- were axed by the press, and people stormed By Robert Heide and interviews with filmmaker John Wa- fornia, stopping along the way long enough angrily out not getting the drugged ab- ters, whose star Divine performed with the for George to stick a sunflower in the barrel surdity at all. They were probably on very 2020 is the 50th anniversary of the famed Cockettes on several occasions, and Ameri- of a Marine’s rifle at a Vietnam War protest different drugs, or none at all. Waters con- Cockettes, who made an acid drenched can history documentarian Ken Burns’ nar- at the Pentagon. A photo of the event by cluded that in San Francisco “It was such splash in San Francisco while living com- rator Peter Coyote, a hippy himself back in Bernie Boston is included in the book and a radical audience because it wasn’t just mune style shortly after the Summer of those days, living in a commune in Olema in has become a symbol of the counterculture gay people. It was a complete mix of men Love in the Haight-Ashbury, with their Marin County who befriended the group's of that era. George was just George then, and women that didn’t fit in anywhere, thrift shop vintage, fabulously collaged and leader Hibiscus. but after dropping acid in San Francisco, he not even in the Hippie movement.” Many assemblaged outfits barely covering their The book is dedicated to Hibiscus, the shed the name forever and became Hibis- people in the Village will remember the nudity with a profundity of accessories, in- Shaman of the Cockettes, and the chief cus. In the book Peter Coyote said of Hibis- glittering billboard over United Cigars in cluding bakelite bracelets and jewelry, im- director of the group’s musical theatri- cus and the Cockettes “to them sex was like Sheridan Square, advertising ‘Hibiscus and mense headdresses, manly beards and tons cals in North Beach. His past experience a handshake! I liked them because they were the Screaming Violets,’ a hilarious club act of glitter pasted all over themselves. The in Greenwich Village theaters as George not trying to be girls, only instead showing with his talented sisters which sadly turned group performed their way-out musical ex- Harris III in the burgeoning off off Broad- off their feminine side with exaggerated out to be Hibiscus’ swan song. He became travaganzas at the North Beach movie the- way scene qualified him for the job, and his hairdos and wigs, garish make-up and gobs one of the first 100 people to die of AIDS, ater, the Palace, and were a midnight sensa- prodigious usage in San Francisco of win- of glitter.” Chief among Hibiscus’ followers and passed away in 1982. tion for several years from 1969 to 1972. A dowpane acid, pot, peyote mushrooms and was John Rothermel, a 78 rpm record col- big, glossy, and exquisitely put together art other drugs fueled his imagination with- lector who became the music director of the I bought my copy of The Cockettes—Acid book entitled The Cockettes with the subtitle out limit. The Harris family consisted of Cockettes introducing such classic 1930s Drag & Sexual Anarchy by Fayette Hauser, Acid Drag and Sexual Anarchy by Fayette six children and they were all in demand Depression era songs as I’ll Build a Stair- published by Process Media in 2020 at Book- Hauser, a photographer as well as a mem- in downtown New York theater. Michael way to Paradise, Hot Voodoo, By a Waterfall, Marc on Bleecker Street. Related books are: ber of the tribe has just been published to Walter had a big role in the Broadway Lullaby of Broadway, and Cooking Breakfast Flower Power Man by Mary Lou, Jayne- celebrate the activities and lifestyles of the show Hair, and the girls, Jayne Anne, Elo- for the One I Love to fellow record collector Anne, Eloise Harris and Caravan to Oz—A psychedelic gay liberation theater collective ise, and Mary Lou formed a singing act and the group’s piano player Peter Minton Family Re-Invents Itself Off Off Broadway known as the Cockettes. The extraordinary based on the Andrews Sisters, specializing who banged out the songs at the Palace as by the Harris Family, both published by El- photos by Ms. Hauser and a flurry of others in World War II hits like Boogie Woogie the boys and girls of the Cockettes romped dorado Books USA. My latest book is Robert including Peter Hujar are augmented with Bugle Boy and Don’t Sit Under the Apple and cavorted. They included Sebastian (a Heide 25 Plays, published by Fast Books essays by some of the Cockettes themselves Tree with Anyone Else But Me. Ann Har- black singer who later pursued a solo career Press. All are available on Amazon. www.westviewnews.org October 2020 WestView News 31

AIDS Memorial continued from page 1 only person who can influence or overturn New York City’s first AIDS hospice in the a Signatura ruling is Pope Francis himself. rectory of Saint Veronica’s on Christmas Greenwich Village Tours If the letter published in these pages can Eve 1985. The church she chose was at the attract 100 thousand online signatures, one heart of the gay community in New York for every life lost to AIDS in New York City: in fact, Christopher Street is argu- City, we believe that will be enough to open ably the worldwide LGBTQ community’s hearts to the truth that this memorial- and Main Street. To put a finer point to it, the what it stands for- is not only wanted, but church sits just a stone’s throw away from needed now more than ever before, espe- the Stonewall Inn, where the Gay Libera- cially when considering the parallels the tion Movement began a half century ago. COVID Pandemic has had with the AIDS Marsha P. Johnson, the legendary veteran Epidemic. To be clear, there has yet to be a of the Stonewall Riots, publicly expressed cure for HIV and over 700 thousand peo- her support for this unique phenomenon at ple continue to die from it, with another the AIDS memorial service at St. Veronica’s Village Legends 1.7 million new infections globally each almost a year to the day before her body was year. The HIV drug market is estimated to found floating in the Hudson River just two and the Storied Life be a $30.5 billion industry, and is expected blocks away. Despite evidence of a “massive of American Culture to continue growing. head wound,” police ruled her death a sui- To virtually sign the open letter on- cide, in an eerie foreshadowing of the current Enjoy the great legends, stories, sights and history line, and to check out our star-studded state of affairs. Thirty years later, this type of of the renowned New York neighborhood #SayTheirNames Social Media Campaign mysterious and violent end still haunts Black which has helped shape our American culture. which has attracted support from the likes transgender women, 44% of whom are liv- See the Village homes of Woody Guthrie, Sinclair Lewis, of Dame Emma Thompson, Nathan Lane, ing with HIV according to the United States Edie Windsor, Emma Lazarus, Berenice Abbott, Thomas Paine. Karamo Brown, and many more generous Center for Disease Control (CDC). Hear the theatre and music history of Edward Albee, Eugene O’Neill, souls, please visit: www.VillageAIDSMe- Herself HIV positive, Marsha was Bob Dylan, John Belushi, James Baldwin, Bette Midler, morial.org widely regarded by those who knew her Allen Ginsberg, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and so many more. ______as a “holy person,” with the support of See the sights and hear the stories of Chumley’s, Magnolia Bakery, Sex and the City, eyewitness accounts finding her on sev- Provincetown Playhouse, Cherry Lane Theatre and more. Dear Pope Francis, eral occasions lying prostrate on the floor A percentage of ticket sales will go to WestView News. We respectfully ask you to preserve at its of Catholic Churches around six in the current location and make open to public morning and facing away from the altar visitation the Village AIDS Memorial, the because she felt it would be inappropriate 2 hours first AIDS memorial in New York City to look directly upon, what she believed, for info: [email protected] • 917 450-3323 and the only one in a religious building was the holy habitation of the Lord. In her Above, left to right: Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, Dustin Hoffman (Photos by Fred W. McDarrah) anywhere in the world. last years of life, she would confess with This memorial, made up of 580 plaques her mouth that she was “married to Jesus”, honoring AIDS victims, is installed in the a sign of holiness ascribed to the earliest sanctuary of the Church of Saint Veronica. Christian martyrs; and months before her later, tensions between the Church and the Tom Waddell and more. In 2017, the Archdiocese of New York closed violent, watery death in the Hudson River, LGBTQ community would boil over with However, if it should be saved for anyone’s the Church of Saint Veronica and has since she was recorded in a video stating a desire a protest at New York City’s Saint Patrick’s sake in particular, it ought to be saved for made plans to remove this memorial. to journey “across the River Jordan, helping Cathedral on December 10, 1989, that saw Lisa Carrascosa, the five-year old Bronx girl The Village AIDS Memorial is miracu- AIDS patients all across America.” a man standing on a pew during Sunday whose plaque is joined by those of her par- lous because it brings worlds together that In 1985, AIDS was understood to be mass repeatedly screaming, “Stop kill- ents. If, for no other reason, do not let that otherwise are seemingly incompatible, a “gay disease”, and while it seemed the ing us!” That protest, organized by AIDS they disturb little Lisa’s home, for it seems as evidenced by the fact that both Saint rest of the world would shun this commu- rights organization ACT UP, ended with she’s finally found some rest. Who knows Mother Teresa and the “Patron Saint” of nity, Saint Mother Teresa wanted to send the arrests of 111 people. what happened to her, but worse than the the LGBTQ Community Marsha P. John- a different message, one characterized by When Jesus handed Veronica back her tragedy of little Lisa’s death would be if it son were instrumental in birthing this me- compassion—a trait she shares with Saint veil, his face was miraculously imprinted were all for nothing. Please use this oppor- morial. Winner of the Noble Peace Prize, Veronica. Indeed, it was a message that upon it, and when Saint Mother Teresa ac- tunity to remember, rather than forget. Saint Mother Teresa left Calcutta for perhaps only a saint could deliver, espe- complished her mission at the Church of Remember, for example, that other par- Christopher Street so that she could open cially when considering that only four years Saint of Veronica, her own face was likewise ishes rejected the opportunity to provide a miraculously imprinted upon that church in church home for St. Mother Teresa’s worthy the form of the 580 plaques that constitute mission. The New York Times reported that the Village AIDS Memorial. This memori- a year earlier, in 1984, Upper West Siders al, created in 1992, is a direct descendent of made the Orwellian decision to protest a Saint Mother Teresa’s (perhaps) divinely in- proposed AIDS hospice in their neighbor- spired work because many of these plaques hood. Perhaps the sight of plague-stricken remember those who died whilst in the bodies was too much too bear. Nevertheless, care of the Gift of Love, the AIDS hospice if even a single plaque is removed from this which Saint Mother Teresa named herself. Christopher Street church, which has been Though most of the 580 plaques in the a refuge for the most vulnerable in times of sanctuary of this Roman Catholic Church trials and tribulations, it would be sacrile- honor gay men who led private lives and gious and certainly will diminish this me- who died from a virus they contracted while morial’s holy power. having gay sex (a revolutionary act which is Please, Pope Francis, remember the way reminiscent of the radical love some say is of Saint Veronica, and of Saint Mother Te- a central tenet to the life of Jesus), there resa, whom you yourself canonized, and do are several famous names on this memo- what you can to preserve the Village AIDS rial who were the martyrs of the AIDS Memorial. epidemic, including Ryan White, Marlon PLAQUES OF FAMOUS CARETAKERS OF THE VILLAGE AIDS MEMORIAL who participate in our Riggs, Elizabeth Glaser, Randy Shilts, Pe- Sincerely, #SayTheirNames campaign: Sarah Jessica Parker, Karamo Brown, Brian May, Dame Emma Thompson to name a few. You can view more at www.Instagram.com/VillageAIDSMemorial ter Allen, Jeffrey Schmalz, Michael Callen, Caretakers of the Village AIDS Memorial No more crowded openings, like this one for Franz Kline at the Sidney Janis gallery, March 7, 1960. Ours are now socially distanced. Forget About What You Know Group Show Curated by Kourosh Mahboubian PHOTO COURTESY SUZANNE POLI with Chambliss Giobbi, Anthony Haden-Guest, Blake Hiltunen, M. Henry Jones, Dindga McCannon,Tyrone Mitchell, Marjan Moghaddam, PrideZahra Nazari, Marches Sudi Sharafshahi, Khari TurnerOn: CelebratingNorth Gallery: 50 Years Ali Haselbeck / Solo Exhibition Both showsBy Appointment: Open Thursday Thursday through Sunday,1through Sunday,12 pm to 6 pm, noon and toby 6appointment. pm 137 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 • @artofourcentury

Above: Mark Rothko, Ethel Baziotes, William Baziotes, Robert Goldwater, Harriet Grossman Janis, Franz Kline, Louise Bourgeois. Photo by Fred W. McDarrah