Dr. Davis, We Need Frankness Not PR

The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 14, NUMBER 3 MARCH 2018 $1.00 Dr. Davis, We Need Frankness Not PR By George Capsis Way back on October 27th of last year, articulate RN Susan Somerville pitched the outrage of going from over 800 beds Mount Sinai’s decision makers, alarmed that they were not closing down Beth in the old Beth Israel to around 500, they at the crackling rolling anger of Beth Is- Israel but rather building a better, more now allowed their plans to indicate, with I had an “Oh, wow!” moment when I rael nurses who became aware that man- modern, more responsive health system dotted lines, four more floors should the read in the February 5th Villager article agement was transferring departments the star of which was this new hospital to community need them. Hmm. that Mount Sinai is “…‘leaning toward’ (and with it nurses) to other hospitals in be built on the parking lot of the Eye and Imagine this cartoon: A patient is lying building an extra four floors atop its its group in an effort to stem hundreds of Ear Infirmary. (My eye doctor complains, on a gurney about to go into an elevator [newly proposed] mini-hospital…” This millions in losses since its take-over (they “Where am I going to park?”) for the operating room and the door opens building would wrap around the shabby were projecting $500 million), held a pub- Now, think about that phrase: “‘leaning to reveal a packed phalanx of workmen on gray New York Eye and Ear Infirmary lic meeting to make things right. toward’ building an extra four floors.” their way up to finish the four needed ad- of Mount Sinai at 14th Street and 2nd With the loss of St. Vincent’s still vibrat- The “extra four floors,” I believe, origi- ditional floors. Avenue that I visit for my macular de- ing, every single local politician showed up. nated when they announced that the new You can tell when an organization is in generation shot every couple of months. Dr. Jeremy Boal and the very aggressively hospital would have only 70 beds. To quiet continued on page 5

Ramsey Clark at 90: From TAKI 123 to High Art: America’s Most Liberal The 5Pointz Decision (Part 1) Attorney General and Veteran West Villager (Part 1) “The greatest crime since World War II has been U.S. foreign policy.”—Ramsey Clark

By Bruce Poli

Ask me why I live in the West Village, and I might say, “Because people like Ramsey Clark live here.” Considered one of America’s most lib- eral Attorney Generals, Ramsey Clark, who served in the Department of Justice during the Kennedy and Johnson eras, is perhaps the antithesis of Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions in style, policy, and most importantly, character. He cares and he cares deeply, even today, nearly half a cen- tury after leaving Washington. DESTROYED: “Beauty and the Beast” by Esteban del Valle, was an exhibit in the 5Pointz trial. Photo courtesy of 5ptz.com. Clark’s era of compassion in government reminds us that it wasn’t always open war- By Catherine Revland whose work had been destroyed by a devel- fare between the public and the government. oper, the response was laudatory: “This will RAMSEY CLARK, WEST VILLAGE LUMI- America was actually defended and enhanced Last month, when the art world learned change perceptions of an art form for gen- NARY: Quietly taking the sun, the author discovers our West Village neighbor, the by its representatives in Washington. that Federal District Court Judge Frederic erations to come;” “A milestone for street most liberal U.S. Attorney General. Photo In fact, the Johnson administration is Block had awarded maximum damages art;” “The quality of a work is determined by © Bruce Poli. continued on page 5 totaling $6.7 million to 21 aerosol artists continued on page 17

Historical View New Speaker t Original Brian J. Pape captures Check out celebratory im- Get to know Peter a striking image from the ages from Corey Johnson’s Leitch, a jazz guitarist Washington Square Arch, inauguration ceremony on who also worked as a replicating Culver Pictures’ January 29th. journalist and teacher. photo from a century ago.

SEE PAGE 10 SEE PAGE 9 SEE PAGE 29.

SEE PAGE 6 2 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the West Village. Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections

Publisher A Real Community I’ll Tell You What’s Wrong es, and ideas. But if Mr. Capsis is truly Executive Editor George, interested in publishing a community George Capsis With Your Paper I wanted to write a quick thank you for newspaper that has broad appeal, West- Managing Editor your work in putting out . Mr. Capsis, would have to become something Andreea Ioana Pantor WestView News View The people can have their Journal or their I respectfully submit the letter below for more than a platform for one person’s Associate Editor Andrew Buemi ‘Gray Lady,’ but I’ll take the stack of pa- your “Correspondence, Commentary, and point of view. pers with the dark beige font. I particu- Corrections” section. —Gregory Hamm Designers Kim Plosia larly enjoy “Then & Now,” the pieces on In “Do We Really Need Newspa- Stephanie Phelan local politics, and “In and Out.” pers?” from the February 2018 issue of In WestView’s 15 years, we have received Advertising Manager I think the most common misconcep- WestView News, George Capsis deplores very few letters, either positive or negative, Stephanie Phelan tion about New York is that it’s a bunch how “people are simply not looking at a about the paper so this letter from 35-year- Photo Editor of high rises with abstract people walking newspaper any longer, and certainly not old Greg Hamm is indeed an exception. Darielle Smolian around, lacking communities. Rather, it is a community paper.” According to Mr. It is hard to read negative criticism. Your comprised of pockets of distinct neigh- Capsis, the iPhone and “the explosion of instinct is to deprecate the author and defend Traffic Manager Liza Whiting borhoods. Admittedly, many of these lo- real news, fake news, and sheer nonsense” yourself but Mr. Hamm is a good writer and calities are clinging on to their communal are to blame. The implied consequence thoughtfully tempers his negative thoughts. He Photographers feel, an issue your paper deals with every is that community-based publications lets me have it nevertheless. Maggie Berkvist Joel Gordon month. But you and your team do your like WestView will not be able to survive I started to write a response but then I part to make the West Village feel like a – unless “you [the reader]…let us know thought that Andreea should just send Mr. Comptroller real home, so thank you. you want it.” Hamm’s letter to our contributors for their Jolanta Meckauskaite —Cam Williams If he sincerely wants his paper to attract reactions. She has selected excerpts from sev- Architecture Editor a wider audience, Mr. Capsis would do well eral responses (which follow) so now it is up to Brian Pape Go For It, God to consider how WestView might better ad- you, our readers, to see if you agree with Mr. Film, Media and Music Editor Senior share housing is a great idea, dress the diverse interests and needs of its Hamm and/or our contributors. Jim Fouratt George! community. Oh, and after thinking about it for a few I hope you can get the wheels in mo- I am 35 years old and have lived in the days, I decided that I have no intention of Food Editor David Porat tion, especially in that excellent location! West Village for several years. I love the changing the paper. I had to chuckle, too...finding our neighborhood and am grateful to have —George Capsis Distribution Manager minds running on the same track. In my a community paper, but even as a casual Timothy Jambeck case, I was wondering whether—if and reader, I can identify at least a couple of The following excerpts have been edited Regular Contributors when one of them became available— reasons for WestView’s limited appeal. by WestView News: Barry Benepe, Caroline Benveniste, I could possibly afford to pay the rent The first reason is content. Month af- Charles Caruso, Jim Fouratt, on one of the studio apartments next ter month, WestView focuses on the same “I don’t think WestView is a platform for John Gilman, Mark. M. Green, Robert door to me to accommodate a part-time handful of topics over and over again: ac- one person’s point of view. It has many Heide, Thomas Lamia, Keith Michael, Michael D. Minichiello, Brian J. Pape, ‘care giver!’ Can imagine having Dusty’s cess to healthcare for seniors, rising rents, issues and many points of view, which is Joy Pape, Alec Pruchnicki, Christina help at 69 Charles Street may have had overdevelopment or unwanted develop- why it is popular. I do think the front Raccuia, Catherine Revland, Joseph Salas, something to do with inspiring your ment, and the closing of St. Veronica’s page should be newsy, and although the Martica Sawin, Donna Schaper, Arthur Z. Schwartz, Gary Tomei, Joseph Turco, very practical scheme? Sounds positively Church. These are important issues, but senior shared housing piece was interest- Esq., Stanley Wlodyka Scandinavian! they are not the only issues that all West ing, it was an open musing by George We endeavor to publish all letters received, Afterthought: If you can’t persuade your Village residents care about. about something which will never hap- including those with which we disagree. favorite Trader Joe’s, may I suggest Whole WestView’s tone can be as much a turn- pen. I think opinion pieces by George The opinions put forth by contributors Foods (my favorite)—probably good tim- off as its content. Highly subjective, broad- have a place, but there should be a col- to WestView do not necessarily reflect the ing right now since Amazon is already hot ly outraged, frequently combative, baldly umn, perhaps on page 3, called ‘George’s views of the publisher or editor. to trot! one-sided, and nostalgic for a West Vil- View.’” WestView welcomes your correspondence, comments, and corrections: ­Cheers, lage that no longer exists, WestView too —Arthur Z. Schwartz www.westviewnews.org Maggie Berkvist frequently reads like a draft of one man’s Contact Us anti-establishment rant. “I agree that WestView is largely George’s (212) 924-5718 High Marks for WestView Consider, for example, “God at the voice, which is his prerogative as Publisher. gcapsis@gmail.com Dear George, Drafting Board,” the top-line story in the I would ask Mr. Hamm to do three things: I can’t believe my poem and I got so lucky. February issue, an editorial (not a news- (1) Respond to George’s specific proposals, It’s an honor to be published by you. paper article by any standard of objective (2) Show us any articles which did address You’re beyond professional. I continually journalism) describing Mr. Capsis’ idea for the ‘interests and needs of its community,’ marvel at how you alert the public to so senior-friendly housing. Half of the piece and (3) Consider writing for us.” much information which startles/teaches is given over to an email exchange between —Barry Benepe us monthly. I’m sure it’s a massive group Mr. Capsis and a PR representative for effort, but you’ve got it sewn up. Regard- Trader Joe’s, whose professional response “Mr. Hamm should note that WestView ing the February issue, I sense a genuine, to a rumor about a new store location is actually covers a broad range of topics. concentrated effort by our neighbors/ the pretext for Mr. Capsis taking Trader Hasn’t he noticed that? He should also neighborhood to attempt to resolve prob- Joe’s to task for not having a plan to part- realize that a really conservative tone will lematic issues, rather than go sour on ner with a developer to finance and build not be presented and that fact will probably them. Reality bites, but optimism makes senior housing. turn off some readers. reality more palatable. WestView is a great I do not mean to be unduly critical. What subjects would Mr. Hamm like to sounding board. WestView is to be commended for its see covered that are now missing from the THANK YOU and KEEP SETTING commitment to the West Village and for paper, and that would be relevant to a gen- THE MARK. championing worthy causes, and it is cer- eral reader or to a Village resident?” MIA SAYS: I wave my tail for many but only Sincerely, tainly Mr. Capsis’ prerogative to sponsor —Carol Yost sit at my master’s command. Photo by Andreea Ioana Pantor. Roberta Curley a forum to air his own values, grievanc- continued on page 3 www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 3

exists in our society, and people are feeling Verizon’s wires. more and more alienated. In short, West- It is worth noting that Verizon offered View’s most important asset is that it has an attachment for one’s phone to enable heart.” usage during the repair, but for several rea- —Gary Tomei sons, that was not convenient for all. Furthermore, Verizon insisted on being “WestView sometimes does read a little bit paid on time even though service was not like ‘a paper for the elderly’ and certain top- available. Otherwise, Verizon said that late ics appear in almost every issue (e.g. health charges would be applied. One must call care, hospitals, new developments, St. Ve- and ask to be credited for missed service ronica’s, etc.). I think it’s very important because credit is not automatically applied to keep fighting for certain things such as to the bill. St. Veronica’s but smaller, lighter articles I wonder what the Public Service Com- spice up the paper and give it a ‘younger mission thinks about all of this. vibe.’ Why not do a portrait on a younger —Anonymous resident? There are so many great 20- and 30-somethings out there.” The following letter was published in re- —Sophie Gruetzner sponse to the Crain’s New York Business article “Traffic Congestion Costs Metro Economy $20 Billion a Year: Study,” dated THE ARCHDIOCESE HEARD OUR MUSIC: The New York Catholic Archdiocese invited Verizon Outage January 18, 2018. The letter has been edited the priest assigned to St. Veronica, Father Santiago Rubio, to a conference last month Dear George: slightly by WestView News. to initiate the process of changing it from a traditional house of worship to one that I assume you’re aware of the outage caused would allow acceptable public uses like the WestView concert series. A small group of Congestion parishioners have filed a lawsuit with the Vatican to keep it as a church and this petition by a contractor’s cutting of an exchange ca- may have its final hearing in April or May. Photo by © Joel Gordon 2018 – All rights ble at 17th Street and 7th Avenue. This has in New York City reserved. left much of the West Village which uses I enjoyed your article on congestion in a copper-wire landline without Verizon New York City. What a crisis, but unfortu- Actress and West Village resident Sarah Jessica Parker provided the comments below telephone service since January 29th. That nately, it is deliberately created. When you following the February 10th concert at St. Veronica, which she attended. The content has includes Greenwich House on Barrow create bike lanes which cater to the lowest been edited by WestView News. Street, which is home to a senior center and velocity, lowest capacity, and lowest den- Acclaim from a childcare center—both vulnerable popu- sity mode of transportation, you throttle Sarah Jessica Parker lations. Rather than wait until March 5th traffic; you give up 25% of the roadway for service to be restored, as Verizon told to an unproductive and slow method of It’s funny that George thinks he needs an and stubborn and charming. us we must, Greenwich House switched transportation. introduction, only because I feel like ev- I also think these concerts at St. Ve- to Spectrum. Businesses, seniors in wheel- When you place stanchions, planters, and eryone in this community knows him. I ronica are divine. We are grateful for chairs, etc. have all been affected. AT&T other obstructions in the roadway to destroy think he’s sort of the non-religious God- what he did, especially on February lines were also affected, as they run through continued on page 12 father of the West Village. 10th—such a dreary night where we all He’s an extraordinary and special man. came together to have this extraordinary I always say yes to George (when I can) experience with exquisite musicians. for all the reasons we stand shoulder-to- George, we thank you for your com- shoulder with him. I think there is no bet- mitment to all of us and especially for BRIEFLY NOTED ter and fiercer advocate for our community your advocacy for all the seniors in the Arlene Gottfried’s “KISS, ary 28th to April 28th at Daniel Cooney than George. He is brave and tenacious community. You mean so much to us. Fine Art in Chelsea. Gottfried, a longtime Halloween Parade, resident of Westbeth, passed away in August West Village, 1978” of 2017. Her photography is best known diversity to readers—Not only a diversity Arlene Gottfried’s artistic legacy continues for its humorous and empathetic views of “I do agree with a few of Mr. Hamm’s of topics, but a variety of opinions and in a solo exhibition entitled “A Lifetime Of New York City. This show includes black- points. We need to diversify our articles, outlooks. Despite the fact that the paper Wandering,” which is on view from Febru- and-white, color, and Polaroid photographs which will diversify our audience. Read- focuses on the same handful of topics taken over the course of Gottfried’s 40-year ing the same articles over and over doesn’t over and over again: ‘access to healthcare- career. Photo by Arlene Gottfried. always add pressure to the issues. Some- for seniors, rising rents, overdevelopment —Daniel Cooney times, it just bores people. or unwanted development, and the clos- I do not agree that the tone is not jour- ing of St. Veronica’s Church,’ many more End Robo Calls nalistic. I enjoy it as a West Village artist- topics of interest are also offered. What based activist type of paper.” comes to mind right off is the ‘In & Out’ Just out of the tub, soaking soapy wet, the —Annunziata Gianzero column, the ‘Events’ pages, the delight- phone rings and I step with pain-wracked ful bird-watching articles, science pieces, knees in fear of falling to the demanding “Over the years, I have heard complaints travel articles, and the generally neutral ring ring only to discover that it is a robo from readers about topics that WestView coverage of new developments in the call. covers to the point where it’s too much. ‘Stroll’ series. Okay, this has to end. However, there are those readers who are As long as I’ve known George, he has The only way robo calls will end is if equally obsessed with topics, such as the gone above and beyond to seek out diverse the sender must pay a penalty for mak- closing of St. Vincent’s, and it’s important opinions and contributors. The diversity ing them. So, when the call comes in, you to keep people up to date on such issues as that exists in every issue is a testament to push a button on a small, attached black they come up.” his desire to be inclusive. Could it be im- box which listens and records the robo —Stephanie Phelan proved? Of course; we are not resting on call and registers it on your bill as a one- our laurels.” dollar credit; it charges the robo caller “Reading Mr. Hamm’s letter, my first re- —Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP two dollars. action was to wish for more specific sug- A repeat offender is relegated to solitary gestions, rather than ‘better address the di- “WestView is a local paper and its topics “A LIFETIME OF WANDERING”: Arlene Gott- confinement with a concealed speaker that verse interests and needs of its community.’ are extremely relevant to its audience, es- fried’s unique view of New York City is now plays a medley of robo calls 24 hours a day. WestView really does provide variety and pecially in a time when a general malaise on display. Photo by Arlene Gottfried. —George Capsis 4 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org 14th Street Traffic Plan: It’s Not Being Handled Lawfully

By Arthur Z. Schwartz heart attack a little over a year ago. One the West 13th Street Alliance, the West 13th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Streets, and reason I am alive is that the ambulance 12th Street Block Association, the 100 even 18th Street, as well as on north- It is rare to see our community so united. from Northwell Health was able to get West 17th/18th Street Block Associa- south avenues including 8th, 7th, 6th, And when it is united in opposition to a across town to Beth Israel quickly. This tion, the 15th Street Block Association, 5th, 4th, and 3rd Avenues, and Broad- government project, you know something fight is not just about auto exhaust pouring the Lower Chelsea Alliance (15th and way, Park Avenue, and University Place. is wrong. into people’s windows and horns blasting 16th Streets between 5th and 6th Av- The traffic will bring with it air pollu- Over the last month, as a West 12th 24 hours per day. Lives are at stake. And enues), and the Upper West 13th Street tion, noise pollution, and vibrations that Street resident, and as Democratic Dis- if Beth Israel succeeds in closing all but Block Association. will threaten the integrity of historic trict Leader, I have attended a series of minor surgery sections, cross-town traffic The plan, as posted, is not a tempo- structures. The streets will be harder to meetings held by over a dozen block will become even more of a life and death rary plan. It institutes permanent infra- cross and bike riding will be impossible associations and community groups issue. (This is a fight I am litigating on structure changes to address a temporary (except on the DOT’s implausible two- alarmed by the City’s “tentative plan” for another front. See page 8 of this issue.) problem. As such, it is a plan clearly sub- way bike lane on already-overcrowded the “temporary reconfiguration” of 14th So now I have entered the fray as a law- ject to the State Environmental Quality 13th Street). Perhaps most importantly, Street and 13th Street as part of the L yer. The first shot was fired on February Review Act (SEQRA). This is clearly a the movement of ambulance and fire ve- Train Shutdown. 14th (Valentine’s Day) in a letter to Polly SEQRA Type 1 Project. (See 6 NYCRR hicles will be impeded. As Brian J. Pape discusses on page 7 of Trottenberg, the DOT Commissioner. 614.4(b)(9) and (10)). This project in- You must stop, pause, and do what is this issue, this plan will see 14th Street The letter, which I excerpt below, has volves physical alteration of 2.5 acres right and what is required by law. This is a restricted to Metropolitan Transporta- been edited by WestView: which are contiguous to a historic dis- plan being foisted on a community wholly tion Authority (MTA) buses and deliv- trict and publicly owned parkland. Such without genuine input, supported by po- ery vehicles for at least a two-year period, Dear Commissioner Trottenberg: a public project requires either a Nega- litical forces which have no interest in and and a sidewalk expansion into one lane I write in part as the Democratic District tive Declaration (which would be an ab- no base in the affected community. on the north and south side of the street. Leader for most of the geographic area be- surd finding) or an Environmental Im- I will be sending a more formal letter, On 13th Street, they want to build a two- ing affected by the plan, or tentative plan, pact Statement (EIS). with more clients, if we do not hear from way “protected” bike lane on the south being proposed by the New York City Why do we need an EIS process here? you by February 28, 2018. We will file side of the street, from 1st Avenue to 8th Department of Transportation (DOT) in For the same reason that our commu- within 30 days after that. Avenue. connection with the temporary shutdown nity is wholly united in opposition to Sincerely, of the L Train by the Metropolitan Trans- the changes being proposed for 14th and Arthur Z. Schwartz portation Authority (MTA). 15th Streets. Your studies have not been It doesn’t take a sophis- I also write as a resident and home- transparent, public input has not been As we go to press, I have not gotten a ticated traffic study to owner on West 12th Street, and as an at- seriously considered or discussed, there response. torney for a growing coalition of block is no public vetting of alternative means know that the result will associations and community groups who of “dealing with the problems” caused by Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Male Democratic be horrific congestion. stand united in opposition to the plan the L Train Shutdown, and there seems District Leader in Greenwich Village. He posted online by the DOT in mid-De- to be a lack of concern about the impact hosts a weekly radio show called “Advocating cember. These include the Council of on our community. for Justice” every Monday, from 5:00 p.m. It doesn’t take a sophisticated traffic Chelsea Block Associations, the West And it is impact that we all care about: to 6:00 p.m. on WBAI, 99.5FM. His show, study to know that the result will be hor- 13th Street 100 Block Association, the Closing 14th Street to vehicular traffic including back recordings, are available at rific congestion. On 8th, 7th, 6th, and 5th 100 West 16th Street Block Association, will cause horrific traffic jams on 12th, wbai.org. Avenues, cars which had planned to turn on 14th Street will either turn on 17th, 16th, 15th, 13th, or 12th Streets to fin- ish their ride across town. 12th and 13th Senior Share Apartments: Streets, which go all the way across, will get hit the worst. (Traffic on 13th Street Now Renting is already horrific, while on 12th Street it is just slightly better). By George Capsis I am disappointed that I did not get and said, “You’re younger than my son.” Although the New York City Depart- more feedback because I know this is a A newspaper is, or should be, the voice ment of Transportation (DOT) and the I recently got a call from what sounded good idea. In a way, I am living it. Dusty of the public or at least the voice of the MTA have held a number of public ses- like a very nice senior lady who read resides upstairs and will, in an hour or editor or publisher trying to speak for sions where they make small group pre- my February 2018 front-page proposal so, come down to make breakfast and the public. Here I am, saying that peo- sentations, and get small group reactions, to build connected apartments with se- later shop for some prepared foods from ple are getting older. They are trapped they really haven’t treated the process as niors on one side and young people on Gourmet Garage. Dusty is not just out of in rent-regulated apartments and can no one where the views of the public matter. the other. The young occupants would school but she has inexhaustible energy longer make it to the supermarket or the From the beginning, bicycle advocates be just out of college and would want and makes a good breakfast. (She always doctor alone—period. That’s a fact and have held sway, calling for a 14th Street to live in the Village but, of course, they has some fresh fruit.) I can also talk to the Senior Share Apartment is one solu- ‘PeopleWay,’ and have condemned us lo- wouldn’t be able to afford it. They would Dusty about what I am doing to help me tion that Johnson and de Blasio should cals as “selfish.” “So what if your blocks trade helping the adjoining seniors to think it through; you can’t do that with back. get filled with backed-up cars spewing shop, cook, and get to the doctor’s office the television. But, I remember when, on the phone, pollution most of the day?” for lower rent. Now I am thinking: I certainly know I tried to get Corey to back a hospital The DOT (the main villain here) has This was the only call I got and my Corey Johnson (now the Speaker of the to replace St. John’s Terminal, and he proceeded on vague statistics involv- nice lady asked when these apartments City Council) who sent his mother and forcefully enunciated, “I will not back ing the number of people who now take would be ready to move in. (Evidently, aunt to 69 Charles Street to convince anything that’s not going to happen.” the L Train between 8th Avenue and 1st she was ready to do so.) I found my hair me he was a nice boy and that I should I am not an elected official. I have just Avenue (four stops, about a one-mile trigger cynicism replying, “Next Thurs- back him. I also certainly know Bill de this one tool—a small, monthly commu- stretch), and is determined to PERMA- day.” The only other comment I received Blasio whom I interviewed when he was nity newspaper. But, hey, that is better NENTLY (not temporarily) cause tur- was from 35-year-old Greg Hamm who 80 points behind Christine Quinn. In an than nothing. I know I am speaking for moil in our neighborhood. cited the proposal as an example of how I impassioned plea to keep a for-real hos- myself but you have to let me know if I As WestView readers know, I had a was preoccupied with senior causes. pital in the West Village, I grabbed him am speaking for you too. www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 5 Dr. Davis, We Need Frankness, Not PR continued from page 1 Representing buyers, sellers, investors, trouble when it retains an expensive PR remove the blockage.) and landlords in Greenwich Village, West Village, Chelsea, firm. Mount Sinai has done just that in Ahh, but WestView readers will re- and other parts all over Manhattan and Brooklyn hiring SKDKnickerbocker and utilizing member that about one year ago, Arthur Loren Riegelhaupt (Managing Director of Z. Schwartz arrived at Beth Israel with a the Public Affairs team) who will not come heart attack. When the nurses discovered Bank St Townhouse Triplex - RENTED 114 Mercer SoHo huge loft - SOLD to the phone. (You have to write to him.) that he wrote for this paper, they unloaded West 11th St Townhouse - RENTED Charles St Duplex - RENTED Finally, he stopped sending me email re- that Mount Sinai was closing down de- 80 Charles St 1 bed - RENTED West 11th St studio - RENTED sponses as they were beneath his contempt. partments before getting a sign-off from On Saturday morning, February 24th, the New York State Department of Health 425 Park Ave South 3d - SOLD 50 Greenpoint Ave condo - SOLD Ron Morris came for coffee and I was Commissioner, and Schwartz sued. 56 Jane St 1 bed 2 baths - SOLD 150 east 93rd St coop - IN CONTRACT shocked to see his face with eyes circled in Okay, what is going on here? We here in 2 Horatio St 1 bed - SOLD 320 West 115th St - SOLD black. “I have some kind of bronchial con- New York are lucky we have a lot of great NEW LISTINGS dition,” he offered, “and I have a 17.5 hour doctors and excellent medical support ser- 115 east 9th St Doorman Studio $535k - IN CONTRACT flight to Honolulu tomorrow morning.” vices but medicine in New York—and in 88 Horatio studio $475k - SALE | $2,200 - RENT His wife Arlene called later to say that they this country—is outrageously expensive. 425 PAS 18d Loft - $1,075,000 discovered he had had a heart attack and We have the most expensive medicine in was in Lenox Hill Hospital awaiting an the world but not necessarily the best. operation to bypass the blocked artery to So, medicine is a science that requires vir- his heart. (It went well and he has another tuoso practitioners to perform surgery and Support mom and pop local shops operation for stents tomorrow.) treat patients but medicine is also a business and a Happy New Year! Now, the good news is that the newly which has gotten out of hand. This “medi- proposed 70-bed Mount Sinai Beth Israel cine” through PR is not the answer. Hospital on 13th Street will have a Cath I invite Dr. Kenneth Davis, who heads Scotty Elyanow Lab to treat heart attacks but the bad news Mount Sinai, for coffee at 69 Charles Lic. Associate RE Broker is that it is four years away. (The Cath Lab Street. We can have a quiet little chat with- Longtime West Village Broker and Resident is named after the flexible catheter which out Mr. Riegelhaupt. We need truth, not 917.678.6010 | [email protected] is inserted into an artery and shoved up to adjectives. www.westvillagebroker.com scottyely

even while the country was erupting with Ramsey Clark Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractor assassinations, street fighting, violence, sales associates and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. The Corcoran continued from page 1 and, of course, the Vietnam War. He was Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065. now considered the gold standard for good, America’s top law enforcer in the critical progressive domestic leadership. year of 1968—the turning point of Ameri- In his recent book, Building the Great can politics. Society: Inside Lyndon Johnson’s White In 1961, Clark, purportedly, was highly House, Joshua M. Zeitz posits that the placed in JFK’s Justice Department in or- greatest legacy threatened to be erased by der to become Attorney General (AG) un- the Trump administration is not Barack der Johnson, from 1967 to 1969. His fa- Obama’s, but Lyndon Johnson’s. Ramsey ther, Tom Clark was Harry Truman’s AG. Clark is a pillar of that legacy. He super- The story of their influence,Father, Son vised the drafting of the Voting Rights and Constitution: How Justice Tom Clark Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of and Attorney General Ramsey Clark Shaped 1968. American Democracy by Alexander Wohl was published in 2013 by the University Press of Kansas. At 90, Clark lives I recently handed him Jill Freedman’s quietly in the West Vil- documentary photography book Resurrec- tion City to Ramsey Clark. (It chronicles lage. He has been here the Poor People’s March of 1968.) since leaving D.C. in the “Oh, I remember this well,” he said. “I let a lot of the demonstrators into my office early 1970s... and everyone at Justice was saying ‘What the Hell is Clark doing?’” So deeply committed to justice was “A big black woman was standing over me, Ramsey that he had the audacity and wagging her finger at me. She was angry.” chutzpa to represent not only Saddam “But she was right wasn’t she?” I asked. Hussein, but also Serbian leader Slobodan “Sure was,” he answered in his distinct Milosevic and Liberia’s warlord Charles Texan drawl. Taylor in their War Crimes Tribunal tri- “How do we survive this onslaught in als. He did so against all odds and with the the Trump era?” I asked. great wrath of much of the American pub- “We just have to let it take its course. lic and politicians. That’s part of democracy,” he responded. At 90, Clark lives quietly in the West Last year, when seeing Ramsey Clark Village. He has been here since leaving sitting in a wheelchair on a lonely West D.C. in the early 1970s—almost com- Village sidewalk, I thought, “My God, this pletely removed and nearly erased from man’s been forgotten.” memory in the Trumpification of America. But Clark’s opinions matter. He rep- Part two of this article will appear in the resents the golden age of democratic law, April 2018 issue of WestView. 6 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org We Still Need Beth Israel No Stopping This Train that “that level of diminishment is excessive.” He supports PALM in pressing for an inde- pendent study to determine the health needs of Lower Manhattan before the New York State Department of Health (DOH) permits the closure of any further Beth Israel units. Since the January PALM meeting, The Villager reported that Mount Sinai may build the replacement hospital to its fully permit- ted zoned height of six floors, rather than two floors as originally planned. (See Lincoln Anderson’s February 5, 2018 article entitled, “Mount Sinai ‘leaning toward’ adding extra floors on new E.V. mini-hospital” in The Vil- lager). Although that would be an improve- HOSPITAL CLOSINGS ARE NOT JUST A ment, PALM executive board member Ar- LOCAL ISSUE: City Councilman Jumaane thur Z. Schwartz considers the Mount Sinai Williams spoke with members and others plan a “hodgepodge.” Despite Mount Sinai’s at the January PALM meeting. Photo by indecisiveness regarding whether 70 beds is Penny Mintz. enough, they would use the extra floors for offices, not more beds. Schwartz asserts this By Penny Mintz is “not the way to carefully address the health care needs of half a million or more people.” ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS TO BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: A disability activist and the City Council Member Jumaane Williams, a PALM members have begun enlisting President of the NYC Transit Authority square off on accessibility issues at the community Brooklyn Democrat running for lieutenant support for meetings with elected officials gathering for the L Train closure. Photo by Stanley Wlodyka. governor, spoke with Progressive Action of from their partners in the Community Co- Lower Manhattan (PALM) members in late alition to Save Beth Israel. Nine organiza- By Stanley Wlodyka and bushy-tailed representatives of the January. He presented progressive credentials tions have expressed solidarity. The meetings MTA smiled generously at visitors and quite impressively and answered questions will be scheduled over the next weeks. You’ve seen her. Just as you lift your hand eagerly explained the exciting details of about the threatened closing of Beth Israel On another front, motion practice is un- to grab her attention and offer help, she the closure. Kessinger was having none Hospital’s main building at 1st Avenue and derway in PALM’s lawsuit against the DOH. swoops down like an Olympic weightlift- of it as she wheeled herself through the East 16th Street. But Williams had clearly The lawsuit asserts that the DOH commis- er and picks up the stroller, baby and all. crowd and distributed yellow leaflets. not focused his attention on this issue, which sioner violated the State Environmental She turns around, impatiently blows at a Andy Byford, President of New York is somewhat understandable since the threat- Quality Review Act because a state agency strand of hair that’s fallen out of place, City Transit Authority, was also in atten- ened closing could be considered a local cannot approve any action that will impact and looks right through you. “Come on!” dance. The MTA snatched the Brit up problem for Lower Manhattan. However, as over 240,000 square feet of gross floor space, “Mom, Thor!” from the clutches of the Toronto Transit 41 hospitals have closed all inpatient services or change the use of property contiguous to She doesn’t react. She simply turns and Commission in November of 2017. He over the last 20 years (according to health a national historic site without first reviewing climbs up the subway stairs almost two was happy at the turnout and was look- care advocacy organization MergerWatch), an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) at a time. The toddler keeps his distance, ing forward “to listen to what people say. hospital closings are not just a local issue. to determine whether the proposed change expressing his freedom by jauntily wob- Their suggestions. Maybe there’s [a] bet- Williams said that New York City’s public will have a significant impact. The DOH bling behind her. You’ve still got your ter way of doing things.” hospitals are “woefully underfunded,” that he moved to dismiss the complaint, Schwartz hand up, dumbfounded, witnessing a de- Under this guise, Kessinger planted wants to see public health care needs met, and amended it, and the DOH reinstated their finitive answer to the question of which her mobility device in front of Byford, that large numbers of hospital beds are not motion to dismiss. The court’s response is is the stronger of the two sexes. who on his first day on the job professed needed because treatment is being provided due on February 26, 2018, but the decision Though mothers everywhere have a passion for accessibility, naming it a outside of hospital settings. However, when will probably be adjourned to a later date. adapted to the absence of elevators at sub- priority. However, they didn’t see eye- informed that 300 to 400 of Beth Israel’s 800 The next PALM meeting is on Tuesday, way stations, riders with disabilities face to-eye. Kessinger hoped the MTA would beds are currently filled, and that Mount Si- March 27th, at 6:30 p.m., in the Seafarers’ a much more difficult time. A child in a take advantage of the L Train closure to nai’s plan is to replace the 16th Street cam- International House on Irving Place and wheelchair on his way to school, for ex- retrofit more of the affected stations so pus with a 70-bed facility, Williams agreed East 15th Street. ample, might have to ride past his stop to they would be wheelchair accessible. As an accessible station then take a bus back of now, there are plans to add elevators to class; this significantly prolongs his to only two of the L Train stations and trip. That was the case that Mary Kess- Byford doesn’t believe it is possible to ex- inger made at the Open House that the pand that reach. Metropolitan Transportation Authority “I get the principle but there are budget- (MTA) hosted at Our Lady of Guadalupe ary and logistical limitations on what we on 14th Street on February 14th. can do while […] also doing this huge al- Kessinger, an activist with The Peo- ternate transit exercise. It’s something I’m ple’s MTA, wanted to make sure that ac- aware of. I’m having a look at it, but cer- cessibility was a topic of discussion at the tainly right now I think we’re at the limit event dedicated to the 15-month closure of what can be done in terms of disruption of the L Train, starting in April of 2019. while we move 50,000 people a day.” In the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guada- That opens up a whole new can of lupe, parishioners duly prayed with black worms for people with disabilities. “It’s smudges on their foreheads, confirma- just too many people. It’s too crowded. tions of their faith on Ash Wednesday. If you’re in a wheelchair, you get over- In the community room, where the Open whelmed [...] You can’t get through it. House was held, the ambience suited If the bus loads up, it’s just absolutely more the other holiday taking place that packed. There’s no way to maneuver your evening—Valentine’s Day. Bright-eyed vehicle inside the buses,” Kessinger said. www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 7 14th Street Plans Stir Protest

By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP which includes the Canarsie L Train the L Train Shutdown, allowing exist- be accommodated by keeping lanes for Shutdown (MTA.info), claims that in- ing sidewalks to handle the load. vehicles, rather than turning them over Greenwich Village and Chelsea block put from over 40 community meetings • The MTA is offering thoughtful trans- for pedestrians only. associations have begun organized ac- yielded these most frequent comments: portation options to riders on subways, tion in February, forming the new 14th ferries, and buses, which is a good • Traffic spillover to side streets happens Street Coalition. They join with many • Buses need dedicated lanes. start. But the DOT is also proposing everywhere, and can only be controlled other groups across Manhattan to pre- • Provide multiple options, includ- an untested mess of lane and traffic re- by the enforcement of ‘No Trucks’ re- vent impending blows to the quality of ing ferry and simple, direct inter- strictions that must be stopped. strictions and other rules. When gar- life in their downtown areas and streets. borough bus routing, connecting to bage, delivery, or even bus vehicles Led by David Marcus, Gary Tomei, Judy subways. • Bike lanes that violate the design and temporarily block our side streets, Pesin, and Julianne Bond, dozens of peo- • Bike lanes should be physically sepa- safety standards of the city is STUPID common sense tells us to go a different ple met to provide criticisms and calls rated. and unsafe. Two-way lanes on one-way route, or wait a few moments until they for action against what they call “flawed” • Street treatments should take emer- streets must be eliminated. They should move again. Side streets already have plans by the Metropolitan Transporta- gency vehicle and delivery access only occur at pedestrian areas of parks some accommodations for parking and tion Authority (MTA) and the New needs into consideration. as separate bikeways, not on city streets. bikes without creating safety hazards. York City Department of Transporta- • Manhattan residents fear traffic Although bicycle use is growing, when tion (DOT) to respond to the Canar- spillover on narrow, mostly residen- the MTA says bicycle volumes are ex- • Balance the needs of riders, residents, sie L Train Shutdown from April 2019 tial side streets. pected to increase 200% to 400% dur- and businesses by listening to their to July 2020. (They are making repairs • Balance the needs of riders, resi- ing the L Train Shutdown, that seems concerns and following their sugges- to the East River and 14th Street tun- dents, and businesses. wildly optimistic. And why don’t they tions. An informal survey of area busi- nels.) Street surfaces do not need to be show bike lanes on 14th Street? As I nesses says they are not aware of the disturbed for this. The MTA recognizes this input, yet it rode recently on the 23rd Street bus plans. We need to all get involved and WestView News contributor and Ad- is alarming to see what they propose as lanes (without separate bike lanes), the have our voices heard. Join the 14th vocates for Justice attorney Arthur Z. follow-up. Here is how I see the mash- lack of traffic made me feel quite safe. Street Coalition. Schwartz recently sent a letter to DOT up. When delivery and ride-share vehicles Commissioner Trottenberg that the 14th block dedicated bike lanes, bikers are Brian J. Pape is an architectural consultant Street Coalition is sharing with its email • 14th Street has almost identical condi- accustomed to merging briefly into in private practice. He serves as Co-chair lists. The letter was also discussed at the tions as 23rd Street. A Select Bus Ser- traffic lanes. No big deal. of the American Institute of Architects New coalition’s protest meeting on February vice (SBS) route on 23rd Street from York Design for Aging Committee and as 20th. In it, Schwartz calls for an En- 12th Avenue to Avenue C has been • Emergency vehicle and delivery access, WestView’s Architectural Editor. Pape is vironmental Impact Statement due to tested. Why try to reinvent the wheel? as well as access to garages for resi- also an officer of the health consultancy firm the permanent environmental impact of The MTA says that the standard SBS dents, taxis and for-hire vehicles, can EnJOY Life! the plan on vast swaths of the area. He bus lane design was eliminated because also cites the many block associations it does not accommodate additional and community groups that have joined pedestrian space on the busiest blocks forces against this plan. (See Schwartz’s of 14th Street. However, no evidence article “14th Street Traffic Plan: It’s Not has shown that significant increases Being Handled Lawfully” on page 4 of (of up to twice that expected) will ac- this issue, which contains a copy of his tually occur. More likely, the heavy pe- letter.) destrian volumes on 14th Street under The first page of the MTA website, current conditions will decrease during

Mary A. Vetri Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker [email protected] 917-969-0048

• A proud Greenwich Village neighbor; born and raised in Brooklyn

• 24+ years as a Real Estate professional in the Village

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DEDICATED SELECT BUS SERVICE HAS BEEN TESTED ON 23RD STREET FROM AVENUE C All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal TO 12TH AVENUE: 14th Street has almost identical conditions as 23rd Street, with equally without notice. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker. Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. broad sidewalks. The DOT has not proven the need to try something new on 14th Street. Photo by Brian J. Pape. 8 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org Google Gobbles Meat Market

views of the harbor, create a By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP landing for ferry service, and host technology education Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has reached an programs for disadvantaged agreement to acquire Chelsea Market for $2.4 billion. city youth. (Google will also Jamestown, the sellers, won approvals from the city to use the space periodically add almost 300,000 square feet on top of the property for product and technology back in 2012. That would increase the number of office demonstrations.) 24,000 floors above the famous ground floor of popular food square feet of community and fashion retailers. and education space located Chelsea Market is across 9th Avenue from Google’s partially in an underwater more than 3 million-square-foot city headquarters at caisson at the pier (a wa- 111 8th Avenue, which they purchased for $1.9 billion tertight basement) would in 2010. But, with 7,000 employees in the city, and dif- shrink a cavernous food ficulty getting tenants to vacate, they need more space. market, previously with chef In early February, Crain’s New York Business reported Anthony Bourdain, to about that Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT), the city and state 40,000 square feet. entity that manages park space along the river and con- Emil Praeger, an engi- trols Pier 57, recently presented to Community Board 4 neer/designer for the de- a proposal from Seth Pinsky, an Executive Vice President fense contractor Madigan- at RXR Realty, and the real estate firm Youngwoo & As- Hyland, which awarded a sociates, which is handling the $350 million redevelop- contract in 1949 to rebuild ment of the once-derelict pier building. the burnt-out Grace Line Google, which had previously agreed to lease 250,000 Pier 57, offered an innova- GOOGLE KEEPS GROWING: Google has purchased the Chelsea Market, across 9th Avenue square feet at Pier 57, will now add another 70,000 tive concrete structural so- from their headquarters, to help meet the space needs of the tech giant’s growing workforce square feet for offices there and lease an additional lution. The new pier would in New York. Photo by Brian J. Pape. 50,000 square feet for public, cultural, and educational rest on 360-foot by 127- activities. foot by 33-foot high concrete vessels, built upriver in Google over its 15-year term to help fund the en- The pier’s ground floor includes 20,000 square feet of Haverstraw, New York, and then floated down to the tity’s operating budget. Madelyn Wils, the President restaurant and retail space and pop-up stores. Another site. The three, huge, hollow concrete boxes, weighing and CEO of the trust, said that its board would vote restaurant will be located on the pier’s roof, adjacent to a 27,000 tons, were permanently anchored to the riverbed within the next few months on whether to approve large public park. Google will create a 5,000 square-foot to keep them from shifting. the deal. public space on the south side of the pier that will feature Since the pier was placed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2004, Woo Brian J. Pape is an architectural consultant in private needs to abide by preservation guidelines. practice. He serves as Co-chair of the American Institute According to the Crain’s report of February 9, 2018, of Architects New York Design for Aging Committee and RXR and Youngwoo would provide HRPT with rough- as WestView News’ Architectural Editor. Pape is also an ly $20 million of proceeds from the expanded lease with officer of the health consultancy firm EnJOY Life! Update on Beth Israel Lawsuit By Arthur Z. Schwartz Quality Review Act (SEQRA). SEQRA would have re- quired an Environmental Impact Statement, and subjected In November 2017, a lawsuit entitled Progressive Action of the project to public review and input. The DOH also al- Lower Manhattan, George Capsis, and Arthur Schwartz v. lowed Mount Sinai Beth Israel to submit its requests for Howard Zucker, as Commissioner of the NYS Department DOH approval (called ‘Certificate of Needs’ applications) of Health, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital was filed in a manner which evaded the normal public review pro- • • in New York State Supreme Court. The goal: to not only cess under the DOH regulations. stop the shutdown of Beth Israel Hospital and prevent The lawsuit is going through a preliminary round of pro- the loss of vital services, but also to restore those services cedural objections, ranging from timeliness to the stand- Hourly Handyman Services which have already been lost, including a maternity unit ing of the plaintiffs to bring the lawsuit. Mount Sinai Beth Professional Painting Projects and cardiac surgery. Israel calls the lawsuit a “one man crusade brought by a Electrical & Carpentry Work The lawsuit alleges that the NYS Department of Health paper organization and an incompetent old man (George Call Michael @ 917.476.4146 (DOH) acted improperly when it allowed Beth Israel to Capsis).” The matter will be submitted to Supreme Court file for approvals in a piecemeal fashion and did not evalu- Justice Shlomo Hagler on March 26th. He will set a date Serving the West Village for 10 Years ate the project as a whole under the NYS Environmental for arguments shortly thereafter. We will keep you updated. Does Your Landlord Want You Out? Deirdre Anderson Professional Personal Chef

Multiple Cuisines Special Diets Welcome Call Joe Turco—Tenant Advocacy Half and Full Day Rates Available Contact: Deirdre 908.392.3681 [email protected] • (347) 854-7602 65 Oriental Blvd.,Brooklyn Ny 11236 [email protected] www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 9 Treasures Abound Maggie B’s Quick Clicks on West Village Streets

By Gordon T. Hughes, Jr. think about it, a real service, too. I suspect that this is true all over the city. (Not totally The other morning, I was having coffee at sure about the plastic guys.) my favorite morning haunt, Cafe Panino So, the real difference between the West Mucho Giusto, when one of the regulars Village and the rest of town is the variety commented to me, unsolicitedly, “You know, of our street offerings. I for one have, on you can furnish your entire apartment from occasion, taken advantage of these street STUFF off the streets of the West Village. specials. When I moved into my co-op, I Never pick up anything with cloth however. wanted to decorate my fireplace, which did Bed bugs, you know...” That got me think- not really generate fires. I found a fire grate, ing: Our West Village streets are pretty a fireplace tool set, and a fire screen, all on clean, more so, it appears to me, than most different streets. To complete the look, I lo- parts of the city. Now why is that? cated decorative wood on Bleecker Street, The next morning, I was back at Mucho from one of the high-end stores. Giusto having a coffee and ran into one Besides small collectors like myself of my pals who was deeply engrossed in a and my cookbook pal, there are folks out book. I startled him when I asked, “What there that make a living out of collecting are you reading?” He said it was a cook- and selling what they find. A few months book that he had been in search of for some ago (August 2017), WestView published time. One of his hobbies is cooking, so he an obituary on Ed Enderlin. Ed was the was very excited. king of the West Village collectors/sellers. He had been everywhere looking for this He made his headquarters at the corner of particular cookbook and had just picked it Perry and West Fourth Streets. up. I asked if he had done so at the Strand; There used to be a Sardinian restaurant he said “No.” He literally picked it up on there and I would sit in the window and Perry Street from a pile of discarded books. watch Ed come by with television sets A GREAT DAY FOR COREY, COREY When I put those two conversations to- and old fashioned stereo equipment in a JOHNSON THAT IS – when, on January gether, I really started thinking about our supermarket cart. He would be back with 29th, he was sworn in as City Council streets. enough money to buy a drink an hour or so Speaker by New York Senator Chuck Every day, it seems that traffic is held up later. Ed was part of a highly sophisticated Schumer at a festive Inauguration by street-sweeping trucks or trash pick-up West Village ecosystem. Ceremony in the Fashion Institute of vehicles doing their rounds to keep our I guess when you combine the city ser- Technology’s Morris W. and Fannie B. streets pristine. Then there are the plastic vices, individual collectors, plastic bottle Haft Theater. guys. You see them with huge bags of plastic guys, and folks like Ed, the West Village And a very good time was had by all: bottles, sometimes trains of shopping carts streets are pretty clean—and now, upon re- From the youngsters who par- filled with bottles. Amazing, and when you flection, I know why. ticipated…with a rousing rendition of “This Land Is Your Land” and a solemn “Pledge of Allegiance;” To the many dignitaries who spoke – including Mayor Bill de Blasio, Con- Support Concerts at St. Veronica gressman Jerry Nadler, and Comptroller Tell us what you think, and contribute if you can. Scott Stringer, among others – before Senator Schumer swore Corey Johnson ___ Yes, I want music at St. Veronica’s. into his new city post; ___ Yes, I want it to be free to seniors___ To our new Speaker himself when, ___ No, I don’t have any spare dollars but I will attend and serious matters taken care of, he had a chance to cut loose with Public Advo- get my friends to attend to show we want it. cate Letitia James; ___ Yes, here is a tax deductible gift made out to the And to greet all the happy friends, West Village Fund for ____ fans, and family who flocked to deliver ___ Yes, I give youFILLER permission to print what I think about hugs, kisses, and congratulations. Truly, a great day. Music at St. Veronica’s All photos by Maggie Berkvist. ___ Yes. Yes, I want to subscribe or renew my subscription to West View here is my $12 for one year or $24 for 2 years Make your tax-deductible gifts payable to ‘The West Village Fund’ and indicate that they are ‘for the concert.’ Mail your checks to: WestView News, 69 Charles Street, New York, NY 10014. Please also include the information listed below: Name: Address: Telephone: Email Address: 10 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org

Then&Now: Scenes Around Greenwich Village

THEN: Looking north up 5th Avenue. Photo courtesy of the New York Public Library. NOW: Looking north up 5th Avenue. Photo by Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP. (Culver Pictures of New York City is the photographer.)

By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP West 12th Street, we see some skyscrapers of Greenwich Village. Sloan did an etching Washington Square North, but now all the the time, near 14th Street. Hotel Brevoort is of them all huddled there in the early old mansions and hotels have been replaced If it’s not obvious, this circa-1910 view look- on the right, beyond the Mews. morning hours. They became known as by large apartment houses, starting with 1 ing north up 5th Avenue was taken from atop This is the view that a group of Bohe- ‘The Arch Conspirators.’ 5th Avenue on the right, and 2 5th Avenue the Washington Arch at Washington Square mians, led by the artists Marcel Duch- Recently, in a rare opportunity to tour the on the left. Although The First Presbyte- Park. On the near right is Washington Mews amp and John Sloan, and the poet Ger- inside of the Arch, I took this same view rian Church still exists, it too is hidden by behind the townhouses of Washington Square trude Drick, would have enjoyed when, looking north up 5th Avenue from the top of new buildings. Now, the skyscraper that North, which was known as Waverly Place in 1917, they broke into the Arch and the Arch. On the near right, we still see the dominates the horizon is the Empire State back then. On the near left are the mansions climbed to the roof. They had a picnic Washington Mews behind the townhouses of Building, at 33rd Street. that proceed up 5th Avenue in an orderly and a party and drank tea late into the fashion. Beyond the distinctive castle-topped night; they also read a proclamation de- tower of The First Presbyterian Church at claring the free and independent state of Readers’ Clicks VIEWS BY SUZE WestView contributor Caroline Benveniste recently captured this playful image in front 50 + years in Greenwich Village of An’s Tae Kwon Do school at 162 7th Avenue South (near Perry Street): See Views by Suze at Bonsignour Café Jane Street and Eighth Avenue 917-686-6542 [email protected] East Village Mural

Join The WestView Family Share some of your your hard-won knowledge and wisdom. WRITE  Use your skills to make WestView clearer and sharper. EDIT “NO SUBSCRIPTION TO WESTVIEW?—OUT OF HERE!”: A militant greeting at the sur- Earn a commission inviting prisingly sophisticated new martial arts center. Photo by Caroline Benveniste. SELL community businesses to join. Continue sending us your clicks and captions to [email protected] and 212.924.5718 include your name if you are seeking community fame. (When emailing your photos, or email [email protected] CALL please include ‘Readers’ Clicks’ in the subject line.) Then&Now: Scenes Around Greenwich Village

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Letters continued from page 3 had said: Any rent-controlled premises that has low you might expect, this is an annual hot- “There is a lot of trite rambling about rent has it only because the owner has de- button issue. parking spots, you create more confusion as how the president isn’t really reflecting cided not to fill out the paper work for yearly For renewal leases beginning between drivers try to find a place to stop or let off American values when, in fact, he is re- increases (including fuel and capital improve- October 1, 2017 through September 30, passengers. When you totally destroy the flecting the values of many Americans. ments) or the building has serious violations. 2018, the rent increase for rent-stabilized ability of roadways to carry out routine com- He didn’t reveal any new racism. He, once Few people in New York know what has apartment and loft renewals have been de- mercial business, as has been proposed by the again, revealed racism that has been there happened to rent control over the years. termined at 1.25% for one-year leases and so-called L Train ‘Mitigation Plan;’ when all along.” The City Council under Christine Quinn 2% for two-year leases. you devote almost all of the traffic police to In my letter to the Times, I wrote the passed on the problem to New York State, It gets more complicated if the landlord enforcement (revenue gathering) rather than following, which has been edited by which is why there are no public meetings has made significant improvements to the traffic direction and facilitation, you get ex- WestView: on the subject. property or if a tenant is paying something actly what you sowed—gridlock and confu- “Sadly, Roxane Gay’s piece is all too cor- Get the facts straight, Professor Neuman. called ‘preferential rent.’ That may be the sion. What a surprise! There is gambling in rect in reminding us that [Trump’s] remarks Best Regards, case in Carter’s situation. There are only the casino! are reflecting the values of many Americans. Earl Carter about 840,000 rent-stabilized apartments I have several concerns about congestion Emma Lazarus notwithstanding (“Give me in the city so they are hard to find. pricing and further traffic throttling. First, it your tired, your poor...”), over the centuries, Response from W. Russell Neuman Although some of Carter’s speculations is dishonest since the mayor will not clearly this country has seldom been madly keen to to Earl Carter’s Letter are incorrect, the main point of the letter and honestly explain what he is doing. Sec- welcome “the huddled masses” and has sent I want to thank Earl Carter for drawing is well taken. Perhaps I should be insulted ondly, fees for driving in Manhattan to fund out some very mixed messages. further attention to the issue of affordable at Carter’s thought that I am some sort of the subway mask the great failure of Gov- When I was a new immigrant in 1954, housing in the West Village. The tension agent of a landlords’ association, a stoolie, ernor Cuomo in managing the finances of it was the McCarran-Walter Act (1952) between the Village’s longstanding reputa- or a plant. I am not now, nor have I ever the state to make funds available for a robust that was the focus of much discussion. Ms. tion as a community of struggling artists, been, an agent of any landlords. I don’t subway capital budget. Gay’s piece prompted me to go online for with a tradition of counter-culture creativ- even know any landlords. I suspect they Those tax cuts seem like a lot of fun, but a reminder of what it had actually involved ity, and the current Village dominated by prefer other social circles. But I am not in- their effect is to reduce monies available for – holding the ‘Communist menace’ at bay. $10 and $20 million townhouses is one sulted and let me tell you why. public purposes. Cuomo’s waste of public (How could I have forgotten?) of the most important conflicts we face. I Carter is historically correct in noting monies is well known. Thirdly, as AstroTurf And then, as so often on such searches, concluded my piece with a salute to West- that landlords and their lawyers frequently groups and the representatives of the real es- I was lured into learning a whole lot more View News as an important forum for that use, shall we say, “paid associates” to create tate industry try to force congestion pricing about our* country’s immigration policies, ongoing discussion. the appearance of public support for their on us, they must subvert and destroy the real leading me from the Immigration Acts of Carter and I are on the same side of policy interests. One of my favorite histo- enemy of this proposal which is representa- 1945 and 1953, to the Naturalization Law of this issue. Something needs to be done ries on that topic is about Robert Moses tive democracy. While Bloomberg and the 1802. This included side trips to the all-too- about affordable housing in the West and his developer friends who battled with New York Times love this, the people who prevalent 19th century prejudice (e.g., “No Village. As I noted in the article, rent our local heroine Jane Jacobs. (This is dis- will be subject to it do not want it. X Need Apply”) and the saga of the Jewish control has become a rarified phenom- cussed in the book Wrestling with Moses by The democratic will of the people of the refugee ship, the St. Louis, which was turned enon. The law requires continuous oc- Anthony Flint.) city must be ignored to put this in place. away from the U.S. in the summer of 1939. cupancy from July 1, 1971 in a building As I say, I’m not a landlord guy; I’m Perhaps it is time for the mayor to fire the In all, a very enlightening – though built before 1947. In the 1950s, about with Carter on this issue. We need af- transportation commissioner and her staff hardly enlightened – journey through some two million New York apartments quali- fordable housing in the West Village. If and take a new and better direction. of our not-so-finest hours! fied for rent control. Now, the number is Carter’s landlord is demanding 9% and —John Wetherhold * I say “our” since eventually I became a 27,000. Within my piece, I made a clear the law says 2%, Carter needs a lawyer. citizen, of course.” distinction between rent control and rent Wouldn’t it be nice if lawyers were not Reflecting on —Maggie­ Berkvist stabilization. Rent-stabilized apartments necessary for this sort of thing? That American Ideals qualify in buildings that were construct- type of annual conflict is built into the The Truth About ed before 1974 and have more than six structure of the rent control and rent sta- Dear Editors, Rent Control units. These apartments include limits on bilization systems. That was the point of While I have to agree with Anne Ol- how much the landlord can increase the my piece. I think we can do better. Let’s shansky that most New Yorkers still Dear WestView News, rent each year as determined by the New use WestView News as a forum for mov- extend a welcome to immigrants, after Your February 2018 article “The Rent is York City Rent Guidelines Board and a ing in a better direction. reading her article “Emma Lazarus’ ‘The Due—$127.61 Please” is one of the most guaranteed right to renew the lease. As —W. Russell Neuman New Colossus’: A Timely Reminder of misleading articles I have ever read on rent American Ideals” in the February 2018 control, and probably a plant by a landlord Corrections issue of WestView, I looked back at a let- association. ter I had written to the New York Times Professor Neuman obviously doesn’t know Within the February 2018 issue of West- View, a portion of text was mistakenly in- (but didn’t send, since they followed up how rent control works, or has ulterior mo- View, the dollar amount referenced in serted into the article entitled “Donations the next day with an editorial along simi- tives. It is different from rent stabilization the article entitled “Give it Back, Chuck” Welcomed at the Church of the Village” lar lines) in reply to a January 12, 2018 and is supervised by the New York City De- was incorrect (page 6). The correspond- (page 3). The following content did not OpEd piece “No One is Coming To Save partment of Finance. Currently, under rent ing phrase should read: “…at a $1,200 per belong in this piece: “A REQUEST TO Us From Trump’s Racism,” by Roxane control, my rent has gone up 9% last year and plate dinner.” KEEP THE PARK OPEN: James J. Walk- Gay (an American whose parents came is slated to go up 9% this year, and 7.5% each er Park, pictured above, has re-opened after to the U.S. from Haiti). In her piece, Gay year after until my landlord drives me out. Within the February 2018 issue of West- being chained shut for some time.”

“Joyce Gold is the doyenne of city walking guides”—NY Times MULLIGAN Don’t put off taking off PLUMBING & HEATING those extra pounds – and Celebrate the Spring Since 1920—Three Generations of Mulligans keeping them off! Private walking tours for We Get Better and Better! Please allow me families or friends to help you on your 2 hrs $360; 1½ hrs $275 weight management journey for up to 6 people Fast, Competent, Affordable Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations Joy Pape, Family Nurse Practitioner [email protected] (212) 929-1809 [email protected] 212 242 5762 14 A Morton Street, New York • Fax (212) 929-2007 917-806-1945 www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 13 Linking Residents in Distress and Neighborhood Community Officers By Jessica Berk taught me that, although he is not the as- signed NCO, that Hollywood dream of According to the New York Police Depart- protecting and serving, has come to frui- ment (NYPD), the new model of policing tion. Thanks, Sergeant Corcoran, for your will be the Neighborhood Community dedication and respect. I look forward to Officer (NCO), to bridge numerous gaps working with you. between us and them. This model is “built Sadly, this type of interaction is rare. You on improved communication and collabo- all remember our distinguished District ration between local police officers and Leader Arthur Z. Schwartz, who was ar- community residents.” That’s their press rested for stealing those illegal surveillance release, but unfortunately, the 6th Precinct cameras (which are still allowed to remain). didn’t get that memo. Was that a community affairs type of pol- As head of Residents In Distress (RID) icy? Not that we should all be friends, but and a longtime community activist, I called does always referring to me as a ‘lunatic’ the officer assigned to my sector, which is help to build bridges and solve chronic Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). Christopher Street. When I finally got him conditions? 77 Christopher Street on the phone, he shouted, “This is my day Perhaps Officer Vern Miller, who was off!” and then abruptly hung up. I haven’t assigned to my sector, shouldn’t have been Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street heard from him since, despite repeated calls reassigned elsewhere. Talk about a tremen- Pharmacy Hours: and messages. Clearly, that lovely touching dously caring and hardworking human be- Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM commercial of bonding with your local cop ing—the perfect example of a cop, one that is an absurd fantasy. you could bring home to mother, which I Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Still needing to clean up our poorly po- did. Perhaps Retired Detective Frank Ser- Sunday 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM liced area, I called 911 for help (as I’m con- pico said it best, when he contacted me to stantly doing) and had the good fortune offer support for my battles in Greenwich Telephone: 212-255-2525 • Fax: 212-255-2524 to meet Sergeant Joseph Corcoran. After Village: “Never give up and never give in. email: [email protected] detailing all the problems (e.g., drunken Trust has to be earned not just assigned.” www.newyorkchemists.com disorderly vagrants, groups of screaming It’s time to find a better bunch of public PATH Train folks, flashers, panhandlers) servants, or at the very least, appoint an- he vowed to “take charge” on his shift and other Knapp Commission. I’m available to “take back” the neighborhood. DOES IT testify unless the constant threat of being GET ANY BETTER? Since our first EDP’d to Bellevue keeps being held over meeting, every subsequent encounter has my head. See you in court, my friends. Make Music in Minutes Caruso’s Quips By Charles Caruso Guitar Lessons, Bass Lessons, Music Production You’re lonely when you look at a clock and it’s not as late as Jazz Piano you’d like. A great event always produces a conspiracy theory. with Berklee Graduate Snowflake by snowflake, the winter departs and days grow stealthily longer. Alan Cohen The ornery inertness of the inanimate. Rooftops twinkling with rain. As intimate and as brief as a hospital friendship. A presidency can survive anything but ridicule. Christmas isn’t the merriest holiday – it’s the saddest: Another year gone and closer to...Bye bye, Poppy! 917.331.5195 [email protected] • www.Studio9c.net Moronhood achieved: Lots of binge-watching, very little binge-reading. 14 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org New Fence for the N Jane Street Garden R FU HERE ME RTS By Barry Benepe TA A new cast iron picket fence, similar M S to the one now surrounding Abingdon U Square Park, will be erected around the S Jane Street Garden before the end of the year. The entrance to the garden will be re- located from Jane Street to 8th Avenue to conform to New York City Parks & Recre- AN UPGRADE FOR AN OLD FENCE: The new garden fence, depicted above, will be ation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Mitch- installed around the Jane Street Garden. ell Silver’s policy of making parks more ac- Drawing by George Vellonakis. cessible to passing foot traffic. Redesigned by NYC Parks’ landscape architect George still-standing elm (Ulmus hollandica) on Vellonakis, the garden will be in a guitar the sidewalk. Jack Gillen, Arthur Sto- shape, the neck pointing toward the re- liar, Jean and Chuck Verrill, and numer- located entrance. In 2004, Mr. Vellonakis ous others devoted many years to laying redesigned Abingdon Square Park which, bluestone paths and planting trees, shrubs, EARLY BIRD originally constructed in 1836, had become and flowers. Wood benches were added to an unused, empty asphalt lot. make the garden more inviting for read- PRICING AVAILABLE A temporary chain-link construction ing, resting, snacking, and leisure enjoy- Register by May 18 & Save! fence will be installed on the sidewalk sur- ment. Before his death, Bowser turned rounding the existing chain-link fence, over planting and maintenance to Susan sealing off the entrance to the garden while Sipos, who has used her extraordinary construction takes place during three to gardening talents, honed by working on ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY four montths in the late summer. The gar- the superb Jefferson Market Garden, to

CAMPS RUN JUNE 18 – AUGUST 31 den will remain closed, as usual, during the produce the gem on Jane Street we enjoy FOR CAMPERS AGES 3 – 17 YEARS 212.336.6846 fall and winter. Plantings will be installed today. 16 UNIQUE SPORTS CAMPS chelseapiers.com/camps in the spring of 2019 in time for the garden At the end of the lease with DCAS in opening the following summer. 2012, the WVC was able to transfer own- The Jane Street Garden is maintained ership of the Jane Street Garden to NYC West View Camp 3-18.indd 1 2/20/18 10:49 AM by the West Village Committee (WVC) Parks. It will remain a public open space, which, in 1987, took over responsibility at and will not be sold to a developer as long the request of the Jane Street Block As- as it continues to be a garden used by the sociation. At the time, with the help of community. While the city no longer is- writer and activist Jane Jacobs, the WVC sues long-term leases, gardens under NYC was issued a 25-year lease by the New Parks’ jurisdiction are issued licenses with York City Department of Citywide Ad- four-year renewable terms through Green ministrative Services (DCAS). Bill Bows- Thumb. er, who was the President of the WVC, The fence is made possible by an appro- worked with block association members priation by City Council Speaker Corey Dan Stewart, a landscape architect, and Johnson. It is hoped that the garden will Gerard Mutsaers, who built a small wind- continue to keep its quiet landscaped seclu- mill used for tool storage and planted the sion despite the relocation of the gate.

Missed your copy of WestView? Best to subscribe! Or go to westviewnews.org, hit “subscribe” or try these locations DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS: Jefferson Market Library (425 6th Avenue, 1st Floor) Hudson Park Library (NYPL) (66 Leroy Street) Senior Center at Greenwich House (27 Barrow Street) Senior Center on the Square (20 Washington Square North) Senior Center at Our Lady of Pompei Church (Bleecker & Carmine Streets)

MCF Rare Wines (237 West 13th Street) SeaGrape Wines (512 Hudson Street) Ottomanelli (285 Bleecker Street) www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 15 Greenwich House Raises the Bar (Literally) With New Taste After-Party Cocktail Competition By Joe Salas bar (literally) by introducing the Taste After- Party Cocktail Competition. (It will be held What do a bar on the 65th floor of Rock- in a special lounge upstairs, away from the efeller Center, a Fashion Week hangout, and main event.) At the After-Party, mixologists a restaurant deemed one of the 10 most ro- from some of New York’s best bars, including mantic in the world have in common? They Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room; Seam- are all among the participants helping to raise stress NY; and One if by Land, Two if by Sea, money for the local, nonprofit social service will craft custom cocktails featuring Tito’s organization Greenwich House at its first- vodka to compete for a cash prize. ever Taste After-Party Cocktail Competition, “Taste of Greenwich House has developed sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, on such a reputation in the Village as a fun event March 13th. for a great local cause,” said Andrea Newman, Over the past 15 years, many Greenwich Greenwich House’s Development Director. Villagers have come to know the annual Taste “We started getting requests from more local of Greenwich House as a Village-focused businesses, not just restaurants, wanting to get food extravaganza, supporting an impor- involved. With the After-Party, we’re hoping tant neighborhood organization. Each year, to be able to engage more of our communi- more than 30 restaurants and food purvey- ty—residents and businesses alike.” ors, including Village staples like The Clam, So far, the plan is working. In addition, dell’anima, Cornelia Street Café, and Little neighborhood watering holes like Bodega SOME OF NYC’S BEST BARS WILL BE CRAFTING CUSTOM COCKTAILS: At the first-ever Owl, come together to offer tastes from their Negra, Daddy-O, and Carmine Street’s Gi- Taste After-Party Cocktail Competition, mixologists will make their best drinks to win your menus to raise money for Greenwich House. ulietta’s Cantina Club will provide after-din- vote. Photo by Kris Mae. Greenwich House serves 12,000 individu- ner bites. Local DJ, Cochon de Lait, will spin v als a year through its arts education, behav- funk and soul. include After-Party access for just $20. Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street ioral health, and senior services programs, At $50 a ticket, the Taste After-Party “We’re very excited at the momentum for (between 6th and 7th Avenues). The Taste including Greenwich House Pottery, the Cocktail Competition has also been attract- both events—Taste and the After-Party— begins at 6:00 p.m. and the Taste After-Party Greenwich House Music School, the senior ing a new group of Greenwich House sup- as well as for the organization, Greenwich begins at 9:00 p.m. centers at Center on the Square and Our porters, including students and artists looking House, in general,” finished Newman. For tickets and more information, visit Lady of Pompeii, and the Children’s Safety to engage with an organization that serves The Taste of Greenwich House and the greenwichhouse.org/taste or call Diane Per- Project. their neighborhood. Individuals attending the Taste After-Party Cocktail Competition will rin, the Greenwich House Events Manager, This year, Greenwich House is raising the Taste main event can upgrade their ticket to take place on Tuesday, March 13th at the at (212) 991-0003, Extension 402. Leon Banilivi, Inc. Family-Owned Business Since 1910 Experts in Restoration, Cleaning,and Appraisal Generations of Quality and Service Our specialty is the sale of the finest quality new, vintage and antique handmade carpets from all over the globe. Each rug comes with a certificate of authenticity and appraisal. Inventory Clearance Sale

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opened in the space that used to house the many raw fish preparations. This was a new the period from April 1, 2017 to February Risotteria. The menu features burgers with concept from owner Tommaso Roncari who 8, 2017. a choice of toppings and sides, which are previously had the restaurant da Tommy IN mostly some version of French fries. The Osteria in the space. I had avoided Nour- Coming Soon and most interesting-looking option is the ish Kitchen + Table (95 Greenwich Av- Sergimmo (462 6th Avenue, near West OUT Winder Fries which seem to be the unholy enue, between West 12th and Bank Streets) 11th Street), a paninoteca and salumeria, is by Caroline Benveniste love child of a fry and a potato chip. because I thought their pastries looked too planning a grand opening the weekend of healthy and not that appealing. However, March 10th. According to Real Estate Week- This month, the big real estate news was I was taken there recently and found that ly, Chama Mama (149 West 14th Street, that Google, in its quest to obtain more of- their multi-ethnic savory dishes were won- between 6th and 7th Avenues) will replace fice space, was not only buying the Chelsea derful. I vowed to go back to try some other the Cuban restaurant El Paraiso. It will be an Market building but also increasing its foot- items, but soon thereafter a friend informed all-day bakery and restaurant featuring Geor- print at Pier 57 at 15th Street. Originally, me they had closed. Their website blamed gian cuisine. Many different types of bread Anthony Bourdain had been planning a building circumstances beyond their control. (undoubtedly including the wildly popular huge international “street food” market at Icelandic Fish and Chips (28 7th Avenue Khachapuri, an eye-shaped pizza crust filled the pier, but those plans fell through recently. South, between Morton and Leroy Streets), with molten cheese and egg) will be baked Once again, there were many more clos- which was recently renamed ‘Fishkur Bis- in a ceramic circular hearth oven. Signage is ings than openings this month. One trend tro,’ was housed in a cursed building, and the up for Harwood (430 Hudson Street, be- we’ve noticed is that a number of small curse continued as they also recently shut- tween Morton and Leroy Streets) in the old vacant storefronts have become men’s bar- tered. The Indian and South Asian décor Piora space, which, according to their liquor bershops. It remains to be seen how many store The Khazana (152 7th Avenue South, license application, will be “a family-friendly barbershops the Village can support. Many between Perry and Charles Streets) has an neighborhood restaurant featuring local and outlets have reported that the Westside Mar- eviction notice posted on the door. Ironi- seasonal American cuisine with daily fresh ket will be moving into the Mrs. Green’s cally, a Yelp review of the place enthuses that plates and specials.” A sign on the window at space at 585 Hudson Street (between Bank “It’s nice to see [that] mom and pop shops 140 West 4th Street (between MacDougal and Bethune Streets). However, I repeat- still exist in the West Village.” It was next Street and 6th Avenue) advertises the future edly spoke with the manager at the original Il Mattone West Village (450 Hud- door to the recently departed Akira, making arrival of Báo Tea House Westside Market in Morningside Heights son Street, between Morton and Barrow this stretch of 7th Avenue South look a bit and he stated that negotiations are ongoing Streets): The original location of this pizza dismal. The chain sandwich shop Potbelly Moved and no deal has been finalized. restaurant is in TriBeCa, and now they’ve (41 West 14th Street, between 5th and 6th Scott Conant opened Scarpetta (355 West added a West Village branch in the old Avenues), which replaced Bourbon Cof- 14th Street, near 9th Avenue) in 2008 and Chelsea Market and Bread space. In addition to the Neapoli- fee a year or so ago, is gone. East of Potbelly received a three-star review from the New Gansevoort Market tan style pizzas, there are traditional Ital- on the same side of 14th Street, Ando (31 York Times. He later opened other Scarpet- Update ian dishes like Eggplant Parmesan, Pasta West 14th Street), has also closed after be- tas in other cities and continues to be asso- In Chelsea Market, Miznon, Israeli ce- Bolognese, Lasagna, and many more. The ing open only four months. Ando was Da- ciated with them, but in 2014 he split from lebrity chef Eyal Shani’s pita restaurant, locals in TriBeCa seem to really like it. vid Chang’s (of Momofuku fame) take-out the New York restaurant. Now Scarpetta has opened in the space where Buon’Italia used sandwich spot, which had initially existed moved from its 14th Street location to the to be before it moved downstairs. (For more as a delivery-only restaurant, but had in its James New York Hotel at 88 Madison Av- on Miznon, see “Modern Middle Eastern second incarnation opened an actual restau- enue, between 28th and 29th Streets. Dining in the West Village” on page 26 of rant. I found the sandwiches, which were All Photos by Darielle Smolian. this issue.) We were told by people work- premade, disappointing and not in the same ing at Chelsea Market that on Sunday, Feb- league as David Chang’s other food. Sabon ruary 25th, the restaurant and pasta shop (434 6th Avenue, near West 10th Street), the Update on Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina was soap and lotion company, is closing this lo- selling off its kitchen equipment. When I cation. There was always someone out front walked by on Monday, February 26th, the handing out small soap samples to passersby. Caregiver door was shuttered and all signage was One of the few small independent businesses gone. Now open in Gansevoort Market Joe & The Juice (549 Hudson Street, at left on the stretch of Bleecker Street between Support Program are Makito, an “Authentic Japanese Sushi Perry Street): This Danish chain, which West 10th and Christopher Streets is clos- Shack” and Wing Club, which serves Ko- started with one store in Copenhagen and ing—Your Neighborhood Office (332 The Elderly Support Group is a self-help rean fried chicken, either wings or white now has around 200 stores in 14 coun- Bleecker Street). The copy, shipping, notary, group which provides support, resources, meat strips, with Soy Garlic or Asian Sweet ties, is planning to open over 100 stores in and more store notified customers that it will and an opportunity to connect with other Chili sauces. Milk & Cream Cereal Bar North America. Juices, Shakes (which con- be gone at the end of March, after 24 years at caregivers of the elderly. will be opening a stand in Gansevoort Mar- tain milk), and Joegurts (yogurt parfait) are that location. Villagers liked the friendly staff We are now pleased to provide addi- ket. Their Mott Street location sells des- featured, as are coffee and sandwiches. Or- who were the recipient of a Village Award tional contact information for caregiv- serts with cereal and other toppings, with or ganic Avenue opened, closed, opened, and in 2003. The Monocle Shop (535 Hudson ers who wish to join the Elderly Sup- without ice cream. closed again on Hudson Street, so it will be Street, near Charles Street), which opened in port Group. The group meets at Lenox interesting to see whether there is still an 2010 as an extension of Monocle, the British Health Greenwich Village (Northwell), Open appetite for juice in the neighborhood. magazine featuring articles on global affairs, located at 30 7th Avenue (6th floor) near business, culture, and design, is gone. Finally, West 13th Street, on the first and third Closed Chubby Slim’s Joyful Nosh (44 9th Av- Wednesday of each month. Meetings are Boots and Saddle Drag Lounge (100A enue, at West 14th Street) might hold the held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and are 7th Avenue South, near Grove Street) has record for shortest opening. It was open for free for all attendees. Please contact the closed. They were originally located on at least two days, and then a sign appeared following individuals for more informa- Christopher Street, but in 2015 their rent saying they would be closed for one day for tion: renovations; it directed customers to their increased and they moved to the much larger Natalie Levinson sister restaurant, Sugar Factory. The host- 7th Avenue South location which used to (212) 288-1831 ess at Sugar Factory confirmed that Chubby house the Actors’ Playhouse. At the time, [email protected] many neighbors opposed the move in con- Slim’s was never reopening. On Monday, tentious community board meetings. Tfor February 26th, a ‘Three-Day Notice to Ten- Sheila Shlomit Geisler (14 Bedford Street, between Downing and ant’ was posted on the window of the space. (917) 816-4043 Burger101 (270 Bleecker Street, near West Houston Streets) opened in April with The notice claimed that Fatbird, the previ- [email protected] Morton Street): A burger joint has just two Italian chefs and a menu which included ous tenant, owed $218,476.12 in rent for —Natalie Levinson www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 17

DESTROYED: “Subway Rider” by James Cochran, was an exhibit in the 5Pointz trial. Photo courtesy of 5ptz.com.

The 5Pointz Decision continued from page 1 by its dollar value in the marketplace, so sive Long Island City warehouse, was where this is a monumental victory.” aerosol art came of age. The building was The significance of this case is not limited demolished to make room for luxury resi- to the amount of damages. It is also the first dential towers, but millions of people viewed time the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 the murals on its exterior walls from the el- (VARA) has been litigated in a jury trial, evated 7 Train, and millions more saw them providing case precedence for future lawsuits. as a backdrop in the hit movie Now You See The Act grants artists “moral rights” to pro- Me. These exposures surely must validate tect works of “recognized stature,” and the the “recognized” requirement in VARA, but right to sue for damages if they are destroyed, did the statute’s protections extend to tem- even if the works are owned by someone else. porary works of art? Judge Block addressed “VARA is a very difficult statute to un- the issue in his 50-page decision: “If Picasso derstand,” Judge Block said in a recent in- painted “Guernica” on a wall, it would still terview. The issue of Recognized Stature be a work of recognized stature, whether it is particularly important, as its definition was in a museum or on a wall.” in VARA is not clear. Renee Vara, curator, While discussing this issue in a recent contemporary art historian, and an expert interview, the judge recalled a moment dur- Our Lady of Guadalupe witness at the trial, gives another reason for ing the trial when an artist was testifying: in New York the significance of this case. (Renee’s sur- “He was asked, ‘Why would you paint on a name is unrelated to the statute.) “Not only wall knowing that it can be painted over or History credits the apparitions had VARA never gone to court [but] no eventually be destroyed?’ The substance of of the Virgin of Guadalupe for the birth, artist or art expert had ever attempted to his answer was: If a piece was in a museum development, and the history of Mexico. testify to what ‘Recognized Stature’ is and it would be in an exhibit for six weeks and The Virgin of Guadalupe is a symbol and link how it should be measured.” it’s gone. The art at 5Pointz is the kind of art of the Latin American peoples and spiritual One of the challenges Vara faced was that that’s here for all people to see—from the presence of many other peoples on Earth. the esthetic value of a work can easily get train, [by people] coming to visit, children lost in translation within a court setting. touching the walls. It’s a vehicle to expose “As an expert witness, I was asked to define the public to art in a much more significant what would constitute ‘Recognized Stature’ fashion and in a broader way than if it was For us Catholics Lent is a special time of grace. It is the time of truth in art-world terms and whether each work just housed in an institution for a short time. and mercy. As Jesus went by himself to a desert to pray in order to gain reached that status in my opinion. These The fact that it might not be preserved is a the strength to endure the passion. works were not illegal; they were ‘permis- whole different issue, but at least the public So the Catholic Church separates this forty days to intense prayer, sion pieces.’ I testified for nearly 10 hours, is exposed to this extraordinary art form in works of charity, ascetic practices like fasting and abstinence to get prepared over 400 exhibits for the court, and ways that would never have happened if it ready to truly celebrate the Passover. A true celebration requires that submitted about a thousand pages of art ex- was confined to a museum.” we pass from sin to reconciliation with God and neighbor. pert analysis on each and every work.” In a February 2016 WestView interview For nearly three weeks, the judge and with Michael D. Minichiello, Judge Block At Our Lady of Guadalupe we have several activities. jury listened to testimony from Vara as well made a statement about the law as being Of great importance is our Lenten retreat which will as artists and other art experts, showing “an engine for social change.” Asked to take place on March 17th, from 9:00am to 7:00pm. how the works were examples of urban art apply what he said two years ago to the of the highest caliber. “I believed whole- 5Pointz case, he replied, “I stand by the The retreat is meant to help us recognize that we are sinners and that heartedly in our case, and that the art, quote, and here is an example of a situation we need God’s mercy. when looked at for its cultural value, would where the artists and their lawyers were You are all invited to join us. speak for itself and to the jury.” Were they able to use the legal system in the courts successful? The court’s ruling that 45 out of to address the issue of whether art merits Welcome brothers and sisters. the 49 exhibits met the VARA standard of protection in our society under the law.” Let us visit Our Lady of Guadalupe, Recognized Stature speaks for itself. 328 West 14th Street Another challenge was the ephemeral na- Part two of this article will appear in the (between 8th and 9th Avenues) ture of the art form. 5Pointz, once a mas- April 2018 issue of WestView. 18 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org Repetition of Unhealthy Patterns By Christina Winholt people who induce anxiety, which in turn Do You Need Home Care? make him question himself. He will scru- Humans seek tinize how he looked, spoke, ate, smelled, Continuity Home Health Care comfort in the etc. and will eventually find something familiar. Freud wrong with himself in order to feed his called this rep- negative self-image. etition ‘compul- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), sion,’ which he Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Where Healing Continues... famously de- and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy A licensed home care agency providing fined as “the de- (REBT) can provide effective treatment health care services, both professional sire to return to routes for reshaping thought patterns that and paraprofessional, for individuals an earlier state lead to maladaptive behaviors. These types CHRISTINA WINHOLT. of things.” of therapeutic approaches focus on bring- living at home since 1996. Photo by Melani Lust. This takes ing awareness to irrational beliefs, cognitive form in simple distortions, and negative thought tracks. tasks. Perhaps you watch your favorite What is a cognitive distortion and why movie over and over, or choose the same do so many people have them? Cogni- Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 entrée at your top restaurant. More harm- tive distortions are simply ways that our ful behaviors include repeatedly dating mind convinces us of something that isn’t or drop in to 121 West 11th Street opposite PS 41 people who might emotionally or physi- really true. These inaccurate thoughts are cally abuse you, or using drugs when over- usually used to reinforce negative think- We accept most private come with negative thoughts. Freud was ing or emotions—telling ourselves things more interested in the harmful behaviors that sound rational and accurate but really insurances that people kept revisiting, and believed only serve to keep us feeling bad about and private pay. that such repetition was directly linked to ourselves. what he termed ‘the death drive,’ or the For instance, a person might tell him- [email protected] desire to no longer exist. self, “I always fail when I try to do some- But there may be a different reason. thing new; I therefore fail at everything I It could be that many of us develop pat- try.” This is an example of black-or-white terns over the years, whether positive or (or polarized) thinking. The person is JUDSON EASTER AD.qxp_Layout 1 3/29/16 5:50 PM Page 1 negative, that become ingrained. We cre- only seeing things in absolutes: If he fails ate a subjective world for ourselves and at one thing, he must fail at all things. If discover what works for us. In times of he added, “I must be a complete loser and stress, worry, anger, or another emotional failure,” to his thinking, that would also be high, we repeat what is familiar and what an example of overgeneralization—taking Did you know that 1750 people a week feels safe. This creates a rumination of a failure at one specific task and general- thoughts as well as negative patterns in izing it for his very self and identity. go through the Judson doors for public, cultural, reactions and behaviors. Cognitive distortions are at the core For example, someone who struggles of what several CBT and other kinds of artistic and educational purposes? with insecurities and jealousy will find therapists try and help a person learn to that when his significant other does not change in psychotherapy. By learning Did you know that 80% of Judson's return a call or text immediately, his mind to correctly identify this kind of ‘stinkin’ begins to wander to negative and faulty thinkin’,’ a person can then answer the “Common Space” is used by the public? thoughts. The thoughts begin to accumu- negative thinking back, and refute it. By late and emotionally overwhelm the per- refuting the negative thinking again and Did you know that Judson needs a son, which leads to false accusations and again, it will slowly diminish over time unintentional harm to the relationship. and be automatically replaced by more ra- new elevator? Despite not wanting to react this way, tional, balanced thinking. the person has created a pattern over the By working on different techniques, one years that becomes familiar to him. To re- can learn how to recognize when thoughts Would you like to help? act differently, although more positively, or actions are more harmful than ben- would feel foreign and unfamiliar. When eficial, and how to stop them from occur- Contribute at www.judson.org someone has done something the same ring. The brain’s cognitive processes will way for years, he will continue to do so, be rewired and retrained to develop new And, of course, you are welcome t even if it causes harm for both himself patterns that are productive, rational, and o and others. positive, which ultimately leads to more join us every Sunday at 11 am. People also revert to earlier states if the adaptive behaviors and choices. You behavior is in any way rewarding, or if it It takes years for people to develop mal- might enjoy worship in a different key. confirms negative self-beliefs. For some- adaptive patterns, habits, and repetitive one who inflicts self-harm in a time of choices, and it may also take years to re- emotional distress, it is a behavior that shape them into something that becomes momentarily relieves the pain even if, worth revisiting. The good news is that Judson Memorial Church later on, the individual feels shame over the brain has the ability to reverse un- it. In the example of a person who con- healthy patterns to achieve more healthy 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 tinuously enters abusive relationships, and productive ones. www.judson.org for more information or to give us a lift. we might find that he is highly insecure and does not believe he is worthy of be- Christina Winholt is a psychotherapist with ing cared for. This person may seek out offices located at 23A West 10th Street. www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 19 Joy’s Health Tips: How Did You ROBERT HEIDE Sleep Last Night? 25 Plays 400 pages—12 new essays—50 photos By Joy Pape, FNP-C CDE CILC You may wonder what you can do to sleep better. Here are some simple tech- As I get older, I am more aware of a certain niques you can try for now. (Next month, BOOK LAUNCH saying almost every morning, “Waking up I will provide more information on this and CELEBRATION is hard to do.” I’ve always been a morning topic.) Robert Heide’s 25 Plays person, but the time I wake up is earlier, Come One, Come All—Free and cheerfully jumping out of bed is harder. 1. Set up and maintain a daily sleep/ There are several misunderstandings wake cycle. Plan the same time you will Wednesday, March 14 at 7pm about sleep. Before the 1950s, we thought go to sleep and wake up. Set your alarm for at HOWL! ARTS 6 East 1st St. that, during sleep, one’s brain and body “shut the morning and get up and out of bed. (Between Bowery and Second Avenue) down” to recover and refresh. We now know Also, avoid naps. Books Available for that sleep is a much-needed time for brain 2. Create a sleep environment. This Purchase and Signing. activity. There are five stages within a sleep means closing the curtains for darkness, PLUS Staged Readings of Robert Heide’s cycle, in which one’s brain goes through keeping your room temperature comfort- AMERICAN HAMBURGER and MOTHER different patterns of activity. One full cycle able, and darkening all lights such as those SUCK directed by Ralph Lewis of Peculiar lasts about 90 minutes. The amount of time on your television or clock. Have a flash- Works Project in each stage changes as we age. light by your bed to use when you need to an illustrated talk by the author. Another misconception is that, as we get up and move around. PLUS get older, we require less sleep. According 3. Eat and drink according to what to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), helps you sleep best. Some people sleep “Two of the best plays I saw at the Caffe Cino were Robert Heide’s this is not true. What is true is that, for better a few hours after eating; some sleep MOON and THE BED.” — Edward Albee. many, sleep patterns change as they get better after eating before they go to bed. “THE BED is beautiful emptiness. A work of genius.” —Andy Warhol. older, which can contribute to sleep prob- Avoid caffeinated beverages and foods lems. For example, older people spend less such as coffee, certain sodas, and chocolate Available @: time in deep sleep and more time in the after noon. Amazon.com,Three Lives Bookstore (Waverly & 10th St.), 4. Be active during the day. lighter stages of sleep. Studies on the sleep Physical ac- Drama Bookstore (250 W. 40th St.). habits of older Americans also show an in- tivity can improve sleep but be careful not crease in the time it takes to fall asleep, less to be too active close to bedtime. It could Published by Michael Smith’s Fast Books Press time in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) keep you up. stage of sleep, and more frequent waking 5. Watch your thoughts. Worrying can up during the night (sleep fragmentation). keep you awake. Most of the time there is The prevalence of sleep disorders tends to nothing you can do about your concerns at increase with age, but is it all due to age this time of day. Remind yourself of that. If Basil Weathers alone? needed, write a list of issues on your to-do Research suggests that age-related sleep list for tomorrow. 24/7 Plumber problems can be associated with physical 6. Speak to medical experts (including and psychiatric issues and/or the medica- your pharmacist) to see if any medica- Named as a Favorite Handyman tions used to treat them. For example, high tions could be affecting your sleep. If so, in the May issue of WestView News blood glucose levels in people with diabetes ask if there are alternatives. Photo by Alison Morley can cause increased urination that prompts waking up to urinate (nocturia) often. Even Until next month, try these techniques. I A resident of the Village since1979, Basil low blood glucose can wake someone up. hope they help you enjoy better sleep. is thoroughly knowledgeable about Prostate problems in men can also cause more frequent urination, including noctu- Joy Pape is an internationally known, board Village pipes and plumbing problems, and ria. Women going through menopause can certified Family Nurse Practitioner, author, is available 24/7 to fix sudden flooding, be affected by hormonal changes—being writer, and presenter. She believes that every frozen pipes, restaurant boilers, and any other awakened by hot flashes or just changes in person is an individual and deserves person- plumbing issue that may occur. sleep patterns. Other issues can be related alized medical, integrative care, and hope for to arthritis, restless leg syndrome, sleep ap- a healthy and full life. She can be reached at A cheerful and hard-working local businessman, nea, and the list goes on. (212) 933-1756 or [email protected]. Basil will always give you a fair and honest price for your job. JOIN THE WESTVIEW FAMILY Writers, editors, photographers, proofreaders, fact-checkers, Basil Weathers designers and ad salespersons. Plumbing Call George at 52 Bank Street (at West 4th Street) 212-924-5718 (845) 866-2329 An Open Letter to the Rev. Caroline Stacey and the Church of St. Luke in the Fields

I am a twenty year resident of the West Vil- The purely theological response to the property and that not to use it would be at lage and a lifelong member of The Episcopal question of how to pay the bills is that if best irresponsible and, at worst, unfaithful. To Church. My name appears on a plaque in the we do the right thing, somehow we will be which I would reply, why has the church not Gardens at St. Luke in the Fields commemo- aligning ourselves and resonating with God needed to use that property for income until rating their restoration in 2012 and signifying, and all will work out for the best. People will now? What did the church used to do and to me, my intention to be actively involved in come forward and be generous, one way or be which enabled it to set aside that space? supporting St. Luke’s as a then-new resident another and, somehow, God will provide. And what is it that the church used to do and of Barrow Street. Much more often than one might expect, this be that it is no longer doing as effectively? If actually works. The key element in this ap- it is not attracting members who will support Shortly after the ceremony marking the proach is discerning “the right thing” as God it, why is that? If the parish cannot afford the completion of work in the gardens, word be- would define it, not as we might, and having lifestyle of a more affluent age, what would be gan to spread of St. Luke’s intention to build the courage and faith to pursue that course a faithful manifestation of a lively and attrac- on the southwest corner of its double block even, or especially, when it seems counter- tive church today? What values and beliefs between Hudson and Greenwich, Barrow intuitive, countercultural, or contrary to what about the church and, for that matter, about and Christopher Streets. This lot, used for most people would deem prudent or smart. God, does the apartment building proclaim, vehicular parking, had been cleared of his- and how does that proclamation compare toric buildings before the 1969 Greenwich Another approach is to say something to the meaning of what was there before? Is Village Historic District was designated. An along the lines of: in the real world a church that new proclamation a faithful presentation immediate, passionate, and acrimonious de- has to run like a business, so let’s focus our of God? bate ensued about the height and design of attention and energy on those who are most the tower that now there stands, pitting the likely to provide financial support (custom- If the apartment is a means to an end –– church against a neighborhood with a deep ers and clients) and get the money squared income so they can do good work –– does passion for preservation and an eye for aes- away first, and then seek to do the best work that mean that the parish subscribes to the thetic misfits. we can once our financial house is in order. theory that the ends justify the means? Is After all, this argument goes, we need to there any danger in that general principle? While other work continues on the cam- be practical if we are going to do good for pus, it is worth looking back at the actions any appreciable length of time. In this model It seems so, for on August 23, 2015, the St. Luke’s took, the way it took them, and a church operates like a nonprofit service Rev. Caroline Stacey, Rector at the Church of what they and we non-parishioner neighbors agency, with the rector as the executive di- St. Luke in the Fields, gave a sermon in which gained and lost in the bargain. rector and the vestry as the board. One cul- she bravely and frankly discussed being an- tivates donors, publicizes one’s good work, grily confronted on the street by neighbors Let’s start at the beginning. The question and seeks to position the church in a com- who cared to vent their displeasure with the facing rectors, wardens, and vestries these petitive posture with respect to other non- direction St. Luke’s was taking. She said: days is how to pay the bills. Technically, this profits with fundraisers, benefits, splashy is a question for the wardens and the ves- annual campaigns, and by packaging the “In our relationships at home and work, try, the lay leaders of a congregation, not for church as a really good charity. ‘violence’ is every time we treat another the clergy. But in America the role of rector person as an object. Violence is every has evolved into something like a CEO of the In this view, the apartment building makes time we don’t really listen to someone parish, with the assumption that it is part of sense unless there is clear evidence that the because really, they are just a piece in the rector’s job to ensure a thriving parish cost of the building would exceed the ben- our personal jigsaw. [...] Over the past and a balanced budget. efit. The projected benefit (X million dollars few months, as the most visible repre- upfront and Y million per year until after ev- sentative of St. Luke’s in the neighbor- When parishes seem to be going well –– eryone involved in this deal is long gone) is hood, I have been on occasion blindsided strong attendance, multiple activities, long- “real” while the cost, possible alienation of by fierce hostility in the street. It makes term financial stability or growth –– people neighbors whose future financial commit- no difference whether I am in clericals tend to credit the rector. When things are go- ment to the parish is unclear and certainly or jeans, grocery shopping, walking the ing badly, though few people will actually say less reliable than the real estate income, dog, taking out the trash, going to the it out loud, there is often a sense that perhaps seems small by comparison. parish house for a meeting, going to cel- a different rector with a different style and dif- ebrate Mass, or returning home. If some- ferent (or more) intellectual or personal gifts The deeper and, to me, sadder issue is that one hates the construction project, they would produce a different outcome. So clergy in placing their faith in the real estate income lay into St. Luke’s and sometimes lay into who want to keep their jobs, or who want to stream, they have said that their security is me personally. You would think that, af- be well-positioned to move on to something founded on market forces, and this funda- ter a while, I would get used to this. But they would consider a step up, are highly moti- mentally changes their identity from people the truth is, whenever it happens, I ar- vated (though not necessarily highly prepared who place their faith in God to people who rive at my destination feeling rattled and or highly skilled) to produce results which can place their faith in real estate and money. sometimes with my heart pounding at be positively quantified. They might counter that God gave them the the sheer force of their anger. And also

ADVERTORIAL feeling frustrated because my efforts at might have begun to understand her and St. only with our lips but in our lives.” We say it a reasonable conversation have proven Luke’s role in this dysfunction. lot because it’s hard work and we don’t always useless with some folks. Take the shield measure up. The challenge and opportunity of faith, says Ephesians. The advice has St. Luke’s has now isolated itself from for the Rev. Caroline Stacey and the Church become for me like what I know of the many of its neighbors and has unfortunately of St. Luke in the Fields now is whether, next 12-step programs: one day at a time. [...] contributed to the substituting of “isolated time, they will have the courage to embrace These folks are not evil. The hate speech atoms” for “community,” another eloquent if, the high principles of her sermon, or whether comes through them, it has a foothold in under the circumstances, tin-eared thread on they will again turn this over to crisis manag- their heart because they are afraid and modern isolation in the Rector’s sermon. Part ers and spin doctors to ensure that they get enraged about many things beyond their of the tragedy here is that St. Luke’s knew the the outcome they want. So the question is will control. Fear of change, feeling power- right thing to do: be respectful, listen, be flex- they opt for reconciliation or will they stick with less, other things going on in their lives, ible, seek the voice of God in a wide variety violence? And if they opt for violence, what will whatever it may be. And really, haven’t of people, not just “people like us.” But they that mean for their future as a church? we all felt some version of those things?” gave up that identity and followed instead a methodology of violence: secrecy, indiffer- My core belief is that if God is presented Though I spoke publicly against the project ence, power, and the fait accompli . truly and effectively, those so inclined will find at the Landmarks Preservation Commission God sufficiently compelling, attractive, or even hearing, I have never spoken directly with To paraphrase Hosea 8:7, in the Old Testa- beautiful, to want to know more and to align Mother Stacey in person. We exchanged ment’s version of what goes around comes their lives more closely to God. So if churches several cordial emails during the planning and around: “those who sow the wind shall reap are not attracting people my first hypothesis construction phases of the church’s project the whirlwind.” Or, here’s another, “Unless is that it is because their presentation of God in which I expressed my displeasure and my the Lord builds a house, those who labor, has failed to convey something of God’s es- wish that someone from St. Luke’s would labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) sential nature. No one church or denomination merely reach out to ask how we were mak- will ever cover the entire nature of God, but ing out with the noise, the dirt and the dis- I suppose one might make the case for a God’s identity and nature are sufficiently rich ruption. No one ever did. In spite of this, of church providing affordable housing, and St. that there is room for many different ways to course, no one advocates incivility in debate. Luke’s has made this case repeatedly, most present God. Perhaps the diversity of denomi- No one who did would make the attempt to revealingly when Toll Brothers representative nations—and religions, for that matter— rather bridge the divide by reasoning through this David Von Spreckleson said at the Commu- than a scandal or a problem, is a gift and a in public as I am. But when the Rev. Stac- nity Board 2 hearing “This is affordable housing blessing. Properly understood we can take de- ey casts her detractors as “afraid” and “en- purely for the 421A tax break,” at which point light in what we do know and have to offer, and raged” and “feeling powerless...in their lives,” the Rev. Stacey visibly blushed and cut him off. remember to be humble in acknowledging that when she takes up Ephesians 6:10-17 as a what we have is not the whole picture. shield against her neighbors’ animus, thereby If I were St. Luke’s it might be tempting to rhetorically casting us in the role of the devil, hide behind that particular cloak but the pro- My sense, from afar, is that St. Luke’s his- by the way (look it up), is it possible she is cess would have to be Godly, not just the out- torical strength has derived from a faithful- missing anything? What I don’t think the Rev. come, for this endeavor to be genuinely “of ness to God involving a particularly Episcopal Stacey realizes is that the “violence” directed God.” And the opinion of many who witnessed combination of dedication to intellectual ex- toward her was not random; it was a reflec- the sausage being made was that this process cellence, social justice, artistic beauty, espe- tion of the violence that neighbors felt they re- did not exactly show forth the glory of God. cially in music, and respect for the holiness of ceived from St. Luke’s. creation both in individual people and in the What can St. Luke’s and the community natural order. For generations this particular For many in the buildings surrounding the do to repair the damage? identity has enabled St. Luke’s to be a strong church campus, our experience of St. Luke’s and consistent voice in the midst of sweeping was that they treated us as an object, they Christians believe in forgiveness, but for for- economic, cultural, and political change both didn’t really listen to us, and they viewed us giveness to be effective it needs to be sought in its neighborhood and in our larger setting. as something to be managed rather than in a spirit of confession, true repentance and, The construction of the building, both the taken seriously as neighbors. They didn’t re- when damage has been done, a genuine of- manner in which the decision was made and ally see us as people, we were not real to fer of restitution. Asking for forgiveness, or the resulting structure, seem a notable depar- them in the way that the lure of the real es- seeking just to “move on” or “put it behind ture from that distinguished tradition. And so tate income was real. The feelings of people us” is a repetition of violence. The Rev. Sta- perhaps the irony is that in turning away from were placed second to the appeal of the cey cites the one-day-at-a-time wisdom of the style and values which have sustained the money. Does that sound like God or the the 12-step program. Another element of that parish so well for so long, the current lead- work of someone else? is repentance, confession, restitution, and the ership did not make a pragmatic choice but seeking of restored relationship. The burden instead chose, perhaps in desperation and in What Mother Stacey missed in her sermon for restoration is on the offender, not the one a failure of nerve and faith, to put their trust was that the hate speech she encountered who was sinned against. in something novel, unproven, and, indeed, was a result and a symptom, not a spon- contrary to the core historic and Christian taneous outpouring of unmotivated vitriol. A core element of the Episcopal tradition is identity of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields. As she says, “these folks are not evil.” Had that we seek to bring our lives into alignment she pushed that insight to ask, “If they are with what we say about the Christian life. —David D. Turner not evil why are they so angry with me?” she We’re always talking about being faithful “not February 27, 2018

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The Song that Changes Lives Audio-Peek Kids say the “I’m A Person” program is like a light with- in a dark room, and that it gives them the courage to feel powerful and stand up for goodness. Principal Luis Torres, By Roberta Curley who believes that this song is the children’s lifeline, said the program reduced behavioral incidents from more than 240 to 80 in just one year, and increased attendance to as much I hear everything but the breathing— as 96%. He said the program also increased kindness and stopped bullying. The children sing the song with peers and the irregular thumps teachers, and at home with their parents and siblings. Studies reveal that building self-esteem, starting with the floorboard thud very young children, can go a long way toward resolving many of today’s pressing challenges—such as bullying, gun violence, addictions, depression, and suicide. Experts agree the squeaks that higher self-esteem significantly increases children’s cre- THE ‘”I’M A PERSON” PROGRAM GIVES CHILDREN THE ativity and level of achievement, improves relationships, and signaling the creaks COURAGE TO FEEL POWERFUL AND STAND UP FOR promotes a healthier understanding of self and others. If GOODNESS: P.S. 55 kids eagerly learn about self-worth Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz had had higher self-esteem, the twisting coils and kindness during “I’m A Person” Week. Photo by things might have been dramatically different, and 17 pre- Helene Abrams. cious lives could have been spared. and I know The stunning success of the “I’m A Person” Project in By Helene Abrams and David Giller stopping bullying and creating a positive climate at such a #2B is embroiled highly challenged South Bronx elementary school has won Something very special happened to the children of P.S. us, the project’s creators, self-esteem strategists, and global in something familiar. 55 in the Bronx: A song wove a room full of children into visionaries, great respect and acclaim from community lead- a reverberating hymn of confidence, and a movement for ers, educators, and the media. building children’s self-esteem was born. It all began with As founders of the Think Positive World Movement, we When silence settles “I’m A Person,” a simple and inspiring song with a power- are also producing a feature documentary about “I’m A Per- ful message of hope, composed by David Giller. You could son”—the new global anthem for every person—called The and envy subsides, see it in their eyes and feel it in their spirit when more than Song that Changed the World which we intend to distribute 700 children sang the lyrics: “I’m an ever-loving, thinking- to schools throughout America and worldwide. I whisper-wish them well feeling, peaceful-going, real-live person.” They felt con- If you have a child or grandchild, or are a teacher or nected, and heard a message which awakened them and school administrator, now is the time to make sure your praying that someday committed them to dream and believe in their futures. The kids are singing “I’m A Person.” For further information, rhythms and message of the song ignite the spirit of dig- kindly contact the Think Positive World NYC headquar- I will sigh myself nity and respect that is the inalienable right of each person. ters at (212) 265-5748, or [email protected]. You can also visit thinkpositiveworld.com. A schoolteacher for more than 50 years, Sharon Prich- to sleep ard, who led the chorus at P.S. 55, says, “You can tell a child a million times how special they are, but when they sing Helene Abrams and David Giller, founders of the Think Posi- listening only “I’m A Person” they feel it in their soul.” Besides singing tive World Movement, are strategists for positive change, and the song each day and participating in the many activities the authors of an upcoming book, Being Positive is Who I Am. that comprise the “I’m A Person” program, the children re- For more than 40 years, they have been committed to creating to the cadence of cite the “Rights and Responsibilities of a Person”—which and implementing tools and strategies for accelerating positive include “I have the right to be safe,” “I have the right to be change in communities worldwide through arts, media, and someone’s breathing. happy,” and “I have the right to achieve my dreams.” education. Helen Ann Closes Shop After 24 years, Helen Ann Lally of Your Neighborhood Office on Bleecker Street “retires to the beach.” And “it was not the rent,” Helen Ann cor- rects, but changes in business like pre-paid packages. When pressed to talk about her long, intimate encounters with many customers-turned- friends, she demurred, “Ask my customers,” and yet another came to give her a hug while echoing a chorused lament, “What are we going to do without you?” Photo by Zoe Pappis. 24 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org Superb Owl Sunday

By Keith Michael knows.”) Take the A Train for an appreciation of It’s the weekend. And it’s early. I confess, I the breadth of New York City; what a feat cajoled Millie into walking over to Hudson of labor it took to construct this massive River Park to take her Corgi steps along the system more than 100 years ago. The same semi-circular stone path in front of the AIDS jazzy A Train that whizzes from the north- Memorial. I can still choke up when I let my- ern tip of Manhattan passes under the East self take more than a cursory glance at the River and downtown Brooklyn, then gives enigmatic words engraved in the black gran- an above-ground Brooklyn tour before ite: “I can sail without wind, I can row with- soaring over Jamaica Bay with views of out oars, but I cannot part from my friend JFK Airport. One of my favorite fly-bys is without tears.” the overgrown Bayside Cemetery just past This morning I’m misty-eyed for a differ- the 80th Street/Hudson Street station. My ent reason. The fog over the Hudson turns destination is the hamlet of Broad Chan- down the volume of the Jersey City skyline in nel—with its canals and houses on stilts— a wavering decrescendo. In the curving stand and finally, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge— of pines behind the Memorial, as always, I’m still recovering from being submerged and looking for that one shadow through the rearranged by the storm surge of Hurricane needles, that one blip above a branch, that Sandy. Once I get off, the A Train clam- one streak of whitewash on a tree trunk that bers on its syncopated way to the distant A PLUMP PILLOW OF WHITE, HUNKERED DOWN HIGH ABOVE THE PATH: Seeing a could lead to the morning sighting of an owl. reaches of Far Rockaway. Snowy Owl, a winter visitor from the far north, makes for a superb day! Photo by Keith I still haven’t gotten my winter seasonal It’s even foggier out here than it was in the Michael. “hit” of seeing even one owl—and my West Village and, adding to the dampness friends know how hard I’ve tried, repeat- of the air, a light rain is now falling. (Mil- trees, there is a white dollop on an arch- they can stockpile lemmings in pyramids by edly, in multiple locations in every bor- lie would hate this.) Juggling an umbrella ing branch on the far side of the trunk. their nests so that their hatchlings never go ough. Others have spotted Great Horned, above my camera, I’m contented to photo- Uh, could it be? It’s not just a persistent hungry. Barred, Barn, Long-eared, Short-eared, graph bright yellow and red bittersweet ber- lump of ice on that branch? Or a caught Considering that head scratch as the clos- Saw-whet, Screech, and Snowy Owls—but ries glistening with drops of water hanging plastic bag? No—for real—sitting right est thing to “action” I’m going to get, I move not me. My owling outing today, after leav- from each one. Pretty, yes. White-throated out in the open is a Snowy Owl! In a bare along the path, relishing my good fortune ing Millie at home curled up with a dog- Sparrows tsk through the leaves under the tree! I’ve only ever seen them sitting on (and good photos) for the morning. Looking eared Guide to the Finer Points of Herding dripping brambles; and a miserable-looking the ground. Since their usual habitat is the back to ponder this unlikely sprawling urban and a Pimm’s, is to the Jamaica Bay Wild- Mockingbird, trying to fend off the rain- far north tundra, trees are not part of their landscape of reeds and waves, in the next tall life Refuge in Queens where not one, not drops, is fluffed up near the path. I can hear usual landscape design. tree along the path—unbelievably—a second two, but three Snowy Owls have recently a flock of Brant geese murmuring within the But here one is! A plump pillow of Snowy Owl is roosting! I check to be sure been reported as seen. (Ah, those mysteri- whiteout along the beach. Another flock of white, hunkered down high above the that the first one hasn’t just relocated. But ous birding “reports.”) For rare or unusual honking Canada geese emerge in a perfect path. Older males are often nearly pure there they are—two. sightings of birds, scroll through the “Bird- V, so close over my head that I can feel the white, whereas females and youngsters are What a day! I’m wondering what next ing News” of the American Birding As- whoosh of the air. barred with more or less black. My hunch weekend’s Super Bowl Sunday might have in sociation at birding.aba.org, or set up an A few more steps and it’s like walking is that this one is a juvenile, but no less store? Maybe eagles. eBird account with alerts for certain species out of a cloud. It’s still drizzling but I can impressive in size. When it bends its head or locations at ebird.org. (The best source now see a line of trees on the other side of for a scratch, its massive foot and talons Visit keithmichaelnyc.com for the latest schedule for owl sightings, though, is the even more the pond and, beyond, the distant teeth of display why these Snowies are formidable of New York City WILD! urban-adventures- mysterious inner circle of “someone who the Manhattan skyline. In one of the tallest hunters, and why, in a bumper summer, in-nature outings throughout the five boroughs. Abingdon Square Food Paradise: A Sequel By Barry Benepe which clearly differentiates it from food IF THIS stores, is that it accepts donations of fruit In the January 2018 issue of WestView, I de- and vegetable scraps, and used fabrics for PAPER MAKES scribed some of the farmers that came into the Department of Sanitation’s Com- the city from the surrounding region to set post Project. Greenmarket receives up to YOU THINK up their products at thte Abingdon Square 1,300 pounds a week of fruit, vegetable, Greenmarket on Saturdays. An additional and plant waste, which is composted into farmer, with an outstanding array of farm- rich garden soil. Since 2011, it has col- we will print your made cow cheeses, is Consider Bardwell, lected over 10 million pounds of such founded in 1864 in West Pawlet, Vermont. waste from 26 city-wide locations, plus an thoughts in the The farm truck makes the five-hour trip additional five million pounds of textiles. next issue. to New York City throughout the year. At This has been consistent with the over- the Abingdon Square Greenmarket, sales all environmental policies of GrowNYC, are managed by Joel from Crown Heights, a non-profit organization which runs Brooklyn who displays an array of extraordi- Greenmarket. [email protected] narily flavorful cheeses. These include: Pawlet, Bardon Blue, Danby, Dorset, and Experience. Barry Benepe grew up working his family’s WestView News 69 Here at Abingdon Square, we collect a com- farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He Charles Street New bined aroma of an ammoniated barnyard and earned a degree in architecture from the a fresh summer day. All of the cheese flavors Massachusetts Institute of Technology and THE GREENMARKET HAS A PROGRAM THAT York, NY 10014 and textures offer a rich variety of pungency became an urban planner. In 1976, Benepe TURNS COMPOSTED SCRAPS INTO RICH and smokiness, as good to inhale as to taste. co-founded the Greenmarket farmers mar- GARDEN SOIL: You can bring your fruit, veg- etable and plant scraps here every Saturday. Another great attraction at Greenmarket, ket program, which he ran for 22 years. Photo by Barry Benepe. www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 25

LOYALTY PROGRAM • GIFT CARDS It All Started with Pop-Pop FREE DELIVERY By Dierdre Anderson

Pop-Pop, aka Vincent Scailo, my Italian grandfather, sparked my initial love for food. Namely, the preparation part. Growing up, family get-togethers were all about the food. GREENWICH VILLAGE Of course we loved to eat, but with equal passion we loved 512 HUDSON STREET • NYC 10014 to create. Together. While Grandma Helen simmered and WWW.SEAGRAPEWINES.COM • 212-463-7688 stirred, my mom seemed to constantly chop garlic as others shucked clams. I never viewed it as drudgery—it was about family, and an expression of love. Pop-Pop also owned a res- taurant in Manhattan. It was the only restaurant where, as a child, I was allowed to go behind the bar and squirt my own drink from the soda gun. Man do I miss that magical feeling. At around 16, I was exposed to a more “gourmet” spin on things. Joyce, my then-boyfriend’s mother, was an avid cook and food enthusiast. Her kitchen pantry made my head tilt to one side, as things like candied violets and saffron had been completely foreign to me. She even took a couple of cooking classes with my now-culinary hero, Jacques Pepin. The Art of Cooking became my first coffee table book way before I had my own coffee table. At 20, I made my first steak au poivre, and learned the hard way that you really mustn’t get too close to the pan when you ignite the cognac. The utter unpleasantness of singeing off three-quarters of my eyebrows was far outweighed by the creamy decadence of the dish, and somehow achieving a per- fect medium-rare steak. Fast-forward about 20 years of working as a chef and ca- “FOOD FOR THOUGHT”: This internet radio show is coming terer, I achieved my dream of opening a restaurant: a little to a Times Square billboard soon. Photo courtesy of Lisa 40-seater in, what I soon realized, was a terrible location. I Molluso of RC Butler Photography. went under in the worst possible way—the kind where you show up and realize the locks have been changed. Trauma- Johnson, Manhattan fashion designer Valentina Kova, tized, penniless, and spiritually crushed, I left the food busi- and a former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. I catered ness for good. Or so I thought. two Clinton fundraisers in 2016—and even got my pic- A few years later, I read the book, Blood, Bones & Butter ture with Bill. Other notable political guests have in- by Gabrielle Hamilton, the owner of Prune on the Lower cluded New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, former UN East Side. Her beautiful descriptions of food, coupled with ambassador Samantha Power, and congressional hopeful the accounts of her wild and tumultuous ride in the industry, Tom Malinowski. To be fair to the Republicans, Henry ignited a spark that would ultimately get me back in the busi- Kissinger once told me that he loved my lamb chops: ness. But this time, I’d do it without risking any types of even “So to speak.” remotely soul-crushing experiences. All the name-dropping aside, I take equal pleasure in I am now a private chef. I provide weekly meals for fami- serving families without fame or political notoriety. Sure, it’s lies, delivered or prepared on site. The weekly meals range super cool to get applause from a table full of bigwigs, but from the super simple to the decadent and exotic. Nicaraguan hearing a seven-year-old tell you that “I now love fish be- churrasco, coq au vin, bouillabaisse, zarzuela, and Portuguese cause of you” makes my heart sing, and puts some “butter” pork and clams are all part of my repertoire. However, if your on my soul. I also have an Internet radio show called “Food goals include gluten-free and/or vegan eating, I’ve got you for Thought” which will be advertised very soon on a bill- covered. On occasion, I cater fancy dinner parties and bask in board in Times Square. At ten seconds an hour, I anticipate the glory of real chefdom. approximately 120 minutes of fame, at least for the month My clients have included a former CEO of Johnson & of March. INCOME TAX PREPARATION No More Faux-Feta in the privacy of your own home... very reasonable rates Just try telling Citarella, Zabar’s, or Pay attention: No matter how won- Murray’s Cheese to take those ‘French derful or bubbly the prosecco and other Call Peter White feta’ and ‘Danish feta’ labels off their sparkling wines from various places are, 212.924.0389 faux-feta products. Either they won’t don’t call them champagne. Cham- know what you’re talking about when pagne is champagne only when it comes you say that feta is an “EU protected from France’s Champagne region. Like designation of origin product of Greece feta, it’s a designated origin product. since 2002,” or they’ll just shrug and say REAL FETA COMES FROM Every region, every village, and to they can call it whatever they want, that GREECE. take it even further, sometimes every good design = great sales ‘feta is feta’ no matter where it’s made household in Greece turns out its own, or what kind of milk it’s made from. subtly nuanced, lightly-creviced, crum- Whether you’re selling your product or your services, we can But that’s the crucial point. Real feta is a brined cheese bly yet smooth, salty but not too salty, fresh, cool, white- help you with stunning logos, ads, collateral and publications and a well-designed, easy-to-navigate website. (to Greeks it isn’t a cheese though, it’s ‘feta’) sourced from as-snow version of that wonderful invention. Or is it a within Greece. It must be made from sheep’s milk or a discovery? No matter. Feta is an act of God. Let’s leave View the website at phelandesignworks.com combination of sheep’s milk and 30% goat’s milk. No cows it to the Greeks. [email protected] • 212-620-0652 involved. —Vicki James Yiannias 26 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org Modern Middle Eastern Dining in the West Village

By Caroline Benveniste courts. Pretty much everything was great. York bakeries (there is one on the Upper Bar Bolonat is perhaps New York’s Modern Middle Eastern food is having West Side as well) are bigger and have most typical modern Israeli restaurant. As I planned our January visit to Tel Aviv, a moment in the U.S. too. It occupied the a wider selection than the Tel Aviv ones The chef and owner is Einat Admony who I confess that I mostly focused on food. number one spot in Zagat’s list of ‘The but otherwise look identical. Their finest also owns Taïm. Everyone raves about the I had a long list of places to try, gleaned 7 Biggest Food Trends of 2017.’ After I products are the challahs, chocolate bab- Jerusalem Bagel, a sesame seed-covered from articles and friends’ and relatives’ returned from my trip, I realized that the kas, cinnamon rolls, and bureks (filled, toroidal bread more akin to a Turkish sim- recommendations. There were also a few West Village was teeming with outstand- puff pastry turnovers). it than a bagel. It’s heavenly, served warm places that I’d heard about because the ing Middle Eastern food options. The Taïm has the best falafel in the city. with olive oil and zahtar (a Middle East- chefs had either opened or were open- following is a partial, descriptive list: The owner and chef, Einat Admony, is ern spice mix) on the side. You may be ing branches in New York. While in Tel Breads Bakery in the Union Square Israeli and now owns a number of restau- surprised to see shellfish and non-kosher Aviv, we ate in a variety of venues: shuks area was opened by Uri Scheft, the rants here, but the West Village Taïm was meat on the menu, but most restaurants (open air markets), fancy restaurants, ca- owner/chef of Lehamim (which means her first spot. As tasty as Taïm is, I found in Tel Aviv are not kosher either. For one sual restaurants, falafel stands, and food ‘breads’ in Hebrew) in Tel Aviv. The New that the falafel at Hakosem in Tel Aviv dessert, modern was not better: The Bro- was slightly better. Like Taïm, it has a ken Baklava is disappointing and pales in counter where you order your falafel and comparison to the real thing. Bar Bolonat the seating is limited. My cousin sent me is reminiscent of North Abraxas in Tel New Exhibition a magazine article a few days before we Aviv, Eyal Shani’s fancier (than Miznon) arrived in Israel showing Jerry Seinfeld restaurant. And coincidentally, both chefs By Nick Lamia having falafel at Hakosem. are also television personalities. (Admony This piece is based on a press release published by Jason McCoy Gallery Dizengoff is modeled after the hum- appeared on “Chopped”, and Shani on on February 23, 2018. musiyas in Israel, and their version of “MasterChef Israel.”) hummus is delectable. The chef, Michael Kubeh specializes in kubeh, a type of Solomonov is Israeli and has a number Middle Eastern dumpling with a shell From March 8th through April 13th, Jason McCoy Gallery will feature Cloud, Mountain, of restaurants in Philadelphia, including made of semolina, bulgur or rice, and Valley, Sea—an exhibition of new paintings, large works on paper, and a site-specific the impossible-to-get-into Zahav. Diz- a filling of meat or vegetables. Melanie installation by New York-based artist Nick Lamia. Exploring concepts of space and nature through abstraction, Lamia utilizes a engoff ’s menu is limited, but not quite Shurka is the chef and owner, and her language of opposites. His vibrant compositions convey the interplay of translucent as restricted as the best hummusiya in family background is Israeli and Per- layers and opaque shapes, crisp lines, and brushed fields. Lamia’s vocabulary derives Tel Aviv, Abu Hassan. There, your op- sian. In addition to the kubeh, I have from both geometry and biomorphism. tions are hummus, with or without Ful had the luscious siske (a slow-cooked Lamia’s latest works reflect his thorough investigation of water as an increasingly Mudammas (a dish of fava beans with beef) in a pita with onions, hummus, ta- precious resource. “Our need for water transcends cultural, socioeconomic, and tahini), and the only side dishes are fries hini, and herbs; it was as good or better lifestyle divisions. Even time is no match for thirst [...] It is a common thread stitching and falafel balls. The pita was great at than anything at Miznon. Many Middle together the fabric of life.” both places, but at Dizengoff, you can Eastern meals start with a selection of watch the pita being rolled out and then mezes, which are small dishes such as Nick Lamia lived at 54 Charles Street and studied at the New York Studio School. He baked in a gas-fired pizza oven. Mak- salads or spreads, and the selection at currently teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology. ing hummus at home is not difficult, just Kubeh is wonderful. We started a meal kind of messy. If you’re inclined to try it, at The Norman Hotel in Tel Aviv with then certainly use the recipe from Zahav, a similarly excellent meze line-up. In ad- Michael Solomonov’s recently-published dition to these restaurants, Kish Kush, Israeli cookbook. a couscous spot from Einat Admony, is Miznon just opened in Chelsea Mar- scheduled to open soon and Mekki, a ket. The original restaurant is in Tel Aviv Moroccan Fusion restaurant, is also un- but Eyal Shani, the celebrity chef behind der construction. Miznon, has since opened branches in We had a wonderful walk through the Vienna, Paris, and Melbourne. The vi- Carmel Shuk in Tel Aviv, and found a sion of the restaurant is “to take the Pereg spice shop where we purchased flavor of each city and translate it into zahtar, sumac, spicy kebab seasoning, and pita.” In Tel Aviv, we had pitas with lamb majadra, a grain and lentil blend. Spices kebabs and steak, and tried to order the and Tease in Chelsea Market has a de- whole Roast Cauliflower (the restaurant’s cent selection of spices in a bazaar-like signature dish that Shani claims to have display, but to find Pereg spices you’ll invented, pictured on page 27) but they have to venture to Holyland Market had run out. We also had the Run-Over in the East Village. Also in the Carmel Potato which is basically a baked potato Shuk, we found stands selling a large ar- that has been flattened; it was unusual ray of halvah. We bought some to take and delicious. The two special dishes back, but you can also get exquisite hal- available only at the New York Miznon vah at Seed + Mill in Chelsea Market. are a Reuben and a Folded Cheeseburger, Our most unusual meal in Tel Aviv was but we particularly enjoyed the Intimate at Samarkand, a restaurant that serves Hereford (Cow) and Roots Stew, and food from Bukhara, Uzbekistan. We were this time were able to snag a Roast Cau- taken there by an acquaintance who had liflower. The day we were there, an Israeli come to Israel from Bukhara; he ordered television station, i24NEWS, was inter- enough food for 20 even though there viewing the chef. He told the reporter were only five of us. One of my favorite that he had to open in New York because items was the Lepeshka, a bread that looks everyone wants to come here. I men- like an oversized bagel but is soft, fluffy, tioned to him that we had been to some and yeasty. There were also lots of kebabs, of his restaurants in Tel Aviv and he ex- and meaty rice pilafs that are a local spe- plained, in true celebrity chef style, that cialty usually made by men and cooked in he had invented modern Israeli food. continued on page 27 www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 27 Chelsea Market Changes Upstairs and Downstairs

By David Porat by Manhattan Fruit Exchange, has a beautifully ap- pointed restaurant space in the back of their home dé- Chelsea Market, which has been rather constant over cor store. They also have a newly appointed chef and a the last 20-plus years, is changing. About two weeks direct entrance on 16th Street. ago, it was announced that Google, a significant tenant Miznon, located in part of the space that was in the building and landlord of 88 8th Avenue, known Buon’Italia, is a new, casual Israeli-inspired restaurant as the Port Authority Building, along with Pier 57 at and part of a family of about a dozen restaurants by the end of 15th Street (which Google also leases), has Eyal Shani, a celebrity chef. Other locations include gone to contract to acquire the building for $2.4 billion. Paris, Vienna, and Melbourne. I can report that a Jamestown currently owns the building and bought it sampling of their food got very enthusiastic nods in from a company that Irwin Cohen created to develop the office. Miznon was fresh, different, and not ex- the property. pensive. They offer some items served in pita as well I signed a lease with Irwin a bit over 20 years ago and as the celebrated Roast Cauliflower. They seem to be had hoped that my business, Chelsea Market Baskets, open sporadically but do draw a crowd. The food is a would be well established a few decades later. Chelsea bit similar to the kind offered at Dizengoff, which is Market was not an instant success but it did evolve into another Israeli-inspired casual eatery east of Miznon a thriving urban center that changed the landscape, not in Chelsea Market. to mention our neighborhood, which now includes the I also learned that Giovanni Rana Pastificio & High Line and the Whitney. Cucina, the Italian pasta restaurant and brand, will be Today, Chelsea Market is a different place, with many closing at the end of February. The Lobster Place has new tenants and changes. It is a good bit about tourists changed a bit internally and is more about eating in and eating in versus the direct-from-the-source food than taking home good fresh fish. Their Cull & Pistol center it once was. Jamestown developed the basement Oyster Bar next door is a favorite place of mine, along to continue to connect with local food shoppers, mov- with Los Mariscos, the seafood arm of Los Tacos No. ing Manhattan Fruit Exchange (newly named Manhat- 1, which includes an entrance on 15th Street. tan Fruit Market) downstairs, along with Buon’Italia, The huge elephant in the room is what will hap- an extension of Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, Saxelby pen when Google takes over. I am hoping for the best. Cheesemongers, a few other food folks, and new ex- Rents, like in all of Manhattan, are expensive and retail travagant public bathrooms. It is taking time for locals here is struggling. The way people eat is also changing. to find their way back; they often cannot easily locate A NEW, CASUAL ISRAELI-INSPIRED RESTAURANT JOINS I am thinking that Google would like to make their the downstairs area. CHELSEA MARKET: Miznon’s counter gets busy when food east coast home work for everybody, by engaging their The main floor, which I opted to continue to be part is ordered, prepared, and enjoyed. Photo by David Porat. employees and community. (That includes a good bit of, gets a good bit of traffic but not necessarily spend- of the world along with lots of businesses which pay ers in the form of to-go purchases. It is more about very successful Very Fresh Noodles and now has a large their dues in the form of key word advertising and also window shopping and eating in. In the space Chelsea sit-down restaurant with a downtown aesthetic serving tenants.) We have had a good relationship with our Market Baskets occupied for almost 20 years is now a reasonably priced French-inspired food. neighbor and found them to be interested in the com- new restaurant named Le Song, a third business within Sarabeth has recently undergone a renovation and has munity, as well as in good chocolate. That has brought Chelsea Market by Peter Tondreau, who initially cre- more of an eat-in menu. Blackbarn, a diversified busi- us together in sweet ways a few times. Hopefully, there ated Bar Suzette in the ‘Arcade.’ He then opened the ness across the concourse in the space once occupied is more to come.

Middle Eastern Dining Dizengoff Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (be- continued from page 26 tween West 15th and West 16th Streets) OKAY, Miznon gigantic pots. There is one Uzbek restau- Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (be- rant in Manhattan, but not in the Village: tween West 15th and West 16th Streets) GEORGE, Taam Tov, upstairs in a building in the Bar Bolonat Diamond District on 47th Street, serves I want you to continue all the dishes mentioned above. 611 Hudson Street (at West 12th Street) Finally, in Tel Aviv, all-day brunch spots Kubeh publishing WestView: abound. The most famous is Benedict 464 6th Avenue (at West 11th Street) which has five locations throughout the city. Spice and Tease  Yes, I want the paper every month, but I can’t afford it so In addition to pancakes, crepes, French toast, Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (be- send it to me for free etc., they offer Shakshuka (eggs cooked in a tween West 15th and West 16th Streets)  Yes, here is $12 for a one-year subscription. spicy tomato sauce). Coincidentally, Bene- Holyland Market  Yes, here is $24 for a two-year subscription. dicts Brunch Bar in the Village also serves 122 St. Marks Place (between Avenue A an all-day brunch but to get Shakshuka and 1st Avenue) Name: ______you’ll have to visit Dizengoff on weekends. Seed + Mill The establishments referenced in this Address:______article are listed below: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (be- tween West 15th and West 16th Streets) Breads Bakery Taam Tov Telephone Number:______18 East 16th Street (between Union 41 West 47th Street (between 5th and Email Address:______Square West and 5th Avenue) 6th Avenues) Taïm Benedicts Brunch Bar Mail to: WestView News, 69 Charles St., New York, NY 10014 222 Waverly Place (between Perry and 516 Hudson Street (near West 10th West 11th Streets) Street) 28 WestView News March 2018 www.westviewnews.org Great American Playwright Maria Irene Fornes: A New Documentary Captures Her Incredible Journey from Cuba to Paris to a Life in Greenwich Village

intense and stormy love affair with Susan 16th at the Museum of Modern Art where Sontag. Others followed but Irene seemed the audience clapped and cheered with wild always to prefer to live her life as a loner. enthusiasm. Making stellar screen appear- At one point in the late 1970s, Irene ances are original Cino writers John Guare teamed up with Julie Bovasso and Megan and Lanford Wilson. In the documentary, Terry to create a playwrights’ theatre called Edward Albee discusses the importance the New York Theatre Strategy. I became of Irene’s plays. Also showing up is Cino a member of this group, which included director Robert Dahdah of Dames at Sea Ed Bullins, Paul Foster, Leonard Melfi, and The Bed. The brilliant documentary Ron Tavel, Roz Drexler, Rochelle Owens, focuses hard on Fornes’ battle with the be- Charles Ludlam, Jean-Claude van Itallie, ginnings of dementia, which began in 1998 Murray Mednick, Tom Eyen, Robert Pat- and eventually overtook her. Still with us rick, William Hoffman, Sam Shepard, and but in a state of forgetfulness, Irene is now others. My play Moon was presented in the under supervision in an assisted living fa- first New York Theatre Strategy Festival cility. A highlight of the film is a return trip under the auspices of Lynn Meadows at to Cuba to be with her family once again, the Manhattan Theatre Club. The “strat- made with a film crew in tow, including egy” of the group was to eliminate produc- Memran. ers and middlemen and establish direct For me, as an owner of a 1954 pink, production grants to the playwright. With Plymouth Belvedere convertible, it was Theatre Strategy assistance, I produced my fun to see the oddball, brightly painted own play Suburban Tremens and Increased 1950s cars still all over the streets of Ha- Occupancy at Westbeth Theatre Center. (I vana. John Gilman and myself consistently PLAYWRIGHT EXTRAORDINAIRE: Maria Irene Fornes is pictured above dancing with John Gilman in the new Michelle Memran/Fornes documentary film I Make the Rest Up. Photo directed both by myself.) maintained a relationship with Irene up courtesy of Michelle Memran. Recently, Michal Gamily, the Director of until a few years back. We were delighted La MaMa’s Coffeehouse Chronicles, asked to see and hear Irene happily singing her me to participate in a panel of writers and own rendition of Irving Berlin’s “Cheek By Robert Heide the tile floor. No one made a fuss, as this actors honoring Maria Irene Fornes mod- to Cheek.” Wonderful. She loved Ameri- kind of wild behavior and madcap drink- erated by Gwendolyn Alker, the Director can popular music of the 1920s, 1930s, I first met the playwright extraordinaire ing was typical. Tennessee Williams often of Theater Studies at NYU’s Tisch School and 1940s which she heard on the radio Maria Irene Fornes in the Village in 1965 showed up, as did Living Theatre legend of the Arts Drama Department. Winner and sang as a child in Cuba. After a night at the Caffe Cino on Cornelia Street where Judith Malina, sometimes with Leonard of nine Obie Awards over the years, in- out on the town going to a theatre event my play The Bed was having a successful Bernstein and other notable celebrities. cluding a Lifetime Achievement accolade, or dinner, we would often sing these songs run. She was introduced to me by H. M. For many years, Irene lived in an over- Irene Fornes is now being acclaimed as together, ending up at her doorstep doing (Harry) Koutoukas who brought her over crowded loft filled with piles of books, one of America’s great playwrights. Recent a sing-along of her favorite, “Goodnight from the Judson Poets’ Theater. Harry lived crates of manuscripts, theater props, and productions include Mud, directed at the Irene, goodnight Irene. I’ll see you in my across the street from me on Christopher other memorabilia at 1 Sheridan Square. Actor’s Studio by Estelle Parsons, as well as dreams.” and now, several years after his death, there That is where she first began writing her The Danube, also directed by Parsons, and is a bronze plaque in his honor attached to plays—40 in all—my favorite being Fefu The Conduct of Life at HB Studio on Bank Robert Heide is the author of Robert Heide the tree well in front of the building where and Her Friends, a feminist play about Street, directed by George Bartenieff. 25 Plays, which was recently published by the “quintessential Cino playwright” (as eight distraught women and the men who To top all of this is the release of a new Michael Smith’s Fast Books Press. The book many called him) lived. After a chat over caused all the problems. It was the play documentary entitled The Rest I Make Up, launch, with staged play readings, will take a cappuccino, Fornes told me she preferred to see in 1977, with audiences wandering created by Michelle Memran in collabora- place on Wednesday, March 14th at 7:00 being called just plain ‘Irene’ as opposed to from one space to another in a loft where tion with Irene over the last 15 years. The p.m. at HOWL! Arts (6 East 1st Street, at ‘Maria Irene.’ At that time, Irene was hav- a variety of encounters took place simul- film had its sold-out premier on February Extra Place). Admission is free. ing a great time of it at Judson with the taneously. Other plays by Irene include: musical Promenade which had a book by The Successful Life of 3 (1965); The Office Irene and a score by the Reverend Al Car- (1966); Dr. Kheal (1968); Sarita (1984); mines. What of the Night? (1990), a finalist for A true forthright thinker and intellec- the Pulitzer Prize; and Letters from Cuba freelance tual, Fornes also possessed a sense of child- (2000), presented that year in a retrospec- like wonder which charmed all those who tive of her career at the Signature Theatre. encountered her, including myself. We be- Born in Cuba in 1930, Irene is the came fast friends in the 1960s, 1970s, and youngest of three brothers and two sisters. DESIGNERS onward, meeting at coffee shops in the Vil- She initially went to Paris to study art in lage as well as going to bars like the San the early 1950s, joining famous expatriates Become Part of WestView Remo on MacDougal Street. That was a like James Baldwin. There, she saw Samuel popular writers’ hangout for beat poets Al- Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and began to We need designers for various projects, including len Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Maxwell try her hand at playwriting. Under the in- occasionally helping to lay out the paper. Bodenheim, famous for the book My Life fluence of the Theatre of the Absurd, Irene and Loves in Greenwich Village. Edward concentrated mainly on characterological Must have publication experience, and the latest version Albee was a regular at the Remo, and on nuance in an existential sense rather than of InDesign and Photoshop CSS. one particular night, Irene and Edward through plot. In Paris, she fell in love with toasted each other with Black Russians. a writer and model named Harriet Sohm- Contact George Capsis at [email protected] Afterwards, they smashed their glasses on ers. After that broke up, Irene began an www.westviewnews.org March 2018 WestView News 29

West Village Original: goal of every jazz composer is to make it seamless, so that the improvisation can sound written and the written can sound improvised.” Peter Leitch Leitch also got very involved in photography for a period. “My ear was really developed from music and I wanted to bring my eye up to that level,” he says. “I By Michael D. Minichiello learned photography pretty much the same way I learned music—starting from nothing and trying to develop ar- This month’s West Village Original is jazz guitarist Peter tistically. It’s a good way to do [it]. You don’t learn a lot Leitch, born in Ottawa in 1944 and raised in Montreal. of unnecessary things or just blindly learn a technical Leitch released his first solo album in 1981 and then about process. Instead, you have to keep striving to make more 15 more over the years. As a sideman, he has recorded with interesting music and more interesting photographs. I Jeri Brown, Oscar Peterson, Woody Shaw, and Pete Yellin, think that’s the key to art: Never stop trying to develop.” among others. In addition, he has worked as a journalist, Then he laughs, “No pun intended!” photographer, and teacher. A few years ago, Leitch penned Leitch and his wife, Sylvia, moved into the West Vil- a memoir titled Off the Books: A Jazz Life, which was lage Houses on Greenwich Street in 1993. “This com- published by Vehicle Press in Canada. plex remains a legacy to Jane Jacobs,” he says. “But there’s a push by developers who think they can make a quick When Peter Leitch was old enough to start hanging out buck. They want to tear down these buildings and move in Montreal clubs, that was the same time that all the us elsewhere. However, we love our home, we own our great jazz performers began coming through town. “It apartment, and want to stay in it. It’s just crazy what was the early [19]60s and their music was really the first they’re proposing. They couldn’t pay me enough to move!” thing I encountered in life that moved me in any way,” he In spite of the pressures that being in such a desirable says. “I don’t know why. But I do know I didn’t have any area brings, Leitch thinks that one can still feel the sense motivation in any other direction until this music caught of community and creative energy that was the old West me like it did.” Village. “It’s just under the fabric of the new city,” he “I was given a guitar for a birthday present one year,” “THE BEST JAZZ MUSIC IS A MIX OF IMPROVISATION AND says. “An example of this is a darkroom I used to rent WRITTEN MUSIC”: After a successful guitar career, Peter he continues. “I had taken a few private lessons and Leitch began concentrating on composing and arranging in the basement of a building on Charles Street. It goes learned the basics, but it wasn’t really until I heard jazz music. Photo by Chris Drukker. back to the [19]60s, still has the original equipment— that I pursued it. And I learned my craft right there on like enlargers—and is still in use. So it’s a link to when the bandstand. That’s because there was a lot of work much else. I should say, though, that it was worth it, the Village was full of creative artists. That’s the other for local musicians in Montreal back then. Nightclubs because I was always moved by the music artistically.” thing: You never know who you’re going to meet, par- were always hiring players. You also learned from the A few years ago, after a successful career, Leitch suf- ticularly among the older residents of the Village. There older musicians and they were actually generous with fered some health issues which left him unable to play are still some very interesting people here!” their time.” What has the life of a jazz musician been guitar. Instead, he began concentrating on composing like since then? “It’s just like any other life; you go to and arranging. “That really changed the way I look at Michael D. Minichiello has been writing this column work and you come home,” Leitch says, laughing. “Peo- music,” he says. “I was an improvising instrumentalist for for WestView News since 2008. He enjoys interviewing ple think it’s so great to see all these wonderful cities many years so I wasn’t necessarily writing down a lot on longtime West Village residents and business owners who but […] when you’re traveling as a working musician paper. Writing is the opposite of creative improvisation. discuss their lives, careers, and the changes that have taken you don’t get to be a tourist. You see the airport, train At the same time, I’ve come to believe the best jazz music place in the neighborhood over the years. If you know of a station, hotel, and the venue, but you don’t get to see is a mix of improvisation and written music. I think the good candidate for this column, please contact WestView.

in touch with the Old Country. But I saw the jar of clover as ugly as our life on welfare. The Jar Each year, a new batch of clover would come, and my mother would take out the old clover and add the new clo- By E.N.J. Carter ver to its jar already full of water. For as long as I can re- member, that jar of clover with its roots floating around— My mother never talked about Ireland. My uncle, who so ugly to look at—was always on the kitchen sink counter she crossed the Atlantic with as a teenager, said she had a staring back at me. Was it trying to say, “I’m sorry, daugh- tough time of it. ter, for sending you away but I had no choice?” Who wants to be suddenly told that you have to leave That miserable jar of clover and roots was the only your country and your friends? To have the feeling that it thing my mother had to hold onto, her only reminder of was too dangerous for a large family to stay together, the the home she once knew. I never had any feeling for the threat of famine always in the air? You had to leave if your grandmother I never saw, and somehow the jar of clover mother told you to. cemented the deal for me. There would be an ‘American Wake.’ All your friends Later, when I visited Ireland, my aunt, who was sev- and family would come to your farmhouse to say goodbye, en years old when my mother left Ireland, admitted she knowing they would never see you again. In the morning, couldn’t remember her sister that well. But on later visits, your father would take you to the Queenstown Train that she finally revealed that after my grandfather came back was full of con men who tried to talk you out of any spare from seeing my mother off in Queenstown, he said to money you had. You would stay one night in Queenstown, his wife, “Are you happy now? Now that Betty is gone?” I attend your last mass in Ireland, and be rowed out by ten- would later find out that my mother was his favorite. der to the steamship. My mother would never become an American citizen. I never thought of myself as the son of an immigrant, a Perhaps she was holding onto her Irish roots, like the roots person who was never a citizen. My mother had to go to in that ugly jar. the post office once a year to renew her Green Card. And, she was very stoic about it. WHO WANTS TO SUDDENLY LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND FRIENDS? The author’s mother and uncle, who crossed the I did hate the clover sent over by her mother. It floated Atlantic years earlier as teenagers, are pictured on the right. in a jar— full of water, roots, and all. I understood the ‘Uncle Mike’ served as a tanker in Patton’s Army in World gesture, that her mother was trying to keep her daughter War II. Photo courtesy of E.N.J. Carter. Modernism lives in Tribeca.

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