The Voice of the West Village WestView News VOLUME 14, NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2018 $1.00

eration is in the basement and their elevator Battle on Barrow Street— is inadequate; it requires an operator, who I, personally, have never seen and only fits one City Awards A Victory for Organized Villagers person at a time in it. I don’t even know if wheelchairs will fit. By Jane Heil Usyk So a lot of regulars will have to stop com- WestView ing. Second, there are no walls in the base- Well! It has been quite a week; several ment of Pompeii, meaning there will be no $5000 meetings, two demonstrations, petition more movies, no activities, nothing that signing, and who knows what next week. requires its own space. Third, they do not Erik Botcher, the Chief of Staff for Here is how it played out: on Monday, July have a complete kitchen at Pompeii, and City Council Speaker, Corey John- 9th, I went to the senior center, Greenwich they have all their meals delivered from out- son, called George Capsis, the pub- House, at 27 Barrow Street to see “The Big side, unlike Barrow Street, which has a full, lisher of WestView News, to say the Knife,” one of the many excellent films that working kitchen and excellent, large meals City had awarded the paper an un- show every Monday and Wednesday, se- that come out of it. precedented grant of $5000 to sup- lected by Anthony Cilione, the director of Afterward, the person next to me verified port its enormously popular Free the Barrow Street senior center. (I wrote in that yes, there would be a meeting about Concerts for Seniors program. “You depth about Anthony’s filmic gifts in the No- the proposed closing that evening. So I ought to let people know the City vember, 2016, issue of WestView News.) But went to it, and learned that Roy Leavitt, supports you,” offered a delighted just as the room was darkening, the guy next the director of Greenwich House, needed Botcher. to me whispered, “Everyone is probably in room for his and his staff ’s offices, and he In its first season,WestView staged shock, because we just found out about the wants the fourth floor (the senior center) five heavily attended concerts in the center closing.” What??? “What are you talk- for his offices. Before this, he had offices now shuttered landmarked St. Ve- ing about?” He said that last Thursday, after on 27th Street, but either the rent went up ronica church at 149 Christopher SAVE OUR CENTER: Greenwich House the 4th of July holiday, they announced to us there, or he just got the bright idea to save Street, as a demonstration of what seniors protested at City Hall the decision that the center will close soon, that everyone money by kicking out the seniors; anyway, can be done with the many neglect- by financially stressed management to close here will have to go to Our Lady of Pompeii’s he wants our floor. The rest of Greenwich ed and now closing houses of wor- the Barrow Street center and merge with senior center for lunch and activities. House is occupied by tiny children, whose ship as traditional religion wanes. Our Lady of Pompeii. But that’s no good! First of all, their op- continued on page 7 Sarah Jessica Parker, in a dinner meeting with principal backer, de- I don’t know what the Times costs now— I’ll veloper Steve Witkoff, suggested have to get up and check. Oh, wow—$3.00! that the programs should address all News Staff Truncated I can also remember when the Daily News the needs and interests of the West By George Capsis Well, it has no reporters—we don’t pay went from two cents to three cents, and I said Village community, with concerts for editorial material. Instead, we have a then, nobody had an excuse any longer to buy for young people and children. This Oh, wow. The Daily News sacked half of bunch of people who have something to the News (this was back in the 1930s). suggestion was met with enthusias- their reporters in just ten minuets— bang, say and say it pretty well, like Caroline I sold the Times at PS 192, collecting 15 tic support by Witkoff and he asked just like that. Benveniste, who co-chairs the Program cents from each subscriber and giving them a Capsis to comply and broaden the Sure, the villain is digital media. While I’m Committee at the Harvard Club of New study pamphlet at the end of the week (it was offerings. So, in September a new se- watching the CBS six o’clock news, Dusty is York and then does the most read section like a test on current events). ries, Sounds of the Great Religions, watching the alternate media on her iphone. of the paper: In and Out. Walking home from Rite Aid, Dusty, as will start with the sights and sounds The Times is almost bereft of ads. They Or Barry Benepe, architect and city plan- she is wont to do, introduced me to a couple of the Greek Orthodox church with do full page ads for their own little busi- ner, who helped develop the Farmers Market as the publisher of WestView and a look of a choir of 50 voices. nesses like, Times Travel, and we see ads and has stainless steel opinions. reverence came over their faces. They con- To expand the program, the non- from companies we have never heard of, Or Arthur Schwartz, who got us the play- fessed they took out a subscription because profit 501c3 West Village Fund with cryptic messages, for products and ing fields on Pier 40 and is just a beat ahead they “love the paper.” It is always hard for seeks contributions—call George services we don’t understand. We have en- on liberal causes. He also fights, in our pages me to believe people like the paper that much Capsis at (212) 924-5718 for more tered an alien media-land. and elsewhere, to keep a hospital nearby. that they send us $12. information. But wait, WestView is a newspaper isn’t it? I can remember when the News was two Hmmm, got to remember to put a sub- How does it manage to stay alive? cents and the Times three. Sitting here keying, scription form in this issue.

Saving Humberto Class War in GV Catherine Revland Find out how a longtime Jim Fouratt is shocked by She knew as a 12 year old, Villager was saved after what occurred at a recent she wanted to be a writer in landlord trouble leads to meeting to preview the pro- Greenwich Village. health trouble. posed design of low-income Senior Housing on Elizabeth Street. SEE PAGE 2 SEE PAGE 14 SEE PAGE 19 2 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org WestView WestViews Published by WestView, Inc. by and for the residents of the West Village. Correspondence, Commentary, Corrections Publisher Executive Editor A Much Needed Voice space is required for cars. Yet, even though only daily disruption I’ve encountered in George Capsis Dear George, most New Yorkers walk, bike, or use public the area is the line of people blocking the Managing Editor As an active user of the Judith C. White transit, for many years we devoted the lion’s sidewalk as they wait to buy a slice at Joe’s Katie Keith Senior Center at Greenwich House 27 share of our streets and transportation in- Pizza. Associate Editor Barrow Street I am writing to thank you frastructure to accommodating the personal At the very least, WestView should have Andrew Buemi and the West Village Community on be- automobile. Congestion pricing, at least edited the letter’s most bigoted comments. Production Manager half of your support in keeping the Center conceptually, is one appropriate response: Instead, the paper chose to repeat one of Liza Whiting open. Without your “voice” we would have those who insist on driving or being driven the most offensive in the headline. Designers been silenced. Silent is what we are to The in high traffic areas should pay more for that —Bill Lynch, West Village Resident Kim Plosia Greenwich House Board of Directors. luxury, and the revenue raised can be used In: Cross Street Praise Stephanie Phelan I am demanding a voice on the board in to improve mass transit and other means of Advertising Manager support of all seniors under the Greenwich facilitating the movement of large numbers Stephanie Phelan In! Cross Streets House Flag. of people, efficiently. Photo Editor Greenwich House is a settlement house, The city as we know it would simply Dear Editors: Darielle Smolian here to serve the community, regardless of not exist without the ability to move many I love Ms. Benveniste’s useful and inter- Traffic Manager age and background. people quickly from place to place. Accom- esting “In and Out” page, but I especially Liza Whiting We demand representation once and for all! modating cars with wider streets is not the wanted to thank her for including cross Photographers —John J. Nowak answer. Congestion pricing may raise some streets in the addresses she gives (“west Maggie Berkvist revenue, but the goal should be to discour- of Sixth Avenue,” “between Bleecker and Joel Gordon Transportation Trouble age more people from driving in busy areas. Bedford,” etc.) That makes it so much eas- Comptroller We should limit shared ride services such ier to get an idea of where a store is located. Jolanta Meckauskaite Dear Editors: as Uber and Lyft to a reasonable number So often websites just give you a tiny patch Architecture Editor In the March 2018 issue of WestView News, of vehicles, and instead, encourage people of a Google map, and the Google map, Brian Pape a letter writer lamented the bike lanes that to embrace more efficient urban transpor- enlarged, doesn’t mention the significant Film, Media and Music Editor have been added to city streets and implied tation solutions. street names. Jim Fouratt this is unfair to cars and drivers and is “in- -Bill Pullano So: thank you! Food Editor efficient.” The idea that cars are more ef- — Best, Myra Malkin David Porat ficient than bicycles is not based in reality. Praise for Distribution Manager OK, a gas powered machine can perhaps Captain Phelan Adventures with Timothy Jambeck deliver a person from point A to point B Adri & Oli Regular Contributors more quickly than biking or walking, but Good Morning Dad, Barry Benepe, Caroline Benveniste, that’s only one factor. Cars add an addi- I just read the article about lieutenant Dear Editors: Charles Caruso, Jim Fouratt, tional risk element (both to occupants and Hanson written by Captain Phelan. It was Adri & Oli are NYC’S most recent power- John Gilman, Mark. M. Green, Robert pedestrians), and use many times the en- exquisitely written and perhaps one of the duo! You can catch the two singer-song- Heide, Thomas Lamia, Keith Michael, Michael D. Minichiello, Brian J. Pape, ergy of biking, walking or mass transit (on top 5 articles I have read since WestView's writers serving the community with an Joy Pape, Alec Pruchnicki, Christina a per rider basis) to complete a trip, gener- inception. Articles like this contribute to undeniable zest for life and music. They Raccuia, Catherine Revland, Joseph Salas, ally by burning fossil fuels into the air and the greatness of America. believe in sharing deeply personal experi- Martica Sawin, Donna Schaper, Arthur Z. Schwartz, Gary Tomei, Joseph Turco, reducing air quality. Please applaud Captain Phelan for me. ences to inspire others, provide hope and Esq., Stanley Wlodyka In addition, they take up more space on —Doric Capsis create unity. We endeavor to publish all letters received, the road, and spend most of the time parked Doesn’t Belong In Adri & Oli met December of 2016. Ol- including those with which we disagree. and empty on the side of the street— just ivia had recently finished undergoing che- The opinions put forth by contributors large hunks of metal that get in the way WestView motherapy and was ready to hit the stage to WestView do not necessarily reflect the while serving no productive purpose. Maybe George, again. She needed a musical accompanist at views of the publisher or editor. not enough people are using the bike lanes Bigoted opinions (Mayhem in Little Ti- a gig and decided to reach out to longtime WestView welcomes your correspondence, comments, and corrections: today, but that seems to be slowly changing. juana, July 2018) should not be allowed friend and colleague, Randy Montalvo www.westviewnews.org Abandoning bike lanes in favor of bigger space on the pages of WestView News. (Adri’s father). Contact Us roads and more parking spaces is not the In his “Briefly Noted” letter, a Mr. Gil- Olivia was immediately drawn to Adri’s (212) 924-5718 appropriate response. We’ll never be able to man calls the corner of 6th Avenue and raw passion and genuine spirit. Aside from [email protected] accommodate the required transportation West 4th “Little Tijuana,” “because of the having incredible musical ability, there was needs if everyone drove. crowds and the porn shops and Papaya a deeply spiritual connection that went Thankfully most people in this city do Dog…Young men and women, sometimes beyond words. After the gig, Adri & Oli not drive. What makes NYC great is the in drag, hang out at this point looking for decided to have their first jam session in ability to walk almost everywhere, or when trouble and ready to act out their rage.” hopes of further exploring their musical additional travel distance is required, public I’ve never heard anyone refer to the cor- chemistry. Little did they know at the time, transit or the occasional taxi/Uber ride can ner of 6th Ave and West 4th as “Little Ti- they would go on to spend the next year be easily employed. Private automobiles are juana.” In coining that term, Mr. Gilman turning their poetry into songs and note- not essential to living or working in NYC, not so subtly implies that unruly Mexicans books into albums. and the steps being taken to reduce the (including drag queens) were responsible They also made volunteering in the com- scale of city roadways devoted to vehicular for the civil disturbance he witnessed— munity a priority. You can spot them per- traffic is laudable: may it continue. which is not unlike Trump characterizing forming at Cancer Fundraisers, The Pink Automobiles have been the privileged Mexicans as rapists and murderers disrupt- Heals Foundation, Joy Juice, and most form of transportation for too long. Far ing our civil society. Mr. Gilman goes on recently, hosting the Love Music Shelter more people can be moved per hour over to suggest that this kind of “disruption” is episodes on YouTube. They will also be the same area using public transit compared “an every-day-night” occurrence. Ridicu- featured in the Love Music Shelter Film MIA SAYS: If you only seek love that is to cars. Walking and biking also allow more lous. I frequent that quarter of the Village later this year. what you will receive. Photo credit: © Joel people to move over the same street path on almost a daily basis to access the West Their mission is to change people’s Gordon 2018 - All rights reserved. each hour because of how much physical 4th Station, see movies at IFC, etc. The continued on page 3 www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 3

Letters continued from page 2 First off, they dress sloppily and inappropriately, while the Integrity Control Officer’s assistant dresses like a trashy BRIEFLY NOTED hearts. “We want to be the spark that reminds people to call girl. Understand, these folks work for you.They don’t keep dreaming, living, loving and never giving up! With get the ‘courtesy, respect, and professionalism’ thing! Hav- Feds To NYCDOT/MTA— God, all things are possible. Check out the amazing works ing been manhandled, mocked and insulted, I feel perhaps Hold Up On 14th Street Plan! He is doing through us this summer.” Look for their a tolerance training session is in order here ASAP. DOT Says—Do It Sooner! first debut single, “Life After Work” on their upcoming From now on, I will proceed to making citizens arrests The last month we saw lots of conflicting information re- 12-track album, Under Construction. rather than expecting help from our local precinct. Most leased about the plans developed by the NYC Department times they don’t get out of the car, before launching into of Transportation (DOT), and the Metropolitan Trans- More Trouble for Jessica their tirade against my attempts to clean the streets. Sadly, portation Authority (MTA), to address the impact of the at the 6th I am about to file yet another Federal lawsuit. Make sure April 2019 shutdown of the L Train for a (“planned”) that you all get your stories straight before the depositions. 15-month repair of the Canarsie Tunnel between Man- Dear George, It goes without saying the the commander of the 6th is hattan and Brooklyn. It started as just another day in the neighborhood but end- responsible for his crew. I have never seen such chaos or The developments have flowed, in part, from the lawsuit ed in the E.R. For our local cops, it’s easier to shoo the fly, low morale in 50 years. Time for a change perhaps, regard- filed by the 14th Street Coalition and 12 block associations, rather than remove the garbage. Residents in Distress has less, I’m embarrassed for the many fine men and women condos and co-ops. They have also flowed, in part, from the been there cleaning the streets since we began. Recently, who still strive to serve our community. May God keep arrogance of the NYC DOT, and its refusal to listen to the you all read about my latest false arrest. I’ve continued to you safe. You won’t have Jessica to kick around any more. people on the Manhattan side who will be most impacted. call the police and file complaints, with little or no coop- -Jessica Berk On April 2nd, when the lawsuit was filed, all the “mitiga- eration from the boys in blue. tion” plans, announced by the MTA and the DOT, for the My latest visit resulted in my being forcibly dragged Correction April 2019 shutdown target were “final”: Shut down 14th out of the station, while attempting to proclaim me a Hello George: Street to all but bus traffic during “peak hours.” Running a “EDP” or a Disturbed Person, yet again. When that failed, Just reading your article about Maison Kayser closing, and continuous stream of SBS busses across 14th Street, with off- I was warned that next time they might not be so care- $70K per year doesn’t seem that bad for a corner location board fare collection. Widening 14th Street sidewalks for the ful with me or my pup. Sitting in the hospital, where I on Bleecker. Did you mean $70K per month? “hordes” of people walking across 14th Street, taking away was checked for an erratic heartbeat, I decided that these —Jack Howard one lane of traffic in each direction. Creating a two-way bike creatures could not be treated like professionals. All the lane on 13th Street. Closing Union Square West below 17th many fine officers my mother and I have known, bear no Editors Note: Yes. The rumored rent was $70K per month. Street and University Place above 13th Street. Running 70 resemblance to these cretinous fools that work there now. Keep us honest— WestView welcomes letters of correction. busses an hour from Williamsburg, over the Williamsburg continued on page 19

ter, at the age of 26, he arrived in the US from Cuba, a that he be admitted, and he was. They found an abscess, Saving Humberto country then living under the brutal US-backed dictator and after minor surgery and lots of antibiotics, they rec- Fulgencio Batista. He always harbored a dream of return- ommended release to a rehab facility. Judy got him into ing to Cuba, and kept a big photo of Ernesto Che Guevara Village Care on West Houston Street and called me about on his wall. But he never got it together to go back, even how to proceed. She felt that if Humberto went back to when his mother took ill and then died. A dozen or more his apartment he would get sick again. So we developed years ago the building went condo, and someone bought a plan to demand that his landlord paint and plaster, and his occupied, rent controlled apartment. Because of his age fix the walls, ceilings and the lighting. We would arrange he could not be evicted. But the landlord did nothing for for a total clean-up, and a new bed, new linens, etc, and him. The apartment hadn’t been painted since 1957, plas- a visiting nurse, so that when Humberto went home he ter hangs off the wall, the floors have holes, through which would be more healthy. mice visit. No exterminator ever came by. The apartment But the nursing home declared Humberto ready to go had a moldy/mildew smell which permeated everything. faster than expected. Judy offered to pay for a short-term I met Humberto in 2016, when, getting my name through rental, so that the plan could unfold. So with a little re- WestView, Humberto contacted me about a Notice to Cure search we found a 30-day rental at 105 Duane Street. I that he had received from his landlord. The notice accused gathered all of Humberto’s clothes at his apartment, and Humberto of storing garbage in his apartment, which was his important papers, and on July 6, met Judy and Hum- not true (he was, however, an avid recycler). I contacted berto and a home health aide at 105 Duane. Humberto’s his landlord’s attorney, and sent photos of the apartment, temporary home was in a luxury building, a one-bedroom which, while cluttered, had no garbage. on the 35th floor. A great place to rehab. Over the last few years, I visited Humberto, usually The plan in place, we began to arrange to make 88 Hora- when he had a problem. He had no gas on his stove (long tio more liveable. The apartment was cleaned, and, under running repair by building) and had bought a hot plate. Humberto’s supervision, lots of old “stuff ” was thrown out. He left it on one day and it started smoking, causing his As WestView goes to press the landlord is commencing re- landlord’s lawyer (who reads WestView) to call. So I got pairs, hopefully, completed in a few days. Judy will supervise him a hotplate with an automatic cutoff switch. He got the purchase of a new bed and linens, and Humberto will notices from his landlord about window guards and fire return to his home, with a visiting nurse checking in each day. plan, which were incomprehensible, so I translated. Judy is an amazing hero. Without her, Humberto Ber- Humberto is well known on Horatio Street. But more nal would probably be deceased, one more fixture of the and more of his friends died or moved out, and his local old Village, gone. The story points up the complicated hangouts closed (like the deli on Washington and Hora- situation that many older Villagers face, especially those tio). Luckily for him, he had a good friend named Judy without children. Landlords pushing them out, a health OLD AGE SHOULD NOT BE A TIME RELEGATED TO A Twena, who lives in Brooklyn, many years his younger, care system which is hard to navigate, and a world which CHOICE BETWEEN A NURSING HOME AND DYING ALONE: With the help of friend Judy, and author Arthur Schwartz, who watched out for him. Back in early June she got a moves faster than anything they have known. Our govern- Humberto's (above) health is improving, as is his apartment. call from Humberto. He was very sick. Judy rushed over ment must do more to locate and help folks like Hum- Photo credit © Joel Gordon 2018 - All rights reserved. and saw that his leg was infected and swollen. She called berto. Old age should not be a time relegated to a choice 911, which took him to the hospital. He was given some between a nursing home (not a great place to be without By Arthur Z. Schwartz IV antibiotics, and a prescription to take home. Judy got family or friends) and dying alone. him home but was worried. She came back the next morn- Humberto Gonzalez Bernal has lived at 88 Horatio ing and Humbert was worse. An ambulance came again, Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Democratic District Leader for Street, in a 250 square foot studio, since 1957, shortly af- which took him to Beth Israel. Judy insisted at the ER Greenwich Village 4 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Penny Mintz Takes on Governor Cuomo In Disguise By Arthur Z. Schwartz 1997, but has never run against an oppo- nent. She was actually recommended for Over the last few months, WestView read- appointment by me, as district leader to fill ers have been kept abreast of the efforts to a vacancy. keep Beth Israel Hospital open thanks to In many communities, the state commit- the reporting done by Penny Mintz, a 40 tee members are active community leaders, year resident of West 11th Street. Penny using the position as a bully pulpit around has been the Chair of the Coalition to important local issues. Ben Yee, for exam- Save Beth Israel Hospital, a group pulled ple, has held scores of meetings and work- together by Progressive Action of Lower shops all over Manhattan teaching people Manhattan (PALM) (the local affiliate how to get involved in politics in the era Dina Andriotis, Chris Tsiamis, and Nikitas Andriotis (from left to right). of the NY Progressive Action Network Trump. But Rachel Lavine has never stood or NYPAN) last spring after the plan to up around any issue which has arisen since 77 Christopher Street close the hospital, piece by piece, became 1997; not around NYU’s expansion, the Between Seventh Avenue and Bleecker Street known. Under Penny’s leadership the Co- closure of St. Vincents, the need for more alition, which includes health care organi- school space, or even the proposed 14th Pharmacy Hours: zations and community groups, has held Street closure, which will make her block, Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM a Town Hall, launched a lawsuit, held a West 12th Street, unbearable. Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM demonstration, and met with the various Penny Mintz, on the other hand, was a Sunday 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM political figures whose constituents will be parent activist at the Downing Street Play- affected by the shutdown. ground Co-op and led parents with pots Telephone: 212-255-2525 • Fax: 212-255-2524 One thing that became clear very quickly and pans around Washington Square Park email: [email protected] was that the shutdown, which was being ac- to drive drug dealers out. She was on the www.newyorkchemists.com complished without any meaningful public board of the PS41 Parents Association and review, was going forward because Gover- helped run their flea market. She served on nor Cuomo supports the shutdown of hos- Community Board 2 for 12 years; chairing pitals all over NYC. The Governor, who the Traffic and Transportation Committee, appoints the Health Commissioner, has and bringing bike lanes to Hudson Street. been made aware of the objections raised by She served on the Executive Committee of those of us who live in Lower Manhattan, CB2. She did environmental litigation at a Ancient Solutions about how the closure of Beth Israel will major law firm, and then served as Appel- leave one hospital serving Manhattan below late Counsel for the Brooklyn DA. for Modern Problems 23rd Street, and none on the West Side un- In May, after the VID and DID endorsed til 59th Street. His response? Silence. Cynthia Nixon, the State Democratic Penny, like many of us, was also upset Committee held a Convention to “nomi- about the corruption swirling around the nate” candidates (subject to a primary). Michael Kahn Governor, who despite a few good pieces The vote was largely stacked against Cyn- of legislation in eight years, has largely pre- thia Nixon, but she decided to participate M.S., L. Ac. sided over a dysfunctional Albany which in order to give her supporters a chance to can’t even pass legislation to keep speed express their democratic choice. The vote 20 Year Practice cameras in school zones functioning. went assembly district by assembly district. Back Pain • Insomnia • Digestion • Cardiac Pain Cuomo is running for re-election, and When they got to 66, Ben Yee stood up Headache • Immune Disorders most progressive forces in the state have and said “Cynthia Nixon.” Then it was Addictions • Weight loss rallied around the candidacy of Cynthia Rachel’s turn. Now understand, not only Smoking Cessation Nixon for Governor and Jumaane Wil- had VID and DID endorsed Cynthia, but Depression • Anxiety liams for Lt. Governor. Cynthia is not only Rachel created an entity called the “Pro- Addictions supported by NYPAN; she has been en- gressive Caucus” and is the Chairwoman. dorsed by the Village Independent Demo- Rachel stands up and says: on behalf of the crats (VID) and the Downtown Indepen- 66th Assembly District, I cast my votes for dent Democrats (DID), the two “official” Andrew Cuomo.” She got lots of applause. Democratic clubs in the 66th Assembly Penny, who as a Board member of NY- District. PAN, and a member of DID had voted to The NY State Democratic Party, an in- endorse Cynthia, heard about this and de- stitution largely controlled by the Gover- cided to do something about it. “It’s bad nor, is run by a state committee. Our as- enough that Rachel isn’t actively involved sembly district, which stretches from 14th in any issues in the Village, Soho and Street to the World Trade Center, has a Tribeca. But she voted for Cuomo when male and female state committee member. her clubs, and her community don’t sup- (Note- I held the seat from 2006 – 2013.) port that candidacy. Zephyr Teachout won FREE Village area house calls The male state committee member is Ben 65% of the vote in our assembly district in Yee, who was elected in a contested elec- 2014. NYPAN is running candidates all 212-633-2317 tion in 2014. Our female state committee over the state in an effort to reshape the member, Rachel Lavine, has served since continued on page 5 www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 5

Penny Mintz continued from page 4

State Party; I decided to be part of that ef- fort.” So Penny went out, almost every day Representing buyers, sellers, for a month, and with the help of other PALM members, and Nixon supporters, investors and landlords turned in 1900 signatures to get on the bal- Greenwich Village • West Village • Chelsea • lot. A week later she was endorsed by the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, the All over Manhattan and Brooklyn City’s most influential gay and lesbian club, which endorsed her even though Rachel is a lesbian and Penny is not. Summer Listings Come September 13th, our community gets to vote, not only for Cynthia Nixon 250 West 22nd Street - $598K 165 Perry Street Loft - $1.1M and her campaign to clean up Albany, but 14 Horatio Street - $785K 27 Commerce St - 1 Bed - $3.1K/Mo. for Mintz, and her campaign to democ- 115 East 9th Street - $525K Printing House Loft - $5K/Mo. ratize the Democratic Party, and to have 127 East 26th Brownstone - $4.25M a state committee woman who stands- up around day-to-day community issues which affect us all. A STATE COMMITTEE WOMAN WHO STANDS UP AROUND DAY-TO-DAY COM- Don’t forget to shop local in the West Village. MUNITY ISSUES WHICH AFFECT US ALL: Arthur Z. Schwartz is the Democratic Dis- Penny Mintz (center) with Jumaane Williams trict Leader for Greenwich Village, and the and Cynthia Nixon. Photo credit: Arthur Political Director of the NY State Progres- Schwartz. sive Action Network.

Scotty Elyanow Honesty as a Business: Licensed Associate RE Broker m 917.678.6010 | [email protected] A Prophetic Coincidence www.westvillagebroker.com Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are searching a map for a SoHo soccer store, independent contractor sales associates and are not employees By George Capsis of The Corcoran Group. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real and we offered them directions. estate broker located at 660 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10065. Oh, wow, I read in the July 22nd Sunday "Where are you from?" I asked, and Times that Exxon discovered a gushing oil got, "Denmark." I told of my search for reservoir off the coast of Guyana, and that the most honest nation just minutes be- the Independent one time colony of the fore, and our tourist father offered with Dutch and British made up of former Af- a bemused smile, "Denmark.” He had a rican slaves and indentured Indian work- very dark complexion, so I asked if he was ers, with a population of only 800,000, will Danish and he told me he was Turkish. inevitably receive $3 to $5 billion a year. Now I shared my surprise and told him The Times warns that small poor coun- my father was born in Turkey, and my tries that discover oil often waste the op- Danish Turk offered, "where?" Izmir, I re- portunity, as the flood of money quickly sponded, and without skipping a beat our blends seamlessly with government cor- new tourist friend said, "that is where I ruption; as I read this, I said, “of course it come from." is inevitable.” Yes, well, I still think it is a good And then I thought: if we only had a idea—the Danes form sudden wealth country of honest people—they could be management companies that receive the hired to receive and fairly disburse sud- largess of gushing new wells and disburse den wealth. So I Googled the most honest it fairly to an impoverished population or people on this planet and came up with the half million in New York City public the Danes, and then we went for brunch, housing. and on West 4th we came upon a young I think we should be able to buy hon- tourist family—mama, papa, and two boys esty and fairness—we sure can't vote it in. The City Subscribes to WestView... Maybe you should? The City called to tell us that we have been awarded $5000 for our Free Concerts For Seniors program. If you find you use our monthly calendar or want to help save your Senior Center from closing perhaps it is worth $1 dollar a month? Name______Address______email address______❑ Yes, one year $12 subscription ❑ Yes, two year $24 subscription ❑ Yes, here is my $ ______donation to Free Concerts for Seniors ❑ Yes, here is my $______tax deductible gift to the West Village Fund Mail checks payable to West Village Fund, 69 Charles Street, New York, NY 10014 6 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org

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Where Healing Continues... A licensed home care agency providing health care services, both professional and paraprofessional, for individuals living at home since 1996.

Call Tim Ferguson at (212) 625-2547 or drop in to 121 West 11th Street opposite PS 41

We accept most private insurances IN DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS: The senior center at Greenwich House on Barrow and private pay. Street (above) was at risk of closure as Greenwich House looked to consolidate of- fices for financial reasons. Photo by Darielle Smolian. [email protected] On July 14th, I received a two page let- had to be a very strong reason, and it was ter via the US mail. The following was obviously, money, or the lack of it, but just one small part: they absolutely would not admit to it. A July 9th, Greenwich House press “The reason I am writing this is as release (a masterpiece of PR double follows: I have a friend who has an talk) did NOT say, “we have run out acquaintance on the Greenwich House of money and we can’t pay the rent on Advisory Board of Directors. According our 27th Street office” but instead said, to her, Greenwich House plans to close its “Greenwich House is at a critical cross 50 year old Barrow Street senior center road,” and used the neutral and pos- as early as this summer. The details as sibly positive adjective that they were related to her defy belief. Apparently, “restructuring.” Greenwich House is in dire financial I called my neighbor on Charles straits. They do not have sufficient fund- Street, attorney George Davidson, who ing and are unable to pay the rent for is now listed as a Greenwich House their executive offices. So the plan is to “board member emeritus,” to see if kick out the seniors at Barrow Street I could get a simple statement that and move their offices to our center! And Greenwich House was indeed in a se- where are our members to go? The base- rious financial hole. But, I was talking ment of Our Lady of Pompeii church! I to a very skilled lawyer, and the most have been there only once and will never I could get out of him was it was hard go back. The so called senior center is one to get people to contribute— although, dark and dreary room with no windows the Executive Director, Roy Leavitt, and no air conditioning. It smelled like offered that Davidson was himself a sewage backup. The main activity seems generous giver. MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY | COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY to be bingo and I have heard the lunches OK, I believe the seniors got mad MOHS SURGERY | LASER SURGERY referred to as “prison food”. at Greenwich House management be- PLEASE HELP STOP THIS cause they just did not come out and HORRIBLE PLAN if it is true! I can- confess that they were having problems Bay Ridge West Village not get any definite information from paying the rent and they had to consol- 7901 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11209 67 Perry Street, NY NY 10014 staff and I don’t know where else to turn.” idate, so they could get out of the lease 718-491-5800 (t) 212-675-5847 (t) for their 27th Street office space. This was one of three “mailed” letters Fortunately, Corey Johnson’s hard- 718748-2151 (f) 212-675-7976 (f) we received, all making pretty much the working staff came up with $180 thou- same plea, and indeed it seemed kind of sand but in the future, I would suggest, crazy to close the cozy, 5th floor, sunlit more honesty and less PR. Ronald R. Brancaccio, M.D | Peter Saitta, D.O. senior center on Barrow Street and send —George Capsis Sherry H. Hsiung, M.D. | Lisa Gruson,M.D. | Anna Karp, D.O. this very compatible group to the base- Publisher ment of Our Lady of Pompeii. There West View News www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 7

Battle on Barrow Street continued from page 1 ing on Friday to get better organized. parents pay over twenty-thousand dollars a enced demonstrator among us, gave us talk- Among the attendees: Carol Collins, Jane Heil Usyk wrote articles for Vogue, year to bring them to the preschool there. ing points on why moving to Our Lady of John Nowak, Loretta Halter, Tedi Brown. Cosmo, Glamour, Family Circle, Play- You can see we are getting into the Pompeii’s basement won’t work; why Roy At that meeting, a call went out for a sym- girl, Hit Parader, and Fitness magazines. Trump-like, monetizing, Chicago school of Leavitt can find other places to set up offices; pathetic lawyer; a communications director She wrote a book, “Silence, Storytelling, neo-liberalism, cutthroat capitalism, Milton and why the Barrow Street location is ideal was named to contact the media; we looked and Madness: Strategies of Resistance in Friedman, no-charity, area here. for seniors, and appropriate for us. at the list of the Board of Directors of Nuyorican and Other Latina Women’s Com- And Greenwich House is a charity! It’s The next day, Wednesday, Roy Leavitt Greenwich House to see if there was any- ing-of-Age Stories.” She worked at Vogue a settlement house, with a distinguished came to the senior center and spoke about one we knew and could talk to. We started and Fitness Magazines, and taught at Touro history. Its mission is to “help individu- what was going on and what his plan is. a petition to present to Leavitt, hopefully College. She is writing a memoir. als and families lead more fulfilling lives by Before that, however, some of us demon- with a lot of signatures. offering social and health services, cultural strated in front of the building; the reaction One more thing: at the meeting, some- Open Letter to Roy Leavitt, and educational programs, and opportuni- from passersby was encouraging. body said there are only three nuns left on Exective Director of Greenwich House ties for civic involvement to New Yorkers At the meeting itself, a large and crowd- Washington Square North in the senior Roy—When I asked you why you need- of all ages and backgrounds.” ed meeting, many people silently held up building there. “What will happen when ed $180,000, and were you in a finan- Anyway, at the meeting last Monday, a signs making it clear that Leavitt was the the last nun dies?” Leavitt was asked. “We’ll cial hole, and what were you going to do few people were making rough signs for enemy. “Shame!” many of the signs said. buy the building,” was the swift response. with the $180,000, you gave me: the demonstration on Tuesday at City We thought of other places Leavitt could They can afford to buy a double-width "The funds allocated will cover leasing Hall. They had quickly gotten a permit; put his offices, but each place was inad- building on Washington Square North, but expenses for the agency’s administra- there was no time to waste. It was such a equate, he said, for one reason or another. they can’t afford to rent offices for Roy Leavitt tive operations instead of using the fa- rush job that we just made freehand signs; This group knows its stuff, demonstra- and his staff? Something is very strange here. cilities currently occupied senior center." never mind rulers and lines and spacing. tion-wise. Each of us has had fifty or sixty UPDATE: At the very beginning of the You should have been more direct We just knocked out the signs: “Save our years of practice. If you think about it, very next week, the battle was over. Corey and said something like: beautiful center,” “This is an attack on old we have lost most of these fights: NYU’s Johnson, head of the city council and the West The $180,000 received from the city people,” “Roy Leavitt’s got to go!” master plan, St. Vincent’s Hospital, sky- Village’s representative, and Margaret Chin, will be used to pay the rent for our offices On Tuesday, about a dozen of us went scrapers encroaching on the Village’s small Chair of the Council’s Committee on Aging at West 27th Street. Without the grant, to City Hall with signs and demonstrated. streets, the newsstand at Thompson and and our slightly farther east representative, got we would be forced to move the Barrow Corey Johnson swung by, and gave a spon- Third... But some—such as Stonewall and the additional funding Leavitt needed for his Street Senior Center in with Our Lady of taneous talk in which he encouraged us; he gay rights, and opposition to the highway offices, so the Barrow Street senior center will Pompeii and move our offices into the also got us cold water because it was a very Robert Moses planned through Washing- not have to give up their floor in the building, vacated Barrow Street Senior Center. hot day and he didn’t want anyone passing ton Square Park—we have won. and can continue to exist. Whew, it sure helps Roy, this is the Village—don't use PR out, or worse. Jim Fouratt, the most experi- After that meeting, we planned a meet- to know the right people! talk. —George Capsis CB3 Resolution Aids Beth Israel’s Demise By Penny Mintz on July 24th, CB3 declined to review MS- Transparency and community oversight the impacts of the planned closures and BI’s application for permission to merge is precisely what is missing in MSBI’s ap- transformation of Beth Israel Hospital. July was a very busy month for getting peo- two tax lots into one for the building of the proach. So CCSBI will be moving forward Next on the agenda will be a meeting with ple to sign an order to get candidates on 72-bed replacement facility. This decision in its efforts to gain a full public review of State Senator Brad Hoylman. the ballot for the Democratic primary on was effectively a recommendation to ap- September 13th. So it was a slow month prove the application. The board made this for the work of the Community Coalition decision, reversing its land use committee, to Save Beth Israel (CCSBI), a 12-mem- despite concerns that the process is go- ber organization of community groups that ing forward without any clear community have come together to try to keep Mount understanding of the public health impact Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI) from any further of reducing the number of beds from 800 closures of hospital units without a full re- to 72, and the fact that the plan includes a view of the impact of such closures by the “very lucrative sale” of the building on 16th New York State Department of Health. Street, without the inclusion of affordable The petitioning was productive. Cynthia housing requirements on the site. Nixon, Jumaane Williams, and Zephyr The reasoning given by some of the Teachout were all wildly successful. And board members for refusing to recom- oh—yes—so was I! I will be on the ballot mend denial of the application was fear for state committee. Please be sure to vote. that the 16th Street building would come No meetings were scheduled by CCSBI down without any replacement facility at with elected officials during the month of all. However, it’s hard to believe that the July. However, things are happening. On state would approve the total dismantling July 19th, Community Board 3’s Land of Beth Israel without any replacement fa- Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing cility, no matter how insufficient, to meet Committee heard a presentation on the the health needs of lower Manhattan. application that MSBI filed at the Board Meanwhile, the building on the site has of Standards and Appeals. MSBI needs been almost totally demolished. permission to combine two lots into one Last month also saw one of CCSBI’s on the 13th Street site in order to build member organizations, MergerWatch, the 72-bed replacement of the main Beth conduct a webinar to explain the findings Israel building. CB3’s Land Use, Zon- of its most recent report, “When Hospitals ing, Public & Private Housing Committee Merge.” MergerWatch’s basic conclusion recommended denying the application at is that, before hospitals close, transparency this time. This decision would at least slow and community oversight are needed to DEMOLITION IS NEARLY COMPLETE on the two East 13th Street sites where Mount Sinai down the process. protect the health needs of the communi- is getting ready to build a 72-bed replacement for the 800-bed hospital on 16th Street and Unfortunately, at the full board meeting ties that are served by the planned closures. First Avenue. Photo by Penny Mintz. 8 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org

WEST VILLAGE IMAGES BY JOEL GORDON In Limbo at the Jefferson Market Garden Flowers Tucked away in the shadow of the Jefferson Market Library, from April to Oc- West Village Houses tober, this beautiful, well-kept garden oasis is open to the public. Situated on a By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP cation so further development can take triangular city block, this 0.4-acre garden has been under the care of community place in existing co-op building sites. Site volunteers since its inception in 1974. From 1931 to 1973 the Women’s House of Every year in June, West Village Houses three between 10th and Charles Streets is Detention sat adjacent to the courthouse, on the site of the current garden. (WVH) elects the entire board to a one- particularly attractive for such co-op rede- year term. This June 26th election saw sev- velopment, since it was not down-zoned eral members leave and new members join with the rest of the neighborhood, and the board. therefore could be rebuilt as a much larger As our readers know, the issues facing building as of right. Advocates say this ap- the 420 shareholders, in the 42 buildings of proach would earn the co-op needed rev- WVH lining the west side of Washington enue to off-balance the rising taxes. Street, revolve around the continuing af- Opponents say this is just a way to get fordability of these unique homes. developers’ feet-in-the-door, leading to Faced with financial challenges, some piecemeal sell-off of the co-op, ending all board members support only a plan with no affordable housing at WVH. If the larger forced relocation or eviction, but it is not buildings replace the co-op apartments, known if they are the majority. Even under then the intimate connection with the the best of circumstances, redevelopment gardens and playgrounds will also be lost, plans could take several years to implement, along with the friendly interactions found and residents will be lost to the neighbor- in smaller buildings. hood during those limbo years, perhaps Time will tell how WVH will resolve never to return. its future. For now, many options are still As of July 1, 2018, the taxes on WVH “on the table.” owners increased to $2.8 million per year Many aspects of the WVH struggle are from $500,000 per year, which has been reflected in the larger community. Rising known for a decade. Since the beginning of and unevenly meted real estate taxes, ris- 2018, potential sales of co-op apartments ing municipal overhead costs and pension have gone dry, hindered by uncertainty for plans, disappearing federal funding for buyers looking for long-term stability for public housing programs, and a rapidly their investments, not knowing if the board changing character of the evermore ex- will decide to sell their co-op to the highest pensive neighborhood, are all issues that bidder. we all must recognize in order to find The WVH owns a large parking garage remedies. on Washington and Perry Streets and it has received legitimate offers of $62 mil- Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP lion from developers. However, some share- Green Architect & Historic Specialist holders would rather have WVH redevelop 917-334-3293 the property for WVH, thus allowing some WestView News Architectural Editor WVH residents to relocate to that new lo- westviewnews.org Caruso’s Quips By Charles Caruso

Roof workers are good company on a grey morning.

How to lose 120 pounds in one day: get divorced.

Another day, another dolor.

When you stay at a hotel you’re sleeping on a bed that a complete stranger slept on 24 hours before.

We hear a lot about ‘American values.’ Here’s are some: Slavery, the wipeout of the Indians, the invasion of Mexico, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Korea, Vietnam, Bay of Pigs, multiple attempts to murder Castro . . . and the list goes on.

A lively conversation in the next apartment turns out to be a lonely guy watching television.

Moronhood achieved: Much binge-watching, little binge-reading.

Our vaunted democracy has given us this blond bouffant buffoon. What next? A guy with a little black mustache?

As intense and as brief as a hospital friendship.

Other examples of my photography can be found on my website www.joelgordon.com Poetry and pottery. Pottery much more useful. Photo credit © Joel Gordon 2018 - All rights reserved. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 9 In Limbo at the The Impracticable Life of West Village Houses NYC’s Street Vendors

incense oils or doughnuts, halal food or cityscape photographs—vending is for the thick-skinned. The pay is inconsistent, the hours are long, competition is intense, and law enforcement fines street vendors exces- sively for trivial rule violations. Navigating a byzantine and tangled bu- reaucracy, street vendors have to abide by fifty-plus pages of rules that regulate their Mary A. Vetri operations—covering health rules, limiting NYRS, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker them to certain streets, even prohibiting [email protected] them from tucking their licenses into their 212-906-0575 shirts. If a vendor doesn’t entirely under- Greenwich Village resident with over 26 years of real stand the regulations, an inspecting officer estate experience, having sold over 100+ Townhouses, will most likely be even less informed, leav- Coops and Condos as well as luxury rentals. ing a large margin for miscommunication Active Sale and an opportunity to hand out a quota- • 78 Charles Street, 4R* (new exclusive) fulfilling ticket. As a result, cops often slam vendors with tickets that can consume half Active Rentals VENDORS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE of their gross profit. • 92 Bank Street HEARTBEAT OF THE CITY: A Turkish However, misinformed cops are only • 200 West 10th Street American weighs grapes for a customer part of the difficulties street vendors face. • 96 MacDougal Street at his fruit and vegetable stand on Seventh Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Avenue between 12th Street and Green- Also note Mary’s big recent sale at Superior Ink Condo at 400 West 12th Street wich Avenue. Photo credit © Joel Gordon are zones where business owners pay an 2018 - All rights reserved. extra tax to fund services. These owners employ private security to give vendors a

By Milad Momeni tough time, and use their connections with All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker. agency officials to lobby for the closure of Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. New Yorkers. We love the hustler. We ven- more streets. To BID members, vendors erate the feisty businessperson who lays it like Osama K. are pests in their abrasive all down for their dream. Nevertheless, as movement to develop sleek corporate the city becomes more gentrified and the neighborhoods. To vendors, this presents a police omnipresent, the amount of avail- battle for more than survival. They’re fight- able space for poor people who work for ing for the right to be ambitious in New themselves is slowly diminishing. This ten- York. Regarding how BIDs and law en- dency is even more visible if those people forcement treat street vendors, Osama said, are brown, immigrants, or are not profi- “We sell art to showcase the beauty of this cient in English—like Osama K., one of great city. We are not criminals!” our city’s many street vendors. New Yorkers. We are assertive rogues An Iraqi artist based in Midtown, Osama who live in filth, but are told that with is one of nearly 20,000 people who make a enough drive any of us can own a unit at living selling food, artwork, flowers, t-shirts, 432 Park Avenue (the tallest residential and many other items on the sidewalks of tower in the Western Hemisphere). That’s NYC. Since the early 20th century, these a myth, of course, though, like all myths, it vendors have been staples of our city’s holds a small measure of truth. But what re- streets and New Yorkers’ daily schedules, mains of such a truth is slowly fading away and essential to the heartbeat of the city. due to the unyielding forces of gentrifica- But day-to-day, despite their timeless pres- tion, corporations, and hyper-bureaucracy, ence in New York—where, according to a and street vendors like Osama fight con- report by the Institute for Justice, they con- stantly to keep the myth grounded and our tribute $293 million annually to the econo- streets alive. “If I take one day off, what can my—street vendors face an uphill battle. It I do? Relax? That’s not life,” stated Osama doesn’t matter if one’s cart or table houses emphatically before setting up his table.

VIEWS BY SUZE 50 + years in Greenwich Village See Views by Suze at Bonsignour Café Jane Street and Eighth Avenue 917-686-6542 [email protected] East Village Mural 10 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Developments at Hudson River Park Celebrating 25 Years of Piers

70 GREENWICH AVE. • WEST VILLAGE • NYC • •

Hourly Handyman Services Professional Painting Projects Electrical & Carpentry Work ONCE RESTORED, THE PILINGS SUPPORT THE SAME HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF LOAD AS THE ORIGINALS DID: Staging MICHAEL RUSSO, PROPRIETOR barges south of Pier 40 store the reinforcing materials needed for the restoration of the pilings. Photo credit: Brian J. Pape. 917.476.4146 • [email protected] Serving the West Village for 11 Years By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP massive block of buildings with 1,500+ apartments where St. John Terminal, the ca. 1935 end of the former High On May 30, 2003, the first completed section of Hudson Line RR, now stands. And they will be able to walk across River Park (HRP), which began in 1999, was officially the highway to Pier 40 to do things like play sports, park opened to the public in the West Greenwich Village por- their cars, shop and eat at water-side restaurants; similar to tion from Pier 45 to Pier 51; and Hudson River Park Trust Pier 26. (HRPT) is celebrating, even while it struggles to meet the completion and maintenance of the park structures. Our readers may recall the news last October that in exchange for allowing the private Diller Island to be built, the State would provide funds to complete the 4.5-mile long HRPT, long delayed. Money talks. Second only to the long delay to finish construction of the HRP is the delay in maintaining the corroding 3500 pilings of the 14-acre Pier 40. In early 2013, the state passed a law that allowed the adjacent St. John’s developer to buy 250,000 SF of devel- opment transfer rights from HRPT for $100 million, thus providing funds to proceed with piling repairs. How air rights are calculated, and where they may be applied, is still uncertain. Coming at the tail-end of the year-long repair of the pierhead wall north of Pier 40, repairs began this sum- mer on the Pier 40 pilings. The contractors are working from a staging barge on the south side of Pier 40, with the fiberglass tubes and rebar cages ready for the underwater installation. The work doesn’t disturb the activities above. According to Steven Ferker, HRPT’s chief engineer, the work will involve only the approximately 16-foot sec- tions of each pile that are exposed to water and air. To seal the piles in concrete, a special water-resistant mix will be pumped in from the bottom of the fiberglass sleeve, dis- placing river water like liquid overflowing from a cup as it A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW TO REPAIR: A previous engineer- rises in the encasement. ing study showed this detail for repairing the 3500 pilings Once restored, the pilings support the same hundreds under Pier 40, with wrappings of reinforcing steel bars of pounds of load as the originals did. It will probably take (rebars) nested inside fiberglass tubes, and filled with four years to complete, and cost $104 million. concrete, to restore the pilings to their original strength. In the meantime, plans are moving forward to build a Credit: HRPT. VILLAGE APOTHECARY

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346 Bleecker St • Greenwich VillaGe, nY 10014 • VillaGeapothecarY.com 212.807.7566 12 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Then&Now: 396-404 West Street NOW: This rendering (displayed by Galahad; photo by Brian Pape) shows the latest developments on this block. A 10 unit residential, 7-story infill, at 401and 402 West Street, by 401 West Property Owner LLC (Galahad Advisers), and designed by Hill West Architects and Thomas Juul-Hansen. It is due to be completed in 2019. Within this rendering, we also see the 403/404 redbrick residences on the left, and also the white-clad single-family townhouse constructed for Robert and Cortney Novogratz, and their 7 children, By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP as a live-work design studio (right side). They bought 400 West Street, a circa THEN: 1980’s view of 398-403 West Street.This block of West 1946 building, in 2007 and more than Street includes two redbrick buildings (now 403 and 404 West, tripled its size. The 5-story home has an aka 170 Charles Street), originally residences built in 1852. From indoor basketball court/screening room 1890 to 1990 they were used as stables, storage, or repair shops. behind the private garage, a stainless In 1990, they were turned back into residential use.The darker- steel and glass stairway and elevator, a redbrick (401-402 West Street), built in 1947 as machine shops, wood-burning pizza oven, 5 bedrooms were demolished after Superstorm Sandy. The “Blue Box” machine and several roof terraces, but no base- shop at 400 West Street was built in 1946 as a two-story resi- ment. It sold in 2016 for $14.5 million to dence. The plywood-faced machine shop at 399 West Street was an overseas buyer. built circa the1940s. And the restaurant at 398 West Street was On the far right side, the rendering originally a residence built circa 1900. shows a sliver of the red-brick townhouse Just out of the picture, on the right, are the still extant, circa built in 1999 at 399 West Street, for Kam 1904, buildings at 396-397 West Street, the former Holland Hotel for Fong Chin, as a single-family residence. seamen, with a turreted corner embellishment. They have been un- We now wonder how long it will be until occupied since flooded by Superstorm Sandy. 396-398 West Street someone restores the old 1904 Holland are part of the 2006 “Weehawken Street Historic District. Photo Hotel buildings within the Weehawken credit: Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP). Street Historic District? Soon, we hope.

streets of the Village. lage where, at the time, many people con- I never met my grandparents on either tracted tuberculosis. America, the land of The West Village the Gibney or the O’Brien side; however, opportunity, was a breeding ground for TB. when I walk through the Village I am fully The poor residents of Manhattan (where aware of my surroundings and how my fa- so many buildings were infested with ver- ther was molded by painful circumstances min) lived in squalor. The Gibney/O’Brien that occurred on streets and in alleys here. family was no exception. Elizabeth, the My father told me that his mom, Jeanette second oldest, left school to work. She did O’Brien, was “not supposed to” give birth to it to help her family with the finances, set him; doing so would kill her, as she had a se- on keeping her younger siblings together as vere case of diabetes. My grandmother gave a unit. The Gibney family were dirt-poor— birth, prematurely, to my father, Frankie, on so indigent that Francis had no crib; but August 13, 1936. My dad weighed three Elizabeth (nicknamed Lilly) made a cradle pounds and two ounces and had no eyelash- from a dresser drawer with small blankets. es or fingernails. For several days, the Gib- When she was eighteen, Elizabeth began neys and O’Briens mourned Jennie’s death. working at Bellevue Hospital. My grandfather, Stanley Gibney, called a Temporarily, the Gibney family became mortician and arranged a wake in the par- upwardly mobile; however, that was short- lor of their Perry Street apartment. He was lived. Two years later, Stanley Gibney, while devastated by his wife’s death and the reality working as a mailman, was diagnosed with that he had nine children to feed and care TB. Before he became aware of his condition, for despite the tragedy. however, he transmitted the disease to his THEY WERE THE VILLAGE: Author Lorraine Gibney offers a family portrait and traces its Vil- In 1936, incubators were newly invented. seventeen-year-old daughter Grace Cecilia. lage history back more than a century. Dr. Hyunga, a Greenwich Village physician, Stanley went to Roosevelt Hospital in insisted on placing Francis in an incubator; Staten Island to be treated. He asked his By Lorraine Gibney West Village has a very special place in my however, Frankie’s sister Elizabeth refused— daughter Elizabeth to promise to give Gra- heart and soul, and its essence fills my spirit as many children placed in them had become cie a decent funeral. To everyone’s surprise, Every person who has walked through the with excitement. blind. She fed Francis with an eye-dropper. Gracie and her boyfriend, John Cushman, West Village understands that this place From the time I was barely able to walk My father was rejected by his siblings; were married in the hospital. Three months is unique. My family arrived in New York or talk, I formed vivid memories of the they felt he’d killed their mother. Of course, later Grace Cecilia died and was buried in during the time of the Revolutionary War. numerous stories and antics of the Gibney Frankie didn’t deliberately kill his mom; her wedding dress at Saint John’s Cemetery. Fortunately, much of our history during the and O’Brien clans. As a little girl, a daddy’s however, the blights of reality are harsh Stanley died several months after that and 1800s was documented by my first cous- girl at that, I accompanied my father, Fran- and sometimes cruel. Frankie was not only was buried in potter’s field. The Gibney chil- in James Riordan Sr. Needless to say, the cis David Gibney, through the winding motherless, but also lived in Greenwich Vil- dren were without parents. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 13 The Value of Knowing Nothing By George A. Davidson listed company when Wells Rich went waiting 60 days. Two years later the suit Peale’s school for young ministers giving public in 1968. Several years later, when fizzled to an end, as the issue had become lectures on the subject of how to preach. A few years after graduating in the class of the cachet of public company status had moot—regulators’ interest in going-private Along the way, the wealth that the legal 1967, I returned to Columbia Law School worn off, and the stock price had slumped, issues had waned. marketplace had let Surbeck’s ignorance to judge a moot court along with Professor Wells Rich went private. Thereafter, going Right around that time, Surbeck, at age command had enabled him to provide col- Willis L.M. Reese. After the argument, Re- private became a matter of controversy, as 73, got married for the first time, to a love- lege scholarships to close to 1000 students. ese told me that it had been his privilege to public shareholders received less for their ly and gracious IBM widow with two Rolls So the next time you are given a really work with two brilliant men in his life, Aus- investments than they had paid in the orig- Royces. Having retired from law practice hard problem, forget everything you ever tin Wakeman Scott, who knew everything, inal public offerings. The SEC announced without ever speaking in court, Surbeck thought you knew. And once you know and L. Homer Surbeck, who knew nothing. plans to hold public hearings. Shortly spent his time at Rev. Norman Vincent nothing, you will be ready to start fresh. My purpose here is not to write about thereafter, Wells Rich received from the Scott—whose encyclopedic knowledge has SEC staff a several-page questionnaire. made Scott on Trusts an authoritative treatise It did not require genius to realize that for generations—but to describe Surbeck. For the SEC intended to put on a three ring cir- many years a mentor and senior colleague, he cus with our client in the center ring. The demonstrated that knowing nothing can be questionnaire was not returned. When no an enormous asset to a litigator. response was received, the SEC staff served Surbeck himself was such an extraordinary a subpoena on Wells Rich seeking essential- character that the temptation to linger on ly the same information. As a young partner, the biographical cannot be entirely resisted. my instructions from my senior were clear: The son of a poor preacher, who died young, get that subpoena quashed. At the time, Surbeck graduated from the South Dakota that was like being told to square the circle. School of Mines. With his widowed mother It was impossible to quash an SEC subpoe- in tow, he went on to Yale Law School on na. While the SEC has been cuffed around a scholarship, finishing number one in his by the courts in recent years, it was riding class. Following a Supreme Court clerkship high at that time, and SEC subpoenas were with Chief Justice William Howard Taft, routinely and usually universally enforced Surbeck practiced for his whole career as a no matter what the objections. The experts litigator at Hughes, Hubbard & Reed and agreed that resisting an SEC subpoena in its predecessors without once standing up in court was futile. Conventional thinking court—yet he was paid at the highest level at was going to get me nowhere. the firm. Why was the ignorance identified As I sat in the firm’s library, on a Satur- by Professor Reese so valuable to the firm? day morning, staring at the questionnaire, Surbeck understood that by the time a big a typewritten document which did not ap- problem was presented to a major outside law pear to be specific to Wells Rich Greene, I firm, a conventional analytical approach was tried to put myself in a Surbeckian mindset. not going to produce a good answer. What It occurred to me that other government Surbeck recognized was that finding a good documents I had seen had little combina- answer in those circumstances required ap- tions of letters and numbers at the bot- proaching the problem with no preconcep- tom of the page, but the questionnaire did tions, assuming nothing as given and ques- not. I did some research and learned about tioning everything. Rather than approaching something called the Federal Reports Act. the problem with the perspective of an ex- It requires that agencies wishing to send perienced and sophisticated litigator, with a form, to more than 10 members of the a vast store of knowledge, he approached it public seeking to gather information, first as a naff. It was not as though he thought submit the form for comments to the Of- outside the box; for Surbeck, there was no fice of Management and Budget (“OMB”) box in the first place. He would come up or, in the case of independent agencies like with 100 ideas or approaches. Ninety-eight the SEC, to the General Accounting Office would tum out to be completely worthless, (“GAO”), an arm of Congress. These little but one or two would show genius equal to letters and numbers on the forms reflected the problem at hand. Surbecks’s approach OMB or GAO involvement. Agencies involved both aptitude and attitude; an agile were free to ignore any comments received and creative mind combined with the confi- from the OMB or GAO and could in any dence that if one cast one’s thinking broadly event proceed if the agency had heard noth- enough, there was a winning argument out ing back within 60 days. But agencies were there somewhere. This approach succeeded required to go through the process, designed again and again. to limit burdens on the public. I do not claim to have had as many Sur- We had our theory. We sued the SEC beckian moments as Surbeck himself. But to quash the subpoena on the ground that from time to time Surbeck’s approach has it was intended to force compliance with proved to be just what I needed in a tight spot. a questionnaire issued in violation of the One of our firm’s clients was Wells, Rich, Federal Reports Act. It worked beautifully. Greene, the dynamic advertising agency It turned out that the questionnaire had whose iconic Alka Seltzer commercials been sent to 14 firms, so we were over the a generation ago still resonate today—“I statutory threshold, if barely. The SEC En- can’t believe I ate that whole thing.” Wells forcement Division leadership at the time Rich was founded by the glamorous Mary was noticeably aggressive, and as I correctly Wells, later Mary Wells Lawrence, who predicted, the SEC fought the suit rather became the first woman head of an NYSE than simply complying with the Act and 14 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org

LOYALTY PROGRAM • GIFT CARDS FREE DELIVERY Class War in Greenwich Village: Mini Versailles or Senior Housing with a Garden?

They were there to kill the whole idea of senior housing GREENWICH VILLAGE with a “let them eat cake” attitude. Speaker after speaker got up and denounced the plan, seniors and homeless be 512 HUDSON STREET • NYC 10014 damned. Actually, not one pro-garden speaker referenced WWW.SEAGRAPEWINES.COM • 212-463-7688 the need for housing for low-income seniors or the home- less—which, by the way, is at a critical stage. In fact, there PrivatePrivate Piano Piano Lessons Lessons with Experienced Experienced is no low-income, senior-housing available in CB2. Pianist/Piano Teacher At one point, CB2’s Chair replaced the chair of the land Pianist/Piano Teacher v MFA in piano performance use committee as moderator with David Gruber, former Q MFA in piano performance CB2 Chair, without explanation. David Gruber works on v $ 35 per half hour THE VERSAILLES-LIKE ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN, also the real estate side of the street. His bias for the garden Q $35 per half hour a potential site for senior affordable housing. Photo by Jim was evident from the beginning. His “quips” from the po- v Lessons in Mandarin or English Fouratt. Q Lessons in Mandarin or English dium were all pro-garden. He even gave 20 minutes to two Text orText call or call 917-330-2553 917-330-2553 By Jim Fouratt pro-garden groups to present their opposition. He had ar- ranged that prior to the meeting. Recently, when I called attention to the possibility of “class I rose from the floor, after being recognized, asking why war” over a city-owned lot on Elizabeth Street, I was half jok- pro-senior housing were not given an equal opportunity to ing. In 2012, when Councilwoman Chin was being pressured speak. He responded by telling me to be quiet or he would by both Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Quinn have the police remove me. I said, very loudly, he was “bi- MULLIGAN to approve the massive NYU expansion in her district, Chin ased.” I said, “He was acting like a bully and should step PLUMBING & HEATING finally relented, after negotiating from the Bloomberg ad- down as the moderator.” He refused to, and cheers came Since 1920—Three Generations of Mulligans ministration, that a city owned property on Elizabeth Street from the pro-garden militia. I sat down.The RMOS were We Get Better and Better! be designated for low income, affordable senior housing. prepared for battle and they had chosen gentrification and Chin knew that a long time resident of what had been landlord tools—including endless lawsuits—to prevent Little Italy had gotten a sweetheart rent deal on a 20,000 housing for poor seniors and homeless in their neighbor- Fast, Competent, Affordable square foot lot. I have been told the leaseholder was paying hood. They threatened to keep it in the court so that any- Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations $4,000 rent. In 2014, he was told his lease would not be one my age will be dead before the issue is resolved. renewed but instead extended on a month-to-month basis (212) 929-1809 because the de Blasio administration was going to make 14 A Morton Street, New York • Fax (212) 929-2007 good on the promise of senior housing. What did the leaseholder do? He invited some repre- sentatives of what I call THE RICH MOMS OF SOHO (RMOS) to squat on the property. With the full knowledge that the lot was going to become the site of senior housing, these women came in and squatted on public land, with the permission of the leaseholder, and built what they call a “gar- THE PROPOSED SENIOR HOUSING DESIGN, CALLED HA- VEN GREEN. Image credit: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects. INCOME TAX den.” The clock was ticking, but these women are used to PREPARATION getting what they want. They split into two groups and hired a The compromise that Habitat offered, with the inclu- in the privacy of your own home... famous civil rights lawyer, Norman Siegel, to represent them. sion of open space for a garden, was ignored. Instead, very reasonable rates Note: I know the women are not all rich, but the attitude speaker after speaker attacked Habitat for Humanity. It Call Peter White all of them displayed was the same: privilege. And it is sad was chilling! It was ugly! Where was their sense of so- 212.924.0389 to see that noted progressive lawyer Norman Siegel has cial consciousness? Some Soho community activists were agreed to represent the RMOS and their Versailles-like disrupted, including Sean Sweeney, with his not-in-my- “mini-garden” on Elizabeth Street. backyard attitude. All they wanted to talk about was their The de Blasio administration issued a Request of Proposal small four-year old garden, built on, what I still call, squat- (RFP) for the senior housing design. The winning entry was ted land. Seniors and homeless be damned. submitted by Habitat for Humanity and their design reflect- What was impressive was how Habitat representatives ed that they had listened to the concerns of the RMOS. Their did not take the bait and responded in a dignified, calm eight story, 100% green, senior-housing building included manner that addressed their mission: giving shelter to the 8000 square feet of open space for a garden. homeless and poor seniors. They were supported by a CB2’s land-use committee scheduled an open hearing of its number of different non-profit and city agencies who also “Garden Working Group” with Habitat for Humanity to pres- spoke of the needs of the homeless and poor population in ent their design for feedback, (first time I had heard of this CB2 including the poor LGBT senior population. “working group,” and I did not see any members of the public The pro-garden people want the senior housing to be built in support of senior housing on it!) It was to be a a community on Hudson Street instead. A city representative answered preview before the presentation to the full CB2 Board. that they were studying the Hudson Street property. If it was I went with the intent to have a few questions answered suitable, it would be seen as a second senior housing project about the design. The meeting was to start at 6:30 pm in site, not an either/or option, because the need is so great. a large room NYU had donated to CB2 for this meeting. I have lived in Greenwich Village since 1961, in a sixth The Rich Moms of Soho and their garden militia had al- floor walk-up apartment. I found the seeming lack of any most filled the whole room by 5:30 p.m. empathy for the need of affordable housing for seniors, When I saw the design, I was very impressed by Habi- who have grown old in this neighborhood, including tat’s desire to include a public garden within its design. LGBT seniors, and the homeless, to be stunning. I was also impressed that they had teamed up with first As I left the meeting, I walked down to Spring Street and rate organization, Primrose, to manage and with SAGE to discovered that the city was refurbishing a playground for provide on-site services for LGBT elders. the children a block and a half away. I wondered if any of The Garden rabble were not there to discuss the design. the RMOS had involved themselves in the design process. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 15

ern Brooklyn. There, registered Demo- even in Utah! There are also numerous in- Don’t Just Sit There, Resist—Part IV: crats outnumber Republicans, 200,000 to dependent groups such as Swing Left and 110,000; it voted for Obama twice; and Indivisible. Each organization has a wide Democrats hold two of the four New variety of activities people can fit into (vot- Take the House! York City council districts within the 11th er registration and turnout, phone banking, House District. The Democratic candidate door to door canvassing, fund raising, etc.). By Alec Pruchnicki Some people believe that the Mueller here is Max Rose. A former combat veteran The choice is to get involved or get investigation will unearth enough scandal in Afghanistan, he attended the London ready for another two years of uncontrolled If you think President Trump’s performance that Republicans will come to their senses School of Economics, worked in the non- Trump and Republican disasters. Yelling in Helsinki was great, and the direction of and turn against Trump. But, this is not profit healthcare sector and in the Brook- at your TV or computer screen after each the nation is just peachy, this article is not for guaranteed and the legal fights over Muel- lyn District Attorney’s office. outrage does not count as getting involved. you. This is for people who consider Trump ler’s findings could take a long time. The In the 19th District, the Democratic Electing people is what counts. a danger to the country and the world, and most immediate way to block irresponsible candidate is Antonio Delgado, who, after a are desperately looking for a way to resist. actions by Trump, or just the Republicans brief stint as a young rapper (for which the There is a way. Take Democratic control of in general, is to turn the House Democrat- Republicans have attacked him), attended Contact information the House of Representatives. ic on November 6th. Oxford as a Rhodes scholar and Harvard for the groups referenced As long as the large majority of Repub- Locally, there are two races that are rel- as a law student. above is as follows: lican voters fanatically support Trump, nei- evant to this fight. Republican John Faso Although elections in Manhattan over- • Villageindependentdemocrats.org ther the Republican-controlled Senate or represents the 19th District in the Hud- whelmingly favor Democrats, involvement • Lexclub.org House will stop his reckless actions, other son Valley, and Republican Dan Donovan with these two races is still possible and very than a symbolic resolution at times. A the 11th District covering Staten Island much needed. Delgado’s campaign is being • Delgadoforcongress.com string of recent Supreme Court decisions and Western Brooklyn. These districts are aided by the Village Independent Demo- • Maxroseforcongress.com have also supported right-wing Republican sometimes considered solidly Republican, crats here in the West Village, and Rose’s • dccc.org doctrine, and this will get worse if Brett but that might not be true. For example, campaign by the Lexington Democratic • swingleft.org Kavanaugh, or someone like him, gets put the 11th includes “solidly” Republican Club on the East Side. The Democratic • indivisible.org on the Court with the philosophy that the Staten Island. But the district is mixed, Congressional Campaign Committee has • redtoblue.dccc.org/ president is above the law. with one third of its population in West- a website covering many national races,

Maggie B’s Quick Clicks Steamy Summer Survival

By making music on the Square ... And ballet dancing on the Pier ... Buying books for young and old ...

We did Keep Calm and Carry On... Despite the crazi- ness of Don! All photos by Maggie Berkvist And treats for pets as good as gold ... By sharing in the family plans ... And finding one who understands. 16 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org

Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles spots in Coming Soon Chinatown. The noodles are made to order In the last year we’ve seen many closed by a chef who is visible in the back. The businesses being replaced by hair salons IN process involves holding one end of a roll and barber shops; this will also be the case and of dough in each hand and waving it until at 152 7th Avenue South (between Perry OUT it magically separates into strands of noo- and Charles Streets), where the Indian and by Caroline Benveniste dles. Menkoi Sato NYC (7 Cornelia Street South Asian décor store The Khazana will near West 4th Street) replaces Mew Men, morph into a Keratin Bar. In the window July is usually a slow month, but this year another ramen restaurant that formerly oc- of the former Nice Nails (175 West 13th there was lots of activity. In particular, the cupied the space. At the moment, there are Street at 7th Avenue), however, is a sign Village has become more of an Asian food hub only three dishes on the menu—including announcing the arrival of Dental House with the opening of three Chinese restaurants Drunken Munkey (31 Cornelia Street near abura soba, described as a soup-less ramen, (Dentistry Reimagined). The building at and one Japanese ramen bar; and another Bleecker Street): Pó, one of Mario Batali’s which is also available in a vegan version. the corner of 14th Street and 8th Avenue Japanese restaurant is in the works. first restaurants, opened in the space in The décor has not changed much from (77 8th Avenue) which has been a bank, a 1993 and closed just over a year ago. Now what it had been previously. carpet store, and a men’s spa (to name a few) Open there is a new tenant, Drunken Munkey, will now become a branch of the Museum TOP OPENINGS an Anglo-Indian restaurant which also has Closed/Closing: of Illusions. Over at 76 Carmine Street a location on the Upper East Side. The Cafe Español (172 Bleecker Street near Sul- (between Bedford and Varick Streets), To- interior is very gold, with lots of monkey livan Street), an old-style Spanish restaurant riko NY, a Tokyo yakitori (grilled chicken motifs; the food at the original has gar- that opened in 1976, has closed without skewer) restaurant is opening. LROOM nered 4.5 stars on Yelp. The restaurant is warning. Another more modern Spanish Café is replacing Potbelly Sandwich Shop particularly proud of their cocktail offer- restaurant and tapas bar, Tertulia (359 6th at 41 West 14th Street (between 6th and ings, which they refer to as the “East India Avenue near Washington Place), has also 7th Avenues). Furniture company Vitsoe Cocktail Program.” The owner also runs closed after a seven-year run. The chef and is coming to 15 West 8th Street (between Hudson Bar and Books, Lexington Bar owner, Seamus Mullen wrote an article in the MacDougal Street and 5th Avenue). It is and Books, and the French restaurant Le February 2017 issue of Bon Appetit, entitled headquartered in London and has another Bateau Ivre. “Food Nearly Killed Me. Then Food Saved New York City store on Bond Street. My Life,” where he recounts his descent into ill-health and his redemption after observ- Other Junzi Kitchen (170 Bleecker Street ing the following diet: “Reduce the simple The restaurant that used to be Domi- at the corner of Sullivan Street): Last carbs and increase the healthy fats, colorful nique Bistro (14 Christopher Street at month we reported on how the idea for vegetables, naturally raised meats, and wild Gay Street) has become a smaller branch Junzi Kitchen was hatched at the Yale seafood.” He continues to run El Colmado, of Boucherie, aptly called Petite Bouch- Entrepreneurial Institute; in July, the a tapas bar in Gotham West Market, as well erie. Both restaurants are part of “The team opened their third location. The as a fast-casual chicken spot, Whirlybird and Group,” a collection of restaurants mostly fast-casual menu features bings (flour Greens, which adheres to his new nutritional in the Village that includes Olio e Piú tortilla-like wrappers filled with meats, thinking and which he hopes to expand to and Omakase Room by Tatsu. Bleecker vegetables and sauces) and two types of more locations in the coming year. Goa Street Pizza is expanding next-door into noodles (spring and knife). The vegetable Taco (101 MacDougal Street) first opened what had been The Hummus Place (71 toppings are seasonal, and the garnishes Hao Noodle (343 West 14th Street be- on the Lower East Side and served paratha, 7th Avenue South between Bleecker and include shrimp salt and chive ash. The tween 8th and 9th Avenues): Like the an Indian bread filled with Indian and non- Barrow Streets). Many were saddened homemade bing dough is turned into lit- three restaurants mentioned above, this is Indian fillings. The original location is still when Village Den closed (225 West 12th tle balls by a machine called a dough di- also a new branch of an existing restau- open, but the Village outpost is gone. Ital- Street at Greenwich Avenue). Recently, vider which resembles an Imperial Stor- rant—the original is at 6th Avenue near ian sandwich spot Il Bambino (48 West 8th a sign with the words “Better Den You mtrooper. In addition to the standard Waverly Place. Many of the noodle dishes Street between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Remember” has appeared in the win- menu there will be an after-hours street are available at both locations, but the new Street) has closed up shop. A note on the dow. The doorman in the building told food menu starting in the fall as well as a restaurant (a Chinese version of Izakaya) door explains, “Unfortunately, as amazing as me that a new place was opening with monthly chef ’s table dinner series. also features barbecued meats sold by the the food is and as warm and friendly was our “healthier options,” and someone on-site piece and meant to accompany drinks. service, the business simply hasn’t been prof- confirmed that a restaurant with differ- Some of the more unusual offerings are itable enough to keep the doors open.” The ent owners would open. Umami Burger Crispy Chicken Skin and Spiced Pork In- original Astoria location is still open. Mr. (432 6th Avenue, near West 10th Street) testines with Sichuan peppercorn. Panzerotto (124 MacDougal Street at Mi- closed at the end of 2017 but recently, a netta Lane) sold fried, filled dough pockets “Notice to Tenant” sign appeared in the Also Open similar to calzone. The idea was good but the window which demanded $37,508.39 for Llamita (80 Carmine Street near Varick execution was lacking sometimes, which ren- two months’ rent (May and June 2018). Street) is a small Peruvian sandwich and dered the panzerotti greasy, instead of crispy, roast chicken spot. It is the second venture on the outside. They have now disappeared. Don’t give up now! We love hearing from for the team from well-regarded Llama Inn The Asian-accented Sweet Time Dessert you. Keep sending your observations to in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Xi’an Famous Café (171 West 4th Street near Jones Street) [email protected]. Foods has opened its tenth Manhattan lo- has also closed. Photos by Darielle Smolian cation at 313 6th Avenue (near West 3rd Rosemary’s Pizza (1 Perry Street at Street). This popular chainlet serves food Greenwich Avenue): This sister restau- from the Xi’an region of China—spicy rant to nearby Rosemary’s serves wood- hand-ripped noodles, flavored with cumin, WE NEED YOU fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas in the old Sichuan peppercorn and chili, as well as WE NEED YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS TO MAKE WESTVIEW EVEN BETTER. Yerba Buena Perry space. The unusual lamb dishes. A different style of Chinese crust tastes almost like whole wheat and food is available at Noodle King of N.Y. Writers—your lifetime experiences are valuable. is made with two flours from Wild Hive (511 6th Avenue between 13th and 14th Editors—we need your skill to make the paper read smooth. Farm which mills its flour using tradition- Street), where Asami Sushi Restaurant and Ad sales—invite local businesses to support the community voice. al stone-grinding equipment and obtains before it Umami Shoppu used to be. Here, Office support—responding to our readers. its organic grain from regional farmers. hand-pulled noodles are featured either in Like Rosemary’s, the interior décor is rus- broth or pan-fried with different toppings. Call 212 924 5718 or email [email protected] tic with lots of wood. The restaurant is similar to a number of www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 17

in gray-is-the-new-black. Our “specialty eight possible nests per intersection mul- birds” are Barn Swallows that make their tiplied by the thousands of intersections in Oh, Baby mud-cup nests under some of the Hudson New York. Each sparrow couple is able to River Park piers, and American Kestrals, produce three to four broods per year with small orange-and-blue falcons, that I know an average of four chicks per brood. If you make their home in the vicinity. After years start “doing the math” you’ll soon find that of watching, I’m still un-sure whether the a stupendous number of feisty new spar- Chimney Swifts that dart and chatter rows can become native New Yorkers every over our village streets in the evenings are year! resident homemakers or tourists from far- Baby sparrows are collections of tidy flung neighborhoods. (If anyone has actu- fluff with big mouths. Their wing feathers ally seen Chimney Swifts diving into or grow out faster than their tails so they of- emerging from a local chimney, I’d love to ten look round and nearly tailless. When know about it!) they fly, because they are so light, it seems Quite frankly, I’m most entertained by like they barely need to flutter their wings fledgling House Sparrows. Partially, this to get off the ground, and even the slight- is because their growing antics are played est breeze will blow them willy-nilly. The out right on these cobblestoned streets, so first few days after parachuting down from it’s easy to watch them, but also, there are their intersection-view nest, the chicks fol- so many House Sparrow chicks to provide low their parents around in insistent sib- so many opportunities to watch them grow ling-gangs. It really seems like the parents, up. House Sparrow populations in their the dads with the black bibs and the moms native Europe have been on the decline for modeling a lovely assortment of browns, decades but, for some reason, they seem to are trying to get away from the kids more be doing just fine on this side of the Atlan- than they are trying to keep returning to BABY SPARROWS ARE COLLECTIONS OF TIDY FLUFF WITH BIG MOUTHS: A House Spar- row chick duo waiting for dinner. Photo by Keith Michael. tic. In fact, I like to think fondly of New feed them. This might be a tough-love ap- York City as a sort of nature preserve for proach because the fledglings quickly get By Keith Michael tion of freedom and their realization of the this, frequently maligned, introduced spe- the idea of how to find a smorgasbord of arduous work of do-it-yourself dining as cies. Whether there is scientific evidence things to eat on their own. Soon, the chicks August is when a wave of baby birds ap- both a relief and a consternation. for it or not, I enthusiastically attribute have grown their new feathers and have pears in the trees, on the park lawns, and Of course, it’s only the common neigh- this breeding success to the design of NYC become nearly indistinguishable from the from the windowsills. Recently fledged, borhood birds that nest and produce traffic lights. grown-ups. their metronomic chirps to “Feed me, feed chicks that we see—exotic birds set up The open-ended pipes that support the The kids are out of the nest. me” are a familiar sound of summer. My housekeeping elsewhere. But then, our wires cantilevering stoplights out over our Inexplicably, sensing that I have just corgi Millie’s metronomic bark to “Feed “regular” West Village birds, far from be- grid of intersections make perfect afford- typed the word “out,” Millie perks up from me, feed me” is, likewise, a familiar sound ing a shabby list, include spectacular red able housing for House Sparrows. Stop her slumber. Might it be time to go out for of any season—when she’s not taking an Cardinals and gaudy Blue Jays, svelte suede at any intersection and you are likely to an evening walk and then dinner? afternoon nap like now. Shh. Cedar Waxwings and star-sparkled Star- hear the faint chirruping of hungry tod- For these fledglings, after a couple of lings, iridescent black Grackles and vocally dler sparrows echoing from within these For more information about New York City crowded weeks in the nest with on-de- acrobatic Mocking-birds. Our “everyday” pipe oases. Most intersections have two to WILD! nature outings, birding, photo- mand takeout food flown in by their sleep- red-breasted Robin is a real looker and our four of these T-bar poles with a two-family graphs, or books, visit keithmichaelnyc.com deprived parents, I interpret this combina- feline-mimic, the Catbird, is a classy study fly-up crossing each pole—that’s four to or follow Instagram @newyorkcitywild

shower water on you and a small water area and one for both. If you go there you will for younger kids. There is a sand box and a never want to leave—well, at least the kids. West Village for Kids small stream of water along with three jungle The Village offers something for all By Yalini Anne Sampathkumar, 9 Union Square Greenmarket: gyms: one for younger kids, one for older kids ages, especially children. The Union Square Greenmarket, popu- The West Village has lots of fun things to larly known as the farmers’ market, sells offer for kids all ages. Here are a few good fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and places to visit with kids. much more. When you are done shopping, you should go to the children’s park nearby. Jefferson Market Library: The park has play areas for little kids and Jefferson Market is a wonderful library. older kids. If you don’t feel like going to the It has lots of activities like book signings, super market, the farmers’ market is a great learning about animals, crafts, and games place to go food shopping. every Friday. On August 7th, they have a castle construction activity where you learn The High Line: about different homes and you can make The High Line is an old elevated train a mini castle to keep. They also have great track turned into a garden that stretches books and movies. out 1.45 miles long, with mini shops along the way. In one part, they have a thin stream Big Gay Ice Cream: of water where you can wet your feet. It has Big Gay Ice Cream is one of the best ice benches that stretch out to little beds for cream places in the West Village. They the parents to lie/sit in while their kids get have all sorts of different flavors like Salty wet. Every Tuesday from April through Pimp, The Mermaid, The Swirl, American October it has stargazing from dusk to 30 Globs and lots more. They even have pop- minutes before the park closes. sicles, ice cream sandwiches and sundaes. Big Gay Ice Cream started out as an ice Pier 51 Play Area: cream truck. It was so popular that it be- Pier 51 is basically a water park along Hud- IT'S ONE OF THE BEST ICE CREAM PLACES IN THE WEST VILLAGE: Yalini and her sister came a store that lots of people like. son River Park. There are huge sprinklers that Kavya outside Big Gay Ice Cream Shop. Photo by Ananth Sampathkumar. 18 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Tech And Creative Hub Developments Around Greenwich Village

NEW DEVELOPMENTS BRING BOTH SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION: 124 East 14th Street as it is today (left) vs the proposed Tech Hub. Photo Credit: Ananth Sampathkumar. Rendering credit: Office of the Mayor.

By Ananth Sampathkumar, positions. Greg David’s impassioned article with Brian J. Pape in Crain’s New York, “Union Square tech hubs pit the neighborhood against a crucial July 10th was a big news day for two impor- city priority,” stressed the urgency to set up tant developments around Greenwich Vil- a Manhattan-based hub to save aspiring lage. The first breaking story was about the graduates the long commutes to the Bronx. new Tech Hub being proposed at 124 East On the flip side, the opposition has been 14 Street (between Irving Place and 3rd Av- equally vocal, with the Greenwich Village enue). Back in February 2017, Mayor Bill de Society for Historic Preservation sounding Blasio unveiled the new design and programs the alarm on possible oversized commercial for a 21-storey space near Union Square. The developments dwarfing the neighborhood Mayor has committed to creating 100,000 scale. Critics are worried that the re-zoning well-paying jobs for the City, and the Tech will set a bad precedent and open the flood Counselor At Law Hub, with its promise of 1,400 jobs (800 in gates to taller structures in both areas. construction and 600 in the tech industry), Ironically, the arguments for and against fits well within that narrative. re-zoning seem to be rather weak. If the Disability Law The City Council held a hearing on the supporters for a new Tech Hub want to development and evaluated the request for make these facilities accessible, would it spot re-zoning, which is required to fit the not make sense to create local incubators taller building. The project, developed by in each borough so that students of lesser Max Leifer P.C. RAL Development Services and designed means have easy access to them and avoid by David Brody Bond, brought strong re- the commute to Manhattan? MaxMax D. LeiferLeifer PCPC is is an an established established law law firm firm action on both sides of the aisle. In the case for neighborhood protection with overover 40 years experienceexperience inin PersonalPersonal Injury, Injury, The second piece of news came from and worries about oversize development, Negligence,Negligence, Social SecuritySecurity Disabilty,Disability, Disney and its decision to move its head- this Tech Hub sits on a wide street among quarters from Uptown to 4 Hudson Square. several mid-rises of similar size, so the fear Long TermTerm Disability,Disability, Commercial and Union Appeals. Hudson Square extends from Houston of another Hudson Yards in their backyard Commercial and Union Appeals. Street on the North side to Canal Street on seems overblown if oversized commer- We are committed to providing the South side and 6th Avenue on the East cial developments are disallowed in other We are committed to providing side, all the way to the West Side Highway. neighborhood side streets. Similarly, Hud- high quality representation This area has been slowly transforming into son Square has a number of large-footprint and highwe work quality aggressively representation to obtain a hub for media and creative industries. For- buildings, and the rezoning was designed and wethe work best aggressively possible results to obtain merly a printing district, its commercial mix to allow bigger buildings that still fit the and protectthe best the possible rights of results our clients. now includes 27% media and communica- height and character of the surroundings. andFree protect consult the in personrights ofor ourby phone. clients. tions companies, 18% professional service Both sides need to heed the other’s con- Free consult in person or by phone. firms, and 17% architecture studios, with cerns. Given the immense pressure on land Please feel free to contact us with any questions the rest divided among printing, tech, and in Manhattan and the changing character and our friendly staff will assist you with your concerns. food companies. Since the successful rezon- of businesses and workforce, re-zoning is Please feel free to contact us with any questions ing of the area in 2013, a number of bigger inevitable. However, zoning protections Member of Million Dollar Trial Association and our friendly staff will assist you with your concerns. developments have taken shape, including for historic districts are important, so that DESIGNATED AS A SUPER LAWYER FIRM AT SUPERLAWYERS.COM 565 and 570 Broome Street by Renzo Piano taller developments surrounding these Building Workshop, and 550 Washington neighborhoods do not create a scale and 135214 West Sullivan 26th Street,Street, Street,Suite 3-C, 11-D Street by CookFox Architects. shadow problem. A reconciliation of the New York, NY 1001210001 Advocates for taller developments, like two sides will ensure that new develop- Tel: (212) 334-9699 • Fax: (212) 966-6544 the Tech Hub at Union Square, have been ments that address the changing times will [email protected] focusing on the high potential for job cre- be beneficial for neighbors and serve future ation, both in construction and future tech generations well. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 19 West Village Original: Catherine Revland By Michael D. Minichiello to work in book publishing, which eventu- ally led to ghostwriting.” This month’s West Village Original is writer Revland attributes her success as a ghost- and author Catherine Revland, born in 1940 writer to the fact that she could put her ego in Fort Ransom, North Dakota and raised in in her back pocket. “A colleague once told me Fargo. Formally educated and trained as a that I was so good at it because I know how writer, with over 40 years experience writ- to worm my way into a person’s psyche but ing for a variety of print and online media, also when to pull back,” she says. “It’s a very she is also a regular contributor to WestView intimate relationship being a ghostwriter. News. Her current project is titled “What Someone will tell you things they never tell the Old Ones Knew: Communicating with anyone else. They want the ghostwriter to the Ancestors,” an oral history of the Yankton tell the truth but also varnish it up a little bit. Sioux as told to Revland. Visit her website at They want it to be their story, but they have www.catherinerevland.com. to be careful about how they appear to the world when the book comes out.” As a girl growing up in Fargo, North Da- Is ghost writing enough of a creative kota with a father who was ill for a time, outlet, though? “No. You give up your cre- writer Catherine Revland discovered the ativity, actually,” Revland admits. “It’s very world of books. “I kind of escaped into dependable work when you’re raising kids books because my Dad was so sick,” she and I was a single parent by that time. But says. “I got a prize for reading 100 books after a while I realized I had to write my in the first grade. But that’s not unusual. own books. And when I got into my own I think most writers were originally avid writing I wasn’t a novice. I feel very grate- readers and kind of in love with what ful for all the ghost writing I did because of words do, or don’t do for that matter. One what I learned; particularly how to trans- day when I was 12, I discovered a book in mit the verbal into the written word.” the public library about a woman writer After living in a “nice, quiet neighbor- who lived in a place called Greenwich Vil- hood in Brooklyn,” Revland finally moved lage. I said to myself, ‘That’s it! That’s what into the Village in an apartment at Tenth "I TRY NOT TO DWELL ON WHAT HAS CHANGED BECAUSE I'VE CHANGED TOO." Despite I want to be and where I want to live!’” & Waverly. “It was a crappy apartment that the obvious changes to the neighborhood over the years, longtime West Villager, Cath- But first Revland had to finish school, cost $350 a month,” she says. “But I was erine Revland (above) doesn't mourn what's gone and still finds there is much that has not attend the University of North Dakota on with my three daughters, a Belgian Shep- changed. Photo by Maggie Berkvist. a journalism scholarship, get married, and herd, and two cats and we were just thrilled! have her first child. “Finally, in 1963, when I had waited a long time to fulfill my dream borhood has changed over her four decades not to dwell on what has changed because I was seven months pregnant with our sec- of living here. What’s so great about being here? “There’s something so unproductive I’ve changed too. There are parts of my life ond daughter, my actor husband and I left in one place for 40 years is that there’s conti- about mourning what’s no longer there,” she that I yearn for, but I also love what I’m do- Fargo for New York in a broken-down car nuity. Every time I walk down these streets responds. “When I walk around the Village ing right now. I wouldn’t be young again for and with no money,” she says. “I worked as my life flashes before my eyes. All these I see incredible ironwork, or beautiful doors, anything! Really. It’s a waste of time, which an actress and model until I got pregnant things have happened to me in the Village or streets that still have their cobblestones. is my most precious commodity right now. I for the third time and then I had to make a and that’s why it’s so dear to me.” There’s so much here that hasn’t changed still have things to do. I mean, I haven’t been decision. I gave up modeling and I started Does Revland regret how much the neigh- thanks to historical preservation. And I try to Paris yet!” She laughs. “How can that be?!”

East Side and the 14th Street corridor. (eastbound) and a one-way bike lane on months before the L Trains stop running. It continued from page 3 Briefly Noted The MTA rushed through a study, called 13th Street, with one side of parking elimi- will run the enhanced bus service, and widen Bridge, and north on Lafayette Street. Add- an Environmental Assessment, which was nated from 1st Avenue to 8th Avenue. the sidewalks, even though the L Train will ing a new entrance and an elevator to the released on the MTA website on July 20th. This report is subject to a public hearing, be running. The announcement showed not L Train at 1st Avenue and prettying up the In its initial description of the impact of and one will be held at the MTA’s head- a hint of concern about Federal Funding be- other L Train stops. The Federal Govern- the Canarsie Tunnel shutdown, MTA/ quarters at 2 Broadway on August 6 from ing restored, for the concerns publicly stated ment, through the Federal Transportation DOT had devoted one paragraph to what 5-8 p.m. The 14th Street Coalition, with by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, for Administration (FTA), was contributing would happen on the Lower East side and the aid of experts hired by various co-ops the objections raised by Community Boards nearly $800 million to the project and had the 14th Street area: nothing. Now, in 200 and condos, is pouring over the study and 2, 3, 4 and 5, and for what promises to be cleared the project under the Federal Envi- pages, plus 9 appendices, the MTA /DOT its flawed data, to begin to poke holes in the a second round of litigation challenging the ronmental law, the National Environmental concludes that by closing 14th Street to logic, which has a fundamentally false prem- Environmental Assessment’s methodology Procedure Act (NEPA) in 2016, finding that traffic, from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m., except ise: that the options are between the MTA/ and statistics. The arrogance, which has per- the tunnel work was simply work repairing for drop-offs and pick-ups—for one block DOT Plan and doing nothing (which they meated the DOT’s approach to the affected an existing rail line with no impact elsewhere. entry only—of 14th Street residents, and call the “no action alternative.”) The Co- community, continues unabated. Then the lawsuit was filed. Little more deliveries to 14th Street merchants- there alition has alternative proposals, which, to JOIN THE FIGHT! HELP STOP than three weeks later, the FTA announced will be “no impact” on traffic, no appreciable date, have been ignored by the MTA and WALL TO WALL TRAFFIC, NOISE that it was withdrawing its approval and increase in air pollution, vibration (like that DOT, which, among other proposals, chal- AND POLLUTION ON VILLAGE requiring new environmental studies and which recently caused a steam pipe to rup- lenge the need to widen the 14th Street AND CHELSEA SIDE STREETS. AT- reports by the MTA/DOT about the “miti- ture on 20th Street), noise, or traffic on the sidewalks and take away two potential traf- TEND THE AUGUST 6, 5-8 PM HEAR- gation plan” which had been announced in side streets! The study relied on 2012 traffic fic lanes, the need to eliminate all vehicle ING AT 2 BROADWAY and STAY IN December 2016, now called the “Alternative data (prior to the upsurge of for hire vehicles traffic on 14th Street, and the creation of TOUCH WITH THE 14th STREET Service Plan.” Federal Funds were frozen (a like Uber and Lyft and on “enforcement” of bike lanes on 12th and 13th Street. COALITION ONLINE. fact which the press has ignored), and the traffic laws which barred trucks from com- Confident that they have cleared all the —Arthur Z. Schwartz MTA/DOT was forced to commence what ing down 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th Street. hurdles created by the Coalition lawsuit, in was called an Environmental Assessment to It did make one change. Now there will be a late July, the DOT announced that it will Arthur Z. Schwartz is counsel to the 14th discuss the impact of the Plan on the Lower projected one-way bike lane on 12th Street shut down 14th Street on January 6th, three Street Coalition in its lawsuit in Federal Court 20 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Maine’s Test Case Vacation! company. In 1996 he became the General Manager of a statewide discount store chain. Then he went into politics: two terms on the Waterville City Council, then two terms as Mayor of Waterville. He was making the same good impression on state Republicans as he had made in his odd-jobs career on the streets of Lewiston. Paul LePage was on his way to becoming Governor of a state known for solid mainstream Republican governance. This newly launched politician differed from most oth- ers, however. He was tough, opinionated, crude, and self- confident to the point that his was the only opinion, no matter how ill-founded, that mattered. He was the prod- uct of his experience. There is much to be admired in Paul LePage. The qualities that got him elected Governor of Maine in 2010 provide him, still, with a committed base of voters. Yet, he is among the most unpopular of all U.S. governors. In 2016 his approval rating was 38 percent, while his disapproval rating was 58 percent. In this disparity, and in his behavior and policies, he conforms to a model essentially identical to that of Donald RELIVE YOUR VACATION BY PRACTICING BEING IN Trump. As he, himself, has said, he was Trump before Trump. THE MOMENT AND FOCUSING ON THE SENSES: He rants, he bullies, he uses obscene language to de- Grimaud (above) a town in the south of France. scribe opponents, he is a climate change denier, and is Photo by Christina Winholt. AS HE, HIMSELF, HAS SAID, HE WAS TRUMP BEFORE oblivious to constitutional limitations on his power. Good TRUMP: With Maine Governor Paul LePage, there is much manners and temperate behavior do not appeal to him. He By Christina Winholt to be admired, yet he is among the most unpopular of all has said that the Democratic leaders of the State Senate U.S. governors. Photo credit: Wikipedia. and House are guilty of treason and should be executed. Do you want to take your vacation twice? How about When a retiring Democrat Speaker of the Maine House a dozen times? Is it possible to relive your vacation as By Tom Lamia was offered the presidency of a charitable organization in- many times as you would like if you practice being in volved with charter schools, Governor LePage withheld the moment while you are laying by the pool, hiking After having his nose and jaw broken by his drunken fa- $500,000 in state funds from the organization until the your favorite mountain, or seeing the sights? One of ther, an 11-year-old boy ran from his Lewiston, Maine offer was withdrawn. In his first days in office, he ordered the best ways to anchor your vacation experience is to home never to return. Living on the streets, with French that a mural depicting Maine’s labor history be removed focus on the senses. This exercise can begin as soon as as his first language and not attending school, he survived, from a state building, calling the mural “anti-business.” He you book your trip. Start savoring the anticipation of the but with memories, one supposes, that were not charitable has vetoed more bills, by a spectacular margin, than any trip. There is nothing wrong with cultivating that good towards all. Of his seventeen siblings, only six survived governor in Maine history. To increase the vote needed to happy feeling of positive anticipation and excitement. past infancy. After a few years of sleeping in horse stables pass legislation to two-thirds he once threatened to veto Use the mindful attitude of letting go to stay away from and honky-tonks, he began to shine shoes on the street every bill passed by the legislature, regardless of merit. building up too many expectations for your trip. and make his way into the world, where he was noticed Other similarities between Lepage and Trump include be- Once your vacation begins, go with the flow. Chang- and given a hand-up by strangers. When he completed ing elected by less than a majority of voters—38 percent in es in itinerary are a natural part of travel, as natural as the eighth grade, he became the first among his parents 2010. But (pay attention here) in 2014, when he was elect- breathing is to meditation. If your plans get sidetracked and siblings to do so. ed for a second four-year term, his less-than majority vote because of flight delays or weather, let go and enjoy the He graduated from high school in Lewiston in 1967, climbed to 48 percent. Despite years of demonstrated pug- adventure. Be curious about what is happening around supporting himself by a series of demanding, low-skilled nacity and ineffectiveness, he improved his negative margin you even if you are stuck in an airport. You might be jobs. Setting his mark for a respected career, he applied to by ten points. That is a lesson, as we look forward to 2020. pleasantly surprised by connecting with a fellow traveler Husson College in Lewiston, encountering a further chal- Maine might not be a reliable sample for a test case of or just by people watching. By practicing letting go in lenge—passing a verbal aptitude entrance test in English. Trump’s future electoral prospects. Independents make these situations you open up to new experiences—ward- He failed. One of those who had come to know him and up 37 percent of Maine voters; Democrats (34 percent) ing off negative mood states and staying open to positive admire his work ethic interceded with Husson, suggesting and Republicans (28 percent), if they are to be elected, possibilities. that the test be administered in French, his first language. must find a message that goes beyond party loyalty. In- Most importantly, when you do find yourself on that It was. He passed. While at Husson, he became Editor of dependents get elected (Senator Angus King), as do in- beautiful beach at sunset, or in a canoe, or even enjoying the college newspaper. dependent-minded Republicans (Senator Susan Collins). a summer barbeque in your back yard with friends, use all The rest of this Dickensian story is as remarkable as the The state is known for its rocky coast and its hardscrabble of your senses to anchor the experience in your long-term beginning. With his talent and ambition, he continued to working population (lobsters and lumber). Life here pro- memory. By doing this you will easily be able to recall the compete and overcome challenges—managing a lumber vides its full share of hard knocks. Voters in Maine did pleasant experience when you need a mental boost, like company in Canada, then a paper company in Winslow, not fall in love with Paul LePage but they liked his story. when life gets hectic again in the fall, or when you are Maine—before starting a successful business consulting They understand mavericks, but know that drama is not a back in school, or next January during a snowstorm. substitute for competence. Hard knocks produce self-confidence among survi- vors—who scorn the advice of those who have had it easy. Don’t put off taking off This was the case with Paul LePage. Donald Trump’s case those extra pounds – and keeping them off! good design great sales is similar. He survived a win at any cost family competition = to succeed his father. He is a survivor who scorns the ad- Please allow me vice of those who have not been in that struggle. Despite to help you on your Whether you’re selling your product or your services, we can help you with stunning logos, ads, collateral and publications his many unpleasant qualities, he is a fierce and unscrupu- weight management journey and a well-designed, easy-to-navigate website. lous competitor. Competitors do not like to lose. LePage chose not to run for any office this year, probably because Joy Pape, Family Nurse Practitioner View the website at phelandesignworks.com he did not like his chances. Perhaps Trump’s continuing [email protected] [email protected] • 212-620-0652 failure to work effectively with others will lead him to the 917-806-1945 same conclusion in 2020. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 21 Celebrating Mae West at the Jefferson Market Library By Michele Gouveia On Saturday, August psychic and astrologer. At chele Gouveia. The screenings begin at 18th, a series of talks be- 4:00 p.m. the day concludes 2:00 p.m. “When I’m good, I’m very good, but when I’m gins at noon with Trav with “Rebel Mae West,” a All library events take place in the Wil- bad, I’m better.” S.D., performer and au- panel discussion moderated la Cather Community Room and are free —Mae West thor of “No Applause, Just by Grady Turner, curator of to the public. Throw Money: The Book “Bare! True Stories of Sex Other West Fest events include a walk- With her double entendres, voluptuous That Made Vaudeville Fa- Desire and Romance,” and ing tour in Brooklyn to visit West’s mau- figure, and distinct Brooklyn accent, Mae mous,” and the blog “Trava- featuring Dirty Martini, the soleum and former home, and screenings West became one of the most famous and lanche,” speaking on West’s international burlesque sen- of “My Little Chickadee” (1940) at Me- imitated women of the 20th century. early life, career, and vaude- sation; Elyse Singer, CUNY trograph and “I’m No Angel” (1933) at This year marks the 125th anniversary of ville. He will be followed at teaching fellow and direc- the Cinema Arts Centre on Long Island. her birth, and to celebrate the occasion a 1:00 pm by John Calhoun, tor of the1999 revival of the For information and updates on all of festival, West Fest, will take place in New librarian at the New York play “Sex;” and the day’s pre- the festival’s events, visit the West Fest York August 17-29, including two days of Public Library for the Per- vious speakers. page on Facebook at https://www.face- events at the Jefferson Market Library. forming Arts, who will discuss Broadway Sunday, August 18th is double-feature book.com/MaeWestFest/ or follow West West spent the night at the Jefferson history and share some items from the day at the library with screenings of two Fest on Twitter at @maewestfest. Market Prison (now the site of the Jef- library’s theatre collection. At 2:00 p.m. of West’s films starting with “She Done ferson Market Garden) in 1927 after the subject turns to West and race with a Him Wrong” (1933), in which she stars Michele Gouveia is a writer, producer, being convicted of obscenity charges for talk by Chicava Honeychild, proprietress opposite a very young Cary Grant, fol- and photographer whose areas of exper- her play “Sex.” West’s connection to Jef- of Brown Girls Burlesque and artist-in- lowed by “Belle of the Nineties” (1934), tise include the 1920s and Classic Hol- ferson Market is remembered today with residence at Joe’s Pub, followed at 3:00 which has West sporting some of her lywood cinema. She is the chair of West the Mae West Community Room in the p.m. with a look at West and spiritual- most over-the-top costumes. The films Fest, a festival celebrating Mae West’s library. ism by Kathy Biehl, actress and certified will be introduced by West Fest chair Mi- 125th birthday.

Jefferson Market Garden World Music Driven Festival on the lawn By Roberta Curley FREE

She stoops like those toughened memories saddling her back August 5th, 5-7 pm The Blue Dahlia unashamed of the fabric she braided even pondering a comeback Quintet her blood courses and races like a thoroughbred in its paces but her breath whirrs and hums sleep bearing peace which numbs tho vintage consolation prizes ring - August 12th, 5-7 pm a flaming peach sunset in Ossining Cocomama Quartet 180-degree-arc rainbow over Copake full moon wrestling Megunticook Lake - tickled too by each sparrow’s cheep divine she transformed her thrills into poetic rhyme netting schools of suitors - eluded by a match August 19th, 5-7 pm she released each back in a game of catch Regional de NY her heart touched solely by one - his urned Quintet remains revered like the sun her champagne locks - akin to amber ale today toss with her soul in a tempestuous gale

her joints—snapped rubber-bands worn by pain arthritis devouring cartilage, steeped below the vein August 26th, 5-7 pm still, despite pangs of distress the lady hears Anbessa Septet the silent music of calla lilies trumpet in her ears “I WON’T GIVE IN — she clamors upon morning dew, I’ll rally and blossom like an anemone anew!” Arts at St. John’s Enjoy These Summer Arts Events at St. John’s in the Village (fully air conditioned), 220 West 11th Street

Tuesday August 7, 7pm Friday August 24, 7 pm An Evening of Italian Classics Bach to Bernstein

Johann Sebastian Bach Leonard Bernstein A concert celebrating the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth (25 August 1918), featuring Bach’s cantata ‘Ich habe genug’ and songs by Leonard Bernstein (including songs from ‘West Side Sto- ry’). Refreshments in St Benedict’s Courtyard. Tickets ($20) at sjvny. Michelle Fuchs org. Free to seniors but booking is essential ([email protected] or Italian arias by Verdi and Donizetti, as well as Neapolitan songs, 212 243 6192). performed by soprano Michelle Fuchs, with accompanist Yelena Ruhkman and tenor Scott Mooney. Reception with wine and cheese in St Benedict’s Courtyard. For more information and for Tuesday August 28, 7 pm: tickets ($20): [email protected] The Art of the Waltz Jack Kulowitsch and the The Strath- mere Ensemble present a program Tuesday August 14, 7 pm of music telling the story of the development of the waltz from the Assumpta est Maria: Gregorian Chant for the folk-dances of central Europe to the Eve of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary flourishing of the art in Vienna, with special reference to the music of the Johan Stausses, father and son, in the 18th and 19th centuries. Drinks reception in St Benedict’s Courtyard. be available online, but booking is essential ([email protected] or 212 243 6192). Tickets ($20) will soon be available online (stjvny.org).

Sundays August 5, 12, 19 and 26, 11 am Arts & Faith: a Series of Four Addresses on the relation between Christianity and the visual, performing, and written arts. Episcopal service, to which those of all faiths, or of none, are welcome. Followed by a glass of wine and a light lunch in St Ben- Held at the garden Altar. Men’s voices plainsong Eucharist (those edict’s Courtyard. Fr Graeme Napier holds degrees in mathematics, of all faiths, or of none, are welcome) is followed by drinks in St philosophy, and theology from Oxford and is a Licentiate of the Royal Benedict’s Courtyard. Free. Schools of Music (UK). Free. www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 23 “The Glory of God is a Human Being Fully Alive.”

By Fr. Graeme Napier otherwise: the common camaraderie fostered I love that St. John’s in the Village, where time and talent for the commonweal: vio- by folk song in a college bar; entrance into I have recently begun to serve as parish linists from Julliard supporting this sum- Thus, down the ages, sings St. Irenaeus, the the world of drama and stage-craft through priest, is always awash with music. Even mer’s youth at the Music & Science School second-century bishop from the little Ae- opera; the hallooing of chants with rowers by in the summer, when the children’s deli- in St John’s courtyard, Songs for a Sum- gean sea town of Smyrna who had heard the river (breaking down the division between cate chorister voices have echoed off down mer’s Evening sung for refugees seeking the preaching of the soon-to-be-martyred heady and hearty); the solace of sorrowful to the beach for the holidays and the pro- new lives for themselves and their families, Polycarp—a disciple of John the gospel- songs on a dark and dank winter’s day; the fessional choir enjoys its well-earned feet- and concerts that are free to seniors so that maker, to whom St. John’s in the Village protest songs against apartheid; the won- up fallow, the sounds of myriad musics still all Villagers can be fed freely by the food is dedicated. der, love, and praise of the glories of the sa- resound within the simple beauty of of love. This is where the language of mu- Before I went to Oxford to study math- cred choral tradition in a humble college cha- the sanctuary—from Joni Mitchell songs sic, the milk of human kindness, and the ematics and philosophy I had been blessed by pel. All this fully-aliveness thrived alongside to the timeless strains of Gregorian chant, beauty of holiness form a harmony that the wit and wisdom of fine musicians—choir the sounds of song and string long before and through the relentless beat of the ba- is truly three parts vied and multiplied. As directors, cellists, organists, and others—who we found out from neurologists that choral roque in Bach’s exquisite twice-blest Dou- our patron, John the gospel-maker, knows helped me delve into the deep mathematical music is the best thing you can give to your ble Violin Concerto to songs from the dearly—we are here “that they may have structures of harmony and counterpoint, and brain. pen of Porter and the genius of Gershwin. life, and have it to the full.” arrive at that branchy-between-towers, bell- There are so many things churches and August also has its summer plate full of swarmed, river-round-land town with a Li- other communities can do to foster human music: from Italian songs and arias to out- The Reverend Graeme Napier is the Rector centiate from the Royal Schools of Music. flourishing in their neighborhoods, but one door plainsong and the swing of Viennese of St. John’s in the Village. He holds quali- Such musical literacy, which is really nothing of the simplest is to fill their spaces with waltzes, and from Bach to the late Leon- fications from the Royal Schools of Music more than the language that articulates what music of all kinds— sacred and secular, an- ard Bernstein whose 100th birthday will be (UK) and degrees in mathematics, philoso- everyone feels and senses in the beauty and cient and modern—which ordinary peo- celebrated this month. phy, and theology from the University of power of music, was a gateway and key to ple with limited or no financial means can Music—the food of love—for music’s Oxford. His addresses on “Faith & The Arts” avenues and laneways of life—both interior access, enjoy, participate in, and be trans- sake is surely enough by itself. But here are delivered on each Sunday in August at and exterior—perhaps not so easily openable ported by. at St. John’s musicians give gratis of their 11:00 a.m.

Music at St. Veronica

COMING FALL SEASON Free Concerts for Seniors

September will see the first of our Fall and Winter series of Free for Seniors Concerts with Sounds of the Great Religions and the choir of the Greek Orthodox Church under the direction of Arch Deacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos where you will will be able to see an hear the story of this historic church from Constantine the Great, the last Roman emperor to the present day. 24 WestView News August 2018 www.westviewnews.org Jim Fouratt’s HAVE YOU HEARD? AUGUST 2018 Let’s start with some GOOD NEWS: GREENWICH HOUSE: Well, that dark Cynthia Nixon will be the Working Fami- cloud that has hovered over Greenwich lies Party’s candidate for State Assem- House ever since Roy Leavitt became Ex- bly, competing for the seat with Deborah ecutive Director and brought his corporate Glick, who has held the office for 25 years. attitude to what had historically been a While everyone I know tells me they are settlement house, based on improving the voting for Nixon in the Democratic Pri- quality of life of low-income families and mary in September, when Nixon is chal- seniors, has resulted again in a tsunami of lenging Andrew Cuomo, it is not certain fear among seniors. He announced he was today if she will win. As a backup position, going to close the Senior Center at 27 Bar- the WFP decided to challenge Glick based row Street and move all of its activities to on her role in the power corruption scandal the Lady of Pompei Church Senior Center a special meeting of CB2’s Social Services this and in the public eye ever since Jesse in Albany, and her actual record. Glick was on Bleeker Street and move his corporate Committee, after hearing Leavitt’s failure Helms and his ilk tried to shut her up years the legislature, bully enforcer for Sheldon offices into the space. There was no ad- to be transparent about the actual finances ago. Finley has not disappeared into the Silver, now convicted of corruption and vance notice and no involvement of the of Greenwich House, asked me if I knew ranks of an academic critic, safe in their upon his appeal was sentenced to seven Senior Center’s elected Advisory Board. why this powerful Board had not fun- ivory tower. She is full frontal, in role mod- years in jail. We will continue to cover this The members were up in arms, as the draised if there was a real crisis? No one eling artist engagement, and in rescuing after the September primary. Pompei space, in their view, was not ap- on the Committee asked Leavitt. To me, democracy from extinction in the USA. propriate for the programs that members this is the essential question: is the Board Fearless in the face of censorship, Karen participate in at 27 Barrow Street. It is responsible for fundraising? While I share Finley, most importantly and skillfully Tai difficult for seniors with mobility issues to the members’ relief that Johnson and Chin Chi’s self-censorship in a manner that al- gain access because the elevator is usually saved (at least for a year) 27 Barrow Street, lows her frank vulnerability and razor-tart out of order or not attended too. It does Leavitt made it clear, with the logic of a tongue to penetrate a public fear of fight- not have the home cooked meals that 27 corporate bean counter, that he still wants ing back and shouting out. She clearly has Barrow Street does. Tom Connor, a senior to move forward with the closing of one chosen a definition of success based on ex- on Community Board 2, who had been for or more of the senior centers Greenwich pressing inner feelings and political truth many years Chair of the Advisory Com- House operates. rather than seeking the cash and prizes mittee at Washington Square North Se- given when cultural co-optation and media nior Center operated by Greenwich House ARTIST RESISTANCE acceptance is criteria for success. told me that Leavitt seems to have little in- Karen Finley is a woman not on the verge, Yes, Finley starts with super-predator, terest in the Senior Centers other than the but in full, lucid rage at the way women are Harvey Weinstein. But then she clearcuts money line in his budget. Many Barrow treated today and what this bully culture the forest full of the grotesque trees of mi- members praised the administrator there has done to all of us. She wears resistance sogyny and homophobia that Fox News for his cultural programs. What Leavitt like an intoxicating perfume. A must see and “hate radio” have planted and infected appears to not understand is that seniors and hear performance for anyone who feels in our culture on a 24-hour media on- today are different from seniors of the overwhelmed by the daily revelations of slaught. past. A sense of self-empowerment is very how the greed coup happened. And what “PUSSY GRABBER” is for all of us, re- much a part of the attitude of people com- the economic terrorists and the religious, gardless of age, sexual orientation, gender ing senior age from the 1960’s. He fails to puritan militia, marching towards rap- or race. It is for anyone who wants a better consult or confer with senior members on ture, are doing as they attempt to destroy world based on equality and justice for all. Photo by Jim Fouratt. changes or problems. Hence, in this case, the separation between Church and State, “PUSSY GRABBER” is one artist’s in- there was a huge pushback. A rally was seize our bodies, and put the chains of con- tervention to resonate hope and resistance AIDS MEMORIAL PARK: Oy. It appears held in 90 degree weather on the steps of trol around us. and to remind us that politics actually is a the AIDS Memorial Park at the St. Vin- City Hall with 40 seniors attending. They Finley teaches at NYU to survive eco- dialectic based on the inner beat of life and cents triangle has no supervision from the were welcomed by Speaker Corey Johnson nomically. Equally important to her is her is there to get you up, to fight danger, and Park’s department. The Google delivery whose district is where Greenwich House role to inspire young developing artists by to build a community based on what we cadre park their bikes inside the park, gath- resides. Johnson said he would not allow her own creative performances. She is a have in common. ering together in an almost tribal forma- this move. He stopped it, in collaboration role model, taking the risk of being uncon- Just in case you think this is just one tion, moving table and chairs to barricade with Council Member Margaret Chin, the ditionally honest and speaking, as we say, more angry, redhead performance artist, let themselves in a circle, and even place the head of the Council committee on Aging. “truth to power.” me tell you, the humanity and joy of being chairs on the grass, resulting in tearing up They bailed out Greenwich House, but Karen Finley’s latest, engaging perfor- in one’s own body that she starts with, as the green. They are joined by millenni- people remember when Leavitt pulled the mance piece is like taking a cold shower on she literally dances on stage, and also closes als who have moved into the Village who same threat of closing Pompei two years the hottest day of the year. “GRABBING with a hip-swaying crowd invitation to seem to think that they do not have to re- ago when the then Pastor refused to re- PUSSY” is mentally, physically and spiri- stand up and dance, makes clear that revo- spect the NO DOGS ON THE GRASS new the contract because he felt he could tually deeply invigorating. “GRABBING lution has to be fun even when serious. I signs, resulting in urine stains discoloring get more income from the rental to film PUSSY “ is a welcome shock to the system felt Emma (Goldman and Gonzales) and the grass that children run and play in. One companies etc… State Senator Brad Hoyl- and it wakes up feelings that get submerged Rosa and Lena’s spirit’s in the room. neighbor wrote me that he was very upset man, with other politicians up for reelec- in defense against the daily, media-saturat- Finley invites us to join her in truth but reluctant to call the police because tion that fall, worked out a deal with the ed reporting on the sociopathic twitter an- speaking, and to join her in a community most of the delivery bikers are of color. I church that cut the Senior Center use of tics posted by an elected liar. of resistance in a serious dance for life. suggested that he call State Senator Hoyl- space in half and guaranteed the Pastor a Yes, Diamanda Galas, Citizen Reno, “PUSSY GRABBER” is essential, polit- man, who, when he was CB2 Chair, nego- higher rent. Was Leavitt using the threat of Wanda Sykes, Kathy Griffin, Samantha ical, feminist art! A must see performance tiated the transfer of the Rudin land to the closure to squeeze money, again, out of the Bee have been seeding the creative garden to succor the march towards a better world. Park’s department which resulted in extra Department of Aging? Greenwich House’s of the “fight back” movement, but just in height to gain the billion-dollar windfall Board of Directors is mostly made up of case you think Finley is simply joining the © JimFouratt, Cultural instigator, 7.26.18 profit from the ghost condos built to re- executives high-up in Wall Street and the angry women’s artist brigand (well yes, she [email protected], place St. Vincent’s Hospital. financial sector. One senior who attended is, but…), think again. Finley has been at 227 Waverly Place, 10014 www.westviewnews.org August 2018 WestView News 25 9/11 Lawyers’ WTC Evidence Can’t Be Ignored By Dusty Berke ing with press from many major media outlets but they were covering a Women’s On April 9th a PRNewswire press release Equality event and, shockingly, all declined went out to over 3,000 mainstream media to interview the attorneys only a few yards announcing that a nonprofit organization away stating they hadn’t been assigned to of over 30 attorneys along with many 9/11 the story. So I’m thankful—as we should Family members were going to file a for- all be—that WestView was able to cover this mal Petition the next day with the U.S. long awaited and historic event. Attorney for the Southern District of New After the press event a small group of York demanding a special criminal Grand lawyers, architects, engineers and 9/11 Jury to reopen the 9/11 file on the World Family members dropped by WestView for Trade Center. The group is the Lawyers’ a pre-planned salon with George. Committee for 9/11 Inquiry (lcfor911.org) In 1964 George was a partner in at Rob- and the Petition contains over 50 pages inson, Capsis, Stern which built seven Two Books of One-Liners of hard forensic evidence and eyewitness buildings for the New York World Fair, by Charles Caruso, testimonies that pre-placed explosives, in one of which was the Port Authority build- addition to the planes and resulting fires, ing. He visited the offices of Yamasaki, the Author of “Caruso’s Quips” were the real cause of what brought down architect of the World Trade Center, and three WTC buildings—the two Towers even worked in WTC 1 for a year. Caruso spent decades in the media, at Newsweek and The New York and the rarely mentioned WTC 7 which Although George didn’t then think explo- Post, winning three Associated Press feature-writing prizes. was not hit by a plane and yet collapsed in sives had been used in addition to the planes He has gotten a strong response to these books and the lines he near free fall that afternoon, also known as to cause the collapse of the WTC Tow- puts on Facebook each day. the Salomon Brothers Building. ers and WTC 7, he invited the Lawyers to The detailed and compelling evidence write an Op-ed for WestView News. While The question he is most asked is: How do you write these things? the Lawyers group presented in their Pe- we were waiting to receive it, he took Archi- He has no good answer. “They just come,” he says “after a lot tition was never investigated by the 9/11 tects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth’s “Building of observation and reading. They arrive suddenly and need very Commission or the National Institute of 7 47-Minute Challenge,” and right after it little editing.” Science and Technology (NIST). NIST’s ended said, “That building didn’t come down Readers seem to like them and find them interesting and spokesman acknowledged that the agency by [just the plane impacts and] fire.” sometimes amusing. didn’t look for explosives, even though do- We’ve received a tremendous positive ing so is required by the fire code; and the response from our readers thanking West- co-chairs of the 9/11 Commission, Thom- View for publishing the Lawyers’ Commit- as Kean and Lee Hamilton, said in their tee’s Op-ed and asking how you can learn book Without Precedent—The Inside Story more about what really happened in our Inspired by the New York Times Best Seller FULL SERVICE of the 9/11 Commission that it had been “set City on 9/11. “CAPTURES A FASCINATING ERA OF HOLLYWOOD. up to fail” and that key government agen- In response, Richard Gage, A.I.A., pres- There’s plenty of gossip to be found here, but there’s also no shortage of humanity.” cies had outright lied. Their report never ident and founder of Architects & Engi- -THE WRAP mentioned the free fall collapse of WTC neers for 9/11 Truth (A&E), has offered 7—a 47-story steel frame building—for to show their documentary film “9/11: Ex- “IT’S FAIR TO SAY THAT SCOTTY... HAS LED A LIFE LIKE NO OTHER. the first two seconds and the near free fall plosive Evidence—Experts Speak Out” at Much more than a sensationalistic exposé... an engaging, layered, frequently fascinating look at a Hollywood legend.” of the entire building in only 6.5 seconds, a screening event here in NYC and answer -THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER which is impossible without the pre-place- any questions our readers might have. ment of explosives. The Lawyers’ Committee for 9/11 Inquiry “ENGAGING, COLORFUL and ALWAYS ENTERTAINING... It is appalling that the mainstream me- has also invited our readers to visit lcfor911. SCOTTY smartly dissects how stifl ing the era’s sexual politics were.” -SCREEN DAILY dia and press have not yet covered this story. org to read the Grand Jury Petition and see Still, I expected a swarm of reporters at the the 57 evidentiary exhibits that include ex- “WILL HAVE YOU LOOKING AT TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES Lawyers’ April 10th press event announcing pert testimony from architects, engineers IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT WAY.” the Petition filing and was surprised to find and physicists, and eyewitness testimony -VULTURE only a handful of alternative media were from firefighters, law enforcement officers, there. The steps of City Hall were swarm- other first responders, and residents.

9/11: Explosive Evidence — Experts Speak Out Free screening and discussion A m  M rer RSVP: AlternateCinema.org

St. Johns Church STILL NOT MARRIED, ROCK? SPENCER & KATE: FANS DEMAND ANSWERS! 244 Waverly Place SCOTTY KEPT THEIR SECRETS West Village, NY, 10014 SoMoıe.om Tuesday, August 21st at 7:00 p.m. EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT STARTS FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 ALWAYS REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET Q&As with Director MATT TYRNAUER OPENING WEEKEND! FRIDAY & SATURDAY after the 7:35 show and SUNDAY after the 3:00 show.

WESTVIEW NEWS 1/4 Pg (5” x 6.125”) WEDS 8/1

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