Chelsea Now by Schneps Media

SVA/BBC, p. 25

VOLUME 4, NUMBER 41

THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

MARCH 21 - APRIL 3, 2012

CB4 cautiously supports contentious sculpture garden BY WINNIE McCROY Support for the High Line extension, new corrals for bike deliverymen, a new sculpture garden in Chelsea Waterside Park, the Mayor’s FY2013 preliminary budget and minor changes in their by-laws were among the issues discussed and debated, when Community Board 4 (CB4) gathered on March 7 for their monthly meeting. “Who is dropping acid in the Waterfront Committee’s water?,” asked Carol Demach during the meeting’s public session. Speaking against

a public outdoor sculpture garden at Chelsea Waterside Park featuring art from a private gallery, Demach said, “Marlborough Gallery has been thrown out of the Art Dealers Association because of illegal and immoral acts.” Two other community members also used strong language in urging CB4 to withhold their support, saying they felt the plan was cheapened by the fact that the gallery would be using a public park to make mil-

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Derelict building draws scorn from residents Courtesy of City of New York and Friends of the High Line

A rendering of the High Line’s third segment by James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio+Renfro, showing the interim “floating” walkway this section would feature for the first five to 15 years.

High Line finale to have great views, interim path BY ALBERT AMATEAU High Line enthusiasts filled the PS11 auditorium on Monday, March 12, for a design forum on the elevated park’s third and final segment that will loop around the West Side Rail Yards. During the past three years, the first two completed segments — between Gansevoort and West 30th Streets — have attracted 3.7 million visitors. Friends of the High Line and the city hope to begin construction on the last segment next year, with an opening projected for spring 2014. The proposed half-mile loop around the rail yards (between 10th and 12th

Avenues, from 30th to 34th Streets) will be the most challenging part to build, and will cost upward of $90 million. James Corner and Ric Scofidio, design team members, noted that the project will have to be coordinated with The Related Companies’ commercial development above the Eastern Rail Yards (between 10th and 11th Avenues). Related’s project will include the 1,000-foot-tall commercial “Tower C” at 10th Avenue and 30th Street for the home of the luxury goods firm Coach. At that point the High Line will pass

through Tower C and lead toward the eastern 10th Avenue “spur,” the widest part of the rail viaduct. The 10th Avenue spur was built to allow freight trains to deliver bulk mail and packages to the upper floors of the Morgan Annex postal processing complex on the east side of 10th Avenue at 30th Street. The spur will be part of the park — but because of its proximity to the Tower C construction site, it will open 12 to 18 months after the opening of the rest of the rail yards segment.

BY WINNIE McCROY Throughout the last decade, scurrying rats and omnipresent trash surrounding the graffiti-covered building at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 22nd Street have secured its status as a local eyesore. But lately, an unlit construction canopy and a back door that’s sometimes left ajar have given neighbors just cause to regard the derelict building as a potential danger. On March 20, representatives from government agencies, elected officials

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and residents met at Hudson Guild to address problems and initiate efforts to resolve the situation. “The Department of Buildings and the Fire Department looked at it in a three-prong way,” said Community Board 4 District Manager Bob Benfatto after the meeting. “They decided that the owner needs to fix the lighting in the building, seal it off and take care of structural stability.” Tuesday’s meeting came

Continued on page 6

EDITORIAL, LETTERS PAGE 8

ZUCKER’S LOCAL FAVES PAGE 13

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Your doctor retired to where? Photo by Ranger Gregg

Park Chelsea rangers scope out a giant sequoia, for possible transport.

April 1 ceremony welcomes giant sequoia to Chelsea park

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Ranger Bob — who, as every schoolchild knows, serves as Park Chelsea Parks Commissioner — recently reached out to Chelsea Now to share sensitive information that can finally be make public. The transcontinental shipment from California of what will be Chelsea’s first giant sequoia is now underway. That mighty (and mighty tall) tree will be transplanted to the newly appointed Thumbelina National Park and Community Garden (25th Street & 8th Avenue) in an April 1 ceremony.

The Redwood relative is taking up roots in our area to celebrate Thumbelina Park’s establishment as a National Park. For this honor, Thumbelina beat out other local greats — including the High Line, Clement Clarke Moore Park and the Hudson River Park. Ranger Bob and his brave crew have vowed to stay humble…but on April 1 at least, we won’t judge if their pride soars as high as that noble sequoia. For more info, visit parkchelsea.com…and that’s no joke.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Reps of electeds update CB4 (for which the company had agreed to pay $1 million to fix). Chair Corey Johnson followed, with information on CB4’s new updated website and the more uniform method of Business License and Permit (BLP) letters. He also gave his thanks and farewell to the six exiting CB4 members, among them decade-long member and former Chair John Weis, who said, “I will treasure my time on CB4.”

Continued from page 1 lions of dollars on private art sales, without donating any funds to the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT). Other issues that arose during the short public session included concerns over Megabus being permitted to operate a free curbside terminal when other bus companies were forced to pay millions for a terminal inside Port Authority. A member of the West 55th Street Block Association invited all to a Blocks for Blocks Symposium on community organizing on April 21, a board member invited all to a free Fathering Academy, and Amir Talai encouraged the community to see the Shen Yun Performing Arts group. A representative from the LGBT Community Center shared information on their SmokeFree Project, and two representatives from the High Line spoke about their effort to preserve the 10th Avenue Spur, their spring garden cutback, upcoming public art projects and new job postings. Reverend Luis Gomez noted the Church of the Holy Apostles’ interest in collaborating with the community on programs, and board member Betty Macintosh asked people to contribute to the Metro Baptist Church food drive. Board member Raul Larios then shared his hope that someone would speak on the Mayor’s proposed budget, which included a six percent cut to Community Board budgets. Despite his pleas, no questions were asked until the main session. Representatives from elected officials then shared updates. Borough President Scott Stringer’s office was outraged at the Stop and Frisk actions, and Congressman Jerry Nadler’s office tried to write down the principal amounts for struggling homeowners. Senator Tom Duane’s office mentioned Adirondack Transit Lines’ findings that Megabus’ double-decker buses were not

BOARD VOTES ON LICENSES, SCULPTURE GARDEN, BY-LAWS

Photo by Winnie McCroy

Carol Demach speaks out boldly against CB4 supporting Marlborough Gallery exhibiting privately owned art in a public sculpture garden.

Gottfried’s belief that the Chelsea Market proposal is far too large, and must be contextually appropriate and scaled back. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal’s rep announced legislation introduced to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to kids, and to inform hotel employees if an outbreak of bedbugs occurs. Rosenthal’s office also promised to train teachers to intervene against bullying, and report sexual misconduct at schools. And City Council Member Gale Brewer’s rep announced an April 21 E-recycling event and a May 7 Medicare Rights forum, as well

mittee was investigating noise complaints at Two Trees, and had resolved similar noise complaints with Mercedes Benz CO2 system

The board of CB4 then got down to the business at hand, with issues including local liquor licenses, support of the High Line, new bike corrals for delivery drivers, the Mayor’s FY2013 preliminary budget, several changes to CB4 by-laws and the contentious issue of the Marlborough Gallery providing art for the Chelsea Waterside Park. The seven items before the BLP committee were bundled, as they all dealt with letters of support for businesses either opening, or expanding to include a sidewalk café. Miguel Acevedo volunteered to follow up with those businesses that had promised to hire 20 new employees, in an attempt to secure more jobs for local residents. All items passed. Items 8 and 9 dealt with letters to the Department of City Planning regarding the High Line, Hudson Yards and Eastern Rail

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St. Peter’s Chelsea Episcopal Church 346 West 20th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)

‘Who is dropping acid in the Waterfront Committee’s water?,’ asked Carol Demach during the meeting’s public session. Speaking against a public outdoor sculpture garden at Chelsea Waterside Park featuring art from a private gallery, Demach said, ‘Marlborough Gallery has been thrown out of the Art Dealers Association because of illegal and immoral acts.’

within acceptable weight limits, and invited all to a public forum on the redesign of the West 39th Street Park. Assembly member Dick Gottfried’s rep mentioned the opening of SAGE’s LGBT senior center, the first in the nation, and also noted that they will be monitoring the renovations and planned replacement of the Javits Center, promising to “make sure it’s a public, transparent process.” Also noted was

as her support for an Open Data Bill that would allow results of studies by city agencies to be viewed by the public. District Manager Bob Benfatto then shared his report, noting that the Chelsea Market ULURP application was slated for a hearing at April 16’s CB4 Preservation & Planning Committee meeting (in anticipation of a May 7 vote by the full board). Benfatto also noted that CB4’s Quality of Life com-

212.929.2390 www.stpeterschelsea.com

HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday, April 1, 10 AM Blessing of the Palms, procession and Sung Holy Eucharist 6.30 PM Taize worship (meditative evening service) Maundy Thursday, April 5, 6.30 PM Feet washing ceremony, Sung Holy Eucharist, striping of the Altar, and vigil through the night Good Friday, April 6, 12 noon The Liturgy of Good Friday

Easter Sunday, April 8, 10 AM

Lighting of the Paschal candle, and Festival Choral Eucharist. Easter egg hunt, after the service

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Ides of March fortuitous, for Chelsea Hotel tenants BY BONNIE ROSENSTOCK On March 15, the Chelsea Hotel Tenants Association returned to Housing Court for the fourth time in three months — for what they hoped would be a definitive settlement with their landlord, the Chetrit Group. A few hours later, they pled their case before the Community Board 4 (CB4) Housing, Health & Human Services Committee. In both instances, the tenants appeared to have gained some significant redress. In Housing Court, more than a dozen tenants association members (38 of whom are named in the two orders to show cause) and Chetrit executive Michael Butler listened expectantly as the two sides appeared ready to sign off on an agreement reached prior to the hearing. Janet Ray Kalson, of Himmelstein, McConnell, Gribben, Donoghue & Joseph, once again represented the petitioners/tenants. Fred Daniels, of Daniels, Norelli, Scully and Cecere PC, appeared for the respondents/owners. In the event of a trial, the owners brought in David S. Yudelson (a principal at Sive, Paget & Riesel PC, whose expertise in mold litigation and hazardous materials would be put to use in cross-examining Ed Olmstead of Olmstead Environmental Services, Inc.). In November 2011, Olmstead’s report on the environmental conditions in the hotel found mold, asbestos, high lead levels, crystalline silica and other contaminants. Daniels objected to some of the language

in the stipulation. “It was interesting to me they were having such a hard time agreeing to what they had already agreed to,” said Kalson. “We had worked out an agreement on the mold in one particular apartment that was going to be a protocol for the remediation of mold in all the apartments, and the landlord was trying to water down the language.” There are 14 apartments that have been found to have mold and 106 violations reported in the iconic hotel on West 23rd Street. Judge Peter Wendt said, loudly and slowly as he wrote on Daniels’ copy of the agreement, “All work will be in accordance with all laws, statutes, ordinances and regulations applicable to the subject premises,” so it would “be clear that it was not to be limited to one department’s regulations.” The final agreement stated that the landlord has to correct all Department of Housing Preservation & Development violations of record within a certain amount of time or be subject to civil penalties. “The many other things we are seeking to be corrected, which include the mold and other conditions set out in the Olmstead Report as well as Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Buildings (DOB) violations, he is required to correct. But they are not classified as violations,” explained Kalson. In a March 16 phone interview, Zoe

Julio Tumbaco 646.452.2490 julio@thevillager.com

Pappas (president of the Chelsea Hotel Tenants Association) noted that progress is being made. “The reality is that it’s good for the building because the mold is destroying it as well as the people. “The judge understands the issues very well, and I think the settlement will reach fruition,” she said. In addition to the court case, Kalson sent three letters to DOB Commissioner Robert LiMandri, on February 29, March 2 and March 8, regarding what “may be some improprieties in the filings.” They include the change in the means of egress and enlarging its size (which may encroach on the space of existing hotel rooms and tenants’ apartments); the lack of plumbing permits for removal of gas stoves and other fixtures; projects filed as non-asbestos, when, in January, the DEP placed two sets of violations for asbestos uncovered during construction; and self-certifying work. On this last issue Kalson said, “It looks like the first permit filed was rejected by the DOB, and then the architect self-certifies that everything is done properly and that the DOB doesn’t have to check anything. It certainly appears ripe for abuse.” Although Kalson has yet to receive a response from the DOB, their press secretary, Ryan Fitzgibbon, spoke with Chelsea Now on March 16. “In response to tenants’ letters, the Department is currently auditing the applications filed for the Chelsea Hotel and will take the appropriate action based on the audit’s findings,” she said. “It takes a little bit of time [but a response will be forthcoming] within the coming weeks.” More than 40 residents of the Chelsea Hotel (tenants association members and nonmembers) attended the March 15 meeting of the CB4 Housing, Health & Human Services Committee. Also in attendance were landlord Joseph Chetrit, Butler, Lilly Sirkin (who is the on-site manager), Kathy Cudahy (the Chetrits’ lobbyist) and two representatives from Christine Quinn’s office. Following the meeting, tenants association member Mary Anne Rose noted that the committee set up the proceedings as a moderated communication opportunity between tenants and ownership/management, for the purpose of airing air grievances, “rather like a group of marriage counselors, changing the dialogue and listening habits: an Intervention.” Rose said that tenants expressed frustration at the diminution of services since the Chetrits bought the hotel in August 2011 — such as loss of in-house telephone and maid services, slow response in making small repairs and lack of security. Some tenants recalled their exposure to hazardous conditions during the initial round of demolition and construction of vacant apartments. There was also a long discussion about inaccurate DOB filings, which declared there were either no tenants in the building or no rent-stabilized tenants. Chetrit said he plans to put $20 million into the renovation — and with access to tenants’ apartments, he will bring them up to the modern standard. “This brought up insecurity about how this will be implemented,” said Rose. A committee member asked the landlord

if he knew about the illegal conversion of apartments to hotel rooms. If apartments are demolished and go to rent-value market, it doesn’t mean he is allowed to change them into hotel rooms. “A lot of legality was talked about. It sent a message,” said Pappas. CB4 recommended the creation of two committees. The Construction Committee will consist of the site manager and others, two tenant representatives, plus one representative from CB4’s Housing Committee, and will meet weekly through the construction — which is to recommence shortly. “The landlord wanted to leave communications to the tenant side, but the Housing Committee said no, the landlord must also communicate to the tenants,” said Rose, and that would include notices in their individual mailboxes. On the Management Committee, tenant representatives will meet with management regarding problems with staff, communications, changes, services, etc. “The community board group includes people experienced in housing issues, tenant groups and relations,” noted Rose. “I think they stuck up well for the interests and concerns of the tenants.” It was agreed that Pappas would be on both committees and act as a liaison between CB4 and the other parties. “A lot of things that should have happened at the beginning are happening now,” stated Pappas. “I appreciate that Mr. Chetrit came to the meeting, and I hope he is going to do everything he said. We reached an unbelievable solution that no one would have dreamt about some months ago.” Committee member Pamela Wolff complimented co-chair Barbara Davis on how she handled the meeting and organized the parties extremely well. “It established a more open line of communication between management, the owner and the tenants,” she observed. “Among us all we seem to have come up with ideas that will help this stressful renovation process move along and tenants to reach a better comfort level. I might be a bit naïve, but I am hopeful that going forward there might be better communication. The process worked very well.” There was not much discussion of the proposed two-story rooftop extension, noted Wolff, who is also on the Landmarks Committee. “There were many unanswered questions, and the chair of the committee sent Gene Kaufman, the architect, back home and told him to come back to the next meeting with better information.” That next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21, at 6:30pm. Currently scheduled to take place at 330 West 42nd Street, the location might be changed due to high turnout (see nyc.gov/mcb4 for the latest info). Pappas said, “We made them understand why we needed to go to court, and we made it clear that we wanted to stay here.” Summing up, Rose said, “The committee recognized our tenancies and gave us voice and support, which along with the Housing Court proceedings was a gratifying public confirmation of our existence as tenants.”

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Redistricting removes piece of Chelsea from Duane’s domain BY DONATHAN SALKALN It tugs at one’s gut to witness a politician tear up as he speaks on all his years of accomplishments in a portion of the community he will no longer serve. Such was the case when State Senator Tom Duane addressed the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club’s community meeting on March 15. Earlier that day, Governor Cuomo signed into law new Voter District Maps, one of which removed a significant portion of Chelsea from Tom Duane’s 29th District. As State Senator Tom Duane peered through the windows of the Hudson Guild, he got a little emotional, pointing toward

Every 10 years, the country is required to re-map Voter Districts, to comply with population shifts (reported by the U.S. Census). In New York State, the process can be bi-partisan and sometimes heartless. This time around, many agendas collided in Albany. Governor Cuomo and a group of mayors demanded pension reform. a nearby school. “Long ago, both Christine Quinn and I made it a mission to make PS 33 a better school. We worked hard and it has improved greatly; and although it is no longer in my district, I will not give it up. It is where many of the neighborhood’s children go, and I will continue to visit it.” By law, the 2,500 residents of the John Lovejoy Elliott Houses and Chelsea Houses will no longer be part of Duane’s world. They, and the residents that live between seventh and eighth avenues from 31st to 38th Streets, have been moved to State Senate District 31. It is a community that Duane has served for over 25 years — first as a District Leader, then on the City Council and currently as State Senator. It is a community that will now be represented by State Senator Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat with interests concentrated in Washington Heights.

Every 10 years, the country is required to re-map Voter Districts, to comply with population shifts (reported by the U.S. Census). In New York State, the process can be bipartisan and sometimes heartless. This time around, many agendas collided in Albany. Governor Cuomo and a group of mayors demanded pension reform. The Republicanled Senate was hell-bent on creating an additional Republican-based district upstate. Deals were made and, unfortunately, lost in the process were communities such as Chelsea Elliott houses (which, over the years, have developed so many human connections which will now be severed). Although the New State Assembly Voter District map changed little, with Richard Gottfried’s 75th District shifting slightly south to flush with 14th Street, Chelsea’s Congressional lines did. U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler will now be sharing Chelsea with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. Her district will include all of Chelsea east of Eighth Avenue, while Nadler will continue to serve Chelsea west of Eighth Avenue. Carolyn B. Maloney has served in Congress since 1992 and is a mover and shaker on so many fronts. She has led the charge for credit card and banking reform, co founder of the House 9/11 commission and the 9/11 HealthCare and Compensation Act and has championed domestic and international women’s issues. On a local level, she has steered $7 billion in federal aid to the city, including hundreds of millions of dollars each for two of the largest transit construction projects in the nation (the Second Avenue subway and East Side Access project, both of which run through her district that Chelsea now shares). State Senator Adriano Espaillat has been representing Washington Heights as a Community Board member, then as a State Assemblyman and currently as a State Senator. His political roots can be traced to organizing tenants and advocating for their rights during the 1980s. He made history in 1996, when he became the first DominicanAmerican elected to a state legislature. His Senate highlights include the successful advocacy on behalf of over 2.5 million NYC tenants during the campaign to extend and strengthen rent regulations and the extension of the J-51 Housing Program, which protected tenant from unfair rent hikes. Donathan Salkaln is Vice President of the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club (the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblymember Richard N. Gottfried). The CRDC meets monthly to exchange political ideas in protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@crdcnyc.org.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

City agencies gather to address fate of derelict building Continued from page 1

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as welcome news to neighbors who have filed complaints about the property for the past decade. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have called the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scaffolding company threatening to call NY1, and got no response. Only the Fire Department has come by, and even they said they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lock up the building,â&#x20AC;? said Ellen Levin, who has owned the building next door since 1995. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyone can come and squat there, or be smoking and the whole place could go up in flames. There is an open door, and all of the windows are covered by graffiti.â&#x20AC;? Belgian businessman Errol Rainess owns the building, located at 210 Seventh Avenue. But it has been closed since 2002, along with the Chelsea Espresso Bar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the ground floor business run by Rainessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; late wife. One neighbor noted that the building was a Civil War recruiting station in the 1860s, and features unusual architecture (like copper front bay windows and detailed cornice stones). Rainess has a reputation for not maintaining his properties. In 1984, he purchased Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ross Island from a Maine lumber company, and soon abandoned upkeep on its Grand Harbour Lighthouse â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one of North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest lighthouses, built in 1879. It has gradually descended into total ruin, prompting calls by locals and lighthouse aficionados for ownership to be transferred to a more dutiful custodian. Chelsea residents hoped that a similar fate wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t befall Rainessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; property on 22nd Street and Seventh Avenue, but they were not encouraged by the lack of official response to the situation. The Department of Buildings (DOB) website notes that there are currently 67 complaints filed against the property, most recently on March 16 for a â&#x20AC;&#x153;vacant/open/ unguardedâ&#x20AC;? building. Prior to that, a March 1 complaint noted that the sidewalk shed/ supported scaffold was defective, with no lighting. According to Levin and other neighbors, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scaffolding company has not responded to requests to wire the outdoor shed for lighting, or to clean up the trash in front of the property. At one point early on, one neighbor recalls, top portions of the building under construction were left open to the elements. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The scaffolding was put up by the city because of a loose cornice stone, and no matter how many times I call, they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t call me back. They never bothered to turn on the lights, which makes it unsafe at night, and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get anyone to respond,â&#x20AC;? said Levin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The neighbor and I are always cleaning the sidewalk, and it gets tons of sanitation tickets. [Rainess] must have an amazing lawyer. There is a lot of garbage on Seventh and 22nd every weekend, and no one is taking care of the sidewalks.â&#x20AC;? Repeated calls to NY Interior Construction and Bijoy Construction Corporation to inquire about the lack of upkeep were not

Photo by Scott Stiffler

This decade-old eyesore is finally getting some attention from city agencies and electeds.

responded to. Some community members said they believed the ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reluctance to do basic maintenance might be retribution for other neighbors complaining about the problem in the past. At this point, Levin said she no longer cares whether Rainess fixes the problem or whether the city takes over, as long as the upkeep of the crumbling building is addressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I bought my building in â&#x20AC;&#x2122;95. Rainessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wife was alive then, and running the Chelsea Espresso Shop at bottom, which was nice,â&#x20AC;? said Levin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But now it has been a decade in disrepair. Either Rainess repairs it or the city takes it over. Either way is fine, as long as we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to put up with it. The lights need to be turned on in the scaffolding. Something needs to be done. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an eyesore.â&#x20AC;? Recalling issues brought up at the March 20 meeting, Benfatto noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The DOB and FDNY inspected the place, and made what they call a demo report, but really itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a demolition. What used to be the floor is now the roof, and it is sloping because the joist is rotting, so they want that removed or repaired.â&#x20AC;? According to his report, Speaker Quinnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office worked to put together a multi-agency meeting with the Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD), DOB, FDNY, the Borough Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, Con Edison, members of CB4 and some elected officials. Benfatto said that the owner is paying taxes (but not water or other utilities) on the building, preventing the city from foreclosing on the property. The owner, Rainess, has been located in Florida, he said, and city agencies will file paperwork for him to come make the repairs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They will file in court to do that, and if he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond in 30 days, HPD will issue their own order. If he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond within 60-120 days, then they will hire an outside person to do the repairs themselves, and put a lien on the place.â&#x20AC;? He also noted that the Department of Transportation will work on getting the sidewalk shed removed or the lighting repaired. Benfatto said that the agencies would meet back up in 30-45 days to assess the situation.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Quinn wins school and more; Saves Reiss in Rudin deal BY ALBERT AMATEAU A deal brokered by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn resulted in major concessions in Rudin Management’s residential redevelopment of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital property. As part of the deal that Quinn announced after a March 14 Council committee hearing, the city’s Department of Education has agreed to purchase the seven-story building at 75 Morton Street from New York State and convert it to public school use. The 75 Morton Street agreement does not involve Rudin, but Greenwich Village education advocates, Community Board 2 (CB2) members and Assemblymember Deborah Glick have long demanded that the building be used to ease the shortage of public middle school space in the district. Concessions on the Rudin project include a reduction in the total number of apartments from 450 to 350. Rudin also agreed to reuse the former hospital’s Reiss building on 12th Street instead of demolishing and replacing it with a new 12-story apartment building. The Reiss agreement means that the impact of construction on 12th Street will be reduced because all existing buildings on the street will be reused. Rudin has also agreed to reduce the number of parking spaces in an underground garage planned for 12th Street from 152 to 95. Another perceived neighborhood victory is a Rudin agreement to contribute $1 million for arts programming and projects at two Greenwich Village elementary schools, PS41 (at 11th Street at Sixth Avenue) and PS3 (at Hudson and Grove Streets). In addition, to support affordable housing, Rudin has agreed to donate $1 million to MFY Legal Services to help protect rent-regulated tenants in the Village. Rudin has also agreed to transfer the ownership of the proposed triangle park on the west side of Seventh Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets to the Department of Parks. A spokesperson for the developer noted that as a city park, the triangle couldn’t be used for other purposes. Moreover, Rudin has agreed for a public process involving CB2 to review a design for an AIDS memorial in the triangle. Regarding the retail uses proposed for its high-rise residential building on the west side of Seventh Avenue, Rudin has agreed to prohibit retail signage on 12th Street and to restrict signage on 11th Street. Quinn recalled at the March 14 news conference that elected officials and Village activists two years ago “lost a long and valiant fight to keep our beloved St. Vincent’s open.” But while she promised to continue to advocate for a full-service hospital, she welcomed the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System’s Comprehensive Care Center and 24-hour emergency department planned for the O’Toole building on the west side of Seventh Avenue. “The agreement reached today between the City Council, Rudin Development and the Bloomberg administration will bring educational capacity, open space, historic preservation

and major community victories,” Quinn said. Brad Hoylman, chairperson of CB2 — which in October voted to disapprove the upzoning needed for the Rudin project — said the agreement went a long way to meeting the board’s basic issues: affordable housing, public schools and open public space. Hoylman also promised that the fight for a full-service hospital would continue. Bill Rudin, CEO of the development company, said, “Today’s vote puts us one step closer not only to bringing these benefits to fruition, but returning quality healthcare to the Village, creating more that 1,600 jobs and revitalizing the small businesses that were so negatively impacted by St. Vincent’s closure.” Quinn also thanked Assemblymember Glick, state Senator Tom Duane, Borough President Scott Stringer and Congressmember Jerrold Nadler for their efforts regarding 75 Morton Street. Hoylman also paid tribute to Glick on the Morton Street deal and lauded the efforts of

‘The agreement reached today between the City Council, Rudin Development and the Bloomberg administration will bring educational capacity, open space, historic preservation and major community victories,’ Quinn said.

Village public school parents and CB2 members, especially Keen Berger, a leading member of the board’s Education Committee and its former chairperson. Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, had some doubts about Rudin’s promise to preserve the Reiss building for residential use. “Whatever Rudin does will have to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission,” said Berman. He noted however that Landmarks Preservation had called Reiss “noncontributing” to the character of the Greenwich Village Historic District. The commission usually approves demolition of “noncontributing” buildings, Berman said. “We hope there is some explicit and enforceable agreement between the Council and the developer about the preservation of Reiss and what that means,” Berman said. Christopher Tepper and Paul Kelterborn, cofounders of the AIDS Memorial Park Coalition, said they were pleased with the Wednesday agreement. The coalition conducted a landscape competition earlier this year for an AIDS memorial in the proposed triangle park.

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Models used for illustrative purposes only

March 21 - April 3, 2012

EDITORIAL Don’t put FiDi in a lockdown! As we watch the World Trade Center towers rise into the air, we are all the more reminded of the need for tight and high-tech security to fend off a third terrorist attack once the site is fully reopened to the public. We applaud the NYPD’s Counterterrorism Bureau for devising a tangible security plan for the site’s perimeter that would bar unauthorized vehicles from entering the WTC. We also commend the NYPD for recognizing the need for an environmental impact statement to assess the plan’s effects on the neighborhood. However, we are deeply concerned about the vastness of the current plan, which stretches westward from Church to West Street and southward from Barclay to Thames Street. The possible side effects could severely decrease the quality of life for Downtown residents and businesses. The proposed configuration of security checkpoints and “secure” lanes bordering the site are likely to exacerbate traffic in an already heavily trafficked area. Increased congestion, in turn, could worsen air pollution, slow deliveries to local businesses and, in the worst case, jeopardize lives by hindering ambulances from responding to emergencies. For neighborhood residents, the proposed plan could also result in unnecessary inconveniences, such as making it harder to hail a cab. As is, the proposal would conceivably dissuade taxis from venturing Downtown in search of passengers. This point was made clear by several cab drivers at last week’s public hearing on the plan. In short, the current plan violates the city’s and the WTC designer’s promise to provide unimpeded vehicular and pedestrian access to the area and instead creates a lockdown scenario that could deter people from visiting Downtown and patronizing its businesses. As a result, it could put a crimp on the rebuilding of a living, breathing neighborhood that is still recovering financially and emotionally from 9/11. Greenwich Street, which has suffered since the Port Authority severed it 1966 to make way for the original WTC, should also be considered when discussing the idea of connectedness and access around the site. In 2009 the Downtown Alliance recognized the potential that a new WTC site offered and released a study that proposed reopening Greenwich Street and allowing it to serve as a continuous artery from the Battery all the way to Chelsea. The goal was to allow Greenwich Street to be a destination neighborhood, let it thrive as a vital part of Downtown and reconnect it with the Lower West Side. We wholeheartedly support Community Board 1’s request for a Community Advisory Council, which would enable area residents and merchants to have a say in the plan’s revision. We also side with CB1 in imploring the NYPD to avoid replicating at the WTC the fortress-like setup of barriers around Park Row. As CB1 accurately points out, since 9/11, Park Row has become a no man’s land of bollards and other barricades that have caused more congestion in the vicinity and have disconnected parts of Downtown from the Lower East Side. Together, the community and the NYPD must formulate a new plan that will balance security with necessary movement and access in and around the WTC site. This type of collaboration is essential for the creation of a plan that would both successfully protect the WTC and ensure the quality of life for neighborhood residents and business owners not be reduced.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Quinn should seize opportunity To The Editor: Thank you for this excellent statement. Jamestown’s proposal is predicated on a zoning change that has absolutely zero urban planning merit. It would make a mockery of zoning’s basic purpose by placing private enrichment above the public good. Let’s hope Speaker Quinn seizes this opportunity to distinguish herself as a leader for New York. She might well earn game-changing loyalty from those of us who are fed up watching real estate drive politics in this city. David Holowka

Co-Op: Opt out of supporting Chelsea Market expansion To The Editor: The editorial in the March 6 issue is right on! We are board members of a limited equity HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corp.) co-op on West 17th Street, near Chelsea Market. Our HDFC is the successful result of a struggle beginning in the 1970s by the tenants and community against a greed-motivated landlord who attempted to drive out the tenants in order to create luxury housing. To us, the Jamestown plan is déjà vu. The proposal to greatly expand the Chelsea Market building is purely driven by profit. It will not benefit our neighborhood. We already feel the pressures of development that make it practically impossible for a building like ours to exist in today’s Chelsea. Particularly galling to us is that Jamestown’s proposal requires the changing of a carefully prepared and negotiated zoning plan balancing development and the needs of the community. Why should Jamestown receive this permission? It should not. Our elected officials and the City Planning Commission shouldn’t consider for even a moment this proposal to help Jamestown fill its coffers. Norma Aviles and Robert Martin

Penn South cooperators cared for To The Editor, CHEERS FOR PENN SOUTH! I say three (at least) cheers for those who made it possible to continue life as we’ve known it at Penn South, despite the fact that a massive job was in our future. We got the news…the safe removal of

asbestos and replacement of our entire heating and cooling infrastructure in every one of our ten buildings, from the 21st floor right down to the 1st floor. In every room, the heating and cooling pipes located inside the walls had to be removed and replaced in order to prevent growing problems with leaks in that system — a job that seemed to be fraught with problems and difficulties for cooperators. If you are one of those lucky cooperators who live at Penn South, the news that this enormous project was about take place became a source of great concern to one and all. This was a situation that could mean disruption of life as we knew it. Life would not go on as we have known it. It sounded like a nightmare…opening walls…replacing pipes inside walls… this meant clearing all surfaces and walls, moving furniture, rugs, etc. Any pets? Find temporary quarters! It was a job that would take months to be completed in each apartment, years to be completed in all ten buildings. But it needed to be done. So far, my experience has been that each and every one involved in this major effort, could not have been more helpful…willing to go the extra distance to make this as painless as possible. Need assistance…information…boxes for storage? A phone call away. No access to your home during time that walls were coming down? Head to the “comfort room”…comfy couches, coffee and bagels, big screen TV. The comfort and safety of cooperators was a priority. Our management has come through with flying colors, so let’s hear it for Penn South! Gloria Sukenick

Floating ice cube not worth the trickle down To The Editor: If Jamestown’s plan were to build a new state of the art hospital in that (proposed) ridiculous floating ice cube on top of the old Nabisco building, it MIGHT be reason to consider breaching our hard won zoning laws. But what civic good can possibly be claimed for yet another zillion square feet of office space, or chic hotel? Is this the trickle down theory? Please! Pamela Wolff

GVSHP says stop before ULURP To The Editor: Thank you to Chelsea Now for its forceful and on-target editorial “Chelsea Market plan should be stopped before ULURP.” As the editorial said, this plan

is fundamentally flawed — it would ruin an iconic and historic structure, cast a shadow over the High Line and add crowds and traffic to an already overdeveloped area. Thousands of New Yorkers have signed petitions, written letters and sent e-mails to city officials urging them to oppose this plan. The current zoning for this site prohibits the type of development Jamestown Properties is proposing, and it would only happen if the City Planning Commission and the City Council vote to overturn those rules and allow these massive and unnecessary additions to be built. It is clear that this is the wrong plan for the wrong location. As Chelsea Now eloquently stated, this proposal should not reach the ULURP process, and city officials should tell Jamestown to drop their pursuit of this misguided proposal. Andrew Berman Executive Director, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

NAC calls out reckless bicyclists To The Editor Incidents involving reckless bicycling behaviors are becoming increasingly dangerous in Chelsea. We regularly see bicyclists running red lights, disobeying traffic laws and traveling in the opposite direction of traffic. These behaviors pose a significant safety risk to community residents, especially the most vulnerable among us, including the elderly, the disabled and children. Pedestrians are at risk of being run over, and the bicyclists themselves are in danger of crashing and/or hurting themselves. We, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) of Hudson Guild, are a group of individuals who represent various constituencies from Hudson Guild, the Robert Fulton and Elliott Chelsea NYCHA developments, and the greater Chelsea community. In recent meetings we have discussed this issue and we are trying to shed light on these unsafe riding practices of bicyclists in our community. By raising awareness about this issue, we hope that the police will give a greater priority to enforcing existing traffic laws. In addition, we hope that local businesses who employ cyclists will emphasize the importance of abiding by these laws. We encourage other concerned NYC residents to visit safebikelanesnyc. tumblr.com to share their experiences regarding this issue. Larry Littman, President Hudson Guild’s Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Continued on page 9

March 21 - April 3, 2012

TALKING POINT

Why Chelsea Market must grow Editor’s Note: After March 7’s editorial (“Chelsea Market plan should be stopped before ULURP”), we reached out to Jamestown Properties with an offer to respond via a Talking Point. They accepted, and sent the following: As the owners of two very different kinds of businesses in Chelsea Market, we have watched it grow and change over the years and become a driving force in reviving the neighborhood and turning it into vibrant hub of retail stores and offices. Housed in a collection of 17 old Nabisco factory buildings, its 33 retailers attract 120,000 visitors a week to well-known food shops and wholesalers and retailers selling everything from baked goods and gourmet foods to prime meats and fresh lobster. It’s also home to 20 media and tech companies including Google, Food Network, Oxygen Media and New York 1 News. Because of its 30-foot ceilings, HBO filmed the prison show “Oz” in the market, generating even more revenue for the entire neighborhood. All told, the market provides 3,500 jobs right now. The problem is that Chelsea is simply out of room, including Chelsea Market’s office space, which is fully leased. Our shops and tech and media firms need room to grow and

Continued from page 8

Quinn and Burden should heed editorial’s appeal To The Editor: Save Chelsea is writing to applaud Chelsea Now on the March 6 editorial entitled “Chelsea Market plan should be stopped before ULURP,” which so effectively presented the numerous reasons why residents of Chelsea, and neighborhoods to the north and south, are so adamantly opposing Jamestown Properties’ proposal to rezone and expand the historic Chelsea Market. Beyond clarifying the many valid points of opposition, the editorial directly appeals to both Speaker Quinn, also Chelsea’s City Council representative, and City Planning Commissioner Burden, not to allow this ill conceived proposal to be certified. We are very grateful to our own community newspaper,

thrive — not just for their sake, but for the good of the neighborhood and the city as a whole. For those reasons, we fully support the plans of Chelsea Market’s owners, Jamestown Properties, to build 240,000 square feet of office space to attract new business and allow the existing shops to accommodate the growing numbers of visitors to once-dangerous and once-desolate sections of the neighborhood. Failure to allow Chelsea Market to expand would stifle neighborhood growth and do irreparable harm to the area. On the other hand, the expansion would create 1,200 new permanent jobs, 600 construction jobs and generate $7 million yearly in additional real estate taxes. It also would mean $20 million worth of support for the High Line, which has grown into a popular tourist destination. Construction alone will result in more than $300 million in spending citywide. The market’s first floor is a mix of familyowned businesses and food shops that serve and compliment the neighborhood at large and the office workers in the five floors above. The workers supply a steady stream of customers to the retailers, having only to pop into an elevator and go downstairs for lunch, dinner or a snack. That synergy, along with

business from nearby store and office workers and the local community, fuels a remarkable success story. Take our two companies as examples: one a traditional, but innovative family-owned food wholesaler and retailer; the other, a new start-up tech company that has grown with amazing speed. The Lobster Place was one of Chelsea Market’s original tenants, doing mostly wholesale distribution when it opened in the ’90s. As Chelsea Market grew and helped resuscitate the Chelsea community, the company flourished. Having twice been included on the Inc. Magazine list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US, it moved the bulk of its wholesale distribution operations to a state of the art facility in Hunts Point and expanded its retail presence in the Market into the one of a kind store it is today. All the while, the company has remained a family owed business, committed to the well-being of its employees and active within the local Chelsea community. Today, The Lobster Place employs more than 100 people across the entire business — 57 alone at Chelsea Market, where it serves seafood, sushi, chowders and prepared foods to more than 2,000 customers daily.

Yext is a fast-growing advertising technology company that helps businesses monitor their reputation online and stand out in Internet searches. Started in 2006, it grew more than 2,600 percent between 2008 and 2011, going from nine employees to 85. Its annual revenues grew from $864,000 in 2007 to an astounding $23.4 million in 2010. In 2011, Inc. Magazine voted Yext the 10th fastest-growing company in New York City. Many companies in Chelsea Market share similar success stories, growing and serving more than six million customers annually, creating thousands of jobs and pumping millions and millions of dollars into the economy and city coffers. We must allow Chelsea Market to continue its role as an incubator to small businesses and startups while solidifying Chelsea as a vibrant, energetic neighborhood, tourist destination and the heart of the city’s burgeoning tech and media industries. To do otherwise would be foolish.

Chelsea Now, for stepping up to the plate, boldly itemizing Chelsea’s major concerns, and pressing home the fact that “If granted, Jamestown’s proposal will compromise the Special West Chelsea District’s integrity, and almost certainly embolden developers to make the case for their own vertical expansion projects. If allowed, this project will cast a long, lasting and unwelcome shadow on all of Chelsea.” We sincerely hope that both Speaker Quinn and Commissioner Burden will heed this appeal. Bravo!

the New York City Planning Department does not believe that nature exists here — or, if there is money to be made, doesn’t care. In fact, Manhattan Island, especially along the rivers, is a flight path for migrating birds and the monarch butterfly. The addition of tall buildings along the waterfront is a crime against nature as the buildings significantly add to bird mortality. For example, during the day, reflections from the buildings’ shiny surfaces blind birds, or the birds, instead of seeing the building, see the sky and clouds reflected on it. At night, especially when there is fog, indoor lights confuse birds into interpreting the lights as pathways through tree branches. Birds then fly directly to the light and crash into the building. New York City Audubon, which began its “Lights Out NY” campaign in 2005, estimates that “90,000 birds die in collisions with buildings here each year.” Not only do we not need to build any more tall buildings in our neighborhood, the addition of wind turbines on rooftops, reach-

ing stories into the sky, along this migratory flight path would be a cruel step in the wrong direction. While it’s wonderful for buildings to become more green, and even as wind turbines have been improved so as to lower the mortality rate of birds, we need new standards to make buildings safer for birds. City households, to help prevent needless bird deaths, can draw their drapes in the evening (especially during migration times — spring migration is starting now), not put trees inside a glass wall or window and use fritting (placing designs, frosting, etc. on glass). For more information go to flap.org/.

Save Chelsea

Please, think of the birds! To The Editor: The possibility of wind turbines being installed anywhere in Manhattan is alarming. While many municipalities are doing what they can to minimize dangers and help birds safely navigate a high-rise city, it appears that

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Member of the National Newspaper Association Chelsea Now is published biweekly by Community Media LLC, 515 Canal Street, Unit 1C, New York, N.Y. 10013 (212) 229-1890. Annual subscription by mail in Manhattan and Brooklyn $75. Single copy price at office and newsstands is 50 cents. The entire contents of newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2010 Community Media LLC, Postmaster: Send address changes to Chelsea Now, 145 Sixth Ave., First Fl., New York, N.Y. 10013.

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Howard Lerman CEO and co-founder of Yext and Ian MacGregor Owner and president of The Lobster Place

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March 21 - April 3, 2012

Two suspects arrested in murder of John Laubach BY ALBERT AMATEAU Two men suspected of murdering John Laubach, 57, in his West 22nd Street apartment on Friday, March 2 were apprehended in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, March 15 after detectives (alerted by a Crime Stoppers tip) tracked them on their cell phone signals. Edwin Faulkner, 30, and Juan Carlos Martinez-Herrera, 26, were extradited to New York. On Sunday, March 18, they were arraigned on murder charges, in Manhattan Criminal Court. The suspects, who had been living at Laubachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment (near Seventh Avenue) on his invitation for a couple of weeks, bound and gagged the victim, tied him to his bed and strangled him, according to the complaint. They fled with his laptop computer, credit cards and jewelry, and hocked the jewelry at a pawn shop (on 14th Street, near Seventh Avenue), where a clerk phoned police, according to reports. One of the suspects was caught on an ATM surveillance tape trying to use the stolen bank card and one suspect tried to use a stolen card at a Bronx diner two days after the murder, according to daily newspaper reports. Both suspects have records of previous arrests.

Edwin Faulkner (left) and Juan Carlos Martinez-Herrera are accused of killing floral designer John Laubach.

Photo by Jefferson Siegel

March 21 - April 3, 2012

POLICE BLOTTER GRAND LARCENY: Stud stole her studs A 42-year-old female resident of W. 17th St. reported to police that she when she returned home from a business trip, she discovered that her male friend (an unlikely candidate for future house sitting gigs) had brought a male stranger back to the apartment — where that male allegedly stole her diamond stud earrings (valued at $1,000) and a laptop (valued at $3,000). In a separate report, the house sitter, a 48-year-old male, told police he met his sticky-fingered companion at a nearby bar. In addition to absconding his friend’s earrings and laptop, the barfly also took off with the man’s ATM/ Visa card — making $1,071.47 in unauthorized charges.

CRIMINAL POSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: Pills and powder At approximately 1am on Sat., March 3, police observed a 26-year-old male on the northeast corner of 9th Ave. and W. 14th St. — as he approached several persons, offering them cocaine. When asked to provide identification, the man produced a state ID card, from Florida (which had his picture, but not his real name). The defendant was in possession of 21 Ziploc bags of cocaine (approximately 2 grams) and 56 hydromorphone hydrochloride pills (Little Ds).

GRAND LARCENY: Purse nightmare at Dream Hotel While dining with friends at the Dream Hotel (335 W. 16th St.), at 8pm on Sat., March 3, a 25-year-old resident of Manhattan left the table for a few moments — leaving behind her purse, which was on a couch next to the table (along with her various items belonging to the friends). When the woman later went to retrieve her cell phone

from the purse, she realized it was gone. Lost: $2,480 worth of valuables (a $1,000 purse, an iPhone 4S valued at $707, a $500 wallet, $170 in cash and a MetroCard worth $104).

ASSAULT: Christopher St. pugilist nails nose A 25-year-old man was charged with assault, for punching a 60-year-old man in the nose — on Christopher St., at Seventh Ave. South, at 8:30pm on Sun., March 11.

Silver backs gun buyback Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver last week called on Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. to sponsor a gun buyback program in response to several recent shooting incidents on the Lower East Side. In his March 7 letter to law enforcement officials, Silver said that many constituents, particularly New York City Housing Authority tenants, have raised alarms about gun violence in the neighborhood. “I believe it is time to take further action to combat this scourge,” Silver said. “Your offices have run successful gun buybacks in the past and this has proved to be an effective and popular method for removing guns from our communities. “The community room at Rutgers Houses [200 Madison St.] would be a perfect location and the tenant association leadership has indicated its support,” the Assembly speaker said. A spokesperson for Vance said the D.A. is checking on the feasibility of the request and fully agrees with Silver that gun buybacks are effective and popular ways to get guns out of communities. Last fall, the D.A.’s Office hosted a gun buyback program with police that removed 130 illegal guns from the streets, the D.A. said. The district attorney also launched a youth basketball program last fall for teenagers in Harlem. The program, which followed the takedown of several Harlem drug and gun crews, was funded with seized drug money.

Vance’s office replicated that program on the Lower East Side this winter, expanding it to include Friday and Saturday nights. Other Manhattan locations are also possible in the future, the spokesperson said. In addition, the D.A.’s Office created an intern program in Harlem for teens 12 to 16 years old with field trips to television stations and other media and to universities.

—Alber t Amateau and Scott Stiffler

CASH FOR GUNS $100 cash will be given (no questions asked) for each handgun, assault weapon or sawed-off shotgun; up to a maximum payment of $300. Guns are accepted at any Police Precinct, PSA or Transit District.

CRIME STOPPERS If you have info regarding a crime committed or a wanted person, call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, text “TIP577” (plus your message) to “CRIMES” (274637) or submit a tip online at nypdcrimestoppers.com.

THE 10th PRECINCT Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Elisa Cokkinos. Main number: 212-7418211. Community Affairs: 212-7418226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226. Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216. Youth Officer: 212-741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-741-8210. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council Meeting takes place at 7pm on the last Wed. of the month. The next meeting is March 28.

THE 13th PRECINCT Located at 230 E. 21st St. (btw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Ted Bernsted. Call 212-477-7411. Community Affairs: 212-477-7427. Crime Prevention: 212-477-7427. Domestic Violence: 212-477-3863. Youth Officer: 212-477-7411. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-477-4380. Detective Squad: 212-477-7444. The Community Council Meeting takes place at 6:30pm on the third Tues. of the month. The next meeting is April 17.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Xavier musicians win ‘Choice’ awards BY SCOTT STIFFLER With tough but fair assessments in hand, an ensemble of Xavier High School jazz musicians recently returned from Boston — where they participated in the Berklee College of Music’s 44th Annual High School Jazz Festival. The largest of its kind in the U.S., the event brought together over 3,000 students from 200 bands and vocal ensembles. “We didn’t ‘place’ as an ensemble. The competition was extremely strong and the judging rubrics were well thought out, but weighted on improvisation,” said Dr. William Pace, director of Xavier’s Instrumental Music Program. In an email to Chelsea Now sent shortly after the March 10 competition, Pace demonstrated his own improv chops by sharing a recently crafted strategy for 2013. “Next year, we’ll only have our best students improvise at that concert,” Pace vowed. “We also need to improve our scoring for Intonation and Balance. Both the students and I are inspired to attend next year, and we’ll also submit a small ensemble, which is a category that I think we’re particularly strong in.” While the ensemble didn’t place, the talents of two Xavier students were recognized with Judge’s Choice awards. Senior Akeem Innis won for his drumming and bass playing, and sophomore Tom Petito, for his drumming. Jazz aficionados and casual fans alike (and perhaps some new converts) can hear the work of Innis and Petito — along with the other members of Xavier’s Music Program — when the students present their annual Spring Concert. It takes place Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, at 7pm each night. The concerts are held in the Xavier gymnasium (30 West 16th Street). The suggested Photos by Dr. William Pace donation is $8. For more information, visit xavierjazz. Sophomore Tom Petito received a Judge’s Choice award Senior Akeem Innis received a Judge’s Choice award for weebly.com. for drumming.

drumming and bass playing.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Photo by Mat Zucker

192’s book buyer, Alice, helps the choosy choose great reads.

Boundless love for five small businesses BY MAT ZUCKER Crowded and quiet, charming and ugly in parts, Chelsea’s a funny neighborhood. My errands take me all over the place, seeking out the familiar and hoping for the new. Perhaps it’s the fragile economy or simply my decadelong loyalty to Chelsea (or maybe a little bit of both) — but more and more, I find myself intentionally visiting local businesses in the neighborhood. On my latest visit, I discovered some new things about these familiar places.

192 BOOKS 192 Tenth Avenue (at W. 21st St.). Open daily, 11am-7pm. Visit 192books.com or call 212-255-4022. As the bookstore empires implode, I become even more appreciative of the neighborhood gems, both in what they offer and in who’s behind the counter. 192 Books is owned by editor Jack Macrae and gallery owner Paula Cooper. Their taste, and that of their book buyer Alice, fills this small bookstore with style and warmth. Art books are obviously a strength and set the aesthetic, but so are new novels and other nonfiction. There’s even a whole table of translations. Alice briefed me on some of the criteria of choosing what to display in a small space like theirs. “It has to be literary,” she noted. “I think I want people to learn something, not just be entertained” she added, showing me how she mixes in acclaimed new releases and old favorites. As she spoke, I also stumbled across a collection of short stories by my college writing professor Stephanie Vaughn, which I hadn’t seen in years. What I hadn’t known was that 192 hosts a regular author reading series. Past guests include big names like Hari Kunzru, Geoff Dyer and John Jeremiah Sullivan. I went to the one with Hari Kunzru (I loved his novel “Translation”). He lives in the hood, and 192 is his local bookshop. Sitting around a semi-circle with 20 other folks, the reading was an intimate 45-minute experience with an accomplished writer — hard to replicate anywhere else.

Continued on page 15

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Image courtesy of City of New York and Friends of the High Line

As the High Line passes over 11th Avenue at West 30th Street, visitors will find lush plantings, bench seating, a unique play feature for kids and a new stair that provides access to the street, as well as a series of overlooks to take in views of the High Line, the cityscape and the Hudson River.

High Line making room for new views Continued from page 1 The main route of the High Line as it reaches the rail yards turns west at 10th Avenue, opening a view of the Hudson River. The fully designed segment, with plantings, seating and play features that echo the park’s first two segments, will cross 11th Avenue and continue over the Western Rail Yards as an interim walkway. The interim section will be a simple path slightly elevated over the wind-sown grasses and wildflowers that have grown on the surface of the viaduct since it was closed to rail freight traffic around 1980. In terms of the loop around the Western Rail Yards, “interim” means from five to 15 years. The Western Rail Yards are to have lower-rise residential development in the coming years. At the March 12 design forum, the simple interim path floating above the existing steel rails and wild flowers with a view to the river was a favorite of many who asked if it could be permanent. But Robert Hammond, a co-founder of Friends of the High Line, said that drainage work and remediation of lead paint on the structure would be necessary in the near future. The success of the High Line was another issue for people who cited how crowded the relatively narrow paths of the first two segments have been since their openings in 2009 and 2011.

“It’s a balancing act,” responded Corner. “The biggest challenge is the ratio between soft and hard.” The more hard surface there is for people to walk on, the less soft surface there is for plants, Corner explained. Regarding crowds, he said, “We hope in the next few years it will calm down.” The audience, which Hammond estimated to number more than 200, skeptically laughed. The design is an ongoing process and the project depends on zoning changes being considered by the city, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (which owns the yards) and The Related Companies regarding the redevelopment of the yards. The rail yards development project will add more than 12 million square feet of new office, residential, retail and cultural uses to the site. If the zoning is approved, Related would fund about 30 percent of the estimated $90 million cost of the High Line’s final section. Friends of the High Line has raised $38 million for the third section. Also helping fund the park’s final part, Donald Pels and Wendy Keys have donated $5 million; Tiffany & Co. Foundation donated $5 million; and the Diller von Furstenberg Family Foundation made a $20 million pledge. Friends also raises private funds to support more than 90 percent of the park’s annual budget. Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said that in excess of $100 million in taxpayers’ money has come from the city, state and federal governments for the High Line.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Five small businesses you should know Continued from page 13

APPELLATION WINE & SPIRITS 156 Tenth Avenue (at W. 19th St.). Hors: Sun.-Mon., 12-8pm; Tues.-Sat., 11am-10pm. Visit appellationnyc.com or call 212741-9474. Bryan and I have a favorite wine store in practically every Manhattan neighborhood, but the one closest to our hearts is the one closest to home. Scott Pactor opened Appellation before the High Line was even open, feeling like this stretch of 10th Avenue was woefully underserved with grapes. Our dog Ezra Pound often accompanies me, he heading for the complimentary dog biscuit (as I head for the neat racks of bottles, many of which are organic or eco-friendly). I am so focused on finding a new white to try, what I hadn’t realized was that Scott’s been holding wine classes for customers for over a year and a half in their in-store classroom. What seems unique about Appellation classes is that top sommeliers around the city help lead them. These are passionate wine experts who, in restaurants, only get a few minutes with customers. But in a class setting, they can get a real dialogue going with folks thirsty for a more knowledge about what they’re drinking. Check Appellation’s web site for upcoming classes (they’re about $45), or pop in anytime for a friendly recommendation on something good.

A playful chalkboard doles out advice, when it’s not promoting Appellation’s unique tasting classes.

Photos by Mat Zucker

With the iconic Bayadere pattern from their hometown, Sandrine and Jean-Luc brings Chelsea everything under the sun.

luc Carrucciu and Sandrine Guibert, who sell pretty much everything you can think of with the striped Bayadere pattern — iconic for the Catalan region on the French side near the Spanish border: pillows, bags, notebooks, stuffed animals, espadrilles for summer and, of course, Kindle and iPad covers. Sandrine was raised with this pattern, and Jean-Luc simply loved the fabric. Together, they decided to bring it here. Like New York, European cities and their fashion can be dark, Sandrine explained, but the insides of people’s homes are very colorful. In fact, bringing color to Chelsea is a bit of a mission for them: “When you see colors, you are alive,” she added. “Your pillows, they can wake you up.” Why Chelsea? I asked Sandrine. “The people are nice,” she offered sweetly. What I didn’t know is that they also customize and tailor the fabric. So if you’re aching to reupholster a sad old chair or want your tablecloth a certain length, ask them about that. And if you simply need to cheer yourself up, just walk in.

LES TOILES DU SOLEIL

STICK & POP

261 W. 19th St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves.). Hours: Mon.-Sat., 12-8pm; Sun., 12-6pm. Visit lestoilesdusoleilnyc.com or call 212229-4730. Just a few doors in from Eighth Avenue on West 19th Street is a window of bold stripes and bright colors. Les Toiles Du Soleil is where my husband Bryan and I, both incurable Francophiles, first found table linens that quickly cheered up our dining room. Opened in 2008, the shop is run by Jean-

233 W.19th St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves.). hours: Tues.-Fri., 12-8pm; Sat.-Sun., 12-6pm; closed Mondays. Visit stickandpop. com or call 646-481-4767. Cake on a stick? Yum. Jacki Caponigro and Christy Nyberg have had their online store for their delicious cake pops for more than a year — and just opened a walk-in storefront on 19th Street. Jacki is Stick & Pop’s head chef, origi-

Jacki and Christy, making their signature cake pops in their new storefront kitchen.

OPEN THINKING | ON A NEW SCHOOL OF THOUGHT No. 5 IN A SERIES

CAN PHYSICAL EDUCATION BE A CATALYST IN THE CLASSROOM? By Jennifer Inniss Athletics and Physical Education Director, Avenues When many of us were in school, physical education was simply “gym.” Leading educators today see it as so much more — because there is much to be gained when a dialog is established between teachers in physical education and those in academics. Students who lack confidence in the classroom can often gain that confidence by becoming leaders in a physical education program. Find out more about Jennifer Inniss’ thoughts on the role of physical education at www.avenues.org/inniss. You’ll find articles, videos, interviews and details on parent information events hosted by the leadership team of Avenues: The World School. Avenues is opening this fall in Chelsea. It will be the first of 20 campuses in major cities, educating children ages three to 18 with a global perspective.

WWW.AVENUES.ORG

Continued on page 17

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Photo by Carlye Waxman, RD

Turmeric (seen here with cauliflower and purple sweet potatoes) can have a yellowish tint, so be careful not to stain your fingers.

Roast with ginger, but remove when eating the dish (it can have a harsh taste on its own).

Flavoring food without the high cost of calories BY CARLYE WAXMAN, RD I thought twice before writing an article about spices, which is a topic that can make a person snore. So I’ll make this short and sweet (no pun intended), targeting five great spices that will maximize the nutritional and flavor potency of vegetables in season. Since vegetables can be bland and unful-

filling on their own, we’re often tempted to use butter and olive oil to bring out their best flavor. Spices are a good way to add flavor without the fat, calories and sodium. I like retrieving spices from the Chelsea Market. Choose small quantities at the Nutbox and pay cents rather than over $10 for a jar you may never use again. Once you

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pick a spice you want to use more of, buy a small, fresh package from the Manhattan Fruit Exchange. After six months, spices may lose their potency and flavor. Light may affect these properties as well, so store spices in a dark, cool place.

CINNAMON Cinnamon comes from a tree bark. Some studies show that it aids in blood sugar control for diabetics. One teaspoon per day can also help reduce cholesterol. We already know this spice maximizes the sweetness of butternut squash, yams and sweet potatoes — but cinnamon also works in savory dishes with beets and carrots. Coating a piece of salmon with cinnamon and grilling it brings a new, brilliant flavor to your meal.

GINGER This spice can help reduce nausea, so it’s great for those with morning sickness, hangovers and your occasional day at sea! Ginger and cinnamon are great companions, but isolating this spice and using it in savory dishes brings a great exotic flavor. Ginger can be an intimidating spice if you buy it whole — but just peel, chop, then add to dishes with mushrooms, cauliflower and asparagus. Ginger goes great with lentils and pumpkin.

NUTMEG There have been studies trying to determine its effect on digestive health. Since nutmeg has such a strong aroma, it is used as a precursor for fragrance in the perfume industry! In American dishes, we use this spice for sweets and baked goods — but nutmeg can also work in savory dishes that give a Middle Eastern or Indian flavor to your cooking. Make a spilt pea soup with nutmeg.

SAGE In Latin, it means “to be saved.” Sage is widely known for its medicinal properties

and nutritional potency. Its antioxidants help to reduce inflammation, so it can be good for those with arthritis or asthma. Studies have shown sage can help you remember! Just two teaspoons will give you about 30 percent of your daily vitamin K (which aids in blood clotting). Adding it at the end of most dishes keeps its essence. Its flavor is minty. Add sage, butter and fresh-squeezed lemon to roasted eggplant hot from the oven.

TURMERIC This is one of my absolute favorites (even though it can stain your fingers). Studies have shown that turmeric can help lower cholesterol by interfering with its oxidation process. It has also been thought to reduce risk of prostate cancer when combined with cauliflower. Combined with onions, turmeric may reduce risk of colon cancer. Get sick often? Keeping this spice in your diet can help boost your immunity. It has an Indian or Thai curry flavor without the strong after taste. I love roasting my root vegetables with turmeric, cinnamon and a small amount of salt and olive oil. Another great thing to do: Add this spice to poor, colorless cauliflower and roast in the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees F. The cauliflower will brown and taste like you added cheddar (without the cheddar).

RECIPE: GINGERED PUMPKIN RED LENTILS Makes 4 servings (calories per serving, 200) Ingredients: 2 tsp of chopped fresh ginger 1 tbsp olive oil ½ white onion 1 tsp salt ½ bag of red lentils, soaked and drained 1 can pumpkin puree 2 cups of vegetable broth 2 cups of water DIRECTIONS: Heat olive oil in a sauce-

Continued on page 17

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Spring into spices! Continued from page 16 pan on high heat. Add ginger and cook for a few minutes. Add onion and salt. Once the onion becomes translucent (approximately 3 minutes), add lentils for one minute and stir. Add pumpkin puree and stir for one minute. Add 2 cups of broth and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, simmer and cover. Keep on low heat for approximately 30 minutes. Blend with an immersion blender once cooled.

RECIPE: SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH NUTMEG Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp nutmeg 1 celery stalk, chopped 1 small white onion, chopped ½ bag of split peas, soaked and drained ½ bag of baby carrots DIRECTIONS: Combine the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Cook until the onion is translucent. Add peas, and cook for 1 minute. Add 4-5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to simmer, add carrots and cover for 30-40 minutes. Once cooled, pulse in a food processor or blender. If you don’t have a blender, this dish works well chunky.

Photo by Mat Zucker

Paws is fun, day or night, for four-legged friends.

Big love for small businesses Continued from page 15 Photo by Carlye Waxman, RD

Spices, at The Nutbox (in Chelsea Market) — and not a shaker of salt in sight.

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nally working in fashion and then graduating from the French Culinary Institute. Christy was a designer and worked in advertising like me, which partly explains why I love the fresh and colorful packaging, collateral and store design. The cake pops come in about a dozen flavors, but perhaps because it was just two days after my birthday, I chose “Birthday Cake” — vanilla cake dipped in chocolate and rolled in rainbow sprinkles. All the flavors have playful names such as Teddy Bear (chocolate cake in sprinkles), Nutty Bunny (carrot cake dipped in white chocolate with walnut crust) and Griswald (kind of like a S’more), which I brought home for the husband. I was surprised by the answer to the inevitable calorie question. Each pop is only about 165 calories, give or take. Seriously, they had it tested. They sell individually or in boxes of six, which they say are popular for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, holidays or any excuse to surprise people with something different. I also spotted a “kit” which lets you roll your own at home — maybe an activity with the nieces and nephews? Why Chelsea, I asked, knowing that something

like this would do well practically anywhere in Manhattan. They laughed and simply explained: “We live here.”

PAWS IN CHELSEA 145 W. 24th St. (btw. 6 & 7 Aves.). Open daily, 8am-8pm. Visit pawsinchelsea.com or call 212-645-PAWS. If our dog Ezra Pound ever had a Bark Mitzvah, I would know exactly who to invite. It would be everyone in the Green Room at Paws In Chelsea, where he’s gone for day care since he was a puppy with endless energy to burn off. There, three days a week, he plays with other dogs his size and temperament, many of whom he’s known for years. It’s not a glitzy, fancy place like others you might see, but I like that (not just because of the manageable prices, but because it feels more organized around the pets — which is the whole point). In addition to cage-less rooms where dogs hang out, there’s a larger playroom where Ezra apparently figured out how to turn the light switch off, occasionally doing it for laughs. Paws also boards cats and dogs, so when we’re working late or traveling, I can call last-minute for him to stay over. Sherry and her staff clearly love Ezra. Perhaps she could slice the challah?

March 21 - April 3, 2012

CB4 contemplates bike corral Marcus was primarily concerned that the budget didn’t mention CB4’s main priority, affordable housing, noting that the budget cut it by 30 to 40 percent. He pointed out that the Mayor would not be able to reach his articulated goals regarding public housing under these measures.

Continued from page 3 Yards Amendment. The board recommended approving these letters, which called for completing and connecting the third section of the High Line, the so-called 10th Avenue Spur. Board member Martin Treat, who uses a wheelchair, asked them to propose including bathrooms on the same level, per ADA requirements. He also asked for an elevator; other board members informed him that an elevator was already available on 30th Street. Board member Jay Marcus and others also opposed curb cuts for Coach’s portecochère, saying, “This should not become a back loading dock to the development. We have to make sure it allows for 24/7 access.” The board then moved on to Item 10, a concern about the uniformity of windows at the Terminal Stores. According to First Vice Chair Christine Berthet, “The letter mentions three types of windows: arch, segmented arch and straight-top.” She was among those members who hoped that the fenestration would conform to one type. All voted in favor, with Marcus proposing to add language in the letter that support was contingent on the owner agreeing to modify the windows. Berthet then spoke on Item 11, an agreement between the Department of Transportation and several local restaurants to convert a parking spot into a bike corral for deliverymen. She promised to be among those board members to do outreach about the corrals to other businesses. Some members, like Lisa Daglian, were not pleased by the nature of the deal-making, and said, “This is exactly what we complained about when the city made those bike lanes.” Member Burt Lazarin noted, “It is an experiment, and we should put that in the

Photo by Winnie McCroy

March 7 was the last board meeting for longtime member John Weiss.

letter. Some of the spaces we are taking away for bikes are taken from the police precinct, those same people who have to enforce the law. It is not very good community relations.” After some debate, board members agreed to the measure, with the caveat that it was a pilot program to be reassessed in one year’s time.

COMMUNITY CRITICIZES SCULPTURE GARDEN, BUT CB4 CAUTIOUSLY ALLOWS Next came the contentious matter of a letter to the HRPT regarding a sculpture installation in Chelsea Waterside Park. The privately-owned Marlborough Gallery wish-

es to supply outdoor art sculptures for the public garden, which would be available for private purchase. “We need to add a paragraph regarding the Board’s concern of the use of public space for private art display,” said Lazarin. “And we should urge the Marlborough to contribute to the Friends of Hudson River Park.” CB4 member Pamela Wolff agreed, but suggested that the art have a time limit before a new gallery was invited to exhibit

The board recommended approving these letters, which called for completing and connecting the third section of the High Line, the so-called 10th Avenue Spur. Board member Martin Treat, who uses a wheelchair, asked them to propose including bathrooms on the same level, per ADA requirements. at the space. Many members discussed the issue of a donation, with some noting that the Trust had intended to approach the Marlborough Gallery for a donation, but did not think it was appropriate to note it in the letter. Board members agreed that they were in no position to judge earlier claims made in

the public session that the gallery had been rejected from the Art Dealers Association, with Johnson noting that, “I don’t think the board should start making these judgments; we could end up in a tricky rabbit hole.” The item was ultimately passed, with cautionary support. Maarten de Kadt then spoke passionately about stopgap measures in the Mayor’s FY2013 Preliminary budget. He noted that the plan’s reliance on “wasted energy plants” like incinerators was short sighted. “There is something wrong with relying on that, and I want it removed,” said de Kadt. “It will seduce people and manufacturers not to recycle or reduce their packaging.” Marcus was primarily concerned that the budget didn’t mention CB4’s main priority, affordable housing, noting that the budget cut it by 30 to 40 percent. He pointed out that the Mayor would not be able to reach his articulated goals regarding public housing under these measures. Other board members had issues with Highway Patrol taking over traffic enforcement. The item passed as amended. The board also passed several items regarding two street fairs celebrating the 50th anniversary of Penn South, a letter to the Department of Cultural Affairs regarding a sidewalk café for Southern Hospitality, Speaker Quinn’s proposed Paid Sick Leave for businesses with more than 20 employees, and an analysis of traffic on 34th Street. The agenda items culminated with former chair Weis’ swan song, a breakdown of three of CB4’s by-laws to which changes were suggested. The by-laws dealt with the removal of public members on committees after one year, mandated that any public members should have special expertise in the matter or represent underrepresented minorities in the district, and noted new start dates for incoming officers. After several changes, the board adopted the proposed by-laws, and brought the meeting to a close. The next full board meeting of CB4 will be held on Wednesday, April 4, at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 Ninth Avenue, between 17th & 18th Streets). For more information on CB4, visit nyc.gov/mcb4.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Photo by Lincoln Anderson

In Washington Square’s reopened chess plaza, a prodigy and a veteran player highfived after the youngster checkmated his opponent — with a little bit of coaching from him.

Spiffier chess plaza opens, but games are still $10 BY LINCOLN ANDERSON “Game of chess?” The familiar call was ringing out once again on Monday in Washington Square Park’s southwest corner, which was reopened last week after a lengthy renovation. Earl Biggs, 67, was sitting at one of the sleek new chess tables that ring the plaza, which now sports a circular grass patch in its middle. “It’s a lot better than it was. It looks better,” said Biggs, seated in front of a chessboard with brown and black wooden pieces. “It’s one less table than before, but it’s better distributed,” he noted of the more-evenly spaced arrangement. He usually can be found playing Scrabble or bridge at the tables in the park’s northwestern corner, known as the “Scrabble plaza.” But his bridge partner hadn’t shown up, so he was “holding down” the chess table for a friend who was using the bathroom. Biggs said the chess players who hang out in Union Square’s southern plaza haven’t migrated back to Washington Square, and might not, which is fine with him. The spot in Union Square is open 24 hours, he said, and many of those players are homeless, so that’s better for them, as opposed to Washington Square, which closes at midnight. Biggs, who lives on East 11th Street, used to run Cafe Creole and a chess club, both on MacDougal Street. “The better players don’t come out anymore — just the hustlers,” he reflected of the Washington Square chess scene. “We used to have great players come from all over the world.”

He offered to play a reporter a game for $10. According to Vickie Karp, a Parks Department spokesperson, there are now 18 tables versus 19 before. “The game tables are made from steel with a cast-iron, fluted base with a granite tabletop with an inlaid chess board,” Karp said in an e-mail. “The outer portion of the table is gray granite and the checker board is a black and white granite. The tables are refined and more sleek compared to the ‘clunky’ concrete tables. The tables along the intersections of paths are slightly longer to accommodate a wheelchair and the outer park bench is portable.” Karp continued, “The previous chess plaza was contained by 3-foot-high concrete retaining walls with light poles attached to the top of these walls. In addition, the landscapes were enclosed by a two-tier pipe rail fencing. The removal of these features creates the illusion of a greener park, in addition to enriching the park’s picturesque setting. “The reintroduction of historic landscape features — such as the post-and-chain interior fencing, stone curbs and pavements, light poles, benches and perimeter fencing — are all based on the park’s original historic fabric and has restored the park’s historic integrity,” Karp said. The grass circle in the chess plaza’s center will be planted with annual displays, she added. Still slated for renovation are the park’s buildings, the large dog run and “The Mounds” play area.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Community Contacts (To be listed, email info to scott@chelseanow.com.)

COMMUNITY BOARD 4 (CB4) CB4 serves Manhattan’s West Side neighborhoods of Chelsea and Clinton/ Hell’s Kitchen. Its boundaries are 14th St. on the south, 59/60th St. on the north, the Hudson River on the west, 6th Ave. on the east (south of 26th St.) and 8th Ave. on the east (north of 26th St.). Call 212-736-4536. Visit manhattancb4.org or email them at info@manhattanCB4.org. The board meeting, open to the public, happens on the first Wednesday of the month, at 6:30pm. The next one takes place on April 4, 6:30pm, at Fulton Auditorium (119 9th Ave., btw. 17th and 18th Sts.). Visit nyc.gov/mcb4.

COMMUNITY BOARD 5 (CB5) CB5 represents the central business district of New York City. It includes midtown Manhattan, the Fashion, Flower, Flatiron and Diamond districts, as well as Bryant Park and Union Square Park. The district is at the center of New York’s tourism industry. The Theatre District, Times Square, Carnegie Hall, the Empire State Building and two of the region’s transportation hubs (Grand Central Station and Penn Station) fall within CB5. Call 212-465-0907. Visit cb5.org or email them at office@cb5.org. CB5’s board meeting, open to the public, happens on the second Thursday of the month, at 6pm. The next one takes place on April 12, at Xavier High School (30 W. 16th St., btw. 5th and 6th Aves., 2nd fl.).

THE 300 WEST 23RD, 22ND & 21ST STREETS BLOCK ASSOCIATION Contact them at 300westblockassoc@ prodigy.net.

THE WEST 400 BLOCK ASSOCIATION Contact them at w400ba@gmail.com.

LOWER CHELSEA ALLIANCE (LOCAL) This group is committed to protecting the residential blocks of Chelsea from overscale development. Contact them at LowerChelseaAlliance@gmail.com.

THE GREENWICH VILLAGECHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Call 212-337-5912 or visit villagechelsea.com.

THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT INITIATIVE Visit meatpacking-district.com or call 212-633-0185.

THE BOWERY RESIDENTS’ COMMITTEE: HOMELESS HELPLINE If you know of anyone who is in need of their services, call the Homeless Helpline at 212-533-5151, and the BRC will send someone to make contact. This number is staffed by outreach team leaders 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous. For more info, visit brc.org.

HUDSON GUILD Founded in 1895, Hudson Guild is a multi-service, multi-generational community serving approximately 14,000 people annually with daycare, hot meals for senior citizens, low-cost professional counseling, community arts programs and recreational programming for teens. Visit them at hudsonguild.org. Email them at info@ hudsonguild.org. For the John Lovejoy Elliott Center (441 W. 26th St.), call 212-760-9800. For the Children’s Center (459 W. 26th St.), call 212-7609830. For the Education Center (447 W. 25th St.), call 212-760-9843. For the Fulton Center for Adult Services (119 9th Ave.), call 212-924-6710.

THE CARTER BURDEN CENTER FOR THE AGING This organization promotes the wellbeing of individuals 60 and older through direct social services and volunteer programs oriented to individual, family and community needs. Call 212-879-7400 or visit burdencenter. org.

FRIENDS OF HUDSON RIVER PARK Visit fohrp.org or call 212-757-0981.

HUDSON RIVER PARK TRUST Visit hudsonriverpark.org or call 212627-2020.

SAVE CHELSEA Contact them at savechelseanyc@ gmail.com.

MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT STRINGER Call 212-669-8300 or visit mbpo.org.

CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN Call 212-564-7757 or visit council.nyc. gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml.

STATE SENATOR TOM DUANE Call 212-633-8052 or visit tomduane. com.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER RICHARD GOTTFRIED Call 212-807-7900 or email GottfriedR@ assembly.state.ny.us.

PENN SOUTH THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER At 208 W. 13th St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves.). Visit gaycenter.org or call 212620-7310.

Visit pennsouth.coop. The Penn South Program for Seniors provides recreation, education and social services — and welcomes volunteers. For info, call 212-243-3670.

FULTON YOUTH OF THE FUTURE THE ALI FORNEY CENTER Their mission is to help homeless LGBT youth be safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood. Main headquarters: 224 W. 35th St., Suite 1102. Call 212-222-3427. The Ali Forney Day Center is located at 527 W. 22nd St., 1st floor. Call 212-206-0574 or visit aliforneycenter.org.

GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS (GMHC) At 446 W. 33rd St. btw. 9th and 10th Aves. Visit gmhc.org. Call 212-3671000.

Email them at fultonyouth@gmail.com or contact Miguel Acevedo, 646-6710310.

A Residential Community for Children and Adults with Down Syndrome

Paul C. Landers, CEO (607) 965-8377 ext. 102 planders@pathfindervillage.org

4 OPENINGS!

The CRDC (the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblymember Richard Gottfried) meets monthly to exchange political ideas in protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@crdcnyc.org.

WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE Visit westsidenyc.org or call 212-9562573. Email them at wsna@hcc-nyc. org.

CHELSEA COALITION ON HOUSING Tenant assistance every Thursday night, at 7pm; at Hudson Guild (119 Ninth Ave.). Email them at chelseacoalition.cch@gmail.com.

At 147 W. 24th Street (btw. 6th & 7th Aves.) THE SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. Visit srlp.org.

FIERCE (Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment) builds the leadership and power of bisexual, transgender and queer youth of color in NYC. Visit fiercenyc.org.

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PATHFINDER VILLAGE

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To Advertise in Chelsea Now, please call 646.452.2496

QUEERS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE is a progressive organization committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation. Visit q4ej.org.

THE AUDRE LORDE PROJECT is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people of color center for community organizing. Visit alp.org.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Photo courtesy of the Tom Murrin Archive

Tom Murrin performing on the streets, in India in the 1970s.

Downtown, and all around, Tom Murrin will be missed COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER He was funny, sharp, prolific, unique and kind. He inspired others to create, innovate, provoke and entertain. He was loved, and he’ll be missed. What more can you possibly say about a human being who’s no longer with us? Best to just expand on those laurels, and hope that the details provide some glimpse into what makes the loss of Thomas Lee Murrin (1939-2012) so deeply felt by his family and the Downtown arts community. Surrounded by his wife Patricia and friends, the performance artist and writer known as Tom Murrin (aka the Alien Comic, aka Jack Bump) died on March 12, of complications from cancer. He was 73. What a life. In 2008, Tom was honored by Performance Space 122 at their annual Spring Gala. He received a plaque with the following quote: “For wildly imaginative groundbreaking performance work that never hesitated to serve the creative impulse, the desire to entertain, and the belief that new forms of theatre were possible. For invaluable contributions to Performance Space 122 and the entire downtown performing community that, through a history of selfless generosity, helped make New York a place where continuing generations of artists can imagine and invent. Performance Space 122 is proud to honor Tom Murrin aka Alien Comic.” To learn more about his achievements, visit Murrin’s website: thealiencomic.com. To help preserve his work, donations can be made payable to Alien Comic Fund and sent to: Alien Comic Fund, c/o PS122, 67 West Street, Suite 315, Brooklyn, NY 11222.

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES REMEMBER TOM Patsy Jedynak (Tom’s sister) Hearts hold memories, and I have many good ones. I am one and a half years younger than Tom, and I am his only sibling, His show career began in grammar school with his magic act, when he was paid to perform at kid’s birthdays, friend’s parties, school and country club events. I was his trusting assistant and helped him rehearse. He’d say, “Take a card, take a card, any card” during his never-ending practices. He was a perfectionist, and made me take an oath of secrecy to never reveal his methods. I assisted Tom when he appeared on “Beat the Clock” (a TV show in the ’50s and ’60s). Young Tom supplemented his income by appearing on Jeopardy and other daytime quiz shows. Once, Tom was on “The Gong Show” with two friends and they were gonged as soon as they started because Tom was mooning the audience with a plastic butt. As a kid, Tom loved our family vacations on Balboa Island. He never missed a family gathering, every summer up to 2009. Over the years I have loved getting Tom’s, notes, letters and show bills in the mail. More recently, we emailed or talked on the phone almost daily. The day before I left for New York, I received a letter from Tom. I haven’t been able to open it, because I know it’s the last — and I am not ready to let him go. Nicky Paraiso (director of programming, The Club at La MaMa) In the mid-1980s, I met Tom Murrin

Continued on page 26

March 21 - April 3, 2012

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March 21 - April 3, 2012

CHELSEA: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Vultures of fate wheel, deal and scream omens Clouds gather on eve of India & Pakistan Partition THEATER It takes place on the eve of Partition, which happens also to be the eve of a wedding of two attractive young Hindu people, Jiwan and Yamuna — think George and Emily of “Our Town” — in a village much like the real one the playwright’s father and his parents fled in 1947.

PARTS OF PARTS & STITCHES Written by Riti Sachdeva Directed by Cat Parker A Maieutic Theatre Works presentation Through March 31 At the Theater at 14th Street (334 E. 14th St., btw. 1st and 2nd Aves.) For tickets ($18, $12 students/seniors), call 866-811-4111 or visit mtworks.org BY JERRY TALLMER In August 1947, when at long last the British coldly washed their hands of India by partitioning that powder keg into two separate halves (one Hindu, one Muslim), two peoples who had been living together in some simulacrum of peace for hundreds of years suddenly began slaughtering one another in a massive geographic shift of populations. The death toll — rape and murder toll — is believed to have reached one million. “Parts and Stitches” playwright Riti Sachdeva’s father was 12 years old. “He remembers it well,” says that daughter. “My mom was too young.” Hans Sachdeva (“Hans means Swan and Sach means Truth and Deva means God, in Hindi”) made it with his parents out of what was shortly to become Pakistan, ending up in a city called Bhilai in the state of Chhattisgarh in east-central India — where he would, as a man, work in the office of a famous Indian steel plant. And where Riti Sachdeva would one day herself be born, twenty-two years after Partition. Pakistan is not very popular with Americans right now, a journalist remarks for no good reason, maybe because Riti Sachdeva is what the journalist’s mother would have called a raving beauty, with a diamond nestling at her nose. “Everybody takes turns with their popularity,” Ms. Sachdeva says with a wisp of laughter. The full title of this, her first full-length play, is for precise if somewhat clumsy reasons, “Parts of Parts and Stitches.” It takes place on the eve of Partition, which happens also to be the eve of a wedding of two attractive young Hindu people, Jiwan and Yamuna — think George and Emily of “Our Town” — in a village much like the real one the playwright’s father and his parents fled in 1947. Yes, there will be violence aplenty in “Parts and Stitches,” even as the wedding

Photo by Shelly Feldman

Center: Mariam Habib (Yamuna); Vultures (L-R): Antonio Miniño, Eric Percival, Deanna McGovern.

gown is being frantically stitched into perfection. Characters, Muslim as well as Hindu, will die hideous deaths, far offstage but very near for all that. Early on, the groom and his mother are involved in conversation with a tailor’s

apprentice who happens to be, like his employer, a Muslim. “Leave while you have the chance,” urges the knowledgeable apprentice. “Before we… before the danger arrives here.” He had started to say: “Before we deal

with all you Hindus,” but thinks the better of it. “We’ve been here for generations,” the groom throws in. “The past is useless after what’s happened,” says the apprentice. “It can’t happen here,” declares Veena, the mother of the groom. (“A fabulous actress named Purva Bedi,” injects the playwright.) IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE! Jumps out at you, doesn’t it? It happens to be the title of a famous 1935 novel by America’s Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Sinclair Lewis. A book on which some of us grew up. A book about the coming of Fascism — of Nazism — to the United States of America. And also, in real life, what some of my relatives in Germany were saying as late as 1932. Is the inclusion in “Parts and Stitches” of that line a tribute to Sinclair Lewis? “I think it was, a bit,” says Riti Sachdeva. Pause. “We think we’re too smart to be manipulated. Then next thing you know…” And next thing you know in “Parts of Parts and Stitches,” four vultures of fate are wheeling and dealing and smoking cigarettes and devouring the wedding sweetmeats and screaming omens like the witches in “Macbeth” or a Greek chorus without Greeks. “This play is the story of my family — my Dad,” says Riti Sachdeva. Did your father lose treasured people, Hindus like himself, in the maelstrom of Partition?

Continued on page 24

March 21 - April 3, 2012

On eve of Partition, storm clouds gather Continued from page 23 “Yes, he did. But what I want to emphasize, what the play wants to emphasize, is that every side lost some people.” Parts and stitches of a million people. “Yes.” Do you, these days, have any Muslim friends? “Oh yes. We discuss the stupidity of it, the waste.” But, says a skeptic — this one — all religions spill a lot of blood in stupidity and waste, don’t you think? “Oh yes.” In 1975, the Sachdeva family up and moved from India to Boston, Mass., U.S.A. “I was 6. What do I remember? I remember that the supermarkets were full of hundreds of boxes of cereal.” She received her schooling in North Cambridge and Arlington, Mass. — and, “In 1997, I jumped on an Amtrak for Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a friend named Lisa Seepaul, from Trinidad. Why? I don’t know. I guess I just always wanted to see New Mexico. Maybe when I was little I saw some television special on New Mexico. “Anyway, I went there expecting to

spend just a few days, and stayed for fifteen years. Got my B.A. in Fine Arts and Theater, from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and studied at the National Institute of Flamenco, also in Albuquerque. “I started writing for my solo pieces, including one about the indentured laborers of Trinidad, and my thesis was a flamenco play called ‘La Fea,’ which means The Evil One.” Albuquerque is where she also started writing “Parts of Parts and Stitches.” For research, she went to members and friends of her own family. “I collected stories — oral histories — in audiotalk interviews. Many of the situations in the play, and some of the characters, are based on their stories.” She is proud of Maieutic Theatre Works for having twice produced this play, first in its own NewBorn Festival and now OffBroadway on 14th Street. “It’s a fourteencharacter piece, a stretch for everyone — and a huge risk for them.” Good things come in more ways than one. Riti Sachdeva is now in the Emerging Writers group at the Public Theater, and she’s just found a sublet in Crown Heights. Vultures, stay away from her door.

STUNT LAB Pay attention, kids: Mark Hayward and Jonathan Burns are living proof that you CAN spend a good deal of your youth playing with toys and making farting noises with your armpits — and still grow up to be a success. If it worked for them, it can work for you! Yo-yo champ Hayward and celebrated contortionist Burns have traveled the world demonstrating their skills. Now, they’ve joined forces in order to break a world record at every performance of “Stunt Lab” — when they’re not busy using everyday objects and their own ingenuity to create dangerous, amazing and wild experiments. “Stunt Lab” is part of Canal Park Playhouse’s Classic Brunch Matinee series. At the theater’s Waffle Iron Café you can chow down on waffles, frittatas, French toast, salads and sliders before or after the show. Hayward and Burns perform their crazy stunts every Sat. and Sun, 1pm and 4pm, through April 1. At Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich & Washington Sts.). For tickets ($20), call 866811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com. Also visit markandjonathan.com.

Photo courtesy of Canal Park Playhouse

Mark Hayward (left) and Jonathan Burns (right) prepare to break a world record…any world record!

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March 21 - April 3, 2012

Support Your Local Cinema! Center (323 Sixth Ave., at W. Third St.). For info, 212-924-7771. Visit daedalus.tv, thephotoleaguefilm. com and ifccenter.com, tenement. org and thejewishmuseum.org.

BY SCOTT STIFFLER

ORDINARY MIRACLES: THE PHOTO LEAGUE’S NEW YORK Director Nina Rosenblum’s documentary film pays tribute to an influential group of artists and socially progressive truth-seekers working in the medium of still photography. From 1936-1951, The Photo League functioned as the center of the documentary movement in American photography. Young and idealistic, League members took their cameras into the streets to capture images meant to expose social problems and achieve social justice. For that, they were branded as Communists and blacklisted — forcing the League to disband. Decades later, in addition to several of its members, the work survives — providing a panoramic view of New York City during the thirties and forties (the El train, May Day rallies in Union Square, cutting contests at the Savoy Ballroom, automats and Lower East Side street life). Among those documenting the LES: the filmmaker’s father, Walter Rosenblum, and Rebecca Lepkoff — whose work is included

THE SVA/BBC DESIGN FILM FESTIVAL

Photo courtesy of SVA/BBC

“Selling the Sixties: How Madison Avenue Invented a Decade” screens as part of the SVA/BBC Design Film Festival.

Photo courtesy of the filmmakers and Rebecca Lepkoff

Rebecca Lepkoff’s “Lower East Side, 1947.”

in “The Radical Camera,” a Photo League exhibit on view through March 25, at the Jewish Museum

(her own exhibit, “Life on the Lower East Side,” can be seen at the Tenement Museum, through

April). Lepkoff, along with several other Photo League members and Miriam Grossman Cohen (wife of League founder Sid Grossman) will attend the screening of “Ordinary Miracles,” and participate in a Q&A. Thurs., March 29, 8pm. At IFC

Concentrating on design, advertising and book-related films, this film festival (presented by the School of Visual Arts and the BBC) gives Yanks the unique opportunity to see groundbreaking BBC films that have never been screened in the America. Fans of “Mad Men” will want to catch “Selling the Sixties: How Madison Avenue Dreamed the Decade” — which tells the real-life stories of the ad men, and women, behind the fictional TV series. Gay Talese and advertising legend George Lois (famous for his Esquire covers, Xerox ads, work with Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali and his reinvention of MTV) are among those providing a window on consumerism, 1960s-style. Lois will take your questions after the screening. Sat., March 24, 1-9pm, at the SVA Theatre (333 W. 23rd St., btw. 8th & 9th Aves.). $15 pass includes entry to all screenings. For a full schedule, visit sva.edu.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Alien Comic’s brilliance, kindness recalled by colleagues, kin Continued from page 21

Photo by Jim Moore

“Full Beaver Moon Show,” performed in honor of Ellen Stewart (in 2011, at La MaMa E.T.C.).

when my friend and mentor Bill Hart took me to see my first Alien Comic Show. I remember Tom wearing layers of costumes from which he undressed while telling fantastical tales of where he had been that very day — including running socio-political commentary on the news of the day and laying out what seemed like hundreds of homemade and found props which he used and promptly discarded. At one or another of these Alien Comic Shows, I remember Tom laying out the three rules of performance art, which were, 1) get a gig, 2) send out your flyers and postcards to get the news out about your upcoming performance and 3) show-up for the performance! I remember Tom taking his Alien Comic show to all the Downtown performance venues which proliferated in those days, many of which are gone now: the original Pyramid Club, 8BC, Limbo Lounge, Chandelier, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (now Niagara Bar), PS122, Dixon Place and, of course and of course, La MaMa — his first performance home in New York. The Alien Comic was even an opening act for James Brown at Irving Plaza! Later, I remember Tom’s legendary Full Moon Shows, which were eve-

ning-length extravaganzas (performed in homage to Lunamacaruna, the Goddess of the Full Moon), presented mostly at PS122 and La MaMa, which gathered together Tom’s extraordinary circle of artist colleagues and friends, including Lucy Sexton and Annie Iobst/Dancenoise, Jo Andres, Mimi Goese, Iris Rose, Salley May, Mike Iveson, Hapi Phace and a whole host of Full Moon Crew performers, choreographers and visual artists. Tom also brought “Butt Crack Bingo” and “Dick Play” (written by Tom’s notorious alter-ego and “evil twin” Jack Bump) to The Club at La MaMa. Tom is uniquely beloved in New York’s Downtown arts community. He would always encourage up-and-coming younger artists and cheer on the more established artists from the sidelines. We miss Tom, as we continue to miss those of Tom’s generation who are also no longer with us: Jim Neu, Bill Rice, Stuart Sherman, and also one of his best friends, theater director Bill Hart, as well as many others. I am immensely saddened by Tom’s passing, and salute his gallant, generous, irrepressibly anarchic spirit. Trav S.D. (Chelsea Now, The Villager, Downtown Express theater columnist) Tom blazed many a trail upon

which I and a thousand others have subsequently trodden and taken for granted. In the mid-’90s, in addition to all his performance and theatre work, he began writing for Paper magazine. This was the capacity in which I knew him best and encountered him most. That he could simultaneously hang on to his identity as a performance artist AND be an arts journalist at the same time was inspirational to me. Over the years he was very generous to me and my various theatrical exploits. I spoke to him most recently a little over two years ago, when he interviewed me about my show “Willy Nilly.” He was a mighty nice guy, and like I said, a trailblazer. There is something about his passing that reminds me of the desolate feeling I get when I walk around St. Marks Place, or the area around Ludlow and Orchard Streets nowadays. It’s a feeling you don’t experience until you hit a certain age, that feeling of, “There was once something ELSE here….” David Hershkovits (editor and publisher of Paper magazine) We initially asked Tom to write because he was a fan of performance, not because he was a critic. He didn’t seem to have a competitive bone in his

Continued on page 27

March 21 - April 3, 2012

Remembering the unforgettable Tom Murrin Continued from page 26 body, extending his support to one and all. He wore both hats — performer and journalist — with equal ease. Even when he had something to promote, he would be very low key about it, passing out a flyer or quietly letting us know. We always looked forward to his regular visits at Paper. He was so much fun, upbeat and positive. Francis Hall (aka Faceboy, of Bowery Poetry Club’s “Faceboyz Folliez”) Tom Murrin is one of the most inspiring and giving artists I have ever known. Though we are so deeply saddened by the loss of his physical presence, there is truth and beauty in writing, “Tom Murrin is...” for the myriad ways he inspires and all that he has given will always be with us. However, some past tense usage must be applied here. Tom exemplified the risk-taking performance artist. I first had the pleasure of meeting him in the mid-1990s, at Robert Prichard’s performance lab/theater, Surf Reality. Venturing into what was then some of the sketchiest neighborhoods, he created and performed sketches even more daring than the journey through the streets one took to see them. As a print journalist, we had Tom to chronicle the scene in Paper magazine. It is rare and extraordinarily giving for an artist to promote others whose work is similar in genre to their own. He was one the first columnists to cover my stage work as well as that of my BFF Rev. Jen. He did this for so many of the unknowns and marginally known writers, risk takers and rabble-rousers. In time, we became friends. Thinking now of the times I visited him, and knowing that I no longer can, I’m crying. Yet in those tears, joy glistens in knowing how lucky I am to have had his friendship. Michael C. Haenel (Tom’s nephew and godson) Grateful for Uncle Tommy...I admired Tommy’s magical talents, quick wit, masterful storytelling ability and his willingness to live life as an artist. Tommy lived life filled with love, humility, grace and peace. God bless Uncle Tommy. Vallejo Gantner (artistic director of PS122) While making his own work at PS122, for decades, Tom opened doors and created space for others to move freely in, building a community of artists around him who simply wouldn’t be the same without him. Tom Murrin reminds us that what we do is important. He made PS122 wackier, stronger, smarter — more importantly perhaps is the fact that he continues to make the world wackier, stronger and smarter. Robert Prichard (co-founder, Surf Reality) Damn. This hurts. Tom Murrin was not only a great performing artist, he was also our champion. He was our friend. Tom personified everything that’s cool about Downtown theater. I cannot recall him without thinking about his infectious energy, his generosity, his incredible wit and his unqualified love for the Downtown scene. Every interaction I ever had with Tom was leavened with his kindness, his generosity and his compassion. As a performer, he was fearless and crazy ingenious. Back when Surf Reality shared the building with a brothel and a crack deli, there was Tom performing his one-man show on our small stage — conjuring aliens, evil twins, elemental energies and on point satire of the culture at large. It was like watching a force of nature. He acted like our little hole in the wall performance loft was the center of the creative universe and the most important place to be in the world, and inevitably the magic he wrought would kick in and then his audiences would believe it too. I thought again about how neither ego nor competitiveness ever seemed to come into play when he wrote about

Photo by Joseph O. Holmes

Bowery Poetry Club, 2008: A workshop performance of “The Talking Show: The Magical Ridiculous Journey of Alien Comic.”

those who worked in similar fashions to his. It seemed he saw that part of his long and eclectic career as an opportunity to help other artists rather than rip them apart, as so many writers tend to do. Up until now, he always left us laughing. I hope he forgives me for being sad about this one final exit. Ellie Covan (founder and artistic director of Dixon Place) I had several dreams about him in the days before his passing. Nothing bizarre or mysterious. Just hanging out with him. Anything I say isn’t adequate. He was part of what made Dixon Place, Dixon Place. He was the first performance artist to appear at DP (on East 1st Street) in 1986. He performed his groundbreaking work often, at all of our spaces. Every artist has their own unique process, and Tommy’s was, well, funny. Before his show, he meticulously set up all the props and costumes. If you interrupted him, if you said anything, or even walked near his things, he would fly into a rage. At first, it startled me, and then I just thought he was an asshole. But after getting to know him, I totally looked forward to his arriving at the theater (and of course I made sure nothing disturbed him). I feel so honored to have worked with him — he made a difference in so many lives, both as an artist and as an exceptionally kind and generous person. His last performance was at DP, making me at once very happy, very sad and very proud. His spirit is deeply imbedded in my heart and my living room.

Photo by Liz Liguori

From a 2010 performance of “The Talking Show,” at PS122.

March 21 - April 3, 2012

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