May 15, Chelsea Now by Schneps Media

THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 5, NUMBER 18

MAY 15 - 28, 2013

Neighbors Say BRC Clients Harass, Intimidate BY WINNIE McCROY Almost two years have passed since the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) opened their 12-story, 328-bed homeless shelter at 127 West 25th Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues) — and while the BRC continues to rehabilitate the homeless as well as those with substance abuse problems and mental

illness, some neighbors say they have had enough of the street harassment and quality of life infringements. “Since our doors on 25th Street first opened in 2011, BRC has appreciated the support of so many in the community, as we work together successfully to provide a hand up to those in

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Picturing a Park, on 20th Street Ready to Roll?

Photo by Scott Stiffler

The last time New York saw this much concern over the impending invasion of two-wheeled vehicles, we were bracing for an inﬂux of Segway scooters. They came and went quicker than Mayan Apocalypse anxiety — but it appears that the Citi Bike program is here to stay. Well, nearly here. Soon, we’re told, this bike docking station (on the north side of W. 22nd St., near Eighth Ave.) will have actual bikes. See the May 29 issue of Chelsea Now for local reaction, and see page 8 of this issue for a W. 22nd St. resident’s take on losing several parking spaces, but gaining several dozen new bikes.

CB4 Mulls Nightlife vs. Quality of Life BY EILEEN STUKANE The restaurants, bars and clubs of Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen may be boosting the local economy — but at the May 1 full board meeting of Community Board 4 (CB4), residents who live near the boisterous eating and drinking establishments aired their frustration at the lack of good fences and the habits of bad neighbors. At 6:30pm in the Fulton Center

Auditorium, board member Christine Berthet opened the meeting with the public comment session. A broad range of issues were discussed and debated, but most prevalent among them was the matter of how nightlife is impacting quality of life.

PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION

The first to speak, Marlaine Glicksmann, alerted everyone to

BY MAEVE GATELY Consult a map of Manhattan and highlight the areas within a halfmile of a park or green space, and you will see that Chelsea ranks last — a glaring insufficiency that is depriving residents of recreation space, and families of much-needed playgrounds. Such is the argument of Friends of 20th Street Park, a community grassroots organization whose mission is to fight this inad-

the fast-moving, heavy traffic that has created a dangerous corner on West 46th Street and 10th A venue. She reported that she has been witnessing events at this corner since April 2001, and has seen pedestrians hit by vehicles, a fire hydrant knocked down and a streetlight and phone booth hit,

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equacy. The Friends’ focus is an empty lot on 20th Street (between Sixth and Seventh Avenues), which the group hopes to turn into a quarter-acre “pocket park.” When Friends of 20th Street was founded in 2010 by local resident Matt Weiss, the group aimed to convert the lot — which is owned by the city and once belonged to the Department of Sanitation, into green

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editorial, letters PAGE 8

hUMaN BeatBoX FestiVal PAGE 12

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Gallery Event Gathers Park Supporters Continued from page 1 space. Since then, the organization has gained support from local residents, business owners, architects and politicians. It has an active Steering Committee of 20 members, and has amassed a petition with over 4,000 signatures from residents in the community. On Tuesday, April 30, the group unveiled three potential designs at “Picture Your Park!” — an event that took place at the Lyons Weir Gallery (524 West 24th Street). It was the fifth public event the organization has held, and over a hundred community members were in attendance. Despite its popular support, Friends of 20th Street faces a major obstacle in the park planning process. The city plans to turn the lot into between 60 and 80 units of middle-income affordable housing (for families who make a combined income of up to $100,000). According to Robert Benfatto, District Manager of Community Board 4 (CB4), the lot was slated to become affordable housing, when West Chelsea was rezoned and points of agreement between the Community Board and the Mayor were drawn up. The Community Board supports affordable housing at that site,” Benfatto said in a phone call to Chelsea Now, adding that when asked about the “black hole,” (a charged phrase often used by the Friends to

Photo courtesy of Friends of 20 Street Park

From wall to lot? At April 30’s “Picture Your Park” event, residents contemplate a variety of uses for a lot on 20th Street.

describe the green space void) that the same can be said of public housing, which is also desperately needed in the area. “Picture Your Park!” served the dual function of gathering supporters together for community visibility and displaying

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three architectural renderings for potential parks, which were done by James Khamsi of FIRM-a.d. In addition to the renderings, which showed naturalistic, athletic and family-centric options, the event featured an interactive display which Khamsi

called the “Kid of Parks” — a small square of Astroturf covered with wooden cutouts of trees, benches and various animals that could be re-arranged and moved around. The display was intended to give residents a three-dimensional idea of the possible uses of the space. Matt Weiss spoke of the gallery event as an “exciting next step in the evolution of the park,” calling it “an open conversation with the people of Chelsea.” The three ideas Khamsi proposed, he emphasized, were merely suggestions to “spike conversation” and encourage members of the community to weigh in on the issue. Other infographics displayed statistics about green space in Manhattan, demonstrating that CB4 ranks last in three crucial areas — percentage of the population living within a quarter mile of a park, acres of open space and open space per 1,000 inhabitants. Another poster listed other “pocket parks” throughout the city. While opponents of the lot claim it is too small to support a viable green space, Friends of 20th Street found over 20 parks in Manhattan that work with a quarter acre or less — including Herald Square and many neighborhood parks throughout the Village. The park on 20th Street, Weiss promised, will “bridge this green gap for thousands of residents,” and provide needed recreation space for families in the area.

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Success Stories Inside BRC, but Concerns on the Block Continued from page 1 need,” BRC Executive Director Lawrence “Muzzy” Rosenblatt told Chelsea Now. “We have and will continue to work with our neighbors, our community leaders, elected officials and government agencies to maintain the highest standards of excellence and collaboration, in service to our clients and to the community.” According to Rosenblatt’s statistics, the BRC “graduates” about four clients per day, moving them on to housing, employment or further treatment. For the months of January through March, Rosenblatt cited “388 positive client outcomes.” This puts this shelter (along with other BRC facilities) at the top of Department of Homeless Services’ Adult Services Performance Incentives Results Card. “It’s much harder to see the success stories, because they are the ones who leave the block, who have graduated and are integrated into society,” said Rosenblatt. “We are going to do the work we do, and work to improve upon it.” Rosenblatt views it as forward-thinking to have an ambulance and police cruiser parked in front of BRC’s doors, to more easily respond to the recurrent incidents among the average population of 400 daily clients (including outpatients) that the shelter serves. The latest figures estimate 38 incidents for the month, both EMS- and NYPD-assisted cases. Although some view this number as excessive, Community Board 4 (CB4) District Manager Bob Benfatto noted, “A population like this is going to have a lot of medical issues.”

LOCALS ACCUSE BRC RESIDENTS OF ONGOING HARASSMENT

Since the shelter opened, residents and business owners who live on or around 25th Street have relayed incidents of harassment, intimidation or other quality of life issues they say are linked to BRC clients. Currently, YouTube hosts several dozen videos of alleged BRC clients engaged in physical intimidation, verbal harassment, public urination, drinking and drug use, loitering and littering. In one highly viewed incident, a man in a wheelchair blocks a man in a suit who is attempting to pass, moving his chair five or six times to corner the man. Many of the videos are posted by Jeff Lazarus, who said, “I think the various videos speak for themselves. The only thing I might add is that it wasn’t like this in the ten years I lived on the block prior to the BRC’s arrival.” Lazarus said he had confirmed with Rosenblatt that most of the videos depicted BRC clients. “It’s sort of a moot point,” he said, noting that “A lot of what's going on is the magnet effect of having such a huge shelter on the block. People come every night in the hopes of getting in at the nightly intake, loitering on the block in the meantime. So even if they don't get in, and are thus not registered to their rolls,

Photo by Scott Stiffler

This BRC vehicle frequently shares space outside the facility with an ambulance and police cruiser — but neighbors say rude and intimidating clients are also a constant presence.

they're coming because the BRC is here.” Lazarus also noted that according to the New York Criminal Justice Directory, there were, of late, 12 registered sex offenders among BRC’s male population of 300. This is of great concern for some, like Chelsea mother Maggie Gallagher-Lilly — who last month sent a series of emails to Rosenblatt recounting incidents of verbal harassment from men she said were sitting in front of the BRC, one of whom, according to her, shouted, “You look like the white bitch I raped and got pregnant.” In response, Rosenblatt encouraged her to report the incident to the police. Gallagher-Lilly replied that she had called the police, but that the harasser left the area before they arrived. “Your lack of interest, responsibility and response to the concerns of the neighbors regarding your clients who are in crisis is alarming,” she wrote to Rosenblatt. “You lied to all of us when you said that your clients would be adequately monitored and that there would be no loitering on our street…If anyone is hurt by your clients, it will be your fault.” Bill Borock, President of the Council of Chelsea Block Associations, said he understood parents’ concerns about the number of sex offenders at the BRC — asking, “If you serve time, are you rehabilitated?” He notes, “Some people say sex offenders can never be rehabilitated. On one hand, you can say that if they are there, they are at least being monitored. But how good can

it be if things like the wheelchair incident are allowed to happen?”

LOCAL VOLUNTEERS SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ROSENBLATT AND THE BRC

Some local residents — notably those who have spent time volunteering at the BRC — are quick to defend Rosenblatt’s methods and clientele. CB4 Member Pamela Wolff told Chelsea Now that she was aware of Gallagher-Lilly’s allegations, adding, “Very few of these cases have turned out to be residents of the BRC, and those who are have been removed immediately. There are a number of other shelters in different boroughs for homeless people with various kinds of problems in residences that are focused specifically toward handling those populations.” Wolff said that during her time as a member of the BRC’s Community Advisory Committee, she had heard from Rosenblatt of the initial education BRC clients are given upon intake, outlining their expected behavior while in the shelter. “I know there are legitimate problems around the facility and the civil rights of the clients, but they have a right to be on the street,” added Wolff. “It may not be a presence most people want to see, but they have as much a right to be there as anyone else.” Shelter volunteer and longtime area resident Muriel Beach agreed, remembering the large number of homeless people she said used to flock to the area in the ’60s. Wolff said that before the shelter opened, these

homeless people would sleep in doorways and under stoops. Now, at least, this population is off the street and getting some help for their problems. “These guys live on the street. They have nothing. Give them some slack,” said Beach. “Also, most of these men are black, and I think race has a lot to do with it. When I emailed [Chelsea residents] to say that I felt safer now that there were people on the block at night, I got the nastiest replies you ever heard.” However, numerous local residents and business owners have raised concerns about the quality of life issues that the shelter has created since opening. They have taken these issues to Rosenblatt, to CB4 and to their local elected officials. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has long expressed her opinion that the size of the shelter is too big, even signing on to a lawsuit that argues that the BRC’s 328 beds violates the city’s Administrative Code that limits shelter residences to 200 beds. In response to recent requests from Chelsea Now, the Speaker’s office has noted that they are working to address these ongoing concerns. “Speaker Quinn and her staff continue to work with community stakeholders to ensure that relations between the shelter and the neighborhood are respectful, addressing any and all concerns when they arise,” said Zoe Tobin on behalf of Speaker Quinn’s office. Rosenblatt acknowledged that many of his clients who have just left jail or lost their home are angry and don’t like being told what to do. But he also said that for those unwilling to get with the program, less savory alternatives were readily available. “If they won’t work to achieve the goals we have at BRC, they can go to a place where they don’t have goals,” said Rosenblatt, referring to some of the city’s lower-ranking shelters. But this is cold comfort for local residents, in light of the steady influx of homeless, mentally ill men who flock to the block. Said Benfatto, “I know they are frustrated and I understand their frustration, but [Rosenblatt] chose to put the shelter there, so he becomes the target.”

ATTEMPTS THWARTED TO HIRE ADDITIONAL SECURITY?

Rosenblatt has touted the transparency of his work and the BRC since before it even opened, and has made attempts to address issues around the shelter — to an extent. In response to community concerns, Rosenblatt has worked with CB4 and the Speaker’s office in an attempt to hire off-duty NYPD paid detail to patrol 25th Street. Several off-record sources said that Commissioner Ray Kelly had rejected this proposal (apparently, most of these paid detail occurs indoors, at venues such as department stores and special events). “My understanding is that BRC has not gotten a yes or no on that, so I don’t know where it stands,” said Benfatto. “The 13th Precinct commander did support the idea, so I don’t know why the Commissioner hasn’t

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Noble and Odom Among CB4’s New Eight BY SCOTT STIFFLER Long hours, no pay and a constantly expanding, complex universe of land use, transportation, landmarks, license, permit, housing and quality of life issues that will impact urban living for decades to come — this is just the tip of what you’re in for when you sign up to serve on Community Board 4 (CB4). Literally. You have to sign up — by visiting the website of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, then downloading an application, then going through an interview process, during which you make your case to make an endless amount of lasting, strictly voluntary contributions to improve conditions on the street where you live. Eight enthusiastic locals recently got the BP’s thumbs up, and are now members of CB4. Over the next few issues of Chelsea Now, you’ll meet them and hear, in their own words, why they wanted to serve and what they hope to accomplish (see “Meet Two of Eight, New to CB4,” on chelseanow.com, for profiles of Eric Latzky and Ambur Nicosia). Mike Nobel currently serves on the Chelsea Land Use Committee and the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee. I started out in the 1970s as a

©images by Arnold

lawyer. I’ve worked for public as well as private companies and small businesses — two of which were in the Hell’s Kitchen area. I’ve always lived in Manhattan, except for 10 years in

Brooklyn [Cobble Hill], when my son was born. I’ve been here in Chelsea for about 12 years. Once I retired [five years ago], I began working with the seniors at the Hudson Guild, doing advisory counseling. Because of that, I took this 10-week course in public advocacy, at the insistence of Hudson Guild. I then appeared before the City Council, when we argued for benefits for seniors in the 2012 budget. That advocacy led me to talk with [City Council Speaker] Quinn and a few other people about getting a street paved around the seniors residence at NYCHA [West 27th Drive, that goes around the park to 10th Avenue]. Originally, I wrote a letter to the City Council. Eventually, I got to one of Chris Quinn’s legislative assistants. In less than a month, she was back to me to say that the Department of Transportation would be starting the project soon. I’m a poll worker, so I talked with Chris when I saw her at the primaries. I was praising her staff for being able to do this thing that nobody else could do, so quickly. Every month, she would send me the notices about what CB4 and the City Council accomplished. One month, I got this email from her saying there a r e o p e n i n g s o n C B 4 , w h y d o n ’t you apply? So I had an interview at [Borough President] Scott Stringer’s office. She [Quinn] ultimately gave me a recommendation that resulted in getting appointed. I wanted to serve on CB4 because I feel strongly about the things that are happening in Chelsea right now — the fact that there are so many buildings going up. I see Hudson Yards as something that is going to totally change the way this city looks and operates. But it’s also an opportunity for people around here to have a say. That’s why I asked to be appointed to the Chelsea Land Use and the Housing committees. All these buildings that go up that are subject to 80/20 [affordable housing] consideration, that’s something that needs [community] input. Many buildings that have had affordable housing aren’t affordable to the people in NYCHA, and certainly not to somebody who’s retired. I do see Chelsea as being a great place — and if I can have just a few words on how things are done here, as I expect my son to live here a long, long time — then I’d like to be a part of that.

Tanya M. Odom, Ed.M. currently serves on the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee and the Landmarks Committee. I live in Hell’s Kitchen, on 10th A venue, but I grew up in Queens. Public service is something that didn’t just show up for me. It’s been a thread throughout my life. I went to a pub-

lic school, where we took something called The Ephebic Oath. In it, we say that we won’t leave our city any less, but rather greater and better, than we found it. I wanted to join the CB4 for a variety of reasons. I am deeply committed to diversity, inclusion and community. Hell's Kitchen is the most diverse community — age, race, socio-economic status, culture, sexual orientation, religion, etc. — that I have lived in. I know that it takes intentional work to truly have a community where diversity is appreciated and valued. My community is changing, and as a person who is a third generation New Yorker, I decided that I wanted to be a part of making sure that the changes include the voices of everyone. As a newer resident to Hell's Kitchen, I also have unfortunately experienced some challenges with noise and construction. I wanted to find out about how better to address these issues, since they do impact the quality of life for me and my neighbors. Ever since I got the letter [of acceptance to CB4], I look at things differently, especially as I watch these highrises pop up near the water — and I think about the noise that kept me up two nights in a row. It’s really important to me that people realize this [applying to serve on a community board] is an option. I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and with my professional and educational opportunities — and I truly believe I can use those experiences in service to others, as cheesy as that sounds.

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City Council Awaits Appeal in BRC Lawsuit Continued from page 3 supported it. It seemed like a good solution to the problem.” Wolff added that the request went up the chain of command with the support of the community, but was denied after a year, adding, “This block has been treated badly by the police department.” Commissioner Kelly also denied proposals to redraw boundary lines (aka “coterminality”) so that the BRC would fall under the auspices of the 10th Precinct — the headquarters of which are located on West 20th Street, much closer to the shelter than the zoned 13th Precinct offices, which are way over on the east side of town. “We were trying to change the boundary lines but Kelly denied our request,” said Borock. “We wanted the BRC to become part of the 10th Precinct, which is closer and makes for better service. But we can still pursue it with the new mayor and police commissioner. Quinn is running for election, and with all these people upset about it, she might cull together a task force and call a mini-summit with CB4 and representatives from the shelter, to look at the controversy and problems that still exist.” Rosenblatt has said that the BRC is constantly monitoring their clients via regular sweeps of the block, and is adapting new strategies so that these sweeps don’t become predictable. Across the board, community

members appear to be supportive of efforts to install additional street security officers, be they paid NYPD officers, private security guards or even just additional BRC employees patrolling the block. “The presence of authorities is important, so perhaps we can look at other alternatives,” said Dale Riehl from the BRCadjacent business, The City Quilter.

CITY COUNCIL AWAITS APPEAL IN ONGOING LAWSUIT

From the very beginning, many residents and business owners were opposed to the BRC building such a large shelter in Chelsea. Even before clients occupied the building, an ad hoc group called the Chelsea Flatiron Coalition had mounted a lawsuit (Chelsea Business & Property Owners Assoc. v. City of New York) charging that the BRC violated the City’s Administrative Code § 21-312, which limits homeless shelters to 200 beds — opposing their definition of the shelter as a “transient hotel” and maintaining that the shelter violated the area’s M1-6 zoning district (which does not permit medical facilities). The New York City Council shared this opinion. In August 2011, it cited the excessive size as a violation of city policy. New York State Supreme Court Justice Joan A. Madden ruled in February 2011 against a preliminary injunction to prevent the shelter from opening, but she did allow the

City Council to intervene in the case. In the Council’s legal memo, they argue that the BRC’s operation of a shelter this size “reflects either ignorance or arrogance that cannot be excused by its financial interest in operating an oversized shelter.” Speaker Quinn has held fast to her belief that “this proposed facility exceeds the legal limit of beds. A super-sized warehouse style shelter is a disservice to both the homeless and the community-at-large.” CB4 shares this opinion. “The problem is the size,” said Benfatto. “The Board’s position has always been that more than 200 beds in a shelter building is too many. We haven’t changed that opinion. Even if it runs great, the excess beds will cause problems. Lots of shelters have 60-80 beds, and we don’t get that many problems. The BRC is well-run, but it’s too big.” Wolff was not blind to the quality of life issues the BRC has caused, but she did speak against malicious allegations some area residents have made against Rosenblatt for the behavior of his clients. “He’s responsible, very devoted to the facility and people it serves,” said Wolff. “It is his mission, and clearly it is his life. I have the deepest respect for that, and believe it is entirely genuine, despite slurs cast at him.” She added, however, that Rosenblatt has to balance being responsive to the community and protecting the civil rights of his clients, noting, “I guess that’s the rub — people in neighborhood want him to have full police powers to go

out and handle it. But he is here to rescue people and establish them as functioning, viable, useful members of society.” Borock said that Wolff had always been more accepting of the shelter than his group. “This should have been a decision that was reached between the BRC and the local neighborhood to come to an acceptable compromise,” he maintained. “It shouldn’t have been built before this consensus was reached, and there should be no legal questions about whether it is or isn’t technically a hotel, just to get around certain zoning restrictions.” Over time, the lawyers have changed and details of the cases have been altered, but oral arguments on the City Council’s case were held in late January, and the case now sits in Appellate Division First Judicial Department, under appeal. For the time being, Chelsea residents must find a way to coexist with their new neighbors, whether they like it or not. “This is not a city-run shelter. It’s a nonprofit, so they don’t have to listen to the community saying that there are too many people,” said Borock. “But they do get their funding from city services, and this could be a means to have the city sit down with them and say that this is all is too much, and that the BRC has to do something about it. The BRC company line says they will handle patrols and security. But in the meantime, the community suffers.”

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Nightlife Noise Tops CB4 Public Comments Continued from page 1 then removed. A few weeks ago when she saw another pedestrian hit by a car, she came to CB4 for help. Playgrounds in the vicinity and a senior residence on West 46th and 10th Avenue are bringing many mothers with children and older citizens to street crossings at the location. Prepared for these complaints, CB4 had a letter requesting a new right-hand turn traffic light and better signage (addressed to the Borough Commissioner at the Department of Transportation) in its item agenda for approval later in the evening. Rob Bannon of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) spoke of the organization’s application to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for a license to become an Article 32 provider for substance abuse treatment. This would expand the many life-saving services GMHC already provides, Bannon explained, further noting that GMHC has received grant funding to support its services — and one contributor, the Ryan White Care Program (administered by the federal government) helps GMHC treat those on Medicaid, and also helps people in need of Medicaid access it. CB4 had already crafted a letter of strong support for GMHC to be granted the license, addressed to the Commissioner of the

Photo by Eileen Stukane

CB4 Chair Corey Johnson and board members approve the agenda for the May 1 meeting.

OASAS. The letter was approved later in the meeting. Bob Minor, co-chair of the Hell’s Kitchen West 50th to 51st Street Block Association, came forward to ask CB4 to “use your considerable influence to bring

the owners of Boxers HK, on the corner of West 50th Street and 9th Avenue to CB4’s Business License and Permits Committee meeting on May 14.” Minor went on to explain how the block association had resisted the coming liquor license and “since the nice weather, Boxers has violated every single stipulation that it signed. They’ve overcrowded their roof, disrupted the neighborhood, thrown garbage from the roof because that’s the easiest way to get it down. We’ve had the police enforce an evacuation because they had 184 people in an area that was supposed to have no more than 84, although the Certificate of Occupancy is for 48.” Boxers HK bills itself as a sports bar. The New York Times describes Boxers HK as “the rare new gay bar where the majority of patrons are men.” Joseph Haines, on the board of neighboring residences at Worldwide Plaza, described Boxers HK as having a roof party that “looks like Bourbon Street” for four nights that happened to exceed 65 degrees. Stipulations signed by the owners have been ignored. “I’ve never seen anything like it in New York City and I implore you to help,” he said to CB4. He spoke of a mother who asked what earplugs her toddler son could wear that wouldn’t hurt his ears, the din is so loud. “Boxers has a 10pm closing hour during the week. At midnight, people are still on the roof. Calls have gone unreturned. All efforts have been refused on their part,” he said. His frustration was palpable. Christine Berthet, of CB4, urged him to come to the May 14 Business License and Permits Committee meeting. Miguel Acevedo, from the Fulton Houses tenants association, stood and said, “We live on West 16th, 17th, 18th Streets, all the way to the Meatpacking District and we’ve basically lost what

sleep we ever had. There’s no more sleeping on 9th Avenue in Fulton Houses.” He blamed the intrusion on quality of life on the many liquor licenses that he feels have taken advantage of the community. Without naming No. 8, he singled out what was supposed to be a small hamburger restaurant on West 16th Street, which was proposed as such, but is in reality a club violating the stipulations set up by the CB4. He warned CB4 to look closely at the Tao Restaurant that is scheduled for the Maritime Hotel, which he sees as bringing 1,000 people into a space that allows for 130. “I propose that this board start now — please put your foot down. Look at what happened on West 28th Street, which is so saturated the police can’t even take control of it,” he said. Kathleen Treat, chair of the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association, spoke about the Gotham Organization’s giant development project covering West 44th to 45th Streets between 10th and 11th Avenues (1,240 units in four buildings, including a 31-story tower and two 14-story buildings). In return for the perks Gotham received from the city such as tax abatements, the community “sought valiantly, valiantly for every little crumb it got from Gotham, and one of the things we sincerely hoped for is a traditional, good supermarket, like most neighborhoods used to have,” explained Treat, who characterized the businesses Gotham is said to be courting as Eataly-like (a reference to the upscale marketplace at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue). “Our neighborhood is not high-end,” said Treat. “It’s getting that way, but it ain’t yet, and what we need is a grocery store.” Josh Silverstein, a volunteer with Yetta Kurland’s campaign for City Council, invited everyone to join the campaign in AIDS Walk New York, on the morning of May 19, beginning in Central Park. The campaign will be walking with the Manhattan Young Democrats. David Glasser, a tenant in Clinton Housing at 184 11th Avenue, spoke about how there has been no hot water in the building for 30 days since November, not including 14 days without hot water and electricity due to Hurricane Sandy. Hostels in the building have packed tiny rooms and overcrowded toilet facilities. Glasser spoke of the irony of how in the past, CB4 had written a letter to the Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development about the overcrowding, and the letter was signed by the person who is now the executive director of Clinton Housing who has not addressed the situation (Clinton Housing website identifies its executive director as Joe Restuccia, who is also a member of CB4). Christine Berthet closed the public session. CB4 Chair Corey Johnson called for a vote on the adoption of the evening’s agenda. The April meeting minutes were also approved.

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May 15 - 28, 2013

CB4’s Gonzalez Gives Birth Three Days Before Mother’s Day resources that can be redirected into tax relief, schools housing (and also create 35,000 jobs). He cited Liu’s victory in his oversight of New York City pension funds, and making agreements with three banks (Capital One, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo) to expand their policies on clawbacks to clawing back incentive pay from executives who are responsible for misconduct that causes financial or reputational harm.

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REPORTS FORM REPS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

David Cyzyk, representing Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, highlighted the May 2 unveiling of The East River Blueway Plan to prepare for future storm resiliency, revitalize the East River waterfront and make it more accessible to residents. He also reported on the Start-Up City initiative being undertaken by Stringer — a drive to bring the tech sector of Silicon Valley to New York City. A recent conference for ideas for Start-Up City drew 400 people, among them many elected officials and candidates for office. Ellen Louis, speaking for NY State Senator Brad Hoylman, announced that Senator Hoylman joined with NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried to work to pass the Gender Expression NonDiscrimination Act (GENDA) to give respect and dignity to transgender people who risk discrimination in housing, education and employment. The bill has been passed by the Assembly, and will now move to the Senate. Hoylman has also introduced legislation to bar mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy (trying to convert youth under age 18 from gay to straight), a practice already discredited by national mental health and medical associations. Louis also reported that Hoylman has praised The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for issuing a Request for Proposals, which calls for a midtown bus master plan two-year study. The goal, as stated by Port Authority, is “to meet future capacity demands and reduce the impact of trans-Hudson buses on city streets.” Hoylman has written to the Port Authority executive director to express the need for a bus garage to alleviate the air pollution and traffic congestion caused by buses idling on local streets. He has also stated that a bus garage should allow travel to Port Authority Bus Terminal without utilizing city streets. Hoylman is involved in the future of the property that is the soon-to-be-closed Bayview Correctional Facility at 550 West 20th Street. Louis also noted that the senator had issued a statement condemning torture as never justifiable, in response to those who called for torture of the Boston Marathon bombers. Jeffrey LeFrancois, who spoke for State Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, also noted the passing of the GENDA bill by the Assembly, which Gottfried had worked on. He brought attention to Councilmember Gale Brewer’s new legislation raising the fine for running an illegal hotel (from about $800 to $25,000), which should help prevent landlords from putting people out of their homes to rent out apartments illegally. LeFrancois reminded the board that all rigid plastics (such as food containers, hangers, etc) are

NEW TO CB4

Photo by Eileen Stukane

With the representatives of elected officials having completed their reports, Robert Benfatto, CB4 District Manager, announced that CB4’s Community Planner Nelly Gonzalez would be starting maternity leave, returning in August as the new Assistant District Manager. CB4 intern Janine Pretente would continue in the office. An email sent by Benfatto on May 10 noted, “Nelly Gonzalez had her baby last night, May 9, 2013 at 11:59PM. His name is Elijah Jose Reid. He was 8lbs., 9ozs. and 21 inches. The mother is well and resting. The baby is healthy and happy. I hear the daddy is exhausted.” New to CB4, and welcomed for the first time at this meeting, Erica Baptiste has been hired to take over as Community

CB4 Board Member John Sharp speaking to a concern about a restaurant’s expansion and the general proliferation of bars in the community.

Continued on page 19

now recyclable. Paul Sawyer, representing Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, announced that her legislation for pay equity for public employees was passed on April 2, and that her bill to have teachers trained in the use of EpiPens (auto-injectors to treat allergic reactions) has been picked up by the Senate. Rosenthal is currently pressing New York City Animal Care and Control (ACC) to make animal shelters more full service and no kill. The city committed to invest $10 million in the ACC, but instead it has reduced its funding by $1 million. Harriet Sedgwick, representing City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, reported that after wrangling with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the same guidelines that were used for occupancy at Manhattan Plaza (70 percent for people in the performing arts; 30 percent for CB4 residents) will be mirrored in a new building being constructed at 529 West 29th Street. The announcement was greeted with long applause. On the legislative side, Speaker Quinn has introduced legislation to raise the smoking age to 21, which could reduce the smoking rate of 18 to 20-year-olds by 55 percent and among 14 to 17-year-olds by two-thirds. She also voted on legislation to make it easier for the city to carry out the ban on electric bikes, with fines of $100 for business that use these bikes (and $150 for subsequent violations). Matt Bitz, representing City Comptroller John Liu, spoke of the Comptroller’s fouryear plan for the People’s Budget, which would generate nearly $15 billion in new

May 15 - 28, 2013

editorial Street Fair Oversight Street fair season is back — and with it, the perennial issues surrounding this very public, and much-debated, feature of city life. Community Board 2 (CB2), which includes Greenwich Village, annually has among the most street fairs in the city — and receives the most street fair applications. These events, when small and locally based — run by block associations and community groups — are great for bringing neighborhoods together. However, many of the longer, multiblock street fairs are run by large operators, with the same “cookie-cutter” offerings at each one — i.e., sausages, funnel cakes, tube socks, wallets, etc. These fairs clog our streets. Sometimes multiple fairs are occurring in the same neighborhood simultaneously, snarling traffic. Residents who need to drive cars onto their block, say, to pick up an elderly family member or drop off groceries, can’t. Emergency vehicles are impacted. Merchants are put out since the fairs rob their foot traffic and block views to their stores. In recent years, CB2 has looked into whether the street fair applicants are legitimate and have any authentic local connection to justify their presence here. A community board, though, lacks the power and time to probe each suspect organization. And the board’s opinion is advisory only. The deciding body, the city’s Street Activities Permit Office, doesn’t rigorously vet these groups — and that is precisely where the problem lies. Further complicating matters, the city is now “bundling” several sponsoring groups together for individual street fairs. A number of street fairs in CB2, for instance, are now cosponsored by St. Stephen/Our Lady of the Scapular Church and Chapel, on East 28th and East 33rd Streets — which, it also bears noting, are outside the Board 2 district. As street fair applications recently came up for review, CB2 recommended denial for several groups it deemed “bogus or non-indigenous organizations.” Among these were the Stonewall Veterans’ Association (which, CB2 charges, “is essentially one man and…provides no benefit to anyone else”), the International AIDS Prevention Initiative (which uses the fair’s funds to help, again, one man — but in L.A.! — travel abroad, plus had its 501c3 status revoked, CB2 says), the Village Crosstown Trolley (which advocates for an Eighth Street light-rail system, but which, “in 17 years…has provided no appreciable value to the district,” in the board’s view), and the Independent Downtown Republican Club (for which CB2 could find no proof of its existence). The board also rejected St. Scapular’s permit bid due its to having “NO relationship of any sort with CB2.” As Maury Schott, chairperson of the board’s Sidewalks & Street Activities Committee, noted, the city doesn’t require these groups to show where the money from the fairs goes. And, Schott admitted, despite his committee’s efforts to vet these applicants for fakes and lack of local connection, it’s unlikely the city will deny any of them permits, except maybe — just maybe — the guy out in L.A. “SAPO hadn’t investigated any of these applicants in years,” Schott said. At least, he added, in a step forward, SAPO will now require applicants to prove 501c3 nonprofit status. Meanwhile, Williamson Henderson, director of SVA, vowed he will again prevail over the Board 2 “haters,” who have backed denying his fair in years past, as well. “We’re very indigenous,” he told our sister publication, The Villager. “It’s an outrageous accusation to make [that we’re not].” SVA has an executive committee that meets monthly at the LGBT Center on West 13th Street, he said, plus a Web site with “over 5 million verified hits for 2012.” Bottom line: CB2 shouldn’t have to screen all these groups for legitimacy and local connection. Unfortunately, though, no one else is providing any help or oversight.

letters to the editor Park it, at 20th St. To The Editor: Re “Multiple Visions for a Vacant Lot” (news, May 1): There is no need to choose between Affordable Housing and this desperately needed park. The community has provided our elected officials with a list of 30 derelict properties in Chelsea. Each of these buildings could become prime residential real estate, but are instead allowed to deteriorate. Our elected officials may be poised to build on the last green space in Chelsea — rather than take the green route of maximizing usage of available housing stock. Some politically connected contractor stands to benefit and, as usual, Chelsea stands to lose! Kathryn Nocerino

especially for longer distances where I might prefer to take the subway (or perhaps it is raining). With Citi Bike, I'll be able to travel by bike whenever I want to, whether I already have my bike with me or not, because there will be dozens of bikes waiting for me less than a block away. And if I am using a Citi Bike, I won't have to worry about locking my bike or having (parts of it) stolen. I'll still have my own bikes, or course, for daytrips and excursions where riding the bike is the purpose — but with Citi Bike, I’ll have an entirely new transportation option available to me that is as close as the nearest cab and cheaper than taking the subway. Alex Dupuy

L.A. escapee now cycles

Happy to give up parking space for Citi Bike To The Editor: I've seen the new bike stations on the 400 block of West 22nd Street and expect that Community Board 4 and our electeds are about to get a lot of complaints from folks who are upset at losing their free parking spots on the street. As somebody who owns a car, and sometimes does the alternate side street parking dance, I do want to let you all know how happy I am to see the new stations on my block — even if it means that free parking might become harder. Really, it’s only five car spaces on our block, not such a big deal. People write things like “97 bike docks on 22nd Street between Eighth Avenue and 11th Avenue” to make it seem bigger than it really is, omitting the fact that five to seven bikes will replace each car. So, you are talking about maybe 20 spaces on four long blocks, probably less than 10 percent of the available parking spaces (for which they pay not one penny). I’ve waited for years (literally, now) for bike share to come to NYC, and I want to let you know that many folks like me, who might own cars, will fight hard to keep this wonderful new addition to our city from being rolled back by the privileged elites who can't stand to lose any of their perks, and will come up with the most ridiculous excuses about how bike share doesn't belong in a historical district. I signed up for Citi Bike the first day possible, because I don’t take my own bike out with me every time I leave the house. Sometimes it's not convenient,

To The Editor: I love this bike plan. I lived in L.A. for 20 years, where cars and multi-lane freeways rule mercilessly over everything. It is also where the widening of the 405 (San Diego) Freeway has resulted in even worse traffic nightmares, including it taking an hour (once 10 minutes) to drive from the West Side to the Valley. I moved here to get away from all that, and traded in my maroon Ford Mustang convertible with baby leather seats for a $300 bike. I could not be happier or healthier. The central problem is that cars are inefficient city transport. They also pollute and envelope people in a metal bubble, cutting off interaction. Want to see an isolated person? Look for someone stuck in traffic, alone in his car. Bikes are much more efficient, and this program will encourage more bicycling. Also, it will make neighborhoods far off the grid — like the far Lower East Side — much more accessible. Let us not lose the larger picture — greater transport efficiency, more interpersonal interaction, less pollution and better exercise while commuting — while arguing over details. The kiosks can be re-sited, if need be. The concept, though, is wonderful. Joseph Hanania E-mail letters, not longer than 250 words in length, to scott@chelseanow.com or fax to 212-229-2790 or mail to Chelsea Now, Letters to the Editor, 515 Canal St., Suite 1C, NY, NY 10013. Please include phone number for confirmation purposes. Chelsea Now reserves the right to edit letters for space, grammar, clarity and libel. Chelsea Now does not publish anonymous letters.

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May 15 - 28, 2013

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.). The board meeting, open to the public, is the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is Wed., June 5, 6:30pm, at Fulton Auditorium (119 9th Ave., btw. 17th & 18th Sts.). Call 212-736-4536, visit nyc.gov/mcb4 or email them at info@manhattancb4.org. 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. The board meeting, open to the public, happens on the second Thursday of the month. The next meeting is Thurs., June 13, 6pm, at Xavier High School (30 W. 16th St., btw. 5th and 6th Aves., 2nd fl.). Call 212-465-0907, visit cb5.org or email them at office@cb5.org. 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.

CHELSEA GARDEN CLUB Chelsea Garden Club cares for the bike lane tree pits in Chelsea. If you want to adopt a tree pit or join the group, please contact them at cgc.nyc@gmail.com or like them on Facebook. Also visit chelseagardenclub.blogspot.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 VILLAGE-CHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Call 212-337-5912 or visit villagechelsea.com. THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT INITIATIVE Visit meatpacking-district.com or call 212-633-0185. PENN SOUTH The Penn South Program for Seniors provides recreation, education and social services — and welcomes volunteers. For info, call 212-2433670 or visit pennsouthlive.com. 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. THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER At 208 W. 13th St. (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Visit gaycenter.org or call 212620-7310. GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS (GMHC) At 446 W. 33rd St. btw. 9th & 10th Aves. Visit gmhc.org. Call 212-367-1000.

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BY PAUL SCHINDLER

he 2004 federal budget proposed by the Bush administration on February 3 is drawing both praise and criticism from gay and AIDS groups. “Generally, we have a mixed reaction to it,” said Winnie Stachelberg, political director at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), even as some leading AIDS groups, including the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), were more critical. The proposal includes a $100 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), a $5 million dollar increase in the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS

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Member of the National Newspaper Association Chelsea Now is published biweekly by NYC Community Media LLC, 515 Canal St., Unit 1C, New York, NY 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 NYC Community Media LLC, Postmaster: Send address changes to Chelsea Now, 145 Sixth Ave., First Fl., New York, N.Y. 10013.

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The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue.

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. FULTON YOUTH OF THE FUTURE Email them at fultonyouth@gmail. com or contact Miguel Acevedo, 646-671-0310. WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE Visit westsidenyc.org or call 212956-2573. Email them at wsna@ hcc-nyc.org. CHELSEA COALITION ON HOUSING Tenant assistance every Thursday night at 7pm, at Hudson Guild (119 9th Ave.). Email them at chelseacoalition.cch@gmail.com. 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.

PUBLISHER Jennifer Goodstein ASSOCIATE EDITOR / ARTS EDITOR Scott Stiffler REPORTERS Lincoln Anderson EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Sean Egan Maeve Gately Kaitlyn Meade

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CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN Call 212-564-7757 or visit council.nyc. gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml. STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN Call 212-633-8052 or visit bradhoylman.com. CHELSEA REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB The CRDC (the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblymember Richard N. Gottfried) meets monthly to exchange political ideas on protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@crdcnyc.org. THE SAGE CENTER New York City’s first LGBT senior center offers hot meals, counseling and a cyber-center — as well as programs on arts and culture, fitness, nutrition, health and wellness. At 305 Seventh Ave. (15th floor, btw. 27th & 28th Sts.). Call 646-576-8669 or visit sageusa.org/ thesagecenter for menus and a calendar of programs. At 147 W. 24th St. (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.

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 les-

bian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people of color center for community organizing. Visit alp.org.

ART / PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Troy Masters SENIOR DESIGNER Michael Shirey GRAPHIC DESIGNER Arnold Rozon CIRCULATION SALES MNGR. Marvin Rock DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Cheryl Williamson

CONTRIBUTORS Ryan Buxton Martin Denton Lakshmi Gandhi Terese Loeb Kreuzer Kaitlyn Meade Duncan Osborne Paul Schindler PHOTOGRAPHERS Milo Hess J. B. Nicholas Jefferson Siegel

May 15 - 28, 2013

Police BLOTTER THE 10th PRECINCT Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Commander: David Miller. Main number: 212-741-8211. Community Affairs: 212-7418226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226. Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216. Youth Officer: 212741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-741-8210. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council meeting, open to the public, normally takes place at 7pm on the last Wed. of the month. This month, however, the Council meets at 7pm on Wed., May 22 — then will break for the summer, and resume in September.

THE 13th PRECINCT Located at 230 E. 21st St. (btw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Ted Bernsted. Call 212-4777411. 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.

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 800577-TIPS, text “TIP577” (plus your message) to “CRIMES” (274637) or submit a tip online at nypdcrimestoppers.com.

Grand Larceny: Missing ice must have had help Expensive jewelry may dazzle, but its abilities to amaze stop short at growing legs. So a resident of the west 20s, who left her apartment at 9am one morning in early May and returned at 7pm to find several items of pricey ice missing, suspects the A-list accessories had some help in their journey out of the building to parts unknown. The victim, whose losses totaled $6,690 (including a $2,900 Tiffany bracelet and a $2,300 Mikimoto pearl necklace) told police that work was being performed in her apartment by a construction company while she was out, and that all five items of missing jewelry were stored in the same location (a drawer in the closet).

Theft of Services: Belligerent barflies push and flail They sure could knock them down — too bad they couldn’t come up with the cash to pay for the $376.31 worth of liquor when the bill came due. That happened at 12:40am on Sun., May 5, when two female patrons of The Park club (118 10th Ave.) refused to pay their bar tab. Police were called to the scene, where Defendant #1 (a 24-year-old) was placed under arrest, flailing her arms and shoving the arresting officer in an attempt to avoid being handcuffed. Defendant #2, who at 25 was one year older but none the wiser than her drinking buddy, was also arrested for, according to the criminal complaint, “obstructing the investigation by way of grabbing the arresting officer, pushing and shoving and acting in a disorderly manner.”

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance: White line meets thin blue line Bereft of a mirror, two twitchy men in their midtwenties looking for a fix improvised by using their mobile communication device as a platform for getting high. That ill-advised decision led to their arrest — when uniformed officers of the 10th Precinct observed the pair on a public sidewalk, opposite of 508 W. 28th St., at around 1:10am on Sun., May 5. Defendant #1,

according to police, poured cocaine onto his cell phone — then, Defendant #2 snorted it. In the process of the arrest, it was discovered that Defendant #1 had a glass container of cocaine in his front left pants pocket.

Forgery: Rock on the C line

A 39-year-old man was taken into custody at around 12:25am on Sun., May 5 — when uniformed officers observed him walking from one subway car to another (on the northbound C train, near the W. 14th St. & 8th Ave. stop). The defendant was found to be in possession of a crack pipe, containing residue of “alleged crack cocaine.” He was charged with forgery, police noted, because a further search of his person revealed “one reduced fare MetroCard that was bent/altered.” The defendant had a previous record of transit-related arrests (the bent/altered card, in addition to allowing unlimited personal entry to the subway, is often used as a moneymaking scheme — whereby access to the subway is sold, at a reduced rate, to others. The scammer swipes the card, the person enters the system, the thief pockets his take and then proceeds to repeat the process).

Larceny: Three days in May As regular attendees of the 10th Precinct’s Community Council meetings know, larceny crimes (both petty and grand) account for the overwhelming majority of complaints filed. Chelsea’s high density of clubs, restaurants, retail and recreational destinations — combined with a lack of savvy and/or inebriation on the part of the general public — often make the criminal’s job easy (or at least less difficult). Here’s a sampling of larceny complaints filed, from May 3-5: •A bag left unattended on the sidewalk, while the victim helped a friend move a bike, was stolen. The contents included an Apple laptop ($1,200) and an iPhone ($600). •W hile playing baseball in the park (southwest corner of 9th Ave. & 28th St.), a man’s personal belongings, left unattended, were stolen — including an iPhone valued at $650. There was no tracking app on the phone (which, if the phone were turned on, would allow the victim, and police, to pinpoint the phone’s whereabouts). • I nside the SL (409 W. 14th St.), a woman put her purse on a table, then left it unattended, from 1-1:15am. When she returned, the bag (a grey Marc Jacobs brand worth $600) was gone—along with a $300 black iPhone 4S and Chase debit card. It was later discovered that the debit card had been used to make purchases at McDonald’s and a 7-Eleven, then take a taxi, then make a purchase at Hudson Bar & Books (636 Hudson St.). • I nside of Chinese Fast Wok (230 7th Ave.), a woman left her purse on a chair, then exited. She quickly realized this, and returned — only to be told that a woman turned the purse in, to the counter person. A man told the counter person that the bag belonged to his wife, and he was there to retrieve it. He was given the purse, and got away with it (as well as its $1,770 in contents, which included $20 cash, a gold chain worth $1,000 and a $700 gold bracelet).

—Scott Stiffler

May 15 - 28, 2013

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

BY SCOTT STIFFLER

Photo by Joe Bly Photo by Maya Moverman

In their current exhibition (on view through June 8), Teen Art Gallery goes for the black and white look.

T.A.G. (TEEN ART GALLERY) EXHIBITION

Determined to overcome “the limiting environment assigned to us because of our age,” the prolific members of T.A.G. (Teen Art Gallery) make their own opportunities by helping young artists navigate the process of showing in a gallery setting. Their current Chelsea exhibition consists of work rendered in black and white, and features contributions from Lisbeth Checo, Mindy Zou, Morris Reeves, Mary Walker Rippe, Kevin Nguyen, Maya Moverman, Phoebe Kaufman, Clara Lu, Teri Minogue, Jasmine Clarke, Sungwon Hong, Alika Feldman, Arielle Trenk and Robin Krupnick. From July 11-20, T.A.G. will present a second exhibition at Chashama — featuring a wide range of work from artists across the country, as well as a selection of creative writing and the introduction of the group’s YouTube channel. Plans are currently being solidified, so visit teenartgallery.org for updates. A free exhibition, “T.A.G. in Black and White,” is on view through June 8, at HiArt! (227 W. 29th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves., buzzer 400). Gallery Hours: Mon.-Fri., 3-6pm. To arrange a private viewing outside normal gallery hours, call 212-209-1552.

brought up at previous meetings. After May 22, the Council breaks for the summer — then resumes in September. For more info, call the 10th Precinct’s Community Affairs line (212-741-8226) or the main number (212-741-8211).

JOY FRANZ, IN ’night, Mother

Photo by Louise Lasson

A crafty way to raise funds: The PS11/Etsy Spring Crafts Fair happens on June 1.

PS11 & ETSY SPRING CRAFTS FAIR

Help raise funds for the PS11 PTA — which, in turn, will help to support the school’s art, music and enrichment programs — by coming, cash in hand, to “Crafts in Chelsea,” a spring crafts fair featuring the creative (and functional) output of over 70 vendors from Etsy (an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies). In addition to the up-for-grabs goods (which, we’re assured, make great belated Mother’s Day gifts and early bird Father’s Day presents), the fair offers free arts and crafts activities and face painting. PS11 teachers, a Bob Marley cover band and a DJ provide the music. The Fresh and Hearty Food Truck will be selling wraps, salads and soups. Sat., June 1, from 11am-5pm, outside of PS11 (21st St., btw. 8th & 9th Aves.). For more info, visit ps11chelsea.org.

MEET THE NEW 10th PRECINCT COMMANDER

The 10th Precinct’s last Community Council meeting of the season will be your first chance to meet Commander David Miller. He arrives in Chelsea after having served as executive officer of the Lower Eat Side’s Seventh Precinct, and takes over for the departing Deputy Inspector Elisa Cokkinos (who’s now assigned to the Sixth Precinct). Miller’s new position, his first command, brings him full circle back to our

Chelsea’s own Joy Franz (left), and Laura Siner star in the White Horse Theater Company production of ’night, Mother.

White Horse Theater Company’s 10th anniversary season continues, with Marsha Norman’s 1983 Pulitzer Prizewinning play. This challenging and powerful work chronicles a tense back and forth between a suicidal young woman and her mother. Longtime Chelsea resident (and block association member!) Joy Franz co-stars, in the maternal role. Theatergoers who venture beyond the neighborhood will remember Franz in the original Broadway runs of “Pippin” (as Catherine) and “A Little Night Music” (as Mrs. Nordstrom). She also appeared in the original Broadway cast of “Into the Woods” (as Cinderella’s stepmother). Co-star Laura Siner, playing daughter Jessie, previously starred in White Horse’s “In The Bar of a Tokyo Hotel.” White Horse Producing Artistic Director Cyndy A. Marion stages this production with bold visuals that call attention to the ominous finality implied by the looming specter of Jessie’s bedroom door. Wed.-Sat., May 15-18, at 8pm. 2pm matinee on Sat., May 18 and a matinee at 3pm on Sun., May 19. At the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 W. 26th St., btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). For tickets ($18), visit smarttix.com. For more info, visit whitehorsetheater.com.

PS33 COMMUNITY DAY CARNIVAL

Photo by Scott Stiffler

Meet Commander David Miller at the 10th Precinct’s Community Council meeting (May 22).

area (before serving as a captain at the Seventh precinct, he was a lieutenant at the 10th). Ask him about that timeline, and anything else, when you attend the Wed., May 22, 7pm Community Council meeting (at the 10th Precinct; 230 W. 20th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Open to the public, Council meetings provide an opportunity to hear the latest crime statistics for the area, ask questions and get updates on concerns

Adults will appreciate the chance to meet the staff, teachers and PTA members of PS33 (Chelsea Prep). But let’s not kid ourselves — the kids are going to be begging you to go so they can spend some quality time in the bouncy castle and on the giant slide. That means there’s something for everyone at the PS33 Fifth Annual Community Day Carnival. Music, arts activities and great food (donated by Union Square Events) also figures into the mix — as does a 3pm raffle whose prizes include an iPad with Retina display, an iPod Touch and a Kindle Fire. All proceeds from the event will help support the school’s A-rated arts and enrichment programs. Sat., June 1, 11am-4pm, in the PS33 school yard (W. 26 St., btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). $2 entry fee (children under three, free admission). Tickets must be purchased for rides, food and activities. For more info, visit ps33chelseaprep.org or send an email to ps33pta@gmail.com.

May 15 - 28, 2013

chelsea: arts & ENTERTAINMENT Rhyme Machine Kid Lucky and La MaMa celebrate ‘the art of human noise’ AMERICAN HUMAN BEATBOX FESTIVAL 2013 Fri., May 24, 10pm: Beatrhyme Battle Sat., May 25, 11am: La MaMa Kids: Beatbox Workshop Sat., May 25, 10pm: Vocal Wars: Hip Hop Team Battle Sun., May 26, 5:30pm: “Nos States” (film) Sun., May 26, 8pm: Baba Israel and Playback NYC: Tribute to Steve Ben Israel At La MaMa The Club, 74A E. 4th St. (btw. Bowery & 2nd Ave.). May 25 Workshop, 2nd floor of The Annex (66-68 E. 4th St.) Tickets: $10 in advance, $20 at door ($15 for students/seniors) Workshop: $10 per family (in advance & at door) Film: $10 (in advance & at door) Reservations: 212-475-7710 or lamama.org Photo courtesy of the artist and La MaMa

Kid Lucky, at the 2011 La MaMa World Block Party.

BY TOM TENNEY In a 1913 letter to the composer Francesco Balilla Pratella, Italian Futurist Luigi Russolo declared, “The variety of noises is infinite…today we have perhaps a thousand different machines, and can distinguish a thousand different noises, tomorrow, as new machines multiply, we will be able to distinguish ten, twenty, or thirty thousand different noises, not merely in a simply imitative way, but to combine them according to our imagination.” This letter, which became a known as “The Art of Noises,” advocated a new sonic vocabulary through the imitation of machines — and became one of the

most important manifestos in the history of sound. As technological advances at the turn of the century paved the way for a revolution in mass media, they also created new possibilities for individual expression. By mid-century, the computer had opened new sonic territory by permitting an unprecedented extension of sounds and scales, pushing the boundaries of music beyond what the Futurists ever imagined. In 1983, 70 years after Russolo’s letter, a British avant-garde electronic group that called itself The Art of Noise (after the manifesto) released a song that mixed sampled sounds of car engines and industrial machinery with time-warped drum

beats and orchestral stabs. This song would become one of the most influential instrumentals in the world of hip-hop, sampled by artists from X-Clan to Marky Mark. The name of that song was “Beat Box.” A year later, an 18-year-old rapper from Harlem by the name of Doug E. Fresh pioneered the art of imitating electronic drum machines using only his voice. The art of “beatboxing” was born, and the verity of Russolo’s vision was, once again, affirmed. As do all musical genres, beatboxing has evolved in the intervening three decades, spawning a variety of techniques — including the “human turntable” (a style invented by Wise of the group Stetsasonic) and

“mouth drumming” (developed by Wes Carroll). From May 24-26, the Third Annual American Human Beatbox Festival at La MaMa Theatre will give New Yorkers the opportunity to sample some of the most eclectic beatboxing styles by artists who make percussive rhythms with the human voice. This three-day exhibition of performances, workshops and film kicks off on Friday night with a battle, not of beatboxers, but beatrhymers — performers who beatbox and rhyme at the same time. Beatrhyming was developed and popular-

Continued on page 13

May 15 - 28, 2013

Beatrhymers Battle at La MaMa Continued from page 12 ized by the festival’s curator, Kid Lucky, who coined the term, and who characterizes the new style as one that allows the performer to move beyond simply providing a beat. Beatrhyming adds language — poetry, rap, song, spoken word — to the vocal effects, freeing the piece to take off in new directions. “Beatboxers listen to the beat,” Lucky explains, “Emcees listen to the words. With beatrhyming, we listen to the whole concept of the song.” Kid Lucky isn’t the first to beatrhyme, and readily acknowledges those who went before him — like Biz Markie, Darren Robinson of the Fat Boys and Rahzel of the Roots, who astonished hip-hop audiences by beatboxing and singing the chorus simultaneously on “If Your Mother Only Knew.” For the most part, however, Lucky has seen beatboxers use beatrhyming mainly as a musical machination, a trick for cheap applause. Lucky, who began beatrhyming in the mid-90s, saw the potential to elevate the style into an art form in its own right. “People used beatrhyming as a trick, or a gimmick,” he says, “I saw it as something much more than that. I saw the possibilities to take the concept and push it beyond the boundaries of what anybody else is doing. That's how you move from gimmick to art.” He’s also quick to point out that beatrhyming doesn’t necessarily mean rapping, but can include a number of vocal styles (such as singing and spoken word). When La MaMa approached Kid Lucky to curate the first beatboxing festival in 2010, he saw an opportunity to challenge traditional notions of beatboxing, and bring his innovations to a wider audience, many of whom still maintain rigid definitions of beatboxing as a human emulation of technology. While he recognizes the cultural roots of beatboxing as “man-imitatingmachine,” Lucky sees beatrhyming as an opportunity to reintroduce the human element, or “soul,” back into the art. “Beatboxing, which began by imitating the Roland 808 drum machine, is more concerned with the electronic aspect,” he explains, “but as beatboxing moves further, it emphasizes the soul and the feeling as opposed to the technical aspect of it.” For Kid Lucky, the next step in the advancement of beatrhyming is handing his skills down to a new generation of performers. He teaches weekly beatrhyming workshops at Midtown's famous Funkadelic Studios, and plans to develop them into a school of what he calls “Mixed Vocal Arts” — an institution that will teach not only his signature style, but also an entire array of vocal techniques including humming, whistling, scatting, vocal sound effects, singing, spoken word, yodeling, rapping

and Tuvan throat singing. The concept of the school was born of Lucky’s frustration with the limited number of styles represented in universities and professional training schools. Scat singing, for example, a uniquely American form of jazz vocalization popularized by Ella Fitzgerald in the 1950s, isn’t taught at most universities. “With scatting, Ella Fitzgerald became a whole entire instrument right there, and people went crazy,” Lucky said. “Why would you stop doing that? Why would you stop pushing that type of situation forward?" Those who wish to experience this “pushing forward” in person should check out the beatrhyming battle on May 24, where the performers will include D-Cross, Kid Lucky, Kaila, Graffiti, Richard, Esalaah, Kenny Urban, Mandibul, Menyu and Baba Israel. Saturday morning, bring your baby beatboxers to the Kids Beatbox Workshop, and then come back for the emcee/beatboxer team battles at 10pm. Sunday offerings include “Nos States” — a documentary about French beatboxer Princeps, followed by a tribute to the late Steve Ben Israel. It’ll be a unique celebration of music, beats, words and the art of human noise. Tom Tenney is a performer, producer, sound artist and founder of the annual RE/Mixed Media Festival in Brooklyn, NY (remixnyc.com). He currently teaches media theory at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. Follow him on Twitter at @tomtenney, or follow his blog at inc.ongruo.us.

Photo courtesy of the artist

Baba Israel, on the bill of May 24’s Beat-Rhyming battlers.

Photo courtesy of the artist

Rabbi Darkside, one of the May 25 Vocal Wars warriors.

May 15 - 28, 2013

Buhmann on Art Our critic’s top gallery picks

Image courtesy of the artist and Lori Bookstein Fine Art.

Installation Shot courtesy of The Drawing Center, photo by Cathy Carver.

Elena Sisto: “At Midnight” (2010, oil on linen, 36 x 40 inches).

This vitrine contains various Giosetta Fioroni drawings, including some from her childhood as well as images representing a performance she did in 1968. On view through June 2, at The Drawing Center.

Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures

Sara VanDerBeek: “Roman Women VIII” (2013, 2 Digital C-Prints, 20 x 16 inches-each image size; 50.8 x 40.6 cm, 20 1/2 x 16 3/8 inches (each frame size), 52.1 x 41.6 cm. Edition of 3.

BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN

ELENA SISTO: BETWEEN THE SILVER LIGHT AND ORANGE SHADOW

Sisto’s first solo show with the gallery serves as the final venue for the traveling museum exhibition of the same title. For the last three years, Sisto’s paintings have explored the formative years of young women artists. Most show three-quarter profiles of women against the backdrop of the studio or while partially hidden behind the canvas. These intimate depictions offer deep insight into the psychology of each sitter. Though abstracted, Sisto’s subjects maintain unique personalities and dispositions that hint at the possibility of narrative. Through May 25, at Lori Bookstein Fine Art (138 10th Ave., btw. 18th & 19th Sts.). Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10:30am-6pm. Call 212750-0949 or visit loribooksteinfineart.com.

GIOSETTA FIORONI: L’ARGENTO

Curated by Claire Gilman, this exhibition is Fioroni’s first solo show in North America.

It features over 80 works by the Italian artist, dating from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. In her drawings, paintings, films, theater designs and illustrations, Fioroni responded to the increasingly commercial culture of her time. However, in contrast to the American Pop artists, her focus remained on hand-rendering images rather than deriving them from commercial advertisements. Born in 1932, Fioroni was the only female member of the Scuola di Piazza del Popolo — a group of artists that emerged in Rome during the 1960s. She continues to live and work in Rome. Through June 2, at The Drawing Center (35 Wooster St., btw. Broome & Grand Sts.). Hours: Wed, Fri.-Sun., 12-6pm. and Thurs., 12-8pm. Call 212-219-2166 or visit drawingcenter.org.

Sara VanDerBeek

In her first solo show with the gallery, VanDerBeek presents new photographs and sculptures that explore the translation of memory into image and form. Her research stems from recent travels to Paris, Rome and Naples — where she explored archeological

Courtesy of Feature Inc., New York

Dike Blair: “Dance Dance Dance” (2011; paint on wood, framed mixed media on paper; 72 x 55 x 216”).

sites and museum collections of classical and neoclassical sculpture. Largely inspired by ancient female figures, VanDerBeek has created, among others, a group of photographs of large marble and metal female figures, colorized with blue and pink Plexiglas, that are seen opposite a colonnade of rectilinear modular forms. Through June 8, at Metro Pictures (519 W. 24th St., btw. 10th & 11th Aves.). Hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-6pm. Call 212-2067100 or visit metropicturesgallery.com.

DIKE BLAIR: SCULPTURE

Blair’s sculptures are assemblages. They are comprised of painted wooden shipping

crates, which in the past have contained framed gouache paintings or objects like Noguchi lamps. While the abstract geometric aspects of Blair’s work evoke a range of modernist movements, including the De Stijl, it remains very much rooted in the here and now. Conceptually, these sculptures address notions of storage, furniture and the human body. They bring attention to the banal and transitory details of everyday life, feeling both personal and mediated. Through June 2, at Feature Inc. (131 Allen St., btw. Delancey & Rivington Sts.). Hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-6pm. Call 212-6757772 or visit featureinc.com

May 15 - 28, 2013

Concert Celebrates 50 Years of Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan Album’s anniversary feted by its contemporaries FREEWHEELIN’ 50TH

ANNIVERSARY ALL-STAR JAM

Tues., May 21, at 8pm At the Village Underground 130 W. 3rd St. (just east of Sixth Ave.) Purchase tickets ($5) at the door For info: 212-777-7745 or villageunderground.com

BY MICHAEL LYDON Fifty years ago this month, May 1963, Columbia Records released Bob Dylan's second album: “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.” Dylan had come to New York only two years before and, like countless young singers, actors, dancers, artists and writers before and since, he was bound and determined to make his mark on the world. “I knew whatever I did had to be something creative,” he told an early interviewer, “something I could do just for me. I was about seventeen, eighteen. I knew there was nothing I ever wanted, materially, and I made it all up from that feeling.” Dylan’s combination of Chaplinesque charm, political protest and driving ambition had already carried him far. In little more than a year in New York, he had become a friend and protegé of Woody Guthrie, headlined weeklong gigs at major clubs, gotten a rave review in the New York Times, been signed to Columbia by veteran producer John Hammond and recorded “Bob Dylan” — his first LP. Yet “Bob Dylan,” a folk song collection released in early 1962, stiffed, as they say in the record biz, and Columbia executives

Photo by Michael Lydon Photo courtesy of Columbia Records

Steel wheelin’: An all-star roster fetes Dylan, on May 21.

whispered that Hammond’s boy genius had become “Hammond’s Folly.” Through the rest of the year Dylan kept gigging and writing, coming up with his first masterpiece: “Blowin’ in the Wind.” His new manager, Albert Grossman, gave it to the newly minted pop-folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary — and while Dylan recorded the “Freewheelin’ ” tracks, the trio recorded “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Their single, released right after “The

Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” quickly became a million-selling pop chart-topper. Other covers by Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, Marlene Dietrich and Trini Lopez soon followed. “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” album had a gritty-romantic cover of Dylan and his girlfriend, artist Suze Rotolo, huddled against a wintry Manhattan wind on Jones Street near West 4th, and featured his solo version of “Blowin’ in the Wind” as the opening track. Lacking Peter, Paul and Mary’s sweet

Bob Porco, grandson of legendary Gerde’s Folk City founder Mike Porco, is producing the upcoming Dylan tribute.

three-part harmonies, “Freewheelin’ ” never sold at gold record volumes. But 11 of the album's 13 songs were powerful and soon-beloved Dylan originals. With “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” the kid in the corduroy cap stepped out on his own — and through the five decades since the album’s release, Bob Dylan has remained a force to be reckoned with in popular music.

Continued on page 18

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May 15 - 28, 2013

Two Arrests in Second of Recent Madison Square Garden Area Bashings BY JOSEPH EHRMAN-DUPRE AND PAUL SCHINDLER Port Authority police made two arrests in a May 10 assault on a gay couple outside a PATH station entrance at 33rd Street and Ninth Avenue. The attack came five days after two other gay men, Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins, were pushed to the ground and punched in the face just a block away, allegedly by a group of men wearing Knicks jerseys. That attack came shortly after the team lost to the Indiana Pacers at nearby Madison Square Garden. In the May 10 assaults, Asllan Berisha and Brian Ramirez, both 21 and from Manhattan, who were with a group of three other men, were arrested at the scene on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment, according to the Daily News. The Port Authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether the assaults were being investigated as hate crimes. Berisha was released on $1,500 bail but it is not known if Ramirez has yet posted bail. The victims, whom Port Authority police did not identify beyond their ages –– 27 and 37 –– were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where one of them required surgery on his eye. A source told the Daily News that one of the victims said the assailants “came after us and fought us because we’re homosexual.” In the May 5 case, Porto and Atkins were walking arm in arm on Eighth Avenue between 34th and 35th Street when they were attacked by an undetermined number of

men. Surveillance video that surfaced several days after the assault shows a group of eight, several garbed in Knicks jerseys, walking together shortly before the incident. Police have circulated a photo of one of the men, whom they have identified as a person of interest in the investigation. The NYPD describes the man as Hispanic and in his 20s, approximately six foot, with brown hair and a tattoo on his left forearm. The man was wearing a white Knicks jersey with the number 7 on it, a cap, blue jeans and white sneakers. Three other Hispanic men in their 20s are also being sought. Porto posted a photo to Facebook of himself and Atkins, which shows dried blood under his nose and Atkins’ wrist and lower forearm covered by a cast. “A group of men wearing Knicks jerseys just got out of the game at Madison Square Garden,” he wrote. “We were verbally accosted by two of them… It was then that I realized we were surrounded. They broke my nose and his wrist… they called us fags and told us to not bother fighting.” Both Porto and Atkins were treated at Bellevue. The bag the couple was carrying was also damaged, destroying an iPad and cell phone. According to website DNAinfo, Porto expressed regret that his effort to resist the assailants when they were verbally harassing him and Atkins led to Atkins being assaulted. “It’s my fault –– I spoke back to them — that Kevin was hit,” he said. “He didn’t deserve it

at that moment.” Porto raised a larger question of concern for many LGBT New Yorkers. “This happened in Midtown, during the day, with a ton of people around, just across the street from the New Yorker,” he wrote. “When are we safe?” Anyone with information regarding the attack on Porto and Atkins is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Kevin Atkins and Nick Porto following their assault on May 5.

whatsoever. I was that idiot that should have just walked away.” In his Facebook posting –– made prior to the police release of the footage –– Porto voiced doubts about whether the assailants would be apprehended. “This event happened just outside [McDonalds] where they were caught on tape and several by-standers had their cameras out taking video,” he wrote. “Despite this, police have informed us that they couldn’t promise anything as there were a ton of fans in the city

Note: This article originally appeared on the website of our sister publication, Gay City News. Also note: Queer Rising (a grassroots organization created to demand full equality for all queer people through nonviolent direct action) will sponsor “Queers Take Back the Night: A Rallied Response to Dual Hate-Crimes” — a rally and march in response to recent anti-gay hate crimes in the Madison Square Garden area. It takes place on Thursday, May 16, during the New York Knicks game. Supporters will gather at 7pm at the southwest corner of Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, to hand out flyers to Knicks fans and passersby about the attacks. During the game, Queer Rising will hold a rally outside the arena, to include speeches by invited community leaders — and followed by a peaceful march down Eighth Avenue, through Chelsea.

May 15 - 28, 2013

Air of Celebration Blowin’ in the Wind, at Dylan Tribute Continued from page 15 To celebrate the album’s 50th birthday, a baker’s dozen of contemporary folk singers will perform the album’s 13 songs (and more) in a special concert on May 21 at the Village Underground — a most fitting venue, because 130 West 3rd was the second site of Gerde’s Folk City, the club that launched Dylan’s career. Also fitting: Bob Porco, grandson of the legendary Mike Porco (who founded Gerde’s and booked Dylan to his first paid New York gigs) is producing the celebration. “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is an album worth celebrating. At times Dylan’s voice sounds high and scratchy, at others warm and caressing. The puzzling riddles of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” the winsome romance of “Girl from the North Country,” the dramatic guitar runs of “Down the Highway,” the antic comedy of “Bob Dylan's Dream,” the Biblical imagery of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” the ironic resignation of “Don't Think Twice, It’s All Right,” the howling harmonica of “Talking World War III Blues” — Dylan seeds every track with sounds and styles that have blossomed in the dozens of masterful albums he has recorded since. “The [May 21] concert grew out of the folk revival nights I put on over several years at the old Gaslight," said producer Porco, a trim personal trainer, “and now I'm mak-

At the May 21 tribute, spoken word artist Paul Mills (aka Poez) will deliver Dylan’s black comedy song “Talking World War III Blues.”

ing a documentary film about my grandfather Mike and his musician friends that he helped get started at Folk City. In March, around the fountain in Washington Square Park, we shot the film’s first interview with Izzy Young. He ran the Folklore Center on MacDougal Street where Dylan, Phil Ochs and the other protest singers hung out.” Porco has put together a congenial group of Folk City alums for the May concert. Terre Roche, known both as a soloist and, with her

Photos by Michael Lydon

L to R: Izzy Young and David Massengill, in Washington Square.

sisters Maggie and Suzzy, as a member of the folk trio The Roches, will sing “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Judy Gorman, who describes herself as “An Analog Girl in a Digital World,” will perform “Masters of War.” Singer-humorist Willie Nininger, who has won numerous Bob Dylan imitator contests, will handle the stark “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” — and Erik Frandsen will sing “Bob Dylan’s Dream,” a nostalgic song that Dylan adapted from an old English folk melody, “Lord Franklin.” “I’ve always loved how Dylan made traditional tunes his own,” says Frandsen, adding with a chuckle, “or you could say, Bob Dylan knows how to steal!” Samoa Wilson, a singer with a richly romantic alto voice who came to prominence with the Jim Kweskin band, will sing the bit-

tersweet love ballad “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” Paul Mills, better known as the spoken word artist Poez (who, in the 70s, busked in Washington Square, reciting poetry and wearing a black stovepipe hat), will deliver Dylan’s black comedy song, “Talking World War III Blues.” “When I started out, poets imitated Allen Ginsburg’s sing-songy, ‘Dah-dah, dah-dah’ style of reading poetry,” says Poez, now a lawyer who has defended many Occupy Wall Street protestors. “I wanted to get the drama, the music, out of poetry. I’ve always been a huge Dylan fan, especially of the Freewheelin’ album. Dylan’s songs are in the long American tradition of honesty, compassion and simplicity. He’s up there with Dashiell Hammett, John Huston and Ernest Hemingway.”

May 15 - 28, 2013

CB4 Continues Efforts to Save Chelsea Post Ofﬁce Continued from page 7 Planner/Associate. Erica introduced herself to the membership, offering that she was originally from the San Francisco Bay area but came to New York City to attend graduate school at Pratt Institute, studying city and regional planning. She appears to be here to stay.

PROLIFERATION OF BARS AND OTHER COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Chair Corey Johnson carried out the official vote for the hire of Erica and proceeded to address the 35 items on the evening’s agenda. Items from the Landmarks, Quality of Life, Housing Health and Human Services, Waterfront Parks and Environment, Business Licenses and Permits, Transportation Planning and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Land Use were all on the agenda — but the greatest number of items fell in letters to the State Liquor Authority (SLA) in regard to new or changing restaurants, bars and clubs. Attention was given to correspondence in support of the preservation of the Old Chelsea Station (OCS) post office, at 217 West 18th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. An April 11 meeting initiated by CB4 to address the United States Postal Service's (USPS) proposed relocation of the post office for a possible future sale

of the building to a private developer, drew much distress from the community and attending elected officials. Public comment for the proposed relocation ended on April 26, and a decision will be reached by the USPS in the coming weeks. CB4 is urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the OCS as a New York City landmark as soon as possible. CB4 is also requesting the USPS to consider alternatives to the site’s closure. Suggestions for preserving the existing building by reworking the space, using a smaller footprint and renting vacant space or selling and transferring air rights are to be included in a letter to Mr. Joseph J. Mulvey, USPS’s Real Estate Specialist, which was approved by the board. Discussion also ensued over the issue of the NYPD Tow Pound at Pier 76, near West 36th Street and the Hudson River. Since 2011, CB4 has been trying to learn from the city what efforts are being made to relocate the tow pound, since 50 percent of it is to be developed for passive and active public open space, and the other 50 percent retained by New York City for unspecified commercial development. CB4 is trying to get answers as to what is happening and has asked the city to initiate a study or task force to find a solution for relocating the tow pound as stipulated by New York State law (the Hudson River Park Act). This issue was carefully refined in a letter to Governor

Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Silver and Speaker Skelos. The public session brought out the frustration of community residents over their quality of life, which they feel is declining due to the noise and general rowdiness of patrons at the many bars and clubs in the CB4 area. Board members were not immune to their distress. Questions of whether certain types of bars, clubs and restaurants can be prohibited in specific areas was raised. Johnson explained that “If an operator is in compliance, has a plan and there are not real reasons to deny the [liquor] license, [the State Liquor Authority] grants the license. Our leverage is in putting in meaningful stipulations that are helpful to the community.” He acknowledged that meeting with the SLA, and having conversations with them since there are so many concerns, and so many liquor licenses coming in every month, would be worthwhile. CB4 co-chair of the business license and permits committee, Paul Seres, raised the issue of zoning in regard to the commercial establishments in the community. “The issue is not the SLA licensing, the issue is zoning, you’re talking about commercial overload, C6 allows this type of use. Change the zoning and you’ll change the area,” he said. Discussion over the board’s stipulations, recommendations for approvals and denials of a number of the 16 establishments on the agenda continued. It became clear that if a

community board issues an outright denial for a liquor license, the SLA may grant the license anyway. Then, the community board has lost its chance to be included in the licensing stipulations, such as hours and capacity. CB4 member John Sharp asked whether there was a way to post some sort of notice, similar to the new restaurant grading notices, to alert residents as to whether an establishment is adhering to stipulations (as Boxers HK was not). “So we’re not allowed to do that,” said Johnson with a touch of humor. He then explained that the state legislature is trying to come up with a system of transparency so that anyone can look up stipulations online more easily, as right now, “It’s like trying to get the Sphinx to figure it out.” COMMUNITY BOARD 4 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.). The board meeting, open to the public, is the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is Wed., June 5, 6:30pm, at Fulton Auditorium (119 9th Ave., btw. 17th & 18th Sts.). Call 212-7364536, visit nyc.gov/mcb4 or email them at info@manhattancb4.org.

May 15 - 28, 2013

Your favorite advice columnist is (still!) out galavanting in Key West. But Fear Not! She will ACTULLY be back, in our next issue!

c s e o o s p r H o Aries Like an unwelcome spring cold snap, a casual acquaintance’s cutting observation will force the deployment of protective layers.

Taurus A spice you used to despise is about to become a regular player in your potluck fallback dish. Do you have a personal problem at work, the gym, the bar or the corner coffee shop? Is there a domestic dispute that needs the sage counsel of an uninvolved third party? Then Ask Aunt Chelsea! Contact her via askauntchelsea@chelseanow.com, and feel free to end your pensive missive with a clever, anonymous moniker (aka “Troubled on 23rd Street,” or “Ferklempt in the Fashion District”).

Gemini People in Hell have a better chance of getting ice water than you have of getting your way this week. Lose your stubborn resolve and gain your freedom! Cancer A scan of the horizon reveals a billboard message whose metaphor speaks to you, loud and clear. Ignore this cosmic warning at your own risk! Leo Your crackerjack debunking of a close friend’s kooky theory means well, but don't rub it in. Words can hurt! Virgo Sabotage attempts on your reputation fail when others see you repeatedly decline to take the bait of a grouchy rival. Libra That thing you’re thinking of doing next weekend will turn out rather well. RSVP, ASAP! Scorpio All the time in the world for a project’s deadline will tempt you to procrastinate. Get to work! Sagittarius Your laser-like focus requires another’s knack for precision in order to pull off an elaborate plan. Capricorn Matters of love and money should be at the forefront of your concerns, exactly six days from reading this. Aquarius A lazy spring stroll in Central Park will mushroom into a strange adventure lasting well into the next morning. Pisces More is less this week, so resist the urge to go on a tangent. Sometimes a short sentence does the job just as well.

May 15 - 28, 2013

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May 15 - 28, 2013

Park Advocates Fight for Green Space Continued from page 2 Leaders of the Friends group spoke of the park as a way to combat the rapid increase in apartment buildings and new businesses throughout the area. “I am a believer in balanced infrastructure,” said Sally Greenspan, a founding member of the Friends. She described the potential park as “a sponge in the middle of all this cement,” and warned that it is the last open, undeveloped space in the area — the last chance to build a new playground for the first time since 1968. A park is a place for everybody, Greenspan said, and would benefit residents of affordable housing as it becomes “a place where neighbors meet.” The event drew two candidates for city office, Yetta Kurland and Julie Menin, who are running for City Council and Manhattan Borough President, respectively. The support of these candidates is crucial for Friends of 20th Street, as their votes could overturn the affordable housing decisions made by CB4. Kurland said she was delighted to be at the event, and in a later email to Chelsea Now, added that, “The Friends of the 20th Street Park are the best kind of community-based planning.” If elected, Kurland said she will “continue to work with community members to design a solution that meets our neighborhood’s needs,” emphasizing that “Chelsea’s shortage of open space couldn’t be clearer. We need space for our children, our pets and our families to breathe.” The need for green space will not come at the expense of housing, Kurland promised, saying she will work with Friends of 20th Street to continue to identify possible locations for affordable housing, as, “We should not as a community be forced to have to choose between having outside space or being able to afford our inside space.” Weiss opened the official section of the evening by standing in the miniature park display, and thanking the community members who had gathered to show their support. “This event marks a truly momentous step for the park,” he said, arguing that, “What we see on 20th Street is tremendous possibility,” and “a place of respite for young and old.” The architectural renderings serve a crucial role in attaining this potential, as they provide visuals needed to inspire the community and act as a “critical catalyst” for advancement. As his own son tugged at his shirt, and various toddlers weaved around him, Matt joked that the “Kid of Parks” was being “enthusiastically embraced by kids already.” Weiss also spoke of the need to “keep up the pressure” on local officials, promising that Friends of 20th Street will not stop “until one day these gates are gone and the park is open for all.” Those who stand to benefit most from the park are families with children and seniors, who cannot walk the necessary three avenue blocks to get to Hudson River Park or Madison Square Park. Annie Walsh,

Photo by Maeve Gately

Photo courtesy of Friends of 20 Street Park

Matt Weiss, founder of Friends of 20th Street Park, stands in front of “the kids of parks” (with architect James Khams).

Image courtesy of James Khamsi & Friends of 20th Street Park

One of three renderings depicting possible use scenarios, by architect James Khamsi (of Firm a.d.).

a mother living on 20th Street (right near the empty lot), expressed her frustration at the current lack of green space in the area. If she wants to take her children to a park, Walsh explained, “I have to gear up and then I’m out for the rest of the morning.” Even then, her best options, Union Square or Madison Square, are too crowded and lack the safe convenience of a neighborhood park. “I don’t want to have to sit on a bus to have to sit on a park bench,” said Pamela Wolff. A CB4 member and a lifelong resident of 21st Street, Wolff was careful to articulate her belief in the benefits of affordable housing, saying it is “the most wonderful thing we could possibly do, but we have done it and done it and done it,” and now the area desperately needs green space. “It is

unfortunate that this park, which is a good cause, is fighting with another good cause,” she added. Wolff’s alternative for affordable housing is the same as Weiss’s—a group of four city-owned buildings on Seventh Avenue, at the corner of 22nd Street. The cityowned and abandoned structures are in disrepair, and have over 54 open violations against them. If the buildings were torn down or refurbished, Weiss says, they could potentially yield 40 incremental units. But that is not enough to make up for what the 20th Street lot offers, says Bob Benfatto, and the Seventh Avenue buildings are already part of the city’s affordable housing plan. Friends of 20th Street has pointed out other alternatives, including the Bayview Correctional Facility

They can’t wait for a playground: Two tots make good use of the interactive display, at Friends of 20 Street Park’s April 30 “Picture Your Park” event.

on the very west end of 20th Street, which is on Governor Cuomo’s list of prisons to close. While the 20th Street lot is currently slated for affordable housing, no significant steps have been made toward this goal since the Department of Sanitation left three years ago. In order to make steps toward converting it to green space, the lot would have to go through a ULURP (Uniform Land Review Procedure) process — which includes soil testing and environmental evaluations, as well as attain a Request For Proposal (RFP). There is some debate as to whether it would be necessary to go back through CB4, as Weiss believes going directly to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s office would allow council to bypass CB4. Friends of 20th Street had an audience scheduled with Quinn, says Weiss, but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute and without explanation. Friends of 20th Street has occasional communication with CB4, but does not come to meetings to argue its cause, instead focusing on grassroots support. Despite the apparent lack of legislative progress, the group still believes it possesses strong forward momentum. Weiss described their current state as a “very different place of progress” than three years ago, adding that he does not feel as if he is shouting at the wind, but rather takes strength from every new supporter who joins his cause. When asked about the timeline for the project, Weiss jokingly replied that he hopes to have a park in the empty lot by the time his four-year-old goes off to college. While even the most optimistic estimates put the park several years away, he aims to build his community following, wait for officials to come into office or change their vote to support his plan. While Friends of 20th Street will continue to run a positive campaign, he promises. “We will keep fighting, as long as it takes.”

May 15 - 28, 2013