MAY 22, 2014, DOWNTOWN EXPRESS by Schneps Media

VOLUME 26, NUMBER 25

MAY 22-JUNE 4 2014

RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL Pg. 21

AT LAST, THE PUBLIC GETS TO VISIT THE 9/11 MUSEUM BY JOSH ROGERS AND SAM SPOKONY ow, the public gets it’s turn to see the 9/11 Memorial Museum. After a week of international coverage, a presidential visit and a higher intensity of World Trade Center controversies, May 21 was the first day people without a special connection to 9/11 — or without some other “in,” could see the museum. Some were locals coming from around the corner, some were drawn from across the Hudson River and some were tourists who visited before going to a Broadway show. And some, like Queens resident Carol Beroff, just took a couple hours off of work to walk through the museum. “You know, I’d never even been to the Memorial Plaza before,” said Beroff, who was working at 66 John St. on September 11, 2001,

just after walking out of the museum. “I’m glad I came, because I thought the museum was really well done,” she added. “For people like me, this is all just a recap of images we’ve seen before, but that didn’t make it any less worthwhile.” Dave and Priscilla Spohr, who live upstate in Putnam County, came down with their teenage son and daughter to take in the newly opened museum. “It’s a tough story to tell, and I think they showed it the right way, not just for people who were around here but for people who’ve never seen this all before,” said Dave Spohr, who used to work on Wall St., and was working in Midtown during the 9/11 attacks. “Yeah, it was really inspiring,” his son chimed in. Continued on page 14

BIGGER PARK THIS YEAR, BUT NO FREE RIDE ON GOVERNORS ISLAND BY ZACH W ILLI AM S isiting 30 acres of new park space less than 10 minutes from Lower Manhattan comes with a small price to pay this summer. Ferries to Governors Island for the general public will run daily and charge visitors for the first time while an expanded course of recreational offerings await after a ride beginning at the Battery Maitime Building, 10 South St. Organizers expect that between May 24 and Sept. 28, hundreds of thousands of local residents will reach the island during what Leslie Koch, president of the Trust for Governors Island, said would be the “biggest season ever” in the history of 172-acre Financial District outpost. The interiors of former military officer homes have evolved into a loop of art galleries. Local residents can further experience city life in a fresh manner through activities as diverse as musical festivals, naps within hammocks, noshing and panoramic views of New York Harbor. “That has always been our goal, to serve New Yorkers, she told Community Board 1’s Financial District Committee May 7.

Downtown Express photo by Scot Surbeck

Fleet’s view goes both ways Many came out to admire the U.S.S. Oak Hill for the start of Fleet Week Wednesday, but the ships and sailors, who will be in town through Memorial Day, also got a great look at Downtown gems like Battery Park City’s South Cove.

W hen committee members raised concerns that the island could quickly become a tourist attraction rather than local gathering spot, she said that 85 percent of visitors last year were city residents. Approximately two-thirds of them came to the island via Lower Manhattan, according to the Trust. Governors Island will be open to the general public from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. A ferry service also runs to the island from Brooklyn though only on weekends. Ferries cost $2 for a round-trip on weekdays and weekend afternoons, while weekend mornings remain free of charge. Kids under 12 will continue to ride for free, and seniors will pay $1. More than five miles of wide bicycle lanes on the island provide an automobile-less environment for urban dwellers lacking in the space or appropriate venue for cycling. “Biking is really one of the signature activities on Governors Island,” Koch said. An increasing amount of artistic Continued on page 27

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

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We can all watch clips of our favorite movie stars any time we want, but watching the actors watch themselves is a rare treat, which is why our eyes were focused on Robert de Niro last week as he watched a long highlight reel of himself at the Borough of Manhattan Community College’s annual gala at 4 World Trade Center. The college prepared films on all of the honorees, but we suspect they may have had the most fun putting together de Niro’s most memorable scenes. The actor smiled fondly with the crowd as we watched clips of his early films like “Mean Streets” and “Goodfellas.” At a certain point the audience stayed interested, but de Niro seemed to tire from looking at himself. When we got to the event May 13 — the first gala in the building, which is not yet open for its commercial tenants — we had hopes of sitting at de Niro’s table since, to our surprise, we were seated at Table 1. That was undoubtedly due to the fact that we were a guest of Elizabeth Margaritis Butson, a longtime board member and supporter of the college, and a former publisher of Downtown Express. The non-celebrity conscious table seating gods put De Niro at Number 8, which was still close enough for us to gawk. The ever gallant de Niro kissed Butson’s hand after meeting her at the event. Jane Rosenthal, De Niro’s Tribeca Film Fest co-founder and former B.M.C.C. honoree, said “on 9/11, Bob took it personally.” At the time he was living in Tribeca, and he, Rosenthal, and her husband, Craig Hatkoff, put on the fest that spring. “We didn’t even think about it, we just did it” de Niro said. “It feels odd for getting an award for reacting — but don’t get me wrong, I’ll take it.” Rosenthal said, “Bob you’re going to get this lovely award tonight, and B.M.C.C., you’re

Actor Robert de Niro and Elizabeth Butson, two of the honorees at B.M.C.C.’s Reaching for the Stars gala last week.

going to get the cash.” Based on the draw of de Niro, Butson and the third honoree, Kurt Woetzel of BNY Mellon, the college took in about $1 million for it’s scholarship fund, which typically helps immigrant students who succeed despite overcoming incredible obstacles. School president Antonio Pérez had one piece of advice for us and we took it: “Get pictures of Bob.”

BRUSH WITH RUDY

We almost literally bumped into Rudy Giuliani at the 9/11 Memorial Museum last Wednesday. He happened to be visiting at the tail end of the press preview event the day before he, President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and other notables attended the opening ceremony. Although the former mayor’s critics often accuse him of exploiting 9/11 for political gain, he had no apparent ulterior motives on this visit. One, he showed up after many of the bigger news outlets had already left. Two, he had little to say to the few members of the press on hand. He also seemed genuinely moved as he took it all in. “I was here before but it was not all filled up with exhibits,” he said. Although we have no reason to think he was looking to score political points, we’re still quite certain politics was on his mind. He stared for quite some time at a campaign poster of Fernando Ferrer, one of the Democratic candidates to succeed him in 2001. Giuliani, a Republican, also looked very closely at the museum’s display of newspaper coverage the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, which was the big primary day. “Isn’t it interesting, no one was covering the Republicans,” he said.

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Ansche Chesed, B’nai Jeshurun, Congregation Habonim, The Society of the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ), Tamid: The Downtown Synagogue, and West End Synagogue. JJP is made possible with the support of Bezalel Foundation, Gottesman Fund, Jim Joseph Foundation, Neshamot Fund, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, UJA-Federation of NY, and generous individual donors.

Rudy Giuliani at the 9/11 Memorial Museum last week.

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

What shops are on tap this season at the Seaport B Y J A N E L B LA D O W Summer season is gearing up at the South Street Seaport with new shops, bars and restaurants now open and more to come. Look for everything from clothes kids can draw on to craft beers for adults to sip. “We had to come here to the fabulous Seaport,” Monica Phromsavanh, C.E.O. of Modalistas Inc., told Downtown Express. “We wanted to try something new and also heard amazing things about the Seaport.” Phromsavanh and her store mascot Reina (a well-dressed Chihuahua) can be found at ModaBox by Modalistas (193 Front St.), in the former Coach storefront. Previously part of the Limelight Shops in Chelsea, Phromsavanh opted for a location change this summer along with rebranding the name and concept and seeking new clientele. The shop is full of unique tops, jeans, dresses by trendy and new designers from New York City, Columbia and Sweden. Labels include Boundary from Los Angeles, party dresses by ISSUE New York, DBrand jeans from Stockholm and Sandra Baquero designs of Columbia. The owner says her clientele includes “very international jetsetter” types and she’s found that quite a few items sell out fast to local shoppers and tourists. Even if you can’t find what you want in the store, you can still shop online. Phromsavanh, who has 15 years fashion business experience with brands such as Burberry and Limited Express, is building a unique ecommerce concept. Shoppers take a five-minute on-line quiz about their shape and style. Based on that and if they are looking for casual or cocktail attire, a box filled with outfit choices is shipped to their homes. They try on the pieces, keep what they like and ship the rest back to the warehouse within five days. They are only charged for what they buy. “A lot of women today are just too busy to go shopping,” she said. “We do it for them.” Around the corner at 18 Fulton St., is the

just-opened Ambrose Hall, a rustic yet modern craft beer hall. Named after the Seaport’s own Lightship Ambrose, one of the few lightships still intact, the Schermerhorn Row bar has concrete floors, exposed timbers, iron beams and lots of big, bright windows. It’s part of the Lure Group, which includes Slate, Clinton Hall and the Beekman Beergarden. Ambrose Hall features a rotation of 12 seasonal and local brews served from two custom-built black iron tap towers. Behind the bar is a shelf of hand-selected artisanal and small batch whiskey, scotch, bourbon, gin and tequila brands. To complement the hearty beers and liquors, the menu has bar snacks such as kettle-cooked chips smothered in beer-blended melted cheese, eight baguette sliders, pressed and open-faced sandwiches, German-style Bratwurst and more. Haagen-Dazs, a Seaport favorite, returns later this month in the shop next to Ambrose Hall on Schermerhorn Row. Look for lots of delicious new flavors of ice cream to taste during the steamy summer months. Continuing east along the Row, Studio Manhattan (8 Fulton St.) recently relocated from Pier 17 to a bigger storefront next to It’Sugar. “We started three years ago in a Seaport kiosk and when the opportunity arose to open inside the pier, we jumped at it,” says Emily Guggino, Studio’s vice president and business manager who also happens to be married to the president and creative force behind the brand, Ayhan Kimsesizcan. The accessory line grew out of Ayhan’s passion for everything chic. A former news photojournalist in Turkey, Ayhan came to New York City and with camera and Vespa zipped around the city snapping cool shots. The brainstorm came when his snaps were Photoshopped onto hip leather mailbags, cellphone cases, clutches, notepads, shirts, you name it. All art work and design is done locally. Recently the company has expanded to collaborate with a variety of artists. “We knew the pier was closing,” added

Ambrose Hall opened this month on the corner of Fulton and Front Sts., featuring craft beers and boutique liquor blends.

Downtown Express photos by Janel Bladow

Emily Guggino manages the new shop Studio Manhattan on Fulton St. Her husband’s photos beautify accessories and apparel, everything from messenger bags to phone cases.

Guggino, who says they shopped around for storefronts (they also opened on Bleecker St.). “But we wanted a presence here. It’s like coming home. It’s a great destination for tourists and has great history to it.” Another N.Y.C. boutique company, The Chalkboard Tee, is also slated to pop up in the Seaport this summer. Chris, then a handyman, came up with the concept of using chalkboard paint on t-shirts so kids and

adults can create their own signature shirts. His then girlfriend Jinyen, now his wife, wondered why he wasn’t selling his amazing idea. Next thing you know, the cute couple is peddling tees with designs from whales to brick walls to picture frames at the St. Anthony Market on Houston Street. Today, they are an internet success. The all-cotton shirt comes with its own piece of chalk in a tiny pocket on the hem.

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

CHINATOWN MURDER

Police arrested Chuen Lau, 55, for allegedly stabbing his older sister to death in their Chinatown apartment. After responding to a call from concerned relatives, officers arrived at the 115 Eldridge St. home around 6 p.m. on May 17 to find Meilin Liu, 57, lying in her bathtub, already dead from the stab wounds to her face and torso, according to police and documents filed with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Cops arrested Lau — who shared the apartment with his sister — the next day, almost immediately after ruling the case to be a homicide. According to D.A. documents, Lau actually admitted to murdering his sister in a conversation with another person -- an unnamed informant who then told police. Lau was charged with second degree murder.

ACCUSED KNIFE WIELDER

Police arrested Amro Abdelhalim, 36, on May 17 after he and an unidentified accomplice allegedly held up a man at knifepoint next to a Financial District A.T.M., in a strange incident that also involved the perp slashing his own arm. The victim, 38, told cops he was at a Wells Fargo A.T.M. at 75 Broad St. around 6:30 p.m. when he was approached by

the unidentified suspect — described as a heavyset man — who claimed to be a police officer. The suspect then reportedly snatched the man’s debit card out of the A.T.M. and demanded that he come with him. When the victim refused to follow, the suspect started shoving him, according to the police report. It was then that Abdelhalim approached, reportedly pulling out a box cutter, pointing it at the victim and saying, “Give me the money or I’ll kill your wife and children in Egypt” It’s unclear why he made such a specific threat, given that the victim — although he speaks Arabic — is a New Jersey resident, according to police. Things only got weirder when Abdelhalim then decided to turn the box cutter on himself, cutting a gash in his own left arm. “I’ll tell them you hurt me and you will go to prison,” Abdelhalim told the victim, according to the police report. It was at that time that police arrived on the scene, immediately after which Abdelhalim’s crony promptly fled before he could be stopped. Abdelhalim, however, stayed at the scene and tried to convince the officers that he was, in fact, stabbed by the victim. But police quickly reviewed video surveillance footage at the scene, confirmed the victim’s account of the story and

made the arrest. Abdelhalim was charged with robbery, unlawful imprisonment and coercion.

FORGETFUL BANKER

In a very different A.T.M.-related incident, a man lost his debit card at a bank next to City Hall on May 15 after forgetting to take it out of the machine, according to police. The man, 53, told cops he used the TD Bank A.T.M. at 258 Broadway around 8:30 a.m., and then strolled away down the block. Several minutes later, he realized that his card was not back in his wallet, but was instead sticking out of the A.T.M. By the time he returned to the scene, the card was gone, and the unknown thief also withdrew $600 from the forgetful man’s bank account, police said.

MISSING VESPA

A man’s Vespa motor scooter was stolen from its parking spot just outside his Greenwich St. apartment building, police said. The 40-year-old man, who lives just above Canal St., told cops he’d last parked the 2012 Vespa on his block on the morning of May 13, and first noticed it missing on the morning of May 15. He then waited several more days in order to check to see if it had been towed for some reason, but learned that there were no city records of the scooter being impounded. The unfortunate resident reported the apparent vehicle theft on May 19. Police have since conducted a canvass that came up negative, but they are still investigating.

TOO TRUSTING

It’s a pretty common occurance in city bars or coffee shops. “Hey, can you do me a favor and watch my stuff while I’m in the bathroom?” “Oh sure, no problem!” Except this time, the man agreeing to do that “favor” was just a sneaky thief. A 31-year-old man told cops he was

Search us, we’ve got nothing to hide.

drinking in the Raccoon Lounge, at 59 Warren St., around 11 p.m. on May 10, when he got up for a bathroom break. He left his iPhone and HP laptop sitting at the bar, next to an unidentified man he’d just started talking to, apparently thinking that his new drinking buddy would watch over the property. But when he returned from the bathroom, the unfortunate man found that both his belongings and the stranger were gone. He still held out hope for a week, reportedly hoping that someone would come back to the bar and return the stolen goods, but ended up reporting the incident to police on May 17. Cops are still investigating, but said they don’t have any leads at this point.

SUBWAY SNATCHES

An opportunistic thief targeted a sleeping subway passenger early on May 13, police said. The victim, a 20-year-old woman, told cops she board a Manhattan-bound E train in Forest Hills, Queens around 4 a.m., and almost immediately fell asleep. She then woke up about an hour later at the end of line, inside the World Trade Center station, and realized that her iPhone and wallet had been snatched out of her pocketbook. The woman reported the theft later that morning, and police used the “Find my Phone” app to track the stolen cell to an apartment building in Far Rockaway — but a canvass of the building came up negative, cops said. However, a police got a more positive result on May 16, when they arrested Kareem Daniels, 36, after he allegedly ripped off a sleeping subway passenger and then pretended to be a federal agent. A plainclothes police officer riding the northbound 1 train out of South Ferry said he saw Daniels — who was wearing a bogus “Department of Justice” jacket — board at the train there around 3 a.m. Once the train was in motion, Daniels reportedly walked over to a sleeping man Continued on page 5

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and snatched the iPhone out of his hand. The officer promptly confronted Daniels moments later, as the train was pulling into its next stop at Rector St., after which the alleged thief claimed he was a federal D.O.J. Agent. But the cop wasn’t fooled for a second, and quickly apprehended the poser. Daniels was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and impersonating a federal officer.

TEEN STABBING

Police arrested two teenage boys after one of them allegedly stabbed another teen during a brawl on Canal St. on May 9. A Bronx girl, whose age was not disclosed, told cops the incident began while she was walking with her boyfriend, 17, also from the Bronx, along Canal St. near Sixth Ave. around 4:45 p.m. The couple was approached by two boys they apparently knew — a 17-year-old nicknamed Rico, who lives in an East Harlem public housing development, and a 16-year-old nicknamed Trigger, who lives in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Police say the girl got into a heated argument with Rico, after which her boyfriend stepped in to intervene. Rico responded by pulling out a knife, police

said, but then dropped it while he and the boyfriend got tangled up in a fistfight. Moments later, however, Trigger reportedly picked up the knifed and stabbed the boyfriend in the lower back, after which both he and Rico fled the scene, according to police. After police arrived on the scene, the stabbing victim was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and treated for minor injuries, after which the girl gave the teens’ names and whereabouts to cops. Police later arrested the suspects at their respective homes, and both were charged with assault.

MORE SUBWAY SNATCHES

This unfortunate man might have avoided his problems if he’d only chosen a different subway train — but as it was, he was targeted by an opportunistic thief after falling asleep on a southbound 1 train early on May 9, according to police. The victim, 32, who lives in Brooklyn, told cops he finished having drinks with co-workers at a Hell’s Kitchen bar around 3 a.m., and walked to the subway station at W. 42nd St. and Eighth Ave. to wait for a southbound A train. But the trains were delayed, and after waiting for around 40 minutes, he gave up and walked over to Seventh Ave. to catch the 1 train. Once on the train, the man apparently

fell asleep with his backpack sitting on the floor between his legs, police said. When he woke up as the train was pulling into the Canal St. stop, he realized the bag was gone. He got off and reported the crime to the nearby First Precinct, but since he didn’t see any suspects or feel anything while sleeping, the police don’t have much to go on. Later that day, another unfortunate subway rider was targeted around the Downtown area — and this time, it was on the A train. The female victim, 44, was on a northbound A train around 3:30 p.m., after boarding in Brooklyn, and later told cops she was bumped multiple times by another woman during the ride. When the train stopped at Fulton St., the alleged bumper walked off, and moments later the victim realized that her iPhone was missing from her purse. After the victim reported the incident to police, officers were able to use the “Find My Phone” app to track the phone to a street corner near the northern tip of Staten Island. However, police in Staten Island were unable to locate the phone thief after being informed of the incident.

UP IN SMOKE

Maybe now this guy will learn the dangers of smoking, after his cigarette break

allowed a thief to snatch his bag from inside a Financial District bar on May 9. The victim, 34, told cops he was having drinks at Stout on 90 John St. around 8:15 p.m. and had hung up his bag — containing his laptop and cell phone — on a hook under the bar. He then stepped outside for a smoke, leaving the bag unattended for several minutes. When he returned, the bag was gone. Video surveillance footage taken from inside the bar shows an unknown male enter the room, grab the bag and walk out, police said — but no arrests have been made yet.

STYLISH SHOPLIFTERS

Two shoplifters targeted a Tribeca menswear shop on May 7, making off with more than $1,500 worth of merchandise, police said. An employee of The Armoury at 168 Duane St. told cops that the two unknown males walked in around 2:30 p.m., took the items — two pairs of Armani pants ($375 each), and a $680 leather tote bag and $95 umbrella — off their display racks and walked out. Police said they’re still investigating, but no descriptions of the suspects were given.

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Obituary

Abate, former Downtown senator & health advocate, dies

BY ALBERT AMATEAU Catherine Abate, president and C.E.O. of Community Healthcare Network for the past 15 years, former state senator representing the Village and Tribeca, and Dinkins administration commissioner of the city Departments of Correction and Probation, died May 17 at Bellevue Hospital. She was 66. Her death came after a two-year battle with uterine cancer. In addition to conventional medical care, she underwent alternative holistic treatment that extended her quality of life, she told Downtown Express last year. Her life and work in public service was an inspiration to people who followed her in government, nonprofit service and health agencies and labor groups. “It’s a terrible, terrible loss,” Assemblymember Deborah Glick said Monday. “She was a totally wonderful person, with no self-aggrandizing attitude, which is fairly unique in politics. Just a good, kind, thoughtful policymaker, who reached out to people everywhere and did as much as she could to help those who had nothing. It’s really too upsetting,” Glick said, her voice catching with emotion. “She’s going to be very missed by a lot of people.” Mayor Bill de Blasio hailed Abate as a dedicated public servant and a passionate advocate for human rights. “I fondly remember working together with her in 1989 as founding members of Italian-Americans for Dinkins,” the mayor said. “She never shied from a good cause and a good fight.” State Sen. Brad Hoylman — whose 27th District seat Abate held for two terms from 1995 to 1999 — said the community “has lost one of our most dedi-

cated, talented and thoughtful public servants.” Tony Hoffmann, president of Village Independent Democrats and a friend and colleague, called Abate one of the best public servants that New York City ever had. “She got her political start at V.I.D. where she was female district leader from 1981 to 1985,” Hoffmann said. “It was my privilege to serve with her as co-district leader. She was one of the brightest, most caring and competent people I have ever known.” City Comptroller Scott Stringer recalled that as commissioner of the departments of Correction and Probation, Abate addressed the city’s high recidivism rates by establishing job-training programs and education opportunities for formerly incarcerated people. She also instituted measures to control jail overcrowding and reduce inmate violence. During her tenure at the Community Healthcare Network, she more than tripled the number of people that it served annually, from about 20,000 to 75,000. About 80 percent of C.H.N patients are on Medicaid or are not insured. She was also a supporter of VillageCare, the nonprofit agency that has many clients living with H.I.V./ AIDS. During her two terms in the State Senate, Abate “was a firewall” against AIDS funding cuts to the state budget, according to Paul Schindler, editor of Gay City News, a sister publication of Downtown Express. Catherine Abate graduated cum laude from Vassar College and earned a law degree from Boston College. Continued on page 8

Catherine Abate last fall during a fundraising cruise for a new holistic health clinic at Community Healthcare Network’s 150 Essex St. location.

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Occupy woman gets 90 days for assaulting a police officer B Y G E R A R D FLY N N Cecily McMillan, an Occupy Wall Street activist who elbowed a police officer in the face at a protest in Zuccotti Park, was sentenced Monday in State Supreme Court to 90 days in jail, with five years probation. McMillan, a 25-year-old New School graduate student, will also pay a fine of $5,000 and undergo mental health evaluation after being convicted of assault in the St. Patrick’s Day incident two years ago. An inmate at Rikers Island since her recent conviction, McMillan will get credit for time served, her lawyer Martin Stolar said. He said, with good behavior, he expects her to be released within 60 days. Due to what the lawyer branded an unfair trial, plus the serious consequences a felony conviction carries, an appeal is pending, he said. While his client “was disappointed,” Stolar said, he added she was “relieved it wasn’t two years” in jail. Though, he added, after the sentencing, “she is not happy about going back to Rikers Island.” McMillan had been facing a possible seven years in prison for the assault on Police Officer Grantley Bovell. The officer was leading her out of the Lower Manhattan park, where she had gathered with other activists to commemorate the Occupy Wall Street movement’s six-month anniversary. Bovell suffered minor injuries and was off duty for a couple of weeks. At trial, McMillan claimed she acted in self-defense when Bovell grabbed her breasts,

leaving her with a large bruise. Her defense team said she was severely beaten by police officers, suffering extensive cuts and bruises, followed by a seizure and subsequent hospitalization. “It was an unconscious reaction to having her breasts pulled and there was no intent to cause injury,” Stolar said, speaking after the sentencing. “She didn’t even know it was a police officer who grabbed her breasts. She just reacted.” Prosecutors, however, disagreed and claimed her injuries were self-inflicted. Dozens of court officers ringed the courtroom Monday morning, as McMillan, dressed in a hot pink dress and pumps, was led out in a handcuffs. Her lawyers had asked Judge Ronald Zweibel to release McMillan on probation. Nine of the 12 jurors who convicted her agreed and sent a letter to the judge to that effect. In a statement before the court, McMillan asked for leniency and told the judge that, while she deplores violence, “I cannot confess to a crime I did not commit.” Zweibel, however, rejected calls for her swift release and told the packed courtroom, “A civilized society must not allow an assault to be committed under the guise of civil disobedience.” The jury, he noted, “rejected the defendant’s version of events.” However, he said, in deciding against the maximum jail time, “The court finds that a lengthy sentence would not serve the interests

of justice in this case.” McMillan’s trial has gained national and international attention. Members of the Russian rock band Pussy Riot recently visited her in prison and a letter-writing campaign has garnered close to 170,000 signatures worldwide. While the verdict was being read, scores of supporters gathered across the street from the courthouse, where they sang “We Shall Not Be Moved.” They were joined after the decision by Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, who was arrested during the Occupy protests, and was among a handful of councilmembers calling for leniency for McMillan on the steps of City Hall last week. He said he was “pleased” with her sentence. McMillan’s trial, he said, symbolizes attempts by the state to chill free speech and deter nascent activists from getting involved in social justice issues. Rodriguez noted, to raucous cheers, that “not one police officer has been found guilty of assaulting a member of Occupy Wall Street.” Stolar reminded the crowd that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr. is an elected official and that voters could register their displeasure with the verdict at the ballot box. He said that while Mayor de Blasio was in no legal position to intervene, a letter of support “would have been appreciated.” McMillan’s mother, L Nyrobi Moss, said that while her daughter was somewhat prepared for the verdict, she was also shocked

Downtown Express ﬁle photo by Betsy Kim

Cecily McMillan outside court just before her conviction on May 5.

that she would be returning to Rikers Island. When asked what members of Occupy Wall Street can do now post-sentencing, Stolar said, “Point out that income inequality in this country is a hallmark of a lot of other social and economic problems that we have. That’s what Occupy Wall Street did and will continue to do.” That goes for McMillan, too, he said, “because that’s who she is — political to the core.”

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Catherine Abate Continued from page 6

Her first job was with the Legal Aid Society in New York City where, as director of training in the society’s criminal defense division, she taught criminal law and procedure and litigation practice to new lawyers. In 1986, Gov. Mario Cuomo appointed her executive deputy commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights. In 1988, she was named chairperson of the state Crime Victims Board. In 1992, when Mayor Dinkins named her to head the Correction and Probation departments, reporters asked her about allegations that her father, Joseph Abate, was an organized crime figure. She dismissed the allegations and said her father was a clothing manufacturer in Margate, N.J., where she was raised. The allegation that Joseph Abate was a capo in the Lucchese crime family surfaced again in 1998, when Catherine was seeking the Democratic Party nomination for state attorney general against Eliot Spitzer. At that time she dropped her denial of the allegations, although she said she could not substantiate the charge because her father

died in 1994 with dementia at the age of 92. “The allegations don’t describe the father that I knew,” she said in 1998. Abate also served as a member of the New York City Commission on H.I.V./ AIDS, the state Community Health Care Association, the Alliance for Women’s Health, the steering committee of Medicaid Matters New York, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee, the state Probation Commission, the New York City Board of Corrections and as co-chairperson of the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. Her husband, Ronald Kliegerman, her son, Kyle Kliegerman, and her brother, Joseph Abate, survive. Frank E. Campbell, 1076 Madison Ave., is in charge of arrangements. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Thurs., May 21, at St. John Baptiste Church, E. 76th St. at Lexington Ave. Donations in her memory may be made to Community Healthcare Network, 60 Madison Ave., fifth floor, NY, NY, 10010, designated for Holistic Center.

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Assemblyman Shelly Silver If you need assistance, please contact my office at (212) 312-1420 or email silver@ assembly.state.ny.us.

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Downtown Express photos by Tequila Minsky

For the youth of Downtown The Manhattan Youth Players from I.S. 276 performed “It’s a Hard-knock Life” from “Annie” as part of Manhattan Youth’s annual fundraiser last week. Wendy Chapman, the P.T.A. president of P.S. 150, received an award from Bob Townley, the group’s executive director, for helping stop the school’s proposed move out of Tribeca. Five members of the P.S. 89/I.S.289 custodial staff were also honored for their hard work to protect the school the Saturday before Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012.

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Lunar New Year school holiday likely

let’s do something together

worship

music MONDAY, MAY 26 & JUNE 2, 1pm Bach at One The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra offer a weekly service of Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantatas. Trinity Church (New Location!)

All Are Welcome

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 6:30pm Ascension Day Eucharist Trinity celebrates the Feast of the Ascension and the day the Trinity Church building was consecrated in 1846. Guest Preacher: Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Music by the Choir of Trinity Wall Street. Trinity Church

All events are free, unless noted. 212.602.0800

community

at TRINITY WALL STREET

trinitywallstreet.org

TRINITY CHURCH Broadway at Wall Street 74 TRINITY PLACE is located in the office building behind Trinity Church

ST. PAUL’S CHAPEL Broadway and Fulton Street CHARLOTTE’S PLACE 107 Greenwich Street btwn Rector & Carlisle Streets The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Rector The Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, Vicar

an Episcopal parish in the city of New York

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 6pm Family Friday Yoga and Veggie Night Practice with your children in this family-focused yoga class! As kids discover the foundations of yoga, adults can stretch away their stresses from the week. Charlotte’s Place

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1:15pm Pipes at One Larry J. Long, Church of the Epiphany, NYC Trinity Church (New Location!) THURSDAY, MAY 22 & 29, 1pm Concerts at One May 22 & 29: Song and Story: The Early Years of Broadway Trinity Church SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2pm Trinity Youth Chorus & Neighborhood Outreach Choirs Comin’ Up Shoutin’ Songs celebrating community, connection, and freedom, with special guest and arrangements by Melanie DeMore. Trinity Church

ly,” he added, “so that everyone in this community knows that their holiday tradition is part of what our school system respects.” Squadron said the absentee rate at P.S. 124 this past Lunar New Year, was over 60 percent — and the absentee rate at P.S. 130, on Baxter St., was around 80 percent. Passage of the bill was also celebrated that day by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and U.S. Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, as well as Assemblymember Felix Ortiz of Brooklyn, and Assemblymember Marcus Crespo of the Bronx, who had also supported the bill. “Parents should not have to choose between celebrating their cultural heritage and their children’s learning time at school,” said Silver. Maloney said she’s been so “inspired” by the push for Lunar New Year school closure that she’s “definitely taking this idea back to Washington.” And Chen rounded out Friday’s remarks by verbally taking “a deep bow” on behalf of the Chinese community. “We’re deeply grateful for all this,” he said. It should be noted that students will be off for next year’s Lunar New Year regardless of any D.O.E. decision, since the holiday, which next year falls on Feb. 19, will take place during the scheduled winter break. D.O.E did not respond to a request for comment.

worship SUNDAY, 8am & 10am St. Paul’s Chapel · Holy Eucharist 8pm · Compline by Candlelight SUNDAY, 9am & 11:15am Trinity Church · Preaching, music, and Eucharist · Sunday school and child care available MONDAY—FRIDAY, 12:05pm Trinity Church · Holy Eucharist MONDAY—FRIDAY, 5:15pm All Saints’ Chapel, in Trinity Church Evening Prayer Watch online webcast

Leah Reddy

BY SAM SPOKONY As Wellington Chen, executive director of the Chinatown Partnership, said last week, it’s been a long time coming. Even as they’ve continued to build communities, Chinese families all over the city have always had to choose whether to send their kids to school on the Lunar New Year or keep them home to celebrate the major cultural holiday. “In Flushing, they’re waiting, and in Sunset Park, they’re waiting,” Chen said at a May 16 press conference. They may not have to wait much longer, as the State Legislature has now taken a major step toward compelling the city’s Department of Education to close schools on the Lunar New Year. The State Senate passed a bill May 13 that would require officials to consider closing schools if a “considerable proportion” of students are likely to be absent. Since New York’s Assembly had already passed that bill in February, at will now go to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who, by most accounts, is likely to sign it into law soon. “Passage of this bill to push the Lunar New Year school holiday is proof that momentum is building,” State Sen. Daniel Squadron, who sponsored the bill, said at the May 16 press conference outside Chinatown’s P.S. 124, on Division St. “And we’re confident that we’re going to get Lunar New Year as a school holiday permanent-

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

New ferry links Downtown to the Far West Side B Y SA M S P O K O NY Bridging the transportation gap between two of the city’s fastest growing communities, a new ferry service now takes commuters from the Far West Side to Lower Manhattan in just 15 minutes. New York Water Taxi on May 19 launched its Westside Ferry, which runs during weekday rush hours between Hudson River Park’s Pier 84, at West 44th St., and Brookfield Place (formerly the World Financial Center), on Vesey St. in Battery Park City, just minutes away from the World Trade Center and the Financial District. “As more and more New Yorkers live and work on the waterfront, ferries will be a critical link in the region’s transportation network,” Helena Durst, president of New York Water Taxi, at a May 19 event celebrating the inaugural ride. The new ferry will include six daily trips — three during the morning rush hour and three during the evening, with both groups running in 15-minute intervals. Morning service begins at 7:40 a.m. departing from Brookfield Place, and at 8 a.m. departing from Pier 84; and evening service begins at 4:45 p.m. departing from Brookfield Place, and at 5:05 p.m. departing from Pier 84. The schedule can also be found at www.nywatertaxi.com/tours/westside-ferry. Tickets for the ferry are sold onboard, and cost $4.50 for a single ride or $8 for a round trip. Bulk discounts are planned for

Photo courtesy of New York Water Taxi

The new ferry route passes near the Intrepid Museum.

everyday riders — as with weekly or monthly MetroCards — according to New York Water Taxi, but those pricing details have yet to be finalized. The new transit option will certainly be a boon for Wall Street commuters living in — or soon to live in — the many new residential buildings around the burgeoning

Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen districts. But it will also likely have the same effect going the other way, considering the massive commercial development already underway at Related Companies’ Hudson Yards project (with its first office tower planned to open next year) and Brookfield Properties’ neighboring Manhattan West project (with its first office

tower planned to open in 2016), as well as Tishman Speyer’s newly planned commercial development at West 34th St.and 10th Ave. (which could eventually rise to become the nation’s tallest building). Just as thousands of new residential units are springing up around Hudson Yards and Hell’s Kitchen — with many more to come from Related — that housing boom has already taken place down in the Financial District and its surrounding neighborhoods below Canal St. In that Lower Manhattan area, the residential population practically doubled between 2000 and 2010, from around 32,000 people to nearly 60,000, according to U.S. Census data. The new 7 train subway extension, at West 34th Street and 11th Ave., will certainly bring some additional relief to West Side transportation woes when it opens later this year — but many local leaders around both Hudson Yards and FiDi agree that the ferry is a much-needed option. “We’re definitely very excited about it,” said Christine Berthet, chairperson of Community Board 4, one of those local leaders who took. the ferry for its maiden voyage on May 19. Aside from the community-wide benefits, she was also particularly enchanted by the ride itself. “It was such a pleasant trip, especially because the weather was so nice, and the boat is very spacious and comfortable,” said Berthet. “I think it’s just a great experience.”

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

NEW AMSTERDAM

MARKET Downtown Express photo by Nicolas Fernandes

Part of Elizabeth St. was renamed for Pvt. Danny Chen May 17.

2014 MARKET SEASON Saturday May 31 11am - 5pm

Chinatown honors and remembers Private Danny Chen

Saturday June 21 11am - 5pm BY N ICOL AS F E RNANDES

Thursday June 26 7pm-10pm (fisheries night market & fundraiser) with April Bloomfield, Peter Hoffman, Caroline Fidanza, Kerry Heffernan & more Saturday, July 26 11am - 5pm Sunday, August 24 11am - 5pm (Kermis) Sunday, September 28 11am - 5pm Sunday, October 26 11am - 5pm Sunday, November 23 11am - 5pm Saturday, December 20 6pm - 10pm (Solstice Eve night market)

NEWMARKET SQUARE | SOUTH STREET & PECK SLIP newamsterdammarket.org

A section of Elizabeth St. between Canal and Bayard Sts. in Chinatown was renamed Private Danny Chen Way on May 17 honoring the U.S. Army soldier who died in Afghanistan after racist hazing committed by his platoon. Chen, 19, was bullied and taunted by other soldiers for being a Chinese American. They threw rocks at him and dragged him across the ground, bwefore investigators believe he shot himself in the head. Eight soldiers were charged in the case although none were ever tried for involuntary manslaughter, the original charge prosecutors were seeking on some of the defendants. Seven were found guilty of hazing-related charges and the eighth was thrown out of the military. Five were sentenced to prison for short periods of time. Chinatown Head Start Executive Director Sook Ling Lai wants the school’s four- and five-year-olds to keep learning about who Chen was and that he died fighting for America. “The sign will remind them that their brother Danny will never be forgotten,” Lai said at a May 17 ceremony. Many others spoke and reminded everyone what Chen was known for. “We’ve lost one of the best young men

in Chinatown,” said Eric Ng, president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Cousin Banny Chen described how he was two years younger than Danny and thought he was catching up with him every birthday when they were younger. “Now I am 21 and he is still 19. I never wanted to surpass him,” Chen said. Chen talked about his memories of the two of them running up and down Elizabeth St. together as children and the first time they were allowed to leave Elizabeth St. and ate at McDonald’s on Canal St. P.S. 130 Principal Lily Woo said she was honored to host a commemoration ceremony because Chen attended preschool there. After the commemoration, everyone was given a balloon and marched to the corner of Canal and Elizabeth Sts., where the sign was revealed. Chen’s mother Su Zhen Chen cried in front of the site. Councilmember Margaret Chin, who helped lead the local advocacy efforts for Chen’s family, attended the ceremony along with Public Advocate Letitia James, and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Downtown Express photos by Sam Spokony

Taste of Tribeca returns The annual Taste of Tribeca event drew crowds looking to sample food from some of the nabe’s best eateries and to help raise money for P.S. 150 and 234. Above, Acapella served up some pasta and seafood while Cynthia Sayer and Sparks Fly entertained the al fresco diners.

THE RAMAZ SCHOOL, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS SEEKING QUOTES FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS. Work would include: installation of card readers, door locks, alarms system, window blast films and lights. Specification and bid requirements can be obtained and/or reviewed by appointment.

Please contact Mamadou Deme at mamadou@ramaz.org or at 212-774-8018 �All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide primary contact, telephone and email address. �Quote/Proposal response is required by 06/10/14 �Work is to commence by 07/10/2014 and completed by 08/10/2014

Photo by Michael Rieger/FEMA

HISTORY REMEMBERED

PURCHASE TICKETS AT 911MEMORIAL.ORG IN PRINT OR ONLINE

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

It’s the public’s turn at the 9/11 Museum Continued from page 1

But the Spohrs, like many visitors to the museum, were not so happy about its gift shop, which has already taken some criticism for being insensitive — although 9/11 Museum representatives have said they need the shop to raise additional cash in the absence of government funding. “It was really tacky,” Dave Spohr said of the gift shop, which includes numerous tourist-friendly trinkets alongside more solemn memorabilia. His wife thought a different option would’ve been more suitable for extra fundraising. “They should just have a donation area by the exit, for people who want to give a little more,” she said. “It’s such a moving experience, that I think enough people would do that.” Steve and Diane, a married couple from New Jersey who declined to give their last names, had in fact been so put off by media reports of the museum’s gift shop that they didn’t even want to see it for themselves. “Yeah, we heard about it, so we just skipped it,” said Steve, after he and his wife had just walked out the exit. “I think there’s just something conceptually wrong with having that kind of shop in a place like this,” he added. But not everyone was turned of by the gift shop. Janet and Fred O’Neill, a pair of retirees from Long Island who were both working on Water St. on 9/11, walked out of the museum toting a bag from the shop. Janet had no problem saying that she bought a commemorative coin and a sticker to go in a scrapbook she’s making for their grandchildren, who were too young in 2001 to really remember the experience of the terrorist attacks. “And I didn’t see anything offensive in there,” said her husband. “If they need the money because they’re not getting the federal funding, I really don’t see what the problem is.” Although they didn’t lose any loved ones

on 9/11, both had coworkers who lost family members. “We’ve seen all the pictures before, but to actually walk through there and see all the personal effects was very moving,” said Janet. “Very sad, but very moving. There’s something about seeing all of the people who were on the planes, and in the towers, and the first responders. You really learn about them, and that’s a special thing.” President Obama, who attended the opening ceremony May 15, said, “We can touch their names and hear their voices, glimpse the small items that speak to the beauty of their lives — a wedding ring, a dusty helmet, a shining badge.” The museum is also full of large artifacts including fire trucks damaged by the collapsing towers the and never claimed bikes that were chained to a rack outside the W.T.C. Large photos of the 2,983 people killed on 9/11 or in the 1993 Trade Center bombing are on display as well. Small ones of the 19 hijackers are visible close to the floor in a different section. “This is a museum containing artifacts, that is itself housed within an artifact,” museum director Alice Greenwald said at a press preview the day before the opening ceremony. Architect Craig Dykers of Snøhetta, which designed the above ground portion of the museum, said he was very conscious of making the building a welcoming presence in the neighborhood. To that end, planners decided to put the Twin Towers’ large steel trident remnants inside the museum, but also make it visible from the outside. “We felt that the several hundred thousand people that live here come to this place as part of their neighborhood — not as a part of a national memorial — need to feel it’s a comfortable part of their home,” Dykers told Downtown Express. “Placing the tridents outside, in a sense, would give them too much presence in the community.” MUSEUM OPENS UP THE MEMORIAL The opening of the museum for previews last Thursday also freed up much of the World

Photo by Jin Lee, courtesy of 9/11 Memorial Museum

Pool photo by John Angelillo/UPI

President Obama speaking at the opening ceremony of the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Below left and right, photos of some of the people killed in the attack and bikes found outside the World Trade Center after 9/11.

Trade Center to visitors, allowing strollers to visit the memorial, and pedestrians to cross the site at Liberty St. “We went for a stroll last night,” Kristine Boel, 29, said May 16 as she walked again with her newborn, two-week-old daughter, Olivia, her husband, Christian, and their French bulldog. “It gives you another place to walk. We’ve been watching all the work from our window.” She said she would “definitely” visit the museum soon after it opened. She said it was moving to see images of the museum on TV — “it took my breath away.” The memorial, which opened almost three years ago on the tenth anniversary of the attack, required reservations for free tickets up until last week. Museum officials said at the press preview that the opening is an important milestone for the memorial as well. “It will be a park for people to come sit on a

bench and contemplate,” Greenwald, the museum’s director, told Downtown Express May 14. Prior to the public opening Wednesday, the museum is open by reservation to family members of the victims, rescue workers, survivors and Lower Manhattan residents. The memorial plaza was busy with visitors May 16 as well as people using the new walkway. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum made other additions during the opening week including adding an outdoor cafe/ food truck and moving the Downtown Alliance information kiosk to the memorial. An Alliance worker said things were much busier in the temporary location near Greenwich and Liberty Sts. Just then, four men dressed in business suits walked by and one had a question for a police office officer: “Can we exit that way?” “Yes,” was the simple answer.

Downtown Express photo by Josh Rogers

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Pool photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Image

Members of the public on the memorial plaza, above, view the program on a television monitor during the museum’s dedication ceremony. Below, two tridents from the original World Trade Center loom inside the museum, Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray visit the memorial after the dedication ceremony, and the “Survivors’ Stairs,” which helped hundreds evacuate the W.T.C. to Vesey St. on Sept. 11, 2001.

Pool photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Polaris Image

Downtown Express photo by Josh Rogers

Pool photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Polaris Image

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Real Estate

Where to find affordable N.Y.C. apartments B Y L A U R E N P R IC E “Our city’s biggest challenge is the growing disparity between affordable and market-rate housing,” according to Jonathan Miller, the president and C.E.O. of Miller Samuel Inc., a New York-based real estate appraisal and consulting firm. “Producing affordable housing helps us provide a greater diversity for labor skills needed in New York. And in the long run, affordable housing stands as an essential component for the city to continue as a thriving community.” Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose 2013 campaign focused considerable attention on expanding affordable housing opportunities, laid out the specifics of his plan earlier this month. A report released by City Comptroller Scott Stringer in April made clear the scope of the housing affordability challenge facing the city after 12 years in which median apartment rents grew by 75 percent, compared to an average increase nationwide of 44 percent. De Blasio’s goal of building or preserving 200,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade represents a significant step up from the 165,000unit record from the 12 years of the Bloomberg administration.

The new mayor comes to his mission with considerable housing qualifications. During the Clinton administration, he served as the regional director for the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development under then-Secretary Andrew Cuomo. As a member of the City Council prior to his election as public advocate in 2009, de Blasio wrote the law that stopped landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income. Currently, developers of rental properties can receive low-cost financing through the city’s Housing Finance Agency when at least 20 percent of the units are designated as affordable housing. Drawing on funds raised through the sale of tax-exempt bonds, the H.F.A. requires that qualifying apartments must be affordable and rented to households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the neighborhood Area Median Income, adjusted for family size. An alternative way for developers to qualify is to set aside 25 percent or more of a project’s units for households whose income is 60 percent or less than the local A.M.I., adjusted for family size. Affordability is defined as a monthly rent no greater than 30 percent of gross

Rendering courtesy of the gotham organization

Gotham West on West 45th St., above and at bottom.

household income. A list of projects financed by H.F.A. currently holding lotteries or accepting applications can be found at nyshcr.org/ topics/home/renters/opportunitiestoapplyforaffordablerentalunits.htm. New York’s is a high-density housing market short on land, but more than a few of New York’s major development companies are big players in “80/ 20” affordable housing programs. Related Companies, one of the nation’s largest developers, has a significant commitment to developing, acquiring, and preserving housing in the affordable sector. In fact, according to the company’s website, more than 60 percent of its 50,000-plus apartments under management are part of one or more affordable housing programs (related.com/our-company/busi-

nesses/9/affordable-housing). L+M Development Partners is a builder of affordable, mixed-income, and market rate housing. From conception to completion, this developer is responsible for more than $2.5 billion in housing development, investment, and construction, having created more than 15,000 units in the tri-state area. In a partnership with Dunn Development, L + M is currently developing the mixed-use, multi-building Navy Green complex on Clermont and Vanderbilt Aves. in Fort Greene near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Offering about 460 units when completed, the development represents a combination of rentals and condos, with more than 20 percent of the total designated as affordContinued on page 17

Rendering courtesy of the gotham organization

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Continued from page 16

able, as well as nearly 100 units of supportive housing. (lmdevpartners.com) TF Cornerstone focuses on acquisition, development, construction, and management of residential, commercial, and retail properties. With an aggressive acquisition strategy and a construction division, the company’s property portfolio includes a collection of luxury residential buildings. Partnering with Selfhelp, a senior citizen non-profit organization, the company is now at work on Phase II at Hunters Point South, which is a massive housing complex along the Long Island City riverfront. Made up of two high-rise towers with nearly 1,200 units, the development is setting aside 60 percent for affordable housing — with some 100 units reserved for seniors. The development will feature a fitness

center, a rock-climbing wall, a rooftop deck, a pre-K school, and a dedicated senior recreational center with fitness classes, nutritional education, and blood pressure testing, among other services. (tfcornerstone.com/new-york-city-life/ tag/affordable-housing/) Gotham West, located in a series of buildings on West 45th St., is a mixeduse, 1,238-unit development from the Gotham Organization (gothamorganization.com). There are 250 units that fall into the 80/20 program, and the development has created another 432 units for middle-income housing. “Gotham West is currently accepting applications for the middle-income category,” said Melissa Pianko, Gotham’s executive vice president of development. “We also have another 80/ 20 project under construction at 600 Fulton St. in Brooklyn, but marketing efforts have yet to begin.”

The 411 on 80/20 buildings New York City’s affordability housing programs come in a variety of permutations, but in general, eligibility is based on: household income; a household’s members meeting program guidelines; credit history that meets the developer’s standards; and the absence of housing, legal, or criminal obstacles. Different affordable housing developments have different income requirements. Carefully read the income guidelines for each advertised apartment. You may fall into different categories for different developments, depending on your income and household size. You may get preference for a particular development if you: have mobility, hearing, or vision impairments; currently live in the same community board district as the development or currently live in New York City; or work for the city. For current listings, visit NYC Housing Connect (https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/lottery. html#home )or call 311 and ask for the Affordable Housing Hotline. The NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center is currently accepting applications. Future tenants will be selected by a lottery among all the applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for a specific development. Additional information can. be found at nyc.gov/html/housinginfo/html/apartments/apartment_hunting_tips.shtml. To participate in a lottery, you must complete an application form and mail it to the developer within the specified application period. Newspaper advertisements should provide you with information on income guidelines, who to contact, where to mail your request

for an application, and where to mail your completed application. Deadlines for applications will also be noted in the ad. One week after the application deadline, the applications are retrieved and then randomly selected. Based on the relevant information from the application, a list of qualified applicants will be created — often a list totaling 20 times the number of available apartments. Interviews with applicants will be scheduled after the drawing. All applicants must meet the individual program requirements to be eligible and receive the community preference. No application fee or broker fee is required. If an applicant passes the interview, the developer may require a fee to conduct a credit check. Owners maintain the waiting list for a particular development so that there is a ready list of potential tenants. If an apartment becomes available or the apartments are not all rented initially, the developer will offer the apartment to applicants on a waiting list. Owners have the discretion to close a waiting list. If you are on a waiting list, the developer may require you to renew your status as an interested applicant by contacting their office every six to 12 months. Your eligibility to rent one of these apartments is determined by your income at the time you are offered the apartment. If your income has increased above the allowable maximum income since you originally applied for the apartment, you are no longer eligible to receive the apartment.

— LAUREN PRICE

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Letters A SAFE BUMP IN CANAL’S ROAD PUBLISHER

Jennifer Goodstein

To The Editor:

EDITOR

Re “A vision for a safe Canal St.” (Editor’s Letter, May 8 - 21): Isn’t it a fact that speed limit signs mean nothing at all to many drivers? The only way to slow traffic on Canal St. is by installing “speed bumps,” of which, as you know, several hundred are found all around the city. A speed bump is “a traffic calming device,” says the city. They force drivers to slow down. It’s the only sure way.

Josh Rogers ARTS EDITOR

Scott Stiffler REPORTER

Sam Spokony SR. V.P. OF SALES & MARKETING

Francesco Regini RETAIL AD MANAGER

Colin Gregory

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Allison Greaker Alex Morris Mike O’Brien Andrew Regier Rebecca Rosenthal Julio Tumbaco ART / PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Troy Masters

Ben Calderone

Posted To “CITY TO MAKE HAZARDOUS CANAL ST. A SLOW ZONE NEXT MONTH” (POSTED, MAY 8):

SENIOR DESIGNER

Michael Shirey GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Andrew Gooss PHOTOGRAPHERS

Milo Hess Jefferson Siegel PUBLISHER EMERITUS

John W. Sutter

Pedestrians notoriously jaywalk along Canal Street and its intersecting streets. Recently one was seen walking out into the street between two parked cars while texting on his cell phone. Albeit, lowering the speed limit might result in fewer accidents, but NYC must mount a campaign to remind pedestrians to use common sense when crossing the street. claude Talk about dangerous roads: Crossing Houston Street is like trying to cross a highway. It should be a slow zone and its traffic lights should be adjusted so that there is time for pedestrians to get across the street before the light changes. TerryO

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9/11 MUSEUM BRINGS LIBERTY BACK DOWNTOWN (POSTED, MAY 16): As a resident of 114 Liberty Street, a 9/11 survivor, I can tell you that the opening on Liberty St. is an unmitigated disaster, creating a dangerous situation where Liberty Street is crushed by the massive flow of tourists. With no other entry points, tourists and tour groups and streaming down the street where movement of regular daily activity has become impossible. The backup at Liberty and Trinity has gotten worse with street construction and dance acts in Zuccotti making the pedestrian flow even worse. This is extremely poor planning on the Memorial’s part to the point where the 10/10 firehouse firefighters are upset and the NYPD is now cutting off traffic down Liberty St. In other words, chaos. I would ask the Memorial to go back to the timed entry on Albany St. As a

Downtown Expressphoto by Milo Hess.

The warm spring weather has brought plenty of foot traffic through the newly opened 9/11 Memorial Plaza, and some who pass through the site continue to pay their respects to the fallen by leaving a flower or flag within a loved one’s name.

resident, I am part of the WTC Neighborhood Alliance that is trying to preserve this neighborhood for residents, many of whom have lived here for 30 years or more. We have seen that every time there is a change in the area it is never for the benefit of the residents, but for more and more tourist flow. I’m really not sure how I can remain here. Steven Abramson Mr. Abramson, if you’d care to walk about the plaza more thoroughly, you’ll notice that there are actually three main access points for public use: on the northwest, southwest, and — as you’ve mentioned — southeast corners. These access points have been open since the plaza’s unrestricted debut to the public, on May 15th; I know this because I was there myself that day to observe the dismantling of the fences. To restore the former serpentine pen at Albany St. would be nothing short of a retrogression, and while I — a FiDi resident like yourself — can certainly appreciate your concerns regarding neighborhood congestion, I am no less supportive of an open plaza at the World Trade Center, of which we’d been robbed for nearly thirteen years. Andrew D. M. Parke Talk about putting a target on our backs. No one can keep their guard up forever. Anyone who thinks this spot will not be hit again is fooling themselves, and now, we’ve just given those who hate us collection point for maximum collateral damage. Is it our ego or thoughtlessness? Guest Great to see that the 9/11 Museum has finally opened. Already look forward to vis-

iting it with the kids. Sandra

SEAPORT DEVELOPMENT (LETTER TO THE EDITOR, POSTED MAY 8): HHC has already turned the beautiful historic main street of the Seaport into a garbage dump of shipping containers, rubber tents and loudspeakers, with dirty astro turf hiding much of the cobblestone. And they’re adding to the turmoil — and their bank account — with their plans for a mega-tall luxury building next to the historic bridge — while paying just $3.50 per square foot with a 60 to 70 year lease. I recently received a survey from HHC marketing, asking me to select from a list of fast food / slavery-produced clothing franchises — giving me a “vote” in what clutter is yet to be added at the seaport. My vote is that the small family businesses that have been at the Seaport longer than HHC be allowed to survive and thrive, and continue to provide real services such as healthy, digestible food and pleasant atmospheres — something HHC can’t fathom — and that the Seaport be returned to his pre-HHC state when it was treated as a historic district to be respected and treasured. Anne Troy So I guess it doesn’t matter what the citizens want after all. The mayor doesn’t hear or has no power, the governor the same? Just WHO are the people selling our city?? You can go to all the meetings you want but you won’t get anywhere until you gather up all the people and have an old fashioned 1960’s sit in on OUR SEAPORT. You can bet that would cause people to pay attention. It seems like these meetings are going nowhere fast. Howard Hughes is destroying what belongs to the city and doing what they want anyway. Karen G

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Talking Point

A mighty ferry connection between two far west sides B Y J E SS IC A LA P P IN For centuries the Hudson River was filled with the sounds of ships, barges, people and commerce. The daily life of the river was the daily life of our city. Tragically, we abused this great resource and polluted it to near extinction and in the process put our relationship to the river into mothballs. In more recent decades, our collective sense of the river has been one rooted in gratitude for the heroic work done to restore the Hudson’s ecological health. Slowly people have returned to recreational use on the water and slowly a full range of possibilities are emerging to reconnect New Yorkers to their river. This time with a more mature sense of stewardship and sustainability. This week I got to experience a piece of what this future may look like as New York Water Taxi inaugurated a new service connecting the far west side of Manhattan with Downtown. A key to a vibrant New York is a vibrant multi-modal transportation network. This ferry service provides yet another option for getting to Lower Manhattan. Reintroducing the mighty Hudson as a commuting thoroughfare is an important step in responsibly reawakening our commercial relationship to the river.

The trip between Pier 84 near the Javits Center and Battery Park City provides another link to one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the region. Every sector of the Lower Manhattan economy is booming and can help make this a bustling connection. Lower Manhattan isn’t your father’s FiDi anymore. While Downtown is still home to countless firms

years, more than 1.5 million square feet of new or repositioned retail space will come online. What does this mean for New Yorkers? That Lower Manhattan will be a true destination and home to some of the world’s most sought after shops and restaurants. More and more people will be looking to travel from Midtown to Downtown and more ferry options are an

‘As Lower Manhattan draws more employees and visitors, many will come from transitpoor neighborhoods – including the Far West Side.’ in the financial, real estate and insurance sectors, it has also become a top choice for media, creative and tech firms: 800 and counting. Lower Manhattan has also become a truly 24/7 community, due in large part to the growing residential population, which has more than doubled since 9/11. There are now 61,000 residents living south of Chambers St. And, on top of that there’s a retail revolution under way. In the next two

exciting way to harness this demand. It all makes perfect sense. While Lower Manhattan already has an incredibly rich transit network: 12 subway lines, 30 bus routes, the PATH, 25 CitiBike stations, and the free Downtown Connection bus sponsored by my organization, the Alliance for Downtown New York, the demand for more transit capacity only grows with the neighborhood’s ongoing renaissance.

And as Lower Manhattan draws more employees and visitors, many will come from transit-poor neighborhoods – including the Far West Side, which is also growing quickly but remains sparsely served by the city’s mass-transit network. While Pier 84 and nearby amenities are revitalizing the Hudson waterfront in Midtown, it’s a long, long walk to the nearest subway line that can bring you Downtown. The new ferry line could indeed be a template for water routes all over the city. The transportation infrastructure, so vital to the economic development of the entire metropolitan region, will benefit from a strengthened network of fast and reliable ferry service. It took New York City more than a century to rediscover and resuscitate its natural waterfront assets. Hudson River Park and Lower Manhattan are just two of the many development success stories along miles of waterfront in all five boroughs. It’s time to use one of our greatest assets, the Hudson, and all our waterways, to truly lace the city together. Jessica Lappin is president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, which manages Lower Manhattan’s business improvement district.

TRANSIT SAM ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY FOR MEMORIAL DAY

May the get-away games begin! With Memorial Day weekend fast approaching, brace for heavier traffic than we’ve seen in the past few years. Traffic is up at all bridges and tunnels and at airports. No need to fear, Transit Sam is here! Lower Manhattan will see monster traffic jams at area bridges and tunnels on Thursday and Friday. Hardest hit will be the Holland Tunnel approaches from Canal, Varick, and Broome Sts. The Broome St. back-up, around 4 p.m. both days, may extend all the way to Lafayette St. The best time to travel will be after 9 p.m. Friday. On Monday — Memorial Day — alternate side parking rules are suspended, as are meter parking rules. Signs that say “No parking” or “No standing” on certain weekdays, in this case Monday, are also suspended. Signs with the word “anytime” are still in effect. In the Lincoln Tunnel, the New York-

bound south tube will close 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. In the Holland Tunnel, one New York-bound lane will close 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. In the Battery Park Underpass, the north tube from the F.D.R. to West St./ Route 9A will close midnight Thursday night to 5 a.m. Friday morning. On West St./Route 9A, one lane will close in each direction between West Thames and Vesey Sts. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The Bleecker Street Festival will close Bleecker St. between Christopher St. and Eighth Ave. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit will close Washington Square East between Waverly Pl. and West 4th St., and the sidewalks on University Pl. between E 13th St. and Waverly Pl. and on Washington Pl. between Washington Square East and Mercer St. noon to 6 p.m. daily beginning this Saturday and running through Sunday, June 1. The Little Italy Pedestrian mall kicks off its weekly Friday evening closures of

Mulberry St. between Canal and Broome Sts. and Hester St. between Mott and Baxter Sts. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. A Memorial Day fair on Sixth Ave. will close the stretch from 14th to 23rd Sts., sending northbound traffic to Eighth Ave. and Fourth Ave./Park Ave. South 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The Chabad of Wall Street Community Fair will close Liberty St. between Broadway and Trinity Pl. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.

FROM THE MAILBAG: Dear Transit Sam, If there are two cars, each traveling in opposite directions on a two-way street, and both cars wish to make left turns onto another two-way street, must the cars turn left in front of each other, or behind each other? When I learned to drive many years ago, I was taught to make the left turn behind the opposing car as this provides me with a clear line of sight of traffic behind the opposing car, and that makes perfect sense.

However, my observations tell me that most cars simply make left turns in front of each other. Herbert, New York Dear Herbert, I couldn’t find any law governing this but I think it really depends upon the geometry of an intersection. If there’s no center mall then I’d say you should turn in front of the other driver waiting to make a left. If there is a center mall you may not have any choice but to turn behind the other car. When the city puts down short “skips” in the road (white painted dashes) to indicate the path for making a left turn it is always (I believe) in front of the opposing traffic. That should make it clear that turning in front is the preferred way. Transit Sam Send your parking and traffic questions to transitsam@downtownexpress.com.

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Activities ASPHALT GREEN BATTERY PARK CITY 212 North End Ave 212-298-2980 www.asphaltgreenbpc.org How Toddlers Thrive: Learn the lessons needed for lifelong success. Ages 2 – 5. Free. May 27, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. BARNES & NOBLE 97 Warren Street 212-587-5389 Spanish Charades Storytime: Learn and have fun playing Spanish charades with Spanish flashcards. Free. May 24, 11 a.m. Children’s Storytime: Enjoy a story time reading in the Children’s Department. Free. May 31, 11 a.m. The Very Hungry Catepillar: A reading of Eric Carl’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar 45th Anniversary Edition. Free. Jun 4, 11 a.m. BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY 75 Battery Place 212-267-9700 bpcparks.org Preschool Art: Come learn art with paper, clay, wood, and paint. Ages 4 and under. Free. Drop in. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park. Thursdays until Oct. 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Art + Games: After school art activities and games. Ages 5 and up. Free. Drop in. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Thursdays until Oct. 30, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Sunset Singing Circle: Sing folk songs together. Led by folksinger Terre Roche. All ages. Free. Drop in. Wagner Park. Wednesdays until June 27, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Preschool Play: Interactive play on the lawn. Toys, books, and play equipment provided. Ages 4 and under. Free. Drop in. Wagner Park, Mon, Tues, Wed. until Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Children’s Basketball: Adjustable height hoops and fun drills to improve skills. Close-toed shoes required. Ages 5 – 6. Free. Drop in. Rockefeller Park, Mon. until Oct. 27, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Soccer: Learn the basics of soccer. Close-toed shoes required. Free. Drop in. Rockefeller Park. Tues. until Oct. 28, Ages 3 – 4, 2:30 – 3:15 p.m., Ages 5 – 7,

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3:30 – 4:15, Ages 8 – 11, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Drop-in Chess: Play chess and get pointers from an expert. Ages 5 – 15. Free. Drop in. Rockefeller Park. Wed. until Oct. 24, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Wednesdays at Teardrop: Come enjoy lawn games and art projects. Art supplies provided. Ages 5 and up. Free. Drop in. Teardrop Park. Wed. until Oct. 29, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS 103 Charlton St., Admission - $11 (seniors and 0 – 12 months free, from 4 – 6 p.m.) 212-274-0986 cmany.org Super Power Animal Trading Cards: Create thematic trading cards and trade with other kids. Ages 5 and up. May 22, 3 – 5 p.m. Time Capsules: Observe examples of time capsules and create your own. Ages 5 and up. May 23, 3 – 6 p.m. Exquisite Corpse Collage: Use images from magazines and apply them in collage fashion in an exquisite corpse format. Ages 5 and up. May 24, 2 – 5 p.m. Crushed Creatures: Crush paper goods such as cone cups and small boxes and piece them together in the form of a person, animal, or creature. Ages 5 and up. May 28, 30, 3 – 5 p.m. Necktie Tie Knots: Custom design your own necktie and learn to tie several knots. Ages 5 and up. May 29, 3 – 6 p.m. Image Collecting Kites: Visit the Fine Arts studio to trace images onto plastic shopping bags. Assemble a kite using plastic straws, tape, string and the bag that was just decorated. Ages 5 and up. May 31, 12 – 5 p.m.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave (at Murray Street) 212-790-3499 nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; first-come first-served. Ages 0-18 months. Free. May 22, 27, 29, Jun.

3, 11:30 a.m., Jun. 3, 9:30 a.m. Bilingual Story Time: Enjoy classic stories, songs, and rhymes in English and French. This month, Miss Amalia will visit to sing Spanish songs. All ages. Free. May 22, 4 – 4:30 p.m. Picture Book Time: A librarian will read classic stories and new picture books. Children of all ages. Free. May 27, Jun. 3, 4 p.m. Family STEM: Holy geodes, Batman!: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) promotes the opportunity to explore the natural world through workshops and projects. Each program focuses on a different topic. Child should be able to use scissors. First come, first served. All ages. Free. May 28, 4 p.m. Toddler Story Time: A librarian will share lively picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers. Ages 18-36 months. Free. May 28, Jun. 4, 10:30 a.m., Jun. 2, 4 p.m. CHATHAM SQUARE BRANCH 33 East Broadway 212-964-6598 nypl.org/locations/chatham-square Fun Time: Enjoy stories, toy musical instruments, finger plays, and coloring. Infants to age 5. Free. May 22, 10:30 a.m. Get Your Game Face On! YuGiOh and Magic at Chatham Square: Ages 13 – 18. Free. May 22, 29, 3 – 5 p.m. Board Games & Chess For Children: Play board games, chess, and card games of all levels. Basic instruction provided. For families and kids ages 5 – 11. Free. Thursdays, 3 – 5 p.m. Call Karen Ginman at 212-964-6598 for more information. Reading Aloud: A librarian will share favorite picture books. Ages 5 – 12. May 24, 11 – 11:30 a.m. Arts and Crafts: Celebrate Spring by creating fun projects. Ages 5 – 12. Free. May 28, Jun. 4, 3:30 – 4:30. Manga Drawing Workshops with Misako Rocks: Join comic artist Misako Rocks and learn how to draw characters, plot, story, and more. Ages 12 – 18. Free. May 28, 5 p.m. Chess Club at Chatham Square: Learn how to play chess or compete if you already know how. Ages 13 and up. Free. May 31, 1 p.m. After-School Science Club at Chatham

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Square Library: Build a Bristle Bot Robot. Limited to 15 children. Ages 5 – 12. Free. Jun. 3, 3:30 – 5 p.m. NEW AMSTERDAM BRANCH 9 Murray St. (between Broadway and Church St.) 212-732-8186 nypl.org/locations/new-amsterdam Story Time: Stories, action songs, and fingerplays. Ages 18 – 36 months. Free. First come, first served. May 22, 27, 29, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. ”Teen Zone” - Teen Variety Program: Decide on an activity such as movies, music, board games, or crafts. Ages 13 to 18. Free. First come, first served. Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Leggo My Legos – Cars and Blocks: Play with piles of blocks and bring a toy car to drive around the tiny town on the floor. Ages 18 – 36 months. Free, May 28, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Scene it @ the Library: Family Movie Matinee: Come see a fun family movie every Saturday on the big screen! All ages. Free, May 31, 2 – 4 p.m. “Where Art and Literature Meet” - Graphic Novel Book Discussion: A discussion about the graphic novel, Wolverine: Sabretooth Reborn by Jeph Loeb and Simone Bianchi. Ages 13 – 18. Free. First come, first served. Jun. 2, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN 1 Bowling Green, 1st Floor 212-514-3700 www.americanindian.si.edu Daily Screenings: Especially For Kids: Family friendly screenings of live action shorts. Free. May 22 – Jun. 1, 10:30 – 11:30, 11:45 – 12:45 TRINITY CHURCH 74 Trinity Place 212-602-0800 www.trinitywallstreet.org Family Veggie and Yoga Night: Bring the family the fourth Friday of every month to learn yoga. Veggie snacks will be served. For families with children under 18. Free. (Charlotte’sPlace - 107 Greenwich St., rear of 74 Trinity Place, between Rector and Carlisle Sts.) May 23, 6 – 7:15 p.m.

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MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Down South: Summer arts below Canal Festivals, sales, Shakespeare and time travel BY SCOTT STIFFLER

THE RIVER TO RIVER FESTIVAL

Consider yourself lucky: For the thirteenth annual edition of River to River (R2R), the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has trimmed this normally monthlong, totally free summer arts event down to a lean 11 days — without sacrificing any of the diversity we’ve come to expect from its dense blend of music, dance, visual art and participatory experiences. With many of the activities set outdoors, the June 19-29 festival hits that late spring/ early summer sweet spot — meaning there’s every chance you won’t even need a light jacket, and even less chance you’ll be subjected to the sort of oppressive heat that will soon have us pining for a winter storm advisory. So forget all about those Netflix marathons and binge on the arts, old school style: by seeing and doing as much as you can, all around Lower Manhattan, in a week and a half. These highlights will get you started. For R2R, top to bottom, visit the website: RiverToRiverNYC.com. On opening night, the “R2R Bash” (5-8 pm) is a block party-style event on North End Way. Many of the festival’s participating artists will be there for meet-and-greet opportunities, and there will be discounts at area restaurants and retailers. In addition to many family-friendly activities, the dance troupe/rock band People Get Ready will get, and keep, the people moving. On the first official night of performances, June 21, “Terry Riley and Friends” is dedicated to the music and influences of minimalist composer Terry Riley. Performers include his son, Gyan, Tracy Silverman and the Young People’s Chorus. Renowned flutist Claire Chase and Bulgarian percussionist Svet Stoyanov will perform a new duet by composer Marcos Balter that’s based on a poem by Edgar Allen Poe, paired with a new arrangement of Riley’s “Tread on the Trail.” Also on June 21, R2R contributes to the citywide day of free music that marks the summer solstice. “New York Walkscape” is a parade through Lower Manhattan, during which participants will transform environmental sounds into a musical score (by using a specially created, GPS-enabled app). “And Death Shall Have No Dominion” celebrates the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas in a distinctly modern way — by using your mobile device to accompany the singing of words from Dylan’s work. It concludes when all involved converge on a public park, for a group sing. “Digital Sanctuaries, NYC” is another gizmo-driven walk. It allows you to visit 12 historic sights throughout Lower

Photo by Julieta Cervantes

From 2012’s “Le Grand Continental.” This year, River to River public dance events include “Fronteras: New and Old Sounds from Latin America and the Caribbean” — a series of concerts and DJ sets taking place June 27-29 at the Seaport.

Manhattan, using an app to turn them into musical, meditative sanctuaries. The next day, the annual “Bang on a Can Marathon” delivers eight hours of boundarybusting music, of the world and local variety, from the likes of Louis Andriessen, Carlos Carrillo, Julius Eastman & Jace Clayton, Paula Matthusen, Meredith Monk, The Bang on a Can All-Stars & Friends, Bearthoven, Contemporaneous, Dawn of Midi, Great Noise Ensemble, Roomful of Teeth and (they really mean this) many, many more. On the festival’s final three days, a series of concerts will highlight “New and Old Sounds from Latin America and the Caribbean.” You’ll see (and hear) everything from an accordion-fronted Tex-Mex punk band to ambient folk and electronica to experimental and socially conscious work. Each evening features sets by the NY-based DJ Nickodemus. Although dancing is not required, it’s highly encouraged.

From Memorial Day through the end of September, LMCC’s Arts Center on Governors Island is the setting for “Trisha Brown: Embodied Practice and Site Specificity.” An exhibition of her work between 1961 and 1979, it focuses on the choreographer’s range of responses to NYC’s built environment. Back on the island of Manhattan, R2R features dance work at a variety of venues, in various stages of development. Eiko, Vanessa Anspaugh, enrico d wey, Tere O’Connor, Souleymane Badolo, Reggie Wilson, Wally Cardona & Jennifer Lacey, Maria Hassabi and Okwui Okpokwasili are among the participants. The festival’s Exhibition & Open Studios program features visual art installations, exhibitions and studio visits. On June 28 & 29, a mobile app will help you navigate the studios of LMCC’s 20 artists-in-residence on Governors Island. In Battery Park, “The Signs of Paradise” is a vertically robust

installation that takes its name from the fact that all 50 states have a town named “Paradise.” A signpost will point to each of these towns, and note the specific mileage (should you want to plan a summer road trip to, say, Paradise, Wyoming). This year, R2R is debuting “Living Rooms” — a series of after-hours parties that will put you in the same room as festival presenters, and then encourages all manner of dance, discussion and brainstorming. It’s held at VBar Seaport. River to River takes place at numerous Downtown venues, from June 19 to 29. All events are free — but due to limited capacity, some require advance notice (RSVP period begins June 9). For the full schedule & more info, visit RiverToRiverNYC. com. Facebook: facebook.com/rivertoriver. Twitter & Instagram: @R2RFestival. Continued on page 21

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Your Lower Manhattan arts plan Continued from page 22

THE ARCHIVE OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC’S SWINGIN’ SUMMER RECORD & CD SALE

Founded in 1985 — just around the time when a flood of zeroes and ones began to wash away vinyl as the commercial medium of choice, the ARChive of Contemporary Music began doing their Noah thing — by gathering two copies of all popular music released in America each year. Today, their library has over 22 million songs from 1950 to the present. The collection is made available to researchers, press and the music industry. Every June and December, the fun-loving archivists open their doors and turn their ground floor over to the public, for a massive sale that helps fuel the non-profit’s mission. The summer version of this event will feature over 20,000 items up for grabs — including an “Astroturf Yard Sale” section full of vintage kitchenwares and clothing. But the real draw that keeps old school hard copy purists coming back twice a year — year after year — is the promise that everything in stock is donated by record

Photo courtesy of ARChive of Contemporary Music

Schmooze, bop, rock and pop — at ARChive’s Swingin’ Summer Record & CD Sale (June 7-15).

companies and collectors. That means no need to check for scratches, skips or other defects among the pop, rock, jazz, reggae and world music releases. Also in prime condition: vintage 60s psychedelic post-

ers from the Gande Ballroom in Detroit, Japanese pressings of Nonesuch CDs, rare Fillmore East programs, turntables, audio equipment, DVDs and shelf upon shelf of music-themed books.

“Our CDs are cheaper than downloading,” the organizers vow, noting that most classical LPs go for $1, hundreds of CDs are priced $1-$5, and most just-released selections are in the $5-$10 range. In the priceless column: free admission, the chance to talk shop with other likeminded souls, and the ten-digit search engine’s promise of unexpected finds hidden at the bottom of a stack. Want to up your chances of unearthing that hidden treasure? Become a member of ARChive, and you’ll score an invite to June 5’s pre-sale cocktail party — where members shop before the general public, while snacking on quality grub from Bonnie’s Grill in Brooklyn, Tribeca’s Bubble Lounge and Two Boots. Kenny, the “hipster city bus driver,” mixes drinks at the bar and keeps you just lubricated enough to be magnanimous in defeat, should you get bested in the inevitable trivia-based conversation with fellow shoppers. Free admission. Sat., June 7 through Sun., June 15, from 11 am-6 pm daily. At the ARChive of Contemporary Music (54 White St., 3 blocks south of Canal St., btw. Broadway & Church Sts.). Call 212-2266967 or visit arcmusic.org. Continued on page 22

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

Learn to

Out the door, back in time gramo

Photo by Miranda Arden

Into the woods, and blinded by love: Rosalind (Rin Allen) and Orlando (Ian Antal), in New York Classical Theatre’s “As You Like It” (July 1-27, all around Battery Park).

Continued from page 23

NEW YORK CLASSICAL THEATRE: “AS YOU LIKE IT”

If all the world’s a stage, then why watch a play surrounded by four walls, cooped in by a ceiling and subject to a climate that’s as controlled as the notion of assigned seating? This summer, as it has for the past fifteen years, New York Classical Theatre wants to take you out of the box and into woods. For their Lower Manhattan waterfront production of “As You Like It,” the sprawling Forest of Arden (circa 1910) is played by the wide open spaces of Battery Park — whose winds, as fresh and occasionally rough as the trials of budding romance, give wing to Shakespeare’s breezy tale of mistaken identity, sibling rivalry, gender roles and the traditional rules of romance. Fleeing to the Forest of Arden, exiled Rosalind assumes a male persona, befriends the object of her true affection (Orlando) and counsels him in matters of the heart. Rosalind’s not the only one adopting a disguise and attracting the wrong partner — which leads to a great deal of confusion among the lovestruck characters. At least the audience won’t be lost, thanks to helpful staffers who will chaperone the crowd from location to location, within Battery Park. Free. Tues.-Sun., July 1-27, from 7-9 pm. At Battery Park (meet in front of Castle Clinton). Performances also take place in Central Park (May 27-June 22) and Prospect Park (June 24-29). For info, call 212-252-4531 or visit newyorkclassical.org.

JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY ON GOVERNORS ISLAND

Spend a dapper-dressed, dance-filled, cocktail-friendly afternoon living like the Great Gatsby — without the expense of owning a grand estate or the hassle of cleaning up after all the party guests have retreated from your great lawn. To do so, you need only hitch a ferry ride from the tip of Manhattan to nearby Governors Island. That’s where Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra preside over the ninth annual installment of their “quintessential outdoor celebration of the Jazz Age and its living legacy.” Immediately upon stepping ashore, you’ll be immersed in a world of art deco, hot jazz and all manner of roaring 20s food, fashion, drinks and games — all taking place on a sprawling green, nestled under a canopy of century-old trees. Throughout the day, the finest jazz age entertainment is performed on two stages. Queen Esther pays tribute to jazz royalty of yore, while “society pianist” Peter Mintun conjures the era he’s been tapped to invoke on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” A quick complimentary lesson on all the essential steps of the era will prep you and your partner for a romantic turn on the massive wooden dance floor set up on the lawn — right under the foot of the stage, where the Dreamland Orchestra performs a songbook of 1920s tunes, personally transcribed for your dancing pleasure by composer, conductor, musician and singer Michael Arenella. Throughout the afternoon, listen to original recordings from the 1920s, brought to life by a collection of antique Continued on page 23

Sail!

MANHATTAN SAILING SCHOOL Adult courses begin at $390. Summer camps for juniors. ǁǁǁ͘ƐĂŝůŵĂŶŚĂƩĂŶ͘ĐŽŵ ;ϮϭϮͿ ϳϴϲ-0400

MAY 22 - JUNE 4, 2014

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Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra transform Governors Island into a 1920s wonderland.

Mon - Wed 11 am - 10 pm • Thur - Sun 12 pm - 12 am

Continued from page 24

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phones. Take home a vintage portrait, after cozying up in the Sweetheart Booth or perching upon the giant (although not built to scale) Paper Moon. Get up close and personal with flivvers and Tin Lizzies, at the vintage motorcar exhibition, and show off those dance lesson moves by entering the Charleston Dance Contest. Keep the junior set happy with an excursion to Kidland — where carnival challenges come with playful prizes. The adults get a fun game of their own, by pretending to skirt prohibition! Renowned mixologists Julie Reiner and Andy Seymour will serve their own original creations, based on St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur — while Martini sparkling wine

flows by the mini-bottle or glass. Ice cold beer is also available, along with old-fashioned lemonade and other non-alcoholic choices. Era-inspired entrées are on the menu, and chef Jimmy Carbone (of Jimmy’s No. 43 in the East Village) returns to serve up fare including “Squab on Toast,” “Sliced Beefsteak Sandwich” and fresh grilled Mexican corn. The Dreamland General Store has an assortment of picnic blankets, parasols and hand fans — while in the vendor section, artisans offer vintage clothing and original creations that will let you return to this bygone era any day of the week, for years to come. From 11 am to 5 pm. Sat. & Sun., June 14, 15 & Aug. 16, 17. On Governors Island. Find ticket and transportation info, as well as special offers, at jazzagelawnparty.com.

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MAY 8 - MAY 21, 2014

Just Do Art BY SCOTT STIFFLER

AMORE OPERA’S ‘MADAMA BUTTERFLY’

Drawing on his undergraduate studies of traditional Japanese theater, as well as the expertise of several Japanese cast members, director Nathan Hull brings elements of Kabuki into this production of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s 1904 opera (which itself drew from an 1887 work by French novelist Pierre Loti, as well as the 1990 London stage adaptation by American theatrical titan David Belasco). In Amore Opera’s version, characters enter along a walkway to the left of the house (hanamichi), and then strike dramatic poses during moments of emotional intensity (mie). One of them is played as a supernatural being who suddenly materializes (recalling the Aragoto style). Performed by a diverse rotating cast, with Douglas Martin conducting a full orchestra, this visually bold production closes the company’s fifth season. Also playing: an all-youth version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado.” Part of Amore’s “Opera in Brief” series, it features a cast of 24, ranging in age from 6-13. “Madama Butterfly” (sung in Italian with English subtitles) is performed at 7:30 pm

Photo by B.A. Van Sise

Manami Hattori is among the six who appear in the lead role of Amore Opera’s “Madama Butterfly.”

on May 22-24 and at 2:30 pm on Sun., May 25. “The Mikado” performance is Sat., May 24, at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $20. “Madama Butterfly” tickets are $40, $30 for seniors/ students/children. Call 888-811-4111 or visit amoreopera.org. At The Connelly Theater (220 E. Fourth St., btw. Aves. A & B).

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“Art Stands Up to Power. Corporations Are Not People, Green vs. Greed” is the 2014 theme of Theater for the New City’s annual cross-cultural, multi-generational, family-and-hyphen-friendly, totally free

ISRAEL

KUWAIT pop. 2.6M

pop. 7.9M

LEBANON pop. 4.1M

WEST BANK

BAHRAIN pop. 1.2M

(Judea & Samaria)

pop. 2.1M TUNISIA pop. 10.7M

SYRIA pop. 22.5M

GAZA STRIP pop. 1.7M

IRAQ pop. 31.1M

MOROCCO pop. 32.3M ALGERIA pop: 37.4M

Memorial Day Weekend hodgepodge of performance, music, dance, theater, film and comedy. The event takes place on stages located throughout Theater for the New City, and outdoors during the Saturday afternoon Block Party. The dozens of performers include Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, Le Squeezebox Cabaret, NY Lyric Circus (with juggler and bubblemeister John Grimaldi), the aerial dance Constellation Moving Company, Burning City Orchestra, comedienne Penny Arcade, The Rod Rodgers Dance Company and legendary TV pioneer Joe Franklin — plus theater pieces by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz, Eduardo Machado, Barbara Kahn and others. A lobby art exhibit features paintings, photographs and sculptures from Lower East Side and East Village artists. If you appreciate the consistent — and decidedly offbeat — tone to the proceedings, seek out Theater for the New City Artistic Director Crystal Field, and congratulate her on recently winning an “Acker Award” — given annually for “Achievement in the Avant-Garde.” Free. May 23-May 25. On Fri., performances from 6 pm-1 am. The Sat. Block Party is noon-5 pm, with films from noonmidnight and youth programming from 2-5 pm. On Sun., performances from 6 pm-midnight and poetry readings from 4-7 pm. At Theater for the New City (155 First Ave., btw. 9th & 10th Sts.). For a performance schedule, call 212-254-1109 or visit theaterforthenewcity.net.

LIBYA pop. 5.6M

IRAN pop. 78.9M

EGYPT pop. 83.7M SAUDI ARABIA pop. 26.5M

There’s no lack of media coverage on Israel, the Middle East’s sole democracy with civil rights and a free press. What is lacking is objective coverage. This tiny Jewish nation, the size of New Jersey, with less than eight million people, a quarter of them non-Jewish, generally receives inaccurate, harsh, even hostile coverage from the world’s press.

OMAN pop. 3.1M

The Jewish News Service (JNS.org) was created to correct that. Our weekly reporting, including exclusive distribution rights for Israel Hayom, Israel’s most popular daily, now appears in 31 Jewish weeklies. We invite you to join us in getting the truth out about Israel. To receive our FREE weekly newsletter go to jns.org/ subscribe-to-our-newsletter today!

jns

JORDAN pop. 6.5M

.org

QATAR pop. 1.9M

jns.org/subscribe-to-our-newsletter

YEMEN pop. 24.8M

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES pop. 5.3M

MAY 22 8 - -MAY JUNE21, 4, 2014

More to do this year on Governors Island Continued from page 1

activity will also occur on the island with 39 visual artists and writers and 21 performing acts now utilizing space there. Feedback from visitors as well as cooperation with community institutions such as the Downtown Alliance and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council inspired many of the ideas behind the new park features, Koch told the committee. QC Terme Group will enter the American market by opening the Quadratec Spa in Buildings 111, 112 and 114. The Italian spa company was designated by the Trust’s Board of Directors in December as its first commercial tenant. The L.M.C.C meanwhile will play a role “island-wide” in addition to opening additional studios, a digital media lab and exhibition spaces at its arts center in Building 110, Koch said. A critical philosophical ingredient in the transformation of decrepit Cold War era structures into a 21st Century green space involves metaphorically tossing “spaghetti against the wall,” according to Koch. Responding to what visitors like about park offerings resulted in the increasingly diverse selection of activities, she added. “We are seeing that we have many flavors of spaghetti,” Koch told Downtown Express during a tour of the island May 19. The completed section of a waterfront

promenade extends from the ferry landing on the northern tip of the island to the two ball fields near the south-western side where defensive players will see the Statue of Liberty gazing upon them. Construction on four hills is planned to be finished in time for the 2016 season, creating panoramic views of the urban archipelago as well as accentuating frontal views of Lady Liberty. Recycled materials from building demolitions are building the hills and have also been used to raise the elevation of the center of the island by sixteen feet. Conservation will be further utilized in the form of goats, chickens and bunnies gathered to teach children the essential facts of sustainable farming just over grassy slopes where rounded-edged, sculptured benches brought from Buffalo offer seating. Fifty species of saplings are contending for dominance within the emerging groves of trees spread among the new spaces. Whether it ever reaches ambitions of a “gazillion” visitors or 365-day access for the general public depends not only on funding levels from the city and revenues from vendors and tenants alike. The continued process of learning what residents want Governors Island to ultimately become remains the key catalyst, according to the Trust. “We’ve always made choices to serve the community,” Koch said.

The island has plenty of climbing areas and a clear view of Lower Manhattan.

Downtown Express photos by Zach Williams

Elizabeth Rapuano, left, the Trust for Governors Island’s chief of staff with Leslie Koch, Trust president. They’re holding an artist’s rendering of the scene in back of them.

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