Chelsea Now - January 24, 2019 by Schneps Media

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Chelsea VOLUME 11, ISSUE 4

YO U R W E E K LY C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S E R V I N G C H E L S E A , H U D S O N YA R D S & H E L L’S K I T C H E N

JANUARY 24 - FEBRUARY 6, 2019

HIGH LINE ‘SPUR’ coming down the track Page 3

RENDERING BY JAMES CORNER FIELD OPERATIONS AND DILLER SCOFIDIO + RENFRO

What the view from the Spur of the High Line, at 10th Ave., looking west, is expected to look like by this spring. The sculpture, by Simone Leigh, has not been installed yet on what will be known as the Plinth.

NEW YORK FAMILY Register Today at NewYorkFamily.com/Camps Sat., Jan. 26, 2019, 12-3pm UPPER EAST SIDE St. Jean Baptiste High School 167 East 75th Street

Sun., January 27, 2019, 12-3pm UPPER WEST SIDE Congregation Rodeph Sholom 7 West 83rd Street

Sat., Feb. 2, 2019, 12-3pm TRIBECA/BATTERY PARK Asphalt Green 212 North End Avenue

New York residents, learn how you can get

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Januar y 24, 2019

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High Line’s Spur and Plinth coming down the track BY GABE HERMAN

ith the High Line’s newest section, the Spur, set to open in April, final work is being done on this offshoot before it officially becomes real. Construction continues at the site, which runs east at 30th St. from the main High Line, and ends with an open plaza above 10th Ave. that will feature the Plinth, a rotating art space. On a recent tour of the Spur, Robert Hammond, co-founder and executive director of Friends of the High Line, walked through the various sections of the space. These include a passageway underneath the tower at 10 Hudson Yards, then a planting bed that is the largest and deepest in the park, and ending in the open space at 10th Ave. that will be available for programs and events, and will have benches and the Plinth artwork that will change every 18 months. The first installment is “Brick House,” by Simone Leigh, described as a 16-foot-tall bronze bust of a black woman. The entire Spur was originally an offshoot of tracks from the High Line for trains to enter the Post Office building at 10th Ave., which is still there and in use. The tracks will be visible along the new path. The open plaza has remarkable views of the city in all four directions, including down 10th Ave. and at the base of Hudson Yards. “This is not an escape from the city,” Hammond said as he stood on the Spur over 10th Ave. “A lot of parks, you’re meant to feel you’re out in the countryside. This is about the city.” He acknowledged that some may think it ugly to view advertisements, or all the big buildings, from the new location. Friends of the High Line co-founder Robert Hammond standing on the Spur near the site of the Plinth, spanning 10th Ave., where artworks will be installed on a rotating basis. Photo by Gabe Herman “To me, this is what makes New York,” he countered. “This combination of it all. Yet, you have this planting, and it’s completely public space that’s free for everybody.” The planting beds will have the park’s biggest trees and be meant to surround visitors in a mini-forest of sorts. “It will create this sort of green threshold that you walk through,” Hammond explained. “It’s meant to compress you a little bit. There will be green on both sides, then will open up.” The “Brick House” sculpture was selected by the curator of the Friends of the High Line’s art program after a competition for different ideas and input from the public. “I’m really excited for this artwork. It Schneps Media

PHOTO BY GABE HERMAN

Friends of the High Line co-founder Robert Hammond standing on the Spur near the site of the Plinth.

A rendering of how the sculpture “Brick House” will look atop the Spur spanning 10th Ave.

in response to requests by the community. Local input was important in determining the Spur’s fi nal designs, which Hammond said focus on the three popular issues — plantings, arts and programs. “There’s so many spaces in New York that aren’t accessible,” he said. “This is meant to be completely accessible and open to anyone, and people can use it in many different ways.” Friends of the High Line has done a lot of work in recent years to make the park more welcoming and appealing to locals, including nearby public-housing residents, said Hammond. Listening to

will stand as a kind of beacon over 10th Ave.,” Hammond said. The passageway that connects the plaza to the main part of the High Line will include balconies with reclining chairs that allow visitors to look straight up the side of the huge tower. Hammond said Hudson Yards initially resisted redeveloping the Spur as part of the elevated park, but relented after a strong “Save the Spur” campaign. He said he thinks the Hudson Yards developers are now O.K. with how the project has turned out. There will be a public restroom tucked behind the raised planting bed, CNW

feedback and suggestions led to events like salsa dancing every month during the summer, and teen events decided on by the teens rather the park. More than 70 percent of the park’s teen employment program includes people of color. “Just because you have a space that’s public and free does not mean that everyone feels welcome,” Hammond noted. “You have to think of it as more than just a park. I think we’re still figuring it out. We do not have the answers, and we need to keep evolving as the city keeps changing.” Hammond said he’s also excited this fall for a meeting of the High Line Network, at which representatives of industrial reuse projects nationwide meet in New York to exchange ideas and lessons, including how to spread economic benefits to the most people in communities. Hammond said there is a lot of excitement for upcoming milestones this year. “This is a special year for us because this is the last section of the High Line, it’s the 20th anniversary since we started the project, and 10 years since we opened,” he said. “All of it’s happening at once and it’s just hard to believe that 20 years ago, this was a project that was most likely never going to happen, was so unlikely. So it’s such a crazy idea that it’s become this reality.” Januar y 24, 2019

Police Blotter 10th Precinct Payment issue At 281 Ninth Ave., between W. 26th and W. 27th Sts., on Sun., Jan. 20, at 4:30 p.m., a taxi driver told a police officer that his passenger refused to pay for his ride, according to a police report. The driver and officer were at the scene for 20 minutes waiting for the fare, who remained in the taxi, to pay for the ride. The man reportedly had no means to pay, and then acted irate when asked to leave the vehicle. He started flaring his arms, clenched his fists and held onto the vehicle, actively resisting, according to the officer. Earl Gumps, 30, was arrested for actively resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

Not very sporting There was a harassment incident involving two women on Thurs., Jan. 17, at the New York Sports Club at 270 Eighth Ave, between W. 23rd and W. 24th Sts., where the victim worked, police said. Three weeks earlier, their children reportedly had gotten into a fight at school. One of the mothers came to the sports club and threatened the other mom and her daughter, saying “I will f--- you up.” She had to be escorted out by the manager. The victim, 38, said she felt threatened and feared for the safety of herself and her daughter. She said there was video surveillance at the site. The harassment report was filed against Jessica Coco, 35.

Photo harass There was also a harassment incident at the Chelsea Rec Center, at 430 W. 25 St., between Ninth and 10th Aves., according to police. On Fri., Jan. 18, around 7:30 p.m., a man, 62, said he was getting dressed when a group of about 12 men entered the locker room and started taking photos of him as he was changing, causing annoyance and alarm. The victim said the group laughed as they did it, and that he reported a similar incident last month on Dec. 4. The victim described the dozen men as black, but there was no further description in the harassment report.

13th Precinct Forcible touching

COURTESY N.Y.P.D.

Police say this guy forcibly touched a woman on a No. 4 train at Union Square.

Januar y 24, 2019

CNW

There was a forcible touching incident on the 4 train near Union Square earlier this month, according to police. On Fri., Jan. 4, around 8:30 a.m., on a Downtown train just leaving the Union Square station, a man allegedly touched a 37-year-old woman’s buttocks with his fingers. The woman took a photo of him with her cell phone before she walked off at the Brooklyn Bridge station. The man stayed on the train. The attacker is described as black, 60 to 65 years old, and about 5-feet-9-inches tall. He was last seen wearing a gray knit cap, a dark-colored hooded sweater and a green jacket. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers Web site at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.

Gabe Herman Schneps Media

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Januar y 24, 2019

PHOTO BY Q. SAKAMAKI

Chinatown residents turned out to protest the development that has targeted their community with 80-stor y towers.

In spirit of MLK, marchers decry displacement BY R AINER TURIM

n a bitter-cold Martin Luther King Day, hundreds of people marched on the Lower East Side, their indignation fired up by the December approval of three luxury towers in the Two Bridges area, plus the city’s deal with Amazon for it to open a new headquarters in Long Island City. Fliers handed out at the march demanded a stop to the skyscraper developments and the expected displacement of low-income residents that will come with it. The march was led by the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side, as well as Youth Against Displacement — two organizations focused on fighting local residential displacement. Starting off at Cherry and Pine Sts., the marchers braved massive wind gusts and frigid weather to make it to City Hall, where individuals and representatives from a wide variety of organizations spoke. Among the speakers were activists Arnette Scott and Lena Meléndez. Scott, a Lower East Side local, called for a stop to resident harassment. Calling out Mayor de Blasio, she vowed she’s not going anywhere. The marchers included not only those in the Chinatown and Lower East

Januar y 24, 2019

PHOTO BY RAINER TURIM

Marchers braved the bitter cold on Monday to protest residential displacement in the Two Bridges area and elsewhere in the city.

Side community, but New Yorkers from around the boroughs who are being affected by development pressure and gentrification. Reverend Billy’s Stop Shopping Choir lent their support in the form of protest songs. Their tunes ranged from

de Blasio and displacement to racism and Trump’s wall. At the end, Zishun Ning, an organizer with Youth Against Displacement, said he was focusing about next steps for combatting de Blasio’s power, reminding the audience of the special election CNW

for public advocate in February. With more than 20 candidates vying for the position, Ning encouraged people to ask of every candidate, “Which side are you on? Are you on the side of the community or are you on the side of the mayor and his rich developer friends?” Schneps Media

Our Perspective

The Experts Tell Us What’s Wrong with the Amazon Deal By Stuart Appelbaum, President Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW n January, the RWDSU and four community organizations – Alliance for a Greater New York (ALIGN), Make the Road New York (MRNY), New York Communities for Change (NYCC), and Local Progress – conducted a briefing in the RWDSU’s New York City office to discuss our recently released report “What’s Wrong With Amazon.” Elected officials from Seattle and New York and economic experts discussed Amazon’s effect on communities, and what New Yorkers may expect from Amazon coming to Queens to build its new HQ, with the benefit of $3 billion in public subsidies. The picture they painted was one of a trillion-dollar company that may take a lot more from communities than it gives back. NYC City Council Speaker Corey Johnson: “Our city and state got played by Amazon. We need to stand for worker justice and transparency in NYC, and the people in our communities, not trillion-dollar companies.” NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer: “The size of these tax benefits is unprecedented and shines a light on the problems with two outdated programs that were meant to attract new business to invest in struggling communities outside of Manhattan. Long-time residents of Long Island City, who made the neighborhood appealing for companies like Amazon in the first place, now stand to see huge rent increases. We need to examine these programs that are giving away over a billion dollars in public money, and work with Albany to reform REAP and ICAP to ensure a deal like this never happens again.” NY State Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris: “We are creating 90,000 jobs a year in New York City without giving billions to Amazon, and it’s estimated this deal will just add about 2 percent to that total. Three billion dollars could be much better invested in our many infrastructure needs instead of subsidizing the richest corporation on Earth” NYC City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer: “Amazon says this project will be a pipeline of jobs for our city, but we know that may not be true because what we’ve seen and heard about in Seattle. This project will bring in outsiders who could drive up the rents and push out the people that this deal is supposed to benefit.” Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First: “Since creating its tax-break office in 2012, Amazon has been getting about 20 subsidy packages a year – more than $1.6 billion even before HQ2. And like Walmart, we now know that their deals often include hidden taxpayer costs.” Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold: “We need a compact that creates new corporate responsibility. Councilmember Mosqueda and I are here because we believe that cities need to stop competing and lay down joint conditions in negotiating. Your efforts here could represent a turning point for negotiating development that is inclusive and accountable.” Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: “Over 1,000 people a month are moving to Seattle, which doesn’t prevent the city’s economic inequality between rich and poor from exploding.” Lazar Treschan, of the Community Service Society: “Without investment in our schools and universities to create a tech talent pipeline, subsidizing jobs that real New Yorkers won’t get doesn’t make a lot of sense. We should be subsidizing universal high school internships and our higher education instead, so New Yorkers can compete for the jobs that these development projects are bringing into our communities.” Amazon’s business model is based upon feasting on public subsidies and paying little or no income taxes while mistreating and dehumanizing its workers. This is not what New York needs.

A man — perhaps wondering what the artwork’s “angle” is — checks out “Iceberg” by day.

Trickle-down theory: ‘Iceberg’ ’s gentle message about global warming BY GABE HERMAN

new art installation in the Garment District called “Iceberg” brings some playful character to the middle of Broadway, while also provoking thought for those interested in the piece’s message about climate change. The installation, which runs from Jan. 9 to Feb. 24 is located between W. 37 and W. 38 Sts. It consists of 14 big metal arches shaped like an iceberg, which light up and make gentle noises of trickling water as one walks through them. The idea is to reference mankind’s effect on climate change and melting icebergs. One end of the artwork has bigger arches, which become smaller and narrower at the other side, evoking a gradual melting. “Trickling water indicates that the human presence is transforming Arctic nature into a fragile landscape,” reads a description from the Garment District Alliance, which is co-presenting the piece with the Department of Transportation’s Art Program. The piece’s serious message, however, does not make it a drab exhibit. On the contrary, it can also be fun for kids or anyone just looking to enjoy the interactive experience. It’s also a fun challenge to try to hear the gentle trickling noises over the constant Midtown traffic. Barbara A. Blair is president of the nonprofit Garment District Alliance, formerly known as the Fashion Center Schneps Media

Business Improvement District. “This is an astonishing installation that transforms Broadway into a gleaming, interactive experience for pedestrians, while reinforcing an important environmental message,” Blair said when the installation was announced. A man — perhaps wondering what the artwork’s “angle” is — checks out “Iceberg” by day. And “Iceberg” is especially beautiful and Instagram-friendly at night, when the arches and ground inside and around it are lit in rich blues and purples. The installation was created by ATOMIC3, a multimedia design studio, and Appareil Architecture, in collaboration with Jean-Sébastien Côté and Philippe Jean. It was first shown as part of an exhibition in Montreal in 2012. “We are very curious to see how people will react and play with it in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world,” Félix Dagenais and Louis-Xavier Gagnon-Lebrun, co-artistic directors at ATOMIC3, said in a statement. “We’re proud that New Yorkers now have the opportunity to interact with the Montreal-made installation ‘Iceberg,’” said Jean Saintonge, the acting head of post at the Quebec Government Office in New York. “Climate change is a global problem that requires local action. Quebec is taking steps to reduce its carbon emissions, and is also working with partners in New York to raise climate awareness, and provide innovative solutions to address this urgent global issue.”

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Januar y 24, 2019

Pols demand answers from Cuomo on L plan BY RICO BURNEY

ore than two weeks after Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the L-train tunnel would no longer need to be shut down as initially planned, local politicians still have more questions than answers. They are calling for an independent review of the new proposal. Around a dozen local pols sent a joint letter to the governor signed Thurs., Jan. 10. In it, they raised concerns that the new L plan was being “advanced at the expense of three years of community engagement, multiple agency planning, communication and the long-term benefits of a fully repaired Canarsie Tunnel.” Among those signing the letter were Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; City Council Speaker Corey Johnson; Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney and Nydia Velázquez; state Senators Brad Hoylman, Brian Kavanagh and Liz Krueger; Assemblymembers Harvey Epstein, Deborah Glick and Richard Gottfried; and City Councilmembers Keith Powers and Carlina Rivera. “I will not accept any plan that leaves New Yorkers worse off. We need answers,” said Hoylman, who represents nearly all of 14th St. and the surrounding areas, in a separate statement. “We need a detailed time line outlining the schedule for night and weekend work. We need to know whether all the plans that have been made to minimize the impact of L-train work on New Yorkers’ commutes will be maintained.” Hoylman added that “hearings in Albany could be warranted.” “There is still so much up in the air,” said Epstein, whose district takes in Stuyvesant Town and parts of the East Village and Lower East Side, including the main staging area for the L-tunnel repair work. “We have no idea if the silica dust is going to be removed in Manhattan or Brooklyn and are still waiting to hear about possible health consequences,” Epstein said. The project will include demolition of

PHOTO BY LINCOLN ANDERSON

The new 13th St. bike lane, just east of Second Ave., was installed to deal with displaced straphangers from the “L-pocalypse”; The wide buffer zone is actually a bigger issue than the bike lanes themselves, according to some critic s, since it’s frequently used by trucks and others vehicles for parking, which negates its role as a passing lane when the street is blocked with traffic.

lyn] would be scheduled 24/7.” How that news affects what aspects of the mitigation plan will stay and which will go remained unclear as of this article’s filing. When asked last week, however, most of the letter’s signers were reluctant to give specifics on which alternative service plans they would or would not like to see enacted around 14th St. until an independent review of the governor’s proposal is completed. “I support protected bike lane infrastructure and bus service improvements,” Speaker Johnson said in a statement. “But these specific bike lanes [on 12th and 13th Sts.] and bus service changes [on 14th St.] were a result of the original L-train shutdown plan. “We were promised that there would be a collaborative community process to determine which elements should be made permanent,” Johnson added. “So if the tunnel shutdown is really canceled, that should be the next step.” Brewer, on the other hand, said she

comprised concrete in the L train’s Canarsie Tunnel — under the East River — which will produce silica dust. Multiple local politicians also acknowledged that the aboveground Ltrain “mitigation plan” — a.k.a. the alternative service plan — appeared to be in limbo last week as the city’s Department of Transportation awaited more information from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. In their letter to Cuomo, the pols also called for expansion of the CitiBike program, new bike infrastructure and “alternative bus service and other bus priority improvements.” This Thursday, however, the M.T.A. released a statement saying that the total shutdown of both of the Canarsie Tunnel tubes and of all L-train service that was slated to start April 27 won’t be happening. “We do anticipate a shutdown of one tube on nights and weekends,” the M.T.A. stated. “However, service both ways [between Manhattan and Brook-

still supports much of the original alternative service plans for Manhattan. But she held off on saying definitively whether she still wants a “busway” on 14th St. “There are a number of components of the L-train closure plan worth keeping,” she said in a statement. “The bike lanes on 12th and 13th, the Select Bus Service for 14th, along with some kind of bus-priority infrastructure — whether it’s a dedicated lane or a busway I’ll leave to the transit planners.” Meanwhile, the 14th St. Coalition, a group that did not support the original alternate service plan, is hoping future plans will allow for more community input than the those that were in place prior to the governor’s announcement. “It would be great if we could all get around a table and discuss how we could help everyone,” said Elissa Stein, a member of the 14th St. Coalition’s Steering Committee. “Everybody talks about affected commuters, but not everyone talks about affected communities.”

Will ‘SoHY’ ﬂy as name for area below Hudson Yards? BY GABE HERMAN

he new Manhattan neighborhood names just seem to keep piling up. The latest rebranding attempt is “SoHY,” as in South of Hudson Yards. The new moniker is pronounced “so high” and is being introduced by a new condo both for the surrounding neighborhood and the building itself, at 550 W. 29th St., between 10th and 11th Avenues, from New Development Group. Units officially went up for sale on

Januar y 24, 2019

roof deck and of course proximity to the High Line. Sorry, there is no swimming pool. So far, the “SoHY” acronym hasn’t sparked protests like those in southern Harlem in 2017, when real estate companies tried to rebrand it as “SoHa.” But some locals have taken to social media to voice complaints, including Elizabeth Keenan, a real estate agent, who tweeted, “just got a broker email introducing the ‘new development and new neighborhood’ of ‘SOHY.’ The email tells me it stands for South of

Jan. 9, with most listed in the $3 million to $4 million range. The penthouse goes for $7.5 million. New Development Group includes real estate broker Ryan Serhant, who has been featured on Bravo’s reality television show “Million Dollar Listing New York.” “Who is excited for a NEW building in a NEW neighborhood?” he tweeted on Jan. 2. The 2017 building has 12 floors and 19 total apartments, according to City Realty, with a fitness center, spa room, CNW

Hudson Yards. Which is already the neighborhood of CHELSEA.” Keenan then wrote, “Look, I LOVE helping people fi nd homes and guiding people through the stressful process of selling. But I need all my fellow real estate people to cut through at least 50% of the bulls—.” Responding to online confusion over how to pronounce “SoHY,” local Kristy Lamb tweeted, “Soy. We are going to mock it as Soy and continue to actually call it Chelsea. Which is what it is.” Schneps Media

GRISTEDES SUPERMARKET CEMENTS POSITION AS LOCAL SHOPPING DESTINATION OF CHOICE WITH GRAND RE-OPENING ON WEST SIDE Newly Remodeled Store Features New Coffee Bar & Sitting Area, Sushi; Expanded Organic & Natural Foods; and More Locally Grown Produce

{New York, NY} – Gristedes’ Supermarkets announced the Grand Re-Opening of their West Side store, located at 907 8th Avenue on West 54th Street. The exciting news continues the company’s goal to be the shopping destination of choice for New Yorkers.

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John Catsimatidis, Chairman and CEO of Gristedes stated, “We have survived as the largest grocery chain in Manhattan because of our focus on responding to customer demands. Residents of the West Side now have a renovated store with a brand new cafe and sushi section, expanded organic and natural foods, the best international cheeses, and more locally grown produce. We are proud of the vast improvements that have been made and I hope our customers will be also!” Physical improvements to the location include new ﬂoors, shelving, and an overall more spacious and comfortable shopping environment. The new sitting area will allow customers to enjoy the outstanding deli and cafe products right on the premises.

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Renee Flores, the Chief Operating Ofﬁcer of Gristedes said, “The Catsimatidis family and I share a vision where our customers and the communities we serve are our number one priority. We want to be the shopping destination of choice for New Yorkers with a focus on quality groceries; fresh, natural, and organic perishable foods; and outstanding customer service.”

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Gristedes also recently enhanced their organic and specialty selections by adding the Best Yet and Greenway private labels to their stores.

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Competing Women’s Marches decry Trump’s policies BY PAUL SCHINDLER

wo years after women and their allies in untold numbers turned out the day following Donald Trump’s inauguration to protest the new president, Women’s Marches were once again staged in numerous cities on Jan. 19. As is not unheard of in protest movements, this year’s events were marred by internal divisions. In New York, specifically, there were competing charges of anti-Semitism and non-inclusiveness. The Women’s March Alliance, which has produced the New York event since 2017 and is not formally aligned with the Women’s March held in Washington, held a brief rally on Central Park West before marching from W. 62nd St. to the W. 40s. Leaders from the D.C. event, including Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, had approached the Women’s March Alliance last year to forge a relationship. But Alliance organizers voiced discomfort with Sarsour’s endorsement of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions aimed at Israel and, more important, with Mallory’s unwillingness to personally condemn Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, even though she has called out that organization’s anti-Semitic and ho-

PHOTOS BY Q. SAKAMAKI

Near the star t of the Uptown march, activists kicked it outside of the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

New Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cor tez spoke at both the Uptown and Downtown versions of this year’s New York Cit y Women’s March.

mophobic history. The Alliance, in turn, was criticized for what critics said was a lack of inclusivity of women of color. When talks between the two groups failed to make headway, a separate Women’s March NYC was planned for Foley Square in Lower Manhattan. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, the leader of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the city’s L.G.B.T.Q. synagogue, was among a group of nine prominent rabbis who engaged in a lengthy process of dialogue with Sarsour and Mallory. While the rabbis, in a written statement, said, “We have not resolved our differences,” they also argued that “divisions between Jews and People of Color only serve to further the aims of white supremacists and their enablers, and to erase the strong presence in our Jewish communities of Jews of Color.” The group went on to say, “We encourage members of the Jewish community to participate in the Women’s March on 1/19/19. In Washington, D.C., and New York City, there are contingents of Jews marching together, and those who wish to express Jewish pride and solidarity may wish to join them.”

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In a Facebook post, however, Kleinbaum elaborated, “CBST is not endorsing or formally participating in” either of the New York events and that for her the important goal is to “find a way to build toward the day after” the two gatherings. The Women’s March Alliance event on Central Park drew the larger crowd, with Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the highest-profile speaker in a brief pre-march program. Ocasio-Cortez also spoke at the Women’s March NYC Downtown, and was joined there by other prominent women, including Gloria Steinem, Kleinbaum and her wife, teachers’ union leader Randi Weingarten. The direct-action group Rise and Resist, unhappy with the Women’s March Alliance’s commitment to disability access, hosted a third event on Saturday at Grand Central Terminal, timing it for the afternoon so that its members could also participate in the morning rally that Women’s March NYC held in Foley Square. Gays Against Guns, ever seeking to raise the visibility of the gun-regulation issue, fielded contingents in all three events.

A contingent of pink-hatted young protesters raised their voices against the Trump administration.

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Januar y 24, 2019

Letters to the Editor A well-deserved salute

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To The Editor: Re “Village doyenne Doris Diether turns 90! Feted by friends at Judson bash” (news article, Jan. 17): What a magnificent and well-deserved salute to Doris Diether, a mainstay of Greenwich Village and and our resident expert on zoning. It was a pleasure working with her in the late ’70s on Community Board 2’s Zoning Committee and following her exploits thereafter with my good friend and her fan, the late Ed Gold. Diane Lebedeff

Garden is irreplaceable

Covering Manhattan in more ways than one

To The Editor: Re “What is Margaret Chin thinking? Save the garden!” (viewpoint, by Donna Schaper, Jan. 17): The voice of the community to preserve Elizabeth St. Garden remains loud and clear! Do not divide the community, pitting needs of open space and community gardens against low-income housing. The community deserves both for a thriving sustainable life. There are alternative sites for housing. The Elizabeth St. Garden is an irreplaceable asset free of cost to the city that should remain in perpetuity serving the local community and public. It is recognized around the world as a treasured landmark and promoted as one of the must-see sites in Soho/Nolita. The magnificent garden and open space once developed will never be reclaimed and the housing has other site options. The proposed low-income senior housing is capped at 40 years and then could go market rate, thus serving these needs and a small group of seniors for a generation. The garden’s preservation would serve community and public forever. Felicia Young Young is founder/executive director, Earth Celebrations

Just don’t hit me! To The Editor: Re “Advocacy group pedals ‘bike mayor’ for New York” (news article, Jan. 17): Just watch out when I’m crossing the street. I

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Januar y 24, 2019

REPORTER GABE HERMAN

Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now, Downtown Express and Manhattan Express PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS

CONTRIBUTORS IRA BLUTREICH BOB KRASNER TEQUILA MINSKY MARY REINHOLZ PAUL SCHINDLER ART DIRECTORS JOHN NAPOLI MARCOS RAMOS

CEO & CO-PUBLISHER JOSHUA SCHNEPS

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EDITOR IN CHIEF LINCOLN ANDERSON

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don’t want to get hit by a bicycle! Frankly, far too many bikes and far too many irresponsible riders seem to be on our Village streets. Sylvia Rackow

Marcus doesn’t speak for us To The Editor: Re “An open letter to City Council Speaker Corey Johnson” (Viewpoint, by David Marcus, Jan. 10): David Marcus is not a member of the 14th St. Coalition Steering Committee and has not been involved with the Coalition for some time. We want to be clear, his “Open Letter to Council Speaker Johnson” reflects his personal views, and not those of the Coalition. Elissa Stein and Judy Pesin Stein and Pesin are members, 14th St. Coalition Steering Committee

Streets aren’t for cars To The Editor: Re “An open letter to City Council Speaker Corey Johnson” (Viewpoint, by David Marcus, Jan. 10): Sorry to disappoint you, David Marcus. This neighborhood is full of people who live here, raise our children here, prosper and grow every day without private motor vehicles. Enough with this rhetoric about “other people” and “nonresident Transportation Alternatives.” Twenty-four percent of the people who live in Community Board 2 own vehicles. In other words, 76 percent of the people do not own motor vehicles. Streets are for people, not a way to move motor vehicles across town, not space to store private motor vehicles, but a place where people can use nonpolluting, quiet, efficient ways to go across town. Choresh Wald E-mail letters, maximum 250 words, to news@ thevillager.com or fax to 212-229-2790 or mail to The Villager, Letters to the Editor, 1 MetroTech North, 10th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Please include phone number for confirmation. The Villager reserves the right to edit letters for space, grammar, clarity and libel. Anonymous letters will not be published.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES GAYLE GREENBURG JIM STEELE JULIO TUMBACO ELIZABETH POLLY PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for others errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue. Published by Schneps Media One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Phone: (718) 260-2500 Fax: (212) 229-2790 On-line: www.thevillager.com E-mail: news@thevillager.com © 2019 Schneps Media

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In Pictures

PHOTOS BY MILO HESS

Marchers posed for a picture in front of one of Trump’s “houses,” rubbing it in that Nanc y Pelosi is back in charge of the House.

Women’s Marchers take it to Trump ‘bigly’ again On Saturday, the Women’s March once again took it to Trump. Again he was demonized by the protesters, as seen by one marcher’s button. But then again, who hasn’t he demonized? Immigrants cer tainly top his list, followed by what he called “s—hole” countries, kneeling pro football players, NATO, our allies…the list is “yuuge.” The Notorious R.B.G., Supreme Cour t Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, was held out as a countervailing force of light to Trump’s darkness. A three-par t-placard-toting contingent posed, fittingly, in front of Trump’s “house” to rub it in that Speaker Nanc y Pelosi is back in control of her House. Protesters also skewered by association First Daughter Ivanka Trump and — speaking of notorious — hubby First Son-in-Law Jared Kushner, the notorious East Village landlord.

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump in the crosshairs of a protester’s sign. Schneps Media

Demonizing the demonizer. TVG

The Notorious R.B.G. Januar y 24, 2019

Natural foods pioneer couldn’t stomach costs BY MICHELE HERMAN

he Integral Yoga Natural Foods Store on W. 13th St. closed on Dec. 9, but don’t blame the landlord. The store, around since 1973, was the ground-floor tenant of the Integral Yoga Institute. The two were separate entities with a shared commitment to the teachings of the Institute’s founder, Swami Satchidananda, and the Institute always kept the rent far below market rate. Even so, the store had been struggling to remain viable for at least the past two years. Chandra/Jo Sgammato, the Institute’s general manager, said that changing demographics were one factor. Some new residents,

she said, live in the area only part time and tend to eat out more. Not knowing the store’s importance to the neighborhood’s history and to the natural-food movement, they felt no particular allegiance to it. The other main factor has been increasingly fierce competition. The store offered free local delivery, but even that couldn’t compare to the ease of one-click shopping from Amazon and FreshDirect. Nor could the little store compete with the massive chains Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s on price. Mrs. Green’s on Hudson St. also had an outsize impact, considering how quickly it flared out, causing a noticeable drop in sales at the W. 13th St. natural-foods store. Sgammato, a neighborhood resident, is as disappointed as the rest of the store’s devoted shoppers,

WIKIMAPIA

Integral Yoga Natural Foods, on W. 13th St., closed last month after no longer being able to make ends meet.

Januar y 24, 2019

who especially appreciated the organic locally sourced produce. But as befits a longtime yogi, she accepts what exists. “It was pioneering,” she said. “No one knew what health food was in the Seventies, but now you can get organic and gluten-free food everywhere, which we’re glad of. In a sense, the store accomplished its mission.” She even wishes all the best to the competition, including the recently expanded Health and Harmony on Hudson St. The store tried mightily to make a go of it by shortening hours and reducing staff. “They did their best trying to keep up payments to their vendors,” Sgammato said, “so that items wouldn’t be out of stock for too long. But it probably should have closed two years ago. They just couldn’t make ends meet.” One other factor played into the store’s struggles: its commitment to the Integral Yoga Institute’s mission. Once, she recalled, a store employee came into the Institute with a case of salad dressing to give away — the ingredient list included eggs. “For decades this was New York’s only 100-hundred percent vegetarian health-food store,” she explained. “Other stores sold meat, but that’s not acceptable to I.Y.I.’s teachings, which hurt the store.” Now the Institute has a tough needle to thread: It needs a market-rate tenant that will provide a service consistent with the swami’s teachings. “We have dreams,” Sgammato said. “We would love a vegan all-day cafe and grocery store with items not found elsewhere. I would really love a gathering space for the community, but we also have to be realistic — it has to be a reliable tenant who can pay the rent every month.” Proposals are welcome. She also said she wanted to let everyone know that the Integral Yoga Institute is doing just fine.

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KIDS & EDUCATION

Jessica Orleans, of the new River School, second from left, received a Blackboard Award for Outstanding Principal from, from left, Schneps Media President and Publisher Victoria Yunis-Schneps; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; and Mia Weber, New York Family executive director.

Blackboard Awards honor tops in education BY SCHNEPS STAFF

ictoria Schneps-Yunis, president and publisher of Schneps Media, far left, and Mia Weber, executive editor of New York Family, far right, present a Blackboard Award for Outstanding School to Ellen Offen and Kevin Artale of the Park Preschool. Artale is the Tribeca school’s executive director and Offen is its educational director. Photos by Trey Pentecost On Mon., Jan. 14, the 2019 Blackboard Awards for Schools and Principals, presented by New York Family, honored 14 of the city’s finest schools and principals in a special ceremony at the New York Institute of Technology. The event was hosted by Vicki Schneps, the president and publisher of Schneps Media, and Mia Weber, the executive editor of New York Family. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. were both on hand each to present an award. The Blackboard Awards honor excellence in local education in all sectors (public, private, charter and parochial), and all grade

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PHOTOS BY TREY PENTECOST

Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president and publisher of Schneps Media, far left, and Mia Weber, executive editor of New York Family, far right, present a Blackboard Award for Outstanding School to Ellen Offen and Kevin Ar tale of the Park Preschool. Ar tale is the Tribeca school’s executive director and Offen is its educational director. TVG

levels (nursery through high school). The annual schools and principals’ ceremony is in the winter, and the annual teachers’ ceremony in the spring. Parents are welcome and encouraged to nominate their beloved schools and educators, and several thousand local families do so in the course of the year. A board of advisers, experts in local education, make recommendations as well. (With the 2019 Blackboard Awards for Teachers coming up next, New York Family would especially welcome nominations for wonderful teachers right now. Make your nominations at newyorkfamily.com.) Many of this year’s Blackboard Awards for Schools and Principals were from Manhattan. Among the honorees for Outstanding School were the Park Preschool, at 275 Greenwich St., between Warren and Murray Sts.; the Caedmon School, at 416 E. 80th St.; P.S. 452, at 210 W. 61st St.; and the Speyer Legacy School, at 925 Ninth Ave., at W. 59th St. Winning for Outstanding Principal in Manhattan were Jessica Orleans, of the River School, at 425 E. 35th St.; and Katharine DeBenedictis, of the Isidor and Ida Straus School, at 1700 Third Ave., at 96th St. Januar y 24, 2019

Overthrow hits it off with new youth training; BY CL AY TON PATTERSON

n Sun., Jan. 20, Overthrow New York, at Nine Bleecker St., put on a free event for 50 youths from ages 10 to 23. The idea was that boxing can improve health, like eating the proper foods, and helps young people learn to channel and release aggression and anger. There were two levels of participation. The youngest started the process first, followed by the older youths. The event was structured around a 10-minute “shakeout” light jog down Bowery with the NYC Bridgerunners. That was followed by a 25-minute boxing session, led by male and female boxing world champions. Next came a 15-minute mindfulness/ meditation/yoga session using Mingy Zingy, a 10-minute Q&A with the champs, another 10 minutes with a mindfulness expert, and a primer on nutrition and food, plus a gift bag filled with a set of boxing gloves, socks, a T-shirt, wristband and other boxing-related goodies. John Joseph, of Cro-Mags hard-core punk band fame, who is also a triathlete and a vegan, cooked food for the affair. The youths came from all around the city, mainly through connections with the boxers who use the gym. Overthrow plans to make it a monthly event. No. 9 Bleecker was formerly the Yippies headquarters before they lost the building and Overthrow took it over.

PHOTOS BY CLAYTON PATTERSON

Working on punches with pro boxer Edgar Santana.

Boxing world champions — from left, Ronica Jeffrey, Alicia Napoleon and Edgar Santana — did a Q& A session with the youths.

Ever ybody put your hand in! Getting psyched up for the workout.

Januar y 24, 2019

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Yoga, meditation, health — and kicking butt!

Young athletes strike a boxing stance.

Going for a “shakeout” light jog down the Bower y.

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Januar y 24, 2019

Eats

Locavores dig it: Dig Inn opens in the Village BY GABE HERMAN

ig this! Dig Inn has opened its first location in the Village. The fast-casual restaurantt is known for using locally sourced farm arm foods and a menu that changes with the he seasons based on what foods are availlable. The new spot, at 691 Broadway,, between W. Third and W. Fourth Sts.,, offers more of the same custom-bowl quality. Dig Inn changes its menu six timess a year and bases it around what local al farmers have grown. The restaurant nt also has its own farm in Chester, N.Y., Y., and works with more than 50 other local ocal farms. It focuses on a green diet. “Seventy-five percent of the food we serve is vegetables, because we believe ve a plant-based diet is better for our health, lth, the environment and the communities i we support,” Dig Inn says. Its farm in Chester, which is northwest of the city in Orange County, grows more than 120 vegetable varieties, which Dig Inn says reaches its restaurants within 48 hours of harvest. I recently visited the new Broadway location in the Village and ordered from the

A bowl with herb-roasted chicken, broccoli, cauliflower and brown rice at Dig Inn. Photo by Gabe Herman

current Winter Menu. I chose brown rice with parsley for the base; sautéed broccoli with lemon, plus maple cauliflower with chickpea crumble for the two sides;

herb-roasted chicken breast for the main dish; and pesto for the sauce. Everything was very good and fresh, and I could definitely taste the quality ingredients.

Other Winter Menu options included spiced farro with butternut squash for sp the th base; cashew kale Caesar, Jasper Hill mac m and cheese, and acorn squash with pear pe and frisee for Market Sides; and wild w Alaskan salmon and grilled organic tofu for Main options. t My bowl cost $13 after tax, which is rather pricey even by fast-casual bowl standards, but it makes sense that real food from local farm sources would cost a bit more. The bowls are ready-made to take out. But there is also seating available and a pleasant environment, with a a minimalist feel, wood decor, plants and m a very friendly staff. Dig Inn started in 2011 in New York City, Ci which is where most of its locations are. ar This Village location is number 20 in Manhattan, with 21 soon to open at 709 M Lexington Ave. between E. 57 and E. Le 58 Sts. The chain has locations in Soho, Hudson Square, Tribeca and the Financial District. There is also one in Brooklyn, in Williamsburg, one in Rye Brook, in Westchester, and three in Boston. The new Village Broadway location is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. More information can be found at diginn.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PHOTOS BY BOB KRASNER

Puss n Boots per forming at Coney Island Baby on Jan. 15, from left, Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper.

For Puss n Boots, the alt’s all in the mix BY BOB KR ASNER

he band Puss n Boots packed the house with a surprise show last week at Coney Island Baby, a new East Village bar that already feels like it’s always been there. The “alt country” trio includes Sasha Dobson, Catherine Popper and Norah Jones. All three traded lead vocals, inside jokes and musical styles, as well as instruments, in their two-hour mix of originals and covers at the bar, at 169 Avenue A at E. 11th St. Country music was the starting point, but they covered the bases with forays into garage rock and even a spacey jam-band instrumental, having as good a time performing as the audience did listening. Dobson, Popper and Jones all contributed their own tunes — mixing them in with covers of Tom Paxton, Neil Young, Tom Petty and others. They took time in between to check their notes on the new songs and joke around while rearranging themselves

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Puss n Boots’ Catherine Popper.

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on stage. Popper moved from bass to guitar, Jones would switch to drums, and Dobson went back and forth between drums and guitar. “It’s a game we play,” Popper explained. “It’s called ‘musical instruments!’” While the Grammy Award-winning Jones may be the most recognizable name in the group, she’s not the leader. You could call the band a democracy, but Dobson doesn’t like the sound of that. “Our music isn’t political,” she explained later. “The part that’s astounding about this band is the multiple roles we all play. It is never really a matter of juggling power — more so colors. And it’s a different canvas for every song.” Dobson mused on the “egoless” nature of the trio. “It’s 100 percent about the moment, the song,” she said, “and creating as many different ways or options to serve that tune.” You can catch Puss n Boots at City Winery on Feb. 18. For more information about the band, visit pussnbootsmusic.com. Januar y 24, 2019

See great art at The Met while avoiding the crowds BY GABE HERMAN

he city recently announced a record 65 million visitors last year, the ninth straight year of increased visits. This was hardly surprising for locals, who see the streets and city’s great institutions get more clogged by the day. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one such crowded gem of the city. Its 7 million yearly visitors all seem to be in the way, blocking views, jostling and preventing you from enjoying a good, long look at the great collections. But there are ways to avoid most of the crowds and get the most out of a Met visit. Veteran museum workers recommend finding breathing room in some of the best but often overlooked areas like the Islamic galleries, modern art and a quiet Chinese garden court. Hopefully, locals already know to enter through the Met’s side entrance at E. 81st St. This entrance usually has much shorter lines for admission and coat check, according to Dr. Grazia Montesi of the Met’s information services. “If you’re meeting friends, meet down there,” she said. A short elevator ride will bring you to the second floor and right next to the Islamic art section. Tour guide Nancy Posternak said this wing is under-ap-

PHOTOS BY GABE HERMAN

“ Water Stone,” by Isamu Noguchi, is one of the lesser-known, meditative spaces at The Met.

preciated. Its works span 1,300 years and include large, colorful and finely detailed carpets, some spanning across

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Intarsia, or wooden-inlay ar twork, is another under-the-radar offering at The Met.

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an entire wall. There is a mihrab, or prayer niche, from 14th-century Iran with intricate arabesque and calligraphy designs. And ceramic tableware features geometric patterns in vibrant blue colors that jump out at you. “The Islamic galleries I think are really under-seen,” said Posternak, who has been a guide for nearly 15 years. “They are really spectacular.” It is a short walk from Islamic art to the Met’s modern art collection. Montesi said this area includes many great works but is not often crowded because it is tucked behind the popular Impressionist wing. A highlight in the modern art section

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for Posternak is Picasso’s “Reading at a Table” from 1934. It depicts Picasso’s lover and model Marie-Therese Walter, painted in pastels and with the signature Cubist elements of broken images and a flat depth of field. “We can see his tenderness for her in the color choices he’s made,” Posternak said. “It’s just great, very simplified.” Next, go down to the first floor for some of the Met’s smaller rooms. Such spaces are practically hidden, according to tour guide Charles Mayer. It isn’t a question of people not liking them, he said. Rather, he noted, the rooms can be tucked away from the large main hallways, “so you don’t know to go there.” Two such rooms are in the Italian Renaissance wing. The rooms feature intarsia, a method of inlaying wood of various natural colors to create images. One space contains work from a 16thcentury chapel and includes stainedglass windows and intarsia images on the walls that are detailed enough to be paintings. “It’s kind of off the track,” Mayer said. “You’re headed toward Arms and Armor, you’re not aware it’s here.” Just next to the chapel is an even smaller space, a 15th-century studiolo, or study room, that also features intarsia wooden inlay. Only a few people can fit at a time, so Mayer can only take tours to the chapel room. But the studiolo’s artwork is greatly detailed, and Mayer said it makes the chapel room “look amateurish.” The museum’s Impressionist and Ancient Egyptian wings tend to be the most crowded, according to Wilhelm. She wishes more people would visit the Asian art section on the museum’s third floor, and in particular the Astor Chinese Garden Court. The space is large and naturally lit through a high glass ceiling. Patches of the ground have been filled with soil and plants, and are surrounded by groups of large jagged stones. Running water can be heard from a koi pond in the corner, which Wilhelm especially likes. “It’s so peaceful there,” she said. Another work with running water is “Water Stone,” by Isamu Noguchi, from 1986. It features one large stone with many small rocks scattered about, all of which came from Japan. Nearby seats make it a good place for a rest from museum walking, which is somehow much more strenuous than ordinary walking. Fans of this work can also visit the Noguchi Museum, which features his work exclusively, in Long Island City. Wilhelm said that museum visitors should be willing to explore and find sections like the Asian art wing. “People tend to stick to the same areas, which is a shame,” she said. “But the Asian art is beautiful.” Schneps Media

From the Bench

PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY

They’re still talking about the Village Independent Democrats’ holiday par ty at Frieda Bradlow’s place on Charlton St. Judges and judicial candidates, that is, who are always in plentiful supply at the politician-packed confab. John J. (“J.J.”) Kelley, left, was elected as a New York City Civil Cour t judge in 2014 and is currently assigned to New York State Supreme Cour t. Elyssa Kates, right, is a candidate for Civil Cour t judge. SPOTLIGHT ON DOWNTOWN

10 Things That Fuel our Romance with Lower Manhattan satisfy it here.

Valentine’s Day is upon us! What began as a largely religious event morphed into a celebration of love in 18th-century England, when it ﬁrst became an occasion for lovers to express their feelings for one another by giving ﬂowers, candy and sending greeting cards.

s¬ The Architecture - We are home to both historic, iconic skyscrapers and cutting edge modern architecture. The entire history of New York’s built environment is on display here.

Here at the Downtown Alliance, we are unabashed romantics who are in love with our neighborhood. So, in the lead up to the holiday, we thought we’d offer the neighborhood a Valentine and share 10 reasons why we are smitten with Lower Manhattan:

s¬ The Roof at Pier 17 - Lower Manhattan’s newest outdoor venue offers year-round fun with skating and hot chocolate in the winter and concerts featuring world famous artists in the warm months -all with a spectacular view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

s¬ The Water - It’s the rare place in Manhattan where you feel connected to the harbor and like you’re living on an island.

s¬ Alexander Hamilton - On the streets where he lived and worked and in the hallowed ground of Trinity Church where he lies buried, the spirit of Alexander Hamilton literally and ﬁguratively shapes Lower Manhattan to this day.

s¬ The Public Art - From the shadowy silhouettes in Louise Nevelson Plaza (the ﬁrst in NY to be named after an artist) to Noguchi’s big red balancing cube (a perennial Schneps Media

selﬁe stop), inspiration is often lurking right around the corner. s¬ The Ease of Transportation - You can get here from anywhere. We are connected to the rest of the region by 13

subway lines, PATH trains, express buses and ferries. s¬ The Food Scene - From Bennie’s Thai to Manhatta, Pisillo to Delmonico’s, or Nobu to Sophie’s Cuban: if you have a craving, you can TVG

s¬ Green Space - Whether its hidden gems like the Ele-

vated Acre, the new Liberty Park overlooking the 9/11 Memorial or Lower Manhattan’s grand “backyard”, Governor’s Island, there are a myriad of places to escape the concrete and bask in green. s¬ Stone Street - Lower Manhattan’s own secret outdoor dining paradise, this street’s collection of restaurants serves hearty food, cold beers and bonhomie. s¬ No Grid - Down here, you are literally off the grid. And while some folks get turned around, we love our winding streets and alleys. They always seem to lead us to new discoveries and encourage us to walk and wander. We could go on and on. There is so much to love about our neighborhood. Hoping this Valentine’s Day everyone renews their vows with this special place and takes advantage of all it has to offer. Januar y 24, 2019

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Januar y 24, 2019

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THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 INDUSTRY CITY, BROOKLYN

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Januar y 24, 2019

Manhattan Happenings tration can be found at: https://www.nypl.org/events/ programs/2019/01/30/poison-squad-deborah-blum. Free.

BY RICO BURNEY

ARTS KIDS

“The Art Happens Here” Book Launch: Generation NYZ is back for a limited engagement at La Mama from Jan. 24 to Feb. 3 after a critically acclaimed run at the New Victory Theater last year. The production, conceived by Ping Chong and written and directed by Sara Zatz and Kirya Traber, has seven young New Yorkers share their experiences growing up in the city and in our fraught political climate. The show is being staged at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre, at 66 E. Fourth St. Tickets $20-$25, plus $1 fee. Ages 12 and up. More information can be found at: 212-352-3101 and http:// lamama.org/.

ArtSee: Papercutting: Kids will get to look at the Museum at Eldridge Street’s new Deborah Ugoretz exhibition, “Releasing Words,” and learn about the Jewish art of paper-cutting and how the form could be used to convey stories and ideas. Children will then have the opportunity to create their own paper-cut art. Recommended for ages 5 and up. The event will be held Sun., Jan. 27, at 11 a.m. at the Museum at Eldridge Street, at 12 Eldridge St. Tickets cost $8 for seniors and children 5 and up, and $14 for adults. Children under age 5 are free.

CLASSES Bouquets of Love: Attendees will learn tips for creating bouquets. Champagne and snacks will also be served. The class will cost $50 and be held at God’s Love We Deliver (166 Sixth Ave., fifth floor). RSVP is required due to space being limited to 20 people. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.glwd.org/ events/bouquets-of-love/. Zumba Classes: Ryan Health is offering Zumba Dance classes three days a week at its Chelsea-Clinton linton Clinic, at 645 10th Ave., every Monday and Wednesday nesday at 6 p.m. and every Friday at 5:30 p.m. Call 212-484-4845857 for more information.

MOVIES

Kids can see the new exhibition of papercutting by Deborah Ugoretz at the Museum on Eldridge Street and also learn how to do paper-cutting.

“BlacKkKlansman” will be showing at Epiphany Library (228 E. 23rd St.) on Fri., Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. The 2018 movie is based on a true story about Ron Stallworth, a black police officer in Colorado Springs who successfully infiltrated a local K.K.K. chapter in the early 1970s. Starring John David Washington and Adam Driver and directed by Spike Lee. Free.

TALKS The Space of Appearance: Appe Infrastructures of Whiteness: Visual activist Nicholas Mirzoeff presents a lecture at The Cooper U Union in which he will argue how museums, monuments monument and prisons help reinforce the institutions of whit white supremacy and segregation. The lecture will be delivered on Tues., Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in The Cooper Union’s Frederick P. Rose Auditorium, Auditori at 41 Cooper Square. The event is i part of The Cooper Union’s free Intra-Disciplinary Intra Seminar Lecture Series, ries which runs through May 7. Free.

COMMUNITY Holiday Diaper Drive: The Food Bank of NYC, YC, in association with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, is asking for donations of new, sealed diapers ers in either 3, 4, 5 or 6 sizes. Donations can be dropped ed off at either of Brewer’s offices, at 1 Centre St., 19th th Fl. South, or 431 W. 125th St. Donations can also be made via The Food Bank’s Amazon Wish List at http://a. p://a. co/2FDxgEH. Match in Style at Macy’s: Fashion-conscious singles ngles will have the opportunity to dress potential partners rs at an event hosted by The Love Maze at Macy’s Herald ald Square starting at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 1. Tickkets are $28 - $42. RSVP is required and space iss limited. More information can be found at either https://www.thelovemaze.com/ or 646-5804554.

P PRECINCT COUNCIL MEETINGS First Precinct Community C Council meets at 16 Ericsson Place, on Thurs., Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. Fifth Precinct Com Community Council meets at 19 Elizabeth St., on Wed., Ja Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.

HISTORY The Poison Squad: It is estimated that prior to the passage of the 1906 Food and Drug Safety Act that more than 1,000 children were poisoned every year in New York City as a result of chemicals, such as formaldehyde, being present in foods. Author Deborah Blum will talk about her book “The Poison Squad” and the work of journalists and activists (and business interests that opposed them) at the turn of the 20th century to regulate the food industry at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 30, in the Mid-Manhattan Library at 42nd St., Program Room. Blum will be interviewed by author and journalist Maria Konnikova. More information and preregis-

Januar y 24, 2019

Sixth Precinct Community Council meets at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 25 Carmine St., on Wed., Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. 10th Precinct Community Council meets at 230-232 W. 20th St., on Wed., Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.

Visual activist Nicholas Mir zoeff will speak at The Cooper Union about how an “infrastructure of whiteness” — including prisons — helps enable white supremac y.

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17th Precinct Community Council meets at the Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 E. 51st St., on Tues., Jan., 29, at 6:30 p.m. 20th Precinct Community Council meets at 120 W. 82nd St., on Mon., Jan. 28, at 7 p.m.

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Scene

PHOTOS BY CLAYTON PATTERSON

Smoke eaters from Engine 28 were on the scene on Orchard St.

Heating up the ’hood on the Lower East Side On Sunday afternoon, firefighters from Engine 28 at the E. Second St. stationhouse responded to a gas leak at the building at 188 Orchard St., which contains a smoke shop on the ground floor. Meanwhile, Gerr y Visco, a fabulous figure from the New York nightlife scene (and also Columbia’s classic s depar tment), stopped by the photographer’s famed “Front Door” on Allen St. for a picture.

A “classic” shot: Gerr y Visco in front of the “Front Door.”

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One of the owners of the smoke shop. He and his brothers own three shops on the Lower East Side. TVG

Januar y 24, 2019

PHOTOS BY Q. SAKAMAKI

All rooting that they can ‘break this bad president’

GET READY FOR THE

BIG GAME!

Toward the end of the Women’s March — the Uptown version — as the procession passed through the Times Square area, actor Br yan Cranston, of “Breaking Bad” renown, currently starring on Broadway in “Network,” came out on a ledge to salute the anti-Trump faithful.

LOOK FOR OUR CIRCULAR IN TODAY’S PAPER!

A sign attacked the “Tweeter in Chief” — who loves to cr y, “Fake News!” — for his allegedly untruthful tweets.

VISIT PCRICHARD.COM FOR A STORE NEAREST YOU 26

Januar y 24, 2019

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