Our Town Downtown December 8, 2011 by OurTown Downtown

SCANNING THE CONTINENT Mott Street’s Pan American is a safe food space for vegans and carnivores alike. (P10)

“AIDS HURTS, HOUSING WORKS” How a rally to protest cuts to HIV/AIDS housing and services ended in arrests. (P3)

ROMEO, ROMEO The stars—Moby!— came out to celebrate Romeo Alaeff’s new book. (P4)

THE SHAM E GAME Peeking at Michael Fassbender’s naked performance in a new film. (P8)

DECEMBER 8, 2011 | WWW.OTDOWNTOWN.COM

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City CounCil Honors World Aids dAy Speaker Christine C. Quinn, along with City Council Members Rosie Mendez, Jimmy Van Bramer and Daniel Dromm, commemorated World AIDS Day last Thursday, Dec. 1. It was 30 years ago, in 1981, that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first recognized HIV/AIDS. In honor of World AIDS Day, panels of The NAMES Project Foundation’s AIDS Memorial Quilt were on display at the Emigrant Savings Bank during the council’s scheduled Meeting. The council’s theme of World AIDS Day this year was “Getting to Zero.” This means zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. “While these quilted panels are impressive, beautiful memorials, they are also a devastating reminder that the AIDS epidemic is far from over,” said Quinn. “On World AIDS Day—and truly, every day—it is critically important that all New Yorkers do their part to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. Several city programs and initiatives are already in place to prevent the spread of this virus, and the more we take advantage of these resources, the closer we’ll get to ‘zero.’” “The quilt is a stark reminder that the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS is ever-present,” said Mendez. “Especially during these tough economic times, it is imperative that we advocate for the most vulnerable and at-risk to ensure that services and funding remain available for those who need it the most.” Founded in 1987, The NAMES Project Foundation is the organization responsible for overseeing the creation of The AIDS Memorial Quilt. The Quilt is comprised of more than 40,000 panels with each section measuring approximately 12 square feet, four of which hang in the Emigrant Savings Bank. CHin CAlls on Cuomo to ProteCt seniors Last week, Council Member Margaret Chin joined the New York Coalition for Senior Centers & Services to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to exempt funding for New York City’s 256 senior centers— “Title XX funds”—from reductions in the

Fiscal Year 2012–2013 Executive Budget. Supporting the cause were members of the New York State Legislature, New York City Council, advocates and community members, including Brenda Tong, director of Hamilton-Madison House, a Lower East Side settlement house, and seniors from the Lower East Side and Chinatown. “Every year seniors across our city are told their centers are in danger of closing due to budget cuts. And every year, local elected officials have to organize, write letters and demand that the governor keep our senior centers open. This year, more seniors in my district wrote to Governor Cuomo than any other council district,” said Council Member Chin at a press conference. Over 15,000 letters from seniors have been sent to Governor Cuomo supporting the retention of this funding for senior centers. “This budget dance has to stop. It is unfair to our seniors and it is unfair to our communities. When I walk into my local senior center and see seniors playing ping-pong, mahjong and exercising, I know that we are doing the right thing. We are providing an invaluable service that allows older members of our population to stay energized and active. I am here today to tell Governor Cuomo to keep his hands off our senior centers. This is a fight we must win, and it is a fight we will win,” Chin added. In a letter sent by Chin and 39 other members of the New York City Council, the group reported: “The past two Executive Budgets have contained proposals to eliminate the local discretionary portion of Title XX [Social Services Block Grant] funding, repurposing it for mandated social services. While this action would have produced a small cost savings for the state, it put 105 senior centers at risk of closing in New York City... Currently, the city has a robust network of 256 centers… New York City has used Title XX to fund its senior centers for over three decades... We understand that difficult economic times call for difficult decisions. In fact, in New York City, we have already closed 27 centers. Painful as that was, we did it in a responsible and thoughtful way. The ones that remain are critical to service delivery and need to remain open.”

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OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

Council Member Margaret Chin joined senior citizens and politicians on the steps of City Hall last week to protest a possible cut in funding for area senior centers. Photo CouRtEsy of MaRgaREt Chin’s offiCE

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New York State Senator Daniel Squadron speaking during a rally before the final hearing on “fracking,” which was held last Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center on Chambers Street. PHOTO COuRTEsy Of sEn. DaniEl squaDROn’s OffiCE

Planning Commission Holds Hearing on st. VinCent’s as deCision nears

The Fracking Future From pols to celebs, hundreds attend Tribeca hearing on controversial drilling process

“Ban Fracking Now” was the rallying cry for about a dozen downstate lawmakers before a Nov. 30 hearing in Manhattan on the drilling procedure, though a few acknowledged the long odds in pressuring Governor Andrew Cuomo to keep the industry out of the state. Hundreds of citizens turned out for the last of four hearings, held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, on whether to lift the current ban on hydraulic fracturing. Politicians like Senator Daniel Squadron and even a few celebrities, like actors Debra Winger and Mark Ruffalo, joined a protest outside of the venue an hour before the start of the hearing. This method of drilling could extract natural gas in the portion of the upstate Marcellus Formation, comprised of sedimentary rock, but critics say this process could contaminate the water supply for millions of individuals—including New York City residents. “Hydraulic fracturing is a process by which millions of gallons of water and fracturing fluids are pumped into horizontal wells to access natural gas in mineral formations. Some of the chemicals that are used are toxic, long-lasting and largely untested, and are difficult or

impossible to remove once they enter the natural environment. We simply do not know how the many chemicals used in hydrofracking will impact our long-term health and our environment,” explained Sen. Squadron at the NYS Department of Enviornmental Conversation hearing. “[W]e have had opportunities to monitor this type of gas drilling in other states and the results have not been encouraging. The potential for leaks, spills, contaminations and explosions to poison New York City’s unfiltered drinking water supply have not yet been adequately mitigated by the drilling industry. The litany of recent incidents at drilling sites in Pennsylvania speaks for themselves,” Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer adding during his testimony. “[A] t this time I cannot endorse the use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing anywhere in New York State until it can be proven to be completely safe. And, I certainly cannot support the use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing anywhere near New York City’s drinking water infrastructure.” “This crowd here, would we have liked to have seen a ban on hydrofracking? Yes,” said New York State Senator David Carlucci, whose hydraulic fracturing moratorium bill failed to pass. “We know under the current circumstances, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” He said that he’ll continue to push for adequate regu-

latory resources and public health protections, and to make sure many of the new industry jobs expected are local. Other lawmakers said that if there’s no ban, they want regulations to be so strict that they essentially prohibit fracking. “In order to ensure safety, the restrictions and regulations will have to be tremendously strong, and hopefully provide a disincentive to the companies to want to abide by them,” said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal. “There are other places to frack in this country. They don’t have to do it here.” The comment period on the fracking regulations were previously delayed through Dec. 12, but have now been extended through Jan. 11, 2012. —By sTaFF WiTH aDDiTiONal rePOrTiNG By JON leNTz OF city hall

Wednesday, Nov. 30, representatives for rudin management hashed out the details of their development plan for the former st. Vincent’s hospital site in Greenwich during a public hearing with the City Planning Commission. The overall plan seeks to convert the existing campus into luxury condominiums, an emergency medical facility, a school and a public park. While the CeO and vice chairman of the company, Bill Rudin, cited the economic benefits of the project, from tax money to creating jobs, and even manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer’s office wrote an approval of the project, the dozens of community members who turned out for the meeting seemed less than convinced. a flyer saying “We Demand a Hospital” was passed around as many residents are asking for a full-service hospital instead of the planned care center. among those who spoke out in opposition to the plan was Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village society for Historic Preservation, the largest member organization in the neighborhood. Berman noted that approving the project could set a dangerous zoning trend, noting that this could allow more density for public projects, which could later be used to the advantage of private developments when these public facilities were no longer in use. The Commission will reportedly vote on the project in 60 days, at which time it will then go to a City Council vote.

HIV/AIDS Protesters Arrested Near Zuccotti Park on World AIDS Day | By marissa maier A group of people associated with a rally to support housing funding for those living with HIV/AIDS were arrested last Thursday, Dec. 1, at the intersection of Broadway and Park Place. Occupy Wall Street members teamed up with the rally’s organizers Housing Works, VOCAL-NY and Health GAP to celebrate World AIDS Day, while also protesting Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recent cuts to HIV/AIDS housing and services. While Mayor Bloomberg hosted his annual World AIDS Day event uptown, a crowd of around 100 protestors ambled up Broadway chanting, “No More Budget Cuts on Our Backs,” “Bloomberg Billionaire” and “AIDS Hurts, Housing Works.” (While protesters reported that roughly 13 were arrested in total, the police reportedly said it was closer to eight individuals.) The marchers seemed to diverge into two sections. While a majority made their way into City Hall Park, a group of roughly 20 protesters stood at a crosswalk,

stopping traffic. While cabs, buses and vehicles honked their horns, the crowd remained, eventually dispersing to reveal a small group of AIDS activists chained together, donning dark green Robin Hood-inspired tunics and caps with the words “Take It Back” written across a symbol of a bag of money. “Keep walking, you will get arrested if you do not stay on the sidewalk,” shouted organizers of the rally to most of the crowd. The group of protesters teemed on the edge of the sidewalk where Park Place and Broadway meet. “I guess those are the people who were planning to get arrested,” one woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said to a fellow demonstrator. Asked if this was preplanned through the organizations as a whole, the woman replied, “No, but I do think it has become a part of our culture for some people to socially martyr themselves.” The New York Police Department quickly arrived with a van, and proceeded to arrest the chained protesters.

Protesters chained themselves together and stopped traffic in Lower Manhattan before being taken in by NYPD. PHOTO By MaRissa MaiER

While the protesters seemed to diverge into two groups, they shared a common

complaint and mission: to demand Mayor Bloomberg drop his opposition to the NY State Millionaires Tax and to call upon Senator Charles Schumer to support a Financial Transaction Tax on Wall Street in order to generate money for HIV/AIDS housing and other services. According to a press release distributed by Housing Works, an organization that helps those living with HIV/AIDS, Mayor Bloomberg has cut more than $10 million for HIV/AIDS in the past year. At his World AIDS Day event, Mayor Bloomberg highlighted the work the city has done to help New Yorkers know their HIV/AIDS status. Both Mayor Bloomberg and the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) President Alan D. Aviles accepted an award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the event. According to the city, HHC has tested more than 1 million New Yorkers for HIV since 2005, the year that public hospitals and health centers began to offer HIV testing as part of their routine medical care for people ages 13 to 64.

DECE M B E R 8, 2011 | otdowntown.com

downtown social

Powerhouse Arena Hosts Launch of Romeo Alaeff’s I’ll Be Dead Before You Read This

Your doctor spent 5 minutes?

on’t be fooled by the title of artist, writer and animation editor Romeo Alaeff’s latest offering. The book isn’t a meditative memoir; rather, it’s a small, adult picture book of sorts exploring the “existential life of animals.” In Alaeff’s book—a series of black-and-white, simple ink illustrations—a blowfish proclaims, “I’m scared of everything,” and a curious squirrel scaling a tree regrets that, “I really screwed things up this time.” The witty pairing of the eloquent drawings with the all-too-oft expressed phrases of regret and self-deprecation seemed to please the crowd at Alaeff’s book launch party, hosted by NYPress.com and Our Town Downtown, at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn. Attendees from Moby to Vogue Senior Fashion Editor Meredith Melling lined up to purchase both the book and large reproduction prints of Alaeff’s work. As the scotch poured freely (it was generously provided by Glenfiddich), guests milled around the book storecum-party space, while the sounds of The Magnetic Fields hummed in the background.

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Need a great doctor? Call (866) 318-8759. w w w. c h p n y c . o r g Clockwise: Moby; InStyle Magazine Senior Editor Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker; Romeo Alaeff signing copies of his new book; guests admiring Alaeff ’s prints; musician Erin Mars and Alaeff. PHOTOs BY wYaTT kOsTYgan

(Alaeff was profiled in Our Town Downtown in “A Sit Down with Sticker-Street Artist Romeo Alaeff.” Find it at otdowntown.com)

OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

THE 7-DAY PLAN

BEST PICK

(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. (betw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.), www.lepoissonrouge.com; 7 p.m., $60.

Tribute alumni Steve Forbert, Bettye LaVette, Rich Pagano of the Fab Faux, Richard Barone, Marshall Crenshaw and many more will interpret the immortal music of John Lennon at the 31st installment of New York’s only ongoing annual tribute to the beloved adopted New Yorker.

THURSDAY

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 FRIDAY

John Lennon Tribute [12/10]

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FREE Behind the Book

KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), www.kgbbar.com; 7–9 p.m. Do something good for yourself, your brain…and your wallet. Join Elissa Schappell, author of Blueprints for Building Better Girls, and Martha Southgate, author of The Taste of Salt, for an evening of darkly funny and profoundly human literature exploring America’s contemporary cultural landscape.

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My Piece of the Pie IFC Center, 323 6th Ave. (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), www.ifccenter.com. Writer/director Cédric Klapisch presents this contemporary drama with a comedic edge, a timely social bent and a twist that only a Frenchman could bring to the table.

Kevin Devine Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Houston St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), www.housingworks.org; 7:30 p.m., $15. Critically acclaimed and Brooklyn-based indie sensation Kevin Devine will perform at the Housing Works Bookstore for one night only.

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Bust Craftacular 82 Mercer St. (betw. Broome & Spring Sts.), www.bust.com/craftacular; 11 a.m.–8 p.m., $3. This craftastic event, hosted by Bust magazine, will feature handmade crafts, perfect for holiday gifts. If crafts aren’t your thing, fret not—the event also features a holiday food fair for eating and gifting.

Future Perfect(er) Joyce Soho, 155 Mercer St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), www.joyce.org; 7:30 p.m., $25. Chris Elam’s Misnomer Dance Theater has been known to collaborate with everyone from Björk to Evan Ziporyn, and his work was described by the New Yorker’s Brian Seibert as “wonderfully strange and unpredictable …Elam’s dancers seem less like people than anthropomorphized beasts.” The troupe will premiere their piece Time Lapse, and audiences will also have an opportunity to see their rarely performed Future Perfect(er).

MONDAY

Scrooge & Gilbert & Sullivan Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 3 Spruce St. (betw. Gold & Centre Sts.), www.vlog.org; 8 p.m., $25 & $45. Not many people know that Charles Dickens and Arthur Sullivan were lifelong friends, but those who do lament that the pair never collaborated. Why should the fact that they are both long dead put an end to that dream? In this posthumous collaboration, the Village Light Opera Group combines 11 of Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas with Dickens’ seasonal favorite, A Christmas Carol.

Puppets and Objects The Construction Company, 10 E. 18th St. (betw. 5th Ave. & Broadway), www.theconstructioncompany.org; 8 p.m., $15. Puppets aren’t only for children anymore. Join the Construction Company for an evening of marionettes, dance, stories and songs to rediscover your inner child.

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TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Submissions can be sent to otdowntown@manhattanmedia.com.

Lava’s Atlas Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St. (betw. Rivington & Delancey Sts.), www.dixonplace.org; 7:30 p.m., $10–$18. “Start out confused and end up converted,” said Lizzie Simon of the WSJ. This mind-bending act features a combination of acrobatics, dance and visual art set to live and sampled music. Eight women will lead audiences on a journey through 360 degrees of space, using every direction and means imaginable.

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Visit otdowntown.com for the latest updates on local events.

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The Wages of Fear Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. 6th Ave & Varick St.), www.filmforum.org; $12.50. If you are finding the holiday season overly relaxing and your nerves are aching for a good jangle, head to Film Forum and see French director Henri-Georges Clouzot’s supreme masterpiece of suspense. The film follows four down-and-out men as they contend with a gushing oil pipe and ensuing fire atop a mountain. Moth Story Slam Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Houston St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), www.housingworks.org; 7 p.m., $8. Following the familial spirit of the holiday season, this story slam focuses on ancestors. Ten storytellers will battle it out for three teams of judges to nab the winning title. Enjoy an evening of true stories told live about the one thing we all have in common: family.

FREE XYZ

10 Downing St. (betw. Bleecker & W. Houston Sts.), www.nolongerempty.org; 7–9 p.m. Bend, stretch and warp your mind as you travel through this perspective-changing exhibit. The first work in the show, a large-scale installation, will channel viewers through a planned tour of the space, their journey enhanced by a series of fabricated walls that terminate in various mirror systems that reflect off one another.

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FREE Monday Night Poetry

KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), www.kgbbar.com; 7–9 p.m. This week’s installment features Tony Hoagland, whose work has been nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award and has won the Brittingham Prize in Poetry and the Zacharis Award from Emerson College.

FREE Burly-Q

The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St. (betw. W. 3rd & Bleecker Sts.), www.theplayerstheatre.com; 6 p.m. This burlesque show is described by creator Phillip George as “a gay revue that he could take his mother to.” The show is a tribute to classic American burlesque through a gay lens.

Empty Quarter Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (betw. 1st & 2nd Sts.), www.anthologyfilmarchives.org; 8 p.m., $9. This eloquent documentary tells the story of Southeast Oregon, an area populated by ranching and farming communities in Lake, Harney and Malheur counties. The region is roughly one-third of Oregon’s landmass, yet holds less than 2 percent of the state’s population. DECE M B E R 8, 2011 | OTDOWNTOWN.COM

Where Is the Meat in the MPD? Writer PIPER HOFFMAN reports from a vegetarian perspective on what remains of NYC’s once thriving industry

CREDITS: DAVE WHELAN / DAN DELUCA / GEORGE K. DENISON / SARAH CHILCOTT

hen Donatella Versace and H&M debuted their new collaborative collection last month, they erected their highly hyped catwalk at the historic Pier 57 in the Meatpacking District. Despite its name, the area is now more often associated with fashion, art and trendy dining spots than the slicing, dicing and packaging of dead animals. But this wave of gentrification has not swallowed up the whole neighborhood. The holdouts are a small group of businesses in Gansevoort Market, a block-sized complex run as a co-op at Little West 12th and Washington streets. Each company’s plant, reached by shallow metal stairs, is far from a modern-looking hall housing an assembly line. Instead, these whitewalled rooms are small and sparely furnished with one or two metal tables and, in some cases, carcasses hanging from the ceiling on giant hooks. These meatpacking companies’ names hearken back to the Boss Tweed days: Weichshel Beef Wholesale,

London Meat Company, John W. Williams Inc., J.T. Jobaggy. They are owned and managed by men—only men— who have been in the business for decades; some of them even inheriting their business from their father. I should disclose that I haven’t eaten meat in 26 years; my husband stopped eating meat soon after our 1995 wedding. This diet isn’t a health regimen but a boycott of what I consider a cruel industry. That belief has motivated more than my food choices: I ran an animal law group in law school, worked as an animal rights litigator after law school, and have participated in the Committee on Legal Issues Pertaining to Animals of the New York City Bar Association. When I set out to learn about what remains of meatpacking in the district named after it, I didn’t expect to like the people involved. I certainly didn’t expect them to throw their plants’ doors open to me. But they proved me wrong. When I asked a London Meat worker whether I could talk to someone about the industry, he said, “Absolutely, I’ll get him,” and he did. A worker for J.T. Jaboggy said he thought the owner was out for breakfast—then took me to the diner on the corner to look for him.

Meatpackers receive the whole or sectioned remains of already slaughtered animals and slice them into the portions familiar from menus and butcher shops: filet mignon, lamb chops, rump roast. They broil out pathogens in hot rooms (160 degrees for six to 24 hours), and ferment or dry-age sausage and prime cuts of steak in cooling rooms crammed with floor-to-ceiling shelves to accommodate all of the product. When the raw material arrives it looks like enormous, impersonal slabs of flesh. But when the packaged chunks leave the building, they look like dinner. Well, not to me, but to most Americans. ODD BUT FRIENDLY NEIGHBORS John Jaboggy, the tall and lanky owner of J.T. Jaboggy, is always on. In his small, cluttered office, in the Gansevoort Market, he fields a stream of phone calls and visitors without losing the thread of our interview. Jaboggy says that he gets up at 3 a.m. every day. “We have to fabricate [the meat] to get it on the trucks. The truck has to get to its destination early,” he explains. Over the course of our conversation, Jaboggy recalls the frenetic pace

Upperleft: When the meat arrives at the meatpacking plant it comes in often-grotesque slabs, but once it leaves, as Hoffman reports, it looks like “dinner.” Middle left: Exterior of London Meat Co., one of the few meatpacking plants left in the area. Bottom left: Boutiques and galleries now occupy storefronts in the MPD. Bottom right: A look down West 15th Street, the border between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea.

OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

of cutting and hauling in the Meatpacking District of 40 years ago. He estimates that between 200 to 250 meat companies, from small storefronts to large warehouse-size facilities, operated in the area at the time, and the industry dominated the neighborhood. “Every company and storefront was a meat company,” he said. From 15th Street down to Gansevoort and from Ninth Avenue across to Washington Street, “it was packed with meat companies.” At the beginning of the 20th century, a few hundred slaughterhouses and packing plants filled the District. Within a few decades the area had become one of the largest producers of packaged meat in the nation. It also developed an auxiliary process of garbage incineration. This combination of odiferous and deserted nighttime streets kept most folks away, creating an opportunity for an underground subculture. The 1970s saw a burgeoning nightlife of drugs and prostitution, facilitated in no small part by a growing number of sex clubs and BDSM bars. Gay leather bars, like members-only Mineshaft and The Manhole, opened for business. By the early 1990s, though, the atmosphere had begun to change as the rents started rising, and by the mid-’90s, highpriced boutiques ventured in. The neighborhood’s chic status was sealed when Sex and the City moved its character Samantha Jones to the district in 2000. The biggest rise in real estate prices and rents occurred in the last 10 years, according to Jonathan Anapol, a real estate agent with Prime Manhattan Realty. With 15 years of experience selling Meatpacking District properties, Anapol says that the last decade has also “exhibited the greatest changes in ownership” from private families to corporate landlords, coinciding with lots of renovation. Despite the continued presence of meatpackers amid the high-priced fashion and brunches, Michael Milano, owner of London Meat Co. and Milano Sausage who has worked in the neighborhood for over 20 years, says there isn’t any tension between his business and his upscale neighbors. “People came here for a reason. They like the Meatpacking District. It’s always been a quiet neighborhood,” he said. Jaboggy, who followed his father and grandfather into the business at the age of 14 in 1970, said, “We don’t really bother with each other. We don’t really mix in any way.” Jaboggy not only knows all the local private landlords, but he knew their parents and even grandparents. Now he is growing friendly with the newer corporate landlords. Giulio Eliseo, a London Meat employee, says it was the landlords who drove out his fellow companies by raising rents. But he also doesn’t blame the exile or shuttering of the packing businesses in the District on the shops and nightclubs that replaced them. Jaboggy traces the industry’s local decline to a number of factors. As company owners retired, many of their sons chose not to follow them into the meat business (Jaboggy jokes that they were “the smart ones”–though he himself holds a degree from NYU). The resulting decreased workforce coincided with the rise of vacuum-sealed meat cuts sold directly

to restaurants and supermarkets from new plants in the western states. Jaboggy says that the western operations’ expenses, like land and labor, were lower, and some New Yorkbased packers couldn’t compete. On top of that, he adds, the buildings in New York City were aging, raising the cost of compliance with U.S.D.A. regulations. Some meatpackers who outlasted all of those changes were lured away by Hunts Point Market in the Bronx and cheaper real estate in New Jersey. Ironically, a vegetarian presence is among those that filled the vacuum left by the departing meatpackers. In May a Meatpacking District art gallery called Gavin Brown’s enterprise hosted an exhibit named Go Vegan. The gallery had recently doubled its size by taking over the space that formerly housed Pat LaFreida Meats, which moved to New Jersey. Mere blocks from Gansevoort Market is Stella McCartney’s clothing boutique, where a coat sells for $2,000. The sales clerk explains that the designer’s shoes and bags are all vegan— they contain no animal products, like leather. The packers are the surprise in their own neighborhood. When asked whether there were any meatpacking businesses still in the area, a majority of pedestrians polled in the neighborhood (setting aside those who said they did not know) said “no.” A blond tourist from Amsterdam answered confidently, “Not anymore!” His companion disagreed, but admitted that her opinion was formed after consulting her guidebook. A young Brooklynite taking a breather on a sidewalk bench answered, “Not for a while.” The Road To GansevooRT The friendly meatpackers who shared their time and histories with me profit from the suffering of animals. I decry what they do but I can’t say it makes them bad people. They certainly don’t think they are doing anything wrong. Eliseo is an animal lover—he has four dogs, which “are probably raised better than most humans are.” Organizations that have investigated agribusiness, such as the Humane Society and Mercy for Animals, tell a different story. Books have been written describing the fate of creatures born into factory farms: from babies born to mothers confined in crates, to a childhood and adulthood spent in overcrowded pens, to an often brutal death in a slaughterhouse before they are shipped off to a meatpacking plant. Meeting meatpackers highlighted a dilemma. It is easier in the abstract to condemn people involved in the process of turning conscious, sentient animals into food; it is harder when I meet those people, some of whom are carrying on long family traditions. And when it comes to the people I love, like my family and friends who eat meat, I can’t dismiss them as bad. I try to strike a balance: I oppose the eating of meat, but not the people who do it. The Meatpacking District has also struck a balance. The boutiques and the meatpackers may not mix, but neither do they clash, and they all thrive: in the difficult economy of the last three years, real estate agent Anapol says, the area “has held its price pretty well.” Sometimes surprising juxtapositions work.

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DECE M B E R 8, 2011 | otdowntown.com

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Tensions Remain High in Steve McQueen’s Shame | By Noah WuNsch “We’re not bad people, we just come from a bad place,” says Brandon’s sister Sissy, and in that line lies the psyche of Steve McQueen’s latest film Shame. Brandon, played by McQueen favorite Michael Fassbender, is an attractive, successful, charming, self-hating sex addict. He needs it. Loathes it. Loves it. Torments himself endlessly with the thought of women. The smell of women. The fantasy of women. Sneaks off to the bathroom during work. Picks up women in the high class and the low class, with little self awareness. Sex for Brandon is easy in the pretense, but terrifying in execution. The pain lies in Fassbender’s eyes. He’s able to glaze over from scene to scene in what seems to be an impressively studied manner. Brandon does not zone out, he zones in. Things go awry when Brandon’s troubled sister, Sissy (Cary Mulligan), shows up out of the blue and uses Brandon’s apartment as her squat den. She tries getting Brandon to deal with problems he’d rather roll up in dirty sheets and throw away in the alley. McQueen has filmed a New York City thought to be dead by most. His scenes

Actor Michael Fassbender in Shame. Photo By ABBot GEnsER, CouRtEsy of fox sEARChliGht teem with grit and beauty, taking the audience behind the velvet ropes and into the denizens’ lair. However, his closer scenes are the most powerful. Scenes between Fassbender and Mulligan are kept tight, shrinkwrapping the tension until it seems the camera might break, while the sex scenes are choreographed like a ballet. Head writhe. Leg extension. Back.

Forth. Up. Down. Hips sway. Feet flex. They’re lovely, but explicit in an extremely realistic way. In these shots McQueen is able to capture Brandon’s struggle, as they’re less sexy as they are uncomfortable. Indeed, Fassbender stares into the camera as he has sex with two women at once, such sickly despair on his face that he seems ragged. KEIRA

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D E C E M B E R 8, 2011 | otd ow n tow n . c o m

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� EAT

A nuevo Latino eatery with vegan flair in Nolita.

The Pan American Contradiction

a restaurant for the vegan meat-eater locavore globehopper in all of us

| By Regan Hofmann

up quickly a few years ago and is de rigeur for those model types who want to prove they eat food by nibbling at miniature empanadas. But look again. On closer inspection, the menu reveals a curiously vegan streak, listing snacks such as carrot chicharron and kale chips. Then again, entrées include a plate that includes both skirt steak and oxtail, so it can’t be just a meatfree zone. Accompanying some dishes are health-food buzzwords like quinoa and kale, but you can also get fried chicken and taquitos, so it can’t be an ascetic bore. And peer through the door at the bar; tucked in with the shifting lights and gleaming white surfaces are a rainbow of jars and bottles, unlabeled, moonshinelike—housemade infusions and syrups that prove they won’t just give you a model-approved vodka soda.

In the ever-shifting neighborhood creep of Downtown, it seems nothing is what it’s supposed to be anymore. Little Italy has become Chinatown, Nolita has become Soho and Soho has become Times Square. Walking from block to block you’re not quite sure what you’re going to get—but you can be sure it’s not what you thought it was supposed to be. Enter The Pan American at 202 Mott St., by all appearances a sleek, shiny restaurant of the New Nolita bent. There’s just enough signage on the all-glass front to make sure you know you’re in the right place, but not enough to be so outré as to advertise itself. A turquoise gleam emanates through the window, and a glance at the menu gives an impression of the sort of Nuevo Latino cooking that came

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OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

There’s a point at which you have to let go and let god at The Pan American, when your instincts have been so thoroughly baffled that you find yourself willing to try anything. This is as it should be. When your server recommends a Rosey Palmer from the list of original cocktails, order it, even though it’s vodka-based and you prefer gin, even though you can’t stand sweet, fruity drinks and it comes in a pretty shade of pink. In fact, the tea-flavored vodka is balanced by the bracingly tart hibiscus (housemade, of course) and the result is compulsively drinkable. Order those chicharrons, too, though you hate the idea of meat substitutes and

would rather vegans stop trying to fool themselves. Don’t worry, here the word chicharron is used as a frame of reference more than a literal interpretation. Like their fried pig skin namesake, the sweet, smoky crisps make a perfect bar snack. And don’t write off the more straightforward Latin American dishes, even if you catch a glimpse of the chef, looking straight off the Wisconsin dairy farm. His salsa verde, which accompanies the cheese-and-chile taquitos, reveals he’s no pretender; it’s bright and vegetal, with a citrus edge that hides a serious kick underneath. Entrées are fully conceptualized plates with a number of components, at least one of which is invariably a curveball. Duck breast, seared to perfectly rendered skin and tender, medium-rare center, was served with collard greens and quinoa in a recognizably Native American bent—and then there was the pineapple gooseberry glaze. This topsy-turvy ride closely mirrors the path of the restaurant’s chef, Harry Stoehr, who arrived in New York via the Midwest, a stint in Napa and a turn with Daniel Boulud. Like a true (adoptive) Californian, he wants to provide vegan and gluten-free food that doesn’t scare away everyone else—why not? He came up in working farms, so an affinity for his ingredients comes naturally. And years of cooking family meal in kitchens has him comfortable with the spectrum of Latin American flavors and traditions (rumor has it his tamales are better than most abuelas’.) Everything that can be made in house at The Pan American is, even some improbable ingredients like garlic powder and dulce de leche. You’d be worried he’s going to run himself ragged, if you weren’t so busy devouring everything he puts in front of you. The next time you’re walking around the space between Houston and Canal, trying to sort out why the block with the Italian Christmas lights has three Chinese groceries and a designer eyewear boutique but no Italian restaurants, you’re in just the right frame of mind for The Pan American. Forget what you think you know is around the next corner—just dive in and go along for the ride.

Healthy Manhattan a monthly advertising supplement

Christmas Cocktails Are OK, But Remember the Sober Details

By Lisa ELainE HELd uring the holidays, everyone drinks more. It’s just inevitable, with holiday parties at work, seasonal soirees with friends and multiple family occasions—almost every night is another opportunity to socialize and celebrate, cocktail in hand. The stress of the season doesn’t help, either. Long lines and crowded stores, your rapidly decreasing account balance, and hours spent with grouchy relatives who love to talk politics will drive anyone to throw back a hot toddy…or five. And while it seems intuitive that health-minded individuals would be less likely to reach for the booze, the opposite may be true. “People who are weight-conscious tend to hold back on the food and go for the drinks as an alternative,” said Lisa Cohn, a registered dietician and the founder of Park Avenue Nutrition on the Upper East Side. It makes sense—if you have to pass on something, it may seem like a healthier choice to skip dessert and sip a martini. But overdrinking can seriously impact your physical and mental health, causing negative side effects like weight gain and depression. Don’t worry; becoming a teetotaler is not your only option. “A celebratory toast with glass in hand can actually enhance your healthy eating,” said Cohn. Allowing yourself occasional pleasures and partaking in socially enjoyable activities will have positive effects on your health. You just have to do it right. Here are some of Cohn’s easy tips for toasting your health without compromising it. Pay attention to calories Don’t become obsessive about adding them up on your iPhone calculator, but be aware that many drinks you

Make better choices You can take avoiding fatty mixers one step further by opting for drinks that have health benefits built in. Red wine, for example, has antioxidants like resveratrol, a polyphenol that has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors in mice. Practice Moderation No matter what you’re drinking, the amount you imbibe is key. Cohn suggests aiming for no more than two to four drinks per 24 hours. Keep portion sizes in mind when drinking as well—12 ounces of a winter lager is not the same thing as 12 ounces of whiskey.

indulge in could be adding empty calories to your already holiday-stressed diet. The caloric danger is often not in the alcohol but in the mixer. “Avoid heavily sugared and highly salted mixers and creamy, rich options that are high in fats and sugars,” said Cohn. Here are some handy calorie count estimates for standard servings of popular holiday beverages. The numbers are approximations—they can vary

depending on the type and brand of the alcohol, on the bartender’s recipes and serving sizes. Red wine (5 oz. glass): 125 Bailey’s Irish Cream (1.3 oz. on the rocks): 94 Eggnog (8 oz. glass): 224 Hot Toddy (6 oz. glass): 150 Scotch (1 oz.): 69 Irish Coffee: 100–200 (This is a hard one to peg. Some people make it with whiskey, some with Baileys, and the addition of creamer or whipped cream makes a huge difference.)

The calories are in the mixers, not so much the alcohol.

counteract with healthy habits Drinking taxes your liver and your brain, but there are lots of things you can do to help reduce its effects. Cohn says that staying hydrated is the most important; she recommends matching every ounce of alcohol with 16 ounces of water. And the whole eating-instead-ofdrinking thing? Forget it. It’s a bad idea to drink on an empty stomach, and it will seriously mess with your already strained digestive system. Snack on lean, healthy holiday foods like shrimp cocktail, roasted vegetables and turkey. Speaking of your digestive system, it’s going to need some help to deal with all of that acid you’re adding. “Eat foods that are soothing,” Cohn suggests. “Blueberries, ginger tea, aloe beverages and coconut water can be helpful.” If you’re unsuccessful and the holiday mania drives you to go a little overboard, don’t sleep all day (and don’t fall for the hair-of-the-dog approach). “Hydrate yourself and take a light walk to get the system moving,” Cohn said. If nothing else, comfort yourself with the fact that it will all be over soon and you’ll be back to your healthy routine. “It may look dramatic,” said Cohn, “but in reality it’s just temporary.”

DECE M B E R 8, 2011 | otdowntown.com

Healthy Manhattan

‘Tis the Season for Holiday & Winter Blues

By Laura Shin hile department stores dress up their windows and shoppers search for the perfect gifts, those who work in the mental health profession prepare for the holidays in a different way: making sure New Yorkers stay healthy and happy during the holiday season. “The holidays are often markers for people,” said Lisa Brateman, a New York City-based psychotherapist and relationship specialist. “It’s a time when people compare themselves to others, whether in their career or their relationships.” While the holidays are often expected to be the happiest time of the year, it is a time that can bring on sadness or depression as individuals compare their lives to others or contemplate where they were in their lives in the previous year, Brateman said. “We’re bombarded this time of year by what it means to have someone. When a person doesn’t have someone, they start to wonder, ‘What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I have that?’” she said. Images in the media are often to blame for setting these expectations. If someone is feeling lonely during the holidays, Brateman advises that they surround themselves with people they like and not isolate themselves further. For example, a person shouldn’t decide not to attend a party because he or she does not want to go alone. Janet Pfeiffer, a motivational speaker and president of Pfeiffer Power Seminars, tells her clients to redefine what the holidays mean and create new traditions. “I worked serving dinner to nursing home residents on Thanksgiving after my marriage ended,” she said. “I never enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as I did then.” But even people who are not alone during the holidays can experience the holiday blues. Brateman said she often sees her past patients return during the holiday months, and she sees the largest number of new patients during this time than any other part of the year. “Who to spend time with on Christmas Eve or New Year’s—unless you find a system that works for everyone, that’s a problem that repeatedly comes up every year,” she said. “That’s a matter of

handling conflict and outside pressures from family.” There are many sources of stress and anxiety during the holidays that can trigger depression, said Marty Forth, senior director of teen programs and service for the YMCA of Greater New York, who also oversees the organization’s mental health work. “What we’ve seen is there’s a lot of stress in the parents or guardians and it manifests itself through them or through the kids,” he said. The YMCA refers families to mental health services when appropriate, but one thing the organization does during the holidays is work with the families to make their lives easier. For example, they take on Christmas lists and recruit individuals to buy the gifts. “It’s one less thing to worry about,” Forth said. “Finances are a huge part of the stress.” Many YMCA locations also provide holiday meals, serving thousands of people with the help of donated food and local volunteers. In addition to financial stress, overstretched schedules and simply trying to do too much can bring on the blues, Forth said. He advises doing everything in moderation and realizing that you can’t say yes to everything. Holiday depression and holiday blues should not be confused with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a depression that affects people the same time each year, said Brateman. The symptoms are similar to regular depression, and while experts are unsure of the cause, it is often associated with a lack of sunlight. “Holiday blues are different. The holidays can bring different feelings, but it is not seasonal depression,” she said. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for someone mourning the loss of a loved one. “There are a lot more reminders around the holidays, and you feel the loss a lot more,” Brateman said. “Take a moment or an hour to feel those feelings instead of acting busy and pretending you’re not feeling it.” While holiday depression has many triggers, there are also effective solutions. “I think one of the most important things is to not base how you feel on what everyone else is doing,” Brateman said. “What’s important is to keep one’s life in perspective.”

Holiday depression is different from Seasonal Affective Disorder, which often hits in the winter, too.

OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

A Sweet & Healthy Holiday Treat Real benefits to eating dark chocolate—in moderation

BY Dr. Cynthia Paulis t’s that time of year again, when friends and family get together to celebrate the holidays and your diet gets ditched as you indulge in all of the wonderful and fattening treats of the season. But before you despair, there is actually one treat that is good for you: dark chocolate. For centuries, chocolate was revered more for its medicinal qualities than its taste. Aztecs reserved chocolate (which was usually consumed in liquid form) for priests and the very wealthy, but it was also given to soldiers because it was believed to make them strong. When the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés arrived in the court of Aztec ruler Montezuma in 1529, he was impressed by the magical drink and returned to Europe with trunkloads of cocoa beans, writing to the King of Spain that he had found a drink that built up resistance and fought fatigue. The drink was quickly viewed as a cure-all, with eventually more than 100 medicinal uses for chocolate. In one document dating from 1590, a mixture of cacao beans, maize and herbs was used to reduce fever and panting and treat heart ailments. They even used it in baths, which were thought to cure fatigue in government officials and those who held public office. Maybe that’s what our Congress needs today! In the 1800s, chocolate was given to pregnant women, since it was believed to help nourish the mother and child. Even Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying, “The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain.” Soon, chocolate had sugar and milk added to it, taking away its medicinal qualities. At one point, Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey Chocolate Company, advertised his milk chocolate bar as: “Hershey’s: More sustaining than meat.” So why is dark chocolate so special? Chocolate is made from the cacao bean, which grows on the plant Theobroma cacao. The solid part of the bean is roasted and ground to a powder. Cacao powder, if not too sweetened, has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The cacao has flavonoids that have antioxidants, enzymes capable of neutralizing the damaging effects of toxins in the body. One ounce of dark chocolate or cocoa has more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea or red wine. Studies at the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic have shown that these flavonoids can

improve blood flow and keep vessels healthy. One square of dark chocolate can benefit the cardiovascular system by enhancing blood flow and lowering blood pressure by two points. It can also prevent the buildup of plaque that can block arteries, and it possesses mild anti-blood clotting effects. Dark chocolate has also been known to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by as much as five points. Cocoa may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels because it consists mainly of good fat, mono or polyunsaturated fat in the form of stearic acid and oleic acid, the same fat that is found in olive oil. Chocolate and cocoa contain copper, magnesium, iron and potassium, which are essential for good health. An average bar of dark chocolate has 4 percent of the daily requirement of copper, a mineral critical to the absorption of iron and key in skin-strengthening collagen. Copper also helps the heart. Magnesium reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. One bar of dark chocolate can deliver 12 percent of your daily requirement. Magnesium deficiency can lead to leg cramps, migraines, fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, nausea and vomiting. In addition, an average bar of dark chocolate can deliver up to 7 percent of the amount of iron a body needs. Iron is essential for carrying oxygen to parts of your body. If you are low in iron, you can become anemic, fatigued, irritable and prone to headaches. Chocolate also contains potassium, a key element in lowering blood pressure and preventing strokes. Chocolate also contains more than 500 natural chemical compounds that are moodelevating and pleasure-inducing. One of these is theobromine, a mild stimulant similar to caffeine but not as strong. It has been used in medicines as a cough suppressant. Chocolate also releases mood-elevating chemicals known as endorphins and serotonin in your brain. Eating chocolate really does make you feel good! Chocolate maker Marilyn Maguinness has a less scientific view of its benefits. “It gives you a good feeling when you get chocolate, roses or a box of candy,” she said. “I have heard that the dark chocolate is actually good for women, for their hearts, so I think you should eat chocolate every day.” Remember that chocolate is still loaded with calories and fat, so limit your consumption to just one square a day. Look for chocolate that is at least 60 percent cacao; the higher the cacao number, the lower the sugar. A 75 percent cacao bar is 25 percent sugar, while a 65 percent cacao bar is 35 percent sugar. Milk chocolate and white chocolate have no health benefits. Avoid drinking milk with dark chocolate because it binds with the antioxidants, making them unavailable. When the big man in the red suit comes calling this month, instead of leaving cookies loaded with saturated fats, leave him a few squares of dark chocolate. Don’t forget some carrots for the reindeer, loaded with vitamin A, which are good for their night vision!

The Moody’s Center For Cardiovascular Health At New York Downtown Hospital

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Through the generosity of the Moody’s Foundation, we were able to create a comprehensive, state-of-the-art center that focuses on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cardiovascular disease through a holistic, integrative approach. Our team of physicians works with you to assess your cardiovascular risk and design individualized treatment plans that allow you to live a healthier, more active life. Additionally, our cardiovascular specialists can perform procedures at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — Weill Cornell Medical Center, allowing our patients access to innovative treatment options. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Center has been recognized for BUILDING FOR Aand HweEALTHIER TOMORROW its high level of service, offer Cardiovascular Wellness

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Evaluations designed to attain approach to of medical conditions that are ntown Hospital is a center of excellence for a multi-faceted prevention and treatment offer a wide range of treatments from simple achieving your best health. UILDING FOR Aand aEALTHIER OMORROW evention, inpatient and ambulatory care, common to women; digital mammography; comprehensive exercises d of emergency preparedness. non-invasive cardiovascular assessment; and cancer screeningto medications to noninvasive surgery. Downtown Hospital is acommitted center of excellence for prevention of medical We are to providing a superior and leveltreatment of care and patient conditions that are and detection through Downtown Hospital’s affiliate, the d Prevention, service, inpatientand and ambulatory and amore common tothe women; digital mammography; comprehensive invite you care, to learn about services weCenter. offer. efficient and effective health care experience at Strang Cancer Prevention Call (212) 238-0180 to learn how they can help you, e field of emergency preparedness. non-invasive cardiovascular assessment; and cancer screening Consultative appointments and testing services are easily scheduled ntown Hospital and will have the best of both or tothe make an appointment with Dr. Bensinger today. and detection through Downtown Hospital’s affiliate, withprivate a single phone call, inatmost casesthe can be arranged and most up-to-date screening port of your own physician alongand with Bringing latest medical Center. research, d an efficient and effective health care experience Strang Cancer Prevention performed within 24 best toservices. 48 Most major are pments in preventive carewill and specialty andinsurance the newestplans technological advancements to the Downtown Hospital and have the of hours. both techniques, Giti Bensinger MD, FACOG accepted, andphysician convenient appointments are including of Lower Manhattan, our Wellness and Prevention Team support of your own private along with heart Bringing theavailable, latest medical research, most up-to-date screening Director of Urogynecology velopments in early preventive care and services. techniques, andon thehow newest technological to the nd Prevention Teammorning provides a specialty broad of will advise you to preserve your advancements single most important and late range afternoon visits. heart of Lower Manhattan, our Wellness and Prevention Team g a Women’s Health Program, dedicated to the asset…your good health! This is our commitment to you.

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reet, New York, NY Telephone:(212) 312-5000 www.downtownhospital.org 170 William Street, New York, NY 10038 17010038 William Street, New York, NY 10038 Street, New York, NY 10038 Telephone:(212) 312-5000 www.downtownhospital.org Telephone: (646) 588-2526 Telephone: (212) 312-5000 www.downtownwellness.org www.downtownwellness.org D E C E M B E R 8, 2011 | otd ow n tow n . c o m

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❯ GIFT GUIDE

POP UP SHOPPING Your guide to finding the best gifts for all of the people in your life. FOR THE WARM BEVERAGE CONNOISSEUR MCNULTY’S TEA & COFFEE CO., INC.

109 Christopher St. (betw. Bedford & Bleecker Sts.), 212-242-5351, www.mcnultys.com Since 1895, McNulty’s Tea & Coffee, Co. has been serving up choice blends and rare leaves to the good people of Greenwich Village (and beyond). The store has a Dickensian feel to it, and is a true blast from the past. Java per pound ranges from $10.40-$40, and the teas go from $14 to $100 per pound. A perfect place to buy a wild collection of tea and coffee at Victorian prices!

FOR THE APARTMENT THERAPIST HAUS INTERIOR

250 Elizabeth St. (betw. Prince & E. Houston Sts.), 212-741-0455, www.hausinterior.com Haus Interior is a wonderful collection of unique and witty odds and ends. The Nolita gem sells everything from chalkboard napkin rings (to write the name of your guest) at $36.50 each to a canoe wire basket ($35) to add some industrial spunk and storage to any room. Particularly amusing is a line of humorous notecards ($6 each). Our favorite? “Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn’t leaving till five. Sincerely, The Unicorns.”

FOR THE ANALOG READER MCNALLY JACKSON BOOKS

52 Prince St. (betw. Lafayette & Mulberry Sts.), 212-274-1160, www.mcnallyjackson.com For anyone in your life who refuses to use an e-reader, McNally Jackson Books offers up plenty of old-school tomes (plus the satisfaction of spending money in an independent bookstore, and not throwing your dollars at a chain or Amazon.com). Enjoy a coffee at the café while you wait—and maybe ogle one of the good-looking staff members, too.

FOR THE SERIOUS FILM LOVER IFC CENTER

323 6th Ave. (at W. 3rd St.), 212-924-7771, www.ifccenter.com IFC Center has been screening both the coolest new indie films and the craziest cult faves for the last six years. This year, instead of offering up a slew of pricey Criterion DVDs to that film snob in your life, give the gift of an IFC membership. The Cineaste membership ($75) gives the member $5 off tickets, free preview screenings of upcoming releases, four free small popcorns and 20-percent of theater merchandise. The next level, The Auteur ($175), comes with free admission to the Weekend Classics series plus four free guest passes. Either choice will probably earn you a free popcorn as a thank you.

FOR THE CHOCAHOLIC ROASTING PLANT COFFEE COMPANY

81 Orchard St. (betw. Grand & Broome Sts.), 212-775-7755, www.roastingplant.com This downtown java institution has teamed up with local chocolatier Tumbador to produce a collection of in-store, handcrafted chocolates for their holiday gift boxes. The treats come in four distinct flavors: Praline Crunch Brasil, Fleur de Caramel, Purest Dark Chocolate and Ethiopian Berry Crush. Also, concocted onsite are caramelized honey and caramel bonbons. Gift boxes range from $20–$55 (plus shipping and handling).

FOR A HIPPIE RELATIVE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY GIFT SHOP

Central Park West at 79th Street, 800-671-7035, www.amnhshop.com Here’s the place where fashion and design meet elegant science. The shop at the Museum of Natural History is replete with gifts inspired by their exhibits, so you can find a petrified wood cheese tray ($120) as well as a remotecontrolled flying shark ($50). If nothing strikes your fancy at the shop, you can always give a gift membership to the museum ($95 individual, $125 family).

FOR THE NYC HISTORY BUFF N-Y HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIFT SHOP FOR THE VINYL FAN OTHER MUSIC

15 E. 4th St. (betw. Broadway & Lafayette St.), 212-477-8150 In addition to gently used LPs, you can find all the coolest, leastheard of bands you didn’t even know you wanted at this East Village store. A bonus is the aloof but helpful staff, who are willing to talk about music in a way even iPhone’s Siri isn’t capable of.

FOR YOUR BEER-LOVING BROTHER WHOLE FOODS MARKET BOWERY BEER ROOM

95 E. Houston St. (at Bowery), 212-420-1320 In olden times, men would take a growler with them to the local pub and fill it with delicious beer. Now, Whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room offers the same service, with probably way better beers. Try Peak Organic Brewery’s New York series ($11.99 for a 64-oz. Growler, plus a small fee for the bottle) this year for your frat brother. The best part? He can refill it himself with whatever he wants.

OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

170 Central Park West (betw. 77th & 76th Sts.) 212-873-3400, nyhistorystore.com The newly re-opened Historical Society also boasts a brand new gift shop, where you can grab presents that speak to the serious appreciator of New York City lure and imagery, or anyone always referencing “the good old days.” Select a solid old-fashioned kids’ toy favorite like a bag of colorful marbles ($9) or cuff links made from ancient subway tokens ($80), not to mention the selections of history-rife books, appropriate both for heavy readers and coffee table adorners. Membership to the New-York Historical Society costs $75.

FOR THE BEAUTY OBSESSED MALIN & GOETZ APOTHECARY

455 Amsterdam Ave. (at W. 82nd St.) 212-799-1200, www.malinandgoetz.com Founders Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz work with chemists to develop each new product and utilize local and sustainable ingredients for their beauty concoctions. They focus on simplicity and scientifically-based formulas to come up with products like the best-selling grapefruit face cleanser ($30), eucalyptus deodorant ($18) and cannabis candle ($52)—which is entirely legal, we promise.

❯ GIFT GUIDE FOR THE PERSON WHO LOVES THE OUTDOORS BUT HATES CAMPING BLUE TREE

1283 Madison Ave. (betw. E. 92nd & E. 91st Sts.) 212-369-2583, www.bluetreenyc.com Blue Tree arose from the proprietor’s desire to have a store stocked with the random things she adores, and that’s what you’ll find inside. While the shop specializes in women’s clothing and accessories (a beautiful purple silk Prova dress with beaded detail goes for $595), they also carry beauty products and items for the home sure to start conversations, like the pig-shaped butter dish ($140).

FOR YOUR TOO-COOL, TOWN-TOURING BIG BROTHER THE NEW YORK SHAVING COMPANY

FOR YOUR ALWAYS-COLD COWORKER BETSEY JOHNSON

138 Wooster St. (betw. W. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-319-7699, www.betseyjohnson.com At the girliest store downtown, you’ll find gorgeous gowns, shrugs, wraps, jackets, bracelets and bras; everything is pink and winter-white and gray. The Yodell Short Floral Cowboy Boots ($150) will keep the fashionable working girl’s feet cozy; for your edgier friend, Betsey Johnson’s Rose Petal Stud Earrings ($30) are sure to stun, but the tried and true cold weather accessory is the “Keep Me Cozy” thigh highs ($30).

202B Elizabeth St. (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-334-9495, www.nyshavingcompany.com Named by GQ Italia as the “best shaving shop in the world,” The New York Shaving Company attracts men and man-lovers on the Upper East Side. And it’s packed with some of the sexiest, most aromatic hygiene-finds—Tonsorial After Shave Balm ($28) will leave your player-brother’s face hydrated and smelling of cocoa butter and tea tree oil. Or, for a more conventional holiday shave-gift, consider the Elizabeth Street Traditional Shave Kit ($70), which includes shaving cream, a silver-plated razor and a pure badger hair brush. Yes.

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REI Opens in Soho

Reaching the great outdoors in Downtown Manhattan

| By KRistina Diggins-ReisingeR Coming up from the subway at Broadway and Lafayette Street, I first checked HopStop to see where the heck I was going. But when I caught sight of the historic red-brick Puck Building, I knew I was in the right place, and the long line of people that stretched around the perimeter of the building only confirmed my suspicions. It was clear to me by then that I had unknowingly walked into something that was, for many, a very big deal. Friday, Dec. 2, was the opening day of w. Before the doors opened, employees showed off the latest wares and gadgets to the patient crowd. One eager shopper, Sonya Mills, described REI as “the best outdoor apparel store,” but says that the retailer “has always been hard to access on the East Coast.” Before the opening of REI Soho, the nearest location was in Paramus, N.J.—quite a hike for New Yorkers, espe-

cially those like Mills who rely on public transportation. Another shopper, Kristie Hemming, said, “If you go rock climbing or do any outdoor winter sport, you know REI.” But perhaps others were lured by the promise of giveaways: the first 200 people through the doors received a limited-edition CamelBak water bottle with a $5, $10, $25, $50 or $100 REI gift card inside. I was surprised by the chanting and woot-ing that ensued as workers opened the tall glass double doors for the first time, but it was nothing compared to the red carpet-style parade that took place as customers stepped into the store. The spiral staircase running down the center of the allbrick interior sent my fellow shoppers and I into a purchasing frenzy in the basementfloor shopping area. Passing through an aisle of employees cheering and clapping in a show of customer appreciation, I felt borderline embarrassed, but had to admire their gusto. REI Soho boasts the finest in camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, skiing and travel gear in a 39,000-square-foot, three-level, 127-year-old building that once housed the world’s largest lithographic press. The space was transformed from a raw industrial, historic location to an outdoorsy adventurer’s paradise with pieces of the old-time architecture kept intact, like

OU R TOWN DOWNTOWN | DECE M B E R 8, 2011

Recreational Equipment, Inc (REI) opened its new Soho location Dec. 2. Photo

wide-open spaces and metal piping running throughout the store. On the sales floor, I was caught somewhere between being a writer trying to pick up on the quirks of the space and a crazed woman with a fire for shopping in her blood, snatching up snow hats and fingerless gloves like my life was at stake. The more I looked around at my comrades, manically grabbing ear muffs and canteens, the more certain I became that every last one of my family members was in dire need of a scarf or fleece jacket. Thirty minutes and $200 later, I was face to face with a team of cashiers who seemed friendly and eight open registers that made

CouRtEsy of REi

for a quick and painless check-out. Customers received a calendar of classes held in the various tristate REI locations ranging from Introduction to Cross-Country Skiing and Appalachian Trail Training to Sunset Photography and Outdoor Yoga. The calendar also advertised a slew of weekend getaways, as well as community events ranging from ice climbing in the Catskills to a Christmas Day marathon in New York City. If you are ready to launch into a new outdoor activity or advance in one you already know and love, REI has everything you need from gear to training. Get into REI so you can get outside this winter.

On tOpic

How the film award season is akin to political campaigning

Manhattan Media

President/ceo Tom Allon tallon@manhattanmedia.com grouP PuBLisHer Alex Schweitzer aschweitzer@manhattanmedia.com cFo/coo Joanne Harras jharras@manhattanmedia.com director oF interactive marketing and digitaL strategy Jay Gissen jgissen@manhattanmedia.com

editOrial

executive editor Allen Houston ahouston@manhattanmedia.com managing editor Marissa Maier mmaier@manhattanmedia.com contriButing editor and sPeciaL sections editor Josh Rogers jrogers@manhattanmedia.com arts and cuLture editor Mark Peikert mpeikert@manhattanmedia.com Featured contriButors Whitney Casser, Penny Grey, Tom Hall, Mary Morris, Robby Ritacco, Lillian Rizzo, Paulette Safdieh contriButing PHotograPHers George Denison, Veronica Hoglund, Wyatt Kostygan, Andrew Schwartz interns Kristina Reisinger, McCamey Lynn

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advertising@manhattanmedia.com PuBLisHer Gerry Gavin ggavin@manhattanmedia.com director oF new Business deveLoPment Dan Newman associate PuBLisHers Seth L. Miller, Ceil Ainsworth advertising manager Marty Strongin sPeciaL Projects director Jim Katocin senior account executives Verne Vergara, Rob Gault, Mike Suscavage director oF events & marketing Joanna Virello jvirello@manhattanmedia.com executive assistant oF saLes Jennie Valenti jvalenti@manhattanmedia.com

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Production & creative director Ed Johnson ejohnson@manhattanmedia.com editoriaL designer Sahar Vahidi svahidi@manhattanmedia.com advertising design Quran Corley OUR TOWN DOWNTOWN is published weekly Copyright © 2011 Manhattan Media, LLC 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, N.Y. 10016 Editorial (212) 284-9734 Fax (212) 268-2935 Advertising (212) 284-9715 General (212) 268-8600 E-mail: otdowntown@manhattanmedia.com Website: OTDowntown.com OUR TOWN DOWNTOWN is a division of Manhattan Media, LLC, publisher of West Side Spirit, Chelsea Clinton News, The Westsider, City Hall, The Capitol, The Blackboard Awards, New York Family, and Avenue magazine. To subscribe for 1 year, please send $75 to OUR TOWN DOWNTOWN, 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10016 Recognized for excellence by the New York Press Association

n the Monday night following the long Thanksgiving weekend, New York City’s independent film community gathered in Lower Manhattan for the Gotham Awards, an annual fundraising event for the ever-vital Independent Feature Project [Full disclosure, I serve on the nominating committee for the Gotham Awards’ Documentary Film category]. The ceremony put the Gothams first on the awards calendar, a somewhat controversial move that saw them slide ahead of The New York Film Critics Circle (who announced their award winners the next day) and The National Board of Review, an organization whose awards have traditionally kicked off the season. If there were hostile whispers about the move, it didn’t seem to matter on the night; the celebrities were luminous and out in force, with Charlize Theron, Alec Baldwin, Gary Oldman, Tilda Swinton, Stanley Tucci and Christopher Plummer providing the paparazzi the famous faces upon which to train their lenses. The ceremony itself was brisk and full of surprises, with winners in categories like Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You (Scenes of a Crime), Breakthrough Actor (Felicity Jones) and Best Ensemble Performance (Beginners) signaling just how unique the event really is. The Gothams did a lovely job of balancing glitz and mission, celebrating estab-

lished names with the same sincerity with which they announced the arrival of new voices. Film award season has a lot in common with political campaigning; teams of handlers and publicists racing to get their contenders out in front of the masses, industry power players serving as a sort of electoral college, their votes courted in private screening rooms, lavish luncheons and exclusive cocktail parties. Awarding organizations can also function in a familiar way, moving their events up and down the calendar like states jockeying for primacy in a mad scramble to be first, to set the agenda for the season and expand influence among the big names in the business. And of course, the goal is to win, because winning means money, prestige and power. To the casual observer, awards for films may seem not only superficial but a wholly subjective waste of time, free of reasonable criteria (what defines the best actor in a given year?) and generally bucking popular taste in favor of critical acclaim (the disparity between box office popularity and award accumulation is usually vast). As cultural access grows more and more democratic, anyone with an opinion and a computer is able to broadcast their thoughts and enter the conversation, yet most organizations awarding films have built an exclusive firewall around the process, maintaining a secret ballot for select groups of voters,

maintaining the power to fascinate and frustrate the masses. It seems odd that perhaps the most democratic and populist of art forms still TOM HALL celebrates itself with the glamour and gusto of a segregated aristocracy. But how else to maintain the illusory power of the cinema? Celebrity gossip dominates the narrative as movie stars and their teams struggle to maintain control of their images, and with the rise of social media, audiences are given access to the lives of celebrities who broadcast their daily experiences in real time. It’s growing harder and harder to suspend disbelief, to remove the business of film and publicity from the pleasure of the work itself. In this context, award season feels almost decadent, a chance to bask in the old-school autobiography that the movie business continues to write. If anything, this is the season for re-establishing Hollywood’s self-image, one that continues to move further and further from the emerging power we have as movie lovers, harkening back to a simpler time when movies dominated our dreams and everything was under control.

8 MilliOn StOrieS

Facing hard times, Kathleen Frazier hosts a rent party

e’d run into some money trouble, but my husband and I had always adhered to the American isolationist policy regarding finances: act as if everything is fine and never, ever, under any circumstances ask for help. Then again, a layman’s definition of insanity is to “keep doing what you’ve always done and expect different results.” So one day, when our bills-vs.-income ratio seemed especially dire, we gave up and threw a rent party. As far as I know, rent parties began in Harlem in the 1920s. Some tenant behind on his rent hired local jazz and blues musicians and invited guests, who paid 25 cents for admission and 25 cents for items from the concession stand of homemade food and drinks. In other incarnations of the gathering, a hat was passed in lieu of a cover charge. After the cost of the musicians was covered, all proceeds went to the tenant in need of assistance. The very term “rent party” sounds at odds with the Puritanical belief system my husband and I inherited. But it also conjures up images of the kind of community defined by Webster’s as “a unified body of individuals.” And what a unified body

those early shindigs must have been, with apartments full of shimmying partygoers whooping it up to the Charleston, the Black Bottom and other dances from the ’20s. For our rent party, we congregated on a Saturday afternoon with friends coming from near and far. The late summer light streamed into our home like a blessing, reminding me of lyrics from the 1927 song, “The Best Things in Life are Free.” The party peaked with 30 or so guests, and more than a few of us cut a rug. We played Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong on our iPod, along with John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Aretha Franklin. Such gatherings in the ’20s often sported “cutting contests,” where pianists like James P. Johnson and Willie “The Lion” Smith attempted to outdo each other in virtuosity. While we didn’t have the advantage of a piano, a few vocalists in the crowd urged one another on to some pretty fancy a cappella riffs. Our friend Omayra Rolon, also known as “The Empress,” performed her elegant and memorable rendition of the 1920s classic “Bye Bye Blackbird” in the spirit of those early jazz singers, and our 14-year-old daughter sang “Valerie” in soulful tribute to the late Amy Winehouse. We’ve lived in the same rent-stabilized building in Washington Heights since 1995,

so we know lots of our neighbors, many of whom donated whatever they could afford. Cynthia Guernsey, a local visual artist, auctioned off a painting she’d created for the occasion, a detail of Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.” Klimt painted “The Kiss” at the height of his Golden Period, and Cynthia’s interpretation reflected the wealth she wished for us. Checks enclosed in love letters arrived in the mail from friends who couldn’t make the party. Someone sent an anonymous gift of cash. Thank you, Anonymous. It was heart-opening to ask for help and heartwarming to receive the love. I am grateful for our many circles of friends. Luckily, in the weeks since the party, my husband and I have both secured work. Still, our experience has left us both pondering the word “community” and the many ways this financial crisis is bringing people together. By an apt coincidence, we held our rent party Sept. 17, the first day of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. Whether in Zuccotti Park or at the home of friends, whether for a “long-term mass occupation to restore democracy in America” (as described on occupywallst.org) or to help a family pay rent, Americans’ right to “peaceably assemble” is a vital part of our First Amendment. Who knew it could also be the cat’s meow?

DECE M B E R 8, 2011 | otdowntown.com

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