Our Town Downtown - January 31, 2019

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The local paper for Downtown CAMP GUIDE 2019

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WEEK OF january-February

31-6 2019

SAVAGING THE SAFETY NET housing In hundreds of apartments across Manhattan, the elderly, the disabled and the poor have lived in fear and confusion since the federal shutdown on Dec. 22. Their troubles aren’t over yet.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF PAIN A breakdown of 662 housing units at 11 separate Manhattan locations where the poor, disabled and elderly were potentially at risk. Federal contracts that provide supportive housing and rental assistance had expired, and they could not be renewed during the government shutdown. Some critical locations:

BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN

many, and among them are big business interests and some old school market realities. In 1977, New York state decriminalized possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis provided it is not in the public view, in which case it becomes a misdemeanor. Gradual easing of the laws in New York City began in 2014, when Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered the NYPD to treat marijuanarelated offenses more like speeding tickets than criminal affairs. That same year, the state legalized medical cannabis in limited forms for a select number of chronic illnesses. In the summer of 2018, de Blasio took things a step further when he forbade police from making marijuana-related arrests except in special circumstances. In November, voters ended Republican control of the state senate, removing a major roadblock to legalization. And just last month, Governor Andrew Cuo-

From Avenue A to West 145th Street, roughly 2,000 of the city’s most vulnerable residents just got the scare of their lives. For 35 harrowing days, as the government shutdown dragged on, they faced the threat of being forced from their homes. It didn’t happen. But the abrupt cutoff of federal funding for supportive housing programs had placed them at huge risk. And though the government reopened last week, they’ll be endangered anew if there is another shutdown on Feb. 15 when a three-week stopgap spending bill passed on Jan. 25 runs out. At issue are three subsidized programs that came to a screeching halt when the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development suddenly lost its Congressional authorization to bankroll them. The shortfall impacted HUD’s Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance program, which contracts with private property owners who then rent to households with incomes averaging $13,500 a year or less. It also threatened two other HUD lifelines — the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. The three rental-assistance mea-

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Patients with prescriptions for medical cannabis products can purchase them at MedMen, a dispensary at 433 Fifth Ave. Photo: Michael Rock

visions of marijuana business As legalization looms, we still don’t know what the business will look like in New York By Michael Rock

The evolution of New York’s marijuana laws could culminate this year with the passage of legislation legalizing recreational use by adults. But city and state drug policy advocates could see their visions of the new era go up in smoke. The items on their wish list include allowing adults to grow their own plants, the establishment of social consumption venues, voiding the sentences of people convicted on marijuana-related charges, ensuring that small business can compete fairly and healing the damage of the “war on drugs” by having the bulk of tax revenues from cannabis go to the communities most affected by it. But the obstacles are

South Side of weSt 48th Street Between ninth and tenth avenueS Program type: Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance for Housing Month of expiration: Jan. 2019 53 assisted units

South Side of weSt 53rd Street Between eighth and ninth avenueS Program type: Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance for Housing Month of expiration: Jan. 2019 40 assisted units

City Council Member Mark Levine South Side of eaSt Second Street Between avenueS a and B Program type: Project Rental Assistance Contracts / Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Month of expiration: Jan. 2019 24 percent seniors 100 percent disabled persons 20 assisted units SOURCE: National Low-Income Housing Coalition | GRAPHIC: Nick Korn

To view the full map, read the article online at otdowntown.com Downtowner

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Crime Watch 3 Voices 8 NYC Now 10 City Arts 12

Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21

We are in uncharted territory here.”

SPRING ARTS PREVIEW

WEEK OF APRIL

< CITYARTS, P.12

9-16

MANHATTAN'S APARTMENT BOOM, > PROPERTY, P.20

2015

In Brief MORE HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS

FOR HIM, SETTLING SMALL CLAIMS IS A BIG DEAL

presided over Arbitration Man has three decades. for informal hearings about it He’s now blogging BY RICHARD KHAVKINE

is the common Arbitration Man their jurist. least folks’ hero. Or at Man has For 30 years, Arbitration court office of the civil few sat in a satellite Centre St. every building at 111 New Yorkers’ weeks and absorbed dry cleaning, burned lost accountings of fender benders, lousy paint jobs, and the like. And security deposits then he’s decided. Arbitration Man, About a year ago, so to not afwho requested anonymity started docuhe fect future proceedings, two dozen of what menting about compelling cases considers his most blog. in an eponymous about it because “I decided to write the stories but in a I was interested about it not from wanted to write from view but rather lawyer’s point of said Arbitration view,” of a lay point lawyer since 1961. Man, a practicing what’s at issue He first writes about post, renders and then, in a separatehow he arrived his decision, detailing blog the to Visitors at his conclusion. their opinions. often weigh in with get a rap going. I to “I really want whether they unreally want to know and why I did it,” I did derstood what don’t know how to he said. “Most people ... I’d like my cases the judge thinks. and also my trereflect my personalitythe law.” for mendous respect 80, went into indiMan, Arbitration suc in 1985, settling vidual practice

The effort to help small seems to businesses in the city be gathering steam. Two city councilmembers, Robert Margaret Chin and Cornegy, have introduced create legislation that wouldSmall a new “Office of the within Business Advocate” of Small the city’s Department Business Services. Chin The new post, which have up told us she’d like to would and running this year, for serve as an ombudsman city small businesses within them clear government, helping to get through the bureaucracy things done. Perhaps even more also importantly, the ombudsman number will tally the type and business of complaints by small taken in owners, the actions policy response, and somefor ways to recommendations If done well, begin to fix things. report would the ombudsman’s give us the first quantitative with taste of what’s wrong the city, an small businesses in towards important first step fixing the problem. of for deTo really make a difference, is a mere formality will have to the work process looking to complete their advocate are the chances course, velopers precinct, but rising rents, -- thanks to a find a way to tackle business’ is being done legally of after-hours projects quickly. their own hours,” which remain many While Chin “They pick out boom in the number throughout who lives on most vexing problem. said Mildred Angelo,of the Ruppert construction permits gauge what Buildings one said it’s too early tocould have the 19th floor in The Department of the city. number three years, the Houses on 92nd Street between role the advocate She on the Over the past is handing out a record work perThird avenues. permits, there, more information of Second and an ongoing all-hours number of after-hours bad thing. of after-hours work the city’s Dept. problem can’t be a said there’s with the mits granted by nearby where according to new data jumped 30 percent, This step, combinedBorough construction project noise Buildings has data provided in workers constantly make efforts by Manhattan to mediate BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS according to DOB of Informacement from trucks. President Gale Brewer offer response to a Freedom classifies transferring they want. They knows the the rent renewal process, request. The city They 6 “They do whatever signs Every New Yorker clang, tion Act work between and go as they please. some early, tangible small any construction on the weekend, can come sound: the metal-on-metal or the piercing of progress. For many have no respect.” can’t come p.m. and 7 a.m., of these that the hollow boom, issuance reverse. owners, in business moving The increased beeps of a truck has generto a correspond and you as after-hours. soon enough. variances has led at the alarm clock The surge in permits

SLEEPS, THANKS TO THE CITY THAT NEVER UCTION A BOOM IN LATE-NIGHT CONSTR NEWS

A glance it: it’s the middle can hardly believe yet construction of the night, and carries on full-tilt. your local police or You can call 311

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for dollars in fees ated millions of and left some resithe city agency, that the application dents convinced

2 City Arts 3 Top 5 8 Real Estate 10 15 Minutes

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86 MILLION SUBWAY RIDES OR ONE PICASSO, WITH CHANGE BACK BIG DEALS BY DAVID NOONAN

Leave it to the Manhattan real estate market to interrupt the relentless, screeching wail of news and headlines about the wall, the government shutdown, the Mueller investigation and the Oscar nominations

with something New Yorkers can really enjoy arguing about — a $238 million apartment! Hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin bought the place — which hasn’t even been built yet, lol — to add to his collection of insanely expensive homes. The address is 220 Central Park South. The apartment is a 24,000-square-foot penthouse

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MEDIAN-PRICED MANHATTAN APARTMENTS

with amazing views of millions of people who have less money than Griffin, and Central Park. If the most expensive home in America has to be somewhere, it might as well be in Manhattan. But that doesn’t mean it’s money well-spent. Here are a few things a savvy New Yorker might buy with a sweet $238 million.

America’s most expensive home has excellent subway access, including the A, B, C, D and 1 trains. Photo: Shinya Suzuki, via flickr

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($999,000 per apartment. Miller Samuel, Douglas Elliman)

($179,400,00, with $58,600,000 change back. Christie’s)

SUBWAY OR BUS RIDES ($2.75 per ride. MTA)

Your neighborhood news source

MARIANO RIVERA MESH BATTING PRACTICE JERSEYS ($79.99 per jersey. mlbshop.com)

ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND

thoughtgallery.org

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NEW YORK CITY

Carol Gilligan and Naomi Snider: Why Does Patriarchy Persist?

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 7PM The Strand | 828 Broadway | 212-473-1452 | strandbooks.com

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On the heels of the election of a patriarchal archetype as president, the authors of this new book provide a psychological explanation, including the idea that “patriarchy protects us from the vulnerability of loving” ($15 admission + gift card; $16.95 admission + signed copy).

Science Conversation: Urban Resilience—Why Ecology Matters

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, 7PM The Greene Space | 44 Charlton St. | 646-829-4000 | thegreenespace.org You need look no further than Sandy to see how cities like New York are already suffering from climate change. Learn about the future with Dr. Steward Pickett, a founder of the field of urban ecology, and Dr. Timon McPhearson, Director of the Urban Systems Lab at The New School ($20).

Just Announced | Melinda Gates: The Moment of Lift

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 8PM Symphony Space | 2537 Broadway | 212-864-1414 | symphonyspace.org Philanthropist and businesswoman Melinda Gates appears in support of her new book, The Moment of Lift, which looks at female empowerment and gender equality in the cause of global advancement. A copy of the book will be included with ticket purchase ($48).

Downtowner

For more information about lectures, readings and other intellectually stimulating events throughout NYC,

sign up for the weekly Thought Gallery newsletter at thoughtgallery.org.

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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG KNIFE ATTACK AT YOUTH CENTER

STATS FOR THE WEEK Reported crimes from the 1st precinct for the week ending Jan 27

A 21-year-old man was arrested and charged with assault after a knife attack at the Door youth community center at 555 Broome Street, police said. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15. According to police, the accused had a verbal dispute with another 21-year-old man and pulled a knife and chased him into the building. The man with the knife slashed the victim’s left thumb and right middle finger, police said. The victim refused medical attention at the scene, and police arrested Kris Butler.

Week to Date

NEWSSTAND ROBBED A local newsstand was plundered by a robber claiming to be armed. At 9 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, a 51-year-old male employee of Soho News International, inside 186 Prince Street, said that a man entered the location and put items worth more than $3,000 in a garbage bag he was carrying. The employee confronted the man, who said, “I have a gun. If you touch me I’ll kill you.” The supect then fled southbound on Sixth Ave. and police were unable to locate him in the neighborhood. The items stolen included 10 Gold Line joints valued at $1,500, 5 Hempzilla gels priced at $500, 20 Green Roads oils

Photo by Tony Webster, via Flickr

worth $400, 20 Cura Pet drop oils selling for $400, and 10 Juul devices valued at $350.

MORE THAN $8,000 CHARGED ON STOLEN CREDIT CARD A thief stole some clothes using a stolen credit card. On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 26, an individual purchased a number of items from the Corso Como store at 1 Fulton St..

The store was notified later by a credit card company that the card used to purchase the items was stolen and the credit card company would not reimburse the store. The stolen items included four pairs of shoes totaling $5,010, five items of clothing valued at $3,499 and one hat worth $350, for a total of $8,859.

CORE SCORE

2019 2018

% Change 2019

2018

% Change

Murder

0

0

n/a

0

0

n/a

Rape

0

0

n/a

1

0

n/a

Robbery

1

1

0.0

2

2

0.0

Felony Assault

2

2

0.0

4

3

33.3

Burglary

0

0

n/a

5

2

150.0

Grand Larceny

16

21

-23.8

47

53

-11.3

Grand Larceny Auto

0

0

n/a

0

0

n/a

on an industrial design publisher. A 24-year-old employee of Core77 Inc., at 551 Boradway, told police that a bag containing photographic equipment was discovered missing on Monday, Jan. 7. The employee told police that both employees and a cleaning crew had access to the business suite where the items had been stored since NOv. 20. There were no signs of damage to the office door, and other visitors had to buzz into security to gain access. The stolen items included Canon cameras and equipment valued at $3,758.

An unknown thief had designs

Healthcare in Your Neighborhood

Year to Date

The local paper for Downtown

ARREST IN CELL PHONE SNATCH At 2:10 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, a man in his 40s was seen hovering over a 26-year-old man sleeping on a northbound 1 train. According to police, the older man then removed the snoozing passenger’s cell phone from his hand. The suspect, Shawn Smith, was picked up by police while in possession of the phone at the South Ferry station and charged with grand larceny. The phone, an iPhone 10R, was valued at $1,100.

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Useful Contacts

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

Drawing Board

POLICE NYPD 7th Precinct

19 ½ Pitt St.

212-477-7311

NYPD 6th Precinct

233 W. 10th St.

212-741-4811

NYPD 10th Precinct

230 W. 20th St.

212-741-8211

BY PETER PEREIRA

NYPD 13th Precinct

230 E. 21st St.

NYPD 1st Precinct

16 Ericsson Place

212-477-7411 212-334-0611

FIRE FDNY Engine 15

25 Pitt St.

311

FDNY Engine 24/Ladder 5

227 6th Ave.

311

FDNY Engine 28 Ladder 11

222 E. 2nd St.

311

FDNY Engine 4/Ladder 15

42 South St.

311

ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmember Margaret Chin

165 Park Row #11

Councilmember Rosie Mendez

237 1st Ave. #504

212-587-3159 212-677-1077

Councilmember Corey Johnson

224 W. 30th St.

212-564-7757

State Senator Daniel Squadron

250 Broadway #2011

212-298-5565

Community Board 1

1 Centre St., Room 2202

212-669-7970

Community Board 2

3 Washington Square Village

212-979-2272

Community Board 3

59 E. 4th St.

212-533-5300

Community Board 4

330 W. 42nd St.

212-736-4536

Hudson Park

66 Leroy St.

212-243-6876

Ottendorfer

135 2nd Ave.

212-674-0947

Elmer Holmes Bobst

70 Washington Square

212-998-2500

COMMUNITY BOARDS

LIBRARIES

HOSPITALS New York-Presbyterian

170 William St.

Mount Sinai-Beth Israel

10 Union Square East

212-844-8400

212-312-5110

CON EDISON

4 Irving Place

212-460-4600

TIME WARNER

46 East 23rd

813-964-3839

US Post Office

201 Varick St.

212-645-0327

US Post Office

128 East Broadway

212-267-1543

US Post Office

93 4th Ave.

212-254-1390

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MARIJUANA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 mo, who had softened on the issue of legalization after Cynthia Nixon used it as a cudgel against him during the gubernatorial race, announced that he would push to legalize recreational use in 2019. Assembly health committee chairman Richard Gottfried, a longtime proponent of legal weed in New York, is optimistic about the impact of the eventual legislation, regardless of its form. He compared its rollout to existing legislation designed to allow local vineyards and breweries to compete effectively with major wine and beer makers. “There is widespread agreement that we don’t want the industry to be dominated by large, wealthy corporations,� Gottfried said. “We’ll be trying to strike a balance to make sure the system generates a fair amount of revenue ... but also affordable enough that it can effectively compete with unregulated street sales.� Despite Gottfried’s reassurances that marijuana legalization in New York will be a smooth process, some people more directly involved in the city’s weed scene aren’t as hopeful. “The way they’re planning ... it’s really nothing but corporations that are going to get involved ... small people are not going to get a dime out of it,� said one West Village head shop owner,

Recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, where a former gas station has been repurposed as a marijuana dispensary. Photo: Jeffrey Beall, via ickr who preferred to remain anonymous. “It’s very good for people who are sick and who want to use it ... but for retail stores, it’s not gonna do much.â€? Sean, who sells marijuana, and who asked that his last name not be used, doesn’t feel that legalization will affect him “in the slightest.â€? “The black market has more avenues to directly reach the consumer,â€? he said. “There’s less barriers, regulations, taxes, etc. If

it was legalized tomorrow, I would not lose a single coin.â€? As Sean sees it, the dealers who will be hurt most by legalization are the city’s famous high-end, illegal weed delivery services, such as those seen in the 1998 stoner ďŹ lm “Half Baked,â€? whose business models will make it almost impossible for them to beat the prices that legal dispensaries are likely to offer.

Daniel Yi, senior vice president of corporate communications at MedMen, a California-based chain of marijuana dispensaries with a location at Fith Avenue and 39th Street, disagreed that a legal weed scene would be unable to compete with underground dealers. “The hallmark of legalization means regulations and rules, and that means we need to enforce them in order to

have a legal and compliant industry,â€? Yi said. “We expect and anticipate that the authorities in New York will crack down on illegal activities.â€? The legalization process is in its early stages, and there are many questions still to be answered. How the ďŹ nal legislation is implemented, and whether corporations, small businesses or underground dealers will dominate the city’s weed scene, remains to be seen.

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ONWARD IN THE SPIRIT OF RUSSELL BAKER BY BETTE DEWING

The online list of Russell Baker quotes offers an elongated version of the “Progress Strikes Again” lament we loved in his New York Times column. All too applicable nowadays, they must be remembered and used. But consider how truly progressive if the “complications from a fall” cause of 93-year-old Baker’s death prompted infinitely more concern for the prevention and treatment of this all too common, painful, debilitating and costly condition. Stressing the cost to national health care would likely help the most. And how we wish Russell Baker were around to say all that, and

write a book called “Growing Old.” Every obituary naturally lauds his prize-winning book “Growing Up,” about his Depression-era childhood, and, of course, the 5,000 or so Observer columns, written with such gentle wry humor and grace. He was the only humorist writer to make the cover of Time. Incidentally, he and his wife Mimi moved back to his childhood town, Leesberg, Virginia, when New York had become “too much” for him. But ironically, progress had struck that city too, he told interviewer Adrienne La France in 2013. “So now there’s no place within walking distance to buy a bottle of milk,” he said. How we needed his sounding

off publicly about this all too commonplace urban tsunami. Oh, and of course, not forgetting his sounding off on White House disasters. About that 2013 interview, when asked about today’s humor programs Baker said they were no longer funny, since the four-letter word takeover, “A cheap laugh” he said. And so much more must be remembered about one of the last greatest generation writers, one who truly was a great thinker. Remember, for example, that Russell Baker was a great family man. “No better father,” said his son Alan. And no doubt no better grandfather, and by all accounts a devoted husband. Baker had to be devastated when

his wife Mimi departed this life in 2015 at age 88. Whether a short or long illness is not officially recorded, and her husband would likely agree that columns and books need to be written about the late stages of life — the hard realities, some undergirded and exacerbated by age discrimination and segregtion. And how I hope this beloved family man and revered writer, had the help and support, he needed in his late years, especially after his wife died. Men, unfortunately, don’t share their personal troubles nearly enough. Ah, that too must change. A related and important digression — just maybe Clyde Haberman will be the one to say that and much more if the Times reinstates his weekly column after his moving tribute to Russell Baker’s life and work in the Sunday paper. Some of you will re-

member Haberman’s weekly column was about city conditions, “the progress strikes again” warnings. These thankfully included traffic dangers, about which my applauding letter to the editor was found fit to print. How we need his column restored, to cover and oppose E-bike licensing, a possible transit fare hike and unprecedented street congestion, which brings more traffic, and more traffic tragedies. Russell Baker would surely agree that restoring the Haberman column would be truly progressive. It can be done if enough of us try. At least, try. That’s how we can honor you best, dear Russell Baker, your character and your life, as well as your inimitable and heartfelt prizewinning “Progress strikes again” crusades, which surely must be continued.

JIMMY BRESLIN AND PETE HAMILL: PRINCES OF THE CITY PUBLIC EYE BY JON FRIEDMAN

During the second half of the 20th century, no reporters dominated New York City’s lively tabloid scene quite like Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill. Often disrespectful, occasionally blasphemous and forever unapologetic, they wrote with an undeniable swagger — from their hearts, and, in the process, they captured ours. They were the princes of the city. Noo Yawkers of a certain age and sensibility will find it impossible to watch the HBO documentary “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists,” which premiered on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. (Eastern), without smiling. Yes, the stories that they covered — a plethora of crooked politicians, the Mafia, JFK’s assassination, and then his brother Bobby Kennedy’s, President Richard Nixon’s infamous Enemies List, Son of Sam, subway vigilante Bernhardt Goetz, the Crown Heights race tensions, the Central Park Five and 9/11, among them — were deadly serious. Breslin and Hamill treated these subjects with the gravity that they deserved.

But most of the time, these two-of-akind city-bred Irishmen — Breslin of Queens and Hamill of Brooklyn — preferred to wink and smirk at the absurdity of life in their “little town” (with apologies to Paul Simon). No wonder Breslin once ran for City Council president on a ticket with mayoral aspirant Norman Mailer, their Jewish brother in arms. They called for New York City to be the nation’s 51st state. (Of course they did.) The nearly two-hour HBO documentary is clearly a labor of love for the producers, Jonathan Alter, John Block and Steve McCarthy. They struck a respectful tone but this is not an exercise in nostalgia or hagiography. The film details the sorry episode of Breslin berating a colleague of Korean descent (he later apologized for his invective) and doesn’t shrink from discussing Hamill’s stormy tenures as the editor of both The New York Post and The New York Daily News. For sure, Hamill, 83, has led a glittering life — and not merely because he squired Jackie Onassis, Shirley MacLaine and Linda Ronstadt (take that Jerry Brown!). But Breslin appears here as the biggest star and Hamill seems like the Robin to Breslin’s Batman, the dignified Lou Gehrig to Bre-

Photo courtesy of HBO slin’s bigger-than-life Babe Ruth and the reserved Henry Hill to Breslin’s outrageous Tommy D (a Goodfellas reference seems apt since its cowriter, Nicholas Pileggi, is quoted in the documentary, along with a host of commentators, from Spike Lee to Robert De Niro). Breslin, who died of pneumonia at

the age of 88 in 2017, was the kind of quintessential New Yorker that he loved to write about: a streetwise poet, a quote machine, someone who had no time or patience for conformity, the establishment or bullies of any stripe: “I wasn’t a (high school) dropout! I went the full five years”; “I learned early that bad news was great”; “The loser was always the better story.” “Journalist,” he scoffed, was “a college word.” Breslin forever identified himself as a reporter. When a police officer, whose cause Breslin championed after she had been kicked off the force for posing nude in a magazine, profusely thanked him, he dismissed her: “Oh, shut up! God bless you.” (I once asked Breslin a ridiculous question, something like if he ever wrote for the sheer enjoyment of the practice. He shot me a withering look and muttered, “I wouldn’t write a %&#$&* postcard if I wasn’t getting paid for it.”) And yet, Breslin was so much more than an ink-stained wretch. He could easily have written a distinctly New York version of Joseph Heller’s brilliant “Catch-22” or a Breslinesque account of Tom Wolfe’s masterpiece, “The Bonfire of the Vanities.” Consider

Breslin’s books, “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?” (about the first season of the New York Mets, when the team lost an eye-popping 120 games) and “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight,” a novel about the characters who made up the Mafia, and one of the funniest novels that I’ve ever read. My favorite moments of the documentary were the sessions when Breslin and Hamill, dear friends and respectful rivals, sat side by side and talked — no, they riffed. They were funny, wise and you couldn’t help but feel the poignancy. But more than all of that, they made me think of a New York City that is memorable, evocative, cherished and gone for good. It was a time when journalists could be heroes, not only talking heads on cable news shows. The best of them talked in italics. They spoke in anecdotes, not sentences. They made us angry because they put a bright light on injustice of all kinds. They made us smile at the foolishness of politicians, who were anything but public servants, or the legions of publicity hounds who’d just about get on all fours and bark like a beagle for the media’s attention. Most of all, Breslin and Hamill, true deadline artists, made us think.

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NEIGHBORHOOD’S BEST

SAFETY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 sures are built around federal contracts with landlords who receive payments that underwrite the actual costs of operating their properties. That cash enables heavily subsidized and affordable rents since the building costs would otherwise be passed on to tenants. In cases where the contracts had been renewed prior to the start of the shutdown on Dec. 22, payments were already obligated. But contracts expire on a rolling basis, and in other instances, where they ran out in late December or January, they couldn’t be renewed or executed. That meant landlords didn’t receive federal funds. Their contracts were under suspension. They’d been effectively stripped of money needed to maintain plumbing and heat, ďŹ x boilers, renovate premises, provide supportive services and even make mortgage payments. And without that funding stream, the rental status of what HUD calls “very low- and extremely low-incomeâ€? tenants was jeopardized. Through no fault of their own, advocates and elected officials say, they faced the prospect of increased rent burdens that would be untenable for households with marginal cushions — and the specter of eviction as their subsidies evaporated. “It is absolutely terrifying to think of what it would mean for families if evictions were to take place,â€? said City Council Member Mark Levine, who represents a broad swath of the West Side, Morningside Heights and Hamilton Heights between 96th and 165th Streets. “There has been a disproportionately large share of subsidized federal funding in these Section 8 buildings in Manhattan,â€? Levine added. “And it has been a critical, critical tool for preserving long-term affordable housing for tenants — a preponderance of whom are senior citizens and people with disabilities.â€? There are at least 662 housing units scattered in 11 separate locations across the borough where expired or expiring contracts placed tenants in limbo, according to research and an interactive map prepared by the Washington-based National Low-Income Housing Coalition. The impacted sites are located in East Harlem, West Harlem, the East Village, Up-

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West Side City Council Member Mark Levine at a recent hearing of the Housing and Buildings Committee. He sounded the alarm about the frightening prospect of evictions of the poor from federally subsidized housing during the government shutdown. Photo courtesy of Mark Levine’s office. per West Side, Hell’s Kitchen and Roosevelt Island, the data shows. They include 209 housing units at ďŹ ve different locations in Manhattan Valley and Hamilton Heights in City Council District 7, which Levine represents; 222 apartments at a single site on Roosevelt Island in District 5, which is served by Council Member Ben Kallos; and 93 units on West 48th and 53rd Streets in District 3, which is represented by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Also affected are 118 units on East 111th and 116th Streets in District 8, which is served by Council Member Diana Ayala, and 20 apartments on East Second Street in District 2, which is represented by Carlina Rivera.

THE MISERY INDEX SKYROCKETS “When you mess with funding for people’s affordable housing, you risk putting them on the street and into homelessness — and that’s just wrong,� Kallos said. “I am glad the shutdown is over, for now, and hopeful that Roosevelt Islanders and Manhattanites who are part of this Section 8 HUD program will never be put through this uncertainty again,� he added. Many of the borough’s rental assistance units are visited regularly by “service coordinators� who tend to the homebound elderly and disabled, offering supportive services like cooking, cleaning and transport that allows them to live in their homes independently. Residents and building managers in several of the properties are also provided with technical services, advice and support from HUD regional staffers, who periodically stop by. But service coordinators, as government contractors, were pummeled by the shutdown, too. Many couldn’t get

their grants funded, renewed or processed. Funding is now being restored post-shutdown, but there is a bureaucratic process at play. The spigot doesn’t reopen overnight. As for the HUD employees, most of them were furloughed, sharply curtailing visits and inspections. It wasn’t immediately clear how the 11 parcels in Manhattan were specifically affected by the service falloff. What is known, as of press time on Jan. 29, is that service delivery could wither all over again in 16 days if there is another federal closure. “We are in uncharted territory here,â€? Levine said in an interview just hours before the shutdown came to an end. “Buildings could be put in ďŹ nancial distress. Owners could stop paying for maintenance and building services — even potentially heat in the middle of winter,â€? he added. “In theory, tenants could be exposed to eviction for nonpayment, which would be the ultimate disaster and do irrevocable harm to our families.â€? The ordeal isn’t only unfair to tenants. It’s unfair to owners, too, since they’ve been deprived of the federal funding that they have legal contracts to receive, Levine said. Larry Wood, the director of organizing at the Goddard Riverside Law Project, a tenants’ rights advocate, agreed: “Landlords are usually our adversaries, but this is a huge chunk of their cash flow and they need the funds to maintain these buildings,â€? he said. “It’s upsetting, nerve-racking and anxiety-producing for tenants, and it’s unconscionable to put landlords in this kind of bind, too,â€? he added. “It’s a slow-burning fuse, and eventually, it explodes.â€? invreporter@strausnews.com

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Thu 7 QUEEROTICA 2019 The Strand 828 Broadway 7:30 p.m. $5 strandbooks.com 212-473-1452 Go to the Rare Book Room for a show hosted by NYC comedian Sam Morrison and say hello to a line up of fresh new faces for another hilarious evening of LGBTQ stand up.

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Thu 31 Fri 1 WE SPEAK NYC (WAS WE ARE NEW YORK) ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUPS: MULBERRY STREET LIBRARY Mulberry Street Library 10 Jersey St 1:00 p.m. Free Watch this Emmy Awardwinning TV show created to help people practice English. Each story is about everyday situations, like going to the doctor or talking with a child’s teacher. The characters speak slowly and clearly. Come to the library and meet other people who are practicing English, just like you! nypl.org 212-966-3424

Sat 2

▲ OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION

BATTLICIOUS: A COMEDY RAP BATTLE

Faith and Empire: Art and Politics in Tibetan Buddhism The Rubin Museum 150 West 17th St 6:00 p.m. Free This landmark exhibition explores the dynamic historical intersection of politics, religion, and art in Tibetan Buddhism. You’ll be among the first to see its 60-plus exquisite artworks from the 8th to the 19th century, while enjoying insights from Museum leaders and educators, all amid the festive vibe of our K2 Friday Night. rubinmuseum.org 212-620-5000

UCB East 153 East 3rd St 11:30 p.m. $9 Join UCB for this freestyle rap battle between comedians turned rappers and rappers turned comedians. Beats, rhymes, jokes and insults — all from the top of the head, powered and decided by the audience. 212-366-9231

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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Jefferson Market Library 425 Ave of the Americas 6:00 p.m. Free In this film Charlie Mason is promoted from irresponsible reporter to hard-nosed city editor, it costs him his girlfriend, ace reporter Rusty Fleming. After he hears she’s engaged to another, he quits and tries to win her back. Starring Cary Grant and Joan Bennett. nypl.org (212) 243-4334

Javits Center 625 West 34th St. 9:00 a.m $60 The NSS has been the place for all things paper — from greeting cards, custom invitations, gift wrap and journals, to lifestyle gifts — and everything in between. The NSS is also the launching pad for 200+ emerging, trend-leading businesses each year, a true discovery zone! nationalstationeryshow.com

Caveat 21 A Clinton St 6:30 p.m $20 Come support the Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund, an organization that’s doing great work in Mississippi, for a night of comedy supporting abortion access. caveat.nyc 212-228-2100

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Wed 6 ◄ KNITTING CIRCLE Hudson Park Library 66 Leroy St Noon Free Relax with others and explore your crafty self! All created items will benefit a local charity. Some experience required. nypl.org 212-243-6876

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BEAUTY, TENSION AND MAPPLETHORPE In pursuit of “perfections in form,” the New York photographer made art that challenges and awes, in equal measure BY MARY GREGORY

Loves, lusts, lives and losses inform the creative drive. Authentic artists have no choice but to depict their reality, and realities vary in time and place. Renaissance Florence produced pious perfection. Amsterdam’s Golden Age engendered an earthy elegance. In downtown Manhattan in the 1970s, the sizzle of the streets gave off a kind of gritty glory that inspired new kinds of art. Robert Mapplethorpe captured moments within that world with technical mastery and unapologetic frankness. The Guggenheim Museum’s “Implicit Tensions: Mappletho-

IF YOU GO What: Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, New York When: January 25–July 10, 2019 and July 24, 2019–January 5, 2020 www.guggenheim.org rpe Now” presents some 80 works in an effort to reintroduce him to a new generation of artists and audiences. It’s the first installment of a two-part, year-long celebration of Mapplethorpe’s life and legacy, and of a 1993 gift from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation that transformed the museum’s photography collection and aspirations. In July, the second part will feature artists influenced by Mapplethorpe alongside more of his own works. “At the time of his death from AIDS-related complications in 1989, it was already acknowl-

Robert Mapplethorpe, “Patti Smith,” 1976, Gelatin silver print, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission. Photo: Adel Gorgy.

edged he was one of the most pivotal photographers of his generation,” noted co-curator, Lauren Hinkson. “Mapplethorpe the cultural icon is such a powerful figure that it’s important to rediscover what Mapplethorpe the artist accomplished.” His achievements are on view in photographs and collages that range from early, experimental works to mature mastery of his medium. Born in Queens in 1946, Mapplethorpe came of age when sex, drugs and rock and roll were an anthem and a rallying cry. At age 42, he passed away. His short career was noted for originality and candor as well as the reactions, retribution and censorship triggered by his work that continued beyond his life. The photographs include portraits of celebrities, sensual nudes, crisp still-lifes, erotic explorations and floral images. Most are in black and white. All are marked by a sensitivity to poise and a reach for beauty, regardless of subject matter. Organized by Hinkson and Susan Thompson, with Levi Prombaum, curatorial assistant, the exhibition presents thoughtful groupings and arrangements creating conversations between subjects, many of them musicians, artists, and writers. Particularly touching is a dreamy portrait of Alice Neel, the artist softened and vulnerable in her old age, alongside a self-sure, potent Louise Bourgeois, about the same age, archly smiling. In

Robert Mapplethorpe, “Self Portrait,” 1988, Platinum-palladium print, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission. Photo: Adel Gorgy. a deft curatorial touch, a hallway arrangement starts with a shooting gun and a horned, devilish Mapplethorpe selfportrait, hinting at the more explicit images that await just beyond them. Among the highlights are Mapplethorpe’s self-portraits. Like those done by Rembrandt or Van Gogh, they’re genuine — not about gloss and surface, but about questions, declarations, self-knowing, identity, exploration, and ultimately, mortality. “Self-Portrait,” 1988, done shortly before his death, is a poignant, arresting visual and conceptual statement. Dressed all in black, Mapplethorpe sits against a dark background.

His face hovers, disembodied. It is composed, intense, gaunt but almost hinting at a smile. In the foreground, he holds, in a strong grip, a cane topped by a carved skull. Near and far, flesh and bone, acceptance and defiance all come together for a moving memento mori. How many artists have depicted themselves with such honesty and bravery? “I’m looking for perfections in form,” Mapplethorpe once said. Hinkson shared her thoughts on the push and pull between the technical beauty and controversial imagery in Mapplethorpe’s work. “When Robert was working there was always complete control of

what was taking place within the image whether it was light or shadow, what people were wearing, where they’re positioned. And that’s all in service of this search for perfection of form and seeking out a way to communicate beauty and raise whatever the image is to an art form,” she said. “I think you’re drawn in by the beauty of the images and then you’re pushed away sometimes by the content and then you get pulled back in again by that tension. That’s one of the reasons why we used tension in the title, because there’s conflict and tension between content and images and the way they are produced.”

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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CAMP GUIDE 2019

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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THEN AND NOW:

WHY SUMMER CAMP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER A camp director on tech and social trends — and what today’s parents are looking for BY ANDY PRITIKIN

ur children are growing up so much differently than we did, with so much of their lives spent staring at and touching glowing screens. I looked for information in my encyclopedia, dictionary or local library, while kids can ďŹ nd a fact through their ďŹ ngertips in seconds. But while we are more connected to everything and everybody through technology, we are far less connected to each other on a personal level than ever before. For thousands and thousands of years we made friends organically, until about 15 years ago, when we began meeting people through MySpace, then Facebook, Instagram, video game headsets. We used

to be able to get from one place to another without a glowing screen directing us. While we used to play outside after school, and all day on the weekends and all summer — and now most neighborhoods look like outdoor ghost towns. Where are the children? Oh, we know where most of them are — staring at their glowing screens. Don’t get me wrong, I love IMDB, YouTube, the Red Zone channel, and seeing my high school friends’ kids grow up, but there is no doubt amongst layman and experts that we as a human race are quickly losing our social relationship skills, simply because we aren’t using them much with much frequency anymore. You don’t use it, you lose it. And with our kids, if you never do it, you never learn it.

NOT THEIR FAULT, OURS

Climbing instead of texting. Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New JerseyÂ

If you’re looking for something to do from JuneAugust join our Future Stars Family where you can choose and combine weeks for a Unique Summer Camp Experience. Our programs include 21 individualized Sports & Specialties: Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Flag Football, Chess, Adventure, Multi-Sports, Field Hockey, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Circus Arts, Magic, Softball, Diving, Horseback Riding, Swim, Academic, STEAM Education, and Rising Stars (K-1). Supervised swimming is included, as is instructional swim for Rising Stars. Lunch option and door-to-door transportation from most of Manhattan available.

I was at an NFL tailgate party recently, one of the last bastions of old-school socializing, watching a 10-year-old boy mercilessly beg his parents for his iPad, and then proceed to sit in the car for an hour playing games on it. Not his fault — his parents enabled the behavior. When 23 percent of babies have TVs in their rooms, and 25 percent of kids under age six own a smartphone-type device with internet access, how can we be surprised that this is what so many children have become. Research shows that screen time in young children is leading to increased inattention, anxiety and depression, according to the Journal of Educational Psychology. Just like too much sugar suppresses the immune system, too much screen time is suppressing our kids’ brain development.

Dear Parents and Guardians, The Vanderbilt YMCA welcomes all of our returning and new campers to our 2019 Summer Camp Programs. We are excited to embark on another summer of a fun, safe, and enriching experience for kids ages 2 to 14 years. From sports and swimming to arts and culture, Vanderbilt Y camps span a broad range of interests, while focusing on developing young minds and bodies. Last year, the Y proudly served more than 13,000 campers in New York City, where we’ve been helping parents and their children have the best summer ever since 1885. We are proud that in Midtown East, the Vanderbilt YMCA is able to engage your child in a summer of new friendships, skills and exploration. Thank you for choosing our Y summer camp. We look forward to getting to know your camper! Sincerely, Teil Samuels Summer Camp Director Vanderbilt YMCA 224 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017 t UTBNVFMT!ZNDBOZD PSH

Young people from 8 to 18 consume an average of over 7 hours of screen media per day, often while multitasking, a statistic that has increased 2.5 hours in the past 10 years. Their excessive screen time is now being linked to increased hyperactivity, emotional and behavior problems, and difficulty with peers and school. Sign of the times, or lazy parenting? A 2010 Kaiser Foundation study found that 8 out of 10 parents do not monitor their children’s screen time. Parents come home after long days of work and don’t want to spend the precious little time they have arguing with their kids to put away their devices. Weekends and summers, the majority of a child’s waking hours can be spent staring at glowing screens.

Since 1969 Long Lake Camps have offered boys and girls, ages 8 to 16, two unique sleepaway camp experiences. One Performing and Fine arts, one for Adventures and the Great Outdoors. Both camps are located in the stunning Adirondack Park, amid mountains lakes and lush forests. Each camp offers a 100% self-choice schedule, so each and every camper enjoys exactly what they want, every minute of every day. Campers travel to us from all around the world to make new friends, have fun and explore their interests. We have easy bus to camp locations in Queens and Westchester. Brief overviews of each camp are below. The session dates are the same for each camp and we offer 3 or 6 week options. Please call 914 693 7111 to learn more. Long Lake Camp for the Arts www.longlakecamp.com 5IFBUSJDBM "SUT t .VTJD t %BODF t 'JOF "SUT t $JSDVT 'JMN t 3PDL #BOET t *NQSPW t $PNFEZ Fun Sports and a beautiful fully featured waterfront. Long Lake Camp Adventures www.longlakecampadventures.com "VUPNPUJWF t "57 T t )JHI 3PQFT t 1BSLPVS t 1BJOUCBMM t #MBDLTNJUIJOH )JLJOH $MJNCJOH BOE $BNQJOH t .BOZ -BOE 4QPSUT t .BOZ 8BUFSTQPSUT "OJNBM $BSF BOE )PSTFCBDL Long Lake Camps 83 Long Lake Camp Way Long Lake. NY. 12847

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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Making friends. Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey

THE GOOD NEWS

THE HAPPIEST KIDS If technology is a drug, we the parents are the dealers. The research company dscout put a tracker on phones and found the average adult touching, swiping or clicking their phone 2,617 times per day. The top 10 percent over 5,000 times per day! We are living in a state of what researchers describe as “continuous partial attention,” as humans (no matter what they tell you) are simply unable to pay full attention to any one thing when the phone is within reach. We all need to put our phones away, and give our kids (and our life) our full attention. One last bit of research: A multi-year study of 50,000 high schoolers led by noted author/researcher Jean Twenge showed unequivocally that the happiest kids use screens less than an hour per day, and that teens who spend more time in face-to-face, in-person interaction with friends are happiest. We all want our kids to be happy, right? Well, there is actually an inverse relationship between happiness and time spent on screens for your children. We need to have the discipline and commitment to do what is best for our kids in the long run. So how and where can we distract our kids from their screens while giving them the best opportunities to grow into good people and contributing members of society? Two words: summer camp.

SUMMER CAMP Traditional, outdoor, hot, sweaty, buggy, muddy, summer camp. Because, simply put, camp is the antidote to the traps of modern society. Camp is like a vitamin supplement of the vital things our kids’ lives are missing: face-to-face interactions, collaborating together in groups, and navigating the ups and downs of relationships. It’s also a place where kind, caring people other than parents help teach them the skills of life like making friendships, using integrity, selfregulation and independence. At my camp it’s simple: Electronics are strictly forbidden. While at first the kids (and staff) may complain, in the end they literally thank us. They cry tears of joy as they hug their friends and counselors on their last day of camp, eager to return next summer to their magical utopia where they can be their authentic self, and not a social media avatar jonesing for their next Instagram/Snapchat dopamine hit.

In the 25 years that I’ve been running summer camps, I am absolutely seeing the pendulum swinging back to a sense of normalcy with today’s younger parents. The last generation was overwhelmed by the onset of internet technology, combined with the “everyone gets a trophy” mentality and keeping our precious offspring air-conditioned and sheltered from challenges. Fast forward to today, and young parents see the mistakes of the past and want no part of it for their children. They want their kids outdoors, tolerating frustrations, conquering challenges, meeting new people, and empathetically working with others. The new generation is also less interested in money/ materialism, and more about gaining new experiences, and being good people — two things that good camps specialize in. Every year, foreign parents sending tens of thousands of their kids overseas to hundreds of American summer camps — they understand the value of camp. Savvy city people get it, bussing their kids to suburban day camps and sleepaway camps in droves like never before. Yet McMansion suburbanite parents who never went to camp themselves are slow to take the leap. Look at the stats, look at your kids! Summer camp is more important than ever before, filling the societal gap left by schools focused on testing, busy parents and glowing screens.

• Andy Pritikin is the Owner/Director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Mansfield Township, NJ, and past President of the American Camp Association, NY/NJ www.LibertyLakeDayCamp.com

The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is a leading center of excellence in dance education—serving over 1,000 students and celebrating nearly 50 years of dance and culture—and offers accessible, high-quality dance training to students of all levels ages 2 and up. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, it empowers students by offering a holistic approach to movement discovery, including pre-professional training and classes for the novice dancer. Through its pre-professional and professional studies program, the School trains eclectic, versatile dancers who stand out in a competitive professional environment for their mastery of the classical ballet tradition, contemporary techniques, and Spanish dance. Dance training also goes beyond the classroom through cultural enrichment activities at venues across NYC, giving students a comprehensive view of the dance community at large. Summer programming includes Dance Camps, ELEVATE! Dance Boot Camp, Summer Intensive, and ChoreoLaB. To learn more, visit ballethispanico.org

Summer@Avenues is a blast! Located in brand new facilities at our Chelsea campus, Avenues: The World School’s distinctive day camp provides engaging experiences for students entering nursery through grade 5. Our offerings feature a variety of enrichment camps and our signature language immersion camps in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese – all with fun, themed programs sure to attract budding scientists, athletes, artists and engineers. Children can create the next Broadway hit with Child’s Play New York, put on their capes with Superhero Parkour or learn the basics of entrepreneurship with Spark Business Academy’s Lemonade Stand. Pick a favorite, or mix-and-match our one, two and six week programs for the ultimate summer! Visit www.avenues.org/summer. Avenues: The World School 259 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10001 646.664.0982

At Atlantic Acting School, young actors ages 4 - 18 spend their summer days forming a theater ensemble, rehearsing a performance, exploring techniques, and developing the courage to act for an audience. All classes culminate in a final performance at the end of the week for family and friends. In addition to creating characters and scripts, actors have opportunities to produce their own work. Each summer program has a focus that varies between improvisation to film, but are all rooted in the Atlantic Technique. All classes take place at 76 Ninth Avenue, Suite 537.

Register Online: www.atlanticactingschool.org Email us: education@atlantictheater.org Call us: 212.691.5919

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

THE MAKING OF A LIFELONG CAMPER How one man’s childhood summer experiences — and a counselor named “Big Ben� — helped him overcome adversity and set him on his life’s path BY STEPHEN “SNACKS� SMIGIELSKI

I started going to camp when I was six, or more accurately, I was sent to camp at six years old. I was dropped off on the shores of Lake George for two weeks without any prep, and let’s just say it was not the most enjoyable transition. What I didn’t know as a small child was that my mom sent me to camp to keep me out of the house during a divorce proceeding at home. Camp was meant to protect me. I promptly sent letters home to complain about everything from mean campers to lazy counselors. I now know I was just angry about a situation out of my control, and many campers ďŹ nd themselves in a similar situation each summer. Children can feel lost as they process a departure from normalcy, being outside of their comfort zone or coming to terms with a change in their childhood support network. At this tentative time, children can choose one of many paths to cope. This tumultuous time could have consumed me with misplaced anger or feelings of inadequacy. I remember feeling guilty, that our change in family dynamic was somehow my fault. In this maelstrom of emotions one thing remained a constant: camp. Every summer for two weeks I got to reunite with the same friends, none of whom knew the struggles I faced at home — and really none of us cared. For two glorious weeks, we were all focused on the freedom of camp: the ability to go on an adventure and be among peers who withheld all judgment. At the helm of these fond escapades was a legendary class of individuals who in our minds had no equal: our counselors. The ďŹ rst counselor to make an impact on me was named Ben. We call him “Big Ben,â€? because he was tall and British. Most importantly, though, he saw me. He saw an angry child who was frustrated in unfamiliar surroundings and needed a guide. Ben, and many other fantastic counselors, accepted their roles as beacons. Under their tutelage, I was able to rebuild my conďŹ dence in myself, learn how to make the most out of my surroundings, connect with my peers and most importantly, I was reminded that I was deserving of love. At 16, I volunteered to be a counselor-in-training. Prior to this, I had only held one other job as a backroom store clerk — grunt work. Alongside a group of 20 other like-minded teenagers, I was given the opportunity to help foster the same spirit of enthusiasm and the ability to overcome adversity that my counselors

had encouraged in me. During that time I developed the patience to listen and cultivate powerful friendships with coworkers and campers alike. I felt the rush of making a difference. It instilled in me the desire to lead, not in a selďŹ sh way, but in wanting to make a difference. For the next three summers I was a camp counselor, followed by program director, assistant director for a day camp, and then an outdoor education instructor. In each of these roles, I learned to process failures and turn them into strengths. I learned how to become approachable and respected as a supervisor. I learned that the professional world of camp had so much more to offer than I had ever imagined. I found my calling. Camp’s impact on me in the real world was farreaching. I watched as many of my peers visibly struggled into adulthood with all the responsibilities that came with it. They were unable to cope without their parental support network. Camp allowed me to conduct myself in a way that belied my youth and made me seem more experienced and capable than my peers. It helped me crush interviews and presentations, conduct myself with pride, and most importantly, develop passions and meaningful relationships. Camp remained where I thrived. I was drawn to the controlled chaos, the long hours, and the difficult yet rewarding situations. After receiving my degree, I dedicated myself to camps across the country. Building bridges between East and West Coast camping sensibilities to provide the highest quality of experience to the youth of the world, I am living my passion. My personal mission is to show our campers that as long as you strive to be the best version of yourself you will ďŹ nd happiness in this world. I have been working in camps for over a decade, and I have no intention of slowing down anytime soon. My life’s path was set by an 18-year-old kid from London who gave a damn and made a difference. Thank you Big Ben.

Camp allowed me to conduct myself in a way that belied my youth and made me seem more experienced and capable than my peers. It helped me crush interviews and presentations, conduct myself with pride, and most importantly, develop passions and meaningful relationships.

Stephen “Snacksâ€? Smigielski began his lifelong camp experience at Camp Chingachgook in Lake George, New York, at the age of six. He spent more than ten years as a camper before starting a camp career in 2006. In 2014, he joined Pali Institute’s Outdoor Education program as an instructor, moving to Pali Adventures summer camp in 2015 as head counselor. Snacks is now year-round leadership staff and senior camp director for Pali Adventures in Running Springs, California. Originally published in Camping Magazine. Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association. Š2018, American Camping Association, Inc.

Pok-O-MacCready Camps The surreal surroundings of the Adirondack mountains serve as the backdrop for our amazing summer camp experience dating back to 1905. Rich in tradition a summer at Pok-O allows for campers to explore all that our location has to offer, while participating in new experiences, learning new skills and making new friends. Our philosophy is to help each camper develop an awareness of and appreciation for the natural environment. These opportunities are presented in a safe and supportive environment that fosters self-conďŹ dence, leadership and sportsmanship. With over 35 activities including: Wilderness trips, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, sailing, and theater, we are able to create a place for campers to grow and experience more than they ever could at home. Being technology free enables our campers to live in the moment and appreciate all elements of camp life, from the chorus of screen doors slamming in our rustic cabins, to gathering around our cobblestone ďŹ replace of the dining hall. Come explore our wonderful camping experience and learn what it means to have the “Pok-Oâ€? spirit.

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Riverside Park Conservancy hosts a multi-sport summer camp in Riverside Park – a weekly low-cost, high- quality sports camp experience for children ages 4 to 16. Camp runs for 12 weeks from June to August. The camp uses the sports ďŹ elds and courts in Riverside Park between 96th and 110th Streets. Well-respected local sports instructors kids love and on-site medical trainers engaging the campers to learn sports and sportsmanship while enjoying nature. All programs provide uniforms or t-shirts, healthy snacks, lunch option as well as early drop off and late pick up and an indoor location for rain dates. Riverside Park Conservancy and the sports instructors dedicate 20% of the camp’s revenues to scholarships, so that every child has the opportunity to attend camp. Riverside Park Conservancy 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 455 New York, NY 10115 sports@riversideparknyc.org 212.870.3074 (OfďŹ ce)

For 43 years, Fordham Prep has been offering its Higher Achievement Program (HAP) to rising eighth-grade boys. This unique ďŹ ve-week program combines academics, athletics and creative enrichment activities that prepare participants for 8th grade, the high school application process, and beyond. In the mornings, participants take part in critical thinking, reading, and math classes. After lunch, HAP offers both individual and team sports and games. This includes sports clinics run by members of the Fordham Prep coaching staff. In past years, we have also offered unique activities such as graphic design, cooking, rocket building, astronomy, and art. HAP participants will also take part in a service project. HAP runs from June 24 through July 24 and is located at Fordham Prep on the historic Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, easily accessible by bus, train, and car. Applications are currently available at fordhaprep.org/HAP. Contact us at hap@fordhamprep.org or 718-367-7500 x263

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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BUILDING CHARACTER, CONFIDENCE, AND COMMUNITY

June 27 - August 16, 2019 • Ages 4½ to 15 • • • • •

Swim daily with expert instruction. Sample a variety of sports with guidance from the best coaches. Exercise your creative side in urban gardening, arts and crafts, dance, science, theater, yoga, and more. Venture beyond our campuses for exciting field trips. Embrace our core camp values and apply them to school, sports, and social settings.

Register today at asphaltgreen.org/camp UPPER EAST SIDE

BATTERY PARK CITY

555 East 90th St. 212.298.7900 camps@asphaltgreen.org

212 North End Ave. 212.298.7900 campsagbpc@asphaltgreen.org

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD READY FOR THE CAMP SWIM CHECK Amid tears and fears, many kids find their motivation to learn to swim BY ROSE SHILLING

amp swim tests go something like this: Kids jump in the water and swim a set distance. No dog-paddling allowed. They typically must also tread water and float on their backs, while camp staff and possibly other campers look on. And all this usually on the first day or two of camp. It can be stressful. Kids who aren’t strong swimmers sometimes feel nervous and might not swim their best, says Tom Wraight, waterfront director at Camp Belknap in Mirror Lake, New Hampshire. Pool swimmers can be thrown by a lake’s choppy, chilly water, cloudy bottom or lurking critters. “Swimming in a lake is potentially just mentally scarier,” he says. Wraight usually hears from a parent or two who received a disappointed letter home about swim-test results. Kids who are restricted to shallow water or are deemed non-swimmers can feel embarrassed, though Wraight says they typically recover quickly. “There’s always a few tears, which is always unfortunate,” he says. “We remind them that everyone was

there at some point.” He and other experts say there are steps parents can take to prepare children and to relieve swim-test anxiety. For one thing, remember that swimming is only one part of camp. “I would tell parents who are maybe dreading the fact that their kid might not pass the swim test. It’s not the end of the world because there are just so many other activities,” says parent Laura Gogia. Last summer, her daughter Lindsay, 10, placed in the lowest swim group at a The Y updated its swimming lesson camp near their home in Rich- curriculum in 2016 to increase the mond, Virginia. So Lindsay emphasis on drowning prevention. opted for other activities, such as joining kids making friendship bracelets by the lake. Eventually, she got bored as one of the oldest kids in the shallow area and longed to use a zip line over deep water, and that motivated her to give swimming lessons another try over the winter. She clicked with

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey

a young, gentle-mannered instructor who tailored one-on-one lessons to the swim test. Camps administer swim checks for safety, to prevent water injuries and deaths, says Lindsay Mondick, the Minneapolis-based senior manager of aquatics for the national Y. The Y updated its swimming lesson curriculum in 2016 to increase the emphasis on drowning prevention. One skill, called “swim, float, swim,” has a goal similar to that of many camp swim tests: that children orient their bodies toward safety and swim for it, taking breaks to avoid tiring out and then starting up again.

“If a child feels they have more control of their body, they will be more willing and achieve strokes faster,” Mondick says. The Boy Scouts have a standard swim test, and the Y offers its locations a sample test. But overall, requirements vary somewhat among camps. Generally, swimming without stopping for a predetermined length — 50 yards or more is common for deep-water competency — shows endurance to reach safety. Test givers don’t expect competition-level strokes, but kids should stay at the top of the water, lift their faces out to breath, kick steadily and keep moving forward.

We Believe in a

Summer! Day camp for boys and girls

Summer@Avenues Has it All! With a wide selection of both enrichment and language immersion day camps, Avenues: The World School’s summer program offers fun experiences for all ages and interests. Pick a favorite or mix-and-match for your kid’s best summer yet! All sessions are held in our brand new facilities at our Chelsea campus and vary in length and theme. Some of our engaging offerings include: + + + + + + +

Open Houses

AGES 4-5

March 2, April 6, May 18 10 am-1 pm 144 Riverside Blvd.

AGES 6-12

March 8, April 12, May 24 4-6 pm 2116 First Ave.

dwightsummercamp.org | 917.551.6424 Enter code SN19 to receive a 10% discount

Language immersion: Spanish or Mandarin Chinese Superhero parkour camp Make a Musical with Child’s Play New York Polgar and Magnus chess camps My First Lemonade Stand with Spark Business Academy Online summer learning programs Multi-sport, ballet, art and more!

Learn more at avenues.org/summer.

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THE BEST FIRST JOB

Spending the summer as a camp counselor can help young people develop important workplace skills BY JESS MICHAELS

here is no other experience that can better prepare a young person with the skills and experiences they will need at a 21st century job than working as a counselor at camp. Sam Borek, owner and director of Woodmont Day Camp in New City, NY feels the value of the working at camp for a teen or young adult truly can’t be measured. “For many, it’s their first interview, first job and the first time they are taking responsibility for themselves. Camp is the ideal place to allow young adults to learn and grown in a safe and nurturing environment.” According to research by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning, an organization comprised of leaders in the business community, education field and policymakers including Apple, Microsoft, Cisco Systems and the U.S Department of Education, soft skills are what 21st century employers are looking for in future employees. LinkedIn recently conducted research to determine which skills hiring companies need the most in 2019. Their research shows that all are skills young people gain while working as a camp counselor: time management, adaptability, collaboration, persuasion and creativity. “From following a set schedule to having to adapt activities at the last minute to making sure campers are following directions, counselors are gaining soft skills daily working

In-person interactions. Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey

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at camp,” says Borek. There is no substitute for in-person interactions, and at camp, campers and staff are constantly communicating. “In today’s technological world, we are moving further away from face-to-face communication. In the camp environment, counselors don’t spend their days “liking” a photo on their phone. Instead, they are having conversations over meals and on the fields about what they liked and didn’t like,” says Alicia Skovera, director of camping and year-round programs for the Fresh Air Fund, an organization that provides free summer camp experiences for NYC children at five overnight camps in Fishkill, NY. “Staff are also practicing communication by setting up expectations for children, explaining how an activity is done and by helping young people communicate their own needs.” Working at camp exposes young people to others from different towns, states and countries. Learning to live and/or work with others from different backgrounds helps prepare young people for college and the workplace — and become part of a caring community. “You may not be able to travel the world but camp brings the world to you,” says Skovera. “Counselors learn how to live with other people and are exposed to new ideas. They learn that they may not like everyone, but they practice how to get along with everyone.” Borek says, “While young people and parents tend to think that working at camp is ‘not a real job,’ I’d argue that it is the most ‘real’ job that you can find. Staff learn how to balance their needs with those of others, how to work together to solve a problem and how to connect with others on a face-to-face basis rather than a digital one.”

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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2 CAMPS, 1 SPECTACULAR SUMMER

Long Lake Camp For The Arts www.longlakecamp.com “As one of the longest running and best art camps on Earth, your child will enjoy the highest art, the art of living in the mountains, lakes and trees of the Adirondacks.� Combine any activities in an unlimited number of ways. Our campers can choose from Theater, Music, Fine Arts, Dance, Circus, Rock Bands, Film, Comedy, Improv, fun water and land sports plus so much more!

t 4FMG $IPJDF Schedule Expert Guidance t BOE 8FFL Sleepaway Sessions t &BTZ $BNQ #VTTFT from NYC t .BLF 'SJFOET 8JUI Campers Ages 8 to From All Over The World

t .PEFSO 1SPHSBNT With Traditional Camp Values t /PO $PNQFUJUJWF Philosophy t 4QFDUBDVMBS 1SJWBUF Lakeside Setting In The Adirondack Park t (JWF ZPVS DIJME B summer experience as unique as they are

Long Lake Camp Adventures www.longlakecampadventures.com “The only camp in America with an Automotive program, learn all aspects of rebuilding muscle cars, drift cars and more�. Combine any of our activities the way you want, choose from, Automotive, Black Smithing, Paintball ATV’s, Parkour, Gymnastic, Cheerleading, Horse Riding, High Ropes, Farm, Waterfront, Land Sports, Fishing, Robotics, Hikes and so much more!

Call Us: 914-693-7111

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6 TIPS FOR OVERNIGHT CAMP COUNSELORS From flexibility to fun, how to get the most out of the job BY MOLLY SPRAYREGEN

eing an overnight camp counselor is a demanding job, but it is also one of the most fun and rewarding. “If you are a counselor, be thankful that you got that job,” says Alex Heldman, who spent four summers as a counselor at Wisconsin’s North Star Camp

Summer Camp is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think about the YMCA. And for good reason: The YMCA of Greater New York is one of the largest providers of camp programs in the city, with 70 Day Camp sites across the 5 boroughs, a Sleepaway Camp upstate, and well over a century of experience giving kids the best summer ever! Y campers stretch themselves physically and creatively. Our campers play games, have adventures, participate in science experiments, solve puzzles, craft art, and perform music shows. Parents say their kids come home tired, smiling, and frequently humming a new camp cheer. Spend a few weeks or the entire summer with us! Take advantage of our 10% Early Bird Discount by registering and paying in full by April 27th. Visit our website at www.ymcanyc.org/camp to learn more about our fantastic summer programs!

Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp builds character, confidence, and community. Children ages 4½ to 15 express themselves through sports, arts, and innovative programming. We foster a supportive community that encourages each camper to be creative, explore interests, and step out of his or her comfort zone. State-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities combined with world-class instruction create the ultimate camp experience at two locations—Upper East Side and Battery Park City—in Manhattan. Play sports on a 1.5-acre field (UES) or a full-court gymnasium (BPC), swim in a 50-meter (UES) or 25-yard pool (BPC), go on adventurous field trips, and more! 555 E. 90th St. New York, NY 10128 asphaltgreen.org 212.298.7900 camps@asphaltgreen.org

for Boys. “It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Camp is its own unique universe, and while each is distinctive, many share similar values. Understanding them is key to success. Here are six tips for first-time overnight camp counselors:

BE FLEXIBLE “Adaptability is probably one of the most important skills you learn at camp,” says Jill Tipograph, founder of the summer consultancy firm Everything Summer, which is based in New York City and offers personalized summer planning help for young people. At camp, plans can change instantaneously. “If you had plan A, and plan A isn’t going to work because it’s raining, you have to immediately think of plan B,” says Jessica Blumenfeld, who spent 13 summers working at Camp Thunderbird for Girls in Minnesota. At Thunderbird, flexibility is so paramount they even have a word for it: thunderflexing.

Camp Ramaquois is not like every other camp. Our day camp for boys and girls ages 3 to 15 in Pomona, NY (only 30 minutes from the George Washington Bridge and 15 minutes from the Mario Cuomo Bridge) provides a truly authentic camp experience. Our magnificent 44 acres, 5-acre lake, 9 heated swimming pools, and exceptional facilities and programs allow us to provide children with a dynamic and memorable summer filled with love, warmth, and being part of a special community. Our campers are encouraged to take healthy risks, learn new skills, develop relationships with their peers and counselors, develop independence and assume responsibility.

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH CAMPERS “Every single child is different and you have to treat them as such,” says Heldman. Taking time to get to know each individual camper can go a long way. Haley Umans, who spent five summers as a counselor at Lake of the Woods Camp for Girls, in Michigan, recommends going out of the way to build rapport with each camper in your cabin. The first few nights, for example, visit each camper at their bunk to check in. She also says good counselors add fun and energy to simple things. Even the walk to the dining hall can be transformed into a silly dance or game. Julian Michaels, a counselor for three summers at New Jersey’s Cedar Lake Camp, advocates focusing on campers who seem to be having less fun. “The easiest thing to do is focus your energy on the kids that are having the best time,” he says. “They’re the most fun. They want to interact with you, you want to interact with them.” It is those who are not in your face, however, who often need the most attention.

Situated on 50 acres of beautiful Rockland County campgrounds and just 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge, our traditional day camp has more than 60 years’ experience in creating lasting memories. We have flexible schedules and dozens of activities for “active” and “creative” children. We provide round-trip transportation in air-conditioned, lavatoryequipped luxury coach buses—with pickups throughout Manhattan, as well as parts of Brooklyn and Riverdale. Intensives and NYCbased programming are also available. Let us help plan your family’s summer! Ages 5-13.

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

EXPECT TO WEAR MANY HATS “Expect to do anything that needs to be done, that’s reasonable, besides what you were told you’d be doing,” says Tipograph. Being a counselor means being a team player. It’s more than likely you’ll be completing tasks beyond what you were hired for.

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PREPARE FOR COMMUNAL LIVING Working at a summer camp means giving up a lot of privacy. For many, it’s a great environment, one in which it’s easy to form strong bonds quickly. Still, you need to be mentally prepared for this lifestyle. “Being a camp counselor is a little bit like speed dating, getting married and having a family, all in a matter of a couple of weeks,” says Sigoloff. Strong communication skills are vital. Michaels suggests expressing your needs to your co-counselors early on — and listening to theirs — so you can best support one another.

Investing in relationships. Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey

FIND ME-TIME Camp is a 24/7 gig. Use your time off wisely. “Make sure on your days off that you really do relax. Get out of the camp environment,” says Tipograph, who encourages counselors to spend time off doing calming activities, like lying on the beach, rather than more energy-consuming pursuits. Counselors live in a highly communal space, always surrounded by others. Even when it’s not your time off, find time for yourself. “Self-care is the most important part of being able to be a good camp counselor,” says Shari Sigoloff, owner/director of Camp Thunderbird. Counselors, she says, must find time to read, exercise, draw, paint or do whatever typically helps them unwind. Getting enough sleep is also crucial.

Now in Tribeca! Get your kids (ages 6 - 13 years) playing “unplugged” indoors and out - while building strategic-thinking skills.

EMBRACE THE SILLINESS The more you allow yourself to be a little (or a lot) silly, the better role model you’ll be — and the more fun you’ll have. “If you’re going to camp, embrace it,” says Michaels. Get super-excited about color wars and spirit days and anything else. Michaels says one of the most valuable skills camp gave him is “being able to be spirited for no reason other than being spirited.” Camp is about showing kids how great it feels to be yourself without fear of judgment. Says Blumenfeld, “You want to wear stripes with plaid and polka dots? You can!” Sigoloff says that one of the best parts of working at camp is “really relishing all of the child antics that play out at camp. Where else can you go and jump in mud puddles and wear costumes and sit under the stars and roast s’mores for your job?”

Play strategy and cooperative board games, and create new games. Experienced counselors lead play and design sessions. Campers earn merits for skills, like negotiating, problem solving, and diplomacy, earning their way into our amazing, original, mega-game, Immortal Wars. Camp runs from 9 am - 3 pm, with early drop off at 8 am and late pick up until 5 pm for an extra fee. Very flexible schedule: You can sign up for just a day or two, or for a full week! MORNING Chess Lab: Modified chess. Game Lab: Complex strategy games. Design Lab: Campers create and present original game modifications. AFTERNOON Outdoor Play: Original, live role playing games. Free Play: D&D, Magic or any game from our library. Game Design: Create a game.

Visit www.bgl.nyc to register.

The Cathedral School’s Summer STEAM Camp Located on the Upper West Side, The Cathedral School’s summer STEAM Camp combines immersion in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math with classic summer camp activities for 5-12 year olds. Our STEAM Camp encourages collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, risk-taking and perseverance through project-based learning. From field trips to summertime carnivals, our campers’ days are filled with fun. For each two-week session, STEAM Camp focuses on a specific theme. Campers spend the morning participating in age-appropriate projects geared towards instilling a passion for exploration and creative thinking. Each classroom is staffed with a senior classroom teacher and Cathedral alumni counselors. Every afternoon campers will enjoy activities led by The Cathedral School’s Athletic Director and PE teachers on our 13-acre campus or in the surrounding parks and playgrounds. Sign up for one — or all three — of our camp sessions. Session I: (June 24 - July 5) Week 1: Living Green with STEAM: urban sustainability through science Week 2: The Power of H20: water, water everywhere Session II: (July 8 - July 19) Week 3: Circuit Circus: computer coding, circuitry, and the power of computers Week 4: Beyond R2D2: our very popular robotics week Session III: (July 22 - August 2) Week 5: Block-by-Block: building, testing, and creating as engineers Week 6: STEAM Design: digital design and music production Sign up today at cathedralnyc.org. For more information, contact Camp Director Emmanuel Saldana at steamcamp@cathedralnyc.org

Campus Kids is the WEEKDAY SLEEP-AWAY CAMP - Monday through Friday at camp and home with the family on weekends. Transportation included from Manhattan and NY-NJ metro area. Each camper chooses their activities every day: squash, tennis, archery, golf, skateboarding, gymnastics, ceramics, ultimate Frisbee, theatre, drums, guitar, singing, crafts, painting, photography, rocketry, yoga, fitness, swimming, softball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, lots more. Fun, active staff that puts safety first. Campus Kids is on the beautiful rural campus of Blair Academy (1-hour west of GWB), providing outstanding facilities and comfortable dorms. Weekend travel program also available for campers 12 and older. Private tours given year-round at camp, by appointment on weekends. ACA- Accredited since 1991. Write to CampOffice@campuskids.com or call 973-845-9260. Online tour and video available at campuskids.com

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

A TIME TO UNPLUG Summer camp allows kids to take a much-needed break from technology BY JESS MICHAELS

Email us at news@strausnews.com Spring Lake Day Camp Celebrates 31 Years of FUN Ringwood, NJ is home to Spring Lake Day Camp located just 25 miles northwest of the GWB. With a private 5 acre lake, heated pool complex, indoor and outdoor shaded facilities, SLDC is the number one choice for Manhattan kids. Swim, Sports, Arts, Zip Lines, Ropes Course, Trips and Special Events all blend together to make SLDC truly amazing and unique. Discover 30 acres of FUN designed to fit the needs of all campers. The property feels like an overnight camp in Maine yet just minutes from NYC. Unplug, relax and trade concrete for country. Staff is led by professional teachers, coaches and counselors ensuring a 3:1 camper to staff ratio to create an enriching and SAFE environment. Catered lunch, snacks, uniform shirts, and door-to-door, a/c minibus transportation are all included. Mitchell & Michelle Kessler, proud residents of the UWS, are the owners/ directors of SLDC since 1989. Nothing compares to a Spring Lake Day Camp summer. Check out www.sldc.com and call us to set up your personal tour today. Spring Lake Day Camp 234 Conklintown Road, Ringwood NJ 07456 Phone: 973-831-9000 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook

ummer camp has always been a place for children to participate in a myriad of activities, to be out in nature and to form strong friendships, but with the increase in media use among children, it’s apparent that camp is needed now more than ever before. The majority of summer camps don’t allow campers to bring personal media including smart phones, tablets, laptops and TV, making camp one of the last unplugged environments for children and a place for them to take a much-needed break from technology. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, today’s children spend over 7.5 hours a day engaged in media, and that number increases to 10.75 hours a day when children multitask. Children are spending their time tethered to their screens, often indoors instead of outside. Camp allows children to get back to nature, be more active and enjoy their summer outdoors, technology free, instead of on the couch engaged in media. Excessive technology use has also had an effect on the way children communicate. Young people no longer speak to each other — they text or Snapchat. At camp, children can only communicate face-to-face. Without the use of screens, campers talk in their bunk, at meals, on the sports field and across the table at arts and crafts. Today’s children need the camp environment to improve their communication skills, attributes that 21st century employers say they look for in future employees. Putting technology to the side also allows for campers to form true friendships. Research by the American Camp Association reports that 96 percent of campers say that camp helped them make new friends and 93 percent of children say camp helped them get to know kids who were different than themselves. Technology doesn’t act as a distraction to campers, so friendships happen easily while eating together, living together at overnight camp and having fun at their activities together. Friends aren’t counted by the number of comments and likes a photo gets but by getting to know each other through conversations and shared experiences. Taking a break from technology encourages creativity, which LinkedIn just named as a top soft skill that 2019 employers are looking for. While school is great for reading, writing and arithmetic, not enough time is spent being creative. Creativity is celebrated and encouraged each day of camp, from constructing a bench at wood shop to writing a new song for your age group.

Camp emphasizes creative skills. Photo courtesy of American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey Without the use of smartphones or computers, children sit down and send handwritten letters at overnight camp, an almost forgotten art. In 2016, the New York Times published an article, “Why Handwriting Is Still Essential in the Keyboard Age,” with evidence that handwriting engages the mind and helps children pay attention to written language. Writing letters from camp lets children think about what they want to say, instead of just sending quick messages over social media. There is no doubt that technology is an important part of daily life for young people, but taking time away from it is also imperative for developing important skills needed to become successful 21st century adults.

DAY CAMP IN THE PARK

Dwight Summer Camp Dwight ignites the spark of genius in every camper! We offer a wide range of age-appropriate, creative, and action-packed activities for children ages 4-12. Campers enjoy well-rounded experiences in sports, the visual and performing arts, and technology. Campers can also focus on one specialty in our Spark Camps. With swim instruction in our indoor pool, trips to great destinations, theme days and weeks, and more, the fun never ends! Attend an Open House! Meet our team of camp professionals and tour our facilities: Ages 4-5 Saturdays, March 2, April 6, May 18 10 am-1 pm Dwight Preschool, 144 Riverside Blvd.

Ages 6-12 Fridays, March 8, April 12, May 24 4-6 pm Dwight School Athletic Center, 2116 First Ave.

Chaperoned bus transportation with parent GPS, day passes, and extendedday options are available. Choose the number of weeks you want; mix and match sessions to make this summer the best ever! To receive a 10% discount, use code SN19 Learn more: director@dwightsummercamp.org | 917.551.6424 www.dwightsummercamp.org

Is an ACA award winning day camp celebrating serving campers ages 4-15 for 40 years! Located on over 1000 acres on a protected nature site right on majestic Lake Tiorati in Rockland County. We’ve created every camper’s paradise for our children of every interest to learn skills, be safe, and have fun! With over 100 activities including Swimming, Archery, Dance, Arts & Crafts, Kickball, Skateboarding, Ceramics, Soccer, Music, Basketball, Climbing Wall, Woodworking, Softball, Batting Cages, Tennis, plus a fully certified Nature and Hiking program. Our campers play and make friends in our incredible forest setting featuring swimming twice every day in both our lakefront swimming dock and waterpark or in our massive in-ground heated pool, plus over 25 indoor cabins, and a boating center with over 50 boats! Certified teachers lead every group and we include door-to-door A/C transportation almost anywhere in Rockland, Bergen, Westchester, Orange, and Manhattan. Only 30 minutes from the GWB on the Palisades Parkway.

EXPLO programs are uniquely designed to prepare you for middle school, high school, university, and beyond. With more than 90 courses (ranging from behavioral psychology and medical careers to video production and economics), EXPLO is the place where you can pursue an already deep-seated passion or a interest you’ve never tried before with an international community of students from over 70 different countries. Weekend trips to indoor skydiving, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and major league baseball games. EXPLO also offers more choice than any other summer program. You’ll meet industry leaders and thought leaders to learn about their paths to success in your future careers and interests. Learn more at explore.explo.org/fun or give us a call at 781.762.7400. A summer of meaning and purpose awaits!

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SUMMER CAMP 10% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT* DAY CAMP OPEN HOUSES: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM March 23 | April 27 | May 18

SLEEPAWAY CAMP OPEN HOUSES: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM April 7 | May 5

YMCANYC.ORG/CAMP *Pay in full by 4/27 for 10% Early Bird Discount | Financial Assistance Available

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Your Neighborhood News Source

BEYOND BROADWAY - DOWNTOWN The #1 online community for NYC theater:

www.show-score.com

NOW PLAYING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FROM $20

FROM $25

FROM $59

RAP GUIDE TO CONSCIOUSNESS

BETWEEN THE THREADS

THE RYAN CASE 1873

6 REVIEWS ENDS FEB 10

14 REVIEWS OPEN RUN

142 REVIEWS ENDS FEB 13

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Baba Brinkman’s hip-hop comedy shines a light on free will, brain cells, and the science of consciousness.

HERE presents a new devised theater piece about Jewish women in America exploring their relationship to their Judaism.

This interactive murder mystery experience plunges you into the dark underbelly of the Five Points neighborhood of 19th-century NYC.

SOHO PLAYHOUSE - 15 VANDAM ST

HERE ARTS CENTER - 145 SIXTH AVE

ARLENE’S GROCERY - 95 STANTON ST

WHAT’S TRENDING ACROSS NYC

COMING SOON

FROM $27

FROM $30

ADDY & UNO 62 REVIEWS ENDS MAR 31

MARYS SEACOLE PREVIEWS START FEB 09

In Lincoln Center’s world premiere, an ambitious Jamaican woman is determined to live a grand life.

90

CLAIRE TOW THEATER - 150 W 65TH ST

Through puppets and soaring music, this heartfelt and comic musical for families explores disability, kindness, and resilience. FROM $17

THEATRE ROW - 410 W 42ND ST

GOOD FRIDAY PREVIEWS START FEB 11

FROM $45

AWAKE

The Flea Theater presents this New York premiere addressing #metoo feminism at the intersection of gun and sexual violence.

52 REVIEWS ENDS FEB 08

THE FLEA THEATER - 20 THOMAS ST

85 FROM $59

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF PREVIEWS START FEB 11

This new play features a cast from all walks of life engaging in intimate, life-changing conversations around the polarizing issues of the day. TBG THEATRE - 312 W 36TH ST

The hit staging of the classic musical reopens uptown on 42nd St. Performed in Yiddish (with supertitles). Directed by Joel Grey.

FROM $29

STAGE 42 - 422 W 42ND ST

THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE 13 REVIEWS IN PREVIEWS

FROM $30

SPACEMAN PREVIEWS START FEB 14

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Content provided by

Transport Group has re-imagined this provocative piece of theater created from the actual court transcripts of the Catonsville Nine trial.

This drama about a woman’s solo journey to Mars explores the depths of mankind’s last true frontiers: outer space and a grieving heart.

ABRONS ARTS CENTER - 466 GRAND ST

THE WILD PROJECT - 195 E 3RD ST KEY:

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS

New Roma Pizza

116 Delancy Street

Grade Pending (57) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Jadis Restaurant

42 Rivington Street

A

169 Bar

169 East Broadway

Grade Pending (19) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

East Broadway Restaurant

94 East Broadway

Grade Pending (41) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours. Food from unapproved or unknown source or home canned. Reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) fish not frozen before processing; or ROP foods prepared on premises transported to another site. Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Bonnie Vee

17 Stanton St

A

Happy Express Cafe

4 Allen St

A

Rochelle’s/205 Club

19 Stanton St

A

Best Fuzhou Restaurant

71A Eldridge St

A

Serafina Ludlow

98 Rivington St

A

Formosa Cafe

34 Eldridge St

A

NY 99 Cents Pizza

109B Lafayette St

Not Yet Graded (44) Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding. Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures.

Whitmans

261 Hudson St

Not Yet Graded (22) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. Food worker does not use proper utensil to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment.

JAN 16 - 22, 2018 The following listings were collected from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website and include the most recent inspection and grade reports listed. We have included every restaurant listed during this time within the zip codes of our neighborhoods. Some reports list numbers with their explanations; these are the number of violation points a restaurant has received. To see more information on restaurant grades, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/services/restaurant-inspection.shtml.

Taqueria St Marks Pl

79 Saint Marks Pl

A

Little Poland Restaurant

200 2nd Ave

A

Madman Espresso

54 University Pl

A

Blockheads Burritos

60 3rd Ave

A

Bowllin’

27 Waverly Pl

A

Sammy’s Halal

109 1st Ave

A

Nutella Cafe

116 University Pl

A

Joe

9 East 13 Street

A

Facebook

770 Broadway

A

Bluestone Lane

51 Astor Pl

A

Pierre Loti Cafe Wine Bar

53 Irving Place

A

La Sultana Cafe

124 East 4 Street

A

Sabor A Mexico Taqueria

160 1 Avenue

A

Subway

223 Avenue B

A

Chipotle Mexican Grill

286 1st Ave

A

Mochii

116 E 7th St

A

Pizza Rollio

437 E 9th St

Grade Pending (21) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

11th St Bar

510 E 11th St

A

Cafe Cortadito

210 East 3 Street

A

Hibachi Express

536 E 14th St

A

Bennys Burritos

111113 Greenwich Ave A

Davidstea

275 Bleecker Street

A

Sugar Factory Meatpacking 835 Washington St

A

City Vineyard

233 West St

A

Little Italy

180 Varick St

A

Shoo Shoo Nolita

371 Broome St

A

Tom And Jerry Bar

288 Elizabeth Street

A

Wang Lao Ji Herbal Tea

221 Grand St

New York Rifle Club

77 Macdougal Street

A

Grade Pending (38) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.

Senza Gluten

171 Sullivan St

A

Maman Hudson

205 Hudson St

Gooey On The Inside Cookies

163 Chrystie St

A

Nam Son Restaurant

245 Grand Street

A

Grade Pending (33) Toilet facility not provided for employees or for patrons when required. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

New Spring Boy Chinese Restaurant

81 Allen Street

A

Fresh Salt

146 Beekman Street

A

Papaya Dog

50 Fulton St

A

Spicy Village

68B Forsyth Street

AC Hotel NYC Downtown

151 Maiden Ln

A

A

VISIT OUR WEBSITE! at OTDOWNTOWN.COM

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LIVE FROM WASHINGTON: JERROLD NADLER GOVERNMENT The Upper West Side Congressman answered questions and ripped President Trump during an electronic Town Hall BY MEREDITH KURZ

The wall President Trump wants to build along the Mexican border is a “4th century solution to a 21st century problem” Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler told his Upper West Side consituents on Wednesday. “The president is holding the American people hostage,” said Nadler, the new head of the Judiciary Committee. “There is no crisis at the border and the president keeps scaring people ... It’s purely political.” Nadler’s comments came as he kept his promise to meet with the people of the 10th congressional district, albeit remotely. The Goddard Riverside Community Center has hosted a Town Hall meeting with Nadler every year since he took office in 1992. But thanks to the packed schedule that comes with his powerful new role in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, for the first time ever the event had to be livestreamed instead of in-person. Larry Wood has coordinated the annual forum for decades. This year’s attendees were asked to write their concerns down, and Wood asked the congressman questions. The mood of the crowd was typified by Adrienne Gorman of the Upper West Side. “We

Congressman Jerrold Nadler, at a previous town hall meeting. Photo: Courtesy Rep. Jerrold Nadler via flickr have a president who is out of control,” Gorman said. “He wants to take us out of NATO. [He] didn’t ask permission of Congress, which has oversight function ... I want to ask Congressman Nadler what he intends to do about this. Nadler’s a good guy, but we need to know.” Nadler, as usual, made his positions clear with the kind of straight talk New Yorkers have come to expect from him. “The instance of crimes committed by immigrants, legal or illegal, is substantially lower per capita than the instance of crimes of people born right here,” he pointed out. As for drugs, he added, they often come across the border in trucks, and a wall wouldn’t stop that. What’s needed, he said, is better technology, more Coast Guard cutters and more immigration judges. Trump has proposed more

detainment camps, a more costly and inhumane solution, but what’s really needed is more judges, Nadler said. As for questions about Trump’s truthfulness, “Polls show no one believes what he says,” said Nadler. There is a plethora of issues for the Democratic majority in the House to address, Nadler explained, including the Mueller investigation, gun control, voter suppression, the 2020 census, climate change, tax policy and much, much more. As chair of the powerful Judiciary Committee, Nadler’s purview includes the Mueller investigation and the web of issues and individuals touched by the special counsel’s ongoing examination of possible foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. “We will use the subpoena power,” said Nadler, when it comes to President

Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. “We expect hearings to be open, public and hard hitting.” And should the Trump administration refuse to make the Mueller report public when it’s finally finished, “We can challenge [acting Attorney General Matthew] Whitaker with a subpoena.” As for gun violence, Nadler noted that there is gun legislation that’s been held captive by the NRA for decades. “It’s slanderous to say Americans are many more times mentally ill than the rest of the world,” Nadler said, referring to the common tactic of gun rights proponents to blame mass shootings on deranged individuals rather than the ready availability of weapons. Statistics show that the gun violence per capita is dramatically higher in the United States than any other country, he said. Nadler called the growing gap between the popular vote and the Electoral College “a dramatic failure of democracy,” In 2000, 500,000 more people voted for Al Gore than George W. Bush, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton nabbed 2.8 million more votes than Donald Trump. To avoid such outcomes in the future, Nadler backs the Popular Vote Initiative, which guarantees the election of the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes. The initiative involves the passage of state statutes that award electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The initiative would take effect once the participating states together hold a majority of electoral votes (270 of 538). Nadler sees the Trmp administration’s push to add a citizenship ques-

tion to the 2020 census, which he says could suppress the count by 5 to 7 percent, as a threat to billions of dollars in federal support for essential state and city services, including transportation. A faulty census count could also lead to decreases in congressional representation and politicallycharged changes in the boundaries of congressional districts. The Trump administration is currently asking the Supreme Court to review a recent U.S. Disrict Court decision that spiked the question. Naturally, taxes were a hot topic, specifically the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, part of the Trump tax plan approved last year, which could hammer many Upper West Siders now that tax time is upon us. Nadler explained how people who live in states that provide more health care and other social services to their citizens, and have higher taxes as a result, are basically penalized by the SALT cap, which effectively increases federal tax bills. The higher tax bills can then lead to an erosion of support for vital state services. Of course, Nadler knows the Republican-controlled Senate is the boulder in the road for the House Democrats’ efforts. “In general, there’s a limited amount that we can do,” he acknowledged. “But we can advance legislation to tee up for passage.” With the 2020 elections already rumbling to life, and a Democratic-controlled Senate and White House among the possible outcomes, even a savvy political veteran like Jerrold Nadler can dream, can’t he?

Neighborhood Scrapbook

NEW PACE SPACES

Celebrants at the ribbon-cutting included Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University and Mark Besca, Chairman, Pace Board (with scissors). Photo courtesy of Pace University

Pace University opened newly transformed spaces in its signature downtown campus structure, One Pace Plaza, and the adjacent historic building, 41 Park Row, the original home of the New York Times, in a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday. “This is a great moment for Pace University, for our students, faculty, and staff, and for our neighbors,” said Marvin Krislov, Pace University’s president. “Our transformed spaces at One Pace Plaza and 41 Park Row replace concrete walls with glass ones and open Pace up to New York. We’re connecting with our community and helping our students look toward their futures.” The campus buildings, across the street from City Hall park and at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, have undergone extensive modernization and technology upgrades, creating more effective spaces for the university community. “We’re bold and big thinkers at Pace University,” said Mark M. Besca ’81, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “With these new facilities, we’re ready to help drive New York into the next century.”

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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New York City Department of Education Notice of Disclosure of Directory Information Dear Parent/Guardian, Current or Former Student: The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is helping the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (Health Department) begin a research study. The research study is about health and education- al impacts of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster on students. The study will include students in school during and after 9/11. DOE will give information about parents, guardians, former students and current student to the Health Department. 7KH )DPLO\ (GXFDWLRQDO 5LJKWV DQG 3ULYDF\ $FW LV D IHGHUDO ODZ WKDW SURWHFWV WKH SULYDF\ DQG FRQ¿GHQWLDOLW\ RI VWXGHQWV 7KH ODZ DOORZV '2( to share student directory information, which includes the information listed below. You have a chance to say you do not want DOE to share your directory information. Whose information will DOE be sharing? DOE will share information about students in certain areas that were enrolled in school at the WLPH RI 6HSWHPEHU RU WKRVH ¿UVW HQUROOHG E\ 7KH DUHDV DUH ‡ Northwest Brooklyn ‡ Flushing, Queens ‡ Lower Manhattan ‡ Sunset Park, Brooklyn ‡ Upper West Side, Manhattan What directory information will be shared? DOE will share: ‡ Whether student was born inside NYC or NY State ‡ Student, parent and guardian names ‡ Spoken and written language(s) ‡ Parent/guardian relationship to student ‡ Any schools/educational institutions of enrollment ‡ Phone number, email & home address history ‡ Enrollment time periods ‡ Student’s sex and date of birth Who will receive the directory information and how will it be used? The Health Department will receive the information. Contractors will be hired to help the Health Department conduct the research study, and the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) may receive the information. No one else will have access to the information. Contractors will help get updated contact information by searching various records available to them. NSC may help get updated school information on students after high school. The Health Department will use the information to reach out to individuals to learn if they want to be a part of the research study. How will your information be protected? DOE and the Health Department will have written agreements to re- quire those who get the information to protect and secure it. Individuals will not be allowed to sell, use, or share the information for any advertising, marketing, commercial purposes, or for any purpose besides for the research study. What do you need to do? 1. Do nothing: you or your child’s directory information will be shared with the Health Department. 2. Fill out this form if you do not want your directory information or your child’s directory information to be shared with the Health Department, and return it by February 15, 2019 to: Attn: 9/11 Opt Outs Room 310 1HZ <RUN &LW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI (GXFDWLRQ &KDPEHUV 6W 1HZ <RUN 1< I DO NOT WANT Directory Information to be shared with the Health Department. Student’s First Name: Student’s Last Name: School (current or last school attended): Parent/Guardian Printed Name:

Student Date of Birth & Student ID Number (if known)

Signature–students age 18 and over must sign for themselves:

Date: —Return by February 15, 2019 if you do not want to share your or your child’s directory information—

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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YOUR 15 MINUTES

To read about other people who have had their “15 Minutes” go to otdowntown.com/15 minutes

A MASTER OF THE EXTREME His father broke the sound barrier in a rocket car. His godfather was Paul Newman. And he’s pretty cool himself. BY MAC BLAUNER

David Barrett, once an extremesports athlete, has parlayed his taste for high-stakes competition into a successful career as an Emmy-nominated director and co-producer of the hit CBS police drama Blue Bloods. The scion of a family of accomplished stuntmen, Barrett grew up on movie sets, watching his father double for A-list stars like Burt Reynolds and Paul Newman. He used his skills as a stuntman to break into the industry, eventually ascending the hierarchy of the film business becoming stunt coordinator, second unit director, first unit director and eventually show creator, while gaining a reputation for speed, efficiency, and meticulous attention to detail.

How did you get your start in film? My dad [Stan Barrett] was Burt Reynolds’ and Paul Newman’s stunt double. Paul Newman was my godfather, so as a kid we would visit all the sets that my dad was on. All the big

movies [like] Smokey and the Bandit, Hooper, Cannonball Run. I was always asking every director what they were doing and why they were doing it. I knew from a very early age that directing was what I wanted to do. I knew growing up in the business and given my own background in extreme sports like motocross racing, that the best way to break in was to become a stuntman, and to become a very good stuntman. I knew that I could ... climb the ladder, so to speak.

Is there anything about your background as a stuntman that enables you to bring something different to the table as a director? Absolutely. [As a stuntman] when you are risking your life for a scene, and the [director has put the] camera is in the wrong place and it’s not going to capture the most exciting moment, and it’s really going to hurt, [you learn] exactly where that camera should be placed. Early on, I paid very close attention, and that eye for detail has really paid off as a director.

What about your experience as an extreme sports athlete has influenced your work as a director? I want to be the best that I can pos-

David Barrett on the set of Blue Bloods, behind the desk where Tom Selleck’s character, Frank Reagan, usually sits. Photo: Levi Perlman sibly be, as a motocross racer, as a ski racer, as a stuntman, and as a director. You want to get that perfect shot. I want to know that I have left it all on that set, and that I was able to capture the perfect arc, that I have given as much as I possibly could. Ultimately, I always think about the mistakes, and how I could have done better. Because

we are competing. We are competing for audiences; we are competing with every other network show on television. Every new episode should be better and more refined than the last episode, and if it’s not, I’m not doing my job. We are invited into the living rooms of people on Friday night, and they have a choice whether to turn it off or on, and for me it is a competition that at the end of the show they are moved on an emotional level, and that they have grown a little bit closer to this family that we are depicting.

How did you end up working on Blue Bloods? I begged my agents to get me the job because it was a story that I could really identify with. In season three, I was able to do an episode [which was nominated for an Emmy for an action sequence] where the grandfather of one of our characters, Jamie Reagan (played by Will Estes), is mugged at an ATM at the beginning. Ultimately Jamie finds the perpetrator — and the guy ends up hanging off the side of the building. He has every opportunity to let him fall to his death, but that character, Jamie, will always do the right thing and he chooses to pull him to safety. So that episode got some attention, not just for the production value, but from the emotional connection that he had with his grandfather. I think the actors and the writers and the executive producers Leonard Goldberg and Kevin Wade saw the passion and enthusiasm I had for the

David Barrett’s years as a stuntman gave him an eye for detail that helped make him a successful TV director. Photo: Levi Perlman.

show. Ultimately they asked me to produce the show the next year.

Is there any similarity between the family of cops you depict on the show, and the family of stuntmen and extreme sports athletes you grew up with? One reason I really identified with Blue Bloods is because of how I grew up, with the patriarch being my grandfather, who founded Mammoth Mountain ski area. He is very gracious and the morals and the ethics and the vision that he had is a lot like Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck). Also, having a stuntman for a father, I never knew if my dad was coming home, which is a lot like a cop’s son. My dad was the fastest man in the world. He drove a rocket car at 740 miles an hour, and was the first man to break the sound barrier. He drove it eighteen different runs, and each time, we said goodbye to our father. On run eighteen, he tells me, “I want you to promise me to take care of your mother, brother, and sister if something happens.” I’m eight years old. My situation is not any more unique than any of those sons or daughters of the military of law enforcement, but I was really able to understand love and what is worth dying for.

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33

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D A R K E N R V F I N I S H C

U F C K U C D E W B C Z E L I

E U A K K M T N V L B V D Y R

W M R R B A S E B O A R D Q C

D Y P G D O X E F A E K X G L

H T E Y R C N R Z S X G K R E

G I T B N A R U S I H R C T A

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2 1 3

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8 3 7 1 4 2 9 6 5

2 5 6 7 3 9 4 8 1

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1 2 5 3 9 4 8 7 6

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24 A branch of learning 25 Large chambers 27 Meat cut (2 words) 28 5th __, NY 30 Afflictions 32 Approval 34 Destroy (2 words) 37 Warmed the bench 38 Bird’s thumb 40 North American Indian 41 Like some coffee 42 Ambulance driver is part of this group, for short 43 Dewy 44 Compass heading 46 Unvarnished 47 BET alternative 48 Not forthcoming Across

D A R K E N R V F I N I S H C

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Down 1 3,600 secs. 2 Former European trade group, for short 3 Tumult 4 Potuguese wine capital 5 Where India is 6 Enduring symbol 7 Separate into parts 8 Skin art 9 Air, land and ___ 10 Animal house? 11 Scandinavian rug 16 Veteran 19 Stork kin 20 Upset 21 Deli offerings 22 Medical remedy, in earlier days

51 54

6

WORD SEARCH by Myles Mellor

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49 Online option provider 50 Envision 51 Mascara destination 52 Escalator part 53 Clarinetist Lewis 54 Not at home

48

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Across 1 Bunch 5 Pitch in 8 Ivan and Nicholas title 12 Decorate anew 13 Travel on snow 14 Unsubstantial 15 People born between Oct 23 and Nov 21 17 Bangladesh money 18 Passing through, in _____ 20 Aleut abode 23 Digital tome 26 Ham holder 27 Stuffed pasta 29 Memorable time 30 Spouses 31 Roman eggs 33 Beer month 35 Kind of order 36 Like some lingerie 37 Directing inuence (2 words) 39 Hermit-like 42 Water pitcher 45 Giant star

53

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Level: Medium

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39

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25

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26

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58

23

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3X3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult.

E

19

22

33

11

17

18

29

10

14

16

21

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13

15

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4

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3

SUDOKU by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan

by Myles Mellor

P

2

CROSSWORD

54

Downtowner 1

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com

57

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JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6,2019

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