Our Town Downtown August 28th, 2014

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The local paper for Downtown wn A LOST IPHONE LEADS TO A DOWNTOWN CHASE < MY STORY, P. 4

WEEK OF AUGUST

28 2014

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LANDLORD PROBED FOR FORCING TENANTS OUT NEWS The state announced last week that its Tenant Protection Unit is targeting a landlord for forcing Asian-Americans out of their rentregulated apartments CHINATOWN The state’s Tenant Protection Unit said Wednesday that a major New York City landlord was under investigation over allegations it forced Asian-American tenants to leave their rent-regulated apartments. The unit subpoenaed Marolda Properties in a probe into claims the company denied basic services, refused to renew leases, brought groundless evictions and pressured tenants to accept low buyout offers. The company owns and manages more than 70 buildings in the city and Westchester County. The state said its probe focuses on buildings in Lower Manhattan. The company has owned properties in New York City for several decades and recently expanded their holdings, purchasing a large number of buildings in Chinatown and throughout the Lower East Side. The state said Marolda threatened to evict one woman in her mid-80s claiming that she wasn’t a building resident. That was despite her living there for 40 years and being an active member of a community senior center and religious organization. In another similar case, Marolda summoned a family to housing court to claim that the family’s primary residency was elsewhere, despite the fact that the family has lived in the apartment for decades, has young children attending a neighborhood school, and has no links to another address. In a statement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “No New Yorker should be forced

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MOEY THE LOST DOG RETURNS HOME NEWS FOLLOW UP In June, the Falk family’s beloved pooch was stolen off the street -now he’s returned to his family BY MEGAN BUNGEROTH

WEST VILLAGE A lot of people told Yelena Falk that she should give up on finding her family’s lost dog, Moey. But the Falks’ sad story has an improbably happy ending, thanks to persistence, hope, some vigilant New Yorkers and a little bit of good luck. Moey, a fluffy white mixed breed of poodle, Bichon Frise and shih tzu, was snatched off his West Village street on June 25 when he was briefly tied to a fence on a walk. The Falks went to the police, to the media (including Our Town Downtown, which featured the Falks in a feature about pet theft, “For Dog Owners, an Urban Fear Returns,” July 10, 2014) and to everyone who would listen, searching for Moey. Their son Ethan was devastated. Yelena plastered Manhattan with posters seeking any information on Moey’s whereabouts and offering a $1,000 reward, no questions asked. Yelena said that well-meaning friends gently suggested her family accept that Moey wasn’t coming back, if for no other reason than to ease their sadness. Then last weekend, a woman named Kimberly from Flushing, Queens called the Falks’ home number and left a message, saying she had found their dog. Yelena was supposed to be upstate on vacation, but had rushed to Harlem the night before when she got another tip about a dog who looked like Moey (she was used to wild goose chases and scams, but followed up on every tip anyway,

In Brief PAROLE DENIED YET AGAIN FOR JOHN LENNON’S KILLER John Lennon’s killer was denied release from prison in his eighth appearance before a parole board, correction officials said Friday. The decision on Mark David Chapman by a three-member board came after a hearing Wednesday. Chapman fired five shots on Dec. 8, 1980, outside the Dakota apartment house where Lennon lived on the Upper West Side, hitting the ex-Beatle four times in front of his wife, Yoko Ono, and others. He was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. The panel wrote to the 59-yearold Chapman that it concluded that if released, “you would not live and remain at liberty without again violating the law.” It added: “This victim had displayed kindness to you earlier in the day, and your actions have devastated a family and those who loved the victim.” At his previous hearing in 2012, Chapman described how Lennon had agreed to autograph an album cover for him earlier on the day of the killing.

JEWISH GROUP: CONDEMN ANTI-ISRAEL BRIDGE FLAG

The Falks’ son Ethan with a rescued Moey

just in case) that turned out to be fruitless. Then she got the call from Kimberly. “I totally freaked out because all the posters have our cell number,” she said; she knew that anyone calling their home phone could only have gotten the number from Mo-

ey’s tags. She waited for Kimberly to text her a photo, and was shocked at what she saw. “Not only does it look like my dog in the photograph, but he’s got the same leash as when he was stolen.” Kimberly told Yelena that Moey

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

A prominent Jewish group wants city leaders to condemn a politically charged banner that showed up on the Manhattan Bridge during a Pro-Palestinian march. The Anti-Defamation League denounced Wednesday’s demonstration and the giant “Boycott, Divest, Sanction” banner as an attempt to “delegitimize Israel.” The banner appeared as hundreds of people marched Wednesday on the neighboring Brooklyn Bridge. It was taken back up a short time later. The BDS movement is an international effort against Israel over the Gaza settlements.

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Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS CHECK MODEL BUSTED FOR STEALING FROM TRIBECA WHOLE FOODS

Dutch model Roosmarijn de Kok was charged with petit larceny for allegedly attempting to steal from Whole Foods in Tribeca. Photo via de Kok’s Instagram

The local paper for Downtown

A 19-year-old Dutch model was arrested for stealing three candy bars and a bottle of fish oil from Whole Foods in Tribeca, the New York Post reported. Roosmarijn de Kok, who is signed with the Wilhelmina Models agency and has booked gigs for Urban Outfitters and Vogue Thailand, answered for her crime in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday. She was accused of sticking the chocolate and supplements into her bag at the store on July 18 around 3:20 p.m. and attempting to exit without paying for them. De Kok was spotted by a Whole Foods store detective and was arrsted and given a desk-appearance ticket. The model was charged with misdemeanor petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. Her attorney said that she simply forgot about the items in her bag while shopping, and that she paid

for other items, including yogurt and protein bars. In court, prosecutors offered de Kok an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which means that the charges will be dropped if she doesn’t get arrested within a certain perido of time. New York Post

a watch. After their violent jaunt ended, the four walked to a nearby McDonald’s and used a victim’s credit card to buy food. Police describe the suspects as all African American, between the ages of 18 and 20. Anyone with information about the robberies is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577TIPS (8477). DNAinfo.com

RAVENS SPOTTED IN DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS

Chelsea resident and avid bird-watcher Patrick Baglee has been tracking the resurgance of the raven in Manhattan, the New York Times reported. Baglee first spotted the big black crow-like birds in March. The New York Post reported Other birders have spied the intelligent creatures in the that a 23-year-old intern for the Museum of Modern Art fell area around the West Village, off a rooftop while partying in near where Edgar Allen Poe, Greenwich Village in the early who penned the famous poem “The Raven,” once lived. hours of Sunday morning. Ravens once circled the skies The woman, identified to in the five boroughs but have the paper as Cindy Yeh of long been absent from the Brooklyn, was attending a area. Avian experts say that party on the roof of a fourthe return of the raven may be story building on Sullivan attributed to recent regrowth Street. She was swaying to of some forest areas, or the music when witnesses possibly to a decimation of the said she tripped and lost her crow population 15 years ago balance, toppling off the side from West Nile virus, making of the building and onto the room in the ecosystem, sidewalk below. Authorities though none can be sure the told the Post that Yeh, who exact reason. New York Times is originally from San Jose,

ARMED ROBBERY SPREE IN EAST RIVER PARK INTERN FALLS OFF Police say that four people, GREENWICH VILLAGE two men and two woman, ROOF went on an armed robbery spree in East River Park last week, DNAinfo.com reported. The group allegedly assaulted a 29-year-old man near Cherry and Rutgers Streets around 11:45 p.m. on August 20, punching him and stealing a gold bracelet and cash. Then the pack attacked a couple sitting on a bench in the park at about 1:15 a.m. the same night, pointing a gun at the woman and demanding her purse. Finally they assaulted and robbed an 18-year-old man walking in the park, punching him and pointing the gun at him before taking just $10 and

California, was taken to Bellevue Hospital and appears to be brain-dead. New York Post

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG PARKED AND PICKED A man discovered that garaging his car did not insure the safety of its contents. At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, a 30-year-old man had his car parked inside a garage at 75 West Street by a valet. When he returned to pick up the vehicle about an hour later, he found that his Rolex watch had been removed from a compartment near the steering wheel by an unknown perpetrator. The victim told police that before picking up the car, he had seen it parked on the street and witnessed someone who might have been the valet looking through the vehicle. The doors were unlocked, and the driver’s window was down. There was no video surveillance inside the garage. Police searched the area but were unable to locate the watch. No fingerprints were found inside the vehicle. The watch stolen was an 18-karat gold Rolex valued at $10,800.

ADIDAS SUBTRACTION Three men shoplifted women’s clothing. At 12 noon on Wednesday, August 13, three

men removed property from the Adidas store at 136 Wooster Street without permission or authorization. They took items of merchandise from two tables and one clothing rack in the front of the store. Video is available of the theft. Police could not find the thieves in the vicinity. The items stolen were two pairs of women’s shorts valued at $90, five women’s T-shirts priced at $140, ten women’s T-shirts valued at $400, ten women’s sweaters tagged at $750, ten women’s tees valued at $400, and six women’s track tops priced at $390, making a total of $2,170.

FRAGRANT FELON A thief smelled opportunity when he shoplifted men’s fragrances. At 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, a 33-year-old man removed a number of bottles of cologne from the display in the Abercrombie and Fitch store at 199 Water Street and placed them in a shopping bag. He then tried to leave without paying and was apprehended. The shoplifter, Richard Farmer, was arrested and charged with

grand larceny. The items he attempted to steal were four 6.7-fluid-ounce bottles of men’s fragrance valued at $472, eight 3.4-fluid-ounce bottles of fragrance priced at $592, and two 1.7-fluid-ounce bottles of cologne valued at $108, making a total of $1,172.

1ST PRECINCT Report covering the week 8/11/2014 through 8/17/2014 Week to Date

Year to Date

2014 2013

% Change

2014

2013 % Change

WILEY ON WILLIAM

Murder

0

0

n/a

0

0

n/a

One man found a visit to Starbucks even more expensive than usual. At 11:45 a.m. on Monday, July 14, a 45-yearold man from Fort Lee, NJ was inside the Starbucks at 100 William Street when he discovered that his wallet and credit cards were missing. The unseen pickpocket used the victim’s credit cards to make purchases totaling in excess of $4,000 at several area locations without permission or authorization. Michael Jones, 44 years old, was arrested July 15 and charged with grand larceny.

Rape

0

0

n/a

5

7

-28.6

Robbery

0

1

-100

26

44

-40.9

Felony Assault

7

5

40

48

51

-5.9

Burglary

3

5

-40

100

130

-23.1

Grand Larceny

15

19

-21.1

563

663

-15.1

Grand Larceny Auto

1

1

0

9

24

-62.5

DON’T READ THE MAGAZINES A woman learned the hard way never to leave her wallet

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unattended. At 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, a 20-yearold woman was standing at the newsstand on the corner of West Broadway and Chambers Street looking at a magazine. She put her wallet down on the counter, when an unknown man

grabbed the wallet and fled. The wallet contained credit cards that the victim canceled before any usage turned up. Police searched the area but were unable to find her wallet. Cameras at the location may have recorded the incident.

The items stolen were a black Rag & Bone wallet with stones valued at $400, $300 in cash, a Sephora gift card priced at $200, and a DKNY gift card valued at $230, making a total of $1,130.

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My Story

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BY LINDSEY KAUFMAN igh above the city, on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel, I had never felt so low. At 33, I had just been dumped and was attempting to fill the void with tequila and dancing. When I took a break and reached for my iPhone on a nearby table, I discovered that it had vanished. iPanic washed over me as I rushed out, placing my hope in Apple’s “Find my phone” app. At home on my laptop, I indeed found my phone— heading slowly through Hell’s Kitchen. Shocked, I lunged for my landline and dialed my number. To my astonishment, someone picked up. “Um…I think you might’ve found my iPhone at the Gansevoort?” I chirped sweetly. “Maybe,” she answered. “Who’s…this?” I stam-

H

mered. “Christina. Who the hell is this?” she eloquently replied. Reeling, I shifted into Kill With Kindness mode. “I’m Lindsey and it would mean everything to get my phone back. I will come wherever you are with a $100 reward.” She responded: “$300.” “That’s too much!” I bristled. “Well, if you hadn’t left your phone lyin’ around like some dumb bitch you wouldn’t need it back,” she retorted. She had a point. I downshifted into Eat Crow Mode. “Yes, I screwed up and left my phone. But wouldn’t you want yours back? $200 is all I have.” “51st and 11th,” she acquiesced. I told her I’d jump in a cab, but since I live on the Bowery, it would take me 25 minutes to get there. “Hurry, I gotta drive back to Jersey,” she slurred. Oh good, another safe driver in Manhattan, I thought. I scrawled her number on my hand, grabbed quarters and raced out, still in my stilettos. I hailed a cab and asked the driver to take me straight to Hell—and step on it.

Even at 11:30 p.m., traffic was atrocious. I arrived 24 minutes later at a Christinaless street corner. I thought about giving up. Then, I thought about giving up my 1,112 contacts. Locating a rare pay phone, I dialed the digits on my hand. She answered. “You took forever, I hadda leave.” Was she just playing me now? She informed me she was now getting her car from a garage on Christopher and 7th. “I could be there in 15 minutes,” I offered. She sighed, exasperated. “Fine,” she relented. “I’m in a Silver Camry. HURRY your ass up.” I flew into the street for a taxi. We hit traffic again, now at 12:30 a.m. I cursed the roads. Cursed my ex for leaving me alone to deal with a phone-snatching drunkard. Cursed myself for not backing up my iPhone. I willed the taxi to become a hovercraft and fly me to the West Village. At the garage, I bolted inside. Breathless, I asked the attendant if he’d seen a girl in a Camry. “She just left,” he said. I broke down. I had already been dumped by my boyfriend,

now I was being rejected by an over-served mean girl. I asked to use the garage phone and I called my phone-napper yet again, attempting to sound breezy. “Hey, I’m at the garage but you left?” “You were too slow.” I wanted to scream abhorrent words into her eardrum, but my mother’s Texas drawl sang through my head—You catch more flies with honey, honey. I breathed deeply. “Where are you now?” “I don’t live in this stupid city…maybe 7th and 12th?” So close, I could be there in three minutes! “Sorry, I really gotta get to Jersey,” she countered. I started crying hysterically. “Christina (sob), …I’ve chased you around the city…I just got dumped (sob)…I’m so miserable…” “Men are morons!” She exclaimed. Ah ha, I thought! A universal theme! I rolled with it. “Yes! Men are morons!” “I’m kinda hungry…” she tested me. “Me too! There’s pizza nea nearby,” I offered. “Sold,” she an answered. Followed by, obviou ously, “HURRY.” s I sprinted (in my heels) aro around Greenwich Avenue and finally caught sight of my Jer Jersey Princess in her Camry cha chariot, complete with teased hai and fuchsia dagger nails. hair My tear-streaked face probabl resembled a Sephora ad ably on acid, which made for an aw awkward hello. She offered me my iPhone, along with a me menthol Capri. Exhausted, I shr shrugged and lit up. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. T pizza place was closed, The so I found myself in my cell cap captor’s car en route to Mo Mother’s Ruin in Nolita. As we wolfed down delicious du wings, I realized that I duck no longer needed to be nice, but I didn’t mind. Christina wa acting as if she’d been in was my contacts folder all along, like we were just some girlfrie friends gabbing. It occurred m that, despite her cruel to me sca scavenger hunt, she had kept an answering my phone calls. Ma Maybe she was just lonely? I cou relate. could p I picked up the $21 bar tab. Ch Christina never demanded her $200 reward. S did compliment me on She bei a “stylish, hilarious being gir and texted me later to girl” see if I wanted to hang again som sometime. “Definitely,” I said.

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

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The state’s Tenant Protection Unit has zeroed in on landlords on the Lower East Side and Chinatown.

STATE PROTECTION FOR TENANTS

LEARN FROM THE

BEST

• Initiated audits which resulted in restoring more than $600,000 in overcharges to tenants who did not know they were paying more than required by the Rent Laws. • Announced an historic settlement in January 2014 against a landlord who was harassing and intimidating limited English speaking proficiency tenants in Upper Manhattan. • Assisted New York State Homes and Community Renewal in the eligibility determination of potential landlords for entitlement to state loans/grants/tax credits, by investigating and vetting a potential landlord’s financial soundness and mortgage holdings for signs of overleveraging within their portfolios or allegations of increased tenant turnover through harassment.

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• Collaborated with various City agencies to form a joint task force to address the deregulation and destruction of rent-regulated apartments in North Brooklyn and other neighborhoods throughout the City.

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Since its creation, the Tenant Protection Unit has: • Audited landlords’ claims for Individual Apartment Improvements, requiring itemized bills to substantiate the real costs of any improvement, as these added improvements can be used to raise an apartment’s rent over the $2,500 rent threshold, allowing it to exit regulation.

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• Implemented new rent regulations, at the beginning of 2014, to support the new rent laws, by: clarifying how apartment improvements are calculated and verified; raising the deregulation rent threshold; raising the income threshold; and limiting vacancy bonuses to only one per year.

LANDLORD PROBED FOR FORCING TENANTS OUT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 to live in fear of harassment by their landlord, and today we are taking an action that will help protect thousands of New Yorkers from this kind of abuse. This case is especially egregious because it appears this landlord preys on many tenants who are elderly and whose primary language is not English -- which will not be tolerated in New York state.” Marolda executives did not return a telephone message. Coordinating with tenants’ and tenant advocates, including the Committee against AntiAsian Violence Organizing Asian Communities, MFY Legal Services, Asian Americans for Equality, University Settlement, and the Cooper Square Committee, the Tenant Protection Unit interviewed tenants who had been told that they were in violation of their leases because their primary residency was elsewhere, without any factual basis. Using common surnames as a basis to tie a tenant to another address, Marolda allegedly targeted individuals and families for eviction, though they have lived exclusively in their apartments for decades. “We will not tolerate harassment or threats against any tenants and the intimidation and targeting of Asian Americans is completely unacceptable,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, whose district covers Chinatown and the Lower East Side. “Many of our seniors, as well as working families, have been able to remain in their neighborhoods because of crucial rent protections.” The Tenant Protection Unit was created by Governor Cuomo in 2012. Since its inception, the Unit’s investigators, auditors and attorneys have recaptured more than 32,000 units that landlords had failed to register, restoring them to rent regulation.

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

LOST DOG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 had been in the care of a neighbor, an older woman who appeared mentally disturbed and left him tied up outside for hours at a time, which is what prompted her to call the number on his tag, thinking she was reaching the older woman as the rightful owner of Moey. Yelena tried to enlist the help of the police in retrieving Moey, but ultimately decided to try getting him back on her own after they dragged their feet. When she arrived at the address Kimberly had given her, prepared to call 911 if there was a confrontation, she was surprised again to find Moey tied up outside, alone. “Never in my mind did I ex-

pect that when we drive up there that Moey was going to be tied up outside,” Yelena said. “We drive up, I see a little white shape tied up outside this apartment building. I dashed out, I couldn’t even untie the leash at first, my hands were shaking.” Moey is reportedly in good health, in need of grooming and a bath and a little bit skittish, but otherwise fine. The Falks are overjoyed to have their furry family member back. And the whole ordeal resulted in another addition to the family. “While I was searching for Moey last week, I answered a Craigslist ad last week because it sounded like an ad for a stolen dog that could have been Moey,” Yelena said. “We went out to the Bronx to look at the

dog, and he wasn’t Moey, but we adopted him. So now we have Dougie and Moey.” The Falks hope that their story will remind other dog owners to remain vigilant and not leave their pets alone outside, even for a minute. Yelena said that she doesn’t plan on pursuing the woman who may have taken Moey and would rather focus on the happy times ahead, with Moey and the new dog too. “Honestly, people were telling me to give up hope, that I’m taking it too far looking for the dog, that I should just chill – well we didn’t,” Yelena said with a laugh. “We did everything we could. Not that any of that was what led him to us, but I feel like sooner or later, it would have.”

GETTING OLD BUT STAYING SHARP SENIORS

LOST DOG RETURNS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Falks’ newest family addition, Dougie, left, with the rescued Moey

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Study says that brainpower in the very old may be improving If you’re lucky enough to live into your 90s, how well will your brain hold up? You may have an edge over people who got there ahead of you, a recent study hints. Researchers found that on tests of mental abilities, a group of 95-year-old Danes scored better than a group of Danes born 10 years earlier, who had been tested when they were about the same age. In a standard simple test, for example, 23 percent of them scored in the highest category, compared to 13 percent of the earlier-born group. Out of the 30 questions and tasks, members of the later-born group averaged two more correct re-

sponses than the earlierborn group did. The results were released by the journal Lancet. Why the better mental performance? It wasn’t just better education, but beyond that the researchers could only guess at things like more intellectual stimulation and better diets earlier in life. More people are living to such old ages. The U.S. census counted 425,000 Americans age 95 and older in 2010, a 26 percent increase over the total in 2000. The researchers also found that later-born Danes were better able to carry out basic living tasks like getting out of bed or a chair. So they were functioning better overall, the study concluded. Lead author Dr. Kaare Christensen, head of the Danish Aging Research Center at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense, was cautious about applying the results to

the United States, although he said the availability of education in the U.S. after World War II would be a plus. Dr. James Pacala, associate head of the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, who didn’t participate in the study, said he suspects the same trends are present in the United States. He also said the findings fit with previous work that shows people are functioning better at given ages than they used to. But Pacala, who heads the board of the American Geriatrics Society, noted that even in the better-functioning group of Danes, at least 40 percent and probably more had dementia. Denise Park, an expert in mental function and aging at the University of Texas in Dallas, called the mental test results provocative but said it’s not clear why the differences appeared. She said she would want to know if the effect holds up for 80-year-olds as well. “If it’s real, it should,” she said. Lancet journal: thelancet.com/ journals/lancet

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Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

Voices

< PROTESTING AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF FAVORITE RESTAURANTS I read the piece “Can Restaurants Be Saved?” (August 14, 2014) with great interest, as I live near the now closed Big Nick and Nickos, that I believe were owned by the same person. The only way I see the general

Feedback

public can react to a closing of their favorite store because of exorbitant rent increases, is to vow not to patronize whoever decides to take on the huge lease. Best would be to send such a letter to the landlord. I believe

the urbanist, Jane Jacobs, suggested this method to reduce rents to a reasonable level. George Yourke, West 74th Street

LETTER

NO SYMPATHY FOR PARKING COMPLAINER Comments from the web on a letter to the editors, “The Never-Ending Fight for Parking,” August 21, 2014: “As a car owner in the city I have to say too bad. Free parking isn’t a right, you should be thankful you got a spot at all. Having a car in the city is a luxury and complaining about a lack of spots is ridiculous. With that being said, points 2 and 3 are valid, although, I would say most people know you can’t save a spot and just claim ignorance. I wonder why you drove to World Trade knowing there is a lack of parking? Having a car is convenient but public transit is usually easier.” Ken “Or you could use public transportation and avoid these types of problems altogether.” MJJ34

CAR OWNERS ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM A reader argues that car owners in Manhattan should count on utilizing garages and paid lots, not on finding free street parking. Photo by Be Very Quiet via Flickr

ANOTHER TENANT FIGHTING TO STAY IN HIS APARTMENT A comment from the web on our story, “Fighting the Landlord,” August 21, 2014: I took a Housing Preservation court action against Croman when he contaminated my apartment with toxic lead dust from a gut renovation in the apartment below me. The first thing his lawyers said was how Croman (aka 9300 Realty) was improving the NYC housing stock and that he was sincerely concerned with improving conditions in his buildings. So in many of the latest press reports about his abuses he always replies about how he is removing violations and improving the building. And in fact he is, but only in the apartments he has vacated of rent stabilized tenants, renovated and rented at market rates. The many violations in those previously regulated apartments are now gone and replaced with two bathrooms and granite counter tops. Also he creates other violations during renovations by not using required safe construction practices, but tries and get the city to respond to complaints through 311 - a waste of time. He uses construction to harass the remaining tenants into leaving. Renter

A fellow Manhattanite and car owner says that personal vehicles are a luxury and not entitled to parking spots BY G.R., WEST 95TH STREET

As I was reading J.B.’s letter in the August 21st edition (“The Never-Ending Fight for Parking”), I couldn’t help notice he lives on E. 89th Street. This is close to the 4/5/6 subway, and an easy trip by subway down to Fulton Street or Wall Street both within the Financial District. J.B. is part of the problem. Cars are not necessary in Manhattan. We have a great public transit system, that can get you anywhere in this city, usually faster than a car.

STRAUS MEDIA-MANHATTAN President, Jeanne Straus nyoffice@strausnews.com Group Publisher - Manhattan Vincent A. Gardino advertising@strausnews.com

Publisher, Gerry Gavin Associate Publishers, Seth L. Miller, Ceil Ainsworth Sr. Account Executive, Tania Cade

The problem is that some people feel entitled to a car, and then to take and park said car wherever they may go. A car in Manhattan is a luxury. There are not many valid reasons for having one. In fact I can really only think of three: working outside Manhattan, having multiple small children, or a disabled person in the family are the ones that come to mind, but J.B. felt entitled to a space he should not have even needed, over someone who had a legitimate reason. I will admit to having a car on Manhattan. I park it in a garage, and know if I do dare take it out to venture somewhere in Manhattan, I will not count on street parking, but will make sure I know where a garage is. However, I don’t take it out

Account Executive Sam R. McCausland Classified Account Executive, Susan Wynn

to drive in Manhattan. I have two small children, and use it to go to their Grandma’s house in NJ, or to Queens to go shopping, or for long trips. I keep it in a garage for two reasons. First, there are already too many people who have a car on the Upper West Side who shouldn’t, and they take up most the on-street parking. On my days of work, I see groups working together to make sure they get a spot, after the street sweeper comes by. I often wonder how these people, who don’t seem to have a job, afford to keep a car in Manhattan, and move it from side to side every morning, when people like me who work, could never do so. Secondly, people park like idiots on the street. The gaps between cars are unnecessarily large, or

Editor In Chief, Kyle Pope editor.ot@strausnews.com Editor, Megan Bungeroth editor.otdt@strausnews.com

cars bump against each other. This doesn’t even factor in double parkers who block people in. There are just too many people with cars in Manhattan that shouldn’t have them, and think they are entitled to both having a car and finding convenient on-street parking near their home or destination in Manhattan. Bottom line, a car in Manhattan is a luxury, if you can’t afford to park it, you shouldn’t have it; if you don’t need it, you shouldn’t have it. Car shares like ZipCar, great mass transit options, and Citi Bikes make car ownership for Manhattanites mostly unnecessary. Therefore I feel J.B. is just part of the problem, and has no basis to complain.

Staff Reporters, Gabrielle Alfiero, Daniel Fitzsimmons Block Mayors, Ann Morris, Upper West Side

Jennifer Peterson, Upper East Side Gail Dubov, Upper West Side Edith Marks, Upper West Side

5 TOP

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

FOR THE WEEK BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

OPERA

9

See What’s GROWING Upstate! ne’s i z t a dirmag

DVOŘÁK’S “RUSALKA” Renee Fleming stars as the title character in this production of Czech composer Antonin Dvořák’s fairy tale, giving the opera star an opportunity to perform the show’s signature song, “Song to the Moon.” The performance also features Polish tenor Piotr Beczala as the Prince. Yannick NézetSéguin conducts. Thursday, August 28 Lincoln Center Plaza Columbus Avenue between West 63rd and West 64th Streets 7:45 p.m. FREE

MUSIC DANDY WELLINGTON AND HIS BAND Harlem native Dandy Wellington takes inspiration from the big band music from the 1930’s and ‘40s. Well-dressed and dapper, Wellington—who also works as an event producer and stylist for lifestyle brands—and his hornheavy band perform more obscure music from the era and beyond, plucking songs from classic cinema and Dixieland jazz to round out their repertoire. Thursday, August 28 Front/Row Stage at South Street Seaport 11 Fulton St., near Front St. 6 p.m. FREE

FILM “THROUGH A LENS DARKLY” At just over 90 minutes, filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris explores how black photographers have used the medium for self-definition, while white photographers have historically used film to perpetuate racist imagery. Beginning with an examination of Harris’ own family album, the film was inspired by the book “Reflections in Black,” a history of black photographers by Deborah Willis, who will be on hand for a Q&A and book-signing. Thursday, August 28 Film Forum 209 West Houston St. 7:20 p.m. Tickets $13

THEATER “RED EYE OF LOVE” This new musical, adapted from Arnold Weinstein’s 1961 play, premieres, with Alli Mauzey starring as Selma Chargesse, who’s caught in a love triangle with a wealthy meat shop proprietor and an idealistic and politically impassioned man of more limited means. Through September 28

Dicapo Opera Theatre 184 East 76th St., between 3rd and Lexington Avenues Assorted show times Tickets $25-$75 Discounted tickets available at http://www. amasmusical.org/redeyeoflove.html

“CYMBELINE” The Free Theatre’s site-specific production of Shakespeare’s tragicomedy is set in West Park Presbyterian Church, which the Free Theatre transforms into the wilderness of Wales. Audiences are led throughout the rooms of the church in this interactive presentation. August 29 through August 31 West Park Presbyterian Church 165 West 86th St., at Amsterdam Avenue 7 p.m. FREE

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10

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST The local paper for the Upper West Side

SOUP BURG CLOSED AFTER RENT INCREASE

Out & About 29 1 TOMATO WEEK

SAVING SMALL BUSINESS

WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL PARADE FOR KIDS

Venerable Upper East Side restaurant to be replaced by a TD Bank branch BY CATHERINE ELLSBERG

Soup Burg has served up its last bowl. The restaurant, which had called its Lexington Ave. and 77th Street location home for the past 10 years, was ďŹ nally forced to call it quits June 29 after the building’s landlord tried to raise the rent exponentially. Unable to pay the higher rent, Soup Burg’s owner, Jimmy Gouvakis, had to make the difficult decision to close the restaurant—a family-owned business since 1963—to make way for the building’s new tenant, TD Bank. Gouvakis has had the difficult news hanging over him since April; since then, his customers have showered him with support -- as well as a healthy dose of outrage. Many neighborhood fans and long-time customers see the closing of Soup Burg as part of a sad, and larger, epidemic—the ousting of small businesses, and the rampant excess of banks and chain stores that replace them. Nikki Henkin, who lives above the Soup Burg and who has been a devoted customer from the beginning, described the restaurant as a favorite local hangout. Located directly across the street from Lenox Hill Hospital, Soup Burg has long “served a neighborhood function,â€? says Henkin, catering to the hospital staff, neighborhood doormen, and “just people.â€? The restaurant, which was open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., represented a neighborhood spirit for many people, including Henkin, who describes such small restaurants as “(necessities) in every community.â€? Other Soup Burg patrons have taken the restaurant’s closing as a particular blow and, to a degree, a sign of a wider decay:

“How far can we go with this? Are we just going to end up with a lot of banks?� added Henkin. Joie Anderson, another local devotee, chastises Mayor de Blasio, who in her eyes has allowed everything to “turn into a Duane Reade and a TD Bank.� For Anderson, these “mom and pop stores give character� to the area, and are welcome remedies to the ubiquitous Starbucks or Panera chains. At places like Starbucks, Anderson complains, there are different workers there every time you visit; Soup Burg, on the other hand, promises personalized attention, regularity, and consistency. “You go into Soup Burg and they act like you’re their favorite customer,� Anderson says, noting that such local joints keep “New York from being a suburban shopping mall.� But as angry as Henkin, Anderson, and a slew of other customers are, Gouvakis, has

been equal parts levelheaded and nostalgic. Recognizing that “a lot of people are upset,â€? Gouvakis acknowledged that this is “all part of business; it’s nothing personal against us.â€? Gouvakis, who owns Soup Burg with his two partners—his brother John and his brother-in-law Timmy— plans on relocating to somewhere else on the Upper East Side, an area they love and are now long familiar with. In the meantime, Gouvakis spent Soup Burg’s ďŹ nal day serving up last meals, to people and dogs alike. Joking that in his next life he’d “rather live with dogs than most humans,â€? Gouvakis has been known to hand out bits of ham to neighborhood pets. Gouvakis also made one of his famous cheeseburgers for his mother. “It was a pleasure being here for ten years,â€? Gouvakis told me: “This was my second family.â€?

July 3, 2014

July 6, 2014

The local paper for the Upper East Side

SAVING AND RECOVERING DATA

UPS tells employees to lie, overcharge customers: suit

U.P.S.’S SECRET MANHATTAN PROBLEM One of the Hagan brothers’ 11 Manhattan UPS stores, now closed.

“ Employees in virtually every Manhattan (UPS

BUSINESS

Store) location were so comfortable with the practice of ‌ lying about expected delivery dates, withholding accurate price quotes and overdimensioning boxes to trigger higher retail billable rates, that they would gladly engage in conversations on the topic.� A former UPS franchisee

A former franchisee accuses the shipping giant of routinely gouging customers throughout the city BY KYLE POPE

Last month, when nearly a dozen UPS Stores across the city closed down in a single day, the initial focus was on the customers put out by the shutdown: dozens of people found themselves unable to access their rented mailboxes, while others complained of packages lost in the The UPS Store believes shuffle. On the West Side, a blog surfaced the allegations made against to swap information about the fate of a store on West 57th Street. it and UPS ... to be false. What none of these customers knew at The UPS Store customer service team is doing all we the time, though, was that they had uncan to assure the customers wittingly become part of a much bigger in the Manhattan store area – and at times bizarre – dispute involving affected are taken care of� the franchisee who until the shutdowns

“

What can Brown screw from you? Two former UPS franchisees accuse the worldwide delivery service of telling employees to lie about the size and weight of packages in order to jack up prices on unsuspecting customers. Brothers Robert and Thomas Hagan, who owned and operated 11 UPS stores in Manhattan, claim in a federal lawsuit that a typical scam was to “add inches to the sides of measured boxes,� as well as an “enhanced declared value,� which allowed clerks to charge customers more. For example, a package with a length, width and depth totaling 26 inches would cost $106.85 to overnight from New York to Pittsburgh, but a 29-inch package would cost $117.19. In some cases, customers were overcharged as much as 400 percent, legal papers allege. “It’s pretty ugly,� said Steve Savva, the Hagans’ attorney. “It seems to be systematic, and the customers have no way of knowing.� The Hagans allege in court filings that The UPS Store, a subsidiary of the publicly traded United Parcel Service, was responsible for violating “the covenant of good faith and fair dealing� by: t 5FMMJOH DVTUPNFST UIBU HSPVOE EFMJWFSZ DPVME OPU CF HVBSBOUFFE BOE XPVME take longer than it actually would, in order to entice them to buy expensive, guaranteed air delivery. t $PODFBMJOH UIF DPTU PG DIFBQFS TIJQQJOH TFSWJDFT t $IBSHJOH DVTUPNFST GVFM TVSDIBSHFT GPS BJS EFMJWFSZ FWFO XIFO QBDLBHFT XFSFO U shipped by plane but by truck. Videotapes offered as evidence show UPS Store employees cheating customers,

UPS, and their right to operate a UPS store was revoked. But, in an effort to clear their name, the Hagans have ďŹ led an extraordinary claim against UPS in Federal Court that lays out, over 200 detailed pages, what they say is a systemic effort by UPS to rip off its Manhattan customers. The Hagans, UPS franchise owners since 2008 whose business grossed $6 million a year at its peak, even brought in a private investigator to secretly document the abuses they say occur at every UPS store in the city. Among their claims: Customers are routinely duped into paying more than necessary for shipping Employees are encouraged to lie about the weight and dimensions of packages to result in a higher bill Customers are told that one method of shipping is the cheapest, when often it is not The Hagans, in their lawsuit, says the deception is so widespread at UPS in

May 1, 2014

May 11, 2014

The local paper for Downtown

12

Our Town MAY 8, 2014

From Vandals to Artists: Time Rouses More Appreciation for Graffiti

THESE WALLS CAN TALK ART Current exhibits explore NYC streets’ past and present BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

Last November, one of New York’s most iconic art exhibits was uncermoniously whitewashed. Outdoor art space 5Pointz, a destination in Long Island City where graffiti writers from all over the world came to leave their mark, was covered over with white paint last November at the behest of the building’s owner, Jerry Wolkoff. When the vast walls of colorful graffiti were covered, Long Island City resident Jeffrey Leder took notice. Wolkoff had allowed graffiti writers to legally create work on his property for more than a decade, but now plans to demolish the building and construct residential high-rises after winning legal disputes with the 5Pointz artists. Leder, who operates an art gallery a block away, joined forces with Marie Cecile-Flageul, a member of the 5Pointz community who also manages its press, to curate “Whitewash,� an exhibition responding to the destruction, featuring work by nine artists who once painted at 5Pointz. Included in the exhibit are paintings by Meres One, the longtime curator of 5Pointz as well as prints

Leder about the debut of the exhibit. “It was a celebration 5Pointz of the life of 5Pointz and also showed that there mourning its death.â€? was a need for While “Whitewashâ€? is a di- graffiti culture rect response to the recent as a tourist events at 5Pointz, the Jeffrey destination spot, Leder Gallery is not the only and so therefore local space exploring graf- any gallery or art fiti’s presence in New York institution that City. In February, Museum of can provide people the City of New York opened with their graffiti “City as Canvas,â€? an exhibi- ďŹ x will do so.â€? tion of 1980s graffiti art. City Gregory J. Lore, a non-proďŹ t organiza- Snyder, author tion that preserves and pro- of “Graffiti motes folk and grassroots Lives: Beyond arts movements, opened its the Tag in New new gallery space in April York’s Urban Undergroundâ€? with “Moving Murals,â€? a photographic display of graffiti-covered subway cars shot by photographers Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper during the 1970s and early 1980s. “Graffiti is so emblematic of the way people can be creative in their own environment,â€? said Steve Zeitlin, founding director of City Lore, who noted that, while graffiti still exists in the city, painted train cars are rare. In August, Gothamist reported that a tagged 4 train was spotted in the Bronx, though Zeitlin said it didn’t stay in public view for very long. “They never make it out of the train yard,â€? Zeitlin said. While graffiti is more policed now than in the 1970s and 1980s, street art has become a more accepted public display in urban areas, thanks in no small part to the international celebrity of clandestine British street artist Banksy, who completed a month-long ‘residency’ on New York City’s streets in October. Gregory J. Snyder, a sociologist and professor at Baruch College whose book “Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York’s Urban Undergroundâ€? resulted from a decade of immersive research into graffiti’s subculture, makes a distinction between the two forms. “A lot of what we consider street art was antici

Above, a train mural from the City Lore exhibition. Photo by Henry Chalfant

“

Left, Henry Chalfant and graffiti writer SHARP at the City Lore exhibition opening. Photo by Fernanda Kock

the early 1990s stared deďŹ antly at Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s cleanup efforts. Snyder also acknowledged the open tension between graffiti writers and street artists. “Street artists do not necessarily have to answer for their vandalism the same way that graffiti writers do,â€? he said. “Graffiti is thought to break windows, where street art is just, ‘hey, I’m putting up art.’ So it’s a little bit easier in the public mind to be a street artist than to be a grafďŹ ti writer, and I think both of those subcultures like it the way it is.â€? Abby Ronner, director of the City Lore gallery, echoes Snyder’s sentiments. “They’re totally different aesthetics,â€? Ronner said, noting that the City Lore exhibit explores an era when graffiti was transitioning from pure vandalism to legitimate expression in the art world’s view. Graffiti’s presence in galleries and museums isn’t new, Snyder said, nor is its alignment with ďŹ ne art. Brooklyn Museum exhibited graffiti in 2006 and included some of the same artists as the Museum of the City of New York show which

Union Square Park 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Catch the last day of Union Square Greenmarket’s tomato week! To celebrate this special week, there will be a demonstration involving tomatoes. Tomato season is ending soon, so don’t miss your chance to pick up summer’s juiciest fruit. unionsquarenyc.org

sent artists rooted in graffiti and street art. Many artists who were part of graffiti’s halcyon days have gone on to professional art careers, including Barry McGee, also known by his tag name Twist, and Steve Powers, known as ESPO, who are now successful studio artists. Still, Ronner notices a recent uptick in public interest. “In New York City, the cost of living is increasing so signiďŹ cantly and quickly, and there’s so much commercial development,â€? said Ronner. “A lot of people feel New York is being lost. The very deďŹ nition of New York and the character of it are lost. People are seeking old New York City culture.â€? Snyder suggests that Banksy’s mainstream success and the current popularity of street art renewed some interest in graffiti art and its culture, though he wonders if the recent events at 5Pointz affected gallery and museum attention. “Curators have a good sense of the moment,â€? said Snyder, who said that, though 5Pointz became a prestigious space for graffiti writers from all over the world it wasn’t necessarily home to

May 8, 2014

May 13, 2014

FIRST IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD The local paper for the Upper East Side

The local paper for the Upper West Side

(212) 868-0190

The local paper for Downtown

Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street 3:30 – 5 p.m.; free Come to the Hudson Park Library this Friday for a hands on class teaching you how to save and recover data. Adults are invited to come learn how to save data to ash drives as well as how to recover data that might be lost. To attend, you must pre-register which can be done on the phone or in person. nypl.org

31 FILM UNDER THE STARS: SKYFALL South Street Seaport 8 p.m.; free This Sunday night, South Street Seaport will be showing the latest James Bond ďŹ lm, “Skyfall.â€? Come watch Daniel Craig’s Agent 007 rendition in this suspenseful spy movie, while enjoying turf seating and river views. Arrive early for good seats and bring a sweater!

Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St. (Between Amsterdam and Broadway) 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.; free with museum admission The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will be celebrating Labor Day with a parade this Monday! Come play the drums and have some fun as we celebrate September’s ďŹ rst holiday. Kids can make their own masks to wear in the parade. All ages welcome. cmom.org

FOCUS: ARTIST AS OBSERVER Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St. (b/t Greenwich and Houston)

30 MEATPACKING DISTRICT STREET FAIR 13th Street from Washington – 9th Avenue 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free Local vendors artists and musicians will be setting up shop on 13th street this Saturday for the Meatpacking District Street fair. Bring the whole family for southstreetseaport.com some Saturday fun and explore the displays and sales. HUDSON RIVER PARK streetfairsandfestivals.net WILD!

MARCOS LESSA PERFORMANCE SOB’s, 204 Varick St. 8:30 p.m.; $15 Marcos Lessa from “The Voiceâ€? will be performing at SĂĄbados Por do Sol this Saturday. Lessa was a semiďŹ nalist on the Brazilian 2013 “The Voice.â€? sobs.com

12 - 5 p.m.; $11 Come examine art pieces on display at this summer exhibition featured in the Cynthia C. Wainwright Gallery. Christopher Street Fountain The exhibit will include drawings, photographs, video, 9 a.m.; free and paintings in which artists Learn about some wildlife express various characteristics in downtown Manhattan! A naturalist will be giving a guided of culture, identity, nature walk this Sunday morning neighborhood, and heritage. for all you early risers. See if you cmany.org can spot all 85 different bird species as you walk along the Hudson river. hudsonriverpark.org

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

192 East Broadway at the Seward Park Library 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.; free Toddlers from 18 moths to 3 years old are invited to come play at the Seward Park Library this Tuesday! Kids will enjoy interactive story time, action songs and finger play. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver, and are suggested to arrive a little early because activities will start promptly at 12:15. nypl.org

HIGH LINE KIDS: PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD The High Line at West 22nd St. 3 – 5 p.m.; free

3 RUN CLUB 408 W. 14th Street 7 p.m.; free Run off some steam after

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YOUNG SPROUTS GARDENING Rockefeller Park, north end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.; free Come learn about organic gardening at Battery City Park! Kids of the ages 3 – 5 who are accompanied by an adult are invited to come plant and do nature projects this Tuesday afternoon. Pre-registration is required. bpcparks.org

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Barnes and Noble at 33 E. 17th Street 7 p.m.; free (but can call store to inquire about priority seating) Come meet Nev Schulman, the host of the hit MTV show, “Catfish.” In the show, Nev investigates online relationships, and figures out who is lying about their identity and who is telling the truth. In his book, “In Real Life: Love, Lies & Identity In the Digital Age” Nev paves a

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( ( &## ," - (347) 756-4215 Bring your kids to make a yummy creation on the highline! High Line food vendors will assist your children in making a tasty snack. Each week we will make something new, so don’t miss it this Wednesday! thehighline.org

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Holley Plaza in Washington Square Park 8 – 10 p.m.; free Come watch a showing of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This performance is presented by Gorilla Repertory Theatre. nycgovparks.org

You Never Forget Who You Grew Up With. The rough touch of tree bark, the scent of freshly mowed grass, the gentle hum of pollinating bees as a flower blossoms — green spaces touch lives and all five senses. Green spaces are a vital part of growing up — they enhance lives, make memories and connect people with their neighborhoods and communities. Be a part of preserving and enhancing green spaces where we live, work and play. To volunteer, to learn how to help your community and to donate, visit ProjectEverGreen.org or call toll-free (877) 758-4835.

projectevergreen.org (877) 758-4835

12

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

Actors performing in the new play “Dead Behind These Eyes,” which is set in a karaoke lounge.

BELTING IT OUT FOR AN AUDIENCE THEATER New play staged in East Village karaoke bar BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

EAST VILLAGE For director Kathryn Hamilton, the sight of words lighting up on a karaoke screen with a buoyant dot jumping from one word to the next is “one of the most melancholy things in the world.” “I don’t know why,” said Hamilton. “Maybe it’s the absence of the body in that space. Maybe it’s the assumption of joy that’s not being fulfilled.” Rarely do karaoke lounge lizards garner a paying audience, but Hamilton’s charg-

ing admission. Her latest play, “Dead Behind These Eyes,” opens August 29 in a karaoke bar on Avenue A, a few blocks from Tompkins Square Park. Inspired by “Look Back in Anger,” British playwright John Osborne’s 1956 play about class and political apathy, Hamilton translates the conceits and regrets of discontented youth from a traditional stage to a karaoke setting, complete with a modern pop soundtrack that includes songs by artists as diverse as Jeff Buckley and Katy Perry. Hamilton began developing the show with her theater company Sister Sylvester around the same time the Occupy Wall Street protest movement took root in Zuccotti Park. The ser-

RECENT SITE-SPECIFIC THEATER 2003—“The Angel Project”— Theater and opera director Deborah Warner’s adaptation of her London-based project debuted in New York as part of the 2003 Lincoln Center Festival. She presented the show as a walking tour of the city, and planted actors at different destinations. 2011—“Sleep No More”—Now a celebrated example of sitespecific theater in the city, this adaptation of “Macbeth” by British theater company Punchdrunk, reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy in a Noir-like series of rooms in the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea. Audience members wear white masks and much of the performance is without dialogue. 2013—“Then She Fell”—Based on “Alice in Wonderland” and set at Kingsland Ward, a former psychiatric hospital in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, this immersive production from Third Rail Projects invites 15 theatergoers at a time to wander through a maze of highly-designed rooms and corridors and experience one-on-one performances.

endipitous alignment led her and her collaborators to consider their involvements (and lack of) in modern political movements, a scenario that plagues the disaffected young characters in Osborne’s text. “You have these characters essentially stuck in a room, and they lash out at one another because they’re bored,” said Jeremy Barker, dramaturge for the production. “They’re just sort of stuck there. So what we did was we took that and basically put it in a karaoke bar.” At each performance, the line between the performers and the 12 audience members blurs, Barker said. Without the distance implied by the fourth wall, the audience members might not realize at first who the actors are among them. Hamilton’s production references Osborne’s work—a groundbreaking and defiant text in pre-sixties Britain— but loosely. Non-narrative and without distinct characters, “Dead Behind These Eyes”

follows the bar structure of a musical composition, though the actors improvise and adapt based on the audience’s reaction during a given performance. “People come in with really different expectations to a karaoke room than they do in a theater,” Hamilton said. “The codes you assume in a theater just aren’t there, partly because of the intimacy and the setup and the way the performers speak to the audience, but partly because people have had a few drinks and they’re walking into a karaoke room. They have a different frame to understand what’s being performed there.” Mariah MacCarthy, a playwright and producer, favors site-specific theater for intimate and immersive audience experiences, which are more difficult to achieve in a traditional black-box theater, and also more expensive. She staged her latest show in a friend’s apartment in Astoria,

and split ticket sales with the host. Renting a theater space for one week can cost, at the very minimum, $2,000, she said, a prohibitive amount for many small companies. MacCarthy suggested that the popularity of “Sleep No More,” an immersive adaptation of “Macbeth” that opened in a series of Chelsea warehouses in 2011, made site-specific work more visible, but not necessarily more prevalent. “Everything site-specific that came after that, everyone had to compare to ‘Sleep No More’ to understand what it was,” she said. “But it’s been there longer than people have noticed.” In “Dead Behind These Eyes,” the actors reach for the microphone, of course, though the show is not a musical, Hamilton said. Instead, the play possesses a crucial soundtrack, and some of the singing is what you’d expect at a karaoke lounge on any other evening, Hamilton said, echoing the nature of individual involvement,

whether in sing-alongs or political movements. “It’s about participation, right?” she said. “On all these levels, participation is not necessarily about virtuosity, but the act of participating.” To that end, staging the show in a karaoke lounge was a logical choice. Since Sing Sing Karaoke, where the show takes place, doesn’t open until the evenings, the actors rehearsed in the space during the day. And, Hamilton said, karaoke is akin to theater. “A play is a piece of karaoke, too,” Hamilton said. “Speaking these other people’s words, maybe like you mean them or maybe like you don’t. Maybe with distance, but they’re words that aren’t yours.” “Dead Behind These Eyes” opens on August 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Sing Sing Karaoke (81 Avenue A), and runs through September 19. For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit abronsartscenter.org.

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

13

RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS AUGUST 18 - 19, 2014

Lasso

192 Mott Street

Grade Pending (27) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. 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. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Lure Fishbar

142 Mercer Street

Grade Pending (24) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. 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.

Mcdonald's

136 West 3 Street

A

The Smile

26 Bond Street

A

Iconic Cafe

238 Lafayette Street

Not Graded Yet (20) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

New Wing Wah Bakery

246 Grand Street

A

Subway

229 Chrystie Street

Grade Pending (22) Hot food item that has been cooked and refrigerated is being held for service without first being reheated to 1 65º F or above within 2 hours. 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.

85 Chinese Restaurant

85 Chrystie Street

Grade Pending (37) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Russ & Daughters Cafe

127 Orchard Street

A

Flaming Kitchen

97 Bowery

A

Clock Work

21 Essex Street

A

A San Fuzhou Restaurant

7 Eldridge Street

Closed by Health Department (45) 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. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

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. Feng Cheng Yuan Restaurant

100 Bowery

Grade Pending (27) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Grand Appetito

197 Grand Street

A

Aux Epices

121 Baxter Street

A

Cafe Hong Kong

51 Bayard Street

Grade Pending (26) 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 not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

TJ's Coffee World

228 Canal Street

A

Pings

22 Mott Street

Not Graded Yet (21) 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 not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.

Distilled

211 West Broadway

A

South's

273 Church Street

A

Anotheroom

249 West Broadway

A

The Ship

158 Lafayette Street

Not Graded Yet (19) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Blimpie

69 Nassau Street

A

Niko Niko Sushi & Bowl

133 John Street

Grade Pending (26) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. 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.

Fields Good Chicken

101 Maiden Lane

Not Graded Yet (21) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Quynh's Vietnamese Sandwiches

99 Nassau Street

Grade Pending (20) 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.

King Bakery

90 East Broadway

A

Financier Patisserie

90 Nassau Street

A

Taquitoria

168 Ludlow Street

A

Pepe Rosso To Go

149 Sullivan Street

Grade Pending (19) 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.

Sweet Life Cafe

147 Christopher Street

Grade Pending (27) Food worker does not use proper utensil to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment. Filth flies or food/refuse/ sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

14

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

Food & Drink

< ANNUAL VENDY AWARDS ADDS ANNIVERSARY CATEGORY The annual celebration of the city’s most coveted street food kicks off on September 13 on Governor’s Island, and in celebration of the awards’ 10th anniversary, a new category has been introduced, the Daily News reported. The Vendy Awards invited past winners of the Vendy Cup—the competition’s top prize—back

In Brief CRUMBS REOPENING IN COLUMBUS SQUARE Crumbs Bake Shop at Columbus Square is set to re-open this fall, following the abrupt closing of all Crumbs locations last month, and the company’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the New York Post reported. New owners Marcus Lemonis, host of CNBC series “The Profit,” and Fischer Enterprises, LLC won a bid to acquire the fledgling company in July, with a $6.5 million dollar proposal, and will re-open just over half of the 49 recently-shuttered locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. When the 795 Columbus Ave. location opens its doors next month, the bakery will also serve coffee and beverages in addition to its signature giant cupcakes, the Post reported. At the time of last month’s bankruptcy filing, Manhattan had 13 different Crumbs locations, including its original outpost on the Upper West Side, which first opened in 2003.

MARIO BATALI AND FRANK BASTIANICH TO OPEN RESTAURANT IN MARITIME HOTEL

to compete for the Master’s Cup. Nominees for the newest awards include: Solber Pupusas, which has sold its Salvadoran corn tortillas at the Red Hook ball fields for the last 15 years; Astoria vendor King of Falafel (known for its chicken shawarma and white sauce), Mexican and Southern fusion vendor Calexico; NY Dosa

MAKING HAPPY MEALS INTO HEALTHIER MEALS NUTRITION East Side councilman wants fast food restaurants to serve healthier fare in exchange for the ability to give away toys to kids BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

Happy Meals might soon need to get healthy. Upper East Side Councilman Ben Kallos introduced legislation last week that would set stricter nutritional standards for meals served with toys. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Council Members Stephen Levin and Corey Johnson, would prohibit fast food eateries from offering free toys or coupons in kids’ meals—such as McDonald’s Happy Meals—that contain more than 500 calories or 600 mg of sodium. Kallos, a Democrat, introduced the bill on Thursday. The measure is designed to help

Chef and restaurateur Mario Batali, of Babbo, Del Posto, Eataly and Food Network fame, will open another restaurant in Manhattan with his partner Joe Bastianich, this time in the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea. The partnership between the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group and the West 16th hotel, which is currently home to Italian fine-dining spot La Bottega, includes the breadth of the restaurant’s food and beverage program, Grub Street reports, including the lobby bar and room service. According to a statement on Batali’s website, the hotel’s updated menus will reflect “the hotel’s nautical architectural elements, featuring cooking of the Italian coast and Islands,” with an emphasis on seafood, while the décor of the renovated La Bottega space will feature terra-cotta elements and a pastel palette that “will transport diners to the terraced hillsides of Positano.”

Guy, run by Sri Lankan chef Thiru Kumar, who sells his lentil and rice flour crepes on West 4th Street near Washington Square Park; and Hallo Berlin, the city’s first German food cart and winner of the inaugural Vendy Cup in 2005. Other categories for this year’s awards include Rookie of the Year and Best Dessert.

It is difficult enough for parents to give their children healthy food without the fast food industry spending hundreds of million dollars per year advertising to children, and nearly half of that on toys.” Councilman Ben Kallos

fight childhood obesity. “An estimated one fourth of a child’s meals come from restaurants or fast food places. These could be healthy calories,” Kallos said in a statement. “It is difficult enough for parents to give their children healthy food without the fast food industry spending hundreds of million dollars per year advertising to children, and nearly half of that on toys.” According to a survey conducted by USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost half the calories children consume outside of the home comes from fast food eateries. In the statement, Kallos’ office points out that a 2012 Federal Trade Commission report indicated that, in 2009, fast food companies spent $714 million advertising products to children, with nearly half the spending going to toys. Half of elementary school students are overweight, according to the New York City Department of Health, and 20 percent of kindergarten students are obese. “For far too long, fast-food chains such as Wendy’s and Burger King have been using toy giveaways to lure children to meals of cheeseburgers, French fries, and sodas and other meals of poor nutritional quality,” said Margo Wooten, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “This is a practice that is meant to exploit the cognitive immaturity of children and make parents’ job harder.” Council Member Leroy Comrie first introduced the legislation in 2011. If the bill eventually passes, Kallos said restaurants will be able to incentivize children to make healthier choices, as opposed to seeking out calorie and sodium-laden fast food

THE HEALTHY MEAL CRITERIA For restaurants to meet the bill’s health standards, children’s meals must include: • 500 calories or less • Fewer than 35 percent of calories from fat • Fewer than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat • Fewer than 10 percent of calories from added sugar • Fewer than 600 mg of sodium • One full serving of fruit, vegetables or whole grains

THE HAPPY MEAL BREAKDOWN Nutritional information for a McDonald’s Happy Meal with cheeseburger, French fries, fat-free chocolate milk and apple slices: • Total calories: 550 • Calories from fat: 150 • Total fat: 17g (26%) • Saturated fat: 6g (31%) • Sodium: 880mg • Sugars: 32g Happy Meals currently come with a Hot Wheels car or Barbie figurine meals in order to snag free toys. Under the bill, restaurants that violate the measure will have to pay a fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for a second offense and up to $2,500 for all subsequent violations. A call to a McDonald’s spokesman was not immediately returned.

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

15

Real Estate Sales Neighborhd

Address

Battery Park City200 Rector Place

Price

Bed Bath Agent

$645,000

1

1

Corcoran

Greenwich Village

44 E 12 St.

$1,460,000 1

2

Citi Habitats

Greenwich Village

74 5 Ave.

$2,650,000 3

2

Douglas Elliman

Greenwich Village

175 W 12 St.

$2,855,000 2

2

Corcoran

Greenwich Village

77 Bleecker St.

$955,000

Battery Park City30 W St.

$2,000,000 2

2

Keller Williams

Battery Park City2 South End Ave.

$845,000

2

2

Regatta Ny Realty

Chelsea

248 W 16 St.

$1,200,000 2

1

Halstead Property

Chelsea

300 W 23 St.

$459,000

Chelsea

66 9 Ave.

$6,500,000

Chelsea

133 W 22 St.

$2,500,000 2

2

Douglas Elliman

$525,000

0

1

Halstead Property

320 W 19 St.

$715,000

1

Corcoran

Greenwich Village

63 E 9 St.

Chelsea Chelsea

305 W 18 St.

$600,000

63 E 9 St.

$450,000

0

1

Halstead Property

Chelsea

345 W 14 St.

$4,300,000 2

2

Corcoran

Greenwich Village

Chelsea

113 W 15 St.

$265,000

0

1

Corcoran

25 W 13 St.

$510,000

0

1

Town Residential

E Village

111 3 Ave.

$1,650,000 2

2

Halstead Property

Greenwich Village

60 E 9 St.

$663,000 0

1

Douglas Elliman

1

E Village

808 Broadway

$1,025,000 1

E Village

211 E 13Th St.

$1,146,640

E Village

211 E 13Th St.

$1,165,896 1

1

Victoria Belyavsky, Lreb

Greenwich Village

$360,000

Citi Habitats

Greenwich Village

54 E 8 St.

1

E Village

50 E 1 St.

$305,000

1

0

Owner

Lower E Side

570 Grand St.

$759,500

E Village

219 E 7 St.

$430,000

2

1

Corcoran

Lower E Side

504 Grand St.

$650,000

2

1

Loho Realty

Financial District20 Pine St.

$983,000

1

1

Douglas Elliman

Lower E Side

154 Attorney St.

$1,022,500 2

1

Bond New York

Financial District15 Broad St.

$895,000

Lower E Side

417 Grand St.

$950,000

Financial District88 Greenwich St.

$300,000

Lower E Side

417 Grand St.

$815,000

Financial District3 Hanover Square

$415,000

0

1

Douglas Elliman

Noho

14 E 4 St.

$2,750,000

Financial District15 Broad St.

$2,255,000 3

3

Douglas Elliman

Noho

48 Bond St.

$3,295,000 2

2

Douglas Elliman

Financial District88 Greenwich St.

$840,000

Noho

41 Bond St.

$6,158,067

Financial District80 John St.

$873,659

Soho

330 Spring St.

$2,800,000 2

2

Brown Harris Stevens

Flatiron

16 W 16 St.

$449,000

0

1

Corcoran

Soho

110 Thompson St.

$97,778

Flatiron

23 E 22 St.

$3,818,437 2

2

Brown Harris Stevens

Soho

465 W Broadway

$4,700,000 3

3

Douglas Elliman

Flatiron

23 E 22 St.

$4,073,000 2

2

Brown Harris Stevens

Tribeca

295 Greenwich St.

$1,203,000

Flatiron

254 Park Ave. South

$990,000

0

1

Douglas Elliman

Tribeca

50 Franklin St.

$1,145,000

Flatiron

254 Park Ave. South

$955,000

0

1

Douglas Elliman

Tribeca

25 Murray St.

$2,450,000

Flatiron

5 E 22 St.

$1,280,000

Tribeca

27 Leonard St.

$3,000,000

Flatiron

16 W 19 St.

$1,485,000 1

1

Ave. Real Estate

Tribeca

73 Worth St.

$3,350,000 2

3

Douglas Elliman

Flatiron

5 E 22 St.

$2,125,000 2

2

Halstead Property

Tribeca

35 Vestry St.

$1,300,000

W Village

204 W 10 St.

$612,500

1

1

Halstead Property

W Village

75 Bank St.

$1,480,000

W Village

180 W Houston St.

$762,000

1

1

Halstead Property

Fulton/Seaport 99 John St.

$935,000

Fulton/Seaport 99 John St.

$700,000

0

1

Azulay Group

Fulton/Seaport 99 John St.

$661,862

0

1

Nestseekers

Gramercy Park 4 Lexington Ave.

$738,500

1

1

Brown Harris Stevens

Gramercy Park 205 3 Ave.

$575,000

0

1

Citi Habitats

Gramercy Park 201 E 17 St.

$776,000

1

1

Barkoff Residential

Gramercy Park 310 E 15 St.

$2,700,000 3

3

Douglas Elliman

Gramercy Park 4 Lexington Ave.

$602,000

1

1

Citi Habitats

Gramercy Park 34 Gramercy Park

$725,000

1

1

Halstead Property

StreetEasy.com is New York’s most accurate and comprehensive real estate website, providing consumers detailed sales and rental information and the tools to manage that information to make educated decisions. The site has become the reference site for consumers, real estate professionals and the media and has been widely credited with bringing transparency to one of the world’s most important real estate markets.

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Retail Workers Need More Hours To Survive Stuart Appelbaum, President Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union

I

n New York City and throughout the country, the inequality gap continues to widen and working people are being left behind. Retail workers, in particular, continue to be underpaid with inadequate part-time hours and unpredictable scheduling. The real problem is that the retail industry has shifted away from stable jobs towards part-time, on-call work that denies employees the opportunity to work the amount of hours that they need to earn enough to support themselves and their families. When workers are under-scheduled and their hours are subject to change on a moment’s notice, they have no certainty as to how they’ll survive. Part-time work has become the new norm, but people still have full-time families and full-time responsibilities. Take Melody Pabon for example. She is a mom, a full-time student and a cashier at Zara. Her manager frequently sends her home early, which cuts back even more on her hours and shaves money off her paycheck. Due to the low wages and insufficient hours she received at Zara, Melody had to pull her son Mason out of daycare because she couldn’t afford it. In order to reduce growing work-hours uncertainty in our economy, we must update the definition of reporting to work to reflect today’s employment practices. Currently, the reporting pay law is not enforced in New York State. In 2012, 73 percent of retail workers said they were paid for a full four hours when sent home early. Employers do not adhere to this state law, nor are workers made aware of their right to four hours of pay should their shift end early. From childcare to transportation, the cost of reporting to work can run high in relation to daily earned income. Working New Yorkers need stronger reporting pay law enforcement so they are paid for the time to which they are entitled by law. Additionally, workers no longer report to work in person. Instead, more and more companies are requesting that workers call their manager a few hours before their shift in order to know if they are scheduled for work or not. Employers contend that this practice allows them to respond to customer traffic and sales, yet it leaves workers in the lurch when the shift they were counting on gets cancelled at the last minute. The time they spend waiting to hear about their on-call shift is time they could have spent working at a second job, taking care of their family, or attending school. In reality, the time on-call workers spend waiting for notification must be classified as reporting to work. The bottom line is that even as wages go up, part-time workers cannot provide for their families without adequate, stable, and predictable hours. If we want to make sure that working families are able to support themselves, we need to support them in building a collective voice to address all of their concerns in the workplace, including the hours they work. Wage increases and other workplace improvements are never guaranteed without a contract. Collective bargaining is the only vehicle for workers to democratically decide how to build family-sustaining jobs. What would truly make a difference in retail and in other low-wage industries would be to provide workers with livable hours and regular schedules that their families can rely on – and a union contract which guarantees the gains they have made can’t be taken away. Collective bargaining–and fairness for workers who seek it–has always been and will continue to be the single most important means for creating jobs that can build better lives and stronger communities.

Visit us on the web at:

www.rwdsu.org

16

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

Business

< JOB PROGRAM PORTAL ANNOUNCED FOR DISABLED NEW YORKERS Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled Monday the State Recruitment Resources Center, an online hub that just launched for disabled people seeking jobs in the state. According to the governor’s office, the program will work in tandem with his Program to Hire Persons and Veterans with Disabilities.

In Brief LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PROTECT STREET VENDORS Lower Manhattan Councilwoman Margaret Chin recently introduced legislation that would allow any vendor who becomes too sick to work to transfer their vending license to a family member who can continue to run the business. Chin’s office said the legislation came in response to the plight of Chun Yi, the wife of a street vendor who became ill and gave his license to her in order to make money for their family. Vending licenses in New York are currently non-transferrable, meaning they cannot be used by anyone other than who the city originally issued the license to. “The result is that the family members can either no longer support themselves financially, or are forced to continue running the business without a proper license, thereby facing numerous tickets and/or arrests by police,” said Chin’s office in announcing the legislation. “Either way, the outcome is deeply negative and destructive for those families as they struggle to get by.” Chin’s office said the Dept. of Consumer Affairs agreed in June to temporarily transfer the license to Yi, but that her situation remains uncertain. In a broader sense, Chin’s legislation seeks to protect vendors in similar situations by requiring the DCA to fully transfer the license to a family member when the original licensee falls ill or is otherwise debilitated.

CAB COMPANY CRACKDOWN Attorney General Eric Schneiderman secured a $1.6 million settlement from a taxi company that was illegally imposing fines on its drivers for late payments on lease fees. With the cost of a New York City taxi medallion averaging over a million dollars, most cabbies lease their medallions, and often their vehicles, from registered owners and agents. In an effort to set a baseline of take-home pay, the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission sets “lease cap rules” that govern the amount drivers can be charged for medallions and vehicles. The rules also strictly regulate any added fees that can be levied against drivers. According to the AG’s office, Yellow Cab SLS Jet Management Corp., out of Long Island City, was found to be in violation of the lease cap rules when penalizing its drivers for being late on their pre-payment of the lease fee. But, said the AG’s office, the company never adequately explained their policy and further prevented drivers from complying with their rules. “Many drivers reported that SLS Jet prohibited them from pre-paying for shifts, thereby forcing them to incur SLS Jet’s late fees. In addition, when certain drivers asked SLS Jet about late fees incurred, SLS Jet replied that the fees were charged because drivers leased hybrid taxicabs, a fee not permitted under TLC rules,” said the AG’s office in a statement. $1.38 million of the settlement will go directly to the drivers who were fined, while the rest will go towards penalties imposed by the AG and the cost of compliance monitoring.

“The website enables job seekers to upload their resume and transcript, and also provides application information regarding disability certification so that they can be best connected with employment opportunities at state agencies,” said the governor’s office in a press release.

His jobs program allows qualified people and veterans with disabilities to be appointed to entry-level competitive civil service positions without a written examination. Information on being certified for the Program can be found online at www.cs.ny.gov.

PRATT STUDENT’S DESIGNS IN THE SPOTLIGHT PROFILE A graduate student at the Pratt Institute won a design competition to sell his notebooks in Barnes & Noble BY CATHERINE ELLSBERG

When Ben Tuber, now a graduate student at the Pratt Institute, was an undergrad at the University of Chicago, he wasn’t exactly planning a future in design. Immersed in the relatively esoteric world of ancient Greek and Egyptian hieroglyphics, Tuber revealed in an interview that he had other lofty ideas, including one fantasy of becoming the next Indiana Jones. After taking a beat, Tuber added, “I realized I wasn’t going to be the next Indiana Jones.” Hieroglyphics — something that had hildhood for captivated Tuber since childhood ns” s — re“more purely visual reasons” ation, mained a lingering inspiration, owhowever, eventually followgh ing him to Pratt. Though e he had been drawing since he was a little kid, Tuberr described his light-bulb moment when he realized “there was a career for this thing — it’s called design.” iToday, Tuber has experienced something of an upward trajectory at Pratt;; in keeping with the school’ss onarness going partnership with Barnes esigns & Noble, some of Tuber’s designs — along with those of a small tugroup of other graduate stu-

dents at Pratt — are now on sale at more than 400 Barnes & Noble stores nationwide as part of the “For Students By Students” collection. The participating, selected students were challenged to create unique designs for a target age group; other than those minimal instructions, though, the project was completely up to them to execute. Keeping a younger demographic in mind, Tuber began thinking about products — sketchbooks, pencil cases, and journals — that would actually appeal to college-age students. Noting that “everyone is plugged in,” he turned to texting symbols themselves — “a kind of second language.” Soon, emojis, smiley icons, and “TTYL” shorthand found their way onto the sketchbooks — an attempt, in some small way, to breach the digital divide. Describing his designs, Tuber is at once equal part parts philosophical and straigh straightforward; recognizing that texting t lingo has “infiltra trated our normal speech,” he also realizes that digit tization is rampant, and h to stay. Rather than here rebuff computers and iPhones, Tuber has tried to straddle creativity with the digital age; the two need not be m mutually exclusive.

Pratt student Ben Tuber turned his dreams of Indiana Jones glory into a career in graphic design.

b k he believes Tuber’s line of sketchbooks, believes, will appeal to anyone who has a “longing to sketch something by hand.” It is an oldschool approach, perhaps, but stands as evidence that you can “have fun outside of the computer.” Barnes & Noble has several partnerships with schools, not all of which end up benefitting the students whose designs go into production. Last week, a former student at the Fashion Institute of Technology claimed in a federal lawsuit that she hasn’t made any money off a top-selling backpack she created for the store in 2010. Diana Rubio designed the “everything backpack” when she was assigned to enter Barnes & Noble’s “Back to Campus” contest. Her bag won, and it continues to be a top seller for Barnes & Noble, which sells it for $39.95 and credits Rubio as the designer. But Rubio says in the lawsuit that she never received any money from FIT or Barnes & Noble. Barnes & Noble says it pays royalties to FIT and that the matter was between Rubio and the school. Tuber, however, has enjoyed seeing his work out in the real world; an Upper West Side native, he remains particularly devoted to the 82nd Street Barnes & Noble. Pratt’s partnership with the bookstore has been a “great opportunity,” he said. He described the thrill of seeing his work materialize in his hometown bookstore as an honor — one that might even trump the Indiana Jones fantasy.

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

17

YOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES Meegan Gregg moved to New York to bring barre workouts to the city after becoming hooked on them herself.

A NEW BARRE FOR NEW YORK CITY Q&A Meegan Gregg, director of operations for fitness studio Barre3 West Village, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the studio’s launch BY ANGELA BARBUTI

A new exercise studio that just opened in the West Village is hoping that New Yorkers’ quest for that perfect workout will end at the ballet barre. Barre3 gives workout classes that tone and shape students through a combination of ballet work, yoga and Pilates. The inaugural studio, which had its unveiling on August 25th, is located on 8th Street, and its founders see the friendly atmosphere there as reminiscent of their corporate home in Portland, Oregon. With over 70 Barre3 studios throughout the country, this is the first to open in New York. Chelsea resident Meegan Gregg dis-

covered the Barre3 workout when she lived in Portland and quickly became hooked. “I just got totally into it,” she said. As a result of her passion and commitment, she was sent here to serve as the director of operations at the Manhattan flagship location. As far as her goals for the studio go, Gregg said she hopes to make it as welcoming as possible. “We want to offer a third place for people - work, home, and Barre3,” she said.

For people who have never taken Barre3, how would you explain it? Barre3 is a combination of ballet barre, Pilates and yoga. It’s perfect for all fitness levels. It tones and shapes the body, but also emphasizes the mind/body connection.

What is the benefit to taking a Barre3 class as opposed to other workouts?

a very balanced body, so we don’t overwork anything. We do a lot of back body work. So I would say that it’s a total body workout that balances and lengthens the body.

It really lengthens the muscles and works the body in a naturally functional way. We try to develop

What is your background in the fitness world?

I don’t really have a background in the fitness world. I worked in a bunch of different jobs. I worked for a hedge fund, a marketing company, a production company. I was planning on living in Portland for just a few months, and then going back to San Francisco. But I started taking barre classes when I moved to Portland, over three years ago, and then started teaching them there.

How did the studio’s New York location come about? We wanted to have a presence in New York, so the owners, Sadie and Chris Lincoln, and Amy LeClerc decided to send me out here.

Out of all the neighborhoods in Manhattan, how did you decide to open in the West Village? Well, we love 8th Street and just thought it was a great street. The West Village just really resonated with us. It just felt very neighborhood-y and Portland is a very neighborhood-based city, so it felt a little bit less imposing. You see the same people all the time, and that’s what we love.

How many people work at the studio?

We only have five instructors in total. I’ll probably be teaching 10 to 12 classes a week.

What are you doing to promote the studio? Just by word of mouth. A lot of it is through friends, honestly. We have an underground community that has been taking classes with us while we waited to open.

You just moved to Chelsea. How long have you lived here? I moved here in February during the freezing cold winter. So it was a pretty intense time. [Laughs] I had lived in the West Village briefly in 2009. And I spent a lot of time in New York when I lived in San Francisco.

What are you favorite places in the city? As far as restaurants, I love Prune in the East Village and Nourish in the West Village. Stumptown Coffee is awesome and also from Portland, so they’re good friends. I spent an incredible amount of time in the lobby of The Marlton Hotel, getting work done on my laptop, since our studio had been under construction. They have Wi-Fi, a coffee bar, and a great restaurant.

GET THE WORKOUT Barre3 is located at 63 West 8th Street at 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor To celebrate its opening, the studio will offer free classes during its first week of business, August 24th – 31st. For a limited time, specially priced lifetime memberships will be available. Visit www. barre3.com for more information.

18

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

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11

#

Directory of Business & Services

Make your own cat litter by shredding newspaper, soaking it in dish detergent & baking soda, and letting it dry.

which is pretty insulting to gay people (and we don’t mean the “happy� people). 2. so please, knock it off. 3. go to ThinkB4YouSpeak.com

To advertise in this directory Call Susan (212)-868-0190 ext.417 Classified2@strausnews.com

ATTORNEY

ANTIQUES WANTED

TOP PRICES PAID

Chinese Objects Paintings, Jewelry Silver, Furniture, Etc. Entire Estates Purchased

800.530.0006 PAINTING

Interior & Exterior Painting Wallpaper Removal 25 Years Experience Neat & Clean Work Licensed & Insured Affordable Pricing/Free Estimates

SABBY PAINTING (917) 292-9595

212 979-2868 Home Visits Available - We Honor all AARP and Legal Services Plan Discounts 237 1st Ave, 2nd Floor, New York NY 10003 S.W. Corner of 14th Street & 1st Ave

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REAL ESTATE

Buying or Selling? I can help. It’s not just real estate. It’s your home.

VICTOR FERRER Licensed Real Estate Agent

347-573-3882 victor.ferrer@elliman.com

2011 BMW 3 SERIES

SEDAN AUTOMATIC

$29,995 3.06 cyl.Auto,Black Sapphire VIN: WBAPM5C58BF182177. Model Code: 1142. Stock #: DU3629. Mileage: 18,756

2002 CHEVROLET

2012 CADILLAC

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6.2L V-8 cyl. Black Raven. VIN: 1GYSHEFICR227507. Model Code: 6K10906. Stock #: E42833Q. Mileage: 25,161

2011 CHEVY

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3065& t &"45 )"/07&3 /+ /*&-4&/%0%(& $0. t ČŞ ČŞ

AUGUST 28, 2014 Our Town

19

CLASSIFIEDS Classified Advertising Department Information Telephone: 212-868-0190 | Fax: 212-2868-0190 Email: classified2@strausnews.com Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Deadline: 2pm the Friday before publication ACCOUNTING/FINANCIAL SERVICES ALLSTATE INSURANCE Anthony Pomponio 212-769-2899 125 West 72nd St. 5R, NYC apomponio@allstate.com

ADOPTION ADOPT: A loving, established couple with close family dream of a home filled with the sounds of a child. Please contact 855-884-6080; jennandjonadopt@gmail.com www.jennandjonadopt.info Expenses paid. ANIMALS & PETS

North Shore Animal League AnimalLeague.org 1-877-4-SAVE-PET Facebook.com/TheAnimalLeague ANNOUNCEMENTS

GrowNYC.org Recycle@GrowNYC.org 212-788-0225 ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES

CAMPS/SCHOOLS Success Academy Charter Schools “A proven record of excellence…” We are applying to open new schools in Manhattan and encourage your input! www.SuccessAcademies. org /NewSchools

CARS & TRUCKS & RV’S 2012 Chrysler 200 S, $15,984. 17,700 miles. Stock #N1049 MSRP $18,486. Nielson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 175 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 877-3931692 www.nielsendodge.com 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Touring $22,738. 22,030 miles. Stock #F41178P1. MSRP $26,880. Nielson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 175 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 877-3931692 www.nielsendodge.com 2012 Dodge Caliber SXT $13,860. 24,324 miles. Stock #U8316A. MSR $16,888. Nielson Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 175 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ 877-393-1692 www.nielsendodge.com

Antique, Flea & Farmers Market, East 67 St Market (bet. First & York Ave). Open every Saturday, 6am-5pm, rain or shine. Indoor & Outdoor, Free Admission. Call Bob 718-8975992. Proceeds benefit PS 183.

Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-AWish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call (855) 376-9474

CAMPS/SCHOOLS

Impeccable Cleaning Done With Care. Licensed, Referrals. Green Products, Steaming. Free Consultation. Discount for 1st time clients. Spotless Castle. 718-865-8583. www.spotlesscastle.com

Alexander Robertson School Independent School for Pre-K through Grade 5 212-663-2844, 3 West 95th St. www.AlexanderRobertson.com Boys & Girls Harbor “A vibrant hub for education and the arts.” 1 East 104th Street, 212.427.2244 www.theharbor.org German Classes for Children NY State Accredited Language Program. No previous experience necessary. www.German-AmericanSchool.org. 212-787-7543 GRF Test Prep Classes We prepare students to take the SHSAT! 120 W 76th St, New York, NY 10025 201) 592-1592 www.grftestprep.com Huntington Learning Center Your tutoring solution! UWS. 212-362-0100 www.HuntingtonHelps.com Learn Something New Today! Free computer classes at The New York Public Library LEARN MORE nypl.org/LearnToday 917-ASK-NYPL

Remember to: Recycle and Reuse

CLEANING SERVICES/LAUNDRY

COUNSELING

Non-trad therapist, 40 yrs exp, formerly w/Casriel Inst & Daytop Village. Help raise self-esteem, overcome insecurities. Hazel James, 212-645-3135 Psychotherapy Services: Addiction/Recovery; Depression/Anxiety; Relationship Issues; Lesbian & Gay Issues; Approved provider for DWI Offenses; Some Insurance Accepted. Private, convenient UWS office. Laura-Ann Robb, LCSW CASAC, 646-753-2879, robb.lauraann@gmail.com Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Psychology Barbara Milrod M.D. 212-746-5868 ENTERTAINMENT

Carino on Second Blending traditional Italian favorites with contemporary accents. 1710 2nd Avenue (bet. 88th & 89th) NYC 212-860-0566 www.carino2nd.com

POLICY NOTICE: We make every effort to avoid mistakes in your classified ads. Check your ad the first week it runs. We will only accept responsibility for the first incorrect insertion. Manhattan Media Classifieds assumes no financial responsibility for errors or omissions. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or re-classify any ad. Contact your sales rep directly for copy changes. All classified ads are pre-paid.

ENTERTAINMENT

HELP WANTED

PAINT & WALLPAPER

SERVICES OFFERED

Chirping Chicken - We Deliver & Cater! Mon/Sun 11am-11pm 1560 2nd Ave,(212)517-9888-9 Ask about our daily Greek specialty dish!

AIRLINE CAREERS begin here Get FAA approved Aviation Maintenance Technician training. Financial aid for qualified students – Housing available. Job placement assistance. Call AIM 866-296-7093

SABBY PAINTING (917) 292-9595 Interior/Exterior Painting Wallpaper Removal Free Estimates, Affordable Prices, Neat & Clean Work Licensed & Insured

Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel Known for excellence since 1898 - 1076 Madison Ave, at 81st St., 212-288-3500 Hudson Valley Public Relations Optimizing connections. Building reputations. 24 Merrit Ave Millbrook, NY 12545, (845) 702-6226

LIPS The Ultimate in Drag Dining & Best Place in NYC to Celebrate Your Birthday! 227 E 56th St., 212-675-7710 www.LipsUSA.com Mohegan Sun Why D rive? For info call Academy: 1-800-442-7272 ext. 2353 - www.academybus.com Need to know about everything that’s happening in lower Manhattan? DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE, www.downtownny.com or just download our mobile app onto your cellphone and go! HEALTH SERVICES

Alternative Medical Center of New York since 1985. Holistic health services including Swedish Massage, Acupuncture, Acupresure, Colon Hydrotherapy & High Enemas. Shaving & grooming. 7 days, 11 am - 8 pm. Free Consultation. 176 W 94 St - 212.222.4868 and 235 E 51 St-(212)751.2319 Are you HIV positive? ASCNYC is here for you. Call or visit today! 212-645-0875 www.ascnyc.com Carnegie Hill Endoscopy 212-860-6300 www.carnegiehillendo.com Columbia Doctors of Ophthalmology - Our newest location at 15 West 65th Street (Broadway) is now open. www.ColumbiaEye.org 212.305.9535 NYU Langone Medical Center Introduces the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. 555 Madison Ave bet. 55th & 56th, 646-754-2000 HELP WANTED

$8,000 COMPENSATION. EGG DONORS NEEDED. Women 21-31. Help Couples Become Families using Physicians from the BEST DOCTOR’S LIST. Personalized Care. 100% Confidential. 1-877-9-DONATE; 1-877936-6283; www.longisland ivf.com

“Can You Dig It”? Heavy Equipment Operator Training! 3Wk Hands On Program. Bulldozers, Backhoes, Excavators. Lifetime Job Placement Assistance w/National Certifications. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-866-362-6497

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Expert on-site repair and restoration of antiques & new furniture in your home or office Quality custom-made furniture & cabinetry. FURNITURE MEDIC, (212)470-3850, Visit us on Facebook FurnitureMedicBH Serving NYC INSTRUCTION

POST 9/11 G.I. BILL® -If qualified will pay tuition, fees & housing. Train with National Tractor Trailer School, Liverpool/Buffalo, NY (branch) full/part-time www.ntts.edu 1-800-243-9300 Consumer Information: ww.ntts.edu/programs/disclosures GI Bill® is a registered trademark

LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL Anthony Pomponio, Allstate 212-769-2899 apomponio@allstate.com Rick Bryan, Attorney & Counselor at Law. Wills, Living Trusts, Probate, Elder Law, Guardianships, Legal Advice. Home Visits Available. We honor all AARP and Legal Service Plan Discounts, 237 1st Ave, 2nd Fl, S.W. Corner of 14th St and 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003, 212-979-2868.

MASSAGE

Massage by Melissa (917)620-2787 SENSUAL BODYWORK young, handsome, smooth, athletic Asian. InCall/OutCall. Phillip. 212-787-9116 MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

Imperial Fine Books & Oriental Art - Rare & fine books, Chinese ceramics and art from the Ming to Qing Dynasties. 790 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor New York, New York 10065 (212)861-6620 www.imperialfinebooks.com Pandora Jewelry -Unforgettable Moments412 W. Broadway · Soho, NYC 212-226-3414

Remember to: Recycle and Reuse

REAL ESTATE - RENT

GLENWOOD - Manhattan’s Finest Luxury Rentals Uptown office 212-535-0500 Downtown office 212-4305900. glenwoodNYC.com LET US FIND YOUR DREAM APARTMENT! 1BR/1BA Harlem - $1,750 2BR/1BA Ft. Tryon Pk - $1,725 2BR/1BA Inwood - $2,200 2BR/2BA, Dining Room, Harlem - $1,900 CALL OR TEXT TODAY! 917-689-2944, Tim Heath, The Homefinder, Lic R.E. Agent Tim@Bohemiarealtygroup.com Bohemia Realty Group

John Krtil Funeral Home; Yorkville Funeral Service, INC. Independently Owned Since 1885. WE SERVE ALL FAITHS AND COMMUNITIES 212-744-3084 Marble Collegiate Church Dr. Michael B. Brown, Senior Minister, 1 West 29th St. NYC, NY 10001, (212) 689-2770. www.MarbleChurch.org New-York Historical Society Making history matter! 170 Central Park West www.nyhistory.org (212) 873-3400

Now Leasing! SHARED OFFICES Park Avenue 212-231-8500 www.410park.com

Riverside Memorial Chapel Leaders in funeral pre-planning. 180 W 76th St (212) 362-6600

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily. Holiday Real Estate. 1800-638-2102. Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

SPORTS CENTER at Chelsea Piers ChelseaPiers.com/SC 212-336-6000 TEKSERVE NYC’s Store For Technology Apple Repairs & Services Business Support 119 W 23rd St www.tekserve.com (212) 929-3645

REAL ESTATE - SALE

BANK ORDERED SALE. Up to 10 acres from $59,900. Beautiful Bethel NY. Near Woodstock site. 85 miles from Manhattan. Assorted hardwoods, approved building site, underground utilities, across from lake. Walk to Performing Arts Center, Financing. Call (877)8361820. DEAL FELL THROUGH! 5 acres - $19,900 Apple trees, gorgeous views, State Land, 3 hrs NY City! EZ terms. Call 888905-8847 Tour: www.newyorklandandlakes.com Victor Ferrer , Licensed Real Estate Agent, Douglas Elliman Real Estate. 347-573-3882 / 212-712-6083 - victor.ferrer@ elliman.com SERVICES OFFERED

CARMEL Car & Limousine Service To JFK… $52 To Newark… $51 To LaGuardia… $34 1-212-666-6666 Toll Free 1-800-9-Carmel

Event Hair Stylists 347.243.3170 for appointments www.sharimelisabeauty.com/

Vamoose Bus Providing premium bus service between: NYC|MD|VA www.vamoosebus.com VACATIONS

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises HIDDEN HARBOR TOURS For tix, visit: www.circleline42.com/hiddenharbor or call 1-855-382-0397 Dutchess County Tourism Make plans for an easy weekend escape at www.DutchessTourism.com, 800-445-3131 WANTED TO BUY

ANTIQUES WANTED Top Prices Paid. Chinese Objects, Paintings, Jewelry, Silver, Furniture, Etc. Entire Estates Purchased. 800-530-0006. B u y o r s e ll a t A A R a u ctions.com. Contents of homes, businesses, vehicles and real estate. Bid NOW! AARauctions.com Lights, Camera, Auction. No longer the best kept secret. CASH BUYER! Buying ALL Gold & Silver Coins, Stamps, Paper Money, Comic Books, Entire Collections, Estates. Travel to your home. Call Marc in NY: 1-800-959-3419

20

Our Town AUGUST 28, 2014

NOMINATE Best Doorman ƥ ƥ Best Super

Do you know a great doorman, porter or ǫ ƥ ǡ ƥ worker who helps make life a little easier at ǫ ǡ ǡ ǫ Join Our Town, The West Side Spirit, Our Town Downtown and 32BJ SEIU, the property workers union, in honoring the running smoothly. We’ll be writing about some of the people you nominate. So tell us, who’s gone above and beyond to make residents’, tenants’ and New Yorkers’ lives better?

BUILDING SERVICE WORKERS

Best Porter Best Maintenance Person

AWARDS

PRESENTED BY

BUILDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES

The local paper for the Upper East Side

The local paper for the Upper West Side

The local paper for Downtown

Go To: bsw-awards.com Nominate today for advertising opportunities 212.868.0190 or advertising @strausnews.com

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