Our Town Downtown June 5th, 2014

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The local paper for Downtown wn WEEK OF JUNE

SUMMER GUIDE 2014

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INSIDE

2014

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BIG PLANS FOR GRITTY ‘WILD WEST’ SIDE

Students at the Blue School, founded by members of the Blue Man Group, collaborate on an art project. Photo courtesy of Blue School

DEVELOPMENT Checking in with the massive construction projects on the West Side of Manhattan BY VERENA DOBNIK

WEST SIDE It was once a gritty stretch of Manhattan known for rail yards, warehouses and aging industrial buildings, so desolate it was dubbed “The Wild, Wild West.” Now, one of the biggest private construction projects in the U.S. is transforming a stretch of the West Side into a cluster of 20 new buildings -- 17 of them high-rises -- so tightly packed that it has earned a new, not always complimentary, nickname: “Hong Kong on the Hudson.” “This is going to be the new heart of New York,” says Michael Samuelian, a project manager for the $20 billion Hudson Yards -- a joint venture of Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. This development and the adjacent $4.5 billion Manhattan West complex comprise the city’s most ambitious private real estate ventures since Rockefeller Center went up in the 1930s. When fully completed in 2024, the two projects will offer more than 22 million square feet (2 million square meters) of space, including about 6,000 residential units -- more footage than the rebuilt World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. That is being accomplished, in part, through a feat of engineering: the construction of massive concrete platforms that allow the buildings to rise above and around active railroad tracks and rail yards. Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains will keep running from New Jersey and other locations to Penn Station, used by about 700,000 people daily. “This is what keeps me awake at night,” says Dennis Friedrich, CEO CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

FROM PERFORMANCE ART TO CIRCLE TIME SCHOOLS The Blue School, founded by members of the intentionally strange Blue Man Group, plans to apply its educational approach to middle schoolers BY MARY NEWMAN

FINANCIAL DISTRICT Over 20 years ago, three friends pooled their distinct forms of creative expression to form what would become one of the largest theater groups in the country, with permanent shows in New York, Chicago, and Boston. Since its inception, the Blue Man Group, featuring silent performers covered head to toe in blue body

paint, has entertained more than 17 million people around the world. Now, the group’s founder have transferred the creative principles from their performances into an innovative way to approach education at a place called Blue School, with a plan to expand on the horizon. Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, and Chris Wink founded Blue School, a private K-5 school in the Financial District, in 2006, much the same way that the Blue Man Group was conceived in 1988 – through long conversations and debates in their living rooms. Once the three founders started sending their own children to school, they realized they wanted to create an educational platform that supports both creative expression

and academic skills. “The school was really founded on the idea that you can have a cultural response to something happening in the world, very similarly to how Blue Man the show began,” explained the head of school, Allison Gaines Pell. “The Blue Men first painted themselves blue in Central Park as a gorilla theater piece as a visual representation of the end of the 1980s. I always think of that story as an educator because for me, the Blue School is a response in many ways to the current educational landscape.” Pell joined the team at the Blue School two years ago, but knows what it takes to build a school from scratch. She founded the Brooklyn

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In Brief DE BLASIO FAMILY MOVES TO GRACIE MANSION Six months after Bill de Blasio took the oath of office as mayor, he and his family are finally making their big move to the Upper East Side. First Lady Chirlane McCray was posting updates to her #FLONYC blog on Monday, announcing that “today marks a very important day for our family—the move to Gracie Mansion has begun!” She also posted photos of some of the family’s most prized posessions making the trip, including a rocking chair given to the couple by the mayor’s mother, Maria Wilhelm, when daughter Chiara was born, and a sewing table from McCray’s mother. It was not immediately clear when the first family will be officially residing full-time at the mayoral digs, but a press release said that public tours of Gracie Mansion will be temporarily suspended until September, when the family is “settled in.”

VISION ZERO BILLS PASS COUNCIL The city council passed a package of 11 traffic safety bills last week, including what’s come to be known as “Cooper’s Law,” after 9-year-old Cooper Stock, who was struck by a taxi and killed on the Upper West Side early this year. The bills, all of which Mayor de Blasio is expected to sign into law, were part of the city’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate pedestrian traffic deaths. New safety measures covered in the bills include the implementation of seven “slow zones” of 20 mph, banning dangerous vehicle stunts like wheelies, and imposing harsher penalties on drivers who injure pedestrians or cyclists. “They will protect families and make our neighborhoods safer,” de Blasio said.


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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS CHECK ANOTHER GAS STATION TO CLOSE EV Grieve reported that the BP gas station at the corner of Second Avenue and East 1st Street will be closing in the coming weeks. The

blog confirmed that workers were hauling away equipment over the weekend and a BP employee said that the gas station and snack shop will be closed by the end of June. This closure will come at a time when the East Village, as well as downtown Manhattan as a whole, is losing gas stations swiftly as owners sell their lots for massive profits to real estate developers. EV Grieve previously reported that Hakimian Property will be erecting a 9-story mixed use building on East Houston Street and Avenue C, where a Mobil station once operated, and that the BP station on East Houston and Lafayette is also slated to close to make way for a luxury residential building in the near future. While no plans have been filed with the city for the Second Avenue lot as yet, EV Grieve reports that it may soon be home to a boutique hotel, according to rumor around the neighborhood. EV Grieve

POLICE: SUSPECT STOLE $11,000 FROM CHURCH

The BP gas station on Second Avenue and East 1st Street will be closing by the end of the month. Photo via EV Grieve

New York City police are looking for a suspect in connection with an $11,000 burglary at a church rectory in Manhattan. It happened at the Immaculate Conception Church on East 14th Street on Sunday afternoon. Police say the burglar walked into a third floor bedroom of the rectory and removed $11,000 in cash from a night stand. The thief was caught on surveillance video roaming the rectory around 1:15 p.m. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800 577-TIPS. AP

LAWSUIT SEEKS TO STOP COOPER UNION TUITION CHARGE A group of professors, alumni and students at Cooper Union has filed a lawsuit to prevent the prestigious art and architecture university from charging tuition for undergraduates. The Daily News says the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Manhattan accuses the school’s leaders of borrowing more money than the school could afford, spending on fancy new buildings and losing millions by investing in a trustee’s own hedge fund. The lawsuit asks the court to block any tuition and to order a financial audit. Cooper Union spokesman Justin Harmon said the decision to charge tuition was “tremendously difficult” but he said the school will still be “among the most affordable elite institutions in the world.” Last year, the school’s trustees voted to charge an undergraduate tuition starting with the fall 2014 class. Daily News

HISTORIC RECOGNITION FOR LGBT AMERICANS The announcement Friday that the National Park Service will begin installing markers at places of importance to the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans is a step toward including them in the national narrative -and components of education, supporters said. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell made the announcement Friday at the Stonewall Inn, the scene of riots in June 1969 that are widely credited with starting the modern gay rights movement. Stonewall was made a national historic landmark in 2000, and June is widely celebrated

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as LGBT Pride Month. Jewell said the nation is on a journey to expand civil rights to underrepresented groups. The process on LGBT issues mirrors efforts the service already has undertaken to preserve and promote locations that reflect the roles of Latinos, AsianAmericans and women in U.S. history. “Part of the job of the National Park Service is to tell this story,” she said. The initiative comes after years of debate about how LGBT people fit into America’s historical narrative and whether they should be included in textbooks. Byard attended the news conference in front of the Stonewall, in Greenwich Village, and praised the park service initiative. Students will now learn about LGBT history on field trips to park service sites, she said. “Symbolically it’s hugely important that now LGBT history is officially part of the national narrative,” Byard said. “This is part of what our federal government will identify, preserve and single out.” The park service is convening a panel of 18 scholars who will be charged with exploring the LGBT movement’s story in areas such as law, religion, media, civil rights and the arts. The committee will identify relevant sites and its work will be used to evaluate them for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, designation as National Historic Landmarks or consideration as national monuments. The scholars’ study, which is expected to be completed by 2016, is being financed with $250,000 from the Gill Foundation, a major donor to gay civil rights causes. AP

re-use

ways to old newspaper

your

Use it as wrapping paper, or fold & glue pages into reusable gift bags.

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4

Add shredded newspaper to your compost pile when you need a carbon addition or to keep flies at bay.

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Use newspaper strips, water, and a bit of glue for newspaper mâché.

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Crumple newspaper to use as packaging material the next time you need to ship something fragile.

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Tightly roll up sheets of newspaper and tie with string to use as fire logs.

After your garden plants sprout, place newspaper sheets around them, then water & cover with grass clippings and leaves. This newspaper will keep weeds from growing.

Make origami creatures

Use shredded newspaper as animal bedding in lieu of sawdust or hay.

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

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Wrap pieces of fruit in newspaper to speed up the ripening process.

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Cut out letters & words to write anonymous letters to friends and family to let them know they are loved.

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Roll a twice-folded newspaper sheet around a jar, remove the jar, & you have a biodegradable seed-starting pot that can be planted directly into the soil.

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Make newspaper airplanes and have a contest in the backyard.

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Stuff newspapers in boots or handbags to help the items keep their shape. Dry out wet shoes by loosening laces & sticking balled newspaper pages inside.

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JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG SPADE WORK

1ST PRECINCT

Watches were shoplifted from a boutique. At 12:05 PM on Saturday, May 17, a man removed watches from an unlocked display case in a Greene Street clothing boutique before fleeing southbound on that street. Video is available of the theft. The watches taken were a 42 mm Jack Spade Buckner valued at $378, a 38 mm Jack Spade Stillwell priced at $328, and a 38 mm Jack Spade Buckner costing $328. The total shoplifted amounted to $1,034.

Report covering the week 5/19/2014 through 5/25/2014

ORTER ORDER A man posing as a stylist to a star made off with store merchandise. At 4:45 PM on Thursday, March 27, a female employee of a clothing boutique on Mercer Street received a phone order for $1,890 in merchandise. At 5:10 PM, a 30-year-old man came to the store, claiming that he was Brian Orter, Jared Leto’s stylist, and had placed the phone order earlier. The store gave him the merchandise he said he had ordered. Subsequently, American Express contacted the store, reporting that their client -- the real Brian Orter -- had never made these purchases and reversed the charges. The store was now out both the merchandise and the money. The employee told police that numerous other stores in the area had been hit by the same perpetrator running the same scam. The items stolen were a pair of men’s blue-and-white sneakers valued at $450, a man’s green-red-and-black Carven polo shirt valued at $290, a man’s gray sweatshirt priced at $295, a man’s tan-and-green pullover costing $295, a white button-up shirt valued at $210, a multicolor

2014 2013

% Change

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2013 % Change

Murder

0

0

n/a

0

0

n/a

bench in Battery Park, when an unknown person pushed her from behind, causing her to fall off the bench. he thief then ran off with the tourist’s camera and lens, which had been on the bench. The victim told police that the thief had possibly climbed over a construction fence in the area. The items stolen were a Nikon D 300 camera valued at $2,000 and a Nikon 14-24 mm lens attached to the camera and priced at $2,500. The total amount stolen came to $4,500.

Rape

0

0

n/a

5

6

-16.7

ARDELL HELL

Robbery

0

2

-100

16

25

-36

Felony Assault

0

2

-100

27

30

-10

Burglary

4

5

-20

65

86

-24.4

Grand Larceny

15

13

15.4

350

419

-16.5

Grand Larceny Auto

1

0

n/a

3

11

-72.7

Week to Date

cardholder priced at $55, and a green-red-andwhite sweatshirt valued at $295.

LEATHER BADS A store guard recovered some leather goods shoplifted by two men. At 5:15 PM on Sunday, May 18, two men entered a luxury leather goods store on Greene Street and attempted to remove items of merchandise. Fortunately, the items were recovered by a sharp-eyed store guard, who

Year to Date

A woman shoplifted a pricey dress in a boutique. At 5:29 PM on Friday, May 23, a woman in her late 30s wearing camouflage pants and an orange backpack removed one dress from a rack in a West Broadway clothing boutique and placed it in her bag before fleeing the store. Video is available of the theft. The stolen dress was a Herve Leger Ardell Boat Neck Dress valued at $1,190.

BIKE STRIKE

grabbed the bag of shoplifted merchandise from the second thief as he was leaving the store. The items the dastardly duo had attempted to steal were five pieces of leather goods, ranging in price from $362 to $555, for a total of $2,400.

BENCHED

A bike and cash were stolen from a restaurant. At 6 PM on Saturday, May 24, an unknown man entered a Hudson Street restaurant by a side entrance on Charlton Street and removed property before leaving by the same entrance. Video is available of the theft. Fortunately, no usage turned up on a stolen debit card, which its owner has since canceled. The other items taken were a bike valued at $1,000, $230 in cash, and a bike lock priced at $30, making a total of $1,260.

Someone stole a tourist’s camera and lens. At 9 PM on Sunday, May 25, a 31-year-old female tourist from Merryland, Australia was sitting on a

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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

Useful Contacts POLICE NYPD 7th Precinct

19 ½ Pitt St.

212-477-7311

NYPD 6th Precinct

233 W. 10th St.

212-741-4811

NYPD 10th Precinct

230 W. 20th St.

212-741-8211

NYPD 13th Precinct

230 E. 21st St.

NYPD 1st Precinct

16 Ericsson Place

212-477-7411 212-334-0611

FIRE FDNY Engine 15

25 Pitt St.

311

FDNY Engine 24/Ladder 5

227 6th Ave.

311

FDNY Engine 28 Ladder 11

222 E. 2nd St.

311

FDNY Engine 4/Ladder 15

42 South St.

311

ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmember Margaret Chin

165 Park Row #11

Councilmember Rosie Mendez

237 1st Ave. #504

212-587-3159 212-677-1077

Councilmember Corey Johnson

224 W. 30th St.

212-564-7757

State Senator Daniel Squadron

250 Broadway #2011

212-298-5565

Community Board 1

49 Chambers St.

212-442-5050

Community Board 2

3 Washington Square Village

212-979-2272

Community Board 3

59 E. 4th St.

212-533-5300

Community Board 4

330 W. 42nd St.

212-736-4536

Hudson Park

66 Leroy St.

212-243-6876

Ottendorfer

135 2nd Ave.

212-674-0947

Elmer Holmes Bobst

70 Washington Square

212-998-2500

COMMUNITY BOARDS

LIBRARIES

HOSPITALS New York-Presbyterian

170 William St.

Mount Sinai-Beth Israel

10 Union Square East

212-844-8400

212-312-5110

CON EDISON

4 Irving Place

212-460-4600

TIME WARNER

46 East 23rd

813-964-3839

US Post Office

201 Varick St.

212-645-0327

US Post Office

128 East Broadway

212-267-1543

US Post Office

93 4th Ave.

212-254-1390

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The Blue School is located on Water Street in the Financial District; it hopes to expand to a nearby building soon. Photo by Mary Newman

BRINGING THE BLUES TO EDUCATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 public school Arts and Letters in 2006, a K-8 school that is still growing. Her short time at the Blue School has not been without its challenges. In her first year, she faced the floodwaters of the East River at their South Street Seaport location after Hurricane Sandy hit. Now, she’s helping to develop a middle school curriculum

for the Blue School’s planned expansion; they expect to be running a middle school by the fall of 2015 in a new, neighboring location. Pell said that when that building became available they immediately jumped on it, because, “continuous space is so hard to come by in New York.” They are most excited about the outdoor play space that the rooftop will provide, since students currently spend their recess at the neighboring Imagination Playground on Fulton Street. A lot of the school’s curricu-

Allison Gaines Pell, the head of school for Blue School, was inspired by the founders’ creative approach to education. Photo by Mary Newman

lum consists of project-based instruction, and inquirybased learning. Both are founded on the belief that people learn about the world through questioning and experience. This year’s 5th grade class has been working on a yearlong study of Homer’s Odyssey. To complement their learning, the students are working with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Salopeck on his ongoing multimedia project for National Geographic called “Out of Eden Walk,” a chronicle of a seven-year odyssey Solopeck is taking on foot, retracing the 21,000-mile global migration of our ancestors. Incorporating out-of-the-box educational elements is part of the school’s mission. “Blue Man Group started as an outrageous idea: We wanted to inspire creativity in both our audiences and ourselves. We wanted to speak up to the intelligence of our audience members while reaching in to their childlike innocence,” wrote original Blue Man Group member and school founder Matt Goldman in a letter to the public on the school’s website. You can see the Blue Man in-

fluence throughout the downtown school, which is flooded with natural light. Glow-inthe-dark art projects line the hallways, and different play areas are filled with brightly colored furniture and toys. A large fish tank occupies one hallway corner, surrounded by different reports and drawings of trout. The 5th grade science classes raised several trout, recently releasing them into the Hudson River. Although The Blue School is based on such a contemporary idea of art and education, traditional academic values still hold. Pell said that the difference between Blue School and other schools is that they use artistic and creative learning methods alongside traditional academic ones. “We continue to work under the principal that school can have a balance of both curiosity and wonder with more serious academic rigor,” Pell said. “In so many schools, families are forced to make a choice between a traditional educational path or a contemporary, laid back, creative environment. Blue School really seeks a balance between those two worlds.”


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

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Shots from the blog show local stores that have transformed into frozen yogurt shops.

HOMOGENIZED: TRACKING THE CITY’S YOGURT TAKEOVER SAVING SMALL BUSINESS

city, driving up rents and pricing out middle class people.

Tumblr site tallies the FroYo spread

Why now?

BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS

He prefers to keep his name a mystery, but the man (it’s a he, that much we can say) behind the Tumblr blog “Now It’s A F**cking FroYo Place,” which documents New York retail spaces that have been turned into frozen yogurt shops, says he actually has nothing against frozen yogurt. “It was just so frustrating to see small businesses disappear, replaced by a flash-in-the-pan trend,” he said. “It’s really just a perfect symbol of the kind of trendy, ultimately useless businesses that take over the kind of unique shops that used to symbolize a neighborhood.” Small businesses in New York, and particularly in Manhattan, are under siege from upwardspiraling rents and high-end retailers that are willing to pay them. Co-op buildings are now allowed by law to earn more of their revenue off of their ground-floor retail tenants, whereas prior to 2007, they could only make 20 percent of revenue from such tenants, with the remaining 80 percent coming from co-op owners. As leases from 2007 are now expiring, many small businesses are being forced to close or move out of neighborhoods that they’ve called home for decades. We talked to the man behind the site about his motivation for starting the blog, and whether he thinks it will make a difference.

A while back, I started pointing FroYo places out to my boyfriend when we’d walk around an old neighborhood of ours or somewhere else we hadn’t been in a while. I couldn’t believe how fast they were taking over. I wanted an outlet for my frustration, and when Google Streetview launched the time-travel feature, I knew that was my opportunity to at least vent about it, even if was just for myself.

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What do you hope to accomplish? I don’t think I’ll accomplish anything. It’s an unstoppable force and all I can do is try to make people think about it, which clearly is already irritating some people as I’ve been told to “get over it.” And I will get over it. In my own time, when I accept that everything changes and this is the price we pay for our city being as prosperous and desirable as it is. I completely understand that, as a young professional, I’m part of the problem, and I’m not someone who wants to go back to the good old days of the 70s (I mean, I wasn’t even alive, but there is a subset of people who seem to glamorize what was a very difficult time for the city), but that doesn’t make it any less sad. It’s not that all the places the FroYo shops are replacing were invaluable assets to the community, but I’m hoping that just the sheer scope and relentlessness of the takeover gives people pause.

Why did you start “Now It’s A F**king FroYo Place”?

Is there any one area you’re seeing more affected by this phenomenon?

I’ve been noticing this kind of turnover for a long time; 10 years ago it was cupcake places, in the wake of Sex and the City, and now this. It’ll probably be cronuts or some other shit next. I don’t even think of gentrification as a net evil, but what irritates me is people who move here to live out some TV fantasy version of their 20s (which for some reason seems to involve a lot of trendy desserts) on their parents’ dime and then move to the suburbs at 30 with no savings because they spent everything partying in the

Of course I assumed it would be worst in Manhattan, but I’m shocked by how much I find in other areas of the city. It does seem to mostly be concentrated in areas with a lot of young transplants and college students, though -- Greenwich and West Villages, and the Upper East and Upper West sides. To see all of the posts, visit nowitsafuckingfroyoplace. tumblr.com.

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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

Voices

< The wisdom of 8 year olds

What a breath of fresh air to hear the words from 8½-year-old Noa Zapin re bike lanes. She

Editorial

Saving Small Business: A Proposal For the past several weeks now, we’ve been bringing you stories of small neighborhood businesses forced to leave the neighborhood. The corner bodega that closed its doors after 40 years. The laundromat that can’t pay the enormous increase in rent. The successful grocery store forced to relocate or close. It is no exaggeration to say that small local businesses in Manhattan are in a state of crisis. Soaring rents catering to an ever-more-wealthy population in the city have made it increasingly impossible for small local shops to stay afloat. For the business owners, the crisis is obvious, and personal. But the rest of us are suffering, too, through the loss of diversity on our blocks, the rise of impersonal chain stores, the pangs of watching a place we grew up with disappear. Uniformity is not the reason we moved to New York. Mayor de Blasio came into office promising to do something about inequality in the city, and he’s made some impressive moves addressing the issue when it comes to housing. His 80-20 plan, mandating that 20 percent of new residential construction be set aside for affordable housing, is a smart idea. Let’s use the same approach

when it comes to commercial rents. Requiring developers to set aside 20 percent of new rental space for local businesses, at reduced rents, won’t solve the problem, but it could help slow the exodus that is stripping our neighborhoods of their character. We can hear the chorus of nitpickers already. Who will decide whether a business is local? Won’t this scare developers away? Hasn’t Manhattan always been an expensive place to run a business? Efforts like this been launched before, with no success. We’ll address all of these questions in coming weeks. But we need, urgently, to get this conversation started now. There are two perfect places to begin: One is at the World Trade Center, which has had to lower its retail rents because it hasn’t been able to find enough tenants to pay its asking price. Given the emotional attachment all of us have to the site, it’s the perfect test for an embrace of our local businesses. The other is at the massive Hudson Yards project on the West Side, which essentially is creating an entirely new Manhattan neighborhood from the ground up. Why not create a neighborhood with the kind of small businesses that drew many of us to the city in the first place? Mayor de Blasio campaigned for office as someone who was particularly attuned to the needs, and the concerns, of people in our city who have no voice. Small businesses across the city are screaming for his attention. He needs to listen.

STRAUS MEDIA-MANHATTAN

is correct that bike lanes are a waste of time and money and also dangerous as bikers still ignore the rules and do exactly what they want anywhere on the road. How many times must elected officials be told this and continue to ignore it? Noa Zapin, some day, if you choose, you can be an admirable consumer advocate. Bunny Abraham Upper West Side

VIEW FROM THE BICYCLE

I’m a bicyclist who sympathizes with pedestrians angry about bike lanes. Too many riders enter crowded crosswalks against the light, ride against traffic, and endanger pedestrians and motorists through carelessness. But the bike lanes aren’t the problem. The carelessness is, and it’s not exclusive to bicyclists. Every day I see pedes-

President, Jeanne Straus nyoffice@strausnews.com

Group Publisher - Manhattan Vincent A. Gardino advertising@strausnews.com

Distribution Manager, Mark Lingerman

Publisher, Gerry Gavin

Associate Publishers, Seth L. Miller, Ceil Ainsworth, Kate Walsh Classified Account Executive, Susan Wynn

trians walk not only into bike lanes but into oncoming traffic without looking. Often they’re texting, but not always. I also see motorists turn without signaling, speed around corners, and make risky maneuvers just to gain a few seconds. Many more people are hurt by cars than by bikes. (And that’s without factoring in the air pollution!)

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

Please remember that bicycling, like walking, is a healthy, efficient, costsaving way to get around town. Bike lanes can improve everyone’s safety if we treat them and one another with respect. Thanks, Christian Toth, Columbus Avenue

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


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town7

Op-Ed

Commuting by river on the West Side BY ANN WEISBROD fter turning its back on the waterfront for nearly a century, New York City is beginning to face and embrace the rivers that built our city. Nowhere is this transformation happening faster than on Manhattan’s far West Side, where Hudson Yards will employ and house tens of thousands of new workers and residents. The city has invested $2 billion in extending the Number 7 subway line from Times Square to 11th Avenue, which will link the area to key transit hubs and 10 north/ south subway lines. However, when it comes to mass transit access, more is always better. So how do we bolster mass transit on the far West side? The answer lies on the river itself. The waterways once carried millions of people a year into New York’s business districts, and we can use them again. That is why it is encouraging to see a new ferry line launching at Hudson Yards’ doorstep. Starting May 19, the new Westside

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ferry run by New York Water Taxi will connect Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 at West 44th Street to growing jobs around the World Financial Center and Battery Park City. It is the first commuteroriented, north-south ferry line on Manhattan’s western edge, a promising addition to the small but growing ferry networks that cross the Hudson and East Rivers. And at the south end it will link to another area of rapid development in Lower Manhattan, which has six ferry terminals that now receive riders from New Jersey, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The Hudson Yards district is New York’s biggest redevelopment project since Rockefeller Center was built 80 years ago. It encompasses 60 blocks that only a few years ago were barely noticed by New Yorkers – a landscape of rail yards, trucking terminals and warehouses, many of them abandoned. The rezoning of the area provided for a stunning transformation, with capacity for 25 million square feet of new office space, 2 million square feet of retail space, 3 million square feet of hotel space, and 20,000 housing units. The Hudson River is the western flank of the Hudson Yards district. Thus, Hudson Yards is naturally drawn to and defined by the waterfront, and many of its projects will be integrated

with the High Line and Hudson River Park. A transit option at the riverfront will be an invaluable resource for commuters and an attraction of its own for tourists. If the Far West Side is the city’s biggest canvas for waterfront development, it is hardly the only one. All along New York’s 500-plus miles of shoreline, new housing is finally breaking through the highways, rail lines and disused industrial sites that for decades walled off the city from its own waterways. The same barriers choked off mass-transit arteries, leaving the waterfront largely inaccessible and discouraging housing development on what should be some of the most valuable real estate on earth. Ferry service is one of the least expensive and most efficient means adding to the transit infrastructure for hundreds of thousands of new residents expected in the emerging waterfront neighborhoods. For many of them, ferries will be an essential and enjoyable mode of transportation. To solve the next century’s transportation needs, New York City must look to its past and embrace its greatest resource: its rivers. Ann Weisbrod is the former president of Hudson Yards Development Corporation.

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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


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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

Out & About More people food

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the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, 1965 S.Ct. decision overturning laws against birth control. Tickets are half donated to women’s health care. reprojusticetour.wordpress. com

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WHERE CARS BECOME CARGO South Street Seaport 11 p.m.; Free Gumball 3000 arrives into New York City, and the famous area known as South Street Sea Port. Around 30 cars will stay on display on Fulton Street until the following morning, whilst over 60 cars will drive onward to JFK to be loaded onto cargo planes to Scotland. gumball3000.com

7 ASL-INTERPRETED SHABBAT SERVICE

Town & Village Synagogue. 334 East 14th Street between First and Second Avenues 10 a.m.; Free A Service with full readings from the Torah and Haftorah (Prophets). A Kiddush (refreshment and social hour) will follow Services on each day, as usual, and all are welcome to participate! A Bat Mitzvah will be celebrated as well. tandv.org

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE WALKING TOUR AND FAIR Judson Church, 239 Thompson Street 2:30-4:30 p.m.; $8 The Reproductive Justice Walking Tour is putting reproductive justice on the map in NYC: Emma Goldman, Margaret Sanger, Flo Kennedy, Mdme Restell, Anthony Comstock. Live performances, landmark sites, interactive talks followed by a Roundup and Fair at Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square. On

8 WASABASSCO SUNDAYS AT BATHTUB GIN 132 Ninth Ave, btwn 18 & 19th streets 8;30 p.m.; $14 Doc Wasabassco leads his parade of vaudevillians and burlesque beauties to this speakeasy-style soiree with Evelyn Vinyl, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche, Nasty Canasta and guests entertaining the tipplers. wasabassco.com

9 THE HELL’S KITCHEN WRITER’S GROUP The Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street 6 p.m.; $8


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

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Hells Kitchen Writers Group will present short readings from their own work of Fiction and Prose. The Writers consist of Carol Hollenbeck, John Amadeo, Chocolate Waters, and Maureen Brady. corneliastreetcafe.com

COMMUNITY BOARD 3 ARTS TASK FORCE Theater for the New City 155 First Avenue btwn E 9th & 10th Streets 6:30 p.m.; Free 1. FAB Update re: effort to obtain economic data from Pew Charitable Trust’s Cultural Data Project 2. Art Space presentation on the development of PS 109 as artist housing with gallery and non-profit space as a possible model for artists in Lower East Side 3. Update on Arts & Cultural Affairs organization database nyc.gov/html/mancb3

10 COMMUNITY BOARD 3 HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH, DISABILITY, & SENIORS / YOUTH & EDUCATION COMMITTEE The Lee - 133 Pitt Street (at Houston) 6:30 p.m.; Free 1. FY’16 District Needs Statement & Budget Consult Agenda 2. Request for support for Housing Works’ addition of OASAS outpatient substanceabuse services at Cylar House at 743-749 East 9th Street 3. NYC Office of Human Rights presentation on equal access for the disabled nyc.gov/html/mancb3

ADAM ROGERS QUARTET Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27th

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Street btwn Lexington and Park 7:30/9:30 p.m.; $20 Over the course of his impressive career, Adam Rogers has released five albums as a leader (all on Criss Cross Jazz) and proved himself an invaluable contributor to recordings by such artists as Norah Jones (the multiple GRAMMY Award winning Come Away With Me), Chris Potter (on four albums including Ultrahang), Eliane Elias (Around The City), and Jacky Terrasson (What It Is). Although Adam recently branched out into a rock/funk/blues hybrid with trio he calls DICE, for this week’s Jazz Standard run the guitarist turns once again to the jazz repertoire with an exceptional quartet comprised of today’s top improvising musicians. jazzstandard.com

11 COMMUNITY BOARD 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Village View, Community Room - 175 East 4th Street btwn 1st Ave & Ave A 6:30 p.m.; Free 1. FY’16 District Needs

Statement & Budget Consult Agenda 2. Dept. of City Planning: Resilient Neighborhoods Study in the EV, LES & Two Bridges nyc.gov/html/mancb3

12 GERTRUDE STEIN’S “SAINTS” Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street at Pit Street 8 p.m.; $20/$15 students & seniors One of Gertrude Stein’s artistic projects was to write the sound of American language. Theater Plastique advances this idea, setting Stein’s librettos to distinctly American genres of music. Featuring rap, country, rock n’ roll, hollerin’, gospel, Shaker, bounce, jazz, and bluegrass, Gertrude Stein SAINTS! is an award-winning pop-opera that celebrates what it is to be American and has aptly been called a ‘Theater of Joy.’ abronsartscenter.org

YOSVANY TERRY & AFRO-CUBAN ROOTS: YE–DÉ–GBÉ Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27th Street btwn Lexington and Park 7:30/9:30 p.m.; $20 Since his 2007 debut on our stage, the fiery Cuban altoist Yosvany Terry has never failed to captivate Jazz Standard listeners with the spirit and inventiveness of his playing. This expanded edition of his working group includes two outstanding percussionists, Pedrito Martinez and Roman Diaz. jazzstandard.com

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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

BIG PLANS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of Manhattan West developer Brookfield Office Properties, as he stands by “The Launcher” -- a $7 million, Italian-made hoisting machine created to lift 16 bridge-like concrete spans into place for the $300 million platform.

Each of the 240-foot (73-meter) spans -- weighing about 2,400 tons, or the equivalent of 187 city buses -- is inched into place in the middle of the night when train traffic is sparse. Construction on Manhattan West’s first, 65-story office tower will start after the platform is finished by year’s end. Hudson Yards’ wider platform relies on more traditional tech-

nology, requiring 253 columns to hold it up. While the platforms are strong enough to support the weight of newly planned parklands and art-filled public spaces, the new high-rises themselves will rest on loadbearing steel columns planted into Manhattan bedrock. The plan for Hudson Yards, occupying an area between 30th and 34th streets bordered by Tenth Avenue and the West Side Highway, features 16 buildings -- 14 of them skyscrapers. The first, 52-story tower rising over the rail yards is expected to open in 2015, anchored by the Coach luxury retailer with tenants including L’Oreal USA and German software giant SAP. Work also has begun on Hudson Yards’ tallest building -- an 80-story skyscraper with an outdoor observation deck higher than the open-air one Empire State Building. It will be home to the corporate headquarters of Time Warner by 2019. Manhattan West fills the block between Tenth and Ninth avenues with three towers -- two more than 60 stories -- a public plaza and walkway, shops, garages and a hotel. Tenants have yet to be announced.

Squeezed in-between the budding complexes is a nearly half-century-old, pyramidshaped building that Brook-

Hudson Yards will offer 5,000 residential units, A look at multibillion-dollar developments aiming about 100 shops and restaurants, 14 acres of public open space, a public school and a luxury to transform New York’s west side: hotel. HUDSON YARDS MANHATTAN WEST This $20 billion, 28-acre complex to be completed by 2024 features 16 buildings -- 14 This $4.5 billion, 5-acre complex to be of them high-rises -- occupying an area between completed by 2018 features five buildings -three of them high-rises -- covering an entire 30th and 34th streets, and Tenth Avenue and square block between Ninth and Tenth avenues, the West Side Highway. and 31st to 33rd streets. The first, 52-story tower rising over platformAlso rising over rail yards, its two office towers covered rail yards is expected to open in 2015, and one residential skyscraper will look over a anchored by the Coach luxury retailer with green outdoor plaza, a hotel and a 16-story office tenants including L’Oreal USA and the German building constructed in 1969 that houses the software giant SAP. world headquarters of The Associated Press Work has begun on a second, 80-story skyscraper that will be home to Time Warner, the and other media outlets. The older building is undergoing a $200 million renovation. parent company of CNN and HBO.

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field purchased as part of Manhattan West. The 16-story building, which houses the world headquarters of The As-

sociated Press among other companies, is to undergo a $200 million renovation with glass floor-to-ceiling exteriors by 2016. New York University urban planner Mitchell Moss says the developments accelerate a shift of the city’s high-end commercial heart away from the traditional stronghold of midtown Manhattan surrounding Rockefeller Center. “They reflect New York’s new economic center of gravity, shifting to the west and south all the way down to the World Trade Center,” Moss says. Even before the latest construction work, the area had seen something of a rebirth with its former elevated freight tracks transformed into the popular High Line park. Some who live nearby are skeptical of what lies ahead. “Something was going to be built over the rail yards -- that was inevitable -- and this would have been a nice opportunity to do something for the community,” says resident Ann Warren, who owns a neighborhood cupcake bakery and was forced out of her apartment building on West 35th Street by eminent domain. “But all the developers want is to make money.”


2014

Summer Guide The local paper for Downtown


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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

After a long, pent-up winter, this summer in New York is already shaping up to be particularly glorious. Temperatures, finally, have cracked the 80-degree mark, sending New Yorkers of all stripes scrambling to find ways to enjoy the sunshine. This year’s Summer Guide provides the answers. For the last several months, researcher Mary Newman has scoured Manhattan for tips on everything from outdoor movies and interesting road trips to a laundromat where you can enjoy drinks and grilled-cheese sandwiches while waiting for your clothes to dry.

We’ve organized this year’s guide by topic, and hope we’ve provided a mix of old favorites (that you may have forgotten) and new ideas worth a try. To help you scan the list quickly, check out the icons running across the bottom of each item letting you know whether it’s kid-friendly, outdoorsy, outside of New York, etc. In a city like ours, any such list can, of course, only be a start. Contact us at news@strausnews. com for your ideas. But we think we’ve given you a great place to begin. So now get outside, and enjoy. Kyle Pope Editor in Chief

Drinks Fancy Fitness Free Kid Friendly Outdoor Out of Manhattan Romance


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

FARMER’S MARKET COOKING CLASS Greenmarket Cooking Class $115 Union Square Market 9AM – 3PM June 4, June 28, July 11, July 25, August 3, August 23 www.recreational.ice.edu (800) 522 4610 Learn some fresh food cooking techniques by taking a Greenmarket Cooking course through the Institute of Culinary Education’s recreational learning department. The class starts by shopping for fresh-from-thefarm ingredients at the city’s largest greenmarket in Union Square. This is a great activity for couples, or a great place to meet other foodies. The menu is true to its title, and varies depending on the class date and what is available at the market. You can sign up on their website, and the class meets at 9 a.m. in front of the Coffee Shop at 16th St and Union Square West.

EXPLORING NEW YORK’S SWEET SIDE The Cupcake Tour of New York $50.00 Union Square 9AM & 12 PM Tours June 12, June 26 www.greatnewyorktours.com Exploring the city isn’t just for tourists. You can enjoy this family friendly walking tour to visit the city’s best cupcake bakeries. Register online at www.greatnewyorktours.com, and hurry because space is limited. Each group meets at the southwest corner of Union Square on East 14th St and Union Square West. You will visit Baked by Melissa, Crumb’s Bake Shop, Amorino, Molly’s Cupcakes, Milk & Cookies, and end at the famous (and famously mobbed) Magnolia’s Bakery.

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Food

Each stop includes samples of the bakery’s most notable treats, the tour lasts two hours.

THE EAST SIDE’S HEALTHIEST BRUNCH The East Pole Prices vary 133 East 65th St @ Lexington Ave Saturday 11:30 AM – 3PM, Sunday 10:30AM – 3PM www.theeastpolenyc.com The East Pole offers a beautiful, healthy brunch menu at their restaurant on East 65th Street. You can enjoy fresh cocktails like their heirloom tomato Bloody Mary and fresh grapefruit juice mimosa. Their main plates offer selections made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their avocado toast, house-made granola with sheep’s milk yogurt, and spring herb risotto are all notable options.

$1 OYSTERS IN MIDTOWN Restaurant Thalia $1 per oyster, Chef’s Selection 828 8th Ave @ 50th St 7pm-close Monday – Sunday www.restaurantthalia.com (212) 399 4444 Thalia Restaurant is a fun Greek restaurant in the heart of the theater district, offering all kinds of great deals including $1 oysters every night from 7 p.m.to closing. If you are there on the weekends you can enjoy their bottomless brunch, or enjoy half-priced drinks Sunday through Friday from 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. It is a great option before going to a show with family or friends.

GUT-BUSTING BBQ IN MADISON SQUARE PARK Big Apple BBQ Block Party Free Entry, Prices vary upon Food Truck Madison Square Park 23rd St – 26th St btwn Madison Ave and 5th Ave Opens 11AM June 7 – June 8 www.bigapplebbq.org The barbeque-inspired block party returns for its annual weekend this June 7-8. Event admission is free, with award-winning barbeque and Southern-inspired fare from the country’s top grill masters available for $9/plate. Live music is planned for both days to liven up the crowd, and limited outdoor seating is available. To bypass the long lines, you can purchase a Disney-style FastPass, or BigPiggin’ Pass, through their website at www. bigapplebbq.org.

prepared by some of the city’s most notable chefs, a silent auction, and music at the iconic Bethesda Terrace. All proceeds go to the conservancy’s efforts to restore and maintain Central Park.

FOOD AND PING PONG SPiN Galatic $15/30 minutes or $30/hour 48 East 23rd St @ Park Ave South www.newyork.spingalatic.com (212) 982 8802 SPiN Galatic is a great place to try something new, while enjoying a menu full of appealing comfort food. You can come with a group of friends, or take part in their online ping pong social club. While taking a break from the tables, you can eat at their in-house restaurant. The menu offers options for everyone, including a summery wheat berry salad, grass-fed beef sliders, and a seasonal ice cream shop.

SWANK IN THE PARK The Taste of Summer $400/ ticket Bethesda Terrace, Central Park 7pm – 11pm June 11 www.centralparknyc.org This luxurious event brings together 800 guests, offering them a distinctive kickoff to summer in New York. One of the Central Park Conservancy’s annual benefits, guests will enjoy food

THURSDAY NIGHT AFTERWORK BLOCK PARTY Hester Nights Free Admission The Eventi Hotel 851 6th Ave, Entrances on 29th St and 30th St Every Thursday Night 5PM – 10PM www.hesterstreetfair.com

Start your summer weekends every Thursday night at this food and drink street fair in the Eventi Hotel’s outdoor, open-air plaza. You can enjoy street food like Peruvian empanadas, Vietnamese sandwiches from Food Freaks Banh Mi, made-to-order Ludlow Pizza pies, and sweet treats from vendors like Jessy’s Pastries. Craft beer, wine, and cocktails are also served throughout the entire food fest, and can be enjoyed under the romantic twinkle lights strung around the space. Starting at 7:30 p.m., you can also enjoy a free movie in the Brighton Theater.


4

Our Town Summer Guide 2014

LAUNDRY, GRILLED CHEESE, AND DRINKS!

Drinks

BEER IN A BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Wash House Prices Vary 44 East 1st btwn 2nd Ave and 1st Ave Monday – Sunday 10AM – 7PM (310) 367 2301 Grab a class of beer or wine or even a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich while hanging out with friends and getting your laundry done on the Lower East Side. The Wash House, which opened in February, uses 100% all natural organic detergent at the laundry service area in the back. There is also free WiFi, and a rustic environment to get work done or hangout with friends. Even it is too far to bring your laundry, stop in and grab a drink at this new downtown spot.

COLD CHOCOLATES AND MARSHMALLOWS City Bakery $3-$5 3 West 18th St @ 5th Ave Monday – Saturday 7:30AM – 7pm Sunday 10AM – 6PM www.thecitybakery.com (212) 366 1414 The City Bakery is famous for its gourmet hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows, but now there is a way to enjoy them with their seasonal “Cold Chocolates” this year. The bakery has been around since 1990 and gained a deserving reputation for the best chocolate treats and pastries downtown. Located near shopping and restaurants it can be the perfect place to bring your kids to enjoy something sweet.

FRESH SUMMER INGREDIENTS Wallflower $14-$16 235 West 12th St @ Greenwich Ave Sunday – Monday 5PM – 12AM Tuesday – Wednesday 5PM – 12:30 PM Friday – Saturday 5PM – 1AM www.wallflowernyc.com Wallflower is an extremely charming small restaurant tucked away in the West Village that is well worth the trip. They have creative mixologists behind the bar who have created a unique cocktail menu full of fresh ingredients. Drink prices range from $12-$17, and they also offer a menu of lightly portioned food as well. It is difficult to choose just one drink from their impressive list but some of the most notable are the Arlay Sour, which is made with chamomile,

infused Citadelle gin, Chateau D’arlay Macvin Du Jura, lemon juice, honey syrup and lavender bitters. Another great choice for a hot summer night is the drink named The Fake Russian, with tea infused Absolut Vodka, lime juice, smoked pineapple syrup, green chartreuse, and habanero bitters.

BEER A THE OLDEST IRISH PUB IN NYC McSorley’s Old Ale House Est. 1854 15 East 7th ST btwn 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave Monday – Saturday 11AM – 1AM Sunday 1PM – 1AM www.mcsorleysnewyork.com (212) 474 9148 This historic pub started as a watering hole in 1854 and has since claimed the title as New York City’s oldest continuously operated saloon. Make sure to wear summer sandals because the floors are usually covered with peanut shells and sawdust, but it is a fun environment to have some historic craft beer. They serve a light and dark version of McSorley’s Ale, which is the same beer they have been serving for 150 years. This is a great place to bring friends from out of town, and we recommend going on a weeknight because on weekends it gets extremely crowded.

BLOODY MARYS AT THE ST. REGIS HOTEL King Cole Bar & Salon $25 2 East 55th St @ 5th Ave Monday – Saturday 11:30AM – 1AM

Sunday 12PM – 12AM www.kingcolebar.com (212) 753 4500 Head over to the St. Regis Hotel and enjoy a Bloody Mary at the bar where it was invented in 1934. French bartender Fernand Petiot introduced the “Red Snapper” to his patrons at the King Cole Bar & Salon. Its original name was changed to Bloody Mary after the hotel staff thought it was too vulgar for its upscale clients. The dimly lit bar is centered around a mural by painter Maxfield Parrish titled “Ole King Cole.”

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP DTUT $12-$17 1744 2nd Ave @ 91st St Monday – Thursday 7AM – 12AM Friday – Saturday 7AM – 2AM Sunday – 7AM – 12AM (212) 410 6449 Longtime Upper East Side residents ts may remember the DTUT that was originally on 2nd Ave near 84th St before closing in 2007. The bar and coffee shop hybrid, which stands for Downtown Uptown has since reopened ned just a few blocks north on 2nd Ave and 91st St. In addition to offering free ee Wi-Fi and a cozy coffee shop ambiance nce all year round, their iced mocha and weekly fondue specials that pair a cheese, chocolate, or s’mores fonduee with a bottle of wine for $32 are worth th the visit.

Taste the World: Botanical Brew Fest at Queens Botanical Garden $45 if purchased before July 18th $50 at the door Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St Flushing, Queens July 19 12PM – 7PM www.queensbotanical.org/BrewFest Surrounded by beautiful gardens, you can enjoy a glass of beer from a selection of international and local craft beers. There will also be live music and tours of the garden for entertainment. The breweries scheduled to be at this year’s event include Crispin, Six Point, Smutty Nose, Southern Tier, Abita, Oskar Blues, Great South Bay, Ayinger, Williams Bros Brewing Co, 961 Beer, Crabbies, and Singha Beer, Lammsbrau, and Sam Smith. The full schedule of events will be posted soon on their website, and you must be 21 or older to attend.

GREAT ROOFTOP DRINKS Gallow Green 542 West 27th St btwn 10th and 11th Ave Monday – Thursday 5PM – 11PM Friday – Saturday 4PM – 1AM Sunday 11:30 AM – 4PM & 5PM – 11PM www.mckittrickhotel.com/ gallowgreen (212) 564 1662

Everyone is looking for a good rooftop to drink at during the summer, and the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea delivers. The bar is named Gallow Green, and it feels as though you are drinking at a bar located on the High Line. Old railroad tracks, strings of twinkle lights, and tons of greenery make it one of the more relaxing places to grab a drink. They also have a good variety of small plates if you are hungry, have been known to offer seed packets to their guests to start their own gardens at home.

DATE NIGHT COCKTAILS Dovetail 103 W 77th St @ Columbus Ave Monday – Thursday 5:30PM – 10PM Friday – Saturday 5 – 10:30 PM Sunday 11:30AM – 2PM & 5PM – 10:30PM www.dovetailnyc.com (212) 362 3800 This Upper West Side restaurant has gained an impressive reputation for its food, but it can also be a great place to grab a drink. The upscale eatery has a great environment for a date night drink, offering a long list of custom cocktails. Most noteably the RhubarbBasil Fizz which features vodka, opal basil, rhubarb, and bitter lemon soda. In addition to great cocktail selections, you can also choose from their extensive beer and wine lists.

GREAT WHISKEY WITH A SPLASH OF BACON Barley & Grain 421 Amsterdam Ave @ 81ST Monday – Wednesday 5PM – 1AM 2AM Thursday – Saturday 5PM – 2 Sunday 10AM – 12AM www.barley-grain-nyc.com (646) 360 3231 If you are a whiskey lover we highly recommend checking out the bar St. They Barley & Grain on East 81st St offer a selection of 100 whiskeys, whiske 60% bourbon and 40% scotch with brands like Hudson Bay Bourbon and Highwest OMG Pure Rye. The standout cocktail which is is their Bacon Manhattan, whi made with bacon infused buf buffalo trace, sweet vermouth and bitters.


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

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mozzarella, ricotta, romano cheese and fresh garlic. No Sauce. Large eight slices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .50 small six slices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .50

Our standard pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, a San Marzano tomato sauce and topped with romano and fresh basil. large eight slices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 .50

fresh clam pie

small six slices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 .50

hand-shucked clams, oregano, fresh garlic, romano cheese, extra virgin olive oil and fresh ground pepper $ .00

toppings

house salad

citterio pancetta • hormel rosa grande pepperoni esposito sweet italian sausage • homemade meatballs • ricotta impasta imported anchovies • coal oven-roasted peppers • calamara olives red onions • fresh mushrooms • beefsteak tomatoes • extra mozzarella extra pecorino romano • extra san marzano tomato sauce

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$ . 0 Our house salad is a blend of organic mesclun greens, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and our house vinaigrette. It is large enough for two.

Beer, Wine, Spirits i n

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Art

ADULT ART CLASSES Battery Park Conservancy Free South Cove Park @ 2nd Place May - October www.bpcparks.org Artists of all abilities can take part in the free art classes being offered in Battery City Park this summer. If you are interested in landscapes, you should join their “Drawings in the Park” class. It meets every Saturday at 10 a.m., teaching students to sketch and paint the river, city, and park landscapes. The “Figures al Fresco” class focuses on figure drawing, meeting every Wednesday from at 2:30 p.m. Every class is taught by a professional artist, and materials are provided.

CONTEMPORARY ART FESTIVAL Ice Factory Free 15 Christopher St. @ Greenwich ST June 25 – August 2 www.newohiotheatre.org/ summerfestival The New Ohio Theatre chooses six of the most exciting downtown theater companies to present their latest projects. The 2014 roster will be posted on their website soon.

Plays introduced in past Ice Factory festivals have gone on to garner Drama Desk nominations, OBIE Awards, Off Broadway Productions and international tours.

THE MUSEUM’S TWO-WAY MIRROR WALKABOUT The Roof Garden Commission: Dan Graham with Gunther Vogt Suggested donation of $25 The Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth Ave @ 88th St April 29 – November 2 Monday – Thursday, Sunday 10AM – 5:30PM Friday – Saturday 10AM – 9PM www.metmuseum.org Pioneer conceptual artist Dan Graham has built an impressive 25-year career creating elegant sculptures made of glass and steel. In collaboration with Swiss landscape designer Gunther Vogt, they have turned the top of the Met into a maze that explores the relationship between the individual and the public space. Equipped with food and drinks, the Met rooftop is the perfect place to spend an afternoon this summer.

ONE-NIGHT-ONLY CHELSEA SHOWCASE 5th Annual Chelsea Art Walk Free 16th St – 29th St, 8th Ave – 11th Ave July 24 5PM – 8PM www.chelseaartwalk2014.com Showcasing the summer exhibitions in Chelsea, participating galleries, and art spaces throughout the neighborhood will host the 5th Annual Chelsea Art Walk. In addition to the exhibitions you can drop in on galleryhosted artist talks, receptions and other special events. The full list of participating galleries will be posted soon.

VOLUNTEERS SUPPORTING FREE ART FIGMENT Project Free Govenor’s Island June 7 – September 21 www.newyork.figmentproject.org The 100% volunteer-based arts organization FIGMENT has been hosting a free event on Governor’s Island since 2007. Originally a oneday program, it has since grown into a summer-long arts happening with over 2,600 participants. This year’s

program will get started on June 7th and 8th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. You can expect art activities in every medium available. Throughout the rest of the summer make sure to play in their artist minigolf course which has 10 uniquely designed holes by 10 different artists. Throughout the rest of the island you can see interactive sculptures and the climb up their tree house.

A CONVERSATION ON FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY Aperture Foundation $5 Donation Aperture Gallery and Bookstore 547 West 47th St. @11th Ave. June 17 6:30 PM www.aperture.org Listen to photographer Jo Ann Callis discuss her body of work from the mid 1970s that investigated different forms of the nude body and sexuality. That work is a part of her book, “Other Rooms,” and she discusses her images with book publisher Lesley A. Martin. After the talk you can visit The Sochi Project: An Atlas of War and Tourism in the Caucus exhibit by photographers Rob Hornstra and Arnold van Bruggen.

WEIRD, WILD, & WONDERFUL New York Botanical Garden $20 Adults, $10 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx April 19st – September 21st www.nybg.org/exhibitions The Botanical Garden is known for its beauty, but this summer’s exhibition is an homage to the beauty of the botanical world’s most bizarre plants. Members of the American Society of Botanical Artists collaborated to study a variety of strange-looking plants and create 46 stunning paintings and illustrations. Weird, Wild, & Wonderful will be on display in the Ross Gallery through September 21st.

FINE ART INSPIRES PERFORMANCE ARTISTS The New Museum Block Party Free Sara D. Roosevelt Park @ East Houston St. July 20 12PM – 5PM www.newmuseum.org Experience this fun, interactive performance art festival on the Lower East Side. The New Museum Block Party is an afternoon of performances that are directly inspired by current


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

exhibitions and museum programs. Everyone attending the block party will receive one complimentary ticket to the New Museum. There will be six different workshops at this year’s event, but all of them engage the audience through different artistic mediums.

MOMA ENGAGES KIDS Try This ! Free with Museum admission Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd St btwn Lexington Ave & 5th Ave May 30 – July 27 Every Friday 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM www.moma.com The MoMa Arts Lab is encouraging both parents and children to take part in its art class entitled “Try This!” in connection with its current exhibit “Movement.” Through different activities, visitors are able to go beyond just looking and talking about the artwork and finding different ways to engage with the work. Different methods of creative exploration, and techniques of modern and contemporary art help students appreciate art in new ways.

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Monthly Multi-Estate Auctions Important Auction of Fine Art & Antiques: Monday, June 16th at 4pm Previews: Sat. & Sun., June 14th and 15th 12pm to 6pm and Mon., June 16th 12pm to 4pm (sale start) View 400 lots at www.ClarkeNY.com Ibram Lassaw, Abstract Bronze Construction, 1954

Francis Picabia, Oil on Canvas, Ponte Marie, c. 1904

Andy Warhol, Electric Chair, Signed Color Screenprint, 1971

ANTIGRAVITY FITNESS FOR TEENS Giuseppe Barison, Oil on Canvas, The Grande Menagerie

Fine Art and Mid Century Modern Wanted for Consignment or Purchase “Walk-In Wednesdays”: Free appraisals 12pm-4pm Clarke Auction ∙ 2372 Boston Post Road ∙ Larchmont, NY 10538 Ph: (914) 833-8336 ∙ Fax: (914) 833-8357 ∙ Email: info@clarkeny.com

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Asphalt Green Antigravity Aerial Yoga $12 for members / $24 for non-members Asphalt Green, 555 East 90th Street @ York Ave Thursdays at 7pm www.asphaltgreen.org (646) 981 2247 It can be difficult finding ways to keep a teenager active if they aren’t going away to camp this summer, but Asphalt Green offers this fun and challenging yoga class for teenagers 13 and older. Antigravity Aerial Yoga is designed to help athletes of all levels stretch and strengthen their bodies while discovering new abilities with the AntiGravity Hammock, made of structural fabric connected from two overhead points like a swing. It makes more challenging poses more fun, and easier to practice yoga in a new way.

AFTERNOON TEA WITH ELOISE AT THE PLAZA HOTEL Rawther Fancy Tea Parties $100 includes one child and one adult ($50 per additional child) Reservations Required The Plaza Hotel, 5th Ave @ Central Park South Every Friday from 4PM – 5PM www.theplazany.com (212) 546 5460 In celebration of the best-selling children’s book and movie, you can bring your kids to experience their own afternoon at the Plaza Hotel. During the Rawther Fancy Tea Party, kids will receive pink lemonade, water, and a variety of hot teas. There are also cucumber and cream cheese, jelly and cream cheese, and egg salad sandwiches, fruit kabobs, and a variety of desserts to enjoy. Each child will receive a favor bag which includes a $10 gift card to the Eloise gift shop.

AN ARCADE PERFECT FOR RAINY DAYS Chinatown Fair Prices Vary per Game 8 Mott St @Worth St Open 7 days a week @ 11AM www.chinatownfair.biz (212) 964 1001 The Chinatown Fair is a great family option on a rainy afternoon. A variety of games are open to all different ages, including basketball, air hockey, and the latest dancing and racing games. It is also available for summer birthday parties; just contact their party specialist at (551) 697 5549. They offer a blend of both classic arcade games and the newest video games to appeal to every generation. Chinatown Fair is also a great place to have an unconventional date night, leaving the kids at home.

CELEBRATE THE HISTORY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE “The ABC of It: Why Children’s Books Matter” Exhibit Free New York Public Library @ Bryant Park Stephen A. Shwarzman Building Monday – Sunday through September 7 www.nypl.com (917) 275 6975 This charmingly curated, interactive exhibit offers both parents and children an examination of why children’s books are so important: what and how they teach children, and what they reveal about the societies that produce them. There are free 45-minute docent-led tours offered every day except Sunday at either 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, the tour begins at 3:30 p.m. The exhibit walks viewers through important books of the past and present, with related objects that reveal hidden historical contexts and connections. The selection is inspired by the W.H. Auden quote, “There are no good books which are only for children.”


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

TRAPEZE LESSONS ON THE HUDSON Trapeze School of New York $50 / class Pier 40 @ West St. and Houston / Pier 16 @ South Street Seaport www.newyork.trapezeschool.com (212) 242 8769 In addition to trapeze classes, kids can also sign up for a trampoline, balancing acrobatics, Spanish web, static trapeze, Lyra, or a silks class. Both locations are open only during the summertime to offer students an outdoor trapeze experience. This is a great activity for thrill seekers, and can work as a trust-building exercise if parents take the class with their kids. Instructors offer opportunities for students at all levels the chance to push the boundaries and experience new things, no matter what class you end up taking.

FAMILY ASTRONOMY IN THE DOME American Museum of Natural History $12 ($10 for members) Hayden Planetarium Space Theatre Saturday June 14 @ 6:30PM www.amnh.org Take your family to this interactive event at the American Museum of Natural History. The space theater is an amazing place to get your kids

170 Central Park West @ 77th St July 23, August 20, September 10, October 8 Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the classic children’s books with the New York Historical Society’s new exhibit that honors the beloved school girl and her creator, Ludwig Bemelmans, with a display of more than 90 of his original artworks. In addition to the exhibit, you can attend a series of afternoon tea times that feature a Parisian-inspired menu while listening to different Madeline books read aloud.

excited about science, and at this event you will learn constellations that you can see in the night sky this summer and compare those to how people in other times and places viewed the same patterns. This is a great alternative to watching another cartoon movie this summer, and it is perfect for large groups.

CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF MADELINE “Madeline in New York: The Art of Ludwig Bemelmans” Exhibit $40 for Children $50 for Adults New York Historical Society

LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF TENNIS Community Center at Stuyvesant High School $180/ 6 sessions $165 for members or $35/ class $32 for members 345 Chambers St @ West St Saturdays through June 21 3PM – 5:30PM www.ccshs.org (646) 210 4292 The Battery Park City Parks Conservancy is offering beginning and intermediate tennis lessons for kids, taught by instructor Kim Champion at Stuyvesant High School every Saturday through the end of June. There are three levels being offered: Beginner Level 1, Beginner Level 2, and Intermediate Level 1 so it is a great place to get kids involved in tennis at a

young age.

KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AT THE US OPEN Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day 2014 Free Admission to Festival USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Saturday August 23 www.arthurashekidsday.com While attending the US Open make sure to bring your kids along to enjoy a day of family activities, tennis, and a ticketed concert to celebrate the life and values of tennis legend and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. Activities include face painting, juggling workshops, 10 and under tennis, hair beading and braiding, storytelling, balloon artists, and a Coca-Cola Active Healthy Living Challenge. Admission to the general festival is free, but you must purchase tickets to the concert at www.arthurashekidsday.com. Past performances include Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and The Wanted.

DOWNTOWN SINGING CIRCLE Sunset Singing Club Free Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park 20 Battery Place @ Little West St

Fridays 7PM-8:30PM (except June 20) Enjoy this free singing circle for children of all ages led by folk singer Terre Roche. Singers of all levels are welcome, no experience necessary. Singers are encouraged to bring one of their favorite songs to sing, and each week you will learn a new folk song. This is a beautiful way to encourage children who show an interest or talent in singing and music.

GARDENING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Young Sprouts Gardening – Battery Park City Parks Conservancy Free Children’s Garden at Nelson A. Rockefellar Park Tuesdays 3:15PM-3:45PM www.bpcparks.org (212) 267 9700 Bring your little ones to Battery Park City to participate in simple, organic gardening for children 3-5 years old with accompanying adults. Water the garden, plant seeds, and create nature projects. With limited outdoor space available, this gardening class is a great way to expose your child to playing in the dirt and gardening at a very young age.

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Movie Screenings CALLING ALL SPIELBERG FANS

Close Encounters of the Spielberg Kind Free Museum of Jewish Heritage 36 Battery Place Select Wednesday Nights 6:30PM www.mjhnyc.org/Spielberg This summer the Museum of Jewish Heritage has chosen a theme for its summer movie screenings -- all things Steven Spielberg. These screenings will be held indoors at the downtown museum, offering a good solution for rainy summer nights. You can also spend some time visiting the museum’s summer exhibitions before the movie, especially its permanent exhibition Garden of Stones by artist Andy Goldsworthy. This outdoor garden has trees growing from large stones, many planted by Holocaust survivors and their families. June 15 – Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark July 2 – Saving Private Ryan July 9 – Jurassic Park July 16 – Amistad

July 23 – Close Encounters of the Third Kind July 30 – Schindler’s List August 6 – Jaws August 13 – Teen Movie Night – E.T. the Extra Terrestrial

UPSCALE OUTDOOR MOVIES Summer Movies Night at Mad46 $20 minimum Roosevelt Hotel Rooftop 45 East 45th St @ Madison Ave Select Tuesday Nights 9PM ww.mad46.com There are lots of outdoor movie screening all over the city this summer, but if you’re looking to enjoy a movie outside without lying on a blanket, make sure to check out the rooftop movie screenings at the Roosevelt Hotel. There is tableside waitress service with reserved seating during movies. At each screening, they offer drink specials, themed cocktails, movie inspired

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Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

music, complimentary tastings, and giveaways. June 10 – Caddyshack June 24 – Man of Steel July 8 – Rocky July 22 – Little Shop of Horrors August 5 – Skyfall August 19 – Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black Pearl

OUTDOOR MOVIE, FROZEN MARGARITAS, AND A TACO TRUCK Habana Outpost Free 757 Fulton St. @ S. Portland Ave Fort Greene, Brooklyn Every Sunday May 11 – October 26 8PM www.habanaoutpost.com Habana Outpost in Brooklyn is the first restaurant in New York City that uses 100% solar energy. Brightly colored, with a large outdoor eating area, this eco-friendly Mexican restaurant screens movies in the backyard every Sunday. It gets pretty crowded; most people go there to enjoy some frozen margaritas and grilled corn. After placing your order inside, you take your drinks and find a seat. Your food is prepared in a full-sized food truck in the back. It is a truly Brooklyn spot.

HBO COMES TO BRYANT PARK

RIVER FLICKS ON THE HUDSON

Summer Film Festival Free Bryant Park Every Monday June 23 – August 18 5PM www.bryantpark.org HBO will be screening a variety of different movies in Bryant Park this summer. You can grab some Shake Shack to go and pick a spot on the lawn, which will open at 5 p.m. every Monday evening. The screenings will begin at sunset, usually between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. This is a great choice if you are looking for a picnic-style outdoor movie experience. June 16 – Saturday Night Fever June 23 – The Mark of Zorro June 30 – A Soilder’s Story July 7 – Blazing Saddles July 14 – Suddenly Last Summer July 21 – National Lampoon’s Vacation July 28 – Key Largo August 4 – The Karate Kid August 11 – Lover Come Back August 18 – The Shining

Big Hit Wednesdays & Family Fridays Free Pier 63 Lawn @ West St btwn 22nd St and 24th St Select Wednesday & Fridays July 9 – August 22 8:30PM www.riverflicks.com Hudson River Park offers movie screenings for adults and families through July and August. Free popcorn is offered to all, with beverages and other snacks available for purchase. Pier 63 has lots of open lawn space, unique stone seating, and a pretty garden where you can enjoy watching the movie. A list of movies and dates can be found on their website at www. riverflicks.com

OUTDOOR OPERA SCREENINGS Summer in HD Film Festival Free Metropolitan Opera Guild Lincoln Center Aug 23 – September 1 8PM www.metoperafamily.com At the end of each summer, the Metropolitan Opera Guild hosts an outdoor film festival the week leading

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up to Labor Day. The guild chooses 10 performances from the past year and projects them onto an outdoor screen. It is an extremely romantic event, and it is recommended to get there early because it is a popular event. If you would like to purchase tickets and have reserved seating, you can attend their pre-screening lectures that run from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. before each event. This allows you to go out to dinner before the film and skip fighting over a spot to sit. The 2014 schedule hasn’t been posted but will be available in June, at www. metfamilyopera.com

SCENES FROM THE CITY Central Park Film Festival Free Rumsey Playfield Enter the Park at East 72nd St August 18 – August 22 8PM www.centralpark.com Each year during the month of August, Central Park hosts a week of evening film screenings at Rumsey Playfield. This year the festival’s theme is “Scenes from Our City” and focuses on films in which New York City plays a prominent role. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., giving you time to picnic and find a good place to sit.

August 20 – The Way We Were August 21 – Ghostbusters August 22 – Rear Window

UNDERGROUND MOVIES OUTDOORS Rooftop Films Prices Vary Every Weekend May 29 – August 14 www.rooftopfilms.com Rooftop Films is a New York-based non-profit organization that shows independent movies in outdoor locations, produces new films, and rents equipment at low cost to artists. This summer with mark their 18th annual Summer Series, which will include feature-length films and programs of shorts, all new and all independent. Many of their screenings will also include a Q&A with the filmmakers as well, and they work hard to pair films with venues, and audiences with artists so that each event is unique and memorable. To find the full schedule and list of films visit their website at www. rooftopfilms.com. Venues are spread out across the entire city, and ticket pricing and start times will differ for each event.

August 18 – Big August 19 – The Royal Tenenbaums

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Festivals 11 DAYS, 35 PROJECTS, 90+ ARTISTS

River to River Festival Free, Some events require RSVP Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Events occur in varied locations June 19 – 29 www.lmcc.net (212) 219 9401 Experience one of New York’s most diverse creative festivals at the River to River Festival this June. It features intimate and provocative dance, music, visual art, and new media projects in public parks and historic landmarks in lower Manhattan. The artists taking part in the festival range from musicians to performance artists, and they interact with the architecture of lower Manhattan to create different bodies of work.

CROSS CULTURAL BLOCK PARTY Egg Rolls & Egg Creams Festival Free Museum at Eldridge Street

12 Eldridge St btwn Canal and Division June 8 12PM – 4PM www.eldridgestreet.org/events Downtown Manhattan has always been an area of major cultural diversity, and this festival celebrates the heritage of both Jewish and Chinese communities of our Lower East Side/Chinatown neighborhoods. At this year’s 14th annual festival you can take part in folk art demos, crafts, Chinese and Yiddish language lessons, synagogue tours, Chinese opera and acrobatics, scribal arts, and much more.

(212) 606 2296 Originating as an initiative to spur the development of new museum audiences in 1978, the Museum Mile Festival has grown immensely, bringing together New Yorkers from every borough to celebrate the city’s rich artistic heritage. There will be an opening ceremony to kick off the festival at the Museum of the City of New York. At 6 p.m., everyone will begin the mile-long walk down Fifth Avenue, stopping at El Museu de Barrio, The Jewish Museum, the CooperHewitt National Design Museum, and the National Academy Museum and School. Along the walk attendees will enjoy several stops where they can enjoy musical entertainment, chalk drawings, and other family-friendly activities.

START SUMMER VACATION WITH A MILE OF ART Museum Mile Festival Free Starting point at Museum of the City of New York 103rd St @ 5th Ave 5:45PM – 9PM June 10 www.museummilefestival.org

EAST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY Annual Murray Hill Neighborhood Festival Free 34th – 40th Street & Park Avenue Saturday June 7

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Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

UPTOWN JAZZ IN JULY 92nd Street Y Jazz in July Festival Prices vary per event 92nd Street Y 1395 Lexington Ave btwn 91st St and 92nd St July 21 – July 31 www.92y.org (212) 415 5500 New York City is known as one of the jazz capitals of the world, and the 92nd Street Y will be highlighting some of the city’s finest contributions to the genre. This summer will be the festival’s 30th anniversary, with performances by Jimmy Greene, Jeremy Pelt, and Ken Peplowski. Under the direction of Bill Charlap, the festival will feature the historical sounds of Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Berstein, Miles Davis, Dick Hyman, Sarah Vaghn and Fred Astaire. Choose from long list of events, including a performance showcasing three jazz pianists, from three different generations, or learn about the history of Leonard Berstein’s performances in Greenwich Village.

SUPPORT YOUNG TALENT IN MUSICAL THEATER The New York Musical Theatre Festival $25 ticket / performance Locations vary depending on performance July 7 - 27 www.nymf.org (212) 664 0979 In addition to offering New Yorker a handful of impressive musical theater productions each summer, the New York Musical Theatre Festival also works as a launching pad for the next generation of musicals and their creators. All of the productions showcased each year have been created by young playwrights, composers, actors,

choreographers, and producers. This year, there will be 30 new musicals, playing in seven different midtown theaters for a three-week period. Past festivals have supported the success of two dozen off-Broadway and three Broadway shows, including the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner “Next to Normal.”

10,000 PLANTS TAKE OVER BROADWAY 37th Annual Plantathon & Crafts Fair Free 73rd – 86th Streets & East Side of Broadway Saturday, June 8 11AM – 5PM Among the long list of weekend street fairs taking place on the Upper West Side be sure not to miss the 37th Annual Plantathon & Crafts Fair. It offers the usual street fair vendors mixed with thousands of plants and hundreds of craftspeople thrown in. It is the oldest outdoor plant & crafts fair in New York City, and over 10,000 plants will be on this year. As you enjoy Broadway’s transformation into a miniature garden, you can also take a look at antique vendors, games, and arts & crafts activities and vendors.

CLASSICAL MUSIC IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE Mostly Mozart Music Festival Free with select ticketed events $35 - $85 Lincoln Center 70 Lincoln Center Plaza @ Amsterdam Ave and 63rd St July 25 – August 23 www.mostlymozart.org (212) 721 6500 This music festival offers you a chance to enjoy your favorite Mozart pieces at both indoor and outdoor events in Lincoln Center. The laid back festival feel allows attendees to choose from a variety of performances, under the leadership of Renee and Robert Belfer and music director Louis Langree. A large part of the festival is featured around the artists-in-residence Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra in both free and paid ticketed events. This year the festival will also feature performances by the Emerson String Quartet, lyrical clarinetist Martin Frost, pianist Yuja Wang, and the world premiere of John Luther Adam’s “Sila: The Breath of the World.”

Dutchess Tourism Top Summer Picks Start summer off with these terrific events! Make plans for an easy weekend escape at www.DutchessTourism.com The Great Race – June 22 The Hemmings Motor News Great Race, presented by Hagerty, begins in Maine and ends in Florida. On Sunday, June 22, the cars stop at Shadows on the Hudson in Poughkeepsie at 5pm. Iconic cars, including a 1951 Hudson Hornet and 1969 Dodge Charger, compete. It’s a free classic car show, so chat with drivers and navigators. www.GreatRace.com Discover Hudson Valley Ride – June 29 Bike New York presents a fully supported bike ride, with 15, 33, 50, 75, or 100 mile routes through the picturesque Hudson Valley. Refreshments and entertainment at the end! Register at www.bikenewyork.org Dragon Boat Race and Festival – July 5 Dutchess Tourism sponsors the Dragon Boat Race and Festival! Twenty-four teams compete on a 200-meter course in colorfully decorated Dragon Boats, plus enjoy an Asian Cultural Festival. Benefits Arts Mid-Hudson and Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. Form a team at www.dutchessdragonboat.org

H LI RA ARN VE CI ES NG S

11AM – 6PM Sponsored by the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association, this one day street festival features arts & crafts, live music, and a large variety of food and drink options that will be scattered down Park Avenue. The Neighborhood Association makes this street fair unique to its community hosting their own vendors throughout the festival. In addition to the dozens of outside vendors, the Association raises money with their used book site, a table selling baked goods, and a silent auction with prizes. Whether you live in the area or not, this neighboprhood focused street fair is a great place to spend your Saturday afternoon.

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Music

LIVE MUSIC UNDER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

PHILHARMONIC IN THE PARK

Watermark Summer Concert Series $20 - $40 Pier 15 @ 78 South St June 26 – August 21 5PM www.watermarkny.com Head downtown and take part in the Watermark Summer Concert Series, where you can listen to great live music and see one of the best views you can find in Manhattan. Right under the Brooklyn Bridge, Pier 15 works as a 900-person venue with a beautiful panoramic view of New York Harbor. This year’s lineup features artists like George Clinton & Parliament – Funkadelic, Rebirth Brass Band, and Escort. You can also catch the 5th Annual Nolafunk Summer Jazzfest on August 14th. Visit their website at www.watermarkny.com to view the entire list of scheduled concerts.

Conducted by Alan Gilbert Free Band shell on the Great Lawn Enter 86th St and 5th Ave July 11 8PM Head to the park and take advantage of this chance to listen to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for free this summer. The orchestra is playing at different locations around the five boroughs, but we recommend hitting the performance in Central Park. If you want to get front row seats, it is suggested you arrive two hours early to find a good spot. Under the leadership of Alan Gilbert, lead violinist Joshua Bell and the orchestra will perform songs by Nielsen, Bruch, Grieg, and Liszt.

TRAVEL TO THE JAZZ AGE SUNDAYS WITH THE ALWIN JAZZ QUARTET Path Café Free 131 Christopher St @ Hudson St Every Sunday 3:30PM – 5PM www.pathcafe.com The Path Café is a great downtown coffee shop with lots of great live music. Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon listening to the Alwin Jazz Quartet, free of charge. This downtown café offers a cozy environment with friendly service and comfortable seating to listen to any of their scheduled musical performers. For a full list of upcoming performances, visit their website at www.pathcafe.com

The 9th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party $35 - $300 (children under 12 are free) Governor’s Island 7 Old Slip @ Water St June 14th – 15th, August 16th – 17th 11AM – 5PM www.jazzagelawnparty.com Play dress up for Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra this summer on Governor’s Island to picnic in 1920s attire and listen to amazing jazz musicians. You can choose from a range of ticket offerings from general admission to “The Gatsby” package which gives you access to all the musical venues, four mini carafes of St. Germain cocktails, food prepared by private chefs, backstage access, a private vintage photo shoot, and a Dreamland tote bag stocked with hand fans, a parasol and a blanket. This event has become more popular every summer because of its upscale picnicking, themed cocktails, and

world-class music. You will feel like you are mingling inside of a F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.

DANCE IN LINCOLN CENTER Lincoln Center Out of Doors – Dizzy Feet Foundation Free Josie Robertson Plaza @ Lincoln Center July 26 4PM www.lcoutofdoors.org As part of Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors event series, join hundreds of other dancers in a pre-choreographed mob dance to celebrate National Dance Day. Dancers of all abilities are invited to join in two routines, which can be learned in advance by watching videos posted online on the Dizzy Feet Foundation Facebook page. If you aren’t able to learn the dance ahead of time, we still suggest going to this event to watch this impressive mob dance take place. You can even join in throughout the day and celebrate the joy of dancing.

109-YEAR-OLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Naumburg Orchestral Concerts Free The Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park Enter at East 72nd St June 24 – August 12 7:30PM www.naumburgconcerts.org Name after its founder, the 19th century philanthropist Elkan Naumburg, this concert series has brought free, and classical music to the historical Central Park bandshell for over 100 years. Naumburg replaced the acoustically outdated cast iron bandstand with the marble bandshell that still stands today, hoping the laid-back park environment would encourage more people to enjoy classical music. Unlike most outdoor music performances, this venue offers seating on a first come – first serve basis. June 24 – The Knights Opening Concert July 15 – Orpheus Chamber Orchestra July 22 – The Knights August 5 – Christina & Michelle Naughton August 12 – The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

ENJOY A BROADWAY SHOW OUTDOORS Broadway in Bryant Park Free Bryant Park July 10 – August 14 12:30PM – 1:30PM www.bryantpark.org Rather than spending an afternoon stuck inside a theater, go see the most popular shows on and off Broadway outside in Bryant Park this summer. Although they won’t be performing the entire show, the cast sings and dances to their show’s biggest hits. The official schedule will be posted on their website this month, but make sure to check it out. You can grab some milkshakes at Shake Shack or lunch at Eataly, both a few blocks away, before the performance.

FREE MUSIC FRIDAYS Folk Art Museum Free 2 Lincoln Square, Columbus Ave @ 66th St Every Friday 5:30PM – 7:30PM www.folkartmuseum.org (212) 595 9533 Visit the Folk Art Museum this summer during one of their weekly Free Music Friday events, where you can listen to live music and explore

the galleries free of charge. There is a cash bar available, allowing you to enjoy a glass of wine while viewing the exhibition “Self-Taught Genius” on view through August 17th. Performances scheduled for this summer include folk singers Shannon Pelcher, Alec Gross, and Lucas Rotman.

BRUNCH WITH THE BEATLES Beatles Brunch with Strawberry Fields $40 Advanced $42.50 Day of Show B.B. King Blues Club & Grill 243 West 42nd St btwn 7th Ave & 8th Ave Every Saturday 11AM – 2PM www.bbkingblues.com Enjoy an afternoon all you can eat brunch buffet while listening to the Beatles tribute band Strawberry Fields. Taking you on their own self-proclaimed “Magical Mystery Tour,” the band starts with music from the first Beatles album and finishes with songs from the White Album and Abbey Road. Many of the band members performed in the hit Broadway musical “Beatlemania.” This is a fun way to liven up your Sunday brunch routine and listen to some of your favorite Beatles hits.


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

AT HOME GOURMET COOKING LESSONS Culinary Genius $300-$400 in home classes for up to 5 people 158 Grand Street #206 homecookingny.com (917) 803-6857 Step out of your culinary comfort zone. Learn culture, develop passion and achieve gratification in the comfort of your own home with private cooking lessons. Invite friends or be the envy of the dinner party.

WINE LOVERS’ COMEDY SHOW Soho Gallery For Digital Art $5 138 Sullivan St Every Monday, 7:30 p.m. (212) 228-2810 Bring a group of friends or come to make friends! With your $5 ticket you also receive unlimited boxed wine and beer. Boxed Wine Social Club performances include: stand-up

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Seniors

comedy, storytelling, and live musical performances.

DANCE FOR LIFE $17 per class, bulk rates available 92Y 1395 Lexington Avenue @ 92nd St. www.92y.org (212) 415- 5500 Stimulate your mind and body with gentle dance classes that enhance flexibility and strength. A variety of dance styles and class times are offered. The 92nd St Y is a large community filled with interesting New Yorkers, and signing up for one of their classes is a great way to get in shape and meet new people who are also seeking a healthy lifestyle.

FUN WAYS TO LEARN TECHNOLOGY Senior Planet (aging with attitude) Free - accepts donations 27 W. 25th Street between 6th and

7th Avenues Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. info@seniorplanet.org 646-590-0615 Come and mingle with like-minded seniors and finally learn how to use technology in a laid back environment. Senior Planet is the first technologythemed center for designed specifically for people over 60. Sign up for different workshops and seminars on Pinterest, current art exhibitions, and how to use social media to stay in touch with loved ones.

WINE AND CHEESE YACHT CRUISE Classic Harbour Line $104 Chelsea Piers (Pier 62) - W. 22nd and Hudson River www.zerve.com Learn the basics of wine and food pairing on the breathtaking Hudson River. Each cruise is themed with 5 hand picked wines from diverse geographical locations. Enjoy tapas

meals and conversation during this educational experience.

OUTDOOR YOGA FOR SENIORS Free Carl Schurz Park East 86th Street and East End Avenue

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 - 10 a.m. www.nycgovparks.org/events (212) 267-9700 Try out age-friendly yoga classes every Tuesday and Thursday mornings until June 19th. This class is offered through the City Parks Senior Fitness program, which also offers free tennis lessons and fitness walking in 14 parks across the city.

M A R B L E C O L L E G I AT E C H U RC H

WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE PROFESSIONAL Stop by for a BOXING Free INSTRUCTORS Introductory Men & Women All Lesson Levels & Ages Now Church is portable! This summer bring Marble Collegiate Church with you on your travels. Live stream from wherever you are via our website. In town? Come visit us at 29th at 5th Avenue. Worship Sunday, 11:00am; Walk the Labyrinth; Summer Hours visit MarbleChurch.org

Private & Individualized Instruction Se Habla Espanol

New Location 23 East 26th Street

We do church the way you always hoped it could be. Dr. Michael B. Brown, Senior Minister 1 West 29th St. NYC, NY 10001 (212) 686-2770 www.MarbleChurch.org

BEST BOXING GYM

Mon-Fri: 5am-Midnight Sat: 8am-8pm Sun: 9am-5pm 212.689.5255 www.mendezboxingny.com


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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

S ND C E K I E WE E M US V LI

COME UP & CHILL & RELAX

Day

SAMPLE THE BEST OF THE HUDSON VALLEY

Goshen’s 1st Craft Bar

12 Beers on Draft 70 Varieties of Bottles & Cans 25 Wines By The Glass! Tapas & Small Plates 47 West Main Street | Goshen, New York 10924 (845) 360-5253 | www.craft47.com Fri-Sat Kitchen open 12pm-11pm | Tue-Thu 12 pm - 10 pm Bar Open till... Sun 12 pm - 8 pm

For Events

New American Restaurant Nina has been selected by Zagat as one of America’s Top Restaurants and has recieved the

Award of Excellence From Wine Spectator and voted Best Restaurant in Orange County by Hudson Valley Magazine Lunch & Dinner 7 Days A Week & Sunday Brunch

Gift CertiďŹ cates Available

8FTU .BJO 4U .JEEMFUPXO /: t 845-344-6800 www.nina-restaurant.com www.wilddinermedia.com/festival/ Anthology Film Archives 32 Second Ave @ Second Street (for info contact festival directly, not anthology)

BREAKTHROUGH FESTIVALNYC

An Independent Film Festival

June 12-18

BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND A NYC detective comedy by Sujewa Ekanayake NYC Theatrical Premiere Run June 12 - 18

RESURRECTION OF SERIOUS ROGERS An action comedy by Angelo Bell June 13, 10:30 PM

WHERE WE STARTED A romantic drama by Chris Hansen NYC Theatrical Premiere Run June 12 - 18

MATHA A drama that takes place during the Sri Lankan civil war By Boodee Keerthisena, June 14, 10 PM

LITTLE FISHES ‘A ďŹ lm about girls in love’ by Alexia Anastasio June 12, 8:30 PM

MILLE SOYA A drama about Sri Lankan immigrants in Italy By Boodee Keerthisena June 15, 6 PM

r CSFBLUISPVHIGFTUOZD!HNBJM DPN 5JDLFUT BWBJMBCMF POMJOF XXX XJMEEJOFSNFEJB DPN GFTUJWBM

CULTURAL ARTS CENTER IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS Snug Harbor $5 Adults, $4 Students/Seniors, Free for Children Under 12 1000 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY Wednesday-Sunday 12PM-5PM newhouse@snug-harbor.org (717)425-3524 Home of 26 historical buildings, nine botanical gardens, a two-acre urban farm and 10 acres of wetland, Snug harbor is known as a place where history, architecture, visual arts, theatre, dance, music and environment come together to create a something enjoyable for all ages. Be sure to check the website for a full listing of upcoming events.

UPSTATE GOURMET FARM TO TABLE Blue Hill at Stone Farms Prices Vary 630 Bedford Road Pocantico Hills, New York 10591 Wednesday-Saturday 5PM-10AM Sunday 1:00 PM-10PM (914) 366-9600 Reservations are a must at Blue Hill. Attire is elegant, jackets required for men and shorts are not permitted. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available, as well as private dining for up to 14. Dining for special events accommodates 40-260 guests. There is not a children’s menu.

WHITEWATER RAFTING Beaverbrook OutďŹ tters $85/Per Person 711 Peaceful Valley Road North Creek, New York 12853 1-888-454-8433 Enjoy a scenic, full-day trip along 17 miles of class III-IV rapids through the heart of the Adirondack Park. Price includes: wetsuit, swim

booties, lunch and dinner. For every party of eight, one person is free. Beaverbrook advises all parties to call ahead and book your trip in advance because their tours ďŹ ll up very quickly once the nice weather hits.

ZIPLINE CANOPY TOURS Hunter Mountain $89-$119 per person 64 Klein Ave &23a Hunter, New York 12442 Monday-Friday info@zipsny.com (518) 263-4388 Beginning with a chairlift ride, experience the longest, fastest zip line tour in North America, or simply enjoy the scenic Catskills from 60 feet above ground walking the canopy. Safety and training classes provided before take off. This is a great family trip since kids of all ages will have a fun adventure ying over Hunter Mountain.

WHISKEY TASTING AND DISTILLERY TOURS Hudson Whisky Distillery 14 Grismill Ln Gardiner, New York 12525 Thursday-Monday 11-6PM Sunday 12-6PM Info@wgrantusa.com (845) 633-8734 From grain to glass, enjoy the handcrafted spirits Hudson Distillery has to offer. Considered the best distillery in 2010 by both the American Distilling Institute and Food and Wine Magazine, Hudson was founded by New Yorkers who take great pride in collaborating with local upstate farmers to create full-bodied whiskeys while leaving a smaller footprint on the environment. Make sure to plan your driving arrangements ahead of time since there are so many delicious whiskeys to taste!


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

Trips SOHO MEETS RUSTIC FLEA MARKET SKYDIVING ADVENTURES CLOSE TO NYC The Graham & Co. Phoenicia Flea Free The Graham & Co. Hotel 80 Route 214 Phoenicia, NY July 26 12PM – 8PM www.thegrahamandco.com/flea (845) 688 7871 Head north and visit the glamorous Graham & Co. Hotel’s first annual flea market. The hotel has gathered an impressive group of Catskills, Hudson Valley, and NYC artisans to celebrate small business and local trade at their Phoenicia Flea Market. You will find handcrafted jewelry, oneof-a-kind artwork, fresh food and drinks. If you’re looking to make it a weekend, you can reserve one of their beautiful rooms, and take a swim in their fresh water pool.

OYSTERS AND HORSE RACING Saratoga Race Track Free Admission 267 Union Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY July 18 – September 2 www.saratogaracetrack.com (518) 584 6200 Take a quick two-hour drive up Interstate 87 to the racetrack in Saratoga Springs. You can get lunch and shop along Broadway in the charming downtown before heading to the track. After this season’s opening ceremony on July 18th, you can catch a race every day except Tuesdays. Visit their website at www.saratogaracetrack.com for a full schedule of the races this summer.

Skydive the Ranch Prices Vary 55 Sandhill Road Gardiner, New York 12525 7 Days a week (weather permitted) 8AM to sunset Skydivetheranch@gmail.com (845) 255-4033 Certified USPA drop zone for over 30 years. Offering experiences for first-time jumpers, experienced jumpers, as well as licensing classes. Enjoy the views of the stunning Shawangunk Mountains from 13,500 feet with the highly trained professionals at the Skydive Ranch. If jumping out of the sky is too much for you, you can grab a drink at their drop zone bar while your friends get ready to fly.

LARGE-SCALE OUTDOOR EXHIBITIONS Socrotes Sculpture Park Free 32-01 Vernon Blvd @ Broadway Long Island City, Queens Open Everyday 10AM – Sunset www.socratessculpturepark.org On a weekend you don’t have the time or energy for a long distance trip, the Socrotes Sculpture Park is a great alternative. Founded in 1986, the sculpture park was created to provide artists the opportunity to create large-scale sculpture and multimedia installations. You can walk through any of their four current exhibitions; featuring the artists Meschac Gaba, Austin + Merigold, Zilvinas Kempinas, and Pawel Althamer.

HOW WILL YOU SPEND YOUR DUTCHESS DAYS? Dutchess County is one of the largest in New York’s Hudson Valley, with too much to see and do in one day. You’ll discover experiences here you won’t find anywhere else! So, settle in, and plan your Dutchess Days around your interests: history, cuisine, outdoor adventure, shopping, family fun, and more! Get the most out of your getaway…when you spend your days in Dutchess County. Just one hour away, and easily accessible by bus, train, or car. Go to DutchessTourism.com/hvtrip to plan your visit to Dutchess County with our Hudson Valley Trip Planner, and mention “Straus.”

Simple and Sophisticated. You Deserve Dutchess.

dutchesstourism.com 800.445.3131

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

Health & Fitness QUICKIE MAKEOVER

Rouge New York $40-$75 130 Thompson St. @ Prince St. Monday – Friday 7AM – 8PM Saturday 9AM – 8PM Sunday 9AM – 6PM www.rougeny.com (212) 388 1717 Most women don’t have time to spend hours at a salon, especially during the summer. At the salon Rouge you can choose from a menu of 30-minute makeover options ranging from natural looks to bold makeup looks. All of the products used can be purchased, so you can take home any products that stand out to you. Founded by “Law & Order SVU” star Stephanie March and her on-set makeup artist Rebecca Perkins, this cosmetics salon also offers overnight locker storage for anyone who doesn’t want to carry around everything they own while they are out on the town.

MIND AND BODY HEALTH WITH TAI CHI

Taoist Arts Center $150 - $450 342 East 9th St btwn 1st Ave & 2nd Ave 7PM & 8PM www.taoist-arts.com (212) 477 7055 Tai Chi is a great way to practice good health for your mind and your body. The Taoist Arts Center is offering an eight-week course this summer to introduce new students, and further challenge anyone who already practices Tai Chi. Each eight-week term includes six weeks of instruction, followed by two weeks of enrichment classes to help students absorb and refine the lessons. If you have ever been curious about practicing Tai Chi, this is a great way to get started. Prospective students can visit the school and meet other students and instructors and can participate in one free enrichment class on the next to last Tuesday of each term.

GROUP CARDIO Niketown Running Group Free 6 East 57th St btwn 5th Ave and Madison Ave Every Tuesday/Thursday 9AM & 6:30 PM Every Saturday 9AM www.store.nike.com (212) 891 6543 Use this opportunity to get in shape and meet new people. The Nike store on East 57th Street holds free group runs/walks every Tuesday and Thursday. All you have to do is show up with your running gear, and you can store any other bags at the store while you run. If you are more serious, and looking to train for the marathon, they also offer a coach and pacer available to help you prepare. Afterwards the store gives away free water, juice, and snacks. Nike advises you to show up 15 minutes before the scheduled run to check your bags and stretch before taking off.


Summer Guide 2014 Our Town

Resort, Spa, Nature.

MOM AND CHILD WORKOUTS UPTOWN Exceed Physical Culture Prices Vary per Class 1477 3rd Ave @ 84th St Every Saturday in June – August 4PM – 4:50PM www.exceedphysicalculture.com (212) 481 5300 It can be difficult to find time to work out during summer months since kids are on vacation, but Exceed Physical Culture offers simultaneous cardio and strength classes for kids and adults on Saturdays. You can bring your son or daughter to take part in their fitness class for 8-13-year-olds, where trainers help them set personal fitness goals and play fun, active games. At the same time, you can get your own workout in without the guilt of taking that time for yourself.

FRIDAY NIGHT SWINGS The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers $30 Pier 59 – 18th St & Hudson River Place June 20 6:30PM – 8PM www.chelseapiers.com (212) 336 6400 Enjoy an open wine and beer bar while you mingle and rotate through stalls during open hitting at the driving range at Chelsea Piers. One of their top Teaching Pros will be there to offer some instruction on your swing. You can RSVP for a ticket on their website, and there will be more Friday Night Swings throughout the summer so check back for future events.

YOGA AT SUNSET 7 MILES RESERVED FOR FITNESS Summer Streets Free Park Avenue August 3, 10, 17 7AM – 1PM www.nyc.got/dot The Department of Transportation will be celebrating its annual celebration of New York City’s most overlooked public space – its streets -- this August. The DOT will shut down nearly seven miles running between the Brooklyn Bridge Park to Central Park along Park Avenue, providing a healthy space for biking, walking, running, and other activities. There will also be an adventure zone with rock climbing, art installations, a zip line -- all free of charge.

FREE OUTDOOR FITNESS CLASSES Shape Up NYC Various Locations Free www.nycgovparks.org One of our favorite ways to stay in shape is through the free fitness classes offered through Shape UP NYC. They are scattered all throughout the five boroughs, but this summer you can find Zumba, Hot Hula, Pilates, kickboxing, yoga, low impact fitness, dance and strength training classes at the Manhattan locations this season. With an extremely extensive schedule it is easy to find a class that can fit into your schedule.

Summer on the Hudson: Salute the Sun Yoga Free The Plaza at 66th St @ Riverside Park South July 16 6:30PM – 7:30PM www.nycgovparks.org End your day with a relaxing yoga class on the water at Riverside Park. It is a Hatha style yoga class, suitable for all fitness levels and a great opportunity to escape from city stresses without having to leave Manhattan. Bring your own mat and destress while practicing yoga on the grass.

STREET ART BIKE TOUR Five Borough Bicycle Club Free 891 Amsterdam Ave @ 104th St June 7 10AM www.5bbc.org (347) 688 2925 Take this 40-mile bike tour through Brooklyn and Queens to learn more about New York’s graffiti and street art. This tour is considered a moderate ride, so it helps if you have experience biking around the city. The Five Borough Bicycle Club will guide you around popular locations to view authentic street art in a variety of different forms. They recommend bringing your own helmet and lock, and money for lunch. If you are interested in signing up or learning more about other tours offered send an RSVP email to birdnyc@gmail. com or visit their at website www.5bbc.org

A Resort Getaway in the

Litchfield Hills of Connecticut

Lakeville, Connecticut

Lodging, Dining, Spa and More! (800) 222-2909 www.InterlakenInn.com

Hiking trails nearby

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Our Town Summer Guide 2014

More CUNY Master’s Program Success Stories Hire Prospects in Public Service

Kristen McCosh

Master of Disability Studies CUNY School of Professional Studies

Fatima Shama

Commissioner, City of Boston Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Master of Public Administration School of Public Affairs, Baruch College

Vice President, Strategic Development and External Affairs Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn

Outstanding Graduate Programs at 13 Colleges in All Five Boroughs BARUCH COLLEGE t BROOKLYN COLLEGE t CITY COLLEGE t HUNTER COLLEGE JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE t LEHMAN COLLEGE t THE CUNY GRADUATE CENTER t CUNY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH t COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND t CUNY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM t CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW t SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES t QUEENS COLLEGE

Visit cuny.edu/grad


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

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Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

QUEENS OF NEW YORK FILM New documentary celebrates Russ & Daughters BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

LOWER EAST SIDE When filmmaker Julie Cohen produced a one-hour special for PBS about Jewish life in New York City, she included a segment on iconic fish and specialty food shop Russ & Daughters. She interviewed second generation owners Anne Russ Federman and Hattie Russ Gold at their homes in Florida, and ended up with about two hours of footage for the 10-minute segment. She couldn’t leave the rest on the cutting room floor. “The Sturgeon Queens,” Cohen’s new documentary about the Lower East Side institution, resulted from the extra footage—and many additional interviews—which will screen on the opening night of the Lower East Side Film Festival on June 12. The shop celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and the film coincidentally aligns with the recent opening of Russ & Daughter’s Café, the shop’s new sit-down restaurant on Orchard Street, a few blocks from the East Houston Street storefront. Cohen, whose great-grandparents came to the United States through Ellis Island and settled on the Lower East Side, was attracted to the ubiquity of the Russ story. “Starting with nothing, as very provincial Yiddish speakers and prodding their children and grandchildren to move up in the world and get educated, that is my family story as well as the story of so many viewers, both Jews and non-Jews,” Cohen said. Running at 52 minutes, “The Sturgeon Queens” tells the tale of patriarch Joel Russ, who started the shop in 1914 and later partnered with his three daughters, who carried on the business. Along with Anne and Hattie, Cohen interviewed Anne’s son Mark Russ Federman and current proprietors (and Joel’s great-grandchildren) Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, the brains behind the café. The voices of longtime customers narrate the story. Instead of using traditional voice over, Cohen asked six customers, all in their 70s, 80s and 90s, to read the history of the shop they’ve frequented for decades. “I didn’t want this to seem like a historic, PBS, Ken Burns-style sweeping history,” Cohen said. “I wanted it to be a little more homey and personal and fun.” Ben Waxman, or Benny to his friends, is one of the narrators. At 91, he has lived on the Lower

IF YOU GO: “THE STURGEON QUEENS” What: Director Julie Cohen’s documentary on iconic, family-owned Lower East Side shop Russ & Daughters, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. When: June 12, 2014 Where: Sunshine Cinema, 143 East Houston St. Hours: 8:00 p.m., followed by a Q&A with director Julie Cohen Tickets $13

East Side his entire life and, like the Russes, ran a family-owned business in the neighborhood. His father opened Haber’s, a supply shop that sold everything from athletic shoes to office furniture, in 1928. Waxman said he gave Anne’s husband Herb a pair of Adidas umpire shoes to ease the aches brought on by long hours at Russ & Daughters. When Herb took his breaks, he walked the ten blocks to Haber’s and “schmoozed.” Waxman’s friendly relationship with the Russ clan continues today. “When I walk into that shop I feel I have a camaraderie with almost everyone there,” he said. “I think I know just about everyone there.” Cohen also cast notable clientele, including actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose parents lived on the Lower East Side. Ginsburg was the first celebrity to agree to the film, which she accepted in a hand-written note. During shooting, Cohen brought the interviewees their favorite Russ & Daughters snacks. For Gyllenhaal, she delivered Nova lox on a pumpernickel bagel. “60 Minutes” correspondent Morley Safer got pickled herring. And it was Scottish salmon for Ginsburg, who sent Cohen another hand-written letter, thanking her for the fish. “I was surprised again and again by the amount of almost romantic attachment [customers] have to the store,” she said. “People who you wouldn’t really expect like Justice Ginsburg or Maggie Gyllenhaal are basically getting teary when they’re talking about their favorite smoked fish.”

Hattie Russ Gold at work at Russ & Daughters. Photo courtesy of the Russ Family Ben Waxman narrates during a scene in “The Sturgeon Queens.” Photo courtesy of BetterThanFiction Productions


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JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

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YOU READ IT HERE FIRST

FOR THE WEEK

The local paper for the Upper West Side

BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

UNEQUAL ACCESS RANKLES TENANTS

What’s Next, a Bouncer? Rent-Regulated Tenants Excluded From Amenities

MUSIC

TOQUINHO Brazilian composer, guitarist and singer Toquinho’s free performance at Central Park’s SummerStage marks the conclusion of the Brazilian Film Festival of New York, a week long showcase of new work by Brazilian ďŹ lmmakers. This year’s festival is dedicated to Toquinho’s longtime collaborator, bossa nova composer Vinicius de Moraes. Saturday, June 7th Central Park SummerStage Access at 5th Avenue and Terrace Drive 7:00 p.m. FREE

“IN THESE BOXESâ€? Musician and ďŹ lmmaker Dudley Saunders’ mixed media event “In These Boxesâ€? explores the connections between object and memory, present and past. Saunders asked participants to submit images of objects passed down from departed loved ones, which he blended together into video and narrative stories about those who passed away. Thursday, June 5 Dixon Place 161A Chrystie St. 7:30 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. $15

GALLERIES LODGE GALLERY PRESENTS “MATING SEASONâ€? For it’s summer exhibition, Lodge Gallery draws inspiration from the changing seasons, and “Mating Seasonâ€? considers fertility, rebirth and nature’s response to urban sprawl. The show includes pieces by Colombian sculptor Lina Puerta, painter Tiffany Bozic and Juan Fontanive, who depicts butteries and hummingbirds midight in his detailed, ip-book style installations. June 5 through July 5 The Lodge Gallery 131 Chrystie St. Wednesday through Friday 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday noon to 10:00 p.m

845 West End Avenue is the latest apartment building on the Upper West Side to be added to the list of those that bar rentregulated tenants from accessing some amenities. Photo by Daniel Fitzsimmons

REAL ESTATE

U.W.S. BUILDINGS WITH UNEQUAL ACCESS TO AMENITIES

Another Upper West Side building denying rentregulated tenants access to amenities

• Stonehenge Village – West 97th Street • Lincoln Towers – 142 West End Avenue • 845 West End Avenue

BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS

UPPER WEST SIDE In another example of high-end buildings giving some low-rate renters short shrift, rent-regulated tenants at 845 West End Avenue recently told the West Side Spirit they do not have access to the building’s fitness center like their market-rate co-op owning counterparts do. Gloria Zicht was born in the building, and after moving around in the years following college returned in the 1960s to her family’s rent-regulated apartment, living there ever since About ďŹ ve years ago many of the build

out. Those that do have protections said they’ve been barred access to amenities that have recently been built, including a ďŹ tness center and a children’s playroom. “It’s in the building, it shouldn’t be something that’s just set aside for condo owners,â€? said Zicht. “You have to have a card or a key or something.â€? Zicht said both she and her daughter, who lives with her, would use the gym if they were allowed to. Zicht showed a reporter down to the basement where, behind a locked door that appeared to open only with

May 15, 2014

May 16, 2014

The local paper for the Upper East Side

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.

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,

FOOD “ Employees in virtually every Manhattan (UPS

TASTE OF MURRAY HILL

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

The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association hosts “Taste of Murray Hill� an annual food and music festival, which features crafts, entertainment, antique sellers and an array of food vendors. The festival is free and open to the public. Saturday, June 7th Park Avenue between 34th and 40th Streets 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. FREE

“

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

KIDS

From Vandals to Artists: Time Rouses More Appreciation for Graffiti

BALLET TECH FOUNDATION PRESENTS KIDS DANCE Forty budding dancers between the ages of nine and 14 from Eliot Feld’s Ballet Tech School perform both new and repertory numbers, including KYDZNY, a new piece that, on opening night, will be performed with live musical accompaniment by jazz and funk ensemble Raya Brass Band. Feld, a legendary ballet dancer and Broadway performer who also opened the Joyce Theater, choreographed all three works in the show. June 12 through June 15 The Joyce Theater 175 Eighth Ave. Assorted show times Tickets $10 to $39 For tickets, call 212-242-0800

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

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


14

Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

Food & Drink < PROPOSED LEGISLATION MEANS FILTERS FOR COAL-FIRED OVENS

The city proposed new legislation that would require restaurants with coal or wood-fired pizza ovens to install an air filter designed to cut down on air pollution. The legislation, which

In Brief NEW DAIRY QUEEN SEES LONG NG LINES, EAGER CUSTOMERS Dairy Queen, one of the latest restaurant chains to put down roots in the city, opened its first Manhattan location on May 29, and customers lined up outside the West 14th Street store to get their Blizzard fixes. According to the Daily News, about 200 customers lined up at the country’s first bi-level Dairy Queen, which also serves burgers, fries and other fast food options. The first 50 customers received $60 gift cards, and the first 200 customers scored free tee-shirts. The ice cream chain is at home on the strip of 14th Street between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas—it’s located next to a Five Guys and across from a Subway sandwich sthop. The only other Dairy Queen in the five boroughs is located at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George.

DOH EXPECTS REVENUE DROP DUE TO REDUCED RESTAURANT FINES As a reflection of Mayor de Blasio’s efforts to reduce fines for health code violations at city restaurants, the Department of Health expects a drop of $4.1 million in revenue for the 2015 fiscal year, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 27. The DOH, which anticipates $34.1 million in revenue from restaurant fines in the 2014 fiscal year (which ends June 30), expects this revenue to drop to $30 million in the upcoming fiscal year. The decrease reflects Mayor de Blasio’s efforts to reduce fines under the restaurant grading system, and the plan includes a 15 percent decrease in the amount a health code violation fine will cost restaurant owners. In March, the DOH announced a plan to reform the restaurant grading system, which would decrease the amount restaurants pay in fines, while increasing the number of inspections and adding penalty-free inspections, a policy designed to help restaurants maintain banner health standards.

Mayor de Blasio supports, was proposed by Queens City Council member Donovan Richards, who also chairs the committee on environmental protection. According to the Brooklyn Paper, the air

filters could cost area pizzerias $10,000, on top of the already-pricey ovens. The legislation requires that all restaurants with coal or wood-fired ovens must install the filter by 2020.

STORIED RESTAURATEUR GOES BACK TO THE KITCHEN RESTAURANTS Pino Luongo of Il Cantinori fame has settled into a neighborhood Italian spot on the U.E.S. BY GABRIELLE ALFIERO

UPPER EAST SIDE Pino Luongo has found his happy place. And so, it seems, have many residents of Sutton Place. The 61-year-old restaurateur, who at one point owned 16 Italian eateries across the country, including Le Madri in Chelsea and Coco Pazzo on the Upper East Side, now operates just one. Morso, which opened in 2011, is tucked in a mostly residential neighborhood in the shadow of the 59th Street Bridge. It draws loyal and mostly local diners, and puts Luongo back where he feels he belongs: in the kitchen. “I feel this is my playground,” said Luongo on a recent evening, before the dinner rush. “This is where I make things happen.” Tuscan-born Luongo opened famed East Village restaurant Il Cantinori in 1983, along with his partners, Steve Tzolis and Nicola Kotsoni, and is credited with popularizing regional Italian cuisine in New York City (he sold his ownership of Il Cantinori in 1989, when he opened Le Madri). It wasn’t uncommon, Luongo said, to find Andy Warhol, Jean Michel-Basquiat, or Keith Richards at one of his tables. Morso caters to a neighborhood crowd of repeat diners, whose input Luongo values. Many dishes on the menu can be ordered in small or full portions, a concept that restaurant manager Ezma Samuel said came from diners who like to eat light. Samuel estimates that, on a given night, Morso draws around 20 to 30 regulars. One of those loyalists is Sutton Place resident Harriet Dorfman, who visits at least

three times a week. She started frequenting Morso with her husband, journalist Dan Dorfman, who passed away in 2012. The last meal they shared was at Morso, and the first bouquet of flowers she received after his death was from Luongo. “It goes beyond his food and the ambiance,” Dorfman said. “It’s the heart and soul of people caring about you.” Grace Balducci Doria, founder of Grace’s Marketplace on the Upper East Side and Long Island, said most of her business comes from regular clientele and that loyal customers keep businesses thriving. “You want customers that come in every day or four times a week,” she said. “You need your steady customers, and those are the ones that you want to please.” Neighborhood resident Carole Gratale comes back to Morso for food that is always “a notch above” other restaurants in the city, but also because of the restaurant’s warm atmosphere. “He always comes over and sometimes he sends dessert,” said Gratale. “He’s quite charming.” Not everyone finds Luongo as charming as his current clientele. He said he’s “damaged goods” to food critics, who he’s gotten in verbal scrapes with in the past. (He once sought legal action against food writer Alan Richman for what Luongo told New York Magazine was a “very damaging” review of Coco Pazzo). He’s seen business relationships sour, including that with the Pressman family, who owned luxury department store Barney’s, and whose many restaurant partnerships with Luongo deteriorated in the mid-nineties amidst the Pressman’s bankruptcy protection filings. But guests in the Morso dining room don’t seem concerned with Luongo’s past disputes. The restaurant, which seats around 120 people between its dining room and outdoor terrace, fills up around 7:00 p.m., and Luongo works the room. He stops at tables to shake hands and ask-

Pino Luongo, who once owned 16 restaurants across the country

about the food, and waves to customers from across the restaurant. “A restaurant is like theater,” said Luongo. “The food that I cook and the service that we provide makes a food dining experience like a theatrical experience, in a sense, and I think people acknowledge that kind of experience by supporting you. They keep coming day after day, week after week and month after month.”


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town115

RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS MAY 21 - 27, 2014

Sammy’s Noodle Shop & Grill 453461 6 Avenue

A

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.

Gustorganics

519 6 Avenue

A

Alta

64 West 10 Street

A

Bodega Negra

355 West 16 Street

Grade Pending (23) 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. 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.

The Darby - Up And Down

244 West 14 Street

Grade Pending (22) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Bar B

84 7 Avenue

Not Graded Yet (43) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

Capitale

130 Bowery

A

Sun’s Organic Garden

79 Bayard Street

A

Xi’an Famous Foods

67 Bayard Street

Grade Pending (18) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

Smile To Go

22 Howard Street

A

Golden King Bakery

9092 Bowery

Grade Pending (18) 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.

Shanghai Asian Cuisine

14A Elizabeth Street

A

Queen Bakery

150 Mott Street

B (16) 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.

Juice Press

415 Greenwich Street

A

Tomyum

200 8 Avenue

A

Subway Restaurant

174 Canal Street

A

Sotto 13

140 West 13 Street

Pasteur Grill & Noodles Inc

85 Baxter Street

Not Graded Yet (26) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

/ L’ecole

462 Broadway

A

Grade Pending (27) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food worker does not use proper utensil to eliminate bare hand contact with food that will not receive adequate additional heat treatment. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Dunkin Donuts

64 Fulton Street

A

The Edge Bar

95 East 3 Street

A

Asian Wok

88 Fulton Street

A

Ginger

109 1 Avenue

A

Jersey Mike’s Subs

80 Maiden Lane

A

The Watering Hole

106 East 19 Street

A

Stout Nyc

90 John Street

Not Graded Yet (27) 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. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.

Just Salad

53 East 8 Street

A

Archie & Sons

23 3 Avenue

A

Sushi Zayy

57 1 Avenue

Not Graded Yet (19) 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. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.

Fish Bar

237 East 5 Street

A

The Bowery Hotel Bar

335 Bowery

A

Grand Cafe

230 Park Avenue

A

Tocqueville Restaurant

3 East 15 Street

A

Papaya Dog

239 1 Avenue

Grade Pending (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.

Wendy’s

Arome Cafe Ii

85 Nassau Street

7 Dey Street

Not Graded Yet (21) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared. Grade Pending (20) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Atomic Wings

311 Broadway

A

Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine

96 Chambers Street

A

Starbucks Coffee

145 2 Avenue

A

Bento Sushi

173 Broadway

A

The Copper Still

151 2 Avenue

Mariachi’s Restaurant

61 Warren Street

A

Starbucks Coffee

229 Seventh Avenue

A

Chipotle Mexican Grill

149 8 Avenue

A

The Dish Restaurant

201 8 Avenue

A

Not Graded Yet (24) Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.


16

Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

Real Estate Sales Neighborhd

Address

Price

Battery Park City70 Little W St.

$710,000

Battery Park City30 W St.

$925,000

Battery Park City200 Rector Place

$479,000

Battery Park City377 Rector Place

$565,000

Bed Bath Agent

1

1

Corcoran

1

1

The Hollingsworth Group

Fulton/Seaport 138 Nassau St.

$1,850,000 1

1

Halstead Property

Noho

344 Bowery

$2,775,000 2

2

Douglas Elliman

Fulton/Seaport 119 Fulton St.

$1,400,000 2

2

Douglas Elliman

Noho

718 Broadway

$1,769,000 3

1

Corcoran

Fulton/Seaport 99 John St.

$687,318

0

1

Nestseekers

Soho

565 Broadway

$4,200,000 3

3

Keller Williams

Gramercy Park 201 E 15 St.

$825,000

1

1

Owner

Soho

20 Greene St.

$14,500,000 5

3

Douglas Elliman

Gramercy Park 235 E 22 St.

$440,000

0

1

Keller Williams

Soho

30 Crosby St.

$7,800,000 3

3

Res New York

Soho

255 Hudson St.

$2,015,000

Battery Park City380 Rector Place

$1,110,000

Gramercy Park 222 E 17 St.

$1,100,000

Chelsea

160 Ninth Ave.

$650,000

1

1

Owner

Gramercy Park 230 E 15 St.

$525,000

0

1

Corcoran

Soho

139 Wooster St.

$2,735,000 2

2

Meisel Real Estate

Chelsea

228 W 16 St.

$410,000

1

1

Coldwell Banker Bellmarc

Gramercy Park 301 E 22 St.

$340,000

0

1

Halstead Property

Soho

477 Broome St.

$1,560,000 0

1

Sotheby’s International

Civic Center

180 Park Row

$340,000

Gramercy Park 305 2 Ave.

$1,639,382 2

1

Cantor And Pecorella

Soho

387 W Broadway

$10,000,000 4

4

Brown Harris Stevens

4

Douglas Elliman

2

Cantor And Pecorella

E Village

214 E 9 St.

$1,600,000 1

2

Corcoran

Gramercy Park 230 E 15 St.

$416,200

0

1

Douglas Elliman

Tribeca

101 Warren St.

$11,000,000 4

E Village

525 E 11 St.

$1,350,000 2

2

Core

Greenwich Vill 101 W 12 St.

$1,585,000 2

2

Argent Advisors Llc

Tribeca

395 Broadway

$1,599,000

E Village

65 Cooper Square

$910,000

1

Halstead Property

Greenwich Vil 88 Bleecker St.

$350,000

W Chelsea

520 W 19 St.

$4,073,000 3

E Village

241 E 7 St.

$319,000

0

1

Halstead Property

Greenwich Vil 15 W 11 St.

$1,250,000 1

1

Corcoran

W Village

167 Perry St.

$556,000

E Village

427 E 12 St.

$1,017,231

1

1

Douglas Elliman

Greenwich Vil 37 W 12 St.

$2,856,000 2

2

Corcoran

W Village

22 Perry St.

$800,000

0

1

Halstead Property

E Village

199 E 7 St.

$14,000

Greenwich Vil 250 Mercer St.

$2,225,000

W Village

421 Hudson St.

$3,054,750 3

2

Corcoran

E Village

427 E 12 St.

$992,793

1

1

Douglas Elliman

Greenwich Vil 101 W 12 St.

$455,000

0

1

Charles Rutenberg

W Village

1 Morton Square

$3,250,000

E Village

141 E 3 St.

$579,000

Greenwich Vil 2 E 12 St.

$685,000

1

1

Corcoran

W Village

211 W 10 St.

$800,000 1

Halstead Property

1

1

1

Brown Harris Stevens

Financial District20 W St.

$569,000

Greenwich Vil 101 W 12 St.

$1,257,000 2

1

Corcoran

W Village

9 Barrow St.

$555,000

Flatiron

$1,250,000 1

1

Sotheby’s International

Greenwich Vil 69 W 9 St.

$380,000

0

1

Halstead Property

W Village

59 Bedford St.

$3,450,000

$1,575,000 1

2

Good Property

W Village

140 W 10 St.

$420,000

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.

280 Park Ave. South

Flatiron

21 E 22 St.

$1,560,000 2

1

Halstead Property

Little Italy

240 Centre St.

Flatiron

650 6Th Ave.

$940,000

1

Prime Nyc

Lower E Side

575 Grand St.

$536,000

Flatiron

7 E 14 St.

$460,000

Lower E Side

504 Grand St.

$585,000

Flatiron

141 Fifth Ave.

$4,500,000

Lower E Side

85 Stanton St.

$700,000

2

1

Custom Brokers Nyc

Flatiron

254 Park Ave. South

$1,615,000 2

Lower E Side

249 Eldridge St.

$535,000

2

1

Coldwell Banker Bellmarc

0

2

Douglas Elliman

0

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JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town

PREPARE YOUR PETS FOR NATURAL DISASTERS PETS With summer comes hurricane season; make sure your beloved animals have an emergency plan, too NEW YORK With hurricane season starting, doctors are reminding families to keep their pets in mind when making household emergency plans for disasters. “Having an emergency plan for every member of your family, including your pets, is vital before a disaster strikes,” said Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “Talk with your family veterinarian to create an emergency plan specific to your pet’s needs.” During Hurricane Katrina, it is estimated more than 250,000 pets were separated from their families. That’s one reason out of many to speak with your veterinarian about micro-chipping your pet. Micro-chipping helps ensure a pet can be quickly identified and reunited with his or her family in such situations. Besides the destruction left in their paths, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters like earthquakes can cause lengthy power outages and water shortages. Since veterinarians may also be forced to evacuate, pet parents should make sure to have on hand at least a two-week supply of pet’s medications, food and drinkable water. During a disaster, BluePearl Veterinary Partners specialty and emergency 24-hour hospitals remain open unless required to evacuate. Here are some additional tips for keeping your pets safe: Create an emergency kit for your pet before a disaster Keep documentation of your pet’s vaccination history in the emergency kit. Have a current photograph of your pet in the kit. Keep a checklist in the kit of

items to pull together when a storm is imminent, including these: • Collar: Make sure your pet’s collar has an identification tag with your contact information. • Leash: Use a leash if you evacuate or bring your pet to a shelter because pets can become easily disoriented if they slip away from you. This is because the scents that pets use to determine where they are and how to get home are often washed or blown away during storms. • Carrier: Have a properly sized pet carrier for each animal handy. Carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around. • Medications: Have a list of medications and care instructions to bring with you. • Other: Make a list of other items to add at the last minute such as food, bowls, water and cleaning supplies. • Have an evacuation strategy: Have a list including addresses and phone numbers of specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics, and friends and relatives out of harm’s way who are potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. Familiarize yourself with the location of each so if you need to evacuate, you can plan your route accordingly.

specific, written care instructions • Newspapers, trash bags and other supplies for clean-up Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first-served basis. Call ahead and determine availability. Bring pets indoors well in advance of a storm. Reassure and calm them throughout. Monitor your pets’ behavior, because animals can become defensive or aggressive due to the stress of the situation.

During a Disaster

After a Disaster

Gather together in one place all items on your pet’s emergency checklist. A laundry basket is easy to carry and a good size for this purpose. Animals brought to a pet shelter may be required to have any or all of the following: • Leash and collar with identification tag • Rabies tag • Identification on all belongings • Suitable carrier or cage • Ample supply of food, water and food bowls • Necessary medications and

Walk pets on leashes until they become re-oriented to the area. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, debris, snakes and other critters brought in with high water can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster. If your pet is lost during a disaster, contact your local animal control office to find out where lost animals are being housed. Bring along the picture of your pet and information about the microchip.

“THE PERFECT FATHER’S DAY GIFT” DRAW YOUR DAD FOR FATHER’S DAY JUNE 15, 2014 Draw a picture of Dad, scan it (or send it to us)

and then order a mug or luggage tag with your child’s drawing on it. All kids drawings will appear on our website as they are received. Just go to otdowntown.com Click on Fun & Games

Then order Dad’s portrait on a mug, totebag etc. DO NOT USE PENCIL Use bold and bright colored pens, markers, crayons, etc. Light color and pencils will not reproduce on our website or newspapers.

PLEASE DO NOT FOLD YOUR DRAWING

Dad’s Name: Your Name & Age:

Address:

City: Cell Phone:

State:

Zip:

17


18

Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

YOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES

CROSSING OVER TO CLASSICAL Q&A Singer Beverly Tak Taki will perform her eclectic mix of mus music at Carnegie Hall this week BY ANGELA BARBUTI

The fitting anthem “New York State of Mind” will be the th opener of a concert to benefit the th city’s youth. On audience at CarneJune 6, the a Zankel Hall will be gie Hall’s Z with an eclectic mix regaled w rhythm and blues, pop, of rhyth and show sho tunes from singBeverly Taki and classier Bever crossover ensemble O cal cros Trio. Sole Trio Part of tthe concert’s proceeds will be b donated to the Manhattan-based nonprofit, Manhattan-b Through Music, which Education Thro inner city schools to works with in programs. create music p The O Sole Trio will pay homItalian music, coverage to Itali selections from Frank ing select all the way to AnSinatra a Bocelli. The group is drea Boc comprised of soprano Erin compris Shields, baritone Giuseppe Spoletini and pianist/vioSpoleti David Shenton. linist D We spoke to Taki, a Midtow n resident, Mid about her musical caabou reer and upcoming ree charitable perforch mance. m

When did you know you wanted to pursue p singing? Probably at the age of three. [Laughs] I studied voice and st dance and all of that. And then, when I was 12, I started professionally with Frankie Avalon and Fr a slew of those singers at that time. sin There was this place plac called Palisades Park that had all of these shows.

Were you born in Manhattan? Ma Yes, actually born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx Bron and then moved to New Jersey. And An now I’m back in Manhattan. Right now I live in Midtown East

How do you think New Ne York City influenced your career? Well there’s so many m great artists here and I love rhythms and blues. rh And there are so many great rhythm m and blues artists in New York City. That kind of helped me cultivate what I wanted to do.

Beverly Taki sings in her Carnegie Hall debut this week.

So this is your first time ti at Carnegie Hall, but I read you’ve performed all over

can make at Carnegie Hall.

the city. Where are your favorite places to sing? I think The Plaza Hotel was wonderful. The Iridium was a great place to work. I worked at Carolines for one evening, doing a whole concert there. I also worked at the United Nations.

What can we expect to hear at the concert? I do a lot of rhythm and blues, some stage songs. We’re featuring probably 25 musicians on stage. They’ll also be three backup singers, so it’s quite a large group. There are eight string players and about five horns.

How did you pick the charity Education Through Music? Actually it was through the wife of the bass player in our group. She got in touch with a young lady who runs the program. We decided that it would be a good match for all of us. They’re not sponsoring the show, but they will be getting a small percentage of what we

I saw that you also raised money for children’s cancer. Yes, we did Cookies for Kids’ Cancer at the Metropolitan Room. Actually, my daughter-in-law, Cynthia Rios, contacted that group and had them come on board.

How long have you been singing for charity? Actually, this is probably the third one, but I think I’m going to do that for the rest of the time that I’m singing.

For more information on Beverly, visit www.beverlymusicny.com Purchase tickets to the show here: www.carnegiehall.org www.osoletrio.com To learn more about Education Through Music, visit www. ETMonline.org

Members of the O Sole Trio, from left: Giuseppe Spoletini, Erin Shields, and David Shenton


JUNE 5, 2014 Our Town119

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

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.

ANIMALS & PETS

HEALTH SERVICES

MASSAGE

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HAND CRAFTED ONLY for Nassau County’s LARGEST family fair 28th yr Attendendance 120,000+, 150-200 hand crafted vendors display. 9/20 & 9/21 (516)809-5892

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Youth Program at UN & throughout Manhattan to increase intercultural awareness. July 28-Aug 8. Space ltd. Apply before Jul 10 for 10% discount. For info and to apply www.mmcnyc.com, 646-4206633. AUCTIONS

Buy or sell at AARauctions. com. Contents of homes, businesses, vehicles and real estate.Bid NOW! AARauctions. com. Lights, Camera, Auction. No longer the best kept secret. SULLIVAN COUNTY REAL PROPERTY TAX FORECLOSURE AUCTION: 300+/Properties June 11+12 @ 10AM. Held at The Sullivan, Route 17 Exit 109. 800-2430061 AAR, Inc. & HAR, Inc. Free brochure: www.NYSAuctions.com

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 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 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

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Massage by Melissa (917)620-2787 MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Furniture Stripping, Refinishing, Repairs, French Polishing. Chairs: Reglued, recanted, rerushed, reupholstered. Kitchen cabinets, front doors, moldings. 37 years in business. Nouveau Furniture Restoration 917-335-1927

LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL Anthony Pomponio, Allstate 212-769-2899 apomponio@allstate.com NYC~REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS $895.00. Expd Attorney, Real Estate Broker, ESTATES/ CRIMINAL MATTERS Richard H. Lovell, P.C., 10748 Cross Bay, Ozone Park, NY 11417 718 835-9300. LovellLawnewyork@gmail.com

REVERSE MORTGAGES -Draw all eligible cash out of your home & eliminate mortgage payments. Seniors 62+! Government insured. Free 26 page catalog. FHA/VA loans also available. 1-888-660-3033 All Island Mortgage. NMLS#3740.

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.

CORNERSTONE EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT SUPERMARKET & RESTAURANT EQUIP WAREHOUSE LIQUIDATION AUCTION Thur 6/19 @ 10:30 AM PRV W 6/18 8-3 17 39 Brightseat Rd Unit F Landover, MD 20785 INVENTORY FROM NATIONAL GROCERS,REFRIGERATION, OVENS, MIXERS, SLICERS, CASES, PRODUCT I O N E Q U I P, H A N D L I N G EQUIP+ PUBLIC LIVE/ONLINE BIDDING 877-7 26 828/SAMAUCTIONS.COM

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PAINT & WALLPAPER

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REAL ESTATE - SALE

Sebastian, Florida Beautiful 55+ manufactured home community. 4.4 miles to the beach, 2 miles to the riverfront district. Homes starting at $39,000. 772-581-0080, www.beach-cove.com. TROUT STREAM BARGAIN. 5.4 acres, $49,900. Was $199,900. Bank ordered sale. 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.

Shari Melisa, Salon Hair Stylist Text 347.243.3170 to reserve. instagram.com/sharimelisa WANTED TO BUY

ANTIQUES WANTED Top Prices Paid. Chinese Objects, Paintings, Jewelry, Silver, Etc. Entire Estates Purchased. 800530-0006. CASH for Coins! Buying ALL Gold & Silver. Also Stamps & Paper Money, Entire Collections, Estates. Travel to your home. Call Marc in NY 1-800959-3419

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Known for Service Excellence Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10028, 212-2883500, www.frankecampbell.com

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Mortgages Ready to buy a home? We are ready to help. The State of NY Mortgage agency offers up to $15,000 down payment assistance. www.sonyma.org. 1-800-382HOME(4663).

Directory of Business & Services

Roll a twice-folded newspaper sheet around a jar, remove the jar, & you have a biodegradable seed-starting pot that can be planted directly into the soil.

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

Furniture Restoration

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FURNITURE CHAIRS Stripping Reglued Refinishing Recaned Repairs Re-rushed French Polishing Recovered

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DISCOVER COLOR Interior & Exterior Painting Wallpaper Removal t Neat & Clean Work Free Color Consultation Licensed & Insured

SABBY PAINTING (917) 292-9595 (718) 352-1450

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Wills Living Trusts Probate Elder Law Guardianships Legal Advice

212 979-2868 Home Visits Available - We Honor all AARP and Legal Services Plan Discounts

,JUDIFO $BCJOFUT t 'SPOU %PPST t .PMEJOHT

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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 | 212-712-6083 victor.ferrer@elliman.com


20

Our Town JUNE 5, 2014

WE HAVE OVER 500 WINES UNDER $10!

Sauvignon Blanc Black Birch Mountain Marlborough

Chardonnay Carneros Buena Vista

2010

2008

Dievole Rosso di Sangiovese

Rose Cotes de Provence Terre Des Oliviers

2008

750ML

5.99

2013

750ML

750ML

8.99

9.99

750ML

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Cotes du Rhone Perrin Reserve 2010

750ML

8.99

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Beaujolais-Villages Laboure-Roi Vieilles Vignes 2009

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Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sauvion

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2012

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Chenin Blanc Man Vintners South Africa

2011

2013

750ML

7.99

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Marques de Caceres White Rioja

2006

2010

750ML

Saronga Chardonnay South Africa 2010

750ML

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4.99

13.99

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Sebastiani Chardonnay Sonoma 2012

750ML

Pinot Noir Cono Sur Chile 2013

750ML

9.99

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rouge

Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon Chile

2011 750ML

2013

2008

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2007 750ML

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750ML

6.99 8.99

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Yes, We Deliver!

Credit card purchases In store only. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical errors Prices effective through

June 11, 2014


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