Our Town - April 21, 2016

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The local paper for the Upper er East Side A WORLD OF WORDS AT THE MORGAN, CITYARTS < P.12

CLOSING TIME FOR AN EAST SIDE INSTITUTION NEWS Yorkville Copy has been in the neighborhood for more than 50 years BY MADELEINE THOMPSON

On a recent Monday afternoon, Liz Torres sat chatting with a customer in the cozy disarray of Yorkville Copy Services, on E. 84th Street and Lexington Ave. After 51 years at its current location, the shop finds itself with no choice but to move because it can’t afford to pay the nearly $30,000 in back taxes the building’s owner, the Parkoff Organization, is

asking for. “We’ve had numerous landlords … and three of them we never paid real estate taxes on because they never asked,” said Bill Torres, owner of Yorkville Copy, along with his wife Liz. Two of the landlords, including Parkoff, have asked him for real estate taxes, and he has paid. At his most recent lease renewal, however, Parkoff claimed that Torres owed $41,000 in real estate taxes from the decade before they bought the building in 2010, which they have since lowered to just under $30,000. Either way, Torres can’t afford it. “They said they’ll include it in my rent,” he said, calculating that that would

mean $1,500 extra on top of his monthly $5,835 rent. “I can’t do that.” Torres is an East Side institution. His shop’s mom-andpop charm and reputation for community engagement have been featured before in both Our Town and The New York Times. Torres got a job at the shop 51 years ago as part of his training at the New York School of Printing, and he has been there ever since. “They had a work program that if your grades are high in your senior year … you can go out and work in the field,” he said. “So I got sent here and I start-

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Bill Torres, owner of Yorkville Copy. Photo by Madeleine Thompson

THE OUT OF TOWNERS STREET LEVEL Having visitors gets you moving, with fresh eyes BY BILL GUNLOCKE

You can’t not be glad to be at the Whiney. Photo credit: Bill Gunlocke

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I tagged along. I usually don’t. But my sister and brother-inlaw were in from Indiana and they had some places they wanted to get to so I went with them. Best thing we did together was the Whitney. I hadn’t been. When you live alone you can go anytime; so sometimes you need a reason to pick the day. They were my reason. I liked everything about it. So did they. The light is wonderful. So

Newscheck Crime Watch Voices Out & About

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is the floor plan. Windows with the river to see. Outdoor art off a couple upper floors. From there you see Meatpacking District buildings and streets in a light rain. The art on all the floors is great American stuff. Familiar and exciting right in front of you. We had coffee in the stylish café in the museum. Very nice. They’d just arrived that morning. It was thrilling for them to be there. For me too. I didn’t care that we couldn’t go on the Highline. It was raining too much for that. To me, it’s all hype anyway. You can’t even walk at your normal pace. You creep along so you can ooh and aah at shrubbery. But we

City Arts To Do Real Estate 15 Minutes

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would come back and walk it another day. They loved the Frick. I didn’t go with them. I was busy. I knew they’d like it. We met for lunch at E.A.T., after the Frick, on Madison. Lively. Bright. Food was fine. I got dessert. I usually do. Not a cheap lunch. I’m not sure why we went there. Once trendy. Still the good logo. Next day we went to the World Trade Center Museum. I wasn’t ever going to go. I had run down there with my camera the day it happened . I saw a tower crumble in front of me. I did shots in the neighborhood bar for days after. But it meant something for them to go see it. Their daughter’s best friend from college died in one of the

WEEK OF APRIL

21-27 2016

Our Take OUR MOMENT IN THE SUN It’s all over but the spin. New York’s presidential primary on Tuesday served up a greatesthits tableau of how the rest of the nation sees us. Candidates visited pizza shops and matzo-ball factories, uptown townhouses and hipster Brooklyn. In a sense, it was a reminder of how entrenched the national stereotypes of our city can be. But it was also a reminder of how fun democracy can be, when it really matters. For the first time in a very long time, New York voters were able to shape the trajectory of a presidential campaign. The fact that three of the candidates had very deep ties to New York, for better or worse, only added to the kick. For a city like ours, which likes to think of itself as an island apart from the rest of America, with our own perks and our own problems, we learned in this election that, actually, we’re not that different from anybody else. The central issues that have emerged as the campaigns have traveled the country -- immigration, income inquality, the price of health care, America’s role in the world -- are central to New Yorkers, too. It turns out we may not be as different from other Americans as we may have thought. Now the circus moves on. We’ll be watching, knowing, for the first time in a long time, that we played a part. Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat and the Holiday candles. Passover, Friday, April 22 - 7:25 pm Saturday, April 23 after 8:28 pm from a pre-existing flame For more information visit www.chabaduppereastside.com

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Chapter 8

EVE AND OTHERS BY ESTHER COHEN

When Naomi returned home from visiting Albert, there they were: Charles and Eve, sitting on the couch as though they were glued on, each one holding a copy of CUE. Charles ordered two subscriptions, worried that one might be stolen. What would he do, should he ever decide to leave the apartment? Unlikely possibility, but still. He had Lucky Number Seven yellow magic markers, to underline movies and art shows and even Broadway shows. What he would attend, if he could. Eve participated, too. Charles drew lines through his choices, and Eve made large loopy circles around those activities she might choose. They never went anywhere much, choosing instead to sit right there, in the center of the couch.

Eve and Charles. In a funny way, they seemed to have gotten married on another planet, had descended briefly, very briefly, into the bright orange living room. Beautiful Eve, as always, was bedecked. Her shoes looked as though they’d previously belonged to Elton John. Very high, feet were balanced on red snakeskin platforms. Her legs were often crossed, legs, provocatively dangling. And Charles, neat Charles, he looked a little like a prosperous magician, a man who could saw anyone in two. Not a young unemployed CUE Magazine devotee. “A man” Naomi paused, to create a little drama, “a man named Alyosha is actually missing,” she said, in a way she hoped would interest them both. “Maybe we should all try to find him. My friend Albert is his neighbor. Eve do you remember Albert? He’s a Rochester Button Company office temp. And talented clothing designer. He made me a hat from vintage ties. I can show you if you’d like. His neighbor just vanished,” she said. “The building doesn’t know what to do.”

Illustration by John S. Winkleman “That isn’t his real name,” Charles replied. “My guess is it’s Jack. Or even Bill. You know what percentage of people are actually named Bill? I read an article at the doctor’s office once – maybe I could find it again – that talked about

Bills. It’s a very high number. You wouldn’t believe it. Don’t know why my first guess was Jack. It’s Bill,” he said. And I’m not talking William either. Just Bill. There aren’t as many Charles’s as you might imagine.

“Who are you named for?” Naomi asked. “I’m Jewish,” said Charles, “and I should be able to tell you about my Jewish uncle Charles, my mother’s favorite brother, who tragically died in an unfortunate drowning ac-

cident. That would make more sense than the reality here. Her brother is actually named Teddy. He’s an accountant in Baldwin, Long Island. He can’t even swim. I’m named after Charles Laughton,” he said. “My mother made all her own rules. And she liked Charles Laughton. Although his wife, Elsa Lancaster, that was another story.” “Can we just call him Alyosha?” Eve asked. “I like that better. “Do we know his last name? “We are in the process of finding that out. His super knows,” said Naomi. “I’d like to enlist Mrs. Israel too. I think she said she was a bookkeeper once. Her apartment would be perfect if we were to open a detective agency. Plenty of people disappear every day. I don’t know why, but finding them suddenly seems like what I want to do.” “Me, too,” said Eve. “I’m on the finding fence,” said Charles. For previous installments of this serialized novel, go to www.ourtownny.com. Esther Cohen posts a poem a day at esthercohen.com.

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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG STATS FOR THE WEEK

COPS AND AIRPLANES: FORMER 19TH PRECINCT CHIEF IMPLICATED Two NYPD officers ensnared in a corruption investigation allegedly traveled by private plane to Las Vegas in the company of a prostitute who was dressed in flight attendant clothing, the New York Post reported. Deputy Inspector James Grant, a one-time commanding officer with the 19th Precinct, was on the flight, according to the Post’s sources. Grant was removed from his command post in light of revelations that he received lavish gifts and cash from businessman Jeremy Reichberg. Reichberg, along with Jona Rechnitz, are at the center of the FBI investigation. Rechnitz supplied the private plane trip to Las Vegas, the Post reported, and both men also traveled with officers during one Las Vegas trip. Detective Michael Milici, a Borough

Reported crimes from the 19th precinct for Week to Date 2016 2015

% Change

2016

2015

% Change

Murder

0

0

n/a

1

1

0

Rape

0

0

n/a

0

1

-100

Robbery

2

4

-50

21

33

-36.4

Felony Assault

0

1

-100

29

33

-12.1

Burglary

4

1

300

57

33

72.7

Grand Larceny

29

22

31.8

366

323

13.3

Grand Larceny Auto

2

2

0

12

7

71.4

according to The New York Times reported. Both men were said to have cultivated associations with highranking police officials out of admiration for police. The 19th Precinct’s former commander, Deputy Inspector James Grant, was placed on desk duty and transferred earlier this month.

Park community affairs officer who is on modified duty, was also named as a traveler on the plane. Attorneys for both officers denied the claims. Around 20 officers have been questioned in the investigation

about gifts they’ve received from Rechnitz and Reichberg. Both men contributed to Bill de Blasio’s mayoral campaign in 2013 and were later part of a 70-person committee planning the mayor’s inaugural celebration,

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FEDS CLOSE IN ON KOREAN BROTHELS Federal prosecutors have accused 11 people of money laundering following an investigation into a network of

Korean brothels in the New York City area. A criminal complaint shows the defendants laundered more than $1.4 million in illegal revenue from the businesses between 2011 and 2016. Prosecutors say some of the brothels posed as legitimate businesses and kept lists of customers who had been vetted by other brothels and customers and would only do business with them. Authorities say they were independently owned but shared prostitutes and advertising outlets.

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Useful Contacts POLICE NYPD 19th Precinct

153 E. 67th St.

212-452-0600

FDNY 22 Ladder Co 13

159 E. 85th St.

311

FDNY Engine 39/Ladder 16

157 E. 67th St.

311

FIRE

FDNY Engine 53/Ladder 43

1836 Third Ave.

311

FDNY Engine 44

221 E. 75th St.

311

CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Daniel Garodnick

211 E. 43rd St. #1205

212-818-0580

Councilmember Ben Kallos

244 E. 93rd St.

212-860-1950

STATE LEGISLATORS State Sen. Jose M. Serrano

1916 Park Ave. #202

212-828-5829

State Senator Liz Krueger

1850 Second Ave.

212-490-9535

Assembly Member Dan Quart

360 E. 57th St.

212-605-0937

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright

1365 First Ave.

212-288-4607

COMMUNITY BOARD 8

505 Park Ave. #620

212-758-4340

LIBRARIES Yorkville

222 E. 79th St.

212-744-5824

96th Street

112 E. 96th St.

212-289-0908

67th Street

328 E. 67th St.

212-734-1717

Webster Library

1465 York Ave.

212-288-5049

100 E. 77th St.

212-434-2000

HOSPITALS Lenox Hill NY-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell

525 E. 68th St.

212-746-5454

Mount Sinai

E. 99th St. & Madison Ave.

212-241-6500

NYU Langone

550 First Ave.

212-263-7300

CON EDISON

4 Irving Place

212-460-4600

POST OFFICES US Post Office

1283 First Ave.

212-517-8361

US Post Office

1617 Third Ave.

212-369-2747

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APRIL 21-27,2016

CHEERING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING & TALKING Covering ground, and shopping, Ken Roman BY DAVID WILLIAMS

that they could give a bench,” he notes. Like many caring citizens in this city who find it hard to abide the sight of litter, Ken straddles the iron fence above “his” bench to pluck litter from within the stillbrown plants in the bed. Back on the move, I ask Ken about the advertising business. The author of an authoritative book on the founder of the agency where he hung his hat, “The King of Madison Avenue: David Ogilvy and the Making of Modern Advertising,” Ken speaks fondly of those glory days. And the profession as a whole. “I LOVE the business. I loved working for an agency. Working with clients. I like helping people. I like working with ideas. That’s the essence of the advertising business. I like working with bright interest-

Ken Roman is the former CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, the advertising agency founded by David Ogilvy. He joined the firm in 1963 and served as chairman from 1985 to 1989. After 26 years with the firm, he joined American Express in a senior communications role before becoming a consultant, board director and author. Mileage covered: 2.2 miles Sunny, 28 degrees A certain famed, AMC series about the world of advertising at mid-century never comes up. During my 10028 and 10128 walk with the former advertising executive, Ken Roman, we talk about Carl Schurz Park (a lot), what’s changed for the good (also a lot), and the bad (one guess*) in the neighborhood. But MAD MEN? Nah. I meet Ken in the lobby of his classic, 1929 apartment building that overlooks the southern end of Carl Schurz Park. He understands why we are meeting: to walk and talk as we set out on his rounds of a chilly, late winter morning. No cab. No car. No public transportation. Just the great New York mode of getting around: hoofing it. Spend enough time in your community, especially once you’ve uncoupled from the moving target of a successful career, and those kids have kids of their own, you settle into a pattern. Groceries here. Shoemaker there. Cortado up the next block. If you are lucky enough to live Ken Roman. Photo: David Williams near a city park, you evolve a pathway, desire lines of the familiar and ing people who are always coming up with the reassuring. ideas. They were fun, they were funny, We walk out the door and head east. “I always go this way. I’m such a big fan they were bright.” I ask him whether he ever took that enof the park and the neighborhood and I go around promoting it all the time. I’m thusiasm to the front of a classroom. Did a bloody bore! I’ve raised some money for he ever teach? “We had major training programs (at the the park (through the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy) and I keep feeding them agency). It was in our lifeblood because David Ogilvy insisted upon it. We had ideas. “ (You can take the adman out of advertis- training programs in each office. We had international training programs. We had ing but you can’t take the ...) We turn to walk north along John Finley training programs for our account people. For media people. For research people. For Walk, a cold wind blowing off the river. We take a minute to check out the small- finance. We had training programs for our er canine activity in the “SDR” (Small Dog major clients. “ Returning to limning the glories of Carl Run) before we pause a moment in front of a park bench. On it is a plaque, carrying Schurz Park, and the good works of the the words: “To Ken. Celebrating his love Conservancy, “I tell people who I take on for this park. From Ellen on his special these walks that this park is maintained so beautifully because it’s all volunteers. I birthday“ “I always walk and check what I consider think that what (Conservancy volunteers) ‘my’ garden’. I picked out a bench and (my Pat Nadosy (she’s just a FORCE!) and Judy wife) Ellen, as a birthday present, gave me Howard and Ellen Halstead and Banford one. And we wrote the inscription in such Weissmann do ... . It’s a model for me. a way that other people would get the idea Volunteers take a responsibility for their

neighborhood and have the government in some form help them. It’s a marvelous partnership. It would work everywhere.” By now we have reached the northern end of the 15-acre park, *the Waste Transfer Station, looming like the skeleton of a winter palace through the bare trees. “(This) leads me into the discussion of the Marine Transfer Station. The whole issue that every borough must take a responsibility I get. And the whole issue of not in my background yard. I don’t want it in my back yard. I don’t want it in YOUR back yard. It should be in an industrial back yard.” After half a block of stewing silence, we head across York Avenue. “We’re going to go the Vinegar Factory. I worship at the altar of Eli Zabar. I think he is a genius. I love going up there. I know every inch of the store.” Surprised to see that the footprint of his beloved Vinegar Factory has shrunk by about half since his last visit, it takes us a few minutes to get our bearings. “We buy the breads here. I won’t buy any other kind of bread. I buy their soups. When we came back from London I went into the freezer: macaroni and cheese! Chicken pot pies were frozen.” Before there was Seamless Web there was the Roman freezer. Navigating the store’s altered retail landscape, Ken finds that the canary melon he is in search of is, alas, not to be found. A close second, a cavaillon melon ($5.99 a pound) will have to do. Walking about the rest of the store to further see what has changed, Ken puts on the brakes at the now relocated cheese counter. Fearing he might have lost his zip code’s source of Irish cheddar, he is relieved to discover the Vinegar Factory still carries it. His single item grocery list having been padded with Irish cheddar, we hasten to the checkout: “We better get outta’ here before ... ” Ken’s rounds at an end, we retrace our steps back to his apartment. I suggest walking back a different route but no… circling back will afford another opportunity to duck into his beloved Carl Schurz Park. “I hug the park,” he says, no doubt meaning both definitions of that term. We speak a bit about the theater he and Ellen caught while in London. Good: HANGMAN. Meh: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. Two blocks from his home, we detour a bit, around and through the park. And shake hands as we end his rounds. “I feel happy in my neighborhood. I feel happy in my home. I feel blessed to be here.” I state the obvious: “You’re a very positive fellow, Ken Roman.” He replies, also obviously: “Well, I’m a cheerleader!”

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SUMMER CAMP FOR NEWLYWEDS CAMP Couples are turning to camp weddings as a nostalgic option BY TRACEE M. HERBAUGH

Hiking boots, bug spray, long underwear -- not your typical packing list for a wedding. Unless it’s a summer-camp wedding, a hot new twist on the destination wedding. Such nuptials are increasingly popular, wedding planners say, and offer a mix of nostalgia and adventure. “I was never that girl who grew up dreaming about her wedding dress, about her wedding day,� said Lorelle Binder, who got married last year at Camp Highlander in Horse Shoe, North Carolina. Instead of engaging in the quintessential hotel or ballroom revelry, Binder’s guests spent the weekend doing traditional camp activities, including a color war. “Everyone there was able to relive their childhood, and that was something we could give to our guests,� Binder said. There are many reasons for the summer-camp wedding, but couples often choose it because they love the outdoors. “It’s one of the newer trends, and I don’t think it’s going anywhere,� said Tonia Adleta, a Philadelphia wedding planner.

Destination weddings accounted for 1 out of every 4 nuptial ceremonies, according to a 2014 report from The Knot, which studies industry trends. Summer-camp weddings can capture the same appeal as a far-ung destination, but in a low-key and often low-cost way. “What happens is that the wedding weekend turns into a family reunion, or it’s a time for the families from both sides to really get to know each other,â€? said Drew Taylor, who co-owns the 120-acre Kingsley Pines Camp in Raymond, Maine. Taylor said the camp has hosted about 10 weddings a year in recent years, and the number has been growing. Extended families typically “come in on Friday and stay all weekend,â€? she said. “Their meals and activities are provided.â€? David Blacker, who got married in 2009 at a camp called Club Getaway in Kent, Connecticut, said he saved money: “The cabin was a fraction of the price a hotel would have been.â€? For many couples, a camp wedding simply sounds like fun. “We weren’t sure people were going to be game for this -- showering in a public shower and all,â€? said Alison Bartolone, who got married at Sheldon Calvary Camp in Conneaut, Ohio, in 2013. But her guests “were enthusiastic and had a lot of fun with it,â€? she said. One group even broke into the camp’s costume closet

one evening. “It was old-school fun,� Bartolone said. Mandee and Thor Morgan, who now live in Denver, met while working as counselors at Camp Highlander. They got married at the camp for sentimental reasons, and also because it let them incorporate their outdoorsy lifestyle into the big day. “The biggest draw for us was that it wouldn’t be a quick night when we wouldn’t get to see anyone for more than a couple seconds,� Thor Morgan said. “It was a long weekend where people could do activities they had never done before and all in an outdoors setting.� A summer camp also can offer some relief from the typical prewedding frenzy. “What camp allowed us to do was to forget about the little tiny details, such as the table settings, signs, lighting, and focus more on our friends, family and the beauty of Maine,� said Emily Tong, who married Cory Elowe in 2014 at Camp-O-At-Ka in Sebago, Maine. Of course, camp weddings aren’t for everyone. Bad weather can cast a pall, especially if you insist on wearing stiletto heels through the mud. “If you’re the type of couple that wants to be at the Ritz or the Four Seasons, a camp wedding is definitely not going to work for you,� said Adleta. “It’s a completely different animal.�

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APRIL 21-27,2016

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Write to us: To share your thoughts and comments go to ourtownny.com and click on submit a letter to the editor.

MANHATTAN CHUTZPAH EAST SIDE ENCOUNTERS BY ARLENE KAYATT

work and quality of care. Can’t ask for more. Welcome to our town, City MDs — they are in other locations as well.

Hey, there’s a lady waiting! Late Sunday evening. Two ladies standing and chatting at elevator bank in residential apartment building in the 90s/on Third. Whole Foods and Fairway shopping bags lining the floor between them. One elevator standing empty. Along comes a third lady. Doesn’t notice the empty elevator and pushes “Up” button. When she sees that the elevator is empty, she walks in and pushes her floor button. As the door starts to close, one of the talking ladies decides that it’s time to go home. She waves her arm to keep the door open and proceeds to load her packages onto the elevator. Yakking the whole time. Chutzpah 101.

Transfer alert — 86th/Lex crosstown to West Side — passenger paid fare. Got receipt. Got on bus. Showed it to driver and asked for transfer. “Ya don’t need a transfer.” Passenger explained that a transfer is required and receipts are not accepted. “Just give ‘em the receipt.” Case closed. Passenger took a seat. Along came an MTA receipt enforcer. Passenger explained plight. Handed over the receipt and asked the MTA enforcer to please get a transfer. Voila, transfer received. MTA should invest in training drivers so that they know the rules of the road ... Avenue buses require transfers and won’t honor receipts. And what’s the problem with just handing over a transfer?

Healthy benefits — Shoutout to City MD on East 86th Street for exemplary health care services. With the sweep of a stethoscope, the doctor detected the sound of potential problem coming from patient’s chest, which was confirmed by an X-ray. Doctor recommended a CT scan that patient scheduled with own physician. Great team-

Urine Nation — Sitting on a metal bench at 50th/Lex waiting for downtown bus opposite a silver-colored sign warning “No Smoking.” We’ve come to know there’s danger to second-hand smoke. Along comes a man, looks at the sign, and walks to the next wall. No signs. Unzips his pants and proceeds to urinate on the column

POEMS FROM READERS

wall. Guess a sign should say no urinating — or simply no peeing — in public. Or is that not OK? Somebody should start a campaign about secondhand smells that harm the public. Or maybe a study. Or maybe common sense? It’s aesthetically awful, offensive, smelly, disgusting and bad for public health. Wonder where the City Council is on the matter? An ordinary couple is all they’ll never be ... Rumor has it that Trump, triumphing in his quest to be Republican candidate for president, will promote former conservative Congressman Joe Scarborough as his running mate. Scarborough, MSNBC’s Morning Joe bloviator, has been angling for the second spot from the day Trump announced. Oh, there have been pushes and pulls, winks and nods from both Scarborough and Trump. But sounds like a ticket. Sounds like the ticket, folks. Faux fifties- Uptown M102 late Monday evening in early April. Passenger gets on the bus. Eyes a folded paper which looked like a $50 bill and immediately stepped on it and surreptitiously slid it along until he could look at it unnoticed by other riders. Opens it. It’s an advertisement for an accountant in Brooklyn offering a $50 discount for tax preparation. Suddenly, the folded papers keep appearing between the bus driver and the steps

Soon curiosity wanes and the introductions begin. “Have you met my sister? She’s visiting for the summer” “How do you do. I really like your jewelry.” “My husband made it for me.” “It’s a fine piece of toolery.” “How is your summer?” “Oh, not so bad. A bit hot though.” “It’s been such a long time since we last talked.” “Indeed, we must soon chat again. But for now I must go.”

A FIRE ACROSS THE STREET A warm summer evening On a city avenue Piercing sirens alert curious ears Inviting neighbors out for a visit. Across the street husky engines idle While officials gate off crowds Who look at the intense inferno Speculating at the start of such cacophony.

Voices

A birthday party interrupted with cake still fresh Sits upon a paper plate while neighbors meet To affirm their existence During a fire across the street.

Photo: Falk Lademann, via flickr to get on the bus. Turns out the bus driver was dropping them. Maybe for a giggle. Maybe he’s moonlighting on the job on behalf of the accountant. Maybe both. I don’t know that he should be doing either — and it wasn’t very nice or funny.

UNTITLED My uncle, Zev, the Brooklyn poet, told me, Don’t worry about forgetting things you can’t remember, just write the damn poem, let it be as long as it wants to be, then cut off the beginning, but he never said why I should do that nor what I should do if the beginning is all there is.

STRAUS MEDIA your neighborhood news source

Associate Publishers Seth L. Miller, Ceil Ainsworth Regional Sales Manager Tania Cade

INVISIBLE WALLS Oh many, many are the jails An innocent one can go to, There’s the jail of hating everyone Because you know that they hate you. The jail of being in the hostel bed Of your friend who’s getting married, When you haven’t even a boyfriend, And must pretend to be ecstatic. The jail of marrying the wrong man Before you make the great announcement That the next deed on your list Is a single life commitment,

Jules Bacal

Frank Theodore Koe

Vice President/CFO Otilia Bertolotti Vice President/CRO Vincent A. Gardino advertising@strausnews.com

Passed over — A local Upper East Side temple had a special offer before Passover for a Men’s Scotch & Steak Seder, consisting of steak, matzoh, and Scotch, at a high-end steak house in the neighborhood. What about the women?

There are many jails I’ve been in And maybe many where I’ll be, But if they’re only psychological My persevering mind will rescue me! Esther Lazarson

President & Publisher, Jeanne Straus nyoffice@strausnews.com Account Executive Editor In Chief, Kyle Pope editor.ot@strausnews.com Fred Almonte Director of Partnership Development Deputy Editor, Richard Khavkine Barry Lewis editor.dt@strausnews.com

Staff Reporters Gabrielle Alfiero, Madeleine Thompson Director of Digital Pete Pinto

Block Mayors Ann Morris, Upper West Side Jennifer Peterson, Upper East Side Gail Dubov, Upper West Side Edith Marks, Upper West Side

APRIL 21-27,2016

Celebrating the 97th anniversary at Our Lady of Peace

NEW YORK INVALUABLES MY STORY BY BETTE DEWING

Maybe it’s an improbable dream, but it would have been great if Senator Bernie (his last name is so formal) had put in a good word to Pope Francis about reopening Our Lady of Peace church. Its members have worked so long and hard to make it self-supporting for the next 10 years, and the pews were remarkably well-filled. Members have petitioned the Vatican for its reopening with all this information and according to church law. And just maybe, Senator Bernie (and other wannabees) need informing or/and reminding how churches and synagogues serve the city, the nation, at large. I think, especially of 12 Step meetings often held there because these programs do such incalculable good, preventing booze-fueled violence, above all, including the drunk driving kind. These meetings potentially enable so much else which leads to a safe, healthy and even a solvent society. Faith groups provide other support systems, too, especially but not only in the congregation, and in a society growing more impersonal, people Senator Bernie’s age and older often need them the most. New York had many more houses of worship when Senator Bernie lived here. Again, a reminder of how Our Lady of Peace members have faithfully held services at 6 p.m. outside their church on East 62nd Street between Second and Third. And the church’s 97th anniversary was observed there the same day as the Democrat debates were

9

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held in New York. And the next day Senator Bernie was off to the Vatican. I might add that the East Sixties Neighborhood Association has long been concerned and sent letters of support to Cardinal Dolan and the Vatican. So Senator Bernie and even Pope Francis may need reminding how we can’t afford to lose any more churches or synagogues, or for that matter, any more affordable neighborhood stores and eateries. Why even supermarkets like Gristedes are being replaced by luxury residential towers. Now, isn’t that a kind of immoral economy both Pope Francis and Senator Bernie so strongly deplore? And about that earlier noted safe and stable community, it so depends on those who put their lives on the line to ensure it, especially in high crime areas, But still they’re called racist and brutal. If ever there were an injustice, it’s how ignored and untold is the enormous overall good the great majority of police officers do, often at their peril, too often at their sacrifice. Too little considered is how police officers contend with the worst ele-

ments of the human condition. They also deal with the very grim and tragic all too frequent traffic tragedy scenes. And that reminds me that only through a Governor Kasich campaign ad did I learn that both his parents were killed by a car driven by a drunk driver. But why, or why, are these so preventable terrible deaths not widely remembered and publicly decried and denounced? Ah, and whatever happened to the 2007 Vatican decree against road rage and all manner of traffic crimes? Yes, there was such a right-tolife movement, Virginia. And doesn’t all this somehow relate to the Passover Festival which begins Friday, April 22 at sundown? A time to be grateful for the deliverance we have from so many evils, for those who provide that protection, and, of course, for faith groups which also beneďŹ t the community-at-large in so many “love thy neighborâ€? ways. And here’s to leaders with the vision to see what makes a just and caring society, and the know-how to bring it about. It’s up to you and me, too. It’s up to you and me, too. dewingbetter@aol.com

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WILLIAM BOLCOM: A CELEBRATION Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave. 7 p.m. From $110 A group of young devotees celebrate William Bloom’s, famed pianist, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, and acclaimed professor at the University of Michigan body of work. 212-628-6200, www. neuegalerie.org

passtheregents.com or call 212-453-9895

Course Location: St. Vincent Ferrer HS, Manhattan

6$7 ,, DQG 5HJHQWV SUHS DOVR DYDLODEOH

67th Street Library, 328 East 67th St. 3 p.m. Free Join in celebrating Immigrant Heritage Week with Tai Chi, a system of exercises practiced at a meditative pace. 212-734-1717,

Sat

23

24

Sun

OPEN STUDIO FOR FAMILIES Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. 1-4 p.m. Free Drop in art-making program in Studio Art Lab. Children ages 5 and up 212-423-3500

ART TREK

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Carson Family Hall RESUME & COVER 11 a.m.-noon. Free with LETTER WORKSHOP museum admission Travel through time and Hunter College, North Building, around the world and discover room 1001C favorite works of art on an 1-2 p.m. RSVP adventure. For families with Learn how to write your children ages 7-11. resume, expand work history, 212-535-7710, www. and more with Hunter College metmuseum.org/events/ counselors. 212-772-4850, www.hunter. cuny.edu/calendar/#/?i=1

FREE SATURDAYS

Fri

22

WHITE GLOVE SEDERSâ–ş

Offering One Day AP Test Prep: ‡ $3 :RUOG +LVWRU\

Thu

TAI CHI FOR ALLâ–˛

Mike’s Bistro, 127 East 54th St. Chabad at Beekman-Sutton hosts at First and Second Seder on April 22 and April 23. RSVP online at www.ChabadSutton. org. 212-758-3770, info@ ChabadSutton.org.

Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street. 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Free 212-423-3200

OVERLOOK CONCERTS IN RIVERSIDE PARK Riverside Park and 116th St, lower level. 2 p.m. Free. The French Cookin’ Blues Band will play the blues from Mississippi to Chicago to Texas and Louisiana. They have been inducted into the hall of fame and frequently appear in star venues in New York. 212-870-3070, riversideparknyc.org/events/

APRIL 21-27,2016

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OUTREACH PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND SPEECH REHABILITATION, PLLC OUTREACH is a new rehabilitation clinic in your area that focuses on physical therapy, hand therapy along with speech and swallowing difficulties (speech and language pathology). Please call for more information about our services and how we can be of assistance.

25 Tues26 Wed27

Mon

‘THE DAY WHEN GOD MADE CHURCH’

MAHJONGG SUPERVISED PLAYâ–ź

DAZE WORLD BOOK PARTY

The Corner Bookstore, 1313 Madison Ave., at 93rd St. 6-7 p.m. Free Join Rebekah McLeod Hutto, associate minister at The Brick Church, to launch her book, which celebrates miraculous events that occurred on Pentecost 212-831-3554, cornerbookstorenyc.com/

92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd St. 6:30 p.m. From $32 Play and learn how to play to win, pick hands, and gain conďŹ dence with supervisor Julie Azous 212-415-5500, www.92y. org/Event/Mah-JonggSupervised-Play

Museum of City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. 6:30 p.m. Members, free; adults, $16; Seniors and students: $12. The launch of artist Christopher Daze Ellis, new book, ‘DAZEWORLD,’ which documents the story of his 30year career. 212-534-1672, www.mcny. org/event/daze-book-party

SPEAKING OF SCIENCEâ–˛

CINE SALON: ‘GIRLHOOD’

Room 514 at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th St. 6:30 p.m. $10; members, $5 Joel Kirman, chemical process engineer and member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers gives a talk on the future and past of wind energy. He explains the history of windmills and their role in renewable energy today. 212-874-5210, www.nysec.org.

FIAF, Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th St. 1 East 70th St. 4 & 7:30 p.m. $14; students, 1-1:10 p.m. Free w/ admission $7; Members, $3 in advance and 10-minute talks meet in free day of the show. Garden Court. CĂŠline Sciamma’s 2014 212-288-0700 feature about a young woman, Marieme (Karidja TourĂŠ), growing up in Paris’s banlieues who is responsible for her younger sister and all-but ignored by both her mother and teachers. www.ďŹ af.org/

HENRY CLAY FRICK AND HIS COLLECTION

1110 2nd Avenue (between 58th and 59th street: Northeast corner on 58th) 1IPOF t FNBJM info@outreach-rehab.com website: www.outreach-rehab.com

NOTICE TO PERSONS WHO MAY HAVE SUFFERED FROM INADEQUATE ACCESSIBLE FEATURES AT LIBERTY PLAZA AND OTHER RENTAL BUILDINGS On February 11, 2016, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a consent decree resolving a lawsuit brought by the United States Department of Justice against certain builders and developers alleging that they failed to include certain accessible features for persons with disabilities required by the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(c), in the design and construction of Liberty Plaza. Under this consent decree, a person may be entitled to receive monetary relief if, in relation to any of the properties identified below, he or she: E WAS DISCOURAGED FROM LIVING AT THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCESSIBLE FEATURES; E HAS BEEN HURT IN ANY WAY BY THE LACK OF ACCESSIBLE FEATURES AT THAT PROPERTY; E PAID TO HAVE AN APARTMENT AT THAT PROPERTY MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES; OR E WAS OTHERWISE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY AT THAT PROPERTY. The properties relevant to this notice are:

E LIBERTY PLAZA

E THE GRAND TIER

E BRITTANY

E BARCLAY TOWER

E PARAMOUNT TOWER

E EMERALD GREEN

If you wish to make a claim for discrimination on the basis of disability, or if you have any information about persons who may have such a claim, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York at 212-637-2800. You may also fax us at 212-637-2702 or write to: United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York Attn: Civil Rights Unit 86 Chambers Street New York, New York 10007 NOTE: You must call or write no later than February 11, 2019.

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APRIL 21-27,2016

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A HIDDEN WORLD OF WORDS EXHIBITION ‘Treasures from the Vault’ at the Morgan Library & Museum BY MARY GREGORY

As a young man, John Pierpont Morgan fancied himself a bit of a collector. It was a gentleman’s game, an armchair safari seeking the rare and elusive. Prize catches were displayed on shelves and in cases, rather than taxidermied and hung over fireplaces. He accumulated a small group of drawings and some autographs of literary and historical interest. It was something the rich and well educated did. Over time, he developed a library of volumes bound in leather with gold leaf filigree, possibly never read or meant to be, but signaling taste and erudition. Then, in 1890, when Morgan was in his 50s, his father died. Suddenly he was in charge of a huge fortune and successful businesses whose gears were already turning and churning out reliable streams of profit. J.P. Morgan turned his attention to serious collecting, focused largely on books, manuscripts and the history of the written word, and amassed an Aladdin’s cave of riches. “Treasures from the Vault” is an ongoing series at the Morgan Library & Museum; the current selections will be on view through July 10th. Interesting rotating exhibitions are on display all the time, highlighting a single theme, artist or epoch. But, luckily for us, the curators also turn their eyes to the permanent collection and choose works for display. These “treasure” shows change, but never fail to dazzle. Beyond the temporary exhibitions galleries, visitors can step up a few stairs into the original 1906 building and enter a different realm. The rotunda gallery, with its marble columns, soaring domed ceiling and intricate mosaics, displays important historical letters and documents. To the west, Pierpont Morgan’s red damask and bookshelf-lined study is filled with Renaissance paintings, lush furnishings, and most of all,

books. It’s fun to peer through latticefronted cabinets and spot early copies of famous novels or renowned scientific works. Capturing center stage, just below an imposing portrait of Morgan, is a stunning French, 15th century “Book of Hours,” opened to a page sure to enchant bibliophiles. St. Luke in his study pens a script with one hand, and turns the pages of a book with another. The opulent volume whispers not just of its sacred messages but of the wealth of those who’ve possessed it. The Vault Room, where things even more precious were once locked behind a thick steel door, is just off to the side and opened now, for curious eyes. The North Room traces the written word back even further with a fascinating collection of cuneiform tablets, hieroglyph covered sculptures, and carved cylinder seals. Probably the most breathtaking is the East Room, both for its beauty and for the riches within. Floor to ceiling shelves house the some of the rarest and most valuable books ever created. The Morgan is the only institution in the world to own three Gutenberg Bibles. Printed in 1454-55, it’s the first major example of the use of moveable type, and the first mass produced book in the Western world. There are only 21 complete examples extant. One is on view, giving visitors the chance to stand before a book that, rather than recording human history, rewrote it. Glass cases present original music scores by the likes of Mozart and Brahms; annotated, dedicated and doodled upon pages by famous novelists; medieval illuminated manuscripts with meticulously inked glories; and letters from kings and poets that speak of power and beauty. Even amongst all these, the gem of Morgan’s collection is the Lindau Gospels, on display through May 1st. Unlike any other, it’s an amalgam of styles, centuries, geographies and artists. Very few jeweled books remain intact. They were often looted or taken apart to adorn crowns or fingers. The back cover, made in the 8th century, is a masterpiece of metalwork presenting classic Celtic twisting abstracted

J.P. Morgan’s Study with a Book of Hours from c. 1460. Photo by Adel Gorgy animal forms. The text was penned by monks in the Carolingian period (800–924). The front cover, stunningly carved in gold, was designed not just to house or decorate a book, but to tell another version of its story. A peaceful, classically posed Jesus spreads his arms more in welcome than in pain or death. A cross surrounds, extending equally in four directions. It’s lavishly adorned with emeralds and sapphires, rubies and pearls and refers to the gates of Jerusalem and the shapes of cathedrals. Without words, it promises the

glories of heaven through the way of the church. When he purchased it in 1901, Morgan paid a princely $50,000 for the Lindau Gospels. “No price is too high for an object of unquestioned beauty and known authenticity,” Morgan reportedly said. While many of today’s billionaires hide their wealth, as well as important examples of the world’s cultural heritage, in tax havens or anonymous freeports, thankfully, we can all visit Morgan’s Library and Museum whenever we want.

IF YOU GO Treasures from the Vault When: March 8 through July 10 Where; Morgan Library & Museum 225 Madison Ave. at 36th Street Tuesday through Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.themorgan.org

APRIL 21-27,2016

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Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

RED BARN RISING TO DO Cornelia Parker’s Roof Garden Commission at The Met evokes cinema, art and, well, farmhouses

THE

P EGGY

R OCK EFELLER CONC E RTS

2016–2017 SEASON The Rockefeller University :: Caspary Auditorium CHRISTOPHER O’RILEY and the NY Chamber Soloist Piano, violin, viola, cello, bass

WED SEPT 21 7:30 PM

WEISS-KAPLAN-STUMPF TRIO

THURS NOV 3 7:30 PM

MIRO QUARTET

Violins, viola, cello

TUES NOV 29 7:30 PM

CHARLIE ALBRIGHT Piano

WED FEB 8 7:30 PM

POULENC TRIO

WED MAR 8 7:30 PM

ELLIOT MADORE

THURS APR 6 7:30 PM

Piano, violin, cello

BY BRYTNIE JONES

The real world meets the imagination in “Transitional Object (PsychoBarn),â€? British artist Cornelia Parker’s installation for this summer’s Roof Garden Commission at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Parker merged her idea to recreate a rural barn in an urban setting with her fascination with the architecture of the mansion in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 ďŹ lm “Psycho.â€? “The roof is such a gift to any artist. When I saw the space for the ďŹ rst time, I just couldn’t believe that this would be mine,â€? Parker said next to her creation on the Met’s roof Monday. “The thing that’s so brilliant about the roof is the view. How can you compete with the view of New York and Central Park?â€? Atop the museum’s roof, overlooking Central Park and in contrast to the New York skyline, Cornelia Parker’s transitional object looks dreamlike. Parker’s 30-foot tall recreation was also inspired by the familiar red barn as well as Edward Hopper’s painting “House by the Railroad.â€? Parker is known for combining her fascination with materials and popular culture and by altering familiar objects to comment on the culture at large. “Transitional Object (PsychoBarn)â€? title alludes to the idea of children’s playthings, such as a teddy bear that helps a child develop independence, Parker said. The piece has obvious similarities to a set piece on a movie lot, specifically to the Bates home in Hitchcock’s “Psycho.â€? Parker’s piece is scaled down to two-thirds the size and is propped up with scaffolding and water tanks. Parker’s piece — with its red siding, whitewashed posts, corrugated steel roofing and windows made from milking stools — is made of materials salvaged from three separate barns in upstate New York. The juxtaposition of the barn materials and the piece’s cine-

Oboe, bassoon, piano

Baritone

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Diane Bish Host of The Joy of Music television series.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 7:30PM

$25 at the door and $20 for students and seniors

1 West 29th Street / New York, New York 10001 / 212 686 2770 / MarbleChurch.org

“Transitional Object (PsychoBarn)� seen from behind. Photo: Brytnie Jones

matic and art historical echoes simultaneously intrigue, puzzle and entice. “Transitional Object (Psycho-

Barn)� is on view through October 31, weather permitting.

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Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

APRIL 21-27,2016

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APRIL 21-27,2016

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Neighborhood Scrapbook

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Spring Admission Events Please join us for coffee and conversation with IDEAL Head of School, Janet Wolfe, followed by a brief tour. Lower School (grades K-5)

Upper School (grades 6-12)

Tuesday, April 26th at 9am

Thursday, April 28th at 9am

Tuesday, May 10th at 9am

Tuesday, May 17th at 9am

Openings available for the 2016-2017 school year. %TTPMGEXMSRW [MPP FI GSRWMHIVIH SR E VSPPMRK FEWMW *SV QSVI MRJSVQEXMSR TPIEWI GSRXEGX XLI %HQMWWMSR 3J½GI EX I\X SV EHQMWWMSRW$XLIMHIEPWGLSSP SVK

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APRIL 21-27,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS MAR 21 - APR 14, 2016

Bailey’s Corner Pub

1607 York 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 http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/restaurant-grades.page

East End Kitchen

539 East 81 Street

Closed (60) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. 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/sewageassociated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Up Thai

1411 2nd Ave

A

Campagnola Restaurant

1382 1st Ave

A

5 Napkin

1325 2nd Ave

Not Graded (19) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

Come Prima

903 Madison Ave

A

E.A.T. Cafe

1064 Madison Avenue A

Starbucks

1445 1 Avenue

A

Dunkin’ Donuts

355 East 86 Street

A

The Coffee Inn

1316 1 Avenue

A

Chicky’s

355 East 86th St

A

2nd Ave Blue 9 Burger

1415 2 Avenue

Grade Pendings (21) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewageassociated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Noglu New York

1266 Madison Ave

Grade Pending (19) 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.

Starbucks

1378 Madison Avenue A

Green Cafe

1324 Lexington Avenue

A

Not Graded (60) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Au Jus

1762 1st Ave

Grade Pending (20) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/ or non-food areas.

The Milton

1754 2nd Ave

Grade Pending (20) 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.

Six Happiness

1413 2Nd Ave

Mcdonald’s

1286 1 Avenue

A

East Side Billard

163 East 86 Street

Grade Pendings (21) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

Timmy’s By The River

1737 York Avenue

A

Mughlai Indian Cuisine

1724 2nd Ave

A

Cafe D’alsace

1695 2 Avenue

A

Brady’s Bar

1583 2 Avenue

A

Genesis Bar & Restaurant

1708 2 Avenue

Grade Pending (2)

Munchery

435 E 86Th St

Not Graded (32) No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment.

Barking Dog Luncheonette

1678 3 Avenue

A

Trattoria Pesce Pasta

1562 3 Avenue

A

Arturo’s

1617 York Avenue

A

Gina Mexicana

1288 Madison Ave

A

Rizzos Pizza

1426 Lexington Avenue

A

Cavatappo Grill

1712 First Avenue

A

Cascabel Taqueria

1556 2Nd Ave

Grade Pending (42) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or nonfood areas. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

International Wings Factory

1762 First Avenue

A

King Food

2036 2nd Ave

Grade Pending (41) 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. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Mojito’s

227 East 116 Street

A

1880 3 Avenue

A

Tevere 84

155 East 84 Street

A

Gael Pub

1465 3 Avenue

A

Gotham Pizza

1667 1 Avenue

A

San Matteo Pizzeria E Cucina

1559 2Nd Ave

A

Tal Bagel

333 East 86 Street

A

Metropolitan Museum Employee Cafeteria

1000 5 Avenue

A

Fresh & Co

1260 Lexington Ave

A

Blockheads Burritos

1563 2 Avenue

A

Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin Robbins

The Mansion

1634 York Avenue

A

Pro Thai

1575 Lexington Ave

A

Starbucks

1261 Lexington Avenue

A

Dong’s Great Wok Garden Ii 1631 Lexington Ave

A

KFC

Grade Pending (2)

1922 3 Avenue

APRIL 21-27,2016

YORKVILLE COPY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ed doing letterpress printing.” Asked if he likes the printing business, Torres said, “No, I love it.” Though Bill and Liz live upstate, he grew up in the area and has long-term relationships with many of his neighbors and customers, who put together a book of tributes from the “Friends of Bill” (F.O.B) for his 60th birthday. He is a regular at parties in the building and a go-to guy when it comes to small repairs. “Whenever there’s a problem, everybody comes to Bill,” said Kathy Jolowicz, resident and founder of the East 84th Street Block Association, who has lived in the building since 1966. “It’s a family member that we’re losing.” Torres prints newsletters for the block association, and participates in a golf club

OUT OF TOWNERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 towers. Don’t tell anyone, but I wasn’t moved at all. I’ve seen too much documentary footage about it. I was obsessed with watching such stuff. I’ve talked about the day with people a hundred times and every time my eyes watered, especially in my drinking days. I could still get watery watching CNN from that day. But not a museum about it. They took a picture of their daughter’s best friend’s name engraved on a wall outside. By one of the pools that are the towers’ footprints, if I’m saying it right. You could tell they were excited to be in the city. They’re travelers. But they’ve got kids and grandchildren in DC and Boston and two mountain towns out west, so New York’s been awhile for them. They’re good walkers. Their pace fits here. That’s all-important. Most important maybe. They went out to a fancy dinner with my two daughters and another night with a collegefriend couple. They’re good at that. I’m not. I watched hoops at home.

17

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com with the shop’s neighbors. Alexandra Self, who lives one building over, has been coming to Yorkville Copy for the last 20 years. “I come here because they’re excellent at what they do, but I like the feeling, the conversation, the upbeat stuff,” Self said. “If I want to find out what’s going on in my building I ask them.” As she chatted with Liz, a U.S. postal worker came in to deliver the mail. When the subject of the store’s move came up she said, “Oh, don’t make me start crying.” Torres said he has taken his case against Parkoff to court and that it is advancing to the state level. He does not have high hopes for a win. At the very least, Torres has been looking at some promising rentals in the area, so he wouldn’t have to move too far from his community. “It’s just that nobody looks out for small businesses anymore,” he said. You’re reminded who you are when you met up with family or go to a school reunion. You see the city along with your visitors. It makes it fresh. You look up at places like you used to. You go in a store you haven’t been in in years. You even dress a little better. You’re wowed by the dynamism of the place. But you always mostly are. You tell people who ask what it’s like to live there that you like every day here. They went to a matinee of ‘The King and I’ at Lincoln Center. I met them for lunch at The Smith over there before their show. They didn’t love the show or maybe they didn’t love themselves for picking something so safe. I walked over and met them on the Highline. I texted them that I was just getting on at 18th Street. They walked along it from 14th and met me. They were singing its praises at that point. Friends back home had told them not to miss it. Hell, everyone tells you not to miss it. We walked with our arms at our side to the end. By the end they agreed with me that it wasn’t much. We met my daughters and grandchildren for dinner a couple hours later. That was much. After dinner, they asked someone outside the place to take our picture.

OUR BUS IS YOUR BEST BET. 35

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Why Drive? For Information Call: Academy 1.800.442.7272 ext. 2353 www.academybus.com

Day Service on Thursday Friday & Saturday from Manhattan

Port Authority 201.420.7000 ext. 2353

85th Street Candy 212.288.7690

Why not extend your stay? Visit mymohegansun.com to view your hotel rates.

18

APRIL 21-27,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

RUSSO STEPPING DOWN AT GODDARD

Central Park

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PARK? window ledge on Fifth Avenue near East 72nd Street. Visit www.centralpark.com/guide/ sports/bird-watching.html for more information about bird watching in Central Park.

PLAY BALL!

NEWS Executive director leaving after 40 years at the socialservices organization

HAWKS IN CENTRAL PARK It’s officially breeding season for New York City’s hawks. Nests have been spotted near the Sheep Meadow north of the 65th Street transverse as well as a residential building

BY KYLE POPE

In the summer of 1976, Stephan Russo started work at Goddard Riverside Community Center on the Upper West Side as a youth outreach worker. Forty years later, he’s finally leaving. Russo, executive director at Goddard for the last 18 years, surprised the organization’s board earlier this month with word that he plans to step down at the end of the year, having helped to turn the institution into a social-services powerhouse, with a $30 million budget and a staff of 350. Goddard helps more than 17,000 people a year, with everything from college counseling and homeless services to job training for older New Yorkers. In an interview, Russo said even though he’ll turn 65 in late April, he’s not yet ready to retire. He said he decided to step down this year because Goddard is strong, and he still has the energy for a new challenge. “I feel I have another professional act in me,” he said. “I want to take what I know and use it in another form.” Over the last couple of years, Goddard and its board have embarked on a strategic plan to determine the direction of the organization. With that work now set to begin, Russo said it seemed like a good time to let someone else take charge. “It’s time for a new generation,” he said. “Change can be good for the organization.” Last summer, Russo engineered a merger between his agency and Lincoln Square N e i g h b o r h o o d C e n t e r, strengthening the social-service offerings on the West Side. Both organizations have been forced to deal with strained government services, particularly in the area of homelessness. Even though Mayor Bill de Blasio has been blamed for being slow to attack the city’s

Spring means the opening of the park’s various fields and meadows. It also means it is time for softball and baseball. Central Park has 26 ballfields in three sections of the park. Field use requires a permit, available through the Parks Department. The process is detailed on our website at www.centralpark.com/guide/ sports/baseball-and-softball.html

COMING UP THIS WEEK SIXTH ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY SONNET SLAM Willful Pictures produces the Sonnet Slam. April 22, 1-4 p.m., at the Naumburg Bandshell. For more info visit: centralpark.com/events

VINYASA YOGA CLASSES: Join The Yoga Trail in Central Park on the grass for this relaxing Vinyasa yoga class. Classes are held Saturdays between noon and 1:15 p.m. Cost: $15. Meet at 11:45 a.m. in front

of the Le Pain Quotidien on the north side of Sheep Meadow. More info is at centralpark. com/events

Event listings and Where in Central Park? brought to you by CentralPark.com.

ANSWER TO THE PREVIOUS QUIZ: WHERE IN CENTRAL PARK?

homeless problem, Russo said it would be a tough job for any mayor, given the shortage of affordable housing. “Systemically, we’ve got a real problem in this city.” In terms of what’s next for Goddard, the board is expected to hire an executive recruiter and this week will start meeting about a replacement for Russo. Sabin Danziger, who sits on the boards of both Goddard and Lincoln Square, said

Russo’s depth of knowledge and long tenure at the agency will be tough to replicate. “It’s a loss, there’s no question,” Danziger said. “But the organization is bigger than any one individual. It’s an opportunity. The person is out there somewhere.” Russo agreed that the process of replacing him could represent a new chapter for Goddard. “I care deeply about this place,” he said.

Do you know where in Central Park this photo was taken? To submit your answer, go to centralpark.com/where-incentral-park. The answers and names of the people who guess right will appear in the paper and online in two weeks.

The Andrew H. Green Memorial Bench The monument at the top of a hill at 104th street off of the East Drive. Andrew Hassell Green, often compared to Robert Moses, was a city planner and preservationist. he was responsible for seeing that Olmsted and Vaux’s Greensward Plan for the park was carried out. He also had a hand in the formation of both the New York Public Library and the American Museum of Natural History. Perhaps his most important work, however, was the consolidation of the five New York City boroughs; it was this accomplishment that granted him the nickname “Father of New York City.” The Andrew H. Green memorial bench was constructed and placed in Central Park in 1929. Surrounded by five maple trees — representing the five boroughs — the bench is one of the few monuments paying tribute to Green. Congratulations to Ray Rudziak, Gregory Holman, Candi George, Henry Bottjer, Tar Beaty and L.J. Gander for answering correctly.

APRIL 21-27,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

19

20

APRIL 21-27,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Join FRIENDS and the Historic Districts Council for

Yorkville: A Celebration of Home

Via NYPL

What was it like to live in Yorkville when 86th Street was known as German Broadway, when the smell of hops from the Ruppert and Ehret’s breweries filled the air, and when a stop at Paprika Weiss on 82nd Street preceded daily exercise at Sokol Hall? Join us for a morning of discussion about the history of Yorkville life and architecture, followed by a tasting of cuisine from some of the neighborhood’s storied establishments.

Saturday, April 30th, 10:00 a.m. Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street NFNCFST t OPO NFNCFST Advance registration required at www.friends-ues.org/events This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Aairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Benjamin Kallos.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND

thoughtgallery.org NEW YORK CITY

The Japanese Garden: Secrets of Natural Landscape Design

THURSDAY, APRIL 21ST, 6:30PM Japan Society | 33 E. 47th St. | 212-832-1155 | japansociety.org Shiro Nakane follows in a family tradition and keeps the art of the traditional Japanese garden alive. Learn about his approach and insights into creating calm and meditative spaces. A reception follows. ($13)

Everest, The First Ascent

MONDAY, APRIL 25TH, 6PM The Explorers Club | 6 E. 70th St. | 212-628-8383 | explorers.org Hear the untold side of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s climb from the daughter of physiologist GrifďŹ th Pugh, who came up with the groundbreaking techniques in acclimatization, hydration and equipment that cleared the way for the ďŹ rst ascent. ($20)

Just Announced | LIVE from the NYPL: Helen Mirren

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27TH, 7PM Stephen A. Schwarzman Building | 476 Fifth Ave. | 917-275-6975 | nypl.org Oscar-winner Helen Mirren marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death at the NYPL, where she’ll reect on her stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Bard’s unending inuence. ($40)

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

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

Photo by Madeleine Thompson

AN ENDLESS BATTLE AGAINST CONSTRUCTION NOISE A West Side resident complains of the slow progress of renovation BY MADELEINE THOMPSON

To get to Randy Klein’s ďŹ rst-oor apartment at 498 West Avenue, you have to use a temporary entrance on 84th Street and walk through what was once a lobby and is now a gutted hallway ďŹ lled with tools and plastic tarps. Samson Management LLC, which bought the building in 2012 for $52.5 million, has promised that the completed lobby will be beautiful and garnished with marble, but Klein is frustrated with the slow progress and what he feels is disregard for the residents in the building. Klein, who calls himself Samson’s “worst enemy,â€? claims that the lobby was incorrectly measured, meaning that the marble had just been put in, then had to be loudly taken out again. He also says too much cement was laid on the oor of the second story, causing his ceiling to cave in, narrowly missing his Steinway piano and his wife’s head. While many of Klein’s complaints are not exactly uncommon for buildings undergoing renovation, he believes Samson’s handling of this construction has been particularly bungled. “We’ve gone through I think eight or nine site managers,â€? he said. When the construction was started roughly three years ago, the building’s tenants association negotiated a contract, with the help of attorney Sam Himmelstein, barring after-hours construction and arranging for rent abatements,

which Klein says have been honored but are “not enough� to make up for the disturbances. Late-night work and lack of compensation are frequent sources of resident ire at sites all over the city. Klein said he is acting independently and not speaking for the tenants association. Marla Ratner, a resident who represented the tenants’ association in working with Himmelstein, declined to comment. The original agreement signed by the tenants gave December 31, 2015 as the end date of the project. In a statement provided by spokesman Steve Mangione, Samson said that “it is expected that virtually all of the construction in the entire 12-story building will be completed� in the next 30 days. As a composer and musician who often works from home, Klein struggles to perfect his music over the sounds of construction. “I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time,� said Klein, who has lived in his apartment since 1977. As Klein described his frustrations with Samson’s progress, from his office overlooking West End Avenue, a pipe outside his window burst and sent water spraying into the air. “With a building in excess of 100 years old and a crumbling infrastructure that required replacement of all major systems -- including gas, electric and plumbing lines, as well as elevators and new windows -- we were well aware that our tenants were going to live through a substanstial construction project,� Samson said in its statement.

APRIL 21-27,2016

21

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com To read about other people who have had their “15 Minutes” go to ourtownny.com/15 minutes

YOUR 15 MINUTES

AN ATMOSPHERE OF ACCEPTANCE The director of Accessibility Programs at Theatre Development Fund is enhancing the experience for theatergoers on the autism spectrum BY ANGELA BARBUTI

The Theatre Development Fund is best known by New Yorkers and tourists alike for its TKTS Discount Booths in Manhattan. What people may not know is that besides their commitment to making theater affordable, the organization is going above and beyond to make it accessible to all. As director of TDF Accessibility Programs, Lisa Carling has spent 30 years aiding those with mobility issues and providing sign-language-interpreted and open-caption performances for those with hearing and vision loss. It was because of her work with disabled students that teachers reached out, expressing a need for programming for their autistic students. For two years, she consulted with parents, teachers and therapists with this goal in mind. In 2011, with the unwavering support of Disney Theatrical Group, the Autism Theatre Initiative launched with a sensory-friendly production of “The Lion King.” Since then, ATI has held 16 performances, including a non-musical, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” which also proved to be a success. On April 24, the group will complete its fifth season of autismfriendly performances by attending a matinee of “The King and I” at Lincoln Center Theater. “’The King and I’ will have an honest appeal to families, parents and grandparents which addresses the importance of the whole family being able to go and do something together in a supportive environment,” Carling said. Parents regularly send overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experience at the shows. Carling explained one touching letter she received from a mother who said, “I’m sitting in a theater with 2,000 people whom I don’t know, but I feel that we are all one family.”

How long have you been with the organization? I’ve been with TDF for 30 years, hard

to believe. I came from theater, divorced and had a young child to raise. I saw a classmate of mine from drama school at St. Bartholomew Church’s coffee hour. And I said, “Help, Barbara, I need a job.” And she said, “There’s an opening at TDF. They need a parttime receptionist.” So I took it. And then there was an opening in the accessibility department and I moved into that. My boss there left and so I took over and loved the work. It was a way of being involved in theater and working to the good. And I have seen so many things change. There’s always something more to be done. When I first began working there, we helped with general accessibility, people with mobility issues, and then the sign language-interpreted performances, that was in the eighties. And in the nineties, I was able to help with open-caption performances for people with hearing loss. And then, in 2011, autism-friendly performances. I helped design TDF’s Autism Theatre Initiative.

How did Autism Theatre Initiative come about? The teachers primarily. We had very successful programs, open-caption, sign-language interpreting, bringing kids with hearing loss to Wednesday matinee performances. The same for kids who are blind or have low vision. And the special ed teachers were saying, “What can we do for my class, all these children on the autism spectrum?” And that was a challenge. It took us a good two years to figure out how best to make Broadway accessible to those children. And after talking to parents, teachers, therapists and the one Broadway producer that stepped up to the plate and really seemed interested in helping solve this, Disney Theatrical. We realized that a designated performance, not on sale to the general public, for families was the best way to go. Because this was very much an atypical audience and that was the way we could provide a supportive, judgment-free environment for them.

How did Disney Theatrical help start this? They were willing to take a chance. And that’s what we did with “The Lion King” back on October 2, 2011. And we

didn’t even know if we should sell the whole house, but we decided to sell every ticket. There was concern about press or not and what it would be like. And it was a fantastic success. This was very much for families. A third of the audience was people with autism. Disney Theatrical has been behind this effort from the get go and very generous in their accommodations. An example is that we have talkbacks after “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.” They are more than happy to do this and will assign one of the Disney teaching artists to help with the Q&A.

How are the shows modified and changed to accommodate your guests? There are modifications with sound, capping any intense sound levels at 90 decibels. Modifications in lighting. Are there any strobe lights or lights that pan out into the audience? Eliminating those if possible. And then also, if there’s any audience interaction with the actors. If you have actors on stage who come down into the audience and want to choose audience members and bring them up on stage, we ask that that is cut. That would put people in the community in a very uncomfortable position. We emphasize keeping the script the same, the modifications slight, and making it the same great performance that typical audiences are seeing. We’re not interested in a watered-down version. We want our attendees to experience the same great show that their neighbors have been able to go to.

The first non musical you offered was “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” Oh yes, what a powerful play. We were somewhat reluctant to do that because it was the first play we did. And we weren’t sure how it would go over with our audience, but it resonated so deeply. It also enabled us to bring in an older audience, college students, young adults and parents with middle-aged children on the autism spectrum. So it was so worth doing and such a unique piece. Really the connection the audience felt with Christopher on stage was overwhelming. When we do our cast and house staff training we try to prepare the actors for what it’s going to be like, and we always say, “You will hear sounds

Photo: David LeShay that you’re not used to, could be clapping or laughing at unexpected places. Answering back questions, you know, if an actor asks another actor on stage a question, you might very well hear a response coming from one of our audience members.” It was that kind of engagement with “Curious Incident,” where our audience was really riveted by that show. And it was deeply moving for the cast as well.

What has been some touching feedback you’ve gotten? Over the past five years, we hear from parents pretty consistently. They write in that it means so much to them that they’re free to be themselves. We hear this again and again from parents. We hear how special these

events are to families. One mom wrote in about “Aladdin,” “We’ll never be able to celebrate graduations or weddings with our son, but we will always be able to celebrate this day being the day that we were all able to come to ‘Aladdin’ together as a family.” For more information on Autism Theatre Initiative or to sign up to hear about upcoming autism-friendly performances and on-sale dates, go to: www.tdf.org/

Know somebody who deserves their 15 Minutes of fame? Go to ourtownny.com and click on submit a press release or announcement.

22

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

“I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HELP THAT HOMELESS MAN.”

BE THE SOMEONE. Sam New York Cares Volunteer

Every day, we think to ourselves that someone should really help make this city a better place. Visit newyorkcares.org to learn about the countless ways you can volunteer and make a difference in your community.

APRIL 21-27,2016

APRIL 21-27,2016

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LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL

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POLICY NOTICE: We make every eort to avoid mistakes in your classiďŹ ed ads. Check your ad the ďŹ rst week it runs. The publication will only accept responsibility for the ďŹ rst incorrect insertion. The publication assumes no ďŹ nancial responsibility for errors or omissions. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or re-classify any ad. Contact your sales rep directly for any copy changes. All classiďŹ ed ads are pre-paid.

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