Our Town - July 7, 2016

Page 1

The local paper for the Upper East Side SUBWAY PERFORMERS STEP OUT OF THE SHADOWS, CITYARTS, < P. 12

BY BEN SCHNEIER

FDR Drive is currently fully closed at night until July 19 for the construction of a new Rockefeller University building. This is the first time the drive has been completely shuttered for multiple days in 15 years. The FDR was closed for one night in May for the construction of the 91st Street Marine Transfer Station, according

to the Department of Transportation. Otherwise, “the last time there was a full closure of the FDR Drive was in the weeks after the terror attacks of 9/11/2001,” said Sam Anderson, creator of transit information website nycroads. com. “The FDR Drive was fully reopened by November 2001.” The drive will be out of service between 61st and 96th Streets in both directions from 12:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 1 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

on Sundays. Additionally, the East River Esplanade will be closed to pedestrians from 63rd Street to 71st Street. These exceptional closures are due to the expansion of Rockefeller University over the FDR Drive. From skyscrapers to “micro apartments,” New Yorkers are continuously finding ways to fit more and more people into the same space, and Rockefeller University is no different. The biomedical research university, at York Avenue

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

BY SILAS WHITE

Stephen Vanacore, Mimi’s owner, cited a dispute with his landlord for the restaurant’s closing. Photo: Silas White

OurTownEastSide

O OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC

Mimi’s Pizza, an Upper East Side mainstay, has closed its doors after 59 years of business. Dozens of former patrons and friends expressed their surprise and shock over social media such as Facebook and Twitter, including celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who worked as a delivery boy for Mimi’s as his first job.

Newscheck Crime Watch Voices Out & About

2 3 8 10

2016

WHEN PRIVATE INTERESTS TAKE OVER PUBLIC SPACE

A crane unloads a prefabricated section of a research building addition at Rockefeller University over the FDR Drive last month. Photo: Courtesy of Councilman Ben Kallos

MIMI’S SERVES UP ITS LAST SLICE The Lexington Avenue institution had been in business nearly 60 years

7-13 Our Take

F.D.R. FULLY CLOSED NIGHTS UNTIL JULY 19 A Rockefeller University expansion project shuts the highway on multiple days for the first time in 15 years

WEEK OF JULY

“I hate this!! Thanks NY Real estate ...,” Flay wrote on his Twitter page. Flay isn’t the only celebrity with a connection to Mimi’s. Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen are also said to have been frequent Mimi customers. Stephen Vanacore, the owner of Mimi’s, said the closing was due to a dispute with the landlord. Vanacore declined to elaborate. The store, on Lexington Avenue near 84th Street, has been closed since June 26. Va-

City Arts Restaurants Business 15 Minutes

12 14 16 21

nacore said he was given until July 1 to vacate. Last week, the Vanacore family gathered in the restaurant to sell off the last of their equipment, following a public auction that was held on June 28. “It’s been a big surprise, people have been coming in here crying,” Vanacore said. “Our family will miss families of the Upper East Side.” One local resident standing outside expressed his surprise that the pizza parlor

At some point in recent years, we’ve lost control of our parks. In much of New York City, public parks are an embarrassment: ill-kept, dangerous, barren. But in a few corners of the city, mostly in Manhattan, private owners have turned our parks into glistening corporate jewels: think Bryant Park, the High Line, parts of Central Park (funded lavishly by its own conservancy). Now, a state appeals court has put a temporary halt on the privatization of our public spaces by ordering that work on Pier 55, a $130 million park funded primarily by media billionaire Barry Diller, must stop pending an environmental review. The legal and environmental issues here are complicated and in dispute, but the principle is not: this land, and particularly this river, belong to the public, and we should all be consulted on what we want it to be. It’s time the private park brigades stop ignoring our communities -- and treating our public space as yet another part of our city that is theirs to run.

Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday July 8 – 8:11pm. For more information visit chabaduppereastside.com.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

We deliver! Get Our Town Eastsider sent directly to your mailbox for $ $49 per year. Go to OurTownNY.com or call 212-868-0190

2

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Chapter 19

EVE AND OTHERS BY ESTHER COHEN

Previously: Alyosha Zim disappeared. One day he just didn’t return to his studio apartment on the Upper West Side. It was the 80’s in New York. People didn’t say the words Real Estate all that often. Some residents of a tenement nearby decided, for who knows what reason, that they’d try to ďŹ nd him. To discover where he went. Two roommates, Eve and Naomi, took the lead at first. But others joined in. After Albert ‘s surprising declaration to the group, that he and Alyosha had been sporadic lovers, lovers perhaps being too large a word for what happened between them, the room became a sea of questions. They were all standing in the super

Anibal’s apartment, trying to ďŹ gure out next steps. Mrs. Israel, older than all the rest, the building’s oldest tenant, not all that old herself but still, she wore navy in a time when orange and purple were the norm, a woman who actually referred to herself as Mrs. Israel rather than Doris, organized, prim, she spoke ďŹ rst. “I had a lover once,â€? she said. This sentence, had it been uttered by any of the rest of them, would have been far less surprising. Mrs. Israel, eternally neat, organized, a person of lists, was not the type to confess. Even as she spoke to the room, she held onto her clipboard, poised for notation. “Not that it’s relevant to ďŹ nding Alyosha,â€? she added. “Later,â€? said the taller Richard. “Why don’t you tell us the story later.

I feel we are on a deadline of sorts. The longer it takes us to ďŹ gure out how to find him, the harder it will be.â€? “What makes you think that?â€? said Charles. “Sometimes cases go unresolved for years. And then, a clue surfaces. Often out of nowhere.â€? “Or somewhere,â€? said Pin Ball. “A surprising clue.â€? Naomi spoke directly to Mrs. Israel. “Of course I’d like to hear your story,â€? she said. “If you still want to tell it tomorrow, we can make an appointment before we leave. Now though,â€? she added, “let’s ďŹ nd Alyosha.â€? “I move we adjourn to the Three Brothers coffee shop on the corner,â€? said Charles. “I’d like some coffee.â€? “Seconded,â€? yelled the second Richard.

HELP US SOLVE THE MYSTERY DEAR READERS of this serial novel: We are asking for your participation. Tell us what you think about where Alyosha might have vanished, and where we should seek out clues. Where

did he go? And why do people disappear in the first place? Do you know anyone who has disappeared or wants to? Tell us. Email us at news@strausnews.com

Mrs. Israel, older than all the rest, the building’s oldest tenant, a woman who actually referred to herself as Mrs. Israel rather than Doris, organized, prim, she spoke first. “I had a lover once,â€? she said.â€? Anibal declined to join them. By the time they were seated, at the long table in the back at Three Brothers, they were silent, every one of them. Absolutely silent. Until Eve ďŹ nally spoke. “I knew a diviner once,â€? she said. “She’d point her stick in a variety of directions, to ďŹ nd water. Somehow I think that’s the technique we should use here. Point somewhere, and see what happens.â€? “I suppose I’m the only one who knew him,â€? Albert declared. “So I’ll be the one who points. But my pointing,â€? he added, “will be metaphoric. We can interpret the pointing after

it’s done.â€? He stood up in the diner. Then he lifted up his fork to the ceiling, unfortunate corrugated tiling, and he closed his eyes and started to hum. He hummed loudly. No one else said a word. The fork moved wildly As though it were a puck on a Ouijii Board. Albert’s arm ailed, as though it wasn’t connected, not at all, to the rest of his body. “That’s just like divining,â€? said Eve. “I’ve seen it once or twice. It’s amazing.â€? “He’s in New York somewhere!!!â€? Albert was excited. “I’m sure,â€? he said. Tall Richard, a skeptic, said, “you can’t believe the fork knows anything.â€? “I do,â€? said Albert. “Let’s take a vote,â€? said Mrs. Israel. “I’ll record our results.â€? Everyone but Richard believed in Albert’s fork. Esther Cohen posts a poem a day on esthercohen.com

come find out how to

protect your loved ones.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY SEMINAR Planning your ďŹ nal arrangements in advance is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give your family. Join us to learn more about the simple steps you can take to plan ahead and bring true peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones. > PRE-PLANNING INFORMATION

> VETERANS BENEFITS

> FREE PERSONAL PLANNING GUIDE

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016 AT 6:30 PM FRANK E. CAMPBELL “THE FUNERAL CHAPEL� 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10028

Featuring special guest speakers: STEPHEN DUER &HUWL¿HG 3UHVHQWHU ‡ SALVATORE DiCOSTANZO (OGHUFDUH $WWRUQH\

Cool off this summer with a delicious frozen treat from Mamita’s Ice! WHAT MAKES US GREAT...

5693 WR /DXULH 'L0DXUR $GYDQFH 3ODQQLQJ &RXQVHORU E\ -XO\

Refreshments will be Served!

We use cane sugar and real fruit! A great frozen treat that is healthy!

For a list of our products and retail locations log on to our website:

MAMITASICES.COM 5) 453&&5 26&&/4 /: r 718-738-3238

These Seminars are sponsored by FRANK E. CAMPBELL “THE FUNERAL CHAPEL� 0DGLVRQ $YHQXH 1HZ <RUN 1< ‡ Proudly owned and operated by a subsidiary of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019 (713) 522-5141. New York state law mandates that all contracts for prearranged funeral agreements executed by applicants for or recipients of supplemental social security income or medical assistance be irrevocable.

JULY 7-13,2016

3

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG

GAS LEAK AT MANHATTAN SYNAGOGUE Officials say dozens of people were evacuated from several buildings in New York City due to a gas leak at a synagogue. Fire officials say people reported smelling gas just after 6 p.m. Thursday inside the Tribeca Synagogue in Lower Manhattan. Energy and ďŹ re officials responded to the scene and evacuated about 50 people from the surrounding buildings around 8:30 p.m. Workers from Con Edison later found the gas leak in a 6-inch cast iron main on the street and repaired it. FireďŹ ghters reopened the street late Thursday and people have been allowed back into their homes. The building had been designed in 1967 by architect William Breger.

BURGLAR ARRESTED A burglar was intercepted in the act.

In the early morning of Friday, July 1, an alarm went off at the Seleni Institute mental health clinic at 207 East 94th St. Responding to the call, officers arrested a 47-year-old man who had entered the premises, leaving the office in disarray.

MISSIN’ NISSAN A man from Jericho may elect to pay for a parking garage the next time he visits the Upper East Side. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, a 69-year-old man

parked his 2014 Nissan Maxima on East 74th Street between Second and Third Avenues. When he returned at 5 p.m., his car was missing.

there; when he looked again at 5:50 p.m., it was gone. Police searched the area but could not locate the missing motorcycle. The machine was valued at $11,000.

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T

BRA BRO

Yet another motorcycle disappeared, this time in broad daylight. On Monday, June 27, a 27-year-old man parked his red 2013 Ducati motorcycle outside 501 East 75th St. When he checked on his ride at 3 p.m., the Duc was still

At 1:51 p.m. on Monday, June 27, a 40-year-old man entered the Victoria’s Secret store at 165 East 86th St., grabbed 11 bras from a display and left the store. The bras were valued at $107.

Huge Selection of Bibles Fiction/Non-Fiction Children’s Books Greeting Cards .VTJD t (JGUT Original Art Events and More!

FRAGRANT VIOLATION Police arrested a shoplifter in Bloomingdale’s. At 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, a 25-year-old woman took some merchandise off a shelf in Bloomingdale’s and concealed it in her bag. She did not get far, however, before police arrested her on the scene, charging her with grand larceny. The merchandise stolen included Aerin and Chanel fragrances valued at $1,122.

The Original Teachings of

Theosophy as recorded by H.P. Blavatsky & William Q. Judge

130(3". '03 +6-: t SUNDAY EVENINGS 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. - Doors open 6:30 p.m.

)PVST . 5I BN QN t 'SJ BN QN 4BU BN QN t 4VO QN QN

TALKS AND PANEL DISCUSSION July

:PSL "WF #UXO SE UI 4U t www.logosbookstorenyc.com

10 An Age of Transition 24 The Psychology of Reincarnation

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

JOHN KRTIL FUNERAL HOME; YORKVILLE FUNERAL SERVICE, INC. Dignified, Affordable and Independently Owned Since 1885 WE SERVE ALL FAITHS AND COMMUNITIES 5 )/'&1 /'+$1)-,0 $2250 -+.*'1' 5 )/'&1 2/)$*0 $2850 5 4.'/1 /' *$,,),( 3$)*$%*'

1297 First Ave (69th & 70th & + # " $& )" $ " $ ) * "#( & " $ + ))) $& '" $ #! #! Each cremation service individually performed by fully licensed members of our staff. We use no outside agents or trade services in our cremation service. We exclusively use All Souls Chapel and Crematory at the prestigious St. Michael's Cemetery, Queens, NY for our cremations unless otherwise directed.

7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Doors open 6:30 p.m. STUDY CLASS - ASTRAL, PSYCHIC, AND SPIRITUAL MAN

All Meetings Free No Dues No Collections

Studies in a selection of articles by H.P. Blavatsky; Queries & Answers; Intro-Version of Mental Vision; Hypnotism & It’s Relations to Other Modes of Fascination; A Case of Obsession; Practical Occultism; Nature’s Human Magnets; A

TV Channel 3 Fri @ 9:30PM

Psychic Warning; An Astral Prophet; Memory in the Dying.

For full program contact:

The United Lodge of Theosophists Theosophy Hall Phone (212) 535- 2230

347 East 72nd St., New York www.ULT.org

4

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

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

Residents have for months complained about noise arising from an expansion project BY MADELEINE THOMPSON

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

CHAPIN TO CURTAIL CONSTRUCTION HOURS

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

HOW TO REACH US:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

212-868-0190 nyoffice@strausnews.com ourtownny.com

Include your full name, address and day and evening telephone numbers for verification. Letters that cannot be verified will not be published. We reserve the right to edit or condense letters for libel, good taste, grammar and punctuation. Submit your letter at ourtownny.com and click submit at the bottom of the page or email it to nyoffice@strausnews.com.

TO SUBSCRIBE: Our Town is available for free on the east side in select buildings, retail locations and news boxes. To get a copy of east side neighborhood news mailed to you weekly, you may subscribe to Our Town Eastsider for just $49 per year. Call 212868-0190 or go online to StrausNews. com and click on the photo of the paper or mail a check to Straus Media, 20 West Ave., Chester, NY 10918.

NEWS ITEMS: To report a news story, call 212-8680190. News releases of general interest must be emailed to our offices by noon the Thursday prior to publication to be considered for the following week. Send to news@strausnews.com.

BLOG COMMENTS: We invite your comments on stories and issues at ourtownny.com. We do not edit those comments. We urge people to keep the discussion civil and the tone reflective of the best we each have to offer.

PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: Call 212-868-0190. Classified ads must be in our office by 12pm the Friday before publication, except on holidays. All classified ads are payable in advance.

PREVIOUS OWNERS: Tom Allon, Isis Ventures, Ed Kayatt, Russ Smith, Bob Trentlyon, Jerry Finkelstein

CALENDAR ITEMS:

ABOUT US

Information for inclusion in the Out and About section should be emailed to hoodhappenings@strausnews.com no later than two weeks before the event.

Our Town is published weekly by Straus Media-Manhattan, LLC. Please send inquiries to 20 West Ave., Chester, NY 10918.

After months of outcry from neighborhood residents annoyed at the Chapin School’s expansion project and its accompanying racket, officials at the school announced at their monthly community meeting last week that they are reducing their construction hours. “We have been working with the city and our neighbors to find a balance that allows work to move forward efficiently and safely and also responds to feedback from our community,” Anneli Ballard, Chapin’s director of marketing and communications, said before the June 29 meeting. Exterior work will now take place from 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. No outside work will be done Sundays. A loud hoist, which hasn’t been used yet but was a source of frustration for residents during Chapin’s last expansion in 2008, would cease operation at 9 p.m. on weeknights and at 5 p.m. on Saturdays when in use. Interior work, which Ballard defined as “the renovation of many spaces within the existing building,” will continue outside of those hours as well as on Sundays. The reduced hours await approval from the Department of Buildings and are not yet official. “Of course anyone would say that’s definitely favorable,” Lisa Paule, founder of the group Serene Green, which opposed the school’s expansion plans because of qualityof-life issues, said before the meeting. Paule was generally pleased to hear that some of the community’s requests were being met, but was wary of celebrating the reduced external work hours since, she said, it was unclear how intrusive the continuing interior work would be. Ballard listed “shear wall completion” and “mechanical set up” as examples of interior work. After the meeting, Paule remained cautious. “We’re seeing a shift in direction that seems to be taking into account our objections and objectives,” she said. “This is

Chapin School, at East 84th Street and York Avenue, is adding three stories to its exisiting building. Nearby residents have complained about the associated noise, particularly after the school secured a 24/7 construction permit. The school is set to announce reduced construction hours at the site. a complex project and we need to see how this plays out.” The expansion project involves the addition of three stories, including a glassencased gym, to the school’s existing eight-story building at East End Avenue and East 84th Street. It is scheduled for completion in fall 2018. Previously, work at Chapin was permitted from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. And in mid-April, the Department of Buildings issued the school a 24/7 building permit, allowing contractors to work around the clock. The community was railed against the issuance of the permit, and residents remain worried that

though the 24/7 permit ended on April 28, Chapin’s ability to secure it could foretell more around-the-clock work. “It’s nice that they’re doing this but if they can still get after-hours variances at every juncture it kind of negates [the reduced hours],” Paule said. City Councilman Ben Kallos, whose district includes the Yorkville neighborhood, has kept tabs on construction and resulting concerns since the outset. “They’ve been under enormous pressure from me, the community, other elected officials,” Kallos said last week. “The community came out, made their voices heard, and ultimately things take time. ... I think this is the result

of several months of trial-anderror. On the flip side, Chapin was trying to do their best.” Kallos added that the NYPD will step up their monitoring of East 84th Street both day and night to better control the traffic and bottlenecking caused by Chapin’s construction shed. Ballard said there may also be “a limited number of weekends” during which street closure may be required. The next community meeting will be held at the end of July. Madeleine Thompson can be reached at newsreporter@ strausnews.com

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Two Samsung Galaxy S7 Smartphones,

ONE GREAT PRICE. When you buy both on AT&T Next®get up to $695 in 30 monthly bill credits.

*Req’s qual. svc on both (min $70/mo.). Credits start in 3 bills. Each priced min. $695. One req’s 30-mo. 0% APR agmt. Req’s well-qual. credit, a new line, & tax due at sale. If svc canceled on 1, that device balance is due. UP TO $695 CREDIT: Ends 6/30/16. Eligible Devices: New Samsung Galaxy S7, Note5, S6 32 GB (excludes 64 GB), S6 edge, S6 active 32 GB (excludes 64 GB), S7 edge & S7 active only (excludes Certified-Like New/Pre-owned) purch. on installment agmt. Priced up to $915/each (up to $30.50/mo.). Device retail price is divided into monthly installments. Taxes on full retail prices due at sale. Service: Monthly postpaid svc (voice & data) reqd on both (currently min. $70/mo. on Mobile Share Value; existing customers can add to elig. current plans). Bill Credit: Both lines must be on same acct, active & in good standing for 30 days for credits to start. Will get 30 monthly bill credits of up to $23.17 towards installment payments. Credits will be applied towards the lower priced device on a 30-mo. agmt & will not exceed the lower of that device’s retail price or $695. To get all its bill credits, device must remain on its AT&T Next agmt w/qual. svc for 30 months (if cancel svc you will owe remaining installment balance of up to $915). If upgrade or pay up/off agmt early your credits may cease. Return: If return one you are not eligible for offer. Restocking fee up to $35 each. See store for details. GEN. WIRELESS SVC TERMS: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt (att.com/wca). Svc not for resale. Deposit: may apply per line. Activ./upgrade: up to $20/line. Device Limits: Purch. limits apply. Prices vary by location. Credit approval, taxes, other fees, overage, monthly, other charges, usage, coverage & other restrs per line apply. Pricing, terms, & restr’s subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc. If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination. © 2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

5

6

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

HAVING DIFFICULTY PERFORMING THE SPORT OR ACTIVITY THAT YOU ENJOY DOING? Outreach Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Alex Greenspan (founder) Help with but not limited to:

Acute/chronic pain, arthritic and neurological conditions, balance and gait deďŹ cits, cardio pulmonary involvement, sports injuries, decreased activity tolerance.

Accept but not limited to: Medicare, United Health Care, Cigna and Aetna

CONTACT US AT

1110 2nd Avenue (Northeast corner of 58th Street) PVUSFBDI SFIBC DPN t

ss e h c t u D This could be your day in...

velt D. Roose Franklin al Library ti Presiden eum and Mus

FDR CLOSED CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 from 62nd Street to 68th Street, broke ground on a unique building straddling the FDR Drive on June 15. According to the university’s website, “The installations have been carefully planned to take place when currents on the East River are at their calmest and vehicular traffic is at its lightest.� As much construction as possible was done offsite to limit the number of nightly closures to 19, the university said. The drive will be closed as a 240-foot-tall crane unloads prefabricated, interlocking sections of the building’s framework

from barges on the East River before assembling them into place. The new $500 million research building will be called the Stavros Niarchos Foundation-David Rockefeller River Campus, and is being built using air rights that the university has owned for over 40 years. The building will add another 2 acres to the 14-acre campus. The River Campus building is not the ďŹ rst to expand over the FDR — the Hospital for Special Surgery ďŹ rst built over the drive in 1995. However, this project did not require full closures. Due to the current gaps in service, the Department of Transportation has provided alternate routes on their website — www.nyc.gov/html/ dot/ — with weekly schedule updates.

MIMI’S PIZZA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 had closed. “I’ve lived here for 30 years, I used to go here all the time,â€? he said, “I can’t believe they’re gone.â€? The business was started and named by Vanacore’s father, Dominic “Mimiâ€? Vanacore, and inherited by Stephen. When asked about plans for the future, Vanacore expressed hope for relocation, but no plans have been set. “We’re going to rest and re-evaluate for now,â€? he said. A yer posted outside advised those interested in staying updated like Mimi’s Facebook page and follow them on Instagram. “So tonight as we pulled those heavy gates down for the last time, we want to thank all of our neighbors, friends and loyal customers who came by to share a story and say goodbye. As you can imagine this has been an extremely difficult and very emotional time for our whole family. Your outcry of support and love is something we will cherish and remember forever. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts,â€? they wrote on Facebook.

Mimi’s owners posted this message on the pizza restaurant’s window. Photo: Silas White

Walkway Over the Hudson

Dutchess County offers 800 square miles of breathtaking eathtaking vistas; fascinating historic and cultural sites; family-friendly amily-friendly ac activities; artisanal food and wine offerings; ngs; and colorful fairs and festivals. Take a short drive, and take advantage of what’s nearby. Experience the Hudson Valley that National Geographic, Fodor’s Travel, and Lonely Planet have all recognized as one of the world’s top travel destinations. About an hour from NYC by car, bus or train.

Fireball Run is coming!

›Ž„º¿´Ă…½ĂŠÂ›Ă†Ă…´šœÂ‰ dutchesstourism.com

Mimi’s, on Lexington Avenue near 84th Street, had been in business nearly 59 years. Photo: Silas White

BARRY LIEBMAN,

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Millions of dollars recovered on behalf of injured clients

Personal Injury Auto Accidents Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents 100-09 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, NY 11375

Medical Malpractice Construction Accidents Other legal matters (718) 821-8100 9am - 5pm (212) 935-6535 after 5pm

Email: negligencelawyer@outlook.com No fee unless we win your case (accident cases only) Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome

Email us at news@strausnews.com

JULY 7-13,2016

7

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

An Our Town Cartoon

NEW STORE POLICY: PERMANENTLY & FOREVER OFFERING THESE DISCOUNTS NEW OWNERSHIP

WE DELIVER!

ORDER ONLINE FOR OUR MOST COMPETITIVE PRICES

By Peter G. Pereira

15%

ALL STILL WINES

ALL LIQUORS

OFF

Going to the Airport?

OFF

&OKPZ FWFSZ EBZ EJTDPVOUT /P DPVQPOT OFFEFE /P -JNJU "MM 4J[FT

1-212-666-6666

Garnet Wines has recently come under NEW OWNERSHIP!

OUR GOAL IS TO ALWAYS BE THE LOWEST PRICES IN MANHATTAN

;V 1-2 ;V 5L^HYR ;V 3H.\HYKPH Tolls & gratuities not included. Prices subject to change without notice.

20%

As a way of saying “hello� ... we are now permanently and forever offering:

One Coupon per Trip. Expires12/31/13 12/31/16

53

“We’ll Be There For You!�

FREE DELIVERY IN MANHATTAN t (BSOFU8JOF DPN

One Coupon per Trip. Expires12/31/13 12/31/16

Toll Free 1-800-9-Carmel

51

www.CarmelLimo.com

.PO 8FE BN QN t 5IVST 4BU BN QN t 4VO QN QN

-FYJOHUPO "WFOVF (Between 68th and 69th Sts)

8

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

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

SEEING STARS IN THE CITY STREET LEVEL Even on a birdwatching level, it’s a treat to spot those faces BY BILL GUNLOCKE

The youngish afternoon desk guy in my building is an autograph hound. He’s on the lookout for movie and stage stars. He told me a year ago that someone saw Faye Dunaway in the CVS next door. I told him I saw Hugh Jackman on my jog along the East River. He has photos of himself with Joe Pesci. He lived in LA for awhile. He got a lot of autographs and photos out there. I’d almost bet the ranch that that was Jessica Lange at the Union Square Barnes and Noble 10 days ago. I know it was Helen Mirren walking in the East Village in early spring. I know it was Cate Blanchett with her kids on 23rd Street. I see Jimmy Fallon every now and then in Gramercy Park. I had beers on a stool next to his super one night. He said Cagney used to live in the building. So did Gregory Peck. So did Margaret Hamilton, the witch in “The Wizard of Oz.” He said every room but the bathroom has a fireplace. Peggy Noonan I saw around 90th and Lexington. Ethan Hawke I saw downtown. Did seeing Philip Seymour Hoffman there make the one meal I’ve had at Minetta Tavern my favorite out-to-eat night in my 20 years here? Daniel Day Lewis was sitting at Jack’s on West 10th drinking coffee a couple time I was in there. Naomi Watts I saw often along Chambers Street with her kids. Unless you knew it was her you wouldn’t know it was her. I saw Jonathan Franzen on Chambers Street one morning. Uma Thurman. Lou Reed. Around Union Square. Joan Didion on the Upper East Side. A small bird of a thing. But I was in love with the California photos of her on her early books. She was prettier than Michelle Philips of The Mamas and the Papas. My first sighting upon moving here

STRAUS MEDIA your neighborhood news source

20 years ago was Sam Shepard. He was in front of St. Mark’s Bookshop where I saw Susan Sontag and Annie Leibovitz one night. I saw my favorite writer, the reclusive Philip Roth, sitting on a couch in the Algonquin lobby one Friday afternoon. That was big for me. The time I saw Derek Jeter on the empty sidewalk he looked like a guy trying to look like Derek Jeter. He had on white sneakers, trim, long-legged, designer blue jeans, a bright white plain T shirt, and a Yankee cap, the brim not rolled a bit. I didn’t say boo to him. Even though he looked to see who was coming his way as he scooted from a car into the side door of a building near my apartment. He looked and

moved like a basketball player. All this is birdwatching, it’s not stargazing. It’s not an autograph book thing. My older sister used to have an autograph book. She was a stargazer. She used to write movie stars and get big glossy 8x10 photos in the mail, autographed. For real or by the press secretary, who knows? She did have a pen pal relationship with Sandra Dee for a while. My brightest star sighting -- and I mean bright -- was in the late ‘70s. I was visiting New York with a friend and we were walking around midtown on a summer Friday night. We were around Rockefeller Center when we saw a few people looking down at something on a lower level. As

Voices The time I saw Derek Jeter on the empty sidewalk he looked like a guy trying to look like Derek Jeter. He had on white sneakers, trim, long-legged, designer blue jeans, a bright white plain T shirt, and a Yankee cap, the brim not rolled a bit. I didn’t say boo to him. Even though he looked to see who was coming his way as he scooted from a car into the side door of a building near my apartment. He looked and moved like a basketball player.”

we got closer and looked, I could see people all dressed up coming out of some gala event just below us. I forget who all the people were but they were all the Meryl Steeps of the day. I saw a jock or two and realized it was a banquet before the big Arthur Ashe tennis tournament the next day and, while I’m thinking that, an explosion of white light takes place where the celebrities have been coming from. It’s dazzling, as bright as the light on a sparkler times ten thousand. Then I see men with camera walking backwards, tens of them, crouched and all shoot shoot shooting at someone with their flashes popping. Who could it possibly be we’re asking each other as the white light keeps flashing? It was almost frightening, the light and the crush of people. Soon we saw what all the commotion was about. In a wave of otherworldly attention and adoration, out came Jackie Kennedy.

Photo by Jonathan Kos-Read via flickr

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

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

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

JULY 7-13,2016

9

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW GRAYING NEW YORK BY MARCIA EPSTEIN

The Upper West Side, above 86th Street, needs a movie theater. The old Metro Theater on 100th Street showed its last ďŹ lm in 2005. I am forced to travel down to Lincoln Plaza Cinema or the Elinor Bunin theater to catch the latest ďŹ lms I’m interested in because the only other theater within walking distance is on 84th and Broadway and shows shoot-emups and mostly ďŹ lms for the younger generation. With all the gentriďŹ cation going on up in the 90’s and 100’s in the past few years, a good movie theater isn’t one of the happening things. The Metro is an art deco building and has the potential for being refurbished; instead, it’s sitting there empty. During its 82-year life, it has been an art house cinema, a home to two national movie chains and a pornography theater. While the building’s facade cannot be altered, its interior was gutted years ago. There have been plenty of rumors about what’s going to happen to it, but none of them include showing ďŹ lms.

What a pity. What a lack of insight into what so many of us would appreciate. It’s heartbreaking to see what was once a vital movie house covered with various ads and, slowly falling apart. C’mon everyone, let’s do something about this. It’s July and I’m still paying off my prescription drug deductible. Maybe by January it’ll be paid off so I can immediately begin start paying the new one. That’s just how it goes with regular Medicare, which I do appreciate very much. Though, as I’ve said in previous columns, fewer doctors are accepting it. That’s a crying shame and those doctors ought to be ashamed. But onward and upward. The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens (212) 962-7559 has a homesharing program which connects older people in need of housing with someone who has a spare bedroom they wish to rent. I hear that many of these matches work out wonderfully on both ends. Either the host or the guest must be 60 or older to participate in this program. The guest pays less than half the rent and a small part of the utilities. The host gains a companion and help with rent he

You found shoes in the freezer

or she may possibly not be able to afford alone. The guest gains affordable housing and a new friend. A win-win situation. The Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council) is a citywide social service and advocacy organization that provides services to the poor and near-poor of New York City. It has a program called Project Metropair, which helps income-eligible elderly poor and Holocaust survivors ďŹ x broken locks, electrical problems and install safety devices such as window guards and bathtub safety rails. This free home safety and security program uses a mobile repair service for those over 60 who meet the income eligibility requirements of New York City’s Community Development Block Grant Program. The goal is to improve security in the home. The Metropair van travels throughout the 5 boroughs on an appointment basis and is fully equipped for almost any security problem. The phone number for the Met Council, located at 120 Broadway, is 212-453-9500. The e-mail is info@ metcouncil.org. I attended a “dinner in the neighbor-

hood� event sponsored by Bloomingdale Aging in Place (BAiP), which I’ve extolled here before. This allvolunteer organization runs many programs, all free to those in the catchment area of 96th to 110th Street on the Upper West Side. Every few months someone sponsors a lunch or dinner in the neighborhood, and very pleasant evenings are spent getting to know neighbors or re-meeting friends over a glass of wine and a good

meal. BAiP also has many groups and events, all of which can be found on their website. It’s well worth a look. It’s nice to have younger friends and family, but connecting with those in the same stage of life and going through many of the same things is a source of strength and support. Long live all the wonderful organizations in New York that help seniors connect, manage their lives and enjoy what they can to the fullest.

It’s never too early (or too late) to talk about Alzheimer’s support. Call our 24-hour Helpline. We’re here anytime you need to talk.

(646) 744–2900 Free | ConďŹ dential | Se habla espaĂąol | ᥇‍ه‏䅑ѣᎽ ɸɝɾ̴:³ĕÆĂ?žÞãĂ?Ě´ Ä?ÂłĂ?Ä‚³˾̴ɚÞĂƒĚ´"Ă–ããò̴̴˳̴̴AÂłÄ?Ě´xãòĂ”˾̴Ax̴ɜɾɾɜɟ̴̴ "ãòĂœ³òĂ–Ä–Ě´8Ă?ĂŁÄ?Ă?Ě´ÂœÜ̴ÞĂƒ³̴ Ă–Ä›ĂƒÂłĂ†Ăœ³ò˞Ü̴ ÜÜãŠĂ†ÂœĂžĂ†ĂŁĂ?˾̴Ax Ě´ ĂƒÂœïÞ³ò "Ä‚Ă?¯³¯̴¨Ä–Ě´Âœ̴žòÂœĂ?Þ̴½òãĂœĚ´ĂžĂƒ³̴AÂłÄ?Ě´xãòÔ̴ZĂžÂœÞ³̴ ³ïÂœòÞĂœÂłĂ?Þ̴ã½̴(ÂłÂœĂ–ĂžĂƒ

www.caringkindnyc.org

10

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

At Country Bank Our Rates Were Raised!

Out & About More Events. Add Your Own: Go to ourtownny.com

PRIME SAVINGS

0.70

%

APY*

Historically Country Bank rates change when the Federal Reserve rate changes. How many banks can say that?

Thu

7

‘LA BOHĂˆME’ Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, East 68th St. between Park and Lexington Ave. 7:30 p.m. $25-$65 Young artists will be performing Puccini’s story of love and loss. 212-772-4448. hunter.cuny. edu

PICTURE BOOK STORY TIME BRANCH LOCATIONS FLAGSHIP BRANCH 655 Third Ave. New York, NY (212) 292-5254

MANHATTAN 902 Second Ave. New York, NY (212) 829-9998

SCARSDALE 80 Garth Rd. Scarsdale, NY (914) 722-1500

RIVERDALE 583 W. 235th St. Bronx, NY (718) 601-8300

WOODLAWN MAIN OFFICE 4349 Katonah Ave. 655 Third Ave. Bronx, NY New York, NY (718) 324-7100 (212) 818-9090

* Effective 12/22/15, the Prime Savings interest rate is 0.695%, 0.70% Annual Percentage Yield. The minimum opening deposit and minimum daily balance to qualify for the APY is $5,000.00. If the daily balance falls below $5,000.00, a $10.00 monthly fee will be charged. If the balance falls between $2,500.00 and $4,999.99, the interest rate is 0.196% and the APY is 0.20%. If the balance falls below $2,500.00, no interest will be earned. Prime Savings Account rates are not tied to any index and are subject to change at the bank’s discretion. Speak with your local branch for details.

Yorkville Library, 222 East 79th St. 2 p.m. Free Children ages 3 and older can come meet friends at the library and listen to some of their favorite picture books read aloud. 212-744-5824. nypl.org

Fri

8

Sat

9

PORCELAIN IN THE PORTICO

ROOSEVELT HOUSE GUIDED TOUR

The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th St. Noon. Free with museum admission In the Frick’s Garden Court, educators will give a 10-minute talk focusing on selected items from the exhibition “Porcelain, No Simple Matter: Arlene Shechet and the Arnhold Collection.� 212-288-0700. frick.org

Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, 47 East 65th St. 10 a.m. Free The former townhouse of the Roosevelt family offers visitors a chance to learn about the family, and to explore spaces where public policy of the 20th century was shaped. 212-396-7919. hunter.cuny. edu

GET POP-CULTURED: ‘FINDING DORY’

MARTIN CREED CURATORIAL TALK

Barnes & Noble, 150 East 86th St. 7 p.m. Free A celebration of family and all things Dory. Participants can join in a scavenger hunt as well as other activities and giveaways. 212-369-2180. stores. barnesandnoble.com

Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave. 3 p.m. $25 Humberto Moro, curatorial assistant for The Back Door, will have an hour-long conversation about British artist Martin Creed with John Schaefer, music critic and WNYC host. 212-616-3930. armoryonpark.org

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

JULY 7-13,2016

11

MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH Sunday Worship at 11:00am Sunday Worship, led by Dr. Michael Brown, is the heart of the Marble Church community. It is where we all gather to sing, pray, and be changed by an encounter with God. Marble is known throughout the world for the practical, powerful, life-changing messages and where one can hear world class music from our choirs that make every heart sing. Busy? Live stream Sunday Worship with us at 11:00am at MarbleChurch.org.

WeWo: Wednesday Worship at 6:15pm

10

Sun

THE PLAYFUL LANDSCAPE

Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., at 92nd Street 12-5 p.m. $65 At this studio workshop for adults, visitors will explore the concepts of architect Roberto Burle Marx by viewing his exhibition, finding art in nature, and learning about topography and composition. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org

Shakespeare & Co, 939 Lexington Ave at 69th Street July 11-13, 10:30 a.m.-noon. $60 A writing workshop for 12 to 15 year-old, with Judith Hannan, the author of “The Write Prescription.” When: July 11-13, 10:30am to 12pm 212-772-3400. events@ shakeandco.com

CHILDREN’S STORY TIME Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Ave. 11 a.m. Free Logos will host their weekly reading of children’s books and musical entertainment, provided by Lily. 212-517-7292. logosbookstorenyc.com

◄ SUNDAY SKETCH The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th St. 1-3 p.m. Free with museum admission In the Frick’s Garden Court, there will be an afternoon of informal sketching. Visitors of all skill levels are welcome, and materials are provided. 212-288-0700. frick.org

Mon

11

‘WRITE YOUR STORY’

Tue

12

thejewishmuseum.org

CB8 BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING Board office, 505 Park Ave. 6:30 p.m. Community Board 8’s budget committee holds a public hearing for FY 2018 district needs and capital and expense budget priorities. 212-758-4340. cb8m.com/

13

Wed

BOOK READING ▲

Shakespeare & Co, 939 Lexington Ave., at 69th Street 7 p.m. Local author Caroline Angell will read from her debut novel “All the Time in the World” 212-772-3400

MIZRAHI AND KALMAN: BOOK READING A COLLABORATION Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street 2-3 p.m. Free with museum admission This talk focuses on Isaac Mizrahi’s collaboration with Maira Kalman and is led by Viktorya Vilk, assistant manager of gallery programs, in conjunction with the Mizrahi exhibition. 212-423-3200.

Marble's weekly Wednesday Worship, lovingly nicknamed WeWo, is a service that blends traditional and contemporary worship styles, taking the best of both, creating a mixture that is informal and reverent, often humorous and always Spirit-filled.

The Corner Bookstore, 1313 Madison Ave., at 93rd Street 6 p.m. Author Elizabeth Birkelund will read a portion of her latest novel, “The Runaway Wife,” about Jim Olsen, a man who travels to the Swiss Alps after being fired from a high-power finance job. 212-831-3554. cornerbookstorenyc.com

Summer Spirituality Series This summer come and explore a new or deeper dynamic connection to the arts. Stimulate creative expression and conversation about a variety of artistic endeavors that inspire and inform the mind, heart, and spirit. Upcoming Dates: Sunday, July 10 at 10:00am Dr. Kimberleigh Jordan / Dance Sunday, July 17 at 10:00am Russ Lane and Rev. Kirsty DePree / Culinary Sunday, July 24 at 10:00am Jamie Roach / Acting and Drama Sunday, August 7 at 10:00am Judy Tulin and Tom Schneider / Painting Sunday, August 14 at 10:00am Sheril Antonio / Film Sunday, August 21 at 10:00am Chad Tanaka Pack / Patronage and the Arts

Event listings brought to you by Marble Collegiate Church. 1 West 29th Street / New York, New York 10001 212 686 2770 / MarbleChurch.org

Spirituality & the Arts

12

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

JULY 7-13,2016

UNDERGROUND PLAYERS GET A SPOTLIGHT “Downtown Local” brings music to Zuccotti Park BY ERICA MAGRIN

Experimental cellist Jacob Cohen has played in Tokyo and Beijing, Warsaw and Nicosia. But of late his preferred performance space is a decidedly distinct venue. “Lately my favorite place to play has been Rikers Island,” Cohen said recently. “It is such a tough atmosphere, but the music breaks through all the negative energy immediately and allows the officers and the inmates to share a common positive experience. It feels like my music is being appreciated very deeply in that setting. The kids are always ready to collaborate and improvise with lyrics and drum on the tables or garbage cans.” Cohen, an accomplished musician, started Cellos Without Walls, a program geared to help the incarcerated, particularly younger people behind bars. Cohen is otherwise a busker, making his living by playing on subway platforms and on the street – nearly anywhere it takes to get his music heard. More recently he played at Zuccotti Park, the so-called privately owned public space that served as a staging area both following the 9/11 attacks and during the Occupy Wall Street protests, at the invitation of Arts Brookfield, the cultural arm of the commercial real estate company that owns the park. “Music is a universal language that everyone can enjoy,” said Kara Delos Reyes, a spokeswoman with Arts Brookfield, which is bringing a different musical artist to the park each Tuesday through July 26 as part of its Downtown Local series. “The artists of Downtown Local are some of the city’s best underground buskers and performers. We are proud to showcase these fine musicians and others as part of the hundreds of free performing and visual arts events that Arts Brookfield presents year-round.” Cohen said working with Arts Brookfield “a great experience.” “They were very professional and provided a team to setup the speakers

and adjust the sound,” he said. “Everything was just smooth.” During his Zuccotti Park gig, Cohen played what he described as “an hourlong improvised solo cello meditation” for park-goers and passers-by. “I think free concerts in the parks are one of the best things about the summer,” he said. “I love performing in public because you never know who will stop and listen. I saw a lot of people take a moment out of their routine to stop and enjoy a brief moment of beauty that they did not expect.” But Cohen has parlayed his musical skills into Cellos Without Walls, his educational music program. The instrumentalist also has lead musical workshops in prisons throughout the Northeast. “In Rikers Island, I have had jam sessions where correctional officers and inmates were rapping back and forth all laughing, dancing and having a great time together,” said the musician. “I have performed in an orphanage in New Delhi and the kids were so curious and engaged with everything that I was doing and interacting in very fundamental ways that transcend cultural barriers. Some of my greatest collaborations have been with people that I do not share a common language with. I want to start doing free collaborative music and painting workshops in the parks.” Downtown Local continues with Roberto Poveda, the self-described “Troubadour of Brooklyn” on July 12. “At Arts Brookfield, we feel that live music is something that can be experienced independently or collaboratively, whatever the audience chooses,” Delos Reyes said. “Which is why live music is such a heavy part of our programming across the globe, from chamber music to jazz to rock and more. People often experience our live music events collaboratively, whether it’s families or groups of friends or co-workers attending, or two stranger sharing an artist or musical genre they both love

Experimental cellist Jacob Cohen perfoming at Zuccotti Park recently. He is one of several musicians giving Tuesday afternoon performances through July 26. Photo: Erica Magrin

JULY 7-13,2016

13

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

A DIVE INTO ART HISTORY

ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND

thoughtgallery.org NEW YORK CITY

SUMMER The Carmine Pool is soaked in some unexpectedly big names BY ISIDRO CAMACHO

The kickoff of the city’s summer pool season last week marked the true start of summer for many New Yorkers. Residents from downtown and Chelsea flocked to the Carmine Pool, located at the busy intersection of Seventh Avenue and Varick Street. Hidden between several tall buildings, the pool offers more than simply an oasis to counter the July heat. Amidst the splashing and diving, swimmers might have neglected to notice the 170-foot-long Keith Haring mural staring down on them. Gama Arroya, a teenager from the area, said he had no idea who painted the mural. He thought the pool was most famous because it is one of the few public pools in the five boros that has both a deep end and and a diving board. The Carmine pool has a rich artistic history. Before Haring was asked to paint the iconic piece, Martin Scorsese used the pool as a backdrop in his 1980 boxing opus “Raging Bull.” Scorsese, who shot much of his early work in the Village or Lower East Side, captured a remarkably authentic scene of New Yorkers swimming in the summertime. Robert De Niro, the film’s hero, spies his future wife swimming from the street and beckons her over to talk through gaps in the fence. Though it is supposed to represent a pool in the Bronx, local swimmers could easily recognize their neighborhood spot. Michael Brandow, who has been going to the Carmine pool for 25 years, recalled the first time he saw this scene in theaters, at Film Forum down the block. “I had actually just gotten out of the pool and my hair was still wet,” he said. “I remember looking at the screen and thinking that place looked really familiar. Then I recognized it!” The pool, specifically the fence, was again used as a shooting location in 1995 in the cult film “Kids.” Four teens decide to escape a brutally humid evening by climbing over the

nearly 20-foot fence and skinny dipping. While the pools appearances on screen are short and can be easily overlooked, the Keith Haring mural offers visitors a more concrete way of situating the pool in artistic history. Haring was commissioned to paint the mural in 1987 by Commissioner Henry J. Stern, according to Annelise Ream, the creative director at the Keith Haring Foundation. Har-

pool. “It just seems right for the place,” he said. It’s fun and perfect for summer.” The mural was restored and formally conserved in 1997 by a collaborative effort between the Keith Haring Foundation and the Parks Department. Though it has faded considerably, it still stands as a testament to the connection between the city and Haring’s international rise as an artist. Locals enjoy the Carmine

Obscura Society NY: NYAM Series “Medical Photography”

THURSDAY, JULY 7TH, 6:30PM The NY Academy of Medicine | 1216 Fifth Ave. | 212-822-7200 | nyam.org The series After Hours: Inside the Rare Book Collections of The New York Academy of Medicine continues with a tour of the academy’s 19th- and 20th-century photographs, from daguerreotypes of patients to portraits of wounded Civil War vets. ($30)

Screening of Feature Documentary “Vince Giordano—There’s a Future in the Past”

SUNDAY, JULY 10TH, 6PM 92nd Street Y | 1395 Lexington Ave. | 212-415-5500 | 92y.org Go back to the future at this screening, which centers on Giordano and his band’s work recreating vintage jazz. ($40)

Just Announced | Black Holes & Dark Matter

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13TH, 8PM The Bell House | 149 7th St., Brooklyn | 718-643-6510 | secretscienceclub. blogspot.com The Secret Science Club journeys into the universe with astrophysicist and author Priyamvada Natarajan on breakthroughs in cosmology, from dark matter to gravitational waves. (Free)

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

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

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK & YOU COULD WIN AN ing was assigned to create another mural a year before at a handball court in East Harlem, which famously reads “Crack is Wack”. Haring, then at the height or his artistic career, prolifically dotted public spaces with his art, but the wall at the Carmine pool was one of his largest works. Stretching nearly the width of a city block, the mural features swatches of aquatic hues and Haring’s signature basic line drawings. According to archival footage from the Parks Department, it only took Haring 20 minutes to draw the figures on the wall. Donald Martinez felt that Haring’s simplistic, now iconic, style was a perfect fit for the

pool because of its relaxed environment and its cozy size. Marta Almirall, who has been going to the pool for eight summers, prefers it to other pools around the city because she finds swimmers here to be less aggressive. At max occupancy, the pool can only fit around 150 people. “They should do work on the locker rooms and shower area,” she added. “They are not very clean. Everything else is great.” Anticipating a surge of late summer heat, the Parks Department has announced that it will be extending the public pool season until September 11th.

iPad Air facebook.com/ ourtowneastsidemanhattan

CONTEST OPEN UNTIL WE REACH 2,000 LIKES We will draw a winner at random. You must live in the neighborhood to qualify for the iPad. Neighborhood is defined as living on the East Side from 42nd Street to 125th Street. S T R A U S N E W S E M P L O Y E E S A N D FA M I L Y A R E E X C L U D E D F R O M W I N N I N G .

14

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS JUN 06- JUN 18, 2016 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

Sams Famous Pizza

150 East 116 Street

Grade Pending (23) 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.

Indo-Pak Halal Restaurant

2173 2 Avenue

A

Taqueria Guadalupe

1743 Lexington Avenue

A

Prime One 16

2257 First Avenue

Grade Pending (23) Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.

The Lexington Social

1634 Lexington Avenue

A

Tre Otto

1410 Madison Ave

A

Lexington Pizza Parlor

1590 Lexington Ave

B

Burger King

154 E 116Th St

A

Taco Bell

1503 Lexington Ave

A

Mercado’s Cuisine

1759 Lexington Avenue

A

The Duck

2171 2 Avenue

A

Pasteles Capy

242 East 116 Street

A

Le Pain Quotidien

1399 Madison Ave

A

Gong Thai Restaurant

173 East 99 Street

A

Adar Lounge

1637 Park Ave

A

225759 2Nd Ave

A

Taco Bell

1884 Third Avenue

A

El Nuevo Caridad Restaurant

1872 3Rd Ave

A

Spice Hut Indian Restaurant

2172 2Nd Ave

Mcdonald’s Maxwell’s Bar & Restaurant

1325 5Th Ave

Not Yet Graded (26) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

Grade Pending (26) 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. Personal cleanliness inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.

Brisas Del Mar Seafood Market

1785-1787 Lexington Avenue

Grade Pending (22) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/ sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

El Aguila

137 East 116 Street

A

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant

209 East 116 Street

Grade Pending (24) 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. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Uptown Roasters Cafe

135 E 110Th St

A

Sammys Gourmet

1404 Madison Ave

Grade Pending (27) 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. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage-associated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/ refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Delicious

1974A 2Nd Ave

A

1916 3 Avenue

A

Metropolitan Museum Roof 1000 5 Avenue Top Garden Cafe

A

Cafe On 5Th/Sterling Affair

1216 5 Avenue

A

Side Park Cafe

1230 5Th Ave

A

Dear Mama

308 E 109Th St

Not Yet Graded (2)

Maoz Vegetarian

0 106 Street & 5 Avenue

A

Kennedy Fried Chicken

1774 Lexington Avenue

A

Ali Kenedy Fried Chicken

2100 2Nd Ave

Not Yet Graded (58) Insufficient or no refrigerated or hot holding equipment to keep potentially hazardous foods at required temperatures. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment

Bm Deli & Grocery

The New Amity Restaurant 1134 Madison Avenue A

Patisserie Vanessa (La Marqueta)

1590 Park Ave

A

Amc Theatres

1538 3Rd Ave

A

Natural Essentials & Wellness

2105 1St Ave

Grade Pending (24) Appropriately scaled metal stem-type thermometer or thermocouple not provided or used to evaluate temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating and holding. Tobacco use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area observed. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

1497 3 Avenue

A

Ramen Meijin

1574 2Nd Ave

A

Treat House

1566 2Nd Ave

A

Wa Jeal

1588 2 Avenue

A

Dylan Murphy

1453 3 Avenue

A

Starbucks

1280 Lexington Avenue

A

Gracie’s On 2Nd

300 E 86Th St

A

Nectar Of 82Nd Street

1090 Madison Avenue A

Jalapeno Deli

1629 Lexington Avenue

A

Harley’s Smoke Shack

355 East 116 Street

A

Grace Wok Chinese

2014 2Nd Avenue

Grade Pending (4)

JULY 7-13,2016

ESPLANADE PROJECT GETS CITY FUNDING Total raised for renovation of East River passage is about $47 million, still far short of estimates BY MADELEINE THOMPSON

The final piece of the funding puzzle that has been missing from the East River Esplanade project fell into place last month when the City Council approved roughly $2 million for several revitalization purposes. Combined with the $45 million rounded up by Councilman Ben Kallos from various sources in past years, funding for the project has reached just over $47 million, though that may not be the final tally. “A lot of East Siders are envious of the West Side parks,” Kallos said. “When I came into office, the East River Esplanade was literally falling into the river and in some places still is.” Kallos and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney are co-chairs of the East River Esplanade Task Force, which has negotiated several creative funding arrangements with nearby institutions. Because the city Parks Department originally estimated that the esplanade would cost $400 million to rebuild or $115 million to repair, the rejuvenation has necessitated a group effort. Ro c kefe l ler Un iversit y agreed to fund the restoration of the esplanade between East 64th and 68th Streets as part of their campus expansion. “The work we’ve done so far has been on ... repairing the seawall,” Timothy O’Connor, the university’s executive vice president, said. “That went extremely well. ... We even at the end got a request from the city to do a little bit more that was out of the scope of the original plan. But we readily agreed to do that in part because I have to say that this has been a very productive and positive partnership between our private university and the public entities.” The university is spending $8 million on the seawall repairs and has contributed $150,000 to the Friends of the East River Esplanade, which is supporting efforts to restore the esplanade from East 60th to East 120th Streets, where it may one day end. The Hospital for Special Surgery, at East 70th Street, also

15

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

took on the renovation and maintenance of the esplanade between East 70th to 72nd Streets, and the Parks Department is working with the city Department of Transportation on the segment between East 78th and 81st Streets. That leaves what Kallos called a “gap tooth” section between East 68th and 70th Streets, as well as an as-yet-unfunded section between East 72nd and 78th. The Upper East Side is notoriously short on green space. A 2013 study by New Yorkers for Parks did not sugarcoat the area’s lack of green: “Manhat-

that don’t necessarily have private founders attached to them and trying to show how they can be improved for the general good.” CIVITAS’ 47-page survey revealed, among other things, mixed feelings about seating, with 82 responders in favor of adding seating to the section, 73 opposed, 11 unsure and nine not commenting. “The area as it is now is perfect for kids playing ball or a [sic] group exercise,” one community member wrote. “Seating would interfere with this.” The question of John Finley Walk’s “identity” being unique or resembling Carl Schurz Park resulted in an exact tie: 59 responders wanted something new, 59 wanted it to resemble Carl Schurz Park, 13 were unsure and 13 wrote “other.” “We’d like to see something similar to ... the High Line with meandering pathways that zig

The local paper for the Upper East Side The East River esplanade near 70th Street. Photo courtesy of Hospital for Special Surgery tan’s Council Districts 4 and 5 ... still fall short of meeting nearly all of New Yorkers for Parks’ (NY4P) 15 New York Cityspecific benchmarks for neighborhood open space,” the study concluded. “From overall active and passive open space to environmental sustainability, the numbers reflect an urgent need for improvement. Even when the area’s ubiquitous privately owned public spaces (known as POPS) are taken into account, the East Side still doesn’t meet our Open Space Index standards.” CIVITAS, an urban planning citizens group, last week released the results of an indepth survey they conducted of Upper East Siders asking for their input on how the John Finley Walk section of the esplanade from 81st to 84th Streets should look. “We felt that the whole waterfront was an underutilized park space,” said Maura Smotrich, the CIVITAS project manager for the esplanade. “As a community advocacy organization we’re taking the problematic areas

zag (vs [sic] a purely straight pathway),” wrote one community member who wanted the new walk to have its own identity. “[The] benefit is that it slows traffic flow and gives the area character. ... We picture vegetation to be [a] mixture of evergreen and colorful seasonal plantings.” The $2 million recently allocated to the project will be split into $1.2 million for the section between 68th and 70th Streets, half a million for John Finley Walk from 81st to 84th Streets and $150,000 for 96th Street, in addition to a small amount to restore the crumbling playground at Carl Schurz Park. “It will be one seamless look and feel from 72nd Street all the way down to 62nd Street,” Kallos said, describing the esplanade’s future. The restorations currently underway on the esplanade are projected to be completed in 2018. Madeleine Thompson can be reached at newsreporter@ strausnews.com

Advertise with Our Town today! Call Vincent Gardino at 212-868-0190

OurTownNY.com

16

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

JULY 7-13,2016

Business SLOW START FOR CUOMO JOBS INITIATIVE Start-Up NY yielded just more than 400 jobs in its first two years. BY GEORGE M. WALSH

A long-vacant textile mill in a rural upstate New York county was just the kind of place targeted for job growth as part of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature Start-Up NY economic development program. The aim: Pair promising companies with college campuses to leverage generous tax breaks at specific sites into innovation and career opportunities. Two years on, that former mill in Cobleskill is once again back on the tax rolls and generating jobs in a modest way, but that has nothing to do with the state program. And a review by The Associated Press found little sign of the half-dozen new companies the state announced would grow there and nearby. The overall progress of Start-Up NY has been slow. The annual report for the first year — 2014 — showed only 76 jobs had been created, even as the state spent $53 million to promote the program. The 2015 report released last week showed an additional 332 jobs created last year along with $11.4 million invested by participating companies. That compares with commitments made so far by those companies to create nearly 2,700 jobs and invest $155 million by 2018, the fifth year of the program. Taken together, the companies that partnered with the State University of New York at Cobleskill committed to creating 315 new jobs and investing nearly $41 million over the first five years of their 10-year agreements and more later. They promised products as diverse as the alcoholic beverage, mead and bulletproof fabric for the military. As recently as April 2015, three of those companies were newly announced, with one supposed to join three others going into the former Guilford Mills in the heart of the village southwest of Albany. The mill shutting down in 2001 with the loss of about 500 jobs was a blow to Schoharie County, which has an economy largely dependent on agriculture and SUNY Cobleskill. Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry said he was optimistic about the announcement that six companies had passed the vetting process by

state economic development officials and SUNY. And the promise was considerable: — Echelon Industries said it would make ballistic material, initially investing $5.2 million and creating 49 jobs. — USA Intimates would make clothing, investing $1.9 million and employing 87. — Sakat Consulting promised $10 million and 102 jobs at its telemarketing business. — Eco Convergence, a hydroponics company, planned to spend $19 million and create 52 jobs. — Blenheim Pharmacal, an existing company, would expand its pharmaceutical packaging business by 18 jobs

The overall progress of Start-Up NY has been slow. The annual report for the first year — 2014 — showed only 76 jobs had been created, even as the state spent $53 million to promote the program. The 2015 report released last week showed an additional 332 jobs created last year along with $11.4 million invested by participating companies. That compares with commitments made so far by those companies to create nearly 2,700 jobs and invest $155 million by 2018, the fifth year of the program.” and invest $4.5 million. — Royal Meadery, the enterprise of a SUNY Cobleskill graduate and bee-

keeper, planned to invest $225,000 in space near the campus and create seven jobs.

A signature jobs and economic development initiative by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration, Start-Up NY, has yet to yield hoped-for results. Photo: Pat Arnow, via flickr

Cherry said much of the local plan hinged on selling the 468,000-squarefoot mill, which was owned by the county for unpaid taxes, to a company that planned to lease space to companies in roughly 125,000-square-feet that won designation as a Start-Up site. When that deal broke down, the county instead sold to Mill Services Inc., a subsidiary of New Hampshirebased Eastern Forest Products that finishes wood products for a variety of customers at a nearby site in Cobleskill. The company paid cash for the property and didn’t take any tax breaks, Cherry said. Dan Holt, president of Eastern Forest Products, said space has been leased so far to several small businesses and his company is using some for storage. He said the property retains the Start-Up designation, but there are no current plans for tenants under the program. Jason Evans, a SUNY Cobleskill business professor who oversees the school’s role in Start-Up NY, said Wednesday that Echelon and Eco Convergence have pulled their applications and it’s been several months since he heard from Sakat and USA Intimates, so he doesn’t know their plans. Blenheim Pharmacal could still expand, he said, but the space they were looking at is no longer available. A message left for the president of the company wasn’t returned. As for Royal Meadery, owner Gregory Wilhelm said he doesn’t expect to meet an upcoming deadline for hiring his first employee. “It’s a slow go,” he said, noting one problem is having to burn through his own money because the benefits of Start-Up NY are tied to breaks on business and income taxes. “We get our benefits at the end.” At the opening of Royal Meadery last June, Start-Up NY executive vice president Leslie Whatley defended the slow start documented in the first annual report. When people say you go from nothing to gazillions overnight, I don’t know what to say, because that’s not how the real world works,” Whatley said. “The first year was a growing year, you know, with a couple growing pains, but those are always good because you tweak and adjust.” Whatley said early last month she’s leaving the job to return to the private sector.

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

17

18

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

JULY 7-13,2016

FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER PETS BY MELISSA TREUMAN

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the words “Oh my god, you work in an animal shelter?! You are so lucky!” To this I can only smile and reply that yes, I am lucky to have access to such adorable animals on a regular basis. But as all those who work in animal welfare can attest, the reality isn’t all puppy kisses and happy tales. Like most in this field, I chose a career in animal welfare because I have always been an animal lover, and I jumped at the opportunity to get paid to do a job that was near and dear to my heart. As the communications director at Bideawee, I am the official messenger of the comings and goings of the organization. There are parts of my job that I absolutely adore, like relaying the stories that we all want to read: the incredible transformations (I like to think of them as puppy and kitty makeovers); the moments of palpable joy and bonding between the staff and animals; the times when I capture the look of true love between an animal and its new family. These are the moments that make me feel every bit as lucky as many consider me to be. But there are hard days, and they occur more often than some may realize. Not a day goes by when our front desk staff are not inundated with calls from individuals and rescue groups pleading with us to take in some animal in dire need: a pregnant momma cat found in an abandoned alleyway; a pit bull puppy that was discovered in a dumpster; a dog that was left chained in a yard for days after the owners

All of our adoptable animals are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, trained and ready to become the newest members of your family. We spend over $2,500 on every animal that comes to our facility, and our adoption fees don’t cover a fraction of that. We do it because we are committed to improving the lives of homeless animals, and our efforts are 100% contingent on the compassion and support of people like you. “ picked up and moved. These are only some of the many heartbreaking stories that we are bombarded with day after day. As a no-kill shelter, Bideawee’s dogs and cats remain at the organization until they find their forever homes. This means that if they are sick, our medical staff will care for them for as long as needed; if they are scared or under-socialized, we will work with them until they feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings. Every animal at our facility is given the best possible care for as long as they are with us. As we often say, before they become a member of your family, they

Photo by London looks via flickr were a member of ours, and we cherish them as such. All of our adoptable animals are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, trained and ready to become the newest members of your family. We spend over $2,500 on every animal that comes to our facility, and our adoption fees don’t cover a fraction of that. We do it because we are committed to improving the lives of homeless

animals, and our efforts are 100% contingent on the compassion and support of people like you. The spring and summer months are kitten season, and as we watch the shelters become flooded with adorable fur babies, we are reminded of the joys, and the challenges, that come with working in our chosen field, but most of all, we are reminded of the gratitude we feel for all those

whose support makes our work possible. Thank you for helping us care for animals in need, and supporting our mission to cultivate the lifelong relationship between people and pets. If you would like to make a donation to Bideawee, please call 866-262-8133 or visit www.bideawee.org Melissa Treuman is director of communications at Bideawee

JULY 7-13,2016

19

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

DONATE TO BIDEAWEE TODAY Share the love and make a difference in the life of a dog or cat in need of a second chance. When you make a gift to Bideawee you give an animal the critical nutrition, medical care and training necessary to save their life. Donate today by calling 866.262.8133 or visiting Bideawee.org.

animal people for people who love animals ® Manhattan · Westhampton · 866.262.8133 · bideawee.org

20

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Community Forum How to Protect Yourself and Family Members Against Scams and Fraud

Come hear from law enforcement officials, financial advisers and neighborhood experts about how to safeguard your financial future. Learn to recognize the latest scams and find out what you can do to protect yourself and family members. Get unbiased financial information and tools for helping you to reach your financial goals. Hear what local resources are available to answer your questions.

Monday July 25 6-8pm John Jay School of Criminal Justice New Building 524 West 59th St. (between 10th & 11th) This event is free but space is limited. RSVP today at RSVP@strausnews.com. Seating is ďŹ rst come ďŹ rst served. The local paper for the Upper East Side

The local paper for the Upper West Side

The local paper for Downtown

The local paper for Chelsea

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

WHY THERE AREN’T MORE HAMILTONS ARTS When it comes to the arts, the Revolution gets a bum rap BY HILLEL ITALIE

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and 11 Tony Awards, “Hamilton” is a cultural phenomenon that stands as the most celebrated work of art ever inspired by the American Revolution. The competition is remarkably thin. While the Civil War, World War II and the Vietnam War have inspired acclaimed movies, plays, poems and novels, from Stephen Crane’s “The Red Badge of Courage” to Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan,” notable works about the American Revolution are rare outside of history books. At 240 years since the country’s birth, the tiny pantheon includes the musical “1776,” the paintings of Gilbert Stuart and Emanuel Leutze, the poems “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the HBO adaptation of David McCullough’s “John Adams” that starred Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. “The founding era exists on the other side of a cultural and even sartorial divide,” says historian Ron Chernow, whose biography of Alexander Hamilton is the basis for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop musical. “We know the founders only through paintings and engravings, which seems to distance them from us.” “The neglect has been quite shameful,” Chernow added, “at least until Lin-Manuel Miranda came along.” The deficit of Revolutionary War art began even as the battle for independence was being fought. The U.S. had no literary scene of note at the time of its founding and no distinctively American literary culture until well into the 19th century. While other wars produced memorable firsthand accounts, whether Norman Mailer’s World War II novel, “The Naked and the Dead,” or Iraq War veteran Phil Klay’s prize-winning story collection “Redeployment,” the vast majority of works about the American Revolution are based on archival material. Filmmakers have almost entirely bypassed the Revolution. There have been no major productions about the Declaration of Independence, the drafting of the Constitution, George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River or the dire winter in Valley Forge. No actor has given a performance as Washington, Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin as indelible

as Daniel Day-Lewis’ starring role in Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” “The Founding Fathers are sacred, near-mythical creatures; one portrays them at one’s peril. Moses might be easier,” says historian Stacy Schiff, whose book on Franklin, “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America,” came out in 2005. The ever-popular Franklin and the

21

would merrily wink at us through his newfangled bifocals.” The few movies set in the Revolutionary era include the 1995 Merchant Ivory production “Jefferson in Paris,” a drama starring Nick Nolte that had mixed reviews and flopped at the box office, and “The Patriot,” directed by Roland Emmerich and featuring Mel Gibson as an American who leads a militia after his home and family are brutalized by the British. The film received Oscar nominations in 2001 for music, sound and cinematography, but it was widely criticized for inaccuracies, with historian David Hackett Fisher writing that “The Patriot” is to history “as Godzilla was to biology.” Hollywood has so resisted stories of early American history that Emmerich acknowledges that if his current

mon, if not more acclaimed. Gore Vidal’s scandalous “Burr,” about Aaron Burr, who killed Hamilton in a duel, and Howard Fast’s lively “Citizen Tom Paine” were best-sellers in their time, but they don’t match the stature of Walt Whitman’s Civil War poems or Ernest Hemingway’s World War I novel “A Farewell to Arms.” Vidal biographer Jay Parini, who believes “Burr” will continue to engage readers, finds it “sad that the best novels of the American Revolution were written so long ago.” He praised a 1940 novel by Kenneth Roberts, “Oliver Wiswell,” and Fast’s “Citizen Tom Paine,” which came out in 1943. “These two books have a lingering popularity among avid readers, but they have mostly fallen out of sight,” Parini said.

Her Father,” coming out in September, centers on Jefferson and daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph, who despises slavery but knows the family home depends on it. “I just wanted to jump down into her world and get inside her head,” says Gunning, whose previous books include “Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard,” a 2014 novel about the son Franklin had out of wedlock. Hamilton will be the subject of a novel due in August, Elizabeth Cobbs’ “The Hamilton Affair,” the story of his marriage to Elizabeth Schuyler. Cobbs, whose previous books include the Civil War novel “Broken Promises” and a series of textbooks on American history, says she began the Hamilton novel a few years ago and was anxious to create an engaging story about the Revolutionary

movie, the sci-fi spectacular “Independence Day: Resurgence,” was actually set in 1776, it’s unlikely the film would have been made. Emmerich says that even while making “The Patriot,” he was aware that other parts of American history were more popular. “I was surprised that even the crew members seemed to have no idea what that time period was about. They thought we were going to make a Civil War movie,” he says. Historical novels are far more com-

Several novelists have taken on the story of Thomas Jefferson and the slave with whom he conceived children, Sally Hemings. Parini enjoyed a recent novel, “Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings,” by Stephen O’Connor. In 1979, Barbara Chase-Riboud’s best-selling “Sally Hemings” infuriated historians and Jefferson partisans with the then-unproven contention that he had physical relations with the slave. Sally Cabot Gunning’s “Monticello: A Daughter and

era, “not ever having read one I liked.” “They all seemed so stilted, or perhaps just dated. Take a peek at Irving Stone’s clunker on Abigail and John Adams, `Those Who Love.’ I challenge you to stay awake past page 20,” she told the AP, adding that she found Hamilton a far more positive figure than she had first believed. “And then I met Eliza, who touched my heart. I felt they had both gotten a bum rap, long before I knew ... (Hamilton) might be turned into a rapper.”

Photo courtesy the Public Theater traitorous Benedict Arnold have been the subjects of TV miniseries, but not big-screen biographies. Walter Isaacson’s “Benjamin Franklin,” published in 2003, is the basis for an upcoming documentary by Ken Burns. “I prefer Burns to a feature film,” Isaacson told The Associated Press, saying he thought a documentary would be more effective. “... That said, if someone wants to make a feature film on the delightful Ben Franklin, I am happy to help, and I’m sure he

22

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

/ 0 4 5 & 8 , /0 $ * 5 -& 4"

See what’s growing in your bread basket Tour food gardens in the scenic Hudson Valley Sunday, July 24th t’s 16 r 0 i 2 d

T O

U

R

(063.&5 )034 % 0&673&4 r -*7& .64*$ r #&&3 8*/& Buy Your Tickets Today kitchengardentours.com 15% OFF WITH CODE: DIRTREADER

RESTAURANT

BIG CITY TASTE IN A COUNTRY ESTATE

JULY 7-13,2016

CLASSIFIEDS PHOTOGRAPHY

23

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Telephone: 212-868-0190 Fax: 212-868-0198 Email: classified2@strausnews.com

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.

Directory of Business & Services

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

To advertise in this directory Call #BSSZ (212)-868-0190 ext.4 CBSSZ MFXJT@strausnews.com

CARS & TRUCKS & RV’S

:H DUH D SURXG PHPEHU RI WKH $VVRFLDWHG 3UHVV DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO 1HZVSDSHU $VVRFLDWLRQ

REAL ESTATE - SALE

COUNSELING

EMPLOYMENT

Medical and Office Cleaning Company Looking to Buy

HEALTH SERVICES

SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CLEANING COMPANIES FROM 1 TO 100 ACCOUNTS

SERVICES OFFERED

Goldberg PO Box 2962 Church St Station 10008

Antique, Flea & Farmers Market SINCE 1979

East 67th Street Market

(between First & York Avenues) Open EVERY Saturday 6am-5pm Rain or Shine Indoor & Outdoor FREE Admission Questions? Bob 718.897.5992 Proceeds BeneďŹ t PS 183

Antiques Wanted TOP PRICES PAID Chinese, Modern Custom Jewelry Paintings, Silver, Etc. Entire Estates Purchased

800.530.0006

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL

MASSAGE

VACATIONS

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY

TO INVEST IN A GOOD THING. Introducing Better Futures —a whole new kind of investment with a greater return than money. When you invest, it helps kids go to college. Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in. TM

WANTED TO BUY

TM

Š2013 UNCF

NEED TO RUN A LEGAL NOTICE? Quick | Easy | Economical

Call Barry Lewis Today: 212-868-0190

Invest in Better Futures at UNCF.ORG/INVEST

SOHO LT MFG

462 Broadway MFG No Retail/Food +/- 9,000 SF Ground Floor - $90 psf +/- 16,000 SF Cellar - $75 psf Divisible Call David @ Meringoff Properties 212-645-7575

24

JULY 7-13,2016

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

COME HOME TO GLENWOOD MANHATTAN’S FINEST LUXURY RENTALS

3 3 3

3

3 3

3 3 3 UPPER EAST SIDE 1 BEDROOMS FROM $3,195 2 BEDROOMS FROM $4,595 CONV 3 BEDROOMS FROM $5,995

MIDTOWN & UPPER WEST SIDE 1 BEDROOMS FROM $3,495 2 BEDROOMS FROM $4,595 3 BEDROOMS/3½ BATHS FROM $8,795

TRIBECA & FINANCIAL DISTRICT 1 BEDROOMS FROM $3,795 CONV 2 BEDROOMS FROM $4,495 2 BEDROOMS FROM $6,195

UPTOWN LEASING OFFICE 212-535-0500 DOWNTOWN LEASING OFFICE 212-430-5900 ! " " All the units include features for persons with disabilities required by the FHA.

Equal Housing Opportunity

GLENWOOD BUILDER OWNER MANAGER

GLENWOODNYC.COM

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.