The local paper for Downtown wn KLIMT’S MUSES
WEEK OF NOVEMBER
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A rendering of plans as they would play out along W. Houston Street, looking toward Pier 40. Photo: courtesy of COOKFOX Architects
PIER 40 PLAN GOES TO CITY COUNCIL Details emerge; Johnson weighs in with views BY MADELEINE THOMPSON
On Tuesday morning, a City Council subcommittee discussed a Chelsea mega-development in the works for 550 Washington Street. In order to construct the proposed 1.7 million squarefoot building complete with tapering glass towers and mixed-use space at what is now the St. John’s Center, Westbrook Partners and Atlas Capital are requesting to pay $100 million for the transfer of 200,000 square feet of air rights from nearby Pier 40. The Hudson River Park Trust, which runs the pier, plans to use the money to repair its crumbling pilings. In the days before Tuesday’s hearing, the project was approved by the City Planning Commission and criticized by Council Member Corey Johnson, who has requested that future air rights transfer be barred from occurring within the neighborhoods surrounding Pier 40. Johnson also recently pushed for a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on extending the South Village Historic District, which was finally successful after 10 years partially because of the looming possibility of the St. John’s project. If the ban on air rights transfers and the extended historic district are not approved, Johnson has said he will oppose the plan. The commission has scheduled a hearing on the South Village for Nov. 29.
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The New York City version of the World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment took place at Bowling Green Plaza Saturday morning. Photo: Diamond Naga Siu
CONNECTING, IN PERSON Peering into the World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment BY DIAMOND NAGA SIU
People hugged, held hands and gazed into strangers’ eyes. They faced each other while sitting on colorful yoga mats and patterned
pieces of cloth. Everybody connected — without using electronic devices. The Saturday morning gathering at Bowling Green Plaza was the New York City version of The World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment. It was started by The Liberators International, a nonprofit organization that
tries eliciting greater human connection through coordinating, recording and distributing monthly global acts of unity. “It’s not easy or a miracle solution, but I think eye contact is a start of fixing the things that are broken in this world,” said Patrick Patterson, 54, visiting from Canada. “Just with eye contact, Downtowner
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WEEK OF APRIL
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW < CITYARTS, P.12
FOR HIM, SETTLING SMALL CLAIMS IS A BIG DEAL presided over Arbitration Man has three decades. for informal hearings about it He’s now blogging BY RICHARD KHAVKINE
is the common Arbitration Man their jurist. least folks’ hero. Or at Man has For 30 years, Arbitration court office of the civil few sat in a satellite Centre St. every building at 111 New Yorkers’ weeks and absorbed dry cleaning, burned lost accountings of fender benders, lousy paint jobs, and the like. And security deposits then he’s decided. Arbitration Man, About a year ago, so to not afwho requested anonymity started docuhe fect future proceedings, two dozen of what menting about compelling cases considers his most blog. in an eponymous about it because “I decided to write the stories but in a I was interested about it not from wanted to write from view but rather lawyer’s point of said Arbitration view,” of a lay point lawyer since 1961. Man, a practicing what’s at issue He first writes about post, renders and then, in a separatehow he arrived his decision, detailing blog the to Visitors at his conclusion. their opinions. often weigh in with get a rap going. I to “I really want whether they unreally want to know and why I did it,” I did derstood what don’t know how to he said. “Most people ... I’d like my cases the judge thinks. and also my trereflect my personalitythe law.” for mendous respect 80, went into indiMan, Arbitration suc in 1985, settling vidual practice
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In Brief MORE HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESS
The effort to help small seems to businesses in the city be gathering steam. Two city councilmembers, Robert Margaret Chin and Cornegy, have introduced create legislation that wouldSmall a new “Office of the within Business Advocate” of Small the city’s Department Business Services. Chin The new post, which have up told us she’d like to would and running this year, for serve as an ombudsman city small businesses within them clear government, helping to get through the bureaucracy things done. Perhaps even more also importantly, the ombudsman and number will tally the type small business of complaints by taken in owners, the actions policy response, and somefor ways to recommendations If done well, begin to fix things. report would the ombudsman’s give us the first quantitative with taste of what’s wrong the city, an small businesses in towards important first step fixing the problem. of for deTo really make a difference, is a mere formality will have to the work process looking to complete their advocate are the chances course, velopers precinct, but rising rents, -- thanks to a find a way to tackle business’ is being done legally of after-hours projects quickly. their own hours,” which remain many While Chin “They pick out boom in the number throughout who lives on most vexing problem. said Mildred Angelo,of the Ruppert construction permits gauge what Buildings one said it’s too early tocould have the 19th floor in The Department of the city. number three years, the Houses on 92nd Street between role the advocate She on the Over the past is handing out a record work perThird avenues. permits, there, more information of Second and an ongoing all-hours number of after-hours bad thing. of after-hours work the city’s Dept. problem can’t be a said there’s with the mits granted by nearby where according to new data jumped 30 percent, This step, combinedBorough construction project noise Buildings has data provided in workers constantly make efforts by Manhattan to mediate BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS according to DOB of Informacement from trucks. President Gale Brewer offer response to a Freedom classifies transferring they want. They knows the the rent renewal process, request. The city They 6 “They do whatever signs Every New Yorker clang, tion Act go as they please. work between some early, tangible small any construction on the weekend, can come and sound: the metal-on-metal or the piercing of progress. For many have no respect.” can’t come p.m. and 7 a.m., of these that the hollow boom, issuance reverse. owners, in business moving The increased beeps of a truck has generto a correspond and you as after-hours. soon enough. variances has led at the alarm clock The surge in permits
SLEEPS, THANKS TO THE CITY THAT NEVER UCTION A BOOM IN LATE-NIGHT CONSTR NEWS
A glance it: it’s the middle can hardly believe yet construction of the night, and carries on full-tilt. your local police or You can call 311
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for dollars in fees ated millions of and left some resithe city agency, that the application dents convinced
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you can feel incredibly open and vulnerable, which I think we’re missing in this world.” He also tried heightening his level of connection by expanding beyond one-on-one sessions and attempted some group gazing. Amy Silverman, host of the
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LEADING NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSGROUP NAMES NEW EDITOR IN CHIEF Alexis Gelber joins Straus MediaManhattan team Alexis Gelber, a former top editor at Newsweek, has been hired as the new editor in chief for Straus Media-Manhattan. She took the helm of Straus Media’s eight weekly neighborhood publications Nov. 1. During a 28-year career at Newsweek, Gelber worked as national affairs editor, assistant managing editor, managing editor of Newsweek International and director of special projects. Her supervised coverage of the 1992 and 2004 elections won National Magazine Awards, and she created franchises including “Health for Life” with Harvard Medical School and Newsweek’s first Women and Leadership series. In addition, Gelber was the founding books editor of The Daily Beast. She was a fellow at the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, and has been an adjunct professor at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She was also editorial director of The Human Face of Big Data, a book and multimedia project.
Alexis Gelber, left, joined Straus Media-Manhattan as Editor In Chief Nov. 1. Straus Media’s president and publisher, Jeanne Straus, is at right.
“We are incredibly excited to let loose Alexis’ many talents, not the least of which are a passion for compelling storytelling, a strategic vision about the future of local news and a lifelong attachment to Manhattan,” said Straus Media’s president and publisher, Jeanne Straus. “I am thrilled to be joining Straus Media-Manhattan,” Gelber said. “These newspapers have a long and important legacy of reporting on their communities, and I look forward to engaging with readers as we build upon the strengths of these vital publications.” Gelber is a graduate of Barnard College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She and her husband live on the Upper West Side. Straus Media-Manhattan publishes eight weekly newspapers in Manhattan: Our Town, The Eastsider, The West Side Spirit, The Westsider, Chelsea News, The Chelsea Clinton News, Our Town Downtown, and The Downtowner. The newspaper group also publishes nine weekly newspapers and local news websites covering towns along the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania border.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND
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A BRIGHT FUTURE. YOUR DONATIONS TO GOODWILL HELP FUND JOB PLACEMENT AND TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY. ®
NEW YORK CITY
The Night Before Election Day: The 2016 Campaign and America’s Image in the World
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, 6:30PM Deutsches Haus at NYU | 42 Washington Mews | 212-998-8660 | deutscheshaus.as.nyu.edu Hear a fresh perspective on 2016 from a panel of German and Austrian experts. (Free)
Public Forum: Election Night
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 8:30PM Joe’s Pub | 425 Lafayette St. | 212-539-8500 | publictheater.org Go public with your election night festivities at a hootenanny to mark the historic occasion with live performances, updates, debates, and more. Composer and Public Forum Director Michael Friedman will play songs from his New Yorker campaign cycle. ($30)
Just Announced | Campaign
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 6PM DONATE STUFF. CREATE JOBS.
Museum of Arts and Design | 2 Columbus Cir. | 212-299-7777 | madmuseum.org The fundraising emails of the 2016 Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump campaigns provide all of the source material for the short comedic play Campaign. (Free with Pay-What-You-Wish Admission)
For more information about lectures, readings and other intellectually stimulating events throughout NYC, TO FIND YOUR NEAREST DONATION CENTER GO TO GOODWILL.ORG
sign up for the weekly Thought Gallery newsletter at thoughtgallery.org.
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG STATS FOR THE WEEK
ARREST IN PARK ASSAULT Police say they’ve made an arrest after an 85-year-old man was attacked in a city park. NBC New York says two officers who work on Mayor Bill De Blasio’s security detail spotted 35-year-old Edwin Suazo and took him into custody Sunday. The attack occurred last week in Carl Schurz Park , near the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion. Police say Suazo approached the victim from behind and punched him in the side of the head before fleeing. The man was knocked to the ground and suffered head and face wounds. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition. There was no immediate information on an attorney who could comment on Suazo’s behalf. The Associated Press
Reported crimes from the 1st precinct for Week to Date
Tony Webster, via flickr
UPS OOPS Sometime between 4 a.m. on Oct. 4 and 8 a.m. Oct. 17, an unknown perpetrator stole packages off the conveyor belt at the UPS building located at 315 West Houston St. In all, 13 packages, containing nearly $10,000 worth of iPhones, were stolen during that time. Five of the iPhones had been shipped from an Apple Store and eight from a T-Mobile store.
FILM-FLAM On the afternoon of Oct. 21, a man and a woman entered the Post Factory NY film production company at 12 Desbrosses Street asking about renting space. A company employee walked
the couple around the premises but left them alone on the second floor. When they returned to that floor after the couple had left, two women found some of their belongings missing. One told police one of her credit cards wound up having an $800 charge, while the other had a $459 charge. Stolen property included a 15-inch MacBook Pro, wallet, $490 in cash, and other merchandize. The missing items were valued at $4,675.
SUITCASE CASE Police arrested a sticky-fingered apartment mate. During the period between Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m. and Oct. 24 at 8 p.m., two women noticed items
Year to Date
2016 2015
% Change
2016
2015
% Change
Murder
0
0
n/a
0
1
-100.0
Rape
0
0
n/a
9
5
80.0
Robbery
2
0
n/a
50
56
-10.7
Felony Assault
1
2
-50.0
68
71
-4.2
Burglary
1
1
0.0
99
105
-5.7
Grand Larceny
20
24
-16.7
857
879
-2.5
Grand Larceny Auto
0
1
-100.0
42
19
121.1
missing from their rooms from their South End Avenue apartment. They called 911, and an officer responding to the call obtained a 34-year-old female apartment mate’s consent to search her suitcase. Sure enough, the suitcase contained the missing items, which were then returned to their rightful owners. Laura Camus was arrested and charged with grand larceny. The recovered items included a watch, a Louis Vuitton handbag, two dresses, swimwear, lingerie, sunglasses, cosmetics and bed sheets.
The local paper for Downtown
UNFAIR AND SQUARE A former employee returned to a store for some unauthorized pay back. At 5 p.m. on Monday, October 24, a 20-year-old woman entered the Neapolitan Express pizza shop at 40 Wall St. and took money from the register as well as a credit card reader from the counter before fleeing. The items stolen included $848 in cash and a Square reader valued at $1,000, making a total of $1,848.
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City and Country School Keeping the progress in progressive education. Two-Year-Olds – 8th Grade
Open House: Thursday, November 17, 6:00 - 8:00pm 146 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011 Tel: 212.242.7802
www.cityandcountry.org
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NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Useful Contacts POLICE NYPD 7th Precinct
19 ½ Pitt St.
212-477-7311
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233 W. 10th St.
212-741-4811
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230 W. 20th St.
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FIRE FDNY Engine 15
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ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmember Margaret Chin
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237 1st Ave. #504
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Photo: katie chao and ben muessig, via flickr
CATS DEPLOYED IN CITY’S RAT WAR About 6,000 human volunteers have learned how to trap feral felines
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BY VERENA DOBNIK
Multitudes of feral cats roam New York City’s concrete jungle, and some now have a practical purpose: They’re helping curb the city’s rat population. A group of volunteers trained by the NYC Feral Cat Initiative traps wild cat colonies that have become a nuisance or been threatened by construction, then spays or neuters and vaccinates them. The goal is to return them to their home territory, but some end up in areas rife with rats. Feline rat patrols keep watch over city delis and bodegas, car dealerships and the grounds of a Greenwich Village church. Four cats roam the loading dock at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where food deliveries and garbage have drawn rodents for years. “We used to hire exterminators, but nature has a better solution,” said Rebecca Marshall, the sustainability manager at the 1.8-million-square-foot center. “And cats don’t cost anything.” About 6,000 volunteers have completed workshops where they’ve learned proper ways to trap cats.
We used to hire exterminators, but nature has a better solution...and cats don’t cost anything.” Rebecca Marshall, sustainability manager
The program is run through the privately funded Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a coalition of more than 150 animal rescue groups and shelters. It estimates as many as half a million feral and stray cats roam New York’s five boroughs. The life of a street cat is a tough one. Some are former pets, abandoned by owners. Plenty die of disease and malnutrition or are hit by vehicles. Others ingest poisoned cat food — set deliberately to get rid of them, cat advocates say. Many of the animals are displaced as a result of New York’s development, with new construction creating perilous conditions for those that once inhabited the city’s nooks and crannies, from vacant lots, decaying factories and empty warehouses.
One colony of two dozen cats living in a lot on Manhattan’s West Side are about to be displaced by construction on a new $3 billion office tower. A City Council member is working with residents and developers to make sure the creatures are moved to a safe location. The Javits Center’s quartet of cats — Sylvester, Alfreda, Mama Cat and Ginger — were lured to its 56 loading docks about two years ago with pet food brought by animal-loving employees. On a recent fall morning, Sylvester stationed himself next to a commercial truck, ready to pounce if needed. The cats are predators but don’t necessarily kill rats. Instead, experts say the feline scent and droppings repel the rodents. “A mother rat will never give birth near a predator because the cats would eat the babies,” said Jane Hoffman, president of the mayor’s alliance. The cat population is controlled through spaying and neutering, provided free of charge by the Humane Society of New York and the ASPCA. In most cases, adoption is out of the question for feral cats because they are just too wild to be domesticated. Thanks to the volunteers, says Marshall, “we’re protecting wildlife in the city, and the cats get a second chance at life.”
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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PIER 40 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Andrew Berman, president of the Greenwich Village Historic Society, praised the council member for his help and re-emphasized the importance of the City Council’s making provisions for future air rights transfers and protecting the South Village. “We made it absolutely clear that it would be unconscionable for the city to consider rezoning that area... without finally moving forward with landmark designation,” Berman said. “I don’t think we would’ve gotten the city to finally move forward were it not for the fact that we created this sharp contrast between what they were doing for a developer at the St. John’s site and what they were up to this point not doing for the community for the nearby South Village.” The legislation on the docket Tuesday morning for Pier 40/St. Johns included applications to create a Special Hudson River Park zoning district. That would allow for the air rights transfer and subsequent height increase, and would accommodate three parking garages with a total of 772 spaces. Addressing the committee, Hudson River Park Trust President Madelyn Wils said Pier 40’s was in dire need of repairs that the trust alone would not be able to afford. “Any further deterioration of the piles would mean that the pier would have to close,” she said. “The park is responsible basically for holding up the west side of Manhattan.” In a tense exchange with Wils, Johnson made it clear that any deal involving the pier’s air rights should be bulletproof. “My hair is falling out from this deal,” he said. “I don’t want us to go through this whole process and then, oops, we’re not getting $100 million.” Johnson reiterated that he wanted future air rights transfers to be banned from occurring within Community Board 2, but Wils said she did not think that would be necessary. Karolina Hall, a senior planner at the Department of City Planning, emphasized that the proposed special zoning district would exclusively apply to the Pier 40 and St. John’s sites so that no other properties would be eligible to receive air rights. It is possible that the 383,000 square feet of air rights that would be left after the St. John’s transfer could be sold to other developments – something Johnson hopes to avoid – but any such proposal would have to undergo a complete and separate Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. Community Board 2 has already voted to approve the project, with a few conditions, and there have been mixed reviews from its residents. Concerns mentioned include: pedestrian safety at the site, which is near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel; environmental impact; the specifics on the affordable housing component and potential big box retailers. Still, plenty of community members are in favor. Before the hearing Tuesday morning, the Friends of Hudson River Park group handed out flyers urging the City Council to approve the project in order to save Pier 40. At previous community meetings on the proposal, families with their Little Leaguers have also showed up in support. Pier 40’s 15 acres include heavily used sports facilities that, if closed, would force baseball games to played outside the neighborhood. The hearing was still underway as of press time on Tuesday afternoon, but in response to Johnson’s concerns about the possibility of the $100 million for the piling repairs not coming through, land use attorney Michael Sillerman said his clients would offer to keep the money in escrow and sign the Purchase and Sale Agreement in advance of the Council’s approval. Johnson called this “too good to be true,” but seemed interested in the prospect. The City Council is expected to vote on the project some time in December. Madeleine Thompson can be reached at newsreporter@ strausnews.com
The New York City version of the World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment took place at Bowling Green Plaza Saturday morning. Photo: Diamond Naga Siu
CONNECTING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bowling Green event, said she wanted to play her part in connecting human beings. “It brings me back into the present moment, and it reminds me of the wonderment of people and lets us connect with our mutual humanity,” Silverman said of the occasion. A call to participate was broadcast on, of course, Facebook, where more than 1,000 people responded. Although this year’s New York event was smaller than last year’s, which was held along Broadway from Houston Street to 49th, people were able to create longer, stronger bonds and experienced a more intimate environment, Silverman said. If last year’s event drew more people, it was also more diffuse,
with groups 10 people gathering along Broadway and engaging passers-by as participants. Most stopped only momentarily and then continued on their way. This year’s event was more cohesive, she said. “People could spend more time together and relate to each other and talk with each other and build on the connections they make,” Silverman said. “My intention is to make this monthly — send a small group of people out to different parts of the city so that we can keep the momentum going and keep people engaged.” Diane Hollman, a global host for the eye contact experiment, which has taken place in about three dozen countries, said she learned about the initiative through a friend who participated in a Tel Aviv, Israel, session last year. After realizing how
much more connected her friend felt to other people, the two decided to bring the event to Philadelphia and now cohost the New York City one with Silverman. “I am hungry for deeper human connection and am gifted to have so many wonderful people in my presence,” Hollman said. “Every single gazing I did with people affected me deeply and expanded my heart.” Hollman, a director of business management, said she has spent more than four decades studying how different variables such as awareness, food and thought patterns affect people’s health. She’s now exploring eye contact’s role in well-being. Not every participant felt so comfortable by the prospect of a concentrated connection. Chris Motola, a 38-year-old writer, volunteered to help facilitate the event to conquer his own fear of
eye contact. “It seemed a little scary, and I generally avoid human interaction, so I went against my instincts and signed up,” Motola said. “It’s good to be able to do eye contact without secondguessing yourself.” He said that while many people chose to conduct the experiment without talking, he enjoyed conversing with people. Motola likened the silent eye gazing to a meditative practice. When Patterson, the Canadian tourist, finished looking in other people’s eyes, he posted about the event on Facebook and encouraged his friends at home to attend the Vancouver version. “It’s a moment, and that’s all it takes for true connection,” Patterson said. “Really, after today I’m just going to make more eye contact — to make more eye contact and to really connect.”
DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE US TO LOOK INTO? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE US TO LOOK INTO? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE US TO LOOK INTO? Email us at NEWS@STRAUSNEWS.COM
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
ROBERTS CHALLENGES INCUMBENT HOYLMAN State Senate District 27
Brad Hoylman Brad Hoylman, Democrat and Working Families What three things do you most want to get done in the state legislature during the next two years? My top priorities for the next legislative session are passing comprehensive ethics reforms to restore public confidence in Albany (including my bill to ban legislators’ secret outside income), improving efforts to protect our drinking water and fight human-induced climate change, winning necessary laws for the LGBT community that have languished under the Republicans in the Senate (including my bill to ban so-called gay “conversion therapy”), and reforming New York’s outdated statutes of limitation for crimes of child sexual abuse (currently a victim has a to file a claim by the age of 23 or has no legal recourse). I also hope to strengthen our rent laws to protect tenants and improve our state budget process so we can better fund our public schools, mass transit and programs to protect homeless kids, seniors and the most vulnerable. Do you think you will be able to work with the opposition party? How? The Senate Democratic Conference, which I belong to, has a
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real shot at winning the majority in the New York State Senate this November, so I may well be working with the Senate Republicans as the minority party. Regardless of how this election turns out, I’ll continue to work with the Republicans, as I’ve done in the past. I believe compromise and a healthy opposition can be good for our democracy. As a member of the minority, I’ve worked with Republicans to pass bills, for example, to expand access to meningitis vaccinations, aid non-English speaking domestic violence victims and to facilitate the designation of the new Stonewall national landmark. What is your favorite TV show? And why? I’d have to say “Transparent” because it’s current, moving and funny all at the same time – although I’m not a snob when it comes to TV. Truthfully, it’s hard to beat any reality show on Bravo for sheer entertainment value.
Stephen Roberts Stephen Roberts, Roberts Party What three things do you most want to get done in the state legislature during the next two years? Pass new middle income housing legislation to start construction of 250,000 new units. New York City, Long Island and Westchester are all in a housing crisis. It is time to
work together to pass a 21stcentury“Mitchell-Lama” type of program to help address this critical issue. Without a strong middle class in New York, our economy is at risk. Legalize, tax, and regulate recreational marijuana. This will help bring in $1.2 to $1.5 billion of new revenue to help pay for single payer universal health care. It also ends the projects to prisons pipeline. Start to clean up Albany. We have sent 33 elected legislators to jail since 2000. We need to pass strong ethics reform, including lowering the limits that a candidate can receive for a campaign to no more than $1,000 per contributor, and lowering total contributions allowed by PACS to all candidates. Do you think you will be able to work with the opposition party? How? As a rabbi and chaplain, I have spent my professional career working with leaders from across the various faith traditions in the U.S. I was part of a small writing group that created national standards for providing disaster spiritual care. These standards were agreed to as self-binding by diverse faith communities including, Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Mormon, and the full spectrum of Protestant Christians. Similar to the way I have worked with the full spectrum of religions in the U.S. helping them to come together for a common good, I know that I will be able to work with elected officials in both parties. As the first person elected to the NYS Senate without a party, a true independent, I will work with all to address the most pressing issues which NY faces, such as the middle income housing crisis, ethics reform and single payer universal health care. What is your favorite TV show? And why? “Star Trek,” through the various series, continues to show humanity at its best. It shows what can be accomplished when all of us work together for the common good, and when people are respected and valued for their talents, not what they look like or how they speak.
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NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
GOTTFRIED, MAFFIA RUN FOR ASSEMBLY 75th District seat represents Chelsea, Upper West Side
Richard N. Gottfried
Richard N. Gottfried, Democratic/ Working Families What three things do you most want to get done in the state legislature during the next two years? 1. Increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for all New Yorkers. Part of this effort is to Advance the New York Health Act (my single-payer bill) closer to enactment
to establish a universal health care system in which being enacted New Yorkers pay for coverage based on income without being subject to skyrocketing premiums and deductibles and restricted provider networks. 2. Protect and strengthen tenants’ rights to their homes and protect and strengthen the rent laws. 3. Remove unnecessary restrictions in New York’s medical marijuana program to make it more accessible to more patients. Do you think you will be able to work with the opposition party? How? I have worked with the opposition party or people who disagree with me (including in the executive branch) throughout my career, including on landmark legislation like Child Health Plus, the Hudson River Park Act, and the Compassionate Care Act (NY’s medical marijuana law). Every year in the NYS Legislature, Democrats and Republicans do work together to achieve consensus and reach agreement on the State budget and over a thousand new pieces of legislation enacted every year. Of course, there are many issues on which we disagree, and I believe New York would be a lot better off if we had a working Democratic majority in the State Senate.
What is your favorite TV show, and why? “West Wing” reruns on Netflix. Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue explains progressive values and complex issues superbly well.
Joseph A. Maffia Joseph A. Maffia, Republican/Reform What three things do you most
want to get done in the state legislature during the next two years? Services and facilities for Homeless. The 75th Assembly district is in dire need of improved services and facilities for the homeless. The district includes numerous tourist attractions and is one with a significant number of new high end rental and co-operative development without adequate facilities for the homeless. • Increase funding for shelter programs. • Increase funding for homeless services such as affordable quality housing, mental health services, childcare, foster care. • Address deficiencies in existing infrastructure and facilities to improve the quality of life in homeless shelters. Education: NYC and especially the 75th AD require additional study and funding for new Pre-K, Elementary, middle and high schools. The funding would include creating new and expanding existing schools including additional funding for charter schools. The overall school system needs reform. Stopping Mayor De Blasio: Mayor De Blasio’s poor performance has set back NYC and our relationship with law enforcement.
How? My experience while serving on professional standard setting committees, non-profit boards and Community Board 5 has taught me the skills necessary to work across the aisle in order to achieve a common goal and get things accomplished. As the minority party in the assembly, I want to tackle the culture of corruption by pushing for term limits and use my experience to getting bills passed by working across the aisle. I look forward to working with the majority party to continue lifting the cap on charter schools, increase funding for public schools, cutting personal and corporate taxes and bringing jobs to the district. My professional experience as a CPA would be helpful to streamline the tax code, eliminate waste and red tape and reduction regulation which will all help bring jobs to the district. What is your favorite TV show, and why? Many of the News shows such as PBS News Hour and Meet the Press are my favorite. Perry Mason re-runs has recently caught my eye. I find the drama fascinating and like law and order it is split into two parts – the story is told and then the court case.
Do you think you will be able to work with the opposition party?
COUNCIL EYES INCREASING STREET VENDORS Bundle of bills meant to modernize approach BY MADELEINE THOMPSON
The City Council’s Committee on Consumer Affairs held a hearing last week on new legislation that would change the way street vendors throughout the city operate. The bundle of nine separate bills at the Wednesday session is being called the Street Vendor Modernization Act, emphasizing the outdated nature of existing street vendor rules. The number of vending permits has been capped at 4,235 since the early 1980s. Under the new act, the number of permits available would double over a span of seven years. Critics of longstanding restrictions on permits say that they have forced many vendors to work for a permit owner or turn to the black market.
STRAUS MEDIA your neighborhood news source
“For generations, street vendors have been meeting our needs and they’ve done it when and where New Yorkers have wanted it,” said Council Member Mark Levine, who introduced the bill proposing to lift the cap on permits. “Street vending, however, has remained frozen in time.” Besides doubling the number of permits available, the legislation would create a street vendor enforcement office, allow the city to collect sales tax on vendors, require vendors to post their food prices and ease the regulations on how far vendors must be located from bus stops and subway stations. Council Members Margaret Chin, Ydanis Rodriguez, Rafael Espinal, Brad Lander, Corey Johnson and Karen Koslowitz are all sponsoring various parts of the proposed bundle of legislation. The Council’s chambers in City Hall were dotted with yellow t-shirts
Vice President/CFO Otilia Bertolotti Vice President/CRO Vincent A. Gardino advertising@strausnews.com
reading “Vendor power!” throughout the more than eight-hour hearing in which over 80 people testified. Street vendors, business owners, residents, labor activists and city officials all gave their thoughts on the bill. For Mark Dicus, executive director of the Soho Broadway Initiative, the relationship between street vendors and business owners is particularly strained in the crowded business improvement district he oversees. “While this legislation is a start, it does not go far enough in addressing many of the fundamental flaws facing the street vendor system,” Dicus said at the hearing. “The proposed legislation does not address the black market for food cart permits. The bill also does not change the first-comefirst-served system by which locations are chosen; vendors will continue to fight for locations and be encouraged to break the rules.”
Associate Publishers Seth L. Miller, Ceil Ainsworth Regional Sales Manager Tania Cade
In late July, street vendors rallied to ask the City Council to lift the cap on vending permits, which has remained constant since the 1980s. Photo: Nancy Chuang He also listed noise and exhaust pollution, community input and NYPD involvement as more concerns for the committee to consider. Delmi Zolaya, a street vendor who lacks a permit, said she was surprised that people consider vendors a problem in the city. “I have a ticket from last year for $1,000 and I haven’t been able to pay for it yet because it’s not like I’m selling $300 dollars a day,” Zolaya said.
President & Publisher, Jeanne Straus nyoffice@strausnews.com Account Executive Deputy Editors Richard Khavkine Fred Almonte editor.dt@strausnews.com Director of Partnership Development Christopher Moore Barry Lewis editor.ot@strausnews.com
“Nobody cares about it.” Irma Lasala, who sells fruits and vegetables in Queens, said she needs a permit so she can “continue contributing to this city.” She said: “We want to be heard.” Madeleine Thompson can be reached at newsreporter@strausnews.com
Staff Reporter Madeleine Thompson newsreporter@strausnews.com 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
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
NO WHINE BEFORE ITS TIME EAST SIDE ENCOUNTERS BY ARLENE KAYATT
What’s age got to do with it? — Man easily in his ninth decade. Seated in front of a crowded bus around 5 p.m. on a weekday. Approaching 79th Street, the bus speaker intones the usual call for riders to use the back door when exiting the bus. Most riders don’t heed the message and leave through the front door — not least of all because it’s difficult to navigate exiting the back door, nothing to hold onto when stepping off the bus, step too high, door doesn’t open. This is Manhattan. Everybody’s got a story. A woman, easily in her in her seventh or eighth decade, was walking through the bus to exit from the front door. While passing the nonagenarian, he wanted to know, “What’samatter, Miss, you can’t go out the back door? I do all the time.” Without missing a beat, she let him know that “When I get to be your age, I’ll let you know.” Guess if you live long enough you get to do it all. Maybe.
Check out the old-fashioned way — I’m usually game to supplement my digital newspapers and magazines with a good deal online subscription for print editions. Old and new media work for me. However, I’m not into new age payment by credit card only for subscriptions. When the subscription ends, it’s over for me. If I want to renew, I’ll renew. Not into automatic renewal, which is usually required under the terms of a subscription when you use a credit card. The Daily News and The New Yorker allow for checks. The Wall Street Journal requires credit payment and automatic renewal unless YOU cancel. The burden’s on the subscriber. Not the way to go to get subscriptions from those whose apps don’t belong to Gen Xers or Millennials. Speaking of credit cards — Woman loses her credit card. Retraces her steps. Realizes she may have left it in the restaurant she had been to the previous day. Calls. Gives her name and says it’s a VISA. Yes, the cashier has it. Come and get it. She arrives at the restaurant. Tells cashier she called and that they have her card. Cashier goes
through a pack of lost credit cards. Finds the woman’s card and gives it to her. Happy ending? Not so fast. Woman, card in hand, admonishes the cashier for not asking for her ID before handing over the card and demands to see the manager. Don’t know how the story ended but let’s not forgot how the restaurant got the card and who lost it. Maybe she’ll bad-mouth the restaurant? Or sue?. Or both? Oy. No more whine, for now — I’m of a mind that happy hour prices for wine should be no more than $5. That makes for a happy hour. Maybe chips. Maybe pretzels. Maybe not. Five dollars for wine in the late afternoon (many happy hours start at 4 p.m.), early evening is just right for the drinking to begin. To my surprise, there was one such happening right under my nose in the unlikely location of a classy, high-end restaurant and bar, Parlor Steak and Fish House, at 90th/Third. Hardly a sports bar. However, the several TV screens spanning the wall facing the bar blare sport channels. Happy hour prices at other bars start at $6. Sorry. Only a $5 option starts the clock for moi. Here, call drinks are $8 and beer
Photo: Matteo Paciotti, via flickr $4. Potato chips, gratis, were house made. Getting hungry, I ordered the cheese plate, $16. Selection of three with charred crusty bread. Instead of dried fruit with the cheese, as promised on the menu, there was strawberry cut in half. I like my $5 wine and $16 cheese plate with dried fruit. Next time. When a cat calls — More and more I’m seeing people on the streets along with their pets asking for money to feed themselves and/or their pet. When I see the cat or dog, I get concerned that the animal may be a prop for the solicitation. And worry about what happens to the animal after the solicitation. And how they got the animal in the first place. So when I saw the same man, cat in arms, standing outside several supermarkets regularly, I decided to find out. Turns out, it’s always the same cat. Name’s Boo Boo. The man got Boo Boo from someone on a bus who was giving it away. Said
it was “fixed.” Don’t know Boo Boo’s gender. The cat’s well-cared for and lives with the man. Passers-by drop money in a hat. Or leave canned and dry food for the cat. Life on the street. Not easy. Sadly noting the passing of Maggi Peyton, whose career in NYC public service spanned some 35 years. Highly regarded and beloved by all who knew and worked with her, Maggi was the quintessential insider and go-to person in NYC politics. At the time of her death, Maggi was serving as director of Arts & Culture in Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s office. She started her career in 1975 working for Congresswoman Bella S. Abzug’s campaign for the U.S. Senate and then worked for four of Manhattan’s Borough presidents — Andrew Stein, David Dinkins, C. Virginia Fields, Scott M. Stringer, Gale Brewer. This year’s Halloween Parade will be dedicated to Maggi’s honor.
Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make your emergency plan today.
Visit NYC.gov/readyny or call 311.
10
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
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.
Out & About More Events. Add Your Own: Go to otdowntown.com
Busy? Live stream Sunday Worship with us at 11:00am at MarbleChurch.org.
WeWo: Wednesday Worship at 6:15pm 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.
Thu
3
CANSTRUCTION ▲
Upcoming Events
Arts Brookfield, 230 Vesey St. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free Peruse sculptures constructed entirely by canned food on the 24th annual charity competition’s opening day. 212-978-1698. www. artsbrookfield.com
Marble Artisans’ Boutique Sunday, November 27 The Marble Loft (274 Fifth Ave.) 12:15pm - 2:00pm Get in the Christmas Spirit! Our amazing artists will help you get a head start on your Christmas list. This year’s boutique will feature hand-crafted gifts from a variety of artisans.
SUBWAY BEATS
Marianne Williamson
in Partnership with Marble Collegiate Church Tuesdays 7:30pm - 9:00pm New York Times bestselling author, Marianne Williamson brings her weekly lecture series to Marble Church. The cost to attend is $20, however, no one is turned away for lack of funds. The evening is also available via Livestream by donation.
Lomography Gallery Store, 41 West Eighth St. 6-8 p.m. Free Celebrate the launch of Brooklyn author Kurt Boone’s book “Subway Beats: Celebrating New York City Buskers.” 212-529-4353. www. lomography.com
1 West 29th Street / New York, New York 10001 212 686 2770 / MarbleChurch.org
KIRTAN WITH JAI UTTAL Integral Yoga Institute New York City, 227 West 13th St. 8-11 p.m. $33 in advance, $40 at the door Chant traditional yogic phrases and sacred sounds of ancient India with the American musician. 212-929-0586. www.iyiny. org
Sat
5
LECTURE SERIES
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China Institute, 100 Washington St. 2-4 p.m. $10-15 Learn about the various nuances involved with Chinese poetry at this session, FOODIE WAYS TO MAKE “Expanding the Boundaries of FRIENDS ► Chinese Poetry.” 212-744-8181. www. chinainstitute.org Cloud Gallery, 66 West Broadway 6-10 p.m. Free
Fri
Event listings brought to you by Marble Collegiate Church.
Catch the interactive pop-up exhibition Foodie Ways to Make Friends, where visitors get to make friends through food. 212-619-2180. www. cloudgallery.nyc
BUILD STORYBOOKS Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place 10:30 a.m.-noon. $5 Bring children to this interactive, challenging and imaginative day of skyscraper discussions and storybook creations. 212-968-1961. www. skyscraper.org
Sun
6
FREE CLASS Enfleurage, 237 West 13th St. 6-7:30 p.m. Free Learn how plant oils, such as from nuts and seeds, can dilute essential oils and serve as a therapeutic escape. 212-691-1610. www. enfleurage.com
‘THERE WILL BE BLOOD’ Washington Square Park 2-6 p.m. $15-20 Throw on a menstrual themed costume to join a menstruation themed charity bike ride around the city. 212-830-7700. www. sustainablecycles.org
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
Gather a group of four friends to test your knowledge of this iconic television sitcom. 212-785-5400. www. dublinernyc.com
Follow Our Town Downtown on Facebook and Twitter
◄ SLAMS UNITE Bureau of General ServicesQueer Division, 208 West 13th St. 7-10 p.m. $5 Enjoy a night of two poetry slam clubs uniting: Union Square Slam and Jersey City Slam. 212-620-7310. www.bgsqd. com
Wed Mon
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FAMILY GENEALOGY WORKSHOP National Archives, 1 Bowling Green Noon-1 p.m. Free Study how to find your genealogy and why it is important with professional genealogist Roger Joslyn. 866-840-1752. www. archives.gov
THE WORLD OF DEATH FRAUD
‘GIRL ON GIRL ON GIRL’
The Half King, 505 West 23rd St. 7 p.m. A reading series on Elizabeth Greenwood’s foray into the world of death fraud. 212-462-4300 www.thehalfking.com/
The Duplex, 61 Christopher St. 9:30-11 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at door Join DeAnne Smith, Jess Salomon, Eman El-Husseini and Sydnee Washington for a night of stand-up comedy. 212-255-5438. www. theduplex.com
Tue
8
‘FRIENDS’ TRIVIA PLAYING DEAD: A JOURNEY THROUGH
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The Dubliner, 45 Stone St. 7-8:30 p.m. Free
BACH AT ONE Trinity Church, 75 Broadway 1 p.m.-midnight. Free Enjoy almost half a day of Bach’s sacred choral music as a continuation of last season’s holy music. 212-602-0800. www. trinitywallstreet.org
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
KLIMT’S MUSES AND MOSAICS SPARKLE The Neue Galerie celebrates 15 years with a rare show of the artist’s major works BY MARY GREGORY
Somewhere between the 19th century and the 20th, between Impressionism and Modernism, between realism and abstraction dwelt Gustav Klimt. He utilized tools from both fine art and decorative, techniques from several early Modern schools and the thinking of the Symbolists to create a body of work that’s unique at the same time it references so many others’. His work reflects the changing ideas and realities of one of the most dynamic inflection points in human history, by bridging, borrowing and blending what he found. We tend to call to mind a favorite Klimt when we think of his work, often the famous “Portrait of Adele BlochBauer I,” also known as the “Woman
“Adele Bloch-Bauer II” is reunited with Klimt’s earlier portrait of her for the first time in a decade. She was the only woman he painted twice. Photo by Adel Gorgy
in Gold” from the movie about it. But seeing several of his major portraits at the same time affords richer understanding of his work, his genesis and evolution, and his place in the pantheon of most expensive artists of all time (the “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” shattered previous worldwide art sales prices, going for a record $135 million in 2006). Through Jan. 16, the Neue Galerie celebrates its 15th anniversary with a special exhibition bringing 12 portraits and some 40 drawings together in “Klimt and the Women of Vienna’s Golden Age, 1900–1918.” They fill the museum’s second floor and are complemented with furnishings, jewelry and fashions that give a sense of that particular moment and place. But to have a better understanding of these works, you have to go back to the sixth century, or at least Klimt did. In 1903, the artist made a trip to Ravenna, Italy, and visited the Basilica di San Vitale. It’s one of the most important surviving examples of Christian Byzantine architecture in Europe and it houses dazzling mosaics done between the years 525-547. Their abstracted, flattened portrayals, rich decorative patterns and backgrounds, and their glimmering gold and silver surfaces caught the light and captured at least one artist’s imagination. They also spoke to modern artistic visions that were stepping away from perfection in representation. Klimt was deeply affected by them. He wrote home to friends and colleagues about them. The full-sized portrait of the Empress Theodora so influenced his vision that he embarked upon on what’s referred to as his “Golden Phase.” The apogee of this period is the pride of the Neue Galerie’s permanent collection, the 1907 portrait, “Adele Bloch-Bauer I.” The curators wanted so much to highlight the importance of the Ravenna mosaic of Theodora to Klimt’s depiction of Adele Bloch-Bauer that they included a recreated version done by craftsmen from Ravenna as part of the exhibition. In the foyer outside the gallery you can tilt your head back to view the towering figure of Theodora, flattened, gazing directly down towards
Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I,” 1907. Gold, silver, and oil on canvas. Neue Galerie New York. Acquired through the generosity of Ronald S. Lauder, the heirs of the Estates of Ferdinand and Adele Bloch-Bauer, and the Este´e Lauder Fund the viewer, surrounded by countless shimmering golden bits of glass and imagine how it would have affected Klimt. Then you can step into the gallery and see. It’s an extraordinary experience. Small squares of silver and gold leaf glisten in the painting, as they do in the mosaic, yet Klimt has varied their sizes, shapes and tones. As in Theodora’s mosaic portrait Klimt’s figure is fully covered by a flowing gown that really gives no hint at a body with arms or legs or contours of any sort beneath. It’s only Adele Bloch-Bauer’s head, rising above a thick band of jewels, just as Theodora’s does, and her hands (also just as in the Theodora mosaic) that give an idea of the woman portrayed. And what an idea it is. These are two women that seem as strong and lofty as they are drop-dead gorgeous. All of Klimt’s subjects — of which al-
most all are women — are portrayed in the most flattering terms. They’re soft, sometimes delicate, individualized and recognizable women and girls that lived in a moment in which women were reaching beyond the traditional boundaries of family and child-rearing. Strong, confident personalities look back at the viewer, despite the gauzy dresses and flushed cheeks their wealthy husband patrons expected. These were the women of the days of Suffragettes, Gertrude Stein, Virginia Woolf and Isadora Duncan. Klimt’s subjects were among the leaders of an elegant, advanced society. Klimt’s oeuvre is filled with beauties, and while each has her own story, together they tell the artist’s. An early work, “Girl in the Foliage” almost resembles a Sargent society portrait. His “Portrait of Gertha Loew” in soft a
white gown against gray recalls Whistler’s “arrangements” and early steps into abstraction. “The Black Feathered Hat” could be by Egon Schiele. “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II” and “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” display Klimt’s interest in Asian art, and his colors speak to Fauvism. One gallery presents historic photos along with many preparatory sketches for the so-called “Woman in Gold.” In them, Klimt focused on the posture and costume, but left the face blank except for prominent lips, which reveals more about the artist than the subject. To see this many major works by Gustav Klimt together is extremely rare, due to the enormous value of each work. But to see them just inside galleries presided over by the Empress Theodora, perhaps the woman who most profoundly touched Gustav Klimt, is exceptional.
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
THIS WEEK AT THE RUBIN MUSEUM
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Toni Morrison received a lifetime award from the PEN American Center. Morrison is pictured at Town Hall in 2008. Photo: Angela Radulescu, via ďŹ&#x201A;ickr
TONI MORRISON HONORED BY PEN Author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beloved,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Song of Solomonâ&#x20AC;? receives lifetime achievement award
BY HILLEL ITALIE
Toni Morrison received a lifetime achievement award last week from the PEN American Center, a ceremony of music and words that ended with a special treat from the guest of honor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an excerpt from a novel in progress. Hundreds gathered Thursday night at the New School auditorium in Manhattan as the Nobel winner received a prize named for a previous laureate, the $25,000 PEN/Saul Bellow Award. Billed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dangerous Work: An Evening With Toni Morrison,â&#x20AC;? the 90-minute
event was a tribute to her ideas and to the music of her language, ďŹ tting for a writer who has collaborated on an opera and called one of her novels â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jazz.â&#x20AC;? Performances included music from mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran and her husband, composer-pianist Jason Moran, along with readings by actors Adepero Oduye and Delroy Lindo. All praised Morrison and her work, bowing from the stage to the author in her front row seat. Oduye recalled when she, the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, read â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bluest Eyeâ&#x20AC;? as a girl and thought of the book as the ďŹ rst to give â&#x20AC;&#x153;voice to thoughts and feelingsâ&#x20AC;? that were really hers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was, in a way, freed,â&#x20AC;? said Oduye, whose film credits
include â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Big Shortâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twelve Years a Slave.â&#x20AC;? The 85-year-old Morrison, eyes looking out from under a wide-brimmed hat, spoke of how â&#x20AC;&#x153;meaningfulâ&#x20AC;? each of her books were, like children to whom she had given birth. Noting that she might not get â&#x20AC;&#x153;another half or full decade,â&#x20AC;? she announced, to excited murmurs from the audience, that a new work was underway and shared some lines from the opening section, narrated by a mute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ma said I was born without a voice box. Box. Couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you buy one?â&#x20AC;? Morrison read. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anyway, being speechless doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear. I hear everything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; everything.â&#x20AC;?
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS OCT 20-28 2016
Umami Shoppu
513 Avenue Of The Americas
Grade Pending (27) 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. 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 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 Flavors
100 West 23 Street
A
Lasagna Restaurant
196 8 Avenue
A
Stolle Bakery
109 W 10Th St
Grade Pending (28) 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. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
City Cakes
251 West 18 Street
A
Casa Apicii
62 W 9Th St
Not Yet Graded (32) 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.
Ancolie
58 W 8Th St
Not Yet Graded (2)
Rosa Mexicano
9 East 18 Street
A
New Double Dragon
37 1 Avenue
A
Bravo Pizza
115 East 14 Street
A
Butterfield Cafe
770 Broadway
A
Irvington Bar And Restaurant/Studio/Lilium
201 Park Ave S
Grade Pending (57) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours. 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. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.
Adalya
55 Irving Pl
A
Kotobuki
56 3Rd Ave
A
The Box ( Google)
85 10Th Ave
A
Taqueria Diana
601 6Th Ave
Grade Pending (17) 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.
Chuck And Blade - Buns Bar
184 8Th Ave
Not Yet Graded (17) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Dunkin’ Donuts
544 6Th Ave
A
Sons And Daughters
85 10Th Ave
Not Yet Graded (28) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Coopers Craft And Kitchen
169 8Th Ave
A
Vivi Bubble Tea
65 W 8Th St
A
Fika
180 9Th Ave
A
Blue Bottle Coffee
450 W 15Th St
A
Megu
355 W 16Th St
A
Dunkin Donuts
225 7Th Ave
A
Sports Center At Chelsea Piers (Sushi Bar)
Pier 60 West Side Highway
A
Stella’s Pizza
110 9 Avenue
A
Barracuda Bar
275 West 22 Street
A
Starbucks Coffee
10 Waverly Pl
A
One 7 Karaoke
29 West 17 Street
A
City Crab Shack
10 East 16 Street
A
Fonda Of Chelsea
189 9Th Ave
A
Haveli Indian Restaurant
100 Second Avenue
Caffe Bene
300 W 17Th St
A
Grade Pending (35) Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
Mi-Ne Sushi Totoya
496 Avenue Of The Americas
A
Anyway Cafe
34 East 2 Street
A
322 East 6 Street
Spice Grill
199 8Th Ave
Not Yet Graded (2)
Raj Mahal Indian Restaurant
The Green Table(Chelsea Market)
428 West 16 Street
A
Grade Pending (21) 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.
Frank
88 2 Avenue
A
Sala One Nine
35 West 19 Street
A
A
46 Greenwich Avenue
A
Casa Mono/Bar Jamon (Next Door)
52 Irving Place
Greenwich Treehouse Golden Crepes
262A West 15 Street
A
Mee Noodle Shop
223 1St Ave
A
Num Pang Sandwich Shop
75 9 Ave
A
Caffe Bene
816 Broadway
Grade Pending (24) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan. Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
Central Park
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PARK All have been restored by craftspersons working off old photographs. Take a walk around the Lake to see for yourself. To read more visit: www.centralpark.com
TAKE A WALK ON THE WEST SIDE RESTORED BOAT LANDINGS The boat landings that surround the Central Park Lake have all recently been restored to their former glory. The landings were originally built in 1860, and then rebuilt in the 1970s, but many of the original details were lost and the landings deteriorated over time.
As every New Yorker knows, there has been a lifelong battle of East vs. West. Our blog will take you through a walk of some of the highlights of what to see on the west side of Central Park, starting at Columbus Circle and working up to the North Woods. Read more on: www. centralpark.com
COMING UP THIS MONTH CENTRAL PARK ZOO Join the zoo’s “In the Mood” series for “The Art of Seduction.” During this adults-only program, guests will meet zookeepers and animals alike. 6-8 p.m. Nov. 18 at the zoo. For more info visit: www.centralpark.com/events
HIDDEN SECRETS WALKING TOUR Take a walk on the road less traveled in Central Park and discover its hidden gems! Together with your guide you’ll experience some of the lesserknown treasures and tour the hard to find places that most don’t get to see. Daily through Dec. 31, several times a day,
starting in front of 208 West 80th St. More information is at www.centralpark.com
Event listings and Where in Central Park? brought to you by CentralPark.com.
Everything you like about Our Town Downtown is now available to be delivered to your mailbox every week in the Downtowner From the very local news of your neighborhood to information about upcoming events and activities, the new home delivered edition of the Downtowner will keep you in-the-know.
And best of all you won’t have to go outside to grab a copy from the street box every week.
WHERE IN ANSWER FROM TWO CENTRAL PARK? WEEKS AGO: Do you know where in Central Park this photo was taken? To submit your answer, visit: centralpark. com/where-in-central-park. The answer and names of the people with the correct answers will appear in the paper and online in two weeks.
It’s your neighborhood. It’s your news.
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Name on Credit Card (Please Print) ___________________________ The Witch — Bethesda Staircase, on the Mall side. This witch, jack-o-lantern and haunted house were carved in the Bethesda Terrace staircase in the 1800s by architect Jacob Wrey Mould. Mould chose representative wildlife and seasonal design motifs. There are also carvings symbolic of day: a rising sun and a crowing cock. Night is represented by a lamp and book, a bat and owl, and a witch flying over a jack-o’-lantern. Congratulations to Candi George and Holly for answering the last question correctly.
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Return Completed Form to: Straus News, 20 West Avenue, Chester, NY, 10918 or go to otdowntown.com & click on Subscribe
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Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Business
A SHAGGY DOG GETS A NEW LOOK
Photo: squirrel83, via flickr
CONSUMER SPENDING RISES
New owner takes over a longtime family business BY OLIVIA KELLEY
Economy grew 2.9 percent during the third quarter, double the rate of the second quarter BY MARTIN CRUTSINGER
Consumers boosted their spending in September at the fastest pace in three months, while their incomes grew by a modest amount. Consumer spending increased 0.5 percent, a significant rebound from August when spending fell 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department said Monday. The increase was led by a 1.3 percent surge in spending on autos and other durable goods. Incomes increased 0.3 percent in September, slightly faster than the 0.2 percent gain in August. The overall economy grew at a 2.9 percent rate in the July-September quarter, more than double the 1.4 percent increase in the second quarter. That acceleration in activity came even though growth in consumer spending slowed after a burst in the spring. But the latest figure indicates that the quarter ended on a positive note, with solid spending momentum heading into the end of the year. Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, said the report depicted a “good handoff” from the third quarter going into the fourth quarter. “More money coming in helped
support stronger spending,” Lee said, noting that the rise in incomes marked the seventh consecutive increase. The September result was the best showing since a similar gain in June. While the quarter started well, spending slowed to a 0.3 gain in July before falling by 0.1 percent in August. Economists closely watch consumer spending since it accounts for two-thirds of economic activity. In addition to the big gain in spending on durable goods, spending on non-durable goods such as clothing also showed a solid increase of 0.6 percent in September. Spending on services, a category that includes doctors’ visits and utility payments, was up 0.3 percent. A key inflation gauge followed by the Federal Reserve was up a slight 0.2 percent in September, while core prices, excluding food and energy, rose only 0.1 percent. Over the past year, core prices are up just 1.7 percent, still below the Fed’s 2 percent inflation target. Fed officials were to meet this week, but they are expected to its key policy rate unchanged at 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent, where it has been since December of last year. With spending rising faster than incomes, the personal saving rate slipped slightly to 5.7 percent in September, down from 5.8 percent in August.
After 40 years of business, The Shaggy Dog on the Upper East Side is getting a new owner. Dog groomer Veronica “Cookie” Gallea opened The Shaggy Dog on East 88th Street in 1996 after freelance grooming for four years. Now, after decades of owning and operating the business, she sold it in October to a friend of her son’s, Schuyler Hecht. “He’s very capable and I’ve known him a long time. It’s almost like the passing the torch onto family,” Gallea said. Gallea said it’s bittersweet leaving after so long. She personally called all of her regular customers to inform them of the change. “When people trust you with their dog, you build a relationship,” she said. “You become friends.” Despite this, Gallea, who also lives on the Upper East Side, said she is looking forward to spending more time at her home upstate and trusting Hecht to handle the business. At a time of banks and drugstores proliferating amid the urban landscape, this is a story about a longtime small business that’s actually not going away. “Young blood is always a good thing,” she said. “But I don’t think any of the old traditions of doing a good job at a fair price will change.” Hecht grew up on the Upper East Side and still lives there. He groomed dogs and cats for 10 years prior to purchasing the store from Gallea. In high
Schuyler Hecht grooms Oscar at The Shaggy Dog. Photo: Olivia Kelley school, he worked for her as a bather. He said he rediscovered his love for grooming pets after college. “I knew how to cut nails and clean butts, because I’d done it for so long,” he said. “And I get to work with dogs, and what’s not to love about that?” Hecht hopes to expand the business soon. Besides being able to stay open more frequently than Gallea did, he wants to add more services. “I’d like to potentially have a new facility, maybe day care,” he said. “Cookie’s grown it in the 40 years she’s had it — the idea is for it to be around another 40 years and continue to grow.” Ultimately, he said he’d like to have a
WALL STREET POISED TO POST HIGHER PROFITS Year-end numbers likely to be first annual increase since 2012
BY DAVID KLEPPER
Wall Street is on track to post higher profits this year and end three straight years of declines, according to a report issued last week by New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. New York City’s securities industry earned pretax profits of $9.3 billion in the first half of 2016. The industry saw $11.3 billion in profits in the first half of 2015, but experienced an unusual fourth-quarter loss, ending the year with $14.3 billion
in profits overall. DiNapoli says there’s no reason to expect a similar loss in this year’s fourth quarter, and he predicts Wall Street will end the year with its first yearover-year increase since 2012. “Baring a major setback the industry is on pace for higher profits,” he said. “We don’t see anything on the horizon to suggest we’ll have a negative fourth quarter as we did last year.” The average securities industry salary, including bonuses, was $388,000, down from last year, when the average salary was $404,800. “It was still far higher than any other major industry in the city,” DiNapoli, a Democrat, said of the average salary.
The average salary across the private sector in New York City is $74,100. The report also found that Wall Street is moving uptown. While half of all securities jobs were located in Lower Manhattan in 2000, two-thirds are now in Midtown and 19 percent are located in the area around Wall Street. Securities jobs make up less than 5 percent of private-sector jobs in the city, yet they generate 21 percent of private-sector wages. The industry generated 18.5 percent of state tax collections in the last fiscal year, and directly or indirectly supported 1 in 10 jobs in the city.
Photo: htmvalerio, via flickr
rescue league. But for now he said he wants to focus on giving the best customer service he can. “I’ve worked at places before that have been horror shops,” he said. “So I know what not to do.” The shop has an open floor plan that allows customers to see the grooming process as it’s happening. “More transparency is the philosophy I have,” said Hecht. “”If something bad happens to your kid at daycare, they’re going to come home and tell you. You’re dog’s not going to do that. Having a well-lit, transparent facility creates more trust.”
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
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NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
COMFORT GETS TOP BILLING York Theatre debuts new seats BY MADELEINE THOMPSON
It felt like a family gathering. Around 70 supporters and patrons of the York Theatre Company had gathered in the basement space’s lobby on Oct. 25 to celebrate the installation of 165 cushy new seats, many with armrests engraved with donors’ names. And there was reason to rejoice: The upgrade had been seven years in the making. “There are all sorts of things that crop up,” Jim Morgan, the theater’s producing artistic director, said. “It’s been a great learning experience, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
As people filed into the East 54th Street theater, gasps of delight could be heard. “Wow, these seats are so much nicer than the old ones!” one of the young actors from the cast of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” said. After finding seats engraved with their names, audience members enjoyed a short performance inaugurating the improved theater experience. Excerpts from previous York Theatre productions were sung as was, appropriately, a song from its upcoming production, “A Taste of Things to Come.” Besides being uncomfortable and imperfectly arranged, the old seats no longer adhered to the building code. “We could’ve gotten in big trouble,”
Mark Nadler performs a number from “I’m A Stranger Here Myself” at a ceremony dedicating new seats at the York Theatre last week. Photo: Ben Strothman.
Morgan said. “Out of that we began exploring how we might be able to replace them. Then we realized that we had this wonderful grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs.” Though theater administrators had hoped to use the money to purchase new lighting and sound equipment, they concluded that new seats were a priority. And it seems to have been worth it. According to Morgan, the new seats allow the audience to get a better view, aren’t as creaky and “really give a lift to what we do.” Two donors, Rita and Roger Zeeman, came from Fort Lee to celebrate the installation — and to sit in the seats engraved with their names. “We like to support all of the people who would like to be on Broadway but aren’t, and who deserve to be on Broadway,” Rita Zeeman said. “It’s always good entertainment.” Roger Zeeman, who along with his wife has been a York patron for 15 years, has particularly enjoyed their performances of “Suburb” and “Cagney,” the latter still running offBroadway. Morgan thanked a myriad of people who had helped the York finally get its new accommodations. One was Maggi Peyton, a longtime public servant who was working as director of arts and culture in Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s office when she died last week at age 82. “This process actually began years ago with her support and inspiration, and most of all her connections that she made available to us,” Morgan
New seats at the York Theatre. Photo: Ben Strothman said. “This whole project would not have happened without her guidance.” Morgan added that it was Betty Cooper Wallerstein, president of the East 79th Street Neighborhood Association, who had introduced him to Peyton. Though the new seats are an improvement, it was clear that the York
FOR SOME, VOTING IS NOT CHILD’S PLAY Nannies say finding time to cast a ballot is a challenge BY BRETT DAHLBERG
Nicole Cruz does not know whether she will be able to vote this year. Cruz has been a nanny to the same family to an Upper West Side family since 2011, but voting didn’t fit into the family’s schedule for her in 2012. She is concerned that she might not be able to cast a ballot this year either. “I don’t know how to ask,” said Cruz, 39, explaining that she would need to arrive to work late or leave early in order to vote. Cruz lives in the Bronx and makes a one-hour and 45-minute commute each way to get to her employers’ apartment.
Despite the legislature’s 2010 passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, domestic workers still find significant obstacles to casting their ballots, and key government agencies have not targeted election access for protection from interference. “If you don’t get lucky,” said Maria Rodriguez, 57, “you work way too long. They take all your time.” Rodriguez, who lives in Harlem and is a nanny to a family on the Upper West Side, said she enjoys her job, but also that she is fortunate to have an understanding boss. Tiffany Figuroa, 30, of Cliffside, New Jersey, takes care of Henry, a 16-month-old boy whose parents live on the Upper West Side. Figuroa has not registered to vote, but even if she
Nichole Pierre, 39, of Brooklyn, nannies for an Upper West Side boy. Photo: Brett Dahlberg had, she expects it wouldn’t make a difference. “It’s the hours,” she said. “If I don’t have time to register, how would I have time to vote?” Over 200,000 women work in New York State’s domestic labor industry, according to Domestic Workers United, a New York City-based advocacy group that works toward what it calls “fair labor standards for domestic workers.” New York state election law requires
employers to grant employees up to two paid hours off work to vote, but many nannies are either unaware of that requirement, or feel unable to take advantage of it. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights contains no provisions specific to the right to vote, and the New York State Department of Labor’s Manhattan district office directed questions about domestic workers’ access to
Theatre family would’ve kept coming to shows even if they had to sit on the floor. Madeleine Thompson can be reached at newsreporter@strausnews.com
voting to the state’s Division of Human Rights. While that agency does protect against discrimination in housing and employment, its mandate on voting is less clear, according to Barbara Klar, the division’s outreach and intern coordinator. “Time off for voting is not covered under our law,” Klar said. Polling places in New York City will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8. For some nannies, though, there is simply not enough time to both work and vote. “If you work full-time as a nanny,” said Julia Sclafani, 23, of Washington Heights, “it’s more like 50 or 60 hours a week.” Even when working parttime, Sclafani said, she often exceeds 30 hours in a week. Other nannies, however, work for employers who encourage them to vote. “This will be my first time voting,” said Tina, 26, of Long Island, who declined to give her last name. Daily Lambert, Tina’s employer, urged her to say why. “I just became a citizen,” Tina said, beaming.
NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.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.
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NOVEMBER 3-9,2016
Our Town|Downtowner otdowntown.com
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YOUR 15 MINUTES
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ROCKING OUT FOR A CAUSE Actor and musician Donnie Kehr on “Pinball Wizard,” Christopher Walken and starting a nonprofit for the arts
BY ANGELA BARBUTI
Broadway veteran Donnie Kehr, who has graced the stage in iconic shows like “Jersey Boys” and “The Who’s Tommy,” got his start on the Great White Way at just 12 years old. Growing up in Hell’s Kitchen and attending the Professional Children’s School, his mother, a ballerina, found him an agent in the Yellow Pages. Since then, he’s enjoyed a career on stage with highlights that include playing Norm Waxman in “Jersey Boys,” both on Broadway and in the film adaptation, and being the first to sing the theatrical version of “Pinball Wizard,” which earned a Grammy. It was through his part in “Tommy,” that Kehr was asked by The Who’s Pete Townshend to form Rockers on Broadway, a band comprised of Broadway musicians. Now celebrating its 23rd year, their annual concert benefits the PATH Fund, which stands for Performing Artists That Help. The nonprofit, which Kehr started to give back to arts education, provides students with scholarships through the money raised at the show, which will be held on Nov. 14 at Le Poisson Rouge.
Tell us your “Jersey Boys” story. I had worked orked with the director, Des McAnuff, in “The Who’s Tommy.” I had seen him at an event and he said, “Hey, omething for you, but I can’t I’ve got something he name right now.” About six tell you the ater, I got a call to go to L.A. months later, from Des’’ assistant who said, “You’re o go tomorrow and meet going to Frankie Valli.” Des asked me to bring my guitarr and sing something. So I got et Frankie Valli, sang a song there, met and read some sides. It was like the dition I ever had worst audition because I didn’t sleep at e from Vegas all. I drove to L.A. I worked until 2 in the morning and had a 9 a.m. meeting. I didn’t me to have time light; book a flight; it was all last minute.
I called Des on his cell and left a message saying “Thank you so much for the opportunity. I’m sorry I wasn’t up to par, but thank you.” He calls me back 10 minutes later and says, “Donnie, I told you I had something for you. You got it. This is it. It’s called “Jersey Boys.”
I’m thinking my career is over. I ended up having surgery and went back in the show after about nine months for a month. I just couldn’t do it anymore; my back didn’t allow me. So I went, “That’s it for dancing.”
What was your role in the show?
Then I got a call to go on tour with “Jersey Boys” and finish their first national tour. And this one day, I’m going to Starbucks before I go get ready and as I’m walking in, Clint Eastwood is walking out. I said, “Hi Mr. Eastwood, you don’t happen to be seeing “Jersey Boys?” He goes, “Yeah, can you tell me where the will call is?” He goes, “Are you in the show?” And I said, “Yeah, my name’s Donnie Kehr. I’m from the original cast. I’m here doing this now and having a blast.” He sees the show, comes back afterwards and said, “Great job, pleasure to meet you. I’ll see you again.” I thought nothing of it. Three weeks later, I get a call to do a screen test for the movie “Jersey Boys,” that he directed. I got it and recreated the role that I did on Broadway, Norm Waxman, in the movie.
I created the role of Gyp De Carlo in La Jolla. Then when we came to New York, he wanted to change the part to Norm Waxman because he could use a musician in other areas. So I took on that role for Broadway. And then also played drums on songs like, “Walk Like a Man,” “Dawn,” and also played guitar on “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and “C’mon Marianne.” It was fun to be able to be in a Broadway show and also be playing real instruments. We won the Tony for Best Musical that year, which was amazing. I was in the show for another two years and then left to go do “Billy Elliot,” which won 11 Tony Awards. And then I broke my back on stage.
I was actually going to ask you what has been a memorable on-stage moment. What happened was I was crossing the stage in the middle of the first act and my whole left side went numb and I fell and couldn’t get up. So the crew had to drag me off stage because otherwise the scenery would have killed me. So they leave me over on stage left. They didn’t stop the show. At intermission, four guys pick me up and throw me in a cab and I get sent to the emer emergency room. I didn’t know what’s going to happen.
How did your part in the movie come about?
What was the set like? The set was amazing. You had to be on your game. I got to work with Christopher Walken for nine days and that was fun, because most of my scenes were with him. He taught me a lot, actually. He taught me a very valuable lesson about the difference between stage acting and film acting and taught me how to rest my eyes. [Laughs]
How did Rockers on Broadway first come about? We were doin doing the run of “Tommy” on Broadway and Pete Townshend and Des brou brought me aside after a rehearsal and an said, “We want you to bring the cast together to sing and put a ba band together and do a couple of club clu dates.” Pete said, “I want to join you. I’ll play with you. I want thes these Broadway types to understand who I am and where I come from. So I want to do a rock show with tthem.” I got the orchestra from tthe show and we did it at the old o China Club on 75th. And I said, s “I want to do this again And Pete said, “Well, again.” if yo you do it again, make it a ch charity.” So I just kept it goin going.
Tell us about the PATH Fun Fund and its mission. I started it with my pro producing partner Cori Ga Gardner. For years that I was w doing the show, I wo would do it at a club and be putting up all this m money and losing a lot
Donnie Kehr. Photo: Genevive Rafter Keddy
Donnie Kehr, left, with Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees. Photo: Courtesy of Mickey Dolenz.
of it. And it is a way of giving back to the community. One of the things I’ve always believed in is arts education. I think we’re lacking that in our schools. When I was young we had band and drama and all that stuff is gone. And that’s what has given society a fabric of creativity in the sense of bringing creative people together. It’s kind of what keeps peace in the world. So I believe in that, so that’s what I donate to. We give between 12 to 15 kids scholarships to learn the arts every year through Rockers on Broadway.
www.donniekehr.com thepathfund.org
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