The local paper for the Upper East Side TIFFANY LAMPS, AND THE WOMEN WHO CREATED THEM ◄ CITY ARTS, P.12
AN UES CHURCH’S MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY RELIGION
WEEK OF DECEMBER
19-25 2019 INSIDE
TALKING TURKEY Nutrition comes with myths and magic. The scientific realities of tryptophan. p. 2
The Unitarian Church of All Souls celebrates its 200th year. An excerpt from its official history tells the story of its role in the Civil War. Tessa Majors in September 2019. Photo: Tessa Majors’ Instagram
‘VIOLENCE DOESN’T BELONG HERE’ CRIME
The murder of Barnard student Tessa Majors continued to inspire grief, anger and demands for action as the search for young suspects went on BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
The Upper West Side has been shrouded in grief and candlelight in the days following the murder of first-year Barnard College student, Tessa Majors, last week. Hundreds came together, bringing flowers and candles in hand, for vigils that honored the life of 18-year-old Virginia native — and in mourning, these residents, students and
community leaders have asked what could be done to prevent a tragedy such as this, especially as it became clear that the reported suspects were children themselves. At a vigil Sunday evening in Morningside Park — where the homicide took place last Wednesday during an apparent robbery attempt — Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and other elected officials talked about the need to make the park and area safe for all of the neighborhood’s children. “Violence does not belong here in Morningside Park,“ said Brewer, adding that the park requires more lighting,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
BY MELINDA BECK
The Unitarian Church of All Souls last month celebrated its 200th anniversary as a house of worship that embraces everyone, regardless of their religious views. Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed Nov. 15th, 2019 as “The Unitarian Church of All Souls Day,“ praising its long tradition of promoting social justice, caring for the hungry and homeless, supporting the LGBTQIA community and “providing a haven for all those who wish to engage in a search for truth and meaning” - including atheists and agnostics. In a recent sermon, Senior Minister Galen Guengerich described the church’s founding in 1819 “as an openminded revolt against a culture dominated by closed-minded religious orthodoxy,“ whose founders empathized reason rather than revelation and science over scripture.
6 WAYS TO HANDLE THE RED & GREEN BLUES
It's hard feeling down during the holidays. What might help. p. 8
A LASTING ARTS LEGACY
After more than a decade of service, Susan Macaluso is stepping down as the creative force behind Goddard Riverside’s many cultural programs. p. 5
The Unitarian Church of All Souls, at 80th and Lexington Ave. Photo: Carol Kirkman
All Souls, as it is known, has had three different names and four different lo-
WEEK OF AUGUST
08-14
Your personal edition of Our Town Eastsider Since 1972
OurTownEastSide
OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC
Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts
3 8 10 12
Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
2019
cations in its 200 years,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19
f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel
◄ 15 MINUTES,
Eastsider INSIDE
SUTTON PARK,
AT LAST
just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5
chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council
IS VISION ZERO WORKING? SAFETY
has seen a surge Five years in, NYC and uctuating in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to
CONTINUED ON PAGE
6
WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,
firing Officer Daniel
Pantaleo on
THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW
Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”
POLITICS
dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage
C i e Watch
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, December 20 – 4:13 pm. For more information visit www.chabbaduppereastside.com.
3
14 Restaurant Ratings 16
day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.
of peace,
SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD
seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.
We deliver! Get Our Town Eastsider sent directly to your mailbox for $49 per year. Go to OurTownNY.com or call 212-868-0190