Manhattan Express - February 20, 2020

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MIDTOWN, UPPER EAST & WEST SIDES

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 4

FEBRUARY 20 – MARCH 4, 2020

‘OFF WITH THE FLOORS!’ Advocates hail court order to reduce supertall size PHOTO BY TODD MAISEL

Activists such as Olive Freud (inset) hailed a cour t decision calling for the top 20 floors to be dismantled at 200 Amsterdam Ave.

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Lower East Siders riled over lost park space on the river

BY JOAQUIN COTLER

R

epresentatives of the Parks Department, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the design firm AECOM addressed Manhattan’s Community Board 3 last week, following a lawsuit filed by several local organizations calling for the annulment of the City Council’s November approval of the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project.

While the presenters could not comment on that status of the lawsuit, they attempted to reassure the room — populated by residents of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Two Bridges, and East Village neighborhoods — that their concerns surrounding the impact of the ESCR were being taken into account during the planning process.

The ESCR, a $1.45 billion project developed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, is jointly funded by the City of New York and the federal government. The proposed project extends from 25th St. to Montgomery Street on Manhattan’s East Side, where it will connect with another initiative, the Montgomery Brooklyn Bridge Coastal Resiliency Project.

The goal of the project is to reduce flood risk due coastal storms and sea level rise, which currently threaten the homes of over 110,000 New Yorkers, by building “one continuous line of flood protection down the entire East River Esplanade,” consisting of retaining walls, flip-up floodgates, and land-fill to raise the elevation.

“The entire waterfront of CB3 is under some sort of construction,” said Community Board 3 Chair Trever Holland. “But

PHOTO BY JOAQUIN COTLER

Local residents of Manhattan’s CB3 voiced their concerns about the East Side Resilienc y Project, which would provide flood protection for over 110,000 people but result in the loss of athletic facilities, public ar t installations, and hundreds of trees.

the good news is that we will all be getting some sort of flood protection. It is a painful process though.”

While the importance of flood mitigation is not lost on locals, the direct impact on the affected neighborhoods is a major concern for many CB3 residents.

Lower Manhattan is one of the most densely populated areas in the country, and the park and public use spaces are of utmost importance to its residents. Under the proposed construction plan, much of the current parkland would be rendered either temporarily unusable or converted to flood mitigation infrastructure.

And despite the renovation of the Pier 42

Deck as an interim solution, baseball fields, basketball courts, public art installations and over 1000 trees would all need to be moved or completely removed.

One bright spot for residents was the announcement that the compost yard will not be immediately affected.

But the loss of hundreds of trees — an issue that has persisted since Superstorm Sandy and will only be exacerbated by the proposed construction — is a major concern for locals.

While the city has pledged to plant 1,000 trees in the area, committee member Michael Marino raised the concern that they wouldn’t wind up near the waterfront, and

instead would be planted in neighboring Community Board 6.

“These seem to be very west of East River Park, where we will be losing most of our trees,” Marino said.

Navé Strauss, the director of street tree planting for the Parks Department, tried to reassure him. “We will plant as many trees as we can as close to the locus in East River Park back into this community,” said Strauss. “We’ll try to fit as many as we can into CB3 site-specific determinations will help us get to that goal.”

While some residents felt the city had listened to their concerns, others felt they would be disproportionately affected by the construction.

“Where we live, you’re taking away our basketball half-court and what we’re getting nothing close to what other areas are getting,” said one resident.

Lauren Swan from AECOM, the firm designing the ESCR, assured the board that every decision was made based on environmental constraints while keeping residents’ needs in mind.

“It is a design goal of this project to distribute programs and amenities as equitably as we can,” she noted. “We have been exploring every possible option to try to achieve that objective. If we could keep basketball in this location we would do it.

Unfortunately, flood protection alignment can only fit right down the middle of the esplanade.”

Residents await further information from the Parks Department, the Department of Sanitation, and the Department of Transportation in the coming months.

Manhattan getting 10 more miles of bike lanes

BY MARK HALLUM

T

he city Department of Transportation boasted that it’s ahead of schedule in its “Green Wave” plan announced last year, which expands the protected bike lane networks in Manhattan.

In a progress report released Feb. 19, the agency detailed not only goals they met for 2019 but benchmarks for 2020 they’re already on track to meet just two months into the year.

When released, the Green Wave plan expands previously-made Vision Zero improvements at an unprecedented rate, setting the goal for over 20 miles of new protected bike lanes in the remainder of 2019 and at least 30 miles every year after that.

The protected bike lane network expanded by over 21 miles in 2019, and the

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NYC DOT is planning major advances in the installment of protected bike lanes in Manhattan and Brooklyn in 2020.

DOT indicated they already have 10 new miles approved and ready for installation.

Manhattan roadways such as 2nd Avenue, Lower Broadway, Central Park West and St. Nicholas Avenue will see 10 miles of improvements in 2020.

Ed Pincar, the DOT’s Manhattan borough commissioner, said the installments have moved through the community board approval process rather swiftly, whereas the process is usually gummed up elsewhere across the city.

Pincar noted bike lanes are in-demand in the inner borough, and community boards often make the initial request for installments.

“We’re focusing on extending the existing bicycle lane network as well as filling those areas where we don’t have some, so particularly in Midtown we’re thinking about our next pair of crosstown lanes,” Pincar said. This would would follow the success of crosstown bike lanes along 26th and 29th Streets.

DOT is currently looking at the area surrounding Times Square for the next crosstown routes.

“I can only speak for the Manhattan experience, but we find the community engagement process – hearing from not only community boards, but resident, businesses, business improvement districts – they really help us design better projects,” Pincar said.

Februar y 20, 2020

3

No agreement on Riverside Dr. curb policy

BY CHRISS WILLIAMS

R

esidents of 54 Riverside Dr. will continue to exit double-parked vehicles street side, as Manhattan Community Board 7’s transportation committee rejected the building’s curbside access request last week.

The decision signals a shift for Upper West Side residents that have grown accustomed to the board supporting building curbside access requests, as the committee is in the process of creating more stringent guidelines. The board narrowly voted against the Riverside Drive application, with 4 in-favor 3 against and 3 abstains.

“It’s a safety and convenience thing,” said retiree Andrew Rosenthal, a resident of 54 Riverside Dr. during the Feb. 11 meeting. Rosenthal added that half of the building’s 80 units have children or elderly occupants. “It’s outrageous that you are contemplating taking somebody on a stretcher or in a wheelchair down the block and around through traffic to get to their Access-a-Ride.”

Before the vote, the committee debated its guidelines for curbside access requests for an hour. Last month, the committee agreed on a set of criteria that curbside access applicants had to meet before their requests would be reviewed. Under the

PHOTO BY CHRISS WILLIAMS

The Upper West Side’s Communit y Board 7 Transpor tation Committee members Doug Kleinmann (right) and Barbara Adler listen to fellow members discuss potential curb-side access rules.

criteria, residential buildings had to have more than forty apartments and could not have a fire hydrant directly in front of its entrance. If the building resided in an area with a recognized block association, the committee would need to get the OK from the association before proceeding with a review as well.

But after several committee members changed their vote during a January fullboard meeting, the proposed policy was

rejected forcing the committee back to the drawing board.

Schmitt added, “we want to make sure this is a space for people to voice different opinions, help us improve upon resolutions or if they are just not sure, vote against it or abstain during committee. It may not be ready to be taken out of the committee.”

“This is the antithesis of who I would approve,” said Steve Brown, a non-committee member of CB7, about 54 Riverside Dr.

curbside access request. Brown voted against the guideline proposal last month and seeks more stringent standards and argued that not all applications should be reviewed, even if it is within a building’s right to ask for this type of consideration.

Brown added that CB7 has a reputation for rubber-stamping approvals on its curbside access applications.

Some members argued that it was unfair to favor buildings with more than forty units but all were in consensus that applicants should have to make a compelling case as to why they are requesting curb access. “Before you can say we need a parking spot in front of the building, “you have to show or tell us that there is a higher need.” Such needs do not include residents unloading their weekend bags after a trip to the Hamptons.

The board passed a resolution this month to request a Department of Transportation study on curbside usage before and after the implementation of congestion pricing in 2021. Brown suggested the committee consider a moratorium on all applications until the DOT concludes its study. “Why not wait,” he said.

“Because it’s our job to review every applicant,” said Robbins adding that telling residents to wait for the conclusion of a possible study of unknown duration is unfair.

West Siders celebrate supertall size ruling

BY TODD MAISEL

M

anhattan community leaders hailed a judge’s decision that could lead to developers of a nearly completed Upper West Side high rise to tear up to 20 stories off its current 66 stories.

Leaders gathered across the street from the site at 200 Amsterdam Avenue on Monday morning where they took an early victory lap shouting a take famous French euphemism, “off with their floors.”

While many local leaders and elected officials advocated to lower the height of the building — much larger than anything in the community — many credited Olive Freud, a 40-year resident of the neighborhood. Freud is the president of the non-profit Committee for Environmentally Sound Development, and now a proven thorn in the side of the developers.

It seemed that the developers SJP Properties and Mitsui Fudosan America were home free until Freud and attorneys representing her group hired George Janes, an urban planner, to study the complicated zoning lot that the developers had pieced together. Initially, the developers were allowed it to build 668 feet high — twice the height of the buildings immediately surrounding it.

Janes, however, found errors in the zoning lot that would force the Department of Buildings to re-examine the permits.

Then, on Feb. 14, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge W. Franc Perry issued a staggering decision that the city must

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Februar y 20, 2020

PHOTO BY TODD MAISEL

A Manhattan sk yscraper may be forced to lop off 20 stories from its building on Amsterdam Avenue and West 66th Street after a judge determined that the builders had gone beyond their rights.

revoke the building permit for the site and the developers must remove a floors because the structure exceeds zoning limits.

Leaders say this might be the turning point of a war against over-development in other communities, officials say.

“This ruling will set a precedent and that’s why it is so important for us to be here today,” said Comptroller Scott Stringer.

He and other elected officials including Congressman Jerry Nadler, Assemblymembers Dick Gottfried and Linda Rosenthal, Borough President Gale Brewer and numerous council members hailed Freud as a hero and tenacious fighter.

“I feel embarrassed because they came here and they heard what I had to say and others were involved too,” Freud said. “The developers used little pieces of land to justify what they were doing and the judge said they were wrong. We were not giving up.”

Nadler applauded local efforts and said leaders have been “fighting over development for I don’t know how long.”

Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal hailed Freud for not giving up and finding a way to stop the high rise.

“To all of the advocates in the community: don’t stop,” said Rosenthal, continuing, “Because at the end of the day, you are right. What you are thinking about in your gut that a 66-story building does not seem like the right thing to be surrounded by 23 story buildings – your gut that said that’s not right – keep going with it. So I can’t wait to be here to see the 20-stories come down.”

Mark Diller, chairman of Community Board 7, has maintained a position against the over development.

“I’m grateful for the advocacy behind us, and grateful for Judge Perry who brought us back to common sense,” Diller said. “This is inappropriate and thank heavens that the court has returned us to the same reality and thanks to people like Olive who would not give up.”

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5

Police Blotter Beef ends in slashing

Shoplifter busted A shoplifting incident at a Duane Reade led to a man’s arrest on Friday, Feb. 14, according to police.

Around 4:50 p.m., a man, 34, allegedly concealed several items in a shopping bag. The items included two lotions, two Sensodyne toothpaste

products, and Dove products, with a total value of $99.

After he allegedly left the store with the items, a canvass was conducted and the man was stopped on West 33 Street at Eighth Avenue.

All of the items were recovered, and the man was arrested for petit larceny.

— Gabe Herman

Attacked and robbed in Chelsea

Delivery robbers strike on East Side

An argument led to an assault on Ludlow Street late at night on Saturday, Jan. 4, officials said.

Around 3:50 a.m., in front of 152 Ludlow St., two men got into an argument, when one of the men proceeded to allegedly slash the other man on the right side of the face, before fleeing in an unknown direction.

The victim was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in stable condition, to be treated for a laceration.

— Gabe Herman

Car robbery in West Village A man was robbed while sitting in his car near West 11 Street and Waverly Place, on Feb. 6, according to police.

Around 5:45 p.m., two men allegedly approached the 28-year-old male victim as he was sitting in his 2007 Chrysler Sebring, then they entered the vehicle and simulated a firearm.

One of the men allegedly searched the victim’s pockets, then ordered him out of the vehicle. The car was later recovered near 116 Street and 10th Avenue, officials said.

— Gabe Herman

Restaurant theft There was a restaurant burglary on Mulberry Street during the earlymorning hours of Thursday, Feb. 6, police said. Around 5:05 a.m., a man allegedly forcibly entered Ruby’s Café at 219 Mulberry St. through the back door, police said, then took $200 from the register before fleeing.

— Gabe Herman

BY EMILY DAVENPORT

C

ops are looking for a duo who choked two food delivery men and robbed them of their cash and belongings in Manhattan.

According to police, at 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 12, a 27-year-old man was delivering food to a residence on Essex Street near Broome Street when he was approached by two unknown men. The men put the delivery man into a chokehold and punched him throughout his face and body.

The suspects then took $60 from the victim before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.

The crooks struck again on Feb. 17. At 12:45 p.m. that day, a 66year-old man was delivering food at another residence on Essex Street

near Broome Street when he was approached by the suspects, who proceeded to put the man in a chokehold and pushed him into a wall.

The victim lost consciousness as a result, and the suspects took his wallet, which contained $150 in cash, credit cards and a benefits card. The thieves then fled the scene in an unknown direction. EMS took the victim, who suffered a laceration and swelling to the head, to New York Downtown Hospital for treatment.

On Feb. 18, the NYPD released video and photos of the suspects taken from the first incident.

Anyone with information in regard to the identity of the individuals is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Smoke shop robbed by a rifleman

BY EMILY DAVENPORT

C

ops are looking for a pair of gun-toting crooks who robbed a Lower East Side smoke shop and took off with cash and merchandise.

Authorities say that at 4:25 p.m. on Feb. 17, two unknown men entered N&N Delancey Smoke Shop, located at 61 Delancey Street. While one of the men stood at the counter and asked for cigarettes, the other went to entrance to the counter and pointed a black rifle at the employee.

The gunman threatened the employee and demanded merchandise and money from the register. The victim complied and handed over $3,500 in cash, 30 packs of cigarettes, lottery tickets and a cellphone.

The suspects then fled the scene in a car parked outside of the store. There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident.

On Feb. 18, the NYPD released video and photos of the suspects taken from the shop’s surveillance footage.

Call Crime Stoppers at 800-577TIPS with info on the case.

A man was allegedly mugged by three men on West 29th Street on Thursday, Jan. 30, according to police.

At 4:50 a.m., in front of 205 West 29 St., a 31-year-old male victim was walking when he was approached by three men, who allegedly demanded his property.

The group then allegedly started punching the victim about his head and torso, then took his wallet and cell phone and fled into a nearby subway station.

The stolen property had an estimated value of $1,000. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.

— Gabe Herman

Illegal buys at Macy’s Herald Sq. Officials are looking for a woman who made unauthorized purchases of hundreds of dollars worth of items at Macy’s, according to a police report.

On Jan. 27, around 11:00 a.m., a woman entered Macy’s at 151 West 33 St. at Herald Square, and allegedly used a stolen credit card to buy about $553 worth of merchandise, officials said.

Police released a surveillance image of the person wanted for the grand larceny.

— Gabe Herman

Crack user didn’t care A man was arrested for public drug use on Saturday, Feb. 15, police said.

Around 7:30 p.m., in front of 406 West 40 St., a police officer observed a man allegedly holding and lighting a crack pipe in the street and in public view, according to a police report.

The man, 30, was found to have a warrant out for him, and he was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance.

— Gabe Herman

The Villager (USPS 578930) ISSN 0042-6202 Copyright © 2019 by Schneps Media is published weekly by Schneps Media, One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. 52 times a year. Business and Editorial Offices: One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Schneps Media, One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. Call 718-260-2500 to subscribe. Periodicals postage prices is paid at New York, N.Y. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Villager, One Metrotech North, 10th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Annual subscription by mail in Manhattan and Brooklyn $29 ($35 elsewhere). Single copy price at office and newsstands is $1. The entire contents of newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2019 Schneps Media.

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Februar y 20, 2020

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Making Sense of the Census Julie Menin, Director of NYC Census 2020 and Isha Sumner, Census 2020 Manager at Garifuna Community Services.

With less than a month until New Yorkers complete the census, NYC Census 2020 is pulling out all the stops.

On February 11th, we held more than 60 civil rights-style teach-ins in all five boroughs as part of “Teachin Tuesday.” At the teach-ins, New Yorkers learned about the history of the census and how it helps distribute billions of dollars for education, healthcare, job training, infrastructure, affordable housing and more.

Attendees were also asked to volunteer to help the city’s Get Out The Count campaign, beginning when the Census Bureau’s self-response website goes live in mid-March.

Every community has its own unique interests that relate to the census, and the teach-ins give us the opportunity to connect and address questions about everything from privacy concerns to impacted programs.

One of the community groups that participated in the Teach-in was Garifuna Community Services (GSC), an organization that was awarded funding through NYC Census’s Complete Count Fund, a com-

munity program that is focused on census-related education and organizing. The goal of the awards program is to ensure full participation in the 2020 Census by supporting a large network of local communitybased organizations considered messengers of important and sensitive information within New York City’s diverse communities. To ensure their community is counted, GCS is participating in community workshops, conducting a Census Know Your Rights Forum before immigration intake sessions, knocking doors, and more. For communities like the Garifuna, the census also serves as an organizing tool for self-determination and visibility for their community. Garifuna community members will check “Black” for race and will write in their Garifuna indigenous descent.

The stakes could not be higher.

In 2010, only 61.9% of New Yorkers self-responded; the national average was 76%. To ensure members of the Garifuna community are counted — as well as all New Yorkers — we must do better, and we only get one chance.

NYC, let’s make it count!

New Yorkers can begin filling out the Census online on March 12, 2020 at my2020census.gov.

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Februar y 20, 2020

7

Indicted teen in Majors murder held without bail

BY ROBERT POZARYCKI

A

14-year-old boy suspected of fatally stabbing a Barnard College freshman to death in a Morningside Park robbery last December was arraigned Wednesday on an indictment charging him with murder.

Police took Rashaun Weaver, 14, into custody on Friday night at the Taft Houses located at 1345 Fifth Ave. in Harlem, shortly after a grand jury indicted him on two counts of ďŹ rst- and second-degree murder, and three counts of robbery.

Weaver was the second teenager charged with the murder; a 13-year-old boy was arrested for his role days after it happened.

Also on Feb. 19, cops picked up Luciano Lewis, 14, who was additionally indicted for his role in the murder/robbery. “It has been a long deliberate process from Dec. 11, when Tessa Majors was murdered, until today, when we are conďŹ dent that we are delivering a measure of justice in announcing the grand jury indictment and subsequent arrest of one of those involved in the killing,â€? Shea said Saturday. Members of the NYPD Manhattan North Homicide Squad and the 26th Precinct Detective Squad worked with the Manhattan District Attorney’s ofďŹ ce to build the case against Weaver and present it to the grand jury. “The allegations are laid out in heartbreaking detail,â€?

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. said. “It paints a picture of the video evidence, blood, smartphone, iCloud, witness id and the defendant’s own statements that were throughly

examinedâ€? by the grand jury, resulting in the indictment. The criminal complaint, Vance said, noted in gruesome detail Majors’ ďŹ nal moments, including a desperate cry for help that served as her last words: “Help me, I’m being robbed.â€?

Majors, 18, was stabbed in the torso during an apparent robbery attempt in Morningside Park on the afternoon of Dec. 11, 2019. A security guard from Columbia University found her g ravely wounded on the edge of the park. She later died at Mount Sinai/St. Lukes Hospital.

The murder stunned the Barnard College campus as well as the surrounding community. Hundreds gathered in Morningside Park days later for a vigil to remember Majors and call for justice. Some residents had complained of robberies and other crimes in the area in the weeks

leading up to the homicide.

Within days, police sought and questioned several teenage boys connected to the homicide. One 13-yearold was taken into custody on murder and robbery charges, while another 14-year-old boy was questioned and released. A third suspect was located and also questioned.

The 13-year-old suspect in the Majors murder is being tried in family court, but under state law, Weaver — who turns 15 in two months — will be prosecuted in criminal court. Vance said that his ofďŹ ce “will be very careful to safeguard all the rights that he has as we go forward with this case.â€?

PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM/TESSMAJORS

Tessa Majors, a Barnard College student, was stabbed to death in Morningside Park on Dec. 11, 2019.

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9

de Blasio inks bill to help more victims suffering from 9/11

BY TODD MAISEL

T

he mayor signed a bill last week that will extend governmentfunded health care to families of all municipal workers, not just firefighters and police, who died in the line of duty or from 9/11-related diseases.

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Intro 1785 on Feb. 11 to cover municipal workers’ immediate family members, such as wives, domestic partners and their children.

“The families of city employees who make the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be taken care of by our city, now and always,” said de Blasio. “In that same vein, to protect our most vulnerable, we are taking a Vision Zero approach to lead and making lead exposure a thing of the past. Together, these bills will make the city fairer for the families of our heroes and for the youngest New Yorkers.”

Intro. 1785, sponsored by Council Member I. Daneek Miller and introduced at the request of Mayor de Blasio, extends healthcare benefits to surviving family members of the following employees: 1) civilian employees who die in the line of duty as a result of a 9/11-related illness, regardless of whether death occurred while in active service or in retirement, 2) civilian

PHOTO BY TODD MAISEL

This was the 18th anniversar y of the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center that killed thousands. People who worked there during rescue and recover y are still getting sick and dying from exposure to toxins.

employees who die from a non-9/11-related injury that is or was the natural and proximate result of an accident sustained while in the performance of duty, and 3) retired uniformed correction officers and uniformed sanitation workers who die while in retirement as a result of a 9/11-related illness. Under current law, survivor health benefits are provided if death occurs while in active service.

The law takes effect immediately, but only covers future medical expenses, not those that have already been incurred. Children of the workers are covered to age 19, or to age 26 while enrolled in college in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program.

There are 85 eligible families, and the list could grow to about 5,000, de Blasio said. Miller said the higher number could include workers who sustained 9-11 related

illnesses.

Many responders included non-uniformed workers who joined in the search for survivors. Many people who worked at the World Trade Center after the attacks developed illnesses, including asthma and much worse including cancer. Many of these illnesses have been linked to toxins from the crushed debris of the buildings.

Some of these unsung heroes include Sanitation workers, jail guards, parks workers, and many heavy equipment operators from a variety of agencies.

The legislation is expected to cost about $511,000 this year and $1.3 million in the next, according to the mayor’s office.

The bill does not replace the Federal Zadroga Act that was recently extended by Congress for an additional year, allowing those exposed to sign up for compensation to help cover illnesses and future illnesses that have not yet shown up.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently signed a bill giving public-sector workers pension and health benefits who got sick from working at the World Trade Center.

Many first responders continue to suffer the effects of exposure at the site, many of whom have since died from cancer attributed to their exposure to toxins during rescue and recovery operations.

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Lasker Pool redesign vote put off yet again

PHOTO BY TODD MAISEL

Manhattan residents are concerned about the fate of Lasker Pool and skating rink under a Central Park Conser vanc y proposal.

BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL-DOMENECH

T

he city’s Public Design Commission postponed a vote again Tuesday on a preliminary redesign for Central Park’s Lasker pool and rink. Out of the agency’s 10 commissioners, only ďŹ ve showed up to the Feb. 18 meeting. In order for the PDC to move forward or shelve any potential designs, at least six commissioners must be present at a meeting.

Some Lasker users showed up to the meeting in the hopes of convincing the commission to reconsider the size of the pool and rink, arguing that in a neighborhood with limited sports facilities, size matters.  “This is a city-wide battle over recreational space,â€? said Cressida Connolly, a parent present at the meeting.â€? We went through this with Gansevoort Peninsula with Hudson Trust ‌ so we have to push back at every point of contact.â€?

Today’s rescheduling marks the second time the PDC has postponed the vote which was originally scheduled for Jan. 21. But the agency failed to meet its six-person quorum. In 2018, the city and Central Park Conservancy, the agency in charge of the park’s maintenance, announced that the 50-year-old pool and rink would get $150 million worth of renovations. Renderings released by the conservancy earlier this year show drastic changes to the northern part of the park.

Besides a smaller rink and pool, the design calls for the creation of a boardwalk on top of a series of small islands and freshwater marsh close to the Harlem Meer. But the conservancy argues that smaller pool and rink are all the section of the park can handle adding that the “drastically out of scaleâ€? facility has caused problems for the greenspace. “It was built on top of a watercourse—a disastrous miscalculation that has caused chronic ooding of the site and impacted the facility from the beginning, â€? a statement from the conservancy says. “The new facility will continue to support a robust swimming, skating and hockey program.â€?

Construction on the new facility is set to start some time next year.Â

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11

Editorial

Our city’s lifesavers deserve a real salary Healing power of yoga

T

he emergency medical technicians (EMTs) of the New York City Fire Department have one of the toughest, high-pressure jobs in the city — and they do it well.

Last year, they responded to more than 1.5 million medical emergencies across the five boroughs — a daily average of more than 4,500 runs — saving countless lives in the process. They have to work fast and deal with difficult situations, knowing that in many cases, every lost second may bring their patient closer to death.

And yet, for all the incredible pressure they endure and the services they provide, a city EMT is also grossly underpaid. The entry-level salary for an FDNY EMT is just over $33,000 a year — or about $16 per hour. The city’s minimum wage is $15 per hour.

It’s sad and ironic that these lifesavers can’t get a livable wage from the city they serve.

The de Blasio Administration is quick to point out that EMT salaries climb to more than $54,000 a year after five years on the job. But, according to the unions representing EMTs, the reality is that many of these first responders can’t afford to hold out that

long for better pay.

The turnover rate for city EMTs is incredibly high. About 75% of the entire EMT force, according to the unions, has less than five years of experience.

It’s not just about workers who can’t handle the duties and find another career; the unions charge that it comes down to these workers can’t afford the ever-rising cost of living.

A rookie New York City police officer starts out with an annual salary of about $45,000. The same holds true for a probationary New York City firefighter. Both of these first responders are tasked with responding to emergencies and are trained to save lives.

There’s no reason for the city not to pay an EMT like a cop or a firefighter from the start of their careers — not when so many lives are at stake.

Negotiations are now underway between the unions and the de Blasio Administration to hammer out a new deal. We hope the city finally fixes this embarrassing pay disparity.

The de Blasio Administration must do what’s right and reward the life-saving EMTs with a livable wage. It’s the very least they deserve.

Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now, Downtown Express and Manhattan Express PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER CEO & CO-PUBLISHER EDITOR IN CHIEF REPORTERS

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VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS JOSHUA SCHNEPS ROBERT POZARYCKI GABE HERMAN ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL MARK HALLUM MICHELE HERMAN BOB KRASNER TEQUILA MINSKY MARY REINHOLZ PAUL SCHINDLER MARCOS RAMOS CLIFFORD LUSTER (718) 260-2504 CLUSTER@CNGLOCAL.COM GAYLE GREENBURG JIM STEELE JULIO TUMBACO ELIZABETH POLLY

Member of the New York Press Association

in 1972

Villager staff photo

T

his photo from the March 9, 1972 issue of The Villager was part of an article with the headline, “Yoga As Drug Therapy Gains Respect on 12th Street.” The Yoga Head Program was started in 1970, the article by Su DeBroske noted, at Horizon Center by a student at the Integral Yoga Institute in Greenwich Village, as the Addiction Service Agency explored potential positive effects of yoga for therapy against drug abuse.

The caption read, “Horizon Center Yoga Head Program has been a boon to many former addicts seeking control of their minds and bodies.”

— Gabe Herman

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www.TheVillager.com Schneps Media

News from Vance prosecutor misconduct accusations could cost millions

BY GREG B. SMITH THE CITY

O

ver the last two years, several engineering firms signed deals with Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. to pay nearly $7 million after their executives were charged in a wide-ranging construction bribery scheme.

Now all of those forfeiture agreements are up in the air as Vance examines allegations that the prosecutor leading those cases deliberately withheld evidence favorable to the defendants, THE CITY has learned.

The revisiting of the big-money deals marks the latest development in the ongoing prosecutorial misconduct inquiry into outgoing Assistant District Attorney Diana Florence, until recently one of Vance’s top deputies.

Florence resigned last month and was replaced as the head of Vance’s Construction Fraud Task Force after the allegations surfaced. She was the lead prosecutor in the multi-defendant construction bribery case, bringing criminal charges against four firms and their executives, and seeking a nonprosecution deal with a fifth firm.

Vance is now reviewing all of the cases — and “the civil [forfeiture] resolutions are part of the pending review,” his spokesperson, Emily Tuttle, confirmed to THE CITY. All of that forfeiture money ends up with the law enforcement agencies that brought the case, including the Manhattan DA’s Office.

Over the last several years, Vance has accumulated tens of millions of dollars in forfeiture funds — far more than any other DA in the city — via settlements with various corporate entities, including several big banks charged with fraud.

According to the latest available disclosure forms, Vance reported having $222 million in forfeiture money as of June 30, 2018. He distributed some to other law enforcement agencies, and spent some on training, investigations and pricey travel.

A ‘Personal Swamp’ The bribery cases that would generate more millions for the DA’s forfeiture account were announced by Vance at a news conference in April 2018 with Florence at his side.

Indictments alleged four firms illegally obtained millions of dollars in Schneps Media

PHOTO: ROSE M. MCDOWELL/MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

government water system contracts by bribing a mid-level city bureaucrat for confidential information during the bidding process.

Vance portrayed the companies as benefitting handsomely by engaging in under-the-table payouts, asserting that “a handful of industry players transformed our city’s water infrastructure procurement process into their own personal swamp.”

Diana Florence walks out of a Manhattan court after a case she was prosecuting was dismissed, Jan. 5, 2020. Photo: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY All told, Vance and Florence said the tainted contracts totalled $177,609,293 over 10 years. Vance’s Asset Forfeiture Unit then filed civil lawsuits against the firms, demanding that they repay the full value of all the contracts. They called this money the “proceeds of crime.”

The amounts were enormous.

HAKS Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, for instance, had won five contracts worth $71.4 million.

D&B Engineers & Architects notched 11 contracts worth $73 million. Haider Engineering secured two contracts worth $12.8 million.

Simco Engineering, not a minorityowned firm, engaged in a scheme to win 28 subcontracts worth $11.7 million posing as a minority-owned firm, prosecutors charged.

Soon all four firms were trying to negotiate lower payments, agreeing to hire “integrity monitors” to oversee their procurement practices going forward.

They each signed off on deferred prosecution agreements that would result in all charges erased after three years, in exchange for various forfeiture payments.

HAKS, now called Atane Consulting, agreed to pay $3 million after two of its executives pleaded guilty to bribery charges. D&B agreed to pay $1.8 million even before its president was found guilty of bribery in a nonjury trial. Simco and Haider agreed to pay $1 million each after their owners pleaded guilty to bribery charges.

D&B and Haider have already turned over a total of $2.1 million. Haks and Simco were scheduled to begin paying in the coming months.

Firms Looking for Reliefs Now all four are in talks with the DA about whether the prosecutorial misconduct allegations negate the deals. In the end, the money could wind up being sent back to the firms that already have written the checks, with the rest of the agreed-upon payments cancelled.

John Martin, an attorney for Simco, said Vance’s internal investigation will ultimately determine how much — if anything — the firm will have to pay.

“It’s going to depend on how they

deal with each individual,” he said. “The company is hopeful. Whether they get released from it or not, they’re hoping for some relief.”

Anthony Capozollo, attorney for D&B Engineers, which the DA’s office said has to date paid $1.1 million of the $1.8 million in forfeiture it owes, said only, “We’re talking with the DA about whatever implications the public revelations have for our client.”

Michael Scotto, an attorney for Haks, would not discuss how the misconduct investigation might affect the firm’s deal to pay $3 million in forfeiture, except to say “we’re in a dialogue with the DA’s office.”

A fifth firm, the Kansas-based Black & Veatch, worked with the DA to hammer out a nonprosecution agreement after one of its vice presidents was charged with bribery. Charges against that executive, Kyriacos Pierides, were dismissed by a judge last month due to the misconduct accusations.

On Tuesday, Andrew Lankler, an attorney for Black & Veatch, declined to discuss details of the arrangement, including any forfeiture payments.

This story was originally published on Feb. 19, 2020, by THE CITY, an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.

Februar y 20, 2020

13

Jon Batiste to help mark Rockwood Hall milestone

BY EMILY DAVENPORT

A

local music hall is celebrating 15 years of business with a massive lineup of shows throughout the month of February.

Rockwood Music Hall, located at 196 Allen St., is celebrating their 15th Anniversary with an epic lineup of shows from up and coming artists that have helped shape the hall over the years. Each night in February, multiple performances will take place on all three of their stages, ensuring that each night of their anniversary month is a rockin’ good time.

Though the lineup is already huge, new shows are being added regularly. On Feb. 24, Jon Batiste is joining in on the fun and will play a surprise show at Rockwood Music Hall as a part of the 15th Anniversary

celebration. The show will take place on Stage 2 at 11 p.m.

Batiste first graced the stage at Rockwood Music Hall on Sept. 27, 2010. Widely known for his work as the leader of the band Stay Human and musician & band leader for “The Late Show with Steven Colbert,�

Batiste will bring his unique blend of “celestial jazz� to the stage for an unforgettable night.

Other recently announced additions to the lineup include Kevin Garrett, known for his work on Beyonce’s Lemonade album, on Feb. 22, DeShawn Alexander, on Feb. 27 and Francis Aud on Feb. 29. More special guests will be announced before the month’s end.

Tickets for all of the shows are available at rockwoodmusichall.com. Visit their website to see the complete lineup of shows.

BANNER COURTESY OF ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL

Jon Batiste will per form at Rock wood Music Hall on Feb. 24.

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212.337.9400 Schneps Media

Plenty of Manhattan donors for Buttigieg: study

BY EMILY DAVENPORT

M

anhattan really likes “Mayor Pete,” according to a new interactive map documenting 2020 presidential race donations across New York City.

The RentHop sought to find out which candidates in the 2020 election were getting the most support by looking at which ZIP codes have the most unique donors for each candidate. According to their findings, New York City as a whole is “Feeling the Bern” — Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders had the most unique donors with 6,971 in total last year.

Former South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg is behind Sanders with 5,025 donors, with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren following with 4,668 donors. President Trump is next in line with 3,058, and former Vice President Joe Biden trails behind with 2,804 donors.

In Manhattan, Buttigieg is leading the way with 3,928 unique donors overall. In particular, Buttigieg scooped up 416 donors in the 10011 ZIP code (Chelsea/ Midtown West), 339 unique donors in 10023 (Upper West Side), 288 in 10024, 210 in 10003 (East Village), and 182 in 10128 (Upper East Side), all of which when

PHOTO BY MARK HALLUM

Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads the Democratic field of presidential contenders in financial donors from Manhattan.

combined totaled $2,321,833.39 in donations.

Though Buttigieg maintained the highest number in Manhattan, Sanders followed behind with 2,787 unique donors. Warren and Biden followed with 2,341 donors and 2,281 donors, respectively, with Biden picking up two support in the 10021 ZIP code with 198 donors and the 10028 ZIP code with 147 donors, both in the Upper East Side.

Like the city as a whole, Brooklyn had the most support for Sanders with 2,797 total unique donors. Sanders picked up the most donors in the 11216 ZIP code (Bedford Stuyvesant) with 177 donors, followed by the 11222 area (Little Poland) with 170 donors. Following behind Sanders is Warren, who had 1,791 total donors — she also picked up the most donors in the 11215 ZIP code (South Slope) with 283 unique donors and the 11201 ZIP code (Downtown Brooklyn) with 220 unique donors.

In Queens, Sanders maintain the most support with 984 donors.

Northwestern Queens showed a lot of support for Sanders, particularly in the 11101 (Long Island City) area with 53 donors,

SCREENSHOT VIA RENTHOP.COM

the 11106 area (Long Island City) also with 53 donors, and the 11105 area (Steinway) with 58 donors. However, Queens also garnered a fair amount of support for Trump: in total, Trump secured 867 unique donors. Queens’ 11357 ZIP code (Whitestone) mustered up 54 unique donors for Trump, followed by 23 in the 11379 ZIP code (Middle Village).

Up in the Bronx, Sanders had the most unique donors with 205 in total, with Trump close behind with 185 donors. While Sanders had many ZIP codes with the

most donors, including 10463 (Riverdale) with 51 unique donors, Trump picked up the most support in the 10465 ZIP code (Eastchester Bay) with 42 donors.

Out on Staten Island, Trump maintained his support with 388 unique donors last year, which Sanders behind him with 127 donors. While most ZIP codes on Staten Island favored Trump, the borough had one outlier: the 10301 ZIP code (Silver Lake) showed more support for Sanders with 27 total donors, followed by 23 donors for Trump.

Hoylman, senators look to ban ‘ghost guns’

BY GRANT LANCASTER

N

ew York Legislators proposed bills on Feb. 14, the second anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, aimed at banning ‘ghost guns’ – firearms without serial numbers – and partially finished firearm receivers that are sometimes used to create these unmarked firearms.

The Scott J. Beigel Unfinished Receivers Act, named after the New-York-born teacher who was killed while trying to protect students during the Parkland shooting, would make it illegal to own or sell an unfinished firearm receiver without a gunsmith license, according to a press release Friday.

The Jose Webster Untraceable Firearms Act, named after a 16-year-old shot to death in the Bronx in 2011, would prohibit the sale and possession of ‘ghost guns,’ Schneps Media

defined by the bill as any firearm without a registered serial number, according to the press release.

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, who sponsored the Webster Act, thinks that these two bills are vital to keeping New Yorkers safe from gun violence, she said.

“Technology has improved, and it’s easier than ever to produce a virtually undetectable weapon capable of mass destruction with little effort or expertise in the comfort of your own home,” Rosenthal said.

The unfinished receivers, typically called 80% receivers, are not legally firearms under the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, but can be finished with simple tools into a working firearm without a serial number for tracking, according to the press release.

These ‘ghost guns’ make it easy for a person to get an untraceable

PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

firearm without going through the background checks required by law, said state Senator Brad Hoylman, who sponsored the Webster Act. “Law enforcement officials are speaking out, saying ‘ghost guns’ are a clear and present danger in New York,” Hoylman said. “Yet somehow, a loophole in federal law means this is all completely legal.”

State Senator Anna Kaplan,

who sponsored the Beigel Act, thinks partially finished firearm receivers are dangerous because they let people get their hands on unregistered and dangerous firearms, she said.

“This loophole gives people an end-run around our existing gun safety laws, and it’s unfortunately being exploited by people who would otherwise fail a background check,” Kaplan said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed banning the sale of unregistered ‘ghost guns’ by anyone other than licensed firearms dealers in his 2020 State of the State agenda Jan. 2. The proposal would also prevent people forbidden from owning a firearm from owning any major parts of firearms.

“This common sense measure would ban these untraceable guns and require anyone who wants to build their own firearm to come out of the shadows once and for all,” Cuomo said.

Assembly Member Charles Lavine, who sponsored the Biegel Act with Kaplan, thinks these laws would help stem the flow of untraceable guns into New York communities, he said.

“If you want to own a gun in New York, you need to go through a background check, and that gun needs to have a serial number.

Period,” Lavine said.

Februar y 20, 2020

15

Education

CMOM interactive exhibit expands tots’ minds

BY BETH DEDMAN

D

ozens of children climb in, on and around the brightly-colored comic book version of New York City.

The kids may not realize that while they are having fun, they are also exercising the executive functions of their developing minds.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan opened their latest exhibit Feb. 14, which is designed to encourage children to practice self-control, mental flexibility and working memory.

The 1,500 square foot exhibit, Superpowered Metropolis: Early Learning City™, features the adventures of Zip, Zap and Zoom, three pigeons who encourage children to train the “superpowers” of their minds by carrying out missions in a comic book-inspired New York City. The missions include navigating the subway system, making music with found instruments, exploring the pigeons’ headquarters and learning through experimentation.

“In the Early Learning City, grown-ups and kids can hit the road together and learn. We want them to feel empowered to help these kids’ brains and EMF skills are like superpowers for the brain,” said Lizzy Martin, director of exhibition development and museum planning.

Martin has overseen the development of the exhibit for the past couple of years, beginning the project because of a study that showed that executive function skills spike in children between ages 0-5, Martin said.

Martin wanted pigeons to be a main component of the exhibit because children see pigeons everywhere, which would help the kids remember the learning exercises they experienced at the museum everywhere they go in the city. With help from the Bezos Family Foundation and their early learning program, Vroom, they were able to bring Martin’s vision to life.

The museum consulted artists and

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Februar y 20, 2020

illustrators from Marvel comics for the design of the super-pigeons and their NYC world, Martin said.

The exhibit includes the Treehouse Headquarters of the pigeons, a Supercharged NYC Train Table, Musical Subway Car, Whimsical Wind Blowing Fountain, Superpowered Phone Booth, Baby Central Station and the Pigeon Mobile, all of which encourage the kids in hands-on exercises that work their brain.

The only digital component of the exhibit is the three computers with digital Brain Building Games designed by NYU’s CREATE Lab. “Executive functions are not about making a child an executive, it’s about giving them control over themselves,” Martin said.

All of the missions and signs in the Early Learning City are translated in both English and Spanish.

“This is a wonderful thing for the children, especially when it’s cold outside,” said Joan Worrell, a nanny for two little boys. “We love the whimsical fountain. I’ve never seen anything like that before and it’s a wonderful experience. We come here all the time, so when they said they were opening something new down here- this is just awesome.”

Children can also utilize the museum’s maker spaces to create the costume elements of each pigeon as a tangible reminder of the lessons they learned at the museum, Martin said.

Darsana Sabar is a member of the CMOM and brings her three kids to the museum a lot when they are not in school.

“I love all of the new sensory stuff they have: the smells, and the sounds and the baby area. It’s nice that it’s here because museums don’t always have baby spaces,” Sabar said. “It’s very imaginative. I don’t know where these super hero pigeons came from but my kid loves it. It’s also very New York City-themed and fun, which seems

PHOTOS BY BETH DEDMAN

kind of silly because we’re in New York City but my kids love it.”

Elements of the exhibit will be incorporated in homeless shelters around the city so that kids experiencing homelessness can also expand the capacity of their executive functions, said Leslie Bushara, Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Deputy Director of Education and Exhibitions. They will also be invited to special events where they can come to the main exhibit in the museum.

The museum is visited annually by 350,000 people with some 50,000 people enjoying free or reduced admission.

“CMOM’s founding mission is to serve as a valued resource for all families and community partners. Superpowered Metropolis is the latest of the Museum’s immersive, imaginative exhibits which are deeply anchored in research and playful experiences,” Bushara said.

For more information, visit cmom.org.

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Februar y 20, 2020

17

New Chelsea art show all about saving bees

BY GABE HERMAN

A

Chelsea exhibition by local artist Judi Harvest explores the world of bees, including their important role in pollinating plants for the global food supply, the ongoing issue of their disappearance in large numbers, and raising awareness of the need for their preservation.

“SEED” opened in early February at David Krut Projects, at 526 West 26th St. The exhibition includes oil paintings and sculptures that were made with expert glassmakers in Italy.

Judi Harvest is a Chelsea resident who has been fascinated with bees since colony collapse disorder, and the importance of bees in the ecosystem, gained more attention in the mid-2000s.

Harvest also spends time in Venice, where she has had many shows over the years, and in 2013 she realized a parallel with bees and the struggles of the glass blower industry in Murano, an island of Venice.

Handmade glassmaking has declined in Murano do to imports of mass produced items, Harvest noted, and a factory there was losing most of its jobs. “Wow, this is the same thing happening to the bees,” Harvest recalls saying at the time.

She conceived of the exhibition as a way to bring attention to nature and the factory, working with Murano glassblowers to create sculptures of bees, honeycombs, fruits and seeds of all types. “This project was amazing and really worked,” she said.

The project also included making glass jars into honeycomb shapes, using hexagonal chicken wire to form the glass. Buyers of the jars also get honey with it, which comes from bee colonies Harvest has set up, and which are replenished every year.

The exhibition first ran in Venice, then went to Miami.

The objects were then brought to Harvest’s Chelsea studio, which is down the hall from David Krut Projects. In a happy accident, people from the gallery noticed the artworks and that led to the show, Harvest noted.

Harvest had several hives on the roof of the Chelsea building, but the bees’ health started to decline, especially after the nearby Hudson Yards development was built, Harvest said, and they went back to a home in Connecticut. “I really miss them,” Harvest said of the bees, who she would talk to, and sold some of the honey at Union Square.

The glass objects in the exhibition have three sections: Past, Present and Future. Past and Present are based on items from the garden Harvest started just next to the Murano glass factory, an ongoing project since 2013.

The Past sections includes various types of plants, seeds and honeycombs. Present includes fruits and vegetables, but Harvest says they are also a comment on our current food industries, because beneath the colorful surfaces, there may be chemicals or pesticides in food. “Who knows if everything we’re eating that’s organic is really organic, which

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Februar y 20, 2020

PHOTO BY GABE HERMAN

Ar tist Judi Har vest at the SEED exhibition.

The SEED exhibition includes oil paintings and glass ar tworks. (Judi Har vest/David Krut Projects)

PHOTO BY GABE HERMAN

Honey Vessels lined up at the show.

Objects in the Present section.

is what this Present case is about,” Harvest said.

The Future section features clear, “frozen” versions of plants and seeds, and came from Harvest’s interest in a seed bank in Norway Glass ar t works in the Past secwhich stores over tion.

850,000 types of seeds.

“People have to protect essence of glass is fragility, and the meseeds, because if they dium is the message,” she said. don’t this whole natural Her next show will include bats and balance we have will be The Future section has clear, “fro- their pollination of plants at night, to zen” items. gone,” Harvest said. complement bees in the daytime. “I think Oil paintings in the exhibition includes a look at hon- this exhibition is just the perfect link into that,” Harvest said eycombs in different seasons, and homages to the waggle of the upcoming bat show. dance, used by bees to communicate important information Harvest said there were parallels with bees and the like the location of flowers and water. teamwork with glass makers that it took to make the bee Harvest’s love for animals has gone into her work beyond project happen. just bees. In 2001, she did a show based on rhinos and “One honeybee alone can’t accomplish anything, one particularly their endangerment because of the market for artist now can’t accomplish anything. It takes a team,” she their horns. She also used glass in her rhino show, along with said. “I love to have something that’s meaningful and brings making glass pillows for a show about dreams. awareness when I do my work.”

Harvest said there is a magical quality to working with More information about the exhibit can be found at glass, and one that relates to environmental issues. “The davidkrut.com.

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Judson Memorial celebrates Black History Month

BY TEQUILA MINSK Y

I

n a very special service, Black Women as Sacred Text, Judson Memorial Church community members paid homage to Black History Month on Feb. 16.

Judson is known to intermesh the arts with the spiritual. In its adaptive sanctuary, rows circled an open space where Nehemoyia Young moved and spoke around the altar she created incorporating images, fruits, and important quotes. The altar became in part a hub for service.

Circle sing ing by SPACE —three

creatives—involved extemporaneous vocalizing and harmonies of sounds, while encouraging the congregation to join with them. Spoken word artist/poet Nia Calloway (Judson Artistin-Residence) used movement to offer reflection.

Vanisha Gould, with her jazz trio, completely entranced the congregation with her jazz rendition entitled Song of Songs.

In the most respectful and inspirational way, the special service (lasting one hour longer than usual), wove together reflections, dance, music and prayer, engaging, challenging and inspiring the community as it marked Black History Month.

Nehemoyia Young mingles the secular and the sacred, creating an altar with natural items, tech, and printed quotes.

Brooklyn-based Michelle Y. Thompson, a singersongwriter, photographer, and cultural worker, and Director of Ar ts and Community Engagement at Judson, was instrumental in the inspirational morning.

SPACE vocalizes and encourages the congregation to vocalize with them.

Entranced by Vanisha Gould’s Song of Songs, the congregation is seated surrounding the ar tistic creation of Nehemoyia Young’s altar.

Nehemoyia Young mingles the secular and the sacred at the Judson event.

Vanisha Gould’s trio and Song of Songs.

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Calloway’s reflection, more than mere words, when describing the middle passage.

“Celebrate with Me,”

by Lucille Clifton, read

by Jamya Montrevil and Janay Cauthen.

Spoken word and movement reflections from Nia Calloway.

Spoken word and movement reflections from Nia Calloway.

PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY

Februar y 20, 2020

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MTA transit vets honor Tuskegee Airmen

BY BETH DEDMAN

T

he MTA New York City Transit’s Veteran Employee Resource Group honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a tribute at the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in Harlem on Feb. 14, marking the group’s ďŹ rst Black History Month event. The bus depot, originally the 100th Street Bus Depot, was renamed in 2012 to honor the 332nd Fighter Group, a African American pilots who served in World War II. After the war, 12 Tuskegee veterans moved to Harlem and worked in the NYC Transit System. Their pictures proudly hang on the Wall of Fame in the depot’s lobby.

The honorees included Reginald T. Brewster, Victor A. Collymore, Conrad A. DeSandies, Harry R. Dickenson, John R. Freeman, Noel R. Harris, Oscar W. Hawkins, Austin D. McKenzie, Maury M. Reid, Jr., Percy E. Sutton, Victor W. Terrelonge, Fred O. Wilson “We are thrilled to honor this legendary group of national heroes, our depot namesake, for our ďŹ rst Black History Month event,â€? said Manolin Tirado, Chairperson of the NYC Transit Veterans Employee Resource Group. “African American veterans

PHOTO : ANDREW CASHIN/MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT

MTA New York Cit y Transit’s Veterans Employee Resource Group held a tribute today for the Tuskegee Airmen, the legendar y 332nd fighter group of African American pilots who ser ved in World War II, in celebration of Black Histor y Month.

and Transit employees have made critical, seless contributions to protecting Americans and helping to move New York City, which makes today’s ceremony particularly special.�

The guest speakers of the event included former Rep. Charles B. Rangel, a resident of Harlem and Korean War veteran; MTA Chief Diversity OfďŹ cer Michael Garner; and Patt Terrelonge, daughter of Tuskegee

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“The Pelican� and “Isle of the Dead�

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Airman and NYC Transit employee Victor Terrelonge. She also serves as the Vice President of the Tri-State Tuskegee Airmen Chapter.

The event also coincided with the oneyear anniversary of the NYC Transit’s Veterans Employee Resource Group.

The group is one of nine afďŹ nity groups within NYC Transit’s Diversity Council, and increased their membership from its

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Eats

Big beer throwdown at Brookfield Place

BY ALEX MITCHELL

L

ast week, Brookfield Place became a battle ground for a subway (and ferry) series of New York City’s best breweries and beer makers.

The four night long competition featured 15 breweries scattered throughout the five boroughs, pouring out a “competition beer” served in a flight along side four opposing breweries during one of the three ‘opening round’ sessions. Each evening’s voted winner advanced to the fourth and final round along with two popular ‘wild card’ beers.

The first rounds were broken down as: NIGHT ONE • Circa Brewing Co. — Tazzy IPA (7.1%) • Flagship Brewery – Blood Orange IPA (6.9%) • Gun Hill Brewing Company — Homebrew Hero: Ralph Brutus (6.5%) • LIC Beer Project — Coded Tiles Pale Ale (5.0%) • TALEA-Cherryberry — Tart Deco (7.5%) NIGHT TWO • Bronx Brewery — Blockbuster CrossCountry (8.5%) • Coney Island Brewing Co. — Merman NY IPA (5.8%) • Finback Brewery — Land Lines Pilsner (4.7%) • KCBC Brewery — Superhero Sidekicks IPA (6.9%)

The owners of Talea accept the Best Brews of New York trophy.

• Sixpoint Brewery — Trail Haze (4.0%) NIGHT THREE • Big aLIce Brewing Co. — Date Night, Bro? (6.3%) • Bridge and Tunnel Brewery — Urban Styles (Milkshake IPA) (6.2%) • Fifth Hammer Brewing Company — SourVision: Plum (5.5%) • Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. — Greenpoint Lekker (4.9%) • Torch & Crown Brewing Company — Intersect Hazy Session IPA (5.1%) Out of those rounds, it was Talea, Bronx Brewery, Torch & Crown Brewing

A ser ver pours out a pitcher during the competition.

Company that won their divisions while Finback and KCBC took two wildcard spots in the finals on Feb. 13th.

Talea, which holds proud roots in being female and veteran owned swept the finals by reserving its Cherryberry Tart Deco beer — a natural crowd pleaser down

by Wall Street. That brewery also plans on opening a Williamsburg taproom in upcoming months.

The Bronx Brewery’s co-founder Damian Brown was pouring beers behind the stand on the night of the finals, brining along an old school boombox and plenty of brews, such as his City Island sour IPA.

KCBC had its detail oriented designed cans on display, which are 3-D compatible if the proper eye ware is worn.

Torch & Crown brought along a coffee, chocolatey stout that will be served up in its anticipated SoHo taproom, a one-of-a-kind spot for Manhattan.

Finback represented Queens while serving a very intense, triple IPA brew as well.

One beer that didn’t reach the finals but was the talk of round one’s guests was Flagship’s “Pizza Rat Pilsner,” a collaboration with the brewery’s neighboring minor league baseball club, the Staten Island Yankees.

Chelsea Market sandwich shop causes ‘Mayhem’

BY ALEX MITCHELL

C

helsea Market has a new sandwich joint in town that’s absolute “Mayhem.”

Manhattan-based Mayhem Sandwiches opened its counter smack in the middle of the market last week, serving up some of NYC’s most loaded lunches around — and, coming soon, plenty of local brews to wash them down.

Mayhem, which operates a flagship location in Urbanspace Vanderbilt food hall near Grand Central Station has brought a refined menu to get started in Chelsea, according to co-owner and head chef, Jay Brown.

The monstrous Mayhem menu of sandwiches includes Porchetta with balsamic onions, caper mayo, with arugula and breadcrumbs; Roast Turkey with bacon, pimento cheese, veggie salad, and lettuce; and The Dragon, a smoke-braised pork named for the dragon Asian barbecue sauce its topped with alongside some slaw.

Then there’s the Smoked Meat, which Brown predicts to become the hot commodity of the new Mayhem spot. This behemoth of a deli delight is a smoked beef “kinda” like that of pastrami with grainy mustard, fennel and cumin rub plus

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PHOTO BY ALEX MITCHELL

A “Smoked Meat” paired with mac and cheese

slaw slabbed throughout its two slices of rye bread.

It is intimidating, it is massive, and it is a delicious twist to a classic city concept.

Though, it’s only truly complete with a side of Mayhem’s mac and cheese. That side dish’s creamy nature comes across with a hybrid taste familiar of two mainstream mac icons:

Boston Market and Panera Bread.

Another plus to Brown’s mac and cheese is the generous volume per serving, which combined with a massive sandwich will leave even the most mayhem wreaking market shoppers full and satisfied.

In the event you crave something aside from the mac and cheese, some other sides offered at Chelsea market’s Mayhem location are: broccoli and potato salads, chips, and house pickles as well.

As the menu evolves over time, Mayhem and Brown also plan on introducing some customized craft beers brewed from both The Bronx and Brooklyn as well.

Working with two breweries that battled to be the best in NYC, Gun Hill Brewing uptown and KCBC in Brooklyn, Mayhem will be unveiling two unique pours that will properly pair with Mayhem’s array of sandwiches and sides.

Previously, Mayhem and KCBC collaborated to make “Total Mayhem,” an a 6.3% IPA with a vividly graphic can design.

While those beer collaborations are still in the works, there’s plenty at Mayhem’s Chelsea Market counter to keep NYC’s hungry shoppers satisfied.

Februar y 20, 2020

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Februar y 20, 2020

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Extra!

Extra!

Local News Read all about it!

www.TheVillager.com

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Februar y 20, 2020

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Manhattan Happenings Feb. 20-26 THURSDAY, FEB. 20

1

Winter Films Awards International Film Festival

The 9th annual festival runs Feb. 20-29 and will feature screenings of 79 films from countries in all genres. Patrons must pay for each screening, or they can purchase an “All-You-Can Watch Weekend” ticket, which covers eight viewing blocks for $70. There will also be free panel discussions and parties at the festival. www.winterfilmawards.com

2

NYC Cupcake Bakery Crawl of the Village

Join Molly’s Bakery on a tour of the West and East Village in a sampling of some of the best baked goods the city has to offer. The crawl lasts about 90 minutes, beginning at 10 a.m., and covers about 1.5 miles of the city. Tickets for the crawl are $55. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-cupcake-bakerycrawl-of-the-village-tickets-90562814817

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

3

“What’s Your Stuf?” OREO Slide

The makers of Milk’s Favorite Cookie are bringing a five-lane slide to Herald Square from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to have the public vote on the optimal level of “stuf” for an OREO cookie. Voters will slide down the lane representing OREO Thins, OREO Original, OREO Double Stuf, OREO Mega Stuf, or the OREO Most Stuf and an on-site leaderboard will live tally the results throughout the day.

Every slider will get a free sample of their preferred OREO.

4

Harkness Dance Festival

The Passport to Dance festival is the first international edition of the Harkness Dance Festival and will begin with the show Passport to Dance: Perfect Skill and will feature the talents of Jaewoo Jung with Braveman

from Seoul at 8 p.m. The dance festival continues until March 21 and tickets for each performance are $35. https://www.92y.org/harkness-dance-festival

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

5

NYC Beer Week

The NYC Brewers Guild invites you to join them for their week of festivities, beginning with an opening bash lasting all day and featuring music from DJ Rob Swift. This unlimited sampling festival includes beers from dozens of local and out-of-state breweries and food from partners like Lager Dog and Empanada Papa.

General admission tickets are $75, VIP tickets are $115 and designated driver tickets are $20. https://www.nycbrewed.com/

6

Black History Month Film Festival

The Queens Underground 718 is celebrating black filmmakers and artists with the debut of their first international film festival from 5-10 p.m. at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens. General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/film-festival-1st-ever-blackhistory-multi-genre-red-carpet-tickets-82619119009

7

MaxFun NYC ‘Strikes’ Back

Do you like bowling? Join this group of enthusiasts for an evening of carefree pin-knocking at Melody Lanes. Make some friends, strikes and memories and then head over to Minnie’s Bar afterwards. Expenses range from $9-$18. The Dude abides.

Melody Lanes, 461 37th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

8

Grand Bazaar NYC Vintage Popup

Browse racks of vintage clothing, check out some retro furniture and expand your collections of vinyl,

antiques and cameras. From 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., the Grand Bazaar welcomes you to peruse this pop-up from the past and enjoy some artisanal food in their food court. All proceeds benefit four local public schools.

Grand Bazaar NYC 100 West 77th Street New York, NY 10024

9

Black History Month: Poetry Hike

Take a hike! And learn about some of the most influential African-American poets while enjoying the outdoors. Urban Park Rangers will show attendees the wonders of Pelham Bay Park and read from the works of Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou.

The Hike starts at 1 p.m. at the Pelham Bay Nature Center. There will be arts and crafts related to the poetry available for younger children.

Contact (718) 319-7258 for more information.

MONDAY, FEB. 24

10

East Village Prohibition Pub Crawl

Celebrate the repeal of the 18th Amendment, with a historical tour of hidden speakeasies and pubs around the East Village. Learn the historical context of the Prohibition Era, including where the gangsters got their grog, why women ran the Temperance Movement and the climate of NYC leading up to Prohibition. Tickets are $74 and should be purchased in advance. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ east-village-prohibition-pub-crawl-tickets-88066941593

TUESDAY, FEB. 25

11

Jump Into the Light VR Art Fest and Tournament

Watch the artists at work or join the competition to create, draw or sculpt the next greatest masterpiece using virtual reality art program, Tilt Brush. Each contestant will have 45 minutes to create their artwork and competitors will be matched based on their skill levels. Two winners at this contest in NYC will have their work displayed on a Times Square billboard and the local winner also gets an Artist in Residency at Jump Into the Light. Tickets are $5 for spectators and $29 for competitors. The competition will carry on from 12-9 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ nyc-vr-art-fest-and-tournament-tickets-85594626833

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

12 PHOTO COURTESY OF URBAN VILLAGE TOURS

Celebrate the repeal of Prohibition during a tour of East Village speakeasies of yester year on Feb. 24.

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Februar y 20, 2020

The Orchid Show NYC

Shake off those winter blues with a trip to The New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show, and witness thousands of species of outstanding orchids arranged by floral designer Jeff Leathem to resemble a kaleidoscope. The show will last until April 19. Allaccess tickets for the New York Botanical Garden are $23 and are available at https://www.nybg.org/visit/ admission/?keyword=tickets.

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Come to a New York Family Camp Fair to Get Organized • Daycare & Childcare • A Patchwork of Summer Activities • School and Education Programs Saturday, February 28th 12 – 3PM St Jean Baptiste High School 173 East 75th Street New York, NY 10021

Sunday, March 1st 12 – 3PM Congregation Rodeph Sholom 7 West 83rd Street New York, NY 10024

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Februar y 20, 2020

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