Downtown Express, December 1, 2011 by Schneps Media

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SWEET ON VIRIDIAN ARTISTS INC., P. 22

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VOLUME 24, NUMBER 28

THE NEWSPAPER OF LOWER MANHATTAN

Canon salute for Castle Clinton

Third, and final, school rezoning plan revealed

On Friday, Nov. 25 Castle Clinton celebrated its 200th anniversary, with a bang.

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

Methadone clinic’s possible move Downtown comes as surprise BY CYNTHIA MAGNUS A methadone treatment clinic, Gramercy Park Services LLC, has received tentative approval from the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to relocate to 90 Maiden Lane, according

to one source at the agency. Community Board 1 members were surprised to learn just before Thanksgiving of the clinic’s planned move downtown without any public notification. Catherine McVay-Hughes, C.B. 1 vice chair, said, “No one reached out to

NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 6, 2011

C.B. 1 in advance of this plan. We hope at the next C.B. 1 Financial District Committee meeting to get answers to the many questions we have, such as the potential impact on our community.”

Continued on page 4

BY JOHN BAYLES The NYC Dept. of Education’s third go-around at a proposal to rezone schools in Lower Manhattan was unveiled on Monday night. And although the plan will likely be approved, it is still unsettling in the minds of some Downtown teachers, parents and education advocates. The major difference between the previous proposals is how P.S. 234 will be zoned. Before Monday night, numerous parents in Tribeca were concerned with the D.O.E.’s decision to split Tribeca, sending children in the southern part of the neighborhood to P.S. 234 and zoning children in the northern part of the neighborhood for P.S. 3 in Greenwich Village or P.S. 1 Chinatown. That plan was heavily criticized and led to District 2 Community Education Council voting down the proposal earlier this month. But keeping the P.S. 234 zone the same will result in a waitlist for parents hoping to secure their kindergarten age children a spot in the

popular school. This school year P.S. 234 had a waitlist of 38 children. At Monday’s meeting, D.O.E. representatives predicted a waitlist just as long come next year. Prior to the latest plan, numerous parents had expressed the view that they would take their chances on a lottery and deal with the waitlist scenario rather than be zoned for a school other than P.S. 234. Tricia Joyce, Community Board 1 member and Co-Chair of the P.S. 234 Committee on Overcrowding, said the biggest problem with the rezoning process as a whole was summed up when one audience member approached a representative from the D.O.E. “A woman walked up and said, ‘I’m begging you to do something or else my children will not have a school seat in my neighborhood,’” recalled Joyce. It’s ultimately the children that are losing due to the current methodology used by the D.O.E. in rezoning scenarios, mentioned Joyce. When asked, “Who is winning?” Joyce noted that

Continued on page 5

November 30 - December 6, 2011

downtown express

INSIDETrack with President Stephen J. Friedman

The Global Marketplace: Challenges and Opportunities Mario J. Gabelli, one of the leading investors of our time and Institutional Investor’s “Money Manager of the Year,” shares his insights on navigating and prospering in our rapidly changing world economy. Downtown Express photo by John Bayles

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts Pace University 3 Spruce Street New York, NY 10038

Please register online by December 8, 2011, at

www.pace.edu/insidetrack.

Jason Vahle shows off a 13-foot Noble Fir, freshly delivered from Oregon.

SoHo Trees back for its 21st holiday season For 21 years, SoHo Square, at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Spring Street, has been occupied with Christmas trees. The company, owned by Scott Lechner, has been cutting, selling, decorating and delivering Christmas trees for over two decades. The triangular park on the border of SoHo and Hudson Square has been Lechner’s operational base since the early 80s. Lechner, who spends most of his time collecting cash and taking orders from his R.V. parked on Sixth Avenue, began setting up shop last week. The first trees were delivered on Thanksgiving Day. SoHo Trees receives at least one delivery of fresh trees every day during the holiday season. Most notable are the “Noble Firs” which,

according to SoHo Trees employee Jason Vahle, range in size from “four-feet to skiesthe-limit.” “They come from a rain-temperate climate in Oregon and have a strong citrus smell,” said Vahle. Most important, however, is the fact that a “Noble Fir” is virtually untouched by machinery. “There are no machines allowed anywhere where they are grown,” said Vahle. “The lumberjacks cut the trees by hand and then mules haul them.” The mules however don’t haul them all the way to New York City. There are “machines” involved in that journey.

— John Bayles

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

OWNTOWN DIGEST

NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7, 10-17 EDITORIAL PAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 - 23

JUDGE RULES AGAINST CON ED IN PARK51 CASE Con Edison has been blocked from attempting to evict Park51 developer Sharif El-Gamal from the building at 51 Park Place. In September the utility company alleged that El-Gamal had violated a default notice after falling into arrears amounting to nearly $2 million. Manhattan Judge Richard Braun granted an injunction to the developer of the planned Islamic Community Center that allows him to remain in the building while being afforded time to contest Con Edison’s allegations.

GUT-RENOVATION UNDERWAY FOR EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE The Educational Alliance held a ground breaking celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at its flagship building, located at 197 East Broadway. The 122-year-old nonprofit kicked off its first-ever gut renovation this month – with the goal of creating the quintessential urban community center. In attendance at the celebration were U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, NY State Senator Daniel Squadron as well as

representatives from the Alliance. The renovation project will preserve the Alliance’s historic flagship building’s exterior while completely rebuilding the interior. According to the organization, the goal is to transform the building from a deteriorating, inefficient community service facility into the Lower East Side’s quintessential urban community center, to serve families for the next century and beyond.

A CHOCOHOLIC’S DREAM COME TRUE On Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 6 p.m. Li-Lac Chocolates in the West Village, one of New York’s oldest chocolatiers, will host “A Chocolate Celebration - The History of Li-Lac Chocolates.” The guest of honor will be Martha Bond, Li-Lac’s past owner and the event will be co-hosted by current owners Anwar Khoder and Anthony Cirone. The celebration will offer visitors the chance to learn about Li-Lac’s time-honored production methods and the opportunity to see first-hand some of the antique molds that are almost a century old and still in use today. The event is open to the public and will include complimentary chocolates and wine for all of Li-Lac’s Facebook and Twitter friends.

212-571-1700 120 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10006 www.blueplanetgrillnyc.com

CLASSIFIEDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

C.B. 1 EE TING S

A schedule of this week’s upcoming Community Board 1 committee meetings is below. Unless otherwise noted, all committee meetings are held at the board office, located at 49-51 Chambers St., room 709 at 6 p.m. For a schedule of upcoming Community Board 1 meetings, visit the board’s website at www.nyc.gov/ html/mancb1/.

Letter to the Editor NEWS@DOWNTOWNEXPRESS.COM 511 CANAL ST., NYC, NY 10013

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

POLICE BLOTTER Downtown floater

Essex-Delancey crash

Police responded to a call around 9:20 a.m. Sat., Nov. 26 about a man in the water off Battery Park City. An NYPD Harbor Unit boat picked up an unconscious Hispanic man, 31, and bought him to the North Cove Marina where an Emergency Medical Service team declared him dead. Identification is pending family notification.

An out-of-control Daily News delivery truck crashed into the Olympia Diner at Delancey and Essex Sts. shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tues., Nov. 29 injuring the driver and the helper in the truck. They were taken to Bellevue with undetermined injuries. The truck was headed east on Delancey when it went out of control, jumped the curb, slammed into the diner’s roll-down gate and smashed the window it was protecting. Despite extensive damage, the diner opened later that morning.

South St. crash Two drivers were injured when their cars crashed around 4:30 a.m. Sat., Nov. 26 beneath the FDR Dr. on South St. near Clinton St., police said. The impact sent one car across the northbound lane before it jumped the curb, crashed into a steel support of the elevated road and burst into flames. Both drivers were taken to Bellevue hospital with serious injuries. One of drivers, Jessie Strauss, 29, identified by police as an employee of the city Business Integrity Commission, was charged with driving while intoxicated.

Trying to flee in ferry Two 11-year-old boys were arrested while trying to flee on the Staten Island Ferry shortly after 3:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 18 after robbing a visitor from Britain, 75 who had just gotten off the Statue of Liberty Ferry. The victim and his wife were walking through Battery Park when the boys tried to pick his pocket. The victim fell to the grounds during a struggle and the suspects made off with his wallet and $90. The money and the wallet

were recovered. The names of the boys was withheld because of their age,

ner of Broadway and Prince St. He discovered that the brand new computer was gone.

Motor thefts

Alligators migrate

A woman who parked her 2001 Toyota in front of 481 Washington St. near Canal at 1:24 a.m. Sat., Nov. 26, returned the next day at 1:45 a.m. to find broken glass at the spot but no car. A surveillance camera recorded two young thieves breaking a window, rummaging through the car and leaving but returning later and driving off with the car. A man who parked his car in front of 99 Vandam St. at 10:15 a.m. returned at 2 p.m. the next day to find it had been stolen. Police arrested John Agaman in the Wall St. Parking Garage at 41 Exchange Pl. around 4:20 a.m. Thurs., Nov. 24 after he crashed while trying to drive off with a BMW that he stole. A man parked his Ducati motorcycle on the northeast corner of Jay and Greenwich Sts around 3:35 p.m. Tues., Nov. 22 and went to work. He returned at 6 p.m. and found it had been stolen.

A man who walked into the crowded Lacoste shop at 541 Broadway between Spring and Prince Sts. around 6 p.m. Fri., Nov. 25 managed to shove more than 50 shirts with a total value of $3,140 into his bag and walk out without paying for them.

Suddenly felt lighter A who had just bought a new MacBook felt his bag slip from his shoulder at 4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 25 while he was walking on the cor-

Knock-off knock down A man who was selling counterfeit brand clothes in front of 301 Canal St. near Broadway around 4 p.m. Sat., Nov. 26 was charged with assault for resisting arrest and pulling an officer to the ground with him during a struggle.

Gone from the stroller A woman who put her bag in her child’s stroller while shopping in the Whole Foods store at 270 Greenwich St. near Murray, around 10 a.m. Fri., Nov. 11, discovered it was gone. The bag was found later near the corner of Greenwich and Harrison Sts. but the wallet was gone.

— Alber t Amateau

New methadone clinic Downtown is surprise Continued from page 1 Speaker Sheldon Silver said, “At the request of Community Board 1, I asked [OASAS] to make sure that the medical group presents to the board its application to open the proposed methadone clinic on Maiden Lane. The final decision on where to site this clinic should take into consideration input from residents and businesses in the area.” McVay-Hughes said that the board office received a late call on Nov. 29 from the clinic’s corporate office stating that a representative would give a presentation at the C.B.1 Financial District Committee meeting on scheduled for Dec. 7. The clinic was started 40 years ago at its present 253 Third Avenue location by Dr. Guillermo Seco, now 88, and who continues to serve as its medical director. It serves approximately 400 patients weekly with metha-

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done treatment and substance abuse counseling. Sources said Seco sold the business in January 2010 for $70K to Larry Kroll, a psychologist who runs several drug treatment clinics in Illinois. Richard Harrow is an independent regulatory consultant who assists clients with completing applications to various NYS human services agencies. Harrow said he assisted with the paperwork to get Gramercy Park Medical Group PC transferred from Seco to Kroll in 2010 and renamed as Gramercy Park Services, LLC. Harrow said a new Downtown location would “not work well for meth patients.” He is concerned that the congestion Downtown, and the occasional street closures surrounding the WTC area could make access to the facility difficult. “When meth patients don’t get their medicine, they get sick,” said Harrow. Raymond Sanchez, a manager at the Gramercy location said of some patients who know of the impending move, “They’re not too happy, it’s inconvenient for some.” Kroll said the move is “very tentative” and that renovations on the space had not yet begun, in the absence of a signed lease with Metropolitan Corporation for Life Skills, the current lessee at 90 Maiden Lane. Other sources say that some renovations have already begun. The space will have to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to get final OASAS approval. Metro Corp, which will continue to operate at the address, is an outpatient substance abuse treatment clinic that according to OASAS provides services to homeless and to mentally ill, chemically addicted clients, as well as to criminal justice clients and to HIV/AIDS patients. Representatives at Metro Corp refused to answer questions about their operations, or about the agreement with Kroll and Gramercy Park Services, which will acquire 6000-7000 square feet of office space at 90

Maiden, double its current space. According to one source, Bradley Gross, an attorney, acquired Metro Corps several years ago from two physicians who were the former owners. A Ms. Rhame, Gross’ assistant, said on Nov. 28 that Gross would comment “if he was interested in talking” about the deal with Gramercy Park Services. As of press time Mr. Gross had not responded to phone calls. Wilbur Weder, chair of the Community Board 6 Health, Senior and Disability Issues Committee, said that there is often misunderstanding when it comes to such centers. “People don’t realize that it may not be people at the meth clinic causing trouble in a neighborhood,” said Weder, adding that the area had had more problems with a nearby homeless shelter. Weder said that though the Gramercy Park clinic group had earlier this year investigated possible new addresses near their present location, “They never came to us with a final location for moving, and there was never a vote taken [by C.B. 6].” Councilwoman Margaret Chin said, “The community should have an opportunity to learn more about the treatment center and voice their opinion on the issue. In my experience, these type of treatment centers are conscious of their neighbors and sensitive and receptive to their concerns.” Several stakeholders have questioned why OASAS failed to communicate with the community sooner. Harrow said, “As far as I know, part of the application to OASAS involves notification to the community board.” Pat Moore, chair of the C.B. 1 Quality of Life Committee said, “I’m curious as to why we weren’t notified earlier. We just want to know what the issues other neighborhoods have faced and what issues we might face.” The next C.B. 1 Financial District Committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at 49-51 Chambers Street, 7th floor.

downtown express

the Authority under the by-laws,” he said. “Many of those who were fired were officers of the Authority. Either he knew what was happening or the by-laws were violated.” Cavanaugh went on to say, “I’m not aware that ever in the history of New York State has something like this happened. It’s an unfortunate first. Normally when State agencies lay people off, there is an announcement that layoffs will have to occur. People with seniority are generally given the opportunity to offload less seniority. There’s an orderly process. People don’t feel there was an orderly process here. For the people who were fired, it’s hard to see that there was any rhyme or reason. The Authority has two construction projects that are both running significantly behind. That would be Pier A and the Community Center. They’re both delayed and yet they terminated the only two people in the construction department who had engineering degrees. I think people are asking why, if the Authority is going to be spending millions of dollars of public funds, they don’t have a single engineer on staff anymore or a single architect.” Cavanaugh said that he had been talking to some of the people who were laid off and they were hoping the board would respond to their pleas for help. “They’re disappointed that the next board of directors meeting has been put off twice,” he said. Cavanaugh said there was no board meeting in November and that there supposedly will be one in December.

In latest plan, P.S. 234 zone remains in tact Continued from page 1 it’s the mayor who is ultimately “in control” and pointed to the revitalization of Lower Manhattan post-9/11, which has seen a boom in the real estate market and a “thriving” service industry and a huge increase in its residential population. “These buildings are filling up [with families],” said Joyce. “And as they have gotten here and settled in and made possibly the biggest financial investment of their lifetime, they’re being told, ‘sorry, we forgot to plan for your school children.’” “We’re not asking to build a spa,” continued Joyce. “This is not an amenity we’re talking about, it’s basic infrastructure.” The rezoning is necessary due to the new Peck Slip elementary school, which will

begin taking kindergartners in 2012 and will incubate at the Tweed Courthouse until the school is completed. Eric Greenleaf, NYU professor and a member of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s School Overcrowding Task Force said, “A lot of discussion about these particular zones, if you look at the motivating factor beneath all of it, it is the need for more schools.” Greenleaf said there is a very real chance of a waitlist next year when Peck Slip opens at the incubator site. “You can’t find anyone at the D.O.E. right now that will tell you Downtown needs more schools,” said Greenleaf. “If the D.O.E. refuses to acknowledge the need for more schools Downtown and doesn’t try to get those schools built, then the forecasts that say we need more schools will be wrong because people will move out.”

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B.P.C.A. ignores letters from former presidents BY TERESE LOEB KREUZER Two former presidents of the Battery Park City Authority wrote letters to William C. Thompson, Jr., the current chairman, and to the board of directors protesting the abrupt layoffs of 19 people on Nov. 9, but neither Thompson nor Gayle Horwitz, president of the Authority, has responded. James Cavanaugh, who was president of the Authority from 2005 to 2010, said that two board members had contacted him, thanking him for the letter he sent and expressing a willingness to consider some of the points he made. “I’m personally convinced that most of the board members did not know of the manner in which this was done,” he said, “and quite possibly did not even know what would be done. It simply does not square with what I know about those board members having worked with them for quite some time. It’s just not who they are.” Timothy S. Carey, who was president and C.E.O. of the Authority from May 1999 to June 2005, said that he had had no replies to the letter that he addressed to Mr. Thompson and the board. He said that he was surprised. “It’s rather unprofessional. One would think that if one wrote a letter to a public entity, one would receive some sort of notification saying thank you for your letter. We’ll take a look at it. But I heard nothing.” Cavanaugh said that Thompson would have had to sign off on firing the officers. “Only the chairman can fire officers of

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Family Series 2011/12

Big Wooden Horse Theatre Co. Production

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Saturday, December 3 t 1:30PM t $25

Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, this exciting story follows the early life of Santa Claus. Ages 5 and Up

Enjoy $14 tickets as a 10Club Member Call 212 212-220-1460 12-2 220-1460 for more information or 9LVLW 9LVLW WKH %R[ 2I¿FH WKH %R[ 2I¿FH located on the campus of the BMCC - 199 Chambers St., NYC. Order single tickets online: www.tribecapac.org Follow us on Facebook & Twitter

November 30 - December 6, 2011

downtown express

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Downtown Express photo by John Bayles

The reflecting pools located in the footprints of the North and South Towers are central components of the National Sept. 11 Memorial.

Tribute Center, 9/11 Memorial and Museum come together BY HELAINA N. HOVITZ On Monday, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Tribute WTC Visitor Center announced a new partnership to support programming for visitors to the World Trade Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memorial site. The WTC Tribute Visitor Center will provide the 9/11 Memorial and Museum with portraits of all 3,000 victims for a special memorial exhibition to commemorate all of the lives lost in the attacks, and will continue training people directly impacted by 9/11 to lead on-site tours. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This new partnership will allow us to preserve the memories of the victims and ensure that all who visit the Memorial and Museum are educated and informed about that unforgettable day,â&#x20AC;? said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, chairman of the National Sept. 11 Memorial Board. Since 2006, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center has been providing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Person to Person Historyâ&#x20AC;? as a means of linking visitors who want to understand how the attacks of 9/11 directly affected the local community. Survivors, victimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; family members, first responders and residents all share their personal experiences with visitors while walking them through the site, still currently under construction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want people to leave having learned about the events of 9/11 and become motivated to make a change for the future,â&#x20AC;? said Lee Ielpi, president of the September 11th Familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association and co-founder of the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This collaboration is another opportunity for us

to educate the community and the visitors to the Memorial so they can educate friends and family.â&#x20AC;? The Tribute Center, located at 120 Liberty Street along the south side of the World Trade Center site, was created in 2001 by the September 11th Familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association to support victims of terrorism through shared resources for long-term recovery. According to Tribute Center co-founder and C.E.O. Jennifer Adams, the idea for the merger crystallized over the summer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People worldwide watched 9/11 unfolding on TV, but to meet someone who was there makes it very real for them,â&#x20AC;? said Adams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tour guides who lived through the events provide context, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something they find healing to do.â&#x20AC;? The National Sept. 11 Museum, still under construction and set to open next year, will display artifacts linked to the events of 9/11 central in telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks on the World Trade Center and their aftermath. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tributeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walking tours will connect our visitors directly to the 9/11 community, helping to preserve the history of what happened,â&#x20AC;? said National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum President and C.E.O. Joe Daniels. The Memorial and Museum are located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site; the memorial has been open to the public since Sept. 12 of this year. Over 400 volunteers have been trained to give site tours. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a resident and would like to volunteer or be part of the tribute, fill out an application at www.tributewtc.org.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Occupy movement becomes part of pop culture BY ZACH WILLIAMS Occupy Wall Street is spreading beyond street demonstrations and into a niche a bit more close to home. As the movement enters its third month, a new type of occupation is growing within American popular culture and is finding its way into all types of public forums, including Dept. of Education hearings in Lower Manhattan. The ongoing demonstrations against corporate greed and government malfeasance have inspired a growing presence in common discourse, television, fashion, and online. When a New York City political science professor could not catch the words of a soft-spoken student toward the back of the classroom, she decided to make a cultural reference which soon resonated with her students. The professor asked for the “People’s Microphone” to be used. The device developed by occupiers has listeners repeat a speaker’s words in order to allow others further away to hear. It may have been originally needed in order to circumvent New York City ordinances against electronically-amplified sound, but it now has found a purpose elsewhere. The technique is just one of many features derived from Occupy Wall Street which have extended their reach beyond activist circles and into the wider realm of popular culture in the city and throughout the country. But in a movement that has directed considerable energy towards protesting the excesses of American consumers as well as corporate executives, the mediums of exposure are a mixed blessing, according to the activists. Occupier Rose Reddington, 22, said the growing profile of the movement in popular culture had to be taken in stride since it could ultimately help the movement reach a wider segment of society. “They had those t-shirts with the ‘Occupy Wall Street’

Photo by John Bayles

In lieu of a traditional public announcement system, an Occupy Wall Street protester uses a small megaphone to relay a speaker’s words to the rest of the crowd in Zuccotti Park in late September. The method has been dubbed “the people’s microphone.”

message on it. I ground my teeth but at the same time its important for other kids to ask ‘What is Occupy Wall Street?’ and the wearer says ‘Sit down and I’ll tell you,’” said Reddington. “The success of a movement is all about being

co-opted. That’s what happened to flower power; it suddenly became cool to be a hippie.” Among the most emblematic features of the movement, “Mic check” has allowed activists to find a new method for airing their grievances against political elites or to simply convey their message in forums where they typically feel left out. What started as a phrase indicating a desire to speak among peers became a device of protest itself, where by activists interrupt a speaker by repeating a prearranged statement in unison. Political figures such as President Obama, Karl Rove, and presidential candidates Michelle Bachman and Ron Paul have all been the targets of “Mic checks” in recent weeks. Reactions have been mixed among them with Obama and Paul allowing the protesters to speak, Rove confronting them from the podium and Bachman leaving the venue. Online videos of the encounters meanwhile went viral. “Do you feel better?” Paul said in response to the interruption at a Nov. 21 townhall meeting in Keene, New Hampshire. Throughout the web and television, references to the protests continue to pervade news stories. Actions taken by law enforcement across the country against “Occupy” demonstrators have only increased its profile in popular culture in addition to keeping the movement in the headlines. After University of California Police Lieutenant John Pike “casually” pepper sprayed non-violent protesters who refused to disperse during a Nov. 18 demonstration at U.C. Davis, a video of the incident gained millions of views on YouTube within hours. Ensuing outrage preceded the suspension of the police officer pending further investigation. The incident also inspired a popular picture series online

Continued on page 16

Fighting to make Lower Manhattan the greatest place to live, work, and raise a family.

Assemblyman Shelly Silver If you need assistance, please contact my office at (212) 312-1420 or email silver@assembly.state.ny.us.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

EDITORIAL PUBLISHER & EDITOR John W. Sutter

Latest school rezoning is better but still not good enough

ASSOCIATE EDITOR John Bayles ARTS EDITOR Scott Stiffler REPORTERS Aline Reynolds Albert Amateau Lincoln Anderson SR. V.P. OF SALES AND MARKETING Francesco Regini ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Allison Greaker Karen Kossman Julio Tumbaco Julius Harrison Alex Morris RETAIL AD MANAGER Colin Gregory BUSINESS MANAGER / CONTROLLER Vera Musa ART / PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Troy Masters ART DIRECTOR Mark Hasselberger GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vince Joy CONTRIBUTORS Terese Loeb Kreuzer • David Stanke • Jerry Tallmer PHOTOGRAPHERS Milo Hess • Jefferson Siegel • Terese Loeb Kreuzer

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Downtown Express is published every week by Community Media LLC, 515 Canal St., Unit 1C, New York, N.Y. 10013 (212) 229-1890. The entire contents of the newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2011 Community Media LLC. PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue.

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The Dept. of Education’s third attempt at a schoolrezoning plan for Lower Manhattan is both worthy of praise, and criticism. Unveiled this week, the new plan takes into account the worries of parents in the affected zones, but is still a Band-aid approach to addressing the shortfall in school seats our Lower Manhattan neighborhoods have been confronting the last three years. And the fact that parents, educators and local elected officials have been pleading with the D.O.E. for so long, only to be forced to accept another plan that does not address the root of the problem, is a major and frustrating cause for concern. What seems to be missing is a correlation between the city’s issuing of building permits, whether for new residential units or for condo conversions, and the obvious and clearly stated need for more school seats in Lower Manhattan. It’s as if building permits are given away with no concern or foresight for their educational ramifications. Ignorance is not bliss when we’re talking about educating our children, yet buildings continue to pop up overnight leading one to wonder if the city is close to getting on top of the vast population increase Lower Manhattan is currently experiencing. While it is nice to know that the D.O.E. was listening to parents back in September and then again last month, when it revamped its rezoning plans, it is disheartening to think that this new plan is simply more of the same. The city needs to disaggregate south of Canal St. demographic projections for school seats from the rest of District 2, which covers geographic areas as far north as the Upper East side. The needs, and growth rates, are entirely different. Lower Manhattan is experiencing some of the strongest residential growth rates in the entire city, and by conflating Lower Manhattan projections with the rest of District 2, the Dept. of Ed’s response is always reactive, and behind the curve. In May, the newly appointed NYC Schools Chancellor, Dennis Walcott, appeared at the monthly meeting of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s School Overcrowding Task Force. We wrote an editorial praising him for showing up and for acknowledging the long hours and hard work the task force has put in since its inception. Mr. Walcott promised to utilize the resources the task force has at hand, specifically data on birth rates in local neighborhoods. We cannot at this point say Mr. Walcott has broken his promise. But the rezoning proposal and how it has played out over the last few months compels us to ask that he take charge, and begin to produce evidence proving the D.O.E. is indeed looking at real data that accurately reflects the needs of Lower Manhattan. Such data will show, undoubtedly, that the problem is simple: more school seats are needed Downtown. But Mayor Bloomberg also must be placed in the spotlight when it comes to the school rezoning debacles that have occurred on his watch. By the time the new Peck Slip elementary school opens its doors and has a waiting list in its first year of existence, Mayor Bloomberg will be out of office. He needs to give more attention to this critical part of his educational legacy.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR How are holiday tents O.K.? To The Editor: Mayor Bloomberg claims that tents are not allowed in New York City parks. Ask him to explain the giant tents being set up right now in Union Square Park and in Central Park at Columbus Circle for the corporate-run holiday vending markets. These tents are set up for more than a month straight, 24 hours a day. They completely displace pedestrians, residents and park visitors for a fee of millions of dollars. Mayor Bloomberg says generators are not allowed in New York City parks. Yet the holiday markets operate huge generators as do most of the Greenmarket vending stands in Union Square Park. There is even a weekly Greenmarket set up right outside the Mayor’s Office with huge tents and generators. Instead of pretending that the mayor is a defender of free speech, perhaps the media can ask him to explain these totally inconsistent policies. Robert Lederman Lederman is president, ARTIST (Artists’ Response to Illegal State Tactics)

Woolums column was wonderful To The Editor: Re “Mic check: The whole world is

watching, and thinking” (talking point, by Sharon Woolums, Nov. 16): Excellent piece on O.W.S.! Sharon Woolums is right on, that the whole world is watching...and also thinking. It is precisely this cognitive aspect of O.W.S. that I find so stimulating, and transformative. A few weeks ago, one of the mainstream news anchors, commenting on Zuccotti Park, was upset and confused that people were “just standing around” in the park. “What are these people doing, just standing around?!” she said, with an arrogant, shrill tone of voice. Well, Ms. Woolums helped to answer that question here: They where thinking. And talking to each other; since conversation often goes along with thinking. Here’s an idea to ponder: How can New York City, and America, regain our democracy (and soul) that was “sold out” by financial gangsters and others in the elite 1 percent? O.W.S., by its very miraculous existence, is beginning to provide some answers. John Bredin

Great O.W.S. coverage! To The Editor: The coverage of Occupy Wall Street in The Villager and Downtown Express is fantastic. Insightful in ways the mainstream media can never be. Great photos too. Do I smell another series of press association awards or is that pepper spray? Hmmm. Lawrence White

Photo by Q. Sakamaki

A protester during last Thursday’s day of action wore a headband with a button of the Guy Fawkes mask from the movie “V for Vendetta,” a popular symbol of Occupy Wall Street.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

ON THE SPOT WITH SUSAN HENSHAW JONES slated for demolition by the Battery Park City Authority. We also preserved and reused the federal archive building in Greenwich Village. We created the revolving fund for historic preservation using the proceeds from the sale of that building. In 1994, I started at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. It’s devoted to celebrating American architecture, design and engineering. I was there for nine years. I came back in 2003 to the Museum of the City of New York.

BY TERESE LOEB KREUZER Since February 2003, Susan Henshaw Jones has been the director of the Museum of the City of New York. In September of this year, she also became the director of the South Street Seaport Museum charged with bringing the foundering 40-year-old museum back to health after it had laid off most of its staff and all but closed. Was this your first encounter with the South Street Seaport?

Was that a challenging assignment? No. In the Lindsay Administration [1966 to 1973], I was in the City office that created the plan for this district. I had recently graduated from Vassar College as an English major. I was the cultural affairs assistant. It was the lowliest position. But there was so much responsibility that was allowed to you. If you messed up, it was no good, but you could try. That is actually a great kind of a background for your life. It gave us all the conviction that we can do it! What exactly was that plan? It was a preservation project that involved a great deal of public funds. Atlas-McGrath, who owned this block [Schermerhorn Row on Fulton Street], saw this as a site for a tall building. The preservation project involved the State of New York and the City of New York at the highest levels. Ultimately they put together a very novel plan, which was that the buildings in the Seaport district and the piers – all of that was to be within the control of the South Street Seaport Museum so that it could benefit from those incomes. There is a 1981 lease, which is still in effect. It’s between the City and the Seaport museum and the two entities in terms of the mall, which are Howard Hughes Corporation and Seaport Associates. The mall was never the success that its owners or the New York public at large hoped for. That is something that we hope to work with Howard Hughes Corporation on a plan to make this area here a place that New Yorkers want to come – where you have repeat New York traffic because they want to go to the shops and they want to go to restaurants. Right now it’s really geared to the international tourists.

We inhabited a building that hadn’t been renovated since 1932. So you’re used to taking something that’s a little shabby and fixing it up again? What’s your vision for this place? Yes. Incremental steps is how we think we can succeed. I always thought that the original vision of the ships and Schermerhorn Row — this preserved precinct of early 19th century commercial buildings, -- there’s nothing wrong with the mission. The issue was the income statement. In 1995 during the Giuliani administration, that 1981 agreement was broken. The E.D/C. [Economic Development Corporation] became the lessor instead of the Seaport Museum. The revenue that was part of the novel funding scheme never did occur. The Seaport Museum never received one dime to my knowledge from the mall.

You’ve had a very successful career at a time when women faced many obstacles in the workplace. Did you have a mentor? Your board of trustees, in these not-for-profit settings, are mentors. There’s absolutely no question. That’s who I would say were my mentors over the years. An early mentor was Brendan Gill at the Landmarks Conservancy. Do you have a husband and children?

What did you do after you left City government? In my 30’s, I got an M.B.A. from Columbia. By 1988, I had finished my M.B.A. and I went to work for Citibank. I was a lending officer. I went through the credit training program. Then [from 1990 to 1993], I was the director of the New York Landmarks Conservancy and my projects downtown were the preservation and reuse of the customs house on Bowling Green, the Fraunces Tavern block, which was endangered, and Pier A, which we listed on the National Register of Historic Places because that was

Yes. I’ve been married 30 years. My husband is Richard Eaton. He’s a judge on the US. Court of International Trade in Lower Manhattan. I have 26-year-old and 28-year-old daughters. Are you finding it tiring to split your time and attention between the Museum of the City of New York and the South Street Seaport Museum? I’m getting used to it.

TALKING POINT Police acted superbly, but not all protesters did BY ED KOCH My impression from reading the newspapers last Friday reporting on the efforts of Occupy Wall Street, as well as seeing a number of television newscasts that Thursday night depicting the activities of those protesters involved in seeking to shut down Wall St., the adjacent subways and the Brooklyn Bridge, I’ve concluded the N.Y.P.D. acted superbly and made the people of the City of New York feel proud of the police officers’ professionalism under great provocation. The news reports of the physical attacks upon police with solid objects and unidentified liquids by some of the protesters were horrifying. Imagine a police officer being splashed with a liquid which might be acid or some other disfiguring substance and not responding with anger and excessive force. They showed their professionalism. One particularly painful scene was that of a group of protesters yelling at children

on their way to school. The boys and girls appeared to be 6 to 8 years of age. The protesters appeared to be shouting at the students and frightening them. My memory harkened back to the 1960s when black children seeking to integrate a public school under court orders and were hooted at and frightened by white protesters. It was an awful feeling of déjà vu. The public owes an enormous debt to Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly for their leadership at this difficult moment in the city’s history. Of course, the greatest thanks go to the hundreds of police officers who prevented the shutdown of any part of the city and did it professionally, and I believe, carefully observing the rights of protesters exercising their First Amendment rights. Regrettably, among those engaged in protests over the last two months against greed in our country and Wall St. excesses, there were those present for different rea-

sons, including disruption, anarchy and criminality. Those who engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience and were arrested should

One particularly painful scene was that of a group of protesters yelling at young children on their way to school.

understand that violating the law means they are subject to an appropriate penalty, usually involving a civil fine, and should not protest the punishment that goes with seeking to

change the minds of the public by appealing to conscience. Those who engaged in violence of any kind should be prosecuted criminally. If their guilt is established at trial, in my opinion, they should suffer a penalty of jail or prison, depending on the gravity of the crime. Under no circumstances, in my opinion, should the Manhattan district attorney grant amnesty, simply because of the numbers involved. Thursday, about 250 people were arrested for alleged illegal activity in the Occupy Wall Street protest events. Mayor Bloomberg should be congratulated and praised by every New Yorker for exercising a steady hand in his leadership of the city in dealing with the rights of all concerned involved in Occupy Wall Street. The actions of the mayor and the police officers of the N.Y.P.D. should be seen as a model for other cities similarly situated.

November 30 - December 6, 2011

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Education programs at Seaport Museum resume BY ALINE REYNOLDS The South Street Seaport Museum’s educational youth programs are now back in full swing. On Monday, Nov. 21, thirty effervescent fifth graders from St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic school based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, created three-dimensional models of forts, streets, bridges and other infrastructure from 17th-century New Amsterdam based off of a colorful, representational painting from the museum’s permanent collection. The interactive workshop, named “Life in New Amsterdam,” traces the history of Dutch life in Lower Manhattan in the 17th century. It is one of four new history classes the museum will be offering throughout the year on the museum’s fourth floor. One of the other classes, “Growing Up in the 19th Century Seaport,” will teach youths about daily neighborhood activities in the mid-tolate 19th century, while another class will offer youths a walking tour of the historic district. So far, more than 50 K-12 schools Downtown and citywide have committed to attending one or more of the courses in the coming weeks. “Learning [New York history] in the classroom is a little different than learning it in the space where it happened,” said Nicole Haroutunian, a per diem educator of the Museum of the City of New York, which has temporarily assumed control of the Seaport Museum’s programs and other operations. “This is their museum. This is their history,” Haroutunian continued. “Where we’re standing now was once water, which is kind of exciting, since water was so important to the evolution of New Amsterdam.” The day’s lesson fit nicely into the school’s fifth grade history curriculum, which focuses on American studies, according to homeroom teacher Norma Chavannes, who welcomed the hands-on activities for her students and is hoping to sign up for the museum’s walking tour in the new year. “They don’t learn in [the same] manner as they [do when] sitting in a classroom,” said Chavannes. “Even though the program is much too short… they’re going to take away a lot with them.” Meanwhile, M.C.N.Y. has resumed the Seaport Museum’s weekly toddler program, “Mini Mates,” which introduces toddlers, ages 18 months to three years, to maritime studies. The program’s instructor, Barbara Barry, welcomed in eight neighborhood par-

ents and their toddlers to the first class session last Fri., Nov. 18. Surrounded by South Street Seaport illustrations that lined the wall of the children’s room, the tots listened to “Sheep on a Ship,” recreated boats, water, and starfish on paper using decorative stamps, and jumped in and around a big parachute. “It’s a growing community of families down here,” said Barry. “We want to offer something to bring them together.” “In the past, arts and crafts were the center, and there was a lot of free playtime,” said Franny Kent, educator at the Museum of the City of New York, of the Seaport Museum’s

“Learning [New York history] in the classroom is a little different than learning it in the space where it happened.” Nicole Haroutunian

former Mini Mates program. “What we’re trying to do is focus a little bit more on the content.” When asked about educating such a young age range, Kent said, “I think the younger you are in a museum, the more comfortable you feel in any kind of museum.” Indeed, recreational spaces for tots found in eastern Manhattan Canal Street to the Staten Island Ferry are few and far between, according South Street parent Amanda Zink, who Kent approached in mid-November to help spread the word of Mini Mate’s resumption. Zink said she was more than happy to participate in the outreach effort. “We desperately need more children’s programs on this side of Broadway,” she said. “The more community support we get, the more programs we’ll get, and the more we’ll be taken seriously as a real family district.” “We liked it — it’s a great get-together with local moms,” commented John Street resident Tatyana Neufeld, who sat in the session while watching over her five-month-old tot who was sleeping in a stroller.

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downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

AIDS commemorative park plan alive BY NATHAN RILEY The campaign to create an AIDS memorial park in a triangle site adjacent to the former St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village received a conditional green light from the local community board as it forwarded its recommendation for the parcel of land to the City Planning Commission. At a packed meeting on November 17, Community Board 2 voted to keep alive consideration of a bold plan for the open space bounded by 12th Street, Seventh Avenue South, and Greenwich Avenue. The community board’s resolution to City Planning made clear it preferred the goals embodied in a design it has been working on for three months but left open the door for collaborating with the Queer History Alliance (QHA) to incorporate elements of its proposal. The resolution sent to City Planning largely endorsed a design presented by Rudin Management, the real estate concern moving forward on redevelopment of the St. Vincent’s campus, but agreed to give “careful consideration” to the QHA plan for a commemorative park. Rudin’s right to develop the former St. Vincent’s property –– primarily with high-end residential units –– is conditioned on creating park space in the triangle at issue, which formerly housed a utility building for the hospital. At the meeting, passionate advocates for a commemorative site argued that the location is uniquely appropriate for honoring the battle against the epidemic given its proximity to the hospital that had the city’s first and largest AIDS ward. In the early 1980s, St. Vincent’s quickly became ground zero in the health crisis that cut a horrific swath through New York’s gay community. In the past 30 years, more than 100,000 New Yorkers have died of AIDS. QHA’s ambitious plan would solicit designs in a competition and scrap a critical component of the plan the community board had under consideration –– the demolition of a 10,000 square-foot basement area that advocates for a commemorative site want to use as a museum and learning center to advance the cause of HIV prevention. New infections among gay and bisexual men in New York have remained stubbornly resistant to further reduction over the past decade. Support for this plan has increased dramatically. In the last ten days, the number of organizations supporting it has grown from a dozen to 25, said Chris Tepper, a QHA leader who is also who is director of development and planning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. Among those that have endorsed the proposal are the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the LGBT Community Center, Housing Works, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, the Stonewall Community Foundation, Bailey House, Greenwich House, and amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. Eric Sawyer, who was among the found-

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Photo courtesy of Queer History Allianace

A garden in the former St. Vincent’s parcel due for development into a park.

ers of ACT UP in the late 1980s, told CB2 that real estate industry contacts told him that replacing the space that would be lost if the basement were demolished would cost up to $500,000 a year in rent. If above ground space had to be found, the cost would easily exceed $1 million, he said. The Rudin plan would demolish the basement, and its supporters say that would allow for generous tree plantings at street level, without the need for elevated fill to cover the basement’s roof structure. QHA supporters have countered that retaining the basement and creating a level, tree-filled park are not incompatible objectives. A preliminary draft resolution discussed by CB2 stated that the parcel “should be a community park with important commemorative markers; it must not be a memorial park” and that “the park should not be given a name directly related to the AIDS crisis.” In response, Sawyer said, “I thought it was offensive and reprehensible.” Brad Hoylman, the CB2 chair, said the draft was distributed to QHA in order to allow it to offer its input. “We operate by consensus,” he said. Advocates for the park said they pressed City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and State Senator Tom Duane, two out LGBT legislators who represent the district, to lend their support to their efforts. They believe that outreach helped them achieve a compromise resolution. At the November 17 meeting, Steve Ashkinazy, a CB2 member who had earlier been critical of Hoylman for not taking a lead on the issue, negotiated a “friendly amendment” that defused conflict over the park, at least for now. The final resolution urged consideration of proposals that “blend a significant commemorative and education aspect” and stated that “no efforts should be undertaken to destroy the underground space.”

Continued on page 17

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Models used for illustrative purposes only

BY TERESE LOEB KREUZER ASPHALT GREEN OPENING DELAYED: Asphalt Green Battery Park City, the community center at 212 North End Ave., was supposed to open in November, but will not open until Feb. 1 because of permitting delays. The Battery Park City Authority owns the facility and has entered into a fiveyear contract with Asphalt Green to run it. B.P.C.A. president Gayle Horwitz said that the necessary inspections involving the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department had not yet been completed, necessitating the delay. Memberships in the facility are still available at discounted charter rates of $95 a person per month for individuals and $165 per month for a family of four (compared with $105 a month and $175 a month at full price). The initiation fee has been discounted from $199 to $49 during the pre-opening period. The Asphalt Green sales office is at 211 North End Ave. and is open daily. Many programs at Asphalt Green will incur additional fees. Registration for spe-

November 30 - December 6, 2011

cific programs begins on Nov. 30 for members and on Dec. 5 for non-members. Carol Tweedy, the executive director of Asphalt Green, has said that community center will have an exciting range of sports and cultural programs for everyone from infants to seniors. She also said that Asphalt Green does outreach work in schools with low-income student bodies and offers scholarships for some of its programs to low-income young people. “This is supposed to be a true community center,” Tweedy said, emphasizing the word “community.” However at a meeting of Community Board 1’s Battery Park City Committee on Nov. 1, Jeff Galloway, co-chair of the committee, expressed concerns about affordability. “We all agree that underserved communities need to be served and scholarships are a great way of doing it,” he said, ”but in addition to that, not everybody in this community is in the 1 percent, to use the nomenclature of our neighbors down the street, and we want the community as a whole to be able to use this facility. Speaking for myself and maybe for some

Downtown Express photos by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

The Winter Garden at 2 World Financial Center decked out in 100,000 small, white lights for the holidays.

downtown express

Downtown Express photos by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

Monkshood (Aconitum ‘ardensii’) — also called by the common names of wolfsbane and devil’s helmet — is a member of the buttercup family. There are over 250 species of aconitum, all of them poisonous. It is now flowering in Battery Park City’s South Cove.

others here as well, the scholarship philosophy should recognize that this should be accessible to the middle middle class – that you shouldn’t have to be truly poor or truly wealthy or upper middle class to enjoy these facilities. It may not look like it to the naked eye, but if you look carefully you will in fact see that many people in our community are not in the 1 percent.” Although Tweedy had mentioned that the community center would have many enticing programs and facilities for seniors including a warm pool with a floor that could be raised and lowered to accommodate those with mobility issues, Ruth Ohman, a Battery Park City Committee member who arranges programs for the neighborhood’s seniors said, “Almost all the seniors that I know, who go to senior centers and places like that, are not going to be able to afford your place and they’re not going to go.” “If you have seniors who go to senior centers, we have relationships with senior centers,” Asphalt Green’s director of programming, Paul Weiss, replied, indicating that even if seniors couldn’t afford to join Asphalt Green Battery Park City, some programming would be available to them elsewhere. MANNY NORONA DEPAR TS: Pharmacist Manny Norona, who worked at the Battery Park Pharmacy for more than 25 years, left abruptly in early November. The pharmacy at 327 South End Avenue was one of the first businesses in Battery Park City, and Norona was there almost from the beginning. Elizabeth Kwack, who said she was the owner of the pharmacy, offered no explanation for Norona’s departure. Norona was beloved by many Battery Park City residents. “I was very upset to learn about this,” said one neighborhood resident. “Manny knew who I was and I trusted him,” said another. “If I had a new prescription, he would tell me if there might be side effects and whatever else I needed to know. I will miss him.”

HOLIDAYS AT THE WINTER GARDEN: Part of 2 World Financial Center is closed for construction, but the Winter Garden is still open and as of Nov. 29, ablaze in 100,000 small, white lights hanging among the palm trees and from the columns. The first event of the holiday season was New York Theatre Ballet’s new production of Keith Michael’s “The Nutcracker.” On Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., the Irish band Danu (named for a Celtic goddess) brings traditional Irish Christmas music to the Winter Garden. Then from Dec. 9 to 11, Santa, his reindeer and elves show up with storytelling and photo ops with Santa. The $20 fee for the pictures benefits the Brooke Jackman Foundation, a literacy program for at-risk New York City kids. BATTERY PARK CITY IN BLOOM: A purple flower called monkshood (Aconitum ‘Ardensii’) now to be seen along the South Cove walkway is a late bloomer, according to Eileen Calvanese, head of horticulture for the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, “but may be holding onto its flowers for a longer period because of mild weather.” Monkshood, also commonly known as “wolfsbane” and “devil’s helmet,” is a member of the buttercup family. There are over 250 species in the aconite genus, all of them poisonous. But for thousands of years, aconite has also been used for medicinal purposes, both in Asia and the West. In folklore and mythology, wolfsbane could be used to ward off werewolves or to transform people into a werewolf if worn, smelled or eaten. Drawing on these accounts, wolfsbane turns up in some of the Harry Potter books. South Cove’s Aconitum ‘Ardensii’ is a hybrid. Its name honors German nurseryman Georg Arends (1863-1952) who first bred this cultivar almost 70 years ago at his nursery near Cologne. To comment on Battery Park City Beat or to suggest article ideas, email TereseLoeb@ mac.com.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Local museums offer unusual gifts for season BY TERESE LOEB KREUZER From Maine, from New Mexico, from Arizona, from Alaska, from California and Oklahoma, Native American artists converge on the National Museum of the American Indian at 1 Bowling Green each year for the December Art Market. They bring pottery, baskets, jewelry, clothing, woodcarvings and paintings to sell, all of superior craftsmanship, many, one of a kind. The work tends to be rooted in tradition but is often individualistic and contemporary as well. Jody Naranjo, a potter from the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico, says of her work, “I do everything traditionally. That’s the way I was taught.” She hand coils her pots, sands them, and fires them in an outdoor oven. But, she adds, her shapes and designs are her own. Mark Stevens, a jeweler from the Laguna Pueblo, also in New Mexico, has an interesting way of combining the old and the new. The ground near the pueblo is strewn with ancient pottery shards painted with geometric patterns. Stevens replicates the pattern and contours of a shard in silver, and combines the fragment that he has created with semi-precious stones to make earrings, pendants and bracelets. Then he returns the shard to the place where he found it. His actions reflect a commonly encountered reverence for the ancestors who created and used the pottery. The December Art Market is not merely a place to shop. It also provides an opportunity to talk to the artists about where they live, their backgrounds and training and the beliefs embodied in their work. It also offers the satisfaction of supporting artists who may have labored for days, or even weeks, on each piece they bring to sell, often using techniques handed down through generations. Max Sanipass Romero, for instance, whose background is Mi’kmaq/

Downtown Express photo by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

The Pickman Museum Shop at the Museum of Jewish Heritage at 36 Battery Place in Battery Park City sells dozens of kinds of menorahs for Hannukah. Among them is one made in Haiti from recycled 55-gallon oil drums ($128). Sales of this menorah help to support Haitian artisans.

Laguna and Taos Pueblos, makes baskets, each of which can take up to a week to complete. “Everything I’ve learned is from my grandparents,” he says. This year’s art market will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grammy winner Joanne Shenandoah of the Oneida Nation, Wolf Clan, will perform at the market at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

A ticketed preview party takes place on Friday, Dec. 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with sweets and drinks and a special presentation by renowned jeweler Denise Wallace (Aleut), who will show how she makes jewelry of fossil ivory, scrimshaw and semi-precious stones. Tickets start at $35. Call (212) 514-3750 for more information or email NYRSVP@si.edu. A few blocks away from the National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust at 36 Battery Place has a well-stocked shop with books, music, jewelry, pottery, games and ritual objects such as mezuzahs, tzedakah boxes and Kiddush cups. For Hannukah, which begins on Dec. 20, the Pickman Museum Shop carries dozens of different kinds of menorahs, ranging in price from $16 to $400 and dreidels that can cost anywhere from 50 cents for one made of wood to $120 for a dreidel of sterling silver. Dreidels made in various colors of Venetian glass are particularly lovely and cost $60. One unusual menorah was made by an artisan in Haiti using metal from a discarded 55-gallon oil drum. The artist, whose name is Evenson, cut the metal into the shape of a tree and painted it in sprightly colors. This purchase ($128) would not only brighten the holiday at home but help people in a country that was devastated by an earthquake in 2010 and is the poorest in the Western hemisphere. The Pickman shop is open during museum hours — Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 45 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the winter months. The museum is closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays. Museum members get a 20 percent discount on their purchases through Dec. 27 and receive free domestic ground shipping.

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downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Castle Clinton turns 200-years-old

Downtown Express photos by Milo Hess

On Friday, Nov. 25 Castle Clinton celebrated its 200th anniversary with a ceremony including fife and drums, a flag raising and a 13-gun salute. Soldiers in period uniforms performed drills with children using wooden muskets while George Washington watched on in approval.

Downtown Express photo by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

40 years at the Fulton Fish Market Naima Rauam has been painting the Fulton Fish Market for around 40 years, and even its departure six years ago for Hunts Point in the Bronx didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop her. Her watercolors and drawings are on display Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 18 at 210 Front St. Prices range from $1,200 to $3,200. High quality prints are $300 unframed and $450 framed. The gallery is open from noon to 7 p.m. For more information call (212) 964-8465 or go to www.rememberingfultonfishmarket.com.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Seaport sparkling throughout the season Each evening, Monday through Friday, from now until Christmas there will be a dazzling show of holiday cheer at the South Street Seaport. On Friday, Nov. 25 revelers witnessed the lighting of this year’s 40-foot tree, the centerpiece of the historic Seaport on Front Street between Beekman and Fulton Streets. But for anyone who missed Friday’s ceremony, there is no need to worry. Each weeknight, the “Sparkle at the Seaport” light show will take place, every hour on the hour from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For a schedule of chorus performances as well as times to pose for a photo with Santa Claus, visit www.southstreetseaport. com/Holiday.

Downtown Express photos by Milo Hess

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

O.W.S. now pop culture Continued from page 7

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1pm Concerts at One Max Wild, saxophone Trinity Church SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 10am In Advent: Exploring Darkness and Light Advent II: Gain an understanding of the relationship of the Old and New Testaments. Led by Amy Meverden of Union Seminary. 74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl, Parish Hall

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do something together

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1pm Everything About Advent & Christmas Liturgies Learn about historic Advent and Christmas liturgical practices and current parish traditions. Come with questions. Led by David Jette, head verger. 74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 8pm Compline A candlelit service of music and prayers, with members of the Trinity Choir. Every Sunday. St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1pm Bach at One The Trinity Choir and Trinity Baroque Orchestra present a weekly service of J.S. Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music, accompanied by poetry readings. St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel

All Are Welcome All events are free, unless noted. 212.602.0800

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 5-7pm Trinity Knitters Knitters, crocheters, and those who wish to learn are welcome. Materials and instruction provided. Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place

trinitywallstreet.org

worship SUNDAY, 8am and 10am St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chapel Communion in the round 8pm Compline, music, and prayers SUNDAY, 9am and 11:15am Trinity Church Preaching, music, and Eucharist Sunday school and child care available MONDAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FRIDAY, 12:05pm Trinity Church Holy Eucharist MONDAY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FRIDAY, 5:15pm All Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Chapel, in Trinity Church Evening Prayer, Evensong (Thurs.) Watch online webcast

TRINITY CHURCH Broadway at Wall Street 74 Trinity Place is located in the ofďŹ ce building behind Trinity Church.

Leah Reddy

Trinity Wall Street

featuring the officer in such iconic images as The Beatles â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abbey Roadâ&#x20AC;? album cover and Associated Press photographer Nick Utâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1972 Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of a little girl crying in the streets following a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. But comedy soon followed more serious forms of coverage as the means through which millions of people are being exposed to the movement. Saturday Night Live is only one among several high-profile television shows to find rich material for satire in the ongoing protests. The animated series South Park recently devoted a full episode to a parody of the movement complete with multiple insertions of slogans such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are the 99 percent.â&#x20AC;? In the episode, an overweight regular character named Cartman becomes the target of peers when his poor fitness scores require his classmates to replace recess with additional physical education classes. The police and the media meanwhile fixate on a supposed â&#x20AC;&#x153;occupationâ&#x20AC;? in South Park. Some New Yorkers said such satire underscores the increasing need for the movement to form a more cohesive political message lest it end up becoming â&#x20AC;&#x153;the butt of a jokeâ&#x20AC;?. One corporate lawyer, who asked for his name not to be published because he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want his employer to know he spoke

with the media, said he was sympathetic to the movement. He added that it has the potential to be a catalyst for big changes in the country but could just as easily become irrelevant as time passes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The problem that I have with Occupy Wall Street is that it over-simplifies complicated issues and risks essentially turning everything into a cartoon character of itself,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to see important messages get lost in the joke.â&#x20AC;? Some attempts to capitalize on Occupy have been openly criticized by activists. The rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z planned to spread the message of the movement as well as turn a personal profit by selling t-shirts featuring the slogan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Occupy Wall Streetâ&#x20AC;? through his Rocawear clothing line. Following the backlash, the clothing line released a new version. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wâ&#x20AC;? was crossed out and an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sâ&#x20AC;? added to the end. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Occupy all streets,â&#x20AC;? the t-shirts now read above the designer label. Some outside the movement said its lasting footprint within the American cultural landscape will continue to grow, but only once more artists draw inspiration from its message and commercial references to its slogans portray the movement in a more positive light. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When those things get involved and that takes time,â&#x20AC;? said Jay Nieves. 23, of Brooklyn who said he has declined online invitations on Facebook to join the movement, â&#x20AC;&#x153;youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see a bigger impact.â&#x20AC;?

The Trinity Knitters meet regularly to knit materials for returning veterans, seamen, and others in need.

ST. PAULâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHAPEL Broadway and Fulton Street CHARLOTTEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLACE 109 Greenwich St, btwn Rector & Carlisle The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, Rector The Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, Vicar

an Episcopal parish in the city of New York

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

AIDS commemorative park Continued from page 11 The compromise allows QHA to fight another day, but the path forward will not be easy, with the resolution noting that the need to resolve design issues related to the basement space creates â&#x20AC;&#x153;a high bar for any proposalâ&#x20AC;? for its repurposing. Still, QHA supporters voiced relief with the outcome of the CB2 meeting. Ethan Geto, a prominent lobbyist and longtime gay activist, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Against great odd and many misapprehensions, the project is very much alive.â&#x20AC;? Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, offered his view that the community boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolution creates the opportunity to develop both a community park and a commemoration of the continuing battle against AIDS. In a letter to Borough President Scott Stringer, he stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;memorial elements can be perfectly compatible with the goal of creating a green usable park for all.â&#x20AC;? GVSHP supports retaining the underground space for an educational center â&#x20AC;&#x153;unless it is clearly demonstrated that it is infeasible or substantially interferes with accessibility or the greenness of the park.â&#x20AC;? Rudin Management, however, has given no indication it is prepared to embrace the QHA proposal in a significant way. While Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for the developer, told Gay City News, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Rudin family

is pleased by Community Board 2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to approve a community park while allowing for the commemoration of the history of St. Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the AIDS epidemic,â&#x20AC;? DNAinfo quoted chief operating officer John Gilbert taking a harder line. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our plan does not contemplate any use for the basement space,â&#x20AC;? he said. The next major step in the process will be an advisory opinion to City Planning from Stringer, who QHA supporters note has a record of support for LGBT projects. That letter could come as soon as November 23. Tepper said he thought it likely that Community Board 4, whose southern boundary is just blocks from the park, will voice support for a site anchored in the history of the epidemic. City Planning will hold its only hearing seeking public testimony on November 30. The hearing, in the auditorium at 22 Reade Street, one block north of City Hall, begins at 10 a.m. The 60 days after the public hearing are critical, said Tepper. The QHA steering committee is looking to George Vellonakis, a Village resident who was the landscape architect responsible for the redesign of Washington Square and Abingdon Square Parks, and Clare Weisz, a founder of WXY Architecture who is redesigning Astor Place, to lead a team of experts in demonstrating that CB2â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals for park access can be squared with retention of the basement space.

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VOLUME 24, NUMBER 19

THE NEWSPAPER OF LOWER

MANHATTAN

JAPANESE TWIST ON GREEK CLASSIC, PG. 25

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VOLUME 24, NUMBER 20

SEPTEMBER 21 - 27,

2011

THE NEWSPAPER OF LOWER MANHATTAN

ÂŽ

BY ALINE REYNOLDS his team to review a 9/11 Cancer is still not covcancer study published ered under the James in the Sept. 3 edition of Zadroga 9/11 Health The and Lancet medical journal as Compensation Act, per a soon as possible rather decision by the lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health than wait a year as planned. program administrator, The Dr. resolution, which follows a John Howard. In July Dr. Congressional petition Howard determined also there requesting Dr. Howardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was insufďŹ cient evidence immediate review of linking the disease to expothe data in the Lancet study, sure to Ground Zero toxins. is scheduled to go before the City politicians are now full City Council on Wed., urging Dr. Howard to reconSept. 21. sider his decision based on a â&#x20AC;&#x153;New persuasive evidence recent scientiďŹ c study that has been compiled [indisuggests such a link indeed cating that] ďŹ rst respondexists. ers who were at ground On Mon., Sept. 19, the zero are getting cancer City Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Committee at a much higher rate than On Sunday, Sept. 25, over 30,000 runners took part in the annual Tunnel to Towers Race in honor of Stephen on Civil Service and Labor ones who werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t,â&#x20AC;? said Council Siller, the fallen firefighter who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in full-gear on 9/11 to get to the World voted unanimously in Member and Committee Trade Center site. Turn to page 16. favor of a resolution call- Chair James Sanders, Jr. ing on Dr. Howard and ScientiďŹ c data reveals

BY JOHN BAYLES If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one booth at the Feast of San Gennaro that needs no name, no sign on the front, no marketing material whatsoever, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the booth on the southeast corner of Spring and Mulberry Streets. What it sells and what its display counter is enough graces to make any passerby stop on a dime: fresh baked cannoli. The booth has been at the same location for 32 years. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the oldest booths that still takes part in the feast and was started by the Rimesso family. It continues to remain â&#x20AC;&#x153;in the familyâ&#x20AC;? to this day, run by Nancy Rimesso and Rob Diaz. While much has changed since the feast started 85 years ago,

there is at least one constant.

as a result of Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s striking resemblance to Scott Baio, who played Chachi in the old sitcom â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy Days.â&#x20AC;? Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father lived above Rockyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the corner of Spring and Across the street from the Mulberry and Rimessoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s his mother lived one block north at booth is Chachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hot 278 Sausages. Like Mulberry. The way Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, Louise, the Rimesso operation, the Chachi tells it, the Monsignor from the old booth has remained, St. since 1975, at Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral on Mulberry the same location and Street is still â&#x20AC;&#x153;all in came to her the family.â&#x20AC;? Before it became father and uncle one day, known as back when the church still allowed Chachiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, it was simply gamknown as the bling and when beer and wine were best sausage the feast had sold to offer. at almost every booth. At Joe Lacorazza is currently that time, the running block in front the booth. But, like his neighbor across no streetlights, of old St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had the street, he never really and they needed some had a choice; it was a family duty. The Folk singer Tom Chapin headlines â&#x20AC;&#x153;Harmony name came on the Hudson.â&#x20AC;? Turn to page Continued on page 2 16 â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the original cannoli,â&#x20AC;? said Diaz on Monday evening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still the feastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best seller. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll invent a new one, but they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reinvent the original.â&#x20AC;?

Photo exhibit at future site of Park51 showcases children of the world

Continued on page 19

BY ALINE REYNOLDS Pristine white walls splashed with photographs of playful children now make up the 4,500-square-foot remodeled space at the future site of the proposed Islamic community center known as Park51. The art exhibit, entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;NYChildren,â&#x20AC;? features a series of 169 photographs of ďŹ rst-generation or immigrant youths ages 12 and under that now live in New York City. The youngest child is a 34-day-old toddler from Ethiopia, who is shown sleeping peacefully on her parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bed in their New York home. The exhibit has been showcased

at a dozen other locations domestically and in Denmark, according to the photographer, Danny GoldďŹ eld, who has 24 children left to photograph to complete his project. When ďŹ nished, there will be one child from every country in the world. The inspiration behind GoldďŹ eldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project was Rana Sodhi, brother of Balbir Sodhi, a Sikh in Arizona who was shot and killed in front of his family-owned gas station four days after 9/11. Sodhiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death was one of the ďŹ rst post-9/11 hate-crime murders in the country, GoldďŹ eld noted. It was Sodhi brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; innovative and good-hearted spirit that inspired

GoldďŹ eld to take on the daunting project, the photographer said in a speech he made at the exhibitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening at 45-51 Park Place on Wednesday, Sept. 26. GoldďŹ eld described Balbir as a generous individual who gave away candy to customers and their families and, hours before he was murdered, emptied his pockets at a local fundraising drive for 9/11 victimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families. GoldďŹ eld admired Balbirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother, Rana, who despite his loss, had a desire to open his heart to others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He had this simple prescription of making the world better by meet-

Continued on page 12

PG. 24 QUEEN OF HEARTS,

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2011

Chinatown B.I.D. 23 opponents vow VOLUME 24, NUMBER to keep fighting

Running in a heroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps

Rob Diaz, who has been serving up cannoli at the Feast of San Gennaro puts another smile on for 32 years, serves a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face. another pastry and

STEAMPU NK

torewsns express down x e p

City Council wants cancer added to Zadroga law

Two booths at San Genn aro serve food, with a side of history

PROTEST GROUPS OCCUPY WALL ST., PG. 2

BY ALINE REYNOLDS After a highly contentious debate among community members, the City Council unanimously voted in favor of the Chinatown Business Improvement District at its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Mayor Michael Bloombergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signed the legislation on Tuesday night. More than three-quarters of the B.I.D.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst-year budget, which totals $1.3 million, will be allocated to supplemental sanitation services, while the remaining funds will ďŹ nance holiday lighting, maintenance of street lampposts and furniture and other area services. Assessment fees range from $1 for condominium owners

to up to $5,000 for large property owners, the majority of whom will pay $700 annually. Approximately three-quarters of the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2,300 property lots will owe $1,000 or less per year. With respect to trash, the Council advised the future B.I.D. to increase garbage collection prior to 8 a.m. based on concerns raised by local business and property owners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The B.I.D. will enhance and retain business in Chinatown by supplying very signiďŹ cant sanitation services within the B.I.D.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boundary,â&#x20AC;? said Council Speaker Christine Quinn at a Sept. 21 press conference announcing the City Council vote.

THE NEWSPAPER

TTAN OF LOWER MANHA

OCTOBER 19

- 25, 2011

h; After a soldierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deat full community wants investigation

a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re conducting S in-depth thorough and BY ALINE REYNOLD investiga- very n into Private A criminal to trace investigatio Grey said. tion is underway Chenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death,â&#x20AC;? to mysterious be premature the cause of the U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would that hapdeath of 19-year-old Chen, discuss anything Danny [in order] to protect Army Private found on pened, whose body was the case.â&#x20AC;? ofďŹ cials guard tower Local elected Oct. 3 in a Afghanistan community organiza-a in Kandahar, and to wound demanding with a gunshot tions are now sive and comprehen the head. was not timely Chenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, which of The fatality accord- study correlate combat related, Criminal they believe might the ing to U.S. Army with racial harassment y experiCommand Investigati on private purportedl Christopher Spokesperson enced while overseas. s are thereknow the â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to Grey. Speculation Chen, who happened to fore swirling that truth of what no raised on the Chen. No lies, was born and was either Danny just the truth,â&#x20AC;? Lower East Side, ofďŹ cer or cover-ups, OuYang, shot by a fellow suicide. said Elizabeth New York that he committed president of the on comment Organization Grey refused to branch of the . either speculation 6 Continued on page 15 Continued on page by Occupy to action initiated worldwide call as part of a Square on Saturday Times month. people invaded Over 6,000 now in its second

ter of the world Occupying the cen protestors .S. O.W in, A month ng to coexist and community tryi is The movement Wall Street.

President Manhattan Borough daily for with Stringer, NYS Sen. Daniel twelve hours Scott as other dents for up to Chin, as well told the assemSquadron and month. Moore rs, to MAGNUS its almost a BY CYNTHIA their movement, representatives and stakeholde with Street enters that she supports As Occupy Wall neighbor policyâ&#x20AC;? ors con- bly develop a â&#x20AC;&#x153;good and demonstrat many of her neighbors. second month, elected as do added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;But please O.W.S. in Zuccotti Park, according Moore, however, tinue to reside stakeholders and One of the challenges, initially us some relief.â&#x20AC;? Chin ofďŹ cials, communityattempting to ďŹ nd give ber Margaret was that the person are concerns of City Councilmem issue is the drum- to Menin, the protestors for relaying the O.W.S. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The single biggest been unable to responsible board back to ways to coexist. of work- said, has od community O.W.S. far, the that she â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a neighborho people you ming. So I know the drum- was not doing so â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a problem the same the drumming. comresolved. ing class people, chair of limit of stress for the OH, THE HORROR! said has now been proactively said Pat Moore, of Life mers are a source O.W.S.â&#x20AC;? represent,â&#x20AC;? addressing within Frightening prospects for Downtown Halloween â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quality to us,â&#x20AC;? and for people Street munity has agreed to Community Board as they are brought happenings. See page 23. the Occupy Wall Chin said O.W.S. and they have concerns on Committee, at in Zuccotti Park said Menin. limits on the drumming, General Assembly and enforce those 14 to follow through Continued on page Oct. 15. was a reducworked The topic of discussion by the drum rules. Menin Julie caused C.B. 1 Chair tion in the noise area resihas disturbed circle, which

Why they occupy

backcome from varied â&#x20AC;&#x153;occupiersâ&#x20AC;? Page 12 Wall Street with many stories. grounds and

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The Sales Support and Marketing Assistant performs a variety of clerical and administrative activities to support the sales and marketing director....(Community Mediaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award winning publications....The Villager, Downtown Express, Chelsea Now, East Villager News and Gay City News). The Sales Assistant is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of paper work between the sales team and information needed by our in-house accounting and production team. You should be able to communicate effectively with advertisers, able to provide follow up support to our sales director for existing and prospective clients. Computer skills are essential, including the ability to use Google Docs and manage basic spreadsheets. This is an hourly wage position with not less that 15 hour per week. Advertising Sales Representative Positions also available. You should be a go-getter with outstanding follow-up skills, the ability to write an effective sales letter, make a terrific pitch, be charming and hard working. We seek a person who has some experience in both print and online advertising sales. Your compensation is based on your sales. Please contact Francesco Regini by sending your resume by email to francesco@thevillager.com. Please do not call. Community Media offers a generous package of beneďŹ ts. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. We publish great papers....thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our mission.

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Compiled by Scott Stiffler

JIM HENSON’S FANTASTIC WORLD If you grew up on “Sesame Street” and have seen the new Muppet reboot currently in theaters (“The Muppets”), then a visit to this exhibit is a must. “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” has much more to offer than just the chance to see Miss Piggy and Kermit under glass. There are also drawings, storyboards, props and a reel of witty commercials from the black and white era of television. Upcoming special events include a 25th anniversary screening of the late Jim Henson’s 1986 film “Labyrinth” (on Sat., Dec. 3, at 7:30pm). A post-screening discussion features a panel whose members include Brian Henson. “Fantastic World” can be seen through Jan. 16, 2012. At the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave., Astoria). Museum hours: Tues.-Thurs., 10:30am-5pm. Fri., 10:30am-8pm. Sat./Sun., 10:30am-7pm. Admission: $10 for adults; $7.50 for college students and seniors; $5 for children under 18 (free for members and children under three). Free admission every Fri., from 4-8pm. For info and a full schedule of events, visit movingimage.us — or call 718-777-6888. MANHATTAN CHILDREN’S THEATRE: A CHRISTMAS CAROL George C. Scott, Bill Murray, Susan Lucci and dozens of others have put their spin on the evergreen tale of a miser who finds redemption thanks to a visit from three very persuasive ghosts — but none of them sang and danced and did it all live on stage in a production fit for ages 5 and up. For that, you’ll have to travel to the new location of Manhattan Children’s Theatre

YOUTH ACTIVITIES (in the gallery space at The Access Theatre). Once there, you’ll be treated to the first main stage production of their 2011-2012 season. This adaptation of the Charles Dickens holiday classic (adapted and directed by MCT Artistic Director Bruce Merrill) features original music by Eric V. Hachikian. Through Dec. 24; Sat./ Sun., at 12pm and 2pm; also on Fri., Dec. 23, at 12pm and 2pm. At Manhattan Children’s Theatre (380 Broadway, 4th floor; two blocks south of Canal St., at Broadway & White). Tickets are sold online for $18 (adults) and $16 (children). At the door, $20. For reservations and info, call 212-352-3101 or visit mctny.org. THE GALLI THEATER The Galli Theater presents their interpretation of “Snow White” — who finds trouble when she responds to a newspaper ad placed by a king. Soon, Snow White needs the assistance of Mr. 7-Dwarf (the all-in-one Dwarf). Dec. 3-Jan. 1; Sat./Sun. at 2pm (shows on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 are at 4pm). In 2012, the season continues with “The Frog Prince” (Jan. 7-29) and Aladdin (Jan. 8-Feb. 26). These productions are appropriate for all ages. All shows take place at 347 W. 36th St. (btw. 8th & 9th Aves.). For tickets ($20 for adults, $15 for children), call 212352-3101 or visit web.ovationtix.com. Also visit gallitheaterny. com.

Photo by Richard Termine, courtesy of The Jim Henson Company

Jim Henson made being green look easy.

FULTON YOUTH OF THE FUTURE TREE LIGHTING Fulton Youth of the Future invites you to join them as they prepare for the holidays — by singing Christmas carols, drinking hot cocoa and lighting the Christmas tree. This free event is open to all.

downtown express Tues., Dec. 6, 6pm. At 419 W. 17th St. (btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). For info, email them at fultonyouth@gmail.com or contact Miguel Acevedo at 646-671-0310. INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S ART EXHIBITION The Children Art Foundation (CAF) (a nonprofit which promotes the artistic development of underprivileged, disenfranchised or disabled children) and The Jewish Guild for the Blind (a nonprofit health care agency serving blind, visually impaired and multi-disabled children, adults and the elderly) are teaming up to present “The Children Art Foundation’s 3rd Annual International Children’s Art Exhibition.” It showcases paintings, sculptures and drawings by students from The Jewish Guild for the Blind in NYC, The Bangkok School for the Blind and The Subsomboonpittayacom School (located in rural Thailand). CAF provides art education programs to these three schools — which, in turn, promote children’s emotional and cognitive development through hands on education in the arts. Sun., Dec. 4, from 2-6pm and Mon., Dec. 5, from 11am-3pm. At Rouge Space Gallery (526 W. 26th St., btw. 10th & 11th Aves., 9th floor, rooms 9E/9F). For more info: childrenartfoundation.org and jgb.org. KIDS ‘N COMEDY: THE BAH, HUMBUG SHOW How are kids like adults? They’re not immune to the blues or bad moods around the holidays — and to cope, they’ll complain to anyone who will listen. Fortunately, the standup comedians featured in this show have wrapped their tales of woe in brightly colored (and maybe even off-color) setups and punchlines. It’s all standard procedure for “Kids ‘N Comedy” — the monthly series at Gotham Comedy Club which presents an ever-changing roster of teens and tweens from the tri-state area. This time up: Charlie Bardey, Luke Bergamini, Mark Cohen, Ryan Drum, Leo Frampton, Dillon Heverin and Daniel Laitman. Sun., Dec. 11, at 1pm. At Gotham Comedy Club (208 W. 23rd St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Appropriate for ages 9 and up. For tickets ($15, plus one-item minimum), call 212-877-6115 or visit kidsncomedy.com. Also visit gothamcomedyclub.com.

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

DOWNTOWNEXPRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Make list, check twice: December Downtown theater Two takes on ‘Christmas Carol’ worth seeing, 998 to avoid BY TRAV S.D. Happy Holidays! As everyone who’s ever been in a chain drugstore knows, “the season” begins around October 4. I was sick of it before Thanksgiving, but what are you gonna do? There’s tons of holiday-themed theatre in the works this month — and who am I to stoke a roaring blaze in the fireplace in anticipation of that jolly man’s arrival? First, let’s get some sad news out of the way. Manhattan Theatre Source, the MacDougal Street storefront theatre that’s been in operation for over 11 years, will be closing its doors for good next month. According to MTS board member Doug Silver, “Our deficits have grown too high, and the terrible economy has badly hurt…not only the Source itself, but even more significantly the companies that we depend on to rent our theater all year long.” The company promises to continue producing their bestknown project (the Estrogenius Festival) and other activities at alternative venues. And now on to much more lighthearted business. If you’re like me you’ll agree that the 1,000 existing theatrical adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” are 998 too many. I stopped paying attention sometime after the Mr. Magoo excursion. However, there are a pair of new versions opening this month that promise to blow the lid off this whole “Bah, Humbug!” thing. First, there’s Greg Oliver Bodine’s “A Christmas Carol, as Told by Charles Dickens (Himself)” — at the Canal Park Playhouse December 1-24. According to director David Chapman “it’s shaping up to be Dickens meets Charlie Chaplin, Willie Wonka and Jim Henson.” In this version objects become people and ghosts jump out of hiding places at the audience. The fact that the Canal Park Playhouse’s artistic director is supposedly a ventriloquist dummy according to their web site cannot be irrelevant. For more about the production (and the ventriloquist dummy) go the canalparkplayhouse.com. Also opening December 1 is “Reid Farrington’s A Christmas Carol, or Dickens the Unparalleled Necromancer” at the Abrons Arts Center. I caught Farrington’s “Gin and It” at PS122 a couple of years ago, and it was an interesting interaction between highly choreographed actor/scenery shifters and clips from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope.” Here, he promises to give us a kaleidoscopic explosion of clips from all of those existing “Christmas Carols” (35 of them to be more accurate), again smashing together media with live performers in a “Victorian Phantasmagoria.” Sounds like my cup of Pennyroyal Tea. It plays through December 18. For more info, see reidfarrington.com. For a more sardonic holiday experience, check out faux Minnesota camp duo Vickie and Nickie in “Vickie and Nickie’s Holiday

Photo by Chris Kateff

Too many Scrooges: Chris Andrew Loar measures himself against the ghosts of Ebenezers past, in “Reid Farrington’s Christmas Carol.”

Sleigh Ride” at Dixon Place on December 3 and 10. The kitschy duo are not only funny character comediennes, but very talented musicians, each of them switching off on numerous different instruments over the course of a set. If their “Oh yah” shtick seems a little derivative, nobody can gainsay their abilities at pickin’, wailin’ or slammin’ the keys. More information at vickieandnickie. com. This being an official “festive time,” some family-friendly shows deserve mention. While not Christmas-themed, Axis Company’s “Seven in One Blow, or the Brave Little Kid” is revived annually at this time of year, thus making it something of a holiday tradition. This year’s production (playing December 2-18) is the tenth annual edition — adding an element of celebration to the proceedings. The company puts as much work into this show as they do on their ordinary mainstage productions, and it stars many of their core cast members, including Edgar Oliver (one of my favorite actors), Jim Sterling and Brian Barnhart. The story, in case you were raised in a hole, comes from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. To learn more, go to axiscompany.org And speaking of Grimm, an outfit called “Grimms n Giggles Productions” (a project of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble) will be playing

their new musical version of “The Toymakers Apprentice” at the Wild Project December 10 and 17. In this latter-day adaptation, the titular toymaker is hiring two new apprentices, and it’s between two candidates: the selfish daughter of the President of Corporate Corp, Incorporated…and a sweet little girl. Which one will win in the end? We know which one The Donald would choose, and that’s why no one produces his children’s shows. But to see a version produced by actual human beings, choose this one. Tickets and info are at phoenixtheatreensemble.org. And if we may step outside the realm of Christian and Pagan mythmaking, I might suggest a brief stopover in the village of Chelm, the traditional town of idiots of Jewish folklore. Chelm is the setting of “Shlemiel the First” — a musical being presented by the National Yiddish Theatre (a.k.a. the Folksbiene) at NYU’s Skirball Center December 13-31. The show is based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s tale, adapted by the great director and critic Robert Brustein (though directed here by the Folksbiene’s David Gordon, with music by Zalmen Mlotek). If you want to find out more about how to “get your dunce cap on,” go to folksbiene.org. Lastly, from December 8-18, Theater for the New City will be presenting their sixth

Voice for Vision Puppet Festival. I am most excited by the revival of “A Life in Her Day” by the hilarious clown Hilary Chaplain, directed by and starring the hilarious and FAMOUS Avner Eisenberg (a.k.a Avner the Eccentric). This is New Vaudeville royalty on both counts, friends, and I for one plan to be devastated by the comedy these two cook up together. Also on the schedule are “Hudson to China” by Concrete Temple Theatre, “Senseless! A Brick Foley Adventure” by Elizabeth Hara, “Black Acre” by Retta Leaphart. The festival will also feature two evenings of short-form performances. “HellzaPoppinPuppets” (December 10 at 10:30pm) will present clowning comedy, singing and other surprises as the presenters look at how puppetry is performed in other genres of entertainment. “Puppet Art Attacks Slam” (December 18 at 8pm) will present short-form “works of genius” in a variety of puppet styles, from mini epics to performance poems. All audience members will receive a “Passport to Puppet Theater” at their first show in this festival, entitling them to $2 off tickets to each subsequent mainstage show they attend (discount must be claimed at the box office only). For full info, go to theaterforthenewcity.net. See you next year!

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November 30 - December 6, 2011

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November 30 - December 6, 2011

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Speaking in Tongues â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chinglishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has well-placed heart THEATER BY CHRISTOPHER BYRNE Superficially, David Henry Hwangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bright, new comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinglishâ&#x20AC;? is about a clash of cultures. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the story of an Ohio businessman, Daniel Cavanaugh, who attempts to resuscitate his failing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and once-notorious â&#x20AC;&#x201D; career by opening up the booming Chinese market for his sign company. His idea is to create approaches to public communication that can mean the same in both Mandarin and English. He barges into the commercial city of Guiyang with his can-do American spirit and his belief in the quality of his product â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and runs right into the wall of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vastly different way of doing business. With the help of a would-be â&#x20AC;&#x153;consultant,â&#x20AC;? Peter Timms, the development of â&#x20AC;&#x153;guanxiâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; business connections â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and a personal relationship that turns intimate with a married female local official, Xi Yan, Cavanaugh ultimately succeeds, but not without some hard knocks. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the plot, but Hwangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play is really an extended metaphor about connection â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the human kind â&#x20AC;&#x201D; communication, and the challenges of getting beyond ourselves to grow. It is about the images we create of ourselves, the images we see in each other, and how rare and fleeting true connection is. Too often muddling through doing the best we can, we mean to tell someone we love them and we end up talking about sea mud. Still, if there is a connection there, the other person gets what we mean. A central joke of the play involves the many ways in which language is misunderstood. Business meetings almost grind to a halt because words and thoughts have been mangled on one side or the other. Cavanaughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to tell Xi Yan he loves her is irretrievably botched. The dramatic tension in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinglishâ&#x20AC;? comes from the characters often being at crosspurposes with one another, but there is also an inherent sweetness to all of them that is affecting. Cavanaugh falls for Xi Yan, but she simply wants a vacation from her life. Timms lacks the wherewithal to deliver what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promising, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in love with China and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neither neat nor pretty, but it is life, and

CHINGLISH Longacre Theatre 220 W. 48th St. (btw. Broadway & 8th Ave.) Tues.-Thurs. at 7pm; Fri.-Sat. at 8pm Wed., Sat. at 2pm; Sun. at 3pm $36.50-$121.50; telecharge.com Or 212-239-6200 Hwang finds the poetry of it in his comedy. Having traveled to China for work over the past 15 years, I can attest to how well Hwang has captured that cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customs as well as the craziness that can result when Americans try to work through a translator with limited English. Throughout the play, we see all the ways communication can go wrong and sometimes right, and how the best we can do is the best we can do. And it all works out in the end. In that way the play is very affirming. Gary Wilmes is convincing as Cavanaugh, growing ably through the part as we learn more about him and share this redemptive journey with him. Jennifer Lim is superb as Xi Yan, with impeccable timing that conveys her characterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiercely romantic side balanced by implacable rationality. Stephen Pucci is terrific as Timms. Angela Lin has a wonderful turn as a befuddled translator, as does Johnny Wu. Director Leigh Silverman lets us know there are serious things at stake for each of the characters, but always keeps the comedy real and pointed, such as when Larry Lei Zhang, as a minister whose job is being politically threatened, struggles to sustain a professional demeanor amidst plaguing phone calls from family. David Korinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; creative, jigsaw puzzle-like set is as antic in its changes as some of the scenes, which contributes to the comedyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high energy. In the end, though, it is the hearts seeking a place to land â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even if for a moment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that make â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinglishâ&#x20AC;? easy for anyone to understand.

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November 30 - December 6, 2011

downtown express

Just Do Art! COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER

HOLIDAY EVENTS AT THE MERCHANT’S HOUSE MUSEUM Prior to the last 75 years, the Merchant’s House Museum was home to a prosperous merchant-class family for nearly a century. Their slice of domestic life as lived from 18351865 has been preserved by displaying original furnishings and personal possessions. It was during the Tredwell era that many of our beloved Christmas activities (trimming trees, singing carols, sending cards) began. Sadly, however, this was a time bereft of moldedplastic, lit-from-within Frostys — and the 19th century Hit Parade didn’t include “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Those 1950s innovations (now holiday classics in their own right) can be seen alongside their 1850s counterparts in “From Candlelight to Bubble Light: A 1950s Christmas in an 1850s House.” This visionary mash-up of times and traditions finds the museum’s halls retro-decked with conceptual stylist (and East Village icon) Deb O’Nair’s collection of vintage holiday decorations and 1950s/60s Americana. On Dec. 9/10: “Bubble Light Cocktail Tours” happen at 6 and 8pm (90 minutes in length; includes a 45-minute tour, then classic 1950s-style cocktails and canapés. Vintage cocktail attire encouraged, but not required; $40). “From Candlelight to Bubble Light: Holiday Tours for the Whole Family” happen on Sat., Dec. 10 (45-minute tours begin every half hour, from 2-5pm; $20; $15 for children under 12). At the “Holly Jolly Holiday Cocktail Party” (6-8pm on Wed., Dec. 14; $40), come dressed in your vintage best (1850s or 1950s) and toast the holidays with cocktails and eats — then go shopping at the fabulous holiday gift bazaar. On Sat., Dec. 17 at 7:30pm, “Tinsel Tunes” features holiday songs performed by the Tinseltones in an 1850s parlor filled with 1950s decorations and vintage Christmas memorabilia ($30). On New Year’s Day, from 3-6pm, “Open House” brings back

the centuries-old tradition of paying New Year’s Day calls (complete with a cup of holiday punch and snacks). Admission is $30. At Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. Fourth St., btw. Lafayette & Bowery). Regular hours: 12-5pm (closed Tues. & Wed.). Admission: $10 ($5 for students/seniors). For info, call 212-777-1089 or visit merchantshouse.org.

WASHINGTON SQUARE TREE LIGHTING AND CAROLING When it comes to giving, The Washington Square Association’s seasonal spirit is willing — to set the alarm clock for a time that puts to shame all but the most hardcore Black Friday shoppers. On Monday, November 28 — while most of us were still sleeping — WSA president Anne-Marie Sumner was delivering coffee (and, presumably, good cheer) to the burly elves who just drove in from Vermont to deliver a 45-foot Christmas tree to its new home under the Arch. That resplendent tree’s multi-colored lights get lit for the first time on December 7 — when Santa Claus shows up to lead the children in the illumination countdown. After that, a participatory event for all ages: the singing of holiday songs — thanks to music by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and complimentary songbooks supplied by the WSA. The festivities (sans illumination countdown) repeat on Christmas Eve. The tree lighting ceremony takes place on Wed., Dec. 7, at 6pm. It will be lit for the season, from 4pm-1am daily. The Christmas Eve festivities happen on Sat., Dec. 25, at 5pm. The Washington Square Park Arch is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, one block south of Eighth St. For info, call 212-252-3621 or visit washingtonsquarenyc.org.

Photo by Ken Howard

Bright Arch, big city: The Rob Susman Brass Quartet leads the singing on Dec. 7 & 24. See “Washington Square Tree Lighting.”

REMEMBERING FULTON FISH MARKET Another iconic slice of old school Manhattan life that’s gone forever, the Fulton

Continued on page 23

Image courtesy of the artist

““Row, late 1960s.” See “Remembering Fulton Fish Market.”

Photo courtesy of Merchant’s House Museum

Frosted, and frozen, in time. See “Holiday Events at Merchant’s House Museum.”

downtown express

November 30 - December 6, 2011

Just Do Art! Continued from page 22 Fish Market’s South Street incarnation (18222005) endures — on walls — thanks to the work of Naima Rauam. The artist spent over two decades immersing herself in its darkness to dawn routine, when the market was full of life (and recently expired fish). On the sixth anniversary of its move, Rauam’s exhibit of watercolors and drawings (which glowed with a melancholy poignancy even when the market was still based on South Street) gain power and gravity as time goes by. Free. Through Dec.18. At @ SEAPORT!Gallery (210 Front St., corner of Beekman, at South Street Seaport). Gallery hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-7pm. For info, visit artpm.com.

URBAN BALLET THEATER’S NUTCRACKER IN THE LOWER It’s already a Lower East Side holiday tradition — but nothing cements that status like knowing they’ve been doing it for a decade. Urban Ballet Theater’s “Nutcracker in the Lower” achieves that milestone this time around. Their annual Downtown twist on the classic holiday tale retains the traditional grace of classical ballet — but adds some local flavor as well. UBT Artistic Director Daniel Catanach’s decidedly different vision of sugarplums dancing takes audiences on a journey through Manhattan’s cultural diversity. The party scene (traditionally depicted as an opulent 19th-century ball) becomes a holiday salsa party; the battle scene, set in a

crumbling subway station, features gigantic krumping rats and stylized hip hop toy soldiers; and the production’s angels are informed by Native American and African dance styles. Tchaikovsky’s familiar score remains largely intact (with ample room for the baselines of hip hop and the burnished cante of flamenco). Through Dec. 4. Wed., Thurs., Fri. at 7:30pm; Sat. at 3pm and 7pm; Sun. at 3pm. At Abrons Arts Center, at the Henry Street Settlement (466 Grand St., at Pitt St.). For tickets ($20), call 212-352-3101 or visit theatermania.com. For group sales, call 212-598-0400 or visit abronsartscenter. org. Also visit urbanballettheater.org, facebook.com/NutcrackerintheLower and twitter/NutintheLower.

AVI WISNIA IN CONCERT, CELEBRATING THE RELEASE OF “MAOZ TSUR” As he proved on his debut album (“Something New”), singer/songwriter/rabbi’s son Avi Wisnia knows his way around Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950’s west-coast jazz and contemporary pop. His latest release (available now online) is the holiday single “Maoz Tsur.” This jazz instrumental is based on a liturgical poem that’s become a popular Hanukkah song often heard after the lighting of the menorah. Translated as “Rock of Ages,” its words celebrate the human spirit’s ability to claim victory over oppressors and overcome persecution. You don’t have to be one of the chosen people to appreciate that — but it

Photo by Brian Mengini

Clara, watching Mama Fruita. See “Nutcracker in the Lower.”

Image courtesy of the artist

A liturgical poem with a beat: Avi Wisnia’s new single has its live debut on Dec. 9.

doesn’t hurt! With that in mind, Wisnia cordially invites all colors and creeds to come and experience the joy of the holidays at a free event, which will feature the live performance debut of “Maoz Tsur.” Fri., Dec. 9, from 8-9:30pm (doors open at 7:30pm). Free and open to all ages — but seating is limited, so arrive early. At Live at Caffe Vivaldi (32 Jones St.; off Bleecker St., by 7th Ave.). For info, caffevivaldi.com or 212-691-7538. For more info: aviwisnia. com; twitter.com/aviwisnia; youtube.com/ teamwisnia; facebook.com/aviwisniamusic; myspace.com/aviwisniapresents. Photo courtesy of the artist

A sweet deal on art: David Dorsey’s “Raspberry Cupcake” (oil on canvas). See “Viridian Artists.”

VIRIDIAN ARTISTS: “HOLIDAY PRESENCE” EXHIBITION Born on Long Island in the ’60s, Viridian

Artists Inc. grew up in SoHo, spent the ’70s on 57th Street and has called Chelsea home for over a decade. Each year at this time, Viridian invites its regulars (and guest artists) to “create some small but special artworks to share during this season of celebration, contemplation and giving.” In addition to the exhibition of those works, Viridian is bringing back its Holiday Store — stocked with art cards, prints, artist books, small art and art jewelry (items are under $100). “Holiday Presence” is on view Dec. 6-31 (opening reception, Thurs., Dec. 15, from 6-8pm). At Viridian Artists (548 W. 28th St., btw. 10th and 11th Aves., 6th fl.). Gallery hours: Tues. through Sat., 12-6pm. For info, 212-414-4040 or viridianartists.com.

November 30 - December 6, 2011

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