CHELSEA NOW, FEB. 8 - 21, 2012

Spunky Old Opera Broads, p. 27

VOLUME 4, NUMBER 38

THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

FEBRUARY 8 - 21, 2012

Chelsea Market debated, on phone and in public

BY SCOTT STIFFLER Public meetings are taking place, phone surveys are being conducted and coalitions are being formed — as Jamestown Properties’ plan to vertically expand Chelsea Market draws closer to its ultimate approval or rejection.

On January 25, the Community Board 4 (CB4) Chelsea Preservation and Planning Committee (CP&P) held what CB4 chair Corey Johnson described as “the first of at least three times

Photo by William Alatriste, New York City Council

First they made it to the Super Bowl, now they’re on Broadway: Eli Manning and Steve Tisch ride on the Victory Parade Float.

Community Board 4 supports small business, advocates for poor

BY WINNIE McCROY Community Board 4 (CB4) gathered at Roosevelt Hospital on February 1 to lend their support to neighborhood projects — among them, a new wine bar, affordable housing, school scholarships and the renaming of a street in honor of slain hero Brandon Romero.

Sparsely attended, the meeting was initially delayed until a quorum of board members was achieved. There were no public hearings, and only six people spoke at the public session (sharing information about events on the High Line and preservation efforts for the Arnold Belkin mural at the Matthews-Palmer Playground on West 45th Street, btw. Ninth and 10th

Avenues).

Also speaking were NYC Liquor License lawyer Leonard M. Fogelman and Dilaver Kocak, co-owner of Wine Escape. They petitioned CB4 for a letter of support to the State Liquor Authority (SLA). The men explained that they had worked with the West 44th Street Block Association to draft a list of 11 conditions under which they would grant their approval.

“Wine Group Manhattan received a letter from the Block Association spelling out what was agreed to, and we are incorporating it into the letter to the SLA,” said 2nd Vice Chair Paul Seres, during the main session. Among the other items at issue were a midnight closing, installing and monitoring a

security camera and a secured back entrance, no aluminum signage, no amplified sound and the installation of a prominent sign asking patrons to refrain from smoking or excessive noise outside the bar “There was a letter of no objection from the DOB [Department of Buildings]. It is a very small location, and the Block Association has voted overwhelmingly in favor of it,” said Board Chair Corey Johnson. The agenda item was passed.

Closing out the public session were Frank and Max Romero, petitioning CB4 to rename 19th Street and Ninth Avenue in honor of their brother

we will look at the Chelsea Market proposal before the full board meeting.”

Both the full board and CP&P are currently awaiting approval of Jamestown’s application — which will come in the form of ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) certification.

Once the Department of City Planning (DCP) delivers certification to CB4, the full board will have 60 days to issue its own purely

Continued on page 7

AIDS memorial would have shady grove and mirrors

BY ALBERT AMATEAU The AIDS Memorial Park Coalition on Monday released the winning design for an AIDS memorial that they want for the planned triangle park across from Rudin Management’s residential redevelopment of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital site.

The design elicited mixed reactions in the Greenwich Village community. The chairperson of Community Board 2 (CB2) called it “a

good starting point” for a way to possibly include aspects of an AIDS memorial at the site. But the head of the Greenwich Village Block Associations blasted the memorial design as “presumptuous” and “dreadful,” and said it would be a magnet for graffiti.

The announcement of a new design for the 17,000square-foot triangle comes

Continued on page 13

EDITORIAL, LETTERS PAGE 8

NIYAZOV IS GOLDEN PAGE 16

Continued on page 3

515 CANAL STREET • NYC 10 013 • COPYRIGHT © 2012 COMMUNITY M E D I A , L L C

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February 8 - 21, 2012

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If you’re the type who’s drawn to a work of art for no other reason than the fact that it speaks to your soul, then “Messages of HOPE” has got an exhibition and art sale for you (the names of the artists will be revealed at the closing reception). Proceeds benefit Samaritans of New York — a nonprofit organization that operates New York City’s 24-hour suicide hotline, public education and awareness programs and support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. “Messages of HOPE” is sponsored by the School of Visual Arts Office of Student Health and Counseling Services — and showcases work from students, faculty and

staff (as well as artists outside of the SVA community).

The exhibition is free and open to the public (Feb. 10-17; Mon.-Fri., 9am-7pm; Sat., 10am-6pm). At the Westside Project Space (ground floor, 133/141 W. 21st St.. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.). Fri., Feb. 17; closing reception and sale from 6:30-9pm (the string quartet PUBLIQuartet will perform). Works are $75 each, with proceeds going to the Samaritans of New York. To purchase artwork without attending the benefit, contact Adrienne Rumble, of Samaritans (212-6773009). For more info, visit samaritansnyc. org , publiquartet.com and sva.edu.

February 8 - 21, 2012

3

CB4 recommends honoring slain hero Brandon Romero ing committee pages and the governor’s proposal to raze the Javits Center. Johnson said that local stakeholders like the High Line and Hudson Yards would be working with a Community Advisory Committee, chaired by former board president Lee Compton to preserve their interests.

Continued from page 1 Brandon Romero — who was murdered on December 12 while helping his cousin, Jamie Lee Cruz, retrieve her belongings from an abusive boyfriend.

“I want to thank the Board and the Transportation Committee for working to get 19th and Ninth renamed after our brother Brandon, who heroically saved our cousin’s life,” said Frank Romero. “We are doing this out of positivity, to improve the community, and to build a legacy. If one kid’s life is better because of the example Brandon set, it is worth it.”

The board unanimously passed the resolution to send a letter to Speaker Christine Quinn regarding this street renaming.

BOARD APPROVES ALL AGENDA ITEMS

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES Representatives from elected officials then shared their updates.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler will mark up H.R. 7 (the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act), citing concerns with funding cuts for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

State Senator Thomas Duane’s rep reported on their January 20 SLA forum, attended by about 100 people. The forum outlined the liquor license process, the enforcement of nightlife-related issues including noise and traffic, and concerns about bars in residential areas.

The senator promised to post a resolution introduced by CB2 that calls on the SLA to post Method of Operation information on the website, for ease in enforcement.

‘I want to thank the Board and the Transportation Committee for working to get 19th and Ninth renamed after our brother Brandon, who heroically saved our cousin’s life,’ said Frank Romero.

He also discussed his co-sponsoring of a law that allows the SLA to revoke a liquor license if police report six instances of noise, disturbance or misconduct within a 60-day period.

Regarding new Senate district lines, Sarah Meier-Zimbler said, “If you look at the odd shape of the new districts, it is clear they were developed for pure partisan interests. Senator Duane is an advocate for independent, non-partisan redistricting, and there will be a hearing about it on February 2, at 250 Broadway.”

Photo by Winnie McCroy

L to R: District Manager Bob Benfatto, Chair Corey Johnson, Vice-Chair Christine Berthet and 2nd Vice-Chair Paul Seres.

Assembly Member Dick Gottfried’s rep spoke about efforts to protect the HopperGibbons House, the only New York stop on the Underground Railroad. On January 15, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission unveiled a marker on a lamppost in front of the house signifying as such.

But the DOB is still facing a fight from the new owner, whose construction of an illegal fifth floor has come under the scrutiny of numerous electeds, neighborhood activists and historic preservationists.

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal’s office reported their work to help senior citizens access affordable housing at a March 8 Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program. Finally, District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s office announced their work on the All-Crimes DNA Bill — which would allow for the collection of DNA to be used in unsolved crimes.

DISTRICT MANAGER AND BOARD CHAIR REPORTS District Manager Bob Benfatto shared his report, notifying attendees that there would be two meetings of the Chelsea Preservation and Planning Committee (CPP): one on February 2, dealing with the new budget, and another on February 23 at the Fulton Center Auditorium regarding the proposed Chelsea Market expansion.

“We had a public forum and there were about 100 people there, and 30 people spoke critically about the expansion of the Chelsea Market,” said Johnson during his Board Chair report. “On February 23, we will have a follow-up meeting. We still haven’t heard when the application will be certified. If it is in April, we will have seven or eight new board members who won’t know about its history. But if DCP (Department of City Planning) delays ULURP certification…it will give them time to get up to speed.”

Board Member Elizabeth Mackintosh also gave a report on a recent Bylaws Task Force meeting, during which board members proposed revisions to three bylaws, two

regarding new membership, and one mandating paper ballot voting for elections, to be voted on in March.

Other issues that arose were the Department of Transportation (DOT) Bike Share meeting, the Quality of Life Committee’s unsatisfactory meeting with Avenues: The World School regarding financial aid, future CB4 web site upgrades updat-

The full board then voted on 16 agenda items, several of which they bundled. They approved letters to the SLA for six new businesses, including Wine Escape.

They voted to send a letter to the School Construction Authority regarding reforming the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) to calculate new seats in Manhattan schools.

Discussed at some length was the Board’s work with the Housing, Health and Human Services Committee and Related Companies regarding affordable housing for 500 West 30th Street. Joe Restuccia catalogued the concessions Related had made for installing the same finishes and 85 percent of the same flooring in low-income units as in marketrate. But he did have a problem with the undesirable views of the Lincoln Tunnel and adjacent buildings afforded to low-income tenants. The board eventually agreed to investigate the builders’ proposed porte-cochère under the High Line, and added text to

Continued on page 12

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February 8 - 21, 2012

Chen advocates continue to demand Army reforms

BY ALINE REYNOLDS Despite numerous strides the U.S. Army has taken to promote cultural diversity among personnel, it still has a ways to go in properly training its troops and penalizing soldiers that mistreat their peers because of their ethnicity, according to testifiers at a New York City Council hearing on Friday, January 27.

The hearing was organized to discuss and vote on Councilmember Margaret Chin’s resolution in honor of the late Private, Chinatown native Danny Chen. The Civil Rights Committee unanimously passed the resolution, which was scheduled for a full City Council vote on Wednesday, February 1.

In light of Chen’s suicide last October, the resolution urges the federal Department of Defense to make reforms to the military’s diversity training policies in order to thwart discrimination and harassment of all soldiers, including minorities.

“The recent and tragic circumstances surrounding [Chen’s] death highlights the need for greater initial scrutiny and periodic evaluations of those men and women who seek to serve and those who are already serving in the armed forces, to aid in the identification of those individuals who are more prone to behave in a reprehensible manner,” the resolution states.

While the Army prides itself on its antidiscrimination guidelines, nearly two percent of U.S. military suicides in 2010, and

five percent of suicide attempts that year, were at least partly triggered by hazing, according to a report crafted by Chin and fellow councilmembers.

Soldiers should be better educated about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors and about the legal and administrative consequences of discrimination, according to the report. “At a minimum,” the report reads, “local training units must incorporate training on the anti-discrimination policy into the unit’s overall training, and [this training] must be conducted quarterly.”

Responding to the resolution, the Department of Defense firmly stood by the military’s current behavioral codes. “All service members are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, and each of the services has policies to reiterate and enforce this,” said Department spokesperson Eileen Lainez. “Tailored training is included throughout the learning continuum; each service reviews course content regularly and makes revisions as appropriate.”

The Army is enhancing its cultural awareness training following the release of reports that identify loopholes in disciplinary action toward derelict soldiers, according to testifier Herb Ruben, project director of the Veterans’ Mental Health Coalition of NYC. “Commanders are now getting more troops into substance abuse programs, are kicking more out of service for misconduct and are barring others with alcohol and drug

convictions from joining in the first place,” said Ruben.

These comments, however, didn’t pass muster with family members of Chen and of other suicidal soldiers. Testifier Judy Chu’s nephew, Lance Corporal Harry Lew, fatally shot himself last April after being bullied by his peers.

“The lack of diversity in military leadership and recent high-profile cases of racial discrimination and harassment at the lower levels of the services, raise serious concerns about whether the military is effectively providing equal treatment and opportunity,” said Chu. It is crucial that the Army’s anti-hazing policies are transparent, since minorities, who are most often the victims, now comprise 35 percent of the Army’s active duty personnel, according to U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. The number of Asian-American soldiers alone has spiked by nearly 40 percent since 2002.

“We want to know whether the Army is tracking how many cases of hazing occur each year; when they last reviewed their hazing policies; and how anti-hazing training is emphasized in basic training,” said Velázquez.

OCA-NY (Organization of Chinese Americans), the chief advocate in the Chen case, has offered to work with the Army to create an interactive video as part of its diversity training and is requesting greater

intervention at the recruitment stage to find out about prospective soldiers’ attitudes toward diversity. The organization is also demanding that the military’s commanding officers more successfully enforce a zero tolerance policy against hazing and that the officers be automatically punished if they fail to do so.

Responding to a series of questions OCANY fired off to Army officials at a meeting in mid-December, Army representative Larry Stubblefield asserted that commanders are indeed responsible for investigating maltreatment allegations. Specifically, these officers undergo leadership training and must respond to “equal opportunity” — or harassment — complaints within two weeks’ time, he said.

“Commanders are held accountable for investigating reported complaints and responsible for ensuring an environment free from reprisal,” said Stubblefield.

Asked about the Army’s cultural awareness training, Stubblefield said it formally trains commanding officers and all other soldiers in its codes of conduct on a regular basis.

“It is important to recognize that the Army is comprised of 1.1 million people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds,” said Stubblefield. “If the Army were a city, it would be the tenth largest in the U.S.; and just as any city that size wrestles with a host of societal issues, so, too, does our Army.”

February 8 - 21, 2012

WTC Health Registry to complete third survey

BY ALINE REYNOLDS City-employed physicians and scientists are hoping to discover new health trends and further encourage treatment of 9/11-related illnesses through continued surveys and research.

More than 40,000 enrollees of the World Trade Center Health Registry have already responded to the Registry’s third mass survey, which will close in mid-March. The Registry, established by the city Department of Health (DOH) in 2002, is also working on several new 9/11 health studies, including one focused exclusively on cancer.

The Registry’s current survey is only open to the 71,000 first responders, residents and workers that responded to its first questionnaire distributed in 2003-2004, according to director Mark Farfel. Over the years, the Registry has managed to maintain contact with more than 99 percent of this original cohort. “That’s the group we’re following over time,� said Farfel. “We need to have this longitudinal approach, so we can understand the course of conditions that has already been reported, symptoms and conditions that are persisting, and anything that may be emerging.�

Once the responses to the latest survey are collected and organized, Farfel and his team, comprised of experts in fields such as occupational health, environmental health, demography and anthropology, will sift through the data in search of recurring descriptions of symptoms.

The group will then conduct a formal analysis of their findings, which will likely be submitted for peer-reviewed publication next year or the year thereafter. “We do want to begin looking at the patterns of illnesses reported in the [second] survey and see what’s happening with those conditions now,� said Farfel. “That’s a process that takes some months to do.�

The cancer study, which will be turned in for publication by March, is based upon matches to data through 2008 from nearly a dozen statewide cancer registries. “We’re comparing the number of confirmed cancer diagnoses among enrollees to our expected numbers based on the general population of New York State,� said Farfel. “We’re also comparing the cancer rates of enrollees who are more highly exposed to rates of those who are less highly exposed, to see if there’s a relation between cancer and [Ground Zero] exposure.�

Asked about the push by John Feal and other 9/11 advocates to have cancer added to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Farfel noted that the Registry wasn’t formed to make such recommendations to the federal government. “We have a public system for people who are not covered or who can’t afford care,� said Farfel, referring to the city Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC).

With respect to the Registry’s forthcoming study, Farfel noted, “We recognize that all of this is early and intend to continue cancer assessment study in the future.�

Meanwhile, the Registry is attempting to identify gaps in care, as many enrollees have indicated unmet health problems in the ques-

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tionnaires. Nurses and other DOH employees have joined forces with the HHC to individually call and write to enrollees to let them know about treatment options. They’ve also regularly updated officials at the city Department of Education about local treatment for children adversely affected by 9/11.

The Registry’s outreach thus far has resulted in 1,000 first-time visits to the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center, which has locations at Gouverneur Healthcare Services, Bellevue Hospital Center and Elmhurst Hospital Center. “We think that’s meeting one of our core missions, which is responding to needs,� said Farfel.

The Registry’s outreach has also informed health articles, such as a 2011 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of lung function in area residents and workers. “For that study,� Farfel said, “we invited subgroups for pulmonary function tests and had them complete a symptom and exposure questionnaire.�

Researchers unaffiliated with the Registry have also solicited feedback from Registry enrollees for their own 9/11-related studies on topics including WTC evacuation experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among first responders and their children. “One of the strengths of the Registry is the large, diverse cohort we have — I think that makes us unique,� said Farfel.

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February 8 - 21, 2012

Anti-gay taunts in Hell’s Kitchen attacks

ss F

World-Cla

BY DUNCAN OSBORNE A still unidentified assailant, who may have been motivated by anti-gay bias, committed a series of assaults in Hell’s Kitchen early in the morning of January 16. “I was walking home along Ninth Avenue,� Frederick Bodner, 28, told our sister publication Gay City News, when he saw a white male attacking a “blond guy.�

Bodner said, “I just heard fighting or something. I saw two guys brawling. As the blond guy started running across the street, the other guy started yelling ‘Faggot, pussy.’�

Bodner observed this at about 2am on West 52nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. There are at least two gay bars on that block. The assailant was accompanied

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anyone who has witnessed or experienced violence and encourages community members to reach out to us through our hotline or at our office if they need support,’ Sharon Stapel, AVP’s executive director, wrote in an email. by three to five other men, but Bodner did not see the others participate in the attacks.

The assailant hit several men. “I guess there were four guys who were attacked,� Bodner said. “It was unprovoked.�

Bodner said the blond guy “had a really bloody nose, swollen upper brow, eventually a black eye.� Bodner was told that another victim had broken ribs. A group of witnesses and some victims, who gathered after the assailant and other men left in a car, discussed what they saw.

Responding to an email, the city’s Fire Department wrote, “We have [a] record of an incident at 364 W 52 Street btw 8/9 Aves at 2:06 am on 1/16/12. Call was for an injured individual who had possibly been assaulted. A male, 28 y/o, with injuries to his face, was transported to Roosevelt Hspt.�

The police department did not respond to two emails seeking information on the assault.

Witnesses said that two uniformed police officers came in response to 911 calls, but they could not say what precinct the officers were from. Witnesses obtained a partial license plate number, EY8172, which they gave to police, though they could not say what state the plates were from. The car was a white or silver two- or four-door. “Unfortunately, none of us had a lot of information that we could offer them,� said a second witness, who asked to remain anonymous. That witness said he saw two victims taken into the ambulance.

The assailant was white, about 6 feet, two inches tall, and was wearing a white hoodie, jeans and sneakers, according to the second witness. In addition to the assailant, the second witness saw two other men get into the car. “I think three got into it, including two who had been hovering,� he said.

The assailant looked “serious and threatening,� the second witness said. “He just kind of sucker punched people out of nowhere.�

It is not clear if the car’s driver ever got out of the car. Bodner said the driver, who said, “Come on, let’s go,� may have been Latino. All the men climbed into the car and left.

Comments by the second witness suggested that the driver was waiting to take the men away. “Just as quickly as it began, a car sped backwards down the street,� the second witness said.

Bodner said he had reached out to the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s office. “AVP is aware of the incident and is available to anyone who has witnessed or experienced violence and encourages community members to reach out to us through our hotline or at our office if they need support,�

Sharon Stapel, AVP’s executive director, wrote in an email.

AVP’s 24-hour bilingual hotline number is 212-714-1141.

Find it in the archives www.CHELSEANOW.com

February 8 - 21, 2012

7

Before Chelsea Market verdict, CB4 awaits ULURP Continued from page 1 advisory recommendation — which will be influenced by a CP&P position taken at its earliest opportunity once the DCP delivers certification.

With another CP&P meeting set for February 23, Johnson noted that the public may have at least one, possibly two, more opportunities to express their opinions and concerns via a two-minute turn at the microphone. Their final chance to weigh in would likely take place at CB4’s April 4 or May 2 full board meeting.

Johnson also noted that after CB4 takes a position, the process will continue over the next six to nine months — as the Borough President and the City Planning Commission weigh in before the City Council reaches a decision that’s subject only to mayoral override.

In a February 7 phone interview, Johnson said that since Chelsea Market is in the district of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, “She will have the most say on what happens at the site. It’s our hope that she gives serious weight and consideration to the community board’s recommendation.”

Asked if CB4 has received any indication of the Speaker’s intentions, Johnson said, “What we’ve been told is that the Speaker hasn’t taken a position on this, and that she’s waiting to see what the certified application

‘Now I can understand it,’ said Trentlyon, with comic timing and much irony.

‘While the pension funds that invest with Jamestown can make 16 or 17 percent annually, Jamestown management may make ten times as much. They make that by buying, building up and selling properties at a huge profit.’ looks like. We have been in talks with her staff, though.”

Necessarily cautious at this point in the process, Quinn is nonetheless among the ever-shrinking circle of those who’ve yet to express a public opinion on the contentious matter of permitting Jamestown Properties to add office space and a business hotel to the existing Chelsea Market structure.

Not among the bashful were approximately 100 members of the public, who

attended the January 25 CP&P meeting — held at Fulton Center (Ninth Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets).

During his introductory remarks, Johnson traced the possibility of expanding Chelsea Market from a general discussion first brought to CB4 in 2007 to the present Jamestown proposal.

CP&P co-chairs Lee Compton and Brett Firfer spoke for the next ten minutes — providing a historical context to the current debate by recalling the purpose, physical scope and philosophical intent of the Special West Chelsea District. The District, Compton noted, functions as a plan, guide and statement “of what the city would like an area to become, and a set of tools [such as regulating building usage and height] to realize that goal.”

Compton directed members of the public to the CB4 website (nyc.gov/mcb4), where the Environmental Assessment Statement, the ULURP draft application and a PowerPoint Presentation from Chelsea Market can be accessed from the home page. He encouraged those unable to attend public meetings to send an email to CB4 Community Associate Nelly Gonzalez (negonzalez@cb.nyc.gov) — who will place those comments in a file for the committee’s review.

CB4 District Manager Robert J. Benfatto, Jr. then provided a review of issues and concerns — among them, an increase in noise and traffic, shadows on the High Line and compatibility of the design’s façade and setbacks with surrounding structures.

Benfatto also cited requests from the community for open space on the roof of the 10th Avenue building (if it gets built) and the possible establishment of an affordable housing fund. These requests, he noted, could offset dissatisfaction with Jamestown’s $17 million donation to the High Line. “Primary users of the High Line are not residents,” Benfatto said — in the first of several jabs taken at the elevated park (which is experiencing some backlash for the financial windfall it stands to receive from Jamestown).

Over two dozen people spoke during the 60 minutes allotted for public comment. Only one (Peter Muller, Friends of the High Line’s director of planning and design) expressed a favorable opinion of the Jamestown proposal. “We hope a solution can be achieved,” he noted, while reaffirming, “Friends of the High Line is supportive of this proposal.” The remaining speakers used their two minutes to articulate variations on a handful of common themes.

Andrew Berman, director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, called the latest design renderings, “two huge, enormous additions,” that are, “just plain wrong.” Friends of 20th Street Park president Matt Weiss cited the three thousand signatures gathered by his organization as proof that, “There is a pressing need for open space in our district in the face of overdevelopment.”

Bob Trentlyon (seen recently around

Continued on page 18

Photo by Scott Stiffler

A show of hands indicates who’s read Jamestown’s preliminary ULURP application (available for view at nyc.gov/mcb4).

8

February 8 - 21, 2012

EDITORIAL New hope for Pier 40 From just a dream a couple of decades ago, the Hudson River Park is now 70 percent complete. But the park still faces steep obstacles.

Building the rest of the park will take $250 million. The cost of maintaining the growing park, which stretches five miles along the Lower West Side waterfront, continues to grow while government support is shrinking.

One of the park’s most pressing issues remains Pier 40.

Under the Hudson River Park Act, the park is supposed to be financially self-sustaining. Pier 40, at West Houston Street, is intended to be one of the main, income-generating “commercial nodes.” It currently nets $5 million annually, nearly half the park’s annual operating budget.

However, this much-loved, mammoth, 14-acre former shipping pier continues to deteriorate. The Hudson River Park Trust has twice before tried to find a private group to repair and redevelop the pier. Each time, the Trust issued a request for proposals (RFP) from developers. Each time, the resulting projects would have caused too great an impact on both the pier and the surrounding community, and were sunk by strident opposition from the community and from elected officials.

Highlighting Pier 40’s plight, Madelyn Wils, the organization’s new president, last week reported that 40 percent of the pier’s rooftop deck is in poor condition. The Trust authorized using $6 million from its reserve fund to repair part of the roof to preserve its parking revenue stream. Tapping into this $25 million reserve for this partial emergency fix is a smart use of these monies. However, the pier needs $110 million in repairs over all.

In an encouraging new development, three local youth sports groups — P3, Downtown United Soccer Club and Greenwich Village Little League — are paying for HR & A real estate and economic consulting firm to study Pier 40. HR & A has been tasked with two key goals: first, to make sure the pier’s heavily used athletic sports fields are preserved; and second, to find ways that the pier can be redeveloped to increase revenue for both repairing Pier 40 and maintaining the entire park, without adversely impacting the park and surrounding community.

According to Wils, HR & A’s study will be completed in about a month from now. Its findings will then be given to a new community task force that is studying the whole park, including Pier 40. The task force should finish its work by late spring, when it will offer its recommendations for Pier 40.

The task force is also looking at the park act itself, now 14 years old, which may need modifications. For example, should the state Legislature extend Pier 40’s lease from 30 years to 49 years? Perhaps — but only if there is a plan that the community and local leaders support.

Also, could residential or hotel uses, for example, work on the pier? These would surely be more palatable than a huge oceanarium or “Vegas on the Hudson” — and would likely involve far fewer car trips and people coming to the pier. Again, should the legislation be changed to allow this?

It’s worth studying.

While many local residents, understandably, want to keep Pier 40 as is — to safeguard “the donut,” i.e., the courtyard sports field — and do nothing else, this isn’t realistic. With a rapidly decaying pier, maintaining the status quo is not an option.

While at the Economic Development Corporation, Wils helped forge a community consensus on development guidelines for the long-paralyzed Seward Park Urban Renewal Area.

We feel hopeful that Wils, the Trust and the task force are up to the test at Pier 40, but all parties must “think outside the box.” After reaching a consensus on SPURA, anything is possible.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR It’s more than handbags To The Editor: Re “Authorities still unable to bag army of knockoff vendors” (news article, Jan. 25): It is common knowledge that many bootleg items are sold on city sidewalks with what seems like near impunity.

This includes bootleg fine art.

That is why it is most irksome that only some merchandise, such as handbags, is being considered for enforcement action. The illegal copying and selling of fine art is an even bigger part of the illegal vending industry and it is causing serious harm to the entire ecology of art. It is as if an ongoing oil spill is polluting the public art scene in New York City, only no one is trying to stop it or clean it up.

Literally, thousands of sidewalk displays selling illegally copied artwork clog our city streets every day. What is even worse is that these illegal stands displace the very few actual fine artists who have a sanctioned First Amendment right to display their artwork in public. It is as if a pirate fleet has displaced legal U.S. fishermen by force, but the authorities do nothing.

Until Councilmember Margaret Chin and others in a position of authority see the entire illegal vending situation as the problem (including bootleg artwork) and finally enforce the laws on the books now, the phenomenon of illegal vending will continue to grow and the damage to artists and our neighborhoods will only get worse.

To The Editor: Thank you Christopher for putting into words what so many of us who knew Bob felt about him. I was an acquaintance, and I was also a client. I came for my appointment January 9 only to be told by the doorman to call a scrawled number on a note. When I learned of Bob’s passing I was stunned. Others have suggested to me that my therapy is invalidated by his suicide. Nothing could be further from the truth. The advice he provided was outstanding and illuminating. A light has gone out in Chelsea.

Chuck Gomez —————————— To The Editor: I knew Bob, though not very well, when I was a consultant at GMHC in the late 1980s and early ’90s. He always seemed a sweet and gentle man, and an earnest one, and I liked him. I am so sorry to hear this news. Most of us have the bad habit of taking numbers seriously, and like 29, 39, 59, and 69, 49 can feel like the beginning of some end. The end actually comes when it comes. I send Bob good and kind wishes, as one never knows what is heard and what isn’t.

Walt Odets

Lawrence White

Readers respond to Bob Bergeron’s passing To The Editor: I am deeply saddened by this. I was — and still am — very much looking forward to Bob Bergeron’s book (“Has Anyone Heard From Bob?,” by Christopher Murray, Jan. 25). I believe he had things to say no matter how conflicted he may have been about them. We often write about and help those with issues we are struggling with ourselves. As a gay author and psychotherapist, I feel a kinship with this man whom I never met and never will. Great article. It is so true: “There for the grace of G-d go I.” Joe Kort Editor’s note: Subsequent to publication of Murray’s story, Magnus Books’ Don Weise told our sister publication, Gay City News, that the publication of Bob Bergeron’s book had been canceled.

—————————— To The Editor: Thank you Christopher for your powerful and beautiful tribute to Bob Bergeron. We are saddened to read about his death. We send our tender thoughts to his family and friends.

Krishna Stone Communications Department, Gay Men’s Health Crisis —————————— To The Editor: Thank you Christopher for writing this piece. Bob was kind, good, friendly, and sweet, aside from his obvious good looks. As another fellow GMHC staffer from way back when, I was saddened to learn this news a couple of weeks ago and saddened even more to learn this tragedy was by his own hand. Heartbreaking.

Jason Osher

—————————— To The Editor: Thank you for a stirring commentary. As a mental health and substance worker, I often wonder how much shame and stigma we face with our own personal issues inside our own community of professionals and how available we feel services are when we are the wounded healer.

Joseph Franklin

Fight them all the way To The Editor: NYU should be ashamed of itself. The “public elementary school,” which is now a kindergarten-to-eighth grade school, would certainly cause traffic congestion on Bleecker Street and endanger the children by its location on such a busy street. And the University’s obfuscation of many issues of importance to the community being presented by NYU’s team of nonresident-hired help, made its plan much less palpable to our close-knit Village community. NYU seeks to take over our public open spaces on Mercer Street and on Laguardia Place for the next 19 years while they construct a new city on two blocks of the Village. The NYU 2031 plan is a realtor/construction company nightmare that seeks to destroy the historic, landmarked nature of the Village. We shall fight them all the way.

Sylvia Rackow

E-mail letters, not longer than 300 words in length, to scott@chelseanow.com or fax to 212-229-2790 or mail to Chelsea Now, Letters to the Editor, 515 Canal Street, Unit 1C New York City, NY 10013. Please include phone number for confirmation purposes. Chelsea Now reserves the right to edit letters for space, grammar, clarity and libel. Chelsea Now does not publish anonymous letters.

February 8 - 21, 2012

9

COMMUNITY CONTACTS (To be listed, email info to scott@chelseanow.com.)

THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER

COMMUNITY BOARD 4 (CB4)

FRIENDS OF HUDSON RIVER PARK Visit fohrp.org or call 212-757-0981.

CB4 serves Manhattan’s West Side neighborhoods of Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. Its boundaries are 14th St. on the south, 59/60th St. on the north, the Hudson River on the west, 6th Ave. on the east (south of 26th St.) and 8th Ave. on the east (north of 26th St.). Call 212-736-4536. Visit manhattancb4.org or email them at info@manhattanCB4. org. The board meeting, open to the public, happens on the first Wednesday of the month, at 6:30pm. The next one takes place on Mar. 7, 6:30pm, at Fulton Auditorium (119 9th Ave., btw. 17th and 18th Sts.). Visit nyc.gov/mcb4.

At 208 W. 13th St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves.). Visit gaycenter. org or call 212-620-7310.

Their mission is to help homeless LGBT youth be safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood. Main headquarters: 224 W. 35th St., Suite 1102.

Call 212-222-3427. The Ali Forney Day Center is located at 527 W. 22nd St., 1st floor. Call 212-206-0574 or visit aliforneycenter.org.

SAVE CHELSEA

COMMUNITY BOARD 5 (CB5)

GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS (GMHC)

CITY COUNCIL SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN

CB5 represents the central business district of New York City. It includes midtown Manhattan, the Fashion, Flower, Flatiron and Diamond districts, as well as Bryant Park and Union Square Park. The district is at the center of New York’s tourism industry. The Theatre District, Times Square, Carnegie Hall, the Empire State Building and two of the region’s transportation hubs (Grand Central Station and Penn Station) fall within CB5. Call 212-4650907. Visit cb5.org or email them at office@cb5.org. CB5’s board meeting, open to the public, happens on the second Thursday of the month, at 6pm. The next one takes place on Mar. 8, at Xavier High School (30 W. 16th St., btw. 5th and 6th Aves., 2nd fl.).

At 446 W. 33rd St. btw. 9th and 10th Aves. Visit gmhc.org.

Call 212-367-1000.

Call 212-564-7757 or visit council.nyc.gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml

HUDSON GUILD

STATE SENATOR TOM DUANE

Founded in 1895, Hudson Guild is a multi-service, multigenerational community serving approximately 14,000 people annually with daycare, hot meals for senior citizens, low-cost professional counseling, community arts programs and recreational programming for teens. Visit them at hudsonguild.org. Email them at info@hudsonguild.org. For the John Lovejoy Elliott Center (441 W. 26th St.), call 212760-9800. For the Children’s Center (459 W. 26th St.), call 212-760-9830. For the Education Center (447 W. 25th St.), call 212-760-9843. For the Fulton Center for Adult Services (119 9th Ave.), call 212-924-6710.

Call 212-633-8052 or visit tomduane.com.

THE 300 WEST 23RD, 22ND & 21ST STREETS BLOCK ASSOCIATION

Visit hudsonriverpark.org or call 212-627-2020.

THE ALI FORNEY CENTER

THE CARTER BURDEN CENTER FOR THE AGING

Contact them at 300westblockassoc@prodigy.net.

This organization promotes the well-being of individuals 60 and older through direct social services and volunteer programs oriented to individual, family and community needs.

Call 212-879-7400 or visit burdencenter.org.

THE WEST 400 BLOCK ASSOCIATION Contact them at w400ba@gmail.com.

HUDSON RIVER PARK TRUST

LOWER CHELSEA ALLIANCE (LoCal)

Contact them at savechelseanyc@gmail.com.

MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT STRINGER Call 212-669-8300 or visit mbpo.org.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER RICHARD GOTTFRIED Call 212-807-7900 or email GottfriedR@assembly.state. ny.us.

CHELSEA REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB The CRDC (the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblymember Richard Gottfried) meets monthly to exchange political ideas in protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@ crdcnyc.org.

At 147 W. 24th Street (btw. 6th & 7th Aves.)

THE SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT works to guarantee

This group is committed to protecting the residential blocks of Chelsea from overscale development. Contact them at LowerChelseaAlliance@gmail.com.

THE GREENWICH VILLAGE-CHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PENN SOUTH Visit pennsouth.coop. The Penn South Program for Seniors provides recreation, education and social services — and welcomes volunteers. For info, call 212-243-3670.

that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression without facing harassment, discrimination or violence. Visit srlp.org.

FIERCE (Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for FULTON YOUTH OF THE FUTURE

Call 212-337-5912 or visit villagechelsea.com.

Email them at fultonyouth@gmail.com or contact Miguel Acevedo, 646-671-0310.

Community Empowerment) builds the leadership and power of bisexual, transgender and queer youth of color in NYC. Visit fiercenyc.org.

WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE

QUEERS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE is a progressive

Visit westsidenyc.org or call 212-956-2573. Email them at wsna@hcc-nyc.org.

organization committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation. Visit q4ej.org.

CHELSEA COALITION ON HOUSING

THE AUDRE LORDE PROJECT is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people of color center for community organizing. Visit alp.org.

THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT INITIATIVE Visit meatpacking-district.com or call 212-633-0185.

THE BOWERY RESIDENTS’ COMMITTEE: HOMELESS HELPLINE If you know of anyone who is in need of their services, call the Homeless Helpline at 212-533-5151, and the BRC will send someone to make contact. This number is staffed by outreach team leaders 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous. For more info, visit brc.org.

Tenant assistance every Thursday night, at 7pm; at Hudson Guild (119 Ninth Ave.). Email them at chelseacoalition. cch@gmail.com\.

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515 Canal St., Unit 1C, NY, NY 10013 Phone: (212) 229-1890 • Fax: (212) 229-2790 On-line: www.chelseanow.com E-mail: news@chelseanow.com © 2012 Community Media, LLC

Member of the National Newspaper Association Chelsea Now is published biweekly by Community Media LLC, 515 Canal Street, Unit 1C, New York, N.Y. 10013 (212) 229-1890. Annual subscription by mail in Manhattan and Brooklyn $75. Single copy price at office and newsstands is 50 cents. The entire contents of newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2010 Community Media LLC, Postmaster: Send address changes to Chelsea Now, 145 Sixth Ave., First Fl., New York, N.Y. 10013.

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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.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR John W. Sutter ASSOCIATE EDITOR / ARTS EDITOR Scott Stiffler REPORTERS Lincoln Anderson Albert Amateau John Bayles Aline Reynolds EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Latima Stephens

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CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Buhmann Winnie McCroy Bonnie Rosenstock Jerry Tallmer Trav S. D. Stephen Wolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Jefferson Siegel Milo Hess J. B. Nicholas

10

February 8 - 21, 2012

POLICE BLOTTER PETTY LARCENY: Swiped phone leaves GPS trail A 32-year-old resident of Manhattan told police that while at NY Sports Club (270 8th Ave., at 23rd St.) on the early evening of Thurs., Jan. 26, she checked her pocketbook (which had been left, unattended, in the same studio where she was working out).

Upon discovering her missing phone (an AT&T iPhone, valued at $250 and equipped with GPS), the woman tracked the phone via iCloud. Its last known location was at W. 25th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.

PETTY LARCENY: Combination lock didn’t deter A 29-year-old female reported to police that at approximately 1:30pm on Sat., Jan. 28, she placed her personal items in a locker (inside David Barton Gym, 215 W. 23rd St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). A combination lock was used to secure the items. When she returned about three hours later, she discovered the lock had been damaged, and her laptop (a white MacBook valued at $1,000) was missing.

PETTY LARCENY: Former supervisor stole On Jan. 29, police were informed that two days before (at 8:50am), a former supervisor of David Barton Gym (215 W. 23rd St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.) took a phone from the front desk of that establishment. The victim, a 20-year-old male, stated that the phone had not been used by the perpetrator, and he has since cancelled the service. The phone, a white iPhone 4 (with a clear blue phone case), is valued at $600. Police said there is no video of the crime being committed.

SUICIDE, at Penn South A man suffering from emotional problems jumped to his death from the roof of Penn South (Ninth Ave., at W. 26th St.) on the morning of Tues., Jan. 31. Police did not release the name of the 62-year-old victim.

LOST PROPERTY: Dance floor drama A 22-year-old female resident of Thiells, NY, was on the dance floor of Marquee (289 10th Ave., btw. 26th and 27th Sts.) at approximately 2:15am on Sun., Jan. 29 — when she noticed

Continued on page 20

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE: Lost car found on next block A silver 2005 Scion Sedan was found at 301 W. 18th St., after having been driven by an unknown perpetrator from its parking space at 511 W. 17th St. The car’s owner, a 28-year-old man from New City, NY, told police he parked the car at 7:10pm on Wed., Jan. 25 — then returned at 10pm to discover shattered glass on the ground in the area where the car had been.

When the vehicle was recovered, the following items had been removed: An Apple iPhone ($200) a tool set ($200), a Texas Instruments device ($150), and two pieces of Black Diamond climbing equipment ($350)

GRAND LARCENY: Parked vehicle’s window smashed A 50-year-old resident of Bridgehampton, NY, told police that at approximately 9:30am on Mon., Jan. 23, he returned to the location of his 2008 gray Ford Explorer sedan (parked in front of 134 10th Ave.).

The front passenger side window had been smashed, and several items were removed.

Among them: two pairs of sunglasses (Ray Ban and Oakley), valued at a total of $450;

a black Travelpro rolling suitcase ($200), miscellaneous clothing ($1,025), a cell charger ($50) and a gym bag ($100).

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Window shattered At approximately 4:30pm on Mon., Jan. 23, the rear window of a 2011 black BMW sedan was shattered by an object (thrown by an unknown person), as it was being driven on 9th Ave. and W. 26th St. The driver, a 29-year-old female, was not injured.

GRAND LARCENY: Pilfered from parked vehicle A gray 2001 BMW sedan was broken into as it was parked in front of 445 W. 18th St. The owner, a 22-year-old female from Brooklyn who was patronizing a nearby club, returned with her friend (at around 2:30am on Thurs., Jan. 26), with the intent of retrieving the vehicle. They discovered that the left front driver’s window had been broken into. Removed from the car: a Louis Vuitton red wallet (valued at $800), an iPod ($200), cash in the amount of $100, several credit cards (with no activity later reported on them) and a Mark Jacobs handbag ($1,000).

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February 8 - 21, 2012

11

Orchestra of St. Luke’s new home is an instant classic DiMenna Center provides a place to rehearse, record, recharge MUSIC THE DIMENNA CENTER FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC 450 W. 37th St. (btw. 9th & 10th Aves.)

For info, call 212-594-6100 or visit dimennacenter.org

THE ORCHESTRA OF ST. LUKE’S Thurs., Feb. 16, 8pm: The Orchestra Series: Norrington & Denk At Carnegie Hall 154 W. 57th St. (at Seventh Ave.) For tickets ($14.50-$83), call 212-247-7800 or visit CarnegieHall.org Also visit oslmusic.org

BY SCOTT STIFFLER Selective forgetfulness, it seems, is often the cost of applying a laser-like focus to one particular skill. How else do you account for musicians who possess the mental acuity to get a receipt, yet manage to exit the cab without bothering to take along their priceless violin or cello?

Such incidents — which have supplied countless media outlets with colorful human interest segments — seem to be dwindling. That’s probably because a relatively new hub for the city’s classical musicians has significantly reduced the need to dart around Manhattan from rehearsal to performance to lesson to audition.

In March of 2011, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s achieved a longstanding goal by opening The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. Located at 450 West 37th Street (in a building that’s also home to the Baryshnikov Arts Center), the 20,000-plus square foot facility is New York City’s first space dedicated to classical music rehearsal, recording and education.

At a time when many other non-profit arts organizations are struggling to find funding, audiences and relevance, OSL’s establishment of The DiMenna Center was a bold move — one that is literally a world away from its humble origins. What began as the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble (established in 1974 at Greenwich Village’s Church of St. Luke in the Fields) became the OSL during the summer of 1979’s Caramoor International Music Festival. Today, as it celebrates its 37th year, OSL can lay claim to four Grammy Award-winning recordings, a 70-plus discography and over 150 world, U.S. and New York City premieres. It’s “Subway Series” presents free concerts in all five boroughs, and over one million children have benefited from its Arts Education programs. With The DiMenna Center not even a year old, OSL is now enjoying the benefits of having bet, and won, on the speculative notion that they could create a home for themselves while providing a sense of community for classical musicians on the go.

Not just a central base for OSL, the sprawling complex provides local and touring musicians with low-cost, highquality performance facilities. It also has a library, a café/ lounge, offices and an instrument storage room.

“It was designed to be a home for the city’s freelance and part-time musicians. We wanted to help alleviate what is often a brutal life,” explains OSL President and Executive Director Katy Clark. “If you play with a number of groups and maintain a teaching career and perform as well, in one day you might have to carry your instrument all around the city. Day in and day out, that can be exhausting.”

Photo by Eric Weiss

The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, in Mary Flagler Cary Hall.

In just under a year, more than a hundred chamber groups, orchestras, opera companies and choruses have used the facility. It’s also becoming the go-to destination for solo musicians in need of practice, recording or storage space (they can even shower to be fresh for an audition), So far, the client list includes Iván Fischer, Renée Fleming, Emanuel Ax, Sarah Chang, the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, New York Youth Symphony, American Ballet Theater, San Francisco Opera and the American Brass Quintet. Film scores have also been made there.

Most rehearsals and recordings take place in the 1,649square-foot Benzaquen Hall and larger Mary Flagler Cary Hall. At 3,395 square feet, it as an “extremely large orchestra room” that’s unique among the ever-shrinking list of Manhattan recording facilities. “Sound isolation is a huge part of this project. Even though we’re practically on top of the Lincoln Tunnel, it’s completely quiet in the room.”

It also delivers an aesthetically pleasing experience during those marathon recording sessions. “We have skylights for a little bit of natural light, which is great,” says Clark.

“It’s a beautiful room. The floors and ceilings are made of Pennsylvania oak.” Wood in general is, she notes, good for acoustics. “But this type of wood is a nod to environmental sustainability.”

Cary Hall, as they’ve come to refer to it, was named for the foundation that gave OSL the money to build the room.

“They were huge supporters of the arts in New York City,” says Clark of the charitable trust that no longer exists. “They spent all their money and went out of business,” she notes.

As for the risk taken by opening The DiMenna Center, Clark explains that the OSL’s decision to pursue its own self-contained rehearsal, recording and performance space began almost a decade ago. “We always knew there was going to be a market for this,” she says of the consistently booked rooms. At one point, “Exploring the Metropolis did a feasibility study involving a dozen orchestras in the city, and they

Continued on page 19

‘We wanted to help alleviate what is often a brutal life,’ explains OSL President and Executive Director Katy Clark. ‘If you play with a number of groups and maintain a teaching career and perform as well, in one day you might have to carry your instrument all around the city.

Day in and day out, that can be exhausting.’

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12

February 8 - 21, 2012

CB4 approves all agenda items Continued from page 3 mitigate any damage to the building’s foundation. Later in the meeting, the Waterfront, Parks and Environment Committee voted on a letter to Related regarding sustainability in their successful bid to install large water collection tanks as part of a model pilot project.

The Board voted to approve a letter to the Department of City Planning (DCP) regarding a Zone Green Text Amendment for the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, rooftop greenhouses and green towers safely, and with minimal noise.

They also approved letters to the Landmarks Preservation Committee regarding three properties, and a letter to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) supporting the preservation of the Arnold Belkin mural.

A source of much contention was a DOT letter setting up conditional support for two new bus stops for Megabus. Many board members were concerned that these large bus companies were not required to pay for permanent terminals, instead doing their loading and unloading curbside. “How is a business that is privately owned getting these favors from the city?� asked Seres. “Why are we giving low-fare bus services so much for nothing?� “The DOT evaluated it, and they do not have a law in place to constrain interstate

‘How is a business that is privately owned getting these favors from the city?’ asked Seres. ‘Why are we giving low-fare bus services so much for nothing?’

Photo by Winnie McCroy

L to R: NYC Liquor License lawyer Leonard M. Fogelman and Dilaver Kocak (a coowner of Wine Escape), petitioning for a letter of support to the SLA.

commerce,� replied Vice-Chair Christine Berthet. “We have to negotiate with them, or they could decide to stop anywhere they want.�

The board eventually voted to give a “double denial� to Megabus, approving two of their three proposed locations under the agreement that the stops will be temporary,

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that the buses are weight compliant and that the company hold a job fair.

In the long term, bus companies will eventually be required to pay for terminal space, have the DOT test Fair Share standards for area depots and create an overall plan to relocate these bus lines, as per their 32 percent annual growth. The Board also

decided to work with federal elected officials to reform interstate commerce laws.

They closed by strengthening language in a letter to Avenues: World School regarding their recent unsatisfactory Quality of Life meeting. The CB4 asked that Avenues wave fees for entrance test costs and expand financial eligibility (which now allows for $1.2 million in scholarships per year). The board will require Avenues to do proactive outreach in Fulton Houses and Penn South and to work with extremely low-income families to provide full scholarships where a partial award would still prove prohibitively expensive for the student’s family.

The next full CB4 meeting will be held on March 7 at 6:30pm, at the Fulton Center Auditorium (119 Ninth Ave., btw. 17th & 18th Sts.). For more info, visit nyc.gov/ mcb4.

February 8 - 21, 2012

13

Memorial design sports shady grove, mirrored walls Continued from page 1 after the midpoint of the city’s ULURP review of the Rudin project.

The City Planning Commission on January 23 unanimously approved Rudin’s original park design as part of the redevelopment project.

Nevertheless, Christopher Tepper and Paul Kelterborn, co-founders of the coalition, said they hoped the new design would be a starting point for a world-class AIDS memorial adopted by the developer and supported by the community.

The design, “Infinite Forest,” by Studio a+i, was chosen by a blue-ribbon jury chaired by Michael Arad, designer of the September 11 memorial at the World Trade Center site. The jury includes the actress Whoopi Goldberg, CB2 chairperson Brad Hoylman, prominent architects, AIDS activists, editors and business leaders.

However, developer Bill Rudin noted in a January 30 statement that the original design was approved not only by City Planning, but also by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Manhattan borough president and CB2, which includes Greenwich Village.

“Our neighborhood park design allows for a commemoration of both those affected by the AIDS epidemic and of St. Vincent’s Hospital for its 160 years of service to the community and its steadfast commitment to care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS,” Rudin said. “We stand ready to continue our work with all stakeholders to determine how best to realize these memorial elements as part of the approved park design in a timely manner.”

Hoylman said he thought the winning design was a powerful and elegant concept that could serve as “a starting point” for an AIDS crisis memorial.

“The challenge will be to adapt the design to the parameters set for by the community board, but I certainly think it’s possible,” he said. Hoylman acknowledged that the developer, elected officials and neighborhood groups would have to agree on the design.

But any conflicts with the city uniform land use review procedure (ULURP) for the project would have to be resolved. If some elements of the new design could be incorporated into the existing design, the changes could be classified as “minor” and adopted when the City Council makes the final decision at the end of March.

But if the new design differs much from what has been approved so far, it would have to be reviewed in its own ULURP and result in a delay of six to nine months for the project.

The winning design calls for a grove of white birch trees with mirrored walls around the triangle. The plan proposes an option to include existing underground space beneath the triangle as part of the park. If the underground space were retained, the park would be up to three feet above sidewalk level.

The inclusion of the walls and the underground space appear to conflict with the CB2 requirement that the park not obstruct the view plane from the sidewalk. Moreover, the community parameters also call for a park that is not a “destination” but rather celebrates and accommodates the local community.

For Marilyn Dorato, president of the

A rendering of the winning design, “Infinite Forest,” by Studio a+i, for a proposed AIDS memorial at Greenwich and Seventh Aves.

Greenwich Village Block Associations, a coalition of more than 35 groups, the new design is everything she believes the neighborhood does not want.

“It was very presumptuous of [the organizers] to design a space they don’t own and replace a design that the community consulted on with the developer,” said Dorato. “It’s like me telling my neighbor what he should do with his property.” She added, “I’m no friend of the Rudin project, but I like the park they designed.” She called the new proposal “dreadful,” adding, “It’s community-unfriendly and it’s certainly not kid-friendly. It has three walls that will become covered with graffiti.” Despite the high-profile, celebrated design jurors, Dorato said, “The design looks like it was by people who don’t live in the neighborhood and don’t have any idea what the community wants.”

The design competition jury received 475 entries from 26 states and 32 countries between November 29 and January 21 when the competition ended.

In addition to Arad, Goldberg and Hoylman, the jury included Kurt Andersen, writer; Barry Bergdoll, Columbia University professor and chief curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art; Kenneth Cole, fashion designer and chairperson of amfAR, the AIDS research group; Elizabeth Diller, Princeton professor of architecture and member of the firm that designed the High Line; Thelma Golden, head of The Studio Museum of Harlem; Robert Hammond, co-founder of Friends of the High Line; Regan Hofmann, editor of POZ magazine; Amy Sadao, executive director of Visual AIDS; Ken Smith, landscape architect; and Suzanne Stephens, deputy editor of Architectural Record.

OPEN THINKING | ON A NEW SCHOOL OF THOUGHT No. 2 IN A SERIES

CAN CHILDREN LEARN LANGUAGE LIKE MUSIC?

By Yongling Lu Curriculum Specialist, Avenues In our global society, becoming fluent in a foreign language is a huge advantage for any child. Fortunately, learning language today doesn’t have to be an endless exercise in verb conjugation and translation. It helps to think of language as music, with its distinctive rhythm and melody. The most effective way to teach a language is to help students learn to “sing the music” of a new language — through stories, games and theatrical performances.

Read the rest of Yongling Lu’s article about learning language at www.avenues.org/cnlu.

You’ll also find articles, video interviews and details on parent information events hosted by the leadership team of Avenues: The World School.

Yongling Lu is the curriculum specialist in the Mandarin Chinese program at Avenues.

Avenues is opening fall 2012 in Chelsea. It will be the first of 20 campuses in major cities, educating children ages three to 18 with a global perspective.

WWW.AVENUES.ORG

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February 8 - 21, 2012

Winter comfort foods, done the right way

BY CARLYE WAXMAN, RD Why do we gain weight during the winter? Is it because we need fat on our bones to keep us warm? Is it because the body happens to store more fat in the winter months because it’s trained to do so? Could it be that our excess clothing just makes us feel fatter?

Sorry, but no, no and NO. We gain weight in the winter for a number of reasons. Studies have shown that those living in a colder environment tend to eat more food than those who live in a warmer environment. Cold weather also exhausts us, so we can tend to eat more carbohydrates.

Think of bursting out into the cold after a long day’s work, with your gloves, hat and three layers of heavy clothing underneath.

You’re so tired by the end of the commute, it’s no wonder you end up craving pasta, pizza or sweets. A few servings of fettuccini Alfredo here or macaroni and cheese there — and now you have those love handles you were trying desperately to work off all summer. Sound familiar? So crank up the heat in your apartment, have a snack before your commute home and find healthier recipes to keep you feeling satisfied, yet slim!

Even though our winter hasn’t been the coldest, there’s still nothing like coming home and making a delicious, hot, satisfying and QUICK meal. Try a recipe and modify it to your taste.

As always, my recipes are quick, lowcalorie and require little tools or space in the kitchen.

THE NO POTATO MASHED POTATO RECIPE Makes 4 servings Ingredients: 1 medium head of cauliflower ¼ cup of skim milk ¼ cup of Greek yogurt plain or low fat sour cream salt, pepper and garlic to taste Directions: Cut cauliflower into florets, place in a pot with water and boil for 20 minutes. Drain water completely from pot. Use either a hand-held blender, a potato masher or a fork to complete this job. Mash with salt, pepper and garlic. Add yogurt, cream or milk and serve hot.

Nutrition: 1 serving = 42 calories Calories Saved: 162 Nutrition Tip: Add a pat of butter for an additional 30 calories, to get this tasting a little more “bad for you.”

THE SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP THAT WON’T MAKE YOUR THIGHS JIGGLE Makes 24 servings Ingredients: 1 can artichokes, drained (rinse well and chop)

Banking at your f ingertips. $150 in your pocket.

Photos by Carlye Waxman RD

These may look like mashed potatoes — but you’re really eating a low calorie vegetable and saving yourself the calories.

½ 10-oz frozen chopped spinach bag 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream ¼ cup of low fat mayo 1 cup whipped light cream cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

calories! A typical ½ bowl serving of this dip from Applebee’s is 750.

Directions: In a medium saucepan, boil the spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water until tender.

Blend this mixture to a smoother consistency.

Microwave cream cheese for one minute so it’s hot. Add sour cream/yogurt and Romano cheese into pot where artichoke/spinach mixture resides. Stir in some crushed red pepper to make it spicy.

THE HOT EGGPLANT DIP YOU DON’T HAVE TO JUST DIP

Nutrition: Calories: 36 Spinach artichoke dip is hard to have in the 2 tbsp portion. Its creamy delicious flavor makes us want to eat it from the bowl.

If ¼ of this recipe is eaten, its only 216

Nutrition Tip: Serve in whole grain bread bowl. Eat ¼ of this mixture with 2 pieces of whole grain bread for a filling balanced meal of 300-400 calories.

Makes 10 servings Ingredients: 1 large eggplant unpeeled, cut into cubes 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped with seeds 1 sweet onion, diced ¼ cup of low sodium broth 1 can of low sodium diced tomatoes ½ lemon, juiced ½ cup of low fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp cumin

Continued on page 21

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Stuff eggplant dip in a burrito, or serve with pita or crackers.

February 8 - 21, 2012

15

16

February 8 - 21, 2012

Golden Gloves nurtures the next ‘greatest’

BY SCOTT STIFFLER It was a good week for milestones and traditions. Two days after Muhammad Ali turned 70, January 21’s opening night of the Daily News Golden Gloves marked its 85th year of serving as the launching pad of boxing legends.

Nearly 600 applicants will be whittled down to a mere handful over the tournament’s nine weeks. Far from the prestigious finals at Madison Square Garden (March 29/30), the dozens of elimination bouts take place in churches, union halls and schools throughout the metropolitan area. That’s where the real action is though, and it’s worth negotiating some unfamiliar streets on cold winter nights (when you see an ambulance parked near a building that looks large enough to host a sporting event, you’re almost there).

No way to tell, of course, if any of the fighters will emulate the achievements of past Gloves contestants such as Emile Griffith, Mark Breland, Jose Torres, Floyd Patterson, Howard Davis, Riddick Bowe, three-time world women’s lightweight champ Alicia Ashley or Kathy “Wildcat” Collins. One thing is certain, though: Plenty of young men and women will make their debuts or improve upon impressive amateur records — and one or two of them just might celebrate their 70th birthday looking back at 2012 as the year they began to stake their claim as their generation’s “greatest.”

For tickets and info, call 212-210-2100.

Photo by Ken Goldfield, courtesy of NY Daily News

At the February 2 Golden Gloves (held at St. Patrick’s School, in Brooklyn), Umaran Siddiqui gets worked on by victor Kuanysh Niyazov (fighting out of Gleason’s Gym).

February 8 - 21, 2012

17

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER

(To have your event listed, send info to scott@chelseanow.com.)

LECTURE: HEARING AIDS & ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS The Hearing Loss Association of America, Manhattan Chapter, presents Joseph Montano Ed.D. (Chief of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College). He will speak about the latest in hearing aids and the importance of the t-coil to access assistive listening systems and devices. CART (captioning) provided, along with an induction room loop for those whose hearing aids/CIs have a t-coil. Some headphones will be available. Tues., Feb. 21, 5:30-7:30pm (refreshments and socializing from 5:30pm; meeting begins at 6pm). At the Muhlenberg Library (3rd fl. community room, 209 West 23rd St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves). For info, call 212-769-4327 or email hlaanyc.aol.com.

SMALL WORKS FOR BIG CHANGE Help celebrate The Sylvia Rivera Law Project’s 10th year by attending their 7th annual benefit art sale. The proceeds will help SRLP’s mission to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.

Over 65 works of art will be on display and available for purchase (bidding starts

as low as $10). There will also be dancing and refreshments. Co-MCs Glenn Marla & Kit Yan host. Featured performers include Alicia Ohs as Madame Wantan, Lana Carroll of The Low and Lonesome and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra (music by DJ Shomi Noise). The raffle prizes include dinner at Berlin Reed, a haircut from Arrojo Studio and a two-hour vegan cooking lesson from Carmichael Monaco. For info on attending the “Hey, Queen!” afterparty, rsvp on SRLP’s Facebook page). The benefit art sale takes place on Sat., Feb. 25, 6-9pm (bidding ends at 8pm). At Jack Studios (12th floor, 601 W. 26th St.; wheelchair accessible). For more info, visit srlp.org.

PS11 office (320 W. 21st St., btw. 8th & 9th Aves). Through March 2 (Mon.-Fri, 9-11am). It is not necessary for your child to be present. Please bring the following: child’s original birth certificate or passport; child’s immunization records; current rent invoice/ receipt, NYCHA Family Composition Letter or mortgage statement; current Con Edison bill or maintenance statement; current bank or credit card statement. For more info, visit PS11Chelsea.org.

PS11 FARM MARKET

MEETING: CHELSEA REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB Chelsea Reform Democratic Club is the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane and Assemblymember Richard Gottfried. The CRDC meets monthly to exchange political ideas in protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. This month, County Democratic Party Leader and New York State Assemblymember Keith Wright shares his views with the CRDC. Representing Harlem since 1992 (and Chair of the State Assembly Labor Committee), Wright brings the club a wealth of experience and knowledge. Free, and open to the public. Thurs., Feb. 16, 7-9pm. At Hudson Guild (2nd fl., 441 W. 26th St.). Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@crdcnyc.org.

NYS Assemblymember Keith Wright will speak at the Feb. 16 CRDC meeting.

CHELSEA GARDEN CLUB With only a few dozen days left until spring, the Chelsea Garden Club is already thinking of finding volunteers to adopt the new bike lane tree garden pits that have sprouted up on Seventh Ave. (towards 34th St.). On March 3, they’ll hold a meeting designed to get you thinking about planting, composting and maintaining Chelsea’s green spaces. For more info, send an email to cgc. nyc@gmail.com.

PS11 KINDERGARTEN INTAKE PERIOD Families of children born in 2007 wishing to attend Kindergarten at PS11 should complete an Intake Form, in person, in the

Image courtesy of the artist and SRLP

Buzz Slutzky’s “Portrait of Gaël as a Young Tran” is up for grabs, at the SRLP benefit art sale. See “Small Works for Big Change.”

The third PS11 Winter Farm Market will be held on Wed., Feb. 15, in front of PS11 (320 W. 21st St., btw. 8th & 9th Aves.). In addition to Maniga Bene’s eggs and Stoneledge Farms Marketplace items, they will have frozen fruits and veggies from Winter Sun Farms (Winter Sun purchases fresh produce from local farmers in the summer, then flash freezes it). Additional winter dates: March 14, April 18. For info, email ps11programs@ aol.com and visit wintersunfarms.com and PS11Chelsea.org.

KIDS CERAMICS CLASS The Penn South Ceramics studio is hosting this clay workshop, designed for kids ages 7-11. At the Feb. workshop, students will be given clay to work with (along with supervised instruction). At the next month’s workshop, their creations will be fired and ready to bring home. Sun., Feb. 26, 12-2pm.

At Penn South. Registration is now open for grandchildren of Penn South Studio members ($20) and Penn South residents ($22).

Open registration ($25) begins Feb. 13. A sibling may join each registrant for half the cost. For more info and an application, email the studio manager: pennsouthceramics@ gmail.com.

18

February 8 - 21, 2012

Photo by Scott Stiffler

Members of CB4’s Preservation and Planning Committee listen to public comment on the matter of a proposed Chelsea Market expansion.

GVCCC among Chelsea Market Coalition members Continued from page 7 town encouraging preparation for worst case storm surge scenarios) thanked Mitt Romney for teaching him how a venture capital firm works. “Now I can understand it,” said Trentlyon, with comic timing and much irony. “While the pension funds that invest with Jamestown can make 16 or 17 percent annually, Jamestown management may make ten times as much. They make that by buying, building up and selling properties at a huge profit.”

In a February 6 phone conversation with Chelsea Now, Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC) executive director Tom Gray spoke about his organization’s decision to publicly support the Chelsea Market expansion (first announced

‘We also want to attract new business. It makes total sense, from the Chamber’s perspective.

This area is growing, and I guess it’s a good problem to have.’ — GVCCC executive director Tom Gray in a January 27 newsletter sent to GVCCC members and email subscribers). Gray said that moving forward, his organization would have a more vocal and visible role in the public debate. “It’s hard to get them out to community board meetings,” said Gray when asked why there were no members present

to speak at the January 25 CP&P meeting.

“It’s especially difficult for them [small business owners] to leave their businesses.” Gray noted that when members cannot be at such public forums, “We at least give them a letter to enter into the public record.”

As for their current public position, Gray says, “Chelsea Market is obviously very important to the economy of the city. There’s a lot of great organizations [in the area]: The Food Network, Google, Major League Baseball. They need to grow, and we want them to grow in Chelsea. We also want to attract new business. It makes total sense, from the Chamber’s perspective. This area is growing, and I guess it’s a good problem to have.”

GVCCC is among several organizations that have recently come together to form The Chelsea Market Coalition. Lee Silberstein, executive vice president of The Marino Organization (representing Jamestown Properties), spoke with Chelsea Now on February 7 regarding the formation of the coalition.

Announced to the public in a January 24 press release sent by The Marino Organization, it’s described as “a coalition, consisting of neighborhood organizations, leading real estate, business and labor union organizations,” that will “aggressively advocate for approval of the Market’s expansion as the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) commences. Currently, members include the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, GVCCC and the Real Estate Board of New York. The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York threw its support behind the Coalition upon receiving confirmation that the project would be “built using unionized construction.”

In addition to these organizations,

Continued on page 22

February 8 - 21, 2012

19

In its 37th year, OSL puts down roots on 37th Continued from page 11 all said, ‘We need a rehearsal facility.’ So the Center was built to provide affordable space for non-profit organizations.” The high volume of rentals (all at below market rates) accounts for a significant amount of DiMenna’s annual revenue. The gap is made

‘We’ve never had a home where we could actually let people know who we are and allow them to see how we do things,’ says Clark.

up by contributed income and an endowment, which OSL is seeking to increase.

With its presence on West 37th Street firmly established, OSL is now able to

expand existing community outreach efforts and involve the public in its creative process. “We’ve never had a home where we could actually let people know who we are and allow them to see how we do things,” says Clark. Peeling back the curtain is what inspired “OSL@DMC” — a series of free concerts, arts education programs and radio broadcasts designed to help audiences understand how a concert is put together. In the coming year, “OSL@DMC” will expand its efforts by offering a musician coaching program, lectures and open rehearsals.

By the time 2012 draws to a close, OSL will have played approximately 70 concerts throughout NYC and beyond.

On February 16 (8pm, at Carnegie Hall), Conductor Sir Roger Norrington and pianist Jeremy Denk will present a concert of classical symphonic works. The second installment of OSL’s 2011/2012 Orchestra Series, it will feature Haydn’s Symphony No. 39, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39. This will be the first time Norrington and Denk have performed together.

For more information, visit oslmusic.org and dimennacenter.org.

Photo by Francis Dzikowski/Esto, Courtesy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture

Benzaquen Hall, one of DiMenna’s two primary recording/rehearsal spaces.

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Photo by Francis Dzikowski/Esto, courtesy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture

No place like home: The DiMenna Center for Classical Music.

20

February 8 - 21, 2012

POLICE BLOTTER Continued from page 10 that the phone she had placed in her purse was no longer there. The woman told police that she distinctly remembered having the phone in the purse before going onto the dance floor. Although it was crowded, she could not recall being jostled. A canvass of the area was conducted, but the phone (a black Apple iPhone worth $600) was not recovered.

PETTY LARCENY: Cream Team busted Two women (ages 21 and 22) were arrested around 7:30pm on Tues., Jan. 24 — as they were trying to leave the Sephora shop (21 Ninth Ave., near 13th St., in the Meatpacking District) without paying for four large boxes of makeup cream, with a total value of more than $1,000. They were charged with possession of stolen property.

PETTY LARCENY: The bag was long gone An unknown person removed a bag containing an Apple iPad 32G (valued at $800), an iPad cover/keypad ($100) and prescription medication ($74). The victim, a 59-yearold resident of Princeton, NJ, told police that

THE 10th PRECINCT

she accidentally left the bag at Brick Oven Pizza 33 (268 W. 23rd St.) at approximately 6:35pm on Sat., Jan. 28. When she returned about an hour later to retrieve the bag, it was gone.

GUILTY PLEA AND SENTENCING Michael Mele pleaded guilty on Mon., Jan. 23, to the Dec. 3, 2008 killing of a dancer, whom he picked up at Marquee (289 10th Ave., btw. 26th and 27th Sts.). Mele pleaded guilty to manslaughter in an Orange Co., court and agreed to a prison term of 23 years. The victim had moved to Brooklyn from Texas five months before she was killed in Mele’s Walkill, NY, condo. The defendant, a convicted sex offender at the time, admitted that he smothered the victim with his hand when she demanded to be driven back to the city. He put her body in a basket and drove it to Pennsylvania — where the bones were discovered in 2010, in the woods near Scranton. Mele was charged with murder eight months later and eventually pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors decline to say why they offered a plea bargain. Mele will be eligible for parole in about 19 years.

SLAIN OFFICERS HONORED Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and senior

police officials joined about 500 active and retired officers at the Ninth Precinct in the East Village on the morning of Fri., Jan. 25 — to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Officers Rocco Laurie, 23, and Gregory Foster, 22. The two officers were shot while on patrol in the precinct on the night of Jan. 27, 1972. No one was ever convicted of the crime, but a group called the Black Liberation Army took credit for the shooting (saying it was retaliation for the killing of 29 prisoners in the Attica prison riot several months earlier).

Authorities had speculated that Laurie, who was white, and Foster, who was black, were targeted because of their specific partnership.

Both had served in Vietnam as Marines.

Kelly, who was a sergeant in the precinct at the time, said he remembered responding to the scene and recalled the horror that everyone felt at the cold-blooded killing. Members of the families of Laurie and Foster attended the ceremony, which took place in a large tent in the schoolyard across from the police station at 321 E. Fifth St.

—Alber t Amateau and Scott Stiffler

Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Elisa Cokkinos. Main number: 212-7418211. Community Affairs: 212-7418226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226.

Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216.

Youth Officer: 212-741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-741-8210. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council Meeting takes place at 7pm on the last Wed. of the month. The next meeting is February 28.

THE 13th PRECINCT Located at 230 E. 21st St. (btw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.). Deputy Inspector: Ted Bernsted. Call 212-477-7411.

Community Affairs: 212-477-7427.

Crime Prevention: 212-477-7427.

Domestic Violence: 212-477-3863.

Youth Officer: 212-477-7411. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-477-4380. Detective Squad: 212-477-7444. The Community Council Meeting takes place at 6:30pm on the third Tues. of the month. The next meeting is February 21.

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These days, farms are courting people who want to make a green statement on their wedding day, ensuring that food delivered to the wedding table is natural, sustainable and locally produced.

Known for the Modern Scandinavian cuisine served at its four Manhattan locations, SmĂśrgĂĽs Chef joined the farm-to-table movement when it opened its own year-round farm. Now the restaurant is bringing all-natural, local and fresh ingredients from the farm to the wedding table through its popular catering division.

Chamber of Commerce’s “From Farm to Fork� Summit.

Located in the Catskills, Blenheim Hill is a 150-acre farm with a 3,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse that supplies the restaurant with fresh salads, greens and other produce, even in the dead of winter. The farm complements the Scandinavian approach to cuisine, which focuses on fresh unprocessed ingredients, vibrant herbs, and delicate flavors.

With results that are flavorful and spectacularly plated, the restaurant was selected to cater a 250-person dinner gala this fall at Frank Gehry’s IAC building.

SmÜrgüs Chef bring its catering prowess to offsite locations across the city, but its Scandinavia House location features large private dining rooms, gardens and an ample auditorium. The restaurant’s other locations provide an intimate ambiance for smaller affairs.

The event will be attended by the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden and will culminate the Swedish-American

SmĂśrgĂĽs Chef www.smorgas.com E. catering@smorgas.com T. (212) 514-8411

February 8 - 21, 2012

21

Lower calorie comfort foods you’ll actually want to eat Continued from page 14 Directions: Add onion, eggplant and pepper to a medium-sized saucepan with broth. Cook on medium high heat until the eggplant gets mushy (about 10 minutes). Add tomatoes, sour cream, salt, pepper and cumin. Blend with a hand-held blender, or mash with a fork for desired consistency.

Nutrition: 2 tbsp: 25 calories Whole container: 250 Calories Saved: 55 (a typical serving of baba ghanoush: 80 calories, in 2 tbsp) Nutrition Tip: Serve hot over spaghetti as a creamy veggie sauce or eat this plain without using the blender or yogurt (so it’s closer to the consistency of vegetable soup).

You can also take a whole grain burrito and add the mixture to this. It’s a satisfying 100-calorie snack if you use a 60-calorie wrap.

CREAMY FETTUCCINI ALFREDO WITH RED PEPPERS NOT SERVED IN YOUR TYPICAL ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Nutrition Tip: Add a cup of steamed broccoli for a more filling meal that’s less than 300 calories!

Makes 8 servings (approximately 1 cup of the cooked pasta, plus ¼ cup of sauce)

THE SKINNY ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZA

Ingredients: 1 package of refrigerated whole wheat fettuccini (8 servings of pasta) 1 tsp olive oil 2 sweet red peppers, diced 1 garlic clove, chopped (or 1 tsp garlic powder) 1 tbsp all purpose flour 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup 1% milk Directions: Cook fettuccini according to package. Reserve ¼ cup of that water (to thicken sauce at the end).

In a medium saucepan, add 1 tsp olive oil, garlic clove and diced red pepper. In about 3-5 minutes, once pepper is soft, add flour and stir constantly (to avoid clumping).

Gradually add milk and constantly stir. Once mixture gets “bubbly,” reduce heat to low and add in cheese, continuing the constant stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the reserve water at the end and toss in fettuccini.

Nutrition: Calories: 268 Typical serving of fettuccini Alfredo from Olive Garden: 780 Calories Saved: 512!

Ingredients: 2 100-calorie whole grain English muffins ¼ cup of low fat shredded Mozzarella 2 tbsp tomato sauce 4 button mushrooms, sliced Garlic powder Crushed red pepper Directions: Open each English muffin. Add tomato sauce, mushrooms and Mozzarella. Toast the muffins in toaster oven until cheese melts. Add garlic powder and crushed pepper to taste.

Nutrition: Calories: 300 (four mini pizzas) Calories Saved: 600 (four slices of regular pizza from Papa John’s is 1,200 calories.)

Nutrition Tip: To make this meal look better and more filling: Put each of the four muffin halves at the corners of a large plate, add arugula to the middle of the plate, squeeze lemon, drizzle a little olive oil and add sliced tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese. Don’t have all that? Add another ¼ cup of shredded Mozzarella to the slices to make them extra cheesy for an additional 100 calories.

Eggplant dip: great over pasta, or alone with a spoon!

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February 8 - 21, 2012

Phone survey susses Chelsea Market support Continued from page 18 Silberstein notes the Coalition’s membership include, “to my surprise, frankly, a lot of folks who are just people who live or work in the area and know of Chelsea Market.”

He puts the number of unaffiliated at a few dozen, and speculates that after ULURP certification, “I am sure that members of the Coalition will be turning out at those hearings to let their support be known.”

Support for Chelsea Market is also being sussed out through a phone survey, which came to our attention through a February 1 email sent by Paul Groncki. A Ph.D economist who worked in market research for 20 years (and is currently chair of the 100 West 16th Street Block Association and treasurer of Save Chelsea), Groncki declared the 20-minute survey to be “fairly unbalanced” — noting, “You will have lots of opportunities to express your opinions about the development, Jamestown, Save Chelsea and our elected officials (and how their position on Jamestown will affect your support for them).”

In a February 7 phone conversation with Chelsea Now, Groncki said that since his email message, “I’ve talked to a few other

people who actually took the survey. Those who stick it out say it’s a fair survey, and they got to express their opinions.”

Asked if he or any of the others were made aware of who paid for the survey, Groncki recalled, “About halfway through, I was concerned it was just the Jamestown people who were doing it — because the questions were so focused on Chelsea Market. But then they shifted to other players in the community, and it took just as long to do that.” Many of those questions involved scales to assess how aware participants were of Fulton Youth and Save Chelsea — as well as the relative importance of a mayoral candidate’s opinion on the Chelsea Market expansion.

Asked if the survey was being paid for

by Jamestown and/or The Chelsea Market Coalition, Silberstein would only say, “The Coalition and Jamestown aren’t prepared to talk about specific tactics yet. We will have more to say when we’re ready.”

Johnson was, by comparison, fairly transparent when asked to tip his hand as to how CB4 is leaning. “There’s pretty strong consensus at the board level that we are steadfast in our opposition to a hotel on Ninth Avenue,” he said. “We also continue to have real qualms with the bulk and design of the Tenth Avenue-facing building.”

February 8 - 21, 2012

23

CHELSEA: ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT Groundhog predicts six more weeks of Downtown theater FRIGID returns to Horse Trade, as Vampire Cowboys move on up

BY TRAV S.D. It seems the groundhog left his hideyhole, saw his shadow — and ran back into a Downtown theatre. The artists he encountered were so open and welcoming, they didn’t even mind performing their show for a fat little rodent! What’s that? You didn’t hear that on the weather report? That’s why we call it a “scoop,” people!

Here’s some more terrifi c news: F. Murray Abraham will play the title role in a production of Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo” at Classic Stage Company (CSC). I once had the honor of meeting “F.” after a performance he gave in Turgenev’s “A Month in the Country” (at the Roundabout).

Praise, he would not take — it was a litany of beating himself up about the imaginary imperfections in his terrific performance.

He is one of our great actors, so I know he’ll be both funny and tragic in the part of this weak-willed scientific hero (just as Brecht’s original American collaborator Charles Laughton must have been. It’ll be up at CSC through March 11. Find more info at classicstage.org.

Also promising: “The Ugly One,” which is opening at Soho Rep February 1. This is the New York premiere of German playwright Marius von Mayenburg’s absurdist play about a man who discovers that he is unspeakably ugly, thanks to the thoughtful help of his boss, who won’t allow him to make a company presentation at a convention. Then, when the guy gets plastic surgery, his male colleagues all like his new look so much, they all go to his doctor and get the same face! It’s funny because it’s true. The play has already been done in 30 countries. Needless to say, advance word is very positive. For info and tickets, go to sohorep.org.

Here’s a little news bulletin for fans of the Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company.

Having just closed a successful run of their show “She Kills Monsters” at the Flea, they now announce a revival of their recent hit “The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G” at Theatre Row’s Beckett Theatre. You may recall our earlier account in these pages when that play (about a young man’s search for his roots in Vietnam) debuted at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery. Now it’s being kicked upstairs to an Off-Broadway production where the company’s unique Molotov cocktail of humor and martial arts are likely to take a lot of people by surprise. I wish them well. This is a cultural moment that must be watched. The run is through March 4. For tickets and information, go to vampirecowboys.com.

If you are a lover and not a fighter, a few savvy companies are mounting (forgive me) some productions that are calculated

Photo by Joan Marcus

F. Murray Abraham (left) and Andy Phelan, in the Classic Stage Company production of Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo.”

to take advantage of the Valentine’s season. “An Evening of Awkward Romance” is Wendy Herlich’s offbeat comedy in which two actors (one of whom is the author) portray a wide assortment of oddball characters trying to find love. It’s playing at the Tank from February 11-26. For more info, see thetanknyc.org. Meanwhile, the Canal Park Playhouse will be reviving “Perfect Catch: A Throwmantic Comedy” (first presented at that new-ish venue a few months ago). The show promises to use the art of juggling to tell the story of an office romance. It is being resuscitated for two shows only, February 11 and 12. More details at canalparkplayhouse. com. And then there’s always “Love N’ Courage” — Theater for the New City’s annual Valentine’s-themed benefit, held on February 13 at the National Arts Club.

This year’s ceremony honors 100-year-old Bel Kaufman, author of “Up the Down Staircase” (who last year became the oldest professor in the country). Taking a turn at the mike to perform and pay their respects will be a bevy of showfolk including Elaine Stritch, Tammy Grimes, Phoebe Legere, and, just to switch it up some, the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers.

For more info, go to theaterforthenewcity. net.

If you are, like me, much interested in the Roma culture (formerly known as the Gypsies), then you may want to check out “I Killed My Mother,” playing at La MaMa February 10 through March 4.

Set in Romania during the bloody rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, András Visky’s play is based on the true story of a girl who is abandoned by her mother at birth and learns to make it on her own as an orphan. A special talkback organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute will follow the February 15 performance. More info at lamama.org.

February 18, don’t miss “The Anna Copa Cabanna Show: Love in Space” (at Joe’s Pub). Ms. Copa Cabanna is a faux Australian singer-songwriter, go-go dancer, roller skater and xylophone player. That sounds like an entire show by itself — but she is backed by an outfit called The Anna Copa Cabanna Dancers, and we’re promised that people of all genders will be wearing unitards. Look for me in the front row! Tickets and information can be arranged at joespub.com.

From February 22 through March 4,

the Horse Trade Theater Group will be presenting its annual FRIGID New York Festival. An order of magnitude smaller than Fringe, and apparently scheduled so that audiences will freeze rather than swelter, FRIGID is always curated smartly, with a high percentage of non-turkeys to its credit. There are 30 shows in this year’s fest. My picks include: “The Rope in Your Hands,” Siobhan O’Loughlin’s interviewbased solo show featuring survival stories of victims of Hurricane Katrina; the clown piece “Little Lady,” by Sandrine Lafond (a former performer with Cirque du Soleil and back-up dancer for Celine Dion); “Stripper Lesbians,” a comedy about “what it means to be in love with a stripper”; and “Scratch and Pitz: Burlesque Variety Hour,” featuring well-known burlesque host and comic actress Cyndi Freeman (a.k.a “Cherry Pitz”) and her comedy partner Brad Lawrence. As you can see, I was only able to keep it classy for one or two shows — but for me that’s not a bad record. Anyway there’s over two dozen more to choose from. You can learn about them all at frigidnewyork.info.

See you next month, if the creek don’t freeze!

24

February 8 - 21, 2012

Feinstein preserves Popular Music, praises Sinatra American Songbook guardian, on lost era of irony-free cool MUSIC ON CD: THE SINATRA PROJECT, VOLUME II: THE GOOD LIFE $12.26 (on Amazon.com) Visit michaelfeinstein.com and feinsteinsattheregency.com

ON TV: MICHAEL FEINSTEIN’S AMERICAN SONGBOOK Airing nationally on PBS Friday, February 10 & 17, 9-10pm (Episode I aired February 3, will repeat) For info, visit pbs.org.arts Photo by Zach Dobson

BY SCOTT STIFFLER Michael Feinstein knows how to make an entrance. He also knows what to do for an encore. That’s good news — because generally speaking, second acts and sequels are ill-advised unless you’ve got something relevant and new to offer. It’s the rare individual who can answer that challenge by mining relevance from old objects scattered along a well-traveled road.

Michael Feinstein comes to praise our buried past.

In recent years, the prolific pianist, vocalist and NYC cabaret room namesake (Feinstein’s at Loews Regency) has emerged as our foremost preservationist of American Popular Music. His ubiquitous presence as a much-watched content provider between PBS pledge breaks began in 2010 with Season I of “Michael Feinstein’s American

Songbook.” In 2008, he cast new light on the Frank Sinatra canon, with a Grammynominated CD (“The Sinatra Project”).

Currently, Feinstein is expanding on those efforts. The second season of his PBS series is looming, and another Sinatra CD was released in October of 2011 (“The Sinatra Project, Volume II: The Good Life”). Both manage to recreate the original’s appeal, while avoiding the sophomore temptation to mimic past glories.

A trilogy within a sequel, the three episodes from Season II of “Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook” see the host excusing himself from his usual perch behind a piano and embarking on a cross-country road trip during which he interacts with all manner of experts, legends and eccentrics. Along the way, we see there’s not much he won’t do to uncover more hidden gems from the likes of Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Irving Berlin. Feinstein’s relentless pursuit of untold anecdotes and original sheet music finds him mulling over selections from Hugh Hefner’s jukebox, learning a new song from the “trunk” of Jerry Herman and scouring the contents of a storage locker (for which he gamely dons a pair of blue gloves seemingly borrowed from the “CSI” prop table). The final episode, “Saloon of Singers,” has Feinstein tracing the origins of nightclub entertainment all the way from

the juke joints of Mississippi to the nocturnal antics of the Las Vegas Rat Pack.

It’s at this point that all roads lead back to Frank Sinatra. Led by the Chairman of the Board, that boozy, smoky, sexy era of 1960s Rat Pack cool took place during a brief window of time during which performers could still plant tongues in cheeks without dragging their source material down into the abyss of irony. Life was still something to be enjoyed, instead of commented upon from a distance.

That’s part of the reason why Feinstein chose “The Good Life” as the subtitle (and a track) for Volume II. The song, Feinstein explains, “is from the mid-’60s. People were in many ways, if perhaps illusionary, living a good life.” It was also a very good time for Sinatra. “By the 1960s,” recalls Feinstein, “Sinatra had legendary status because of the accumulated body of work. The power of his film appearances and his ubiquity on TV, as well as the dizzying number of hit records and concert albums, made him one of the most celebrated and recognized singers in the world.”

Feinstein pinpoints this era as, “the last decade where there were still a large percentage of American Popular Standards heard on mainstream radio. It was still pos-

Continued on page 25

February 8 - 21, 2012

25

Feinstein digs deep to mine American Songbook gems Continued from page 24 sible for a song from a Broadway show to become a mainstream hit. That had largely vanished by the ’70s, when singer/songwriters and self-contained pop acts were writing their own songs. So the art of interpreting a songwriter’s words was largely lost. It was also the last decade before economics started to come into play.” Vegas and TV variety shows, he notes, still employed, “a huge orchestra and a huge string section and full production numbers…that connection to a heritage of vaudeville and old-fashioned performing.”

Many of the 12 tracks on “The Good Life” conjure up Vegas and Broadway images of chorus boys and girls executing lavishly choreographed routines amidst a full complement of impeccably dressed musicians. Backed by a 30-member orchestra and the arrangements of producer Bill Elliott, Feinstein comes on like gangbusters from the get-go. The very first track (“Thirteen Women”) is a perfect example of how one’s glamour and cool quotient can be instantly jacked into the stratosphere thanks to a solid wall of horns (whose forceful presence gives a cheeky kick to the narrator’s innuendo-laden tale of romancing female admirers). Of his take on “Thirteen Women,” Feinstein says, “That is probably the most characteristic ’60s arrangement. It’s based to some degree on Ann-Margret’s interpretation.

The lineage is fascinating. It was written and performed by Dickie Thompson, as an R&B single. So the original bears no relation to the one Ann did, or to my interpretation.”

That’s typical of the CD’s sly nod not just to Sinatra, but also to the contemporaries who influenced and informed his work.

“This is really about the Sinatra circle,” says Feinstein. “The album contains a few songs Sinatra never sang, which was intentional because I wanted to encapsulate that era and show that, though he was still very important, music and styles were changing.

It was the ushering in of a new sensibility, and yet the 1960s was still a time when rich, standards-type songs like ‘For Once In My Life’ were still being created alongside newer pop elements like rock and roll.”

As for the title track, Feinstein recalls how “The Good Life” remains, “a song that’s associated with Tony Bennett. His interpretation was probably more visible at the time, more popular. Sinatra recorded it with Count Basie and gave the interpretation a more bluesy swing than Tony did. It was, orchestrally speaking, a more homogenous version.” Feinstein’s approach is unexpectedly downbeat — but skewers more towards quiet introspection than razor-blade-gripping depression. “I did it with just voice and piano, because I wanted to strip the song down to its essence. I felt it didn’t need a band. For me, it’s a song of pathos,” he argues. “Sinatra would often swing a song that was originally a ballad, with varying degrees of success.” Old Blue Eyes did it again with his rousing take on

Photo courtesy of Dave Davidson, Hudson West Productions

What I did for love: Michael Feinstein puts on the gloves, so he can do the dirty work of preserving the American Songbook.

“The Way You Look Tonight.” Sinatra’s use of a swing arrangement, Feinstein says, “to some degree weakens the lyrics, which are so extraordinarily romantic. I did ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ as a ‘What if Sinatra had done this with Antonio Carlos Jobim’ — in a bossa nova arrangement.”

If that seems heretical, Feinstein the historian points out that Sinatra wasn’t immune to criticism of his own interpretive style. Indeed, the notion of a blustery Sinatra striving for authority and relevance (popularized in the 1980s by the impressions of SNL’s Joe Piscopo and Phil Hartman) owes a debt of gratitude to Sinatra’s 1960s venture into Simon & Garfunkel territory. What he did with “Mrs. Robinson,” Feinstein notes, was an example of, “Sinatra trying to be hip and sounding phony. Paul Simon was so upset, he was going to sue [Sinatra], then decided not to if he wanted to live. He has told that story.”

Sinatra, Feinstein points out, had much better luck achieving relevance by covering a contemporary work when he put his stamp on “For Once in My Life.” Although now forever associated with Sinatra, that song (track 10 on Feinstein’s CD) at least can be covered without a singer having to worry about crawling out from under Frank’s long shadow. One number you won’t hear Feinstein have his own way with: “My Way.” “It’s impossible to sing that without thinking of Sinatra,” admits Feinstein.

“And for me, it’s impossible to sing anyway, because it’s a terrible song. Sinatra hated that song.”

26

February 8 - 21, 2012

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27

Just Do Art! COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER

THE OAKWOOD BOYS The Oakwood Boys, men of action that they are, just can’t wait for the Mayan calendar to end or violent sunstorms to fry our electronics. Still adjusting to life in our big city, the simple, sweet and still relatively clueless brothers Hoss and Donny are poised to set the bar for death and destruction very high indeed — when they premiere the latest selection from their 56-act musical, “The Bible.” This installment focuses on the Book of Revelation. Sinners and the saved alike will find value in their delightful romp through the book’s “violently poetic vision of the Earth’s final days before Christ’s return.” Known for their touching (yet deeply troubled) penchant for reenactments, Hoss and Danny will offer up original songs, an equestrian dance number and appearances by two members of the Holy Trinity. Lord help us all.

Sun., Feb. 19 and 26. At the Magnet Theater (254 W. 29th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). For tickets ($5), call 212-2448824.

HUDSON GUILD THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS “THE HIP HOP MISANTHROPE” The world of hip hop — often criticized, but rarely satirized — gets that long overdue treatment in Hudson Guild Theatre Company’s adaptation of “The Misanthrope.”

Jim Furlong (who wrote the adaptation and is directing) notes, “Moliere’s 17th century milieu of court poets and their entourages — all obsessed with word play, fashion, gossip and status — translates remarkably well to the modern world of wealthy music producers. His wit and insight into the foibles of human nature are eternally relevant.”

At 8pm on Feb. 17, 24, 25; at 2pm on Feb. 18/25; at 3pm on Feb. 19/26. At Hudson Guild Theatre (441 W. 26th St., btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). Admission: Pay what you wish. For info, call 212-760-9817 or visit hudsonguild.org.

CHESLEA OPERA PRESENTS “SPUNKY OLD OPERA BROADS” They seduce while nude, kill babies and slay dragons — and sing up a storm while doing it. They might be fun to watch, but you don’t want to mix it up with any of these “Spunky Old Opera Broads.” This program of signature arias and scenes featuring the formidable women of operas both famous and obscure will include excerpts from past Chelsea Opera productions and special guests (including dramatic soprano Maria Russo and dramatic mezzo soprano Eugenie Grunewald). Also singing on the program are sopranos Elizabeth Beers-Kataria, Tracy Bidleman, Caprice Corona, Lisa Daehlin, Darla Diltz, Camille Gifford, Miriam Kushel, Janette Lallier, La Toya Lewis, Michele Paape, and Michelle Pretto, and mezzo sopranos Rachel Arky, Julie DeVaere, Joanna Dionis, Patrice Eaton, Leslie Middlebrook, Ema

Photo by Tommy Mintz

L to R: Luff Josa, Alison Campbell, Tessa Martin and Jevon Nicholson, in “The Hip Hop Misanthrope.”

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Opera Company

L to R: Rachel Arky (Carmen), Elizabeth Beers-Kataria (Salomé), Eugenie Grunewald (Azucena), Joanna Dionis (Baba the Turk) and Janette Lallier (Marcellina) are among the “Spunky Old Opera Broads.”

Mitrovic, Christine Reimer and Kim Sogioka (Audrey Saint-Gil is the accompanist).

Fri., Feb. 24 at 8pm, at Christ & St. Stephens Church (120 W. 69th St., btw.

Broadway & Columbus). For info and tickets ($25, $20 at the door; $15 in advance, for students/seniors), call 866-811-4111 or visit chelseaopera.org.

Funny friends of Dorothy do their thing. See “There’s no place like home.”

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: A GLBTQ EVENT If you get turned on at the sight of clever hotties who are quick with the quips and self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning, then there’s no place like the Magnet Theater — at least on this night, when some funny friends of Dorothy are coming out and coming together for a night of comedy. Andrew Fafoutakis hosts this ongoing monthly show, which features a rotating cast of improv all-stars and fresh faces (and breasts and chests and asses) to keep an eye on. This time up: Michael Lutton, T.J. Mannix, Lauren Ashley Smith, Nathan Peterman, Louie Pearlman, Sarah Pappalardo, Mark Sam Rosenthal, Emily Shapiro, Catherine Wing, David Tomczak, Austin Ruffer, Emily Schorr Lesnick, Charles Rodgers, Athos Cakiades, John Flynn and guest monologist Justin Born.

Tues., Feb. 13, 10pm. At the Magnet Theater (254 W. 29th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). For tickets ($5), call 212-2448824.

Photo by Cousin Bubba

The Oakwood Boys are giving some showbiz glitz to the Book of Revelation.

February 8 - 21, 2012

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The Lobster Place was one of Chelsea Market’s original tenants.

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The growth and evolution of small businesses is just one success story to grow from Chelsea Market. Expand Chelsea Market: it’s what’s next.

For more, visit www.ChelseaMarketNext.com Paid for by Putting New Yorkers to Work