The local paper for the Upper pper East Side Sid WHAT’S A MASTERPIECE WORTH? ◄ CITY ARTS, P.12
WEEK OF WEEKAUGUST OF AUG. - SEPT.
29-4 292019
FAREWELL TO RISTORANTE MORINI BUSINESS
A neighborhood favorite is the first of five businesses to shut down on Madison Avenue near 86th Street BY EMA SCHUMER
Ristorante Morini was the first of five businesses along Madison Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets to close on Friday, August 16, allegedly at the behest of the real estate investment trust that owns the property located at 1167 Madison Avenue. The four other stores — H.L. Purdy Opticians, shoe seller Chuckies, Premier Cru Wine Merchants, and Prestige Cleaners — will follow suit in the near future, representatives at the stores said. In December 2015, Vornado Realty Trust purchased 1167 Madison Avenue and the adjoining property at 50 East 86th Street, The Real Deal reported. The real estate investment trust boasts a vast portfolio of commercial, retail, and residential property, including the 950-foot tall condominium tower under construction at 220 Central Park South. Sometime in July, Vornado gave the five businesses on Madison notice that they must evacuate their storefronts, according to owners and employees at the stores.
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HEARTLESS ATTACK ON HEART OF NEW YORK
PHILANTHROPY
Scores of nonprofits – and the multitude of donors who support them – lost hundreds of thousands of dollars when the credit card processor they depended on suddenly went dark.
INSIDE
'A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ANGER' The firing of Daniel Pantaleo roils the NYPD ranks. p. 6
BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN
An online fundraising platform that enabled charities to receive donations from the public abruptly ended operations, cut off all communications – and stopped disbursing the funds it owed to its nonprofit clients, a dozen of them told Straus News. The alleged victims include dance companies, theater troupes, opera companies, arts groups, preservation groups, PTAs, immigrant support groups, senior groups, educational advocacy groups and organizations affiliated with churches and synagogues. All of them had relied on NYCharities.org, a nonprofit e-giving web site headquartered at 50 Broadway and founded in 2004 by Cristine Cronin, its president, mostly to help smallsized charities with modest budgets and staffs manage their philanthropic giving. While there were a few glitches along the way, that’s basically what it did for 15 years, most of the nonprofits agreed. Then in May and
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BRINGING TECH TO SENIORS A pilot program aims to enhance quality of life for older Roosevelt Island residents. p. 9
State Attorney General Letitia (Tish) James (left) with Leonie Haimson, founder and executive director of Class Size Matters, at a June 19 fundraiser. The educational advocacy group says it lost $7,000 on the bash because NYCharities, the online funding platform it used, never handed over the funds. Now, James is investigating the matter. Photo: Patrick Nevada / Class Size Matters
June, the portal continued to process the donations it received, but those funds never reached their intended recipients, those groups allege. Now, they are telling their stories to at least two sets of investigators: State Attorney General Letitia James launched a probe on July 31. Separately, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s Major Economic Crimes Bureau has also been gather-
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Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
ing facts and taking statements from dozens of the nonprofits. In a statement, James said NYCharities.org had “failed to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to New York charities over the past several months … inexcusably depriving charities of their donors’ generosity.” “Leaving New York’s charitable or-
WHEN EXERCISE BECOMES AN ADDICTION How much of a good thing is too much? p. 2
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, August 30– 7:14 pm. For more information visit www.chabaduppereastrside.com.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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WHEN EXERCISE BECOMES AN ADDICTION HEALTH
How much of a good thing is too much? BY CAROL ANN RINZLER
You don’t smoke or vape. You have maybe one drink a week. Okay, two. But the only meds you take are the ones your doctor prescribed, exactly as she prescribed them. But are you addicted to exercise? “All doctors recommend exercise to their patients,” says Lenox Hill Hospital family medicine physician Eric Ascher. “But when your body feels tired, your bones and muscles feel achy and fatigued, that is when your body is telling you it is ready for a break. Not taking that break is when it becomes an unhealthy addiction.” There are as many definitions of addiction as there are addicts, but what seems com-
Photo: Steven Strasser
mon to all is doing something to the point where it actually harms you. As Ian Cockerill, a sports psychologist at the University of Birmingham in England puts it: “Healthy exercisers organize their exercise around their lives, whereas dependents organize their lives round their exercise.” He’s right, says University of Hawaii psychiatrist Alayna Yates, who told readers of WebMd that she’s had overexerciser patients who in-
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sisted on running during thunderstorms and working out at inappropriate times, including one “who had to have a run while his wife was in labor.” Exercise addicts like that tend to think that treating each day as a training session for some mythical ultramarathon makes them healthier. It doesn’t. Your fitness and ability to exercise involves oxygen and adrenal hormones. When you breathe in, the oxygen in the
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air goes to your lungs where it attaches to the hemoglobin in red blood cells which flow out to your muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine says how much oxygen you take in and then send out is a standard measure strongly associated with performance and health. Common wisdom has always been that men are better than women at processing oxygen, but two years ago when researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada decided to test the theory with active healthy young adults, they found that women outperformed men by 30 percent in their muscles’ ability to pull oxygen from the blood, indicating a “superior aerobic system.” Individuals are obviously individual, but sorry guys, in group terms, no amount of huffing and puffing will alter that. As for hormones, your adrenal glands release three im-
portant ones: epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. The first two make your heart beat faster and tighten blood vessels not being used by your exercising muscles. The third hormone, cortisol, breaks down fats and proteins to make glucose which fuels your body. You make more cortisol when you’re stressed or working out. If you’re really stressed or if you stretch your exercise out too long, the higher levels of cortisol will start to pull protein out of your muscles just as starving people ultimately may begin to digest their own tissues. So much for the bad news. The good news is that there’s a standard of safe and effective exercising for those of us who do not plan to hop a plane to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics. Modern research suggests that moderate regular exercise for about half an hour a day is good for everybody and
just enough to help ward off such unpleasantries as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. In Manhattan, the best part is you don’t have to pay gym fees to do it. East Side, West Side, plain walking works. It works even better if you include hills like the one from 40th to 41st Street on Madison Avenue or up and down the steps into Morningside Park. And if that isn’t enough to send you on a reasonable walk, consider this: If you run with a young puppy by your side, the authoritative vet-approved PetMD.com says that too much exercise too soon can damage her bones. Woof. Carol Ann Rinzler is the author of more than 20 books on health including the best-selling “Nutrition for Dummies” and the award-winning “Estrogen and Breast Cancer: A warning to women.”
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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG
STATS FOR THE WEEK
HARD HAT HARD TIME A construction worker was arrested after allegedly pulling a box cutter on a coworker. At 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, a 34-year-old male construction worker got into an argument with a 39-year-old male coworker at the southeast corner of Park Ave. and East 67th St. According to the police report, the older man then took out a box cutter and advanced on the younger man, swinging the blade. The younger man used his construction hat as a shield and moved out of the older man’s way to avoid the attack. The victim later told police he was in fear of injury or death. The man wielding the box cutter was arrested and charged with assault.
Reported crimes from the 19th precinct for the week ending Aug 11 Week to Date
Year to Date
2019
2018 % Change
2019
2018 % Change
0 1
0 0
n/a n/a
0 12
1 9
3 1
3 3
0.0 -66.7
88 85
94 91
-6.4 -6.6
Grand Larceny
6 32
7 26
-14.3 23.1
133 951
141 875
-5.7 8.7
Grand Larceny Auto
1
3
-66.7
25
42
Murder Rape Robbery
Photo by Tony Webster, via Flickr
Felony Assault
victim’s desk. They also took currency belonging to the garage from a desktop before fleeing in an unknown direction. Fortunately, no unauthorized charges turned up on the stolen credit cards.
GARAGE ATTENDANT MUGGED
STORE EMPLOYEE SCARES OFF ROBBER
Police are looking for two men who were reported to have held up a parking garage attendant. At 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, two 25-year-old men entered the Park Time garage at 225 East 63rd St. between Third Ave. and Second Ave. and allegedly demanded money from a 61-year-old male employee. Police said that one of the men displayed a knife while the other patted down the employee. The two intruders then removed property from the
Never underestimate the power of a scream to deter a robber. At 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, a 53-year-old man knocked on the door of the Knockout Beauty store at 1031 Lexington Ave. at East 74th St. telling a 36-year-old female employee he wanted to buy a gift for his wife. When he got inside the shop, the man asked the employee if she knew what was going on. At that point, she later told police, she looked up from what she was doing to see the man put his hand inside a Starbucks bag and point it
toward her as he demanded all the money in the register. She told police she feared for her life, believing he had a weapon, and began to scream. The man fled without getting any cash. Police searched the neighborhood and found the thwarted robber inside the 77th St. Lexington Ave. subway station. The suspect was arrested and charged with robbery.
“TAKE NEWS” At 4:25 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a 48-year-old man pulled over his newspaper delivery van opposite 150 East 85th St. at Lexington Ave., leaving the keys in the ignition and the engine running while he delivered the papers as he does every day. He told police that when he came back at 4:40 a.m. he found his van was missing. Video at 1269 Lexington Ave. showed an
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unknown man wearing a blue hoodie, black pants and yellow sneakers get into the van at 4:31 a.m. and drive off in an unknown direction. A license plate camera later caught the vehicle heading outbound over the Madison Ave. Bridge at 4:44 a.m. The items stolen included a red 2010 Dodge Journey van valued at $15,000, 2,000 newspapers worth $12,000 and a cellphone selling for $200.
NO BLARNEY AT BARNEY’S Police arrested six youths who they
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said tried to use forged credit cards at Barney’s flagship store. At 1:14 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, two 24-year-old men, a 25-year-old man, a 29-year-old man and two women ages 25 and 18 allegedly entered the Barney’s New York store at 660 Madison Ave. at East 61st St. and used forged credit cards in sequence in an attempt to make purchases. All the suspects were arrested and charged with grand larceny. The merchandise they tried to steal were Givenchy slides valued at $295.
The Board of Elections in the City of New York is hiring Poll Workers to serve at poll sites across New York City. Become an Election Day Worker and you can earn up to $2,800 for completing the training course, passing the exam and working ten Election Days.
ELECTION INSPECTOR
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Useful Contacts
NYPD 19th Precinct
Drawing Board
153 E. 67th St.
212-452-0600
159 E. 85th St. 157 E. 67th St.
311
FIRE FDNY 22 Ladder Co 13 FDNY Engine 39/ Ladder 16 FDNY Engine 53/ Ladder 43 FDNY Engine 44
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311 311
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311
CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Keith Powers Councilmember Ben Kallos
211 E. 43rd St. #1205
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FDNY emergency personnel at the scene of the accident that killled 30-year-old Samuel Waisbren. Photo: Courtesy FDNY via Twitter
QUESTIONS FOLLOW FATAL ELEVATOR ACCIDENT BUILDING SAFETY
The death of a man crushed in a Kips Bay building sparks a city investigation BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
The city is investigating the death of a 30-year-old man who was crushed by an elevator in Kips Bay apartment building last Thursday morning. Samuel Waisbren had attempted to follow another resident out of the elevator of the 23-story Manhattan Promenade when the car began to fall toward the basement, trapping and killing Waisbren, according to the New York Fire Department. At 8:27 a.m., police received a 911 call requesting an elevator rescue at 344 Third Ave. near East 26th St. When officers arrived, they found an unconscious and unrespon-
sive Waisbren at the building’s elevator. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene. There were five other passengers in the elevator at the time of the incident. In a video captured by surveillance cameras, the elevators open and a man wearing a backpack exits the elevator. As Waisbren moves to exit, the lift drops suddenly and Waisbren puts out his arm to stop the elevator doors from closing, but it continues to drop and Waisbren is caught. He attempts to escape, but it brought down by the lift and crushed between the shaft wall and elevator. The witnesses in the lobby turn away from the elevator covering their faces in horror. The New York Times reported Thursday that the apartment building had recently been fined nearly $1,300 after inspectors found
that a safety feature on one of the building’s two elevators was not functioning correctly. The city approved of the feature’s repair on May 31 and its operation was restored. However, it was not the same elevator that was involved during Thursday’s incident. The Department of Buildings is conducting an ongoing investigation of the incident. “DOB is investigating this incident aggressively and will take all appropriate enforcement actions,” a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement. “Elevators are the safest form of travel in New York, due to the city’s stringent inspection and safety requirements. We’re determined to find out what went wrong at this building and seek ways to prevent incidents like this in the future.” Waisbren was a Wisconsin native and worked for the tech company CB Insights.
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
‘A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ANGER’ LAW ENFORCEMENT
As rank and file members of the NYPD continue to seethe over the firing of Daniel Pantaleo, it could affect the way they do their jobs BY STUART MARQUES
Police unions cannot legally call for a work slowdown, but the firing of former NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo for his role in the death of Eric Garner could result in fewer arrests, especially for low-level misdemeanors. The firing, coupled with police outrage over recent incidents of people dumping buckets of water on officers in various parts of the city -- and other disrespectful acts -- has led to increasing anger among rank-andfile cops, law enforcement officials say. “There’s a tremendous amount of anger over the Pantaleo firing and the lack of civility toward police officers,” one source said. “It’s a new era” the source said. “If you’re going to put your hands on someone to make an arrest, you have to be very aware that you could very well get in trouble for it.” Since the firing, trustees of the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association (PBA), the largest police union in the city, have been visiting police precincts to urge officers to be careful and to follow the police patrol guide, which lays out procedures. “They are being told to do their jobs; to pay
attention to the patrol guide and to do everything they are supposed to do,” the law enforcement source said. There is some evidence that the Pantaleo decision may be having an impact on police activity. Figures obtained by the New York Post show that arrests dropped 27% between Aug. 19 — the day Pantaleo was fired — and Aug. 25 compared to the same period in 2018, with police making 3,508 arrests compared to 4,827. The NYPD replied to Straus News’s request for comment with a statement from Deputy Commissioner Philip T. Walzak: “The brave women and men who joined the NYPD did so with a solemn promise to help people, to fight crime, and to keep New York City safe. It’s a sacred oath that NYPD cops will always uphold in service of New Yorkers in every neighborhood across our city. These dedicated officers practice precision policing - focusing on the offenders who commit crimes, not the accumulation of raw numbers.” In 2014 a slowdown after the ambush murders in Brooklyn of police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos led to a situation in which cops stopped giving out summonses and went strictly by the book in doing their jobs. That led to longer response times and fewer arrests for several months. But according to the Daily News, it did not lead to substantial increases in the crime rate across
Police and a demonstrator at a July rally protesting the death of Eric Garner. Photo: Margaret Barnsley
the city.
Unintended Consequences Anger has rippled through the NYPD ranks since Aug. 19, when Police Commissioner James O’Neill fired Pantaleo for his involvement in the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who cops said resisted arrest on Staten Island after they responded to a civilian complaint that he was selling loose cigarettes on the street. Dep-
uty Police Commissioner for trials Rosemarie Maldonado, recommended Pantaleo be fired for using an illegal chokehold to subdue Garner. In her 46-page opinion, Maldonado said Pantaleo’s chokehold “fell so far short of objective reasonableness that this tribunal found it to be reckless -- a gross deviation from the standard of conduct established for a New York City police officer.” The death of Garner, who repeatedly cried out “I can’t breathe” while being subdued, sparked widespread outrage across the city and became a rallying cry for police accountability. In announcing his decision to fire the officer, O’Neill, an active duty cop for 34 years, said terminating Pantaleo was a “very difficult decision ... (but) the unintended consequences of Garner’s death must have a consequence of its own. It is clear that Daniel Pantaleo can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer.”
A Political Football
Protestors march in downtown New York five years after Eric Garner’s death at the hands of the NYPD. Photo: Margaret Barnsley
On the day of the firing, PBA president Pat Lynch angrily declared: “We have no confidence that when we do our job, when we do as instructed, when we follow the law, that at the end of the day we won’t lose our job or lose our life. We have
no confidence in both City Hall and the Police Commissioner’s Office. Today proved it — the job is dead.” Edward Mullins, head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, told reporters “The NYPD is falling apart.” A sergeant who was supervising the arrest of Garner was reprimanded and lost 20 vacation days. In remarks aimed directly at O’Neill, Mullins said, “the members of the NYPD do not respect you. They have no faith in your leadership, nor do they trust you.” He added; “For the good of this department, I urge you to do what’s right and resign immediately.” “Police are empowered to use necessary force in making an arrest, but since Pantaleo, we’re seeing necessary force being used as a political football,” the law enforcement source said. Incidents where people have dumped water on cops as they tried to make arrest is only making things worse – and can lead to officers being reluctant to issue summonses for minor offenses, which often don’t get prosecuted. “It’s a very serious problem,” the source added. “Every time they encounter someone doing something wrong, it becomes a fight … There’s a great deal of anger and I don’t think that’s going away anytime soon.”
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
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Five businesses to close at 1167 Madison Avenue. From left to right: H.L. Purdy Opticians, Chuckies, Ristorante Morini, Premier Cru Wine Merchants, and Prestige Cleaners. Photo: Ema Schumer
RESTAURANT MORINI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 French bistro Demarchelier, at 50 East 86th Street, has not received notice that it must close, the restaurant’s manager said. The four residential floors atop the restaurant are all vacant, the building’s superintendent said. Vornado Realty Trust did not respond to multiple requests for comment. On August 16, Ristorante Morini, which opened in 2013, served patrons for the last time. The restaurant is owned by Michelin-star winning chef Michael White’s Altamarea Group, which operates five other restaurants in New York City. Altamarea Group spokesperson Jonna Gerlich reflected fondly on the close relationships Ristorante Morini forged with Upper East Siders who were regulars at the restaurant. “It was a cool thing to be a part of — such a neighborhood feel in such a big city,“ Gerlich said. “It was such a pleasure.” She added that the restaurant group is interested in reopening Ristorante Morini on the Upper East Side if a desirable space becomes available.
Looking for space to relocate Two of the other stores that must close — H.L. Purdy and Chuckies — have additional locations on the Upper East Side. Prestige Cleaners owner Woochul Lee said that he is moving his business, which he opened at 1167 Madison Avenue 20 years ago, to a location on 82nd Street, where, he noted, rent is high and the space is small. “In New York City, we [small business owners] don’t have any power. Nothing we can do,” he lamented.
“It breaks my heart ... The neighborhood — it’s empty.” UES resident Heidi Volk
Premier Cru Wine Merchants owner Michael Eigen said that he is still looking for a space to relocate his boutique, which sources wine and spirits from small producers. Searching for a new location is not new to him; eight years ago, he was forced out of a space on 87th Street and Madison Avenue, where he had operated his store for 17 years. “Mom and pop retail is kind of dead,” he said. Longtime Upper East Side resident Heidi Volk, who was walking a dog along Madison Avenue between 85th and 86th Streets the afternoon before Ristorante Morini’s closure, reacted to the news that five stores on the block would be closing. “It breaks my heart ... The neighborhood — it’s empty,” she said. A couple of blocks north of where Volk stood, at 1228 Madison Avenue, a 17-story condominium building with retail space is under construction to replace a series of brownstones that once housed residents, a diner, deli, hair salon and nail salon. Michael Bacal, who said he has lived on 80th Street and Second Avenue for over 20 years, bemoaned a trend of development on the Upper East Side. “It’s causing the neighborhood to be more generic; [we’re] losing some of the local character,” he said.
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12-STEP HELP FOR SEXAHOLICS BY BETTE DEWING
Yes, dear readers, there is such a group as Sexaholics Anonymous, a 12-step group which needs to be part of the vast coverage of the now late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and the sexual lust that led to his abominable abuse of underage girls. Indeed, one such group used to meet monthly on the Jan Hus church premises, along with Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which also need infinitely more public awareness. This is surely not to excuse or reduce any blame, but that its existence needs to be widely and generally known. While money is rightly said to be at the root of all evil, doesn’t sexual lust run a close second? And they are often connected, along with alcohol and other mind-altering drugs. So much that needs to be widely considered in the prevention of these
sexual lust-related abuses which are also criminal offenses, A 2017 column of mine titled “A Sickness” needs remembering. Woody Allen said Harvey Weinstein was “a very sick, sad man.” Allen may not have been the right one to say it, but surely Weinstein’s decades of alleged sexual assaults against women do indicate a sickness. And surely he was “sad” to be outed, and maybe also sad that he relapsed from the related treatment he reportedly received abroad. An internet search finds Sexaholics Anonymous meetings are held worldwide but this “sickness” Is far more complicated than “not taking that first drink,” one credo of Alcoholic Anonymous upon whose principles S.A. is founded. This search found numerous related treatment groups but they get little or no coverage – nor does Alcoholics Anonymous, with less stigma attached, although a more universal problem.
And again, the misuse and abuse of sexuality often occurs “under the influence.” And before I forget, Alcoholics Anonymous can be reached at 212-647-1680. Sexaholics Anonymous can be reached at 212-4594044. And now especially isn’t this something faith groups should address about these 12-step groups which often meet on faith group premises? The public at large especially needs to hear it in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein crimes – preventing and treating the possible sickness involved must be a significant part of the vast ongoing discussion. Ah, and this ongoing discussion must surely include the entertainment world - big time -, where even the once G- rated soaps have R-rated and adulterous scenes. Faithful couple, family, friendship, all platonic loves must again be lauded, featured and sought. Say that again please.
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
Voices
The Gift of Grandparents
And this surely relates to Grandparents Day on September 8, always the first Sunday after Labor Day. But why don’t all calendars list it?Most obviously, consciousness needs to be raised that grandparents matter – as do great-grandparents. Too little was said about President Obama being raised by grandparents and that Michelle Obama’s mother lived in the White House to help care for the First Daughters. And Queen Elizabeth is a grandmother whose Christmas letter once urged Britons to bring grandparents and grandchildren closer to together all year So did the late, great sociologist Margaret Mead, who in one of her last public talks implored the American Bar Association to work to bring grandparents into the lives of their grandchildren because the nuclear family urgently needed extended family support. Incidentally, the highly political
blog of Manhattan author and playwright Sherman Yellen often includes the joy of having his grandchildren nearby. We urge this eloquent writer to also address this often unfulfilled general need, remembering those without grandchildren and those whose grandchildren are far away. Also an informal Adopt-a-Grandparent movement is an absolute must. Of course, all the above must be stressed online, where so importantly, elders often need the younger generation to enable this indispensable access. And oh how we need elected officials and wannabees who really believe “It takes a village”, for a society to be truly great – and, of course, that means responsible drinking, drug free and of course, G-rated. It’s not an impossible dream if enough of us share it. A lot is at stake. dewingbetter@aol.com
SISTERHOOD, FROM MANHATTAN TO ISRAEL BY TANIA CADE
I recently had the great fortune to visit Israel for the first time. Thanks to the international organization Momentum and its local partner, JInspire Manhattan, I joined 19 other Jewish mothers from Manhattan on an eight day, lifechanging trip. Led by three amazing moms from the Upper West Side, what began as a group of diverse strangers varying in ages, marital status, careers and backgrounds became a united sisterhood. Since 2009 Momentum has made it possible for over 17,000 Jewish women from 28 countries, 100 of them from Manhattan, to make this journey through this subsidized trip and following programming. It is their mission to empower women to change the world through Jewish values by transforming themselves, their families and their communities. Unity, not politics, is a primary focus, especially with the current political climates in both the U.S. and Israel. Every day began with inspirational speakers on a wide range of topics from parenting and
relationships to why Israel has produced the most tech startups outside of Silicon Valley. Of course we hit all the sites: Tel Aviv, the mystical city of Tzfat, Yad Vashem the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Mount Herzl National Cemetery, the Old City in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada. I felt the most meaningful experiences were our private meetings that fostered dialogue with Israelis from many walks of life: philanthropists, soldiers, a movie director and a “Trail Angel” -- a private citizen who has welcomed hundreds of hikers along The National Trail into her home for food and lodging. Some highlights for me personally were receiving my Hebrew name, Neshama, which translates to Soul and dancing at the Kotel. Yes, there was so much dancing and music and I can’t forget the food. Shakshuka everyday for breakfast, roasted eggplant Sabich sandwiches for lunch, and sampling teas and spices at the Arab souk bazaar delighted this foodie! I was amazed at the attention paid to every detail beginning with the elaborate itinerary, thoughtful roommate assignments and exten-
The author (right) in Israel. Photo courtesy of Tania Cade
sive suggested packing list lovingly compiled by our local leaders to the Trip Journal provided to record our experience to help us re-
late it to our loved ones upon returning home. I had never felt so cared for on so many levels. The best part is what I have brought home with me. Although I was sent to a yeshiva from kindergarten through third grade and learned how to read, write and speak Hebrew fluently, there was little religious practice when I came home. As an adult I married a Roman Catholic and we raised our two boys as interfaith. In Israel I was re-connected with the spiritual side of Judaism. Nuggets of gold like the daily blessing given to us by educator Nili Couzens - “May today be your best day ever, until tomorrow!” - and the bracelet we were given that reminds us to “See Good, Say Good” are now tools I can use daily. Thanks to the ongoing work of JInspire Manhattan I will see my 22 new “achoti” on a monthly basis throughout the next year for continued learning, Shabbat dinners and holiday parties that will involve our families. More information can be found at momentumunlimited.org or email JInspire Manhattan directly at JInspiremanhattan@gmail.com.
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STRAUS MEDIA your neighborhood news source nyoffice@strausnews.com 212-868-0190
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com
9
BRINGING TECH TO SENIORS INNOVATION
On Roosevelt Island, a new pilot program aims to enhance social connections and quality of life for older residents BY ALICE TECOTZKY
When asked to envision a technology junkie, most people might imagine a lanky young man sitting at a computer, fingers dancing across keys at the speed of light. But on Roosevelt Island, innovative tech users will soon take a different shape: homebound and disabled members of the Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center. The Carter Burden Network is an organization that offers social services to aging New Yorkers and has established four senior centers around the city, one of which is on Roosevelt Island. Recently, the network proposed the installation of voice-controlled Amazon Echo Show video-streaming devices in the homes of individuals with compromised mobility in an attempt to combat loneliness. Speaking on behalf of William Dionne, the Carter Burden Network’s executive director, the organization’s Grant and Foundations Officer Rina Desai said, “The goal of the project is to enhance independence, connectedness, and quality of life for the [participants].” Roosevelt Island was chosen as the location for the pilot program due to its relative geographical isolation, as its remoteness magnifies many of the issues faced by those who are homebound.
“Technology alone can’t fully combat isolation, but if we use technology in conjunction with community-based programming ... then we can be successful.” Rina Desai, Carter Burden Network’s grant and foundations officer
Approximately 100 applicants were screened for the project, but only 40 will be chosen, and the selected individuals will have to meet eligibility requirements. The project
Working in the computer lab at the Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center. Photo: Beatrice Hunt
stipulated that participants had to either be homebound seniors over 60 or disabled adults, have both WiFi and a phone with SMS capabilities in order to accommodate the Amazon Echo Show’s needs, and agree to data collection by Cornell Tech Graduate School. Participants will receive technological assistance provided by the Roosevelt Island Senior Center’s technology instructor, have access to features meant to improve quality of life such as healthy cooking videos, guided meditations, and podcasts, and be able to watch live streams of educational presentations being done at the center.
Helping Older Adults Socialize Funding for the project, which amounted to $55,000, was provided by the New York Community Trust, a public charity and grant-making foundation committed to bettering the lives of New Yorkers. Individuals, many of whom are New Yorkers, can establish charitable funds with the Trust, some of which are perma-
nent. When asked why one would choose to be philanthropic through the Trust rather than individually, Senior Communications Officer Amy Wolf emphasized the power of collective giving and the Trust’s ability to ensure that donations will be spent in a manner that adapts to the city’s changing needs. The grant for the senior center emblemizes the Trust’s devotion to imaginative spending, as the money used was donated by Katherine Park in 1982, whose fund was specifically designed to help older adults socialize. “In 1982, Katherine Park may have given that money to go to social programs, but she never would have known what could have happened,” explained Rachel Pardoe, the Trust’s program officer for Healthy Lives: Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Animal Welfare. “Because she gave [her money] to the Trust, we were able to be innovative with that funding and program in a way that makes the most sense in this
time period.” Once the project has been launched and its efficacy determined, the Carter Burden Network hopes to spread it to other areas and organizations, as the institution considers smartscreens the next logical step in associating seniors with technology. “We really see this as a replicable project,” Desai said. “We want to share the instructional manual we’ve created, we want to share the blueprint ... with other organizations to see if they might be interested as well.”
Health Effects of Isolation Social isolation, which has alarming health implications, is endemic in older populations and is particularly prevalent among the homebound. According to a University of California, San Francisco study, over 40 percent of seniors regularly experience loneliness. StoneGate Senior Living underscored the consequences of such alienation, asserting that it increases one’s chance of death by 26 percentand makes one
more susceptible to clinical dementia. When tasked with combating loneliness, technology seems a compelling solution, but some question its viability. Pardoe is an advocate of utilizing technology’s power in certain scenarios, but doesn’t believe it is an appropriate tool to use in all situations. “Some people, because of their financial situation, don’t have computers or internet access, so it’s going to be very challenging for any community-based organization to rely on technology to be able to serve those individuals,” she explained. “But for many people, [technology] works.” Echoing a similar sentiment, Desai said that technology cannot entirely solve the problem, but identified different reasoning. “Technology alone can’t fully combat isolation, but if we use technology in conjunction with community-based programming that creates a welcoming virtual community, then we can be successful.”
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com
Gallery-quality art for your home or office. The 47th Gracie Square Outdoor
Art Show
Calendar NYCNOW
Discover the world around the corner. Find community events, gallery openings, book launches and much more: Go to nycnow.com
EDITOR’S PICK
Wed - Sat
East End Avenue from 84th to 88th Streets
SELECTIONS FROM THE TREASURES IN THE TRASH COLLECTION HUNTER COLLEGE EAST HARLEM GALLERY
Saturday, September 7th Free Admission Sunday, September 8th www.graciesquareartshow.info
keaway?...
2180 Third Avenue 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free huntereastharlemgalley.org 212-396-7819 Sanitation worker Nelson Molina spent over 30 years amassing his collection of found objects, from carefully posed, century-old framed family portraits to needle point; from lost cassettes to castaway Buddha statues; from colorful Pez dispensers to clocks and 8mm films.
212.459.4455 10:00am – 5:00pm Rain or Shine Free Admission
212.459.4455 www.graciesquareartshow.info
e Square Outdoor
tober 1st ber 2nd 5:00 p.m.
Thu 29
on
SEPARATING MYTH FROM MEDICINE IN WOMEN’S HEALTH
Presented by
Proceeds fund the restoration and maintenance of Carl Schurz Park
92Y 1395 Lexington Ave 7:00 p.m. $29 Join Dr. Jen Gunter and Dr. Dara Kass as they debunk the myths in women’s health and discuss topics including reproductive health, impact of antibiotics and probiotics, and the latest trends. 92y.org 212-415-5500
▲
Fri 30
Sat 31
MARSHMELLO + KANE BROWN
HERCULES
Rumsey Playfield Central Park, East 72nd St 7:00 a.m. Free Marshmello and Kane Brown will be taking over Central Park on August 30th with a free performance as part of this year’s GMA Summer Concert Series. This concert is open to the public and will take place live during “Good Morning America.” centralpark.com 212-360-2777
Delacorte Theater Central Park, East 80th St 8:00 p.m. Free Based on the Disney animated film, this production will feature the film’s beloved score, plus additional original songs by the film’s composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel ,with a new book by Kristoffer Diaz and choreography by Chase Brock. publictheater.org 212-967-7555
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
Sun 1
▲
LEONARD COHEN: A CRACK IN EVERYTHING Jewish Museum 1109 Fifth Ave 10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. $18 The first exhibition devoted to the singer-songwriter includes commissioned works by a range of artists inspired by his style and themes, a video projection showcasing Cohen’s own drawings, and a multimedia gallery where visitors can hear covers of his songs. thejewishmuseum.org 212-423-3200
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Mon 2
Tue 3
ONE DAY, I WILL
SILENT NIGHTS
United Nations 405 East 42nd St 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Free This photo exhibition documents the hopes and dreams of girls trapped in humanitarian crises. Combining an artistic approach with a documentary purpose, the images highlight the crucial role of education for girls in humanitarian crises, for securing their safety and future opportunities.
Guggenheim 1071 5th Ave 7:00 p.m. $25 In homage to founding director Hilla Rebay’s vision for a “temple of spirit,” visitors are invited to enjoy the exhibitions on view in a meditative state of mind, aided by dimmed lights and quiet in the rotunda and galleries. guggenheim.org 212-423-3500 ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND
thoughtgallery.org NEW YORK CITY
Summer of Know: Anna Puigjaner and Jessica Katz
Wed 4► KILL YOUR TV READING GROUP - I AM A CAT BY SOSEKI NATSUME Logos Bookstore 1575 York Ave 7:00 p.m. Free In this satirical novel written between 1905 and 1906, a haughty and self-absorbed cat describes the lives of an assortment of middle class Japanese people. A classic of Japanese literature adapted into several films and an anime television special. logosbookstorenyc.com 212- 517-7292
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 7PM Guggenheim Museum | 1071 Fifth Ave. | 212-423-3500 | guggenheim.org As part of a conversation series that pairs contemporary artists with thought leaders, catch artist Anna Puigjaner and urban planner Jessica Katz, in a discussion about housing activism. The setting will be informal, in The Wright restaurant ($25).
Chemistry in the Cosmos: From Simplicity to Complexity
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH, 5PM Simons Foundation | 160 Fifth Ave. | 646-654-0066 | simonsfoundation.org Join theoretical astrophysicist Amiel Sternberg of the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute for a talk that runs from the formation of the first stars all the way up to presentday galaxies. A pre-lecture tea begins at 4:15pm (free).
Just Announced | “Priced Out: The Economic and Ethical Costs of American Health Care”
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, 6PM NY Academy of Medicine | 1216 Fifth Ave. | 212-822-7200 | nyam.org Nobel laureate Paul Krugman joins health policy research analyst Tsung-Mei Cheng to talk about the last book from Cheng’s husband, Uwe Reinhardt, a giant in the health policy field (free).
For more information about lectures, readings and other intellectually stimulating events throughout NYC,
sign up for the weekly Thought Gallery newsletter at thoughtgallery.org.
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
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WHAT’S A MASTERPIECE WORTH? An exhibit at the Met offers a wise and witty answer to an age-old question
BY MARY GREGORY
What’s the value of beauty? What even constitutes beauty? Who says? What gets handed down? What gets tossed onto history’s trash heap? What price fame? How does it change the worth of something? These are questions the art world has wrestled with since the first crafted object changed hands. Many people don’t realize that tapestries were once far more prized than paintings. And yet, who stops to look at them on the way to galleries filled with Rembrandts? A painting is made of pigment applied to a flat surface. If the materials cost $100 dollars, how can it sell for $100 million? With a piece of jewelry, if you weigh the metal, count the gems and find the current price of each, you might have a starting point. But what if it was made by Fabergé? What if it belonged to Nefertiti? What if it fulfilled a religious purpose or holds the relics of a saint? They say that if you lined up every art critic in the world, they still couldn’t reach a conclusion. The Metropolitan Museum’s exhibition “ Relative Values: The Cost of Art in the Northern Renaissance” offers some thoughts that might help viewers find a way around that. Curator, Eliza-
IF YOU GO
What: “Relative Values: The Cost of Art in the Northern Renaissance” Where: The Met 1000 Fifth Ave When: Through February 28, 2021 beth Cleland, selected 62 masterworks of 16th century Northern European decorative arts. Gold and silver, jewels and pearls sparkle inside cases, and immediately whisper of their worth. But what of stained glass, leather, stone or shell? And how did functionality either increase or decrease value?
A Currency That Moos A German gilded sandglass, finely wrought in about 1500 with curves and arches recalling Gothic cathedrals, is both decorative and functional. The timepiece was probably used to measure the length of prayers. It’s a gorgeous object. The wall label tells us that when it was made, it would have been worth the price of one cow. Let the bidding begin. Cleland went back to accounting records, including farm inventories, artists’ guild price lists, and appraisals of the property of nobles, to arrive at a valuation model that was independent of borders or currency exchanges. Rather than guilders or florins, she chose things like loaves of bread or the daily wage of an
A Flemish painting from about 1540, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,“ reveals much about tastes, values, and how they change. Photo: Adel Gorgy
unskilled laborer, then scaled those to something universal and easy to imagine: the value of a cow. Spending time in the gallery can feel a bit like “The Price is Right.” While the objects are exquisite in design and craftsmanship, peeking at the price tag on each label is irresistible. What you find will surprise you.
Unfathomable Skill A portable shrine by German master metalsmith Matthias Walbaum, including painted panels by Anton Mozart, made in about 1600, stopped us in our tracks. Tall and slender, the work stands 17 inches high. It’s covered in incredibly fine details, with tiny architectural flourishes and entire carved panels depicting figures that are smaller than a thumbnail. Two gilded, sculpted vases of flowers top the hinges, surmounted by towers with angels. Folding
panels open to reveal three miniature paintings. The largest is about the size of a matchbook cover, the side panels half as big. Within these scant square inches are worlds of wonder. Any painter might have fit a tiny face into the larger central panel. Mozart included a Nativity scene with the Holy Family, infinitesimal livestock, three wise men, row upon row of devoted onlookers, a barn and winter landscape, topped by a moonlit sky. The side panels show Biblical scenes similarly packed with figures, and below it all, on a strip no wider than a pencil, maybe an inch or so long, is a depiction of the Holy Family, complete with Mary riding a donkey. It’s absolutely breathtaking. The skill involved is unfathomable. It “cost” 21 cows. A tapestry of Saint Veronica hangs at the center of the gallery, claiming pride of place. A
Dirck Vellert’s “Martyrdom of the Seven Maccabee Brothers and Their Mother” from the Met’s “Relative Values.”Photo: Adel Gorgy
similar piece belonged to Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal, niece of Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII, King of England. Though the value at the time was a respectable 52 cows, a brush with fame like that ensured it landed in a famous museum’s collection.
A Bird Worth a Herd The painting, “The Rest on the Flight to Egypt” was created by two Flemish artists, one an expert in landscape, the other known for figures. It’s a large panel, with a carefully modeled representation of Mary and Jesus, richly attired in sumptuous colors, trimmed with gold and jewels. A still life is included – a bowl of grapes and fruits – and the scene takes place within a crowded landscape filled with trees, mountains and fluffy
clouds. It’s a beautiful painting that once belonged to a German baron. A visitor nearby wondered aloud, “Only five cows?” Some of the works, like a whimsical ceramic drinking tankard, might be worth a quarter or half a cow. Surprisingly, a Dürer woodcut could be had for a fractional bovine. A bird figurine, delicately carved from rock crystal with ruby eyes, tops the price list at a whole dairy farm’s worth, or 275 cows. A Google search finds cows costing somewhere around $2000 to $5000 today; even cows are variable. Tastes change, fame fades, and there may never be an explanation for what people treasure and value. It’s fascinating to ponder, but, as the show reminds us, it’s all relative.
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
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Tired of Hunting for Our Town?
ABBEY ROAD: WHAT IS NYC’S VERSION? PUBLIC EYE
A remix of the Beatles’ final album on its 50th anniversary sounds fresh, exciting and urgent BY JON FRIEDMAN
The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” is one of the two most revered album covers in rock and roll history. The spectacle of John, Paul, George and Ringo sauntering across that infamous zebra crossing in London has captivated fans and journalists since the band’s final work together came out 50 years ago. Attending a media event to unveil the new remix of “Abbey Road” gave me two instant thoughts: The album sounds even better now than it did upon its release in September 1969. Producer Giles Martin - whose father, George, presided over the production of the original recordings - has done yet another sterling job at making a Beatles album sound fresh, exciting and urgent. George’s vocals on “Here Comes the Sun” and Ringo’s powerful drumming throughout are genuine revelations. If you’re a Beatles fan, go out and buy the album and be thrilled all over again.
Iconic New York My other reaction was the product of my living in Manhattan for most of my adult life. I started to wonder: What are the classic streets and intersections that define New York? If a band wanted to pay an homage to the shot in Abbey Road, where would it go? Here are a few proposals. Feel free to email us back with your ideas. Strawberry Fields, on the Upper West Side. But, of course. John Lennon was murdered on Dec. 8, 1980, and to this day young people carrying acoustic guitars can be heard strumming “Imagine,“ “Give Peace a Chance,“ “In My Life” and, to John’s ever-lasting chagrin, Paul’s classic “Yesterday.” Broadway and West 42nd Street, aka Times Square, first comes to mind. It was the setting for many heartwarming pictures capturing the end of World War II. When people think of New York, Times Square usually comes up at the top of the list.
Photo via Amazon.com
The entrance to Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. The arch, especially at night, screams NEW YORK in all its glory and reminds us of everyone from the beat poets to the folkies of the 1960s, the loose-joints purveyors of the later years and the vaping-heads of today. Just about anywhere in Grand Central Station would fit neatly. Unlike Penn Station, which continues to look like an eyesore and smell like one, Grand Central is a magnificent testimony to creativity, commerce and utility all rolled into one. The intersection at Columbia University. There used to be a saying, “Who owns New York? We own New York!” Columbia students felt that way, even if they were too Ivy cool to proclaim it.
Special Status Of course, we’d need to find one heck of a rock and roll band - or any other kind - to make it earn the iconic status of parroting “Abbey Road.” Could any group today create magical music, which would last for half a century? “Abbey Road,“ the final album that The Beatles made together, in 1969, stands out for a number of reasons. The guys sound happy to be back in the studio - named, of course, Abbey Road - after struggling through an acrimonious 1968 and an unhappy adventure making the “Let It Be” collection in January 1969. You can hear clearly on the remix that they’re having fun. John’s wisecracks are evident, and that’s always fun to hear. Giles Martin has managed to move Ringo’s drumming up front without taking away any of the elements that we have come to love. Paul’s vocal on “Golden Slumber” -- my favorite of his, on any album, sounds like it was recorded yesterday. Modern technology! Oh, and what is my other favorite album cover, you may ask? “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,“ featuring The Beatles dressing up in those colorful clothes and sharing the cover with some of their favorite people. I don’t know if any band could re-create “Sgt. Pepper.” I’m just thrilled to be able to enjoy a remix of “Abbey Road.”
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS
AUGUST 14- 20, 2019
The following listings were collected from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website and include the most recent inspection and grade reports listed. We have included every restaurant listed during this time within the zip codes of our neighborhoods. Some reports list numbers with their explanations; these are the number of violation points a restaurant has received. To see more information on restaurant grades, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/services/restaurant-inspection.shtml. Orens Deli Roast
985 Lexington Ave
Not Yet Graded(45) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
Beanocchios
1431 York Ave
Not Yet Graded(35) No facilities available to wash, rinse and sanitize utensils and/or equipment. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Joe Coffee
1045 Lexington Avenue
A
Sushi Gama
1403 2nd Ave
A
Ko Sushi
1329 2nd Ave
Grade Pending(25) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
Bombay Chowk
1378 1st Ave
A
Miss Madeleine
400 E 82nd Street
A
Cafe Jax
318 E 84th St
A
Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins
1392 Lexington Avenue
A
Naruto Ramen
1596 3 Avenue
A
Asian Gourmet
1509 Lexington Ave
A
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
209 East 116 Street Grade Pending(30) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation. Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Live roaches present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewageassociated (FRSA) flies present in facility’s food and/or nonfood areas. Filth flies include house flies, little house flies, blow flies, bottle flies and flesh flies. Food/refuse/sewage-associated flies include fruit flies, drain flies and Phorid flies.
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Grace Wok
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A DARING DEBUT NOVEL BOOKS
Stephanie Jimenez’s “They Could Have Named Her Anything” focuses on class, race and friendship at an elite UES school BY LORRAINE DUFFY MERKL
Back-to-school for some means keeping up with more than one’s grades. If you’re a low-income student going to a rich kid school, you end up competing not only for class rank, but who’s carrying the classier designer book bag. Add teen angst to the mix as well as racial tension, female friendship, plus familial expectations and you end up with “They Could Have Named Her Anything.” In the daring debut novel of Stephanie Jimenez, seventeen-year-old Maria Rosario attends a private Upper East Side high school with a wealthy and mostly white student body, where her name is pronounced in that lockjaw way
one would enunciate it if her surname were “Shriver.” Back home in Queens among her family and boyfriend, Andres, she is the accented María a la “West Side Story.” Her split personality that allows her to move between both worlds cracks wide open when Maria is befriended by the well-off and rebellious Rachelle “Rocky” Albrecht, who gives her an up close and personal tour of how the other half lives. (“Who is Martha and where is her vineyard?”) Maria is both exhilarated and demoralized by her new BFF’s Fifth Avenue, multi-bedroom apartment with a panoramic view of Central Park. Paling in comparison is her closet-free, two-family home off Queens Boulevard that boasts backyard cookouts and a clothesline.
Blue and White Collar Families Long ago, I was almost a Maria, as one of my mother’s unrealized desires was to have me travel from the Bronx to Manhattan to attend
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019 private school. Although I hate the idea that she had to endure a dashed dream, it was probably for the best. The last thing I would have needed, especially as an insecure adolescent, was to feel marginalized over material goods, where I came from, and who my family was, or more accurately, wasn’t. I ended up at my borough’s equivalent of a posh all-girls preparatory school — in fact, its nickname was Snob Hill, because at its inception only wealthy Bronx and Westchester girls went there. By the time I enrolled, most parents’ collars skewed more blue than white. There were some families with deeper pockets than mine, but others who had less. The economic gaps were not that great and we all saw each other as basically the same; our uniform being the great equalizer. In a time when mommy-lit, as well as IRL scandals, revolve around parents going to great, and sometimes scurrilous, lengths to get their students into “the best” schools, Jimenez takes us to the other side and shows us what happens to kids from financially struggling homes once they’ve arrived. As Maria’s experience is described: “What a struggle it would be to be who she was.” Quite frankly though, who she “was” is a good girl, who’s also a bit of a hustler, looking for a better life than the modest one provided by her suddenly unemployed maintenance
worker father and housekeeper mother. (Mrs. Rosario cleans in the UES buildings of Maria’s peers.) Back in Queens, where she’s accused of trying to be “a white girl,” Maria is hardly tough, but she’s assumed to be by classmates because of her Latino last name and outer borough roots. So, she lets them think what they want and likes that they’re scared of her. When Rocky first invites her out for overpriced restaurant lunches with the popular crowd, Maria resists proudly the generous scion’s offer to “spot” her, but eventually succumbs, not only to free meals, but a lavish trip to Las Vegas, sleepovers at Fifth Avenue, and shopping Rocky’s designer closet. So carried away does Maria get by the luster of her new circle, that some disturbing line-crossing takes place with the naïve belief that money will be part of the deal. The book’s message is hardly to stay-in-yourown-lane or never acquaint yourself with those who are different, economically or otherwise. It’s more a cautionary tale about how unequal relationships can breed self-doubt and resentments, making it hard to remember the good things one’s own, perhaps smaller, life has to give.
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HEARTLESS ATTACK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ganizations high and dry by denying them what they are owed is unacceptable,” she added. “My office is launching this investigation because we remain committed to the protection of New York’s charitable sector, and those who contribute to it.” James said the probe, conducted by the AG’s Charities Bureau, is based on over 100 complaints from nonprofits and individuals. The claims of unpaid contributions range from $200 to more than $100,000, she said. Vance’s office declined to comment. No one was reachable at NYCharities. Phone calls on Aug. 23 and 26 went immediately to voice mail, and three messages left by Straus News were not returned. Cronin also didn’t respond to two emails sent to the last known address she maintained at the platform, whose website was offline.
Even a Beer-Tasting Was Impacted It’s hard to overstate the corrosive impact of the scandal on so many of Manhattan’s tiny jewel-box nonprofits, like Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, which advocates to preserve the neighborhood’s architectural legacy, livability and sense of place. “It’s incredibly disconcerting for a small organization like Friends,” said Rachel Levy, the group’s executive director. “It has the potential to have a real destabilizing effect on our ability to keep our essential functions going, and it has certainly
“It has been devastating, simply devastating.” Leonie Haimson, executive director of Class Size Matters, which lost $7,000
shaken our organization, from the board leadership to the staff to the donors. “… It’s incredibly scary,” she added. Friends relied on the stream of donor cash that flowed from its givers through NYCharities for general fundraising that “kept the doors open and the lights on and supported our mission and core advocacy work,” Levy said. In addition, it used the portal to process credit card payments for specific events, like lectures, walking tours and tickets for galas. But between May 1 and June 30, Friends received none of the intended gifts. Big-ticket items were impacted. The run-up to the annual autumn fundraising gala the nonprofit holds at the Metropolitan Club, at $750 per person, got underway in the spring. And small-ticket items were affected, too. On June 20, for instance, at Ryan’s Daughter on East 85th Street, Friends sponsored “Step in, Stand Clear, Drink Up!” Members paid $15 via NYCharities for the beer-tastingcum-lecture, in which the architectural historian Francis Morrone discussed public transportation in Yorkville.
State Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa (center), flanked by sisters and educators Audrey (left) and Geraldine Baker, at a June 19 fundraiser for Class Size Matters, which says it lost $7,000 on the event because NYCharities, the online funding platform it used, never gave it the funds. Photo: Patrick Nevada / Class Size Matters
Architectural historian Francis Morrone addresses a beer-tasting-cum lecture to raise funds for Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts on June 20. The funds never reached the nonprofit, and now NYCharities, the online funding platform used by Friends, is under investigation. Photo: Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
AMONG THE OTHER NONPROFITS LEFT REELING: ■ Class Size Matters, at 124 Waverly Pl., which advocates for smaller classes for at-risk children in the city’s public schools and has been using NYCharities since it was awarded nonprofit status by the IRS in 2004. The group lost $7,000, most of it from its annual fundraiser at the Casa la Femme restaurant on Charles Street on June 19, where roughly 80 people bought tickets in the $125-to-$200 range. “When you do a big fundraiser you don’t expect to lose a lot of money,” said executive director Leonie Haimson. “It has been devastating for us, simply devastating.” ■ Little Essentials, at 15 Warren St., which provides strollers, diapers, blankets, bassinets, baby wipes and baby carriers to needy children under the age of five, often shipping the urgently needed They lost their money. And Friends never saw a dime. “Our constituency of donors who support Friends rely on having a consistent secure method of sending their support to us, and so from a donor perspective, it sends a cloudy message about the ability and competence of the organization,” Levy said. Indeed, adds Friends member Kathleen Steed, who bought a ticket to the Morrone lecture, “When donors are bilked of their funds, it in-
supplies to 22 partner agencies around the city from its warehouse in Tribeca. “We lost a little over $2,600, and that goes a really long way for us,” said Wendy Moore, the nonprofit’s executive director. “It basically pays to transport donated items from around the city for close to half a year.” Can the transport still be provided? Can the gap be closed? “It’s been tough,” Moore said. “People are busy, and they’re in summer vacation mode now. “And we’re continuing to lose money through lost donations that would still be coming in – if we hadn’t lost the recurring donations that we’d been getting through NYCharities,” she added. “People set up those donations once, but they haven’t been ready to do it a second time yet.” fluences public perception of charities, which almost always leads to diminished donations.” Steed, an Upper East Side senior who lives alone and donates modest sums to charities that support older people, recently checked her bank statements and discovered that two other gifts she made, to Health Advocates for Older People, at 708 Third Ave., and the Radical Age Movement, 1 East 53rd St., had also been processed through NYCharities.
“It is despicable that NYCharities appears to have been siphoning funds meant to help thousands of people in need,” she said.
“Fraud Alert!” “It’s a terrible breach of fiduciary trust,” said Andra Moss, the programs director at Landmark West! “Nonprofits entrusted them with certain back-office elements of their jobs so their time and resources could be better spent on their missions – and it appears that trust was taken advantage of.” The Upper West Side advocacy group had only minimal exposure itself, just a pair of donations and a couple of hundred dollars in the pipeline, Moss said. But when she realized something was amiss, she sprang into action. She started Googling NYCharities and cross-checked the group with the language used in standard donor appeals. Moss then fired off 98 emails – entitled “NYCharities Fraud Alert” – to arts groups, dance groups, church groups, PTAs, immigrant advocates and others to give them a heads-up that they could well have been victimized. Now, like many philanthropic experts, she’s worried about the fallout yet to come. “Nonprofits may not have the backstops in place to recoup these loses,” Moss said. “Do they have insurance in place to replace these loses? Some may, and some may not.”
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
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RIVERA: NYC NEEDS A PATIENT ADVOCATE OFFICE POLICY
understand the health care industry and who are great at administration,” she said. She hopes to see the bill passed within a year.
Council Member introduces bill to help New Yorkers secure better medical care
An Important Step
BY JASON COHEN
Navigating New York City’s health care system can be a challenge. Council Member Carlina Rivera hopes to change that. Earlier this month Rivera, the chair of the Council Committee on Hospitals, introduced a bill that would create the Office of the Patient Advocate within the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The office’s responsibilities would include responding to patient complaints and inquiries related to medical care; collecting, analyzing and reporting on comments, questions, and complaints from patients; and recommending solutions to problems faced by the public in obtaining medical care. The bill will also help identify systemic trends in medicine and in certain neighborhoods.
Support and Oversight “New York City’s health care system is an incredibly complex and difficult system for even a well-seasoned veteran of bureaucracy to navigate, let alone an ordinary New Yorker,” Rivera said. “And when you have problems in accessing care, from poor treatment, customer service, or issues with
Council Member Carlina Rivera speaks at a City Hall rally in support of the Office of the Patient Advocate. Photo: Courtesy Office of Council Member Carlina Rivera
insurance, it often feels the only place you can go is to the same institution creating those problems.” As chair of the hospitals committee, Rivera has visited hospitals and met with doctors and patients. She’s found that there are numerous issues, including discrimination in treatment, billing and insurance. “The Office of the Patient Advocate
will not only help New Yorkers on an issue-to-issue basis,” she said, “it will also provide critical oversight, investigations, and policy recommendations for our city’s hospital industry, particularly when they make service changes that can impact local communities.” The Patient Advocate Office will help establish oversight for the state
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“Certificate of Need” system that any medical facility must go through when closing or changing the level of care available at a health care facility. Rivera said she plans to hold a hearing in the near future to address the funding and staffing of the office. “We need to have people who understand policy recommendations, who
Max Hadler, director of health policy for the New York Immigration Coalition, believes the proposed office will benefit immigrants. “We’re really excited that Council Member Rivera introduced the bill, and we’re very supportive of it,” he said. “It’s an important step and hopefully it will be implemented. Having a centralized office that is monitoring the types of complaints and concerns that patients have across the board, and specifically immigrants, is really a positive development.” Elisabeth Benjamin has been in the health care field for 30 years. She is the vice president of health initiatives at the Community Service Society, where she supervises health policy, health advocacy, and consumer health assistance programs. Like Hadler, she fully supports the bill. “I think consumers are really confused about how to get good and high quality information about hospitals,” Benjamin said. “It’s not easy to know where to go if you think a hospital is discriminating against you because of race, nationality or any other factor. To have a city agency focusing on hospitals will be helpful to consumers.”
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Danny Pearlstein speaks during a rally advocating for the 14th Street busway, saying the plan’s opponents want to protect their “mansion life.” Photo: Emily Higginbotham
THE BRAWL OVER THE BUSWAY TRANSPORTATION
Battling about the 14th Street corridor moves into issues of class and race BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
The fight over the 14th Street busway has boiled down to an issue of class and privilege as transit advocates have painted the opponents of the program as wealthy elites who don’t ride the bus. Before holding a rally in support of the longawaited bus corridor, which would ban most private vehicles and prioritize bus riders, and against the lawsuit that has been holding it up for over a month, the group Transportation Alternatives released a study that found poorperforming transit disproportionately affects low income people and people of color. As a contrast, at the rally on Aug. 21, speakers said that Arthur Schwartz, the lawyer representing the Chelsea and West Village neighborhood block associations in the suit against the city’s Department of Transportation, was an elite plaintiff who wants to protect his mansion on 12th Street. “Bus riders earn a quarter of what people who live in Chelsea and the West Village earn. There’s a crisis of inequality on our streets,” said Danny Pearlstein, the policy and communications director of Riders Alliance, at Wednesday’s rally before about 25 supporters. “There’s also a crisis of inequality in the halls of our government and the halls of our legal system, which is why wealthy, powerful people from these neighborhoods have gone into court to waste bus riders’ time.” The study is an analysis of travel pattern data, demographic data and of facility data of areas accessible to the M14 route, and it found
that the poorest bus service occurs in areas where median incomes are $10,000 less than the Manhattan median income. The M14 route itself has the second-highest ridership of any route on the island, carrying about 27,000 riders daily, but moves at an average pace of 4.3 miles per hour — the slowest of any route, according to advocates. In a statement, the city’s comptroller, Scott Stringer, provided additional statistics on Manhattan bus ridership. “Over 55 percent of Manhattan bus commuters are people of color, over 35 percent are foreign born, and over 60 percent are women,” Stringer said. “These riders are entitled to high-quality transit — period. The 14th Street Busway is an important step towards fairer and more equitable streets and a fairer and more equitable city.”
Who Takes the Bus The characterization of his clients, and of himself, as wealthy elites, according to Schwartz, is not accurate. He said that he represents 18 block associations in the group, including the Fulton Houses Tenants Association, a NYCHA group. “Most of the active members of the block associations are elderly (over 50) people who live in rent regulated apartments. Most of them take the bus frequently due to the lack of elevators (to access the subway),” Schwartz said. In kind, he was skeptical of whether or not the people who showed up to the rally would be affected by the bus corridor. “I daresay that few of the people at their tiny ‘rally’ take the bus or live on the Lower East Side,” Schwartz said. “Throwing around phrases like ‘wealthy West-Villagers’ is hyperbole. Just isn’t true.” Much has been made of Schwartz’s own net worth, which advocates estimate to be $20
million dollars, and the brawl over the buses has gotten personal. Transit activists recently gathered outside of Schwartz’s home to protest his suit, to which Schwartz reacted by likening the protesters to “white hooded zealots” in a statement he gave to Gothamist. Schwartz said his own finances have nothing to do with his work, and claimed that the leaders of Transportation Alternatives make more money than he does. “The fact that I bought a house 38 years ago, and recently sold it for a lot of money, bears no relationship to what I do or who I care about,” Schwartz said. “ I am a lawyer for the poor and working people. I represent the bus drivers who drive those buses. I represent the elderly whose landlords, on both sides of 14th Street, are trying to evict them. I represent Black, Hispanic and other minority employees who are discriminated against at work.”
Appellate Panel Decision Schwartz and his clients have been battling
Community Board 6 member Richard Mintz speaks about riding the M14 bus during a rally advocating for the bus-only corridor that’s being held up in a lawsuit now. Photo: Emily Higginbotham
the city in court for months, stalling the plan that was scheduled to rollout on July 1 with a lawsuit. At the beginning of August, a judge dismissed the lawsuit and lifted the restraining order that had been holding up the plan’s implementation. But not long after, another judge granted Schwartz’s side an appeal, stalling the busway yet again. Schwartz and the DOT will submit their arguments to an appellate panel, which will decide whether the stay on the bus corridor should remain in place. Marco Conner, the co-deputy director of Transportation Alternatives, said at the rally that his group will keep fighting Schwartz on this issue for as long as it takes to get the program in motion. “Arthur represents the past,” said Conner. “We are here to look forward; we’re looking forward to a city with world class transportation.”
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125 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY HISTORY
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Founding and Mission
As the National Council of Jewish Women New York celebrates another milestone it remains dedicated to helping New Yorkers in need BY EMA SCHUMER
In 1894, a group of women held a meeting inside Temple Emanu-El at 1 East 65th Street. That gathering marked the beginning of the National Council of Jewish Women New York, which has spent the last 125 years advocating for New Yorkers of all backgrounds. As NCJW NY grew, volunteers extended the areas of their outreach. In the early 20th century, the organization helped immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island settle into their new lives. Today, the organization runs a variety of programs, including a food pantry for the hungry, a back-to-school shop for low income children and classes for senior citizens. Inspired by Jewish values with a belief in female leadership, the nonprofit works for social justice through service to underprivileged populations and advocacy to address inequality in the city.
The founding members of NCJW NY shared several traits: they were Jewish, affluent, progressive, and had a desire to improve the lives of others. Andrea Salwen Kopel, who has headed NCJW NY as Executive Director for the past five years, provided context for the world in which these women founded the organization. “It’s really important to keep in mind that in that era there was no other place to go if you were a woman and you were Jewish. There were a lot of other avenues that were closed to you: professional opportunity, working, but also other organizations where Jewish women in the late 1800s were not yet welcomed,” she said. Thus, for Jewish women, NCJW NY served as an institution: “This was the focus of everyday and everything that they did,” Kopel said. In 2019, many more opportunities exist for women who are Jewish. Consequently, NYCJW NY’s greatest purpose is no longer to serve as a salon (in the historical sense) for affluent Jewish women. Amidst a changing world, Kopel shared what connects the NCJW NY of the past with the NCJW NY of the present: the organization’s mission. “We are what we’ve always been, which is a
Volunteers preparing sandwiches at the opening day of the Hunger Program in 1983. Photo courtesy of NCJW NY
place to go for progressive Jewish women and their families and their allies to make change happen in the city,” she said. Across the park from the location of its first chapter meeting, NCJW NY today operates out of its Council House at 241 West 72nd Street. Employing only ten staff, NCJW NY is volunteer-heavy: 400 volunteers create and execute programming covering a vast array of topics. Kopel explained that the typical volunteer is a middle-aged, progressive Jewish woman living on the Upper West Side. NCJW NY is the third largest chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, the national federation that was founded a year before the NY chapter and is headquartered in Washington D.C. In a partnership with the national organization, the NYC chapter is a separately incorporated non-profit that spent $1.6 million in 2018, according to financial statements. Kopel said that the New York chapter is featured prominently in the accomplishments of the federation throughout its history.
Highlights of the 125 Years
Former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton (right) cutting the ribbon at the dedication ceremony of the Katharine Engel Center for Older People in 1957. Photo courtesy of American Jewish Historical Society Archives
Following NCJW NY’s founding, America received a wave of immigration at the start of the 20th century. Much of the organization’s initial service centered around helping these immigrants, many of whom were Jewish, who arrived in
America on ships destined for Ellis Island. The women of NCJW NY assisted these newcomers; for decades, volunteers helped to reunite families, find them settlement, and provide them with education and job training. Kopel explained that the people NCJW NY has served over the years have changed in parallel with the city’s changing demographics. In the early years of NCJW NY’s advocacy, the organization’s services bettered the lives of many Jewish people. “More immigrants were Jewish and there were more Jewish people really in financial need,” she said. Programming NCJW NY pursues over the years reflect the pertinent needs of New Yorkers. “As the needs changed in the city we changed our focus,” she said. NCJW NY’s dedication to the causes it serves is evident through its continuation of various programs, which in many cases were created decades ago. For instance, NCJW NY dedicates much of its programming to improve the lives of senior citizens. In 1946, the organization opened the first full-day senior center in Manhattan. Today, NCJW NY continues to assist this population through the Council Lifetime Learning, which fosters community among seniors by bringing them together to engage through arts and culture. Another veteran
program of the NCJW NY that continues today is the Pregnancy Loss Support Program, which was started in 1982. Through the program, professionally-trained volunteers who have experienced loss themselves offer counseling and support to grieving families. The following year, the organization created the Hunger Program to feed hungry New Yorkers. Nearing its fourth decade, the program offers food supplies through the Monday Food Pantry and hot meals through the Community Kitchen, which serves nearly 200,000 hot meals per year to over 30,000 New Yorkers. NCJW NY continues to launch new programs. In 2015, the organization organized the Back 2 School Store, which provides elementary school kids from low-income families an authentic shopping experience every August, free of charge. Most recently, in 2018 NCJW NY led the creation of Pro-Truth, a coalition of reproductive rights advocates. The coalition is united to raise awareness about and fight fake abortion clinics that exist throughout New York. As NCJW NY celebrates 125 years, Kopel thinks about the robust past of the organization that she will now lead into the future. She thinks about ways to revamp decades-old programs in addition to creating new programs to meet the ever-changing needs of the city.
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Across 1. “___ Don’t Preach” 5. Jet ___ 8. Ferrous metal 12. Fleshy seed covering 13. Drunk’s sound, ___cup 14. Hot under the collar 15. Allied to an onion 16. Hurricane heading: abbr. 17. Mexican sandwich 18. Indian spice mixture 20. Persian Gulf capital 22. Ping-pong net skim 23. Nightmarish street 24. “Four Essays on Liberty” author Berlin 27. Abroad 31. Hack 32. Jar part 33. Annually 37. Harry and David container 40. Deplete 41. Neighbor of Wis. 42. Butting heads 45. Settle finally 49. Trick
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WORD SEARCH by Myles Mellor
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Level: Medium
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Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9X9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3X3 squares. To solve the puzzle each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult.
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SUDOKU by Myles Mellor and Susan Flanagan
by Myles Mellor
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CROSSWORD
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Eastsider 1
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
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AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 4,2019
CLASSIFIEDS MASSAGE
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE OF SALE OF COOPERATIVE APARMENT SECURITY PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: By Virtue of a Default under Loan Security Agreement, and other Security Documents, Karen Loiacano, Auctioneer, License #DCA1435601 or Jessica L Prince-Clateman, Auctioneer, License #1097640 or Vincent DeAngelis Auctioneer, License #1127571 will sell at public auction, with reserve, on September 4, 2019, In the Rotunda, New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York NY 10007, commencing at 1:30 p.m. for the following account: Norman Bergman, as borrower, 328 shares of capital stock of Sutton Garden Owners Corp. and all right, title and interest in the Proprietary Lease to: 420 E 55th Street, Unit 12C, New York, NY 10022 Sale held to enforce rights of The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006-HYB1), who reserves the right to bid. Ten percent (10%) Bank/Certified check required at sale, balance due at closing within thirty (30) days. The Cooperative Apartment will be sold “AS IS” and possession is to be obtained by the purchaser. Pursuant to Section 201 of the Lien Law you must answer within 10 days from receipt of this notice in which redemption of the above captioned premises can occur. There is presently an outstanding debt owed to The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006HYB1) (lender) as of the date of this notice in the amount of $835,461.15. This figure is for the outstanding balance due under UCC1, which was secured by Financing Statement in favor of Countrywide Financial Corp. And filed on November 2, 2005 in CRFN: 2005000612042. Said lien was thereafter assigned to The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006-HYB1) and recorded on August 11, 2015 in CRFN: 2015000276875. Please note this is not a payoff amount as additional interest/fees/penalties may be incurred. You must contact the undersigned to obtain a final payoff quote or if you dispute any information presented herein. The estimated value of the above captioned premises is $918,000.00. Pursuant to the Uniform Com-
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Telephone: 212-868-0190 Email: classified2@strausnews.com
POLICY NOTICE: We make every effort to avoid mistakes in your classified ads. Check your ad the first week it runs. The publication will only accept responsibility for the first incorrect insertion. The publication assumes no financial responsibility for errors or omissions. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or re-classify any ad. Contact your sales rep directly for any copy changes. All classified ads are pre-paid.
PUBLIC NOTICES
mercial Code Article 9-623, the above captioned premises may be redeemed at any time prior to the foreclosure sale. You may contact the undersigned and either pay the principal balance due along with all accrued interest, late charges, attorney fees and out of pocket expenses incurred by The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006HYB1) and the undersigned, or pay the outstanding loan arrears along with all accrued interest, late charges, attorney fees and out of pocket expenses incurred by The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006-HYB1), and the undersigned, with respect to the foreclosure proceedings. Failure to cure the default prior to the sale will result in the termination of the proprietary lease. If you have received a discharge from the Bankruptcy Court, you are not personally liable for the payment of the loan and this notice is for compliance and information purposes only. However, The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006-HYB1), still has the right under the loan security agreement and other collateral documents to foreclosure on the shares of stock and rights under the proprietary lease allocated to the cooperative apartment. Dated: July 23, 2019 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP Attorneys for The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, As Trustee (CWMBS 2006-HYB1) 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 631-969-3100 File #01-091024-F01 #97404
Call Barry Lewis at (212) 868-0190 or email
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