Our Town - September 19, 2019

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The local paper for the Upper pper East Side Sid

FASHION CITY

19-25 2019

ALL CHARGED UP FOR A GREENER CITY

INSIDE

◄ CITY ARTS, P.12

ENVIRONMENT

Family fun at the 2018 Ronald McDonald House New York block party on East 73rd St. Photo: Courtesy of RMHNY

‘A VERY SPECIAL PLACE’ ON THE UES COMMUNITY A block party this weekend will bring together the parents and children who stay at Ronald McDonald House New York and their Upper East Side neighbors BY EMA SCHUMER

At first glance, East 73rd Street between First and York Avenues looks like a mundane New York City cross street, lined with restaurants, cleaners and large

A surge in ownership of electric vehicles has sparked the building of hundreds of charging stations in public parking garages. Now, City Hall is jump-starting a program to add a new batch at curbside locations. BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN

At least 72 alternative fueling stations for plug-in elec-

tric cars are up and running on the East Side between 59th and 110th Streets, according to a Straus News review of federal data. In the same 51-block stretch of the West Side, there are 40plus electric vehicle charging stations in operation, the filings with the U.S. Dept. of Energy show. Meanwhile, between the Battery and 59th Street, there are at least 240 places where owners of the roughly 30 EV

models now on the market can go to juice up. Those 350-plus stations, many hosting multiple charging ports, are new to the cityscape: The vast majority bowed in the past five years – even as the footprint of the old-fangled gas station shrank dramatically in a trend expected to pick up steam. Almost all of them are located in public parking ga-

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OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC

Lack of security guards and weak jail policy contribute to problem, precinct commander says. p. 2

BARI WEISS ON ANTI-SEMITISM The columnist and author with Jake Tapper at 92Y. p. 13

The World Health Organization and partners will kick-start the United Nations General Assembly with a free walk/run. p. 19

Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, September 20 – 6:39 pm. For more information visit www.chabaduppereastrside.com.

Photo: Steven Strasser

WEEK OF AUGUST

08-14

Your personal edition of Our Town Eastsider Since 1972

OurTownEastSide

DRUGSTORE SHOPLIFTING SOARS ON UPPER EAST SIDE

‘WALKING THE TALK’ IN CENTRAL PARK

and small apartment buildings. But it is also home to Ronald McDonald House New York, where 75 families from around the world stay while they fight pediatric cancer at New York City hospitals. For the past 40 years, it has provided housing that is both convenient and affordable in the heart of the Upper East Side. Ronald McDonald House New York (RMHNY) is the local chapter of the national organization Ronald McDonald House Charities,

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WEEK OF SEPTEMBER

Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts

3 8 10 12

Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21

2019

‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19

f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel

◄ 15 MINUTES,

Eastsider INSIDE

SUTTON PARK,

AT LAST

just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5

chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council

IS VISION ZERO WORKING? SAFETY

has seen a surge Five years in, NYC fluctuating and in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM

year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to

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WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,

firing Officer Daniel

Pantaleo on

THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW

Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”

POLITICS

dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage

C i e Watch

3

14 Restaurant Ratings 16

day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.

of peace,

SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD

seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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DRUGSTORE SHOPLIFTING SOARS ON UPPER EAST SIDE CRIME

Lack of security guards, weak jail policy contribute to problem, precinct commander says. Duane Reade tops the list. BY JERRY DANZIG

19th Precinct Commander Kathleen Walsh says shoplifters may be arrested dozens of times before they get a jail sentence. Photo: David Noonan

Contributing Factors

As of Sept. 1, there were 1,591 petit larcenies in the 19th Precinct, and 42 percent of them were in chain drugstores. Photo: David Noonan

Avenue to the East River and from 59th Street to 96th Street, had 1,591 total petit

larcenies, of which 676 occurred in drugstores. For the same period, there were 32

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Walsh acknowledged that the number of Duane Reade thefts is due partly to the chain’s massive presence in the area: there are 23 Duane Reade/Walgreen locations in the 19th Precinct, compared to 9 CVS locations and 2 Rite Aids. Still, in her statement Walsh cited additional reasons why the Duane Reade stores seem particularly vulnerable to shoplifters. “Lack of security guards. Most locations do not have security working, or if

Recidivists Walk Free Repeat offenders are also a problem for this category of crime, Walsh said. “The criminal justice system is flawed. We have repeat offenders who are arrested over and over again. No bail is set; they are released the very same day and are back out stealing again.” In fact, Walsh said that recidivists typically don’t see the inside of a jail until after 50 arrests. “Our repeat of-

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they do, it’s only for certain hours. The layouts of these stores also do not aid in crime prevention, with rows of high shelves and isolated sections of the store that are not visible from cashier stations. What’s more, some locations have multiple entrances that are also not visible to cashier stations.”

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fenders have been arrested 25 to 30 times in the 19th Precinct alone before they get a sentence, and even then it’s usually no more than 10-15 days.” Duane Reade and the other drugstore chains do have security cameras in place, along with anti-theft tags on many products. But many thefts also go unnoticed and unreported until a store checks its inventory, delaying police response by two or three days. The items most stolen include detergent, shampoo, makeup, cosmetics, deodorants, fragrances, beer and energy drinks. Thieves often re-sell these items to bodegas in other neighborhoods. At press time, the Duane Reade corporate media office had not responded to email requests for comment.

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grand larcenies -- thefts exceeding a value of $1,000 – at drugstores in the 19th, up from 21 the previous year. That’s a 52 percent jump, Walsh pointed out, and most of them (81 percent) happened at Duane Reade/Walgreen locations.

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Regular readers of the Crime Watch column in the Straus News papers know how frequently shoplifting incidents occur in Manhattan drugstores, especially Duane Reade. Now, police at the 19th Precinct on the Upper East Side have released new statistics indicating that the drug store shoplifting problem is only getting worse, despite the fact that arrests for the crimes are also up 40 percent this year. In a statement, Commanding Officer Kathleen Walsh said petit larcenies in the 19th precinct so far in 2019 were up 29 percent from this time last year. “Thefts from chain drugstores such as Duane Reade, CVS and Rite Aid make up 42 percent of these larcenies,” Walsh said. “In particular, thefts from Duane Reades account for 78 percent of the thefts from drugstores.” According to Walsh, as of September 1, the 19th precinct, which runs from Fifth

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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CRIME WATCH BY JERRY DANZIG SUBWAY MUGGING

STATS FOR THE WEEK

A 40-year-old man was assaulted and robbed while approaching the 86th St. Lexington Ave. subway station on a southbound 4 train on Saturday Sept. 7, police said. Two men between the ages of 18 and 25 got into a dispute with the man when one of them reportedly said “I am looking for someone to rob.” According to police, the two men struck the older man in the head multiple times, causing a laceration over his right eye as well as lumps and pain. Police said the suspects also stole the victim’s wallet and cell phone. The victim was taken to Lenox Hill hospital conscious and alert. The items stolen included a Samsung cell phone, a brown wallet, two debit cards, an ID card and $150 in cash.

Reported crimes from the 19th precinct for the week ending Sept 8

$50K BANK ACCOUNT SCAM If there’s one phone call bank customers dread most, it’s a fraud alert from your bank. At 8 a.m. on Friday, July 12, a 38-year-old woman living on East 88th St. got a call from Citibank regarding a fraudulent check. As of Wednesday, Sept. 4, police said, more than 20 additional transactions had been made on the woman’s savings

Year to Date

2019

2018 % Change

2019

2018 % Change

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0 0

n/a n/a

0 14

1 10

3 1

4 2

-25.0 -50.0

107 97

104 106

2.9 -8.5

Grand Larceny

1 35

5 19

-80.0 84.2

144 163 1,079 975

-11.7 10.7

Grand Larceny Auto

1

3

-66.7

35

Murder Rape Robbery Felony Assault Burglary

Photo by Tony Webster, via Flickr

account without her permission or authority, totaling $51,392.03. She reported the thefts to police on Saturday, September 7.

SCHOOL TREASURER SCAMMED FOR $8K According to police, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the male treasurer of PS 527 at 323 East 91st St. received an email from an unknown person claiming to be the school’s PTA president. The email instructed the treasurer to transfer $7,986.09 from the school’s

account to an assumed PTA account, which he did, police said. The treasurer later discovered that the person sending the email was not the real PTA president.

12-YEAR-OLD ROBBED

Duane Reade isn’t the only chain drugstore suffering from ongoing shoplifting incidents. According to police, at 2:40 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, a man entered the CVS store at 1396 Second Ave. between East 72nd St. and East 73rd St., took

At 5:35 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, a 12-year-old boy was walking eastbound on East 82nd St. when he was approached at the northwest corner of East End Ave. and 82nd St. by a 19-year-old male youth who asked him, “Excuse

The local paper for the Upper East Side

75 Years of

No-Kill Action and Compassion A

P E T

numerous items of merchandise off a shelf, concealed them in a blue bag and left without paying. The stolen items were 64 facial creams totaling $2,213.

SUSPECT MAY HAVE CREAMY COMPLEXION

Join the Celebration

A D O P T

Week to Date

-100.0 40.0

52

-32.7

me; what time is it?” The victim looked down at his phone, and the youth allegedly snatched the phone out of his hand before fleeing northbound on East End Ave. The boy got justice, however, as he was later able to identify the suspect, and Christian Rivera was arrested and charged with grand larceny. The items stolen included an iPhone XR valued at $699, a phone case worth $40, a student MetroCard and $20 cash, making a total stolen of $759.

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4 POLICE

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

1836 Third Ave.

311 311

221 E. 75th St.

311

CITY COUNCIL Councilmember Keith Powers Councilmember Ben Kallos

211 E. 43rd St. #1205

212-818-0580

244 E. 93rd St.

212-860-1950

1916 Park Ave. #202

212-828-5829

1850 Second Ave. 360 E. 57th St.

212-490-9535 212-605-0937

1485 York Ave.

212-288-4607

COMMUNITY BOARD 8F LIBRARIES

505 Park Ave. #620

212-758-4340

Yorkville 96th Street 67th Street Webster Library

222 E. 79th St. 112 E. 96th St. 328 E. 67th St. 1465 York Ave.

212-744-5824 212-289-0908 212-734-1717 212-288-5049

100 E. 77th St. 525 E. 68th St.

212-434-2000 212-746-5454

E. 99th St. & Madison Ave. 550 First Ave. 4 Irving Place

212-241-6500 212-263-7300 212-460-4600

STATE LEGISLATORS State Sen. Jose M. Serrano State Senator Liz Krueger Assembly Member Dan Quart Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright

HOSPITALS Lenox Hill NY-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Mount Sinai NYU Langone

CON EDISON POST OFFICES US Post Office US Post Office

1283 First Ave. 1617 Third Ave.

212-517-8361 212-369-2747

201 Varick St. 128 East Broadway 93 4th Ave.

212-645-0327 212-267-1543 212-254-1390

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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THE COSTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW ENFORCEMENT

Comptroller Scott Stringer proposes lessening the financial burdens on former inmates BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM

A week after the City Council’s hearing on closing Rikers, Comptroller Scott Stringer added a new element to the criminal justice debate. As activists and city officials push for a focus on rehabilitation, Stringer is proposing a policy that he says will help break the cycle of re-incarceration - and relieve former inmates of undue financial burdens. In 2017, formerly incarcerated people took on a debt of $20 million in court fees and mandatory surcharges upon leaving lockup, with some doing more time after failing to pay the fines, according to a report Stringer released last week. The report shows that about 45 percent of state parolees are leaving prison with outstanding court debt. In 2017, the courts issued more than 10,000 civil judgments and 11,000 warrants for failing to pay criminal court debt. Stringer, who is contemplating a run for the mayor’s office in 2021, said these charges largely impact communities of color and low-income New Yorkers by harming their financial records, interfering with job opportunities and keeping them trapped within the prison system. “Even the most minor encounters with the criminal justice system can come with a hefty price tag — and eventually lead to dire consequences for New Yorkers, their families and friends,” Stringer said in a statement. “For too many New Yorkers, our criminal justice system foments an unrelenting cycle of poverty and punishment. It’s time for fundamental,

Even the most minor encounters with the criminal justice system can come with a hefty price tag — and eventually lead to dire consequences for New Yorkers, their families and friends. -C Comptroller Scott Stringer transformational change.”

Fines and Service Fees These mandatory surcharges can be imposed upon sentencing and can run as high as $375. In addition to these surcharges, according to the report, fees are tacked onto a person’s debt throughout their time in jail and through parole and probation. In 2018, families and friends of inmates paid $2 million in service fees to transfer money to those inmate’s accounts. Inmates are also subject to 15 different fines if they want to withdraw any additional funds left in their jail accounts, including a $9.95 card account closure fee. Upon release, parolees are expected to pay a monthly $30 supervision fee, and, according to the report, the private companies that collect these fees charge their own “convenience fee” of $2 or $3 per each money transfer. To put an end to what Stringer calls “the criminalization of poverty” within New York’s justice system, he is calling for reforms that would eliminate mandatory surcharges, forgive outstanding court debt, end driver’s license suspension for unpaid fees, end parolee and probation supervision fees and end the practice of incarceration for unpaid fees. “These costs aren’t just an issue of dollars and cents —

they’re an issue of right and wrong,” Stringer said. “We have to go beyond bail reform to full untangle the system of punitive property which fuels our mass incarceration system. Any comprehensive agenda to decarcerate New York City must dismantle the cycle of onerous fees and surcharges that keep New Yorkers, their families, and communities locked up in a spiral of debt.”

Scott Stringer at the press conference about his report. Photo: Susan Watts/Office of New York City Comptroller

“Perpetuating Racial Bias” Among those in support of Stringer’s proposal is Victor Herrera, a leader of the #CLOSERikers campaign with JustLeadershipUSA. “It is obvious that any mandatory surcharges attached to court procedures target and criminalize poverty and focus on raising money for more broken windows policing and keeping our communities oppressed,” Herrera said in a statement. “The State and local budgets should not be built on such fines and fees for revenue. This must end!” Assembly member Yuh-Line Niou, who represents the 65th District, has given her support to the policy, saying the current system is “deeply flawed, perpetuating racial bias, and predominantly affecting our communities of color.” “Mandatory surcharges and fees are another flaw in our system and do not advance our criminal justice system in a meaningful way,” Niou said in a statement. “These regressive taxes disproportionately affect the individuals who are least able to pay. We need to work towards a more equitable criminal justice system and that starts with eliminating these fees and surcharges.” Stringer has called on the de Blasio administration to help lobby legislators in Albany to make ending surcharges the next step in reforming the state and city’s justice system.

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

ALL CHARGED UP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 rages, in mixed-use complexes like the Time Warner Center or on the private grounds or below-grade garages of co-ops and condos.

Curbside Service Now, the city is poised to introduce low-carbon fueling to a new realm: The streets of Manhattan. In two detailed presentations – to Community Board 7 on the Upper West Side on Sept. 10 and Community Board 8 on the Upper East Side on Sept. 4 – the de Blasio administration unveiled a pilot program in which 50 electric chargers for public use will be installed at curbside sites across all five boroughs. That includes eight on the UES and three on the UWS, as well as two in Washington Heights, with each charger bearing two separate ports that can electrify two cars simultaneously – and each occupying two parking spaces. Bottom line for many residents: Yes, carbon-dioxide emissions will diminish. But so will parking spots. A total of 12 spaces on the East and West Sides will be taken out of circulation. Permanently. In a public-private partnership with Con Edison, which is paying design and installation costs, the city’s Dept. of Transportation says it expects to finalize exact locations by the end of the year. It will then begin to build the stations by the spring of 2020. But that’s just the beginning: In the briefing to CB 7, DOT officials said the four-year demonstration project, in addition to fostering expansion of EV ownership and curbing the internal combustion engine’s

“If you have to drive a vehicle, we want to encourage you to drive an electric vehicle.” Felicia Tunnah, city’s Dept. of Transportation primacy, could pave the way for an ambitious, far-reaching build-out of curbside charging down the road.

The Decarbonization of Manhattan “It’s coming soon to your neighborhood!” said Mark Simon, advisor on electric vehicle policy for the agency. Designed to slash the city’s greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy and climatesmart practices, the pilot program builds on the pioneering efforts of one co-op and one condo downtown. The Seward Park Co-op on the Lower East Side first installed four electric charging stations on its grounds in 2011, and by 2013, the Solaire, a condominium in Battery Park City, opened two in its garage on Murray Street. As electric battery ranges increased, and costs decreased, scores of public parking garages followed suit. By 2017, the private UN garage under the Secretariat Building had been outfitted, and more recently, the outdoor lot at the Vaux Condominium, at 372 Central Park West in Park West Village, was graced with three electric chargers. Now, there are over 2,900 EVs in Manhattan, a registration tally that’s roughly doubled over the past six years. At least two or three times that number roll across the borough every day. The fleet includes the

A map based on data from the U.S. Dept of Energy and the NYC DOT shows the location of existing and proposed EV charging stations on the Upper East Side. Graphic: Liv Cosgrove

Tesla, Ford Focus, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt and some two dozen other models. Politically, the timing of the city’s new program could be propitious: Electrifying transportation, and swiftly purging gas-guzzlers, has become a Democratic presidential campaign centerpiece for Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, not to mention

An outdoor electric vehicle charging station juices up a Tesla at 372 Central Park West, on the grounds of the Vaux Condominium in Park West Village. The number of chargers in public garages and on private property has mushroomed in recent years. Photo: Karyn Feiden

Mayor Bill de Blasio himself. And global attention will be focused on the urgent need to shed fossil fuels when the United Nations General Assembly convenes its 74th session on Sept. 17 and holds a Climate Change Action Summit on Sept. 23.

Questions About Parking and Practicality But that doesn’t mean there won’t be resistance closer to home. “Parking spaces are already being squeezed,” said Alida Camp, chair of CB 8. “We’re losing them on a regular basis – to bus lanes, bike lanes, turning lanes, CitiBike stations, 12hour commercial parking zones – and it will be that many more cars circling around the neighborhood.” Camp said she applauds the city’s effort to promote electric vehicles, but noting that it can take four to eight hours before a full charge is complete, questions the practicality of the plan. “You have to park twice, first at the charging station, and then, after you charge, you have to park all over again elsewhere on the street, meaning you’ll always be driving around looking for parking spots,” she said. “It’s well intentioned, but there are an awful lot of kinks.” A DOT spokesperson said a customer pays for a charge through an

app. The car can safely be left unattended as it charges, without risk of theft or vandalism, because the connecting cord from the electric charger is locked into the vehicle via the app, and only the person who is charging up can remove it. The app then notifies the customer once a charging event is complete, there’s an unspecified grace period before the EV has to be moved, and then charges begin to incur if the vehicle remains plugged in for too long, the DOT official said. Meanwhile, with some reservations, the Transportation Committee of CB 7, by a 6-to-1 margin, passed a resolution supporting the city’s pilot program. “We’re not happy because our No. 1 priority remains public transportation,” said Roberta Semer, chair of CB 7. “While we’re endorsing this program, in an ideal world, we’d prefer a very limited number of cars,” she added. “But we don’t live in a perfect world, and so an electric car is many, many times more preferable than a gas car.” Felicia Tunnah, DOTs deputy director of intergovernmental affairs at DOT, agreed. “If you have to drive a vehicle, we want to encourage you to drive an electric vehicle.” invreporter@strausnews.com


SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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JOIN US FOR A COMPLIMENTARY and INFORMATIVE

Seminar and Historic Trolley Tour! All attendees will be provided a Catered Lunch, a presentation of Your Life, Your Legacy and a Guided Trolley Tour of the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, seen here at a recent 3-K for All event, is caught in a controversy over the future of gifted and talented programs in city schools. Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office via Flickr

THE GIFTED STUDENT QUANDARY VIEWPOINT Don’t let political gamesmanship interfere with a real opportunity to improve our schools and society BY DAVID C. BLOOMFIELD

Recent recommendations by the Mayor’s School Diversity Advisory Group to change how we identify and teach the city’s brightest children could have been decided on Bill de Blasio’s first day in office. Commissions like this are number one in politicians’ playbooks to defer decision-making. The group either parrots administration views, giving the policy a semblance of independent support, or provides the appearance of action before being disbanded. Here, the Mayor accomplished both. By its makeup and mission, the SDAG was packed to reduce racial separation in our schools, especially the egregiously low representation of Black and Latino students in selective programs. He thus gets immediate progressive talking points on the presidential campaign trail while dithering on adoption. The Chancellor has been equally evasive, asking for time to engage in “an ongoing conversation.” So you may as well keep tutoring your toddlers for the Gifted & Talented test, given to four-year-olds prior to kindergarten admission. With just 2 ½ years left in the Mayor’s final term, little is likely to change under his watch. Already there’s been strong pushback

against G&T test elimination, including a call by the Westside’s District 2 Community Education Council to roll back the recommendations.

Multiple Measures Instead of a Single Test But you might think twice before snagging a pre-natal spot in Test Prep for Tots. The SDAG report provides an opening for change. Few experts and no other school district in the country seem to support a single standardized test at that age for self-contained G&T elementary schools, with subsequent funneling into selective middle and high schools. Other selective schools here and around the country use multiple measures to ascertain giftedness. Highly sought-after seats at Hunter College Elementary School require multiple rounds of testing and observation. The Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York recommends a similarly comprehensive admissions procedure. The National Association of Gifted Children also opposes using a single test. Test prep, earlier school experience, and developmental mutability are among the factors that make the test a poor gauge of innate talent at such an early age. English proficiency and student mobility add to the randomness of enrollment. Even as strong a proponent of G&T programs as the Manhattan Institute’s Marcus Winter condemns the current process. While accusing de Blasio of “a war on excellence” in a New York Post op-ed, he insists we “stop sorting four-year-olds with a standardized test. De

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The seminar will explain how you can protect your family, ensure your wishes are followed and ensure your family is prepared and informed during the most stressful time of their life. During our time together our knowledgeable Directors will also be able to answer your questions regarding personalized traditional and contemporary funeral services. Lastly, the historic trolley tour has been featured on TV and Metropolitan Publications and is sure to be enjoyable.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Woodlawn Cemetery 4199 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10470 (Being held in the Woolworth Chapel) RSVP to William Villanova at 212-288-3500 or Email William.Villanova@dignitymemorial.com

Seating is limited! Call to reserve your space! Hosted and Sponsored by Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel 1076 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10028 212-288-3500 www.frankecampbell.com Frank E. Campbell is proudly owned and operated by a subsidiary of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019 (713) 522-5141. New York state law mandates that all contracts for prearranged funeral agreements executed by applicants for or recipients of supplemental social security income or medical assistance be irrevocable.


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Write to us: To share your thoughts and comments go to ourtownny.com and click on submit a letter to the editor.

SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

Voices

BETTER SMILES AND SOMETHING (MEOW) TO SMILE ABOUT EAST SIDE OBSERVER

BY ARLENE KAYATT

DIY smile- The world of do-it-

yourself is in your face. Literally, and for real. Take a look in the mirror. Don’t like your crooked smile, the spacing between your teeth, the way you bite? Don’t fret. You can change all that. The new process looks painless, unlike the time-honored way of correcting smiles, spacing, and bites by sitting in a dental chair in an orthodontist’s office and then having to wear wire braces until your smile is straight, the space is closed and the bite gets to even. For the smile update, just go to the internet, or to a SmileDirectClub to find out how, through teledentistry,

this alternative could work for you. (Per Wikipedia, SmileDirectClub produces 3D-printed aligners which are competitive with traditional braces and clear alignment companies.) No dental chair. No office visits. Right now, I’m aware of at least five of the clubs located in Manhattan. And they occupy pretty pricey real estate, like the one that recently opened at the corner of East 61st Street and Third Avenue. Get ready for your debut selfie smile.

Reader readback- Stuy Town’s

Hazel Feldman liked learning about the emergency pet walk-ins opening around town in my “Pets, Judges, Retsina and Knishes” column in a recent Our Town,” and is “thrilled that the small hole-inthe-wall Yonah Schimmel’s still

survives and is definitely thriving,“ but feels “guilty indulging.” Her guilt doesn’t stop there - she has the same guilt about indulging in the slices at the newly re-opened Artichoke Pizza. Originally on the south side of 14th Street between First and Second Avenues, it moved directly across the street after being gutted by a fire. At least one empty storefront got lucky. West Sider Alan Flacks, who keeps me informed primarily of UWS community matters, wrote about the M104 bus ride he took with Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and three dozen passengers, including an MTA board member, several Community Board members and their staff. In response to a report by Rosenthal, Transit Authority chief Andy Byford talked about his plans

to improve service, answered questions, heard complaints. In April of 2018 Byford took a subway ride to hear from the Elevator Action Group with Rise and Resist, as reported in Open CUNY.org. According to Flacks, Byford “has more to worry about Andrew Cuomo undercutting his initiatives than disgruntled passengers." Could be both.

Me and Mollie McGee- After half a lifetime of living with more than one cat at a time, it’s one cat time for me. Sixteen-year-old Gracie Allen passed earlier this year and then went Betty Boop, also 16. Now it’s just 5-year-old Mollie McGee and me. She’s a little befuddled. Looking around, sniffing for the two who aren’t there. Mollie came to me from a family that was leaving NY and returning to their

native Australia. They left Mollie at the vet for shots and spaying. I was told by Mollie’s mom (the one before me) to call the vet to find out when to pick her up. I phoned and said I wanted to know when “Mollie” would be ready to leave. I was shocked to hear that there was no Mollie. I gave a last name. Still no Mollie. After several go rounds, they found Mollie, or I should say “Marley,“ as it’s pronounced in Australia. Accents aside, here’s to me and Mollie McGee.

Is that you, O’Flanagan’s? -There’s an O’Flanagan’s opening on Third Avenue and 93rd Street. Has the look of the pub that closed last month on First Avenue in the 60s. Hope it’s the same. When the rent’s not too high, comebacks happen.

TEA IN THE SPIRIT OF COCO CHANEL BY SUMMER CARTWRIGHT

After three days of NYFW — the shows, the lines, the outfits, the even longer lines — I had no desire left to dress myself for a season that has yet to come, to impress people I’ll never again see. The hectic nature of fashion week is lost in the glitz and glam advertised all over, so finding something that wouldn’t make me sweat and stress seemed impossible, until an invitation to a Coco Chanel-inspired afternoon tea at the Lowell Hotel arrived in my inbox. So on Sunday during tea time, I dressed myself for one last event. This time, not caring how trendy I looked, or whether my mule shoes really encapsulated my fashion persona, I took the F train uptown and arrived at a quiet Upper East Side street to a sight I only appreciated after bearing witness to the opposite for too long: a door with no lines outside. Inside the hotel was a floral smell

best described as mouth wateringly pleasing. A perfect appetizer for the senses. Just one floor above the lobby, the Pembroke Room rests — and I use that word literally. Though smaller than expected (there are about 10 tables inside), the warmly lit, mirrored room felt just as a Sunday afternoon should: charmingly dull. The quiet atmosphere was a bit shocking at first. Part of me was expecting sparkling rhinestones from wall to wall. This was, after all, a Coco Chanel tea. But a few minutes of adjustment led into a catharsis rare to the city, especially this week. Coco’s Haute Couture Tea in the Pembroke Room was a special, rather than a show, ongoing until Sept. 15 (the last day of NYFW). It’s a classic tea that includes savory salmon and creamy lobster options, as well as more desserts than you might expect (the best, in my opinion, being the raspberry tart). For those who have never been to

tea, fear not. The Pembroke staff are experts in flavor pairings, and upon request they’ll bring out tea alternatives like coffee. It’s much less overwhelming going to your first tea than going to your first fashion show. The special’s Chanel twist includes a glass of French rosé Champagne, a camellia-infused tea inspired by the designer’s signature bloom, Chanelthemed cookies and a copy of Pocket Coco Chanel Wisdom, a book filled with Chanel quotes that is small enough to fit in a clutch purse. When you go to tea on the Upper East Side, you expect it to be posh. Haute Couture Tea is posh’s classier older sister. First came the Champagne, which, while bubbly, had an effect less like a sparkling drink and more like an easy white wine. Each sip of the camellia tea was rich with a real vanilla taste and its floral undertones. With one cube of sugar added, it was basically like a frappuccino — not necessarily a sugary mistake, per my taste. I’d recommend

Photo: Summer Cartwright

sipping the most when eating the savory snacks, because each flavor calms the other down, whereas having the tea and dessert all at once could be overwhelming. Though headlining the event, Chanel was not the star of the show. Simple nods to the late designer were made here and there, without being overpowering. I appreciated this approach, which left room for interpretation, self-reflection and research. After stuffing myself with finger

sandwiches, I went online to read about Coco Chanel, Googled past designs and even looked into buying a Chanel perfume. I can’t say I put in any effort to get to know the brands whose runway shows I attended after they finished. Perhaps the realm of fashion week that ties in the industry’s history rather than force-feeding its future is best served with scones and jams. Chanel said it best: “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

A DREAMLIKE FINALE AT THE ARMORY

FASHION

Marc Jacobs closes Fashion Week with a “reminder of the joy in dressing up” JOCELYN NOVECK, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twice a year, the New York fashion world trudges to the Upper East Side and the cavernous Park Avenue Armory to see what new tricks Marc Jacobs has up his sleeve. Somehow Jacobs, who has the final Fashion Week slot every time - a position of considerable pressure tends to find a way to surprise and impress. But last Wednesday night he also sent a jolt of delight through the crowd with a joyful and dream-

Photo: Ajay Suresh, via flickr

like ode to fashion of all kinds and all eras. “Tonight is our reminder of the joy in dressing up,‘’ he wrote in notes left on guests’ chairs, “our unadulterated love of fashion and embracing grand gestures of unbridled expressions, reactions, ideas and possibilities.’’ If that was a mouthful, it reflected the ebullient mood of the show. Normally, Jacobs’ models walk down a runway in a dark room with a determined pout on their faces. Here, the lights were on and the models were smiling, winking, even waving as they sashayed by. The room looked different, too. Entering to take their seats, guests found the huge Armory floor empty except for a gaggle of mismatched white chairs arranged in uneven rows at the back, as if in an aban-

doned vintage furniture store. Suddenly the doors opened and Jacobs’ models - 61 of them - entered the room to the strains of Doris Day singing “Dream a Little Dream of Me.’’ They spread out horizontally and then marched directly to the audience, right past them in their chairs, and out the other side of the room. Were these wonderfully colorful creatures, resembling the cast of a Fellini film on steroids, now gone? Thankfully, they returned and the show began in earnest, with models emerging one by one to parade in a circle around the seats. There was color, sparkle, craftsmanship, dazzling variety - and far too many cultural references to count. Bella Hadid looked like a cowboy, in shades of purple, red and

gray. Her sister, Gigi Hadid, was barefoot, in a pastel blue minidress and round hat that resembled a 1960s airline hostess. There were sartorial nods to people who died recently: Chanel’s longtime designer Karl Lagerfeld, who died in February; Lee Radziwill, who died the same month, and Anita Pallenberg, who died in 2017. Jacobs also made clear his love for some current TV shows. “From late nights binge-streaming ... inspiration draws from the thoughtful and accurately executed set design of ‘Fosse/Verdon,‘’’ and what he called the “boundary-pushing ... ‘Euphoria,‘ so accurately portraying what it means to be a young person today.’’ Jacobs didn’t leave unaddressed the fact that the day was 9/11; he referenced, in his show notes, his fash-

ion show the night before the 2001 attacks, just yards away from the glistening towers. ``This show, like that show,‘’ Jacobs said, “is a celebration of life, joy, equality, individuality, optimism, happiness, indulgence, dreams, and a future unwritten as we continue to learn from the history of fashion.’’ Whether you caught Jacobs’ historical references in his parade of fashions, you definitely could catch the feeling of joy - and no more so than when Jacobs came out for his own bow. Not content with the usual quick wave to the crowd, he threw up his arms and twirled around the room on his red platform boots - still clearly dreaming his little dream, and taking everyone else along for the ride.


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SEPTEMBER 19-25,2019

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Thu 19 OUR TRIBAL NATURE: TRIBALISM, POLITICS, AND EVOLUTION Morgan Library & Museum 225 Madison Ave 6:00 p.m. $50 Featuring Sebastian Junger, Francis Fukuyama, Richard Wrangham, and other top scholars, this symposium draws on science, politics, psychology and more to examine the evolutionary origins and function of tribalism, its influence on history, and the role it plays in our world.

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Fri 20

CYCLING IN THE CITY Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. $20 (includes admission) This exhibition traces the bike’s transformation of urban transportation and leisure and explores the extraordinary diversity of cycling cultures in the city, past and present. Discover the complex, creative, and often contentious relationship between New York and the bicycle. mcny.org 212-534-1672

Sat 21 JEREMY PIVEN: AN EVENING OF STANDUP Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College 695 Park Ave 7:30 p.m. $35 Among his many notable roles, Piven is best known as movie agent Ari Gold in the hit HBO series “Entourage.” He was most recently seen as a series regular in the CBS television series “Wisdom of the Crowd.” hunter.cuny.edu/kayeplayh ouse 212-772-4448


SEPTEMBER 19-25,2019

Sun 22 ART IN THE ROUND PUBLIC TOURS Park Avenue Armory 643 Park Ave 3:00 p.m. $25 Park Avenue Armory and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe mark the 20th anniversary of the Friday Night Poetry Slam (and the 45th anniversary of the Cafe) with an afternoon of literature, performance art, poetry slam, and hip-hop theatre. armoryonpark.org 212-249-5518

Tue 24 FILM: THE STORY OF ADELE H (1975) Florence Gould Hall 55 East 59th St 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $14 Isabelle Adjani stars as Adele Hugo, daughter of writer Victor Hugo, whose obsessive unrequited love for a military officer leads to her downfall. This Truffaut masterpiece brought Adjani international fame and an Oscar nomination at age nineteen. fiaf.org 212-355-6160

Wed 25 MELINDA GATES: THE MOMENT OF LIFT Symphony Space 2537 Broadway 8:00 p.m. $48 Philanthropist and businesswoman Melinda Gates makes her literary debut with “The Moment of Lift,” exploring how female empowerment contributes to the betterment of society. Gates intertwines her own journey with stories of women around the world, passionately advocating for gender equality and blazing a trail to a brighter future. In conversation with author and researcher Brené Brown. symphonyspace.org 212-864-5400

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Mon 23

MOVING FOR LIFE DANCE EXERCISE CLASS 92Y 1395 Lexington Ave 2:00 p.m. Free A gentle dance class for different movement abilities. It provides a holistic approach to fitness, combining low-impact aerobics, light strengthening and sensible stretching with easyto-follow moves to pleasurable music. 92y.org 212-415-5500 ACTIVITIES FOR THE FERTILE MIND

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Banned Books Week Lecture: Censoring Medicine in the Age of Galileo

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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FASHION CITY Paris is still the global capital of style according to a new show at The Museum at FIT

BY VAL CASTRONOVO

There may be fashion weeks spanning the globe today, in Lagos, Moscow, São Paulo and Shanghai, but Paris remains the leader of the pack – the world capital of chic, despite the heat. This is the conclusion of The Museum at FIT’s director and chief curator, Valerie Steele, whose lifelong obsession with the City of Light has culminated in the new exhibit, “Paris, Capital of Fashion,” a fresh take on why the French still rule the fashion world. “It’s not just that geniuses sprang up like mushrooms after a rain along the Seine, but the idea of Paris as the capital of fashion was something that was constructed over centuries in the face of waves of competition,” Steele argued at a preview. “Ironically, globalization has also reinforced the power of the Big Four—Paris, New York, Milan and London, and, in particular, it has reinforced the power of Paris. Because the idea that Paris is the most glamorous, competitive capital has attracted the cream of designers.”

Nearly Four Hundred Years of Style Paris has branded itself “Fashion City,” with support from the French government that dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries and continues today. Louis XIV’s minister of finance, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, famously (fictitiously?) observed: “Fashion is to France what the gold mines of Peru are to Spain.” By the 1670s, luxury apparel and other high-end commodities had become a “source of wealth and ‘soft power’ for the French state,” according to the show’s brochure, with Paris an established center of new fashion. The city and the court of Versailles

– a “two-headed fashion capital” – worked hand in hand to raise the profile of the French. The show’s main gallery boasts a mini re-creation, in photos, of the Hall of Mirrors at the royal chateau and pairs period outfits with the styles they spawned. “There developed over time a direct transition from the splendor of the royal court to the spectacle of the haute couture,” Steele said, pointing to “that wonderful corset and court panniers [side hoops],” on view. “This shows the structure and formality and craftsmanship that went into Old Régime fashion, and which continues to have echoes through the imagery and ethos of high fashion in Paris subsequently.”

Left: Suit by Gabrielle Chanel, 1966, France. Right: licensed copy of a Chanel day suit, circa 1967, USA. The Museum at FIT. Image ©The Museum at FIT

A Versailles Party “Enchanted Island” is a red-andgold dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel (1987-88, fall/winter), specifically inspired by a party at Versailles thrown by Louis XIV. Said the curator: “There is a sense, reinforced over and over in couture, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, that you are looking back at Versailles as a template for high, artistic, aristocratic fashion – which is separate from mass, industrialized fashion, which, in the French view, is what the rest of the world produces.” Don’t miss the painted fan of Versailles, dated 1680-90, and another historical gem: a fashion doll from the 1760s, in court-style dress, with huge panniers, on loan from The Fashion Museum in Bath. Before magazines, these poupées de mode were dressed in the latest styles and “literally sent everywhere, from Constantinople to Virginia” to promote the goods. “At that point…for foreigners, a dress had to be made in Paris to be considered fashionable,” Steele said of the city’s mystique.

The Father of Haute Couture Enter English-born designer Char-

Mini re-creation of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, with, left to right: Fashion doll, 1760s, France. Fashion Museum, Bath. Robe à la française, circa 1755-1760, France. The Museum at FIT. John Galliano for Christian Dior, dress with underskirt and metal front piece, fall/winter 2000-2001, France. Christian Dior Couture. Images ©The Museum at FIT

tem. Known as the father of haute couture (“high sewing”), Worth transformed dressmaking from small-scale craft into big business. He employed hundreds of workers and told women what they should be wearing. “’I’m the artist, you choose from what I am giving you,’” Steele characterized his approach. Labels with his signature were sewn into garments, as if they were artworks. His innovations and the rise of haute couture, which glorified individual designers, cemented Paris’ status as the glamor capital. Worth catered to royalty and the queens of New York society. For Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, he designed the “Electric Light” dress (1883), on display, which originally included a torch that could be illuminated with a battery pack.

Paris Across Cultures Mini re-creation of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, with Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, “Enchanted Island” bustier dress with bracelets and embroidered shoes, fall/winter 1987-1988, France. CHANEL Patrimoine Collection, Paris. Photo: Val Castronovo

les Frederick Worth, who established a couture house in Paris in 1858 and disrupted the fashion sys-

In the early 19th century, Paris increasingly became associated with women’s fashion, ceding dominance in menswear to London’s Savile Row. New York would later top ready-to-wear, copying haute designs and selling them for less at department stores – just one example of “the way the idea of Paris works across cultures,” Steele said in the front room, which looks at the city in a global context.

“For instance, we have a Chanel suit, and that is purchased by Orbach’s in the 1960s and they make a copy,” she said next to a display that juxtaposes the real thing with an imitation. “And so instead of it being $400, which was what a couture suit was then, it was like $30.” But all roads lead to Paris, according to the narrative, despite interruptions like the Nazi occupation of the capital during the Second World War and competition from abroad. The cachet is inescapable, the mythology too alluring to resist. It’s where talented designers of all stripes – all races and nationalities – want to be, and where the Big Five luxury fashion houses (Christian Dior, Chanel, Lanvin, Hermès and Louis Vuitton) are headquartered. The foundation for success was carefully laid centuries ago, a key to the city’s continued preeminence.

IF YOU GO What: “Paris, Capital of Fashion”

Where: The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street fitnyc.edu/paris

When: 2020

Through January 4,


SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

Jake Tapper and Bari Weiss in conversation. Photo: Jason Cohen

IS ANTI-SEMITISM NORMAL IN TODAY’S SOCIETY? BOOKS

Columnist and author Bari Weiss talks with Jake Tapper about her new book BY JASON COHEN

New York Times columnist Bari Weiss never thought anti-Semitism could be so open and mainstream until recently when it hit home. On Oct. 27, 2018, everything changed when a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life Or L’Simcha Congregation in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, the same shul where she became a bat mitzvah. Weiss discussed the rise of anti-Semitism and her new book, “How to Fight Anti-Semitism,” on Sept. 15 in a conversation with CNN’s Jake Tapper at the 92nd Street Y. Weiss, 35, released the book this month. “I reject the idea that Jews are responsible for anti-Semitism,” Weiss said to the attendees. “Jews have been the target of more anti-Semitism acts than any other religious groups since 1995 in the United States.” She recalled the tragic day that took place in Pittsburgh almost a year ago. She received a text from her sister Suzy Lee Weiss that morning telling her there was a shooting at the Tree of Life and immediately her mind raced to her father, Lou Weiss, who often attended Shabbat services. Fortunately, he was not there that day, but she knew

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seven people who were killed. “I would say that my life sort of changed with that text message,” she said. “I thought that anti-Semitism was a thing that happened to Jews in other places.”

“Could it Happen Here?” Weiss explained that even after the shooting by white supremacist Robert Bowers, she figured it was a onetime incident. But it happened again, six months later in California when another synagogue was attacked. “I find myself asking questions I never asked before,” she stated. “Could it happen here? Anti-Semitism is becoming socially acceptable.” She pondered if our society has regressed and Jews no longer can walk the streets of the city freely with their yarmulkes on without being persecuted. Recently, there were two incidents in Brooklyn where Jews were assaulted; a gay Jewish man was harassed in the city two weeks ago; and a student at Hofstra University in Hempstead experienced anti-Semitism. She contended that there are two types of anti-Semitism: Hanukkah anti-Semitism and Purim anti-Semitism. On the holiday of Purim, Jews were openly persecuted and killed, just as how Hamas and white supremacists openly hate Jews and want to kill them. The other form, she said, is more clandestine and similar to how the Syrians and Greeks treated the Jews and forced

them to disavow their religion and worship Greek gods. According to Weiss, Hanukkah anti-Semitism was used by the Soviet Union. She also referred to the growth of antiSemitism in the left-wing Labour party in Britain.

Everything you like about Our Town is now available to be delivered to your mailbox every week in the Eastsider From the very local news of your neighborhood to information about upcoming events and activities, the new home delivered edition of the Eastsider will keep you in-the-know.

On Netanyahu and Trump Weiss discussed Israel and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (also known as BDS), a Palestinianled campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets what the campaign describes as Israel’s obligations under international law. Weiss said many progressive Jews support BDS, but may not know what it is. She explained that just because she is critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this does not make her anti-Semitic. Weiss stressed that she is a Zionist and full supporter of the state of Israel. Weiss also touched on President Donald Trump. She found Trump’s recent remarks that Jews who vote Democratic are disloyal to Israel reprehensible and completely inaccurate. This is “ringing bells that can’t be un-rung,” she said. As she looks ahead to the future, Weiss is definitely alarmed by the rise of anti-Semitism, but feels Jews will prevail. “We survived because we had profound values and ideas to offer to the world,” she said.

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

RESTAURANT INSPECTION RATINGS SEPTEMBER 4-10, 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.

THE GIFTED STUDENT QUANDARY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Blasio’s panel is surely correct that differences in performance on these tests stem too much from helicopter-parent-sponsored test prep, and too little from genuine cognitive ability. This isn’t just bad for disadvantaged kids but for privileged kids, too.” Winter goes on to echo the SDAG recommendation that Gifted and Talented students not be separated but receive specialized instruction within general education schools. “As students make their way through their elementary years, schools should have the flexibility to engage them through special classes or by providing advanced tutoring,“ he states. “One size should not fit all. De Blasio’s stated commitment to ‘diversity’ should extend to allowing different schools to identify and serve gifted students in different ways.”

Le Charlot

19 East 69 Street

A

Bareburger

1370 1 Avenue

A

Nino’s Restaurant

1354 1 Avenue

A

Sushi Sasabune New York

401 East 73 Street

A

Candle Cafe

1307 3rd Ave

A

Blt Prime

1032 Lexington Ave

A

Inclusive Gifted & Talented Programming

Arturo’s Pizza

1610 York Ave

Grade Pending(16) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

Ateaz

1575 2nd Ave

A

Amura Japanese Restaurant

1567 2nd Ave

A

Little Luzzo’S

119 East 96 Street

A

Yummy Sushi

1758 1 Avenue

A

Noche De Margaritas Restaurant

1726 2 Avenue

A

Chinatown Restaurant

1650 3rd Ave

Grade Pending(24) Food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal product temperature is reduced from 140º F to 70º F or less within 2 hours, and from 70º F to 41º F or less within 4 additional hours.Evidence of rats or live rats present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

This is where the progressives and conservatives diverge but the gulf is narrower than might be apparent. Though the SDAG expresses a preference for a school-wide enrichment model where “more advanced students learn alongside their peers of all academic abilities,“ it also recommends, even at the elementary level, “adequate resources for community school districts to implement enrichment alternatives,“ thus providing the accelerated learning opportunities G&T advocates demand. Models for inclusive G&T programming abound. The SDAG report details the work of San Antonio’s Office of Innovation in creating multiple high-performing, diverse magnet schools using “controlled choice” to assure that degrees of income, housing stability, and other non-cognitive factors don’t pre-determine selection. Montgomery Co., Maryland’s Centers for Enriched Studies “integrate ad-

Oaxaca Taqueria

1709 2nd Ave

A

Taco Bell

1503 Lexington Ave

A

El Paso Taqueria

64 East 97 Street

A

My Ny Bakery Cafe

1565 Lexington Avenue

Grade Pending(27) 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. Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.

No Pork Kitchen

2135 2nd Ave

A

Mamagyro

165 E 106Th St

Grade Pending(27) Hot food item not held at or above 140º F. Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas. Wiping cloths soiled or not stored in sanitizing solution.

More

“Our penchant as a nation of scorekeepers prematurely declares winners and losers in life’s academic contest.” vanced English curricula into general education classrooms,“ according to the report. Successful de-tracking efforts to reduce classroom stratification are in operation in multiple districts including Cambridge, MA; Stamford, CT; Rockville Center, NY; Evanston, IL; and Stamford, CT, to name a few.

An Opening for Real Change Our penchant as a nation of scorekeepers prematurely declares winners and losers in life’s academic contest. As someone who has taught from elementary through the doctoral level, I know the realities of classroom life. The math whiz may falter in social studies; the poor writer proves to be strong verbally. Time changes trajectories. The current binary system defeats this reality while also artificially favoring English speakers whose abilities comport with standardized testing and pedagogy. Despite de Blasio’s political gamesmanship, the SDAG has created an opening for real change away from simplistic notions of Gifted and Talented that any parent, upon reflection, knows are nonsense. We have many functional models of structural and pedagogical diversification to choose from. We should seize this opportunity for improvement of our schools and society. David C. Bloomfield is Professor of Educational Leadership, Law & Policy at Brooklyn College and The CUNY Graduate Center.

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

Tired of Hunting for Our Town? Subscribe today to Eastsider News of Your Neighborhood that you can’t get anywhere else Families staying at Ronald McDonald House New York got to meet their UES neighbors at the 2018 block party. Photo: Courtesy of RMHNY

‘CONTINUED A VERY SPECIAL PLACE’ FROM PAGE 15 which has branches in over 64 countries that offer housing for sick children and their families. While Ronald McDonald House is an independent nonprofit, the McDonald’s restaurant chain is a longstanding partner, providing financial support and promoting volunteerism. The New York House also receives robust support from local corporate and community groups - 211 of them in 2018, to be exact. In fact, people who want to volunteer with RMHNY must currently join a wait-list, said spokesperson Nicole Kelly.

Courageous Kids Kristie Zinberg, who lives around the corner on York Avenue, said she often sees young kids entering and leaving the House with their parents, sometimes in wheelchairs. To Zinberg, Ronald McDonald House is “a very special place” because she underwent treatment for breast cancer. Speaking about the kids who stay at the House, she said: “To go through such intense treatment at such a young age, they have to have a lot of courage...and you see it on their faces.” Zinberg is hardly alone in her feelings for the children and their families. “I think everyone in the neighborhood is really supportive. I always say ‘Hello, how are you doing?’” to the kids, she said.

Block Party! One Saturday each September, the House throws a block party, inviting families from both the House and the neighborhood to honor National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This year’s party will take place on Saturday, September 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. East 73rd Street between First and York Avenues will be closed to traffic and transformed into a carnival. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include crafts, activity

booths, face painting, food, and more. Local partners include the NYPD, FDNY, Baked By Melissa, and Hunter College. Kelly explained how the block party, now in its eighth year, connects the people living in the House with the surrounding community, and vice-versa. “It’s a day for families staying at the House to spend as a family and enjoy all that the New York City community has to offer, while also raising awareness for an important cause...It is also important for the House to give back to the community that continues to support our mission and the families we serve.”

All the Right Reasons Last year, Gopika Sidhu, who lived a couple blocks away from the House, brought her three-year-old daughter to the block party. In addition to being fun, Sidhu said the event was “educational” for her daughter and “started a conversation” with her kids afterwards back at home. At the time she attended the block party, Sidhu said she had been living in the neighborhood for three years. Only through hearing about and attending the block party, however, did she learn about RMHNY and its work. “Lots of people don’t know about it,” she said. That Sidhu did not know about RMHNY does not surprise fellow Upper East Sider and RMHNY volunteer Denise Tanzman. Tanzman said she learned about the organization through her daughters, who had become involved with the organization while they attended the nearby Town School on East 76th Street. “I don’t think a lot of people in the neighborhood…realize how wonderful it is,” she said. Tanzman, who began volunteering at the House this past summer, said she has been impressed by the caliber of the assistance and resources the House provides its families. “I have found that every single person in that House is incredibly devoted and is there for all the right reasons,” she said.

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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TECH AND THE NYC BROKER REAL ESTATE

Conventional wisdom to the contrary, real estate agents won’t become obsolete -because one size never fits all in New York BY FREDERICK W. PETERS

Why are agents so afraid of technology? To me, it possesses huge potential to enhance, not destroy, our business. Recently I participated on a panel of highly successful New York real estate agents and managers, at which the topic of iBuying arose. It came up during a larger conversation about technology in the residential real estate business and its potential to disintermediate the broker and make them obsolete. Several of my colleagues on the panel expressed their concern about this threat; one said she believes that in the age of technology “there is no

loyalty anymore,” and that brokers in the majority of transactions could become obsolete. I strongly disagree; I believe that increased technology makes New York agents more indispensable than ever. Here’s why:

Inventory in our marketplace is often unique. I-buying has, till now, been spreading particularly fast in parts of California, Texas, and Arizona, especially Phoenix, which seems to be ground zero for ideas like this to prove themselves. These areas share a critical trait: lots of low cost, relatively similar homes which can be valued by sophisticated algorithms using square footage, location, and basic features to come up with pricing. Such algorithms become less and less functional as the product becomes more diverse. Manhattan, especially the co-op market, completely defies the categorizations on which such algorithms are based. A triple A building and

Business

a mediocre building may, and often do, stand literally right next to each other. Pre-war apartments may also differ enormously from floor to floor in size, in views, in detailing. One size never fits all here.

Co-ops by definition defy the iBuyer paradigm. It’s hard to imagine how Zillow or OpenDoor would have the time or expertise to assemble a board package. There’s no algorithm for that! Plus the board process makes a turnaround time of 90 days almost inevitable. That’s much too long for iBuyer companies which depend on a quick sale.

The wealthy live in a service economy, and they can teach us a thing or two. One reason the rich stay rich is that they have learned to spend their time doing what they do best, while delegating to other experts the things that THEY do best. That’s an essential ingredient of time management for everyone, and it explains why 87 percent

Photo courtesy of warburgrealty.com

of buyers, even those who begin seeking a home on their own, end up working with an agent.

New York is just too expensive. Even with the sort of megafunding which companies such as Zillow and OpenDoor possess, homes in New York simply cost too much to make the paradigm workable. These companies will not be spending seven figures on a speculative purchase.

Buying or selling a home is a huge decision. It’s not like buying an airline ticket (and in any case highend travel agents are coming back!). Agents also provide critical ancillary services – negotiating expertise, nuanced strategic thinking, and yes, hand-holding. Most buyers and sellers become too emotionally involved to make great decisions on their own behalf. No substitute for a knowledgeable and reassuring voice exists online. These points don’t mean to suggest that substantial areas of many national real estate

markets won’t experience some disintermediation. We already see it in New York with lower-priced rentals. Inexpensive condos, more of a commodified product, will also be vulnerable to technologydriven sales. But overall, the luxury market will remain dependent on personal service providers. We are the trusted advisors of the real estate business, and that expert advice continues to be in demand. Frederick W. Peters is Chief Executive Officer of Warburg Realty Partnership.

Ask a Broker

IS JOINING FORCES A GOOD IDEA? BY ARTHUR J. KRAMER

The broker we’re planning to list our Upper East Side two-bedroom with informed us that our neighbor, who has a studio, will be listing with him as well. He wanted to know if we’d be willing to list the two apartments together as a combination, to appeal to buyers looking for a three-bedroom? Is this something that we should consider or should we just focus on selling our two-bedroom? You’re working with a savvy broker! In this town, bedrooms add value and a three-bedroom can oftentimes command a higher dollar than the sum of its parts. With that

said, there is some additional homework that you, your neighbor and your broker need to do. What’s the demand for a three-bed vs. a two- bed in your neighborhood? What’s the price differential? If there’s a premium, above and beyond your individual asking prices, how is that going to be allocated between the two apartments & owners? Is your timing and your neighbor’s the same? Another question worth considering is whether you should list only the combined three-bedroom or should the apartments be listed three way – the two-bedroom on its own; the studio on its own and a separate listing for the three-bed-

room combo? This strategy allows for the market to call the shots. I hope you weren’t looking for a simple yes/no answer on this one! It’s a good problem to have and however you decide to list it, I wish you the best of luck with your sale. By the way, it should be made clear in all of your marketing materials that the combination is subject to cooperative and Building Department approval. Andrew Kramer is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Brown Harris Stevens. Direct your real estate questions to askandrew@bhsusa.com. You can learn more about Andrew at www.kramernyc.com or by contacting him at 212317-3634

A smart broker will know how to market a “combination apartment” like this one. Photo: Anastassios Mentis


SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

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18

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

Neighborhood Scrapbook

Photo courtesy of Office of Ben Kallos

TENNIS, ANYONE? New Yorkers inspired by the recent U.S. Open to play more tennis will have an indoor bubble with clay tennis courts where they can play during the off-season for just

$10. At Sutton East Tennis at the Queensboro Oval site, bounded by York Avenue and 59th and 60th Streets, the winter season from September 16, 2019 through April

12, 2020 will offer: $10 per person drop-ins for 6 hours every day, one-third of the time it is open - weekday mornings (6 a.m.-8 a.m.), afternoons (1 p.m.3 p.m.) and late evening (10 p.m.-12 a.m.) and weekend mornings (6 a.m.-8 a.m.) and evenings (8 p.m.12 a.m.) Senior Citizens Tennis Clinics for $10 a person during certain weekday morning and afternoon hours and Cardio Tennis on weekdays from 7 a.m. to

Your neighborhood news source

8 a.m. 30 Full Scholarships, ranging from $1,970 to $3,595 in value for Pee Wee and Junior Development for children ages 3 and up to get up to 34 hours of training over the course of 30 weeks on a rolling basis. Built on land that the City of New York initially acquired for use as an alternative bridge approach, this is a City Department of Transportation property managed by the Parks Department. Community Board 8 passed several resolutions calling for the City

to make the Queensboro Oval a year-round public park, which could include tennis courts accessible to more New Yorkers. On May 6, 2019, Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Assembly Member Dan Quart and Council Members Ben Kallos and Keith Powers submitted testimony in support of a new agreement and highlighted the need to enhance nearby parks with year-round programming. “Making tennis courts affordable and accessible to the public at large is a great thing,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “I thank everyone who joined me in this effort to U-Pick Apples - Ten Varieties make it much easier for Pumpkins • Pies • Donuts • Homemade Cheese New Yorkers to squeeze in Enjoy our own Farm Fresh Cider Free Hay Rides & Corn Maze a game whenever they Hillcrest Farms Experience a Working Dairy Farm want during this winter season.”

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

19

Our Town|Eastsider ourtownny.com

‘WALKING THE TALK’ IN CENTRAL PARK HEALTH

The World Health Organization and partners will kick-start the United Nations General Assembly with a free walk/run on Sunday Thousands of diplomats, politicians and New Yorkers are expected to “walk the talk” this Sunday in Central Park in a show of support for next week’s meeting of the United Nations General Assembly – or UNGA. “Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge” is being hosted by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the UN, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs and other partners on the eve of two meetings, each of which has major implications for the health of people around the world. “Today, instead of health for all, we have health for some,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). “We have a responsibility to ensure access to primary health care, which enables every person, everywhere to exercise their fundamental right to health.” On September 23, debate at the United Nations will center on how the world’s leaders should respond to the existential threat posed by climate change; that same day, the world body will host a high-level meeting on universal health cover-

Today, instead of health for all, we have health for some. -Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

age. Making progress on either topic is not likely to be a walk in the park. But discussion of both might benefit from one. That’s why, on Sunday, September 22, WHO and partners are hosting a four-mile walk/run in Central Park. The goal: to provide diplomats, political leaders and New Yorkers with a healthy kick start to the week’s events and to focus attention on the following day’s debates. Unlike nearly all other “fun” runs in Central Park, this one is free. Participants are invited to begin arriving after 7 a.m. near the start (and end) point just inside the eastern edge of the park at 102nd Street and Fifth Avenue. There, they will warm up to music – first from a Caribbean ensemble and then from Ricky Kej and his band. The Grammy Awardwinning Indian composer and producer is also an environmentalist. WHO has hosted similar events at its headquarters in Geneva and in other cities that, together, have at-

Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder with her daughter, Lady Gaga, of the Born This Way Foundation, will speak as WHO’s ambassador for mental health.Photo courtesy of WHO

tracted tens of thousands of participants. “All around the world, people are walking the talk for health for all,” said Dr Tedros.

Walk the Talk event in Geneva last May, with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of WHO (center, pushing wheelchair). Photo courtesy of WHO

Sunday’s event is the first one to be held in the United States. “Now, we are taking this challenge to New York,” Dr Tedros said. The first two thousand registrants will receive a T-shirt and handouts from sponsors. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., health issues will be addressed by speakers, including Dr Tedros; Cynthia Germanotta, WHO’s goodwill ambassador for mental health (and the mother of Lady Gaga); Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone; and the first lady of New York, Chirlane McCray. The walk/run begins at 9 a.m. sharp and will loop westward and southward from 102nd Street and then back. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. Upon completion of the route, participants will be able to walk through a dozen booths, each stuffed with health messages, participate in family-fun activities and enjoy health snacks. At 10:30 a.m., in a closing ceremony, speakers will address the issues that UNGA attendees will

grapple with during the coming week. These speakers will include Dr Vytenis Andriukaitis, health commissioner of the European Union; Penny Abeywardena, New York City commissioner for international affairs; and Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former WHO director-general. “It is an honor to join WHO and partners from around the world in the ‘Walk the Talk’ New York event, which I believe will send a powerful message on the importance of health for all and the critical need for partnership to ensure this happens,” said Brundtland. In addition to being a champion of public health and the environment, she is a founding member of The Elders, an organization founded by the late Nelson Mandela that works for peace, justice and human rights. “Join us on Sunday, the 22nd of September, as we come together in Central Park, to dance, walk and run, for health for all,” Tedros said. “I’ll be there and I hope you will be, too.” For more information and to register, go to: https://www.who.int/walkthe-talk-2019-new-york


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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

A BREATH OF SALTY AIR Inspired by Eastern European salt caves, Salthaus offers New Yorkers a unique wellness experience

BY DAVID NOONAN

Entrepreneur Amber Berger, along with her partner Stefanie Ruch, has managed to come up with something truly unexpected, right smack in the middle of the Upper East Side, at 1220 Lexington Avenue, as frantic and busy a thoroughfare as Manhattan has to offer. It’s a getaway unlike any we’ve ever heard of, and Berger was happy to tell us about it.

What is Salhaus? How is it different from other spas? Salthaus, New York City’s first stand-alone modern salt room, is an urban oasis providing salt therapy, a 100 percent natural treatment available to all ages, where you sit and breathe dry, salty air to relax and reset. It’s a

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YOUR 15 MINUTES

To read about other people who have had their “15 Minutes” go to ourtownny.com/15 minutes

social wellness experience that empowers you to feel your best through the power of salt. Salthaus is not a spa, and you come dressed as you are to enjoy salt therapy.

What are the health benefits of breathing “dry salty air?” You relax in a 20- or 45-minute halo session where the treatment relieves stress and anxiety; strengthens immunity; regulates sleep; improves skin conditions; and enhances athletic recovery and performance The salt that comes in contact with your skin aids in balancing the skin’s pH and reducing inflammation, which can provide relief for conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis. In addition to the numerous physical benefits, a halo session allows you to de-stress, reset, recharge, and sleep like a baby that night! Making time for self-care is incredibly important in today’s world, and receiving so many physical, emotional, and social health benefits in one sitting is a unique wellness experience.

How does it work? The halo rooms at Salthaus recreate the microclimates of the Eastern European salt caves, circulating dry, salty air in each of our two rooms. A machine called a halogenerator grinds pharmaceutical-grade sodium chloride into micro-particles that reach the deepest part of your

Amber Berger, who has overcome health challenges, wanted to create a natural treatment suitable for all ages. Photo:: Marissa Zackowitz Photography, courtesy of Salthaus

Relaxing during a session at Salthaus. Photo: Gloria Mendez, courtesy of Salthaus

lungs as you breathe, and absorb any bacteria and pollutants present. This process is anti-inflammatory – benefitting your immune and respiratory systems – and helps alleviate colds, allergies, sinuses or headaches, and asthma.

How did you get the idea for Salthaus? The first time I experienced salt therapy, I was visiting family and friends in Florida. I had been looking for a wellness treatment that I could enjoy with my entire family, but it wasn’t until I experienced halotherapy that I found what I was looking for. I had never been introduced to – or even heard of – salt therapy until that day, but after one session, I was hooked. I immediately felt others needed to know about this amazing treatment, yet wanted to modernize the experience to make it social and fun. So Salthaus was founded, an “urban oasis” in New York City.

Tell us about your approach to wellness, your personal wellness journey. I believe we all have the power to improve our health. By living a holistic life and incorporating self-care practices into my daily routine I have learned that I can feel my best. It’s certainly taken trial and error to figure out what works, but as a child I dealt with illnesses that really made me focus on my personal wellness journey forever. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and recovering from surgery at 15 when fortunately, my mother discovered the macrobiotic diet. Focusing on my diet and other self-care

practices has allowed me to lead a medicine-free and Crohn’s-free life. The effects of proper diaphragmatic breathing were so profound for my stress and sleep issues, it led me to become BREATHE certified. It was during this time that I discovered Salt. When I experienced the benefits of salt therapy, I knew this was just the beginning of the next step in my wellness journey.

Who are your customers? Typically, our customer is an openminded individual who wants to feel better. For most customers, salt therapy is new. We are excited about providing an approachable space for people to engage in wellness together. The idea that you can be efficient with your time and experience salt therapy while reading, meeting with a friend or just taking a nap is very appealing to New Yorkers. We love having entire families enjoy our halo sessions together.

How do first-timers respond to the Salthaus experience? It’s so exciting when clients first experience a halo session at Salthaus. After a session, a lot of first-timers often say they didn’t realize how much they truly needed this moment, and were impressed by how much better they felt in comparison to when they arrived. You feel like you’ve spent three days at the beach after 45 minutes. Even the biggest wellness skeptic walks out surprised feeling this lightness that the salt can bring. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to gently wake people up when their session is over.

How did you decide to open Salthaus on the Upper East Side? We love the Upper East Side and knew it would be a great location to cater to both families and young professionals.

As a women-owned business, what opportunities or obstacles have you faced? It is such an exciting time to be a female-founded business. We have explored wonderful partnerships with many local female founders through the Female Founders Collective and have found an incredibly supportive community.

How concerned are you about the business climate on the Upper East Side, at a time when the city government has actually started an empty storefront census? It is the people of the community who hopefully will help small businesses in this neighborhood stay vibrant. The current crisis that small businesses on the Upper East Side are facing now is an unfortunate reality that doesn’t look like it will end any time soon. Hopefully, alongside the work being done by Council Member Helen Rosenthal and others, we can gain more information to understand the depth of this crisis. We have met so many wonderful people in the community who love that we opened on the Upper East Side last year. Come experience Salt Therapy and shop local!

Know somebody who deserves their 15 Minutes of fame? Go to ourtownny.com and click on submit a press release or announcement.


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Eastsider 1

SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2019

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EXPERIENCE LUXURY LIVING IN MANHATTAN

1 BRS FROM $3,495 • 2 BRS FROM $4,995 • 3 BRS FROM $6,595 • NO FEE RENTAL RESIDENCES UPTOWN 212-535-0500

DOWNTOWN 212-430-5900

OPEN 7 DAYS, 10AM-6PM Live the Glenwood lifestyle in these fine neighborhoods: TriBeCa · FiDi · Battery Park North · Fashion District · Lincoln Square · Murray Hill · Midtown East · Upper East Side

All the units include features for, and Glenwood provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, as required by FHA.

GLENWOOD GLENWOODNYC.COM

Equal Housing Opportunity


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