now
Captain Krevey remembered — p. 7
Chelsea
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 41
Senior guard Eddie Sullivan rises above a Regis High defender for a jumpshot.
Xavier athletics enjoying
success this winter
BY MARK ROWAN
As the winter athletics season
comes to a close, Xavier High School’s
student athletes are looking back at a
successful season for all of their respec-
tive teams.
Whether it’s preparing for this year’s
playoffs and championship events or
building the foundation for a success-
ful season next year, each student and
coach has something to be proud of.
Some of the most exciting and chal-
lenging parts of their season are still
ahead.
Xavier — a university-preparatory
THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
high school at 30 West 16th Street
between 5th and 6th Avenues and a
member of the Catholic High School
Athletic Association — mostly com-
petes against other schools within the
city. Its teams will occasionally travel
out of town or state for tournaments
or invitationals.
BASKETBALL TEAM POISED
FOR PLAYOFFS
Xavier’s varsity basketball team
recently won one such tournament.
Over the Martin Luther King weekend,
the team traveled to Utica to take part in
145 SIXTH AVENUE • NYC 10 013 • COPYRIGHT © 2010 COMMUNITY M E D I A , L L C
Photo by Mark Rowan
the Juggler Classic. Led by senior Eddie
Sullivan, the team defeated host school
Notre Dame by 10 points and sneaked
out a close one (65-64) over Syracuse-
based Liverpool in the finals. Sullivan
was named MVP of the tournament.
Coach Joseph McGrane, now in his
20th year as Xavier’s head basketball
coach, calls Sullivan his “most consis-
tent” player on the team, who averages
12 points, eight assists, four rebounds
and three steals a game — and is being
recruited by USMMA at Kings Point,
Continued on page 15
Vote in, but housing
versus park debate
continues
BY BONNIE
ROSENSTOCK
The vote may be in, but
advocates for a pocket park
in east Chelsea continue to
press on.
On January 5, Community
Board (CB) 4’s full board
voted to reaffirm the use of
the Department of Sanitation
lot at 136 West 20th Street
for permanently affordable
housing for moderate/mid-
dle-income families — when
D.O.S. vacates sometime
later this year.
To cement their position,
Avenues: The World
School debuts
grand plan
BY SCOTT STIFFLER
Any student navigating
the first day of school knows
that appearances count —
and first impressions can
last forever. So when orga-
nizers of a filled-to-capac-
ity February 1 luncheon/
launch event observed that
the room’s circular tables
and white linen aesthetic
reminded them of a wedding
reception, they weren’t far
off the mark. A good recep-
FEBRUARY 9 - 22, 2011
on January 18, the board
sent a four-page email letter
addressed to the Steering
Committee of the Friends
of 20th Street Park (with
copies to Robert K. Steel,
Deputy Mayor for Economic
Development, a host of local
elected officials, CB5 and
local block associations and
conservancy groups). Signed
by CB4 chair John Weis, it
reiterated: “The matter has
been fully debated, voted
on, and will not be recon-
Continued on page 3
tion, followed by a lasting
union, is precisely what they
were aiming for.
Invited community mem-
bers, parents and educa-
tion advocates (including
Joel Klein, former NYC
schools chancellor; Teach
for America founder Wendy
Kopp; and City University
of New York chancellor
Matthew Goldstein) politely
Continued on page 5
EDITORIAL,
LETTERS
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Mayor Bloomberg and Charles G. Hogg met once again at the Staten Island Zoo on
February 2 — Groundhog Day. Two years ago, Hogg, a.k.a. Staten Island Chuck, got
the better of it when he chomped on the mayor’s finger during his annual meteoro-
logical prognostication. This year, as an ice storm rained down, the mayor did a quick
snatch-and-lift, just long enough to declare that Chuck had augured better weather
soon. According to observers, Chuck — who had a little corn drool from a cob he was
coaxed out with — seemed oddly sedate this year. Coincidence?
 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 3

136 W. 20th St.: Future home of a public park?

Continued from page 1

sidered.” The vote was 35 in favor, four against, two absten-

tions and 0 present but not eligible.
In a January 19 two-page email response to CB4 (with
copies sent to the same people and organizations), the
Steering Committee pointed out that the previous full board
votes were unanimous. “Additionally, there were eleven
votes in favor of an amendment that sought to erect a
temporary park and playground on the site. The nearly
hour-long debate of this resolution, combined with the sub-
stantial change in votes from what had previously been full
consensus demonstrates that board members have many
new questions about the best land use of this site.”
The CB4 letter went on to say that the board was “heart-
ened to see that the outreach that began in September
2010 from residents of 139 West 19th Street concerning
the future obstruction of their views grew into an active
community organizing movement for a pocket park.” A
footnote explained that the board received calls and emails
regarding a city proposal to change the zoning to build a
much taller building than normally permitted.
In a January 26 telephone interview, Geoffrey Croft of
NYC Park Advocates (the media consultant for Friends)
said he was “saddened for the community” by this “embar-
rassing statement” about protecting views. “The people
fighting for the park didn’t know a building was slated for
this site.”
The Steering Committee is composed of 16 Chelsea resi-
dents with representations across five buildings spanning Photo by Friends of 20th Street Park, courtesy NYC Park Advocates
four blocks and two avenues and has a database of over At the Jan. 5 CB4 meeting, park supporters make their position known.
1,000 park supporters. One supporting organization, the
Council of Chelsea Block Associations (CCBA), emailed a 2005. The D.O.S. site was not included because D.O.S. of this lot as compelling parkland in six years’ worth of
letter to CB4 and local officials on January 27, asking the would not agree to vacate the premises. However, in an District Needs Statements — official documents ratified by
board to reconsider its position. “[I]f a park is allowed to agreement reached in June 2005 between the mayor and this Board.” To say these claims are “‘clerical errors’ is disin-
be established on the site, many hundreds if not thousands the NYC Council (at the time of the rezoning), Section 1, genuous to the hundreds of open space supporters who were
of residents will make use of the park…low income, middle Affordable Housing, c) Public sites reads (in part) that in the left out of the debate by this ‘mistake.’”
income and upper income residents. It will be much easier future, if D.O.S. determines that the lot is no longer needed, The Fiscal Statements of District Needs, dated July 2002
to add 75 units of affordable housing to make up for the “the Administration will pursue the development of afford- and 2009 stated, “More parkland for the Chelsea neighbor-
‘loss’…as compared to finding space for a park starved able housing on the site.” hood needs to be identified and secured such as the D.O.S.
community,” wrote CCBA president Bill Borock. “Although a proposal that a park be placed at that site parking lot…” with 2009 adding, “Constructing affordable
On behalf of the West 15th Street 200 Block Association has appeared in prior Statement of District Needs, so has housing on the underused…lot, or failing that, on another
and concerned residents and property owners of the 100 affordable housing,” the letter continued. “The fact that site in Chelsea.”
Block of West 15th Street, Stanley Bulbach, chair of the both have appeared over the years proves that CB4 has been Chelsea resident Sadye Vassil, in a telephone interview
former, weighed in with the hope the board and elected grappling with these two issues for some time and that those with Chelsea Now, expressed her concern about the changes
officials “will strongly support the dedicated efforts of the supportive of either outcome have been advocating and in the neighborhood’s economic, if not racial, diversity.
Friends of 20th Street Park to retain this tiny property heard. However, the fact that in July 2009 and again in July “I can’t help but see an upper middle class to rich demo-
for public park green space which our larger community 2010 CB4 voted to support permanent affordable housing… graphic with one Asian person say, ‘We need a park.’ Vassil,
greatly needs and deserves.” His February 2 email (sent indicates the ongoing overall support since the 2004 West a 26-year-old Latina who lives with her domestic partner
to “Local Elected and Appointed Officials”) emphasized Chelsea Rezoning proposal.” on West 27th Street, grew up on East 21st Street. She was
concerns that City Planning has not done a wise nor To this, the park advocates rebutted that they are con-
skillful job in guiding the recent development in Chelsea. cerned by CB4’s “failure to address its continued mention Continued on page 11
“Our community has a deteriorating and aging infrastruc-
ture,” which includes the loss of their local hospital and
/ƚ͛ƐƚĂdžƚŝŵĞ͕'ƵŶǁĞůŝƐŚĞƌĞƚŽŚĞůƉ͊
Having an Affair ?
emergency room, diminished fire department staffing and
service, cuts to local police precincts, inadequate school
ŽŵƉůĞƚĞdĂdžΘŽŽŬŬĞĞƉŝŶŐ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ
budgets, mass transit cuts, etc. “The least that can be done
is to provide some additional public park green space…at

Ϯϱ

West 20th Street,” Bulbach stated. It Should be Prestigious
CB4 hopes that the Steering Committee will reconsider
attending a Waterfront and Parks Committee meeting It Should be Elegant Ψ 
K&&ǁŝƚŚ
ŵĞŶƚŝŽŶ
ŽĨƚŚŝƐ
to discuss alternative green space solutions. The letter
expressed surprise that Matt Weiss, an executive member It Should be……………………….
of the Steering Committee, rejected the invitation in a
January 6 email. But Croft noted that green roofs and street The Event of Your Life zŽƵǁŽƌŬŚĂƌĚĨŽƌLJŽƵƌŵŽŶĞLJ͕
closures — alternatives proposed at the January 5 meeting >ĞƚƵƐǁŽƌŬƐŵĂƌƚ
— “are kind of embarrassingly offered as a substitute. A
street closing doesn’t take the place of a permanent park and
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4 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011
Accused gay basher says, ‘I’m bi’ Greenwich Village-Chelsea
BY DUNCAN OSBORNE
A 45-year-old man charged with
attempted robbery and third-degree assault
as a hate crime in 2010 incidents in two
West Village gay bars said that while he
was admittedly involved in a bar fight,
he never used antigay or racial slurs.
“I just wanted to tell my side of the
story,” said Frederick Giunta in a phone
interview. “I think it’s only fair because
I am facing a lot of time in this case.”
Giunta, who said he is bisexual,
arrived in the West Village around 1pm
last October 11. He told police he was
there to see a friend. He then visited
a series of gay bars and drank at each
one. By the time he reached Julius’ on
W. 10th Street at about 5:40pm, he was
“really, really intoxicated,” Giunta said.
He allegedly fought with another
patron and an employee there after an
argument. During the incident, he is
alleged to have used antigay and racial
slurs.
“[The bartender] then jumps over the
bar, grabs me,” Giunta said. “As they
are escorting me out to the door, I’m
sure I might have said something, but
nothing hateful at all. It’s blown out of
proportion....I had no intent to do what
they are saying I was doing.”
Giunta acknowledged he was involved
in the fight, but called it a “bar scuf-
fle.”
“There was one punch that was
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thrown that I could admit to,” he said.
“I never used words of hate.”
Just prior to going to Julius’, Giunta
is alleged to have attempted to steal a
wallet from someone near Ty’s Bar on
Christopher St.
He denied doing that.
The third-degree assault as a hate
crime charge is significant in Giunta’s
case. If he is convicted, that E felony
will be sentenced as if it is a D felony,
and his possible maximum time in prison
will go from four years to seven years.
Giunta was already on parole on
an earlier larceny charge. In that case,
he was diverted to drug and alcohol
treatment instead of prison. Since he
was rearrested, he would likely have to
serve at least two years in prison on the
larceny charge.
In addition, he has served three short
prison terms for drug sales and another
larceny since 1991. None were violent
crimes.
Giunta could not make his $25,000
bail, so he has been held in the Manhattan
Detention Center since his October 15
arrest. He spoke to this reporter by
phone after his wife, Judy, approached
Gay City News, The Villager’s sister
paper, offering an interview with him.
“A lot of these things are just fab-
ricated,” Giunta said. “I was actually
flirting with the bartender....I’m a very
caring, kind person.”
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the most effective ways to utilize Facebook, Community Center at 208 W. 13th St.
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social media sites to expand your customer a prize! For every $10 spent, receive a ticket
base, develop relationships and drive sales. for a raffle of amazing items from local
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Non-members: $20. RSVP to lauren@vil- Murray’s Cheese Shop, Whole Foods and
lagechelsea.com or call 212.337.5923. Chelsea Piers). Businesses interested in
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Avenues school starting local, going global
Continued from page 1
listened and occasionally nodded affirmation
as leaders of Avenues: The World School put
forth their plan for fall 2012. That’s the pre-
ordained time by which 259 Tenth Avenue
(a former warehouse, which dates back to
1928 and bears the mark of renowned archi-
tect Cass Gilbert) will make its debut as the
Avenues’ flagship campus.
Presented as “A new school with global
ambitions whose Chelsea location will be a
template for things to come,” Avenues will
school its students in the shadow of the High
Line and mere steps from Chelsea Piers.
Organizers frequently referenced a mutually
beneficial relationship between the school
and these two neighborhood institutions
— also foreseeing synergy between artisti-
cally inclined students and local galleries.
As for the school itself, a series of render-
ings portrayed a space whose 10 floors and
215,000 square feet have been refitted to
flood every classroom with natural light.
Those classrooms will be populated by
teachers whose annual pay/benefits pack-
age totals $110,000. In the coming weeks,
information sessions will be held for NYC
parents who wish to apply for early enroll-
ment. Students who begin their Avenues
education during the 2012-2013 school
year will represent 12 grades — from nurs-
ery school to 9th. Grades 10, 11 and 12 will
be added over the following three years.
Avenues’ first graduating class will be in
spring 2016.
“As the first truly global network of
pre-K-12 schools, Avenues is uniquely
equipped to prepare students to excel in
the highly competitive and networked 21st-
century world.”
That promise was made by Avenues
chairman Benno Schmidt. A former presi-
dent of Yale University, who currently chairs
the board of trustees of the City University
of New York, Schmidt is only one of the
major names in education who’ve signed
on to the ambitious Avenues vision of a
15-grade educational cycle, which produces
bilingual citizens of the world.
Others who’ve staked their reputations,
careers and legacy on the Avenues plan
include co-head Tyler T. Tingley (who led
Phillips Exeter Academy for 12 years);
Robert “Skip” Mattoon, Jr. (co-head of
the school and former headmaster of the
Hotchkiss School); and head of the early
learning center Nancy Schulman (director
of the 92nd St. Y’s Nursery School since
1990).
At the luncheon, C.E.O. Chris Whittle
(who founded Edison School — now
Edison Learning — in 1992 with Schmidt)
equated the 2012 launch of Avenues to
Victor Hugo’s declaration that “There is
nothing more powerful than an idea whose
time has come.”
Reached by phone later in the day, Whittle
spoke about the kind of student, and person,
Avenues intends to nurture. “We believe
that increasingly, life is going to get more
and more international. Schooling is getting
more international, and so your capabilities
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 5
to navigate in other cultures are going to be
helpful — whether you’re in the art world
or banking.”
Whittle also emphasized the importance
of fluency in at least two, preferably three,
languages. Avenues will require all of its
students to make an early decision to study
either Spanish or Mandarin. With an eye
on things to come, Whittle pointed out,
“America is destined to become the largest
Spanish-speaking country in the world in
relatively short order.” As for the reason
behind their other second language of choice,
Whittle stated, “The most spoken language
in the world is Mandarin.” Currently, those
who speak it are studying English at a rate
30 times that of those who are learning
Mandarin. This discrepancy, Whittle noted
at the luncheon, has immense cultural and
economic implications.
Also referenced when Whittle invoked
Victor Hugo was the implication that by
preparing students to compete in an increas-
ingly global market, the Avenues graduate
will be primed to collaborate with those on Photo courtesy of Avenues: The World School
the five continents they will have set foot Avenues’ classrooms will be flooded with natural light.
on before they enter college. Beginning
in Middle School, Whittle assured, “Each wonderful,” said Shea — who declined Avenues has not yet set its tuition for the
student will be encouraged to participate in to elaborate further. One consequence she 2012-13 school year, but it will be consis-
overseas learning experiences, with particu- eagerly speculated on was the immediate tent with other K-12 independent schools in
lar emphasis on China, India, Latin America, impact, in 2012, that Avenues will have on New York, which they say average around
Africa and Europe.” Those experiences will the neighborhood: “It’s in an area of the city $35,000. At least $4 million has been bud-
take place in the 20 or more planned inde- that needs more schools. There’s a growing geted for financial assistance, and about
pendent schools which Avenues says will population in that part of town. It should be 10 percent of the student body will receive
open over the next decade — in cities such as a welcome addition to the community.” some form of that assistance.
Shanghai, London, Mumbai, Johannesburg,
Abu Dhabi and Sydney. All Avenue students,
Whittle stressed, will benefit from highly
individualized instruction and a consistent
educational philosophy regardless of which
campus they’re at. “We need new models
of schools,” said Whittle, “that break away
from the centuries-old paradigm.”
But before Avenues realizes its grand
global ambitions, it must first successfully get
the Chelsea campus up and running — and,
in the process, become the good neighbor it
promises to be. At least one group sure to
be impacted, Friends of the High Line, is
optimistic. Joshua David, the organization’s
co-founder, told Chelsea Now that “Avenues
has been a good neighbor to the High Line,
and the school’s leadership is eager to become
active and engaged members of this commu-
nity.” As for basing their first, and flagship,
campus in the shadow of the High Line,
David said, “As we understand it, the pro-
posed design is respectful of the building’s
original design by Cass Gilbert and relates
well to the West Chelsea Historic District.”
One week after the luncheon, Chelsea
Now spoke with attendee Kathy Shea —
executive director of the Parents League of
New York (parentsleague.org). Shea spoke
glowingly of the school’s plans, but did so
with caution in both her choice of words and
tone. “I thought it was a fabulous concept,”
recalled Shea — who was particularly wel-
coming to Avenues’ standard of fluency in at
least two languages.
She hesitated, though, when asked for
her thoughts on the impact that time spent
abroad might have on education and the
family dynamic. “I think ideally, it sounds
6 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

City settles four

porn suits
BY DUNCAN OSBORNE
New York City has settled lawsuits with
four men who sued in federal court after they
were arrested for prostitution by vice cops in
a Manhattan porn shop and a spa.
The city, however, will continue fighting
Pinter declined to comment, as did
Spiegel.
In an email, a Law Department spokes-
woman wrote, “Since some elements of the
settlements of these cases remain unresolved,
we are unable to comment at this time.”

Best Value
the federal case brought by Robert Pinter, That likely means that Spiegel and the city
ruction •
rt Inst
the gay man who blew the whistle on the are still litigating his “reasonable attorneys’

ss Facilities • Expe vice squad busts and the only man among all fees, expenses, and costs” and both sides see
World-Cla those arrested to go public.
Three of the men were arrested in
little value is saying something publicly that
might antagonize the other party.
Unicorn DVD, located at 27th Street and
Eighth Avenue in Chelsea, while the fourth,
a straight man, was arrested at a West 34th
Street spa after he went there to apply for a Some of the men who were
job as a driver.
One of the men arrested in Unicorn arrested said they were
DVD received $25,001, and the other three
received $40,001 each. approached by a younger
Their attorney, Michael L. Spiegel, got
“reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses, and man who aggressively
costs,” according to filings on pacer.gov, the
federal court’s website. flirted.
All the arrests, which are seen as false
arrests in the gay community, were made
in 2008 by officers in the Manhattan South The city has aggressively litigated Pinter’s
Vice Enforcement Squad. case from the start, but then the facts in his
Altogether, vice cops arrested 30 men in case are different from the other cases.
six porn shops. Another 11 men and one Pinter initially pleaded guilty to disorderly
woman were busted for prostitution in two conduct. He later had that plea vacated and
spas. The same group of officers in the vice the charges dismissed. The other men con-
squad made most of the arrests. tested their cases, and their charges were
Five of the men, including Pinter, brought dismissed.

The Best School Break four federal lawsuits. Another man sued in
state court.
Some of the men who were arrested said
In 2010, the city unsuccessfully sought a
summary judgment in Pinter’s lawsuit. The
city has appealed that denial, and his case is

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they were approached by a younger man
who aggressively flirted with them. It was
only after they agreed to a consensual sex act
that the young man, who turned out to be an
undercover officer, said he would pay for the
sex. Some men said they refused the money
or, as in Pinter’s case, said nothing and they
were arrested.
The city’s Law Department and the police
department’s legal unit cited the prostitution
arrests in separate nuisance abatement law-
suits the two agencies brought against the
porn shops and spas.
not proceeding while that appeal is ongoing.
Pinter has been a vocal critic of the
police department’s handling of these
arrests. He has organized multiple protests
and held meetings with city officials and the
Manhattan district attorney’s office.
The police department, which did not
respond to an email seeking comment, may
oppose settling with Pinter.
In court filings, the city has noted that it
has had settlement discussions with Pinter.
Clearly, the city changed its mind and will
continue with its appeal.

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Waterfront entrepreneur
Krevey brought historic
ships to Chelsea
OBITUARY
BY ALBERT AMATEAU
John Krevey, a waterfront entrepreneur and
activist who brought historic ships to Chelsea
and ran the popular gathering place Pier 66
Maritime, died on Friday, February 4 at the age
of 62 while on vacation with his son in Santo
Domingo.
The cause appeared to be a heart attack
and came as a surprise to his devastated family,
friends and colleagues.
The Working Harbor Committee — a not-
for-profit civic association honored Krevey
last September for helping to revitalize the
formerly decaying North River waterfront.
“He was the waterfront before the water-
front was cool,” said his friend and colleague
John Doswell.
With Frying Pan as an
attraction, Krevey turned
the 350-foot-long barge
into a public access boat
landing, Pier 63 Maritime
— with a small bar and
restaurant that became a
neighborhood gathering
place where boat owners
could tie up.
Krevey was one of the earliest members of
Friends of Hudson River Park, the civic group
advocating for the five-mile-long waterfront
park. He was a member of the Friends’ board
of directors until last year.
An electrical contractor by profession,
Krevey ran his company, R-2 Electric, from
rented space on Pier 63 at 23rd Street for
more than 30 years. A life-long enthusiast
for historic ships, he bought the decommis-
sioned U.S. Lightship Frying Pan — which
was lying in the mud in Chesapeake Bay in
the early 80s. At great expense and with a
group of a half-dozen like-minded enthusi-
asts, Krevey got the ship afloat, installed a
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Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 7
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8 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011
EDITORIAL
Fight of San Gennaro
Tempers have been flaring in Little Italy and Nolita
over the long-running Feast of San Gennaro. This 85-year-
old street festival — one of the country’s most well known
— currently stretches along Mulberry St. between Canal
and Houston Sts.
At the neighborhood’s north end — in what not long
ago was redubbed Nolita — residents and new fashion
boutique owners have organized and are calling for the
festival to be cut off at Kenmare St., reducing it by about
half. They argue that the neighborhood’s population is no
longer heavily Italian, and that the festival has become
“generic,” and is an “11-day barricade,” preventing people
from getting to their stores.
What’s more, the annual September feast coincides
with Fashion Week and Fashion’s Night Out, boutique
owners add, further negatively impacting their businesses.
Neighbors also complain of public drunkenness associated
with the festival.
In response, members of the festival’s nonprofit board,
Figli di San Gennaro — many of them proud, lifelong
Little Italy residents — counter that the “newcomers”
have no right to say the festival should be cut back. The
organizers note the feast draws about one million people
a year, many of them tourists, which generates millions
of dollars for businesses, hotels and restaurants. The
religious-based festival also features two three-to-four-
hour street processions and a special Mass.
When the Feast of San Gennaro started back in 1926
it was a much humbler affair. It was a one-day, religious-
based event, centered on Mulberry St. between Grand
and Hester Sts., where Neapolitan immigrant families
owning coffeehouses brought tables out onto the sidewalk
in honor of their patron saint’s day. The feast has since
burgeoned to 11 days and seven blocks, and is now run
by Mort & Ray Productions, one of the city’s major street-
fair operators.
Trying to mediate the conflicting interests, Community
Board 2’s Street Activities & Film Permits Committee did
a good job of reaching some sort of compromise for this
year’s festival in September. Past attractions that drew the
most complaints won’t be included in this year’s festival,
notably, karaoke and “Dunk the Clown” — the latter fea-
turing a loudmouthed insult clown who would have made
Don Rickles blush. Rock and hip-hop music CD’s and
mafia T-shirts also won’t be sold. Clearly, the organizers
have shown they are willing to work with the community.
We did hear, though, that Figli di San Gennaro was
almost ready to give up the block between Prince and
Houston Sts. this year — so there may be room in the
future for negotiating cutting back the festival somewhat.
Two weeks ago, C.B. 2 voted on its advisory resolu-
tion giving conditional approval to a permit for the feast.
However, the community board strongly urged the city to
consider stopping the festival at Kenmare St., “so as not
to disturb the emerging business community in Nolita....”
C.B. 2 also pointedly noted that Figli di San Gennaro and
the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office should “expect
that C.B. 2 will continue to negotiate further reductions of
[the feast’s] scale and duration for subsequent years.”
Merchants toward the festival’s north end do say that
the vendors’ booths outside their shops and eateries are
not of particularly high quality, so the argument can be
made that the feast is already overextended and should be
cut back at its uptown end: Quality over quantity.
It sounds like this year’s festival will still run from
Canal St. to Houston St. (Figli di San Gennaro mem-
bers say they already have sanitation contracts in place
for the whole stretch.) But future years will likely see
changes. We’re confident that, with C.B. 2’s good help,
the right compromise will be reached.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Spotlight on adoption helped dogs,
cats
To The Editor:
Re “Have you considered adoption” (January 12):
We just wanted to say thank you so very much for spring-
ing into action and creating such a wonderful piece on our
adoption events. A total of 14 dogs and cats were adopted/
fostered, so we are thrilled!
Thank you for the wonderful press.
Best,
Jennifer Bartok
celebritycatwalk.com
Park decision “made seven years ago”
To The Editor:
Thank you for the informative article on the movement
by east Chelsea residents to build a pocket park on the
lot at 136 West 20th Street (January 12). The resistance
of CB4 to allow a fair and balanced review for this press-
ing community need is of great concern to us and our
neighbors.
It appears that a decision made seven years ago is the
foundation of the CB’s argument in favor of affordable
housing. CB4 stands behind this decision despite east
Chelsea’s almost unprecedented residential growth —
which continues to compound the need for open space
(despite the fact that there are many viable opportuni-
ties to create affordable housing in east Chelsea). This
is the only possibility for a park in the district, despite
a growing wave of community support to build a park
and despite the fact that every Statement of Needs since
2004 lists this site as potential new parkland only. Was it
a strategic ploy by CB4 to provide residents of the com-
munity with a warm, fuzzy feeling that a park was in the
pipeline at 136 West 20th Street and then inform us that
they never meant a park to be considered, that it was a
mere “clerical error”?
We greatly appreciate Chelsea Now taking the lead
on presenting this important issue to the entire Chelsea
community.
Respectfully,
Sally and Michael Greenspan
Park vs. housing debate ignores
neighboring building
Dear Editor:
I read the two comments from readers regarding housing
vs. a park — but has anyone noticed that there is another
building attached to 136 West 20th Street? Has anyone taken
into account that by removing this building, 134 will once
again be affected just like when the building to the east
was replaced by a high rise?
Has anyone thought about 134 and the families that
live here? Well, let me tell you, we have 15 units — there
are senior citizens, families with children and individuals
living here. When 132 was built, 134 was rattled and fear
of losing homes came over everyone. Now the fear is back
Find it in the archives
www.CHELSEANOW.com
and the most concerning part is that no one has spoken or
addressed the people there.
If a building is built, what or how will this impact
134? Can anyone answer that? Where do they go? The
park is being considered — but just look around. You
have a park on 23rd and Madison, Union Square Park,
13th Street and 9th Avenue, 17th Street and 8th Avenue,
22nd and 10th Avenue — as well as Chelsea Piers (and
don’t forget Central Park). Why would they want to build
another park? A park would be best, and 134 would not
be affected — but we know that the votes will go to hous-
ing. So in closing, can anyone answer the main question:
Will 134 withstand another rattle? Please respond.
Thank you,
Carmen Rosa
Monday easy day for electeds to
quarterback
To The Editor:
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Council
Transportation Committee Chairperson James Vacca and
their colleagues who attacked the MTA at a recent Council
Committee hearing (with some calling for a change in man-
agement) reminded me that is it is easy for politicians to
Monday morning quarterback after any crisis.
In 1953, the old city Board of Transportation passed
control of the municipal subway system, including all
its assets, to the newly created New York City Transit
Authority. Under the late Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in the
1960s, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was
created.
Buried within the 1953 master agreement between the
city and New York City Transit is an escape clause. New
York City has the legal right at any time to take back con-
trol of its assets, which include the subway and most of
the bus system.
If the NYC Council feels City Hall could do a better
job running the nation’s largest subway and bus system,
why not step up to the plate now and regain control of
your destiny? Do Quinn, Vacca and their Council col-
leagues ride express or local buses and the subway on a
daily basis like millions of their constituents versus get-
ting around by a car driven to their own parking spot at
City Hall? Some, including Quinn, have staff drivers at
taxpayers’ expense. I’m not aware of Quinn being on any
terrorist target list, yet she still accepts her own personal
police security detail on your dime. Real leadership sets
an example for others rather than chronically complain-
ing while jockeying in front of the media microphone and
cameras for self-promotion.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
E-mail letters, not longer than 250 words in length, to scott@
chelseanow.com or fax to 212-229-2790 or mail to Chelsea
Now, Letters to the Editor, 145 Sixth Ave., ground floor, NY,
NY 10013. Please include phone number for confirmation
purposes. Chelsea Now reserves the right to edit letters for
space, grammar, clarity and libel.

Community Contacts & Activities
COMPLILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
THE GREENWICH VILLAGE-CHELSEA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
Call 212-337-5912 or visit villagechelsea.com. On Fri.,
Feb. 11, 8:30-10am, the “Marketing Seminar: Social Media”
explores the most effective ways to utilize Facebook, Twitter
and their ilk. Learn how to use social media sites to expand your
customer base, develop relationships and drive sales. Venue to
be announced. Free for members. Non-members: $20. RSVP
to lauren@villagechelsea.com or call 212.337.5923.
LoCal — LOWER CHELSEA ALLIANCE
This group is committed to protecting the residential
blocks of Chelsea from overscale development. Contact
them at LowerChelseaAlliance@gmail.com
COMMUNITY BOARD 4 (CB4)
CB4 serves Manhattan’s West Side neighborhoods of
Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. CB4’s boundaries are
14th St. on the south, 59/60th St. on the north, the Hudson
River on the west, 6th Ave. on the east — south of 26th
St., and 8th Ave. on the east — north of 26th St. Call 212-
736-4536. Visit manhattancb4.org or email them at info@
ManhattanCB4.org. CB4’s board meeting, open to the pub-
lic, happens on the first Wednesday of the month, 6:30pm.
The next meeting is March 2 at Roosevelt Hospital, second
floor conference room (10th Ave. btw. 58th-59th Sts.).
COMMUNITY BOARD 5 (CB5)
Community Board Five represents the central business
district of New York City. It includes midtown Manhattan,
the Fashion, Flower, Flatiron and Diamond districts, as well
as Bryant Park and Union Square Park. The district is at the
center of New York’s tourism industry. The Theatre District,
Times Square, Carnegie Hall, the Empire State Building
and two of the region’s transportation hubs (Grand Central
Station and Penn Station) fall within CB5. Call 212-465-0907.
Visit cb5.org or email them at office@cb5.org. CB5’s board
meeting, open to the public, happens on the second Thursday
of the month, 6pm. The next meeting is Feb. 10, at Xavier
High School (30 W. 16th St., 2nd floor, in the library).
THE BOWERY RESIDENTS COMMITTEE:
HOMELESS HELPLINE
Construction is ongoing at The BRC’s 127 W. 25th St.
vertical campus facility — with a projected opening date of
March 2011. The BRC is currently conducting outreach to
homeless people in our area. If you know of anyone who is in
need of their services, call the Homeless Helpline at 212-533-
5151, and the BRC will send someone to make contact. This
number is staffed by outreach team leaders 24 hours a day.
Callers may remain anonymous. For more info, visit brc.org.
THE 300 WEST 23RD, 22ND & 21ST STREETS
BLOCK ASSOCIATION
Contact them at 300westblockassoc@prodigy.net.
THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Published by COMMUNITY MEDIA, LLC
Gay City
NEWS
TM
145 Sixth Ave., NY, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 229-1890 • Fax: (212) 229-2790
On-line: www.chelseanow.com
E-mail: news@chelseanow.com
© 2011 Community Media, LLC
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 9
PENN SOUTH
FIRE SAFETY FOR THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS Visit pennsouth.coop. The Penn South Program for
Laura Squassoni, the FDNY’s Chief Inspector of Seniors provides recreation, education and social services —
Fire Safety Education, will explain what you need to and welcomes volunteers. For info, call 212-243-3670.
know about fire safety (and will demonstrate the newest
effective alarms and devices). You’ll learn about how to FULTON YOUTH OF THE FUTURE
create a fire safety program — and receive a free smoke Email them at fultonyouth@gmail.com or contact
alarm designed for those with hearing loss. CART (cap- Miguel Acevedo, 646-671-0310.
tioning) will be provided, along with an induction room
loop for those with hearing aids. Headphones will also WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE
be available. FREE. Tues., Feb. 15 from 5:30-7:30pm Visit westsidenyc.org or call 212-956-2573. Email them
(schmooze and enjoy light refreshments from 5:30pm; at wsna@hcc-nyc.org.
meeting begins at 6pm). At the Muhlenberg Library
(209 W. 23rd St. west of 7th Ave. — in the 3rd floor FRIENDS OF HUDSON RIVER PARK
community room; elevator available). Presented by the Visit fohrp.org or call 212-757-0981.
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). For info,
visit hearingloss.com or call 212-769-4327. HUDSON RIVER PARK TRUST
Visit hudsonriverpark.org or call 212-627-2020.
THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT INITIATIVE SAVE CHELSEA
Visit meatpacking-district.com or call 212-633-0185. Contact them at savechelseanyc@gmail.com.
THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDER MANHATTAN BOROUGH PRESIDENT SCOTT
COMMUNITY CENTER STRINGER
At 208 W. 13th St. (btw. 7th and 8th Aves). Visit Call 212-669-8300 or visit mbpo.org.
gaycenter.org or call 212-620-7310.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SPEAKER CHRISTINE
THE ALI FORNEY CENTER QUINN
Visit them at aliforneycenter.org. Their mission is to help Call 212-564-7757 or visit council.nyc.gov/d3/html/
homeless LGBT youth be safe and become independent as members/home.shtml
they move from adolescence to adulthood. Main headquar-
ters: 224 W. 35th St., Suite 1102. Call 212-222-3427. The STATE SENATOR TOM DUANE
Ali Forney Day Center is located at 527 W. 22nd St., 1st Call 212-633-8052 or visit tomduane.com.
floor. Call 212-206-0574.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER RICHARD GOTTFRIED
GAY MEN’S HEALTH CRISIS (GMHC) Call 212-807-7900 or email him at: GottfriedR@assem-
At 119 W. 24th St. btw. 7th and 8th Aves. Visit gmhc. bly.state.ny.us.
org. Call 212-367-1000 or 1-800-243-7692.
AT 147 W. 24TH ST. (BTW. 6TH & 7TH AVES.)
HUDSON GUILD THE SYLVIA RIVERA LAW PROJECT works to guar-
Visit them at hudsonguild.org. For the John Lovejoy antee that all people are free to self-determine their gender
Elliott Center (441 W. 26th St.), call 212-760-9800. For identity and expression without facing harassment, discrimi-
the Children’s Center (459 W. 26th St.), call 212-760- nation or violence. Visit srlp.org.
9830. For the Education Center (447 W. 25th St.), call
212-760-9843. For the Fulton Center for Adult Services FIERCE (Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for
(119 9th Ave.), call 212-924-6710. For the Beacon Office Community Empowerment) builds the leadership and power
(333 W. 17th St.), call 212-243-7574. Email them at of bisexual, transgender and queer youth of color in NYC.
info@hudsonguild.org. Visit fiercenyc.org.
THE CARTER BURDEN CENTER FOR THE AGING QUEERS FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE is a progressive
This organization promotes the well-being of individuals organization committed to promoting economic justice in a
60 and older through direct social services and volunteer context of sexual and gender liberation. Visit q4ej.org.
programs oriented to individual, family and community
needs. Their central office is located at Central Office, 1484 THE AUDRE LORDE PROJECT is a lesbian, gay,
First Ave. (212-879-7400), and their Luncheon Club & bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender non-conforming people
Senior Program is at 351 E. 74th St. (212-535-5235). Visit of color center for community organizing. Visit. alp.org.
burdencenter.org.
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Chelsea Now is published biweekly by Community Media
LLC, 145 Sixth Ave., First Fl., New York, N.Y. 10013 (212)
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10 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

Talk retraces Lincoln’s

path to the presidency
Hot on the heels of Abraham Lincoln’s
February 12 birthday, reenactor Fritz Klein
will present an hour-long talk sponsored by
The National Park Service. It commemorates
the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s trip from
Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C in
anticipation of his inauguration. Klein’s visit
to NYC is part of a 16-city tour retracing the
83-city-and-town route.
The talk speculates on Lincoln’s thoughts
at the time — a pivotal moment in U.S. his-
tory when the nation was teetering towards
secession and civil war. Following Lincoln’s
remarks, the audience members will be
invited to ask questions. National Park
Service Rangers will also be on hand, to give
context for the President-elect’s journey to
Washington — a trip during which he con-
tinued to oppose the spread of slavery amid
death threats (at the time, seven slave states
had already seceded and inaugurated their
own president).
Saturday, February 19, 6-8pm at the
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National
Historic Site (TRB) — located at 28 E. 20th
St. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
RSVP to 212-260-1616. Visit nps.gov/thrb. Photo courtesy of The Lincoln Institute
The TRB is open 9am-5pm Tues. through We should all be so respected: NPS
Sat. Thirty-minute tours are given at 10am, pays tribute to America’s most beloved
11am, 1, 2, 3 and 4pm. Admission is FREE. president.

Housing vs. park debate continues
Continued from page 3
raised by a single mother and went to public
schools with kids from diverse, working-
class backgrounds and never felt the lack
of a park, “not once, not ever.” She recalled
there were a lot more Latinos in Chelsea out-
side of the Fulton Houses (West 17th Street
between 9th and 10th Avenues) and Elliott-
Chelsea Houses (West 25th Street and 9th
Avenue), and Chelsea was “a safe place for
homosexuals who lived freely without being
ostracized. This is another vehicle for them
to homogenize the city so that people mak-
ing $60,000 a year can barely survive. Our
children can’t learn without safe shelters,
parents need a place they can afford, which
shouldn’t be limited to Section 8 vouchers
and NYCHA waiting lists.”
Weiss responded in an email, “I hope
[they] also see in the 2008 Capstone/NYU
Affordable Housing Study of Community
District (CD) 4 (on the board’s web-
site) that there are 18,500 units of pub-
lic subsidized housing throughout the
district, including 72 units of low- and
middle-income public housing in the two,
directly adjacent buildings to 136 West
20th Street. These are 134 West 20th
(20 units adjusted to 16 residential units
and a storefront), and 180 West 20th (52
units). Many of these families are the
park’s biggest proponents.”
Where Traditional and Conventional Live HEALTHily Ever After
“Êi>Ì…Ê>˜`Ê
On Wednesday, February 2, CB4 held
its first full board meeting since the vote
— at the Fulton Auditorium, 119 Ninth
Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets.
About 70 park proponents and two dozen
pro-affordable housing supporters came
out in the cold. One of the speakers for
affordable housing was Miguel Acevedo,
director of Fulton Youth of the Future and
Robert Fulton Houses tenant association
president. Prior to the meeting Acevedo
told Chelsea Now via telephone that
Fulton (944 units) and Elliott-Chelsea
(1,500 units) are the only developments
left in Chelsea for low/moderate/middle-
income families. His family, who came
from Puerto Rico, has been in the neigh-
borhood for over 70 years. “The only
way the next generation can afford to
be here is with affordable housing. If we
don’t fight for it, it will become a com-
munity for the rich,” he said. “It’s not a
fight between housing and parks. We are
here as a community and need to work
together, not against each other,” he
emphasized.
“It’s such a shame this debate pits two
vital priorities against each other,” said
Weiss. “It’s not an issue between the have
and have nots.” Weiss observed that the
affordable housing proponents who spoke
seemed uninformed. “People who proposed
it know it’s permanently affordable moder-
ate/middle-income, which ranges from AMI
ELM PRODUC E
[Area Median Income] 80% to 165% —
$64,000 to $132,000 for families, which
is very different from low-income. Within
the 24-square-blocks of east Chelsea there
are 1,600 units of affordable housing, and
those people lack green space for half a mile,
except for a cemetery, and 220 of them are
in the Associated Blind Building at 135 West
23rd Street.”
Also present at the public meeting were
Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Assembly Member
Dick Gottfried. Nadler told Weiss that he
has not yet taken a position on the park.
But in a January 29 email to Chelsea Now
Gottfried acknowledged the need for both
open space and housing. He said, “The com-
munity worked hard to get this site desig-
nated for affordable housing. Creating open
public space and building affordable housing
are both important goals, and the 20th Street
site could be an excellent candidate for park
development. But unless an alternative site
for the affordable housing is located and
approved, I would not support a plan that
discards the approved housing develop-
ment for a park.”
Also, in a January 31 email, Borough
President Scott Stringer stated, “Both park
space and affordable housing are impor-
tant needs and priorities in Community
District 4. During the rezoning of the
Western Rail Yards, the community iden-
tified this location for off-site affordable
housing. I commend the members of the
NOW OPEN on 7th Ave & 14th St!
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 11
20th St. Park Steering Committee for
their dedication to this issue — and I
remain hopeful that they will work with
the Community Board to have further
conversations about the ways in which
they can achieve goals and develop com-
promise solutions.”
On February 4, Friends of 20th Street
Park met with City Council Speaker
Christine Quinn. The Speaker’s office issued
this email statement to Chelsea Now on
January 14: “With the rising costs of hous-
ing, it’s critical that we take every possible
step to preserve and create access to afford-
able housing. Community Board 4 has long
advocated for affordable housing at this
site, and I support that position. That said,
open space is still needed in Chelsea, and I
encourage all residents to continue working
with the Community Board to locate sites
for potential open space,” said Quinn.
Croft said the half-hour meeting with
Quinn and her staff was “productive and
very positive.” “Our main message was
how little green space there is in her part
of the district.” They asked the Speaker’s
office to research existing city-owned
properties and other subsidized housing
programs and alternatives to that site,
and the park supporters agreed that the
community would look at privately owned
properties for housing as well. “We look
forward to what both sides come up with,”
said Croft.
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12 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011
FELONY ASSAULT: An
admiring “Damn”
A man who made what was believed to
be an admiring “Damn” to a woman walk-
ing past him on W. 14th St. at Sixth Ave.
at 9:37pm on Sat., Jan. 22, infuriated her
companion — who pulled a 12-inch knife
and slashed the victim on the left forearm,
police said. The victim was taken to Bellevue
Hospital in stable condition. The suspect,
Craig Hutter, 37, was charged with felony
assault.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF:
Seven storage spaces
unsealed
On Wed., Feb. 2, at approximately 3pm,
the locks were cut off of seven storage lock-
ers at Manhattan Mini Storage (541 W. 29th
St.). At the time of the report, no stolen
property was alleged by any of the current
locker occupants. A bolt cutter was recov-
ered from the scene.
GRAND LARCENY: With a
Capital “One”
On Feb. 2, an occupant of 223 W.
,verything kids
want... everything
parents need.
Kids and parents agree that they love
the 92YCamps experience, with
dedicated counselors, high quality
facilities and exhilarating activities like:
• Sports with program partners • Studio arts and music
including Super Soccer Stars • Digital photography and filmmaking
and The Baseball Center
• Specialty Camps:
• Challenge course, zip lines and Fantastic Gymnastics, Tevah for
nature adventures
Science & Nature and Baseball
• Swimming, cooking, archery
and gymnastics
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Convenient bus pick-up and drop-off available throughout Manhattan.
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Visit 92Y.org/Camps or call 212.415.5573.
14th St. walked into the 10th Precinct and
reported that from Fri., Dec. 31 through Jan.
an unknown perpetrator (or perpetrators)
used his Capital One credit card without his
permission. On Mon., Jan 3., the victim was
informed by a Capital One fraud rep. that
an authorized purchase of $59 was made on
his card. Capital One recommended he file a
police report. The card was then cancelled.
PETTY LARCENY: Keys
used to take keys
On Feb. 1 at 2pm, it was reported that
on January 31, a report was filed at the 10th
Precinct by the victim of a robbery at the
Colonial House Inn (318 W. 22nd St). When
the victim returned to his room, he discov-
ered that the key that opened his luggage was
in the luggage case. Someone had opened his
luggage and took keys to his house and car,
airline flight record documents and Christian
Dior perfume. He spoke with management
and then proceeded to the 10th Precinct, to
report the missing items.
PIER FIRE: Catamaran &
boat lost, German shep-
herd perishes
Fire broke out on a 46-ft. catamaran
An agency of UJA-Federation
POLICE BLOTTER
berthed at Pier 59 of Chelsea Piers at
W. 17th St. around 2:30am Fri., Feb. 4
— injuring the owner who escaped with
his life. The fire spread to an adjacent
boat in the Pier 59 marina, but no one
was injured. The owner of the catamaran,
Mark Stoss, 42, was taken to Bellevue
Hospital with lung injuries from the heat.
He was unable to save his four-year-old
German shepherd, Chloe, who perished
in the fire. A month ago, a police scuba
diver had rescued the animal after she fell
into the water.
Firefighters brought the fire under
control around 4:30am, but the cata-
maran sank and the adjacent boat was
destroyed in the fire. A space heater on
the catamaran was cited as a possible
cause of the fire.
CRIME STOPPERS
If you have info regarding a crime com-
mitted or a wanted person, call Crime
Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, text “TIP577”
(plus your message) to “CRIMES”
(274637). Or submit a tip online at nypd-
crimestoppers.com.
$10,000 Reward — For the arrest and
conviction of anyone involved in the shoot-
ing of a New York City police officer. Call
1-800-COPSHOT.
$2,000 Reward — For anonymous info
that leads to the arrest and indictment of
a violent felon.
$1,000 Reward — For info leading to
the arrest of anyone who possesses an
illegal handgun. Call 1-866-GUN-STOP,
anonymously, if you know someone who
is carrying, selling or using handguns
illegally.
You Read It...
You Saw It...
And so did thousands
of our Readers.
To advertise call 646-452-2496
RESTIVO
R I S T O R A N T E
Valentine’s
Menu Pre Fixe:
Soup
Shrimp Bisque
$ 49.95
Includes a complementary
champagne (Marquis de
Appetizer
Oyster on half shell
la Tour Brut)
Plus a choice from
the following:
Pasta
Red Pepper Fettuccini
with scallops, fresh
tomato in an olive oil
& garlic
The 10th Precinct
Deputy Inspector Elisa Cokkinos /
Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. Seventh
& Eighth Aves.) / Call 212-741-8211.
For Community Affairs, 212-741-8226.
For Crime Prevention, 212-741-8226.
For Domestic Violence matters, 212-
741-8216. For the Youth Officer, 212-
741-8211. For the Auxiliary Coordinator,
212-741-8210. For the Detective Squad,
212-741-8245.
On the last Wednesday of every
month, at 7pm, the Community
Council Meeting (open to the public)
gives you the opportunity to express
quality of life concerns. Call 212-741-
8226 for info on the location, which
may change from month to month. The
meeting scheduled for January 26 was
cancelled due to the weather. The next
meeting takes place on February 23 —
the first such meeting since November
2010. Chelsea Now will have a report
on the February 23 proceedings in our
March 9 issue.
The 13th Precinct
Deputy Inspector: Ted Bernsted /
Located at 230 E. 21st St. (btw. Second
& Third Aves.) / Call 212-477-7411. For
Community Affairs, 212-477-7427. For
Crime Prevention, 212-477-7427. For
Domestic Violence matters, 212-477-3863.
For the Youth Officer, 212-477-7411. For
the Auxiliary Coordinator, 212-477-4380.
For the Detective Squad, 212-477-7444.
The Precinct Community Council meets
at 6:30pm on the third Tuesday of every
month (at the 13th Precinct station house).
209 7th Avenue, New York 10011
212-366-4133
restivorestaurant.com
& restivoristorante.blogspot.com
Pollo
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Dessert
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Warm Apple Strudel
with Cinnamon or
Broiled Lobster Tail,
served with a terrine
Passion Fruit Crème
Brule or Peach Sorbet
of garlic butter and
parsley
 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 13

At NYC Rescue Mission, Super Bowl and sobriety

BY HELAINA N. HOVITZ
It’s Super Bowl Sunday and even the
most popular restaurants in the city are
empty — some haven’t bothered to open.
Everyone is watching the Super Bowl with
friends and family, gathered at bars or relax-
ing at home — but there’s still a line outside
the NYC Rescue Mission at 90 Lafayette
Street. The hungry and homeless men who
have nowhere else to go will realize once
inside that they, too, will get to celebrate the
big game at the place they’ll call home for
the night.
SOUPerBowl Week, a seven-day event
that pairs soup kitchens with some of the
city’s best chefs, was initially a fundraising
event launched by Michael Colameco, host
of WOR’s Food Talk and Colameco’s Food
Show on PBS. After volunteering at the
Mission in 2007, he began making public ser-
vice announcements for SOUPerBowl week
and directing donations to the Mission.
A year later, Mayor Michael Bloomberg
caught on, and officially declared the week
before Sunday’s big game SOUPerBowl
week citywide. “The mission is always edify-
ing, but not always festive,” explained Joe
Little, the mission’s community relations
manager. “This week, chefs sent soup, chow-
der, chili and gumbo, and helped make the
entire week celebratory and warm.”
Photo by Helaina N. Hovitz

There was plenty of chicken wings, fries and, of course, soup to go around at the SOUPerBowl party (last Sunday at the NYC
Rescue Mission).
“It’s almost counter-
nity activism, so they could tell it was a real
cultural to have a game trustworthy cause. He set the bar, so chef

without beer, but it’s a

problem for many of our
residents and transient
guests,” said Little. “We
need to maintain a clean,
sober setting.”
These chefs included Tribeca’s own David
Bouley, Vikas Khanna, Fox Sportscaster
Duke Castiglione, Al Yeganeh, the man
behind the Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” Ron Silver
of Bubby’s restaurant. Wade Burch, win-
ner of Food Network’s Chopped and Head
Chef of Southwest NY in Battery Park City
brought chili so hot and spicy that the guys
were still sweating it off on Monday.
The mission has always celebrated the
big game with a party, which mainly con-
sisted of hot dogs and wings, but Little knew
that in order to launch their own official
SOUPerBowl week, they would need to
get a big name on board; more specifically,
they needed someone who was “big” in the
Downtown community. The first name that
came to mind was David Bouley.
“Once other chefs heard that he was
on board, they jumped on, too,” Little
explained. “He has a history of commu-
after chef said, ‘Of course, we’ll sponsor a
night.’” Love under
The Soup-Super double entendre eas-
ily grabs the attention of perspective volun-
teers, which Little said is crucial in getting
wraps.
people involved. At Muscle Maker Grill, eating
“People want to give, but get caught up healthy doesn't mean giving
in their every day, especially elected officials, up on great food. From our
anchors, all the usual people with mega- freshly prepared Italian and
phones, and they don’t know when to do it,” Tex-Mex wraps, pastas, Asian
Little said. “They need a hook.” entrees, salads, burgers and
The event falls in the middle of the time more, every dish is prepared
gap between their big Thanksgiving and with your health and taste
Mother’s Day banquets, during what is
buds in mind.
generally a quiet time of year for volunteer
organizations. It’s also a very cold time of
year, and this winter has been one of their
roughest, for reasons that span far beyond 92 8th Avenue, Chelsea, NY 10011 • Tel: (212) 337-0300
the snow.
The mission opens its door to an average
of 400 people daily, and has been picking
up the slack ever since John Heuss House BUY ONE WRAP ALL WRAPS
closed its 42 Beaver Street shelter last year.
Unlike most men’s recovery missions, it GET ONE FREE! JUST $3.99!
doubles as a drop-in center for transient Valid only at our Chelsea location. Limit one per coupon.
men, women and children. Twenty-five beds
Offer expires February 28, 2011 Valid only at our Chelsea location.
are reserved for men in the mission’s twelve- Offer expires February 28, 2011
step recovery program. While there was no
shortage of food during the game, there was
a shortage of something else: beer.
In fact, there wasn’t any at all. The entire
building is an alcohol-free zone.
“It’s almost countercultural to have 92 8th Avenue, Chelsea, NY 10011 92 8th Avenue, Chelsea, NY 10011
a game without beer, but it’s a problem Tel: (212) 337-0300 Tel: (212) 337-0300
$10 minimum order is required for delivery. $10 minimum order is required for delivery.
Continued on page 14 This coupon cannot be duplicated or combined with any other offer. This coupon cannot be duplicated or combined with any other offer.
14 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

For some, not the typical Super Bowl Sunday

Continued from page 13

for many of our residents and transient

guests,” said Little. “We need to maintain
a clean, sober setting.”
Mission resident Tom Knight has been
in the program for four months and was
watching big game sober for the first time
in — well, he can’t remember. His family
got him “into drinking” and refused to
support his decision to quit, so he moved
into the Mission and began the twelve-
step recovery program.
Knight is now almost halfway through
the ten-month program, which includes
educational and vocational classes as well
as spiritual counseling, and requires com-
plete sobriety.
“It’s different, but it’s no big deal,”
Knight said with a smile that exuded a
certain humble confidence. “I can do it.”
Colameco’s decision to start a fund-
raising initiative for the mission came
after he spent an afternoon serving food,
clearing tables, and realizing that poverty
and hunger don’t just have one face —
especially in New York.
“Words like ‘needy’ always get thrown
around, and certain ethnic and racial ste-
reotypes come to mind, but you’d be sur-
prised to see how many elderly Chinese
people were there, even kids in their 20’s. Photo by Helaina N. Hovitz
Some looked like they had barely gradu- The NYC Rescue Mission provided a sober alternative to Super Bowl partying.

ated high school,” Colameco said.
On Monday, Al Yeganeh, the man who
inspired Seinfeld’s “Soup-Nazi” character,
sent chicken noodle soup over to the mis-
sion. He may have a reputation for being
edgy — even downright mean — but the
owner of the national Original Soup Man
chains has a history of ushering the home-
less and the poor people to the front of
the line and serving them for free.
FOX Sportscaster Duke Castiglione
helped serve on Wednesday, and was
reportedly very “sweet with the guys,”
circulating and weeding out the Steelers
fans the Packers fans. The spirit of the
day made it easier for him to bond with
the guys. For most men, he said, talking
sports is like talking about the weather:
it’s something they all have in common.
“We talked a lot of football, but they also
wanted to talk a little Mets and Yankees,”
Castiglione said. “The guys were real knowl-
edgeable and came up to talk to me, and it was
all very relaxed.”
Castiglione was long overdue to volunteer,
according to his wife, Kiki, who volunteers
regularly and has always encouraged Duke to
do the same. He’s glad he finally did.
“We served 205 meals, men were coming up
one after the other. A lot of people need help.
The mission is always looking for volunteers,
and welcomes you with open arms. I’d encour-
age anybody to go down there,” Castiglione
said. “It’s not a high-pressure situation. They
made me feel at home. I’ll definitely be back,
and my wife will probably come with me.”
Vikas Khanna, who was welcomed into
the shelter ten years ago on Christmas day, has
been bringing soup and brownies over from his
successful restaurant Junoon for the past five
years. After arriving in New York from India in
2002, one of his first jobs was in a Downtown
restaurant. He showed up on Christmas to start
his shift only to find that the restaurant was
closed. He had just enough money on him for
the subway, but wouldn’t have been able to get
to work the next day. Khanna wandered the
neighborhood and found the mission, where
he found a hearty meal and found refuge from
the cold.
Khanna was unable to attend on Sunday, but
restaurant representative Andrew Blackmore
brought his famous lentil and spinach soup
with him — along with a large dose of reality.
“On one side of the country, you have peo-
ple paying a million dollars for a thirty-second
advertising spot, and on the other, there’s a line
of people waiting in the cold who need soup,”
said Blackmore, who was flagged by his two
children, Rutger, 7, and Morgan, 14, also vol-
unteering. “You can’t depend on a government
that’s running out of money. It’s up to every day
people, average citizens, to create and build
community.”
The Downtown community can always
depend on Bubby’s restaurant in Tribeca to
donate money to their local schools; but when
the eatery decided to stay open for the first
time on Thanksgiving to fundraise, they gave
a generous-and unsolicited-donation to the
Mission. Owner Ron Silver stepped up again
last Friday and donated his famous chicken
gumbo, which Miss Black New Jersey USA
2011, Nicole Stanley, was happy to help serve
Continued on page 17

Xavier athletics prep for playoffs
A determined Pat O’Grady powers through two defenders for a score.
Continued from page 1
SUNY Potsdam and Nazareth College. Box
scores aside, it’s not hard to see Sullivan’s
remarkable court vision. He has a knack for
finding his teammates even as he drives into
traffic.
McGrane’s other star senior is center Pat
O’Grady. It’s only fitting that he shares the
same number (11) with the best rebounder
across the Hudson (Brook Lopez, of the New
Jersey Nets). O’Grady averages seven rebounds
a game, which leads his team. Junior Brendan
Ferguson made the all-tournament team at the
“Many of the returning players view
basketball as their primary sport,” said
McGrane. “If the boys work hard in the off-
season, the team should be able to compete
for both division and city championships.”
HOCKEY TEAM EYES B DIVISION
CHAMPIONSHIP
In recent years, Xavier’s hockey team
has been on a steady path of improvement.
“Prior to my arrival, the team was always
a C Division competitor in the Catholic
High School Hockey League,” said Coach
Al DiMauro, who took over as head coach
in the 2004-05 season. “The year before my
arrival they were 0-16. When I took over we
lost our first game, but then went on to go
undefeated the rest of the way and won our
division championship that year.”
After that year, the Xavier hockey team
moved up to the B Division, where they have
been ever since. The team has also made the
playoffs every year except once and have
competed for the division championship
twice already in the ’07-’08 and ’08-’09 sea-
sons. The long-term goal for the program is
to eventually win a B Division championship
and move onto the A Division. DiMauro is
already preparing his team with pre-season
scrimmages with A Division teams. They
have yet to win a game, but have still played
competitively against schools with larger
student bodies and therefore greater odds of
fielding a more skilled hockey team.
Photo by Mark Moss
Juggler Classic and leads the varsity team in
scoring with 13 points per game.
Even with such large contributions from
their upperclassmen, the Xavier varsity bas-
ketball team is still fairly young — with three
sophomores and two juniors balancing out
the rest of the minutes alongside O’Grady
and Sullivan. The varsity team, along with
the junior varsity and freshmen squads, is
all set to make the playoffs when they start
on February 21. With the freshmen team sit-
ting in first place at 14-2, Coach McGrane
has a good chance of continuing on the
same path of success that landed him a City
Championship in 2000.
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 15
“I think every coach and every team that
has that competitive approach looks to better
themselves as a team and as a program, and
wants to contend at the most competitive
level,” said DiMauro. In a relatively short
time, the Xavier hockey program has turned
into quite the success story, but despite this,
the team is currently in jeopardy of missing
the playoffs for only the second time since
DiMauro became the coach. Eddie Medina,
the league’s Most Valuable Defenseman last
year, graduated from Xavier and now plays
hockey for Wagner College. Even without
their star defenseman, DiMauro believes his
team can turn their season around and make
the playoffs.
“The players know what they have to
do to turn it around and secure a playoff
spot,” said DiMauro. “We’re just not putting
enough shots on net. And if you don’t shoot,
you don’t score.”
In Medina’s absence, this year’s star senior
Tommy Ferro will have to be one of the
upperclassmen who steps up as the season
comes to a close. Ferro led the league in scor-
ing last year and was a part of the CHSHL
All-Star Team, along with Medina. The
hockey team has only four games remaining
this season, but the good news is that they’ve
already had convincing wins this season over
two of those opponents, St. Raymond and
Hudson Catholic.
Continued on page 19
16 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

Photo by Katy Gartside

We have a winner: The Snow Dragon, created by three friends from Brooklyn.

Good year for first-ever

High Line Snow Sculpt-Off
BY ALBERT AMATEAU
Friends of the High Line took a good
look at all that snow on the elevated park
and invited families to join a snow sculpture
competition on January 28. About 35 bud-
ding Picassnows in 15 teams signed up at
2pm, and went to designated stretches of
the railroad viaduct to begin work. By 5pm
the judges awarded first prize to a dragon,
second prize to a pack of little snow rats that
looked like bunnies, and three third prizes to
an octopus, snow rex (a dinosaur) and the
Empire State Building.
There was also a snow-covered Holland
Tunnel that didn’t win a prize but looked
like a lot of fun. The first prize included
three items: an iPod Shuffle, a guided tour
of the High Line and a gift certificate for
Amy’s Bread. The second prize was four
passes for Chelsea Piers and the third prize
winners received passes to the Standard Photo by Katy Gartside
Hotel’s ice rink. And two eyes made out of coal? A budding snowman kicks it old-school style.

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Not the typical Super Bowl
Continued from page 14
up — and then some.
“Nicole worked even harder than expected,
serving, cleaning tables, and essentially mop-
ping up at end of Friday dinner,” said Little.
“Don’t worry,” Little added, “the men
were complete gentlemen around her.”
Some of the most noteworthy people
gathered in the chapel to watch the big game
Sunday weren’t just volunteers-they were
residents who have been working diligently
to get back on their feet for the past year.
The mission claims that spiritual counseling
has the power to change these men in ten
months — that is, if they want to change
themselves.
“I spent the last twenty five years running
from God, but I found him,” explained Tyler
Williams, 46, who spent twenty years in and
out of prison. After almost three decades of
substance abuse and numerous unsuccessful
attempts at recovery, someone referred him
to the mission. Williams believes that the
mission has given him the tools he needs to
maintain his new lifestyle.
Williams is pictured on the cover of the
mission’s bi-monthly newsletter embracing
his six-year-old son, with whom he was
reunited for the first time in five years on
Christmas Eve. He found the baby’s mother
on Facebook while using the mission’s com-
puter, and has seen him three times a week
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Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 17
spoken to him every day since.
est Value
“He’s so smart,” Williams said with pride
pe rt Instruction • B
s • Ex
as he stared at the photo on the front page. ss Facilitie
World-Cla
“I’m blessed to be in his life now. He’s such
a smart boy.”
Williams watched the Super Bowl sober
on Sunday for the first time in 25 years, and
his dedication has clearly paid off: he gradu-
ates from the program on Thursday.
He and the eight other men that arrived
around the same time in May have promised
to stay in touch after graduation, but know
that Sunday’s party may well have been the
last time they would all be together in the
same room. None of the graduates know
exactly what to expect after Thursday, but
the mission will assist them with their job
search and have already given the men the
skills they need to start and maintain a new
life.
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Xavier athletes already eyeing next season
Continued from page 15
SWIM TEAM DOMINATES
There may not be a more dominant team
at Xavier this winter season than their swim
team. With a win over Suffolk County’s St.
John the Baptist on January 28, the team
secured first place in CHSAA’s B Division
and ended the dual meet season with a
perfect 11-0 record. By winning Division
B, Xavier’s swim team will be moved up to
Division A next year per CHSAA rules.
Junior Pat Kilgallen set a new Xavier
record earlier this season in a dual meet ver-
sus St. Dominic when he completed the 500
freestyle with a time of 4:54:16.
“I fully expect that other school records
might be broken at this time,” said swim
coach Dennis Murphy in regards to the
upcoming A Championships that start this
Friday and run throughout the weekend at
Fordham University and the Nassau Aquatic
Center. “I feel that Pat Kilgallen will re-set
his own record in the 500 yard hundred
freestyle and he’ll set a new record in the
200 yard freestyle. I feel that sophomore Joe
Mercurio has a real shot at setting a new
Xavier record in the 100 yard butterfly.”
WRESTLING TEAM REBUILDS
While Xavier’s other winter sports teams
benefit from the experience and talent of
its seasoned upperclassmen, Xavier’s wrestling
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 19
team is working with just two seniors. “This
year is a rebuilding year for us,” said wrestling
coach Julio Chacon. “I graduated 16 seniors
last year and most of my line up consists of
underclassmen this year. We only have two
seniors in our lineup and everyone else will be
returning.”
That’s good news for Chacon, as his three
best wrestlers are among those who will be
returning next year. The junior trio of Dee
Giorgio, Joe Vitale and Mike Prendergast all
have over 20 wins each and less than six
losses. Vitale and Prendergast placed 5th and
8th respectively at last month’s Mayor’s Cup,
in which over 100 city schools participated.
Giorgio was unable to finish the competition
due to a back injury he suffered in a match,
but one of the opponents he defeated earlier in
the season placed second at the Mayor’s Cup.
“The great news is that all three will be return-
ing next year along with most of my line up,”
added Chacon.
TRACK AND FIELD SETS RECORDS,
Photo Courtesy of the Xavier High School Yearbook
LOOKS TO SHATTER MORE
Indoor track and field, the final winter sport
the school offers, has recently broken some January 23 thanks to his meet-record-setting end their season in March with a number of
records as well. Xavier’s varsity shuttle hurdle jump of 22 feet and 1.75 inches. Mesidor also state and national championship events.
relay team, consisting of Andrew Cheah, James sits at number two in the Xavier record books With winter athletics winding down this
Kondrat, Zack LaRock and Dom DeNiro, set a for his 300 meter dash, which he ran in 36.14 month and officially ending for all student
school record of 33.34 seconds at the Stanner seconds at the meet. athletes in early March, Xavier High School’s
Games last month. Next weekend at the CHSAA Varsity winter teams are either in excellent position for
Keith Mesidor has been launching himself Championships the team will have another the playoffs and championships or they are in
over school records also. He was named MVP chance to put their name in the Xavier, and the process of building the foundation of a suc-
at the NYCHSAA Varsity Championships on possibly CHSAA, record books. The team will cessful season next year and years to come.
20 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

CHELSEA: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Far beyond flowers and candy
Things to do with your love, besides the thing you’re thinking of
COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
If you’re a true romantic, and lucky enough
to be in love, every day is Valentine’s Day —
so good for you. But if you’re not the type to
wear your heart on your sleeve by gifting that
significant other with grand and frequent ges-
tures, pulling out all the stops for this annual
articulation of love is a no-brainer.
This year, in addition to lavishing them
with the usual flowers and candy, think about
employing some of these unique options. In
the end, the effort you take just might equal
the love you make. As for our single readers:
Suck it up and let your coupled friends have
their day in the sun — and remember, there’s
no shame in sending flowers to yourself. We
all deserve love!
BUGLISI DANCE THEATRE: LETTERS
OF LOVE ON RIPPED PAPER
Buglisi Dance Theatre’s got the love bug
this week, and they’re looking to spread it
around — by way of a world premiere piece.
Artistic Director Jacqulyn Buglisi’s “Letters of
Love on Ripped Paper” was inspired by the
many forms of love expressed on the written
page (romantic love, love of country, love of
self). The choreography is stamped with the
influence of letters from Pliny to Calpurnia;
Queen Victoria to Prince Albert; Napoleon to
Josephine; and Zelda to Scott. Expressionistic
and highly theatrical, Buglisi’s dancers are
accompanied by an original score by Daniel
Brewbaker (whose works have been per-
formed by the likes of Yo-Yo Ma and the St.
Luke’s Chamber Orchestra). Completing this
tribute to classic gestures of love: “Requiem”
— a sensual work of Buglisi’s inspired by
the 17th century Italian painter Artemisia
Gentileschi (who used her brushes to express
herself as an independent woman). Feb. 15-20
(Tues./Wed., 7:30pm; Thurs./Fri., 8pm; Sat.,
Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St.). Arts has your back. Their Valentine’s
For Tickets ($10-$39), call 212-242-0800 or Week Fitness special kicks off on February
visit joyce.org. Also visit buglisidance.org. 14th. Couples can sign up for their free
private training or join a class solo dur-
BERGINO BASEBALL CLUBHOUSE ing through February 20. On Valentine’s
It’ll soon be spring — when a young Day, they’re offering a free two-hour Self
man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love…and Defense Seminar for women. From 7-8pm,
baseball. Down two birds with one very Dasha Libin debuts her new fusion fitness
memorable stone when you surprise the class: Kettlebell Kickboxing. The workout
one you love with this unique, decorative combines the combative moves and quick-
and functional love-themed baseball. This ness of mixed martial arts and with the
handmade baseball is only $20 (includes a strength and muscle training that comes
gift box and turf base stand). Available for with Russian kettlebells. After the class,
purchase at the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse Libin will be on hand to answer questions
(67 E. 11th St., in the landmarked Cast Iron and advise you on matters of personal fit-
Building). For info, call 212-226-7150 or ness goals. At Anderson’s Martial Arts &
visit bergino.com. Fitness Center (394 Broadway, at Canal.
Photo by Bergino Third floor). To sign up, call 212-766-
Get to first base and beyond with this 6622 or email webinfo@andersonsmart-
unique gift. See “Bergino.” ialarts.com. Visit andersonsmartialarts.
com.
FREE KETTLEBELL KICKBOXING
What’s hotter than a couple that can kick FREE TANGO LESSONS & DANCING
ass? Not much. But before you channel Return those tickets to Buenos Aires and
the bad mojo of your relationship issues save yourself a trip to the airport. Arts World
into swift acts of vigilante justice, take a Financial Center has a better way to get a con-
deep breath and consider a truly calming, sensual pat-down — courtesy of free tango les-
centered way to express your anger and
sharpen your skills. Anderson’s Martial Continued on page 21
Photo by Paul B. Goode

2pm & 8pm; Sun., 7:30pm). A “Dance Chat” Buglisi Dance Theatre’s latest takes its
talk follows the Feb. 16 performance. At The inspiration from love letters.

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Dasha Libin training/sparring with a student. See “Kettlebell.”

 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 21

Amp up your Valentine’s Day

Continued from page 20

sons and dancing the night away to the sounds

of the Hector Del Curto Tango Orchestra at
the Winter Garden. The 10-musician ensem-
ble will transform the glass-vaulted atrium
into a grand dancing ballroom. From 7pm to
9pm, couples will fuse at the hip to the jazzy,
festive rhythms inspired by the traditional
Argentinean style. A group instructor will
provide tango lessons from 6pm to 7pm for
those looking to brush up on their footwork.
FREE. Mon., Feb. 14. At the World Financial
Center Winter Garden (220 Vesey St.). For
info, call 212-945-0505 or visit artsworldfi-
nancialcenter.com. Also visit hectordelcurto.
com. Got plans for the evening? Get a
little afternoon delight with “The Winter
Garden Milonga: Free Lunchtime Tango
Performances and Lessons” — from 12-2pm
on Feb. 14 (same address and contact info as
the evening event). Photo by Hector Del Curto

The Hector Del Curto Tango Orchestra.

LOVE IN THE PARLORS: A
VALENTINE IN CONCERT
The Merchant’s House Museum — NYC’s
only family home preserved intact from
the mid-19th-century — offers an authen-
tic frozen-in-time glimpse into the customs,
morals and mindset of old New York. Their
“Love in the Parlors” Valentine’s Day con-
cert recreates the 19th-century tradition of
“salon music” with vocal chamber works
performed in an intimate parlor setting. The
See “Free Evening Tango Lessons.”
compositions, which address themes of love
in all of its triumphs and failings, were chosen
from repertoire written between 1801-1900.
The Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society
(MHM’s arts group in residence since 2004)
provides the vocal talent. Mon., Feb.14, at
7pm (snow date Thurs., Feb. 17). At the
Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. Fourth St.
btw. Lafayette & Bowery). Tickets are $25
Photo courtesy of the Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society
The Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society. L to R: Rosalind Gnatt, Dayle Vander
Sande, Anthony Bellov, Jane Rady. See “Love in the Parlors.”
($20 for students/seniors, $15 for MHM mem- Confections of Affection.” On view through
bers). Reservations required. Call 212-777- February 28, the exhibit features exam-
1089 or visit merchantshouse.org/events. ples of ornate and lace handmade paper
Valentine cards from the Museum’s collec-
Stretch out the warm and fuzzy spirit tion as well as early manufactured cards.
of Valentine’s Day for the entire month MHM is open Thurs. through Mon., 12-5pm.
by attending “19th-Century Valentines: Admission is $10 ($5 for seniors/students).

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22 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011
Malcah Zeldis: A life traveled in painting
BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN
When I walked into the Tribeca home
and studio of folk artist Malcah Zeldis, my
immediate impression was that I had physi-
cally entered a storybook. A large selection
of paintings covered the walls with vibrantly
colored narratives that enveloped me as I
surveyed the space.
At nearly 80 years old, Zeldis appears
young and engaging. She speaks vividly
about her life and how it has continu-
ously infiltrated her work. In conversation,
years and decades fly by easily — and in a
couple of hours we cover much ground. We
touch on Zeldis’ upbringing in Detroit, her
Russian-Jewish heritage, as well as on her life
as a young wife and mother on a kibbutz in
Israel (where she lived from 1948 to 1958).
As we get more familiar, she mentions her
painful divorce a few years after her family
had settled back in the United States and
ponders how in retrospect she feels that her
work had enabled her to fill the void that the
loss of her marital bond had left.
The night of our visit, she had just com-
pleted a small canvas featuring Abraham
Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd and was happy to
share it. The small portrait was inspired by
the work of William Mumler — a spirit pho-
tographer in the mid-1900s who, like Zeldis,
portrayed Mary Todd as she is embraced by
the ghost of her deceased husband. Rather
than eerie, the scene is peaceful, showing the
mourning sitter with the faintest touch of
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a smile. Zeldis does not usually work from
photographs and her interest in this particular
subject went beyond Mumler’s original. She
had read Mary Todd’s biography and knew
much about her struggles and illnesses, talk-
ing about her with compassion. All of the
people Zeldis has painted over the years have
moved her deeply. In that sense, her work is
free of superficialities. The level of her emo-
tional response requires a deep knowledge
of her subjects.
On the 30th floor with views of the
city, Zeldis lives surrounded by her works.
Sparked by different memories and stories,
her paintings manifest as intimate illus-
trations of her experiences, dreams and
eclectic interests. Zeldis’ work was begun
primarily for her own enjoyment. She never
imagined having a career as an artist, and
yet she has always experienced an inner
need for expressing herself creatively.
When her work finally began to gain
professional attention (without her actively
seeking any), she was so shocked that
she stopped painting. The realization that
others were suddenly looking at her work
took away from her natural and carefree
approach. She began to fear that the work
suffered from her trying to make too many
conscious decisions. Since shedding these
concerns and picking up where she had
left off, Zeldis has created a body of work
Image courtesy of the artist
Continued on page 23 Malcah Zeldis: “Peaceable Kingdom.” 1999. Oil on canvas.
 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 23

Artist’s studio an extension of home, self

Continued from page 22

that nobody could deem inauthentic. It is

her story told in her language to herself
first — but accessible to others. Her work
possesses the unique ability to allow many
to find themselves in it.
Born in 1931 in the Bronx, Malcah Zeldis
looks back at decades’ worth of work. Her
preferences of palette and compositional
density might have changed (her earlier
works were darker and more spacious), but
her approach and manner have remained
consistent. In recent years, she has added
three-dimensional works to her practice,
working on figurines made of found mate-
rials. Her oeuvre falls under the genre of
contemporary folk art, implying that Zeldis
is completely self-taught and remains out-
side of any mainstream art movements.
Her style evokes a sense of naïve simplicity,
which conveys a purity of feeling.
While Zeldis remains outside of the buzz-
ing art scene, she hardly suffers from a lack

On the 30th floor with

views of the city, Zeldis
lives surrounded by her Image courtesy of the artist

Malcah Zeldis: “Thanksgiving Dinner.” 1972. Oil on canvas.

works. Sparked by different
at The George Washington University in


memories and stories, Washington, D.C.

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Back in her studio, Zeldis always works
her paintings manifest as while sitting down. She starts by drawing
on a white surface — usually canvas or
intimate illustrations

of her experiences, dreams
and eclectic interests.
of recognition. Her work has been exhibited
at the Brooklyn Museum, the New Orleans

board, which she subsequently colorizes
with oil paint (or gouache if working on
paper).
Her subjects range from biblical and ZKHWKHU\RX·UHWUDYHOLQJWR
social themes, to family celebrations, every-
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day events and portraits of people who have
had an emotional impact on her. The latter
can in particular include her mother — who
was an accomplished ballet dancer in Russia 
but had to give up her passion when she

Museum of Art, the Terra Museum of Art
in Chicago, the New York State Historical
Society, the Yeshiva University Museum
and the Katonah Museum of Art, among
others. In addition, she has illustrated sev-
eral children’s books (some in collaboration
with her daughter) on Benjamin Franklin,
Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and
Abraham Lincoln, for example. A Jewish

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married — as well as her brother who was
‰
deemed fatally ill as a child and was hence
forced to spend most of his childhood in
bed. As a result, elegant dancers frequently
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appear in Zeldis’ compositions, and she has
worked on many baseball scenes, which
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hark back to memories of her brother, with ‰
whom she could not play but would join in
listening to baseball games.


Celebrations calendar for 2011 can be
bought in stores and online.
Most importantly, Zeldis’ work is in the
permanent collections of the Smithsonian
American Art Museum in Washington,
D.C., the American Folk Art Museum, the
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum of Folk
Art in Vermont, the Akron Museum, the
Jewish Museum in New York, as well as the
Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles,
to only name a few. This past fall, Zeldis
had a well-received solo exhibition at the
American Folk Art Museum in New York
and, until February 25, her work is featured

One touching painting shows Zeldis and
her bedridden brother, who is wearing a
baseball cap. They are listening intently to
the radio, while above them, in an almost

surrealist bubble of the imagination, a base-
ball game unfolds inside a packed stadium. 
The contrast between the two children
and the jubilant crowd is heart-wrenching  
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and yet, there is a clear sense of hope and
beauty in this intimate moment, revealing
the bond between two siblings.
However, Zeldis’ childhood memories are
Continued on page 24
24 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

In memory of the Zeldis a “sensitive commentator”

Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory Fire of Continued from page 23
1911, the exhibition
by no means all happy ones. Her parents
traces a century had lost children before she and her brother
of commemorations. were born and her father, a window washer,
struggled to make ends meet. He was a Sunday
painter fascinated with Flemish realism, but was
a strict father and remained unimpressed by his
daughter’s artistic aspirations. It is sad to think
that neither her father nor her husband ever
encouraged Zeldis to paint (she avoided mak-
ing the same mistake with her own children;
her daughter Yona Zeldis McDonough is an
established writer and her son David Zeldis is
an accomplished artist). Despite the hardships,
there are simple details that did enchant her as
a child, and they continue to weave through
her work. A birdbath and an arch made of rose
Frank” (2004) Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther
King, Anne Frank, Gandhi and others join
Zeldis’ alter ego (depicted with a painter’s pal-
ette in hand) around a grand piano, on which
Beethoven is just about to play. The scene is
astonishingly familiar and casual, letting it
appear like a warm Sunday tea party.
Zeldis also extensively explores the dark
sides of humanity, its horrid wars and crimes.
But even when depicting historic figures or
shocking events, such as the bombings of
Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Zeldis’ works sub-
consciously always reveal much of herself.
They manifest as a meditation on her emotional
response to the subject, which was chosen con-
sciously, but captured while lost in thought.
As a New Yorker, Zeldis has not shied
away from addressing such a delicate subject
as September 11 or the political climate sur-

Art
bushes, both beloved features in her mother’s
lush garden, appear frequently and function as
a visual Talisman of sorts.
Besides members of her family, Zeldis
devotes much of her attention to prominent fig-
rounding it. She has painted several tough
compositions, featuring the day itself, as well as
abused prisoners at Abu Ghraib and the execu-
tion of Daniel Pearl, for example. The paintings
are forthright and do not lack in unconcealed

Memory
ures of the 20th century. Anne Frank, Abraham
Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa,
Gandhi and Beethoven, for example are people
she admires and they have become profound
staples in her work. All of them appear repeat-
brutality. They all pose one blatant question: of
what horrors is humanity actually capable?
While some of Zeldis’ works might provide
us with a kind of charming escapism, works like
these show her as a critical and sensitive com-

Place
edly, at times alone and then together, joining
in a montage-like accumulation of admirable
accomplishments. But Zeldis does not sim-
ply engage in the act of idolization. Instead,
she depicts them as her trusted and admired
Commemorating the friends. In a work entitled “Homage to Anne
mentator of her time. She is at once a dreamer
and a realist. Continuing to trespass across
boundaries, Zeldis does not intend to tie herself
to a specific timeline and continues to travel
seamlessly between current and past events, be
they rooted in reality or her imagination.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

NYU’s Grey Art Gallery

from January 11 to March 26, 2011
and April 12 to July 9, 2011
Marking the centennial of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company
Factory Fire—New York City’s largest workplace disaster before
9/11—New York University’s Grey Art Gallery announces an
exhibition tracing 100 years of the fire’s memorializations.
Art/Memory/Place: Commemorating the Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory Fire is the result of an innovative collaboration between
the Grey Art Gallery and NYU’s graduate programs in Museum
Studies and Public History.

ADDRESS
Grey Art Gallery • New York University
100 Washington Square East • NY, NY 10003 • 212.998.6780

HOURS
T U E , T H U R , F R I : 11 am–6 pm • Open Late W E D : 11 am–8 pm
S AT : 11 am–5 pm • S U N , M O N , and major holidays: Closed

ADMISSION
Suggested donation: $3; NYU students, faculty, and staff:
free of charge
 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 25

Four women wrote this

13th effort by Wide Eyed Productions features best of 388
THEATER
A GIRL WROTE IT
Four one-act plays by women
A Wide Eyed Productions presentation by Horse Trade Theater
Group
Through February 20
At The Red Room (85 E. 4th St. btw. Second Ave & Bowery. Third
floor; no wheelchair access)
For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-868-4444
Visit wideeyedproductions.com and horsetrade.info

BY JERRY TALLMER
Just call them A, B, C, D. That’s what the playwright calls
them — or, rather, that’s what her play calls them.
When the lights go up, all four are discovered in a sterile-
looking sort of waiting room/classroom. The younger of the
two couples, A (male) and B (female), sit with arms around one
another. Not so with the older, more uptight couple. D (male)
paces the room impatiently while C (female), his wife, just sits
and broods.
All four are waiting to be individually red-lighted or green-
lighted as a consequence of certain computer-generated intel-
ligence tests. A deus ex machina simply identified as “Efficient
Woman” is on hand to elucidate the results.
The play is “Selection” — as in Darwin’s “natural selection”
— and it is the one I liked best of the four one-acts by four
women presented together under the rubric “A Girl Wrote It.”
The playwright is Kris Montgomery of Shelton, Connecticut —
whose day job, as it happens, is installing computer software.
When the results for A, B, C, and D come in, the green light
flashes three times, the red light flashes once. Now what? Who
gets the intelligence test’s thumbs up to bring that baby into
the brave new world of the day after tomorrow — and who
does not?
The admirably concise “Selection” contains overtones not
only of Aldous Huxley and Orwell, but of early and late Albee
(“The Sandbox,” “The American Dream,” “The Play About the
Baby”) as well as of a scary futuristic Ira Levin novel called
“This Perfect Day” (1970) — right down to ID touch pads at
every turn.
“This play,” says Montgomery, “has been done a number
of places, starting in 1999, and then thrown away, It was
rediscovered last fall by my 16-year-old daughter Erin — the
youngest of my three daughters — when she was looking for
a one-act play she could direct next year in school. Then I
got a notice from the Dramatists Guild about this company,
Wide Eyed Productions, that was looking for one-act scripts
by women.”
Plays have to get conceived and brought to birth, just
like human babies. This one, says its mother — whose three
flesh-and-blood daughters are, as it happens, adopted — was
spurred into life “by discussions I used to have with friends
about whether some people ought to have to get a license to
give birth to a child. Alcoholics, welfare mothers, low-IQ’s, et
cetera. That’s not exactly genocide, but a gray area.”
From this play, her play, “Selection”:
EFFICIENT WOMAN: This is interesting. The com-
puter print out says that this is one of the highest greens
we’ve ever had.
A: Meaning?
EFFICIENT WOMAN: They almost passed the red
[this particular green’s partner] just because the green
“The Return of Toodles Von Flooz” — featuring Lisa Mamazza, Colin McFadden & Brianne Mai.
The play is “Selection” — as in
Darwin’s “natural selection” — and
it is the one I liked best of the four
one-acts by four women presented
together under the rubric “A Girl
Wrote It.” The playwright is Kris
Montgomery of Shelton, Connecticut
— whose day job, as it happens, is
installing computer software.
was so high.
B: So, why don’t they do that? We want to have kids
together.
EFFICIENT WOMAN: They didn’t do it because
if they start making exceptions, the whole system falls
apart.
A: Isn’t that what the Nazis did? You’re trying to get
rid of a whole group of people.
B: This is genocide.
EFFICIENT WOMAN: No, it isn’t. No one’s being
killed here. We just don’t let everyone reproduce. There’s
a big difference….
All the above — indeed, all of “Selection” — represents,
to Montgomery “a kind of argument with myself — and it’s
my hope that it will elicit discussion and/or argument else-
where.”
Montgomery, who says she was born in Elizabeth, New
Jersey, “somewhere in the last century,” and that she is “mar-
Photo by Kristin Skye Hoffmann
ried to a woman named Lisa,” has an acting/singing career
alongside playwriting. She has widely toured as the Eva Peron
of “Evita,” and — in nice happenstance parallel to her pres-
ent Red Room connection — plays keyboard and sings with a
band called Those 4 Girls.
Which takes us to another Kris — or, to be more exact,
Kristin Skye Hoffmann — the co-founder (with Liz White and
Sky Seals) of Wide Eyed Productions. It is Hoffmann who had
the idea of putting four short plays together under the heading
“A Girl Wrote It,” and is the director of one of those four, Lisa
Ferber’s farcical film noir bar room Western, “The Return of
Toodles Von Flooz.”
Directing is Hoffmann’s passion, starting back at the
University of Northern Colorado, from where she and a num-
ber of theater-minded pals came straight to New York to try to
do their thing. Wide-eyed is what they knew they were.
Her directing of an exciting 2007 “Medea” for the Hudson
Shakespeare Company was rehearsed “for a really long time,”
but got “only four performances — all outdoors, all free —
which seemed a pity to me.”
Perhaps it could be done again, and better, and indoors.
“If I do it again,” she said to her buddies, “will you guys stick
with me?”
Yes, they said, yes.
After much search, she found “a very nice man named
Richmond Shepard,” who made his East 26th Street theater
available to her without a deposit — and a second “Medea,”
again starring Amy Lee Pearsall, was on its wide-eyed way.
“Everybody lent us stuff, and somehow we even managed
to come out in the black. This is now our 13th production and
our second evening of one-acts. In all 12 of those shows, we
had never done anything written by a woman, and I thought
that was crazy.
“We did a call for scripts by a woman, posted it all over the
place. Received 388 submissions, and I read all 388.” This
was chopped down to 50, and then to the four at Red Room:
“Clementine,” by Lynda Green; “Plight of the Apothecary” by
Elizabeth Birkenmeier; “The Return of Toodles Von Flooz,” by
Lisa Ferber; and “Selection,” by Kris Montgomery.
A, B, C, D. Red light, green light. Stop and Go in The Red
Room. Keep your eyes wide open.
26 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

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Mailing Services on site
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All subjects/levels, educational
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Just Do Art!
COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
There’s more to celebrate than the
fact that the days are getting longer. The
H.T. Chen & Dancers’ “Lantern Festival
Celebration” will lighten your mind and
spirit by providing food for thought (plus
refreshments for the physical body).
Appropriate for the whole family, the
dances will range from the long-unseen
romantic duet “Nocturne” to H.T. Chen’s
“Big Brother” (performed by long-time
Company dancer Renouard Gee) to the
Chinese Lion Dance-inspired “Heart of
Grace.” Also scheduled to be performed
is “Warriors of Light” — a piece from
Chinese Opera, which concerns the jour-
ney towards enlightenment. So brave the
tail end of winter and get to know (or
rediscover) what the Chen Dance Center
has been doing right — and doing very
well — since 1988. Thurs. through Fri.,
Feb. 17-19. Pre-show activities at 7pm,
show at 7:30pm. At the Chen Dance Center
(70 Mulberry St., corner of Mulberry &
Bayard). For tickets ($15; $10 for stu-
dents/seniors), call 212-349-0126. Seating
is limited; reservations required.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS
Explore painting, collage and sculpture
through self-guided arts projects. Open art sta-
tions are ongoing throughout the afternoon —
giving children the opportunity to experiment
with materials such as paint, clay, fabric, paper
and found objects. Young minds can be great
minds — and great minds, as they say, often
think alike. See for yourself when you view “Art
Within Reach: from the WPA to the Present” —
on display now through June 5. This intergener-
ational exhibit connects the artistic and intellec-
tual dots between those who grew up in NYC
during the Great Depression and those who are
growing up in the city today. Regular museum
hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-5pm; Thurs., 12-6pm
(Pay as You Wish, from 4-6pm). Admission:
$10. At the Children’s Museum of the Arts (182
Lafayette St. btw. Broome & Grand). Call 212-
274-0986 or visit cmany.org. For group tours,
call 212) 274-0986, extension 31.
Image courtesy of the Children’s Museum of the Arts
“The Train Station” — by Alyssa
Ramroop, Age 11 (watercolor & gouache
on paper. 2010. 22.5in x 15in). See
“Children’s Museum of the Arts.”
I’m fixin’ a hole: See “Sandbags.”
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
The Chinese year 4709 (Year of the
Rabbit) began on February 3 — marking
the start of a two-week celebration dis-
tinguished by fireworks, festive food and
dancing. The Pacific College of Oriental
Medicine (the country’s largest college of
acupuncture and Oriental medicine) invites
you to learn about the Chinese New Year by
attending a series of health-minded events.
Throughout the day, there will be massage
demos and lectures, free acupuncture and a
workshop on Qi Gong (a thousand-year-old
martial art that combines deep breathing
with postures and movements that allow the
body to naturally and automatically release
hormones that relieve stress). At 2:30pm,
the documentary “9000 Needles” screens.
It chronicles Devin Dearth’s journey into
health with the help of a mixture of Eastern
and Western Medicine — after suffering a
devastating stroke that left him paralyzed
on his right side. Visit 9000needles.com for
Good gods, y’all: See “Apollo and Other Bronze Gods.”
Photo by Gina LeVay
more info on the film. By the time your day
is done, you’ll be looking forward to 2012
— when you’ll know by experience why the
Chinese say “Gung Hey Fat Choy” instead
of “Happy New Year.” Sat., Feb. 12, 12pm-
3pm at The Pacific College of Oriental
Medicine (915 Broadway at 21st St., 5th
floor). Admission and participation is free.
RSVP is requested. Contact cneipris@paci-
ficcollege.edu or call 212-982-3456 x226.
For questions, call x229. Visit pacificcol-
lege.edu.
APOLLO AND OTHER BRONZE GODS
Thank the gods that someone — spe-
cifically, Gallery 300 — has managed to
fill that vacant ground level storefront
on 22nd Street and Eighth Avenue with
something considerably more visually
compelling than brown paper on the win-
dows. Currently, the work of sculptor
Sabin Howard (a NYC native) is on
display — in a collection of stunningly
Photo courtesy of the artist
Februar y 9 - 22, 2011 27
Photo by Jennifer Harris
Qi Gong instructor William Kaplanidis
will lead students through movement
exercises. See “Chinese New Year
Celebration.”
rendered bronze statues whose muscular,
in-motion bodies seem as if they’re about
to burst from within the venue’s large
wrap-around corner-to-street windows.
“Apollo and Other Bronze Gods,” a ret-
rospective of 20 large bronze figures, is
accompanied by his latest life-size bronze
sculpture — 2010’s “Apollo.” It’s his third
life-size work (a companion to 2006’s
“Aphrodite” and a successor to 2005’s
Hermes, both of which are on display).
Smaller-scale sculptures on view include
“Anger,” “Man” and “Eros” (2000-2001).
“My work is an alchemy of form and ener-
gy,” says Howard. “It speaks a universal
narrative of what it means to be human.”
FREE. Through March 31, at Gallery 300
(300 W. 22nd St.). Gallery Hours: Tues.-
Fri., 4-8pm; Sat./Sun., 12:30–8pm and by
appointment. Call 917-327-5714 or visit
gallery300.net. For info on the artist, visit
sabinhoward.com.
SANDHOGS
The Half King photography series’ cur-
rent exhibit showcases Gina LeVay’s stun-
ningly epic portraits of urban miners and
the massive machinery they use to blast and
bore their way through the good earth, 800
feet below Manhattan. City Water Tunnel #3
is a $6 billion project said to be the largest
unified infrastructure project in Gotham’s
history. But before that 60-mile hole in the
ground delivers drinking water and bath-
tub fodder, more than a little hard work
has to be done. “Sandhogs” goes behind
the scenes (or, more accurately, under the
scene) and emerges with a heroic and
dynamic record of this seldom-seen effort.
Through April 9 at The Half King Gallery
(505 W. 23rd St. at 10th Ave.). For info,
call 212-462-4300. Like the exhibit? Then
buy the book —“Sandhogs”—available now
from Powerhouse Books. Visit thehalfking.
com/gallery and ginalevay.com.
28 Februar y 9 - 22, 2011

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