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February 8th, 2010
A few minutes ago Freemans co-owner William Tigertt tweeted:
With a speech and courtroom shouting scene straight out of A Few Good Men, Freemans passed Community Board 3 for our second floor expansion.
Believe it or not, that might just be an understatement. This evening was a bizarre one even for CB3’s SLA Committee. Throughout the night, committee member David McWater expressed serious frustration (to put it mildly) with various members of the panel that evaluates liquor licenses. We’ll have the blow-by-blow tomorrow.
In the meantime, a brief rundown of tonight’s winners and losers. Approved:
- Banjo Jim’s, 700 East 9th Street
- Cafe Mocha, 116 2nd Avenue
- Takeout Food Corp, 188 Avenue A
- The Horse Box, 218 Avenue A
Rejected by the Committee:
- Sigmund Pretzel Shop, 29 Avenue B
- St. Marks Pho, 13 St. Marks
- A & D Wine Corp, 65 2nd Avenue
February 8th, 2010
In spite of a DOB ruling that the Nolitan Hotel is in violation of height restrictions, they’re planning a May debut.
The Daily News says Shelly hasn’t spoken with the governor in over a week.
Michael Bloomberg wants assurances from the White House that the feds will pick up the tab for the terror trials, if they are held in New York.
More on the controversial study showing the NYPD “fudged” crime stats: “…the results have made critics and admirers of Mr. Bloomberg wonder about — if not necessarily doubt — the reliability of data underpinning policy decisions on the budget, education, transportation, public health and other issues.”
Cops seize more than $1 million in a Little Italy drug smuggling bust.
February 8th, 2010
 Beatrice - 7, Everett - 3, and Rosemary - 5 It was another good turnout at P.S. 110’s Pajama Pancake Breakfast this past Saturday. Parents and children joined members of the community in an early Valentine’s Day celebration, creating valentine cards for their loved ones and of course, gobbling down some pancakes, as well. This is the second pancake breakfast event parents at P.S. 110 have hosted. Special members in the community as well as Mayor Bloomberg and President Obama were invited to take part in the neighborhood outreach event. Although President Obama and the mayor sent their regrets, two VIPs, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, did make appearances – just in time to have some pancakes. Co-organizer Lauren Barack says the organizers will continue to invite the president and the mayor to their future events.
Continue reading Valentine Fun Had By All at P.S.110 Pajama Pancake Breakfast
February 8th, 2010
 This morning, standing across the street from the Moynihan Federal Courthouse on Worth Street, Councilmember Margaret Chin and two colleagues spoke out forcefully against holding the 9/11 terror trials in New York City. Chin, Peter Vallone and Vincent Gentile previewed a public hearing that will be held Wednesday on the subject and talked about a Council resolution they are co-sponsoring.
Vallone said, “this hearing will finally be a chance for the people of New York City to have some input and to be heard.” Chin told reporters at the news conference she was disappointed after hearing President Obama on the news this morning saying the NYC terror trials were not “off the table.” She asserted, “the president has to listen to the people.”
Continue reading Chin: The President Must “Listen to the People”
February 8th, 2010
City Council members Peter Vallone, Vincent Gentile and Margaret Chin just wrapped up a press conference in front of the federal courthouse where the 9/11 terror trials may still be held. Vallone and Chin will be co-chairing a hearing Wednesday concerning the trials. Chin said she was disappointed to hear the President say once again yesterday that holding the trials in NYC is not off the table. A full report this afternoon.
February 8th, 2010
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 Ricardo Gonzalez - photo by Ashlie Cotton  This weekly feature spotlights a wide variety of people who live and work on the Lower East Side. If you would like to participate in “My LES,” please email us here.
What do you do?
I’m a painter and I work in art galleries.
How long have you lived on the LES?
8 years.
Continue reading My LES – Ricardo Gonzalez
February 8th, 2010
The President tells Katie Couric he has not ruled out holding the upcoming 9/11 terror trials in New York City.
Is the NYPD cooking the books? After yesterday’s Times piece on Compstats, a former police commander steps forward with his story. In a sidebar, New Yorkers say the city’s obviously a lot safer than the bad ol’ days. Among the interview subjects: Alan Kaufman of the Pickle Guys. One of the cops caught “fudging the books,” was the number two guy at the 9th Precinct.
Gotham Gazette: “Former Councilmember Alan Gerson, who lost his third term re-election bid to Margaret Chin last fall, was the first primary sponsor of more bills than any other council member in the last session. He introduced 84 pieces of legislation -– more than triple the average council member, according to council records. Only seven of his bills became law.”
Continue reading Obama Hasn’t Ruled Out NYC Trial, 9th Precinct Caught in Crime Stats Controversy, Ray’s Adds Saturday Delivery
February 8th, 2010
Community Board 3’s SLA Committee is gearing up for tonight’s monthly meeting. There are only 29 liquor license applications to be considered tonight – seven bars/restaurants have been crossed off the list since we published February’s agenda a couple of weeks ago. They include:
11. Cafe Allumette, 182 Ave B (rw)
12. Casa de Chabela Corp, 40 Ave B (op)
13. T Poutine LLC, 168 Ludlow St (rw)
17. 93 Art LLC, 93 3rd Ave (trans/op) (Lit)
26. Rivington Wine & Cheese Inc, 95 Delancey St (op)
28. Zaitzeff (Ziatzeff 3 Corp), 194 E 2nd St (op)
33. Corp to be Formed, 77 E 4th St (rw)
If you’d like to attend, the meeting begins at 63opm at the JASA/Green Residence, 200 East 5th Street (Bowery).
Incidentally, the other night at the LES Nigtlife Town Hall, State Liquor Authority chief Dennis Rosen said people should not be shy about contacting his agency with concerns. He said Mike Jones, deputy CEO, is very good about responding to email. He was brought on specifically to beef up enforcement of SLA rules. His email is: mjones@abc.state.ny.us. 
You can also contact Community Board 3 if you have concerns. Phone: 212-533-5300. Email: info@cb3manhattan.org.
February 7th, 2010
Next week’s public hearing on the expansion of the Girls Prep Middle School should be interesting. An email making the rounds says, “please join Council woman Rosie Mendez on Thursday, February 11th… Stop the expansion of Girls Prep Charter School at P.S. 188… Make your voice heard.” We’ll have much more on this tomorrow.
“…violent crime rates have soared throughout downtown, with the East Village and the Lower East Side also seeing a big spike in street crime. Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne blames the boom on the neighborhoods’ nightlife, which attracts large numbers of revelers who become targets and predators after enough drinks.”
A new report suggests the NYPD manipulates crime data.
Melanie has coverage from the Day for Ray.
Councilmember Margaret Chin is featured in the Times’ “Sunday Routine” column.
Eater reports:
The city is shutting down Spitzer’s Corner once again for violating the ID policy for underage drinkers. The restaurant and bar’s PR contacted Eater this afternoon to report the city is forcing them to close from Sunday morning until next Friday as a punishment, making Spitzer’s forfeit days of business (during the Super Bowl!). The bar was previously busted for similar complaints last February and in March 2008.
February 6th, 2010
 Protesters, reporters gathered across from Moynihan Federal Courthouse yesterday. Most grassroots neighborhood groups struggle to get the tiniest bit of attention from the Mainstream Media. But these days the Civic Center Residents Coalition (CCRC) doesn’t need to work all that hard to make headlines. They proved that once again yesterday, as TV crews and newspaper reporters descended on Columbus Park, across the street from the Daniel Moynihan Federal Courthouse, on the edge of Chinatown, for the CCRC’s midday news conference.
Continue reading Terror Trial Opponents Adjust to the Glare of National Spotlight
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