July 31st, 2010

A short time ago, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney made a brief appearance at the Hester Street Fair, one stop in a full day of campaigning across the 14th Congressional District, which includes the Lower East Side. Maloney is being challenged in September’s Democratic Primary by Reshma Saujani. Continue reading Rep. Maloney Makes Campaign Stop at Hester Street Fair
July 30th, 2010

We spoke briefly with actress Kim Katzberg last April when she was debuting her show (a work-in-progress), Penetrating the Space, at Dixon Place. The piece is described as “a tragicomic send-up of a one-woman show in which a kooky bisexual performance artist and incest survivor mistakenly believes that theatricalizing her psychological fragmentation and integration in front of an audience will lead to mainstream acceptance in the acting industry and a big-time agent.” Continue reading Kim Katzberg’s “Penetrating the Space” at Hot! Festival
July 30th, 2010

This week’s Midnight Movie at the Sunshine Cinema is the East Coast premier of Joshua Grannell’s feature film debut, All About Evil. Grannell, better known as midnight movie impresario Peaches Christ, will appear with horror filmmaker Alan Rowe Kelly and the film’s star, actress Natasha Lyonne Continue reading The Sunshine Midnight Movie: An All About Evil Extravaganza
July 30th, 2010
Our friends at the Hester Street Fair would like you to know you can keep cool and stay stylish this weekend because both the Misting Oasis Tent and the popular “Summer Stylist Tent Event” will be back on Saturday and Sunday. Stylists, designers, showrooms, fashion insiders and “fashonistas” empty their closets, drop it all off and shoppers get a chance to go through the goods.
Continue reading Summer Stylist Sale and Misting Tent Back at the Hester Street Fair
July 30th, 2010
The 7th Precinct is sponsoring the Lower East Side’s participation in “National Night Out” this coming Tuesday. The event, in its 27th year, is meant to create greater awareness about crime and drug prevention. A number of community organizations will be represented. There will be food, music and games for the kids. National Night Out takes place on East Broadway, between Clinton and Jefferson Streets, from 4:30-8pm.
July 30th, 2010
Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh has announced an August schedule for his “mobile district office.” Staffers will be available to help constituents with specific problems they might be having and to answer questions about legislation and local issues. Here are the details:
August 1 Gompers Houses (4-6pm) 90 Pitt Street
August 2 Riis Houses (1-3pm) 465 East 10th Street
August 7 Baruch Houses Family Day 100 Columbia Street
August 19 Riis Family Day 454 East 10th Street
August 26 LES II (1-3pm) 628 East 5th Street
Kavanagh represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes the area above Houston Street and extending up the East Side, but oddly also includes Pitt Street between Delancey and Houston. By the way, he’s also co-sponsoring free dental checkups for kids (6months-14 years). The checkups will take place in the Baruch Houses’ community room August 2-6, 9am-2:30pm. See more info here.
July 30th, 2010

Silver, out of respect for the elderly, will not criticize Ed Koch (Capital Tonight).
Gearing up for the new battle over community gardens (East Villager).
Expert backs up alleged Chinatown strangler’s accidental death defense (DNA Info).
115 Norfolk revealed (Bowery Boogie, Curbed).
Jamming goes with your punjabi on East 1st Street (NYC The Blog).
July 30th, 2010

Rainbow Over Williamsburg Bridge by Hamburger Helper via Flickr
Look for a break in the heat today with a high of 82 degrees. It should be pleasant and less humid, with sunshine mixing with clouds, as the weekend takes us in to August. Later today, we’ll have our Weekend Guide and a briefing on last night’s CB3 meeting on SPURA. Enjoy your weekend!
July 29th, 2010
Last fall we attended a public hearing called by State Senator Daniel Squadron on preserving and revitalizing retail in urban neighborhoods. The Senate Committee on Cities heard testimony from business owners and other local stakeholders, including Zarin Fabrics President David Zarin and Community Board 3′s Susan Stetzer. Squadron no longer chairs the committee, but along with current chair Shirley Huntley, he has released a report on that hearing.
Among their conclusions: city and state government should consider tax breaks for property owners who accommodate small businesses and who keep their rents reasonable. Also – they call on local officials to consider so-called “formula zoning” to encourage more retail diversity in neighborhoods like the Lower East Side. You can download the full report here.
July 29th, 2010

Conservancy's new visitor center, 400 Grand Street.
Last month, we reported the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy is preparing to open a new Visitor Center at 400 Grand Street later this summer. If you walk by the storefront, formerly Ruby’s Fruits, you might notice a poster promoting the Conservancy’s new “Insider Tours,” abbreviated versions of their more detailed neighborhood walking excursions. Recently, we were invited to experience the tours for ourselves. Continue reading Going “Inside” Jewish Sacred Sites with the LES Conservancy
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