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Weekend Travel Alert

As if the Halloween parade and the marathon weren't enough, the MTA will also  be complicating your weekend travel plans. Just about every train line will be disrupted, including the dreaded F. Here's what the MTA advises:

179 St-bound trains run on the from Jay to West 4 Sts, 12:01 AM Sat to 5 AM Mon, Oct 31 – Nov 2

For service to York St, East Broadway, Delancey St, 2 Av, and Broadway-Lafayette St, take the to West 4 St and transfer to a Coney Island-bound .

For service from York St, East Broadway, Delancey St and 2 Av, take a Coney Island-bound to Jay St and transfer to a 179 St-bound .

For service from Broadway-Lafayette St, take the to West 4 St and transfer to the .


More Halloween Fun: Abaddon NYC

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202 Rivington Street (btwn Pitt and Ridge Sts.)
RSVP to artlesnyc@gmail.com is mandatory
Advance Tickets for Abaddon suggested @: www.abaddonnyc.com
On Friday night we will let people in @ the door as capacity permits.
No one turned away for lack of money.
Please give what you can to keep independent, underground arts alive on the Lower East Side
Only assholes and douchebags turned away!

Come celebrate the Pagan High Holiday with your hosts the Pirates of the L.E.S., for one final art.les.nyc event in a blockbuster 2009 season.

ART.LES.NYC Studios, the Lower East Side's only outdoor (tarp-protected) art studio and gallery, throws open the portals to ABADDON, our annual two-level Hellish Haunted Halloween spectacular.

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Eric Ripert “Unleashed” at Whole Foods/Bowery Tonight

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This evening at the Whole Foods on the Bowery, Eric Ripert, one of New York's culinary stars, will talk about his new TV series "Avec Eric" and sign copies of his book, "On the Line."  There will be a screening of the show and a discussion with executive producer Justin Barocas about the inspiration for the series, the behind the scenes details of their adventures and all the elements that went into production. You can also enter to win a dinner for two at Le Bernadin, Ripert's Midtown restaurant. Seating begins at 530. The event, "Avec Eric Unleashed," starts at 630.

Paterson Honored at Chinatown YMCA Gala

Governor David Paterson came to the Lower East Side last night, addressing 300 supporters of the Chinatown YMCA, at their 35th annual gala dinner. Paterson, along with YMCA executive Rena McGreevy and Tracey Chang, Miss New York 2009, were the night's honorees. The festivities, attended by many of New York's movers and shakers, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, were held at the Capitale event space on the Bowery. 

Paterson, who spent the day in the city consulting with legislative leaders about New York's budget crisis, praised the Chinatown YMCA for its vital role in helping New Yorkers weather tough economic times.

Paterson also addressed the ballooning budget deficit directly, saying the sacrifices he's asking New Yorkers to make now, will help the state emerge from the recession. 

Halloween in the Hood

if you haven't made Halloween plans, no fear! There's plenty happening on the Lower East Side this weekend…

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The most creative haunted house in the neighborhood (poosibly in the whole city) is Steampunk at the Abrons Arts Center. The tour through their century-old playhouse includes "clockwork
spiders, legions of half-man/half-machine drones, and mechanized
monsters and misfits manifest in eerie parlors, laboratories, and
boiler rooms."
  Conceived and created by
BESSIE Award-winner Zach Morris of Third Rail Projects, in collaboration with Jesse Green, Liz
Sargent, Barry Weil, Kryssy Wright, and the Abrons’ Urban Youth
Theater
.
Student tickets sold at the door only. You can only get in if you're at least 8 years old. Click here for more information.

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The Theater for the New City has something for everyone. There will be free entertainment outside on 10th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues beginning tomorrow at 430pm. At 730, the indoor party begins. There will be musical performances from La Cumbiamba and the Hot Lavender Swing Band, an 18-piece gay
orchestra. There's also a Witches’ Cauldron, a buffet of Halloween-themed dishes from 100 neighborhood restaurants. But that's not all: burlesque and cabaret acts and a midnight costume party. More information here.

At the Sunshine Cinema, both tonight and tomorrow, it's Nightmare on Elm Street 3 – at midnight. 

At the Hotel on Rivington, it's the Heaven & Hell Party. The Penthouse is Heaven and the Lobby is Hell. 107 Rivington Street, 212-475-2600; 9pm Friday, Free.

Thompson Closing In?, Charter Schools Lagging Behind, Urs Fischer Reviewed

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Friday news links

Heading into the last weekend before the city's mayoral election, an internal Thompson campaign poll shows he's narrowing the gap with Mike Bloomberg. But the Times says — not so fast!

Continue reading Thompson Closing In?, Charter Schools Lagging Behind, Urs Fischer Reviewed

Tenement Museum Launches New Program to Discuss Issues

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The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is unveiling a new program, emphasizing discussion of immigration issues. "Getting By: Past & Present," will lead visitors through restored and un-restored tenements, facilitating conversations about a wide variety of topics. The talks will focus on things like finding a job, negotiating public assistance, working in unsafe conditions, confronting racial discrimination, and struggling for acceptable housing. A museum news release notes that, "immigrants today face challenges similar to those faced by newcomers in the past."

Tour guides will use radio broadcasts, maps, newspapers, photos, and oral histories, to trigger the conversations. The program is a revised version of "Kitchen Conversations," a post tour option since 2004. For the first time, the museum is integrating the discussion with the tour itself, to create a more dynamic exchange of ideas.

The program is being offered every day at 2pm. You can see the full news release from the Tenement Museum after the jump. 

Continue reading Tenement Museum Launches New Program to Discuss Issues

Chopper Alert, Bike Lane Battles, Steampunk Slide Show

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Thursday news links

Today and tomorrow, low-flying helicopters will be buzzing the city for a movie shoot. Among the locations in which the choppers will be hovering: the Manhattan Bridge.

Continue reading Chopper Alert, Bike Lane Battles, Steampunk Slide Show

Urs Fischer Exhibition Opens at the New Museum

We stopped by the New Museum yesterday for the press preview of the long-awaited Urs Fischer exhibition. This is the first time the museum has devoted all three gallery floors to a single artist. Preparing for "Urs Fischer: Merguerite de Ponty" (open through February 7) was a monumental undertaking. Metal sculptures weighing thousands of pounds were brought in from China on airplanes. The ceiling of the second floor gallery was raised two feet. Up to 120 outside contractors were hired to make the modifications necessary to the two year old, $50 million museum. 

"Choreographed entirely by the artist," the museum explains on its web site, "the exhibition is a descent into
Fischer’s universe, revealing the world of an artist who has emerged as
one of the most exceptional talents working today." Yesterday, curator Massimiliano Gioni described the extraordinary effort that was required to pull off a show that was both artistically and logistically challenging. You'll be able to hear some of his remarks after the jump and also see one of the more talked about works in the show in action. Spoiler: the motion activated tongue seems to be working fine!

But first, some of the other pieces making up the Urs Fischer exhibition, courtesy of photographer Jenna Rice.

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Photos for The Lo-Down by Jenna Rice

Continue reading Urs Fischer Exhibition Opens at the New Museum

November’s CB3 Liquor License Applications

Community Board 3 is out with November's agenda, which means we're getting a first look at the brave restaurants and bars applying for liquor licenses. Here's the rundown:

  • Grand Park, 365 Grand Street, full liquor license (approved in June, unclear why they're returning)
  • Pommes Frites, 123A Second Avenue, wine only
  • Kumo Sushi, 96 3rd Avenue, wine only
  • La Gente, 303-305 Broome, full liquor license
  • Mad Dragon, 139 Chrystie, wine only
  • MHLC Inc, 131 E 7th, wine only
  • ChickPea, 147 East Houston, wine only
  • Nomad, 78 2nd Avenue, wine only (complaint history)
  • Destinations, 211 Avenue A, full liquor license (complaint history)
  • Iggy's Bar, 132 Ludlow, full liquor license (complaint history)
  • Kilmat, 77 East 7th, wine only (complaint history)
  • Corp to be formed, 180 Ludlow, wine only (resolution area)
  • St. Mark's Place, 6 St. Mark's Place, wine only (resolution area)
  • Inoteca, 133 Ludlow, upgrade to gull liquor (resolution area)
  • Cafetasia, 85 Avenue A, wine only (resolution area)
  • Vibrations, 116 Avenue C, full liquor license (resolution area)
  • Magz Ludlow Foods, 175 Ludlow, transfer full liquor license (formerly Le Pere Pinard)
  • Pinalto City Restaurant Inc, 293 E Houston, transfer full liquor license (formerly Clinton Restaurant)
  • Corp to be formed, 277 East 10th, transfer full liquor license (formerly Persimmon)
  • Radley Realty Corp, 325 Bowery, upgrade to full liquor license, alterations
  • Kanoyama, 175 2nd Avenue, wine only, expansion
  • Corp to be Formed, 56 3rd Ave, transfer full liquor license (formerly Lan)
  • Evolution, 68 2nd Ave, upgrade to full liquor license, expansion (formerly The Watering Hole of 2nd Ave

Community Board 3 Supports 180 Ludlow Conversion

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As we mentioned this morning, Community Board 3 has now passed a resolution in support of the conversion of the stalled hotel project at 180 Ludlow into a residential building. A preliminary proposal was hammered out at last week's land use, zoning and housing committee. But when the matter came before the full CB3 board last night, new language was added, detailing the developer's commitment to setting aside several units as "affordable housing." 

Continue reading Community Board 3 Supports 180 Ludlow Conversion

Improvements at the SLA, Albany Ethics, Stalled Condo Projects

Wednesday news links

Under new leadership, the State Liquor Authority appears to be approving licenses more quickly.

Mike Bloomberg on the attack, as Bill Thompson fails to deliver a "knockout punch."

The Times, on a new crusade against ethics abuses in Albany, rails against the almost complete lack of oversight in the reporting of outside income. As in the past, they take aim at Sheldon Silver, while conceding that there's no indication he "has done anything illegal."

Right to the City, an "alliance of grassroots organizations," has identified more than 600 condominium buildings in NYC where there are  "substantial numbers of vacant units or where construction has stalled." 116 of these buildings were on the Lower East Side. Overall, the numbers are about 25-percent higher than the figures made available from the city's Department of Buildings. 

EV Grieve readers go sleuthing for answers about that mysterious $15 million listing on East 3rd Street.

How I Learned With Blaise Allysen Kearsley

The Lo-Down recently met up with Blaise Allysen Kearsley, host of the reading series HOW I LEARNED at Happy Ending on Broome Street. Tonight's event is titled, "How I Learned What Everyone Else Already Knew". The monthly event is FREE and promises to be an entertaining evening. Visit Blaise's blog for more information about the series.

Community Board 3 Signals Support for Hotel Conversion, Cabaret Units

Last night Community Board 3 approved a resolution in support of the conversion of a stalled hotel project at 180 Ludlow Street into a rental apartment building. But several affordable housing advocates on the board insisted on adding more specific language in the resolution, detailing the developer's concessions to the community. Last week, we reported on the approval of the proposal by a committee of CB3. The developer, Serge Hoyda, lost his financing for the hotel – and he was unable to find a bank that would finance a residential project with a large number of "affordable" units. Also last night, CB3 finalized its budget priorities – the items they would like to see the city fund in the coming fiscal year. They called on the NYPD to restore funding to the specialized "cabaret units," but due to opposition from two board members who are also bar owners, they dropped it down on the list of priorities.  As we explained earlier this month, the Police Department eliminated the cabaret teams – units devoted to dealing with disturbances at bars and clubs – due to budget cutbacks. We'll have more on both of these stories later today.

Quinn’s Chilly Endorsement, Virginia Maloney Runs Marathon For Father, This is Why You’re Fat

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The Times reports Council Speaker Christine Quinn has finally endorsed Mayoral candidate Bill Thompson, even though, "She didn’t really want to give it, and he really didn’t want to accept it".

Mr. Thompson, upon learning of the endorsement, expressed all the
gratitude of a disappointed child on Christmas morning. “I welcome the
endorsement and support of everybody across the city,” he said,
appearing to lump Ms. Quinn in with a hotdog vendor in the Bronx who
vowed to support him over the weekend.

Continue reading Quinn’s Chilly Endorsement, Virginia Maloney Runs Marathon For Father, This is Why You’re Fat