2010 April | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Ken’s Music Pick: Anna Haas at Mercury Lounge

Moyna Flannigan, Femme (Scarlet) at Dodge Gallery

Gallery Goer: What to See This Week

Luther Gulick Park. Photo credit: Friends of Gulick Park.

“It’s My Park Day” on Sunday at Luther Gulick Park

Restaurant Recycling Program Expands to Chinatown

There was the Speaker – Sheldon Silver – standing on a crowded street in Chinatown this afternoon, peering into a large vat of old cooking oil. Photographers jockeyed for position to get a good view. Not a bad photo op. This slick (sorry) bit of political stagecraft in front of the massive dim sum palace, Jing Fong, was intended to promote the expansion of an innovative restaurant recycling program.

Continue reading Restaurant Recycling Program Expands to Chinatown

Businesses Hit Hard by Grand Street Fire

This afternoon, workers are finishing up the demolition of 283 and 285 Grand, as local businesses try to bounce back after being closed for nearly three weeks. Yesterday, the city reopened the sidewalk on the north side of the street — but autombiles are still being re-routed around Grand. We spoke with the owners of two businesses today. We’ll have their story on Monday.

City Finance Commissioner to Meet with LES Property/Business Owners Next Week

Next week, property and business owners in the neighborhood have a rare opportunity to meet face to face with David Frankel, the city’s finance commissioner. He’ll be coming to CB3′s economic development committee meeting on Tuesday to answer questions about recent increases in property tax assessments and other related issues.

In recent weeks, quite a few business owners have come to Community Board 3, saying they’re getting socked with much larger property tax bills. Frankel will explain how the city calculates assessments and listen to feedback from the community.

Community Board 3 is urging property and business owners to attend the meeting, which will be held at 630pm, at the JASA Green Residence (Bowery). If you have specific questions you’d like to address, CB3 would like to hear from you in advance. Call their office at 212-533-5300.

Community Gardens Book Signing & Party Tomorrow

We received an email from Grace Tankersley this week, telling us about her book signing coming up tomorrow at the Creative Little Garden, 530 East 6th Street (Between Avenues A and B). Grace has written, “Community Gardens of the East Village.” The signing and party takes place from 2-430pm, and will be followed by an organic wine tasting at Umbrella Arts (on East 9th Street). The book tells the story of the community garden movement in the East Village, that rescued many public spaces in the neighborhood from the urban decay and blight of the 70′s and 80′s. The book also includes a guide to 39 gardens in Lower Manhattan. For more information go to Grace’s web site.

Council Questions Bike Seizures, In Search of ATM Thieves, Grand Street Update

City Councilmember Peter Vallone wants answers from the NYPD about the bike seizure operation during the President’s visit (NYT).

Caught on tape: bike seizures (Gothamist).

NYPD’s former traffic chief supports bill mandating release of traffic accident info (Streetsblog).

Continue reading Council Questions Bike Seizures, In Search of ATM Thieves, Grand Street Update

The Hester Street Fair's Humble Beginnings

By now, just about the whole world (or at least all of New York) knows about the Hester Street Fair. But as organizers prepare for their second weekend, it’s worth telling, as Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story.” We’ve already heard a lot about the team behind the Fair, including MTV’s SuChin Pak and architect Ron Castellano. But there’s another group that was also instrumental in launching one of the most talked about events the neighborhood has seen in years.

Continue reading The Hester Street Fair’s Humble Beginnings

Taste of the LES: San Marzano Brick Oven Pizzeria

This afternoon we have the final installment of our series leading up to the 10th annual Taste of the Lower East Side. The benefit for the Grand Street Settlement begins this evening at 7 o’clock. We’re wrapping up with San Marzano Brick Oven Pizzeria on Clinton Street. Recently, I stopped by to talk with David Malekan, who owns the restaurant with his brothers, Kourosh and Kamran.

Dave practiced law and he worked on Wall Street. But toiling in the corporate world did not appeal to him. These days his office is a sunny perch at the corner of Clinton and Rivington Streets. San Marzano has been open since 2008. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a wood fired stone hearth oven imported from Italy.

Continue reading Taste of the LES: San Marzano Brick Oven Pizzeria

NYPD Opposes Releasing Crash Data, CHARAS Update, Lit Lounge Faces Neighbors

NYPD opposes City Council bill requiring the release of accident info (Daily News).

MTA prepares for layoffs (NYT).

Public Advocate speaks out on City Council’s use of “member items.” (WNYC).

Continue reading NYPD Opposes Releasing Crash Data, CHARAS Update, Lit Lounge Faces Neighbors

Good Morning!

Students from Parsons make Alias (on Clinton Street) their canvas. You can see more photos and read about the art project on the restaurant’s Facebook Page. It’s going to be another windy day, with a high of 51.

Taste of the LES: Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Photo by roboppy via Flickr.

The Grand Street Settlement’s Taste of the Lower East is just a day away. For the past month, we’ve been profiling many of this year’s participants. We saved one of the most enticing entries until second last – il laboratorio del gelato, the walk-up ice cream mecca on Orchard Street.

Jon Snyder comes from ice cream royalty. His grandfather, James Ceriale, built many of the original Carvel stores, starting in 1951. After returning from Italy at age 19, Snyder decided to strike out on his own, creating the Ciao Bella Gelato Company. Before long, he was selling to the city’s most formidable restaurants, including the River Cafe and the Russian Tea Room. Snyder sold the company in 1989 but he could not stay away.

Continue reading Taste of the LES: Il Laboratorio del Gelato

Funeral Services for Harry Wieder

We now have information about Harry Wieder’s funeral. It will be held Friday at noon, at the Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels in Forest Hills. Follow this link for directions and contact information.

Also this afternoon, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is out with the following statement:

I was extremely saddened to learn about the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Harry Wieder, a longtime advocate and member of Community Board 3. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He leaves behind a huge void in the communities he served. How terrible that someone who worked to improve transportation for all was struck by a taxi. We can honor his life by continuing to fight for safer roads, and furthering his legacy of equality and access for all.

Continue reading Funeral Services for Harry Wieder

This Week's Music Picks

Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on (and near) the Lower East Side this week:

Heavy Trash

Heavy Trash – Thursday, April 29 | 7:30pm at The Mercury Lounge

Hardcore rockabilly super-shredders Matt Verta-Ray and Jon Spencer team up for Heavy Trash, a wild mix of old school rhythm & blues, and energized, post-punk wailing. Continue reading This Week’s Music Picks

Choreographer Alwin Nikolais' Centennial Celebration

Abrons Arts Center will be hosting a centennial celebration of the birth of the visionary choreographer Alwin Nikolais (Artistic Director of the Henry Street Playhouse from 1948-69) this weekend beginning with a “live dance documentary,” on Friday, April 30th at 8pm. Dance legends Murray Louis and Phyllis Lamhut join with over 30 other artists, teachers, students, and fans onstage to honor Nikolais’ life and enduring influence. Curated by Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham.

Continue reading Choreographer Alwin Nikolais’ Centennial Celebration

Education Council Discusses Dual Language Programs Tonight

There will be presentations from two Lower East Side schools developing dual language programs at District 1′s Education Council meeting tonight.

The Shuang Wen School (P.S. 184) is sought after by parents citywide for its dual language curriculum. Back in January, we reported the Department of Education had determined the school did not meet city, state and federal requirements for official “dual language” status. Since sometime last year the DOE and the school have been working to implement new academic programs and admissions policies to bring the school into compliance.

Continue reading Education Council Discusses Dual Language Programs Tonight

How I Learned: Once Was Enough at Happy Ending Tonight

Tonight’s How I Learned series at Happy Ending is titled, How I Learned Once Was Enough. This month’s evening of revelry for writers, comedians, storytellers, bloggers and performers as chosen by hostess Blaise Allysen Kearsley will feature: John Wray (Lowboy), Margot Leitman (Stripped Stories), Adam Wade (The Moth) and Lauren Frey Daisley (The Morning News).

Doors open at 7pm. Revelry begins at 8pm. FREE.

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