2010 April 30 | 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.