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 Rep. Jerry Nadler talks with DID members. Photos by Victoria Lau. It was a who’s who of downtown politics at Sean Sweeney’s Soho loft yesterday afternoon. The influential political club, Downtown Independent Democrats, held its annual fundraiser, a chance to share a drink or two, devour some shrimp and chew over the upcoming primary races. Sweeney, who stepped down as president a few weeks ago, gave us a tour of his impressive rooftop garden. The club’s new president, Jeanne Wilcke, told us she had a nice chat with U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who’s facing a highly publicized challenge from Reshma Saujani. Continue reading Elected Officials, Candidates Flock to Political Club’s Fundraiser
 
The following post was authored by Yori Yanover of the Grand Street News. The Lo-Down welcomes your articles, editorials, photos and video submissions. You can reach us at tips@thelodownny.com (or via the link in our left-hand sidebar).
 East River promenade reaching south of Williamsburg Bridge. Photo by Yori Yanover On my morning walk this past weekend, after shul, I decided to check out how far the East River Park promenade renovation has reached. I’m happy to report that the railing and the pavement, which start up near 14th Street, now go all the way down to the old fireboat house, south of the WB.
It’s an old, personal scar for me, this promenade. I will never forget the day, on the eve of the Fourth of July, 2000, when then Mayor Giuliani was informed there were holes the size of a small car in the promenade pavement, and he ordered the whole damned thing fenced off. Then, for years, the city spent much money on police patrols to prevent cyclist, runners and walkers from using the promenade, and not one penny on fixing it.
Continue reading Fear & Loathing in East River Park
This afternoon we received an email from Public Advocate Bill De Blasio’s office, saying:
Although the New York City Charter Commission is currently amending our city’s constitution, most New Yorkers are oblivious to these upcoming changes. Since March, the Commission has held eight public hearings, but only 1,000 people — .012% of the City’s population — have shown up. This lack of public engagement in such an important issue may have major effects on how New York City government is run. The Public Advocate’s office is encouraging all New Yorkers to urge the Commission to make the charter revision process as democratic as possible. The Charter Commission’s next public hearing is tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Continue reading Public Advocate Urges Public to Pay Attention to Charter Review
Saturday night, staff, clients and supporters of the Bowery Mission gathered outside those legendary red doors for a special celebration…
Continue reading A Portion of the Bowery Becomes “Bowery Mission Way”
Cuomo and Silver on collision course? (Daily News)
Cuomo’s Q&A: “taking a pass on protecting Silver.” (Capital Tonight)
Anti-violence filmmakers visit LES (NYT).
Continue reading Cuomo-Silver Clash?, Post Highlights Delancey Dangers, Fighting Violence Through Film
 New York Marble Cemetery, via the New Amsterdam Market's Flickr Photostream. Here’s a look at “City of Merchants,” the New Amsterdam Market’s weekend fundraiser at the New York Marble Cemetery. The market returns to the South Street Seaport next month. Overcast, rain showers and a high of 72 today. Clearing tomorrow – and pushing 90 degrees by Wednesday. Coming up today, the Bowery gets a new name, downtown politicos gather and romance on the rooftop!
 Here’s this week’s email blast from the Hester Street Fair:
First thing’s first…we are hosting a SPRING CLEAN SALE for the families affected by the recent fire on Grand Street in Chinatown. Local residents, hipsters, stylists and friends cleaned out their fabulous closets last weekend and it’s all on sale, this Sunday, May 23, with every penny being donated to the fire fund. All week long you’ve been able to eat at some local favorite joints offering proceeds of sales and this is the final event. I’m hoping it will be a big number after so many have participated and generously donated. From never worn limited edition Reeboks to a full Iron Man 2 box set compete with helmet to lots of barely worn designer duds, everything is priced to GO! Come shop, drop off stuff in the morning and support our neighbors in need.
Continue reading This Weekend’s Hester Street Fair Lineup
 Flowers on Essex is making a move to Grand Street, taking over the space previously occupied by Isabella’s Oven. The shop has been located at 51 Essex Street for about 7 years. A short time ago the owner, Bill Frazer, told me he’s looking forward to expanding in a larger storefront, which comes with a fairly large backyard.
Frazer plans to set up a nursery in the back, stage occasional art shows and maybe even add a pumpkin patch for the kids before Halloween. A “soft opening” is anticipated in about three weeks, with a grand opening party in 7 or 8 weeks.
Continue reading Flowers on Essex Moving to Old Isabella’s Space
We all know the one constant on the Lower East Side is change. Decade after decade, each emerging immigrant group has refashioned the neighborhood to suit its needs. If you walk up Chrystie Street towards Delancey, you’ll see visual evidence of this phenomenon on the exterior of Templo Adventista del Septimo (the Seventh Day Adventist Church). A Star of David is still visible behind the large cross in the center of the facade, an indication of the building’s former life as a synagogue.
The building is one of the featured stops on the Lower East Side Tenement Museum’s new walking tour, “Next Steps,” an exploration of our neighborhood post-1935. Recently we were invited to tag along, during a special version of the tour led by Annie Polland (VP of Education) and Dave Favaloro (Director of Curatorial Affairs).
Continue reading “Next Steps” at the Tenement Museum
Charter school negotiations making some progress (Daily News).
Soho Alliance questions proposed Chinatown BID (Downtown Express).
Not so fast Chloe! No special treatment if you want to join CB3 (Daily News).
Continue reading Charter School Talks, Chinatown BID, Free Coffee
What is one to do with a warm spring weekend laying in wait? Along with our music picks, mentioned here, and the open studios at Abrons, here are a few more ideas:
 Movie still from I'm Here by Spike Jonze Rooftop Films will be on the Open Road Rooftop with Hopelessly Devoted, a collection of romantic shorts about “the sacrifices and struggles we all endure for love.” The program will include the much-raved-about new short, I’m Here, by Spike Jonze. The evening will start with live music from Brooklyn band, Frances.// $10 // 8pm // Open Road Rooftop above New Design High School – 350 Grand St. //
Continue reading Weekend Guide
 Photo from ianqui's Flickr photostream.
Mostly sunny today with a high of 82. A bit cooler tomorrow, but still nice, and rain showers on Sunday. Coming up we’ll have a few suggestions for your weekend on the LES. Happy National Bike to Work Day!
New this week from the Hester Street Fair: a pictorial preview of what to expect this weekend. Head on over to their Facebook Page for the full album…
The Chinatown Working Group (CWG) did not request a meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. On the contrary, the White House asked him to pay a visit to the community planning organization yesterday. But presented with the opportunity to discuss the neighborhood’s most pressing transportation problems, they made the most of the unexpected offer.
As the panel, representing 50 downtown groups, nears the completion of a comprehensive blueprint for Chinatown’s future, one transportation issue in particular looms large. Even the location of yesterday’s meeting was designed to underscore their point — the time has come (almost a decade after 9/11) to reopen Park Row.
Continue reading Activists Ask Feds to Assess Park Row Security Threat
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