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 We’ve talked so much lately about the effort to revitalize Luther Gulick Park. But let’s not forget that another group, the Friends of Seward Park, have done some really amazing work over the past several years to beautify a neighborhood resource that had also been neglected.
But the green thumb is apparently contagious: we received an email the other day from an organization that will also be doing its part in Seward Park, this weekend. “Dating for a Cause” will be holding its monthly volunteer event in the park Saturday from 10-1.
Continue reading Spreading Compost and a Little Love in Seward Park
 
 The other day we posted some of the video highlights from “Take Back Our Park Day” in Luther Gulick Park. The Friends of Gulick Park are now out with a wrap-up and a look at what’s next in their campaign to revitalize this neglected public space. Here’s their report (along with some photos we shot on Sunday):
Thank you, for coming to the park this past Sunday to share your enthusiasm and ideas for a renovated Gulick Park! Seeing so many neighbors there–we estimate about 250-300 people–really revitalized the space and reinforced that it holds a lot of possibility. Much fun was had and many great ideas were collected. The Lo-Down put together a nice video of the day and some of the speakers.
Continue reading Friends of Gulick Park Look Ahead
 Mikhail Iliatov in his workspace studio at Abrons Arts Center There are six artists in residence who have been working away in shared workspaces over at Abrons Arts Center since last fall. Their exhibition, AIRspace 2010, opens tonight – and the studios will be open to the public this weekend, for anyone who’s curious about what they’ve been up to all this time. The artists’ work ranges from painting to printmaking, to sculpture and installation.
I recently stopped by the studios to speak with Mikhail Iliatov, an artist who works with sound. Continue reading The Art of Sound — at the Abrons Arts Center
Maloney poll indicates big lead over Saujani (Daily News).
Wall Street runs for Congress (Village Voice).
Margaret Chin: “a strong voice in Chinatown.” (NY1).
Continue reading Maloney’s Big Lead, Slow-Going in East River Park, Silver Apples at Abrons
 Inside Economy Candy. Photo from Dave Nance's Flickr photostream. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day – sunny skies and a high of 80. Ditto tomorrow. Coming up this morning, we’ll have a wrap-up of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s meeting yesterday with activists in Chinatown. Also – a look at the Tenement Museum’s new tour, which explores the neighborhood from 1935-present day.
 Last month we noted the election of Jeanne Wilcke as the new president of the Downtown Independent Democrats (DID), one of Lower Manhattan’s most influential political clubs. Recently I stopped by her NOHO loft to discuss what’s ahead in downtown politics and what she’s hoping to accomplish as the organization’s new leader.
A longtime neighborhood activist, Wilcke has served on Community Board 2, led the Friends of NOHO and was campaign manager for Pete Gleason, a candidate in last year’s first district City Council race. She is well acquainted with the boom and bust cycles that have defined and transformed New York City. After leaving a career on Wall Street, she co-founded a real estate firm that bought up dozens of buildings in Manhattan and ran them as rental properties, before wisely downsizing the business in 2003. These days, Wilcke is playing an increasingly active role as a political and community organizer.
Continue reading A New Era for Downtown Political Club
Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this week:
 Noam Weinstein
NOAM WEINSTEIN – Found Alive | Wednesday, May 19, 21 & 23 | 7pm
Noam Weinstein (pronounced ‘styne’, not ‘steen’) is one of those special artists who has the vision as well as the tools. Continue reading This Week’s Music Picks
 Image from leaduganda.org Third City, New York will host an artist showcase benefiting L.E.A.D Uganda – founded by photographer Stephen Shames – to raise money for abandoned children in Uganda affected by AIDS, war, and poverty. Continue reading Artists Showcase to Benefit Ugandan Children at Gallery Bar Tonight
 Last year's rally at City Hall As we reported back in March, many of the city’s non-profit organizations have banded together to save dozens of after school programs slashed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Since that time, they’ve launched a Facebook Page and are churning out YouTube videos. (You can see a video the coalition has prepared after the jump.)
The campaign, led by the Educational Alliance, is focused on a petition drive, which you can participate in by following the link to the “Save After School Now” web page.
Continue reading The New Fight to Save After School Programs
The large personal injury law firm, Writz & Luxenberg, is “pouring money” into the upcoming campaign for attorney general. Writes Danny Hakim: the firm “already has one heavyweight in Albany (Sheldon Silver). Now it appears (it) would like a second.” (NYT).
Sheldon Silver suggests latest Paterson budget strategy is “theater.” (Times Union)
Margaret Chin leads protest against budget cuts (DNA Info).
Continue reading Influential Law Firm Steps Into AG Race, Chin Leads Budget Protest, a Green Roof on East 5th Street
 From the Hester Street Fair's Facebook Page. Look for clearing skies as the day goes on, with a high of 64. 78 and sunny tomorrow. We wanted to mention this morning the Hester Street Fair is looking for volunteers this weekend to help with their Spring Clean, for the Chinatown fire victims. Continue reading Good Morning!
The New Amsterdam Market doesn’t return to the South Street Seaport until June 27th. But you’ll get a taste of what’s to come Saturday at the New York Marble Cemetery on 2nd Avenue. The City of Merchants fundraiser supports the Market and features all kinds of wholesome foods from local purveyors. See more information here.
Continue reading LES Food Wire
 Today we continue our series of interviews with community activists engaged in the ongoing debate about the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA). The development site near the Williamsburg Bridge has languished for 43 years, as neighbors feuded about what should be built on five parcels condemned in 1967.
Recently I met with David Nieves, a longtime resident of the Seward Park Extension, a public housing development at the corner of Grand and Essex streets. The complex, consisting of 359 apartments in two 23-story towers, sits on a part of SPURA that was redeveloped in the early 1970′s. Nieves moved to the Seward Extension with his family when he was a boy.
Sitting at a concrete table in a ground floor courtyard, Nieves talked about his family’s history in the neighborhood, his involvement with the SPURA issue and what he’d like to see happen as a CB3 task force steps up its efforts to coalesce around a development plan.
Continue reading TLD Interview: Tenant Advocate David Nieves
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