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 The New York Times
The photo in this morning’s New York Times tells the story: Rep. Carolyn Maloney celebrating a convincing victory in the Democratic Primary last night. In spite of a spirited challenge from challenger Reshma Saujani, she carried the 14th Congressional District (including part of the Lower East Side) with about 80-percent of the vote. Continue reading Good Morning: Maloney Victorious, Mega-Gallery Preview, Birdbath at the New Museum
A trusted source tells us the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted earlier today to protect the historic Loew’s Canal Theater. The landmarking covers the 1920′s era facade, but not the rest of the sprawling building that snakes around to Ludlow Street.
Today’s decision is a big win for preservation advocates. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the theater, shuttered for decades, will be restored and opened to the public anytime soon. The owner, Chinatown businessman Thomas Sung, has been weighing whether it’s feasible to reopen the theater (as some sort of public facility), while building luxury apartments overhead. We placed a call to Sung’s daughter, Vera, earlier today. We’ll let you know if she responds.
Last year, a group in Chinatown proposed transforming the theater into a Chinese cultural center. Amy Chin, the organization’s director, was forced to abandon those plans when the Sung family made it clear it was not prepared to make a quick decision about its investment property.
In the past, Sung has said he supported landmarking.
For the past few months, we’ve been following the saga of 183 East Broadway, a stalled development a few doors down from the historic Forward Building. Last night, the owner appeared before Community Board 3 for the fourth time in a year, hoping to gain an ally in his protracted fight with the Department of Buildings.
In the spring of 2009, the city slapped a stop work order on the building, ruling that it was too large for the lot (which extends from East Broadway to Henry Street) but also that it violates New York’s “Sliver Law.” Continue reading Owner of 183 E. Bwy. Entices Community with New Offer
 Rep. Carolyn Maloney cast her vote this morning.
There are reports coming in from across New York City that new voting machines are causing all sorts of trouble. Rivals in the 14th Congressional District (Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Reshma Saujani) didn’t seem to have any trouble submitting their ballots. But we’re hearing from Lower East Side voters that all is not well at many polling locations. Continue reading Poll Problems

Lisa has been taking ballet classes since she was a kid, so there wasn’t much doubt after moving to Grand Street a few years ago, she’d be searching out a place to dance on the Lower East Side. The fact that she ended up at the Abrons Art Center is not all that surprising. A Broadway stage manager, Lisa was well aware of both the institution’s current reputation for cutting edge performing arts as well as its important place in the history of New York theater. Continue reading Sponsored Post: Registration Now Open For Abrons Arts Center Fall Classes

The City Parks Foundation is sponsoring a free event in Corlears Hook Park tomorrow morning: a puppet show! The performance of “Sleeping Beauty” was rescheduled due to rain. Corlears Hook Park is at Cherry and Jackson Streets.
 Carolyn Maloney, Reshma Saujani
It’s primary day in New York. One of the highest profile races in the state is centered in the 14th Congressional District, which includes sections of the Lower East Side. Political observers are looking closely at Reshma Saujani’s run against Rep. Carolyn Maloney, as a barometer of the potency of the anti-incumbent backlash this year. Continue reading Good Morning: Primary Day, Loew’s Canal Landmarking, “The Local” Debuts
This afternoon, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is out with a statement on the final rules submitted by the NYC Parks Department on community gardens:
“The new rules put forward by the Parks Department provide important protections for the community gardens that mean so much to our neighborhoods. Those who dedicate their time and enormous effort to creating and maintaining these gardens deserve to know that as long as they adhere to certain standards, the fruits of their labor will be protected. The residents of my Lower Manhattan community deserve the vital green space that these gardens provide. We must remain vigilant in making sure that these protections are maintained so that future generations can continue to enjoy these urban oases.”
 9th Street & Avenue C Community Garden & Park. All photos by Matthew McDermott
As we reported a few minutes ago, the NYC Parks Department has agreed today to strengthen protections for the city’s community gardens. An earlier version of proposed rule changes did not sit well with many neighborhood activists, who feared the city might be tempted to sell the garden sites to developers.
Coincidentally, we recently discovered a beautiful (and as it turns out, a very timely) collection of photographs documenting some of the community gardens in and around the Lower East Side. The photos were taken by East Village resident Matthew McDermott, senior writer for treehugger.com and planetgreen.com. We asked Mat to send us some of his favorite photographs from his series and to tell us a little about what inspired him to document the gardens. His story and the photos are featured after the jump:
Continue reading Guest Post: Finding Inspiration in LES Gardens
 9th Street & Avenue C - Community Garden. Photo by Matthew McDermott.
A short time ago, NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, with elected officials and neighborhood activists at his side, announced the city is making some concessions to more fully protect the city’s community gardens. Protesters had strongly opposed the city’s proposed new rules, which they argued would have made the gardens more susceptible to development. Continue reading City Strenthens Protections for Community Gardens
 Corlear's Hook Dog Run. Photo by Jennifer Strom.
Three stories we have been following will be the subject of community meetings on the Lower East Side tonight. First, a fledgling group hoping to improve the dog run at Corlear’s Hook Park will hold an organizing meeting. It’ll take place at 6pm, at the dog run (the park is located at Cherry and Jackson streets). Continue reading Dog Run Improvements, Building Issues to be Discussed Tonight
 6th & B Community Garden. Photo by Matthew McDermott
At 10:30 this morning, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe is expected to announce a compromise presumably ending a dispute that erupted this summer over the future of New York’s community gardens. Continue reading Good Morning: Community Gardens Deal, Post Seizes on Bialystoker Controversy, Spoon Plays on LES Today

Nike is throwing a big party tonight (7-10pm), after the U.S. Open men’s final, here on the Lower East Side. It’ll be held on the tennis courts at Seward Park High School on Essex Street. There will be tennis clinics, handball games, music by DJ Enuff and t-shirt giveaways. Check out Nike’s Facebook page for more info.
 6BC Botanical Garden courtesy of Matthew McDermott
Arts for Art has asked us to pass along the word that there is a rain date scheduled for their event, “Art in Gardens,” which is supposed to kick off today with the premier of William Parker’s 15 Piece Bass Composition: Segments of Light (details mentioned previously here). If need be, the Rain Date for today’s event will be next Sunday, Sept. 19 at 1:30 in the First First Street Garden (next to 50 E 1st Street btwn 1st & 2nd Ave).
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