THE RELUCTANT SPRING: We thought it would never get here, but at last, come mid-April… The magnolias burst into bloom Creativity blossomed Creatures great and small mirrored the mood And in Abingdon Square a gentleman enjoyed the novelty of sitting in the sun to strum a favorite tune for an appreciative friend.
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: New Life
By Tom Lamia Rejuvenation is a word I seldom use, but it has come to mind today as I think of what I might write to honor a new season. Spring is not here yet, not fully in the West Village, and certainly not here in Maine, but it is near enough to inspire. On
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L’amour
By Keith Michael A tuft of down is worrying Millie’s nose. A forceful shake of her head doesn’t dislodge it. It’s too high for her tongue to reach. And it’s an ordeal to stretch her leg around from the back for a good itch. Conveniently, her corgi legs make for a short dip to the
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In and Out
This month closings continued unabated. A specialist on high-rent blight, of the kind we are seeing on Christopher and Bleecker Streets, had a possible explanation for why landlords might keep stores empty rather than accepting a lower rent: if a landlord has a number of properties, and is looking for a loan from the bank
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Then & Now: The High Line on Washington Street: Before & After
By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP It is too easy to forget; this neighborhood has been through many dramatic changes. Most of what is now land west of Greenwich Street was originally in the “North River” so as the riverbank was landfilled, the City laid out West Street by 1824, and bought the Newgate site,
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso Spring is a fraud. People get all excited about a nice day in April because it’s so rare. ___ Did Shakespeare talk Shakespeare when he was out with the boys? ___ No one should have guns except the army and police—as in the civilized countries. ___ The trees are waiting for spring’s
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Loon-acy
By Keith Michael Millie is pressing her corgi nose through the railing at Hudson River Park, eyes squinting into the wind. I’m pressing against the railing too, trying to keep my balance, also squinting into the wind (with eyes tearing from the cold), scanning the river for any blip in the white caps that might
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso Writers are at their best while writing. The rest of the time they’re just as dumb as everyone else. ___ Reducing your tip is a loss of face. ___ The one who calls is the one in need. ___ Animals are hard to like. They’re so much like people. ___ The real
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How Did You Sleep Last Night?
By Joy Pape Last month I wrote about sleep and how many of us have misconceptions about sleep. One misconception is we think our brain rests during sleep, when in reality, we now know it is a time our brain is actively going through needed cycles of sleep stages. I also wrote of the misconception
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: Reading the New York Times in Maine
By Tom Lamia In South Bristol, Maine, I keep up with events by watching television and reading. The New York Times online edition is a good source. It is adequate, but not fully satisfying. My God, do I miss reading the New York Times on paper. Having news of world events available from trusted sources
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In and Out
The sale of Chelsea Market by Jamestown Properties to Google has been finalized, and the good news is that Google has assured the community that “Jamestown will continue to manage the retail and food hall.” This month we sensed that Village landlords were beginning to accept the new rent realities: a “for rent” sign in
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Can You Spot A Killer?
By Peter Saitta DO How many times have you been suntanning with a large aluminum foil sun reflector with baby oil getting a killer tan? Most of us have and “killer” is a word I chose wisely. Statistically speaking, more than half of us will get a skin cancer because we have all been exposed
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Then & Now: Scenes Around Greenwich Village
By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP This iconic landmark was almost destroyed in 1958 after the city and courts decided to vacate it. Through the concerted efforts of Village activists, a new Public Library branch was opened after restoration of intricate brick and stonework by architect Giorgio Cavaglieri from 1962-1967. More restoration was done in
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Greenwich House Raises the Bar (Literally) with New Taste After-Party Cocktail Competition
By Joe Salas What do a bar on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center, a Fashion Week hangout, and a restaurant deemed one of the 10 most romantic in the world have in common? They are all among the participants helping to raise money for the local, nonprofit social service organization Greenwich House at its
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Joy’s Health Tips: How Did You Sleep Last Night?
By Joy Pape, FNP-C CDE CILC As I get older, I am more aware of a certain saying almost every morning, “Waking up is hard to do.” I’ve always been a morning person, but the time I wake up is earlier, and cheerfully jumping out of bed is harder. There are several misunderstandings about sleep.
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Then & Now: Scenes Around Greenwich Village
By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP If it’s not obvious, this circa-1910 view looking north up 5th Avenue was taken from atop the Washington Arch at Washington Square Park. On the near right is Washington Mews behind the townhouses of Washington Square North, which was known as Waverly Place back then. On the near left
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West Village Original: Peter Leitch
By Michael D. Minichiello This month’s West Village Original is jazz guitarist Peter Leitch, born in Ottawa in 1944 and raised in Montreal. Leitch released his first solo album in 1981 and then about 15 more over the years. As a sideman, he has recorded with Jeri Brown, Oscar Peterson, Woody Shaw, and Pete Yellin,
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Superb Owl Sunday
By Keith Michael It’s the weekend. And it’s early. I confess, I cajoled Millie into walking over to Hudson River Park to take her Corgi steps along the semi-circular stone path in front of the AIDS Memorial. I can still choke up when I let myself take more than a cursory glance at the enigmatic
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Maggie B’s Quick Clicks
A GREAT DAY FOR COREY, COREY JOHNSON THAT IS – when, on January 29th, he was sworn in as City Council Speaker by New York Senator Chuck Schumer at a festive Inauguration Ceremony in the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Theater. And a very good time was had by all:
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso You’re lonely when you look at a clock and it’s not as late as you’d like. ___ A great event always produces a conspiracy theory. ___ Snowflake by snowflake, the winter departs and days grow stealthily longer. ___ The ornery inertness of the inanimate. ___ Rooftops twinkling with rain. ___ As
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Readers’ Clicks
WestView contributor Caroline Benveniste recently captured this playful image in front of An’s Tae Kwon Do school at 162 7th Avenue South (near Perry Street): Continue sending us your clicks and captions to westviewarticles@gmail.com and include your name if you are seeking community fame. (When emailing your photos, please include ‘Readers’ Clicks’ in the subject
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In and Out
This month, the big real estate news was that Google, in its quest to obtain more office space, was not only buying the Chelsea Market building but also increasing its footprint at Pier 57 at 15th Street. Originally, Anthony Bourdain had been planning a huge international “street food” market at the pier, but those plans
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Maggie B’s Quick Clicks
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…When winter comes, spring can’t be far behind!
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: Talking Points
By Tom Lamia It’s been cold here in Maine, with overnight temperatures below zero. The pond behind my house has developed a thick layer of ice. It is ice fishing season, a time for true Mainers to get out of the house and enjoy food, drink, and good stories with friends while sitting in a
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Theater Company Ars Nova Finds New Home in Greenwich Village
By Joe Salas Following a year-long search, Ars Nova has been selected by Greenwich House as its new partner and operator of the historic, 199-seat Greenwich House Theater located on the ground floor of Greenwich House’s 27 Barrow Street building. In addition to operating and filling the beloved venue with new work by its emerging
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Readers’ Clicks
WestView reader Donna Kitch recently captured the whimsy of this ice-cold season: Continue sending us your clicks and captions to westviewarticles@gmail.com and include your name if you are seeking community fame. (When emailing your photos, please include ‘Readers’ Clicks’ in the subject line.)
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Seeing Red
By Keith Michael Red door. Red brick. Red fire escape. Red chimney. Red stop sign. Red ‘No Standing Anytime’ sign. Red traffic light. Red scarf. Red ribbons on a sagging Christmas wreath. Red stroller. Red boots. Red pom-pom on a hat. Red car. Red taillights. Red- and-white corgi (Millie suggested I throw that one in).
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Are You Afraid of Falling?
By Joy Pape, FNP-C CDE CILC If you are afraid of falling, know that you are not alone. In some ways, that fear can be helpful, but in other ways, it may not. During this time of year, I read, along with the daily weather forecast, the warnings of ice on the ground, even ‘black
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Jim Fouratt’s – Have You Heard?
February 2018 2018 is a critical year for electoral politics in our country and in our state. I want to talk to you about what can be done to change how politics are being played out in Washington, DC, the state, and the city. I will ask you, the reader, the same questions I have
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In & Out
As usually happens in January, there were few openings and numerous closings, some of them due to lease issues. Corey Johnson, the new City Council Speaker, said that he was in favor of a hearing on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA), which, as described on the City Council website is, “A Local Law
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Then & Now: Scenes Around Greenwich Village
By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP In the depths of the Great Depression, 1936, Berenice Abbott was hired by the Federal Art Project (1935-1943) to photograph NYC, including this fascinating view in the West Village, standing near Hudson Street and looking west down Christopher Street. Front and center is the 9th Avenue Line—an elevated commuter
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