By Brian J. Pape, AIA, LEED-AP   The Bell Laboratories Buildings, from 1898–1966, headquarters of Bell Telephone Laboratories, was also one of the world’s most important industrial research centers and home to many early technological inventions including the condenser microphone, automatic telephone panel and crossbar switches, the first experimental “talking pictures” (1923), black and white and color TV, video telephones, radar, the vacuum tube, the transistor, medical equipment,

By J. Taylor Basker Westbeth has been mired in controversy since its first rent strike in the 70’s and the attempt to turn it into a co-op in the 80’s, which created divisions among its residents that still persist.  The latest fight is over the Gallery, which was given to Westbeth artists when a resident

By Penny Mintz On Monday, November 18th, State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein and members of a coalition of community and city-wide organizations conducted a press conference outside of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Manhattan office building before delivering petitions signed by nearly 1,000 people.  The coalition members and the petition signers are alarmed about the closure of

By Beverly Rubik The telecom industry wants to deploy 5G antennas (small cell antennas and power supplies) in our neighborhoods and near our schools and places of work. Over the summer of 2019, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint officially began rolling out this untested technology in New York City without the informed consent of residents. There

By Michael D. Minichiello This month’s West Village Original is chef and cookbook author Anita Lo, born in Detroit in 1965. From 2000–17, Lo owned the Michelin-starred restaurant Annisa on Barrow Street. She has appeared on Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef America, and Chopped; in 2015, she became the first female guest chef to cook

By Millie (AKA Keith Michael) I’d like to set the record straight.  There’s a lot of backstory here. Let me tell you about a conspiracy of good fortune today. A package was delivered this morning and left unopened right near his desk. Perhaps the vibration of setting down the box (I think it was a

By Gail Evans I’m tired of the advice so easily dispensed during the holiday season to reach out to older relatives and neighbors who may be lonely. I’m tired also of advice to elders to “be more socially active,” as though that would magically lessen their loneliness. There’s nothing wrong with these “tips” as such.

By Gail Evans Since 1972, Visiting Neighbors (VN), a small organization in the West Village has relieved the loneliness and supported the independence of thousands of older Villagers and seniors in Chelsea, Tribeca and other communities south of 30th Street. It does this by providing services seniors need to remain connected with others and to

By J. Taylor Basker It is now December as you read this, but before Veteran’s Day in early November the Christmas items and commercials began to inundate us.  The irony of celebrating the birth of the baby Jew, Jesus, in Bethlehem, while Israel is bombing Gaza killing children, imprisoning children in Bethlehem as well as

By Gordon T. Hughes II It’s December, and that brings the holidays—all kinds of holidays, so depending on your background you’re probably celebrating one of them this month. For me it’s Christmas. This brings a great deal of pressure, what with gifts to be selected. I love Thanksgiving—no presents, no pressure, just food, really good

By Anthony Paradiso Since I like to write about sports George asked if I would write on exactly which sports groups are using Pier 40, the biggest and commercially most important of the Hudson River Park park piers (some 15 acres). Before it’s corroding piles and falling concrete ceilings began the Pier was earning $6

By The West 13th Street Alliance When the board of directors of the West 13th Street Alliance embarked on a program of community events this summer, the goal was to strengthen connection among neighborhood residents. Comments from some of the many residents who have attended confirm that the events are also educational and fun. About

By Tom Lamia I recently attended my 55th law school reunion. I would not criticize you if you looked away at this point thinking, “Okay, Boomer, what else is there to read in this fine West Village newspaper?” Stay, dear reader; there might be something for you here if you suffer, as I do, from

By Robert Kroll My trial by fire as a co-op building super came within days of moving into our cozy studio apartment on Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights. My apartment looks onto the street through four tall picture windows, unobstructed by utility poles and the attendant wires. Or at least so I thought. Fact was, there

By Isa Covott This soup is very popular in Greece and is always served when people return home from Midnight Mass. Because it’s so popular, it’s also served year round. There is a version with lamb, this one served at Easter. The Greek Jewish population adopted it and you can find it served often among

There is a renaissance of sorts for Hudson Street around 11th and Perry Streets with two flashy openings, and the soon-to-open Dante West Village across the street. Bleecker Street also has fewer empty storefronts, but most shops did not seem all that busy during the Shop Bleecker event in late November. Top Openings Small Door