Dear Mr. Capsis: Thank you so much for all you are doing to try to reopen St. Veronica’s Church. I attended Sunday mass on June 25th and the final reunion mass on July 23rd. Both times, I could barely hold back the tears. I had lived around the corner from the church from 1982 to
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Elizabeth Street Garden Debate Continues
Dear Editors: I want to respond to Alec Pruchnicki’s “analysis” of the demographics of those who use the Elizabeth Street Garden. I visited the garden on Saturday, August 5th, a gorgeous day full of sunshine, which made everything look magnificent. I didn’t see any zombies there. What I did see were families, children playing, international
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Tracking Changes in the Village
Dear Editors: I just looked at the August issue of WestView and noted that the recent passing of Paul Bellardo was not mentioned. I assume that was because you had already gone to press when he died. I remember well his shop on Christopher Street. I also noticed that, in “In and Out,” you say
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Tearing Down Statues
Dear Editors: If we must tear down statues, then let’s tear down the one of General Philip Sheridan in Sheridan Square. My suggestion for a replacement is either Benjamin Lay, 18th-century Quaker dwarf and abolitionist, or the great Lakota Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse. John Early West Village resident
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Illegal Postings: Making an Impact
WestView reader and contributor Ben Benson, along with other concerned residents, tirelessly protects the Village landscape from the onslaught of illegal postings. Benson consistently informs the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) of the fliers he observes and even works to remove them himself. Below is the message he received from the DSNY’s Director of Enforcement,
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Everybody’s Doctor
Dear George, My name is Kelly Ferguson, and I am the granddaughter of Matt Ferguson and the daughter of Andy Ferguson. Matt, and his kids Matt, Andy, Terry, Timmy, Michael, and Mary Kate, said that they grew up with you and your family in the West Village. I had been living with my grandfather in
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Saving Beth Israel
To All: I am delighted by the vigor of your collective efforts to save Beth Israel. It is what we should have done when they were closing St. Vincent’s Hospital. The pages of WestView are open to you. — George Capsis Dear George: I am insulted by your statement, “…what we should have done when
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George Complains
I have the feeling that our WestView readership tends to be older. I mean, I get calls from people who do not have computers, or even a nearby friend who has one, and we still get subscriptions by mail. My tech savvy production people lecture me on revamping the online edition for “younger readers” and
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Congratulations, You Just Won a Scam
A West Village resident recently told me, “George, I just got this crazy call that I had won money and all I had to do was go down to Rite-Aid…[S]omebody was waiting to give me a check if I would just pay him.” She gave me a number and I called it and reached a
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Kill the Zombie Park Already Part IV: Put the Garden on the Roof
By Alec Pruchnicki Yes, put it on the roof. This is a complicated but not impossible process if both sides work together. There are rooftop farms (e.g., Rosemary’s restaurant), rooftop gardens (e.g., P.S. 41), and extensive green roofs with potential public access proposed for Essex Crossing at Essex and Delancy Streets. These and many others
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso Little girls don’t walk. They skip. There is more politics at a family dinner table than in any smoke-filled convention room. Sleep is a many-peopled ride through a carnival funhouse with familiar faces popping out at every turn. Which is more fun: Going out or coming home? President Thump. God good, Devil
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: The Gins of Maine
By Tom Lamia For the end of a summer day in Maine, nothing beats a frosty, lime-topped gin and tonic at the barbecue pit. Taking in the sunset and sharing opinions with visiting family adds to the pleasure. For most of my years, Gordon’s Gin was all that I required as the base ingredient. Some
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Ben Benson, Our Graffiti-Buster, Gets City Response
Dear Mr. Benson: I am writing in response to your e-mail dated July 26, 2017 regarding handbills posted in the vicinity of the West Village, Manhattan. On August 8th and August 10th various members of the Department of Sanitation’s Enforcement Division inspected the area outlined in your complaint and sighted a total of eighteen handbills
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Bureaucrats Should Not Practice Medicine
By George Capsis I have macular degeneration in my right eye and became aware that my eyesight was getting worse. I started to condition myself to accept it as one of the penalties of old age but my eye doctor said, “No, you have a bit of debris from the insertion of an artificial lens
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: Summer in Maine
By Tom Lamia In a sweeping gesture of nature (and with a mass exodus from cities) summer comes to Maine. It brings euphoria, like the last day of school in fifth grade: There is no limit to tomorrow and no interest in yesterday. One day in early June, it is cold, wet, gray, and generally
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A Phoenix Rises
This letter represents the overwhelmingly kind and supportive feedback Eileen Millan received following her July article in WestView, “Second Act.” Hi Eileen, Nice article. I had no idea what you went through. You have risen from the ashes, like a phoenix! Keep on creating. May you keep having success in your second career (or maybe
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14th Street Closing
Dear Editors: In order to see the draft concept plan released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), visit mta.info, scroll down to ‘L Canarsie Tunnel Reconstruction,’ and click on ‘View community presentation.’ The impact, not only on 14th Street, will be significant when the L
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Oh Wow, People Like the Paper!
One of my familiar laments was, “Nobody ever sends us a compliment.” That was the case until we tested our popularity by publishing a return coupon asking: “Should We End WestView?” Below is a sample of the comments we stirred. (It is not too late to add yours to the September issue.) —George Capsis Love
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Continuing the Fight Against Illegal Fliers
Dear Mr. Capsis: On Saturday, July 15th, while removing one of the numerous ads defacing lamp posts at the four corners of 8th Avenue and 28th Street, I was approached by an individual claiming that I had no business preventing someone from advertising. This individual took my picture on his phone “to put it on
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Reflecting on NYCHA
I recently watched a show called “History of China” and it ended with images of how China is doing today. The show included a shot of several beaming Chinese people who said that they pay no rent and that food is free. That is the ultimate form of socialism that Dr. Lenora Fulani would like
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Kill the Zombie Park Already Part III: The Hidden Problem
By Alec Pruchnicki When I started writing about the Elizabeth Street Garden last year, I made about a dozen trips there and to the surrounding parks, playgrounds, and gardens and became aware of an aspect of this controversy that has been unmentioned: race. This year, to confirm or refute my suspicions, I completed a very
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso Everyone laughs at the boss’ jokes. ___ The term ‘summer reading’ is absurd. You should read all year long. ___ Nothing serious over the phone. Face to face only. ___ When you stay at a hotel you’re sleeping on a bed <br> that a perfect stranger slept on the day before. ___
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Jim Fouratt’s HAVE YOU HEARD?
August 2017 Good news: Once again, the Village, like in old times, is ground zero in the NYC battle against the Trump administration and its attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Rise and Resist (RAR), a grassroots, direct action political group, meets every Tuesday night at The Church of the Village (201 West 13th
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Clarifying Statements in June’s “In and Out”
Dear Caroline: I read your “In and Out” column with interest, as usual, in the latest WestView issue. I always welcome your news. But two things you wrote puzzle me. You ended the section by saying that, “Perhaps the West Village is just not a favorable location for vegan restaurants.” What vegan restaurant? Certainly not
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Diller Island Perspective
Dear Editors: I would like to respond to the article entitled “The Ego Fight for Diller Island,” published in the June issue of WestView News. The amendment to the Hudson River Park Act in June 2013 was not passed by Assemblymember Deborah Glick alone, but by the entire New York State Legislature by a vote
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America, The Same Country
Dear Editors: America killed Philando Castile, who had his seat belt on while his girlfriend and child were in the car, and while it was streamed live. It’s the same country that allowed racist Jeff Sessions to become the head national law enforcement officer. It’s the same country that allows a billionaire with zero experience,
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West 12th Street Water Pipe Construction…
Dear Mr. Capsis: Firstly, many, many thanks for WestView News. It is a lifeline for West Villagers. I have lived in the townhouse my father bought, since 1946. He was a doctor, who needed to be near St. Vincent’s. Currently, West 12th Street is being victimized by the City’s construction to replace water pipes. The
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Canceled Outdoor Art Exhibit
Dear Editors: Can you please tell me who to contact regarding the cancelation of the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit’s second weekend this month (one of its two days)—an 87-year-old show replaced by a sausage and tube sock street fair? This exhibit showcases fine artists and craft artisans from around the New York metropolitan area,
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Surviving Greed and Indifference
Dear Editors: I am a big fan of your paper. While reading the May issue, I felt happy for Jessica Berk regarding her victory over the heartless people who own the building she lives in. When my husband Bernard Pollack was no longer able to walk up the four flights to our apartment, I found
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Reflecting on Gardens and Housing
Dear Editors: In writing about and photographing the gardens at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields and Jane Street, Justin Matthews touches on two gardens where I have worked as a volunteer with great joy and love for over 40 years. (See his article “Parks and Gardens of the West Village” in the
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The Jane Jacobs School?
Dear Mr. Capsis: It was very nice to speak with you. We are excited about the new school at 75 Morton Street, and understand from the principal, Jacqui Getz, that it may not be named The Jane Jacobs School. No reason was given. The decision was not 100% confirmed but it didn’t sound hopeful. Do
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VID—Democracy or Cronyism?
By Arthur Schwartz WestView has often featured reports on the most recent meetings of the Village Independent Democrats (VID), one of the City’s oldest “reform” clubs. This past May, the VID voted to endorse an array of candidates, including Bill de Blasio, Corey Johnson, and City Council hopeful Carlina Rivera in the district east of
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Notes and Perspectives from Away: Maine Sources and Methods
By Tom Lamia As I suggested last month, Maine has sent more than its share of respected political personages to the national stage—to the U.S. Senate in particular. Former Senators include: Margaret Chase Smith, Edmund Muskie, William Cohen, George Mitchell, and Olympia Snowe. They distinguished themselves and their home state by principled, effective leadership within
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Caruso’s Quips
By Charles Caruso There is nothing as beautiful as a girl carrying flowers. ___ Our choice of heroes reveals everything about us. ___ Never tell a joke to a surgeon working on you. ___ Can anyone imagine Hamlet going to the bathroom? If Elsinore had a bathroom. ___ The whole world is on a Trumpoline.
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Kill The Zombie Park Already Part II: The Fake Alternative
By Alec Pruchnicki It’s much easier to think of an alternative to a controversial project than to complete the years of hard work necessary to implement that alternative. Supporters of the Elizabeth Street Garden have proposed several alternative sites for housing—the biggest one being on Hudson and Houston Streets. But, there are problems with this
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Where Did My Neighbors Go?
By Mary Alice Kellogg Invasion of the Body Snatchers resulted from author Jack Finney’s imagination, but I’m living it in real time, as individuals, couples, family units—my neighbors—are disappearing. My West Village has always been a tranquil place—save for weekends—but now our streets are strangely empty during the week. The stillness is sinister. I search
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WestView Delivers Relevant, Local News
Dear Editors: I must comment on something about which I feel most strongly: the quality and depth of WestView News’ coverage. In order to economically survive the impact that email, digital media, and video have had on their bottom lines, media outlets have been wallowing in trivia, desperately reaching out to a (perceived) newer audience.
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Praise for WestView
Dear Editors: Thanks so much for seeing merit in my “Seniorhood” piece for the May issue of WestView. It is beautifully laid out, giving it the feel of a true prose poem. I happen to have a large number of ‘oldster’ friends and most identified with the writing; they got a sort of serious chuckle
