Colonnade Row

The Vanishing City Film Debuts on Friday

2009-11-05T20:20:00.008-05:00

The long awaited documentary, The Vanishing City, is screening Friday, November 6th and you're invited. This film focus on how New York City has been transformed into a 'luxury product' - Thanks Mayor Mike! - and has been in the works for several years by Jen Senko and Fiore DeRosa where they have interviewed hundreds of displaced residents and mom and pop shops.

Literally hundreds of luxury high-rises are in development in Manhattan and the outer boroughs. While low-income housing such as Mitchell-Lama is being phased out, the new low and moderate income units being constructed are grossly inadequate. It is increasingly obvious that the economic development is not being evenly spread and that New York is moving closer and closer to a two-tier city of rich and poor.

Is New York's Tackiest Hotel For Sale?

2009-10-01T16:48:00.035-04:00

Rumors are swirling in the Cooper Square neighborhood that the universally despised and poorly received D-list magnet, The Cooper Square Hotel, has quietly been put on the market. Our information comes from a well-connected source to the large white shaft who knows both insiders and consultants working for the property's investors. The source said that there simply isn't enough tourist business in the worsening luxury hotel economy, and that Andre Balazs's The Standard Hotel has gobbled up all the glitz and glamour that the Cooper Square had hoped to attract. Not helping matters were the stinking reviews of Govind Armstrong's Table 8 restaurant in CSH which had hoped to seduce what's left of the New York's shrinking fashion and media elite. The Standard, on the other hand, has been receiving praises from top to bottom on all aspects of their rooms, service, and various restaurants and has lured the city's most sought after waiters, hostesses, and managers with generous salaries as well as the scene-making crowd that ensures the lemmings will follow them with full wallets. Adding to the mess, is the persistent story about the feuds between the CSH developing partners and their hired henchmen. NYU, you may have just found your next dorm. Stay tuned. Click here for more background on the eyesore.

Lost New York - Oct 2-3 NYU

2009-09-30T22:59:00.004-04:00

Click here for details.

Vanishing City Part 3 - September 28 - 7PM

2009-09-21T15:10:00.012-04:00

THE VANISHING CITY

THE VANISHING CITY
Monday, September 28th
7PM
Dixon Place
161 Chrystie Street
(Delancey/Rivington)
Tickets regularly $15
Special $10 Rosh Hashana discount!
Buy Here and put RoshHash in promo code for $10 tickets!
www.dixonplace.org
212 219-0736

The Historical and Cultural Price of the Changing Bowery

The Bowery: Past, Present, and Future:

A celebration of its richly diverse heritage,

and a cautionary discussion on how reckless overdevelopment is

displacing residents, small businesses, cultural diversity, and

the area’s low-rise, historic charm.

David Mulkins, a history teacher and co-founder of the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors, is curating the third installment of The Vanishing City, the popular community, historical, and preservation series launched by Dixon Place in early 2009. www.boweryneighbors.org

Program panelists include:

*Doris Diether, whom The Observer recently called “The Grand Dame of New York City Land Use.”

One of the city’s foremost zoning experts, Diether has been an active CB2 board member and community preservationist since the 1960s.    Most recently, Diether designed the “East Bowery Preservation Plan.

 http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/grande-dame-new-york-city-land-use

 *Helena Wong, representative from the Committee Against Asian-American Violence which has evolved into a leading community activist group

fighting for tenants rights and local preservation.  Most recently, CAAAV/Chinatown Tenants Union has represented the low income tenants of 81 Bowery who were mass evicted last winter and only recently returned to their home.    http://www.caaav.org/

 *Eric Ferrara, Founder and executive director, Lower East Side History Project and expert on immigrant

and early gang history of the lower east side.

Special Music by Poor Baby Bree

Bree was named in the Top Ten cabaret acts of 2008 by Time Out!

The will be a rare opportunity to see Poor Baby Bree

perform her tattered waif cabaret act

that has been interpreted as one of the most

original performances to hit New York in years.

RIP Joe Jr.'s

2009-07-05T19:19:00.003-04:00

I can't say what these guys didn't say better. It's all just too sad. Greed wins again.

Joe Jr.'s Has Closed

Last Supper at Joe's

Last Meal at Joe's

HOT Time In The City

2009-06-30T17:43:00.007-04:00

Here's what I've been up to for the past couple of months (and will continue to be through August 6). The 18th Annual HOT! Festival at Dixon Place. There's so much wacky stuff going on that you just need to go to the website and see the schedule. Check back here for reviews and occasional Kirby special discounts. I'm pleased to say I'm the official Hot Festival Hot Dog and I'd just love for you to stop by, see a show, and scratch my hiney. Ya'll come!

Defend Vanishing New York and All Bloggers!

2009-05-28T15:40:00.003-04:00

Leave it to the New York Post to blatantly rip one us off without any credit. Jeremiah's story about the Cooper Square Hotel was stolen from him without a single ounce of credit - and it was so obvious. Go here for the whole story and email them to complain that if it weren't for the bloggers, none of the real neighborhood stories would ever see the light of day. Typical lazy staff writers thinking nobody would notice. Not in this neighborhood!

Are You Kirby?

2009-05-22T18:00:00.002-04:00

So I'm mincing down Lafayette this morning, and the nicest lady I've ever met says, "Are you Kirby?" I confirm and she says she was the one who defended the chocolate shop on Extra Place on why they didn't want dogs in there. She's a long time EV resident and said stores can't help it that the health department has come down so hard about that law. I agreed. She then asked me if I knew who EV Grieve was and said I didn't, but I really like the blog. "Me too!" she replied. "Out of all you neighborhood bloggers, that's my favorite!" Nothing like the truth to wake you up in the morning.

I've had to face the music and realize I'm going to be unable to post much this summer, but please do check out all the bloggers on the right for updates on neighborhood happenings.

Have a great summer!

Kirby

Slam The Landlord Benefit - May 9

2009-05-08T11:59:00.006-04:00

This just in from Rob at East-Village.com about some folks who need your help this weekend...

Benefit for Victoria and Matt
saturday may 9, 7pm
6th street community center
638 e 6th

If you've been around the neighborhood a while you know Victoria and Matt. Salt of the earth. Jill says it best:

"The backstory behind this event is a very long one about rent strikes, broken windows, getting evicted from their apartment on East 11th Street, and then the judge finding for them and letting them back in.

You can hear the whole story if you come to a benefit this Saturday, May 9th, to help Victoria & Matt raise the $8000 they need to pay their rent/back rent/lawyers fees by May 15 so they can actually get back into their apartment.

Who are Victoria & Matt? They have lived in the East Village for a million years and are very involved in community theater, carpentry, art and gardening. If you live here and don't know them, you've probably seen them around and just didn't know you knew them.

And, Miles (their son) made this cool flyer . Please pay it forward."

I'm Still Here!

2009-04-28T22:05:00.002-04:00

Just really really busy, folks! I appreciate people emailing to check in and I apologize for being a bad blogger. Now that Spring is here, the tourists have invaded the neighborhood and the buses are idling on the street - it's not pretty. The walk down St. Marks tonight was like some carnival midway at an insane asylum, and not in a good way. But stay tuned, I should be back to posting a couple of times a week very soon!

Kirbs

Kirby's Holiday Weekend Discount

2009-04-10T12:44:00.010-04:00

Backstage just reviewed the new show at Dixon Place yesterday and loved it... Read on for a special Kirby holiday discount offer. This is something that is inspiring enough for music and literature fans, but is safe enough for the family (a smart family). I'm not going to pitch you something that's not good, so trust me and see this while it lasts....

From Backstage...

"IT SOARS"

"BLESSED WITH IMPECCABLE SINGERS"

"A KIND OF MUSICAL BLISS MISSING FROM BROADWAY"

"HARMONIES RISE ABOVE A SWOONING ORCHESTRA"

"HIGH NOTE AFTER HIGH NOTE"
~~~~

Araby

By Chris Rael

Inspired by Dubliners by James Joyce

A uniquely structured "chamber musical" re-telling 15 short stories by James Joyce, Chris Rael's Araby re-conjures Dubliners in original lyrics accentuating emotions common to all eras and cultures, accompanied by a 9-piece chamber ensemble and video projections from contemporary Dublin. The composition reflects Rael's rich world music orchestral background. The libretto is impressionistic, recounting characters' internal experiences- an approach inspired by the depth of Joyce's psychological portraiture.

KIRBY'S PASSOVER/EASTER DISCOUNT CODE
Say "Easter Bunny" at the box office to receive $12 tickets this weekend only. Friday & Saturday at 7:30PM. Sunday at 3PM.

Playing now through April 19th

Dixon Place Theater

161 Chrystie Street (Rivington/Delancey)

212 219-0736

Click here to reserve online tickets (discount does not apply to online sales)

Liquor License Watch

2009-04-07T22:38:00.002-04:00

This list is from Rob at East-Village.com about neighborhood liquor license action. Liquor license applications are down, but not gone. The CB3 Liquor and Sidewalk cafe licensing committeemeets Monday, April 20, 6:30pm, 200 East 5th Street at Bowery. Here's the agenda: See key at bottom.

1. Creation of sidewalk cafe guidelines
2. Legislative clarification of 500-foot rule

Renewal with Complaint History
3. Horus, 93 Ave B (rw)
4. Cozy Cafe, 43 E 1st St (bw)

Applications within Resolution Areas
5. La Lucha, 147 Ave A (eb)
6. Casa De Chabela, 40 Ave B (rw)

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
7. Blue Seats, 157 Ludlow St (alt/add bar)
8. Full City Coffee (Roots & Vines), 409 Grand St (alt/hours)
9. RZ Restaurant (Cafe Deville), 103 3rd Ave (trans/op)
10. Kuta, 65 Rivington St (alt/change stips to allow for sidewalk cafe)
11. Butcher Bay, 511 E 5th St (up/op)
12. Terroir, 413 E 12th St (alt/hours)
13. 12 1st Ave Restaurant (One and One), 76 E 1st St (trans/op)
14. Destination, 211 Ave A (trans/op)
15. F&C Bari, 207-213 Allen St (alt/add basement)
16. Rong Hang, 38 Eldridge St (trans/rw)
17. Kasadela Izakaya, 647 E 11th (trans/rw)

New Liquor License Applications
18. D Rivers, 132 1st Ave (op)
19. Cookout Grill, 214 1st Ave (eb)
20. 1 Essex LLC, 1 Essex St (rw)
21. May Chan Ramen & Robatayaki, 119 2nd Ave (rw)
22. Gena's Grill, 210 1st Ave (rw)
------------------------------
op=full liquor rw=restaurant wine eb=eating place beer tw=tavern wine
alt=alterations trans=transfer up=upgrades

East Village Timeline

2009-04-04T20:07:00.003-04:00

Out of pure guilt from not posting all week, I'm linking to this 19th century timeline from East-Village.com. These are the same folks who just opened an East Village visitors center in the Bowery Poetry Club on Friday. I recently met with Rob and Eric, who run the new center and who have been doing EV tours for several years. They're both extremely active in the neighborhood and are doing their best to keep the history of the old EV from fading. They focus on home grown businesses, historical sites, and the offbeat gritty wackiness of the neighborhood. Stop by and say 'howdy' neighbor next time you're at Bowery/Bleecker.

Thanks!

2009-03-30T14:40:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's VC2 event was a big hit again. A full house watched the powerful first act of Vanishing New York by Jen and Fiore - I predict it will be winning all sorts of awards. It should be finished in the next couple of months, so you can decide for yourselves. The committee was, without question, the most balanced and knowledgeable five people I'd ever heard address the subject of rampant gentrification - compelling and fascinating is all I can say. We made a huge mistake in not taping the panel discussion and audience participation, so for that I'm really sorry. I hope to have more details in a follow-up report later this week. For now, I just want to say thanks to everyone who was involved and attended.

Is It Friday Already?

2009-03-26T23:26:00.012-04:00

This whole week's been one big blur, frankly. The sad part is I never got the pickle I wanted on Monday, but I did manage to pick up 4 bowls of soup from B&H Dairy this week, so that's good. Always a bright spot.

You knew I was going to remind you of Vanishing City 2 on Sunday - we hope you can make it. There will be tickets at the door, but it's best to reserve online - response has been very strong. Thank you bloggers! Especially WSP, Jeremiah, Grieve, and Boogie.

So, we'll see you at Dixon Place. But don't expect anybody from Bloomberg's office to be there. We heard through the grapevine that he's pissed off about these anti-luxury & gentrification meetings (and the films being shown) and has banned any city officials from attending or participating. We must be doing something right.

SPECIAL GUESTS: JUST CONFIRMED!
We're excited to hear that two of the Village's most respected and honored preservationists, activists, historians, zoning experts, and rabble-rousers will be attending Sunday. Doris Dieter and our neighbor, Isabelle Fisher, will be special guests in the audience. They should be inspiration to everyone who thinks you can't fight city hall. They've been doing it for decades and are still going strong! Isabelle just caused a ruckus last week at the hearing for the Public Theater. See her link for the story. And Doris is a legendary for her work in preserving the village. Come and say hello to them both.

Monday To-Do List

2009-03-23T11:08:00.010-04:00

If I get nothing else done today, I'm going to go buy a pickle.

I'll probably pick one up while handing out flyers and talking to shop owners about this.

I won't be delivering flyers to that evil Extra Place. I gave that Bespoke owner a shot by trying her chocolates and she ran me out of the store because I stepped inside a couple of seconds. "NO DOGS!" - I can still hear that shrill screech in my nightmares. Plus the candy was WAY over-priced (3 pieces for $7.00) and not that great, actually.

My new daily routine is to pick up lunch at B&H Dairy. I'm on a mission to only patronize the classics with diligence. And their challah bread is from heaven.

Don't forget to laugh hard about this hysterical AIG "re-branding" - No one will ever know!

The folks who attend Sunday's Vanishing City will all be entered to win this cool new CD called "Mott & Broome" after the presentation. It's music inspired by and created in the neighborhood by Steve Elson. He'll be doing his own launch party soon.

I'm going to get me a Slice of literary culture tonight.

Sad Wall Streeters Feel Bad

2009-03-20T14:30:00.004-04:00

Wow. So much has come out this week about the unfolding Wall Street debacle that it's hard to focus on just one. I just came across this CNBC article that somehow struck me as the one I've really been looking for. The bigger they are, the harder they fall as the saying goes.

And even more AIG bonuses revealed.

NoHo/Bowery Petitions To Sign - TODAY!

2009-03-16T23:58:00.012-04:00

There was some pretty powerful NoHo/Bowery community organizing going on Friday night in the old Serafina restaurant space above Astor Wines (Did you even know Serafina was gone? Can't say they'll be missed, frankly, for all sorts of reasons like crowds, drunks, vomit, etc.) Zella, from NoHo Manhattan, put together a room full of politicians, activists, community leaders, neighbors, restaurants, and Astor Wines. It was an interesting mix of some of the new gentrifiers in the area and the old neighborhood folks - still a little confused about how I feel about it. But politics make strange bedfellows, as Shakespeare (sort of) said. I'm on board to do whatever stops any more bars, I don't care who's giving out free hors doeuvres.

The speaker's topics ranged from helping the homeless find services and maintaining their shelters to fighting any new approval of liquor licenses, and.... the overwhelming movement against the Public Theater's obnoxious plans to build out into the street, erect sidewalk billboards, and generally take over the sidewalk while reducing traffic lanes. HUH? That just ain't right, Public. Some other neighbors were there with petitions to sign including the fight against a bar going into 334 Bowery where the old tattoo shop used to be. I can sympathize with living above a loud bar anytime. It's really getting out of control, folks. The Meat Market crowd is on a mad march to Bowery. It's gotta be stopped.

Here are pictures from the event and the links to the two petitions you need to sign asap (before Thursday!) The petitions are to stop the approval of any further liquor license in NoHo and to keep The Public from choking traffic along Lafayette Street.

The Vanishing City - Part II - Sunday, March 29th

2009-03-12T14:28:00.007-04:00

Click the image to enlarge.

The Vanishing City series continues on Sunday, March 29th at 3PM at Dixon Place Theater. This program will focus on the Bowery, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side - the recent re-zoning of that area leaves much of unprotected and wide open for luxury high-rise development. Once again, Jen Senko and Fiore DeRosa have organized wide community support for this event and through word of mouth, over 30 reservations have already been made - there's only room for 130 seats and some standing room. So if you want to come, you really need to make a reservation soon at 212 219-0736 or online at www.dixonplace.org.

The program will show the Municipal Art Society's short film, "The Oversucessful City: Neighborhood Character" and the recently completed, first 20 minutes of Jen and Fiore's work-in-progress documentary, "Vanishing New York." Funds raised from this event will be used to complete this film which is shaping up to be quite powerful. Panelists include Brad Lander, Pratt Center for Community Devopment; Ann Sawaryn, Coalition to Save The East Village; David Mulkins, Bowery Alliance of Neighbors; and Winnie Tam Hung, Cultural Studies Scholar from the Asian-American Community. Michael Karp will act as moderator for the panel and the audience Q&A which will follow the short films.

Also for this event, the price has been lowered to $15 / $12 for seniors and students with current school id. AND... a pretty nice post-reception buffet has been donated by H&H Bagels, Murray's Cheese, Billington Wines, and D'Agostino's. Everyone will be invited to attend the reception, meet the film makers and do some old-fashioned community building and activism.

NOTICE OF MEETING REGARDING PUBLIC THEATER

2009-03-10T11:35:00.012-04:00

As I was coming out the door this morning, I finally met one of my neighbors who I've wanted to know for 20 years. Her name is Isabel and she's lived a couple buildings down Lafayette since 1979 - I've seen her forever and she's always looking very stylish in her all black outfits. She told me so much about the block and area, I'm looking forward to talking to her more. I had always imagined she was an artist or a fashion editor from the 60's but she wouldn't tell me exactly what she did - which only added to her mystique and attractiveness. She handed me a flyer about the neighborhood meeting tonight regarding the Public Theater's plan to make some enormous changes to their landmark structure. Among other things, they want to build out a grand staircase from the entrance in order to "create more of a gathering spot/plaza feel in front of the theater." Hey, Public...I'm a big fan of making a grand entrance and exit, but people already hang out and clog up the sidewalk as it is, can you please re-think this?

The worst part is they're going to build out into the street where the loading/unloading lane is making the idling tour buses, taxis and limousines there an even bigger joy to deal with as you try to get just a little breath of air. This stretch of Lafayette is already experiencing bottlenecking from the current Public traffic and the crowds waiting to get into Blue Man Group directly across the street. The entire area from Astor Place to 4th Street looks like the Mall of America on weekends with tourists milling about with their Big Gulps and hot dogs. What is the Public thinking? How is the neighborhood going to absorb the impact of this? I don't know but I'm finding out tonight at the meeting:

New York Public Theater Renovation Neighborhood Meeting
Tuesday, March 10 - 6:30 PM
NYU Silver Building
32 Waverly Place - Room 809

For more information, go to NoHo Manhattan.

If you can't attend this meeting, contact the Community Board at 3 Washington Square Village. NYC 10012 - Ph. 212 979-2272 - cb2@manhattan.org

FINISHING HOUSE - KIRBY'S SPECIAL OFFER

2009-03-04T22:03:00.007-05:00

You're going to start seeing more shameless shilling for Dixon Place on here 'cause they're our friends, but we'll always be bringing you some special opening offers. Believe me, you really need to see this show, the set alone will keep you mezmerized. Scroll down for discount info on March 6 & 7.

PREMIERING FRI & SAT at 7:30PM!

Written by Jack Hanley Directed by Christopher Eaves
FINISHING HOUSE premieres THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY at DIXON PLACE.
Curtain is at 7:30PM.

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND FOR A PLAY OF DARK PROPORTIONS!

SETTING
NORTH STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT
JULY 14, 2071

All hail the United States of Health! And all do. But terrifying rumors are spreading of a covert budgetary agency capping the life span of citizens. Elizabeth, living in a remote gentleman's farmhouse in Connecticut, is fraught with paranoia of her own blue-blood husband. Is he one of the secret agents culling Americans with a mysterious device called the passion light?

Everything is at stake for Elizabeth, her lavish organic farm of strawberries and the safety of her gay son, a son destined for quarantine after sleeping around with her quality-controlled illegals. She's no revolutionary, but the stranger at her door may be.

FINISHING HOUSE is performed by Natalie Ferrier, Jessica Howell and Bob Jaffe. Scenic Design by Leonel Valle. Lighting Design by Stephen Quandt. Sound Design by Joshua Coleman. Wardrobe & Makeup by Yveyi Yi. Original Music by Sarah Lynch.

SPECIAL OPENING WEEKEND OFFER! SAY "HOWDY" AT THE DIXON PLACE BOX OFFICE ON MARCH 6 & 7 AND RECEIVE $10 ADMISSION - OR $15 FOR TWO!

FINISHING HOUSE
PREMIERES THIS WEEKEND!
MAR 6, 7 at 7:30PM
MAR 13, 14 at 7:30PM
MAR 20, 21 at 7:30PM
MAR 27, 28 at 7:30PM

DIXON PLACE
161 Chrystie Street
(between Rivington & Delancey)

TICKETS: $20 / $15
GET TICKETS ONLINE

Varvatos Begins CBGB Store Franchise

2009-02-24T23:20:00.004-05:00

Nobody should be surprised at this. John Varvatos has unveiled plans to open 'concept shops' that "emulates the look of their 315 Bowery space" - originally home to CBGB's. According to the story by Fashion Wire Daily, Varvatos will open stores in Montreal's Holt Renfrew and in the Bloomingdale's uptown. Let the global mallification of the Bowery commence!

M8 BUS RALLY - THIS SATURDAY!!!

2009-02-19T15:15:00.000-05:00

March and Rally for the M8 bus service
This Saturday, February 21st
12:30
9th Street and Avenue A (if you live on the East side) or
6th Ave and 8th Street (if you live on the West side)
MARCH TO ASTOR PLACE FOR RALLY at 1 PM
The Honorable Reverend Billy will give his sermon entitled "We're All On This Bus Together"

Many of you have asked for updates. Here is where we stand:
"State officials who ultimately will be responsible for either accepting or rejecting Ravitch Commission recommendations must come up with a rescue plan by March 25 to cover the MTA's $1.2 billion operating deficit for 2009. Otherwise, the MTA doomsday budget, which calls for a 23 percent fare increase and service cuts, will take effect. "

So, come out and send a message to our State electeds: No Elimination, No Reduction in Service! Spend one hour this Saturday and Save the M8!

DEVELOPING: Shooting At Astor/Broadway

2009-02-16T09:53:00.005-05:00

8:00AM - Police have taped off Broadway at 8th Street down to Washington Place and all of Astor Place - they are scouring the area. A cop said a shooting took place about 5:30am in front of the 'diner' (the Cozy Soup 'n Burger at Astor/Broadway). There is a lot of activity and a police van is parked on the curb in front of the restaurant. We were woken up at about 5:30 this morning when two loud 'cracks' came echoing between the buildings from Broadway over to Lafayette Street. It looks like the 70's are back.

NY1 News covered it this morning.

See Ya Later

2009-02-15T17:21:00.003-05:00

Well, it looks like a daunting new project is going to be keeping me even more occupied than I originally thought. So that means even less posting than my usual erratic schedule. I'll be lucky to post once a week, but do check in. I'll try to make the news I do post be worth your time. See ya soon!

Kirby

Jeremiah Tells The Daily News How It Is

2009-02-11T12:05:00.003-05:00

The leader of our pack, Jeremiah, writes in today's Daily News how the adjustment in this economy looks like a new beginning for many of us. He's so smart, you should read his blog every day.

25 Random Things About Colonnade Row

2009-02-07T13:31:00.017-05:00

In response to the deluge of requests for me to participate in the wacky '25 Things' kraze hitting the internets recently, I'm doing a slightly modified version on the building.

1. When it rains, the people on the top floor of my building have to throw a nylon tarp over the front of the building to prevent water from seeping in their windows and rotting their ceiling.

2. The fireplaces in the rear apartments began to crumble from inside a few years ago and had to be sealed. They're now unable to be used.

3. It is unlikely that the facade of the Colonnade will ever be restored. The limestone that was used was of poor quality and pollution and age have rendered them beyond help. Also, the two parties that own the buildings will never be able to agree (or afford) the cost.

4. There are four separate townhouses in the remaining Colonnade, although most people think it looks like one. Originally there were nine. There is no connecting passage from within the buildings to each other although the front balcony does run uninterrupted.

5. President Tyler and his second wife, Julia Gardiner, held their post wedding 'breakfast' here following their wedding at Church of the Ascension on Thursday, June 26, 1844. He was 54, she was 24.

6. Julia Gardiner's father, David Gardiner, was an owner of one of the houses at Colonnade Row. He was killed in a freak accident during the ceremonial maiden sail of the Princeton, a new steamship, on the Potomac River when a cannon exploded fatally injuring him and a few other passengers. Julia was also onboard but was not injured.

7. My neighbors and I built a beautiful wood deck on the roof of the building in 1990 but had to dismantle it a few weeks later when another neighbor complained about it.

8. John Jacob Astor lived on the land where the Public Theater now stands and then moved into the Colonnade. He built the Public as the Astor Library (the middle section) which later became annexed by the New York Public Library. Years later, additions were added to the ends of it and after several other uses, became the Public Theater in the 1960's.

9. The (original) Blue Man Group now own the north two buildings of Colonnade Row and reside there with their families. Some theater employees also are housed there.

10. Indochine restaurant will be celebrating their 25th year in business this fall. Rizzoli is publishing a book with anecdotes from many of their customers.

11. I was interviewed last week as 'the neighbor' for the Indochine book. I may have said too much.

12. One night in the early 90's while I was taking out the garbage, I spilled the contents on David Geffen, Calvin Klein, Bianca Jagger, and Diane Von Furstenberg while they were hanging out in the foyer that my building shares with Indochine. We all laughed.

13. The original name of Colonnade Row was La Grange Terrace.

14. The first floors of the original buildings were the kitchens. Food was sent to the upper floors on dumbwaiters.

15. As one of the original perks during the initial sale of La Grange Terrace, buyers received free horse stables located on 9th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues.

16. Many members from the original cast of Hair in 1967, lived here while they did the play at the Public Theater across the street.

17. Edmund White, the author and playwright, lived here for many years and then moved to Chelsea in the early 90's.

18. Washington Irving and Edgar Allen Poe were frequent guests of the first Colonnade residents. Charles Dickens also lived here for awhile during his extended USA visit.

19. A popular New York City tourist guidebook refers to the Colonnade as "a decaying relic."

20. The Times called the Colonnade, "a shabby old antique that someone sawed in half and left out for the garbage truck."

21. The best tacos in the neighborhood are in that triangle building at Lafayette/Bleecker.

22. There are two separate 'loft buildings' in the back of the Colonnade that were built in the 1880's as additional housing.

23. These were the first New York City buildings to have indoor plumbing including hot and cold running water and toilets.

24. An iron gate once ran the entire length of the buildings but was removed when Lafayette Street was widened.

25. There were originally two gas lamp torchieres that sat on two pedastals on either side of each main entrance (still standing at 432 & 434).

De-Motivators

2009-02-04T19:46:00.006-05:00

I discovered Despair a few years ago and they've grown into what looks like a pretty big outfit. I really wish I'd thought of this business, a spoof of those hideous corporate motivational posters hanging in bland offices everywhere. Check them out, especially their posters, calendars, and 'bittersweet' candies - perfect for these times. Here's one of my favorites although they're all pretty brilliant.

Great Jones Gone By

2009-02-02T20:26:00.009-05:00

Once again, one of my fellow bloggers beat me to the punch, so I'll be linking away today. A Mr. EV Grieve has been sniffing around NoHo, and he hit upon the most fragile cross street in the hood, Great Jones Street. This two block long (mostly brick) stretch is undergoing a dramatic change. Several buildings are for sale, some have already been demolished, and a few ugly new ones are going up - luxury boutique hotels, of course. This street was a light industrial area and had several 19th century horse stables scattered along it. Several of those were transformed into mechanics garages and parking lots - the modern horse stable. The 60's and 70's brought the artists, followed by fancy loft dwellers, and now the neighborhood death knell of new construction. My first destination on Great Jones is always the local firehouse because they hand out giant Milk Dog bones and always have time to play with me - we love those firemen - always friendly and ready to scratch me. This firehouse alone is due for it's own historical post, it's one of the most beautiful in the city. For years, the only place to eat in the area was the Great Jones Diner which was razed in 2002 - $3.00 breakfasts! The only good thing about the sad goodbye of the diner was that the owners of Cafeteria didn't succeed with their plans of constructing a 3 story version of their Clacker magnet on the site. Instead they took their cafe down to SoHo and opened the Pee Palace otherwise known as Delicatessen.

Great Jones Street is wide, light and still has an old early pre-designer Meat Market feel to it, although it's vanishing fast. Several art galleries, spas, and higher end restaurants have opened in the past year - and we all know what follows that. When I walk down this street now, I look at the buildings brick by brick and try to very closely scan their image into my mind. I know in a year or two, this street will become busy with tourists, shoppers, and strangers who all pass through without a clue of the history that was here (well, that's already the case). Even I don't know much of it's past. But I appreciate and miss it like an old, comfortable friend.

Happy Birthday To Me!

2009-01-31T11:23:00.015-05:00

Two years ago today, I was born on a small farm in Missouri. I had one sister and three brothers. My mom and her owner took very good care of us. We had a big yard to play and grow in and a nice warm house with heat and plenty of food. There was even an indoor play pen. Two months later I came to my new home in New York where I also had 3 cousins who lived nearby. We all had the same grandmother. And a full brother joined me me in the hood a few months later. I've loved living here and have made lots of friends and many tourists have taken my picture. My favorite place to play is the Leroy Street dog run in Hudson Park because it has a little swimming pool in the summer.

Most dogs (and cats) don't have it so good. Pet stores and most breeders (puppy mills) are horrible and frightening places to start a life and New York pet stores are among the worst. Puppies too young to be taken from their mothers are traumatized and put in pet stores. They may look cute in the windows, but at night they are put in tiny cold, cages and are in a constant state of anxiety and fear. They are abused, underfed, and most never find a good home. When that doesn't happen, they are usually killed and thrown in the trash. Yes, this is harsh but happens every day all over New York and elsewhere. Now that the economy has tanked, things have gotten much worse for these puppies. More of them are homeless and sometimes the stores or owners just let them off on the cold street hoping someone will pick them up.

For my birthday, I'm asking you to please sign this online petition to tell Petland to stop selling pets. Sign here - it only takes a few seconds. I'd also like you to make a small donation to the Long Island Bulldog Rescue - they take in unwanted or mistreated bulldogs, give them health care and try to find them homes. At the very least, please click the donation buttons (Free) that donate a few cents to animal welfare. If you donated to these or any animal welfare agencies, I'd have the best birthday ever!

This was one of my first toys and is still my favorite.

Up On The Roof

2009-01-28T14:09:00.008-05:00

It was such a lovely day today, that I went up to the roof to take a gander at the new neighbors. Here's the one that started all the upscale downturn in the hood, the "Sculpture For Living" at Astor & Lafayette.

This one is the latest object of neighborhood scorn, the Cooper Square Hotel. The cold, ice-y, icky weather pretty much sums up their personalities. Hard, steely, obtrusive, and definitely unwelcome.

Details, Details

2009-01-27T13:54:00.006-05:00

I'm tired from the weekend, so I'm going to taking a nap, but I need to get back to posting. Here's a quickie... Several people have been requesting to see more architectural detail from inside my building, so I found a picture of the ceiling before I painted it two years ago. A friend did the gold leaf on the flower part that sticks out from the square molds many years ago - some like it, some hate it, I'm used to it. There are 30 of them in each room (of those that survived 175 years of renovation or leaks). Okay, that's all for today.

Thank You! - Vanishing City Sold Out

2009-01-25T15:35:00.022-05:00

A big bulldog kiss and THANK YOU to everyone who attended The Vanishing City event on Saturday night at Dixon Place. The event sold out! We were so full, that we only had standing-room in the mezzanine which became so crowded we had to stop selling tickets. I apologize for those who didn't get in, but please RSVP for the next one. Honestly, I would have been happy if 50 people had shown up, so it was amazing to see a line going out the door. I have to thank the power of the internets and the googles, as our ex-president might say.

Specifically, I want to thank the bloggers and websites - Jeremiah, EV Grieve, Washington Square Park, Urbania, GVSHP, Bowery Boogie and Time Out, The Villager, SoHo Journal and AIANY, for listing it. Plus thanks to everyone who just forwarded it around to their contacts. That's the only way we had such a successful night. The film Twilight Becomes Night and the trailer for Vanishing New York had some people in tears and the panel of Andrew Berman, Bettina Domiani, and Deborah Glick offered a lot of insight into the effects of unchallenged development. NYU's plan for total global domination is particularly frightening. I only wish we could have had more time for the panel Q&A as it could have gone on for hours, but we hope to have them back again. Michael Karp was a great moderator. Washington Square Park has more.

At the reception after, we met such a wide cross section of the community. There were people from Park Avenue and Pitt Street, the East Village and West Village, Uptown, Downtown, and all around the town. We met investment bankers (they're not all bad, it turns out) - and this one said he wanted to attend because he hates the way the city has changed since he was a kid and he reads the neighborhood blogs religiously. Who knew? We also met artists, activists, bloggers, musicians, historians, small business owners, and students. I was really glad to meet a wonderful group who came from the 47 East 3rd building - you know, the one where the jerk owner evicted the tenants to turn the whole building into his own mansion. Their story really started to raise my blood pressure, but they seemed to be dealing with the idiot court's decision. It's so sad that the city allowed this happen. I also met an actress/film maker from the building that sits above the hated Delicatessan restaurant. What an earful I got! I can't tell you everything because that would be gossip. And you didn't hear it from me that she said the word in the building is they may be trying to sell it already. I guess they're getting tired of being peed on and robbed.

All in all, it was a great community night and the proceeds will help fund the completion of the film, Vanishing New York and to support more Dixon Place community events. Dixon Place, Jen & Fiore, and I can't thank you enough! Please give us your feedback and suggestions, and we'll see you next time which is scheduled for Sunday, March 29th in the afternoon.

Kirby

The Vanishing City - Saturday Night

2009-01-22T23:00:00.003-05:00

I've been busy this week working on this event, and it looks like we're going to have a decent crowd. I just saw the first several minutes of "Twilight Becomes Night" and it was amazing. Hope you can join us for the short films, discussion, and maybe even some advice on how to take action to save New York's neighborhoods. Big thanks to all the bloggers, friends, and organizations who helped get the word out! Click on the image for details.

NYU To Destroy Unloved Little Chapel On WSP South

2009-01-17T14:27:00.015-05:00

If community outrage couldn't save the Provincetown Playhouse from NYU's unyielding wrecking ball, then it was pretty unlikely that this quirky 1960's chapel would survive. I've always had a soft spot for this little church because it was a bit homely but always looked so proud. So much for that sentiment...because its demise is imminent. In fact, destruction has already begun inside with workers removing and raping any salvageable piece from it. Of course, NYU will be building something on this prime lot for their spoiled students and staff with the new structure completely obliterating any view from Washington Square Arch to downtown and creating even more shadows on the park. I don't understand why they just don't level the park and build a giant dorm while they're at it. You know they're itching to and just consider the park a waste of prime real estate. Oh NYU, I used to be glad you were my neighbor, but you turned on us all. This is another reason to attend The Vanishing City event next Saturday. For the sake of the city's soul, please come and learn what steps we can all take to help stop this constant destruction.

Mission Accomplished

2009-01-16T12:39:00.006-05:00

Huffpo explains.

As does Maureen Dowd.

Reader Mail

2009-01-15T22:01:00.007-05:00

Hmm... well, this is well-intentioned, I guess:

Dear Kirby-

I check into your blog now and then but you're so irregular with your posts, that it's frustrating to see the same thing posted for a whole week. Don't you know you're supposed to do it every day? It would seem like there's enough going on that you could find something to say, even if you link to somebody else's story you find interesting. Also, I go to the other blogs you have under "Links I Like" but not all of them are linked to you. Isn't it supposed to work both ways? Why don't they have your link on their list? Sign me,

Just Wondering.

~<>~<>~<>~<>~<>~

Dear Just Wondering:

Thanks for your letter. Yes, I am extremely irregular with posting but the truth is sometimes I just wake up and really don't have anything to say or I've got work to do or I just don't feel like posting. That's really the whole answer and it's not anything more complicated than that. As for other people linking back to me....well, the truth is it doesn't really matter. It's not a two way street sort of thing, it's all one-way and it's not a big deal if other blogs don't link back to mine. I'm not exactly running CNN.com here, ya' know, and I'm not mad about it or feel slighted in the least. Maybe they don't like me or don't think it relates to their own blog. It's called "Links I Like" not "Links That Link Back To Me." And, besides, I'm not getting paid to do this, and I'm not trying to launch some big media empire with this blog. I will say I'm really happy and satisfied and with the ones that do link to me and it's extra great when they sometimes pick up my stories, but, truly this whole blog thing is just for my own amusement and if people read it or link to it, then that's really nice. Otherwise, I don't lose any sleep over it.

Thanks for writing!

Kirby

The Vanishing City - January 24th

2009-01-12T23:13:00.011-05:00

You really need to plan on attending this if you give a hoot about all the dying mom and pop businesses in the city. Click the image for event details. Email me for the discount code for reduced $12 admission.

Scroll down to the previous events post for more information and background on the panel.

Upcoming Events

2009-01-12T11:14:00.017-05:00

TOMORROW NIGHT!
101 Avenue A: Melting Pot to Hot Spot
A Panel Discussion Moderated by GVSHP Executive Director Andrew Berman
Tuesday, January 13
6:45-8:30 P.M.
Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue between E. 9th and E. 10th Streets
Free; reservations required.
RSVP to rsvp@gvshp.org or (212) 475-9585 ext. 35

The Pyramid Club at 101 Avenue A was where I spent my Sunday nights in the mid-late 80's. This was where the socially conscious drag shows appeared, wacky performers, and Wigstock was born. And it's where I found my first group of friends. I have such great memories of those nights. I'm excited (and very pleasantly surprised, actually) that this building is up for landmark status. It deserves it.

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SAVING THE M8 VILLAGE CROSSTOWN BUS

There is a CRUCIAL public hearing on 1/14 -THIS WEDNESDAY!

MTA PUBLIC HEARING
Wed. January 14, 6pm
1335 6th Ave (off 53rd st)
The Hilton, Trianon Ballroom
Topic: Fares and service cuts (including the M8 bus)

Please bring signs supporting the M8 **SPECIFICALLY**. Bring your kids. Bring your teachers. Bring your parents. Bring your neighbors. It will be a few hours out of your day. If we manage to save the M8 bus you'll make that time up in less than one week of commuting. If they eliminate our bus we'll never get it back.

This is your chance to stand up for our neighborhood. Make the most of it!

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THE VANISHING CITY
Saturday, January 24 - 8PM
The NEW Dixon Place Theater
161 Chrystie Street (Rivington/Delancey)
RSVP: 212 219-0736 x113 OR www.dixonplace.org
$20 includes reception with panel to follow event
$15 general admission
$12 seniors/students/discount code

Proceeds benefit the funding of the film "Vanishing New York" and community programs at Dixon Place.

FEATURING-

A screening of the acclaimed short film "Twilight Becomes Night"
A preview of the work-in-progress "Vanishing New York"*
And a panel of activists and preservationists taking audience questions:

-Andrew Berman, Executive Director, Greenwich Village Society of Historical Preservation
-Bettina Domiani, Director, Good Jobs New York
-Deborah Glick, New York State Assemblymember
-Jen Senko & Fiore DeRosa, Directors/Producers, "Vanishing New York"

Moderated by Michael Karp
Curated by Jen Senko & Fiore DeRosa

The first of a series of forums, discussions and films about the dramatically changing landscape of New York City presented at Dixon Place Theater and curated by the producers/directors of "Vanishing New York".

Luxury development is radically changing the face and faces of New York City. The middle class, small businesses and artists are being priced out at an alarming rate. You can’t stop development, so how then do you preserve the things that make this city one of the most unique places in the world?

Sponsored by: GVSHP
Presented by: The Manhattan Projects

*Although they are good friends, the film "Vanishing New York" is not associated with Jeremiah's Vanishing New York blog.

The Holiday Is Over

2009-01-05T14:28:00.026-05:00

Jeremiah reports that the funky old Holiday Bar appears to be history. Another beloved pub from my punk puppy youth is gone. This is as sad as Love Saves The Day closing. What a crappy way to start the year.

~~~~~~~

Never ever go into Whole Foods on the Sunday

afternoon following the long holiday weekend (pictured). I went in to grab my favorite canned dog food (cheap, actually - only 79 cents!) and the place was mobbed with blonde Avalon clones stocking up on Veal Scalloppine ($25 a pound), duck confit ($12), ostrich eggs ($30 each) - what the hell do you do with an ostrich egg? how big is the frying pan?- and other fancy pants food. I was in line for over 30 minutes and had to endure excruciating conversations. The worst was some banker-guy dragging his little girl around and showing her all the expensive foods. He kept calling her "My Little Ponzi Scheme" - this is a term of endearment now? I don't get it. And P.S. - I only try and buy dog food here, but sometimes I do get sucked into getting other stuff - my real supermarket is Met Foods on 2nd Avenue, of course. That's where you should shop!

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Don't forget to sign the petition to save the M8 bus - the only means of transportation that crosses the Village. If we lose that, it will be a holiday in hell. SIGN THE LIST NOW!

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I'm glad somebody may have finally put an end to the stupid Absinthe craze. That stuff tastes like the worst sort of medicine and was one of the biggest scams in the history of booze. Total hocus-pocus. You know, if you drink enough of anything, you'll hallucinate. I've done it countless times!

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Today is bit of a holiday at Colonnade Row. We're celebrating our 100th post! HA! It only took about a year.... Hey, I got bones to bury and balls to chase! - and don't make that into something dirty.

~~~~~~

And stay tuned for a very exciting program we are helping put together on Saturday, January 24th at Dixon Place in conjunction with the folks who are producing Vanishing New York (the film, not the blog, although we sure hope Mr. Jeremiah shows up incognito). The program will also include the screening of the acclaimed short film, Twilight Becomes Night. A town hall discussion will follow with some heavyweight heroes who are fighting to preserve the city. Details to come next week.

And We're Off! 2009 Starts With Hope, Fear, and High Cholesterol - And No Village M8 Bus.

2009-01-02T10:45:00.012-05:00

I'm back from holiday obligations where I was deep within red state territory. It was a dangerous mission but somebody had to eat all that barbeque, pecan divinity, bourbon-soaked fruitcake, fried chicken and oyster stuffing. I could feel my veins getting clogged with every bite, but it had to be done. I do have to say one thing about the south - their politics may be whack, but they sho' enuff can cook! Still, I always feel like a double agent when I'm down there - like my cover will be blown any second and I could be dragged off to the town square where I'd be put in the stocks and pillories and have rotten things thrown at me. I avoided that fate by bringing out my southern accent and watching Fox News. 25 years in New York, and it gets weirder and weirder to go south for the holidays... I did see lots of beautiful horses while I was there - not an inexpensive hobby.

So the most important piece of business to deal with is to save the M8 bus line. Please sign this petition right now. This is going to be catastrophic if this route is eliminated not only for the kids, elderly, and disabled but also for the small businesses on both ends of the line. It takes five seconds, click the link and sign it today!

Also, I had this constant feeling throughout last week, that we (the country, NYC especially) were all just being polite and showing a good face through the holidays, because we all knew the other shoe was about to drop. Was that just me? I thought we were happy about the election. I guess all the other stuff that's happened has already overridden that giddiness. Anybody care to comment? We'll soon find out, I guess. Anyway, Happy New Year!

Have a Sweet Christmas and a Puppy New Year

2008-12-23T10:22:00.014-05:00

I don't have much else to say this week except have a Merry non-specific religious or secular holiday and Happy New Year. A shot from Economy Candy should be a safe, all inclusive, all religions holiday wish....

and these puppies singing "Rudolph" can't offend anyone, can it?? (well, maybe cats).

Broadway Blabber

2008-12-19T14:14:00.027-05:00

I just stepped out to do a little "snow coloring" and sloshed my way down the slushy sidewalks of Broadway... Sorry, no food reports today.

Nearly every single store between 8th Street and Houston is having sales up to 75% off. Will they be giving it away after Christmas?

National Wholesale Liquidators - my favorite crappy no-frills discount store is going out of business. NWL made K-Mart look like Bergdorf's which is why I loved it. I had hoped to buy an immersion blender, but the shelves were already completely bare. Just the crappiest of the craptastic crap was left. I bought a manual can opener for $4.00 and some light bulbs. Lots of 3-prong plugs and dishtowels are left, though. NWL filed for bankruptcy recently.

Several stores between 8th Street and Houston have "Going out of Business" signs or are already kaput - nothing I'll really miss, however (except NWL). I remember when most of the stores were all old fabric and upholstery shops from Bleecker all the way down to Canal. I think Lincoln was president then.

Somebody decapitated the entire Hill family on Houston at Crosby Street. I'm not sure why, but I approve for some sadistic, please-stop-all-this-constant-street-marketing, reason.

Happy Paws is having a 2 for 1 sale on doggy toys! I got a Pluto doll, whose head I've already removed and a bouncing, squeaky ball that's driving my daddy insane.

Have a happy, snowy weekend and avoid the yellow spots!

Butter Off Dead

2008-12-18T13:29:00.021-05:00

Not quite sure why I'm on this food-focused binge this week, but I may as well just go with it... This one is a little embarrassing, perhaps even shameful, but what the hey - I'm just a little bulldog and it's the holidays and I'm sure somebody out there can relate. So, I'm sitting at my desk yesterday not writing the article that's due on Friday - just surfing, mailing, reading, hanging out - but also cooking a large pot of vegetable soup as I had OD'd on party food over the weekend and needed something healthy. Suddenly I spy two blue tins of those Royal Dansk butter cookies that you only see at holidays on my kitchen counter. I picked them up at Walgreen's (2 for $5.00) and thought I'd keep them around just in case I had some sort of cookie emergency - like people stopping buy or even give them away. I never really loved them but thought what a bargain - I'm sold. While cruising the web, I stumbled upon the Times story about butter and how important it is to use the good stuff and keep it cold when baking cookies. Well, what better time than right now to see how those Royal Danes measured up? They're always flaunting their cookies around the holidays in every possible location - even Staples and Office Depot - so they must be very special. I'll be the judge, I decided.

I opened the tin and there they were. Forty of them - five different shapes, yet similarly flavored, little beige friends. They really are tiny, you know. So, I ate one, and then another. I was really trying to taste the butter to see if each shape tasted differently. Not quite sure - have another. Oh, the round ones have some coconut in them, and the flat ones have sugar crystals. The pretzel shapes are the flakiest, I think. Have one more to see - does this one have a little orange in it? Hmmm.... better try another one. Oh look, there's no more of those left - I'll just keep testing these coconut ones. My, my, the pretzel shaped ones have disappeared. Well, I guess these plain round ones are just plain, they must have fewer calories. Well what do you know, there's only a couple left - it would be silly to leave them alone in this big blue tin all by themselves. And by 4PM, there were no more little Danes to sample. All gone! Make that all 40 cookies gone. And there was no one in the room but me.

I got up to stir my pot of vegetable soup and somehow didn't feel much like tasting it for seasoning. It smelled good, which was fine. I let it simmer. I went back to my desk to check the tin - yep, empty. I turned the tin to read the nutritional information and here's the tally:

In 3 hours, I'd taken in:

Total Fat - 80 grams (120% daily allowance)

Saturated Fat - 60 grams (280% d.a.)

Cholesterol - 200 mg - (60% d.a.)

Sodium - 400 mg - (20% d.a.)

Carbohydrates - 230 g (80% d.a.)

Sugar - 90 g

On the upside, I got....

Protein - 10 grams

Vitamin A - 60% d.a.

TOTAL CALORIES - 1170

Although it was 40 small cookies, it was more like 20 regular cookies, I decided. And at least it wasn't some nasty McDonald's or Burger King binge - plus it was European. Still, I obsessed over it all last night and even found some who nut analyzed the R.D.'s more than I did - I don't totally agree with him, but he provided tons of useful information. I don't know if there's a moral to this story or not, but I guess if there is one it would be - If you're going to eat an entire tin of Royal Dansk butter cookies in an afternoon, at least have a pot of vegetable soup simmering on the stove.

The Fat Lady's Sung At Song 7.2 - She's Also Got Bad Hygiene

2008-12-17T12:39:00.011-05:00

I just passed that odd fusion-y restaurant at 7th Street and 2nd Avenue, Song 7.2, and there were signs plastered all over with "Closed by the DOH for Health and Mental Hygiene Violations" or something like that. I never ate there after it was Kiev - it seemed like it was cursed and they couldn't figure out what they were. I'm also not a big fan of discount sushi places that also serve curry. But I did always stare curiously at the hundreds of pictures of 'customers' that they posted on the 7th Street side. It's funny, I never actually saw more than 4 people in there at once, yet there were all these pictures of happy groups dining and smiling. Something tells me that these may have been staged, but who knows? I knew the minute I saw the name and graphics that this place wouldn't last. I'm not happy about it or anything, I'm just sayin'... If it doesn't reopen, then that's going to make both corners of 7th Street empty next month when Love Saves The Day closes. These business closings are getting scarier every day - I'm starting to stockpile potatoes and other root vegetables under my bed, people. 2009 ain't gonna be pretty - especially with the new taxes on every single thing that may have brought you a bit of joy. Get ready for mayhem and looting - finally, the old New York may be on its way back.

UPDATE - 12/22-3PM

Song 7.2 must have cleaned up their act. They appeared to be open for business during a recent afternoon visit to Second Avenue.

The Unspeakable Horror of a Sex And The City Bus Tour

2008-12-16T11:53:00.017-05:00

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to actually be on one of those tragic SatC bus tours, Vanity Fair hops onboard and gives us the play by play. Cupcakes, cosmos, and dildos seem to be the main attraction. Now, in the privacy of your own home, you can put on your elastic waist stone-washed Mom jeans or maybe a Mandee's pink cocktail dress and ride along! Don't forget your camera! And the tour guide even asks which SatC gal you are - a Carrie, a Samantha, a Charlotte? Funny...nobody ever seems to raise their hand to claim they're a big ole Miranda lesbian, however. Oh the horror of it all.

JUST ADDED! - A former SaTC fan tells Salon about her tour through hell.

How To Win Friends And Impress An Entire Party For $10

2008-12-15T13:05:00.020-05:00

You're invited to a holiday party and want to take something. Booze is always a safe bet, but the good stuff can cost a fortune. Here's a great trick that's cheap and makes an amazing impression - and you end up looking like a freaking genius gourmet. Plus, your host will love you for it. Go to a decent store like Garden of Eden, Food Emporium, Zabar's, Fairway, East Village Cheese or anywhere that has a good deli section. Buy a couple of packages of those tiny plain toasts ($2.00) (there's 40 in a package) and a pound of crab salad ($8.00 at Garden of Eden). Or get chicken salad, egg salad, smoked tuna or whatever - you get the idea. If you're feeling fancy, grab a few parsley leaves. Get to the party, ask the host for a serving tray and mound a teaspoon of salad on the toasts with a parsley leaf on top. You'll get 80 hors d'oerves! Pass them around and tell everyone you made them. The other guests will be so impressed and feel extremely inferior and lame for bringing that crappy bottle of Frexeinet. And you'll be invited to about 5 other parties and maybe even get a date of it. Hey, it's the holidays and it's all about you.

Are You A Jerk? Find Out Now!

2008-12-12T12:56:00.010-05:00

MSNBC published what most of us are thinking - using these things make you look like a complete douche. Yet, I must bump into a dozen people a day who are in a trance using their gadgets. I've taken to yell, "Heads Up!" before they walk right into me and I still just get a glazed look from them. Anyway...it's funny because it's true. On second thought, it's not funny because it's true.

Everybody Just Go Jump In A Lake Or Something....

2008-12-11T21:50:00.008-05:00

Oy. All this talk this week about the Old East Village, The New East Village, what's gone, what's about to go.... Who was here first, yada, yada, yada... I'm over it. This video sums up my sentiment neatly... Or, actually, it has nothing to do with what I just said except it's called "Jump."

Truly one of my favorites from back when I was just a pup and had just moved into the old, better, East Village. Have a great weekend.

Most Brilliant Sign Ever

2008-12-09T11:53:00.001-05:00

Flaming Pablum

Ada Louise Huxtable To Receive Louis Auchincloss Prize

2008-12-05T11:36:00.007-05:00

Wow. That headline was a mouth full. But this event is a big deal in the world of New York history and architecture, so you should go if you can. Ada Louise Huxtable, the architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal and Pulitzer Prize winning historian, is being awarded the Louis Auchincloss Prize at the Museum of the City of New York on December 10th. Mrs. Huxtable changed the way New Yorkers understood the city and her pointed articles and books have influenced and educated generations on how to view buildings. She taught that architecture drives the social and cultural force of a city and she fought relentlessly to preserve and protect historical buildings through her articles, essays, books, and activism. She's the last of a great breed - the native New Yorker who couldn't stand the thought of her city being mangled by thoughtless development and expansion and she pioneered women entering a man's profession by being one of the first women to question and critique architecture. Ada is living history and this is your one chance to see her speak in person.

Louis Auchincloss Prize

awarded to

Ada Louis Huxtable

Wednesday, December 10 - 6:30-8:30PM

Museum of the City of New York

1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street

Tickets are an unbelievable bargain at $25 - Get them here.

Curbed Editor Loves Astor Place 'Sculpture For Living,' Gemma Restaurant, Cooper Square Hotel & Tom Cruise

2008-12-03T13:25:00.041-05:00

Joey Arak, Curbed's frat boy-ish editor has two fun-filled glossy pages in this month's social-climbing, nouvelle society Gotham magazine on what he loves in the 10003 zip code (Curbed recently moved offices to Cooper Square). That zip also includes Gramercy Park, Union Square, the East Village, NoHo, and the Bowery. Among his favorite things are, well.... let's put it in a song using the tune of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music which has become a modern Christmas/holiday carol....

Joey Arak's Favorite Things (Gotham Magazine - 10003 version)

Verses A & B

The Sculpture for Living, a new modern classic.

Dubai on the Bowery, it really is quite slick.

Gemma, Varvatos, and that Place called Irving.

These are a few of my favorite things!

One Fifth Avenue and Momofuku

Wafels and Dinges and all the dessert trucks

Crunch with celebrities such as Calvin and Brits,

These are a few of my favorite hits!

Chorus

New glassy towers!

Green farmer's markets!

The Grace Church school for your lassie or lad!

I simply adore all these wonderful things - they make me feel so glad!

Joey also loves 15 Union Square West, 57 Irving Place, Antik/King's Cross Bar, the local dog runs, and Tom Cruise's new pad in the American Felt Building. Also, more celebrities. Then a few celebrities. And then he lists a couple more celebrities. Aside from McSorley's and One Fifth Avenue, there's not much he likes that's historic or cultural. But he does mention the possibility that the Whitehouse Hotel hostel might be demolished for a new, shinier building! So sad. So frat. I just pray he doesn't hang out at Delicatessen.

Landmark It? Not If We Knock It Down First!

2008-11-29T18:08:00.003-05:00

The Times reported on how shady the developers and architects are when it comes to destroying history before it can be protected. As if we didn't know.

And there's more in another article about tearing down historic churches.

MTA To Village Kids, Elderly, Disabled: Take A Hike!

2008-11-29T08:18:00.005-05:00

According to the Villager, the coming MTA service slaughter includes the permanent elimination of the M8, the only bus route that connects the village river-to-river along the 8th and 9th Street corridor - from West Street to Avenue D. Now, I'm not really a bus person, I'm lucky enough to be halfway between these points, so I walk everywhere. But I have hopped on this bus enough over the past few years to realize how critical it is in serving students, elderly, and disabled riders who are traveling through the middle of the village for school and medical care. For over a hundred years, this route has been used to connect the two sides of town and has not only provided transportation but has fed small businesses, schools, and theaters on both ends of the village. To eliminate it would be catastrophic, and would surely add to the avalanche of small business closings. The only alternative is to haul up to 14th Street and take the bus or L line or go to Houston Street which could add hours to a daily commute. An MTA vote on December 17th will decide the fate of the M8. Email Tom Duane to protest these cuts at: duane@senate.state.ny.us

2008-11-27T13:18:00.002-05:00

Let's Give Thanks - A New SatC Movie Is Born!

2008-11-25T19:28:00.006-05:00

You needn't let the economy get you down this year. SJP has announced that a new Sex and the City movie is in the works! (click link, scroll down). This news should give tour bus operators, cupcake shops, sex toy emporiums, and slick cosmo lounge owners reason to bow their heads and thank our creator for all he has given us. For the rest of us, however, it looks like we'll be in for another summer (or fall) of squealing, overweight, camera-clickers and lookie-loos peering down on us from a double decker bus. I suggest we all mobilize this time and give them a Big Apple visit they'll never forget. Most of us will probably be unemployed by then, so we have plenty of time to stockpile rotten tomatoes and such. You in?

P.S. My holiday gift to you is this amazingly twisted website of celebrities. Funny, freaky, and great way to waste five minutes of your life.

Cooper Square Gets New Couture Gallery / Event Space

2008-11-19T15:48:00.024-05:00

The neighborhood just keeps getting fancier and fancier.... Irene Albright, a legendary stylist and collector/archivist of haute couture is opening a gallery and event space at 32A Cooper Square directly across the street from the blindingly gauche Cooper Square Hotel. Albright, a highly regarded former stylist already operates the Albright Fashion Library out of the Carl Fischer Music Building at 62 Cooper Square for socialites, celebrities, and an exclusive fashionista aficionado clientele. Clothing, shoes, and jewelry from her collection are available for rent when you need something for the red carpet or those papparazi packed opening nights, but she's really only been known by insiders in the close-knit fashion industry. The new space will be called Mina, after Albright's daughter, who assists her in the business. In addition to showing classic couture, the gallery will also feature new designers. So, the next time you need a vintage Pucci pantsuit for a weekend in Palm Beach, you know where to go. The rest of us can wander in and browse the museum-like gallery and wonder who the hell wears this stuff? Mina will open to the public in the next two weeks.

Laurie Andersen & Lou Reed Perform At Dixon Place

2008-11-17T11:44:00.006-05:00

Although not on the scheduled bill, Laurie Andersen and Lou Reed performed a little bonus music and poetry readings at Dixon Place on Saturday night for the stunned audience. Both were there to support their friend, writer Anne Carson, while she read in the Experiments & Disorders series. Andersen did accompany Carson with some background music while she read. Then, when the show ended, Reed came up out of the audience and did a few of his new poems while Andersen performed a few new pieces from her show. The audience went wild, as they say. And all this for $10. DP's main stage is now presenting artists on a full schedule, this past week was the first full week. Although the front part, the bar/lounge, is still being constructed, full houses have been filling the new state of the art theater with great feedback on the programming. Check them out, you never know who you're going to see. This seems to be the place for downtown art and performance royalty to make a cameo appearance. Last week, Moby was seen checking the place out and there is talk that Deborah Harry may soon make an appearance.

Save The Bowery From A Wall of Towers

2008-11-13T17:44:00.004-05:00

The Bowery is in more danger of becoming a wall of towering hotels and residential buildings if the east side of the street isn't protected. It's already been changed beyond recognition and character with the rapid construction of Cooper Square Hotel, The new Cooper-Union Building, The Bowery Hotel, Avalon Apartments, and a new monster rising at 4th Street and Bowery. Please take 15 seconds to copy and paste this email to the people in government who can make a difference by zoning the east side of Bowery from further development. GO HERE, NOW. Tomorrow, Friday, the 14th is the deadline.

Thanks.

NoHo/Bowery Coffee Tour

2008-11-10T11:16:00.028-05:00

"No coffee can be good in the mouth that does not first send a sweet offering of odor to the nostrils"

-Harriet Ward Beecher

What makes better sense to follow up a post about cocktails that one with coffee? In my local quest for a jolt of joe, the options have become fairly numerous and varied in the past several years, particularly with the transformation of the 'new' (ugh) Bowery. I'm only reviewing regular coffee here - i don't do those gross ventifrappycrappydoubledowhippitycreamycaramel type drinks - So here we go on a little java jaunt for the dark juice between Astor Place and Houston....

The Astor Place Coffee Cart (Astor/Lafayette)

Nobody's as cheery and fast (or cheap!) as the two guys in the coffee cart at Astor/Lafayette. They're not going to win any fancy taste tests, but it's not a bad cuppa joe at all. It's simple and strong enough to do the trick when I don't want to go inside anywhere and, besides, you really wouldn't expect these guys to serve anything except your good basic streetwalking coffee ($1.75/large) - it just wouldn't be right. Plus, they always remember how I take it and greet me with, "The usual?" when I walk up to the cart. They even make a killer bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll sandwich that beats any deli for about $3.00 and with a large coffee, it's a stick to your ribs breakfast for under $5.00. I love these guys -- by far the friendliest of anyone on this list, but they're only there until noon or so.

Karen's on Astor (between Lafayette/Broadway)

Karen serves full bodied organic coffee from Irving Farm which is starting to develop quite a following from what I've learned. The upstate coffee farm has started to open their own shops in town and Karen told me she tested dozens of others before choosing their beans - and she is extremely picky. It's a rich, full-bodied, well-roasted flavor that holds up to milk and sugar. A large is $2.75 and Karen makes the organic apricot and pistachio rugelach, and the chocolate chip & peanut butter cookies that stare you in the face - both perfect with your caffeine fix. Actually, she makes all the pastries herself except for the enormous Doughnut Plant doughnuts that always disappear before 11:00. I also like sitting out front and watch the Astor Place parade at any time of day.

The Mud Truck (Astor Place subway stop)

Who doesn't love these guys? Anybody who sets up shop in an old orange Con Ed truck between two Starbucks are heroes in my book. I'd have patronized them if they actually had served dirt mixed with warm water, but, instead, the coffee has become legendary in its own deserved right. Very rich and smooth and topped with steamed milk. Perfect and convenient for jumping on the subway or just hanging out. A large is $2.50 and their homemade pastries are excellent and are usually gone by noon. And I always get a doggie treat the minute I walk up to the window. I do miss the original owners, Greg and Nina however, but the new kids are always friendly if you can hear them over that blaring dagblasted rock and roll they play all day. Krazy kids! I go here at least 3-5 times a week and now that it's cool, I love the hot chocolate. Mud has oozed into a whole empire of wholesaling and online ordering. Couldn't happen to a nicer couple from the hood.

Starbucks

I've never understood the appeal of this place other than their handy public toilets, although I used to go in and order a 'small' coffee just to get a quizzical look out of them. The coffee tastes like detergent and karma is now consuming them for their plans of total global domination. It's finally turned into a Venti problem for the caffeine peddler; their stock is flatter than 3-day old non-fat foam.

Think (Bowery/Bleecker)

This new, popular outpost of the expanding Think brand is printing money. I've never been by there when both the inside and outside tables are not packed with European tourists and local hipsters. In the early morning, there's usually a line all the way to the door so they must be doing something right - they always, always run out of bagels. It's a prime location for watching the unstoppable metamorphosis of the Bowery and for hanging out. The coffee is excellent ($3.50/large) but I'm always put off by a place that has a glaring "NO PETS" sign in the window. Yes, we know already. Still, I keep giving them a shot and give a thumbs up to the fair-trade, organic beans. And they do have delicious raspberry rugelach. But for some reason I always feel like I've been ripped off just a little when I leave - I can't really put my finger on it. Oh, and their annoying "line the arrow up on the cap with the seam on the cup" instructions for the coffee lids is extremely irritating, but if you don't, you'll be wearing your java on your jeans. Can't quite figure that one out. I'll go back but only because I like to scowl at the tourists.

Bowery Poetry Club (Bowery between Bleecker/Houston)

This is my new favorite. With free WiFi and a sort of thrown together service counter and all sorts of mismatched signs with drinks and specials, this is more my style. And there's usually jazz or something interesting to listen to (usually live) coming from the performance area in the back. They have a .99 cent coffee special (before noon) and a large is only $2.40 and it's delicious organic, free-trade, politically-correct, yada yada yada coffee. The laid back, artsy counter staff seems a little befuddled sometimes but that's fine. It's a great hang-out place and there's always good eavesdropping to have. At night is a very popular artist series of singers, writers, poets, etc... Check their website.

Yippie Museum and Cafe (9 Bleecker at Bowery)

I reported on these guys this summer and I expect to be going into their cozy funkadelic cafe more now that winter has set in. Just off the Bowery, these Yips have really started to market this place as an alternative to everything else. They have excellent .99 cent coffee as well as free WiFi. The tourists seemed to be afraid or unaware to go in as it isn't totally clear that they're open for business during the day unless you see the random little chalkboard sitting outside - it looks more like some sort of covert operation unless you peak your head in and see the warm and cozy beatnik type cafe. They now have the Lenny Bruce Comedy Club that's starting to attract a crowd. Roseanne Barr even showed up there for an impromptu performance last week. Best to check their wacky website for more info.

Cafe (17 Bleecker)

Well... this was one of my neighorhood favorites until I just discovered they closed. The sign says "Not for Long" but who knows. I hope they're coming back, they had a very comfortable space and great coffee ($1.50), but who knows about anything going on that block for real. It would be a shame if they're gone so give them a look next time you're down there.

Have A Drink Or Two With My Blogger Buddies!

2008-11-07T18:59:00.007-05:00

It's been a whole week since Halloween? Wasn't there an election, too? I've got to lay off the sauce. On second thought, I may have just one more for the road at one of these classic places...

Jeremiah tells us about Blarney Cove, one of the last real dives left

and

Mr. EV Grieve classes it up a bit with Donohue's on the Upper East Side, a timeless old steak house on Lexington.

Happy Trails and Bottoms Up!

Bulldogs Hate Howl-O-Ween

2008-10-31T00:22:00.004-04:00

My crazy uncle Eric has gone to the dogs for sure this year. He spent god-knows-how-much on these insane Star Wars outfits for my cousins Tucker and Tallulah. I guess Tucker is supposed to be Yoda and Tallulah is Princess Leia. I'm just glad my daddy is too damn cheap to indulge in such frivolity. At least I'm hoping that bag he just brought in with the miniature Dolly Parton costume is for somebody else. I think I'll hide under the bed for the rest of the day, just in case. Have an arf-ully fun night and be kind to animals!

Sneak Peak - New Dixon Place Theater

2008-10-23T11:13:00.037-04:00

Here's a sneak peak of the new Dixon Place opening soon at 161 Chrystie (next door to Sammy's Restaurant). It will be a 130 seat main stage theater with an outer cafe lounge that seats about 35 - and a neighborhood place to get coffee and snacks with free internet. The cafe - opening in December, hopefully, has warm woods and organic finishes and will be the anti-Starbucks (99 cent coffee!), so please stop by when you need a caffeine fix in the morning or a cocktail at night (the liquor license will go in effect in January). All profits go back to help Dixon Place support their artistic mission of developing new work in theater, dance, music, and literature. It's a miracle that this 23 year old non-profit has survived, so everybody should support them when they open. The closing party of the old place last night on Bowery had a great turnout and was very emotional for some of the long time artists, staff, and especially founder, Ellie Covan. But with everything changing down on the Bowery, this was the only way this beloved non-profit organization was going to survive - by moving into the future. In this case, it was the right thing to do because now they own their space and are no longer at the mercy of a landlord who would surely have kicked them out and priced them out of the neighborhood. In this case, something new is a good thing and nobody was evicted, nothing was torn down, and rents weren't raised to complete the project. For more info, go to Dixon Place.

Last Hurrah At Ye Olde Dixon Place - You're Invited!

2008-10-21T22:06:00.011-04:00

TOAST AND JAM PARTY! WEDNESDAY! DIXON PLACE!

You're cordially invited..... to a "Toast and Jam" party at the old Dixon Place in the old Bowery space before their big move to a fancy pants new theater around the corner on Chrystie Street later this month. This is the very last chance to say good-bye to the iconic loft and eccentric performance space that Ellie Covan launched 23 years ago (it was also her living room and apartment!) This is truly the end of a wildly creative downtown bohemian era, but the beginning of something great, too. There will be music, dancing, bingo, drinking, and... toast and jam! Bring your favorite bread and jam and DP will provide the toasters. I promise it will be a fabulous mess of a night. I'll be bartending and all proceeds and tips will be donated to help them make this move.

Here's the deets:

TOAST AND JAM PARTY!

Bid farewell to the old Dixon Place and raise a toast to the new.

DIXON PLACE

Wednesday, October 22

6-10PM

258 Bowery

2nd Floor

Donation to enter - even $1.00! Cash bar. Music. Dancing. Merry-making. Wacky Artists and Their Friends.

Also, if anybody knows any creative, generous individuals or web agencies that want to donate a new web design for Dixon Place, please get in touch with me. They desperately need a new look and are relying on the community to come through. They can offer tickets and other entertainment in exchange and you can even write it off on your taxes!

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE JAM!

A Cracker Discovers Seward Park

2008-10-20T19:17:00.016-04:00

The desire to avoid weekend tourists and shopping crowds plus a craving for a doughnut from The Doughnut Plant - you really should only eat one of these monsters, but I managed to snarf down two - sent me fleeing from the East Village to Essex and Grand Street on Saturday. What a great idea. After fighting packs of brunching hipsters, we finally crossed Delancey and made our way to what seemed like a flashback to mid-80's East Village. Still a little derelict, lots of Chinese general stores, groceries, and restaurants, some beautifully empty lots, and just local folks out doing their errands and Jewish families going to temple. There was definitely some gentrifyin' goin' on but nothing like the blocks north of this area. A pack of high school boys even called out, "Cracker!" at me which warmed my soul and quickened my step a little. No, really, I was honestly glad to hear it - it seemed like the old days. After my coconut cream donuts and a fifty cent (only 50 cents!) bottle of Poland Spring (Good Lord, I guess I am a cracker), we explored the far east area of Chinatown and fell in love with it. It just seemed authentic. The towering housing complexes aren't exactly architectural treasures, but the old row houses and winding side streets in that area are. This is the neighborhood that has the city's oldest electric lamp post still in operation - stuff like that thrills me (a love of historical trivia is unquestionable proof of my crackerness). I then walked to Seward Park which is the run down anchor for the area and it looked a little like late 80's pre-renovation Tompkins Square which made it more appealing. After picking up a Villager newspaper, I learned there is a public discussion and 'visionary' movement on what to do with the adjoining large tract of leveled property called SPURA - Seward Park Urban Renewal Area. I say leave it alone. Let it be vacant, but that's not possible of course. These seminars are sponsored by one of my favorite organizations, Place Matters, which is associated with the Municipal Arts Society. Check them out too.

The Good Old Days

2008-10-17T16:06:00.003-04:00

I was just sitting in the park today reminiscing about days gone by and how quaint the Enron scandal now seems in light of the current state of affairs. Don't you miss Ken Lay, Andy Fastow, and that crazy scalawag, Jeffery Skilling? They practically seem like kindly Mother Goose characters compared to what is about to be revealed in the coming months with this current global meltdown. Ahh.. for the days of simple days of a single corporate $2 billion failure instead of entire economies. Good times.

A $2.25 Trillion Offer The Banks Couldn't Refuse

2008-10-15T01:16:00.006-04:00

Anybody notice that the bailout quietly went up to $2.25 trillion? According to this Times story, Mr. Paulson gathered all the big bank honchos in an ornate conference room yesterday and strong-armed them into signing a "take it or take it" deal that would force - even the few healthy banks - to each take $250 billion in cash in exchange for the government taking their stock. The bank chiefs weren't allowed to leave the room until they signed the agreement to take the cash so they would appear 'liquid' and be able to lend money. Somebody's been up late watching The Godfather.

History of the Maverick

2008-10-09T00:01:00.004-04:00

With the non-stop drone of the GOP claiming they're such mavericks, I was glad to find this Times article explaining exactly what it means. I had originally thought it was an untamed horse - close, but still a little bit off. Who knew McCain/Palin would actually lead us to discovering a bit of interesting American history?

And CNN reports that the real Mavericks wish John McCain would just shut up.

Lame Friday Quiz

2008-10-03T10:04:00.006-04:00

Are we stunned and a little confused about Sarah's scripted, hokey, not terrible performance last night? You betcha! So, all we're offering today is some lame news story quiz. But first, here's the most annoying Palin image from last night. Have a nice weekend.

Not So Great Expectations - And Palin Bingo!

2008-10-02T17:57:00.009-04:00

I'm of the school that everybody should raise their expectations of Sarah's debate performance tonight and stop anticipating a huge disaster. The talk and media should have predicted her doing an outstanding job against Biden. The way it stands now that even if she comes back with a good zinger or two, she's going to look brilliant because nobody thinks she can handle the pressure.

And while you're watching, play Palin Bingo! Thanks, Eric!

Answered Prayers

2008-10-01T12:47:00.006-04:00

Looks like all the New York curmudgeons, including myself, are getting their wish. The building boom is officially over.

Read Jeremiah and Bowery Boys Today

2008-09-30T14:32:00.009-04:00

Jeremiah's Vanishing New York had a great collection of links today, just read him. Pop an extra Prozac first, though.

Also, read the Bowery Boys intriguing Wall Street terrorist story from 1920. If these guys had taught me history, I may have been a better student.

Black Monday

2008-09-29T16:24:00.002-04:00

PoliticalCartoons.com

This Is How You Do It, Debby

2008-09-26T18:19:00.008-04:00

In contrast to Deborah Berke's nightmare around the corner at 48 Bond, (see below) the restoration and makeover of 316 Bowery is underway and it actually looks promising. The trendy restaurant is already open and packed nightly on the ground floor but, then, that was probably a bar when the 19th century building - originally a hotel - first opened. No, the upper floors won't look anything like the original, but at least the developers are restoring the facade to its glory days. This is the opposite of what Deborah Berke, et al. did with their live-in refrigerator condos at 48. See, Debs? It's about fitting into the neighborhood, not plopping a scary steel box into an historic area that casts a chill when you pass it. This restoration looks homey, warm, and inviting and bears no resemblance at all to a robot manufacturing plant.

Why $700 Billion? It's Big!

2008-09-25T01:56:00.007-04:00

This is really Bad News For The Bailout according to Forbes.com

"It's not based on any particular data point," a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com. "We just wanted to choose a really large number."

This is how they decided? YIKES!

Prison For Criminally Insane Opens At 48 Bond -- Oops, Them's Condos!

2008-09-24T18:51:00.043-04:00

It's an honest mistake to confuse the newly finished - and sold out! - condos at 48 Bond with The Tombs prison or any other depressing maximum security mental or criminal facility. It's grey - the developer likes to call it 'black' - it's cold, it's austere, and it's a perfect home for hardened, emotionless, unimaginative inhabitants who require conformity and uniformity. No shortage of those these days! I never thought I'd say this, but it makes Ian Schrager's 40 Bond, next door, look like an enchanting fairytale chalet - at least it has some character and individuality about it. But this stone and steel horror show at 48, is an ice-y, soulless mess and looks like a frozen storage annex for the nearby Avalon projects. Yet, at the same time, I sort of feel sorry for it because it's so homely. Of the four new modern structures that have risen on this block in recent years, this is definitely the ugly step-sister. There's nothing sophisticated, elegant, or rich about it as the architect's website likes to boast. I will agree that it's simple, modest, and complex but not in any complimentary meaning of the words. Simple and complex? Sure thing, Debby.

This block was once lined with the ornate mansions of New York's early aristocrats. They would socialize on the sidewalks or on their grand stoops and promenade down Bond. As I walk down this street today, there is little life to it other than a few restaurant patrons and a few dogs being walked. However, there is beginning to be a bit more spillover from the frathole partiers on Bowery as several fresh puddles of vomit are almost always on the sidewalks in the mornings. And now there's a symbol for the lifeless and vacuous who now consider themselves the new aristocracy in this neighborhood- a frigid monument to all that is shallow, transparent, and devoid of any color except their spray-on tans and blonde highlights, that is. Welcome home to 48 Bond, Patrick Bateman!

And for bigger New York architectural disasters, click here.

Those Krazy Feds And Their Bailout Pranks

2008-09-23T11:55:00.013-04:00

So, let me get this straight....

They want everybody onboard for a no-strings-attached bailout plan that includes, among other things:

No questions can be asked later by the courts or anyone else if it doesn't work.
Unlimited pay and golden parachutes for the guys at the top who created the mess and bonuses left intact for senior executives.
"No fault" clauses where if doesn't work, nobody gets blamed.
No guarantees that all homes will be protected, even if the owners were hoodwinked into signing unscrupulous mortgages by shady brokers.

I'm just a little bulldog, but when I piddle on the floor, I get all the blame and there ain't no 'bailout' plan. I just get sent to bed without my toys. What's up, Mr. Paulson?

Whining In Westchester

2008-09-22T13:10:00.008-04:00

From Tarrytown to Larchmont to Bedford - and all points in between and beyond - there was wailing and worrying at private parties throughout Westchester this weekend. The clear topic of cocktail party chatter focused on one thing - Wall Street. Nervous men clutched their 15 year old scotches a bit tighter while they traded information on 'who would be next' while prim housewives seemed to worry about how much household staff might have to be let go.

"At least summer's nearly over, so we don't have to worry about keeping the gardening crew much longer," whispered one Stepford wife to another as she twisted her pearl necklace and chugged down a fourth peach bellini. "We may be staying close to home for the holidays, it just depends on what happens next week," she added. Tiny crepes stuffed with salmon mousse and caviar were waved away as she looked blankly through her guests and did her best to make sure champagne flutes stayed full - the waiters seemed to be refilling them more than usual.

"I tell you one thing! Paulson better save Goldman, or I'll have his goddamn head, I tell you!" bellowed one fat cat. "He owes me and I'll be damned if I sell the Bar Harbor house!" His wife shushed him and led him away from the somber crowd. A few seconds later, a wayward golf ball came sailing in from the adjacent golf course. It ricocheted off an Adirondack chair and crashed onto the poolside bar shattering half a dozen glasses and a pitcher full of cranberry juice. The dark red liquid splashed across the white tablecloth and the stain began spreading rapidly down the front of the clean crisp linen.

"That's not an omen I was hoping to see today," one guest said dryly. "But I guess it's accurate."

Screw The Economy - See A Show!

2008-09-18T21:14:00.016-04:00

The best way to forget about the economy and the horror of Sarah Palin is to get lost in "Arias With A Twist" the magical, trippy, revue at Here Theater. Joey Arias is truly in his element - no 'real' co-stars to upstage him - as if that even were possible - just a fanciful troupe of Basil Twist's brilliant puppets, flora, fauna, aliens, and lots of phallic-shaped things which Joey plays off (and with) perfectly. I have to say that after seeing him perform in dozens of shows since we were both youngsters running around the East Village, this one fits him as perfectly as Thierry Mugler's gowns do. His timing and talent have never been better and his voice is stronger and more intensely intriguing than ever before. It was so perfect at times, I was sure they were playing tracks, but it was all him. The opening act alone is worth the price of admission - go see this bawdy and hysterical hallucinogenic gem in the newly renovated jewel box theater at Here. It's so much better than anything you'll see on Broadway and it restored my faith in the wonder of downtown creativity. Read the Times review here.

Manhattan Soup Kitchens

2008-09-17T13:48:00.011-04:00

In light of this week's business news, you may find the following helpful......

MANHATTAN SOUP KITCHENS

11 Broadway

212 598-0100

180 East 118th Street

212 987-4319

1832 Madison Avenue

212 860-1523

152 W. 71st St.

212 873-9224

227 Bowery

212 674-3456

139 Avenue D

646 602-0706

520 Park Avenue

212 838-3036

For more New York soup kitchens & food pantries, go to Food Bank for New York.

This Public Service Announcement was approved by George W. Bush.

Community Board Denies The Box Liquor License Renewal

2008-09-15T21:49:00.007-04:00

The Box, the scandal-plagued, celebrity-infested, nightclub on Chrystie Street has been denied the renewal of their liquor license due to overwhelming community opposition at tonight's meeting of the SLA community board. The smug operators stood in front of a packed room, with their lawyer, and, basically, told the neighbors who they've been keeping up at all hours - for two years - that they would try to do better. Neighbors told stories of being carded to get into their own buildings by security, harassment by The Box management, smoke coming through their walls, music until 6am, and other violations. This denial does not necessarily mean the club won't get the license back, it just means the community board recommends to the State Liquor Authority that they don't - recommendations usually stick, however. More on Eater .

Hurricane Lehman To Hit Wall Street Monday

2008-09-14T15:15:00.020-04:00

"You have to think of this like there is an epidemic going on - an epidemic of capital destruction," - James L. Melcher, president of hedge fund Balestra Capital on the Lehman Brothers meltdown.

It doesn't look like Washington or anyone else is going to come to the rescue of Lehman Brothers - this really might be the start of the economic crash many have predicted. The upside to this is maybe it will chase the obnoxious bankers, pseudo-celebutards, and other bright shiny people who have taken over the city back to where they came from and stop the maddening construction of glass towers in our neighborhoods. The only hope for getting the city back to the dark apocalyptic Warriors era many people have been pining for is total economic collapse. I don't think I want the city run by gangs exactly, but after being nearly run over last night by a white stretch Hummer full of drunk bachelorette partying Jersey girls while walking my dog, I'm officially over this recent gilded age.

"WELCOME BACK TO BLACK MONDAY"

"This is an earth-shattering event, this is like a tectonic plate shifting event."

New York Times - 10:28PM

I predicted the market would fall 500 points on Monday. It fell 504.

OFFICIAL LEHMAN BROTHERS PRESS RELEASE CLAIMS CHAPTER 11

Fake Disneyesque "Bodegas" Blossom Citywide

2008-09-12T13:45:00.017-04:00

As a marketing person, I had to see this. Target created four pop-up temporary stores inspired by the iconic, yet disappearing, New York bodega right on the heels of fashion week. They opened today in strategic locations in Manhattan that were probably supported by focus groups, neighborhood profiling, and foot traffic experts. I think I remember seeing somebody with a traffic clicker at the corner of Bowery and 2nd Street a few months ago. I strolled by the Bowery location and sure enough, it looks like a display at the "New York New York" casino in Las Vegas. I have to admit, the designer of the space did a good job for what it is - a sugary confection of the old corner store most of us remember for selling very basic merchandise - no meat or produce - and mostly beer, cigarettes, cat food, and candy. Target's version sold none of these items.

Target's clever bodega only featured chic designer clothes (none I recognized) and other necessary cool products like inexpensive but trendily designed housewares and other crap that will end up in the trash next year. The walls were covered in wallpaper featuring fake Target products like canned products, detergents, etc. The place was packed with Stepford people drooling over the items like it was Christmas morning and the check-out lines were long. I've read reports all day that the other 'bodegas' were equally as busy and I'm sure the whole thing will have an enormous pay-off for Target sales, PR, and image before they all close on Sunday.

It's funny how Target loves to tease Manhattanites with these temporary stores but they won't venture into the borough with an actual permanent location - they probably know more about the city's shiny new suburban bred residents than anybody. It's like getting an addict hooked on crack, but only making it available in limited quantities - you don't want to dilute the market. About a dozen members of Target's marketing team hovered in a corner clad in red polo shirts & khaki pants and were absolutely giddy with delight. I couldn't help wondering if any of them thought of the real bodegas that are being shut down due to tripling rents and changing neighborhoods. I didn't wonder for long, however. Just looking at their faces you could tell they couldn't wait to go back to Minneapolis and report to their senior executives of what a phenomenal success it all was. Did you catch that folks? Minneapolis is now dictating what's cool to New York. Welcome to the mall, everybody, it's finally here and not going away.

Life Goes On

2008-09-11T19:06:00.025-04:00

I met about 40 people today for lunch who I volunteered with at St. Paul's Chapel during the months after 9/11. We were mostly the kitchen crew and did whatever else needed to be done in the historic church that served as the rescue worker's home during those dark months following the disaster. It's still a miracle to me how this graceful colonial chapel survived the collapse of the towers as it was directly across the street from them - but I guess it was supposed to. It certainly served a divine role during those days, and a lot of messages could be interpreted from it, but I'm not going to get preachy about it. I'll just say that it was a humbling experience and I saw things and met people I'll never forget.

Many of the firemen and construction workers considered us their family during that time. We got them their meals, did basic first-aid, cleaned their clothes, listened to their stories, and did our best to cheer them up when possible. We would hang up the thousands of cards and letters that came from all over the world, displayed the hundreds of handmade Peace quilts from the delicate balcony, brought them cookies and coffee, changed their cots that lined the balcony where they slept on breaks, trained other volunteers, and made the church as comfortable as possible. It was the first time in my life where I saw a church functioning in a way that made me feel a little bit spiritual. It was a fortress from darkness, a safe-haven, and an inspiration - things that apply to many religions, I suppose, and to see this chapel where George Washington prayed on his inauguration day turned into a modern day rescue mission was pretty spectacular. Here was New York's oldest public building being used to heal the horrors of a contemporary global culture war - there's way too many metaphors there for me to process.

The most inspiring thing, however, were the people that worked on the recovery site and the chapel volunteers. They came from all walks of life and different political, religious, and cultural differences. None of it mattered then, however, and to see them all today was like going home to a special family that only we understand. In the 7 years since, many of us have had our own traumas that few of us shared with the others. Our only real contact is in the planning stages of our annual reunion. But, today was special in that we all made the effort to see each other, catch up and remember the work we did. Today's anniversary was sad, as it will always be, but it was also a reaffirmation that life goes on for those who want it to.

Take care,

Back To Business

2008-09-05T17:26:00.015-04:00

Dear Readers - Sorry I disappeared. I developed a bit of writer's block. No one reason, really...but I do think this Bristol Palin thing just put me in a funk - the tragedy of an unwed teenage pregnancy happening to such a nice family - it's just too much.

I'll be back with some thoughts after my 9/11 reunion with some wonderful folks I worked with while volunteering at St. Paul's Church during the recovery and clean-up. I'm looking forward to seeing them all at our lunch on Thursday. They are the best and that was probably one of the most important things I ever did in my life.

Oh, and thanks to those asking what happened to me. It's kinda nice to have strangers check in on you and I do appreciate the inquiring emails I got. This blog thing - I don't know....it starts out as a little hobby, then one day it just becomes work. But I'll try to be better with posting, stay tuned and see you soon.

And P.S. Kirby will be responsible for most of the content on here from now on and she can really get her little wrinkles in a furrow, so don't blame me if there's something on here you don't like!

The Tompkins Square Park Riots

2008-08-06T16:59:00.022-04:00

Twenty years ago this week, the Tompkins Square Riots erupted. Luckily, I missed the riot itself. I had been away for the weekend, and was on my way home to my East 5th Street apartment on early Sunday evening the night after it happened. I came out of the Broadway/8th Street subway station and immediately noticed a strange stillness and smell of smoke in the air. As I made my way down St. Marks Place, it kept getting more eerie. Trash was everywhere and stores and restaurants were closed. There were police on every corner, on horses, on foot, and in vans and they blocked everyone from entering the park. I still didn't have any idea what had happened, but it did seem like there had been a battle. As I got to Tompkins Square, I noticed small, smoldering fires were burning and then I saw the aftermath. Broken glass, bottles, tree limbs, garbage of every kind was strewn around the park and up and down Avenue A and the side streets. Even Odessa, the always open polish restaurant, was closed and very few people were around. All of the homeless people that usually inhabited the southwest corner of the park were gone and barricades blocked 7th Street between A & B. It was a bizarre atmosphere and I hurried down Avenue A, turned down 5th Street and ran up my five flights. The TV was blazing with the news of the riots and the video of the police attacking people with batons while on horseback still are vivid. As I finally caught up with what happened the night before, it was clear that a class struggle had taken place. I never considered myself a 'yuppie' in 1988 but I guess I was in the eyes of some. I had a job and I had to wear a tie for work. I was paying $500 for a tiny, recently renovated one-room apartment, and I had an Apple Macintosh - that's really about as far as my yuppie-ness went. I considered myself an anti-establishment East Villager as did all my friends at the time who I met at ACT-UP meetings on Monday nights. A fun night for us was staying until closing at the Pyramid Club on a Sunday night and then running for our lives to the after hours club, Save The Robots, on Avenue B because we would usually be chased by a bat-wielding gang of some kind. I was just living my life at the time as best I could.

The East Village did change after that riot. The city eventually closed Tompkins Square for renovations and the police have always had a bigger presence there since that night of fighting. Old buildings were replaced by new ones and now even bigger ones are being built. The press now make the anarchists and anti-development contingent appear to be just court jesters in a neighborhood that is now ruled by developers and big real estate. The new people moving in are shiny and slick and have no clue what was there before. And they don't really seem to care if a wine bar replaces a row of historic old buildings - a wine bar is more important to their lifestyle than any sense of history.

Last week, I walked down my old block and around "Alphabet City" - I never even hear people call it that anymore. There are so many expensive restaurants, bars, and boutiques in places that used to be derelict and abandoned. Dozens of strollers crowd the sidewalk and lots of trendy little cars are parked along the streets. I found a tiny community garden that I'd never seen before but must have been started years ago - it was completely thought out and had miniature lily ponds and gazebos that looked like they were built years ago. Somebody - or several people, probably - really created a living work of art. It was beautiful and the neighborhood gardens are one of the East Village's true treasures. There is definitely not a sense of danger or edginess anymore and tourists are everywhere, of course. Then I walked through Tompkins Park. It's full of life and filled with diversity, although an air of affluence is there that never existed. I passed three girls in expensive dresses carrying skateboards. I guess the 1988 riots were fighting this but it's here and not going away. For better or worse, it's a different neighborhood than it used to be and it's still got more character (and characters) than most others. But I doubt anybody has an apartment for $500 anymore.

(Photo by Q. Sakamaki)

How To Drive A New York Dog Owner Insane

2008-08-02T20:00:00.050-04:00

I know my dog is cute and I'm glad people want to meet her. She's truly an amazing part of my life and I love all the new friends I've met since getting her last year - locals seem to understand the protocol of when to talk to somebody walking their dog and when not to. But the tourists are out of control. It's difficult enough to try and steer a stubborn bulldog down the block without a bunch of dorks stopping me every 3 feet to ask one of the following important questions. It doesn't matter if I'm on the phone, talking to another person, or just trying to pick up the poop without dropping it, they want their questions answered regardless of what the situation is. So I want to give a tip to all the wonderful New York City visitors flooding our sidewalks, subways, and streets this summer. Tourists, please don't stop people while they're walking their dogs to ask them:

"Hi. Is that a boxer? My cousin has a boxer!" (It's a bulldog. Your cousin has a different dog than I do, but I'm so glad you stopped to tell me since I'll never see you again or ever meet your cousin. - What am I supposed to say to this?)
"Ohhh...how cute! What's his name?" (HER name is Kirby. What difference does it make really?)
"Could I take a picture of it?" (Sure, nothing would make me happier and I really don't have anything else better to do than to make your "MY NYC TRIP" scrapbook a little bit cuter.)
"Who's walking who here?" (That's so original, you really should think about doing stand-up comedy.)
"Can I pet her?" (Why not. The other 75 drunks on your Sex and the City tour bus did.)
"Golly! You sure don't see many bulldogs in New York very often!" (There are, at least, 50 bulldogs living within the surrounding 4 blocks of where we are standing, but they stay inside to hide from people like you.)
"How much did you pay for her?" (You, a total stranger, did not just ask me that. But it was about 20 times more than the amount of your entire Wal-Mart outfit plus your tacky Zales zirconium belly button ring.)
"Does she attack children?" (Only ones whose parents stop to ask me ridiculous, time-consuming questions. We are, in fact, looking for small children right now for dinner.)

Maybe it's just the August heat driving me and everybody else crazy, but I had to get that out. Do you have any stupid tourist pet questions? Please let me know so I'm not alone in this agony.

Dixon Place Moves To New Home In October

2008-07-23T14:24:00.026-04:00

I've been a bad blogger for not posting in awhile, but I've got a good reason for my absence. I've been out hustling up some new projects and I'm excited to report that I'll be helping Dixon Place, the venerable East Village performing arts lab move to their new home on Chrystie Street. For some reason, I feel like these two New York institutions will make perfect neighbors. Ellie Covan, the founder and director of Dixon Place, has pulled off nothing short of a miracle in the midst of the crushing and destructive real estate storm that has killed and misplaced dozens of artists and cultural centers. I'm honored to announce that Ellie found the support and resources to relocate the beloved DP to a brand spanking new state of the art theater that will open in October. Since 1986, Dixon Place has been an incubator for writers and performers and allows the artist to develop their work in a safe and nurturing environment. DP encourages artists of all backgrounds to challenge, question, experiment, and push boundaries with their work and this is where Blue Man Group, John Leguizamo, Reno, Wallace Shawn, Holly Hughes, and dozens of other performers launched or honed their careers. Dixon Place is truly an original East Village arts organization and they need your support to make this move successful - this is definitely great news for the New York arts world for a change.

There's a lot of Dixon Place news to report which will be released soon. I'm going to be working on the launch and helping to produce a series of opening events - of which there are at least four being planned with themes of theater, dance, music, and literature. If you want to get involved, be a sponsor, donate silent auction items, buy tickets, or know anything else about the new space, please get in touch with me. The survival and renaissance of Dixon Place really is a huge deal as it is happening directly in the shadow of the Avalon and all the new soulless development overtaking the East Village. Please get involved and help give these artists a home and safe haven. Otherwise, you're going to get another Bloomie Nails or Pinkberry.

For more information, events, or to contribute to the capital campaign: www.dixonplace.org

Dog Show - Part 2

2008-07-17T23:42:00.010-04:00

Since I'm still buried under work, here's more shots of Kirby - this was her favorite toy as a puppy.

This is Kirby's "let's play" or "I'm not going anywhere" pose. She stays cool by splaying out like a frog on a cool stone or wood floor, and then I drag her around by her harness - it's her favorite summer thing.

A little flower blooms in the city - was that nauseating? Kirby is a one and half year old English Bulldog - a full breed, but she's very trim and sometimes looks like she has a little Boxer in her but she's all Bully. And a sweeter, more comical, and stubborn puppy you will never meet!

Happy Anniversary Vanishing New York

2008-07-15T15:01:00.009-04:00

Today is Jeremiah's Vanishing New York's first anniversary! Happy Birthday, Jeremiah! I think he's done more than anyone to raise awareness about how New York's treasures are disappearing on a daily basis. He is relentless in traveling the city, documenting the destruction of history and how it's changing the personality of our town - and not for the better, obviously. I've never met him but I consider him an urban warrior who is doing all he can to warn us about how New York's soul is being torn down brick by brick. It's not a blog for the faint of heart, but it's always one of the first things I read every morning.

It's also Ken Mac's real birthday. He does the amazing Greenwich Village Daily Photo blog. Happy Birthday to you, Ken! I always visit you everyday too!

Dog Days

2008-07-14T22:41:00.009-04:00

Uh...this is probably really lame, but I'm unusually busy and can't work on new posts until next week. So, in a classic showbiz ploy, I'm bringing out the dog act. Here are some shots of Kirby when she was 8 weeks old. Photos by David Morgan - dmny.com. Hire him - he can even make you look good!

The Yippie Museum

2008-07-10T12:34:00.018-04:00

For every Yin, there's a Yang or sometimes a Yip. That was my experience after hearing that disgusting conversation (below) on Tuesday. I tend to be drawn to dark themes, so I thought I'd check out the real estate predator show again. Kirby and I went back to Bowery to see what we could hear last night - for some reason, there were lots of dark-suited Republican types prowling about it. Mostly, it was just a parade of tourists and robots, and I didn't hear much other than inane phone and shopping chatter. Lots of people stopped to pet Kirby and then we headed down Bleecker Street. We were immediately handed a flyer by Dane who was barking, "free music! - fifty cent coffee!" - and then he pulled us into a time machine and we went back to 1968 - Dane started to tell us the amazing history about this home to the infamous Yippies. Immediately, a cool rush of fresh mountain air hit us that had a faint smell of rosemary, if you get my drift.... Dane then held back a velvet curtain and we stepped into this tiny storefront club where someone was on stage performing poetry/folk music. To the right was a beautiful old bar serving coffee and non-alcohol drinks. I thought I recognized some faces from the neighborhood and realized it was some of the Bowery Wine Bar protesters. Dane was explaining his amazing natural cooling system that involved pulling air down from the roof that was filled with plants and trees and through a honey-combed type ceiling - I'm not sure if that had anything to do with the coolness, but it looked very Jules Verne.

It was a hallucinating piece of history and a breath of fresh air on what is happening in the neighborhood - it was the complete opposite of what I experienced right outside their door the night before. I also learned that Spielberg has recently made a movie about the Yippies called "The Trial of the Chicago Seven" coming out in 2009. I'll post more about the that soon. But go to their cafe/museum and support them or even have your own party there. It's an antidote of the plastification of the Bowery, and right in the middle of it - which is exactly how'd they'd like it as their trademark is a sense of humor imbedded in their protesting. They even resurrected pie-throwing to political theater and were nicknamed the "Groucho Marxists."

I know they are many of them are out tonight on that massive, slightly theatrical, East Village anti-development demonstration and I truly wish them luck and safety and if you see them, be nice.

The Yippie Museum and Cafe

9 Bleecker Street

212 677-5918

p.s. - it's summer and I'm distracted, posts may be random for a while.

Bowery Banter

2008-07-08T20:06:00.025-04:00

Actual conversation overheard at the corner of Bowery & Bond Streets
Tuesday, 7PM

Blonde Real Estate Dude: "Yes, this whole area used to be a blight. Homeless, drunks, drug addicts, dirty bars, old buildings. You couldn't walk down this street without fear. And now it's filled with young people, tourists, nice stores...and that's the Bowery Hotel - $450 a night. Cooper Square Hotel is opening in fall and another residence is going up across the street from that. Those old buildings (pointing at the NE corner of Bowery/2nd) are going soon. That corner is perfect for your investment. The neighborhood needs another good restaurant and you can do 15 floors. You better get in quick. McNally is opening on Houston. Schrager's building is down this block - he even lives there."

Investor: "What about that? (pointing at White House hostel). My customers don't want to walk out and see these people in their wheelchairs or that type of element."

BRED: "That won't be here in a year. None of this old stuff will be - they're history. This is the new, cool, part of town. It's already happened. Look at how the women are dressed - you can tell by their shoes. This IS the new center of New York's nightlife. It's Ocean Drive, it's Sunset, it's the Vegas strip, baaby. Let's go back to the office and look at the numbers. You'll see this is the perfect spot."

Investor: "Okay, but let's get a drink first. I want to see what people order at the bar - that's always how I decide where to put a new venture - you know, top shelf drinkers are always a good sign. Bruce Willis owns a spot around here, let's find it."

BRED: "First round's on me!"

Then, I puked.

Gratuitous Puppy Picture

2008-07-07T17:53:00.006-04:00

I'm just back from a no computer or cell phone vacation and it was great. So, I'm behind in my posts... Until I get back on track, here's a pic of Kirby sitting on the rocks behind the little cabin I was in. It was her first time in the woods and she - we both - had a blast.

Don't touch my stick.

Colonnade Balcony Shots

2008-07-02T02:22:00.021-04:00

I stepped out on my neighbor's balcony yesterday for some quick pix of the view overlooking Lafayette Street. As you can see, the columns and walls are crumbling like a sand castle, which is part of their decaying beauty. It makes the building contrast even more with the cold, slick newness rising around it. The facade needs desperate attention - and I wish I had some news regarding its preservation, but I don't. Stayed tuned.

Looking down the row of columns...

I'm taking a break for a few days - Have a safe weekend.

Remembering Katharine Hepburn

2008-06-30T01:31:00.048-04:00

Katharine Hepburn died five years ago yesterday at the age of 96. I remember being extra sad on that day because as a very lucky intern at Chicago's Shubert Theater, her play, The West Side Waltz, allowed me access to her that became one of the greatest moments in my life. For six weeks, it was my coveted honor to go backstage every night and say, "Miss Hepburn, may I get you anything?" Her door was usually open. She was always sitting at her dressing table, leaning into the mirror and practicing her lines which was remarkable to witness. She never needed a thing other than what was already prepared for her when she arrived - a cup of tea, a pitcher of water, a bowl of oranges, a small vase of white lilies, and her most extravagant request - that the drab walls be hung loosely with white sheets. That was it. No imported waters, no fancy drinks, no Baccarat bowls of only the green M&M's, no nuthin' like celebrities today demand in their contracts. I bet she'd have a few choice things to say about that. At the Shubert, she was always extremely polite to all the backstage crew, never pretentious, and seemed grateful to be performing - and this was from someone who had just won their fourth Academy Award. One night, she asked about me and I told her I was graduating from college in a month, so she gave a bit of advice: "Obey all the rules, and miss all the fun."

I later found out that this was one of her many brilliant sayings that she would pull out for advice, interviews or standard stock answers but at least they were clever and she thought of them and not some pr hack - and they actually had meaning to them. In any case, her words became the most profound thing I followed as I went on with my life. I certainly didn't follow a traditional path and I've had a pretty good time with few regrets. I've been reading up on her life, again, and it's fascinating. She truly followed her own beat and fought her own battles. Her good humored fiestiness, integrity and wisdom was as genius as her talent. She is still my favorite actress and she only got better as she got older. There's not much more I could add that hasn't been said, but this Observer article by Rex Reed is pretty amazing. Hope you appreciate her as much as I do. And if you want to help preserve her legacy, please support the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center that's being developed in her beloved hometown of Old Saybrook.

NATALIE'S SKILL AT MACRAME CAME IN HANDY YEARS AFTER SHE'D ABANDONED THE CRAFT

2008-06-28T13:26:00.013-04:00

Photo by: Joe Oppedisano

(In this shot, the models were trying hard not to laugh. They were very good sports.)

This is the last of Joe's photographs I'm publishing for this week.

Hope you've enjoyed them, and have a great weekend!

IT WAS MORE HER POOR AIM THAN THE TIGHT TRUSS THAT HE FEARED MOST OF ALL

2008-06-27T11:39:00.005-04:00

Photo by: Joe Oppedisano

REX WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE DEMONSTRATION OF HIS NEW HARNESS

2008-06-26T18:39:00.007-04:00

Photo by: Joe Oppedisano

"I SAID GET CRISTAL NOT DOM, YOU DOLT!"

2008-06-25T17:34:00.028-04:00

Joe Oppedisano shot an editorial for a Paris-based magazine in my crib recently. It was a blast. Joe is one of the most creative stylists and photographers around - we met years ago when I was in PR and he was at WWD. We both moved on to do our own things - some of them controversial (at the time). I went on to develop Tom of Finland into an almost mainstream lifestyle brand, and he become a sought-after fashion photographer and produced some seriously erotic art projects including books, calendars, and other products. He has the best eye for detail and his sense of humor is usually infused into his work, regardless of how sexual it might be. For this shoot, he produced an S&M-y themed story that turned out beautifully. As an homage to Helmut Newton, I think he'd approve. The models were amazing to work with and cooperated with whatever Joe said without any whining or difficulty. So, anyway -- since I'm sorta busy this week, I'm just going to post some of Joe's pictures with captions for the next few days. Keep cool and have a great week.