July 25, 2008
Welcome to the BroadsheetDAILY,
a bulletin of information about Downtown news, people and events that lands in your Inbox from
Monday to Friday.
The DAILY
is a supplement of
The Battery Park City Broadsheet,
which is published every two weeks and distributed throughout Battery Park City, the Financial District, the South Street Seaport area and Tribeca.
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editor@ebroadsheet.com
The Editors
Terese Loeb Kreuzer
Broadsheet Daily Editor
TereseLoeb@mac.com
Contributor:
Matthew Fenton
Robert Simko
Publisher
robert@ebroadsheet.com
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Dear Reader,
The BroadsheetDAILY is e-mailed to subscribers from Monday to Friday. Subscriptions are free. To subscribe, go to: www.ebroadsheet.com and click on the link "Subscribe to the BroadsheetDAILY." We welcome your comments, questions, kudos and criticisms. Send them to editor@ebroadsheet.com. To forward this e-mail, scroll to the bottom and click on the "Forward email" link.
Today's Weather: High: 85°. Low: 67°. Clear.
Parking Alert CORRECTION: NBC's Law and Order: SVU will be filming in Battery Park City on Friday. Autos parked on South End Avenue, West Thames and Rector Place will be towed to the "nearest legal spot," according to the NYPD. If your car disappears, try calling 212-971-0782 to find out what happened to it or ask the onsite location manager.
Traffic Alert: Nike is sponsoring a half-marathon on Sunday, July 27, that begins at 7 a.m. in Central Park and ends on West Street near Battery Place. The route goes from W. 42nd Street down the Westside Highway. The Broadsheet has learned that West Street will be closed from about 7:30 a.m. to noon, as permitted by the Mayor's Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO). The Mayor's office phone number with regard to this is 212-788-7567. The website to find out more is www.nyc.gov/cau and go to "street events calendar" for more information.
Street Closing: Whitehall Street between Beaver Street and Stone Street will be closed Friday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the India Abroad event as permitted by the Mayor's Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).
Greenmarkets: The City Hall and Union Square Greenmarkets are open today. (The City Hall Greenmarket is at Broadway and Chambers Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Tomatoes, corn, beets, broccoli, string beans, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, lima beans, radishes, rhubarb, summer squash, blueberries, pears, grapes, plums, peaches and cherries are in season.
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Tax rebate for condo and co-op owners
Sheldon Silver sponsors measure and gets it passed
Battery Park City. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
Reason to celebrate: The 467a tax abatement, which shaves 17.5 percent off property tax bills for most New York City owners of condominium and cooperative apartments, was renewed days before it was set to expire in June. Sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Speaker Sheldon Silver, the measure extends the rebates until 2012 and also requires the City to formulate a policy by 2011 that will permanently address the tax gap between the one- to three-family homes (which are taxed based on 6 percent of their overall value) and owner-occupied apartments, like condos and co-ops (which are sometimes taxed at nearly eight times that rate). "I believe strongly that we need to set a comprehensive policy," Mr. Silver told the Broadsheet, "because this situation is fundamentally unfair."
Mr. Silver not only sponsored the measure but, in his capacity as Speaker, shepherded it through the legislature and onto Gov. David Paterson's desk, where it was signed into law on June 11. This ratification came as New York City Department of Finance officials were preparing July property tax bills, which would have assessed condo unit owners without the 17.5 abatement had the measure not passed. (Depending on your point of view, the abatement either saves apartment owners around $300 million per year, or costs the City the same amount in foregone tax collections.) "This is an interesting problem," Mr. Silver told the Broadsheet. "But we can't balance the budget by expecting people who own their apartments to pay more than their share."
- Matthew Fenton
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Calendar of events
July 25-27
Color Codes: ···Of special interest to kids and/or teens ···Of special interest to seniors
Friday, July 25
Olabelle at One New York Plaza
In homage to Johnny Cash, the baddest man in music, Ollabelle, the
multi-talented, Americana collective, performs special 'themed' shows
based on the Man in Black's muses: life, love, pain, transcendence. Free. 12:30pm. One New York Plaza (at Water & Whitehall Streets). www.worldfinancialcenter.com
Sunset Jam on the Hudson at Wagner Park
Djembe and conga
drums, bells, shakers and sticks await you at BPCPC's sunset drumming
circles. The evenings begin with the teaching of
traditional drumming patterns. After establishing a steady heartbeat
pulse, individuals - young and old, novice and experienced - contribute
their own rhythmic patterns as part of call and response chanting and
drumming. Working together as a drumming village, everyone taps into
his and her own creativity. All engage in cooperative non-verbal
communication, sharing the heady responsibility for creating beautiful,
exciting sounds. It always works and it's always incredible. With
Maguette Camera. Free. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wagner Park. 212-267-9700. www.bpcparks.org
Seaport Music: Atlas Sound, Crystal Stilts at the South Street Seaport
Atlas Sound is the
solo moniker of Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox. The music is a
collage of ambient electronic influenced bliss-outs and avant-garage
gauzy pop. Crystal Stilts is a psychedelic, minimalist, punk band featuring Brad Hargett and JB Townsend. Free. 7 p.m. South Street Seaport. www.rivertorivernyc.com
Music Under the Trees with Guitars at Battery Park
Reviving its decade-old
music festival, the Battery will be transformed into a musical haven,
showcasing multi-genre guitar-oriented performances; from jazz,
classical and flamenco to old fashioned rhythm&blues. Free. 12 p.m. The Battery Bosque. 212-344-3491. www.thebattery.org
Saturday, July 26
Folks on the Island: Eric Bibb at Governors Island
Son of legendary folk
and musical theater singer Leon Bibb, Eric Bibb is an original talent
whose singing and versatile guitar playing fuse a variety of genres to
create a "New World blues." Performing with his daughter, Yana, this
concert will be a pan-generational foray into the blues. Free. 1:30 p.m. (Governors Island ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, Slip 7.)
Governors Island. www.folksontheisland.com
City of Water Day on Governors Island
Paddlers, sailors,
mariners and others from around the region will converge on Governors
Island to eat, drink and be merry. Boat parade of working vessels past and present including the retired fireboat John J. Harvey and the Seaport Museum's tug W.O. Decker. Eco-tours of
indigenous bird habitats hosted by NYC Audubon and a Hidden Harbor Tour
hosted by the Working Harbor Committee. Fishing clinics with I Fish New
York. Live music by Eric Bibb. Car-free biking. Bring your own wheels or rent. Raindate July 27. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Governors Island. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building at the corner of South and Whitehall Streets, Slip 7. 212-935-9831, x279. www.waterfrontalliance.org
The Big River Project: The Music of Johnny Cash at the World Financial Center
Culminating a
week-long celebration of the music of Johnny Cash, artists
from many walks of musicial life cover gems, both
well-known and obscure, from Cash's songbook. Confirmed artists include
John Doe (of X), Ollabelle, Jay Farrar (of Son Volt), Laura Cantrell,
The Persuasions, Marshall Crenshaw, Catherine Russell, Sway Machinery,
and Hymns. Free. 8 p.m. World Financial Center. www.worldfinancialcenter.com
Sunday, July 27
Sunset Eco-Cruise to Harbor Heron Island leaving from Pier 17, South Street Seaport
Experience the wonders of New York's famous harbor
at sunset and see some of the three thousand herons nesting on islands
around the harbor, including North Brother Island, South Brother
Island, Mill Rock Island and U Thant Island. $25, $10. 7 p.m. South Street Seaport, Pier 17. 212-742-1969. www.nywatertaxi.com
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Summer weekends: Ventura
Harbor sails
As the Ventura eases out of North Cove marina, the theme song from "Gilligan's Island" is playing, punctuated by the usual warning blast. Crew members on most boats heading into the Hudson lean on the horn. The first mate of Ventura blows on a conch.
By this time, passengers on the 72-foot charter sailboat probably understand there will be some unconventional aspects to this voyage.
Capt. Pat Harris knows that the water, the wind and the sun are all that passengers really need to unwind. But he likes to add a few extra touches: pirate jokes, reggae music, even water balloons. (The water balloons generally are launched by slingshot at Shearwater when both North Cove charter sailboats are in the harbor.)
On one recent Sunday afternoon, Ventura was at capacity, with 35 people on board for the public, bring-your-brunch sail, which is offered once a month. April Green and Neville Francis, who just moved back to New York City from Texas, had never been out on the harbor before. "If you're from Texas, you think New York: grimy, not New York: beautiful," Ms. Green said, as Ventura tacked toward Buttermilk Channel and began to sail past the tall cranes of Brooklyn's industrial waterfront.
Capt. Pat maneuvered toward the waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge and gave a little history lesson. "Ventura was commissioned in 1919 by George Baker [chairman of First National Bank of New York, forerunner of Citibank]," he began. "She hit the water in 1921. Some of her parts are over 100 years old." The single-masted sloop was designed by Nathanael Herreshoff, the country's premier yacht designer. Used by Mr. Baker for duck hunting, Ventura was built with an extremely low deck, since raised, so that the dogs could jump back on board after fetching the ducks. The seventh owner, Mr. Harris has restored Ventura lavishly since he purchased her in 1987.
Ventura sails out of North Cove through September with weekly Friday evening sunset sails and monthly Sunday brunch sails open to the public.
- Alison Simko
Friday evening sunset sails: 6 p.m.-8:45 p.m.; Sunday BYO brunch
cruise: 11:15 a.m.-2 p.m. ONLY on Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. $45 per person.
Ventura
offers special "unpublished" sails for special occasions, such as full
moon outings, waterfall and harbor art tours, hiking. Sign up for e-mails announcing these trips at www.sailnewyork.com. For more information: 212-786-1204 or e-mail info@sailnewyork.com. |
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Letters to the editor
Fireworks for lovers
 To the editor:
Michael Shepley wrote "Why are we up for grabs every time some corporation or movie company - or whatever - wants to do this? (Broadsheet DAILY, July 24) It seems like it happens at least once a month." Mr. Shepley is correct - these fireworks displays happen with great frequency, and certainly more than once a month. One cause, of which many people are unaware, is the "Can't Buy Me Love But You Can Try" package offered by the BPC Ritz Carlton. This $40,000 a night package includes a personalized fireworks display. For details, click here. Perhaps the Broadsheet could investigate just how often the hotel sells this package? I'm sure many neighborhood residents would be interested. - Robert Renzulli
To the editor:
I loved last night's fireworks (and the ones on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday)! We are so lucky to live in a neighborhood where we get to see fireworks so often. All those folks who wait for hours on the 4th of July to see fireworks once a year and we get a beautiful dose regularly during the summer. My niece from Houston has been living with me on Rector Place and she has been awed at the beauty of the fireworks, especially those last night! My dog, Max, loves them, too, and is quick to grab his leash to run outside (also he gets the extra outside time)! I don't know who is responsible, but I would love to thank them for providing our neighborhood with such a beautiful, special sight. - Jennifer M. Greene
To the editor:
I happened to quite enjoy last evening's fireworks display, which were the closest that I've seen in quite some time. As this was the third unexpected treat in the last week or so, it does beg the question - is there a way that the Broadsheet can give advance notice of when these are going to occur? - David Thornhill
From the editor:
According to the most recent fireworks schedule from Community Board 1, the next fireworks that may be visible and audible from this neighborhood will be on July 29 at 9:30 p.m. with a display from a barge on the East River at Pier 14. It is under the sponsorship of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.
The display on Wednesday, July 23 in Battery Park was sponsored by the HYTORC Division of UNEX Corp. On Tuesday, July 22, Merrill Lynch paid for fireworks near Ellis Island and on Saturday, July 19, the fireworks at Liberty Island were courtesy of the Kaminkow family, celebrating a wedding.
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BPC Seniors to meet with politicians
Gerson, Squadron and Connor on tap
Rita Morris, Hallmark resident and leader of their political action group, has invited Battery Park City Seniors to attend their upcoming meetings with City Councilman Alan Gerson, State Senator Martin Connor and Daniel Squadron, who is running against Sen. Connor. All programs are at 3:15 p.m. on Monday afternoons at the Hallmark, 455 North End Ave.
The dates are:
Monday, July 28: Alan Gerson, City Councilman
Monday, August 11: Daniel Squadron, candidate for State Senator
Monday, August 25, Martin Connor, State Senator
Notify Ruth Ohman by e-mail (rohman@nyc.rr.com) or phone 212-912-0678 if you plan to attend.
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RiverWatch
Arrivals & departures
Explorer of the Seas docking the Bayonne
Saturday, July 26
Explorer of the Seas
Inbound, 6:30 a.m. (Bayonne); outbound, 5 p.m. to Bermuda
Norwegian Spirit
Inbound, 7:15 a.m.; outbound, 4:30 p.m., to St. Thomas
Carnival Victory
Inbound, 7:15 a.m.; outbound, 5:30 p.m. to St. John
Sunday, July 27
Norwegian Dawn
Inbound, 8:15 a.m.; outbound, 4:30 p.m. to Bermuda
Monday, July 28
Carnival Victory
Inbound, 8:15 a.m.; outbound, 4:30 p.m. to St. John
Caribbean Princess
Inbound, (Brooklyn); outbound to Bermuda
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