|
DOWNTOWN
POST NYC
News and Events
in Lower Manhattan
|
|
|
|
Volume 2, No. 59 Aug. 9, 2015
|
Quote of the day:
""The Howard Hughes Corporation has used its foothold at the Seaport to convert more of our city to fodder for overseas investment while providing a cash windfall for its shareholders."
- David Sheldon, spokesperson for Save Our Seaport, commenting on The Howard Hughes Corporation's sale of 80 South St. and 163 Front St. to China Oceanwide Holdings.
* Howard Hughes Corp. sells 80 South St. development rights to Chinese investors
* Remembering Capt. John Doswell * Bits & Bytes: Fulton Street's new retail; Whitney Museum's Danny Meyer restaurant
* Nadler on the proposed nuclear deal with Iran
* Downtown Bulletin Board: Affordable housing in District 1; 'Get Low' Tuesdays
* Governors Island weekend: Civil War re-enactments
* Community Board 1 meeting: August
* Calendar: Weeks of August 3 and August 10
WEATHER INFORMATION: For current weather information, click here. IF YOU LIKE DOWNTOWN POST NYC - Downtown Post NYC is emailed free to subscribers, but if you like DPNYC and want to support it, you can do that in three ways. 1) Support Downtown Post's advertisers by clicking on their ads, and if you use their services, tell them that you read about them in DPNYC. 2) Consider advertising in DPNYC if you have a business, service or event that you want to promote. 3) Tell people about DPNYC and suggest that they subscribe. They can sign up at www.DowntownPostNYC.com. Go to www.DowntownPostNYC.com for updates on breaking news.
All ads in Downtown Post NYC have clickable links. Click on an ad for more information. MASTHEAD PHOTO: Coneflower in a Rector Place garden. Aug. 4, 2013.
(Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOWARD HUGHES CORP. SELLS 80 SOUTH ST. DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
|
| | The Sciame building at 80 South St. was acquired by The Howard Hughes Corporation along with some neighboring property and was flipped after a few weeks for a 110 percent profit. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
Crain's New York Business broke the news on Friday, Aug. 7. Chinese investors had paid $390 million for the right to build a gargantuan tower just outside the South Street Seaport Historic District. According to Crain's, a U.S. subsidiary of the Beijing-based investment firm, China Oceanwide Holdings, had agreed to pay The Howard Hughes Corporation for the development site at 80 South St. and a neighboring parcel at 163 Front St. This, said Crain's, would enable the erection of a "roughly 820,000 square foot building, with about 440,000 square feet of residential and 380,000 square feet of commercial space ... on the combined site, which Howard Hughes bought in two separate deals." Early in 2015, Hughes had acquired the sites for an estimated $186 million and made a 110% profit in flipping them. (For the complete article in Crain's, click here.)
The news was greeted with dismay by Save Our Seaport, a grassroots organization concerned with the preservation of the South Street Seaport Museum, the Seaport Historic District and the maritime heritage of the Seaport. It issued a press release that said that, "HHC was tasked by the Seaport Working Group to find an alternative site for its much reviled Seaport Tower [on the South Street site of the New Market Building near the Brooklyn Bridge], and seemingly had acquired development rights from Seaport Historic District buildings to add to their portfolio. The 110% profit that they made on a property that had been in their portfolio for a mere matter of weeks and that exhausts all of those air rights is a matter of concern to Save Our Seaport." David Sheldon, a spokesperson for Save Our Seaport, said, "The Howard Hughes Corporation has used its foothold at the Seaport to convert more of our city to fodder for overseas investment while providing a cash windfall for its shareholders. Is this the 'stewardship' we can expect from HHC for the Seaport Historic District?" Michael Kramer, a South Street Seaport resident and member of both Save Our Seaport and the now defunct Seaport Working Group that was charged with creating development guidelines for the South Street Seaport, also weighed in. He said that he hoped that this "windfall property transaction" would lead HHC to "be content with an under-market lease at Pier 17 to reincarnate their shopping mall." He also expressed the hope that Hughes would "abandon their Options 1 and 2 so that a Master Plan can be created that respects our Historic District, stabilizes the South Street Seaport Museum, provides adequate berthings for a 'Street of Ships' and brings back a destination public market." However, judging by past behavior, it seems unlikely that The Howard Hughes Corporation will be satisfied with anything other than maximizing the return on its investments. An article in Forbes magazine, " Baby Buffett: Will Bill Ackman Resurrect The Ghost Of Howard Hughes And Build A Corporate Empire?" Forbes, 5/25/15) discussed billionaire hedge fund manager, William Ackman, founder and managing member of Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., a registered investment adviser. Ackman is also chairman of The Howard Hughes Corp. and controls almost 40 percent of its stock. According to Forbes, in 2014 The Howard Hughes Corp. "reported $635 million in revenues and $190 million in operating profits on $5.1 billion in assets, with 45 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential land in its development pipeline." HHC's South Street Seaport holdings are only part of the picture, but, says Forbes, the Seaport is "one of Howard Hughes' most valuable assets." Forbes goes on to say that, "Ackman is trying to position Howard Hughes as a real estate cash machine. Cash flow is expected to triple by 2016 to over $500 million per year." - Terese Loeb Kreuzer
|
|
|
REMEMBERING CAPT. JOHN DOSWELL
|
| | Jean Preece, Capt. John Doswell's wife, and Jhoneen, his daughter, reading a note that he once left for Jhoneen about how he wanted her to return a key that he had lent her. (Photos: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
On July 6, more than a hundred guests assembled for a birthday party on Pier 66 in Hudson River Park. The guest of honor was Capt. John Doswell. He would have been 72 years old that day had he not died on Jan. 2, 2015. He had been sick with cancer, yes, but his wife, Jean Preece, said that he was getting better and that they even were planning a trip, when he weakened. An obituary said that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.  The birthday party was poignant, funny, and heartbreaking. Doswell had his hand in so many enterprises affecting so many people that his legacy will continue for years even as his presence and guidance are missed. He was the founding chairman of Friends of Hudson River Park. He helped to get the Hudson River Park Act passed, enabling the formation of the city/state agency that is building the park. He served on the boards of the North River Historic Ship Society and Save Our Ships NY, and was a founding board member of the Governors Island Alliance. He also was the executive director of the Working Harbor Committee, which sponsors the Hidden Harbor Tours, educating people about the working harbor of New York and New Jersey. And those were only some of his accomplishments.  The birthday party started with a rousing performance of bluegrass music by the NY City Slickers, one of Doswell's favorite bands. On July 25, 2014, they had played at his wedding to Jean Preece, his life partner of 40 years. "We think we've been married for 40 years," he said at the time. When they were expecting a child, he recalled, they made their own vows to each other. "We didn't go to the government. We were committed anyway." The wedding, he said, "was for financial reasons: Social Security, pensions, legal stuff." But it was a heck of a party. Everyone was very happy that day. |
| |
Doswell embracing Jean and Jhoneen at the wedding on July 25, 2014.
|
At Doswell's birthday celebration, Jean and the Doswells' daughter, Jhoneen, showed a lot of photographs and mementos of Capt. John, and reminisced. Jean said that when she was pregnant, John told her that he hoped they would have a girl because he didn't know much about sports. He was delighted with Jhoneen, Jean said, and they bonded immediately - though he did want to know when she would start to talk. There was food and drink at the birthday party, and there were boats. A flotilla led by the John J.  Harvey, a landmark fireboat that Doswell helped to save after it was deaccessioned in 1994 by the FDNY, paid its respects. The John J. Harvey shot plumes of water into the air and sounded its horn as kayaks, outriggers, sailboats, and a boat from the New York Harbor School passed Pier 66. The party ended with a videotape that Jhoneen made about her father and with a heartfelt rendition of "Happy Birthday." Among Doswell's projects was the annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition, which  takes place on Labor Day Weekend. Tugboats and their crews race down the Hudson River and then engage in nose-to-nose stand-offs (a test of power), a line toss, and other events such as competitions for the best tattoo and best mascot. This will be the 23rd year. A Circle Line spectator boat accompanies the race, with partisans for each tugboat cheering gustily. It's great fun. Doswell was master of ceremonies last year. This year, he will definitely be remembered - and missed. - Terese Loeb Kreuzer
The 23rd annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition takes place on Sunday, Sept. 6. The Circle Line Sightseeing Boat leaves from Pier 83 (at West 42nd Street and the Hudson River) at 9:30 a.m. Boarding begins at 9 a.m. Tickets: $25 (adults); $20 (seniors, 64+); $12 (children); free (2 and under). To buy tickets, click here. |
| |
Capt. John Doswell and Capt. Pamela Hepburn at the 22nd Annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition on Aug. 31, 2014. Hepburn's tugboat, Pegasus, built in 1907, was the oldest tugboat in the race.
|
|
Bits & Bytes
POST-BIRTH HAIR STYLING FOR MOMS; FULTON STREET'S NEW RETAIL; WHITNEY MUSEUM'S NEW RESTAURANT; SEAPORT 'CULTURE DISTRICT'
|
| | Fulton Street as it looked in April 2014. Fulton Street retail is getting a makeover because of its proximity to the Fulton transit hub. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
"Along With Babies, Hairstylists Are Arriving in Hospitals," New York Times, 8/2/15. "When Donna Yip, a lawyer who lives in the financial district, went into labor with her second child in June, she had more than just her husband and medical team in her room at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital," says The New York Times. "Jackson Simmonds from the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa was also there, with a curling iron, hair dryer and boar bristle hairbrushes in his Longchamp tote. They were his tools to style Ms. Yip's hair immediately after delivery. Ms. Yip is one of a growing number of women who are booking hairstylists and makeup artists to come to their hospital room for postpartum grooming, typically with the first photographs of mother and child in mind." According to The Times, this service can cost up to $700. For the complete article, click here. "Fulton Street's retail makeover is well underway with $25M deal next to transit hub," Daily News, 8/7/15."It was always only a matter of time before the mom and pop businesses and old souvenir bazaars that long populated Lower Manhattan's Fulton St. gave way to gleaming glass retail stores fit for major national brands," says the Daily News. "Now, it's happening at a grand scale. Crown Acquisitions, the powerhouse retail investor which is better known for its purchases of prime Fifth Ave. retail condos than for its souvenir store buys, has forked over $25 million to buy a dinky old souvenir outpost at 144 Fulton St., according to public records filed with the city Friday. The likely reason? The store is directly adjacent to the brand new $1.4 billion Fulton Center transit hub, which draws hoards of commuters via nine separate New York City subway lines." For the complete article, click here. "This Blissful Garden Oasis Sits Atop a Historic Tribeca Building," Curbed.com, 8/7/15. "So, what exactly does one do with a barren industrial landscape atop one of Tribeca's landmarked buildings?" Curbed.com inquires. "HMWhite Architects were faced with this predicament when they were enlisted to transform a penthouse terrace into a verdant oasis. Responding to a laundry list of constraints, the architects punctuated the mass of undifferentiated space by creating a series of rooms across 7,000 square feet." The amenities include a lawn, a stainless steel hot tub and a lily pad-filled pool. For the complete article with photos, click here. "Restaurant Review: Untitled at the Whitney in the Meatpacking District," New York Times, 8/4/15. "There is nothing pretentious about Untitled," says New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells in his review of the Danny Meyer restaurant on the ground floor of the Whitney Museum of American Art. "The restaurant is slotted into a narrow quadrangle with glass curtain walls on three sides, designed, like the rest of the museum, by Renzo Piano. Untitled treats the architect deferentially. Too deferentially, I think: In its near-total lack of ornament, the dining room can look like an espresso shop. If Eero Saarinen's cardinal-red chairs weren't so comfortable, you might get antsy after an hour." But you don't, says Wells. "All the energy and beauty at Untitled are on the plates. They throb with color. It's not just decoration, either. The color mostly comes from fruits and vegetables so ripe they're ready to pop." For the complete article, click here. "3 World Trade Center Now Stands at Half of Its Final Height," Curbed.com, 8/7/15. "Even though work resumed on 3 World Trade Center just five months ago, the future supertall tower's core is already halfway to its superlative height. YIMBY reports that the building's core now stands at 41 of 80 stories." The building is slated for completion in 2016. For the complete article, with photos, click here. "South Street Seaport's Culture District Converts Stores to Art Galleries," New York Times, 8/2/15. "At the South Street Seaport, old tourist-geared chain stores and restaurants that were damaged in Hurricane Sandy are being converted into temporary exhibition spaces collectively called the Seaport Culture District," says The New York Times. "They will open on a rolling basis through mid-August, with shows running through January. So far, the roster of partners spans a variety of media: art, architecture, publishing and more. They include marquee names like the Guggenheim Museum and HarperCollins, as well as the AIA Center for Architecture, the American Institute of Graphic Arts and others." For the complete article, click here.
|
|
NADLER ON THE PROPOSED NUCLEAR DEAL WITH IRAN
|
| | U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
A vote that the U.S. Congress will take in mid-September as to whether to approve a nuclear deal with Iran has vast repercussions for the United States, Israel and world peace. New York Senator Charles Schumer has said that he opposes the plan. According to The New York Times, he cited "concerns about the inspection regime, provisions to reimpose sanctions if Iran cheats, and Tehran's freedom after a decade to possibly pursue a nuclear bomb." ( "Opposing Iran Nuclear Deal, Chuck Schumer Rattles Democratic Firewall," New York Times, 8/7/15.) A day later, in a two-page letter, 29 prominent scientists, including including Nobel laureates, experienced makers of nuclear arms and former White House science advisers, came out in support of the plan. (" 29 U.S. Scientists Praise Iran Nuclear Deal in Letter to Obama," New York Times, 8/8/15.) U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who represents New York's 10th Congressional District, says that he does not yet know how he will vote. Nadler's district includes Tribeca, the Financial District and Battery Park City as well as parts of Manhattan's Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, SoHo and Greenwich Village. In Brooklyn, the 10th District includes parts of Borough Park, Kensington, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and Gravesend.
On Aug. 6, Congressman Nadler wrote an Op-Ed for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency explaining his thinking. "We must decide what costs and risks are acceptable in order to avert the threat of an Iranian nuclear bomb," he wrote. "This is a decision that weighs heavily on all members of Congress - particularly on Jewish members. To make this decision properly requires consideration of what has led us to this point, a sober understanding of the reality we face and a determination to find the most responsible course of action given the options available." Nadler went on to say, "Parts of this agreement are good and parts are bad; that is the reality of the decision we face." To read Nadler's entire Op-Ed, click here. |
Downtown bulletin board
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN DISTRICT 1; GET LOW TUESDAYS; DOWNTOWN POST NYC PHOTO GALLERIES
|
| Financier Patisserie is one of the Lower Manhattan restaurants that is participating in the Downtown Alliance's "Get Low Tuesdays" program offering participants a 20 percent discount at nearly three dozen restaurants. In Lower Manhattan, Financier Patisserie has locations at Brookfield Place, 90 Nassau St., 35 Cedar St. and 62 Stone St.
(Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
Affordable housing in District 1: The Related Company will soon be marketing 22 affordable housing units at 456 Washington St. There will be five studio apartments, six one-bedroom apartments and 11 two-bedroom apartments, all designed to be affordable to households at 60 percent of the area median income. Current residents of the area represented by Community Board 1 will get preference for half of the units. An additional 5 percent of the apartments will be set aside for municipal employees. Five percent will go to applicants with mobility impairments and 2 percent will be for applicants with visual or hearing impairments. The program will be advertised as Bridge Land West LLC, with marketing slated to begin at the beginning of August. Applicants will be able to apply online at www.nyc.gov/housingconnect. Tom Goodkind, a member of Community Board 1 who once headed its now defunct Housing Committee, writes, "To be eligible for this affordable housing, your annual household income must be below 60 percent of the area median income. That means that your income can be no more than $51,780 (family of four); $46,620 (family of three); $41,460 (family of two); $36,300 (individual)."
Get Low Tuesdays: The Downtown Alliance's "#GETLOW Tuesdays" continues through Sept. 1. The summer promotional campaign provides a 20 percent discount at nearly three dozen Lower Manhattan restaurants. In addition, participants who share the program using social media will be entered to win a four-day, three night trip to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Created by the Downtown Alliance, the program is driven by social media. Participants can utilize 11 social media platforms to spread the word about the campaign, using the hashtag #GETLOW. Available platforms include: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, Vine, Snapchat, Foursquare, Flickr, Pinterest and Tumblr. Participating restaurants are: 121 Fulton Street; Atrio Wine Bar | Restaurant; Barbalu Restaurant; Bavaria Bierhaus; Beckett's; Blackhound Bar; Church & Dey; Cowgirl SeaHorse; Da Claudio Ristorante & Salumeria; Dina Rata; The Dubliner; Felice 15 Gold Street; Financier Patisserie; Fresh Salt; GRK; Harry's Caf� and Steak; Industry Kitchen; Lonestar Empire; Lumpia Shack; Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina; Merchants River House; Nelson Blue; Pound & Pence; Ramen Burger; Red Hook Lobster Pound; St. George Tavern; Schnitz; Seaport Smorgasburg; Smorgas Chef; SouthwestNY Restaurant; Stone Street Tavern; and Watermark Bar & Lounge. The campaign is also receiving support from the Millennium Hilton and Hilton Amsterdam. To learn more, click here.
Downtown Post Portfolio: Downtown Post Portfolio is a regular feature in Downtown Post NYC, showcasing artists and photographers who live and/or work south of Canal Street or who create images (paintings, drawings, photographs) of Lower Manhattan. To have your work considered for publication in Downtown Post Portfolio, send up to seven high-resolution jpeg files attached to an email to editor@downtownpostnyc.com. (One of the photos should be a picture of you.) Several of these photos will be published in Downtown Post NYC, along with a short artist bio and a statement about the work submitted, including whether or not it is for sale and how to purchase it. Not all entries can be published. Copyright remains with the artist. Before publication, each contributor will be asked to sign a release stating that Downtown Post NYC has the right to publish the work in the emailed newsletter and in the Downtown Post archives, and that there is no payment.
Independence Day in Lower Manhattan photo gallery: The Independence Day celebration in  Lower Manhattan started on July 1 with the arrival of the Hermione at Pier 15 in the South Street Seaport. Hermione is a replica of the 18th-century frigate that brought the Marquis de Lafayette to the U.S. colonies in March/April of 1780. Also at Pier 15, El Gale�n, hosted parties and tours. It is a replica of a 16th-century Spanish ship such as Ponce de L�on would have sailed when he landed on the east coast of Florida 500 years ago. On July 4, there were fireworks over the East River. For photos of some of the Independence Day celebrations, click here.
Downtown Little League opening day photo gallery: The Downtown Little League kicked off its 2015 season on April 18. This year, there are just under 1,100 players on 81 teams. For photos of the opening day, click here. Whitney Museum of American Art photo gallery: The Whitney Museum of American Art at 99 Gansevoort St. opened to the public on May 1. For photographs of the Whitney Museum's new building and of its opening exhibition, click here. South Street Seaport Museum Opening Day: The South Street Seaport Museum opened its 2015 season on April 25 with events on Pier 16 and activities for kids and their families in the lobby of the museum's 12 Fulton St. building. For photographs of the museum's opening day, click here. Downtown Post Portfolio: Jay Fine: Jay Fine is a New York City fine-art photographer and photojournalist, based in Lower Manhattan whose work was featured in Downtown Post Portfolio ( DPNYC, 5/6/15). To see some more of Fine's work on the Downtown Post NYC website, click here.
|
|
GOVERNORS ISLAND WEEKEND: CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTIONS
|
| | Castle Williams, a landmarked fort on Governors Island, dates from 1807-1811 and was named for its designer, Lt. Col. Jonathan Williams, the first superintendent of West Point. A model of the fort as it looked originally is in the middle of the courtyard. Murals show key dates in the fort's history as it evolved from its original purpose - defense of New York harbor - to a prison. A Civil War Rodman cannon capable of shooting three miles is mounted on the roof. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
Governors Island is just 800 yards away from Manhattan, with historic forts, shady parkland, bicycle riding paths and cultural events. It is open daily through Sept. 27.
This is "Civil War weekend" on Governors Island.
Aug. 9, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Fort Jay, Castle Williams and the Soldiers Camp re-create the summer of 1863. Listen to Civil War music, watch Civil War baseball and see cannon and small arms demonstrations, while mingling with Union soldiers, Confederate prisoners and officers' wives.
Kids can earn an official Junior Ranger Badge. Ask a National Park Ranger for a free activity book or participate in one of the Kid's Programs.
Sunday, Aug. 9 (10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Cannon Demonstrations: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Watch the loading and firing of an 1842 six pounder! Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field.
Small Arms Demonstrations: 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Learn about the complex process of loading and firing a rifle every Civil War soldier knew. Located at the Small Arms/Artillery Demo Field.
Civil War Music Performances: 12:15 p.m. Balladeer Linda Russell and Ranger Joe compare military and civilian music at the time of the Civil War. Relax on the rocking chairs of Fort Jay and enjoy the sounds of the Civil War.
Officers of the Civil War Generation: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. Volunteer Keith leads a tour of the historic district discussing various Civil War leaders who spent parts of their career at Governors Island. Starts at the top of Soissons Landing.
Activities/Workshops:
Dysfunctional Theatre Performance: "The Paper House" - a 2-D adventure house, where no matter your age, you can escape the grown-up world! (Building 8B, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.)
Earth Matter - Come walk the goats! (Urban Farm, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.)
Student Conservation Association: "Native Americans and Drastic Changes" Discussion (Dock 102, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30p.m.)
All Weekend:
Admirals House (Nolan Park: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
A.I.R. Gallery Summer Exhibitions (Building 5B, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.)
Art Kibbutz (Building 6A: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) - SUNDAYS only!
"The Art of Intuitive Photography" (Building 16: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Better Than Jam Handmade Gift Shop (Building 410A: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Billion Oyster Project (Building 20A: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Blazing Saddles: Bike and Surrey Rentals (Colonels Row: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Brooklyn ARTery (Building 10B: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
FIGMENT Mini Golf, Sculptures, and Treehouse (Parade Grounds: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Free Art Island Outpost: Children's Museum of the Arts (Building 14: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
"The Gallery at Building 110" by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (Building 110: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.)
GrowNYC's Teaching Garden (Urban Farm: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.)
"Hidden Beneath Our Feet" Artifact Exhibit (Admirals House: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
"The Holocenter's Summer Museum" by The Center for Holographic Art (Building 19A: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.)
Imagination Playground (Lawn in front of 403: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
International Center of Photography: "Picture This: New Orleans" (Building 19A, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)
"Laws of Attraction" Sculptors Guild (Building 15: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.) - CLOSED until August 8!
M�-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking (Building 11: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
National Park Service Tours
Castle Williams - every hour, tours are 30 minutes (11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) - available in Spanish (Saturdays 1 p.m.-3 p.m.) and Chinese (Sundays 1 p.m.-3 p.m.) interpretations!
"An Island Star!" - every hour, tours are 30 minutes (11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Get a Junior Ranger's Badge (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
"Hike Through History" - meet at Soissons Landing, hike is 90 minutes (2:30 p.m.)
Historic Weapons Demonstration - One hour cannon demonstrations (Front of Fort Jay: 2:30 p.m.)
National Park Service Bookstore (Building 140: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
"New York Electronic Art Festival" by Harvestworks (Building 5A & 5B: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.)
"Revolution: NYC & the War for Independence" by New York Historical Society (Building 18: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Poet's House: "Children's Poetry & Art Exhibit" (Building 16, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.)
The Prison Arts Coalition: "Insider Art" (Building 6A, 10:30 p.m.-6 p.m.)
Sculptors Alliance: "Upcycle Journey" & "Speaking Volumes" (Building 20B, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)
"What's Happening on Governors Island?" (Building 110 Upper Level: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Food:
* Guest Food Vendor at Kings Ave.: Valducci's - pizza, sandwiches and desserts
* Both Liggett Terrace and Kings Ave. will be open
* SI Caf� at Building 403 will be open this weekend
* Beer is available at Little Evas in Liggett Terrace and at the Governors Beach Club
* Governors Beach Club will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. with food vendors, bar, and D.J. during the day.
Getting there: Ferries run from the Battery Maritime Terminal in Lower Manhattan all seven days and run from Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6 on Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. There is a $2 round trip fare for adults and children over the age of 12. There is no fare on 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ferries from Manhattan on Saturdays and Sundays. There is also no fare on the 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ferry from Brooklyn on Saturdays and Sundays. These ferries are free to all. For more information, click here
|
|
COMMUNITY BOARD 1 MEETING: August
|
| The south portico of New York City's Municipal Building, with a ceiling designed by Rafael Guastavino. The building was constructed between 1907 and 1914. Community Board 1's offices have moved to the 22nd floor of the Municipal Building at 1 Centre St.
(Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
As of Monday, Aug. 3, Manhattan Community Board 1 is located at 1 Centre St., Room 2202 North. The phone number is (212) 669-7970. The fax number is (212) 669-7899. The website is http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb1/html/home/home.shtml Email: Man01@cb.nyc.gov Community Board 1 does not meet during August except in the case of an emergency. The one exception is a meeting of the Landmarks Committee scheduled for Aug. 13. Aug. 13: Landmarks Committee - 6 p.m. Location: Community Board 1 - Conference Room, 1 Centre Street, Room 2201 North * 27 North Moore St., application for pergola and screen design - Resolution * 287 Broadway, application for fa�ade restoration and window and storefront replacement - Resolution * 136 Beekman St., application for rooftop addition - Resolution
|
|
|
CALENDAR: Weeks of Aug. 3 and Aug. 10
|
| | Sunset cruises of New York harbor aboard the South Street Seaport Museum's 1885 schooner, Pioneer, with wine tastings from Pasanella and Son Vintners return on Aug. 13. This picture was taken in August 2008. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
Aug. 9: Captain Mary's Story Hour aboard USCGC Lilac, a historic lighthouse tender docked at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park, launches with a reading of Maira Kalman's book "Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey." Join one of two free trips on board the fireboat, John J. Harvey, the hero of the book, either before the reading or afterward. Reservations are required for the boat rides since space is limited. Readings are at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Doors will open at 11 a.m. No registration required for the reading. The 10:30 a.m. boat trip departs Pier 66, North River (West 26th Street in Hudson River Park) and travels one way to Lilac. The book will be read on Lilac after arrival. Make your own way home after touring Lilac. Reservations for the 10:30 ride can be made by clicking here. The 12 p.m. trip on John J. Harvey leaves Lilac at noon after the reading at 11:30 a.m. for a one-hour trip, returning to Lilac. Reservations for the noon ride can be made by clicking here. Double bookings are not allowed. A $10 per person fee is needed to hold the reservation and refunded in cash when you board. No-shows do not receive a refund.
Aug. 9: In its 16th season, the last evening for New York Classical Theatre's performance of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" in The Battery. Meet in front of Castle Clinton. Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. No tickets required. For more information, click here.
Aug. 11: The fourth in a four-part workshop on "Poetry and Meditation: A Resonant Relationship" takes place at Poets House. The workshop series began with basic instruction and exercises in meditation, and now is examining whether certain types of poetry can bring about similar experiences. Topics include how meditation and poetry can spring from daily-life experiences, yet transcend them; poetry as mantra; prayer as poetry and mantra, and the differences between meditation and prayer. The presenter, Nayana Tara Hein, has studied meditation with Sri Chinmoy since 1972 and is an organizer of the Sri Chinmoy Poetry Festival. Registration is required - space is limited. Text or call (347) 773-8369 to register. Place: 10 River Terrace. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free. Click here for more information. Aug. 13: Sip & Sail is back aboard the South Street Seaport Museum's 1885 schooner, Pioneer. On select Thursday evenings starting on Aug. 13, Pasanella and Son Vintners will offer tastings of fine coastal wines accompanied by finger foods from Grandaisy Bakery as the Pioneer sails New York harbor. The cruise leaves from Pier 16 in the South Street Seaport. Time: Departure at 7 p.m. Tickets: $85; $75 (museum members). To reserve a ticket, click here. To become a member of the South Street Seaport Museum, click here.
Ongoing: Celebrate summer with a sail aboard the South Street Seaport Museum's historic schooner, Pioneer, and get a new perspective on New York City. Bring a picnic lunch or dinner, snack, beverage or dessert. Pioneer was built in 1885 as an iron-hulled sloop to carry cargo along the Delaware River and is the oldest ship regularly sailing in New York Harbor. For more information or to buy tickets, stop by the museum's Visitor Service Center at 12 Fulton St. or ask the Museum's Associates on Pier 16. Afternoon Sails: Tuesday-Friday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: $38; $28 (museum members); $32 (students and seniors); $20 (children 2 to 11 years old); $5 (children uner 2 years old). Sunset Sails: Tuesday-Sunday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets: $45; $35 (museum members); $25 (children 2 to 11 years old); $10 (children under 2 years old). For more information or to buy tickets, click here. Ongoing: Governors Island is open daily through Labor Day. For a calendar of events, click here.
Ongoing: The historic lighthouse tender, Lilac, berthed at Pier 25 near North Moore Street in Hudson River Park, is hosting a three-month exhibition of artwork through Aug. 15. It focuses on three themes inspired by the ship's story - "Steam," "Work + Labor" and "Restoration/Reinvention." The exhibition features the work of more than 25 artists, with several site-specific installations. Performances, artist talks, film screenings, readings, community activities and educational events accompany the exhibition. For more information about the Lilac, click here. For a video about the Lilac, click here. For more about the art series, click here.
Ongoing: "America in Circulation: A History of US Currency Featuring the Collection of Mark R. Shenkman," an exhibition at the Museum of American Finance, showcases around 250 rare examples of American paper money accompanied by large, interactive touch screen displays. From Colonial times, American money has told a fascinating story of the country's struggles and successes. Often local and national currencies competed and coexisted with each other, while economic depression, war and counterfeiting drove constant advances in design. The exhibition spans the period from the Colonial era to the present day. Highlights include rare examples of currency bearing the signatures of signers of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence; a complete set of notes from the Educational Series of 1896, renowned for being the most beautiful paper money in American history; and rare examples of high denomination notes including $5,000 and $10,000 bills. Through March 2018. To see an online version of the exhibition, click here. Place: 48 Wall St. Museum is open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $8; $5 (students and seniors); free (museum members and kids 6 and under). For more information, click here.
Ongoing: "Cer�mica de los Ancestros: Central America's Past Revealed" displays 155 ancient objects from the National Museum of the American Indian's rarely seen collections of Central American ceramics. The exhibition examines seven regions representing distinct Central American cultural areas that are today part of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, where Central America's first inhabitants lived. Dating back to 1000 B.C., the ceramics help tell the story of the innumerable achievements of these ancient civilizations, each with unique, sophisticated ways of life, value systems and arts. Through January 2017. Place: 1 Bowling Green. The National Museum of the American Indian is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Thursdays, until 8 p.m. Free. For more information, click here.
Ongoing: The Museum of Jewish Heritage presents "Designing Home: Jews and Midcentury Modernism," an exhibition that explores the cultural context in which many Jewish �migr� architects and designers created a distinctly modern American design that still has wide appeal today. Walk-up tours will be offered on Sundays in May (except May 24) at 12 p.m. with no reservations necessary. Through January 2016. Place: 36 Battery Place. For more information, click here.
Ongoing: The Skyscraper Museum's new exhibition, "Ten Tops," surveys all buildings in the world today, completed or under construction, that are 100 stories and taller. Of these 24 towers, the exhibition focuses on 10 (plus a few more), zooming in on their uppermost floors to see how they were designed and constructed. Through September 2015. Place: 39 Battery Place. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m., Wednesdays to Sundays. Admission: $5; $2.50 (students and seniors). For more information, click here.
Ongoing: The Woolworth Building was designed by Cass Gilbert to house the offices of the F. W. Woolworth Company and was the tallest building in the world from 1913 until 1930. With its ornamental gothic-style exterior, it dominated the New York City skyline and served as an icon of American ingenuity with state of the art steel construction, fireproofing and high-speed elevators and it was dubbed "the Cathedral of Commerce." The building is still privately owned and operated, and has long been closed to the public. Tours of its magnificent landmarked lobby featuring marble, mosaics, and murals have only recently been made available and can be taken for 30-minutes, 60-minutes or 90-minutes. Custom and Private tours for groups of 10 - 35 can also be arranged. Place: 233 Broadway. Various times. Tickets: $20, $30 and $45, depending on the length of the tour. For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
Ongoing: "Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family" opened on Nov. 14 and continues through Jan. 10, 2016. The exhibit includes more than 300 examples of beautifully crafted jewelery, most of it made by the Yazzie family, with some from the National Museum of the American Indian's collection. Through a video, photographs and a handsome catalog, the exhibit shows how the jewelry expresses Navajo cultural values and way of life inspired by a majestic landscape of buttes, mesas and desert. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and on Thursdays until 8 p.m.; closed December 25. Admission is free.
Ongoing: "A Town Known as Auschwitz" is an exhibit of photographs at the Museum of Jewish Heritage tracing the history of a town called "Oswiecim" in what is now Poland, where Jews and non-Jews lived side by side for centuries. When German forces occupied the town in September 1939, they renamed it "Auschwitz" and established a concentration and death camp there. More than 1 million people died at Auschwitz, including 90 percent of the town's Jews. The museum is at 36 Battery Place. For information the exhibit, click here. For information on the museum's hours and admission fees, click here.
Ongoing: "Defining Lines: Maps from the 1700s and early 1800s" at the Fraunces Tavern Museum. Twenty-seven maps provide a perspective on the evolving nation's place in history. A map from 1804, never before exhibited, shows the U.S. postal routes. Place: 54 Pearl St. Time: Noon to 5 p.m., daily. Admission fees: $7; $4 (seniors, students with ID, children, 6 to 8 years old. Children, 5 and under, free. Active military with ID, free. For more information, click here.
Ongoing: The National Museum of the American Indian is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission. It offers free films, docent-led tours of its exhibitions and tours of its premises, the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, designed by Cass Gilbert. The building, which was completed in 1907, is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One Bowling Green. Phone: (212) 514-3700. For the museum's calendar, click here.Ongoing: The lobby of the South Street Seaport Museum at 12 Fulton St. on Schermerhorn Row is open three days a week with interpretive displays and activities. Access to the museum's upstairs galleries is by appointment or for education programs only. Lobby access: Fridays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For private tours of Schermerhorn Row and its old hotels, email info@seany.org.
Buy tickets now: A Hidden Harbor Tour� of the bustling Port of New York and New Jersey starts at Wall Street and heads to Port Newark and back. The two-hour tour with expert narrators presents an insider's view of the third largest port in the nation, where container ships dock and unload their goods from around the world. The tour takes in giant container terminals, oil docks, dry docks where ships are repaired, the Robbins Reef Lighthouse, tug boat yards and the Bayonne Bridge. Place: Pier 11 Wall Street (on South Street between Wall Street and Gouveneur Lane). Time: Boarding begins at 5:30 p.m. Boat leaves at 6 p.m. Tickets: $30; $25 (seniors). For group sale rates, email workingharbor@aol.com. For more information about tickets and additional tours, click here. To buy tickets, click here.
|
|
|
Downtown Post NYC is emailed Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Editor: Terese Loeb Kreuzer
All articles and photographs in Downtown Post NYC are copyrighted and
may not be reprinted or republished without written permission.
� 2014
|
|
|
|
|
