You can find a full review for The Cannibal from New York Magazine at:  http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/the-cannibal-2011-8/

34th Street Select Bus Service

If you have any questions or would like to help Victoria, she can be contacted at:  vwatkins@pira.com

We are still looking for additional apartments to show, so contact Adam Hagfors at:  hagfors@gmail.com to volunteer your apartment.

House Tour Flyer

Enthusiastic volunteers to help prepare neighborhood street trees for springtime.

Meeting place:

Lobby of 159 Madison

Saturday March 26, at 10:30 a.m.

Targeted area:

3 street trees on the 32^nd Street side of our building

4 street trees on the south side East 33^rd Street between Madison and Park Ave

Tasks:

Remove clippings of Christmas tree branches from tree pits.

Place clippings in garbage bags.

Add fresh compost soil to tree pits.

Cultivate top 2 – 3 inches of soil with hand cultivators or trowels.

Equipment:

Garbage bags will be provided.

Small hand cultivators or trowels are helpful.

Participants are encouraged to wear gardening gloves.

Contact person:

Victoria Watkins

212 686 6913, office

212 687 1297, home

vwatkins@pira.com

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Susan Pryce at 212-560-6474 or by email at spryce@centuryny.com

A big thank you to the three of you for keeping our sidewalks safe and clear!

“How Much Should I Give?” “What do the Doorman usually get?” ” Do you give cash or checks?”

This year like last, I am sure all are expecting less in their annual tip cards.  I included an article from last year below;  Holiday Tipping in an Economic Downturn.  After all a tip is a tip not a requirement. Just remember these people do provide a service, reward them if you are pleased.

A new article/guide from CNN Money- Ultimate holiday tipping guide

Nine years ago, In a 2000 New York Magazine article that suggested $50 to $100 for most supers and $30 to $50 for most doormen. Has that amount changed? I think so, but then again the economy does/did have an effect on the size of the tips. Look at it like a dollar a week, that’s only $52 bucks a year not that much money.

When in doubt, Emily Post and Consumer Reports advises, a worker who provides a weekly service should be given the equivalent of one week’s pay. Now a doorman and supers work out a little differently.  There is a range and not all doorman need to receive the same amount. I also utilize this Holiday Tipping Guideline.

Our Staff at 159 Madison Ave-Superintendent-
Pat Dunne 

Doormen:
Marino Jiminez
Luis Goris
Kemrajh Mongru
John Korth

Porters:
Anthony Cassar
Jose De Larosa

Suggestions below:
Apartment Building Staff

Custodian $20 – $30

Doormen $25 – $100 each. Depends on how fancy the building. Take into consideration how nice they are to you. If you get lot’s of visitors or lots of deliveries. If they have actually opened the door for you always. To maintain this level of quality service, you have to pay for it. So just do it.

Handymen $20 – $30 each

Superintendent $30 – $100 Depends on the type building and how the super has been with you through the year.

Health Club or Spa
Trainer(s) $50 more or less depending on how much personal attention you get

Others
Baby Sitter- two nights pay or more, maybe a gift as well

Beauty Salon- the cost of a regular session plus a gift. No less than $5 per staffer. Depends of course on the setup of the place and how much work you regularly get done.

Cleaning Person-a weeks pay or more

Day Care Service-$15 – $25 and a gift

Garbage Collector(s)-$15 – $20 each

Mail Carrier-As with any civil servant, government agencies prohibit employees from receiving money as a gift or gratuity. The U.S. Postal Service is no exception, but they do allow people to be nice during the holidays and they accept the fact that it happens. The USPS asks that gratuities have a cash value no more than $20 and a letter of appreciation to the supervisor.

Newspaper Delivery Person -Daily delivery $15 – $25-Weekend Delivery only $5 – $15

Parking Attendant(s)-If you care enough about your car, tip generously to each and every attendant individually. As a rule, you can give each attendant $10 to $20 dollars each. If you have unusual times when you bring your car in or take it out, or if you like to have your car ready when you get there, or any other service where they go out of the way for you, a half month’s rate divided amongst the attendants is considered good practice. If you don’t care much about your car park it in the street.

Holiday Tipping in an Economic Downturn

It’s that time of year again to think of the tip jar, figuratively and literally.

(Photo: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

Last year, readers had an outpouring of comments on holiday tipping: tipping trainers, tipping teachers, tipping doormen, even tipping dry cleaners.

But this year, as the economy — in and around the city as well as nationwide — goes into a tailspin, New Yorkers are very likely facing income stagnation, if not outright job loss. So the topic of holiday tipping during a recession becomes a more delicate issue. Tipping is both seen as a thank you for a year of good service and also as a down payment for the next year.

So is it O.K. to cut back on tips? If you lose your job, should you still tip? Some etiquette experts suggest that if it’s a strain on your budget, you can show your appreciation in other ways: cards, recommendation letters, home-baked goods (but watch those bags of oranges). Or perhaps, if you get a new job in February, you can retroactively tip.

By Brian James