The Upper East Side Community Corner

East River Esplanade Update

2011-04-30T22:35:00.003-04:00

Back in September of 2010, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council member Jessica Lappin established an East River Esplanade Taskforce to rehabilitate the East River Esplanade north of 63rd Street.

Progress on the planning phase for the improvement of the East River Esplanade has been moving steadily. Congreswoman Maloney secured at $475,000 earmark for the project. This earmark will be used along with federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program and state funding from the Department of Environmental Conservation, to fund a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the creation of a new esplanade along the East River. The RFP, issued by the New York City Department of Economic Development, solicits proposals for a feasibility study that would cover engineering, design, landscaping and other planning related to the new esplanade.

"This study will help us gain a better understanding of the costs and complications involved in building a new esplanade at this location,” said Congresswoman Maloney.

The Mayor’s Vision 2020 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan specifically calls for the creation of a new waterfront esplanade along the East River from 38th to 60th Streets.

Population Drop, Vacancies and Fewer Sales on the UES

2011-03-31T00:57:00.003-04:00

The 2010 Census revealed that the population of the Upper East Side declined from 63,700 to 61,2007. In addition to a declining population, the Carnegie Hill section of the Upper East Side had the highest percentage of vacant housing units in the city, with more than 13% of vacant units. Over a 10 year time period, the vacancies increased by 26% while there was a simultaneous 3.8% decrease in the total number of housing units. Different theories are being discussed as to why this occurred. Some theorize that perhaps residents knocked down walls in multiple units to create larger homes. Others speculate that people were at their homes in other locations when the census was being taken. The census' definition of vacancy includes units temporarily occupied by people who have a usual residence elsewhere. While Carnegie Hill saw a decrease in number of housing units and the highest vacancy rate, Yorkville, by contrast, had a 1.3 percent increase in the total number of units, and a 5.4 percent vacancy rate.

Not only has the Upper East Side experienced a population drop and increase in vacancies in the Carnegie Hill area, but it is also experiencing a decrease in signed real estate contracts. In comparison with the Upper West Side,the Upper East Side is behind. Both neighborhoods have roughly 1,000 apartments on the market. The Upper East Side has a 3.6% decrease in signed contracts since January while the Upper West Side saw an increase in signed contracts of 15%. However, if last year's market trends are any indication, by the start of summer, the Upper East Side may end up with a larger increase in signed contracts. Stay tuned.

The UES Landscape: Fairway Sets Opening Date and the Yorkville Clock Ticks Again

2011-02-28T11:43:00.004-05:00

Mark your calendars, Upper East Siders. Fairway is opening on June 22, 2011! Construction of the grocery began in October. Recently, Fairway posted help wanted ads. The much-awaited grocery store will include an in-house Kosher butcher and bakery, coffee roasted on the premises and more than 600 artisanal cheeses.

A more venerable neighborhood landmark, the Yorkville clock, was recently restored to its full ticking glory. Over the summer, the clock stopped at ten to nine. Thanks to the Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, clock expert Robert Baird of Historical Arts and Casting, West Jordan, Utah, repaired the clock.

The clock, manufactured by the E. Howard Clock Company of Massachusetts, dates back to 1898 when it was installed by jeweler Adoph Stern in front of his jewelry store at 85th Street and Third Avenue.

On August 25, 1981, the clock was designated a NYC landmark. After a few moves damaged the clock, it was restored in 1998 as a result of fundraising efforts by FRIENDS, the Friends of Cast Iron Architecture, and Neighbors Restoring the Historic Yorkville Clock.

Photo courtesy of http://www.friends-ues.org/.

Upper East Side 2010 Crime Update

2011-01-28T14:44:00.002-05:00

2010 was a year of declining crime in NYC and the Upper East Side. NYC saw an overall crime decrease of approximately 1.4% while the UES overall crime declined by 4 percent. While the NYC murder rate increased by 13.4 percent, the UES murder rate decreased by 50% with just one murder in 2010. The number of robberies and burglaries also decreased on the UES. The number of robberies fell from 144 from 146 and burglaries from 231 from 314. However, not all categories of crime declined. The number of rapes and felonious assaults increased. The rapes were mainly "acquaintance rapes."

Grand larcenies compose approximately 75 percent of all crimes on the UES, but this crime category also saw a decline of 2.1 percent.

To track weekly crime statistics by precinct, visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/crime_prevention/crime_statistics.shtml

Grant Awarded to Friends of the UES Historic Districts

2010-12-20T11:33:00.002-05:00

The Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts was awarded a grant from the Robert and Elizabeth Jeffe Preservation Fund for New York City by the National Trust for Historic Preservation . The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing communities throughout the United States. The grant will be used to create an architectural and cultural guide to the Upper East Side neighborhood, including detailed maps of the Upper East Side’s historic districts and landmarks.

The Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts was founded in 1982 and serves as an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historical architecture on the Upper East Side. FRIENDS acts as both a community advocate for preserving archictural history and as a public educator.

UES Transportation Update: Taxi Ride Program Ends and Public Hearing for Second Avenue Subway Construction

2010-11-30T11:08:00.004-05:00

After a short run of 7 months, the UES group taxi ride program ended after failing to attract riders. Taxi and Limousone Commissioner chief David Yassky pondered the reason why, "there’s not enough common routes from there to work or if it’s a chicken-and-egg problem, where passengers will only go there is there are taxis and taxis will only go there if there are passengers — and no one will act first."

While the construction crews are encountering delays from gushing underground streams, the Second Avenue subway construction continues to plague area businesses. So far, thirty one businesses between 63rd and 96th streets have gone out of business, and the income of the remaining businesses has been reduced by almost half.

Members of the community are pleading for legislation that would allow Second Avenue businesses to receive financial assistance, a real estate tax abatement, a sales-tax-free area, improved sanitary conditions, and more accessibility to the stores.

The government is responding by pledging to replace bent, unsightly fences; repave broken sidewalks, and open up sidewalks. The East 92nd Street area is the first section to undergo these repairs, which are expected to be completed shortly at a cost of about $70,000. In addition, the MTA plans to open up an office in a recently vacated retail space, where residents can stop by with concerns, and a Web-based timeline, to provide a block-by-block guide of the planned work schedule.

Today a public hearing will be held by the New York State Standing Commission on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions to review the subway project. The hearing will examine problems associated with the construction and its delays, and what can be done to possibly mitigate those problems.

NYS Standing Commission on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Hearing on the Second Avenue Subway Project:
November 30th, 2010, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location:
250 Broadway, 19th Floor Senate Hearing Room
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 518-455-2441
Fax: 518-426-6809

WATCH LIVE
http://www.nysenate.gov/committee/corporations-authorities-and-commissions

Charity, Celebrity Style

2010-10-22T13:41:00.008-04:00

The New York Junior League is a women's organization dedicated to community service. Founded in 1901, the New York chapter of the Junior League is the original chapter of the Junior League. Today some 3,000 NYJL volunteers devote their time to causes ranging from domestic violence prevention to health education to cultural enrichment. Several of the NYJL's committees serve the Upper East Side Community: assisting the New York Center for Children with abuse case tracking, providing instruction on infant care and child safety at The Grace House, and volunteering at the Stanley M. Isaacs Center. In order to fund its community-changing efforts, the NYJL hosts a number of fantastic fundraisers that are open to the public.

On Friday, October 15, the Junior League rolled out the red carpet for attendees at its Hollywood-style homecoming, "A Night with the Stars." The halls of the stately East 80th Street townhome the New York Junior League calls its headquarters were adorned with stars, balloons, and of course, a red carpet. Three floors of the headquarters offered different spaces to socialize and relax, each with different drinks- from a rum room to a wine room to a vodka room- and accompanying hors d'oeuvres A DJ kept the dance floor of the ballroom moving. After the main event, guests continued the festivities on the UES with an afterparty at Stir on First Avenue at 73rd Street. The evening's proceeds benefited the charitable activities of New York Junior League. As always with the Junior League, the event was well-attended and offered attendees the opportunity to socialize with a purpose.

To learn more about the Junior League and its charity events that are open to the public, visit http://www.nyjl.org/index.php.

East River Esplanade Task Force Established

2010-09-16T13:22:00.001-04:00

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council member Jessica Lappin have established an East River Esplanade Taskforce to rehabilitate the East River Esplanade north of 63rd Street. The task force will assess the condition of the esplanade, estimate the cost of repairs, and secure funding.

It is evident from the sinkholes, potholes, lack of benches and shrubbery, that not only is the Esplanade unsightly, but it can also be unsafe. The East 70's portion of the Esplanade is particularly perilous, with several spots closed off.

On July 26 a preliminary meeting was held, during which is was determined that the Parks Department is the appropriate agency to take the lead on this project.

On October 7, Congresswoman Maloney, Council member Lappin will meet with community board chairs and Parks Department chairs to continue planning for this project. Of course, funding will be the biggest challenge for this project.

The esplanade was built in the 1960s, along with the FDR Drive. The pavement was last renovated in the 1980s, when hex block pavers were installed, but the seawall from 59th to 96th streets has never been renovated.

Back to (a New) School

2010-08-24T21:49:00.000-04:00

In order to relieve overcrowding on the UES, next month a new public school, 267, will open at 1458 York Avenue. Rather than redrawing the zones, students living in the overcrowded P.S. 290, 183, and 59 zones will have priority to attend the new school. P.S. 267 is slated to move in two years to the building which currently houses P.S. 59, the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, located at 213 East 63rd St. At that time, P.S. 59 will move to a new building. When P.S. 267 opens next month it will contain three kindergarten classes and the school will expand by one grade each year until it houses grades Kindergarten through 5. The school is expected to have an ultimate capacity of 450 students.

The new East Side Middle School (ESMS) will open at 333 East 91st Street next month as well, increasing the school's current capacity by approximately 150 seats.

Other new UES schools are in the works. In September of 2012, P.S. 151 will open in a new location which is to be determined. And in September of 2012, P.S.59 will return to a newly constructed home on East 56th Street.

Hopefully the opening of these new seats and new schools will decrease the waitlists and relieve the overcrowding problem that affects so many UES students and parents.

Group Taxi Stand Provides Relief to Former X90 Riders

2010-07-26T13:53:00.001-04:00

A new group ride taxi stand has opened on York Avenue between 70th and 71st Streets. The stand was primarily created to serve those commuters whose transportation routines were disrupted by the discontinuation of X90 service to the Financial District.

The taxi stand is open from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday. The flat fee fare is $6 for two or more passengers, and commuters may be dropped off anywhere from Pearl St. to the World Financial Center. For a passenger information card, click here.

Council Member Jessica Lappin lauded the launch of this new taxi stand, "Hail to the TLC for working with us to create a creative, no-cost way to help commuters on the east side. In particular, this will provide a great new option for those passengers who are being hurt by the discontinuation of the X90 bus."

Don't forget about the other group taxi stand located on E. 72nd St. and Third Ave. with dropoffs on Park Avenue from 72nd St. to 42nd St.

Fairway is In, Subway Advertisements are Out

2010-06-23T18:54:00.000-04:00

Upper East Side residents can't escape the fact that the neighborhood is undergoing much development, especially with the construction of the Second Avenue subway. Some development is readily welcomed by the community while other development is more closely scrutinized. At last week's UES Community Board Meeting, CB8 voted on two proposals affecting development in the neighborhood: Fairway's proposal for a loading dock and the MTA's proposal to allow commercial billboards within 125 feet of 2nd Avenue.

At the CB8 meeting, many residents spoke in support of Fairway's proposed use of the loading dock. Residents expressed a desire to ease Fairway's transition to the neighborhood because they felt the store would benefit the community. Those who opposed the loading dock cited concerns with decreasing area parking and the noise that would result from having the loading dock open from 5 a.m. to midnight in this mixed-use community. Residents noted that loading docks in the neighborhood are typically restricted to 10-12 hours of operation. The general consensus, however, was that the presence of Fairway on the UES is wholeheartedly welcome and will add something that UES residents have been missing: an affordable gourmet grocery. Ultimately, the board voted to approve the proposal for the loading dock.

Although the proposed commercial billboards would only be used until the completion of the subway and would help hard-hit businesses to regain revenue during construction, residents spoke overwhelmingly against allowing commercial billboards within 125 feet of 2nd Avenue. Many felt that the presence of the commercial billboards would dilute the residential character of the neighborhood. Not surprisingly, CB8 voted against allowing the commercial billboards.

It seems that not unlike most communities, UES residents are wary of development but welcome it when they believe it will bring something valuable to the community.

Central Park Tennis Court Controversy Ends

2010-05-31T22:39:00.002-04:00

After its plans were a year in the making, the Parks Department recently abandoned a proposal that would have placed four climate-controlled winter bubbles over Central Parks tennis courts from November 15 to March 23. The plan included golf cart rides to carry uptown players from Fifth Avenue and Central Park West to the courts.

Just last February, the Upper East Side's Community Board, Community Board 7, approved the proposal. Months later the Upper West Side's Community Board 8 raised concerns over the bubble approved by Community Board 7, including environmental concerns from heating the 26 courts with diesel generators and expensive court fees. The proposed play fees, ranging from $30 to $100 per hour, would have varied depending upon the popularity of the time slot. At the more than half-dozen bubbled tennis courts at other city parks throughout the city, hourly rentals typically run between $28 and $56. The rate of a season pass for the tennis courts is currently $100 for March through November. The revenue generated would have gone to the city's general fund rather than the Parks Department. Community Board 8 was concerned that the required fees would create exclusivity in this public space as many people could not afford to use the courts in winter. Others complained that the bubbles would obstruct park views.

As a result of the complaints by Community Board 8, Community Board 7 chose to revisit its decision and withdrew its support from the bubble project. Sen. Liz Krueger, whose district covers the entire park, issued a letter in opposition to the plan. Krueger said she was disturbed that the Parks Department would propose such an idea. “[The plan] violates the entire commitment of Parks Department to keep Central Park the crown jewel,” Krueger said. The Parks Department dropped the proposal at the end of April.

This is the second time this year the Parks Department has abandoned plans for a tennis bubble on the Upper East Side. This spring the city also abandoned its plan to cover popular softball fields at Queensborough Oval beneath the 59th Street Bridge on the East Side year round and use the land for tennis.

Are you in favor of bubbling Upper East Side tennis courts for winter use? What if a more environmentally friendly heating method were available?

For Cinco de Mayo Consider Cascabel Taqueria

2010-04-30T19:45:00.005-04:00

This tiny taco joint that takes no reservations has been garnering rave reviews from novice nibblers and famed foodies alike. The tacos are served in a clean space that is somewhat inundated with Mexican wrestling paraphernalia such as figurines and posters. The lime green walls add brightness. The restaurant seats about 22 people excluding the bar. In addition to lunch and dinner, brunch is available on weekends. The service is quick and efficient. Without a wait, your order will be ready in mere minutes for you to devour.

The menu offers starters, sides, corn tacos, larger plates, and a few desserts. The high point of the food at Cascabel is the use of only fresh ingredients. It’s fitting that each table is equipped with four types of salsas and hot sauces as the tacos would benefit from more seasoning. You can enjoy refreshing beer, wine, and agua fresca with your tacos.

The prices here are very reasonable, $7.50 for 2 tacos. However, for some people, the two small tacos may not be filling enough to comprise an entire meal.

Although there is better Mexican food to be found on the Upper East Side, namely at Taco Taco, Cascabel is a convenient place to stop for a quick meal. Dining here is proof that you can eat cheap on the Upper East Side.

DETAILS:
Cascabel Taqueria
1542 Second Avenue b/w 80th and 81st
212-717-7800
Lunch: M-F 12-4:30
Dinner: M-Th 4:30-10
Th-F 4:30-11
Brunch: Sa-Su 12-4

Second Avenue Subway Update

2010-03-31T21:40:00.003-04:00

Plans for the Second Avenue Subway started back in 1929 and construction first began in the 1960s, but the financial crisis of the 1970’s halted progress. The plan was resurrected with the Phase One groundbreaking on April 12, 2007.

The Second Avenue Subway will provide services along two lines, the Q and the T. The new train will run generally under Second Avenue from 125th Street to Hanover Square; second service (an extension of the existing train) will operate from 125th Street under Second Avenue and connect to the 63rd Street Line and the Broadway express tracks, using an existing track connection between the 63rd Street Line and the Broadway Line. The will then continue along the Broadway Line express tracks and the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn. There are four phases of the plan.

The current construction is focused on Phase 1, which the MTA estimates will be completed in December 2016, although the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) estimates that it won't be finished until June of 2018. Phase 1 encompasses the Upper East Side, from 96th Street to 72nd Street. Phase 3 of the four phase project will also encompass the Upper East Side, from 72nd Street to 60th Street.

At groundbreaking, the estimated cost for Phase 1 was $3.8 billion; the estimate has now risen to $4.4 billion. The entire project was originally slated to cost $13 billion, however, estimates have ballooned to approximately $17 billion. This month, the project received $78.9 million in stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Last week it was announced that UES residents living in 28 apartments on Second Avenue between 93rd and 96th Street will be displaced from their homes in apartment buildings along This brings the total number of apartment relocations to 69 since last year. The displacement is temporary, and will last from 30 to 60 days. The subway construction has compromised the integrity of these buildings. The overall cost of the relocations, as well as stabilizing and façade work on other nearby buildings, will cost the MTA between $6 million and $8 million, doubling what was initially projected.

As of this week, Construction crews are boring tunnels between 91st and 95th Street.

Of course, not only has the construction forced UES residents to be temporarily displaced, but it also has impacted businesses along Second Avenue. Storefront entrances have been blocked and the construction has caused Second Avenue to be a hassle to traverse.

Take heart, Upper East Siders; despite these negative impacts and the short-term negative impact of the subway construction upon real estate values, experts anticipate that the subway will raise property values along 1st and 2nd Avenues.

For more information, visit http://www.mta.info/capconstr/sas/.

A Post Office Saved: Community Activism at its Best

2010-03-11T07:30:00.001-05:00

In October, victory was won for some Yorkville residents of the East 70’s and East 80’s who use the post office at 1483 York Avenue, otherwise known as Cherokee Station. Back in the summer, the USPS toyed with the idea of closing the Post Office and moving the services centered there to another location, in an attempt to consolidate Post Offices due to a $7 billion deficit caused by low revenue and decreasing mail volume. At the time, there were more than 3,000 offices under review nationally, including 14 throughout the city, and 5 in Manhattan. The USPS considered moving services to Gracie Station, Lenox Hill Station and Yorkville Station, and even Roosevelt Island. Under the USPS proposal, residents would have been forced to travel at least half a mile from the original Cherokee station, and perhaps a river away! Keeping Cherokee station is especially important to our community because many of our senior citizens rely upon its services; they would be severely inconvenienced by having to travel further to the post office.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has been instrumental to the development of Cherokee station. Back in 1994, Congresswoman Maloney successfully advocated for expansion of Cherokee station. She secured a space twice the size of the former station, with seven full service windows and 800 more boxes, resulting in a total of 1,000 boxes at the station.

Back in the summer, the community rallied to keep the post office open. The East 79th Street Neighborhood Association collected almost 1500 signatures on a petition to keep the post office open. Several elected officials, including Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Liz Krueger, State Assembly Members Micah Kellner and Jonathan Bing, City Council Members Jessica Lappin and Dan Garodnick, joined together and wrote a letter urging the USPS to save Cherokee Station.

At the end of November, the USPS announced that it would not close Cherokee Station. Congresswoman Maloney proclaimed, “Since New Yorkers can’t walk on water, I am delighted that the Postal Services won’t be closing the Cherokee Station and moving its operations across the East River.”

This is just one example of how residents of the Upper East Side, paired with our elected officials, can work for the best of the community.

What other issues are you advocating in the community that you’d like to bring to the attention of this blog and the community?

Fireplace Retreat on UES!

2010-03-03T12:37:00.002-05:00

Ooooh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is sooo delightful! Living on the Upper East Side for now 6 years, I had never known some of the charming hidden treasures that our community holds close to heart. You see, I had this preconceived notion that in order to entertain or “be cool” it was imperative that I put my little booty into a yellow cab or make the 6 block trek in my high heels over to the subway and make the journey down town. Friends in town? Lets meet at this hard to get in place on avenue A. Dinner date? Fabulous little place in Soho. Parents in town? Great family style nook in Nolita…You get the point.

However, lately, it has been well, cold. Quite frankly with this economy who wants to incorporate $40 in cabs into the night of entertaining? Even worse who wants to wait and wait for that 4 or 5 express train to come and then hear, “All express trains are running on the local track and with limited service”. I can definitely tell you that I for sure do not want to hear this as it is 20 degrees on the platform.

Recently in an effort to save money, body heat and valuable night time, I started looking at some of the bars and dinner places here within the Upper East Side, and began to explore other alternate places to meet up with friends and family or go out for my treasured date night with my husband. The results have been unbelievable! I cant even begin to think about the money I have spent hauling it down town or the shoes ruined making that long journey over to the subway to wait and then end up being late!

My entertainment explorations were put to a test this past weekend. Originally, I had plans to head south and meet up with friends that were coming in from the ‘burbs and wanted a “swank” night out in the city. Out of habit I thought, perfect, there is this great place in Gramercy with a fireplace and where you can reserve a table for drinks. Phone number in mid dial, I stopped, paused and reassessed the situation. They also are cigar smokers and I immediately remembered one of the very few almost unknown places in the city that allows patrons to smoke inside. Yes, inside.

Lo and behold, the place that still allows you to smoke is, no not downtown…. but uptown, on the lovely Upper East Side. Lexington Bar and Books on 73rd and Lexington is one of the very few bars within NYC that still allows you to smoke cigars inside. Your friends will be impressed with this classy find and little known fact all the while having great conversation in an appropriately filled dimly lit loungey space holding either a delicious glass of wine, cold beer or a concoction of your choice. Even better on these cold nights mosey on over to the fireplace and carry your laughs and talks while being warm!

Who would have thought that a great and rare find could be found in the baby stroller filled, dog walking enclave that is our community. Entertaining is a blast but doesn’t mean that we northern Manhattanites have to venture down south to show friends, family even ourselves a cool night out on the town.

Lexington Bar and Books is just one of the many little finds to be found and depending on your evening outlook or entertainment purposes there is something to be ventured to on the Upper East Side.

UES Riverfront Park

2010-02-24T19:41:00.001-05:00

It's about time this project is actually getting off the ground. It's been eight years in the works but Community Board 8 got one step closer to finishing the Andrew Haswell Green Park when it approved the final phase of the project last week. Read more: http://www.dnainfo.com/20100222/upper-east-side/upper-east-side-riverfront-park-gets-final-green-light#ixzz0gVIyqS9O

A few things to take into consideration

2008-10-06T21:25:00.006-04:00

Local news:
Con Edison started work to abate and demolish retired Transit Authority facilities in the East 75th Street Substation and in the street on East 75th between York Avenue and the FDR as early as Monday, October 6th. The Transit Authority ducts are composed of a concrete like material containing asbestos. As such, the removal process will include all appropriate safeguards. Proposed days and hours of work are as follows:
Inside substation: Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm
Outside substation (i.e. on the street): Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm
We will provide more details as soon as they are available.

I love trees, but trees don't love me. My eyes itch just reading about this:

Upper Green Side has two great events coming up:

· Great East Side Tree Giveaway - Sunday, October 19th at the 92nd Street and
First Avenue Greenmarket, Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, Million
Trees and Upper Green Side (we're the really small fry here) will be giving away
1,250 trees to individuals, community groups, community gardens, block
associations... Any and everyone who has a place to plant a tree, is willing to
transport it to that place and plant it. There'll be 19 varieties, and both shade and
flowering trees. Think the size of the young "7 gallon" street trees the city plants.
The average or large size granny cart - but definitely not the little ones - are a
great way to get your tree to where you want it. If you want 5 or more trees,
you'll need to have a group identity and email your request to Michael Crowley at
mcrowley@nyrp.org. We don't want a single one of these 1,250 left unplanted!!
Tell your friends !

In case you missed the last electronic recycling opportunity:

· UGS Electronics Recycling - Columbus Day Weekend (October 11th, 12th and
13th) at St. Catherine's Park, First Avenue between 67th Street, 10 am and 3 pm.
Laptops, Desktops, Monitors, Printers, Scanners, Fax Machines, Copiers, Servers,
Mainframes, Routers, Hubs, Modems, Keyboards, Mice, Cables, Hard Drives,
CD-Roms, Circuit Boards, Power Supplies, TVs, VCRs, DVD Players, Audio
Visual Devices, Radios, Stereos, Cell Phones, Pagers, PDAs, Household Batteries
and More. They'll take them all!!

On October 14th, the Carnegie Hill Neighbors, are having
another recycling event at the Church of Heavenly Rest, 2 East 90th Street,
between Fifth and Madison Avenues, 11 am to 7 pm.

Manhattan Community Board 8
SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY /TASK FORCE
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hunter College School of Social Work
129 East 79th Street, Auditorium
7:00PM

Agenda
1. Construction Update
a. Launch Box update

b. Shaft Site work at 69th and 72nd Streets

2. Architectural finishes and design:
a. 96th Street station

b. 86th Street station, except the entrance serving the east side of Second Avenue at 86th Street* *This entrance is being studied in an Environmental Assessment and will not be discussed at this time.

c. 69th Street entrance to 72nd Street station* *Because the entrance serving the east side of Second Avenue at 72nd Street is being studied in an Environmental Assessment, this entrance will not be discussed at this time. In addition, designs for the 72nd Street station ancillary facilities at 69th and 72nd Streets are not completed. When ancillary facility designs are complete, we will return to Community Board 8 to present them.

Meanwhile, it feels like Spring outside...enjoy!

Things to do and think about

2008-09-29T19:49:00.010-04:00

Buy Local:

The Upper East Side Greenmarket: St. Stephen’s Church, East 82nd Street between First and York Avenues, every Saturday from July 12, 2008 through November 22, 2008. Now, more than ever buying local is the way to go.

The benefits of the Big Mac:

Ronald McDonald House of NY will celebrate their 30th Anniversary by hosting a block party on October 4, 2008 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM, East 73rd Street between York and First Avenues. For more information, contact Jim Rooney at 212-639-0182 or visit http://www.rmdh.org/.

Many years ago, I worked for a company that was responsible for coordinating kids from a Ronald McDonald House to a concert of a band that was one of the world's biggest and most popular attractions. We traveled to 31 cities in 29 days, exhausting, but it was one of the greatest jobs I've ever had. Some of these kids were fragile and they weren't going to live much longer; others were going through treatments and the future was still unclear. I cried my eyes out every show as I led these kids to meet the band, after which I filled their arms with free merchandise. Then I watched as they sat in their VIP seats and had the time of their lives. For some, literally. I visited as many of the houses that I could in places like Jackson, MS, Tampa, FLA, St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL and others. It was a major learning experience. I'll be at the block party.

Get your costumes ready:

The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum invites you to their Halloween event entitled “Pumpkins & Mask” on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM, 2 East 91st Street. For more information, call the Membership Office at 212-849-8349 or via email at chmembership@si.edu.

And last but not lease:

Bloomberg Called Ready to Announce Third-Term Bid

The mayor is going to propose a plan to revise the city’s 15-year-old term limits law.

If you feel Mayor Bloomberg has been a successful mayor, you may be cheering. If you feel he hasn't done enough and we need a "change" you might be shaking your head in disbelief. I guess we'll have to see how this plays out.

Rescue Me

2008-09-21T07:31:00.008-04:00

The renovations continue in my building. How long has it been? Months. Tonight, it got out of control.

Sitting in my apartment, minding my own business, grading papers, I began to smell something funny, gas like, wafting through my pad. At first, I wasn't sure if it was coming from the outside or somewhere inside the building. The window was already open and the fans were on, but it wasn't helping. I discovered that the smell was strongest in the bathroom and that the fumes were coming in through the vents.

I kept grading papers until my head began to ache and I suddenly felt dizzy and weak. By now, my apartment was filled with toxic fumes and I rushed out the door, knocking on my neighbors' doors, but no one answered. I found workers in the apartment two floors below mine and after pounding on the door a man opened it. I told him that fumes were filling the building, especially my place and that they needed more ventilation. He smiled and said, "One half hour more."

I called the management company and left a message with yet another complaint about the renovations going on here: who does this kind of work on a Saturday night? I then called 311 and told my story. I was switched to the Police and told them my story, meanwhile moving to sit right by the window. From there the call went to the Fire Department and within minutes the hook and ladders, ambulance and police were here.

As they came up the two flights I could hear them talking about the fumes. When I opened my door the first two firemen got a good whiff and they asked how I was doing. I had my huge cat in my arms, very heavy cat, and the fireman made sure I had enough ventilation while some of the others spoke to the workers downstairs and went to speak to the super. I didn't even think of going to the super. I wanted something done right away. Plus, I was too light headed to go back down the stairs. Before they left, the firemen told me to be sure to call if there was a problem.

I heard the firetrucks pulling away and went back to the window when there was a knock on my door and it was a policewoman and man checking to make sure that I was okay. One of the officers even apologized for not getting upstairs sooner because they were stuck behind the firetrucks. Both officers acknowledged the fumes and said if I needed anything else to be sure to call.

By now, I was feeling very tired and went back by the window and sure enough, a knock at my door. It was the EMT's. She asked if I was feeling any chest pains and took my information for a report reflecting that they had offered to take me to the hospital. And then she asked if I needed to go to the hospital. No thanks. I said I was okay, just a bit lightheaded and she said, "So are we--from those fumes."

I don't know exactly which company or precinct they came from, but it was somewhere on the UES. All of the people involved, from the 311 operator to the EMTs were exceptionally professional and extremely kind and caring. I feel so lucky to have had so many people helping to take care of this situation, which could have been so much worse.

I'm going to find out where they all came from and send my thanks. It's a great feeling to know that I am so well protected in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Time Goes By

2008-09-11T22:05:00.015-04:00

I swore I wouldn't watch any of the coverage of the attacks, yet found myself listening to the conversation Katie Couric had that morning with a woman who witnessed the first plane hitting the tower. She was down in Battery Park, right there. Along with this are the images televised that morning. Time really hasn't made this any easier.

Like so many others, I find it hard to believe that it's been seven years since the attacks on September 11, 2001. I tend to gauge the mood of my students before bringing it up for discussion in my classes. You never know how this event may have impacted a student, especially since so many of them live downtown. I usually start out by asking them how old they were when this happened. Most of them were seven or eight years old and because of that I don't get too political or show too much emotion.

There were a few years following the attacks in which a number of students said they weren't impacted by the events on 9/11 at all. At first I was shocked to hear this, but then I realized that many of these remarks were made by students who were in denial and overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Of course, there were those who lived or were going to schools out of town, so naturally their experiences were different.

This year, all of my students said that they were definitely touched by it and the level of their compassion and concern was very high. Still waters run deep.

Riding the Elevators in the Sky

By Anne Sexton (1975)

As the fireman said:Don't book a room over the fifth floor
in any hotel in New York.
They have ladders that will reach further
but no one will climb them.
As the New York Times said:
The elevator always seeks out
the floor of the fire
and automatically opens
and won't shut.
These are the warnings that you must forget
if you're climbing out of yourself.
If you're going to smash into the sky.

Many times I've gone past
the fifth floor,
cranking upward,
but only once
have I gone all the way up.
Sixteenth floor:
small plants and swans bending
into their grave.
Floor two hundred:
mountains with the patience of a cat,
silence wearing its sneakers.
Floor five hundred:
messages and letters centuries old,
birds to drink,
a kitchen of clouds.
Floor six thousand:
the stars,
skeletons on fire,
their arms singing.
And a key,
a very large key,
that opens something –
some useful door –
somewhere –
up there.

Now, here's some fun stuff:

**The 92nd Street Y is introducing its new season and logo with a video featuring 92 famous faces who have appeared at the Y. Name at least 30 correctly, and you and a guest can be the lucky winners of a one-of-a-kind Year's Membership to 92Y. Watch and enter at www.92Y.org/MUG.

**Join NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn's Team to March for Marriage Equality this Sunday!!

Please join Speaker Christine Quinn for the 5th Annual Wedding March! We will be walking with Marriage Equality New York to support same-sex couples' right to marry. The march will kick-off at City Hall Park, proceed down Park Row and across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wrap-up in Cadman Plaza. There will be food and a festival in Brooklyn, along with artists, speakers and performers. Come out and support this great cause and meet others who are interested in LGBT causes.

Details

Sunday, September 14, 2008

City Hall Park (Take the R, W trains to City Hall or the 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall or the 2, 3 to Park Place or the J, M, Z to Chambers or the A, C, E to Chambers)

We will start marching around 11:00 AM. Volunteers and participants, please join us at 10:45 AM sharp. We will have signs that say "Speaker Christine Quinn Marriage Team." We will meet in front of the fountain in City Hall Park (on the north side, facing City Hall).

Activities: Walk with the Speaker! Sign up others for future volunteer activities, meet fellow activists and distribute information on the Council's record on LGBT issues.

Please let us know if you would like to attend. You can RSVP to Tony Simone at (212) 788-6887 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tsimone@council.nyc.gov.

For questions or directions the day of the event, please contact Josh Aronson at (917) 331-2413 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=josh.lovinga@gmail.com.

And last but not least: If you're like me, confused about the plans for Ground Zero (as in, nothing is happening) here's a good article to help you figure things out.

Scheduled Outage

2008-08-06T20:47:00.005-04:00

If they only knew just how apropos this really is. The scheduled outage is set to happen on this particular blog, www.blogger.com, in about 10 minutes. I've finally gotten back in gear and was ready to blog and now this. I'll type fast and do what I can and come back later.

Speaking of outages, my back has been out for over a month, which made swimming, walking, goofing around and other fun activities impossible. On the hottest day of our last heat wave my air conditioner began blowing warm air and I had to hustle to get resolve that issue. Long, long story short: Heat blowing out of a/c, jump on Internet to suss out deals, find something good at Best Buy, have to buy it on the telephone, encounter problems regarding someone coming to install air conditioner, made many calls to check, double check, cajole, argue and almost beg.

I remembered that I had a similar situation six years ago when the last air conditioner (a dinosaur that came with the apartment) died on another heat wave day (97 and climbing). I knew that there was a small shop on my block that sold air conditioners so I went dripping in sweat over there. Only because my head was about to burst from the heat, I ran to the bank to get cash (they wouldn't take a check or credit card) and with 5 minutes to spare bought the darn thing. I begged them to have it delivered and installed right then and for almost $400 I had cold air again. Rip off, sure.

So, this time I was desperate again and even though I already had one coming from BB, I called the shop, now on another block, and spoke to someone about wanting to "buy local" and told him what I needed. After way to much time on hold, the guy comes back and mumbling numbers tells me that he can sell me a unit and have it delivered and installed for $849!!! I'm still laughing. I couldn't contain myself and was screaming with laughter into the phone. I used the words are you blanking kidding me, what are you nuts? Even the most affluent person wouldn't give you that much for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. (please tell me that's true) That's the last time I'll ever call Cool Air on 76th Street. OH! Did I say the name?

Anyway, to finish this saga I'll just say that I ended up getting a great deal from Rainbow, they delivered that evening and gave me a reference for a really nice man to install it. He showed up the next day, popped it in the window, and now I'm freezing.

The hard drive story is the saddest. Fairly new computer, begins doing some very strange things, after 16 total hours (I'm not exaggerating--I have it documented) on the telephone with various Dell technicians I was sent a new hard drive, so I'm back in business. I hadn't realized that India was 12 hours ahead of us.

Okay, back out, air conditioner out, computer out, but with a little patience and a good sense of humor everything worked out. Except my back. I'm still in pain, but I've got air and I'm back here where I belong.

A lot has been going on around town while I've been "grounded" but there are a few things to talk about. Whole Foods is opening a store close to the Upper East Side. 57th and 2nd Avenue is just about there, right? From everything I've been reading, WF is trying to shake its reputation for being overpriced and therefore, unavailable for many New Yorkers. I'll check it out. Uh oh, time for the outage...

Happy Birthday, CB8!

2008-07-09T14:48:00.008-04:00

To be honest, I didn't know any of the information provided in this bulletin. I also don't know anyone who serves on the board or once served on the board or knew someone who served on the board or members, staff, former members or former staff or anyone. However, if you read on you'll see that this party is being held at the Crowe’s Nest, 1804 Second Avenue, (between 93rd and 94th Street), Monday, August 4, 2008, from 7:00
PM to 9:00 PM, so if you can attend, do.

To: Current & Former Board Members, Current & Former Public Members, Board Staff, Elected Officials, and Friends of Community Board 8
From: David G. Liston, Chair
Date: July 3, 2008
Re: Community Board 8 Celebration
* * *
As many of you may know, in 1951 Robert Wagner, then Manhattan Borough President, established twelve “Community Planning Councils.” The Councils, consisting of 15 to 20 members each, were responsible for advising the Borough President on planning and budgetary matters. In 1963, they became "Community Planning Boards" and were extended to the other boroughs. Later in the 1960s, former Mayor Lindsay set up "Little City Halls" on an experimental basis in just a few communities. In the mid-1970s, the Planning Boards and Little City Halls were combined into "Community Boards" and in Fiscal Year 1977 (July 1, 1976 - June 30, 1977) Community Boards were
for the first time officially included in the City budget, which allocated funds for each board for office space, a District Manager, staff, and supplies.

Please come to celebrate the history, accomplishments, and future of Community Board 8. The cost will be $32.00, which will include dinner, dessert, and coffee. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. In addition to all current Board Members, Public Members, Board Staff, elected Officials and their staff, and friends of CB 8, I would like to invite former members, former CB8 staff, and former elected officials and their staff. To assist in that effort, I ask that you forward this invitation to any former members, staff, or elected officials and their staff with whom you are in touch or for whom you have contact information.

I will ask a few people to speak for a minute or two at the event about what being on the Board means, or meant, for them and about experiences which capture the value of CB8. Please let me know if you would like to be, or can suggest, one of the speakers. I look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 4, 2008. If you plan to attend, please let the Board Office know by Friday, July 25, 2008.

Taking The Plunge

2008-07-03T00:29:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I'm a little paranoid about people, kids, peeing in public swimming pools. Well, any swimming pool for that matter. I usually leave Manhattan for a month or more during the summer, so I don't spend much time in our local swimming pools, but I really need to get some laps in so I'm venturing out tomorrow to the John Jay outdoor pool. I'm sure there will be a lot of little kids there, but I know that it's a very clean pool so I'm going to just get my mind off of any thoughts of urination. Growing up in Southern California, I was always in pools. I can still clearly see the sign up on every fence in every yard with a pool: We don't swim in your toilet, Please don't pee in our pool. Catchy.

I didn't even think about anyone peeing in the pool back then and I'm sure somebody must have. As of tomorrow, I don't care. I'm going swimming. Swimming is summer and this is summer. It's almost the 4th of July. If that's not summer, what is? I've made my usual promise of working up to 15 laps and if I get to 2 tomorrow, I'll be happy. I've still got not just my winter white skin, but my winter potato-sack body as well. Now, to find last year's bathing suit, which I'm sure I'll have to squeeze into. No matter, I'm taking the plunge.

What Is The Hold-up?

2008-06-21T09:39:00.008-04:00

And who exactly is being held up? Yep, the situation touched off by the construction of the Second Avenue Subway is still unresolved. A couple weeks back a gum chewing Jay DeDapper had a report on Politics To Go about the nightmare which is the situation up on 2nd Avenue. With only two days left in the session, the bills introduced to help the businesses in that area had passed the Assembly but not Congress. Shops are closing, people are losing their jobs...why isn't Mayor Bloomberg stepping in? He doesn't seem to be supporting the bills. The subway construction still has at least 7 years to go. It's hard to imagine that any of the businesses currently there can hang on that long. Go, shop, eat...

After writing to various elected and non-elected representatives and getting no response, I just received this notice from Manhattan Community Board 8:

SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY
TASK FORCE
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
New York Blood Center
310 East 67th Street, Auditorium7:00PM
Agenda
1. Review and discussion of the East 86th Street Subway Station
2. Review and discussion of the East 72nd Street Subway Station
3. Old Business
4. New Business

Could they be any more vague? Guess I'll have to wait for the meeting to find out what this means. Meanwhile, the situation in that area gets more dire each day. I'm sure with this heat and humidity people aren't hopping a subway to shop or eat above 86th Street. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

Rather than repeat what others have already noted, check out
and you'll see the Launch Box and MTA sites. They both cover this topic pretty well. I just got aggravated reading everything again.

I'm going to have to brave the weather and make my way back uptown. It's the least I can do. Besides, it's never too hot for a bagel.