West Side Spirit December 15, 2011

December 15, 2011 Since 1985

No Storybook EndingFor Parker Home

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West Siders PushFor Electric Bike Regs

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Bar FightBar Fight

Community battles raucous restaurant over noise and dancing

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2 • west side spirit • december 15, 2011 News YOU LiVe BY

Compiled by Megan Finnegan Bungeroth

HOLIDAY HISTORY COMES ALIVE FOR KIDS

The newly renovated, recently reopened New-York Historical Society boasts a nifty children’s museum that holds regular family and kid events. This Sunday, the Dimenna Children’s History Museum holds a holiday-themed story hour at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Holiday History scavenger hunt at 1 p.m. that takes children and parents around the museum to discover holiday-related artifacts in the museum’s coffers.

The story hour, “A Dutch-English-New York Christmas!” will teach tykes about how the familiar merry myths—Santa Claus flying on a sleigh, filling stockings with gifts—and their corresponding tradi-tions came to be, and tell of New Yorker Washington Irving’s role in melding Dutch and English traditions into what we now recognize as American Christmas. Both events free with museum admission; adults $15, kids $5.

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS BLAST CITY FOR SLOW PCB RESPONSE

While many elected officials and con-cerned teachers and parents have been working for years to shine the light on the toxic effect of PBC exposure in schools, the most recent studies have shown even more alarming effects on women’s reproductive health. PCBs (polychlori-nated biphenyls) have been detected in lighting ballasts and fixtures in over 800 city school buildings, and while the city acknowledges their danger, it has only agreed to a removal timeline over the course of 10 years.

“As an elected official, but more funda-mentally as a woman, I find it outrageous that the city has chosen to drag its feet in removing these toxic lights from our schools,” said Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal at a press conference last week to publicize the most recent find-ings of the deleterious effects of PCBs on women’s reproductive health.

She was joined by Dr. David

Carpenter, a PCB expert and profes-sor at the University at Albany, Reps. Jerry Nadler and José Serrano, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, New York Communities for Change, Planned Parenthood of New York City, NARAL Pro-Choice New York and the National Organization for Women NYC.

PCB exposure has been linked to endometriosis, infertility, longer concep-tion times and miscarriage, as well as menstrual disorders and early puberty and menopause.

Rosenthal cited the case of a teacher at an Upper West Side school known to contain high levels of PCBs who quit her job after learn-ing she was pregnant, for fear of the exposure she would receive.

Rosenthal recently intro-duced a bill to the Assembly that would require the Department of Education

to remove all toxic lights from schools within three years.

JEWISH MUSEUM LIGHTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The Jewish Museum’s annual See the Light(s) Hanukkah celebration features family festivals, exhibitions from the museum’s collection of menorahs, eclec-tic music and other events to honor the holiday season. This Sunday, Dec. 18, Hanukkah Family Day runs from 12–4 p.m. Kids can make Hanukkah lamps and sculptures from found objects, design hol-iday scenes with illustrator Nancy Cote and dance to the tunes of Ben Rudnick and Friends. The museum’s Lox at Café Weissman will offer a special menu, fea-turing potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce; sufganiyot (donuts) filled with apricot, hazelnut or mixed fruit jam; Napoleon-style layered latkes with house sour cream, dill sauce and lox; and home-made house cheesecake.

Other upcoming events include fam-ily concerts by The Macaroons Dec. 25 and Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Band Allstars in concert Dec. 27. Special exhi-bitions on view include The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats and The Radical Camera: New York’s Photo League, 1936-1951.

Hanukkah begins at sundown Tuesday, Dec. 20, and continues until sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

tapped in

Notes from the Neighborhood MERRY TUBA CHRISTMAS

A tuba player performs at the 38th Annual Tuba Christmas concert at Rock-efeller Center.

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’Tis the Season for Robbery

In the true spirit of the holidays, and in what police say is a sadly expected uptick in thefts in December, criminals have been hitting retail stores on the Upper West Side for merchandise and cash. Last week, a pair of men entered Le Pain Quotidien on West 72nd Street, one showing a gun and the other grab-bing a kitchen knife to threaten the four employees and rob the store safe of $3,000 cash. They also snatched employ-ees’ cell phones before getting away.

At Loehmann’s, a thief scuffled with security guards after attempting to leave the store with a bag of loot, including a $480 leopard velour clutch. And at Sephora, three men were caught on camera sweeping an entire shelf of Chanel perfume bottles into duffle bags, making off with $4,000 worth of the cov-eted scent.

Scary StickupsA liquor store employee was robbed

at knifepoint after a woman called for delivery of a $75 bottle of alcohol and specified that he also bring $100 in change. When the employee arrived at the address, no one answered, but an unknown man approached and demand-ed “everything you’ve got,” which included the booze, cash, employee’s bookbag and wallet.

A woman was the victim of a push-in

robbery attempt when an unknown man followed her into her building after she went outside to smoke a cigarette. The man pushed her against a wall, felt her pockets and then fled empty-handed. The woman was unhurt.

High End HeistsAn Upper West Side woman noticed

that some fraudulent charges had been made on her debit card, and that $28,650 worth of jewelry, including a $6,000 dia-mond art deco necklace, a $2,000 ruby-and-gold ring and other pricey items, were missing from her bedroom. She claims that her roommate is the only per-son with access to the debit card and jew-elry, though she admitted that she didn’t see take anything. No arrest was made.

A guest of the Phillips Club hotel on West 66th Street reported that she left a $100,000 (you read that right) cross necklace with black diamonds, a $15,000 Cartier watch and a $6,000 gold heart pendant with white and yellow diamonds in a bag in her room, only to find them missing on her return.

Broken Appliance Thief on the Loose!

A man reported five stoves, five refrigerators and 10 heavy-duty shelves missing from the storage area of his West 59th Street building, where they were awaiting repair.

Crime watCh

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170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street) (212) 873-3400 DiMennaChildrensHistoryMuseum.org

SUNDAY STORY HOURDec 18 at 11:30 am

Listen to tales of a Dutch-English-New York Christmas!

HOLIDAY HISTORY HUNTDec 18 at 1 pm

Families team up and head out with surprise clues to discover special holiday museum objects.

WINTER BREAK FAMILY FUN Dec 26-30 & Jan 2 at 11 am

Kids of all ages can practice their History Detective skills with quiz shows, scavenger hunts and art making!

Discover the DiMenna Children’s History Museum – a one-of-a-kind, hands-on museum experience only at the New-York Historical Society. There are fun programs for the entire family and the Museum is available for parties!

Free admission For West side kids 13 and under this sunday!

HIS-0020-Post-ReOpening_WestSideSpirit_Programming__10x11.25_v10.indd 1 12/9/11 5:16 PM


Bar FightCommunity battles raucous restaurant over noise and dancingBy Megan Finnegan Bungeroth

The Upper West Side outpost of Papasito Grill and Agave Bar is ostensibly a Mexican restaurant

like any other. They serve traditional fare like quesadillas and guacamole, as well as food with a “gourmet twist,” as their website boasts, and pride themselves on their specialty cocktails and 150 tequila offerings. But according to the restau-rant’s neighbors, Papasito is anything but a typical restaurant.

“I have no problems with restaurants. There has been a restaurant there before, but this place does not operate as a res-taurant from 12 to 4 a.m.,” said Sarah Orleans, whose apartment is right above the establishment at 2728 Broadway. “Most restaurants don’t promote free tequila shots and DJs until 4 a.m.”

Orleans and more than 10 other resi-dents came out to last week’s Community Board 7 meeting to protest the restau-rant’s application for a liquor license, which the board was reviewing. She said that the noise and raucousness emanat-ing from Papasito’s on a nightly basis forces her to sleep at friends’ apartments on weekends, the only time she can get some decent shut-eye.

Others had similarly heated com-plaints about Papasito, saying that they had moved to the area for its relative peacefulness and family-friendly apart-ments and were now bombarded with booming music, drunken patrons, whom several people noted will exit Papasito yelling in the middle of the night, and even violence. The owners have acknowl-edged the need to frisk guests for weap-ons before entering, a move they tout as being responsible and cautious but that others decry as another reason the estab-lishment doesn’t belong in a residential neighborhood.

The Upper West Side incarnation of Papasito is the second after the original location in Inwood, at 223 Dykman St. That spot along with other bars along what residents have taken to calling “Alcohol Alley” on Dykman Street has inspired similar complaints from the com-munity, and the State Liquor Authority has opened a proceeding to potentially cancel or revoke Papasito’s liquor license at that location for giving alcohol to a

person under 21 years of age. The com-munity board’s Business and Consumer Issues committee took note of this in its resolution to disapprove of the new location’s pending liquor license.

“The applicant has failed since August 2011 to operate a quiet restau-rant establishment, where indoor dis-putes have resulted in police action and an assault on a police officer of the 24th Precinct in front of the prem-ises and where extreme and excessive noise from music and customers during late-night hours, especially between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., have had a detrimental impact on the quality of life of tenants and residents in the area,” the commit-tee’s resolution stated.

The owner of Papasito and co-filer on the liquor license application, Eusebio Chavez, was present at the meeting, but sat quietly throughout and only spoke to confirm that he was in fact the appli-cant. Chavez instead let Alain Chevreux, who identified himself as a co-owner of Papasito and the owner of a French restaurant across the street, Café du Soleil, speak on his behalf. Chevreux acknowledged the complaints, noting that there had been some prior incidents at the restaurant, but focused mostly on appealing to the board to support a small business venture. Chavez could

not be reached for comment after the meeting.

“We are all working people,” Chevreux said. “It’s very easy to vote, we don’t want those people, but in the meantime, we are employing over 40 people in the neigh-borhood, and even my restaurant across the street has a very very hard time to make ends meet.”

While a few board members were sym-pathetic to Papasito’s attempts to miti-gate the noise and work with the commu-nity, others called it the worst example of a disruptive neighborhood establishment they had ever come across.

Residents’ main complaint, and the one point on which Papasito refused to concede, is the late-night closing time on weekends and the club-like atmosphere that the restaurant promotes despite not possessing a cabaret license or being zoned for a club. On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant stays open until 4 a.m. They promote free tequila shots and flautas on Friday evenings and sell drinks that can only be described as monstrous, offering their specialty cocktails and margaritas in “Vaso Gigante” sizes for $20

or two for $25. Their specialty, as noted on the cocktail menu, is the “Double Mother Load,” a rainbow margar-ita with two bot-tles of Corona in it.

While they don’t plan on toning down the party vibe, Chevreux reiter-

ated to the board that Papasito was will-ing to accept 14 of the 15 requirements that the committee devised in order to support the liquor license application. The list includes directions to adjust sound levels and move amplifiers to miti-gate noise, to only allow live music twice a week and to cut it off after 10 p.m., and to keep employees out of the rear

yard after 12:30 a.m. It also stipulated that Papasito not allow dancing and not apply for a cabaret license, that it not allow valet parking and that it addresses the complaints of neighbors immediately when they call about noise levels.

When the Business and Consumer Affairs committee met last month, Fernando Mateo, whose wife Stella is a co-applicant on Papasito’s liquor license, spoke on behalf of the restaurant. Mateo, who is the president of the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers and recently hosted a fundraiser for presiden-tial candidate Rick Perry at the Papasito’s in Inwood, defended the business and emphasized that it was a struggling new establishment trying to turn a profit that only materializes in the wee hours of the weekend mornings.

At the full board meeting, Chevreaux pleaded for the board not to disapprove their application based on the one point on which they can’t budge.

“I can assure you that only a handful of people here have ever been in the res-taurant business. It’s a very difficult busi-ness to be in. And if you’re going to vote, I would urge you to vote for this place and to give us a chance. We are making improvements. We are trying our best,” said Chevreaux.

The board ultimately voted against the license, passing a resolution to disap-prove it. The State Liquor Authority has the final and official say, but takes com-munity board input into serious consider-ation when weighing license applications.

“We stay open until four o’clock in the morning on Friday and Saturday because if we don’t do this, it’s a death sentence,” Chevreaux said. Some residents clearly hope for that to be the outcome.

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“I have no problems with restau-rants. There has been a restaurant there before, but this place does not operate as a restaurant from 12 to 4 a.m. Most restaurants don’t promote free tequila shots and DJs until 4 a.m.,” said Sarah Orleans.

Nearby residents demanded Community Board 7 that Papasito’s liquor license request be denied because of past incidents at the restaurant.

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WestSideSpirit.com December 15, 2011 • WeSt Side Spirit • 5

Feds Say You Can’t Restrict It—Electric Bikes By Megan Finnegan Bungeroth

The trouble with electric bikes, both lovers and haters will agree, is that no one can say exactly what rules apply to them. Electric bikes are either custom-made or adapted with an electric motor that gives the rider an extra kick. For some, they’re a godsend of alternative transit, making multiborough commutes possible. For others, however, they are dangerous and illegal machines.

Last week, Community Board 7 sent a resolution on electric bikes back to the Transportation Committee after board members could not agree on how a poten-tial ruling by the city and state classifying electric bikes as motor vehicles could affect the ability of bike owners to attain liability insurance.

“We wanted them to be treated like a moped—you get a license plate, you pay a fee and everybody knows who they’re registered to,” said Andrew Albert, co-chairperson of the Transportation Committee. As for the insurance issues raised, he said that the committee will investigate the issue. What he didn’t realize, however, is that electric bikes are actually banned by the city and state

of New York.“The City’s Administrative Code

prohibits electric bikes,” Scott Gastel, Department of Transportation spokesper-son, wrote in an email.

The state DMV, will not register elec-tric bikes, which it classifies as “motor assisted bicycles,” and outlaws them.

How then, are people in riding around on these bikes unhindered?

“The federal law says bikes are bikes,” said Caroline Samponaro, advocate for pro-cycling group Transportation Alternatives. “There’s a state law that clas-sifies them as class C motorcycles, but federal law trumps state law.”

Samponaro said that Transportation Alternatives is encouraging state law-makers to clarify the law and match it up to the federal statute.

Brooklyn City Council Member Brad Lander has initiated legislation to form a task force on electric bikes.

“They kind of exist in a legal black hole,” said Michael Freedman-Schnapp, Lander’s policy director. “There are a number of changes in law that are need-ed at the state and local levels. This isn’t about banning e-bikes, [but] we ought to

be sure they’re used in a safe way.”Freedman-Schnapp said they hope to

examine what kinds of regulation might

be applied to electric bikes, such as maxi-mum speeds and requirements of certain safety additions like headlights.

Even with their ambiguous legality, electric bikes are becoming more pop-ular, according to Peter Yuskauskas, who works in sales and marketing at NYCeWheels on the Upper East Side.

“We probably sell 20 kits and bikes per month; more in busy parts of the sum-mer,” said Yuskauskas. He said that their electric bikes, which retail for $1,800 to $3,000 on average, often sell to people looking to make their commutes easier, and that they don’t do much business selling to delivery people. He also sug-gested that they are in some ways safer than regular bikes, even when traveling at about 20 mph.

“They have powerful brakes,” Yuskauskas said. “Being able to keep up with traffic makes you more visible; cars aren’t just whizzing by you, you aren’t just keeping up. They’re usually really sturdy, well-built machines.”

Some think that’s exactly the problem. “Right now, bicycles are the only thing that can mow you down and you have no idea who it was,” Albert said.

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Electric bikes are banned by the city and state but legal under federal law.

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No Storybook Ending for Dorothy Parker HomeBy Joanna Fantozzi

For Dorothy Parker fans, her child-hood apartment at 214 W. 72nd St. is an irreplaceable piece of New York his-tory. For the Ma family, who owns the now-damaged building, it has become a menace.

Over the past several months, Parker fans and the Ma family have been strug-gling over the fate of the famous writer’s childhood home, which was damaged in the construction of a neighboring high-rise four years ago. As it stands, the building is a part of the West End Avenue landmark proposition. But at Tuesday night’s meeting, Community Board 7 vot-ed almost unanimously in support of the Mas’ proposition to be excluded from the landmark area, bringing the family one step closer to demolition day.

“Right now, it’s not uninhabitable, but in the coming 10 years, it won’t be safe,” said Tiffany Ma, daughter of Peggy Ma, the building’s landlord. “Staircases are tilting and we are leaning toward the east. Who knows what it will be like tomorrow.”

The apartment is the only building left of a row of townhouses designed by William H. Boylan in 1890. The five-story

townhouse is also the last building to be included in the West End Avenue histor-ic district extension, which will run the length of the avenue from 70th to 110th Street.

At three public hearings this year, various parties testified in front of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). The Mas are prepared to tear down the structurally damaged build-ing and build a new 12-story apartment building in its place. Repairing the build-ing instead of demolishing it is not finan-cially feasible, said Tiffany Ma. The LPC will vote to determine the fate of the proposed district and individual requests from property owners like the Mas.

The Dorothy Parker Society leads the group of advocates against the building’s demolition. Kevin Fitzpatrick, president of the society, started an international letter-writing campaign to the community board to save Parker’s former childhood home.

“She was a true New Yorker,” said Fitzpatrick. “She had bad relationships, bad jobs and bad apartments, like a lot of us.”

Many of the letters sent to the board

echo Fitzpatrick’s enthusiasm. “Allowing the destruction of build-

ings over 100 years old erases the face of the past and the face of New York,” wrote Cynthia Princi, a Parker fan from Connecticut. Author Michael Alan Mayer emphasized Parker’s legacy in his let-ter, and warned that once these historic buildings are demolished, they are gone forever.

The Ma family argues that in terms of Parker’s life, this building may not as important as it seems. According to Fitzpatrick’s biography of the writer, she lived in the building for only two years during her early childhood. Fitzpatrick said that any building inhabited by an author is worth preserving.

During construction of the nearby high-rise apartment building The Corner Apartments, the Ma family said their building was damaged. The century-old-building now leans towards the east, stair-cases are damaged and there are multiple cracks in the walls, according to an engi-neering report. Tiffany Ma said that they lost two tenants during construction and lowered rents for the remaining tenants.

“It’s like a coat that you have to fix,”

said Peggy Ma. “You patch it here and patch it there, but pretty soon you need a new coat.”

If the Mas win their case, they said they are willing to work with the Dorothy Parker Society to put up a commemora-tive plaque or memorial. Board mem-ber Gabby Palitz said that she is unsure whether their decision will affect the LPC’s decision, but remains hopeful.

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Dorothy Parker.

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This vertically-integrated development, design, and construction company collaborates with the buyer and offers a complete turn-key house in five months. These high-end cottage-style homes, which provide “old home charm” minus “old home hassles,” have been particularly attractive to New Yorkers looking for a country retreat.

Under Petersheim’s guidance, the company maintains a six-month waiting list, so every customer gets the greatest amount of attention while building. With a keen intuition about what customers want and need, Catskill Farms continues to set the bar high with a unique product: a brand-new, custom-designed home imbued with the romanticism of a bygone era.

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By Megan Finnegan BungerothUpper West Side landlord James

Harmon is tired of his rent stabilized tenants paying well below market rate for the apartments in the five-story West 76th Street brownstone he inherited, so he’s turned to the U.S. Supreme Court to relieve him—and the rest of the state—of rent regulations.

Harmon filed a lawsuit against the chair of the Rent Guidelines Board, Jonathan Kimmel, and the commis-sioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Darryl Towns, alleging that the rent regulations violate his Fifth Amendment right to receive compensation from the state for what he says is the taking of his property. When the court ruled that there was no taking of property, Harmon appealed on the basis of the 14th Amendment, claiming that he had been denied the right to due process. That’s what caught the attention of a law firm in California, Pacific Legal Foundation, which has jumped in in sup-port of Harmon’s case to ask the Supreme Court to hear his appeal.

R.S. Radford, the attorney who filed the amicus brief on behalf of the firm, as well as the conservative policy think tank the Cato Institute and the Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, said that Pacific Legal takes on cases that affect the public interest.

“Jim Harmon and his wife own a build-ing in New York City that has some rent controlled units that are occupied, appar-ently, by fairly affluent tenants, and he simply can’t use the property the way he would like to,” Radford said, explaining his interest in the case.

Harmon, who could not be reached for comment, told the Daily News last week that he wants to be able to pass the build-ing on to his children and grandchildren, and that the rent regulations pose unfair limits on his rights as a property owner.

Radford frames it as a few lucky rent-ers unfairly gaming the system.

“How is society better off because these three folks have a claim to fame in his building? The answer to that should be up to the courts,” Radford said.

But the ramifications of this lawsuit, if

it were kicked back to the lower court and eventually came out in Harmon’s favor, would go far beyond one local landlord.

“If this were to happen, we’re talking about more than a million rent regulated apartments in New York that would sud-denly cease to be rent protected,” said Sue Susman, president of the Central Park Gardens Tenants’ Association. “I’m guessing that 96 percent would be people who cannot afford to rent elsewhere. The median income for rent stabilized tenants is $36,000.”

Susman said that while that kind of decision is still years away, if it ever comes, she’s already hearing from ten-ants who are afraid of how the case might affect them.

Other groups have petitioned the court on behalf of Harmon, including the Rent Stabilization Association of New York, a trade association of about 25,000 land-lords and building owners that has been arguing for years, in many venues, that New York’s rent regulations place undue burdens on building owners and hurt the housing market.

“After more than 50 years of rent regu-lations, it’s time for the courts to rule that the rent laws as currently structured are unconstitutional because they have not in any way, shape or form corrected the issues they were intended to address,” said Mitch Posilkin, general counsel at RSA. They argue that the state is doing nothing to actually ameliorate the continual hous-ing emergency, defined as a vacancy rate of less than five percent, and that rent regula-tion was intended to be temporary.

Posilkin said that RSA advocates for a gradual phase-out of rent regulations, and that other government programs should step in to help those who can’t afford market rate rents.

Radford agreed. “It would be so much simpler and so tremendously less expen-sive, both directly and in terms on the market as a whole, for the city and the state of New York to issue rent subsidies to people whose income is so low that it’s a hardship,” he said.

The Supreme Court has asked the city to file a response by Jan. 4, 2012, and will then decide whether to hear the case.

Landlord Turns to Supreme Power on RentUpper West Side building subject of case to end rent stabilization

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By Regan HofmannMidtown at Christmas is an exercise in

sensory overload. From the tourist-trap-ping mayhem of the windows at Macy’s to the OCD-inducing antiquariana of Bergdorf’s displays, from the scrum for skates at the Rockefeller Center rink to the desperate jingle of the carriage horses at Central Park, it can be easy to flag in the face of so much glitter and sound. Sometimes, simplicity is all you need—no bells, whistles or strobe lights, just creativity, humor and good old-fashioned craftsmanship.

Oh, and cookies. Did we mention cookies?

On view in the atrium of Le Parker Meridien (119 W. 56th St., betw. 6th & 7th Aves.) through Jan. 6 is the hotel’s third annual gingerbread house contest to benefit City Harvest. This year, seven New York City bakeries and restaurants have contributed their take on the candy-coated childhood favorite brought to new architectural heights.

What better way to raise awareness and cash for a nonprofit organization that

rescues unused food from restaurants, grocery stores and manufacturers and distributes it to the hungry across the five boroughs than with more food? While the display is free to view, $1 will get you a ballot to vote for your favorite, a highly contested title for the chefs and bakers participating. As one might imagine, the organization has seen need rise over the last 12 months and are especially hope-ful this year’s contest will top last year’s draw of over $16,000. Since every dollar allows the organization to bring in four pounds of food, ballot-stuffing is highly encouraged.

Last year’s winner was, suspiciously enough, Norma’s Restaurant at Le Parker Meridien. Home field advantage? We’ll see if their streak continues with this year’s “Mini Parker,” a replica of the hotel itself complete with reception desk, res-taurant and guest rooms. Don’t worry, they didn’t go so far as to put a mini gin-gerbread house contest in the lobby, so you won’t get sucked into an M.C. Escher-esque recursive nightmare, tracking tinier upon tinier versions of yourself looking at

the model looking at yourself looking at the model.

A strong challenger is first-time par-ticipant BLT Steak/Casa Nonna pastry chef Julie Elkind, whose replica of the Central Park boathouse could easily pass for the real thing. OK, so the pillars are peppermint sticks rather than white stone, and the soft green patina on the roof is from the 700 pieces of Orbit sweet mint gum that act as shingles, rather than aged copper. Aside from those slight details, you’d never know the difference. Also in the running is Gramercy Tavern’s Nancy Olson, whose Olson Manor uses gold-leafed pretzel twists as unexpect-edly beautiful, delicate crenellation on its gothic roof.

But the creations don’t stay strictly within the realm of the architectural. Unlike in previous years, bakers weren’t given any thematic constraints when they received their instructions earlier this year and were free to build any kind of structure they wanted. Of these, Baked Ideas’ typewriter, strung with a rice paper ribbon and spewing forth a sugar cookie

alphabet, takes the concept to new cre-ative heights.

The longer you spend looking at the entries, the more delicious details you’ll uncover. Just don’t try to eat them; while the structures are all technically edible (one of the contest rules), the construc-tion material is doctored to make it stron-ger and less perishable than your average gingerbread man. Thankfully, they still smell just as good, and the hotel’s lobby espresso bar is helpfully selling a number of gingerbread-themed treats to ease your pain. And while you’re in the lobby, pick up a ballot or three from the concierge desk to help bring hungry New Yorkers their own holiday treats.

Vote Early, Vote OftenGingerbread house contest at Le Parker Meridien benefits City Harvest

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From the moment I smell turkey in the oven to the seconds before the ball drops in Times Square, I rejoice in the same holiday gift every year: a bevy of “best of” lists. Top TV shows, top mov-ies, top albums…it is my No. 1 annual guilty pleasure.

The fact that I have my own column allows me the luxury of publishing my own best of list. I had so much fun doing it last year that I’ve decided to do it again this year. So, without further ado, I would like to present the 2011 Penniless Picks:

5. Kicking off the list is the unusual, inex-pensive and deli-cious Batasiolo Moscato Rose ($15.99 at 67 Wine and Spirits, 179 Columbus Ave. at 68th St., 212-724-6767). Starting with a salmon-hued mousse, the glass immediately gives up a massive amount of candied apple and rose petal scents with a floral note in the background. The palate on

this dessert wine is intense. Equal parts sweet and tart come on strong, with a wallop of orange marmalade up front. The flavor morphs mid-palate to butter-scotch, and the finish, which is long and solid, also provides a hint of rose candy. This is one of the best Moscato d’Asti’s I’ve tried in a long time.

4. I am not, traditionally, a fan of fume-style sauvignon blancs. That’s why I’ve put Groth Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2010 ($18.99 at Sherry-Lehmann Wine and Spirits,

505 Park Ave. at 59th St., 212-838-7500) on this list. It com-pletely changed my mind about what a sauv

blanc that has spent time in oak should taste like. The flavor profile is luxuri-ous and super round thanks to the wine aging on its lees. This gives it a soft tex-ture but doesn’t rob the wine of its acid-ity. It’s like biting into a fresh apricot.

3. This was not a banner year for

pinot noir tastings, personally speak-ing. That being said, Siduri “Van Der Kamp” Pinot Noir 2009 ($36 at Sussex Wines and Spirits, 300 W. 42nd St. at 2nd Ave., 212-867-5838) is eas-ily one of the best wines I’ve tasted all year, let alone the best pinot noir. This wine is a powerhouse. Showing the use of oak, but not in an overpowering way, there is star anise, rosewood, coffee and vanilla on the nose. The palate gives up a ton of candied cherry right up front, then becomes spicier in the middle and finishes with notes of tobacco and wet earth. An absolutely dynamite wine.

2. Putting a barolo on a best of list almost seems like a no-brainer, but the Elio Grasso Barolo Runcot 2004 ($130.69 at Morrell and Company, 1 Rockefeller Plz., 212-688-9370) is no typical barolo. The nose is compact and sweet with cedar, pine and other sweet wood scents. The palate starts with fla-vor notes of caramelized sugar, which morph into molasses and baked fig. The tannins balance the fruit flavors, along with a pleasant, espresso-like bitter-

ness. The finish is stoic. An absolute masterpiece.

1. The No. 1 spot goes to an obscure dessert wine from Hungary. That’s right. A Hungarian dessert wine. The type of wine is called Tokaji (pronounced Toe-Keye) and it has a 500-year-old tra-dition. Throughout my career I have tasted and enjoyed many, but the Royal Tokaji 2000 Betsek First Growth, 6 Puttonyos ($88.95 at Sherry-Lehmann Wine and Spirits, 212-838-7500) left me speechless. There was butterscotch, hazelnut, honey roasted almonds and candied orange on the nose. A bright acidity underpinned the heady and rich notes of caramel, tea, blanched almond and cinnamon on the finish. This is, quite simply, one of the greatest things I have ever tasted.

Special Mention must go to the Pinot Bianco Alois Lageder 2009 ($12.99 at Garnet Wines, 929 Lexington Ave., betw. 68th & 69th Sts., 212-772-3212) from the northern Italian province of Trentino-Alto Adige. There were white peach and wet stone scents on the nose, with palate notes of lemon zest, white pepper and edamame. From a producer who makes consistently thrilling white wines, year in and year out, count this one as another “W” for Alois Lageder.

By Josh Perilo

Dining

Penniless PicksThe best wines of 2011

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pets

By Robin BrennenAdopt a Senior Pet Month occurred in

November, so it seems a fitting time to chat about health care for our aging pet population.

When is your pet considered a mem-ber of the AARPets? The answer is “it depends.”

In general, small breed dogs live longer than large breed dogs, and cats live lon-ger than dogs. Therefore, different breeds enter the golden years at different times.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners recently came out with a feline life stage guideline that classifies cats between the ages of 11 and 14 as seniors, while those 15 years and older are considered geriatric. These life stages are important to identify to assist the pet owner and the veterinarian in mapping out a plan for wellness aimed at keeping Fluffy alive lon-ger. A similar guide for canine life stages will soon be released.

It is certainly reasonable to expect that health care needs change as a pet ages, just as they do in people. Senior dogs and cats are more prone to osteoarthritis, dental disease, kidney, liver and heart issues, cancer, hormone imbal-ances, hearing and vision loss and cogni-tive dysfunction (senility). The challenge is in detecting these issues early enough to intervene and make a difference in the out-come. Cats and dogs are not necessarily forthcoming with complaints of aches and pains and ailments, so we need to be astute at looking for them.

Senior pets need twice-yearly veterinary check-ups at a minimum. The rationale behind this is that changes in health status can occur in a short period of time. Subtle changes in weight, water consumption, appetite, mobility or behavior can be detect-ed through careful questioning by your vet. A thorough physical examination can detect growths, heart murmurs, lung issues, eye problems, organ enlargement, hydration sta-tus and joint pain and evaluate oral health.

Diagnostic testing can assist in early detection of many age-related diseases.

Your veterinarian may recommend blood work to assess kidney, liver and hormone function, red and white blood cell counts and electrolyte levels. Screening X-rays can highlight organ enlargement and some cancers. Blood pressure monitoring helps establish the presence of hypertension, which can be a symptom of certain diseases.

Subtle changes in any of these mea-sures, even in a pet that appears healthy, can signal early onset of illness. Even if these tests come back normal, they offer valuable insight and a basis of compari-son for future tests.

Even perfectly healthy seniors can slow down and appear slightly less enthusiastic about things that thrilled them when they were younger. Their five senses can dull over time, making them less responsive to external stimuli. Keeping the mind sharp and active can slow this progression down.

Exercising the mind and body, maintaining their routine and pre-venting “couch potato” syndrome helps keep your pet stimulated and engaged.

Nutrition is impor-tant at this life stage. Matching caloric intake to activity level is vital to maintaining a healthy weight. Older, over-weight animals are more

prone to diabetes and arthritis. Senior diets are often formulated with reduced calories and restricted in some nutrients as the body’s requirements change over time.

Subtle changes in your pet’s behavior can be a first clue to an underlying prob-lem. Increased thirst or frequency of urina-tion or accidents can be a sign of kidney problems. Decreased appetite can be the first indicator of many issues, including oral pain. Reluctance to use a litter box or go out for a walk can suggest arthritic pain. As a pet owner, you play a key role in early detection.

The golden years can be a great time for you and your pet. With good preven-tive medicine, you can help your pet grow old gracefully.

Robin Brennen is chief of veterinary services & VP of program operations at Bideawee.

Golden Years for Fido and Fluffy Pet’s senior years bring a host of health issues

The challenge is in detecting these issues early enough to intervene and make a

difference in the outcome. Cats and dogs are not

necessarily forthcoming with complaints of aches and pains and ailments, so we need to

be astute at looking for them.

© 2011 ASPCA® All Rights Reserved.

How about taking a new best friend home for the holidays? When you adopt from the ASPCA®, your pet comes spayed or neutered and up-to-date on all vaccinations, with a microchip and free follow-up vet exam. So stop by our Adoption Center today and find your perfect pet with our Meet Your Match® program. Or, pick up a Gift-A-Pet Certificate – the perfect gift for someone with lots of love to give.

Visit: www.adoptaspca.org or call (212) 876-7700 x4120 for additional information.

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The Season For Giftinggift guide

It’s not at all too late to finish your shopping online, and you can often find great deals right from the com-fort of your couch. Here are our top picks:

For the truly unique findFredFlare.com

This quirky online shop sells such whimsical fare as LEGO Star Wars Mini-Figure Alarm Clocks ($44), avail-able in Darth Vader, Storm Trooper, and Yoda. They specialize in useful but odd accessories and gadgets that somehow seem stylish and hip, like a beer making kit ($65) or the Holly GoNightly sleep mask ($15), mod-eled after the one Hepburn donned in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. They’re offer-ing free UPS ground shipping with a $100 purchase if you use the code “bicycle,” and free shipping with a $25 purchase until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 with code “zoom.”

For the no-brainer, stress-free choiceAmazon.com

You can’t go wrong with the mother of all online retailers. Amazon is offering its free super saver ship-ping for Christmas delivery through Thursday, Dec.

15, and offers more expensive options up through local express delivery on Christmas Eve (where available) to ensure that your procrastination goes unnoticed. The Kindle e-reader is a can’t-go-wrong pick, with a $79 model, and gift cards can be cashed in for anything under the sun. They even offer email

and printable gift cards, so if you forgot someone on the list, Christmas morning isn’t too late.

For the fashionable last-min-ute giftNet-a-porter.com

This fashion retail site stocks only the latest and greatest fashions, so while you should be prepared to drop a pretty penny, you’re sure to get a pretty purse, like the latest Chloé bag ($1,850), in exchange. Net-a-porter also offers edi-

tors’ picks, style advice and a carefully curated selec-tion of luxury retail fashion items, so whether you want to deck someone out in a Lanvin wool felt cape (on sale, 30 percent off, for $2,404) or a simple pair of Aubin & Wills leather mittens ($175) you know you’ll satisfy the fashionista on your list. Plus, they offer free shipping!

—Megan Finnegan Bungeroth

Online Options for the Last-Minute Shopper

By Mia Weber

For holiday (s)hoppersYour little ones can snuggle up with Babo the bunny while you unwind and pamper yourself with organic holiday soaps. Babo Bunny Holiday Stocking Stuffer by Babo Botanicals$18, babobotanicals.com

For the “big” kidIt’s easy to get lost in all the adult sophistication of new technology. Check out these nostalgic cases to remind yourself to stay playful! Etch A Sketch® iPhone Case by Headcase$24.99, getaheadcase.com

For the littlest linguistGive your children a head start at becoming little citizens of the world—they will learn over 180 words and phrases in a new language.Spanish Deluxe Gift Set by Little Pim$84.95, littlepim.com

For the astute accessorizerThis precious purse in a classic plaid is the perfect size for an urban kid’s winter essentials—mittens, tissues and chapstick! Girl’s Plaid Purse by The Children’s Place$9.95, childrensplace.com

For the eco-friendly entertainerAdd pizzazz to your morning orange juice or afternoon snack time with this globalized, environmentally friendly set of glasses—a percentage of the proceeds goes to UNICEF.“Our Future” Juice Set by Green Glass$56, greenglass.com

From practical winter-weather gear to a charming dollhouse, this list of holiday finds has a bit of everything for kids (and some for parents, too!)

For the young glamour girlThis sweet wool party dress is the perfect combination of upscale chic and childlike whimsy—perfect for holiday occasions and dress-up days.Bonaventura Dress by Sierra Julian$145, sierrajulian.com

For the charitable chefSavor some sweet moments whipping up pancakes and noshing on gingerbread and biscotti with the fam. Plus, spread some holiday cheer—15 percent of every purchase goes to the charity of your choice. Breakfast Gift Box by Baking for Good$60, bakingforgood.com

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Give the gift of New York this holiday season!

Christmas Eve Saturday–December 24th5:15 pm Children’s Mass11:00 pm Christmas Concert12:00 am Mass at Midnight12:30 pm Mass in Spanish5:15 pm Candlelight Mass

Christmas DaySunday–December 25th8:00 am Mass with Cantor10:00 am Mass with Choir12:30 pm Mass in Spanish5:15 pm Candlelight Mass

Christmas 2011Church of Saint Paul the Apostle

Mother Church of the Paulist Fathers www.stpaultheapostle.org

All Are Welcome!


For the app-savvy artisteWitness the wonder of a children’s classic reinvented for the smart phone experience. Harold and the Purple Crayon iPad app by Trilogy Studios$6.99, itunes.apple.com

For the sketching stylist Harold’s innovative imagination takes on the fashion world with this literary tee.Harold and the Purple Crayon Tee$22, outofprintclothing.com

For the tiny trekkerKeep your kiddies’ toes warm, dry and totally in vogue with these luxe yet sturdy desert boots.Suede Lace Ankle Boots by Naturino$74-79.75, naturino.com

For the travel-ready toddlerGear up for your next cosmopolitan vacation by handing some of the planning over to the youngest adventurer in the family. Not-For-Parents Book Series by Lonely Planet$14.99 each, shop.lonelyplanet.com

For the cozy city kidWith fun faux furs, stylish scarves and cuddly knits, this winter accessory collection is hot, hot, hot! Hats & Scarf by AppamanPrice range at appaman.com

For the pint-sized professionalWith a fan base that includes the Beckham boys, this cheeky tee takes “business casual” to a whole new level. Little Man Baby Tee by Blume$56, blumegirl.com

For crusaders against the cold

Show any blizzard who’s boss with this efficient and

tech-savvy heater. Dyson Hot Fan Heater

by Dyson$399.99, dyson.com For the organic infant

How can you go wrong with a classically inspired, super soft, natural fiber teddy that also happens to be washing machine durable? Cuddle Bear by TANE Organics$63, taneorganics.com

gift guide


Coats.Scarves.Mittens.Hats.

Catholic Charities.Providing more than 3,000 individuals with warmth at Christmas.

Creating hope every day.

BE PART OF IT. www.catholiccharitiesny.org

DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

TriniTy Choir Trinity Baroque Orchestra Julian Wachner, Conductor

Monday, December 19, 7:30pm Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center

TiCkeTs $90, $70, $50 lincolncenter.org • 212.721.6500 or Alice Tully Hall box office 1941 Broadway (on 65th St. between Broadway & Amsterdam)

“A Messiah to Beat in a Season Bursting With Them”

—The New York Times

T r i n i T y w a l l s T r e e T

Messiahgeorge frideric handel

Sunday Services 9:30 am and 11 amClasses Monday-Friday


Holiday Event Highlights on the Upper West Side It’s the busy season for churches, syna-

gogues and others celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, and on the Upper West Side, there are many events, some musi-cal, some just fun and some solemn. This week and next we are highlighting a small sample:

CHRISTMAS EVENTS

Church of St. Paul the ApostleHelp decorate the church Dec. 18 after the 5:15 p.m. Mass. The church will hold a children’s Christmas pag-eant Dec. 24 at 5:15 p.m, followed by a Christmas Eve concert at 11 p.m. and Midnight Mass. On Christmas, Dec. 25, there will be Mass at 8 and 10 a.m., 12:30 (in Spanish) and 5:15 p.m. 405 W. 59th St., 212-265-3495.

Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchCandlelight lessons and carols, includ-ing Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28,” with the Bach and Parish choirs, harp, percussion and organ, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. The church will hold its Christ Mass Dec.

24 at 5 and 10:30 p.m., and Dec. 25 at 11 a.m. 3 W. 65th St., 212-877-6815.

St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal ChurchThe church will hold its annual fam-ily Christmas party and greening of the church Dec. 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Activities include children decorat-

ing cookies for soup kitchen guests. Volunteers will also help put out the Christmas greens and construct the crèche. Choral prelude Dec. 24 at 10:30 p.m. fol-lowed by a procession and Mass at 11 p.m.

The church choir will sing again during the solemn Mass Dec. 25 at 11 p.m. 552 West End Ave., 212-580-3326.

St. Michael’s Church The church will be holding a series of concerts leading up to Christmas: the youth choir will perform “A French Christmas,” Dec. 18 at 4 p.m; “A Festive Celebration of Christmas in Early America,” with Linda Russell & Companie, Dec. 19 at 7 :30 p.m.; and a candlelight Christmas concert with the St. Michael’s Choir Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. There will be prelude and services Dec. 24 at 4:45 and 10 p.m. The Holy Eucharist will be Dec. 25 at 10 p.m. 225 W. 99th St., 212-222-2700.

HANUKKAH EVENTS

Hanukkah on IceChabad Upper East Side celebrates the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting, ice skating, children’s activities and music starring the MACCABEATS. Children under 3 free, $18-22 for children and adults. Dec. 20, 6–9 p.m.Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park,

212-717-4613.

Hanukkah Movie Making Jewish Center, an Orthodox synagogue and community center, is offering a three-hour movie making workshop for 2nd through 7th graders. Kids will make a storyboard, sculpt characters, shoot their movie, record voiceovers and learn audio and video editing using iMovie. Cost of $30-35 includes work-shop and a pizza dinner. Dec. 18, 3 p.m. 131 W. 86 St., 212-724-2700.

Jewish Community CenterThe JCC has free Hanukkah events for seniors, children with special needs and people of all ages who are looking to cel-ebrate the holiday. There will be public menorah lightings in its lobby Dec. 20–22 and 25–27 at 4: 30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 23 at 4 p.m.; and Dec. 24 at 5:15 p.m. The senior Hanukkah party will be Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. There will be arts and crafts and music designed for families with special needs children Dec. 18, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.334 Amsterdam Ave., 646-505-4444.

events

Menorah lightings, Christmas pageants and solemn services

all around the neighborhood.

www.westendchurch.org 212-787-1566West End Avenue at 77th Street

Community Carol Sing | Tuesday, December 13th 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Services | December 24th 6:30 p.m. - A Pageant of Lessons and Carols9:00 p.m. - Candlelight Service

Christmas Day A Celebration of the Nativity | December 25th 11:00 a.m.

www.westendchurch.org 212-787-1566West End Avenue at 77th Street

Sunday, December 18th 3:00 p.m.A Holiday Concert with Music from the Early Americas and South of the Border with the West End Collegiate Choir.

Concierto de las fiestas con música de las americas antiguas y de México presentado por el coro de West End Collegiate Church.

Featuring Bill Hayes - marimba and Alfredo Villela - Aztec instruments


film

By Armond White

Before confronting Meryl Streep’s remarkable transformation as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, it behooves us to consider Thandie Newton playing Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Olivier Stone’s W. Newton’s portrayal of a female public figure invading a masculine realm neces-sitated combining tenacity with feminine reserve—a rare sight, especially in the genre of biographical political drama. Stone’s ambivalent concept in W. con-strained Rice—as well as Bush—between tribute and satire. Yet Newton trod an unmistakably original middle ground; it was a bold artistic victory in the face of media-wide scorn.

Streep and director Phyllida Lloyd achieve a similar take that! victory in The Iron Lady, going against prevailing liberal preconceptions: They human-ize Thatcher’s rise in British politics with a specific understanding of (rarely seen) feminine tenacity. The Iron Lady doesn’t confuse its tribute because Streep and Lloyd (whose goofy Mamma Mia! collaboration grossed a fortune, thus gaining personal power) find a deeper core to Thatcher than her politi-cal achievements.

Streep and Lloyd emphasize a prin-cipled woman’s wily resolve. They give emotional detail to moments that define the character while also shaping an era (“Move to the right!” she instructs her daughter during a driving lesson; “Someone must force the point,” she tells political advisors). If this upsets liberals who can’t tolerate the opposition articu-lating a polemic, that’s too bad. Streep and Lloyd force politics to provide deep, rous-ing human insight.

The British, being Shakespeareans, are past masters of a tradition of replay-ing, if not reexamining, political history through the perspective of complicated heroism. It’s a distinct form of culture, unlike Americans’ current tabloid-parti-san tendency seen in Stone’s W. and the wretched Frost/Nixon. Watching Streep’s Thatcher score points about the miners’ strike, equating the Falklands War to Pearl Harbor and disparaging pseudo-feminism (“Instead of doing something they want to be someone”) is theatrically thrilling as well as politically challenging.

Streep’s maturity (the hallmark of her socially attuned and underrated perfor-

mances in Lions for Lambs and Jonathan Demme’s The Manchurian Candidate) grants greater subtlety to her flamboyant gift for mimicry. Her old-lady tics and vocal lilt are as authentic as Dame Edith Evans in The Whisperers.

Lloyd provides delicacy and rap-port worthy of such eloquent historical

biopics as The Young Mr. Pitt, Becket and the recent Amazing Grace. But Lloyd also nimbly depicts the context of Thatcher’s pas-sion in a clever montage of female high heels among male wing-tips, a speech from St. Francis and a syllo-gism about thoughts, words, actions, habits and character that allows Streep/Thatcher to really sing. The obtuse, however, will not sing along. Jim Broadbent and Meryl Streep in Phyllida Lloyd’s

The Iron Lady.

Thatcher Sings Streep’s Iron Lady makes history


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6


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By Daniel O’ Donnellthere are many disturbing facts about

the drilling practice known as hydrau-lic fracturing, or “hydrofracking,” all of which point to one clear overarching message: Hydrofracking is simply too dangerous to allow in New York.

in my work as a member of the New York state Assembly Committee on environmental Conservation and a long-time advocate for our environ-ment, i’ve met with advocates, attended hearings, corresponded with regulatory agencies and two governors and ques-tioned the New York state department of environmental Conservation (deC), the New York City department of

environmental protection (dep), and the natural gas industry regarding the envi-ronmental damage and health impacts of hydrofracking found in other states and nations.

in all of the information i’ve received over the years that hydraulic fracturing has been studied and disputed, scientists,

legislators and state agencies have found neither proof nor assurance that hydro-fracking can be done properly without harm to citizens of New York, our envi-ronment and our health.

to obtain natural gas contained in shale rock deep below the earth’s surface, the hydrofrack-ing process uses millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals—many of them toxic or carcinogen-ic—to blast open the rock and bring the natural gas-hydrofracking fluid com-bination to the surface. However, a large percent-age of this noxious mix-ture—some reports have said a large majority—remains under-ground, possibly migrating into nearby water supplies. the fluid that does come to the surface is toxic waste, and there currently exists no method to properly deal with this liquid.

the clearest evidence of this dan-ger came to light very recently. dec. 8 the environmental protection Agency (epA) released a targeted study that stated there is a likely link between con-tamination of water supplies and nearby hydrofracking activity in Wyoming. this is the first time this connection has been made so directly, but i have no doubt it will not be the last. in an earlier letter to Gov. Cuomo on Nov. 7, i called on the governor to halt the deC permit process in New York until the epA had finished its comprehensive study examining the

process. i believe the recent develop-ment underlines the importance of this study.

the dangers of hydrofracking are indeed grave: compromised water and

land, decreased property values, industrial pollution, increased seismic activity and a deterioration of resi-dents’ health due in part to increased levels of known carcinogens.

if hydraulic fracturing is allowed to occur in New York state, it will affect all of us. this issue is not one that is limited to the major cities, which get their fresh water from upstate aquifers, and it is certainly not limited

to more rural areas where the drilling will take place. these citizens will face long-lasting damage to their land, their water sources and the industries that support their livelihoods, not to mention their personal health.

this is an issue that all New Yorkers must be concerned about, for our health, our state and future generations. i will continue to fight against hydrofrack-ing as i have in past years to protect our great state from this potentially devastat-ing practice. i encourage all others in our community to do the same.

daniel O’donnell is the assembly member for the 69th district, which includes parts of the Upper West side, Manhattan Valley and Morningside Heights.

open forum

The Dangers of HydrofrackingGas extraction process presents hazard to New Yorkers health

@SalmanRushdie Joshua Bell playing Tchaikovsky violin concerto at Lincoln Center last night: just dazzling.

@OccupyWallStNYCWho can grab? RT @juxtuhpoz: Small-medium women’s clothing & cosmet-ics. all good condition, just grown out of. Moving, pick up UWS.

@sarahkliff Two dinners, six miles running in Central Park and one health policy conference later, a successful 32 hours in New York!

@liz13fwwm @WestSideSpirit title Preservation Hurts should rename Preservation Helps Community Take High Rd. @LandmarkWest we are all good neighbors.

@alikichapple @Louiestowell: Give my regards to Broadway, remember me to St. Mark’s Square. And have an apple pie at Fairway Supermarket cafe on B’way. #yum

@grubstreetny See the menu & some of the dishes at Caffe Storico, the Stephen Starr project inside the New-York Historical Society.

@Wildlife_of_NYC That’s some logic. RT @ReporterLeslie: Locals Say Rats ‘Own’ Riverside Park, Blame Hawks. Control access to garbage!!

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TWeeT Speak

The dangers of hydrofracking are indeed grave: compromised

water and land, decreased property values, industrial

pollution, increased seismic activity and a deterioration of residents’ health due in part to increased levels of known

carcinogens.

Daniel O’Donnell.


By Christopher MooreLike so many other things, it should

work, but it really doesn’t.The failure in question is having fam-

ily members interview one another in a public forum. At my neighborhood cultural hot spot, Symphony Space, I have survived two fam-ily-ish interviews this year: Katie Roiphe interviewing her mother, Anne Roiphe, and, more recent-ly and even less successfully, Griffin Dunne talking with his aunt, Joan Didion.

The family thing promises some delicious glimpse into the person-al relationships in an author’s life. But it does not always deliver. Or it delivers and turns out not to matter much. Our great writers use their lives as fodder in fascinating ways, but when they are not turning the phrase, real life can look dull.

It turns out that knowing someone well and understanding their work—let alone

having a talent for coming up with ques-tions—are separate matters. And it does not take long to find out that other peo-ple’s family relationships are not necessar-ily more interesting than our own. My last phone conversation with my mother was

about seven times more interest-ing than Joan Didion’s onstage interview with her nephew.

Ah, Didion. She’s frequently an amazing interview. Now she’s back with a new round of aggres-sively depressing musings. Blue Nights is looser and less struc-tured, more of an incantation

following the death of Didion’s daughter, Quintana Roo.

The book is lovely and lyrical and, like its author, uncompromising about life’s harsher truths. The high point of Didion’s appearance Nov. 30 came when a young woman in the audience pressed for a hap-py ending. She said she wanted a sense of “redemption,” like she got in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Didion, in brutal-

but-honest mode, told her young fan, “I wasn’t thinking in those terms.”

It’s instructive that the good moments came when the audience was asking the questions. Dunne is cute, affable and well-spoken, but better at talking about himself than at asking his aunt questions. It’s not a crime; most of us are better at talking about ourselves. It only becomes a misdemeanor when somebody decides to make the private family chatter a pub-lic event.

Dunne was a lot less probing about Didion’s work and life than Charlie Rose was on public television.

Earlier this year, the Roiphe-Roiphe team talked on a smaller stage at Symphony Space. They were better, since Katie Roiphe bothered to have enough intelligent questions. Anne Roiphe, pro-moting her memoir, was fantastic because she cannot be anything else.

Even at the Roiphe event, though, I found myself wondering whether some-one with a close personal relationship

to the subject usually asks the right questions. Relatives take a writer’s life for granted, being so near to it, and get bogged down in their own story of surviv-ing in a famous person’s shadow.

At the Didion event, with the conversa-tion measly, Symphony Space’s founding artistic director, Isaiah Sheffer, bravely came onstage to ask her a few questions, but she sounded ready to go home.

I hate being bitchy about Didion. She’s a master and an inspiration. I saw her standing outside Lincoln Center this fall at the memorial tribute to film director Sidney Lumet. I wanted to go up and tell her that I love her, but that already hap-pened at my journalism school gradua-tion. Apparently, I should have offered to interview her—even if, to win the job, I have to pretend we are related.

Christopher Moore is a writer who lives in Manhattan. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and is on Twitter—@cmoorenyc.

By Jeanne MartinetIt seemed like a no-brainer at the time.

I mean, if you have to go to a funeral in New Jersey and you’re faced with a choice between public transportation (in this case, a bus from Port Authority fol-lowed by either a long walk or a short cab ride) and a ride in a friend-of-a-friend’s car, you choose the ride, right?

That’s what I did. Now, it’s true that I live uptown and I had to take the subway down to the Village, where the owner of the car was. But what’s a 20-minute sub-way ride if it saves me from having to take the Port Authority bus?

Unfortunately, we had to wait another 15 minutes for the other passengers to arrive (there were two other ride seek-ers). But then we were off.

Right away it was apparent that no one, least of all the driver, knew where we were going, and using the GPS on a cell phone while driving at high speeds on the highway turned out to be not so

effective. We got hopelessly lost—the kind of lost where there is no possibility of retracing your steps; the kind of lost where you spend an inordinate amount of time looking for a gas station in the hope of getting directions, which gets you even more lost than you were before. My anxiety was intensified by the amount of blithe socializing going on inside the car; there was a lot of, “So how do you know so-and-so?“ when everyone should have been focused on looking for the right exit. No one but me seemed to care that we were going to be horribly late to what we had been told was a very small funeral. I thought with longing of the Port Authority bus.

This was not the first time I had been seduced by the seeming luxury of getting a ride. Every Christmas I am invited to a party in Westchester and I usually go to great lengths to arrange a ride; often it’s

with someone I do not know very well. Last year, on the way back not only did the car I was in get lost, it broke down. It took me four hours to get home. Once again I found myself wondering, why

didn’t I just take the train?Just why does “The Ride” have

so much allure for New Yorkers? Offer someone a ride to a party on the other side of the park and it seems too glorious to pass up. All of us have at least a bit of car envy. Door-to-door service. Privacy. You are not dependent

on the transportation system; you are in control. Driving is how the other half—that is, the rest of America--lives.

But the rest of America doesn’t risk spending hours stuck in Midtown traf-fic or looking for a parking space. And, for the most part, the rest of America are driving their own cars. When you accept a ride from someone else, he is in control. It’s really bad form to jump out

and say, “Thanks for the ride!” while the driver searches for a space. You can be within sight of your dinner party (or even worse, a theater event, with the minutes ticking down toward curtain time) and be stuck circling around and around the block, praying to the parking gods and getting more stressed out with every second.

The key to this whole ride business, as with so many other areas of life, is who you are with. If you are riding with good friends, you won’t care that much if you a little lost. Last Saturday I opted for a cab ride home with friends who offered to “drop me off,” even though I knew by the time we found a taxi and crawled along the West Side Highway it would take much longer than the subway. We sang Cole Porter songs to each other and so it was fine.

But, when in doubt, I say opt for the good old MTA. So often we forget that one of the best things about New York City is that no one has to drive. Why else are there so many cocktail parties here?

Jeanne Martinet, aka Miss Mingle, is the author of seven books on social inter-action. Read her blog at MissMingle.com.

citiquette

MOORe tHOuGHtS

Relatively Speaking, It’s Not That InterestingHaving high-profile writers interviewed by family members doesn’t really work

The Myth of the LiftIs getting a ride all it’s cracked up to be?


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