West Side Spirit March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012 Since 1983

NEWS: Russian Tea Room VP aims for West Side Council seat Page 10

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2 • west side spirit • March 8, 2012 News YOU LiVe BY

Compiled by Megan Bungeroth

RENEWED CALL TO BAN CARRIAGE HORSES

Another accident involving a car-riage horse last weekend has prompted renewed cries to disband the industry in the city. On Saturday, a horse pulling a carriage on the West Side got spooked and dashed into traffic, tipping its car-riage, fortunately empty of passengers, and dragging it several blocks until it col-lapsed on 11th Avenue near 52nd Street.

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal cited the incident in calling once again to pass her bill in the Legislature that would outlaw carriage horses.

“Despite an increasing number of serious accidents involving horse-drawn carriages in the last several months, the city has refused to take any action to protect the public and the horses,” Rosenthal said in a statement. “It is just a mat-ter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed as a result of this industry.”

Adding her voice to the celebrity fray, actress Anjelica Huston wrote a letter to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in support of the legislation on behalf of PETA. Huston and other celebs have spoken in support of replacing the hors-es with old-fashioned electric cars, but others, including Council Member Gale Brewer, don’t want to add more cars to Central Park.

BIZ GROUPS OPPOSE UWS ZONING

City & State reports that three Manhattan business groups have come out against the city’s plan to restrict the growth of chain stores on the Upper West Side. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, the West Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln Square BID announced their opposition to the City Planning Department’s proposal to limit storefronts on Columbus and Amsterdam avenues to 40 feet wide, 25 feet for banks.

“The last thing we should do as a city is to regulate business, discourage invest-ments in new endeavors and deter job growth and tax revenue,” said Nancy Ploeger, president of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. At least one busi-ness group, the Columbus Amsterdam

BID, has come out in support of the plan. City Councilwoman Gale Brewer

said the rezoning would maintain the soul of a neighborhood overtaken by chains. “We want the big drugstores. We all need banks. We just also need mom-and-pop stores,” she said. Community Board 7 will vote on a resolution approving the zoning plan this Tuesday.

IRISH MUSIC MEETS BLUEGRASS

The American Irish Historical Society and the Glucksman Ireland House join to sponsor a most unusual-seeming St. Patrick’s Day event at Symphony Space Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. Irish musi-cians Mick Moloney and The Green Fields of America will come together with musi-

cians from Virginia bluegrass band Crooked Road to play a one-night concert entitled Celtic Appalachia. The musi-cians will celebrate and explore Irish and African influences on the music of the American mountain region through a night of singing and dancing to traditional music that most people have no idea is actually a fusion. Special guest Cheick

Hamala Diabate, a storyteller and mas-ter of a West African instrument that preceding the modern banjo, will also join the crew. 2537 Broadway, tickets are $18 for students to $45. For more infor-mation, visit SymphonySpace.org or call 212-864-5400.

BUDGET SMACKDOWN

Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito found herself in a kerfuffle at a budget hearing on Monday. The Upper West Side and Harlem rep accused New York City budget director Mark Page of allowing a “double standard” to per-petuate in the city’s spending priorities, City & State reports. She assailed Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration for opposing a cost-benefit analysis for outsourcing city services while insisting on fingerprinting food stamp recipients and criticized the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy even as the city launches its Young Men’s Initiative.

“We want accountability for food stamp recipients who are low-income individuals in this city, but we cannot have accountability of our own mayor,” she said. When Page paused before responding, she suggested that he did

not want to respond. “That is absolutely not true,” Page snapped. “You have not given me an opportunity to respond. You have spoken at great length about a great number of issues that may or may not be connected to each other.” He countered that adding more reporting requirements for the outsourcing would bog it down.

Eventually, at the end of the hearing, Page apologized for raising his voice and the two seemed to patch things up.

FREE HELP FOR SENIOR HOUSING BENEFITS

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and representatives from the depart-ments of Finance and Housing Preservation are holding a free clinic to assist seniors applying for the Senior

Citizen Rent Increase Exemption pro-gram. If you are 62 or older and are a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled ten-ant or live in a Mitchell-Lama or other subsidized development, you may be eligible to have your rent frozen. Staff members will be on hand to help fill out applications and answer questions regarding the program and application process. Thursday, March 8, 3-7 p.m. at Rosenthal’s district office, 230 W. 72nd St., Ste. 2F. No appointment is neces-sary. Call 212-873-6368 or email [email protected] with any questions.

Correction: The West Side Spirit used a photo from westsiderag.com in our story on the “Sliver” building on page 10 of the Feb. 23 edition without properly attributing the source. The photo was taken by Avi Salzman.

tapped in

Notes from the Neighborhood

Adam Wolt raises his arms in excitement as Loon Toony the Clown twirls a lasso around them during the Purim Carnival at the JCC in Manhattan Sunday, March 4.

CELEBRATING THE FESTIvAL OF PURIM

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W e s t s i d e S p i r i t . c o m M a r c h 8 , 2 0 1 2 • W E S T S I D E S P I R I T • 3

Expand Your Mind at Fordham Lincoln Center.

Proud to be a Yellow Ribbon University eeo/aa

Think Romance! Re-Conceptualizing a Medieval Genre32nd Annual Conference of the Center for Medieval Studies

Saturday and Sunday, 31 March and 1 April 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

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Nonprofit Leaders Executive Education Program The Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders

April 14, 21, and 28 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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Apply by Thursday, March 15. www.fordham.edu/nonprofits.

Hiding Behind the Corporate Veil12th Annual Albert A. DeStefano Lecture on Corporate, Securities and Financial Law

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 | 6:30 p.m.

James B. Stewart, Pulitzer Prize winner, best-selling author, Bloomberg Professor of Business Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journal-ism, business columnist, The New York Times, and reporter-at-large, The New Yorker.

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Free | Register: law.fordham.edu/destefano2012.

GSS MSW Information Session

Saturday, March 24 | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

155 W 60th Street, Room 109 | New York, N.Y.

Free | Information: (212) 636-6600.

Fordham University’s Lowenstein Center, 12th-floor Lounge, and McNally Amphitheatre are located at 113 W. 60th Street, New York, NY 10023.

WNET’s Celebration of Teaching & Learning A Two-Day Conference Sponsored by the Graduate School of Education

Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 178 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Think Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus for an information session, program, or conference.


news

Celebs on Celebs at Triad ShowBy Angela Barbuti

Monday, March 5, stars gathered at The Triad Theater on 72nd Street between Columbus and Broadway to perform in Celebrity Autobiography. The show, which won a 2009 Drama Desk Award, is unique in that it has TV and film celebrities reading from other celebrities’ memoirs.

Emmy Award-nominated writer-perform-er Eugene Pack, who cre-ated the show, explained that every word comes from actual autobiographies. “We are not making any of this up; it’s going to be really hard to believe that,” he said.

The first performer to grace the stage was Oscar nominee Jennifer Tilly, who entertained with The Best is Yet to Come by Ivana Trump. In dramatic and sarcas-tic tones she read the chapter “My recipe for raising kids.”

Alan Zweibel read from Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s book, Here’s the Situation. He began with, “Friends, bros and countrymen, lend me your ears, for The Situation has come to give you the situation.”

Next was Mario Cantone, who made the audience roar with laughter by act-ing out Susan Lucci’s prologue to All my Life. The reading included Lucci stating how Kelly Ripa screamed, “Don’t leave!” as she was giving her acceptance speech at the Emmys and was told to wrap up.

Dayle Reyfel performed Secrets of a Sparrow, by Diana Ross. She talked about a concert she held in Central Park for 400,000 people, which was plagued by a rainstorm. “I was safe, we all were—ain’t no mountain high enough!” she proclaimed.

Tony Danza took the stage and read in his Brooklyn accent from The Way I Am, by Eminem. The chapter he read from focused on being at the MTV Video Music Awards with Christina Aguilera.

Gina Gershon was given Ecstasy and Me, by Hedy Lamarr. In an exaggerated voice, she shouted, “To be a star is to own the world and all the people in it.” Tips Lamarr gave in her memoir included that men are most attractive between the ages of 35 and 55, because under 35, a man has too much to learn.

The segment of the show entitled

“Sports Night” featured Cantone, Pack and Danza. Cantone read from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biography in an accent very close to Arnold’s. How I Play Golf, by Tiger Woods, was interpreted by Pack. “I can’t wait for tomorrow because I get better looking every day,” said Danza, speaking the words of Joe Namath.

The next part of the evening had per-formers acting out love triangles. Ziebel read an excerpt from Geraldo Rivera’s biography, which dealt with his affair with Liza Minnelli—with Cantone playing the part of Minnelli.

Another interesting autobiography was written by Marilu Henner. She wrote about her Taxi castmates, including Danza. With Danza standing on stage, Reyfel talked of Henner getting togeth-er with Danza, who smiled and shook his head. Celebrity chef Todd English also made an appearance, reading from George Hamilton’s book.

After the show, Peter Martin, owner of The Triad, invited the performers to his VIP lounge. When asked about her expe-rience on stage, Tilly, who was happy to comment, said, “In Hollywood you’re always being typecast. They always want you to play the same thing. But here, one week I’m Ivana Trump, the next week I’m Melissa Gilbert. People love doing the show because you don’t have to rehearse.”

Pack and his wife, Reyfel, summed up the best parts of the show. Pack said, “Jennifer and Gina sizzled up the stage in a position no one can even imagine.” Celebrity Autobiography is held at The Triad once a month. The next show is April 9 at 7 p.m. and features Cantone, Jackie Hoffman, Brooke Shields, Steve Schirripa and Zweibel.

Eugene Pack, Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, Todd English and Mario Cantone perform from Celebrity Autobiography.

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We all know technology can improve the way teachers teach and students learn. Yet every school has a unique philosophy when it comes to technology. Having been immersed in the technology of education for 20 years, I believe “the cloud” brings enormous potential. It both gives students and teachers access to their documents and projects wherever they go, on whatever device they’re using, and allows students to collaborate across cultural boundaries. For any school taking advantage of the cloud, now the sky truly is the limit.

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feature

Homeless Left Out in the ColdWith city and state programs cut, more homeless flood West Side streetsBy Megan Bungeroth

It’s no shock that a still-struggling econ-omy, an ever-more-expensive city and a continually burgeoning population

have combined to produce record-high rates of homelessness in New York. What may shock some, however, is how diffi-cult it is for the city to help its homeless population. In a time of fiscal cutbacks, the subsidies, grants and programs in place to help these most vulnerable peo-ple have all but dried up, leaving advo-cates on all sides scrambling to find solu-tions to keep New Yorkers off the streets and out of shelters.

According to data from the most recent available census of homeless peo-ple in the municipal shelter system, con-ducted Dec. 31, 2011, there were 39,787 individuals in the system, including 8,530 families with children. An Oct. 31 count found 16,934 homeless children in the shelter system, an all-time high number.

And these numbers don’t take into account homeless people living on the street or outside the shelter system. The Homeless Outreach Population Estimate survey, conducted across the city earlier this year, aims to approximate those num-bers, but results are still being processed. Last year, it counted 2,648 individuals.

City officials, legislators and advocates

for the homeless have differing views on what has caused these high numbers as well as the best ways to address them.

“Setting aside the economy, which cer-tainly has contributed, one of the biggest factors is the policies of the Bloomberg administration, particularly cutting off homeless families from receiving federal subsidies,” said Giselle Routhier, policy analyst for the Coalition for the Homeless. “Right now, for the first time ever, there is actually no housing assistance whatso-ever to help homeless families get out of the shelter system.”

She’s referring to the administration’s decision in 2004 to stop giving home-

less families priority for federal housing subsidies like Section 8. That decision, based on the idea that continuing to do so would give people incentives to use the shelter system as a sure path to landing cheap housing, has been loudly criticized in recent years as the homeless popula-tion grows.

Seth Diamond, commissioner of the Department for the Homeless (DHS), said in an interview that bringing back that prioritization program wouldn’t be the panacea that some groups claim.

“The reality is that there are very long waiting lists for the available programs,” Diamond said. “The Section 8 program has a waiting list of 140,000 or more. For public housing, the chairman of NYCHA [the New York City Housing Authority] just testified, the waiting list is 160,000. There is a seven-year waiting list for pub-lic housing.”

Diamond also spoke about how DHS has prepared for the effective end of the Advantage program, which previously provided rent subsidies for formerly homeless families for up to two years. When the state cut funding for the pro-gram last year, the city determined that it could not sustain the program without the roughly $68 million in state and fed-eral aid they had lost.

The city was still paying the subsidized rents for about 16,000 formerly homeless families and individu-als up until last month, however, as a lawsuit brought by the Legal Aid Society was ongoing. A judge recently ruled that the city could stop pay-ing its portion of these rents, and the fate of

the families who had been benefiting is unclear.

“We have been preparing for this for a while,” Diamond said. “We’ve done a lot of outreach to people who are Advantage recipients to help prepare, to talk to them about their individual situations. Most people have been in the program for at least a year. People have had time to establish themselves, look for options, see what’s coming.”

Diamond said that close to 85 percent of those who took part in the Advantage program have not come back to the shel-ter system and that it has been successful. But others dispute that characterization

and say that the city and state need to not only provide more assistance programs but expand on the Advantage model to offer more long-term solutions.

“We can’t just scoop people up, stick them in temporary housing, kick them out, move them somewhere else. It just doesn’t work. It’s not really a compassion-ate or practical approach,” said Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, whose Upper West Side district contains several of the city’s shelters as well as housing for for-merly homeless individuals. Rosenthal said that one current priority in the Assembly is to restore funding to several programs that have been axed this year, all designed to provide emergency assis-tance or intervention for families facing homelessness.

City Council Member Jessica Lappin, who recently chaired a hearing of the Committee for the Aging on the alarm-ing number of elderly New Yorkers facing homelessness—up 18 percent between 2010 and 2011 for people over 65—said the best thing the city can do to curb homelessness is to help people before they’re out of their homes.

This is especially true, she said, of old-er people who may have extra difficulty surviving in a shelter due to health issues. “The most important thing for that popu-lation is to try to get them the services they need as quickly as possible, to try to help them remain in their home as long as possible if that’s the right thing for them,” Lappin said.

She pointed to a Department for the Aging program that pairs seniors facing eviction with legal counsel as one way the city can step in.

“Maybe your landlord tried to evict you because you’re a hoard-er,” she said, naming one example of the cases seniors might face. “Sometimes what happens with older people is they stop paying their bills because they get confused about what bills they’ve paid.” All of these problems are fixable with the right help, Lappin said, but it requires outreach on the part of the city.

Many advocates echo the call to focus on keeping people in their homes and providing more afford-able housing options. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said in an email that the high num-bers of homelessness are “directly

linked to scarcity of affordable housing.” He cited a study his office conducted in 2007 that found 2,228 vacant properties in Manhattan he says could be used to build more affordable housing, as well as his suggestion that the city convert fore-closed properties into affordable housing.

Stringer also contested the adminis-tration’s rescinding of priority status for homeless families for public housing. “Each year, approximately 5,313 NYCHA units are vacated; many of these units have more than one bedroom and can accommodate families,” Stringer said.

“By reinstating priority for the home-less on the NYCHA waiting list, even if it was only done on a temporary basis, the city could take immediate steps toward placing a substantial percentage of its homeless population into permanent housing,” he said.

While the city works to address the immediate needs of the city’s homeless population—New York has a right-to-shelter law that requires the city to pro-vide a bed for every homeless person—it also has to work on preventing and reduc-ing their numbers.

It’s a problem that won’t be going away any time soon, and some say we won’t see any effective changes until the next mayoral administration takes over.

“Homelessness is a national prob-lem,” said Rosenthal. “But New York City, which has grappled with this problem for so many years, really ought to have some new ideas about how to deal with it.”

“We can’t just scoop people up, stick them in temporary housing, kick them out, move them some-where else. It just doesn’t work. It’s not really a compassionate or practical approach,” said Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal.

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A homeless person sits in Verde Square at 72nd Street and Broadway.


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Catskill Farms: Dream Homes on Demand

Spring is a great time for Manhattanites to get out of the City, ex-plore the Catskills and find a dream second home.

Catskill Farms designs and builds new single-family homes that are customized for buyers, specializing in merging the historic feel of properties in Sullivan and Ulster Counties while providing the most modern amenities.

Charles Petersheim founded the company in 2003 after working with families who were renovating their old homes pursuing what he refers to as a “this old house fantasy.”

“I saw that the challenge was greater than they understood or appre-ciated,” the former Manhattan resident says. “So we thought we would build a ‘house that works’ that accurately and intimately parallels the emotional and architectural feedback that an old house provides.”

Since then, the company has completed more than 100 homes with $32 million in sales. Homes range from around $300,000 to $500,000, starting at 1,300 square feet on five acres of land. Prices have stayed stable, with slight increases due to additional features like security sys-tems, surround sound speakers and on-demand hot water.

The majority of Catskill Farms’ homeowners are metropolitan profes-sionals from Manhattan and Brooklyn, with an increasing number com-ing from New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut.

By using classic materials like cedar, local stone, plank walls and ceilings, the company not only emulated older neighbors, but exceeded them with energy efficient utilities and features.

“We also use salvaged barn beams, locally harvested blue stone and reclaimed metal roofing materials,” Petersheim says.

All homes feature high-efficiency heating systems, and on-demand water heaters that eliminate the wasted energy of storage water heaters.

“We have small footprints, which keeps the impact low; we use very enhanced soy-based insulation, which results in energy savings of 50 percent; we use on-demand hot water heaters so zero energy is being used to store hot water (especially nice on a weekend home where it’s not being used that frequently), and we use high-efficiency gas boilers,” he explains.

Petersheim adds that the scenic Sullivan and Ulster counties provide the perfect backdrop for those who want a break from hectic City life.

“These localities provide privacy without isolation,” he says. “Their close proximity to New York City allows homeowners to come up for a weekend after a stressful week in the City and have some ‘downtime.’”

And, perhaps, best of all, you can get a lot for your money in both areas.

For more information about Catskill Farms, contact 845-557-3600 or www.thecatskillfarms.com

Sitting on five-and-a-half acres with amazing views of the Catskill Mountains, Ranch 1 is the first in its series and sold in 2009.


news

Calhoun and Trevor Jazz It Up at Boston FestBy Vatisha Smith

Two Upper West Side bands are going head to head at the prestigious Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Festival, taking place March 10 in Boston.

Trevor Day School’s ensemble and the Calhoun School Jazz Band are compet-ing for top honors at the event, at which more than 3,000 artists and students will perform at the Hynes Convention Center. Participants will compete for more than $175,000 in scholarships to Berklee’s five-week summer program.

This is Trevor Day School’s 10th time participating in the Festival. Tim Otto, music teacher and head of band at the school, said that the event has become a sort of tradition. There are seven stu-dents in the school’s band, chosen from various advanced players in the school. Music and art are a main focus of Trevor’s curriculum.

“A lot of our kids who have been in the school since nursery school have had musical training throughout their whole lives,” he said. Otto has taught at the school for over 20 years and is a musician himself. He prepares his students with rehearsal time as well as encouraging

them to listen to a lot of music. “The whole day [at the festival] is pret-

ty exciting. It’s great to take the kids so they can be exposed to their peers.” The band will play three pieces: No Problem by Art Blakey and two Duke Ellington recordings, Caravan and Jeep’s Blues.

Eric Marcus, a senior and band mem-ber, has been playing guitar since 3rd grade. This is his second trip to the fes-tival. “It’s a lot of fun. After we’re done, we get to see some other really really tal-ented bands from art-specific schools.”

Victor Lin is the head of jazz studies at the Calhoun School. It’s a program he started five years ago. “When I first started here, there was no jazz program. We sort of started it from scratch.” He is a classical violinist and pianist and has been teaching for over 10 years. The band practices three times a week at 7:30 a.m.

“Ostensibly we are supposed to be going up there for a competition, but really it’s just about the opportunity to travel some-place, play music as best they can, come back and say, ‘Yeah, I did that,’” he said.

This is the band’s first appearance at the festival. The eight students will per-form one original blues piece written

by a band member, Four on Six by Wes Montgomery and, venturing into pop culture, a jazz version of Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream.

Gabe Simon, a junior who plays bass, would love to be a professional musician. Learning how to play music by ear has challenged him.

“One of my favorite things right now is to sit at home and put on the radio just to see if I can figure out the noted parts of the song,” he said.

Kyra Louie, a senior and the only female in the band, plays tenor saxo-phone and has been playing music since the 5th grade. She is growing more confi-dent with the help of her band members, who push her with friendly competition. “Everyone pushes each other. It’s kind of like a second family,” she said.

Founded in 1969, the Berklee High School Jazz Festival runs the entire day, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the win-ning ensemble announced at 6 p.m.

The Calhoun School Jazz Band.


Monday, March 5–Friday, July 27

Exhibition: Illustrator Edward GoreyRare Book & Manuscript Library,

Morningside campus

For more info, call (212) 854-7309 or visit https://alumni-friends.library.columbia.edu/news.html.

Tuesday, March 6

Concert: Playing Games With Kurtág 5:30 p.m.Miller Theatre

Bring a friend to enjoy the International Contemporary Ensemble’s daring pianist, Jacob Greenberg, as he takes on György Kurtág’s play-ful Játékok (“Games”), a series of experiments premised on the idea that “Playing is just playing.” For more info call (212) 854-7799 or visit www .millertheatre.com/events.

Thursday, March 8

The Money Series: Debt: The Long View6:15 p.m.Davis Auditorium, Schapiro Center, Morningside campus

Panelists: David Graeber, Goldsmiths College, University of London; Greta Kippner, University of Michigan; Louis Hyman, Cornell University; and moderators Peter Goodman, of the Huffington Post, and Daniel Immerwahr, Committee on Global Thought, Columbia University. For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter.org/events.php.

Wallace Shawn: Why I Call Myself a Socialist6:00 p.m.

Event Oval, The Diana Center, Barnard campus

Reading and book signing by playwright and actor Wallace Shawn. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard.edu/events.

Monday, March 19

Café humanities: Prisoners and Poets in the English Renaissance

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.PicNic Café2665 Broadway at 102nd Street

Speaker: Molly Murray, associate professor of English and comparative literature, Columbia University. $10 per person. Seating is limited. For more info, call (877) 854-2586 or visit www.cafes .columbia.edu.

Wednesday, March 21

Vital Transformations: Fusion’s Young Discontents8:00 p.m.622 Dodge, Morningside campus

Kevin Fellezs, assistant professor of music, Columbia University, will discuss the early forma-tive years of fusion, outlining the rationales and aesthetics of young “fusioneers,” who were criticized by jazz writers and fans for merging jazz with rock and funk. For more info, call (212) 851-1633 or visit www.jazz.columbia.edu/events.

The Idea of Development: Development and Empire4:00 p.m.Common Room, Heyman Center, East

Campus, Morningside campus

Speakers: Frederick Cooper, New York University; David Engerman, Brandeis University; Julian Go, Boston University; Odd Arne Westad, London School of Economics and Political Science; and moderator Daniel Immerwahr, Committee on Global Thought, Columbia University. For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter.org/events.php.

Salon Magazine Series: Private Bodies, Public Texts6:30 p.m.Sulzberger Parlor, Barnard Hall, Barnard campus

The second installation in Salon magazine’s series discusses Karla F.C. Holloway’s new book, Private Bodies, Public Texts: Race, Gender, and a Cultural Bioethics. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard.edu/events.

Thursday, March 22

Dominican York Proyecto Gráfica6:00 p.m.

Event Oval, The Diana Center, Barnard campus

A panel and opening night reception for new art by the Dominican York Proyecto Gráfica. The exhibi-tion runs through April 3. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard.edu/events.

Whitney Biennial Artist Talk: Georgia Sagri7:30 p.m.Prentis Hall, 632 W. 125th St.

Georgia Sagri’s work examines the way in which social structures, such as technology, transform and shape society’s perceptions and interactions. For more info, call (212) 854-2875 or visit www.arts .columbia.edu.

Composer Portraits: Karin Rehnqvist8:00 p.m.Miller Theatre, Morningside campus

Tickets $25. For more info, call (212) 854-7799 or visit www.millertheatre.com/events.

Thursday, March 22

Student Life During Wartime: World War II at Barnard CollegeNoonBarnard Hall, Barnard campus

Speaker: Karen Seeley, lecturer, anthropology, Columbia University. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard.edu/events.

Friday, March 23

Film Screening: David Hockney: A Bigger Picture7:00 p.m.The Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam

Ave., Morningside campus

The screening will be followed by a talk with director Bruno Wollheim. For more info, call (212) 854-2306 or visit www.italianacademy.columbia.edu.

Sunday, March 25

Landscapes Beneath Our Feet3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Monell Building, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Lamont Campus

Speaker: Gregory Mountain, adjunct senior research scientist, Rutgers University. For more info, call (845) 365-8998 or email [email protected].

Saturday, March 24– Sunday, March 25

Comic New York10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Faculty Room, Low Library, Morningside campus

The Comic New York symposium brings together creators and academics to discuss the intertwined histories of New York City and the comics who were born here. For more info, call 212-854-7309 or email [email protected].

Italian Academy Spring Concert Series: Emanuele Arciuli, Piano6:00 p.m.The Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam Ave.,

Morningside campus

Music by Morton Feldman, Peter Garland, Marcello Panni and Giacinto Scelsi. For more info, call (212) 854-2306 or visit www.italianacademy.columbia.edu.

Monday, March 26

Where is New York? Affordability at Via Verde6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Wood Auditorium, Avery, Morningside campus

Speakers Vincent Chang, Grimshaw Architects; Paul Freitag, Jonathan Rose Companies; William Stein, Dattner Architects; and Michael Wadman, Phipps Houses, will discuss the impact of this green housing project on its neighborhood. For more info, call (212) 854-3414 or visit www.arch.columbia.edu/events.

Monday, March 26

Colonial Rights & Migration: Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines in the 19th Century6:00 p.m.Barnard Hall, Barnard campus

Speaker: Josep M. Fradera Barceló, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard.edu/events.

Café Social Science: Is Refugee Repatriation a Solution or a Problem?6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

PicNic Café, 2665 Broadway at 102nd Street

Speaker: Elazar Barkan, professor, international and public affairs, Columbia University. $10 per person. Seating is limited. For more info, call (877) 854-2586 or visit www.cafes.columbia.edu.

Tuesday, March 27

Immigration and Demographic Crisis: A New Identity for Europe5:30 p.m.1219 International Affairs, Morningside campus

Speaker: Philippe Fargues, Euro-Mediterranean Consortium for Applied Research on Inter national Migration, European University Institute. For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www .heymancenter.org/events.php.

Wednesday, March 28

A New Look at Global Ecology6:30 p.m.Event Oval, The Diana Center, Barnard campus

An interdisciplinary panel with filmmaker Nora Bateson and Greenpeace co-founder Rex Weyler. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www .barnard.edu/events.

The Money Series: An Anthropologist in Wall Street6:15 p.m.Rennert Auditorium, Kraft Center, 606 W. 115th St., Morningside campus

Speaker: Gillian Tett, U.S. managing editor and assistant editor, Financial Times. For more info, call (212) 854-8443 or visit www.heymancenter .org/events.php.

Thursday, March 29

The Scapegoating of Bradley Manning: Wikileaks and the Terror of the War Against Terror7:30 p.m.Prentis Hall, 632 W. 125th St.

Great Small Works, famous for their giant puppets, presents The Toy Theater of Terror as Usual: Episode 13. For more info, call (212) 854-2875 or visit www .arts.columbia.edu.

Thursday, March 29

Sports & Ethnicity: Jewish and Palestinian Soccer Teams in Argentina and Chile

6:00 p.m.Event Oval, The Diana Center, Barnard campus

Speaker: Raanan Rein, professor of Latin American and Spanish history, Tel Aviv University. For more info, call (212) 854-2037 or visit www.barnard .edu/events.

Friday, March 30

Ancient Soundscapes Reborn8:00 p.m.Miller Theatre, Morningside campus

Miller Theatre presents Glories of the Japanese Music Heritage: Sacred Gagaku Court Music and Secular Art Music. For more info, call (212) 854-7799 or visit www.millertheatre .com/events.

Saturday, March 31

The Fitch Colloquium: Why Preserve Public Housing?9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.Wood Auditorium, Avery, Morningside campus

Speakers: Andrew Dolkart, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University; Dirk van den Heuvel, Delft University of Technology; and Levan Asabashvili, Urban Reactor. For more info, call (212) 854-3414 or visit www .arch.columbia.edu/events.

Friday, February 10– Saturday, March 31

Exhibition: Felix Candela: 1910-2010Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, 826 Schermerhorn, Morningside campus

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery offers American audiences, for the first time, a comprehen-sive look at the architectural career of “the wizard of concrete shells.” For more info, call (212) 854-7288 or visit www.columbia.edu/cu/wallach.

This is a small sampling of the public events at Columbia. For additional CUID events or general information visit www.columbia.edu or call (212) 854-2871. For Columbia sports info, visit www.gocolumbialions.com. Guests in need of disability services should call (212) 854-2284 prior to the event.

Getting to Columbia The Morningside Heights campus is located at 116th Street and Broadway.By subway: No. 1 train to 116th Street station. By bus: M4, M11, M60 or M104.

It’s happening at

in Columbia March


By Megan BungerothIn a City Council race already getting

crowded with familiar neighborhood faces, Ken Biberaj is hoping Upper West Siders are willing to get to know one more. The latest candidate to declare a run for the 6th District seat (Council Member Gale Brewer will be out on term limits), Biberaj is also the youngest, at 32, and the least well-known in the commu-nity, a fact he readily embraces.

“It’s a prime time for people in our gener-ation to say, ‘You know what, we’re starting nonprofits, we’re starting startup technolo-gy companies, we’re working at high levels of finance and law and business, but we’re not stepping forward and putting ourselves out there to give back to the community as elected officials,’” Biberaj said.

Biberaj has a diverse background that he thinks gives him an advantage. His par-ents emigrated from Albania to the Bronx in 1968. His father taught himself English and worked various jobs until earning a Ph.D. from Columbia and taking a posi-tion with the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C. He became head of the Albanian service of a program called Voice of America, which broadcasts U.S. news into foreign countries.

“Once communism fell, it turned out that everybody was listening,” Biberaj said. “We grew up having this sense of public service, seeing what my father had done and the impact he had on other people’s lives.”

It inspired Biberaj to attend American University, where he served twice as student body president and worked for a political consulting company. After graduation, he went straight to Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, graduat-ing in 2002, then went to work as the state research director for John Kerry’s presi-dential campaign in Florida.

After Kerry lost, Biberaj said he real-ized he didn’t want to just cycle in and out of national campaigns and decided to get some business experience.

He moved to New York to work for his uncle’s commercial real estate firm, which had just purchased the Russian Tea Room out from under the U.S. Golf Association and re-opened it as the res-taurant it had once been. Now, Biberaj serves as the vice-president of marketing at the West 57th Street restaurant while working with real estate clients.

“We buy and sell buildings and do dif-ferent transactions,” Biberaj said of his

day-to-day job. “We also do retail leasing, so I work with a lot of small local tenants. You’re constantly trying to deal with their issues as a small business—you deal with the city, you deal with watching how they have to go through the process.”

Biberaj went to law school at night and got his real estate law degree in 2008. He volunteers as a mentor for college students through a program called New York Needs You, serves on the restaurant committee of New York’s tourism company, NYC & Co., works with the Food Bank of New York

and sits on the board of directors of a small community bank on Long Island.

“I’ve been able to step back after seven years of doing all these interesting things. My goal has always been to find a way back to public service. It’s all timing,” Biberaj said. “It’s a real open opportunity.”

Somehow during his time in New York, Biberaj found time to date and marry his wife. The pair met at an Albanian wed-ding, and their courtship was chronicled in the New York Times Vows column for their wedding in 2009. “My wife is super supportive,” he said.

Biberaj, who is running in the Democratic primary, said he’ll be spend-ing a lot of time in the coming months talking to people in the community to develop his positions on issues that affect the neighborhood.

“My wife and I, we’re going to have kids in the community. We want to live here forever, so we want to make sure that in 10, 20 years, we can afford to live here, our kids can go to good schools here,” Biberaj said. “I’m young, but I’m energetic and I’m focused and I’m dili-gent. I’m going to really sit down and learn issues and get to the root of them and try to solve them.”

Candidate Adds East European Flavor to Council Race

Ken Biberaj is the youngest candidate running to replace Council Member Gale Brewer.

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12 • WEST SIDE SPIRIT • March 8, 2012 NEWS YOU LIVE BY

ARTS

By Joel Lobenthal Thought-provokingly revived at New

York City Ballet earlier this month, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s 1933 The Seven Deadly Sins is mercilessly unsparing of its audience’s feelings. It parades before us every act of compromise and hypocrisy, both individual and collective, of which we—spectators, society—may have been guilty.

Just as when it was new last year, in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s staging, the con-flicted heroine was sung by Patti LuPone and danced-pantomimed by Wendy Whelan. The dancing Anna—Anna 2—is nearly the final repository of human impulse, her stagemates reduced to money-grasping automatons. She is con-tinuously brutalized by her doppelganger’s froggy-voiced insistence that she acqui-esce to the ways of the world. In Brecht’s masterly inversion, the sins Anna 2 is accused of are often her manifestations of morality and idealism. Finally, Anna 2 and her humanistic propensities are defeated

altogether. Seven Deadly Sins is unlike anything

else in NYCB’s repertory, or any other bal-let company’s, and it was riveting from beginning to end. Brecht’s lyrics curdled as they dropped from LuPone’s lips, while Whelan was vulnerable to a degree that was almost painful. That meant, of course, that she as a ballerina had studied with a dispassionate eye exactly how to position her body so that it registered as an avatar of unguarded revelation.

Ballet is an outside-in sort of art form: putting herself in the positions, the bal-lerina triggers an appropriate emotion in herself and the audience. At the same time, a ballerina who can move her audi-ence emotionally usually knows how to generate within herself a palpable simu-lation of those emotional conditions. Whelan’s performance registered as the most sophisticated kind of appraisal fueled by devastating emotional honesty.

Taylor-Corbett’s choreography includ-ed adept people-moving, vignette delin-

eation and, for Whelan, the occasional extended sequence of dance. These com-bined the elongated, abstracted language of classical ballet with the crumpled and contracted emotional viscera of modern dance—made possible, or at least more viable, because Whelan was not en pointe.

Also at NYCB this month, two perfor-mances of Balanchine’s simultaneously austere, athletic and curlicued 1941 mas-terpiece Concerto Barocco brought out the best in first-violin ballerina Teresa Reichlen and both Abi Stafford and Sara Mearns, who alternated as her second-vio-lin ballerina co-star. Stafford maximized the possible length of her compact body without flailing in an attempt to make an authoritative statement; it was the best performance I’ve seen from her in a long time.

Reichlen sometimes has trouble getting her exceptionally long limbs where they are supposed to be in requisite Balanchinean double-time without losing expression. Mearns knows how to keep her muscles

breathing but is also sometimes flustered by speed. Here, both were varsity play-ers and glamorous space-cushioners. When the ballerinas stood still, they were majestic. And when the symmetrically tall Mearns and Reichlen suddenly pivoted into a series of piqué arabesques in perfect unison—think of an extremely refined egg-and-spoon sprint—they were electrifying.

Read more by Joel Lobenthal at Lobenthal.com.

By Armond White Wanderlust starts with an idea bor-

rowed from Albert Brooks’ 1986 Lost in America—a yuppie couple responds to career setbacks by embarking on a cross-country journey that tests their mettle. Here, George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) leave their tiny, expen-sive Manhattan studio apartment and fall in among a collective of retrograde slack-ers in an off-the-grid Georgia commune called Elysium.

Where Brooks revealed Reagan-era acquisitiveness (climaxing symbolically in the existential absurdity of Las Vegas), Wanderlust drops metaphysics to oddly parody Clinton/Obama nostalgia about drugs and communes. It also seems like a retread of “it” director David Wain’s Wet Hot American Summer, similarly fully of bland, self-amused in-jokes by inoffen-sive comic performers who enjoy each other’s company more than any audience will.

But then something unexpected hap-pens: in only a couple of scenes in which

George visits his successful older broth-er Rick (Ken Marino) making money in the potty business and living miser-ably in Southern middle-class suburbia, the jokiness sharpens and Wanderlust momentarily becomes about something tangible—sibling rivalry, class delusions, marital tension, parental neglect, plus racism and sexism as spiritual fall-backs for pathetically disillusioned Americans.

All this is performed with incisive, pulse-raising conviction and psychologi-cal accuracy by Marino and Michaela Watkins, who not only achieve Brooks’ depth but steal the movie from Rudd and Aniston. The best scenes in Wanderlust are actually grounded in middle-class quicksand, a specialty that Marino (who co-wrote the film with Wain) also dis-played during a brief scene in Role Models and was the subject of the under-recog-nized Diggers.

In Wanderlust, Rudd and Aniston are adrift in post-hippie jokes; some are fun-ny but most are so petty they keep losing the thread of class anxiety. Wanderlust might have been an ingenious satire of

the Occupy Wall Street mentality, where an idealized Utopia clashes with the eco-nomic realities of self-interest—that’s surely the essence connecting George to his brother and the sexy, terminally nostalgic cult leader of the Elysium com-mune, Seth (Justin Theroux).

Imagine how Marino could lift con-temporary comedy out of its current smugness if he was allowed to escape the

trend toward self-flattery that now traps his bankable colleague Rudd. The petti-ness of Wanderlust hides an instinctively accurate satire of contemporary smug-ness; it could have been the Zuccotti Park satire we need, trading Elysium for Psychotic Park.

Follow Armond White on Twitter @3xchair.

Patti LuPone and Wendy Whelan in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s The Seven Deadly Sins.

Sin-sationalNYCB mixes Brecht and Balanchine

Occupied Comedy Marino waxes, Rudd wanes in ‘Wanderlust’

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By Matt Schneider and Lance Somerfeld

Whether it’s out of a desire for an equal and supportive relation-ship or out of necessity, families

are recognizing that life is a lot more man-ageable when both parents are compe-tent, caring and willing to share the load.

Parenting in partnership isn’t always easy, of course. It requires regular com-munication and flexibility and usually involves a few moments every now and then when you have to bite your tongue. But in our experience as the co-founders of the social and educational group NYC Dads Group—and particularly in our weekly New Dad Boot Camps—we’ve found that there are certainly best prac-tices—for moms and dads—that produce better partnerships at home.

1. Beware the GatekeeperTradition, popular culture and unwit-

ting parents have conspired for decades to make moms feel and act as if they are the only ones who can properly take care of the baby, pushing everyone else away—a phenomenon often called “gate-keeping.” In the earliest weeks especially, parenting is about practice more than instinct, and both parents need oppor-tunities to change diapers, comfort the baby when she’s upset and enjoy the qui-et moments when she’s sleeping on your chest. This is the time for Dad to assert his role, express his willingness to learn and to demonstrate some competence. When both parents develop a skill set, Mom doesn’t feel like the weight of par-

enting is all on her shoulders and Dad doesn’t feel left out.

2. Parent as a TeamWhen both parents are competent,

they have a better opportunity to par-ent as a team rather than as master and apprentice. For example, nursing is a struggle and often a time when moms feel like they are in it alone. Dads can be very supportive in the nursing process. Bringing the baby over at feeding time,

changing the baby’s diaper and getting the baby back to sleep are all ways in which dads can be intimately involved.

More generally, the spirit of the idea is this: team players take initiative, they are generous to one another and they have a plan, so they’re not always debating who does what. If there is a sink full of dishes, a pile of laundry and a baby to put to bed, you’ve got to divide and conquer. Developing a plan to share the to-do list at the end of the day gets you a lot closer to the moment when both of you can sink in to the couch together with a glass of wine and the remote control.

3. Be FlexibleWhen both parents have the flexibility

to parent in their own way, it’s much easi-er to have each other’s backs when things get overwhelming. Relinquishing control does mean things might not always be done your way. However, if both parents are capable, each can get things done in

their own way and more can get done. In both of our families, we are the

primary caregivers and we’ve both been known to give a skeptical look or com-ment when our wives don’t feed our kids the “right” snack or follow the “right” nap routine. We’ve recognized that doing this deprives us of the opportunity to have a capable parenting partner and deprives our wives of having the loving, caring relationship that they want to have with their children. Bite your tongue, leave the room…and let your partner be a parent!

4. Use Your BenefitsMaternity workplace benefits have

been in place for a long time and most new moms use them. Many companies

are starting to offer new fathers benefits like paid paternity leave, flexible schedul-ing and telecommuting, but dads generally haven’t been taking advantage. We need a cultural shift in the workplace that allows mothers and fathers to be the parents they want to be while still being serious about their careers. As companies slowly insti-tute family-friendly policies, we need more pioneering new fathers who can demon-strate that a two- or four-week leave has a huge impact at home and a minimal impact in the grand scheme of a 40-year career. Dads, figure out what benefits you have and use them! If you don’t have any, start asking for them. Companies are much more likely to consider instituting family-friendly benefits when those of us with families step up and say we need them.

5. Enjoy Your New FamilyParenting isn’t all about dirty diapers,

feeding schedules and naptime. Expecting parents should spend the weeks leading

up to birth doing things you enjoy togeth-er—go to the movies, eat dinner out or see friends. After your baby is born, try to fit your new baby into your routines rath-er than imprison yourselves in a cocoon of worry and to-do lists. It may take sev-eral weeks or even a few months, but try to take back some of those moments that are just about the two of you, rather than the baby. For example, use the time your baby is napping in the stroller to take a walk, grab a cup of coffee or get a bite to eat together. Better yet, set baby up in a rocker next to the kitchen table and sit down with a cup of coffee and the news-paper. Babies don’t require our attention constantly, and they’re often happy just sitting and watching you interact.

6. Remember Your Goals The transition from life as a couple to

life with a baby may be the hardest road any of us will ever take (and we’re sup-posed to do it with a lot less sleep!). An awareness of these issues and an effort to engage in lots of communication will go a long way towards the three big goals: a happy child, happy partners and a happy partnership.

Matt Schneider and Lance Somerfeld are the co-founders of the NYC Dads Group, a community of active fathers in the New York City area. Recently, they launched their New Dad Boot Camp, a three-hour workshop for expecting dads to learn from veteran dads. Find upcom-ing dates at nycdadsgroup.com.

For more on the NYC Dads Group, check out the article “Moving Beyond Mr. Mom” at newyorkfamily.com.

Come TogetherSix key ways to create a great parenting partnership

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Sleeping Beauty Goes to the Ballet

Rounding out the New York Theatre Ballet’s family series, Sleeping Beauty takes to the stage this weekend for three one-hour performances. Prepare to be mesmerized by Tchaikovsky’s classic score while 14 dancers dazzle in a magical fairy kingdom setting. Find out what happens in Princess Aurora’s story! Tickets begin at $20. For information, visit nytb.org. And for even more family fun, visit newyorkfamily.com.


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By Regan HofmannA recently proposed bill would make

New York the latest state to ban the pos-session and sale of shark fins, joining Hawaii, California and a handful of oth-ers. The Chinese delicacy shark’s fin soup is the only common application for the appendages, which has led to those who object to the bill calling its proposition cul-turally biased.

The bill is sponsored by Assembly members Grace Meng of Flushing, Alan Maisel of Brooklyn and Linda Rosenthal of the Upper West Side, all of whom point to the cruelty of the way in which fins are acquired—by cutting them off, then toss-ing the dying, fin-less animal back into the water to save room on the boat, known as finning—and the ecological danger of depleting the world’s shark populations.

“The quest for shark fin so that restau-rants can sell shark fin soup is something that is doing dramatic damage to our oce-anic system,” Rosenthal told the West Side Spirit’s Megan Bungeroth last week.

Federal legislation exists that prohibits the practice of finning, but of course it only applies to those fisheries under U.S. juris-

diction. The only way to have a real impact and protect the global ecosystem, legisla-tors say, is to forbid the trade altogether, regardless of provenance.

But the real question is not whether the fins should be banned—plenty of endan-gered or malevolently acquired animal products have been banned before, and there’s no scrimshaw lobby pushing for the return of the ivory trade—but why it’s up for debate in the first place.

Unlike other uses for endangered animals, culturally significant foods are uniquely protected in the political sphere. It’s incredibly difficult to decry the practic-es specific to a single cultural group with-out deriding the group itself—but the risk needs to be taken.

Across the board, opposition to the ban consists of restaurant owners and small business associations whose members include importers and specialty food shops and politicians who fear the perception of bias—during Toronto’s debate on the ban, which ultimately passed, City Council Member Doug Ford said, “I’m a big sup-porter of the Chinese community. If that’s part of their culture, we shouldn’t interfere

in that.” Like many traditional Chinese dishes

with less-than-quotidian ingredients, shark’s fin soup remains popular for two reasons: perceived healthfulness and pres-tige. Chinese culture places a great empha-sis on the medicinal qualities of foods, and shark fins are believed to aid kidney func-tion, nourish the blood and boost sexual potency, among other benefits. While a perfectly reasonable purpose, there’s noth-ing a shark’s fin can do that other noted healing foods like oysters or ginseng can’t.

The real value of the soup is its cultural capital. Fins are rare—each shark only has one, after all—and they’re expensive. Their gelatinous, cartilaginous texture is unique, making it hard to pass off cheaper substi-tutes as the real deal. Serving the soup to others shows that you’ve got plenty of cash to throw around; more importantly, it shows your guests that you think enough of them to spend your hard-earned cash on them.

Grand Chinese banquets are amazing displays of generosity and creativity, with courses numbering in the double digits and an emphasis on intricate, time-consuming dishes not feasible for everyday fare. There

are enough other big-ticket ingredients that are de rigeur for any traditional cel-ebration—abalone, lobster, dried scallops, to name a mere few—to more than make up for the lack of one soup tureen.

Preserving traditional foodways is an important endeavor, one to be supported and lauded. But that work is meant to pre-serve the spirit and culture of the food, not exact recipes. Chinese banquet cuisine is not in danger of extinction—but sharks, as they are currently used, are. You do the math.

Preserving Culturally Relevant Food—At What Cost? The debate about banning the sale of shark fins should be a non-starter

Dining

A celebrant at Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Festival expresses her support of the ban.

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By Josh PeriloEvery Friday night I make homemade

pizza, which sounds much more involved and fancy-shmancy than it actually is. I started doing this because I’m the kind of cook who wants to try to make everything at least once, and I continued because it was cheap and better than the stuff from the pizza joints in my neighborhood.

I tend to go inexpensive and ordinary with the wine I get to pair with it, too. I have gone the cheap chianti route many times, but I’ve found lots of great southern Italian wines that have also worked well with my tangy sauce. Nero d’Avola and aglianico are great go-to wines that have a lot of fruit but also a good balance of tannic and mouth-watering bitterness to balance out the pizza’s many flavors. Several Fridays ago, though, I had a spe-cial request from my wife.

“Let’s do a special bottle this week,” she said. “Something fancy!”

I got pretty excited. I hadn’t bought a really nice bottle of wine in months. I hopped across the street to our local wine merchant and started perusing the Italian section, ignoring the quaint, local varietals from Calabria and Apulia. I went straight for the really, really good stuff: brunello di Montalcino.

Then reality set in. There wasn’t one price tag under $50. My heart sank. I

couldn’t afford to blow that kind of dough on an ordi-nary Friday night.

Thankfully, how-ever, Italians don’t

blow that kind of dough any just any Friday night either. They have a sort of built-in tiered system for the great wines of their many famous wine regions that allow regular Joes like me to enjoy fan-tastic wines from a great region at a frac-tion of the cost.

In the area where brunello di Montalcino is made (in Tuscany, not far from where chianti comes from), pro-

ducers make the famous and expensive wines from that bear the brunello name. But the grapes that they don’t use for the brunello di Montalcinos they use for their rosso di Montalcinos. These wines are made from the same grapes in the same exact style; the only difference is that the grape selection is a tad more lenient and the rosso, once fermented and bottled, is not aged quite as long as the brunello.

The result is a terrific wine that mim-ics everything an Italophile loves about a great brunello. And at a fraction of the cost, you can afford it on a regular Friday night.

With that in mind, may I recommend to you the following rosso di Montalcinos that I have tasted myself and enjoyed with many a pizza.

If you love brunello because of the heft, tannin and drama of a massively full-bodied Italian red, the Poggio Il Castellare Rosso di Montalcino 2008 ($18.95 @ Sherry-Lehmann Wine and Spirits, 505 Park Ave. at 60th St., 212-838-7500) is the rosso for you. It tastes

like you could stick a fork in it and it would stand straight up. Starting with wet earth and raw meat scents on the nose, the palate gives up plum skin and steak au poivre notes on the front of the palate. The finish is rife with mint, more wet earth and bracing tannin. This is a food wine, all the way.

On the other end of the Montalcino spectrum there’s the Collosorbo Rosso di Montalcino 2009 ($29.99 at 67 Wine and Spirits, 179 Columbus Ave. at 68th St., 212-724-6767). It still has many of the hefty qualities you would expect from a full-on brunello, but it’s a tad more user-friendly right out of the bottle. Vanilla-laced pipe tobacco is the major scent here, and on the palate, the main event is fruit. Bright bing cherry pie filling is balanced on the finish with darker baked raspberry and smoky oak flavors. This is a generous wine that needs no companion but works great with pizza!

So if you’re looking for a special treat for an ordinary night, don’t settle for a bargain bin quaffer. Look to Tuscany for affordable luxury and you’ll never be sorry!

Follow Josh on Twitter: @joshperilo.

Montalcino’s More Affordable CousinA terrific wine that mimics everything about a great brunello

By Josh Perilo


ARE YOU BEGINNING TO THINK ABOUT A FALL/2013 PRIVATE SCHOOL

KINDERGARTEN PLACEMENT FOR YOUR CHILD?

ANNOUNCING TWO EVENTS BY ROBIN ARONOW, PH.D.

LIFE AFTER NURSERY SCHOOL: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSION PROCESS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH AND

LIFE AFTER NURSERY SCHOOL: A PANEL OF PRIVATE SCHOOL PARENTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH

THE WEST SIDE YMCA MARJORIE S. DEANE LITTLE THEATER 5 West 63rd St. between Central Park West and Broadway

Subways: 1 to 66th or 59th; A,B,C,D to 59th; Buses: M5,M7,M10,M11,M20,M66,M72,M104 TIMING FOR BOTH: 6:00-6:25 SIGN IN; 6:30 TO 8:45 PRESENTATIONS

EARLY COST FOR OVERVIEW WORKSHOP AND PARENT PANELÐ $95 Per Family EARLY COST FOR OVERVIEW WORKSHOP ONLYÐ $70 Per Family

EARLY COST FOR PARENT PANEL ONLYÐ $55 Per Family

Included in the cost of one or both events is one $15 information packet containing valuable articles, directories and worksheets for those beginning both the private and public school process.

Private School Workshop Presented by Robin Aronow *Getting Started; Valuable Resources *Admission Facts, Procedures & Timelines

*What to Look For When Touring * Coed vs. Single Sex; Progressive vs. Traditional *Private vs. Public *ERBs *Applications and Interviews *Essays

*School Reports *Recommendations; First Choice Letters Private School Panel Moderated by Robin Aronow

20 parent panelists will present the special features of the schools their children attend. Represented will be private schools that are co-ed & single-sex, progressive & traditional, urban & campus, established & new, with

a sampling from the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Riverdale and Downtown schools.

To register visit www.schoolsearchnyc.com Registration Deadline is March 13th for Overview Workshop and April 23rd for Parent Panel For information on Public School Overview Workshop and Panel visit www.schoolsearchnyc.com

Questions: 212-316-0186 or [email protected]

Robin Aronow is an educational consultant in private practice, as well as a consultant to many nursery schools, elementary schools and the Blackboard Awards.

1 8 • W E S T S I D E S P I R I T • M a r c h 8 , 2 0 1 2 N E W S Y O U L I V E B Y

WHAT ARE YOUR KIDS DOING THIS SUMMER?

Renee Flax, the director of camper placement of the ACA NY & NJ, will be on hand to an-swer parents’ questions and help guide them

in their search for the right camp!

New York Family magazine and the American Camp Association, NY & NJ

are teaming up for their fi nal fairs! Meet dozens of different camp directors from local DAY CAMPS and SLEEPAWAY CAMPS from across the region. Great for children ages 3 to 17!

pre-register at:Newyorkfamilycamps.com

Pre-register for a chance to win NJ Nets Tickets!

For more info on summer camps:TheRightCamp.com


FREE

ADMISSION

SATURDAY, MAR 10, 2012Downtown

Grace Church School86 4th Ave

12PM - 3PM

SATURDAY, MAR 11, 2012Park Slope

Union Temple17 Eastern Pkwy

12PM - 3PM

SATURDAY, APR 1, 2012Upper West Side

Congregation Rodeph Sholom7 W. 83rd St.12PM - 3PM

SUNDAY, MAR 31, 2012Upper East Side

St. Jean Baptiste School173 E. 75th St.12PM - 3PM

WestSideSpirit.com March 8, 2012 • WeSt Side Spirit • 19

arts

By Lonnie FirestoneWNYC is beloved by New Yorkers. For

loyalists, the success of programs like This American Life, Fresh Air and The Brian Lehrer Show is measured not only by their reportage but also by their ability to inspire contemplation and conversa-tion. The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC and WQXR is the public sphere, live performance manifestation of both radio stations.

Executive Producer Indira Etwaroo weighs in on this year’s most in-demand events, the performers on her wish list and how The Greene Space is changing its neighborhood.

The Greene Space is said to embody WNYC’s mission “to make the mind more curious, the heart more toler-ant and the spirit more joyful.” How do live events enable this goal differ-ently than radio?

The Greene Space creates a visceral experience. It is powerful to hear Cornel West on The Brian Lehrer Show or hear the stars from Broadway’s Porgy and Bess with John Schaefer on-air at WQXR.

And yet, to sit in an intimate venue and experience these world-class artists and thinkers as up close and personal as you can in The Greene Space is a once-in-a-

lifetime experience.

What has been the most in-demand event this year?

That’s difficult to say. The Battle of the Boroughs and the 75th anniversary celebration of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God have been enthusiastically received, as well as WQXR’s China in New York Festival with pia-nist Lang Lang and WNYC’s event on women boxers in the Olympics hosted by Rosie Perez.

How was the Battle of the Boroughs created?

I was looking for a way to elevate the conversation of emerging artists in NYC.

I also knew that we wanted to create deeper roots in communities throughout New York and reflect the exquisite diver-sity of the city. I was sitting with my pro-

duction manager, Nikki Johnson, and pro-duction coordinator, Brianna Stimpson, and we all started tossing around ideas about a contest and the five boroughs, and the brain meld happened. I received tremendous feedback from the host of the Battle, WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, and we’ve been building on that for the last three years.

The venue’s full title is The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, but the notion of a “green space” conjures a variety of ideas. What do you hope it evokes for audiences?

It is not a coincidence that The Greene Space sounds like a place of growth, because that’s just what it is: a kind of hothouse for artists, thinkers and news-makers to reimagine and cultivate new ways to relay information, report news and tell stories. In addition, we were awarded Gold LEED certification for our environmental efforts with the structure of the space: a bamboo stage, LED the-atrical lighting system and programming that focuses on the environment and sustainability.

Greene Space Grows Artists

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Bananas, almonds and oatmeal are natural ways to end insomnia By Dr. Cynthia Paulis

It is a well-known fact that you are what you eat. It’s also true that what you eat throughout the day can affect your sleep cycle. If you have been staring at the

ceiling counting sheep and finding ways to turn them into tasty treats, you may be suffering from insomnia—but you are not alone.

According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders. Some of these problems are related to weight, sleep apnea, anxiety or depression. And many of these issues can be resolved by eating the right foods.

Koala bears have mastered the art of sleeping without any pills. They sleep close to 20 hours a day and eat eucalyptus leaves when they’re awake. The leaves are extremely hard to digest, which slows the koala’s metabolism to the point where they sleep all the time to conserve energy.

The key ingredient for the human body to run at optimal capacity is sleep, and the recommended time is eight hours. Unfortunately, many of us can’t achieve this goal and often rely on sleeping pills, which come with a long list of side effects and can even cause death. The better option is to eat foods that will promote sleep and avoid the ones that lead to insomnia.

There are two hormones for promoting sleep in the body: serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan is the amino acid the body uses to make serotonin, which slows traffic to the brain, inducing

sleep. Foods that are high in tryptophan are dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt and turkey. Remember how sleepy you were after Thanksgiving dinner? That was tryptophan being released into your body and creating a relaxed state. There are other sources of food you can take to help promote sleep.

Foods to Aid sleep

Bananas. This is one of the best sleep-inducing foods. Not only are bananas loaded with melatonin and serotonin, they also contain magnesium, which helps your muscles relax. Loaded with potassium and low in salt, bananas can help lower your blood pressure. They’re also a high source of vitamin B, which aids in calming your nerves. Bananas are also a great food to take for heartburn.

Cherries. This pint-sized fruit is a powerhouse. Cherries are loaded with melatonin. Studies have proven that eating cherries lowers the risk of heart disease and inflammation, body fat and cholesterol. They have antioxidants that help fight cancer and improve memory and have been used to help with people suffering from arthritis. Tart cherries are the best ones to eat for sleep.

Almonds. A handful of almonds pack a double punch of both tryptophan and magnesium, calming both the mind and the muscles. Almonds are also a good source of monounsaturated fats, which help prevent heart disease. Taken in moderation, almonds help regulate your blood sugar and can aid in weight loss.

Peanuts. Unsalted peanuts are high in niacin, which helps release serotonin into the body, promoting sleep. This legume (peanuts are not actually nuts) has fats that are good for your heart. But keep in mind: they are also loaded with calories, so limit

your intake to just a few at bedtime.

Oatmeal. Thought of as just a breakfast food, oatmeal works well in promoting sleep because it contains melatonin. It’s an excellent source of soluble fiber, which slows down the digestive process, making you feel fuller longer. Oatmeal is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It can help reduce your risk of heart disease and works to prevent diabetes. Add some milk and bananas and you have the perfect sleep potion. Many high-end hotels are sending up warm oatmeal cookies and milk to help their guests have a good night sleep.

The key to a good night's sleep is not to go to bed hungry. Having a light snack before you go to bed will prevent you from waking up in the middle of the

night. Avoid having large, high-fat meals late in the day. Make your biggest meal at midday and have a lighter dinner. Also, steer clear of spicy foods, because they can keep you up all night with heartburn. Foods that produce gas, such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and green peppers, can cause you to lose sleep.

Limit your caffeine intake. It can take as long as eight hours for the stimulating effects of caffeine to wear off. And restrict your alcohol intake. At first you may feel sleepy, but alcohol interferes with the REM stage of sleep. You will wake up feeling tired and exhausted.

If the sandman still hasn’t come for a visit, have a nice cup of chamomile tea before bedtime. This tea has a mild sedative effect.

Eucalyptus leaves are poisonous, so leave them for the koala bears.

Eat Your Way to Better Sleep

Not just for breakfast anymore, oatmeal and bananas can help you sleep if eaten at bedtime.


The MoodyÕ s Foundation Center For Cardiovascular Health

At New York Downtown Hospital

Through the generosity of the MoodyÕ s Foundation, New York Downtown Hospital created a comprehensive, state-of-the-art center that focuses on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cardiovascular disease through a holistic, integrative approach. Our team of physicians works with you to assess your cardiovascular risk and design individualized treatment plans that allow you to live a healthier, more active life. Our cardiovascular specialists can also perform procedures at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Ð Weill Cornell Medical Center, allowing our patients access to innovative treatment options. Our Cardiac Rehabilitation Center has been recognized for its high level of service, and we offer Cardiovascular Wellness Evaluations designed to attain a multi-faceted approach to achieving your best health. We are committed to providing a superior level of care and patient service, and invite you to learn more about the services we offer. Consultations and testing services are easily scheduled with a single phone call, and in most cases can be arranged and performed within 24 to 48 hours. Most major insurance plans are accepted, and convenient appointments are available, including early morning and late afternoon visits.

Wellness & Prevention Center

170 William Street, New York, NY 10038Telephone: (646) 588-2526

www.downtownwellness.org

Visit either our Manhattanor Morristown office:

New York, NY530 First Avenue, Suite 6D1-877-VEIN-NYU (834-6698)

Morristown, NJ95 Madison Avenue, Suite 415

1-973-538-2000

The Truth About Vein Care...It’s Really Not About Being Vain


New Site.New Content.Newly relevant.


Women’s Healthcare Services Returns to Tribeca

Following the closure of St. Vincent’s Hospital, many physicians came to New York Downtown Hospital so

they could continue to serve their patients on the West Side. With the opening of a new Center on

40 Worth Street, we are pleased to welcome two exceptional physicians back to the community. � ey

will be working in collaboration with physicians from Weill Cornell Medical Associates.

Dr. Zhanna Fridel and Dr. Vanessa Pena are board certi� ed obstetricians and gynecologists utilizing

leading diagnostic and treatment methodologies across a broad spectrum of women’s health issues.

• Normal and High Risk Obstetrical Care • Complete Well Woman Care

• Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecologic Conditions • Laparoscopic Surgery

• Osteoporosis Detection and Treatment• Urogynecology (female urology)

• Cord Blood Banking • Cervical Cancer Vaccination

• Menopausal Management • Contraception

For an appointment with Dr. Fridel and Dr. Pena, call (212) 238-0180

40 Worth Street, Suite 402, New York, NY 10013www.downtownhospital.org

Our MONTHLY Guide to Alternative Methods of fi tness, health and beauty.Nothing is more important than a person’s health. With that in mind Our Town, West Side Spirit, and Our Town Downtown Manhattan’s largest weekly community & independent newspapers, are publishing a new monthly guide to fi tness, health, beauty & wellness, “Alternative” Healthy Manhattan.

April is a National Stress Awareness month and no one knows stress better then busy New Yorkers. This issue will focus on Techniques and Services that can help you to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and get you on track to leading a less stressful and happier life.

• Special rates and packages.

• Targeting 180,000 health conscious New Yorkers.

• Extended shelf-life as our readers will keep this issue around and refer back to it.

For more information contact your account executive:212.268.0384 or [email protected]

Full Page: $2,960 (10” wide x 11.25” deep)Half Page: $2,100 (10” wide x 5.541” deep)Quarter Page: $1,490 (4.917” wide x 5.541” deep)Eighth Page: $830 (4.917” wide x 2.687” deep)

Ad Deadline March 26th

Alternative Healthy Manhattan

As an advertiser you benefi t from:

Rates For All 3 Papers (FREE 4-Color):

COMING MARCH 29th

FREE ARTICLE INCLUDED

The Stress Issue-Alternative Resources to Beat Stress

FEBRUARY 23, 2012 | WWW.OTDOWNTOWN.COM

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TALKING UP DOWNTOWN

New School President David Van Zandt

(P18)

TUNING UP FOR THE TUNE-IN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Park Ave. Armory wishes Philip Glass a happy 75th

(P12)

FAMILY CORNERThe Daily Show’s Samantha Bee

on breastfeeding, babies and balance(P14)

VENDORS UNITEStreet merchants up in arms

over $1,000 fi nes(P6)

THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF

SECRET POKERA card dealer tells his high stakes story (P8)

February 23, 2012 Since 1970

NEWS: Lappin and Garodnick eye higher office Page 7

Neighbors Say Met Plan is

‘No Picnic’ P.4


Pre-register at:NewYorkFamilyCamps.com

SATURDAY, MAR 10 - Downtown Grace Church School - 86 4th Ave 12pm–3pmSUNDAY, MAR 11 - Park Slope Union Temple - 17 Eastern Pkwy 12pm–3pm

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INSIDE: THE NEW YORK FAMILY 2012 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMP

Spring/Summer 2012 | newyorkfamily.com

SUMMER CAMP

SUMMER SUMMER CAMPCAMP

THE 2012 ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

IS YOUR CHILD READY? (ARE YOU?)CAMP DE-BUNKED: A DIRECTOR, A COUNSELOR, AND

AN 11-YEAR-OLD CAMPERTELL ALL


10 QUESTIONS TO ASK A DIRECTORCAMP’S BIG DIVIDEND: LIFELONGFRIENDSHIPS

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DRESSING DOWN FASHION WEEK

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*Matching editorial space for you, the advertiser, to describe your business or service to our readers!

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Our MONTHLY Guide to Alternative Methods of fi tness, health and beauty.Nothing is more important than a person’s health. With that in mind Our Town, West Side Spirit, and Our Town Downtown Manhattan’s largest weekly community & independent newspapers, publish a monthly guide to fi tness, health, beauty & wellness, Healthy Manhattan.

April is national Autism Awareness month and Stress Awareness month. This issue will focus on the staggering growth of autism that is affecting 1 in every 166 children. This issue will highlight what is new in the research, services, support and products for autism and other developmental disorders. In addition, we will focus on how busy New Yorkers can beat stress!




• Free ad design and marketing consultation.


Healthy Manhattan


COMING April 12th


In This Issue:Autism & Stress Reduction



Ad Deadline April 9th



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Symptoms of the sleep disorder include temporary paralysis & hallucinationsBy Ashley Welch

Whether it’s from long workdays, noisy neighbors or crying newborns, we’ve all experienced feelings of tiredness. But what if that feeling never went away, even after a restful night’s sleep?

That is the reality for individuals living with narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain’s inability to regulate a normal sleep-and-wake cycle.

Though narcolepsy has several symptoms, the most prominent is constant tiredness.

“People living with this disorder will feel excessive sleepiness at inappropriate times, such as when they are at work or school or even while having a conversation,” said Dr. Alcibiades Rodriguez, medical director at the New York Sleep Institute and assistant professor of neurology at the New York University School of Medicine.

According to the American Sleep Association, as many as 200,000 Americans suffer from the sleep disorder.

Its cause is not yet known, but scientists believe it is due to lower levels of the neurotransmitter hypocretin, the chemical responsible for the feeling of alertness that also aids in sleep regulation. Symptoms usually first show in patients in their late teens or early twenties.

While taking quick naps often helps ease sleepiness, it may be difficult for people living with narcolepsy to perform in a normal work or school environment.

“It is a struggle every day with being extremely sleepy,” said Dr. Michael Thorpy, director of the Sleep–Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. “They have difficulty concentrating, multitasking and in almost every cognitive aspect of day-to-day life.”

In addition to being tired, several other symptoms may present with narcolepsy, though not in every patient living with the disorder. People may experience hallucinations, either at the onset of sleep or while waking. This may or may not be accompanied by sleep paralysis, which is literally the paralysis brought on by one’s mind and body entering rapid eye movement (REM) sleep—the period of sleep in

which dreams occur. “We are all paralyzed every night when we

dream or else we’d be up acting them out,” explained Rebecca Scott, a sleep disorders specialist at the New York Sleep Institute. “But with sleep paralysis, the person is clearly awake but cannot move or speak properly.”

Scott said that although sleep paralysis usually passes after a few seconds, the experience can be terrifying, especially when coupled with hallucinations.

Another symptom of narcolepsy is cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone that causes feelings of weakness and loss of voluntary muscle control. These attacks vary in severity, from a slight droop of the eyelids to the inability to stand. Patients are fully awake and conscious during even the most severe attacks. Strong emotions, such as laughter and anger are common stimuli of cataplexy.

Though there is no cure for narcolepsy, all of its symptoms can be controlled through medication and behavioral modification. Specific medication works to reduce attacks of cataplexy, while other medications address the excessive sleepiness. People with narcolepsy may also be advised by their doctors to make some lifestyle changes.

“Patients should follow good sleep hygiene,” said Rodriguez. “This includes getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night, not taking on late shifts at work and taking it easy with alcohol.”

Rodriguez also suggests patients take brief naps throughout the day if possible and said most can live a normal life if treated properly. However, some patients may be advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery, depending on the severity of their condition.

Patients may find it difficult to cope with the condition because others may not understand their need for constant sleep.

“Many people say they’re lazy because they’re always tired and fall asleep often, sometimes even in the middle of a conversation, but there really is something wrong,” said Scott.

In fact, experts believe that narcolepsy is underdiagnosed because people may attribute their sleepiness to other causes. However, constant tiredness is not normal and should be looked into if it interferes with everyday activities.

“If a person gets an adequate amount of sleep and still experiences excessive sleepiness during the day, he or she should see a doctor and get a sleep study done,” said Thorpy. “It is not normal, and steps can be taken to make people living with narcolepsy feel better and function properly in their day-to-day lives.”

Healthy Manhattan

Treatments But No Cure for Narcolepsy


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World-class care is now right around the corner from where you live and work. NYU Langone Medical Center’s expanding footprint offers convenient access to all your healthcare needs, from routine office visits to outpatient surgery and specialized testing. To find a multi-specialty group practice in your neighborhood, or to see a full list of our group practices, visit www.NYULMC.org

Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health | Upper East Side 646.754.3300Trinity Center | Wall Street 212.263.9700 • The Miller Practice | Midtown 646.778.5555

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My fainting was repeatedly misdiagnosed until I found the right doctorBy ShoShana DaviS

I was 15 the first time I fainted. My doctor blamed the heat—living in Arizona, it made sense. For the next 11 years, I collapsed every few months; while sitting down eating lunch with my family or standing in a work meeting. My college roommates would find me bruised and bloodied in the shower. The list goes on.

I was scared and confused, but not alone. According to a recent study by QuantiaMD, a digital community of physicians, “Nearly half (47 percent) of clinicians said they encounter diagnostic errors (i.e. missed, late or wrong diagnoses) at their practice at least monthly,” and “96 percent of clinicians say that they believe diagnostic errors are

preventable at least some of the time.”The diagnosis for my collapsing was

always vasovagal syncope, also known as the common faint. However, the slew of testing brought on even more illness conjectures; by the time I was 24, I had tested positive for celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis and even hepatitis C. Each of these were false positives that created months of needless fear and hysteria.

Not to mention that it was tough to budget a yearly health care cost of over $2,500 on a $26,000 television assistant’s salary while living in Manhattan. Luckily, my health insurance kicked in after the deductible and helped to cover the remainder of these pricey mistakes.

After one particularly dangerous fainting incident, I was referred to a cardiologist who recommended that I practice standing against a wall to induce an episode and carry a bag of potato chips around to keep my blood pressure up. He figured I could teach myself how to anticipate fainting so I could learn to prevent it from happening. He also suggested that I have a friend around to call 911 if necessary and to keep

something soft to fall on, just in case.He had no answers as to why I was

collapsing on a monthly basis, but told me that I should come back in three months. As I left in tears, I asked for a copy of my records, and I watched the doctor give the folder to his secretary, who made a copy. I looked at documents as I was walking out; they weren’t even my test results. There was a man’s name, clearly one of his other patients, at the top of the page. He hadn’t even looked at my chart.

Crying out of anger and frustration outside his office in Union Square, I didn’t know what to do. People grow up thinking physicians have all the answers, but my doctors had none. Taking my diagnosis into my own hands, I got the name of another cardiologist from a friend, and he was willing to see me the next day. Within hours, this new doctor sent me to an electrophysiologist, a specialist that focuses on the electricity of the heart.

My electrophysiologist understood that I couldn’t carry a good luck charm and hope that I wouldn’t teeter off in front of the QM15 while crossing 6th Avenue. He noticed that my heart rate was dangerously low and diagnosed me with

bradycardia, which means your resting heartbeat is under 60 beats per minute. I was healthy; my heart just had its own beat.

His first reaction was that I needed a pacemaker, but he did not want to put a device in someone my age without proof that it was completely necessary. I respected him for this, and saw a few other specialists to confirm this new hypothesis. After being through so many false conclusions, the last thing I wanted was a permanent mistake.

He used an implanted heart monitor to demonstrate that a device was necessary, and confirmed that my heartbeat was just not slow but was stopping for long periods of time. At age 25, I had a pacemaker implanted.

It’s been exactly two years since my procedure and I haven’t fainted once. Medicine is a science and doctors do not always know the answers; patients need to know that there are always other physicians with different treatment experiences or judgment calls out there.

Without that second opinion, I might still be carrying around salty snacks and standing against a wall.

Healthy Manhattan

A 13th Opinion Saved My Life


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c 8 37 1 4

b 7 c 1a 6 8 1 9 4 c

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Sudoku 12x12 - Medium (148210601)3 1 ca 4 7 b

b 8 7 a 24 9 b 6

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4 5 3 b 2 a 8


Sudoku 12x12 - Medium (147631896)b 2

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1 3 8 a 5 6 7c 5 1 26 a 8 9 b 1

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Sudoku 12x12 - Medium (147484405)1 4 6 9 8

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b 2 1 a7 a c 1 3 9

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Sudoku 12x12 - Medium (144498321)5 6 b 3 8 79 8 7 4

c a b 98 a 7 c b 6

b c 3 51 9 3 2

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By Micah Kellnershortly after being elected to the

state Assembly five years ago, i attend-ed the groundbreaking of the new east side Middle school with then-schools Chancellor Joel Klein. i had campaigned on creating new zoned elementary schools for the neighborhood, and i told Klein that all of the local schools were literally bursting at the seams, with each one at 150 percent capacity—or worse. the Upper east side had become a victim of its own success; with great principals, terrific teachers and engaged parents,

families were choosing to stay in the city and send their children to public school.

At first, Klein and the New York City department of education (dOe) refused to admit we needed at least one new elementary school. the community was determined not to allow the overcrowd-ing to worsen, and elected officials orga-nized with parents to keep pressure on the dOe. Ultimately, Klein came around and worked with the community to estab-lish the new p.s. 151 in 2009.

since then, two rezonings have led to the creation of two more elementary schools in the neighborhood: p.s. 267 and p.s. 527.

Fast-forward five years: east side Middle school is already over capacity and those parents who fought for new elemen-

tary schools are anxiously beginning to wonder where their children will attend middle school. With a limited number of academically rigorous middle schools, Upper east side parents are once again demanding more options from the dOe. A new middle school is desperately needed.

With p.s. 267 scheduled to move out of the p.s. 158 annex, there will be suitable space on the Upper east side to open just such a school. We know the site would work, because east side Middle school used it for years and coexisted well with p.s. 158. the Community education Council for district 2, the body that replaced the local school board, has heeded the call from the community and recently passed a resolution calling on the dOe to create a new Upper east side middle school in the annex of p.s. 158.

One might think dOe officials would have learned from the prior success asso-ciated with parents creating elementary schools and would work with them to devise a solution to the east side’s mid-dle school dilemma. instead, the agency seems intent on making excuses and playing numbers games.

the dOe likes to claim that there are more than enough middle school seats in district 2, yet most of those are located downtown. district 2 is one of the larg-est geographic school districts in the city, an unwieldy patchwork stretching from the Upper east side all the way to Lower Manhattan and over into Chelsea. Unsurprisingly, few parents feel safe or comfortable at the prospect of their tweens or young teens traveling from the east 70s, 80s and 90s down to the Financial district every school day.

in fact, the very size of district 2 may pose an impediment to realizing a new Upper east side middle school. it may be time to break district 2 up into smaller

and more manageable school districts, forcing the dOe to give more local middle school options to families throughout the diverse, far-flung neigh-borhoods currently located in district 2.

While creating smaller, more responsive and accountable school districts is a worthy long-term goal, we cannot afford to

let the dOe pass up the opportunity at hand to establish a middle school now.

One promising proposal that could be implemented by the start of the 2012 school year is to allow p.s. 77, the Lower Lab school, to expand from an elemen-tary school to a program for kindergar-ten through 8th grade. Lower Lab has an established principal and curriculum, and expanding the number of sections for sixth grade would give Upper east side families another quality middle school option on day 1.

Whether the dOe lets p.s. 77 expand or simply incubates a new school, it should use the p.s. 158 annex as a middle school. Allowing the dOe to expand p.s. 158 into a giant elementary school would be a disservice to its staff and students, destroying its wonderful character. even worse would be to allow a charter school to assume the space.

the community hopes the dOe will wake up and realize what is so evident to Upper east side families: all 5th graders eventually become 6th graders and they will need a place to go to school—soon.

Micah Kellner is an assembly mem-ber who represents the Upper east side.

Open FOrum

It’s Elementary: What to Do About 6th Grade?

@RTorossian5wpr Wow—cops threatening to arrest people on #UWS for trying to get in and out of their homes on West 60s just because #obama is there? Wow…

@BeatlesTweetsPaying respect to John at his Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park.

@grynbaum Georgina Bloomberg just moved to Central Park West, likes “shopping at Target for

clothes and home goods.”

@ilanarantoeRunning last-minute errands before I go to New York to hear the @BostonSymphony play at Carnegie Hall!

@chrisruigomez How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Amtrak, a bus and on foot. BSO starts 4 concert series tonight, including a Boston Pops concert on Thurs.

@DennisBasso Good morning. Walking in Central Park and the daffodils are in bloom—spring is almost here!

@WSJ Video games change your brain, often for the better. Gamers are faster decision mak-ers, better multitaskers. @RubinReport Obama on the Upper West Side; I’m gonna grab my dog and see if he’d like to get a cup of coffee. Yes we can! #UWS

TWeeT Speak

Unsurprisingly, few parents feel safe or comfortable at the

prospect of their tweens or young teens traveling from the East 70s, 80s and 90s down to the Financial District every

school day.

WestSideSpirit.com March 8, 2012 • WeSt Side Spirit • 31

By Christopher MooreThe Department of Education’s

release of teacher rankings could be just the beginning. Go further. Using the city Department of Health and its letter grades for eateries as inspiration, I propose two moves. First, clear up those confusing rankings and assign a letter grade to each city teacher. Then, to make things easier for parents and editorial writers, force each educator to wear a T-shirt—in the winter it could be a pullover sweater—with the appropriate personalized grade emblazoned across the fabric. This will save time for everybody.

Is this crazy? Yes. Crazier than con-fused rankings, teaching to the test and using one set of criteria to judge a per-son’s career? Nah.

This feels personal to me ever since I joined the family business last year. Eager to sign on to another hated minority, I became a teacher, just as my father and sis-ter had done before me. They were or are full-timers. My new job, like way too many these days, is part-time. Very part-time.

The gig is at the college level, for a state university in New Jersey, so I don’t have to take it personally when my may-or, Michael Bloomberg, bashes the teach-ers union in the city. Which reminds me: When I became an adjunct communica-tions professor, I went the whole nine yards and joined a teacher’s union, too.

It’s been an amazing ride. Teaching col-lege students has been a challenge; some-times aggravating and occasionally thrill-ing. Aggravating because a dangerously high number of freshmen arrive at the uni-versity level without the basics in grammar and composition or even the notion that they should take notes in class. Thrilling because the good days are great, when I see someone grasping a concept for the first time. I have never done work that is more important. It matters whether I show up.

This semester, I am in the classroom six hours a week. I’m in awe of anyone who spends the entire day in front of a class. The younger the students get, the more amazed I get. My sister teaches elementary school. How does she make it through an

entire day? After I do two college classes, I need a nap, two slices of pizza and an hour of Judge Judy.

My lessons in the classroom have come, though, at a weird cultural moment. Teachers are the new bogeymen. They get the blame. They are increasingly seen as the reason our educational sys-tem is failing us.

There has been a sea change over the years since my father became a teacher about five decades ago. Then, the assumption was that when something went wrong, the student was to blame. Now, it’s the teachers.

Oh, I love the idea of firing bad teach-ers. As a student decades ago, I began to spot them and their lazily crafted lesson plans, lack of initiative and excessive mumbling about how many days until retirement. As a teacher now, I see them walking hallways like zombies. Sure, we need a way to dump them. But without the support of the people on the front lines, rebuilding and reinvigorating our school

system is a fantasy.These issues can be complex. I fig-

ured that out around the 6th grade, when a teacher with a fabulous reputation did not seem fabulous to me. This gets us to a notion largely missing from the discus-sion: different teachers are good for dif-ferent students. That’s the kind of thing

not accounted for in the new, public rankings.

As a journalist, I value the free flow of information. I say release the data. As someone with a little fresh experience in the class-room, I believe the reports are deeply flawed.

More than anything, though, I would like to see more recognition of the physically and psychologically demand-ing work being done by teachers. Let the mayor and other self-proclaimed experts on educational issues head into the class-room. You people think this is easy? Well, pick a gray winter morning, traipse in there and see those students packed into over-crowded classrooms all looking up at you.

Go ahead and live through that experi-ence. See if you can make the grade.

Christopher Moore is a writer living in Manhattan. He is available on Twitter as @cmoorenyc.

By Jeanne MartinetI am certainly not the first person

to write about the relatively new social phenomenon of the Facebook birthday. On the other hand, I may be the last per-son to actually share my date of birth on Facebook (at least it feels that way to me).

For years, I have eschewed what I felt was the insipid practice of posting birth-day wishes on people’s Facebook walls. “It’s fake, it’s forced, it’s formulaic,” I would complain. After all, does it not nullify the entire purpose of wishing someone “Happy Birthday” if a machine is reminding you to say it—and that machine is only remind-ing you because the person having the birthday has, in essence, programmed it to remind you? If you are out with someone who demands, “Ask me how I am!” and you respond by asking, “So, how are you?” is that really satisfying to the other person?

But this year I was too busy to nudge my friends about my approaching birthday, so I caved. Anyway, I am at my core an “if

you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” type of gal, so I succumbed to the all-powerful god of Facebook.

There seem to be three types of Facebook birthday well-wishers: the good, the bad and the boring. The good ones give you a little something personal but not too intimate (“Happy Birthday, good luck with your writing!” or “Have fun in Hawaii!”). The boring ones just write “Happy Birthday!!”—with the prerequi-site double exclamation points. Boring in this situation is perfectly fine, in my opinion; if you think of Facebook as a big party, these are the people who raise their glasses to you when the host (in this case, Facebook’s notification) offers up a birthday toast.

And the bad? The bad are the ones who act like 7th graders and typify everything I dislike about Facebook and the social net-working universe in general. (I myself was

fortunate enough not to get any of the bad, but I have seen them around). The bad tend to post things like: “Happy Birthday!! Hope you don’t get drunk like last year, when I had to drive you home and then you sang really loud even though you were already in bed, remember?” or “Happy Birthday, maybe this year I will actually get to see your face, stranger! R U mad at me? Why don’t you call a person up some time?”

In a perfect world, we might use Facebook as a tool for remember-ing people’s birthdays, then do something more personal to com-memorate them—a phone call or a card. But in the real world, we seem to lack the time and where-withal to do that for more than a very few close friends.

Of course, this is what made birthday greetings so special in the old days. Now, the question of who wishes you a happy birthday has more to do with how much your friends keep up with Facebook than with how much they keep up with you.

However, as much fun as it is to dis Facebook—and I admit it’s one of my favorite pastimes—I have to say that Facebook’s birthday reminder mecha-nism is on the whole a great boon.

When I was a child, I was sure that by the time we got to 2012, computers would be able to interact with us the way a ser-vant would, like the overly maternal robot in The Jetsons. I imagined them as perfectly efficient, perfectly discreet personal assis-tants who would automatically remind us what we had to do and where we had to be. I have always kept a birthday reminder book next to my desk, a calendar of fam-ily and friends’ birthdays, but of course the system doesn’t work unless I remember to write people’s birthdays down and remem-ber to look in the book on a regular basis. How different, really, is the Facebook noti-fication system from my old-fashioned birthday book, except that it does all the work for me better than I can? Is it so bad, having an electronic birthday secretary? Isn’t that what computers are for?

Does this mean I have become a social zombie? Perhaps. But as we all know from watching zombie movies, once you are a zombie, you are unlikely to care whether you are one or not. You just join the horde of flesh-eaters and have a good time.

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

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Date post:	07-Mar-2016
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