Notes From the Neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan Bungeroth, Sean Creamer and Vatisha Smith
WYMORE AND ROSENTHAL REPORT CAMPAIGN FILINGS
With just a few months since he registered a campaign committee, City Council candidate Mel Wymore announced a fundraising total of $64,381, which his campaign said had been primarily raised over the past few weeks. Wymore is the most recent former chair of Community Board 7 and is running to fill Gale Brewer’s term-limited seat to represent the Upper West Side. Wymore now qualifies for the city’s matching funds program.
His opponent, Helen Rosenthal [see our profile in this issue] also reported a hefty sum of just over $60,000, some of which was raised when she initially explored a run for the Council seat in 2009 before the extension of term limits. Rosenthal is also a former CB 7 chair.
NEWS BOX THIEF ON THE LOOSE!
The West Side Spirit has learned that 16 of our news boxes dotting the street corners of the Upper West Side have been stolen! Rumor has it that the nefarious thieves are making off with the boxes in order to sell them for scrap metal. (Hopefully they realize that they can have the papers inside them for free.) If the box on your corner has gone missing, please let us know at editorial@manhattanmedia.com.
But our beloved boxes aren’t the only metal objects being swiped from the neighborhood. Council Member Gale Brewer said that 70 Department of Sanitation public garbage receptacles have been taken from street corners in the district in recent weeks. Police suspect that they are also being melted down and sold for their metal.
If you notice any untoward activity, notify the 20th Precinct at 212-580-6411.
EXPLORING RELIGIOUS LIFE
Robert D. Putnam, acclaimed author of American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, will be speaking at an Upper West Side synagogue Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1:15 p.m. Putnam will discuss the role of religion in American public life at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, 15 W. 86th St. The author will explore several findings, such as how roughly one-third of Americans have switched religions at some point in their lives and how young people are more opposed to abortion than their parents but more accepting of gay marriage. The event is free of charge. Call 212-724-7000 for information.
LECTURE LEAD-UP TO CHORALE CONCERT
Behind every masterpiece is not only an artist but someone who has dedicated their effort to learning all they can about the work of art. On Thursday, Jan. 19, the Collegiate Chorale will host a Prelude Series lecture, where renowned musicology expert Byron Adams will speak in depth on Sir Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time. The Collegiate Chorale will perform the piece Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Ave.
The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Professional Children’s School, at 132 W. 60th St. between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues. Tickets are $10 and are available at collegiatechorale.org or by calling 646-202-9623.
MAN INDICTED FOR UPPER WEST SIDE BURGLARIES
Luis Torres, 50, was indicteed last week for a string of burglaries targeting homes on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side and in Midtown. Police discovered large quantities of jewelry and electronics, as well as over 100 keys and cards, in Torres’ apartment upon his arrest. Torres is charged with three counts of burglary in the second degree for his crimes.
Hotel Thief Admits to High-End Heists
After admitting to stealing cash, jewelry, accessories and electronics from guests at Jumeirah Essex House, the Plaza Hotel, St. Regis Hotel and the London NYC Hotel, James Bennett, 45, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary in the second degree and one count of grand larceny in the second degree last week. He confessed to attempting to steal employees’ paychecks from the London NYC Hotel before being spotted, then later that day swiping goods from the Plaza and the St. Regis. He had previously stolen a Chopard watch and Cartier sunglasses from Jumeirah Essex House.
“Burglary victims lose more than their money, valuables and prized possessions—they also lose their sense of security in their own homes,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance in a statement. “Thanks to excellent police work and aggressive prosecution, offenders who prey upon New Yorkers are taken off the streets.”
Notes from the Neighborhood
Compiled by Sean Creamer
VIRGINIA FAMILY SEARCHING FOR SON
Ian Burnet, a 22-year-old white male, 5-foot-8, 131 pounds, with green eyes and curly, dark brown hair came to New York from Richmond, Va., Dec. 26 to enjoy the company of friends during the winter break. On Dec. 30, around 4 p.m., he contacted a friend via text and was not heard from again. His last known location was his friend’s apartment in the area of 139th Street and Riverside Drive.
Burnet is an engineering student at Virginia Commonweath University with no history of drug or alcohol abuse. If anyone has information on his whereabouts, they are asked to contact Det. Sanchez, Det. Davis or Sgt. Greene at the 30th Precinct, (212) 690-8842, or Mark Burnet, his father, at bringianburnethome@gmail.com. Read more
Tapped In: Notes from the Neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan Bungeroth
LA NOCHE CUBANA FOR LANDMARK WEST!
A friendly fiesta to benefit LANDMARK WEST! in honor of the organization’s founder, Arlene Simon, will take place Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. at 446 Columbus Ave.
Sip on sangria, make merry with a mojito, taste the flavors of Cuba, take to the floor and tango and channel the spirit of 1930s Havana. Read more
Tapped In: Notes From the Neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan Bungeroth
HOLIDAY HISTORY COMES ALIVE FOR KIDS
The newly renovated, recently reopened New-York Historical Society boasts a nifty children’s museum that holds regular family and kid events. This Sunday, the Dimenna Children’s History Museum holds a holiday-themed story hour at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Holiday History scavenger hunt at 1 p.m. that takes children and parents around the museum to discover holiday-related artifacts in the museum’s coffers. Read more
Notes From the Neighborhood
Green Schools Group Co-Hosts Climate Talk
Paul Reale, a climate change expert and a trained presenter with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, will discuss the science and impacts of climate change, and then engage the audience in a discussion about what can be done about it. Read more
Tapped In
Notes from the neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan and Allen Houston
BEARS CAN BREATHE EASIER
Thanks to a law introduced by Upper West Side Assembly Member and animal lover Linda Rosenthal, our four-legged furry friends now roam the land with a bit more freedom. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the law, which will protect black bears from illegal poaching, last week. While many would applaud this as a logical step toward protecting our dwindling wildlife populations, some may be surprised to find why the protection is necessary in the first place—and it’s not because bear skin rugs are back in vogue.
Read more
Tapped In
Notes from the neighborhood
Compiled by Megan Finnegan and Allen Houston
ALEC BALDWIN DEFENDS UWS AS “MIDDLE CLASS”
In a recent essay for The Huffington Post, the left-leaning star, who plays a right-wing exec on 30 Rock, defended his home turf of the Upper West Side by calling it “the most middle-class part of Manhattan where I have lived” and praising its diversity. While the millionaire actor rightfully pointed out that the area supports many public housing units and regular Joes, calling it the most middle-class part of the island may be a bit of a stretch. According to 2000 census data (the latest available broken down by ZIP code), the per capita income in 1999 for central West Side ZIP code 10024 was $77,824, only slightly lower than 10028, across the park on the East Side, at $85,866. To compare, the per capita income in 10035, East Harlem, was $10,457, and downtown at 10004 it was $60,329. A ritzy section of SoHo, 10012, boasted just $48,188. Times may have changed in the past decade-plus, of course, but maybe Alec really just meant his statement literally—it’s the most middle-class part of Manhattan that he’s lived in.
Read more
BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK
By Ashley Welch
The conclusion of Bryant Park’s lunchtime Broadway concert series will feature performances from Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Avenue Q and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Thursday, Aug. 11. The concert will take place on the Bryant Park lawn at 12:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. Performers from each Broadway show will perform two to three songs. Admission is free.
FREE SUNSET JAZZ CONCERT IN RIVERSIDE PARK
By Ashley Welch
The Riverside Clay Tennis Association presents a free jazz performance by the Bob Kindred Ensemble, with vocalist Anne Phillips, on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. The performance is part of a series of sunset concerts on the tennis lawn overlooking the Hudson River at 97th Street. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic baskets.
KELLNER PUSHES NEW TAXI BILL
Assembly Member Micah Kellner, who has been pushing to increase handicapped accessibility in the city’s taxi fleet, is pressing Governor Andrew Cuomo to approve an agreement with several taxi and livery associations that would increase the number of wheelchair-accessible vehicles while vastly reducing the proposed number of new livery permits to be made available.
Read more
