January 2009

Ever since the economy has tanked, downtown activists have been especially fierce regarding housing issues. The ramifications of displacement are more dire then they’ve ever been and activists are doing everything they can to keep families in their homes. Recently, despite adverse efforts, the residents of 81 Bowery were evicted for unsafe conditions— a shallow reason, protestors believe, because it should fall on the landlord to institute repairs.

This year’s gala at The Plaza will honor legendary Essence Magazine editor emerita Susan Taylor and her husband, author Khephra Burns, with the organization’s Visionary Award. Noel Hankin, Senior Vice President of Moet Hennessy USA, will accept the corporate Leadership Award. Proceeds will benefit the esteemed Evidence Dance Company.

While much of America watched with pleasure as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama swirled around the dance floor at one of the 10 parties they would attend that night, several hundred revelers at The Southampton Inn’s Inaugural Ball cheered with enthusiasm and rattled noisemakers. It could just as easily have been a New Year’s Eve party for all the joy this traditionally Republican town took in laying aside partisan politics and coming together in celebration of the dawning of a new era.

Tekserve is hosting the third in their series of panel discussions on the future of music and the music industry.

Council Member John C. Liu introduced three pieces of anti-idling legislation yesterday. Two of the pieces strengthened existing laws, while Intro. 631-A, for which Liu is the prime sponsor, will reduce the legal idle time in front of a school from three minutes to one minute.

Members of the Transport Workers Union manned subway stops in Brooklyn today, handing out flyers protesting service cuts in the MTA’s 2009 budget, warning that the lack of service will have dire effects on both riders and the economy.

The problem: Overcrowding in lower Manhattan schools.

The solution: Create two new schools—PS 276 in Battery Park City and the Spruce Street/Beekman School.

New problem: Schools take a long time to build.
Temporary solution: Fall classes in a National Hisoric Landmark.

Doris Diether, Downtown activist, zoning expert and political luminary, had a special birthday celebration at the Judson Memorial Church on January 10th.

New Yorkers have always looked back nostalgically to a time when the city was better/safer/more dangerous/more exciting/cheaper/friendlier/sexier, etc. This is especially true for Times Square; we tend to resent the tourist-friendly mecca for its crowds and sanitized, mainstream ways.

The issue of luxury development replacing entire neighborhoods in the city has become one of the most critical debates in post-9/11 New York, and something that we at the SoHo Journal take seriously.

Paul F. Tompkins has gained considerable notoriety as one of the commentators on the always-hilarious VH1 television show Best Week Ever. On Tuesday, he will bring the hilarity to Tribeca as he hosts an evening with the writers and producers of the famed show.

It’s Friday. You could go to the bar and get trashed with your co-workers and then wake up feeling like lukewarm mud has replaced your brain, or you could visit the Open Center and see what they have to offer. They have been offering classes in nearly every aspect of self help and new age, eastern and western spiritualities for years now. Visit their site to take a look at all that they have to offer. And your brain will thank you if you skip the booze and stop by the Open Center tonight to learn more about these areas right here:

January 2009

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