All posts by Rachel

About Rachel

As a resident of Battery Park City, Rachel is always keeping her ear to the street -- if its south of Chambers. The best part of living in BPC is endless and eclectic music and events in and around the area. The sunsets too aren't so shabby!

Tiffany & Co on Wall Street

Fidi’s Luxury’s Night Out

Tiffany & Co on Wall Street
Tiffany & Co on Wall Street

Downtowners with “Fashion’s Night Out” withdrawal have another chance to live it up during “Luxury’s Night Out.”

On the heels of fashion’s successful shopping event, Financial District’s most well heeled retailers are spinning off their own event dubbed “Fidi’s Luxury’s Night Out.”

FiDi is home to some impressively luxurious boutiques, and our high end neighborhood retailers and restaurants in conjunction with the Downton Alliance, are offering one time deals and events for the downtown community and beyond.

The event will be held this Thursday, September 24th between 5pm-8pm. By mentioning “Luxury Night Out” visitors will be able to take advantage of each individual’s special promotion.

Andaz Wall Street
75 Wall Street
Enjoy complimentary cheese and charcuterie with drinks purchased at Bar Seven Five. Indulge in a complimentary dessert at the Wall & Water Restaurant with purchase of an entree. The Spa at Andaz Wall Street will offer complimentary “15 Minute” (“Share”) treatments from noon to 2 PM and 4 to 6 PM. The Andaz will hold a raffle as well for anyone who leaves a business card.

BMW
67 Wall Street
Join BMW of Manhattan for a wine and cheese reception, preview the new 5 Series, and welcome the MINI brand to the Wall Street store.

Bobby Van’s Steakhouse
25 Broad Street
Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drink specials surrounded by antique bank vaults from 1902 at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse at 25 Broad Street across from the New York Stock Exchange. Dropping off a business card gives guests a chance to win a dinner for four.

Canalici
25 Broad Street
Enjoy a wine and cheese reception while viewing Canali’s Fall Collection. A complimentary tie will be given with the purchase of a suit or sports coat and trouser. A raffle will be held so drop off a business card.

Cipriani
(Served at Tiffany’s, 37 Wall Street)
Cipriani will be serving hors d’oeurves and its classic Bellinis at Tiffany’s.

KiptonART
75 Wall street
Enjoy the new KiptonART exhibition, “Kismet,” and enter a raffle to win lunch with founder Kipton Cronkite, who will provide a free curatorial review and insider scoop on today’s art market.

La Maison du Chocolat
63 Wall Street
Visit La Maison du Chocolat to taste freshly prepared ganache and the signature hot and cold chocolate beverages.

The Capital Grille
120 Broadway (at Nassau and Pine streets)
Join The Capital Grille for complimentary Stoli Doli cocktails with the purchase of any appetizer or entrée. Leave a business card for a chance to win dinner for six at The Captain’s Table with wine pairings by the sommelier.

The Setai Club & Spa
40 Broad Street
Rest weary soles at The Setai Spa, where there will be complimentary mini-reflexology sessions and champagne toasts from 8 to 10 PM (Remember to RSVP to [email protected]).

Thomas Pink
63 Wall Street
Enjoy a night of shopping with complimentary wine and a special gift with purchase and delectable hors d’oeuvres by The Capital Grille.

Tiffany & Co.
37 Wall Street
Tiffany & Co. will showcase its newest collection of dazzling yellow diamond jewelry (and serve the Cipriani delicacies as noted above).

Tourbillon Boutique
45 Wall Street
Tourbillon Boutique and The Greene Grape Company will hold a special “Watches and Wine Tasting” and offer complimentary gifts with purchase.

Ground Zero Mosque

World Chess Federation Checks Trump’s Offer

Ground Zero Mosque
The planned location of the Park51 Community Center

Checks are flying in the offers to buy out Park51 investors.

This time The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has offered to make a bid to purchase the site where the projected Park51 Islamic community center is slated for development.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has sent formal letters on behalf of the FIDE to Mayor Bloomberg.

According to the Montreal Gazette, “We named the sum of 10 million dollars because last week billionaire Donald Trump gave an offer of 7.5 million dollars and we decided to outdo him.”

The intent of the organization is to build a complex completely dedicated to chess, being dubbed “Chess City.” Very strategic moves indeed.

Stuyvesant HS Teacher Arrested for Selling Terrorist Weapons

Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School

Public school teachers just don’t make enough money.

A former Stuyvesant High School music teacher has been arrested after being caught selling weapons to what he thought was a terrorist network.

Theophilus Burroughs was arrested after a year long sting by the Bronx District Attornye’s office investigating a Bronx warehouse suspected to be a point where assault weapons were being sold.

Burroughs was caught negotiating firearms sales which included AK-47’s, .40-caliber guns and often praised terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

According to the New York Post, Burroughs, “showed up at the Westchester Square warehouse expecting to collect a cool $10,000 for a pair of night-vision goggles, two bulletproof vests and 200,000 counterfeit cigarette stamps.”

Burroughs was on unpaid medical leave and had been a former Marine from Newark. Apparently surprised by the arrest, he web his pants as he was being taken away by investigators.

The charges against Burroughs include weapons possession and forgery.

Burroughs had been teaching at Stuyvesant since 1992, starting as a substitute teacher and then as a music teacher from 2002-2003. Also according to the same article, Burroughs has been under investigation by the Board of Education in an alleged misconduct situation at the Cobble Hill School for American Studies.

Michael Moore Helps to Raise $50K for Park51

Michael Moore Raises $50K for Park51

Michael Moore Helps to Raise $50K for Park51
Michael Moore Helps to Raise $50K for Park51

Not one to sit idly on the political sidelines, Michael Moore has called for the building of a mosque not near Ground Zero, but on Ground Zero.

“Why?” Moore asks on his official website, “Because I believe in an America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice. I believe in an America that says you have the right to worship whatever God you have, wherever you want to worship. And I believe in an America that says to the world that we are a loving and generous people and if a bunch of murderers steal your religion from you and use it as their excuse to kill 3,000 souls, then I want to help you get your religion back. And I want to put it at the spot where it was stolen from you.”

After publishing the letter over the weekend, on the 9th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Michael Moore has reported that he has collected $50,000 dollars towards the cause. The proceeds of which will go to Park51’s fundraising efforts which started last week.

The entire cost to build the Islamic community center at Park Place is approximately $100 million dollars.

Moore announced the fundraising success on his Twitter page

Amidst this win for the Cordoba Initiative, Park51’s Imam has been “exploring all options” in regards to the controversial mosque and community center. One of the options on the table includes an indefinite postponement of development.

According to an article published in The New York Times the Imam is quoted as saying, “We really are focused on solving it, and solving it in a way that will create the best possible outcome for all. I give you my pledge.”

Electronic ballots roll out all over the city.

10 Battery Park City Election on Primary Strike

Today marks New York City primary day across the city.

Electronic ballots roll out all over the city.
Electronic ballot machines roll out citywide (Credit: Gothamist)

Along with introducing the candidates vying for key spots in the November elections, a new electronic ballot has been introduced citywide.

This would normally be seen as a good thing, except according to WNBC.com, it’s not. Especially not in Battery Park City.

As election volunteers have grown accustomed to the traditional ballot machines that have been in use for decades, learning how to run the electronic ballot has not gone smoothly. Paired with the fact that the volunteer base pay, which has been tax exempt for decades, will now be subjected to income tax.

This revelation has apparently called for 10 Battery Park City volunteers to “strike” or not show up to our polling sites today.

Watch the story first reported by WNBC.com.
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View more news videos at: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/video

Candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary

New York City Primaries: The Who, What, When and Where

Candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary
Some of the candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary

Tomorrow is primary day citiwide, where several candidate seats are up for grabs.

For our district, candidates will find out who makes the ticket for the Governor, Senate and Attorney General seats in November’s general elections.

The candidates for these positions are:

Democratic Primary Ticket
Attorney General – Citywide
Richard L Brodsky
Sean Coffey
Eric R Dinallo
Kathleen M Rice
Eric T Schneiderman
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Kirsten E Gillibrand
Gail Goode

Repulican Primary Ticket
Governor – Citywide
Rick A Lazio
Carl P Paladino
Lieutenant Governor – Citywide
Gregory J Edwards
Thomas V Ognibene
United States Senator – 6 Year Full Term – Citywide
Gary Berntsen
Jay Townsend
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Bruce Blakeman
Joseph J DioGuardi
David Malpass

Independent Primary Ticket
Governor- Citywide
Rick A Lazio
Ralph C Lorigo
Attorney General – Citywide
Richard L Brodsky
Sean Coffey
Eric R Dinallo
Kathleen M Rice
Eric T Schneiderman
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Kirsten E Gillibrand
Gail Goode

Another new addition at the polls are the voting machines themselves.

Don’t expect to pull the levers of your voting’s past as new electronic voting machines are being rolled out for tomorrow’s primary.

Introducing new voting booths have been notoriously rocky nationwide, but New York is the last state in the nation to implement the new machines as part of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) responding to Florida’s presidential voting debacle.

Polls open at 6am to find out your exact polling location (as our neighborhood as several) Visit the official NYC Board of Elections site.

New York Post WTC Remains Map

Grim Map Shows Suggested Boundaries of Ground Zero

As we head into tomorrow’s 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the New York Post has published a morbid map which argues the boundaries of Ground Zero can be determined by where human remains were discovered.

New York Post Human Remains Map of Ground Zero
New York Post Human Remains Map of Ground Zero (Credit: NYPost.com)

The article was written in response to the proximity of the Park51 Islamic Community Center and whether or not the area is far enough from the site of the terror attacks in New York City.

According to the article, “The map was obtained by The Post from sources after the Fire Department did not respond to requests to review it. It shows that remains were found just 348 feet to the south of the mosque site at 45 Park Place, on top of the massive post-office building that stretches along Barclay Street, from Church Street to West Broadway.”

1,123 victims of the World Trade Center attacks have yet to be identified by remains. 21,812 remains have been found and catalogued at the Fresh Kills Landfill, yet a little more than half have been identified.

But the map is only a partial glimpse of the scope of the search for remains. The vast majority of the 21,812 remains were culled from debris sorted at the Fresh Kills Landfill. Of those remains, only 12,771 have been identified so far.

For more information on the statistics, read the original article here.

Battery Park City Annual Pet Parade

Battery Park City Block Party: Pet Parade!

Battery Park City Annual Pet Parade
Battery Park City Annual Pet Parade (Credit: BPC Dogs)

If cupcakes alone were not enough to convince you to join the block party, perhaps a pet parade might have you lapping it up?

According to the BPC Dogs Group in our area, residents are invited to join the annual BPC Block Party PET PARADE!!

From their email:

Once again, BPC Dogs will co-host theannual BPC Pet Parade with Bobby of Le Pet Spa.

There will also be many other pet-related activities at the Block Party, including information tables for the CERT Animal Search and Rescue team, a sign-up sheet to become members of the BPC Dog Association, and information about a proposal for official off-leash hours in Historic Battery Park.

The fun starts with the Pet Parade in front of the main Block Party stage on the Esplanade Plaza (aka the volleyball court).

Please line up with your pet at 12:10 pm, for a parade starting at 12:20 pm. ALL pet owners (of dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rats, lizards, etc.) should be near the stage by 12:10 pm at the latest.

The pet parade is a fun way to introduce yourself and your pet to the community.  And if your pet does a special trick, show us. Our Pets are special members of our community so let’s meet them. (Note that, although the Block Party flyer describes the parade as a “Dog Parade”, all pets are welcome.)

Compete in the Battery Park City Cupcake Contest!!!

Battery Park City Puts (Oven) Gloves On For Cupcake Battle!

Compete in the Battery Park City Cupcake Contest!!!
Compete in the Battery Park City Cupcake Contest!!!

It will only take one sweet hour to judge this year’s Battery Park City Block Party Cupcake Contest!

BatteryParkCity.com reader Fern Parness, will be running the competition and calling for all BPC bakers to submit their best cupcake foot forward and compete in one of the three categories:

1. Best chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting.
2. Best vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.
3. Best wildcard flavor

For those who are interested in competing, drop off the frosted batches between 12pm-2pm at the Bake-Off Table on Esplanade Plaza (Volleyball Court)

Inatesso Cafe will judge the winning cupcakes in each category. Prizes will be given to the winners courtesy of both Inatesso Cafe and Battery Park City pharmacy.

Battery Park City’s Annual Block Party will be this Sunday, September 12th in Esplanade Plaza.

For more information contact Fern Parness directly at [email protected]

Fashion's Night Out 2010

Fashion’s Night Out: Stores Open in Our Area!

Fashion's Night Out 2010
Fashion's Night Out is here!

Still grieving the loss of the DSW? Well, a Fashion’s Night Out might be just what you’re looking for. As retailers around our area offer up a dose of late night retail therapy.

Fashion’s Night Out is a joint venture between Conde Nast’s Vogue Magazine, The Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC and Company in an effort to celebrate the fashion industry.

Stores everywhere across the world will be open between 7-11PM on September 10th and will be offering cocktails, special items and even red carpet worthy events.

On September 7th, the consortium will be holding the largest public fashion show in history at Lincoln Center. Tickets will be available while supplies last through the Lincoln Center box office at LincolnCenter.org.

For a complete list of retailers in our area participating in the worldwide event, check out the list below:

1. A Uno
123 West Broadway NYC NY 10013
212-227-6233
FNO Collection Available In-Store
Event details pending, however we will be serving wine, snacks and we will feature informal modeling. As the date approaches we will let you know.

2. Banana Republic
3 World Financial Center 200 Vesey Street New York NY 10285
212-962-1461
Join us for a celebration of style. Shop the newest arrivals and receive shopping incentives full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last. One night only – only at select Banana Republic NYC stores.

3. Clarins
Century 21 – 22 Cortlandt Street New NY 10007
212-227-9092
Clarins invites you to a special Beauty Party to celebrate French glamour as only Clarins can! Each attendee will receive a complimentary complete makeover while enjoying refreshments and sweets at the Clarins Counter. Put your beauty in our hands at Fashion’s Night Out!

4. CRUMBS Bake Shop
87 Beaver St New York NY 10005
212 480 7500
CRUMBS Bake Shop will feature a special edition “Fashion’s Night Out” cupcake. The cupcake will debut on September 10th in all NYC stores and will be available through Fashion Week. A portion of sales from the cupcake will benefit the NYC AIDS Fund.

5. Edun
86 Franklin st 5th Floor New York NY 10013 
646-644-2964
FNO Collection Available In-Store
EDUN is partnering with Scoop in their Meatpacking District “swing” store, creating an EDUN Pop Up Shop for the night. Jaleel from TV on the Radio will be DJing, with a special performance by the BLK JKS from South Africa. Enjoy a scoop of ice cream from an ice cream truck on site. Special guest DJs will be riding their bikes and participants will be encouraged to ride their bikes as well. Limited edition accessories from Kenya exclusive for Scoop will be on sale as well as the EDUN Fall Collection. Gift with purchase. 7 to 11 pm.

6. Gary Graham
176 Franklin Street New York NY 10013 
(212) 274-8940
Music, Cocktails, Exclusive Merchandise

7. Greenwich Jewelers
64 Trinity Place New York NY 10006
 212-964-7592
From 6-9pm meet stylist, blogger & jeweloholic Beth Bernstein of B-Jeweled. She’ll be sharing tips on the hottest trends in jewelry and how to incorporate them into your personal style. Also, bid on exclusive silent auction items from designers including Anne Sportun, Jamie Joseph, Melissa Joy Manning and Shaesby, all proceeds to benefit breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Special guests will include jewelry designers EXCLUSIVE: Score a studded leather Gorjana bracelet, ours exclusively, with any purchase of $250 or more. Food & refreshments will be served.

8. Herchcovitch;Alexandre
52 Walker Street 5th Fl NEW YORK NY 10013
 646-747-3029
FNO Collection Available In-Store
“Events details pending”

9. Issey Miyake
119 Hudson Street New York NY 10013 
212-226-0100
FNO Collection Available In-Store
In honor of our Coffee-themed Men’s collection, we are turning tribeca ISSEY MIYAKE into Café ISSEY MIYAKE. Enjoy free coffee & latte art by the expert baristas of La Colombe with Mille Crepes by Lady M and special cocktails. Hear music by DJ Keiichiro, shop the new collections, and watch the latest fashion show. Guests will be able to purchase an exclusive Issey Miyake Cafe Shirt. Receive a limited edition ISSEY MIYAKE coffee cup & 1lb of La Colombe coffee with any collection purchase. All guests will receive a free gift & can enter a raffle to win a collectable Pleats Please Bilbao Bag.

10. La Lumia
27 Park Place Suite 200 New York NY 10007 
212-966-3923
La Lumia’s “Fashion’s Night Out” event will be hosted by owner, Jackie Sencion, from 4pm to 9pm. We will have wine and cheese for our guests. Shoppers will be entered in a raffle for any purchase of $150 or more. The prize is a beautiful LaLu Leathers co-op hand-crafted cognac colored genuine leather handbag valued at $595. This event is open to the public.

11. LOFT
2 Broadway New York NY 10004
 (212) 809-1435
FNO Collection Available In-Store
FNO Collection Available Online
6 – 10 p.m. Get styled on September 10th! Step into our Style Studio at one of our 6 select Manhattan locations and a renowned fashion stylist will help you turn our fabulous new essentials into countless looks for fall. Once you’ve found your new favorite outfit, enjoy a mini photo shoot at our popup photo booth! Plus, you can shop straight from our new fall magazine (see it before anyone else!), nosh on yummy treats and enjoy our live DJ, who will be spinning all night. To learn more, visit LOFTonline.com

12. Nili Lotan
188 Duane Street New York NY 10013 
212-219-8974
pending.

13. OTTE
37 N Moore St New York NY 10013
 212-431-8501
OTTE Will be hosting a one-year anniversary party at their newest location in TriBeCa. Light refreshments will be served as well as a store-wide sale on all merchandise, and all attendees will be eligible to win a $500 gift card! Be sure to visit participating businesses in the area for other exclusive deals and special events.

14. Sabina Les
37 Wall St Suite 25i New York NY 10005
 917-748-8444
Please stop by and meet our designer Sabina Les and see new Fall/Holiday line of our original textile scarves at Bloomingdales on 59th Street, NYC. Designer Sabina Les is looking forward to give you her styling tips on how to wear scarves in many ways. Our scarves make perfect gifts for the upcoming holidays and special events.

15. Stephen Seo
20 Pine Street NYC NY 10005
 646-338-2927
Stephen Seo Collection cat walk on Madison Ave with 8 models for brand awareness. Models will be handing out look books. The Designer will be in his luxury exotic car near by models.

16. Steven Alan
103 Franklin Street New York NY 10013
 212-343-0692
Appearances by Steven Alan and other designers. Discounts on exclusive items available for Fashion’s Night Out only. Additional event details to follow.