Category Archives: News

Tiffany & Co on Wall Street

Fidi’s Luxury’s Night Out

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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.

Stuyvesant High School

40% of Stuyvesant Students Live at Poverty Levels

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Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School in Battery Park City

They are the best, the brightest and poorest students in the city.

Contrary to the overwhelming belief that kids who make it to Stuyvesant High School are often thought of as coming from families with a leg up in class and ability to pay for preparation for The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, the federal government believes otherwise.

This year, the high school will be receiving federal support after being designated as a “high poverty school.”

An overwhelming population of students are receiving free or reduced lunches at the school, qualifying Stuyvesant as a high poverty school, prompting Title I funding from the federal government.

In a recent campaign to properly identify the students at need, parents have counted the declining economy and students from new immigrant families at the school, are some of the reasons for the increase of impoverished students at Stuyvesant.

The numbers are staggering.

A count of students at the poverty level in 2006 accounted for only 17%, where as in 2009, nearly 40% of the entire school were considered at the poverty level.

The federal aid will provide nearly $1.6 million, which accounts for 10% of the high school’s total operating budget.

For alumni or those who would like to donate tax deductible donations for student groups and resources can visit the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association website.

Battery Park Synagogue Havdallah 2010

Battery Park Synagogue Services for Neilah

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Battery Park Synagogue Havdallah 2010
Battery Park Synagogue Havdallah 2010

Battery Park Synagogue has become locally famous for their children’s candlelight and flashlight procession for Neilah, the conclusion of Yom Kippur services Saturday night, September 18 at around 7:30 pm.

Battery Park Synagogue Neilah Shofar
Battery Park Synagogue Neilah Shofar

As in past years, services are held in the 2nd floor ballrooms of the NY Marriott Downtown Hotel, 85 West Street. They will be held in a dimly lit sanctuary, during the closing service that ends with multiple individuals blowing shofars, as well as many dozens kids, standing on the podium at the front of the room, singing and swaying to usher in the end of Yom Kippur.

For more information please visit the Battery Park Synagogue website.

Rector Street 1 train station

MTA Shuts Down 1 Train

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Rector Street 1 train station
Rector Street 1 Train

Obviously, the MTA doesn’t want us to leave Battery Park City, we are losing our 1 train over the next two weekends.

On top of losing the 9 and W trains as well as M9 service, we are really living up to our “Lower Manhattan’s Siberia” reputation.

The shut down of the 1 train will accomodate for end-to-end maintenance on the line, which includes completing work at the World Trade Center site.

The decision to shut the 1 train down over two weekends was the lesser of two transportation evils and provided more efficient repairs versus stretching them out over months.

For the next two weekends, free shuttle buses will connect riders to points on the A line that will run locally along the 2/3 lines within Manhattan.

According to the MTA.info website:

The 2,3,A trains, free shuttle buses, and the M3 bus provide alternate service

Weekend, 11:30 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, Sep 17 – 20 | Sep 24 – 27

2 and 3 trains run local and replace the 1 between 96 and Chambers Sts.

(Downtown 2 and 3 trains skip 86 and 79 Sts)

Shuttle buses run in four sections making station stops on the 1 line:

1. On Broadway between 242 and 215 Sts, then connecting to the 207 St A station.

2. On St Nicholas Av between 191 and 168 Sts.

3. On Broadway between 168 and 96 Sts (express and local service).

4. In Lower Manhattan between Chambers St and South Ferry.

A Smoke Free Esplanade?

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Battery Park City Esplanade (Credit: saitowitz/Flickr)

Finding a place to smoke is becoming a real drag. After banning smoking in bars and restaurants, Mayor Bloomberg has announced plans to introduce legislation making it illegal to smoke in public areas.

The legislation will be introduced in City Council today, and if approved will go into effect in approximately 3 months after being signed into law.

Violators of this proposed law will be fined $50 by either a Police or Parks Department official.

The pedestrian plaza at Times Square, Central Park and other major public  parks and areas, conceivably even the Battery Park City esplanade could be part of the smoking ban.

How do you feel about this new legislation?

Stuyvesant HS Teacher Arrested for Selling Terrorist Weapons

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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

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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

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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

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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.