“Jewelry IS fashion and we’re excited about participating!” says Gandia, “The number of stores participating this year is amazing — way more than last year. There is an event for everyone.”
Participation in an event such as Fashion’s Night Out is important to local businesses. As the global recession has taken its toll on every industry, Lower Manhattan businesses have endured a distinctly tougher economic climate.
The loss of pedestrian traffic from the original World Trade Center site compounded by infrastructural changes and the construction restrictions around the area have forced many businesses to close.
“We feel very disconnected from the rest of the West Side,” says Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers on Trinity Place, which is only a few blocks south of the World Trade Center site, “We are ready for the [World Trade Center] site to be completed.”
As most businesses in our area still rely on the Monday through Friday patronage of nearly 300,000 daily workers that commute to our area, Gandia notes that there is a responsibility of business owners to connect with the growing residential population.
“There are many reasons small businesses in this neighborhood have closed. It’s important for the residents to patronize their local shops but its a two way street, the businesses in the area must serve the locals,” says Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers, “That means being open when the people who live here are home. We had to change our hours and open on weekends to serve the residents of the neighborhood. In turn they come to use when they need something and know we are here.”
As businesses such as Gandia’s see this as just a bump in the road to recovery, leaders in our area acknowledge that these challenges to small businesses may last for another 5 years.
So much so, that  State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblyman Sheldon Silver along with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation had announced The Small Firm Assistance Program earlier this week. The program seeks to offer aid to small businesses in Lower Manhattan affected by these infrastructural challenges all the way through sunset of December 31, 2015.
Handicaps aside, that doesn’t mean there aren’t signs of hope. According to a recent Downtown Alliance report, economic recovery is on an upswing as nearly 300 new businesses have relocated to Lower Manhattan since 2008.
According to Gandia, “We choose not to focus on the past and instead to remain present minded and plan for our future and the next 30-plus years of serving the downtown community.”
Greenwich Jewelers Adds A Bit of Sparkle to Fashion’s Night Out on September 10th!
Greenwich Jewelers and jewelry expert & blogger Beth Bernstein will offer guests style and trend tips for the upcoming fall and winter seasons during their Fashion’s Night Out event.
Featuring exquisite collections of designer jewelry from Anne Spartun, Jamie Joseph, Lika Behar, Melissa Joy Manning and Saundra Messinger, a silent auction will be held in support of the Greater New York City chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
A specialty piece designed exclusively for Greenwich Jewelers is a Gorjana bracelet, a free gift with any purchase of $250 or more during the event.
Refreshments and live music will be offered during the silent auction.
Greenwich Jewelers is located at 64 Trinity Place (at Rector Street)
The event and silent auction will be held between 7-11pm.
Check out the pieces being auctioned at the event below!
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]
September marks the change in seasons and we usually welcome the autumn colors — except when it’s red tide.
The Coast Guard is warning swimmers and boaters to stay clear of the red waters that have infiltrated New York Harbor.
Also known as “red tide,” it signals the growth of potentially toxic algae which can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and breathing problems. The red tide is spanning from the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum all the way down to the waters in our neighborhood.
Although reports say that it was first seen at 7am this morning, we believe the red tide was first spotted yesterday by reader Jay Fine, who had posted images of the tide on our Facebook.
The algae’s proper name is phytoplankton, which are known to steal oxygen supplies away from both fish and shellfish.
Although most people don’t usually swim in the Hudson River down by our parts — sailors and people visiting the North Cover Harbor should not touch the waters if close enough to the red tide.
Agnes Denes Fields of Wheat Installation in 1982 (Credit: TwitPic-TruthSeerum via Claudia
BatteryParkCity.com receives many contributions/tips on our site for ideas and current events — and we love it!
Recently we got a true gem of nostalgia. Our Twitter pal TruthSeerum, sent us this picture of Agnes Denes harvesting fields of wheat in 1982.
As we’re preparing for the commemoration of the World Trade Center terror attacks, we’ve made a call out for great memories of our neighborhood before 9/11 and our hopes for the neighborhood in the future. We thought we’d give you the first taste of contributions we’ve received.
If you have a great memory like this, or a personal story about 9/11 please feel free to send it to us at [email protected].
Wheatfield — A Confrontation 2 Acres of wheat planted & harvested, Battery Park landfill, downtown Manhattan summer 1982 (with Statue of Liberty across the Hudson)
After months of preparations, in May 1982, a 2-acre wheat field was planted on a landfill in lower Manhattan, two blocks from Wall Street and the World Trade Center, facing the Statue of Liberty. Two hundred truckloads of dirt were brought in and 285 furrows were dug by hand cleared of rocks and garbage. The seeds were down by hand and the furrows covered with soil. The field was maintained for four months, cleared of wheat smut, weeded, fertilized and sprayed against mildew fungus, and an irrigation system set up. The crop was harvested on August 16 and yielded over 1000 pounds of healthy, golden wheat.
Planting and harvesting a field of wheat on land worth $4.5 billion created a powerful paradox. Wheatfield was a symbol, a universal concept, it represented food, energy, commerce, world trade, economics. It referred to mismanagement, waste, world hunger and ecological concerns. It called attention to our misplaced priorities. The harvested grain traveled to twenty-eight cities around the world in an exhibition called “The International Art Show for the End of World Hungerâ€, organized by the Minnesota Museum of Art (1987-90). The seeds were eventually carried away by people who planted them in many parts of the globe.
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”
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.
New building for P.S./I.S. 276 Students at 55 Battery Place (Credit: Flickr PS/IS276)
Summers over for millions of kids, but some students in our neighborhood can’t wait to go back to school tomorrow.
P.S./I.S. 276 officially opens their doors today for summer registration but will welcome the first class of students tomorrow into their new school at 55 Battery Place. The school hails as New York City’s greenest school in the five boroughs. Last year, the school housed it’s Kindergarten class in a temporary space at the Tweed Courthouse.
Today summer registration is open and tomorrow marks the first day of classes for all grades, with shorter days for the Kindergarten and Pre-K classes.
P.S./I.S. 276 is located behind the Millenium Tower residences and will have the same green technologies for the school that power the building, including the use of solar panels and filtered air ducts. The building was designed by Dattner Architects.
The school is zoned for students who live south of Albany Street, Liberty and Maiden Lane. The zone initially caused controversy for Gateway Plaza families who wanted to be included in the school zone because of it’s close proximity.
The school year academic calendar for parents is as follows:
September 8 – First day of school/Half day for Kindergarten/Shortened session for Pre-K.
September 9-10 – Rosh Hashanah (No School)
September 13- Half Day for Kindergarten/Shortened Session for Pre-K
September 14- First Fully day for Kindergarten/Shortened Session for Pre-K
September 15- First Full Session for Pre-K
October 1- Pre-K non attendance day
October 11- Columbus Day (No School)
November 2- Election Day (No School)
November 25-26- Thanksgiving Recess
December 24-31- Winter Recess
January 3, 2011- School Resumes
January 17- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 21-25- Midwinter Recess
March 7 – Pre-K Non Attendance Day
April 18-26- Spring Recess
April 27- School Resumes
May 30- Memorial Day Observed (No School)
June 9- Chancellor’s Conference Day (No School)
June 28- Last Day of School (Half Day)
Counting only a single Manhattan location for over 20 years, Lower Manhattan’s crown shopping jewel Century 21, is set to expand to a second location on Manhattan island and it’s not in our area.
After Barnes and Noble has announced vacating their Lincoln Center location, Century 21 is moving into the 21,000 square foot space at 1972 Broadway.
Adding a second location of the tourist friendly department store might be able to ease foot traffic in our area. This translates into more shoes and clothes for Lower Manhattan residents!
Century 21 has 5 other locations in New Jersey, Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
According to a report in Crains New York Business, “We have been searching for a tenant who has the ability to drive a large volume of shoppers to the area,†said Mario Palumbo, a partner at Millennium Partners, which owns the space, in a statement. “We believe that having Century 21 as an anchor in Lincoln Square will help drive a level of pedestrian traffic that our other retail tenants will benefit from.â€
Richard Pasquarelli pieces are unveiled as part of Re:Construction
In an effort to beautify the multitude of cold construction sites in and around Lower Manhattan, the Downtown Alliance has announced three new art pieces as part of their Re:Construction initiative.
Re:Construction is a local construction site beautification project spearheaded by the Downtown Alliance.
“Now Lower Manhattans workers, residents and six million annual visitors can enjoy Richard Pasquarelli as part of our program to recast construction sites as canvases for innovative public art and architecture,” says Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance.
Re:Construction is a public art program which is funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The program has produced 16 pieces since 2007, seven of which are currently up for viewing.
“These additional installments by Richard Pasquarelli are worthy additions to the success of the Re:Construction program” said Lower Manhattan Development Corporation President David Emil. “We’re proud to fund these exhibitions and look forward to our continued partnership with the Downtown Alliance to ease the negative impacts of Downtown’s rebuilding projects.”
The three pieces unveiled this week, will be placed at three construction sites south of Chambers Street. The first piece “Restore the View” can be seen at the site of CUNY’s Fitterman Hall, a building which was destroyed on 9/11 at Barclay Street.
The two other works are: “Secret Gardens” will be installed at the Chambers Street road construction project which spans from West Street to West Broadway, and “Hours of the Day” which is set to be installed at Washington and Albany Streets.
Once construction is completed at these areas, the pieces will come down.
Richard Pasquarelli is a 41-year-old Bronxville born artist whose paintings have been seen nationwide, including at the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
“As a painter, my work has a psychological intimacy,” says Pasquarelli, “My work tends to have an element of mystery and ambiguity that leaves it open to many interpretations and I hope that passersby will each have their own individual response to these works.”
Rachel Uchitel’s visit to Ground Zero is too suspicious for me for two reasons:
Was it before or after she found out Tiger Woods had moved to our area that she decided it would be a good idea to exploit Ground Zero for her own fame and fortune?
…and right before the 9th anniversary of 9/11? Why not show support and go with the family of your almost in-laws on the day of?
In an effort to defend her actions, Rachel Uchitel, the now infamous Tiger Woods mistress and former paramour who broke up probably the cutest family I’ve ever seen released a statement:
“Who the f— are people to be talking about me?” Uchitel told the New York Post. “Until they go through what I went through, living with a guy and being engaged to him and having that person dead an hour after waking up next to him. “If people think I’m milking something for the benefit of getting on TV or getting more well-known, I’m already well-known.”
Except that dear Rachel, your 15 minutes were up long ago.
Is this an attempt at public relations triage for us to forget your What is with your timing? Visiting the site right before 9/11? Your almost father-in-law had said during the Tiger Woods debacle that he had not even heard from you since your fiance was buried.
Actions speak louder than words, and your actions sound like nails on a chalkboard.
Exposing yourself to a national audience in your healing process is tantamount to placing shards of glass on an open wound.
Dr. Drew is also to blame.
According to reports, this idea came to them during a pre-taping interview with the Oprah Winfrey show. Thank goodness Harpo Productions had the right mind frame to leave that segment on the cutting room floor.
Just doesn’t feel right. The whole thing. Maybe my sensitivities are up because it is September.
