bagelpantry90-blog

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Sy Katz '31 Parade showcases Cornell in New York City - Cornell Chronicle

Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza was crowded but festive on Nov. 17, the Saturday evening before Thanksgiving. Holiday lights glowed, crowds milled between stores and skaters glided around the rink.

A distant drumbeat struck up and grew louder. Hundreds of Cornell alumni, parents and friends with banners, blinking red lapel pins and kazoos turned toward the plaza entrance, and the Big Red Marching Band burst around the corner playing “Give My Regards to Davy” at full volume. The sounds of the horns and cymbals reverberated off the surrounding buildings.

The Cornell cheerleading team parades down Fifth Avenue.

Strangers stopped to watch. Cell phones started recording. It was the start of the 2018 Sy Katz ’31 Parade.

President Martha E. Pollack, who served as grand marshal this year accompanied by her daughter, Anna Gottschlich, led the parade out of Rockefeller Plaza and down six blocks of Fifth Avenue to 44th Street, where the band played a 20-minute concert outside the Cornell Club–New York.

“I had a wonderful time leading the march and representing Cornell in my first Sy Katz ’31 Parade. New York City took notice,�� said Pollack. “The school spirit, the sense of fun – Cornell alumni are one of a kind.”

An estimated 1,000 Cornell alumni, family members and friends joined the band, cheerleaders and the Big Red Bear this year.

Begun in 1972 by Seymour “Sy” Katz ’31 as a small but hearty celebration to honor (and provide lunch for) his beloved Big Red Marching Band, the parade has grown to be a major alumni event and a showcase for the Big Red in the Big Apple.

“My father had a dream of a parade for the Big Red Marching Band down the streets of New York,” said Alice Katz Berglas ’66, the parade’s longtime organizer along with her brother Bob Katz ’69 and Penny Haitkin ’65. “He was filled with pride when he would say, ‘No other Ivy has its own parade in New York City.’”

‘A little rogue parade’

Sy Katz, a New York City doctor, was known for carrying a trombone at Reunion and Big Red football tailgates. He and his friends got into the practice of providing lunch for the members of the band when it traveled to New York City for the football game against Columbia.

Alice Katz Berglas ’66, talks about the pride her father, Sy Katz ’31, had in Cornell.

In 1972, Katz wanted to thank the Big Red Marching Band by giving them not just a meal after the game, but a chance to march in New York City. Within a week, he had secured a permit to hold a parade.

“This was a little rogue parade,” said Berglas. “It went on every two years, rain or shine, win or lose. The team plays, the band plays and the alumni come out to march.”

In the early years, the parade was only one block long – from 50th Street and Lexington Avenue to the former Cornell Club at 50th and Third Avenue – and attracted 30 to 40 alumni and family members by word-of-mouth, Berglas recalls. Alumni, especially those who graduated in the 1960s, started to promote the event and bring their small children. The following grew. Alumni distributed flyers at the Columbia game, inviting others to join. Now, Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development plays a large role, promoting the event through email and social media.

Through the years, the parade has followed various routes with various starting points, including the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. On the 25th anniversary of the parade, it was named after Katz, who died in 1983.

The parade’s grand marshals have included President David Skorton, 105-year-old alumna Happy Reichert ’25 (on her 105th birthday), alumni leader and volunteer Bill Vanneman ’31, and former New York Gov. David Paterson.

This year, Michelle Vaeth ’98, associate vice president for alumni affairs, greeted alumni family and friends in Rockefeller Plaza and helped to organize the parade order. Vaeth knows the lineup: She marched as a student band member, playing the flute, in the 1994 parade, an experience she cites as the first time she recognized the power of the Cornell alumni community.

“Be safe, have fun and go Big Red!” she told the crowd, and they marched behind a police vehicle, lights flashing, down Fifth Avenue.

‘Controlled chaos’

Cornellians marched with the Sy Katz ’31 Parade banner in the lead. Following were cheerleaders, drum major and color guard, and the band. Then came the Little Red Parade – for families and children – and the crowd of alumni. At one point the parade routed onto the sidewalk to avoid a bus, and then back into the street to avoid construction scaffolding.

“Every year it’s like this controlled chaos. You never know what’s going to happen,” said Kara Klein ’89, whose grandfather, Bill Vanneman, played a key role in supporting the parade.

Band members relish the unpredictability of marching in the heart of New York City, said Graham Bastian ’16, who played sousaphone. “You’re at the game, then they stuff you on a bus. You unload and you’re marching again,” he said.

Drum major Katherine Curtis ’19 directs the Big Red Marching Band in a concert outside the Cornell Club–New York on 44th Street.

“They blocked off a section of Fifth Avenue for us,” Kiyane Nangle ’21, a cymbal player who grew up in Queens, said with a sense of wonder. “I can’t wait for the next one.”

Many band alumni attended the parade this year, a few marching with the band and many more following in the alumni section playing along – in harmony – on kazoos.

A vibrant Cornell community

Many alumni join the parade year after year. Nancy Butler ’64 said the camaraderie of friends across classes and across generations, together with the magic of marching in Manhattan, keep bringing her back. This year, she attended with her husband, Ed Butler ’63, M.S. ’65, daughter Katie Butler ’96, MBA ’04, and 2-year-old granddaughter.

Others came for the first time.

Zoya Segelbacher ’14, who lives in Brooklyn and works at a mobile app startup in Manhattan, brought her mom. She met up with other 2014 and 2015 graduates after the parade.

The scene outside the Cornell Club–New York.

“It is a great reason to bundle up and get fresh air with friends and family,” she said. “Being around other Cornellians and the band is a reminder of the very special time we spent on campus.”

Sam Turer ’18 has been looking for ways to feel like he’s back on campus, and attending the parade was a great start.

“Like Sy Katz, I am an avid supporter of all things Cornell,” he said. “There is such a vibrant Cornell community in New York City, and I am excited to continue to get to know the other members of the Big Red family and remain involved with Cornell.”

Kate Klein is a writer for Alumni Affairs and Development.

Source: http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/11/sy-katz-31-parade-showcases-cornell-new-york-city

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Which “East River Park” is in this 1902 painting?

When William Glackens painted “East River Park” in 1902—contrasting the serenity of a city green space with the noisy industrial riverfront—the park that currently stretches along the riverfront called East River Park had yet to be created.

So what East River park did he depict here? Perhaps Corlears Hook Park, at the bend where Manhattan tucks under itself between the Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges?

This was certainly a smoggy, ship-choked channel at the turn of the last century. The city purchased land here in the 1880s for the creation of a park, completed in 1905.

Neighboring East River Park didn’t exist until the 1930s, and according to the Brooklyn Museum, which owns the painting, a label on it indicates that the Brooklyn waterfront is depicted.

Or maybe his “East River Park” (closeup of the women and girl above) was farther upriver in Yorkville at today’s Carl Schurz Park—with a view of the factories and ship traffic of Hell Gate and Queens?

“The southern portion of the park was set aside by the City as East River Park in 1876,” according to NYC Parks. “The former Gracie estate was added in 1891 and a new landscape design by Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons was completed in 1902.”

Tags: Carl Schurz Park, Corlears Hook Park, East River Park Glackens, East River Park Manhattan, New York in 1902, William Glackens New York City

This entry was posted on August 5, 2019 at 6:33 am and is filed under Lower East Side, Music, art, theater, Upper East Side. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2019/08/05/which-east-river-park-is-in-this-painting/

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Sunday 190310 – Beginner

Strength Overhead Barbell Reverse Lunges 5×5/side, building

Conditioning 4 rounds for time: 10 Dual Kettlebell Alternating Push Presses (2×24/2×16) 10 Toes to Bar 10/side Lunges

Time Cap: 10 minutes

Here’s what’s on tap for Monday and Tuesday’s Beginner classes:

Monday 3/11 Strength Back Squat 4×5* across (80% or 1 RM) Note: On your last set perform max reps.

Partner Conditioning 4 rounds for time: 30 Air Squats 30 Burpees 30 Wall Balls (20/14)

Note: Partition reps as desired with your partner. Time Cap: 16 minutes

Tuesday 3/12 Strength A1. Tempo Strict Pull Up (22X2) 3×5-10 A2. Dual Dumbbell Floor Press 3×10, building

Conditioning 9 minute AMRAP: 9 Hang Power Cleans (95/65) 9 Shoulder to Overhead (95/65) 12/9 Calories on Rower

Source: https://crossfitnyc.com/2019/03/10/sunday-190310-beginner/

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Dayton area Morehouse graduate says billionaire’s student loan payoff a blessing

By Dan Yount

Dayton area resident Steven Geraud Anderson II, who is one of the 400 Morehouse College students who graduated Sunday in Atlanta, said he was incredulous when he heard the surprise announcement by commencement speaker and billionaire Robert F. Smith, that Smith and his family would be paying off their student debt.

I had to look around me to see the reactions of the other graduates to confirm it was true,’’ said Anderson, a graduate of Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. “Did he really say that? It was an amazing feeling.’’

Morehouse College graduate Steven Anderson II poses for this photo at his graduation ceremony. Provided

Anderson received college scholarship money from organizations around Dayton to help him with his college expenses, but says he “racked up” almost $180,000 in student loans before graduating cum laude as an English major Sunday. He added when he went on stage to receive his diploma, he looked Smith in the eye and thanked him as he shook his hand.

“I am most excited with the blessing from Mr. Smith,’’ he said. “This gift opened so many more doors for me in that I can now concentrate on considering my purpose, rather than worrying about how I am going to pay off my student loans. I am passionate about public service, public policy and public leadership, and I hope to have a career in those areas. All of the graduates are so grateful to God and to their families and friends who have kept them in their prayers. This was the answer to all of our prayers.’’

Anderson’s family, including father Steven Anderson of Dayton, mother Regina Anderson of Dayton and other members attended the ceremony. “They could not believe it, either, and all started jumping up and down. This affected so many people,’’ he said.

Smith, who received an honorary doctorate at the same graduation exercises, told the graduates that the only way “for us to repay him was to pay it forward,’’ Anderson said.

In his commencement address, Smith said being on the bus toward success isn’t enough. “You want to own it, you want to drive it, and you want to pick up as many people as you can along the way.”

He charged the Class of 2019 with doing its part to improve the lives of Black America. “I’m putting some fuel into your bus, “ he said. “I’m counting on you to load up that bus.’’

A statement from Morehouse College officials released Tuesday said, “We, at Morehouse College, would like to thank Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman and CEO Robert F. Smith, our honorary alumnus, for the surprise gift that he offered to the graduating class at Morehouse’s 135th Commencement ceremony. To be free from the financial burden of paying off student loans will be life-changing for the Class of 2019. Our Office of Business and Finance, as well as our Office of Enrollment Management have been working diligently to calculate the student loan debt and other details of this gift. As soon as we have a final figure, we will share it with our new graduates so that they can continue on the path to careers and top-tier graduate schools student loan debt free.”

The gift has been estimated to be worth up to $40 million.

The announcement came as a surprise to Smith’s staff and to the staff at Morehouse.

According to “Forbes’’ magazine, Robert Smith is one of the world’s 13 Black billionaires. He is chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a software and technology investment firm.

Also receiving an honorary degree Sunday was Oscar-nominated actress and activist Angela Bassett, who referenced Morehouse graduate the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  and suggested that the Class of 2019 might emulate him, but take their own path.

This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Herald.

Source: https://www.blackpressusa.com/dayton-area-morehouse-graduate-says-billionaires-student-loan-payoff-a-blessing/

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Compton Community College District Schedules Special Board Meeting for June 7 at Midnight

By Sentinel News Service

The meeting will commemorate the moment that Compton College will operate as an independent college. At that time, courses for the 2019-2020 school year will be offered under the authority of the Compton Community College District, and going forward, all students earning degrees or certificates at Compton College will be issued a Compton College diploma.

“On behalf of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees, I cordially invite the community to attend this special meeting, and celebrate the end of the transition partnership,” said Dr. Deborah Sims LeBlanc, Compton Community College District Board of Trustees president. “We are looking forward to the future of Compton College. Our commitment to representing the interests of the communities we serve will continue to be a priority as we focus on being at the forefront of change and innovation.”

The meeting also marks the conclusion of the 13-year partnership between the Compton and El Camino community college districts.

On August 29, 2018, California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley issued Executive Order 2018-01 declaring Compton College will operate as an independent college under the authority of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees effective June 7, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. The California Community Colleges Chancellor Executive Order 2018-01 is available here.

The Compton Community College District Board of Trustees approved Resolution No. 10-16-2018A at its October 16, 2018 meeting terminating the November 30, 2016 agreement between the El Camino College and Compton Community College districts. The agreement provided educational and related support to residents of the Compton Community College district, and assisted the Compton campus with recovery and full accreditation.

The Board Agenda is posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Agendas are posted on the BoardDocs website under the “Meetings” tab at http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/compton/Board.nsf/Public.

This article originally appeared in Los Angeles Sentinel. 

Source: https://www.blackpressusa.com/compton-community-college-district-schedules-special-board-meeting-for-june-7-at-midnight/

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Quinn Autumn/Winter Sample Sale

WHAT: Quinn Autumn/Winter Sample Sale

WHY: Women's and men's apparel at a discount at the Quinn Autumn/Winter Sample Sale. Luxury cashmere at value prices.

Men's and women's cashmere blends will be $50 each and 100% cashmere will be $75 each. Original prices $175-$400.

WHEN: 12/7; F (11-7) 12/14 - 12/15; F-Sat (11-7)

WHERE: 34 Cliff Street Suite 3 New York, NY 10038

For the complete list of today's sales and sample sales check HERE.

Add to calendar

Source: https://thestylishcity.com/quinn-autumn-winter-sample-sale

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Fighting Over Public: Theater Sues Ian Schrager’s Hotel for Trademark Infringement

There is a very public fight afoot over use of the name.

The Public Theater filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Ian Schrager’s Public Hotel last Thursday. The beef is over theatrical petformances in connection with the Public name and logo, as first reported by The New York Times.

Located a mere one-and-a-half miles apart on the Lower East Side, the downtown institution alleges that the 28-story Chrystie Street newcomer violated its trademarks by employing the name “Public” — as well a suspiciously similar logo — to advertise theater and musical events at the hotel. In particular, according to the lawsuit, when the Public hotel hosted an extended run of “Carmen: To Havana and Back,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical “Carmen Jones.”

The complaint, filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, further argues that the hotel’s use of “Public” in marketing such events confuses customers and could lead to the erroneous assumption that the performances are associated with the famed nonprofit theater on Lafayette Street.

What’s interesting is that the hotel filed a trademark before the theater. Excerpts from the article below:

Ian Schrager Company registered a trademark for “PUBLIC” in 2012, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, the year after Mr. Schrager opened a hotel with that name in Chicago. The trademark is listed as being used in connection with hotel services.

Mr. Willingham of the Public Theater said he had no problem with Mr. Schrager using the name in association with a hotel. But he said a line was crossed when the name and logo was linked to entertainment, including music and theater.

The Public Theater did not register its “PUBLIC” trademark or its boldfaced logo until October 2017, after Mr. Schrager opened his hotel on the Lower East Side. According to the Patent and Trademark Office database, the theater filed applications for the trademarks in 2015.

Despite its relatively recent claim to the trademark, the Public Theater still has a strong claim to its logo because it began using the design commercially starting in the 1990s, said Barton Beebe, a professor of intellectual property law at New York University.

According to the lawsuit, the Public Theater notified Mr. Schrager’s company twice in the fall of 2017 about its objections to the hotel’s use of the name and logo. A statement from Mr. Willingham said that he was unaware of whether Mr. Schrager himself knew of the objections but that the theater had tried to “settle this matter” with Mr. Schrager’s team. The team refused to do so, Mr. Willingham said.

Source: https://www.boweryboogie.com/2019/02/fighting-over-public-theater-sues-ian-schragers-hotel-for-trademark-infringement/

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Saving the City: Women of the Progressive Era

Download Audio

Source: https://rss.art19.com/episodes/d8a3bc23-5e68-4123-9248-2a7d07f11409.mp3

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Audits Finds PGCPS Not Complying with State Laws

According to a recent audit, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) did not properly follow the procedures to comply with spending. (Courtesy Photo)

By Mark F. Gray

According to a report released by the Maryland Department of Legislative Audits, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) didn’t properly follow the procedures to adequately document and justify its spending, while awarding over $80 million in contracts to vendors.

This audit concluded PGCPS didn’t follow state law and calls for changes in its procedures to justify the expenditures for future contracts. It cited previous failures in procurement documentation, personnel and payroll transactions, human resources and “identified security and control risks that existed” within computer systems and networks.

PGCPS was found to not have provided the required documentation for 13 of 15 “sole source” contracts totaling $6.8 million. The school system was also cited for its inability to validate using Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreements (ICPA) for a contract that purchased goods and services amounting to almost $35 million since 2014.

“Our audit disclosed that in a number of financial areas, PGCPS needs to establish better procedures and internal controls and ensure those processes are effectively operating to comply with its policies to control cost,” wrote legislative auditor Gregory A. Hook.

One of the specific procedural findings involved the lack of rationale in salary increases for executive employees or the need to report them to the Prince George’s County School Board. During fiscal year 2017, the audit surmised, 13 executive employees were awarded raises between two and 20 percent, which amounted to $157,103. The review also disclosed “a general lack of justification for 11 of the 13 employees” who received those pay increases.

Supervisors also had the ability to change time cards and reward overtime unilaterally through the automated payroll system without an independent review. Nearly 400 principals and administrators were not adequately limited when choosing to give addition overtime employees and there was no oversight.

The audit also concluded PGCPS didn’t get the required school board approval for awarding contracts to vendors who were not the lowest bidders nor the most qualified based upon the bid evaluation results. Over $43 million for 32 contracts were not submitted to the school board for approval either. Their use of a facility project delivery method called Job Order Contracting (JOC) “did not follow the best practices for selecting pre-approved vendors for task orders.” JOC allows for the school system to quickly maintain, rehabilitate or construct buildings while upgrading mechanical systems. PGPCS started using JOC in 2012 and there have been over $95 million in contracts that have been awarded for 130 tasks.

Perhaps the most glaring of the recent audit’s findings was that PGPCS had not satisfactorily completed most of the tasks from a February 2014 audit where it was found deficient. Fourteen of the 23 necessary improvements remain unaddressed in the five years since.They include tightening internal controls over payroll and personal transactions, ensuring proper documentation, justifying spending on procurements and implementing cost-saving practices on its bus fleet.

The timing of the audit couldn’t have been worse for the embattled school system, who had it’s credibility scrutinized a week earlier after questions arose regarding physical conditions Parkdale High School in Hyattsville. Broadcast reports showed pictures of bathroom conditions that were described by one teacher as a “jail cell,” and video clips of mice in classrooms that were posted on social media.

In response to the 2019 audit, PGCPS Interim CEO Dr. Monica E. Goldson concurred with all 19 audit findings and promised “to work diligently to rectify the identified deficiencies.”

“As we implement these recommendations, we will continue to report quarterly (on our website) to update stakeholders on our progress,” Goldson wrote.

FOX 5 News D.C. reported the school district’s director of purchasing is no longer employed as of March 29.

This article originally appeared in The Afro.

Source: https://www.blackpressusa.com/audits-finds-pgcps-not-complying-with-state-laws/

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A midcentury artist’s New York from her window

Born in 1887 in Vienna, Emma Fordyce MacRae grew up in early 20th century New York—attending the private Chapin and Brearley Schools before enrolling in the Art Students League in 1911 and studying with John Sloan.

She made a name for herself as a member of the Philadelphia Ten, a group of female artists who exhibited together.

As the 20th century went on, MacRae married and moved to 888 Park Avenue. She apparently never stopped painting, keeping a studio at 12 West 69th Street, according to her New York Times obituary in 1974.

“New York From My Window” was painted between 1957 and 1962. It’s a deceptively simple work depicting a streetscape under blue skies almost empty of traffic and people.

What I want to know is, where exactly is the window she painted from, and what sliver of New York did this artist who should be better known immortalize?

Tags: Art Students League NYC, Emma Fordyce MacRae, New York From My Window MacRae, New York in the 1950s, paintings of New York streets, Philadelphia Ten

This entry was posted on May 13, 2019 at 6:21 am and is filed under Music, art, theater. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Source: https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2019/05/13/a-midcentury-artists-new-york-from-her-window/

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Girl Brings Home Crack Cocaine From New York Preschool Thinking It Was Teeth

A mother in New York City is looking for answers after her 4-year-old daughter brought home crack cocaine from preschool.

Sabrina Straker said her daughter, Serenity, showed her some tiny plastic containers that she claimed were “teeth,” given to her by a boy at school.

Straker said she thought the situation was strange.

“I told her, ‘He needs to put that under his pillow so the tooth fairy will come,’” the mother told Inside Edition Thursday. “I was examining it, and she brings me more.”

Not sure what was in the vials, Straker took them to a local precinct, only to be shocked when a narcotics detective told her the vials contained crack cocaine, she told NBC New York.

WPIX TV

Straker was even more shocked with what happened next. Her daughter, who had been acting hyper already, told the officer and her mom that the rocks tasted terrible.

Serenity then put one of the pieces of crack in her mouth, which sent her even more over the edge, according to her mother.  

The family took the little girl to an emergency room, where she tested positive for crack cocaine.

“She just couldn’t help herself,” Sabrina Straker told InsideEdition.com. “She couldn’t stop talking. Even at the hospital, she was still up and going nonstop like the Energizer Bunny.”

Since Serenity could have died from a drug overdose, Straker has removed her daughter as a student and is demanding the school be shut down.

“No one was watching the children,” she told WPIX TV. “There are 15 kids in the room with two teachers and two aides, where were they when this was going on?”

Yvette Joseph, the director at the Lil Inventors Child Care in the Bronx, told the New York Daily News that someone threw the drugs over the fence and that’s how it fell into the hands of one of the children.

“We’ve been in the neighborhood for over 40 years, and nothing like this has ever happened,” Joseph said. “Unfortunately, we live in a high-risk neighborhood, and it’s a neighborhood that, you know ... you know what goes on in neighborhoods that are high-risk.”

The New York Police Department is investigating the incident, according to numerous media reports. 

Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/girl-finds-crack-cocaine-teeth-daycare_us_5bbfcd25e4b0bd9ed5584f48

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Coming soon signage spotted for Plado on 2nd Street

Renovations continue over at 192 E. Second St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Yesterday, EVG regular Salim spotted the signage for the new occupant — Plado, a Mediterranean-themed small-plates restaurant ...

The owners here also operate Vite Vinosteria, an Italian restaurant/wine bar in Astoria.

According to their questionnaire at the CB3 website for a beer-wine license from last summer, Plado will have 19 tables to accommodate 75 diners as well as an eight-seat bar. Their proposed hours of operation are listed as 10 a.m. to midnight daily.

The previous tenant was the gay bar Stairs, which closed as quietly as it arrived. Until December 2013, the space was home for 18 years to Il Bagatto.

Source: http://evgrieve.com/2019/03/coming-soon-signage-spotted-for-plado.html

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Soon to be Lost - The Rohe & Brothers Building, 527-531 West 36th Street

photograph by Renee Stanley

In 1872 the massive Manhattan Market opened on New York's West Side.  Engulfing the block between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues, from 34th and 35th Streets, it was the largest market building in the world--offering fresh meats (a butchery was on site), fish and produce.  It was a welcomed neighbor for Rohe & Brother, which had erected its sprawling provision packing house and lard refinery at No. 533 through 541 West 36th Street two years earlier.  Simultaneously an architecturally matching warehouse and stables building had been erected on West 35th Street.

Although a block apart, the main plant (center) and the warehouse (left) were designed to match. from the collection of the Library of Congress

In 1897 The National Provisioner noted that the packing and refinery property "has been added to a number of times...The building is a substantial one of brick, and extends from 533-543 West Thirty-sixth street, to 534-540 West Thirty-seventh street.  The abattoir [butchery] is located at the foot of Fortieth Street, North River, and occupies four lots."  Charles Rohe had died in 1888 and his son, Charles, Jr., became a member of the firm.  Charles Sr.'s other son, Julius, by now supervised the packing house and the manufacturing of goods.  Florian's sons, Albert and Oswald Rohe, worked in the store and main office.

Florian Rohe as he appeared in 1897.  The National Provisioner, January 30, 1897 (copyright expired)

The National Provisioner noted that "the secret of the success of Rohe & Bro. is the splendid business ability which characterizes its movements and the bond of fraternity which exists between employees and employers."  The Rohes recognized the importance of good employee relations and a contented staff.   A separate article in the journal reported on the 11th annual employee ball.  Many, if not most, of the factory workers were German immigrants and the event was a brilliant change to their day-to-day lives.  "The entire office staff of the house of Rohe & Bro., from the office boy to their traveler and salesman, was present, while the large force of employees, numbering many hundreds, together with their wives and sweethearts, were delighted participants in the night's proceedings, all actuated by a loyal regard for the interests of the firm." On January 19, 1898, The Butchers' Advocate and Market Journal reported that year's ball, held in the Lexington Avenue Opera House.  "When the orchestra, led by Professor Rode, started the grand march, about 300 couples were on the floor, and these quickly fell in behind Mr. Albert Rohe and wife, who led the army of gay marchers through a series of evolutions more beautiful than any ever seen before in this city." Two months later, on March 5, the Real Estate Record & Builders' Guide reported that George D. Bogert had sold the "old buildings" at Nos. 527 through 531 West 36th Street to Rohe & Brother for $24,750; just under $860,000 today.  The property abutted the main lard refinery and packing plant and The New York Times noted "the buyer will erect a factory on the site." That would not happen, however, until 1902.  On March 29 that year The National Provisioner reported "Rohe & Brother now have their specifications in for their new packing house at 527-531 West 36th Street."  The firm had hired the architectural firm of Werner & Windolph to design the structure, which was projected to cost about $1.8 million in today's money. Somewhat surprising was the architectural style of the new two-story addition.  It may have been that Charles Rohe (his uncle, Florian, was deceased by now) directed Werner & Windolph to match the old factory; or perhaps the architects themselves chose to meld the two.  Either way, the design, out of style for years, seamlessly carried on the design of the 1870 Rohe & Brother building.  Only the delicate corbel table that ran below the cornice broke ranks with the original structure. Upon the building's completion the Rohes incorporated "the packinghouse firm of Rohe & Brothers," as reported in Industrial Refrigeration in April 1903.  The article mentioned "The company will do a general meat packing business."  It was an interesting and unusual move.  By 1908 there were three corporation names.  Charles was listed as head of Rohe & Brother;  Albert as head of Rohe Bros.; and William of Rohe & Bro.  All three, legally separate firms, were listed as "large refiners and provisions." The sons of the firm's founders never abandoned its interest in employee contentedness.  On June 29, 1904 The Butchers' Advocate and Market Journal reported on the employee summer outing at Bachmann's Pavilion on Staten Island.  "How those Rohe & Brothers' employees did enjoy themselves!  They danced and bowled and ran races and absorbed the product of Mr. Bachmann with a strenuousness that would make a lazy man tired just to look at." The two-story building at Nos. 527-531 held the company's offices.  Working past nightfall could be risky, given the sketchy Hell's Kitchen location and that threat came to pass on the night of January 22, 1913.  The Elmira Star-Gazette reported "Five men dashed up to Rohe & Brothers' wholesale meats, provisions and oils plant at 527-531 West 36th street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, last night in a taxicab and at the point of revolvers held back two inside and two outside employees of the firm."  The Morning Call of Patterson, New Jersey entitled its article "Wild West Game in New York" and began "The west side of Manhattan, where automobile holdups and robberies are not by any means unknown, experienced last night its most spectacular Wild West holdup and robbery about 7:30 o'clock."

Charles Rohe, Jr. was the principal of the firm following Florian Rohe's death. Empire State Notables, 1914 (copyright expired) 

While the employees were held at gunpoint, one of the robbers jumped over the wire cashier's cage and snatched up $700 in cash, a considerable $18,300 today.  The gang escape in the waiting taxicab and although the four employees rushed out in pursuit, they were unable to get the license plate number in the darkness.  The Elmira Star-Gazette said "None of the employees could give much of a description of the robbers, further than that all were 'tough looking,' and all wore caps." In 1914 Rohe & Brother was, according to Chicago's The Day Book, the "largest New York provision packer."  The firm was, for instance, the major United States exporter of lard to Venezuela.   In 1930 the Rohes sold off all the firm's property in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood except for Nos. 527-531 West 36th Street.  The Sun explained on May 6 that year that the building was still used as Rohe & Brother's executive offices.  But that would not last long, either. Architect William H. Fuhrer renovated the building in 1936 for the bottling plant of milk dealer Hershey Farms, Inc.   It was run by Max Doner, who chose not to use union employees for its delivery drivers.  It was a daring decision at a time when unions used strong-arm tactics to force businesses to comply with their demands.

A 1940 tax photograph reveals the ground floor changes for Hersey Farms, including an architecturally disparate pedimented entrance.  The main Rohe & Brother plant has been demolished.  photo via NYC Department of Records & Information Services.

On March 19, 1942 nine labor leaders, involved with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of America, Local 445, were indicted on extortion.   The New York State prosecutor charged that between December 1935 and November 1940 the defendants "feloniously, wrongfully, willfully and extorsively obtained the sum of $7,125.00" from Max Doner "by the wrongful use of force and fear induced by threats" to injure both him personally and the property of Hershey Farms, and to induce strikes. Hershey Farms remained here until 1959 when the building was once again renovated, this time for a storage warehouse.  In 1970 it was converted for use by Scheuman Lumber.   A later occupant was Steven & Francine's Complete Automotive Repair Inc. who shared the building with its owner, the Convention Center Hardware & Supplies, LLC.  By 2012 the once gritty district had been discovered by developers and the upscale Hudson Yards project, formerly unthinkable, was on the table.   The old Rohe & Brother  building sat within the four-acre Hudson Park and Boulevard project--Phase II of the larger Hudson Yards development.

The buildings at the right of this photo have all been demolished, stranding the Rohe & Brothers building as in a wasteland.  photo via Commercial Observer, November 2012.

Faced with eventual eminent domain Convention Center Hardware and Supplies placed it on the market in November 2012 for $10 million. Any architectural historian who might pass the vacant and boarded up building today would date its construction at around 1870; not knowing that its anachronistic design was based on its 32-year old next-door neighbor.  But they would have to be quick.  The unlikely survivor has a short life expectancy. many thanks to Renee Stanley for prompting this post

Source: http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2019/05/soon-to-be-lost-rohe-brothers-building.html

[bagelpantry90-blog]

NuNoodle signage arrives on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

The Nu/new signage arrived at 130 First Ave. near St. Mark's Place late last week.

As previously reported, the owners of Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst are opening an outpost at this spot.

They were OK'd for a beer-wine license this past summer. According to the application on the CB3 website (PDF here), the restaurant will feature seven tables seating 20 guests with daily hours of 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Find their menu here.

This storefront, which has been undergoing renovations in recent months, was previously Rainbow Music.

Previously on EV Grieve: Former Rainbow Music shop will be a Chinese restaurant

Incoming: Gala on 3rd Avenue, Nunoodle Noodle + Bar on 1st Avenue

Source: http://evgrieve.com/2018/10/nunoodle-signage-arrives-on-1st-avenue.html

[bagelpantry90-blog]

Thursday/Friday 181115-16 – All Levels

Thursday 11/15 Strength A. Every 2 minutes for 4 sets, 1 Muscle Snatch from Hip + 1 Power Snatch from Hip, building

B. Every 2 minutes for 5 sets, 1 Power Snatch from Hip + 1 Snatch from Hip, building

C. Every 2 minutes for 6 sets, 1 Snatch from Hip + 1 Hang Snatch, building

Friday 11/16 Conditioning 6 rounds for time: 9 Deadlifts (175/115) 5 Hang Power Cleans (175/115) 45 Double Unders

Here’s what’s on tap for Saturday’s Experienced classes:

Strength A1. Strict Muscle Up/Progressions 4×3-5 A2. Dual Dumbbell or Kettlebell Bent Over Row 4×10, building

Conditioning 5 rounds for time: 8 Strict Pull Ups 10 No Push Up Burpees over Rower 12/10 Calorie Row

Source: https://crossfitnyc.com/2018/11/15/thursday-friday-181115-16-experienced/

[bagelpantry90-blog]

Thanksgiving Wines

Orange wine tastes best at Halloween, NYE calls for sparkling wine, but what should you drink on Thanksgiving? To find out the answer to that question join us for the Thanksgiving Wine Boot Camp! If you're the designated wine provider of the family, this is a must-attend wine class.

Source: https://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/736024/Thanksgiving-Wines

[bagelpantry90-blog]

Sunday 190324 – Experienced

Strength Alternating Split Power Clean Doubles, Build/Practice over 15 minutes

Conditioning 20 minute alternating EMOM: M1 – 10/8 Calories Assault Bike M2 – 10/side Goblet Reverse Lunges (24/16) M3 – 20 Ab-Mat Sit Ups M4 – 20 Russian Kettlebell Swings (24/16) M5 – 10 Single Arm No Push Up Burpees

Here’s what’s on tap for Monday and Tuesday’s Experienced classes:

Monday 3/25 Strength Back Squat – In 20 minutes build to a 10 RM.

Partner Conditioning 5 rounds for time of: 16 Hang Squat Cleans (95/65) 20/16 Calorie Row

Time Cap: 15 minutes

Note: Partition reps as desired with your partner.

Tuesday 3/26 Strength Push Press – In 20 minutes build to a 5 RM.

Conditioning 8 minute AMRAP, ascending ladder of reps: 3 Toes to Bar 3 Box Jump Overs (24/20) 3/side Alternating Dumbbell Snatches (50/35) 6 Toes to Bar 6 Box Jump Overs (24/20) 6/side Alternating Dumbbell Snatches (50/35) 9… 9… 9…

Source: https://crossfitnyc.com/2019/03/24/sunday-190324-experienced/