Kips Bay Day last year

The Kips Bay Neighborhood Alliance, the Department of Transportation and Community Board 6 will be celebrating the Kips Bay community with a special celebration all day on Saturday, May 26. All are welcome to come celebrate Kips Bay Day at the Plaza from 10 to 5 p.m.

The plaza is located on the service road, the east side of 2nd Avenue and is closed off to traffic from 30th to 33rd Streets through July 31 for neighbors and local community groups to gather and enjoy the open space.

To celebrate this much-needed public open space there will be live music with the Craig McGorry Jazz Trio, chess games with NYChessKids, a puppet show presented by Repertorio Espanol, belly dancing from Stein Senior Center, pet training from Walter’s Pets, Bike training from Sids Bikes & NYBikes and much, much more. Come out to support the Kips Bay community at this newly opened community gathering space for music, relaxing and fun.

In case anyone’s wondering what a bunch of workers have been doing at the Oval with some equipment that looks like a vacuum, it’s part of a cable oil cleanup.

The workers, subcontractors for Con Ed, have been attempting to drain some oil that was used to insulate a cable that shot a circuit and opened yesterday, a spokesperson for the utility said.

The spokesperson, Sara Banda, added that the oil does not pose “a significant environmental impact” and no one’s service has been impacted as a result of the cable breaking.

The company is hoping to finish draining the oil by Friday afternoon.

The work began yesterday, and the reason it takes a while to complete the job is that first workers have to locate the problem area before fixing it and cleaning up the area, Banda said.

Photos by Sabina Mollot

On Saturday, participants in Dance Parade New York shimmied, leapt, skated and pirouetted their way through Flatiron, Union Square and the East Village, creating a rainbow effect from their brightly colored costumes as they went.

The event, which has been taking place since 2006, is organized by a nonprofit organization called Dance Parade Inc. Its mission is to promote the diversity of dance, and indeed the event is always very much like a showcase of dances from dozens of cultures.
Organizers said they expected around 200 groups, 9,000 dancers and 75 different dance styles to be involved this year.

The parade started at 20th Street and Broadway with a route heading south and eventually ending up in Tompkins Square Park. The dance troops included those doing ballet, belly dancing, flamenco and more from African, Mexican, Peruvian and Bavarian cultures.

Re: Recent letters about feeding animals
To the editor:

Several years ago, during the turbulent time of MetLife’s sale of PCV/ST, an astute observer remarked that there were signs of class warfare in this community. Sadly, that unfortunate situation is now in place. Nowhere is this more evident in the recent spate of nasty letters containing comments about “old people.”

What a good person am I, Alice Malhotra-Freeman (author of letter, “In defense of bird and squirrel feeders,” T&V, May 17) seems to be suggesting, as she describes how she’s “teaching (her) kids to love and care about animals” during their daily walks around Stuy Town as they feed the squirrels. Contrast this with her attitudes about humans: “miserable old ladies”… “low-class high school students from Brooklyn”! There’s a terrible disconnect here; what’s worse is that this poison is rapidly spreading.

That management has asked tenants repeatedly, over the years, not to feed pigeons or squirrels evidently falls on (many) deaf ears: the rat problem is not imaginary. They are spotted in all areas, in daylight or evening — recently inside my own building as well. Also, some squirrels (which, please note, are wild animals, not domestic ones) have become too “friendly,” so emboldened by all manner of food tossed to them, that the mere sight of a person toting a plastic bag can cause them to chase and pester one. I’ve observed them attempting to run up people’s legs as they stroll or relax on benches. Worse, an older neighbor in the area was actually bitten on the shoulder by one such enthusiast.

All this having been said, it’s now painfully clear that this warfare is getting nastier; warfare that is between the older tenants who’ve adhered to rules that kept this place looking and feeling great – the very qualities that attracted newcomers to begin with – and a population that’s apparently never heard the word “no.”

The easiest, non-thinking way of defending one’s viewpoint is to name-call. “Animal haters” is typical. Ms. Malhotra-Freeman’s contempt, along with that of Al Salame and Tony Sangabo (letters, T&V, April 26) for “grouchy old people” who are being “subsidized” by new tenants, is shameful. I cannot imagine how these factions can unite in any ownership plan.

Finally, if these writers had any ability whatsoever to go beyond their own experience and try to understand “all the complaints” they complain about, they might see what it is to feel something precious gradually and steadily being wrecked.

I’m afraid Mr. Salame’s labeled the wrong group as having a “false sense of entitlement.”

Geraldine Levy, ST

Calling on Stuy Town bird lovers for help

Thank you for the interesting letters about feeding the birds and the pigeons. I have a letter, which I hope is useful.

As a devoted birder, who led a bird walk in Stuyvesant Cove and Town on Sunday, May 13, I am concerned about the fate of our birds and local wildlife. I have seen over 90 species of birds in Stuyvesant Town and the Cove. Many of these bird species are migrants and winter residents. They include warblers, vireos, woodpeckers, even some shorebirds, including an American woodcock, thrushes, mimids, many sparrow species, hawk species and many more. Rock pigeons are non-migratory urban birds. I see people of all ages feeding birds and squirrels.

Unfortunately, many people feed bread to these birds. Bread is bad for the health of a bird. Sparrows, pigeons, doves, finches, titmice, chickadees, etc. eat seeds. The seeds have the nutrients they need. Some eat berries when in season.

I would like to see the return of the bird feeders in Stuyvesant Town. We could form a committee of volunteers to tend to the feeders. We could set up the feeders in the fall and remove them in the spring. Feeders do attract raptors such as sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper`s Hawks. We, therefore, would need to place the feeders near bushes, so the birds could have a quick hiding place. We also would have to make sure that the feeders are away from the glass walls of the Oval Amenities. Birds (not rock pigeons, house sparrows or European starlings) fly into glass structures and are injured or worse.

Much as I appreciate the love of pigeons, the rock pigeons often take over the feeders. I have the equipment to prevent that from happening. We could put some suet on a tree for the woodpeckers and hopefully nuthatches. Tending the feeders and observing the birds would be a wonderful educational experience for the children and adults. I think the red-bellied woodpecker and the northern cardinal are trying to nest in Stuyvesant Town.

Sadly, I have seen two unattended cats roaming in Stuyvesant Town. Cats will hunt birds. I hope the people who are defending the birds and the squirrels will be interested in this possible project.

Also, I would love to see a little butterfly garden. We have the space.

Anne Lazarus, ST

Toilet flood troubles

I would like to report an incident in my Stuyvesant Town apartment, which caused extensive property damage that management refuses to pay for. The details follow.

I called maintenance five times in the last few weeks because the toilet would not flush. Each time, a worker came with either a snake or plunger and said it was fixed. The sixth time it broke, I was told a “supervisor” would come to repair it and determine if I could get a new one. The worker who arrived on April 23 was not a supervisor, but another plumber.

He worked from 10-11 a.m., removing parts and finally showed me a gasket. It had four prongs; he removed one of them, leaving only three prongs and said it would work. Two days later (Wednesday, April 25), I flushed the toilet; the water rose over the bowl and would not stop! The flow was so powerful, the dirty water flooded the bathroom, the closets, the entire hallway, and the small bedroom! I immediately called maintenance. Safety first, I put my service dog behind a gate in the kitchen. More importantly, my sister was recently released after being in the hospital for two months for an infectious disease, and is now using a walker. To prevent a slip and fall accident and avoid contamination, she locked herself in the large bedroom and stuffed items by the door to block water from coming in.

One worker showed up and screamed when he saw the amount of water, immediately calling for back up. More men arrived to scoop up the water and had to remove the contents of the two hallway closets to get the water out! They dumped our possessions over the wet floors in a heap in the living room, thus getting the floor of that room wet as well. I had to make many calls to Stuyvesant Town, explaining that they left the apartment in a hazardous state. More people came in, took pictures, and helped clean up the place until it was somewhat livable. A supervisor headed the team. Our two damaged rugs were taken away to be cleaned, but I still do not have them back. In the clean-up process and after the workers left, many of our possessions had to be thrown away due to water damage. While I could not take photos of all of them, I was able to take some as proof of what happened. They included a carton of computer paper, toner, office supplies, clothing, shoes, coats and handbags. These were brand new items, and I have the corresponding prices.

When I called the property manager, Lance Collin, I asked how I could go about being reimbursed for the cost of these goods. He said according to my lease, Stuyvesant Town was not responsible and would not pay for anything! He could not tell me specifically where this is stated, but I do not believe it. All he offered was to finally replace the toilet.

I maintain that the toilet was broken, not fixed, by a Stuyvesant Town employee, causing the flood and property damage. I hold management solely responsible and need to know what recourse I have in obtaining a reimbursement, at the very least.

Bobbie Martowicz, ST

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to management prior to printing, and below is a response from Kathleen Kehoe, senior property manager, PCVST.

“We responded four times in March and April to Ms. Martowicz’s complaints and corrected stoppages. In all cases, the toilet was tested to ensure it was working as designed.”

According to police, the woman was struck as she was crossing Broadway, heading east, by the truck, which was also heading east on 14th Street and making a right onto Broadway. After hitting the woman, the truck driver fled the scene and an investigation is now underway.

The woman was unresponsive by the time an EMS team arrived and she was then taken to Beth Israel where she was pronounced dead.

Police are withholding the woman’s name pending family notification.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Here are a few family-friendly things going on…

Madison Square Park Spring Kids Fest from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. In celebration of the Madison Square Park Conservancy’s 10th anniversary, a day of family activities will include concerts by The Fuzzy Lemons, The Rockdoves and Songs for Seeds. There will also be a magical act by Amazing Max. Karma Kids will offer storytelling and yoga.

Stuyvesant Town’s Spring Circus Carnival from 3-6 p.m. on the Oval. The Bindlestiff Family Circus presents circus workshops, a photo booth, bounce houses, face painting and more. Free to residents and their guests. Plus live music by children at the Third Street Music School

A paddle tennis singles tournament will also be taking place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Stuyvesant Town’s Playground 5.

The Manhattan Kickers Soccer Club is holding trying tryouts for boys and girls for its U-8 through U-15 teams from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the East 6th Street Soccer Field (East River and 6^th St. track field.)

Ukrainian Festival, on E. 7^th between 2^nd and 3^rd Aves. Food, crafts, gifts, kids’ games, stage shows.

The pedestrian, whose name is being withheld by the NYPD pending family notification, was hit by a 72-year-old woman who was driving a 1997 Acura.

When police arrived at the scene, the man was found lying on the ground with severe body trauma and was taken to Bellevue, where he was pronounced DOA.

The driver remained at the scene, police said, and currently no criminality is suspected.

Monkey (l) and Wolfie (r)

If anyone thinks they’ve spotted the little guys, Monkey and Wolfie, call Marilyn at (917) 359-5032.