YouTube Find...

I thought that this was an interesting concept. I was thinking of revamping it though with the a similar angle, but more meat (pun not intended).

Pigeons.

So far, I've been able to give you a little bit of history about the Meatpacking, stuff going on now and just some other goodies to check out. Now, I'm going to be giving you a survival tip to keep in mind while visiting the historic Gansevoort Market. If you see one of these:

You must either a) walk in the other direction or b) cautiously proceed in the direction of this creature, while watching your step and your head. Upon investigation, it appears pigeons call both the underside of the Highline as well as the awnings of the remaining meatpackers home, creating quite the mess on the floor.
You may be reading this contemplating its legitimacy, but I assure you, a stroll about the MePa may turn from delightful, to downright crappy. Literally.




Believe me, they're watching...

Happy Exploring!

I hate Bobst...just kidding.

The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library has gained a reputation throughout its years of calling Washington Square Park home. Many know if it for its architecture, the views it offers, and its Plexiglas barricaded staircases. I personally used to hate Bobst. After all the disheartening tragedies that have taken place there as well as the too quiet, even for a library, atmosphere, I’ve stayed far, far away from Elmer Holmes.

Last Thursday, I went with my Downtown Reporting class to visit the Fales Library and Special Collections. It’s a collection within Bobst, located on the 3rd floor, which includes The Fales Collection, the Downtown Collection, the Food and Cookery Collection and the General Special Collections, just to name a few. In what I thought was going be another showy representation of NYU’s vast wealth and acquisitions, turned into a different kind of experience of Greenwich Village past.

It became clear from the very beginning of the field trip that the avant-garde flavored life of downtown Manhattan was going to be presented in an unrestricted way.

Marvin Taylor was our guide and he Director of the Fales Library. He was able to infuse the appreciation he holds for downtown Manhattan, by throwing in facts, jokes and general good time energy. Taylor explains his profession as having a “dissolute childhood and making a career of it.”

In terms of the exhibits, Taylor presented us with some influential cultural artifacts that Greenwich Village has to offer. Videos from the Judson Memorial Church pay on loop, showcasing Meat Joy and People’s Flag Show. They were two dances that caused a stir for their provocative messages and straight up law breaking antics. The footage of Meat Joy presents men and women on stage lathering themselves with dead fish and chickens. It was one of those can’t-help-but-watch situations. You know you shouldn’t be seeing this but it’s too interesting not to stare. People’s Flag Show is a dance performed by men and women only clothed in American flags which, when the press found out, caused an uproar. “It turned into anything goes,” says Taylor of the Church, who describes the dances as simply "brilliant.” Carolee Schneemann, who choreographed Meat Joy, can be heard on loop too describing the dance. I'm not going to lie, it’s kind of eerie. Along with all of this there are songs, letters and flags on display too that were housed in the Church for visitors' viewing pleasure.

Moving on, we visited to what I think is appropriate to refer to as “The Holy Grail of Punk Rock Gems.” Marvin showcased writings by Patti Smith, video clips featuring John Sex, and original notes and journals kept by Richard Hell. There was also the first issue of PUNK Magazine in the bundle. I eyed the Alice in Wonderland memorabilia in the corner too.

The exhibit, I saw, “A Sanctuary for the Arts: Judson Memorial Church and the Arts” is running until January 7, 2011. Exhibitions are free and open for public viewing. Fales, for research purposes, is open to the NYU community as well as other scholars. An appointment may be necessary to view certain material, and copying rights can change per archival source.

Fales is worth the visit, even for those that despise Bobst.

The Latest from the Meatpacking...

The Meatpacking District certainly lived up to its reputation this week. It had a week full of celebrity sightings, upscale restaurant/hotel drama, love connections and of course, meat.

+Inspired and appalled by Lady Gaga, the Old Homestead Steakhouse decided to create its own version of the famous meat dress Gaga donned for the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this year.

+The New York Post reported on the mandatory 20 percent gratuity that the Gansevoort Hotel has been imposing on their wine, beer and cocktails…HOWEVER, the Hotel was quick to cover its tracks releasing a statement to The Gothamist, telling how they will forgo the mandatory tip after all.

+Who says the MePa is only about fine dining and meatpackers, you can find a lil’ bit of love too. Thuy and Brian held their ceremony at The Park Restaurant, and then proceeded to the High Line for a wedded bliss photo-op.

+With Halloween over, and Thanksgiving and Christmas sure to come and go, the Meatpacking District is gearing up for one of its biggest celebrations of the year: New Year’s Eve. The Gansevoort Hotel is already preparing and promising for a bash that is set to be better than any of the past.

+The Meatpacking was filled with celebrity sightings this week as Carey Mulligan stopped by the High Line and Kim Kardahsian dined at the uber trendy Villa Pacri. Her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, took to the streets to engage in some retail therapy.

+There is one healthy, living cow in New York City and surprisingly it’s not in the Meatpacking District. Othello, a dexter cow, has found a home in the Central Park Zoo, and is the only one of its kind to call Manhattan home. Hopefully he doesn’t travel below 14th Street at 4 a.m., he won’t like what he sees.

The weekend is only a few hours away, so we can be sure this is just the beginning of interesting news to come out of the MePa.

Election Day 2010

“Politics is a necessary evil,” said poll worker/opera singer Carolyn Harmon, “it is filled with ills.”

This appears to be a common association with politics. When election time rolls around, however, everyone gets political.

That was the scene today, Election Tuesday, in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, located on 208 West 13Th Street. The Center opened its doors at 6 a.m., and between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., had a constant flow of voters ready to cast their ballot.

The small lobby of the building was set up to match any voters’ needs, with an information desk, door clerk and a translator. The door clerk, Maria Hilerio, soon became the designated dog watcher for the afternoon.

It became clear, early on that the people of New York were on a mission to both have their voice heard as well as conquer the new, menacing voting machines.
In New York, the positions of Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller were up for grabs as well as seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The battle for Governor garnered most attention, with Andrew Cuomo (who ended up winning) and Carl Paladino on the forefront of it all.

Christine Bruno, a New Yorker for 15 years, utilized her right to vote for the greater good of American politics. “I’m making sure the crazy Tea Party doesn’t get into office,” she said with a grin. Richard Merz, a native New Yorker, was open in sharing his political views, just like Bruno. “I’m a Democrat, I voted Obama,” he said, “I’m making sure they hold onto the House and the Senate.”

Other than defending their respective parties, Bruno and Merz very much knew the issues they were fighting for. Issues that need to be addressed, like the economy, remain a steady focus of this election. Other issues include health care and employment. Most importantly, trust in government is dwindling, and voters are feeling it. “I need more accountability,” demanded Bruno.

Coincidentally, no one seemed particularly enthused to talk politics, but became more animated once the topic of the new machines was mentioned. There was only one woman who openly showed her gratitude for the new polls, stating that she didn’t know why anyone would give any objection to them.

On the flip side of that, one woman stopped another telling her to go back home and get her glasses for how small the print was. One gentleman appeared to be apprehensive about entering, asking for an old machine, just for himself.

As 1p.m. rolled around, the workers and voters dwindled in enthusiasm and frequency, respectively. The poll workers were very aware that it would start again soon enough though, leading to hopefully another solid, election in the books.

For more in-depth coverage of the election, nationwide check out the New York Times’ Politics Section.