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GRAND BULLETIN BOARD If It's 10002, We've Got It!
CB3 Wants Air Quality Checked Up to 14th Street
 t the December meeting of Community
Board 3, the Board unanimously passed a
resolution in regard to the Partial Action Plan
supporting the Seven Principles letter put out
by the 9/11 Environmental Action Coalition
and other groups. The only change the board
made was to ask that the impacted area
affected by 9/11 be extended to 14th Street,
which was the boundary of the "frozen zone"
on 9/11.
Jessica Ashenberg, representing Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver, announced a
bipartisan legislative agreement by Silver and
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to
reform sentencing provisions of the New
York's Rockefeller Drug Laws. The bill
emphasizes drug treatment and prison
alternatives for first-time, nonviolent drug
offenders, while strengthening sanctions
against violent drug offenders.
Ashenberg also discussed an agreement
reached by Silver, Bruno, and Governor
George Pataki on legislation authorizing the
expansion of the Javits Convention Center,
which will bring economic benefits to the
area and prevent the Jets Stadium from being
built. Another major component of the bill
includes keeping Battery Park City funds
intact.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney,
according to her representative, helped
secure $1.5 million of federal funding for
New York's top cultural institutions,
including $121,250 to the Lower East Side
Tenement Museum for their project "An
Irish Family in America." Maloney's
r e p r e s e n t a t ive mentioned the
congresswoman's Section Eight Renewal
Event, where Maloney saved residents of
the Grand Street Guild by obtaining a 15-
year renewal for tenants.
Congressman Jerrold Nadler's
representative announced the funding of
$1.5 million for community building
activities benefiting the people of the 8th
Congressional District of New York and
$2.29 million for New York City Jewish
community institutions.
Sara Spielman
Community Board No. 3 Calendar for January
This calendar is subject to change.
Please check www.cb3manhattan.org or
call 212-533-5300 to confirm meetings.
Cooper Square Urban Renewal Area Taskforce, Monday, January 10 at 6:30, University Settlement—184 Eldridge Street Human Services, Health, Disability & Seniors / Yourth & Education Committees, Monday January 10 at 6:00, CB 3 office—59 E. 4th Street Housing, Land Disposition, Zoning, & NYC Housing Authority Committee, Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30, Project Renewal, Kenton Hall at 333 Bowery SLA & Economic Development Committee, Thursday, January 13 at 6:30, JASA/Green Residence at 200E. 5th Street Public Safety, Sanitation/Transportation Committees, Tuesday, January 18 at 6:30, CB 3 office-59 E. 4th Street Executive Committee meeting, Thursday, January 18 at 6:30, CB 3 office-59 E. 4th Street Astor Place Taskforce, Monday, January 24 at 6:30, JASA/Green Residence at 200 E. 5th Street Board meeting, Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30, PS 20 at 166 Essex St. (at Houston) Martial Arts with a Yarmulka
 artial Arts instructor E.Z. Cohen is an
Orthodox Jew who began his training in 1969,
with William J. O'Connor, Master of the
Ancient Celtic System known as Roth Croi
("Royal Wheel"). Cohen specializes in Tai
Ji Chuan, which he has practiced since 1977
under the tutelage of Master Shum Leung.
He is also a long time student of Master
Shum in the
Northern Chinese
Eagle-Claw system
of Gung Fu.
Cohen, whose
expertise also include
Shotokan Karate and
Okinawan Goju-Ryu
Karate, was once
associate producer
and co-writer of the
nationally syndicated
cable TV show
"Martial Art World."
He also contributed
to "Inside Kung Fu"
magazine.
The Shomer Shabbas master is now
teaching on the Lower East Side a curriculum
of Tai Ji Chuan, enhanced and expanded upon
with perspectives and variations from the
other systems that he has practiced over the
past 35 years.
For information call: 212-673-5204
Jack E. Dell
Worms in the Marketplace
 ooey, gooey, creepy, crawly, slimy and
disgusting and . . . an urban recycler's best
friend? So say the environmental advocates
of the Lower East Side Ecology Center, which
makes its home base in the Fireboat House
in the East River Park (near the base of the
Williamsburg Bridge) and has a satellite
outpost in the Union Square Greenmarket
every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday. But while farmers swap groceries
for greenbacks, the environmentalists offer
their own local produce. "Black gold," the
rich, composted earth bagged for easy sale,
and home-grown New York City worms. The
very best, they say, for indoor, urban
recycling.
City dwellers can compost along with
their country cousins, either by bringing
vegetable-derived kitchen waste to the
market for deposit or by ordering a worm
"condo," a vented plastic bin that comes
equipped with a pound of wriggling,
persimmon-colored worms. Staffer Lauren
Melodia banters easily with school groups,
with suburbanites wondering about their
own backyard night crawlers, and with
curious locals. "They've heard about
composting," she says, confessing a lifelong
affection for worms, "but they can't believe
they can do it in their apartment."
The LESEC began its kitchen collection
program in 1994, and has since composted
more than 70 tons of kitchen scraps from
thousands of households. LESEC founder
and director Christine Datz-Romero
pioneered the technique of in-vessel recycling,
which adds worms to organic matter in closed
systems. "It's great for an urban setting," says
environmental educator Katie Zidar. "It's
fast, compact -- not smelly or messy." Good
for apartment dwellers, indeed. And the next
time your kids beg for a pet, tell them you
know where they can get hundreds of ‘em --
and you'll never, ever have to take them out
for a walk.
Lower East Side Ecology Center,
212-477-4022, oreinc@earthlink.net
Helen Zelon
Children's Fun at Orenstein Nursing Home
 he Bialystoker Synagogue and the UJC
of the East Side held their annual Chanukah
party on the holiday's first night, at the
Orenstein Building on Willet Street, honoring
an old Lower East Side tradition.
The party this year had a new benefit --
attendees brought presents for the Ohel
Children's Home toy drive in exchange for
raffle tickets to win a $50 Toys-R-Us gift
certificate, sponsored by Kossar's Bialys.
The evening, which relied heavily on the
volunteer efforts of organizers Malki Cohen,
Meir Sinensky and Annie Engelmeyer, began
with Rabbi Zvi David Romm lighting the
Chanukah menorah. The hall was filled with
adults and some 130 children enjoying latkes,
hot dogs, and popcorn provided by local
vendors. Some new attractions included face
painting and balloon art by Focus on Fun
Entertainment, a magic show by Professor
Putter and music by Hondo Abromowitz.
The large and diverse attendance was
gratifying, against the background of our
changing and growing community. "We're
thrilled to have such a large turnout for our
event," said Dr. Sinensky.
Sara Spielman
Not for Children Only
 he LES Conservancy is inviting us to join
them in "Sundays With Goldie," an interactive
story-reading and arts program for children
4 through 7, on Sunday, Jan. 30th at 11:30
AM at the Sol Goldman Y, 326 East 14th
Street.
The program features actress Valerie David
of the award winning Stoop on Orchard
Street, sharing stories about Tu B'shvat, the
Jewish New Year for Trees. Children will
also enjoy a holiday themed art project, and
imported fruits from Israel's orchards.
Fee: $5 per child, contact Annie Eisen
Engelmayer, 212-233-6037, ext.114
Singles at the Ark
 oah's Ark restaurant seeks to be a
comfortable venue to serve the local
community in a variety of new ways. The
first project will be to set up an event for
singles 35-50 years old. The restaurant needs
a few volunteers to assist in planning this get
together. Anyone interested in helping should
contact Shelly Sokolov at 212-674-2200
Cleaning, Anyone?
 ur cleaning lady is looking for 2 new
clients. We recommend her as honest, reliable,
a really nice person and a good cleaner. She
lives in the neighborhood so it's easy for her
to get to the coop. Call Gloria Delgado at
212-420-0478
Auxiliary Congratulations
 ower East Sider Morris Faitelewicz was
recently promoted to the post of Citywide
Coordinator/Deputy Inspector of the NYPD
Auxiliary Police Support Emergency Service
Rescue Unit. Congresswoman Carolyn
Maloney sent him warm regards on the
occasion, adding: "The auxiliary police served
a vital role in the aftermath of 9/11, and your
heroism on that day has been justifiably
recognized. I hope you will use your
experience of that dreadful time to ensure
that our auxiliary police are the best trained
and prepared for the next emergency."
The Auxiliary Police program offers an
opportunity for private citizens to promote
public safety in their own neighborhood,
performing uniform patrols as an effective
crime deterrent. Their presence and observation
aides in crime reduction and enhances policecommunity
relations. And as Congresswoman
Maloney mentioned, they are a ready reserve
in the event of an emergency.
For more information contact the NYPD
Auxiliary Police Section, 718-520-9243
Jack E. Dell
More About Bikers
 ikers With Style by Jac Zagory (GSN,
Dec. 2004) is way off base. Trying to blame
Sports bikes for all motorcycle noise while
claiming that Harleys aren't making any noise
because they "don't do wheelies" and that
"Grand Street is too boring and deserted" is
ridiculous. Harleys with straight pipes are by
far the loudest bikes out there, even when
they are just idling. Having lived on Grand
Street for more then a few years, and being
the owner of a "cruiser" for almost as long,
I can tell you that the majority of the loud
bikes on Grand are, indeed, the Harleys.
Adam Varsano
Cops Clean Neighborhood -- Literally!
 eighborhood crime is down in time for
the New Year, according to 7th Precinct
Special Operations Lieutenant Joseph Gulotta,
who led this month's Police Community
Council meeting. This month's crime decrease
is partly due to the efforts of Officer Alvin
Law, awarded Officer of the Month for
arresting two individuals for robbery on
Henry Street. Prior to the arrest, there were
eight or nine recent robberies on Henry Street.
Also cited: Officer Brian Newberry, who
caught a driver with a significant quantity of
narcotics, and Officer Melson Cordova, who
arrested individuals with $3.7 million worth
of counterfeit bags at Manhattan Mini Storage
on South Street.
Lieutenant Gulotta urged all citizens to report
graffiti vandalism by calling 911 or 311 for a
reward of up to $500. The 7th Precinct arranged
neighborhood graffiti clean up on December
11 in participation with citywide efforts to
remove "unwanted street art." Seventh Precinct
Explorers, Auxiliary, and Community Policing
Officers joined to paint over graffiti sites at
Delancey and Attorney Streets and at the
newsstand on Clinton and Delancey. The
council played a short video presentation about
the harms of graffiti.
Guest speaker Maria De La Rosa, Deputy
Director at the DA's Office, announced the
formation of an Identity Theft Unit by DA
Robert M. Morgenthau, the first in the nation
to combat the fast-growing crime of identity
theft.
The council expressed gratitude to the DA's
Office, Fine Fare, The Sukien American
Association, and Council Member Alan
Gerson for their donations.
Sara Spielman
Your Taxes or your Life?
he Tax Code started out in 1913 as a halfinch
thick book, and the first federal income
tax return was a simple two-page form. Today,
the Code takes two four-inch thick volumes
to print. With over a million lines of
regulations interpreting what the Code means
and with related court decisions, you are
talking about 25 feet of library shelves.
The average American is taxed at 32.0% of
income (a few percent higher for New Yorkers).
By contrast, housing is 16.7% of income,
medical care 11.5%, food 8.2%, transportation
7.9%, recreation 5.7%, and clothing 4.1%.
How do you know how much you are paying
in taxes? You need to add together line 60 of
IRS Form 1040, line 58 of New York State
form 201 and boxes 4 and 6 of your W-2, to
find the answer. Don't do this unless you are
sitting down and are prepared for a scary
number. I recommend consulting with a tax
professional whose job it is to figure how you
can pay the least amount of taxes legally. Try
to maximize your retirement plan contribution.
There is still time to put money in an IRA or
a Keogh or Sep if you are self-employed. An
IRA contribution is $3000 for 2004 and you
can add an additional $500 if you are over 50.
Are you taking full advantage of itemized
deductions? You have a head start in NYC,
with high State and City taxes. Carefully talley
up your mortgage interest, real estate taxes,
charitable contributions, non-reimbursed job
expenses and medical expenses (if you had a
lot of them) -- then call a pro!
Lee Slater, MBA, CFP
Amid Change, Constancy: Wing On Wo & Co.
 ass dumpling stalls and noodle parlors,
bakeries, banks, and grocers' bins of tiny
dried shrimp and cellophane noodles, to the
bend in the middle of Mott Street, facing the
Church of the Transfiguration.
It's an utterly mundane spot, at first glance.
But look closer to discover one of
Chinatown's oldest family businesses -- at 26
Mott Street since 1924, and across the street,
in its first setting, since the late 1880s. Nancy
Seid, an owner of Wing On Wo & Co., is the
third generation to manage the shop founded
by her grandfather, who emigrated to New
York about 125 years ago. "It used to be a
general store, with meats, herbs, everything,"
she explains. Her father took over the business
when his father died and, human links in a
long chain, Nancy and her brother inherited
the shop when their father passed away, in
1964. But the store had to change, says Nancy.
"I don't plan to sell meat anymore, and I
don't know anything about herbs!" So the
siblings began a new line, importing fine
goods from China.
Seid travels to China every year on buying
trips. Her decision-making process is simple:
"Whatever I see and like, I buy it." On an
average day, her offerings include pig-bristle
toothbrushes; painted and filigreed porcelain
stools; dragon kites made of rice paper;
dishes glazed cobalt blue; plates decorated
with arching bamboo; pillboxes small as
thimbles; combs of carved and painted
wood; egg cups, chopstick rests, tripledecker
lacquer boxes and cylinders of
scented soap. Empty bamboo birdcages
dangle from the ceiling, luxury housing for
some lucky feathered friend.
"I was born upstairs," Nancy says. She
raised her three children in Chinatown, two
daughters and one son, lost in the World
Trade Center on 9/11. Nancy's memories of
her own childhood are still fresh: "I used to
play hopscotch on the sidewalk outside. We
didn't have toys. We used chalk to draw the
hopscotch, and used Coca-Cola caps to play
skelly." In that instant, time has no meaning:
Her family has always run this shop, and --
with the help of her daughters, sons-in-law,
and five grandchildren -- always will.
Helen Zelon
Bialystoker Celebrates 125th Anniversary, Installs Rabbi, Honors Speaker
he Bialystoker Synagogue marked its
125th year on the Lower East Side with a
grand dinner party at the Grand Ballroom of
Sheraton Towers last month. Some 500 guests
enjoyed an inspired smorgasbord and dinner,
while listening to stimulating speeches by
Rabbi Reuven Feinstein and Rabbi Zvi Romm
on the occasion of the latter's formal
installation as the congregation's rabbi. The
fact that Rabbi Romm is only the fifth to
hold this post in 125 years attests to the
stability of the synagogue, as well, perhaps,
as to the skills of its search committees.
The Honorable Martin Shulman served as
master of ceremonies. The guest of honor
was one of the Bialystoker's members,
Speaker of the New York Assembly Sheldon
Silver. Other distinguished guests included
Rabbis Yeshaya Siff and Mordechai Willig.
The synagogue's president, Mr. Jacob
Goldman, presented a silver Torah crown to
the family of the late Rabbi Yitzchok Singer.
Rabbi Baruch Singer accepted the crown on
behalf of the family.
Special features of the evening were a video
presentation by cinematographer Elliot
Caplan and a pictorial history book edited
by Mareleyn Schneider.
Jack E. Dell
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