Photo by Lynn Austin.
December 6, 2012 Weather: Partly Cloudy, High of 40 Degrees.
Notices:
An appearance by hotshot Newark mayor Cory Booker and some free concerts are on our calendar.
Also, a free “fall prevention” talk at the JCC.
All right, so this isn’t exactly a morning bulletin. Rough morning…
News:
The Community Board voted to discontinue the Crafts on Columbus fair, which stretches from 77th and 81st street on Columbus six weekends a year. Neighbos were sick of the crowds, and said that we should be supporting the normal weekly farm stands that set up shop there. “‘We are not against crafts. We are not against crafts people. We are simply standing up because we believe that we have had enough,’ testified Steve Anderson, president of a neighborhood association, who said he and his neighbors have been inundated by foot traffic.” The fair will continue through 2014 under its old permit. (DNAinfo)
Learn about the “Haunted Castle” at 455 Central Park West, now made up of luxury homes: “Though an eyesore for decades, it has finally regained its striking appearance and has helped encourage new investment nearby. Plus, the ghosts still have a place to go bump in the night.” (Curbed)
Photographer Richard Avedon’s grandson lives on the Upper West Side, and is apparently pretty handy with a camera too. (NY Times)
What a NIMBY comment. My god, the UWS is so ridiculous sometimes.”inundated with foot traffic”??? what do you think keeps local businesses open? UWSiders complain ALL THE TIME about the rise of the corporate retailers in their neighborhood, but they DECRY the necessary “foot traffic” needed by local businesses to support them! A better solution would have been to find a way to marry the fair and the green market for the few weekends a year. Shame on Steve Anderson and his NIMBY, close-minded trolls.
I was thinking the EXACT same thing as I read that article, Cara. Very well put!
“Get off my lawn, kids!” – UWS
I think we can safely assume that Mr Anderson is *not* one of those who complain about the rise of corporate retailers in the neighborhood. Someone, after all, is supporting the banks, the drug chains, the cell phone stores and all the other sterile mall-types that are overrunning the UWS.
Let’s keep in mind that the “neighborhood association” of which Mr Anderson is president is likely one of those immediately adjacent to the Museum of Natural History and its park. Now, *I* couldn’t afford one of those apartments — could you?? So let’s not assume that Mr Anderson or his neighbors deign to breathe the same air as we rabble do, or that he or his neighbors share our concerns about the larger Upper West Side.
How small minded and completely selfish of The Community Board and Mr Anderson. Way to support and empower individual small businesses and artists. What a shame, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
those 1%’s, they are at their country houses on the weekends the real west siders need them.
I supported myself selling work at that show from 1992 through 2000. The foot traffic is what makes the upper West Side vibrant and interesting. What a small minded, selfish act. That event has poured tens of millions of dollars into that area over three decades, and much of it recycles right back into the community. The majority of artists who sell at those events are NYC residents and usually employ another person or two besides themselves.
Yet another hip and original NYC institution wrecked by narrow mindedness. New York is the capital of the planet. If you want to hear the birds chirping and the creeks babbling, move to Vermont.
We just found out about this over the weekend. I have been doing the show since the early 90s and it really is an institution, and part of what makes the UWS so great! Mr. Anderson is dead wrong. You mean that the crowds at Shake Shack and the Museum do not bother you? WE are there for 6 weekends. You live in NYC and you are bothered by crowds? Please. I will ahve you know that my work in in museums across the world, and many of fellow rockstars of the art world are right there next to me at this junky old show. Yes, there is junk, but there has been so for years. If it is the junk that bothers you, say so to the promoters. Don’t shut us down. You will then be responsible for the continued downfall of what makes NYC special. WE make it special. If you do not like the crowds, get rid of the park, the museum, the kids’ restaurants, the dog runs, the bagel places, the news paper stands, the horses. And just put a giant Macys there so everyone will be safe and sound coach bag capitalists with cameras spaying on their every move. OK?
Crafts on Columbus has been on the sidewalks of Columbus Avenue for 34 years. It is a venue where artisans can display their handmade crafts. It has generated millions of dollars for the city of New York, provided a venue at which artists can earn their livelihoods, and has created a destination for tourists and people who live nearby. In addition, it has drawn more people to patronize the local business establishments, including The Museum of Natural History. I can only see the craft show as an asset to the community.
Truly inspirational……….