West 104 Newsletter February 2016 1 www.bloomingdale.org

BLOCK ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER February 14, 2016EDITOR: Trudie Grace Layout Editor: Jon Smith

Although she wasn’t always athletic and didn’t do organized sports as a kid, Teresa Elwert, sixty-four years old and a block resident for the past twenty-two years, has always been a walker and a hiker. When she retired in 2013, she began hiking in earnest and decided it was time to fulfill a life-long desire to “be in the presence of Mt. Everest,” which, at over 29,000 feet, is the highest mountain in the world.

And so began many months of preparation for back to back treks to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. She frequently climbed the sixteen floors in her building, took a weekly body conditioning class at the gym, used the treadmill set at the highest incline, walked briskly six days a week for an hour, took half day walks in Manhattan, and did many hikes in the Hudson Highlands.

The trekking seasons in the Himalayas are spring and fall, before and after the rainy season, which frequently produces landslides that can wash out trails. The trails are the same paths the Nepalis use to get from village to village. “At the lower elevations, the trails were hard packed dirt and stone steps. The higher we went, the narrower the trails got because fewer Nepalis were using them. The last 3,000 feet of the Everest trek were full of rocks

and boulders because a glacier sat there as recently as sixty years ago.”

The Everest trek was fourteen days long, went to an altitude of 18,200 feet, and covered sixty-five miles. The Annapurna trek was nine days long, went to an altitude of 13,550 feet, and covered fifty-six miles. In between the two treks, Teresa spent time at a quiet resort hotel in Kathmandu. “I needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the city!”

I was surprised to discover from her that Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, is at the same latitude as central Florida and so has a temperate

climate. “We started hiking in shirtsleeves, but the higher we hiked the colder it got, of course. Above 15,000 feet, I wore my heavy down parka and wind pants over other warm clothes. It snowed in the middle of the trek at the highest two villages we went to—Lobuche and Gorak Shep—but the accumulation was only about two inches.”

The Everest group consisted of Teresa, two other Americans, a New Zealander, an Australian guide, two Nepalese guides, and two Nepalese porters. They stopped three to four times a day at village “tea houses” along the trail to eat and sleep. These structures housed two trekkers to a bedroom (sometimes with the luxury of an en-suite bathroom—with cold water) and offered a heated dining room that also served as a hang-out space. Teresa said her food choices were mainly rice or noodles with finely chopped vegetables and egg. “I can’t say I went to Nepal for the food! In fact, I lost weight because my appetite decreased the higher we hiked.”

Teresa did, however, enjoy meeting the Nepalese. She found them to be outgoing, warm, and hard-working people who love to laugh and look on the bright side. In fact, even though Nepal experienced two major earthquakes this spring, the Nepalis

Teresa Elwert Treks to Everest and Annapurna Base Camps

Cont’d on Pg 3

Snow Day!!!

First view of Everest: to the left of Teresa's hand

It was the blizzard of the 21st century in New York City, or so the weather people said. The city was prepared, residents were warned for days, and then it happened. We went to bed Friday night with a few flakes falling, and in the morning we had more than two feet of beautiful white snow decorating the landscape and hiding parked cars.

Some owners of cars on Riverside Drive would have trouble picking the location of their cars under the many identical white mounds. Building management in the neighborhood was thoughtful and came out immediately to make narrow paths for residents to get out.

It was eerie to have a travel ban in force from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning. Never has the quiet been more noticeable. The magic was welcome for the many children who had a rare treat of sledding in Riverside Park. The snow is mostly gone now, but for a short time it was magical. Nancy Lian

The longest of the nine swing bridges on the Everest trail

www.bloomingdale.org 2 West 104 Newsletter February 2016

p. 2 Financialsp. 3 Gary Waskowp. 4 Block Guard

p. 6 Community Cornerp. 7 Calendarp. 8 Neighborhood Services

IN THIS ISSUE

West 104th Street Block Association Board

President Mary Koval 895 WEA 212.866.3556

VP Gary Waskow 320 RSD 212.932.9082

Secretary Trudie Grace 308 W 104 212.222.2303

Treasurer Barbara Boynton 905 WEA 212.864.1011

Members

Barbara Bryan 315 RSD 212.864.5663

Alex Grannis 895 WEA 212.316.1644

Jeff Howitt 315 RSD 212.866.5569

Nancy Lian 320 RSD 212.316.6112

Joyce Mann 309 W 104 212.721.6341

Martin Mann 309 W 104 212.721.6341

Lynn Max 315 RSD 212.666.3129

Hanna Rubin 315 RSD 212.865.4579

Jon Smith 320 RSD 212.222.4431

Larry Stern 315 RSD 212.794.2288

Steven Zirinsky 315 RSD 212.866.6732

Emeritus Sid Herzfeld 895 WEA 212.749.0085

Contributors to the February issue:Barbara Boynton, Trudie Grace, Alex Grannis, Mary Koval, Nancy Lian, Joyce Mann, Hanna Rubin, Jon Smith

W 104 ST BLOCK ASSN FINANCIAL REPORTJanuary 2016

Opening Balance (1/01/16)! $17,573.17Income! Dues! ! 7,764.00! Other Contributions! ! 1,105.00! Newsletter ads! ! 305.00! Interest ! ! .66!! Total ! ! +9,174.66 ! !+9,174.66 Disbursements! Guard service ! ! 4,164.36! Printing & Mailing! ! 53.55! PayPal fees! ! 10.04! Misc! ! 185.79 ! Total ! ! -4,413.74 ! ! -4,413.74Deposit delayed! ! -4,251.35Closing Balance (1/30/16) ! ! $18,082.74

If you would like to write for the 104th Street Newsletter, we’d love to hear from you. Please

send Jon an email at:104thstreetba@gmail.com

WEST 104 STREET BLOCK ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL REPORT January-December 2015

Opening Balance (1/01/15) $29,674.28

Income Dues $24,783.00 Co-op contributions 6,456.04 Grants & awards 150.00 Newsletter ads 1,260.00 T-shirts 24.00 Yard Sale 9,205.01 Other 205.00 Interest 21.34 Total $42,104.39 $42,104.39

Disbursements Guard service 39,232.33 Guard Supplement 650.00 Printing & Mailing 1,181.97 Bank fee 70.00 PayPal fees 94.20 Plants 5,434.54 T-shirts 470.69 Annual Meeting 75.00 Web hosting - Annual 477.72 Yard Sale 3,269.80 Misc. 99.11 Total -$51,055.36 -$51,055.36 Deposit delayed -353.81 Prior year expense -2,796.33

Closing Balance (12/31/15) $17,573.17

West 104 Newsletter February 2016 3 www.bloomingdale.org

At the January Block Association board meeting, Gary Waskow was presented with a plaque in recognition of his six

years of service as President. Gary and his family moved to this block in 1996, and he has never regretted this decision.He joined the board in 2004 and has served in various capacities ever since. His involvement in the Yard Sale began in 2005 when he helped with entertainment. He and Ira Gershenhorn created a stage for the entertainment, saving years of annual rental. In 2009, he took over sales of vendor spaces and became President after Hanna Rubin’s resignation.

He brokered an arrangement with a local garage for discounted parking spots for members of the Block Association, which has flourished for six years. He championed fund raising for new, larger

tree guards which give us more area for planted beauty each year. Gary considers this one of the most beautiful blocks in the city, appreciates the easy access to Riverside Park, and, as a long-time resident, says he can’t walk down the block without meeting someone he knows.We thank him for his dedicated and cheerful leadership, and for remaining on the board as Vice President.

she encountered were optimistic about the recovery.

As for earthquake damage, Teresa saw lots of evidence of it in Kathmandu but less on the trail where there was only an occasional structure showing cracks in the stone facade.

When I asked her what some of her most memorable moments were, she said “Seeing Everest for the first time, summiting Kala Patthar, and crossing swing bridges across the roaring rivers.”

At 18,200 feet, Kala Patthar is one of the lower peaks in the Everest region, but the trail up it is quite steep. Because snowfall provoked a change in the schedule at Gorak Shep, Teresa had to choose between summiting Kala Patthar and hiking to Everest base camp, whose tents and facilities had been removed a few days before. Weather permitting, Kala Patthar offers a beautiful view of the Everest range, so she alone out of the group opted to do that hike accompanied by a guide and porter. And the view? “Non-existent! We were totally socked in and could only see about twenty feet in front of us.”

After Everest, she hiked to Annapurna Base Camp and was glad to have done the treks in that order because the Annapurna trip was less strenuous, the trails less crowded, and the scenery “gorgeous.”

When asked to describe her overall trekking experience in two words, she said: “exhilarating and strenuous.” And some emotions she experienced? “Glad to have summited Kala Patther, fulfilled to be in the presence of Everest, and honored to have seen Annapurna, which was the first 20,000 foot mountain to have been climbed.”

What’s next for Teresa? Any more high mountains in her future? She smiled, shook

her head and replied: “It was a thrill to see Everest, but hiking at high altitude is very hard work. You have to constantly be monitoring your body and its needs which quickly gets tiring and takes away some of the pleasure of hiking. So, no more high altitude mountains in my future. But it was an amazing experience.”

Joyce Mann

Teresa Elwert - Cont’d from Pg 1

Gary Waskow, In Appreciation

Teresa with the prayer flag she flew atop Kala Patthar

Suman and Bishal, Teresa's companions up Kala Katther

Photo: Mary Koval

www.bloomingdale.org 4 West 104 Newsletter February 2016

Results of the Block Guard Survey

Thanks to all our residents who took the time to complete our block guard survey distributed in December 2015. We had a twenty-five percent response rate.

Sixty-nine percent of the respondents indicated the block guard is very important or important to the block residents. Sixty-eight felt that it is important to maintain the six day of the week schedule and maintain the current hours of 4 p.m. to midnight. Approximately twenty-eight percent felt that it would be better to shift to later hours, 5 p.m.–1 a.m. In addition, sixty-four percent of our residents stated they would be very concerned or concerned if we cut the guard’s hours to weekends only.

Deputy Inspector Marlon Larin of the 24th Precinct has recently stated that the general safety and security on our block makes it “one of the safest areas of our precinct.” However, he has reported that, in 2015, we had two grand larcenies, four general mischiefs, and three petit larcenies. All were non-violent in nature and were property crimes, most of them related to motor vehicles.

As a reminder, the block guard’s responsibilities are to “observe and report.” He is not armed, and he is not a trained police officer. If he sees suspicious activity, he is to call 911.

All of your comments were carefully reviewed and noted. I will send both the positive and negative comments to Starr Security which employs the guard. I have

also spoken with Osbourne Thomas at length regarding his duties and accessibility. I have asked him to record any incidents that occur while he is on duty, and I will report their number quarterly in the newsletter.

The survey indicates that the block guard is important to many of you. The guard costs $39,000 per year, by far our costliest expense. Please contribute to the block association so that we can retain this service for you and your family. The recommended contribution is $140.00 annually although any amount is gratefully accepted. If our contributions do not increase significantly this year, we may have to curtail the guard’s hours.

Mary Koval

In the Spotlight Osbourne Thomas

Many respondents of the survey wanted to know a little bit about our block guard, Osbourne Thomas, who was more than willing to sit down for an interview with me.

Osbourne was born and raised in Brooklyn, where he still lives with his family. He has three children, two girls and one boy, aged 9 to 21 years old. His oldest

daughter is in college and has a dream of becoming a veterinarian. Osbourne says that all his free time is spent with his younger children, watching movies and playing video games. He believes that spending time with one’s kids is priceless. Osbourne’s father is from Trinidad, and his mother is from Jamaica.

Osbourne has worked for STARR Security since 2013 and has been on our block since May 2015. He has made many friends on the block. Comments from the survey indicate that he is friendly, visible, and always willing to help.

Osbourne has been in the security profession for nine years, patrolling nursing homes, retail stores, etc., before coming to our block and is certified and licensed as a security professional. During his off time, he works

for buildings on plumbing and small construction projects. He is currently taking a class for certification as an exterminator.

He freely volunteered that he had an eye injury fifteen years ago and is legally blind in his right eye. However, that does not limit his performance on the job, and he is able to drive and ride a bike. He says he has learned to adapt to his disability.

Please say “hello” to Osbourne when passing him on the street. He is more than willing to help in any way he can, and he enjoys the community spirit of our block.

Mary Koval

Jesse I Berger, MBA Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker The Lower-Stress Broker sm

1995 Broadway, 4th Floor New York, NY 10023 646.505.6992 e-fax: 646.497.5145 JIBERGER@elliman.com www.elliman.com

We fully support Fair Housing, both in the spirit and the letter of the law.

West 104 Newsletter February 2016 5 www.bloomingdale.org

www.bloomingdale.org 6 West 104 Newsletter February 2016

C o m m u n i t y C o r n e r2015 Community Service Award Awarded

to the Block AssociationThe West 104th Street Block Association was awarded the 2015 Community Service Award by the West Side Federation of Neighborhoods and Block Associations. The West Side Federation is a consortium of block associations from West 59th Street to 110th Street. They meet monthly to exchange “best practices” and discuss community issues. Mary Koval is your representative at these meetings.The award was presented to Mary Koval by Helen Rosenthal, our Council Member, on December 7, 2015, at the annual West Side Federation holiday party. The gathering also included Gail Brewer, Scott Stringer, Linda Rosenthal, and Deputy Inspector Marlon Larin of the 24th Precinct. Our block association was founded in the 1970s and is one of the oldest block associations on the upper West Side. It is a great honor to be recognized by other block associations and our city officials. Thanks to all board members and presidents, past and present, for volunteering and working to provide community services to our block residents for over forty years!West Side Federation of Neighborhood and Block AssociationsMary Koval attended the West Side Federation of Neighborhoods and Block

Associations meeting on January 11. Guest speaker was Joe Hallmark, Director of the Manhattan Outreach Consortium of Goddard-Riverside. As the lead agency of the three-partner Manhattan Outreach Consortium, Goddard Riverside manages the citywide initiative in Manhattan to provide swift housing for adults who have been homeless for the longest periods. Programs for homeless people include outreach, a psychosocial day program, a MICA (Mentally Ill Chemically Addicted) Network, a housing placement team, transitional and permanent supportive housing, vocational training, and job placement.Mr. Hallmark discussed his agency’s various programs for the homeless in detail. Many of the homeless will refuse to go to a city shelter, even when the temperatures are at the freezing mark, citing theft, abuse, and deplorable conditions. The Goddard Riverside Outreach Team offers supportive housing and safe havens in addition to other services such as mental health care. Mr. Hallmark noted that 63% of the homeless are in Manhattan. He discourages giving money to the homeless as there are many services available to them via city agencies. In addition, many who claim to be homeless actually have homes and are merely panhandling.

If you see a homeless person and want to help, call 311 and request that the Outreach Team be notified. The team will be dispatched quickly and is available 24/7.The meeting concluded with Miriam Febus, President of the West Side Federation, asking for community issues or projects to be evaluated and reviewed during 2016. If you have a particular issue or project that you would like this group to review, please send an email to mtkoval@aol.com. Fall Tree Pruning Completed!Bartlett Tree Service was out in force on January 13 to prune damaged and dead limbs from the block’s trees. The block association, concerned for the safety of pedestrians and car owners, had noted the dead branches of many trees on the block; however, the NYC Parks Department was unsure when its employees could come to trim the trees and stated it would probably be the spring. The board was concerned that, with icy and snowy weather approaching, the limbs could break so we arranged for Bartlett Tree Service to evaluate and prune the trees. The cost of this service was approximately $1,700. Please support our efforts by contributing to the block association. Your monies help pay for these vital services. Mary Koval

C A L E N D A R

West 104 Newsletter February 2016 7 www.bloomingdale.org

Upcoming Events in the Neighborhood And More!2/13: Columbia University’s Miller Theatre presents Belgium vocal ensemble Vox Luminis perform works by Bach and other members of the composer’s family in “The Bach Dynasty” at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30. www.millertheatre.com.

2/14/15: Celebrate the Year of the Monkey at the 17th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival, which includes music, dance performances, and food vendors. The parade kicks off at Mott and Hector Streets at 1 p.m. Free. www.nycgovpaks.org.

2/15–5/15: Discover the exceptional talent and skill of Vigée Le Brun, a French eighteeth-century portraitist and one of the few women of her day to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Painting. Patronized by Marie Antoinette, Le Brun fled France during the Revolution but later returned after years of painting Europe’s noble families. The Metropolitan Museum of Art will present the first retrospective of Le Brun’s work in modern times. Book tickets in advance. Open 7 days a week. Pay what you wish. 82nd Street and Fifth Ave. www.metmuseum.org.

2/21: Experience the spirit of the Year of the Monkey—cleverness, curiosity, and mischief—when Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performs at the American Museum of Natural History. Noon–3 p.m.

Free with museum admission. www.amnh.org.

2/24: Jive to the sounds of Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and Lee Morgan when the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra showcases their bebop-inflected big band rhythms. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. www.juilliard.edu.

2/24–2/25: The Cathedral Choristers of St. John the Divine join with the Manhattan School of Music’s symphony and choruses and the Oratorio Society of New York to perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8. This celebrated piece requires an off-stage brass ensemble and eight soloists. 7:30 p.m. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Tickets start at $25. www.stjohndivine.org.

3/3–3/5: Experience some of the world’s top flameno artists at “Festival Ay! Mas Flamenco,” presented by the World Music Institute at Symphony Space. This three-hour program showcases a range of troupes and styles. Tickets start at $45. www.symphonyspace.org.

3/8: The West Side has been the birthplace of great songs and songwriters. Bloomingdale School of Music celebrates that special West Side sound—and throws in other American operatic classics—in its “Crossing Over-American Song and Opera” program. 7 p.m. Free. www.bsmny.org. See website for more concerts.

3/18–8/7: Delve into the quirky, eclectic, and brilliant career of fashion-designer-come-performer-come-entrepreneur Isaac Mizrahi at the Jewish Museum. “Isaac Mizrahi: An Unruly History” explores the breadth and range of Mizrahi’s projects and his impact on the popular culture. The exhibition features clothing, video installations, drawings, and behind-the-scenes photographs, and more. Admission is $15; free on Saturdays. www.thejewishmuseum.org.

Activities for Children

2/13: Discover the rich diversity of Muslim cultures in the U.S. and around the world in “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far” at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Visit a mosque, a souk, and learn to say “My name is….” in fifteen different languages! Admission is $12. www.cmom.org.

2/27: Celebrate Black History Month Family Day at the Museum of the City of New York. Enjoy performances and lessons from the Harlem Swing Dance Society, story telling, mural making, and more. 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Free with museum admission. Pre-registration is recommended. www.mcny.org.

3/18–9/25: Discover the man behind everyone’s favorite pigeon (not to mention the fabulous Knuffle Bunny) in “The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems” at the New-York Historical Society. www.nyhistory.org.

Cheap Events Around TownVisit these websites for ideas and information:www.amny.com/cheapskatewww.nyc-arts.orgwww.niftynyc.com

Photos: J. Medlock; Marty Umans

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Mo Willems

N E I G H B O R H O O D S E R V I C E S

www.bloomingdale.org 8 West 104 Newsletter February 2016

BLOOMINGDALE AGING IN PLACE (BaiP) Bloominplace.orgBAiP is an intergenerational volunteer network of neighbors working to help older residents to continue living at home safely and comfortably. BAiP sponsors social and cultural activities, provides educational tools, and a helping hand for those in need through its Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) program. The latter takes the form of providing help going places, running errands, light shopping, accompaniment at home or outdoors, and information. If you want to contact N2N for this kind of assistance, or to talk about volunteering, e-mail: N2N@bloominplace.org, or call: 212.842.8831 to leave a message with your contact information. Either way, a BAiP member will respond promptly.Computer Consultant/PC DoctorComputers repaired, maintained, viruses removed, junk mail controlled. Advice to repair or buy. I do Windows! Contact Greg Williams, block resident at 212.749.2398, 917.771.2929, or prosolutions@stny.rr.com,Mathematics Tutoring Former Bronx HS of Science teacher SAT, SHSAT, GRE, LSAT logic games Henry 212-666-0396

QuickBooks Consultant/Professional OrganizerAccounting, business and personal finances, home and file organization. Contact Ellen Curtis at 212.749.2398, 607.829.5631, or EC4QBooks@aol.com.Pet sittingExperienced, responsible, caring pet sitter. I take care of your pets like they are my own! Dogs, cats, small animals, birds, reptiles, fish. Very reasonable rates. Call Tova at 212-662-5143 or email tgetoff@gmail.com.Writer/EditorProfessional writer & Faulkner finalist available for critiques, editing & as a writing tutor. Contact Pat at: 212-615-6927

Your Neighborhood Service Publicized FREE!Publicize your neighborhood service (babysitting, dog walking, apartment cleaning, etc.) free in the newsletter and on our web site for one year, renewable. To submit an ad mail/deliver this information to Jon Smith, 320 RSD or send to 104thstreetba@gmail.comFor our records: Your name and mailing addressFor publication: Your name, contact method (phone or email address), description of your service

Call for Safe Escort Home With Block

Guard

Security Guard Phone Number:

347-723-1517

If you’re ever coming home at night and you’d like to have an escort, please don’t hesitate to call Osbourne Thomas, our security guard. He has a special phone for these times, and he will come to meet you either on West End Avenue or Riverside Drive and walk with you to your home.

The block association board meets once a month.

We enjoy having residents attend the meetings.

Please let us know if you would like to attend one and we will

send you an invitation.104thstreetba@gmail.com

2016 1st Quarter Dues:

Please allocate my contribution to: Amount of check: ____________

___Security ___Beautification ___Social ___Newsletter ___Board Decision (Suggested amt: $35/quarter or $140/year)

Name_______________________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________ Apt. No._____________________

E-mail Address_____________________________________________ Phone_____________________________(For internal use only. The Block Assn. will not sell, exchange, or lend your e-mail address to any outside parties.)

Suggestions for the block:_________________________________________________________________Make checks payable to West 104th Street Block Association Inc.Please send to our treasurer: Barbara Boynton: 905 WEA, #71, NY, NY 10025 or leave with one of the following:

T. Grace: 308 W. 104, Apt 1A G. Waskow: 320 RSD, Apt. 8GM. Koval: 895 WEA, 6D J. Howitt: 315 RSD, Apt. 8CM. Mann: 309 W. 104, Apt 3A

Children’s Book Drive: Sponsored by Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell

The West 104th Street Block Association would like to support Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell in his annual Children’s Book Drive.

Please bring your gently used, or new books for children ages 5–18 years to Mary Koval, 895 West End Ave, Apt. 6D, OR directly to Daniel O’Donnell’s office at 245 W. 104th Street between WEA and Broadway.

Books will be accepted from now until March 3 and will be donated to the NYC Public Schools.