Visiting Greenwich Village as if it was the first time – REPOST!!

August 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment

I was cruising through Greenwich Village the other day while working on research and development for my product invention, RestoPresto, and saw a fun group taking a Free Tours by Foot tour.

This reminded me of my own lovely experience so I am reposting my article and hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for following The Candi Dish!

Keith Haring Mural at James J Walker Park

Keith Haring Mural at James J Walker Park

The Candi Dish is a huge fan of taking tours to get to know cities.  Manhattan included, even for residents. The City’s 380+ year history provides for much to see, do and learn so naturally there are many tour opportunities that cater to both visitors and locals.  I made a clever last minute decision to join a “Free Tours by Foot” Greenwich Village walking tour led by Renée on a chilly and sunny autumn day last week and it was fantastic.  Learning new things about the place that I call home felt great.  I detail my two favorite parts of the tour here.

I joined the group at stop #2 (because I was running a bit late) in front of The Northern Dispensary, a now defunct medical facility that was built in 1827 and is located at an interesting intersection in which one side of the building faces two streets: Grove and Christopher while the other two sides face Waverly. I have passed that building tons of times but never knew its interesting story (please look it up for more info).

Northern Dispensary - Empty but Full of History

Northern Dispensary – Empty but Full of History

I previously posted about how one should look out and up when walking around the City so please allow me to contradict myself because examining the pavement beneath your feet can be very rewarding. One such example is the small triangular mosaic imbedded on the southwest corner of Christopher and 7th Avenue South in front of Village Cigars that reads “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has Never Been Dedicated for Public Purposes.”  In a nutshell, David Hess once owned a five-story building at this location and it was seized by the City since it obstructed construction plans to widen 7th Avenue South. In 1914, Mr. Hess fought the city but lost and was left with only a 500-square inch piece of land, which he was expected to donate to the City to become part of the thoroughfare “for public purposes”. Mr. Hess refused and to symbolize his defiance, implanted the mosaic to remind people of his plight. In 1938, Mr. Hess sold the triangle to Village Cigars and the shop has left the mosaic message, a west village treasure, untouched. Again, I have walked by Village Cigars (a NY institution in its own right) countless times and never noticed this priceless piece of NY history.

David Hess' Tiny Plot of Private Property

David Hess’ Tiny Plot of Private Property

Being escorted around Greenwich Village by someone who knows much more than I was a joy.  I observed architecture (smallest house in Manhattan), special spots (the alleged origin of the term “86 that guy”) and street art (Keith Haring, anyone?) for the first time. An experience like this for a local is remarkable.  If you have 2.5 hours to spend exploring, consider a Free Tours by Foot, you will be glad that you did. http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park

Please note that I was not compensated by Free Tours by Foot for this post.  My hope is to simply spread the word about a great tour company. 

Filed Under: Manhattan, Mixed Dish Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

It Was 20 Years Ago Today – Part 3

July 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Plastic bags are not okay but this one is cute and was recycled!

Plastic bags are not okay but this one is cute and was recycled!

The Candi Dish has been busy cooking up something REALLY big so please pardon the fact that Part 3 of my 20th Anniversary of living in Manhattan (which actually occurred in May) is being posted at the end of July!

From Andy Warhol’s “Dollar Signs” series. This one hangs in Christie’s in Rockefeller Center

From Andy Warhol’s “Dollar Signs” series. This work hangs in Christie’s in Rock Center

“John Finley Walk” Silhouette on the East River named after a man dedicated to education who loved to walk the perimeter of Manhattan

“John Finley Walk” Silhouette on the East River named after a man dedicated to education who loved to walk the perimeter of Manhattan

Honoring Barbra Streisand for her film career at the 40th annual Chaplin Award at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in 2013 was an incredibly memorable evening

Honoring Barbra Streisand for her film career at the 40th annual Chaplin Award at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in 2013 was an incredibly memorable evening

A bench in Central Park dedicated to the incomparable Jim Henson

A bench in Central Park dedicated to the incomparable Jim Henson

“Tribeca Talks Director Series" is a fantastic opportunity during the Tribeca Film Festival to experience brilliance like that of Ron Howard who was interviewed by Brian Williams

“Tribeca Talks Director Series” is a fantastic opportunity during the Tribeca Film Festival to experience brilliance like that of Ron Howard who was interviewed by Brian Williams

Still giving peace a chance, at Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree in Chelsea

Still giving peace a chance, at Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree in Chelsea

My feet welcoming fall 2013 and always in admiration of great New Yorkers

My feet welcoming fall 2013 and in constant admiration of great New Yorkers

George Washington took the oath of office as our first President at Federal Hall on Wall Street

George Washington took the oath of office as the 1st US President at Federal Hall on Wall St

Keith Haring’s 170 foot long mural in Greenwich Village on a wall that connected the Carmine Street Pool to the James J. Walker Park handball court was painted in August 1987 and still stands today.

Keith Haring’s 170 foot long mural in Greenwich Village on a wall that connected the Carmine Street Pool to the James J. Walker Park handball court was painted in August 1987 and still stands today.

Father Mychal Judge was a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest who served as a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. Born in Brooklyn, Mychal dedicated his life to helping others and was known for his extraordinary works of charity and deep spirituality. While offering aid and prayers for the rescuers at the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001, Father Mychal Judge was injured and killed. He was 68 years old. Each September 11th, I attend a Memorial Service at St. Bart’s Cathedral and at the 2013 service, members of “Mychal’s Message” handed out prayer cards memorializing a man that impacted countless lives. This is a photo of the card.


Father Mychal Judge was a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest who served as a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. Born in Brooklyn, Mychal dedicated his life to helping others and was known for his extraordinary works of charity and deep spirituality. While offering aid and prayers for the rescuers at the World Trade Center to which he rushed to help on the morning of September 11, 2001, Father Mychal Judge was injured and killed. He was 68 years old. Each September 11th, I attend a Memorial Service at St. Bart’s Cathedral to honor the Firefighters from my neighborhood who lose their lives that tragic day.  At the 2013 service, members of “Mychal’s Message” handed out prayer cards memorializing a selfless, giving, beautiful man whose daily work impacted countless lives. This is a photo of the card.

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Meathead as the 41st Annual Recipient of the Charlie Chaplin Award for his contribution to film

Celebrating Meathead as the 41st Annual Recipient of the Charlie Chaplin Award for his contribution to film

There are just SO many photos to share. Each of these photos is connected to a person. Living in New York, one has access to extraordinary people or their legacies. Every day.

Filed Under: Manhattan, Mixed Dish Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Visiting Greenwich Village as if it was the first time

October 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Keith Haring Mural at James J Walker Park

Keith Haring Mural at James J Walker Park

The Candi Dish is a huge fan of taking tours to get to know cities.  Manhattan included, even for residents. The City’s 380+ year history provides for much to see, do and learn so naturally there are many tour opportunities that cater to both visitors and locals.  I made a clever last minute decision to join a “Free Tours by Foot” Greenwich Village walking tour led by Renée on a chilly and sunny autumn day last week and it was fantastic.  Learning new things about the place that I call home felt great.  I detail my two favorite parts of the tour here.

I joined the group at stop #2 (because I was running a bit late) in front of The Northern Dispensary, a now defunct medical facility that was built in 1827 and is located at an interesting intersection in which one side of the building faces two streets: Grove and Christopher while the other two sides face Waverly. I have passed that building tons of times but never knew its interesting story (please look it up for more info).

Northern Dispensary - Empty but Full of History

Northern Dispensary – Empty but Full of History

I previously posted about how one should look out and up when walking around the City so please allow me to contradict myself because examining the pavement beneath your feet can be very rewarding. One such example is the small triangular mosaic imbedded on the southwest corner of Christopher and 7th Avenue South in front of Village Cigars that reads “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has Never Been Dedicated for Public Purposes.”  In a nutshell, David Hess once owned a five-story building at this location and it was seized by the City since it obstructed construction plans to widen 7th Avenue South. In 1914, Mr. Hess fought the city but lost and was left with only a 500-square inch piece of land, which he was expected to donate to the City to become part of the thoroughfare “for public purposes”. Mr. Hess refused and to symbolize his defiance, implanted the mosaic to remind people of his plight. In 1938, Mr. Hess sold the triangle to Village Cigars and the shop has left the mosaic message, a west village treasure, untouched. Again, I have walked by Village Cigars (a NY institution in its own right) countless times and never noticed this priceless piece of NY history.

David Hess' Tiny Plot of Private Property

David Hess’ Tiny Plot of Private Property

Being escorted around Greenwich Village by someone who knows much more than I was a joy.  I observed architecture (smallest house in Manhattan), special spots (the alleged origin of the term “86 that guy”) and street art (Keith Haring, anyone?) for the first time. An experience like this for a local is remarkable.  If you have 2.5 hours to spend exploring, consider a Free Tours by Foot, you will be glad that you did. http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park

Please note that I was not compensated by Free Tours by Foot for this post.  My hope is to simply spread the word about a great tour company. 

Filed Under: Manhattan Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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