Wow, have I fallen behind!

Sorry about the lack of posts since early June. Let's just say Street 21 has been on vacation. Now I'm back—tanned, rested and ready. You may have noticed some changes going on around the buildings. To begin with, the elevators have had a smart new paint job though the doors on the floors above the first floor have yet to be repainted (at least that's the case at 221). I must say, I was hoping that the elevators would keep the stressed Pompeian patina look (see picture) after they had been sanded, but the final paint job is a definite improvement.

Laundry update: Sources tell me that the folding tables should be arriving today!

Annual Share Holders Meeting!

The meeting will be held this Thursday, June 11th, in the basement of 223 at 6:30 PM. Shareholders will be voting on board members. Here are the nominees:

Robert Bannon (4A)*
Gregory Hill (3N)
Andrew Leon (2A-B)*
Harvey Mar (4D-E)*
James Periconi (5M)*
Kelly Rae (5K)*
Anthony Wolff (2M-N)*

*Designates current board member

Show up early for delicious food and bev!

The Basement of Forgotten Bikes

Have you forgotten your faithful two-wheeler?

There are five orphaned bikes in storage in the basement: two kids bikes, a mountain bike, a cruiser and a vintage bike. If you have been missing your bike, let us know at the blog or contact management (though they will be away until June).

I am considering an auction for the unclaimed bikes with the proceeds going to the coop reserve.

Stoop Sale!

300 West 23rd, 22nd, and 21st Streets Block Association

Community Stoop Sale!
Saturday May 16th
11 to 4
on 22nd St. from 7th Ave. to 10th Ave
Rain date: May 17th

To participate, set up a table or use your building stoop* and sell books, toys, clothes & small items. Make a contribution to your Block Association from your profit.

300 Block Association call 212-989-0157

email: 3000westblockassoc@prodigy.net

No food or large furniture.
No commercial vendors
* Not sure about 21st street.

Photo by Jill Freedman

This Just in . . .

Update: A bookcase for 231 has been found! Enjoy.

A couple news items:

The Books are Back!
The library in the 223 laundry room has returned. Feel free to donate those old thrillers and out dated guide books or help yourself to previously read classics!

A Good Cause for Local Public School
The next couple of weeks or so, the Jamba Juice on 8th Ave and 23rd St. will donate 20% of purchases to PS11. Ask the manager, Elan, for details.

BUY, SELL, OR TRADE!

Have something you want to get rid of but you're wary of the unsavory contact with the deviants, frauds and perverts on Craig's List? List it here!

Looking for something that could make your life easier? Maybe your neighbor has one!

Want to swap out those old books/DVDs/CDs with someone else's? Tell us what you got.

If I had a hammer (and a brush) . . .

Okay, so we've had a few cleaner suggestions and a bunch of restaurant ideas. Please keep 'em coming. Now we would like to hear about carpenters and painters. Let us know you who you recommend and their specialties (large jobs, small jobs, cabinetry, etc.) What were the ups and downs of different jobs? As always, thanks for your input and keep the comments coming!

Bear in mind: This blog is not responsible for the work done by recommended workers and any workers working in the building need to have their own liability insurance.

Click here for more images of the new basement floor.

The Chow Question

photos: Adam Hurwitz

What are your favorite local joints for dinner, lunch, takeout, brunch, late night snacks, street pizza?

What are the worst neighborhood restaurants? Where did the takeout with the unwelcome six legged guest come from? Which places almost killed you?


We want to know.

What's going on in the basement of 223?

[Update: The floors are done and access to the basement at 223 has been restored. The new washers will be installed on Thursday and, God willing, should be ready to go on Friday. The new smart-card machines will accept $5, $10, and $20 bills. Cards will be available through the management office (2N). The first one is free and additional cards are available at cost for $5. Machines will operate at $1 per load. ]

As you may have surmised from the racket emanating from the basement in 223, (and the memo slipped under your door) the leprotic concrete floor is being renovated.

The good news is that the over-hall presented a good opportunity to swap out the two stalwart coin-operated laundry machines with three modern front-loading washers and dryers (with smart card technology). The bad news is that, until March 20th, we laundry procrastinators in 223 will have to trudge over to the laundry room of 231 to do our washing.

In addition, from March 10th to the 14th, the garbage chute and basement doors will be locked so trash will disposed of in covered garbage cans placed under the stairs in the lobby.

Brace yourselves, 231! You're next!

Looking for a cleaner?

I have often been tempted to have someone come in and clean my apartment on a regular basis. If I ever overcome my control issues and my tightfisted nature, I will act on the temptation. In the mean time, if anyone does use a regular cleaning service and feels confident enough to recommend them, please supply the following information:

• how often they come to clean
• what they do.
• how much you pay them
• how they were referred to you
• contact information

This post (like all other recommendation posts) will be constantly updated and will have a permanent link on the sidebar.

Bear in mind: failure to pay social security taxes for house cleaners has sunk many potential political appointments. Be on the safe side!

Thanks!

Adam

Welcome to Street 21

Welcome to Street 21, a blog devoted to the communities of 223 and 231 West 21st Street. This blog will serve as a forum for members to share information about the building(s) and the community, and as a way to connect with their neighbors. Many of us been living here for years and have accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the neighborhood and life in these wonderful buildings. My hope is that this blog will become a resource for information concerning subjects as diverse as: finding a plumber or cleaning service, recommendations/warnings about contractors, restaurant suggestions etc. This blog will also be a source for news about changes happening in the neighborhood, and the city at large that effect the community. It is a work in progress, so please be patient as I make adjustments along the way.

Anyone is welcome to comment but please avoid personal attacks on individuals. Such comments will be removed. Thanks for your participation!

This blog is not affiliated with the board or of 223 and 231 West 21st Street or Wolff Management.

Thanks
-AH