W42ST Daily 6/23/2020
“So, just a lowly tutor and voice over artist requesting updates,” Alexis wrote to me. “How have people been handling their rent in HK?”
The moratorium on evictions ended over the weekend, and while it has been extended for some people whose income has been directly affected by coronavirus (until August), there has been no move towards providing relief for the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have lost their source of income … or for small landlords facing the same problem.
Last month, we wrote about the potential exodus from the city – now that reality is biting. Manhattan’s rental vacancy figures are the highest they’ve been in 14 years. Yet the rent is still due (along with the backlog for anyone who wasn’t able to pay over the last three months).
“Not a single person I know, rich or poor, has been able to get their management company to budge beyond the basically mandated extension for payment and ‘incentive’ pay more now, get a discount later garbage,” says Alexis.
What has your experience been? Tell me how you’re surviving financially and emotionally. Has your landlord helped? What does the future hold for you? And what are your biggest questions? I’ll take them to a lawyer and, hopefully, get some answers.
ONE OF THE GOOD ONES
“Mr Haviv was unlike any other landlord I ever had or would have,” says David Serchuk. “Always around, always ready to chat, and share his wisdom. He truly treated his tenants like family, the good kind of family. If I ever, ever had any problems he would either fix it on his own – and he was already in his 60s – or have the super Louie do it. I never had to wait more than a few days.”
Baruch (Barry) Haviv passed away on May 24 from COVID-19. New York City landlords have rarely been considered exemplary citizens, but his tenants say Barry was an example of how to do it right. This is his story.
VOTE
Today’s the day for state and federal primary elections. Have your say in the outcome. Find out all the details, including where to vote, here.
PLAY
City parks and playgrounds are OPEN. Whoop! Play responsibly, friends.
SAIL
Find out how a ship floats, and learn how to create your own floating vessels, at this online session with The Intrepid Museum, for children ages eight through 18. Register here.
POSE
The Guggenheim celebrates Pride with vogue ballroom legend and founding father of the Royal House of Oricci, Omari Wiles, the Les Ballet Afrik dance company, and Oricci family members, in dance lessons, demonstrations, and a live DJ set every night until June 29. Find out more.
BID
Rockefeller Center’s Love Above All fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center is going online this year, with items up for auction from Lady Gaga, Heidi Klum, Bob the Drag Queen, plus a wedding at Rockefeller Center and a chef’s table experience for 10 at Rainbow Room. What am I bid?
WATCH
On Wednesday, Film at Lincoln Center will screen the Oscar-nominated documentary Hale County This Morning, This Evening! following African American families living in Hale County, Alabama. It will be followed by a live talk with writer director RaMell Ross. Find out more.
LISTEN
The Met’s virtual opera season continues tomorrow with Saint-Saëns’s biblical epic Samson et Dalila. Watch it here.
GO LIVE
MCC Theatre’s Live Labs series continues with the one-act play When, about a mother, a daughter, and Downton Abbey. Find out more.
WORK
Every Thursday at noon, I step away from my laptop and step up to Instagram Live, for a half hour workout with one of the trainers from Mark Fisher Fitness. It’s accessible, fun, and free. Get sweaty here.
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