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2021 PPP Loans Set to Bolster Hospitality Industry

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2021 applications for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program opened on January 11. First-time borrowers who meet SBA requirements can apply for up to two-and-a half times their average monthly salary expenditures. Applications for second-time borrowers will open on Wednesday, January 13.

The $284 billion federal program is expected to provide a critical lifeline for the hospitality and food service industries. Congress revamped eligibility requirements last year after criticism that the initial round of funding, which was tapped in less than two weeks, provided millions of dollars in relief funding to large corporations with deep wells of reserve funds at the expense of small businesses that have struggled to survive the pandeminc.

Second-time borrowers in the hospitality industry who are trying to compensate for reduced patronage due to indoor and/or outdoor dining bans in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other major cities will be eligible to increase their loan applications by 40 percent.

In addition, businesses that abide by the loan regulations – most of the money has to be spent on employee salaries – can expect to have the loan eventually turn into a grant. Businesses that do not follow SBA rules will be required to repay their loans with interest.

The loans are certain to be a lifeline for many New York restaurant owners, but it is important to note that while the coronavirus pandemic has certainly hit the industry hard, the city continues to be a mecca for foodies. Eater.com, an online food journal published by Vox Media, has published a list of the city’s best options for eating out, listed by borough and including options for inside- and outside dining.

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Primo’s Tribeca Graces Frederick Hotel

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Shimmie Horn’s Frederick Hotel recently got a new long-term guest of sorts.  Primo’s Tribeca was described by an article in Vogue as bringing “downtown vibes to an area that hasn’t been known for its late-night hospitality since the Odeon defined the city’s after-hours scene in the 1980s.”

According to Aisa Shelley, Managing Partner of the restaurant explained that “what really pushed [him] over the edge for thinking it was a good idea [to open] was a group of new business owners that were popping up in the area.”  One of these is Frenchette which opened last year at Tribeca’s 241 West Broadway between White and Walker streets.

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New Exhibit Opens at a Unique NYC Museum

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If you’re looking for an interactive, educational museum experience, consider a visit to New York’s Tenement Museum. This museum, an official New York Historical site, tells the story of immigration in an authentic, vibrant way. Housed in two tenement buildings, the museum’s tours offer visitors a glimpse into the past.

The Tenement Museum, after turning away thousands of visitors each year, recently completed an 8-million-dollar expansion project. The new 10,000 square foot facility on the Lower East Side offers several guided tours. The latest tour, “Under One Roof,” introduces visitors to a building that has housed several generations of NYC immigration. By showcasing the lives of  three families—all of whom arrived from different countries and were raised in this building, visitors can gain insight into America’s “melting pot.”

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New York City’s Theater District

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NYC’s theater district is a great place to vacation.  And for those looking for a luxurious place to do just that, the Washington Jefferson boutique hotel is a good choice.   You can be in the center of Midtown Manhattan but enjoy a quiet escape and just before you go out for your show at any of the thousands of theater options nearby, get into Japanese culture with the hotel’s finest Shimzu Sushi and Shochu Bar.

From Hamilton to Pretty Woman, To Kill a Mockingbird to Boys in the Band, there really is something for everyone…and then some at NYC’s Theater District. For more information and ticket booking, click here.

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Go Green!!!

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For St. Patrick’s Day that is!!!!  In New York City Ireland makes a visit tomorrow.    Start off with a lesson in history at the Irish Mob of Hell’s Kitchen: From the Gophers to the Westies, whereby you can explore the organized crime history of the city and see where infamous Irish gang members held “office” back in the day.

Later on, you might want to join for the NYC Irish Pub Crawl and enjoy some Celtic dance performances. On this crawl you’ll be able to enjoy the classic Irish An Béal Bocht (which – translated from Gaelic means ‘pour mouth’).  As well as your Beer, to satisfy your hunger order the classic Irish breakfast.  Because then you can justify beer drinking any time of the day!

For a traditional, classic and historical twist, part of the crawl you’ll enjoy is the McSorley’s Old Ale House.  Established in 1854, it is New York City’s oldest tavern and is still today incredibly authentic featuring sawdust-wooden floors, eight-ounce mugs and sharp cheddar and zippy raw onion grub.

And if you want to keep it sober there is always the Sober St. Patrick’s Day event at which you’ll be able to enjoy Irish step dancers, classic food and non-alcoholic beverages.  Featuring John Whelan Band, fiddler Dylan Foley and Irish dancing acts, this is about as traditional as you can get for your green-filled-fun day!

 

 

 

NY Environment, Uncategorized

Community Gardens Thriving in NYC

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Farmers and sustainable living enthusiasts are convening throughout NYC to support the GreenThumb program’s community gardens. Spread across numerous neighborhoods, these gardens offer a green summer sanctuary as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to local communities who may be in need.

This summer, the garden count has reached 553, all of which are cultivated by a dedicated crowd of 20,000 volunteers. There is now an annual budget of $2.9 million as well as a staff of 35 people who offer free training and ongoing support, as well as tools and materials. Located on public or city-owned property, the gardens have been the subject of several real estate-related disputes.  For the most part, though, the gardens are considered an integral piece of NYC.

GreenThumb director Bill LoSasso, explained that the project is especially beneficial in communities with many new immigrants.

“Sometimes when you arrive in a new place, you don’t have a network you can tap into for support. By joining a community garden, you’re joining a network of neighbors who are coming from diverse backgrounds who can help new members of their community to get settled.”

Many newcomers to NYC have roots in agriculture as well, making community gardens a familiar, comfortable place for them to meet like-minded community members.

Mr. Efrain Estrada, for example, grows peppers, eggplants, okra and squash. Originally from Puerto Rico, Estrada has confessed that he used to hate working on his family’s farm. Now, he is actively involved in his community garden, and grows so many vegetables that he sends some home to his relatives. “I had farming in my blood,” he says.

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Oodles of Noodles

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At least if you’re in the East Village.  Noodle eateries are all becoming increasingly popular these days in the region.  One example is Simone Tong’s Little Tong Noodle Shop at the East Village’s 177 1st Avenue.  Somewhat appropriately named (in the sense that Simone is, well, quite small) but does not represent the size of the servings, which are pretty large.  Using mixian for her dishes (which directly translated from the Chinese means rice threads, but are more commonly known as rice noodles) which have a springy texture and a little tang in taste due to fermentation.  They originally come from the Yunnan Province of China.  They are not seen all that much in America but that will likely change if Tong has anything to do with it.

So large is the noodle explosion in the area that when one eatery closes, another opens in its stead.  After Biang closed its doors at 157 Second Avenue, Jacob Ding took a detour in his career as a financier and use family recipes to open up a Guilin boiled rice noodle and dim sum parlor.  Responding to his wife’s wish that such a place existed, plans to open Yuan Noodle began to form.  And it seems like he has the backing for it, having been raised in Guilin (China) where rice noodles reign. At the restaurant, these will be served dry (unlike the traditional way of being served with soup), as well as classic dim sum dishes.

Then there is the Momofuku Noodle Bar from David Chang, featuring a slatted wood design and an antique credenza displaying the menu. Food options include Berkshire pork belly and deep-pink shredded shoulder as from the long-simmered stock, one can choose from healthier toppings such as chopped scallions, slivered snow peas and  chewy preserved bamboo shoots, as well as somewhat unique Greenmarket corn, briefly sautéed and still crunchy, topping.  Having been awarded the Best Pickle Plate (2006) and Best Pork Tamale (2010) New York Awards, this restaurant is most definitely holding its own in the New York noodle market.

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Adult Learning Center Celebrations

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educationHaving been in existence now for five decades Manhattan’s Adult Learning Center is marking this milestone with an event at the Chic-Fil-A.  The school that was established for adult and alternative education back in 1966 is, according to the Director of the ALC, Vickie Turkowski, “still benefiting students and community” today. It is continuing to grow and this celebration is to thank those who have helped the organization thrive all these years.

One example of how the school has thrived is marked by the event’s attendance of 65+ year old students Leon Havens and Sandra Hobbs who graduated with their high school diplomas thanks to ALC.  Hobbs pointed out that when she first came to the school she couldn’t even read or understand what she’d read.  now she has a high school diploma. Her next step is to learn how to sew.

There are a variety of programs on offer at the center as well as specialized classes for adults to gain a vocation.  For example: the Open Door Diploma Completion Program, English as a Second Language, computer literacy classes and more.  In addition the ALC works together with the Manhattan Area Technical College giving students the opportunity to obtain a certification as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Allied Health Field, or Building Trades and Welding.

Fitness, Uncategorized

Russia Comes to Flatiron

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martial-artWell, Russian martial arts anyway. Located at 5th and 6th avenue the Polygon Elite is home to Russian Systema Martial Art, guiding “the most efficient, realistic, competent and comprehensive solution to elite hand-to-hand, close quarters combat instruction, ‘forged out of the most brutal training regime ever created’.”

These classes are great for “law enforcement, security professionals, professional contractors, consultancy to corporations, organizations & educational entities, as well as specialized civilian self-defense training in the New York City area and worldwide.”

The classes are taught by Russian Airborne Brigade and the students come away with “elite hand-to-hand fighting skills, including striking, strike absorption & pain compliance, offensive and defensive weaponry skills with a variety of weapons, including improvised & unconventional weapons, ground survival, including dive/roll/falling techniques, body movement, stealth techniques and escape, evasion & ambush tactics against individual and multiple attackers, strikes, confined spaces fighting, psychological & physiological training, including life-saving Russian Breathing/Healing work.” This can then be used in real situations when faced with “negative ‘recall/autopilot’.” As well as this core course, there are modified versions for “civilians, offering defensive, self-protection procedures.” The course is a great way to become familiar with “battle-proven hand-to-hand close quarters combat fighting tactics.”