Scoopy’s notebook
Rockin’ the vote:
Rocker Lou Reed had the same reaction to John McCain’s New School University graduation speech as many of the students who protested ååthe pro-war senator’s address last week. During a free concert to mark the opening of 7 World Trade Center on Tuesday, Reed said “anyone with a sixth-grade education” was smart enough to know not to vote for McCain.
‘Arthur’ it is:
Community Board 2 last week voted to recommend renaming the planted triangle on the west side of Hudson St. between Bank and Bethune Sts. for Arthur Strickler, the board’s late bowtie-wearing district manager. Arthur Schwartz, the board’s Waterfront and Parks Committee chairperson, first recommended that the name on the sign say “Arty Strickler.” But he deferred to Strickler’s best friend on the board, Carol Yankay, who said it should read “Arthur,” not “Arty.” Although everyone knew him as Arty, Yankay said of Strickler’s partner, “David called him Arthur.”
Scoopy roars:
Also at Board 2, Schwartz last Thursday night decided not to challenge Brad Hoylman for first vice chairperson of the board in next month’s election. That morning he had written a letter to board members asking for their vote and outlining his community achievements. But by the time the meeting rolled around, he announced he was dropping out. The reason? He told us he’d read in last week’s Scoopy’s Notebook that Hoylman had called him a “lightning rod.” “I’m not a lightning rod,” said Schwartz, sounding a little wounded. For those waiting to see if Schwartz drops out of the State Committee race, keep waiting. “I just opened my campaign bank account,” Schwartz said last Thursday.
Going for Tasini:
Michael Farrin, East Village Democratic State Committeeman, said he’s planning to endorse Jonathan Tasini for senator against Hillary Clinton at the June 1 endorsements of Coalition for a District Alternative. Of course, Village Independent Democrats endorsed Tasini over Clinton two weeks ago. Farrin said he’ll also be voting for Tasini at the upcoming Democratic State Convention. Tasini, who backs a quick pullout of troops from Iraq, has been snagging the support of Downtowners frustrated by Clinton’s “nonposition” on the war. Politically active actress Susan Sarandon is also backing Tasini, though at a recent event she reportedly said New Yorkers are fortunate to have Clinton as their senator. So apparently Clinton should stay senator, according to Sarandon.
Blackout:
We hear that Lucky Diamond Rich, the world’s most tattooed man, will soon start working as an apprentice at Fun City tattoos on St. Mark’s Pl. between First Ave. and Avenue A. He’s so tattooed that he’s all black and now is being tattooed in white. He has shiny metal teeth, that look good against the black. In short, you can’t miss this fellow on the street. “He’s looking for a roommate. He’s a really nice guy,” reports John Penley, who heard about Rich’s plan when he was at the recent Tattoo Convention. “He will rapidly become an East Village celebrity — just by the way that he looks,” Penley assured. “There is no part of his body that isn’t tattooed, even inside his nose.”
Clarification: We apologize for getting it wrong on Satsko last week. The E. Seventh St. sake bar is not offering all-you-can-drink sake for $10 an hour, but a sake-drinking competition in which patrons pay $10 to see who can drink two sake bombs — a beer with a hot sake dropped in it — fastest. The winner gets a T-shirt. Gomen nasai, as they say in Japan, after a few sake bombs.
playboy Pastor? Speaking of Japan, Japanese Playboy e-mailed us requesting permission to use a photo of Frank Morales that ran in a Villager profile on him for an article about conspiracy theorists who see 9/11 as the “new grassy knoll.” A former squatter activist, Morales is a pastor at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery, where he helps lead the weekly Sunday night “9/11 truth forums” investigating the “so-called official story.” Said Morales, “The truth movement across the country is booming. There really needs to be an investigation of maybe 100 questions.” As for being in Japanese Playboy, he said, “What can I do? Can I block it if I was morally outraged? — not that I am. Maybe I’ll be in the centerfold.” We forwarded the request to Bob Arihood, who took the photo.
Correction: In last week’s issue, an article on the chimney collapse at 84 Bedford St. incorrectly identified Lee Grodin as an aide to Assemblymember Deborah Glick. Grodin is an aide to Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
