Community spirit at work—It’s happening. Mezzaluna, the 40+ – year-old Italian restaurant at 1295 3rd Avenue at E. 71st Street is closed as of November 1st. So Mark and Jennifer Miller, owners of Jennifer Miller Jewelry at 972 Lexington Ave, near East 70th St., stepped up and started a GoFundMe campaign to help out the laid off workers who have helped the community so often over the years.
In the months prior to closing, there was a widespread community campaign to keep Mezzaluna open—it lasted several months—but sadly, now it’s happened.
“Mezzaluna’s staff supported their families by working long hours and feeding this community well,” Jennifer Miller wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Now they are facing the sudden loss of steady work, with the holiday season approaching. All funds raised will be given to management to distribute to the staff. This support will help workers as they look for new jobs and handle the immediate pressure of losing work so suddenly.” As of Oct. 30, the fund had raised just under $19,000.
Celebrating Elaine Shulman—Elaine’s illustrious career was celebrated on her 90th birthday earlier this year with a bash at the Arte Cafe with a party co-hosted by Judge George Silver (ret.) and Judge Adam Silvera—attended by a roomful of Honorables, electeds, and friends—and here’s why:
Elaine’s career in the civic, political, and judicial life of New York began in the 1950’s when she was a City College student and studied under the renowned Dr. Kenneth Clark who recognized her intellectual and communication capabilities and became her mentor and guided her career in Democrat Party politics. She was in the inner circle of the Civil Rights Movement when Thurgood Marshall, who lived in Harlem at the time, argued Brown v The Board of Education before ascending to the US Supreme Court.
In addition to her work in government, Elaine has been a force in UWS Dem party politics from the time she came on the scene. She served as President of Ansonia Democratic Club. In recent years, Ansonia merged into the club now known as the West Side Democratic Club. Elaine has also had a storied career as a campaign consultant for judicial and political candidates.
In 2016, Elaine was invited to present a plaque to Northside CEO, Dr. Thelma Dye, PhD., on behalf of Harlem Cultural Archives. It was a Harlem in the Hamptons event. Hon. W. Franc Perry, now retired, also presented a proclamation to Dr. Dye on behalf of several elected officials who represented Harlem. Judge Perry was at Cafe Arte celebrating Elaine’s 90th.
Manhattan BP Brad Hoylman-Sigal presented Elaine with a Proclamation for her government service. She also served on the staff of former Manhattan beep C. Virginia Fields. Recently elected Hell’s Kitchen State Senator Erik Bottcher was also among the guests as were Supreme Court Judges Alex Tisch, Melissa Crane, Nancy Bannon, and newly elected Supreme Court Judge (as of November 3rd) Hasa Kingo, and Civil Court Judge Allison Greenfield. Four Freedoms District Leader Kim Moscaritolo and Treasurer John Bartos were there, too.
The co-hosts were among many who sang Elaine’s praises for all the help she had done in the early days of their own judicial careers.
“Elaine has helped so many of us to the bench,” said Hon. George Silver. “Her silent impact on the citizens of the City will last at least a generation.
Hon. Adam Silvera agreed. “I owe Elaine a debt of gratitude for her guiding me and encouraging me to go to law school,” he said. “She saw talent in me that as a young man at 21 I was unaware of. She would not stop advocating for me to go to law school and look where I am today. I am eternally grateful for her support and guidance.”
Dining and Cooking