Selected Events

[Events requesting a contribution are indicated with a dollar sign ($) at the end of an entry.]

Sunday, 29th March, 2009, at 12 noon. Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club's spring brunch at the Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Ave. across from G.C.T. Info.: (212) MUrray Hill 7 - 68.74. $

Monday, 30th March, 2009, 6 P.M. Carlos Manzano thank-you party. Charley O's, 713 Eighth Ave. (@ W. 45th Str.). Kindly r.s.v.p. to: (212) 714+24.68.

Wednesday, 1st April, 2009. Cocktails at 6 P.M.; dinner at 8 P.M. Jewish Lawyers Guild annual dinner. New York Hilton, Sixth Ave. @ 53rd Str. Info.? Ring (212) 500+72.01. $

Friday, 3rd April, 2009, at noon. Retirement party for John Stackhouse, J.S.C. State Supreme Courthouse, Rm. 300, 60 Centre Str., Manh. For further information and to rsvp (to allow for adequate comestibles), please ring Ann at (646) 386+37.50. $

Wednesday, 8th April, 2009, at 8:30 A.M. The Capitol newspaper "On & Off the Record" breakfast. Speaker: Marisa Lago, new head of the New York's Empire State Development Corp. Toronto Dominion bank, 317 Madison Ave. @ E. 42nd Str.

Thursday, 16th April, 2009, at 6 P.M. Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club's dinner. Tavern on the Green. For further information, please ring Hon. Louise Dankberg at (212) GRamercy 5 - 53.47. $

Thursday, 16th April, 2009, 7 P.M. East Side Democratic Club candidates forum: Manh. B.P. and Public Advocate offices. Brown Gardens community rm., 225 E. 93rd Str. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.).

Sunday, 19th April, 2009, from 1 until 4 P.M. Broadway Democrats fund-raiser at 107 West, 2787 Broadway (betw. W. 107th & 108th Sts.), Manh. Info.: (917) 757+60.58. $

Thursday, 30th April, 2009, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Lenox Hill Democratic Club, cocktail reception at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South @ Irving Pl. (nr. E. 20th Str.). Contact Heather the Leifer at LHDCevents@ymail.com or at (212) REgent 4 - 12.91. $

Saturday, 2nd May, 2009. "The Great Saunter," a 32-mile walk around Manhattan's shore line. Meet at Fulton & South Sts. at 7:30 A.M. For further info., call the Shorewalkers at (212) 330+76.86 or go to: www.shorewalkers.org

Sunday, 3rd May, 2009, from 3 to 6 P.M. Three Parks Independent Democrats, Inc., benefit fund-raiser at Meridiana restaurant, B'way betw. W. 105th & W. 106th Sts. $

Sunday, 3rd May, 2009, 7:30 P.M. Ansonia Independent Democrats fund-raiser at Josephina, 1900 B'way (betw. 63rd & 64th Sts.). $

Thursday, 7th May, 2009, 8 P.M. Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Pride Awards. Elmo Lounge, 156 Seventh Ave. (betw. 19th & 20th Sts.), Manh. Info: Ring Allen Roskoff at (212)SIlverstein 1 - 36.77. $

Saturday, 9th May, 2009. Memorial Service for Dave Smith, husband of the late Esther Smith and father of Civil Court Judge Karen Smith, Haft Aud. in Bldg. "C" at F.I.T. (Further details to follow.)

Monday, 11th May, 2009, 6 to 8 P.M. McManus Democratic Assn. fund-raiser, Charley O's, 713 Eighth Ave. (@ W. 45th Str.). $

Thursday, 14th May, 2009, reception at 6:30 P.M.; dinner at 7:30 P.M. Lexington Democratic Club. The Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Ave. (across from G.C.T.). Various ticket prices. For information contact Trudy L. Mason at (212) RHinelander 4 - 88.41 (land-line) or at (917) 443 + 33.15 (mobile). $

Thursday, 14th May, 2009, 6 P.M. Metropolitan Black Bar Assn. dinner. Brooklyn, Steiner Studios. For further information, please call: (212) WOrth 4 - 16.45. $

Saturday, 16th May, 2009, at high noon. Chelsea Reform Democratic Club Spring fund-raiser at Niso's, 176 Eighth Ave. @ W. 19th Str. $

Sunday, 17th May, 2009, from one to 4 P.M. Community Free Democrats, Inc., fund-raiser at Bella Luna, 584 Columbus Ave. (betw. W. 88th & W. 89th Sts.). Susan Gwertzman, (212) LYceum 5 - 12.55. $

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This information is supplied as a public service, and is not an endorsement of the identified activity, candidate, charity, club, meeting, organization, or topic.

All information is believed to be accurate as of the original publication date of this posting. E. & o.e.

The Flacks Report [24 March 2009]

The Stackhouse Vacancy

In a previous Flacks Report, I mentioned that Laura Drager's Criminal Court seat was from Queens. N.Y.C. Criminal Court seats are City-wide and not from districts as in the Civil Court. Culpa Mea.

Many make the assumption that the Governor is restricted to picking candidates in filling a vacancy who have already come out of our Party's screening panel. The Governor has no restriction, and the "Crane Rule" would apply to any candidate whether he/she came out of the panel previously or not provided one is appointed and confirmed before June 1st.

* * * * * * * *

It Was a Great Day for the Irish

On the brisk, cool, and sunny St. Patrick's day, your correspondent headed for the 5th Ave. & 64th Str. reviewing stand to sit and to watch the entire parade after supping on a cholesterol-laden McManus/Maloney break-the-fast at T.G.I.F. in mid-town, where there was a noticible absence of Upper West Side pols and the police and firefighters bellied up to the bar, Boys.

Musical units, mostly pipers, alternated with organizations' members marching along. The best units, which kept to the line, were the Catholic high school and military bands (the best: U.S.M.C.--very regimental). Everyone loves bagpipers but the plethora of pipes, fifes, and drums was a surfeit of sound for the year! And the strains of Gary Owen and the Marine Corps hymn were the most oft heard. And, oh, those Hiberians . . . Espied: N.Y.C. Board of Elections counsel Steven Howard Richman marching with the City Council contingent.

It was a great day for the Irish.

* * * * * * * *

New P.J. for the 1st Dept.

Justice Luis Gonzalez was named by Gov. Paterson as the new Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division's First Department. Link to this to see his C.V.:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/ad1/justices_gonzales.shtml

THE FLACKS REPORT [12 March 09]

Morgy Wannabees---Stackhouse Leaves---Public Advocate---New A.D. (1st) Judge---O.C.A. Reorganization---A.D. (1st) Try-outs

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Morgy Wannabees

With Morgy's retirement, the field of office seekers widened: Cyrus Vance, Jr., Richard Aborn, Leslie Crocker Snyder, Dan Castleman of the Manh. D.A.'s office, Randy Mastro, a former deputy mayor in the Giuliani administration; Catherine Abate, who served as corrections commissioner in the Dinkins administration;
Rose Gill Hearn, commissioner of the city's Department of Investigation; and Manhattan State Sen. Eric Schneiderman.
However Schneiderman has pulled out saying "Over the past decade, I have put my heart into winning a Democratic Majority in the State Senate. Two months ago, we finally took over. Frankly, I am enjoying my work as the Chair of the Senate Codes Committee and my collaboration with my Senate colleagues too much to leave so soon. And I believe that I am just scratching the surface of what I can do in this exciting new era in New York State’s Government. As Codes Committee Chair, I will be able to play a key role in shaping criminal justice policy in New York State . . . ."

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Stackhouse Leaves

J.S.C. John Stackouse's retirement party is Friday, 3rd April, fueling speculation that he'll leave the bench next month, and opening the way for the Guv to fill the vacancy.
But who? Debra James? She's not Farrell's favorite--she hadn't worked in the Harlem vineyard. Laura Drager? No; she's a former D.A., and is a Mayoral appointment for a Queens Criminal Court spot. Farrell will never give a judgeship away to another county.
Lucy Billings? Never in Farrell's lifetime. Billings ran against two Farrell faves: Milt Tingling & Stu Cohen--and Billings beat Cohen. Saliann Scarpulla? Unlikely; she's a newbie. Cynthia Kern? A "comer."
Will the Accidental Govenor do his own thing or take direction from Farrell?

*****************************************
Public Advocate Race

Outs: Adam Clayton Powell, John Liu, Jessica Lappin
Ins: Eric Gioia, Bill de Blasio, Mark Green, and the Natural, Norman Siegel.

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New App. Div. (1st) Judge

Roz Flies Up. Supreme Court Justice Rosalyn Richter was appointed to the App. Div., 1st Dept.

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O.C.A. Reorganization

"Big Deal On Beaver Street" The new Chief Judge has made a number of changes in O.C.A. by eliminating some supervising judges. He isn't finished, and we shall report to you subsequently as soon as the new line-up is in place.
O.C.A. is administratively top-heavy and bureaucratic. There are 56 administrative and supervising judges. Clearing away what Lippmann calls "administrative clutter," locally he has reduced from 5 to 2 the number of deputy chief administrative judges here in N.Y. city.
Fern Fisher leaves as administrative judge of the N. Y. C. Civil Courts to be the administrative judge of all the courts in New York City; and Joan Carey, a Court of Claims judge, will be the administrative judge for Manhattan Supreme, Civil-side, for now until her retirement at year's end.

**************************************
A.D. (1st) Try-outs

A new P.J. for A. D. 1st? Interviews are now going on for a new P.J. for the First Dept. App. Div. Seven of their sixteen judges have applied: Angela Mazzarelli, Diane Renwick, Luis Gonzalez, Richard Andreas, Peter Tom, Rolando Acosta, and David Saxe. The gubernatorial appointment is not subject to Senate confirmation.

****************************************************
"The noblest motive is the public good." --Richard Steele

THE FLACKS REPORT [24 Feb 09]

Robert Healy --- Alan Zimmerman --- Bob Ginsberg
John Wolf/Sharon Lauer

* * * * * * * *
Robert Healy,

Bob Healy, the political maven of the judicial ins-and-outs of the "outer boroughs," is doing well, and is temporarily in rehab. at Bird S. Coler Hospital on Roosevelt Island. He has no bed-side telephone, but please do drop him a line c/o the hospital:

Robert J. Healy Bird S. Coler Hospital Goldwater Campus C-12 Rm. 30 One Main Street Roosevelt Island, New York 10044


[Oh, if you go, how do you get there? Easy: IND "F" train to Roosevelt Isl. (15 min. walk) or the Tramway (10 min. walk).]


* * * * * * * * *

Alan Zimmerman

Alan Zimmerman, N.D.C. stalwart over these many years, dead at the age of 59. [Below is a copy of an E-mail previously sent to you.]
"Alan Zimmerman, political campaign manager and one of the masters of the art of petitioning, died 16th February, 2009, of cancer at the age of 59. "Besides his involvement over many years in N.Y.C. Reform Democratic politics, Alan was an environmentalist and had a passion for science fiction. He once owned and ran a sci-fi bookshop on Chambers Street. Zimmerman had an extraordinary record in campaigning in that no candidate whose petitions he was responsible for was ever thrown off the ballot. 'He was one of the most decent people I ever met in my 40 years of New York politics' said Alan Handell. "Zimmerman resided in Plainfield, N.J., with his wife Jane Schwartz. He is also survived by his mother Barbara of Tenafly, N.J., and other relatives." Jerry Goldfeder adds "I met Alan Zimmerman when I became active in the New Democratic Coalition 25 years ago. He was passionate and principled, and I could always count on him to work hard and enlighten us. When I was Chair of N.D.C. in the mid-1980s, he made certain that we all stuck to the rules and advocated the principled position. Alan was a genuinely good person, and he definitely will be missed." Two hundred people attended the funeral on Wednesday, 18th February, 2009. A memorial service in Manhattan is planned for later this year.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bob Ginsberg

Former Dem. State Committee Member (69th A.D.) Bob Ginsberg ran for a vice president position in his new home club, 3 Parks Dems., at their annual meeting this month and lost, 88 to 17. But what is interesting was the massive effort and the extent the club hierarchy (Doty, Botfeld, & Wood) made to defeat him for what is considered a do-nothing post in most clubs. They sent out two letters; made 'phone calls; and had a pulling operation led by Cynthia Doty.

* * * * * * * * * *
John Out; Sharon In

John Wolf is back at home and doing fine. Wife Sharon Lauer is in hospital for hip replacement and then up-state for re-hab. You may E-mail her at: http://us.mc326.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=LauerWolf@aol.com

March '09 Selected Events

[Events which request contributions are indicated by $.]

* * * * * * * * * * *
Tuesday, 17th March, 2009, beginning at 7 A.M. McManus Democratic Club St. Patrick's day breakfast. T.G.I.F., 47 E. 42nd Str. Ticket absolutely required.

Wednesday, 18th March, 2009, at 6 P.M. Edith Spivak Award reception at N.Y.C.L.A. (14 Vesey Str. betw. B'way & Church Str.). Kindly r.s.v.p. to dlamb@nycla.org or (212) COrtland 7 - 66.46.

Thursday, 19th March 2009, 6 P.M. LeGal annual dinner. The Ritz Carlton, 2 West Str. (Battery Park). For further information, ring Dan Schaffer at (212) 353+91.18. $

Wednesday, 25th March, 2009, at 8:30 A.M. The Capital newspaper "On & Off the Record" breakfast. Speaker: Marisa Lago, new head of the New York's Empire State Development Corp. Toronto Dominion bank, 317 Madison Ave. @ E. 42nd Str.

Sunday, 29th March, 2009, at 12 noon. Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club's spring brunch at the Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Ave. across from G.C.T. Info.: (212) MUrray Hill 7 - 68.74. $

Monday, 30th March, 2009, 6 P.M. Carlos Manzano thank-you party. Charley O's, 713 Eighth Ave. (@ W. 45th Str.). Kindly r.s.v.p. to: (212) 714+24.68.

Advance Sheets:

Wednesday, 1st April, 2009. Cocktails at 6 P.M.; dinner at 8 P.M. Jewish Lawyers Guild annual dinner. New York Hilton, Sixth Ave. @ 53rd Str. $

Friday, 3rd April, 2009. Retirement party for John Stackhouse, J.S.C. State Supreme Courthouse, Rm. 300, 60 Centre Str., Manh. For further information, please ring (646) 386+37.50. $

Thursday, 16th April, 2009, at 6 P.M. Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club's dinner. Tavern on the Green. For further information, please ring Hon. Louise Dankberg at (212) GRamercy 5 - 53.47. $

Sunday, 19th April, 2009, from 1 until 4 P.M. Broadway Democrats fund-raiser at 107 West, 2787 Broadway (betw. W. 107th & 108th Sts.), Manh. Info.: (917) 757+60.58. $

Thursday, 30th April, 2009, from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Lenox Hill Democratic Club, cocktail reception at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South @ Irving Pl. (nr. E. 20th Str.). Contact Heather the Leifer at LHDCevents@ymail.com or at (212) REgent 4 - 12.91. $

Saturday, 2nd May, 2009. "The Great Saunter," a 32-mile walk around Manhattan's shore line. Meet at Fulton & South Sts. at 7:30 A.M. For further info., call the Shorewalkers at (212) 330+76.86.

Sunday, 3rd May, 2009, from 3 to 6 P.M. Three Parks Independent Democrats, Inc., benefit fund-raiser at Meridiana restaurant, B'way betw. W. 105th & W. 106th Sts. $

Sunday, 3rd May, 2009, evening. Ansonia Independent Democrats fund-raiser at Josephina's. $

Thursday, 7th May, 2009, 8 P.M. Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Pride Awards. Elmo Lounge, 156 Seventh Ave. (betw. 19th & 20th Sts.), Manh. Info: Ring Allen Roskoff at (212)SIlverstein 1 - 36.77. $

Monday, 11th May, 2009, 6 to 8 P.M. McManus Democratic Assn. fund-raiser, Charley O's, 713 Eighth Ave. (@ W. 45th Str.). $

Thursday, 14th May, 2009, beginning at 6 P.M. Lexington Democratic Club dinner. The Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Ave. (across from G.C.T.). $

Thursday, 14th May, 2009, 6 P.M. Metropolitan Black Bar Assn. dinner. Brooklyn, Steiner Studios. Info.: (212) WOrth 4 - 16.45. $

Saturday, 16th May, 2009, at high noon. Chelsea Reform Democratic Club Spring fund-raiser at Niso's, 176 Eighth Ave. @ W. 19th Str. $

Sunday, 17th May, 2009, from one to 4 P.M. Community Free Democrats, Inc., fund-raiser at Bella Luna, 584 Columbus Ave. (betw. W. 88th & W. 89th Sts.). $
________________________________________________

This information is supplied as a public service, and is not an endorsement of the identified activity, candidate, charity, club, meeting, organization, or topic.
All information is believed to be accurate as of the original publication date of this posting. E. & o.e.