New York City 2600

There is a Save The Hotel rally scheduled for “Black Friday,” November 23. Stay tuned to their news page or this site for updates.

tags: events, hotel pennsylvania, politics

We are excited to annouce that despite various minor setbacks, last night’s Community Board Five hearing was a resounding success for us. The Board’s resolution to designate the Hotel Pennsylvania as a landmark was passed by an overwhelming majority.

Many thanks to all who attended, and all who couldn’t be there but have contributed otherwise to the Save the Hotel movement. The fight is not by any means over, but a major battle has indeed been won.

The proceedings were filmed, and many of us have stories to tell of that night. Stay tuned to SaveTheHotel.org, 2600′s Save the Hotel forum, and this site for updates.

tags: history, hotel pennsylvania, nyc, politics

On the October 30th episode of Off the Wall, Emmanuel and Bernie S were able to give us some cautiously optimistic updates on the condition of our friend Jim, who as reported earlier is in the hospital due to a serious stroke.

Jim has been released from the Intensive Care Unit, and is now in the hospital’s rehab ward. He has reportedly, with great effort, been able to speak a few words. Jim’s sister, who has flown up from Australia to be with him, is reportedly very impressed with the rehab specialists who are now working with Jim.

You can listen to the October 30th episode of Off the Wall here. The discussion about Jim begins at about the 51-minute mark in the file.

The change of rooms means the address to send cards and letters of encouragement to be read to Jim has changed as well. You can now write to him at:

Lutheran Medical Center
Attn: James Vichench
Room #3220
150 55th St
Brooklyn, NY 11220

EDIT 2-1-08: This address is no longer valid. See this update for the current address.

You can of course still email Jim in care of the show, and those messages will be read to him as well.

Our thoughts remain with Jim and his family.

tags: jim

The previous meeting of the community board was a resounding success for us, as they agreed in a 6-1 vote to bring the matter of the Hotel Pennsylvania before the full board.

Now, to the next stage. The full board meeting of the landmark commission will be held at 6:00 PM this Thursday, November 8th.

Location: F.I.T.
227 West 27th Street at 7th Avenue
Building “C”
Haft Auditorium, 2nd Floor

This is the hearing which will decide whether or not the Hotel Pennsylvania gets landmark status. It is vital that every last person who is able to attends the meeting and speaks their mind. As a wise philosopher once said, “I know some of you like to wait till the last minute… well, this is it! This is the last minute!”

Interested speakers will have to fill out a form and reserve their three minutes of speaking time. Be prepared to say, in three minutes, why you feel this place should become a landmark.

tags: history, hope, hotel pennsylvania, nyc, politics