The Manhattan Times

Shhhh!

compiled by Mike Fitelson

Shhhh!

It’s the kind of breaking news story that doesn’t break all that often in Northern Manhattan: on Nov. 5 a woman stops by the Manhattan Times office to say that the FBI is in the process of making a bust on W. 211th Street at 10th Avenue. MT reporter Adam Garrett-Clark is dispatched to the scene where he finds yellow caution tape, a bunch of guys wearing dark shades and vests marked FBI and holding huge guns. Among the five black SUVs – some parked half on the sidewalk with sirens blaring – is a crowd of rubberneckers staring at the body of a beautiful woman, partially covered with a white blanket, laying in a pool of blood. 

Clark pulls out his camera to record the scene for the newspaper and the agents swarm, covering the lens. "This is public property," he shouts, invoking the freedom of the press.

One of the agents confers with a police officer who says it’s alright to take a photo.

Feeling vindicated, Clark begins framing a shot before wondering why there is a boom mic and video camera on a tripod at a crime scene. And then he notices the corpse move and realizes he's stumbled onto a movie set.

It’s for “Los Mamberos” by independent filmmaker Carlos Stevens, who Clark last saw shooting at the opening of Atlus Café in September.

Postscript: on Friday the Manhattan Times received a tip from a W. 211th Street resident about a murder the previous day on his street. Clark gave him the news.

Shhhh!

New Leaf Restaurant and Bar was also the site of a recent movie shoot as Matt Damon and company spent four days filming “Adjustment Bureau,” the latest Phillip K. Dick story to head to the silver screen, following his previous sci-fi thrillers “Minority Report,” “Total Recall,” and “Blade Runner.”

Restaurant manager John Burbank was impressed by the professionalism of the entire crew, including stars Damon and Emily Blunt. The shoot included the restaurant’s exterior and a brunch on the patio, which was authentic in its use of the eatery’s dishes and wait staff uniforms.

But for a kitchen veteran like Burbank, Hollywood’s early morning hours – work began at 4 a.m. – was such a disruption of the staff’s internal clocks that it made the restaurant lifestyle seem sane in comparison.

“You won’t see me at the Oscars,” Burbank quipped, “unless I am catering it.”

Shhhh!

Close to 3,000 children and adults packed the Armory Track and Field Center on Oct. 27 during the Cross-Cultural Youth Festival, which combined dance performances by New York City youth groups backed by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland.

Of the 300 performers dancing in ballet, salsa and traditional Celtic styles, 130 were Irish youth ages 12 to 24 years old from the orchestra, which was visiting the city for a week, including a performance at Avery Fisher Hall. But for double bassist Feargal Donaghy, pictured here adjusting two flags on his instrument, the highlight of the trip was “shopping for iPods.”

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On Friday, Nov. 13, local firefighter Steve Brunner will compete in the final round of the Daily News’ FDNY Five Alarm Cookoff Competition, after besting two Manhattan opponents in an elimination round on Sun., Oct. 25.

Brunner, from Ladder 36 on Vermilyea Avenue in Inwood, hand-rolled scallop, shrimp and Asian vegetable-stuffed spring rolls, which impressed the judges enough to award him first prize, which included a 52-inch flat-screen TV for the fire house. The 42-year-old Brunner, who had competed in the cookoff before and has culinary training, will face winners from the other four boroughs.

Shhhh!

Close to 30 people got first class service at the year’s second First Thursday Arts Stroll hosted by the Manhattan Times last week. Undaunted by the evening’s rain shower, art lovers piled into La Sala 78 on Dyckman Street near Nagle Avenue for complimentary wraps. Hanging at the trendy restaurant were the works of local artist Tony Peralta.

“You see three are missing,” said La Sala owner Jose Morales, gesturing to the exposed nails in the middle of the wall. Just that day, he said to a round of applause, the three pieces were sold.

At the tour’s second stop, the new Latin-fusion spot on Sherman Avenue called Aurauco, owner Sally Reico described how she decided on the restaurant’s indigenous Mexican theme, including the mural, while Strollers munched on complimentary tapas and non-alcoholic passion fruit mimosas.

“I really wanted to roll out the red carpet,” she said.

The night ended at the 98-year-old Patrick’s Bar on western Dyckman Street, which is under new management and a new, chill vibe.

The Manhattan Times collaborates with the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance to produce the monthly tours to help introduce locals and visitors to what’s happening in arts and business in Washington Heights and Inwood. Look for the November Stroll to be announced in the coming weeks.