Manhattan Offender

Past, Over: Washington Square Park

So, you see that Washington Square Park in the title, and you are all, "Got it.  You used to able to buy weed there, but now it's all gentrified.  Verily easy."  (Granted, I threw the "verily" part in there.)  With that assumption you are correct, as that was mine as well.  Everybody likes an easy hit occasionally.

Which was my exact thought when I entered the park from MacDougal and West Fourth a month or so back.  Then things went awry.  Between my entry point and the fountain not once did I hear that gruffy medley, "Coke?  Smoke?"  Not once, but five times.  This story, pre-written in my head was shattered.  Not only were the dealers out in the park, but they were out in full force and approaching me relentlessly.

My only reason for entering the park was to take a few snaps of the usual offenders (todlers, strollers, et al), but instead something completely new entered the mind.  For the time, writing about the park was abandoned.  Until today.

What happens in Vegas ... um, probably shouldn't

After reading about the replica East Village planned for Las Vegas, I can only think of what a fine job the project's developer previously did replicating New York.  At the New York, New York Hotel and Casino (gods, the embarrassment, I've stayed there ... long story), it is like being at home, but in the desert.  You can visit all of your favorite NYC hotspots, like ESPN Zone!

Although the East Village project is not a hotel and is mostly retail/restaurant/office space, perhaps a few suggestions are in order for our oxygenated friends in the desert:

• You must must MUST have a methadone-themed shop or restaurant.  Ruby Tuesdays, meet Methadone Mondays!
• Ignoring the East Village's bathhouse history would be a shame.  Maybe a St. Marks Bath ... and Bodyworks?
• It's great that other East Village landmarks have been included, like the Washington Square Park arch, the Meatpacking District, and the beloved Diamond District.  But why not include the wonderful East Village Cloisters and East Village Bronx Zoo, too?
• Retailing gold goes to whomever capitalizes on the East Village drag movement.  A Wigstock venue (Lady Bunny's Vaginatorium?) is a must!
• And to keep it all modern, you must remember that the East Village has been 'gentrified' so be sure to keep it on the sterile side and just a little twatty.  Oh, you are?  Perfect!