Commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day, 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. & Mrs. Kraus, the new documentary by Steve Pressman, recounts the story of Eleanor and Gilbert Kraus. Some may know of this Philadelphia couple who helped rescue, as the moving film’s title indicates, fifty young children out of Austria during the Nazi occupation in 1939. Six-time Emmy-winner Alan Alda narrates the harrowing work, which also includes readings from Eleanor’s journals – a precious artifact – by the actress Mamie Gummer. (Pressman and Alda were also on-hand at a preview screening last week in the HBO building to celebrate the film.)

The documentary chronicles, with clear-eyed narrative, the hurdles the Krauses encountered both from the American government as wells as in Berlin and Vienna, where the Jewish couple had to go to complete their rescue act. As much recent literature has pointed out, then-president Franklin Roosevelt was not completely for saving the Jewish prisoners under Nazi rule. 50 Children also examines the anti-Semitism prevalent in the United States at that time. The Krauses also encountered fellow Jews angry at them for rocking the boat instead of remaining still and silent.

The most harrowing moments in the Pressman’s film arrive when the Krauses do in Austria: taking the children from their parents was a necessary evil. Losing their children meant hopefully saving their lives. To Pressman’s credit, he maintains the complete pathos of this situation without ever veering into manipulative territory. Nine of the surviving children – now septuagenarians and octogenarians – are also interviewed in 50 Children. They recognize that the Krauses gave them life, and remind us that rescue missions involve two parties – those who must escape to survive, and those more fortunate ones willing to take them in (we New Yorkers were recently reminded of this at a more local level during and after Hurricane Sandy just last fall). There are many messages to be found in this worthy doc, but that one that rings the clearest is this reminder: we’re all in this together.

Further information about 50 Children can be found at www.hbo.com.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, one of my favorite days of the year, an Irish blessing for you: May the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may your teenagers stay busy, may the road rise up to meet you and may you always find parking when you reach your destination. As usual, if you see any new retailers or spot changes to a longtime friend, please email me at tre@downtownny.com and I’ll check them out.
Openings
7eventytwo
72 Warren St. (betw. W. Broadway & Greenwich St.),7eventytwo.org
Teenagers are known for a few things, and boredom is one of them. The Church Street School for Music and Art is taking that untapped energy and channeling it into creative endeavors that promise to enrich and enliven teens’ free hours. 7eventytwo is a drug- and alcohol-free zone that offers a variety of activities that promote learning and creative
expression in a fun, safe environment.

Events include battles of the bands, film screenings, figure drawing and open-studio Saturdays. Workshops provide instruction on everything from digital cameras and music video production to fiber sculpture.

Woodrow’s
43 Murray St. (betw. W. Broadway & Church Sts.), woodrowsnyc.com
Glenn Garmont has got a good thing going. He and his wife Erin, who own Woodrow’s, are exactly where they want to be: in the middle of a neighborhood poised for growth with a bar whose popularity is already exceeding their hopes. “We haven’t been open even two weeks and things are better than expected,” Garmont said.

Woodrow’s fills a void in the area for a casual, homey watering hole that offers great food without being too expensive. The owners have completed extensive renovations on the space to include a downstairs whiskey bar with comfortable couches and decorative touches that make you feel like you’ve come home—except nicer and with the option of your own personal bartender.

Come for an after-work drink or make it your home for St. Patrick’s Day; on offer is an Irish breakfast with black and white pudding, Irish bacon, eggs and toast, or enjoy an entrée like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Guinness beef stew or a corned beef sandwich.

Europan Diner Café
125 Fulton St. (betw. Nassau & Williams Sts.), europandiner.com
Europan has several locations throughout the city, but now we only have to travel to Fulton to get a taste of variety on a budget. The selection here is huge, but don’t be daunted by all your choices. To ease navigation, the choices at Europan Diner Café are split into several (OK, more than several) categories: egg platters, omelet options, breads and bagels, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian wraps, regular wraps, paninis, sauté dishes, risotto dishes, “quesadilla corner” and cakes, pies and pastries.

If those choices aren’t enough, a few other options are available, such as shakes, smoothies and gourmet coffees.

Quik Park
95 Wall St. (betw. Water & Front Sts.), www.quikparkgarages.com
Finding a parking space in Lower Manhattan—really, in any part of the city—can be a quest even Odysseus would find challenging. This lot is open 24 hours a day and conveniently located at Wall and Water, within easy walking distance of the South Street
Seaport, Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park and the shopping and commercial centers around Wall Street.

Anne Frank Center USA
44 Park Pl. (at Church St.), annefrank.com
The museum honoring one of the most recognizable and influential Holocaust victims, Anne Frank, officially opened its doors and held an opening celebration March 15. The center promotes a message of tolerance and respect and uses Anne Frank’s diary and life to share her legacy with the world.
Closings
Icon Parking, 95 Wall St.
Digi Prints Inc. 176 Broadway
The Bread Factory Café, 125 Fulton St.
Sunny’s Deli, 11 Park Pl.