Local Legend: Susie Fasbinder Unites Stuy Town With Mahjongg

STUYVESANT TOWN, NY — For Susie Fasbinder, Monday nights in Stuy Town are bagels, neighbors and mahjongg.

Fasbinder is best known in her neighborhood for her class "Mahjongg and a Schmear," which she hosts at Ess-a-Bagel on First Avenue every week, and the children's books she writes with her illustrator and husband, George.

The Stuy Town author and mahjongg connoisseur moved to the neighborhood about a decade ago and credits the community for inspiring "The New Yorker Porker," based on a real life pet pig who lives on East 19th Street.

"Writing is ageless and has no boundaries," Fasbinder says. "I get new ideas constantly and lucky for me I have the time to explore them."

Patch talked to Fasbinder as a part of our Local Legends series, where we interview iconic New Yorkers about the neighborhoods they call home.

(Does your neighborhood have a Local Legend we should feature? We're taking nominations here.)

Here's what she had to say about Stuyvesant Town.

Describe Stuyvesant Town in three words.

Community, energizing, oasis.

What's your favorite food in the neighborhood? Where do you find it?

I love avocado rolls and chicken kushiyaki at Hane Sushi.

What's your best quintessential Stuyvesant Town story?

Unfortunately one night, the smell of fire, flashing red lights and sirens from multitudes of fire trucks, brought out a lot of Stuy Town residents onto First Avenue. I stood next to a familiar looking pregnant young woman who asked if I knew what happened.

She said that I looked so familiar. I said my name and she said, excitedly, "My daughter loves your children's books! We actually just went to your book reading at Ibiza Kidz last Sunday and the real pig showed up. My daughter loved it!"

We chatted happily for some time until we heard the fire was out, and the lights went back on. We said our goodbyes and went home a little happier and calmer from our late night Stuy Town interaction.

How does Stuy Town influence your work?

Living in Stuy Town makes me feels safe and protected which allows me to let my mind wander creatively while I take my 20-minute walks each day. The feeling that I'm part of a community makes me feel productive and energized. So much is happening here all the time and we're surrounded by nature, which is always healthy for the mind and the body.

Describe your perfect day in the neighborhood.

I stop in at Ess-a-Bagel to chat with the terrific owner Beverly Wilpon who hosts my Mahjongg with a Schmear Monday night mahjongg classes. I go see Carole Husiak my dearest friend and owner of Ibiza Kidz, where my children's books are for sale. Then I pick up lunch at Hane Sushi and head home to work with my husband George on our latest children's books. I feel productive, enriched and well fed all in the confines of one block in Stuy Town.

Any upcoming projects in New York City?

Saturday, Dec. 7 theres a Holiday Bazaar at Ibiza Kidz for parents and kids.

These interviews were lightly edited for style.