Scoopy’s notebook

Suzie’s connection: Michael Chang is not only a one-time U.S. Open champion. He’s also second cousin of the family that runs Suzie’s restaurant on 163 Bleecker St. at Sixth Ave. Chang recently announced his retirement from tennis at age 31. Julie Lau of Suzie’s said Chang told her he is seriously considering a career as a preacher. “He’s thinking about it. He hasn’t decided yet. He’s a truly religious man,” she said. “We’re planning on taking a family cruise with him next year.”

Board history: In response to a Scoopy item two weeks ago about creating a “Wall of Fame” at Community Board 2, Arthur Stoliar of Jane St. called to note that modern community boards really began, not in 1978, as current chairperson Jim Smith said in the item, but 1968. He should know, as he was appointed chairperson back in ’68 by the then-borough president. Told of Stoliar’s correction, Smith said, “If that’s what Arthur Stoliar says, I stand corrected.” Smith said the wall isn’t progressing because former district leaders and chairpersons are a bit shy about having their photos put up.

Political baby: Village Democratic District Leader Arthur Schwartz and his fiance, Kelly Craig, had a baby girl, Jordyn Skye Koven Craig-Schwartz, 7 pounds, 2.9 ounces, on Aug. 19 at 11:02 p.m. “She is a joy,” said Schwartz. “I’m looking forward to my return as a parent to Bleecker Playground and advocacy as a parent both to improve local playgrounds and to get the best possible park on Pier 40,” he said. Craig is on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild. Schwartz and his wife are finalizing their divorce, and he plans to live at his 11th St. townhouse.

Square design: A discussion of the redesign proposal for the north end of Union Sq. and election of board officers will be on the agenda at the annual meeting of the Union Sq. Community Coalition, Sept. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., S.G.I.-U.S.A. Building, 7 E. 15th St., between Union Sq. W. and Fifth Ave.

Gated community (park): Rose Marie O’Leary called to say neighbors are pleased with the small vest-pocket park on Sixth Ave. between Charlton and King Sts., around which the Parks Department erected a 4-ft.-tall fence last year and planted full of bushes in response to residents’ complaints. The locked-and-gated and now overgrown park’s no longer really usable — unless you happen to have a machete. Drug users were a serious problem in the park, she said.

Cage Birthday: The 11th Annual John Cage Birthday Tribute will be held Fri., Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery Parish Hall (10th St. and Second Ave.). There will be readings from Cage’s “Autobiography,” a commemorative lecture written in 1990, two weeks before his death. Readers, including many who knew him personally, will read paragraphs in a random order while slides will be shown as a backdrop. Admission is free. No reservations necessary. For information, e-mail cagereader@aol.com.

A little bit country: Corn is growing in the Hudson River Park by Pier 40 near Houston St. and near N. Moore St. in Tribeca. Planted in June, the ears have grown 4 ft. tall. “The idea was to do something novel for the park and create a little esthetic that’s a little country, and this is a fun thing to do,” said Chris Martin, Hudson River Park Trust spokesperson.

Wigged out: Club Edelweiss has relocated to Seventh Ave. S. and 10th St., where it opened four months ago on three levels. The 14-year-old nightclub catering to transsexuals and cross-dressers was formerly at 43rd St. and 11th Ave., where at one point it had a problem with prostitution arrests. It has the same owners. You’ll notice it by the colored lights swirling behind the frosted-glass windows. Unlike Lips and Lucky Cheng’s, Edelweiss is not a restaurant. Apparently their move wasn’t a product of the “cleanup” of 42nd St. An employee said their lease expired.

Correction: Frank Nervo was not rated “Qualified” as stated in last week’s editorial but “Very Highly Qualified” by the 2003 New York County Democratic Party Independent Judicial Screening Panel.