Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo Thursday on Astor Place by Francine Lange) 

• Report of a fatal shooting at Tom & Jerry's on Elizabeth Street (Saturday) 

• More discussion on the future of the city-owned parking lot at 324 E. 5th St. (Tuesday) 

• Concern grows for Christo, Tompkins Square Park’s iconic red-tailed hawk, missing for 2 weeks (Friday) 

• Report: Judge orders temporary stay on Beth Israel's March 26 closure (Saturday) 

• RIP David Johansen (Saturday) 

• The New Museum, with a 60,000-square-foot expansion, will reopen this fall on the Bowery (Thursday) 

• A dog in distress (Sunday) 

• Flamingos Vintage Pound returns to the East Village with new St. Mark’s Place outpost (Monday) 

• A Taste of change for Joe's Wine Co. (Monday) 

• The Cinnabon/Carvel combo shop is now OPEN on 14th Street (Wednesday)

• This longtime convenience store has closed at 124 2nd Ave. (Thursday) ... Holy farewell: Saint Pizza is leaving Avenue B (Monday) 

• Another local Duane Reade by Walgreens closes (Wednesday) 

• Signage alert: Mr. Fish on 3rd Avenue (Monday) 

And this past week, workers removed the covered sidewalk extension outside Ray's Pizza & Bagel Cafe on Cooper Square and St. Mark's Place (thanks to Jacob Ford for the photos) ...

This sidewalk extension drew the ire of some EVG readers, who questioned its legality.

Concern grows for Christo, Tompkins Square Park’s iconic red-tailed hawk, missing for 2 weeks

Photo of Christo from the EVG archives

Concern is growing over the whereabouts of Christo, the male resident red-tailed hawk of Tompkins Square Park. 

According to Goggla, the photographer who has documented the hawks and other wildlife for the past 11-plus years, he has been MIA for the past two weeks. Her last photo of Christo came on Feb. 14, and he has not been spotted since. 

We posted a photo of a hawk in Tompkins on Feb. 21, mistaking it for Christo. In fact, it was a new male red-tailed hawk who had taken up residence here. 

Here's more via a post from Goggla:

I wasn't around the park very much the week of the 17th, but what ever happened took place some time between February 14 and 21. By the 22nd, Amelia was documented mating with another hawk, who was also working on the nest. As this is expected behavior for this time of year, I didn't notice right away that something was wrong. It was only after I checked some of my photos that I saw the hawk mating with Amelia was not Christo. 

I consulted with another hawk watcher and photographer who also had photos of the new hawk. Christo has dark eyes, brown stripes on his legs, and a particular belly band pattern. This other hawks has bright yellowish eyes (young), no markings on the legs, and a different belly band pattern. I tried to tell myself that maybe the sun made the eyes look different, but the legs of these two hawks are very different. 

There is a possibility that Christo is out there somewhere, but the fact that another hawk is mating with Amelia and working on their nest makes this unlikely.

In February 2020, Christo got caught in an airshaft on Seventh Street after chasing a pigeon. Thanks to some residents and Ranger Rob, he was rescued. 

We’re hoping for Christo's return, but with each passing day, it seems less likely.

Equal time

Photo by Jose Garcia 

After yesterday's photos of the Tompkins Square opossum... here's Christo, the resident male red-tailed hawk in the park, looking as majestic as ever today.

Goggla recently had some updates on Christo and Amelia's nestorations in Tompkins Square Park. Check out the post here.

EVG Etc.: Street vendors fear deporation; Con Ed considers double-digit rate hikes

Sunrise from 3rd Street 

Local stories of interest from other sources this past week include... 

• The Trump administration's move to re-examine federal funding could have a significant impact on NYC's public housing (The City) 

• Trump threatens to kill congestion pricing (City & State) ... though he'd need to break the law to do so (Streetsblog) 

• Cart vendors worry about being a target in ICE sweeps (Eater ... CBS News) ... What mass deportations would do to NYC's economy (The New York Times) 

• Con Ed is looking to increase customers' electric bills by an average of 11.4% and gas bills by 13.3% starting on Jan. 1, 2026 (Gothamist) 

• Cops searching for suspect who smashed man's face with a glass outside Phebe's on Fourth Street and the Bowery (amNY) 

• A visit to City Lore on First Street — "A hidden New York gem curates culture that might otherwise be lost" (ABC 7) 

• Hawk season 2025 is in full swing (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• Honoring Flaco Eurasian eagle-owl with a new book and exhibit (West Side Rag ... previously on EVG)

• And a diversion from The Hollywood Reporter's cover story on "Babygirl"'s Harris Dickinson, an East London native, who stayed here during the filming: 

He lived in the East Village, right on Houston Street, and though he took constant advantage of the proximity to Katz's Deli (and its world-famous Reuben), he couldn't handle the neighborhood's frenetic energy. "People were accidentally ringing my buzzer at night, and I was in a constant state of stress," he says. "My cortisol was so high that I felt like I was going to explode." 

"Babygirl" screens locally at Village East by Angelika, Regal Union Square and Regal Essex Crossing.

Thursday's parting shot

An EV resident shared this photo today... when a juvenile red-tailed hawk paid a visit and got the cat's attention. 

H/T Steven!

Today in desk-side visits

EVG reader Jacki Carroll shared this photo with us from this morning — an unscheduled office visit!

We asked our friend and local hawk/wildlife photographer Goggla for insights into who this might be...

Looks like an adult, but I'm not sure who it is. Definitely not Christo (not his coloring), but it could be one of the Washington Square hawks who have become mysterious. They did not nest in WSP last year, but no one knows if they nested somewhere else or not. Union Square was always part of their territory and they'd often perch on the Con Ed building lantern on 14th Street. That pair is different now than the ones Roger Paw blogged about, so their habits are not really known. 

Check out Goggla's photo site for more on our resident red-tailed hawks, Christo and Amelia, and others.

Get well soon, Currant!

Photo by Emily Einhorn via the Wild Bird Fund 

Last Wednesday, one of Amelia and Christo's young hawks appeared distressed in Tompkins Square Park. 

As Goggla documented, Ranger Rob (Rob Mastrianni, a Manhattan Ranger) came to the rescue. Since there were no clear signs explaining the fledgling's state, Ranger Rob took it to the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper West Side for a closer exam. 

Here's an update from the Wild Bird Fund via Facebook (and Instagram): 

Such a sweet face on this juvenile red-tailed hawk, who was rescued in Tompkins Square Park earlier this week (thank you, Ranger Rob and Urban Park Rangers!) ... this young bird was lethargic, unafraid of people, and thin. He hadn't eaten in a while and has a poor body condition and weak grip, so something has been off with this one for some time, either because of illness, a window collision, or both. 

We treated him for potential rodenticide poisoning and common bacterial infections, and we're caring for his swollen eye. He's a bit stronger and taking food well, so we hope to see continued improvement for this handsome youngster, named Currant.

Goggla has more about the dangers of using rodenticide (Tompkins Square Park does NOT use it, though plenty of other people do in the city) at this link. 

EVG Etc.: Blink Fitness files for bankruptcy; cops find cocaine at smoke shop

The return of "Law & Order SVU" to the EV tomorrow, Aug. 14 

• Blink Fitness, Equinox-owned gym chain with an outpost on Avenue A, files for bankruptcy (CBS News ... CNN) 

• The East Village is now the nexus of a $10 takeout pasta trend (Eater) 

• Tompkins Square Park red-tailed hawk class of 2024 ready to venture out (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• Ticket to ride, white line highway: Law enforcement discovers 13 pounds of cocaine at Clinton Street smoke shop (PIX11)

• The sometimes watchable "Blank Generation" with Richard Hell gets a rare screening (Metrograph) 

• Locking up items to deter shoplifting is pushing shoppers online (Axios) 

• ICYMI: Pier 35 to be home to the East River floating pool (6sqft) 

• Did you lose something in a public place in NYC? How to maybe get it back. (The City) 

• After 57 years, AM fave WCBS-880 will shift from an all-news format to sports (amNY) 

•  The New York Times will no longer offer endorsements of local NYC candidates, including governor (Media Nation)

• NYC travel and tourism are back, report shows (McKinsey & Company) 

EVG Etc.: A garbage dilemma on 10th Street; a chance to catch night fever

Above: 4th Street cooling center 

• Why 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue poses a challenge to Mayor Adams' "trash revolution" (Gothamist) 

• Two NYPD sergeants shot and wounded responding to a robbery on Delancey and Eldridge (1010 WINS ... the Post ... CBS News) 

• DA announces indictment in horrific collision that killed four and injured seven others at Corlears Hook Park on July 4 (DA's office... previously on EVG) 

• Why Chika and Don Tillman decided to close their 10th Street dessert bar, ChikaLicious, after 21 years in business. (Grub Street) 

• An East Village best restaurants listicle (Time Out) 

• The red-tailed hawk fledglings are getting around Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography) 

• 50 years of the Ramones at CBGB (The Bowery Boys) 

• The mystery balcony on the Bowery (Ephemeral New York) 

• Catch a screening of "Saturday Night Fever" Monday at the Village East by Angelika (Official site) 

• An ongoing series with films that incorporate preexisting documentary transcripts into fictionalized or re-staged contexts (Anthology Film Archives) 

• This September, Belarus Free Theatre returns to La MaMa with "KS6: Small Forward," a new stage production based on the life story of Belarusian international-basketball-player-turned-activist Katsiaryna (Katya) Snytsina (La MaMa) 

... and free today on 10th Street at First Avenue (H/T Steven)...

 

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Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo of Gutter Beach outside Il Posto Accanto on 2nd Street)...

• RIP Anton van Dalen (Wednesday) 

• East Village McDonald's pays tribute to 2 victims from a suspected DUI collision in Corlears Hook Park during July 4 celebration (Sunday) 

• With a larger new kitchen, EVLovesNYC expands to feed more New Yorkers (Monday) 

• Mary O is bringing her scones to 7th Street (Tuesday) 

• Bands we like: Skorts (Friday) 

• Upclose with Gustaf at Berlin (Friday) 

• Signage alert: Stuytown Pharmacy on 14th Street (Monday) 

• Other plaques that are currently missing in the East Village (Wednesday) 

• A tree branch falls in the small dog run in Tompkins Square Park (Wednesday)

• H Mart is expanding on 3rd Avenue (Tuesday)

• These 2 East Village trees are still entombed in concrete (Monday) ... Reader report: 2 more entombed trees (Saturday)

• Dua Kafe is on vacation (Wednesday) ... The SOS Chefs storefront will be closed until early September (Wednesday) 

• A visit to Cakes by Klein on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

• Juvenile red-tailed hawk getting the washing and drying down in Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday) 

• Smiles everyone: New-age dental studio setting up shop in 2nd Avenue condoplex (Monday) 

• An e-bike repair shop for 7th Street (Friday) 

• 50 Avenue B is now on Housewatch (Friday) 

• Signage alert: Crepe City on Avenue A (Tuesday)

... and a word for the Colonel on Second Avenue and 14th Street ...

Juvenile red-tailed hawk getting the washing and drying down in Tompkins Square Park

An EVG reader spotted one of the young red-tailed hawks bathing in the water spray in the Avenue B playground in Tompkins Square Park...

... and later, this 2024 offspring of resident red-tailed hawks Amelia and Christo went into drying mode... standing and flapping its wings...

The hawks continue to be quite active this summer. As Goggla noted yesterday, one even made it to the cross of St. Brigid's.

Sunday's opening shots

Photos by Derek Berg 

As we mentioned on Friday, the young red-tailed hawks will be quite active in Tompkins Square Park in the weeks ahead as they learn do all things red-tailed hawk...

As Goggla shared: "Look out for them and be sure to give them space, especially if they come to the ground. They are just going about their business, exploring their new world."

The juvenile red-tailed hawks are already huge and getting into staring contests with squirrels in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

We're now entering prime juvenile red-tailed hawk season in Tompkins Square Park. 

Amelia and Christo's three 2024 offspring are in the student-driver phase of their lives as they learn to fly, navigate trees, hunt for food, and appreciate the live hardcore and death metal bands on the occasional weekends. 

Here, one of the fledglings takes in a neighbor's "freeze/observe/assess" routine...

Goggla has a new post today (link here) with photos and observations on the young hawks.

Sunday's opening shot

EVG reader John M. discovered a visitor on his fire escape the other morning... per Goggla, this is a juvenile Cooper's hawk ... and for John M. a nice start to the day...

From Tompkins Square Park: Christo in Don't You (Forget About Me)

Photos by Steven 

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, is getting all the attention this week after decamping to the East Village and Lower East Side from Central Park. (And yes, we have a Flaco post coming soon.) 

This may be why Christo, the resident red-tailed hawk of Tompkins Square Park, has been extra photogenic of late ... as seen yesterday near 7th and A ...

And 2023 marks Christo's 10-year East Village anniversary.

Headline H/T

A bench for Dennis Edge in Tompkins Square Park

Photo by Goggla 

Updated: Since receiving this, the campaign has already met its financial goal. We'll leave the information here for anyone interested in purchasing one of his books

Dennis Edge, an East Village resident since 1970, passed away on Sept. 1. He was 85. 

For years, he documented the birds of Tompkins Square Park, where he was a regular and welcome presence. And now friends are raising money to have a bench dedicated in his memory. 

Here's more via the campaign: 

His passing left a hole in the hearts of our community and an empty bench in Tompkins Square Park. You could see him sitting on a bench photographing the Red-tailed Hawk pair or migratory species. He was always happy to share his knowledge about birds in a joyful and non-judgmental way. He helped inspire others to become birders and to care for nature. 

Please help us raise the funds for a bench for Dennis. This will memorialize his contribution to the community of the Lower East Side and Tompkins Square Park. This will be a place friends, loved ones, and birders can meet for remembrance, reflection, and birding, for generations to come. 

Also, Dennis had self-published a book, "Tompkins Square Park Birds and Other New York City Bird Stories." Below is the information on how to order a copy...

Dennis Edge

 Somehow he still feels present.

In the park nearby a fluttering

little bird, looking, hearing, 

calling their familiar call, 

Dennis, liked to sit here where he

could see the hawk fledglings

almost flying, what graceful beauty 

a paradox of pigeons take flight

His eyes followed their every move 

turning his long-lens camera, a warbler,

many warblers to know, and he did

a birder sits down on a bench

they list what birds seen and where

as light of evening eases, he stands

turns for home, pausing but wait …

Isn't that him now?

•

peter radley

Dennis Edge, 1938-2023 

Photo by Steven

EVG Etc.: Checking in with the red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park; revisiting 'Frances Ha'

Some headlines from other sources in recent days...

• Remembering veteran character actor Mark Margolis who had roots in the East Village (Variety ... The Hollywood Reporter ... previously on EVG) 

• A tribute to Brice Marden, the decades-spanning abstract artist who ran Rivington Arms on the LES (Artnet News) 

• Ex-con who allegedly made menacing threats to women along Second Avenue and Fifth Street back on the corridor after a short jail stint (The Post) 

• NYPD investigating an assault on 13th Street and Broadway from June as a hate crime (Gothamist) 

• Cat Marnell makes a statement about the Marc Jacobs ads with Kim Kardashian, as seen in the photo above on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place (The Sun)

• This 12th Street co-op for sale has a plant wall (6sgft) 

• Red-tailed hawk highlights from Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)

• Remember the John Spacely "Gringo" mural on St. Mark's Place (Flaming Pablum) 

• Some love for P&T Knitwear on Orchard (USA Today) 

• There are several upcoming screenings of the 2013 comedy "Francis Ha," co-written by and starring Greta Gerwig — and directed by Noah Baumbach... with scenes filmed in the East Village and Lower East Side (Metrograph and part of a series titled The Color of Black and White)

 

6 posts from July

A mini month in review... (with one more summer cloud pic)... 

• First look inside the Astor Place Wegmans, set to open on Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. (July 27) 

• When a young red-tailed hawk gets stuck in the airshaft outside your kitchen window (July 21) 

• RIP Big Lee (July 18)

• Late night at Key Food (July 14) 

• The last day for East Village mainstay Ink on Avenue A (July 9) 

• Angelina Jolie is creating a collaborative space for designers and artisans in Basquiat's former studio on Great Jones Street (July 8)

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a "Barbieheimer"-era photo from the Village East by Angelika on Second Avenue ... Or "Barbenheimer" if you prefer)...

• RIP Big Lee (Tuesday) 

 • When a young red-tailed hawk gets stuck in the airshaft outside your kitchen window (Friday) 

•  The Cube returns to Astor Place — and ready to spin again (Tuesday) ... When the Cube returned to Astor Place late Monday night (Wednesday) 

• At the last night of Ink on A (Sunday) 

• A visit to Ella Funt on 4th Street (Friday) 

• Details about some upcoming shows via the Knitting Factory at Baker Falls on Avenue A (Thursday) 

• Report: Metropolitan Playhouse is closing after 30-plus years of productions (Wednesday) 

• 'Star Wars' parody at the Orpheum is joining the dark side after Sunday (Thursday)

• The Avenue C Laundromat has a new owner (Tuesday) 

• Suki Japanese Kitchen hasn't been open lately on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday) 

• Panda Express debuts on 14th Street and 1st Avenue (Monday) 

• The 1st Manhattan outpost of Ayat shapes up on 7th Street and Avenue C (Wednesday) 

• On the CB3-SLA docket: A new home for the Boiler Room; a pizzeria for Avenue B (Monday)

• So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue? (Monday)

• Avant Garden reopens in new Avenue A home (Tuesday) 

• Target makes it signage official on Union Square (Thursday) 

• Openings: Tacombi on 12th Street (Monday) 

• PSA: The original Russ & Daughters Appetizers is closed for a few weeks for renovations (Thursday) 

• Say high to the latest retail tenant at this 2nd Avenue storefront (Tuesday) 

• Full reveals: 650 E. 6th St. (Thursday) 

... and in concert news... U.K.-based singer-songwriter Declan McKenna played a sold-out show at Webster Hall on Friday night... and the line on 11th Street started early... (photos by Stacie Joy)...

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, local EVG faves Hello Mary played a sold-out Bowery Ballroom as the trio continues to tour in support of headliner Blondshell this summer...

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