Noted

Paul Kostabi checks in with these photos of this Urban Etiquette Car Sign from over on Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square...

According to the multiple notes on the car... the note leaver alleges that the driver of the car hit his motorcycle. Accusations ensue.



Per the note:

"Based on the condition of your car and the way you parked, you are a bad driver on top of being an inconsiderate selfish asshole. I have filed a police report and you will be hearing from my insurance company!

Have a nice day!"

Up close and 'Personal'

Here's Escape-ism (starring Ian Svenonius) with the new track "Nothing Personal" ... from a record coming out this September on Merge.

This block of St. Mark's Place lost 2 trees this week

[Photo Wednesday by Steven]

On Wednesday, crews cut down the Callery pear tree from outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. The day before, a large branch fell from the tree, narrowly missing several nearby pedestrians and vehicles.

This wasn't the only tree lost on this block this week ... on Sunday morning, we saw that this young tree had been uprooted from outside 3-5 St. Mark's Place...





Not sure what happened... in any event, someone removed this tree on Wednesday...

Reiminders tonight: Films on the Green in Tompkins Square Park

The Films on the Green series returns to Tompkins Square Park tonight for a free screening of "Romantics Anonymous" (aka Les Emotifs Anonymes").

The 2010 French-Belgian rom-com directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré, follows two sweethearts "wracked by social anxiety."



Showtime is 8:30ish.

And here are a few photos from last Friday's screening of "Le Boucher" in the Park...





Photos by N. Charles via Facebook

Hello humans of Tompkins Square Park

Amelia and Christo's two offspring are getting more active by the hour ... leaving their nest in Tompkins Square Park to test their wings (branching) ... Goggla shared the top photo, showing just how large the hawk chicks are getting (this is what happens when you eat rats every day...)

Goggla figures it could be fledge time for the two at any moment. Head over to Goggla's for more photos of the hawklets as well as a narrative on the latest hawk developments.

Meanwhile, Steven shared these photos of the parents enjoying a nest break atop St. Nicholas on 10th Street and Avenue A late Wednesday afternoon... that's Amelia taking flight...

Celebrate Open Garden Day NYC (by going to a community garden tomorrow)

[6th Street & Avenue B Garden]

GreenThumb is celebrating its 40th year tomorrow with an Open Garden Day NYC from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in community gardens in the five boroughs.

Per the EVG inbox...

On July 14, dozens of community gardens will be opening their doors to the public on the same day. Enjoy a day of free activities and share in our gardens. Activities will include arts and music, greening and composting, food and environmental justice events, garden workdays, and much more.

The open gardens represent some of the more than 550 community gardens overseen by GreenThumb, the largest community gardening program in the country. Gardens range from small community spaces meant for relaxation to large plazas and urban farms. More than 20,000 community gardeners volunteer their time to manage these vital open spaces.

Here are the local gardens taking part (find the full list here):

• 11th Street Community Garden
422 E. 11th St.

Things to do:
Listen to live music.

• 6th Street & Avenue B Garden
78-92 Avenue B

Things to do:
Scavenger hunt tour, Weeding ID and library, Sugar Shock Math, and bead crafts for kids.

• Campos Community Garden
640-644 E. 12th St.

Things to do:
Visit the garden for food, herbal teas, fragrant natural body products, cooking demonstrations, and much more made with garden fresh ingredients.

• Creative Little Garden
530 E. Sixth St.

Things to do:
Tour the garden and enjoy a Bastille Day-themed celebration with music performed by French musician and a garden member, Mathieu Eveillard.

• Dias Y Flores
520-522 E. 13th St.

Things to do:
Tour the garden.

• Hope Garden
193 E. Second St.

Things to do:
Listen to live music.

• Le Petit Versailles Garden
247 E. Second St.

Things to do:
Check out exhibitions and video screenings.

• Orchard Alley
350-54 E. Fourth St.

Things to do:
Attend a free yoga class.

• Sage's Garden
281 E. Fourth St.

Things to do:
View the art exhibits.

NYC's first Fithouse is no longer open on the Bowery

The city's first Fithouse location, which debuted to a lot of press in March at 276 Bowery just south of Houston, has closed.

Gymgoers are instructed to head over to the new outpost in NoHo (712 Broadway near Washington Place).

The boutique fitness brand, which offers high-intensity interval training, pilates, yoga and barre classes under one roof for $99 a month, has plans to open NYC 12 locations.

According to the Post in February: "As part of its fast-paced expansion, FitHouse will use so-called shotgun leases — extremely flexible arrangements that allow the landlord or the studio to cancel with a 60- or 90-day notice."

Sounds as if Fithouse took the shotgun approach on the Bowery, though the official word from the new Noho branch is that this was just a pop-up location.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exercise studio plans to open 15 NYC locations; 276 Bowery is 1st

Thursday's parting shot

14 Street near Second Avenue this evening via Alice Owen...

The Manhattanhenge Project

[Almost Manhattanhenge-y on 9th Street the other night]

Time again for Manhattanhenge, in which the setting sun aligns with the Manhattan street grid, prompting people to stand in the middle of 14th Street (send photos!).

Per the American Museum of Natural History: Tonight at 8:20 (cloud coverage permitting!) you'll be able to see the full sun on Manhattan’s grid; tomorrow evening at 8:21, the half sun will be on display.

EVG Etc.: David Wojnarowicz at the Whitney; James and Karla Murray at Seward Park

[At FishCheeks on Bond Street via Walter Wlodarczyk for NYC & Co.]

Can the neighborhood's affordable housing co-ops survive the next big storm? (Next City)

NYCHA took six months to comply with federal lead rules (The Post)

Preview of David Wojnarowicz’s Whitney retrospective (Vulture) In conjunction with the Whitney program, NYU's Mamdouha Bobst Gallery presents "The Unflinching Eye: The Symbols of David Wojnarowicz" tonight through Sept. 30 (Official site)

Shocker: Many New York City neighborhoods are unaffordable for renters (The Post)

30 restaurants that make up the East Village’s "booming Chinatown North" (Grub Street)

"The New York Woman" film series continues at The Quad (Official site)

James and Karla Murray's "Mom-and-Pops of the L.E.S" opens Saturday in Seward Park (NYC Parks)


[Huetek's Patti Smith mural on 2nd Street at 1st Avenue]

Jeremiah Moss discusses Extell's One Manhattan Square on the Lower East Side, "the latest luxury monstrosity to vandalize our skyline and bully its way into our low-rise neighborhoods." (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Bicycle Habitat closing Lafayette Street location after 40 years in business (BoweryBoogie)

A few screenings of Lynne Ramsey's great "Morvern Callar" at the Metrograph (Official site)

Three decades later Jean-Luc Godard's "The Rise and Fall of a Small Film Company" makes its U.S. debut (Film Anthology Archives)

Marc H. Miller discusses his new exhibit, "Downtown Art Ephemera, 1970s-1990s," which runs through July 25 at the James Fuentes Gallery, 55 Delancey St. (Vice)

A preview of 886 on St. Mark's Place (Eater)

A feature on the LES-based jazz group Onyx Collective (New York)

Catch a free screening of "The Wizard of Oz" in Seward Park on July 21 (The Lo-Down)

South Florida-based Kavasutra Kava Bar, with a location on East 10th Street, slammed for Instagram post seen as transphobic and sexist (NBC Miami ... Sun Sentinel)

When Yul Brynner didn't want you to litter in NYC (Flaming Pablum)

The former Tammany Hall morphing into the luxurious 44 Union Square (Commercial Observer)

.... and in case you haven't seen the mural behind P.S. 751 on Fourth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... the mural was unveiled in May. However, the gates were always locked when I went by, so I never had a chance for a decent photo.

So thanks to AFineLyne for sharing these via GothamToGo...



The nonprofit group, Artolution and the students at P.S. 751 and Harvey Milk High School came together to create this 160x25 mural to capture their diversity and individuality...



...and a resident misplaced a backpack with two laptops and other work-related items back on June 28... he's hopeful that the bag, which went missing between Seventh and Ninth Street/First and Second Avenue, turns up... the Craigslist post is here ...


[Photo by Steven]

Grant Shaffer's NY See

[Click on image for more detail]

Here's this week's NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

Grey Lady owner looking at new venture for the old Out East space on 6th Street

A co-owner of Grey Lady on Delancey Street (and Grey Lady East in Montauk) is among the applicants vying for a new liquor license for the former Out East Space on Sixth Street, according to documents on the CB3 website.

There's not much information about what type of restaurant applicant Callum McLaughlin tends to open at Out East, which closed without any notice after eight months in business last December here between Avenue A and Avenue B. CB3 describes this as a sale of assets.

Presumably the new venture will be a seafood-centric spot similar to the Nantucket-style food served at Grey Lady. (McLaughlin is a Nantucket native.) New York magazine says the Grey Lady's "brief menu is a pleaser." Out East aspired to have a (new) Montauk beach vibe.



The CB3 questionnaire shows proposed hours of 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, with an 11 a.m. opening on Saturday and Sunday. The bi-level space has room for 38 tables — seating 96 diners. (There are also two, 10-seat bars on each floor.)

McLaughlin previously looked at opening an oyster bar and restaurant on the Upper East Side in early 2017. Those plans apparently never materialized.

CB3's SLA committee meets Monday night at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The proceedings start at 6:30.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former Out East space for lease on 6th Street

Dry cleaners where Kim's Video got its start on Avenue A is closing

Today is the last day in business for Sammy's Cleaners at 99 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. (Thanks to EVG reader Paul W. for the photo and tip!)

The sign on the door announcing the closure thanks Sammy's customers for their patronage. Not sure why they are shutting down.

The spot was, until late 2016/early 2017, Kim's Cleaners...


[Google Street View]

Owner Yongman Kim launched his (now-departed) Kim's Video empire from here in 1987 ... before eventually moving the video business a few storefronts to the south to 85 Avenue (now Somtum Der), which enjoyed its reign of terror until the summer of 2004.


[Photo from 1997 by Dave Buchwald]

Taiwan Bear House bringing bento boxes and bubble tea to 10th Street

Taiwan Bear House will be opening an outpost on 10th Street at First Avenue (between Snowdays and United Copy & Print in the same building that houses Tarallucci E Vino).

The cafe sells a variety of bubble tea, bento boxes and fried chicken.

The restaurant opened its first outpost on Pell Street in 2015, and earned a "Critic's Pick" at the Times.

Per the Times:

The fried chicken is inspired by the “popcorn” style of chicken sold at night markets in Taiwan, boneless hunks of meat perfumed with Chinese five-spice and slightly feverish, with a chewiness just under the surface. The pork chop is dredged not in the usual sweet potato starch but in panko. Purists may object, but the sheath of crumbs comes out well bronzed, somehow crispy and wispy at once.

Still, if I had to choose, I would forgo pork chop or chicken for a larger heap of that minced pork, the cheapest bento option, and the best.

You can find their menu here.

Thanks to Steven for the photo and tip!

Tribute to a fallen tree on St. Mark's Place

[Top 2 photos via Steven]

The city this morning deemed it necessary to remove the Callery pear tree from outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Yesterday morning, a large branch fell, which, miraculously, missed the pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity.

According to this site, the "Callery pear has a weak wood and branch structure ..." The tree appeared to show signs of rot.

Here's a look at what's left behind...




[Photo via @PerchNewYork]

... and there is a tribute, which begins "Dearly Beloved," on the stump...


[Photo by Chris Rowland]

Tater in the morning

A Tater sighting on Ninth Street this a.m. via Steven...

After nearly 40 years, Foot Gear Plus is closing on 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

[Photos by Stacie Joy]

Tony Scifo, who opened Foot Gear Plus at 131 First Ave. and St. Mark's Place in 1980, recently made the difficult decision to close his family-fun business at the end of the month.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the store yesterday and spoke with Scifo. Here are excerpts from the conversation...

"The 31st of July is the last day at Foot Gear Plus. I made the decision to close about three months ago. After several years of peaks and valleys in business there were just too many valleys. Companies now sell direct to consumers and once they started offering free shipping it was all over. This is happening everywhere, not just locally.

We offered great merchandise and great service — no gimmicks. But we just can't compete with online.

The landlord wanted us to stay. She offered us a fair price and she's been great. We just couldn't make it.

We're cleaning out merchandise now — everything is 20 percent off with limited stock/sizes. Prices might drop a little bit more before we close for good, but we might not have too much more inventory. Come in now if you need shoes but there's no hard sell. You can save a few dollars.

We have no plans to have an online store and no plans to reopen. After 40 years I want to spend time with my family and see what's next. You know in 40 years I don't think we ever opened even a few minutes late."

Village Kids Footwear, which Tony's sister Linda Scifo-Young operated a few storefronts away, closed late last summer.

Report: LPC wants some revisions to the proposed condoplex for 2nd Avenue and 7th Street

The Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) reviewed the proposal yesterday to erect a 7-story condoplex on the Second Avenue gas explosion site at Seventh Street.

The 21-unit conodplex with retail space reportedly isn't too far off from what the LPC will approve. Here's part of the coverage via 6sqft:

After reviewing the plans ... and deciding that the proposal is “close, but not quite there,” they’ve sent [architect Morros] Adjmi and Yaniv Shaky Cohen’s Nexus Building Development Group back to the drawing board over concerns regarding the windows, storefront, and coloring. Neighbors and those affected by the tragedy are also calling for a commemorative plaque to be incorporated into the design.

And about a way to commemorate the two men who died in the explosion — Moises Ismael Locon, 27, and Nicholas Figueroa, 23:

[T]he one thing everyone seemed to agree on is the necessity for a commemorative plaque. Adjmi said the owner originally considered a tree to serve as a marker, but the LPC would like to see him work with the community on this addition.

The lot sits within the the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, and requires the LPC's approval to move forward.

Read more from yesterday at Curbed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Here's the 1st look at the new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Some breakfast and lunch for 10th and 3rd

Workers were putting up the signage yesterday afternoon on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Third Avenue... as you can see, the wraparound signage boasts breakfast and lunch offerings, including sandwiches, salads, smoothies and a juice bar.

Not sure what this venture will be called — that part of the signage wasn't in place just yet.

This storefront was previously the Red & White Spa, which closed at the end of 2017...



Updated 7/14

The deli is called Healthy Greens Gourmet...



Updated 7/20

The place is now open.

Report: Proposed tech hub appears 'in question' without zoning protections

A number of organizations and local residents both for and against the proposed tech hub on 14th Street made their case earlier today during an hours-long public hearing in front of a City Council subcommittee.

You can find nice recaps at The Lo-Down ... Curbed ... and amNY.

There's support for the hub's training facility that would provide skills to local low-income residents. However, some local residents and preservation groups have called for a larger rezoning of the area to ensure that the proposed 21-story Union Square Tech Training Center doesn’t prompt massive development on Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue that would potentially displace tenants and small businesses.

District 2 City Council member Carlina Rivera holds the crucial vote for the zoning changes to make the project a go at the site of the former PC Richard complex on 14th Street at Irving Place. During her election campaign last year she indicated that she'd sign off on the tech hub only if the city agreed to downzone the surrounding area.

As the Lo-Down reported, Rivera said in her introductory remarks that she considers it part of her mission to create good jobs for residents in her district. However: "the vision for this area must include protections from continued out-of-scale and financially out-of-reach development."

And later...

.@CarlinaRivera says vote on Tech Hub is “seriously in question” following negotiations with City Hall where “the community’s requests have not been seriously considered.” https://t.co/iEPOLU6F92

— Jeremy Unger (@jeremyunger1) July 10, 2018

The final City Council vote will be later this summer.

Updated 7/11

RAL Development Services, who's partnering with the city on the project, released this statement after yesterday's hearing:

We’re pleased to continue through the ULURP process with the broad support of the community and elected officials. We are committed to making the 124 East 14th Street Tech Training Center a reality; an innovative and inclusive project that will stimulate local business growth and community interaction, and promote the next generation of companies, not for profit organizations, and industries. We will continue to work with community representatives and local officials in making sure the project responds to the community’s needs and look forward to the Tech Training Center’s addition to the iconic Lower Manhattan area.

Image via @GVSHP

Previously on EV Grieve:
Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC

Speaking out against a 'Silicon Alley' in this neighborhood

P.C. Richard puts up the moving signs on 14th Street; more Tech Hub debate to come

Preservationists: City schedules next public hearing on tech hub without any public notice

City Council's lone public hearing on the 14th Street tech hub is tomorrow

No injuries reported as large tree branch comes crashing down on St. Mark's Place

This tree branch fell this morning outside 26 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... EVG reader Maegan Hayward shared these photos...



Thankfully, despite being a busy corridor for pedestrians and vehicles (especially deliveries), the damage was minimal. Per Maegan: "Luckily it seems like no one was injured and nothing was damaged other than the tree."

The sidewalk bridge outside 19-25 St. Mark's Place across the street prevented the tree from possibly damaging the storefronts or hitting the pedestrians who were there at the time.





And 7 seconds of video, which shows just how large this branch is...



"It just seemed to fall out of nowhere," Maegan said.

Updated:

Steven shared these photos... after the branch was (mostly) removed from the street...







...and a photo of the branch attachment...

Mono + Mono reopens on 4th Street after 5-year absence

More than five years after a fire destroyed its space, Mono + Mono officially reopens tonight in its former home at 116 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.


[Photo by Elissa Jiji]

A fire swept through the single-level structure in April 2013. The restaurant's extensive collection of jazz LPs were reportedly spared, and, based on some recent Instagram posts, the records will be put to use in Mono + Mono 2.0.

At various times through the years, Mono reps said that they would be returning. CB3 OK'd the new liquor license in March 2017. The menu submitted with the CB3 questionnaire at that time featured a variety of Asian-fusion tapas. (The sample menu did not list the double-dipped Korean fried chicken, a speciality of the previous incarnation of Mono + Mono.) Recent Instagram posts show small-plates-type menu items.

A flower shop has been in the space in the past year-plus, with the recent arrival of a cafe serving juice and coffee. The flower shop will remain in operation during the day, with the space turning over to dinner and drinks in the evenings. No word on official hours just yet. The new Mono doesn't appear to have any web or social-media presence at the moment.

Mono + Mono first opened in August 2010.

Thanks to Elissa Jiji for the tip!

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening