Christmas Eve, Tompkins Square Park

Photos by EVG reader Mr. Baggs...

Christmas Eve, Astor Place

Jerry Delakas at Jerry's Newsstand, site of one of the more positive neighborhood stories this year.

Photo by Kelly King

The Odessa in the early morning this holiday season

Looking fine before opening in the morning here at 119 Avenue A...

Holiday celebration today at La Plaza

On the southwest corner of Avenue C and East Ninth Street… aka the North Pole

Shop local tonight

Via the EVG inbox...

Shop local in the East Village tonight. The East Village Independent Merchant Association (EVIMA) is hosting the East Village Holiday Shopping Night, with more than 20 participating local merchants providing promotions and discounts for shoppers from 6-9 pm. A complete list of all participating stores and their deals can be found here.

In addition, the East Village Community Coalition will be holding a community holiday party and teen gift drive for the Women’s Prison Association in their offices (143 Avenue B, in the Christodora House) tonight from 6-10. Suggested gifts include: gloves, scarves, beanies, clothing (including winter coats), movie gift cards, lotions and fragrances (most popular item for girls, sunglasses, earphones and headphones, jewelry, watches, wallets, handbags and messenger bags, backpacks, NY teams merchandise (Mets, Yankees, Nets, Knicks, Rangers, Giants, Jets).

Avenue C's North Pole

A few photos via Bobby Williams showing La Plaza Cultural's transformation into the North Pole (NoPo?) on the southwest corner of East Ninth Street and Avenue C ...



This is all ahead of a holiday party on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. featuring cocoa, Santa, a toy drive, etc.



And while you're over here, check out the Ninth Street Community Garden across the Avenue ... which is equally decked out for the holidays...

Rejected headlines:
Today the North Pole, tomorrow Midtown South

The 23rd annual tree lighting at Tompkins Square Park is Sunday

[Photo today by Derek Berg]

Workers were hanging the lights on the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree this morning (didn't the Park keep the lights up year-round for awhile???) ... ahead of the 23rd annual tree lighting ceremony Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

Here are details via the EVG inbox...

Music from Mandel & Lydon Trio
Carolers of Olde New York from Theatre for the New City
Refreshments from Veselka Restaurant
Additional Support from East Village Books, Vazacs/7B, Saifee Hardware, Apple Savings Bank

HOSTED BY:
East Village Parks Conservancy
Third Street Music School Settlement
Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition

The tree was planted in 1992 in memory of Park advocate Glenn Barnett, "and each of our neighbors whom we have lost to AIDS," per the sign that hangs near the tree.

If you like songs, caroling and storytelling

Several East Village residents are among the talented collection of singers who are taking part in this tonight…

An evening of song, caroling and storytelling
7:30 pm
Gustavus Adolphus Church
155 E. 22nd St.
FREE

The church is between Third Avenue and Lexington…

Holiday happenings at 7B

Early this morning, we spotted some of the holiday decorations arriving at 7B/Vazac's/Horseshoe Bar ... and since then, there has been plenty of progress in the annual trimming of the bar on Avenue B at East Seventh Street...

EVG regulars Riley McCormick and Riian Kant-McCormick share these photos...





No word if any bartenders were injured during the decorating festivities...



Previously on EV Grieve:
The 7B days of Christmas the holidays

Have yourself a Germanish Christmas

Starting tomorrow…

Via the Zum Schneider website:

Doors open at 1 pm. Free admission. Sorry, no reservations!

• Traditional community singalong with Benjamin and Sylvester on the guitar and hammered dulcimer
• Songbooks will be provided
• German and American Christmas carols
• Mulled wine
• Mama Schneider's Christmas Stollen
• Weihnachtsgebäck / Christmas cookies
• Festive decoration

Zum Schneider is on Avenue C and East Seventh Street…

No trees yet, but...

There are holiday wreaths on display outside the Whole Foods Market® Bowery on East Houston…

Speaking of holiday trees … soon, everyone's favorite inflatable Santa should (oh Lordy we hope!) return to its familiar holiday home on East 14th Street at First Avenue…

We're guessing that the tree stands will arrive on Wednesday… the actual trees on Friday and Jolly ol' Trailer Park Santa on Saturday…

Previously on EV Grieve:
In case you are looking to buy the ol' [insert your name here!] family holiday tree on Thanksgiving