Tuesday's parting shot

The spare change request from Avenue A and St. Mark's Place early this evening...

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Just 2.5 months until Halloween. This evening, outside Beetle House on Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Noted

As seen on the NW corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street this afternoon: 

Basquiat — he didn't die — he got licensed. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat died on this day in 1988 while living and working at 57 Great Jones just west of the Bowery.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Rainer Turim 

An outdoor fine dining option, 14th Street at Third Avenue...

After sunflower sabotage, 2nd Street residents vow to grow one again

Photos by Stacie Joy 

As noted here, someone recently helped him or herself to the lovely flower head of a sunflower plant on Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B (mid-block on the north side). 

Resilient residents are trying again.

There's also a poem on the scene...

We watched you grow.

June arrived and the sky broke open, spilling out yellow rays. 

To our surprise, the soil did too, and out popped a curl of green. 

As a seedling, we pondered, "What will you be?" 

You stood alone and sprouted bravely.

At the bright yellow petals, our mouths hung agape. 

Into the bright sun you defiantly turned, 

giving us strength through the sweltering days. 

Your golden crown has fallen and your light will be 

missed, but in our memories your brilliance persists. 

With all our love, 

2nd Street Residents

Sunday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A book giveaway today on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. 

The resident started with 400 books this morning and had about 40 left when we saw her late in the afternoon...

Thanks for the free books!

Saturday's opening shot

A morning view from along Houston at Forsyth... with a view to the north of First Street Green Art Park.

Those morning clouds will give way to some breaks of sunshine this afternoon with a high of 82, but humid with that dew point hitting an uncomfortable 70°F.

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Chef, cooking chicken and corn on the grill today on Avenue B at the Vamos Sembrar Garden near 12th Street ...

Thursday's parting shot

Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy 

If you've ever wandered down Second Street between First and Second Avenues, you might have seen the above truck on the block. 

Tom Raimondo, the owner of Crown Salvage (formerly D&D Salvage) at 85 E. Second St., has found a creative way to give new life to his kids' old toys — by decorating the grilles of his trucks with them. 

"My son loves Spider-Man, and these two belonged to my girls," he said of his current stuffed animal arrangement.

It might seem a little odd to strap your kids' old toys to an industrial truck, but for Raimondo, it adds a touch of personality to the job and pays tribute to his children.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Wheatpaste poster getaway on Second Avenue...

Monday's parting reminder to vote

Photo by Stacie Joy 

From Saturday evening on Avenue A, King Geronimo and his Queen Loca are urging us all to vote. Tomorrow is Primary Election Day in NYC.

People of the block: Small business snapshots from the East Village

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Above: East Village Finest Deli 

On walks this spring, we started casually taking portraits — no agenda, just a nod to the people we see every day. Shopkeepers, business owners, and restaurant staff. 

Now, with summer arriving, it felt right to share a few of those familiar faces. 

... Jane's Exchange...

...Clash City Tattoo...

...HAGS...

... CLLCTV...

... Stoned Pizza...

...iGirl...

...Exit9...

...Laundry Mart...

...Essex Card Shop...

... 3rd & B'zaar...

... C&B Cafe's Jaylen (on the right and with a friend)...

... and EV resident Lenny Rotali, who recently retired from the Tompkins Square Station of the USPS ...

Friday's parting shot

Officially summer in the city... St. Mark's Place at First Avenue...

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

It was a day for sudden downpours and storms...

Monday's parting shot

An early morning view along Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Meri Micara

Traveler season on St. Mark's Place...

Today in overthinking discarded objects

EVG reader Chris Rowland shared this photo today from Stuyvesant Street. 

This is, obviously, a commentary on consumer culture or waste. The odd, decaying form of the object sitting atop a discarded or secondhand chair may be intended to critique how we discard objects and ideas that don't fit mainstream aesthetics.

The texture, embedded objects (like beads or buttons), and exaggerated form also point toward commentary on material excess or bodily abstraction.

When someone dumps an industrial-size fridge on Avenue C

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

On Monday, someone left a large industrial refrigerator near the southbound M9 stop on Avenue C between Second Street and Third Street.

It was not an item to be easily discarded. The appliance, left outside the former storefront of "Store on Ave C" — a now-shuttered smoke shop and florist — was reportedly dumped after the business closed. 

This morning, a city Sanitation crew temporarily halted traffic on this stretch of Avenue C to remove the item. 

"We gotta do this quick," a Sanitation worker said.

After some careful maneuvering, the crew managed to lift and load the fridge onto a truck. Bus riders and passersby applauded as the street was cleared. 

As for the storefront, it's now empty...

Wednesday's parting shot

March comes in like a lion, goes out April on the corner of First Avenue and Ninth Street...

Thursday's parting shot

Crossing Second Avenue at Second Street this evening...