Steak out: Man reportedly walks out of Trader Joe's with 10 packs of meat

Yesterday morning, a man reportedly walked out of the Trader Joe's on 14th Street near Avenue A with 10 packs of steaks. 

East Village resident Steven Hirsch, a photographer who contributes to the Post, happened to be in the store at the time. Per the Post article:

Two helpless Trader Joe's staffers had followed the man up an escalator leading to the store's exit but only stopped him from taking a shopping basket outside — not the meat, the video shows. 

"They basically just tell us not to do anything, just let them go," a Trader Joe's worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, later explained to The Post. 

"We get in trouble if we do anything … It don't bother me, I've been working here for two years, I see it happen every day. After a while, you just don't care."

The man initially told Hirsch that he paid for the items, but then "claimed that he was homeless and had stolen the food to eat."

"I'm gonna eat it," the man says in the video. "I'm f–king hungry." 

The incident made the cover of the Post under the headline "Hamburglar," part of a larger package on how CRIME is UP throughout the city.

Latest Post 'exclusive' is a story we reported on 11 months ago

In an "exclusive," the Post reports:

A developer paid an ethically tarred City Hall lobbyist — and the law firm that defended Mayor Bill de Blasio against pay-to-play allegations — to press the administration for permission to expand a 10-story office tower in the East Village, The Post has learned.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission, whose 11 members are all mayoral appointees, approved plans by Real Estate Equities Corp. to enlarge a building at 3 St. Marks Place that’s 20% larger than limits allowed by the area’s current zoning laws.

The plan was approved in June, although the $200,000 the developer paid to de Blasio lobbyist James Capalino and the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel LLP, were not reported at the time.

Correct, it was not reported at the time in June 2019 — it was actually reported several months earlier, on Feb. 13, 2019 in an EVG piece titled "The lobbyists behind the air-rights transfer and zoning variance for 3 St. Mark's Place."

Anyway! The Post article includes several quotes about the project, now making its way through the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Here's local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera, who holds the crucial vote on the special permit to transfer air rights from the landmarked 4 St. Marks Place to increase the size of this development:

“I continue to share the same concerns that many in our community have brought up, including Community Board 3, regarding this project and its impact on the surrounding area, and I have not seen anything new presented that would make me consider it favorably as it proceeds through ULURP.”

Report: It's 'Crusty vs. Postie' on 2nd Avenue

New York Post reporter Dean Balsamini reports that he was punched by a traveler/crusty while looking into the annual migration that has seen the group camped out on the corner of Second Avenue at Seventh Street at the site of the 2015 deadly gas explosion.

Balsamini described the alleged attacker, named Zeke, as having a "farm-animal musk" and "Charles Manson eyes." Wrote Balsamini: "Crusty vs. Postie."

A passage from the article published today:

One terrified 64-year-old retiree blamed the city’s decriminalization of quality-of-life offenses.

“The fish stinks from the head,” he fumed. “From de Blasio on down. He doesn’t care. He’s too busy at the gym.”

Jose Amigon, co-owner of Paul’s Da Burger Joint, was beaten with his own broom in June when he asked a sleeping crusty to move as he swept outside his store.

Not long after I was crusty-creamed, 9th Precinct Capt. John O’Connell called me to make sure I was OK, saying, “This is upsetting to me.”

[Enz's owner Mariann] Marlowe said my Wednesday-afternoon whipping prompted action. O’Connell has stopped by her store at least three times since, and a cop is now posted on the block.

The Post has a history of conflict with the travelers. In 2015, when the travelers camped outside the new Cooper Union academic building, a group of them threatened a reporter and photographer with taunts and cookies.



Per that article:

Nine of the drifters were splayed out on bits of cardboard Thursday morning, and began hurling insults, water and bits of cookie when approached by a reporter.

“I was going to chase him down and beat the s–t out of him,” one thin, bedraggled man spat in anger.

“If I ever see you or that photographer again, I’ll kick the s–t out of you,” he threatened.

The Post once again chronicles Christo's 'fowl lust'

The New York Post checks in (again!) with a feature on Christo... and the various hawks in his life — Dora, Barucha/Nora/Not-Dora and Amelia.

Here are three passages:

• Tompkins Square Park’s claw-sanova is now servicing not two, but three chicks at the same time.

• The red-tailed stud named Christo made the front page of The Post in March for dipping his, um, beak in the nests of two different female hawks.

• Bird lovers — who have watched Christo and Dora rear 10 chicks and rule the roost at Tompkins for the last five years — are broken up by Christo’s fowl lust.

The piece includes several quotes (and photos) from Goggla.

Updated:

The story appears on Page 3...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at the other OTHER hawk in Christo's life

Post explores the complicated relationship of Dora, Christo and Nora/Not-Dora

Post explores the complicated relationship of Dora, Christo and Nora/Not-Dora

Among the one-liners:

• "A cheep slut has come between a hawk and her hubby."

• "The three lovers met beak-to-beak in the center of the park, where the plumage hit the fan."

• "To some bird watchers, Nora is nothing more than a rust-colored nest-wrecker."

Here's the article, which includes quotes and photos from Goggla.

Updated 9 a.m.

Heh. The Post put this story on the cover...

Report: East Village resident looking for justice in the 2005 death of her husband in Iraq

The Post has a feature today on East Village resident Lisa Ramaci, who has spent the past 12 years trying to find out who was responsible for the August 2005 murder of her husband, journalist Steven Vincent, in the Iraqi port city of Basra.

She has spent long hours scouring the Internet schooling herself in the intricate politics of extremist forces in Iraq, and is currently suing the government of Iran and five major European banks that she says financed the thugs who killed Vincent and other Americans.

But now her biggest obstacle may be her own government.

Last week Ramaci sued the FBI in federal court in Manhattan to force them to release hundreds of pages documenting their nearly four-year investigation into Vincent’s death.

When asked if the FBI was stonewalling and perhaps covering up something in their files that they may not want her to see, Ramaci shrugged.

“Look, I was raised in an era of conspiracies but I’m not going to ascribe that to the FBI,” she said. “I’m going to be charitable, and say that they’re just overwhelmed with requests because there is no earthly reason that the FBI shouldn’t give me that file.”

You may read the whole article here.

The Post discovers Alphabet City again

Having cleaned up Tompkins Square Park, the Post now turns its attention to the new luxury developments in the neighborhood.

The real-estate section today has a cover feature titled "Record-setting real estate gentrifies once-gritty Alphabet City."

Let's get to the best parts!

In talking about East Second Street between Avenue C and Avenue D:

Sure, this gritty East Village enclave saw its fair share of shenanigans related to drug use and violent crime not terribly long ago, and perhaps that’s one reason why new housing construction here has remained relatively dormant — until now.

Violent crime = shenanigans!

And!

Yes, at last, Alphabet City is getting a healthy dose of nice housing, and experts agree the activity there comes hand-in-hand with downtown’s development boom. But it also marks developers’ discovery of the area’s cheaper land and convertible buildings. Combined with buyers’ strong demand for downtown living, this previously overlooked zone is filling up quickly with more upscale new options. (They’re a far cry from the rundown artists’ shacks immortalized in the ’90s hit musical “Rent.”)

At last!

And!

Beyond the friendly atmosphere and better prices, sources say Alphabet City’s creative spirit — thanks to a long-standing community of artists — is another lure for house hunters.

And!

“What’s nice about the East Village is that it’s finally becoming residentially amenable to everybody,” says Nest Seekers’ Ryan Serhant — who’s gearing up to launch sales at Magnum Real Estate Group’s 33-unit 100 Ave. A. Meanwhile, Magnum’s president, Ben Shaoul, says the area’s “very cool modern bohemian lifestyle vibe” is a winning factor for buyers.

Can we please have some video of Ben Shaoul actually saying the words "very cool modern bohemian lifestyle vibe" about the East Village?

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Post reports Tompkins Square Park 'has become a homeless haven' (105 comments)

There'll be no more trespassing at the Cooper Union academic building

Back in late July, the Cooper Union academic building made headlines as part of the Post's ongoing Bill-deBlasio-is-the-worst-mayor-ever coverage. Sources told the Post that some crusties/travelers had been like urinating, defecating and masturbating right out there in public. (Side note: Cab drivers have apparently been using the space to relieve themselves dating back to 2010.)

Perhaps this attention ushered in the No Trespassing signs that are now on display around the building here between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street…







In July 2010, Cooper Union put an end to people skateboarding on the $175-million building by placing metal spikes on the tempting bank of polished concrete out front.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cooper Union puts the brakes on its skateboarding bank

The 'urination, defecation, masturbation' vacation outside Cooper Union (66 comments)

Gleaming the Coop

The 'urination, defecation, masturbation' vacation outside Cooper Union

The Post has a new front for its ongoing exposes on perceived quality-of-life offenses: The Cooper Union academic building.

The annual appearance by the travelers/crusties/whatever-you-like, who have been camping out here every summer since the school opened the building six years ago at 41 Cooper Square between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street, prompted this headline-worthy quote:

“I have seen drug deals, public urination, defecation, masturbation in broad daylight in the Taras Shevchenko alley,” a Cooper Union faculty member told The Post.

Apparently the group didn't care for reporter Kevin Fasick, who earlier this summer posed as a homeless person outside Gracie Mansion, attempting to interview them.

Nine of the drifters were splayed out on bits of cardboard Thursday morning, and began hurling insults, water and bits of cookie when approached by a reporter.

“I was going to chase him down and beat the s–t out of him,” one thin, bedraggled man spat in anger.

“If I ever see you or that photographer again, I’ll kick the s–t out of you,” he threatened.

And where was the Post in 2010 when a serial vomiter (careful with that link) was targeting this building?

Updated 4:32 p.m.

Oh! We didn't see the paper's version of the story with this headline…



Thanks Matt Rosen!

Report: East Village broker accused of rental bait-and-switch

An East Village-based broker is using the addresses of celebrity homes, including Anna Wintour's (!!!!), "in an apparent real-estate scam," according to the Post.

When Post reporters posing as prospective tenants answered the ads last week ... they were text-messaged back by unnamed real-estate salespeople. But each time the reporters tried to see the advertised apartments, they were met with excuses — they’re not available for viewing or they’re suddenly off the market.

They were then shown far less fashionable flats, and were ushered to the offices of St. Marks Place Realty at 36 St. Marks Place.

The undercover reporters then met with the real-estate firm's sole licensed broker, named as Jordan Marshall.

Dressed in a cheap suit, he launched into a high-pressure spiel: A just-viewed East Third Street apartment was listed by a major brokerage, and the rival firm was holding an open house that very afternoon. If the clients paid a $100 application fee on the spot and filled out a form, “We can stop them from renting it . . . This way we don’t lose it.”

When later confronted by the Post, Marshall repeatedly said "I’m not sure what you’re talking about."

Read the whole article here.

Also, Wintour's West Village home is not on the market.

The Post reports Tompkins Square Park 'has become a homeless haven'

[EVG photo]

Here are some passages from the article in today's Post:

“I really don’t enjoy the beauty of the park anymore because I’m too scared to walk through it,” said NYU student Christine Gal, 19, who lives nearby. “I would say it has doubled in the last six months.”

And!

A parks worker called the urban oasis “scary,” saying it’s riddled with bums who have drug problems.

And!

One woman is worried about bringing her 6-year-old daughter to the park.

“Some of them are junkies. They’re standing there almost falling down or sitting there slumped over,” the 39-year-old woman said. “My daughters asks, ‘Mommy, why are the men sleeping?’ And that’s not something you want to explain to your child.”

At least one of the five Post reporters who received a byline on the article spent time in the Park yesterday … noting "a herd of homeless people sprawled across the lawn" while "a few feet away, hobos sought shelter under a cluster of trees, snuggling up in sleeping bags."

The Post also found "a similarly seedy scene across town at Washington Square Park."

Anyway! Thoughts on the state of Tompkins Square Park (not the song by Mumford and Sons) this summer? Any different than, say, five years ago?

Report: J. Crew executives post taunting Instagram pics on 3rd Avenue hours after staff layoffs

In case you didn't see the cover of the Post today... Well, let's go right to the story:

Hours after telling members of his team they were laid off, a J.Crew veep danced on their graves at a nearby bar with fellow survivors — posing for celebratory photos that were hash-tagged with “Hunger Games” jokes.

Alejandro Rhett, vice president of men’s merchandising, personally delivered the bad news to several workers who were among the 175 layoffs at the struggling company on Wednesday, sources told The Post.

Rhett then hightailed it from J.Crew’s East Village headquarters to the Linen Hall bar, where he and other still-employed colleagues threw back drinks, the photos show.

The hashtags on the photos taken outside the bar on Third Avenue near East 13th Street included #maytheoddsbeevrinyourfavor and #damnitfeelsgoodtobeagangster. The photos have since been removed.

A J.Crew spokesperson said the company "does not condone" the behavior of Rhett and the others, adding, "As soon as we were made aware, the appropriate actions took place."

Meanwhile, we will go visit Drunk J. Crew...


[Photo via Drunk J. Crew]

Updated 6-19
Rhett was reportedly fired yesterday.

Post discovers that cyclists often run the light at 1st Avenue and St. Mark's Place

From the Post today:

For New York cyclists, red lights means go almost 80 percent of the time — despite an NYPD crackdown and the recent deaths of two pedestrians hit by bikes, The Post has found.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, reporters at three busy intersections observed 1,006 cyclists encounter a red signal — often with pedestrians in the crosswalks — and a staggering 796 of them passed through before it turned green.

As your can see from the graphic, First Avenue and St. Mark's Place was one of the intersections where a Post reporter hung out for 8 hours watching.

While my guitar gently weeped: 12 years later, stolen 12 string reunited with owner

In May 2002, someone broke into Buddy Cage's Chrysler Voyager van on East 13th Street and First Avenue and stole his the rare Hilt-brand 12-string from the trunk.

As the Post reports today, Cage, who played with New Riders of the Purple Sage and worked on "Blood on the Tracks" with Bob Dylan, just had the guitar returned to him.

It's a long short story, but a fan called Cage after spotting the guitar on Ebay.

Cage then called his friend, retired detective Bob Geis, who originally helped him look for the guitar when it was stolen. Geis went back to precinct where it was originally stolen, and found a detective who remembered the case.

A 9th Precinct detective, John McAuliffe, traced it to Miguel Tapia, of East Flastbush — who claimed he had bought the guitar at a flea market on Canal Street long ago, he said.

"I tried to play it but I couldn’t figure out how, so I just threw it in my basement and forgot I even had it," said Tapia, who discovered it while cleaning his home. Bidding had reached $820 by Saturday before he pulled it.

Tapia didn't realize the guitar was stolen and returned it.

[Photo: Stefan Jeremiah/Post]

About Alec Baldwin's 'rant'

The Post has an "exclusive" today about an alleged run-in between Alec Baldwin and a Post reporter and photographer... among other things, he reportedly used a a racial epithet about the photographer, who is black, and said to the reporter "I want you to choke to death." (Baldwin's spokesperson called the racial accusations "completely false.")

Putting aside what may or may not have happened... all the reports say that this confrontation occurred "on an East Village street." It was on East 10th Street outside his apartment building at University Place, which The New York Times refers to as Greenwich Village.

You may now continue with your Presidents' Day.

Noted

From the NYPD Daily Blotter in the Post today:

Detectives are seeking whoever e-mailed a pornographic photo of a child and a man to a Lower East Side woman, sources said.

The 29-year-old woman told investigators that the image came via her Instagram account at 7 p.m. Nov. 12, and that she didn’t know the people in it.

The Post are meatheads when it come to $18 plates of vegetarian food

On Page 3 today, the Post makes a big fucking deal about a main vegetarian course at Northern Spy on East 12th Street that features roasted carrots for "a stunning $18."

Meanwhile, back on Page 42, there's a feature noting that "veggies step out from the sidelines and into starring roles at these NYC restaurants."

Back here, the Post doesn't seem outraged by the puny looking mushroom dish at Empellon Cocina on First Avenue... that costs $18...

What's the difference?

Just a feline fatale

Remember, in the summer of 2010, when a woman held up an Astor Place shoe store while wearing a cat mask? She was suspected in several other robberies around the city. Anyway, today, a judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

And the sentencing for 29-year-old Shana Spalding was as theatrical as you might suspect who wore a cat mask during a robbery. Per DNAinfo:

"I am not Catwoman!" Spalding shouted. She also told news photographers "Stop taking my picture, you bastards!"

As the media reported, she was the singer for a death metal band called Divine Infamy, who lives on via YouTube.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Summer crime season off to a credible start

Yo Post

Somewhere along Avenue A. And is this the start of a NYC paper sticker war?

NYC crime rate is going up, but not really

This is part of the front page of the Post today ... Uh-oh!

According to the exclusive:

Through July 17, incidents of the seven major felonies are down only slightly -- 0.4 percent -- over the same period last year, dipping from 54,447 to 54,254. The annual tally has dropped every year since 1993.

Oh, so the crime rate is actually down. But! The article insists that it could get worse. Meanwhile, as the paper points out, since 1993, reports of "serious crime" — murder, rape, robbery, felony, etc. — have dropped from 430,460 to 105,115.

We looked at the CompState figures from the 9th Precinct, which covers East Houston Street to East 14th Street from Broadway to the East River. According to these statistics, crime complaints are down 2.93 percent from 2010.... down 69.08 percent since 1993. Not that we're buying all these crime stats anyway ....

Previously on EV Grieve:
Today in 'the bad old days may be here again' articles

The "bad old days" are here again story of the day

Trend alert! The bad old days are here again!

Are the "bad old days" here again...again?

The "bad old days" are here again story of the day