Fists of FroYo

After walking by the 16 Handles on Second Avenue the last few weeks and seeing this... "Now handling: Fist Pumpkin" ...

I decided to see just what Fist Pumpkin meant. Seemed like something I'd find at Urban Dictionary... but, according to a 16 Handles news release:

16 Handles™ ... welcomes back seasonal favorite ‘Fist Pumpkin,’ a beloved, limited edition frozen yogurt designed to capture the spirit and flavor of the autumn harvest.

“Fist Pumpkin got its name from the reaction we saw when guests tasted this flavor—lots of excitement and even a little fist pumping,” said Solomon Choi, 16 Handles founder. “We’re excited to welcome Fist Pumpkin back into the mix and to reunite our brand fans with a flavor that they look forward to all year.”

So now you know too...

The Daily News goes all out in its coverage of a Bowery Hotel bellhop who allegedly sold pot to an undercover cop

Wow. The Daily News had three reporters on this six-sentence story that included photos of the 25 year old being led out of The Bowery Hotel (in his uniform) in handcuffs yesterday and a photo of him after being released on a criminal possession of marijuana charge last night.

Per the Daily News, the accused is a college graduate with no criminal record.

Did someone at the paper have a bad experience at the hotel?

Mystery Lot killer REVEALED; bland, glassy box in custody

Good lord.

Curbed yesterday posted parts of the news released trumpeting the arrival of development sprouting right now at (officially) 211 E. 13th St., formerly the longtime home to the Mystery Lot.

Some details from that release:

Units will have nine foot ceilings, and a third will have "substantial outdoor space." There will also be six "private rooftop cabana terraces," which we assume will be connected to penthouses. Shared building amenities include a library, fitness center, residents and business lounges, and a rooftop terrace with an outdoor kitchen.

Back with more when we're done weeping.

[Some time ago]

Previously on EV Grieve:
City approves new building for Mystery Lot

The Mystery Lot likely facing a luxurious end

The last days of the Mystery Lot

Rockit Scientist Records to become a bubble tea shop on St. Mark's Place

John Kioussis, the owner of Rockit Scientist Records, which closed on St. Mark's Place in the spring, passed along word of the new tenant: A bubble tea shop. Uh-huh. Seems about right these days.

"Thank you NY real estate," he said on Facebook.

Jeremiah Moss first reported on Rockit's departure. Kioussis told Jeremiah, "my lease is ending and i don't want to renew at the current rate, i asked for a rent reduction and was turned down. While business wasn't great, it just isn't worth paying $8500 a month."

Because we need more bars and restaurants and fewer things like laundromats in the East Village

There's a new listing on the books for Klean & Kleaner, the laundromat on East Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

There's isn't any mention of rent... but under the "comments" section...

That's right! "Ideal for a bar/restaurant. Tremendous night and weekend traffic."

And the Gold Rush continues.

[Updated] We do not know what this is on St. Mark's Place

Spotted by @thestarkonline on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Avenue A ... Uh... Good lord...

And in the light of day...

A Facebook friend thinks it's a piece of sausage.

Today in photos of a Lamborghini with a 'WINNING' license plate on East Ninth Street

Someone told Bobby Williams, who took these photos, that Paris Hilton was the passenger in the car... (not true...)

Updated: According to Jalopnik, the car belongs to a divorce attorney who lives on Long Island. Read about him here.

The next dessert concept for St. Mark's Place: bacon-filled macarons

So, we have places selling sweet buns and pudding on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue... and now?

As Julie Shapiro reports at DNAinfo this morning, Macaron Parlour is taking over the vacant storefronts at 111 St. Mark's Place, part of the former Chocolate Library.

The desserts debuted at the Hester Street Fair in 2010... this will be the first shop for Christina Ha and Simon Tung. Per DNA:

"[T]he bakery takes the traditional macaron and adds unusual fillings, from fresh strawberries to candied bacon and maple cream cheese.

For every lemon macaron sold, Macaron Parlor donates $1 to Alex's Lemonade Stand, an organization that seeks to cure pediatric cancer.

These were two of the storefronts that we suggested Bleecker Bob's look at for their relocation.

Report: City to slash funding for after-school programs because the East Village has become too wealthy

Julie Shapiro at DNAinfo has a disturbing report today.

Basically:

"The city is slashing funding to free after-school programs in the East Village because the neighborhood has grown too wealthy to receive the services."

A few quotes:

"There may be increasing affluence in the East Village, but there are also huge pockets of poverty," said Robin Bernstein, president and CEO of the Educational Alliance, which runs an after-school program at P.S. 64 at Avenue B and East Sixth Street.

And.

"It's really an all-out assault on working families and the working poor," said David Garza, executive director of Henry Street Settlement

Why did the NYPD pepper spray and tackle these people on Avenue A and Sixth Street Friday night?

You may have seen this earlier today... I spotted it at Gothamist... Someone uploaded a video to MyBlockNYC from Friday night on Avenue A at Sixth Street that shows a cop pepper-spraying some revelers... and then, a tackle...



The NYPD didn't arrest or charge anyone after all that.

Day trippers: Picture yourself in a park under Delancey

The story people seem to talking about at the moment comes courtesy of New York magazine, where three "urbanist entrepreneurs" share their idea for the long-abandoned trolley terminal under Delancey Street ... (Read more about the trolley terminal here.)

The men want to turn it into the High Line. Except that this strip of urban greenery would be underground. Called Delancey Underground, "but will inevitably be known as the Low Line." Says one of the developers: “We’re channeling sunlight the way they did in ancient Egyptian tombs, but in a supermodern way.”

Take a look for yourself... very Middle-earthy...

It's not the worst idea ever. It just seems like it. Still, love the renderings... An accordion player! And an aspiring Kardashian in short shorts...

You can see all this for yourself on Wednesday during a CB3 meeting...

Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee
Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30pm -- University Settlement, Speyer Hall - 184 Eldridge St (btwn Rivington & Delancey Sts)

1. Discussion of EIS draft scoping document
2. Green Space Under Delancey Street: Presentation of a concept for the abandoned Williamsburg Trolley Terminal below Delancey Street: using innovative solar technology to create a sizable underground community park

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

Preservation groups had been working to try to protect 316 E. Third St., a circa-1835 house bound for the condo after life. Unfortunately, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has rejected a hearing on the matter, according to a post yesterday at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation website (GVSHP). As GVSHP noted, "in 2008, as part of their own evaluation of the structure for the Environmental Review for the East Village/Lower East Side Rezoning, the LPC called it 'eligible for landmark status.'"

Last week, though, the LPC "again responded by refusing to consider holding a hearing on potential landmark designation of the endangered structure." (Read the LPC letter here, PDF)

So, this will be the fourth pre-Civil War building in the East Village to be demolished of late. The others: 326 and 328 E. Fourth St. and 35 Cooper Square ...

And so, the historic townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D will become a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit condo that will destroy the home and the bucolic adjacent garden space.

Good luck getting around on Saturday

Well, by public transportation anyway. The city is planning to shut down the entire transportation system on Saturday in anticipation of Hurricane Irene's arrival, officials revealed today. (The Daily News) What, no curfew?

And how are we supposed to get to our designated city shelters? Pedicabs?

Image via.

Jane's Sweet Buns opens today at 2 on St. Mark's Place; features 'pastries inspired by cocktails'

As we first reported two weeks ago, a bakery is opening on St. Mark's Place in the former De La Vega Museum space.

In what seems fitting for a neighborhood overrun with bars, the bakery — Jane's Sweet Buns — will feature alcohol-laden desserts.

Jenny Miller at Grub Street had the details in a post yesterday. The buns, cakes and pies are courtesy of Cienfuegos mixologist Jane Danger and owner Ravi DeRossi. Per Grub Street: "Swashbuckling types might enjoy the Rum Runner (a bun glazed in aged rum, Galliano liqueur, cinnamon, and other good stuff), while manly sorts can try the savory Southern Special (Bourbon, bacon, brown sugar, nectarine, white cheddar)."

Grub Street notes they will also sell non-alcohol desserts. Grub Street also has the menu. Sorry, no bread.

The sign on the door states they'll open today at 2.

And how was your weekend?

Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue from Friday night. Courtesy of our new friends at Someone in NYC Hates You. And the caption at Someone for this photo: "if you lived here, you’d be home by now!"

Today's sign of the apocalypse: Chase-Starbucks combo opening on Second Avenue and 10th Street?

A concerned tipster notes the following signs at the now-shuttered Cafe Centosette on Second Avenue and 10th Street... the tipster notes, "I was utterly heartbroken to find this sign posted on the corner of my block."

Well, first, we wouldn't be shocked by this. Still. Clearly a hoax. The sign is taped to the outside of the window. Plus! You recall the sign that appeared here this past Sunday.

In any event, not bad... but not quite as good as the jokesters who put this up at the former Second Avenue Deli across the way several years back...



Of course, that turned out to be a Chase branch...Joke's on us.

A discount Mercedes

Shawn Chittle came across this Mercedes doubling as an ad vehicle for the Discount Organic Cleaners & Laundromat ... here on 14th Street at Avenue A.

You always build credibility by using a Mercedes to help advertise a "Discount" laundromat!

Why people will be running and eating pizza and stuff tomorrow in Tompkins Square Park

Oh, tomorrow marks the second annual NYC Pizza Run at Tompkins Square Park. Ninety runners, uh, run 2.25 miles, stopping at three checkpoints to eat slices of pizza.

If you want to take part, you're too late. It's booked.

If you want to take pictures of runners throwing up pizza, then please send them to our friends at EV Heave.

You can find more info here.

Today in important trend stories

East Village salon featured in report on: Feather Hair Extensions Eating Away at Fishing Lure Supply

All sorts of crazy, Bao-related food shit happening on St. Mark's Place

Lordy! Eater has the details on ... on.... this:

Michael 'Bao' Huynh has a new concept up his sleeve. He's partnering with Nicole Van Croft (left!) a Playboy Bunny ... on a burger, fried chicken, and waffles concept on St. Mark's Place. Croft, who Bao says makes "the best southern style fried chicken and waffles" will be the culinary force behind the place, which will be located at 125 St. Mark's Pl. The tentative name is Bao & Buny.

And there's more... which you can read at Eater.