[Updated] Bertie is missing after early morning fire on St. Marks Place

The FDNY responded to a major fire at 53 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue early Saturday morning.

There weren't any reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Author Ada Calhoun's parents, longtime residents here, were among those displaced by the fire on the upper floors. In the race to leave their home at 2 a.m., they were able to save one of their cats, Theo. However, Bertie, their other cat, got away in the chaos.

Ada thinks that it's likely Bertie is still on the block. "He's good at hiding but he's sure to get hungry and come out at some point," she told me in an email.

The flyer above has a photo of Bertie as well as contact information should you happen to find him.

Updated 10/29

Woot! Bertie turned up in a neighbor's closet downstairs today.

"Apparently, he had been hiding expertly in the building and living on toilet water and mice," Ada wrote in an email. "He is skinny, but otherwise healthy and in good spirits."

A full day of activities in East River Park today

[East River Park earlier this week]

Aside from the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade today (Oct. 20) ... there are many activities taking place in East River Park.

This map via East River Action has details (as does this post)...



Among today's highlights: A DRAWathon from 2 to 4 with Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping...

Per the invite: "There will be supplies, and you can bring some. Draw trees and do some ACTION outreach."



The city's current stormproofing plan for East River Park includes chopping down nearly 1,000 trees.

As Nathan Kensinger's must-read essay on the Park for Curbed points out...:

The environmental impact of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project would be enormous. In the ESCR’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, which was released in September, the city estimated that their preferred plan would result in the removal of 991 trees, of which 819 are located in East River Park. Many have been growing here since the park opened in 1939, and have root systems too large and complicated to be dug up and relocated. Instead, these trees would be chopped down and replaced with a forest of new saplings planted on top of the landfill. The report estimates that this would eventually result in a gain of 745 trees, but it would take decades for the current tree canopy to fully regrow.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• More details on the city's new plan to keep East River park partially open during flood protection construction (Oct. 3)

• At the march and rally to save East River Park (Sept. 21)

• An annual reunion in East River Park (Aug. 4)

• A visit to East River Park (July 10)

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

Reminders: the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is tomorrow (Sunday!)

[Cleaning up the ERP amphitheater via Dave on 7th]

Tomorrow (Sunday) marks the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, which, for the second year, is scheduled for the East River Park Amphitheater.


[Photo by Steven]

A few details:

Time: Noon to 3 p.m.

Admission for spectators: It's free!

Dog entry: There is no need to pre-register your pet. Simply arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., per the website

Emcee: 1010 WINS Midday Anchor Susan Richard

Sponsor: The Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group

Previously on EV Grieve:
The 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is scheduled for Oct. 20 in East River Park

A bars at dawn slideshow tomorrow night

[Sophie's at dawn via Daniel Root]

Earlier this year, we highlighted an ongoing project of East Village-based photographer Daniel Root.

While out on morning walks, he began taking pictures through the windows or doors of empty neighborhood bars at daybreak. The shots became part of an ongoing #nybarsatdawn project on Instagram.

Tomorrow (Oct. 20) evening at 6:30 at the Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden on Seventh Street, Root will be sharing a sideshow from this project — which tallied 974 bars! — as well as offering commentary about the ongoing changes in downtown NYC....



The Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden is on Seventh Street (north side) between Avenue C and Avenue D...



Previously on EV Grieve:
After the last call: East Village photographer captures bars at dawn

Head to a local cemetery this weekend (for a visit)!

You're in luck if you've ever wanted to visit one of the neighborhood's circa-1830 Marble Cemeteries: It's a Fall Open Weekend.

Over at the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue the gates will be open each day (Saturday and Sunday!) from noon to 5 p.m. They'll be historical displays available to learn more about the cemetery. You can also read this.

Meanwhile, the New York Marble Cemetery at 41 1/2 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street is open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.



Both photos are from summer visits.

Back in 'Blackout'

The Damned released Final Damnation in 1989 ... an album that included "Wait for the Blackout." The video here is from a live show in 2017 in the UK.

And The Damned is the opening act tomorrow at the Garden (!!!) for the Misfits.

Marc H. Miller on 20 years atop 98 Bowery

Artist and curator Marc H. Miller, who we've featured on EVG through the years (see links below!), will be at Howl! Happening tomorrow (Saturday) night discussing his life downtown ... particularly the years he lived in a loft at 98 Bowery as an observer and participant in the changes taking place in art and music.

A quick overview of what to expect:

Drawing from the site’s archive of photos and video clips, Miller recounts stories about Harry’s Bar and CBGB; the seminal 1978 Punk Art show; collaborative work with Bettie Ringma, Curt Hoppe, Alan Moore, and Paul Tschinkel — all residents at 98 Bowery; his year in Amsterdam; and the varied roles he played in the East Village art scene and in the rise of hip-hop culture in the 1980s.

Miller is the curator of the Hey! Ho! Let’s Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk exhibition at the Queens Museum (2016), and for his video interview with Jean-Michel Basquiat in Paul Tschinkel’s Art/new york series. His online store Gallery 98 has reanimated vintage art ephemera.

Miller will also be unveiling an an updated version of his website 98 Bowery: 1969-89.

The presentation begin tomorrow (Oct. 19) at 7 p.m. at Howl! Happening, 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

You can also read a Q&A between Miller and Eric Davidson at Please Kill Me right here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Life at 98 Bowery: 1969-1989 (Q&A with Miller)

Revisiting Punk Art

On the Bowery: CBGB and its impact on the visual arts and downtown nightlife

The Earth School's annual Fall Fair is tomorrow in Tompkins Square Park

Here are the details about the annual Fall Fair via The Earth School tomorrow... via the EVG inbox...

WHERE: Tompkins Square Park at 10th Street and Avenue A
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 from Noon to 5 p.m.

Come join our community and enjoy:
• Arts & Crafts
• The Photo Booth with a selection of crazy costumes to choose from for a wacky portrait
• International foods — both homemade and from East Village restaurants
• Games — mini-golf, bean bag toss, basketball and more
• Face painting
• Rummage Sale

The proceeds help support enrichment programming at the school on Sixth Street and Avenue B.

Butch Judy's pops up behind Performance Space 122 on 1st Avenue

Butch Judy's is ready for another weekend behind Performance Space 122 on First Avenue at Ninth Street.

Here's more about the pop-up venue, which arrived here on Oct. 4...

Butch Judy's is a Brooklyn-based Queer-owned bar concept with a passion for natural wine. Our focus is on creating a more accessible and inclusive space to enjoy good wine and good company.

Owners Katie Zanin and Cassidy Gardner say they'll be here until the first sign of snow.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by last Saturday afternoon for a look at the space ...








[Co-owner Cassidy Gardner]

Butch Judy's serves several natural wines as well as a few specialty beers ... including Gay Beer and the Butch Judy's canned cider collaboration called LoverBoi ...





There are also French fries...


[Butch and Judy's bartender Kat Lopez]

Butch Judy's is open Friday from 2-10 p.m., Saturday from noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m. ...



This piece at Time Out has more background on the owners, who aspire to open their own bar called Butch Judy's in Brooklyn one of these days.

Three Seat Espresso will close by the end of 2019 on Avenue A; founder blames Starbucks

After three years at 137 Avenue A, Three Seat Espresso is planning its departure by the end of 2019 here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.


[Photo by Steven]

The owners made the announcement on Instagram yesterday:

Three Seat Espresso will be closing for good. Not immediately but before years' end. Halloween marks our 3rd and last birthday. We have tried to serve the community as best we can, however, ultimately we can no longer do so.

Thanks to everyone who has supported and continued to support us — staff, investors, customers, friends, family, vendors and partners.

Please stop in when you can, as the staff and I would love a chance to say our goodbyes before throwing you back into the coffee abyss!

---

Updated 12:30
Aaron, the founder, added more background about the closure this morning in an Instagram post:

Three Seat wasn’t perfect. Nothing ever is. A lot of shit went down in those four walls. Starting as a cafe and barber concept, along with the barber aspect came physical fights between barbers in front of cafe customers, theft, police involvement, plus more. Barbers and barber shops are a culture unto themselves. I could write a book on this!

At the same time, the cafe was pretty busy and it made sense to expand into the barber shop area, removing the barber service.

It didn’t work. Over the last year, the cafe has only become quieter and quieter, significantly reducing sales — our Achilles heel. The Shitbucks effect has hit hard and they have only become busier and embraced by the community. They opened approx 50 feet from me. I have people say to me every day 'I just don’t get it, why would people go there?' Fact it is, it doesn’t matter. People do and increasingly so. There is nothing I can do about it, having tried so many things already. The mega-billion-dollar-shit-in-a-cup-boheimouth has worn my business down and now out. This is a case of where having the best coffee, the best aesthetic, the best service, the best music etc. doesn’t matter.

But, what an experience it has been! Working with staff and investors who have become dear friends, customer who have become mates and wonderful cafe and hospitality partners. When thriving, Three Seat was a wonderful part of the East Village community.

---

Per EVG reader Nick, who shared news of the closure: "I enjoyed going there of the past few years — they were always very nice and friendly, and the coffee was good. Curious to see what will be next."

Another reader who chimed in about the pending closing wondered what impact Starbucks, which arrived a few storefronts away in August 2017, may have had.

After two-plus years of life as a coffee shop-barber combo, Three Seats expanded the cafe in place of the barber last November.

The previous tenant here, the always-busy Top A Nails, moved next door to No. 139 in May 2016.

5 Napkin Burger unveils 5 Napkin Burger Express next door on 14th Street

[Photo from last month]

Toward the end of the summer, the 5 Napkin Burger outpost on the southwest corner of 14th Street at Third Avenue shrunk its dining-room space ... with workers carving out a new storefront next door. There wasn't any indication of who the new tenant might be.

The mystery was solved yesterday when the signage arrived for the new biz — 5 Napkin Burger Express, a quick-serve outpost for the chainlet ...


[Photo by EVG reader Jodi]


[Photo by EVG reader Laura]

This 5 Napkin location opened in February 2012.