On the runway along Avenue B

Photos by Stacie Joy 

On Sunday afternoon, more than two dozen local artists, designers and merchants came together for the Ave B Eco-Friendly Fashion Show... featuring upcycled and vintage clothing on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Loisaida Open Streets and the East Village Community Coalition sponsored the event.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos from along the runroadway .... showing the array of creative and wearable art looks... (click on the images for more detail)... 
 

Hate crime arrest made in assault of Asian woman on Astor Place

The NYPD has arrested the suspect wanted in connection with the assault of an Asian woman Sunday morning on Astor Place.

APPREHENDED and charged with a HATE CRIME. @NYPDDetectives @NYPD109Pct @NYPD9Pct https://t.co/dRBgyhxQNw

— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) March 22, 2021

The NYPD said they arrested 27-year-old Erick Deoliveira last evening. He has been charged with a hate crime assault and criminal mischief as a hate crime, per ABC 7. 

According to Gothamist, the man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then tore it up. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into the entrance for the uptown 6. 

A Good Samaritan who chased after Deoliveira told ABC 7 that the suspect "dropped his underwear and showed his genitalia to everyone on the platform."

The 37-year-old victim, who was on her way to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence with her daughter, suffered cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant.

A visit to First Avenue Laundry Center

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Anne DeVita, the about-to-turn 87 years of age manager of First Avenue Laundry Center has a lot of friends and visitors dropping by while I am interviewing her. 

She’s been managing the laundromat at 33 First Ave. at Second Street for 39 years, and proudly mentions it will be 40 years on Memorial Day. 

She works seven days a week, arriving before 7 a.m. most days, and has no plans to retire.

Between making change for customers “I am the change machine!” she jokes when I ask her about quarters vs. tokens (quarters only), Anne tells me about growing up in the neighborhood, working as a barmaid at Club 17 on Avenue D and Third Street, and about the bar she used to work at on 14th Street that had “girls for sale for a dollar upstairs.”

Anne’s friend Joe drops by with some fried chicken “he gets it somewhere on Avenue C,” Anne tells me, and local artist Scooter LaForge shows up with a Payday candy bar (it’s Anne’s favorite, he confides).

People pull up a chair and chat in the back of the laundromat while I talk further with Anne. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I ask if there’s a website or social media profile to link to.

Machines have old-school pricing, $2 for a small load, $3.50 for a medium, and $4.50 for the triple-loader, and dryers are 7 minutes for a quarter. 

Drop-off service is available and is $7 for the first 8 pounds, with a 50-cent increase for every additional pound. Hours are daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., with the last wash at 6 p.m.

A benefit concert Thursday evening for the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate Church

There's a live virtual benefit concert Thursday evening at 7 for the fire-damaged Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Here's more about what to expect:

On March 25, join an incredible group of activists and performers to help us raise badly-needed money so that we can rebuild. This incredible live fundraiser will be hosted by Tituss Burgess and Bevy Smith. 

The night will feature performances from renowned artists like Norah Jones, Ellie Kemper, Emily King, Aunjanue Ellis, Daniel Breaker, Ani DiFranco, Elizabeth Stanley, Heather Headley and Branch Woodman as well as inspirational words from leaders like Chelsea Clinton, Linda Sarsour, Marianne Williamson, Melissa Harris-Perry, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Gabby Bernstein, Michelle Hurd, Jacqui Lewis and Paula Stone Williams.

Find ticket information at this link.

A six-alarm fire early on Dec. 5 destroyed the southeast corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street, including the neighboring Middle Collegiate Church.   

Church officials have vowed to rebuild their sanctuary.

Photo yesterday by Derek Berg

There's now a sidewalk bridge outside Cafe Himalaya

Stopped by Cafe Himalaya at 78 E. First St. between Avenue A and First Avenue the other day for some takeout ... and saw that there's now a storefront-obscuring sidewalk bridge up at the building.

The pandemic has been especially challenging for this unfussy family restaurant, now in its 20th year.

The quick-serve Tibetan restaurant was closed toward the end of the year after the passing of a family member due to COVID-19. In the fall they had to shut down for several weeks while Con Ed made gas repairs to the building. In early October, someone broke in and stole their cash drawer.

At the moment there aren't any permits filed with the DOB to provide insights on the scope of the work at the building. Hopefully, this isn't one of those cases where the sidewalk bridge stays in place for years. (And the newish Prim Thai next door remains closed.)

Cafe Himalaya is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon-9 p.m. Find their website here. Or call: 212.358.0160.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Checking in on Cafe Himalaya

Reader report: Someone stole USPS key keepers along Avenue B

An EVG reader who lives on Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street reports that someone stole the USPS key keeper that holds the building's lobby key on Saturday night. 

Per the reader:

As one walks up Avenue B, you can see several buildings had this happen. A kid's scooter was stolen from the lobby of our building, and clearly people are getting desperate to do this kind of break in as it takes some effort. We're going to file a police report but just thought your readers might chime in if they have similar experiences or should be made aware.

The locksmith had to come and change all the locks... and the USPS has to replace the lockbox.

It is annoying more than anything. I think people are just really desperate.

Spring break

The Hare Krishna Tree in Tompkins Square Park is blooming, as this photo by Steven shows. 

Elsewhere, Allen Semanco shares these crocuses on St. Mark's Place...

Hate crime assault of Asian woman reported on Astor Place

WANTED for HATE CRIME ASSAULT : On Sunday March 21, 2021 @ 11:37 A.M. in the vicinity of 51 Astor Pl. @nypd9pct during an Anti-Asian Violence Protest , a protester carrying anti violence sign was approached by a male suspect and assaulted . Any info call us @ 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/FBMxOdvqgd

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) March 22, 2021

Updated 3/23: An arrest was made

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for a suspect they say assaulted an Asian woman yesterday morning on Astor Place while she was walking to a demonstration against anti-Asian violence. 

The NYPD released the above video this morning showing the suspect...

Here is part of Gothamist's report:

The latest incident in a surge of attacks on Asian New Yorkers occurred at Astor Place, after an unidentified man approached the woman, asked for her protest sign, then stomped on it, according to police. When she asked why he did that, the man allegedly punched her in the face twice, then fled into a nearby subway station. 

The 37-year-old victim suffered a cuts and bruising to her lip, and a sprained ankle while trying to chase the assailant. 

Rita Chan, an East Village resident who saw the aftermath of the confrontation, said the attack happened in full view of the woman's young daughter. "You could see she was just numb. At one point, a woman approached her and gave her a cookie," Chan told Gothamist. "As soon she saw her mom being put on the gurney, that’s when she started crying. It was heartbreaking." 

Bagel Boss to preside in storefronts on 14th Street, East Houston

Bagel Boss is opening two new outposts in the neighborhood. 

There's now BB signage up on the gate at 238 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

They take over from old-timer City Gourmet Cafe, which closed during the pandemic.  

Look for another Bagel Boss coming soon to 55 E. Houston St. at Mott Street... in the former Oddfellows space...

Bagel Boss, founded in 1975, will now have 15 locations in NYC (including First Avenue between 15th Street and 16th Street) and on Long Island. 

Planet Taco now orbiting 2nd Avenue

Planet Taco debuted on Saturday at 141 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo!)

There are a variety of tacos grouped by geography: local offerings include the Brooklyn Taco with corned beef; Around the World features selections from Cuba, Italy and Japan; and Out of This World sports names with Saturn, Venus and Mars. There are other items, which you can find on the menu here. The Instagram account is at this link.

We're told that David Sirinek, who previously has been involved with Maoz Vegetarian and Rub BBQ, is behind Planet Taco.  

The quick-serve shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

H/T Upper West Sider!

Previously

With lease up, Squish Marshmallows will look for a new home

Squish Marshmallows closed yesterday at 120 St. Mark's Place...

Owner Katherine Sprung announced the closure via Instagram back on March 10, explaining that the lease was up at the space here between First Avenue and Second Avenue. However, she plans to reopen in a new storefront.

Meanwhile, the online portion of the business will temporarily halt on Wednesday. Here's more from her Instagram post:

Our online shop will stop taking orders on March 24, and all orders placed in time will still ship out, including Easter orders .... any updates on ... opening back up, location, etc, will be announced once that information is available!

I appreciate your patience and understanding while we take a little time off and away, and look forward to serving you again soon!

Squish, which sells a variety of treats made with marshmallows, opened here in late November 2016. 

Sunday's parting shots

Scenes from a performance piece this morning by East Village resident Kym Bernazky in Tompkins Square Park ... (thanks to Steven for the photos)...

It's Solastalgia ...