A year-end appreciation: First Avenue Pierogi & Deli

Near St. Mark's Place ...

A holiday greeting for David Schwimmer on East Sixth Street

A very special correspondent notes the latest greeting outside 331 E. Sixth St., which may or may not be the new 6-story home of David Schwimmer...

We'll be there for you, David...

Flashback!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

Billy's Antiques closing on Jan. 1 for the next 10-12 months

As The New York Times reported on Dec. 5, the iconic tent that houses Billy's Antiques on Houston at the Bowery is coming down to make way for a two-story brick building. Billy's will be moving back into the new structure. BoweryBoogie got the scoop that the tent will come down on Jan. 1.

We asked Billy for a few more details... He figures it will take about 10 to 12 months for the work to happen on the site... but he did confirm that Billy's will remain at the location. (Previously, Billy told us that the brick for the new structure is coming from an old factory in Massachusetts.)

And what will Billy do in the interim?

"I am a co-host on a new Antiques Reality show called 'Baggage Battles' on Travel Channel. We have already filmed two episodes in Miami and London," he said. "I got the part out of 60 Antique Dealers. The pay is decent and who knows — America might really dig Bowery Billy. Or might not?"

Flashback: Dec. 27, 2010

The blizzard of the century that was almost bigger than the last blizzard of the century.

As the For Rent sign turns at 34 Avenue A

August!

Last week!

Now!

Curly's Vegetarian Lunch closed for renovations

Thanks to @robbyohara for the tip... No word on when the restaurant will reopen here on East 14th Street near Second Avenue...

When a fire hydrant is the perfect advertising medium

Via Andrew Adam Newman on Avenue C.

Exclusive first look at the F&F 99 Cent Slice Pizza place menu on Avenue C

The other day, we pointed out that a new 99-cent slice joint was opening on Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street... As far as we can tell, the place will be called F&F 99 Cent Slice Pizza...

Anyway! Dave on 7th took a look inside... And look at the menu... the pizza is 99 cents! Or, two slices and a soda or bottle of water for $2.75....

As their slogan says, "Eat Hot Always." Wasn't that the name of a Van Halen song?

A quick look at Bobwhite

And a few blocks away on Avenue C near Sixth Street... work continues at the incoming Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter ... Matt LES_Miserable looked in for an update...

There are a few more food details on the Bobwhite website...

Previously.

Demolition continues today at 11-17 Second Ave.

Workers were busy with the demolition at 11-17 Second Avenue this morning ... Was slightly surprised by this ... seeing as so many people have the day off today ... A few minutes earlier, I had walked by 51 Astor Place, where the demolition site was quiet ... Not here, though...

And is it me, or does there seem to be a sense of urgency in getting this job done now...?

Former East Village resident's family killed in Christmas Day blaze

You likely saw the horrible headlines about the fire early yesterday morning in Stamford, Conn., that killed the parents and three children of marketing executive Madonna Badger.

According to the various news accounts, Badger lived for years on East 13th Street just west of Broadway. Badger, who escaped the fire, sold her home on East 13th Street in October 2010.

Per the Post:

Madonna Badger’s former East Village super, Trifu Penca, said the exec and her husband separated three years ago. He fondly remembered their adorable daughters.
"The kids are very cute, very playful," he said.

Lower East Side named 46th best spot in the U.S. to ring in the New Year!

Woo!

Oh, this is according to a news release from Priceline.com and agoda.com that arrived in our, uh, inbox... "Priceline.com's top destinations list is based on thousands of hotel booking requests made by customers of its Name Your Own Price® hotel service for the New Year's weekend. Agoda.com's list is based on hotel reservations made for the upcoming holiday."

Uh-huh.

It's a really poor excuse for a news release. But! It is also a slow news day. (So far!)

Anyway, the Lower East Side is just a few slots behind downtown Atlanta, "Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort Area/Int'l Drive North" and "Miami, International Airport Area." Woo!

See you at the Ludlow Manor!

In case you still need a holiday tree for yesterday

You're in luck! ... several are left for sale outside the Hampton Marketplace Grocery Deli on First Avenue at 13th Street...

...or walk down 13th Street, where this one awaits the Sanitation Department...

A letter to Joe Strummer

On Dec. 22, the ninth anniversary of Joe Strummer's death, fans left candles and flowers outside his mural on Seventh Street at Avenue A. Someone also left a letter for Joe. Dave on 7th took a picture of it.

R.I.P. Joe Strummer
"If you want to see the heroic,
Look at those who can love in return
for hatred...
If you want to
see the brave, look
to those who can
forgive..."