Friday, November 12, 2010
Opportunity bites
A reader notes that this flyer has been on his building's front door all week ... and they do seem to be everywhere. The ads. And probably the bedbugs.
Infant rescued in Ageloff Towers fire
The Post has the story of firefighters saving a baby in yesterday morning's blaze at the Ageloff Towers. The paper reports that seven people suffered minor injuries during the fire.
[Post photo by William Farrington]
11th Street condo owners want to chop down this willow tree
A group of condo owners at 613-617 E. 11th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C are discussing removing a 60-foot tall willow tree in their backyard because, according to residents, they don't want to pay for pruning it. It has been claimed that the underlying reason may be simply that they don't want to clean up the tree's leaves.
Older neighbors want to preserve it. There are also a lot of community gardeners on the block.
This tree has an interesting history. It belongs to a willow tree seeding effort throughout Loisaida in the early gardening movement. You can see many of the remaining willows in gardens along Avenue C ... and on the streets between Avenue B and Avenue C. (For example, there is a nice one on Eighth Street near Avenue C ... and several in the La Plaza Cultural de Armando Perez garden on Avenue C and Ninth Street.)
This particular tree was cared for by a long-time Ukrainian woman who lived for about 50 years as the sole occupant of an abandoned five-story tenement — long before the squatter movement — without electricity, water or heat.
Maria agreed to vacate her building and move to another nearby apartment in the late 1990s. She left on the condition that her two willows not be destroyed. In the process of construction around 2000, workers sawed down one of the trees. A local gardener prevented the remaining willow with his body. That tree is now being threatened again.
It's a story of newcomers with little history destroying local history for their convenience and comfort. And for their backyard amenities, which, of course, are a staple of urban living, as distinct from suburban style.
One concerned resident said that the condo board president will re-evaluate the decision to have the tree removed. According to the resident, the condo owners want to prevent any possible risk of the tree falling. The playground for P.S. 61 is in the space adjacent to 613-617.
More on the history of 222 E. 13th St.
Last Friday, we posted about 222 E. 13th St. — a reader had asked whether the long-abandoned home was haunted. And we received an incredible response from several readers ... You can read some of the history of the address here.
Clues about EV Lambo owner: 'always accompanied by beautiful blonde' (duh!)
Scoopy has an awesome scoop in this week's issue of The Villager.... In part:
[Photo by Scoopy!]
Previous EV Lambo coverage right this way.
As reported by the blog EV Grieve [editor's note: Woo!], a mysterious burnt-orange Lamborghini has been turning heads in the East Village, where it seems to live. We’ve seen it slinking its way down Avenue A, like a sleek cat, emitting a sexy, powerful rumble from its engine — while hopelessly stuck in slow-moving traffic. We were surprised then last Thursday to see that the “orange Lambo” had commuted crosstown and parked right outside our office at Soho Square. .... Monday morning, and lo and behold, there it was again, parked by Soho Square .... This particular luxury sports vehicle does have one small flaw, however: Its right side-view mirror was broken off and is being held on with tape. Oh well, like they say — nobody’s perfect, not even the awesome East Village Lambo. Nelson, our building super at 145 Sixth Ave., tells us he’s noticed the car parking around the area for the past two weeks. The Lambo’s driver is a man, about age 35, who is always accompanied by a “beautiful” blonde female passenger, Nelson said. The man works nearby, he said.
[Photo by Scoopy!]
Previous EV Lambo coverage right this way.
Meanwhile, outside the Mars Bar...
Didn't want to the EV Lambo to be lonely.
Flashback to one of my all-time favorite photos right here.
Mary Ann's still closed; 3 of 4 eateries currently shuttered on Second Avenue and Fifth Street
Signs out front still say they'll reopen on Nov. 4. We have spotted several people inside working around the eatery's bar area here at Second Avenue and Fifth Street.
Although this closure is certainly temporary, seems weird to have three of the four restaurants on this corner shuttered. (And the fourth, the Moonstruck, has been temporarily shuttered in the past too.)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition
Man hit by falling AC on Second Avenue suing for $21 million (Daily News)
"Parrot aids girl in burglar chase" (EV Transitions)
A new EV Scribbler? (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)
Another hotel for the LES? (BoweryBoogie)
Last drink for Goggla (and everyone else) at Ruby's? (The Gog Log)
Who needs extras on the set of "2 Days in New York?" (Nadie Se Conoce — full-frontal peepee alert)
Year-round outdoor dining (Eater)
Ageloff Towers update
Dramatic shot of the Ageloff Towers fire by Cluglife.
Per DNAinfo:
Fire officials on the scene said they arrived to see flames blowing out three windows of the corner apartment. Firefighters battled the blaze from inside the building — water was seen shooting out windows and onto the street. It took firefighters roughly an hour to get the fire under control, officials said.
FDNY officials said a couple lived in the apartment. No one was injured, but the apartment was completely destroyed, fire officials said.
Assessing the Ageloff Towers fire damage
A shot taken from EV Grieve reader Samo around 9:30 at the Ageloff Towers on Fourth Street and Avenue A.
And as we were first to report (thanks to jdx): "Fire on the 6th floor, east 4th side, caused by a burning towel left on the radiator. no fatalities."
Updated: Gothamist has more details.
Previously.
More photos from the Ageloff Towers fire [updated with video]
Many thanks for your photos from this morning's fire at Ageloff Tower on Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street...
From Melis:
From MK:
Also from MK, a quick video....
Via @ahsirt
Previously.
From Melis:
From MK:
Also from MK, a quick video....
Via @ahsirt
Previously.
Flames coming from the Ageloff Towers
Phil of the East Village arrived at Ageloff Towers before fire crews and called 911... saw the trucks arrive. He took the above shot after firefighters arrived on the scene. We understand that the fire is under control...
[Photo via Twitpic]
Previously.
Ageloff Towers fire update
Breaking: Fire at Ageloff Towers
There's word of a fire at the Ageloff Towers on Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street... No other information just yet. Anyone with more info or photos?
[Photo via RyanAvenueA]
The Sin Sin saga continues
While Sin Sin may be physically gone from its space on Fifth Street and Second Avenue, there's plenty of behind-the-scenes drama.
At the end of September, The East Fifth Street Block Association, who has been battling the bar for several years, learned of a hearing that was taking place in October regarding a violation against Sin Sin issued in 2009 for a second-floor kitchen, which no longer existed, listed in their original application.
The violation was for making alterations without permission from the State Liquor Authority (SLA). The operation's license application was attached to the official violation issued, and from that it was apparent that the operation was nothing like its representation in its SLA application.
The application was for a full-service restaurant, staff being listed as chefs, sous chefs, waiters, dishwashers, etc. According to experts in the business, Sin Sin should have done like most other operators do — settle with the SLA and pay the fine. But they allegedly did not.
The East Fifth Street Block Association representatives thought that this hearing would be a good forum to relate to the SLA how, through an alteration to the premises and methods of operation, the space had become what they described as "a scourge on its neighborhood." SLA officials postponed the hearing from October to this past Monday.
However, given that workers have dismantled the bar, Association representatives were unsure if Sin Sin would appear at the hearing.
"It appears that they are gone, so we did not even know if they would show up," Block Association President Stuart Zamsky said via e-mail. "Out of the ashes came their SLA lawyer to fight the charges. And so, it is anybody's guess whether Sin Sin has really packed their bags. They have not turned in their license as they should, and they are fighting the fight."
The Block Association is also fighting the fight. At Monday's hearing, they delivered an array of documents to the State Liquor Authority, including:
• A printed version of Sin Sin's website (since removed from the web) and event posters, depicting the space as primarily a bar and dance club, not a restaurant.
• A printed version of user reviews, offering a perspective of the operation as it existed — a dance club with a happy hour, not a restaurant.
• A DVD documenting two separate occasions that depict a wilding crowd outside the cub and acts of assault, not usually associated with a restaurant.
• A letter signed by State Assembly member Deborah Glick, State Senator Tom Duane, State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer making mention of the fact that violence and prostitution have been associated with the club. Also stating that these representatives, "refuse to believe that support for free enterprise requires turning a blind eye to businesses that disrupt and endanger our communities." It refers to Sin Sin as an establishment that has spiraled out of control.
• A letter from Counsel Member Rosie Mendez asking for the revocation of Sin Sin's liquor license.
• A petition from more than 250 Sin Sin neighbors asking the SLA to revoke the bar's license.
Meanwhile, there's a "for rent" sign on the former bar's second-floor window.
The number is for the 85 Second Ave. Realty Corp. — Sin Sin's landlord. No word yet on the next steps. Sin Sin owner Philip Quilter didn't respond to e-mails asking about the bar's future.
Previously on EV Grieve:
'The neighborhood will not rest until you are gone and Sin Sin’s license is revoked'
NYPD hosting meeting between Sin Sin and neighbors tonight
East Village noise wars new battlefront: Sin Sin/Leopard Lounge
Why the president of the East Fifth Street Block Association carries a baseball bat
At the end of September, The East Fifth Street Block Association, who has been battling the bar for several years, learned of a hearing that was taking place in October regarding a violation against Sin Sin issued in 2009 for a second-floor kitchen, which no longer existed, listed in their original application.
The violation was for making alterations without permission from the State Liquor Authority (SLA). The operation's license application was attached to the official violation issued, and from that it was apparent that the operation was nothing like its representation in its SLA application.
The application was for a full-service restaurant, staff being listed as chefs, sous chefs, waiters, dishwashers, etc. According to experts in the business, Sin Sin should have done like most other operators do — settle with the SLA and pay the fine. But they allegedly did not.
The East Fifth Street Block Association representatives thought that this hearing would be a good forum to relate to the SLA how, through an alteration to the premises and methods of operation, the space had become what they described as "a scourge on its neighborhood." SLA officials postponed the hearing from October to this past Monday.
However, given that workers have dismantled the bar, Association representatives were unsure if Sin Sin would appear at the hearing.
"It appears that they are gone, so we did not even know if they would show up," Block Association President Stuart Zamsky said via e-mail. "Out of the ashes came their SLA lawyer to fight the charges. And so, it is anybody's guess whether Sin Sin has really packed their bags. They have not turned in their license as they should, and they are fighting the fight."
The Block Association is also fighting the fight. At Monday's hearing, they delivered an array of documents to the State Liquor Authority, including:
• A printed version of Sin Sin's website (since removed from the web) and event posters, depicting the space as primarily a bar and dance club, not a restaurant.
• A printed version of user reviews, offering a perspective of the operation as it existed — a dance club with a happy hour, not a restaurant.
• A DVD documenting two separate occasions that depict a wilding crowd outside the cub and acts of assault, not usually associated with a restaurant.
• A letter signed by State Assembly member Deborah Glick, State Senator Tom Duane, State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer making mention of the fact that violence and prostitution have been associated with the club. Also stating that these representatives, "refuse to believe that support for free enterprise requires turning a blind eye to businesses that disrupt and endanger our communities." It refers to Sin Sin as an establishment that has spiraled out of control.
• A letter from Counsel Member Rosie Mendez asking for the revocation of Sin Sin's liquor license.
• A petition from more than 250 Sin Sin neighbors asking the SLA to revoke the bar's license.
Meanwhile, there's a "for rent" sign on the former bar's second-floor window.
The number is for the 85 Second Ave. Realty Corp. — Sin Sin's landlord. No word yet on the next steps. Sin Sin owner Philip Quilter didn't respond to e-mails asking about the bar's future.
Previously on EV Grieve:
'The neighborhood will not rest until you are gone and Sin Sin’s license is revoked'
NYPD hosting meeting between Sin Sin and neighbors tonight
East Village noise wars new battlefront: Sin Sin/Leopard Lounge
Why the president of the East Fifth Street Block Association carries a baseball bat
Matt Damon pop art on Third Avenue
The southwest corner of Third Avenue and 11th Street above the Village Pourhouse is prime movie ad space...
And until the Cher-Christina Aguilera ad went up ...
you could still catch a little leftover Matt Damon...
It's from the ad for August 2009 release "The Informant."
The remnants look like some half-finished photorealist painting by Chuck Close...
Thankfully, we weren't treated to leftovers of this instead...
Anyway, I wonder how long this little bit of Matt Damon sticks around...
And until the Cher-Christina Aguilera ad went up ...
you could still catch a little leftover Matt Damon...
It's from the ad for August 2009 release "The Informant."
The remnants look like some half-finished photorealist painting by Chuck Close...
Thankfully, we weren't treated to leftovers of this instead...
Anyway, I wonder how long this little bit of Matt Damon sticks around...
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