[Updated] Temporarily packing up the Citi Bike docking station on East 4th Street

Crews this morning removed the Citi Bike docking station on East Fourth Street just west of Second Avenue. This is temporary, per EVG contributor Derek Berg, who took these photos...



Apparently East Fourth Street here between Second Avenue and the Bowery will be resurfaced sometime soon ... (though we didn't spot it scheduled yet on the DOT website...) will be getting a street mural courtesy of DOT Art and the Fourth Arts Block.

Here's more about the program:

In collaboration with New York Cares and the DOT Bike Share Program, DOT Art beautifies asphalt around Citi Bike stations with colorful designs. … The first project took place in August 2013 at the Franklin Street station between West Broadway and Varick Street in Manhattan.

[Via Dot Art]

Later today, Derek spotted someone putting down an undercoat…





And if you are looking to either get or return a Citi Bike... Second Avenue and East Second Street might be a good option.

Report: East Village resident dies from injuries sustained in brutal attack

[Photos of suspect via the NYPD]

Ruan Wen Hui has died from the injuries he suffered Friday night during a brutal attack on East Sixth Street, according to published reports.

Hui, 68, had just dropped off his granddaughters at home on Friday evening when the attack occurred near 745 E. Sixth St. A disturbing surveillance video shows a suspect, who the NYPD described as a black male in his 20s, approaching Hui from behind. The video shows the suspect yelling at Hui before throwing him against a wall and punching and kicking him in the head.

Hui, who has three grown daughters, died last night at Bellevue.


[Photo via CBS 2]

His youngest daughter spoke to CBS 2.

"I couldn't believe that this happened to my father because my father is a very good man. He always helps people and he always smiles. Everybody thinks that he’s the best person in this world," she said.

Hui, a retired garment factory, lived on Avenue C near East Seventh Street.



It is unclear what prompted the attack.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with information regarding the attack has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS [8477].

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Reward for info on East 6th Street assault; plus video of the attack

Will the new Mars Bar be another location of The Pink Elephant?

So you know that Mars Bar owner Hank Penza (along with a new group of partners) is returning to his former home at 11-17 Second Ave., now the luxury Jupiter 21 building.

The mysterious cafe-bar-club concept will be housed at 21 E. First St. adjacent to the Jupiter 21 residential entrance and the new TD Bank branch.

There's a notice on the front door about tonight's CB3/SLA committee meeting, where Penza and his new partners Alain Palinsky, a co-founder of Juice Press, Chris Reda, an owner of The Griffin in the Meatpacking District, and Robert Montwaid, an owner of the club The Pink Elephant, are on the agenda.



Here's a look at the inside … reportedly a 4,456 basement and ground floor space …



And we noticed some architectural plans on a table inside…





We'll flip the photo to make it easier to read… according to these plans, the place will be called The Pink Elephant.



This could just be a working title for the place. According to the paperwork on file with CB3, the proposed hours of this new venture are 6 a.m.-4 a.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m.-4 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The application also lists that there will be 15 tables good for 80 seats ... with one bar featuring eight seats. The new establishment will employ 15-20 people. And the "All Star Security Services will be providing security guards" — "3-4 nightly."

We don't know much, if anything, about The Pink Elephant, currently located in New York at 40 W. Eighth St. Here's how they describe themselves:

The Pink Elephant is a world renowned brand geared towards high energy entertainment and exuberance for life. With locations in the US, Brazil and Mexico, the brand has come to be a favorite of jet setters, celebrities, socialites and trendsetters alike because of the level of service, sophistication, and overall entertainment experience.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what this place will be like during the day … with the 6 a.m. opening times … and the Juice Press connection.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A few more details about Mars Bar 2.0, which doesn't sound very Mars Bar-ish at all

Getting rid of the rats at the former LaVie ahead of a new 6-floor residential building

Demolition work continues at 64 E. First St., the former home of neighborhood scourge LaVie, which closed for good last June after a protracted battle with the SLA.

Workers are now bombing the rats.



And what comes after the demolition? Permits filed on April 29 show a 6-floor residential building in the making here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

New York Yimby, who first reported on the new building, points out that there will be six residential units (likely condos) — "two duplexes, one spanning the cellar and first floor, and another located on the sixth and penthouse levels; each of the other four residences will be full-floor."

DOB permits show that Ekstein Development is behind the project.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] La Vie closed for now on East First Street

New York Supreme Court upholds revocation of La Vie's liquor license

CB3 denies La Vie; owner responds by calling Susan Stetzer a 'racist'

La Vie has closed; neighbors rejoice

Former La Vie space on East First Street will be demolished

The recently reopened El Sombrero will close this week for renovations

Rough times in recent months at El Sombrero, the 30-year-old mainstay on Ludlow and Stanton. Business was off … then came word that Artichoke Pizza wanted the space… those plans fell through, and, after a reprieve, the inexpensive Mexican restaurant closed for good on March 22.

But! As BoweryBoogie first noted, El Sombrero returned with new owners on April 1.

The new owners, Jose Almonte and Jose Almonte Jr., are related to the folks who ran El Sombrero the previous 30 years. Jose Jr. let us know that the restaurant will close early this week for a month-long renovation. He said that they will retain the El Sombrero name.

"We will continue to be a family owned and operated business," he said. "My intentions are to [make this] an eating establishment like no other in the Lower East Side."

Lebrini's Pizzeria giving way to Majesty Pizza and Grill on Avenue C

Lebrini's Pizzeria on Avenue C at East Third Street has closed … and a new restaurant is on the way in, as the signs on the front windows note…



Proprietor Bobby Lebrini confirmed that the sale of his 4-plus-year-old shop became official last week.

No word on an opening date for Majesty Pizza and Grill just yet…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Watch this guy go beserk inside Lebrini's Pizzeria on Avenue C

Concern for China Wok on Avenue B

The reliable, quick-serve restaurant at the corner of East Third Street was closed for the second weekend in a row. Signs arrived outside the other day explaining that the closure has to do with "mandatory repairs."



This is often the telltale sign of a DOH closure … though there's nothing on file with the DOH to indicate that this had to do with a health code violation.

Said one neighbor, an EVG reader: "I haven't actually seen anyone go in or out of there since they've been closed. I've known them for 18 years, so I hope it's not another closing."

The Croman-owned 9300 Realty is the property's landlord. Three of the five adjacent Croman storefronts have closed in recent months — Cafe Rakka, Coyi Cafe and the laundromat.

Updated 6:39 a.m.



A reader points out that the sign with the same explanation … and with the same handwriting … is on the gate at Meskel, the Ethiopian restaurant on East Third Street that shares the same building as China Wok.

And now, photos of the moon showing off last night

"As darkness falls on May 11, 2014, the bright waxing gibbous moon shines in between the planet Mars and Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo." Dunno about Mars and Spica, but here's the moon …



Top photos by Bobby Williams … and via Grant Shaffer with a telescope …

[Updated] DOH temporarily closes Hop Devil Grill and the Belgian Room

DOH inspectors came calling on St. Mark's Place Friday… and both the Belgian Room …



… and Hop Devil Grill were temporarily closed for the weekend for unspecified violations (the reports were not online just yet)…



Both spaces have signs on the door noting they are closed "due to electrical issues."


[Photo by Ted Roden]

There isn't any mention of the closures on either bar's website or social media accounts.

Meanwhile, Ton-Up Cafe, which is between The Belgian Room and Hop Devil Grill, is also closed…



Not much info on the sign on the door…



The cafe opened in April 2013 … and serves paninis named in honor of Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and Elvis.

One of the owners here also operates Falanghina, the pizzeria which remains open at the former Whole Earth Bakery across the street.

Updated 5-13

The Belgian Room and Hop Devil Grill are BACK open.

Mother's Day on Avenue A

Photo today by Jeremiah Moss

A Mother's Day-Mannequin moment at B&H Dairy

EVG Roving Mannequin Photographer Derek Berg spotted the above earlier this afternoon on Second Avenue at East Seventh Street … she (they?) was heading into B&H Dairy …



Turns out that this was a Mother's Day gift …

Week in Grieview

[Performer Leo Gu Gu in front of Eastern Bloc last week via Grant Shaffer]

Murder charge for driver who crashed into East Village Farm & Grocery (Tuesday)

NoHo flea market gutted for new condos (Monday)

New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D (Thursday)

NY Copy & Printing finds a new home after losing lease on East 11th Street (Wednesday)

Dok Suni is closing after 22 years (Tuesday)

Jennifer Blowdryer's East Village (Tuesday)

The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are now parents (Friday)

Out and About with the shopkeepers of Anna (Wednesday)

New hotel in the works at the Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery (Monday)

The Russ & Daughters Cafe opens (Wednesday)

A look at the exhibit "Dealing With Things Is Tricky" featuring Frank Ape (Sunday)

Perbacco is closed for remodeling (Thursday)

Demolition commences on East 14th Street to make way for two retail-residential complexes (Tuesday)

Honoring Alan Cumming at Theatre 80 (Tuesday)

Speaking out against Steve Croman (Thursday)

More on the transformation of 243-245 E. Second St. (Friday)

A new Indian restaurant on East 6th Street (Tuesday)

$18,975 asking rent for former South Brooklyn Pizza space (Wednesday)

Liquiteria opening in former Blimpie space on Fourth Avenue (Thursday)

Apiary becomes Après (Friday)

Bibi Wine Bar opens on East Fourth Street (Thursday)

Cooper Square dorm update (Monday)

Work on the Miss Lily's 7A Cafe sidewalk awning (Monday)

Construction watch at 536 E. 13th St. (Friday)

A look at the 'Heroines of the Lower East Side'

Been meaning to check out the completed work on Centre-fuge Cycle 13, the rotating outdoor gallery/construction trailer here along East First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

All the art this time is by Lexi Bella … for a collection titled "Heroines of the Lower East Side" … as part of the first Lower East Side History Month.

Aside from the more recognizable portraits of Debbie Harry and Rosario Dawson … Bella honors the Russ Daughters (of Russ & Daughters fame) …



LaMama founder Ellen Stewart …



Educator Catherine Ferguson, who founded the first Sunday school in New York City …



Hell-cat Maggie, "who fought alongside the Dead Rabbits and other Five Pointers against rival nativist gangs from the Bowery" …



… Lexi also paid tribute to her daughter Roxy, as BoweryBoogie pointed out…



Find more info about Centre-fuge here.

2 scenes from Saturday night

[Photo by Dave on 7th]

A (fake) drunken pirate and his entourage on East Seventh Street and Avenue A…

-----



Someone smelled smoke on East Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. Turned out it was a rooftop BBQ party.


[Photos by William Klayer]

[UPDATED] Reward for info on East 6th Street assault; plus video of the attack

There's a $2,000 reward for any information about the assault that took place Friday night on East Sixth Street near Avenue D … that left a 68-year-old man in critical condition.

According to the NYPD, the victim was walking on East Sixth Street when an unknown suspect approached and started yelling at him. The suspect grabbed the victim and threw him on the ground. The suspect then began punching and kicking the victim in the head.

It was unclear what prompted the attack … or if the two men knew each other.

Anyone with information about the attack can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Meanwhile, an anonymous reader shared the full surveillance tape of the incident … (warning: the graphic video shows the attack and the aftermath of the victim lying on the sidewalk). The victim enters the video at the 17-second mark.



Updated 8:12 p.m.

NBC 4 reports that the victim, Ruan Wen Hui, has died from the injuries sustained in the attack.

"The guy didn’t even take money or anything. It was just stupid violence," one resident told CBS New York.

That late afternoon rain

Avenue A and East Sixth Street via Bobby Williams

'Past Future Past,' a book launch and reception for Michael Sean Edwards

[Avenue A near East 5th Street circa 1979]

Through the years, we've posted some of the 1970s-1980s photography of Michael Sean Edwards (like here ... and here). And we're posting his current photos as an EVG contributor.

Michael has gathered some of his images for a self-published book titled "Past Future Past — The East Village 1978-1980."

He is hosting a reception Monday evening at Eleven B (woo! free pizza!), 174 Avenue B and East 11th Street.



It starts at 5:30 … to 8:30 or so.

Find more of Michael's photos here.

Report: Attack on East 6th Street leaves 69-year-old man in critical condition

A 69-year-old man is in critical condition after a vicious attack last night on East Sixth Street near Avenue D.

Police say the man pictured approached the victim and began yelling at him, the Post reports. The man pushed the victim to the ground and continued to punch and kick him in the head.

It was unclear what prompted the attack. The victim is in critical condition at Bellevue, according to the Post.

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

A sign that winter may finally be officially over. (Maybe!) Or a sign that spring/summer is here. Yes, Street Fair! Today, it's on Second Avenue from East 14th Street to East Fourth Street (why stop there — keep it going!).



Come and get all the stuff that probably wasn't sitting in storage all winter!



All under his watchful eyes… (Also, Zoltar is not a kissing booth.)



Previously on EV Grieve:
Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Get your glop on at the 20th annual CWS Arts and Science Fair today

Today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. … at the The Children's Workshop School at 610 E. 12th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C…

So Now You've Seen the Video

"Luminous," the new record by The Horrors, is out this week ... and it includes this song, "So Now You Know." (Anyone else prefer the band's previous sound ... like this?)

Tickets for two shows in NYC this fall went on sale today as well.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Tompkins Square Park this morning via Derek Berg]

OddFellows Ice Cream Co. opens today on East 4th Street (DNAinfo)

Residents living near the Avenue A 7-Eleven now have to put up with employee smoking breaks (No 7-Eleven Blog)

Video of the Bowery from 1934 (BoweryBoogie)

Home with retractable facade sells on East 14th Street (Curbed)

Check out the work of Michel Auder this weekend at Anthology Film Archives (AFA website)

Survey finds that the majority of CitiBike users are men (New York Post)

Video flashback: Pearl Jam and Joey Ramone cover the Dead Boys (Rolling Stone)

And the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) is offering a walking tour led by veteran activist and squatter Jerry the Peddler. "Jerry will provide a narrative of the neighborhood once known as The Dry Dock, beginning from when the area that is now Stuyvesant Town was the site of brothels and risky bars ... to the tumultuous 1980s leading up to the Tompkins Square Riots of 1988. As Jerry asserts that the history of squatting on the Lower East Side begins and ends on 9th Street, his tour is titled 'A Walking Tour of the Republic of 9th Street' and takes place tomorrow and Sunday at 1 pm starting at MoRUS, 155 Avenue C between 9th and 10th Streets." To register, please email MoRUS with the word Republic in the subject line. Admission is $20, which includes a copy of the ‘zine by Frank Morales, "Squatting in New York City."