Thursday, January 28, 2021
Curbside dining space removed outside Lucy's on Avenue A
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 and NYC ...
Holidays on ice
A visit to Good Time Pilates
ICYMI: Enz's is back in the East Village
We're long overdue with this welcome back post!
Tokio7 returns (online)
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Curbside eviction notice outside Lucy's
Another look at conditions in and around the Mariana Bracetti Plaza public housing complex
We heard from another resident who lives in the complex.
"I grew up here, and when I say this building has become more dangerous than it was in the 1970s and 1980s, I am not kidding," said the resident, who shared a few photos to illustrate the squalid conditions ... such as in the blood-stained elevators and atop the trash-strewn sidewalk bridge, which lines the property and provides cover for some of the illegal acts that residents have reported without much success...
Have you seen the new Vision for Union Square?
- Transform 14th Street into a world-class boulevard and transitway.
- Convert Union Square West into a seamless pedestrian plaza by extending the park all the way to the surrounding buildings.
- Create an expansive new open space at the park’s southeast corner.
- Build a Broadway Gateway at 17th Street as a permanent extension of the park.
- Develop a new Master Plan for Union Square Park.
There is also the question of who will pay for it. Partnership officials said they are prepared to kick in millions of dollars through fundraising and a possible bond issue but added that it will be up to the city to fund a significant share and largely handle the construction.Partnership officials also noted that the project’s estimated $100 million cost will cover not just expansion of the park's footprint, but also other upgrades and improvements, including construction of a new accessible subway entrance with elevator and escalator.
The 25th anniversary of 'Rent'
This virtual celebration of "Rent" and its impact on the collective cultural consciousness will feature a selection of iconic songs by some of today's most beloved recording and theatre artists, exclusive content uncovering how "Rent" came to life, and reflections on the driving force of Jonathan's legacy in the American theatre.
Tix for the fundraiser start at $25. Find more details about "25 Years of Rent: Measured in Love" at this link.
"Rent," which was based on Puccini's "La bohème," later made its Broadway debut on April 29, 1996. You can read more about the musical's East Village connections here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Tuesday's parting shot
The East Village establishments taking part in NYC Restaurant Week To Go
What: A takeout- and delivery-only version of NYC Restaurant Week, offering lunch or dinner for a set price of $20.21. The offer includes a prix-fixe entrée and at least one side. Plus, if you purchase your meal with your registered Mastercard®, you’ll get $10 back.
Talk again of privatization at Village View
"We cannot close the path for others to affordable Mitchell-Lama housing, however rare this path remains. I hope neighbors are aware and talk to folks they know at Village View about the importance of preserving affordable housing in NYC, now more than ever."
99 Favor Taste looks to have closed (again) on St. Mark's Place
The restaurant, which offers traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals at multiple NYC locations (and free birthday meals), opened in the East Village in July 2017.
Monday, January 25, 2021
Noted
Cemetery hawk
Longtime resident revisits the neighborhood for 'A Walk Around the Block'
It's a simple idea: Victoria takes a longtime East Village resident on a walk around their block. A hundred years of history are revealed as they say hello to shopkeepers, reminisce about long gone stores, check out the street art, poke through community gardens, and gaze at the architectural curiosities of this unique neighborhood.
• Jan. 25: BACK ON THE BLOCK — 11th STREET BETWEEN B & CIn 2009, Victoria first took a walk around her block and documented her connection with the shops, the school, and the many community gardens. Three years after she was evicted, she is back on the block, surveying the changes that have occurred and saying hello to old friends who have remained. Special double episode, combining the original walk around the block in 2009 with a walk around the same block in 2014.• Feb. 22 : HOLY CANNOLI — 10th STREET BETWEEN 1ST & AVictoria and photographer Richard Sandler walk around his formerly Italian block, finding not only the world's largest cannoli, but also traces of Jerry Rubins, Basquiat and the Beastie Boys.March 29 : LA LUCHA CONTINUA — 8TH STREET BETWEEN B & CVictoria goes for a walk with actress/director Elizabeth Ruf and the late filmmaker Roland Legiardi-Laura on their block, which seems to be the immigrant epicenter of the old Lower East Side, with vestiges of former Irish, German and Jewish enclaves where Puerto Rican pride now runs strong.April 26: TWO OLD FUGS — 10TH STREET BETWEEN B & CVictoria and housing activist Frank Morales reminisce about Diggers, dealers, dissidents, DAMP and the Avenue D Boys on a walk around his block.
Linchong said that she'd like to do more episodes, and is hopeful of securing some financing to make it happen.
Batteries not included: Food and drinks options on this block of 7th Street
Tamam is now open on 14th Street
The name, Tamam, which is Arabic and Hebrew slang for "thumbs up," definitely elicits that kind of response for all sampling its tasty — and affordable — fare and Oren clearly hasn't lost his edge in the falafel-verse. The short menu has several standouts.First, the Eggplant Sabich Plate ($11.50) is a must, with the crispy eggplant savory and crunchy, and the perfect complement to a drizzle of amba sauce, a piquant condiment made of pickled mangoes and spices. Served on a bed of quinoa with a side of Israeli salad or cabbage salad with delectable hummus—extra creamy and mild — and warm chickpeas, along with freshly baked fluffy pita, the generous portions mean you may just have late-night leftovers to anticipate.