Speaking of 13th Street

I had no idea that Crunch closed this location between University and Broadway. I was told it happened in early March.

And then there was one (within 100 yards or each other)

Sunday morning:




Monday afternoon:



"This is a dream come true."

Meanwhile, yesterday, Starbucks unveiled its new online Global Responsibility Report, which states that the company wants to have a recycled cup available by 2012 and to have all its cups be reusable or recyclable by 2015. (Via Starbucks Gossip -- "Monitoring America's Favorite Drug Dealer")

When Iggy retires?

There's a new exhibit at the PS 122 gallery titled "Yarn Theory," described as "an exhibition which highlights the vibrant and deep interrelationship between the sciences, mathematics, crocheting and knitting."



I stopped to check it out. This couple next to me were looking at the photos of the contributors to something called "The Knitted Mile." And the guy says, "Hey, Iggy!" They left, and I took a closer look... It's not Iggy Pop, but there is some resemblance... though this fellow is wearing a shirt, of course...

"A police officer told me to put my ass up against the fence because I was not appropriately attired to be seen by children"

Excerpts from the Lady Gaga profile in the Sunday Post:

Lady Gaga sums up her life in eight words: "I am a self-made New York hustler."

Born in Yonkers, she cut her teeth in Manhattan clubs like the Mercury Lounge and Bitter End, and spent time toiling behind the pop curtain writing tunes for the likes of Britney Spears, New Kids on the Block and the Pussy Cat Dolls.

And!

"I was wearing very short hot pants and a police officer told me to put my ass up against the fence because I was not appropriately attired to be seen by children. I told him I was an artist, but he didn't care. Where I come from they were just normal hot pants, but in Chicago they were indecent."

Easy Target left alone

While I don't condone the vandalism of ads... Uh, anyway, I was surprised the new Target ad on St. Mark's and Avenue A made it through the weekend... Pardon the pun, but it's an easy target...

For further reading:
Billboards: A Loomstate for Target Ad Develops on Christopher Street (Racked)

Target Targets Hicks Street With Painted Ad (Lost City)

Good-looking people (we assume) wanted to show East Village apartments

A reader sends along this ad from Craigslist:

Property Management, in the East Village, seeks ENERGETIC, UPBEAT, FRIENDLY personality, to meet & greet our potential tenants. Must be honest, hardworking, & reliable. Will be responsible for advertising with brokers & on Craigslist, showing apartments, and helping us screen new tenants. When not out with tenants you will be assisting with day to day tasks around the office: answering phones, filing, dispatching maintenance crew, etc. Real Estate experience a plus!!! Please respond with resume in the body of your email & recent photo. Resume's with Photo's will be given priority. Full-time, Part-time, & Students Welcome!!!!

Meanwhile, kind of related:
The Wall Street Journal has a piece today on a San Diego company that "aims to fill high-end empty houses with occupants who play the part of happy homeowners, in a bid to remove the price-depressing stigma of vacancy." The article features a woman who does this. She got the job via Craigslist. "When a real-estate agent phones, Ms. Clavin says, 'I live here' -- because technically, I do,' and provides a broker's number before the caller inquires further. She must keep the house spotless between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. She usually gets only five minutes to light the candles, flip on music and disappear before a showing. If she has more time, she'll bake cookies to scent the home." How much longer before we see such a company sprout up here?

An EV Grieve PSA

(Via Buzzfeed)

Checking up on Dr. Toothy

Since last August, we've watched the construction slowly proceed at Mott and Worth in Chinatown. The A & B Lobster King House at 1 Mott Street closed, and the one-story extention was demolished.



And so construction began on a new structure across the way from Chatham Square...






...the only question was whether the new structure would cover the beloved Dr. Toothy mural. (Actually, I do like this mural...something so out of place about it...) However, from the looks of the photos below that were taken this past Friday, it appears the Dr. Toothy has been spared.

Sunday in the Park

10:45 a.m.



3:45 p.m.



Tompkins Square Park.

The Greatest?

In Tompkins Square Park Sunday.

Why the trees were cut down on Fifth Street next to the Cooper Square Hotel

To make room for the hotel's trash.

Previously on EV Grieve:
What's new around the Cooper Square Hotel: Sidewalk, lack of trees

Tompkins Square Park, 9:14 a.m., April 26

Previously on EV Grieve:
The morning after...and the Tompkins Square Park Diets

The AlphaBet Cafe has reopened

As I metioned on April 6. At 14th Street and Avenue B. This addition brings the Avenue B empty storefront count down to 20.

Not so Smart now

At Houston and Clinton.

Noted

"A $24 ticket bought directly from the Mets costs $37.50." (Phil Mushnick)

More signs from the recession

Spotted on Avenue A and Third Street.


On the Bowery.


Second Avenue near Second Street.


Think everyone has seen this already, right? At Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue. Gray's Papaya.

The Bea Arthur tag

The "Bad Pussies" mural on the side of Mama's at Third Street and Avenue B (which "passes off a subtle message of yuppicide") has always fascinated me...



...and even more so now with the passing yesterday of NYC native Bea Arthur, who was 86.



...the Bea Arthur tag has been there for as long as I can remember... I just never knew why. I've seen the Bea Arthur tag a few other places around the neighborhood...just can't remember where at the moment.

You're so vain, you probably think this post is about you

From the Post today:

Going to college in New York City has never looked better. The city's 50 hottest college students -- vamping it up in steamy poses sure to distract even the most dedicated bookworm -- will soon appear on campus newsstands as a glossy magazine debuts May 4.

"We wanted to photograph interesting, hot people that make going to school in New York City so awesome," said Kane Sarhan, 22, a Pace University junior and publisher of the magazine, The College Gossip Chronicles, and its accompanying Website, thecgconline.com.

And the paper lets us meet a few of the 50:

Alex Casticas, 23

junior studying business administration at Fordham

Career Ambition: Working in biotechnology

Home: Switzerland

Sex Appeal: "My accent is what makes me stand out here," says Casticas, who admits he can play it up to seduce the ladies when he parties in SoHo or the Meatpacking District. He stays fit by doing martial arts, water-skiing and wakeboarding.

Ashton Fontana, 20 (pictured)

sophomore communications major at Fordham University

Home: Napa, California

Career Ambition: Fashion writer/magazine editor

Sex Appeal: "My Cali personality with my New York attitude. I know how to have a great time and look even greater doing it," says the beach beauty, who stays in shape by taking hip hop and lyrical dance classes.

Noted

"Although they’re good-looking young stars, they pass unremarked in the East Village. 'We go to Trader Joe’s in our pajamas,' Ms. Powers said." (The New York Times)

Coming soon

The latest from Jim Jarmusch. Opens Friday at the Angelika.