The refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts return to service with help from the WNBA

There's a dedication ceremony this afternoon to unveil the refurbished Tompkins Square Park basketball courts. (Thanks to the EVG reader for these photos!)

These courts, which have been closed since June 5, have undergone a transformation. They now boast a mural titled 'Gaze' by Na Chainkua Reindorf over a resurfaced court and new rims and backboards.

Not mentioned on the posted signage about the court closings... this is a collaboration with Glossier, a beauty website, Project Blackboard, the WNBA and the Parks Department. 

Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Connecticut Sun star Brionna Jones are expected at the courts this afternoon at 3, per the event flyer a reader shared with us...

And more about Project Blackboard: 

Project Backboard is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2015, whose mission is to renovate public basketball courts and install large-scale works of site-specific art on the surface to strengthen communities, improve park safety and encourage multigenerational play...

The courts were last refurbished in the summer of 2015 with funding from YouTube. 

The NW corner of 1st Avenue and 2nd Street awaits its new development

Late last week, workers removed the sidewalk bridge from around the NW corner of First Avenue and Second Street, ending the demoliton phase of this new development...

And a view of the pit... (photo by Steven)...

As previously reported, a 7-floor residential building with ground-floor retail is awaiting city approval for the new address, 88 E. Second St. 

According to DOB paperwork, the proposed building will be 19,278 square feet, with 2,994 square feet designated for commercial space. Plans call for 22 residential units, likely rentals, given the square footage. 

Read our previous posts for more about the project and prior businesses at 33-37 First Ave. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• 37 1st Ave., once home to some East Village music history, is now rubble

The all-new Boiler Room announces itself on 2nd Avenue

The window lettering is up now for The Boiler Room at its new home, 45 Second Ave. between Third Street and Second Street. (Thanks to Garth for the photo!) 

According to The Boiler Room's website, they hope to be open for Pride Weekend. 

After nearly 30 years in operation, the no-frills LGBTQ+ bar closed this past April at 86 E. Fourth St. near Second Avenue.

Management said the building's landlord at No. 86 had them in a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments. 

As for the new address, the space will include the well-worn bar from Fourth Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Iconic gay dive bar the Boiler Room is closing later this year ahead of a move to a new East Village space

Opening weekend for Carnitas Ramírez

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Friday marked the opening day for Carnitas Ramírez at 210 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B. 

And, despite the heat, there was a line when the doors opened at noon. This is no surprise, as this sibling to Taqueria Ramírez, the celebrated Greenpoint establishment, has an ardent fan base.

The overall consensus from everyone I spoke to was "authentic," "delicious," "they do it right," "fucking epic," and "worth the heatstroke." 

For now, Carnitas Ramírez will just be open on Fridays (noon to 10 p.m.), Saturdays (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A taco test run at Carnitas Ramirez, opening June 21 in the East Village

[Updated] Reports of multiple people stabbed on 14th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue; 1 fatality

Updated 9 p.m.

One of the stabbing victims, a 38-year-old man, has died, per PIX11. 

Another update here.

Updated 6/24

The suspect, 30-year-old Alejandro Piedra of Brooklyn, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder — depraved indifference and two counts of second-degree attempted murder — depraved indifference, according to the NYPD and media reports.

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There are reports that three to four people were stabbed late this afternoon on 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

Per Fox 5: 

When officers arrived on the scene, they found one man who had been stabbed in the neck, a woman who had been stabbed in the back, and a man who had been stabbed in the leg. 

All three were taken to Bellevue Hospital. The man stabbed in the neck, and the woman stabbed in the back are both in critical condition. 

The man who was stabbed in the leg is reportedly in stable condition. A man was taken into custody at the scene, and police say a sharp cutting object was also recovered. 

Photos via @UrbanMyth show blood on the sidewalk just west of Trader Joe's, where the various vendors sell items of dubious quality...

There's a lot of conflicting information at the moment, such as the relationship between the victims. We'll update you when more details have been verified.

With drug use/sales and general quality-of-life issues, locals have complained about this relatively lawless stretch of the East Village for years with a tepid response from the city. 

In January, a caretaker at Immaculate Conception Church on 14th Street near First Avenue was slashed in the neck with a razor blade after trying to stop a man from urinating between cars. 

Updated:

Multiple residents have pointed out crime scene tape on 13th Street just east of 13th Street. One resident witnessed three people fighting here, before taking off running toward First Avenue and 14th Street.

A tribute to Patti Astor at First Street Green Art Park

First Street Green Art Park is celebrating the life of Patti Astor, the "First Lady of Graffiti Art." 

Astor, a cofounder of the Fun Gallery in the East Village in 1981, helped introduce a range of graffiti artists to the broader art world. She died in April at age 74. 

A handful of artists created this tribute (this Instagram post has more info about the artists and curators) ...

On the main wall, Shiro_one finished this large mural on Wednesday, which includes work by Al Diaz.

The Astor tribute got underway on June 15 with music by Large Professor... and the start of the various mural work... (photos below by Stacie Joy)...

The murals are expected to be up through the summer. First Street Art Park is at 33 E. First St. There's an entrance on First Street just east of Second Avenue... and another on Second Avenue near Houston.

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a reader-submitted photo outside McKinley Playground on 4th Street)...

• RIP James Chance (Wednesday) 

• Rent Guidelines Board approves increases for 1 million rent-stabilized apartments (Tuesday) 

• Father Seán is leaving the East Village (Monday) 

• Rocks off: The Fillmore East memorial plaque is MIA on 2nd Avenue (Friday) 

• Early voting ends Sunday ahead of Primary Election Day on June 25 (Thursday) 

• At the 4th annual East Village Zine Fair on St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• About the 'Mutual Aid Plaza' benefit show at La Plaza Cultural (Saturday) 

• Asian Taste is back open on Avenue B and 3rd Street (Tuesday) 

• Heat Dome watch now in effect (Tuesday) 

• Last weekend for A Sustainable Village on 9th Street (Saturday) 

• Summer vacations: B&H Dairy on 2nd Avenue (Friday) 

• A look at Partea 1 year in (Tuesday) 

• Bad Habit closing on Avenue A as owners will head west to start a family (Thursday) 

• Signs from an old chair: Remembering East Village standby Angelica Kitchen on 12th Street (Thursday) 

• A timeline for the reopening of the Tompkins Square basketball courts (Monday) 

• Wondering about Wonderland Bar on 2nd Avenue (Thursday) 

• Schmuck announces itself on 1st Avenue (Thursday)

• Blank Street Coffee reopens on 1st Avenue and 13th Street (Friday) 

... and we can't wait to see what LinkNYC's NYC Fact No. 1,132 will be... (Photo from 3rd Avenue near 12th Street)...

Weathering the heatwave

The heatwave continues in the NYC metropolitan area (and the Northeast U.S.).  

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory until 8 tonight, with the heat index expected to hit 100 in the city. 

Cooling centers are open across the city, including today, though the options are limited with the usual Sunday closure of the Tompkins Square and Ottendorfer library branches. You can find cooling centers via this link. (Most of the options are for senior residents.)

There are also 45 NYC public schools open today for residents, though the closest to the East Village are on Division and Monroe streets. Find the list here. 

A city news bulletin notes: "New Yorkers should also take advantage of additional cool options such as museums, movie theaters, coffee shops, or a neighbor, friend, or family member's home."

Another viable option is a shopping trip to Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street, where the temps seem to be in the single digits. 

Meanwhile, thunderstorms may happen later this afternoon and early evening...

Good Morning! Another day of heat and humidity and afternoon strong to severe thunderstorms for the entire area. Stay weather aware today, and check https://t.co/wTqdsomHTB for updates throughout the day. #NYWx #CTWx #NJWx pic.twitter.com/rtC8wYPvso

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 23, 2024

Some relief is on the way...

Heat wave day #4 in NYC (longer in suburbs!) as heat, humidity & haze hold. Many weather alerts in place related to heat, air quality, & rip current risk but relief is coming! Front brings strong to severe storms second half of Sun. & leaves behind comfier conditions Mon. @abc7ny pic.twitter.com/lyI6kU9LLh

— Dani Beckstrom (@danibeckstrom) June 23, 2024

A Vintage Block Party on St. Mark's Place today

Funny Pretty Nice and Romeo's are presenting A Vintage Block party on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue today from 2-7 p.m. 

Funny Pretty Nice, a vintage and second-hand boutique with outposts on MacDougal and University Place, co-hosted a block party with Romeo's in April.

Take in the vintage action outside 118 St. Mark's Place, near Romeo's, the cocktail lounge that opened this past December. 

This block of St. Mark's Place takes part in the city's seasonal Open Streets program ... and is closed to through traffic Friday from 4:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Tompkins Square Park today...

About the 'Mutual Aid Plaza' benefit show this Sunday at La Plaza Cultural

La Plaza Cultural plays hosts tomorrow (Sunday) to a Washington Square Park Mutual Aid benefit show and collection drive. 

Here's more about the fundraiser — Mutual Aid Plaza — and WSP's work: 

It's no secret that, like many New Yorkers, we have struggled this year. Sustaining our community space has been a week-to-week challenge. Somehow, we have been able to get it together and pull it off. We're hoping that with your help, we can get ahead of things and also make some much-needed purchases to improve our distro space. 

We really need a new canopy. The one we've been using to keep our distro dry during inclement weather was recently damaged. Actually, two canopies would be ideal to cover the four tables we use to serve our community. We also need a new light! 

During Sunday's show, we will also be receiving any clean, good-condition seasonal clothing, hygiene supplies, bedding, sleeping bags, and tents you can bring to La Plaza! 

WSP Mutual Aid, now in its third year, distributes its products on Friday evenings. 

La Plaza is on the SW corner of Avenue C and Ninth Street. Gates for the benefit open at 4 p.m. (and is scheduled to run until 8 p.m.). There is a suggested $15 donation, though " no one will be turned away for lack of funds!"

Last weekend for A Sustainable Village on 9th Street

Photo from last month by Stacie Joy 

A Sustainable Village will close tomorrow after the business day at 318 E. Ninth St., between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... and will continue on with its University Place outpost.

Ownership (local resident Em Hynes) announced the closure on Instagram: 

We tried to maintain both locations for as long as we could, but the market is tough. The refill concept and zero-waste movement are still new to many New Yorkers. It requires extensive education and a receptive community willing to shift their consumer habits and rethink how they shop. 

We will now focus on education, offering learning workshops, meet-the-maker events, and building onto this incredible community. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you in our other space.

Moving forward, you can visit them at 50 University Place between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

A Sustainable Village opened in the East Village in September 2021.

A steamy situation on 10th and B

The FDNY has paid two visits to 10th Street and Avenue B this morning. 

The firefighters arrived around 7:15 after a report of a possible fire in the curbside dining structure at Soda Club. However, we're told there wasn't actually any fire. 

An EVG reader who shared these photos reported that the FDNY returned around 8:50 as residents spotted steam coming up from below the structure. The firefighters (and likely some Con Ed folks are on the way) are now focusing on a wider swath of Avenue B and 10th Street.

Summer previews: Budding sinkholes to watch

Here in the bus lane on Second Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street, a pothole-sinkhole is in the early stages of development.

Derek Berg, who took the top photo last evening, sprung into action and moved the trash receptacle in front of the crumbling pavement to prevent a possible loss of an M15. 

This morning, more official cones and a single barricade are on the scene...

Anyway, something to monitor as you're coming and going from Le Fournil...

Saturday's opening shot

A hot summer Saturday morning on 14th Street near First Avenue...

Friday's parting shot

A PSA on Third Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... per EVG reader Kait, who shared the photo: "Two manholes on this block were steaming from under parked cars. Appreciate FDNY signing it so we know it’s legit."

A forest of 'Memories'

 

Earlier this month, local musician-artist Ruby Trademark (aka Ruby Aldridge) released a new single and video... "Please Don't Be a Memory" is a giddy, bare-knuckled 107-second rush of sound.

Basketball diaries: one of the courts is back open in Tompkins Square Park

One of the two basketball courts is back in action in Tompkins Square Park. (Thanks to the EVG reader for the photo and tip.) 

The courts have been closed since June 5 for a new mural design. The cracked courts also needed to be refurbished, and workers were installing new backboards and rims. 

We'll have more about all this later, as the courts will officially be unveiled on Monday afternoon.

[Updated] Family searching for Joby Joseph, last seen around Tompkins Square Park late Monday night

Updated 6/22: His family says that Joby has been found and is OK. No other information is available.

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Friends and family of Joby Joseph have been frantically searching for the 39-year-old missing since May 12. 

His last reported sighting was around Tompkins Square Park late Monday night. 

His brother, Joshua Joseph, has been coordinating efforts to find Joby.

Per a recent Instagram post: 

He has had no contact with his family or friends. Some reports have called in stating they have seen him around Tompkins Square Park area and Ave A late Monday night, June 17th. They have described him as disheveled and out of it. 

Physical description: long scruffy beard, 6’1, 180 pounds, possibly malnourished. 

Whether these reports are true or not, I cannot grasp what mental state of mind he is in or what led him to this point. I appreciate everyone's involvement, which has led to these calls, tips and info. Hopefully, everyone's continued efforts will help us locate him ASAP and get him to safety. 

Joshua created a link on Google Maps with a rough perimeter and active locations in the East Village and Lower East Side that update in real-time according to their search efforts. 

A screengrab of the map is below. You can access it here.

Joby, who works the door at several local bars, has been known to be MIA for a day or two.

"This is the first time this has happened for such a long period of time," Joshua told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com. "It's not unusual for him to be gone for maybe a couple of days, but nothing like this. We don't know anything."

The family filed a missing person's report with the NYPD on June 8. 

Anyone with information that could help in the search for Joby is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

Rocks off: The Fillmore East memorial plaque is MIA on 2nd Avenue

Photos by Steven 

The plaque commemorating the Fillmore East at 105 Second Ave. near Sixth Street is MIA. 

It looks to have been ripped from the storefront here at the former Apple Bank, which closed and merged with the outpost on Fourth Avenue in March.

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (now Village Preservation) and Two Boots placed the memorial here in the fall of 2014 to honor the venue that helped launch some of the biggest names in music from 1968 to 1971.

Andrew Berman, executive director of Village Preservation, said they were aware of the missing plaque and were looking into it. 

The sibling to Bill Graham's Fillmore in San Francisco brought performers such as Led Zeppelin, the Doors, B.B. King, Roberta Flack, the Byrds, the Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez and the Who to the East Village starting in March 1968. 

For the last show (an invitation-only performance) on June 27, 1971, there were reportedly three billed acts — headliners The Allman Brothers Band plus The J. Geils Band and Albert King ... and special surprise guests Edgar Winter's White Trash, Mountain, The Beach Boys and Country Joe McDonald.

Archival photo courtesy of Amalie R. Rothschild