[Photo by Steven]
The currently closed 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark’s Place at Second Avenue replaced the newspaper in the front windows with sheets of plywood.
Will check back at the end of the weekend to see how the plywood looks.
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Plywood report
[Photo by Steven]
The currently closed 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark’s Place at Second Avenue replaced the newspaper in the front windows with sheets of plywood.
Will check back at the end of the weekend to see how the plywood looks.
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.
14th Street residents enduring construction hell while under stay-at-home orders
For the past two and a half years, residents along 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B have endured the ongoing L-train reconstruction. (Read about that here and here.)
Now more construction arrived at the end of March as the NYC Department of Environmental Protection decided to start a (non-emergency) old sewer line repair in the middle of 14th Street between A and B.
Residents of 542 E. 14th St. described the scenario:
The project involves jackhammers, chainsaws, a pipe cutter, several generators/pumps, as well as cranes. The sound is unbearably loud, at times shakes the building, goes on all day, including weekends, and is expected to continue for several weeks.
The result is that, while we are stuck inside our homes upon the order of the governor because of the pandemic, we are being forced to endure incredibly loud and disruptive non-emergency work on the part of the DEP. This is cruel and is completely outside the spirit of solidarity we need right now. Everyone is trying to do their part in staying sane and calm during this ongoing crisis, and yet we are being tortured by unnecessary repair work.
According to the residents, the "worst" of the work takes place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., though it commences at 7 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m.
Below is a three-second sampling of what goes on for hours...
Back to the residents: "This is a real 'screw you' to the community, especially after we've endured two and a half years of the ongoing MTA construction."
Previously on EV Grieve:
Nightmare scenario for residents who learn that 14th Street and Avenue A will be the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction
The frequency of the M14A
An EVG reader, working from home like many other residents, noted just how often the M14A is running in recent days — especially in the morning. The reader's desk is against a window overlooking Avenue A, where she has a prime view of the buses on its northbound and southbound routes.
Yesterday morning between 10 and 11, she noted the bus going in each direction 14 to 16 times — so, doing the math, roughly less than four minutes apart. In several instances, the buses were 1 minute from each other during the hour.
With the aerial view, however, the reader could not ascertain how many passengers might be on each bus. (As Curbed reported Monday, bus ridership is down more than 70 percent compared to the same time last year.)
According to the MTA, "buses are operating on a reduced schedule because of decreased crew availability [and are] strategically supplementing some bus service to help prevent overcrowding."
Given the frequency along Avenue A, overcrowding won't be an issue.
The MTA previously initiated a new rear-door boarding policy to keep riders and operators at a safe distance during the COVID-19 crisis.
Reader appreciation: Post
A reader shares this via the EVG inbox...
The owners of Post — brothers Myki (left in the above photo) and Bobby Stackleather — are remaining open for takeout, including serving the best biscuits, to feed the neighborhood.
In addition, in a time when they themselves are under every challenge, they’re also turning over their kitchen to help feed health-care workers. They’re generous people and really jumping into action right now.
Post is at 42 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street. They are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can read more about their fundraiser to feed hospital workers here.
Want to share an appreciation of an East Village business that remains open? Send us an email here. (We'll see how this goes!)
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Handball courts now locked up in Tompkins Square Park
Following the closure of the playgrounds and dog runs as well as the removal of the hoops on the basketball courts ... officials have now locked up the handball courts in Tompkins Square Park in an effort to curb possible overcrowding.
Several residents have wondered if (or when) the entire Park will be locked up for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Thanks to Eden for the photo!
Whistling in Tompkins Square Park with Michael Lydon
You may have seen — or at least heard — longtime East Village resident Michael Lydon in the ballfields in Tompkins Square Park. He's the guy whistling.
He has recently been practicing his whistling — from a safe and social distance from others.
EVG contributor Stacie Joy caught up him on Monday in the Park...
For a sampling...
Lydon and his wife, composer Ellen Mandel, are active in the local community, performing at Middle Collegiate Church, St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, Third Street Music School Settlement as well as the Tompkins Square Park Christmas tree lighting, among other venues.
Here's more about New York Theatre Workshop's virtual programming
Yesterday we mentioned that La Mama was streaming select productions and events.
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), their Fourth Street neighbors, also has a slate of virtual programming, from Master Classes to live-streamed readings to Fireside Chats.
The next Fireside Chat is late this afternoon (April 8!) at 5 ... featuring NYTW Artistic Director James C. Nicola in conversation with performance artist Penny Arcade. (RSVP here.)
Visit this link to see more of their upcoming programming. Their programming is free and open to the public — you just need to register in advance. (They are also accepting donations.)
They are also launching a Virtually Neighbors program:
We recognize that this can be a lonely and isolating time for people (or just a moment where we all have some extra time on our hands) and we would like to bring our community together and make some new introductions! Since we may not be able to see our actual neighbors, we would like to create a community of new, virtual neighbors.
Are you looking for an email pal, phone call or video call once or twice a week? If so, please fill out this short Google form or email us at nytwvirtuallyneighbors@gmail.com and we will be in touch to get you started with a virtual neighbor from the NYTW community!
Reader appreciation: Abraço
Trevor J. shares this via the EVG inbox...
The last quality coffee shop standing in the East Village? As if their signature espresso and olive oil cake slices weren't enough to maintain a little of the good life at this time, they're bottling cocktails to go and have added breakfast and lunch kits — and an occasional surprise (keep an eye on Instagram).
All available for pickup on East Seventh Street, with an option to order on their website in advance. They went takeout-only before PAUSE, have six-foot markers on the ground, and now accept credit cards.
Abraço is at 81 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. They are open Wednesday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a 9 a.m. start on Sunday.
Want to share an appreciation of an East Village business that remains open? Send us an email here. (We'll see how this goes!)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)