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 NYC ... as well as political observations on current events...

Report: Officer in violent arrest on Avenue D resigns ahead of departmental trial

[Screengrab from video taken by Daquan Owens] 

The NYPD officer who violently arrested a bystander on Avenue D this past May 2 has reportedly resigned instead of face a departmental trial.

According to the Daily News, the internal misconduct trial for Officer Francisco Garcia was to start today.

Garcia, who was stationed at PS4 on Avenue C, had been on desk assignment following the ugly confrontation when an attempt to enforce social distancing rules escalated on a spring Saturday afternoon.

Garcia and his partners originally approached a man and a woman outside the corner deli on Ninth Street and Avenue D over a lack of social distancing, police officials previously said. This encounter reportedly led to an arrest on marijuana and weapons charges.

As seen in a widely circulated video shot by a witness, Garcia, who was not in uniform, then walked toward several bystanders, including Donni Wright, a nearby resident who works for the NYCHA. Police officials originally defended Wright, who they said took a "fighting stance," which led Garcia to shout the n-word and brandish a taser before wrestling him to the ground and kneeling on his head. (See top image.)

Social justice activists and local elected officials have pointed out the similar tactics in this arrest with that of now-former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on the neck of George Floyd for more than eight minutes before he died on May 25.

Wright was arrested and was initially charged with assaulting an officer, menacing, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. The charges were later deferred by the DA's office. Wright has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the city.



In late May, The New York Times reported that the officers involved would face disciplinary charges.

While Garcia had been investigated by Internal Affairs, with a recommendation that departmental charges be filed, police officials never provided any updates or offered clarity on why further actions were taking so long. 

Local community leaders and elected officials gathered in late August to demand action against Garcia.

As for the news of the resignation, here's some coverage via Gothamist:

"The fact that this police officer resigned is important, but what's really important here is that he be criminally prosecuted, convicted and sent to jail for what he did," attorney Sanford Rubenstein, who's representing Wright in a civil lawsuit, told Gothamist.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has opened an investigation and interviewed Wright about the incident, but has not filed charges, nearly six months later. A spokesperson for the office declined to comment on the investigation.

In a statement, PBA President Pat Lynch said that Garcia was left "holding the bag" for the failures of City Hall and NYPD leadership.

The city had paid out nearly $200,000 to settle lawsuits involving Garcia, an eight-year veteran, as previously reported.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• In aftermath of Avenue D arrests, pols want answers from city on how social distancing is being enforced

• Investigation for excessive force demanded after social-distancing arrests on Avenue D

• Caravan protest on Avenue C addresses racial bias and police violence in social-distancing arrests

After Dinosaur Hill: The March Hare is a new toy store coming to 9th Street

The March Hare is coming soon to 321 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Per the shop's Instagram account, they will carry "Puppets, Marionettes, Board Games, Puzzles, Stuffed Toys and More!"

The shop will be carrying on for Dinosaur Hill, whose owner, Pamela Pier, decided to retire after 37 years. Dinosaur Hill will be closing at the end of November, as we first reported here. Veselka plans to expand into the toy store's space in the future.

Current Dinosuar Hill employee Karen McDermott and her husband, Jason McGroarty, will be running the shop — with Pier on board as consultant. They plan to maintain Dinosaur Hill's legacy — on the same block, no less.

Thanks to Steven for the photo and tip!

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Owner's retirement will bring a close to EV children's treasure Dinosaur Hill next month

Hi, who does this random curbside dining space belong to on the Bowery?

You've likely seen this red curbside dining structure over on the west side of the Bowery between Fourth Street and Great Jones... it's probably been there about a month... enough people (two!) have mentioned this now, so... who does it belong to?

There isn't any restaurant on that side of the Bowery now... Hecho en Dumbo was the last place in business at No 354, closing in June 2018... and Sage Kitchen next door has been closed for a few months. And there aren't any tables or chairs or anything helpful for dining out.

Anyway, it's there if you need some outdoor space...

Waygu spot J-Spec taking over Jewel Bako space on 5th Street

J-Spec, which will specialize in Wagyu beef, is opening soon at 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. (Thanks to @unitof for the tip and photos!)

The signage went up this week... as did the under-construction curbside seating...

This space was previously Jewel Bako, the celebrated sushi restaurant that maintained a Michelin star for the last 15 years. The Jewel Bako closure was made official in May.

As for J-Spec, you can check out their menu that's already up on Seamless.

Con Ed work temporarily shutters Cafe Himalaya and Prim Thai

Running a restaurant during the pandemic is obviously challenging enough... Cafe Himalaya has had its share of challenges in recent months, including having someone break into the 18-year-old Tibetan/Nepalese restaurant on First Street here between Avenue A and First Avenue and steal the cash drawer.

On Tuesday, owner Karma Dolma discovered that Con Ed will be doing emergency work on the building — forcing Cafe Himalaya and neighbor Prim Thai to close in the interim. 

Con Ed said that they will need at least a week, which in Con Ed time, means a lot longer. Probably. (And yes — this sucks for the residents too.)

We'll update when the two places will be able to reopen.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Checking in on Cafe Himalaya

Creepy discarded pumpkin creeping people out on 9th Street

And it has been here all day just off Avenue A...

(And I don't know when/if Doc Holliday's will reopen.) 

Thanks to Vinny & O for the top photo and Steven for the nighttime pic.

RIP Kid Lucky

Terry Lewis, a longtime East Village resident who was known as Kid Lucky, a beatbox and beatrhyming pioneer, died on Oct. 23. Friends say that he had been battling cancer for the past three years.

Kid Lucky created events like the Hip Hop Subway Series and The American Human Beatbox Festival, and performed at various downtown venues as well as Astor Place and the subway. 

Penny Arcade, a longtime downtown performance artist and archivist, shared her thoughts on his generous spirit.

Lucky was an artist and human of great dignity and authenticity. I have never met a braver person. He was unfailingly generous to me regarding my work and my influence on him as well as a selfless promoter of other artists. He was a great mentor to many as well as a prolific organizer of events for the art form he loved. 

Lucky was gentleman of the highest order and he had an innate elegance and deep sophistication that was the result of the strength of his intelligence and personal inquiry...not something that was handed to him thru the luck of birth or connections. He was cosmopolitan in the true sense. Lucky was also a  proud and devoted father to his son Psyence. 

Fly Orr shared Kid Lucky's story of moving to NYC in one of her PEOPs portraits...

He received the 2018 American Beatbox Lifetime Achievement Award. "The American Beatbox Community would not be where we are today without his years of hard work," the group said at the time. 

Will update this post when there's additional information about a memorial.

Photo from 2011 by John Marshall Mantel

'Songs' of the fall season as it's diorama time at the 9th Street Community Garden & Park

Peephole Season is upon us at the Ninth Street Community Garden & Park on the northeast corner of Avenue C... as East Village artist J. Kathleen White has unveiled her 2020 collection of dioramas. 

This year's theme: "Songs," featuring Ship, Camp, Bog and Bird.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos in case you can't see them in person...

White started creating and sharing the dioramas in 2005.

Signage arrives for E7 Deli & Cafe on First Avenue and 7th Street

On Monday, workers put up the signage for the new deli coming to the northeast corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street (thanks Derek Berg for the tip!). 

And the new 24/7 venture, E7 Deli & Cafe, will feature a juice bar and a salad bar. The words "organic" and "natural" also appear on the sign.

No. 118 First Ave. had been vacant since Golden Food Market closed here in the summer of 2017 after 35 years in business. Before their lease wasn't renewed, an LLC with a West 11th Street address bought the building in the spring of 2017 for $5.8 million, per public records.

Golden Food Market owner Ali Fardos now runs East Village Organic a few storefronts away.

A tapas-wine bar was in the works for No. 118 in April 2018, but those plans never materialized.