Tuesday's parting shot

Photo by Mark H. 

There is A LOT of juvenile red-tailed hawk activity now in Tompkins Square Park in recent days... as Amelia and Christo's three 2023 offspring have fledged and are testing their wings and practicing their staredowns. 

Many more photos TK in the days ahead.

Saturday afternoon with Tits Dick Ass

Photos by Stacie Joy

Local trio Tits Dick Ass were among the bands on the Show Brains-hosted concert lineup Saturday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park.

TDA are part of a newish wave of sex-positivity groups such as cumgirl8 and Girl Dick... and a band more and more people seem to be talking about. 

Here's a look at Julia (lead vocals/guitar), Seth (bass) and Nick (drums) making fans in Tompkins with their galloping anarchic art punk... 

Follow TDA on Instagram for more upcoming shows and details on their forthcoming debut record, Burn a Bitch. (You can read a Q&A with the band here.)

And in the TDA audience...

Tree limb down in Tompkins Square Park

For the third time in the past month, a tree branch has fallen in Tompkins Square Park.

Goggla shares this photo from this morning... showing the broken branch on the tree east of the main lawn and along the Eighth Street and Ninth Street entrances on Avenue B. 

From the silver lining department, unlike the last two fallen limbs (here and here), this did not occur in an area where people would be walking, sitting, etc.

Community group urges Mayor Adams to reacquire the former P.S. 64/CHARAS 'now'

EVG file photo via Stacie Joy 

The coalition Save Our Community Center, CHARAS, former P.S. 64 (SOCCC-64) has embarked on a new letter-writing campaign to urge Mayor Adams to reacquire the long-vacant property on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

Per the campaign site: 

The time is past due for the city to act in the interest of the community and intervene to restore this once-vital community resource to its former use. 

Send a letter to the Mayor asking him to take steps to reacquire CHARAS now! 

You can find the link here. 

The campaign is the first activity we've heard from here since mid-March, when the day before the foreclosure auction of the address, developer Gregg Singer put the long-vacant property into bankruptcy protection, the latest maneuver in a long saga.

On March 15, SOCCC-64, community leaders and residents hand-delivered a letter from local elected officials — including Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Congressman Dan Goldman, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh — to City Hall requesting a meeting as soon as possible to discuss reacquiring 609 E. Ninth St.

The five-floor landmarked building is zoned for "community facility use," Any conversion to residential housing would require a zoning variance. The long-standing Stop Work Order and Full Vacate are still on file with the Department of Buildings.

Singer wanted to turn the building into a dorm (more here), though those plans never materialized. 

In late December, New York State Justice Melissa Crane ordered the foreclosure and sale of the former P.S. 64 with a default, including penalties and interest totaling approximately $90 million.

The property that Singer purchased from the city in 1998 for $3.15 million fell into foreclosure last year and was reportedly in the hands of lender Madison Realty Capital.  

In October 2017, then-Mayor de Blasio's statement at a Town Hall put forth the idea that the city would take steps to reacquire the building. According to published reports, the Mayor said he'd work to "right the wrongs of the past."  (Recently revealed emails show that de Blasio's aides thought his efforts to buy the property were "nuts.") 

Some residents want to see the space used again as a community center, as it was during its time as Charas/El Bohio Community Center. Singer evicted the group on Dec. 27, 2001. 

Signage alert: Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart on 2nd Avenue

Signage has arrived on the sidewalk bridge for the next tenant at 166 Second Ave. — Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart. (Thanks to Choresh Wald for the photo!) 

The EV outpost here between 10th Street and 11th Street will be the second in Manhattan after the brand's first arrival in Koreatown in 2021. 

Here's more about the company, which first launched in Malaysia in 2016: 

Inspired by the distinctly cheesy taste of Hokkaido dairy — and using a traditional recipe from Japan's dairy heartland—it is not surprising that the famed Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart has been a huge hit throughout Asia. We've successfully launched in Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei and China. 

And! 

The appeal of the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart is its combination of a crunchy, shortcrust base and fluffy filling, all pulled together with a deliciously cheesy aroma. Tantalizing and versatile, the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart can be eaten at room temperature, chilled, or fresh from the oven...

Nothing has had much staying power at his address since the Dunkin' Donuts closed in early 2010. Recent restaurant concepts have included Meyhane, Medina's Turkish Kitchen, Entrez Bar & Grill, Farfasha, Dinah, Pomodora and Luna Cafe Lounge.

Almost-opening report: Memphis Seoul on 1st Avenue

Memphis Seoul is moving closer to a grand opening here at 123 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Thanks to Steven for the photos!)

Door signage stated how excited they were to be joining "this amazing and vibrant community." 

The sign, recently removed, also mentions that their opening was "slightly delayed by building issues with Con Edison."     

An Instagram post from Saturday says they will be open later this month.

This is the second location for the restaurant, which describes itself as "Southern cookin' with a Korean kick!" (You can check out the menu here.) Founder Bart Hubbuch opened his first Memphis Seoul in Crown Heights. 

Our previous post has more about the restaurant and ownership. 

This address became available after Organic Grill relocated to West Third Street last spring. 

Closings: Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea, Wild Mirrors

After nearly four years at 33 St. Mark's Place, it appears the Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea shop here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue has closed. (Thanks to Steven for the photo.)

The shop has been dark in recent weeks, and the location is no longer on the Yi Fang website. (The site now only lists the Flushing outpost.)

The chainlet took over the space from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, the Taiwan-based chain that closed in late May 2019 after nearly five and a half years in business.

This space here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue was Rockit Scientist Records until the spring of 2012. There was also, for a sec, Iris Cafe.

Meanwhile, multiple readers have pointed out that the gate has been down at Wild Mirrors, 95 Second Ave., for at least six weeks...

The quick-serve restaurant, offering "healthier options of your favorite food" (burgers! wings!), opened this past November here between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

There's no mention of a closure on their website or Instagram account, which hasn't been updated since December. The website mentions that a liquor license is "coming soon."

The space was home for years to Thailand Cafe, which went dark in the summer of 2020.  

How these East Village volunteers finally made Wi-Fi a reality for asylum seekers

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

It has been a never-ending challenge to navigate the red tape and bureaucracy since the city quietly established the East Village respite center for asylum seekers in late May, but we can report some much-welcomed progress.

This past Wednesday, Father Seán Connolly from St. Brigid/St. Emeric met with MedRite reps and the NYC Mesh Wi-Fi install team as we strategized how best to get equipment in place to provide access to the hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers at the former St. Brigid School on Seventh Street and Avenue B.

We toured the roof (where we all stared at the thick yellow wildfire smoke and smog that coated the sky), the electrical room, and the basement and looked in on some classrooms (currently being used as sleeping quarters lined with cots) with window access.    

I'm not this tech-savvy, so I zoned out during line-of-sight, nodes and hubs conversation and used the time to check in with a few of the people who are staying at the site. A gay couple from Russia mentioned (via Google Translate) that their "kidneys are freezing" and requested a mattress or pad, or pillow, and blanket. Two men from Mauritania asked for shoes. I assured them we are getting them in as quickly as possible. I wish I spoke French, as so many asylum speakers here do. 

Then, just when I think we are ready for the Wi-Fi installation, the site supervisor alerted us that approval has not been granted — despite the earlier letter drafted by Father Seán and the church. So the NYC Mesh team is back to square one. 

Paul Gale, a board member at the East Village Community Coalition and tech wizard co-creator of the peak-pandemic era What's Open in the East Village site, bought and donated a T-Mobile hotspot that someone can plug in at a nearby location, and we awaited word on the efficacy of that. 

We disbanded for the day and prepared for Thursday's planned distribution, although the ominous and dangerous air quality casts doubt on this. 

By the following afternoon, the air quality improved enough that we felt safe to do the distribution, although we scaled back the duration and size. While volunteers ran clothing and supplies from the drop-off site at 107 Avenue B, I got everyone on board for the planned Free Store: Site supervisors, MedRite staffers, OEM and security personnel, and officers from the 9th Precinct who are stationed at the site for round-the-clock police presence as mandated by the Mayor. 

The asylum seekers helped the volunteers set up the tables and then patiently waited in line as we got items sorted. We had fewer people today due to the atmospheric conditions. But by now, the system is in place and we had items sorted into categories quickly. Bags up front so each shopper can fill their sacks with needed supplies. Clothes, then bedding and bath, followed by personal care items. Shoes line the wall with a chair nearby so folks can try them on for size.

An EVG reader and volunteer named Helen arrived to assist the lone Mandarin speaker. It turned out that Helen's parents are from the same province as the woman, and they talked about basic needs of the asylum seekers and other challenges they are facing. The woman was relieved to have someone to speak with. 

At the end of the night, she showed me a Google-translated note on her phone thanking us.

Hilary, an EVG reader who lives near the site, donated two soccer balls to the Free Store, and they were a big hit, with impromptu matches breaking out. It was Mauritania vs. Colombia up first. 

We also heard back from the precinct officers trying to get the donated supplies to the Police Academy Gym respite center site in Gramercy Park, but they have, once again, been turned away. An officer lamented, "There has to be a way to get this stuff to the people who need it." 

Meanwhile, the NYC Mesh team mapped out a plan to install equipment on the rectory of the church next door on Avenue B, which will allow access on the courtyard and some of the north-facing windows of the school. The team, helmed by Brian Hall, works for hours getting it up and running, and by the time we left at 8 p.m., dozens of folks have signed on and are receiving service!

Paul made a sign with QR codes and a multi-language approach, and we start handing them out and getting them posted within the building. 

Now limited Wi-Fi is available in two locations — the back of the building with Mesh and in front of the building with Paul's T-Mobile hotspot. This admittedly limited WiFi, which doesn't stretch into the central portion of the building, will allow the asylum seekers to make their immigration calls and check-ins and also message family and friends.

There are smiles. People here could use some much-need positive developments.

If you'd like to volunteer, the next — and last planned distribution on the calendar — is tomorrow, Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please show up at 107 Avenue B during that time frame to assist.

Thank you to all the community members who have taken the time to donate or help out — the effort is truly appreciated.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Inside the East Village 'respite center' for asylum seekers

• Missed meal deliveries and a need for basics: the developing situation at the East Village respite center for asylum seekers

• At the former St. Brigid School, a generous outpouring of community support for asylum seekers

• Despite the city's endless bureaucracy, East Village residents continue to aid asylum seekers at the former St. Brigid School 

Signage arrives for Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana on 1st Avenue

A new era is closer to starting for an old favorite. Signage arrived on Friday for Downtown Burritos Cocina Mexicana at 69 First Ave. (The DTB is short for Downtown Burritos.)

As we first reported, Ivan and Mario Marín, the longtime managers (20 years) of Downtown Bakery, bought the longtime business (established 1990) earlier this spring when the owner decided to retire. 

This came on the heels of a DOH-mandated closure in February for Downtown Bakery operating with an expired health permit. The new owners then decided to spruce up the interior here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. 

In renaming the business, the brothers mentioned the confusion regarding the inclusion of "Bakery" — people would call and ask about baked goods.

(Thanks to the reader for the signage tip!) 

A Tacombi takeover on 12th Street

Brandage and signage has arrived for the new outpost of Tacombi at 139 E. 12th St. at Third Avenue. 

This is the latest location for the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain that has 15 outposts in NYC, Miami and Washington, D.C. 

Dario Wolos reportedly started the business from a van in the Mexican beach town Playa del Carmen back in 2006. 

Oh, and those Vista Hermosa Totopos tortilla chips are quite good and have been on sale at Key. 

The previous tenant here, iSouvlaki, closed last summer after a two-year run.