When it was time to light up the clocks on the bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

Photos and video by Stacie Joy

Last evening, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, presided over a mass and ceremony to dedicate the newly restored bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

The four clocks on the tower that reaches 232 feet have been in disrepair for the past two-plus decades.

Outside, parishioners and residents gathered as Cardinal Dolan blessed the bell tower ... and the clocks were to be illuminated for the first time.

There was a countdown to the big moment... then an awkward pause and some chuckles as it took a moment for the lights to come on...

   

The four clock faces on the circa-1851 church will now be illuminated...

You can read more about the church's history and the restoration project in the links below...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street 

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Lola Sáenz 

Happy holidays from Pompeyo at the great Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocery, 215 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street...

Something to strive for this holiday season

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Seen at the Union Square Greenmarket today...

Reports: State directs Mount Sinai to stop its closure of Beth Israel

ICYMI: The New York State Department of Health has ordered Mount Sinai to "immediately stop" the closure of its Beth Israel campus on First Avenue at 16th Street. 

Per Gothamist:

"Continuing to close beds without approval is unlawful and may result in civil penalties of $2,000 per day for each day that the beds or services are closed without approval," wrote Stephanie Shulman, director of the Division of Hospitals and Diagnostic and Treatment Centers at the health department, to Elizabeth Sellman, Beth Israel’s president and CEO. 

The letter also said the department would pursue other remedies, such as a court order, if the closures don't stop.

Background: 

Mount Sinai submitted a proposal to the state health department in October to close Beth Israel by July 2024. The health system then submitted an addendum last month saying it would be necessary to close some services before the end of the year because of an exodus of doctors and decreased patient volume, which it said put patient safety at risk. 

Reaction:

📢Our statement on @HealthNYGov issuing a cease & desist to @MountSinaiNYC Beth Israel Hospital. 📢 pic.twitter.com/so1AHIrkdL

— Harvey Epstein (@HarveyforNY) December 21, 2023

We have received word from the NYS Dept. of Health that they have issued a cease and desist directing Mount Sinai Beth Israel to stop closing beds and services without prior approval. This is big news and more to come #SaveBethIsrael

— Carlina Rivera (@CarlinaRivera) December 21, 2023

There is also a survey for community members to let the New York State Department of Health know how important the community hospital is... and why Beth Israel needs to be be saved. Find the survey here.

Reminders: A ceremony for the restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer

ICYMI ... 

There's a dedication ceremony this evening for the recently restored bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of New York, will preside over a 5:30 p.m. mass and ceremony featuring a procession on Third Street (the block will be closed to traffic during this time).

Cardinal Dolan will bless the bell tower, which will be illuminated for the first time. The new electronic carillon system will also play a rendition of "Silent Night." Then, the bells will play Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music in its entirety. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Up in the under-restoration bell tower at Most Holy Redeemer

• It's time for new clocks on the Most Holy Redeemer bell tower on 3rd Street 

Saturday's opening shot

You're in luck if you need a last minute 50-foot (or so!) tree... outside St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery this morning... where the Tree Riders are wrapping up another holiday season (no. 13!) on Second Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Friday's parting shot

Always a solid holiday window display, the Sock Man, 99 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Have yourself an etc., etc.

 

A version of a holiday song that maybe you aren't tired of yet (and isn't by, say, Wham, the Waitresses, Paul McCartney & Wings ... all fine classics, but.)

This is a cover of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by the Beths... (The Cat Power cover is great too.)

Hold your horses, we're posting these photos!

Top photo yesterday by Cecil Scheib; pic below by Steph 

We received LOTSA photos of these horse sculptures ... first arriving on Sixth Street at Second Avenue... and now overnight on Sixth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...

One reader said these are the work of Deborah Butterfield ... updated: Franco Cuttica. 

... and hopefully, we didn't just spoil someone's Christmas surprise!

Spiritualized: End of days for High Vibe on 3rd Street; 'I would like to stay open!'

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The end is near for High Vibe after 30 years at 138 E. Third St. Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Robert "Bobby" Dagger, owner of the health/natural foods and goods store, plans to close on Dec. 31 after a rent hike courtesy of the landlord, the NYCHA, and an underwhelming response to a crowdfunding campaign. 

Everything is marked to go inside the small, comfortable shop...

Dagger said that he owns $40,000 in rent to NYCHA. The lease was up in October, and the business has been running month-to-month. 

He tried local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office, though that didn't lead to anything. "They were nice but didn’t provide any help," he said. 

So now what? 

"If I got $40,000, I can stay open. I would like to stay open! NYCHA raised my rent during COVID and only gave me three months of concession," Dagger said. "NYCHA doesn't care about small businesses. For 30 years, I paid taxes here. We're a link in the chain here, keeping America alive. I'm all for immigrants, but what about us? We're paying taxes for these people."

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for now... and they may shut down before Dec. 31. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A visit to High Vibe on 3rd Street

• High Vibe looking for some help to continue spreading the love