Orphaned baby squirrel alert on Seventh Street

Spotted on Seventh Street near Second Avenue late yesterday afternoon. Thanks to EV Grieve reader David M. for the photo.

Old-timer Blarney Stone becoming a gastropub with 35 plasma TVs in the Financial District

Every so often we wander away from the neighborhood...

We've written before about our fondness for The Blarney Stone on Fulton Street near Nassau in the Financial District ... a fine place for some beers and affordable quality food from the steam table by the front door. And they open at 8 a.m. A good crowd. Office workers. Construction workers. Horse players. A few people working on a scheme.

[Photo by IrishNYC via Flickr]

The place closed for good in March 2010.

Now, a reader sends along the following item from UrbanDaddy with news of what this space is becoming...

Welcome to The Fulton, a 4,300-square-foot gastropub where the menu looks like it’s from a steakhouse and the flat-screens are invisible (except when they’re not), opening Saturday in FiDi.

This place feels like a long-lost executive’s lounge from the 1920s. There are diamond-tufted leather banquettes everywhere. Herringbone wood walls. Hanger steak frites. Old framed photos of Fulton Street (circa horse-and-buggy era). And a slew of cracking antique mirrors... that happen to conceal 35 state-of-the-art invisible plasmas.

So when a game isn’t on, and the TVs are off, every set will be hidden behind two-way glass. Perfect for when you want to quietly sip on a Ginger Inn (that’s vodka with guava, lime, raspberry and ginger) while splitting short ribs and cheddar grits with that comely market analyst.

Like the sound of the "old framed photos of Fulton Street." A little history for the lifeless.

Don't be shy, ladies and gentlemen... step right up!

Earlier today in Tompkins Square Park. By Bobby Williams.

Chico creating a mural honoring Bob Arihood at Ray's Candy Store

In progress now on Avenue A. We understand that it will be a portrait of Bob on one side... and Ray on the other side. Photo via Single Linds Reflex.

And here are two more in-progress photos... via @biggayicecream ...

'There is still community in the East Village'

East Village resident (and reporter) Lilly O'Donnell wrote an essay on last night's Bob Arihood memorial for Gothamist. An excerpt:

[T]here was a sense that one more piece of “the old neighborhood” was gone. "I hope this is not a wake for the East Village itself,” said Eddie Dunn, who has lived in the neighborhood for half a century. “He represented something that’s disappearing.”

But the crowd that gathered in front of Ray’s Candy Store on Avenue A proved that there is still community in the East Village, no matter how much people like to say otherwise.

Read the whole essay here.

At the memorial for Bob Arihood last night

Community members gathered last night outside Ray's on Avenue A to honor their friend Bob Arihood, who recently passed away... Several people, including Ray, John Penley, Clayton Patterson and Chico, talked about their longtime friend...

Bobby Williams was there and took these photos...

...and Jewels even pulled down his pants in Bob's honor... an act that Bob caught on film many times through the years.

BoweryBoogie has more here ... including a video. Jill posts her thoughts from last night here. Patrick Hedlund filed his report for DNAinfo here.

One attendee remarked how strange it was not to see Bob there, standing in the background, chatting, observing ... and taking photos... a sentiment that we'll likely be thinking at every local event in the weeks and months to come...

There's talk of a memorial concert in Bob's honor Saturday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park. We'll pass along the details once organizers finalize the plans.

Updated:
Dave on 7th passes along this photo from 6:15 this morning... candles still burning brightly...

On East 12th Street, a 'rambling home' renting for $18,500 monthly

So 215 E. 12th St. is now on the market. Here's what you get for $18,500 a month these days. Per the Stribling listing:

Majestic 4 story 25 foot wide townhouse brimming with original detail, charm and a chic sensibility. Even the toughest critic will be impressed by the sheer scale and expanse of the 43 foot living and dining room situated on the parlour floor. This dramatic north and south facing room has two wood burning fireplaces,14 foot ceilings and 9'4" windows. The huge renovated eat in kitchen,(30'x7'8") with beautiful marble counters and floors, high end appliances,including a 6 burner restaurant grade stove, has a door to the small terrace and a staircase to the enormous garden which is 45'4x25. The 3rd floor has the large bright master bedroom (15'7x22) with dressing room, a sitting/tv area and ensuite good condition original bath. Travel down the hall to the 2nd bedroom across from the hall bath. Upstairs are 3 additional bedrooms,a tv/playroom and a large renovated bath with 2 sinks, soaking tub, double shower and 2 windows. The entry floor has laundry/mudroom and an additional room that could be a bedroom/office which has access to the garden. This light filled, rambling home has 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, high ceilings, dramatic arched doorways, hardwood floors,laundry and a large garden. Owner prefers to rent furnished but unfurnished is possible — pets on a case by case basis

Hey, why isn't there a mention of that backyard basketball hoop in the listing?

Holy Basil remains closed for 'technical difficulties'

A reader notes that Holy Basil, the second-floor Thai eatery on Second Avenue near Ninth Street, remains closed for "technical difficulties," according to their outgoing message. They have been closed for a week. The place is sealed up ...

...with no sign of explanation for diners...

Well, the DOH socked them with 110 violation points, and temporarily closed them last week... the DOH report is as ugly as it gets... "evidence" of live mice, roaches, etc.

Rite Aid paints over a memorial on Avenue D

In late September, friends of 22-year-old Makever “Keba” Brown created a memorial for him along the wall of Rite Aid on Avenue D...

On Sept. 13, Brown was struck and killed on the FDR during a police pursuit, as DNAinfo reported.

Several readers have since pointed out that Rite Aid has painted over the tributes...

Yummy House-Plump Dumpling mashup is now called Yummy Dumpling

Back in March, Yummy House closed on Third Avenue... and moved in with Plump Dumpling on Second Avenue at 11th Street...

Apparently, they have decided on a name...

And our money was on Plump House...

h/t @marytom

Company under new ownership, closed for renovations

Several readers noted that Company, the bar on East 10th Street just west of First Avenue, is currently closed for renovations...

The sign notes they'll reopen Thursday... and that they are under new ownership... In July, the CB3/SLA committee allowed a transfer of the liquor license in an ownership change here...

Heartbreak at Heartbreak

Eater noted the great news/awful news for Heartbreak, the Germanic-themed restaurant on Second Avenue and Second Street ... they were included in the recently unveiled Michelin New York restaurant guide this year ... Unfortunately, as Eater also reported yesterday, Heartbreak is currently "closed for renovations." So they won't be able to immediately take advantage of the Michelin windfall...