Everyone enjoys take out in Tompkins Square Park

Photos yesterday by Bobby Williams.

Fall Fair for people 1 to 100 today

It was the night he came home...

Avenue A near East Fifth Street...

H/T John Carpenter

Gusher

Tompkins Square Park tonight. We called 311 to report this...

The season of the Witch?

The Fuzztones cover the Sonics with "The Witch" ...

Report: Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken frying soon on East First Street

Diner's Journal at the Times is reporting this afternoon that the chefs/restaurateurs Eric and Bruce Bromberg of Blue Ribbon fame are opening Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken on East First Street in the spring.

Per FloFab:

And for the first time, they will be making their own small-batch ice cream. The new place, in an increasingly foodcentric slice of the East Village, will have 65 seats and will be designed for quick service, takeout and delivery.

The address: 28 E. First St. If my address memory is any good, this puts the Fried Chickeners right here in the long empty Avalon Bowery retail space...

And a few years earlier on this corner ... via EVG reader Steve Carter circa 1997 ...

XOXO at 19 Second Ave. was Julius Klein's performance space and gallery ...

Arrest made in connection with burglary at Tompkins Square Bagels

Yesterday we reported that a man had robbed Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A. Owner Christopher Pugliese shared details with us here. Pugliese just passed along word that the NYPD made an arrest:

The police spotted him on First Avenue and 14th Street. They recognized him from the pictures and arrested him. Some officers stopped by the shop and let me know. They were pretty happy — I think they were looking for this guy for a long time.

Pugliese said earlier that the NYPD believed the same man had allegedly been responsible for a string of robberies in the neighborhood.

A welcome for Wylie?

A reader sent along this photo from last night ... just some random urban art (or, if you prefer, vandalism) outside the former Plum Pizzeria on Second Avenue ... where Grub Street reported yesterday that noted chef Wylie Dufresne will open a pub concept early next year. Reaction to this news has been mixed.

Report: East Side students may not be able to return until late February

[Bobby Williams]

On Sept. 24, students and faculty from East Side Community School and Girls Prep Charter on East 12th Street evacuated the building when a maintenance worker found part of the eastern wall separating from the rest of the structure.

Looks now as if the students and teachers will be away for some time. Per NY1 last night:

It's not just the eastern wall, which officials say needs to be completely rebuilt, starting with the steel. The western wall also needs to be secured. They hope to finish by late February, move students back in and then replace the brick exterior after hours and on the weekends.

You can see the extent of the work in Bobby's photo.

And I wonder what all this does to the timeline on the sale and development of the Mary Help of Christians property...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Schools making it work while repairs continue at 420 E. 12th St.

With Park views and built-in AC

Avenue A and St. Mark's Place this morning. I'm thinking $1,795 a month.

Photo by Shawn Chittle, who sent the picture with the subject "crusty condo."

When St. Brigid's dared to have a picnic

I was doing some research about St. Brigid's on Avenue B and found this post on McNamara's Blog ... with a repost of an article from The New York Times circa July 22, 1869 BW (Before Woo)...

It is well known that the Roman Catholic Church in this country has forbidden picnics. The ordinance against them was issued last year, and this was the first season for putting it into practice. The origin of the prohibition was the great number of abuses which were found to prevail at these festive gatherings.

With one exception, no Church picnic has taken place this year — at least in connection with the Roman Catholic denomination. The clergy of that faith have exerted themselves vigorously in enforcement of their Church ordinance. They have denounced fairs and picnics from the altar, interdicted them by special mandate, and used all their influence in their several parishes for their suppression. And very effectually so far, with one exception, as has been said.

The people have, in general, yielded with docility to the voices of their clergy in the matter, and at some sacrifice of enjoyment have quietly foregone the annual festivity which was customary. The exception alluded to was the picnic held yesterday by the Total Abstinence Benefit organization in connection with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Bridget, Avenue B and Eighth Street.

Father Mooney is the pastor of said church, and when he heard of the contemplated picnic immediately denounced it and assailed its promoters. It was even announced in some of the papers that it would not take place, in consequence of being forbidden by the priest. But it did take place yesterday in Jones’ Wood, and, considering the ecclesiastical opposition it encountered, was a very successful thing its way.

The Brotherhood marched to the ground in the forenoon, and all day streams of people continued to flow in through the gates, even though the price of admission was fifty cents a head. The picnic was a quiet and orderly affair, held by temperance men and conducted on temperance principles. There was good music and much dancing, and by 8 o’clock in the evening all had departed for their homes. It would scarcely have been worth distinguishing from similar affairs of its class but for the collision between clergy and laity that took place in connection with it.

I know, I know. If you don't like picnics, then move back to...

84 Third Avenue is rising ...

First sign above street level of the 9- or 13-floor residential building here at East 12th Street...