The great non-blizzard of March 14, 2017

Above photos by Derek Berg.

... and here's another look at that St. Mark's Place snowman/person...


[Photo by EVG]

... and a mini snowman on Ninth Street...


[Photo by Steven]

... and a whole row of them in Tompkins Square Park...


[Photo by Kate Puls]

Noted

Probably too late to suggest putting plastic up on the walls and roof to conserve energy.

Discarded birdcage photo on Seventh Street by Derek Berg.

1 way to keep warm and get some exercise tonight

Fire jumping!

Some details...

8th Annual Chaharshanbe Sori (AKA the Persian/Zoroastrian fire-jumping holiday)
Tuesday, March 14, 6:30-8:30 PM
La Plaza Cultural, southwest corner Ninth Street and Avenue C

What we will do: We will light small fires at sunset, then jump through the fire. It is customary to sing the phrase, "zardi-ye man az toh, sorkhi-ye toh az man" as you jump. Literal translation: my yellow is yours, your red is mine. This is a purification rite. Loosely translated, it means you want the fire to take your pallor, sickness, problems and winter blues and in turn give you health, warmth, and energy.

Organizers say that the event is still happening despite the sleet/whatever that is falling from the sky. The Rude Mechanical Orchestra will also be playing. Find more details at the Facebook Event page here. (And maybe check there closer to the time where you'd venture to La Plaza.)

Snow so far

EVG correspondent Steven ventured out this morning to see what was what with the storm... as of 7:30, the gates to the Avenue A entrances to Tompkins Square Park remained closed...








... and on Second Avenue at Ninth Street...



[Updating] So far, we've heard about a handful of places being open — the Bean locations, Veselka, Mud Coffee, Ray's Candy Store and Zucker Bakery (Ninth Street between First and Avenue A), Russ & Daughters on East Houston, B Cup Cafe on Avenue B and 13th Street, Fourth Street Food Co-op, Caffe Bene on Avenue A and 13th Street, Barnyard Cheese Shop on Avenue B, Cafe C&B on Seventh Street near Avenue B, Ciao for Now on 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B ... I'm sure there are other places open — you can let me know in the comments...

NY1 is forecasting that the city will be hit with between 8 and 15 inches of snow.

Updated 9:50 a.m.

.@NWSNewYorkNY Winter Weather Advisory for NYC until 8PM on 3/14. Blizzard Warning canceled. 4-8" of snow expected. https://t.co/t918yhlx8z.

— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) March 14, 2017

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for NYC. pic.twitter.com/MMuLFHt6wF

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 14, 2017

Monday's parting shot

Pre-storm shopping fatigue at Kmart on Astor Place... photo by Lola Sáenz

Reader report: Water main break on 7th Street

An EVG reader shared this from late this afternoon... when workers from Express Plumbing Sewer & Water Main Corp. were working outside 111 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue "going crazy. Cowboy style."

Per reader Andrew Bushong:

They dug two giant holes in the sidewalk and street. Around 5 p.m. they broke a main. City was called and now they're "supervising" the same plumbers while eating cupcakes. I'm a bit pissed as they've turned off water for the block on the eve of a blizzard.

And this has caused seceral businessed to close early, including Desnuda and...

Our EAST VILLAGE (125 E7) shop has closed for the night. Apparently a water main burst, somebody's water broke, or something. cc @evgrieve

— Big Gay Ice Cream (@biggayicecream) March 14, 2017

Storm tweets

Because of tonight's expected snowstorm, @NYCSchools will be CLOSED tomorrow, March 14th. pic.twitter.com/FwWgV3bFaw

— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 13, 2017

UPDATE: #NYCASP rules will be suspended Tue, March 14 & Wed, March 15 for snow operations. Meters will remain in effect.

— NYC Alt Side Parking (@NYCASP) March 12, 2017

.@NYCTBus, @NYCTSubway, @LIRR & @MetroNorth may be suspended Tuesday; commuters encouraged to stay home. Updates @ https://t.co/j5XgIsrWYO

— MTA (@MTA) March 13, 2017

Due to heavy snow forecasted, we will temporarily close the Citi Bike system starting at 11 PM tonight (3/13). Stay tuned for updates.

— Citi Bike (@CitiBikeNYC) March 13, 2017

...and looking ahead to Wednesday at the Barnes & Noble on Union Square...

@evgrieve OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! pic.twitter.com/ofCpWphz9t

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) March 13, 2017

Noted

Spotted on the corner of 4th Street and Avenue B... one way to keep busy during the impending snowstorm...

Thanks to Stacie Joy for the photo!

A rental for 'the most discerning guest' on 2nd Street

A duplex apartment is available for rental at 229 E. Second St., the 7-year-old condoplex between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Here are details via Streeteasy (Core is the broker):

This quintessential East Village duplex has been thoughtfully and impeccably furnished for the most discerning guest. Designed to perfection with a bohemian twist, this home boasts nearly 1,800 square feet of interior space that flows seamlessly into the well-appointed, south facing private garden oasis.

On the main level, the kitchen – built for a chef – offers an abundance of storage space, under cabinet lighting and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. The living and dining area feature 19-foot ceilings that flow into a solarium with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors allowing for a fluid transition from indoor to outdoor living.

The upper level, accessible by the custom staircase or private elevator access is home to the three bedrooms and two bathrooms all with ample closet space and brand new linens. Additional features include a Bosch washer/dryer, an integrated Sonos speaker system, and an energy efficient HVAC system operated by Nest.

A quick look...





The asking rent is $14,000. (Monthly.) It is available furnished only, with a six-month minimum.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Million dollar condos hit the market on East Second Street

229 E. Second St. sprouts a roof deck

[No. 229 in 2007]

Vivi Bubble Tea debuts this week on 3rd Avenue

And in bubble tea news, the Vivi Bubble Tea shop opens Wednesday on the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Ninth Street...



This is one of 30 Vivi locations nationwide, including on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The space here previously had Organic Avenue has a tenant.

Mono + Mono's 4th Street return

A quick item to note on tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting... it appears that Mono + Mono (or just Mono Mono now) is making a return to its former home at 116 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

A fire swept through the single-level structure in April 2013. (The restaurant's extensive collection of jazz LPs were reportedly spared.)

At various times through the years, Mono reps said that they would be returning. A flower shop is in the space now. This sign appeared in the shop's window last summer...


[Photo from August]

In any event, the CB3-SLA signage has been up on the storefront this past week...



It's unclear from the materials posted at the CB3 website if the same owners are involved. The paperwork shows that the applicant also operates a restaurant on 32nd Street.

The sample menu on file with the questionnaire shows a variety of tapas, such as the mung bean pancake as well as a variety of rice and noodle dishes. (The sample menu does not list the double-dipped Korean fried chicken, a speciality of the previous incarnation of Mono + Mono.)

The proposed hours are 4 p.m. to midnight daily.

Mono + Mono first opened in August 2010. I never ate here. I know people who liked the ambiance. (This review at Serious Eats said "that the food wasn't taken as seriously as the space.")

CB3's SLA committee meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning fire at 116 E. Fourth St., home of Mono + Mono

(Kind of) An update on Mono + Mono

What is happening with the Mono + Mono space?

Report: Mono + Mono plans fall reopening

Mexican restaurant eyeing the former Babel space on Avenue C

We've taken a look at a few items on tonight's CB3-SLA committee meeting agenda (Ciala ... and the "upscale modern Indian cuisine" at the current L'Apicio space.)

One item of interest is no longer on the agenda. There was an applicant for the combo space at 129-131 Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street...



This was home to Babel Lounge until recently... the Marshal seized the space last month...



The notice form (PDF) on the CB3 website for this applicant shows a "Mexican restaurant with a cocktail bar" vying for the address. The applicant's name is William Aporih, who has been involved with the high-end bars at places such as Abajo and the Jimmy (and Yerba Buena on Avenue A).

In any event, perhaps this item will return on a future CB3 docket. As previously noted, a cancellation is a fairly frequent occurrence ... generally because information or paperwork is not finalized or negotiations with the landlord are not finalized to point where the applicant is ready to appear before the committee.

Babel, not always popular with neighbors, expanded into the former Duke's space in 2012.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Babel expanding on Avenue C

Avenue C 'residents with children' not happy with Babel Lounge