I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant

East Village resident Susan Schiffman has been photographing the apartments of rent-stabilized tenants living in the East Village for her Instagram account, I Am a Rent Stabilized Tenant. She will share some of the photos here for this ongoing EVG feature.



Tenant: Ralph

Ralph came to the East Village in 1985 from Sylhet, Bangladesh.

A friend and neighbor introduced Ralph to the landlord of his current apartment, where he has lived since 1992. Until this point, he had been sharing an apartment with friends from Sylhet.

Upon moving into the apartment photographed here, he was joined by his wife Lipi and 3-year-old daughter Lisa, who remained in Bangladesh until he had his own place. He and Lipi had another daughter in 1999.

Ralph worked for years at a now-closed East Village restaurant. Today, he is retired. His daughter Lisa is married, and she has a son and daughter.

The family has many friends, and this apartment sees many visitors. It is a home as a place for enjoying family, sharing food and celebrating life.

















If you're interested in inviting Susan in to photograph your apartment for an upcoming post, then you may contact her via this email.

CB3 calls on the MTA to address poor frequency and reliability of the M14A bus

[EVG file photo]

Back in July, CB3's Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee asked for input from residents about the frequency and reliability of the M14A bus.

Sen. Daniel Squadron's office had also made requests for improved M14A service — specifically the frequency of the buses.

On Tuesday night, the full Community Board adopted a resolution documenting the M14A's dismal service and called on the MTA to take "swift remedial action."

Here's part of the media advisory via the EVG inbox...

The CB3 resolution builds on more than a decade of community demands for improved M14A bus service.

“In response to past calls for better M14A bus service, the MTA has regularly taken the position that the M14A route is operating just fine. Our community knows full well that is not the case,” said Chad Marlow, chair of CB3’s Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee.

Marlow added, “the goal of our resolution is to document the shortcomings of the M14A bus service in extensive detail and to request corrective measures be swiftly taken. It is time to stop engaging in a false debate over whether problems on the line exist. Our resolution will hopefully and at long last put that debate to rest so we can get down to fixing the problems.”

The CB3 resolution points out that many of the MTA’s assumptions about the M14A’s adequacy are based on faulty data. For example, because young students do not swipe MetroCards when boarding busses, they are not counted by the MTA as passengers.

Likewise, when M14A passengers give up waiting for a bus and take the M14D bus instead, as they frequently do despite the long walks that await them at their destinations, they are counted as M14D passengers. CB3’s resolution points out that the M14A’s poor service has the greatest impact on local school children, elderly residents, and persons trying to get to and from work.

In addition to requesting services changes to improve the frequency and reliability of buses on the M14A route, CB3 also requested the MTA appear before its Transportation, Public Safety & Environment Committee to discuss why disparities exist between the community’s and MTA’s analysis of the route.

You can find the full resolution (PDF) at the CB3 website here. (It starts on the second page.)

Christo and Dora look to be building another nest; boredom a possibility too

In the past week or so, Hawk Watchers in Tompkins Square Park have spotted resident red-tailed hawks Christo and Dora start work on a new love nest in the ginkgo tree that they used in 2016.

As you can see in these photos by Steven, Christo has some nest supplies in his right talon...



Kinda difficult to see, so...



Anyway, this seems a little early for the hawks to be in nest-making mode. (And how many more kids are they going to have????)

Goggla has more here:

[F]or the last two years, they have begun the task in October, so maybe they like to get ahead. Christo and Dora are a well-bonded pair, and projects like this serve to reinforce their partnership.

Sounds good!

Or, maybe they're just bored!

In any event, the ginkgo tree is considered a good spot for a nest. Back to Goggla:

The tree itself is strong and can be easily defended from squirrels. The cross at St Brigid's church is a perfect perch for the hawks, giving them a good view of the nest and surrounding area. We won't know what their real plans are until January or February, but based on their past behavior, these hawks look pretty serious about this location.

To date, there aren't any work permits on file with the city for this ginkgo tree. Expect to see a Stop Work Order soon enough.

Head over to Goggla's site here for more thoughts and lots of great photos.

Paloma Rocket looks to land on 2nd Avenue

As we first reported back in July, Paloma Rocket, the self-serve craft beer bar at 7 Clinton St., was looking for a new home in the East Village.

Paloma Rocket closed at the end of August here in the storefront near East Houston... signage on the door points to a move this fall...



According to the CB3-SLA agenda released yesterday for October, it appears that Paloma Rocket has found a possible new home on Second Avenue.

The proposed location on the meeting notice is 77 Second Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. That lines up with the empty space that last housed Heart of India, which closed in late July.

The CB3-SLA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton. The action starts at 6:30 p.m. We'll take a look at some of the other proposed items in the days/weeks ahead.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Paloma Rocket looking to land in the East Village

Stop ‘N’ Swap tomorrow (Saturday!) on 3rd Street

Here are the details via the EVG inbox...

WHAT: Free Stop ‘N’ Swap Community Reuse Event

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30, Noon-3pm

WHERE: Downtown Art (Rear Yard), 19 E 3rd St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery

The public is invited to bring clean, portable, reusable items to share with those who can use them. No one is required to bring something to take something — you can simply show up with a bag and see what’s free for the taking. Books, toys, fashionable clothing, housewares and electronics are just some of the offerings.

Anything leftover at the end of the day is donated or recycled. Furniture and other large items are not accepted at the swap.

Find more info here.

Hear the latest work from the author of 'Legends of the Chelsea Hotel' tomorrow night

Author Ed Hamilton, whose work includes "Legends of the Chelsea Hotel," has a new novel coming out titled "Lords of the Schoolyard."

The book is described as "an unflinching depiction of bullying in Suburban America as seen through the eyes of the bullies themselves."

He'll be reading from it (and signing copies afterwards) tomorrow night at 7 at Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. near Stanton Street on the Lower East Side.

Icon Realty fined $500,000 in tenant harassment probe

Well-known East Village property owners Icon Realty, led by Todd Cohen and Terrence Lowenberg, will have to pay $500,000 and address several building violations as part of a settlement over alleged harassment of tenants, it was announced yesterday.

Here's the official statement about the tenant harassment probe:

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a first of its kind settlement between the Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force (Task Force) and ICON Realty Management (ICON). This settlement provides tenants broad relief, requiring the landlord to end harassment and hazardous living conditions for the hundreds of tenants in buildings owned and managed by ICON.

Tenants in several ICON-owned rent-regulated buildings in the East Village, the Lower East Side and Brooklyn were forced to live in adverse conditions, enduring excessive dust and debris from construction in the building common areas and apartments, inconsistent and irregular heat and hot water, and lack of cooking gas and elevator service for extended periods.

The Task Force investigation found that, on multiple occasions, ICON failed to obtain Department of Buildings work permits, performed construction outside the scope of permits issued, and failed to appropriately clean or maintain the construction work areas.

The Task Force investigation also found that ICON ignored tenants’ requests for repairs, failed to timely correct housing and building code violations, and subjected tenants to long-lasting interruptions of heat, hot water, and cooking gas services.

The Assurance of Discontinuance executed today by the Attorney General’s office requires ICON to adopt policies and procedures to prevent future violations and safety risks; corrects all outstanding housing, maintenance, and building code violations; establishes safe construction practices; provides rent abatements to tenants during disruptions of essential services; appoints a tenant liaison to immediately address tenant concerns; and establishes an independent monitor to ensure ICON’s compliance with the agreement.

The settlement also requires ICON to pay $300,000 to the State of New York (on behalf of the Task Force) and over $200,000 in penalties, fees, and costs to New York City’s Housing Preservation & Development and Department of Buildings.

In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Icon attorney Ken Fisher said:

"Icon never, ever intended to harass tenants and the task force made no finding of harassment because none occurred. There were some construction issues in a handful of buildings which Icon addressed over a year ago, giving affected tenants rent abatements, and changing their procedures to prevent reoccurrence."

As The Real Deal reported, Fisher described the task force's press release as "completely overblown and misleading," and said the "company is reviewing its legal actions."

This past summer, Icon made the list of Stabilizing NYC's "10 worst predatory equity landlords" in NYC.

Open Mic for Arts in Education Saturday night at the Theater for the New City

Saturday night at 9, Theater for the New City on First Avenue is hosting a Late Night Open Mic.

Admission is $10, and the proceeds go to fund the Theater for the New City's Arts in Education after-school program for middle-school students.

Here's a little more about the program:

Arts in Education engages a network of passionate and dedicated artists to teach after-school theater classes to underserved middle-school students in the Lower East Side and East Village, filling the critical void left by underfunded or nonexistent drama programs

Arts in Education is offered after-school, completely free, two days a week from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for 9 weeks in the Spring and Fall. Throughout the program kids engage in ensemble building games, improvisation exercises, text analysis, physical theater exercises, writing exercises, original choreography, character creation, playwriting and mask-making workshops. The students show off their skills and perform their self-written playlets and scenes as well as their own dance at our Culminating Event for friends and family.

"Our after school-theater program provides kids with a safe, inclusive, creative environment in which to express themselves together, instead of staring at a TV screen or being on the streets," East Village resident Danielle Hauser, the program's director, told me via email. "Our kids benefit together, learning to think creatively, be bold, collaborate, take chances and believe in our community."

Find more info at the Theater for the New City's website. The Theater is located at 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

2-plus-month-old Ciala on 2nd Avenue reopens tomorrow with new menu

[Photo Tuesday by Derek Berg]

Ciala, the restaurant serving Georgian cuisine at 77 Second Ave., opened back in July here between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.

A sign arrived on the front door this week noting that they are closed for renovations, reopening tomorrow (Sept. 29!) with an "all new and exciting menu."

Has anyone tried Ciala? I haven't heard much about it to date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ciala signage arrives on 2nd Avenue

A tale of 2 chains on 3rd Avenue

The Shake Shack is looking close to opening at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star. (Haven't heard an exact date just yet.)

Meanwhile, across Third Avenue, here's a look at the former McDonald's ...



This McDonald's location closed on June 1 after deciding not to renew the lease after 20 years here near St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

Shares are now available for the 14th Street Y CSA Winter Season

Via the EVG inbox...

It's time to sign up for your local WINTER CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Mountain View Farm supplies farm fresh food to the 14th Street Y CSA. Six Bi-weekly distributions beginning in November — you will pick up a massive box of fresh vegetables at the 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This makes it easy to enjoy fresh organic produce all through the winter months.

Each distribution will consist of 25-30 pounds of produce. Vegetables you will see in your share will be: Carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, winter squash, cabbage, purple top and hakurei turnips, black, daikon and watermelon radishes, kale, onions, celeric, leeks, bok choy potatoes, garlic and much more

Feel free to email alice14ycsa@aol.com if you have questions or would like to sign up.

Out and About in the East Village

In this ongoing feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village or Lower East Side.



By James Maher

Name: Nancy Blum
Occupation: Artist
Location: Seventh Street
Time: 4 p.m. on Sept. 24

I’ve been here 30 fucking years. I’m from an area called Mainline, Philadelphia. I went to college in Amherst, and I graduated early, specifically to come to New York because I’m an artist. In the 1970s, New York was it – it’s self-explanatory.

I babysat in Tribeca for many years for very wealthy people – loved that. My first job in New York was as an au pair — you’re not paid, but you live in the apartment, and I took care of two little girls. The youngest one, who was three at the time, [later became] the chief curator at the Guggenheim Museum a few years back.

I moved to the East Village in 1988 because I got a job with Irving Penn. His photography studio was on 16th and 5th, and I used to bike to work. It was unbelievable, and I think of him every day. He was extremely important in my life. He was a genius. He rarely spoke. He was extremely intense. He only thought about work, and he was a very civilized man, a real gentleman. In all the years I worked for him, I never once heard him raise his voice or get short tempered, even though we were under a lot of pressure.

Mr. Penn’s studio was very bare. His philosophy was if we can make it out of cardboard, we make it out of cardboard. It was old-school, old world, to the bone. We always stopped work at 5, and we always started at 9. It was a small studio with very few of us, and you could never make a mistake. I knew a girl who worked there — she misspelled one name wrong and she was fired that day. You could not make a mistake – just absolute precision. I adored him, I don’t know what else to say. He was unlike anybody I had ever known.

I was relatively young when I worked for Penn. I met a lot of famous people, and most of them were really unimpressive. I’m going to be honest, there were some who were fantastic, brilliant, but a lot of celebrities were real morons and just shockingly so. They were uninformed, very narcissistic, very superficial. I could say that because I spent time with them – they came to the studio for a couple hours and sat for Penn. Most of his portrait work was for Vogue. He rarely did any private work. He didn’t like to be paid by the sitter, because then you’re in a way obligated to flatter the sitter.

I was a portrait photographer for many years. I was mostly a child photographer. I turned down the Trumps. When I worked for Penn once, New York magazine called, this is 1989, and Donald Trump was going to be on the cover with his wife, and they wanted Penn to shoot the cover. He said no, and they asked if he knew anyone. I was standing right there in the office, so he put them on hold and said, ‘Nancy would you like to photograph the Trumps?’ And I said, ‘No thank you.’ And I was broke. That one picture could have paid my rent for a year, no question. I was really particular.

Eventually ... I gave up the money from the photography, and I said, no, I’ll just starve, and I starved. The reason I stopped was I went to photograph Robert Rauschenberg in 1992 for an art critic named Henry Geldzahler, the curator of 20th Century Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

After I took the picture, Bob said, "I don’t know why you’re doing this Nancy. This is not who you are." I just met the man. He said, "You’re an artist, go home and make some art." So I went home and I made Bob a drawing, stayed up all night, walked over at six the next morning and put it through his mail slot. He loved it. He sent it to where he lives in Florida and put it on his wall in his bedroom. And this man didn’t like anything. So that’s when I knew I was on the right road.

He then gave me a great job. It was unbelievable. He gave me a job to go into his personal closet and archive and organize all his private possessions that he had since the 1940s — his private shit — letters from Cy Twombly, hot dog wrappers, really expensive little Etruscan sculptures. I remember thinking it was unreal.

So I’ve been really lucky, but you have to take risks in life. I was really destitute for many years. You had to live by your wits, but I wasn’t the only one. It’s a very hard life. I paid my rent. You could do it then, you could get it together. You could come up with the $300 for rent. I feel very sorry for young people today – you have to work your fucking ass off.

We'll have Part 2 with Nancy next week: "I’m passionate about the East Village, and I find that I have neighbors who feel the same way."

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.