There are no rain delays in table tennis

This afternoon by the ping-pong table in Tompkins Square Park.

And a little later, by the new Tompkins Square Park Baths...

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Claudius the turtle is lost

Spotted on Ninth Street and Avenue C by Dave on 7th.

The tropics of East Third Street

During this afternoon's storm. Via A Scouting Life.

First Avenue after the storm this afternoon

Photo by EV Grieve reader Anthony.

Now you can live in the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams

And we're assuming without them around under foot. So, here, on the fourth floor of 25 E. Fourth St. off the Bowery is the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams, the design team behind the Standard Hotel (including the Standard Grill and the 18th Floor Club), the Ace Hotel and the redesign of the Royalton Hotel lobby.

And, as the Stribling listing shows, this is a big deal!

Here is a rare opportunity to live in a treasure of contemporary design history. This full-floor loft is the home of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, a.k.a. Roman and Williams, one of the most significant and era-defining design teams of the 21st Century. The space has four glorious exposures, sun-flooded light from 14 windows and open south and east views. It features a windowed cook's kitchen with six-burner range, a tranquil living room, a studio, and a walk-in closet. Most of all, it includes all of the Roman and Williams furnishings, collectibles and custom design elements that have made this loft famous. More than a residence, it is a magic environment. Located in wicked hot NoHo, between Lafayette Street and the Bowery, 25 East 4th Street is proximate to great restaurants, clubs and shopping. This property is one of one.

So how do hip designers, uh, design their own home?

And it can be your home for $3.5 million.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

More crusties expelled from Tompkins Square Park (Neither More Nor Less)

The latest on the "new" Essex Market (The Lo-Down)

How d.b.a.’s Ray Deter changed the NYC beer scene (Grub Street)

Trouble finding curtains at 123 Third Ave.? (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Former Playboy hostess is now a designer at Dusty Buttons on East Ninth Street (Daily News)

Will there ever be another Mars Bar? (NYPress)

Remembering Alice Donut (Flaming Pablum)

Bluestockings bookstore on Allen Street closed for renovations (BoweryBoogie)

More on the opening of People's Pops on Seventh Street (PopSugar)

A sleeper car ad on the old New York Central (BoingBoing)

July 6

Early yesterday evening, Henry Jackson exited the SBS at 14th Street and First Avenue ... where he spied this Christmas tree "unceremoniously dumped in front of StuyTown." He noted that it even had a blue tag at the top like you'd see on the trees sold on street corners.

And, to show its authenticity, an SBS receipt...

When apprised of the discovery, Gruber MacDougal, spokesperson for the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring and Summer (ICTTSS), gave a thumbs up as he boarded a private flight to Pacaya Samiria Reserve in Peru where he plans to swim with endangered pink Amazon dolphins.

[Updated] LES Jewels has already colonized the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop

This morning on Seventh Street... under the shelter of the new awning. Photo by @beatsforlyfe.

Oh no word yet on an opening date... but the (ice cream?) machinery should arrive tomorrow.

Thurston Moore curating music for BMW Guggenheim Lab's opening-night party

Work continues over at the BMW Guggenheim Lab on First Street ...

Meanwhile, the Guggenheimers are gearing up for the opening-night reception on Aug. 2, which you're invited to only if you received an invitation. (Yeah, we didn't get one either.)

Here's part of the invite someone who was invited shared with us...

Peter Lawson-Johnston, Honorary Chairman, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
William L. Mack, Chairman, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
Jennifer Blei Stockman, President, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
Richard Armstrong, Director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation

Harald Krüger, Member of the Board of Management, BMW AG

The BMW Guggenheim Lab Team

request the pleasure of your company for an opening reception of the BMW Guggenheim Lab.

An evening of music curated by Thurston Moore, long-lost footage from TV Party (1978–1982) presented by Glenn O'Brien, and summer fare by Roberta’s.

Street-smart attire.

Space is limited. RSVP essential by XXXXXXX

The BMW Guggenheim Lab is a mobile urban laboratory that will launch in New York City on August 3, 2011, before traveling to Berlin and Asia in a six-year initiative that will explore innovative ideas and designs for city life.

We're not sure if Thurston Moore will actually be there, or if he's just sending along some mix tapes or MP3s or what not for the bash...

Oh, and it opens to the rest of you schlubs on Aug. 3.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Guggenheim wants our rat-infested First Street lot

Residents pitching in to help refurbish First Street garden

Designs for urban life apparently don't include trees

Continuing to question the BMW Guggenheim Lab's benefits to the local community

Lullaby for the pop-up piano in Tompkins Square Park

Yesterday, the Sing for Hope pop-up piano ended its 18-day (or so!) residency in Tompkins Square Park. Workers came by to take the piano to its permanent new home at a school, library, community center, etc.

Or else it was stolen. In any event! It was fun while it lasted, probably. (C'mon — kidding!)

Meanwhile, we'll miss the photo opps. All photos here by Bobby Williams.

Previously.

A $3 million whiteout on the Bowery

Been several months since we checked in on anything to do with 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street.

Now, a splendiferous two-bedroom condo is back at the market. According to Streeteasy, the unit was originally listed at $2.3 million in 2008. (It was sold in November 2009 for $2,168,872, according to records.) Now, the asking price is $3 million.

And this is what you get.

According to the listing at Prudential Douglas Elliman:

Soaring 15 stories tall, 52 East 4th Street is an award winning architectural icon on The Bowery. W/ interiors by Andres Escobar, this 1,359 Sqft 2bed 2bath full-floor home is unparalleled in design, finish & luxury. A private key-locked elevator transports you to an oasis of chic: impressive 13' ceilings w/ walls of floor-to-ceiling glass & exposed beams translate into a smart, modern design. A custom white kitchen is finely appointed w/ Sub Zero & Bosche appliances, Grohe fixtures & Corian countertops. 4” French Oak floors have been bleached white to accentuate the space’s airiness & luminance. The sleek Master bath features Lea Ceramiche & Ciot tile walls, Corian floors, a Kohler Water Tile rain shower system & Toto washlet toilets. Laundry room w/ vented LG W/D & custom closets are also included. Private deeded parking space is available for purchase. Enter 52 East 4th Street thru a dramatic gated set-back entrance. Terrace w/ pool & cabanas offer a chic, serene escape from the city. Doorman from 8-8

Tempting, though white is so hard to keep clean.

Tonight in Tompkins Square Park — 'Coming to America'

Tonight marks the second of the free music-movie nights in Tompkins Square Park. This evening's motion picture entertainment: "Coming to America," starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall, who, of course, went on to star in Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" video.

Anyway!



And the rest of the schedule...

July 14 — The Warriors
July 21 — Star Trek
July 28 — Arthur
Aug. 4 — Pope of Greenwich Village
Aug. 11 — Kickass
Aug. 18 — Rosemary’s Baby
Aug. 25 — The Godfather
Sept. 1 — Stake Land

Here's the official website for the summer movies. And remember — your "voice and appearance" may be recorded tonight.

The Fu Sushi plot thickens: Manager denies restaurant open during DOH closure

So, you've read about Fu Sushi allegedly/reportedly remaining open despite a DOH closure, a story that may or may not include a restaurant employee chasing a Post photographer down the street. (And why not just stop and take a photo of this?)

Last night, Al Jones at 1010 WINS interviewed Fu Sushi manager Sam Chung, who denied they were open. Per the story:

Manager Sam Chung [said] that he and his employees were “cleaning up.”

“All we’re doing is wiping and re-wiping and re-wiping,” he said.

Chung denied the neighbor’s complaint the store was open for business over the weekend despite the violations.

“The door was open while I was…doing some renovating work,” he said.

When asked by Jones if his restaurant was selling any sushi at the time, Chung replied “no sir.”

Fox also checked in with a piece last night...

Closed Sushi Restaurant Remains Open: MyFoxNY.com

This should be pretty easy to clear up. Anyone eat here this past weekend with a receipt to prove it?

Updated:
The Post reports this morning that Fu failed its fourth DOH inspection yesterday.

And now, your Big Gay Ice Cream Shop awning on Seventh Street

Unveiled yesterday. Designed by Jason O'Malley. Photo via @biggayicecream.