Early word on the new-look Phoenix on East 13th Street

The Phoenix, the gay bar on East 13th Street, is under new ownership. We discussed that here. One of the owners told us that they intended to clean the place up a bit while still catering the the local gay and lesbian community. Earlier in the month, the new owners closed the bar for a few days for some revamping. Phoenix regular Lux Living stopped by the new-look bar and filed this report.

I went to the Phoenix Friday night for the first time since their new makeover and though the changes aren’t dramatic, it feels like the cast of "Trading Spaces" has been hard at work. Frank, not Hildi.

They took out the Galaga arcade machine and the jukebox — genius move taking control of the music away from the patrons. They painted the front of the bar a sky blue and plastered the walls with all of the clichéd and junky signs the Catskills has to offer. New tables include two milk jugs with a board on top (?) and an old-fashioned sewing machine (??). Gone are the peanut/candy machines and the ledges that held the HX magazines and postcards for gay-related events and such. On the plus side they refinished the floor so it no longer smells like vomit and beer and the pool table is still there.

I wasn’t there long enough to use the loo so I don’t know if they painted over the shark in the bathroom. If they did, I’d be bitter.

The bottom line is that one of the area’s last remaining gay bars has been transformed into a lesbian brunch fantasy that probably should have been left in Cherry Grove or possibly in the dorm room of the Sarah Lawrence fantasy from whence it came. Gone are the blood red walls and dark orange ambient lighting. Here to stay are the finest eBay deals on authentic set pieces from Ted Danson’s personal collection from "Cheers." If ever there were a Jersey Turnpike Bennigans patiently awaiting its passport to the Isle of Lesbos, the new Phoenix is undoubtedly it.

[The old bathroom shark, which may or may not still be here]

Yarn-covered cart continues magical mystery East Village tour

The yarn-covered grocery cart — an Agata Olek original – continues to make the rounds. This weekend, the cart appeared on First Avenue at 11th Street.

Then! Yesterday! Several readers spotted the cart on the move — with a chaperone!

At 14th Street and First Avenue heading south. Photo by EV Grieve reader Joe...

And!

Avenue B and 12th Street via @armrooster ... who reports the fellow "was walking very slowly and singing very loudly."

Why people are calling for a boycott of The University of the Streets

There's a story making the rounds about a fight at The University of the Streets, the 40-year-old-plus arts-community space on Seventh Street. As Brooklyn Vegan first reported on Friday, musician Tom Blancarte sent out the following message:

"Breaking news to all musicians in NYC who might be playing at University of the Streets in the East Village:

I just played there with Talibam!, Tim Dahl and Moppa Elliot, and when we were finished, the owner and her son told us that we owed them 50 dollars. When we told them we didn't owe them anything, her son punched my friend Kevin in the face with keys in his hand! He came close to losing his left eye! Please boycott this place, they are bad, bad people."

The photo is of Kevin Shea of Talibam! via his Facebook page. The University of the Streets folks haven't addressed the issue. So we haven't heard their side of the story. Meanwhile, people are filling up their Facebook page with ugly comments.

Are people in the East Village laughing at the homeless?

[Tribute for Liz on Avenue B via Bobby Williams]

On Saturday morning, we reported that a passerby found a woman's body outside St. Brigid's on Avenue B ... the police ID'd her as a woman in her 50s named Liz ...

The Post had this item in the NYPD Daily Blotter yesterday:

A homeless East Village woman was discovered dead yesterday morning, and police are investigating whether she died from a drug overdose.

The woman, believed to be 50, died on Avenue B near Tompkins Square Park and was found at about 8:50 a.m. by a passerby. There was no sign of trauma.

"She asked me why people ‘are laughing at me,'" said Chanel Clark, 35, who said she spoke to the distraught woman Thursday.

"She said, 'It's so rude the way people laugh at the homeless. It's so cruel.'"

Today in dog poop etiquette signs

East Fifth Street near the Bowery.

Breaking: After 30 years, Life Cafe closes in the East Village

[Photo by Faces]

We've heard these rumblings for weeks... now it's official: Life Cafe on Avenue B and 10th Street is closing after 30 years. Perhaps for good.

Per the Life website:

Dear friends,

On this auspicious day of 9/11/11, after 30 years in business, I am closing Life Cafe East Village this evening “until further notice.” I’m doing this due to issues around building repairs the landlords were supposedly going to complete one year ago. Until the landlords complete the repairs, I will remain closed. We anticipate a rebirth of Life Cafe sometime in the near future. Thank you for your loyal patronage over the years.

You are welcome to stop by as my guest today and raise a glass with me to Life!

Because Life is worth Loving.

Kathy Life

Michael Sean Edwards took these photos of what might be Life's last night in recent months. [Apologies — I misunderstood Michael — these weren't from tonight]

9/11 at McSorley's

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Today in the New York City Marble Cemetery

On Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Photos via EV Grieve reader Spike.

5 views of One World Trade Center from the East Village

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Neighborhood Open Day at the New York City Marble Cemetery

On Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ...from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Tribute for Liz on Avenue B

[Bobby Williams]

More on the woman's body found this morning along Avenue B

[Dave on 7th]

This morning, we reported that a woman's body was found outside St. Brigid's on Avenue B ... Colin Moynihan at the Times has a follow-up piece on the discovery ... the police ID'd her as a woman in her 50s... Tompkins Square Park regulars said the woman's name was Liz ... Meanwhile, an EV Grieve reader noted: "I just walked past there again and one of her friends was bawling, 'Why did you do this, Liz?!' Poor guy. He was devastated."

We often see people sleeping in this alcove between the under-renovation St. Brigid's rectory and the school. Dave on 7th took the above photo on Aug. 28 as the remnants of Hurricane Irene hit the city...

Earlier today in Tompkins Square Park

Today in Tompkins Square Park ... during "Bamboozled, The Real Reality Show" courtesy of the Theatre for the New City.

Bobby Williams.

Flood watch in effect

On 10th Street and First Avenue... Hurricane Irene two weeks later. Go sanitation. Via Steven Hirsch.