2:15 a.m.

By Bobby Williams.

For the birds

Feel free to boo the headline.

East Fourth Street between Second Avenue and the Bowery... via our friends at MoRUS...

Day 7 without Zoltar

Still out of commission outside Gem Spa ... hope fading...

Photo by Bobby Williams today.

Horns aplenty

Spotted by EVG regular Derek Berg this afternoon on East Seventh Street and Avenue A ...

Noted

A scene that Matt Rosen came across last night at East 13th Street. Per Neighborhoodr:

I crossed 4th Avenue and for some reason turned around only to see her sit down where she had been standing, and then proceed to lay down right there on the sidewalk. Next to a pile of trash. In the rain. In a mini skirt.

I walked back to see if she was okay. She was lucid. I said something like “Don’t be an asshole. Get up.” Nope. All good.

Read the whole post here.

[Photo via Neighborhoodr]

What, pray tell, is this on Second Avenue?

And then there's this ... spotted by EVG reader David Kelly this morning on Second Avenue near East 10th Street...



Any ideas? What it is? Maybe a former Thirsty Scholar? Too many Pigs in a Blanket at Alder?

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And does it compare to the discovery of Pushcart Jesus St. Lazarus?

Coming soon

Yesterday, we took a look at the new Citi Bikes... coming soon to streets near you... that prompted a reader to share some photos from a recent trip to the Brooklyn Navy Yard ...

"[S]aw rack after rack of Citi Bikes, set up and ready to go. They were sprinkled all over the property. Seemed like a form of beta testing to me."

Expect to see these here in early May...















Think any East Village business owner will protest these like this guy did in Tribeca?

Halal cart battle developing on East 11th Street

Greg Matherly, an employee of Reciprocal Skateboards on East 11th Street, passes along the following from late this afternoon...

"Just about an hour ago in front of Reciprocal. There was arguing, pointing, shouting, and a brief appearance by the NYPD. Guy on the right just wheeled his cart up beside the Halal guy who has been across from the mosque for years. Also, it's totally blocking the view to the shop, entirely."

Then! A little later.

The NYPD returned. More arguing! Developing...

Today in Park critters

Tompkins Square Park...







By Bobby Williams...

Buddy system

The Stranglers with "Go Buddy Go" circa 1977.

And The Stranglers (w/o Hugh Cornwell) play the Highline Ballroom on June 3.

Pyramid scheme

A view of 51 Astor Place via EVG contributor jdx ...

Early-morning accident leaves truck overturned on Second Avenue

EVG reader MP provides the photos and narrative from this early-morning accident on Second Avenue at East Ninth Street.

"Was awoken at exactly 4.30 am by what sounded like an explosion... But no, just a truck rolling down 2nd Avenue, which apparently had swerved trying to avoid hitting a car that ran the light going west on 9th st."

Per MP, no one was injured. Here's a look at the scene.





The overturned truck belongs to Baldor Specialty Foods...

The inspiring story behind Robin Hoods

Last April, East Village resident Tracey Van Vooris learned that her mom was diagnosed with a terminal, grade 4 glioblastoma, or has she put it — "one nasty SOB of a brain tumor."

This devastating news eventually led Van Vooris to launch a line of head covers (turbans, modified head scarves, etc.) under the name Robin Hoods. (Robin is her mother's middle name.)

With the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, Van Vooris was able to design her line of accessories inspired by her mother. The launch party is tomorrow night. (Details here.)

Here's her story, via an email interview with EVG.

How did Robin Hoods come about?

The inspiration for Robin Hoods came after my mom's diagnosis with terminal brain cancer in April 2012. After two brain surgeries, 46 radiation treatments, and non-stop chemotherapy, her head was left scarred, bald, and extremely sensitive. After many fruitless attempts to find her a head cover that was both fashionable and functional, I decided to create my own line. Many of the causes of hair loss and hair hardship are bad enough, I didn't want women to have to suffer further by not being able to comfortably conceal that hardship if desired.

Any trepidation about launching the Kickstarter campaign?

Absolutely! Much to my surprise, launching the Kickstarter campaign was one of the most intimidating things that I've ever done. For starters, I realized how terrified of being on camera I was. Additionally, it was such a vulnerable thing to put my story, my product, and myself out there for anyone and everyone to see. Aside from that, it is so difficult to ask people for money, no matter how worthy the cause, so I definitely felt the pressure to reach my fundraising goal. Luckily, I made my goal with a nail-biting 40 hours before the deadline, which was overwhelmingly exciting.

You're celebrating the launch tomorrow. Did you ever think you'd reach this point — looking back one year?

After I successfully met my Kickstarter goal, everything seemed to be more real. Looking back a year ago, I would have never guessed I'd be here, about to celebrate the launch of Robin Hoods. There have been so many life events (good and bad) that have put me on this course, and in this moment, I'm really trying to soak in this moment. The support and love from my friends, family, and even total strangers has been really, truly incredible. There is no better feeling than having purpose to what you do, and I definitely feel like I've found mine.

How is your mother doing today? What does she think about what you have done?

Unfortunately, my mother is not doing very well as of late March. The real nastiness of brain tumors, particularly those as aggressive as stage 4 glioblastomas, is that the slightest change in the tumor can cause massive disturbances in the brain. As a result, my mom's mental and physical abilities have really declined. She is the strongest woman I know though, and is fighting tooth and nail. Much of the celebration for Robin Hoods is in her honor and to thank those that have so selflessly helped make it a reality. For me, her trip to New York and celebration on Saturday, carry so much extra meaning and importance given the circumstances.

Mom is not able to express too much these days, but on the day I reached my Kickstarter goal, she emailed me that she was really proud of me and my accomplishment and that meant the world. She also loves wearing the product, so that says a lot.

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You can find more information at the Robin Hoods Facebook page here. The Robin Hoods website is coming soon.

[Image via the Robin Hoods Facebook page]

Hey, it's Record Store Day tomorrow

A Holy Day of Obligation for some. Kim's is open early. Per their Facebook invite:

We're starting bright and early at 8 AM with more than 200 exclusive LPs, CDs, and books in limited release especially for RECORD STORE DAY from Flaming Lips, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Big Star, Rolling Stones, Daniel Johnston, The Cure, White Stripes, Grizzly Bear, Moon Duo, Nick Cave, Nick Drake, Orange Juice, Pink Floyd, Caribou, Small Faces, Stephen Malkmus, Tame Impala, Thee Oh Sees, Wire and The Zombies to name a few.

If you sleep in, don't worry, there's plenty to do all day long. From 11am-6pm we will be hosting DJ sets from some of your favorite local artists and DJ's.

And at Other Music... the Record Day stock has been rolling in...


[Via Facebook]

And Other Music's DJ lineup via Facebook:

The store will open early at 10:30 am. DJ sets start at noon.

Other Music Record Store Day 2013 DJ Schedule:

12pm-1pm Parquet Courts (What's Your Rupture)
1pm-2pm Sharon Van Etten & Christian Schaal (Jagjaguwar)
2pm-3pm Caleb Braaten (Sacred Bones Records)
3pm-4pm Matt Werth (RVNG Intl.)
4pm-5pm Scott Mou/Queens (Dial)
5pm-6pm FaltyDL (Ninja Tune)
6pm-7pm Bryan Kasenic (Bunker)
7pm-8pm Jonathan Toubin (New York Night Train)

And at the Turntable Lab on East Seventh Street...



While there are several other record shops in the neighborhood, these are the only ones we spotted who were official participants, who signed the pledge, etc.

Support all your local record shops, though ... Good Records NYC ... A-1 Records ... Academy Records ... Sounds ... Rainbow Music...

Sadly, five record stores closed here in the last year... Tropicalia in Furs, Gimme Gimme, Norman's, Rockit Scientist and Big City Records.