Sunday, September 28, 2014

Explore the history of Tompkins Square Park … in Tompkins Square Park


[A children’s garden opened in Tompkins Square Park in 1934.]

Ugh. Meant to post this much earlier… from the EVG inbox...

Tompkins Square Park on Exhibit: From Bouwerie To Greenmarket
Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Market Information tent

Salt marsh, military parade ground, park, site of dissent...Tompkins Square Park and the land on which it stands contributes a rich history to New York City and the East Village. Join GrowNYC, the East Village Parks Conservancy, and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation as they explore the history of Tompkins Square in images from its beginnings as the bouwerie (or farm) of Peter Stuyvesant through today.

There are more details and archival images at Off the Grid.

'At the Crossroads' today with Circus Amok in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo from 2012 by Bobby Williams]

Via the EVG inbox…

Circus Amok Presents "At the Crossroads." This year, we encounter a heroine at a climate change crossroads! After a mystifying and bewildering vision of the earth at two disparate ends, our desperate circus performer and former operatic contralto must act in haste to in order to save the earth from plunging off the tight rope of doom into the pit of big box capitalism ... or will the Raging Goddesses reach their apoplectic hands into the fate of us all?

The performances (free!) are at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park

Circus Amok "is a New York City based circus-theater company whose mission is to provide free public art addressing contemporary issues of social justice to the people of New York City." Read more about them here.

Crescent moon over 2nd Avenue last evening



Here's a report from local astronomy buff Felton Davis… from last night:

A crystal clear night, and the crescent moon was out and over 2nd Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. Later tonight it will pass directly over the planet Saturn — a rare occultation — but not visible from the streets of Manhattan. How high would a person have to be to see this occultation? About 2,548 miles. Let's be grateful for what we can see at street level!





… and Bobby Williams took this photo at 7:42 p.m. from his observatory…

Today in signs that people don't notice



Outside the 2B n 2C sculpture garden on East Second Street...

You're a good mural, Charlie Brown



This mural/ad started going up on East 12th Street near First Avenue yesterday… (And that is Charlie Brown, right? Looks like the lone shirt that he owns.)

H/T dwg

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Reminders: PS 64 press conference tomorrow



As noted on Wednesday, the Department of Buildings has put a stop to developer Gregg Singer's plans to convert the former PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on East Ninth Street into a dorm.

The DOB had approved Singer's application to have tenant Joffrey Ballet considered a not-for-profit with housing accommodations as opposed to a dormitory. However, Joffrey is not a nonprofit, meaning the lease did not meet the DOB's requirements for educational institutions.

Councilmember Rosie Mendez and other local elected officials will discuss this latest development during the press conference.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rebranded P.S. 64 up for grabs: Please welcome University House at Tompkins Square Park to the neighborhood

Deed for 'community facility use only' at the former P.S. 64 now on the market

Efforts continue to fight the dorm planned for the former PS 64 on East 9th Street

Testimony Of Councilmember Rosie Mendez regarding the former PS 64

[Updated] At the 'Save Our Community Center MARCH AND RALLY'

Landmarks Preservation Commission asks to see modified plans for former PS 64

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves application for modifications at PS 64

'Misinformation' cited as DOB issues Stop Work Order at the former PS 64; community meeting set for Sunday afternoon

Just wanted to be the first to wish everyone a…



East Second Street near Avenue A this morning.

A memorial for bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow


[This morning in Tompkins Square Park]

Rev. Billy and East Village residents are meeting tomorrow afternoon from 2:30-3:30 to hold a memorial for the leaning elm that the city removed last Saturday. From the EVG inbox…

The memorial will involve testimonials from residents of the community, including community garden, environmentalists and artists. The Stop Shopping Choir will sing.

The beloved 130-year-old elm was suddenly chain sawed on Saturday the 20th. Mystery surrounds the action taken by the Parks Dept., as the tree was healthy, not "structurally unsound" — as described in an anonymous sign. Bendy leaned to the east, as she has for more than a century.

The NYPD arrested Rev. Billy last Saturday after he tried to prevent workers from cutting down bendy tree. The NYPD charged him with Obstruction of Government Administration (he pleaded guilty), and sentenced him to time served — about 14 hours.

Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

That's it for bendy tree

NYPD arrests Rev. Billy for trying to stop Bendy Tree's removal

NYPD releases Rev. Billy after yesterday's Bendy Tree arrest

This morning at the East River Park Track







Spotted by EVG reader Brad212.

And beware…



Rejected headlines:
Opossum, where art thou?

Friday, September 26, 2014

Feed a pigeon, feed a hawk





Tompkins Square Park this early evening around 5:30 ... photos by Bobby Williams

The big sleep



Here's "Endless Sleeper" by The Raveonettes from the new album "PE'AHI."

The Danish duo will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Monday and Tuesday.

1 reason to eat at Chipotle on St. Mark's Place this evening



Info. via the Arts For All Facebook page ...

Between 5:30 and 8:30, Chipotle St. Mark's (19 St. Mark's Place) will donate 50% of your purchase to Arts For All if you mention us at the register and show them this flyer.

Arts For All is an NYC-based non-profit that provides arts outreach to in-need children.

The looking for a girlfriend guy now looking for funds for a documentary on looking for a girlfriend



But of course! Spotted on First Avenue and East Fourth Street by EVG reader Lauren Baier today.

Previously

298 E. 2nd St. latest development site up for grabs



Looks like people will need to find a new place to find inexpensive cases of Yuengling.

Houston Street Beer Distributors on East Second Street between Avenue C and Avenue D is now on the market.

Here are details via Corcoran:

This one story warehouse at 298 East 2nd Street sits atop a 25' x 105.92' parcel at the cross roads of the bustling East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods. It is located in an R8A zoning district with an FAR of 6.02 (approx. 15,941 SF) or up to 7.2 FAR with Inclusionary Housing designated area bonus (approx. 19,066 sq. ft.) This prime development site is across the street from Hamilton Fish Park and a branch of the New York City public library, offering unobstructed southern exposures.

A new development would enjoy sweeping views of downtown and midtown Manhattan, Williamsburg, LIC and more. With City plans in the works to completely rehabilitate the piers on the East River from Midtown to the Financial District as well as the new construction that is sweeping the neighborhood including The Essex Crossing makes this a promising opportunity. A short distance to the promenade, fields, courts and tracks of East River Park, lively restaurants and shops of both the East Village and the LES. Lot area square feet: 2,648. Potential to combine with neighboring building which is situated next to an empty city owned lot...

This is a booming area now adjacent to the luxury rentals of The Adele on East Houston and Avenue D … The Robyn on East Third Street near Avenue D … and the new retail-residential complex coming to the former Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C.

The listing also notes the proximity to the incoming Essex Crossing on Delancey… which seems like a stretch...



In any event, the asking price for No. 298 is $8.5 million.