Blinded by the site

(Photo taken last Friday...in case you were wondering...)

Noted

On Henry Street in Chinatown.

Yes!: We won't have to move to, say, Greenland

See you in 2012, bitches

Democracy in action!

Yes, just successfully voted! Hello Maverick penis sleeve!

P.S.
No line...went by this morning just after 6, and there were some 300 people waiting. For voting.

C'MON PEOPLE! THERE'S STILL TIME TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE! WE CAN DO IT! NINE HOURS TILL THE POLLS CLOSE

Memories of Election 2008

Oh, my apologies: That headline should have read Bad memories of Election 2008!

RIP Holland Bar

Ugh. Jeremiah reports today that the Holland Bar on Ninth Avenue near 39th Street at the ass-end of Port Authority is now closed. Arguably the best lonely old man bar in the city. I could go on about the double-whammy of hitting the Holland and the neighboring Bellevue (which is now Duff's in Williamsburg) for an afternoon or evening. Last time I went to the Holland, the bartender asked me if I wanted some snacks. They had tortilla chips! I politely declined, but he insisted. I watched him struggle with opening the sealed bag. He dumped some into a plastic bowl for me. Despite coming from a freshly opened bag, the chips were soggy. Beyond stale. It just seemed perfect.

[Photo by Shanna Ravindra/New York]

Noted

The Daily News had this brief today (and I see Brooklyn Vegan had the item yesterday...). Anyway, here's part of a press release on the opening of the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC in Soho next month:

This November, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC will open its doors for the first time. The highly anticipated ANNEX will take visitors beyond the typical museum experience in a dynamic and immersive journey that recalls some of the most defining moments in rock and roll history. When the ANNEX opens on November 24th, visitors will journey through multiple galleries to discover the moments ignited by hundreds of music revolutionaries like John Lennon, Madonna, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. Additionally, The ANNEX will open its first special exhibit in true punk rock style, honoring the Clash. The Clash exhibit, which debuted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH in 2006 will now appear at the ANNEX for a limited run.
As the first of its rotating featured exhibits, The ANNEX will open its doors with an exhibit dedicated to the Clash, entitled Revolution Rock: The Story of the Clash. This exhibit will allow visitors to get an in-depth look into how the band’s politicized lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude have helped shape rock history. As rebels with a cause, The Clash took the manic anger of British punk and transformed it into a political and aesthetic agenda. Album after album, as they railed against the status quo of corporate rock and safe middle-class values, The Clash was a burning reminder of why punk mattered.
The exhibit will examine the music and lives of the band with artifacts including well-known instruments, stage clothing, rare posters, set-lists and original manuscripts. Highlights include Joe Strummer’s Fender Telecaster and Mick Jones’ Gibson Les Paul Jr. guitars and handwritten lyrics for “London Calling,” “Know Your Rights” and “Clampdown.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ANNEX NYC is proudly supported by official sponsors Citi, Best Buy, Diesel for Bloomingdale’s, and Gibson.

Remembering Giuliani's "Countdown to Victory" calendar

236.com: Rudy's Countdown to Victory @ Yahoo! Video

Heh.

Meanwhile, there's other important, non-election-related news

Such as the city's alleged growing naked sushi model market. First, yes, I'm a little late on this story. No matter, though: Given these depressed economic times, nothing says thrifty, hand-to-mouth living more than attending a party with naked sushi models! As the NYCBP blog noted last Wednesday: "Why else live in New York, if you can't order food and eat it off a woman (or man) lying half naked on a table in front of you?"

Indeed!

NYCBP was also kind enough to publish some photos from Sushi-Models.com. (And they included some hilarious captions, such as "Just another Craigslist success story, right on the table" and "Dude, this is so much better than Applebee's!"






Related:
Confessions of a Naked Sushi Model (Vanity Fair)

Pioneer Theater to have last hurrah on Friday

As you may know, the Pioneer Theater on Third Street and Avenue A is officially closed. Here's the message on their Web site:

Dear Pioneer Friends, Filmmakers, & Film Lovers,
Ten years ago, when we began construction on The Pioneer, we were told we were crazy -- that no single screen, indie-oriented, 99 seat theater, east of Avenue A, could possible survive. But for nine years, we did -- showcasing the best of truly independent cinema, presenting restored classics (from The Last Picture Show to Ace in the Hole), curating special programs (from Luis Guzman Night to the 42nd Street Smut Show), hosting guest filmmakers (from Robert Altman and Robert Downey to Steve Buscemi and Richard Kelly) and partnering with local film organizations including the IFP, Filmmaker’s Co-op, Cinema Tropical, Fangoria, Women in Film and Television, Cinewomen, Third I, Slamdance, Docfest, and many more...

We’ve been blessed that The Earth Mother, Mel Cooley, The Dude, and the other Two Boots pizzas have been able to support our labor of love all these years, but now, with our lease ending and a rent hike looming, it’s no longer economically feasible to keep the theater going. Friday, October 31st at midnight, will be our last regular screening, appropriately: Night of the Living Dead.
We want to thank our amazing staff, past and present, and we want to thank you, our loyal audience, for your patronage over the years. Please, PLEASE, keep supporting independent films and independent theaters.

Finally, on Friday, November 7th, we’ll be having a goodbye party starting at 6pm - free movies, popcorn, and reminiscences. Please come by!

Here are a few Pioneer obits from around blogosphere:

Scars of Youth

The Reeler (via Jeremiah)

Week of Wonders

Bad Lit

Exclusive: Today is Election Day

Heh. Just taking a quick look back at the political landscape in the neighborhood (and beyond) from this election year...

George Carlin on voting: "The public sucks"

From his ninth HBO special taped at the Beacon Theater.

Noted

A statement from Mickey Leigh:

"It has been brought to my attention that Linda Cummings, using the name 'Ramone,' has recently been in the media joining with the Palin family and the McCains to attempt to aid their campaign for the Presidency. As a President of Ramones Productions, and brother of Joey Ramone, I just want it to be clear that Linda Cummings does not represent the political views of the Ramones. Surely, as for Joey Ramone, the only Ramones song he would sing at a Republican campaign event would be 'Glad To See You Go!'" (Brooklyn Vegan)

Ohh..."Glad to See You Go." Yes!

The renovation of St. Brigid's is under way; permit to demolish the church has been removed

You may remember that, despite the $20 million anonymous donation to save St. Brigid's on Avenue B and Eighth Street, the Archdiocese of New York still had the demolition permits on file as of September. No more. Edwin Torres, chairman of the committee to Save St. Brigid's, told his supporters last month that the permits had been withdrawn. Phew. Meanwhile, the renovation begins/continues. We've seen several workers there during recent walks by the 160-year-old church.

Torres said that the Archdiocese has retained architects and other professionals necessary for the renovation. The first step, though: asbestos removal. No word on how long this could take...Aug. 15, 2009?

Warning to fans of the old Rififi space: Please cover your eyes

The transformation of the Rififi/Cinema Classics space (former home to comedy, music, burlesque and dance, etc.) on 11th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue continues. Soon this, uh, very pinkish facade will be home to the thrift/consignment shop Buffalo Exchange.

The Day of the Dead Ride

Yesterday marked the Day of the Dead Ride in the East Village as the group celebrated cyclists -- both present and past. According to times-up.org, "We will bike and dance our way through the East Village, visiting ghost bikes, honoring the memory of those who have been killed, and demanding safe streets so that future riders can ride peacefully in a sustainable city." New York magazine reports there are 35 ghost bikes in the five boroughs.

Here, the group remembered Brandie Bailey, who was struck and killed in May 2005 by a private sanitation truck on East Houston Street near Essex Street. She was 21.

Henry Street, 2:50 p.m., Nov. 2

On 11th Street today

Fall Community Day at the 11th Street Community Garden between Avenue A and First Avenue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It's also a chance to see the construction taking place along the south side of the street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Meanwhile, on 11th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue, this sucker is going up on the north side...