Houston and the Bowery.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tree that ConEd killed disappears
For months, ConEd had been working on 11th Street just east of First Avenue ... In late June, ConEd finished up the job... leaving behind a dead tree where the steampipe was working...
Now, as EV Grieve First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass has recorded, workers have removed the dead tree...
...and started up the work again....
Previously on EV Grieve:
ConEd kills a tree
Now, as EV Grieve First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass has recorded, workers have removed the dead tree...
...and started up the work again....
Previously on EV Grieve:
ConEd kills a tree
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Report: Graffiti artist deemed 'mentally unfit' to stand trial
From DNAinfo:
An East Village graffiti artist was deemed mentally unfit Wednesday to face charges that he fatally stabbed a fellow tagger in the neck in a dispute over a girl, prosecutors said.
The murder case of Jairo Pastoressa, 25, will be put on hold while the alleged murderer is held and treated at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center on Ward's Island. Pastoressa's lawyer would not disclose his client's diagnosis with he's while under psychiatric care.
[Photo by Jefferson Siegel via DNAinfo]
Meanwhile, TBD explores why Gawker posted a bloody photo of victim Christopher Lusko lying on Seventh Street.... Gawker removed the photo several days later after objections from Lusko's family and friends.
Previously.
'2 Days' this afternoon on Avenue A
"2 Days in New York" filming today at the Odessa Cafe on Avenue A... Several people spotted Vincent Gallo on the scene. Apparently he has a cameo or something. While leaving, he was heard saying, "that was easy." And he may have had some free time to rag on Kanye West.
The crew has been filming all over the place... BoweryBoogie has more on it here. The comedy is written and directed by Julie Delpy... and features Delpy and Chris Rock in a sequel to "2 Days in Paris."
EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition
Ousted Coney Island biz owners lawyer up (The Post)
Someone who thinks Coney Island is getting better now (YourNabe.com)
RIP Coney Island Bank Building (Scouting New York)
The Shake Shack Effect (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)
Shooting a tea commercial in Tompkins Square Park (Melanie's East Village Corner)
Sanitation Department plays tree pit basketball (via Blue Glass) on 10th Street.
Memories of CBGB (Patell and Waterman’s History of New York)
LES Jewels makes the scene on Avenue A (Nadie Se Conoce)
Here come the holidays on Orchard Street (BoweryBoogie)
Why the world's 10th wealthiest person was recently in the East Village (Neighborhoodr)
And tonight at Otto's... in the front room...
Fate of The Theaters at 45 Bleecker Street seems decided
In mid-October, The Theaters at 45 Bleecker Street abruptly shut its doors... According to various news accounts, the theater has been involved in a long-running dispute with the building's landlord, Rogers Investment. The landlord had the property seized on Oct. 13, putting an end to two Off-Broadway productions, including "The Deep Throat Sex Scandal."
The theater manager told the Times on Oct. 14: “We’re really hoping to reopen immediately ... but I can’t say anything more because of the gravity of the case. We hope to say something more soon about how we’re looking to survive this hurdle.”
Meanwhile, the landlord has apparently decided to move forward... some rather homemade-looking "for rent" signs have just gone up at the space near Lafayette.
Be sure to read the Times piece for the backstory.
The theater manager told the Times on Oct. 14: “We’re really hoping to reopen immediately ... but I can’t say anything more because of the gravity of the case. We hope to say something more soon about how we’re looking to survive this hurdle.”
Meanwhile, the landlord has apparently decided to move forward... some rather homemade-looking "for rent" signs have just gone up at the space near Lafayette.
Be sure to read the Times piece for the backstory.
Reminders tonight: Meet the owner of 34 Avenue A
As reported, Jevan Damadian wants to meet neighbors tonight to discuss his plans for 34 Avenue A. Thanks to the EV Grieve reader for snapping the new signage in the window...
Previously on EV Grieve:
New owner of the former Aces and Eights space speaks out; "the beer pong is gone"
New owner of the Aces and Eights space wants to "meet the approval of the community"
And be sure to read The Lo-Down's interview with Jevan for the background on how he got where he is today....
An Italianate-style townhouse and an old Maple tree on East Fifth Street
Here's a townhouse that has been for sale now the last month on one of my favorite blocks in the neighborhood — East Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...
It's going for $3.95 million. Here are details:
In fact, there's an open house today from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Of course, the last townhouse that I really liked on this block — just a few doors to the east — was torn down to make way for a Williamsburgate condo.
It's going for $3.95 million. Here are details:
Italianate style townhouse tucked into a quiet block of the burgeoning East Village. There is a lovely front courtyard with a half century old maple tree. With it's large extension on all four floors, this house offers over 6300 square feet of living space. Due to the configuration of the extension, the home has four exposures on the upper three floors and three exposures on the garden level. Original mantels, window frames, baseboards and original floors have been preserved on many floors. Currently there is an owner's duplex, two floor through apartments and a front garden apartment. A charming garden meanders along the east of the property and opens up in the rear. There is also potential for a wonderful roof deck. This townhouse is delivered vacant and is perfect for conversion to a wonderful single or two family home.
In fact, there's an open house today from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Of course, the last townhouse that I really liked on this block — just a few doors to the east — was torn down to make way for a Williamsburgate condo.
The spirit of East Fifth Street
As I was saying, East Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is one of my favorite blocks around... and, aside from the masses looking for the Ace Bar on weekends, it's a lovely little street with a strong sense of community...
And this is the block in which the family of East Village-based professional photographer James Maher spent their lives... His grandparents and mother all grew up here... Thanks to James for letting me post some of his family photos from the 1930s and 1940s. (He has many more at his site, New York Photography by James Maher)
Talk about a strong sense of community. Here's a celebration of the "Fifth Street Boys" returning home from World War II.
Per James on the photos below: "I just spoke with my Aunt who tells me that the photo was taken around 1945 to celebrate the end of the war. I don't know exactly which building, but apparently my grandma and relatives had three apartments in the same building on 5th Street between Avenue A and B, which is where this photo was taken from. My grandmother and all of her sisters are most of the girls that are looking up at the camera in the second photo."
And here's a shot likely taken on East Fifth Street... on the way to an Easter Party...
And, arguably my favorite photo... "This is taken of my Great Aunt Julia, who lived until she was 100. She was sharper at 99 than I am at this moment, and it's nice to see a younger photo that shows the same spark that everyone knew her for." This was taken on a rooftop of an East Fifth Street building...
[Find a few more family photos like the one above at the New York Photograph Blog]
And as Mick noted in the comments, Ephemeral New York — an EVG favorite — highlighted "The East Fifth Street Boys" in a post on Sunday.
And this is the block in which the family of East Village-based professional photographer James Maher spent their lives... His grandparents and mother all grew up here... Thanks to James for letting me post some of his family photos from the 1930s and 1940s. (He has many more at his site, New York Photography by James Maher)
Talk about a strong sense of community. Here's a celebration of the "Fifth Street Boys" returning home from World War II.
Per James on the photos below: "I just spoke with my Aunt who tells me that the photo was taken around 1945 to celebrate the end of the war. I don't know exactly which building, but apparently my grandma and relatives had three apartments in the same building on 5th Street between Avenue A and B, which is where this photo was taken from. My grandmother and all of her sisters are most of the girls that are looking up at the camera in the second photo."
And here's a shot likely taken on East Fifth Street... on the way to an Easter Party...
And, arguably my favorite photo... "This is taken of my Great Aunt Julia, who lived until she was 100. She was sharper at 99 than I am at this moment, and it's nice to see a younger photo that shows the same spark that everyone knew her for." This was taken on a rooftop of an East Fifth Street building...
[Find a few more family photos like the one above at the New York Photograph Blog]
And as Mick noted in the comments, Ephemeral New York — an EVG favorite — highlighted "The East Fifth Street Boys" in a post on Sunday.
Reflecting on 'Alphaville'
At the Daily News, Denis Hamill has high praise for "Alphaville: 1988, Crime, Punishment, and the Battle for New York City's Lower East Side." St. Martin's Press released the book yesterday. It's a memoir by retired NYPD detective Michael Codella (and written with Bruce Bennett).
"It's one of the best cop books I've ever read, and sits on my bookshelf beside such classics as 'The French Connection,' Serpico' and 'Prince of the City.'"
Hamill accompanies Codella on a stroll down Avenue D ... where Codella and his partner Gio worked to stem the tide of the neighborhood's heroin trade in the 1980s. "When I first came here, everybody told me Alphaville was a lost cause," he says. "Kids kicked syringes instead of cans to school. Today women jog, listening to iPods. Couples eat in outdoor cafes. Kids walk safely to school. I busted one junkie kid named Mario at least 10 times. One day he shows up clean, saying we made it so hard to cop dope that he was forced into rehab. If I helped save one kid, yeah, it was worth it. But I think me and my partner helped save this neighborhood filled with good people from the junkies and the dealers."
Hop to it: Good Beer NYC now open
The craft beer shop opened yesterday on Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue. Good Beer received a blessing from the 9th Street Block Association last summer... They're open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Per their mission statement: Good Beer is "dedicated to providing customers with the best draft and bottled beers, charcuterie, cheeses, sausages and hot dogs with an emphasis on organic, heritage and regional products."
Here's an article on the place via Thrillist... Chris O'Leary wrote about the shop back in July at Brew York, New York.
[Photos via Facebook]
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Get Roasted!: Roastown Coffee is now open
At Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place. Today is the grand opening. If you try it, please drop me a comment...
A bicycle thief
Here's a partial narrative from a 7 year old recounting how his bicycle was stolen on Seventh Street... via @XoomNYC
EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition
Broken water pipe shuts down 13th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue (DNAinfo)
The mall-ification of NYC continues (The Post)
The online video series The City Concealed kicks off with a look at Swing Street (Thirteen.org)
An "evening" with Sheryl Lee Ralph via 1984 East Village (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)
Something new and swanky for Ludlow Street (BoweryBoogie)
CB2's turn to question new NYU tower (Curbed)
Honoring the longtime manager at Russ & Daughters (The Lo-Down)
At the Navy Yard Cocktail Lounge (aka, RIP)
In his post yesterday on the documentary "New York Dive," Jeremiah linked to a Brownstoner item that the Navy Yard Cocktail Lounge on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn had recently been shuttered and gutted.
This was news to me.
Sure enough, the Times had an item about it on Sunday:
I've heard about the bar through the years — in rather mythical proportions, too. Sketchy! Dangerous! Anything goes! Quite the legend. In any event, I had never taken the time to go. Navy Yard had been on the endangered list since the building first hit the market in February 2009, as Grub Street reported.
I did make it out there a few times this year with the long-lost Intern of EV Grieve. I planned to write about it one of these days, though never got around to it seeing as it was far off the usual EVG beat. Didn't realize that the post would be an obituary.
The first thing I remember seeing walking up to the bar — just across the street.
Anyway, at first glance inside the Navy Yard, the place seems like your average rundown neighborhood bar. A few regulars are milling about, playing pool. The bartender is cordial. (I'm sort of blending the different trips into one post here....it was always the same.) WBLS is on a little too loudly on the radio. The TV is also on seemingly just as loud — one of those CBS shows that I've never watched on Thursday nights. (CSINCS?)
Eventually around 10 p.m., a lot more women are suddenly in the bar... they walk in, talk with the bartender, spend a lot of time in the women's room. Soon, there are anywhere from five to 10 women va-va-va-vooming around in lingerie, bikinis, etc. Oh! They're all very outgoing, especially when there are just two of you in the bar.
Every few minutes Delicious or Cinnamon or Diamond walks up and asks again if you'd like a dance. No thanks! Two minutes later... There's not much of a chance of sitting here for, say, a few hours drinking without purchasing a $10 dance. (And they don't have change for a $20, oddly enough.) So just sit there in your stool at the bar for the lapdance and wonder why Laurence Fishburne decided to do CSINCS.
There's steady drinking. No one is smashed. It's not amateur hour. There's a no-nonsense, studied drinking going on. I always expect it to get fratastic, though that never happens these nights.
I wanted to take some photos of the dancers, though thought better of it. I think Steve is giving me funny looks down the way. I did take some more innocuous photos.
I asked the Intern of EV Grieve for his notes too:
• The drink list: Thug Passion, Incredible Hulk (which a dancer told me is "sweet")
• The old school kitchen refrigerators
• Approximately 8 security monitors
• Pool table, punching bag machine and the stage that they only use for "special occasions"
• A sign behind the bar that listed prices for top, middle and bottom shelves, literally
• The bathroom has a super-long corridor with mirror in the corner, I guess so you can see if you're about to be stabbed or raided by the cops
• There was a posted time limit on the bathroom doors. Two minutes? And I think a no-gambling sign.
• 23 and over to enter... two-drink minimum.
• The tile floor
• The wood paneling
"God that place is great," the intern said.
Yes, was.
Incidentally, the item on the Navy Yard from the Sunday Times ran with a piece on The Fetch Club, "a haven for pampered pooches, fills a space where Fulton Fish Market smells once wafted. There is certainly no odor in this deluxe dormitory for dogs — the air is ionized and purified. The water is filtered, and the food is organic."
In the paper's Chronicle of a Changing City feature. Changing, indeed.
This was news to me.
Sure enough, the Times had an item about it on Sunday:
The Navy Yard Cocktail Lounge, a dive at Flushing and Washington Avenues opposite an entrance to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, was a bastion of grit. Scantily clad dancers would gyrate for tips as patrons sipped inexpensive drinks and shot pool. But the area has become more upscale, and when the building with the bar was sold, said Steve Frankel, who owned the bar for 11 years, the lounge’s days were over. “That bar was a real-deal place, built in 1907, and now they’ve gutted it,” he said. “All that history down the drain.”
I've heard about the bar through the years — in rather mythical proportions, too. Sketchy! Dangerous! Anything goes! Quite the legend. In any event, I had never taken the time to go. Navy Yard had been on the endangered list since the building first hit the market in February 2009, as Grub Street reported.
I did make it out there a few times this year with the long-lost Intern of EV Grieve. I planned to write about it one of these days, though never got around to it seeing as it was far off the usual EVG beat. Didn't realize that the post would be an obituary.
The first thing I remember seeing walking up to the bar — just across the street.
Anyway, at first glance inside the Navy Yard, the place seems like your average rundown neighborhood bar. A few regulars are milling about, playing pool. The bartender is cordial. (I'm sort of blending the different trips into one post here....it was always the same.) WBLS is on a little too loudly on the radio. The TV is also on seemingly just as loud — one of those CBS shows that I've never watched on Thursday nights. (CSINCS?)
Eventually around 10 p.m., a lot more women are suddenly in the bar... they walk in, talk with the bartender, spend a lot of time in the women's room. Soon, there are anywhere from five to 10 women va-va-va-vooming around in lingerie, bikinis, etc. Oh! They're all very outgoing, especially when there are just two of you in the bar.
Every few minutes Delicious or Cinnamon or Diamond walks up and asks again if you'd like a dance. No thanks! Two minutes later... There's not much of a chance of sitting here for, say, a few hours drinking without purchasing a $10 dance. (And they don't have change for a $20, oddly enough.) So just sit there in your stool at the bar for the lapdance and wonder why Laurence Fishburne decided to do CSINCS.
There's steady drinking. No one is smashed. It's not amateur hour. There's a no-nonsense, studied drinking going on. I always expect it to get fratastic, though that never happens these nights.
I wanted to take some photos of the dancers, though thought better of it. I think Steve is giving me funny looks down the way. I did take some more innocuous photos.
I asked the Intern of EV Grieve for his notes too:
• The drink list: Thug Passion, Incredible Hulk (which a dancer told me is "sweet")
• The old school kitchen refrigerators
• Approximately 8 security monitors
• Pool table, punching bag machine and the stage that they only use for "special occasions"
• A sign behind the bar that listed prices for top, middle and bottom shelves, literally
• The bathroom has a super-long corridor with mirror in the corner, I guess so you can see if you're about to be stabbed or raided by the cops
• There was a posted time limit on the bathroom doors. Two minutes? And I think a no-gambling sign.
• 23 and over to enter... two-drink minimum.
• The tile floor
• The wood paneling
"God that place is great," the intern said.
Yes, was.
Incidentally, the item on the Navy Yard from the Sunday Times ran with a piece on The Fetch Club, "a haven for pampered pooches, fills a space where Fulton Fish Market smells once wafted. There is certainly no odor in this deluxe dormitory for dogs — the air is ionized and purified. The water is filtered, and the food is organic."
In the paper's Chronicle of a Changing City feature. Changing, indeed.
Own a 'Bird's nest in the sky' on East Second Street
Wow. I've seen a few listings for East Village penthouses in my time... and this one at 213 E. Second St. just east of Avenue B could be one the more awesomer (awesomest?) one yet ... The unit hit Streeteasy yesterday for $2.3 million.
Deep breaths as you prep to stomach the listing:
Got all that about the neighborhood? Anyway, a few more views for you...
According to Streeteasy, Corcoran first listed this home in November 2008 for $3.1 million. After a 24 percent price cut in the next few months, the home was removed from the market. Prudential Elliman then had the listing, which it posted in May 2009 for $2.45 million.
The other unit in the building is available for $2 million.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Million dollar condos hit the market on East Second Street
Deep breaths as you prep to stomach the listing:
CARRIAGE HOUSE CONDOMINIUM #8... the BIRDS NEST IN THE SKY... a 4 Level Townhouse Condominium... 3 BEDROOM SUITES/ 4 BATHS, each a private domain with a view of the Empire State Building from every floor. On the top floor, the LIVING and ENTERTAINMENT LEVEL is flooded with SUNLIGHT from glass walls, glass roof and hidden light sources. Perched above... the INDOOR/OUTDOOR SOLARIUM with BATH and MAGNIFICENT MIDTOWN VIEWS and an adjoining PRIVATE TERRACE with a HIDDEN STAIR TO COMPLETELY PRIVATE ROOF with 180 degree exposure. All for the discriminating and esoteric-by-nature purchaser. CARRIAGE HOUSE CONDOMINIUM in the heart of the historic EAST VILLAGE...steps from the BOWERY HOTEL and the NEW MUSEUM...blocks from WHOLE FOODS...SCHILLERS LIQUOR BAR and THE HOTEL ON RIVINGTON...landscape to the cultural and artistic movements of the 20th century, now transformed into the hippest neighborhood and burgeoning new art district.
Got all that about the neighborhood? Anyway, a few more views for you...
According to Streeteasy, Corcoran first listed this home in November 2008 for $3.1 million. After a 24 percent price cut in the next few months, the home was removed from the market. Prudential Elliman then had the listing, which it posted in May 2009 for $2.45 million.
The other unit in the building is available for $2 million.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Million dollar condos hit the market on East Second Street
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)