Also!

Blizzard continues to wreak chaos across tri-state East Village

Where is EVLazarus?

There is also non-weather-related news today.

On Friday night, we last spotted Jesus St. Lazarus chained to the fence along Avenue B at 13th Street.

We know of two people who are interested in owning the St. Lazarus. However, we we returned to see what was what with EVLazarus, he was gone...

Having tried to pick this thing up, we can assure you that it weighs a good offensive line or two. He couldn't have gotten too far... If you see him, then please let us know. Unless, of course, the statue was returned to where it was stolen found.

Speaking of blizzards

City crews are ready and waiting... as seen here on 14th Street and First Avenue... (Or maybe they're just waiting for O'Hanlon's to open?)

And! Your Blizzard-related photos are welcome (grieve98@gmail.com) ... and, for some reason, there is a discussion @evgrieve about best East Village Bars to watch a blizzard.

And now, hysteria

Shortly after these photos were taken... the flurries began! We'll be here all day monitoring — without cheap theatrics and drama — the latest weather scenarios, mostly, until we go to Home Depot to buy supplies for the STORM OF THE CENTURY!

Things that will still be there after the snow melts

14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B this morning.

Little Lucifers

Third Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street... This actually gives me the creeps. (The thought of the movie does too.)

The Mary Help of Christians Church Flea Market returns Jan. 8

As the sign says here on Avenue A near 11th Street....

Christmas, wrapped

Ninth Street near Avenue B.

Dec. 25, sometime around 9:30 p.m.

Seventh Street and Avenue B...



12th Street and Avenue A...



Trying to remember the last Saturday night like this one...

Holiday meal in Tompkins Square Park today

Photos via EV Grieve roving photographer Bobby Williams

Dec. 25, East Ninth Street

The holiday tree of Tompkins Square Park

Several readers have asked about history of the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree... there's a new sign, unveiled during last Sunday's tree-lighting ceremony, that provides the detail.



Per The Villager:

The event also marked the installation of a sign designating the tree as an East Village AIDS memorial. The Parks Department donated the spruce in 1992, at the request of former Community Board 3 Chairperson Albert Fabozzi, in remembrance of Glenn Barnett — an advocate of the park’s restoration — also in observance of neighbors’ continuing efforts to maintain the park, and in commemoration of community members lost to AIDS.

[Sign photo courtesy of Bobby Williams]

Things that aren't Jesus: St. Lazarus of Avenue B

My apologies... yesterday (twice!) I misidentified this statute on Avenue B and 13 Street as Jesus. I didn't mean to be flip about this — I secretly thought this was a stunt for the spring/summer line from Freemans Sporting Club.



Anyway! Several readers have pointed out that this is Lazarus, aka Lazarus of Bethany, St. Lazarus, the skinny guy with the two dogs.



So it's St. Lazarus now chained to a fence on Avenue B. This is an obstacle on the sidewalk. I have informed the Community Board and DOT to have the statue fined.

[Image via. Interesting this item is sold out!]

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the gas station...

Second Avenue and First Street last evening. Photos by Bobby Williams.

[Updated] Jesus is now chained to a fence on Avenue B

Well, I did go back to Avenue B and 13th Street tonight to see if the statue of Jesus on the market for $50 (plus $5 delivery!) was still there...

He is... I thought he was there for the taking, but there is a thick chain and padlock holding him to the fence...

Updated: Per a reader:

"This isn't Jesus, folks. Most likely a statue connected to Santeria, not a Catholic icon. From a website describing important Santeria statuary: 
Babaluaye: Patron of the sick, especially diseases. Leprosy, gangrene and skin diseases. Saint Lazarus. White and purple beads. Old man on crutches accompanied by dogs."

Comfort and joy

The Casualties at Coney Island High from 1995. Gets me in the holiday spirit. (I could have used "Kill Everyone" from their pre-Christmas show at CBGB in 1997.)

Going rate for Jesus today: $50 (plus delivery fee)

Avenue B at 13th Street. Chino is asking $50 for it ... throw in an extra $5 and he'll deliver it.

Fined Christmas tree vendor leaves early; plenty of trees left elsewhere

Here's the scene today on Second Avenue along the St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery...



As Patrick Hedlund reported at DNAinfo yesterday, Roger Baust, who has sold Christmas trees along here the past six years, packed it in early. The city fined him $1,500 for keeping a "warm-up hut" on the sidewalk to shelter his staff from the cold.

"I'm just calling it quits because I just can't go on any further," said Baust ... adding the combination of fatigue and dealing with the city forced him to pack it in early.

"I usually stay there until Christmas Day."

We're told that Christmas Eve day is one of his top-selling days of the season. We still have questions about this story, as mentioned yesterday. The disconnect between the alleged complainant(s) and the sudden summons by DOT a few days before Christmas is creepy.

And his crew left this behind... (and some trash, according to a commenter here).



Meanwhile, a quick survey of neighborhood tree stands revealed... there are plenty of trees left...

In front of the St. Mark's Market...



Houston in front of Whole Foods...



Rite-Aid on First Avenue...

Who is this dagger-carrying mystery man arrested in the East Village?

From the Post today:

Authorities have two questions for a bushy-bearded mystery man found wandering the East Village with a giant dagger poking out of his backpack back in March:

Who is he? And why did he (allegedly) have a loaded pistol, three more daggers, a stun gun, and a total of 305 additional rounds of ammo in his South Street storage locker?

James Edward O'Donnell, 39 -- that's the name and age he gave cops -- insists he's an American and a war veteran, but when his prints were run after his arrest on St. Marks, he came back with not only no rap sheet, but no drivers license, no Social Security number, nothing.

"This is a very strange case, in that this defendant has been accused of all forms of weapons charges and the people are absolutely uncertain as to his identity or whereabouts," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Lewis Stone said today, as O'Donnell sat before him at the defense table.

Someone has to know this fellow...