Strangers in the night ...

Just noting the first night that the sign is illuminated here on 14th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Aug. 23

And, so last night, Dave on 7th found this waiting for him near his apartment on Seventh Street... He only had the Sunday Times for authentication purposes.

And! There is still a tree tag attached, confirming it's seasonal origination.

This most certainly has to be the winner? Of course, it's not up to us to decide.

So we sent the photos and interview request to Gruber MacDougal, spokesperson for the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring and Summer (ICTTSS). Unfortunately, he has not been heard from since the Kardashian-Humphries wedding last weekend in Montecito, Calif.

How close is the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop from announcing its opening date on Seventh Street?

Follow them on Twitter, where I took this. Borrowed this.

Previously.

Breaking: IHOP sign going up on East 14th Street

Between Second Avenue and Third Avenue aka — Pancake Place.

Previously.

[Photo via Jennifer at Xoom]

The Bean will be the Crazy Landlord's new tenant on Second Avenue

Work continues at 54 Second Ave. at Third Street, home of the beloved "Crazy Landlord" sign.

Despite some rumors ("garment store with sex toys"!), the storefront will be home to the new East Village location of The Bean, currently housed on First Avenue and Third Street... just a block away. Permits with the DOB confirm the new tenant.

While walking by yesterday, EV Grieve regular jdx noted a new name on the buzzer...

We don't have all the details on the move to Second Avenue. The Crazy Landlord did confirm the new tenant. We'll have more later...

Meanwhile, the Bean is finalizing their plans to open an outpost on 12th and Broadway as well.

Previous EV Grieve coverage of The Bean:
New York State seizes The Bean on First Avenue!

[Updated] Out-of-control cab kills one, injuries six on First Avenue and Third Street

Did the Bean reopen too soon?

This morning in Sara D. Roosevelt Park — crusties and cole slaw

Thanks to Steve Carter for the photos.

Giuseppi Logan, back in Tompkins Square Park

We can't remember the last time that we saw — or heard — Giuseppi Logan in Tompkins Square Park. He has, of course, been a fixture in the Park for years. There was a rumor that he had passed away, though no one could confirm this.

Turns out that he was in the hospital with hip problems, and he made his way back to his usual bench this past weekend. Bobby Williams caught up with him yesterday.

Here's more on the legendary jazz musician's past via WFMU. WFMU also posted this incredible video of Giuseppi and his son from Tompkins Square Park circa 1966 (I know that I've posted this video before, but it seemed fitting now...)

Earthquake damage .... or a bad sign?

[AC]

Or both! Jesus downed in Eighth Street garden...

Important mysteries solved: When (and why) Ryan Gosling intervened in that fight on Astor Place

June 24...after a man allegedly stole a street vendor's painting (Jezebel ... previously)

TV pilot looking for 'hip, eclectic type loft or apartment' in an elevator building

[Photo by @slicksean]

Well, you can read the flyer there yourself spotted yesterday on Seventh Street near Avenue B... for a pilot called "Modern Love."

Per Vulture, the show "centers on the science editor at the New York Times (or a modified version thereof) who suddenly becomes the 'Modern Love' editor while his marriage is dissolving and he's raising a 15-year-old daughter." Per reports, "Sex and the City alumna" Jenny Bicks created and executive produced the pilot... Just think, some day your apartment could be part of a bus tour.

Aspiring sinkhole arrives on First Avenue

EV Grieve reader reader Creature notes the arrival of a new contender in the (pre-earthquake) sinkhole sweepstakes... here on First Avenue at Sixth Street...

Hmm, not bad ... though not quite ready for that mini Cooper just yet...

The Free Willie Nelson — now parked in Park Slope

Our friends at Brownstoner note that the Free Willie Nelson — the RV that in recent years docks on Third Street near First Avenue — has been spotted in Park Slope of late. Has he taken the dream elsewhere for good? Click through for some photos.

Previously.

Bar Carrera closes, Bar Veloce expands

This may be old news for some of you... In any event, I meant to note this... Bar Carrera closed on Second Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street (they still have a location on West Houston)... Meanwhile, their neighbor (and sibling), Bar Veloce, has expanded into the Bar Carrera space... Oh, and Veloce Pizzeria moved from First Avenue to Midtown. And the Veloce folks may or may not have something new cooking for this space. Got all that?

[Source: Bar Carrera closing via Zagat; Bar Veloce expanding via Neighborhoodr]

Guess who wins this battle?

Seventh Street and Avenue A today...

Photos by Bobby Williams.

How was your earthquake?

We're now accepting your East Village earthquake stories. Anyone, by chance, shoot any video? During the earthquake, that is.

EV Grieve Etc: Mourning Edition

Remembering Jeffrey Axelrod, the cyclist killed on Delancey last week (Runnin' Scared)

Save 135 Bowery (BoweryBoogie)

Save 316 E. Third St. (The Local, previous EVG coverage here)

Painting East Village roofs white to go green (DNAinfo)

A lot of rats at play at night in Tompkins Square Park (Neither More Nor Less)

Don't fuck with egg creams (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

A tribute to Banjo Jim's (Ink Lake)

Looking for the perfect chicken on the Lower East Side (The Lo-Down)

The photography of Elliott Erwitt (Ephemeral New York)

Banksy in the Hamptons (Fresh Paint NYC)

Stephin Merritt releases collection of early recordings (NME)

Aug. 23, 2009: Remembering Eric 'Taz' Pagan

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the murder of Eric "Taz" Pagan outside Forbidden City on Avenue A. He was 42. (You can read our coverage here.)



Police eventually arrested 29-year-old ex-con Louis Rodriguez, who reportedly ditched the gun in the East River after the shooting. As Michael Wilson at the Times reported on July 26, Justice Richard D. Carruthers of State Supreme Court in Manhattan sentenced Rodriguez to 80 years in prison.

Pagan's sister recalled the moment that she had to tell her mother about the shooting. "And she just broke down. She said, 'Who could have done this to my son?' She became very angry. Why did this happen to her son? She started questioning her faith."

From Pagan's memorial outside Forbidden City. (Forbidden City is now called Fat Buddha.)

Demolishing 'one of the finest East Village houses available'

331 E. Sixth St. was sold for $3.9 million in April 2010, according to StreetEasy.

Here's the listing:

Endless possibilities for this Oasis in the East Village!This south facing, 4 story, plus English Garden floor, mixed use townhouse will be delivered vacant. Situated on a lovely tree lined block location between Second and First Avenues, this home with its magical Tuscan inspired garden proves to be one of the finest East Village houses available. Move right into the owner’s duplex and have a beautiful home with the added benefit of income producing live/work English Garden floor and two large floor thru residential units OR transform it into the single family home of your dreams. So many opportunities for living! All things are possible, spread the word!

Lovely, huh? In fact, the Post featured this in its "Dream Homes" section on June 7, 2007.

As Off the Grid reported last month, the new owners are demolishing the house that dates to 1852. Floor by floor. (The owner is listed as 331 East 6th Street Townhouse LLC C/O Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.)

The demolition permit at the DOB shows that "side masonry walls to remain."

I took this photo last week...

...and Goggla passed this shot along from yesterday. She notes that it looks as if three floors have been shaved off now.

Renderings haven't emerged just yet for the address. But, as Off the Grid noted: "Whatever it is, it will no doubt contribute significantly less to the history and character of the block and neighborhood than its 150 year old predecessor."

When did Ryan Gosling break up that fight on Astor Place?

So you probably saw the video yesterday of Ryan Gosling (or a lookalike!) break up that fight (or whatever you want to call it) on Astor Place ...

Most news outlets said that the skirmish occurred this past weekend... (The video was uploaded on Saturday.)

Several EV Grieve readers pointed out the following: The fight couldn't have happened this past weekend. Where are the Flaming Cactus on the light poles?

Ah, true!

Here's a photo that EV Grieve reader Stephen Popkin sent us yesterday... the light pole in question is the background... Look, zip ties!

Same corner, but a different angle on Aug. 10 ...

Again to a clip from the skirmish...

Workers put up the zip ties on July 30.

The description by Queen of Pinups on YouTube doesn't mention when the fight happened. Anyway, we're not trying to dispel Mr. Gosling's Dreamy McHunkster image here... just curious when this peacemaking occurred. Of course, there are some people who doubt that this is even Gosling... but that can be fodder for another post...

Latest line of defense for keeping Tompkins Square Park clean — adorable artwork by kids

Photos by EV Grieve TSP Ratstravaganza correspondent Bobby Williams.