Marriage mural on East Second Street rankles neighborhood activist

The Lo-Down reported on a controversy surrounding the newest mural by Tats Cru on Second Street at Avenue A. Turns out a longtime neighborhood activist is demanding that the property owners remove the mural that she finds "racially offensive." She contacted CB3 and other local organizations for help. CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer forwarded the complaint to the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the Lo-Down noted.

Turns out that this is a marriage proposal mural (like the one that was in this space before...). The groom-to-be (Marisha said yes!) wrote in to the Lo-Down with an explanation. "[I]t is a shame that something bred of love is getting sprinkled with negativity because one individual misconstrued it – a piece of art, no less. Regardless, I just want to make it clear that I was the sole creative director of this mural and Tats Cru only executed my design as requested."

[Photo of the happy couple via the Lo-Down]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Going to the mural and we're gonna get married

A marriage proposal by mural on Second Street (and she said yes)

NYPD briefly closes part of Avenue C due to 'suspicious package'

Several readers told us that around 5:15 this evening, the NYPD shut down Avenue C between Seventh Street and Ninth Street after receiving a call about a "suspicious package." Bobby Williams was on the scene...

We stopped by a little later to retrieve that suitcase we left behind and found the scene to be all clear. All clear of the NYPD.

'I'll have the Chittle to go please'

This afternoon out a window. Photo by Shawn Chittle.

Let's take a walk along First Avenue in the East Village in 1997

In 1997, EV Grieve reader Dave Buchwald worked on the cover art for 2600 Magazine, the publication that sponsored the Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) conference at the Puck Building. As a favor, Buchwald walked around the neighborhood, taking pictures of the restaurants, bars and stores that a computer hacker might want to visit while in New York.

He was kind enough to pass along some 100 of these photos, from Houston to 14th Street, Second Avenue to Avenue A. We thought we'd start today looking at First Avenue and East First Street heading north...

These photos are only 15 years old, but when looking at them, it suddenly seems like a long time ago...

To be continued...

Demolition OK'd for former Nevada Smith's home

It was only a matter of time before someone filed the paperwork for the demolition of 74 Third Ave., the former home of Nevada Smith's. (The soccer/football bar will eventually reopen at 100 Third Ave. For now, Webster Hall is showing the games/matches.)

As of this week, the plans are on file and approved, according to the DOB.

The city had already OK'd the demolition of 76 Third Ave. So the pair of buildings and the temporary parking lot ...

...will make way for something that looks like ...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smith's

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

So just how many Subways are there in the East Village?

Last Thursday, we broke the news that another Subway sandwich shop was opening here, this time on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

There was some debate among readers about just how many Subways there are in the East Village. Being investigative hyperlocal journalists, we investigated...

1) Avenue B near 14th Street...

2) First Avenue near 13th Street

3) Second Avenue near Ninth Street

4) 14th Street near Second Avenue

5) Fourth Avenue near 12th Street

6) The Bowery near Great Jones

7) Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B

Christ, we're probably missing one... but between Houston and 14th, and Fourth Avenue to Avenue D, we think this is it. Seven. With one coming soon.

And the one at 108 First Ave. is already on the Subway website...

How many more Subways will arrive here become the apocalypse?

Oh really?: Rent is getting more expensive

Today, the Post takes a look at the latest real-estate industry reports ... and finds that rentals are getting — no shit! — more expensive. Manhattan rentals increased 8.6 percent last year. The average Manhattan apartment rent is now $3,309 a month.

The East Village is below that rate, with a downright cheap average of $3,027 a month. The above chart breaks it down by apartment size... Meanwhile, according to the report, the average vacancy rate in Manhattan was just 0.96 percent.

really

Two Boots turns 25

From the EV Grieve inbox...

Please join us tonight at 6 at Two Boots East Village (42 Avenue A @ E. 3rd St.), for our BIMBO RIVAS TRIBUTE, the first of our 25 special events marking Two Boots' 25th Anniversary.

Mosaic artist Carlos Pinto will unveil a fabulous new piece honoring the great LES poet Bimbo Rivas, whose paean to the neighborhood, "Loisaida," coined the term that has become part of our local dialect.

There will be free pizza ("The Luisaida," which pays tribute to local luminary Luis Guzman), free wine and beer (from our new upgraded wine and beer list), live music by the Stumblebum Brass Band, and poetry readings by the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe All-Stars.

Late this afternoon on Third Avenue and St. Mark's Place

By Bobby Williams.

Earlier today on Second Avenue and Seventh Street

Second Avenue and Seventh Street this afternoon. A Jessica Delfino photo/video shoot? Photos by Bobby Williams.

What we don't know about — the fellow on the ground next to the tree. (Rumors of it being Gruber MacDougal are untrue.)

Because you wanted two posts in one day about 5 Napkin Burger

Since our post from this morning, the 5 Napkiners added their signage here at 14th Street and Third Avenue...

Someone to watch over St. Brigid's

Two photos via EV Grieve reader Robert M. ... showing the continued progress at St. Brigid's... And we can likely interpret that top photo in many ways...

[UPDATED] Headless mayor found in boozeless bar

Did you see the exclusive cover story at the Post today? "The city Health Department’s far-reaching Partnership for a Healthier New York City initiatives proposes to slash the number of establishments in the city that sell booze." Which means? Reducing bar and liquor store "density."

UPDATED:

Um, anyway, the Post is now reporting that Bloomy nixed this whole idea. I'd still like to see the anon commenter's list of EV bars to remove...