Sunday, October 27, 2013

[Updated] Report: Burglar falls 5 floors during getaway on 2nd Avenue (or maybe East 2nd St.)

A man attempting to steal two Apple MacBooks, two iPads, a North Face backpack and an Xbox console fell five floors after the resident of the Second Avenue apartment returned home early this morning, the Daily News is reporting.

EMTs took Derek Williams, 20, to Bellevue with serious injuries to his spine and legs. Police reportedly charged him with burglary and criminal possession of stolen property.

Williams has 17 prior convictions, according to the Daily News.

The article didn't mention where this happened along Second Avenue — just that it was on "the lower East Side."

Updated 10/28
CBS New York has more details on the incident, which they place at 201 E. Second St. (Not Second Avenue per the News.)

Caught in the act, [Williams] struggled with the resident, but then broke free and tried to make a quick getaway through the window – only to fall five stories.

CBS reports that he ended up with two broken legs and a fractured skull.

RIP Lou Reed

He died today at age 71. (Rolling Stone)

"It's such a perfect day, I'm glad I spent it with you."

Week in Grieview


[New warning signs up for residents on weekends]

The L.E.S. Dwellers demand an impartial investigation of CB3 (Monday) while Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer voices his concern over CB3's action (Tuesday) ... and CB3 stands by its decision (Wednesday)

What do I do about my pothead neighbors? (Friday, 50 comments)

Heathers closes (Saturday)

More upscale restaurants for Extra Place (Thursday)

James Renwick, Jr.'s Vegas vacation (Wednesday)

Ronald McDonald and Banksy on the LES (Monday)

And Banksy's Grim Reaper (Friday)

Out and About with actor Tom Kopache (Wednesday)

Historic Grace Memorial House gets a bath (Monday)

CB3/SLA highlights: Liquor license applicants for former bakery, pet shop and hardware store (Thursday)

ConEd shares steps its taking to prevent the East 13th Street substation from exploding again (Wednesday)

The former Boca Chica will become a high-end cocktail bar made to look like "a seedy late-70s dive bar" (Wednesday)

Ben Shaoul suing to keep his additional illegal floors (Tuesday)

Update on the Mobil station on Avenue C (Thursday)

More about the Russ & Daughters Café space (Thursday)

Former lumber yard on Great Jones sprouting several new floors of residences (Tuesday)

New look for the former 9th Street Bakery (Monday)

The Citi Bikes program isn't profitable ... yet (Friday, 32 comments)

A bad sign at Vella Market (Tuesday)

Roseland Ballroom makes closure next spring official (Tuesday)

At RAE's 'Word of Mouth'

rae bk food center

The former deli on Avenue C at East 12th Street has been transformed into a gallery space for Brooklyn-based artist RAE. The show opened last night ... Mark White shared a few shots before the crowds arrived ...

grilled cheese

IMG_6205

IMG_6194

rae

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Find more of Mark's photos here.

Word of Mouth
October 26 - November 16, 2013
Corner Avenue C & East 12th Street
Exhibition hours:
Thursday - Saturday 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
*(closed on Halloween)

The Voice interviewed RAE on Friday.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

And now, 18 photos of dogs in Halloween costumes



The 23rd annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade took place this afternoon... and EVG contributor Stacie Joy was there to take a lot of photos... A sampling of this year's costumes...



































Updated:
Slum Goddess has a lot of photos and video here.

'I see an Ace of Hearts coming your way'



An EVG favorite at the 23rd annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade today.

Photo by Derek Berg

Dogs? What fucking dogs?


Today's hawk in Tompkins Square Park. Not impressed by dogs in costumes.





Photos by Bobby Williams

RAE's 'Word of Mouth' exhibit opens tonight in vacant corner deli on 12th and C



From the EVG inbox...

"WORD OF MOUTH"
RAE
October 26 - November 16, 2013
Opening: October 26, 7-10pm
Corner Avenue C & East 12th Street

Post-opening exhibition hours:
Thursday - Saturday 2:00 pm-7:00 pm
*(closed on Halloween)



The Voice interviewed the Brooklyn-based RAE yesterday. Excerpt!

I've been working on this show for about a year and a half, and I always wanted to do something inside a store because every time I went into a store, the signage and everything in there, to me, felt like art. The misspelled signs, how things are put together haphazardly on cardboard always appealed to me. Just the imperfections of things. It just made sense for me to have a show inside a space like this, but obviously I wanted to take over the space. Even if you have an entire gallery, you still have limitations. Here, there are no limitations for me. I can do whatever I want. I almost have to hold back because I want to write on the ceilings and the floors.

Photos via Mark White

Fall, in bloom



Goggla shared this photo from yesterday in Tompkins Square Park... where fall is on display...

That's it for Heathers ... for now

[Image via]

Word on East 13th Street was that Heathers would close at the beginning of December. However, that closing came earlier than expected, as Grub Street first reported late yesterday afternoon. Per Grub Street, "the locks have been changed illegally."

Ray Lemoine and Michael Herman took over the bar just east of Avenue A during the summer of 2012.

Back to Grub Street:

Lemoine and Herman say they were gradually being pushed out of the bar, which came with a history of complaints and controversy. Initially, a cash settlement with the landlord established an end date of December 1, 2013 for the East 13th Street space.

Heather Millstone opened Heathers in 2005 ... and the bar quickly became a lightning rod for noise complaints. (The Times had a lengthy article in January 2007 about the ongoing noise issues between the bar and neighbors.) You can read more about the bar's CB3 issues here.

We asked Lemoine a few questions via email last night about what's next.

What are your feelings about how things came to a rather abrupt end here?

Sad. Staff is sad, customers are sad. But I'm kind of happy I can stop drinking for a bit. Would have a proper send off.

Are you looking to relocate in the East Village?

We have a few great options right nearby and are looking to close a deal ASAP. We love the North East Village.

What's your assessment of the East Village nightlife scene these days?

I like many of the old bars. I love Lit for its club scene. But there aren't many cool new spots despite all the blogs telling you about these cool new spots. ACME is great, but it's in NOHO. Cocktail bars and $9 sandwich shops should be banned. Nightlife is pretty dead in the East Village in terms of, say, hearing a great DJ and dancing and not paying $12 for a drink. I miss The Hole. I mean, now that Heathers is closed, there isn't even a lesbian/heroin rock bar left in the East Village (frown face).

There's a Boycott 7-Eleven rally tomorrow

Via the EVG inbox from the No 7-Eleven blog...

Friday, October 25, 2013

Banksy's grim reaper and the old Bowery ghosts


[Image via jerebles]

As you may have heard or seen, Bansky's latest street installation is on East Houston and Elizabeth ... at the site of Billy Leroy's former big tent.



The above video of the Grim Reaper Bumper Car comes from the official Banksy site, which includes an audio guide. (Banksy labeled this Bowery on his site.)

Catch it while you can, I mean, if you want to. Tonight through Sunday, dusk until midnight, apparently.

Find more photos, and what not, at Gothamist... BoweryBoogie ... and AnimalNY, who posted this video...



We reached out to Billy Leroy for comment... he is currently in Los Angeles... enjoying the start of the third season of "Baggage Battles" on the Travel Channel.

He said he was unaware that Banksy would be using his former Billy's Antiques spot for this installment.

"I support art and I like Banksy's work," Leroy said via email. "A year and a half ago we did the whole Death thing and buried the old Bowery with music. It's a compliment that a world-class artist would do a similar idea. The ghosts of the old Bowery told me they are still happy,
but will never allow anything to be built on that spot."

Come aboard



"Hellbound" by the Breeders from 1990.

Something that you don't see in the trash every day



Discarded outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception today on East 14th Street at First Avenue...

Photo via Andrew Adam Newman on Ave C.

There's goes the R-I-T-E A-I-D on East 14th Street



Our friend DJ Xerox passes along this photo... showing a worker removing the last of the sign from the Rite Aid between Avenue A and Avenue B... The store is one of several along East 14th Street to close to make way for something to look like...



Anyway, apparently the Rite Aid moved up its original Oct. 30 closing date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
East 14th Street exodus continues

The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

East 14th Street corridor now nearly business-free ahead of new development

Here is the future of East 14th Street and Avenue A: 7 stories of residential and retail

Swoon at the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall



Well, we've done a lousy job of documenting Swoon's Hurricane Sandy mural that went up this week at the Bowery Wall... and it is likely our favorite mural in recent memory here...





There'll be an official dedication on Tuesday, Sandy's one-year anniversary...



Find more photos at GammaBlog ... BoweryBoogie ... the Lo-Down ... AnimalNY...

Bloomberg: The Citi Bike program isn't profitable yet, but you should be happy


[This morning at 13th and A]

Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday that the Citi Bike program hasn't turned a profit yet some six months after the bike-rental program launched.

Per the Post:

“It is, I think, better than anybody had anticipated in terms of usage,” Bloomberg said during a press conference at the Department of Transportation.

“It’s a way to commute, it’s a mass-transit system that requires no federal, state or city monies whatsoever.”

And!

The program is run in conjunction with NYC Bike Share, a subsidiary of Alta Bicycle Share, which designs and manages the massive system of docking stations.

“If they make money, we’re going to share in the profits,” Bloomberg said.

“So, you know, everybody should be happy with this.”

Today's lost and found



Spotted on East Second Street near Avenue C.



To discretely claim, you may now find it atop the cube in Astor Place.

Reader mailbag: What do I do about my new neighbors who smoke pot all the time?


After last week's reader question about finding places in the neighborhood that still have an older East Village vibe... and after assuring me that he was not pulling one over on the Griever ...

The scenario from a reader: The neighbors are new as of the beginning of September. They are recent college grads who seem fairly well off and pretty insular. (Meaning they're not the let's-meet-the-new-neighbor types.) They have some unknown office jobs. They both arrive home around the same time each night (7ish). And then just about every waking moment in the evenings, mornings and weekends, they're smoking pot. And it's likely not for medical reasons.

While the reader isn't opposed to you know, partying, he doesn't want to have to smell the weed all the time. It has become annoying.

So. Urban Etiquette Sign? An awkward knock on the door? Call the landlord's management company? 311? The cops? If you don't like pot, then move to ________?

I did a little research and found this piece from the Daily News from May 2012 on the topic.

Important soundbite:

"New York courts have recently found that secondhand smoke constitutes a breach of the warranty of habitability, which is a non-waivable obligation imposed on all residential landlords [including co-ops] to insure that the premises are fit for human habitation and do not contain any conditions that would be dangerous, hazardous, or detrimental to tenants' life, health or safety," says Ian Brandt, a real estate lawyer at Braverman & Associates in Manhattan. "The threat of habitability violations might be sufficient economic incentive for a landlord to begin eviction proceedings."

The reader wanted to know if anyone has managed a similar experience (preferably successfully). Any advice? Anyone...?

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We often get reader queries ... asking for help with, say, donating clothes or books ... or finding an East Village-based caterer... If you have a question for the masses, then try the EV Grieve email...

Here's more of the November CB3/SLA docket


[Root & Bone on East Third Street]

Yesterday we looked at three of the applicants on the November CB3/SLA agenda. (Find that post here.)

And please note that the CB3/SLA meetings are now double the fun, double the drama! The meetings are now spread out over two nights.
So here's a look at some more of the above East Houston (mostly!) applicants... starting with Monday!

Monday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Brownstone Lounge & Grill, 240 E 4th St (op) (aka 50 Ave B)

That was quick. In the face of neighbor opposition and skepticism from Board members about a rather half-baked business plan, the applicants looking to take over the former Affaire space decided to withdraw their application during the October CB3/SLA meeting. Guess they have it all figured out after a month.

Alterations
• Rockwood Music Hall (Ken Rock Enterprises LLC), 192 Allen St (op/acoustic music in basement)

• Nublu (Tatu LLC), 151 Ave C (op/expand to upstairs)

New Liquor License Applications

• To be Determined, 8 Extra Pl (op)

Most likely the new location for Momofuku Ko.

• DY Schnitz LLC, 177 1st Ave (wb)

The mystery applicants taking over the former Something Sweet bakery.

• Root & Bone (Root & Bone LLC), 200 E 3rd St (op)

As previously reported, "Top Chef" alum Jeff McInnis and current "Top Chef" contestant Janine Boothwas are joining forces to open a restaurant called Root & Bone at the former Mama's Food Shop and Heart N' Soul on East Third Street and Avenue B.

• 9 East First Street LLC, 9 E 1st St (op)

The former Veselka Bowery space. Eater and Grub Street reported that restaurateur John McDonald signed a lease for a steakhouse/oyster place here.

• To be Determined, 269 E Houston St (op)

About the 500th time an unknown applicant has signed up to take over the former Local 269 venue on East Houston at Suffolk. The applicants always seem to withdraw before the meetings.

• Gaia Lounge (Sams 1 Lounge Inc), 103 E 2nd St (wb)

The former Animal Crackers pet shop near First Avenue.

• Moonstruck (88 2nd Ave Food Corp), 88 2nd Ave (op)

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b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations

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Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 pm — Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street (btwn 2nd Ave & Bowery)

Applications within Saturated Areas

• Cantina LES (Black Fish LLC), 8-10 Ave B (op)

The former M&M Variety Hardware between Houston and East Second Street looks to become a bar/restaurant serving Mexican fare... the applicants had previously looked at 1 Ludlow St.

New Liquor License Applications

• To be Determined, 134 1st Ave (op)

This is the address of Simone at St. Mark's Place... anyone know what's happening here?

• Ginger (Gold River Restaurant Corp), 109 1st Ave (upgrade/op)

• Ethos Meze (167 AA Rest Corp), 167 Ave A (op) (saturated area)

As we first reported on Oct. 3, the Diablo Royale Este space will become a Greek place from restauranteur John Kapetanos, who operates Ethos Gallery, Ethos Meze and the Moonstruck Diners, among others.

Corporate Change (not heard at committee)

• Paprika (Inter Pepe Inc), 110 St Marks Pl (wb)

• Croissanteria (Croissanteria Inc), 68 Ave A (wb)

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b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations