Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Learn the history of the NYC greenmarket program tonight


[Greenmarket guy Barry Benepe]

From the EVG inbox…

Greenmarkets: A Presentation by Barry Benepe
Tonight 6:30-8
Church of St. Brigid, 119 Avenue B at East Eighth Street
Free! Reservations required

In 1976, planner and architect Barry Benepe co-founded the Greenmarket program in New York City with a fellow planner, Bob Lewis. Their open air farmers markets offered a solution to two pressing problems: regional farmers were struggling to make a living and losing farmland to development, and New York City consumers had a hard time finding good, fresh produce.

Barry will join GrowNYC and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation to discuss the history and development of several iconic open air farmers markets, including the Union Square Greenmarket, Tompkins Square Greenmarket and the Saint Mark’s Church Greenmarket.

To register, please call (212) 475-9585 ext. 35 or email rvsp@gvshp.org

Monday, October 6, 2014

Let the 'Twin Peaks' references commence



Outside Everyman Espresso on East 13th Street near Third Avenue.

Earlier today, David Lynch and Showtime announced that they will air nine new episodes of "Twin Peaks" in 2016… coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the show's demise after two seasons on ABC in 1990 and 1991.



Excuse me — a DAMN fine cup of coffee…

Noted



Tompkins Square Park this morning

The Whitehouse Hostel has closed for good on the Bowery



As we first reported on Sept. 2, a sign appeared on the front door at 338-340 Bowery pointing out that the Whitehouse Hostel was no longer accepting reservations …


[EVG file photo]

Given that hotelier Sam Chang had sold the property, there was not going to be anything temporary about this closure. (Public documents point to The Renatus Group, a Greenwich, Conn.-based privately held real estate investment firm, as the new owner.)

Sure enough. The Whitehouse announced the permanent closure on Facebook back on Sept. 12. (No mention of the closure on the Whitehouse website.)



Plans were filed in April to "convert 4-story lodging house into a 9-story hotel," according to DOB records. The city disapproved the plans again on Sept. 9, records show.

It's not clear if the Whitehouse would be demolished for the new hotel, or if new floors would be dropped on top of the existing structure.

Previously on EV Grieve:
More tenant meetings for White House residents; plus the bed bugs will be exterminated

Another round of plans to convert the Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery into a 9-floor hotel

The Whitehouse Hostel on the Bowery is 'temporarily closing down'

137 Avenue C, hollow on the inside



The inside of 137 Avenue C just south of East Ninth Street is pretty much gone…



As previously reported, there's a building-wide gut renovation underway (obviously), which will see the addition of an extra floor all via architect Ramy Issac.

The renovations include shoring up the exterior wall … which resulted in the (temporary) destruction of the sliver of a garden to the south of No. 137...





As we understand it, the regulars who tend to the garden are unfazed by the construction. They were made aware of it and plan to restock the garden once the work is complete next door.

One last note. The ground-floor space was previously home to the Sunburnt Cow, which closed on April 27 after 11 years.

There is a potential new tenant for this storefront. An attorney for the applicant had filed paperwork with CB3 for the October SLA committee meeting, accidentally citing 137 Avenue A on the paperwork. (Result of the confusion is here.) The applicant subsequently withdrew for the October agenda.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Renovations in store for 137 Avenue C, home to the Sunburnt Cow

The Sunburnt Cow closes for good at the end of this month

Centre-fuge Cycle 15 is ready for viewing on East 1st Street



Here is the now-complete Centre-fuge Cycle 15, the rotating outdoor gallery/construction trailer here along East First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.









Artists represented in Cycle 15 are Basil, Dasic, Martalicia Matarrita, Miss Zukie, Mr. Prvrt, Object and Sest2. For more information on each artist, go here.

Find more info about Centre-fuge here.

As BoweryBoogie noted, Centre-fuge received a one-year extension last year to continue through 2014. Its fate for 2015 is uncertain at this point. Updated: They are now confirmed for 2015.

People behind Gestations still pretending to be opening a bar for pregnant women on Avenue A



From the EVG inbox from Friday evening…

Hi EVgreive,

People seem to have forgotten their Lamaze techniques and are panicking over the opening of our bar, Gestations.

In light of this recent media coverage, we thought we’d take this opportunity to give you a better idea of where we’re coming from.

Just like any other bar, Gestations’ only objective is to provide a specific segment of the population a place to gather, relax and socialize.

We are not advocating reckless behavior in any way — that is the responsibility of each individual — simply seeking only to provide a judgment-free place where people can congregate and enjoy a drink or two.

We’d love for you to learn more and get to know us a little better before passing any judgments and encourage you do so on Facebook, Twitter or [redacted] for exclusive photos, information, and the latest on bars like us.

Cheers,
Gestations Bar

The broker for the storefront told us that the building's landlord rented the space for the sign for a month. (You have a few weeks left to enjoy.) The bar's supposed opening date is Oct. 25.

The storefront at 72 Avenue A at East Fifth Street remains on the market. According to the active listing, the asking price is $7,800.

Previously on EV Grieve:
No, 'NYC's first bar for pregnant women' isn't opening on Avenue A

Espresso for kids?



Closed for renovation signs remain up on the door of Au Breve Espresso, which closed back in early August here in the retail space of Cooper Union's 41 Cooper Square building.

Meanwhile, the Philip Berley Preschool of the Arts next door has co-opted the space… looks as if they made their own little cafe for the kids…

Dojo Izakaya announces itself on Avenue B



Signage is now up at Dojo Izakaya, which the Post described as "a Japanese gastropub."

It is the latest restaurant from chef David Bouhadana, who opened Sushi Dojo in June 2013 on First Avenue.

No word on an opening date here yet.

Cafe Rakka, the previous tenant here at 38 Avenue B near East Third Street, apparently got Cromanated last November.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chef David Bouhadana looking to open Dojo Izakaya in former Cafe Rakka space on Avenue B

From Cafe Rakka to Dojo Izakaya on Avenue B

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Week in Grieview


[Photo yesterday by Luke on Seventh]

The Bowery Mission needs donations (Monday)

A sneak preview of the Westside Market, opening soon on Third Avenue (Thursday)

No, 'NYC's first bar for pregnant women' isn't opening on Avenue A (Monday)

What's going on with the former Mary Help of Christians property? (Tuesday)

The expanding Jehovah's Witnesses on Avenue C (Tuesday)

Yaffa Cafe closes for good (Thursday, 45 comments) for this reason (Friday, 32 comments)

How you can help save Siempre Verde Community Garden from luxury housing (Friday)

Korilla BBQ's interior will include an illustration by East Village artist Terry Galmitz (Tuesday)

PS 64 rally coverage (Tuesday)

Full reveal at the rebranded Eleventh and Third (Monday)

About the Cock moving to Avenue B (Tuesday)

Looking for Dana Scully (Monday)

In case you have some mystery charges from South America (Thursday)

The Os Gêmeos mural returns to view on the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall (Tuesday)

Hitchcocktober! (Wednesday)

Kotobuki has closed on 3rd Avenue (Thursday)

One less dorm in the East Village, but one more luxury rental (Friday)

Cool clouds (Tuesday)

Lou Reed wasn't really feeling this interview (Tuesday)

Neighborhood's priciest rental now selling for $9.5 million (Wednesday)

Menkui-Tei has closed for renovations (Wednesday)

Out and About with Mikey Cole (Wednesday)

… and speaking of Mikey Likes It Ice Cream… just noting the new mural on the gate for October's flavor of the month — Halloween

Last night's waxing moon



Here's a report from local astronomy buff Felton Davis:

It rained all day Saturday, and that must have washed a lot of soot out of the atmosphere, because the waxing moon came up unusually sharp and clear. Gassendi Crater on the edge of the Mare Humorum was spectacular as the shadow of the sun receded across its sharp edges and central blip. And down and to the left of Tycho was another stretch of jagged craters that will all look smooth on Tuesday night when the moon is full.



The eclipse of the moon will take place just before dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as the earth passes directly between the rising sun and setting moon.

We've had a whole lot of partly-cloudy-chance-of-showers in the last week, so don't get your hopes up for anything different on Wednesday. If it is clear, all the way down to the horizon, I plan to get on the #5 Train to Bowling Green at 4:30 am, and walk over to Battery Park. The moon will set long before the eclipse is over.

It's too cold and too far away to bring the telescope, but anyone with a camera and a tripod should be able to get some amazing photos. Will the darkened moon set over the Statue of Liberty, over Ellis Island, or north of Ellis Island? I have no idea!

Report: NYPD looking for a possibly albino suspect in yesterday's Chase branch robbery


[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

As we reported yesterday, someone robbed the Chase branch on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place.

The NYPD have released the following description of the suspect, who left with $1,080:

"white male (possibly albino), 5'10", mid to late 20s, light colored hair with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black and grey jacket, dark rimmed glasses, black sneakers with a red bandana around his neck."



Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

H/T Gothamist

St. Stanislaus represents in the annual Pulaski Day Parade



Today is the 77th annual Pulaski Day Parade in New York City. This year's theme: "Canonization of Blessed John Paul II."

And, once again, St. Stanislaus on East Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue will be part of the parade… as you can see from these float photos this morning by EVG Senior Float Photographer Derek Berg …


There is, apparently, a plant thief among us



A reader shared this from a building on East Seventh Street.

Don't make it an issue, OK?

Mystery surrounds faceless cartoon mural on East 12th Street



On East 12th Street near First Avenue.

Last week! (Above!)

Yesterday!



A source will only reveal that the mural will be of a "beloved bald cartoon character."

Well, Ziggy is too short… so it has to be Henry, right?



Updated: Thanks to everyone who confirmed this is the work of street artist Jerkface.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Reader report: Chase branch robbed on 2nd Avenue


[Photo by Ada Calhoun]

The one at St. Mark's Place. (Not the one on East 10th Street.) Officers on the scene earlier this afternoon confirmed a robbery to onlookers. No other details at the moment.

In May 2013, a man named Jerry Gomillion reportedly tried to rob this branch.


[Photo via @Ewingweb]

Today



Photo by Bobby Williams

A block party on East 9th Street today



We're told that the block party is rain or shine here on East Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C, so… looking like rain at moment, according to looking out the window.

It's beginning to look a lot like …ahhhhhhhhhhhh!



EVG Facebook friend/photographer Michael Paul spotted these in the front windows at Dee & Dee on East 14th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue…

Happy Easter.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Flyers warn of a 'sexual predator'



The above flyers are up along Avenue B and East Eighth Street and East Ninth Street.

The person responsible for the flyers said that the incident took place outside 295 East Eighth St. at Avenue B around 2 a.m. Friday. The suspect described in the flyer left the scene when a neighbor intervened and jumped the fence into Tompkins Square Park.