Sixth Street Community Center CSA launches for the summer/fall

Here are more details via the Center's website:

The Sixth Street CSA has been in existence since 1996, and our members consistently have access to some of the freshest and best quality produce available. From June to November, our partner farms, Hepworth Farms in Ulster County, New York, and Catalpa Ridge Farm in Sussex County, New Jersey, provide over 200 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

At Sixth Street, we believe that all neighborhood residents should have access to fresh, organic, local produce, regardless of their level of income. Our CSA operates on a sliding scale model, and member fees are determined based on the income level of your household. This sliding scale model is made possible in part thanks to a generous grant from Wholesome Wave.

CSA pick-ups are every Tuesday from 5pm-9pm at Sixth Street Community Center, located at 638 E Sixth Street between Avenue B and C.

Learn more about how to take part by visiting the Center's website or calling (212) 677-1863.

The retail space at 20 Avenue A no longer looks like a bank branch

The Chase branch at 20 Avenue A closed last Nov. 12.

Workers have now gutted the ground-floor interior at the corner of East Second Street... showing the space's potential for a new tenant...



As we noted a few weeks ago, there's a new broker for the space. (The third by our count since last June.)

According to the listing at Winick Realty Group, all uses will be considered. The rent is available upon request. Anyway, it's a big space — 4,300 square feet on the ground floor. (There's also a basement.)

Back in February, the listing via Town featured renderings showing two wine bars in this location.

The 62-unit apartment building here exchanged hands in the summer of 2014 for $26.2 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The retail-wine bar possibilities for the former Chase space on Avenue A and East 2nd Street

Week in Grieview

[Members of the Alice Farley Dance Theater during the Dance Parade yesterday. Photo by Steven]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Residents at 444 E. 13th St. will receive a $1 million settlement over claims of harassment by Raphael Toledano (Wednesday)

ABC No Rio set to close next month ahead of demoliton for new building (Tuesday)

First look at the all-new 26 Avenue B (Monday)

Report: Mount Sinai Beth Israel "will cut its inpatient capacity" (Wednesday)

A new sign on Avenue A from Donald J. Trump, President of the United States (Monday ... Saturday)

The return of the night heron! (Wednesday)

Spotting Christo and Dora's latest offspring in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

Will a car-free 14th Street make life more bearable during (and after) the L train renovations? (Tuesday)

The Tang bringing Chinese noodles and wraps to 120 First Ave. (Thursday)

The Ignited Lighter Project at Exit9 (Tuesday)

Rolled ice cream for Seventh Street (Wednesday)

The Neptune's new breakfast special to go on First Avenue (Friday)

On this Urban Etiquette Sign, grease is the word (Wednesday)

Reader report: Have you heard Verizon test its emergency generator on Second Avenue? (Friday)

Cava Grill coming soon to Fourth Avenue (Monday)

Guaco Taco now open on East Second Street (Friday)

Small kitchen fire temporarily closes McDonald's on First Avenue (Thursday)

Historic 25 Bleecker St. one step closer to being demolished for a 6-story building (Thursday)

Thor Equities is the new owner of Patricia Field's former retail condo on the Bowery (Wednesday)

Donald Trump dog poop bags (Tuesday)

Someone vandalized the MCA mural on 7th Street

This happened last night next to Abraco on Seventh Street near First Avenue...



The mural, by @cramcept, arrived last May 4, on the third anniversary of Adam Yauch's death. Yauch, aka MCA of the Beastie Boys, died of cancer on May 4 2012. He was 47.

Updated 10:43 a.m.

Here is a photo of the person who may have been responsible...


[Photo via @porchettaskittles]

Previously on EV Grieve:
There's a new MCA in town

Noted

And who delivered the medical school cadavers to the alumni dinner? Outside Tompkins Square Library on East 10th Street this morning...

At DanceFest 2016

DanceFest photos in Tompkins Square Park today by EVG contributor Stacie Joy...

Report: NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force investigating fake Donald Trump sign

[Photo on Avenue from Monday by Karts]

That fake sign declaring that "Muslims Must Wear Identity Jackets At All Times" and signed by "Donald J. Trump, President of the United States" lasted about two days on Avenue A near East Ninth Street before someone removed it.

There was also one on Orchard Street, per The Lo-Down ... as well as other parts of the city.

Last night, WABC 7 reported the following:

The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating a potential ant-Muslim harassment case after an outrageous sign was discovered on the Upper East Side.

Police are looking for the suspect who hung the sign that read, "Muslims must wear identity jackets at all times," and placed a yellow jacket next to it.

The sign was found near the ambassador of Yemen's residence.

Police have canvassed the area with signs asking for any help identifying who put that sign there.

Added: H/T to anonymous commenter on the previous post!

[Updated] Nara is missing

Nara is a black-and-tan Shiba Inu. Last seen last night heading east on Houston at Second Avenue... details on the flyer.

Updated 5/22

There is now a $1,000 reward for her return...



H/T Steven

Updated 5/23

Unfortunately, there isn't a happy ending to this search. The Daily News has the tragic story.

How about that moon last night

...Early evening from East Sixth Street...


[EVG]

...and later from a telescope...


[Grant Shaffer]

Feelings

Wednesday marked the 36th year since Ian Curtis, the frontman of Joy Division, committed suicide at age 23...

"Disorder" remains one of my favorite Joy Division tracks.

EV Grieve Etc.: Remembering an early Beastie Boy; migrating birds in Tompkins Square Park

[Moving art on 7th Street via Derek Berg]

RIP John Berry, an original member of the Beastie Boys (Flaming Pablum)

A look at a Section 8 renovation at Campos Plaza (WNYC ... Daily News)

A man in his 30s was fatally struck by a Q train at Union Square (Gothamist)

Steve Cannon — "keeper of the multicultural flame and flavor of downtown Bohemia" (Off the Grid)

A look at the potential fallout from an L train shutdown (The Real Deal)

Spring migration in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)

Activities around the LES this weekend (The Lo-Down)

From May 18, 1977: WPIX commentator does NOT appreciate the Sex Pistols (Dangerous Minds)

NYC's best thrift stores (Gothamist)

Will Rivington Street condo debacle topple de Blasio? (The Village Voice)

The rise and fall of Fairway (The Commercial Observer)

The affordable housing crisis (Curbed)

More J.G. Ballard and the Cinema this weekend (Anthology Film Archives)

C&C Prosperity Dumpling on Clinton Street appears to be closed (BoweryBoogie)

... and tomorrow...Houston and Second Avenue ...

A photo posted by Peter Missing (@petermissing) on May 19, 2016 at 3:25pm PDT

The 10th Annual Dance Parade & Festival is tomorrow (Saturday)

Several readers have asked about the Dance Parade ... and subsequent Dancefest in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow given the iffy weather forecast.

Here's the latest missive from the organizers, edited for length, via the EVG inbox...

Finally — the world's largest display of diversity, Dance Parade kicks off at 1 pm THIS SATURDAY!!

For many it will be the best day of the year — despite the rainy forecast. Why? Because there are few places on earth where so many proudly express, through movement, their freedom and artistry. Dance Parade serves to keep dance alive in New York City!

We will shine bright even if it's a little wet here and there ... don't let the excuse of some grey skies keep you away. Come out and join the fun ....

Greg Miller
Executive Director
Dance Parade, Inc.

The parade starts at 1 p.m. at 21st and Broadway (see the map above)... and eventually heads east on St. Mark's Place into Tompkins Square Park for DanceFest, which runs from 3-7 p.m. You may find all sorts of pertinent info at the Dance Parade website.


[Photo from DanceFest 2015 by Stacie Joy]

Reader report: Have you heard Verizon test its emergency generator on 2nd Avenue?

Via the EVG inbox...

I live on Second Avenue between 11th and 12th streets. Verizon has been testing their emergency generator on the roof of 204 Second Ave., between 12th and 13th streets for the past year or so. The noise from the generator is incredibly loud, like the sound of a jet engine at close range.

The DEP told me that by code, the emergency generator must be tested at least once a month. The tests last an hour or more each time. There is no predictability when the testing will take place. Verizon has turned the generator on very early Sunday mornings, and sometimes in the middle of the day. On Monday, the generator came on twice, once at 5:30 in the morning, which woke us and other neighbors up, and then again around noon. Wednesday night at 7 just as we sat down for dinner, the generator went on again for about an hour.

I have taken to calling the DEP each time the generator goes on and they have offered to come to my apartment to monitor the noise level. The DEP needs to take a reading when the generator is on and when it is off to get the ambient sound level in the apartment. If there is more than a 10db difference between the two then we have a case and Verizon could be ordered to do some sound attenuation to bring the generator noise below the threshold set by code.

The DEP has been very helpful, however so far we have been unsuccessful in getting them here with a meter while the generator is running. I have taken readings on an iPhone app and have found the sound of the generator to be over 10db from the ambient noise level in our apartment.

I am wondering if anyone else in the neighborhood has taken any action. Thanks for your help!

The noise is coming from the metal chimney shown here on the south side of the Verizon Building roof.

The Neptune's new breakfast special to go on 1st Avenue

The always-reliable Neptune diner on First Avenue has a new to-go breakfast special... and in this era of the $12 breakfast bagel, it's a good deal... an EVG reader shared this photo, which points out the specials, such as two eggs on a roll with coffee or tea for $2.50. The priciest item appears to be a Western omelette with cheese on a roll for $4.50.

The Neptune is at 194 First Ave. between East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

Guaco Taco now open on East 2nd Street

A quick post to note that Guaco Taco just opened on Second Street, just east of First Avenue. We didn't have time to stop to check out the place... but at first glance, it looks inviting... for now they're advertising a breakfast burrito with potatoes for $3.50, from open to close...



We'll stop by again later to try some food... there's some staunch quick-serve competition not too far away with the Tacos Morelos Cart on Avenue A and Second Street ... and Downtown Bakery on First Avenue between Fourth Street and First Street... and El Diablito Taqueria on East Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Icon Realty providing free space for Celebrity Catwalk events this weekend

[152 2nd Ave. via the Icon website]

Via the EVG inbox... edited for length...

Icon Realty Management is working with Celebrity Catwalk to provide free space for adoption and fundraising events at available retail spaces in New York City.

Celebrity Catwalk works with local animal rescue organizations to help with fundraising and awareness of national animal rescue. Celebrities include Jamie Foxx, Nicole Richie, Heather Mills and Melissa Rivers.

Icon Realty Management owns and manages over 1,800 apartment units located throughout the City and also has retail space. Icon feels it is important to give back to the NYC community and local neighborhoods and helping save lives of NYC homeless pets is a great addition to our community work.

“We are excited to work with Celebrity Catwalk to provide free space for adoption and fundraising events for animals,” said Terrence Lowenberg, Principal at Icon. “We are committed to giving back to the neighborhoods we are part of in as many different ways as we can and we are proud to do that here.”

Celebrity Catwalk will be hosting a weekend of events called “Paws in the City” including a “Pink Paws for a Cause” reception on May 20th 7-9 pm with an on-site veterinarian doing cancer pet screenings, which will take place at an Icon building. Additionally, on May 21st 5-8pm there will be the “Paws and PJ’s” event, which will also be held at an Icon building.

According to the release, Icon has been working with Celebrity Catwalk for the past four years.

Both events will take place in the vacant storefront at 152 Second Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street. The dress code for tomorrow evening's event is "Pajamas, Sleepwear, Loungewear."

Find more details on the events here.

As DNAinfo put it in their coverage of this: "The events will occur as Icon’s reputation in the neighborhood stands on shaky ground."

Stabilizing NYC, a coalition of City-funded tenant advocates and neighborhood organizations, named Icon Realty as one of the city's worst landlords last year.

During a rally outside two Icon properties on May 9, Cooper Square Committee and several elected officials accused Icon of employing "construction-as-harassment" tactics to displace rent-stabilized tenants.

Previously

Look at the babies!

In recent days, at least two of Christo and Dora's 3-week-old offspring started poking their heads out from the duplex nest in Tompkins Square Park (inside the Eighth Street entrance off Avenue B) ... Bobby Williams got a few photos of the nestlings ...









Sources say that Christo and Dora's other six kids feel as if this 2016 class is pretty spoiled growing up in a large nest in an actual tree as opposed to a stupid air conditioner, like in 2014 and 2015.

Goggla has some great shots of the nest and Christo and Dora being red-tailed hawks right here.

[Updated] McDonald's remains closed on 1st Avenue after 'the accident'

Just after 7 this evening, an EVG reader noted that there was a fire at the McDonald's on First Avenue near Sixth Street. We're not sure about the extent of the fire — it didn't make the cut for the @FDNYalerts on Twitter.

There doesn't appear to be any visible damage in the restaurant. However, this location remains closed for the evening. Signage on the door refers to "the accident."



Updated 5/20
The restaurant is back McOpen.

Also, per Giovanni in the comments, there was a grease fire in the kitchen. (Perhaps the employee unwittingly sat on this East Fifth Street tree guard?)

Today in (possible) Rivington House mis-deeds

More headlines about the controversial sale of the former Rivington House on the Lower East Side.

Another top de Blasio aide was also involved in talks concerning Rivington House as early as January 2015 (New York Post)

LES resident quizzes de Blasio about the Rivington House during Brian Lehrer's "Ask the Mayor" segment (The Lo-Down)

The Mayor must now sign off on any future deed lifts (The New York Times)

To the usual recap: In February 2015, the Allure Group paid $28 million for the property, promising that 45 Rivington — the former Rivington Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation — would remain a health facility. In November, a city agency lifted the the deed in exchange for the Allure Group's $16 million payment to the city. Earlier this year, Allure then reportedly sold the property for $116 million to the the Slate Property Group, a condo developer who plans to create 100 luxury residences in the building that overlooks Sara S. Roosevelt Park.

The 40th annual St. George Ukrainian Festival is this weekend

One of our favorite neighborhood activities (traditions?) is this weekend... here are some highlights of the 40th annual St. George Ukrainian Festival via the EVG inbox...

This year's festival on East Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square will run from Friday evening, May 20, through late afternoon Sunday, May 22, with stage performances featuring folk dancing and singing beginning at:

Friday 5/20 - 6:30 pm
Saturday 5/21 - 2 pm & 6 pm
Sunday 5/22 - 1:30 pm & 4 pm

Admission: Free

A KidsZone will be active on Saturday and Sunday, with activities for children including Ukrainian art-making stations and face painting.

Tens of thousands of sought-after Ukrainian dumplings have been prepared in advance by church volunteers (see Dumplings for the Lord) and in addition to these "varenyky," there will also be plenty of cabbage rolls (holubtsi), beet soup (borsch), sausage (kobasa) and sauerkraut for sale. NYC mainstays Veselka Restaurant and Korchma Taras Bulba will also be on hand all weekend long with some of their favorite Ukrainian menu items.

Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church, located at 30 E. Seventh St., was founded in the East Village in 1905. The church has sponsored an annual festival since the very first one in 1976, then officially a co-celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial and 100 years of Ukrainian immigration to America. The historic parish will open the church to the public in between stage shows on Saturday, and four Divine liturgies will be celebrated on Sunday beginning at 8:30 am. Visitors will be able to enjoy the breathtaking church ornamentation, paintings, and incredible mosaics in the Byzantine-Ukrainian style.

Find the official Facebook event page here. (And you can find our previous coverage here.)

The festivities officially begin Friday at 4 p.m. And let's hope the weather holds off for Saturday. (Ditto for the Dance Parade, which will post about later.)