The humongus fungus among us (aka, What the hell is that?)

Goggla shares these photos (and that was her headline!) from Tompkins Square Park... showing some kind of blooming fungus exploding from the tree closest to the recycling bins across from the men's room.

And for scale, here is the thing next to a squirrel...



Perhaps it's a chicken of the woods? Where's a mycologist when you need one?

Meanwhile on 2nd Street...

Photo from yesterday between Avenue A and Avenue B by @mcinthenyc

Wayland team opening Drift Inn at former Evelyn Drinkery space on Avenue C

As we first reported last Monday, Evelyn Drinkery has closed after four years at 171 Avenue C between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Now Robert Ceraso, who along with Jason Mendenhall, owns The Wayland on Avenue C and Ninth Street, has confirmed that they will be taking over the Evelyn space for their Drift Inn concept they've been planning the past year.

This marks their third attempt at opening another bar along Avenue C. Plans for both the former Duke's space and current Royale fell through.

This is how Ceraso explained the concept in October 2015:

"We envision The Drift as a laid-back bar that takes some slight inspiration from small seaside bars that we’ve been in over the years. The little places that have a mix of locals, surfers, backpackers and expats. My partner Jason and I have had a lot of experience in those bars over the years and the feel of those places has a special place in our hearts."

And today: "Concept is still the same. Laid-back neighborhood bar. No cocktail list, no TVs. Just a good jukebox, couple of tacos, reasonably priced drinks and maybe a shuffleboard table if we can fit one."

CB3 approved the liquor license for Drift Inn for 171 Avenue C last month.

"Honestly, the space is really great and screaming to be a slightly divey, dark and warm neighborhood bar," said Ceraso, who also owns Good Night Sonny on First Avenue and St. Mark's Place. "We don’t have a lot to do. We hope to be up and running before the New Year."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Wayland owners catching a Drift on Avenue C

Virgola is no more on 7th Street

The landlord has taken legal possession of the space that housed Virgola at 111 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...



This was pretty quick (compared to how long the situation has dragged on over at 198 Avenue A with Empire Biscuit). The wine-oyster bar just opened last December.

As previously noted, there was ample oyster competition here, as the well-established Desnuda is across the street. And the wine bar Ruffian, with a broader menu, opened at 125 E. Seventh St., around the same time as Virgola.

Meanwhile, the proposed location for a Virgola outpost on Avenue B isn't happening.


[221 Avenue B]

The original Virgola opened three years ago on Greenwich Avenue. And Virgola has expanded nationwide with locations in Florida, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, according to the Virgola USA website.

So far Virgola has not responded to our query about the closure.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Oysters coming to the former Bourgeois Pig space on East 7th Street

Another broker for former Chase branch on Avenue A; where the asking rent is nearly $50k a month

There are new for rent banners up at 20 Avenue A at Second Street... by our count, this marks the fourth broker to list the corner storefront since Chase closed here in November 2015.

According to the listing we spotted, the asking rent is $49,947 a month (or $139 a square foot).

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

The 62-unit apartment building was sold 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

[Updated] Sigmund Pretzel Shop hasn't been open lately on Avenue B

Residents who live near Sigmund Pretzel Shop at 29 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street note that the restaurant has been closed for the past week.

The Sigmund's Instagram account only mentions their Urbanspace Vanderbilt location in Midtown. The popular pretzels are on the menu of several restaurants in the city and sold via carts at various locations and events.

In the summer of 2013, Sigmund closed to renovate the Avenue B space, from what they called a place for a "neighborhood snack" to more of a "neighborhood restaurant" featuring items such as sandwiches on pretzel buns as well as a beer and wine license. They opened here in the fall of 2009.

H/T Salim!

Updated 10/25

The closing is official.

Week in Grieview,

[Friday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

The New York City Rescue Mission is in urgent need of clothing donations (Wednesday)

RIP Adrian Gilboe (Friday)

Brooklyn-based Bakeri now serving bread, croissants and coffee on Sixth Street (Tuesday)

A name change suggested for Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street (Wednesday)

At the Moxy hotel protest on 11th Street (Thursday)

122 2nd Ave., home of the Ukrainian Sports Club, being pitched for retail or a restaurant (Tuesday)

An application filed for a second newsstand on Astor Place (Thursday)

The storefront at 332 Bowery, current home of Intermix, is for lease (Tuesday)

Reader report: Tracking the source of "a mid-range whining or humming noise" on Eighth Street (Thursday)

A $19,500 rental on Avenue A (Friday)

GET YOUR FLU SHOT OR ELSE (Thursday)

The nail salon One Plus One has closed on First Avenue (Wednesday)

Fall (the season) on 10th Street (Tuesday)

New roll-down gate for the old Chase branch (Wednesday)

Benjamin Restaurant & Bar closes on Second Avenue in Kips Bay (Wednesday)

Timbuk2 now open on Lafayette (Tuesday)

...and after three-plus months, the Citi Bike docking station returned Friday to Second Avenue at Fourth Street...


[Photo by ‏@cecilscheib]

...and also, the Fresno II Gourmet Deli opened Friday on Avenue C at Third Street...

@evgrieve open! pic.twitter.com/e2d4KLJyp6

— Jason Chatfield (@Jason_Chatfield) October 21, 2016

Your chance to capture some LES history

[Via the NYPL collection]

On Tuesday evening at 6, several NYPL volunteers will be conducting a oral history training session at the Tompkins Square Library branch for the Lower East Side Oral History Project.

A little bit about the project via the EVG inbox:

This is a neighborhood oral history project that works to both preserve document, and celebrate Lower East Side neighborhood history through the stories of people who have experienced it.

This project will collect oral histories of people who have lived or worked in the Lower East Side neighborhood. Community volunteers will be trained to conduct these interviews. Interviews will be preserved at The Milstein Division of US History, Local History and Genealogy and accessible at the New York Public Library website.

A link to RSVP to the event can be found here.

The session is from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday. The Tompkins Library branch is at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

At the 26th annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade

Here's a sampling of the costumes from this afternoon via EVG contributor Stacie Joy… there were the usual pop-culture influenced outfits... and only one Trump (and one Ken Bone)...































-------

And a few more images via Derek Berg...







...and wait a minute...

[Updated] Claribel is missing

East Village resident Ravi DeRossi was out of town for several days... and the person taking care of his pets accidentally let out one of his cats.

"Her name is Claribel. She's not the friendliest cat in the world, she scratches a bit but she means the world to me."

There is a $1,000 reward for her return. She was last seen on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Here's a number to use for any info about Claribel: (917) 597-2692.

Updated 6:25 p.m
She has been found and is back home...

Reader report: Construction truck takes out tree on 13th Street

An EVG reader passes along word that a construction truck working on the Extell development at 500 and 538 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B "leveled this tree on 13th Street" yesterday afternoon. (The new building's loading docks are on the 13th Street side.)

...another view via a reader on the block...



... the tree was later cut down and mulched...

Vintage/swap sale at Beauty Bar today

It's Jukebox Jodi's Swap'n'Bop Vintage/Garage Sale today at the Beauty Bar, 231 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue from 2-7 p.m.

Find more details here.

[Updated] Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is rain or shine today

[Photo Oct. 1 by Steven]

Given today's rain and forecast for more rain, several people have asked me if the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade is still a go... Yes, according to the official site — rain or shine... (might need to switch to that aquatic costume theme)



Find the official site here.

Updated 9 a.m.

Looks as if the even will be in the ballfields/field hockey land in the Park...





Updated 11:20 a.m.

VIPs arriving...


[Photo by Steven]

The truth is out there

The Brooklyn-based (by way of California) foursome Scully are playing at the Cake Shop on Ludlow Street next Thursday (Oct. 27).

The title track here is from Scully's recently released debut EP "No Sense," described as "poppy psych-garage."

Report: Lawyer for driver in fatal 2nd Avenue collision wants charges dropped

Queens resident Shaun Martin, who prosecutors said was drunk and high on PCP when he plowed his car going 90 MPH into East Village Farm and Grocery on Second Avenue on June 19, 2013, which led to the death of florist Mohammed Akkas Ali, was found guilty of murder in July.

During a sentence hearing today, his lawyer, Arthur Aidala, tried to have the charges dismissed.

However, as the Daily News reported, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Melissa Jackson denied the request, stating that there was sufficient evidence to support the crime.

Per the Daily News:

Aidala argued that Martin was so intoxicated he couldn't be held accountable for murder by displaying a "depraved indifference to life.”

"You can't say someone who doesn't know what the heck they are doing is depraved — because your brain isn't working with enough synapses to make that judgement," he said.

“Because he was so intoxicated on this cocktail of drugs, he couldn't make decisions the law says he has to be able to make. If he was sober, he would be 100% guilty.”

Sentencing is now schedule for Nov. 4. Martin, 35, faces up to life in prison.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured

Crowdsourcing campaign for injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker raises nearly $19,000

Report: Injured East Village Farm and Grocery florist has lost his memory, use of his voice

[Updated] RIP Akkas Ali

Rainy days and Fridays

Photo on 10th Street near Avenue C via Bobby Williams

EV Grieve Etc.: 4th Street Food Co-op needs a fridge fix; Bleecker St. Records announces closure

[Fall on East 12th Street]

NYPD looking for two men involved in a vicious attack on Orchard Street (Daily News)

CB3 not buying Sammy Mahfar's inclusionary housing bid for 255 Houston St. (The Lo-Down)

Reckless driver who killed Bowery Mission resident sentenced to 20 to 60 months (Gothamist)

The 4th Street Food Co-op has a broken produce fridge, and they are raising money to pay for a new compressor (YouCaring)

East Village residents Amy Goldwasser and Peter Arkle officially launch their new book, "All Black Cats are Not Alike," with an event Monday night at the Strand ... including "adorable and adoptable" cats via ASPCA (The Strand official site)

Bleecker Street Records is closing (Flaming Pablum ... Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Christo and Dora building a second nest in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)


[Skateboarding on 1st Avenue via Derek Berg]

Mimi Cheng’s on Second Avenue opens an outpost on Broome Street (Eater)

Instagram accounts for people who like NYC history (Curbed)

The Voice publishes its Best of NYC 2016 issue (The Village Voice)

A career-spanning retrospective of Lucio Fulci, "one of Italy’s most visionary genre directors" (Anthology Film Archives)

"Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" at midnight this weekend (Sunshine Cinema)

...and as a reminder (to remember or to avoid), the 26th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is tomorrow... afterwards, there is an after-party at the Ruff Club, 34 Avenue A...



...and also on this occasion at Exit9 on Avenue A...

Free #Trump dog poop bags for costumed dogs this Saturday at EV shop. Tompkins SQ Halloween Dog Parade! https://t.co/R6vALkma7O @evgrieve

— Exit9 Gift Emporium (@ShopExit9) October 17, 2016

RIP Adrian Gilboe

Family members of Adrian Gilboe shared the following...

Longtime East Village figure Adrian Gilboe, who was in his 50s, passed away on Sept. 29.

In the early 1990s, Adrian opened the antique store Wandering Dragon Trading Co. at 263 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. The store later became Obscura Antiques & Oddities, which has since relocated to Avenue A.

Wandering Dragon was known for being home to some of the neighborhood’s most eccentric characters. Adrian had a unique style and eye for the obscure that was ahead of its time. He was a dramatic, generous, smart and charming enigma that seemed to live in another era entirely.

Adrian grew up in Manhattan and began collecting just about everything at a young age. As a teenager, he would break into abandoned buildings set to be demolished and salvage everything from door knobs and light fixtures, to bone saws and anatomical models. Much of his life was spent fixing up and finding an appreciation for the discarded; he was a pioneer in his avid collecting of the unusual.

Most notably, Adrian offered a window into a secret and wonderful world of oddities.


[Adrian, Sierra and Tinton]

Said East Village resident David Wolen:

The Wandering Dragon Trading Company was an amazingly strange and impossibly tiny store in the East Village. It was NEVER open but we would walk by all the time and stare in the windows at the weird antiques, taxidermy, wax mannequin heads, glass eyeballs, and skulls. One night we were coming home from a bar at 3 o’clock in the morning and the door was open and 1920s jazz was playing inside. We went in and entered the magical world of Adrian Gilboe.

The store was a constant array of characters wandering in an out, street people, artists, writers, occasional celebrities and celebrities to be. A lot of weirdos! Although rarely open, it was never dull.

This article from The New York Times in 1991 describes Adrian’s unique aesthetic and love of items rich with history.

His daughter, Sierra, will be hosting an informal memorial tomorrow (Oct. 22). Those who knew Adrian are welcome to stop by and share their memories. Please email her here if you’d like more details about the memorial.

A $19,500 rental on Avenue A; 'Drama, drama everywhere'

[Image via Douglas Elliman]

There's a new listing for an apartment in 12 Avenue A (in the building that houses Kelly's Sports Bar — go Sabres!).

Here's the dramatic pitch via Douglas Elliman:

LIVE/WORK
Formerly a theatre, this 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom home marries modernist chic with NYC edge and authenticity.

Uber renovated to pristine perfection. Sparkling Viking chef kitchen and stunning new baths, this dreamspace is totally turnkey.

Drama, drama everywhere. Soaring loft ceiling heights on 2 floors, outfitted with a state of the art commercial lighting system, this loft is the very definition of Downtown Cool.

An entertainers dream come true — it's no surprise that it hosted many, many Hollywood fetes.

Asking rent: $19,500/month.

The price has gone up since we last looked at this vacancy in 2011, when the monthly ask was a mere $12,000. (And there wasn't any mention of the unit's previous Hollywood fetes.)

You can find more interior photos here.