Monday, December 12, 2016

#notourpresident storefront not coming to 2nd Avenue


[Reader photo from Nov. 18]

As we first noted on Nov. 19, coming soon signage arrived for #notourpresident on an empty storefront (No. 64) on Second Avenue between Fourth Street and Third Street.

The #notourpresident sparked some speculation, especially when there was a cafe sign in view as well. (Maybe this would be another attempt at satire like the dearly departed 'Merica on Sixth Street.)

In any event, the signage is gone, and the for rent banner is back in view ...



The asking rent here is $13,000, per the listing.

The space previously housed NYC Velo, who moved next door in March.

Velo was curious too about what might coming next door...

PokéVillage opens today



PokéVillage is ready for poké action today here at 250 E. 14th St. near Second Avenue... as you can see, there is a 50-percent off deal coinciding with the grand opening...



Aside from a variety of the Hawaiian raw-fish salad, PokéVillage is serving burritos, nachos (!!!) and Korean-fried chicken wings...





This is the second new poke place to open in the neighborhood this year, joining PokéSpot, which debuted on Fourth Avenue and 12th Street on Aug. 12.

No 250 was previously home to Saving$ Paradise, which merged with I.Q. Decor back in the spring.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

At the 25th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting



East Village residents gathered late this afternoon for the 25th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting.

The Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition, East Village Parks Conservancy and Third Street Music School Settlement hosted the event, which featured, as always, music by Mandel & Lydon Trio (Ellen Mandel, Michael Lydon and John Hagen) ... and the Carolers of Olde New York from Theatre for the New City. Veselka served food and drinks. Angelica's Kitchen, C&B Cafe and Jimmy's 43 also chipped in on snacks for the lighting.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and shared these photos...




[Artist Albert Fabozzi planted the tree 25 years ago to commemorate the loss of his friend, Park advocate Glenn Barnett]















The first dusting of snow this season can only mean 1 thing



Photo on 9th Street by Steven...

Santa comes down the ladder on 2nd Street



Courtesy of Engine 28/Ladder 11 between Avenue B and Avenue C... Photos by Bill Buchen...



SantaCon 2016 in photos



A few scenes from SantaCon yesterday in the East Village...



















Above photos by Derek Berg...


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...and some photos by EVG reader Cheyenne...









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Will update later with any reports of arrests, donation totals, etc. (Two SantaCon protesters were reportedly ticketed yesterday for using megaphones without a permit.)

Perhaps we'll find out more about all this at One and One ...



Or this...



Updated 2:19 p.m.

From Gothamist:

An NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist that there were no SantaCon-related arrests made last night. NBC caught footage of two "SantaCon Is Cancelled" protesters who appeared to be arrested before noon, but an NYPD spokesperson told Gothamist that there was no record of their arrests. Officers did issue 100 summonses though, most of which were for disorderly conduct.

H/T NOTORIOUS

Reminders: tree lighting, cookie walk and holiday fair


[Tree photo Friday by Steven]

• The 25th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is today from 4-5 p.m. Details here.

• Day 2 of the 8th annual Cookie Walk at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church (Avenue A at 10th Street) is noon to 3 p.m. today. Details here.

From the Cookie Walk website:

The baking team kept baking Saturday so there are delicious cookies waiting for you today. Come early! We may not make it until 3 pm but we have plenty of varieties to start the day.

• The Neighborhood School's annual Holiday Fair is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 121 E. Third St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. Details here.

Speaking of the school, workers yesterday removed the last of the sidewalk bridge and construction materials on the Fourth Street side of the building...





...marking the end of a long three years of renovations here.

A note from super Eddie



Welcome home.



Photo on Ninth Street yesterday by Steven.

PS
Because someone will ask — this is not one of the buildings on the block owned by Jared Kushner that have had other reported issues.

The Christo pounce



Red-tailed hawk dad Christo was spotted yesterday in Tompkins Square Park... hunting and gathering ...



...and eating...



Photos by Bobby Williams

2nd Avenue, 8:13 a.m., Dec. 11

Saturday, December 10, 2016

How was your BumbleCon?



Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster costume pic on 14th Street earlier by James and Karla Murray...

Hawk fight



EVG correspondent Steven shares this photo from yesterday... when red-tailed hawk parent Dora (on the lower right) was fighting with what the hawk watchers in Tompkins Square Park thought was a juvenile red-tailed hawk.

It was not immediately clear what the fight was over.

It's Christmas time at Mikey Likes It



RUN DMC is on the gate at Mikey Likes It, 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street. Andre Trenier's 1980s-flavored mural coincides with the flavor of the month — "Christmas in Hollis" ...

Reminders: The 8th annual St. Nicholas Cookie Walk is this weekend



As we noted here several weeks ago...the 8th annual Cookie Walk at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on Avenue A at 10th Street is this weekend.

Sale hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and from noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow. Find more details at the St. Nicholas website.

Just before 9 a.m., East 4th Street



Photo by Derek Berg

More about those SantaCon Cancelled flyers


[EVG reader photo from Thursday]

As we first noted on Thursday, someone placed flyers around the neighborhood noting that SantaCon, scheduled for today, has been cancelled... which means, according to the sign:

• NO congregating in Santa costumes
• NO throwing up on the sides of buildings
• NO public sex acts
• NO excessive drunkenness

A member of NYCR, the group who posted the flyers, told Gothamist yesterday that they reached out to SantaCon organizers to call off the event.

"Our country feels so divided right now that we are all searching for things that unify us," their spokesperson said. "The one thing that I have found that we all have in common is our disdain for SantaCon. Over the past few years myself and others have witnessed several horrible acts ..."

"We have reached out to organizers and asked them to cancel but have not heard back," they continued. "We hope they will come to their senses. We hope the organizers hear us loud and clear and are aware that we will be out in force tomorrow to stop SantaCon if they don't cancel."

They add that anyone interested in spending their Saturday aiding their crusade should meet up at noon Saturday at Bar 13. "We want to make it clear to the young people out there that this is not just a bunch of 40 and 50 year olds and we have several people under the age of 35 planning on participating."

Other media outlets reported on the story as well.

Gary Egan, general manager of Pete’s Tavern on Irving Place told CBS 2 that he would be cool with seeing SantaCon go.

“I really wish it would be canceled,” Egan said. “It’s turned into an abomination of drunk Santa Clauses fighting; vomiting all over the city. and it sends a terrible message to children.”

CBS 2 also talked with one SantaCon fan.
“SantaCon canceled – what? What?” said Zavier Dahlbenza of East New York, Brooklyn. “The drunkenness, the Santa costumes — I love all of it! I don’t think it should be canceled at all. I think it should keep going.”

There is also a Boycott SantaCon Twitter account (not sure if this is affiliated with the group who created the posters. This account started in 2014.)


Anyway, SantaCon organizers had to reassure people that the Con was still on...


SantaCon starts today at 10. At least 18 bars are participating in the East Village.

Lastly, a word from the 9th Precinct...