Garden expression

[Photo by Steven]

There's a message — Garden Here — on the eastern wall facing the empty lots where 119-123 Second Ave. used to stand at Seventh Street.

Likely wishful thinking. Late this past spring, Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for 119 and 121 Second Ave. at Seventh Street. To date, there haven't been any new building permits filed with the city.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

You can now press your face against the windows of the incoming Target store on 14th and A

If you should want to. The sidewalk bridge, barriers, fencing, etc., have recently been removed here on 14th Street at Avenue A at Extell's new retail-residential development ...



The retail, of course, is the small-format Target store with an expected July 2018 opening date.



Previously

Donner and Blitzen's Reindeer Lounge opens for the month in the former No Malice Palace space

The former No Malice Palace space on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is now home to a pop-up holiday bar called Donner and Blitzen's Reindeer Lounge. They opened on Friday, and will close on Jan. 1

Via the bar's website:

We've decked the halls with pop-up magic and stuffed your stockings with craft cocktails and mulled wine. Fire places, grandma's quilts and xmas decorations galore... a visit to this heard's house party will make your Insta-Story lit.... we're not kidding, there are a ton of lights. Don't forget to grab a photo-op in front of the custom "Reindeer Playing Poker" mural in the back yard! Whether you have a last minute holiday party to plan or just need to get your yule-tide on, Donner and Blitzen's Reindeer Lounge is your home away from holiday ho-ho-ho... you get it.

The cocktails ($13) include Zuzu's Petals, Elf Nog and (seriously) Nog-Gonna Make to Work Tomorrow.

A feature on the bar in Metro notes, "The decor inside the East Village bar looks as if all the twinkle lights wrapped around the trees and houses in suburbia had been brought inside instead; let’s call it Enthusiastic Dad."

This is the second pop-up holiday bar to open in the East Village this season. Mace, the cocktail bar on Ninth Street near Avenue C, goes by Miracle on Ninth Street during this time of year. (Same bar, just with Christmas decorations.)

No Malice Palace never reopened after the death of its owner, Phil Sherman, in November 2016.

Meanwhile, 222,135 miles away

Early-morning supermoon photos by Bobby Williams...



December's supermoon is reportedly the first of three back-to-back supermoon full moons to come in the next two months, per NASA.

Week in Grieview

[7th and A the other morning]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Fire under sidewalk bridge on 13th Street temporarily brings an end to homeless encampment (Tuesday)

Watch a bike theft in progress on 3rd Street (Monday)

Preliminary work underway at city-owned empty lot on 3rd Street (Tuesday)

Volunteers on a mission to help reinvigorate Alphabet Scoop on 11th Street (Wednesday)

Reader report: Man spotted exposing himself in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday)

7 years later, a Ben & Jerry's is returning to the East Village (Tuesday)

The latest installment of I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Thursday)

Parishioners hope their prayers are answered with former Nativity space on 2nd Avenue (Friday)

Not fake news then: Pro-dorm rally organizer admits some participants were paid, report says (Friday)

The 26th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is Dec. 10 (Thursday)

Agozar! closes on the Bowery (Monday)

Brooklyn man accused of punching ex before leading cops on a chase through the East Village (Thursday)

Kona Coffee and Company now open on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

Mr. Throwback has a new home on 9th Street (Friday)

Baar Baar opens on 1st Street in Avalon Bowery Place (Thursday)

"Shadowman," the documentary on Richard Hambleton, debuts at the Quad (Friday)

122CC signage arrives at the refurbished 122 Community Center on 1st Avenue (Friday)

"Kitchen separated by the fridge" (Wednesday)

80 E. 10th St. tops out (Monday)

Turntable 5060 is now Tapanju Turntable, and it opened Friday (Thursday)

Gino Sorbillo opens his pizzeria on the Bowery (Monday)

Turning Rutherford Place into 1987 Russia (Friday)

Pizza in the mix for former Cock space on 2nd Avenue (Wednesday)

NiceBrow bows on 9th Street (Wednesday)

Canal Pizza opening in the former Cup & Saucer Luncheonette space on the LES (Wednesday)

... and here's Andre Trenier's December mural at Mikey Likes It at 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street...



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9th Street lights

Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue is usually one of the more festive blocks during the holiday season... on Friday, workers started putting up the lights...



... and by last evening...





Thanks to Steven for the photos...

Previously

Joseph Papp Way

[Image via @AstorPlaceNYC]

On Friday morning, the intersection of Lafayette and Astor Place was officially co-named Joseph Papp Way, in honor of late Public Theater founder Joseph Papp

Here's more via the Village Alliance:

The co-naming honors the late founder of the Public Theater, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its landmark home on Lafayette Street. The sign was unveiled ... by Gail Papp, wife of the late Joe Papp, with remarks from The Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl and District 2 City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez.

Our dear friends and neighbor, The Public Theater was founded in 1954, then known as the New York Shakespeare Festival. It opened the doors to its permanent home on Lafayette Street in October 1967 with the new musical Hair. Papp, was an East Village local and active member of the community.

Meanwhile, yesterday, officials unveiled Mary Spink Way on Avenue A and Second Street in honor of the late community activist.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Street co-naming set for Public Theater founder Joseph Papp and community activist Mary Spink

Mary Spink Way

[Reader-submitted photo]

Local elected officials, including City Councilmember Rosie Mendez, City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Senator-elect Brian Kavanagh, were on hand this afternoon for the Mary Spink street co-naming ceremony on the southeast corner of Avenue A and Second Street.

Spink, a longtime resident of this block, was an advocate for affordable housing. She died in January 2012 at age 65. During her years on the Lower East Side, she owned several businesses and served as a member of Community Board 3 and as a board member of the LES Peoples Federal Credit Union, among many others. She was also executive director of Lower East Side People’s Mutual Housing Association.

You can read more about Spink in this obituary published in The Villager.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Street co-naming set for Public Theater founder Joseph Papp and community activist Mary Spink

A look at Che Cafe

EVG contributor Derek Berg notes the arrival today of new signage at Che Cafe at 86 E. Seventh St. just west of First Avenue.

People I've talked to really seem to like the empanada pouches and tacos here, Derek included. And it looks as if they're adding soup into the rotation. (Find the menu here.)



Mark Merker, who started Harry's and Benny's Burritos in 1987, is the owner. The small, quick-serve Cafe opened back in April.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Che Cafe bringing empanada pockets to 7th Street

Take part in the 129th candlelight service at St. George's Church on Stuyvesant Square

Now that Rutherford Place has been cleared of the Russians... this is happening tomorrow...via the EVG inbox...

You’re invited to join the Parish of Calvary-St. George’s, one of New York’s longest continuously operating episcopal parishes, for its annual Candlelight Lessons and Carols service on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m, with a prelude at 3:40.

The parish’s tradition of congregational carol singing began in the 19th century when The Reverend Dr. William S. Rainsford established a Christmas festival for the neighborhood. Though the Candlelight service has taken different forms in the many decades since, it remains a special offering to the community, convening thousands of people to joyfully sing a celebration of Christmas!

Last year’s attendance was the highest ever at 901 people, but we anticipate many more friends of the neighborhood will come along this December for the anticipated and momentous unveiling of the newly renovated clock towers at Stuyvesant Square, with Clarion Chimes incorporated into the service!

Located at 7 Rutherford Place on Stuyvesant Park, east of Third Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets
Admission is free.

Friday's parting shot

Second Avenue this evening via Derek Berg...

Liquid moon

Goggla shared this photo from Tompkins Square Park... as the moon rose tonight, heat waves from a chimney made it look like it was made of liquid.

There is video too...

Swing into 'Reaction'

The Brooklyn-based Surfbort released a video this week for their new 7-inch single, "Back to Reaction."

Mr. Throwback's 9th Street crossover

[Photo by Steven]

Mr. Throwback (aka Michael Spitz) opened today in his new storefront on the north side of Ninth Street between Avenue A and First Avenue ... almost directly across the street from the store's original location (No. 428).

The shop has a deep selection of 1990s-era sports apparel, retro sneakers, video games and toys. He opened on the block in November 2012.

You can check out the online store here.

Previously

EVG Etc.: Tax breaks for small shops; rat genetics in NYC neighborhoods

[Photo Wednesday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Tax break could help small shops survive Manhattan’s rising rents (The New York Times) 2,000 businesses to escape commercial rent tax (The Real Deal)

An LA comedian is reportedly suing Doc Holliday’s on Avenue A claiming that an employee physically attacked him in December 2016 (B+B)

Some history of the soon-to-be-demolished 23 Third Ave. (Off the Grid... previously)

Vigil today at Rivington House will mark two years since nursing home closed (The Lo-Down)

The rats are different downtown (The Atlantic)

Writer-director Ken Shapiro, who got his start in the East Village in the 1960s, dies at age 76 (The Hollywood Report)

A visit to 8 Bit and Up on Third Street (Syfy Wire)

"The Cinema of Gender Transgression: Trans Film" series starts tonight (Anthology Film Archives)

The Call Your Mother Hot Dog Cart on Houston near Lafayette (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Some music-themed midnight movies this month at the Sunshine, including "Stop Making Sense" and "This is Spinal Tap" (Official site, PDF)

An Iggy Pop documentary from 1987 (Flaming Pablum)

You're a vampire! I knew it!: "The Lost Boys" screening at the Metrograph (Official site)

Turning Rutherford Place into 1987 Russia

EVG regular Dan Efram shared this from Wednesday evening...

A crew of approximately 75 people worked on FX's television series "The Americans."

Filmed just north of the East Village outside of St. George's Episcopal Church on Rutherford Place at 16th Street, this wintery scene taking place in 1987 Russia included actor Lev Gorn passing a briefcase to an unidentifiable moving actor as they walked south. Two timely Russian automobiles were a big part of the red-hued eye candy.

Parishioners hope their prayers are answered with former Nativity space on 2nd Avenue

[EVG file photo]

This past summer, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York desacralized the former Church of the Nativity on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street ... clearing the way for a potential sale of the desirable property.

Tomorrow afternoon, Friends of Nativity Church and the Cooper Square Community Land Trust are holding a prayer service at the Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... before walking over to the Second Avenue building.

According to the flyer, participants will pray "that the resources of Nativity & Most Holy Redeemer be used to serve the most needy among us and for the good of the world." (AKA, Please don't tear down the church and build luxury condos.)



The church closed in July 2015 as part of a massive consolidation reportedly due to changing demographics and a shortage of priests available to say mass. The Church of the Nativity merged with Most Holy Redeemer.

The Friends of Nativity had previously proposed a Dorothy Day Shrine and retreat center with services for the homeless at 44 Second Ave. (Read more about that proposal here.)

Archdiocese officials allow 10 days for parishioners to appeal the decree of a closed church. In this case, the Archdiocese made the announcement this summer on the Friday before the long July 4 holiday weekend.

Updated 10 a.m.

Just received the news release on the service...

Parishioners and friends of the former Church of the Nativity will gather for a prayer service on Dec. 2, led by Father Sean McGillicuddy at 1:30 PM at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer followed by a Walk to Church of the Nativity and remarks and prayers in front of the church at 2:30 PM.

The former parishioners of the Church of the Nativity are advocating that the site be used to serve the most needy, hopefully by providing low income housing in a neighborhood that is rapidly gentrifying.

The parish was first established in 1842 and for time was a Jesuit mission parish. Dorothy Day, the co-founder of the Catholic Worker, who is being proposed for canonization, was a parishioner. Her Funeral Mass was held there in 1980.

In the spirit of Dorothy Day and Pope Francis, Joanne Kennedy, a parishioner of Nativity and Most Holy Redeemer and member of the Catholic Worker stated: "Other shuttered Catholic churches nearby have been sold to developers for luxury housing, including Mary Help of Christians. This cannot happen here, where Dorothy came to pray."

The Cooper Square Community Land Trust and Nativity/Most Holy Redeemer parishioners have requested a meeting with Cardinal Dolan to discuss a proposal to redevelop the site as low-income housing for families, seniors, disabled and the homeless, a community center (to replace homeless services lost when the Holy Name Center closed) as well as a small meditation room dedicated to Dorothy Day.

The Cooper Square Community Land Trust has been protecting and preserving affordable housing in the Lower East Side for over 20 years, and in collaboration with the Cooper Square MHA owns, manages and operates 21 buildings.

Previously on EV Grieve:
As the Church of the Nativity closes for good tonight, take a look at the original structure

Parishioners fight to save the Church of the Nativity on 2nd Avenue

'Shadowman,' the documentary on Richard Hambleton, debuts today at the Quad

As previously reported, Richard Hambleton, a street artist who came to prominence in the 1980s East Village alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, died in late October at age 65.

Hambleton, who most recently was living in an East Village studio, had enjoyed a revival this year. "Shadowman," Oren Jacoby's documentary about his life and work, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival back in the spring.

And the film makes its theatrical debut today at the Quad Cinema over on 13th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

"Shadowman" has been generating positive reviews. Here'a what the Times had to say:

This intense documentary shows a driven creator walking the walk, so to speak, in the most perverse fashion possible. The story is both repellent and strangely inspiring.

Jacoby will be doing a Q-and-A after the 7:30 screenings tonight and tomorrow. Head to the Quad website for showtimes.

Not fake news then: Pro-dorm rally organizer admits some participants were paid, report says

On Nov. 19, the Daily News reported that some of the 30 participants who showed up at a City Hall rally to support turning the former P.S 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on Ninth Street into a dorm were paid extras.

The organizers strongly denied that the extras received money ($50) for their time.

Now, the lobbying group on property owner Gregg Singer's payroll admitted that the firm paid eight of the 30 participants.

This revelation came in a Thanksgiving Day email that lobbyist David Schwartz sent to The Villager.

Per the paper:

More bizarre still, Schwartz claimed he intentionally leaked the casting call for the rally to the Daily News in order to gin up media coverage of the event.

“We have been frustrated that we could not get any press for one of the biggest frauds in NYC,” Schwartz said. “A fraud that leaves a community with an empty building and it’s being perpetrated by our elected officials,” Schwartz explained, referencing Singer’s claim that now his decades-long effort to remake the former school building into a dorm has been unfairly obstructed by the Mayor’s Office, Councilmember Rosie Mendez and other local politicians, who would prefer to see the building restored as a community arts center similar to CHARAS — the nonprofit group that occupied the building when Singer bought it at auction in 1998.

In a follow-up piece at the News on Nov. 23, Singer also denied that any of the supporters were paid to attend the rally on Nov. 17. Singer also blamed those opposing his dorm project.

Per the News:

"You ever heard fake news? I think the people that are against us are twisting it — it's probably the other side that paid the money!"

The Villager noted that "Singer did not respond to requests to clarify whether he was on board with the plan to hire people to rally for his dorm."

122CC signage arrives at the refurbished 122 Community Center on 1st Avenue

[Photo by Steven]

Performance Space 122 will return to its newly renovated home on First Avenue and Ninth Street in January, as the Times recently reported.

Ahead of that, the new 122CC signage has arrived at the First Avenue entrance of the 122 Community Center. (Thanks to EVG reader Dennis for the tip!)

The building will also house the Alliance for Positive Change, Mabou Mines, Painting Space 122, and a fifth tenant to be announced.

As for PS 122, they will inaugurate the refurbished space with the 13th Coil Festival from Jan. 10 to Feb. 4.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's the sidewalk bridge-free corner of 9th Street and 1st Avenue — and the 122 Community Center

Come along on a tour of the under-renovation 122 Community Center on 1st Avenue