Week in Grieview

[Photo on St. Mark's Place by Derek Berg]

Posts this past week included...

Skateboarders upset over plan to add synthetic turf to the northwest corner of Tompkins Square Park (Tuesday)

At long last a taxi relief stand for East Houston and 1st Street outside Punjabi Grocery & Deli (Monday)

Reader reports: The NYPD forcibly stops a Citi Biker on Avenue A for his own safety (Friday)

St. Mark's Market is back open (Thursday)

Comptroller's office: Park bathrooms in the East Village and LES are the worst in the city (Monday)

M14 SBS routes debut today; 14th Street busway now on hold (Monday) The abandoned bus shelters of Avenue A (Tuesday)

Young artists from Central America are creating this mural outside Key Food (Thursday)

Mikey Likes It remains closed on Avenue A (Wednesday)

These 2 adjacent community gardens have merged on Avenue B (Tuesday)

This weeks NY See panel (Wednesday)

ICP now closed on the Bowery ahead of move to Essex Crossing (Monday)

NYPD looking for suspect in an attempted sexual assault in Stuy Town (Friday)

Report: Double-parked motorist arrested for striking 2 firefighters on 6th Street (Wednesday)

Desperately Seeking Bonnie (Thursday)

The last word, perhaps, about Nobletree Coffee's closure on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place (Friday)


[His and his seats on 14th Street]

A new home for Three Kings Tattoo (Monday)

6 posts from June (Sunday)

A-Rod owns part of this building on Avenue D (Tuesday)

Avenue C Restaurant coming soon to Avenue C (Monday)

Ichabod's has closed on Irving Place (Wednesday)

Schmackary's debuts today on Cooper Square (Monday)

... and EVG regular Salim shared this photo of the new-look gate — via @ohmy.murals — at the Oda House on Fifth Street and Avenue B...



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Saturday's parting shot

A moment on Second Avenue today via Derek Berg...

Holiday weekend Saturday in Tompkins Square Park

Quiet day in Tompkins Square Park... and the heat index is in the mid-90s, which was also a pretty good movie.

Photo by Lola Saénz

Reader reports: The NYPD forcibly stops a Citi Biker on Avenue A for his own safety

[Photo by Dave from 7th Street]

Multiple reader reports are coming in from earlier this evening about an NYPD Interceptor SUV who cut off a Citi Bike rider on Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Seventh Street.

Several witnesses say that the NYPD pursued the Citi Biker after ran a series of red lights starting on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.

The video clip below captures the officer explaining the NYPD's actions.

Per the office: "At this point you are being forcefully stopped because, essentially, you are driving recklessly and refusing to stop after multiple lawful orders that you looked and acknowledged so I am going to use whatever means necessary to stop you. And that’s for your safety."

#NYPD run over #nyc #bicycle to stop them from running a red light ton”prevent reckless driving.” pic.twitter.com/AITjqNwYiZ

— Garvey Rich (@Garvey_Rich) July 5, 2019

The officer saying that they "forcibly stopped" the Citi Bike rider for his safety drew laughter from onlookers.

The cyclist did not appear to suffer any injuries after being forced off the Avenue.

Wow pic.twitter.com/pfKUxbw3qy

— Liam Quigley (@_elkue) July 5, 2019

So far in 2019, 15 cyclists have died on NYC streets — five more than all of 2018. Earlier this week, Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD released details on a three-week initiative "aimed at reducing bike-related injuries and fatalities," per Gothamist.

The mayor had released this statement on Monday evening:

We are seeing a dangerous surge in cyclist deaths on our streets, and we are taking action. I have directed the NYPD to immediately launch a major enforcement action that will encompass every precinct and crack down on dangerous driving behavior like parking in bike lanes.

At the same time, I have charged the Department of Transportation with developing a new cyclist safety plan to make biking in our city safer. No loss of life on our streets is acceptable. Last year was the safest year on record — and we have to keep pushing the envelope and increasing our efforts until we achieve Vision Zero.

As one witness told us about this evening's police action: "The NYPD using their vehicle as a weapon on a bicycle adds another element to the unsafe conditions for cyclists in NYC."

Updated 7/6

The Post has part of a statement from the NYPD on the incident:

“When approached by officers, the individual jumped off his bike and it became wedged in between the police vehicle and a parked vehicle. Precinct leadership is reviewing the matter.”

Here’s what happened - Officers observed cyclist running through 2 red lights, wearing headphones while biking, & failing to comply w/ a lawful order. When approached by cops, cyclist jumped the bike & it became wedged between the police vehicle and a parked vehicle.

— NYPD DCPI (@NYPDDCPI) July 6, 2019

Breaking away

Jay Som — aka Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Melina Duterte — has her second record, Anak Ko, coming out on Aug. 23. The video here is for the recently released single "Superbike."

July 4 flashback

A few photos from last evening showing the 43rd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® launch ... pics via the vantage Bobby Williams had last evening near Avenue C...

'Tomboy' screens for free tonight in Tompkins Square Park via Films on the Green

The 2019 Films on the Green series — focusing this year on female directors in French and Francophone cinema — comes to Tompkins Square Park tonight for a free screening.

The selection is Céline Sciamma's charming (and well-reviewed) drama from 2011 titled "Tomboy."

Quickie overview:

A family with two daughters, 10-year-old Laure and 6-year-old Jeanne, moves to a new suburban neighborhood during the summer holidays. With her Jean Seberg haircut and tomboy ways, Laure is immediately mistaken for a boy by the local kids, and decides to pass herself off as a boy.

And the trailer...



The film will start at dusk (give or take a few minutes).

And next week in TSP:

• July 12 — "Aya of Yop City" (Aya of Yogoupon) Directed by Marguerite Abouet & Clément Oubrerie, 2010, 1h 24, France-Ivory Coast

Films on the Green is produced annually in New York City parks by the French Embassy, FACE Foundation and NYC Parks.

NYPD looking for suspect in an attempted sexual assault in Stuy Town

🚨WANTED🚨for a SEXUAL ASSAULT in the vicinity of Stuyvesant Oval #Manhattan @NYPD13Pct on 6/29/19 @ 5:10 AM 💰Reward up to $2500👓Seen him? Know who he is?☎️Call 1-800-577-TIPS or DM us!📞Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! #YourCityYourCall @NYPDDetectives @NYPDSVU @ABC7NY @fox5ny @NY1 pic.twitter.com/0a0AOyTo8e

— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) July 3, 2019

The NYPD is looking for a suspect who attacked a woman on the Stuy Town oval early last Saturday.

Town & Village has details:

The 20-year-old victim was walking near the M level exterior door of 7 Stuyvesant Oval around 5 a.m. when the suspect approached her from behind and grabbed her by the neck.

Police said that the victim resisted but she was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground when the suspect attempted to sexually assault her. Police said that another resident who was nearby came to the victim’s aid and called 911, after which the suspect fled on foot.

In response, ST-PCV has dispatched additional officers for patrol in both Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village, per Town & Village.

The Perv Busters, part of the Guardian Angels, have also distributed flyers about the suspect... this one was spotted along 14th Street...

The last word, perhaps, about Nobletree Coffee's closure on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

The Nobletree Coffee closure saga continues here on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place. After five-plus months in business, Nobletree Coffee abruptly closed on May 30.

According to a note from Nobletree, they were forced to close "because of the slow foot traffic at this location."

That reason didn't sit well with at least one person, who left this note on the door early last week:


[Photo by Todd O'Brien]

"Please don't blame the neighborhood for slow foot traffic. Maybe it was your mediocre coffee and bad service?

Sincerely,
East Village Residents

Well, that note didn't sit well with at least one other person, who then placed this note on the door...

East Village resident to note maker: Be real. The coffee was good. But the rents are too high!

To note maker. Please speak for yourself. Do not include the "EV residents" on your personal experience!!

Previously on EV Grieve:
East Village residents take exception with Nobletree Coffee's reason for closing

A July 4 moment at Gem Spa

Photo from Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place today by Derek Berg...

St. Mark's Market is back open

St. Mark's Market reopened this morning at 21 St. Mark's Place.

The 24/7 grocery-deli between Second Avenue and Third Avenue had been dark since Sunday...



Several readers said that they had closed for good. However, the manager at the Market this morning explained to EVG correspondent Steven that there were several issues. It started when a resident on the building's third floor complained about a gas leak. The fire department came on Sunday and shut the store down. The FDNY said they were leaking freon gas. The store’s technician disputed that finding, claiming that their refrigerator tanks were full.

Another issue: The manager pointed to a hole in the ceiling where a leak started from a residence upstairs...





For now, the perishable items have been removed...





Despite the loss of business in recent days, the manager said that they plan to do a major renovation to "look like a Whole Foods."

Young artists from Central America are creating this mural outside Key Food

Here's an in-progress look at the mural underway outside Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street.

Artolution — "a community-based public art organization that seeks to ignite positive social change through collaborative art making" — is behind this project.

View this post on Instagram

Here we go! After days of planning and developing their own characters, our young artists are diving in to the mural experience here in the East Village! Hailing from Central America, many have faced great struggles in their young lives, but their resilience is evident as they create an artistic monument for the whole city to experience. @artolution @kj3t @joelartista @theremustbemorelight @weareroyale @supportkind @styledwithsubstance #asylumseekers #immigrantart #muralart #communityart #youthempowerment #eastvillage #les #joelartista #youthpower #artolution #centroamerica

A post shared by Artolution (@artolution) on Jul 2, 2019 at 5:43am PDT

Desperately Seeking Bonnie

By now you've likely seen one of these flyers around — they're everywhere a la Guy Looking for a Girlfriend.

Anyway, if any budding Bonnies out there want to possibly be part of a "Bonnie and Clyde" remake. I do not know if this flyer, spotted on First Street, is legit. However, I feel obligated to pass this along – much like I did for Faye Dunaway many years earlier.

Wednesday's parting shot

Pre-Manhattanhenge action on Ninth Street this evening via Cecil Scheib ...

And the next chance for the actual Manhattanhenge is coming soon:

• Thursday, July 11 at 8:20 p.m. (full sun)
• Friday, July 12 at 8:21 p.m. EDT (half sun)

Report: Double-parked motorist arrested for striking 2 firefighters on 6th Street

The Post has a report on a double-parked motorist who hit two firefighters as she drove up on the curb to avoid their ladder truck.

Per the Post:

Victoria Sotomayor, 28, was double-parked near Avenue B and East 6th Street at about 2:30 p.m. [yesterday] when firefighters from a nearby firehouse parked at Avenue C and East 6th while responding to a call, sources said.

Sotomayor allegedly ran up to the firefighters and screamed at them, claiming they almost hit her car when they pulled into their parking spot, the sources said.

She then allegedly drove onto the curb to get around their ladder truck, but hit two firefighters in the process, injuring a 27-year-old smoke-eater’s hands, the sources said.

According to the Post, she drove off, and was caught be members of the NYPD and FDNY on Sixth Street at the FDR, where she was arrested. She was reportedly released with a desk appearance ticket for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

EVG Etc.: City finally vowing to (temporarily) do something about reckless drivers

[Ghost bike for East Village resident Chaim Joseph]

Now that 15 cyclists have been killed by cars or trucks on NYC streets already this year (up from 10 all of 2018), the NYPD yesterday announced that it is launching a citywide bicycle safety plan.

Per The Wall Street Journal:

Officers will step up enforcement of vehicles that speed, run red lights or fail to yield to pedestrians, NYPD officials said. They will also increase the ticketing of drivers who are texting or talking on their phone without a headset, the officials said.

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill also said at an unrelated press conference Tuesday that officers will also make sure bike lanes are clear of vehicles, especially police cars. Officers caught using bike lanes illegally may face a variety of internal administrative consequences, such as a reprimand from a supervisor or a disciplinary letter, he said.

And...

“We absolutely have an emergency on our hands,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday night during a television interview.

The enforcement will run through July 21.

Reactions:

• NYPD announces plan to temporarily improve bike safety after slew of cyclist deaths (Daily News)

• NYPD Promises To Crack Down On Reckless Drivers For A Few Weeks (Gothamist)

• NYPD’s Reckless Driver ‘Crackdown’ is a Breezy Three-Week Affair (Streetsblog)

• DOT’s Forthcoming ‘Cycling Safety Plan’ Won’t Likely Break the Car Culture (Streetsblog)

The NYPD's MO has been to ticket cyclists instead of drivers in areas where a fatality occurred.

Meanwhile, coming up next week, Transportation Alternatives is staging a “die-in” in Washington Square Park ...

Three cyclists were killed last week. Drivers have killed 15 people on bikes this year — more than double the number killed this time last year. pic.twitter.com/VLYOSEaYJm

— Transportation Alternatives (@TransAlt) July 2, 2019

Chaim Joseph, a 72-year-old East Village resident, was one of the 15 cycling victims this year. He was struck by a private oil truck shortly before 6 a.m. on Feb. 4 while he was riding in the bike lane near the intersection of Eighth Avenue and West 45th Street.

The NYPD arrested 56-year-old Queens resident Kenneth Jackson, who worked for Brooklyn-based Approved Oil company. Jackson was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. He faces a maximum of 30 days in jail — although such sentences are rare, as Streetsblog noted.

A tall stuffed bear for the holiday

Spotted on First Avenue this morning between Fifth Street and Sixth Street ... thanks to Jonathan Michael Fung for the photo.

Updated:

EVG reader Annie shared this photo... she noted that the bear is at least 7 feet tall...

Why you may not be able to see the July 4 fireworks from the usual places this year

[2018 6th Street rooftop view of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks]

In case you are planning to watch the 4th of July Fireworks tomorrow (July 4!) ... you're likely not going to have that view as in did in recent years from your neighbor's roof on Sixth Street (or wherever you may have had roof access...)

This year, Macy's has moved the barges to below the Brooklyn Bridge, which is the star of the show...



So...



Last year, the barges were placed on the river between 23rd Street and 40th Street ... Flashback!


[2018]

This year, the northernmost point that Macy's suggests on its Where-to-Watch map is Montgomery Street and Cherry Street.

And via the Macy's press release...

Since 1976, Macy’s Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry as they burst to life over many of New York City’s waterways and neighborhoods. Incorporating landmarks and celebratory milestones is a Macy’s Fireworks signature. Macy’s last showcased the Brooklyn Bridge when its structure served as the launchpad for key moments in the 2014 show.

This year’s presentation will add three times more pyrotechnic firepower as Macy’s creative team expands the design to include more dazzling and intricate effects firing from locations spanning the entire bridge. On Independence Day, millions of spectators will enjoy jaw-dropping effects launching from more than a dozen points off the famed Brooklyn landmark throughout the 25-minute display.

The fireworks start at 9:20 p.m. And for some reason if you're going to be driving around, here are street closures via NBC 4.

Mikey Likes It remains closed on Avenue A

[Photos by Steven]

Updated 7/16: Mikey's is back open

Last Thursday, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance seized Mikey Likes It for nonpayment of taxes, per the legal notices on the ice cream shop's front door on Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.



More than a dozen readers sent along photos of the closed gate ... the readers expressed hope that founder Michael "Mikey" Cole is able to get the shop up and running again.

Cole started the business from his parent's StuyTown apartment, where he grew up. He later opened his first outpost here on Avenue A in 2013 ... and later expanded to Harlem.

Mickey's took to Instagram to address the closure... noting the Mikey's truck is in action, though the shop will be closed for the rest of the July 4 holiday week ...

View this post on Instagram

We are restructuring our stores and will be closed this week until further notice. We will be updating everyone on the location of the truck daily. Sorry for the inconvenience. Stay Tuned! 🍦👍🏿

A post shared by Mikey Likes It Ice Cream (@mikeylikesiticecream) on Jul 1, 2019 at 3:12pm PDT