Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Reader mailbag: What to do about the dog that barks all day long
Via the EVG inbox...
In the past few weeks there has been a dog (possibly dogs) that has been barking loudly, early, and all day from the shared courtyard toward the west side of the block between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place ... and First Avenue and Second Avenue.
It's a courtyard that is highly audible to everyone in the surrounding buildings, and people yelling outside the window haven't stopped whatever person is leaving their dog outside all day.
Has anyone else had this problem, or know what can be done to help? Without a specific address or knowing which building is providing the courtyard access, there's no real way to report to the city through 311. Any neighborhood help is appreciated.
Image via Emojipedia!
Another mission to feed those in need in the neighborhood
With a healthy budget this time around ($972 donated entirely from EVG readers) combined with a more focused and streamlined setup, the anonymous restaurateur couple set out to feed and provide clothing and personal-care items to 72 of our neighbors without fixed addresses.
Shying away from increased media attention, the couple had caught the eye of the local NBC News affiliate, though ultimately deciding to turn down the coverage in order to focus on the mission, which is helping others and not drawing the spotlight onto themselves.
A lot had been learned from all the previous missions (here, here and here), and a better sense of how to shop, source, and set-up the service had been crafted.
The family knew where to go and what items might be most needed. They learned how to best approach people, preserving their dignity, and how to best get assistance (harm-reduction supplies like an opioid-overdose-reversal kit) to those who may benefit.
They learned to ask people what they may want for lunch, to approach it from a service offering rather than forcing food on them.
And with that knowledge a clearer sense of who might not be receptive to the delivering of meals and goods from the vehicle.
The couple knew who may need some of the special stock of goods kept to the side (dog food, extra pineapple juice and cookies for those with a desire for sugar), women’s clothes and personal-hygiene kits for the women who had approached us, red-faced, before asking for underwear, bras and sanitary pads.
When this recent day of service was completed, the couple told me they might need to recalibrate, streamline and look in the future for a way to partner with more people in the city and community to help.
These projects are time-consuming and between planning, sourcing, shopping, prepping, cooking, assembling, packaging and serving it takes a lot out of the team. This run includes a special shout-out to Leslie Feinberg at Subject for baking 72 individually wrapped cookies, to Christopher Pugliese at Tompkins Square Bagels for making bagel chips to accompany the couple’s hummus dip, and EV Loves NYC for the gift of individual hand sanitizers sprays for the personal-care kits.
Says the couple: "Desperation is increasing, more folks needing food, and are asking for money, food and supplies as more people lose work, their homes. The need is growing, and the situation is only going to increase."
Former Hotel Tortuga space now slinging 99-cent slices on 14th Street
This space was previously Hotel Tortuga, the inexpensive Mexican restaurant that bowed out at the start of 2020 after 10 years in business under two sets of owners.
AO Bowl signage arrives on St. Mark's Place
Workers put up the signage yesterday for AO Bowl, a quick-serve, plant-based Japanese restaurant specializing in acai and rice bowls and smoothies here at 131 First Ave. (aka 82 St. Mark's Place).
We first mentioned this arrival in July 2019 (previously going as
Eiyō Bowl). The AO Instagram account lists an October 2020 opening.Workers have gutted this single-level structure on the corner ... and dividing the storefront into three retail spaces. The other new tenant here will be the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop.
The previous occupant, Foot Gear Plus, closed in July 2018 at this time after nearly 40 years in business.
Thanks to Steven for the photo!Report: Locals fear the 'crumbling' former P.S. 64
The Daily News reports that residents and local preservationists have concerns that the long-vacant P.S. 64 building — described as "crumbling" — on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C poses a threat to the community.
Per the News:
Village Preservation executive director Andrew Berman said the building’s sorry state resembles that of 729 Seventh Ave. in Midtown — now the center of a contentious lawsuit over the death of a woman struck by debris that fell some 15 stories from a crumbling façade.“We don’t want another situation like [that], where a combination of owner and city neglect leaves a dangerous situation unaddressed and an innocent bystander suffers the consequences. Conditions at this building are ripe for just such a tragedy,” Berman said.Carolyn Ratcliffe, the president of the 9 BC Tompkins Square Block Association, lives next door to the building. Dreading the possibility of an accident, she makes a point to always walk on the other side of the street when nearby.
And the response from landlord Gregg Singer?
His lawyer Nicole Epstein said comparing Singer’s sorry building to the Midtown tragedy was unfair, given that he’s built a sidewalk shed at the property. Neighbors complaining about its condition had also opposed Singer’s proposals to develop the property into college dorms, she noted.“It’s quite ironic and hypocritical,” Epstein said.
On Feb. 6, 2019, the city evacuated adjacent buildings after discovering cracks at the onetime CHARAS/El Bohio community center ... and later issued a Full Vacate Order.
City inspectors eventually determined that the building was safe, but did issue a violation to Singer for failure to maintain the exterior facade, per Curbed.
Singer told Curbed at the time: "It’s all political. This is part of a concerted effort to put pressure on us. I was just at the building. There's definitely cracks — that we were already aware of — that will be pointed and repaired, but there’s no immediate danger."
Singer, who bought the property from the city during an auction in 1998, has wanted to turn the building into a dorm called University Square. The DOB continues to maintain a Stop Work Order — dating to August 2015 — on the building.
City inspectors eventually determined that the building was safe, but did issue a violation to Singer for failure to maintain the exterior facade, per Curbed.
Singer told Curbed at the time: "It’s all political. This is part of a concerted effort to put pressure on us. I was just at the building. There's definitely cracks — that we were already aware of — that will be pointed and repaired, but there’s no immediate danger."
Singer, who bought the property from the city during an auction in 1998, has wanted to turn the building into a dorm called University Square. The DOB continues to maintain a Stop Work Order — dating to August 2015 — on the building.
Monday, October 19, 2020
Monday's parting shot
In sink
Anyway, lots of handwashing options for the cast and crew... photo by Derek Berg.
Updated:
The filming is for "Tick, Tick... Boom!" — a musical drama film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda based on the semi-autobiographical musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson. The cast includes Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens, Judith Light and Bradley Whitford.
A farewell parade through the East Village for Jack Finelli
EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos...The East Village lost a longtime community member, John Robert ("Jack") Finelli, this past July. Jack was born Jan. 30, 1936, in Jackson Heights, Queens. He moved to the Lower East Side in 1968, where he stayed until September 2018.With an accounting degree from New York University, Jack helped countless local residents and businesses with their taxes through tough times, including the famous Electric Circus, Whole Earth Bakery and the Theater for the New City.A lifelong student of health and spirituality, he traveled to Mexico and studied macrobiotics with pioneer Michio Kushi in 1983, and was known for making tofu in his East Fifth Street walk-up, where he lived for 43 years. Jack was also a lover of acting and music, and contributed to performances and workshops at many theaters and gardens around lower Manhattan. Jack helped produce the 2007 film "To My Great Chagrin" about his longtime friend, comedian Brother Theodore.He was a beloved member of the De Colores and Campos community gardens, where he remained active until suffering a debilitating stroke in late 2018. Jack passed peacefully in his sleep on July 24, 2020. He is survived by his sister, Judith Finelli-Thomsen and his son, Joshua Weeks.
This is the new building slated for the corner of 6th Street and Avenue C
There has been development talk for this lot dating to 2003. A former gas station, this corner has been vacant since the the early 1980s. According to DOB records, the 6-floor building will include 11 residential units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility. The city approved the application in May 2019 and issued a partial work permit in late July. The rendering shows an aggressive fall 2021 completion date.
Meanwhile, the lot remains the same behind the plywood...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Popeyes now open on 1st Avenue
EVG contributor Stacie Joy took this photo of the franchise owner (left) with his Popeyes team on opening day...
Anyone try this new outpost?
Previously on EV Grieve:
Glaze Teriyaki Grill closes on 4th Avenue
Glaze Teriyaki Grill is out of business on Fourth Avenue ... the latest quick-serve casualty here between 13th Street and 14th Street... joining Melt Shop (RIP February) and Liquiteria (RIP late 2019) ...
Glaze opened here in August 2012. It is survived by two other locations in NYC as well as outposts in Chicago and San Francisco.A full reveal at 202 Avenue A
Just noting that workers recently removed the sidewalk bridge from in front of 202 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street ... providing a full reveal of the gut-renovated building called the Topanga.
As previously reported, workers added a horizontal and vertical enlargement of the existing 4-floor structure, doubling the total square footage from 5,334 to 10,920. There are 10 residences here, including a duplex penthouse with a private terrace. No word on pricing.
Highpoint Property Group bought No. 202 in a deal that closed in late 2017 for $6.75 million, according to public records.
And next door, No. 204 will rise to seven stories, yielding 10 co-operative units for fixed-income housing.
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Week in Grieview
Posts from this past week include...
• City committee says no to air-rights transfer for 3 St. Mark's Place (Thursday)
• An Art Attack at East River Park (Monday)
• The East Village Community Fridge is out of order after someone tipped it over (Monday)
• Checking in on Cafe Himalaya (Wednesday)
• Halloween at Trash & Vaudeville (Friday)
• Halloween at Economy Candy (Tuesday)
• Outdoor comedy fundraisers continue for the Sixth Street Community Center (Tuesday)
• This week's NY See panel (Thursday)
• Factory Tamal reopens today on 4th Street after a short break (Wednesday)
• A look back at Saturday's Avenue B flea (Tuesday)
• The Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition looking for a few good volunteers (Friday)
• Best Price Deli & Grocery is closing on 1st Avenue (Thursday)
• Beard Papa's bringing the cream puffs to St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)
• Openings: A10 Kitchen on Avenue A (Thursday)
• 9 Avenue B is for rent for the first time in eons (Wednesday)
• Saigon Market has closed on University Place (Monday)
• The Bronx Brewery makes it official on 2nd Avenue (Thursday)
... and sorry to hear about the passing of Jean Michaud, a longtime regular presence on First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... the folks at City Lore on the block posted this tribute...
Top photo from the FDR Pedestrian Overpass at 10th Street
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Reader report: A gas leak and bureaucracy
An EVG reader shared details about a gas leak reported on Thursday afternoon at 91 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.
From Thursday:
Workers came, dug a hole, turned off the gas set up a half-assed looking barricade and left.
ConEd on the phone said this is an "emergency situation" and therefore there were no notifications, no instructions. no information for residents.
Also said a replacement valve was "on order" and the job was in progress.
Residents (several elderly) and businesses are currently without hot water or gas for cooking.
And a weekend update:
There was a "pressure change" detected on the main line feeding into the building from the street. A gas smell was reported by someone either on the street or a resident.Several years ago (3-4?) there was an un-regulated repair on the water/sewer lines leading into 93 First Avenue that exposed more than 4 feet of gas line for 91 First Ave., which then had to be emergency-repaired by ConEd/the City.They replaced an entire block of gas line up from Fourth Street to Sixth Street at that time but left the OVER-100 year-old connector valves that actually feed into these 114-year old buildings.
So...Thursday afternoon there was a leak on our valve reported (No. 91) and ConEd came, dug a hole and said, "We're just here to dig the hole and turn it off."
Apparently, once the gas is shut off, it is no longer considered an "emergency" and since the valve "needed to be ordered" AND it happened on a Thursday work will not commence until Monday at the soonest IF they get the part delivered on time.
That means everyone in this building, during a pandemic, is currently without heat and hot water for bathing or working stoves for cooking for what will be at least four-five days.
With no notice, no support and no information from any agency involved. Residents had to call up multiple city offices to find out what was even happening.
Noted
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Saturday's parting shot
Longtime East Village resident Greg Masters (and a friend to this site) hosted a socially distant mini-book launch today in Tompkins Square Park. His new book of poems, "It Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This," will officially be released in December.
Greg is on the right in the photo above... with Gary Ray in the middle and Peter Bushyeager to the left.
Thanks to Steven for the photo!
At the XR Youth NYC flea market in Tompkins Square Park today
Happy No. 18 to Otto's Shrunken Head
To celebrate, Otto's has debuted a new T-shirt for sale.
The bar is open today and tomorrow from 4-11 p.m. here between Avenue A and Avenue B.
Photo via Instagram
EVG Etc.: Kim Gordon's new book; Luc Sante's East Village tour
An inside look at Rosella, now serving sushi on Avenue A (Eater ... previously on EVG)
NYC restaurants OK'd to use outdoor heaters this winter (Gothamist)
An interview with Chloë Sevigny outside B&H Dairy (The New Yorker)
Not sure why, but Fat Buddha is currently without a liquor license (Instagram)
Syringe-wielding man robs the Marhsalls on East Houston (BB)
Kim Gordon on her visual memoir "No Icon" (The Cut)
A look at "Wojnarowicz: F*** You F****t F***er," which pays homage to David Wojnarowicz (IndieWire)
Looking back at the last show — Patti Smith! — at CBGB (Far Out)
Keep Cozy Soup N Burger in your diner plans on Broadway at Astor Place (Instagram)
Diversions: An interview with the people who bought the diner from "Twin Peaks" (Grub Street)
And the story many people have been talking about in recent days: author Luc Sante's historical tour of the East Village (The New York Times)
We appreciated Sante's use of the Death Star in the interview to describe 51 Astor Place. And look who we roused!
LUC, HE IS MY FATHER!
— 51 Death Star (@51deathstar) October 15, 2020
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