Doctor's orders: 'New Amsterdam' film notices arrive along Avenue A

Here's advance notice of a TV shoot happening in and around the Key Food region on Avenue at Fourth Street... cast and crew for the NBC medical drama "New Amserdam" will be filming around here next Wednesday, Feb. 17. 

This is the second production to set up here in recent months... crews for the Disney+ series "Hawkeye" — via Marvel Studios — were filming on Fourth Street at Avenue A in early December.

Local elected officials, NYCHA reps get firsthand look at the problems at Mariana Bracetti Plaza

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

In a follow up to our initial story on the living conditions at Mariana Bracetti Plaza housing, local elected officials, a representative from Community Board 3 and NYCHA deputies met with tenant activists Kanielle Hernandez and Yvette Maria this past Thursday to view the buildings and grounds and map a plan for change here on at the complex on Third Street and Fourth Street along Avenue C. 

Present were District 2 City Councilmember Carlina Rivera and her assistant Irak Cehonski, NYCHA Deputy Director for Security Safety Strategies Andre Cirilo, NYCHA Regional Asset Manager Brenda Allen, State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and his Chief of Staff John Blasco (who has been particularly active in assisting people living in public housing) and Community Board 3’s District Manager Susan Stetzer. 

The group did a walkthrough to inspect the conditions of the buildings, making note of what needed to be done on both city and state levels to effect change. 

During the tour, the group witnessed and discussed flooding, leaks, sewage and infrastructure issues, broken door locks, cracked pavements, sidewalk shed safety concerns, trespassing, nonfunctioning elevators, biohazards, and PSA4 (housing police) response, drug use and busted locks.

The tenant activists are hoping to start a tenant patrol and resident association, as well as partner with NYCHA and elected officials to bring about change in the quality-of-life conditions. 

After the tour, I talked with Kanielle to see what has happened after our story was published this past Jan. 14, what is currently occurring, and what she sees in the future.

How did you feel when your tenant activism brought together city, state, and NYCHA representatives to help fix the conditions you detailed in your interview?

I felt great. I walked away feeling hopeful and thankful. I know everyone is busy but having them all come and hear us was amazing. The energy was one of unity. We took turns talking and listening. It felt nice to meet them in person and actually interact with one another. 

A divided community doesn’t get heard. It gets abandoned and taken over. The more we come together and unite our skills and resources we can identify, understand, and resolve the issues more effectively. 

Can you speak a bit about what happened after the story was published?

 

Since the story has published it seems like a lot has happened. Sadly, though a man was shot and killed on the corner of Third Street and Avenue C. There has been a lot more police presence in the building and the community since the shooting. Our front door was also fixed. And there seems to be fewer drug addicts waiting around in front of our building.

 

The walkthrough was put together by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein’s team. They reached out to me after the story was published and set up a conference call. Harvey, Aura [Olavarria] and John [Blasco] have been great. I also met Carlina Rivera and her team and two NYCHA representatives. I have connected with a lot of new people from the neighborhood. Most of them also dealing with a lot of the same issues.

 

What do you see going forward? What are some of the resolutions proposed at today's meeting?

 
Moving forward I see a lot of positive results. I see more unity in agencies, NYPD and the community. 
 
NYCHA has a resident watch division. It’s a part of the tenant patrol program. Tenant patrol is currently inactive due to COVID. The resident watch has created a tip-line number, which can be reached anonymously. It’s for the tenants so they can now report things like homeless addicts sleeping in our hallway, or getting high in the staircases.
 
And for neighbors that allow their guests to disrespect our building with illegal activity or inconsiderate behavior. For example, groups of people smoking, drinking and playing loud music in the hallways. Or neighbors that let their dogs piss and shit in the hallways and don’t clean it up. 

For the tenants who refuse to stop smoking cigarettes in the elevators. Your apartment will be given a warning. The security cameras work and the resident watch department has access to them. 
 
I would hate to see anyone lose their apartment over things that can be adjusted. Wait until you go outside to light your cigarette. Play your music but if the walls are vibrating then it’s just a li’l too loud. I’m not saying stop playing the music, I’m asking to simply lower it to a reasonable and considerate volume. Remind your guests when they visit to act accordingly. 

And if they are visiting you and are caught soliciting in the hallway or staircase then your apartment will receive a warning. A second warning will be an official complaint to management. Hopefully, tenants and their guests will get on board with the new boundaries set in place with the intention to restore peace and safety in our building. 
 
Another NYCHA representative took pictures and noted the building conditions and said she would work on NYCHA’s part. And the elected officials are doing their part by staying on top of the issues and working toward getting outreach programs for the homeless. Everyone seems on board with working together to rectify the issues at hand. 

And I have been busy with research, emails, meetings, and tons of phone calls. Gaining knowledge is imperative to pursuing this the right way. Along with a lot of patience and gratitude. 
 
What are some of the reactions (positive or negative) you received from neighbors?

The story received such positive feedback! And a lot of support, which I’m extremely grateful for. It’s been super encouraging. To the people who left such nice comments, thank you! You’re awesome and appreciated. It showed me that I wasn’t the only one with the same feelings and concerns for the conditions of our building and neighborhood. 
 
There actually hasn’t been much in terms of negative reactions. At least none that I’m aware of. Hopefully, I’m not jinxing it [laughs]. But my intention is not to cause any more negativity. I don’t know what the future holds for our building and our community as a whole, but I do intend to continue speaking up until we see the changes we want and deserve.
 
Anyone — all inquiries will remain anonymous — interested in hearing more or has any questions and/or concerns can email us at ourcommunityisyourcommunityles@gmail.com and/or sign the petition here.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Residents say dangerous safety conditions at Mariana Bracetti Plaza lead to illegal and hazardous activities

• Another look at conditions in and around the Mariana Bracetti Plaza public housing complex  

Reader report: A mini return of the former Stuyvesant Market on 14th Street and Avenue A?

Last month, we told you that a "deli & grocery" is in the works for the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue A. 

Turns out that you may spot some familiar faces here one day: A tipster tells us that employees from the former Stuyvesant Market that was on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Avenue A are behind this new venture. (They've been working at another deli these recent years, per the tipster.)

As you may recall, Stuyvesant Market, as well as several other businesses, burned down in May 2010. According to published reports, the fire started at Pete's-a-Pizza, where a welder was working on a fire-access door.

The shell of the storefronts remained empty... and eventually Extell's EVGB development arrived, where the Target sits in the corner space where the market once stood.

As for the under-renovation storefront (currently paused due to a Stop Work Order), Dion Cleaners held down this corner for 35 years ... until this past November.

H/T Michael Paul!

Village Dream Tattoo & Piercing shop has apparently closed

A tipster shared that the Village Dream Tattoo & Piercing shop has closed at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. Workers were seen removing the fixtures this past Thursday.

No word on if the business moved... or simply closed.

Village Dream was a holdover from the previous landlord, and lasted a surprisingly long time after Icon Realty bought the building in the fall of 2013. (As we've seen, existing businesses don't always stick around too long after Icon takes over.)

The other longtime previous tenant at the address, The Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed in March 2016. Stage owner Roman Diakun had been involved in an ongoing legal/eviction battle with Icon Realty. More recently. Nolita Pizza closed here last June.

Photo by Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Tenants rally for better living conditions at 128 2nd Ave.; file contempt of court motion vs. landlord Icon Realty

Succession to the throne on 2nd Avenue

In a battle for the crown, Vic has apparently lost out... an EVG reader shared this photo from Second Avenue and Fourth Street, where the queer-friendly English-style pub Queen Vic is now simply going as Queen.

Queen, from the owners of Boiler Room next door, has not been open since the PAUSE went into effect last March.

Queen Vic opened in September 2010, putting an end to the carousel of bars here, including 2x4, Ambiance and Evolution.

Monday's parting shot

Photo on Second Avenue today by Derek Berg...

Gov. Cuomo to allow the return of indoor dining – at 25 percent — on Friday

After a two-month shutdown, Gov. Cuomo today stated that NYC restaurants can reopen for indoor dining (at 25-percent capacity) starting on Friday... two days earlier than his previous announcement of Feb. 14.

Per NBC 4:

In New York City, new case and rolling hospitalization averages are both down by double-digit percentage points over the last seven days compared with the weekly average for the prior four weeks. Deaths are down, too, though by a lesser degree.

"We respond to the data, we respond to the facts that we face today. The facts may change tomorrow and then we will change with the facts," Cuomo said Monday. "The enemy changes tactics, we adjust with the enemy. But the numbers are down now."

Statewide, data shows daily positivity rates have declined for a full month, while the number of people hospitalized (7,716) is the lowest total since Dec. 28. The state's rolling seven-day positivity rate is the lowest since Dec. 2 (4.42 percent).

Cuomo originally ended indoor dining in the city after two-plus months ahead of an expected holiday-related spike in COVID-19 positivity rates. As Eater and other outlets have noted, the state's own data reported that 1.4 percent of COVID-19 cases came from restaurants and bars compared to nearly 74 percent for private indoor gatherings during the fall.

Meanwhile, according to published reports, 74 NYC restaurants have filed a motion to reopen at 50-percent capacity.

Photo from this past fall of Lavagna by Stacie Joy

City's first plant-based community fridge is up and running outside Overthrow on Bleecker Street

Yesterday saw the debut of what organizers are calling the city's first plant-based community fridge outside Overthrow Boxing Club at 9 Bleecker St. just west of the Bowery.

Power Malu, a community activist and organizer, and Eloísa Trinidad, executive director at Chilis on Wheels New York and Vegan Activist Alliance, are spearheading these efforts here with the help of many volunteers as well as Overthrow.  

In a statement on Instagram, the organizers stated: 

This pandemic has forced us to take a deep look at the effects of food insecurity in our communities and the health disparities that have plagued our families for decades. We are really excited to collaborate with great people who understand the importance of offering healthy alternatives to our communities in need. This will be the first plant-based fridge in NYC and definitely not the last.

The fridge is open 24/7. People can drop off donations, including new or gently used (clean) clothes, at Overthrow from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. 

Here are some common plant-based foods in high demand ...  (per the organizers: no meat, cow, goat milk/cheese or heavily processed foods):

Fresh produce (ALL greens, fruits, and vegetables )
Plant-based milks
Peanut Butter
Fruit preserves (jam)
Whole wheat bread or other whole grain bread
Plain dry pasta
Plain Tomato Sauce or Marinara Sauce
Plain Canned Veggies
Plain Rice
Beans, lentil and other legumes (canned or dried)
Applesauce

Clothes:
All sizes, all genders. (Please no fur coats.)
Coats
Socks (new)
Undergarments (new)
Gloves
Sweatshirts, sweaters and other long sleeve shirts
Pants
T-shirts OK, but no other summer clothes such as dresses, tank top etc.
Thermals
Winter Hats
Water resistant clothing
Boots
Sneakers
Backpacks
Sleeping bags
Hygiene Products/Toiletries

People can volunteer to clean the fridge or help sort clothes and nonperishable foods by signing up via the QR code:

You can also use this email: plantbasedcommunityfridge@gmail.com

There's a link here to donate to a GoFundMe to help maintain this community fridge as well as one in the Bronx and Queens.

The fridge has an Instagram account here. Artist Andrea Acevedo painted the fridge. And thank you to Danielle for the top photo and information.

This also marks the second community fridge in the neighborhood. The East Village Neighbors Fridge debuted last fall outside S'MAC on the northwest corner of First Avenue and 12th Street.

Our dwindling number of diners

Back on Friday, we reported that the Lower East Side Coffee Shop, which opened in 2008, is now in the legal possession of the landlord here on 14th Street just west of Avenue A. 

Gov. Cuomo's moratorium on commercial evictions expired on Jan. 31 The posted eviction notice is dated Feb. 4...

Cuomo is advancing legislation to extend the statewide moratorium to May 1. 

News of the closure prompted conversations about the dwindling number of diners left in the neighborhood. While the Lower East Side Coffee Shop was on the new-ish side, it had an old-school vibe, thanks in part to the neon signage that was a welcome sight alongside the Domino's, Trader Joe's and Target.

Elsewhere: Little Poland, which opened in 1985 at 200 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street, has been closed since last March. 

At the start of the year, the diner's Instagram account posted a New Year's wish... with a note saying: "We ... hope we get to see all your beautiful faces soon!"

The storefront remains frozen in March 2020 time...

Meanwhile, as you know, Odessa, which dates to the mid-1960s on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, closed in July. Longtime manager Dennis Vassilatos said that Odessa was shutting down after a prolonged slump in business due to COVID-19.

Closer to the last day, however, co-owner Steve Helios told Gothamist that Odessa was only closing temporarily, that the space would be renovated. (The building's landlord is Odessa partner Mike Skulikidis.)

To date, seven months later, no work has been done on the space... here's a look from this past weekend...

As for what remains open. Two institutions, Veselka, 144 Second Ave. at Ninth Street, and B&H Diary, 127 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place, are doing their best under trying circumstances. (Noting: Some purists will say that Veselka is more of a restaurant than a diner, having evolved from its 1950s and 1960s roots, and that B&H is more of a lunch counter. You can debate that in the comments.)

Kitchen Sink, a (slightly) more upscale diner, remains open at 88 Second Ave. at Fifth Street...

The former Moonstruck Diner (as of October 2015) turned off a few die-hards with the arrival at the time of flat-screen TVs and drinks served in mason jars. (Pandemic aside, operating a diner in NYC is always a tough business with rising costs and changing tastes.)

---

Updated: Adding Remedy (b. 2007) here over at 245 E. Houston St. at Norfolk.

---

And not too far away, there's the Famous Cozy Soup 'n' Burger at 739 Broadway near Astor Place... (this photo is from last summer when they reopened after a five-month hiatus) ...

The diner is struggling to afloat with the downturn in activity (students, tourists, office workers) along this corridor. Manager John Stratidis, who has worked here since age 9, was featured on NY1 back in the fall. His father and uncle opened the diner in 1972. 

Cozy fan Adam Sandler gave them a nice shout-out on Instagram in late December, but the hits keep on coming. Last week, the blizzard wiped out their outdoor dining section. 

Their crowdfunding campaign continues. 

Kyuramen debuts on 14th Street

Kyuramen had its soft opening last week here at 210 E. 14th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

As previously reported, this is the second NYC outpost for the fast-expanding global chain that has 120 locations in Asia. (Four more Kyuramens are slated for the metropolitan area, per its website.) 

Kyuramen is open daily starting at 11 a.m. for takeout and delivery. You can find their menu here. There's also a dedicated Instagram account for the 14th Street shop. 

Chickpea was the last tenant at No. 210, closing in April 2018.

Casse-Cou Chocolate bringing vegan treats to 4th Street

There's a new era for chocolate at 63 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery... Sebastian Brecht's OCD Chocolate Shop has been revamped... as he teamed up with plant-based celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to launch Casse-Cou Chocolate, a vegan chocolate store and online marketplace.

Per VegNews, who first reported on this transition: 

The brand will offer a variety of artisanal confections made with free-trade chocolate, including pralines, ganaches, truffles, and chocolate bars. Kenney developed the concept in partnership with Chef Sebastian Brecht with the mission of elevating confections to the level of fine wine and cuisine without hurting animals. 

The offerings at Casse-Cou will include bars and bonbons in flavor combinations such as Pistachio, Saffron, and Caramel; Maca and Goji; Pedro Ximenez (a type of wine grape) and Salted Largueta Almond; and Black Currant and Yogurt. 

The shop is expected to open today (and in time for Valentine's Day). 

This is the latest East Village-based concept for Kenney, whose nearby vegan restaurants include Plant Food + Wine and Sestina.

Sunday snowday

Snow continues to fall this afternoon on Seventh Street and Avenue B (see above!) — and elsewhere in the metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service reported three inches of new snow in Central Park earlier this afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 9 p.m. 

Also, as you likely noticed, the city suspended curbside (streeteries) dining today... however, restaurants with sidewalk seats are allowed to remain in service...

Week in Grieview

Posts from this past week included ... (with a photo from First Avenue and 10th Street by Derek Berg) ...

• Get your Sex, Love & Vintage this month at 3rd and B'zaar on 3rd Street (Monday) 

• The Marshal seizes the Lower East Side Coffee Shop on 14th Street (Friday) 

• It blizzard-ed (Monday ... and here and here and here, for starters) 

• RIP Ricky Powell (Tuesday) 

• The return of the anonymous, animal-loving snow shoveler of the East Village (Friday)

• Mystery pianist playing some snow tunes on 3rd Street (Tuesday) 

• About that rolled-up carpet in the crosswalk (Friday) 

• The latest single from Phony Express: "Pickup On 11th Street (Richie's Guitar Shop Bop)" (Friday) 

 • With Gino Sorbillo bowing out, there's another pizzeria slated for 334 Bowery (Monday)

 • Anniversaries! No. 22 for Lavagna (Monday) No. 6 C&B Cafe (Thursday) 

 • This week's NY See panel finds a solitary figure in a snowbound First Avenue (Thursday)

• Gallery Watch heads to Super Dutchess (Friday) 

• Happy birthday Ray! (Saturday) 

• Former Snowdays space will yield a sushi counter on 10th Street (Wednesday) 

• Space where Momofuku got its start is for rent on 1st Avenue (Thursday) 

• Thanks to Mighty Quinn's, Otto's Tacos is making a (virtual) return (Wednesday) 

• Deli in the works for the SE corner of Avenue C and 10th Street (Wednesday) 

• Snowplow collides with the Iggy's curbside space on Ludlow Street (Thursday) 

• Another pizzeria slinging 99-cent slices coming to 14th Street (Wednesday)

---

Follow EVG on Instragram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics.

Construction watch: Amelia and Christo's first nest for 2021

In recent days, Amelia and Christo, the resident red-tailed hawks of Tompkins Square Park, have started building their first nest of the season in preparation of starting and raising the 2021 fam ... and it appears to be in the same locust tree as last year's edition (in the area called Sandra Turner Garden near Temperance Fountain) ... 

Steven took these photos of the construction process... (work permits have yet to be posted with the city...)

and a nest break later...

As Goggla reported, Hurricane Isaisa wiped out their nest last summer... and also as Goggla has noted, the hawks will usually build a few nests before deciding on one (sort of their version of "Love It or List It"). It likely that Amelia and Christo may not make this one permanent, as hawk watchers noticed a broken limb here.

Anyway, be sure to follow Goggla for more on the hawk activity this breeding season.

And here are a few more constrcution shots via Mark H. ...

Sunday's opening shot

Been waiting a long time for a pink bear to see pink flamingos ... photo on Ninth Street before the snow today by Steven...

Saturday's parting shot

The carpet and barricades have been removed from the southwest corner of Third Avenue and Astor Place... no more walking on the man here. 

Photo today by Steven...

Ray's 88th birthday at Ray's Candy Store goes global with virtual greetings

Earlier this week, a few friends stopped by Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A to wish Ray a happy 88th birthday... (given the pandemic, there wan't any type of in-person celebration as in previous years — a tradition dating to 2007).

Gifts included mini cheesecakes from Veniero's that spelled out R-A-Y ...

Ray also watched the birthday video tributes that people recorded for him...

Greetings came in from Australia, Mexico, Chile, Italy, England, France and Spain. (There's video at the shop's Instagram account.) 

Per the Ray's Instagram account (where these photos came from):

[T]o everyone who has checked in on Ray and Co. throughout this very trying and weird year, or ordered delivery or something from the to-go window, or sent a tweet or encouraging note on Facebook and Instagram, THANK YOU. Ray truly loves you. You are all his family and mean the world to him. He can't wait to see more of you soon enough.

David Duchovny's childhood room with a graveyard view on 2nd Avenue

On the occasion of his new novel, The New Yorker has a short interview in this week's issue (meant to note this in the links wrap on Thursday!) with David Duchovny. For the article, the star of "The X-Files" and "Californication" revisits the East Village of his youth. He grew up across the way from St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue and 10th Street. (His mother still lives nearby.)

Excerpt!

"See the lights on the corner there? On the third floor? Two windows down. That was my bedroom, and this was my view." He gestured toward the churchyard. "It’s a weird view. It's a graveyard. We used to play baseball there. The headstones were flat, and we used them as bases." Just then, the bells began to chime. "Wow," he said. "I'm gonna dissolve."

Read the piece here.  

Photo via @davidduchovny

Saturday's opening shot

The early morning sky today from Avenue A and Seventh Street...

Junior achievement

 

Today, Seattle's KEXP is streaming its 9th annual International Clash Day (until 10 p.m. NYC time!) ... The radio station is celebrating the band and the messages of anti-fascism, anti-racism and pro-inclusion that they champion in their music. 

Aside from playing music by the Clash and other projects by its members, the station has been highlighting the many musicians who were so influential to the band (and many other artists). 

One example... Junior Murvin, the Jamaican musician best known for the single "Police and Thieves" — co-written with Lee "Scratch" Perry — in 1976. The Clash covered the song on their self-titled 1977 debut. 

 As Conseuqence of Sound previously noted, Murvin's Police and Thieves record "is a must-own album for any Clash fan with a taste for reggae." 

And:

Midway through a widely bootlegged 1979 show at the Palladium [now an NYU dorm on 14th Street!] in New York City, Strummer tries to make that very point. "You ought to hear Junior Murvin doing that tune," Joe said after "Police and Thieves." "He can sing in a voice as high as this roof."