The photography of John Marshall Mantel

I've only recently been introduced to the work of East Village resident John Marshall Mantel, a freelance photographer who shoots for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Here is a selection of his work that I like from his photo blog...

Papa John's invades First Avenue

Well, the cabbie-favorite Medina on First Avenue between 12th Street and 13th Street shuttered back in April...



...and now, a Papa John's is opening in the space at 120 First Ave.



[author unsure of what to write now]

Meet the woman selling NYU to the East Village

Capital's Sarah Laskow checks in with a profile on Alicia Hurley, NYU's vice president for government affairs and community engagement, in a piece titled "Thank you for not hating NYU."

Lots of interesting passages. Here are two from the intro:

With this latest expansion, N.Y.U. is trying harder than ever before to present a friendly face to a neighborhood that for decades has rallied against its development projects. The anger about N.Y.U.’s expansion focuses on the insistence of the university — an entity whose profile is increasingly global, and corporate — that it belongs in the Village, one of the few places in Manhattan, as long-time Villagers say, where you can still see the sky.

Hurley is N.Y.U.’s primary ambassador to its neighbors, and when she descends from the 12th floor of Bobst, she carries that chilly corporatism with her, in the form of a coterie of lawyers, sharp PowerPoint presentations, and bland, purposeful phrases to describe plans that will mean, in some cases, tearing down homes.

[Photo by Sarah Laskow]

There is some cheaper beer at Queen Vic

We noted the opening of Queen Vic on Monday... and many of the comments regarded the eatery's pricy pints of Bass and Guinness for $8.50... Maybe the owners heard us. As the chalkboard sign shows out front, they can be more thrifty....

Sludge metal band looking for drummer, vocalist

Spotted on the Bowery...




If interested, then here's the contact info:



Meanwhile, Rush! Maybe a little too early in the morning for this, but...

East Village rezoning receives key approval

This arrived in the inbox from the The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP):

The City Planning Commission voted to approve rezonings in the Far West Village (Washington and Greenwich Streets) and the East Village (3rd and 4th Avenue corridors) ...

Each of these rezonings will go a long way towards protecting and reinforcing the residential character of these neighborhoods, and preventing inappropriate development.

Please note, however, that approval of these rezonings is NOT yet final, and does not yet take effect. They must still be approved by the City Council, which will consider and vote on them in the next few weeks. Once approved at the Council, their provisions will take effect.

The 3rd/4th Avenue rezoning will never again allow buildings like the 26-story NYU dorm on East 12th Street to be built...

The Post helpfully diagrams yesterday's AC accident

Here's their story. As for the photo illustration that accompanied the piece in the paper, a little cartoony...but effective...

Protest planned for reconfigured Avenues

[Image via Neighborhodr]

The reconfigured First Avenue and Second Avenue (bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian islands, etc.) have been a popular topic in recent months... and now an LES resident is organizing a protest about the changes...

As you can see from the flyer above, there's a protest planned for Friday, Oct. 15... I contacted Leslie Sicklick, whose name appears on the signs. She's helping organize the event...

Her background:
I was born and raised on the Lower East Side. I am a third-generation Lower East Sider. My dad's parents came here from Russia and lived on the Lower East Side since the 1920. My mother's mother came to the Lower East Side also in the 1920s. Unlike many people, my parents did not move and raised me and my brother down on the Lower East Side. I grew up in the bad days of the 1970s, so I have seen the neighborhood change. I have also been a driver since 1995, often taking my mom, who is handicapped, shopping.

On why she's doing this:
My father raised me to get involved and, if you don't like something, take a stand, which is what I am doing. My biggest complaint is, because of the bike lanes, New York is becoming impossible for drivers. I used to go to 1st Avenue for dinner, shopping and was able to park my car. My other complaint is with how dangerous some bike riders are and how nasty they are. I was walking across the bike lane on 1st Avenue and was almost hit. I was yelled at — that I should get out of the bike lane. Who the hell are these bikers? They probably have not even been living in East Village for very long. What are my rights? I have lived here all my life.

Also, there are fewer spaces for businesses to deliver food, packages. Do bikers bring in business to the City? No they don't, and many stores are losing business because there is less space for people to park and come into the stores.



What she hopes to accomplish:
I guess what I hope to accomplish is to get the message out there to Mayor Bloomberg to change bike lanes so they are not against the sidewalks where people are trying to cross. Bikes don't stop like cars do for lights — they keep going. Bike lanes also attract people on rollerblades, skateboards, runners ... I am not saying all of them are bad.

By Mayor Bloomburg, the idiot, doing this is punishing drivers and rewarding bad behavior of bike riders. Bike riders never stay in bike lanes. Also, how many bike riders are out there compared to drivers? I'd also like to know what is going to happen in the winter when there is snow and ice. What a waste.

This is New York, not Amsterdam. I believe Mayor Bloomberg is killing New York, and changed any character it used to have. I don't miss the City being so bad, but at least it had some character.



Previously.

The sum of all fears

Awful news yesterday, of course: An AC unit fell six stories from an apartment window, bouncing off an awning below and striking a 67-year-old man on Second Avenue.

While reading through the retweets about this story on Twitter, a theme quickly emerged: Many people said that getting hit in the head by a falling AC was their worst fear/nightmare. Well, sure — why not?

Life always hangs in the balance, particularly in an urban environment. So there's always something to put the fear in us, often driven by the media ... getting mugged ... worrying about terrorism ... falling cranes... exploding manhole covers... finding bedbugs... seeing your new neighbor move in with a drumkit...

As for falling objects, well, in a bit of gallows humor, I told @Eden_Brower that yesterday's incident took my mind off thinking about cars hurtling out of parking garages and landing on me. For awhile, anyway.

Perhaps this is a good reminder ... maybe you want to walk on the other side of Ninth Street where the parking garage is between Third Avenue and Second Avenue....

Roastown Coffee aiming for a liquor license

The CB3/SLA agenda for October is out... and it looks pretty... quiet... Only 18 items as of right now... Here's the whole shebang....

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. — JASA/Green Residence - 200 East 5th Street at Bowery


Renewal with Complaint History
Spur Tree (LLD3 LLC), 76 Orchard St (wb)

Applications within Resolution Areas
Ichiban 71 Clinton Inc, 71 Clinton St (op)
On the C Pub Inc, 185 Orchard St (op) (removal from 129 Ave C)
JujoMukti Tea Lounge (JujoMukti Inc), 211 E 4th St (wb) (Mamlouk)
Totale Pizza (Totale Pizza Inc), 36 St Marks Pl (wb)
Tre (Jersey Boys LLC), 173 Ludlow St (alt/op/addition of tables & chairs to back patio)
Habibi Lounge (Zaika Restaurant Corp), 198 Ave A (alt/op)

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades
Roastown Coffee St Marks (Roastown Coffee St Marks Inc), 133 2nd Ave (trans/wb) (Pizzanini)

Hmm, so the incoming coffee place wants to serve booze too? Only to pair with desserts, right?

TKR Planners Inc, 108 E 4th St (trans/rw) (Knife & Fork Rest & Wine Bar)
Corp to be Formed, 58 E 1st St (trans/op) (The Elephant)

New Liquor License Applications
Project 6 LLC, 87 Stanton St (op)
Wackywok (Panasia Kitchen Ltd), 129 Ave D (wb)
Rivington Parlor LLC, 155 Rivington St (op)
Amazing 66 Restaurant (Amazing 66 Group Inc), 66 Mott St (wb)
Yuba Group LLC, 105 E 9th St (rw)
Mama Juana Cafe, 107 Norfolk St (op)

Hey, the old Tonic place. What happened to that restaurant with blind waiters that was gonna open here?

CB3 says no to monster bar on Avenue B; plus, good news for Blarney Cove fans

Speaking of bars... last night, Community Board 3 passed the docket from the Sept. 20 subcommittee meeting ... (The one item that we reported on from that meeting: No liquor license for Table 12 on Avenue A and 12th Street.)

A few items of note:

• Justified LLC, 102 1st Ave (alt/op/extend to backyard):

As we reported, the International Bar crew, Molly and Shawn, are taking over the Lilly Coogan's space down the way. CB3 approved the use of the backyard for seating. However, as part of the conditions, they must close the outdoor space by 10 every night — including any time needed for clean-up.

• Corp to be Formed, 14 Ave B (trans/op) (Butterfly Butterfly)

This is the newly ginormous space on the southwest corner of Second Street. The owners wanted to open a "restaurant tavern" ...with hours of operation from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday and Fridays; and Noon 'till 4 a.m. on Saturdays. And! They'd employ DJs Friday and Saturday nights.

History didn't help this space. Remember Butterfly? According to CB3, they had a history of citations for unlicensed security, unlicensed cabaret, unlicensed sidewalk cafe (was anything licensed?). You get the idea. The owner of the new space, in the eyes of CB3, has "failed to demonstrate that he has sufficient experience to operate a restaurant-bar of this size in this area or addressing any of the prevailing noise or traffic concerns." Plus! He was unwilling to close earlier than 2 a.m.

REJECT.

• Blarney Cove (510 E 14th Pub Inc), 510 E 14th St (op)

Remember the hyperlocal East Village blogger who nearly shit the bed about what might be happening with this? Fool!

This is a transfer from the Blarney Cove's now-deceased owner to his daughter-in-law. According to the CB3, the Blarney Cove will continue its current method of operation and retain its name.

OK!

Police officer injured looking for intruder on St. Mark's Place

Bob Arihood shared this report ... as well as the photos... Around 3:30 yesterday afternoon, a resident in an apartment on Seventh Street noticed a man on the fire escape at 126 St Mark's Place building across the backyard. The man broke the window of an upper floor apartment and entered. The Seventh Street resident called the police.



Several NYPD units, including the 9th Precinct commander Deputy Inspector Lehr, arrived on Seventh Street, St Mark's Place and in Tompkins Square Park in response to the call. Officers went to the apartment that had been broken into and also up to the roof above the apartment.

"One investigating officer exited the apartment onto the fire escape and , we were told , slipped on some broken glass and fell through the opening in the fire escape down the fire escape stairs from the 5th floor to the 4th floor . Luckily the officer was able to stop his free fall descent part way down the fire escape stairs ."

Bob said that the officer, far left in glasses, did not appear to be seriously injured beyond some scrapes, cuts and perhaps some bruises, though he was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.



The man who broke into the apartment was gone before the police arrived on the scene.

CB3 approves resolution limiting the number of concerts in Tompkins Square Park

Well, we discussed this item earlier today. (Read it all here.) And tonight, Community Board 3 voted to pass the resolution that will, in part: "schedule amplified concerts only one day per weekend, and, in addition, schedule some of the loud concerts in other areas where people will not be as impacted, such as East River Park."

There wasn't any Board discussion on the item. And no one came out tonight to speak in opposition of this measure. Curious what this means for, say, The Howl! Festival, which is on consecutive weekend days. Perhaps the staged events will have to be kept to one day...

As an old EV Grieve friend once said, "whoever controls the Park controls the future."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Movement afoot to limit the number of concerts in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo via]

Winebar open tonight

Winebar is open tonight on Second Avenue near Fourth Street.... Earlier today, as you know, an AC unit tumbled six stories from a window and landed on the Winebar canopy. A 67-year-old man was hospitalized for head injuries after the unit reportedly bounced off the canopy and struck him.

People are sitting on the sidewalk under the awning... Why not? What are the chances that this could happen again right here anyway?

More on the man injured by the falling AC

Per the Post:

According to neighbors, [Anthony] Franzese is a Vietnam veteran who was recently evicted from his apartment on the third floor and was supposed to have vacated by this Thursday.

Previously.

Things to do late this afternoon: Watch for tornadoes

The Weather Channel says the area is under a Tornado Watch until 6 p.m.

No worries. I'm on top of the situation... just as long as I can get this thing to work that I found in the trash on St. Mark's...

Man injured by falling AC on Second Avenue

[Via EaterNY]

Word is spreading of an AC unit that tumbled six stories and landed on the Winebar canopy on Second Avenue at Fourth Street. The above photo is from Eater.

According to WCBS2:

Around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, 67-year-old Tony Franzese was walking his dog as he does every morning. When an air conditioner fell out of a 6th floor window at 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street, it landed on an awning apparently bounced off and hit Franzese in the head.

He suffered a severe head laceration and was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

Carmen Barreto lived in the building for 38 years and told me her son helped clean blood off the victim. “He was very upset and nervous. He said ‘Ma, the air conditioner fall down onto the head’ and I said ‘My God he must be dead’,” she explained.

“He sits here with the dog. He has a little glass of wine. He’s friends with the owner of the place here, and he’s a very nice man,” said resident Rachel Costa.

A resident who lives in the building shot this video:

10009 is the 110th most expensive zip code in America

So, if 10003 is the 22nd most expensive zip code in America, then where does leave the other part of the EV zip — 10009? Well, as the headline probably tipped you off, it's No. 110, according to Forbes.

Per Forbes for 10009, whose boundaries are shown in the graphic above:

Median Home Price: $1,459,511
Median Price Change: -2%
Average Days On Market : 265
Inventory : 35 properties
Median Household Income: $40,176

Nothing against Stuy Town, but can we trade trade them to 10003 for Second Avenue and a street to be named later?

Breaking: The East Village is expensive (thanks 10003!)

Curbed points out this morning that the East Village is now the 22nd Most Expensive Neighborhood in America. This is part of the America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes listicle in Forbes.

And it's specifically for the 10003 zip code, which extends west to Fifth Avenue and north to 20th Street. And where:

Median home price:
$2,825,587

Median household income:
$60,891

Anyway, here are the 10003 boundaries:



At least we beat those pussies from Gibson Island, Md., who came in at No. 23.

Movement afoot to limit the number of concerts in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo of Star Fucking Hipsters by Bob Arihood]

The full Community Board 3 meets tonight ... among the agenda items for their consideration: The number of weekend afternoon concerts in Tompkins Square Park.

The following is from a DRAFT AGENDA. THIS HAS NOT BEEN VOTED ON BY FULL BOARD AND is not a a CB resolution or position:

WHEREAS, the Parks Department permits concerts in Tompkins Square Park in an area very close to 7th Street; and

WHEREAS, there are apartment buildings with many families on 7th Street directly across from the concert area; and

WHEREAS, there is no structure to baffle the sound; and

WHEREAS, some concerts do not impact the neighboring areas, but others are extremely loud and assault the senses, including inside people’ homes; and

WHEREAS, the Parks Department formerly had a policy limiting the number of concerts each month, but now appears to book concerts without a plan and sometimes back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday; and

WHEREAS, formerly there were PEP, NYPD, and sometimes DEP monitoring, there currently is no enforcement or monitoring; and

WHEREAS, people in this area suffer from abnormal levels of noise pollution every weekend;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CB 3 requests that the Parks Department return to some amplified sound-free weekends, schedule amplified concerts only one day per weekend, and, in addition, schedule some of the loud concerts in other areas where people will not be as impacted, such as East River Park; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Parks Department arrange for both PEP and DEP monitoring for potentially loud concerts (based on previous complaints and/or monitoring); and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Parks Department not schedule any loud concerts that have had complaints from the community directly across from residential areas, e.g., across from 7th Street, without providing or requiring a sound baffling structure.

[Howl! photo by Blue Glass]

CB3's Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs, Landmarks, & Waterfront Committee discussed this issue on Sept. 16. The Shadow's Chris Flash, who, along with several other people, have helped produced and promote shows in the Park since 1993, spoke at this meeting.

"I addressed the committee, assuring all that we are concerned neighbors who don't want to disturb our neighbors," Flash told me. "One thing we all could agree on was the suggestion that the Parks Department provide a portable barrier to direct sound away from the Seventh Street side of the park. I pointed out that when the Parks Department demolished the permanent Tompkins Square Park bandshell in 1992, we were promised the unlimited availability of a portable stage on a flatbed truck. This proved to be a lie."

As he said, the events that he and his friend produce in Tompkins Square Park individually and sometimes collectively raise important social and political awareness, celebrating the vitality of our neighborhood in the face of skyrocketing rents and gentrification driving out small businesses and long-time residents.

"We hope that we can resolve things before they get to the point of lawsuits and demonstrations, but we will not allow the use of our Park to be restricted by a self-appointed sound-nazi who has no authority to change or create policy or impinge upon the free speech of others," Flash said.



Meanwhile there are shows scheduled for Oct. 10, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 that will go on as planned. Flash and company have already arranged on their own to create a sound barrier around the drum kits and to change placement of speakers so as to better direct sound away from Seventh Street.

Said Flash: "We want to respect our neighbors, but we don't want a fucking police state to arbitrarily enforce sound limits on music that some may not find appealing."

Taras Shevchenko Place and Hall Place

An EV Grieve reader noted that Taras Shevchenko Place, which runs alongside St. George's Ukrainian Church and the Cooper Union between Seventh Street and Sixth Street, has another name: Hall Place. Well, yes the Hall Place sign is new.



Back in 2001, Cooper Union officials had proposed de-mapping Taras Shevchenko Place, named for the Ukrainian poet, artist and activist. De-mapping would "remove the street from existence in all official matters, and from all official documents."

I lost track of that story... looks like Hall Place is sharing an existence with it for now.

According to Forgotten New York, City Council changed the name of Hall Place to Taras Shevchenko Place in 1978.

And who or what is Hall?

Per the Times from January 1999:

The street that now carries the name of Shevchenko, Ukraine's ''freedom symbol,'' was first known as Hall Street and then as Hall Place, after Charles Henry Hall, a Harlem landowner who sold the property to the city on Dec. 23, 1828.

Retro beers at Yankee Stadium

Oh. Chalk this up as one of those "posts that I never got around to posting." Anyway... you can buy retro beers at Yankee Stadium... a mere $9 for an old-timey 16-ounce can of Schlitz or Pabst... As everyone in the line was saying, "these aren't retro prices..."




No griping... someone has to help pay for AJ Burnett's contract...

'Gossip Girl' returns to the East Village, a headline that may score me some awesome SEO!

Well, I've pretty much stopped mentioning when TV shows and movies are filming around the East Village... It's pretty commonplace. Unless! It's a life-altering production, such as "The Smurfs 2: We Spit on Your Grave" and "Step Up 3D." And, "Gossip Girl," which will be filming on parts of Avenue A and Ninth Street, etc., on Friday.




The drama, popular among young adults, has an all-star cast that includes teen stars Willie Aames, Kristy MacNichol and Melissa Gilbert.

Careful, E, hell hath no fury like a "Gossip Girl" fan scorned.

Eloise's owner: "I never will tie her up while I run errands again"

Here's the final chapter of Eloise's story.... She is now home safe.... From Eloise's owner:

A dog walker named Beth saw her with a homeless guy sleeping in a park. She recognized Eloise from the poster that I posted at the Tompkins Square Dog Run. She waited for him to wake up before she asked him if he had recently found her. He was very friendly and excited to help Eloise find her owner. She called Home Again (Eloise has a microchip) and gave them her number, which was on the poster. Since he didn't have a phone, he let her take Eloise, albeit sadly and reluctantly. In the meantime, Home Again called me and gave me her number. I was already at Rivington and Orchard after following the lead from the e-mail you forwarded me, and she was at Rivington and Norfolk. So I walked toward her, and she was waiting for me with Eloise in front of Café Luise. I also got to meet the guy who had initially taken her ... He was very worried about her and told me he fed her a ham, tomato, and bread sandwich. He ... couldn't have been more concerned about finding me. She has been sleeping since we got home a couple hours ago.

Eloise and I moved to the East Village only a month ago. After she was taken, I regretted tying her up, and I never will tie her up while I run errands again. However, it seems like all parties involved were more than willing to help me find her. I feel very lucky to live in a community with so many cooperative and altruistic people.

Previously.

Breaking: Eloise has been found!

Just arrived in the inbox from Eloise's owner:

ELOISE HAS BEEN FOUND!!!

We're waiting for more details. Earlier, an EV Grieve reader sent this e-mail: "I saw a homeless guy with this dog about a half hour ago on Clinton and Stanton heading south. He could have been heading to the clinic on Delancey and Essex. I thought it was strange that he had a dog and then I read your blog and put 2 and 2 together."

Previously.

[Updated] Reader report: Man shot during "bad drug deal" on Sixth Street

A longtime EV Grieve reader sent along the following today:

I wonder if you may have heard anything about a crime or shooting happening around 1st Ave and 6th St last night. My apartment backs up to the courtyard behind the Indian restaurants on the SW corner. Sometime after dark, during the Jets game, there was a very loud bang, followed by a lot of commotion, a shriek, and two men talking. It sounded like they were digging through the recycling cans. As the voices were calm and no other noise followed, I didn't think it was anything serious. About 30 minutes later, however, the police arrived and were talking to a woman who described seeing two naked men in the back changing their clothes. She said one of them jumped over a wall (there is no escape from the courtyard except back through one of the buildings). Today, I heard cops referring to "the victim" and also said there was blood on a door and shell casings on the ground. I've not been able to find out anything else about this.

A little bit later.

I just talked to the cops and they confirmed someone was shot in a bad drug deal, but he's alive. They apparently caught one of the shooters already.

Perhaps this is a good time to pass along a reminder... people should know to keep an eye out, be alert and to not hesitate calling 911 for anything unusual. ... I need to tell this to the young folks who moved in across the way from me — the ones who leave their windows open during the day when they're not home...

Updated: 2:34 — The address is 342 E. Sixth St. Police are apparently still on the scene.

[File photo EV Grieve]

Reminders tonight: Helping change the CB3/SLA policies and procedures

Per the CB3 website.

Policy Meeting of the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Tonight at 6:30 — University Settlement at Houston Street Center, 273 Bowery (at Houston)

We will review and evaluate changes to Community Board 3's existing policies and procedures guiding the Board's approvals/denials of all types of liquor licenses for establishments within the CB 3 district. All previous "resolution areas" will be reviewed.

We want to hear from YOU!

Please fill out a “Request to Speak” form by 7 p.m. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.
Testimony can be also be submitted to info@cb3manhattan.org or submitted at meeting

• What are your plans/visions for the area?
• What are your concerns, problems?
• What do you want to retain in our neighborhood?
• Read current policies & facts.

It would be helpful if you could address the following questions in your testimony.

• License applications are subject to 500-foot rule (no new full licenses if 3 or more within 500 feet). New licenses should not be issued unless they provide a public benefit. Also, CB 3 does not issue new licenses in certain areas unless there is
overwhelming public support and public benefit. What would you consider a public benefit to your immediate neighborhood?
• If you are an applicant — what do you think a licensed establishment could provide that would be a public benefit? How would you approach the community to decide this?
• If you had a choice of one kind of new license on your block — would you prefer
a) upscale restaurant? B) affordable restaurant? c) combination restaurant/bar?
(or bar with menu) c) eating/drinking with entertainment? D) bar? e) Other?
• Do you think the impact of a pizza place with beer is any different than pizza place without beer? Does closing hours make a difference?
• What kind of licensed establishment causes most impact in your immediate area in terms of crowds on street, underage drinking? rowdiness?
• Do you know if people come to your immediate area for nightlife from a) local residents b) public transportation or walking c) cab d) private cars.
• For residents — what kinds of licensed establishments in the neighborhood do you visit? How far do you have to travel? What would you like to see more of or less of in your immediate area? Do you travel out of your area to visit eating/drinking
establishments? If so, what neighborhood?

Here's the survey.

Where is Eloise?

Seems to be a rash of missing pets in the East Village in the last week or so... here's the story of Eloise, a 16-pound Border Terrier ...



The owner writes in that his dog Eloise was taken yesterday morning at 5 a.m. from in front of the Olympic Grocery at 13th Street and First Avenue ... He had gone in for a quick moment and left Eloise out front. He placed a "missing dog" ad on Craigslist and the Voice.

He received a response from the Craigslist ad around yesterday afternoon. The e-mailer included a detailed description of the person who may have Eloise. This is what she wrote:

I am certain I saw your dog today!

A man was walking her down 1st or 2nd avenue around 11th street. My dog wanted to say hi to her and he told me he found her tied up outside a store. He thought she'd been abandoned. She was scared, but physically ok.

He was clearly not in his right mind (it was noon and he said he'd just woken up and was up stealing dogs at 5 am). He said he'd called the number on the tag - 311, but no one picked up. He was trying to let the dog find her way home. He was a tall white man with dark hair and a large tattoo of a bird on the inside of one of his forearms. I would say he was in his 40s or 50s (but I'm not good at telling peoples ages).

He said if he couldn't find the owner, he wanted to keep her. I tried to convince him to call 311 again because they'd have record of her owner and he said he would. I want to stress that this man was clearly not in his right mind but I do not think he would hurt the dog, he really seemed to like her and wanted to come up with a name for her if he couldn't find the
owner.

Here's more information...

More on Joey Ramone Place

Last Thursday, I wrote about trying to find Joey Ramone Place on the Bowery and Second Street....

The Post follows up on the piece today... And on page three — right next to Lindsay Lohan!



Per the Post piece by Jeremy Olshan, who also gave me credit for noticing how high the sign is now:

"Joey Ramone Place" is perhaps the most stolen of the 250,900 street signs in New York, according to the Department of Transportation, which recently asked contractors to install the sign for the fourth time since 2003.

He would have appreciated the distinction, said the group's longtime drummer, Marky Ramone, sole survivor of the Ramones' longest-running lineup.

"But maybe they should find a better way to attach it," he said. "Now you have to be an NBA player to see it."

Although most street signs are about 12 to 14 feet off the ground, Joey Ramone Place was raised to 20 feet, an oddity first noted on the blog EV Grieve.

Speaking of Joey, video maker Paul Dougherty sent along this piece on the sign dedication back in 2003...

People waiting in line outside Prune don't read signs

You've seen the big lines here at Prune on First Street for weekend brunch....



While you're standing there, then you may want to read this sign next door outside the home of the Lower Eastside Girls Club....



Not that people are really paying attention to the sign....

Dogs-people battle brewing in Tompkins Square Park?