EV Grieve

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Claim: Tompkins Square Park is 'Heroinville'

The Villager has an article in this week's issue about Asylum, a group of travelers who hang out in Washington Square Park. The members claim that the NYPD leaves them alone since they're not bothering anyone.

Which leads us to this passage:

However, Hollywood claimed that this isn’t the case in Tompkins Square Park where rumors are that the police have driven some homeless people out of the park permanently.

“The hard drugs are in Tompkins,” said Hollywood.

Russell, another Washington Square Park regular, added.

“I don’t go to Tompkins Square Park because there’s a f---ing bad vibe there. It’s Heroinville!”

Police officers make it extremely hard for the homeless to stay in Tompkins Square Park anyway. They tend to confiscate transients’ belongings as well as harass them incessantly, the transients say.

“You can’t even lie in the grass,” Russell said. “Just because we are homeless doesn’t mean we don’t have rights!”

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

Newsstand in the works for the Bowery and Second Street

Tomorrow night, CB3's Transportation & Public Safety/Environment Committee meets... and among the items on their agenda: Newsstand Application: SE corner, Bowery & E 2nd St.

Interesting... though it will likely be one of those lifeless Cemusa boxes filled with digital advertising.

Meanwhile, about six blocks up on Astor Place, the city is trying to toss Jerry Delakas and his newsstand of 24 years.

New shop carries on proud tradition of St. Mark's Place

As we reported last April 1, Cherries, the ~~porn~~ adult gift shop on St. Mark's Place had closed...

Smart money was on a frozen yogurt shoppe taking over the space... a rare commodity in these parts.

But seriously, the new shop has emerged...

Fu Sushi gets the OK to reopen

After several failed attempts, the DOH let Fu Sushi on Avenue B reopen. On Friday, the DOH revisited, and gave Fu nearly a clean bill of, um, health — just two violation points... that's down from the 99 points that shuttered the place back on June 23. So the the restaurant was able to reopen for the weekend.

After three damning stories, what are the chances that the New York Post notes that Fu Sushi has reopened?

Previously.

C coffee shop quickly closes on East Third Street

On April 18, C cafe opened at 256 E. Third St. near Avenue C. And on June 28, C closed.

Per a Yelp reviewer:

Great while it lasted. The owner was a drummer/arranger/classical pianist ... He wanted to run the place in his spare time because his second passion was coffee and he was making a great living as a producer and sideman. Unfortunately for us, his spare time ran out.

Monday, July 11, 2011

At the Second Line March tonight for d.b.a.'s Ray Deter

Tonight at 7, friends of d.b.a. owner Ray Deter arrived at the bar on East First Street to celebrate his life with a Second Line March.

Deter, the owner of d.b.a., died on July 3 after a bicycling accident.

Thanks to jdx for all the photos here.

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

Changes coming to 84 Second Ave.? (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

The Hare Krishnas move out of 96 Avenue B (BoweryBoogie)

City to secretly sell off piece of NYC history – to one person (Lost City)

Rainbow Room getting a glitzy makeover (Grub Street)

People are now using the subway on weekends too (Runnin' Scared)

The owner of Union Market, coming soon to Avenue A, denies bogus-meat story in today's Post (Gothamist)

And now in really important news... last week, we posted the photo of actor Vincent Piazza dressed as Lucky Luciano for a scene in "Boardwalk Empire" on East 12th Street.

Per ~~The Atlantic~~ Celebrity Gossip Net: "She’s never been shy with the boys, and Ashlee Simpson was spotted expressing her affection for beau Vincent Piazza in New York City yesterday (July 10). The “La-La” songstress and her newfound mate were barely able to keep their hands off of each other as they strolled together through the trendy East Village neighborhood of Manhattan."

And did you know: Lucky Luciano grew up at 265 East 10th Street (Off the Grid)

Second Line March tonight at d.b.a for Ray Deter

Tonight at 7, friends of Ray Deter are invited to d.b.a. on First Avenue to take part in a Second Line March. Per the bar's Manhattan Facebook page: "Please everyone bring a candle, if you like an umbrella, and perhaps a tambourine. And ladies please bring a white handkerchief. We plan to send Ray off in the spirit he would have wanted. N'awlins style." See Edible Manhattan for more details.

Deter, the owner of d.b.a., died on July 3 after a bicycling accident.

Report: A double mugging on 11th Street and Avenue B

From the NYPD Daily Blotter in the Post today:

Two armed goons mugged two women walking through the East Village early Wednesday, cops said. The women, both 30, were on East 11th Street near Avenue B at 1:15 a.m. when the men jumped them from behind, pulled out a black handgun and demanded their bags, cops said.

When the women tried to resist, one was punched in the side of the face and the other in the jaw. The muggers managed to get away with only one purse, but the women told cops that it contained a cellphone, a digital camera, $200 and several credit cards.

RIP Dominic Philbert

Last Thursday around 7 p.m., a reader told us that several ambulances and fire trucks were outside Bikes By George on East Fourth Street. "I could see a paramedic performing CPR on George's son. Hoping to see a post later the he's okay..."

George's son, Dominic Philbert, who worked for his dad since he was 16, died that night. He was 43. We don't know any more details at this time.

The shop was closed Friday.

A sign on the store's front window provides information about the memorial service.

We last discussed Dominic in late May, when Dateline NBC's Chris Hansen taped a segment on stolen bicycles. According to the Dateline promo, "it's the most explosive confrontation of Hansen's career." Hansen confronts Dominic Philbert about having bought a stolen bike. And the cameras keep rolling as Dominic becomes increasingly agitated. It's difficult to watch.

Dominic later told Bob Arihood that he gave a man — a paid actor — $25 for a bike. The man told Dominic that he had lost his job and needed money to feed his kids. NBC did not show this exchange between Dominic and the actor.

In a more pleasant video, here's a clip of George and Dominic from the documentary "The City."

[Photo by Bob Arihood]

For further reading on George Philbert:
East Village bicycle legend just keeps on rolling (The Villager)

LA-based Euphoria Loves Rawvolution opening on East 12th Street

EV Grieve contributor samo brings word that the Santa Monica-based Euphoria Loves Rawvolution — a raw vegan cafe/retail store — is opening on East 12th ~~Fourth~~ Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Their mission, per the website:

Food is the fuel for life and we are passionately dedicated to creating and sharing the very best food possible. Beyond eating; we strive to integrate self-transformation and aligned living and a strong commitment to the protection of the environment. The community and planet we serve deserve nothing less!

Updated: Sorry, we had Fourth Street instead of 12th Street. The correct address is 504 E. 12th St.

Bowery Wine Company has closed

An EV Grieve reader notes that the Bowery Wine Company has closed... A trip to their website confirms it...

Ditto for a walk by their front door...

Now this closure was expected... Back in May, we first reported that August Cardona, owner of dell'Anima, L'Artusi and Anfora, would be taking over the space ... and expanding into the empty storefronts to the east.

So now you can expect "mobs of salivating foodies and goggle-eyed scenesters," as New York magazine described dell’anima.

Meanwhile, here's a look back at the protests outside Bowery Wine Company...

Find more on the protests outside Bowery Wine Company from June 2008 here ... and here.

4 years later, Extra Place is finally ready for pedestrians, lights, more tables

After several weeks of renovations, Extra Place is officially no longer a roadway...

More than four years ago, we first heard of the plans the developers of Avalon Bowery Place had for Extra Place — "a slice of the Left Bank, a pedestrian mall lined with interesting boutiques and cafes."

Now, this looks more fitting for whatever kind of food court that the developers of Avalon Bowery Place had envisioned... workers said that lights are coming next...

So, why did it take four years to finally realize all this?

Photos by Bobby Williams.

200 Avenue A going directly to SLA for its license

The people behind the "art gallery with a full-service restaurant" concept — who have appeared before and been rejected by the CB3/SLA committee three times — are now going directly to the State Liquor Authority for its license. The group, calling themselves Hospitality LLC, hope to open in the former Superdive space.

The group appeared before the CB3/SLA committee in November with the idea of a restaurant/lounge "that involves all the senses," including the now-legenedary smell machine. They came back in April, and were told to do more community outreach. The didn't have any better luck in May given the strong opposition from neighbors.

The meeting is tomorrow at 11 a.m. at 317 Lenox Ave.

One resident noted that there weren't any notices about Tuesday's hearing on the gate outside 200 Avenue A. Meanwhile, this weekend, AD Projects ended its run using the space as a temporary art gallery. As another resident said, "it's been great for the neighborhood to have this kind of use made of this space — without the need of a liquor license."

The Trilby puts out a hitchin' post

Nearly five months after opening inside the Cooper Square Hotel, the Trilby now has a prominent sign out front...

EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams saw this scene on Friday afternoon, answering the important question, How many Cooper Square employees does it take to install a Trilby sign?

How Hollywood recreates a 'Lower East Side club scene'

You can always count on Craigslist for some comic relief...

Here's the listing:

We're seeking extras (21-35 or look youngish) to help emulate the feel of a cool, hip, sexy, dark Lower East Side club scene [Think 'Last Nights Party-meets-Cobra Snake' photos.] We want people to have fun [but not look like they are having too much fun] and be able to act cool and sexy. We also are looking for people who are comfortable expressing themselves when dancing with a partner. If you have any skillz in movement, we want you to express them, even if it's sort of weird! This will be an artistic version of a night club scene. Feel free to bring a prop, bring all your best, cool, mostly black but even slightly outrageous colorful gear if it works.

1 day of shooting for a couple of hours next Wednesday, July 13 (call times will be given to those locked in, but around 10-11A or after.) Non-union. Will provide food and drinks and lots of fun!

Film crew is super cool, professional and efficient and you will be shot by one of the best DPs in the business. Please submit head shots and/or any photo where we can get an idea of how you look.

Sidewalk Cafe is hiring

On Friday, we brought you the news that Sidewalk Cafe was looking to reopen by Aug. 5. During the weekend, the following signs appeared on the Sidewalk's doors...

A note about feeding the rats on East 10th Street

EV Grieve reader Ann noticed this sign in the dirt on East 10th Street just east of Third Avenue.... As she notes," I don't know if the corn was being fed to the rats ... it also looks like it's holding the sign down. Confusing!" True!