Saturday, July 12, 2014

Your Manhattanhenge sunset (and entourage!)



Manhattanhenge — "when the setting sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid" — returned last evening.

And here are some photos. First batch from Union Square via James and Karla Murray.





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On 34th Street via EVG reader Stephen Popkin…









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And a view of 23rd Street from Williamsburg … photo by @AcademyRecords



And if you missed it, then you can catch a half-sun at the horizon tonight around 8:25.

And now, equal time for the Supermoon



Here's a look at 3 a.m. from Avenue A and East Third Street via EVG reader Peter Shapiro



And Bobby Williams took this photo at 2:27 a.m. ….



… and I'm not sure exactly when Stephen Popkin took this one…



Cutting and pasting this from ABC News:

The full moon this weekend will be extra large due to it proximity to the Earth, according to NASA. It’s the second supermoon of the year, though the largest one will occur in August.

The moon will peak around Saturday and will appear bigger and brighter than a normal full moon as it hits its closest point to Earth.

Someone stole this bike last night



EVG reader Ted Roden passes along word that his "ridiculous bike (for hauling my kids) got stolen" last night from around East Sixth Street and Avenue C. Some time between 7 and 10 p.m.

As he says, hard to miss. So in case you happen to spot it … let us know…

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!



In case that you haven't planned your day yet. Got your street fair right here on Fourth Avenue today … from East 14th Street down to who knows where.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

RIP Tommy Ramone


[Via Brooklyn Vegan]

The details via Variety:

Drummer and producer Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of the influential New York punk quartet the Ramones, died Friday at his home in the Ridgewood area of Queens, New York. He was 62 and had been in hospice care following treatment for bile duct cancer.

Born Erdelyi Tamas in Budapest, Hungary, and known professionally as Tom or T. Erdelyi, Ramone played on the first three epoch-making Ramones albums, “Ramones” (1976), “Leave Home” (1977) and “Rocket to Russia” (1977). He also co-produced the latter two albums with Tony Bongiovi and Ed Stasium, respectively. He appeared on and co-produced the 1979 live Ramones opus “It’s Alive.”

After leaving the Ramones to concentrate on studio work, he co-produced the band’s 1984 album “Too Tough to Die” with Stasium. He was replaced in the lineup by Marc Bell (Marky Ramone), a former member of Dust and Richard Hell’s Voidoids.

Other media reports put his age at 65.

Management for the Ramones confirmed the news.



And here is an interview with Tommy from 2012…

Friday, July 11, 2014

Head South



Here's Radkey, one of the bands playing at the 4Knots Festival (free!) tomorrow at the South Street Seaport ... this song from last year is "Out Here In My Head."

Sunset now: Manhattanhenge returns this weekend


[Via @AcademyRecords]

Yes. As the Daily News reports:

New Yorkers will get their last chance this year to see Manhattanhenge on Friday, when the setting sun aligns precisely with Manhattan’s river-to-river street grid.

The twice-a-year phenomenon is set to occur at 8:24 p.m. — the time when the full sun will be framed by the east-west concrete canyons. New Yorkers are in for an extra treat on Saturday, when a perfect half-sun will align with the grid at 8:25 p.m.

So head up to East 14th Street (hint: look to the West!). Maybe have a bite to eat outside IHOP. Make a night of it.

As for the above photo ... it's actually Ninthhenge via our friends at Academy Records from July 4.

Police say this man groped 2 women in Stuy Town



The NYPD is looking for a suspect in two "forcible touching incidents."

Per Gothamist:

The first incident occurred on Sunday, May 18, at around 2:52 a.m., when the man allegedly grabbed a 24-year-old woman's buttocks in the hallway of her apartment building near East 14th Street. Then on Sunday, June 15, at 2:05 a.m., the same suspect touched the buttocks of a 22-year-old woman inside the hallway of her apartment building on Stuyvesant Oval.

The suspect, who can be seen in the above surveillance footage, is a 25- to 35-year-old male, around 5-10 and 175-200 pounds.

Anyone with information may call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

[Updated] Turk is missing!



Turk (answers to Turkey as well) was last spotted this morning on Avenue B and East 13th Street. Here's an ad with another photo on Craigslist.

Updated 12:46

Turk has been found! He made it all the way to Soho! He is back with his family...

Workers actually spotted removing donations from East 10th Street sketchy pink box



An EVG reader came across this scene on East 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C this morning ... outside the former CHARAS/El Bohio community center ... where a group of workers in an Enterprise truck rental were removing the donations left behind in one of the illegal boxes ...



The workers got here just in time: This is one of the collection boxes that the city has tagged for removal.

Otherwise, as the reader noted: "Gregg Singer is an absentee landlord, so he likely never reported the box's presence..since he doesn't even know it's there."

The former PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center has been sitting derelict for 15 years as Singer continues to attempt to turn the building into a dorm.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About those new sketchy pink boxes around the East Village

Cromanated: The East Village Snack Dragon Taco Shack is closing


[Image via]

Snack Dragon proprietor Josephine Jansen broke the news to us yesterday. Her eclectic sliver of a taco stand and hangout at 199 E. Third St. just west of Avenue B will close for good on July 31.

A familiar reason and a familiar figure are behind the impending closure.

"[Landlord Steve] Croman wants to triple the rent to $3,900 for 100 square feet of public space and a tiny basement," she said. "They will not negotiate the lease."

For now, the Williamsburg Snack Dragon will remain open.

Snack Dragon opened nearly 10 years ago around the corner on Avenue B, in a vacant smoothie stand outside Ben's Deli. Jansen inexplicably ran afoul of the East Village Nightlife Task Force and had to close. She moved into her current space in August 2006.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Watch a lot of people speak out against Steve Croman and 9300 Realty

Summer greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street



From the EVG inbox...

Miss Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street spent her 4th of July weekend visiting friends in New Jersey and in Saugerties. She thoroughly enjoyed sampling the local fare in Kingston (Asian Fusion with a French/Mexican twist) and in Palenville (Roast Beef sandwiches!).

But by far the highlight of her weekend was on Sunday when she went “swimming hole hoppin’” at three different places in and around Saugerties.



She’s a real water dog and was exited she could actually jump in the water unlike the Hudson and the East Rivers where she’s kept leashed and dry by her designated humanoids.

Miss Kita wishes everyone a happy, fun-filled summer!



On the next episode: Kita learns the true meaning of "the dog days of summer."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet Kita

The further adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

The further (often truly) amazing adventures of Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Happy holidays from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street has her first ever annual checkup

Holiday greetings from Kita the Wonder Dog of East 10th Street

The Robyn is now fully exposed on East 3rd Street



Workers recently removed the construction netting and scaffolding at the new 33-unit rental at 316 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D ... offering the first look at The Robyn, named after nothing in particular.

Apartments at the Karl Fischer-designed building range in price from $2,100 for studios, $2,495 and up for one bedrooms and $3,375 and up for the duplex penthouses. Reps for the broker told us last month that 29 of the 33 united had been rented.

The elevator building features a roof deck, storage units, bike storage and a pet spa, among other amenities.

Meanwhile, the view from higher up… via EVG reader Bobby G.



Previously on EV Grieve:
33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

This Robyn laid some luxury apartments on East 3rd Street; pet spa included


[A look at the site in March 2013 via Bobby G.]

A glimpse of the recent past on East 4th Street


[EVG photo from February]

Earlier in the week we noted that workers had demolished the cool façade at 324 E. 4th St. ...

Yesterday, EVG Facebook friend Gyda Gash caught a glimpse of a mural leftover from Hanky's "Surplus Candy" art show here from January...





Here's a photo of the original via Hugh Burckhardt's photo site More Than Usual ...



As for No. 324, plans call for an additional three floors here for apartments between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2 new floors, gut renovation in store for empty tenement that last housed a Hanksy art show

At Hanksy's 'Surplus Candy' art show in an abandoned East Village tenement

Gut renovations underway at 324 E. 4th St., most recently the makeshift gallery for Hanksy and Co.

The unique façade of 324 E. 4th St. is gone

A look at (what's left) of Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport; also, it's 4Knots Festival time!



The Village Voice's 4Knots Music Festival is tomorrow down at the South Street Seaport ... you can find all the info about it here.

The main stage will be on Pier 16.

And have you seen Pier 17 lately, where the that mall and stuff was? I was randomly down that way last weekend.







It has all been demolished. I've been reading about the proposed redevelopment, which may or may not include a 50-story hotel/condo, but this was the first time I'd seen it for myself. (This Curbed post will bring you to to speed on the plans here.)

Aside from last weekend, I haven't been to the Seaport much, it at all, since Carmine's closed.

Anyway, you can see the former Pier 17 for yourself if you go to the day-long festival. And here's a map...


[Click on image to enlarge]

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Branch comes down on Lunasa's outdoor space



A branch from a neighboring tree fell onto Lunasa's outdoor space this evening around 7:15, per EVG reader Adam Cushner ...





Everyone was fine here behind the bar at 126 First Ave. between East Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place ... though it did disrupt a birthday gathering.

1st books arrive at the new St. Mark's Bookshop


[Bookmobile?]

EVG reader Yenta Laureate spotted workers moving the very first books/periodicals into the new St. Mark's Bookshop at 136 E. Third St. west of Avenue A this afternoon... to be in place for a possible Sunday (soft) opening...

Rodeo Bar is closing; last show set for July 26



This past weekend, several EVG readers passed along word that the Rodeo Bar, billed as "NYC’s longest running honky-tonk," was closing at the end of the month.

It was unclear, however, if the Rodeo was ditching its free music program as part of a makeover ... or closing for good. No one at Rodeo responded to our queries.

However, the bar just posted this to Facebook today:

Dear Rodeo Bar patrons and music lovers,

We are deeply saddened to announce that after 27 years in business, Rodeo Bar and Grill is closing its doors after July 27, 2014.

Here at New York's longest-running honky-tonk, we stayed open during some of the city’s toughest times — Hurricane Sandy, the 2003 blackout, 9/11 — but recent rent increases, combined with a changing landscape, have made it impossible for us continue.

For the past three decades, Rodeo Bar has been home to thousands of bands, and we’re proud to have helped define the country, Americana and rockabilly scene in New York City for all these years. But more than that, we were supported by an incredible community of people from New York and all over the world who helped make this bar great. We can’t thank y’all enough.

For the rest of July, we’re open every night, and the music schedule is killer — and free, as it always has been. So come on down and join us for every show, every Shiner, and every moment with the horse trailer we call home. We’re going out with our boots on.

Much Love, and Until the Buffalo Sings,

Rodeo Bar

An EVG tipster told us that the building at 375 Third Ave. at East 27th Street is for sale. According to a listing at Buchbinder & Warren Realty, the asking rent is $58,333.

The last show is July 26.

Josie and the Windowsills



James and Karla Murray shared this photo of Josie keeping an eye on things along East 14th Street…

Reports outline how Kushner Companies is aggressively trying to empty 170-174 E. 2nd St.

[EVG file photo]

The tenant-landlord drama continues at 170-174 E. Second St., the site of two walk-ups that developer/New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner picked up during his East Village buying spree.

Last night, CB3's Land Use, Zoning, Public & Private Housing Committee heard firsthand about allegations of tenant harassment and quality-of-life issues brought on by gut renovations.

Ahead of this meeting, The Real Deal and DNAinfo filed lengthy articles outlining what is happening now in the buildings.

DNAinfo put it this way:

Real estate scion Jared Kushner is using lawsuits, disruptive construction and neglect to force rent-stabilized tenants out of two buildings he owns in the East Village, as he converts them to high-end apartments, according to court documents and residents.

After the deal for the buildings was complete, Kushner's Westminster Management began handing out 30-day eviction notices, followed by buyout offers, tenants told DNAinfo's Lisha Arino. To date, tenants in just 11 of the 43 units in the two buildings remain.

Per The Real Deal:

[T]he Kushner ownership entity has also aggressively turned to the courts. Since acquiring the buildings, they filed suits in New York’s Housing Court against tenants in seven apartments among the 43.

Some have resulted in tenants vacating, while other residents have fought back.

According to The Real Deal, the average monthly rent per apartment was around $2,000 last fall. Today, StreetEasy shows nine active rental listings, gut-renovated apartments with an average price of $3,987 per unit.

As for those renovations, NYC's Housing Preservation and Development agency has issued 34 violations, which remain active. ("Eight of them are for the most dangerous kind of violation — for instance for repairs to a stone retainer wall — which are supposed to be repaired within days, but remain on the HPD website weeks after they were issued," according to The Real Deal.)

However, in the estimation of Westminster, all is well here! Nothing to see! They released this statement to DNAinfo:

"In the six months since Westminster has managed the building, they have been in frequent contact with the building's residents, been consistently responsive to their concerns, and have quickly sought to address them."

Updated 7:55 a.m.

The Daily News files a Kushner-is-bad-landlord story today too. Quite a headline: Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner forcing residents out of East Village building so he can get higher rents: tenants

Previously on EV Grieve:
Inside a classic East Village tenement before the whole building is renovated

Jared Kushner not done buying every walk-up in the East Village

Two East 2nd St. buildings sell for $17.5 million; will new owner still honor Allen Ginsburg?

Tenants claim: Kushner and Westminster want to destroy this building's beautiful garden

About the design of the new St. Mark's Bookshop


[Last night via EVG reader Russ]

If all goes well, then St. Mark's Bookshop will open Saturday Sunday in its new home at 136 E. Third St. west of Avenue A.

Meanwhile, the owners offered a sneak preview of their space designed by Clouds Architecture Office here. (Warning: Architect speak ahead!)



The book shelving is designed to stimulate the ocular experience. Vertical supports are pulled back to pronounce the horizontal edges of the shelving. Sharp corners are eliminated, smoothed into a continuous series of horizontal bands which allow the eye to glide around the space without visual friction. Vision is further privileged by adjusting the form of the shelving. Lower runs are canted so as to tilt book spines towards eye level of the viewer. Section titles are literally etched into the wood of the shelving to maintain the continuity of the lines.



St. Mark's Bookshop left their home of 22 years at 31 Third Ave. and Stuyvesant Street at the end of June.

Take a look inside the new condos of 227 E. 7th St.



For months we've been looking at the exterior of the new building at 227 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue C.

We received the pricing last week ($1.45 million for floor-through two-bedrooms and up to $2 million for the garden unit and penthouse) for the six condos.

Now we can finally see the inside... at least via the listings, which are now online at Douglas Elliman.

Here are two shots ...





And here is Curbed's analysis:

With a facade of brick and oversized multi-panel windows, it blends, for the most part, into its surroundings. Now that the interiors have revealed themselves, it turns out that they, too, look pretty nice and inoffensive — the large windows give the living/dining rooms that luxury development feel and the backyard, while not large, is filled with grass and, you know, exists.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Asbestos abatement on East Seventh Street, then a new 6-story building

New building at 227 E. Seventh St. — revealed (28 comments)

Teaser site up for new East 7th Street residential building that people don't hate

[227 E. Seventh St. from September 2012]