SantaCon 2017

[Photo via Instagram by James and Karla Murray]

A few scenes from SantaCon today in the East Village...





Above two photos by Steven...

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Above photos by Derek Berg...

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Photo at the DeathStar Shake Shack by 8E...

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1:30 p.m., 2nd Avenue and 9th Street

Photos by Steven

The first snow photo of this Dec. 9

The view on 10th Street and Avenue C at 11 a.m. via Bobby Williams...

Santa Claus is back on 14th and 1st

The Christmas-tree-selling crew on 14th Street near First Avenue broke out the inflatable Santa this morning, as EVG regular Pinch notes ... and just in time for some picturesque snowfall photo opps, like this one...

This inflatable is a little more cheery than the previous models — Grubby ol' St. Nick, Trailer Park Santa Claus, Half-in-the-Bag Santa, etc. — on this corner.


[Who wore it better? Santa or Hercule Poirot?]

Storm center 12/9/17: City crews, IHOP prepped for the snowfall

If you were unsure about going out this morning with the inclement weather, then put your mind at ease... IHOP has prepped its sidewalk on 14th Street for the incoming flurries snow.



Elsewhere, 1 Avenue B has already blown its 2017-18 ice melt budget in one morning...



City crews are out...





Supply lines are open...



So sit back and relax...



P.S.

First sighting... 8:36 a.m.

Scandal in Tompkins Square Park as Christo courts new hawk while Dora recuperates

While Dora is rehabbing an injured wing, her partner Christo — 10 hawklets between them — has been seen in the company of another red-tailed hawk in recent days...

Steven shared these photos of the other hawk ... nicknamed Not-Dora (Nora?) or, the opposite of Dora, Arod (ack!)...

Anyway, here's Goggla with more:

While I've been mourning Dora's absence and am hoping for her swift return, all Christo knows is that Dora is gone and his life must go on.

There have been several hawks around lately and I think a new female has been in the park the last few days. Christo and this new hawk were seen being aggressive with each other yesterday, but it appears he has now accepted her.

Whoa. Read more from Goggla here.

Dora is rehabbing on Long Island at the moment... and she will be released into Tompkins Square Park when the time is right. Her return promises to be dramatic.

The getaway

The first full-length record from L.A. Witch came out back in September... the video for their track "Drive Your Car" debuted this week...

Dark Tree

Dark Tree

We gather under that same dark tree,

Where we have gathered many times before,

Some of us sing, while others join in,

Happy dogs barking in harmony,

A Fall dampness in the air,

The smell of hot chocolate lingering there,

Chatting with friends old and new,

The choir sings without a care,

As if by the magic of anticipation,

Our tree bursts into sparkling lights,

White bulbs glowing in wild configuration,

Collectively we cheer, our laughter bright,

So begins the season, not too tardy?

Of togetherness, friendship, and more hot chocolate, please.

•

peter radley

The 26th annual Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting is Sunday from 4-5 p.m.

Post-'Pose' tree damage on 4th Street

Crews for the upcoming series "Pose" have decamped from Fourth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, where they were filming for parts of Nov. 28 through Wednesday.

An EVG reader on the block shared this photo ... noting that one of the production trucks was responsible for damaging this tree...



As for "Pose," the show is via Ryan Murphy, whose credits include "Nip/Tuck" and "American Horror Story."

Per Deadline:

Set in 1986, Pose examines the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in New York City: the emergence of the luxury Trump-era universe, the downtown social and literary scene and the ball culture world.

Reminders: The 26th annual Tree Lighting at Tompkins Square Park is Sunday

[Photo by Steven]

It happens from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday ... once again featuring the holiday stylings of the Carolers of Olde New York (via the Theatre for the New City) and the Mandel & Lydon Trio (every year someone makes the John Lydon joke) ... with refreshments provided by Veselka and C&B Cafe over on Seventh Street. (Go here for info about post-tree-lighting specials at a few local businesses.)

Meanwhile, two different crews have been spotted working on the tree... From yesterday...


[Photo by Ronnie]

And Sunday...


[Photo by Steven]

Not sure exactly what they were doing. Hooking up the power? Some Park regulars thought that the lights were kept on the tree year round...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader mailbag: A call to keep the lights on the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park

A holiday celebration at these East Village businesses on Sunday

[Photo via @evimanyc]

On Sunday, the East Village Independent Merchants Association is hosting a holiday celebration with specials at a handful of local businesses.

Some of the deals kick in after the tree lighting ceremony in Tompkins Square Park from 4-5 p.m. ... others are day-long specials ... here's a list of participating businesses via the EVG inbox (I did not receive specifics about what each business was offering as a special) ...

• Eleven B
• Ace Bar
• Anthony Aiden Opticians — offering 15 percent off all in stock eyewear plus a free eye exam.
• Barnyard Cheese
• Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks — 10 percent off all purchases, all day.
• Brix Wines
• Butter Lane Cupcakes
• Club Cumming
• Dream Baby — All day & all night $4 beer and $4 well liquors
• East Village Vintage Collective — 20 percent off everything store wide
• Exit 9 — 20 percent off everything storewide
• Jane's Exchange — will offer cookies and juice for kids visiting the store.
• La Sirena — will offer 20 percent off with the mention of EVIMA before check out, and gift of Mexican chili candy with every purchase
• Lucky — Free drink with any receipt of $50 spent at (one or a combination of) participating merchants
• Maiden Lane
• Ninth Street Espresso
• Pageant
• Random Accessories — 20 percent off ALL accessories
• Red Baron Ink
• Rue St. Denis Clothier
• Spotted Owl
• Swing Organic Salon — Swing into the holiday season with a glass of organic wine, a complimentary consultation, and 20 percent off gift certificates Dec. 10 to Dec. 17.
• Veselka

Here's a map with the businesses taking part on Sunday...


[Click on map to go big]

SantaCon 2017 includes these East Village bars

Organizers have announced the participating bars for SantaCon 2017.

The starting point tomorrow — snow is in the forecast — is at the James A. Farley Post Office Building on 33rd Street and Eighth Avenue. From there, some 50 bars and clubs in Midtown, Murray Hill and the East Village will be welcoming the Santas (you need to pay $10 ahead of time for the special Santa badge to enter).

Here is the list of local places [UPDATED: The original list included the Spotted Owl on Avenue A — they are not participating!] ...


[Click on the image for better view]

Also, Solas on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue is serving as one of the "Santa Clubs" for the day.

The above list is very similar to last year's announced participants in the East Village. (The 13th Step wasn't on that list, though they had one of the longest lines of Santas.)

You can find the rundown of NYC SantaCon bars here.

The official SantaConning begins at 10 a.m. (You still have time to #SitOutSantaCon.) The listed hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. At 7:01, everyone will quietly return home.

Meanwhile, EVG reader Jefferson Siegel shared this photo from the window at Ricky's on Third Avenue near 14th Street... he notes the Santa costumes each have different price stickers — $4.99 and $5. Hurry and save a penny...

TK Kitchen is closing on St. Mark's Place

TK Kitchen is closing after service on Sunday here on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

Here's part of a message from the TK Facebook page:

Dear all TK lovers and TK Family:
Dec. 10th will be our last day to serve you.

[W]e are really glad that we brought this bubble tea and Taiwanese food culture into New York city, we also feel really thankful for those people who loved us, but unfortunately, we have to say goodbye.

We are truly thankful for people who support us, to us, this is not just a restaurant, it's somehow a part of Taiwanese's memory when you are in town, in New York, it is just like home, it is really hard to use words to describe how thankful and how sorry we have to make this decision.

We will keep working hard after we finish, as a matter of fact, we have a new idea [that we are] planning at the moment, we will be back soon!

[Photo by Derek Berg]

It's unclear from their message if they will reopen in this space or somewhere else. (They will have a new neighbor if they do reopen here.)

TK evolved during its 10 years here... initially sharing space as TKettle with a BBQ Chicken chain, as seen in this photo from the EVG bubble tea archives ...

Hibachi Dumpling Express rolls onto 14th Street; so long Stuyvesant Organic

The signage is up for Hibachi Dumpling Express at 536 E. 14th St. near Avenue B... not sure if this is related to the Hibachi Dumpling Express that had a short run on First Avenue near 14th Street. (The logo is different...) Anyway, that place had a decent quick-serve menu featuring hibachi-style teriyaki chicken, beef and shrimp.

This arrival also marks the end of Stuyvesant Organic, which debuted about this time in 2015. The cafe-restaurant had almost too-good-to-be-true prices, like the daily special with three sides going for $4.99.

Also yesterday, workers finally removed the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding from Extell's new retail-residential complex a few doors away...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: That new place called Stuyvesant Organic on East 14th Street is really good

Why Kennedy Fried Chicken is closing on East 14th Street

Paul Kostabi at the 2nd Avenue F stop

Here's a look at Paul Kostabi's new mural outside the Second Avenue F stop at East Houston ...



This Instagram account has all the murals that have been in this space the past few years...

RIP Toyo Tsuchiya

[Image via Facebook]

Toyo Tsuchiya, a well-regarded artist and photographer who documented the Lower East Side art scene of the 1980s, died in his East Village apartment on Nov. 23. He was 69. Friends said that he died of heart failure.

Here's more about him via Howl! Happening, which presented a selection of his work in November 2016:

Tsuchiya is best known for his photographs of NYC’s Lower East Side art scene in the 1980s and as an originator of the legendary Rivington School. In these highly personalized images of New York’s Lower East Side since 1980, Tsuchiya documented what was happening around him —the people, performance art, and the Lower East Side art scene — and especially the legendary underground movement of the collaborative Rivington School.

Born near Mt. Fuji in Japan, Tsuchiya grew up in Kyushu and Yokohama. After graduating from the Kanagawa Ken Technical High School for Industrial Design he began his career as an artist. Living in Osaka, Yokohama, and Tokyo, he studied and exhibited paintings, drawings and collage within a small circle of the 1970’s art world in Tokyo. In the late 70s he turned to photography, and soon moved to New York City.

Tsuchiya was a creative force behind the No Se No Social Club, the stage for many art happenings, including the 99 Nights, a marathon of free performances and exhibitions. In his photographs, Tsuchiya captures the style, energy, and free-spirited creativity of the time, and contextualized these happenings in a fine-art lineage.

On Tuesday, fellow Rivington School artist Monty Cantsin honored Tsuchiya on an East Village rooftop, where he painted the "6 O'Clock" Rivington School logo and Toyo's name before roping the piece off with (legally acquired) police tape.


[Photo by Adrian Wilson]



The following is courtesy of Adrian Wilson:

Cantsin spent four years working with Tsuchiya to collate photographs, posters and other ephemera relating to the Rivington School artists, publishing the first comprehensive book on the oft-lamented art group. Many of the Rivington School artists spread into the East Village, notably Linus Corraggio, who ran the Gas Station gallery on Avenue B at Second Street for a decade from 1985.

Longtime East Village resident Roman Albear was working closely with Toya on a Rivington School documentary, and only three weeks ago managed to bring six of the artists together for the first time in over 30 years to discuss their memories on film.

Sadly, this would be the last time Toyo appeared on camera (far left).

[Photo by Adrian Wilson]

NYPD searching for man who exposed himself in Tompkins Square Park

Last week, we wrote about a man who was seen exposing himself in Tompkins Square Park near the children's playground.

One reader said the man is known in the Park and was spotted rubbing his genitals in front of two women last fall. (See this post.)

The NYPD is now seeking info on the suspect... the 9th Precinct tweeted this yesterday morning...

Recognize him? He is #wanted by the #NYPD for exposing himself & performing lewd acts in Tompkins Square Park. Any info ☎️ #800577TIPS @NYCParks #EastVillage pic.twitter.com/1LzgWWwSBD

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) December 6, 2017

He was last seen carrying his pants and wearing red lipstick on First Avenue at 13th Street.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

GG's looks to be yielding to Emmy Squared on 5th Street

The owners of Emmy Squared are applying for a new liquor license at 511 E. Fifth St. — the current home of GG's, the pizzeria between Avenue A and Avenue B, according to paperwork on file at the CB3 website. (PDF here.)

The paperwork filed ahead of Monday night's CB3-SLA meeting describes this as a sale of assets. The method of operation looks about the same with seating and hours (noon to midnight daily).

Emmy Squared in Williamsburg serves Detroit-style pizza via the wife-and-husband team behind Emily on Downing Street. (Neither of the owners, Emily and Matt Hyland, happen to be from Detroit.)

Eater once wrote that Emily and Emily Squared are "two of NYC's most exciting pizzerias."

A post shared by Emmy Squared (@emmysquaredpizza) on Nov 19, 2017 at 1:18pm PST

The Hylands are currently involved in a lawsuit with some investors.

GG's opened here in September 2014... after owner Nick Morgenstern decided to revamp his Goat Town space. Morgenstern told Eater that business is good at GG's, but he and his partners want to focus on new projects, such as a restaurant for the Ace Hotel on the Bowery.

GG's will close after service on Dec. 23.

The December CB3-SLA committee meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Goat Town is closing to make way for a pizzeria

The transformation of Goat Town to GG's on East 5th Street

GG's announces itself on East 5th Street

New storefront reveal on 2nd Street

The plywood recently came off at 201 E. Second St., where workers had been putting in a new storefront here at Avenue B.

The space, formerly an office for C & R Construction & Renovation Inc., is going for $4,500 a month for 500 square feet, according to the listing at Eastern Consolidated.

Here's a rendering, showing a potential coffee shop...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A new storefront for 2nd Street

Winter Craft Fair tomorrow at the Children's Workshop School

The Children's Workshop School (CWS) is hosting a Winter Craft Fair tomorrow (Friday!) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be a variety of handmade items for sale to the public at the school, 610 E. 12th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. The CWS website has more info here.

'It's a Wonderful Life' at Ciao for Now on Dec. 15

Ciao for Now is hosting a free holiday screening of "It’s a Wonderful Life" next Friday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Via the EVG inbox...

We will be collecting unwrapped toy donations at the door for the NYPD 9th Precinct’s Annual Toy Drive. Seating is limited so we strongly recommend reserving your seat by calling 212-677- 2616 to RSVP. There will be delicious food and beverage available for purchase and plenty of holiday cheer!

The family-owned restaurant is at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. This is the latest film screening for Ciao for Now, who earlier this year showed "Carnival of Souls" and "What About Me?"

Wednesday's parting shot

Back to this morning on Avenue A via Derek Berg...

Out and About in the East Village

In this ongoing feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village or Lower East Side.



By James Maher

Name: Holly DeRito and Tulip
Occupation: Owner, Waggytail Rescue
Location: Avenue B between 10th and 11th
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 28

I’m originally from the sticks of Pennsylvania. I grew up with horses on a small farm next to Allentown. I came here for the music scene. One of my friends was a roadie for a band, and I started seeing shows. I just became addicted to New York. I’ve been here for 24 years. I was into hardcore punk, alternative. The first show that I drove up to myself was Bad Brains at the Wetlands.

I was bold but I probably should have been more scared than I was. I was always a little bit fearless. I’ve always been a little bit shy but then I’ve been bold. I like challenges — so one of my friends dared me to go into one of those S&M places and try out to be a dominatrix.

I was going to school and working two jobs. I just did it for shits and giggles, and they were like, ‘Oh, you’re blond, you’re hired.’ So I ended up doing that and that’s how I put myself through college with no debt. And then I did a dominatrix workout program that was on HBO and VH1 Real Sex — it was called Slaversize.

I got really sick with Lyme disease, so I didn’t start that again, but I adopted my dog Taco, and he was just magical. The day that I adopted him, two of my friends died in a murder-suicide, and I just remember he was so scared and I just clung to him. He was my soulmate dog.

Then I fostered a dog for another group, and the second that dog was adopted, Taco just looked so sad. So I road my bike up to the city pound to jailbreak him a friend. There I ran into a girl I had worked with as a dominatrix. She was running a pug rescue.

She pulled me into the back to where all of the dogs were on death row that the public didn’t see. She was like, ‘These are the ones that aren’t going to get out, who can you take? Can you help me?’ And I went home with seven dogs that night. I couldn’t leave any of them. So I went home and called my friends and said, ‘Hey can you watch a dog for a few days?’

I had no idea what I was doing — and that’s kind of how I started. It became like — I can save more. I was so passionate, and it was a challenge. I officially formed a rescue in 2004 and it’s just grown from there. The city has changed a lot in that there are almost no small dogs or family friendly dogs in the city shelters, which is great because people have started spaying and neutering. They have started taking better care of their pets. The city has become really pro-dog and dog friendly in comparison to what it used to be. Here for dogs to breed and have puppies, you almost have to make a conscious effort. They have to be in heat and find each other down the hallway and down the stairs. In Los Angeles, Dallas, and elsewhere in the south, they don’t spay/neuter and the dogs are just running in yards. They’re just completely overwhelmed with dogs.

We had a waiting list of people who wanted to adopt dogs. I went to Los Angeles to dogsit for one of my friends and saw the shelters there. I decided to form a program called One-by-One. We supply the carriers, we pay for the ticket for the dog as well as the leashes, the harnesses — everything. We drop off the dog at the airport, pick it up on the other side and a person just flies with the dog. Everybody said it couldn’t be done, and it seemed like it was impossible, but people love it. Everybody who’s done it has done it again. We’ve gotten about 500 dogs that way — one by one.

I have a little bit more faith in humanity. We get adoption donations. The dogs that are coming in tonight on American Airlines are from the highest kill shelter in Dallas, and then all the fosters are going to pick them up. I’m going to microchip them myself. I have my own little branch in Los Angeles with my system and my setup with the shelters and the veterinarians and we also partner up with a few groups. We take in dogs about every two weeks. I formed a buddy system where people who have fostered help the new [dog owners].

I really like anything hands-on. My mom was a nurse and my grandmother was a lab tech. I grew up going into the lab, visiting my grandmother and being fascinated by tumors when I was 6 years old. That stuff is kind of normal to me. I grew up next to a wildlife sanctuary, and because my mom is a nurse, we used to take in all types of orphaned animals and birds with broken wings. It’s an addiction, and it’s also a little bit of a gamble because I agree to a certain amount of dogs. If I don’t find fosters, then I’m out on the street with the dog. Hasn’t happened yet but I’m at the max amount allowed in my building – so yeah, I’d be sleeping at Remedy diner.

If people want to help we have a little fostering section on Waggytailrescue.org. For support we have trainers who we work with. A lot of the fosters end up adopting. A lot of people are considering adopting a dog and they’re not sure it’s the right time, so they’ll foster for a week or two and see if they’re ready for the commitment. If they’re not ready, they’ll maybe foster again until the right time or the right dog, so it’s a good system.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.