Family looking for information about Peter Schedler

Several EVG readers have spotted these flyers in locations on East Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... with several posted outside No. 160.

The family of Peter Schedler is looking for information about his whereabouts last Friday night or Saturday morning. (Peter's brother Spencer, who wrote the note, gave his OK for us to repost the flyer).

The note reads:

"I am looking for any information regarding my brother Peter... and his activities in the building last Friday night and Saturday morning. If you saw him, heard from him, or heard anything that evening, it would be an extreme comfort to know. There is no criminal investigation, and we are not looking for anyone to blame. Absolutely no authorities will be involved. As I am unable to speak with him, I just want to know any details that you may have to help fill me and my family on his whereabouts that night.

Even if you think it was insignificant but you heard or noticed something, please contact me. It would be greatly appreciated and help our family who dearly loves him. Thank you for your help."

Spencer's email address is raised3rd@gmail.com.

Peter, who had worked as a senior executive for Live Nation, Warner Music Group and and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, among others, was found dead on Saturday morning. He was 39. His obituary is published here.

"Peter will be remembered for being passionate about whatever he set his mind to and his big ideas. There was very little that he did not hold a strong opinion on. He certainly lived his life to the fullest during his 39 years, with a wide network of friends from all walks of life. His outgoing, loyal and friendly personality will be immensely missed."

[Updated] DOH temporarily closes Little Poland on 2nd Avenue

The DOH has temporarily closed Second Avenue stalwart Little Poland, one of our favorite places to eat.

An inspection on Tuesday yielded 66 violation points, including for "Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations." They've always had excellent scores in the past.

Anyway, when they reopen here at 200 Second Ave. between East 12th Street and East 13th Street, we might finally try the pancake special that the diner has been offering since earlier in the fall...



Updated 12:46

They will reopen at 3 this afternoon...

Reader report: Gas main replacement brings new wildlife to East Seventh Street

A resident on East Seventh Street between Avenue C and Avenue D shares the following:

East 7th Street between Avenue C and D has been graced with multiple weeks of gas main replacement, causing the area's typical wildlife, frisky rats, to find alternate habitat. You'll notice in this photo, the planter's dirt has been covered in Belgian block and chicken wire to prevent the erstwhile rodents from nesting in them.

Well, the absence of our rats has brought another form of wildlife to 7th Street. Peeking from between the planters is a frightened little opossum.



311 has uninterestingly responded that opossums are the "property owner's problem."

We hope the little guy hasn't been poisoned by the block's copious rat bait stations...

The new Astor Place CVS actually opens... TODAY

Well, after faking us out once... the CVS at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star opens today. (The sign on the door originally said Sunday, Dec. 13, which meant that we got all dressed up for nothing — except church, of course.)

As noted previously and previously, CVS will eventually be joined by three more ground-level businesses — Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t and Flywheel Sports.

Meantime, see you in the Beauty section!

Previously on EV Grieve:
You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

BREAKING: CVS is the 1st retail tenant for the Death Star! (42 comments)

1st sign of the incoming CVS at 51 Astor Place

CVS has teamed up with Watson, IBM’s supercomputer

3 new retail tenants for 51 Astor Place: Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t and Flywheel Sports

At It's a Wonderful Life!: A benefit for Rev. Jen Junior (the greatest dog actress of all time)

[Bad Santa]

Last night at Cake Shop on Ludlow Street, Rev. Jen put on a benefit to help pay the medical bills for her ailing dog, Rev. Jen Junior. (Anything leftover was to go to Waggytail Rescue.)

So Rev. Jen assembled a group of musicians, comedians, performers — and more — for the benefit. Photographer Walter Wlodarczyk, a friend of EV Grieve (AFOEVG), was there and shared these photos from the evening...


[John S. Hall]


[Angry Bob]


[Even Twice]


[Rev. Jen Junior]


[Master Lee]


[Dusty Santamaria]


[Janeane Garofalo]


[Johnny Bizarre]






[Rev. Jen Junior]

'The Shell-Shocked Nut' returns to La MaMa

Words and photos by EVG contributor Stacie Joy

For the second year, I had a chance to get a sneak peek at the East Village Dance Project’s annual performance of "The Shell-Shocked Nut" (an alternative take on "The Nutcracker") at La MaMa.









Conceived and directed by Martha Tornay, and co-directed by Victoria Roberts-Wierzbowski, the all-ages production opens tonight and runs through Sunday, Dec. 20. The story features local spots like Tompkins Square Park, community gardens, and Economy Candy, and has bad guys like an unnamed real-estate developer. There’s even a live rock band during the CBGB’s ghost portion of the performance.









The East Village Dance Project, located at 55 Avenue C , offers classes to all, regardless of income, and has a scholarship program named after Charlotte Ruby Cantor, a young student of Martha’s who died at an early age in 1999. Her family developed the scholarship to support local young people whose families cannot afford the expense of dance classes.

Tickets — which help support the scholarship fund, and are subject to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status — and additional information can be found here.

The Force is strong, etc., etc., with this Dark Side poster campaign

By now, you've likely seen these Dark Side posters plastered just about everywhere around the neighborhood (and elsewhere). As far as we can tell, they arrived Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. (About the the time that @DarkSide_NYC started following us — and vice versa.)

Here are some other samplings of the Dark Side...

#DARKSIDENYC #BRUNCH pic.twitter.com/dp99igpTWM

— Dark Side NYC (@DarkSide_NYC) December 17, 2015

#DARKSIDENYC pic.twitter.com/Fm9KxBRMOy

— Dark Side NYC (@DarkSide_NYC) December 17, 2015

#DARKSIDENYC pic.twitter.com/LoFk3cuMoG

— Dark Side NYC (@DarkSide_NYC) December 16, 2015

Spotted- 2nd Ave & 9th St East Village, NYC. #darksidenyc #streetartnyc @evgrieve #starbucks pic.twitter.com/MiT1Ten2Z8

— Ian Archbold (@Iandarchbold) December 16, 2015

...and so on...

Nicole Levy at DNAinfo checked in with a story on the Dark Side... an excerpt:

A campaign calling itself Dark Side NYC — launching just as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens in local theaters — is taking aim at expensive coffee, crowded subway stations, juice cleanses, drunken brunches, online dating and other stressors of New York City life with posters such as the one above and social media accounts featuring a Death Star avatar.

"We seek to bring balance to New York," said the enigmatic figures behind the campaign in an email to DNAinfo. "And with the Force fresh on everyone's minds, we feel it prudent to reveal how New York City truly is the Empire State," they added, referring to the oppressive Galactic Empire of George Lucas' cinematic sci-fi saga.

As any true Star Wars fan knows, the posters take their inspiration from the wisdom of Jedi master Yoda: "Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering," he tells Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," admonishing him to steer clear of the path taken by his father, the evil Darth Vader.

Oh. Well, so much for our theory that this campaign was a tribute to John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band's hit song "On the Dark Side" from "Eddie & the Cruisers."

A ballerina for 2nd Avenue

[Photo from August]

The mural by Brazilian twins Os Gêmeos has some company now on Second Avenue at East First Street...

We noticed someone working on the adjacent building in the empty lot last evening...



... and today...





We're told that it's the work of French street artist JR. (See his other NYC ballerinas here.)

You have some time to enjoy it before the 10-story building with 31 residences and ground-floor retail goes up here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: Gas station going, boutique hotel coming on Second Avenue? (31 comments)

BP station on 2nd Avenue closes this month

The 2nd Avenue BP station has closed

Report: 50,000 square feet of condos coming to the former 2nd Avenue BP station

Permits filed to demolish former 2nd Avenue BP station

More about the 10-story building taking the place of the former BP station at 24 2nd Ave.

A look inside the last East Village gas station

Check out the new 10-story building for the former 2nd Avenue BP station

Newsflash: It doesn't take long to demolish a gas station

Drug treatment center on East 10th Street now on the market for residential conversion

The 6-story walk-up on East 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C is new to the market.

Here's the deal, via Cushman & Wakefield:

The offering presents an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a highly sought after value-add redevelopment project in Manhattan’s East Village. The building is approximately 40’ x 80’ and consists of 20,688 gross square feet which includes the usable garden level space. Recent measurements indicate the garden level is partially (approximately 35%) below sidewalk grade and therefore usable. There are a number of physical features that benefit a developer such as excellent ceiling heights, multiple airshafts providing light and air, a large open stairwell, and a 15’ rear yard.

Ownership is a NYC non-profit which has owned the building for many years and currently uses the building for social services. The existing Certificate of Occupancy lists the Building Code Occupancy Group as H-2 and the Zoning Use as Group 3. However, residential use is permitted within the R8B zoning classification and the building was originally used as an apartment building.

The East Village continues to evolve into one of New York City’s most exciting and vibrant communities. Considering the building’s location, 371-373 East 10th Street benefits from a wide array of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife options in addition to Tompkins Square Park – one of the area’s best outdoor amenities. Since the building is being delivered completely vacant, this offering provides the developer with an extremely rare opportunity. The property is ideal for conversion to rental apartments or condominiums.

Asking price: $15 million

As we understand it, the Educational Alliance operates/owns the building, offering "residential therapeutic communities for adults dealing with chemical dependency." This is a male-only facility.

The Educational Alliance is adding an extension to their existing building on Avenue D between East Third Street and East Fourth Street for housing patients in their treatment programs.

Image via Cushman & Wakefield

Avenue A Wine & Liquor will remain a liquor store

Avenue A Wine & Liquor at 196 Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street closed back in August.

The 900-square foot space had been on the market for $10,500 a month.

Looks like there's a taker for the space... the State Liquor Authority (SLA) notice in the front window notes that another on-premises liquor store is on the way in...



The application is pending with the SLA.

The 1st Annual Santa Con for dogs is Saturday

Slum Goddess shared this flyer photo with us for — the First Annual Santa Con for Dogs

Hmm, interesting choice for branding given the outrage over the human version of SantaCon every year, an event that brings together elected officials to write letters To Whom It May Concern.

Anyway, the Canine Con is part of a celebration via The School for the Dogs on East Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B for their clients and pets. There will be photos with Santa ... then a parade from the East Second Street facilities over to d.b.a. at 41 First Avenue between East Second Street and East Third Street. (More details are here.)

So expect more peeing and pooping on the sidewalks from participants just like last Saturday!

Smoke shop, the new nail salon, opening in former nail salon on Avenue A

Well, OK — if you made it past that headline... a tipster tells us that a smoke shop (water-pipe and vaping accessories, etc.) is opening over at 221 Avenue A between East 13th Street and East 14th Street where the nail salon was. No one was around the premises to confirm. But this is what our tipster hears.

Noted

[Photo by @iyumnewyork]

Perhaps in time for the premiere of "The Force Awakens" ... flyers announcing a Chewbacca Roar Contest have been spotted around... this one is on the Bowery at East Houston.

Apparently these flyers are a staple on or near April Fool's Day in various cities and states... calls to the the number in suburban Boston on this flyer eventually lead to a voice-mail where there isn't any mention of a Chewbacca Roar Contest.

Stuy Town T-Mobile store robbed at gunpoint

Police are searching for two men who robbed the T-Mobile store on First Avenue near East 19th Street on Sunday afternoon.

Here's some narrative via Town & Village:

While one of them waved a gun around, the men ordered two employees and one male customer into a back room. The suspects then forced an employee to turn over 40 Apple and Samsung phones off a shelf as well as approximately $1500 in cash from a safe.

The NYPD released this surveillance video today... the customer, who is carrying a cane, is made to lie down on the floor while an employee hands over the merchandise and money...



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.

Chica, the trilingual parakeet, is missing

An EVG reader spotted this in a First Avenue building... (You can email us if you found Chica...)

[Updated] How much for this new-to-market home on 1st Avenue?

This arrived on the market this morning on First Avenue at East 12th Street...



Details are scarce. However, as you can tell, this coveted location offers easy access to public crosstown/uptown transportation and the First Avenue bike lane. Close to some of the neighborhood's best restaurants, shops, schools and bone broth.

What are you willing to pay for the chance to live here? (And don't be put off by the small size!)



1 p.m.

This is a project called #smokersnyc via photographer Mark Reigelman II ... taking this around the city and putting it over manhole covers to make it look like the chimney is in use...


[Via our friends at @academyrecords]

Icon wraps former Chase branch at St. Mark's Place with retail ribbon

It's now a little more obvious that the now-closed Chase branch on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place is for rent.

The retail ribbon has arrived on the property via Icon Realty. The retail space has been on the market, with an asking price of $72,000 a month, per the listing, which notes the address is acceptable for "General Retail Use, Restaurants/Bar, Office Space, Gyms/Fitness Centers."

As the Commercial Observer first reported back in August, J.P. Morgan Chase sold the 2-level space to Stellar Management for $12 million. (Stellar and Icon teamed up to buy the gas-challenged No. 128 next door.)

The former Chase site allows for redevelopment of the 2,380-square-foot site into a mixed-use retail and residential project of 9,520 square feet, the Observer noted.

The branch here at 130 Second Ave. closed after Nov. 12 and consolidated with the location two blocks to the north at No. 156.



Photos by EVG correspondent Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:
Chase space on 2nd Avenue and St. Mark's Place is for rent

The retail space at 20 Avenue A is on the market

2 East Village Chase Bank branches are closing for good on Nov. 12

Chase branch on 2nd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has the potential to get 4x larger with new owner

The East Village is down 2 Chase branches

Out and About in the East Village 2015 recap

Since Aug. 1, 2012, East Village-based photographer James Maher has interviewed residents of the neighborhood for our series Out and About in the East Village.

Well, we're wrapping up OAAITEV (as we like to call it) for the year to prep for the incoming Valentine's Day holiday. So here's a look back at the people we featured during the year. We'll be back with more OAAITEV in January 2016. Many thanks to James for continuing to provide us with these stories every week. (And thanks to Stacie Joy for filling in!) And thank you to everyone who has shared their stories.

Meanwhile, happy holidays and see you in the next post.

Jan. 7 — Zachary Mack

Jan. 14 — Magic Brian

Jan. 21 — Gala Darling

Feb. 4 — Adrianna Grezak

Feb. 11 — Eileen Johnson

Feb. 18 — Sheila Rothenberg Part 1

Feb. 25 — Sheila Rothenberg Part 2

March 4 — Stephen Shanaghan and Arnoldo Caballero Part 1

March 11 — Stephen Shanaghan and Arnoldo Caballero Part 2

March 18 — Regina Bartkoff and Charles Schick Part 1

March 25 — Regina Bartkoff and Charles Schick Part 2

April 8 — Kecia (and Hazel)

April 15 — Diane McLean

April 22 – Mildred Guy

April 29 — Mark Mace

May 6 — Philip Van Aver

May 13 — Rineke

May 20 — Robert Shapiro

May 27 — Alicia Mercado

June 3 — 2015 recap!

June 10 — Sharon Jane Smith

June 17 — Ilyse Kazar (and Shiro)

June 24 — Glenora Blackshire

July 1 — Nelson Vercher

July 8 — Jeremy X. Halpern

July 15 — Maurice Whitaker and Laura K. Reich (Lulu)

July 29 — Wendy Scripps

Aug. 5 — Norman

Aug. 19 — Arthur Rivers

Aug. 26 — George Cameron

Sept. 2 — Jennifer Bonilla

Sept. 9 — Lisa Arbetter

Sept. 16 — Kim Gallagher

Sept. 23 — Eva Dorsey

Sept. 30 — Matthew (with Vincenzo)

Oct. 7 — Elsie Flores

Oct. 14 — Mickey Davis

Oct. 21 — Gina

Oct. 28 — Robert with Stellar

Nov. 4 — Jose Ilarraza

Nov. 11 — Willie Correa

Nov. 18 — Karen Platt

Dec. 2 — Andru Cann

Dec. 9 — Tony Feher

Feel the need for speed? Then think twice about taking the M101/102/103

A few bus lines that East Village residents may — or more likely, may not — depend on have been recognized. And not really in a good way.

The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives have handed out their annual awards highlighting poor bus service in NYC.

To the news release!

The “winner” of the 2015 Schleppie is ... a tie! The 2015 Schleppie goes to the M1 and the combined M101/102/103, both with a dismal 37 percent of buses arriving with big gaps in service or bunched together.

New York City Transit calculates “wait assessments” for “42 high-volume routes,” the same routes first chosen by Transit two decades ago. Wait assessment measures how closely a line sticks to scheduled intervals for arrival. Wait assessment becomes poorer the more buses arrive in bunches or with major gaps in service.

“In the realm of unreliable bus service, the M1 is the king, and the local M101/102/103 is the queen," said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. "Their unhappy subjects, the riders, must endure the tyranny of frequent and long waits, followed by a parade of buses that pass by in bunches, like a herd of lumbering elephants."

In addition, the M14A was named the fourth-slowest bus in the system, according to this report, with an average speed of 3.9 MPH at noon on a weekday. (Topping the list was the M66 crosstown at 3.1 MPH.)

Still not too late to ask for a hoverboard for xmas.