At East Village Meat Market's 2nd Annual Pierogi Tasting Day

Photos and text by EVG contributor Stacie Joy

The 2nd annual Pierogi Tasting Day event took place today at East Village Meat Market at 139 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.



The lines were long (stretching all the way down the block to St. Mark’s Place), and there had been more than 800 visitors when I arrived around 1 p.m. People patiently waited for free samples of pierogi and blintzes from Veselka, Rosa-Ly Pierogi, Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen, Ukrainian National Home in Jersey City, and a handful of other vendors.

Up for grabs were traditional pierogi flavors like potato, cheese, mushroom-barley, and buckwheat but also newer flavors like short rib, buffalo chicken, arugula-goat cheese, and taco.






[Store manager Andrew Ilnicki]


[Ilnicki family and friends]

Roman Ilnicki, the store’s social media director (and son of manager Andrew), said that he and his family were delighted at the massive turnout and happy to see so many friends, neighbors and visitors at the shop.

Sunday in Tompkins Square Park

Via the EVG inbox...

This is our last show of the season in Tompkins Square Park. Performers include:

• Transgendered Jesus
• Choking Victim
• Ache
• Clitorium
• (A) Truth

The fun begins at 2 p.m. sharp.

Following the bands (roughly 5:30 p.m.), cartoonist/artist Seth Tobocman will be projecting images from his graphic novel, "A War in the Neighborhood." Find more details here.

Checking in on Bolt, the dog abandoned Thursday morning in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo Thursday morning by Derek Berg]

On Thursday morning, someone abandoned the dog in the above photo in the Tompkins Square Park dog run...

Several residents called Social Tees on Fifth Street, and their director Samantha Brody was there within 10 minutes. Social Tees took the dog to the vet ... and had him groomed...

Social Tees provided an update on the dog, named Bolt...

Drumroll please... and TA DA!!!!! You know how we rescued a matted, gnarled, filthy mop of an abandoned dog in the dog run this morning and immediately whisked him away up to our vet and a groomer? HERE HE IS NOW!!! Bolt is in good health and aced his grooming session -- they specifically called to say how incredibly well behaved he was, despite the fact that he'd clearly never even had a bath his whole life let alone a nail trimming and full shave. Bolt is about 10 months old, very silly and energetic, and loves to play. We are so honored to have been able to rescue this boy. Stay tuned for more and thanks again to the amazing group of animal lovers who helped save him this morning! ❤️ #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedog #shihtzu #shihtzusofinstagram #blackdog #blackshihtzu #thatfacetho #cute #adorable #newdo #gooddog #luckydog #neglecteddog #nycdog #halloween #teamwork #compassion #cooperation #socialtees #socialteesnyc #straypride

A photo posted by SocialTeesNYC (@socialteesnyc) on Oct 27, 2016 at 11:27am PDT

Catching 'Fire'

Girls Against Boys are playing at St. Vitus in Brooklyn on Nov. 3.

I like their bio: "out of the ashes of dc punk rock dischord band soulside, moved up to new york, put out a ton of records since 1990, have 2 bass players, did a bunch of stuff with a bunch of people and we eat, drink, sleep and walk around."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of their Touch & Go release "House of GVSB."

From that record is "Super-fire."

Squish Marshmallows signage arrives at 120 St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

A worker today unveiled the signage at 120 St. Mark's Place, where Squish Marshmallows is opening in the long-empty storefront between Avenue A and First Avenue.

This is the first retail outlet for Katherine Sprung, the creator behind Squish Marshmallows. (They are available online and at Abigail's Bake Shop in Brooklyn.)

Per the Squish website:

The goal of Squish Marshmallows is to make a quality, delicious product, using natural ingredients in the marshmallow base, that makes people happy and changes the way they view the humble marshmallow. Whether you choose to enjoy the marshmallows by themselves, or use them to make the most decadent and whimsical s’mores, the idea is to simply eat them and be happy.

pretty in pink 🎀 reminder that a portion of sales during October will be donated to breast cancer research! also, we're HIRING! (site link in bio-info-jobs)

A photo posted by squish marshmallows® (@squishmarsh) on Oct 25, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

The previous tenant, Addiction Ink, left in 2014.

And as you may recall, 120 St. Mark's Place was once the artists collective known as The Cave. (Among other people, it was the home of the Mosaic Man.) Developer Ben Shaoul took over the property in 2006, where he earned his "sledgehammer" nickname from Curbed.

EV Grieve Etc.: Getting catty over a Yelp review; crowning Mr. LES

[Photo by Derek Berg]

71-year-old man robbed inside his apartment in the Wald Houses (Daily News)

Highlights of the Mr. LES Pageant — in Ridgewood (Slum Goddess)

A visit to the EV apartment of photographers Karla and James Murray (6sqft)

Yelper complains about the cat at S.K. Deli Market on Second Avenue; Internet responds (PIX11)

History of the Public Theater on Lafayette (Off the Grid)

Zagat names Kingsley on Avenue B as "top newcomer" (Zagat)

Bleecker Street Records closes for good (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

The birds of Lower Manhattan (Laura Goggin Photography)

A great lineup for "The Medium is the Massacre" series, including "Videodrome," "Demon Seed" and "Poltergeist." (Anthology Film Archives)

Momofuku Ssäm Bar reopens on Second Avenue (Eater)

"Shark Tank" alum sells East 13th Street home (The Post)

Metrograph presents "Trouble Every Day," a Halloween-themed slate of films named "in honor of Claire Denis's bloody film audit" (Official Site)

NYPD looking for suspect who threw a dog into a dumpster (The Lo-Down)

John Cale will perform the Velvet Underground & Nico live in NYC next year (Quietus)

How about a 30th anniversary celebration for Pussy Galore’s Exile on Main St.? (Dangerous Minds)

“The Ramones Way” street naming is Sunday (Gallery98)

...on Sunday, local restaurateur Ravi DeRossi is hosting a fundraiser for his nonprofit animal-rights organization BEAST (Benefits to End Animal Suffering Today) ... the event (it's a Dios de Los Muertos party) is at Mayahuel, 304 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. It's $25 from 4-6 p.m., and includes drinks, veggie tacos, etc. All the proceeds will go to helping put an end to animal cruelty. There's no cover from 6 p.m. to midnight. Details here.

[Updated] City says no to landmarking row of 7th Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264

[EVG photo of No. 264 from last month]

In early September, a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the 3-level house at 264 E. Seventh St between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Preservations rallied to try to have the string of pastel-colored residences here considered for landmarking. However, yesterday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) rejected the request. As Patch first reported: "The city's official reasoning was that there was no precedent for them to designate historic districts when the buildings cover just one side of the street."



For his part, Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, cited "at least eight examples of past historic designations by the LPC that covered just one side of the street, including a row of buildings on East 10th Street that's just a few blocks away."

In 2008, LPC said that the row of houses, from No 258 to 266, "appear to be an LPC-eligible historic district," as Patch pointed out.

Felicia Bond lived in the Garden Duplex when she illustrated the renowned children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" in the mid-1980s.

According to public records, Norris Chumley and Catherine Stine Chumley sold the property to Globalserv Property One, LLC, for $3.775 million.

In 2011, the home hit the market. Here was the broker pitch:

This incredible East Village three unit townhouse has great bones and endless possibilities! Currently set up as a parlor floor duplex with back yard and two floor through apartments, this classic townhouse is a great investment property or could be made into your own single family home!

[The backyard at No. 264]

Globalserv Property One, LLC has yet to make their intentions known for the-soon-to-be-demolished home.

Updated 10/29

Here's more about the homes via GVSHP:

Once part of what was known as “Political Row”, these five ca. 1842 houses, located between Avenues C and D, have rare and beautiful intact Greek Revival ornament, and are linked to the history of the early development of New York’s waterfront and to critical political figures of the 19th and early 20th century in New York.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in the house that inspired the art for 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'

Pit crew preps for 22-unit condo on 1st Avenue

Crews have started digging into the pit at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...



Doing the preliminary work for the foundation of an 8-story condoplex — featuring 22 residences in total.

And please mind the cattle pen and porta-potty set up on the bike lane...



As previously noted, here's what the Colonnade Group has planned for the lot:

Designed by HTO-Architect, the building will rise 8 stories and will stand out with its contemporary and timeless glassy structure. Comprised of 22 residential units, ranging from 1 to 3 bedroom condominiums, 75 I˚ AVE is the ultimate destination for New York sophisticated buyers looking for all the comforts of a high-end residence in a young and dynamic environment.

All of the units will benefit from a number of amenities, including Fitness Center, Lounge and Library, Private and Common Roof Deck, Storage, Bike Storage & Doorman and a no-wait express line next door at Rite Aid.

Still haven't seen the full rendering — just this thumbnail of an image...



And Ryan Serhant's team is responsible for the condo sales... here's a photo of some suits and shovels during the official groundbreaking at No. 75 a few weeks ago...

We have officially broken ground at 75 FIRST, our newest East Village condominium project on the corner of 5th Street. 22 beautiful homes with gorgeous finishes and stunning amenities designed by H. Thomas OHara. @serhant_team

A photo posted by Ryan Serhant (@ryanserhant) on Sep 28, 2016 at 2:03pm PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue

High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play

Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering

Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands

Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks return of a community garden on Avenue C

[Image via @RosieMendez]

As we've been noting in recent months, the empty lot between Eastville Gardens and 115 Avenue C (between Eighth Street and Seventh Street) has been renovated to create a new community garden.

On Wednesday afternoon, local elected officials, led by City Councilmember Rosie Mendez, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the Carmen Pabon Garden ... named for the longtime LES activist and community gardner. (She is in the above photo to the right of the sign.)

There's some contentious history here... Eastville Gardens, the apartment complex whose official address is 342 E. Eighth St., is on the site once occupied by El Jardin de la Esperanza. The 22-year-old garden was bulldozed in February 2000 to make way for the new development via Donald Capoccia of BFC Partners. (You can read more background here.)

According to the Lo-Down, who attended the ceremony:

Before the ribbon cutting, Capoccia made brief remarks, telling community activists gathered in the newly opened space, “It’s really the beginning of my rehabilitation” in the neighborhood. Capoccia said he’s now an, “embracer of community gardens.”

DNAinfo reports that local architect Paul Castrucci designed the garden, which features Magnolia and Pink Dogwood trees, cherry laurel and holly shrubs. It will reportedly be open year-round.

Carmen's Garden finally reopening to the public today Lower East Side #CommunityGardens this Garden help save all the gardens long story learn your history #directaction #corporatemedia

A video posted by Museum of Reclaimed UrbanSpace (@morusnyc) on Oct 26, 2016 at 1:45pm PDT

You can watch a video biography of Pabon here.


[Photo from last month by Dave on 7th]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Part of a community garden reappears 16 years after it was bulldozed

95 E. 3rd St., former home of the Edge, is for rent

The for rent signs are up now here between First Avenue and Second Avenue... can't recall seeing this broker around here before — Green Pond Real Estate (based in Clifton, N.J.) ...



We didn't spot any listing yet for the space, which is 1,300 square feet on the ground floor with another 650 square feet in the basement.

The neighborhood bar the Edge closed here in late September after 29 years in business.