6th Street retail space bricked up for residential use

[EVG file photo]

After 12 years in business, the rental shop that specialized in Indian music and Bollywood cinema closed in the fall of 2015 at 343 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Then J-Mar Special Touch barber shop came and went in two months last year...


[Photo by Michael Hirsch]

The retail space was on the rental market via several different brokers afterwards. Apparently, there weren't any takers. Last week, workers started bricking up former storefront...





...and yesterday...



There aren't any permits on file with the city for this work, so we don't know exactly what the landlord's intentions are ... it looks, though, as if the space will now be an apartment. (And the landlord is listed in public records as an LLC with a Queens address.)

Updated:

Thanks to the commenter who spotted the apartment listing on Streeteasy...

New Studio being Renovated!
Ground Floor with Windows on E 6th Street
Brand New Kitchen and Bathroom
Hardwood floors
Still in process of renovations
Heat/Water included
Live in Super
Must See

The 300-square-foot unit is asking $1,999.

[UPDATED] Haile Bistro looks to be closed

Last week, we noted that VeryThai is coming to 186 Avenue B between 11th Street and 12th Street. In the comments, a reader said that Haile Bistro, the new restaurant's neighborhood, had been dark of late.



Indeed, the family-run Ethiopian outpost remained shut all last week and through the weekend... the interior looks to be in the process of being cleaned up...



There aren't any closed notices on the storefront or Haile's website. The phone goes unanswered. Haile opened in 2013, and was an affordable dining option.

The space was previously home to Fu Sushi.

Updated:
The restaurant will reopen on March 14!

Express Thali pulls into 2nd Avenue

On Thursday, a reader shared the above photo ... workers removing the sign for the now-closed Golden Crepes restaurant on Second Avenue between Fourth Street and Fifth Street...

Signage was up Friday for the new tenant — Express Thali, which will be serving "pure vegetarian Indian cuisine," per the sign...


[Photo by @EdenBrower]

Golden Crepes opened in late 2014... it took over from the Turkish restaurant 7 Spices.

Alibaba Smoke Shop coming to 14th Street

Alibaba Smoke Shop will soon be selling items such as cigars, beer and e-juice here on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



In the past four years, the address (No. 328) has been home to Vegtown Juice, Chubby Mary's and Led Zeppole.

Thanks to EVG regular Pinch for the tip!

Sunday's parting shot

The FDNY was recruiting on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue today... photo by Derek Berg

[Updated] Someone tagged the cube on Astor Place

This happened sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Someone also tagged the structure that will house Astor Plate...



The reaction...

Mindless graffiti of the Alamo Sculpture is unacceptable!! We'll be erasing/repainting shortly. Please contact with ANY info and RT. Thx!! pic.twitter.com/yhk0Apmcvh

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) February 26, 2017

The refurbished Alamo was officially unveiled on Nov. 16 after nearly two years away during the Astor Place-Cooper Square reconstruction.

Updated 5:30 p.m.

S/O to the Village Alliance Clean Team for their hard work in getting the "Cube" cleaned up today after senseless vandalism. Thanks Guys! pic.twitter.com/MINlgIMxWW

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) February 27, 2017

Brix Wine Shop now open on Avenue B

Brix Wine Shop opened this weekend at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The shop joins sister business and next-door neighbor Barnyard Cheese, which opened here in early December.

As we first reported back in November, owner Beatriz Arremony was moving Barnyard and Brix from Avenue C and Ninth Street to side-by-side storefronts on B.

Arremony told us that the move will allow them to expand their offerings.

"We will miss our corner of 9th and C and the great community that we've been part of for the last nine years but hope to continue to do the same on the B side," she said in November.

Week in Grieview

[Photo Friday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Ost Cafe is closing on A and 12th (Wednesday)

Love Shine is closing shop on 6th Street and moving online (Tuesday)

Behold Civic Hall, the high-tech future of Union Square — and NYC (Monday)

Mob scene on 10th Street as 'Gotti' crew and John Travolta hold forth (Wednesday)

Community meeting set to discuss lowering the playground fences in Tompkins Square Park (Friday)

Gutting the former M2M on 3rd Avenue (Tuesday)

Out and About with Delphine Blue (Wednesday)

6th Street synagogue ready to hold first services since condofication (Friday)

VeryThai coming to Avenue B (Tuesday)

Foreclosure notice arrives on Raphael Toledano-owned building on 12th Street (Tuesday)

The Immigrant adds cocktails to its menu on 9th Street (Monday)

Full views of the zinc-clad 347 Bowery (Tuesday)

1st sign of Sister Jane East Side Tavern on 13th Street (Friday)

The campaign to save the TV series 'Uncle Buck' is underway on Avenue C (Thursday)

Chi Ken, the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Store, coming to St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Former Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar space for lease on 9th Street (Tuesday)

14th St. Lotto & Magazine has closed (Friday)

Ikinari, the no-seat Japanese steakhouse, opens (Thursday)

Speaking of Ikinari, local musician-artist-folk hero Paul Kostabi presented the management there with a sprkl bib...


[Photo by Panda Cat]

---

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Report: Man found dead of suspected overdose at the Ludlow House

A 31-year-old man was found dead Friday night of a suspected drug overdose inside the members-only Ludlow House, according to published reports.

The Post reported that the man, whose identity has not been revealed, was found with a needle in his hand in a third-floor bathroom at the club, an off-shoot of the Soho House.

The Ludlow House opened last year on Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington.

According to the Ludlow House website: "The majority of our members work in traditional creative industries, with the film, fashion, advertising, music, art and media sectors, among others, heavily represented." Membership costs $1,050 annually for access to Ludlow House, and up to $3,200 for access to all the Soho Houses, the Post noted.

Reps for the Ludlow House have yet to comment on the incident, per Gothamist.

Today in photos of a squirrel eating a Toaster Strudel in Tompkins Square Park

Photo by Bobby Williams...

Report: City official who OK'd Rivington House deed lift fired

Ricardo Morales, a deputy commissioner at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), who approved lifting deed restrictions at the Rivington House on the LES, was fired last night, The Wall Street Journal reported this afternoon. (Subscription required.)

The dismissal came hours after Mayor de Blasio was interviewed by the feds at the office of Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

As the Journal noted: "Mr. Bharara’s office has been examining the Rivington deal as part of a broader investigation into whether Mr. de Blasio’s administration gave special favors to donors."

A DCAS spokesperson said, "These changes have been in the works for some time and have nothing to do with the mayor’s or City Hall’s cooperation with the U.S. Attorney."

In February 2015, the Allure Group paid $28 million for the property, promising that 45 Rivington — the former Rivington Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation — would remain a health facility. In November 2015, a city agency lifted the the deed in exchange for the Allure Group's $16 million payment to the city. Early in 2016, Allure then reportedly sold the property for $116 million to the the Slate Property Group, a condo developer who plans to create 100 luxury residences in the building that overlooks Sara S. Roosevelt Park.

Previously

East Village pigeon life

Via Grant Shaffer

EV Grieve Etc.: Carlina Rivera's run for City Council; Jake Dell's plans for Katz's

[Photo yesterday in Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

A feature on Carlina Rivera, former legislative director for Councilmember Rosie Mendez, who is running to fill the seat in District 2 that Mendez will vacate this year due to term limits (Town & Village)

Opinion: The Mayor must avoid past mistakes with the former P.S. 64 (The Lo-Down ... previously)

Looking at de Blasio's “Vision Zero Year Three Report” (Streetsblog)

A Veselka then and now (Off the Grid)

Protest outside the Stonewall Inn over President Trump's rollback of transgender protections (ABC-7)

Katz's owner Jake Dell, 29, keeps traditions alive while expanding the brand (Crain's)

Trapizzino, purveyors of meat-and-sauce-stuffed bread pockets, now open on Orchard (Gothamist)

NYC dive bar listicle includes Milano's, Sophie's, Coal Yard and Blue & Gold (Eater)

This series on Canadian “tax shelter” movies includes "Atlantic City," "Heavy Metal" and "The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane." (Anthology Film Archives)

Arthur Russell exhibit set for BAM from March 1 – May 14 (Brooklyn Vegan)

Stick collecting in Tompkins Square Park (Laura Goggin Photography)

Some EV streetscapes seen in this 1984 video for Japanese rock band Go Ohgami (Flaming Pablum)

About Iggy Pop's leopard head jacket from the back cover of Raw Power (Dangerous Minds)

Beth B’s "Voyeur" now through March 16 at Howl! Happening on 1st Street (Official website)

Condos designed by Lenny Kravitz on Kenmare Street are on the market (Curbed)

The rooftop wooden water tanks of NYC (Ephemeral New York)

Enjoy this warm weather now (The Atlantic)

... and vintage boutique Dusty Buttons, 324 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, is closing at the end of the month...

Last weekend at Dusty Buttons! Come find a treasure to remember us by! Lots of great deals! #deals#vintage #antiques #eastvillage

A post shared by Dusty Buttons Vintage & New (@dustybuttons) on Feb 23, 2017 at 7:28pm PST

When it was foggy early this morning

If you woke up today after, say, 9 a.m., then you missed the foggy wonderland that was NYC. It was almost like the set of "The Hound of the Baskervilles," except without the phantom pack of hounds baying across the moor.

Noting

[Photo from this evening]

Several readers have asked if we knew when the lights were turned off on the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree. It has been at least a week since we've seen it lit up...

Three weeks ago, EVG reader Jose Garcia made an appeal to light the lights on year-round.

Sign of the Kross

Redd Kross is back... brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald are embarking on a tour, which includes a stop at the Bowery Ballroom on May 4.

The above video is for 1990's "Annie's Gone."

Noted

Possibly suspicious golf activity on Avenue A this morning... photo via ‏@Jason_Chatfield

Community meeting set to discuss lowering the playground fences in Tompkins Square Park

Via the EVG inbox...

On Monday, Feb. 27, NYC Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a community meeting pertaining to the Tompkins Square Park Avenue B Children’s Playground Renovation.

Councilwoman Mendez allocated capital funds to renovate the Avenue B Children’s Playground. The Parks Department has supplemented the funding with its “Parks Without Borders” Initiative that would lower the fences from its present height of 7 feet to 4 feet.

This initiative to lowers the fences at the Avenue B Playground has raised many concerns from residents and NYC Councilwoman Mendez. Please join us at the meeting to share your concerns for the initiative.

The meeting takes place Monday night from 6:30-8 at Saint Brigid-Saint Emeric on Avenue B at Eighth Street. Use the entrance on Eighth Street.

For a little more background, here's a piece from DNAinfo earlier this month:

The Parks Department currently plans to lower the fences around the two playgrounds at the southeast corner of the park from seven feet to four feet as part of a larger reconstruction project, claiming the high fences could obscure bad behavior and actually make the playgrounds less safe.

But community representatives say lowering the fences would expose children using the playgrounds to "vagrants" and drug paraphernalia in the park.

Capt. Vincent Greany, commanding officer at the 9th Precinct, also told DNAinfo that he believes the fences should not be lowered.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Your chance to brainstorm ideas to renovate the Tompkins Square Park Playground (27 comments)

Reminders: Meeting on possible improvements to the Tompkins Square Park Playground

Join Rosie Mendez to discuss improvements to the Tompkins Square playgrounds tomorrow night

Report: 6th Street synagogue ready to hold first services since condofication

After nearly four-plus years, services will resume on March 1 at the condofied Adas Yisroel Anshe Mezritch Synagogue (or Congregation Mezritch Synagogue) at 415 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, DNAinfo reports.

Today at noon, the synagogue will celebrate its reopening by unveiling its new interior.

EVG regular Michael Hirsch got a look at the under-construction space back in November...



The synagogue — active here since 1910 — had reportedly fallen on hard times, "with a dwindling membership and few resources to maintain the building," as The New York Times noted. Previous plans called for the demolition of the building. Those plans never materialized, and a new developer, East River Partners, emerged and proposed the current arrangement calling for several luxury residences.

As part of the current agreement, the developers are providing at least $20,000 annually to the congregation for the next 198 years ... East River also gave the synagogue a $180,000 "fit-out allowance" to design and rebuild the sanctuary and other spaces, like offices or meeting rooms in the basement.

Per DNAinfo:

Rabbi Paul Ackerman, who served as the head of the congregation for more than four decades, didn't live to see the synagogue's second life — he died months after the deal was made, leaving the century-old structure in the hands of the synagogue board.

The deceased rabbi's son, Sandy Ackerman, now serves as vice president and secretary of that board, and says the historic structure’s restoration would have made his father proud.

“I’m happy for my dad — my father would have loved this,” said Sandy Ackerman.

Per the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, "Congregation Mezritch Synagogue appears to be the sole remaining operating tenement synagogue in the East Village, and thus is an important link to what was once perhaps the most significant Jewish community in America."

The three luxury residences here range in price from $2.95 million (second floor) to $4.4 million for the duplex penthouse, which has two private terraces. You can visit the official 415 site here for more details.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Plan to add condos to historic East Sixth Street synagogue back on

Play spot the potential penthouse atop the East Village synagogue

A final look inside the Anshei Meseritz synagogue on East Sixth Street

Stained-glass windows removed ahead of condo conversion at Congregation Mezritch Synagogue

Condos at former East 6th Street synagogue will start at just under $3 million

Sidewalk bridge comes down as condo conversion continues at former East 6th Street synagogue

History reimagined with $4.4 million penthouse at former 6th Street synagogue

Check out the penthouse at the synagogue-turned condos on 6th Street

1st sign of Sister Jane East Side Tavern on 13th Street

As we've been reporting in recent months, East Side Tavern is coming to the former Redhead space on 13th Street just west of First Avenue.

Now the coming soon signage is up in the front windows... (it looks like the name will be Sister Jane East Side Tavern)...



Michael Stewart, a co-owner of Tavern on Jane at 31 Eighth Ave., said he plans to bring that low-key neighborhood bar/restaurant vibe to 13th Street. He hopes to be open early this spring.

Previously

14th St. Lotto & Magazine has closed

Yesterday was the last day in business for the convenient store at 430 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

An EVG reader, who shared the above photo, passed along the news. A clerk at the store said that they were moving uptown. He declined to say why they were leaving the neighborhood.

Perhaps it's due to the decrease in foot traffic along this corridor in recent years. The store is directly next door to the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office, where a residential building is in the works.

This PO branch closed almost three years ago to the date in 2014.

A fashionable way to share your feelings about those Supreme-branded Metrocards

In response to the Supreme-branded Metrocards that were unveiled on Monday, especially the hype around them (the $5.50 cards are hitting $1,000 on eBay) ...

These fools out there at Union Square waiting in line for a Supreme MetroCard 😂😂😂. #MTA pic.twitter.com/r4yEAWk6hw

— Icculus The Brave (@FirenzeMike) February 21, 2017

...one Lower East Side resident has created a T-shirt.

Via the EVG inbox...

We figured you've seen all the hype around the Supreme metrocards this week, and thought you might be interested in our new Fuck Supreme Metrocard T-shirts that we developed in response. The custom printed, hand embroidered, tongue-in-cheek shirts are now available through our instagram @fuckmalkam.

📸 by @sozi.nyc

A post shared by Fuck Malkam (@fuckmalkam) on Feb 23, 2017 at 11:28am PST

Honeybee ready to read your past, present and future on Avenue A

[Photo from March 2014]

There's apparently a new psychic in town... in this exclusive report, workers this morning hoisted the new awning at 199 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street...



As the sign shows, Honeybee is now doing readings here, which include the past, present and future...



Any thoughts on the punctuation in the sign? Readings By: Honeybee. As opposed to, say — Readings By Honeybee.

Anyway! This space went under renovation in March 2014, setting a local record with a two-day overhaul. (Read that post here.)

We'll check back later on the status of the guardian lions here...




[Photos from Saturday]

If you can stand another post about the no-seat Japanese steakhouse, which opens today

Ikinari Steak officially debuts today at 90 E. 10th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

As previously noted, this is the first U.S. location (there are more than 100 worldwide) for the popular Tokyo-based restaurant. The concept: Diners, particularly in-a-rush office workers, stand and basically eat quickly.

The restaurant is getting the full-court press treatment. There are previews galore. Here's more via Eater:

Besides the standing portion of the meal, dining at the restaurant is intended to be an interactive experience. Patrons choose their cut of meat by the gram, and a butcher cuts and weighs it right in front of them. They cook it only one way, rare. The steak then arrives at the table on a sizzling cast-iron platter, where people can choose from a dizzying array of sauces, dressings, and other additives to top their meal.

It’s just the beginning of the chain’s presence in New York. Ambitious founder Kunio Ichinose and his stateside operations manager Takashi Tsuchiyama want to open 20 more locations in Manhattan in the next five years.

And Gothamist:

There are only a few things you need to decide about your steak. First, the cut, choosing between decadent Japan Cut Ribeye, meatier Sirloin or tender Filet. Next: size. Steaks are cut and priced to order, ranging anywhere from 300 grams (10.6 ounces) of Ribeye for $27 at 9 cents a gram, up to 1,000 grams (35.3 ounces) of Filet for $110 at 11 cents a gram.

At each station wait a bevy of different sauces and condiments, though steaks are already garnished with a garlic paste and fried garlic chips. Thermoses of J-Sauce, a soy sauced-based umami bomb, are table-side—you'll understand why they provide you with paper aprons once you've drizzled it all over the meat. There are also tubs of wasabi (very good on steak), salt/pepper, garlic and a sweet Ikinari steak sauce.

And the Daily News:

Come for the meat, but don’t underestimate side dishes like a sublime, steaming hot plate of garlic white rice sizzling with corn, pepper and chunks of beef. Even the salad dressings, like a sweet onion variety, are tasty.

In our road test this week, standing while eating steak wasn’t much of a challenge, though at $30 or so for a regular-sized sirloin or filet mignon, prices are only a little less than restaurants with a little more comfort.

The lack of pretensions - and the no-tipping policy - were a definite plus, though.

There were congratulatory flowers out front yesterday...





... and a spy pic inside the other evening...



The restaurant does include 10 seats, if you want to stand out and sit while dining here.

Find the menu here. Ikinari Steak is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
1st sign of Ikinari Steak, the quick-serve, no-seat steakhouse coming to 10th Street (29 comments)

On 10th Street, Prime & Beyond has closed; popular Japanese steakhouse coming

The campaign to save the TV series 'Uncle Buck' is underway on Avenue C

This flyer, spotted last evening on Avenue C at Eighth Street, is asking fans of "Uncle Buck" – based on the 1989 film starring John Candy — to sign a petition in an effort to bring the canceled ABC series with Mike Epps back for a second season.

News of that the show's demise was first reported last July.

The petition, also created last year, currently has 264 signatures.

Meanwhile, maybe ABC will bring back "Blood & Oil" starring Don Johnson.

H/T @david_reyer

A good idea

EVG reader 8E shares the above photo... someone created a "Make me a Park" sign on the fence that surrounds the empty DEP lot on Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette... anyone know what the purpose of this lot is for?

Mob scene on 10th Street as 'Gotti' crew and John Travolta hold forth

Crews and classic Cadillacs were out today on 10th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A to film scenes for "The Life and Death of John Gotti," a biopic on the crime boss and his son. EVG regular Daniel shared these photos...



John Travolta, seen below, is in the title role... the cast includes Kelly Preston and Stacy Keach... "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly directs the film that Lionsgate is releasing later this year...



If this helps...




Some more cast members ... or some employees of landlords...

9th Precinct hosting blood drive in honor of rookie officer who died on Feb. 1

The 9th Precinct is hosting a blood drive tomorrow at the station house on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

As Bedford + Bowery noted, the blood drive is in honor of Bianca Bennett. The off-duty rookie officer died in a car crash driven by a fellow cop in the Bronx on Feb. 1. Bennett, 27, had been stationed at the 9th Precinct.

Ost Cafe closes on Sunday

The rumors you may have heard in recent days are true: Ost Cafe on Avenue A at 12th Street is closing its doors on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Here's the message from ownership on the Ost Facebook page:

It has been a good run. We love being part of the neighborhood, and part of all of your lives.

Unfortunately, our little corner of 12th St and Ave. A has become too expensive to stay open any longer. The East Village (the commoditized version of it that is controlled by the Real Estate industry) is moving on up, and they seem to have forgotten to set any place at the table for small businesses. The City of New York is complicit in this change, cheering from the sidelines for more, bigger, taller, and pocketing the tax revenue. Alas.

Short of charging $10 a cup, we can no longer make ends meet selling just coffee and wine, and options are limited. “Ost Café and 24-Hour Vape Shop Emporium” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

We will close the doors on Sunday at 5PM for the last time. Stop by and say hello in the next few days, and thank you for making the past 9 years such a wonderful experience. Our Lower East Side location on Grand St is going strong, and we will always call this community home.

The cafe opened here in December 2008.

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.



By James Maher

Name: Delphine Blue
Occupation: Radio Host, DJ, Pilates Instructor
Location: St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd
Date: Thursday, Feb. 2 at 1:45 pm

Read part 1 of the interview with Delphine, a Queens native, here

When the Ritz was opening where Webster Hall is, they had an ad in the SoHo Weekly News, and it said that they were starting a dance company and they were choreographing rock music. I thought that’s the company I need to be in, so I went to the audition. The dance company thing lasted for 3 seconds but Jerry Brandt who owned the Ritz, was there. I said to Jerry, ‘I’m a DJ,’ and he said to me, ‘I’ll give you any job you want here but you can’t be the DJ.’ He said I could be the waitress.

I had never been a waitress, so opening night I tried to carry 12 Heinekens on a tray, which is impossible but I didn’t know that because I wasn’t a waitress. The place was packed because it was opening night. I dropped all the beers and I just put the tray down and started dancing. He said to me, ‘Ok, you can answer the phone in the office.’ So I did that and then I started putting together the VIP list, which was totally fun. But all the time I wanted to be the DJ. So after a few months they gave me Monday Nights. I worked there for five years and I eventually started working in all the other clubs from 1979 to 1983 or 1984. Danceteria, it was so fun.

I always loved the Cure from the get-go. They were my favorite band, and they’re still my favorite band. I also loved the B-52s, Gang of Four, The Police, The Knack, The Records, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello and Marianne Faithfull. One of my favorite nights ... was when Tina Turner played. This was probably the most exciting night. She played and after the show I was in the VIP room and David Bowie was there. I said to my friend, ‘I wish I could kiss him,’ and he heard me and spun around and kissed me on the lips. I think I fainted. That’s my big Bowie story.

Meanwhile, I also wanted to be on the radio, so I went to WNEW, which was the cool station and I just stood outside the door. Vin Scelsa came out and I said, ‘I really want to be on the radio. I really want to be a DJ,’ and he hit on me. I was so crestfallen, because I was so sincere and earnest.

Meanwhile. I got hired to work at WLIR, which was a modern rock station. Then in like 1985-86, everybody started listening to these stupid big hair bands like Poison. Everyone started going in that metal direction and I just couldn’t get with it. So I got fired from WLIR and I started my own show on WBAI. I forged a place for myself and developed a reputation based on playing music that you didn’t hear on the radio.

In 2000, I started working at WFUV, then I got hired at Sirius, and then at the same time East Village Radio started. East Village Radio just blew up, and it was so fun being in that DJ booth in that window. I loved that station, but then they crashed and burned and WBAI became a frightening caricature of itself and started to fail, so I left there.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this I got hired to be on Jack.fm, which was the most despised FM radio station, but it didn’t matter because it was the No. 1 market in New York. I was on afternoon drive so I had gone to the mountaintop. That’s it — I did it. I got to speak 30 seconds twice and hour in a three-hour shift, and I made more money than I had ever made in my life. We’re talking basically three minutes in three hours. It was ridiculous. I would say nothing, nothing. Then they changed the format one day without telling me and I lost my job.

I got scared and lost sleep, and then I decided to become a Pilates teacher. I got certified, which was really hard to learn something totally new. I still do radio and DJing too so I’m happier now. A little while later one of the guys who had been on EVR, my friend Steve Dima, called me and he and a couple people were starting a radio station at the South Street Seaport called Little Water Radio. So now I’m an owner-operator. Four of us started the station and we’re having a blast.

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

Residents and community groups to rally 'to end construction as harassment'

Via the EVG inbox...

More than 100 tenants, along with 25 community organizations, legal advocates and elected officials, will rally at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 23, to urge that the City Council take action to stop “construction as harassment.”

Aggressive landlords frequently use dangerous construction work in residential buildings to harass rent-regulated tenants. The rally, organized by Stand for Tenant Safety Coalition, will call for the Council to pass 12 bills to help end the harassment and strengthen tenant rights.

Many unscrupulous landlords use dangerous or negligent construction to harass tenants out of rent-regulated apartments. When landlords successfully evict, displace, or harass out rent stabilized tenants, their apartments can be leased at a much higher rent to the next tenant, adding to the loss of affordable housing in New York City.

During the rally, tenants and advocates will share their personal, real-life stories and discuss the impact of dangerous construction. Tenants and advocates also will share information about the legislation awaiting Council approval.

Tenants, community groups and local elected officials have accused several landlords with properties in the East Village of employing "construction as harassment" tactics, including Icon Realty ... Raphael Toledano ... Jared Kushner ... Steve Croman ... and Ben Shaoul.

The rally takes place tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon at City Hall.