Saturday, June 24, 2017

Juvenile hawks in Tompkins Square Park learning to fend for themselves

As you probably know, there are two juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park now. One is the lone offspring (this year!) for resident hawks Christo and Dora... the other is Flatbush, the juvenile rescued after a spill in Brooklyn.

Anyway, the juveniles are getting quite large already. Here's Flatbush, who learned how to use Seamless...


[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]

Meanwhile, there's Christo and Dora's kid. (Some hawk watchers are calling her Manhattan or 10, for being Christo and Dora's 10th hawklet.)

Earlier this week, she was learning how to remove bottle caps, as these photos by Steven show...


[Click on image for more detail]



... and getting some pointers on flying...



If this helps...



Visit Goggla's site here for a much more comprehensive hawklet update.

P.S.

A bonus photo of Manhattan/10 learning to ignore the squirrels back on Sunday...


[Photo by EVG reader Cheyenne]

Metropolis Vintage unveils new signage designed by Punk magazine co-founder John Holmstrom


[Image via Instagram]

The sign went up today at the shop, 43 Third Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

And to commemorate the new design...

Come in and get a FREE button and sticker with our new redesign logo by #johnholstrom of @thepunkmagazine

A post shared by Metropolis Vintage (@metropolisnycvintage) on


Metropolis Vintage has been in this spot since 1995 ... Richard Colligan first opened the store in 1990 at 96 Avenue B between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

[Courtesy of Richard Colligan]

Read an interview with Colligan here. Read more about John Holmstrom, an East Village resident, here.

Friday, June 23, 2017

At the 2017 Drag March



The annual Drag March departed Tompkins Square Park this evening for the walk to the Stonewall Inn.

Participants tonight were asked to remember Gilbert Baker, the creator of the Rainbow Flag and co-founder of the Drag March in 1994 (with Brian Griffin aka Harmonie Moore Must Die).

Here are photos from EVG contributor Stacie Joy...



































Swan song



"Goodbye Goodbye" by Oingo Boingo has always reminded me of prom and the end of the school year. (Oh, wait – I'm thinking about the ending of "Fast Times at Ridgemont High.")

This version was recorded live at the Ritz (now Webster Hall) from April 1987.

Free show in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow includes a Black Flag tribute



Here are the bands leading up to the Black Flag tribute at 5:

Silence Equals Death — 4:30pm
Yo!Scunt — 4 pm
Jump For The Sails — 3:30 pm
None Above All — 3 pm

EVG Etc.: Pride March starts at Tompkins Square Park tonight; Bicycle Film Festival continues

The annual Drag March starts in Tompkins Square Park this evening (Facebook) Find more Pride activities here.

Art on A Gallery's 2nd Annual Summer Group Art Show is underway (Official site)

A member of the Hells Angels arrested for allegedly slashing a tire on a delivery vehicle double parked near the Third Street clubhouse (PIX 11)

Highlights from the Mayor's LES Town Hall (The Lo-Down)

Fire-damaged Beth Hamedrash Hagodol synagogue will likely require a full demolition; rabbi vows to rebuild (DNAinfo)

Police looking for suspect who groped woman in Stuy Town elevator (Town & Village)

East Village resident who booked a massage via Backpage.com was robbed and beaten instead (The Post)

Writer-blogger Jeremiah Moss, an East Village resident, unmasks himself (The New Yorker) Details on the Vanishing New York book party (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Check out Crumb's cover art for the forthcoming East River String Band album (Twitter)

More about the cream cheese shop coming to Seventh Street (Gothamist ... previously)

An interview with East Village-based singer-songwriter Fiona Silver, whose debut record is out today (East of 8th)


[Remember the Titans! Photo by Derek Berg]

The 17th annual Bicycle Film Festival continues through Sunday at the Anthology Film Archives (Official site)

Closing reception tomorrow for the 90s Group Show at Studio 26 on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B (@Hektad_official)

4th Annual Bedside Confessionals storytelling event is tonight at the Sixth Street Community Center (Twitter)

Birthday wishes for longtime housing activist Frances Goldin (Off the Grid)

A look at the large exhibition of work by the artist John Giorno across the city, including Howl! Happening on First Street (artNEWS)

Diversions: Were the Troggs the very first punk band? (Dangerous Minds)

...and here's a clip from earlier this week showing Ranger Rob lending a hand to Flatbush, the new red-tailed juvenile in Tompkins Square Park...

Take part in Tiki on 12th tomorrow (Saturday)



The East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) is presenting Tiki on 12th tomorrow (Saturday!) from noon to 5 p.m.

Participating business along (or near!) 12th Street from First Avenue to the east will be taking part... including Au Za'atar, Ciao for Now, Harry & Ida's and the East Village Vintage Collective, where there's a tiki party from 4 to 5 p.m.


[East Village Vintage Collective co-owner Maegan Hayward yesterday prepping for Tiki time]

Find the rest of the participating merchants at the EVIMA site here. There's a post-tiki party at Lucky, 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Traveling on

In our post about San Loco closing Tuesday on Second Avenue, the comments turned to a discussion on the group of travelers who have been camped out under the Orpheum marquee on this block between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place these past few months...


[Photo from May]

The travelers were one of the topics discussed at the 9th Precinct's Community Council meeting in May.

The 9th Precinct rather cryptically tweeted this out on June 14... "Sector D keeping the #EastVillage clean" ...


Last October, the 9th Precinct started a new initiative called the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program. The precinct is split up into four sectors, with two officers assigned to each sector.

Per an interview with the 9th Precinct's newish commanding officer, Vincent Greany, from The Villager in February: "They’re in charge of quarterbacking any issues in their area — quality of life, homelessness, drugs, nightlife — in addition to crime."

Sector D (aka David) covers the 9th Precinct’s northwest corner of First Avenue to Broadway, and Seventh Street to 14th Street.

Anyway, since that June 14 tweet, I can't recall seeing any travelers hanging out at this spot in the late evenings or early mornings...



They're around, though ...


[Photo on Cooper Square at Seventh Street from Saturday]

Veteran Japanese restaurateurs bringing Dokodemo to 4th Street



Two Japanese restaurant veterans are opening Dokodemo at 89 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Here's more on the place via the restaurant's website:

Okonomiyaki, is among the most popular foods in Japan. Visitors to Japan are often pleasantly surprised to disover the variety of bistro-style foods on offer in Japan. Ramen, Onigiri, Tempura, and Okonomiyaki are often discovered and beloved by travelers on their first visit to Japan.

DOKODEMO specializes in Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, and Yakisoba. We combine fresh local produce with specialty sourced ingredients imported directly from Japan to provide a uniquely authentic, casual Japanese dining experience.

Restauranteurs Shin Takagi and Kazu Kamehara have over thirty years of experience operating restaurants in Japan but DOKODEMO is a passion project conceived after many visits to New York in which the two were blown away by the culinary variety of the city. DOKODEMO is their first restaurant outside Asia.

This space used to be part of Cucina di Pesce at 87 E. Fourth St. As we reported in May 2016, Cucina di Pesce gave up this room next door at No. 89, which belonged to a different landlord. Cucina di Pesce remains open in a slightly smaller space these days.

Thanks to EVG reader Roxanne Schwartz for the photo!

1st sign of the Old Monk on Avenue B



The Old Monk awning and signage has arrived at the northeast corner of Avenue B and 11th Street ... where Sushil Malhotra, founder of Curry in a Hurry, Akbar Dawat and Café Spice, among others, is opening the Indian restaurant. We haven't heard anything else about the project just yet.

Babu Ji, the previous tenant, closed in March following the disclosure of a second wage-theft and overtime lawsuit against owners Jessi and Jennifer Singh. (Babu Ji later reemerged at 22 E. 13th St. between Fifth Avenue and University Place.)

Thanks to EVG regular Daniel for the photo!

12-story condoplex set for this corner of Bleecker and Mulberry



Leaving the neighborhood for a moment... where demolition is set for two nondescript apartment buildings on Bleecker and Mulberry.

Broad Street Development is tossing up a 12-story, 61-unit condoplex here at 40 Bleecker St., part of a new development that encompasses 304 Mulberry and 298 Mulberry.

The teaser site for the project is now live ... noting that this place is for "a new generation of connoisseurs."


[Rendering Williams New York]

Curbed, who first reported on this back on Monday, has more details here. This is just the latest upscale housing complex to crop up around here, joining next-door neighbor the Schumacher, among others.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Thursday's parting shot



This evening on Third Street between Avenue C and Avenue D...

Details on free summer classes for children in the community gardens



Via the EVG inbox...

This summer, LUNGS (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) brings a free urban nature exploration for children to our neighborhood community gardens, The Living Classroom, TLC. The Living Classroom will turn the gardens into living laboratories and artist studios.

We will be combining hands-on investigation and inquiry-based learning with art making and movement. The classes will be taught by four professional educators and run for eight weeks.

The Living Classrooms will be taught in eight different community gardens on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from July 10 until Aug. 29. Classes are free and open to all children ages 5 to 10.

Come and join us for a FREE TLC workshop this Saturday, June 24, 1-3 pm at Green Oasis Garden, 376 E. 8th St. between Avenue C and Avenue D.

Find more details and register at the LUNGS website here.

Noted


Nike is collaboring with Momofuku founder-chef David Chang on a limited-edition sneaker... which went on sale this morning at 10 at Fuku, First Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The line apparently started at 6:30 a.m., with a rumor that someone spent the night outside to be first. An Eater editor reported that the line was a full block long and 100 feet around the corner on 11th Street.

Report: Polish G. I. Delicatessen is closing at the end of the month


[Photo from March]

Rumors started circulating back in January — prompted by the arrival of a retail listing for the space — that the 21-year-old Polish G. I. Delicatessen on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street would be closing. (A for rent sign also appeared in the front window in late March, though we were told that this was not for this space.)

Eater got confirmation yesterday that the Eastern European specialty foods shop will be shutting down at the end of the month.

Polish G.I.'s counterman David Cohen told Eater that they would be taking a two-month vacation and returning with hopes of opening in a new location. "Nothing is sure, but we'll see what happens," he told Eater.

However, multiple readers told us that chef-owner Grace Iwuc was going to retire. In addition, the listing for the space notes that "the owner is retiring and selling her 10-year lease of $2,600/month."

In any event, here's New York magazine with a description of the store:

Polish G. I. Delicatessen is among a disappearing breed of Eastern European specialty-food stores that were once common in the East Village. The initials stand for its sunny owner, Grace Iwuc, who has steadfastly provisioned loyal locals since 1996. The front window is packed with locally baked Polish-style breads, and the narrow but deep space is stocked floor to ceiling with a variety of instant soups, bags of roasted buckwheat, jars of sauerkraut and marinated sweet peppers, and jams imported from Poland.

And The Village Voice...

It's rare to find a shop like G.I. still active in the city these days, especially in an area as highly developed as the East Village. But even if you’re not a fan of mushroom soup or Old World–style ham, it's worth a visit for a real taste of the neighborhood.

Former Kabin space on the market (again)



Kabin Bar & Lounge closed in March 2015 here at 92 Second Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street after 10 years in business.

We recall a few people looking to open a new venture (bar) in the space. However, nothing ever materialized.

Last summer, the Sabet Group bought 92-94 Second Ave. from EMMES Property Group for $19 million. (The Sabet Group has made headlines for alleged tenant harassment in the past.)

A for rent sign recently appeared on the former Kabin. (A different broker this time.)

Some details via Winick:

SIZE:

Ground Floor: 2,200 SF
Basement: 1,150 SF

FRONTAGE: 18′ on 2nd Avenue

COMMENTS:

-Prime East Village Restaurant/Retail Opportunity
-Landlord to deliver premises with new glass storefront and vented for cooking use
-New direct long term lease, no key money
-Outdoor seating cafe possible
-All uses considered

Here's a rendering of what that new storefront might look like ...



Keeping that Kabin signage then?

Loverboy bringing pizza and cocktails to 8th and C


[EVG reader photo]

The new pizzeria/cocktail lounge is now up and running at the northwest corner of Avenue C and Eighth Street.

The place is called Loverboy, and is run by T.J. Lynch, who operates Mother’s Ruin on Spring Street between Elizabeth and Mott. (A place apparently known for "booze-filled slushies.")

Loverboy made PUNCH's list of "The Most Notable New Bars in America, Spring/Summer 2017." Per PUNCH: "Lynch expands his wildly successful formula at Mother’s Ruin east of Bowery. And who can argue with the addition of pizza? Expect his high-low style and love of frozen cocktails to be on full display."

Anyway, Loverboy is now open and serving drinks. Pizzas will arrive once Con Ed turns on the gas, according to East Village Eats.

As previously noted, this corner space has been home to Lumé, the "Epicurean drinkery," ... Life — Kitchen and Bar … which had taken over for Verso. Other restaurants here in the past seven years include Caffe Pepe Rosso and Caffe Cotto.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizzeria proposed for the corner of Avenue C and East 8th Street

East 8th Street and Avenue C, home to 5 restaurants in recent years, is now on the market

Stuffed Ice Cream coming to 1st Avenue



A worker renovating 139 First Ave. told EVG correspondent Steven that an ice cream shop is opening here this summer between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.

Work permits for the address shows that the business name is Stuffed Ice Cream. There isn't any other information at the moment.

Curious location for this: The space is just one storefront away from Davey's Ice Cream, which has a strong following and an extensive menu featuring sundaes, milk shakes and homemade cookies.

The address was previously home to American Deli & Grocery, which closed after five months in business... and before that, Scarab Lounge, a hookah joint, held forth.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Wednesday's parting shot



The start of the first day of summer ... 5:23 a.m.

'this concrete park...'



Astor Place
 
Non aquatic trees succumb,
to generous water.
By design or lack of care,
this concrete park does suffer.


peter radley


[Photos from last week]

Previously

White out at new gelato space on Avenue A


[Photo from Sunday by Steven]

As noted on Monday, a gelato shop called Gelarto has opened at 145 Avenue A at Ninth Street. (They are still officially in soft-open mode.)

Several commenters noted what they perceived to be an "ugly brick façade" here.

Anyway, as multiple EVG readers pointed out, workers painted the storefront yesterday...



And, as we understand it, Gelarto signage will be arriving in the next 10 days to give it that finished look.

H/T Steven and Bobby Williams