The photography of Michelle Rick.

A sampling of reader reactions to posts that have appeared on The Local.

The bicycle is such a decorous, ingenious, quiet machine, it’s a shame it has become a politicized one as well. But when you see somebody on a bike with a placard attached to it which reads A QUIET PROTEST AGAINST OIL, you know Politicization has arrived.

A roundup of news articles and blogposts related to the East Village.

The photography of Tim Schreier.

Kim Davis, associate editor of The Local, offers an appreciation of neighborhood book stores.

When the owner of Ray’s Candy Store ignored a health department order to close the shop until a series of health code violations were addressed, it ended up being a costly decision. When the health inspector returned yesterday and found him still operating, the owner, Ray Alvarez, received a hefty fine and now estimates that he owes a total of $7,000. Ever since, he has been preoccupied with solving the problem.

A roundup of news articles and blogposts related to the East Village.

The photography of Rachel Citron.

You can judge a book by its cover at Mast Books on Avenue A.

Personal fitness trainer Al Kavadlo offers a new take on jungle gym calisthenics.

A roundup of news articles and blogposts related to the East Village.

The Local pays a rainy day visit to the Goldman, a street performer who coats himself in spraypaint and mimics the motionless poses of famous statues.

The photography of Tim Schreier.

The Local visits New Alternatives, a drop-in program that aims to increase the self-sufficiency of LGBT homeless youth.

A roundup of news articles and blogposts related to the East Village.

The photography of Tim Schreier.

Brendan Bernhard offers an appreciation of the music of the CBGB’s-era band Television.

The Local takes a look at maxi dresses as a summer fashion statement.