Joann Jovinelly

Good morning, East Village.

A lengthy piece in The Observer detailing the trials and tribulations of the city Housing Authority features neighborhood city Councilwoman Rosie Mendez defending its embattled chairman, John Rhea — guardedly. “I didn’t think we needed a banker, but I have to say, he’s done a good job. We’re seeing progress, but I don’t know if it’s enough. Given the situation we’re in, I don’t know if any one person could fix it.” The councilwoman also recalls growing up in the Williamsburg Houses during a more hopeful time for public housing. “Even when the city started to get really bad in the ’70s and ’80s, NYCHA still had it all,” she said.

The Wall Street Journal previews tonight’s Community Board 3 committee meeting, which will discuss the possibility of a special nightlife district in the East Village. “As the neighborhood once known for its intimate night life is transformed into what some deem a multi-block frat house, community leaders are looking for ways to control the scene that are more subtle than simply quashing liquor-license applications.”

Of course, while the debate picks up steam at C.B. 3, bars will keep opening. The Times reports that “Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the East Village (arguably the city’s two best neighborhoods for drinking) will become even richer in saloon life, welcoming new places run by some of the best bartenders in the business.” The paper singles out the soon to open fancy cocktail joint Pouring Ribbons on Avenue B.

The Times also forecasts the food trends coming up this fall, and gives a shout-out to Mighty Quinn’s in the former Vandaag space, which will feature “an epic smoker.”

DNAInfo reports that Fourth Arts Block has found success using a newfangled booking Website for performance spaces.

ArtsBeat reports that Target Margin Theater will explore Yiddish theater for the next two years. At one time, part of what is now the East Village was known as the Jewish Rialto.