While East Ninth Street warped back to the 1960s (see The Local’s Flickr page for photos of today’s “Inside Llewyn Davis” action, including some shots of the Coens brothers at work), East Seventh Street traveled even further back in time today, as men in Revolutionary War regalia fired muskets into the air.

The five armed and costumed soldiers were members of McSorley’s Militia, who muster themselves each year for the anniversary of the founding of McSorley’s Old Ale House.

Shane Buggy, a 24-year-old bartender at the storied saloon, said, “Today is our 158th Anniversary: 17th of February every year. It’s the only day we have music in the bar so all the regulars come from near and far to check out the activities.” Mr. Buggy, who is Irish, added, “I’ve actually got people that come here from Ireland just to see this anniversary.”

One of the regulars waiting in line to get inside the bar was Brad Lauster, 36, an IT entrepreneur. Asked why he came to the pub today, he said, “I was probably here for the first time 15 years ago, just with a friend who lived in New York City at the time, and so now I live in Brooklyn and we were walking by and it’s the anniversary.”

Gersh Kuntzman The only other example of in-street parking in the city at Smith and Sackett Streets in Brooklyn.

The Mudspot on East Ninth Street will get the first in-street bike parking of its kind in Manhattan, which will claim one space for a car and give cyclists eights new spots to lock up.

“As cycling increases in popularity, we’re starting to look to the street for parking,” said Hayes Lord, the bicycle program director for the Department of Transportation.

Under the plan, a car-length space would be cordoned off with planters and four circular bike racks would be installed. Mudspot lobbied for the additional parking and will be responsible for keeping the area clean.

During a presentation to Community Board 3’s Transportation Committee, Transportation official Wallace Murray said that the parking would help alleviate the foot-traffic jam caused by the numerous bicycles locked up in front of the cafe just as the sidewalk narrows. Read more…

For every East Village business that’s opening or closing, dozens are quietly making it. To kick off a new series celebrating the neighborhood’s undersung heroes: Flower Power Herbs and Roots.

Ron Moreno of Brasco Photography Lata Kennedy

Lata Chettri-Kennedy calls herself a “green witch.” At Flower Power Herbs and Roots, established in 1993, she presides over a variety of natural remedies (organic herbs, roots, tinctures, flowers, and essences) that are grown in local backyard gardens, imported from India, or sourced from trusted brands like Gaia and Herb Pharm. Walk into her East Ninth Street apothecary and her apprentices – trained in holistic care – might suggest maca for sexual energy or ashwagandha for anxiety and depression. So what’s her secret for longevity? “My ex was a wonderful real estate negotiator and his negotiation of the lease is the only reason I am still open,” Ms. Chettri-Kennedy told The Local. Her rent was $1,000 in 1994; thanks to an increase of just 5 percent per year, she’s currently paying just $2,000. We asked Ms. Kennedy to tell us more about making it.

Why did you choose the East Village for your business?

I’ve lived here my whole adult life. It’s a neighborhood that relates to me. I know everybody. The original Flower Power was on Second Street between First and A. It was huge and $5,000 a month in the early 90s. Too much for me to afford. I like to say we really opened when I moved into Ninth Street because that was when we were able to feel like we could last. Read more…

Photos: Rachel Citron

As previously noted, East Second Street got a 1960s Greenwich Village makeover today, via metal garbage cans, wooden milk crates, and throwback rides, some of them courtesy of the Oldsmobile Club of America. A couple of the movie’s extras, done up in vintage garb, told The Local that Joel and Ethan Coen – both of whom were on hand, as our new photos (clearly!) show – were filming the very first scene of their “screwball comedy,” “Inside Llewyn Davis.” So exciting.

During the takes we saw, two cars rolled down the snow-dusted street and then a young man clutching a cat and guitar case crossed the road and walked into a building at 77 East Second Street. When we left the block between First and Second Avenues, giant bags of leaves were at the ready and outdoor lights were being turned on. Maybe nighttime in autumn was next?

Have your own photos of the shoot? Add them to The Local’s Flickr pool. And if you live in the neighborhood and want to cover tomorrow’s action, e-mail us.

Jared Malsin Obie Johnson, 66, a Marine veteran, said he was
stopped and searched by the police.

In the East Village last year, blacks and Hispanics were stopped and questioned by the police more often than whites, according to newly released stop-and-frisk statistics and a street poll conducted by The Local. The neighborhood’s new Commanding Officer touts the effectiveness of the controversial policy, but some residents complain that it has been used to unfairly target minorities.

According to data obtained from the Police Department by the New York Civil Liberties Union and released yesterday, police officers stopped and questioned people in the Ninth Precinct (which covers the East Village) 3,614 times in 2011. Of those stopped, 1,113 were black, and 1,200 were listed as either “black Hispanic” or “white Hispanic.” Altogether, 63 percent of those stopped were either black or Hispanic –  even though, according to 2010 census data, those groups made up just 33.1 percent of the neighborhood’s population. Just 28 percent of those stopped (about 1,033 people) were white, though 63 percent of East Village residents belonged to that race.

Those numbers are in keeping with an informal poll in which The Local surveyed 107 people, roughly half of them on Second Avenue, and half on Avenue C. Of 55 people approached at Second Avenue and Fourth Street, only three (six percent) said they had been stopped and questioned. On Avenue C and Fourth Street, 14 out of 52 people (about 27 percent) said they had been stopped and questioned.

During a conversation with The Local, Captain John Cappelmann, the new Commanding Officer of the Ninth Precinct, described stop-and-frisk as an “effective crime-fighting tool,” citing a Monday morning arrest in connection with a string of restaurant robberies in the neighborhood. He hypothesized, “If someone had seen one of the perps walking down the street the other day with a crow bar right before he crow-barred the window? You want to stop him before he commits the crime, right?”

But many East Village residents who spoke with The Local said they believed that stop-and-frisk was being applied selectively – a concern that last month prompted Community Board 3 to support a resolution, brought by Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, calling for the policy’s reform. Mr. Stringer, who spoke at a protest on Tuesday, has blamed the enforcement technique for “creating a wall of distrust between people of color and the police,” and is calling for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into whether the Police Department is committing racial profiling. Read more…

The Coen brothers aren’t the only ones using the neighborhood as cinematic fodder today. Check out the above preview for “Fashion King,” set to premiere on South Korea’s SBS network. Hot. Stuff.

According to FanWonder.com’s translation of a SportsSeoul.com piece, the drama is about “young designers wanting to become world class designers but having to start off small at the Dong Dae Mun Markets” (see the show’s blinged-out Website featuring Marc, Karl, and the rest). A production team member says the show is being filmed in South Korea as well as on the “trendy streets of New York,” and what trendier street than Second Avenue? Flyers between Second and Third Streets indicate today’s shoot – scheduled to coincide with Fashion Week, naturally – will last till 9 p.m.

Evan Bleier Noah Leyer, left.

In addition to vintage cars, the Coen brothers have now brought something resembling snow to a block where, earlier today, a scene was being shot inside of a building at 77 East Second Street.

The extra attention to detail was no surprise to background actor Noah Leyer, 25, who was prepping for a sidewalk scene. “They had this outfit tailored specifically for me,” he said while waiting for the cameras to roll.

Our own cameras managed to capture Joel Coen sipping a beverage. Yes, the spy-cam shot at right is good and blurry (we’re horrible paparazzi), so you’ll just have to trust us: The Coen brothers are doing their thing.

Update: Slideshow: Coen Brothers Take Second Street Back to 1961

Photos: Daniel Maurer

While news cameras focused their attention on a block on East Second Street where a three-alarm fire tore through a six-story apartment building last night, cameras were out for a different reason one block east: the Coen Brothers have parked over twenty vintage cars on Second Street between First and Second Avenues, where they’re shooting their new film “Inside Llewyn Davis.”

“Hollywood” Nick Pagani, a car wrangler for motion pictures, told The Local that he had secured the vintage vehicles for traffic scenes set in 1961. “We’re only going to drive five of them today,” he said.  Read more…

Good morning, East Village.

The Post reports that a fire broke out last night on the second floor of an apartment building at 21 East Second Street, near Second Avenue, and spread across four stories: “The three-alarm inferno ran mostly through one shaft in the building and was difficult to put out because several of the apartments were heavily cluttered, the FDNY said.” According to the AP, the fire, which started around 11:30 a.m., wasn’t under control until 1:30 a.m. and two firefighters and three civilians were treated for minor injuries. NBC New York reports that about 30 adults and four children have been displaced and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

DNA Info reports that a car crash on Third Avenue and 14th Street left two people hurt early this morning.

Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin won’t have to sleep on that East Village (or is it Lower East Side?) couch anymore: The Daily News hears he has leased a two-bedroom apartment in… White Plains? Read more…

Photos: Stephen Rex Brown

Chanting against Mayor Bloomberg and Monsanto, protesters marched from the Bank of America on Second Avenue to the bed-in at Washington Square Park. “I want to go on the offensive against the ‘get a job’ people,” said Roman Shusterman, an unemployed 30-year-old from Brighton Beach who was holding a sign with an unprintable message about jobs.

“The whole world should demand better food,” he added in regards to Monsanto. “But we’re in a position to challenge our government, so why not?”

This Valentine’s Day, The Local is celebrating East Village couples. We’ve heard the stories of Doug and Bryan, James and Veronica, and Jimmy and Lexi. Today: meet Chris and Dan.

In 2007, Daniel Altman began dating his boss, jewelry designer and East Village resident Chris Habana. He worked as Chris’s assistant (and eventually moved in with him) during the two years they were a couple. Watch The Local’s video to hear how the old adage about mixing business with pleasure eventually proved true, and why Dan, 27, decided to keep working with Chris, 37, after their romantic relationship faded.

Photos of Fragrance Shop New York by Vivienne Gucwa

As shown in the slideshow above, Lalita Kumut’s Fragrance Shop New York has reopened on East Fourth Street, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, a high-profile restaurant located next to the shop’s former home on East Seventh Street plans to take over the newly vacant space.

Porsena, the Italian spot that chef Sara Jenkins of Porchetta opened in 2010, wants to expand next-door. But at a meeting of Community Board 3’s S.L.A. Licensing committee last night, residents fearful of the din caused by an exhaust fan spoke out against the move. Read more…

Jared Malsin

A dozen Occupy Wall Street demonstrators staged a “bed-in,” inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1969 anti-war protests of the same name, at Washington Square Park this morning. The group brandished flowers and took turns lounging on a mattress while inviting passersby to join them in bed. (Just in case anyone is feeling really lonely this Valentine’s Day.)

“Imagine every mattress in New York City – or maybe, who knows, the planet, since the Internet allows us to have this dialogue – every mattress, indoors or outdoors, becoming a stage for free speech and public expression and even human expression,” said Alexandre Carvalho, 28, an activist with a group called Revolutionary Games.

Mr. Carvalho added, “Because it’s boring to be political all the time. Maybe you can just be in bed with your friends and just talking about what it means to be living a happy life.”

Stephen Rex Brown

One of the East Village’s most complained-about clubs and the scene of a post-Thanksgiving stabbing is up for a liquor license renewal; but even with a new partner promising to make changes, neighbors aren’t hearing it.

About a month ago, Joseph Shienouda, 32, bought a 50 percent stake in La Vie, a club on First Street that racked up the 12th highest number of noise complaints within the boundaries of Community Board 3. Some believe the new part-owner has continued to operate the venue – listed as a bar and restaurant on its most recent liquor license questionnaire – as an unlicensed cabaret, with live D.J.s and late-night dance parties.

At last night’s meeting of C.B. 3’s S.L.A. Licensing committee, Jason Weisfuse, who lives next-door to the club at 62 East First Street, said decibel levels had not decreased since Mr. Shienouda came on board. “I hear their music practically every single night – earth-shaking bass music weeknights until 4 a.m.” he said. “We’ve communicated with them countless times. After a year and a half, we’ve stopped reaching out to them.”

But the new partner, who said he had previously managed a club in New Jersey for five years, claimed that he had started making changes. Read more…

Natalie Rinn Barbara Sibley and Robert Ehrlich

The owner of La Palapa is joining the founder of Pirate’s Booty in taking over the Holiday Cocktail Lounge space, and the duo will open a restaurant there.

At a meeting of Community Board 3’s S.L.A. licensing committee last night, Robert Ehrlich, who purchased the building at 75 St. Marks Place from former owner Roman Lutak, and Barbara Sibley, who will manage the spot, confirmed that their restaurant will not keep the Holiday’s name, dealing a final death-blow to the beloved bar.

Committee members lamented the loss. “It’s too bad it won’t be called Holiday Cocktail Lounge,” said Ariel Palitz. “It’s the end of an era.”

Ms. Sibley has been in the neighborhood for some time. She ran Telephone Bar on Second Avenue, which closed in 2010 after 22 years of business, and is currently the chef and owner of La Palapa, the Mexican restaurant that stands next door to the former Holiday at 77 St. Marks Place. Read more…

jdx El Corazón del Loisaida.

In the East Village, Prune is usually the Valentine’s Day go-to. Each year, chef Gabrielle Hamilton – who wrote the book about the ways of the heart – conjures up prix-fixe menus inspired by past loves (you can see last year’s here; this year’s three menus will range from $55 to $125). If the two remaining reservations (at time of writing) have been snatched up by the time you read this, you may want to consider these other distinctly East Village ideas. The first one happens tonight, because really – who cares about celebrating on the day-of, anyway?

Instead of a movie…
Hit U.C.B.East for “David Lynch’s Blue Velvetine’s Day” tonight at 10 p.m. If it’s half as bizarre as Mr. Lynch’s film, “Blue Velvet,” it will definitely make for interesting post-date conversation. Tickets are $5.

Instead of a museum date…
Head to the Dorian Grey Art Gallery for “The Dandy’s New York.” The photography and mixed-media tribute to offbeat trendsetter Patrick McDonald will be open through March 4^, and admission is free.

Instead of a spa day…
Go to the Russian and Turkish Baths. The recently refurbished baths have offered spa-like services since 1892. Tuesdays are coed, so don’t forget your shorts. The entrance fee is $35. Read more…

So you’ve decided to spoil your guy with a Valentine’s Day gift. But what do you get the man who has everything he needs (four shirts, two pairs of jeans, one pair of khakis and a toothbrush)? The Local’s Boutique Freak scoured the neighborhood’s shops to find out.

Diner’s Journal takes a look at the menu for the East Village outpost of the popular Mexican restaurant Fonda, and reveals that it will open next week. Roberto Santibañez, who opened the Park Slope location three years ago, said that the new Fonda at 40 Avenue B will feature more bar food, brunch plates and mezcals: “In Brooklyn, this is a neighborhood place, a hangout, and I hope it will be the same in Manhattan.”

Lauren Carol Smith The Holiday Cocktail Lounge’s shutter, days after
the bar closed.

The Holiday Cocktail Lounge had been a part of his life for 58 years — and after his father’s death, it was time to let go. Finally.

Speaking for the first time since selling the revered dive on St. Marks Place — and the five-story building that housed it — Roman Lutak expressed relief that he was, in a way, emerging from his father’s shadow and getting out of the bar business that had been in his family for four generations.

“My parents, they did this. I didn’t do it, I just happened to be along for the ride,” Mr. Lutak said over coffee on 14th Street.

Today, the new owner of the building, Robert Ehrlich, is scheduled to go before Community Board 3 and likely reveal his plans for the bar on the ground floor. Whatever they may be, he has some big shoes to fill. Stefan Lutak, who bought the bar in 1964, was as closely associated with the Holiday Cocktail Lounge as Lucyna Mickievicius is associated with her bar, Lucy’s. It was hard to imagine one existing without the other. Read more…