Suzanne Rozdeba

Litro, the Italian restaurant that opened in May, is changing things up.

Riccardo Paletti, a native of Rome who owns the tiny spot with his brother Alessandro, said it will now be a lounge by named 308, after its location at 308 East Sixth Street, near Second Avenue.

Just how much of a lounge? Well, there will be a weekly “college party” and a weekly “model party,” he said. Tonight’s bartender is Veronika Kovarikova, who has modeled for La Perla.

“In the East Village, especially here on Sixth Street and with so many young people and students, we wanted to make it more affordable for everyone,” said Riccardo. “And here, people like more of a bar.”

The new menu features appetizers ($7 to $12) and panini ($8 to $15).

Dan Varinsky

As a bullying-related suicide in Staten Island swept the headlines today, students at George Jackson Academy got a lesson in how to keep their community bully-free.

In a presentation about self-defense and inner strength that included lessons in deep breathing and non-violent assertiveness, John Mirrione, a karate sensei who runs Harmony by Karate on the Upper West Side, announced the creation of the Harmony Power Foundation, a non-profit that will fund similar anti-bullying presentations around the country.

Students of the school on St. Marks Place seemed to agree that bullying isn’t a big issue for them. “Some people might need occasional reminders, but I haven’t taken part in or seen any bullying in this school,” said Kai Parris. Still, the sixth grader appreciated the anti-bullying videos Mr. Mirrione showed. “You only need to use one word to hurt somebody’s feelings,” he said. Read more…

Pat Ivers and Emily Armstrong continue sorting through their archives of punk-era concert footage as it’s digitized for the Downtown Collection at N.Y.U.’s Fales Library.

Emily Armstrong Danceteria Video Lounge

When BAD Burger announced last month that it was ditching its plan to stay open 24/7, it seemed like one more market indicator of the neighborhood’s shifting demographic from boho stronghold to, well, we’re not sure what it is anymore, other than upscale. It got us thinking about how much things have changed from those wild years in the late ’70s and early ’80s when rents were low, charm was currency and after hours clubs were everywhere. The fact that these establishments were blatantly illegal barely furrowed a brow back then. They were just part of the city’s recession economy.

For a lot of people, those early Reagan Years were also the Up All Night Years. Typically, an after-hours spot opened around 3 a.m. and gave up the ghost around noon. Somehow, they were always packed and never too hard to find. Given the variety and sheer number of options available, folks tended to flit from place to place, but clubs did have individual identities. AM/PM in Tribeca attracted a mix of Wall Street types, downtown rockers and artists, while Crisco Disco and the Anvil were for the gay boys on the West Side. The Jefferson was shabby chic, a derelict vaudeville theater and a bit of a death trap; there was only a narrow staircase to the second floor where the festivities sometimes spilled out onto a rickety marquee overlooking East 14th Street. It did have romance: a friend of ours met his first wife there. Read more…

Nicole Guzzardi

It may be a couple of weeks before the cause of Christine Ebel’s death is known. A spokesperson at the city medical examiner’s office said further testing and investigation was necessary after an initial autopsy this morning.

In the meantime, a memorial has been set up in front of Arcane, the bistro Ms. Ebel owned with her brother, and neighbors continue to express shock and sadness over yesterday morning’s discovery of her lifeless body in a lot behind the restaurant. Read more…

Joann Pan Sign on the gate of East Village Thai.

David Piccirillo and William Ott have not had a working stove or oven since they moved into their apartment a month ago. Because of small leaks in the pipes, the cooking gas in their building at 32 East Seventh Street was shut off Sept. 27, three days before the two moved in.

Mr. Piccirillo, 24, can’t cook his morning eggs anymore, and estimates that his food costs have doubled.

“You have to get up and go out any time you want something warm to eat,” added Mr. Ott, 23, who just relocated from Long Island.

Other tenants have been given hot plates, but Mr. Piccirillo and Mr. Ott were still waiting on theirs earlier today. Mr. Piccirillo said he would like money to be deducted from their rent, though he is not optimistic.

For one of the tenants, hot pots aren’t much help: East Village Thai, which occupies one of the building’s storefronts, has been closed since the gas was shut off. The restaurant’s owner, Paul Euiu, said that when the problem started, his landlord, Jakobson Properties, told him to hold off on October rent until things were resolved. But Mr. Euiu was greeted with the usual rent bill when he stopped by his restaurant this afternoon. Read more…

Suzanne Rozdeba

A pair of school safety officers were injured today after trying to break up a fight at the High School for Health Professions and Human Services.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the two officers tried to diffuse an altercation between two female students. One of the officers sprained an ankle and the other went to the hospital with a shoulder injury and chest pain.

The incident occurred sometime before 1 p.m. today. The high school, located next to Stuyvesant Town at 345 East 15th Street, prepares students for future careers in health care.

Noah Fecks Pork buns at Jum Mum.

Here’s one more reason to sign up for The Local’s newsletter: You could win free tickets to the East Village Eats Tasting Tour.

This weekend will be a gut-busting one for the food obsessed: Saturday is Lower East Side Pickle Day; meanwhile above Houston, Fourth Arts Block is hosting its annual eating extravaganza. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., ticket holders can roam the neighborhood (with a compostable spork, naturally) sampling bites from restaurants like buzzy newcomer L’Apicio (where F.A.B. just installed a colorful mural), Veselka Bowery, Jum Mum, Bikinis, and more. After the food crawl, the revelry continues as a trio of bars will offer discounted drinks.

So how do you score a ticket? Well, you can either buy one for $60 here, where you can see a full list of participating restaurants and dishes, or you can take two seconds to sign up for our newsletter. We’re giving away two tickets to a random person (and friend) who subscribes between now and tomorrow at 4 p.m. The icing on the proverbial cake: you’ll get free East Village news delivered to your inbox daily. Just sign up here.

View from the 13th floor.

Earlier this week, a 57-year-old woman jumped to her death on University Place. Even when such suicides don’t make the news (and they usually don’t) they leave an indelible impression on those who encounter them. Such was the case in April when a woman, also 57, ended her life at the Salvation Army’s Markle Evangeline Residence for Women. Today, her would-be neighbor tells the story. 

July 1, 2012
When I first stepped into the Markle Evangeline Residence, I felt it: a peculiar darkness. Yet this was the same bright cheerful woman’s dormitory on 13th Street I had been coming to for years, each semester I came from Paris to teach at NYU.

Was it the downturned lips of the receptionist? Was it the fact that the new manager of the place, which was run by the Salvation Army, had just sent me a curt e-mail, in response to my request, if possible, for a firm mattress: “You may need to look into another place to stay while you’re here in New York.” Signed Major William T. Bender, and cc-ed to his staff.

I took the elevator up to a room that was inauspiciously on the 13th floor: 1309, in fact, an odd number I did not like. I was afraid of what I would find. I turned the knob – and there, a grim disappointment.

The room faced south, the way I had asked, and the window showed a skyline of the city. But it was dark. How could it be dark? It was shining with light, the walls painted yellow.

The room needed something, but what? I asked for an air conditioner to be placed in the bathroom window, so as to not block my view, but the Major instructed the custodian to put it in the bedroom instead. You may need to go elsewhere… 

Let it go, I told myself. After all, there was nothing wrong with this room. I moved the bed around by the window and with a screwdriver I opened the flaps of the air conditioner, to let in a slice of view. I put a poster up, of the Eiffel Tower. I moved the bed around once more. I pushed back the desk.

I stared out the open bathroom window. There was a patio below, nine stories down.

I wondered where the body would land if one threw oneself out. Read more…

Arcane Bistro

The woman whose body was found in an empty lot on East Seventh Street this morning has been identified by neighbors as Christine Ebel, an owner of Arcane, a French-Caribbean bistro adjacent the lot.

Bill Rafty, the building superintendent at Eastville Gardens, also bordering the lot, said he recognized the woman whose lifeless body was discovered around 9 a.m. this morning. “I saw her face,” said Mr. Rafty. “I recognized her. I recognized her hair. She’s got dirty-blonde curly hair.”

Mr. Rafty, who would often see Ms. Ebel cleaning up outside of Arcane, said, “She was beautiful. She had many friends.” He believed she lived above the bistro.

Piti Dumitru, who works with Mr. Rafty, described her as a “very nice girl”: “I never saw her drink,” he said. “It’s terrible.” Read more…

Suzanne Rozdeba

Suzanne Rozdeba Looking down on the body (under white sheet).

A dead body was found in an empty lot at 227 East Seventh Street this morning.

Angel Carrillo, 43, a carpenter who lives near the lot between Avenues B and C, said that around 9 a.m., he heard a woman screaming hysterically. When he came to her aid, the woman pointed to a dead body lying face-down on the ground. Mr. Carrillo believed the deceased, who wore calf-length boots, was in her 30s. After telling Mr. Carrillo she didn’t know what happened, the person who made the initial discovery ran away.

The police confirmed the body belonged to a woman in her 30s and said there were no visible signs of trauma, but had no further information about the ongoing investigation.

The lot, where a building was demolished earlier this year, is due to receive a six-story condominium building.

Update 2:50 p.m. The crime scene unit has now arrived. Investigators have been seen entering 111 Avenue C, where a police officer is posted, as well as a garden next to 115 Avenue C that borders the lot.

Pablo, a resident of 229 East Seventh Street who did not give his last name, said that shortly before 9 a.m., he saw the woman from the third floor of his building, and that she was face-up (not face-down, as indicated by Mr. Carrillo), with mud obscuring her visage. She wore a v-neck sweater and black jeans, he said.

The super of Eastville Gardens at 225 East Seventh Street, who was shown the body by investigators, said the woman was wearing a single sandal and not boots as indicated by Mr. Carrillo.

Update | 7:30 p.m. Woman Found Dead On Seventh Said to Be Owner of Arcane Bistro

Alexa Mae Asperin

If a 7-Eleven is indeed coming to Avenue A, it isn’t the only poorly kept secret in Alphabet City: Earlier this month, The Local pointed to city records indicating that mobile sweets vendor Wafels & Dinges may be opening its first brick-and-mortar location at 15 Avenue B.

When we Tweeted about it, the Belgian-wafflemaker, which had declined to comment, coyly responded: “The mystery is killing us!”

The company still hasn’t made it official, but last week it posted a photo to its Facebook page showing construction in a dimly lit mystery space, with the caption: “Right now, it’s a mess. But it’s going to be awesome. We hope.”

The scene inside of 15 Avenue B today sure looked similar to the “mess” in the photo. We’ll let you know when it’s official.

A Staten Island man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping and robbing a 28-year-old woman as she walked to her home on Orchard Street in 1998.

On Oct. 9, Lerio Guerrero, 33, pleaded guilty to rape, sodomy, burglary, robbery, and attempted robbery, all in the first degree, according to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.

Mr. Vance credits the “All Crimes DNA” law and DNA databank expansion for helping to solve the crime. “Without the state’s DNA databank, this defendant might never have been apprehended,” he said in a press release. “But because New Yorkers live in a state that recognizes the power of DNA to convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent, this crime victim is able to finally see justice be served nearly 14 years later.” Read more…

Alexa Mae Asperin

The East Ninth Street storefront where Turkish fast-food joint Cigkoftem opened in February is now for rent, and a vandal who left his mark there in recent days seems worried N.Y.U. or 7-Eleven will replace it.

That’s unlikely, but: Back in September, a construction worker told The Local that 170 Avenue A, the former home of Bar on A, was getting a 7-Eleven. The job applicant listed on the construction permit was an architect of previous 7-Elevens, so it seemed likely to be true. But 7-Eleven didn’t respond to inquiries, and we never got official confirmation (which didn’t stop readers – and writers, and neighboring businesses – from weighing in.)

Today, there’s further evidence: A construction application approved last week confirms that work at 170 Avenue A will involve the “infill of a convenience store.”

Sure, there’s always the chance said “convenience store” will be the city’s first Wawa (as hoagie fans, we wouldn’t be opposed), but it’s looking more and more like 7-Eleven.

Suzanne Rozdeba Richard Cacace at Salon Champu

Suzanne Rozdeba

Last month, the owner of Salon Champu and Body Beautiful on East Seventh Street said he was planning to combine the salon and spa at a new address. Last week, he opened Salon Champu at 199 East Fourth Street, the space previously occupied by body piercer-to-the-stars Maria Tash.

“People still come in here asking if they can get a new piercing,” Richard Cacace laughed as he showed The Local around his new spot, simple and cozy with large, thick-framed mirrors leaning against an exposed brick wall.

Mr. Cacace thought it was a good sign, particularly from an economic perspective, to see other shops like Croissanteria opening up nearby on Avenue A. “Now, there are these unique, specialty businesses opening up, compared to the old Alphabet City, where there were mostly bodegas,” he said. “These new shops uplift the area and give it more credibility.”

The salon offers organic hair coloring, Keratin treatments, Japanese hair-straightening treatments, vegan hair-care
services, and skin care services such as facials and laser and wax treatments.

Salon Champu, 199 East Fourth Street, (212) 529-6925.

Suzanne Rozdeba

Shots rang out at Campos Plaza this afternoon, according to residents who continued to voice concerns about security in the wake of a shooting earlier this month.

The president of the Campos Plaza Tenant Association – who, like others who spoke to The Local, insisted on anonymity due to concerns about personal safety – said she was at home when, shortly after 3:30 p.m., she heard three shots ring out. “A lot of people were out here,” she said. “People were at the bus stop across the street, running for cover.”

From her window, she saw over a dozen young men, aged about 15 to 25, running toward Avenue C. Read more…

Angelina Cafe will reopen this evening across from its former location on Avenue A.

Starting at 5 p.m., you’ll be able to indulge in favorites like the grilled tuna steak or try new dishes such as a Tunisian burger with goat cheese, roasted pepper and harissa mayonnaise. In the next weeks, daily specials will be introduced to the menu of $20-and-under items, which you can see below.

Imen Bouzgarrou, who opened Angelina alongside husband Rafik in 2002, said she was excited to have a “newer, bigger, open space to attract more customers.” As previously reported, the Tunisian natives’ landlord wanted to raise their rent at 36B Avenue A to $7,500 per month – on par with what they’re paying for the larger venue across the street, Mrs. Bouzgarrou confirmed.

In addition to handmade pastas and a more expansive wine selection, the new Angelina boasts a private party area where larger groups can relax behind an orange curtain.

Dinner will be served this week from 5 p.m. to close and brunch is served on the weekends. Lunch will begin next week and breakfast will eventually be incorporated into regular business hours.
See the menu…

Melvin Felix Mr. Cohen in his loft.

After being accused of federal tax violations in what he believes is a response to his representation of controversial clients that include alleged terrorists, Stanley Cohen is facing another court battle this week: he’s being told to pay real estate taxes or leave his longtime base of operations on Avenue D.

On July 30, the outspoken attorney’s landlord, Hasa Realty, issued a five-day notice demanding that Mr. Cohen pay $45,780 by Aug. 8 or give up his home office at 119 Avenue D. In papers filed Aug. 14 in Civil Court, the landlord claims that the $4,500-per-month loft is being rented for commercial purposes, and is subject to real estate tax totaling $37,637 in 2011 and 2012.

But Mr. Cohen claims in a response filed Aug. 29 that the loft from which he works is also used for residential purposes, and his landlord has long known and agreed to this  – meaning Hasa has no grounds for a commercial summary proceeding. He adds that conditions such as the absence of a fire escape “render the premises unfit for the use intended,” and demands an abatement for the months during which he paid rent despite the unsafe conditions. Read more…

Tim Schreier Nicolina Johnson

No, not that Tea Party, silly.

Hot on the heels of Saturday’s Halloween Dog Parade, the Mad Hatter Tea Party brought psychedelic costumes, stilt walkers, and free cookies to Tompkins Square Park.

Nicolina Johnson, the event’s main organizer along with The Free Art Society, said the annual event has doubled in size since it started three years ago. “The mission is to completely blur the line between spectator and performer, and bring people in to this world of magic and merriment that’s around them all the time,” said the artist. She and other organizers made extra hats in case people wandering by without a costume wanted to join in.

The crowd included people of all ages and hats of all sizes: Jillian Kimberling, 11, danced with her parents and younger sister. “It’s really cool. I really like all the costumes and the live music, and there are actually people portraying the real characters of Alice in Wonderland,” she said. Indeed the Mad Hatter and the March Hare started things off, and soon a six-person caterpillar began to wind its way through the crowd. The Queen of Hearts circulated authoritatively, stilt walkers danced, and an executioner dragged voluntary prisoners around behind her on leather ropes. Read more…

The champions of the 22nd annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade were no strangers to the winner’s circle. The pup that ranked Best in Show has won a similar contest on the Upper East Side the last three years, dressed as a hurricane and as Beyonce. Gracie, winner of the second round, took Best in Show two years ago as Scarlett O’Hara. That year, Benny the boxer also got a prize as Internet sensation Antoine Dodson.

Dana Varinsky Benny the Boxer as Butthead

This year it was Benny’s behind that got all the attention: glasses and a wig were perched atop his tiny tail to make it look like a wiggling nose.

The Butthead costume was spontaneous. “I wasn’t sure I was going to dress him up,” said Benny’s owner, Michael Godere. But the dog’s godfather, Grover Guinta, came over that morning with a bag of wigs and glasses. “We just improvised,” Mr. Godere said, laughing when another dog sniffed Benny’s rear-end. “It’s great when the other dogs try to kiss his butt.” Read more…