Tim Schreier

Good morning, East Village.

Don’t forget your umbrellas this morning. Reports say the rain will persist until early evening. But when things do clear up, perhaps you’ll want to take advantage of the new ping-pong table in Tompkins Square Park. DNAinfo reports that tension arose over the table’s placement near the dog park, but the addition will likely be popular come spring.

One East Villager abandoned the traditional staircase in favor of an aluminum slide to connect his penthouse purchases, NY Curbed reports. These digs, located inside notorious party pad called A Building may belong to a professional poker player who moved into the 13th Street space in 2008.

And if you missed the stunning moonscape during the weekend, check out these photos from Tim Schreier, one of The Local’s community contributors, here and here and here. Community contributor Tim Milk captured another view and Bowery Boogie also has some images of the spectacle.

Tim Schreier

Good morning, East Village.

It’s finally Friday, but the ongoing debate over the budget for city schools may keep you talking through the weekend. According to BoogieDowner, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson sent out a letter Thursday protesting Chancellor Cathie Black’s new budget requirement for school principals. For the first time, school principals have been asked to give a portion of their year-end surplus back to the city, rather than “roll over” their budget to the following year. How will East Village schools be affected? Read more about the proposed education cuts here.

And DNAinfo reports that the East Village graffiti artist Angel “LA II” Ortiz missed his own gallery opening last week after his arrest for – what else? – graffiti, after the authorities said that he tagged an East Village building the night before his collection was scheduled to open at Dorian Grey Gallery on East Ninth Street. Mr. Ortiz calls the streets his canvases, but art lovers can also view his work indoors, with his exhibit on display through April 17.

Of course, the East Village mural on Houston and Bowery, otherwise known as the Dietch Wall, pictured above, is always accessible to fans of street art. But after some taggers recently took turns on the work by Kenny Scharf, gallery workers from The Hole, which curates the wall, cleaned up the mess Thursday, according to Bowery Boogie.

East Village graffiti is just one manifestation of the recurring battle between the old and the new. EV Grieve shares photos of what the blog calls “intruding buildings” collected over the past year, “lurking, menacing in the background.”

And here comes the sun, but not for long; today’s high of 70 degrees will most likely cloud over Monday, with rain in the low 50’s.

Bruce Monroe

Good morning, East Village.

New York University finally showed us yesterday what Washington Square could look like by 2031 through what it describes as “subtle interventions.”

Having withdrawn plans for a fourth building on the landmarked Silver Towers site, the university now envisages meeting its core expansion requirements. Seven floors of dorms above a public school replacing the current Morton Williams supermarket, together with a major tower on the site of the Coles Sports Center at Mercer and Houston, are part of the new design, as well as lower rise buildings on the north side of the park. As anticipated, the university continues to leave open the possibility of further developments in the neighborhood around the core, which includes – of course – the East Village.

In other neighborhood news, today, of course, is St. Patrick’s Day, and local bars are dressing up for the occasion; according to EV Grieve, some bars on Avenue C are sporting identical signs over the battle for “official party headquarters.” And for those of us who prefer inebriation in the form of sugar, Butter Lane is offering Jameson icing and free icing shots to those clad in green.

In other news, DNAinfo reports that comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade has finally agreed to remove its “Hot Chicks Room” sign from its space near East Third Street, following angry complaints from some neighbors who felt it the sign was more fitted for the old Times Square or the Red Light District, than the East Village.

And on a more somber note, East Villagers are offering aid to Japan following the devastating earthquake and ongoing nuclear crisis that began last Friday. A donation box has been placed on the counter of Takahachi restaurant on Avenue A. Have you seen other donation stations around the East Village? Leave a comment and let us know where to find them.

Expect a gorgeous high of 62 degrees today, with another beautiful day to follow.

Clint McMahon

Good morning, East Village.

We begin the week with some sad news. The East Village suffered a loss this weekend when Ricardo León Peña Villa, the Colombian-born poet known as El Poe, died Friday at Beth Israel Hospital after being in the intensive care unit for the last few weeks. According to EV Grieve, there’s a small memorial set up for El Poe, honoring his memory, outside the Umbrella House on Avenue C where he had not only lived but also helped manage the building with other tenants.

In other neighborhood news, Tompkins Square Park will welcome a new permanent fixture this weekend – a ping-pong table. DNAInfo reports that the table will arrive on March 19, and be placed between the park’s flagpole and center lawn. And if you’re worried about a little rain and wind getting in the way of your table tennis match, the table will reportedly be made of polished concrete and will include a steel net, so players can compete no matter the conditions.

Amid the continuing debate about preserving historical buildings in the neighborhood such as 35 Cooper Square, The Local today will begin a new occasional feature that describes the histories of neighborhood buildings, both well-known and anonymous.

As for the weather, expect a partly cloudy day with a high of 48 degrees.

Tim Milk

Good morning, East Village.

After being slated for almost certain demolition, 35 Cooper Square may live to see another day. Our friends at Bowery Boogie bring us news that neighborhood preservationists received support last night from Community Board 3, which voted to send a resolution to site developers outlining the community’s desire to save the historic building.

Get your brackets ready—March Madness is officially underway. Whether you’re a die hard fan or casual follower of the NCAA, it’s hard not to get swept up in the thrill of good competition. New York MetroMix suggests heading over to Professor Thoms or the Village Pourhouse to catch a game or two. We want to know—where will you be watching?

From slam dunks to slam downs, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe is housing a showdown of a different sort this weekend as aspiring young writers and lyricists go head to head to compete in Urban Word’s NYC Teen Poetry Slam. Come see the action yourself on Saturday.

EVGrieve reports a smash up between a taxi and a pickup truck yesterday on Second Avenue, and DNAInfo tells us not to expect any food vendors to come to Cooper Square Park anytime soon.

Expect this morning’s rain to give way to sunny skies later this weekend. Today’s temperature should climb up to 55 degrees.

Gloria Chung

Good morning, East Village.

Feeling down lately? You’re not the only one. From noxious dirt to demolitions to downpours it seems like a lot of people are in low spirits today.

A new poll shows 41 percent of New Yorkers believe quality of life has gone down in the past 10 years. Of those polled, 35 percent expect it to get worse.

East Village Community school is seeking relocation after potentially toxic oil was discovered in the soil underneath the school’s auditorium, DNAinfo reports. Citing a possible “environmental and structural crisis,” the principal is asking that the school be moved to an available space on East 12th Street — the same spot being eyed by the Girls Prep Charter School as it looks to expand.

Neighborhood activists intent on saving 35 Cooper Square from demolition will once again push their case before Community Board 3’s landmark and preservation committee at a meeting tonight. Work on the landmark building resumed last week after a stop work order was issued in February was lifted.

One mood booster that’s sure to work? Pinball. Ace Bar on East Fifth Street is conveniently hosting a tournament this weekend for casual players and pros alike. Come test your skill and maybe win a little cash along the way.

Don’t look to the weather today to cheer you up. While temperatures are expected to hover around 50 degrees, forecasters are predicting a 100 percent chance of rain.

Phillip Kalantzis Cope

Good morning, East Village.

EV Grieve reports that renovations continue on St. Brigid’s Church on East Eighth Street and Avenue B after workers put new scaffolding up last week. Repairs to the landmark church began in 2009 after a mysterious donor saved the historic church from demolition. Read more about it here, here and here.

While one church gets a facelift, another one celebrates its 165th anniversary on Broadway.

Meanwhile, Grieve also points us to residents at 97 East Seventh Street, who are hoping for a miracle of their own after having gone 17 days without gas for cooking, though word is that management will have the problem fixed by today.

In other news, a man who punched a woman and nearly killed her over an East Village parking spot apologized yesterday after being charged with second-degree assault, DNAInfo reports.  Read more about what sparked the feud here.

Yesterday marked the beginning of National Procrastination Week. It’s only fitting that you start celebrating today. Or tomorrow, for that matter.

And it’s another beautiful day in the East Village, with sunny skies and temperatures expected to reach a high of 46 degrees.

Michelle Rick

Good morning, East Village.

Last week, we reported on a mysterious writer who was posting mystery pages of a manuscript on lampposts and mailboxes all over the East Village. Since then, it seems more undercover authors have chosen to take the self-publishing routes. EVGrieve spotted pictures of new pages that have popped up throughout the neighborhood, including a piece of fiction titled “The Two Little Canker Sores.” Have you seen any more?

What goes better with cupcakes than, say, burritos? EVGrieve reports that Cowgirl Cupcakes, a completely vegan restaurant that specializes in both, opened its doors on East 10th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A.

And if you’re still hungry after all that, Nearsay.com offers up suggestions on where to grab a quick bite in the East Village for under $10.

The Times reports that the building housing A Gathering of Tribes, an art gallery and salon on East Third Street between Avenues C and D, is up for sale at a listing price of $2.9 million.

In other news, the Department of Education will hold a final public hearing tonight to get feedback on plans to expand the Girls Prep Charter School to a new location.

Sick of rain? Today’s weather offers us some relief from yesterday’s showers. Expect sunny skies and a high of 45.

Adrian Fussell

Good morning, East Village.

We begin with a report from a bit south of our neighborhood.  A fire broke out Thursday night at 202 Mott Street on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Bowery Boogie was on the scene, and noted that ash and debris were falling from the building.  NYU Journalism’s Adrian Fussell, was there as well, and photographed the scene. DNAinfo reported that a 75-year-old woman was taken to New York Downtown Hospital with first degree burns to her head. Two firefighters also sustained unspecified injuries.

In other news, EV Grieve reports that Phil Hartman is returning to 34 Avenue A after Mr. Hartman and his brother Jesse closed Mo Pitkin’s House of Satisfaction in 2007.  EV Grieve notes that Mr. Hartman’s name is listed as the contact on the recently posted Community Board 3 flyer outside 34 Avenue A. The flyer states that Mr. Hartman plans to open up a restaurant, bar and performance space venue, similar to Mo Pitkin’s.

EV Grieve was also given a tip this morning that “30 Rock” is filming scenes inside Lucky Cheng’s on First Avenue today.  If any one happens to pass by today, send us your photos or tweet them to @nytlev.

As for the weather, it’s going to be partly cloudy out today with a high of 42 degrees.

Michelle Rick

Good morning, East Village.

It’s Christmas in March! At least for the cast and crew of DirectTV’s “Damages,” who were filming at Moonstruck Diner on East Fifth Street and Second Avenue yesterday. Thanks to Jason Samuels of NYU Journalism for sending us this photo via Twitter earlier in the day. EV Grieve also has some nice photos of the set, but no sign of “Damages” star, Glenn Close.

Wholesome Foods, a gourmet deli, on Avenue C is now open for business, after the Mini-Market, or “Cobra” Market as locals called it, closed in January. Meanwhile, Death & Co., a bar on East Sixth Street, was temporarily closed last night due to a delay with its liquor license renewal, EV Grieve reports.  Death & Co. will be back open tonight. We reported yesterday how some bar owners are unhappy with the liquor license reform in the East Village.

As for the weather, it’s a little colder today than yesterday, with a high of 35 degrees, so don’t be deceived by the sunny skies on your way out.

C. Ceres Merry

Good Morning, East Village.

Bessie’s back at the Sunburnt Cow on Avenue C, DNAinfo reports.  After being stolen from the East Ninth Street bar in October, the owner has finally replaced its neon mascot, and to celebrate, he’s inviting patrons to help “brand” Bessie by writing their names on her.

Brooklyn’s eco-friendly Union Market is coming to Manhattan, and it has found a 6,000-square-foot space at 240 East Houston Street, on Avenue A, to call home. Racked NY reports that this will be Union Market’s largest endeavor, and similar to the Brooklyn outpost, it will offer a beef aging facility and personal shopping services. Union Market is also know for offering neighborhood-themed coffee blends, so what do you think the East Village blend packaging will look like?

In other news, EV Grieve has noticed that Junk, a thrift store on St. Marks, has closed its doors for good after opening them this past September.   This isn’t the first vintage store to close on St. Marks in recent months.  As we reported, Physical Graffiti, a vintage clothing store,   between First Avenue and Avenue A, closed its doors after 16 years because of the bad economy.

As for today’s weather, it’s a little chilly this morning, expect some clouds and a high of 57 degrees today.

Rachel Citron

Good morning, East Village.

We begin the week with a look at some local restaurant comings and goings. Orologio said goodbye to the neighborhood yesterday with a farewell Sunday brunch and with a little thank you to it’s loyal patrons. EV Grieve reported the restaurant’s listing on the market back in December, and since then, Eater NY has chimed in with a note that The Beagle, a restaurant with a controversial menu, will take its place on 162 Avenue A.

Grieve also notes that 14-16 Avenue B at East Second Street is still up for grabs on the market after plans to open up a 3,000-square-foot Italian restaurant, catering company and lounge were nixed by Community Board 3.  Now the space has a brand new listing and it looks like the landlord may be hoping for a new nail salon to hit the block.

In other neighborhood news, DNAinfo reports that Lower East Side and East Village schools look to be among the hardest hit by possible layoffs of city teachers – roughly 10 percent of the teachers in the neighborhood could be affected.

As for today’s weather? Keep an umbrella handy because The Weather Channel predicts light rain throughout the day and potentially some thunder. But at least there are a few sunny, but cold, days coming our way for the rest of the week.

Phillip Kalantzis Cope

Good morning, East Village.

There’s more news on Grace Farrell, the homeless woman who died last weekend near St. Brigid’s Church. Yesterday, The Daily News tracked down Ms. Farrell’s 12-year-old son, Oliver, and Al Muniz, her former fiancé. Upon learning of his mother’s death, Oliver vowed to stay clear of the drugs and alcohol that he and Mr. Muniz said doomed Ms. Farrell. Oliver also spoke of his dream to become a detective when he grows up and recalled seeing his mother last on Feb. 11. Ms. Farrell likely died Saturday night, the same night her son was baptized at East Village’s Holy Redeemer Church.

Eater NY reports that today marks the opening of a new restaurant at The Cooper Square Hotel, named The Trilby. The Trilby is the hotel’s third restaurant since opening in spring 2009.

For many East Village residents, the new restaurant’s opening may only exacerbate existing pain and nostalgia. EV Grieve reports that yesterday, the Department of Buildings issued a permit to the developers of 35 Cooper Square, which will allow them to complete a city-mandated fence repair. Once that work is completed, the developers are expected to continue moving to demolish the historic site, which was most recently used as an Asian Pub.

And according to The Weather Channel, high winds and rain should spoil today’s predicted high of 53. Expect a sunnier, colder Saturday, as highs will only reach about 40.

Rachel Citron

Good morning, East Village.

For many bars in our neighborhood, this week marks the start of a new era.

As we reported Wednesday, Community Board 3 voted to overhaul the liquor licensing process in the East Village and Lower East Side. Before the vote, when a bar underwent a change in management, new owners could essentially buy the liquor license from the former owner. This morning, commenters in the blogosphere have been weighing in with their reactions to the vote. Save the Lower East Side characterized the move as a “momentous vote” and wondered if it will eventually lower rents and bring more commercial diversity to the neighborhood. The Lo-Down and DNAinfo also have posts on the decision.

EV Grieve reports the famed East Village bar, Coyote Ugly, reopened last night after being shut down for over a week following a surprise Feb. 15 visit by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. After scoring a 90 (an ideal score would be 13 points or fewer), the bar was ordered to remain closed following a second inspection on Friday. Coyote Ugly was finally given the green light upon third inspection on Wednesday after spending the weekend completing tasks like re-painting the walls and installing a new floor in the basement.

In today’s forecast, Accuweather predicts a high of 46. It is expected to rain through the night into tomorrow, though temperatures will climb into the 50s.

Rachel Citron

Good morning, East Village.

We start the day with news on Grace Farrell, the homeless woman who was found dead on Sunday morning near Tompkins Square Park.  The Daily News reports Ms. Farrell, 35, was an aspiring artist who emigrated from Ireland at 17 to attend art school. Police are now trying to track down her family. Ms. Farrell was said to tell friends that her mother lived in the Bronx.  It is also reported that she was once married, and is survived by an estranged son who is about 9 years old.

Preservationists from various New York City organizations are expected to gather at 35 Cooper Square tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in a last-ditch effort to prevent the demolition of the 185-year-old building, Nearsay reports.  The two-and-a-half story brick house is the oldest building in Cooper Square but was not granted landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  On Jan. 28, a similar rally in front of 35 Cooper Square garnered more than 1,000 signatures asking for the landmarks commission to protect the building, but demolition plans are still underway.

Meanwhile, the weather is looking up. Sort of. According to Accuweather, today will be cold, with highs around 30, but milder the rest of the week, with temperatures creeping toward the mid-40s.

jdx

Good morning, East Village.

We begin the week with word of a grim discovery.  A woman was found dead outside St. Brigid’s Church Sunday morning; the authorities are not treating her death as crime. EV Grieve has details about a spontaneous memorial that’s developed at the scene.

Two police officers are set to go on trial next week after being accused of raping an East Village woman, according to The Post.  Kenneth Moreno, 43, and Franklin Mata, 28, patrolmen of the Ninth Precinct, both face up to 25 years in jail for rape, burglary and official misconduct. The Village Voice notes that both officers are still on the city’s payroll.

Meanwhile, there are apparently more shake-ups on the local restaurant scene. Grieve reports that Tonda, the Fourth Street pizzeria originally famous for its $30,000 brick oven, seemed to be open for the first time in two weekends. Upon closer inspection, however, its gates were down, and the restaurant appeared to be closed. And though Olympic Deli on First Avenue has shut down, it’s being replaced by Hamptons Market Place, an upscale grocery and deli that already boasts two locations on the West Side.

And it turns out the weekend was a false alarm, East Village. After a beautifully warm day on Friday and a feel-good hangover this weekend, Mother Nature is reminding us that it’s still winter. According to The Weather Channel, we should expect between three and five inches of snow today, highs in the mid-30s, and more snow tomorrow.

Vivienne Gucwa

Good morning, East Village.

And Happy Friday. The forecast calls for a windy and overcast weekend so bundle up.

We begin this morning with a few re-openings of note in the neighborhood. St. Mark’s Comics has re-opened after Thursday afternoon’s fire, EV Grieve reports.

DNAinfo reports that Coyote Ugly will re-open today after being shuttered because of some health code violations. (Grieve has posted the health department’s report outlining eight critical violations, including evidence of rats and mice.)

DNA also has a post on another local pub marking more than a century of keeping its doors open: McSorley’s Old Ale House, which Thursday celebrated its 157th anniversary.

And Bowery Boogie describes the sudden end to the problematic Levi’s “gears” billboard at East Houston and Lafayette.

Vivienne Gucwa

Good morning, East Village.

Whether or not you enjoyed the raucous atmosphere at Coyote Ugly, or its trademark bar-top dancing, it’s worth noting that the First Avenue saloon that Hollywood made famous is currently closed. EV Grieve speculates that the watering hole will open again soon but it’s not the only local business that suddenly finds itself shuttered: The Bean Coffee Shop on First Avenue at Third Street currently sports a fluorescent orange “Seized” sign in its large, front window. Apparently the place owes some $25,000 in back taxes. The owners promise that the shop will re-open soon.

Gothamist reports that the city has rolled out a new online 311 Complaint Map. The map allows visitors to track complaints that are being lodged about issues ranging from air quality to noise – a service not unlike our own collaboration with SeeClickFix, which allows East Village residents to report and track neighborhood concerns.

Although informative, the new 311 map probably won’t help anyone in the neighborhood locate the man who the authorities say may be our very own Ponzi schemer and who is still on the lam.

Gloria Chung

Good morning, East Village.

More developments about 35 Cooper Square were reported by The Local this morning, but that’s not all that’s happening in local construction news. It seems Seventh Street may be getting a facelift with discussions about a new parking lot between Avenues C and D. There’s also word of a new coffee and ice cream shop to fill the vacant storefront, formerly occupied by City Copies, between First and Second Avenues.

And in a twist on the long-running debate over whether graffiti is blight or art, one East Village teacher has decided it might be something else: a learning opportunity. She’s using the neighborhood’s murals and street art as part of the curriculum in her English classes. She was inspired to do so after learning that a neighborhood mural of President Barack Obama had been painted over.

In other news, the East Village will be receiving its very own Union Market on Houston Street and Avenue A. This store promises to be larger than its predecessor in Brooklyn and is expected to open in the fall.