Today cycling troubadour David Byrne joined NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and some other bureaucrats to cut the ribbon on the city's first "Pop-up Cafe." Located down on Pearl Street between Broad and some other street that doesn't have a name on Google Maps, the 84-foot-long, 6-foot-wide wooden platform is landscaped with planters, wire railing and furnished with 14 café tables and 50 chairs. Before everyone hyperventilates, please note that it was paid for and installed by two of the restaurants on the block (Fika Espresso and Bombay's restaurant), but it's open to all regardless of whether they make a purchase. more ›

Ten years ago today, Camden Sylvia and Michael Sullivan left their rent-stabilized loft in downtown Manhattan, went for a jog, rented a video and were never seen again. Today, the Daily News revisits the mystery and speaks to Sylvia's mother. Laurie Sylvia says, "I want to know what happened. Each year that goes by I think, maybe this year. I never imagined I would be doing that for 10 years." more ›

A 19th century Greek revival building on Pearl Street – the road that formed the oyster shell strewn border of New Amsterdam in the 17th century – will soon be torn down, according to the A.P. The former warehouse at 213 Pearl was built in 1831 and was integral to what Ric Burns calls “the first district in the world devoted exclusively to commerce.” Once the city approves the permit, demolition could start as early... more ›

MUSIC: If you haven't checked out the Summer of Love exhibit at the Whitney, head over there after work and get a double dose of rock while you're at it. Tonight Dirty Projectors and Lucky Dragons take the stage at Whitney Live. Get there early to get in. Check out this "Take Away Show" in New York featuring the Dirty Projectors. more ›

As recently discussed here and there, a group of scientists have tried to predict how more frequent flooding--induced by global climate change--could affect New York City. more ›

Before you get the wrong idea, the fixing is for the building, not the government (that's something else entirely). The city wants to make some improvements to City Hall and will spend $60 million to renovate the building and bring it up to speed. more ›

Sometimes common sense can seem like a revelation. The Dumbo Improvement Distict's Current Initiatives comprise visionary and mundane schemes to make the neighborhood more hospitable to merchants, visitors, and residents. They also represent the assault of the practical against the romantically derelict. In other words, more ATMs and fewer photoshoots. Is there a way to reconcile the two tendencies? more ›

It's been a year since the New York Times profiled Revs, NYC's metal sculpting graffiti kingpin. Looks like he hasn't slowed down-- Tenement City spotted the amazing "No Future" piece above this weekend in Greenpoint. The one next to it is from Soundklash's photosteam-- but it's not clear where it's from. And if you happen to be in DUMBO tomorrow, don't miss out on the classic red robot that's been running on Pearl Street for the last couple of years. Have you spotted any other robots around? more ›

[ed. note: Augieland will be joining us on Wednesdays to bring us his take on a New York dining spot.] more ›

geek...bring your mechanical friend down to the Robot Parade! more ›

- There's a ROBOT PARADE tomorrow at noon under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO (Pearl Street, between York and Front Streets.) Seriously! more ›

U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff will hear Marc Ecko's lawsuit against the city today at 3PM. Ecko sued NYC last week because his permit for a party where graffiti artists would decorate fake subway cars (we're talking facades of subway cars) was revoked over concerns that the party would encourage graffiti. Newsday has an interesting excahnge from Friday's court hearing:

Paula van Meter, a city attorney, argued in court that painting subway replicas is not protected speech because it "necessarily simulates a criminal act." more ›

Gothamist is happy that people are still raising money for the Tsunami victims, so we wanted to draw some attention to upcoming events. Tonight Halycon Records [located at 63 Pearl Street in DUMBO] is having the opening party for an arts show that will run through March 20th. 50+ artists will be selling their work for $100 and under. If you can't head over tonight for the open bar, deejays and collaborative painting project, then be sure to check it out in the next month. More information here. more ›

oyster events later this week -- take your pick. more ›

Brooklyn hipsters wore black the day that �ber-mod coffeehouse-cum-record shop-cum-bar-cum-antique ephemera peddler Halcyon closed its doors on Smith Street. This Friday, however, Kings County hipsters can finally throw off their black garb and, well, don more black garb - this time in celebration of Halcyon's rebirth. more ›

Drop whatever you are doing and go check out the Charles W. Cushman archive. They've got a series of New York City photographs from the 1940s and 1950s that will literally blow your socks off. It's all there- from the Old Fulton Market pictures above, Wall Street, the Waterfront, LES, more LES, Pearl Street, the East Village, and 42nd Street. All beautifully notated. Gothamist hopes that in fifty years, people will look back on the archives of the New York City photoblogs and feel a similar sense of wonder. more ›

There's a whole genre of New York City Crime where landlords try to kill or maim their tenants to get them out of rent stabalized apartments. Landlord Hired 2 Assailants, Authorities Say... Growing up my dad used to tell me about all sorts of cases like this- he's a lawyer who specializes in defending the tenants. more ›