March’s weather is often volatile and although the official first day of Spring is days away a snow blizzard is on the horizon! March’s Full Moon is now in the night sky, traditionally called the Full Worm Moon by the Native Americans and Colonial Americans who used the Moon to track the seasons. The full moon is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins. And, Daylight Saving Time has arrived bringing more daylight to all at 2:00 AM March 12th.
This month’s Culturally Inclined has turned its focus to the East Village exploring Asian Eateries, History of St. Marks and East 10th Street, Fitness, Decor, Music and theater and much more! The East Village stretches north to 14th Street and south to Houston Street and east of Broadway to the the East River. The East Village was designated as such in the 1960’s as previously it was part of the Lower East Side populated by Russians, Ukrainians and Jewish population and was the birthplace of Punk Rock and the Nuyorican literary movement.
The East Village conjures many family memories for me given I am from Ukrainian and Irish decent. My father was Baptized at St George Ukrainian Catholic Church on East 7th, and together we would visit a store called Suma that recently closed for authentic Ukrainian items. Then we would.go to the Ukrainian Museum on East 6th Street especially around Easter to view the Pysanky Easter eggs, followed by a Ukrainian meal: Perogi’s, stuffed cabbage, Keilbasa at Veselka on East 9th and 2nd Avenue open 24 hours.
Ramble through today’s East Village to take in the past and the present. Real estate developments like the Steiner, The Flower Box, Village Green East & West, 75 First Avenue are new to the areas landscape.
Now I enjoy taking long walks from Chelsea to East Village to dine and would suggest you check some of them out too. Some of my favorite spots are: Davey’s Ice Cream, Veniero’s since 1894 on 11th for pastries; especially for their cannolis, Caracas Arepa Bar for Venezuelan, Hearth, Prune, L’Apicio, Desnuda Ceviche Bar, Mayahuel for Mexican, Pylos for Greek, Upstate happy hour for craft local beers, oysters and fish.
In honor of next week’s St Patty’s Day….
“I-rish you a very nice place to live,
I-rish God’s greatest gifts he’ll give.
I-rish you health, and wealth, and more–
I-rish your smilin’ face were at my door!”
Wishing you a Happy Spring Season,
Karen
“I’m going to show you the real New York – witty, smart, and international – like any metropolis. Tell me this: where in Europe can you find old Hungary, old Russia, old France, old Italy? In Europe you’re trying to copy America, you’re almost American. But here you’ll find Europeans who immigrated a hundred years ago – and we haven’t spoiled them. Oh, Gio! You must see why I love New York. Because the whole world’s in New York” – Oriana Fallaci
