Is This a Very Old Photo of Union Square?

Barnes & Noble has announced that former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will kick off her national book tour for Hard Choices on Tuesday, June 10, at the Union Square Barnes & Noble (33 East 17th Street) in Manhattan. Secretary Clinton will sign copies of her new book beginning at 11:00 A.M.

A limited number of wristbands will be distributed starting at 8 A.M. on Tuesday, June 10, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers will have their copies of Hard Choices signed in the order they arrive. A limit of one book per customer will be signed and the signing of other books or memorabilia will not be permitted.

Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply, a fixture on the corner of University and 12th for the past few years, is done.

Niall will be away until Thursday October 15.

Backing him up is James, at 917-689-4884

After a very long run, El Cantinero on University Place has served its last quesadilla. Adios!

What: LGBT History of the East Village:
A Walking Tour
When: Sunday, June 26
12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
Where: meeting location available upon registration
Cost: free; reservations required
RSVP: rsvp@gvshp.org or 212-475-9585 ext. 35

Co-sponored by the Lower East Side History Project

Back in the 1880s queer and transvestite bordellos opened on the Bowery not far from the theaters where, 80 years later, Andy Warhol staged transvestite musicals for gay audiences. The East Village was home to the pre-eminent gay artists of the 20th century—Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, Taylor Mead, William S. Burroughs, Quentin Crisp, Klaus Nomi, Keith Haring, among many more. On this walking tour, we will explore significant sites of gay history, along with the artists, writers, and musicians whose contributions dovetailed with LGBT culture. (More information)

University Place will soon have not one but two taco spots within two blocks of each other. What was Tortaria at the corner of 12th St. will now become the second branch of Santo Taco. The update:

Since opening in the spring, Santo Taco’s Soho stall has gotten people to line up around the block for its steak trompos and rough-edged masa tortillas. Now it’s expanding: A new location will triple the number of seats while adding margaritas to the menu.