Crif-Dogs on St. Mark’s Pl. is known for its deep-fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs. In a new twist, Brian Shebairo, a partner in the frankfurter shop, below left, spent his own money, rented a power lift and enlisted the help of neighbor Jim “Mosaic Man” Power, above, to string lights on the trees between First Ave. and Avenue A. “We did every tree except one on the block,” Power said, though adding, “I did one and my hip went out.” They’ve taken some flak, however, for putting up the lights without a city permit. But Power said no one better try to hold that against them. “If they do, I’ll be at total war,” he warned. “It’ll be a nightmare for them. I’ll take a level and go from here to Broadway. I would level any concrete that’s more than one-quarter inch out of whack.” Meanwhile, the Village Alliance business improvement district has strung lights west from Second Ave. and St. Mark’s Pl.
