Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
Would You Buy A Condo From This Man?
This is 68 Meserole Street. It was once the site of an enormous bottle recycling facility. Now it has been razed. Surprised and a little disappointed (I found the stench of stale beer that used to hang over this intersection strangely endearing) I took the above photograph.
Shortly after doing so I was confronted by a worker at this site. Not liking where his line of questioning was going, e.g.; Is there a problem here… (If I want to take pictures of a street corner it isn’t anyone’s damned business but my own) I took the liberty of filming our little interaction. Hilarity ensued. (WARNING: Contains “language”. In other words, NSFW!)
After shooting the above film the gentlemen of “MAJ Construction Services” heckled and took pictures of me on their cell phones. One even bothered to drive by and scream at me as I was walking down the street fifty feet away.
Take my advice: unless you want some goon to shove your camera where the sun don’t shine (and I have lived in this city long enough to know there are people here who will pay serious money for this kind of experience, lest any of you are reading, consider this a tip), avoid the corner of Meserole and Leonard Street like the plague. These chaps are real professionals.
Miss Heather
P.S.: Be sure to check out the recent complaints on the Department of Buildings online database. “MAJ Construction” was issued demolition permits June 5, 2008. But that didn’t stop them from getting a head start!
Four complaints called in over a mere 48 hours. That has to be a record! Here’s my personal favorite:
CLR STS COVERS 68-72 AND ILLEGAL CONSTRCTION IS CAUSING BUILDING NEXT DOOR AT 117 LEONARD ST TO SHAKE AND CLR IS CONCERNED ABT BLDG STABILITY CLR ALSO STS SHAKING HAS CAUSED FALLING BRICKS
Apparently the Building Inspector tried twice to get access to 68 Meserole to no avail. May I recommend he (or she) pull out a camera and pretend to take photographs? As we have seen, this is quite effective in getting their attention.
Bushwick Photo du Jour: It’s Alive
From Waterbury Street.
Miss Heather
The Trailer Spot
Earlier this week I wrote about meeting the man who lives in the Pla-Mor trailer on India Street. Well, it would appear he is not the only mobile home dweller in the Garden Spot. margotanyweather writes:
There’s actually a man who lives in an RV on Van Dam Street, too!
Wishing to see this for myself, I headed down to Van Dam.
Margot was right.
I didn’t see anyone about, but signs of habitation were present: a generator, welcome mat and lawn furniture.
A house is simply not a home without a decapitated head gracing the premises. In north Brooklyn it isn’t, anyway.
Miss Heather
Salvation on Varet Street
As I walk around North Brooklyn I often find myself pondering the human condition. These are troubled times we live in, after all. There is more to life than documenting Fedders Specials. I was reminded of this fact on Varet Street recently.
My ass is toast, I thought to myself. There’s no way I will escape. I ride the G train.
Hmm. Maybe that’s what they want me to think. If the son of man wants to come in a manner one would never expect, the Crosstown Local would be suit his designs perfectly.
I don’t know about you dear readers, but I have a plan! When the apocalyptic shit hits the proverbial fan I am hauling my ass down to the corner of Varet Street and Graham Avenue. Not unlike the ark that brought Moses to safety, my ride employs the use of wood.
Albeit with a distinctively nuanced 20th century twist.
I sure hope this baby is an automatic. There’s no way in (or in this case, getting out of) hell I’m letting Mr. Heather behind the wheel.
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: Added Value
Filed under: Bushwick
Okay, I see the foliage but where are the boogers? Wait —don’t tell me —I don’t want to know.
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: Broadway
I am totally bummed out I missed out on this event. The handwritten text at the bottom of this flier reads as follows:
Seminar of monkey brilliance feat(uring) over 12 monkeys @ anytime.
Who the hell can argue with that? Screw cable and digital television, what this country needs is more monkeys!
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: Acme
Filed under: Bushwick
From Johnson Avenue.
Miss Heather
Papa B Studios
As I was knocking around Broadway earlier this week I noticed the above store front. My first thought was “Gee, that’s a cool old sign, I hope they don’t cover it up.” My second one was “This looks like an art space.” My curiousity aroused, I went in for a closer look.
That is indeed what Papa B is. I poked around a little (both in person and online) and it struck me as being a rather nifty space— especially for an artist working on a budget. The “Open Studio Membership” costs only $150 a month and includes the following:
- Access to the communal space from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. workdays
- A storage locker
- High speed Internet
- Free access to all shows, events and classes and
- Being able to show and sell your work in their gallery space
Many other memberships and services are available. Those who are interested in learning more should Papa B via email at info (at) papabstudios (dot) com or visit their web site.
Rehearsal spaces are also reportedly in the works.
Miss Heather
For Sale In Bushwick
Filed under: Bushwick
One of my favorite streets to stroll in Bushwick is the avenue which bears its name. Some very beautiful old houses can be found on Bushwick Avenue. And then you have this.
Ever had one of those moments when you find yourself muttering under your breath “Wow, that is really ugly?” This was one such moment.
This undoubtedly was a row house. It probably looked not unlike its neighbors at one time. Not anymore.
It has been modified almost beyond recognition. Note the placement of a park bench. All the better to enjoy scenic front yard. If what you, dear readers, have seen so far tickles your fancy I have some very good news: this house is for sale.
By Corcoran, no less.
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: Unisex
Filed under: Bushwick
From Broadway.
Miss Heather
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