New York Shitty Day Ender: Heart Walk 2009

heartwalk

This was brought to my attention by my colleague, fellow Greenpointer and participant in this event: Bitchy Bluestocking. Here’s the general rundown per her email:

As some of you may know, I joined a fitness class at the Greenpoint YMCA this summer. Punk Rope is an incredibly fun, butt-busting workout, and its founder, Tim Haft, regularly volunteers his rope-jumping expertise at community events. I recently helped out at the Astoria Water Walk, and there were a lot of happy faces during our demonstration.

On Sunday, October 11, I will be joining team Punk Rope for Heart at the Brooklyn Heart Walk in Prospect Park. This 5K will raise money for the American Heart Association, which gets the word out about heart disease and stroke, the country’s number one and number three killers, respectively. It also contributes to research on heart disease and trains millions of people in CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. It goes without saying that some of my teammates will be jumping the 5K, and Punk Rope will also be warming up the crowd…

Anyone interested in helping Ms. Bluestocking achieve her goal can do so by clicking here or by contacting Tim Haft via email at: tim (at) punkrope (dot) com

Thanks!

Miss Heather

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Endorsements?

33rdGOTHAMGAZETTE

Although I am trying to do what everyone does on Labor Day (absolutely nothing) I feel compelled to pass along this item from frequent contributor and New York Shitty reader: Tony of Kent Street. He writes:

Hello Miss Heather…

I was thinking about who I plan to vote for in the upcoming elections and had the idea that, like other news organizations, you should post the NewYorkShitty political endorsements prior to the election.

I know to the New York Post you’re just a blog, but to a lot of us, you are the voice of reason with a ton more knowledge of local politicians than many of us.

I think it may be a real service to your readers and in turn you may get others to vote for the right people for the job.

What do you say? Maybe attach a pdf to print out and bring with you to the polling place.

This is the second such inquiry I have received in as many weeks.

I have made my feelings known here and there and left it at that. I do not relish the notion of giving endorsements to anyone. I find the practice (even by so-called “respectable” publications as the New York Times) rather silly— and presumptuous. You shouldn’t let someone else do your thinking for you.

My primary concern— or bone of contention— (aside from being of the distinct impression that Williamsburg and Greenpoint have no business whatsoever belonging to the same City Council district as Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and DUMBO*) is the sad reality that voter turn-out in north Brooklyn is abysmal. No amount of log-tossing and passing the buck (and believe you me, I have seen a lot of this lately— those of you who belong to the Community Board 1 Yahoo Group can attest to this) is going to change this fact. We, as a community, are now reaping the fruits of our apathy. To put it another way: I am more interested that people here vote at all. Who they vote for is a matter to reconcile with their own conscience.

The previous (and rather lengthy) caveat having been written, I am— reluctantly— going to solicit questions regarding the upcoming election (and its candidates) from you: the readers. These can be tendered via email at:

missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com

I’ll be accepting questions through Wednesday. From there I will do one of two things:

  1. Write a post giving my take on them. I will be as forthright and honest as can be expected about my position/bias.
  2. Compose an email (with my take) which will be sent to all who have asked questions. I will compose one answer and send it out individually so as to respect everyone’s privacy.
  3. Either way, I will also provide a list of resources you can peruse in order to make an informed decision.

As I have intimated previously in this post: no one should be entrusted to make your voting decisions except you. I will give my two cents— but please be a smart consumer and do your own research. Above all: VOTE!

Miss Heather

*Seriously. If there is to be a bi-borough district Williamsburg and Greenpoint should be in it.

Map Credits: Gotham Gazette

Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Mixed Signals

September 7, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

259banker

From Banker Street.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Street Art Du Jour: Yes

September 7, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

YES

From Green Street.

Miss Heather

Happy Labor Day From New York Shitty!

The sun’s out, the weather is pleasantly mild. I cannot think of a better place to while away this Labor Day than a nice walk along the Greenpoint’s waterfront.

pleasedie

(Java Street)

pandorasbox

deadrat

(Kent Avenue)

Or not. A half-eaten sandwich and a dead rat covered with flies are but a fraction of the delights which await you if you decide to visit Greenpoint’s waterfront.

detritus

Is it detritus you seek? Kent Avenue has it in spades!

sidewalk

But if you’re looking for a little Greenpoint greenery you’ll be hard-pressed to find it anywhere else.

north14

Who needs parks when we have this?

cup

Although a discarded styrofoam cup sort of defeats the message. You know, after all this walking and tea quaffing I need to go to the bathroom. Methinks I will head over to Kent Street.

econohead

It looks like they have locked up the Econoheads. Damn.

community

Oh wait, here’s a toilet…

bathroom

and it is even appointed with a sink— very nice! On August 13, 2009 The Brooklyn Paper published an article entitled “Gates of Wrath”. Follow are a couple of quotes from this tome.

Greenpoint continues to have virtually no access to its waterfront and [proposed] parks are still years away from completion… These street ends, once fully open, accessible, and clean, will provide the community with three desperately needed waterfront havens. — David Yassky, City Councilman* for the 33rd District & Candidate For City Comptroller

10kentst

“It might just be a crumbling street end, but people are eager to get down there and be by the water. — Stephanie Thayer, Parks Employee and Executive Director For Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn.

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Only the best for Greenpoint.

Miss Heather

P.S.: To see some late summer rodent love— East Village style— click here. Trust me: it’s worth it.

*Who has been in office since 2001 and is just now “noticing” what anyone who has lived here for a year knows all too well. Way to go, Sherlock-fucking-Holmes.

New York Shitty Day Starter: Stray Cat Strut

September 7, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

badassALGULSIENTO

Badass Kitten, Algul Siento

brother

lass

Kicking off this Labor Day are a few of my favorite felines from the Garden Spot. Be sure to check out Algul Siento’s photostream for more cat lovin’ fun!

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Ender: Rooftop Farms

September 6, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

giraffe

squashblossom

Today I finally got my friend and neighborhood matron/all around environmental badass Laura over to Rooftop Farm.  Not only was she amused by the juxtaposition of a working farm with a sludge tank (as seen above) but she brought home a jar of Mike’s homemade pesto and taste-tested on the family. Her analysis:

When I got home I cooked up stuffed rigatoni with that farm fresh pesto sauce. Delicious!!!!!
I hope the pesto is available next week!

Those of you, dear readers, who are into this kind of thing and have not done so already really should sign up for Rooftop Farm’s mailing list. Not only will you get a weekly email with a rundown of produce they will have for sale on any given weekend, but they also give an itinerary of activities, workshops and times you can volunteer. Do it today. It is totally worth it!

Miss Heather

People In My Neighborhood: Juan

September 6, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek 

juan

I’ve seen Greenpoint t-shirts and I’ve seen Long Island City t-shirts; but this is the first time I have ever seen a Newtown Creek t-shirt. Impressed, I asked this gentleman what gives. His name is Juan and as it would happen he works at the Newtown Creek Nature Walk. Among his responsibilities are opening and closing the park. In our brief conversation it became very apparent that he loves his job (and the park for that matter). This post is for you, Juan. Happy Labor Day weekend!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Video Du Jour: Movin’ Day

September 6, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

I was a little slow on the draw when I caught this curious happening last night on Franklin Street. Then again, it’s not everyday (or in this case, night) that you see a human dolly rolling down the street. I gotta hand it to these guys: this is an ingenious solution to a common problem. Screw with “man with a van”— these chaps should hire themselves out!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Nassau Avenue

September 6, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Vinyl Siding 

siding

This has to be one of the most exquisite displays of aluminum siding our community has to offer. I am not kidding. Every time I walk by I cannot help but give pause and take it all in. The sea foam green number on the far right is particularly fetching.

Miss Heather

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