You’ve Been Disapproved!

October 7, 2007 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

I never watch television anymore. I have no need; whenever I want entertainment I go for a walk. Greenpoint never fails to provide me some choice morsel of amusement. Like today.

Power Express

I doubt the creature (bipedal, quadrupedal or otherwise) who gave this smiling suit man a golden shower intended to make a social statement, but he (or she) did. Even the guy smoking high grade weed ten feet upwind of me couldn’t stop laughing. That might have been the pot talking, though.

This objet de pottee is located at 477 Leonard Street. A site whose developer’s application to build a 12 story building (eight stories plus one cellar and three mezzanines) was, ironically enough, rejected by the Department of Buildings. An entity that seemingly hates to say “No”.

To developers, anyway.

Miss Heather

Happy Pulaski Day From Greenpoint!

October 7, 2007 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Polska, Polska!

Those of you who want to get your Polish Pride on might want to check out the parade.

Polska Shakers

Those of you who are like me* might find purchasing a pair of Polish salt and pepper shakers (and watching caravans of vans blaring Euro-craptastic music tear down the street at breakneck speed) sufficient celebrating. (ASIDE: All in laws, outlaws, and otherwise who are reading this tome take note— each and every one of you are getting these for Christmas.)

Wesoły Boże Narodzenie!

Be Polish, or just look it!

Those of you who aren’t Polish (but want to be) can knock back a celebratory drink (or four) at Mykonos at 253 Grand Street.

And lastly, those of you who want to get your ass kicked you might want to buy one of these.

Szczęśliwy Pulaski Dzień!

Miss Heather

*My surname is Lithuanian. Hence why I was elated when I received the following in the mail yesterday.

Lenin in the front

Lenin in the front.

Postcard back

Lithuanian love in the back!

Sunday Stoop Sale Round-up

October 6, 2007 ·
Filed under: Area 51 

Any Greenpointers out there who prefer bargain-hunting to the Pulaski Day Parade, you’re in luck: two stoop sales are slated for tomorrow, October 7th right here in the Garden Spot. First up…

115 India Street, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

115 India Street Stoop Sale

Secondly…

184 Franklin Street, AKA The Astral, hours not indicated

184 Franklin Street Sale

I’m not too sure I would want to buy clothing from someone who resides in this building, much less someone moving out of it. Then again I have heard from a number of reliable sources that the bedbug infestation is localized on the India Street wing, so you’re probably safe. Probably. All I’m saying is if you get some “added value” with the sweater you just bought, don’t come crying to me.

Happy shopping and don’t let the bedbugs bite!

Miss Heather

P.S.: Those of you looking for a (purportedly bedbug) free, no-frills couch might want to head to 145 North 9th Street.

145 N. 9th Street Couch

This chartreuse-colored couch may not be easy on the eyes, but at $0.00 it’s easy on your wallet. You can take the money you save and buy a nice slipcover. Take my word for it folks, sofas like this are the reason why god invented ’em! Baby shit green. Yummy.

Anybody Home?

October 5, 2007 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

P. Lancaster

Last night, as many of you know, the mayor visited our fair burg. I made it a point to arrive early so I could get a seat. I did. I did not, however, have an opportunity to posit any questions to Ms. Lancaster, a woman who is arguably one of Greenpoint’s least favorite public officials. The questions were determined ahead of time by a panel of neighborhood organizations.

The rest of us were encouraged to write a question on an index card with our name and address. We would receive an answer in writing in a week, they said. I couldn’t exactly make my question(s) fit on an index card, so I improvised a solution. Follows is what I handed the Brooklyn Borough Director of the mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. She assured me Ms. Lancaster would receive it. I can only hope so.

Questionnaire

It is really a shame I couldn’t posit some of the questions hastily written on this packet of Department of Buildings property profiles. It would have been fun to watch her try to answer them. Here are a few highlights.

143 Huron Street

I have gone off on this site twice: once on New York Shitty, later via The Gowanus Lounge. Here is the first of three complaints about illegal after hours construction at this site. It dates from September 9, 2007.

9907 Complaint

Note that the “comments” section states this is a previously inspected complaint. Here is the next complaint about after hours construction. It dates from September 19, 2007.

9/19/07 Complaint

“See previously inspected complaint.” I would presume that to be the one from September 9th, which as we have already seen, tells us to refer to the previously inspected complaint. A little confusing, yes?

The above complaint was finally investigated September 27, 2007. This is hardly what I would call an “emergency response”. It’s too bad they waited so long, if they had inspected two days earlier they might have prevented another complaint from being filed.

9/25/07 Complaint

Stop work order violation served (after hours work only).

I really wish I had the opportunity to ask Ms. Lancaster what the above means. It is pretty much a given that working after hours is a no-no. Did they have a variance to work this particular evening? Well, it’s kind of hard to tell. Yesterday my buddy over at Greenpointers showed me the only way she could determine whether or not a variance has been issued via the Department of Building’s online information system: via the payment history.

143 Huron Payment History

The payments tendered for these variances date from July, presumably for variances used during that month. Even if they weren’t, we have three complaints about after hours construction against two variances. Something isn’t adding up here, folks.

60 Java Street

As indicated in this post on the Gowanus Lounge, I was the person who saw the aftermath of the 51 Java Street ‘collision’ Friday, September 28, 2007. I spoke to the owner of 51 Java Street at length that very evening. He was understandably rattled. His house had been struck twice in three weeks. On a lark, I looped by this block the next day to see how things looked. That’s when I beheld heard this.

KABOOM!

A pile driver hammering away at 60 Java Street on an otherwise beautiful Saturday afternoon. I noticed a woman was watching this contraption grind away from her apartment window. I waved her down and we spoke briefly.

You really should call 311 about this.

I said. To wit she replied she had called 311 and the police. No one would do anything. She was under the impression the contractors had permission to do this. Seeing no variance posted I was skeptical. So, I pointed and clicked my way to 60 Java Street’s payment history.

60 Java Payment History

They did. If it is the job of the Department of Buildings to safeguard the public interest, why did they issue a variance to this contractor so he could operate a pile driver on a weekend? This does not strike me as civic-oriented behavior. Neither does the following, for that matter.

60 Java Street Property Profile

Per this screen capture (which was taken this morning) there are no complaints lodged against this property. I know for a fact this is not true; a complaint was lodged. Let’s review:

  1. A woman awakens one Saturday morning to the sound of a pile driver.
  2. She calls 311 and complains about it.
  3. She is told they have permission to do it. Yet…
  4. no variances are posted.
  5. Her complaint is not logged. It is (seemingly) thrown out.

This is a very inefficient way to do business, Ms. Lancaster. Had this woman known your agency gave these chaps permission to make such a racket, she probably would have taken the matter up with the Department of Buildings, not 311. Perhaps this is the intent: if she does not know about the variances issued for 60 Java, she is barred from taking the matter up with you or your higher ups. Like so many other people in Greenpoint nowadays, she has been effectively removed from the process.

Conversely, I don’t care if this woman called to report that giant bunny rabbits (from 60 Java Street) were attacking her vegetable patch; it should be logged. I wonder how many other complaints such as hers have been (mis)handled in this fashion?

There was much more content in the packet I made for Ms. Lancaster’s edification than I have covered here, dear readers. 48 Box Street was included, as was 53 Java Street. The issues were very diverse and yet I found myself asking the same question over and over:

Ms. Lancaster, what in god’s name are you doing?

I strongly suspect I speak for a number of Greenpoint residents when I ask the above question.

Miss Heather

Post Script: Today my buddy Rachael visited me at work. I told her that I got a picture of the mayor, but I didn’t think it was very good. She asked me why. I told her he had a deer-caught-in-headlights expression on his face. She said, and I quote:

Everyone who leaves Greenpoint has that look on their face.

You know what?

Mike

She’s right.

Housebuilder For Hire

October 5, 2007 ·
Filed under: Crazy People, Greenpoint Magic 

Those of you seeking to build a new house might want to head down to the intersection of Greenpoint and Manhattan Avenue. Word on the street is you might find someone eager to help you.

Letter to Guiliani

Provided you’re not Italian, of course. The author of today’s helping of what the fuck left no contact information, but I bet he’ll be back to post a new “lettre” once he figures out Guiliani is no longer in office.

Miss Heather

P.S.: It’s refreshing to see that this chap likes America. I thought everyone fucking hated us.

Not Rock Bottom, But Close Enough

October 4, 2007 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Call Me

I found this sign on Manhattan Avenue. I can think of a number of things that led up to the creation of this sign. All of them are strong indicators that its author needs to go to rehab.

Miss Heather

Puppies, Anyone?

October 3, 2007 ·
Filed under: Area 51 

I rarely, if ever, post more than four items a day. Today I am going to make an exception and overcome my innate laziness for these furry friends.

Puppies in Prison

Per Rebecca11222, a frequent New York Shitty contributor and commenter, these very cute lab mix puppies were found under a highway overpass. That’s all I know. Anyone interested in giving any of these guys (or gals) a home should email Rebecca at:

Rebecca11222 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Miss Heather

10/05/07: It has been brought to my attention that these dogs are no longer for adoption. Please see the comment left by Mr. Belvedere to learn more.

Back At It On Box Street

October 3, 2007 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

I have spent the afternoon thus far prepping for my big day with Mike. I have an appointment to get my hair done. Even a Dog Shit Queen takes the time to mind appearances. Personal vanity aside, I thought it would be fun to do a little homework on Greenpoint’s far north side. Guess what? The workers constructing the box at 48 Box Street are quite busy. Again.

Open for business!

The fence was open.

Fence detail at 48 Box

The fence looked like shit. Is this up to code? Perhaps someone from the Department of Buildings will tell me tomorrow?

Permit

The construction permit is expired and yet the bricklayers are busy laying bricks.

Bricklayers a laying!

Or at least they were at 2:30 p.m. today.

Oh, did I mention there is a Stop Work Order in this property?

DOB BIS 48 Box Street

There is. Click on the above image and learn why! Curiously enough, I found no such notice on the fence. They probably ripped it off and went back to work. That seems to be the general practice around here nowadays. Thankfully, I can go to the Department of Building’s web site and find out if they’re breaking the law! Well, unless it involves illegal after hours construction anyway.

Miss Heather

A Few Events in Greenpoint and Beyond

October 3, 2007 ·
Filed under: Area 51 

Wow, do I have a slew of goodies I have neglected to pass along! Here they are.

Dalaga NYC is currently having their We Love Fall Sale. Per their press release:

When that first Fall crisp hits the air it makes us happy, and we wanna make you happy with a fresh Fall sale. Join us this week October 2nd to 7th and receive 10% off sweaters and jeans.

Just in time for NEW arrivals……

  • Fab fall tights and knee highs
  • Cozy cotton and cashmere blend sweaters
  • Organic cotton men’s shirts and henleys
  • Seriously soft shawls

“Yummy Dalaga cocktails” are also in the offering. Boozehounds and fashion mavens unite…

and head down to Dalaga!

Dalaga NYC
150 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(877) 287-8395

Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Sunday 12:00 -9:00 p.m.

Next up, Mo Willems will be at Word Books this Thursday, October 4 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Those who are interested in attending should R.S.V.P. by sending an email to:

info (at) wordbooks (dot) com

Word Books
126 Franklin Street Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 383-0096

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Off the beaten (Garden Spot) path, I received the following press release this morning regarding the upcoming launch of Y Personal Fitness in Bedford Stuyvesant. Here is a (very) general rundown:

WHO: The YMCA of Greater New York and national fitness expert Michael J. Spezzano will Launch “Y Personal Fitness,” a 12-week personalized exercise program, at a press conference/open house. The YMCA of Greater New York is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body.

WHAT: The Y Personal Fitness program is rolled out at all 19 Greater New York YMCA branches, the largest regional launch.

WHEN: Thursday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Branch: 1121 Bedford Avenue, (at Monroe Street), Brooklyn

For more information, please contact Jessica Fletcher at:

jessica (dot) fletcher (at) lotus-pr (dot) com

Lastly, I will once again admonish my fellow Greenpointers to beeline it to the Polonaise Terrace tomorrow night for the mayor’s visit. Be there and bitch (politely, please), or stay home and quit bitching. You can read Brooklyn11211‘s excellent post about this upcoming event by clicking here.

Back to prepping my construction calamity dossier for tomorrow night, I have a date with the mayor!

Miss Heather

Calling All Kitties in New York Shitty!

October 3, 2007 ·
Filed under: Area 51 

Working Class Cats

I recently received an email from the proprietor of Working Class Cats asking me to help him with a project he is cooking up. “Tom Cat” writes:

I am trying to branch out of Greenpoint as much as possible (though there a few more cats I want to capture here). But ultimately, I want several cats from each borough and several neighborhoods in each borough. So I guess if you have blogger friends or other wise that might know of shop cats in other neighborhoods please let me know

I hope I am not being a pest but any info you can give me would be fantastic.

So there have you. I for one think creating a map of the hard working (and even harder napping) cats of the five boros is a neat idea. Anyone up for giving this chap a hand paw?

Miss Heather

Photo Credit: Working Class Cats

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