Great Moments In Product Placement: Crosstown Local Edition

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Crosstown Local, Culture War, Greenpoint Magic 

norarobertsnys

There is a time and place for this sort of thing. 3:17 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on the Smith – 9th bound platform of the G train at Greenpoint Avenue is not one of them.

Miss Heather

P.S.: For a larger view of this schmaltzfest click on the above image— at your own risk.

It’s BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK: The Franklin Street Tower Of Fun Returns

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

toweroffun

Like many of the people reading this I went out the evening of St. Patrick’s Day. I wanted to catch up over drinks with a good friend of mine. To this end we wanted a place that was nice and quiet to chat. Initially we went to t.b.d.— and although we had a good time— the din of merry making was not conducive to having a quality “one on one”. To this end we decided to see what was shaking at The River Barrel.

As we had hoped it had plenty of seating available and nice, quiet surroundings. Save of course the sonic hum of the giant NYPD issue spotlight gracing the front of their property. I struck up a conversation with the bartender (who is a very nice and very funny woman) to get her thoughts. She explained to me that the reason her establishment was almost empty had a lot to do with this rather noticeable fixture.

It scares away the customers.

She said. She then proceeded to tell me about a most amusing incident she witnessed the last time the “Tower of Fun” graced the frontage of her place of employment. It was in the wee hours of the morning when she noticed one of the local winos (of whom my fair burgh has quite a number of) pass by. Upon noticing this light fixture he paused for a moment. After assessing the situation he proceeded to kick it repeatedly. Not satisfied with this act of defiance he decided to cap things off by urinating on it.

Granted, the previous slice of Greenpoint is humorous— but the underlying issue with the “Tower of Fun” not. How can the Production Lounge be policed and public safety concerns be addressed without impacting adjacent eating and drinking establishments? There is no easy answer to this question— but I hope we find one soon. It doesn’t strike me as being very fair that a business which is not a nuisance to community* should bear the brunt of its neighbor’s lack of regard for its neighbors and the community as a whole.

That’s my two cents. Take ’em or leave ’em as you see fit.

Miss Heather

*As far as I know. If anyone disagrees with my assessment please speak up via comments.

A Supremely Shitty Public Service Announcement

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Dog Shit, Dung of the Day, Greenpoint Magic 

All you irresponsible dog owners listen up:

unifiedmass

If you’re looking for a place to deposit your doggie dumplings head on down to 45 India Street.

45indiastreet

You will find yourself in good company.

awholelottashit

So much for the city increasing fines in the hopes it would motive people to pick up their dog crap.  NASTY.

Miss Heather

A Most Interesting Conversion

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

946manhattanavenue

The fence is finally down at 946 Manhattan Avenue and although I am not too jazzed about the mismatched brick I have to confess: the finished product is much more tasteful than I had anticipated. My little voice told me that this looked like it was going to be an eating establishment so I headed over to check out the permits. It has been my experience that they can be an excellent source of information about such things. When I did I not only got confirmation that this space will in fact be a restaurant but I also got a little dark entertainment thrown in for good measure.

permit

I am not by nature a superstitious person. As I walk through our hallowed streets I do not see dead people. Or if I do I cannot tell them apart from some of their living counterparts (who, it should be noted, usually call our local “Hotel” home). The previous having been written there are certain things that should not mix. Funeral parlors and eating establishments are among them. It’s sort of like converting a kennel into a Chinese restaurant.*

In any case I’ll be very interested to learn what is going to move into this space. If anyone reading this is “in the know” please share your scoop via comments. Thanks!

Miss Heather

*I do not believe Chinese restaurants serve up fur kids for food. In fact I find this urban legend pretty offensive. I am merely using it here to illustrate my point. No offense is intended nor should be taken.

A Citicorp Plaza Public Service Announcement

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Long Island City, Queens 

citibankbuilding

As found on 44th Drive:

do-not

And while we’re at it why not drag a comb through that hair for chrissakes?!? Didn’t your mother teach you anything? Long Island City is a class establishment.

Miss Heather

Greenwick Photos Du Jour: More Urban Fur

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Bushwick, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg 

meserolestcalico

Meserole Street

maspethavetabby

Maspeth Avenue

mccarrenparkbully

North 12 Street

brunomugsniffer

Norman Avenue*

petsontherun

Manhattan Avenue

blowtorchharry

Franklin Street

Miss Heather

*This lovely photograph comes courtesy of Mugsniffer. He knows premium pussy when he sees it!

Reader Submission Du Jour: White People

March 19, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

weirderbyashley

Ashley writes (in an email entitled “From the corner of Driggs and Leonard”):

Couldn’t resist sending you this one… have you seen it?

I must confess that no, I have not in fact seen this. However, it does remind me of something I saw recently on Keap Street.

getdown

whitepeople

WORD. WEIRD.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Ender: The Science Of Street Seating

March 18, 2009 ·
Filed under: Long Island City, Queens 

science

From 46th Road, Long Island City.

Miss Heather

Long Island City Photos Du Jour: Before & After

March 18, 2009 ·
Filed under: Long Island City, Queens 

If you’re out there reading this Karl Fischer…

The cool old power station in Long Island City you rendered into a steaming pile of Buck Rogers-esque of Post Modern crap (which you purportedly take much pride in)…

before

has been duly memorialized for posterity at 50th Avenue. Why not swing by and check it out?

uglyannotated

It shouldn’t be very difficult to find.

Miss Heather

Crosstown Local Photo Du Jour: M.T.A.

March 18, 2009 ·
Filed under: Crosstown Local, Long Island City, Queens, Recession 

mta

From Court Square.

Miss Heather

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