Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
Crosstown Local Cavalcade Volume IX: High Society
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
A stroll around the Nassau Avenue Stop of the G has yet to disappoint yours truly. My latest sojourn there was no exception. In fact, if you happen to be a Frank Sinatra fan, I have very good news.
There’s a rather sizable cache of his films to be had on the Smith-9th bound platform. Maybe this person finally converted his (or her collection) over to DVD? I cannot profess of being a big fan of good ol’ Blue Eyes. But that’s okay, there is still ample entertainment to be had for your $2.00 fare.
You can sell your soul.
While I’m on the subject of bloodsuckers, if you are so inclined please drink responsibly.
For only $3.00 more you can get a super-sized side order of cancer to go.
Above all, while you’re patronizing the Crosstown Local be sure to observe proper subway safety. Accidents can or will happen if you don’t.
Please keep your barn door closed gents.
Miss Heather
Bed-Stuy Speaks Out About Gentrification
Filed under: Bed-Stuy
Marcy Avenue sports some of the niftiest buildings this borough has to offer. When I knocked around there recently I found a real beauty at Hancock Street.
After I took the above photograph I noticed a flier affixed to the light pole next to me. Intrigued, I went in for a closer look.
Ah progress! The next thing you know they’ll be complaining about homeless boogeymen. Come to think of it, I did see a pair of police officers there roust a derelict from a park there once.
Congratulations Bed-Stuy, you have arrived!
Miss Heather
Pay Phone Pop Quiz
Question: Other than reading the signs how can you tell the following pay phone is not located in Greenpoint?
The answer should be obvious to any Greenpointer worth his salt: if it was someone would be rummaging through the bag dangling from the receiver. After checking the change slot for any errant quarters, naturally.
Miss Heather
Fight The Power
Filed under: Area 51
…Plant, that is.
As was mentioned at last month’s Town Hall Meeting, the power plant proposed to grace Bushwick Inlet is not exactly alive— but more disturbingly it isn’t dead. Next month the Siting Board meets in Albany to determine the future of this project. Which brings me an email I recently received from GWAPP:
…A vote of NO to TGE will clear the way for our 28 acre waterfront park. GWAPP urgently needs volunteers in the weeks leading up to the meeting. There are jobs big and small for anyone with some time and energy to contribute (flyers to pass out, phone calls to make, e-mails to send – easy stuff!)
PLEASE HELP!
If having a nice big power plant on the waterfront is not your cup of tea, mark your calendars: tomorrow, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. GWAPP will be conducting a brief meeting for interested volunteers. To get the full run down as to where this meeting will be conducted please shoot them an email at:
info@gwapp.org
and help put an end to this insanity once and for all.
Miss Heather
Bed-Stuy Rolls Out Their Three “R’s”
Filed under: Bed-Stuy
It has often been said that the children are our future. Albeit trite sounding this is in fact true; we can best safeguard our future by preparing the youngsters of today for the challenges they will face as adults. The problem is that no one seems to agree upon what the aforementioned preparation entails. Hence endless tests and statistics are employed to measure a student’s “progress”. I may not be getting any younger, but I sure as hell do not envy today’s children. Theirs is a brave new world I cannot begin to comprehend.
For example:
This David Ruggles Elementary School. Not unlike Iraq, this institution is comprised of numerous “zones”.
First off, you have the “drug free” zone.
Then you have the:
- reading zone
- word zone
- spelling zone and
- success zone.
“Sheesh, that sure is a lot of zones” I thought to myself when I gazed upon the above window “but what about the arithmetic zone? How can one possibly succeed in life without knowing his (or her) numbers?” Then I proceeded around the corner and learned everything was under control.
You know what? Methinks this younger generation is going to turn out just fine. In fact, I can even tell you who wrote the above rhyming couplet: in 40 years we’ll be calling him Mr. President.
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: The Right to Remain Silent
Filed under: Bushwick
From a Wilson Avenue mailbox.
Miss Heather
48 Box Street Keeps On Trucking
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Despite a Stop Work Order* and expired permits 48 Box Street is coming along quite nicely.
February 2008
January 2008
October 2007
Yeah, the Department of Buildings is totally on top of this situation.
October 2007
That Stop Work Order really did the trick. Seriously.
August 2007
Unfortunately the folks at 48 Box Street do not take the Department of Buildings. Seriously.
Way to go Ms. Lancaster! I hope you will see fit to feature this shit heap of intransigence (yours and theirs) on your curricula vitae.
Hugs,
Miss Heather
P.S.: Check out the open ECB violations for this site, they’re a hoot!
*Issued April 7, 2007.
Go Go Greenpoint!
As I was coming home from doing a little grocery shopping this morning I picked up a copy of the Greenpoint Courier. Boy, am I glad I did. Not only did our former porter make it to the paper, but he got top billing to boot!
In the crime blotter, that is. Current and soon-to-be Green Street residents (you hear me out there, 110 Green?) will be pleased to know that Mr. Castano (presumably sans the aforementioned alleged “metal object”) is out of the hoosegow and has resumed loitering at the above-mentioned intersection.
It just goes to show that Greenpoint is indeed gentrifying at an alarming rate: just a few years ago we could only afford to punch people with empty fists.
Miss Heather
P.S.: A New York Shitty reader and commenter, Donjii, just brought this gem from Metro New York to my attention.
Burning incense was singeing the bedsheets, he said. “There was feces all over him, and he started fighting me”
You can always count on the good ol’ Greenpoint Hotel to keep it real in the Garden Spot!
Booklyn
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I recently made the acquaintance of a very nice woman named Rebecca who works for this organization. I have long wanted to learn what Booklyn was about. After voicing my interest via email she was more than happy to indulge my curiosity by taking me on a little tour. My conclusion: this place is pretty damned neat. Follows are some highlights.
Booklyn is an artist-run non-profit organization. Established in 1999, it facilities are open to the public Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The first Tuesday of each month is dedicated to “Open Salon Night”. At these events they feature artist’s books from their rather extensive and quirky collection (like this frightfully clever pop-up book entitled The Slapdown). In addition you, the public, are encouraged to bring in your own artists books to share with fellow Booklyn goers.
Following Tuesdays are dedicated to workshops where you can get hands on experience with the various aspects of bookmaking. Those engaged in their own bookmaking projects can also use their guillotine (above at left) and their bookbinding equipment free of charge.
Among Booklyn’s numerous projects (which include not only bookmaking, but also letter press and printmaking) is the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) People’s Republic of Paper. Partnering with former servicemen (and presumably, women) uniforms are shredded into pulp which in turn is turned into paper. Onto this paper each troop’s portrait is then screen printed. One of these portraits can be seen above to the far left.
They also have a number of really cool books for sale. Scream at the Librarian (above) was by far my favorite:
An instant cult classic, Scream at the Librarian sucks you into the flop house grime of downtown Los Angeles at a time when it was abandoned by all but the terminally desperate. The Screamer, Mr. Brain Damage, The Devil . . . these are just a few of the unforgettable characters that people Rane’s real-life accounts from deep within the stacks of a library which had become a refuge for squatters, drug addicts, and the mentally deranged.
Be advised that you need not be a librarian to appreciate this book. Anyone who has the pleasure of working with the general public will be able to relate. I for one found “The Racist” and “Tourette’s Syndrome” of particular interest. I had honestly not given the matter any thought, but I now understand that a chap with Tourette’s Syndrome may very well be a librarian’s worst nightmare. Why not swing by Booklyn tonight, purchase a copy and read for yourself?
Booklyn
37 Greenpoint Avenue, Floor 4
Brooklyn, New York 11222
(718) 383-9621
staff (at) booklyn (dot) org
Oh yeah, they also have nifty t-shirts for sale.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: When It Rains We Pour
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
One of these days I am finally going to get around to building a time capsule. The contents of this vessel will be things quintessentially Greenpoint. The purpose of this exercise is to preserve the glory that is the Garden Spot of the Universe before it is rendered utterly soulless (like its more popular sister to the south).
That said, it simply doesn’t get much more Greenpoint than a busted up umbrella filled with empty wine bottles and jarred herring propped against a parking meter on a late Sunday morning. Yes sir, this must have been one hell of a party.
Miss Heather
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