Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
New York Shitty Day Ender: Sweet Dreams
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Manhattan Avenue: September 1, 2011
Jerzy Popieluszko Square: September 1, 2011
From the University of Texas’s web site:
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) has released a report entitled “Solutions for Homeless Chronic Alcoholics in Austin”. According to the report, 35-40% of the U.S. homeless population struggles with alcoholism as compared to just 5% of the housed population. The report estimated that out of the 3,451 homeless people in Austin, 1,208 homeless people had some form of alcohol problem and 875 suffered from chronic substance abuse.
At times, the addiction to alcohol is so great that when faced with the choice between sobering up for a shelter or staying on the streets, many alcoholics stay on the streets. Some are so addicted that they are willing to drink harmful substances like mouthwash to supplement their bodies’ need for alcohol. The report also states that 150 homeless people died due to alcohol-related deaths on the streets of Austin last year. Individuals with the most severe forms of alcoholism are the most in danger of dying on the streets and are the most frequent users of resources (i.e. hospitals, police, court systems). Severe alcoholics have a need to drink all day, which causes them to be unable to properly seek food, shelter, or aid.
One of the more surprising findings in the report was that shelters that allow alcohol (aka wet shelters) saved both money and lives. Wet shelters are a part of the “harm reduction” strategy, which aims to meet substance abusers “where they are at” as opposed to immediately imposing sobriety. Although the long-term goal of the strategy is to stop substance abuse, the immediate goal is to improve overall wellness. The ECHO study looked at other cities that have used “harm reduction” methods. One of the programs is based in Ottawa, and the results from a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicate clear benefits for the individuals involved in the program:
- the average daily consumption of alcoholic drinks dropped from 46 to 8;
- most participants indicated they had improved qualities of sleep, personal hygiene, nutrition and health;
- employees reported that 88% of participants complied with their prescription medication requirements;
- problems with the police decreased by 51%; and,
- trips to the emergency department decreased by 36%.
Seattle also implemented a “harm reduction” strategy by creating a program where seventy-five rooms were offered to “individuals placing the greatest financial strain on city resources” as part of their “harm reduction strategy.” The program has been successful in not only reducing alcohol consumption, but has also saved $1.8 million in emergency room visits alone.
To read more about the study’s findings, you can read the ECHO report here or the article in the Austin-American Statesman here.
If this can be implemented in the Lone Star State, why not here?
New York Shitty Day Ender: Never Forget
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken August 29, 2011.
Rescued From McCarren Park: Peapod
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
The Vagina Tree may no longer be with us, but this little fellow (and I have been assured Peapod is a he!)— a baby squirrel who has been separated from his home— stands a fighting chance thanks to a very observant Miss Mousey Brown!
UPDATE, August 30, 2011: I have word that Peapod has been safety returned to his family! Miss Mousey Brown writes:
He’s good. When I went by his nest yesterday, his mom hopped right to it when he gave out an “I’m hungry” squeak. The warm sunny day was good. The nest is probably dry again. All is well.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Irene Snatches One Of Our Own!*
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
A lady named Meredith writes:
Assuming that you know that the Vagina Tree did not survive.
R.I.P. Vagina Tree. The joy you have given people in north Brooklyn— and beyond— will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace pieces.
UPDATE, 12:10 p.m.: I have been advised that this tragic turn of events has caused the closure of Bedford Avenue. Plan accordingly, folks!
UPDATE, 8:40 p.m.: Special Correspondent Christine writes:
With a level of efficiency never seen before in McCarren or CB1 parks, the Vagina Tree is no more. Someone did place a few candles on the stump but the wind had blown them out.
*As some of you might have noticed I have amended the name of this post. Special thanks go out to Miss Mousey Brown for the catchy new title!
Quicklink & An Abate Playground Update
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
As the recent content of this site indicates, the conditions at Vincent V. Abate Playground have been a source of serious contention lately. In fact, the situation had gotten so bad my colleague, Miss Mousey Brown, documented it in person (one example of her findings can be seen above). She has also has taken the additional measure of creating a photo set dedicated exclusively to showcasing the manifold number of problems at this piece of public space. However, I did have some very good news to share: this situation was not gone unnoticed!
For starters, one of our local Polish papers (as seen above) has taken on the subject. This tome you can read via Google translate by clicking here (NOTE: You will need to scroll down a bit.). Secondly I have been assured by the head of the 94th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Hurson, that he is going to direct enforcement at Abate Playground. If the buzz I have heard this morning is any indication, he is keeping his word! A person we’ll call R writes:
I (walked) past the playground this am, no one was sleeping in the spray shower and I did see the police drive by at least 3 times in the 10 min I was there. I don’t however know if the playground was locked overnight.
Hey, it’s a start folks…
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution du Jour, Part II: Vincent V. Abate Playground
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
(Speechless)
Miss Heather
P.S.: You can see the “X-rated” version by clicking here.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part III: What’s That Smell?
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This vision (which hails from the Vincent Abate Playground) comes courtesy of a chap we’ll call G. He writes (in an email entitled “Polish Drinking Garden”):
Somehow, the PDG has migrated to the McCarren park playground right behind the kids swings. Delightful.
There are three in this photo.To quote the kids: Why do the swings smell like throw-up?
And that’s my daughter in the photo so you have my permission to run it.
Nice. Really nice.
UPDATE, 6:38 p.m.: Here’s another view courtesy of another angry playground patron!
And of course, there’s this.
The woman who took the above photograph opines:
This lovely pile of feces has been sitting on the playground next to the equipment for at least 2 days. No one has cleaned it up, I wonder how many of our kids have been exposed to Hepatitis just today. And year after year we can not figure out how to lock the playground at night. So Sad!
UPDATE, 7:55 p.m.: (Yet another) park-goer has taken notice of the situation and has news to relay!
One of them rolled over, confirming that he is alive.
I suppose if there is bird-watching and train-spotting, why not have a CPI (Chronic Public Inebriate) safari as well? Like most emerging hot trends it is clearly the rage at McCarren Park!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Found At McCarren Park
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This rather handsome, young and un-altered Husky was found early this morning at McCarren Park. If anyone reading this knows to whom he belongs please contact the folks at Dog Habitat via email at: rescue (at) doghabitat (dot) org.
Thanks!
UPDATE, 11:40 a.m.: You can see more photos of this handsome chap by clicking here!
UPDATE, August 13, 2011: I have received word this chap has been adopted!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Rise
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Rounding today’s (truncated*) bloggage I leave you with this curiousity as found in McCarren Park.
Miss Heather
*Humor me, folks. Not only does yours truly need a break but I have been inspired to write an essay about my eventful week. As of the writing of this post it is about half-completed and looking pretty good!
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Nick’s Garden
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken by Miss Mousey Brown.
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
