Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Live From Transmitter Park

August 28, 2015 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

West at Greenpoint 8282015 nys

Parks and FNDY nys

Gawkers nys

EMT nys

BK Barge Bar cropped

FNDY NYPD Barge Bar

Those of you who were wondering what the ruckus (replete with police helicopter) was this morning, a fellow was seen floating and was retrieved from the East River. I was told one of two things happened:

  1. He was swimming.
  2. He was found floating, a woman called 911 and he was rescued

Regardless, the good news is:

  • He is alive.
  • We have not had rain recently, so his risk of exposure to typhus, cholera and other nastiness from the nearby CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) is probably reduced.

Lest you were not aware, gentle readers, there is a CSO on the premises of the Brooklyn Barge Bar.

BKbargebarmay19

See that green sign at the right? These are used to indicate the location of a CSO. (Those who are curious, can see a larger image of it here.) Now let’s take a closer look at one of the previously featured photos on this post…

BK Barge Bar cropped again

As you can see this sign has been removed. For those of you who may be wondering, this has been brought to the attention of the proper agency/agencies. They did not remove this sign (or the CSO it marks for that matter). So now the question is who did?

Happy Friday!

Urban Fur: Special Parks & Recreation Edition

November 3, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Fur 

Ever had the feeling you were being watched? I experienced just this today at WNYC Transmitter Park. So I stopped, looked around and, sure enough, I was right!

Ben

I am not a rodentologist— but I have been a resident of our fair city (in three boroughs, no less) close to two decades. In this capacity I:

  1. have had one run across my foot.
  2. have seen the tremendous enthusiasm with which our resident pest control experts (READ: cats) dispatch Rattus norvegicus young ‘uns. To cite an example:

    Me (to the Mister): Is that a rubber band hanging out of Tortilla’s mouth?
    The Mister: No, it isn’t. Don’t go into the kitchen.No, gentle readers, I did not spy with my little eye a rubber band. They were rat innards. Actually make that EX rat innards.

  3. patronize the New York City subway system.

Suffice it to say I am not the least bit squeamish when it comes to our furry friends. Quite to the contrary. When I see them scurrying about subway platforms or along the tracks I offer words of encouragement. E.g;

Run, Forrest, run!*

Surely the previous points count for something? You bet your sweet ass they do! As far as rodents go this is one fine specimen: clear eyes, shiny coat and a mite bit— how shall we say— rotund. In fact, he (?) was not much smaller than a couple of canines I saw running (off-leash, of course) fifteen to twenty feet away. I think I will name my new friend Ben

*Try this. I guarantee it will net you a nice, wide berth of passage on the platform.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Rainbow

September 9, 2014 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Taken by Axel Taferner.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: And So It Goes…

Transmitter Park Buddha 600

April 24, 2014

Fwd: City of New York Auto Acknowledgment Correspondence # 1-1-9

Fwd: City of New York Auto Acknowledgment Correspondence # 1-1-9

May 6, 2014

Fwd: Your Correspondence to NYC Parks

Fwd: Your Correspondence to NYC Parks

Now let’s jump forward to today, June 3rd, shall we?

One

 

Here’s your “enforcement” folks.

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Woman walks into park with dog. Woman let’s dog urinate on a sapling. Dog then proceeds to kick up soil and whatever grass may be present. Those who have children, take them this park and let them play in the grass may want to keep the above images in mind. This is why we do not have nice things, Garden Spotters. Of course, it can always be worse. Yesterday used hypodermic needles were found at McCarren Park.

Oh yeah: lest you are wondering, gentle readers, why Buddha graces the beginning of this post I can assure you it is not an accident. I found the enlightened one enjoying our newest piece of park space hereabouts.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: From Transmitter Park With Love

Taken by Scoboco.

And Now A Word From Our Assemblyman…

levinmailer2

 

Every evening the Mister checks the mail. And every evening he faithfully presents the latest campaign “material”— with commentary— for my delectation. I will refrain from publishing what he had to say about this one. No worries, I have plenty to say…

  • On the subject of “safer” streets: the last I checked a LOT of people— including not one, but TWO Transportation Chairs of Community Board 1— were quite vocal and pro-active about the manifold number of pedestrian/bicyclist safety and traffic woes hereabouts. Methinks both preceded Mr. Levin’s tenure as our City Councilman. While it is laudible that he helped push the matter, the fact of the matter is what has been accomplished thus far (there’s still a long way to go) is not, by any means, exclusively his handiwork. Plain and simple. Step back, Steve.
  • While I am on the subject of safer streets, Levin fails to note that it was under his watch that crime has increased in the 94th Precinct. Specifically, Greenpoint— his “home”. I attended the Community Council meetings. The idea of bringing back “block watchers” and “neighborhood watch groups” was presented by concerned citizens. Nonetheless, our City Councilman saw fit to do nothing until the problem got too much publicity to ignore. And even then meeting he conducted with Mr. Lentol conflicted with a Land Use Committee meeting regarding Greenpoint Landing and 77 Commercial Street. Hmm.
  • “Fairer Budget”: the concept of participatory budgeting is a good one. The way it is implemented, however, is not. Since (for all intents and purposes) all the outreach is done online, less affluent/tech-savvy citizens and communities are precluded from the process.
  • Greener Brooklyn: the repaved pathways and benches at McCarren are nice— but what about essentials like trash cans, port-o-lets and, yes, toilet seats? These may not be the stuff of excitement (or campaign mailers), but they are necessary. As for WNYC Transmitter Park: this has been on the table (so to speak) for decades. I know this because awesome ladies like Irene Klementowicz fought long and hard for it to happen. This is not Mr. Levin’s achievement by a long shot. Above all, calling a walkway, benches and one new park a “win” for his north Brooklyn constituency is laughable. Really.
  • Stronger education: while I find his rhetoric (especially as it pertains to charter schools) compelling, I have to wonder whose work he is taking credit for on this one?

In closing I have to say I am disappointed in Mr. Lentol for endorsing Steve Levin. Then again, I was also disappointed when I read this from the New York Times a couple months ago…

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol, Democrat of Brooklyn, sponsored a bill to retroactively extend tax breaks to developers who had converted old factories into luxury lofts. That bill passed the State Senate. Alas, it foundered in the Assembly. And that, he noted, broke the hearts of a few developers.

“Was this proposed tax break for these properties a good thing or not? I can’t say,” Mr. Lentol said. “I don’t have enough knowledge to say it’s a good thing or bad thing.”

And if legislators don’t ask, why should anyone else?

That is an excellent question.

NYCCFB

Why should we ask about luxury loft conversions of old factories? I have. Over and over. Mr. Levin attempted to assuage yours truly regarding 239 Banker Street some time ago:

Heather,

I have noticed your posts and am glad you continue to bring light to the issue of lofts in Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The Loft Law was designed to protect residential tenants who, knowingly or unknowingly, moved into manufacturing or commercial spaces and it may grant rights for tenants to save and stabilize their housing and avoid the excessive costs associated with being vacated.  With regard to 239 Banker Street, I cannot say whether they will be covered by the Loft Law.  (As the law stands presently, no. — Ed. Note) However, when the building was vacated in 2009, many tenants suddenly lost their living spaces as well as thousands of dollars in rent and security deposits.  I do not want to see a repeat of that event.  I will work to ensure that all building code issues at 239 Banker are addressed, but I hope to avoid seeing another vacate order if possible.  All I can do is try to spread the word about the Loft Law…

3bunkbeds

216siegelstreet

…so that tenants in such spaces can apply for coverage that they may be legally entitled to.  Of course, the Loft Board will make final determinations about each application individually.

When queried about the rather notorious property that is the former “Sweater Factory Lofts” last November by the New York Times, Mr. Levin had nothing to say. In the meantime the owner(s) of this illegal loft conversion are getting $2,700 – $3,400 month in rent— and, no, the living conditions are not so hot the last I heard


The former “tenant” of this “room” (which I can assure you is QUITE illegal) paid $925.00 a month. Loft law application FAIL.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Greetings From WNYC Transmitter Park

July 27, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

nodogsNYS

A lady named Stephanie (who took the above photograph today) writes:

Hope your Saturday is kickass…

It is proving to be so thus far— and thanks!

Spotted On Manhattan Avenue: A Vigil For Arlo

June 21, 2013 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

justiceforarlo

Straight up: I am a cat lady. My favorite furkid, the apple of my eye, was found next to a bunch of garbage cans on Huron Street along with three other kittens.

jerzybefore

 

Discarded like trash, Jerzy was the only one who survived.

Jerzy savoring his moment of Victory.

The person who had a hand in this amazing little guy gracing my life was a dog person. he said something and folks stepped up to the plate. This post, dear readers, is intended to pass this forward. Please show up and voice your support for Arlo and his person. Animal cruelty is reprehensible— be it throwing a litter of kittens out like trash or raising an aggressive dog. There are no bad furkids, only really rotten people.

Candlelight Vigil For Arlo
June 23, 2013 starting at 8:30 P.M.
WNYC Transmitter Park
Brooklyn, New York 11222.

Spotted On Greenpoint Avenue: Free Enterprise!

If there is one thing yours truly is big on, it is supporting small business. This is why I feel compelled to pass along this operation just steps away from the newly opened WNYC Transmitter Park. As you can see, this young entrepreneur (whose name I failed to note) has quite a set-up. I am pleased to report the water I purchased (for the very competitive price of $1.00) was not only cold as promised, but very refreshing!

Quicklink: At Last!

Reading is believing folks!

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