Garden Spot = The Next Garden Of Eden?

If this flier (posted in front of our local grocery store, The Garden) is any indication, that might just be the case. Anyone interested in recreating the bucolic splendor of Genesis right here in Greenpoint should contact the poster at:

post (dot) domesticated (at) gmail (dot com

Miss Heather

St. Cyrils & Me(thodius)

Last weekend I strolled by one of my favorite buildings in north Greenpoint: the old St Cyril’s & Methodius Parochial School. Located on Dupont Street, it doesn’t really get a lot of attention. This is shame. It is a very lovely building.

My favorite details are to be found on the Romanesque columns gracing the main entrance. The little creature to the right appears to be a lion. With all the demolition that has come to pass in Greenpoint, I am glad this building has not met with the wrecking ball. If ever there was a structure crying out to become a(n AFFORDABLE) residential conversion, this one is the one folks. But I digress.

Curious to learn a little more about the history of this building, I did a little poking around online. I haven’t found much in the way of historical material (yet) but I did find an amusing story from the New York Times. It is entitled “The Mayor Looked for Problems, and He Found Him” and dates from June 8, 1967. Enjoy!

Poor Mayor Lindsay. The man really did have it rough. How many grown men do you know who have been dissed by precocious twelve year school children?

Ouch.

Miss Heather

Frivolous… But Fun!

If any of you happen to be near the intersection of Meserole and Manhattan Avenue (especially at night), here’s something fun to check out.

Nearby you will find this installation in the storefront window of 118 Meserole. I realize this photograph is difficult to make out, so I will describe what you are looking at. A bunch of extension cords with nightlights plugged into them have been suspended from the ceiling. Behind this installation there is an oscillating fan which makes these cords move ever so gently. It’s hard to describe, but pretty neat to watch. Go down and see for yourself!

Miss Heather

What’s Going On At 155 Freeman Street?

I have a confession to make: I have sort of a sweet spot for this building. Maybe it is the asymmetrical storefront or all the pierogi trucks parked next door. I honestly don’t know.

Bearing the previous in mind, you can imagine my interest when I discovered this poster adhered the security gate on the first floor. Well, I finally got around to doing a little research (thanks Google). Here’s the scoop, it comes from a web site called ARTCAL:

It’s About Time, Man!

John Delk, Patrick Doyle, Sean Glover, Carolyn Funk, Lara Kohl, Matthew Lusk, Melissa Barrett Lundquist, William McMillin, Leigh Ann Pahapill, Tim Saltarelli, Dave Shull, and Nikita Vishnevskiy

Using a derelict industrial building in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, an international group of artists reconstitute the Olafur Eliasson survey on their own terms.

‘It’s About Time, Man,’ responds to the unquestioned acclaim for Eliasson’s faux-natural creations, and inaugurates the future home for Repetti. 12 artists will each address a different Eliasson work, using the squalid state of this former carriage house as inspiration. The building will undergo major renovation in the fall, and become the new home for Repetti in late ’09 (!!! —Ed. Note).

Organized by William McMillin and Sam Farnsworth, this group of established and emerging artists has strong ties to the Greenpoint area, though also included are several foreign-based artists.

Now this has got to be some of the best news I have heard in a long time! I can only hope the folks renovating 155 Freeman will leave some of its architectural “quirks” intact. Those of you who are interested to see this show (I know I am) be advised it runs until August 24, 2008. For a sneak peak of what awaits your viewing pleasure, click here and you will directed to a rather comprehensive set of photos on Flickr taken by supremenything.

Miss Heather

Happenings On India Street

I am pleased to announce that the park slated to grace site has gotten a thorough revamping. Not only has the wall has been lowered, but there will be no concrete! In the next couple of weeks we can look forward to the Parks Department unveiling this new and improved design. Next month the “India Street Enders” will be having a meeting to discuss these plans and get the 411 from Stephanie Thayer of the Open Space Alliance. So mark your calendar!

India Street Enders Meeting
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
7: 00 p.m.
Location: tbd

Those of you who are concerned about the welfare of the feral cat colony will be pleased to know I will be helping to relocate them. Which reminds me: I need to contact Neighborhood Cats and sign up for one of their Trap-Neuter-Return workshops!

Miss Heather

Urban Gravestones, Greenpoint Style

This weekend I discovered— much to my chagrin— that Greenpoint is holding its own regarding the phenomenon that Bed-Stuy Banana so aptly named “urban gravestones”. Here they are.

Dupont Street

Frosty Freeze, R.I.P.

Java Street

A tribute to “Revzi” can be found the corner of Java and West Street. Revzi was only seven when the film Donnie Brasco was released. I mention this because part of the previous movie (the infamous parking meter scene) was shot in front of this very building. In any case, he died at eighteen.

McGuinness Boulevard

And lastly, this bouquet commemorates the senseless, sad death of Maria Piatkiewicz. She was hit by a van while crossing McGuinness Boulevard last month.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: And The Winner Is!

On Green Street it is number 11 by a nose!

Miss Heather

Syncronicity

Last night I met a friend of mine at The Habitat. I was tired, but giddy. Giddy because I had been out of the apartment for the first time in two days. I tried to pay attention to what she was telling me. Really, I did. But their delicious rum punch and the following didn’t help matters.

The Habitat
988 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

I can only hope their upcoming chicken wing eating contest is equally entertaining.

Miss Heather

Why Did Studio B Close?

That is a very good question. Perhaps the following has something to do with it?

The very day the Public Safety Committee decided that Studio B did not merit a recommendation for a Cabaret license, the Department of Buildings disapproved their Place of Assembly application.

For both floors.

No worries, I am certain former City Councilman Ken Fisher will have an answer*. He has a lot to say!

Miss Heather

UPDATE: Citizen Skein (who was present at last week’s meeting) explains it all for us! (Check the comments). ALSO— here is my buddy Neighborhood Threat’s take on the whole brouhaha. Do give it a read.

*The difference is amazing. Ken the City Councilman berates safety violations but Ken the Lobbyist justifies them! No wonder Greenpoint is so fucked up. Thanks Mr. Fisher!