Happy Puerto Rican Day From New York Shitty!

This one goes out to the great Boriquen neighbors I have here at Chateau de Shitty. You’re great folks and I love ya. This one’s for you!

Miss Heather

Noble Yoga: R.I.P.

As some of you might have noticed, the Yoga studio at the corner of Noble Street and Manhattan Avenue has folded. This came to my attention not because I am a yoga maven (I’m not), but because the mural on the first floor advertising their services (which I sort of liked) has been effectively eradicated. Here is what has taken its place.

I am by education and avocation an artist. For this reason I place a very high premium on visual aesthetics. I am also of the belief that people respond to the environment around them. Conversely, one can tell a lot about an entity —be it private of public —by what they put into community “space”. This is why I rail against Feddertecture, Karl Fischer and the deplorable state of the public space available to my fellow Greenpointers. Each of the previous in its own inimitable way says “you don’t matter.” The fact that more attention has been lavished upon making our local sewage treatment plant pleasing to the eye than the so-called “luxury” housing being built in the Garden Spot only drives the point home. But I digress. Let’s just say that I find the above melange displeasing.

Granted, the Noble Yoga mural was an advertisement. The two elephants that once graced this wall were a bit crude, but they did have their charm. They were a lot easier on the eyes than this.

You and me both, honey. You and me both. But the above missive was not the only criticism of the new “art work” to be found at Noble Yoga’s former digs.

🙂 My sentiments exactly. 🙂

Miss Heather

Open For Business!

Last night as the Mister and I were headed to Brooklyn Label we made a most auspicious discovery: the wine store at 153 Franklin Street is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Being the oenophiles booze hounds we are, we went inside to take a look.

As you can see, things still look a little rough but that is to be expected. This was their first day in business, after all.

This is Bonita. She watches over the inventory with a very keen eye.

This cart features wines for $12.00 or less. All in all, I am very pleased with what I found. The selection was good, the prices reasonable and the service very friendly.

I adored these candles. They are made by the owner’s mother. If you look carefully on the second shelf to the right you’ll see the Flatiron Building.

“Dandelion Wine” (as it is tentatively called, you will learn why in a minute) is slated to be open seven days a week from noon until 10:00 p.m.* Diners at Brooklyn Label (which is located across the street and is still awaiting their liquor license) will be given a 10% discount for the purchase of wine to accompany their meal.

Dandelion Wine
153 Franklin Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Lastly, here’s the scoop regarding this business’s name: the owner is tired of it and wishes to use something different. Although she has several candidates, she is open to suggestions. If any of you have an idea for the name of this new wine shop shoot your suggestions to: lilyecho (at) gmail (dot) com.

Miss Heather

*REVISED! Here are the new hours:

Monday: 2:00  – 11:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday & Thursday: 2:00  – 11:00 p.m.
Friday: 2:00 p.m.  – 12:00 a.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 p.m.

P.S.: You can see more pix of this new store on my Flickr page.

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Jenga!

From Green Street.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Please Take One

This whimsical bit of signage hails from Franklin at North 15th Street. The tab to the far left reads “Think for yourself”. Be sure to click on the above image and read the other tabs. They’re really sweet, if a little schmaltzy.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Pay Phone du Jour: Manhattan Avenue

I found this pay phone in front of the Pay-O-Matic Check Cashing establishment on Manhattan Avenue this week. Looks like someone lost his (or her) patience waiting for their economic stimulus check. Whatever the case, the gentleman to the right wisely opted to send a text message instead of attempting to use it.

Miss Heather

NEXT WEEK: Tree Care Workshop

So now Greenpoint has a bevy of new trees that have been planted by the city. That’s all well and good, but what next? I suppose you could post signs on them calling your neighbors “slobs” and “sluts” (as this property owner has done*) or you can attend the tree care workshop being hosted next week at the Green Oaks Club.

Per the notification I received, in this workshop you will:

…learn to care for young street trees, receive free tools, and get a Parks Volunteer Permit, which will allow you to care for street trees and greenstreets. Advance registration is required; space is limited.

There are still slots left, so if you are interested in attending please register by sending an email to channaly.oum(at)parks.nyc(dot)gov or call (212) 676-1929. Be sure to provide your name, email address and/or phone number.

Tree Care Workshop
June 11, 2008 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Green Oaks Club
179 Green Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222

This workshop is being hosted by GWAPP’s North Brooklyn Tree Project and will be conducted by the New York Tree Trust.

Miss Heather

*This property is for sale as a “development site”.

Given its prime location— and by “prime” I mean McGuinness Boulevard facing the Pulaski Bridge, one can only hope it is razed to build (more) luxury condominiums.

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Cleanpoint!

Laugh all you want, but this chap has the right idea. He sat on his stoop brushing his teeth al fresco for at least two minutes. Clearly this man takes his dental hygiene very seriously. I for one find this to be a refreshing change from finding someone’s choppers at a public pay phone on Manhattan Avenue earlier this week.

Miss Heather