The Greenpoint Food Pantry Needs Your Help

Last weekend a colleague of mine and I discussed over lunch the dearth of new bloggers. I am of the opinion that the sour economy is a contributor to this phenomenon. Think about it: maintaining a web site requires time and money— and that is something not everyone has nowadays. Many are too busy trying to put dinner on the table.

Unfortunately, no amount of hard work is enough for a number of Greenpoint’s families to make ends meet. Hence why I was very disheartened (but hardly surprised) to read that the food pantry operated by the Greenpoint Reformed Church (the host of this evening’s bedbug workshop) is empty! Ann Kansfield writes Sunday, May 4, 2008:

This week we experienced an unprecedented need for food in our neighborhood. As the news continues to report troubling times for the economy (and our pantry was featured in Sunday’s Nowy Dziennik), we are witnessing first hand the effects that higher prices are having on our neighbors. After distributing 150 bags of food in the first two hours of the pantry being open, we ran out of food and sadly had to turn people away. We also fed more than 70 people at the soup kitchen, another record number of hungry folks.

…The church has already depleted its budget for the pantry and it’s only May. We need to raise $3000 to pay for an emergency purchase of groceries from our wholesaler so that we’ll have food to give out for the coming month until we get our next shipment from the Food Bank. We’re stepping out on faith, and placing the order so that there will be food on Wednesday. In the meantime, if those of us who are able could contribute to this effort, it would be greatly appreciated.

Donations can be made online or in person at 136 Milton St. Brooklyn, NY 11222. In addition, Ms. Kansfield, myself and the owner of Word Books have been knocking around the idea of organizing an arts and crafts fair and/or auction to benefit the food pantry. This idea is still in its infancy and we would love to hear from interested artists, craftspeople and local business owners who would be interested helping to make this happen.

Think of it as an opportunity to rack a up a few good karma points. Ms. Kansfield can be contacted via email at:

pastor (at) greenpointchurch (dot) org

And as always, ideas and/or constructive criticism are welcome via comments here on New York Shitty. I will make sure she gets them.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Partying With The Captain

From Herbert Street.

Miss Heather

There Has To Be A Word For This

(Hell if I know what it is)

Chateau de Ghetto has been much livelier than usual. Perhaps the decisive breath of spring has made the residents of my 400 square foot palace —2-legged and otherwise— a bit rambunctious. All I can say is me and the Mister’s discussions arguments have taken a very colorful turn as a result.

CASE IN POINT

Our latest and most provocative skirmish centered around the following:

1. This handsome gent is Tortilla’s (now deceased) brother, Artemis. He is thirteen years old and spends most of his days lazing in the window watching the world go by. What he does in the evening, however, is a different story altogether. As you will see.

2. This is my jacket. I bought this item at a used clothing store several years ago. Not only does it look like a shag rug (which in the world of Miss H is a desirable quality— despite my mother telling me I was conceived on one), but it holds a certain attraction for Artemis. Which brings me to the following bit of choice dialog the Mister and I had last week.

Mr. Heather: You are not putting that on your blog.
Miss Heather: Yes I am.
Mr. Heather: It’s humiliating.
Miss Heather: Humiliating?!? He’s a cat! I seriously doubt he is going to care. Besides, it’s not my jacket’s fault.
Mr. Heather: Maybe the jacket likes it?
Miss Heather: My jacket is an inanimate object! Are you trying to tell me its asking for it?!? Your cat sexually assaults my jacket every night! It isn’t right.

Despite having lost his manly bits YEARS ago, this is what Artemis does when I leave my jacket where he can get to it. The festivities usually start at 11:30-12:30 at night (after he has taken it out to dinner, a movie and listening to a little Al Green I hope) and it stops only if/when I take this lascivious piece of apparel away from his grasp. There might be snow on the roof, but I assure you there is plenty of fire in this feline’s loins!

Perhaps Artemis has some unresolved masculinity issues as a result of having a female name? Maybe this article of clothing reminds him of some sexy she-cat from his tomcatting days? Only he knows for certain and he isn’t talking. All I’m saying is I had a guy offer to buy me a drink last Friday night while wearing said item. He even commented on how much he liked it.

The more I think about it, I do not think it was me this chap was attracted to. It was the jacket.

Miss Heather

Happy Cinco de Mayo From New York Shitty!

I kicked off the party a little early (read: last night) so I doubt I will be knocking back any margaritas today. That said, I thought I would give this great holiday a nod by sharing a little Greenpoint goodness I filmed yesterday on Meeker Avenue.

I am certain a number of you are familiar with this lot. It once housed a gas station but that was razed several years ago (one would presume to erect more “luxury” condos). This has clearly not happened— but that doesn’t mean this space isn’t being put to good use. After watching a chap on said premises knock back a brewski, I got a very special treat. Enjoy!

Wouldn’t you love to be this guy’s neighbor?

Miss Heather

Studio B: Where The Fun Never Stops

My commenters are a very intelligent lot. Hence why I will open this post with a missive from addrobinson:

From everything I know about Studio B, other than the rooftop garden, none of this is new, the noise, the over capacity etc…. So what occurred recently that caused you to take such a strong stance against them?

Let’s imagine for a moment that I, a citizen, invited 140+ of my best friends to party on my rooftop (and I have a nice one, btw). Someone would call the cops and I’d be cited and/or thrown in jail.

In other words, it’s a matter of inequality. Studio B, despite having no permission to host events on their roof does so anyway. Nothing happens.

They have a Stop Work Order which they have not only seen fit to violate but have also removed from their front door. Once again, nothing happens.

Here is the garbage this establishment generates. Would you want to look at this 2-3 times a week? I didn’t think so. Will they get in trouble for this? Probably not.

At what point will the owners of this property, WS Delancey Realty LLC, be held accountable for their actions? Will it be today? They do, after all, have a hearing regarding their first (and undoubtedly not last) violation of their Certificate of Occupancy on this, Cinco de Mayo.

In closing here is a little footage I shot of this establishment yesterday afternoon. Note that the music they are playing is loud enough to be picked up by my dinky little digital camera from across the street.

Miss Heather

P.S.: Be Sure to check out my buddy 11222’s take on Studio B’s grand opening of their rooftop by clicking here.

TOMORROW: Transmitter Park Meeting Redacted!

Tomorrow, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. Word Books will be hosting a steering committee meeting for Tranismitter Park. Per the notification I received:

It’s Cinco de Mayo, let’s try to make it a little festive! There is space for about 30 – 40 people and our committee numbers 15; please bring interested & motivated neighbors and friends.

For the record, this meeting has been rescheduled for May 12 at 7:00 p.m. the venue (naturally) will be Word Books.

H

Safety Is #1 At Studio B: 140 = 300

At 7:30 p.m. this evening I received the following missive from my buddy over at 11222:

they were putting the finishing touches on some wire fences meant to keep people from falling out of the roof garden. we’ll be going back over later with a camera.

My curiosity was killing me, so went by there at 8:30 p.m.

Exactly as stated, the wire mesh was in place and the rooftop party was getting started. Is Studio B legally entitled to have people in this space? No. But such trivialities as fire regulations, Stop Work Orders and Certificates of Occupancy doesn’t stop the owner of this establishment! Per an anonymous source, when queried as to what the capacity for this (illegal) rooftop garden was, the owner replied:

140— in other words 300.

Lest any of you harbored any doubts as to whether Studio B’s numerous safety issues were a matter of simple over sight. They aren’t.

Miss Heather

UPDATE: As of 1:30 a.m. I have been told the fire department has been called.

Correction: The F.D.N.Y AND the N.Y.P.D. were called (see comments). Look for more Studio B goodness May 5th!