Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Starter: Ralph
Ryan Rosa (who took the above portrait) writes:
This is Ralph. He owns a corset shop on Orchard street with his wife.
He’s stern and a man a few words. I asked him if he would pose for a photo.
He said “Sure, do I look at the camera?” and I told him to take a seat here and be himself.
So this is Ralph being himself, sun in his eyes, like a boss.
LAST GASP: WANTED
This comes courtesy of the head of the 94th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Hurson. If you have any tips/information to share about this horrific crime please contact Detective Notwicz at the above-listed telephone number. Otherwise, you can download a print quality flyer by clicking here.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Beware of Dog
This slice of Garden Spot life hails from Green Street and comes courtesy of Will Star.
The Word On The Street: Green Point Beach
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
This rather amusing bit of vandalism hails from 239 Banker Street; AKA: the Sweater Factory Lofts. And if what I saw this afternoon is any indication this building is— beyond any shadow of a doubt— being quite illegally pressed into service as residential space. Let’s review my findings, shall we?
For starters, you have a very residential throw pillow propping open a window and this rather stylish lamp. Not convinced yet? No worries, gentle readers. I am just getting warmed up.
There were not one— but two people— waiting to view apartments therein. Naturally I took it upon myself to give them a very general run-down of the history of this building. E.g.: it was not legally permissible to reside at 239 Banker Street (by virtue of it being located in an Industrial Business Zone); it had been pressed into service as residential space previously; and this ended with a Vacate Order as issued by the Department of Buildings— and a class action suit filed by a number of tenants (who are, to my understanding, still waiting to get their deposit money back). Were they happy to hear this? No, they were not.
Just as I was not happy to watch this couple (tenants, presumably) exiting said building…
and this family moving their son into it. Naturally I took a moment to speak with them. They, as did everyone else I chatted with on Banker Street this afternoon, had a number of questions for me. Follows are a few:
- Our lawyer saw nothing wrong with the paperwork, so what makes you think this building is illegal to live in? My answer: check my site.
- If this building is illegal to live in, why are they leasing it as residential space? My answer: Excellent question. (But if I had to hazard to guess, I’d say greed.)
- If the Department of Buildings has been alerted that this space is being illegally leased as residential space, why aren’t they doing anything about it? My answer (once again): Excellent question…
This is a disgrace, folks…
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part III: Coma Aqui Todos Los Dias
This, a shot of the rather extensive menu at one of yours truly’s favorite eaterie,s Acapulco Deli & Restaurant, comes courtesy of autovac!
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: Falcon!*
Filed under: 11211, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This handsome fellow was captured presiding over Jaime Campiz Playground today by a chap named Daniel. Nice shots!
*It has been brought to my attention that this critter is, in fact, a hawk. Thanks for the correction/clarification redchamboalert!
From the New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: At The Laundromat
Filed under: New York City
Taken by hanshendley.
Great Moments In Greenpoint Hospitality: Mr. Tambourine Man
Filed under: 11222, Advanced Life Forms, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
Yesterday some of you might have noticed that New York Shitty was offline for a considerable period of time. Apparently the host for this site had a problem at one of its data centers and, well, you get the idea. Ordinarily this would infuriate yours truly to no end— but not this time. Given the lovely weather I was not the least bit inclined to sit in front of a monitor. My site’s dysfunction and my own were in perfect synchronicity. Thus, I opted to go for a walk.
What started as an ostensible shopping foray for socks (which have been disappearing at an alarming rate of late) ended up with a little value-added in the way of a tambourine and travel guide for Greece (as seen above). How did this happen, you ask? I will tell you.
On March 16th I wrote (in this post about an ad hoc art exhibition on Noble Street):
…In any case the creator of these works is a seriously nice fellow. So much so I feel compelled to warn my fellow Greenpointers: if you demonstrate too much interest you may very well find yourself walking home with one. For free! That’s what happened to me back in 2008.
During yesterday’s peregrinations I spied a new work of art gracing Noble Street…
and being a lover of sunflowers and hearts I paused to get a closer shot. That’s when I caught the attention of this work’s creator, Yusef, (who happened to be wearing the above-depicted tambourine on his head). After applauding him on his fashion sense a discussion ensued.
First, he told me about his latest series of paintings which are of sunflowers. I concurred that sunflowers are quite wonderful (because they are). He then suggested I take the sunflower he had affixed to nearby street sign (at left) and wear it in my hair. I demurred, stating that I much preferred it in its current location (because I do). That’s when he removed the tambourine from his head and offered it to me. Upon discerning it was not a good fit (too big) I opted to use it in a more conventional manner: shake it with my hand. After having had my share of fun with this item, I attempted to give it back to Yusef. He would not hear of it. He said (and I quote):
I’ll probably be drunk soon anyway and I should probably not have it. Besides, I have twelve more at home.
He then proceeded to give me a Greek travel guide, told me to call him from Greece when I went there and concluded our discussion by shouting at nearby companion to watch his work while he went to acquire some cognac.
Does the story end here? No gentle readers, it does not. Now jump forward to 7:30 p.m.
That’s when I spied this festively clad fellow guarding a cup of coffee at a public pay phone on Manhattan Avenue. The owner of both noticed my shutter-bugging and came over. This was, of course, Yusef. It took him a moment to recognize me, but recognize me he did. He applauded my husband on his fashion sense and offered to share the contents of this cup (which was most assuredly NOT coffee) with us. We politely declined. Nonetheless, we were touched by the offer.
I have said it many times before and I will say it again: Greenpointers have an incomparable generosity of spirit— or would that be spirits? This is a large part of the reason I live here. And while a Garden Spotter may not give you the proverbial (or literal) shirt off his (or her) back, you might find yourself walking home with a tambourine and travel guide for Greece.
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