Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Starter: “Shotgun”
Ordinarily this would qualify as a “person in my neighborhood” but “Shotgun” (as seen in the above photo at right) was so extraordinary I felt he deserved a post of his own. Here it is.
Yesterday and friend and I went for a walk. Just to mix things up I decided we would go to the “hinterlands” of the Garden Spot— in other words: east of Kingsland Avenue, due south to the on ramp to the Kosciuszko Bridge and beyond.
It was at the intersection of Vandervoort Avenue and Cherry Street— an area which can best be described as the “armpit” of Greenpoint— that we encountered a truck selling watermelons, potatoes, fruits, nuts and vegetables. And a very unexpected ray of sunshine.
Or would that be “Shotgun” Having interfaced with a number of gun nuts in my life— mostly from the south— I asked the proprietor what gives.
After striking a pose (actually two) he told me:
That’s my nickname! Are you a visitor?
Me: Yes, I’m a visitor… from THAT (pointing north) end of Greenpoint.
SHOTGUN: Greenpoint? That’s (pointing north) over there!
Me: But I am over here! I like to be a tourist in my own neighborhood…
(Laughter)
Me: I hope you have some earplugs or aspirin, Shotgun. How can you deal with all this noise?
SHOTGUN:
Hell, I’m 70 years old. I can take it!
(Even more laughter)
Anyone who can spend 8+ hours next to the:
- loudest
- filthiest and
- overall depressing
part of the Garden Spot and still have a sense humor, much less display a joie de vivre rarely seen by anyone nowadays, gets my infinite respect, admiration, and yes— affection.
I really like you, Shotgun. You rock!
Miss Heather
*Lest I have offended anyone by calling this area such, it was not intended. I use this term with tongue firmly placed in cheek.
Cookie Road: Open At Last!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
After receiving numerous inquiries and beginning to wonder if this place would ever “happen” I am pleased to announce that, at long last, Cookie Road has opened for business! When did this most auspicious event come to pass, you ask? TODAY, that’s when!
I asked the co-proprietors what took them so long. Apparently they “checked off the wrong box” on one item in their paperwork. (You gotta love bureaucracy). Follows are a few delectable items you can expect to find if— or better yet, WHEN— you drop by.
An exotic assortment of iced tea, both sweetened and unsweetened. I tried the coconut “flavor”. It was pretty tasty and definitely quenched my thirst after walking for five hours.*
Canine-shaped cookies.
Pigs and a little bling.
An assortment of quiches and cakes. Well, there used to be an assortment. As you can see as of 6:00 p.m. today it has been pretty picked over. And of course, my personal passion:
Key lime goodness!
And of special interest to java enthusiasts: Cookie Road serves all manner and variety of caffeinated drinks— including, but not limited to cafe latte, espresso, cappuccino. Why not swing by this weekend and congratulate these very nice folks for making their long-awaited debut?
Cookie Road
97 Oak Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Happy indulging!
To close on a Franklin Street related note today I saw signs of activity at 162 Franklin Street, better known Casa Mon Amour. I talked to guys up and got the scoop. They are interested in opening a “small plate”, “American restaurant/grill”, but had some concerns about the conditions of the space.
It is a mess.
one of them said. I told them it was an excellent location to set up shop but to please, PLEASE keep the entrees reasonable, e.g.; UNDER $15.00**. They assured me they would. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
Miss Heather
*From Greenpoint to Flushing Avenue and back. Man, I’m beat.
**And under NO CIRCUMSTANCES open a Thai Restaurant. We have enough already.
Presenting The WTF Building
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I suspect I speak for many in north Greenpoint when I say that I am happy this week’s film shoot on Manhattan Avenue is over. It was kind of novel at first but after a day or two of being redirected to side streets by lackeys bearing walkie talkies it became a more than a little annoying. However, I did reap something positive— or at the very least interesting— out of the experience. Like finding the following at 188 Freeman Street.
I have seen a lot of strange shit construction-wise in Greenpoint over the years but this one takes the cake. Follows is a shot taken after the folks at S & M Construction (I am not kidding— that is who is responsible for this) have called it a day.
I have to hand these folks credit for making this site “airtight”. Hell, it’s a jolly big blue fortress replete with concertina wire. But it does raise the question as whether their goal is to keep people out or to keep people in?
Very peculiar indeed.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: 184 Eagle Street
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
If anyone from the Department of Buildings is reading this (and finally feels inclined to inspect this building which has a number of complaints filed that an illegal hotel is being operated on the premises— some of which date as far back as February) you might want to check out this unit located on easternmost corner of the 5th floor.
As you can see a pair of bunk beds are clearly visible from the street. Bunk beds, I will add, which bear a striking resemblance to the ones featured on Luxe Guesthouse’s web site.*
It doesn’t get much more obvious than this, folks. Not that I expect this post (or any of my previous posts about this building) to motivate the Department of Buildings to actually do anything. They’ve sat on their hands for five months and I have little doubt they will continue to do so for at least five more.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again:
What is the point of having laws on the books if they are not enforced?
This is laughable.
Miss Heather
Image Credits/Information: The former photograph was taken yesterday, June 18 at approximately 10:00 p.m. The latter comes courtesy of Hostel Bookers dot com.
*Which is currently parked but a new and improved site is promised. Hence why I gleaned the latter image from Hostel Bookers dot com.
Signs Of The Times
When I stumbled upon these blue chip specimens of New York City signage in my photo pool (which come courtesy of Lost In Brooklyn) it reminded me that I have been woefully amiss in passing along a couple of my own finds. They hail from a recent sojourn through Williamsburg.
This no frills, proletariat model comes from Wythe Avenue. Although it looks like they had a little trouble with the “g” it seemed to be effective, nonetheless. I did not spy so much as a single doggy dumpling.
Bags of garbage, however, were another matter. Nice, but we can do better.
Like this example from North 9 Street.
This is a private garbage can. Do not trespass on my property to leave your dog shit here. Take it home with your and smell it by your house. This is especially directed to the person with her little blue bags.
Now this is more like it! Granted there is no implicit threat being made here, but I for one find the “we know who you are” aspect endearing.
In fact I was so impressed I shared the good news of my discovery with couple of folks writing poetry on Bedford Avenue. They were kind of enough to write a little something on the back of a flier for the Williamsburg Flea Market just for me. It was (appropriately enough) entitled “Shit”.
Amen.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Kent Avenue
Filed under: Williamsburg
Ah, what would New York Shitty be had nature not seen fit to give us the finger?
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Over It
Filed under: Williamsburg
Wishing to end today’s offerings on an upbeat note, I present for your approval this bit of self help a la sidewalk from Metropolitan Avenue. I don’t know about you but knowing that “Salami” is “over it” somehow makes me smile.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: Northside Vs. Southside
River Street
Grand Street
Dunham Place
Kent Avenue
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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