Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Starter: The Norman Snowman
This handsome chap comes courtesy of lady_rachel and hails from, appropriately enough, Norman Avenue. For those of you who are not in the know Norman Avenue was named after the founding father of Greenpoint: one Dirck Volckerstzen. Better known as “Dirck the Norman“— who was undoubtedly all too familiar with the fluffy stuff which is currently proliferating in our fair ‘burgh.
It should also be noted (because I am a history dork/Greenpoint geek) there was once a place called Norman’s Kill. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s a snippet from an article from the March 11 1888 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. NOTE: “E.D.” means Eastern District which encompasses what we now know as Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint.
You can continue reading this (lengthy— but interesting) tome by clicking here. Otherwise, if you’re curious about Het Dorp, click here.
Enjoy!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: The Seagulls of Huron Street
Negotiating the streets might have been a slog for us bipeds today, but as you can see the seagulls of Huron Street took the snow in stride— in a manner of speaking. As a matter of fact, I’d go so far as to day they were having a grand time!
And on that note, dear readers, I am calling it an early day. A nice hot bath and an evening of relaxation beckons!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Slide Show Du Jour: Blizzard 2010
As promised, here is a mini slide show of highlights from my walk around north Greenpoint this morning. Enjoy!
And on that note, dear readers, I am off to prepare a little wintertime stew! You can view more nifty images of snow white Greenpoint by checking out the New York Shitty photo pool.
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: McGolrick Park
This lovely image comes courtesy Jason Peragallo. Great capture!
Miss Heather
P.S.: I took a little sojourn around Greenpoint north. You can look forward to a mini slide show in a bit. Stay tuned!
Greenpoint Street Art Du Jour: Blip
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
From Manhattan Avenue.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Videos Du Jour: Open House
Filed under: 11211, 11222, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Maspeth, Queens
Yesterday afternoon my buddy from the Newtown Pentacle and I sojourned to St. Cecilia’s Auditorium for the Kosciuszko Bridge Project Open House. While hardly standing room only, the peeps behind the presentation were pleasantly surprised by the turn-out. I suspect word about the blue chip refreshments (which included coffee, tea, cream, milk, zero fat milk, water and soda; cookies and crackers with an assortment of cheese) might have had something to do with this. But who’s to say for certain?
In any case, I filmed the proceedings for your entertainment and edification. Mostly the latter. This material might strike many of you as being boring (for the most part, it is) but if you reside in this southern Greenpoint or western Queens you should view this footage. How this projects proceeds (or not) will effect our community for a long time to come.
INTRO: (self-explanatory)
PART I: The process/research leading up to this project & how the bridge will be constructed
PART II: Property acquisition & park space (including a kayak launch on Newtown Creek!)
PART III: A run-down of the four bridge types under consideration
PART IV: End of Presentation, the Q & A session begins
PART V: A Lombardy Street resident asks some very compelling questions
PART VI: An Apollo Street resident speaks and the meeting concludes
I suppose some of you are probably wondering which design I voted for. Here you go.
The rationale for my decision was (more or less) as follows:
1. I found it visually compelling and felt it juxtapose nicely with the Manhattan skyline.
2. This design leaves more open space under the bridge. Given how oppressive this area is currently I believe this to be a big plus.
3. It embraces/showcases the Shit Tits rather nicely!
Priorities, people!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Greenpoint Lofts Going Rental…
and residential? The latter being the in the true north Brooklyn tradition (READ: illegal living space).
Not only are there “for lease” signs gracing the place formerly known as The Greenpoint Lofts but I have intriguing information from a tipster we’ll call Q. It started like this:
Hey Miss Heather,
My name is Q and I stumbled on your blog during my search for a work/live space. I noticed you had quite a few entries about the place I was considering on 231 Norman…
This raised some serious bells and whistles for yours truly. You see, 231 Norman is by definition (and Certificate of Occupancy) a commercial space. Living is not allowed. I brought this and a number of other concerns to this person’s attention including (but not limited to):
1. The slew of complaints and violations for this property per the Department of Building’s Building Information System…
2. What happened at 239 Banker Street). He/she replied:
…No, the property was not advertised as live/work space. I saw it as a commercial property and I thought it would be possible to convert because the set up of this particular building seems to lend itself to that quite well. On the other hand, I think there is a bit of wink-wink-nod kind of thing going on about the whole live/work set up. I had a pretty big discussion with the realtor about putting in some amenities to make it a work/live set up and he informed me that there are people who have done that in the building. In addition, he didn’t say that my plans to convert the place to make it more “livable” was anything illegal. Of course, if one is to be a cynic, one could say that he is just eager to make a sale…
If 239 Banker has taught a number of unfortunate folks (and yours truly) an unpleasant lesson it is this: exercise due diligence. Do not take a broker’s word as gospel. This is not to suggest there are not reputable, ethical, dedicated brokers out there. There are— but there are many who are not. Especially in these lean economic times.
It goes without saying that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and do not fool yourself into thinking that illegal conversions (even if given a blind eye by the developer and/or the real estate agents who represent his/her) cannot or will not effect you.
They can and will. The last I heard the residents of 239 Banker Street have yet to get back their deposit money. There’s a distinct possibility they never will. Don’t become a statistic.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Beer! Kielbasa! 8 Deejays!
That’s right folks, the Brooklyn Record Riot is back at Greenpoint’s very own Warsaw this Sunday, February 28! Here’s the 411 per their Facebook page:
Gather round the musical bonfire boys and girls… the Brooklyn Record Riot!!! is almost here. This Sunday, February 28th at the Warsaw, starting at 10 am for the Fanatics ($20 admission) and at noon for the just slightly less fanatical ($3.00). And there are countless reasons to join us for round six of BRR: Patrick Adams 12″ singles, Sonic Youth albums, the Polish food of course, crazy psych 45s, Billy and Miriam from Norton, good rye bread, amazing dollar records in the dollar room, cute girls, WFUV volunteers at the front door, Polish cable TV in the bar, Denis and Josh from Montreal, records hidden under tables, Reggae Tim Harris, rockabilly sounds, Michael Young’s infamous record wall, disco stuff from John Jabra’s 21st Century Music, fun and dancing, wandering out to McCarren Park when things get too intense, more Polish beer, meeting fans of the Wedding Present, networking with other creative types, Skullsnaps and their children, hipster families, soundtrack albums, meeting other people not obsessed with digital technology, and oh yeah, the live music…
Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus has been asked to round up some DJs to provide a sonic atmosphere during the event. Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith, Nuggets) and Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo) are major highlights. Here’s the exact lineup:
12– Ira the K (Yo La Tengo / WFMU)
1— Leah Lugosi (The Nouvellas)
2—DJ Denis Montreal (Le Pick-Up)
3— Vibraphonic Vince (Raunch Hands)
4—Lenny Kaye
5— Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus
6— John Bastone (Record Riot)
7— Mike Womack
Prepare for a long day of fun and vinyl. Doors are open until 8pm. There are always good buys late in the day. Many dealers are looking to liquidate at that point. Don’t worry about eating: Warsaw has great food or just find a joint in the neighborhood to chow down and then return when you are ready for more shopping.
Warsaw is located at 261 Driggs Ave in Greenpoint, near the G train (and not that far from the L train). There is plenty of parking in the neighborhood. Check out RIOT NUMBER SIX…Sunday February 28th!
Brooklyn Record Riot
February 28, 2010
$3.00 regular admission: Noon – 8:00 p.m.
$20.00 early admission: 10:00 a.m.
The Warsaw
261 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
If vinyl is your thing then this is a must do event. Check it out!
Miss Heather
P.S.: Special thanks goes out to Stephen Gritzan for the reminder!
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