New York Shitty Photo du Jour: Mixed Signals

Taken May 1, 2011.

Miss Heather

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Last Saturdays of Summer

June 21, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

This item comes courtesy of a lady named Jennifer. She writes:

Hi Heather,

We have not had the pleasure of meeting, but I do hope we get the chance soon.  I am the consulting coordinator for the newly revitalized Greenpoint Business Association and we have launched our first marketing campaign for Greenpoint local businesses who are members.  The about section on the web site / blog can fill you in on the details of what the members receive and how they support the community.

It would be great if you can highlight Last Saturdays of Summer and the shopping campaign.  Shoppers pick up a shopping Passport each Last Saturday at designated locations – for June 26th it is t.b.d, Black Rabbit and Matchless and then they shop, drink and or dine at a minimum of 6 of the participating businesses and are eligible for a 4:00 raffle back at any of the 3 bars they picked up their passports at.  Prizes are from the GBA members and other supporting outside businesses…

You can get the full lowdown on Last Saturdays of Summer, including a roster of participating businesses, by pointing and clicking your way over to the Greenpoint Business Association’s web site. Check it out!

Miss Heather

TOMORROW: Duelling Fundraisers?

Both come courtesy of the New York Shitty inbox. I’ll start with the first one I recieved, well, first. It comes from a lady named Jeanette. She writes:

Hi Miss Heather,

We are having our second annual Book Drive Social this Saturday, 5/22, 2 PM to 6 PM at Matchless. You were so great about helping spread the word last year and we were hoping you could help again!

We are collecting donations to combat the shortage of quality literary materials in many Brooklyn public schools.  Guests can bring either a Young Adult book (new or good condition used) to get in, or make a donation of $5. We’re going to have a great time, with a DJ and readings from some local writers. We will also be raffling off a Dell Netbook and Zune touch screen MP3 player, $1 per raffle ticket. It’s a great way to spend a post-brunch afternoon!

Thanks for the kind words, Jeanette. Lest I have not made it clear (by the content on this web site) already, I am a bookworm. My parents inculcated in me the value of reading at an early age. In the absence of a conveniently located library they were able to and did purchase me a lot of books. A lot of Brooklyn youths are not so lucky. Inasmuch as their parents would like to provide them reading material (like I got), the money is simply not there. Fortunately we have public libraries. They were founded for just this purpose (by Andrew Carnegie, among others) but seem to be getting the short-shrift in our fair city’s budget crunch. Our city’s children deserve better. Please give and give generously.

Book Drive Social 2.0
Saturday, May 22, 2010 starting at 2:00 p.m.
Suggested donation: $5.00 or a book “young adults”
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Next up is this item: a “Books Behind Bars” fundraiser which will be conducted across the street at Enid’s. Duncan writes:

Books Through Bars moved, and we’re having a party to get us back on our feet!  It features awesome librarians and excellent music, so
you’d best be there.

The Desk Set (a group of young librarians who throw dope parties to raise money for organizations promoting literacy) are hosting a party at Enid’s in Williamsburg to pay for the postage we need to get back to sending books to people incarcerated all across America.

After our old space was damaged by fire, Books Through Bars moved to our new home in Freebird Bookstore, and we’ve built up a big backlog of packages that need sending and letters that need replies.  100% of contributions go to either postage or packing supplies, but we’re a bit behind and need plenty of help.

So, now you know what your Saturday holds: dancing, drinks and librarians.

Speaking as someone who has a substantial number of librarians in her family (as well as Certified Public Accountants and artists) this could be interesting. It has been my observation that artists are rank amateurs compared to the utter mayhem librarians and CPAs are capable of. Artists are only interested in snubbing you (with effete snobbery, jargon and name-dropping) on one hand while filching your Southern Comfort with the other. This is why I bring a bottle of opened red wine corked with a tampon (saturated with said wine) to any and all art openings/parties. It prevents this kind of thing.* Accountants and librarians, on the other hand, seem to be more interested in having a good time.

Books Behind Bars
Saturday, May 22, 2010 starting at 10:00 p.m.
Suggested Donation: none given
Enid’s
560 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Miss Heather

*On a related note, tampons make good stoppers for champagne as well.

THIS WEEK: Benefit At Bar Matchless

November 3, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

chessnysThis item comes courtesy of my buddy Jason Diamond of Impose Magazine. He writes:

So you may have heard that things aren’t that great these days in terms of money, and that includes money for school programs. The kids at PS31 in Greenpoint can tell you first hand, as they have had their funding cut for many of their programs, including their outstanding chess team.

A few people in the community have banded together to help make sure this stellar group of K-6th graders stays competitive, so we offer you a night of musical awesomeness in exchange for a little support:

My Teenage Stride
Soft Black
The Sleepies
Dream Diary

You can enjoy the musical stylings of all the previous and much more (a raffle is promised!) at Bar Matchless this Friday, November 6, starting at 8:00 p.m. The cost of admission is a measly five bucks and prizes aside, this is for a good cause. Check it out!

PS 31 Chess Team Fundraiser
November 6, 2009 starting at 8:00 p.m.
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Miss Heather

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Muggings & A Toy Drive

October 2, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

toydrive

Rose writes:

Hi Heather,

I’m a frequent reader of your blog and a fan!

I was just going to email you about a toy drive at Matchless this Sunday, but then I heard about a bunch of people getting mugged in the neighborhood lately, so here is 1 email with info on 2 things – opposites!

1. A group of local parents have organized a toy/baby item drive this Sunday at Matchless from 11-3. Many local parents found themselves with gently used items or doubles of things and wanted to donate them to two organizations that will put them to good use! People can donate clean stuffed animals, gently used clothing up to size 4T, childrens books, strollers, high chairs, boosters, kids cds, playmats, etc… The toys collected will be donated to these 2 places:

We ask that people consult the following web sites as there are some things that aren’t accepted.

TOY DRIVE
October 4, 2009 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Then Rose goes on to write:

2. 6 people have been mugged in the area around St.Stans/Newell/Diamond Street. Apparently there are 2 guys in a car and one of them has been jumping out and grabbing purses and wallets quite violently. I don’t know if weapons are being used. If you feel so inclined to ask the precinct they might be able to give you more info. They are on the lookout for 2 vehicles – a black durango and a purple/burgundy van. These muggings have mostly taken place around 10/11am! They are checking surveillance videos from St. Stans and they may have one of them on video using a credit card. Please tell people to watch out and help their neighbors if they see someone getting mugged! My upstairs neighbor was one of the victims and there was a man near her on the street and he didn’t do a damn thing.

Thanks Heather! I’ve lived in the 11222 for almost 10 years, and I hate seeing our crime rate go up. Your blog is a VERY good resource and I appreciate the fact that you care!

Thank you, Rose, for bringing these muggings to my attention. Be mindful of your surroundings fellow Greenpointers.

Miss Heather

TOMORROW: It Crawled From Greenpoint

whoopsTHUMBTomorrow, August 13, 2009 the folks at Impose Magazine are bringing at home by hosting an evening of storytelling entitled “It Came From Greenpoint” at Bar Matchless. The will event kick off with the debut of a new band called Field Diary. Starting at 8:00 there will be a sextet of readings by local writers— including a number of Greenpointers! Here’s the line-up:

  • Rachel Shukert (Author, Have You No Shame?)
  • Juliet Linderman (Editor of the Garden Spot’s very own Greenpoint Gazette!)
  • Maggie Serota (freelancer, Onion A.V. Club)
  • Jeremy Krinsley (Editor of Impose)
  • Jason Diamond (Jason Diamond, Publisher of Impose, will read his old roommates gay romance novel involving Stephen Malkmus)
  • And a “Featured Reader” who is to be announced!

Any and all Greenpointers (and Williamsburgers) looking for an inexpensive (and very entertaining) way to while away this upcoming Thursday evening will be hard-pressed to do better than this. Check it out!

Volume 1: It Crawled From Greenpoint
August 13, 2009 starting at 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $5.00 suggested donation
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Miss Heather

TONIGHT: Vol. 1

December 19, 2008 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Today, starting at 8:00 p.m. Bar Matchless, Hexed Journal and WORD bookstore present the third installment of Vol. 1, an evening of live music, spoken word and stand-up comedy. The way it works is like this: each month a subject is selected for the participants to expound upon. Fittingly enough the topic for this evening’s event is “The Gift”, so expect to hear tales about the “sometimes joyous, other times awkward, act of giving or receiving a gift.” There is a five dollar suggested donation at the door (proceeds to benefit 826NYC, a non-profit writing center to help students 6-18 develop writing skills). And as always books will be happily accepted on the behalf of Books Through Bars.*

Vol. 1
December 19, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Bar Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Now if you don’t mind I’m off the frolic in the snow!

Miss Heather

*In particular demand are books pertaining to the following subject matter:

  • African-American history, especially 20th century
  • Native American history
  • Latin American history
  • Radical politics
  • Social sciences and psychology
  • Dictionaries, thesauruses, and Spanish-English dictionaries
  • Learning world languages
  • How-to (drawing, chess, sign language…)
  • Mayan and Aztec history
  • Memoirs and fiction by people of color
  • Poetry anthologies
  • NYS Flickr Pool

    The One CrewSnowy SeagullsWalking the Dog in the Snow
  • Ads