Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Tip From “The Strip”: Milton Street
Shortly before the storm hit yesterday my Greenpoint compadre on the strip that is Manhattan Avenue, co-proprietress of The Corner Frenzy’s empanada and ice cream stand, Miriam, advised me that M.I.A. shot a video on Milton Street— and that there was a new mural which (purportedly) provided the backdrop. While not a connoisseur of such stuff (my tastes run more “old school”) when she tells me to check out something I DO IT. Five minutes ago.
Here it is. Along with another morsel of Greenpoint goodness!
Thanks Miriam— and see you tomorrow!
Miss Heather
Another Greenpoint Gal (Finally) Gets Her Props
Filed under: 11101, 11211, 11222, Blissville, Blissville Queens, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Newtown Creek
When upon receiving the above newsletter from a friend* at this week’s Community Board 1 meeting I could not conceal my glee. This, in turn, elicited the interest of woman sitting next to me. A “reporter” from “Brooklyn Ink”:
Are you a member of the Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee?
She asked. I replied:
No.
Then a buddy of mine chimed up, said she was and I was ditched like yesterday’s Peter Pan’s dough nuts. I recall B’ink saying:
I love Greenpoint.
To wit I replied:
Don’t we all?
Sat down and let her go about her business. That being (inasmuch as I can ascertain) kissing my friend’s ass. Where is this post going, you ask? Well for starters:
- Instead of going after one topic like a barracuda— that is presuming you actually care about the subject/neighborhood you have been assigned— you should go to the trouble to converse with the people meet along the way. That’s where the “good stuff” is to be found in my experience. What’s more talking to people is fun. Try it some time.
- I have become acclimatized to being denied any semblance of “respectability” by the establishment by virtue of my web site’s url and the fact I do not possess a piece of paper (READ: an English or Journalism degree) that states I can be reporter. I do not like it. I do not accept it. It is what it is.
- But what goes around comes around: New York Shitty was the Village Voice’s pick of “Best Neighborhood Blog” for 2009— and one of the blogs featured in their “I Blog NY” issue.
- And, at long last, Victoria Belanger has gotten proper credit for her creation: the Shit Tits rendered in Jell-O. From the people who really count: the Newtown Creek Monitoring Committee itself!
You can read this pamphlet in its entirety by clicking here.
Way to go, Victoria! Although I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention I was on the vanguard of this shitsation— in 2007— albeit while sporting a gas mask, tassels, a parasol and handing out Tootsie Rolls to terrified children while amused parents watched on.
Miss Heather
*Thanks! For the sake of maintaining your respectability I will keep your identity anonymous.
New York Shitty Day Ender: McGuinness Boulevard
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
Taken September 15, 2010.
Miss Heather
Something Neat: What Do These Two Things Have In Common?
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Fur
(Or: Meet Eddie)
This, a SRO (and formerly a home for the aged), at the intersection of Oak Street and Guernsey Street…
and this stretch of Green Street. The answer (as I discovered this week on the premises of the aforementioned SRO) is this!
It reads as follows:
H.C. Fischer Iron Foundry
234T324 Greene St. B.E.D.
For those of you who are not in the know before E.D. became a buzz phrase associated with “male enhancement” products it meant “Eastern District”: a moniker employed to describe the Greenpoint/Williamsburg area. So this manhole cover —which is found in the Garden Spot— was, in fact, made in the Garden Spot. Or to use the parlance of the day: Brooklyn Eastern District. Naturally I had to look into who this Fischer chap was (via the Brooklyn Daily Eagle archives of course). I couldn’t find anything for H.C. Fischer— but I did find something about a H.E. Fischer. Without further ado (and in nod to this week’s primary) here it is: an item from October 17, 1900 edition the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Enjoy!
Another item of (macabre) interest I found is this. It dates from December 18, 1885. One word: YIKES!
To close this post on a more informational (and upbeat) note:
1. You can read more about Greenpoint’s former home for the aged (as bequested by Samuel J. Tilden!) by clicking here.
2. Here are a few shots of the premises and my host: Eddie!
He muses:
When you sit out here at 5:00 a.m. with a cup of coffee you can hear at least sixteen different kinds of birds singing!
And of course Eddie’s on-again/off-again* companion…
Patrick! Eddie found him as a wee little kitten in an earth mover. He nursed him back to health.
Patrick loves squirrels. Or more accurately: killing them.
But Eddie told me that occasionally Eddie’s prey of choice have elected to fight back: one such varmint— in the heat of battle— ripped out part of Eddie’s throat! This set Eddie back $1,000 in veterinary bills.
They build ’em tough in Greenpoint!
Miss Heather
*As Eddie told me Patrick seems to sense when a vet visit is around the corner. Let’s just say this fetching feline is currently keeping his distance!
P.S.: This post goes out to my friend, Jen Blossom, who lost a very good friend today. Kali rests with (or would that be chases?) the angels now.
New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: Greenpoint Scrap Metal
This post goes out to my new friend Dan* at Greenpoint Scrap Metal for taking the time to ask his boss if yours truly could have a tee shirt from this establishment. Here’s a snippet of my conversation with him for your edification:
Hi, I met a guy wearing a shirt advertising your establishment on Manhattan Avenue earlier this week. I was wondering if I could buy one?
Dan: I am the “assistant to the assistant”, I’ll have to ask my boss.
Me: You’re a very smart man. It’s always best to be the second in charge. That way you can kick that shit uphill.
Dan:
It depends on which way the wind is blowing.
Me:
I like the way you think!
And with that Dan motioned for his boss to come over, they conversed; and, well, the rest is herstory!
Thanks Dan. You’re the man!
Miss Heather
*Who was kind enough to tell me— in detail— what he would like to see my person wearing (his boss concurred). I will not go into details but suffice it to say it was not corporate casual. Sorry Dan, you’ll just have to be content with the knowledge that I’ll be sleeping with Greenpoint Scrap Metal starting tonight!
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: Best Little Park In NYC
Ryan Murphy (who took the above photograph) muses:
Best little park in NYC, with the awkwardest name. I’m going to miss having it a block away.
Miss Heather
Urban Fur: Autumn
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Fur
Taken September 15, 2010.
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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