Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: Mixed Bag

May 4, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Taken May 4, 2010.

Miss Heather

Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: Choadbusters

April 21, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

From North 7 Street.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Starter: ‘Fro

April 9, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

From North 7 Street.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Ender: Fat Cap

March 28, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

From North 7 Street.

Miss Heather

Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: A Splash Of Color

March 26, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

North 7 Street

North 8 Street

Bedford Avenue

Miss Heather

Urban Fur: Hoodie

March 24, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Street Art, Urban Fur, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

From North 7 Street.

Miss Heather

Daily Bloomblight: 114 North 7 Street

March 15, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Bloomblight, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Many of you are probably familiar with Sevenberry. It is one of the many edifices designed by north Brooklyn’s good friend Karl Fischer. As its name indicates this condominium is located at the corner of North 7 Street and Berry Street. Pretty clever wordplay if I may so myself— although it should be noted that “Barfeater” (which can be found inscribed in the sidewalk just outside the entrance of this building) does have a certain ring to it. But this post isn’t about Sevenberry or some anonymous person’s culinary proclivities. It is about Sevenberry’s neighbor: 114 North 7 Street.

After I took the above photographs a passerby stopped, surveyed the scene and asked:

How did this happen?

Neglect.

I replied.

Then he proceeded to ask me if I owned this property. I assured him that I did not possess the means to own such a parcel (wish I did— have the money, that is) but if I did it wouldn’t look like this.

He was just as troubled as I was when he noticed the fence in the rear had collapsed as well. Welcome to the “new” Williamsburg.

Who wouldn’t want a patio looking at this crap pile? But cry over spilled milk? Let’s have some fun instead. Anyone care to give this piece of Bloomblight a snappy name (like its neighbor)? If so, you can kick things off via comments.

Miss Heather

Now Available At North 7th Street: Mattress Rides

February 28, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Alas, when I walked by Lance was nowhere to be found. I wonder if he had any takers?

Miss Heather

From The New York Shitty Inbox: Deli Mart Al R.I.P.

February 13, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Christine writes:

Early Tuesday morning Al, one of the owners of the Deli Mart on Bedford and North 7th Street, passed away.   Al was a friend as well as a good neighbor and local business owner. Al was “good people”; always there with a smile, a kind word and a way that you knew he cared about you.   The Deli Mart had never closed a day in the nearly ten years Al and his brother bought it. This is until this past Tuesday. It stayed closed for 3 days and a small memorial was created for a good man who is missed.

As neighbors and patrons morn, I know his family is grieving in ways that are unique to losing a brother, a father, a husband and a son. Al was all those things and more.

His passing was sudden and all too soon. Sure Al was a little round, enjoyed smoking and greasy food but he was taken from his family and our neighborhood too soon.

Many people have joked about my closeness to the guys at the Deli Mart.  Over the years, they signed for packages, helped me pass loans back and forth between my brother and others, held keys for visiting friends and so many other tasks that can be hard to coordinate in one’s busy life.   I know it all sounds pretty one side but it wasn’t. Whenever I had a chance to return his kindness I did like when I got Beyonce to sign a photo of herself and had her addressed it to “Deli Mart Al.”  He couldn’t believe it was real. It was and then a few years later she visited the Deli Mart to shot a video in front of the store. Al was thrilled for his brush of celebrity.

Al was a good neighbor. He always had a treat for the dogs in the neighborhood even though a few years ago a neighborhood dog attacked Halloween, his deli cat. He didn’t hold grudges. As Halloween healed, dogs were still welcomed. The owner of the dog that attacked Halloween as well as the dog were still allowed in the Deli Mart.

Thankfully, Halloween healed and went on to be featured in a New York Times article about deli cats*. However she no longer had the drive to be a deli cat and went on became a house cat.

Al missed having Halloween in the store and started talking about adopting another. I agreed that the Deli Mart needed a deli cat. We made a plan to visit a local shelter.  Once there, Al really struggled with which cat to adopt. He wanted one to do the job but also wanted to provide a good home. He thought about the ones who had been on the street too long or were a little too round for a cat or just wasn’t doing well in a shelter. He finally settled on Tony — the Deli Mart’s current deli cat. It was great for me to be able to give something back to my neighbor.

However I could never balance out what he gave me and what I could give him. He always had the upper hand like when I lost my job last Spring, Al instituted a new policy where I could still get my morning coffee and papers but he wouldn’t charge me. It was such a kind gesture that he wouldn’t rescind even though I wasn’t having money troubles.

I know I wasn’t the only who got to see Al’s kindness and generosity over the years.

This morning talking to a friend who reminded me how once Al knew you, he would say hello whether he was behind the counter, on the corner or spotted you on the security screen in his office. Al made the Deli Mart the Williamsburg version of “Cheers” where everyone knew your name.

Al gave chips or candy to kids who’s parents didn’t have the money, rounded down your tab or gave you a free coffee when he knew money was tight. Al couldn’t understand why people would ever shoplift from the Deli Mart because he would have helped anyone who needed it and asked.

Al had a big heart. I am gonna miss him. I am gonna miss having to declare that the Deli Mart’s iced coffee was the best on Bedford Avenue before he would prepare my order. I can’t lie, it was always very good. And maybe I will keep saying it as a tribute to Al.

I’ll be honest: I have only spoken to Al once or twice in passing (as a Greenpoint resident I do not patronize Williamsburg bodegas on a regular basis). However, if the emails I have received (such as this one) are any indication he was a much-loved member of the community. If you have a chance, dear readers, swing by the Deli Mart at 185 Bedford Avenue and tender your condolences. They will be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Miss Heather

*Which I had a hand in. No one meets Oreo without proper protocol.


New York Shitty Day Ender: And The Winner Is…

January 25, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Caption This, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

The Mister and I have reviewed the entries and surprisingly enough quickly agreed on the winning entry. I had my cell phone handy lest we needed a tie breaker. No need. Before I proceed I’d like to take a moment for a couple of honorable mentions.

Miss Heather’s Choice:

Actually, the only irony here is that the person drinking this was actually old and English. — Walrus Taco

This one is headed in the right direction, but it doesn’t address “800”. Close, but no cigar.

Mister Heather’s Choice:

Olde English 800:  It’s gotten to that point. Time for help. — Em Two

We both laughed our asses off at this one but felt “Time for help” was a bit redundant. If you’re drinking Olde English 800 with a straw this is already apparent. No need to belabor the issue.

And now without further ado the winner:

Olde English 800: Suck it like a Slurpee, Crush it like a Motherfucker. — Em Two

Congratulations Em Two! I will be getting in touch with you regarding your prize in the next day or two. This week I present for your enjoyment this specimen from Greenpoint’s very own Bushwick Inlet!

There is something elegantly practical about this. Not only does the rubber band keep the bag secure, but it provides a good grip so as to resist slippage. Who wants to cry over spilled Courvoisier? What’s more, it is eerily reminiscent of something one would see on There, I Fixed It. I like it!

The deadline for captioning this bad boy is Monday, February 1, 2010 5:00 p.m. EST. I haven’t determined a prize yet but I’ll come up with something. Get cracking folks!

Miss Heather

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