Williamsburg Halloween Watch: Presenting The Hipster Pumpkin

October 24, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

When I spied this on North 8 Street this afternoon I couldn’t help but chuckle. If what I have observed on Bedford Avenue is any indication, the glasses are spot-on— but the keffiyeh? That’s so 2009. In any case if the Great Pumpkin (a la Peanuts) is a giver of toys what— may I ask— does the hipster pumpkin dispense? That, dear readers, I will leave to your imagination (and comments)!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: The Last Of The Mohicans

October 18, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

Where do you start with something like this? Hell, where do you finish? All I am going to say is I wish I could transport this chap— headgear and all— to an actual Indian reservation (which are among the most miserable of places you can imagine) and get their take on his choice of apparel. I have a creeping suspicion it wouldn’t be very pretty.

Miss Heather

From The New New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: Bloomie French Tips

October 18, 2010 ·
Filed under: Bloomblight, Culture War, Manhattan, New York City 

Steven R. Hazlett (who took the above photograph) opines:

If God exists, I hope he has a good excuse  —-Woody Allen

(nothing else need be said)

Miss Heather

Williamsburg Photo Du Jour: Alas, Poor Yorick

October 16, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

From North 3rd Street.

Miss Heather

LAST GASP: Manifest Destiny

October 13, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

From West Street.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Starter: Cheese Fries & PBR

September 26, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

These street eats have been brought to you courtesy of Metropolitan Avenue.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Ender: Go Pistons!

Although I had to work today I simply had to swing by and see the Pistons play at their (ostensible) “home field”: McCarren Park. From what little I saw (30 minutes) it was an action-packed game. But before I proceed to the following (mini) slide show I feel compelled to make a couple of disclosures:

  1. I am not really into football. It is not my thing. But that wasn’t the point of the exercise. Rather, I enjoyed seeing these kids having fun and (along with some of my fellow Garden Spotters— and I suspect a few Williamsburgers) wanted to give them a little Greenpoint spirit! On a related note methinks the 7-8 of New York’s Finest stationed around the field had some fun as well.
  2. I am not a very good “sports” photographer by virtue of the previous point. Once again: I am not a “sports” person. At least regarding not the ones which do not involve drinking beer (READ: bowling and pool).

Without further ado, here it is. Enjoy!

As always you can view this slide show in larger format by clicking here. Otherwise you can see a full roster and schedule (!) for the Pistons 2010 season by clicking here.

Go Pistons!

Miss Heather

Notes From The 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Yours truly didn’t feel like going— but she went anyway. I’m glad I did! For starters (and by Greenpoint standards, anyway) the meeting was pretty mellow. This is a good thing since I was not really in the mood for some of the angrier and uglier rhetoric that can (and does) come to pass at these meetings. This is not to suggest there wasn’t anger: there most assuredly was. The difference was the people (ladies all) who aired their ire were (as a friend noted) so darned nice about it! Bicyclists, illegal sidewalk vendors, impertinent youths and liquor licenses all get the treatment at the hands (or would that be mouths) of these ladies. One such lass made an observation so piquant that she has henceforth earned my undying admiration. But I am getting ahead of myself. Without further ado here is footage from last night’s meeting— along with synopses and a bit of analysis from yours truly. Enjoy!

Part I: D. I. Fulton gives opening statements/props and a general rundown of crime trends.

The Rundown:

  • Grand larceny auto and burglaries are up, everything else is down.
  • Vehicle accidents are down 4.1%
  • D. I. Fulton explains that since the crime stats for the 94th are so low that one or two burglaries can skew the crime statistics upward.
  • A spate of robberies via a man riding a bicycle centering (roughly) around “Woodpoint Road and Conselyea Street”. This individual has since been apprehended and identified in a line-up by two victims. NOTE: this chap’s activities came to pass between (once again: roughly) 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. in the morning and his victims were women in their 20’s.
  • D. I. Fulton talks about burglaries.

Part II: D. I. Fulton speaks about car break-ins and the public speaks!

  • Arrests are up 24.7%
  • A case of Greenpoint roof theft
  • D. I. Fulton advises runners patronizing McCarren Park to mind their personal property.
  • One citizen applauds the 94th for apprehending a man who exposed himself to her and her daughter— and physically threatened them at North 7 Street and Bedford Avenue.
  • Same said citizen complains about illegal street vendors.

Part III: The Public Speaks, continued

  • Illegal vendors, continued
  • A general discourse on unruly behavior in general on Bedford Avenue and Williamsburg in general.
  • A Greenpoint resident queries D. I. Fulton about vehicle theft: there were 13 over the summer and 109 total.

Parts IV & V: The Public Speaks, continued

The aforementioned Greenpoint resident complains about Five Leaves’s use of the sidewalk (allegedly after permitted hours for a “sidewalk cafe”) and follows is a general discussion:

  • A burglary on Bedford Avenue
  • A lady from the Lions Club gives the 94th props

  • Bicyclists
  • Street closures and parties, e.g.; do they require permits?
  • Other things including— but not limited to— one of the most awesome observations (or dare I hope: promises) I have ever heard at a 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting. Go to 2:31 and hear it for yourself!
  • There are 97 liquor licenses pending (including a renewal for the Production Lounge*). D.I. Fulton explains this as “growing pains”.
  • Parties
  • Complaints about 311 dropping calls

Closing observations/thoughts:

  1. Once again and all things considered: this meeting was pretty tame.
  2. Nonetheless there was plenty of anger to go around. This mostly centered around aspects of the “new” Williamsburg being a tourist attraction and/or a watering hole of choice. Which brings me to…
  3. the subject of liquor licenses. If the ostensible function of our Community Board is to be the voice of the people and/or institute some semblance of “community standards” their determinations should be more binding. What’s the point of having due process if the SLA (State Liquor Authority) simply looks at their recommendation— let’s say, to deny a liquor and/or Cabaret license— and they issue the license (undoubtedly greased along by lobbyists/parties with deep pockets) anyway? Just a thought.
  4. The previous Op Ed(s) having been written (and to close on a note of levity), I am taking a serious shine to the notion of some exchange program between Greenburg/Williamspoint grannies and ‘noobs in the ‘hood.** I have no doubt the previous can show middle America a few things about partying (take this, for example.) Our friends (far) beyond the Hudson could use some good ol’ north Brooklyn flavor! It builds character.

Miss Heather

*Which inasmuch as much as yours truly can ascertain is STILL operating a monthly strip club. CASE IN POINT:

**I mean this with all due respect. I have grown to absolutely adore Greenpoint grandmas over the years. I simply wish others had the pleasure of enjoying their company. It isn’t so much about “Go back to Ohio”, so to speak, as it is “Get thee to Ohio”— and get us some respect!

Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Pinnacle

September 23, 2010 ·
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

From Huron Street.

Miss Heather

New York Shitty Day Ender: The Fun Is Over

September 21, 2010 ·
Filed under: Culture War, Manhattan, New York City 

the fun is over

Rounding out today’s posts (because I am beat after attending this evening’s 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting*) I leave you with this image from the New York Shitty photo pool taken by kim in nyc. Nice find!

Miss Heather

*All things considered it was pretty mellow— but the conversation I had (if you can call such a thing that) with a rather angry woman (whose breath, ironically enough, smelled like a distillery) about liquor licenses wore me out. You can anticipate a full rundown (along with video footage) tomorrow!

  • NYS Flickr Pool

    DissociationMalevolent and asking for donations20241031_095113Hudson Yards  EDGELooking east-Northern view.Thompson and Broome Streets
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