Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
The Word On The Street: Redacted
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, The Word On The Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
March 28, 2012
June 3, 2012
From Hope Street.
Now At Jerzy Popieluszko Square: No Vulgarians Allowed
Filed under: 11222, Class War, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
During my peregrinations today I happened upon this rather noticeable* and clearly not Parks Department issue bit of signage at Jerzy Popieluszko Square. Having some working knowledge of Polish (Okay: I know “nie” means “no”. As for “walgaryzuj”, well, I have a very strong suspicion as to what that means!) I inferred this sign is prohibiting something. But what? To this end I inquired of a Polish friend of mine what gives. Without further ado, here it is:
Respect this place
Be civil
Do not litter
Do not drink (NOTE: no specific beverage is indicated)
Do not be vulgar
My interpreter went on to add that the Polish pressed into service is rather unusual. E.g.; this copy was probably drafted in English and translated into Polish (as opposed to using conventional, conversational Polish as spoken in Poland). In any case, mind your manners fellow Garden Spotters… (WARNING/CAVEAT: the following clip contains “language” so do not listen to it at work unless you want a visit from the H.R. Department.)
or else!
In the interest of fair and balanced reporting (and for my friends in Great Britain) you can (READ: should) watch Archie’s retort by clicking here.
*READ: hideous
New York Shitty Photos du Jour: Garden Spot
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Planet Entitlement, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
its not about brunch. this is a pissing contest about rules. we are loosing our cool “illegal” street garden… thanks to all this bs! so so lame!!
— Member of Community Board 1 in regards to the enforcement of sidewalk cafe rules
Attention Greenpointers!
(OR: “Girls” wants girls— and the rest of you to move your cars)
The New York Observer writes:
From an official Girls casting notice posted to Backstage.com, we now know what “hipster” typecasting looks like:
Seeking—Hipster Types: male and female, 18-30s, all ethnicities, all types, specifically seeking people with tattoos, piercings, colored hair, and unique looks. Young Adult (ages 18-29), Thirties (ages 30-39). Caucasian/White, African-American/Black, Latin/Hispanic/South American, Asian, Native American (!!! — Ed. Note), European, Middle Eastern, Indian/South Asian, Other.
Truth be told, I really hate going after low-hanging fruit like such as this— but “Europeans”?!? I just about shot Zywiec out of my nose reading that corker. Perhaps “Girls” will spot a few when they film in “Little Poland” tomorrow? That’s right, Greenpointers. Tomorrow. May 18th, 2012.
The areas impacted are:
- Manhattan Avenue between Java and Green Street and
- India Street between Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street.
The tow trucks show up at 2:00 p.m. Why not leave a curricula vitae and a headshot on your dashboard, Garden Spotters?
New York Shitty Day Starter: Keep Off The Grass, Part II
(Or: A Turf War?)
A person we’ll call “L” writes (in regards to this post written on Sunday, May 13, 2012):
Hello! I was searching for information on why people are being kept off the grass at Smorgasburg. I saw your post…
You must have been there later than I was that day. When I was there last Saturday (May 12th), there was actually a security guard running people off — even if just their feet were touching the grass. We suspected it was security from The Edge, but couldn’t find any proof of that. I think I was there from 11 until about 12:30 or so.
I asked @smorgasburg, via Twitter, and got no reply.
I’m very curious to see if you find out more. The lack of shade is already a big problem at Smorgasburg, and not being able to sit in the grass seems a shame.
To preface, L: Smorgasburg’s liquor license hearings (Yes, there was more than one— and I attended both!) proved to be contentious. Very simply put:
- Smorgasburg gave a pretty lackluster presentation the first time. Among other things: they presented a petition in favor of said liquor license which had 2 (or 3) signatures total, stated their endeavor had the support of our Borough President, Marty Markowitz, without presenting any documentation; presented a letter of support from the condominium board of The Edge*— but curiously letters had been received from Edge residents wishing that no liquor license be granted.
- Now take into account how the Open Space Alliance concert series upset people who reside in this area. The issues at hand were a lack of crowd-control and public intoxication. Smorgasburg did not present a “plan” as to how to deal with those who were going to imbibe at their event. Well, you can guess what happened next: their license was voted down by the Public Safety Committee of Community Board 1. Three to two.
- However, Smorgasburg they withdrew their application, reapplied and gave no less than two pages of material outlining how they would manage this event (inclusing crowd control and security). This was well received and got a unanimous thumb’s up form the Community Board.
To (finally) answer your question, L:
The Ponzi scheme our city (via rezoning) has with developers regarding parks development on our waterfront is entities such as The Edge will develop waterfront park space, turn it over to the city, and in return they get benefits. Among them: building taller buildings.
But the salient question here is what happens when there is (undeveloped) space used by a business (this being Smorgasburg) which is owned by a developer (presumably The Edge) and what happens if the area abutting it, the piece of turf in question, is also owned by a developer. If that’s the case (and I suspect it is here), he/she can do whatever he/she wants—and this includes rent-a-cops telling you to get off their grass.
*Which has been alleged does not exist.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Keep Off The Grass?
A person we’ll call “E” writes May 12, 2012:
Hey Heather. I wanted to pick your very informative brain to ask if you knew of any way to find out whether something that appears to be a public space is or not ? I’m talking in particular of the grassy areas just outside of the Brooklyn Flea/Smorgasburg. People are being told they cannot sit on the grass at all now. I was asked to move today, and when I asked when we would be able to, was told not at all over the summer. Its a ridiculous sight seeing literally hundreds of people sitting around d the edges of a lovely grassy area that’s out of bounds. Absurd. If you want to check it out, go to morrow during the flea…
Naturally I had to see this for myself so today I swung by to see what gives…
Aside from a mass demonstration of cognitive dissonance I didn’t see a problem.
Although I have put out “feelers” as to what is (or isn’t) going on here (and will update this post accordingly) if anyone has the 411 please share via comments or email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!
Quicklink: “Brunch War” Bogus?
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Class War, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, That's Really Racist, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
If this piece by Brownstoner is to be believed this would appear to be the case. Tom Burrows, the so-called malefactor in this “war” notes:
…there is no war on brunch in Williamsburg and Greenpoint—this is way of selling papers
Indeed it is. It also is worth mentioning the manager of Five Leaves (whose establishment can be seen in the above two photographs) saw fit not to comment for this tome. No worries, she had plenty to say to the Greenpoint Gazette about a proposed pedestrian plaza which would abut her establishment:
Five Leaves’ Kathy Mecham pointed to the number of public inebriates in McCarren Park particularly on the Lorimer side. “To take what has become a blossoming small business area and create additional unregulated seating would only escalate the problem…
I can draw no other conclusion than it is perfectly acceptable for Five Leave’s patrons to congregate on and obstruct our sidewalks (public space) but if public space were actually allotted to and used by the public (which of course includes our “public inebriates”*), well, that’s another matter altogether. I think I get it now: some members of the public are more entitled to use (and capitalize off of) public space than others— at least when a profit-motive is at play. “Bums” are bad for business.
Photo Credits: The latter two images are of Nights & Weekends which is located across the street from Five Leaves (at 1 Bedford Avenue). As you can see they are operating a sidewalk cafe. Do they have a permit to do this? No. Have they been made aware that this is illegal? Absolutely. Oh yeah, did I mention this establishment is owned by the same people who own Five Leaves? It is. Fascinating, yes? In any case (and in closing), here’s some footage of this establishment from one such night on a weekend.
I’d hazard to guess they won’t be winning the “Good Neighbor” award anytime soon…
*Most of whom, it should be noted, are Polish and have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The homeless problem at McCarren Park was extant long before Five Leaves hit the scene. I wonder why they are (supposedly) an issue now?
The Word On The Street: (LOL)
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
From India Street.
New York Shitty Day Starter: Highlights From Community Board 1
Filed under: 10002, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Lower East Side, Lower East Side Manhattan, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
As some of you who follow New York Shitty are undoubtedly aware: yesterday March 17th, marked the sixth year yours truly has operated this site. Therefore I elected to spend the day doing what I like to do: knocking around our fair city! Foremost and above all it was my utmost desire to visit Mehanata Bulgarian Bar at 113 Ludlow Street (whose “four tooth minimum” requirement and rather colorful lavatory fixtures— the purpose of yours truly’s visit in the first place, I’ll note— can be seen above). But alas it was not to be. They were closed. Thus I closed out my day of celebration by attending the monthly meeting of our local Community Board. Follows are some highlights (with occasional commentary). Enjoy!
Roll Call
- 26 members answered the call. NOTE: 2-3 more Community Board members showed up after roll call. This brought the number present up to 29 (of 49 members total). Believe it or not, this is a good turn-out.*
- Follows is some footage of the public they serve so as to give you, gentle readers, a general idea of the turn-out. As you will see, it was a full house!
The Chairman’s Report
The District Manager’s Report: : AKA the Oh-Es-A Minute
Our City Councilman Speaks
- Early childhood funding/subsidized education will probably be cut in zip code 11222.
- Mr. Levin speaks out for better investigation of vehicular/bicyclist accidents.
- Assemblyman Levin will be conducting a loft law workshop April 24th, 2012.
- There will be a Community meeting regarding the reconstruction of Nassau Avenue at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah.
Nassau Avenue Construction Community Meeting
Monday, April 23, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Messiah
129 Russell Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
And the main event: concerned neighbors of Williamsburg Manor speak up!
For those of you who are not in the know, the (apparent) owner of Mehanata Bulgarian Bar (whose lavatory graces the beginning of this post) wishes to be granted a liquor license for an approximately ~10,000 square foot space. This is daunting in and of itself. The fact “Williamsburg Manor” will be abutted by residential property on all sides and will apparently tout such amenities as rooftop garden and a “party bus”, well, that did not help matters. Both DNA.info and Aaron Short of the Brooklyn Paper have covered the proceedings at the last SLA (as in State Liquor Authority) Committee Meeting. Mr. Short makes note of Mehanata’s “Ice Cage”:
…a refrigerated “ice cage” where waiters in Russian military garb serve booze amid furniture and glassware made from ice.
Regrettably this delightful item was not brought up at last night’s convocation. That’s too bad because (in my humble observation) if there’s anything that will not ingratiate an liquor license applicant to what (still is) a community with a substantial Polish population it is men wearing Soviet uniforms selling vodka in a facility with the word “cage” in its name. Call me Solzhenitsyn. Nonetheless, the printed matter presented by the (would be) neighbors of “Williamsburg Manor” was an epistle its own right clocking at a whopping 24 pages. Without further ado, here it is for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
(As always, you can view all the previous material in larger format by clicking here.) It should go without saying that the Community Board voted to go with the SLA Committee’s recommendation that this liquor license be declined. Given the Community Board’s opinion is only advisory (READ: non-binding) I doubt we have heard the last of this.
And that’s all she wrote!
*For those of you who are wondering why the attendance of our Community Board is as lackluster as it is, follows is the attendance policy per their By-Laws:
You can read the rest here.
NYS Flickr Pool
You must be logged in to post a comment.