Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Quicklink: About The India Street Pier
Yes folks, the not-so-small matter of the fact Greenpoint has been without ferry service for over two months has merited the attention of the New York Daily News! I encourage each and everyone to give this tome a read. Yours truly’s favorite passage is as follows:
The operation would require the use of a crane for the investigation, and again during the repair work. The city wants to determine what went wrong before the repairs will be authorized.
RedSky’s principals only want to hire the crane once, officials said.
“Them balking because they didn’t want to spend some extra money getting a crane out to do the investigation is outrageous,” said Councilman Stephen Levin (D-Greenpoint). “There has to be answers as to why this happened,” he added. “Because somebody really could have died.”
Indeedy! Those of you who have not done so already can, should see the photos I took of the pier and surrounding environs earlier this month. Let’s just say I am not the least bit surprised by the pier owner’s intransigence. I mean if he cannot be bothered to provide basic maintenance/upkeep, why should balking at hiring a crane be the least bit surprising? Really?
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Happy Easter From Manhattan Avenue!
Another Sunday, another batch of donations find their way to our local Salvation Army. Amusingly enough, this Sunday (which of course is Easter) this furry fella has found his (?) way onto their proverbial doorstep. Unlike a number of appliances (which he called his companions), no one has seen fit to take him home— at least not yet. As for the appliances: they were commandeered by a few of our local capitalists and are presently for sale on the sidewalk at Huron Street and Manhattan Avenue. I am not kidding.
The Word On The Street: Peace
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
There’s a lovely, brand-spanking mural courtesy of Shiro and friends on the premises of Cachaco (located at Huron and Manhattan Avenue, whose pita sandwich with spicy eggplant I strongly recommend). Check it out!
Noteworthy: Greenpoint, The Transition
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
I have seen these posters hereabouts as well as the East Village. Given I answered “Yes” to most of these questions, naturally I feel compelled to pass it along. Per the web site listed on the above-depicted poster:
Why Greenpoint?
Greenpoint is the northernmost part of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Before colonization it was covered with forests, orchards, and meadows. In the nineteenth century its character changed from agricultural to industrial. In the twentieth century Greenpoint became very popular among Polish immigrants. It even got the nickname “Little Poland”. In 2010 43,6% of Greenpoint inhabitants were Polish.
But this neighborhood has changed drastically over last several years. It is still transitioning and people are anxious about the direction of the changes and Greenpoint’s future as a Polish neighborhood.
What can be done to preserve its Polish character and at the same time keep it open and friendly to new residents, whatever their ancestry is?
As an organization that realizes urban, educational, and cultural activities we think that these types of activities are the key to keeping the neighborhood attractive to both Poles that seeks a connection to their homeland as well as all New Yorkers interested in a valuable cultural experiences.
Greenpoint. The Transition is an effort to redefine Greenpoint’s “Polishness” in the context of changes that are happening right now in this part of New York City. Instead of thinking about ethnicity we emphasize the cultural and artistic values that it carries. We are convinced that this understanding of “Polishness” can become Greenpoint’s trademark, regardless of any political or economic factors.
Greenpoint. The Transition is realized in cooperation with the Brooklyn Public Library in Greenpoint, Opportunity Music Project, Videology, and Focusing Lab.
The project is co-financed from the funds granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the competition for the public task “Cooperation with Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad.”
Those of you who found yourselves saying the same can get more information about this series of events by clicking here. NOTE: Some will be workshops will be conducted in Polish only so it is best to check their detailed program for more information for more information. Seats for all these events (which are totally free) are limited— so get your RSVP on. The deadline is April 30th!
UPDATE, 7:45 pm: I sent an email to the lady listed on this poster, Marta Pawlaczek :
Hi,
I spied one of your posters while knocking around the East Village today (which is kind of funny given I live in Greenpoint— have for 14 years). I gave a very brief shout-out on my site this evening. I made sure to note that some workshops were going to be conducted exclusively in Polish. Would you be kind enough to outline some that are in English so I can pass them along?
On a purely selfish note, my husband and I would love to check a few of these out (he’s interested in the board games— ESPECIALLY the Battle of Grunwald). Speaking for myself, I am of more of an artistic bent— and would LOVE to know of any historical/art workshops I can attend (in English).
And she (despite being in Poland presently) got right back to me!
Hello Heather!
Thank you so much for your interest in the program and sharing the info on your website – it looks great!
If you would like to send out some emails etc, I attached the press release and the detailed program in English and participation form, also pasted the short info in the body of an email, some people just do not like open the attachments.
I would recommend photographic workshops if thats something that does or might interest you, the leader is definately great person and photographer – the plan is to make photos of Greenpoint at the end and create a exhibition, that would be available during block party and at the library.
I can definitely reserve a spot for your husband at the Board Games workshops – and I would recommend it for you as well, if the history of Poland interests you – the board games that would be used are created by The Institute of National Remembrance – so there were a lots of historians working on it, making sure its accurate and fun, and the lady that will lead those has a great knowledge of history, so I know it will be very interesting.
Would you send me the application forms with all the data? You can download them here: http://www.cultureshock.pl/greenpoint-transition-program-en/
I am at this moment in Poland, but I am back in NYC on the 22nd of April, if you would have more questions, feel free to call me or write.
The phone number on posters is OK for now to call too, if people want to sign up – a colleague is picking up them for now – just letting you know that its totally OK to call that number to sign up.
Best regards!
Marta
You can view all the material she forwarded me in jpeg format by clicking here!
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part III: “Made In New York”
Filed under: 11222, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
BEFORE
AFTER
As corrected on the Church Avenue bound platform of the Crosstown Local (G train) at Greenpoint Avenue. Thank you, Jilly Ballistic!
A New York Shitty Public Service Announcement
Attention all north ‘Point motorists! Please pay attention to this post and please circulate it to your brethren.
See the above parking space? DO NOT park there. Sure, it may appear to be a legal place to park— the white line cordoning it off would certainly indicate as much— but it is not. For the last week I have witnessed our local meter maids ticketing cars in this space with extreme prejudice. I have seen motorists protest that this space is legal, they paid the meter, etc. All to no avail. Inasmuch as I can understand (this is not exactly my area of expertise), the park sign was moved one space to the north. Hence rendering this space (white line or otherwise) into an ex-parking space. Spare yourself a parking ticket and a lot of aggravation and do not park here.
(a citizen explains this nugget of absurdity to a dismayed motorist)
That is all…
UPDATE, 12:02 pm: our beleaguered motorist has left and sure enough another fellow has fallen into the trap!
UPDATE, 4:48 pm: A lovely lady named Sherry writes
Yes, the bus stop was moved from the end of the block (Manhattan and India) one storefront down. Per Assemblyman Lentol, a Citi Bike station will not be going there but rather there will be some construction. Therefore, the buses need extra space.
So there have you!
The Word On The Street: Pulaski Bridge Edition
Filed under: 11101, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, New York City, The Word On The Street
Taken April 14, 2014.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Of Blood & Cat Litter On Green Street
A fellow I will call “M” writes (to our City Councilman and a 94th Precinct Community Affairs Officer as well as yours truly) writes:
Hi Scott (I think he means Steve— Ed Note),
I’m a fellow neighbor in Greenpoint and saw the aftermath of a disturbing incident on Franklin at Green St. (in front of T.B.D.) yesterday morning around 7:00am. A young male was face down in a pool of blood and the 3 people on the scene were standing over the body as if there was no hope for the man. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and haven’t been able to find out if the victim is okay. I’m writing to see if you have any insight to the incident as it happened blocks from my home. Appreciate any info you can share.
All the best…
This afternoon I took a stroll to the corner of Green Street and Franklin Street. Sure enough, there was blood.
And a lot of cat litter.
Over the years (and NYS will be eight years old soon— I have ceased to keep track anymore) I have received a number of inquiries of the variety “M” has tendered. All are troubling. However, “M” did the right thing: he/she not only took up the matter withthe 94th Precinct’s Community Affairs Office (concerns such as this is why they’re there!) but also our City Councilman*. This is how you do it, north Broklynites!
To be continued…?
*Who also happens to have a tumblr page. Check it out!
Urban Fur: Greenpoint Grocery & Deli
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
No one present seemed to know what this lass’s name is*— but as you can see this lovely calico is keeping a very vigilant watch over the Polish Gazette!
*Thus I am giving her the moniker “Szef”. That is “boss” in Polish!
New York Shitty Video/Photos Du Jour: Feeling Like Easter Edition
Filed under: 11211, 11222, 11249, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Wythe Avenue, 11211
Noble Street, 11222
57 Franklin Street, 11222
Without argument the lovely (and incredibly sweet) lady who resides at 57 Franklin can be trusted to roll out the most wonderful decorations for any occasion. But when Easter comes a calling she she goes over the top— in the biggest, brightest, and most wonderful way. Photos and video do not do it justice. Get down there and see it for yourself!
NYS Flickr Pool
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