Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Presenting The WTF Building
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I suspect I speak for many in north Greenpoint when I say that I am happy this week’s film shoot on Manhattan Avenue is over. It was kind of novel at first but after a day or two of being redirected to side streets by lackeys bearing walkie talkies it became a more than a little annoying. However, I did reap something positive— or at the very least interesting— out of the experience. Like finding the following at 188 Freeman Street.
I have seen a lot of strange shit construction-wise in Greenpoint over the years but this one takes the cake. Follows is a shot taken after the folks at S & M Construction (I am not kidding— that is who is responsible for this) have called it a day.
I have to hand these folks credit for making this site “airtight”. Hell, it’s a jolly big blue fortress replete with concertina wire. But it does raise the question as whether their goal is to keep people out or to keep people in?
Very peculiar indeed.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: 184 Eagle Street
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
If anyone from the Department of Buildings is reading this (and finally feels inclined to inspect this building which has a number of complaints filed that an illegal hotel is being operated on the premises— some of which date as far back as February) you might want to check out this unit located on easternmost corner of the 5th floor.
As you can see a pair of bunk beds are clearly visible from the street. Bunk beds, I will add, which bear a striking resemblance to the ones featured on Luxe Guesthouse’s web site.*
It doesn’t get much more obvious than this, folks. Not that I expect this post (or any of my previous posts about this building) to motivate the Department of Buildings to actually do anything. They’ve sat on their hands for five months and I have little doubt they will continue to do so for at least five more.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again:
What is the point of having laws on the books if they are not enforced?
This is laughable.
Miss Heather
Image Credits/Information: The former photograph was taken yesterday, June 18 at approximately 10:00 p.m. The latter comes courtesy of Hostel Bookers dot com.
*Which is currently parked but a new and improved site is promised. Hence why I gleaned the latter image from Hostel Bookers dot com.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: More Criminal Activity?
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Man oh Manneschevitz, this is proving to be quite a week here in the Garden Spot! As if a suspicious drug-related death, what appears to be an INCREDIBLY SCARY car chase ending with a collision on Provost Street and belligerent drunks menacing a family at our new park are not enough, I now have two more tales from readers regarding recent hijinks in the neighborhood. I feel like my inbox has become the community crime blotter! Here it goes:
Lara writes (in an email entitled “High Speed Chase”):
My 2 year old daughter and I witnessed another high speed car chase on Franklin Street, it was approximately 2 weeks ago about 5 pm in the evening. I wish I remembered the date but alas I don’t, I believe it was the week before last on a Thursday.
We were coming out of our building on the corner of Franklin and Kent when an unmarked police car sped down Franklin street and turned right on Kent Street….HOWEVER, Con Ed just happened to be working on Kent Street and had erected orange cones blocking off Kent Street at Franklin….nevertheless, the unmarked police car ran over said cones and sped up Kent Street, they were followed by a regular cop car who swerved at the last minute to avoid the cones. The marked police car almost hit oncoming traffic on Franklin Street and a woman walking her dog in front of River Barrel ran to get out of the way!
The unmarked car being unable to pass the big Con Ed trucks decided to reverse at lightening speed back down Kent Street, run over the cones again and then peel out onto Franklin Street. The driver and passenger in the unmarked car were frantically talking on the radio and seemed very upset. The police officer in the passenger seat was yelling “GO GO GO!”.
No police car came back to see if anyone was hurt. Passersby put the cones back.
Outrageous!
Granted, she makes no mention of a car being “followed” but this incident is disturbing nonetheless. There are a lot of people out and about at 5:00 p.m. on a weekday— commuters mostly. Yikes!
Next up, we have a little armed robbery by McGolrick Park courtesy of Lucy. She writes:
I just moved into the neighborhood, and am so glad to have found your blog! Anyway, as a tip/inquiry, I was wondering if you knew about an armed robbery that happened last night, on Driggs Avenue? My roommate and I were in the middle of dealing with a leaky fridge when a dectective buzzed our doorbell to let us know that the deli downstairs had been robbed at gunpoint! I don’t know the exact name of the deli (like I said, I only just moved in), but it’s on Driggs, right by the corner of Driggs and Monitor. My roommate was the one who talked to the detective so I didn’t get the full scoop (and I was a bit distracted by the fridge), but apparently the people are ok, but possibly slightly beaten up? Sorry not to have more information, but I thought it was worth passing along.
If this is how June is shaping up it begs the question as to what July and August (when it’s hot as hell, thus making people more inclined to start trouble) will be like. Sheesh.
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: People In Our Neighborhood
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Lest I have it clear already tips and submissions are more than welcome here at New York Shitty. Although I may not have the time to post everything I am sent (I like my time away from the keyboard just like everyone else, probably more so) they are greatly appreciated. Today I am pleased as punch to share with you some photographs taken by a fellow Greenpoint named Tony Luib. He writes:
these are photos i took on my phone. they are certainly a different style than your more professional shots and not sure they are blog-worthy. they are interesting, though. if you would like to use them, please feel free. i’ve been hesitant to send you any photos because it’s really my phone that is on me when the time comes to shoot someone or something. the iPhone distorts also but i still like the ease of its use…. i just decided today to actually send them to you to see for yourself. call me crazy.
Tony does himself a tremendous disservice: a number of his photographs are terrific! He does a great job at capturing the ephemeral quality of day to day life in the Garden Spot of the Universe. But enough talk. See for yourself.
I told you this was some good stuff now didn’t I? In closing anyone interested in submitting photographs of Greenpoint or beyond please do so, I would love to see them. But please keep them at 600 x 800 pixels so my inbox doesn’t get constipated.
Thanks!
Miss Heather
From The Brooklyn Daily Eagle Archives
Yet another rainy day and with it yet another morning I have spent entertaining myself by poking around the Brooklyn Daily Eagle online archives. My armchair traveling has netted me a number of wonderful discoveries. Among them: a couple of long-forgotten graveyards (one of which was in Greenpoint!) and a school or two. Incidental to (or more accurately, as a consequence of) my numerous searches I came across today’s item. Which brings me to the above photograph taken on Milton Street.
Nowadays this diminutive stretch of road is a pretty quiet place. Save the sounds of children at play at the American Playground or the occasional film crew not much goes on here. But just over 130 years ago this location gained infamy for being one of the sites associated with the most notorious and downright gruesome murder stories of its day. All the elements for a truly sensational tale are to had in this item from the July 17, 1882 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle: drinking, claims of infidelity, dismemberment and eventually madness. Enjoy!
To learn where this most dastardly of deeds went down click here.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Focused
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
From Manhattan Avenue.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A High Speed Chase On Huron?
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Tyler writes:
hadn’t seen anything on your blog regarding a rather terrifying high speed police chase which took place on saturday, june 13. my roommate and a friend from out of town stepped out onto huron street at approximately 2:30 am to move their car from one side of the street to the other. when my roommate got out of the vehicle on the north side
of huron street, he was very nearly run down by a car which was going at least 70 mph, followed by police in pursuit- all GOING THE WRONG WAY UP HURON towards provost. we live between mcguinness and provost, so the driver hit a dead end at the waste treatment plant, crashed into a moving car*, and ran off. i have no idea if they managed to
apprehend anyone. but the main question is why are the police chasing someone doing 70 going the wrong way on a one way street? all involved including the police came very close to flattening my roommate and his friend. the police did not come back up the street to talk with us or to take any statements from anyone. this brush with death has left us a bit shaken, especially after the recent tragedy under similar circumstances on manhattan. what’s with all the high speed pursuits? is catching some kids who stole a van worth running over the residents? scary trend.would be interested to hear if you know any details about this or know
what, if anything, happened to the suspect(s)…
I have to confess this is news— and very bad news at that— to me. Anyone out there know anything about this incident?
Very scary indeed!
Miss Heather
*Reputedly an ambulance was called.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Dear John
A BIG red flag in New York Shitty inbox is:
- Any missive written after midnight
- Especially when written by a “professional journalist” under the influence of substances be they legal or otherwise. Or simply too angry, arrogant and/or bereft of spell check to give a shit.
John Doe wrote on June 17, 2009 at 12:48 a.m.:
Heather,
Someone told me about an angry post on your site concerning the graffiti story. I read it and although I can’t speak for the hotel story (WTF???—-Â Miss H), which was mentioned, your post did make yet another mention of the graffiti story and what you called an “apology” that I sent you.
That e-mail wasn’t quite an apology, I didn’t do anything wrong, it was more of an explanation. I felt it was my responsibility to share my point of view, not to apoligive for a misdeed…
If that is true, John, please explain this, written May 9, 2009:
It was not my intention to “lift” a story from anyone. I was not aware of the story on the “NYShitty” web site, but since the story has been published in the Post, I have received e-mails brining the “NYShitty” story to my attention. They did an admirable job, I respect their work and it does appear that they had photos posted on their site before the story was brought to my attention, therefore they clearly had the story first….
So I had the story first. This is true. You invited me to “have a beer” via a second party. I was too busy to take up your offer. What’s more, I am an oenophile. Look it up. You might learn something.
You wrote on June 17, 2009:
….I responded to each e-mail I received from your readers and in doing so, I invited each person, including yourself, to contact me directly to discuss this issue. I have not received a single call.
With a response like the following (written by you on May 8, 2009) I wonder why no one responded to your offer?
Dear Sir,
I was unaware of this “New York Shitty” article. Not something I read. I did notice some referance to the grafitti on the web, that is true but and I went to Greenpoint, I photographed the grafittti and I did my job, a bit of research and I, unlike “New York Shitty” or anyone else, was able to find someone to translate it.
I did not see that translation, or information from the police, anywhere else, including “New York Shitty” threfore I would consider the information in teh Post article exclusive. It was not my decision to slap an exclusive tag on the article but I do not dispute it.So next time New York Shitty, or any other web site that I am not aware of, lifts content of my work from the New York Post, I will be sure to write them a letter acusing them of plagerism.
Thanks for the e-mail.
You wrote on June 17, 2009:
…On Monday night, I attended the meeting of the 94th Precinct Community Council. As a police reporter, in addition to working on stories about graffiti, I visit the occasional council meeting, just about every night of the week. I was hoping I would finally meet you to discuss this issue in person but sadly, I was disappointed.
Disappointed. That’s how I feel when I leave most 94th Precinct Community Council meetings. Hence why I go to them on and off. Nonetheless I’m glad to know you partook of the Orwellian experience that is D.I.Fulton telling us everything is OK when all evidence to contrary says it is not. But would I know? I am only a blogger. Who lives here. You’re the expert.
You wrote on June 17, 2009:
Again, I am going to say, I respect the work you do but I don’t respect the finger pointing and accusations you are making at my expense. If their is something you want to discuss with me, or accuse me of something, please feel free to give me a call. I would be more than happy to discuss any concerns you have. The beers are on me!
You respect my work inasmuch as it give you leads. Stories you can profit on. For free. I am your (and many others) a pro bono tipster. I write about my neighborhood because I give a damn; you play for pay. The same can be said about other blogs the New York Post has ripped off.
If “their” is something you want to discuss with me you can do it via email. I don’t want your beer, John. I want something more costly: your respect.
I deserve it.
Thanks for the e-mail!
Miss Heather
P.S.: It is neither my intent nor desire to ruin your career in journalism, John. You’re doing damned too good job of doing so on your own.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Notes From “The Bounty”
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Inasmuch as I think film shoots in north Greenpoint are becoming excessive* I have to confess a certain amount of curiosity about them. Hence why when I woke up early this morning I wandered down Manhattan Avenue to see how The Bounty was coming along.
Truth be told it was pretty boring. A lot of people with walkie talkies wrangling extras and pedestrians alike. Including myself.
From what I could gather the Uncle Sam on stilts had some stunt action coming. I didn’t wait. I had an appointment to get my hair cut at 11:00 a.m. and I was not about to miss it because:
- I really needed a haircut. My tresses have grown a life of their own. They were well on their way to getting their own zip code.
- Anna at Zoe’s gives a mean cut. Cheap.
But I did get some footage of a motorcade of wonderful vintage cars driving past the Greenpoint Hotel. If this following is any indication, 11222’s (least) favorite den of iniquity* will be preserved in perpetuity by “The Bounty”. Enjoy!
I also took a number of photographs. The following are my favorites. Enjoy!
When I told Anna that Greenpoint had become Bensonhurst today she made a very piquant observation:
Why can’t they film Bensonhurst in Bensonhurst?
Indeed.
Miss Heather
P.S.: You can see more pix of today’s shoot by clicking here.
*Step Up 3 on West Street, Boardwalk Empire on Commercial Street (though to be fair, they have their own sandbox to play in courtesy of George Klein) and this, on Manhattan Avenue. It’s a bit much. Really.
**Not only is Max Stark and the craptastic hovel he presides over party poopers on this ad hoc 4th of July, but his men are still busy at work at 239 Banker Street.
Stop work orders and no Certificate of Occupancy be damned.
Hence why Greenpoint has the first “transient hotel” that sports floor plans, kitchens, washer dryer facilities and no beds— unless you count those of the floral variety.
NYS Flickr Pool
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