Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Video Du Jour: When Gentrification Collides With Reality
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Newly empowered with some semblance of Internet access I finally started going through my email in earnest. What’s more, I have actually started replying to some of them! John Doe wrote:
…Of course there’s been wealth and poverty living side-by-side in this town forever, and in the best-case scenario a little general impoverishment might make us all more sensitive to each other’s condition. That won’t happen too soon, I fear. We’ve been living off Wall Street money too long. If things go on as they are, people are going to get really testy.
Here’s my reply:
This is already happening up here, kiddo. What we’re seeing/going to see is the result of what happens when a society becomes too reliant on “easy” money. And a government who holds anyone who(se parents) cannot afford the down payment on a $600,000+ condo in contempt. There are a hell of a lot more of us than there are of them. As they are learning.
But lest this lesson, that being what happens when people are disenfranchised, pissed off and poor— and forced to live elbow to elbow with the affluent has not been learned— or at least acknowledged— by the powers that be, I’d like to offer the following for their edification.
It hails from Greenpoint and involves a 24 hour grocery store, a hipster chick, a couple of drunks, a bartender and me. What lead up to the melee you see above were the two couple of drunk dudes. One had stolen a couple of beers previously and was asked to leave. He didn’t. The hipster chick trying to buy cigarettes at the counter told him to chill. When he didn’t respond she asked him to remove his earbuds. He removed them— but did not “chill” in the least. He got belligerent, they called the police and she got the hell out of Dodge.
For the record I want to make it known this man was not beaten. This dude was totally batshit. It took several men yelling, screaming, waving a baseball bat in one case— a one by two in another— to chase him out of the store. He bolted and as he left a couple came in. One was a bartender for the Mark Bar. Apparently she had dealt with this gent before.
He’s big trouble.
She said.
Call the police.
She said.
Which they already had done. And the police eventually did show up.
Too late.
Miss Heather
Manhattan Avenue Photos Du Jour: Happy 4th of July!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
This morning when I headed out for my daily constitutional I quickly sensed something was amiss.
Namely that Manhattan Avenue north of Freeman Street is celebrating— or preparing to celebrate— the 4th of July. In June.
Those of you who are wondering what is going on (and have not noticed the multitude of notices), a forthcoming film by Columbia pictures entitled The Bounty* will be filming a parade scene (replete with stunts, oh joy!) here on Monday, June 15th through Wednesday June 17th from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
How the hell this got approved without a public outcry is beyond me. But in any case those of you who have the misfortune of relying upon the B61 or B43 for your daily commute (and I imagine there are quite a few) might want to start planning accordingly.
In the plus column it would appear this endeavor has netted some business for the community. Like this float in the works I stumbled upon at Kings Studios on Moultrie Street.
Miss Heather
*Which will star Jennifer Aniston, among others. Including Gerard Butler. Not to be confused with this Jerry Butler or this one. Apparently this Butler is some seriously HOT SHIT. Who knew? I wouldn’t; I’m married and don’t give a damn. But rest assured I’ll charge these broads serious cash money to camp on my roof.
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: J. Josephs & Son
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
The funny thing about living in Greenpoint (and New York City for that matter) is how much you take for granted until it’s gone. In my case this would be J. Joseph’s Sons Company. This storefront (located at 1058 Manhattan Avenue) is among my very favorites in north Brooklyn. We learned last week that one former holding of the J. Joseph empire has become a rather tony art gallery but otherwise the rest of J. Josephs (or “J. Jo’s” as I like to call it) is more or less intact.
What’s more, they have recently put something incredibly nifty in their window…
a couple of shots of Manhattan Avenue from 1928! Just for fun I decided to recreate the above panorama.
I had to take a slightly different vantage point (only someone with a certifiable death wish would stand in the middle of Manhattan Avenue) but many of the elements are still there. The notable exception being the movie theater to the left. It was called the Midway.
This has since been demolished. It has since become the site of an(issued on-again, off again construction site. Judging from the permits its issued it will be a five story apartment building. Provided it gets completed anytime soon— which I seriously doubt.
To close on a bit of related trivia, many of you are no doubt aware that our Starbucks (located at 910 Manhattan Avenue) and the drug store located at 723 Manhattan Avenue were both movies houses at one time. They were the American Theater (later the Chopin Theater) and the Meserole Theater respectively. What you might not know is one more movie house in Greenpoint is still standing. It’s a little difficult to recognize at first glance but it’s there nonetheless. Anyone care to guess where it is?
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: XXX Street Seating
Now that my Internet service has been restored (thanks Verizon!) I can finish the day with some street seating of a very adult nature which hails from Green Street.
Those of you who have ever wondered why I, a woman with two art degrees, refuses to teach for a living listen up. You’re about to get your answer.
One day I would walk into the classroom and find something like this.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Think Again
Well, I’ve been to one world fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones. You sure you got today’s codes?— Major T.J. “King” Kong.
I thought I did. Really. I’ve seen a lot of weird and perverted shit in my life but I never thought I’d see the day a property in Greenpoint, 11222 would be pimped on Bedford Avenue. 11211.
Hell has frozen over.
Meet “THE OAKLAND”
Our home is our joy at the end of the day, our deepest comfort, our refuge from the world. That world should be a place of inspiration and a source of comfort. That home should be made secure and safe. A place where craftsmanship is not a luxury. Where the same work and effort that you put lovingly put into making it a place of beauty is also same the standard expected from the developer.
We’ve passed through the dark ages of standard-less housing, welcome to the age of enlightenment. Welcome to The Oakland. A place where quality meets integrity. A place where satisfaction throughout your entire experience is our personal guarantee— from the sales team to the developer— starting today. We stand by our word and remain at your service.
The Oakland
Located on McGuinness Boulevard (formerly known as Oakland Street) and a beer bottle’s toss from the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. I’m very curious to know what the advertiser (and developer) define as a place of “comfort” and “inspiration”. Can you say “soon to be dumped into rental”?
Welcome to the dark age in north Brooklyn.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Happy Birthday Pa Heather!
To close the day on a personal note today is Pa Heather’s birthday. I spent much of it racking my brain as to what to give him. What does one give a man who has— or hates— damned near everything? To this end I decided to take and walk and think the matter over. It was at McCarren Park I finally found my answer: a slice of life not be found where he lives.
A very Greenpoint slice of life.
You might be getting older and losing your hair, Pa Heather, but as the above photographs clearly illustrate hair loss is not necessarily a bad thing. Happy birthday dad!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Street Seating Du Jour: Luxe Living On Java Street
It’s been a while since I’ve hit you up with some street seating. I have to confess this has more to do with forgetfulness on my part than a dearth of good pickings. Luckily I was reminded of the error of my ways today as I walking down Java Street. Which is where I found the following blue chip ensemble.
All the essentials for a leisurely Monday afternoon in the Garden Spot of the Universe are present:
1. A comfy chair
2. A television set, albeit sans cable (it is a recession after all) and this piece of added value
3. A pair of 3-D glasses
All you need is a brewski (in the requisite paper bag, naturally) and perhaps a can of pickled herring and you’re set!
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: The Garden Spot Muffler Man
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
This weekend I posted an image of a rather impressive muffler man from Greenwood Heights. Not to be outdone I found an impressive specimen from our very own 11222 lurking in my inbox this morning. It comes courtesy of Thomas Bachman.
Those of you who wish to make this dapper chap’s* acquaintance can do so on Cherry Street which, as you can see, does not quite live up to the pastoral nature of its name nowadays— although a few weeds can be spied in the background. Great catch, Thomas!
Miss Heather
*Who appears to be wearing something resembling a diaper. Given the lack of public facilities in the area this is completely understandable.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Summer Fun
I cannot think of a better way to close this lovely weekend than with a few shots of my neighbors (which, yes, includes a sock monkey) having a little fun in the sun… north Brooklyn style!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Waiting
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
From Manhattan Avenue.
Miss Heather
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