The New Face Of Need In Greenpoint

Yesterday I spent much of my day with Ann Kansfield of the Greenpoint Reformed Church. I called her (after my latest trip to the dentist) because I wanted to make sure she heard the latest “buzz” about the Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen. She said she needed to go to Bed-Stuy to apply for emergency funding for the Soup Kitchen. I told her I planned to walk around Bed-Stuy anyway. So off to Bed-Stuy we went and while doing so we talked. She told me that they’re seeing more “non-homeless” people needing assistance. I believed her.

But seeing truly is believing so I swung by the soup kitchen. Do these people look “homeless” to you?

These women look like typical Greenpointers to me: people I would otherwise see in the local grocery store or bodega, not the “drunks”, “bums” and “derelicts” (READ: undesirables) one would usually associate with a soup kitchen. Although to be “fair and balanced” journalistically speaking— not that I am now now nor care to ever be a journo— the latter were present as well. In large numbers.

At what point are we as a people going to overcome the Victorian concept of “worthy” versus “unworthy” poor”?  Or that poverty is a sickness?* Soon enough I suspect. If what I saw at the soup kitchen last night (and our “economy”) is any indication, we are in for a serious reckoning.

In the meantime someone Milton is doing his best to shut this soup kitchen down. Sometimes he walks across the street and yells at the soup kitchen patrons**, usually he calls the police instead. Because (*gasp*) someone has pissed on his block.

Hence the lecture soup kitchen patrons received tonight.

I know, I am just as outraged as you. Public urination (sex and masturbation) were unheard of in Greenpoint before the soup kitchen came. Homeless people didn’t blight our neighborhood until this soup kitchen was started. It’s TOTALLY the soup kitchen’s fault, folks.

This disgruntled chap may very well get the soup kitchen shut down because it is a “public nuisance”. While Club Exit has had three incidences of gun play this year and is still in business and Studio B is re-opening on the presumption they’ll have all their paper work in order. They don’t.

Anonymous tipster:

Looks like they’ve been doing what they need to get sign offs to get a TCO and the subsequent PA permit (the cabaret license is contingent on those two items).  They’ll have zoning use group 12 on the CO (which is the cabaret designation, but it won’t be legal to use it as such until they get the cabaret.  Read: they’ll be legal but can’t dance).

They got final electrical and plumbing sign offs this month.  That’s 50% of the TCO requirements.  The remaining 50% breaks down like this: 25% elevator sign off (slam dunk cause there are no elevators–I assume); the last 25% is passing the construction inspection. This link is under the “items required” tab under the Alt 1 (CO amendment application) BIS page. They’re banking that they can finish that, get the TCO and PA permit before the 12th or whatever the date is.  Can they do it?  Meh, that’s a real push.

There is something amiss I noticed.  There is no CO application on file under the Alt 1.  That’s weird because it should be there and they shouldn’t have been able to get the electrical and plumbing sign offs without it on file.

And probably won’t —but will probably “re-open” anyway. Hell, they’re open already.

I am not so simple-minded as to think this is a total sum game, e.g.; attention directed to Studio B should be redirected to Club Exit or vice versa. Rather, I’d like to shed light on priorities:

• A soup kitchen dedicated to feeding the needy (housed, unhoused and the elderly— Polish mostly) merits police scrutiny because it is a “public nuisance” while
• Club Exit remains open after incidences involving “gun play”
• Studio B has shown nothing but contempt for the law. They were shut down in August— but after one month they’re back at it. And publicizing themselves like a $2.00 whore.

Which of the three previous is the highest “risk” to public safety? To pick over the differences between Studio B and Club Exit is like arguing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin: fruitless. They both should be shut down. Period.

Not a soup kitchen serving our neighborhood’s (increasingly needy) population. One whose Co-pastors have made every effort to work with the police.

Miss Heather

*In one way it is: teenage mothers tend to beget more teenage mothers. Teenage mothers tend to live in poverty. Tell that to Sarah Palin— or better yet, John “Life Happens” McCain.

**Purportedly while intoxicated.

Don’t Get Mad…

get glad… with spray paint!

Yesterday we learned that one thoughtfully used can of spray paint is a more effective means of deterring errant motorists from parking illegally than the fancy-pants signage provided by our fair city. Today I learned this humble staple of the graffiti artist’s is capable of more. Much more.

CASE IN POINT: Engert Avenue

Out of the corner of my I noticed a missive had been scrawled on this door. Intrigued, I went in for a closer look.

FAT PIG THIEVE

A bit crude grammatically speaking, but effective nonetheless. Albeit not as much as the illustration which graces the sidewalk in front of said doorway.

Brooklyn11211 writes (in regards to this post):

…Like any well executed graphic design, its effective in getting its message across.

That’s a big 10-4 my friend to the south!

Miss Heather

P.S.: In other news, it would appear that someone had an unpleasant dining experience at Antek Restaurant recently.

Fuck Michelin with their star rating system and “recommendations”. This review gets right to the point. I always liked oinions myself but to each his own.

The Face Of Greenpoint

This weekend I was delighted by a number of excellent photographs taken by one mugsniffer. So much so I felt they needed — no make that must— be shared (along with a couple pix from yours truly). Here they are. Enjoy!

The denizens of Greenpoint along Manhattan Ave in front of “The Big Dee” (formerly Dee & Dee).

My favorite local crazy guy engages in conversation with another citizen on Manhattan Avenue.

A photo shoot taking place on Manhattan Ave. recently with some wild-haired young people.

I know what you are thinking:

Wow, what a cute little old lady!

I suppose she is. Unless of course you have had the pleasure of listening to her SCREAM for a solid 60 seconds because she wanted the price for a nightshirt (as I have). These, dear readers, are a few of the faces which will greet you in Greenpoint on any given day. Central Park East the Garden Spot of the Universe is— most decidedly— not.*

Miss Heather

*Which is why I live here. I am one of them.

Photo Credits: The first three images come courtesy of mugsniffer.

Work Has Begun At The Old 87th!

It would appear that Herbert Street’s old precinct house has begun its journey from hoosegow to affordable housing! What’s more, my buddy over at Musings on ‘point got a sneak peak of the interior of the station house and garage. Check it out!

Miss Heather