TOMORROW: ALPHABETA Grand Opening

What does this flier…

and this cutie pie (named Bianca) have in common?

Both belong to ALPHABETA, a new shop selling “old school” hip apparel and professional graffiti supplies slated to open tomorrow, Friday the 13th! I’ll probably swing by and give the store a look-see, if for no other reason to check out their selection of shirts. I really loved the one they had in the window.

ALPHABETA
70 Greenpoint Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Festivities start at 8:00 p.m. and include music and live art. Be advised that there is $5.00 admission fee.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: FREE

From Franklin Street.

Miss Heather

Stood Up By Studio B

Last night Community Board 1 conducted their monthly meeting at the “Swing 60’s Community Center”. Among the (numerous) items to be discussed (READ: open to public soap boxing) was Studio B’s application for a cabaret license. Sadly, this did not come to pass. I was told their application had been withdrawn from the hearing.

Maybe this is why? It would appear that Studio B was visited by the Department of Buildings last week. Click on the above image and read for yourself. But I realize many of you are too busy (trust me, I understand) so here is the rundown:

1. On April 16, 2008 Studio B was served a Stop Work Order for “interior sheet rock part wall erected to create bar at second floor w/out permit.”
2. Instead of complying with said Stop Work Order they ripped the notice off the door and continued working, hence this glorious citation less than a week later.
3. Studio B keeps on working, publicizing their rooftop garden and opens it on schedule, with predictable results.
4. And now this, the piece de resistance, dating from June 4, 2008:

Re: SWO ISSUED FOR WORK WITHOUT PERMIT AT 2ND FL.REPORTS ARESAYING WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETE AND IS BEING ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED AS ACABARET C/O STATES 2ND FL TO BE UNOCCUPIED, PLEASE INVESTIGATE

The “Emergency Response Team” was called in. Here are their findings, copied and pasted from the Department of Buildings web site:

06/05/2008	A1	VIOLATION SERVED	1760 MILLS	06/04/2008
		ECB VIOLATION ISSUED FOR APPROVED PA PLANS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION
06/05/2008	G4	COMPLAINT REFERRED TO DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS	1760 MILLS	06/04/2008
		REFER TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS IS REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIR

Passing the buck. On the upshot, maybe the D.C.A. will do what the Department of Buildings has been unable or unwilling to do: enforce the law.

Miss Heather

Great Moments In Construction Safety: Franklin Street

I had initially planned to give this photograph the title “The Thinker” because this gentleman is clearly in a state of deep thought.

But then it struck me that any thinking person would not be sitting in a window sill three stories up in the air with nothing whatsoever between him and the sidewalk below.

Semantics can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes.

Miss Heather

The Vargasmobile

Those of you who didn’t follow the election in the Dominican Republic last month might be interested to know Lionel Fernandez, the incumbent, was elected to a third term.

I for one don’t really keep track of these things, but this van on Java Street reminded me.

The man whose face is plastered all over this motor vehicle is Miguel Vargas Maldonado. He was Mr. Fernandez’s opponent.

Mr. Vargas may have lost, but this great attempt at grassroots advertising makes him a winner in my book. This ride kicks the shit out of that Leviticus dude’s ride on Bedford Avenue. At first I found him amusing, now I think he just tries too hard.

Miss Heather

Kill Devil Hill Revisited

Yesterday I was able to check out the wares at Greenpoint’s newly opened Kill Devil Hill. I was amused and confounded by the incredibly eclectic variety of goods they have for sale. Trashy old novels, a pair of 19th century shackles, old tin types, “Music to Strip By” and a lovely pair of earrings made to look like Chinese lanterns are among the many curiosities to be found at this establishment. You can see more by clicking here— or better yet, go down in person and see for yourself.

That said, if any of you out there have been searching for a stuffed muskrat and have $400 to burn (and you know who you are) I have very good news.

Kill Devil Hill’s got you covered.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Partying On Franklin Street

It has been awhile since I have checked in on what I liked to call the House of the Ravaged Lemur. So against my better judgment, I trudged through yesterday’s infernal weather to see what’s shaking. I was not disappointed.

His wife Hill might have thrown in the towel, but as you can see that doesn’t keep Bill from having a good time. The party can and will go on.

Miss Heather