Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Billyballs
Chris Arnade (who took the above photograph) writes:
I love the old bars of Brooklyn, especially the ones far away from the hipsters, bars that look nothing like Manhattan.
The Old Gallery, which has been around for over forty years, sits underneath the elevated tracks on McDonald Ave, the F rumbling overhead.
Billyballs (that’s what everyone calls him) been coming here for over thirty years, and other than making sure I did not get in the way of watching his numbers, was happy to pose for me.
Love it!
Miss Heather
Now On The Blog Roll Of Gowanus Lounge Dot Com: IDT Energy
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11211, 11215, 11222, 11231, 11237, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, Clinton Hill, Gowanus, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Manhattan, Maspeth, Navy Yard, New York City, Park Slope, Queens, Sunnyside, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
In regards to Bob Guskind (to whom they have dedicated a page) they write:
Bob Guskind was a unique man, and his writing will forever stand as a testament to the person that he was.
While we’ve bought the site Gowanus Lounge, we are not trying to replicate or replace his work or his spirit. We intend to continue to explore issues that are important to the people of New York, while also addressing topics of concern to other markets and communities.
Bob Guskind’s work has been moved to another location where fans can continue to read his prose and benefit from the wisdom that he provided.
Speaking as someone who has had the benefit of Bob’s wisdom I found Gowanus Lounge 2.0’s linkage to “Energy Savings” and “IDT Energy” of particular interest. The Mister and I pointed and clicked. Here’s what we found:
Energy Savings
The IDT Energy Store (You can see the registration info by clicking here). When you click on “Company” here’s what you’ll find:
Yup, the same people who saw fit to plague my community with people hitting our buzzers— REPEATEDLY— stating they were from Con Ed and that they wanted to review our energy bills. Time and time again. This is not purely Greenpoint phenomenon either. You can read other accounts/musings/ranting regarding IDT’s chicanery by clicking on any of the following links:
- A Letter address to yours truly from Joe Lentol’s Office along with an ESCOS primer
- Consumer Tips About Buying Energy
- What is an ESCO?
- IDT in effect in Flatbush
- IDT shills on Christmas Eve
- IDT does Park Slope, Part III
- IDT does Bushwick
- IDT does Park Slope, Part II
- Concerned Citizens Of Greenwood Heights Raises Hell
- IDT Hires, $400 – $600 a week!
- IDT does Gerritsen Beach
- IDT Does Park Slope, Part I
- IDT Does BoCoCa
But I do not want to suggest IDT has plied its dubious trade solely in the county of Kings. No sir, their nefarious reach goes much further. Which brings me to this delightful video submitted from a reader in Harlem.
Needless to say after the aforementioned barrage of negative publicity IDT has seen fit to retool its image. In the 20th century the last refuge for a scoundrel was religion. In the 21st Century miscreants and ne’er do wells go “green”…
and operate blogs: idtenergy.wordpress.com
In closing, I leave you with this choice morsel from Gowanus Lounge 1.0 dating from January 28, 2009. Note the comments (and all caps abuse). Here’s my favorite segment from someone who calls himself IDT EMPLOYEE:
PS: THE PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THEY GOT SCAMMED ARE IGNORANT & NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND THEM. TO THOSE WHO DID NOT CHOSE THEIR ESCO HAVE FUN PAYING THOSE 3 EXTRA TAXES THAT IDT MEMBERS DO NOT PAY…
Can a leopard change its spots? I’ll leave it up to you, dear readers, to make the call All I ask is please be an informed consumer and do not take this businesses promises at face value. Exercise due diligence!
Miss Heather
Miss G Train…
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Clinton Hill, Crosstown Local, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Ft. Greene, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington, Long Island City, Navy Yard, Park Slope, Queens, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
it could be you!
Or not. The City Reliquary (who is hosting this contest) writes:
Come watch the crowning of our “Miss G Train†LIVE at the City Reliquary backyard, with refreshments and entertainment on Nov. 19th 7-10PM
*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G*G* CONTESTANTS:
Thanks for your interest in entering the “Miss G Train Pageantâ€.In this contest, you can make up your own rules! Be creative in presenting yourself as the best candidate for “Miss G Trainâ€! Tell us what you think being “Miss G Train†is all about, and why you fit that description to a “Gâ€.
Please email your description along with a PHOTO to: missgtrain (at) cityreliquary (dot) org by Monday Nov. 16th for consideration.
Include a phone number we can reach you at prior to the competition. There is no minimum or maximum word count for your descriptive entry. Your descriptive entry will be read to the audience and judges during the pageant. Use your written statement to tell everyone why you should be wearing the sash on stage that night! (Portions of your submission may be used for media requests, but all personal information will remain private.)
Costume choice is up to you at the big event, and will be considered as part of your presentation. Ballroom Gown, Hipster Vogue, Commuter Chic, its up to YOU! Also, consider submitting some choice music to accompany your runway walk (you can bring an iPod cued to your music or send a request to our DJ in advance). You are in charge of your overall presentation, and the right soundtrack may just convince our celebrity judges that YOU make the best candidate!
FINALISTS will be informed of their status by 12:00 noon on Thursday Nov 19th.
Email in advance for any additional questions and GOOD LUCK, competition is RUNNING ON or close to ON SCHEDULE!*
Given the City Reliquary’s choice of “cover girl” for their solicitation I have to wonder what demographic they’re appealing to: nubile, newbie hotties/slummers or hardcore Crosstowners? I think Miss G train should sport the qualities of the subway line she will represent:
- Highly erratic
- Dysfunctional
- Capricious
- Weird
- Four cars short of a load
- And, on occasion, downright GROSS
Get busy fellow G trainers— and you know who you are!
Miss Heather
*Does this mean if I submit my entry a day late it will count?
P.S.: What about about a Mr. Crosstown Local? I can think of a number of candidates offhand— none of whom you would want to see naked. Methinks I’ll have to make this happen!
From the CB1 Yahoo Group: Landlord Harassment & Then Some
Filed under: 11222, Crazy People, Criminal Activity, Culture War, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington
Ann-Marie writes:
Yesterday my mother and I were assaulted by our landlord in the building’s hallway. Three real estate agents working for the Corcoran Group were there. While I would not expect them to risk physical injury I would expect them to call the police or try to calm the people involved.
They did nothing. Just stood and watched what unfolded. One of the agents laughed at what was happening. Even after the police arrived the agents still lingered in the hallway watching “the show”. I find them despicable as human beings and wonder if the Corcoran Group with its steller marketing ads would want something like this publicized.
I had called 911. The police took down all necssary information. My mother and I have each filed a complaint and will seek an order of protection through criminal court.
As the landlord was leaving he verbally tripled our rent and said he is going to get us out – by which he will probably file for eviction. We have contacted various agencies for help. Since we live in a “private” house and are not in a rent controlled or rent stabilized apartment not one agency seems to have our situation under their jurisdiction.
Unfortunately I am unemployed right now and lost what little savings I accumulated in the recent stock market crash. So while I would logically look for another apartment or to find a “rent to own” a townhouse (in another state – on my salary and my mother’s SSI we cannot afford New York) my hands are tied. I only ask everyone to pray for us.
I honestly do not know what to say about this other than if what Ann-Marie writes is true— and there is no reason I can think of to disbelieve her— this is appalling. And inexcusable.
Miss Heather
UPDATE, 7:00 p.m.: Laura Hofmann has brought this to my attention:
Ann-Marie served on the Brooklyn Community Board 1 Rezoning Task Force Open Space Committee for the duration of the rezoning process. It is in part, due to her work that everyone in the community will enjoy our community parks.
Last Gasp: Remember to Vote Tomorrow!
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Bloomblight, Bronx, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Coney Island, Crazy People, Ditmas Park, DUMBO, Dung of the Day, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Flatbush, Ft. Greene, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington, Long Island City, Manhattan, Maspeth, Navy Yard, Newtown Creek, Other Shit, Park Slope, Queens, Sunnyside, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Did you know Mike Bloomberg is running for mayor? If the numerous fliers and callers/hipster hitters of buzzers didn’t remind you of this fact maybe my answering machine (and inbox) will!
Just 24 more hours, dear readers, and it will be over.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Gentrification?!?
Filed under: 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Bed-Stuy, Bloomblight, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Culture War, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Ft. Greene, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington, Long Island City, New York City, Queens, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Interesting things happen when I stay up late. Mind you, they are not usually good things. But this case may very well be an exception: in the wee hours of the morning today the following found its way into my inbox.
Anni Atkinson of Earthsharing.org.au (Yes kids, that’s Australia) writes:
have you ever heard of GENTRIFICATION?
well, not many people have which is surprising as it effects us all.
so, I am attempting to do something about this! well, me and the team at Earthsharing Australia! I work with a not-for-profit called Earthsharing that offers free education services on economics and we focus on economic justice for all.
Currently we are working on an international film competition with the theme of ‘Gentrification’ which looks at issues of gentrification and how such cycles effect creative communities and artists in our cities. First Prize is $3000, with runner up prizes from Madman and Crumpler.
your blog is rad and we would be honored if you could throw a little love our way and mention the film competition to your readers!
Please contact me for more details including a press release or an e-flyer.
In the mean time, check out our website for more details!
The first line of this email made me erupt into fits of uncontrollable (and demented) laughter. Have I heard of gentrification? Feeling more than a little raffish, I wrote back:
You are asking ME, a resident of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, USA (which is located pretty much halfway around the globe from you), to inform my readership about film competition about GENTRIFICATION?!? Greenpoint: a neighborhood where a “luxury” condos proliferate in the shadow of the east coast’s largest WASTE TREATMENT PLANT? Where environmental issues the likes of which you cannot begin to comprehend remain unabated. And yet artists are being pushed out because there are people willing to dole out $2,000+ USD rent for a one bedroom/studio for this?
Give me the fuggin’ flier, your creds and press release— STAT.
Well, she did.
I’ve done some poking around and this contest is 100% legit. Let’s show our friends down under how our fair city treats the creative community and everyone else who cannot a condo or $2,000 a month rent? You can get the 411 on how to enter this contest by checking out Earthsharing’s web site or by emailing them at: timmah (at) earthsharing (dot) org (dot) au
NOTE: they are currently requiring that entries be mails. I have suggested they accept submissions via YouTube as mailing matter overseas can be both costly and dicey. They are looking into it.
Otherwise, you can play the Gentrification Game by clicking here. Simply put you are a landlord/speculator and your goal is to kick out tenants. Play it. It’s a fucking HOOT!
Miss Heather
P.S.: Earthsharing also has a number of interesting videos on YouTube. Check ’em out. You’ll find the tales contained therein eerily familiar.
New York Shitty Day Starter: From Gowanus To Ditmas
Today’s slide show will take us on a venereal journey from the alpha:
The Gowanus Canal as seen above, replete in its septic, aromatic and Gonohorreaic glory, to Kensington, Ditmas Park, Flatbush (the shots of the old Loew’s Theatre are my favorites) and back again to Kensington for the omega:
S.T.D. Wines and Liquors at 89 Church Avenue.
Enjoy!
Miss Heather
P.S.: For more information about the fetid state of the Gowanus Canal watch this. And take note that our very own David Yassky— the ostensible chair of the Newtown Creek Monitoring Commitee— and frequent “no show” (he sends his P.R. hack Rami Metal instead) is against super-funding Gowanus. If Gowanus goes will Newtown Creek be next? I wouldn’t rule out the possibiliy. Ours is the best government developers can buy.
NYS Flickr Pool
You must be logged in to post a comment.