Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Citypoint Photos Du Jour: Why?
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Queens
Okay— I will be the first to admit that although I know “work” is being done on the Pulaski I am pretty ignorant of the scope of said “work”. Getting “up-to-speed” on this matter has been on my “to do” list for some time but has been sadly lost among the numerous other things I have to do. Today it was cleaning the apartment in anticipation of my brother-in-law’s visit.
After spending the afternoon exorcising our refrigerator, picking up stuff and arguing with each other the Mister and I got a bit peckish. We decided to go to Creek and Cave for dinner. To this end we hopped on the B61 bus* and headed to Long Island City without delay. Afterward— since the evening was nice and cool— we decided to walk home. This is when I noticed something was amiss on the Pulaski.
It would appear the pedestrian walkway has be demarcated into “Queens bound” and “Brooklyn bound” lanes.
Or not. It was pretty much business as usual: bicyclists tearing down the walkway shouting at pedestrians to get out of the way.
This is what you’ll find at the Borden Avenue stairwell. I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. Walk at your own risk?
As I approached the Kings County border I noticed the lines had stopped.
Perhaps this hilarity will be confined to Queens?
I thought to myself.
Nope.
Can someone please explain to me what this is supposed to achieve? Painting white lines along a pedestrian walkway on a bridge strikes me as being redundant. If one is to cross these lines he (or she) will either end up in Newtown Creek or McGuinness Boulevard: a one-way ticket to Woodhull. All the previous strike me as being much better deterrents to stay on the walkway than a pair of white lines.
The same goes for dividing the entrance ramps. Does the city honestly think this is going to change anything? It isn’t.
Before all the bicycle enthusiasts reading this tome get their collective panties in a wad I want you to think about the following before you comment (and/or criticize); I am not against bicycling. I am simply tired of almost being run over by bicyclists and/or being shouted at to get out of the way when I walk across the Pulaski Bridge. This is not a matter of bicycles or “green” transportation; it is one of being a good neighbor. What I have experienced on the Pulaski Bridge is anything but neighborly.
Pedestrians are just as entitled to use this walkway as bicyclists— but given the behavior I have experienced on the part of most bicyclists who use this thoroughfare this would not appear to be the case. It’s a simple matter of respect. I respect the right to ride bicycles. In turn, I would like to have my right to walk across the Pulaski in peace respected.
Painting lines on the pedestrian walkway is not going to teach people common courtesy. For this reason I am becoming increasingly of the mindset that dedicating one of the lanes of McGuinness Boulevard as a bike lane might be the most practical (and palatable) solution to this problem.
Miss Heather
*Where one individual managed to break the Metrocard reader by dumping a bunch of dimes in it. So we rode for free. Thank you, idiot.
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.
Adoptable Cutie Cavalcade!
Filed under: 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Crazy Cat Lady, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
I imagine if you’re reading this you’re not one of the fortunate many who are headed out of town for vacation this upcoming week— or you’re taking a vacation from your vacation. Either way I cannot think of a better way to while away this evening than to watch some very cute (and adoptable) kittens from none other than north Brooklyn!
Meet The Wire Kittens. First up, the ladies in the cast:
Rhonda.
Kima.
Zenobia.
Here’s some footage of them in action.
Rhonda was shy around me when I paid her a visit— but she was not so coy with Tigger! As you will see in the following video.
Lisacat writes:
Rhonda, Kima and Zenobia were named after characters from the HBO series “The Wire” – see insets. I hope my next litter of bottle-babies are boys because there just aren’t that many prominent women on the show! These tricolor sisters were rescued as part of a TNR project in downtown Brooklyn and will be up for adoption soon.
Sure enough, this came to pass. Meet D’Angelo Barksdale
and Russell “Stringer” Bell.
These two boys hail from Bushwick. They were found at two days of age helpless and covered in flies. They have since been nursed back to health (hence the fat tummies— they just hit the bottle. Of milk, that is.)
And last— but hardly least— Greenpoint’s very own quintet of cute: “The Bountys”.
Although I have written about these fetching felines before I had never had the pleasure of making their acquaintance until recently. I was not disappointed.
By far the real show stoppers in this crew are Hunter (as seen at left) and Bounty. Do not let Bounty’s diminutive stature fool you: dynamite comes in small packages.
Anyone interested in giving any of the wonderful kittens the life-long vacation of a loving home can contact their foster mom, Shawn at: shawnandkenny (at) earthlink (dot) net
Other details:
- All these kittens have been vaccinated, treated for parasites and test negative for F.I.V. and feline leukemia.
- Upon adoption they will be spayed or neutered before going to their new forever homes.
- Lastly, these kittens will be adopted out in pairs unless there is already another cat in the home. That way they will be less lonely (and likely to get into trouble) when you’re not home!
You can see more photographs and video footage of these kittens by clicking here and here.
Miss Heather
Crosstown Local Photo Du Jour: Do You Remember?
This piquant question hails from Court Square in Long Island City. Do you remember the last time the Crosstown Local ran to 71st Street? Methinks it was back in 2005— but I am not too sure.
Miss Heather
A Newtown Creek PSA
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Newtown Creek, Queens
Today I had the utmost urge to go out for a walk. I did not want to venture too far, however, lest I get caught in a torrential downpour. So I kept my wanderings local…
and went to the new park at the end of Manhattan Avenue. It was at this location that I found the following corker.
OK, I understand the city has to put these signs up. But who in their right mind would want to eat something that once called this home?
Gross.
Miss Heather
P.S.: WTF is this?!?
Long Island City Photo Du Jour: A Sign Of The Times
This lovely reminder of the state of our economy (and the blight these newspaper stands pose to our community) is located at Court Square and was the crowning touch to my day trip to Douglaston, Queens under the tutelage/guidance of the ever fbulous Kevin Walsh of Forgotten-NY. You can look forward to seeing highlights from my journey later this evening— so stay tuned!
Miss Heather
Great Moments In Real Estate Advertising: Special Long Island City Edition
As time has gone by I have taken a much kinder view of our friends across the creek. I do not want to suggest I like the rather substantial apartment buildings in Long Island City: I don’t. But their advertising strategies are a constant source of fascination and amusement to yours truly. Just like the Garden Spot of the Universe no location, however wretched, is unsuitable as a place of luxurious and commodious accommodations in 11101. With the previous in mind (and tongue firmly in cheek) I will share with you some of my latest finds. Enjoy!
EXHIBIT A: The Vere Condominiums
Location: Jackson Avenue and Purves Street
New York Shitty Analysis: This is a testament to the sore lack of inventiveness to be found in the advertising industry nowadays— or the impact President Obama has made in our collective consciousness. Probably both. Nonetheless $350,000 is still too much for this location. Go to the end of Purves Street— preferably late at night— and you’ll see what I am talking about. Then again if your idea of “stimulus” is being reminded of your own mortality (preferably at the hands of someone lurking in the dark shadows of a ginormous vacant lot) this might be the place for you.
EXHIBIT B: THIS
Location: Borden Avenue and 5th Street
New York Shitty Analysis:
Me (to Mister Heather): What the fuck? It looks they stacked one building on top of another!
Mister Heather: Yup.
Me: HOLY SHIT!
I guess they’re trying to suggest this place is about to be launched. It looks like it is exploding. The last time I saw something like this George W. Bush bombed Afghanistan. A lot of good that has done us.
I said.
To wit the Mister said:
Or the tenants just learned there is affordable housing on the top four floors and have set it on fire.
Me: NAH, the developer defaulted on a construction loan and is torching the place for the insurance money.
EXHIBITS C-E: Star Tower
Location: 28-02 42nd Road
New York Shitty Analysis: The use of “star” is rapidly becoming a pet peeve of mine. If Michael Jackson’s death has been instructive to yours truly in any way it is that I do not want to be a star. If for no other reason because racking up six figure pharmaceutical bills is beyond my means. Come to think of it, they were beyond Mr. Jackson’s as well. I guess being a star isn’t what’s cracked up to be. But I digress.
Another pet peeve of mine is also manifest at this site: the virtual absence of real people in their renderings.
Behold the new face of Long Island City— and it does not appear to be a very happy one at that. This woman looks like she just sucked a lemon. Or knocked back a few meds with that glass of chardonnay. Not that I’m being judgmental; if I lived a stone’s throw from Queensboro Plaza I’d be practicing the art of self-medication too.
NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT! Granted, this family unit probably does not reside in the Star Tower (I’m guessing they’re headed to the rather sizable piece of Detroit steel parked to the right). This is a shame as these are the kind of people I WANT as neighbors.
If any of the advertising wizards behind the Star Tower are reading this: after a woman reaches a certain point in her life (that being the business-end of her 30’s) images of svelte women on balconies cease to be selling tools. Quite to the contrary; it serves as a reminder that she (in this case me) is no longer a size “00”— and nothing short of an eating disorder or plastic surgery is going to change this reality.
Conversely, if you were to take the above family and Photoshop them into one of your balconies— ideally with “Joe Sixpack” knocking back a few brewskis with his buddies, watching “the game” via satellite dish (which is affixed to said balcony) while wearing a ball cap which reads “This is not a bald spot, it is a solar panel for a sex machine” I’d be all over your product like white trash on Rice-a-roni. Screw sex: Schadenfreude sells!
Which brings me to our last property.
The site of a former “gentleman’s club” on 27th Street I like to call “Chez Teddy”.
Alas poor Teddy, I never knew the him well but suspect he got a bum rap.
A bum scantily clad with a g-string, that is.
Clearly someone thought he was a righteous dude.
In any case this property is not only available for sale but it is also conveniently located to transportation!
One need only look up to find it. Surely there is an entrepreneur out there with the vision and finances to give this prime location the make-over it deserves? I for one envision a tower built atop the original structure. Its name will the “The Infinity” and the stripper poles currently contained therein will be incorporated into a cutting edge fitness center. Women are paying top dollar to learn this kind of thing nowadays— what’s more, in this brave new economy it never hurts to pick up a few new job skills.
Now that’s a stimulus package I for one can get behind! Preferably with a phat wad of one dollar bills.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Polish Paradise
I recently learned that, contrary to popular belief, “Polish Paradise” is not located in Greenpoint. Those of you who are interested in paying this very special place a visit can can find it underneath the Pulaski Bridge in Long Island City.
NOTE: not only is “Polish Paradise” seemingly bereft of Polish people, it also appears to be BYOB.
Miss Heather
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