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.
Dog Walker Love, Part Deux Doo
Remember the Russian girl who had a crush on her dog walker and made her love known via sidewalk chalk on the 59th Street Bridge earlier this year? Well, she’s back at it…
and it would appear things did not exactly go as planned. The spruced up typography and use of multiple colors is a nice touch. Will this end in matrimony or a restraining order? I suppose only time will tell.
Miss Heather
Photo Credits: Orange Genius
Ridgewood Photo Du Jour: Optimo
Filed under: Queens
From Myrtle Avenue.
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?!?
New York Shitty Day Ender: A Tale Of Two Cities
As I have previously mentioned I spent today knocking around Little Neck and Douglaston with Kevin Walsh. One commenter, dc108, was concerned about Mr. Walsh’s welfare and wrote:
Did you really drag that poor man out while he’s recovering from heart surgery?
That “poor man” drug yours truly and the Mister for a three mile walk! I’m exhausted— but so much so to preclude sharing a slide show and a few thoughts.
1. Cherry Street, Greenpoint and Cherry Street, Douglaston are quite different.
2. In fact, Greenpoint and Douglaston are very different in a number of ways:
- Among other things Greenpoint has a lot less “green” in it than Douglaston. With greenery comes insects. I had the pleasure of being bitten by a number of them.
- But Douglaston, not being Greenpoint, I had the peace of mind to know my lesions were probably not bedbug induced.
- Douglaston smells good, Greenpoint nowadays not so much.
- Greenpoint has its fair share of dysfunctional pay phones. But when someone in Douglaston destroys a public pay phone he (or she) is thoughtful enough to put the receiver back on the hook.
But enough talk… on with the show!
All in all I found Douglaston to be a very nice place… but I wouldn’t want to live there. Sure it has trees, flowers aplenty, and a lovely waterfront but it is sorely lacking in other “amenities” like men perusing pornography in public parks and a nature walk which is located on the premises of the largest waste treatment plant on the eastern seaboard. It is appointments such as the previous that make living in the Garden Spot of the Universe so special.
Miss Heather
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
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