Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Quicklink: “Brunch War” Bogus?
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Class War, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, That's Really Racist, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
If this piece by Brownstoner is to be believed this would appear to be the case. Tom Burrows, the so-called malefactor in this “war” notes:
…there is no war on brunch in Williamsburg and Greenpoint—this is way of selling papers
Indeed it is. It also is worth mentioning the manager of Five Leaves (whose establishment can be seen in the above two photographs) saw fit not to comment for this tome. No worries, she had plenty to say to the Greenpoint Gazette about a proposed pedestrian plaza which would abut her establishment:
Five Leaves’ Kathy Mecham pointed to the number of public inebriates in McCarren Park particularly on the Lorimer side. “To take what has become a blossoming small business area and create additional unregulated seating would only escalate the problem…
I can draw no other conclusion than it is perfectly acceptable for Five Leave’s patrons to congregate on and obstruct our sidewalks (public space) but if public space were actually allotted to and used by the public (which of course includes our “public inebriates”*), well, that’s another matter altogether. I think I get it now: some members of the public are more entitled to use (and capitalize off of) public space than others— at least when a profit-motive is at play. “Bums” are bad for business.
Photo Credits: The latter two images are of Nights & Weekends which is located across the street from Five Leaves (at 1 Bedford Avenue). As you can see they are operating a sidewalk cafe. Do they have a permit to do this? No. Have they been made aware that this is illegal? Absolutely. Oh yeah, did I mention this establishment is owned by the same people who own Five Leaves? It is. Fascinating, yes? In any case (and in closing), here’s some footage of this establishment from one such night on a weekend.
I’d hazard to guess they won’t be winning the “Good Neighbor” award anytime soon…
*Most of whom, it should be noted, are Polish and have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The homeless problem at McCarren Park was extant long before Five Leaves hit the scene. I wonder why they are (supposedly) an issue now?
Spotted At Bedford Avenue & North 7 Street: LaRouchebags
Filed under: 11211, Crazy People, Culture War, That's Really Racist, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This morning I awakened in a state not unlike the previous four before: tired. However, there was one crucial difference this time around; I was also very, SERIOUSLY, cold. Neither a whiff nor a sputter of heat was to be had. Not that the “girls” (as I call them) seemed to mind; they were quite perky. Yes, gentle readers, winter has arrived at Chez Shitty. With a two titty salute! But I digress.
The rest of me got up, made a pot of coffee, threw on some thermal underwear and mulled over what I was going to do today. Given the choice between being miserably cold indoors and miserably cold outdoors, I decided the latter was the more palatable option. So I took a walk.
Before I proceed with my story I would like to point out that unlike a number of people, when I feel like being left alone I leave my apartment. Sometimes I need a break from the rigors of my inbox. It is on our city’s not-so-mean streets that I find much-needed solitude— with one notable exception: Bedford Avenue.
Perhaps it is due to the fact I am “old”, bereft any noticeable tattoos, piercings and/or a hangover that I fit the “profile” of someone who gives a shit (READ: a registered voter). This is the only reason I can muster as to why I attract any and all canvassers with a clipboard/hucksters with cause— however laudable or insane— along this strip.
What transpired this morning is no exception. But this time I was ready.
Ever had one of those moments when something inside of you snaps and you break into peals of prepubescent-esque giggling? Well, that is what happened when I stumbled upon the above juxtaposition of a Pabst Blue Ribbon delivery truck…
and a table staffed by two 20-somethings spreading the good news about Lyndon LaRouche.
LAROUCHEPSTERS!
I thought to myself. And doubled over into another (albeit self-induced) fit of demented cackling.
Call it sleep deprivation (it probably is), but I found their poster calling for the impeachment of Barack NERObama (sporting devil horns, no less) and the above item (I’m not happy with our current Commander in Chief— but a Hitler mustache— REALLY?) utterly hilarious. My amusement did not go unnoticed by the chaps staffing said table either:
Me (laughing): Aw man!
Do you know the similarities between Barack Obama and Dick Cheney?
The LaRouchepster asked. To wit I replied with a smile:
No, I just didn’t know LaRouche was out of jail.*
(silence)
When I called the Mister to tell him about my merry-making, I mistakenly called these folks Libertarians. He corrected me as follows:
They’re LaRouchians. That’s even worse.
THE END
*Actually I do know this. However, admitting as much would have spoiled all the fun! This post is dedicated to Pa Heather.
Crosstown Local Videos du Jour: Polemic
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Crazy People, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, That's Really Racist, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn, Wow
Last night yours truly and a pal attended a forum discussion hosted by the very talented Nathan Kensinger about street photography. Aside from the fact Union Docs was stifling, painfully hot it was an enjoyable evening. One which concluded on a provocative note via some “in flight” entertainment on the way home via the Crosstown Local courtesy of this guy.
As you will notice this chap has a pretty wide berth on the platform. This is because (and I suspect my fellow mass transit patrons will agree with me when I write this) he was— how should we say— a bit touched? His speech (inasmuch as I can ascertain) started with making light of Pearl Harbor:
five thousand miles away in 1941…
and eventually morphed into a random series of screeds about what is wrong with our country. Among other things. He continued his polemic on the train itself. Follows is one of the choicer excerpts for your Monday morning edification. Initially he directs his rancor to Hasidim but eventually (re)directs his attention back to the Japanese. Much to the discomfort of one subway-goer.
It should be noted that immediately prior to this screed our subterranean William F. Buckley spied yours truly filming him. To this he said:
Bitch, you’re taking pictures of a garbage can!
I was initially taken aback by this but quickly thought the better of it. Let’s employ a little logic here: which is worse being a bitch (a female dog) or a garbage can (a receptacle for waste products— and one in New York City at that)? This is a no brainer. In any case he resumed his soap boxing upon exiting the G train at India Street. “Polacks” and “Russkies” became his target as we headed north on Manhattan Avenue. That’s when it hit me: this gent and I are neighbors. I’m one lucky gal!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: (speechless)
What can one say about this item (as found in Greenwood Heights by lostinbrooklyn) other than perhaps “Wow, this is really offensive”? Are any of you, dear readers, fluent in Russian? If so, please do yours truly the favor of translating the label of this delightful product. My curiosity is killing me.
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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