South Brooklyn Photos du Jour: Springtime Special

A long time ago a colleague of mine Flatbush Gardener objected to me referring to Cobble Hill, Boredom Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, etc., as being “south Brooklyn”. Although he brought up a very salient point, e.g.; there is much of Brooklyn to be found south of the previously mentioned neighborhoods, I care not to tread the minefield as to where said neighborhoods begin and end.

I read enough bullshit about neighborhood demarcations in north Brooklyn already*. Thus I have seen fit to refer to this area collectively as “south Brooklyn”. If for no other reason because if one lives in Greenpoint (as I do), the rest of our fine borough qualifies as being “south” anyway.

I mention the previous caveat because yesterday the Mister and I shook things up a bit. Not only did we sojourn outside of Greenpoint, but we hopped on the G train and walked around “south Brooklyn”. Follows are some photographs I took there. Enjoy!

Sunbathing on Court Street.

Horror vacui at 2nd Place.

Mixed signals at West 9th Street.

And a lovely sunset on Columbia Street.

Miss Heather

*If the local Realtors here are to be believed, Bushwick and Greenpoint are shrinking, but “Williamsburg” keeps getting bigger and bigger. Go figure.

Clinton Hill: No Pissin’

It had been way too long since I have beheld some premium handmade signage admonishing people to abstain from anti-social behavior.

Therefore you can imagine my glee when I found not just one, but two such signs on Vanderbilt Avenue in Clinton Hill!

I was always under the impression that Clinton Hill was a nice (and by “nice” I mean it sports lovely architecture and is a bit on the dull side for yours truly) neighborhood. It would appear that I have grossly underestimated this neighborhood. It is much livelier than I thought.

Except for the “no smoking” proviso (and the lack of physical threats), this looks like something straight out of Greenpoint. Clinton Hill: they’re just like us!

In closing I’d like to give a shout-out to my colleagues down at Clinton Hill Blog. Please do not take offense at my gentle ribbing; I actually had a lot of fun knocking around in your fine ‘nabe. In fact, I suspect you guys (and gals) might be seeing me a little more often. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to mind my P’s and Q’s now that I know the rules:

NO PISSIN

Miss Heather

Bed Stuy Photos du Jour: Relax

I discovered the above tableau on Herkimer Street yesterday afternoon. On top of being a colossal eyesore (and a rather nifty playground for the local feral felines), I have little doubt this is also a serious fire hazard.

But why should I worry? As the sticker on the front door clearly reads, I should relax. God is in tha house!

Come to think of it, it looks more like he invoked his wrath on this house instead.

Miss Heather

The Parks Department Has Gone To The Dogs

Literally.

I made the acquaintance of Yogi, the Parks Department’s smallest— and perhaps most handsome— employee on India Street recently. He was busy overseeing some tree planting, but was nice enough to let me take a nice head shot.

Who could argue with a face like this? PLANT MORE TREES!

Miss Heather

Interesting Development Of The Day

As I was knocking around the Atlantic Yards site this morning I made a very interesting discovery.

Bruce Ratner et. al got a brand-spanking new Stop Work Order.

Just in time for spring!

Miss Heather

P.S.: Here’s some artwork which graces the Atlantic Yard site’s fence on Pacific Street.

TOMORROW: Oversight Hearing For The G Train

The Save The G Coalition has announced that Committee Chair John Liu has organized an oversight hearing regarding G train service tomorrow, April 8, at 1:00 p.m. Per their press release:

Witnesses from the MTA will be asked to speak about ridership data, plans for the future, conditions, and other issues regarding G line service, and the public is also encouraged to testify about their own experiences.

Oversight: What is the MTA doing to improve service on the G line?
Resolution #1262: Calling upon MTA to immediately improve service on the G line and to not implement any service cuts.

For all of you who’ve been endlessly frustrated by the roller coaster ride that is G line service levels, Save The G is asking you to turn out in force on April 8th. Riders from Queens AND Brooklyn have been affected by the MTA’s various management decisions and random service changes.

WHAT: Oversight Hearing For The Crosstown Local

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Council Chambers, City Hall

HOW (do I get there?): Chambers Street Stop of the J/M/Z, Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station of the 4/5/6, City Hall Station of the R/W or Park Place Station of the 2/3

WHY: Because the G is taxed enough as is. Imagine what is going to happen when people start moving into all the condominiums being built in the Garden Spot and around McCarren Park.

In closing, if any of you are curious about the image gracing the beginning of this post, click here to read an article from the April 15, 1985 edition of the Greenline. Enjoy!

Miss Heather

P.S.: If you can’t appear in person but want to submit written testimony for the official record, email it to savetheg[at]yahoo[dot]com and they will print & submit it for you. Remember that for it to be considered official testimony, it must include your full name and mailing address.

Brooklyn Photo du Jour: Metrotech Center

Amusingly enough, this sculpture (by Tom Otterness) is located only a hop skip away from Bear Stearns.

Miss Heather

Borough Of Found Toys, Part IV

Kicking off the new week, here are some more toys from the Borough of Kings. Enjoy!

Scott Avenue, Bushwick

Franklin Street, Greenpoint

This fixer upper comes from Greene Avenue in (where else) Bushwick.

Marcy Avenue, Bed Stuy

And last, but hardly least, this motor vehicle hails from Linden Street.

Nice sub woofers, Barbie*.

Miss Heather

*I wonder if she was checking out this building down the block?

Greenpoint Back In The Day

Priceless.

Miss Heather