Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Happy Valentine’s Day From New York Shitty!
Filed under: Area 51
This one goes out to the Mister. The man for whom my loving cup of a heart overfloweth on a daily (or at least fort-nightly) basis. Put on your Lectra socks because— shuttle buses be damned— we’re going out on the town!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: A Simple Assault
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Remember the melee in front of Club Exit I made mention of last November?
If not, no worries. This should bring you up to speed:
This was first brought to my attention by someone whose son is a friend of a someone involved, e.g.; via the Greenpoint grapevine. By that I mean the friend (of the son of my tipster) in question was allegedly beaten up by the police and went to the hospital. Per my tipster the fight started over a woman being harassed. Her son’s friend tried to intervene and police officers were knocking cameras out of the hands of bystanders. And busting heads.
This was brought to the attention of D. I. Fulton at the 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting on November 21. A Greenpoint citizen called it a brawl.
Mr. Fulton begged to differ.
It took awhile but a video documenting this incident has finally surfaced. Here it is.
And here is a description of what you have just seen per my tipster:
This video isn’t clear, but I’m familiar with some of the voices, since they are friends of my son. The video starts with my son’s friend K—- laying on the ground, handcuffed & unconscious. His friend A——, who is handcuffed, is yelling in the background to tell the police that his friend isn’t moving and in need of an ambulance. One of their friends D—– begins to video the scene. An officer pushes D—– with the video phone but the girl quickly regains control of the video phone and keeps running the video. Another girl M——, is screaming in the background and trying to get to K—- to see if he’s ok. (K—- is the kid that had his teeth knocked out by guys at Club Exit who were bothering one of the girls.) As you can see, the officers grab the unconscious K—- by the arms and drag him to a police car, not an ambulance. You can hear his friends calling out to the officers about getting an ambulance… None of the white Club Exit patrons were arrested, even though one of them knocked out K—–‘s teeth.
Kind of makes you happy Club Exit’s (ostensible) swan song was last night, yes?
Miss Heather
UPDATE: February 17, 2010; Here’s another video.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Greenpoint Avenue
Filed under: 11222, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Only one more day two more days…
Miss Heather
Nifty Consumer Item of The Day: Subway (He)art
When I saw this delightfully frivolous and fun item— a heart-shaped map of the New York City subway system— on the Subway Art Blog* yesterday it was love at first sight. So you can imagine my disappointment when I learned it is not available in the United States… yet. Today I was informed by the owner of Greenpoint’s very own Word Books (who saw them at the recent gift show at the Javits Center) that she will be selling them once they get a U.S. distributor. I can hardly wait!
Miss Heather
Photo Credits: Zero Per Zero via Subway Art Blog
*Which is really nifty. I highly recommend you check it out.
Spotted In Greenpoint: Greenpoint T-Shirts
Some of you might recall my post from earlier this week announcing the good news about electric-powered socks. For those of you who don’t, these can be had at Cato’s Army Navy Store (as seen at left) for the (admittedly) handsome sum of $29.95. The Mister (who has in fact owned a pair) attests they work quite well. Perhaps even a little too well. But I digress.
Today we hit Cato’s on the way home from running errands and I have some very good news for any and all who have been in search of Greenpoint t-shirts.
They’ve got ’em. Don’t let the above drab design fool you. I learned from the proprietor there was some mix-up with the screenprinter. What they wanted—and in fact have in stock, you need only ask to see them— is this.
This shirt is available in black, white and olive drab (as seen above). They’re very easy on the wallet at a mere $12.95 a pop! At this time these shirts are only available in men’s sizes small – XX large, but I have been told they will start selling boy’s sizes (which are much more petite/lady friendly) this spring.
Check it out!
Cato’s Army Navy Store
654 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Miss Heather
A Very Special Valentine’s Day Wish
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This item comes courtesy of a fellow Greenpointer and cat lady named Rebecca. She writes:
i’m a fellow greenpoint resident and i believe we both have the acquaintance of the wonderful lisacat. i was wondering if you might be able to give jay jay the cat some press on your blog? jay jay and i would both appreciate your help! he is a somewhat shy but sweet black cat who was unfortunately left mostly blind due to untreated eye infections. he was rescued from the NYC animal care and control almost a year ago and we’re hoping he can find a real home of his own soon.
Jay Jay is a two year old male shorthair who was rescued from the euthanization list at Animal Care & Control. While blind this chap is an otherwise happy, healthy (READ: FIV and feline leukemia-free), loving and playful fella who would very much like to be someone’s Valentine this year. Maybe yours? Anyone interested in learning more about Jay Jay should contact Rebecca via email at: adoptjayjay (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo Du Jour: WASH DRY
At last, a truthful representation of how men feel about doing laundry!
(hilarious)
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Deli Mart Al R.I.P.
Christine writes:
Early Tuesday morning Al, one of the owners of the Deli Mart on Bedford and North 7th Street, passed away. Al was a friend as well as a good neighbor and local business owner. Al was “good people”; always there with a smile, a kind word and a way that you knew he cared about you. The Deli Mart had never closed a day in the nearly ten years Al and his brother bought it. This is until this past Tuesday. It stayed closed for 3 days and a small memorial was created for a good man who is missed.
As neighbors and patrons morn, I know his family is grieving in ways that are unique to losing a brother, a father, a husband and a son. Al was all those things and more.
His passing was sudden and all too soon. Sure Al was a little round, enjoyed smoking and greasy food but he was taken from his family and our neighborhood too soon.
Many people have joked about my closeness to the guys at the Deli Mart. Over the years, they signed for packages, helped me pass loans back and forth between my brother and others, held keys for visiting friends and so many other tasks that can be hard to coordinate in one’s busy life. I know it all sounds pretty one side but it wasn’t. Whenever I had a chance to return his kindness I did like when I got Beyonce to sign a photo of herself and had her addressed it to “Deli Mart Al.” He couldn’t believe it was real. It was and then a few years later she visited the Deli Mart to shot a video in front of the store. Al was thrilled for his brush of celebrity.
Al was a good neighbor. He always had a treat for the dogs in the neighborhood even though a few years ago a neighborhood dog attacked Halloween, his deli cat. He didn’t hold grudges. As Halloween healed, dogs were still welcomed. The owner of the dog that attacked Halloween as well as the dog were still allowed in the Deli Mart.
Thankfully, Halloween healed and went on to be featured in a New York Times article about deli cats*. However she no longer had the drive to be a deli cat and went on became a house cat.
Al missed having Halloween in the store and started talking about adopting another. I agreed that the Deli Mart needed a deli cat. We made a plan to visit a local shelter. Once there, Al really struggled with which cat to adopt. He wanted one to do the job but also wanted to provide a good home. He thought about the ones who had been on the street too long or were a little too round for a cat or just wasn’t doing well in a shelter. He finally settled on Tony — the Deli Mart’s current deli cat. It was great for me to be able to give something back to my neighbor.
However I could never balance out what he gave me and what I could give him. He always had the upper hand like when I lost my job last Spring, Al instituted a new policy where I could still get my morning coffee and papers but he wouldn’t charge me. It was such a kind gesture that he wouldn’t rescind even though I wasn’t having money troubles.
I know I wasn’t the only who got to see Al’s kindness and generosity over the years.
This morning talking to a friend who reminded me how once Al knew you, he would say hello whether he was behind the counter, on the corner or spotted you on the security screen in his office. Al made the Deli Mart the Williamsburg version of “Cheers” where everyone knew your name.
Al gave chips or candy to kids who’s parents didn’t have the money, rounded down your tab or gave you a free coffee when he knew money was tight. Al couldn’t understand why people would ever shoplift from the Deli Mart because he would have helped anyone who needed it and asked.
Al had a big heart. I am gonna miss him. I am gonna miss having to declare that the Deli Mart’s iced coffee was the best on Bedford Avenue before he would prepare my order. I can’t lie, it was always very good. And maybe I will keep saying it as a tribute to Al.
I’ll be honest: I have only spoken to Al once or twice in passing (as a Greenpoint resident I do not patronize Williamsburg bodegas on a regular basis). However, if the emails I have received (such as this one) are any indication he was a much-loved member of the community. If you have a chance, dear readers, swing by the Deli Mart at 185 Bedford Avenue and tender your condolences. They will be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Miss Heather
*Which I had a hand in. No one meets Oreo without proper protocol.
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