Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Happy Halloween From New York Shitty!
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Urban Artifact
(Or: 380 Days & Counting!)
I can think of no better way to celebrate Halloween in Greenpoint than paying tribute to the Greenpoint Avenue “teddy bear”. As you can see, I gave the furry fellow proper attire for the occasion. This I did yesterday. What’s more, gentle readers, I have the approval of the person who put him there in the first place! This came to pass last weekend while I was headed over the see the new Banksy piece hereabouts.
Me (ensuring the safety of said teddy— Banksy has “preservationists”—so why shouldn’t this fellow?)
A fellow we’ll call “F” (grabbing a smoke nearby): You like my bear?
Me: You’re the person behind this?
“F” assured me he was— and went on the explain that he saw bear on top of one of the garbage cans on a rainy night. He felt it would be a waste to simply have it go to the dump so he placed in this window and it has been there ever since. He went on to note:
He’s been there for about a year now.
Me: He’s been there for over a year. I have been keeping track.
“F” went on to say he’s surprised how this bear has become an “interactive” community project— and that he was disappointed that the stuffed kitty has since disappeared. He then mused pondered the meaning of the bear’s “helmet” (the fur creature which has found its way atop said bear).
I noted that maybe this was his “thinking cap” and pointed out that this bear has been a fascinating testament to what happens when one is subjected to the corner of Franklin Street and Greenpoint Avenue 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If he has a brain (and this cannot be ruled out)…
it probably looks like this now.
“F” laughed at this.
Informed my new friend that come Halloween time I was going to dress said bear “up” for the occasion. He felt this to be a sterling idea. (Obviously I did.)
Before parting ways I asked “F” if this bear had a name.
He replied:
“Jail Bear”.
So there have you.
Happy Halloween Greenpoint (and New York City)!
P.S.: Special props go out to a lady sitting a parked SUV on Greenpoint Avenue watching me install “Jail Bear’s” Halloween attire and documenting it. She was laughing her ass off. That’s the Greenpoint spirit!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: F*ck Them
Filed under: 11222, BULLSHIT, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
As some of you might recall I made a last minute announcement about a meeting regarding the future of Box Street Park. More specifically, there are some folks in our community who want to see this piece of public park space as a hang out and “chill” kind of place (“passive space”) as opposed to an athletic field. The latter is what has been proposed by the Parks Department.
Quite frankly, I had been— albeit slightly— leaning in favor of “passive space”. After being notified by a tipster that this park/athletic field will sport (as Marty Maher, Brooklyn Parks Chief of Staff, as seen at left) stated that Chemgrass “may” be used I raised an eyebrow— and changed my mind. My tipster went on to opine that it sounded like something from the 1960’s. That is because, gentle readers, it IS from the 1960’s.
And our planet’s eco-terrorists good neighbors Monsanto, holds the patent for it.
Given the amount of environmental abuse this community has experienced— and continues to experience— presently, can we:
- Get a park with real grass in it?
- And not fill the coffers of a corporation that has no respect for the environment— or people— for that matter?
Then again:
Given the park space in question is the former MTA/Access-A-Ride depot at 65 Commercial Street…
and contrary to prevailing real estate trends, was sold by our fair city to Clipper Equities…
(the developers behind 77 Commercial Street and its proposed “poor door”) at $8,000,000 (versus the original asking price of $12,000,000 back in 2008).
Should I really be surprised? Outraged (once again), yes! Surprised? No, not in the very least I am sad to say.
I mean, after all, what Greenpoint really needs is affordable housing at 175% AMI. Or at least Clipper Equities does— that way they can pass along the “charitable act” (more specifically its cost) of building this park (which, in return, they get to build a 40 story tower) onto their tenants— all of them.
Let them— or would that be us— eat cake, Astroturf, CHEMGRASS!
New York Shitty Street Art Du Jour: Eyes On The Street
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
From Driggs Avenue.
Greenpoint Street Art Du Jour: Elle
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
Taken October 30, 2013.
The Word On The Street: McGuinness Boulevard
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
Taken October 30, 2013.
Tonight: F*ck Them
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Natives Are Getting Restless, The Word On The Street
I have been terribly remiss passing this along. Thankfully I stumbled upon this rather serendipitous “reminder” while walking down Manhattan Avenue today. This evening a community meeting will come to pass regarding the proposed use of this park.
The time: 6:00 p.m. The place: 66 Kent Avenue (at North 9 Street). Be there!
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: Urban Gravestone, Special Bowery Edition
Filed under: 10002, Lower East Side, Lower East Side Manhattan, New York City, The Word On The Street
Taken by Scoboco.
NYS Flickr Pool
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