Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Ender: Graham Avenue Lament
An artist lived not so far away from here.
Taken December 30, 2011.
Now For Sale In Greenpoint: Orient Apple Vodka
When I saw the above item gracing the window of our numerous liquor stores (Dunne’s Polemost Liquor methinks) I paused. It seemed inexplicably familiar to me. Then it hit me. This is virtually identical to a product Absolut created in “collaboration” with Spike Lee: Absolut Brooklyn. Some of the more seasoned readers of New York Shitty might recall there was some controversy about its sponsorship of Brooklyn Blogfest V— and offering freebies/cheapies in exchange for editorial content on Brooklyn blogs. But the past is just that—- the past. What I, a woman who lives in a community with PLENTY of vodka choices, wanted to know was this:
What’s the fucking difference?
After some research I found the answer!
Absolut Brooklyn is vodka made with “red apple and ginger flavor”. So there!
Photo Credits: The close-up of Absolut Brooklyn comes courtesy of NotCot.com which regurgitates the following bit of ad copy:
“its flavor evokes the spice and vibrancy Brooklyn brings to the big apple”
Provided they’re red apples, of course.
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Engert Avenue
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
Taken December 30, 2011.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Homeless After The Holidays
Filed under: 11211, 11222, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Last night the plight of these two furkids— and their “people”— was brought to my attention by a friend. To keep a long (and very sad) story short their human family has to vacate their apartment and, not having any resources upon which to fall, will be forced to enter the shelter system. This is bad. Now imagine, if you will, being told there is no shelter space available for families in Brooklyn so you and your children will (in all probability) have to move to the Bronx. This is worse.
I for one cannot imagine what it must be like to not only face homelessness but also having to leave the community I call home. If there was a time someone needed friends above anything else this would be it. But our city does not exactly see it that way. So move they will. Which brings me to the subject of this post: while the city might accord this family shelter— however remotely located— they are not in the business of housing homeless cats.
Bootsie and Footsie are two healthy, neutered, two year old brothers who need our help. Here is how they were described to me:
Bootsie– tuxedo like a lap dog. Laid back. Loves string, mouse toys, boxes . Watches tv.
Footsie– tabby cat. Loves feet. Sitting on lap, aluminum balls, string, bags, very active.
Ideally their family would like a foster arrangement so when they get back on their feet their furry friends can come back “home”. In the meantime they would prefer— but do not require— the ability to visit Bootie and Footsie on occasion. I have also been told someone will provide food and litter to whomever is kind of enough to provide these two handsome chaps temporary accommodations.
I realize Christmas has come and gone. But why not demonstrate some holiday spirit by being a friend to a few fellas who, for reasons well outside of their control, cannot help themselves. This is not only the right thing to do, but given the state of our economy nowadays anyone— and I mean anyone— could find themselves in a similar situation. This of course includes you and me. Have a heart.
Anyone interested in providing Bootsie and Footsie a home (or can otherwise help) please shoot me an email at missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (com). I will make sure your inquiries get forwarded to their family who, it should be noted, will have to vacate their home next weekend.
Thanks!
Williamsburg Photos du Jour: Season’s Greetings From Graham Avenue
Filed under: 11211, Advanced Life Forms, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, The Natives Are Getting Restless, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken December 30, 2011.
Last Gasp: Five
brooklynbureau: 5 Reported Deaths of Homeless in Greenpoint Bklyn in past 15 months: http://t.co/CQlfmNQR
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/brooklynbureau/statuses/152474257392275457
This was brought to my attention by an anonymous tipster (thanks!). Those of you who are so inclined should take a moment to read Brooklyn Bureau’s piece about homelessness in Greenpoint and the proposed assessment center at 400 McGuinness Boulevard. Follows is a breakdown of the five (I suspect preventable) deaths outlined therein:
…In October, reports of a homeless man hanging himself in McGolrick Park marked the fifth reported death of a homeless man in Greenpoint’s parks in the past 15 months. Two have taken their own lives (the second man in Barge Park off Commercial Street), one man drowned in McCarren Park, another died of hypothermia in the same park and a third died of unknown causes, also in McCarren Park.
“It’s a sick way of thinking because the person could die in the street and then no one’s responsible,” says McDonnell, “is that what we do, do we just let people die and not be responsible?”
Indeed. However, what what this tome overlooks is Greenpoint’s homeless will not simply be able to go to 400 McGuinness and receive shelter. They will have to go through a processing center in Manhattan and then come back here. Given the language gap many of our homeless face (as Polish speakers)— and the fact many of them have serious substance abuse problems— do I realistically see this arrangement working? No, I don’t.
Image Credits: The image at left was taken by yours truly at McCarren Park this summer.
NYS Flickr Pool
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