Greenpoint
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New York Shitty Videos Du Jour: Open House
Filed under: 11211, 11222, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Maspeth, Queens
Yesterday afternoon my buddy from the Newtown Pentacle and I sojourned to St. Cecilia’s Auditorium for the Kosciuszko Bridge Project Open House. While hardly standing room only, the peeps behind the presentation were pleasantly surprised by the turn-out. I suspect word about the blue chip refreshments (which included coffee, tea, cream, milk, zero fat milk, water and soda; cookies and crackers with an assortment of cheese) might have had something to do with this. But who’s to say for certain?
In any case, I filmed the proceedings for your entertainment and edification. Mostly the latter. This material might strike many of you as being boring (for the most part, it is) but if you reside in this southern Greenpoint or western Queens you should view this footage. How this projects proceeds (or not) will effect our community for a long time to come.
INTRO: (self-explanatory)
PART I: The process/research leading up to this project & how the bridge will be constructed
PART II: Property acquisition & park space (including a kayak launch on Newtown Creek!)
PART III: A run-down of the four bridge types under consideration
PART IV: End of Presentation, the Q & A session begins
PART V: A Lombardy Street resident asks some very compelling questions
PART VI: An Apollo Street resident speaks and the meeting concludes
I suppose some of you are probably wondering which design I voted for. Here you go.
The rationale for my decision was (more or less) as follows:
1. I found it visually compelling and felt it juxtapose nicely with the Manhattan skyline.
2. This design leaves more open space under the bridge. Given how oppressive this area is currently I believe this to be a big plus.
3. It embraces/showcases the Shit Tits rather nicely!
Priorities, people!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Slide Show du Jour: Creepy Cavalcade!
As All Hallow’s Eve draws closer Greenpoint keeps getting more and more ghoulish (like this goose I found on Noble Street). Follows are some highlights from my sojourn around the neighborhood today. Enjoy!
648 Humboldt Street didn’t disappoint. However, I am concerned about the absence of the demonic clowns. They’re my favorite (after the Humboldt Hurler). But we have thirteen days to go…
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Viridian
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
The one thing that has always struck me amusing about the The Viridian (AKA: 110 Green Street) is the fact it has no green in it or on it whatsoever. Had this building been located elsewhere I suspect this absurdity would have been noticed and commented upon. Often. But this is Greenpoint: a neighborhood that is decidedly short of one half of its namesake. That being, green. Just for fun I decided to look for some viridian in the Garden Spot of the Universe. I was not disappointed either. I merely had to look up instead of down.
Apollo Street
Cherry Street
Lorimer Street
Norman Avenue
Banker Street
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: “Shotgun”
Ordinarily this would qualify as a “person in my neighborhood” but “Shotgun” (as seen in the above photo at right) was so extraordinary I felt he deserved a post of his own. Here it is.
Yesterday and friend and I went for a walk. Just to mix things up I decided we would go to the “hinterlands” of the Garden Spot— in other words: east of Kingsland Avenue, due south to the on ramp to the Kosciuszko Bridge and beyond.
It was at the intersection of Vandervoort Avenue and Cherry Street— an area which can best be described as the “armpit” of Greenpoint— that we encountered a truck selling watermelons, potatoes, fruits, nuts and vegetables. And a very unexpected ray of sunshine.
Or would that be “Shotgun” Having interfaced with a number of gun nuts in my life— mostly from the south— I asked the proprietor what gives.
After striking a pose (actually two) he told me:
That’s my nickname! Are you a visitor?
Me: Yes, I’m a visitor… from THAT (pointing north) end of Greenpoint.
SHOTGUN: Greenpoint? That’s (pointing north) over there!
Me: But I am over here! I like to be a tourist in my own neighborhood…
(Laughter)
Me: I hope you have some earplugs or aspirin, Shotgun. How can you deal with all this noise?
SHOTGUN:
Hell, I’m 70 years old. I can take it!
(Even more laughter)
Anyone who can spend 8+ hours next to the:
- loudest
- filthiest and
- overall depressing
part of the Garden Spot and still have a sense humor, much less display a joie de vivre rarely seen by anyone nowadays, gets my infinite respect, admiration, and yes— affection.
I really like you, Shotgun. You rock!
Miss Heather
*Lest I have offended anyone by calling this area such, it was not intended. I use this term with tongue firmly placed in cheek.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day From New York Shitty!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I can think of no better way to kick off this— one of New York City’s most beloved days of the year— than with a few shots of what is without argument the most festive house in Greenpoint. It hails from Apollo Street and, well, it has to be seen to be believed. Enjoy!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day Everybody!
Miss Heather
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