Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Urban Fur: Anticipation
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
From Nassau Avenue.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Correction— and a Nifty Link!
Some of you have brought it to my attention that this post has certain, how should we say, discrepancies. Although I do my best to thoroughly pick over my posts before I publish them, the fact of the matter is sometimes (especially when I am busy— and busy I have been) I do make mistakes. For this reason I am very grateful when folks speak up to set the record straight. One such person to do so is a gentleman named Philip. He is the historian for the St. Stanislaus American Legion Post 1771. He writes:
Heather,
The picture I have attached is from the New York Public Library Digital. It is picture of PS 59 as it appeared in 1931. It never has been an American Legion Post. The P.L.A.V. Is a national polish war veterans association. They still exist 535 – 539 Leonard Street was George Washington Post #3.
St. Stanislaus Memorial American Legion Post 1771 never occupied the building . The Post was chartered in September 1949, the first meetings being held of the club rooms of St. Stanislaus Kostka located at 10 Newel Street. They eventually held meetings in the democratic club above the old Winthrop Theater located at 135 Driggs Avenue, which is now an Associated Supermarket. From there they moved down the block to Driggs Avenue and North Henry Street and occupied the building until the 1960’s. After Oakland St. (McGuinness Blvd) was widened they purchased the lot where the Slovak credit Union is now located. In 1996 – 97 the Post sold the building to them and in 1999 relocated to 519 Leonard Street which was the Knights Of Columbus Fidelity Council. 519 Leonard Street started out as an Italian protestant church in 1900, the building is about 110 years old.
By the way I spoke to a real estate rep in May of this year and the PLAV had an asking price of over 1 million for the property.
If you want to see more on the post we have web site. The photo album has over 6,000 pictures from the past 60 years. The post history section contains newspaper articles from the Garden Spot News, Greenpoint Star and the Greenpoint Gazette.
I have casually glanced through St. Stans Post 1771’s photo albums. Even if you are not into military history there are some really neat items to be found in this online archive. Among my personal faves are these undated images from the Pulaski Day Parade and these images from their 1979 Valentine’s Day dance. If you’re looking for something to while away this overcast New Year’s Day give this wonderful resource a look-see. It’s really neat!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Winter Wonderland
Kicking off this, the first selection of shots from the New York Shitty photo pool this new year, I present for your enjoyment some wintertime goodness courtesy of algul siento. Lovely captures!
Miss Heather
Happy New Year From New York Shitty!
I know what you’re thinking. It is probably what I thought when I encountered the above item (which hails from Clay Street):
I have never seen a Suburu Outback station wagon with a flame job.
Well, now you have. Welcome to brave new world that is Greenpoint 2010!
Miss Heather
P.S.: Special props goes out to the Mark Bar for playing “Holiday in Cambodia” by the Dead Kennedys at 1:39 this morning. While not the most conventional way to hail in the new year, it is certainly compelling.
Greenpoint Street Art Du Jour: Polar Bear Love
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art
From Eagle Street.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Leaving
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
This image of someone who has had quite enough of 2009 comes courtesy of Greenpointless.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Bushwick Inlet
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken December 30, 2009.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Beauty in Plain Sight
Ever had one of those things you were always meaning to do but somehow never got around to? Today I checked one such item off my list: visiting Greenpoint’s only operating synagogue, Congregation Ahavath Israel. This afternoon I met with its (newish) Rabbi, Maurice Appelbaum, and he took me on the grand tour. Don’t let the outward appearance of this building deceive you: it is absolutely breath-taking. Mr. Appelbaum is no slouch either: he’s an incredibly nice guy! Let’s get started, shall we?
First things first: Congregation Ahavath Israel, which is Orthodox, convenes in the building to the right. The building on the left is also a synagogue, but we’ll get to that later.
As the corner stone indicates, this place of worship was founded in 1904 (albeit A.D.).
This is the dedication plaque which graces the foyer. As you will notice one W. G. Miller was the builder. Here are a few items I dug up on Mr. Miller via the Brooklyn Daily Eagle online archives:
Mr. Miller was a very active member of the community…
…and he was a builder of some renown. The details of Mr. Miller’s life might be scant in print, but what he built at 108 Noble is a living testament to his craftsmanship.
Facing south.
The nave (please pardon my decidedly goy terminology).
Facing north.
This lovely Art Nouveau light fixture has to be seen to truly be appreciated. While I am on the subject of things profane (or at least matters mundane)…
In my excitement I totally botched this photo. Not only did its Art Deco design appeal to me, but the address for said clockmaker, Bomelstein’s, sounded vaguely familiar: 753 Manhattan Avenue. I did a little Googling and here’s what I found.
Look familiar? If not, go to 733 Manhattan Avenue and see the restored version for yourself. It is one of a precious few clocks which have been land-marked in this city. Why not grab a doughnut from Peter Pan while you’re at it? But I digress.
Back in the days before the New York’s Bravest were what we know now, people took it upon themselves to to have some fire protection on hand.
Hence the multitude of buckets conveniently stored under the pews.
Remember what I wrote about the synagogue next door? Well, here’s my segue. This is the plaque which graced it. It belonged to a Reform congregation which donated the adjacent property, 110 Noble Street, to Ahvath Israel:
Here’s conservancy in Greenpoint:
Abject neglect.
Not that I blame Mr. Appelbaum for this: I don’t. He became this community’s Rabbi September, 2009.
The above photograph does not do justice to how lovely these stained glass windows are— and why they should be saved. To close on a decidedly “up” note, something wonderful is going on behind this building…
a garden to contribute food to Greenpoint’s most needy. See those barrels and pipes? They are the beginning of a drainage and compost system. I have been told by Rabbi Appelbaum some vollies from Rooftop Farms have assisted in this effort. And yes, dear readers, the soil has been tested. It had some lead content but well below what it is considered to be hazardous. Nonetheless, they are taking measures to remediate it.
What’s more, they’re finding some really cool stuff. Pottery shards and shells mostly. I couldn’t help but pick a few while I talked to Maurice.
It’s in my junkwoman/urban anthropologist nature. I cannot help myself.
In conclusion: this is my humble opinion one of the unsung gems in the Garden Spot of the Universe. As with most things in Greenpoint, beauty does not run skin deep: it’s found in the heart. Hence why I feel both these synagogues deserve preserving and why I want to give a big thank-you to Rabbi Appelbaum, for taking the time to give me a tour— he has a lot of heart. And Seth (the cat rescuer and reluctant Greenpoint celebrity) for helping to make this happen. Follows is a slide show of my tour of Greenpoint’s only Shul. Enjoy!
Miss Heather
Photo Credits: The Bomelstein Street clock comes courtesy of
P.S.: Ahavas Israel also offers N.A. meetings every Tuesday night 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
108 Noble Street (downstairs)
Brooklyn, NY 11222
For more deets contact Maurice at: rabbi (at) greenpointshul (dot) org.
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