Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Gentrification Watch: 110 Green Street
It has been awhile since I have written about my favorite nondo: the Viridian. This is because since “Bird Gate” (in August) there has not been anything truly noteworthy to pass along. That is, until today.
Yes sir. Inasmuch as the Garden Spot of the Universe seems to be transforming into dime store version of her more famous sister down south, some things never change.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Gate On Java Street?
Filed under: 11222, Dog Shit, Dung of the Day, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Mike (who sent me the above photograph) writes:
I was walking down by West and Java today and noticed someone is putting up a metal gate leading down to the water. Is this the same spot where the city tore down the gate (to ensure our access to the “water front”) over the summer if I’m not mistaken?
Intrigued, I moseyed down to Java Street this afternoon to see what’s up. Contrary to what Mike thought, this fence (which as some of you may recall, was issued an order by the Department of Transportation to be removed because it ostensibly blocked waterfront access. I think this is a bit of an exaggeration, but illegal is illegal…) was not going up: it was coming down.
To close on West Street related news I am pleased to announce the crumbling construction fences I wrote about in this post have been repaired.
It should also be noted the owner of the above property (174 West Street, which is located between Green and Huron Street) has been issued a summons for (and I quote) “failure to maintain adequate housekeeping”. How do I know this, you ask? Let’s just say the word is on the street.
I’ll leave it to your respective powers of deduction, dear readers, to figure out what the brown smudge is on this document.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Tete a Tete
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Furniture
This discarded duo (from Hausman Street) made me smile. And I am certain wherever he is Bob Guskind is smiling too. Today would have been his 51st birthday. This one’s for you, Bob. You might be gone, but you are not forgotten.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Greenpoint Public Library Bake/Book Sale
This is a quick reminder that Greenpoint’s very own public library will be having a “Book & Bake Sale” this upcoming Saturday, October 24, starting at 1:00 p.m. A buck for paperbacks and two bucks for hardcovers is hard to beat! What’s more, you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause.
Book & Bake Sale
October 24, 2009 starting at 1:00 p.m.
Greenpoint Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library
107 Norman Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
If you have been meaning to donate books (as I have) or baked goods (I’m am doing everyone a favor by refraining) to this cause it’s time to get moving!
Miss Heather
P.S.: Those of you who want to become a friend of the Greenpoint Public Library can get the ball rolling by contacting their Friends Coordinator at (718) 230-2406.
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
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Open House At 267-269 Kingsland Avenue
Tony From Grandparents Avenue writes:
Greetings,
If it interests you…
For starters, this building is ass ugly, but it’s also illegal. The top floor of this building breaks the law when it exceeds 5 feet height on what they call an attic. It wouldn’t be that big of a deal if it wasn’t what cropped out a third of our view of the city skyline, including our favorite: the Chrysler Building. It sucks. We got a stop work order on it and they took out the windows and just put walls up. But after a few months they re-installed the windows. We hate this building. And apparently not too many people do like it. In an unprecedented move (unless you can correct me), the developer is putting these 16 units up for auction (more on that) and today was the open house. These units were originally going for half a million a piece, but now have a starting bid at $150,000!! We had to go check it out. Here’s some pictures from today. And we are not done writing letters and although there doesn’t seem like there’s any way to get our view back, I would like to give them as much hell about it as we can.
And last— but hardly least— the attic.
Nice.
Miss Heather
The Word On The Street: Polish 101
Despite the fact I have lived in Greenpoint for ten years my command of Polish is, how shall we say, lackluster. The only phrase I can say is: Ja nie mówiÄ… polski: “I don’t speak Polish”. This is more the result of necessity than moxie on my part. I am often mistaken for being Polish. Over the years I have learned this simple phrase is very useful for extricating myself from many a social situation (I’d just as well not be involved in).
Most of the time, anyway. A year ago I tried it on an elderly woman on Meserole Avenue. In return I was on the business end of a one minute long diatribe— IN ENGLISH— about how I was actually Polish and merely pretending to be an American. Despite my protestations of having been born in Texas (something of which I am not terribly proud, thus I only bring it up when I’m under extreme duress) she remained unconvinced. She continued screaming at me as I walked away. But I digress.
Today on Bridgewater Street I was reminded of another piece of Polish I have learned during my tenure in Greenpoint.
What does this mean, you ask? Look it up yourself. Ada must be one helluva of a gal.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Haunted on North Henry?
Vin writes:
Miss Heather,
There is another creepy looking Halloween house at 216 North Henry Street in Greenpoint between Norman and Nassau. Might be Real!!
Today I finally had a opportunity to swing by and see 216 North Henry in person. I was not disappointed.
Recycle. Or else!
Thanks for the tip, Vin. Your fabulous find made my day! I will be posting more Halloween goodness from the Garden Spot later this evening, so stay tuned!
Miss Heather
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