More People In My Neighborhood: Springtime Edition

May 7, 2009 ·
Filed under: Advanced Life Forms, Greenpoint Magic 

Now that the family has come and gone I am left with the daunting task of sorting all the photographs I have taken over the last week. Follows are a few select shots of my fellow Greenpointers. Enjoy!

grannyongreenpoint

A Greenpoint Avenue grandma for lunch.

herion

Nodding off in front of Mickey D’s.

gg

Waiting for the bus with a smile and a song!

roverbarrellove

Love, Kent Street style.

naptimeatjava

Nap time at Java Car Service.

tommystavern

Picking a winner at Tommy’s Tavern.

dupontstlove

Grabbing a handful at Dupont Street.

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Three

May 3, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

welcomenys

Dobbin Street

felizcumpleanosnys

Guernsey Street

threesuitsnys

Norman Avenue

threeinblacknys

Manhattan Avenue

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Hallelujah!

May 2, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek 

On April 21, 2009 I wrote (in regards to the waterfront park slated for northern terminus of Manhattan Avenue):

I’ll believe this park’s for real when my ass is firmly planted on one of those futuristic park benches!

myfatass

Well here’s my fat ass planted on one such bench. This photograph was taken today, May 2, 2009, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

nofence

Although the Brooklyn Paper reported that this park would be open in either June or July.

benches

It very much appears to be open.

facingeast

TODAY.

parkfacingwest

Get down there and check it out!

coupleenjoyingpark

It’s amazing how effective one news story the New York Times did NOT find fit to print (and as a result found its way onto a “neighborhood blog”) and one leaked Parks Department memorandum are at motivating our municipal entities to quit making excuses and get the job done. Looking at this couple enjoying their new park even warms the cockles of my cynical, jaded heart. Congratulations Greenpoint, you at long last have an honest-to-god (if still a little rough around the edges) waterfront park! Enjoy it.

Miss Heather

THIS WEEKEND: Service For Violetta Krzyzak

April 30, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

memorial

violetta

Those of you who wish to pay your respects (and/or offer your condolences to her family and loved ones) will be interested to know the service for Violetta Krzyzak will be conducted at the Evergreen Funeral Home this Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.

Service For Violetta Krzyzak
May 2, 2009, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Evergreen Funeral Home
131 Nassau Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue

April 28, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

flowers1

flowersandflag2

flowers3

This post is dedicated to Violetta Krzyzak and the loved ones she left behind. Any one of us could have found ourselves in her unfortunate shoes: being at the wrong place at the worst possible time. May she rest in peace.

Miss Heather

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: I have floated my idea of having a community meeting, memorial, “rap session”— whatever you want to call it (I do not wish to sound callous, I am simply at a loss for words)— about yesterday’s “incident” prior to next month’s 94th Precinct Community Council meeting to NAG and the Greenpoint Reformed Church and it appears to be a “go”. I will relay more details here as they become known.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: HOLY SH*T!

April 27, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

img_5194grahamtbeck

This rather unconventional take on double parking comes courtesy of Graham T. Beck. He writes:

Hey,

I walked out of my apartment to take a jog this afternoon, and the attached is what I saw…

According to an eye-witness, the driver of the white van was fleeing some undercover cops, doing about 100mph down Manhattan Avenue. Between India and Huron, the driver of the white van struck a young blonde woman, approximately 20 years old.

After the collision, the driver continued North along the Avenue.

At Dupont Street, the driver of the white van apparently lost control of his the vehicle and crashed into the black SUV, which was forced backwards on top of the station wagon.

The pedestrian’s condition is unknown. The driver of the white van was detained by the police.

I suspect I speak for many when I say my sincerest wishes are with the loved ones of the innocent bystander who was killed by this asshole. For those of you who are wondering, the next 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting will be on May 18th. I strongly recommend that each and every person who is outraged by this woman’s senseless death make it a point to attend.

Miss Heather

UPDATE, 10:19 a.m., 4/28/09: The New York Daily News has written a piece about this incident. You can read it by clicking here. Streetsblog also has a great piece which you can read here.

UPDATE, 5:42 p.m.; I just received these images and commentary from Laura Hofmann.

lhofmann1

lhofmann2

I came home from school to learn that there had been a shootout on Nassau Ave. A car chase down Manhattan Ave. A young girl hit & killed. And three cars piled onto each other across from my building.

The captain of the 94th can stand on his head from now until doomsday and he won’t convince me that there’s no crime problem happening in Greenpoint. We’re not even half way through 2009 and Greenpoint has a long list of problems going on!

Photo Credits: Graham T. Beck & Laura Hofmann

Has Anyone Seen Brooklyn?

April 26, 2009 ·
Filed under: Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint Magic 

brooklynlost

The cat, that is. When I found these fliers posted up and down Manhattan Avenue today my heart broke. If anyone has seen this Queen of felines named after the finest borough in New York City please contact her owner at the above telephone number or via email at:

kateapple (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Restaurant Watch: 946 Manhattan Avenue

April 26, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

before

Remember that most curious conversion I told you about last month? You know, the space that was formerly a bookstore but whose Certificate of Occupancy stated it was a funeral parlor? Well today the sign finally went up. And I have some very good news on the “culinary diversity” front!

la-tavernanys

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This eating and drinking establishment will be serving fare previously unavailable in my corner of Greenpoint.

workers-at-la-taverna

Per the really friendly guys who erected the sign “La Taverna” will be serving “Mediterranean food”. When I queried them as to whether it would be Greek, Turkish, etc. they confessed that they did not know. Nonetheless I told them this was most welcome news because our community has too many Thai restaurants already. As you can see in the above photograph, they found this piquant observation quite amusing.

La Taverna
946 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

I got no word as to when this establishment will be opening its doors. However, I took a quick peek inside and the interior appears to be very close to completion. The tables, chairs, light fixtures— you name it— were all in place and the only thing I could see lacking were the customers. In other words I am going to prognosticate that La Taverna will be gracing the Garden Spot sooner rather than later!

Miss Heather

To Whom It May Concern On Green Street

car3

If you are the owner of this Honda.

car1

And are wondering why your roof is crushed in.

car2

It’s because the following two fucked-up hipsters decided to make out on your motor vehicle. It must have been a magical moment (or they simply hate imported cars) because our love birds also elected to jump up and down on it as well.

Repeatedly.

At 4:00 this morning.

Miss Heather

Openings & Closures

April 22, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

bowianmarket

First up, the good news. When I walked by Bowian Market this afternoon I noticed a flurry of activity. Curious to see how things are going I trotted over and talked to the owner. This very affable chap told me their proposed opening date (provided everything goes to plan, of course) will be this Friday, April 23. As for the kind of food stuffs you can expect to find at Bowian; I noticed a number of buffet tables, a bar appointed with all the accouterments required to serve coffee and espresso; and many a Polish culinary delicacy. Why not swing by this weekend and welcome them to the neighborhood?

Bowian Market
Opening Date: April 23, 2009
664 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

And now the bad news… (sort of)

greentreerip

After only one year in business GreenTree is leaving us. But it’s not all doom and gloom.

closed

The proprietress is going back to her true love: massage therapy. As the flier indicates she is selling the remaining merchandise (for anywhere between 50% and 75% off) by appointment (which can be arranged via the above telephone number or email address) or “chance”.

GreenTree
95 Norman Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

Miss Heather

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