Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
New York Shitty Day Ender: 95 Norman Avenue Gets Tiled
There would appear to be signs of life at GreenTree’s old digs!
Miss Heather
Spotted On Norman Avenue: Cop Piece
I have noticed activity at the cool old storefront at 94 Norman Avenue of late. Today after work I decided to swing by again and see what’s up.
It would appear that starting tomorrow night St John’s Theatre will be hosting four consecutive weekends of “Cop Piece”: a series about “Cops and Coping” with live poetry readings from Edgar Oliver before every show. By all appearances this show appears to be free, however a $10 donation is recommended for beer and wine.
Cop Piece by St. John’s Theatre
April 9, 2010 – May 1, 2010
94 Norman Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Those of you looking for an inexpensive way to while away the upcoming weekend(s)— or are simply curious as to what this space looks like (I certainly am) might want to give this a whirl. If you do, let me know what you think!
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Of Paws & Print
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Fur
This lovely lady is named Jasmine. As you can see she takes her responsibilities at her place of work (the newsstand at the corner of Norman Avenue) very seriously. This image comes courtesy of the camera of Jay Lombard of Dog Habitat. Great capture!
Closing on a related note, I would like to remind everyone that Dog Habitat’s upcoming fundraiser, “Poker Unleashed”, is scheduled for this upcoming Sunday, April 11, 2010 starting 2:30 p.m. I have it on good intelligence there are still a few slots left. Those of you who are interested in participating should contact the guys (and gals) of Dog Habitat via email at: pokerunleashed (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Rode Hard & Put Away Wet
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact
Jason (who forwarded me the above find) writes:
Hi Heather,
First of all, I love your blog! I have been a proud resident of the Garden Spot for 15 years, and I have come to count on you for news on our illustrious nabe…especially restaurant news. Anyway, this little (creepy, but I think most dolls are creepy) beauty was on Norman Ave near McGuinness last Friday the 12th of March. Dunno if you want to post them but here you go.
Hope you’re well, and enjoying our incipient spring weather!
Thanks for the kind words, Jason! They are greatly appreciated as is your find. And on that note I am off to enjoy this lovely day (and perhaps grab an ice cream cone). More later.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: The Greenpoint 100 Is Back!
I know a number of you were interested in this (I know I am) so here’s the 411 per their press release:
Saturday, May 1, 2010
11 AM-2:30 PM
CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Friends of the Greenpoint Library call for works to be donated by artists living or working in Greenpoint. The works will be sold to benefit the Greenpoint Branch of Brooklyn Public Library. All work will be sold by silent auction. We are accepting works in all mediums (maximum size 11X14 inches). The show will be juried by local gallery owners and prizes will be awarded.
Email contact information and JPEG to: thefriendsofgreenpointlibrary (at) gmail (dot) com
If you are one of the first 100 qualified artists to respond to the call, you will receive a reply with an ID number from 1-100 and the address of where your work must be mailed or delivered.
Accepted artists’ work must be received by Friday, April 30th to be included in the exhibit
Last year this event had just over 80 participants and raised $1,200 for our public library. I say we make it 100% this year and raise even more! I’ve made my submission (I’m #2!), what about you?
Miss Heather
Has Anyone Seen Socks?
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
I happened upon this flier yesterday on Nassau Avenue. Socks is a five year old grey and white “tuxedo cat” from Dobkin Street. If you have seen this gent or know of his whereabouts please contact his “people” at the above-listed telephone number. Thanks!
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: From Greenpoint To The Red Planet
This, um, interesting piece of advertising comes courtesy of the camera of Sherry Wasserman. Nice find!
Miss Heather
P.S.: I wanted to include an anal probe joke in this post but simply couldn’t come up with one! If any of you have a winner please share it via comments. Thanks!
Greenpoint Lost & Found
As I was knocking about the Garden Spot today I found two fliers regarding lost and found pets. I am going to pass them along here— along with a few notes.
I stumbled upon this flier for a found pup (Bichon Frise? Maltese?) on Noble between Franklin and Lorimer Street. No details are given other than he (or she) was found on Lorimer Street. If this is your dog or you know to whom he (she?) belongs please contact the 94th Precinct at the above-listed telephone number.
I found this flier at 87 Dobbin Street. Once again no details are given. However, if you have happened upon a kitten resembling the one depicted in the above photograph around the intersection of Dobbin Street and Norman Avenue, chances are pretty good it is this guy (or girl). I suppose it goes without saying— but I am going to say it anyway: if you have seen the above kitty or know of his/her whereabouts please call his (or her) people at the above telephone number. Thanks!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: The Norman Snowman
This handsome chap comes courtesy of lady_rachel and hails from, appropriately enough, Norman Avenue. For those of you who are not in the know Norman Avenue was named after the founding father of Greenpoint: one Dirck Volckerstzen. Better known as “Dirck the Norman“— who was undoubtedly all too familiar with the fluffy stuff which is currently proliferating in our fair ‘burgh.
It should also be noted (because I am a history dork/Greenpoint geek) there was once a place called Norman’s Kill. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s a snippet from an article from the March 11 1888 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. NOTE: “E.D.” means Eastern District which encompasses what we now know as Williamsburg, Bushwick and Greenpoint.
You can continue reading this (lengthy— but interesting) tome by clicking here. Otherwise, if you’re curious about Het Dorp, click here.
Enjoy!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Greenpoint Lofts Going Rental…
and residential? The latter being the in the true north Brooklyn tradition (READ: illegal living space).
Not only are there “for lease” signs gracing the place formerly known as The Greenpoint Lofts but I have intriguing information from a tipster we’ll call Q. It started like this:
Hey Miss Heather,
My name is Q and I stumbled on your blog during my search for a work/live space. I noticed you had quite a few entries about the place I was considering on 231 Norman…
This raised some serious bells and whistles for yours truly. You see, 231 Norman is by definition (and Certificate of Occupancy) a commercial space. Living is not allowed. I brought this and a number of other concerns to this person’s attention including (but not limited to):
1. The slew of complaints and violations for this property per the Department of Building’s Building Information System…
2. What happened at 239 Banker Street). He/she replied:
…No, the property was not advertised as live/work space. I saw it as a commercial property and I thought it would be possible to convert because the set up of this particular building seems to lend itself to that quite well. On the other hand, I think there is a bit of wink-wink-nod kind of thing going on about the whole live/work set up. I had a pretty big discussion with the realtor about putting in some amenities to make it a work/live set up and he informed me that there are people who have done that in the building. In addition, he didn’t say that my plans to convert the place to make it more “livable” was anything illegal. Of course, if one is to be a cynic, one could say that he is just eager to make a sale…
If 239 Banker has taught a number of unfortunate folks (and yours truly) an unpleasant lesson it is this: exercise due diligence. Do not take a broker’s word as gospel. This is not to suggest there are not reputable, ethical, dedicated brokers out there. There are— but there are many who are not. Especially in these lean economic times.
It goes without saying that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and do not fool yourself into thinking that illegal conversions (even if given a blind eye by the developer and/or the real estate agents who represent his/her) cannot or will not effect you.
They can and will. The last I heard the residents of 239 Banker Street have yet to get back their deposit money. There’s a distinct possibility they never will. Don’t become a statistic.
Miss Heather
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