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Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Art Lovers Special
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Love Thy Neighbor, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
Every time I walk by a construction site (which is pretty much every day I leave the apartment nowadays) I wonder how the neighbors must deal with it. This is especially true of sites which strike me as being, how shall we say, sub-par from a professional stand-point. Well, this property (which bore the vestiges of a Stop Work Order which appears to have been lifted) piqued my interest so I went in for a closer look. I’m glad I did!
A neighbor has elected to use this opportunity to create an open air art gallery! The curator seems to have a taste for landscapes, but as you can see black velvet genre (a bullfighting scene, no less) abstraction are also represented. But it does not end there.
No sir, there’s more! Note the still life of a Harpoon ale bottle. However, without argument the following was the show-stopper…
I call this one “Vampire Clown with Black Cat”. What it lacks in “technique” it more than makes up with subject matter and, um, feeling. Sweet dreams, Garden Spotters!
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: McGolrick Park
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Today I decided to avail myself of the sunshine and go for a walk. On a lark I opted to swing by McGolrick and see how things are shaking. As you can see we have a problem.
We all know manhole plundering is an problem here. But this one is epic in both scope and chutzpah. As it was explained to me by a very sweet, dedicated and frustrated Parks Department employee, the reason for the barricade is one of our more resourceful— and I’d presume STRONG— citizens saw fit to divest this man hole of its cover (so as to sell for scrap at our manifold number of scrap metal establishments). This is why the powers that be have seen fit to weld its replacement in situ.
As for these benches: I was told local youths have made divesting them of wooden planks is a chronic problem.
Is any of this new fellow Greenpointers? No, it is not. What makes it “news” is the fact this behavior— if merely by benign neglect— is apparently still allowed to persist.
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Koi
This bit of much needed tranquility hails from Nassau Avenue which, as many of you are all too aware, is experiencing a great deal of upheaval lately due to construction. Yours truly got a taste of it yesterday at the intersection of Russell Street and Nassau Avenue. This is where a motorist, apparently unaware of the stop sign and a fellow directing traffic decided to proceed through the intersection and damned near hit yours truly in the process. The traffic monitor had this to say about this fellow’s intransigence:
Fucking idiot!
To wit, I clarified:
I beg to differ. Methinks fucking asshole is more apropos.
I look at it this way: having to reside or operate a business in the midst of this mayhem is bad. Having to preside over it— especially in 90+ degree weather— is probably worse. This post is for you, Mr. Traffic Monitor.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: A Halloween Inquiry
A lady named Chris writes:
Hi Miss Heather,
Love your blog! Read it all the time and I feel that it is very funny, yet a great service to the community so Thank You for doing it!
My question for today is: You highlight so many houses in the Pernt that are decked out for Halloween. I am now wondering if you have compiled a list of the top houses to hit for this big day? I tried searching on your site but didn’t have much luck. Maybe I am searching the wrong phrase? I tried “Halloween decorations”.
Any advice would be much appreciated and thanks again!
As it would happen I was out and about today documenting Greenpoint’s best ghoulish goodness. Before I proceed to the “winners” (so to speak) here is a slide show showcasing genuine Greenpoint Halloween goodness as spotted by yours truly. Enjoy!
And now onto my picks!
216 North Henry Street: While sporting a small front yard, they make excellent use of it!
This house on Beadel Street: I did not get the address. However, it packs a nice punch and crossing Vandervoort Avenue in order to view it is rather horrifying its own right!
Best Block: Without question this distinction goes to Hausman Street. Watch the following slide show and learn why!
And last— but hardly least— we have the usual suspects: 648 Humboldt Street and 97 Russell Street. I have to say Beverly (the lovely lady responsible for the latter) outdid herself this year. Mazel tov!
Other haunted houses worth a visit: 85 Calyer Street and 57 Franklin Street. I hope this was helpful, Chris. Have a very happy (and safe) Halloween Garden Spotters!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: District Dog Halloween Parade & Adoption Day
That’s right folks, District Dog’s annual Halloween parade and costume contest will soon be upon us! Follows are some highlights from 2009’s and 2010’s festivities to help my fellow dog lovers get inspired. Enjoy!
District Dog Halloween Parade & Adoption Day
October 30, 2011 starting at 2:00 p.m.
McGolrick Park
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Greenpoint Halloween Watch: 97 Russell Street Represents!
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
That’s right folks: the Halloween decorating (courtesy of a wonderfully sweet lady named Beverly) has begun.
It’s looking good!
Ghoulishly good!
As happenstance would have it, I bumped into the head of the 94th himself, Deputy Inspector Hurson, just around the corner on Driggs Avenue. I asked him if he had checked out this display. He had not. However, he did state that he had checked out 648 Humboldt Street. He was impressed— and rightfully so!
I took a moment to tell the folks responsible for this ever-growing display that I really liked the “day care” tableau (as seen above) and the girl in the pink dress reminded me of Courtney Love. They found this quite amusing— but added with a wink that this year might be their final run. I suspect I speak on the behalf of a number of north Brooklynites when I write:
Say it isn’t so!
To be continued…?
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Suicide At McGolrick Park?
Anonymous writes (in an email entitled “Rumors”):
Heard thru the grapevine that there was a suicide by hanging in mcgolrick dog run last night. Police tape wrapped around the area early this morning. Have you heard anything?
The truth is I haven’t. However, I asked Deputy Inspector Hurson about it and, true to form, he got right back to me right away (thanks)! He confirmed that a man (who is presumed— but not confirmed to be homeless) did commit suicide in the area. His identity has yet to be ascertained. Inasmuch as the McCarren Park homeless have received much press attention of late, the homeless who call McGolrick their home have gone virtually unnoticed. Something to think about, folks…
UPDATE, September 26, 2011: An eyewitness has stepped forward. Jared writes:
I got to the scene of this before the firemen and police did. A man had already called 911 and we waited for the police to arrive. The man was already dead. It was a hanging, twine wrapped around the fence on the dog run and he was on the ground between the bench and the fence. He certainly seemed homeless with lots of bags on the bench. If anyone has information about this man, please post it. It was a tragic scene and I am at least glad that only a few people had to witness it.
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