Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Urban Fur: King Of The Jungle
This magnificent beast is named Ruple and he calls Ramon Auto Service his place of enjoyment. Interesting fact learned today: the abbreviation for ruble (which is a monetary unit for those of you who are not in the know) is RUB. This is exactly what I wanted to give this this fellow— but he wasn’t having it!
New York Shitty Day Starter: The Touraine
Nothing says “class” like an elegantly designed vinyl poster affixed to a fire escape replete with a surveillance camera. Thank you, WarmSleepy.
East Williamsburg Photos du Jour: Season’s Greetings From Humboldt Street
Filed under: 11211, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, The Word On The Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken December 20, 2011.
New York Shitty Photos du Jour: HUMBUG!
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Culture War, Fuck This Shit, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Isn’t it refreshing to see our Parks Department is taking on the serious issues manifest in our precious few public spaces? Here’s what the tree’s creator, Julian Cole, has to say about this sad turn of events:
Hey Heather,
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for covering the Brooklyn Christmas Tree, I did it as a little side project and your posts really helped it get to a much wider audience. I was sad to learn they took it down but it was good fun process. I am planning to do more small projects about Williamsburg next year so I will make sure to keep you in the loop when I do.Happy Christmas
So there have you. If I had to hazard a guess I’d say the amount of time and manpower it took to remove this piece of holiday cheer the Parks Department could have, should have (for example) purchased and installed one toilet seat at a women’s comfort station under their care. But there I go employing logic again. Logic as we citizens know it does not apply to our civil servants. Hence why after waiting over a month for our Parks Department to replace a toilet seat at Jaime Campiz Playground, I found it more logical (and expedient) to do it myself.
What makes McCarren Park— and this community in general— worth visiting (in my humble opinion) are the random acts of kindness (and yes, mischief) its citizens choose to bestow upon it. Mr. Cole’s Christmas tree is one such example. I for one (and mind you, I write this as an agnostic) think his was a lovely project. It amused and, more importantly, engaged our community. Yet it was removed— by those who purport to serve us.
On that note it should be Known, gentle readers, that our Parks Department wants your feedback as to what brings you to McCarren Park!
Live From Community Board 1: OSA Presents
Filed under: 11206, 11211, 11222, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
It was a relatively tame evening last night despite a full house. I made the acquaintance of a New York Times reporter present. He asked me:
Is the turn-out usually like this?
To wit I replied:
No.
He then asked:
How many people are usually here?
Me:
Maybe half or one third.
When asked why the turn-out was so large. I told him:
They’re angry.
It has been my observation that citizens do not go to Community Board 1 meetings to give thanks and spread sunshine. Rather, they come to make their presence known because they’re pissed off. This is the north Brooklyn way. In any case, tonight’s spokesperson on the behalf of OSA (Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn) was Adam Perlmutter. This chap is the Secretary for said org and one of the founders of OSA Presents LLC (their concert arm). He spent the evening spreading sunshine— including to yours truly! Without further ado, here he is.
And by all appearances this seems to have mollified the concerned citizens present. Somewhat. Mr. Ricco makes it quite clear he will be keeping an eye on them (do give this a view).
And in a hardly dramatic conclusion the Board takes their recommendations to a vote.
So there have you.
New York Shitty Analysis/Op-Ed/Food For Thought:
- I found it rather interesting that the one show excised (so as to provide more “family-oriented” entertainment and reduce possibly problematic concert events) was the “Latino” concert. While I am certain concerns about revenue were at play, the fact of the matter is north Brooklyn has a rather large Hispanic population. I am certain they would very much enjoy a concert event with their families. By removing this event from the roster OSA has made a value judgment, gentle readers. I’ll leave it to you deduce what it is.
- I also found it interesting that Mr. Perlmutter (albeit obliquely— and not by name) called out Jelly NYC as a “concert promoter we did not want to work with” and then proceeded to excoriate them for not operating events in a professional matter. This does not dove-tail with how he felt about this same business in 2009. This makes one wonder why he has had an about-face?
- I for one am very excited at the prospect of viewing a line item account of OSA’s expenses and expenditures if for no other reason I want to see exactly how much money (if any) has been allocated for improvements and maintenance of Greenpoint’s parks because I have seen any difference whatsoever.
- Lastly, so the concerns about quality of life issues arising from the concerts at East River State Park have been allayed— or at least tabled. What about the same issues posed by OSA’s events at other open spaces? In other words: What about the rest of us?
Nonetheless this is a a small— but significant— step forward. Those of you who want a full rundown of last night’s (mind-boggling long) proceedings can get a very nice summary over at A Short Story. Check it out!
Miss Heather
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