Rss Feed

April, 2008

  1. Blog Buzz: Barbie Cars, Chocolate and Shia LaBeouf

    April 30, 2008 by Justine

    Greenpoint gossip from people who are better bloggers than I.

    Someone lost their friend on Devoe. The really strange thing is I was born on Devoe and my last name is Carroll. Though there is no relation, I sincerely hope this guy isn’t dead.

    Although not actually in Greenpoint, Ikea is opening June 15th. You can get there via the B61 which runs through Greenpoint. And hey, we need cheap furniture, too, ya know. – Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn

    This Saturday you can take a Bike Tour of The (Future) Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. The 10-mile ride at a family pace begins at Newtown Creek in Greenpoint to the spectacular waterfront in Red Hook. I’m guessing ‘family pace’ means it’s not going to be Lance Armstrongs and the spandex mafia.

    The Fashion Skool of Hard Knocks featured some Greenpointers (and I use that term loosely) dressed in true hipster attire on the corner of Greenpoint and Manhattan Aves. Though I gotta admit I am a little in love with that purse chick number three is carrying.

    I cannot believe that someone owns this car in Greenpoint. Please, please tell me there were California plates on this whip. Malibu, even?

    As someone who loves, collects and sells vintage for the last ten years it makes me really sad to hear about this. Just think of all those Etsians who could have made trinkets and things with all the potentially amazing vintage stuff in there.

    Ever wonder what Winthrop (McGolrick) Park looked like in 1913? You can spy PS 110 in the right corner, too.

    Bette Midler came to McCarren Park to plant trees for Arbor Day. Did The Divine Miss M come as C.C. Bloom? Or maybe she sang The Rose? Ok, I’m all out of planting puns.

    The Greenpoint Hotel is apparently now a Bed & Breakfast. Does everyone who stays there get a free vial of crack, too?

    The trials and tribulations of Studio B and their roof deck has been all over the blogosphere. They were hit with a stop work order last week which I imagine might put a cramp in their May 2nd debut. The locals are *really* pissed with this place. The last thing you want is a bunch of people organizing themselves for a good ol’ fashioned lynchin’. The hipsters and the locals alike are getting involved in this. Since the place never has anyone I want to see, I personally don’t give a rats ass what happens to ‘em. Between them and Club Exit, the only people who would be missing them are the makers of glow sticks.

    The Greenpoint chocolatiers aka the Mast Brothers have snagged themselves a Williamsburg factory to make their bars. I have yet to try them myself, but I am a big fan of expensive chocolates… It makes you eat less when you have to pay more.

    And if you’re home and not doing anything right now – hangout along Franklin Street between Greenpoint and Kent to see some stars filming New York, I Love You. I have an unnatural affection for Shia LaBeouf so I’m heading out to stalk – er, I mean observe, him.


  2. Darts Update

    April 28, 2008 by Justine

    *** PLEASE SEE UPDATE HERE ***

    Last Thursday there was a meeting at Connie O’s for starting up the new Greenpoint / Williamsburg Dart League but we only got three teams to show up so we did a little visiting around town and gave out sign-up sheets to bars.

    Right now, the only bars I know of that have the sign-up sheet up and ready to put your John Hancock on are Coco’s and Mark Bar. Both bars expressed interest in sponsoring a team but they need players! So get down there TONIGHT and sign-up with your friends. Mark Bar has the list right where the dart board is located on the wall and Coco’s has their taped to the end of the bar closest to the bathrooms entrance.

    We also gave sign-up sheets to Red Star, Spike Hill, Tommy’s Tavern, R Bar, Turkey’s Nest and Mulholland’s. If you frequent these joints, stop by and mention you’d love to play for them – they expressed interest previously and a simple nudge by one of their customers may make it happen!

    Check out my previous post for more info.

    *img from bridgeandtunnelclub.com


  3. Manhattan Avenue: For Rent, Revisited

    April 27, 2008 by Justine

    About a month and a half ago I did a post about the open spaces for rent on Manhattan Ave and I thought I’d update to see what the deal is with some of those joints.

    First up was the old Shanghai Lee. Turns out this is now a Korean place. And my sister said it’s run by Polish people. Hey, there’s Chinese people making Mexican food so who am I to say that’s strange.


    Then there was the nice vintage storefront of Nathan’s. Last weekend I passed by this place and there was a dude drawing peoples portraits in the vestibule. And a sign that said Flea Market in the window. Today I spy the property on Corcoran and the rent is for $10,000 a month. Something tells me the sketching guy ain’t got that kinda dough.


    The 99 cent Plus store was turned into a shoe store. One of those Polish owned stores where they sell European goods. It just seems like such a waste of space, there’s hardly anything in there.


    Everyone and their mother has heard by now that Xtra is going to be a Wamu.

    There’s been no change with Dutch Dairies, the hardware store that claimed a Japanese restaurant was coming since Christmas, the Top 99 cents / Checkline Wirelss that was a Rickys for a hot minute, Sundae Delights or the old mens clothing store.

    The most interesting to me has been George’s. They’ve gutted the entire place. It’s pretty huge. No idea what’s going to be there, yet, but I sincerely am hoping it’s something USEFUL.


  4. Whip It (Not That) Good

    by Justine

    The McCarren Park Pool schedule is filling out. A bunch of new additions including Devo. Yeah, that Devo. I’m starting to get a little sad that there’s no huge act I really want to see yet. There’s no last years Beastie Boys or Modest Mouse to get me all sorts of excited.

    Boo.


  5. UFMP Gets A Blog

    by Justine

    United Friends of McCarren Park started a blog recently and it’s the best way to keep up with the groups meetings and activities. Like next up is their next meeting on Tuesday, April 29th. Yes, I realize it’s confusing all the groups and community activists (and meetings! Boy do these people like meetings!) around the nabe nowadays. I’m confused myself but I’d rather see a bunch of people trying to do good things for the neighborhood than not enough.

    Park Friends,

    It’s time to unite for a better park!

    Please join The United Friends of McCarren Park (UFMP) in a discussion about McCarren Park. UFMP takes the ideas from the community and park users to transform them into a vision for the future of McCarren Park.

    That’s our mission, and we want to hear your ideas. UNITED, we can
    make a difference!

    We’re a new group with the ambition of serving McCarren Park users, existing community groups and working with other parks groups in the area. With the influx of new park users and summer approaching this is a great time to get involved!

    Please join us for our next meeting:
    Tuesday April 29th, 2008
    7:00PM
    The Polish National Home/Warsaw
    261 Driggs Avenue at Eckford Street
    Room 9: Second Floor

    The proposed agenda:
    - Summary of “what we’ve done so far” and next steps
    - Community Calendar
    - Remember When… photo collection
    - It’s My Parks Day in May
    - Committee formation


  6. Summer Starz 2008

    by Justine

    Town Square is starting to put together the Summer Starz 2008 program at McCarren Park.

    SUMMERSTARZ 2008 – This is a free family series that we run on Wednesday evenings in McCarren Park (right where the Earth Day event was held). In fact, that stage is the very one that we built last summer for SummerStarz 2007. This will be the 4th year that we’re putting on SummerStarz and you can check out the past years on our website (www.townsquareinc.com).

    The evening begins with a Kids Hour at 6 pm (music classes, arts & crafts, dancing classes, etc) before segueing into a live performance and outdoor movie on the Lorimer lawn. We typically pick a theme for the live show/movie that’s reflective of our community such as Polish, Irish, and so on. A proposed program is presented below and we welcome everyone’s input.

    The only caveats are: (1) any suggestions come with the contact info for the performers/movie distributor and (2) the evening must be fun – nothing depressing, nothing that leaves you shaking your head wondering just what was the point – you get the drift.

    If you’d like to be a part of this years festivites and help out the community, attend the next Town Square monthly meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008 7pm at 102 Oak Street. Dinner, drinks and baby-sitting services will all be provided, so please let them know if you’re coming.


  7. The Habitat = Two Thumbs Up

    April 26, 2008 by Justine

    Finally checked out The Habitat this week and I have to say I was impressed. The vibe is relaxed, the prices for both beer and food were very reasonable, the menu just perfect enough for catching a bite to eat and beer. The pressed sandwiches were tasty and the mac and cheese was *just* creamy enough.

    My only drawback would be it’s a little small and there’s no outdoor area – but it’s not like that’s they’re fault, so no dock-age on the star-age for those things!

    The owner and staff were really friendly, we got a buy back after a few beers and I’m looking forward to checking out Nicole’s sangria next time!


  8. Blog Buzz: Bitchin’ & Moanin’

    April 24, 2008 by Justine

    Ah, busy little Greenpointer hasn’t had time to blog! But the world keeps turning and others keep writing so here’s a roundup of some Greenpoint goodies from around the ‘net.

    Getting to know Greenpoint and Williamsburg
    – This post is hoping to be the definitive one to give you all the yummies around the hood. – Chowhound

    Studio B and it’s retractable roof – I find this one hard to believe will actually happen given all the drama from the residents… but it sure does look purty.

    Speaking of drama from local residents, the madness surrounding Club Exit and the nearby shooting has been the buzz of the neighborhood. The Brooklyn Eagle even added another tasty tidbit that “The woman was shot in the leg as she fled down Greenpoint Avenue around 4 a.m. Friday while running away from the scene of a brawl inside the club.” Monday night there was supposedly a community meeting at the side of the old Greenpoint savings bank. The Brooklynian thread has a poster on there that’s claiming it did take place and “that the actual owner of exit was at the town meeting to answer all questions”, as well as stating “the captain of the 94, and the owner of exit, have sat down and spoke,and will try to work together to make the neighborhood safer and quieter”. Hmmmmm, anyone else go to this meeting?

    Even more neighborhood drama was at the McCarren Park Go Green! Greenpoint Earth Day event. Exxon was apparently a major sponsor of the event that it caused some folks to do a sort of “protest” at the event. Personally, I think it’s quite fucking hypocritical of everyone to at one point berate Exxon for not doing enough for the community after their major oil spill fuck-up of the century but then when they do try, we give ‘em shit for that, too. It just goes to show people love to bitch and moan.

     


  9. Spring Fling Craftacular

    April 23, 2008 by Justine

    As we mentioned a few months ago, big craft shows are rolling into town this Spring and Summer. First up is the Spring Fling Craftacular this Sunday at Warsaw.

    You are cordially invited to BUST Magazine’s first ever Spring Fling Craftacular in Brooklyn! Save a dance for us and 50 of the finest indie designers and crafters at our Spring time craft fair and 90s themed dance!

    While shopping, sip on spiked punch and strike a pose at our Spring Fling photo studio (crowns and corsages provided) while dancing to the hottest jams from the 90s. $2 admission enters you into the Craftacular raffle featuring over $2000 worth of prizes!

    DATE: Sunday, April 27 from 11 am to 9 pm

    LOCATION: The Warsaw in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 261 Driggs Avenue.


  10. Club Exit III – What Happened & What’s Next

    April 21, 2008 by Justine

    Thanks to commenter Jay for the tip on the Daily News’ further info about the Club Exit gunshots post.

    Partygoer shot near Brooklyn club

    BY Tanangachi Mfuni and Jonathan Lemire
    DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

    Saturday, April 19th 2008, 4:00 AM

    A 20-year-old woman was wounded by a stray bullet as she fled a brawl that erupted outside a Brooklyn club early Friday, police said.

    The victim had been hanging out at the “Fashion Mayhem” party thrown by a SUNY-Old Westbury student group at Club Exit in Greenpoint.

    She left the club when it closed at 4 a.m. and then heard shots behind her. She was wounded in the leg as she ran along Greenpoint Ave., police said.

    The woman, who was not identified, was taken to Bellevue Hospital where she was in stable condition. Cops did not say if the victim was a SUNY student, and calls to the university were not returned. No arrests were made.

    In addition, if you’ve been following the (pretty active and argumentative) Brooklynian.com forum thread on this incident there is a community meeting tomorrow April 21 @ 7:30 pm on the side entrance of the old Greenpoint (now a Capital One, I think?) bank (Calyer St & Manhattan Ave).