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January, 2009

  1. The Aliens Are Leaving

    January 30, 2009 by Justine

    My sister GG’s friend & local Greenpoint artisan Liz of Liz’s Looking Glass just emailed me about East Coast Aliens (216 Franklin Street) moving and selling off a mountain of various furniture and equipment. Ooooo a mini fridge!


    Hi Justine! I’m a friend of your sister and I love your blog. I just wanted to give you a heads up that my downstairs neighbors East Coast Aliens are moving out and selling lots of furniture and movie-related equipment and other interesting things tomorrow and Sunday from 10 – 6, here’s a link to their Craigslist ad.


    Unscrupulous landlord + recession = GOOB

    Help us recoup a bit of our investment and support us mentally
    Open House Saturday & Sunday 10AM to 6PM

    216 Franklin Street Brooklyn 11222

    Furniture

    Tables & chairs
    Couches fabric & leather
    Full size Sealy Posturepedic mattress & box
    inflatable matresses
    Metal Art deco desk wtih drawers on wheels
    1 Metal 5 drawers flat files

    Appliances & Fixtures

    stove top & oven
    1 regular fridge + freezer and 1 small fridge with ice compartment
    blender & some kitchenware
    portable electric heaters, air conditioners including one split unit and fans
    vacuum cleaners, shop vac & hoover floor mate
    various sinks including a stainless steel deep industrial sink

    Sound & Vision

    televisions large & small no flat panel hd
    dvd players, vcrs & combos
    lcd screens; one hd POLAROID flat screen monitor
    Yamaha receiver
    Mackie Mixing Board 1202 VLZ Pro
    Samson Studio Amplifier
    Shure Beta 58 mike
    large projection screen
    16 mm & slide projectors
    vintage typewriter
    CDs, unusual books, DVDs & video tapes

    Silkscreen & Art Supplies

    Ranar Jetstar Conveyor Dryer
    Brown Fast Flash FF2020 Dryer
    self made transfer table
    drying racks on wheels
    Victory Factory Aluminum and wood large & small screens
    various bottles of chemicals
    Buckets & cans of spraypaint

    Photo Equipment

    Durst Camcap Enlarger
    Berkey Omega Color Enlarger
    + lenses, color spotting kit
    Photo paper Dryer
    old cameras & flashes
    various colors backdrops

    and much more…. too many items for photos; ask for details or come say hello & goodbye


    Thanks Liz :)

    Category News | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Cozy Pierogi

    January 26, 2009 by Kea

    During my sabbatical in Queens, I became obsessed with two things: The Wire and restaurant ambiance. I thought the battle not to get fat was tough when fought on the Greenpoint front, but I quickly found that in Queens, aka Food Disney Land, “plump” was always just one bite away.

    And I became spoiled: extreme ambiance is the standard in Queens. In German restaurants, it’s always Oktoberfest. I found a Nepalese restaurant that made me worried a yeti would jump out at me when I went to the bathroom. I spent three months in what felt like a food theme park.

    Back in Greenpoint, I have been on a mission to pursue ambiance-based fine dining and last weekend, I found Karczma on Greenpoint Ave. I didn’t have my camera with me, so I have no photographic evidence, but picture this: you have had a long journey on your horse across the polish country side and are weary (i.e., hung over from raging with your cousin at the Pencil Factory the night before). You see a dim light on the horizon coming from the window of a quaint cottage. You tie up your horse and upon entering the warm den, you are greeted by the prettiest, shiniest, nicest Polish girls who immediately offer you a strong ale and a reasonably priced menu with all your Polish favorites on it. When the food comes, its homemade and extremely fresh. The dining room is dimly lit by wagon wheel candelabras and you devour your pierogies hungrily as you sit in your worn, wooden booth. When the bill comes, it is surprisingly cheap and you pay willingly for the feast you have just consumed. As you leave, you are sent off by friendly waves and smiles that for days afterward remain in your head, beckoning you to come back.

    I know I sound crazy, but this was five-star ambience. Not to mention, I’m always broke, and I didn’t feel remotely close to an overdraft fee when I laid down my debit card to pay. It’s cold these days and Polish food is comforting. Cold weather + Karczma + Recession = dining like a king or a queen or a weary hipster.

    Karczma
    136 Greenpoint Ave
    718-349-1744

    Category News | Tags: | 4 Comments

  3. Sunday Snaps: Branches

    by Justine


    McCarren Stars

    Model 81 Block

    boulevard tavern

    *All photos taken from the Greenpointers Group Flickr Pool.

    Category Sunday Snaps | Tags: | No Comments

  4. Blog Buzz: Free Pizza, Tires & Shirtless Sundays

    January 22, 2009 by Justine

    The Z train get a funeral and goes the way of the H.

    The Greenpoint YMCA has Shirtless Sundays. – Ripping Apart

    Lost and Found is officially permanently ‘lost’ and Alligator Lounge Part Deux is ‘found’. Free pizza seems to be the selling point. – NYCDAILYDEALS

    The curious case of the missing bicycle tire involves the 94th cops taking it into custody as evidence. Really? Is it needed for that big Law & Order style trial going to take place? – Cory Forsyth

    John Ericsson, Greenpoint’s historical pride and joy, lived at 95 Franklin Street and with all those bronze plaques that went missing, you can have this mini one for your desk and bring a little Gpoint to work with you everyday. – Brooklyn Paper & eBay

    The Brooklyn Paper mentions Gpoint’s newest restaurant River Barrel and also mentions the new Lovin’ Cup Cafe on N 6th Street which boasts feeding hungry hipsters (isn’t that an oxymoron? Or a paradox? Or something.) until 4am.

    Catbird closes it’s Metropolitan Ave store. I have to agree with Racked that that location always seemed really odd to me. Their having a huge sale with 50-75% off until their lease is fully up. Their Bedford Ave shop is still kickin’.

    The Manhattan Ave Washington Mutual branch is closing. Even more interesting, what will go in the double store front space? Xtra reopened around Christmas in a smaller place across the street, so maybe this will be a win-win and we’ll get something decent. My gut says it will just be replaced by another bank. Sigh. – Neighborhood Threat

    The Brooklyn Paper launches The Brooklyn Wire (gotta love that pigeon logo!). The Brooklyn Wire is basically an aggregater. “The aggregation — which captures all Brooklyn stories posted on a wide variety of local blogs (including yours truly!), Internet pages and newspaper Web sites — is automatically updated every 20 minutes with fresh local coverage“.

    They’re open. They’re closed. They’re open. They’re closed. They’re open? The Studio B saga rages on. – Eater

    Category News | Tags: | 2 Comments

  5. Do Your Part!

    by Justine

    Was your New Years Resolution to get more involved in your community? Here’s your chance from NAG:


    Let’s Build a Better Greenpoint/Williamsburg Together

    Our new President called on ordinary Americans yesterday to work together to get this country back on track. In that spirit, NAG is inviting you to help build the future of a better Greenpoint/Williamsburg.

    NAG is on the move with our 2009 Organizing Agenda. Join our working groups at one of these upcoming meetings.

    Our Transporation working group is meeting Thursday Jan 22nd at 7pm at Teddy’s backroom to talk about starting a road safety campaign for bikers and drivers and how to fight the proposed cuts in local subway and bus service.
    Jan 22, 7pm, 96 Berry Street between N. 8th and N. 9th. Streets

    Our Quality-of-Life/Community Character group is also meeting Thursday Jan 22nd at 7pm at the NAG office to review the results of their trash survey and to plan out the North Brooklyn Story Project.
    Jan 22, 7pm, 101 Kent Ave at N. 8th Street

    Our Open Space group is meeting in early February (the meeting for Jan 27th is being rescheduled) to create a campaign to advocate for opening more waterfront parks.
    Contact Emily Gallagher at emily.e.gallagher@gmail.com or call the office at 718-384-2248 to get involved

    Our Affordable Housing group is meeting early February to plan out a major event: a housing workshop that will work with all segments of the community on a variety of issues.

    Contact Wilneida Negron at wilneida {at} gmail {dot} com or call the office at 718-384-2248 to get involved

    More information about the working groups is available here.

    Building a New “Town Hall” Community Center
    If you are interested in helping us raise the almost $2 million needed to renovate the Engine 212 building into a new community center, join us Tuesday, February 3rd 6pm at Union Pool.
    Feb 3, 6pm, 484 Union Ave at Meeker Ave

    The last bit about building a new Town Hall sounds especially fantastic.

    Category News | Tags: | No Comments

  6. Blog Buzz: Free Pizza, Tires & Shirtless Sundays

    by Justine

    The Z train get a funeral and goes the way of the H.

    The Greenpoint YMCA has Shirtless Sundays. – Ripping Apart

    Lost and Found is officially permanently ‘lost’ and Alligator Lounge Part Deux is ‘found’. Free pizza seems to be the selling point. – NYCDAILYDEALS

    The curious case of the missing bicycle tire involves the 94th cops taking it into custody as evidence. Really? Is it needed for that big Law & Order style trial going to take place? – Cory Forsyth

    John Ericsson, Greenpoint’s historical pride and joy, lived at 95 Franklin Street and with all those bronze plaques that went missing, you can have this mini one for your desk and bring a little Gpoint to work with you everyday. – Brooklyn Paper & eBay

    The Brooklyn Paper mentions Gpoint’s newest restaurant River Barrel and also mentions the new Lovin’ Cup Cafe on N 6th Street which boasts feeding hungry hipsters (isn’t that an oxymoron? Or a paradox? Or something.) until 4am.

    Catbird closes it’s Metropolitan Ave store. I have to agree with Racked that that location always seemed really odd to me. Their having a huge sale with 50-75% off until their lease is fully up. Their Bedford Ave shop is still kickin’.

    The Manhattan Ave Washington Mutual branch is closing. Even more interesting, what will go in the double store front space? Xtra reopened around Christmas in a smaller place across the street, so maybe this will be a win-win and we’ll get something decent. My gut says it will just be replaced by another bank. Sigh. – Neighborhood Threat

    The Brooklyn Paper launches The Brooklyn Wire (gotta love that pigeon logo!). The Brooklyn Wire is basically an aggregater. “The aggregation — which captures all Brooklyn stories posted on a wide variety of local blogs (including yours truly!), Internet pages and newspaper Web sites — is automatically updated every 20 minutes with fresh local coverage“.

    They’re open. They’re closed. They’re open. They’re closed. They’re open? The Studio B saga rages on. – Eater

    Category News | Tags: | 2 Comments

  7. Do Your Part!

    by Justine

    Was your New Years Resolution to get more involved in your community? Here’s your chance from NAG:


    Let’s Build a Better Greenpoint/Williamsburg Together

    Our new President called on ordinary Americans yesterday to work together to get this country back on track. In that spirit, NAG is inviting you to help build the future of a better Greenpoint/Williamsburg.

    NAG is on the move with our 2009 Organizing Agenda. Join our working groups at one of these upcoming meetings.

    Our Transporation working group is meeting Thursday Jan 22nd at 7pm at Teddy’s backroom to talk about starting a road safety campaign for bikers and drivers and how to fight the proposed cuts in local subway and bus service.
    Jan 22, 7pm, 96 Berry Street between N. 8th and N. 9th. Streets

    Our Quality-of-Life/Community Character group is also meeting Thursday Jan 22nd at 7pm at the NAG office to review the results of their trash survey and to plan out the North Brooklyn Story Project.
    Jan 22, 7pm, 101 Kent Ave at N. 8th Street

    Our Open Space group is meeting in early February (the meeting for Jan 27th is being rescheduled) to create a campaign to advocate for opening more waterfront parks.
    Contact Emily Gallagher at emily.e.gallagher@gmail.com or call the office at 718-384-2248 to get involved

    Our Affordable Housing group is meeting early February to plan out a major event: a housing workshop that will work with all segments of the community on a variety of issues.

    Contact Wilneida Negron at wilneida {at} gmail {dot} com or call the office at 718-384-2248 to get involved

    More information about the working groups is available here.

    Building a New “Town Hall” Community Center
    If you are interested in helping us raise the almost $2 million needed to renovate the Engine 212 building into a new community center, join us Tuesday, February 3rd 6pm at Union Pool.
    Feb 3, 6pm, 484 Union Ave at Meeker Ave

    The last bit about building a new Town Hall sounds especially fantastic.

    Category News | Tags: | No Comments

  8. Watch Out Ladies!

    by Justine

    I received an email tonight from reader Vanessa and it’s something that should definitely be passed on.

    Dear Greenpoint frenz,

    Last night (Tues), at 3am, someone very close to me was assaulted here in Greenpoint, right outside the C-Town grocery on Manhattan Ave (btw Java/India). The assailants were two white males, probably in their 20s, both with accents (Polish or Czech, possibly). They were both very drunk. They followed her off the G train, and pinned her against the metal gate of C-Town (slamming her head and body), and one of them groped her. She kicked one in the balls and screamed. Luckily a very nice man coming out of the India St deli (Almohamdi or whatever) ran towards them (hearing her screams), and the two dispersed in opposite directions. She seems to be doing fine now (though obviously shaken by the experience), but this was scary, as the two did not demand anything (money, etc.), and it was not clear where this would have gone if the nice man did not intervene.

    I’ve been in a couple other sketchy-feeling situations recently in GPT where nothing happened, ultimately, but I had a strong “vibe”…

    So people, be safe and don’t let your guard down, especially when you walk at night (try not to walk alone!). Greenpoint for some time has been assumed to be one of the safest neighborhoods around here, but as the recession continues, people get wiley and desperate. If the economy is still in the shitter once the weather warms, that is traditionally a key time to watch for spikes in crime!

    I want to get her something for protection — any advice? I think pepper spray is illegal here, no? Do you know where we can get some? Any other safety devices you can recommend are much appreciated!!

    Be safe, friends!

    First off, my utmost sympathy to the woman who was attacked. This is a horrible, horrible thing to have to have happen and I know that although she is physically fine, the truth is that it’s not that easy to shake off a scary thing like that.

    I’m going to assume that they were indeed Polish and since they didn’t try to rob her, it wasn’t about the money or the economic climate. The young thugs of the neighborhood are no longer the local kids that I grew up with who were terrorizing the Polish drunks, it’s now the Polish drunks kids who are the thugs of the block. When I was younger it was all about the money and the need (not that that made it right).

    These kids upbringings are more skewed towards men being more powerful than women and I’ve seen it with the way that the Polish men in this neighborhood leer at young girls and even how the younger generation treat their girlfriends. As ridiculous as this sounds, with the locals all leaving the Polish kids are taking hold of the petty crimes in the area because there’s no one to threaten them back. Back in the day if one of these kids would have done this to a local girl – there would have twenty guys searching the Avenue for these fucks and beating their heads in.

    Now it may sound like it’s not the answer but the truth of the matter is, things like this are never taken care of the cops. The things that made Greenpoint a safe neighborhood were the people IN the neighborhood. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the newer influx of people in this neighborhood are easy targets. It’s a fucked up situation.

    Greenpoint is relatively safe, but you have to be careful anywhere walking late at night and alone. It gets pretty desolate around here and I just cross the street when I see a group of two or more guys who are drunk. Better to be safe than sorry. I can kick ass if need be, but against two drunk guys I don’t really have chance to leave unscathed.

    And props to the guy from the India St bodega. Those guys are awesome and pretty much one of the only places in that area that are open 24/7. And I’m glad to see that people still get involved when something like that is going down. You can’t just act like you don’t see things like that happen, you need to speak up or get involved.

    And yeah, get some pepper spray!

    Category News | Tags: | 3 Comments

  9. Watch Out Ladies!

    January 21, 2009 by Justine

    I received an email tonight from reader Vanessa and it’s something that should definitely be passed on.

    Dear Greenpoint frenz,

    Last night (Tues), at 3am, someone very close to me was assaulted here in Greenpoint, right outside the C-Town grocery on Manhattan Ave (btw Java/India). The assailants were two white males, probably in their 20s, both with accents (Polish or Czech, possibly). They were both very drunk. They followed her off the G train, and pinned her against the metal gate of C-Town (slamming her head and body), and one of them groped her. She kicked one in the balls and screamed. Luckily a very nice man coming out of the India St deli (Almohamdi or whatever) ran towards them (hearing her screams), and the two dispersed in opposite directions. She seems to be doing fine now (though obviously shaken by the experience), but this was scary, as the two did not demand anything (money, etc.), and it was not clear where this would have gone if the nice man did not intervene.

    I’ve been in a couple other sketchy-feeling situations recently in GPT where nothing happened, ultimately, but I had a strong “vibe”…

    So people, be safe and don’t let your guard down, especially when you walk at night (try not to walk alone!). Greenpoint for some time has been assumed to be one of the safest neighborhoods around here, but as the recession continues, people get wiley and desperate. If the economy is still in the shitter once the weather warms, that is traditionally a key time to watch for spikes in crime!

    I want to get her something for protection — any advice? I think pepper spray is illegal here, no? Do you know where we can get some? Any other safety devices you can recommend are much appreciated!!

    Be safe, friends!

    First off, my utmost sympathy to the woman who was attacked. This is a horrible, horrible thing to have to have happen and I know that although she is physically fine, the truth is that it’s not that easy to shake off a scary thing like that.

    I’m going to assume that they were indeed Polish and since they didn’t try to rob her, it wasn’t about the money or the economic climate. The young thugs of the neighborhood are no longer the local kids that I grew up with who were terrorizing the Polish drunks, it’s now the Polish drunks kids who are the thugs of the block. When I was younger it was all about the money and the need (not that that made it right).

    These kids upbringings are more skewed towards men being more powerful than women and I’ve seen it with the way that the Polish men in this neighborhood leer at young girls and even how the younger generation treat their girlfriends. As ridiculous as this sounds, with the locals all leaving the Polish kids are taking hold of the petty crimes in the area because there’s no one to threaten them back. Back in the day if one of these kids would have done this to a local girl – there would have twenty guys searching the Avenue for these fucks and beating their heads in.

    Now it may sound like it’s not the answer but the truth of the matter is, things like this are never taken care of the cops. The things that made Greenpoint a safe neighborhood were the people IN the neighborhood. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the newer influx of people in this neighborhood are easy targets. It’s a fucked up situation.

    Greenpoint is relatively safe, but you have to be careful anywhere walking late at night and alone. It gets pretty desolate around here and I just cross the street when I see a group of two or more guys who are drunk. Better to be safe than sorry. I can kick ass if need be, but against two drunk guys I don’t really have chance to leave unscathed.

    And props to the guy from the India St bodega. Those guys are awesome and pretty much one of the only places in that area that are open 24/7. And I’m glad to see that people still get involved when something like that is going down. You can’t just act like you don’t see things like that happen, you need to speak up or get involved.

    And yeah, get some pepper spray!

    Category News | Tags: | 3 Comments

  10. We Have To Go Back!

    January 20, 2009 by Kea

    I know Greenpointers that love LOST need no warning that the two hour premier of season 5 is tomorrow night on ABC at 9pm.

    I personally have been counting down since the tear jerking finale of season 4 in 2008. I found myself watching re-runs of Lipstick Jungle once LOST had wrapped and then slowly, no TV at all. Just to give you an idea of the type of LOST fanatic I am, I dressed up as Kate for the season 4 premier. I even put fake ‘dirt’ on my face (hot chocolate powder) and added freckles to my cheeks in order to be real to the character. Here is a picture to prove it. I have my roommate’s emergency radio as an accessory. And yes, those are wind pants.

    Tonight, I won’t be able to sleep. I will toss and turn thinking about Desmond and Penny, the smoke monster and Jin lost somewhere on that blow up raft. Tomorrow I wont be able to focus at work. No status reports will go out. Its truly been a long, dark winter without you my pet.

    Category News | Tags: | 1 Comment

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