Recently a writer doing research on a book about Greenpoint interviewed me about life in Greenpoint and the Polish community came up. I explained how unique NYC is in that Polish immigrants could live here and never learn English. They could read the paper, get groceries, go to the doctor, work, get legal services – all in Polish.
It reminds me of my Aunt Grace who immigrated from Italy and lived in Ridgewood for 50 years, getting by with hardly any English. At age 70 she decided to get her American citizenship, and during the interview when they asked her who the first president of the United States was, she said, “Ronald Regan – very nice man.” Aunt Grace somehow passed, and I hope they’ve become stricter on the exam.
While I’m doing a poor job selling it, learning English is a good thing and will help create more opportunities for education, work and socializing. And of course – the ability to read this fine blog!
St. Nicks Alliance is offering FREE English classes for speakers of foreign languages, at both the Williamsburg (850 Grand St.) and Greenpoint (424 Leonard) Beacon Centers. They begin Saturdays – March 16th from 10am-1pm & Mondays – March 18th 6:30-8:30pm, respectively. Each class has 12 sessions. Classes are for beginning and intermediate English learners, and are open to those 18 or older.
Register in person on weekdays from 1-6pm at the Williamsburg Beacon, and from 1-7pm at the Greenpoint Beacon.
For more info, call the Williamsburg Beacon at 718-302-6827 x10, or the Greenpoint Beacon at 718-388-5585.
FRIDAY 11/30 ♥ Sandy Benefit Photo Pin-up Show @ Meble Studios (340 Morgan Ave, #7) 6:30-9pm, affordable art, drinks and snacks, 100% of all print sales will be donated to Occupy Sandy, More info ♫ Brooklyn Night Bazaar @ 45 N. 5th St, 6pm-midnight, Free, 200 of the borough’s most creative independent vendors, musicians, chefs, artists, breweries and wineries, More info ♫ Walter Schreifels @ Matchless (557 Manhattan Ave) 8pm ♫Hilly Eye / Waxahatchee / Corita @ Saint Vitus (1120 Manhattan Ave) 8pm, $8
SATURDAY 12/1 • Handmade Holiday Cavalcade @ The Space (50 No. 3rd St) 11am-11pm, Etsy NY Team shares its hand-crafted artistry with perfect gifts: handmade clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body treasures, toys, and housewares. * Greenpoint Handskills Presents: Garlands @ Greenpoint Library (107 Norman Ave) 12-2pm, get in the handmade holiday spirit with us over doughnuts and coffee, learn how to make garlands, bunting, pom poms, and paper chains from yarn, felt, and paper, RSVP ♦ Holiday Art & Editions Sale @ Fourth Estate (272 Morgan Ave #F) 12-9pm, first annual holiday sale of prints by a small artist-run art print publishing company in Bushwick, buy artist books, ceramic multiples, band merchandise, albums, jewelry among other things such as popcorn… *Rolling Jubilee Open House @ Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South, NYC) 6pm, Learn how this amazing project has bought and erased over $8.6 million in debt ♦ Lena Henke @ Real Fine Arts (673 Meeker Ave) Opening Reception 7-10pm ♫ Brooklyn Night Bazaar @ 45 N. 5th St, 6pm-midnight, Free, 200 of the borough’s most creative independent vendors, musicians, chefs, artists, breweries and wineries, More info ♫ Hard Nips / Animal Tropical / The Roulettes @ Backroom at The Gutter (200 No. 14th St) 9pm, $5
SUNDAY 12/2 • Handmade Holiday Cavalcade @ The Space (50 No. 3rd St) 11am-11pm, Etsy NY Team shares its hand-crafted artistry with perfect gifts: handmade clothing, jewelry, accessories, paper goods, bath and body treasures, toys, and housewares. • Slovak Club Ladies Auxiliary Penny Social @ (619 Manhattan Ave) 1pm, $5, Win terrific prizes like a flat panel TV, 50/50 Raffle, Coffee & cake served. ♫ Kimya Dawson / Rob Sonic / Sir Jarlsberg @ Europa (98 Meserole Ave) 7pm, $12
MONDAY 12/3 • THE WORST! @ Good Bye Blue Monday (1087 Broadway, Bushwick) 8-9:30pm, $5, a hilarious evening of writers, musicians, and other weirdos telling stories about the worst jobs, roommates, and dates they’ve ever had, RSVP
TUESDAY 12/4 ♥ Big Brooklyn Holiday Toy Drive @ Red Star (37 Greenpoint Ave) 7pm, $20 donation or a new, unwrapped toy, valued at $20, food, open bar, DJs, raffle, door prizes, RSVP
WEDNESDAY 12/5 • Subjectified: Nine Young Women Talk about Sex, A Documentary @ YWCA (30 3rd Ave, BK) 7pm, FREE, Screening a cutting-edge documentary that lets women define sexuality on their own terms, RSVP • 94th Precinct Meeting @ Church of the Ascension (122 Java St) 7pm ♫ Miniboone / Leapling / Quiet Loudly / Wilder Maker @ Death By Audio (49 So. 2nd St) 8pm, $7
* Greenpointers’ Pick ♫ Music ♥ SANDY BENEFIT ♦ Art Event
Here on “this side” of Greenpoint, we are very proud of our park that goes by the name of Winthrop or McGolrick depending on what century you moved or were born here. While we can’t agree on the name, we all love this hidden gem of a public park.
The McGolrick Park School Alliance has recently formed in order to get surrounding schools (P.S. 110, St. Stan’s & P.S. 34) to collaborate in clean-up and beautification of our park, starting March 2012 through November 2012.
There are some really cool events planned including a grass-seeding, tree planting, an art show, nature workshops led by the Hall of Science, a craft/painting day and a compost project. Count me in!
The group needs funding in order to accomplish these goals, which will make the park better for ALL to enjoy. The alliance needs a little over $2000 to make it all happen. You can donate to this project here. Even $1 helps, so fork it over!
Recently a writer doing research on a book about Greenpoint interviewed me about life in Greenpoint and the Polish community came up. I explained how unique NYC is in that Polish immigrants could live here and never learn English. They could read the paper, get groceries, go to the doctor, work, get legal services – all in Polish.
