Our area has been the birthplace of many things: the American porcelain industry, oil refining, but carousels? Who knew? Actually, Greenpoint has a long history of carousel production that goes all the way back to 1850 when Greenpoint’s Eliphalet Scripture off Greenpoint received the first patent for the improvement of the “flying” carousel horse.
Another Greenpoint man would make a name for himself as the creator of some of the most beautiful American carousels. Charles Looff who lived on Leonard Street is arguably the father of the American carousel. The Danish-born Loof, arrived in Greenpoint in 1870 and found employment as a woodworker in a local furniture factory. After work he would take scraps of wood home and carve beautiful carousel animal figures from them. Loof mounted his wooden animals onto a circular platform and created his first merry-go-round. In 1876, he built the carousel at Lucy Vandeveer’s Bathing Pavilion at West Sixth Street and Surf Avenue, Coney Island’s first carousel and first amusement ride. Continue reading →
We’re one week away from hamburgers, sparklers, and rooftop fireworks. With the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show barges in the East River, literally between the northern tip of Greenpoint and Long Island City (where they properly should be!), our waterfront and rooftops are going to be prime viewing. If you don’t have a private rooftop to your avail, a few of our favorite places are going to be hosting parties, some complete with special menus and poppin’ bottles. But you better act fast as all expect to sell out! Continue reading →
When it comes to apartment insurance, a steady and experienced hand knows the right questions to ask. Here are a couple situations when it can make all the difference — especially when you need apartment insurance in a New York minute.
1) It’s renovation time. You’ve hired a contractor to work on your co-op, and you’ve gotten the green light from the board. Now you need proof of co-op insurance — but you let it lapse.
Gotham says: With 50 years of experience in New York City, Gotham can quickly determine what kind of policy will cover you, based on the type of renovation you’re doing.
2) At the closing table. You’re closing on the purchase of a co-op or condo, but you forgot about apartment insurance — or thought the building’s insurance was all the coverage you’d need.
Gotham says: Condos and co-ops require apartment insurance. The policy that comes with the co-op usually only covers the building and common areas. You’ll need your own apartment insurance to cover losses such as theft, smoke damage, etc.
The next installment of Pete’s Mini Zine Fest is coming up this July 8th! This zine-fest-in-a-bar has been going strong for seven years. Come on down to Pete’s Candy Store (709 Lorimer St), drink some booze, meet the talented lineup, and read some zines!
As always, admission is FREE.
Drink Booze. End Cancer. This Thursday, at Moonlight Mile (200 Franklin St). The community event to benefit the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation is part of a fundraising effort by Greenpoint resident Sam Wils, who will be taking part in a 200 mile row boat race from Barcelona to Ibiza – the NOMAN is an Island Race to End HPV – later this summer. Wils was inspired by his childhood friends and neighbors who started the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation after their mother, Paulette, passed away a few years ago from Anal Cancer, which is related to HPV (Human Papillomavirus; affects nearly 80 million Americans and is responsible for 5% of all cancers worldwide).
What is up with all these brown “organic waste” recycling bins in North Brooklyn? Doesn’t the city ask for enough with the paper, plastic, and metal recycling? Why are they trying to make us do this, too? Won’t it cause vermin problems? I’ve heard these questions and so many more over the past few years as New York City began the food scrap and yard waste recycling phase of its Zero Waste plan. No, it’s not required to separate your food scraps (yet) though there are multiple chic products to help you. Just know that there are flyover states more environmentally conscious than us. Continue reading →
Sip on wine from over 60 prestigious wineries and taste food by top North Brooklyn chefs next Monday, June 26th at The Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave)and help turn a closed local firehouse into a new community and cultural center at The Williamsburg Wine Bash!
♫ So You Didn’t Get Tickets To LCD Soundsystem: The Dance Party @ 95 Dobbin St, 6pm, FREE, Don’t let scalpers, bots, or high ticket prices keep you from Dancing Yrself Clean! Let’s Get Innocous with a sidewalk dance party! Bonus: Free Watermelon! More info * Time Out Pool Party: McCarren @ McCarren Hotel & Pool (160 North 12th St), 6:30pm, $45, Soak up the sun and get your feet wet, Buy tix * G108 Summer Solstice @ Transmitter Park, 7pm, $20 (Suggested donation), 108 Sun Salutations in celebration of Summer Solstice and National Yoga Day! More info THURSDAY 6/22
♫ Black Knights (Wu Tang) NYC Tour @ Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave), 8pm, $18.30, Black Knights (aka ‘West Coast Killa Bees’) are Crisis(The Sharp Shoota) & Rugged Monk. In 1995 back as teenagers in Long Beach / Compton , The Black Knights had already been teaming up with RZA & Wu Music Group, Buy tix
♫ Myriaid, Midnight Calls, RBI, Palm Smoke @ Tender Trap (66 Greenpoint Ave), 8pm, $8, More info
Wednesday, June 21st (today!) marks not only the Summer Solstice, but also International Day of Yoga! To celebrate both, Goodyoga (114 Greenpoint Ave.) is leading a Summer Solstice offering of 108 Sun Salutations. Taking place at 7pm in Transmitter Park in Greenpoint (West St. bet. Kent St. and Greenpoint Ave.), the donation-based event will support the Discover Outdoors Foundation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing life-changing, educational and fun outdoor experiences to kids who need it most. Continue reading →
If you didn’t get LCD tickets to tonight (or any night), do not fret! Greenpointers’ very ownAndy P. Smith is hosting a free outdoor dance party at 95 Dobbin St. in Greenpoint tonight from 6pm – 9pm.
Don’t let scalpers, bots, or high ticket prices keep you from Dancing Yrself Clean! Let’s Get Innocous with a sidewalk dance party! It may be Us v Them but tonight All My Friends and some Drunk Girls are coming over because Daft Punk Is Playing At My House… You Wanted A Hit? Thought Yr City’s A Sucker because you couldn’t get tickets? Well, this is the American Dream! Yeah! I may be Loosing My Edge but Somone’s Calling Me to Give It Up. It’s Time To Get Away to 95 Dobbin Street for a Free Outdoor Sidewalk Dance Party!*
*I will only be playing LCD Soundsystem, if you didn’t get the hint. Hopefully no one will Call The Police!
Also: Free Watermelon!
See you there! Dance party kicks off at 6pm and goes until 9pm at 95 Dobbin St.
Crowd chillin’ at Governors Ball 2017. All photos by Dylan Lappin.
Another year passes and another Governors Ball flies by. This year was marked with legendary bands, fantastic emerging artists and others that I hadn’t heard of before, but now know well. With Chance the Rapper, Phoenix, Air, Lorde, Wiz Khalifa and the all-powerful and militant Tool, the 2017 Ball was set to be an amazing weekend. The lines were surprisingly quick and easy, probably the easiest and fastest festival check-in experience I’ve ever had. The wristband technology was also pretty efficient—a bonus was being able to attach your credit card to the wristband, and use it to not only pay for food and drinks, but also access different areas of the festival.
People packed in early each day to max out on sunshine. The weekend held up, bringing ideal weather and positive vibes. I noticed younger (teens, early 20s) crowds at most of the EDM and Hip Hop acts. As a 31-year-old elder, I was asked one too many times to buy drinks for the underage crowd. I gladly declined and went on my way. I have to admit, I was amused watching their faces quickly turn from eager to disappointed, but I knew deep down inside that they’d find a way somehow, just not from me.Continue reading →
