The photos in this issue are some of your best ever. That shot with the Statue of Liberty way in the back. SO GOOD. The umbrella lady? Magical! Every photo deserved framing, hanging, and admiring.
But unfortunately they're eclipsed by the Red 40 bees. That whole story is an unbelievable (I won't make the bee pun) ride through some truly fascinating history. Holy crap. If you'd have told me to connect the dots between red honey and busting an organized pot ring, I'd never have alit on even ONE of these points. I'm so filled with a weird joy that things like this happen. I mean, the suicide was bleak, but the story is incredible. I'm abuzz, honey.
Ha, thanks Justin! It's a very photogenic neighborhood! Yeah, I loved the red honey story when I first heard it. It never occurred to me how much a bee's food source would affect the honey it made. When I heard about the Dells incident a few years later, I couldn't believe it was the same place! Ian Frazier wrote a great piece on the whole story for The New Yorker if you have a subscription.
Total missed opportunity to not use the can of Manwich to hold up an a/c unit 🤷
But also I'd love to give another shoutout to the Red Hook Initiative! I've volunteered with them before picking vegetables at their garden across the street from Ikea and they were really lovely to work with. They also do amazing work in the neighborhood that really helps out the lower income residents. The folks working there are very knowledgable about the neighborhood, too!
"..keep a sharp look out for the lurking assassins who infested the neighborhood at the time, and whose knife was ever ready to seek its sheath in the heart of the homeward bound traveler, whose purse offered even a slight remuneration for the trouble."
I haven't watched the whole thing but it's really well done and an amazing story. I think you can rent/buy it on Vimeo too if you want a better looking copy.
Crikey Rob, between you and Anne Kadet I feel confused about why I don’t live in NYC! Just can’t get a decent Thick and Chunky Manwich down here in the Antipodes. Thanks again for a great read.
Most pictures were from the past couple weeks, taken on a fuji gfx. There are several older pictures taken on a mix of 4x5 and 6x7 cameras. All shot on Portra 160.
💯. Though if the closing of Fort Defiance and Buttermilk Channel mean anything, maybe it’s best to leave the past in the past. Slab city would be a great name for a barbecue place…
The photos in this issue are some of your best ever. That shot with the Statue of Liberty way in the back. SO GOOD. The umbrella lady? Magical! Every photo deserved framing, hanging, and admiring.
But unfortunately they're eclipsed by the Red 40 bees. That whole story is an unbelievable (I won't make the bee pun) ride through some truly fascinating history. Holy crap. If you'd have told me to connect the dots between red honey and busting an organized pot ring, I'd never have alit on even ONE of these points. I'm so filled with a weird joy that things like this happen. I mean, the suicide was bleak, but the story is incredible. I'm abuzz, honey.
Ha, thanks Justin! It's a very photogenic neighborhood! Yeah, I loved the red honey story when I first heard it. It never occurred to me how much a bee's food source would affect the honey it made. When I heard about the Dells incident a few years later, I couldn't believe it was the same place! Ian Frazier wrote a great piece on the whole story for The New Yorker if you have a subscription.
Total missed opportunity to not use the can of Manwich to hold up an a/c unit 🤷
But also I'd love to give another shoutout to the Red Hook Initiative! I've volunteered with them before picking vegetables at their garden across the street from Ikea and they were really lovely to work with. They also do amazing work in the neighborhood that really helps out the lower income residents. The folks working there are very knowledgable about the neighborhood, too!
That would make the ideal can for an oversized AC! I didn't know RHI were behind Added Value thought that makes sense.
"..keep a sharp look out for the lurking assassins who infested the neighborhood at the time, and whose knife was ever ready to seek its sheath in the heart of the homeward bound traveler, whose purse offered even a slight remuneration for the trouble."
Almost like Dickens on London.
Indeed. I added a link to the whole article.
Great post as ever! You have a gift.
More an obsession than a gift, but I'll take it - thanks!
Thoroughly enjoyed both the read and images. Many thanks
Always so interesting, your posts. Thank you for providing a link to the NRK documentary. (I live in Norway.) I’ll have to check it out with the fam…
I haven't watched the whole thing but it's really well done and an amazing story. I think you can rent/buy it on Vimeo too if you want a better looking copy.
Good point. Or maybe I’ll check if it’s available directly on NRK…
Crikey Rob, between you and Anne Kadet I feel confused about why I don’t live in NYC! Just can’t get a decent Thick and Chunky Manwich down here in the Antipodes. Thanks again for a great read.
haha! I'm pretty sure you can get order a Manwich by mail. A dollar slice and soft pretzel on the other hand? You may need to move
What kind of camera or film simulation do you use? Love the photos.
Most pictures were from the past couple weeks, taken on a fuji gfx. There are several older pictures taken on a mix of 4x5 and 6x7 cameras. All shot on Portra 160.
Starwashers! Of COURSE they have a name!
I think they are actually called star bolts but there’s no going back now.
Those old settlement names would make great names for faux Red Hook dive bars.
💯. Though if the closing of Fort Defiance and Buttermilk Channel mean anything, maybe it’s best to leave the past in the past. Slab city would be a great name for a barbecue place…
For a long time that Fairway overlooking the harbor was like my summertime front porch! I gotta get back there!
My fave photo this issue is NO TURNS
And you grabbed that can for me, right?
It will be waiting for you in the Navy Yard
Thanks Paul!
No mention of The Jalopy Theater on Columbia Street?
I love Jalopy, but since it’s on the other side of the BQE, I’m considering it part of the Columbia Street Waterfront District.