Archive for 2012
lethal foliage
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Would that a humble narrator might tell you that these shots were captured whilst riding upon some Hedorah like cacodaemon, but it was actually during one of last fall’s Newtown Creek Tours and onboard an entirely mundane NY Water Taxi that the subject of this “Maritime Sunday” posting was photographed.
As you can see, something was advancing toward us on the Newtown Creek that day, something newly born.
from epa.gov
Newtown Creek, located in the City of New York, is a part of the New York – New Jersey Harbor Estuary and forms the northern border of the Borough of Brooklyn and the southern border of the borough of Queens. In the mid 1800s, the area adjacent to the 3.8 mile Newtown Creek was one of the busiest hubs of industrial activity in New York City. More than 50 refineries were located along its banks, including oil refineries, petrochemical plants, fertilizer and glue factories, sawmills, and lumber and coal yards. The creek was crowded with commercial vessels, including large boats bringing in raw materials and fuel and taking out oil, chemicals and metals.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Built Nov. 04, 2010- this is the tugboat Crystal Cutler and her articulated barge (the Patricia E. Poling) plying the Newtown Creek. The article linked to below will tell you everything you could possibly ask about this tug and those who Captain and command her.
What mysteries they might have witnessed along the Creek, however, are not discussed in this profile.
The 70-foot, 1,500-hp twin-screw tug Crystal Cutler has been pushing and occasionally towing a 15,000-barrel clean oil barge since the tug was introduced in 2010. The tug places a high demand on her captains and crews as she ventures into shallow rivers and estuaries, moving about in a highly dynamic harbor with loads of gasoline, fuel additives or heating oil for small oil terminals.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Amongst the larger harbor community, Newtown Creek is seldom referred to in glowing terms. There are those who dispute its role and historical significance to the maritime industry- as their eyes and hearts are drawn to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the West Side of Manhattan, and the gargantuan modern ports in New Jersey.
Many would like to abandon it as an industrial corridor entirely, saying that its day as a working waterway is done, and give it over to kayaking and other recreational occupations.
Founded in 1995, Poling Cutler began operations near the time the former Poling Transportation went out of business.
The Founders of the new company were Ed Poling, whose grandfather started the former Poling company, and Gary Cutler who spent years working in the financial world before getting involved in Marine Transportation.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
One of the greatest sins along the Newtown Creek is precisely how few of its docks are utilized today. Most of the modern business along the Creek looks toward truck transportation to bring their goods to market and for the delivery of raw materials, ignoring their valuable docking rights and imprimature. Miles of bulkheads, expensively installed during prior generations, are allowed to rot away.
What a wasted opportunity.
Moving essential bulk materials by barge is more efficient economically and environmentally. From what we hear, a single barge has the same capacity as 28 – 56 long haul trucks, depending on the industry. Compared to other transportation modes, barge transport of bulk materials is safer in terms of worker injuries and generates far fewer emissions of particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, CO2 and nitrous oxide on a per ton mile moved basis.
Despite the critical importance of barge transport as a best practice for industries on Newtown Creek, much of the bulkhead along this waterway is in disrepair. Overall bulkhead condition reveals a trend of disinvestment in maritime transit and a decline in related industries. According to Army Corps of Engineers, there were 19 businesses with working docks in 1999, compared to the nine that remain active today, as of January 2011.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
When you boil it down, the whole purpose of the Newtown Creek in its current form is to bring bulk goods into New York City by barge. Admittedly, the days of Standard Oil, Phelps Dodge, and the great Lumber interests are long gone- but… imagine some farmers in upstate New York loading their harvest goods onto a barge, and sending a floating green market directly to Long Island City or Greenpoint or even Maspeth. The barge could return to the farmer laden with cash and whatever else might be needed for the next harvest, completing a virtuous circle.
Imagine standing on the shoulders of giants, rather than rifling through their corpses like so many bugs.
from dot.ny.gov
Commercial and industrial development along Newtown Creek began circa 1854-60 and accelerated rapidly, spurred by low land values, water access for ships and boats, and relative remoteness from populated areas or regulations. The first kerosene refinery in the United States (1854) and modern oil refinery (1867) helped transform Newtown Creek into an industrial waterway. The first few industries also included a distillery near the Newtown side of the Penny Bridge, and the Peter Cooper glue factory relocated from elsewhere in Greenpoint to a site in Bushwick north of Maspeth Avenue10. The influx of industry and jobs, aggressive real estate development in and around Hunter’s Point, including LIRR’s presence on the creek in 1861, and the explosive growth of refined petroleum products all enhanced Newtown Creek’s attractions and helped transform the drainage into an industrial waterway circa 1860-1880. At the Industrial Revolution’s height, Newtown Creek’s industries were flourishing, bringing thousands of people to work at its plants and factories.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The United States Coast Guard sometimes refers to Newtown Creek as part of “America’s Maritime Superhighway”, a vital industrial waterway which must be protected from the interests of those too short sighted to realize its potential to reinvigorate the economies of those communities through which it flows. It is the very definition of the future, and New York’s destiny is and has always been directly linked to it.
It’s heart warming to see clear eyed mariners like those onboard the Crystal Cutler plying its waters.
from nycppf.org
Significant Maritime and Industrial Area
Newtown Creek, at over 780 acres the city’s largest SMIA, abuts portions of the Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Long Island City, and Maspeth industrial areas. The waterfront area is characterized by heavy industry and municipal facilities, many of which are water- dependent. Newtown Creek is also the largest SMIA in terms of employment.
Although from 1992 to 2008 the SMIA lost roughly half its jobs, from 2000 to 2008 the number of jobs in the SMIA grew by nearly 1,400 to reach a total of approximately 15,000 jobs. Nearly half of the jobs in 2008 were in transportation and warehousing and wholesale trade. However, the business mix is becoming much more diverse. In the eight-year period examined, non-industrial jobs grew by more than 35 percent.
Project Firebox 33
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Somewhere in that part of Astoria north of the Grand Central and East of the tracks of the Hells Gate Extension is found this moribund character. An unnatural pallor and complexion distinguishes it, making it seem like the star of some Universal Horror movie of the 1930’s, with natural ruddiness only hinted at by its root. Loathe to complain despite a visage of gray and graffiti, this Firebox is nevertheless functional and ready to sound the alarum should some passing weather or torch bearing mob accidentally set fire to its charges in that atavist and triangular section of the ancient village which it is sworn to protect.
Soldier on, zombie firebox, soldier on.
social upheaval
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Holy smokes! Two enormous lots, formerly bisected by an abandoned railway line sweeping across the entire lot, found between the Dutch Kills tributary of the Newtown Creek and 30th street to the west and east and between Borden and Hunters Point Avenues to the south and north, have been entirely razed. The Hunters Point Avenue side, until recently, held the plant of “National Envelope” and the other has been vacant for quite some time.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This must be the first time in almost a hundred years that this point of view has been available from Borden Avenue, a wide open vista showing the Degnon Terminal- or at least the survivors of it- that stretches all the way to Queens Plaza. Incidentally, the dust that this project is kicking out is massive, and the day these shots were obtained- was heading in a westerly direction toward the recently repopulated neighborhood of Hunters Point commonly referred to as Long Island City.
Upon observing this, I made it a point to stay upwind of the dust plume.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I’m told that the next incarnation of this site along Dutch Kills will be a Federal Express shipping center, which will be enormous if the entire footprint of this site is used. That’s going to be a LOT of trucks coming and going through this ancient neighborhood and Western Queens in general.
Let’s hope that the century old bridges on Borden and Hunters Point Avenue can handle the additional load.
Wonder how the large shipments of bulk freight coming from the airports will travel here, or how the hundreds of local delivery Fed-Ex trucks will get to Manhattan, and North Brooklyn, and Eastern Queens- by which routes they will travel, and through whose neighborhoods?
ALSO, this Friday, as in tonight:
My own attempt at presenting a cogent narrative and historical journey “up the creek” is up coming as well-
Your humble narrator will be narrating humbly on Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M. for the“Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385” as the “Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show” is presented to their esteemed group. The club hosts a public meeting, with guests and neighbors welcome, and say that refreshments will be served.
The “Magic Lantern Show” is actually a slideshow, packed with informative text and graphics, wherein we approach and explore the entire Newtown Creek. Every tributary, bridge, and significant spot are examined and illustrated with photography. This virtual tour will be augmented by personal observation and recollection by yours truly, with a question and answer period following.
For those of you who might have seen it last year, the presentation has been streamlined, augmented with new views, and updated with some of the emerging stories about Newtown Creek which have been exclusively reported on at this- your Newtown Pentacle.
For more information, please contact me here.
What: Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show
When: Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M.
Where: Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385
aching chest
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Today’s huge dosage of weirdness was found in Queens Plaza, which is normally so incredibly bound by the mundane and material that it’s impossible to form an abstract thought.
Instead of the usual “how do I make it out of this area alive without being struck by a car, bicycle, or fellow pedestrian” or the “I’m rapidly becoming overwhelmed by the incredible loudness of this place, what in gods name are they thinking putting a park here”, your humble narrator noticed a set of missives tacked up alongside the entrance to the subterranean tracks of the subway.
from wikipedia
Queens Plaza is a plaza located on Queens Boulevard, between North and South Plaza streets, in Long Island City, Queens. The plaza is overlapped by an elevated railway transit (which was constructed in 1914), with the Queensboro Bridge starting on the eastern side. It has a subway stop for the E M R trains at the Queens Plaza station below ground and nearby are the 7 N Q trains at the Queensboro Plaza station on the elevated tracks. The only elevator for the underground subway station is on the SW corner of South Plaza St and Jackson Ave.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It is certain that a conversation about 911 and the various conspiratorial theories about its execution and cause will not be entertained at this, your Newtown Pentacle, as it’s just not a subject which I am wont to get involved with. As I’ve asserted in the past- what is it about the modern United States Government, and the Bush Administration in particular, that would make you believe that its employees were capable of pulling off a perfectly executed tactical mission in a pristine and lasting vacuum of secrecy? Additionally, a full decade later, has no single member of this highly professional cabal felt pangs of guilt, or caved in to sell the story, and bared his or her dissident soul to the world?
That’s my worldview, of course, and the fellow who has posted these laser printed bits of signage about Queens Plaza sees things differently.
from wikipedia
9/11 conspiracy theories are theories that disagree with the widely accepted account that the September 11 attacks were perpetrated solely by al-Qaeda, without any detailed advanced knowledge on the part of any government agency. Proponents of these theories claim there were inconsistencies in the official conclusions or evidence that was overlooked. In a 2008 global poll of 17 countries, 46% of those surveyed believed al-Qaeda was responsible for the attacks, 15% believed the U.S. government was responsible, 7% believed Israel was and another 7% believed some other perpetrator, other than al Qaeda, was responsible.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It would be worth your time to click through the photos to Flickr and check out the fullness of these pages, wherein Mr. Boss alleges the complicity of certain individuals and organizations in a far reaching “false flag” conspiracy and details the extreme and technologically sophisticated methodology of persecution these conspirators from the National Security Agency have subjected him to.
Of course, this is the viewpoint and position of the aforementioned Mr. Boss, I’m just pointing out what he or his supporters have left in Queens Plaza for all to see.
from wikipedia
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S. government communications and information systems, which involves information security and cryptanalysis/cryptography.
The NSA is directed by at least a lieutenant general or vice admiral. NSA is a key component of the U.S. Intelligence Community, which is headed by the Director of National Intelligence. The Central Security Service is a co-located agency created to coordinate intelligence activities and co-operation between NSA and other U.S. military cryptanalysis agencies. The Director of the National Security Agency serves as the Commander of the United States Cyber Command and Chief of the Central Security Service.
By law, NSA’s intelligence gathering is limited to foreign communications, although domestic incidents such as the NSA warrantless surveillance controversy have occurred.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Don’t get me wrong, Lords and Ladies, in no way should you interpret me as mocking Mr. Boss’s unique point of view, as I’ve seldom understood the childish formulae and meta themes which political people present. “Wealth trickles down to the poor”, “Change is good”, or “Hope” have all found their place in the mainstream. So has the sophomoric notion of “green jobs for the future” and the other modernist mottos of a generation of lobbyist bosses and their elected counterparts.
The sole argument I can offer against any of these conspiracy theories is simply this- the people who are supposedly perpetrating this “false flag” had nothing to gain from it, as they were already in full control over the government and its bureaucracy as well as being in a position to profit handsomely from the status quo.
from bossforcongress.com
The NSA is trying to kill me! And the NSA is preventing me from having my voice from being heard and of having a fair election. The NSA is bugging my car and home. The NSA is putting devices to give off microwave radiation in my car and through the walls of my apartment to kill me. I have a list of over 100,000+ people who have told me that when I campaign to them and give them my literature, that the NSA comes to them right afterwards and threatens to kill them and their families if they speak up. The NSA is forcing these people to take a gift card for $20,000 to join the NSA to keep them quiet about the NSA arranging the 911 attack.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A cursory scan of the vast interwebs reveals that Mr. Boss has indeed run for several offices over the years, including a recent stab at becoming Governor of New Jersey which netted him some 16,000 votes in 2009. Additionally, He has attracted the ire of many in his native state due to incessant pamphleteering and posting of flyers such as the ones in Queens Plaza.
His business life, as he claims, involves a past in investment banking, and seems to be associated with a company that promises the cryogenic storage of reproductive materials such as sperm and eggs- as well as the disposition of deceased pets.
also from bossforcongress.com
I CURRENTLY HAVE NUMEROUS CHEFS AND RESTAURANT WORKERS CONFIRMING THE NSA POISONS FOOD IN THERE RESTAURANT. THE NSA KILLS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS A YEAR BY POISONING THEIR FOOD.
I HAVE OVER 7 DIFFERANT NSA AGENTS ON DVD SAYING THEY ARE SERVING POISON FOOD TO OCCUPY WALL STREET! I HAVE PUT SIGNS UP, TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TOLD THE PEOPLE AT OCCUPY WALL STREET.
IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS THE NSA HAS POISONED THE FOOD FOR OCCUPY WALL STREET.THE NSA CONSIDERS THE OCCUPY WALL STREET AS A REVOLUTION AND THEREFORE THINKS ITS OKAY TO KILL OFF THE UPRISING. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS ARE BEING POISONED AT THE OCCUPY WALL STREET. INCLUDING MANY CHILDREN. ALL THE WORKERS WHO ARE WORKING THE KITCHEN AT OCCUPY WALL STREET ARE NSA AGENTS.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I am sure that I will soon be decried as working for the NSA, or not, depending on what happens the next time Boss googles himself.
JB- I’ve given you as much leeway as I can…
Just remember that if you come to Queens, the Newtown Pentacle is always watching…and If you come into my house, I will notice. We’ve got enough wacky stuff going on here in Western Queens to fill a hundred cargo ships, but we don’t complain to Jersey about it…
If the NSA is listening, however, my advertising resume could indicate some potential as a propagandist and I have never had any issues with doing government work. My work as a photo retoucher could be a handy resource, and editorial photography is a special interest of mine. Feel free to contact me, however, freelance rates will apply.
from nj.com
Ledger Live host Brian Donohue interviews Jeff Boss of Guttenberg who says the government plotted the 9/11 terrorist attacks and vows that legalized sports betting is the key to solving New Jersey’s budget woes.
Click here for a video interview with Jeff Boss.
ALSO, this Friday:
My own attempt at presenting a cogent narrative and historical journey “up the creek” is up coming as well-
Your humble narrator will be narrating humbly on Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M. for the“Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385” as the “Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show” is presented to their esteemed group. The club hosts a public meeting, with guests and neighbors welcome, and say that refreshments will be served.
The “Magic Lantern Show” is actually a slideshow, packed with informative text and graphics, wherein we approach and explore the entire Newtown Creek. Every tributary, bridge, and significant spot are examined and illustrated with photography. This virtual tour will be augmented by personal observation and recollection by yours truly, with a question and answer period following.
For those of you who might have seen it last year, the presentation has been streamlined, augmented with new views, and updated with some of the emerging stories about Newtown Creek which have been exclusively reported on at this- your Newtown Pentacle.
For more information, please contact me here.
What: Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show
When: Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M.
Where: Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385
mural history
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Wandering around Calvary Cemetery is often a revelatory experience, and while perambulating through the hallows of Section 9 the other day, the shock of sudden recognition nearly laid me low. While scanning the monolith studded landscape for certain things which cannot be mentioned, the name of one of history’s most famous New Yorkers suddenly appeared before me.
Steve Brodie… The man who jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge and lived to talk about it.
Steve Brodie, photo courtesy Wikipedia
also from wikipedia
Steve Brodie (December 25, 1861 – January 31, 1901) was an American from New York City who claimed to have jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and survived on July 23, 1886. The resulting publicity from the supposed jump, whose veracity was disputed, gave Brodie publicity, a thriving saloon and a career as an actor.
Brodie’s fame persisted long past his death, with Brodie portrayed in films and with the slang terms “taking a Brodie” and “Brodie” entering the language for “taking a chance” and “suicidal leap.”
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There weren’t just three major newspapers in 1886, there were hundreds, and the proto “media” ate up Steve Brodie’s story, turning him into a celebrity. From all accounts, Brodie found every advantage offered by fame- opening a swank saloon on the Bowery and starring in a popular play about his exploits.
He would always be known as the “bridge jumper”.
from nytimes.com
A tall, slim man, who looked very much like an overgrown street boy, stood talking to a young woman at the New-York end of the Brooklyn bridge a little after 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. He bade her good-bye and kissed her.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The scourge of the 19th century was “consumption”, or as we call it “tuberculosis”, and Brodie took ill. Like other “lungers”, it was thought that the dry air of the southwest would aid him in fighting the affliction and he packed off for San Antonio in Texas.
That’s where he died.
from nytimes.com
The body was taken to Calvary Cemetery for burial. A crowd of 500 or 600 men, women, and children, attracted by curiosity remained in the streets during the services at the house, and many of them followed the funeral cortege to Ninety Second Street Ferry on its way to the cemetery.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It is a real shame that someone has decided to pry the probable white bronze marker from the monument, which would have occurred in the empty oval space directly above the names and dates which remain. Such is the case though, and there are many instances of such theft not just at Calvary but at all the cemeteries which comprise the cemetery belt of western Queens.
It’s pretty low to steal from the dead, in one humble narrators opinion.
An interesting analysis of whether or not Mr. Brodie actually made his jump was published by “The Day” in 1986. Click here for the article by Larry McShane.
Steve Brodie, photo courtesy Wikipedia
ALSO, this Friday:
My own attempt at presenting a cogent narrative and historical journey “up the creek” is up coming as well-
Your humble narrator will be narrating humbly on Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M. for the“Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385” as the “Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show” is presented to their esteemed group. The club hosts a public meeting, with guests and neighbors welcome, and say that refreshments will be served.
The “Magic Lantern Show” is actually a slideshow, packed with informative text and graphics, wherein we approach and explore the entire Newtown Creek. Every tributary, bridge, and significant spot are examined and illustrated with photography. This virtual tour will be augmented by personal observation and recollection by yours truly, with a question and answer period following.
For those of you who might have seen it last year, the presentation has been streamlined, augmented with new views, and updated with some of the emerging stories about Newtown Creek which have been exclusively reported on at this- your Newtown Pentacle.
For more information, please contact me here.
What: Newtown Creek Magic Lantern Show
When: Friday, February 24th at 7:30 P.M.
Where: Ridgewood Democratic Club, 60-70 Putnam Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385
The Newtown Pentacle 