urban gaieties
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Astoria, or at least the section which I live in (at the border, where it bumps up against Woodside and Sunnyside) really is one of the most charming spots I’ve ever had the pleasure of dwelling in. Sure, we’ve got the late night drunks and a growing problem with rat infestation, heavy trucks using the neighborhood as a shortcut between Astoria and Northern Blvd.’s, noisy annoyances and endemic environmental pollution- but it is situated at a fortuitous angle to the sun and can be quite photogenic at the right time of day.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Area wags and deluded malcontents will deride the community as undeserving of such splendor, but what do they know? Most of them don’t even live here, and commute from Manhattan apartments. When you exist in this neighborhood, talk to the neighbors, sit out on your stoop- that’s when you “get it.”
Quite often, you’ll get too much and rush into your apartment to construct barricades and sharpen knives, but you do- in fact- get it. Warmer weather has brought the Astorians out in force, and amongst them lurks a weird but quite humble narrator.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As soon as the weather broke one headed over to the local taverna with the dog, and having acquired an out of doors table, a celebratory pint of spring libation was ordered. Hasty conversations with casual acquaintances were engaged in, and the dog seemed happy. Reports of pure neighborhood oriented comfort and joy, along with my usual tales of paranoid wanderings, are a part of life here in the Newtown Pentacle. It has been wonderful to reacquaint, rediscover, and reconnect with those whom I dwell amongst.
I’m sure I’ll be sick of human interaction before the end of May, however.
Also: Upcoming Tours!
13 Steps around Dutch Kills– Saturday, May 4, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Parks and Petroleum- Sunday, May 12, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Hidden Harbor: Newtown Creek tour with Mitch Waxman – Sunday, May 26,2013
Boat tour presented by the Working Harbor Committee,
Limited seating available, order advance tickets now. Group rates available.
The Newtown Pentacle 
Why the green of the school bus?
georgetheatheist...chromatically curious
April 29, 2013 at 9:20 am
Brazilian party bus
Mitch Waxman
April 29, 2013 at 10:50 am