Posts Tagged ‘Astoria’
Project Firebox 96
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This firebox (which is pronounced as “Fy-Ur-Bochs” by the locals) was from somewhere on the northern side of Astoria, a heavily residential section whose fence posts are adorned with a concrete bestiary. This servant of all that is safe stands guard over king and castle, ready to cry loudly that help is required from the highly skilled folks who ride around the City in shiny red trucks.
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once noble
An archive shot from 2007.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
We call them “Shwarma Joe” but that’s not their name. This food cart has been operating at the corner of 34th Avenue and Steinway Street in Astoria for as long as I’ve lived here. They do a Halal menu, and offer one of the more affordable lunch options in the neighborhood. I favor the Chicken Kabob wrap myself, sans white sauce. This is an archive shot, as mentioned, captured during the heady days of the second Bush administration. Shwarma Joe never called their offerings “freedom fries,” however.
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dared not
Overwhelmed and underwhelming, that’s me.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
So, we have once again hit that time of the year when the offerings here at your Newtown Pentacle are going to consist of an odd image and a pithy comment or two. The reason for this is the same as it has been every November – busy, busy, busy and exhausted. A short break from substance is required, to allow a humble narrator the opportunity to actually get out there and explore and shoot and research. Today’s shot is from the Procession of San Pio in Astoria, a religious ceremony conducted by St. Joseph’s RC Church.
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these conceptions
A brief visit to the forbidden north coast of Queens.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Recent obligations – involving a spate of home repairs demanded by Our Lady of the Pentacle – involved Hank the elevator guy, Our Lady, and myself making a journey over to the “Build it Green” warehouse found in Astoria on the forbidden northern coast of Queens. This is my personal nomen, incidentally, for the Bowery Bay and Flushing River side of the borough, which is largely occluded from the public space by industrial and municipal fence lines.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Recently, for my Brownstoner column, I detailed a trip to Luyster Creek- which can be accessed here. One generally doesn’t come this way on the long perambulations for which I am known, as my interests generally draw me in the direction of the Newtown Creek. Also, I do not enjoy walking the camera around in the more residential sections of Queens as it draws certain attentions from the locals which can be… ahem… less than salubrious.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Announced plans for the overdevelopment of this neighborhood by the Real Estate Industrial Complex, however, mean that I will be forced into spending some of my time this winter and spring recording the sights extant in this section. Wondering what I might find around the forbidden coast, or what might find me, keeps me awake at night.
Don’t tell the Creek, though, as she might think I’m cheating on her. It’s just the seven year itch, however.
Project Firebox 93
An ongoing catalog of New York’s endangered Fireboxes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Found amongst the blessed hillocks of Astoria, this scarlet soldier of the realm stands at 21st street and 31st avenue. Long has it stood, amongst the chaotic and never settled landscape, awaiting the moment when it will be needed. Shine on, Astoria Firebox, shine on.
The Newtown Pentacle 