Last Sunday’s NY Times featured the work of 70’s street photographer Jill Freedman. Freedman left NYC in the early 90’s before Guiliani got his hands on it. She returned five years ago to an unrecognizable city. “When I saw that they had turned 42nd Street into Disneyland, I just stood there and wept.”

Her work is reminiscent of Weegee. The grit and gore. The real life, human factor. She’s been quoted as saying she would like to find out what’s left to photograph in NYC. As an 80’s street photographer myself, I know that I haven’t been very inspired in recent years. It will be interesting to see what she comes up with.

Jill Freedman’s works will be on display at Higher Pictures until May 24th.

NY Times video

Times Square Gossip

NYC Images

Ben Nadler of Kinetic Carnival chats with the folks at Surfside Gardens, a community garden in Coney Island. With special appearances by a wheelchair gardener, a bunny, chickens and some dogs. Gotta love Coney Island!A Walk Around the Blog

Fun gimmick or wave of the future? The Foot Faucet allows you to control the flow of water with foot pedals at the bottom of the cabinet. No more wet shirts from leaning over the sink!

The unit saves water. How so? For people who are too lazy to turn the tap on and off. Too much trouble using your hands. Use your feet!

$269 for the system.

Via Leed Pro

Looks like Green 4U just launched last month, so we can still catch up on the tips they have to offer. It’s kind of a “how to” blog. How to go green.

Tips include eating less meat (although the blogger is not a vegetarian), green tax deductions and intro to solar power. There is a whole section on how to contact your state and federal officials.

Blogger Leigh states “I am not a crunchy granola hippy living on a commune. I want to give the average person resources to make more informed decision on how they can improve (or at least not hurt) the environment.”

via Best Green Blogs

I need to bitch about the dog situation at Brooklyn Flea. Ok, no dogs allowed. Because it’s a school yard. I abide by the rules, much as it hurts. I see that some others don’t. Word on the street is there may be a doggie valet in the works, which would be welcomed news to one and all. But what’s the story with the doggie parents who leave their children tied up on the fence while they disappear for an hour? I saw a shivering pitbull puppy out there that I nearly had to rescue. Then there was this poor little thing yapping away for at least a half hour. I know the owners heard because his/her cries were echoing throughout the yard. Please….be responsible owners or some crazy animal rights vendor might take it upon herself to rescue your dog one day.

Ok, on to this week’s finds. Ama Home debuted at the Brooklyn Flea a couple of weeks ago and they seem to be doing quite well for themselves. Amy and Karen take vintage furniture and modernize it by coating it with vibrant paint colors. Prices are not bad either.

Mr. Flea, Eric Demby takes a break with Myriah of Nightwood. Eric’s proud mom stands behind him.

Nightwood’s “reincarnated” furniture isn’t trying to be something it’s not. Myriah Scruggs and Nadia Yaron literally scrap together wood pieces to create functional furnishings. The patchwork look reminds us that not every piece of furniture has to be matched and sanded to perfection to be beautiful. Website not fully functional yet, but here’s a rave about their stuff.

*Disclosure: I took the Nightwood photos last weekend.

Dual Flush Toilet Retrofit Kit: ReNest

Meet Your Neighbors: Bed Stuy Blog

Americans Putting More in Storage: Marketplace

Eye Pod, Camera Obscura: Shedworking

Going Postal: Overheard in NY

Hey, I didn’t say it’s gonna be the boros, but let’s see how close we can get….

$199k: Yonkers

$219k: Nyack

$249k: Jamaica

$299K: Mt Vernon

I got a storage space! I’ll be moving in this Saturday, so the garage clean out begins. First of all, do you realize how difficult it is to find a 24 hour storage facility in Brooklyn? Nearly impossible! I don’t need to get in there at 3am, but I do need access on Sunday mornings and evenings when most of these places have “part time” Sunday hours. The only reason this place allows it is because my space is an outdoor container. Hopefully, it’s drier than my garage or basement.

Anyway, I pulled this old pram out of the garage. I bought it back in winter and planned to sell it as is, but it was looking pretty sad so I decided to clean it up. I used to think rust was the end of the world, but I found a few cleaning tips online that saved the day. (Sorry, no before and after pictures)

Cleaning rust off chrome:

Fine steel wool and water

or

Tin foil and water

or

Coke instead of water

Polish afterwards to “seal” it.

I tried both methods and I’ve gotta say that I was pretty impressed with the tin foil. The chrome sparkles now!

I’ve been meaning to paint these old school chairs that were sitting in the garage. The idea was to create a set of four, each a different color. But I did one and couldn’t decide whether or not I liked unpainted better, so I just did one more and left it at that. I wasn’t sure of the word and design either, so I just did one. What do you think? Worn wood or painted?

1. Great Adventure: Went here so many times in my youth. I still love amusement parks….just don’t have time to go anymore. NJ Transit gets you there if you don’t have a car.

2. Cape May: Victorian beach community. There are lots of activities this weekend, including a house tour and wine tasting.

3. Renaissance Faire: Go for the goof! People actually dress up and act all Ren. And I’m not talking about the actors! Probably as geeky as a Star Trek convention.

4. Skydive the Ranch: Get a group of friends together and just do it! You have an instructor strapped to your back. You won’t regret it! Better than sex!

5. Jones Beach: Go for the beach. Stay for the
concerts.

6. Woodbury Commons: Major tourist destination for European travelers. Get on the bus with them to these outdoor premium outlets.

7. Fire Island: The best thing about Fire Island…no cars. Although my gay friends would tell you the best thing is “the scene”.

8. Dia Beacon: How can I forget Dia when I live just up the road? Take Metro North. Spend the day in Beacon. Come say hello!

9. Elephant’s Trunk: A country flea market in Milford, CT. Good deals to be had.

10. Kyuit : The Rockefeller estate in Westchester. Gorgeous mansion, gardens and artwork.

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