The deco overlook

Down the platform, away from the escalators at the Smith and Ninth subwaIy stop, there are stainless arches for security on the cement wall. The look is reminiscent of deco. I’ll try for a better picture when I’m not jumping on a train.

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Smith & 9th, subway & streets

It’s a sensory overload, across the street from the new Smith & 9th subway station. The re-done building is like our local Bilbao, so it’s only appropriate that red, white, and blue foil banners are among the complementary shiny visual distractions nearby.

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All new Smith & Ninth Street subway station

I haven’t tried out the escalator yet, but how often do you get to stand on a brand new subway platform? It’s a rare and special thing:  the Smith & Ninth Street station reopened today after  extensive renovations. Three-second rules for dropped food don’t apply, that’s how fresh and clean this station is!

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Welcome to the Yacht Club

Santa’s out working the crowds for a few more hours @ the site of the Gowanus Yacht Club. It was a good run, but now it’s time to deflate, drink some egg nog, water the reindeer, and take off the mittens.

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Mural on subway bridge

On the wall of the subway bridge, before the trains head underground at Carroll Street, there are some murals painted by children. They have held up well; they’ve been there for a few years now and haven’t been ruined by the elements or graffiti.

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Kentile pommel horse

I didn’t think I had Olympic fever. I’m not watching much TV coverage, and the sound is usually off because I can’t stand the yammering of the announcers, and yet, when I took this picture, what did I think of, but men’s gymnastics, the pommel horse! (Krisztián Berki of Humgary was the gold medal winner.)

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Keeping cool @ 61 Local

61 Local, on Bergen Street near the subway, calls itself a public house rather than a pub. It’s a bar that is community minded: a CSA pick-up location with lectures on composting. The space at 61 Local is roomy, with tall ceilings, bamboo picnic tables. The beer is cool and people were enjoying the simple food.

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Join the yacht club

Membership is open to anyone, the nearest boat is half a mile away, and the Gowanus is a local toxic canal that was recently superfunded. Get it? Good, because beer is the safest drink around here and the next round is on you.

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Good-weird light

Heading into Fourth Avenue from Carroll Street, I was standing at the door of the F Train taking pictures, killing time because I didn’t have a seat. Trackwork goes on, and Smith & Ninth is still closed. The light was nice, though. The reflection of the interior subway light looks like a contrail.

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Every neighborhood gets a food truck

Back in the day we had to cook our own food or go to the store. It was tough, man! Now all you have to do is point at what you want to eat, then pay. This halal food truck is parked near the President Street stations of the F and G Trains. The food looks okay, as long as you like tomatoes and onions, which appear in almost every picture.

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