New Sheriff in Town

Well, the neighborhood, it is a changin’.  Here’s the big news making headlines in Greenpoint today:

We’ve finally arrived, right?  Well, not exactly.  Just as we were beginning to see hip, little cafes emerging around the ‘hood…the big boys rolled in with guns blazin’.  (Ok…a little dramatic, I know.)  As much as I love free enterprise, competition and employment opportunities; I also have grown a bit fond of our little Polish community over the past 3 years.  I love being drawn into Bakery Rzeszowska by the wonderful smells of beautiful danishes, pastries and bread…and only being able to point at what I want because I don’t speak a lick of Polish (besides my last name).  And I also love the fact that I can purchase one of those lovely handmade poppyseed rollsfor the price (or cheaper) of what a coffee costs at Starbucks.  That’s what makes (made) Greenpoint such a wacky, yet special place to live.  But it’s here to stay.  And we know it’s just the beginning of what’s to come.  Hell, even Magic Johnson thinks it’s the next thing.

I admit, although I’m not too much of a Starbucks fan, I did stop in today.  I figured it was my duty after having watched this little community grow and change over the past few years.  But it will probably be a long time before I visit again.

PROGRAMMING NOTE:  While we’re on the subject of coffee, I really want to urge all of you to tune into PBS for the premier of an amazing documentary/independent film, Black Gold.  Victor and I saw it last year when it was passing through New York.  It is a poignant look at how every decision we make as consumers and humans affects another.  I could only hope that it changes the way you look at what’s in your cup every morning, as well as, reevaluate your purchasing power.  We have the power to change the lives of so many people, if only we made wiser decisions about what we buy.  I’m definitely going to talk more about Fair Trade products, especially coffee, in the days to come; however, I really wanted to make y’all aware of this film.  Please check on the site for times and channels.  I know it’s going to be on late here…so, if you have to…TiVo or record (in my case) or just stay up and watch!  It’s worth it.