certainly after my visit to the Cornelia Street Cafe---last night, after an interesting day that included a walk from Jefferson Avenue in Bushwick to Fulton Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Had ambivalent feelings about visiting the cafe---I had not been there in a while--was the closing "my problem?" had to force myself to go there after chilling out in downtown Brooklyn, but the trip was definitely worth it.Saw, Robin, the proprietor, offered him my condolences, but also had interesting and viable conversations with other bar patrons. Of course we discussed the closing---but what got me was just watching the genuine energy that the ambiance of the cafe radiated. What a shame---thinking of all those excellent and courteous people working there who will have to find other jobs. But what I find so upsetting is the fact that in light of the current regulations concerning commercial rent, the landlords had all the power and effectively destroyed the brilliance of the place. Why have we allowed this to happen---being at the cafe yesterday brought the lack of commercial rent control home to me in a hideous way.
What is to be done? I am thinking of calling WNYC on Friday and confronting the Mayor (if they let me get through to him) on his unwillingness to take away the power from commercial landlords. Should I e-mail Corey Johnson- the Speaker of the City Council who has already held hearings about making change on this issue? Something must be done---many of the denizens of the cafe that I chatted with were not even aware of the SJBS---a law that might limit landlord control of commercial properties. Really sad. Can I put the internet to good use as I spread the word? I guess we just have to wait and see.
This sort of negates some other reports, for instance on Saturday afternoon, had a very fun conversation with friends Clint and Kim at Banter, a kind of cool bar on Havemeyer Street. Left feeling very refreshed--went to see the movie Burning, which has gotten good reviews and left after an hour, feeling very bored---the movie simply meandered from one moment to another. Nice coffee at the Quad Bar next door.
Sunday in the early afternoon--at Cobra, and when I left, feeling strong enough to walk a long way. So I walked east on Wycoff and south on Hart, passed the bookstore, Molasses, where I searched for interesting $1.00 books and finished the Bushwick grid, arriving on Broadway and Hart, and entered Bed-Stuy. The bus was slow, and so, despite the cold, I walked south the 15 or so blocks that make up the heart of the neighborhood. Proud of myself and happy that I had the stamina to continue that southern trip. Malcolm X Boulevard from Broadway to Fulton was very mellow, not really well traveled. About the first 10 streets are pretty barren--around Hancock the bars and coffee shops began to make an appearance. All in all a very interesting walk.
Tonight the Eve at La Flaca, the bar restaurant owned by my good friend Bob. I will get there, I think around 9:30---then the grind until midnight begins. How will it be? Depends on the conversation and who is there. But it has got to be done. Will report soon.
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