- Many towns of Queens, such as Forest Hills and Howard Beach are known for its calm residential settling, as for Richmond Hill, the increase in public transportation, meaning having lines of buses run down ever other street and avenue makes it a larger commuter area.
- Also Richmond Hill is known for its many stores on Lefferts Blvd. and Liberty Ave. The uprising of new fast food joints and the expansion of chained companies have all made a home in this commercialized area. i.e McDonals, JP Morgan Chase, etc.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thesis Statement
Unlike the many towns of Queens New York, Richmond Hill has indeed evolved from being a homey residential community to becoming a busy commuter town with the increase of public transportation and the rise of new businesses.
Interview with Mrs.Shelly Kuchar
I interviewed Shelly Kuchar. Mrs. Kuchar is 28 years of age and is a Medical Laboratory Scientist. She lives with her husband Thomasz Kuchar and her 13 month old daughter, Gabriella. The following is how the interview was carried:
1) How long have you been living here?
“I’ve lived in Richmond Hill for 12 almost 13 years now".
2) What are some changes you have bear witness too or have experienced first hand during your years in this neighborhood?
“The only changes I can really recall are those of businesses. Such as the local banks, they have changed a lot in the past 5 years from Bank of New York to Chase. There have been other fast food stores buying over the local pizza shops, etc. And well there have also been street signs that have just recently changed, most roads did not have a four way yield, and now they do. The street signs near the Van Wyck have also been replaced".
3) What attracts (attracted) you this neighborhood?
“Well, I grew up in this neighborhood. When my family migrated from Trinidad, my parents settled here because it felt just like home, and I haven't moved out of the area since. But I do not plan to stay here, the neighborhood is good, but I believe it is still too busy to raise a family".
4) Since you have taken residence in Richmond Hill, has it changed for the better or for the worse?
“I would like to say for the better, I haven't really been living here too long to know the difference to be quite honest. But if I had to make an inference, I'd say for the better. The area has indeed built up a lot in the past 12 years. It has gone from a suttle residential area to a more industrial area".
5) How is the ethnicity flow affected?
“There are a lot of West Indian people living in this area. I'd say it’s very diverse. It has a majority of Indian residence but there are also a fair number of black, Hispanics and a few white families here and there".
6) If you’ve gone to school here or currently have children in the schooling system, do you think it is beneficial?
“I went straight into college when my family moved to New York, so the local schools I am not very familiar with. However, I have two younger sisters that have gone to the Public Schools in the area and they benefited greatly, in my opinion".
7) How is the food diversity in this neighborhood?
“There is plenty diversity I believe. We have a lot of West Indian restaurants as you can imagine, because the majority of people in the area are of West Indian decent. But then we have our Asian selection, the famous Chinese food restaurants, we have Italian restaurants and many American fast food restaurants".
8) Would you consider Richmond Hill as a residential area or a commercial area?
“Like I mentioned before, it is gradually changing into a more commercialized area, because of all the new businesses that have recently settled into the community and the many sources of public transportation".
9) Is this a comfortable environment for you, or do you choose to take residence in Richmond Hill because it’s affordable?
“Well, there really isn't any place in New York that is affordable, but I have not moved from this neighborhood just yet because my husband and I are trying to save what we can to move into a more residential area to raise our family. The place we have right now doesn't run our pockets dry, so we are content with the area for the meanwhile, until we can officially settle down in our own home".
10) Do you find it hard living in Richmond Hill financially?
“No, for me at least it is not at all hard living in this neighborhood, but I do believe that the people living in this area would have to be working for a significant amount of money to maintain their payment on their property mortgages. Considering the drastic increase on how much their property is now worth. You see, years ago, housing was not as expensive as it is in Richmond Hill now. When my family bought their house it cost only 100 grand, now their property is worth 5 times the amount".
1) How long have you been living here?
“I’ve lived in Richmond Hill for 12 almost 13 years now".
2) What are some changes you have bear witness too or have experienced first hand during your years in this neighborhood?
“The only changes I can really recall are those of businesses. Such as the local banks, they have changed a lot in the past 5 years from Bank of New York to Chase. There have been other fast food stores buying over the local pizza shops, etc. And well there have also been street signs that have just recently changed, most roads did not have a four way yield, and now they do. The street signs near the Van Wyck have also been replaced".
3) What attracts (attracted) you this neighborhood?
“Well, I grew up in this neighborhood. When my family migrated from Trinidad, my parents settled here because it felt just like home, and I haven't moved out of the area since. But I do not plan to stay here, the neighborhood is good, but I believe it is still too busy to raise a family".
4) Since you have taken residence in Richmond Hill, has it changed for the better or for the worse?
“I would like to say for the better, I haven't really been living here too long to know the difference to be quite honest. But if I had to make an inference, I'd say for the better. The area has indeed built up a lot in the past 12 years. It has gone from a suttle residential area to a more industrial area".
5) How is the ethnicity flow affected?
“There are a lot of West Indian people living in this area. I'd say it’s very diverse. It has a majority of Indian residence but there are also a fair number of black, Hispanics and a few white families here and there".
6) If you’ve gone to school here or currently have children in the schooling system, do you think it is beneficial?
“I went straight into college when my family moved to New York, so the local schools I am not very familiar with. However, I have two younger sisters that have gone to the Public Schools in the area and they benefited greatly, in my opinion".
7) How is the food diversity in this neighborhood?
“There is plenty diversity I believe. We have a lot of West Indian restaurants as you can imagine, because the majority of people in the area are of West Indian decent. But then we have our Asian selection, the famous Chinese food restaurants, we have Italian restaurants and many American fast food restaurants".
8) Would you consider Richmond Hill as a residential area or a commercial area?
“Like I mentioned before, it is gradually changing into a more commercialized area, because of all the new businesses that have recently settled into the community and the many sources of public transportation".
9) Is this a comfortable environment for you, or do you choose to take residence in Richmond Hill because it’s affordable?
“Well, there really isn't any place in New York that is affordable, but I have not moved from this neighborhood just yet because my husband and I are trying to save what we can to move into a more residential area to raise our family. The place we have right now doesn't run our pockets dry, so we are content with the area for the meanwhile, until we can officially settle down in our own home".
10) Do you find it hard living in Richmond Hill financially?
“No, for me at least it is not at all hard living in this neighborhood, but I do believe that the people living in this area would have to be working for a significant amount of money to maintain their payment on their property mortgages. Considering the drastic increase on how much their property is now worth. You see, years ago, housing was not as expensive as it is in Richmond Hill now. When my family bought their house it cost only 100 grand, now their property is worth 5 times the amount".
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Historical Component II
Dean e. Murphy. City's Population Changes Are on Vivid Display in Queens. New York Times. (Late Edition East Coast). New York, N.Y.: Mar 19, 2001. pg. B.1http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=69793973&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1191346203&clientId=13031 October 2, 2007
This article explains the rapid changes of the population in Queens. In accordance to the article, there has been a major increase in the Indian population in Queens. The article interviews a store owner who moved to the Richmond Hill New York, from El Salvador. He uses ads such as milk to attract the Indian consumers of his business. This is indeed interesting for me because, I always assumed the larger population in the surrounding area was indeed Spanish.
The article then goes on to describe another area of Queens that has attracted many African Americans to the community. According to the article, a salon that is frequently occupied by American residence holds a sign that is in Spanish as well. Which implies that, although the appearance of the community may seem to hold a large population of African people, but also has diversity with Latin Americans.
Finally the main and most important information obtained from this article would be the increase of minority in major areas of New York City. The city is already known for its multiplicity but now it is factual in the sense that it has been observed and recorded. The city large import of immigrants add the cultural mix many cities desire.
David M. Herszenhorn. Panel's Proposals to Divide A District Divide a District.
New York Times (1857-Current file). Dec 11, 1994. ProQuest Historical Newspapers the New York Times (1851 - 2004) pg.CY10 http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=116545078&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1191349068&clientId=13031 October 2, 2007
The main focus of this article is the large population of students in public schools surrounding in Queens. The conflict of the article discusses how crowded the district of 27 is and has been debating on making it two different districts. It is a must considering the rapid growth in the city. Richmond Hill is one of the towns in Queens, mentioned in the article, like all the rest, Richmond Hill has an increase in children flocking into their neighboring school.
Because of community affairs the argument to convert the district into two has been in remission. There is conflict between neighboring towns that have slowed the transaction from district to district.
Another major concern, other than the racial aspects of the delay to make the district into two is the opposal that having a smaller district wills not benefit those who will only have a minimum number of students. There is support from one of the communities being split, that perhaps the lower performing schools should be placed into its own districts because it has been affected the more elite schools. Though there is major conflict involved in this recent motion, many still do believe that is for the best that the district be divided into two so that it is easier for the children to commute to and from school and also it will decrease the amount of children being held in this one district alone.
This article explains the rapid changes of the population in Queens. In accordance to the article, there has been a major increase in the Indian population in Queens. The article interviews a store owner who moved to the Richmond Hill New York, from El Salvador. He uses ads such as milk to attract the Indian consumers of his business. This is indeed interesting for me because, I always assumed the larger population in the surrounding area was indeed Spanish.
The article then goes on to describe another area of Queens that has attracted many African Americans to the community. According to the article, a salon that is frequently occupied by American residence holds a sign that is in Spanish as well. Which implies that, although the appearance of the community may seem to hold a large population of African people, but also has diversity with Latin Americans.
Finally the main and most important information obtained from this article would be the increase of minority in major areas of New York City. The city is already known for its multiplicity but now it is factual in the sense that it has been observed and recorded. The city large import of immigrants add the cultural mix many cities desire.
David M. Herszenhorn. Panel's Proposals to Divide A District Divide a District.
New York Times (1857-Current file). Dec 11, 1994. ProQuest Historical Newspapers the New York Times (1851 - 2004) pg.CY10 http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=116545078&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1191349068&clientId=13031 October 2, 2007
The main focus of this article is the large population of students in public schools surrounding in Queens. The conflict of the article discusses how crowded the district of 27 is and has been debating on making it two different districts. It is a must considering the rapid growth in the city. Richmond Hill is one of the towns in Queens, mentioned in the article, like all the rest, Richmond Hill has an increase in children flocking into their neighboring school.
Because of community affairs the argument to convert the district into two has been in remission. There is conflict between neighboring towns that have slowed the transaction from district to district.
Another major concern, other than the racial aspects of the delay to make the district into two is the opposal that having a smaller district wills not benefit those who will only have a minimum number of students. There is support from one of the communities being split, that perhaps the lower performing schools should be placed into its own districts because it has been affected the more elite schools. Though there is major conflict involved in this recent motion, many still do believe that is for the best that the district be divided into two so that it is easier for the children to commute to and from school and also it will decrease the amount of children being held in this one district alone.
Interview Questions
1) How long have you been living here?
2) What are some changes you have bear witness too or have experienced first hand during your years in this neighborhood?
3) What attracts (attracted) you this neighborhood?
4) Since you have taken residence in Richmond Hill, have it changed for the better or for the worse?
5) How is the ethnicity flow affected?
6) If you’ve gone to school here or currently have children in the schooling system, do you think it is beneficial?
7) How I the food diversity in this neighborhood?
8) Would you consider Richmond Hill as a residential area or a commercial area?
9) Is this a comfortable environment for you, or do you choose to take residence in Richmond Hill because it’s affordable?
10) Is there diversity in this community or do you believe it is home for only one kind of people?
2) What are some changes you have bear witness too or have experienced first hand during your years in this neighborhood?
3) What attracts (attracted) you this neighborhood?
4) Since you have taken residence in Richmond Hill, have it changed for the better or for the worse?
5) How is the ethnicity flow affected?
6) If you’ve gone to school here or currently have children in the schooling system, do you think it is beneficial?
7) How I the food diversity in this neighborhood?
8) Would you consider Richmond Hill as a residential area or a commercial area?
9) Is this a comfortable environment for you, or do you choose to take residence in Richmond Hill because it’s affordable?
10) Is there diversity in this community or do you believe it is home for only one kind of people?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Research Paragraphs =)
Neighborhoods aren't always what they appear to be. Some may look old and worn out and some maybe newer and well kept. My neighborhood is right in between. It's one of the earliest neighborhoods, which I am sure of but it is still very well kept. There are a lot of things I am grateful my neighborhood provides. Not only is it considered a residential area but it's also a big commuter area. Where I reside there is easy access to public transport and in New York City that's always a good thing! My main focus however on this project it to determine whether or not the area has become or is in the process of becoming more of a commuter area and less of a residential Area. Also I'll be comparing and contrasting earlier and current demographics of this particular city, showing the various changes in it's surroundings, that have taken place in Richmond Hill, New York!
Taking a walk in Richmond Hill is like taking a stroll down China Town! The only differences are cultural and if you continue to walk around Richmond Hill, you'll walk into a more family oriented environment as opposed to China Town which is just a commercial area. The reason I choose to compare Richmond Hill to China Town is because I am assuming many have been to China Town and have experienced the big crowd and busy shoppers. The big crowds of my town are usually found on Liberty Avenue. This one stretch of concrete house all the fast food joints along with vegetable markets and even clothing stores! If however one decides to walk down one of the grid like one way streets, they are walking into the homes of the people who currently reside in Richmond Hill.
Taking a walk in Richmond Hill is like taking a stroll down China Town! The only differences are cultural and if you continue to walk around Richmond Hill, you'll walk into a more family oriented environment as opposed to China Town which is just a commercial area. The reason I choose to compare Richmond Hill to China Town is because I am assuming many have been to China Town and have experienced the big crowd and busy shoppers. The big crowds of my town are usually found on Liberty Avenue. This one stretch of concrete house all the fast food joints along with vegetable markets and even clothing stores! If however one decides to walk down one of the grid like one way streets, they are walking into the homes of the people who currently reside in Richmond Hill.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Annotated Bibliography
Author Unknown. Richmond Hill Community Profile. "e Podunk." Tuesday, September 11, 2007.September 11, 2007. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1528.
The article in this website basically gives an overview of the city of Richmond Hill. The website specifically focuses on the history of the town in New York. By briefing through the site i was able to obtain information about the development of early Richmond Hill. I learned of the possibilities of it's given name and also the cultural aspects of the city in its past to present form.
I found this website rather informative because it not only gives the basic demographics of the city of Richmond Hill but it also gives a little history behind how the city came to be Richmond Hill and also the type of people that had taken residence in an earlier time and compares it to the types of cultures inhabit that area today! The website allows the researcher to get a little more than just the current status of Richmond Hill but also allow them to be able to compare and contrast different eras on this cities development.
Author Unknown. Zip Code 11419 (South Richmond Hill, New York). "Sperling's." 01/07. September 11, 2007. http://www.bestplaces.net/city/South_Richmond_Hill_NY-71141900010.aspx.
This website basically specifies the demographics of the the city Richmond Hill. The site was recently updated on the population, income. family sizes, ages, etc. It allows the researcher to get an insiders view of the sounding neighborhood. The information obtained from this site lets the reader in on important facts in the local area. It specifically indicates the current data on people, the economy,housing,health, crime,education, etc. By briefing through the information I already have a keen sense or idea of the lifestyles or rather life as a whole for the people of Richmond Hill.
Like the previous website this source is also a researches good luck. And I say this because the site elaborates on more than just the demographics of the uprising city but also helps to separate this particular city from the rest. It helps the researcher get a clearer and more personal view of this area. It also gives us a chance to compare current and earlier statistics of Richmond Hill.
The article in this website basically gives an overview of the city of Richmond Hill. The website specifically focuses on the history of the town in New York. By briefing through the site i was able to obtain information about the development of early Richmond Hill. I learned of the possibilities of it's given name and also the cultural aspects of the city in its past to present form.
I found this website rather informative because it not only gives the basic demographics of the city of Richmond Hill but it also gives a little history behind how the city came to be Richmond Hill and also the type of people that had taken residence in an earlier time and compares it to the types of cultures inhabit that area today! The website allows the researcher to get a little more than just the current status of Richmond Hill but also allow them to be able to compare and contrast different eras on this cities development.
Author Unknown. Zip Code 11419 (South Richmond Hill, New York). "Sperling's." 01/07. September 11, 2007. http://www.bestplaces.net/city/South_Richmond_Hill_NY-71141900010.aspx.
This website basically specifies the demographics of the the city Richmond Hill. The site was recently updated on the population, income. family sizes, ages, etc. It allows the researcher to get an insiders view of the sounding neighborhood. The information obtained from this site lets the reader in on important facts in the local area. It specifically indicates the current data on people, the economy,housing,health, crime,education, etc. By briefing through the information I already have a keen sense or idea of the lifestyles or rather life as a whole for the people of Richmond Hill.
Like the previous website this source is also a researches good luck. And I say this because the site elaborates on more than just the demographics of the uprising city but also helps to separate this particular city from the rest. It helps the researcher get a clearer and more personal view of this area. It also gives us a chance to compare current and earlier statistics of Richmond Hill.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Seventy Years and Counting!
Bet you can't guess what this is! Having trouble? Here's a little hint, it’s where people gather to pray. Have you got it yet? Well if you’ve guessed it’s a church you’re absolutely correct! This fragile old building that is standing before me in this photograph is none other than a majestic church. This beautiful peace of work was constructed in 1937. You may not be able to see very clearly the weathered bricks that are the body of this building. Due to years of the changing seasons the once dazzling and innovative church has become an older and much respected part of my neighborhood.
This aged old church is home to many church goers on a Sunday morning. As the bells sound of for mass you can hear the people eagerly gathering in front of the doors. These doors if you look closely have been attached to these walls for years. Its thick wooden appearance gives a warm welcome to its followers, as they scurry along.
The windows are of any usual church, tall and skinned at the top. With imprints of imagines we have named god. There are white plastered statues that are set in a layer of the wall, as they gaze down at me I shiver. Not knowing if I got chills from its piercing eyes of Mary or if a cool draft just hit me I choose to glance away and go about observing the other minor details of the house of prayer. The stairs stained by water marks and warned by the many feet passing up and down them for many years.
I remember attending this very church when I was much younger. I can still remember the smell of the freshly mopped floors and the nose of every busy body moving steadily to the following bench for the start of the mass. I can feel the cool holy water dripping down my forehead, after I’d finished making the sign of the cross and whispering the words “in the name of the father, the name of the son and the holy spirit amen.” As I stood outside these massive doors I still feel that safety I’d felt years ago being inside the house of god. This building brought back some very fund memories, and though it’s aged so much in the past few years. It holds the same impact it had on me years ago.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Annotated Bibliograhy
The demographics of South Richmond Hill, New York.
Author Unknown. Richmond Hill Community Profile. "e Podunk." Tuesday, September 11, 2007. September 11, 2007. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1528.
The article in this website basically gives an overview of the city of Richmond Hill. The website specifically focuses on the history of the town in New York. By briefing through the site i was able to obtain information about the development of early Richmond Hill. I learned of the possibilities of it's given name and also the cultural aspects of the city in its past to present form.
Author Unknown. Zip Code 11419 (South Richmond Hill, New York). "Sperling's." 01/07. September 11, 2007. http://www.bestplaces.net/city/South_Richmond_Hill_NY-71141900010.aspx.
This website basically specifies the demographics of the the city Richmond Hill. The site was recently updated on the population, income. family sizes, ages, etc. It allows the researcher to get an insiders view of the sounding neighborhood. The information obtained from this site lets the reader in on important facts in the local area. It specifically indicates the current data on people, the economy,housing,health, crime,education, etc. By briefing through the information I already have a keen sense or idea of the lifestyles or rather life as a whole for the people of Richmond Hill.
Author Unknown. Richmond Hill Community Profile. "e Podunk." Tuesday, September 11, 2007. September 11, 2007. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1528.
The article in this website basically gives an overview of the city of Richmond Hill. The website specifically focuses on the history of the town in New York. By briefing through the site i was able to obtain information about the development of early Richmond Hill. I learned of the possibilities of it's given name and also the cultural aspects of the city in its past to present form.
Author Unknown. Zip Code 11419 (South Richmond Hill, New York). "Sperling's." 01/07. September 11, 2007. http://www.bestplaces.net/city/South_Richmond_Hill_NY-71141900010.aspx.
This website basically specifies the demographics of the the city Richmond Hill. The site was recently updated on the population, income. family sizes, ages, etc. It allows the researcher to get an insiders view of the sounding neighborhood. The information obtained from this site lets the reader in on important facts in the local area. It specifically indicates the current data on people, the economy,housing,health, crime,education, etc. By briefing through the information I already have a keen sense or idea of the lifestyles or rather life as a whole for the people of Richmond Hill.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The difference time can make
What you are viewing here is a modern day housing complex. The white with blue writing for sale sign at the front left hand corner of the building shows that this project had soon been completed and now awaits life to set up shop in them as some may say. The exterior of the complex is still very much new and you can tell this buy the brick. If you watch carefully the brick that lays the foundation of these housing still has its original shine. It is not worn or dull compared to earlier designed homes, apartments, businesses, etc that were built with brick exteriors.
Something that stood out for me the most around the compound is the built in air conditions units. Each side of the building has already has air conditioning in the rooms. This proves that this building is in fact newer than most homes. Older apartment complexes have the air conditioning protruding out of the window, which looks big and bulky and also gives the owner an extra job during the winter to remove them from he windows so that the cold air from a winters day don’t seek in through the sides. With the new design of having the air conditions already installed in the siding of the building, with the foundation around it, will keep the rooms from getting the cold draft from outside when winter swings on in.
If you watch closely and I did not even notice this till this very moment some of the apartments complexes still have yet to be completed. There are wooden barriers on the lower windows. The for sale sign I mentions earlier must be for the finished ones in the very front of the building. It is very clear that this project is new because even the windows still has a new shinny look to them. There are no water stains in or damages to this building just yet. There are no graffiti marks and no part of the building is destroyed. I must say the design of the building is rather unique. Yes you may be asking yourself what’s so unique about this particular building. That’s easy; the designer built it in a zigzag fashion if I may be as so bold to say. Usual apartment buildings are squared and tall, or upward rather. The way the building is designed is so that it’s a lot wider than they usual apartments and a lot more spacious for the renter.
And finally the roofing is also very different, compared to the boxy tops of older modeled apartments. This roof is designed to look like one of a house. It is drawn downward and shaped with a triangular peak. The drainage for the building as you can see runs along the edges of the sides and down the corner allowing the water to run straight off the building onto the concrete. The paint job on the edges of the windows and roofing are clean and has not even begun to peal off. Being that it’s a lot newer than most other apartments it appears to be a lot more attracting and welcoming. So hopefully whoever takes shelter in one of these apartments find it comfortable for their living. It surely has me interested in purchasing one! 
Something that stood out for me the most around the compound is the built in air conditions units. Each side of the building has already has air conditioning in the rooms. This proves that this building is in fact newer than most homes. Older apartment complexes have the air conditioning protruding out of the window, which looks big and bulky and also gives the owner an extra job during the winter to remove them from he windows so that the cold air from a winters day don’t seek in through the sides. With the new design of having the air conditions already installed in the siding of the building, with the foundation around it, will keep the rooms from getting the cold draft from outside when winter swings on in.
If you watch closely and I did not even notice this till this very moment some of the apartments complexes still have yet to be completed. There are wooden barriers on the lower windows. The for sale sign I mentions earlier must be for the finished ones in the very front of the building. It is very clear that this project is new because even the windows still has a new shinny look to them. There are no water stains in or damages to this building just yet. There are no graffiti marks and no part of the building is destroyed. I must say the design of the building is rather unique. Yes you may be asking yourself what’s so unique about this particular building. That’s easy; the designer built it in a zigzag fashion if I may be as so bold to say. Usual apartment buildings are squared and tall, or upward rather. The way the building is designed is so that it’s a lot wider than they usual apartments and a lot more spacious for the renter.
And finally the roofing is also very different, compared to the boxy tops of older modeled apartments. This roof is designed to look like one of a house. It is drawn downward and shaped with a triangular peak. The drainage for the building as you can see runs along the edges of the sides and down the corner allowing the water to run straight off the building onto the concrete. The paint job on the edges of the windows and roofing are clean and has not even begun to peal off. Being that it’s a lot newer than most other apartments it appears to be a lot more attracting and welcoming. So hopefully whoever takes shelter in one of these apartments find it comfortable for their living. It surely has me interested in purchasing one!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Aged with Loneliness
First of all I’d like to apologize for the picture being so dark, it was only the night did I have time to go out and take a few shots of the neighborhood. As you take your first fleeting look at this picture of the Banana Country Inc. corner grocery store in its owl view setting it also assumes an instant interpretation of my neighborhood, that even in the deep hours of the dark sky many are still out shopping for imported fruits, vegetables and many other goods rarely found in a conventional grocery. While taking a good stare at this grocery on the corner of 120th Street and Liberty Avenue, though busy at first glance, has a lonely and weary look to its physical appearance.
The awnings, though they look fairly new, an estimated 10 years to be exact has a dreary feeling to it. The yellow and white lettering on the red plastic surface stained by a few passing clouds over the years. If you take a closer look, just at the bottom of the awning is a blue tapaline rolled up is in fact very old. There is white threading hanging from ever section of it. Allowing the observer to really get an estimate of how long it had been since they were replaced. The lettering specifies that the grocery sells West Indian and American produce. This observation leads me to believe that the majority of the people who live in this area are West Indian. As you can see in the image, most of the shoppers, if not all have a West Indian appeal. The dim lighting on the inside gave off a gloomy reaction as to imagine those who shop intently at this corner market feel trapped in their dismal surroundings.
On a brighter note, the dazzling rainbow colors of the fruits and vegetables sitting outside in it worn out wooden boxes appear to have the shoppers distracted. Perhaps allowing them the opportunity to break free of the depressed physical being of the grocery store and permits them to see what’s really in store for them! The imagine gives the reaction of a five year old opening presents at Christmas, excited to see what’s inside, like the customers who is excited to purchase their red tomatoes and green peppers.
Just above the store there are windows, which only allow for assumption that there are people living above this diminutive grocery. Or perhaps, that space is used for storage, who knows, it’s very hard to tell indeed because there isn’t much indication of anything, all there is are four lonely windows.
The street sign that are parallel to the market indicate that 120th is a one way street. This implies for me that the surrounding neighborhood has a grid like formation, as do many areas of New York City. The signs are old and also have water stains from past rainy days. At the corner near the post for the signs is a wooden street lamp. As you can see the lamp has been used for a lot of advertising throughout time. There are still pieces of taps and staples protruding out of the wooden surface. And lastly, if you pay close attention to the side walk you will see the parking post lined up in sequence along the street. This tells me that perhaps, the cross street that this market sits at is a very busy and commercial area.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Signs of New York City
Forgotten-NY is a site that basically gives the layout of what all us New Yorkers take for granted day in and day out. It’s really an informative site that shares some of the NY’s forgotten elements. When looking through the webpage, I must admit for myself, I was rather surprised at all that are forgotten. There were so many common everyday attractions, that we hardly acknowledge. The significance of this webpage is to allow New Yorkers the chance to again become one with their city and appreciate all that is around them. To allow for tours and learning of the city we call home. It’s a stepping stone rather to the forgottenNew York’s signs caught my attention. Now I know the first thing you think of when you hear signs are those green boards with white writing. Little did we know this link was actually one that describes the other fascinating symbols we don’t notice much in New York. Signs that were there hundred of years, that had more than just direction significance to it.
One sign from many in this category that I found interesting is the swastika. Many would automatically assume the swastika to be a symbol of hatred and power. Truth is the swastika does symbolize power, as well as prosperity. Though the government of this sign is non existent in our country the sign does live on in many areas of our city.
Also the old Walk and don’t walk signals. According to the site, the only ones left are found in the hidden corners of the Bronx. Those signs were and still are what kept our city safe from a lot of fatal accidents. Now we are so very familiar with the symbols of a white man walking or the red hand flashing. Most people didn’t pay mind to the words. The conclusion came to be that many did not understand and so a symbolic version of the words later took place on many street corners of New York. Signs are a vital part of everyday life in NY.
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