Court Fair continued...

This is a candy tree at RUBY a terrific new Court Street shop I'll be featuring later in the week-- Check back!

Emily, George's lovely wife in front of shelves in new "George's Potpourri"...

This is George Dandola, my lovable landlord! I am very lucky I met him. I walked around this neighborhood with my friend, Melissa back in 1992 asking store owners and other locals if they knew of any apartments available. I had lived in Manhattan for school and once I graduated, space was essential so that I could keep painting. Think it's widely known that NYC is exceptionally expensive and for very little space. There is a constant weighing of the pros & cons of staying here as a working artist. I spent a year in a spacious loft space in Red Hook with a roommate, but Red Hook was FAR from what it is today. It could be tricky transferring from subway to subway and then to the bus after a late night waitressing in Manhattan. Fortunately, while walking with Melissa, George stepped out of his shop George's Potpourri, a nondescript store filled with china, crystal and miscellaneous gift items, and said he had rooms to rent. Something about the word "rooms" sounded suspicious to me and I almost walked away-- kept imagining a little boarding house somewhere on the outskirts. He sketched the layout of the place and Melissa convinced me I had nothing to lose. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me, because it was very affordable and huge by New York standards. I've been here ever since and in 2000 moved down a flight from the 3rd to the 2nd floor and converted the 3rd floor into a workspace. He is quite a character and a truly kind person with a wonderful wife, Emily *(pictured above in store). I have since bought several sets of china, glass & kitchenware at George's Potpourri. He has the most reasonable prices you could ever find!! Worth sifting through his many many items. They moved this year to 489 Court Street. Take a look :)

Above is Florence Loverme, she runs Alkamar Travel & Realty, which used to be located in one of George's buildings. She helped a good friend of mine find her apartment about 20 years ago (she & family still there) and helped me find an inexpensive flight on my 1st trip to California. She is very friendly, charming & helpful! Alkamar is located at 377 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231. Phone #718.855.3102. I'll be profiling her daughter's cool jewelry here soon!

This is Madeline Bamundo and she owned one of the last video stores in the area. It was called Video Corner and I loved stopping in for a spontaneous rental or to simply chat. I told her today how much I missed it, it's been closed for 4 years now. It turns out that she (like most of us) uses Netflix for all her movie rentals. Fortunately, she confided that she is very happy and loves her life free from the stress of running a business! Madeline is totally cool and it's always nice to run into her--but wish she was still across the street :( Oh well :)

Brave souls out in the rain... anything for snacks ;) This is Sweet Chef Southern Styles Bakery located on the Upper West Side of NYC at 122 Hamilton Pl. between Broadway & Amsterdam Ave. Ph# 212.862.5909. Surprised they were down here at the Fair, but glad they were--Deeeeelicious chocolate chip & oatmeal raisin cookies!!

This is Lydia, she knows everything about Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn! She is an integral part of the GCCDC-- The Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation is a neighborhood preservation non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the Gowanus Canal area in Brooklyn for the past twenty-nine years. "Our community-based group has an extensive record of initiatives and involvement in the physical improvement of the Gowanus Canal and the surrounding communities. GCCDC’s efforts are focused on the environmental remediation of the Gowanus Canal, housing, economic development, and commercial revitalization"-the GCCDC Lydia is known by everyone around here & I'm often amazed by her high energy & positive outlook!!

Some things just look great in the rain. Love this old bike!