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In the 16 months Jason and I have lived in the Crown Heights (or Prospect Heights or CH North, depending on the map) section of Brooklyn, we have met a host of bright, interesting and colorful characters. They are just one of the reasons we decided to remain in the neighborhood when it came time to find ourselves a larger apartment. Seriously...we moved less than two blocks from where we were. In the annals of super-local moves, it's up there with those guys who relocate to their parents' basements from their bedrooms upstairs.
Because we have become more active in our community since the advent of our weekly flea market and creative collective, the simple act of coming home at the end of the day has become a social event. While I have met a neighbor here and there in the various buildings I've called home in New York, I've never walked down the streets of my neighborhood and encountered so many people I know by name or face. I'm constantly waving hello across a street or stopping for a quick "How's it going?" as I scurry about. It's a welcome change and it adds to the growing charm of our otherwise rough-around-the-edges neighborhood.
Given my warm feelings on this hot and sticky Friday, I thought it was time for a shout-out to some of our notable neighbors (at least those with web presence):
I Love Franklin Ave -- interesting and informative local blog with features and photos by Nick
Planet Ert --run by our dear friends, the supremely talented Robert and Danyel
The Artist Known as Kev -- another flea market regular and gifted friend, Kevin
Nostrand Park -- local blog featuring two contributors, Ferentz and Laurel, who have documented our flea market and keep us up-to-date on local happenings
Crown Heights Creative
Local businesses we like:
Bristen's Eatery -- lovely outdoor patio and great sandwiches
Franklin Park -- welcoming bar and beer garden with outdoor patio and relaxed vibe
Bombay Masala restaurant -- delicious Indian food, friendly staff AND they show Bollywood music videos on a big screen!
Nam's Fruit & Veggie Market -- our fine local produce market
Homage Burger Bar
Lily and Fig Bakery & Tea Shop
About Time
Cafe Shane
A few days ago, I received a letter from my health-insurance provider, Empire/Bluecross Blueshield. I've been insured only a few months and have no real complaints about Empire--my copayments are fair and they have covered a few expensive tests ordered by my doctors (more on that later).
So, back to the letter. It contained a new member ID card and cheerfully informed me "Your Empire card has a new look!" Funny, I thought. What was wrong with the old look? The letter continued: "Your new member ID card...has a fresh look and cleaner layout, but works like your old card." Hmm... I pondered. Fresh look? OK, I'll bite. I pulled my old card out of my wallet to compare.
What I found threw me into a state of puzzlement that immediately gave way to frustration and a measure of anger: My "new" member ID card looks exactly like my old one, with the exception of one line having been removed. See for yourself (excuse the poor scan quality):
Now, I'm sure it didn't cost Empire more than a couple of bucks to print me an entirely unnecessary new ID card and slap a stamp on it. But to print completely needless new IDs for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of members? Huge, gigantic, epic waste of money! No wonder healthcare in this country is such a disgrace--look where their money is going! When will someone do something to curtail all this shameless, gratuitous and downright wasteful corporate spending?