The Williamsburg Nerd

Sorry for the last-minute news (I'm so bad about that!), but just wanted to let you know: I am going to hang some work at AG Gallery for their Salon de Expace event, starting tonight June 30th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! This show will remain on view for the next 10 days, and they are open every day, so please check it out if you can!

AG Gallery
103 N.3rd Street (btwn Berry and Wythe Ave.)
Brooklyn, NY11211
718-599-3044
http://www.aboutglamour.net

Top Right: Idol/ Idle, oil, wax, mixed media on canvas, 9" x 12"

Plans To Computerize L Train Over Budget, Behind Schedule

Plans to fully computerize the L subway line are now $30 million over budget and a year behind schedule. The Transit Authority doesn't have enough new trains to handle the surge in ridership on the line, forcing the agency to bring back some of the older trains.

The high-tech trains were first introduced four years ago and led to critics blasting the TA's plan to eliminate conductors, charging it would compromise safety. Conductors were taken off the line last June, but an arbitrator ordered them brought back in September.

Maybe they should think of having special express trains at peak hours? This would be a low tech solution that might help. Half the people always get off at Union Square or at Bedford anyway. But if anything with new housing starts by the waterfront the problem is going to get worse.

However the J line isn't too bad - yet!

Now even though Zocalo uses the term "TexMex fast food" that's a bit of an unfair description. Not only did the food taste great, but if you sit down the presentation is nice (real plates!) and the service is very warm and friendly. The have all the standard items that you would expect to see like burritos and nachos - but there are a few neat items on the menu that you wont see at most other places. For example the "Zocalo Burrito" features eggs mexican style and onions. The prices are very reasonable too, about $5 to $7.50 for a range of burritos - although budget minded hipsters can go for $2 tacos. There are only a few vegetarian items on the menu, but the ones that are there taste great and they seem to be willing to alter the ingrediens for you.

If your local train stop is the Marcy J line this place is perfect for grabbing dinner before heading home. Zocalo also does take-out and delivery and arre open up from around 11am to 10pm every day.

Zocalo TexMex
295 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-2161

P.S. So for all of you wondering what Zocalo is a reference to, it seems to be a great square in Mexico City that pays tribute to the native Mexican culture:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zócalo

Water Taxi Adding Williamsburg Service

New York Water Taxi will begin operating service to Schaefer Landing in the Brooklyn neighborhood on Monday. The stop will be added to the company's existing East River route, which includes stops at Hunter's Point in Queens and East 34th Street and Pier Eleven in Manhattan. Service between Williamsburg, Pier Eleven and East 34th Street will run from 6:23 a.m. and 9:23 a.m., and 4:25 p.m. and 7:49 p.m.

The website for the service is here:

http://www.nywatertaxi.com/

Much to my horror I discovered that the J line won't be going across the Williamsburg Bridge from July 29 to August 20th. On the plus side this will only occur weekends, so my weekday work train trek won't be hurt too badly. But man those buses can get crammed with people. The one neat thing about taking the bus over the bridge is that the view is much better than that of the subway or even walking over the bridge itself. This is because there is nothing in the way of your view of the river.