Blogging the News

Ah, the holiday season. New York City turns into gear as millions of tourists crowd the streets for one of a kind assembly-line tourism. For some reason, we are all compelled to buy gifts for one another. There’s just nothing worse than receiving a gift from someone you had no intention of giving one to at all. And to not gift after someone’s gifted you? Well congratulations, you’ve just created a real life Seinfeld situation for yourself.

So avoid that, and just give something.

Back to the Roots Aquafarm

Maybe someone’s interested in growing their own food, or building their own aquaponics system at home. This is a perfect way to dip your toes in urban agriculture.

Photo Credit Amazon

EcoGrower Max

Similar concept, except the options to grow are much larger.  This goes to show you how simple, and how complicated growing our own food can be.

Photo Credit Amazon

Heifer International

Great non-profit organization. Need to buy a gift for someone that you don’t like? Buy a poor family a flock of chickens, you’ll feel better about spending that money.

 Photo Cedit Heiffer.org

Hells Kitchen Farm Project

Another really great non-profit. I am an advocate of donating money as a gift during the holiday. It takes a lot of pressure off of each other and sometimes reminds us that some people measure their wealth in goats. This project is similar, but works a little bit closer to home. Let’s work to build a better world.

 Photo credit hkfp.org

There are super cool super market ideas that have greenhouses built right on them. This futuristic concept would grow some of the produce sold at the store in an effort to bring local food to consumers. This aims to reduce he carbon footprint of our food, while producing more of it, grows sustainably. Gotham Greens […]

There are super cool super market ideas that have greenhouses built right on them. This futuristic concept would grow some of the produce sold at the store in an effort to bring local food to consumers. This aims to reduce he carbon footprint of our food, while producing more of it, grows sustainably.

Gotham Greens and Whole Foods have partnered up to build their first location in Brooklyn, NY. They have 20,000 square feet, with solar powers supplementing the electricity used to maintain the greenhouse year-round.

The project shows how produce can be grown with more efficient use of water, and nutrients than typical farming methods. He process looks a little like science fiction, but the future is coming.

I went to a small Chinese Bakery in sunset park and interviewed a immigrant family living the American dream. A special thanks to Ka Ho Yeung for translating.

“Killa Mike” and “Caveman” are just two of many individuals who fight and have their own set of reasons for doing so. These two were focused on their match ups at FNT, with DJ and promoter Bekim Trenova in his regular role of hosting the leagues event. Trenova was born in Atlanta Georgia and is the “Ring Leader” of FNT according to earphones website “House of Marley”. Caveman is a regular and popular in this league, while Killa Mike was making his first appearance, “I was invited here by Staxx, who is a fighter at FNT, and fought at our league BX Fight Club once, after that we became friends and he invited me over here.”

FNT winners are decided by crowd vote, a somewhat flawed system, especially if you’re facing a fighter that is more popular than you are. BX fight club winners are determined off points according to Mike. Unfortunately for Mike he would lose his bout, and Caveman would win his, though it’s more debatable than the crowd reaction showed it to be.

Although both men like to fight, these events are respectful, at least in the ring. A fight broke out right behind me between two men over a comment one made to the other’s girlfriend. They may or may not have been intoxicated but my solution would have been to just throw them both in the ring. If you’re into boxing that has seats and a venue where a ticket is needed and a nicely lit arena, this isn’t for you, but if you’re down to stand for hours and watch some guys/girls duke it out then look no further.

Wait times in-between fights at FNT are brutal if you’re sober and not partying like most of the crowd, whereas the BX Fight Club fights start almost as soon as one ends. Depending on your preference either may be right for you. Because both leagues charge, be ready to shell out anywhere between $20-$40, unless you know a fighter of course.

“Killa Mike” and “Caveman” are just two of many individuals who fight and have their own set of reasons for doing so. These two were focused on their match ups at FNT, with DJ and promoter Bekim Trenova in his regular role of hosting the leagues event. Trenova was born in Atlanta Georgia and is the “Ring Leader” of FNT according to earphones website “House of Marley”. Caveman is a regular and popular in this league, while Killa Mike was making his first appearance, “I was invited here by Staxx, who is a fighter at FNT, and fought at our league BX Fight Club once, after that we became friends and he invited me over here.”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Ricky Kuang has always been interested in technology. He wasn’t only interested in the new games that people were playing with on their gameboys but technology like computers and security cameras. Young Kuang decided that one day he would open up a technology store.

His dream came true in early 2013 when he opened up Element Box in Brooklyn to provide computer services to the New York and surrounding areas. They also have a second store in the heart of Chinatown Manhattan.
“I’ve always had a passion for technology and I wanted to help people with their computer problems.” Said Kuang.

A simple general computer repair cost roughly $65 depending on the problem of your computer. Element Box strives to provide service to their customers in the neighborhood. Their goal is to provide in-depth professional services for their customers, which is something that Kuang believes big corporations lack.

“We understand that we can’t beat big corporations like Best buy or Apple, which is why we changed our industry.” Said Kuang. “We do not believe that the major businesses can provide professional services for businesses.”

Element Box now targets other small businesses by providing them with licensed CCTV/alarms and Point of Sale (POS) systems. They provide onsite services for the security industry.

“We do not believe that major businesses can provide professional services for small businesses.” Said Kuang. “They provide business to consumer only rather than business to business.”

Although Element Box’s clients are mostly other small businesses around the New York area, small time consumers can still go to their store for regular computer tune ups. If you can’t make it to their store in Bay Ridge, they are willing to come to you for a tune up.

Sam Kim’s car has no sign or marker signifying that it’s a cab. There’s no doodad inside keeping track of how far you’ve gone. And he may ask you to sit in the front depending on how many T.L.C. cops are on the streets that night. It sounds shady, but it’s a business that’s been around for decades and almost all the ethnic enclaves have their version of the undercover cab service. Dozens of Korean men like Sam choose to risk having their vehicles taken away, a day in court, and insane fines to work for these car services, most of which are based in Flushing.

A customer who needs a ride to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut can easily bring in a couple hundred dollars. But there are also nights where you are stuck with local rides that barely bring in 6-11 dollars a trip.

“A job like this is feast or famine,” Sam says. “Still, I was most drawn to the flexible work schedule and even though I’ve been living in New York City for over 35 years and driving for most of those years, this job is giving me a view of my home that I’ve never had before.”

Business card from Sam’s company.

Just the night before, two cars from Sam’s company were seized by undercover T.L.C. agents. “The crackdown is worse than ever,” he said. It’s especially tough when you’re having a slow night as is and have to prematurely head home. “When T.L.C. are out all the guys like me have to wait at the base for who knows how long until the coast is clear. Meanwhile, the few cars with licenses are making a killing because they’re getting all the rides that are coming in.”

Subways may be the lifeblood of commuting New Yorkers but sometimes you’re too cold, too tired, too drunk, or some combination of all three to want to walk to a station and wait for a subway. We’re not quite at drone taxis yet but yellow cabs are as ubiquitous to New York City as pigeons and dirty water hot dog stands. And while you won’t find yellow cabs in Flushing, you’ll find guys like Sam ready to take you wherever you need to go.

Sam Kim’s car has no sign or marker signifying that it’s a cab. There’s no doodad inside keeping track of how far you’ve gone. And he may ask you to sit in the front depending on how many T.L.C. cops are on the streets that night. It sounds shady, but it’s a business that’s been around for decades and almost all the ethnic enclaves have their version of the undercover cab service. Dozens of Korean men like Sam choose to risk having their vehicles taken away, a day in court, and insane fines to work for these car services, most of which are based in Flushing.

A customer who needs a ride to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut can easily bring in a couple hundred dollars. But there are also nights where you are stuck with local rides that barely bring in 6-11 dollars a trip.

“A job like this is feast or famine,” Sam says. “Still, I was most drawn to the flexible work schedule and even though I’ve been living in New York City for over 35 years and driving for most of those years, this job is giving me a view of my home that I’ve never had before.”

Business card from Sam’s company.

Just the night before, two cars from Sam’s company were seized by undercover T.L.C. agents. “The crackdown is worse than ever,” he says. It’s especially tough when you’re having a slow night as is and have to prematurely head home. “When T.L.C. are out all the guys like me have to wait at the base for who knows how long until the coast is clear. Meanwhile, the few cars with licenses are making a killing because they’re getting all the rides that are coming in.”

Subways may be the lifeblood of commuting New Yorkers but sometimes you’re too cold, too tired, too drunk, or some combination of all three to walk to want to walk to a station and wait for a subway. We’re not quite at drone taxis yet but yellow cabs are as ubiquitous to New York City as pigeons and dirty water hot dog stands. And while you won’t find yellow cabs in Flushing, you’ll find guys like Sam ready to take you wherever you need to go.

Making yet another discovery at the usual spot by Union Square where many musicians I came across usually perform, I found a young man named Steven Bartashev, 23, of Brooklyn with drumsticks in his hand rocking out.

       Bartashev showing off his skills on the drums!

To my shock, Bartashev happens to be a Senior at Baruch College just like me. “I don’t perform as often as I like, I’m majoring in philosophy and minoring in math,” he said. “Sometimes I go play the piano at the school. It’s so nice to sit there, I tried cello once in high school though and that was hard!”

Since we were in the Union Square train station, I decided to ask if he plays here a lot. “This is my first time even performing in Union square,”says Bartashev. “I go to the subways to play because I can’t play at my house, so this is where I go to play. The cops can’t stop me and my mom can’t stop me either.”Growing up Bartashev used to play drums alongside his brother, but with his brother already being a guitarist for another band it didn’t work out and that’s when Bartashev realized he wanted to go solo and do his own thing.

    Pure focus as he drums to the beat of one of his songs. 

“Currently I’m in a band called Rhino House Band, its indie rock, pop type of music, but I play a lot of stuff different genres outside of that also” he said. “We get paid sometimes, but other then that I work at a print and design company too.”

            Check out Bartashev’s band when you get a chance! (photo credit              goes to Rhino House Band.)

For the past couple of years being with the band, Bartashev talks about all the places he has played music at “We performed in Rockwood Music Hall, I’m also trying to throw my own shows at somebody’s loft it’s really rinky dink but it’s getting off the ground so we been playing there,” he said. Being friends with the front-man of his band since they were just 15, and playing the drums when he was about 10 years old Bartshev shares some of the struggles he had to endure as a drummer in New York.

Bartashev’s  first time performing at Union Square was a success!

“I have been stopped and threatened with a ticket or arrested by police, In some places you can’t make any noise and they have rules on top of the city rules, you need to be quiet and its annoying because the zone is residential, their rules are definitely a lot stricter than city rules,” he said. “Also one time a homeless person tried stealing my money, he didn’t get physical but he was verbally trying to convince me it was his and take it from me. Then there was a saxophone player who asked me to join him play and he saw this feud I had with the bum and he was super hard about it and told him to leave us alone. His name is Dusty he was a good guy.”

After graduation Bartshev plans to make a career in music a goal of his, until then it was good to bump into a fellow Bearcat and get to know the person he is behind the drums.