Shoppers do not always flock to the store with the lowest prices. At least that is what stores near Brooklyn’s new Trader Joe’s are hoping.

Situated on the corner of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, Trader Joe’s opened on Sept. 26 and is the city’s third.

The California company is widely known for its low prices and its long line of in-house brand products.
Some nearby stores are worried. Carmine Cincotta, who works at Jim & Andy Fruit Produce on Court Street, says the effect will be “overall negative” because Jim & Andy “can’t compete with that kind of business.”

But on the prices of some commonly bought, Trader Joe’s did not show an absolute advantage over other stores within two blocks.

Key Food, less than a block away, stocks Tuscan milk at $3.79 for one gallon and $2.17 for a half-gallon. Trader Joe’s house brand milk is the same price for a gallon but $1.97 for a half-gallon.

Prices of Key Food brand cereals ranged from $2.49 to $3.49, while Trader Joe’s brand sold from $2.29 to $4.29.

Granted, many of the smaller stores cannot match Trader Joe’s range of products. For example, Atlantic Fruit & Veg Grocery on Atlantic Avenue sells mainly fruits and vegetables and does not stock milk or cereal.

Atlantic Fruit & Veg sells fruit in bundles, with strawberries going for $2.99 per box, Gala apples at 99 cents per pound, and a bunch of bananas for 69 cents per pound.

In contrast, Trader Joe’s sells strawberries at the same price, Gala apples at 49 cents each, and bananas for 19 cents each. Organic fruits cost more.

With Trader Joe’s, there is the flexibility of paying per unit, but with many other stores the product’s weight becomes the yardstick for measurement. Depending on how much shoppers buy, any store can be the winner of lower unit costs.

But price is not necessarily the determining factor among shoppers.

Nara Floreane, a regular Atlantic Fruit & Veg customer claims the fruits have “more quality” and are ‘natural” at Atlantic. Floreane has not visited Trader Joe’s and admits she would start frequenting it if it offered better quality products.

Some customers do not mind paying more for brands not carried by Trader Joe’s, according to Billy Solmaz, store manager of Pacific Green Gourmet Food. “What we sell, they don’t have,” said Solmaz, “and what we have, it’s better” than what Trader Joe’s  has.

Located opposite Trader Joe’s, Pacific Green carries brands such as Stonewall Kitchen, which produces oils and jams. These products come at a higher price, but customers still walk in.  “Because I sell these kind of brands, I have my own customers,” said Solmaz.

Gabriel Biderman turns to Pacific Green for fruits and vegetables, even though he is a self-proclaimed fan of Trader Joe’s. And he still patronizes nearby Sahadi Importing Co. for specialty Middle Eastern food. “I would spend a buck or two more to get better quality,” he said.

Unlike its sibling store in Union Square, the Brooklyn branch of Trader Joe’s does not carry wine. Heights Chateau owner Matthew Lasorsa is not worried even if it did. “We have a very strong reputation,” said Lasorsa, whose store sells fine wines and spirits, “that has been built up over 25 years.”

 I went back and it was like time stood still. I walked in and felt the same raw inspiration that I felt visiting SHU when I went for my interview to do Fine Arts just over 2 years ago.

If you ever get a chance, you should experience this historic venue for yourself.
On this particular night, the open mic consisted of a motley crew of poets and MCs. Color, age, style and sexuality were non-existent. It was all about the spoken word.

This young buck came in and made all the ladies in the house fall in love with him.

This young lady eventually won the evening’s open mic event. She was DEEP with her rhymes. The reincarnation of Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Crazy old dude from Europe came here to NY just to be on this stage. It was like a dream come true for him.

…Freestylin’ off the Blackberry…

The crazy cool curator Mahagony.

I struck gold when I was living in Brooklyn because I met a cool chick called Erin... Who is like my bestest New York friend now. She was new intown, a week before my very own arrival.

We were stoppin' in this relatively big apartment in Williamsburg. It was a big flashy apartment but cramped with about 12 people in total. Which worked out that only really 6 of us living together... because of the 2 floors to it.  The apartment itself was kind of cooky. We had to go through a Buhdist Yoga place to get to our stairwell. And it was an old industrialised building. and we lived right next door to American Apperal flagstore shop and this resturant/bar called Sea which loads of people went to because it was on Sex and the City and other movies. It was one night after a hard days work updating Postmasters website that i wondered home in the crazy humidity (im from the UK.. so any heat is always crazy hot) that I was just chillin' on our balcony that over looked Manhattan and little indie retro white middle class kids diggin off daddy's $$$ funds below on the street, when I was chattin' to this Irish girl called Trudy. I was saying how I totally loved slam poetry and wanted to go 2 this NPC. And Erin... was like - yo dude me too!! And that's were this love affair came from. Turns out Erin had just moved to NYC from a small town in Florida.. as she was an aspiring actress. Like me, I swapped stories of how I dreamed to make it as an artist... and the act of spending all my student loan on a plane ticket and some dodgy brooklyn apartment was in the hope of seeing whether i could try and figure the artworld out via a gallery .

 I stopped with her in her new apartment (in brooklyn, crown heights) when I went bizack in September. This girl is amazing. We call her Erin "By any Means" Cadet.

Her writing talents are unbelievable. And I can't wait to go back over to NYC so I can see my girl do her amazing thing on the NPC. Because Erin is going to make it, fo' sho. I have my very own NPC star as a best friend... how cool is that?

Tomorrow, Bed-Stuy is alive.

Visit the BeSAA site for info on all of the events and for a list of businesses participating. My work can be found in the gift shop of

ZION Art Gallery.

I would like to thank you for your encouraging comments and moral support. Even if this outing is not a success, I can feel satisfied in the knowledge that I followed through on the commitment I made to Fran and to myself. Like Chante said, baby steps count too.

Selected Fonts

Amy King @ PennSound

Today, we're happy to announce the addition of two new readings from Amy King — poet, and editor of both the Poetics List and MiPOesias, two integral parts of the contemporary poetics community.

We begin with King's September 5th, 2008 reading at New York City's KGB Bar as part of a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society — an event which also included David Lehman, Meghan Punschke and Ana Bozicevic. King read four pieces altogether, starting with "Lidia Dimkovska Has Made a Bomb of My Eyes," "A Hole in My Name" and "I Hear Like Falling Names" before closing with the long-form poem, "This Opera of Peace."

One week later, on September 12th, King appeared at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn — a reading which largely showcased poems from her new manuscript, I Want to Make You Safe, including "The Destiny You Choose is the One You Live Through," "Two If By Land, I Do," A Bruise That Stains the Teeth" and "Some Pink in Your Color." She also read "Mildly Free," from her 2007 collection, I'm the Man Who Loves You.

Both of these exciting recordings are now available on King's PennSound author page, where you'll also find readings from the 2007 "Queering Language" Reading Launch, and miPOradio. You'll also want to check out PennSound's miPOradio page, for dozens of readings and interviews with some of the most influential voices working in poetry today.

~~~~~~

p.s. I'm gearing up to do more poet interviews shortly -- one as earlier as next week -- so please stay tuned - some great poets on the horizon!

I come back to the camera.

The street becomes theater -- or, rather, television. I love how the gel on the spotlight creates a lens flare.

It's time yet again for another edition of Nightly Candy with your hostess with the mostess...
I'm a little bit frustrated with myself, because I accidently erased a work of art in the wee hours this morning!
As I wiped the one lone tear from the corner of me eye duct, I decided to stop feeing sorry for myself and BUCK UP! I'm just going to recreate the magic! I just have to.
It was so liberating to put my own issues on BLAST like for you all like that.
I mean if you've had the chance to catch my one woman show, it's evident that I like to make fun of myself and the wretched choices I have made in men for the past several years. BUT it's much easier to mock, then to share the inner most secrets of your soul!
You know what! I'm throwing caution to the wind.... and getting real with adoring public! You've never do me wrong!
Please don't start now...

Here it goes...

I think a lot of people are under the misconception that finding a LOVE is something that an expected part of life. I used to be one of those naive souls. I have come to know that love from a partner is conditional and anyone is truly lucky and blessed to have the real thing.

It's almost like winning a lottery of sorts, or more like BINGO (the odds are more in your favor for that game right?)  

In 2003, I had my Bingo card in hand, and realized that my numbers matched and the excitment filled my body as I knew I had Bingo! Where the problem lies is that I failed to yell out that I won! I didn't shout out B-I-N-G-O! 
How could you win a game and not claim your prize you ask? Oh... it was a combo of things.. but we'll get into that later.

The question at hand is....

Is it too late for me to cash in on that particular winning card? FIVE YEARS later??? Oh the drama of it all. But you all love salacious stories... This one is a doozey..

Let me start it off for you and set the stage...
I'm going to take you back into time..... back into time

The year: 2003
This was me..... a young, naive, fashion design bound lassie who thought I KNEW everything

I was bumping on my CD player (because there was NO NANO or IPOD to be had)

50 Cent " In Da Club

Sean Paul's "Get Busy"

And a West Coast artist by the name of RES! This song was my JAM! I think I wore out the CD actually! This song came out in 2001, but I was a late bloomer to have fly RES really is... check it out

RES featuring NAS "Ice King"

Now that I've set the mood, the vibe the tone... Check out Part II to get more of this torrid tale!

See you on the flip side kids

Night Night

click the link http://www.zshare.net/audio/2033326190bdbab5/

detail from a piece I did for the  PROCESS' TRAIN CAR PROJECT.

The show opens TONIGHT.

POPPA D STUDIOS 
907 BROADWAY
BROOKLYN, NY 11206

Opening reception: October 10, 2008, 7pm - 10pm 
Runs until October 16, 2008

C215 in Dumbo, Brooklyn.  September 2008.

Several news outlets (such as this one) are reporting that Britney Spears (as part of her comeback tour) will be performing tomorrow night off the coast of Brooklyn at Diesel's 30th Anniversary celebration - which your favorite blogger will be attending - amongst other incredible acts such as N.E.R.D., Chaka Khan, and M.I.A. as well as DJ brother Joel and Benji Madden.

We won't hold our breath - but if she does show up - we will be...

Probably on the floor having con-vul-sions..con-con...vulsions!

From a very early age, perhaps the age of five or six, I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer. Between the ages of about seventeen and twenty-four I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books. more

Books online are amazing! More to come tonight I promise....and for all the Queers in the house, check out the I heart Calendar Girls Party tonight at southpaw....the whole neighborhood will be there. Here's a snippet of my Go write-up about it:

I Heart Brooklyn Girls and GO Magazine have teamed up for the exciting launch of the Brooklyn Girls 2009 Women at Work calendar. Famous for depicting real-bodied voluptuous queer femmes who call Brooklyn home, this year’s calendar effectively realizes its reference to 1940s and ‘50s Bettie Page style pin-up girls. It focuses on campy professions; all the ladies are dressed in carefully selected vintage attire and are shot in an ironic work environment. There is the “Baking Beauty,” the “Stitching Sweetie” and “Chemist Queenie” about to measure her beakers, but my favorite is obviously the “Literary Lady.” It’s about time that writers were hailed as sex icons! more

I'll be sure to review it afterwards x

Previously, I mentioned an singer/mc out of Brooklyn by the name of Sarah White as an artist not to sleep on.  Well one of Milwaukee's top artist and producer J Todd, did a remix of Sarah White's song "Fade".  The track is total fire. See for yourself.  Don't forget to check out Sarah White's future soul ep "Hiding Blind".

Sarah White - "Fade (J Todd Remix)" download
[audio=http://radiomilwaukee.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/fade-jtodd-rmx.mp3]

Also check out this track from J Todd.

J Todd - "XXDreamXX" download
[audio=http://radiomilwaukee.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/xxdreamxx.mp3]

yup its about time check it out herre click the link http://www.zshare.net/audio/20309613fb97f893/

A few blocks away this old man approaches me and says in the most bad ass old school New York accent:
"Whats the attraction to this stuff on the wall?"
I tell him its art...
"Right, these sonsabitches come and put this shit up over night. I own this shop. I'm tryin to get the city to come take this shit off. I don't want it here."

"Look this sonsabitch even welded right onto my shop!"







Last but not least, I get back to Flatbush and see these bastards on my block...

Amongst all kinds of stuff, Heidi and I began talking about Ana Peru for some reason.
We went to leave and on the platform waiting for the G train we saw the following Ana Peru graffiti.
Heidi had just found this thing on the ground that said "If you smile your gay."
Obviouslypictures were in order...

There are several things that you can do to pass the time while you wait, if you're by yourself that is.  If you're not, I suppose you should talk to the people you're with, though depending on your company, that's debatable.

Your first option, and my personal favorite, is to people watch and make fun of them in your head.  For example, this morning I saw a woman walk past me with really short pants, so in my head I said "Hahaha - look at short pants!"  I'm witty and mature.

Another option is to play games on your cell phone. This is always good if you want to fool people into thinking that you're checking emails and doing things like Someone Of Importance.

A solid third time waster is to check out all the ads that line the walls.  I do this because I work in advertising and I like to act like I care about my job, but also because I sometimes come across quality items like this:

I know it's crappy, but I didn't exactly want everyone around me thinking that I needed to remember this number so badly that I had to take a picture.

If you can't make it out, the ad is for a podiatrist who has some kind of revolutionary bunion removal technique.  It says "As Seen On TV" but I haven't seen it.  Though I will be staying up all night tonight in hopes of catching the infomercial.

My favorite part of this ad though is clearly the copy reading "Free Consultation."

I love how they think that's an enticing move on their part.  Listen, no one goes to the podiatrist and ends up leaving thinking, "Huh, must've just been some lint!"  

You simply do not go if nothing is already wrong.  I don't know about you, but I never look down at my foot and think, "Everything looks great! I better get to the doctor."  If you're going to a foot specialist, there is something wrong with your foot.  Giving people a free first look is not exactly spicing up the deal.  

But at least it's entertaining, right?  

There's only so many things you can do while waiting for the train before you get bored out of your skull.

I guess you could be productive and start a to do list and so forth, but I think insulting people, playing PapiJump and looking at stupid ads is much more fun.  I like to think it adds character.  Or something like that.

Wickedly more expensive than most of the stuff I usually post but when I see something, I say something, okay Mr. Homeland Security?!

- First thing you'll notice is that you're destined to be "The People Under the Stairs."  There be some bars up on them windows, albeit elegant high-end crafted and detailed iron bars.

- Here's how it looks from the other direction.

- Bathroom of white niceness.

- Master bedroom to be the master or mistress or both(?) And look!  An A/C port with an A/C unit from the 70s!  Might want to consider changing the CFCs... or replacing.  But wait!  There's a new one right above it!  Er... yeah.

- Got kids with razor scooters or Power Wheels?  I give you, the romper room: Takes up the entire width and breadth of the lower level.  Some possible uses -  storage for yours and extended family's stuff... a sweat shop... a kid-nasium... pinball parlor... call center... seismic research lab... meth lab... dungeon... salsa studio... breakdance battle zone... shooting gallery (rubber bullets only please)... refugee camp... banquet hall... particle accelerator... place of worship... yoga studio.  There's a washer/dryer down there too.

- This is where those French doors lead from the mega-space above.  I'll give this a "sweet!" on the outdoor space-o-meter.  Stoned over but sizable... kinda like me!

- Kids are gonna love the play space but may feel a little closterphobic in this antechamber to the patio [slash] bedroom.  On second thought, kids are small... they can deal.

- Here's the patio to which the aforementioned is the antechamber.  I'll rate this a "not bad" on the outdoor space-o-meter.  Good place for some plants and a chaise lounge.

- Last and probably least appealing is the kitchen with some more 70s appliances.  I wouldn't hold your breath for replacements but there may be some cleanup in there.

- And here they are... the Twins of Romance.

- Available October 15th, 2008.

- Pet friendly.

- Stupid close to the Bergen F,G.

Map here.

Comment and ye shall covet!