To be not gentrification friendly; to celebrate the work we're doing here, and highlight what's worth doing.

To celebrate Bushwick.

To not ignore places which have been here for more than 1.5 years. Our neighborhood has a very specific character. So what if our sidewalks and empty lots are filthier than they are down in Bed-Stuy; people are generally friendlier, and when considering the short amount of time the majority of first-gen residents have been around, and the state of the neighborhood as they found it post blackout-riots, it's really not too bad.

To provide a resource of critical perspectives on local art and music, as well as global film, literature, and other media, which however limited and subjective will be open to comments and discussion from all.

To keep a couple of things secret--after-bars, junk stores, etc.--but to push the good, long-established restaurants and shops as much as possible. I don't want pan-Asian in Bushwick; I want good Spanish food. I haven't been out to El Paisa yet, like the Voice has been saying I should do for two years. But when I get back I'll let you know. If no reports surface any time soon, feel free to post your own experiences in our message board, about any of the fine establishments or features of our neighborhood.

To provide a resource with which to navigate the new art, music, nightlife, and food scene that is quickly growing out here. Even the New York Times has been repeatedly calling Bushwick the next big thing, and it may not be long before we, along with those who came before, are pushed further east. In the meantime, and not to be contradictory, there are several great new places (and always tons of parties) that deserve our attention, and unarguably make life out here a little better.

I have no trouble going to Williamsburg or to the other side, to meet people for dinner or drinks or whatever. I have to admit it was nice in a way, before the new places began to open. I liked being on the frontier. But when the coffee shops began to open out here in early 2004 I began making better use of my weekends. (I also starting drinking way more coffee than ever before, and became known at the Archive for taking advantage of the bottomless cup deal.) One of the things I like most about Bushwick is the fact that it isn't overrun with gimmicky bars and multiethnic restaurants. And I don't want it to be. So perhaps in a sense this venture is a mistake, because we don't want our neighborhood to be developed as fast as they're going on the other side of the BQE. But most of the venues discussed here have already been profiled in at least the L and the Voice, if not New York magazine. This is about getting it right. New York sandwiched their blurb about Stain between a new venture from the Scores' proprietor and something else equally incongruous. Anyway, now that these places are here I've realized it's difficult to keep track of what's happening, or even find out w/o word of mouth. And maybe that's fine--the analog world moves slower, but it may prove to have lasted longer. In the meantime, feel free to take advantage of LIT BY THE 'WICK, if moved to do so, and please contribute.

It's a long way to the top (and that's the way we like it).

Dave

Bushwick, February 2, 2006