i might be wrong

Every now and then I get the urge to watch old Bugs Bunny episodes.

After a day of photo gallery hopping and an early-ish dinner at Locanda Verde and then The Dove with Clay, I decide to call it a night and skip the I Love Vinyl party. I kissed Clay goodbye and hailed a cab. Before I even get into the cab, the driver, Jatinder Singh, License #5252980, Medallion #3B55, is asking where I'm going. This always pisses me off, but instead of making a smart-ass comment, I decide to just get in and then tell him I'm going to Brooklyn. It's rainy. I'm tired. I want to go home. I don't want any drama. I just want to get home.

I tell the driver I'm going to Brooklyn and instead of just driving he says, "No! Why didn't you say you were going to Brooklyn before you got in my cab?" I say, "Because I don't have to." He drives for a few blocks, quite erratically, tailgating, etc. I just sit there and roll my eyes and think he's an ass. I put my seatbelt on -- a first for me in a cab. Then he says, "Well I have to go to the bathroom." I tell him I don't care, as long as he doesn't drive me out of my way to get to a bathroom and he turns the meter off when he stops. Somehow, he sees this as me "giving him a hard time" and snaps at me. He asks, "What am I supposed to do? Use the bathroom here." Again, I tell him I don't have a problem with him going to the bathroom, as long as I am not taken out of my way and the meter is stopped while he's away. Not unreasonable requests in my opinion. Along the way, we pass several restaurants, including a diner and I say to him, "You can stop here to use the bathroom if you want." He ignores me and continues to drive erratically. Then he asks if I'm paying with cash and I say maybe. Really, I'm not sure if I have any cash, I rarely do, but I know I have my debit card. Besides, I don't know how much it's going to cost yet. He tells me the credit card machine isn't working, which is almost always bullshit. Finally, we get to a Mobil gas station somewhere near the Williamsburg bridge. He stops and gets up to get out and doesn't make a move to turn the meter off until I yell, "Turn the meter off!" just before he gets out of the car. He turns it off and gets out, slams the door and locks me in the cab. The computer screen comes up and says I owe over $9. Notice, the computer screen came on to show me what I owe and I was presented with the option to pay with cash or a credit card. Hmm... thought the machine didn't work.

At this point, I'm angry. When he gets back in, I tell him that he's driven me out of the way and that's against the taxi laws. I tell him I'm filing a complaint. I take a picture of his license and medallion number and go onto the NYC TLC website from my iPhone. I was hellbent on filing a complaint from the cab.

I thought this was the end of it but it wasn't even close. We get to Brooklyn, and we're 2 doors down from my house. I tell him this is my destination. He says, "Give me $25 in cash." I tell him no and that I'd like to use my debit card. He then yells at me and tells me the machine doesn't work. I tell him he didn't even press the button to show me what I owe yet. The meter is still on!! Press the button and let me pay. He doesn't. I tell him I can go to the ATM to get cash he says fine, but he's calling the police. The meter is still running!! I tell him to go right ahead and that I'm calling the police too and I do call them. They come right away and I tell them what happened. How he won't let me use my debit card. How he drove like a maniac and took me out of the way and how I know the machine is working because it worked when we stopped so he could use the bathroom.

They ask if I'd be willing to get cash from the ATM. I say yes and in fact, I offered that but he threatened to call the police. So I ask one of the cops to walk me to the ATM. The first store we go to doesn't have a working ATM so I have to walk another block to the ATM. I'm complaining about this to the cop and he says, "You know how they are. They never want to come out here. He's just mad because he had to come out here. You should give him $20 and that's it." Before the cops were called, the meter said $25, I think. By the time I came back to the car, the meter said $29. So I get back and I say, "Here's $20. That's all I have for you." The cabbie refuses to take it. I offer $22 even though I really shouldn't have. The cops now don't know what to do. One of the cops is looking at me like I'm in the wrong and I say, "what are you looking at me like that for, he's the one who's wrong here." This cop then says, "One of you is going to have to compromise. He either has to take the money or would you be willing to get get more money." I say, "You know, I would but not for him". I wanted to add "because FUCK HIM" but I didn't. Another cop suggests they call their lieutenant. The lieutenant says that cabbie has to take what I give him since his credit card machine doesn't work. I hand over the $22 and say goodnight and take my ass in the house. He stayed out there arguing with them for a few more minutes after I went in. He wanted me to show him my ID. The cops told him I don't have to and he needs to calm down.

So there you have it. Jatinder Singh is an asshole. I usually sympathize with cabbies. They have a hard and dangerous job. I always feel inclined to give a big tip when they take me from the city to Brooklyn because I know they can't always get a fare back. But this guy has soured me on all of them. Will I stop taking yellow cabs to Brooklyn? No, but I'll only take them when I'm dead tired or it's really late. Will I always feel inclined to give a big tip. Not a chance. Will I file a complaint about this guy with the TLC? Yes, as soon as the website is working (it told me to try filing my complaint later). I never wish anyone fired, but this guy should not be driving a taxi ANYWHERE.

What a beautiful day for a Farmer's Market! Business seems to be picking up this weekend, which is great news. We're not at Grand Army Plaza levels, but there are definitely more people shopping today. Maybe the market can be saved after all. Let's keep the momentum going!

I did a little flyering today which gave me the opportunity to speak to a lot of my neighbors. Many people said they didn't know the market was there and appreciated its presence in the neighborhood. There is such a lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables on our side of Bed-Stuy. The neighborhood really does want this, we just need to keep spreading the word. One outgoing, elderly woman on my block told me she usually goes all the way to Court Street to get her produce. She was very happy to learn she had to go no further than 4 blocks up Malcolm X Blvd.

Today Miglioreli Farms is selling green tomatoes, which I hear are awesome. I didn't buy any because I wouldn't know what to do with them. They've also got some crisp apples, corn on the cob and an abundance of fresh leafy greens. There are also many root veggies. I got a kick out of some women walking by who exclaimed in unison, "Ooh! Fresh beets!"

I'm making a stir fry this weekend and to add a little interest, I bought some Japanese turnips. I also picked up some green plums. They're strange looking and have a crisp and sweetly sour taste. They're like sour candy. I love me some sour candy. :)

I also bought some onions and peaches. I want to try my hand at making a peach cobbler. I hear it's an easy dessert to make, which is great since I'm such a mess in the kitchen.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the market today. I hope you come back again.

I received the following email from Tara, another volunteer at the Bed Stuy Farmer's Market. Migliorelli Farms, the market's main vendor, is going to leave the market because there haven't been enough shoppers. Please come out and support this Saturday. C'mon Brooklyn! Come out and shop at the market. It's quality produce at affordable prices. We need your help to keep this going.

On Saturday while I was at the market, we got word that Migliorelli Farms, the sole farmer's vendor at the market at this time, will not be back after this coming Saturday, as the sales at the market have not been enough to cover their expenses (labor and gas) in coming out to the market. While the number of people visiting and purchasing at the market has been increasing (we do customer counts), it has not yet been sufficient. The market has only been open three weeks this season so this is definitely not good for momentum.

While the Brooklyn Rescue Mission will not be deterred and there will always be a market on Saturday, this is definitely a setback, as it took many calls and emails on their behalf to get a farm such as Migliorelli to sell at the market and will take even more effort to find a replacement vendor. The BRM is only interested in bringing quality food to the neighborhood so to have a farm like Migliorelli, that also sells in Union Square, was definitely a big step towards having more food equity in the area. Unfortunately, there just hasn't been enough of a presence by local residents. Bedford Stuyvesant is a large neighborhood and despite the ads in the local papers, blog postings, emails, the several thousand flyers distributed throughout the area, there are definitely still some people we haven't yet reached, but there are also a lot of people who do know about the market and have chosen to not visit it, for whatever reason. This is unfortunate as those who have visited have
been very pleased with the selection, quality, and price of the produce. We've also added a fresh bread vendor and the Brooklyn Rescue Mission is still working on bringing more vendors on, such as a honey vendor.

This email isn't to shame Migliorelli as it is understandable that they need to meet their margin and cannot operate at a loss. This is more of a "community call", as it seems we are proving the case many have been saying about Bed Stuy: that we cannot maintan and sustain a farmer's market in this community. I don't believe this, the Brooklyn Rescue Mission doesn't believe this, and they are working hard to prove these people wrong. You can help by coming out this Saturday, August 1st and visiting the market and doing your produce shopping for the week at the market. I also ask that you keep coming as often as you can after this Saturday but I truly believe that after you come on Saturday and see what the market has to offer, you'll come regularly on your own because it truly is growing into something the community can be proud to support. I know we all have our likes and dislikes about the community and access to quality food is definitely one of them. It isn't enough knowi
ng that there's a market in the area-we have to support it as well to make it sustainable!

Malcolm X Community Farmer's Market
Malcolm X Blvd between Marion and Chauncey Streets-in front of Jackie Robinson Park
8am-1pm (Migliorelli often stays past 1pm)
A/C train to Utica Avenue (the market is right around the corner!)
B46 or B25 to Malcolm X and Fulton (market is right across the street!)

If you want to "see" what the market has to offer, check some of the photos taken by some bloggers who have come by the market:

http://www.digitaltammi.com/
http://www.ultraclay.com/2009/07/a_farmers_market_grows_in_bed-.html
http://www.bedstuyblog.com/2009/07/11/saturday-is-farmers-market-day/

Please tell everyone you know! If they live in or near Bed Stuy or love local produce or is just down to support something that helps build community-tell them to come out this Saturday. I hope to see you there. If you cannot make it out on Saturday, you can help us this week by picking up some flyers at the Brooklyn Rescue Mission to distribute-contact me for more information. I have to plug yet again that there are other volunteer opportunities relating to the market so you can contact me about that as well.

Thanks,
Tara

Here's what you'll find at the Bed-Stuy Market on Saturdays:

Fresh bread made with all natural ingredients, provided by Rick of R&R Distributors. This bread comes from Silver Bell Bakery in Corona, Queens. The bakery has been around for 100 years. Rick had crowds around him for a good part of the morning. People just couldn't get enough of the bread. He also sells whole wheat pasta and gluten free items...

Apples and peaches and string beans! I bought some string beans to throw into a stir fry tonight. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...

A mountain of fresh, leafy greens...

Juicy plums and crisp apricots...

Homemade cookies and cakes from Cupcakes & Turnkey. They're delicious and when they're in my hands, they're gone in 30 seconds.

And lovely volunteers, neighbors and friends...

Bed-Stuy Farmer's Market
Malcolm X Blvd. between Chauncy and Marion
Saturdays 8am-1pm

courtesy of ericaeats

IMG_7466 - Version 2, originally uploaded by ultraclay!.

Our neighborhood has changed in a lot of good (and bad) ways. One of the nice changes is the Bed-Stuy Farmer's Market. Clay and I volunteered for a few hours yesterday morning to help them set up. We plan to volunteer as much as we can. The market was brought to the neighborhood by The Brooklyn Rescue Mission and Bed-Stuy Farm. First of all, I had no idea we have a farm in our neighborhood. The mission and the farm were founded by Rev. Robert Jackson and Rev. DeVanie Jackson. The farm is amazing. Rows and rows of collards, zucinni, kale, broccoli, and there's even a fig tree. Rev. Jackson was happy to give us a tour. Clay took a lot of pictures which you can see on his flickr.

The Brooklyn Rescue Mission takes what they grow from the garden and gives it to needy people in the community. They're doing good work and this farmer's market falls in line with their mission to get people in the neighborhood eating more healthfully.

The market runs every Saturday from 8am until 1pm. It's on Malcolm X Blvd between Chauncey and Marion Streets, right near the tennis courts. They need volunteers and shoppers! Come out and visit if you're in the neighborhood or make a special trip if you can. I hear next week there will be peaches and tomatillos!

My sister and I were outside just hanging out one Saturday morning when we heard the music. Someone in the neighborhood was playing "Thriller" loud enough for half the block to hear. Even so, we got closer and soon we were in front of the building the music was blaring from. We loved "Thriller" like every other kid our age and we knew the words to every song. My sister and I sang and danced to the music until Vincent Price's creepy laugh. Who knows what we did after that. Probably wandered off to gather up some friends.

We never gave a thought to who was playing the music until we saw a boy a little older than us, his name was Mark, I think. "Thriller, thriller!" he said mimicing both us and Michael Jackson. He even did a little dance. It turns out Mark had been blasting the music that morning and he had been watching us the whole time.

From that day forward, Mark sang "Thriller" to me and my sister every time he saw us.

Michael Jackson is dead and Im sadder than I thought I would be. For someone so gifted, he struggled with so much. I don't believe in heaven but I believe MJ is at peace now. Thanks for leaving us with so much good music.

-- Post From My iPhone

Seen at the West 4th street Station.

Anything is possible today.