This is a really nice man named Roy Sargeant who works for the Sanitation Department but whose first job was at Astroland in the 1980s. Roy showed us around the ruins on the day lease ran out. Give him a quick view. Oh, and Roy, thanks for helping us out on Saturday.

This is the foul scene that greets those walking down Withers Street in Williamsburg to dine at Bamonte’s, an icy sidewalk and crap-ass fence that surrounds the construction site at 544 Union Avenue, which would have been a hideous building designed by Gene Kaufman. We put the Kaufman Building in our Dead Pool of likely dead projects last week. In the case, we can say it’s a toss-up as to whether one wants to look at the fence or the nauseating Kaufman structure that had been planned. In all seriousness, however, what you are looking at is what many Brooklyn neighborhoods face in terms of developer blight over the coming decade as boom turns to bust and construction sites are abandoned and left to rot. Also, Hotel Le Jolie is down the block too. Done think this scene is on the website, though.

Today, we’re starting a new GL feature with vids of Brooklyn bands. If you’ve got any to bring to our attention let us know. Likewise bands, send us your links to embeddable content. We can be reached at thegowanuslounge (at) gmail (dot) com. Also, we’re looking for a regular music correspondent. Interested? Email us. Here at GL we’re about a little bit of everything:

And, now, we present our weekly restaurant review from our friends at Eat It: The Brooklyn Food Blog. (We apologize to readers and to Eat It as we forgot to slot this in its usual Friday slot.) This week’s feature is Convivium in Park Slope:

I recently had one of the best meals I’ve had in recent months. I went with my family to Convivium Osteria (68 5th Avenue, between St. Marks Place and Bergen Street, 718-857-1833) last Friday, on one of the most bitter cold nights this month. It’s an Italian/Iberian eatery, specializing in seafood, pastas and meats in hearty sauces, broths and combinations. The atmosphere is farmhouse rustic with dark wood tables & chairs and old-looking farm tools and implements lining the walls. It’s cozy and charming and the waitstaff seem proud of what’s being served. We were seated in the back area as the front room and the downstairs room were both full. It was slightly chilly back there, despite the heaters they had turned on, but it was no matter to us, for we had the most delicious, hearty and well-prepared (with the finest seasonal and farm-raised meats and vegetables). A narrow, wooden staircase leads to the downstairs room which feels like it’s part wine-cellar & part cave and is definitely a reason to eat here. It’s like you’re in someone’s special secret hideout, with only a handful of tables in the small space. On to the food! We had the special appetizer of Baby Clams and Chorizo in a Tomato-Onion Broth, Assorted Seafood Tapas for Two, Baby Back Pork Ribs, Braised Rabbit and Gnocchi. Click here for photos and descriptions!

And we thought we were upset about Astroland.

We featured this baby back in early December because it struck us as a perfect example of out-of-context architecture: a tall, modern building towering over a row of beautiful low-rise wood frame houses on a block of Dean Street that has a lot of them. It’s 357 Dean Street and this weekend we were overjoyed that it’s not a fugly blight on the neighborhood, it’s actually an environmentally sensitive development that’s on the market as Green on Dean. Boy, are we relieved. It’s not an ugly looking hunk of architectural dookie. It’s state of the art green construction. It’s “true eco-luxury” with more amenities than you can count on fifteen hands. So, all is forgiven. There are six units on sale for $759K and they’ve already gotten BuzzCuts of $21,000 each, per Streeteasy. We’re thinking the haircut isn’t over before this eco-luxury finds some buyers. What do you think?

[Photo courtesy of lostinbrooklyn/GL Flickr Pool]

· The Atlantic Yards Downsizing Meme [AYR]
· Idiotarod 2009 [Blue Jake]
· LPC to Address Ocean on the Park Houses [Hawthorne Street]
· Year of Ox Celebration Goes Well [Sunset-Park.com]
· Year of the Ox After-Party Pics [BVIB]
· Dudes on Smith Were Not Going to Miss the SuperFreakingBowl [PMFA]
· Thoughts on the Greenpoint Hotel [New York Shitty]

We went to Coney Island on Saturday, despite the numbing wind chill, to shoot some footage for another vid we were making. It didn’t dawn on us, until we there that Jan. 31 was the deadline for Carol Hill Albert to vacate the property. A kind former employee Roy Sargeant, let us into the grounds, and showed us around the few ruins that were left. We call this is a snuff vid because that’s what it is: a pornographic murder on video.

Astroland is dead. Developer Joe Sitt took possession of the property on January 31. (If you don’t care about Coney Island you’re going to find a lot of posts on GL today that you won’t like and, frankly, we’re sorry, but we need to do this.) Owner Carol Hill Albert left behind the water flume (which has pretty much been sabotaged so it can’t be used) and the Astrotower. This leaves Mr. Sitt, whose reputation in New York City is about as low as one can get (for a developer), with the choice of preserving this beloved landmark or demolishing it and selling it for scrap. (We’d start a betting pool, but a man who evicted businesses on Christmas Eve isn’t necessarily going to have a problem with engraging people all over the world by barbarically destroying an icon.) We also learned that there had been a time capsule buried on the property somewhere near the Astrotower, but that work crews had been digging around and unable to find it. We don’t even want to know why no one marked its location. In any case case, we did some before and after shots, juxtaposing shots we had taken on Astroland’s closing day, September 7, 2008 and its final day of demolition, January 31, 2009.

A couple of more sad comparison shots if you click here.

[Photo courtesy of Jennifer Dunne/GL Fickr Pool]

Surrounded by cherry blossoms in Spring at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and iced over in January. Ouch.

Dedicated to an undisclosed person at an undisclosed location. Do listen until the middle where Peter Murphy starts singing about “You fickle shit/You would spit on me/You would make me spit.” This is NOT dedicated to Joe Sitt. Sorry.

Astroland is now truly dead. Carol Hill Albert and her employees vacated the premises on Saturday night at the expiration of their lease. And so ends and enterprise that began in 1962 with that Space Age Optimism. It now belongs to the Age of 2009 Diminished Expectations and Recession. It is in the hands of developer Joe Sitt and Thor Equities, unless a deal is worked out with the city to buy his property. Stay tuned. We were on the property Saturday thanks to a kind soul. The results of the visit will be popping up here and there today. Oh, Happy Post-Super Bowl Monday.

Yes, it’s Sunday and that means we go for the joy that is Craigslist Missed Connections. This week’s #1 pick is a winner, and we’ve got some in reserve too:

I think I did cocaine at your house last night? – m4w – 23 (Williamsburg)
You: Brown hair, thin, purple American Apparel shag fleece zip hoody.
Me: 5’8, 140, red flannel shirt, white v-neck, skinny black jeans, really high.
Your coffee table: Art deco, cherry wood, fashion magazines, TImeOut New York, Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot”, Vashti Bunyan CD (I think we did cocaine off of it).

I think I had a really good time, but I ended up blacking out and I don’t remember your name, or what you look like. If you see this, I would love to hear more about your childhood and to continue our discussion about the subjectivity of spiritual experience.

Absolute genius and, clearly, the makings of a love affair if we’ve ever seen one.

Here is our Adoptable Canine Cutie of the Week from the wonderful Sean Casey Animal Rescue in Kensington:

Violet is a 2 1/2 year old Shar Pei. She is a sweet, mild-mannered, low-issue dog. She is spayed, dewormed, treated with Revolution to prevent fleas, ticks, ear mites and heartworm and is up to date with vaccinations. Her adoption fee is $200.00 and she’ll get one free exam at our vet’s office, one free month of pet health insurance and a microchip. If you’d like to adopt Violet please email us at nyanimalrescue@yahoo.com for an adoption application. We are conveniently located close to the F train in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn and we’re open daily from 11am to 7pm. Violet can’t wait to meet you! Our organization offers 24PetWatch microchips, which include free registration into the 24PetWatch pet recovery service. For more information visit www.24petwatch.com or call 1-866-597-2424. This pet also is eligible for 30 days of pre-paid ShelterCare pet health insurance. For more information please visit www.sheltercare.com or call 1-866-375-PETS.

We were lucky enough to gain access to the grounds of Astroland yesterday on its very last day, January 31, 2009, when Carol Hill Albert’s crew was vacating the premises forever by 7PM. A kind soul who had his first paid job at Astroland, named Ray Seargant, who is now with the Department of Sanitation, told us to come on in with him. Needless to say we shot a lot of photos and videos, and we’ll be sharing some of it tommorrow. As a worker was letting us out of a locked gate, we mentioned that we’d shed some tears seeing the park in this diminished state. “I’ve been crying for two years,” said the worker, who was in his late fifties or early sixties. “And it’s made me sick.”

[Photo courtesy of geminicollisionworks/GL Flickr Pool]

Bensonhurst! Looking good, kid.

This vid combines two of our favorite things in the world: the ocean and Joy Division or, more to the point, Ian Curtis. Here are Ian’s words:

Procession moves on, the shouting is over,
Praise to the glory of loved ones now gone.
Talking aloud as they sit round their tables,
Scattering flowers washed down by the rain.
Stood by the gate at the foot of the garden,
Watching them pass like clouds in the sky,
Try to cry out in the heat of the moment,
Possessed by a fury that burns from inside.

Cry like a child, though these years make me older,
With children my time is so wastefully spent,
A burden to keep, though their inner communion,
Accept like a curse an unlucky deal.
Played by the gate at the foot of the garden,
My view stretches out from the fence to the wall,
No words could explain, no actions determine,
Just watching the trees and the leaves as they fall.

[Photo courtesy of Lost in Brooklyn/GL Flickr Pool]

Now, it’s time to watch February unfold.

On the left, we have what we call The Shaft, a product of Henry Radusky and Bricolage Designs. On the right we have The Big Ass Box from Christo the shop of Armand Quadrini, who is also known as the bench warmer for Robert Scarano because he has replaced the King of Brooklyn Architects on a number of jobs. We have said before that, in this case, we liked Mr. Scarano’s design a lot better (at least in rendering). Oh, by the way, this is Carroll Street and Fourth Avenue. We try to look at the ground or walk really fast when we’re around here except to document the progress on the Corner of Horrors, which we have to say has become our least favorite place in all of Brooklyn.

Today’s lovable cutie is called Mick Jagger. He’s a hard working kitty that was laid off and out of luck. Good thing that there was a loving person around until he can find himself a permanent home!

Mick Jagger was rescued from the Kensington area of Brooklyn. He was living in a bodega until they decided that they no longer needed a store cat. We sure are glad that we found him. He deserves only the good things in life! Mick is a hunk of burning love. He adores spending time with people. His mellow and affectionate personality is what we all love about Mick. He has his playful side, too, which is always fun. If you are in the market for a lap cat, look no further! He always makes you feel that there is no one better in this world than you. Mick will bring a lot of love and joy to any household. He is also very smart and quite a talker! If he has something on his mind, he likes to talk about it. There are no secrets with him! Mick will do well by himself or with other cats in the household. His personality adjusts quickly to new situations. He makes himself right at home. He is right around 1 year old. Mick has received all of his vaccines, is negative for FELV/FIV, dewormed, flea free, and has been neutered. He received the works. Mick is also pretty darn good looking if you haven’t already noticed! If interested in meeting Mick, please call Donna at 917-691-9466 or e-mail donnaerhardt@optonline.net. I sure am glad that I invited him into my home and my heart. You will be glad that you did too. We look forward to meeting you!

[Photo courtesy of chadwbecks/GL Flickr Pool]

A woman running to catch the F Train as it heads for the Carroll Street Station in Carroll Gardens.

This is a vid of trolleys running all over Brookyn in the 1930s. You’ll see some familiar buildings and it even runs down Fifth Avenue. Cool stuff.

[Photo courtesy of Deborah Matlack]

This is Fifth Avenue in Greenwood Heights. GL Contributor Deborah Matlack sent us this pic after one of the recent light snows/slushes/ices.

Kucinich asks Citigroup to give up Citifield Naming Rights Deal [AYR]
Food Stamps and Other Badges of Shame [Bed-Stuy Banana]
Well Deserved Kudos for a Sunset Park Honoree [Best View in Brooklyn]
Super Bowl Party at Le Toukouleur This Sunday [Bed Stuy Blog]
Game On [Brooklyn Based]
Ugly Betty Coming to Montague Street [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Bushwicking! Get to this Low Key Neighborhood Now [The Brooklyn Paper]
Brooklyn Bridge Park Public Meeting [Dumbo, NYC]
Gerritsen Bagel is No More — Signs Taken Down [GerritsenBeach.net]
Prospect Park & Flatbush Through Eyes of Virginia Artist [Flatbush Vegan]
Deep Dark Secrets in the Window at Urban Alchemist [OTBKB]
–Compiled by Lauren Fairbanks

[Photo courtesy of hugohurst/GL Flickr Pool]

Yes it is a delicate hour for this sort of thing. And, yes, they replaced the “o” in proctology with a butt.