I have really fond memories of my last trip to Williamsburg 10 years ago.  The vibe was one that only a strong grass roots artist run culture can create.  Unfortunately, New York, like many cities does not have a strong track record of preserving the artistic core of its neighbourhoods, think Soho and the Village.  So I was prepared to experience a very different Williamsburg if I ever was to return. 

This article in today's New York Times was heartening.  It tells the story of one Williamsburg Landowner and his appreciation of the value that artists have brought to the nieghbourhood and the need to preserve artist space in order to preserve what it is that is making that small New York suburb so vibrant.