I-Phone Review By Stephen Colbert

We are still in lovely, hot Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Our second week of rest and relaxation just started and I have to say, so far, so good.
Now, had we been in New York this past week, I am not at all sure that my husband would not have stood in line to get an I-Phone. He has been dying to get one of those things. So it is with slight bemusement that I have watched the news of people camping out in front of the two Apple stores in Manhattan. Good thing we are far away and that Surfside Beach's Wal-mart does not sell it. I guess now he has to wait. But that gives him a chance to read the reviews. Below is Stephen Colbert's review and a more serious one from Time magazine




I-Phone review Time Magazine

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City Street Art

The city as art gallery! I came across these pictures of street art and thought I would share them. If I have seemed down on cities lately, let me assure you, I love big urban places and their vibrancy. It still amazes me that so much creativity, so much humanity can reside in such unnatural surroundings. But it survives and thrives right on our streets...


American artis Mark Jenkins


By British artist Slinkach


Leon Reid


Leon Reid installation: Lamp posts in love


And of course, Ellis G. Gallagher, our very own Brooklyn street artist


More Ellis

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ÜBER-CITIES

After reading the article below from the BBC, I wonder if there is any hope for cities. I had my doubts when Mayor Bloomberg predicted that New York City's population was going to increase tremendously in the next 20 years and that we would have to make arrangements now. Maybe he is right. But what is a livable city? When is a city simply too big to function?
So pardon me for asking: New York City's infrastructure seems hopelessly antiquated and there seems to be no hurry to modernize our roads, utilities and subway. The thought of even more people on the streets of Manhattan, in the subways and looking for parking...is pretty scary!

BBC.COM
One in two 'will live in cities'

More than half of the world's population will live in cities by 2008, most of them in developing countries, a report by the UN Population Fund says.
Urban populations are set to double in African and Asian cities over the next 30years, warns UNFPA.
This will add 1.7 billion people to those cities, more than the populations of China and the US combined, it says.
This growth threatens the world with disaster, unless politicians undertake a radical rethink, the report says.
The report, entitled The State of World Population 2007: Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth, says every week the number of people living in cities in Africa and Asia increases by approximately one million.
And by 2030 the UN Population Fund says the number of city inhabitants will be over five billion, or 60% of world population.
To cope, the UN says, politicians have to stop trying to prevent people moving to cities Urbanisation is inevitable and a good thing, it adds.
"What happens in the cities of Africa and Asia and other regions will shape our common future," says UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid."We must abandon a mindset that resists urbanization and act now to begin a concerted global effort to help cities unleash their potential to spur economic growth and solve social problems."
According to the report, this wave of growth in urban living is without precedent.
And while the mega-cities (more than 10 million people) of the world will continue to grow, the majority of the population growth will be in urban areas of 500,000 people or fewer.
Without adequate planning, the report says this growth in urban living will create huge slums, degrade the environment and radicalize the young.

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A Realtor With A Conscience

Image From Vita Realty on Court Street

Now one would think that realtors are all for development and big condo towers. Not so. Turns out that one small agency in Carroll Gardens still has some integrity. Imagine my surprise when found the paragraph below posted on Vita's web page. Angela Vita's agency has been on Court Street for many, many years. I have met Angela at a C.G.N.A. meeting. She genuinely seems concerned about the changes happening in Carroll Gardens. Pretty interesting that she takes such a strong stand on her site.


Vita Realty
IT IS HEARTENING TO NOTE THAT THE RESIDENTS IN THE COMmUNITIES ARE TAKING EXCEPTION TO THE INDISCRIMINATE DESIGNS OF THE CONDO BUILDINGS. THEY ARE BEING BUILT TOO HIGH AND THEY HAVE NO "LINK" TO THE COMMUNITIES. SEVERAL GROUPS HAVE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO BE HEARD NOT ONLY BY CITY OFFICALS BUT BY THE DEVELOPER COMPANY OWNERS AND THEIR ARCHITECTS. THIS COULD BE THE START OF STOPPING BROOKLYN FROM BEING A SECOND MANHATTAN. HOPEFULLY THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE...

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Sanity Prevails On Atlantic And Court!

Could it be that sanity finally prevails in Brooklyn? Community Board 6 unanimously voted down a huge luxury apartment development at the corner of Atlantic and Court. For a while, it looked as though the project was a go. Inexplicably, the Landmarks Preservation Commission had agreed to it, though the building would have far exceeded the height limitations in this landmarked neighborhood. And lest we forget, Councilman Bill De Blasio was all for this project.
So, bravo to C.B.6. Thanks for standing up for the neighborhood.

Historic District Shielded

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Scarano Building Limbo

(Though I am currently down South, I have not forgotten about Brooklyn, more precisely Carroll Gardens.)

My little neighborhood is really getting worked up about the upcoming 360 Smith Street apartment building. But what's going on with architect Scarano's other Carroll Gardens project? The factory conversion or rather " creative re-use project" at 333-335 Carroll is shown on Scarano Architects' web site with a completion date of 2006. I guess that was wishful thinking, before the N.Y.C. Department of Buildings slapped a stop work order on this project and revoked some of the permits. Now, the place is in limbo and very far from being completed. As in everyone of his projects, Scarano used creative math on this project when calculating how high he could build.

Here is how Scarano Architects are marketing this building on their web page:

Our goal was to keep the existing building as pure as possible, while creating comfortable, modern, loft apartments. The interior brick and timber columns are preserved, and the spirit of the original building is maintained.
An 8-unit steel and glass penthouse extension follows the same language as the existing building it sits on, with 5 structural bays that align with the original building grid. The interior and exterior proportions of the new building are similar to the proportions found in the old structure. The intricate extension is a stripped, modern version of the existing structure below in both its proportional and conceptual design, in keeping with its industrial roots.
Scarano Architects
NYC D.O.B. 333 Carroll Street

And now the Carroll Gardens Courier is reporting that there are huge rats running around Carroll Street. Residents on that block suspect that they are coming from 333 Carroll.
Carroll Street Jeers Rodents

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Home Improvements Here, Home Improvements there, Home Improvements Everywhere!

Oh, the indignity of it. We are finally on vacation, and here we are, making a list of things to do.
1) Go to Sears to buy a new dishwasher.
This morning, I wanted to turn the blasted thing on, and imagine my surprise when the thing did nothing. It's as dead as a doorknob. After spending half an hour doing all the dishes by hand, some fiddling around, the husband determined that the electronic control panel is broken. Therefore, the visit to Sears. Fun.
2) The air handler thingy for the air conditioner needs to be replaced. Mind you, its not broken, but it does need "eventual replacement." Since we are here already, we may as well take care of it. Which means at least a day without cool air in the summer heat in South Carolina. More fun.
3) Two more ceiling fans need to be installed, in the hope that we can save some energy and encourage people to use the old fashioned way of cooling a room instead of cranking up the A.C.
4) No # four yet, but I am sure it is in our future...
On top of that, its cloudy this morning. But I would much rather be here than in the city. So I will stop moaning....I promise.

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Reports From Down South

As promised, I am reporting this morning from Surfside Beach, South Carolina. After a good night's sleep that is.
Brooklyn seems far, far away as I am looking at the ocean. I never tire of it. Mostly though, I am thankful that this vast expanse of water spared the house for one more summer season. We were here the last time in April. Since then, there was a rather big storm which attacked some of the sand dunes. We will have to put up more fencing during this vacation and pray that the hurricane season is kind to us once more.

As much as I love being here, the 12 to 14 hour car ride is brutal. But also pretty entertaining. The kids laughed when I took out a piece of paper and started jotting
down some observations for today's post. Here they are:

1) If I ever have to move to any of the suburbian strips along Interstate 95, just shoot me now.

2) Over-development in Brooklyn pales compared to the reckless building everywhere else on the East Coast. Wherever you look, big shopping malls are being built along with the ugliest residential developments. How many Home Depots and Wal-Mart does this nation need????

3) New housing construction is scary. New houses look as though they are being held together with spit. Can you say "termite food?" And just for the record: Vinyl siding and windows looks ugly. So are those stark white plastic fences that everyone is putting up.

4) I never go to fast food places when I am in Brooklyn, but on the road, my otherwise high food standards fall, well, by the roadside. So after the first 300 miles, I needed a cup of coffee and something to eat. Let me tell you, the new ice-coffee at Mc Donald's is terrible. I made the mistake of confusing Mickey D with Starbucks. I should have known, but it looked so refreshing in the picture advertisement. In reality, the beverage was a beige liquid with just the faintest hint of coffee flavor.
Furthermore, eggs at that "fine" eating establishment are not really eggs, I think. The consistancy is not right and they come in these perfect little squares, probably extruded from some huge machine in a gigantic factory in the mid-west.

5) Another observation: Don't drink big buckets of iced coffee when further than 20 miles from a highway comfort station.

6) Spending 12 hours in a car with one's little family is a great way of connecting after weeks of stress at home.

7 And finally, my kids have a great collection of music on their I-Pods, though daughter Celina has a weakness for country music that I do NOT share.

So there you have it. It was a long. long drive. But we are here in one piece. And now I am going to take a nice walk on the beach and relax.

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Carolina On My Mind!

Hi Friends,
School is out, summer is here, we are heading out of Brooklyn, driving to South Carolina. We are spending two weeks in the family beach house at Surfside Beach. Give me a few hours to get used to the heat and humidity here, and I will resume blogging. Have lots of observations about the South, the 12 hour drive and spending so much time in the car with the kids and the husband. So come back tomorrow...

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NIMBY JUST LIKE GEORGE CLOONEY

Recently I have written a lot about preserving the wonderful character of my old Brooklyn neighborhood. It is an issue dear to me simply because I have spent twenty years restoring a piece of New York history, our 135 year-old brownstone. I love the fact that when I emerge from the subway from Manhattan, I can see the sky, hear birds and run into people I know. I talk to my friends and neighbors who have watched my children grow up. This neighborhood was built on a human scale. And that matters. That is something to preserve. Something to value.
So, yes, I am anti-development: of big buildings, of towers that are out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood. I am also against developers cashing in on my hard work and the toil of other Brownstoners who moved here twenty, thirty years ago to preserve these old townhouses and restore them to their former glory. Yes, we created a nice backdrop for all these money-hungry builders. But we should have the right to have them conform to us, to Carroll Gardens, to build something that actually fits here.
So call me a nimby (not-in-my-back-yard.) I can take it. Especially because George Clooney is a nimby too. read on.

From www.bbc.co.uk: Clooney objects to $15m town plan

George Clooney is not happy about a development near his villa
George Clooney is leading a residents' revolt against the mayor of a small town in northern Italy.
The star, who owns a villa in Laglio on the shores of Lake Como, is urging his neighbours to sign a petition against further development of the town. The mayor wants to spend $15m (£7.5m) building parking spaces and a pontoon bridge which would pass right in front of the Hollywood heart-throb's villa.
Mr Clooney is threatening to quit the town if the plans goes ahead.
In the past strict planning laws have curbed development around the lake, leaving small, unspoilt towns along its shores.
The rich and famous have always considered Lake Como the perfect spot for mountain air, spectacular views and seclusion.
So desirable are the villas that on the rare occasion one comes up for sale, the owner can usually name their price.
Mr Clooney bought the 15-bedroom Villa Oleandra for $10m (£5m) dollars in 2002. The houses close by have almost tripled in value.
But since he arrived in Laglio, things have begun to change. The star of Ocean's 13 says the town, which has a population of 900, is being reshaped in concrete.
The mayor's current plans include a parking lot, elevators and a floating walkway, which would lead from the centre of town to a platform right in front of Mr Clooney's villa.
The small public beach next to his villa - which he tried without success to buy two years ago to ensure his privacy - would be paved over to form a piazza, under the plans.
Mr Clooney took the unusual step of attending a meeting of the Laglio protest committee this week to add his voice to the chorus of neighbourhood objection.
But he denied that it was simply a nimby (not-in-my-backyard) protest.
"It's got to stop," said the actor-turned-civic protester. "I don't want my presence here affecting the local population. The building work is only being done because I live here. And unless it stops I'm going to have to move."
The actor has now added his name to the petition to stop the work.
Manuela Nuti, head of the residents' committee, who described the plans as "invasive for our town, and our lives," said the committee has high hopes for the impact of Clooney's support.
She said: "We have over a thousand signatures, but with a signature from George Clooney himself - that has got to be worth another hundred!"

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Protecting Carroll Gardens: A Petition

There is a petition going around regarding the protection of our lovely little neighborhood. I don't know who started it, but it certainly is a worthwhile attempt to get some fire under the powers that be.
It reads:

To: Our Elected Officials, Community Leaders, the MTA
We the undersigned Carroll Gardens homeowners and residents, are appalled
by the "as of right" ruling which allows owners and developers to erect
buildings in our neighborhood with no regard to the impact they will
present to our quality of life and the value of our homes.
We understand that the current laws and the R-6 zoning which we fall under
allows this at present---but the letter of this law does not reflect the
spirit of the law, nor the wishes of the very people who have made this
community so desirable. We feel that the "as of right" clause recognized by
the city, planning/zoning and building departments should not strip us of
our rights to have a say in the height, bulk and density of the structures
placed in our community.
We are presently not permitted any type of control in this regard, but we
understand that there are different rezoning and/or landmarking measures
which would help remedy this situation. We have been informed that it is
typical for the process to take several years. Clearly, the very character
of our neighborhood cannot afford to wait that long.
Therefore, we DEMAND an immediate moratorium on all buildings and
alterations in our neighborhood, where the ultimate height of any structure
to be built will exceed a height of fifty feet, while we await a decision
on rezoning and or landmarking in our beloved Carroll Gardens.
We, the undersigned, vow to support ONLY those public officials who will
act upon our demands and achieve our goals NOW.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

To sign petition, click here:
Protecting Carroll gardens Petition

In other Carroll Garden news, yesterday, I saw two huge pieces of equipment on the 360 Smith Street site. Looked like really big drills. I guess they were trying to see how far they could drill on the site until the drill bits pierced the ceiling of the subway tunnel underneath. Or maybe just taking soil samples.

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A Brownstone Or A Chateau? That is the question

With real estate prices going through the roof here in New York City, I always like to check "comparables" around the world. I recently came across a listing for Château du Feÿ in Villecien, France about an hour outside of Paris.
Their asking price for the 91-acre, property is €3.8 million, or about $5.1 million. That price tag would make it about the same as a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in a sterile Trump Tower on the West side or the biggest Brownstone in Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope. Granted, New York City is still New York City and forget for a moment that you need to live close to your job, but if you had the choice and of course the money, which one would you choose?

From the Listing
Built on the foundations of a 14th-century fort erected in 1640 by Nicholas de Baugy, counselor to King Louis XIII, the château totals 1,000 square meters, or about 11,000 square feet.

It is structured around a large entrance hall and reception rooms, and is flanked by two square towers with walls almost a meter thick, about three feet. Instead of a large central stairway, there are two small staircases, one in each wing, that lead to the upper floor and the 15 bedrooms.
There are several outbuildings including a gatehouse, a cottage, a farmhouse, an apartment, stables and a barn.

The château's herb garden, with looping brick walks, was designed by Amanda Hesser, the food editor of The New York Times Magazine. Further on is an 18th-century enclosure with an organic vegetable garden of a hectare, or 2.5 acres. Its square beds surround a central pond and there are espaliered fruit trees and berry bushes that provide more than 50 varieties.
To see video of the estate, click on:
International Herald Tribune Real Estate

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What's Going On In Carroll Park?

Hey Carroll Gardens Friends,

Just read the latest round of emails from the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association. Seems that there was a little scare with a potential child snatching in our favorite park yesterday. I am not an alarmist and cannot confirm if all the details are correct but hey, this is my park and I used to go there with my kids when they were small, so I am copying the email here.


Janna Bruner wrote:
I am writing this on behalf of Christine (Cole's mom in K-113) because she does not have computer access. She spoke with Giselle today and is was going to the 76th precinct to fill out a report. Her 4 year old daughter was being lured out of the playground at Carroll Park yesterday by a white man, skinny, nondescript, possibly in his 30s with a baseball cap and sunglasses on. He has a very cute, small puppy (some kind of shiitsu mix). The man was talking to a number of mothers saying he comes to carroll park reguarly, despite no one in retrospect, having seen him there before. He was in the big kids playground area with his dog but NO child. Later, he quietly asked the little girl to come with him to get a drink for the puppy and she followed him out, however, when the mother realized she called her daughter back to her and the guy took off. Please alert everyone that you know to be extra vigilant for all of our children.

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When Bloomberg Speaks, Europe Listens!

A.P. Picture

Well I guess we have another Ross Perot on our hands. The news that Michael Bloomberg has turned his back on the Republican party comes as no surprise to me or to any other New Yorker. Bloomberg was less of a republican than the other (former) "New York Mayor," Rudy Giuliani. What amazes me is that the news was, well, newsworthy in Europe. I suspect that the fact that Bloomberg crtitzided George Bush's party may have something to do with it. Here is how the announcement was covered both in the German Der Spiegel and the French Le Monde.

From Germany
New Yorks Bürgermeister Bloomberg verlässt Republikaner

Michael Bloomberg hat den Republikanern von US-Präsident Bush den Rücken gekehrt. New Yorks Bürgermeister will seine politische Laufbahn als Unabhängiger fortsetzen. Der Parteiaustritt gibt Spekulationen um eine Präsidentschaftskandidatur des milliardenschweren Geschäftsmanns neue Nahrung.
Er habe beim Wahlamt der Stadt New York einen Antrag auf Änderung seines Status' beantragt, erklärte Michael Bloomberg gestern. Nach seinem Austritt aus der republikanischen Partei werde er künftig als Parteiloser registriert sein. Zu einer möglichen Kandidatur bei den Präsidentschaftswahlen 2008 äußerte sich Bloomberg zunächst nicht. Seine Pläne für die Zukunft hätten sich nicht geändert, erklärte er lediglich.
Obwohl der milliardenschwere Geschäftsmann und populäre Politiker angekündigt hat, mit dem Ende seiner Amtszeit 2009 der Politik den Rücken zu kehren, erwarten Beobachter, dass er bei der Präsidentschaftswahl antritt. Mit seinem auf mehr als fünf Milliarden Dollar (3,7 Milliarden Euro) geschätzten Vermögen könnte Bloomberg problemlos einen Wahlkampf als Unabhängiger finanzieren. Für seine beiden Wahlkämpfe in New York hatte er laut "New York Times" mühelos 150 Millionen Dollar aus der eigenen Tasche gezahlt.

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Der Spiegel

From France
Le Monde
Bloomberg, maire de New York, quitte le Parti républicain

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Bloomberg, maire de New York auquel la rumeur prête des intentions de candidature présidentielle en dehors du cadre bipartite aux Etats-Unis en 2008, a annoncé mardi son départ du Parti républicain et son nouveau statut d'indépendant.
"Même si mes projets pour l'avenir n'ont pas changé, je crois que cela rend mon affiliation conforme avec la façon dont j'ai dirigé et dont je continuerai à diriger notre ville", a-t-il déclaré.
Bloomberg, fondateur milliardaire du groupe d'informations financières éponyme, était démocrate avant de rejoindre le Parti républicain pour se présenter à la mairie de New York en 2001. Il a été réélu en tant que républicain en 2005 et ne peut solliciter un troisième mandat en 2009.

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Le Monde

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De Blasio vs. Scarano: Part II

Boy, Council Member Bill De Blasio is not letting up on getting the state to revoke Robert Scarano's architecture license. An email sent by DeBlasio's District Director to members of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association urges everyone to copy an attached letter addressed to Governor Eliot Spitzer and to send it off quickly in the hope that Scarano's license will be pulled before construction at 360 Smith Street gets started.
Though I agree with De Blasio that Scarano is a bad seed, I am skeptical of the councilman's motives in all of this. Going after the architect is an easy way for Bill to get some great coverage in the local press and even the New York Times. It is a masterful P.R. stunt. Here is a pro-development politician looking anti-development without actually doing anything against development. Keep in mind that in this case, he is not going after the developer or the contractor, only the architect. It will earn him points with some less politically savvy neighborhood residents but those involved with the Carroll Gardens rezoning issue will look right through this little game. After all, this is the same guy who is supporting the bending of existing landmark rules to allow a huge residential tower at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street.
Don't get me wrong. I have said it here before, revoking Scarano's license is a worthy cause. Brooklyn should not have to make space for another one of his buildings. However, Bill DeBlasio should not try to use the revocation of Scarano's license to make himself look like Mr. Anti-Development, when in fact he is not.


Here is the email and form letter

Hello everyone,

Below is the text of a letter asking the State DOE to revoke Scarano's
Licence. All you have to do is cut and past, ad your name to the end and
mail it to Commisioner Mills. Below the DOE letter you will find a
letter to Governor Eliot Spitzer asking for his help. If you can help
get the rest of the neighborhood to write maybe we can get his license
pulled before the plans for 360 Smith are approved.

Tom Gray
District Director
City Council Member Bill de Blasio
(718) 854-9791
(718) 854-1146 Fax


June 18, 2007

Governor Eliot Spitzer

State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Honorable Eliot Spitzer:

I am writing in regard to Robert Scarano of Scarano Architects located
at 110 York Street, Brooklyn. Mr. Scarano has been a problem in the City
of New York, and I am asking that he be no longer permitted to practice
as an architect within the State of New York.
Mr. Scarano has knowingly violated zoning regulations and building
codes. Throughout the city, Mr. Scarano is synonymous with bad
contractors, dangerous job sites and out of scale development.
In my neighborhood, the New York City Department of Buildings has
repeatedly required Robert Scarano to change his plans for the same
infractions. He has also been relieved of his self-certification
privileges because he consistently certified plans knowing they did not
comply with all city and state regulations.

If you have any questions you can reach me at ***-***-**** .

Sincerely,

XXXX

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A Favorite Tune For A Brooklyn Monday

Yes, its old, but he is still one of the best. And I melt every time I hear this song...

Leonard Cohen: I'm your man

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Brooklyn Wildlife

We have quite a bit of wildlife action going on in our tiny backyard. To our big delight, a pair of turtledoves has made a nest in our grape arbor. Its not much of a structure, just some very loose sticks and grasses on top of each other. It hardly looks as though it could support the eggs, much less the parents as they take turns sitting on them. It is pretty neat having this little family just a few feet from our house. The only disadvantage is that I feel guilty going outside for every time I do so, the birds flutter away in panic
In addition to the love birds, we have a very vocal mockingbird who took up residence in our teeny
backyard oasis. As gentle as the doves are, the mockingbird is aggressive and loud. Which brings me to last night. Did anyone out there know that mockingbirds sing at night too? I have been woken up a few nights in a row now with the insistent chant of this feathered disturbance. At first, I thought that it must have been shortly before dawn. I was too lazy to fumble around in the dark to find my glasses, without which, I am pretty much blind and cannot see the alarm clock to check the hour. But last night, I could have sworn I had just fallen asleep, when the little monster started chirping. This time, I checked. It was precisely 1:20 AM. Is that normal? He sang all night, I kid you not. My better half woke up at 3 AM and complained.
Now don't get me wrong. I love the singing of birds. I would prefer to listen to it during the early morn and during the day. But at 1:20? What is wrong with this thing. Has the nightlife on Smith Street inspired this little fellow?
Does anyone out there know what is going on with Brooklyn mockingbirds?

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New York, My Cheap City!

We all know how expensive New York City is compared to the rest of the United States. And until today, I thought this place was only topped by London. Paris and Singapore. So imagine my surprise when I read CNN's business page today to find out that New York is downright cheap in the scheme of things. This year, the most expensive place to call home is Moscow. Moscow? Who knew?

World's most expensive cities 2007 From CNN

1. Moscow 2. London 3. Seoul 4. Tokyo 5. Hong Kong 6. Copenhagen 7. Geneva 8. Osaka 9. Zurich 10. Oslo 11. Milan 12. St. Petersburg 13. Paris 14. Singapore 15. New York City 16. Dublin 17. Tel Aviv 18. Rome 19. Vienna 20. Beijing

Source:Mercer

To read article:
CNN…List of most expensive cities

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Great Brooklyn Read: Hard-Boiled Brooklyn

My friend Lois gave me a copy of "Hard Boiled In Brooklyn," a collection of short stories about what else? Brooklyn.
Edited by Reed Farrel Coleman, these vignettes about the borough, its people and its unique culture are incredible gems and I have had a blast reading them. The common thread in the stories is of course that they are all taking place in this borough. But as Farrel writes in his intro, there is more to it. There is a rawness, a toughness about these characters that is unique to Brooklynites. As Reed Farrel Coleman writes:
"The very soul of Brooklynites is hard-boiled. You may be born soft or move to the borough soft,but you don't stay soft for long. Brooklyn is like a third parent, the tough-love one, the one who gives you the truth about how things really are, and not the way they should be. You don't adopt Brooklyn, Brooklyn adopts you. You can't live in the place very long and remain unchanged. Sorry, it just don't work that way. You can crack our shells, but nthing runs out. See, that's what I am saying."

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East River Day: The Launch Of The East River Agenda

This is going to be of interest to all Brooklynites, actually to all New Yorkers. I just got an email about an East River Day on June 21st. The schedule of events sounds pretty good. I don't know anything on the group organizing it, but I tend to applaud any effort that draws attention on our waterfront. Has anyone else heard about this East River Agenda?

From the Municipal Art Society and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance are part of a coalition of over 40 group:

Dear New Yorker,

New York’s waterfront is being transformed. From Brooklyn Bridge Park to Throg’s Neck on the East River alone, over 1000 acres of redevelopment is slated to occur over the upcoming years. This scale of development is an enormous opportunity - and a risk. Too much waterfront development in recent years has created sterile, privatized places that don’t do justice to New York.

Now is the time to set an agenda to ensure we create an East River waterfront that reflects the diversity, vibrancy and future sustainability of New York. Responding to the Mayor’s bold plan to reclaim 90% of New York’s waterways for recreational use, the Municipal Art Society and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance are part of a coalition of over 40 groups that is launching the East River Agenda on next Thursday, June 21st on East River Day.

The Agenda sets out a road map to ensure that we create a waterfront that is not only cleaner and more sustainable than ever before, but also creates more access and public space while addressing community needs. The Agenda contains a set of proven principles for redeveloping the waterfront, as well as site-specific recommendations for how to implement them along the East River shoreline.

Please join us in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn on East River Day to launch the Agenda. There will be four presentations, four narrated boat tours, and the premiere of the new documentary City of Water about the future of New York City’s waterfront. The full schedule for the event is below. All events are free and, space permitting, open to the public. Please email :rsvp@mas.org, specifying which events you would like to attend.

We look forward to seeing you on East River Day!
Kent Barwick
President, Municipal Art Society
Roland Lewis
President, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

East River Day Schedule:
Locations:
Manhattan
9:00 a.m. - Press conference at South Street Seaport, Pier 17
10:00 a.m. - Depart South Street Seaport for Water Taxi tour of Manhattan
Bronx
10:45 a.m. - Water Taxi tour of the Bronx waterfront
11:45 p.m. - Press event at Fort Schuyler, lunch
Queens
12:45 p.m. - Water Taxi tour of Queens waterfront
1.45 p.m. - Press event at Water Taxi Beach, Long Island City
Brooklyn
2:45 p.m. - Water Taxi tour of Brooklyn waterfront
3:30 p.m. - Press event at Barge Music, Fulton Ferry
6:30 p.m. - Film screening, Pier 2 at Furman Street, Brooklyn.

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A Brooklyn Kind Of Moment

Yesterday, I had a long leisurely breakfast with Moody Son. It's Regents week which does not mean anything to anybody who has never gone to school in New York State. Regents are those exams that a student must pass in different subjects in high school in order to graduate. Moody Son was test-free yesterday, so we walked over to Donut House on Court. It is no fine cuisine by any means. Just your ordinary greek diner with three grey haired old men manning the griddle and the cash register. Occasionally, one of the three will yell something in Greek to the other. Very authentic. I had not been there for years and it has neither improved nor declined. It just is what it is: a greasy spoon.
While we sat at the counter eating our breakfast, the telephone next to the register rang. The tallest and youngest looking of the Greek boys answered the phone. It was apparent that someone was placing an order for delivery. It was also clear that there was a language barrier. A lot of repeating, of guessing: "Mayo. No Mayo? What? What you say? What Bread, Rye? What You Say? Wheat? Whole Wheat?" ensued.
I was starting to feel bad for the poor soul on the other end. Donut House's tall Greek was difficult to understand in person. Over the phone, it must have been even harder. I was musing over that fact, when he hung up, the order written down on his green diner order pad. He shook his head, obviously annoyed at the person who had been on the other end just moments before. He muttered:" Some people speak English no good."
A Brooklyn kind of moment.....

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Brooklyn Is # 1 Loser

Brooklyn is fast losing its industrial waterfront according to the National Trust For Historic Preservation. It is disappearing so rapidly in fact, that it earned first place of the Trust's annual list of Most Endangered. Tell us Brooklynites something new. We always said Brooklyn was Number 1.


From the National Trust for Historic Preservation America's 11 Most Endangered Places 2007

National Trust Link
Brooklyn's Industrial Waterfront.
Once a booming 19th-century industrial waterfront supported by generations of immigrants, Brooklyn’s heritage is at risk as historic dockyards and factories are being demolished by developers anxious to cash in on the area’s newly hip status.

History
For more than a century, the New York City region was one of this country’s dominant manufacturing hubs. Due to its location on the East River and the New York Harbor, Brooklyn was the city’s industrial center with scores of maritime operations, factories, warehouses and sugar refineries. In the second half of the twentieth century, industry declined, and what’s left of that striking architectural and historical legacy is now at risk. Also at risk are the places that make Brooklyn “work,” the buildings and sites that house manufacturing and industrial jobs.

Threat
Brooklyn’s real estate market is booming. The City’s Department of Buildings issued 1,740 new building permits in Brooklyn in 2005, amounting to four new building permits per day. In that same period, the department issued 1,924 permits for demolition, or five demolition permits per day. And the city is rezoning to make way for residential development without adequately planning for the preservation of Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. In May of 2005, the New York City Council approved a rezoning proposal for the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront. The scale of the rezoning plan is immense, covering 180 blocks and allowing for up to 40-story residential buildings to be constructed along the waterfront – a move that has already caused the demolition of historic manufacturing buildings to make way for new residential units.
Also at risk are jobs. Nearly a quarter million New Yorkers have industrial jobs, and many small manufacturing enterprises have set up shop in Brooklyn’s historic industrial buildings. Furthermore, to keep New York’s waterborne regional transportation network afloat and its maritime industry competitive, it is critical to preserve Brooklyn’s historic docks and ship repair yards.

Solution
New York was once at the forefront of preserving this nation’s industrial heritage. The city and state developed incentives and policies to reuse manufacturing and industrial buildings that were functionally obsolete. Across the city, buildings were retained and, when appropriate, reused. The world-famous SoHo and Tribeca neighborhoods offer many examples of how former manufacturing buildings can be retained and successfully marketed. The city needs to enforce its strong preservation laws, and pursue more designations to protect its significant industrial buildings and sites, while conducting comprehensive planning to allow for appropriate growth and development.

What you can do
Encourage Mayor Michael Bloomberg to adequately fund the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Contact Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden and Brooklyn Burrough President Marty Markowitz encouraging a city-wide shift to a comprehensive planning approach that is sensitive to the need for industrial retention and historic preservation on Brooklyn’s waterfront.
Urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission to redouble their efforts to protect significant places along Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront.
Learn more about the sites at stake.
Support our efforts to save these 11 Most Endangered sites and others like them throughout the country.

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A Little Bridge Called Carroll

The Carroll Bridge over the Gowanus Canal seems stuck in time. Not for much longer I am afraid. If the Office of City Planning changes the zoning of the immediate area around the canal, this little movie by someone called "writerman000" will seem like a glimpse of days gone by.

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Not Only Water For Sarkozy at the G8 Summit

The honeymoon is over for newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy. After a meeting at the G8 summit with Vladimir Putin in Heiligendam, Germany last week, Sarkozy arrived late to a press conference and acted in a, well, strange manner. The Belgian press was the first to acuse him of "having not only water with Putin." The Belgian news station has since apologized, but take a look for yourself. I would agree that it looks mighty suspicious. Water or Vodka? You be the judge?
Here is the clip from the Belgian newscast.

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Hi guys,
Look, my better half is quoted on Gowanus Lounge. He is quite eloquent. Must be the Irish in him...


The big Carroll Gardens Issue
For all the discussion in Carroll Gardens about the building that will be built at 360 Smith Street, and its design and height, the bigger issues according to community leaders are rezoning the neighborhood and enlarging its Historic District. The rub, however, is that neither are likely to happen soon. Residents have been told by the Department of City Planning that it will be at least four or five years before the start of a Carroll Gardens rezoning process (which itself could take a year or quite a bit longer). Likewise, the process of expanding the neighborhood's two-block Historic District is likely to involve years of painstaking research.

"We can stomp our feet and snort and growl to try to create political pressure," said resident Glenn Kelly of the most likely way to try to get rezoning accomplished more quickly. Residents fear that parts of the community have a bull's eye drawn over them by developers because the current R6 Zoning makes it an appealing target for relatively high density development. Nearby neighborhoods like Park Slope, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights all have zoning which limit building height. R6 zoning doesn't limit height.

"We're very concerned right now," Mr. Kelly said. "There are some very large parcels of land available."

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Can Condos Even Be Built Along The Gowanus Canal?

Last night was an eventful one at Scotto's Funeral Parlor, what with the Carroll Garden's Neighborhood Association's meeting about rezoning and the Smith Street Scarano debacle going on. Is ours the only community that holds its neighborhood meetings at a funeral home? I know this is Carroll Gardens and things are done differently here, but I just remember walking into what I though was a meeting once just to catch a glimpse of a dearly departed at the back of the room. Since then I have had an unsettled feeling everytime I attend a meeting of this worthwhile group. (Please someone: won't you offer them a more fitting meeting place? )
My husband was in attendance since he is pretty involved with C.G.N.A. Downzoning the neighborhood in time to save it from high-rises is high on his and the group's priority. But it seems that every time they try to move the agenda forward, it gets somehow tied in with the Gowanus Canal rezoning from manufacturing to residential. Funny how that works.
Our elected officials have a way of promising help with protecting C.G. in exchange for support in building high-rises along the shores of the canal. That is a clever ruse by our politicians, but a deal that C.G.N.A. should not make.
There are dark forces busy along the Gowanus. Developers are dreaming of making a fortune by building residential housing. Yes, I know, its all about the mighty dollar.
Of course there is the tiny little fact that most of the land is pretty much polluted and highly toxic. So this "brownfield" area first has to be cleaned up under the New York Brownfiled Cleanup program which give tax incentived to developers in exchange for cleaning the land. It may take awhile for all this to fall into place, but rest assured, the developers and the politicians already see a type of Battery Park along the Gowanus, high end condos starting at a "million five".
Problem is, under the New York Brownfield Cleanup Program, building condos on that land is forbidden. A friend who is very involved with this issue. sent me the link to the N.Y. Cleanut Program a while ago. If I am not mistaken, it is pretty clearly stated that no privately owned housing is to be sold on that land.
Here it is:
The New York Brownfield Cleanup Program
From an analysis made by the law firm Knauf and Shaw, LLP
"In 2003, the New York State Legislature created the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), which is primarily set forth in Title 14 of New York Environmental Conservation Law Article 27. The law, which is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), provides a process for voluntary cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous waste or petroleum, rewarding the applicant with a liability release and tax incentives
Condominium and single-family residential home projects are not covered by the tax credits because the credits only apply to depreciable property. The legislative bill drafters did not want the credits to apply to “for sale” property, including condominiums and single-family residential homes, because they did not want developers constructing remedial systems that may operate for extended periods of time and pass on the responsibility to operate such systems to home owners. A legislative fix is not anticipated in the near term. However, the program can be used for residential apartment development, and commercial developments that are part of the same development projects. Condominiums can be constructed but the proportional share of the project attributed to the condominiums would lose the tax credits for the portion of the project. There is currently a controversy over whether the tax credits do apply to co-operative development projects where the developer still owns the real estate, but sells shares in the co-operative corporation. Confirmation from the state on the co-op issue is anticipated shortly since several developers may be filing petitions with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to clarify the issue.

Now I don't know what all of this means, but reading the above passage makes me wonder if anyone has even considered this when dreaming about privately owned condos along the Gowanus. It sure sounds to me that only rental buildings and maybe co-ops may be allowed.
Does anyone out there have a better idea? And are the mighty forces of the Gowanus just ignoring this? Just asking!

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Joe Porcelli: My Local Hero

To my local Brooklyn readers, you know about the punitive dismissal of some Community Board 6 members because they opposed the Atlantic Yards Mega Project. The three politicians who appoint members to the board, Marty Markowitz, Bill DeBlasio and David Yassky replaced nine members with people probably more inclined to embrace Bruce Ratner's monstro" city."
Of course the lesson to learn for our board members is that they better not cross the politicos who appoint them. And that they have just become useless to the community. They have just become yes-men. Under those conditions, can they even represent their community?
Now one brave board member, Joe Porcelli, is resigning in protest. And he would like other board members to follow suit. That is probably not going to happen, but in the meantime, Porcelli is the sole member who has any guts and conviction. Good for him.
I met Joe Porcelli once or twice when my husband and I were struggling to stop a local bar from illegally using their back yard. Joe was one of the only board members who took the time to speak with us and to give us some constructive advice. He was very knowledgeable and professional and took his role on the board very seriously, which immediatelly set him apart from some of the other 50 members. Too bad he will no longer serve in his capacity, but I truly respect him for resigning. Thank goodness some people still have strong personal convictions.

Related link
CB6 member to resign in protest: Says Marty’s purge makes boards “meaningless”

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Monday, Funny Monday!

Lets face it: Mondays are tough. A little laughter can go a long way. Here is the best headline from The Onion, the best little spoof paper around.

Shaking Off Amnesia, Gonzales Remembers He's Actually Pool Salesman From Tulsa

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Picture Of The Week

Great picture, but such a disturbing image, don't you think?

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Much Prettier then a Guillotine!

Yesterday was the annual flea market at Carroll Park. Moody teen son and I shared a spot and lugged our wares to the park. We were pretty successful. The house feels emptier already! We got rid of a few big items that were driving me crazy here in the house. If something is not used, get rid of it I say! It certainly was even nicer to get money for the stuff.
So of course the news item below caught my eye today. What with selling unused items. A sword once owned by Napoleon was recently auctioned of for mucho money. But leave it to the French. Whoevre bought this pricey little item has to keep it in France for six months out of the year. Lets hope a Frenchman bought it!




( The Blade of the sword was curved to make beheading swifter)

Napoleon sword sells for millions
from www.bbc.com

A gold-encrusted sword used by Napoleon has been sold at auction in France for 4.8m euros (£3.3m).
Auctioneers said the sword, used in battle some 200 years ago, achieved a world record for Napoleon memorabilia.
The sword, which belonged to eight of the emperor's descendants, was believed to be the last of Napoleon's blades in private hands.
The sword, which had only been expected to achieve some 1.2m euros was sold in the town of Fontainebleau, near a castle Napoleon used as a retreat.
"It's a world record for a souvenir of the emperor, for a sword and for a weapon in general," auction house spokesman Bernard Croissy said.
The inspiration for the sword's design is said to have come during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign.
He noticed that the swords used by the Arabs, which were also curved, were very effective in cutting off the heads of their French enemies.
The French general is said to have carried the sword into battle at Marengo in June 1800 - before he became emperor - when he launched a surprise attack to push the Austrian army out of Italy and seal a victory for France.
After the battle, Napoleon gave the sword to his brother as a wedding gift and it was then passed down the family through the generations.
The sword was declared a national treasure in 1978 and, while it may be sold to a foreign buyer, they must have a French address and keep it in France for six months a year.

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Contributing To Ratner's Personal Wealth With Tax Payers' Money

I think that Brooklynites knew all along that we were being lied to when it comes to the true cost of the Atlantic Yard Project.
Now the first reports of how much Ratner is getting from us to make himself richer are surfacing. It is also encouraging to see that the City's press is finally starting to investigate a bit more thoroughly into the details of this project.
Here are some very interesting articles on tax payers' contribution to Ratnerville.



N.Y. Magazine:You Are Helping Bruce Ratner Pay His Mortgage

Atlantic Yards Report:Huge deficit in tax exempt bonds may delay Atlantic Yards

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Bill DeBlasio's Smith Street Protest Against Scarano

A quick update. I went to the corner of Smith and 2nd Place to check out the protest against Scarano. There were about 30 to 40 people at the subway station.
I have to hand it to Bill DeBlasio. He sure knows a media opportunity when he sees one. Here he was, with a portable little lectern complete with New York City Council emblem. Very official. He made an impassionate speech about the unique nature of Carroll Gardens. He stated that he has met with the developer of the site and told him in no uncertain terms that he needs to get rid of Robert Scarano as the project architect if he wants to build here. He gave examples of Scarano's terrible record and violations with the Buildings Department. All true. Scarano is a snake of course.
But the entire protest in my opinion was a well orchestrated way for Bill, the Council Superman to get some brownie points as a protector of Brownstone Brooklyn. I am sure some people bought it. However, it was very funny to see a group against the Atlantic Yards Project holding up big signs stating that " Bill De Blasio Loves Ratner" and "Bill DeBlasio Loves The Atlantic Yards Project."
It was perfect. Bill talking behind his little collapsable lectern with big posters over his head exposing him as a pro-development, pro-Ratner Politico. It was surely not the media event he was looking for.

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