Gowanus Yacht Club: No Beer Here!

The Gowanus Yacht Club, Carroll Gardens' outdoor beer garden, closed for the season just a few weeks ago to the relief of local residents. But the courtyard at the corner of President and Smith Street did not stay unused for long. Just yesterday, it underwent its yearly transformation from drinking spot to Christmas Tree yard .It looks so much prettier with the trees than with all the hipsters who frequent the location during the warmer months.For...

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Carroll Gardens: Preservazione Del Architettura

"Le Fenestre delle nostre case sono meravigliosamente lunghe permettendo l'entrata di molta luce e prestanto una dignità alla facciata. Come si vede nella fotografia alla sinistra."No you are not reading this wrong. The above sentences are in Italian. You see, back in the early 1970's when there was an effort to get the Carroll Gardens neighborhood landmarked, there was quite a bit of resistance by residents. In order to educate local brownstone...

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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Part 3

In front of Sal's Pizzeria on Court Street. A trio of white tiered Christmas trees. Very chic!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Say, What Is That Building on Smith?

Pardon me for asking, but what happens inside that two story building at the corner of Smith and Wykoff, across the street from Starbucks? Every time I walk past there, my imagination goes wild. I am hoping that one of you readers could enlighten me.Once upon a time, I think there was a furniture rental place in this storefront, but I may be mistaken. A few years ago, the store closed and shortly thereafter, the building was hidden behind a...

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This Week-End: Craft Fair At Brooklyn Friends

(photo credit: sophiestansfield 1982 on Flickr) Just a quick reminder: Biggest Holiday Craft Fair Ever at Brooklyn Friends School, Downtown Brooklyn Save the date: Brooklyn Friends School's 28th Annual Holiday Craft Fair is taking place Saturday, December 1st, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 375 Pearl Street, Downtown Brooklyn near the Marriott. Don't miss Brooklyn's premier holiday shopping opportunity, featuring hand-crafted items such as ceramics, sweaters,...

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Rambo On Smith? Say It Ain't So!

Rambo is back and he is on Smith Street.I thought it was graffiti or a joke when I saw these posters pasted on a plywood wall. But it's for real, unfortunately. Coming out sometimes in January, a 60 something Rambo is shooting and slashing his way through Burma in a new movie. It is a pretty thin storyline: Rambo is hired by a group of Christian human rights missionaries to protect them during a humanitarian aid mission.Groan, gag! Sounds a...

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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Part 2

(In front of Winn Discount on Court Street)See, Mom, there is a Santa!I was pointing my camera at this big inflatable Santa just at the very second this little cutie ran up to hug him. Perfect timing!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Tricycle Dealership On Court Street

In front of Pizzazz on CourtIf you are looking for that perfect two-wheeler or three-wheeler, come on down to Court Street and test drive one of these beauties. Great gas millage, environmentally friendly, and easy on the pocketbook.Don't forget to ask about our great financing.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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The Very Fashionable Corner Of Smith And President Streets Early 1900's

The Parkhouse of Carroll Park as seen from Smith Street, early 1900'sSame park house in 2007. It is the same building, but thecenter has been entirely closed offThe Carroll Park building as seen from President Street looking towards SmithIn 2007, same view(Photo from www.lostnewyorkcity.blogspot.com)The opposite street corner of President and Smith Street. The building housed a coffee shop. It was most likely taken down when the subway tunnel...

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It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Part 1

Christmas Merchandise On Smith Street! Everything you may need to wrap those presents and decorate the house, too.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Doesn't East German Architecture Remind You Of Something?

All right, I know what you are going to say, but you have to admit, dear reader, that the high rise apartment buildings being built here in New York City have more than just a passing resemblance to the ones built in East Germany from the 1960's to the 1980's.I am thinking in particular about the ugly buildings going up on newly rezoned Fourth Avenue as well as the ones wedged in between 2 and 3 story houses a bit all over Brooklyn. ...

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Infrastructure Task Force: Finally Some Sanity!

(photo credit:Zachk on Flickr)Finally a bit of good news! From The N.Y. Sun, a report that at last, the City Council is stepping up to protect the interest of all New Yorkers! The creation of an Infrastructure Task Force headed by Council Members Daniel Garodnick and Letitia James is good news indeed. Read on. New York SunNovember 26, 2007 EditionCouncil's Role in Private Development To ExpandBY BENJAMIN SARLIN - Special to the SunNovember...

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Still Life With Chairs and Drum At Court Street's Clarett Site

This week-end at 340 Carroll Street Well, I guess if you are going to have to sit next to a big drilling machine the entire day, you might as well make yourself comfortable. Two comfy chairs, a drum used as a table and voilà, a cozy sitting area. More on the subject: Drilling Has Begun At Clarett's Court Street SiteVery Fetching: New Plywood Color At 340 Court StreetFor Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Help For The Holidays!

Hey, if you are too clumsy to hang your own Holiday lights, let Aaron give you a hand. Call him at 646-372-7814. Maybe he is an elf!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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"Welcome To Here!" Sushi Sichuan Cuisine On Smith!

So I totally missed this new place at 176 Smith Street. Last time I walked by this location, I think it was a Peruvian Restaurant called Mancora. These days, it is a Sushi/Sichuan establishment, whatever that is. The sign and the menu indicate two different names: "Saki" or "Szechuan Garden" depending on if you want Chinese or Japanese.There is a pretty funny letter in the window touting their chef . It actually is pretty funny: We have wide...

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Look, No Safety Net On The Brooklyn Bridge!

The picture is entitled "Painters on the Brooklyn Bridge 1914 , though hard as I try, I can't see any paintbrushes in anyone's hand. But it is such a great shot, isn't it? These guys were quite daring, I'd say!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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