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.

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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 owners to the benefits of landmarking, a poster sized flier was published and handed out. Respecting the large Italian population in the neighborhood, the literature was translated from the English.
It is quite a document, illustrating the wonderful historic details worth preserving on a brownstone. The correct "fenestre i le facciate" are shown next to the bastardized examples in wonderful black and white pictures.
Only a two block area of Carroll Gardens was landmarked in 1973. Maybe the brochure should be reprinted and redistributed now that there is a serious push underway to landmark the entire neighborhood. "Bella" Carroll Gardens is worth preserving.

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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!

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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 plywood fence. When it was revealed after what seemed like an eternity, the storefront windows were cinder-blocked. Those on the Wykoff side had disappears as well. Now, the place is just ugly, a giant, mysterious box. I would love to know what actually goes on in this "thing." Does anyone out there know?

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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, scarves and other wearables, musical instruments, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind items. This is shaping up to be the school's biggest and best Craft Fair to date, with more than 40 vendors. Bring the kids – childcare will be provided, along with fun activities like a Moon Walk, Obstacle Course, face painting, carnival games and performance. For more information, call 718-852-1029, or visit: www.brooklynfriends.org

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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 bit too weird for me.
The trailer is incredibly bloody and gory. If you like this kind of stuff, click here. Sylvester Stalone must need the money very, very badly.

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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!

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Tricycle Dealership On Court Street

In front of Pizzazz on Court

If 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.

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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's

Same park house in 2007. It is the same building, but the
center has been entirely closed off

The Carroll Park building as seen from President Street looking towards Smith

In 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 was built right underneath to replace the street car which ran along Smith

The rather ugly building which was built on the empty lot about 5 or 6 years ago.

I love history. In particular, I love coming across old photographs, especially those showing buildings of my neighborhood, Carroll Gardens. Here are three really interesting ones depicting one particular street corner. What could be better. This together with the photos I posted of long gone brownstones just two blocks away at Smith and First provides quite a glimpse into C.G.'s past.

For more click: Where Have All The Pretty Brownstones Gone On Smith?

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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.

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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. Devoid of style and uniqueness, they hardly seem better than some of the developments that mushroomed all over East Germany.
Known as Plattenbau ( Platten: slabs Bau: building), the East German high rises were assembled on location by using pre-fabricated slabs of concrete for ceilings and walls.
This technique was incredibly popular mostly because it was super fast and helped to alleviate the huge housing shortage after World War II.
Though this style is mostly associated with Communist D.D.R., Plattenbau was used in West Germany as well as some other Eastern European countries. However, the D.D.R. was so fond of this building technique that the government built miles and miles of these stacked rabbit cages.
Yes, I know, most of New York City's high-rises are ultra luxurious compared to those behind the iron curtain. And yet, I feel as though the overall effect on our city is very much the same. Surely, we can expect a bit more individuality, a tad more style from the developers who have been given carte blanche from this city administration.

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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 Sun
November 26, 2007 Edition

Council's Role in Private Development To Expand
BY BENJAMIN SARLIN - Special to the Sun
November 26, 2007

The City Council is seeking to expand its role in private development
with a new task force to assess new projects' impacts on city
infrastructure.

The infrastructure task force, headed by Council Members Daniel
Garodnick and Letitia James, would report to the council on the
projected effects, in areas such as traffic, telecommunications, and
energy, of large-scale plans conducted by private developers, as well as
the state and federal government. The task force could examine the
redevelopment of ground zero, the Atlantic Yards project, the Second
Avenue subway line, and the future development of the West Side rail
yards. "There is no entity today that considers the impact on city
infrastructure, " Mr. Garodnick said in a phone interview. "We want to
take a long view and see that our infrastructure
keeps pace with our development plan."

For the full article link to
URL: http://www.nysun. com/article/ 66973

__._,_.___



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Drilling Has Begun At Clarett's Court Street 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 Site

Very Fetching: New Plywood Color At 340 Court Street

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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!

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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 variety of sushi and Sashimi under our roof is AIR-SHIPPED from Japan Tsukiji Market. Our master Chef MR.IKESAN has *strong* background. He has trained and worked in Japan for 7 years before moving to U.S. New York City. After working in several restaurants, he joined the highly acclaimed Bule Ribbon restaurant in the City. He has more than 10 years skilled for Japanese food with many country spices combination, and you are invited to enjoy your meals in Saki and share Our Master Chef MR.IKESAN Experience in Japan.

A Sushi-Sichuan restaurant with a "BULE Ribbon" trained chef with a *strong* background. I may just have to check this place out. I only wonder what adjective was covered up by the tape.

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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!


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