Our House Ain't a Toilet!

Found On Smith!Not very sturdy, this little sign, hanging from an iron gate.Just a sheet ripped out of a notebook, attached with a bit of string.But the message is clear...Our house ain't a toilet.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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You Know Why There Are So Many Rats In Our Borough?

(photos by guest photographer Max Kelly)Because Brooklyn cats would rather eat grapes!Seedless grapes, to be precise.Mice and rats? Blegh!Iris and Buster were born in Carroll Park late last spring.They were destined for a life of hardship, of catching their own food.But then they found a better deal!The lifestyle of the pampered feline!Related Reading:Marty Switching Tactic In Fight Against RatsFor Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Is Smith Street Fizzling Out?

Closing Time. Brooklyn Camo at 163 Smith112 Smith Street. Kendel's Beauty and Barber available196 Smith. Empty storefront in new construction.211 Smith. Jikishinkan Aikido Dojo moving by February 1st241 has been empty for a long time now. Former Banania, Porchetta and Carniceria Sapodilla out at 247 Smith. 250 Smith. Rosemary's Room out. Space being renovated.285 Smith. No. 1 Dry Cleaner just vacated this spaceSmith Street Starting To Look...

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Mystery Of See-Through Truck Solved!

****Mystery Solved****I present: The Parts And Labor " Mobile" GalleryA comment left on my post regarding the mystery see-through truck I spotted in Greenpoint last week-end stated simply: "Go to the website listed on the door of the truck and all will be revealed."So I enlarged the picture, which I guess I should have done all along, and voilà"The Parts and Labor GalleryTurns out it is a "mobile art gallery in an eighteen-foot commercial box truck....

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"Look Ma, No Hands!" On the Brooklyn Bridge In 1928

From the archives of the San Fransisco Chronicle.The caption that went with this 1928 photo states:" These are painters traveling atop the huge cable on Brooklyn Bridge,now receiving a coat of paint." September 17, 1928For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Pining For Carroll Gardens: Will Exchange Psychological Services For Free Room

Exchanging psychological services for room or apartment in Carroll Gardens.Odd sign hanging in the window of Monteleone's on Court. Homesick for Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill.Displaced Brooklyn author, psychologist, educator, experienced editor (ivy educated: Stanford Harvard), seeks room or apartment in compassionate and stable home in exchange for psychological services or writing-editing (memoirs, letters/personal papers, ghostwriting, psychology,...

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"Renaissance" Spa On Court Street?

(photo credit: Brownstoner)The Way It WasStore Front NowFor those of you who have been wondering what will go into the space that was once occupied by Renaissance Pharmacy at 331 Court Street, I have the answer for you. A Spa! As I was heading to the Carroll Gardens Down-Zoning Rally yesterday, I talked to someone who was working on the store front. I asked him if he knew what's coming to the location. As he informed me that a spa was opening there,...

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Pocking Holes Into the Roof Of 340 Court Street

Busy at 340 Court Street, pocking holes into the roof. First one, then two little masked figures.Poke, poke, poke.Just a little longer, then this place comes down!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Bigger And Better Than On Smith Street: Jikishinkan Aikido Dojo Moves

Jikishankan Aikido Dojo on Smith, another victim of increasing rent on Smith Street, has luckily found a new space. As of February, this martial arts place will be moving from 211 Smith to 316 Dean Street, just off 3rd Avenue. Not exactly directly in the neighborhood, but I guess they will be close enough. Anyone know what's going into this place after it is vacated?Anything we can use, I hope?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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See-Through Truck In Greenpoint. Explanation, Please?

Pardon me for asking, but what exactly is up with this see-through truck?Sighted pulling out of a parking lot in Greenpoint last week-end, I have been puzzling over this thing for two days.The truck was transporting some boxes, wooden crates and a chair. It was the oddest thing I have seen in a long time. Does anyone have some info on this vehicle?I am dying to find out what it is for.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Carroll Gardens Is Mad And Isn't Going To Take It Any More!

Carroll Gardens Down-Zoning Rally On the Steps Of Brooklyn Borough HallToday, I was so very proud of my fellow Carroll Gardens residents.For so many months, the community has been trying to get the attention of our politicians and of the New York City Zoning Department to down-zone our lovely neighborhood. It was not an easy road. Had it not been for the tireless work of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and C.O.R.D., we may not...

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Prospect Park Missile Ready To Launch At A Moment's Notice

National Defense Ready To Launch Missile At Any Time To Defend Brooklyn!The e-mail below was sent to me by Chris from Carroll Gardens. Attached were these super great pictures of this "missile" he came across in Prospect Park. Now don't you feel better, dear Reader, knowing that Brooklyn is so superbly defended against enemies?Thanks Chris! Hi, I always get a kick out of your "random" Carroll Gardens/Brooklyn photos. I was walking around Prospect...

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Is Manhattan Outsourcing Its Footcare To Brooklyn?

Is Manhattan outsourcing its foot care to Brooklyn? Just in the last few days, this corner store at 133 Smith Street transformed itself from Vitamin Shop toManhattan Foot Care"Podiatric Medicine and Surgery of the Foot and Ankle."But, pardon me for asking! Why not Brooklyn Foot Care?Smith Street ain't Manhattan, you know?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Marty Switching Tactic In Fight Against Rats

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Borough President Marty Markowitz had to contend with quite a rat problem around Brooklyn Borough Hall.Well, I may be imagining things, but in that short time, the critters seem to have become much larger, judging by the size of their burrows. The rat holes are enormous. Could this be why the City has given up and called in the professionals? The Park's Department had been baiting along the planting areas last...

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