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.

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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 Rats



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Is Smith Street Fizzling Out?

Closing Time. Brooklyn Camo at 163 Smith

112 Smith Street. Kendel's Beauty and Barber available

196 Smith. Empty storefront in new construction.

211 Smith. Jikishinkan Aikido Dojo moving by February 1st

241 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 space


Smith Street Starting To Look A Wee Bit Empty.

Have you noticed, dear Reader, that there is quite a bit of movement on Smith Street? Some older businesses are falling victim to rent hikes, some newer ones never got off the ground. Nothing unusual on a commercial strip, but the number of empty storefronts is a bit high for such a small stretch.
Some have been vacant for quite a while.
Pardon me for asking, but could hip Smith Street be, well, not hip anymore?
Is Smith Street fizzling out?
Gasp!


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Mystery Of See-Through Truck Solved!

****Mystery Solved****


I present: The Parts And Labor " Mobile" Gallery

A 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 Gallery

Turns out it is a "mobile art gallery in an eighteen-foot commercial box truck. It was created in 2007 to bring art to public locations all around the country. To read more about this cool idea, click here.
Parts and Labor Gallery's web site also has a very, very cool video of how the vehicle was changed from a regular looking truck to, well, a sensational one.
The video is sort of like an episode of"Pimp My Ride" except more artsy!
A must see. CLICK HERE

Related Post:
See-Through Truck In Greenpoint. Explanation, Please?

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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, 1928

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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, science, medicine, poli sci). Adore animals, yes. Can travel on assignment. Terms negotiable. Please leave message.

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"Renaissance" Spa On Court Street?

(photo credit: Brownstoner)

The Way It Was

Store Front Now

For 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, a little old lady walked by pushing her shopping cart. She must have overheard the man, because she muttered:

"Not another spa. We already have one on every block in this neighborhood"

She is right, you know.

href="https://www.facebook.com/dharmahealingarts">here.

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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!

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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?

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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.

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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 Hall

Today, 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 have gotten as far in our effort to protect C.G..
I guess this is the place where I should thank our Councilman Bill de Blasio for his contribution. His announcement that City Planning will begin consideration of our rezoning request was welcome news. Also welcome was his resolution for a moratorium on construction until City Planning initiates the the rezoning even though it is not legally binding. In another positive development, the city is going to review and clarify the wide-street issue, hopefully closing a loophole for developers to build higher on blocks with deep gardens which were being counted as part of the street.
All this of course brings the Carroll Gardens community further in its quest.
However, as I was standing there, listening to Bill DeBlasio speak in front of the media, a fellow Carroll Gardener turned to me and said, "He is here because we shamed him into this."
How true, how true. Bill DeBlasio should have been actively helping this community months ago. We would be so much further along in protecting this brownstone enclave. If he was standing here today, finally ready to put his political office to good use, it was because he could no longer ignore the very public criticism aimed at him.
The rally was an important step, for sure. But Carroll Gardens should keep up the pressure, both with DeBlasio and with City Planning.
Until the rezoning is official, our neighborhood is at risk.


Related Reading:
At Rally, News of Carroll Gardens Downzoning Progress

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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 Park this weekend and came across this little random wonder and snapped a picture. It was just placed there, on a wall in the park, with nobody within 100 yards to claim it. I call it the Random Rocket. Thought it might be right up your alley.

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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 to
Manhattan 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?

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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 time I checked. That seems to no longer be the case. Now, posted along the fences, poison warning signs bear the name of U.S. Exterminator, Inc., a private corporation. Have they taken over?
I hope they have better luck fighting the rodents. However, wouldn't it help to keep the infested area super clean? As long as there is garbage leaking and falling out of the public trash cans along Cadman Plaza like the one pictured above, there may be little hope of significantly reducing the rat population. And another thing: didn't the city train people at the N.Y.C. Rat Academy? ( I am serious, it does exist) Why are we turning to the private extermination sector?
Is the problem so bad that the city can't handle it on its own any more?


Related reading:

Lots Of Rats At Brooklyn Borough Hall
Ms. Pardon Me Breaks A Story!



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