Committee To Improve Carroll Park Meeting This Thursday

The Committee To Improve Carroll Park is meeting on

Thursday, May 1st
7:30 PM
in the Park House

Hope you can attend!

There are lots of fun events coming up and lots of ways to volunteer in one of Brooklyn's oldest Parks.

And Don't Forget:

Tom Sawyer Fence Painting: May 3rd From 10 AM To 3 PM

Carroll Park Flea Market: May 31st from 10 Am to 5 Pm

[where: Carroll Park, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn]

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Dial PResident 3-7200 For Brooklyn Cab!

Need a cab here in Brooklyn?
You may try to call PResident 3-7200
And one will appear in 5 minutes...

Of course, that was back in the 1950's
When cabs still had Aero-lite glass tops
And had special rates for summer trips.
Now, that was style!

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Brooklyn Loves Its Local Streets

Want to get to the local streets here in Brooklyn?
Just follow the sign.
An arrow conveniently points the way.
Kind of.

Downtown Brooklyn, steps from the Marriott Hotel

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Brooklyn Songwriters Against Atlantic Yards

From Pardon Me For Asking's mailbox

DEVELOP DON’T DESTROY BROOKLYN CONCERT SERIES: BROOKLYN SONGWRITERS AGAINST ATLANTIC YARDS

Brooklyn-based songwriters joining together to raise funds for Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn's legal fight against the “Atlantic Yards” project BROOKLYN, NY, April 2: Some of Brooklyn's finest singer-songwriters are coming together in concert on May 15th at Southpaw to benefit Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB). John Wesley Harding, Richard Julian, and Clare & The Reasons are Brooklyn-based artists joining the ranks of concerned Brooklyn residents speaking out against the proposed Atlantic Yards development project. A concert by these artists will be preceded by a special screening of the short film "Brooklyn Matters", an insightful documentary that reveals the fuller truth about the Atlantic Yards proposal. This concert is the latest installment of a series of events sponsored by DDDB that features Brooklyn-based artists in opposition to the irresponsible development of their neighborhood. These artists share DDDB's view that projects such as the Atlantic Yards pose a direct threat to the character and community of a Brooklyn that has nurtured and supported creative artists. DDDB supporters are pleased to receive such significant backing from the area’s musical community. "It is a great honor to have such accomplished musicians performing to help raise funds and awareness for the legal fight against Atlantic Yards. We are very proud to have their support," said DDDB spokesman Dan Goldstein. Event Details are as follows: Richard Julian, John Wesley Harding, Clare & The Reasons, and surprise guests with a screening of the film "Brooklyn Matters" a documentary on the Atlantic Yards development

Thursday, May 15th
Doors at 630pm ;
Film at 7pm;
Concert at 8pm
Southpaw 125 Fifth Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-0236
$12 in advance, $15 at the door

For online tickets, go to http://www.ticketweb.com

ABOUT DEVELOP DON’T DESTROY BROOKLYN DEVELOP DON’T DESTROY BROOKLYN (DDDB) leads a broad-based community coalition advocating for development that will unite Brooklyn’s communities instead of dividing and destroying them. DDDB opposes Forest City Ratner's "Atlantic Yards" proposal in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.


ABOUT Brooklyn Matters No single event will have a more drastic and long-lasting impact on Brooklyn than the proposed Atlantic Yards development. This uncommon proposal, however, is mostly misunderstood. Directed by Isabel Hill, Brooklyn Matters is an insightful documentary that reveals the fuller truth about the Atlantic Yards proposal and highlights how a few powerful men are circumventing community participation and planning principles to try to push their own interests forward. For more information, contact: rob (at) developdontdestroy (dot) org


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A Moment In Time: Cadman Plaza With Tulips

By the time I reached Cadman Plaza yesterday,
on my way to the post office,
I was soaked.
My umbrella? Let me just say that I am in need of a new one.
As little droplets were flowing down my cheeks, what did I do?
I pressed the button on my camera.
Click!
Just like that.
A moment in time,
captured.

[where: Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn]

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Slivers Of Carroll Gardens: Wasted Development Opportunity?

Have you ever noticed, dear reader, that there are slivers of Carroll Gardens that remain undeveloped in the middle of some of the most desirable blocks? One really has to wonder why such potential has been left untapped by developers when footage is at a premium.
What lack of vision! If these alleyways aren't quite big enough for a twelve story condo tower, may I suggest something that could be the next must-have in Brownstone Brooklyn? I am thinking: private bowling alley for the Brooklyn homeowner! What do you think? Or what about a private lap pool? No? All right, then! Here is another idea: a private archery range!
Or if that isn't your thing, how about darts? The possibilities are endless.
Just think about the profit that could be made all over the neighborhood....
Can you come up with other creative uses or do you know why these alleys even exist?


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Forgotten Brooklyn Literary Masterpiece: "Tough Kid From Brooklyn"

From 1956, may I present: "Tough Kid From Brooklyn ( Spit And The Stars)" by author Robert Mende?
Surely, a book with such an attractive title just begs to be read!

How could anyone resist the intense Brooklyn drama of tough guy Gregg and his dame Dinah?

"No One On Banner Street Could Break the Stranglehold That Bound Them To Poverty And Vice. Gregg Watched The Guy drop then turned. Another mug was beating a gal who had no face, just blood- it was Dinah, his Dinah! Gregg had to win, had to lift himself and his girl out of the brutality and degradation around them before it was too late..."

There are still some rare copies floating around on the internet... If you are lucky to own one of them, could I please borrow it? I simply must find out if Gregg and Dinah ever broke free of the poverty and vice and moved to a split level house on Long Island!



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As Clarett's 340 Court Almost Demolished, Neighbors Get Maximum Light...For A While

As the International Longshoremen's Association building at 340 Court Street is almost completely demolished, the backs of the adjoining buildings are now clearly visible behind the construction fence. The neighbors are probably enjoying all the extra light that is finding its way into their brownstones...if only for a very short while. Once the Clarett's Group condo complex goes up, it will surely cast more shadows than the Longshoreman's building ever did.


Related reading:
Deconstructing 340 Court
More Deconstruction At 340 Court Street


[where: 340 Court Street, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn]

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Brooklyn At Dawn

(photo credit: Anne Baltz)

Back in Brooklyn, at last. After a week of absence, I walked into my house and had to admit that yes, this feels like home...
Tomorrow morning, maybe not quite at dawn, I will unpack, brew some strong coffee and get back into reporting from Carroll Gardens.
Have I have missed something important? Please, do let me know, dear reader!




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A Walk On The Beach!

Weather at Surfside Beach? Perfect.
The main activity of the day? A walk on the beach. What else?
Tagging behind my father, my husband and my son, camera in hand, I try to capture this moment. Three men, three different stages of life. The eldest giving advice to the younger. What are they discussing? Does it matter? Really? What counts is that they are walking here, together. And me holding on to this moment in time....

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Picture Of The Day: He'll Do It For You!

Found in the ditch along Ocean Boulevard, Surfside Beach, South Carolina.
Now that is the kind of home repair enterprise I could use back home in Carroll Gardens. Someone who does it all for me!

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Brooklyn Seems So Far Away...

I am getting lazy here at the beach, dear reader.
Have you noticed?
Brooklyn?
Ah, Brooklyn.
I haven't forgotten, I swear.
Just decompressing a bit.
And taking pictures and eating and sleeping.
I am coming back, though.
Of that you can be sure.

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Beach Homes For Under A Million? Yes! Just Not In The Hamptons.

Maybe Surfside Beach, South Carolina is a wee bit far to drive for the week-end, but if you are in the market for a beach house, this place has quite a few for sale. The houses above are just a small sampling of the many that have hit the market in the last few months. And there are many more. All up and down the beach, those "for sale" signs have popped up since I was here last.
No wonder! These are mostly secondary homes. Many homeowners probably took way too much of a financial risk buying them in the first place. In addition, flood insurance has gone up steadily so the monthly costs are high. But they rent out weekly in the summer time, which helps defray the cost.
So if you are in the market for a beach house and can't quite afford the Hamptons, you may want to check out Surfside.
This place needs a few Brooklynites.....

(To give you an idea of pricing, the first house pictured above is on the market for
$ 849,000.00. Second row from the ocean with private pool. (more detail here )




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Gray Sky Making Way To Rainbow

I tend toforget how beautiful the wide open sky is when I am in Brooklyn. It is so amazing to see the sun rise and setting on the horizon, storms rolling in and the clouds clearing up. And then this, a rainbow. Do you see it? It was beautiful but only visible for a few minutes. I tried to capture it for you so that you may enjoy it back in Carroll Gardens.

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Some More Beach Bumming!

Please forgive me, but I just had to post more beach pictures. Another fantastic day here in Surfside Beach. But please, someone tell me, am I missing something terribly important in Brooklyn? It seems so very far away. Is the Longshoreman's building on Court all gone, now? Has Mr. Stein sent out a crew to paint over those lovely hearts along his fence?
Please, someone tell me!


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Forget Fairway: Brooklyn Needs A Piggly-Wiggly

Carroll Gardeners, forget about Met Food, Fairway and Pathmark. And don't hold out hope that the Whole Food on 3rd Street will ever get built, I say. And that Trader Joe's? By the time that opens its doors, I'll be an old lady.
So you know what Carroll Gardens needs? A great Piggly Wiggly.
See, while I am down South, that is where I shop. I admit, it is because of the name. How could I resist. It is the perfect place for a vegetarian Brooklyn blogger to stock up on basics.
Pork rinds? Yup, Piggly has those in no less then three flavors. Pig brains in milk gravy? Of course. In convenient one serving cans. You can find them in aisle 6. Beach gear, you say? Not even Fairway has that.
And Cinnabon breakfast cereal? Gee, I didn't even know they made that!
Readers, we need one of those wiggly Pigglets on Court, I tell you.
Those supermarkets are rocking!
Oh, who am I kidding! After doing without a good supermarket for a while now in Carroll Gardens, I'll take anything...

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2008 Blogfest Coming Up!

I am really looking forward to the Brooklyn Blogfest. This is the cool meet-up of all those great neighborhood bloggers who tirelessly report from their corner of the borough. I have met many of them and am excited to meet more.
The Blogfest is open to all, even non-bloggers. The event is on May 8th at 8 PM at the Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 Fourth Avenue in Park Slope. Admission is $10, for students, $5
Hope to see you there.



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Beach Blogging

I hope the weather is nice in Brooklyn, because otherwise, dear reader, I would feel terribly guilty. Surely, you would not want me to feel bad for having left you in the rain, while I am enjoying the sun at Surfside Beach, South Carolina.
And today is a glorious day. I can see the sky as far as I can see and the ocean is stretching in front of me ad infinitum. And the air? It smells clean and I happily take deep breath.
Can you tell I am having fun?
By the way, the beach house is for rent, so if you want to spend a week right on the beach, just contact me.

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