The Upside Of Insomnia

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } At 6 AmOn The BeachIn Surfside,South Carolina.There is an upside to insomnia:I got to witness the sun rising over the ocean.Will you forgive me, dear reader, if I do not report from Brooklyn this week, but from down South? Because you see, even a Brooklyn blogger has to escape...

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Stormy Weather At Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Rain, rain and more rain in Brooklyn, I heard? Heavy storms over Carroll Gardens?Here in Surfside Beach,too, a big storm came over the ocean, with huge dark, scary clouds and menacing thunder. The wind whipped the sand around my ankles as I walked onto the beach to take the picture of the bright red chairs and umbrellas.But it was quite worth it. I think the photo turned out quite well, no?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Instead Of A Brooklyn Brownstone, How About A North Carolina Fixer-Upper

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } There is a tiny part of me, I must admit, that wishes to live surrounded by green fields.No, I don't mean to move away from Brooklyn or from Carroll Gardens, but whenever we leave the city and drive to other parts of the country, I always imagine what my life would be like if...

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Fixer Upper

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } ...

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Meet Moritz, The (Renamed) Pup

**UPDATE**You remember, dear reader, in May, I asked for name suggestions for a new name for "Midnight Sun," the little chihuahua/ mini-pincher mix that my niece was adopting?Well, meet Moritz (his new name), the sweetest little guy you can imagine. He has been with my sister and my niece for two weeks now and it has been love at first sight. He is following my niece around everywhere...it is actually quite funny to watch.The little fellow sure...

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A Brooklyn Garden: Red Astilbe And Monarda Against A Willow Fence

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }Bright redMonarda and AstilbeAgainst a weathered willow fence,In full bloom in my Brooklyn gard...

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A Carroll Gardens Life: Meet Antoinette Pirrone, The Twinkies Lady

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 1946Left, Carmela Spinelli, center, Antoinette A. Pirrone, right, Rosalie PirroneDid my mom live in Carroll Gardens? Ask anyone Since 7/10/1921 My mom is Carroll Gardens!That is what Antoinette's son Francis answered me when I asked him if his mother had lived in the neighborhood...

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If It's Friday And There Are Many School Buses On Court, It Means Only One Thing!

It's Friday morningOn Court StreetBetween First, Second and Third Places.A long line of yellow school buses Is parked along the curb.However, it is not three o'clock yetAnd there are no planned field trips at P.S.58?Do you like to know, dear reader,What they are all doing there?Actually, it is very simple.I stopped to ask one of the drivers.They are all at the Capital One bank,Cashing their check.Yay for payday!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For...

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Picture Of The Day: Brooklyn Granny Playing The Piano

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Come on, you have to admit: This is the best picture ever.The only information attached to the photo was:" Brooklyn Granny Playing The Piano At Home, 1956"I am sorry that I cannot tell you anything about the little old lady.But look at the apartment. That is definitely a floor-through...

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Once Upon A Time, Argentina Smoked "Brooklyn"

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } From Argentina,an old advertisement posterFrom the early 50'sFor cigarettes.Brooklyn Cigarettes!How about th...

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What Happens To Obsolete Street Signs on Hicks Street

When street signs become weathered and unreadable, do they get absorbed by the trees that served as posts? That would seem to be the case with this tree on Hicks Street.The bark of the tree has already grown over the top edge of what seems to be a "Curb your dog sign." Strange, no?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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A Moment In Time: A Busy Day At The Sprinkler

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Carroll ParkDon't you know that it is entirely possible to soak one's blue hat in the sprinkler, wring it out, repeat over and over and have a wonderful time?This little munchkin did, and she had a blast....

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You Can't Make This Stuff Up: A Weird Tale From Carroll Gardens

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }Objects of desire(The actual roses from the tale)I promise you, dear reader, this is a true story.It happened to a resident here in Carroll Gardens on Monday night.At 9:45 Pm, the doorbell rings. A man in his mid-thirties is standing in front of the door of a brownstone. The...

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Time For Quality Socks On Smith?

Along Smith Street, Some may advertise a menu, Others a sale On a sidewalk blackboard. And then, there is this less traditional sign: Gaping holes in your socks? It's time for quality! Cotton rich quality socks, that is... This has to be my favorite sign on Smith. I love the "flaming" gaps on toe and heel. And every time I walk by, It makes me smile. Michael's Shoe Repair 319 Smith StreetFor Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Giardini Gets "All Fancy" On Smith Street

Jerry, the owner of Giardini Gourmet Pizza, was standing in front of his place yesterday, admiring the brand new canvas signs that are now gracing the fence around his yard."It looks nice" I told him as I passed. " It looks pretty fancy!"He seemed pleased. He told me that he had wanted to get the signs for a long time to give diners in the yard a bit more privacy. That is Jerry in the photo above, standing next to his new and improved outdoor...

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Flier Of The Day: Where Is "Kentucky?"

Looking For Kentucky,The cat."Help save Kentucky from the streets.If you see him, say something. Please!"For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Very Important Meeting Concerning "Public Place" On Thursday.

**Very Important Meeting About "Public Place." **I don't know about you, but every time I see the word "development" mentioned three times in a short paragraph, it make me nervous. This Is Posted On The Community Board 6 Web Site:Landmarks/Landuse Committee Presentation and introduction by representatives for the Department of Housing Presentation and Development of the development team selected by the City of New York to develop “Public Place,”...

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A Carroll Gardens Life: Mrs. Agatha Messina

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } As you know, dear reader, in the last few weeks, I have posted some photos of Carroll Gardeners, some from the past, some from the present, in a series called" A Carroll Gardens Life." It is my little way of paying tribute to all who contributed to make this neighborhood what...

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Picture Of The Day: Smith Street Fair 2008

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } The Smith Street Fair this Sunday was super fun.May I just say that in the crowd, I managed to lose:One Husband,One sister-in-lawOne brother-in-lawone nieceandtwo nephews,All at the same time.So, while I walking around, trying to find them, I was having fun looking at the merchandise...

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Audra Rocks Carroll Park

The Audra Rox Concert at Carroll Park this Saturday had to be the social event of the season for the "under eight" crowd. Audra "Groupies" with the signature magenta streak in their hair to look just like their idol, were dancing and singing along to every song.A huge number of fans and their parents had come out to this, the first concert of the Carroll Gardens 2008 Kids' Concert Series. It was an unbelievable success and everyone had a blast.Thanks...

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More Bird's Eye View Of Billy Stein's 131 Second Place A.K.A. 360 Smith Street Site

Rendering of Oliver House.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } June 20th.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame...

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Fun "Sunset Swim " Event At Thomas Greene Park

Photo Credit: cyancey on flickrHey, this looks super fun if you have kids.Swimming and a magic show?At Sunset?Cool!The Friends Of Douglas/Greene Park Invite You To Join Us For ASunset Swim5 PM To 7PMSaturday June 28th, 2008The Pool At Thomas Greens ParkUse Pool Entrance On Douglass StreetThos. Greene Park Is Located between Third Ave.& Nevins St., Douglass & DeGrawFor Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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