Picture Of The Day: Turkey Dinner A Success

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Photo credit: Max KellyOh, I know that I said I wasn't going to blog, but then my son took this picture of our Thanksgiving table before we sat down. I have to report that the meal was a success...everyone ate way too much. How was you...

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To All My Fellow Carroll Gardeners: Happy Thanksgiving!

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Dear Readers, I hope that even in these unsettling times, you have plenty to be thankful for. I know I do, though I do have to remind myself sometimes. My little family is staying right here in Carroll Gardens this year. No trains, planes or automobiles. The turkey is in the...

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Moment In Time: Collecting Leaves

.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 her father patiently waited for her,She picked up one leaf after anotherAnd carefully arranged them into a bouqu...

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Last Sunday's Greenmarket: A Little Clip Of Balkan Music

Carroll Gardens Freshmarket Concert November 23, 2008 from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.In case you missed the really cool group performing at the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket this last week-end, here is a little clip. Max's New Hat, a Balkan brass street band, performed for free.There is nothing like being entertained while doing one's weekly shopping, I s...

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Mango, 'The Hardest Working Dog In Brooklyn's Key Lime Pie Business' Is Missing

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } I am a sucker for little spunky dogs, and Mango, 'The Key Lime Pie Pooch' seems to be a real character. Unfortunately, he has gone missing and his owner wants him back. Read on.Someone absconded with our trusty sidekick Mango on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at approximately 7:00...

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B.S.A. Grants Bill Stein His Wish!

The 360 Smith Street/ 131 2nd Place SiteBSA Vote On 360 Smith Street from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.After watching first hand the deliberations and favoritism at the Board Of Standards And Appeals, this city might as well save money by replacing them with a big rubber stamp.The Board Of Standards and Appeals voted today to grant Bill Stein, developer of Oliver House at 360 Smith/ 131 2nd Place, an exemption to the Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment....

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Picture Of The Day: A Very Quiet Court Street

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } If you get up Very, very earlyOn a cold November morning,As I did a few days ago,You may witness An almost desertedCourt Stre...

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What Next For "Oyster Bar That Never Was" On Hoyt Street?

Not so long ago, Jim Mamary envisioned an oyster bar at 299-301 Hoyt Street. That didn't sit very well with neighboring residents who pointed out that the restaurant entrepreneur had already opened the Black Mountain Wine House around the corner on Union Street. They argued that the location was zoned strictly residential and that a bar would impact the quiet nature of that block. Months of meetings and letter writing by the Hoyt Street Alliance...

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If Waiting For Bus On Smith Street, Don't Wait In Laundromat

If you happen to wait for the B71 and B75 on Smith Street between Carroll and Second, and you are cold, don't dare walk into the Super Laundromat. They don't want you sitting there waiting for your bus. Oh, and if you need to use the bathroom, don't even try to ask...For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Moment In Time: Early Morning At The Greenmarket

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Early Sunday morning At the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket On Carroll Street. Before the customers arriveA vendor sets up her Delicious bread In the freezing co...

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Clarett To Pause Construction At 340 Court For Next Few Months?

Clarett's 340 Court Street Project To Be Closed Down For Four To Five Months?It has been super quiet behind the blue construction fence on Court Street between Union and Sackett Streets. After months of constant activity, Clarett's "Collection On Court" has come to a virtual stand-still. The building driveway ramp and the underground parking garage foundation seem to have been completed, but that is all. Except for a dumpster and a trailer,...

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Tim Robbins' "Possible Side Effects" to Film On Court Street In Early December

Possible Side Effects, Tim Robbins' Showtime project to film on Court StreetAccording to those yellow 'No Parking' fliers that went up on Court Street between Sackett and President Street just recently, Possible Productions, Inc. will be shooting there on December 4th.A quick search on the internet revealed that this project is written and directed by Tim Robbins. It is about a powerful, dysfunctional family running a pharmaceutical company....

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Picture Of The Day: Peeking Through The Fence

Even as I was pulling my coat's collar closer over my cheeks, these little chrysanthemums, peeking through a decorative cast iron fence, didn't seem to be bothered by the cold in the least.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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City Bloggers Go Where Press Can't Or Won't

Imagine my surprise and thrill to have been included on Room Eight's list of bloggers who dared to speak up during the City Council's recent power grab.Here is the mention on their blog: Was the Lie of “Consistent Leadership” Old Media’s Last Stand? posted by OneshirtTue, 11/18/2008 - 8:43pmBloggers Got the Real Story When It Counted “It used to be that a handful of editors could decide what news...

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1860's Civil War Era Brooklyn Girl

The caption simply said: 1860's Civil War Girl. But what is more important, she is was a Brooklyn girl. Whoever she may have been, she was photographed at Augustus Morand's Studio at 297 Fulton Street. Tell me that she isn't (still) the cutest....flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;...

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Former Sur On Smith Becomes A Clothing Store

What a pleasant surprise. I was so certain that the space once occupied by Sur would just become another restaurant. Work had been going on at the store for the last few weeks. But then, last night, I walked by and saw that there is now a clothing store at that location. The name? 'Smith and Butler' judging by the sign up front. That happens to be the location of the store as well.I didn't have time to stop in. Has anyone checked it out yet?For...

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Marty Markowitz Hears From Both Toll Brothers And From Residents

Borough President Marty Markowitz paid very close attention during the ULURP hearing on Toll Brothers' Gowanus development spot-rezoning last night. After Community Board 6 voted to approve the change in zoning ahead of a city-wide plan, it was now Mr. Markowitz's turnto hear both from the developer and from the community.There were two presentations of the project. First, Toll Brothers' Vice-President David Von Spreckelsen and his architect went...

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Space Saving Bike Parking In Carroll Gardens

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: ; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Spotted On Smith Street at the corner of Union, this bike is proof that there is more than one way of parking a bike on the sidewalk. This is the Carroll Gardens special space-saving parking j...

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Next Stop In The Toll Brothers' Gowanus Development Spot Re-Zone: Marty Markowitz's Office

Borough President Marty Markowitz( photo and map credit: Toll Brothers) Brooklyn Borough President's Hearing on Toll Brothers Project The Toll Brothers ULURP application to change Zoning to allow their Gowanus Canal project is now at the Borough President's Office for review This is our chance for the community to be heard again. John Hatheway and Chris McVoy will be making an updated presentation making the case for an 8 story height limit....

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State Denies L.I.C.H.'s Request To Close Their Obstetrics, Neonatal & Pediatric Services

Citing financial trouble, Continuum Health Partners, recently announced the closing of several departments within the hospital, including the Maternity and the Pediatric Unit. This move seemed odd given the fact that there are more pregnant women and small children the downtown Brooklyn area than anywhere in the city. In addition, massive lay-offs have been announced at the hospital. This slow but purposeful dismantling of vital hospital services...

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Elusive Carroll Park Hawk Caught On Camera

.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; 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; } .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: center; padding:...

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Picture Of The Day: Lady Liberty from Carroll Gardens Rooftop

.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 a rooftop on Henry Street,In Carroll GardensI could see her in the distance.Against the darkening sky And the outline of the cranes on the shipping piers, She seemed frail. But she held her head up Resolutely, And the torch in her outstretched handIlluminated the nig...

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City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden Meets The Neighborhood

City Planning Commissioner Amanda BurdenToll Brothers' Vice President Von SpreckelsenLong time Carroll Gardener Diane Buxbaumexpressing her concernsLudger K. Balan of The Urban Divers Estuary ConservancyIn front of a crowded auditorium, City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden introduced her agency's proposed plan for the Gowanus Canal area. But before starting with the presentation, she announced that due to Councilman Bill deBlasio's efforts,...

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