Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Too much car traffic and the lack of parking spaces is a big annoyance in Carroll Gardens, as it is everywhere in the city. On some of our neighborhood's narrower streets, there is an added problem. Below is an email from friend and reader Mary.“How many side mirrors have been swiped off your car in recent years? In my case, two, in two years! It seems to be a big problem on Hoyt Street, but I can imagine it occurs on some of the other narrow...
Round and roundshe rodeon her little blue scooter,with a big smile on her face.She made me smile as we...
It is amazing how much information about Carroll Gardens' past one can be extracted from a 1966 parish 'souvenir journal.'Joe Alameda of Perfect Corner was kind enough to lend me his copy of a St. Stephens' journal, commemorating its 100th birthday on April 23rd, 1966.On the last few pages, there are wonderful congratulatory messages, some from local stores.Above is the one from Sal Cusimano's Fish Store at 359 Court Street. Well, the storefront...
Did you happen to see it over the week-end, dear Reader? Right there, at the corner of First Place and Smith Street, a curious double-stacked was parked next to the Hannah Senesh School.The gleeful chatter of happy kids drifted out onto the sidewalk. Obviously, something fun was happening inside. A quick look at the inscription on the curious bus gave a clue:www.Tevacenter.org.A quick search on the internet revealed that the Teva Learning Center...

Monday, March 30, 2009

Did you notice, dear Reader?The magnolia is on the verge of blooming.Its buds opened up just a teeny bit,waiting just for the next sunny dayto unfurl into beautiful flowe...
COME AND VOLUNTEER IN CARROLL PARK JOIN THE COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE CARROLL PARKAT THEIR SPRING PLANNING MEETING.COME AND FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH GARDENING,ORGANIZING SPECIAL EVENTS AND FUND RAISING.HELP MAKE THIS SPRING THE BEST EVER AT ONE OF BROOKLYN'S OLDEST PARKS! contact information: friendsofcarrollpark@yahoo.comThe Committee To Improve Carroll Park is meeting on Thursday, April 2nd7:30 PM in the Park HouseHope you can attend!There...
"Domestic Art" In 1920's BrooklynFrom a stereograph by The Keystone View Company, comes this Brooklyn home decorating tip for the dining and living room. Though it is from the 1920's, later than many brownstones, some of the tips are still valid. However, the caption accompanying the photo is rather hilarious. Read on: Making a a house attractive is one of the finer arts. Nothing so makes life worth while and full of richness as a well appointed...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Regarding the post: Hey, Neighbors! Pardon Me For Asking, But...A reader had this to answer to the question: "If you ever moved away from Carroll Gardens,what restaurant would you miss the most?" Restaurants? I've lived here all my life, and the restaurants were not at the top of my list. What I would miss: The Good Friday Procession at St. Stephen's Church. Walking down Court St and stopping every 20 feet to say hello to a neighbor. Walking...
Love Brooklyn? Proud To Be From Brooklyn? Why Not Show It! Click HereFor Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

Friday, March 27, 2009

Won't you please, please, please answer this question?I would so like to hear your answer.Ready?Here it is:~~~~~~~~~~"If you ever moved away from Carroll Gardens,what restaurant would you miss the most?"~~~~~~~~~Just because its Friday and because I would love to try out this new feature, I invite you to come up with an answer to a question pertaining to Carroll Gardens or Brooklyn at large.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Walk through Carroll Parkat 3 PMand you will findthe neighborhood childrengleefullyplayingafter a long day in scho...
The retail space at 158 Court Street has been empty for a while now. Long, long ago, it was the home of 'Inaka', one of the area's first Japanese restaurants. Believe me, twenty-two or so years ago, it was a big deal when it opened its doors and one could satisfy a craving for sushi without leaving the neighborhood.After the original owner sold the business, it briefly became 'Oishi Oochi', but by then, there were other sushi restaurants on...
Last week-end, I walked by the highly toxic Public Place site and was surprised to find the gate wide open on the 5th Street site. Apparently, soil testing has been performed on an ongoing basis.As per Tom Gray, District Director of City Council Member Bill de Blasio, National Grid, which is responsible for the clean-up of its former gas manufacturing site, has set up a web page to provide updates for neighbors and to keep the community informed...
Hey, Brooklyn! Turn Off Your Lights.(Brooklyn Borough Hall is doing it!)Saturday, March 28th, Between 8:30 to 9:30 PMVote Earth by simply switching off your lights for one hourand join the rest of the world for Earth Hour!My little family and I took part in this event last year and it felt really great. With candles flickering all around, we gathered in one room and enjoyed just talking to each other. I am committed to taking part in the event...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

He was slowly walkingdown towards the canal,past this gently slopingrow of townhouseson Second Stre...
A quick look back in Brooklyn history. This great photo was taken on the waterfront near the Red Hook Graving dock back in 1937. The docks were built by the Robins Dry Dock Company from 1864-1916. Today, this is were Ikea built its huge yellow and blue box store. The accompanying caption states:Free-For-All Brawl In Shipyard RiotBrooklyn, N.Y. July 31, 1937A view of the scene near the Robins Dry Dock And Repair Company's Yard in Brooklyn when...
Carroll Street between Nevins and 3rd AvenueThe grass is greener near the Gowanus Canal. Don't believe me, dear Reader? Just take a look at the lushness of the little grass edging in this tree pit on Carroll Street between Nevins and 3rd Avenue.But wait... Could it be? Is this what I think it is? Did someone actually plant fake grass around the sidewalk tree pit?Oh, and the blue flowers? Fake as well.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was walking along the sidewalk,deep in thought,when I noticed the beauty of the shadow castby an ornate fence and ga...
He looked terribly officialin his orange vest,pushing his wheeled tape measurehere and the...

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

photo credit: Onkel Ulle on FlickrParks and Recreation invites you to a guest lecturebyDR. RADLEY HORTON onCLIMATE CHANGE And NYC; VULNERABILITIES, IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONSWednesday, Mar. 25, 20096:00PMProspect Park Picnic HouseSchedule: 6:00PM: check in, refreshments6:30PM Presentation7:15PM Q & A7:30PM Meet the ManagerRSVP: Elizabeth Walsack at 718/965-6951elizabeth.walsack@ parks.nyc. govRadley Horton, PhD, is an Associate Research Scientist...
Photo Credit: ookami_dou on Flickr PS 29 Literary SalonMarch 27 2009, 7-8:30 PMAn Evening of Memoir and Fiction by Nick Flynn, Victor Weinstock,Mark Alpert Reading, Talk, Food & Book Sales–Tickets $7($15 w/ babysitting) 425 Henry Street, Cobble Hill, BrooklynNick Flynn’s memoir about his childhood and his homeless father, Another Bullshit Night in Suck City, won France’s Prix Femina and has been translated...
Nestled amidst warehousesclose to the Gowanus Canal,this sweet little one-story houseis a reminder that not everything needs to be a high ri...
It had been warm just the day before,but now the icy windwas blowing down Smith Street.It did not feellike springat a...