Prospect Park Pedal Boat Rental Season Starts This Week-End

Sunday, May 3, 2009
Pedal Boats open for the season at Prospect Park!

Details: Cruise Brooklyn’s only freshwater Lake in a pedal boat – it’s so much fun, you won’t even notice you’re getting exercise! Rentals at Wollman Rink, near the Parkside and Ocean Ave. entrance. Free parking. Pedal Boat season runs through mid-October.

Location: Lakeside, by the Wollman Rink at Prospect Park

Cost: $15 plus tax for a one- hour rental, plus $10 refundable deposit

Pedal Boat Parties!

Celebrate a birthday by cruising Brooklyn’s only freshwater lake! Pedal Boats are so much fun, your kids won’t even notice they’re getting exercise too. Contact the Park’s Rental and Event Planning Office: (718) 287-5252 x102 or email ckuhn at prospectpark dot org

For further information, click here

Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Love Brooklyn? Proud To Be From Brooklyn? Why Not Show It!

Click Here

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Picture Of The Day: A Must See On President Street

If you do nothing else
in the next few days,
make sure to pass
the corner of President and Smith Streets.
There, for just a few days,
you will see the three Red Bud trees blooming
in Carroll Park.
But hurry up.
Their amazing splendor only lasts a few days,
and then,
puff,
it is gone
till next year
at the same time.

Read More

Regarding Gowanus Superfund Designation, Our Local Pols Are Showing Incredible Lack Of Leadership

From the moment it was made public that the E.P.A. had proposed the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site, our local politicians have shown an incredible lack of leadership and an amazing disregard for their constituents' health. Pardon me for asking, but are they collectively committing political suicide?

Since Walter Mugden, of the US EPA stated at a public forum two weeks ago that the Gowanus Canal was so severely polluted that it easily fit the criteria to be included on their list of Superfunds, our politicians have been spinning this as a "complex issue" that needs careful consideration.

Now, truly, what exactly is there to consider?
It is all rather simple, I think.

Our city government has neglected the canal for decades and has contributed to its pollution by allowing raw sewage to flow into its waters every time it rains. That makes the city one of the canal's biggest polluters. There is a half-hearted clean-up attempt being proposed by the city, but it was never going to dredge the whole canal to remove toxic materials. Even if it wanted to, New York City doesn't have the money anyway to do a thorough job. Instead, Mayor Bloomberg, with the support of our (mostly absent) City Councilmember Bill DeBlasio, had the glorious idea of opening up the Gowanus Canal area for residential use and allowing individual developers to clean their building sites (uplands only) themselves. What a concept: bring entire families to the shores of a terribly polluted waterway and hope for the best! Now that is real advocacy for one's constituents.

The NYS Dept. Of Environmental Conservation wanted to do a more thorough clean-up, but realized that it was too big and complex of a job, so they reached out to the federal government and asked for help. I tend to think that someone at DEC had a conscience and realized that our politicians were going to put people's lives at risk by having them live in apartments next to an open sewer, so they wisely brought in the EPA.

According to Walter Mugden of the EPA, it only took his agency one of its tests to determine that the Gowanus canal met the requirements for a Superfund site. More were not needed after the first reading. Yes, it is extremely toxic, probably more so than residents even imagined.
The EPA has stepped forward and has promised a comprehensive clean-up.

Now, one would think that our elected officials would say "Thank You Very Much For Your Help" to the EPA, but that is not the case. Mayor Bloomberg immediately announced that his administration didn't need any &%^$#@ help from the EPA. Councilmember DeBlasio was a little more subtle, but stated that the Feds would "just get in the way" of a Gowanus Canal clean-up. He opined that "You don't want to drink out of it, you don't want to eat fish out of it, but it is not a danger to live near it."
Well thank you, Professor DeBlasio!

But DeBlasio must have had a moment of self doubt when he wrote a letter to Lisa Jackson of the EPA in Washington DC on April 22nd 2009 to ask:

" Is part of the basis of the proposed designation that people eat fish caught at the mouth of the canal? Is there a clear causal link between the canal sediment and levels of toxins in fish caught in NY Harbor? Is there any other predicted risk to the health of the residents or workers along the banks of the Gowanus under normal living or working conditions now?"

Maybe, Mr.DeBlasio should have asked EPA these questions a long time ago, before he advocated rezoning the area to residential.

And how about our other elected officials?
Just today, it was announced that the EPA had extended the 60 day public comment period by an additional 30 days after Councilmember deBlasio, Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Congresswoman Nydia Vélazquez requested more time to consider the risks to our citizens which have not concerned them until now.
Ms. Millman explains her request to EPA by stating: "This is a complicated situation, with a sad history of neglect and inactivity."
Exactly my point, Ms. Millman!
Had these officials reached out to the EPA when they first took office, the canal might be clean already.
Now they are dragging this out even longer. Funny that the community never received more time to comment on the Toll Brothers' spot-rezoning. That was a 'complex' issue as well.

It sure feels as though this community is fighting its own politicians. Silly me, all this time, I thought that they were representing us.
I have written off deBlasio, but I sure hope the others will get off the fence soon and follow their conscience. And that includes newly-elected NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.





For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Sign "Superfund Gowanus " Petition And Lets Finally Clean The Canal

The Superfund Gowanus petition is now up. I urge you to take a minute to sign it.
It reads:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agrees the Gowanus is an "Estuary of National Significance" and is "unbelievably highly contaminated" with tar, PCBs, sewage, lead, mercury and arsenic. The EPA has the tools to lead a comprehensive and inclusive cleanup. Our community has known for generations that this is a toxic public health hazard. Spot cleanup by developers will not achieve the job necessary for a healthy environment. Our Council Member Bill de Blasio has been quoted in the media saying the city has no plan to clean the Gowanus. It is absolutely crucial that you take the time to make your voice heard.

Join your neighbors and these supporters of a comprehensive EPA Superfund cleanup:

• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• The Army Corps of Engineers
• Riverkeeper
• The Sierra Club
• Columbia University’s Urban Design Lab
• Friends of Greater Gowanus (FROGG)
• Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development (CG CORD)
• Friends of Bond
• Park Slope Neighbors

Join Them!

Sign Petition here

The new Superfund Gowanus web site is also up.

Go check it out at www.superfundgowanus.org

And Get Your T-Shirt here

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Guided Tour Of Carroll Gardens 'Mom-And-Pop' Stores This Saturday

Mom & Pop Shops of Court Street

- Guided Walking Tour -

12 P.M.
SATURDAY, MAY 2nd
Starting point: Court Street Sam's Restaurant,
Corner of Baltic Street BROOKLYN

On May 2nd join guide John Heyer, as he takes us through time to explore the rich history and flavors of Carroll Gardens' Historic Mom & Pop Court Street. The Tour will stop at Court Pastry Shop, D'Amico Coffee, Scotto Wine, Caputo Bakery, Marco Polo Restaurant, Esposito Pork Store, Marietta's, Scotto Funeral Home, Caputo's Italian Specialties, Mazzone Hardware and Hanley’s Bar. You will also learn about former mom & pop shops that have closed and new additions that have contributed to the life of the commercial strip.

Many of the shops will be offering tastings, demonstrations and firsthand accounts of the life of the mom & pop shop. The tour has an approximate length of 2 hours. $20 day of event $15 with reservation before day of event $10 for students and seniors with reservation To make reservations email CourtStreet@ CarrollGardensHistory.com

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Rock On In Carroll Park This Summer

On behalf of the Committee to Improve Carroll Park, we are pleased to announce that:

THE CARROLL PARK CONCERT SERIES RETURNS ON JUNE 14th!!
Additional Concerts will be held July 15, July 29, and Aug 8. All concerts at 4 pm. Check our new and improved website for details on lineup and sponsors.
Recently highlighted in Time Out New York Kids’ Neighborhood Report, the Carroll Park Concert Series is back for Summer 2009. This delightful series of free concerts, featuring bands suitable for the whole family, returns this year with four exciting performances and lots of outdoor, community fun!

Enormous thanks to our local sponsors - please support the people who support our community. A few additional sponsors will help us complete the concert series. All sponsors will be listed on the website.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Ever wanted to work in a circus? Now is your chance.
Please join us for some fun activities to help make our concerts a success. It would be great to have 3-4 volunteers for each concert – of course you can bring your children along to help and have fun.
We need:

Volunteers who can help solicit raffle donations from neighborhood businesses and restaurants; any contacts will be well appreciated. For a great behind the scenes job, how about RUNNING the raffle project or helping solicit donations?
Volunteers dedicated to specific food, crafts and raffle tables, from 3:30-5:30 on any (or all) show days
Amateur photographers willing to take and distribute concert photos to publish on our website
Relevant websites who would like to link to our website to help spread the word on our concerts
Any and all volunteer assistance would be greatly appreciated. The concerts rely on the community, there are NO paid employees. Please reach out if you’d like to help.

TO DONATE , VOLUNTEER or JOIN OUR NEW MAILING LIST…
please contact Simmi Degnemark at simmi@alumni. duke.edu

Make your donation online using your credit card or Paypal account.
Click the “Donate Now” button on our website: www.carrollparkbrooklyn.org/ concerts

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Picture Of The Day: Fire Escape Garden

Oh! Life In Brooklyn...

A few clay pots,
four bright red geraniums
and a pale blue hydrangea
turn a fire escape into
a third floor garden.
How pretty!

Read More

Local Pastry Shops Officially Open Italian Ices Season In Carroll Gardens

Monteleone's At 355 Court Street
and....

Court Street Pastry Shop at 298 Court Street a few blocks away

90 degree weather in April prompted our local pastry shops to open Italian Ices season. Both Monteleone's and Court Street Pastry had their little side windows wide open to customers.
Now I know that there are some in the neighborhood who exclusively frequent one or the other, swearing that one makes better ices and has better cookies than the other.
I pledge no such allegiance. Any cookie and any ice is all right in my book, though I do have a favorite flavor: pistachio.

How about you, dear reader. Where do you stop for your frozen treats?

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Brooklyn Independent Television's Brooklyn Review Takes A Look At The Gowanus Superfund Site Nomination

From BROOKLYN INDEPENDENT TELEVISION'S BROOKLYN REVIEW , this look at the Gowanus Canal and the Superfund Site Designation. Featuring Walter Mugden of the US EPA and David Von Spreckelsen, Toll Brothers V.P.
Take a look. It is very interesting.


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Picture Of The Day: Bird And Blooms

Sitting amidst the blooms of my neighbor's peach tree
and the crisscrossed telephone wires,
a female cardinal takes a break
from building her nest
in my garden.

Read More

Best Reader Comment Of The Day

Comment left on Borough President Markowitz's Weighs In (???) On Gowanus Superfund Designation

No opinion? His aide John Heyer, who is running for City Council in the 39th district, mentioned cancer and miscarriages last Saturday. Then he said today he still was not afraid to live near the canal. And, a few short weeks ago, the EPA explained the toxicity of the canal thoroughly and offered to help with federal monies. And Markowitz has no opinion? Why am I not surprised? Almost sounds like DeBlasio's rhetorical BS sent out to the public today. Shame on Marty. Shame on Bill. And shame on Bloomie. These three are truly ghastly as far as electeds and Brooklyn go!!!! We need a sea change in our representation. One hopes the public can wake up and use their voting power to SuperClean these political offices! (And RINSE these guys away too).

Anonymous

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Blogger Breakfast With BP Markowitz And Staff

BP Marty Markowitz and his staff

Do you remember, dear Reader, that I attended the Blogger Breakfast last week hosted by BP Markowitz? Over coffee and bagels, a lively discussion ensued regarding what role blogs play in covering the news in Brooklyn. Markowitz and his staff told the bloggers in attendance that he will gladly extend access to his office for information and statements.
Of course, I asked for a statement on the Gowanus Canal's nomination as a Superfund site by the EPA.
Mark Zustovich, the Borough President's Press Secretary, sent the statement to me the following day. Here it is.

“I am committed to the restoration of the Gowanus Canal into an absolute asset to Brooklyn, our economy, arts and culture scene, and the well-being of neighboring communities. Of course, a clean environment is critical to our borough’s physical and economic health, and I look forward to working with the city, state and federal government, the community and all its elected officials to find the best way to move forward and ensure that the best days of a thriving Gowanus Canal lie ahead.”

——Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

I thought the statement was just a tad vague, so I asked Mr. Zustovich for clarification. Is the BP for or against the Superfund Designation?
Mr. Zustovich's answer:

"No opinion either way at this point – our office is looking into what the Superfund designation would mean for the Gowanus Canal and the proposed development."

So there you have it, dear reader. What do you say?



Related Reading:

Blogger Breakfast With BP Markowitz And Staff

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

President Street In Spring

A glimpse at President Street in spring time by reader Alexandrea.
These lovely shots were taken between Smith and Hoyt Streets.
I especially like the photo of the cast-iron posts.
Thanks, Alexandrea.

Read More

Picture Of The Day: Gowanus Tree Blooming

In the back of an empty parking lot
near the Gowanus Canal,
a tree blooms majestically,
proving that
beauty
can be found in the most unlikely places.

Read More

90 Degrees In April Means Long Lines At Ice Cream Truck

Long Lines On Carroll Street, in front of the ice-cream vendor

A very happy ice-cream vendor

Nothing cools you off better on a very hot week-end day in April than a nice cool ice cream. The little ice cream truck in front of Carroll Park on Carrol Street was doing a brisk business over the week-end.
There was quite a line forming in front of it. It must have been terribly hard for the children, having to wait patiently for their turn.
The ice-cream seller seemed awfully pleased!

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

The "Dazzle Me" After-Party

The "Dazzle Me" after-party

House Of Pizza's Grandma pie

It was a true privilege to be working on the 39th Council District's "Dazzle Me" Forum with some of my very favorite people in the neighborhood. Each and every one of them is an incredibly intelligent, extremely well spoken and inspiring individual.
The forum could not have turned out better. The audience consisted of both young and old residents, old -timers as well as new residents, and candidates who seemed to enjoy the challenge of thoughtfully selected questions.

I think we were all pleased by how the event turned out.
Afterward, we all went to House Of Pizza on Union Street for an after-party.

So my thanks go out to Rita Miller, Vince Joseph, Lucy deCarlo, my husband Glenn Kelly, Elisabeth Lind, Maryann Young, Mary Hedge, June and Stephen Negrycz, Triada Samaras, Jaqueline Raque and Jerry Miller for all their hard work.
I truly enjoyed being part of this "production."

PS: I may have to agree with Vince that the best pizza in the neighborhood is House Of Pizza's Grandma pie. To die for!

Related reading:
39th Council District Candidates Submit To Tough Questioning At 'Dazzle Me' Forum



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

The "Dazzle Me" After-Party

"Dazzle Me" moderators Rita Miller and Vincent Joseph

Josh Skaller

Gary Reilly

David Pechefsky

John Heyer

Bob Zuckerman

Brad Lander

This last Saturday, it may have been almost 90 degrees outside, but on stage, in the Carroll Gardens Library meeting room, it was even hotter. For almost two hours, the six candidates for the 39th Council district seat, currently held by Bill DeBlasio, were subjected to tough questioning on issues that are important to Carroll Gardeners.

Organized by Coalition for Respectful Development (CORD) and by South Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance (S0BNA), the event was moderated by Rita Miller and Vince Joseph who skillfully directed specific questions to David Pechefsky, Gary Reilly, John Heyer, Brad Lander, Bob Zuckerman and Josh Skaller individually, before allowing the others to give a one minute response on the same topic.

Vince Joseph prefaced the forum by stating that none of the organizers of the event had a preference or had chosen a candidate to support. He also stated in no uncertain terms that the questioning was biased, tailored specifically to each candidate, based on the answers to a questionnaire sent to the candidates in advance.

Rita Miller compared the event to a job interview, an opportunity to choose the candidate who would do the best job for the Carroll Gardens community. She told the candidates that this event was not to be used as another campaign stop, but as a frank discussion on issues that matter most in this neighborhood. To this end, candidates had been told beforehand that they would not be allowed to distribute their campaign literature.

As one of the organizers, I can attest that a lot of hard work went into the questioning. Great care was taken to address the individual candidates' strengths and weaknesses as well as to give each the chance to explain their positions.

One of the most important topics covered at the forum was the Gowanus Canal's proposed designation as a Superfund site by the E.P.A..

David Pechefsky, a Green party candidate from Park Slope, is in full support of the designation, stating that the clean-up is a project of such complexity, that no piecemeal approach will do.

Josh Skaller, a former President of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, is 100% for the Superfund nomination, and is urging a "holistic" approach.

John Heyer, a 5th generation Carroll Gardener (with the 6th on its way) wants the canal cleaned up "the best way and the quickest way" without specifically saying yes or no to Superfund, though he did state that there were "no funds in the Superfund".

Bob Zuckerman, Director of the not-for profit Gowanus Canal Community development Corporation, was leaning towards the designation, but was "not there yet". He would like to see a coordinated effort of all the agencies to work together towards a clean-up. He also brought up the lack of funding for Superfund.

Brad Lander, Director of the Pratt Center For Community Development, is skeptical of a Superfund designation without a commitment for necessary funds. He would like to see the EPA clean up the canal first with their monies and then go after the polluters to recoup the cost.

The best answer, in my opinion, came from Gary Reilly, an environmental and land use attorney who sees the potential Superfund designation as a " tremendously positive development". He feels that the NYS Department Of Environmental Conservation changed the discussion on the Gowanus Canal when they asked the EPA to take over the clean-up and " took it out of our hands".
He also set the record straight about funding for Superfund, by reminding everyone that the government has just allocated $ 600 million in additional funds for the Superfund program.

Other questioning touched on issues as varied as Public Place, over-development, congestion pricing, 421A Tax abatement and transparency and inclusion of the public in decision making.
Below is a small sampling of questions and answers by the various candidates.

Gary Reilly on transportation issues and congestion pricing:
The fare hike is "the worst thing that can happen to ordinary people". Under Governor Pataki, New York State replaced dedicated funding for transportation systems with debt. He would like to see the funding restored.

John Heyer on his own vision for the Gowanus Canal:
He is concerned for the people who are living along the canal right now. His family, which lives close to the canal, has "no member who did not have cancer". His mother suffered three miscarriages. He would like the re-zoning of the area to include space for artists and creative businesses and light manufacturing.

Bob Zuckerman on staying in contact with constituents should he be elected:
He would visit various neighborhoods in his district in regular intervals with a converted bookmobile truck (a Zuckmobile) so that "you don't have to come to your council office, the office will come to you."
( Vince Joseph wanted to know if it would play music, and Rita Miller asked if stamps would be available.)

Josh Skaller when asked about affordable housing, the 421 A Tax Abatement and the glut of newly developed apartments:
Skaller stated that "the road to affordable housing will not come from luxury development". Developers drive up housing prices for the rest of the community. Given the glut of new developments that currently sit empty, he would advocate for the purchase and conversion of these units to affordable housing by the city. He added that he would wait until a development goes into forclosure in order to purchase at the best price.

Brad Lander was asked if the Public Place project should move forward in light of the severity of toxic substance pollution and the possible designation of the canal as a Superfund site.
Lander expressed his hope that the public place development move forward as quickly as possible stating that the project will include 2/3 affordable housing.

David Pechefsky on how to improve the workings of the city council in order to integrate the community which feels increasingly marginalized:
"I hear your frustration" answered Pechefsky, who has worked in NYC Government for 12 years.
He explained that there is a structural problem within the council, giving the Council Speaker all the power. He would like to see the various committees strengthened and better staffed in order to allow greater autonomy and thereby more power exercised by our councilmembers and citizens.

After the questioning, the candidates freely mingled with the public.

In many ways, the community is in an enviable position. All candidates are well qualified and performed very well under tough questioning.
Who will ultimately get the job is difficult to predict at this point.
For Carroll Gardeners, it may come down to where the candidates stand on Public Place and the Gowanus Canal nomination as a Superfund site.



What was your impression of the various candidates, dear Reader?

Related Reading:

The "Dazzle Me" After-Party

Six Hungry Candidates at the Dazzle Me Forum (OTBKB)
More Thoughts On the Dazzle Me Forum (OTBKB)

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Hey, Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking, But...

It's Friday! That means its time for the question of the week. I promise that it will be the last one about food for a while. So far, I asked you what restaurant you would miss most if you ever had to move away from Carroll Gardens. Then, I inquired about your favorite neighborhood bakery, the best mozzarella in the hood and last week, we discussed the ultimate cookie to be found in Carroll Gardens.

So, this (still) being an Italian neighborhood, I just have to ask you:

Who Makes The Best Pizza in Carroll Gardens?


Lets hear it. This should be a fun discussion!

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

A Moment In Time: Help, Please!

After her doll carriage
accidentally flipped over
in the monument area of Carroll Park
she was determined to seek help.

She did not have to look long,
for an adult came to the rescue momentarily.

Read More

A Teeny Tiny New Carroll Gardener

Please say hi to Alaia, a brand new Carroll Gardener. She is the newborn daughter of my wonderful friends David and Carolina.

Welcome, Alaia!
You'll be running in Carroll Gardens with the best of them in no time!

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

The Chant Of A Carroll Gardens Mockingbird

Over the loud hum of traffic,
A very small creature insistently sings his song.
It is a mockingbird.
See it right there, sitting on the limb of a berry bush.
He seems disappointed that his chant is ignore.
For only if you stand still and listen for a while

Do you appreciate his vocal talent?

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More

Blogger Breakfast With BP Markowitz And Staff

Yesterday morning, bright and early at 8:15 Am, Borough President Marty Markowitz and his staff sat down with a group of Brooklyn bloggers.
By his own admission, our BP has not quite gotten passed the email stage, but is quick to add that his wife is an avid blog reader. He seems to be interested in learning more about it and in reaching out to Brooklyn bloggers who write about local politics, developments and local issues. It is also clear that he is just a bit irritated by the new medium.

Over coffee and bagels, a very interesting conversation ensued about the differences between traditional reporting and blogging and whether bloggers are journalists and therefore should be held to the same journalistic standards. Also under discussion was the question of accountability: Do bloggers have a responsibility to check facts before publishing a post?
All valid points, as far as I am concerned.

However, they are rather difficult to answer generally since all blogs are uniquely different.
Personally, I explained, I never claim to be a journalist. I think I am always making it rather clear that the opinions expressed are mine. Blogging gives me a way of engaging in a dialogue with my readers and neighbors by asking questions related to issues in Carroll Gardens. Hence the name of my blog.

Kudos to Markowitz and his aids for reaching out and opening the dialogue. They made sure to let bloggers know that the office will gladly extend access to the borough president's press office for statements and information.

Of course, I immediately took advantage of the offer by asking for Markowitz's official statement on the Gowanus Canal's nomination as a Superfund site by the EPA.
I hope to receive it later today and to be able to post it here.

Thanks for the invite, Mr. Markowitz.



Bloggers In Attendance:
Flatbush Gardener
Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn
Ditmas Park Blog
Brooklyn Heights Blog,
GerritsenBeach.net
Brownstoner
Atlantic Yards Report
Noticing New York
The Local


For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read More