From Inside EPA's Superfund Report:" New York Faces Hurdles Winning 'Superfund Alternative' OK From EPA"

Below is an interesting perspective on New York City's Superfund Alternative Plan for the Gowanus Canal by John Heltman, Associate Editor of Inside EPA's Superfund Report, an online news service of the publishers of Inside EPA.com. It is extremely enlightening and I hope you will take the time to read it.I am reprinting it here on Pardon Me For Asking with their permission.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Greetings From South Carolina: Early Beach Hour

Sometimes,I tiptoe town the stairsearly enough to witnessthe sunrise over the ocean.And what a spectacle it ...

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A Look Back In History: Seals At Prospect Park Zoo, Circa 1950's

Here is a real glimpse back in time, dear Reader. I found this photo of the seals in the Prospect Park Zoo, circa 1950's. Though it is a terrific document, it does make me rather sad to see the seals sitting on those bare concrete blocks. It is amazing how much we have learned about creating habitats for animals in captivity. Of course today, the zoo in Prospect Park has been vastly improved.And here is another photo of a little penguin at the...

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Greetings From South Carolina: In Perfect Unison

They walked energeticallydown the beachin perfect unison.I should be doing the same,I thought,before returning to my book....

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Meanwhile Back In Brooklyn: Dusk Over Brooklyn's Changing Skyline

I love this shot of a couple gazing over Brooklyn's changing skyline from a rooftop at dusk. Isn't it cool?It was sent to me by wonderful Carroll Gardens friends Ann and Andy.Thanks for sharing, guys!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Senator Montgomery's Gowanus Canal Superfund Fact Sheet

Thanks to Jim Vogel of State Senator Velmanette Montgomery's office, for pointing me to the Senator's Gowanus Listing Fact Sheet which her office distributed last week at a meeting on the City's half-baked alternative clean-up plan.I have been incredibly impressed by Senator Montgomery. She was the first elected official to come out in favor of the EPA's proposed listing of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site.Her clear vision, outspokenness and...

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Comment Of The Day: Why Go Through All This?

A reader left the following comment on the post "A Carroll Gardener Furious At Mayor Bloomberg's Anti-Superfund Stance":The major impetus for the City's plan is for the developers, not for the community. It is Developer Toll who said it is against Superfund because of the "stigma" it will bring to the scam they wanted to pull off that the Gowanus is great waterfront property as is so that they can put their mega condo development here. City Planning...

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Greetings From South Carolina: Dipping Toes Into The Ocean

Standing side by side at the edge of the ocean,She was holding the little one's handsafely in hers.Carefully, she helped her venture forward,so that she could dip her toes into the water.However,at the approach of the first wave,the little one changed her mind.So she helped her retreat quickly, while not letting go.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Last Night, Act Two Of City's Gowanus Alternative Clean-Up Plan Presentation

Last night was Round 2 of the City's presentation on their alternative plan for the Gowanus Canal. This time, the meeting was geared towards Gowanus-area business owners. Cas Holloway, Chief Of Staff to NYC Deputy Mayor Skyler, again was the master of ceremony. ( How Mr. Holloway can continue to keep a straight face during these presentations is beyond me. How much salary do you suppose the city pays him to act as sacrificial lamb? Probably...

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Greetings From South Carolina: Golden Hour Over Ocean

Surfside Beach, South CarolinaThe beach was almost empty at this late hour. The lifeguard had left his post long ago. Sandcastles were abandoned to the tide. Sunbathers had packed up their chairs, towels and coolers and had gone home.Just a few had stayed behind as the sun slowly disappeared on the horizon. A young child looked for shells, a teenager gazed at a distant boat and an older couple, their chairs moved close together, talked and enjoyed...

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Reminder! Public Hearing On Carroll Gardens/ Columbia Waterfront Contextual Rezoning To Start Tonight

Reminder:Contextual Rezoning Meeting TonightDear Reader,Make sure to mark the meeting information below on your calendar. The Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) for the contextual rezoning of the Carroll Gardens/ Columbia Waterfront is starting today, Thursday, June 25th, at the Community Board 6 Land Use Committee. This is great news! This long-awaited rezoning will give this community the protection it needs from out-of-scale development...

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Take A Dip: Red Hook Pool Re-Opening This Week-End

photo credit: leahgiberson on Flickr.I know, I know...the weather in Brooklyn as been frightful and a dip in the pool is probably the last thing anyone is thinking about. But just in case the sun returns this week-end, you may want to stop by the Red Hook pool. It is reopening this week-end.The pool is located at 155 Bay Street between Clinton and Henry Streets.General hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m....

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Comment Of The Day: The Big Question Is...

Margaret has left a new comment on your post "Last Night, City Talked Gowanus Alternative Clean-Up Plan, But Didn't Seem To Convince Many":The big question was - why was the City so slipshod about notifying the community about these mtgs.? And then it becomes really odd for them to say that they needed TWO meetings in order to accommodate everyone. Huh? How would they know to come? Well,there could not have been more than 50 people there - and about...

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Comment Of The Day: When Pigs Fly Down Court Street

Anonymous left this comment on Last Night, City Talked Gowanus Alternative Clean-Up Plan, But Didn't Seem To Convince Many The majority of the community's feelings were succinctly summed up when one of my favorite community activists blew the city a raspberry. I have one of the postcards that were circulated last night. I think people should take a Sharpie to the pre-printed statement on the card, add a comment in support of the Superfund and thank...

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Last Night, City Talked Gowanus Alternative Clean-Up Plan, But Didn't Seem To Convince Many

img alt="INo, no, dear Reader, I was not at last night's meeting hosted by the City to once again tout their half-baked 'Alternative Plan' to clean the Gowanus Canal. I am still on a beach vacation in South Carolina, but you know that my Brooklyn neighborhood is never far from my mind.This morning, I received a very thorough account of the meeting from area residents who attended the first of two meetings, one for home-owners, the other for business-owners...

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Improvised Showering At Cadman Plaza

Photo credit: Carolina Castillo Three empty soda bottles filled with water from a water fountain, some bubbles and voilà... you too can take a shower at Cadman Plaza Park in downtown Brooklyn. Don't forget your rubber ducky, though! The photos were sent to me by my friend and follow blogger Carolina Castillo, who writes both Vaya Con La Caló en NY. Thanks Carolina!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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Airing On Brooklyn Independent Television: City And EPA Discuss Gowanus Clean-Up

The Waters Of The Gowanus CanalBCAT's Round Table is airing this interesting conversation between EPA Project Manager Christos Panos, Community Board 6 District Manager and Cas Holloway, Chief Of Staff to NYC Deputy Mayor Skyler.The discussion focuses on the difference between the EPA's Gowanus Canal Superfund plan as opposed to the city's alternative, which has been cobbled together hastily by Mayor Bloomberg's administration, in response to...

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Think Carroll Park Is The Best Playground/Park In Brooklyn? Great...Vote Here!

Nickelodeon's Parents Connect web site wants to know: "Where's your kid's favorite spot to swing, slide and get sand in his shoes (and pants and hair and ears ...)?" And they have nominated Carroll Park as a Parents' Pick for 'Best Playground or Park in Brooklyn.' How cool is that?There are six other Brooklyn parks on their list, but I know you will want to vote for our own neighborhood park, right?I just did.Go right to Parents Connect and cast...

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Greetings From South Carolina: A Visit To Angela's Farmstand

It has been beastly hot here in Surfside, South Carolina,, dear Reader, so I have spent most of the days sitting on the beach with a good book. I have tried to keep outings to a minimum, but yesterday, I stopped by Angela's Produce and Seafood Market to pick up a few things for dinner.And look at those locally grown vine-ripe tomatoes. They tasted as good as they look on the photo above. And the price was right, too. I forget how much I paid...

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City Invites Few To Its Forum On Its Gowanus Clean-Up Alternative Tonight

click images to enlargeEven If You Did Not Receive The Above Invitation From The City, You Should Attend These Meetings!Tonight, City Officials to discuss alternative cleanup plan for the Gowanus Canal at not-too-publicized forums · Meeting for homeowners who live near the Canal Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m., at P.S. 32 (317 Hoyt Street). · Meeting for business owners located near the Canal Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m., at P.S. 32...

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Brooklyn Blogger Living The Lazy Life On The Beach

View From My BalconyHow far away Brooklyn seems.The family and I are taking some time off from our usually hectic life to enjoy a few days of sun, fun and relaxation at Surfside Beach, South Carolina. The weather has been super, if a trifle too hot. Today, it was 95 degrees in the shade. A quick dip into the ocean, followed by a a jump into the pool, and it was bearable. I am not complaining.I hope it stopped raining back in Brooklyn. I truly...

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P.S.29 Needs Your Help To Raise $40,000 To Save Its Arts Collaboration Programs

In these tough financial times, arts programs in schools are the first to get cut. P.S. 29 in Cobble Hill is committed to preserving some of the wonderful arts collaboration programs that have been introduced to the students over the last few years.This announcement comes from Lisa Trollback, Co-President of the school's PTA writes: 5days4arts highlights how important arts enrichment is to the education of our kids. This site is an effort by the...

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Picture Of The Day: Carroll Gardens Dawn

It was early dawnand all were still sleeping,when we set offfrom Carroll Gardens,heading South,for a few days at the beach.Please, dear Reader, keep me informedof what is happening back home.I miss the neighborhood alrea...

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Finally, Some Real Recession Pricing!

How To Navigate Through The Recession.Look For Big Discounts!I walked by this sign on my way into a gas station in North Carolina. Thank goodness, Mr. Pardon Me found my camera in my bag and took a photo of this great sign in the window.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

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