Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The parasols were not needed on this day in Carroll Gardens,as the cloudsand cold, gusting windtruly made it feel like fall.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Intersection of 3rd Place and Court Street.Cars moving right into the crosswalk before turning onto Court StreetAs part of his constituent outreach, State Senator Squadron has invited local residents to point out dangerous traffic intersections to his office. Carroll Gardener and friend Bruce McD, is taking him at his word. He just sent off a letter to the senator, nominating the intersection of Court Street and 3rd Place as one worthy of a traffic...
Recording Of Part One On September 23, 2009 Tonight, Senator Squadron's Community Convention Follow-Up Call Part Two One of State Senator Squadron's campaign promises in the fall of 2008, was that he would be responsive to his constituents. True to his word, he held a District Community Convention in March 2009, shortly after being elected. Hundreds attended to voice their concerns about issues such as public transportation, quality of life, zoning and the environment. To respond to each topic, Senator Squadron has invited everyone to participate...
photo credit: by Margarida Sardo on FlickrEight years ago, it was my great pleasure to volunteer at the Arab-American Center at 150 Court Street. Weekly, I met with a small group of women and helped them with their English.Since I am an immigrant myself, I knew all too well the linguistic problems they were facing. Though I was there to teach them, I cannot tell you how much I learned about their countries, cultures and life experiences.It was...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Margaret has left a new comment on your post "According To 'Crain's Insider', Patterson Is Last Hope For Gowanus Superfund Naysayers": It really does boggle the mind. First, the City gets the EPA to extend the submission of comments period so that the City can work on their "alternate plan." Then the City (Bloomberg) has the nerve, AFTER the deadline has passed, to commence lobbying the EPA not to Superfund. 80% of the comments to EPA were FOR...
How many people have walked these same sidewalksin Carroll Gardensin more than a century?The pedestrianshave changed,but the houses they passhave not.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
" A Mister Softy Monopoly?"I thought to myself, as I crossed Carroll Streetnext to Carroll Parkand saw the two ice-cream trucksstanding side by side.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Time To Send Letters To Governor Patterson???Crain's New York published a very interesting article on the Gowanus Canal proposed Superfunding. It's entitled: "Gov Is Last Hope For Gowanus Builders." (If link does not work, access article here)It's a worthwhile read. It describes Mayor Bloomberg's opposition to the listing of the waterway as a Superfund site and his political wrangling to convince the EPA that the city's questionable, more developer-friendly...
"Texture Gardens" art opening atUrban AlchemistIn the tradition of fostering a dialogue between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, the G-Train Salon at Urban Alchemist Design Collective is thrilled to present, "Texture Gardens" on Friday, September 25 from 7-9pm featuring mixed-media artist Carla E. Reyes, a Queens-bred talent and former resident of Crane St. Studios in Long Island City. Following Crane St.'s devastating staircase collapse in...
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Hey Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking, But... How Would You Rate Bill De Blasio's Job Performance As Our Councilman?": For the Councilman's allegiance to his constituents in Carroll Gardens regarding development issues and the Gowanus Canal I would give him a zero. For his allegiance to Brooklynites re: Atlantic Yards: another zero.For his charm and pretenses I would give him a 4. For his ability to...

Monday, September 28, 2009

Work has been ongoing at 288 Court Street, the site of the old Blockbuster, which will soon be home to a 'Union Market' specialty food store. Yesterday, on my way to Brooklyn Heights, I caught a glimpse at the space through the open door. Looks like the first refrigerator units are being delivered, though construction is still in progress.I had a nice little chat with a young man who looked like he was in charge. He told me that the store will...
The New York Post has published a number of editorials and anonymous opinion pieces on the Gowanus Canal that are as factually murky as the waters of the polluted waterway. The latest appeared on September 21st.On Sunday, the Post published a rebuttle by George Pavlou, Acting Regional Administrator of the US EPA in Manhattan, which correct some of the "inaccuracies" in the piece.Good for him. His office should be commended for its incredible professionalism....
From 1 To 10, How Would You Rate Bill de Blasio's Job PerformanceAs Our Councilman In The Last 8 Years?And most importantly, based on that performance,does he deserve to become our next Public Advocate?I am very interested, dear Readers. The run-off vote for Advocate is tomorrow. I though it would be interesting to learn what people in his district really thought about his job performance.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sue Perette at 270 Smith StreetPolenta FliesField GreensPork ShankDuckPhoto credit: Sara BehunekReader Sara Behunek* contacted me a few days ago. She had seen my post on the opening of Sue Perette, a new French restaurant at 270 Smith Street. She was planning on having dinner there and wanted to know if she could write a review of the place for Pardon Me.My reply was an enthusiastic "Yes". Here is her wonderful write-up: Sue Perette,...
El Nuevo Portal, that delightfully authentic, no-frills Dominican restaurant at 317 Smith Street has been closed by the Health Department on September 24th. Reader Stephen B. had sent me an email on Thursday, but I did not get around to checking it out myself until Sunday. A look on the Health Department's web site did not offer any clues, since the latest inspection report has not been posted yet. Back in May 2009, Nuevo Portal scored a 36....
We all know the story of the emperor's new clothes, but have you heard the one about the emperor's new dog? Everywhere around the neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, people were walking 'invisible dogs'. After I passed by the first three people, I asked the fourth what was going on. "I am just walking my new puppy" the young lady told me.Yes, right! I thought.I did not get a better answer from the next few people I asked. It obviously was some...

Friday, September 25, 2009

Late pink roses,against the bright blue doorof a former limestone churchon Degraw Stre...
Raised in Carroll Gardens has left the following comment on the post "Boom, Boom...Construction Resumes At 360 Smith Street": Just so you know, Today was the 3rd time since the "F" station was closed at 360 Smith that there was NO attendant at the President Street station. The gates on 3 turnstiles were closed & locked and only the 1 combo entrance/exit was available for commuters. OK - so it's safer to close the 360 entrance but why can't...