Saturday, October 31, 2009

What could be better than Halloween on an unseasonably warm Saturday? Sure, there were occasional periods of rain, but that did not interfere with the overall fun.It was simply delightful to watch the little ones in their costumes. They were everywhere, happily shouting: "trick or treat" and beaming when they received a piece of candy. I have to admit that I have never seen Smith Street or Court Street so crowded before.How about you, dear Reader?For...

Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Halloween, Everybody!* If you have any great photos of Halloween in Carroll Gardens,please send them to me at pardonmeinbrooklyn at gmail dot c...
Three teens were running wild on Court Street at 2 Am this morning, overturning newspaper stands at the corner of President Street, throwing planters they found in front gardens onto the street, and smashing the Marco Polo Valet Parking sign right through the back of this car, parked at the corner of Union and Court.As I was taking these photos this morning, a passer-by shook his head and said:"Someone was bored last night."Bored and stupid, is more...
Just moments ago, in front of P.S.58 on Carroll Street, there was a parade of little witches, fairies, princesses, pirates, mermaids and superheroes.As their proud parents looked on, the little Halloween revelers waved and smiles.What a great way to start the school day, I say!For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

***REMINDER: TONIGHT***Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra cordially invite you to...Got your costume all picked out for Halloween, but don't know where to show it of yet? How about staying right in the neighborhood and attending the Halloween Eve Masquerade in "that green building" at the corner of Union and Bond? Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra have a fun event planned there. More info below.The Halloween Eve Masquerade.Friday...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

When Gowanus area resident Joseph Mariano retired in 1996, he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life painting. Standing in his sun drenched studio, he showed me his many works. There were portraits and landscapes, some of Jamaica Bay, some of different scenes along the Gowanus Canal, one of his favorite subjects.Very often, Joseph takes a canoe out onto the water and paints the bridges at Carroll Street and 3rd Street. He likes to...
If reality is sometimes stranger than fiction, as they say, than this New York Times newspaper article from August 1915 illustrates that point perfectly.It documents the tragic drowning death of an 8 year old boy in the Gowanus Canal and the subsequent fight of two undertakers and their posse over the funeral business. So very strange, so very Gowanus.One would be hard pressed to come up with a better story for a novel.But wait, there is more. ...
They were sitting at a table by the window, deep in discussion, on a gray and wet afternoon on Court Street. It looked cozy and warm inside.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Though the steadier rain had given way to light drizzle by then, everyone on Court Street was in a hurry to get home. Yellow leaves, which had clung to branches just days before, now matted the sidewalk. But the grayness and dampness were forgottenas soon as I entered Caputo's Bakery. "I'll take two, please" I heard myself say.What did you do to chase away the blues on this rainy day, dear reader?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
photo: sunnybrook100 on FlickrThere is so much (mis)information out there regarding the H1N1 virus. Why not try to get some real answers from the experts? Come learn the facts from Long Island College Hospital physician specialists. At a town hall meeting, they will tell you what you can do to protect yourself and your family, talk about the vaccination issue and a lot more. Everyone is welcome.Long Island College Hospital ( L.I.C.H.)Thursday,...
"Raised in Carroll Gardens" has left the following comment on the post "Monday Morning F Train Fiasco. Were You Late,Too?":"I wasn't late that morning, and it is unusual for a Monday Morning (especially at 9:00)However, this is a regular FRIDAY issue. It seems on 2 Fridays each month there are fewer "F" trains and the timing almost doubles between trains.Add to this the "NEW STYLE" trains that were placed on the "F" line and you have Sardine City!The...

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Waiting For The Damn FAround 9 AM on Monday at the Carroll Street StationOh, boy! Were you one of the poor stranded commuters on the Carroll Street platform on Monday morning? I was. I was on my way to an important meeting in downtown Manhattan.What a scene. With no announcement from the M.T.A., no one knew what was going on.Only found out later that there was a signal problem between Church Avenue and Borough Hall.Fun, wasn't it? Were you...
Ready for the holidays? No? Well, Court Street is! On this beautifully balmy October day, I looked up and saw holiday decorations strung across the street. Imagine my surprise. Doesn't that seem just a tad early? It's not even Halloween yet.How long do you think it will take until we hear Christmas music in the stores?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Sometimes, when one is running for office, one has to think outside of the box. David Pechefsky, the Green Candidate in the 39th Council District race was in Carroll Gardens yesterday. He was accompanied by puppeteer Ronny Wasserstrom, who delighted neighborhood children with his very funny and silly egg-juggling egg puppets. The candidate handed out his little Pechefsky activity book/ campaign literature and reminded everyone to vote on November...