Friday, January 29, 2010

Slowly,the rideron her red bicyclemade her waypast the green brick buildingon Union Street.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
'Free People,' the popular women's boutique with locations all around the country, just opened this week at 113 Smith Street. The space was occupied by We, The Free, an offshoot of Free People until early December '09, when the store closed for the switch. I wish their prices weren't so steep, because I actually like their stuff.The new façade is rather fun and cheerful, don't you think?For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
**UPDATE**Just heard from friend and reader Uldis that the commotion on Carroll Street, between Clinton and Henry Street on Tuesday night, was the result of a manhole fire. It knocked out electricity to all the houses on the block, which Con Edison was able to restore a few hours later.A Honda Odyssey, which had been parked above the manhole, burst into flames and the firemen had to rush to the scene. The car belonged to a resident of Carroll Street.Thanks...
When I showed Mr. Pardon Me For Asking this photo taken on Smith Street, he smiled and burst into song: "Every party needs a pooper,that's why I'm inviting you, Party pooper, party pooper." I had never heard this particular song before, but it sure seemed appropriate. For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Plow to Plate has left the following comment on the post "Dear Christmas Tree Ventor, Please Clean Up Your Mess, The Neighborhood": 10:45 - I don't know if you know this, but these are DEAD trees. They were CUT DOWN. DEAD trees are a fire hazard. They dry out and are easily ignited. Live trees still have sap moving through them. They are not dried out. Capice?Forest Ranger For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Are you ready to find love on Smith Street this Valentines Day? If yes, this is THE event for you.Provence en Boite, the French bistro at 263 Smith Street, is hosting a 'Valentine Night in Brooklyn' event, presented by Ricard and Speed Dating Connections.Fun, no? FIND YOUR SOUL MATE SPEED DATING at Provence en Boite February 10th 2010 7pm to 9.30pmSingle people only from 23 to 38 years old!!!!Entrance fee $20.Be the first to register to be...
What would you answer, dear reader, if someone asked you: "Where and What is home to you?"The "Home" show at the Brooklyn Artists Gym put this question to writers and artists. Their responses resulted in a show which starts Friday.You may want to check it out. More info below."Home" Show: The Winter Salon 2010.B.A.G. artists and Room 58 Writers answer the question “Where and what is home to you?”“Home” includes readings and artwork that reflect...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Photo by Max FlatowIf you haven't done so already, check out the great piece on Vincent Raccuglia, the man behind the Raccuglia & Son Funeral Home on Court Street. It was written by Sylvie Morgan Flatow over at Carroll Gardens Diary. Go check it out.Vincent Raccuglia of Raccuglia and Son Funeral Home (C...
Looking out the window,I was taken by surprise.The backyard were covered in snow.I guess I had not checked the forecast...For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
One can't help but notice the mess left behind by the Christmas tree vendor in the Court Street and First Place corner lot.It is almost the end of January, but there are still some unsold trees, as well as trash bags filled with old branches lying about.That's why the new sign attached to the fence made me smile. Obviously, the neighbors are getting fed up as well. The sign reads:Will The People Responsible For TheX-Mas Tree MessPlease Clean It...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

photo credit: Charlie-N-DiamondCharlie-N-Diamond, a newly opened boutique at 105 Atlantic Avenue, which carries locally made women’s clothes, accessories, kid’s stuff and gifts, is holding a fun pre-Valentine event this Sunday. Read on:VALENTINE’S DAY PREP PARTY AND RYANN TRUNK SHOW!This Sunday 1/31 from 2-5pm @charlie-n-diamond boutique105 Atlantic Ave.Brooklyn(Between Henry &Hicks)Grab some great clothing and jewelry for your Valentine's...
Of course not every onehas a cell phone.But as I walked by,I realized that I had not seenanyone use this public phonein a very long time.I hope it worked.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...
Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Scotto's Wine Cellar, One Of Neighborhood's Oldest Merchants, Seeks Help In Fighting Proposal To Allow Wine Sales In Grocery Stores": This is a tough one. I LOVE Scotto's. They're the best, and i trust them. I've always gotten excellent suggestions in price ranges from 6 bucks on up. I don't think a grocery store could duplicate the service and range one gets in Scotto's. And in our neighborhood,...
Some neighborhood liquor stores are appealing directly to their customers to help fight Governor Paterson's proposal to legalize wine sales in grocery stores.Just recently, a poster appeared in the window of one of the city's oldest liquor stores, Scotto's Wine Cellar at 318 Court Street, from "The Last Store On Main Street," a coalition of small business advocates, local wine store owners and wholesalers. The coalition argues that wine sellers...
"Help Wanted" signs have become somewhat of a rarity in this town. But as we all know around here, there are many neighbors and friends looking for jobs.So for those looking for employment, I will occasionally post about job opportunities in the neighborhood.This latest one is from Bird, a women's apparel, shoes and accessories boutique at 220 Smith Street. There are also two other Bird boutiques, one in Park Slope and one in Williamsburg.Good...

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

On a late afternoon walk around the neighborhood, I could not help but notice that the days are getting slightly longer and that there are signs of spring all around us. In both Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill, the branches of magnolias, Callary Pears and dogwoods are covered in buds.Of course we are still weeks and months away from seeing the trees in bloom, but it made me hopeful that warmer weather and Spring may not be so, so far away. What...
Just issued Temporary Certificate Of Occupancy # 7Page 1 Page 2to enlarge, click hereBack in December 2009, the Board of Hannah Senesh Day School drew attention to itself when it revealed its plans for a two-story expansion onto the city-owned courtyard next to the school. However, Carroll Gardens' unique courtyards are protected by a 150-year-old law, which forbids anyone from building or parking on them.With the help of lobbyist Ken Fisher,...

Monday, January 25, 2010

Thursday Night's EPA Community Meeting At PS 32Christos Tsiamis, Remedial Project Manager for the Gowanus CanalNatalie Loney, EPA Community Involvement CoordinatorCouncilman Brad LanderCouncilman Steve LevinThe Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 held its second public information meeting regarding the Gowanus Canal on Thursday evening. Though attendance was slightly less than at the agency's first informational meeting in December, the...