Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Cobble Hill Association is hosting their next Community Roundtable on April 7th. The group's guest will be newly elected Councilman Brad Lander. Previously, the association has hosted Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and New York State Senator Daniel Squadron.The Roundtable is an informal way for the community to address concerns and to discuss issues with local elected officials. Cobble Hill Association's Community Roundtable Meeting with City...
May I just say, that the grayness and wetness of the last few days has been a real downer? Though the clouds are starting to lift slowly and the forecast calls for clearer skies and the return of the sun, it is still rather bleak looking. But it is important to look at the bright side, sometimes.If one looks close enough, everywhere, there are signs of spring, be it the magnolias that are ready to burst open, the daffodils that have popped up in...
The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy, a not-for-profit environmental and cultural organization, has a fun filled series of events planned in the neighborhood for the 2010 Earth Day Celebration . Activities starts on April 18th with a "Gowanus Earth Day Spring Clean-up" event. Here is a great opportunity to volunteer and to give back to your community.Read on:URBAN DIVERS EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS:April 18th- 11th Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Daniel Squadron at his Community Convention in March 2009Some of the Carroll Gardeners who were in attendance at the firstCommunity Convention, March 2009New York State Senator Daniel Squadron has been an impressive representative since he took office in January 2009. Right from the start, he had promised to be available and to reach out to his constituents. He has certainly been a very responsive elected official and for that, he deserves out thanks.He...
watercolor by Bonnie SteinsnyderI met local artist Bonnie Steinsnyder last September and immediately fell in love with her Brooklyn art . Luckily for all of us, Bonnie teaches a watercolor class at Christ Church. A new session is about to start in case you are interested. Make sure to check out her website and please contact her if you would like to take her class. Below is the information:WATERCOLOR CLASSESRelax and have fun while painting!Monday...
Back In Town!It rained incessantly yesterday, as we drove home. From South Carolina to Brooklyn, nothing but heavy gray clouds and deep puddles. We had left Surfside Beach at 5 AM, amidst incredible lightening and thunder over an angry looking ocean. It was quite a show. Despite the bad weather, we made pretty good time, until we reached Staten Island. (Need I say more?)Glad to be back in Brooklyn. Hope you will be patient with me as I am getting...

Sunday, March 28, 2010

It has been cold and windy here at Surfside Beach, South Carolina, so a day trip seemed in order. On Saturday, my husband and I met up with longtime family friends Peggy and Ray. Together, we took a drive south to Georgetown, a wonderful historic town with stunning pre-revolutionary houses, live oak trees and fun shops and restaurants.On the way there, we stopped at the Old Saints Parish, first established in 1767. We wandered around the attached cemetery and read some of the touching inscriptions on the gravestones. One of the stones commemorated...

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Surfside Beach, South CarolinaThis couple just waddled to the edge of the pool yesterday afternoon and made themselves comfortable. They were preening their feathers and occasionally dipped their beaks into the water. They stayed there for quite a while.The pool was, however, even too cold for this pair to swim.For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Ask...

Friday, March 26, 2010

Surfside Beach, South CarolinaI am sure that there used to be natural dunes on Surfside Beach, here in South Carolina. But then, beach houses were built too close to the ocean's edge, and destroyed them. When my family came here for the first time twenty years ago, there was not one dune left and high tide brought the ocean's water ever closer to the houses. Thankfully, Surfside Beach along with neighboring beach communities embarked on an ambitious...
He was very close to shore with his small boat.A pelican flew by to investigate what he was doing.Then two more approached.A seagull in their path hurriedly took off.Expectantly, the pelicans settled onto the water and watched the boater's every move.Whatever he had in his net seemed to be of the utmost importance to them.Just another day at Surfside Beach.Not as exciting as life in Brooklyn, I assure you,But beautiful and peaceful.For Home Page,...

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I really did not mean to get up this early today, but the sunrise was so spectacular here in Surfside Beach, S.C., that I grabbed my camera, installed myself on the balcony and started taking pictures.It was lovely watching the sun make its way up into the sky. I miss that in Brooklyn.But it is not all fun and games down here, I assure you. Yesterday, we stopped at Lowe's to buy spackle and paint, so we will be starting on some projects fairly...

Monday, March 22, 2010

This is the view from our living room window which greeted me this morning here in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.Slowly, ever so slowly, I inhaled the fresh ocean air. It was so quiet. No honking cars, no subway rattling by, no garbage truck rumbling down the street. Just the waves gently crashing against the shore and the occasional squawk of a seagull.This is, I thought, how it should be every day.... This is how it is here 365 days a week,...
No, no, dear reader, you have not landed on the wrong site. It's just that this Brooklyn blogger headed South on Saturday to spend a few days fixing up the family beach house in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.En route, I had my camera right next to me and shot the pictures above of these old, wonderful buildings. It was either that or snap photos of strip malls and fast food restaurants, and that, dear friends, was way too depressing.I will be...
Anonymous left the following comment on the post: How Long Does One Have To Live In Carroll Gardens Before One Is No Longer Considered A Newcomer?Over 20 years here and finally the "mayor" of our block acknoweledged me with a slight not of his head. I feel like I belong here but have always made a point to defer to the old timers on community issues. Well, I don't always defer to the big enchilada, Buddy Scotto, but at one time I did until I realized...

Friday, March 19, 2010

How Long Does One Have To Live In Carroll Gardens Before One Is No Longer Considered A Newcomer?This question has puzzled me for quite some time now, and I would love to hear neighborhood old-timers and newcomers have to say on the subject. The issue comes up regularly on the comment section of this and other blogs. It seems to be rather hotly debated amongst residents here in the neighborhood.So lets here it! Would you say that you are no longer...