It Must Be Spring: Miriam, the Empanada Queen, Is Back

(photo credit: Rich Murphy)Yay! Here is a sure sign that spring has finally arrived in the neighborhood.  I just received this great photo from reader Rich, who reports that "Miriam the Empanada Queen is back for another year of serving delicious Spanish cuisine at reasonable prices."Miriam has been serving her perfectly spiced, fried empanadas at the corner of Smith Street at Sackett Street for many years now and her return after a long winter...

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Incompetence? Construction Crew At Former Sokol Brothers Furniture Store On Columbia Street Strikes Water Main A Second Time

(photo credit: Ty Berry)The site at 251-255 Clumbia Street on march 27, 2013For the second time since construction began on a new 7-story condominium building on the site of the former Sokol furniture store at 251-255 Columbia Street, construction crews have damaged the water main, causing the site to flood.The first time was at the end of January 2013.  The water main break caused flooding in several nearby residences and prompted the NYC Department...

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Spring Egg Hunt At Urban Meadow On Columbia Waterfront This Sunday

This Sunday, Urban Meadow is hosting a Spring Easter Egg Hunt. complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny.  Don't miss it.  It's bound to be a lot of fun.Columbia Waterfront Spring Egg Hunt & Easter Bunny!Everyone is invited to the cutest local egg hunt around on Sunday, March 31 from 10-12 pm. To make room for all the kids, babies up to age 4 will hunt in the Urban Meadow and kids five and up will be in next door Mother Cabrini playground....

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South Carolina Beach Report

The view from the porch this morning.Still in South Carolina for a few more days. Despite the sun, it is still way too cold for March and the beach is deserted, except for the occasional jogger. But no matter what the weather, the ocean is always magnificent. ...

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A (Very Short) Walk On The Beach

Found on the beach in Surfside, South Carolina, this morning.It was still rather cool here, so our beach walk was very short. ...

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Carroll Street Bridge Will Be Closed To All Cars, Bicycles, And Pedestrians Till At Least August '13

Below, the Carroll Street Bridge being openedCraig Hammerman, District Manager of Community Board 6, just sent out relevant information regarding the Carroll Street Bridge which spans over the Gowanus Canal. The bride will be closed for repair to all traffic, including pedestrians till August 2013.From Craig Hammeran:The Deparment of Transportation will commence component rehabilitation of the Carroll Street Bridge over the Gowanus Canal on or about...

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A Few Days Away From Brooklyn

Hi Friends,I am currently in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, to open my family's beach condo up after a long winter.There is always plenty to do, but I will certainly find some time to relax and for long walks on the beach.This was the view from my bedroom this morning. The sun is shining, but it is windy and unseasonably cool down here.I'll post occasionally this week, so check in. And don't hesitate to send me your photos or news from Carroll...

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In Memory Of Carroll Gardener Brian Meissner

(photos courtesy of the family)I just received very sad news of the passing of Carroll Gardener Brian Meissner of Butler Street from  Rich Murphy, who writes:"Our neighbor and dear friend Brian Meissner [from Butler Street] past away last week leaving his wife Jeanne, twins Willa Lucy and son Jasper. He was 41 years old and a devoted dad and husband. Somewhere in your thousands of pictures is one or both girls attending some function in Carroll...

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Upcycle Brooklyn: Lyceum Hosting Swap, Recycle And Sell Event

 If you want to swap, recycle or sell your stuff all at one event, the first annual Upcyle Brooklyn event on April 27th and 28th at the Lyceum at 227 4th Avenue is the perfect opportunity.Applications for tables are being accepted right now, so if you want to participate as a vendor, on-profit or business, don't wait too long to send in yours.Read on:Join Brooklyn Lyceum's gigantic stoop/tag/garage sale.April 27th and 28th  Applications...

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Photo Of The Day: On This First Day Of...

...spring.Blooming on Baltic Street. ...

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"He Never Liked Cake": A Memoir By Brooklynite Janna Leyde

Janna Leyde(photo provided by the author)Janna Leyde with her father in a family photoOne of the pleasures of writing Pardon Me For Asking comes from meeting so many interesting people along the way. Their stories are all unique and inspiring and I am always awed by the talent represented in our neighborhood.Just a few days ago, I was introduced to Janna Leyde , a yoga teacher at Mala on Court Street, whose first book is being released today. He...

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Picture Of The Day: Under A Cover Of Snow...

In my front garden today. ...

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Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance Invites NYC Mayoral Candidates To Discuss Sea Level Rise -- On A Boat

The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, which encompasses over 620 organizations with ties to our regional waterways,  is serious about Sea Level Rise. And they want New York City's Mayoral Candidates to know exactly how serious they are.  That's why the Alliance is hosting its mayoral candidate forum on a boat.It's a novel idea.  Perhaps, Gowanus residents can hold a forum and take the candidates out onto the polluted canal in...

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Best Comment Of The Day: The Future According To Developers

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Lightstone Group's Plans And Drawings For Gowanus Project Approved By City Planning, But Developer Still Needs Waterfront Certificate":"I just looked at Lightstone Groups's new drawing for this project and they show a Gownaus Canal that even the US EPA had not envisioned, with nice blue waters and what seems like a wider waterway.It's so nice to see what the developers think the future will look...

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Lightstone Group's Plans And Drawings For Gowanus Project Approved By City Planning, But Developer Still Needs Waterfront Certificate

NYC Department Of City Planning Hearing for Lightstone Group's Gowanus development  Commissioner Betty Chen, Commissioner Michelle De La Uz, and Amanda Burden,  Chair of the NYC Department Of City PlanningCommissioner Michelle De La Uz and City Planning Chair Amanda Burden(De La Uz is the executive director of the 5th Ave. Committee. During the Lightstone discussion, she recused herself, since the developer has contracted with the 5th...

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Important Update And Meeting Regarding Lightstone's Proposed Gowanus Project

Old rendering of Lightstone Development next to the Gowanus Canal (credit: Lightstone Group)New Rendering Of Lightstone Development(Via Councilman Lander's office)New elevation drawings for Lightstone Project. Click here for enlarged view(Via Councilman Lander's office)New FEMA Advisory Base Flood Elevations for GowanusLightstone Development site, Canal at Carroll Street during Sandy (photo credit: Margaret Maugenest)Second Street at canal...

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Knock, Knock! Opossum At The Front Door

(photo credit: Nicholas Gorczynski)Opossum sightings have become quite frequent in Carroll Gardens the last few year.  Here is yet another one.  Local resident Nicholas Gorczynski found one just outside his front door.  The little critter must have climbed up the stoop.Nicholas grabbed his camera and shot these very funny photos.  He writes:Not too long ago you had some articles about an opossum family that was proliferating...

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