Court Street 'Street Merchant' Getting Ready For 2009

The street vendor at the corner of Union and Court Streets, is all set for New Years. Amongst his wares are funny hats in a multitude of colors as well as those goofy 2009 glasses, annoying noisemakers and Air Wick too.

Why shop anywhere else?

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A Year In Review: 2008 In Carroll Gardens

To All Of My Wonderful Readers:

Happy New Year 2009!

**** All pictures are property of Katia Kelly and Pardon Me For Asking***
Do not use without prior permission.

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Picture Of The Day: Red Hook Water Taxis Crossing Paths

In the thick December fog,
Two barely visible water taxis cross path
Between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

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Carroll Gardens Finger At 100 Luquer Street: All Glass, No Class

Oh, why do I do this to myself? I knew I was going to be depressed after checking the Carroll Gardens Finger at 100 Luquer Street, but I just needed to see how the building had progressed since the last time I had walked by. Maybe secretly, I hoped that it did not look quite as bad as I had imagined, now that the glass façade has been put on. But no. All that glass didn't give this tower any class. I felt rather low as I stood in front of the 11 story Karl Fisher-designed building.

The Carroll Gardens "Finger" has amassed 44 Complaints and 14 DOB Violations of which 9 have still to be resolved. Damn. But the biggest violation is the sheer size of this generic glass tower. It stands disconnected from the surrounding brownstone neighborhood, a monument to the greed and folly of the past few years.
Lets hope for saner times.

100 Luquer Developer Looking Down On Carroll Gardens

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A Sign Of The Times: Apt*Condo*Refinance*Renters*Buyers

On 34th Street in Manhattan,
A sign of the times:

Brokers Building
Real Estate Mortgage Insurance
Luxury Rentals or Sales
Apt. condo Refinance
We welcome international Renters or Buyers
Space for rent
For $ --00

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"Brooklyn Is Beautiful"...Or Is It?

I do love Brooklyn and my Carroll Gardens neighborhood, truly I do. But when I have family members or out-of-town visitors stay with me, I have a tendency of seeing what they see: dirt...and lots of it. Normally, I can ignore the trash, the filthy streets. When company is in town however, I become a bit more critical of my surroundings.
During the holidays, I hosted my family. I felt more than a bit ashamed that our streets looked as they did. Yes, Brooklyn is beautiful...but damn, its filthy.
Do you have the same conflicting feelings when company comes knocking?


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Curbing A Canine Visitor On The Streets Of Carroll Gardens

Dear Reader,
No, I do not have a dog. This little canine cutie belongs to my niece. She brought him along to my house for the holidays. I have to say that 'Moritz' was a great guest, well behaved and perfectly respectful of my oriental carpets. He seemed to enjoy his visit and took to Brooklyn as though he had always lived here.
I had the pleasure of taking a walk with him around the neighborhood, which was kind of interesting. I am always astounded that dog owners let their dogs pee against buildings. So here I was, trying to be a very good dog walker. I lead him away every time he lifted his little hind leg. However, curbing the little fellow was quite a challenge. I felt bad that I so rudely interrupted his natural flow. But I am proud to say that I managed.
Just wished that others could do the same...I really hate finding puddles right in front of my gate.

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Getting Ready For A Carroll Gardens Christmas

HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
DEAR READER,
FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS!

Oh dear! Did I truly suggest back in October that everyone in my family should come to Carroll Gardens for Christmas? You see, I had forgotten how much organization goes into getting the house ready for company during the holidays.
Don't get me wrong. I am truly happy to welcome them all and am looking forward to our days together, to catching up and to sharing good wine and conversation. I have, however, spent countless days cleaning, decorating and bringing sufficient quantities of food into the house. And I am a wee bit tired.
I am almost done. The house is sparkly clean, the tree is up and the beds are made.
I do hope dear Reader, that you won't mind if Pardon Me For Asking takes a tiny little break from posting this week. I promise, I will be back by the 29th of December, as soon as the house is empty again.
I would love to hear from you, though. So tell me what your holidays will be like. Are you staying in town? Celebrating with family? Drop me a line and enjoy your holidays.



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Carroll Gardens Loses A True Gentleman

(photo credit: The Brooklyn Paper)

The passing of Frank Verderame, 79, this Wednesday stunned most in our community. There were those who had just walked with him down a stretch of Court Street. Then there were those who had just sought his advice. He had seemed as energetic as ever.
Everyone in Carroll Gardens who knew Frank, knew he was a real champion of the neighborhood. History, zoning, legality....Frank knew it all.
For Frank, there was only one way. The right way. And he lived by this motto every day. And he was sure to remind everyone to do the same. But more that anything, he was a gentleman. Chatting with him as he walked by my house to visit his brother John was always a treat for me. I will miss him very much. His Family released this lovely statement:

Frank J. Verderame, 79, of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn passed away peacefully of natural causes in his home Tuesday evening. Frank was many things to many people. He was a beloved father to his three surviving sons and their wives: Frank Verderame, Jr. of Dyker Heights, John and Jessica Verderame of Bay Ridge, and Joseph and Jennifer Verderame of Poughkeepsie. Frank served as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a former New York State Assemblyman, attorney- at- law (St. John’s University Graduate, Class of 1965), real estate broker, and accountant. He was also former aide to Mayor Beame and Special Assistant to the Mayor of Education. He served as the Vice President of the Carroll Gardens Community Association, and was an avid community activist involved in the local Task Force and other various community associations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as a lector for St. Mary’s church. Frank was also an avid golfer. He was a member of the Sandtrappers at Dyker Golf Course, and the Senior League at Marine Park Golf Course. Frank was the perfect gentleman, well respected, deeply loved, and will be missed tremendously.

C.O.R.D. has published a very nice tribute to Frank as well. Please click here.

Read more about Frank Verderame here:

Former Assemblyman's Field Of Dreams ( The Brooklyn Paper)



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A White Pre-Christmas In Carroll Gardens

Oh, dear Reader, there are just about a thousand things I should be doing before my Holiday guests arrive on Monday, but who can resist taking a walk in the snow? Here are some photos I took at lunch time of Carroll Gardens looking particularly lovely on this snowy Friday.


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Picture Of The Day: Brownstone Santa

Just for a few weeks,
Santa gets to come out of the basement,
Stand in front of a brownstone
In Carroll Gardens
And wave at passers-by.

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No Falafels On Smith Street Back In 1928

click to enlarge

No, dear reader! In 1928, there were no falafels to be had at 283 Smith Street. No Moujadarra or Babaghanouj, either. You see, what is now the home of the middle-eastern favorite Zatoon was once a fish store. At least that is what I could decipher on the 1928 photo.


For more Smith Street history, click here:

Corner Of Smith And Sackett Streets Back In The Days

A Look Back In History: Before Smith Street Was Restaurant Row

Before Smith Street Was Restaurant Row: Part 2

View Of Smith Street Circa 1938

A Glimpse Of 285 Smith Street Circa 1940

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