Even A Gray Day In Carroll Gardens Is Filled With Color

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 most unlikely places or the colorful plastic eggs that have grown overnight on some neighborhood trees.

I, for one, will do a happy dance as soon as the sun returns.

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Celebrate Earth Day 2010 With The Urban Divers And Their Enviromedia Mobile

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 Spring Clean-up

FOLLOW THE ENVIROMEDIA MOBILE

April 25th- Earth Day Celebrations at IKEA/Erie Basin Park- Ceremonial Launch of Giant Floating Earth Ball

SPRING/SUMMER EARH FEST KICK OFF

June 5th- at IKEA/Erie Basin Park - In conjunction with American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life"

June 6th- at Washington Square Park- In conjunction with WORLD SCIENCE DAY.

more at http://enviromediamobile.blogspot.com

EVENTS Details:

Just a brief reminder that we will be continuing with our tradition of the Annual Gowanus Earth Day Spring Clean-up

as we have we now going on 11yrs as part of the EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS. The event will be held on SUNDAY APRIL 18th

at 11am- 3pm. We have been getting alot of interesting questions about the Superfund and its impact on the community.

I hoping that some of you would come out to share and help educate and inspire.

We will be hosting an educational ecocruise aboard our 32ft indian shipping canoe that accommodates 21 paddlers at a time.

This event follows with an EARTH DAY CELEBRATION with the ENVIROMEDIA MOBILE at Erie Basin Park in Red Hook, next to IKEA.

On SUNDAY APRIL 25th, 1PM. A wonderful day for a little nature appreciation , waterfront recreation, environmental literacy and maritime cultural enrichment at a most beautiful community waterfront park, on the historic Erie Basin. Come vision a future of family fun experiences at a clean and ecologically restored Gowanus Canal.

We are inviting you to walk, bike, hike, jog, paddle, swim or dive ( the latter two at your own risk) downstream to Erie Basin. Maybe risk free 12 yrs down the line.

PS ( WE NEED A COMMUNITY DOCK IN THE AREA FOR HUMAN POWERED WATERCRAFTS...food for thought).

Activities will include

a) public tours of the mobile museum,

b) a Recycling event- we will be collecting old junk electronics ( carry-by-hand items only) and ready to throw away sneakers ( ps there are very cool things being done with recycled sneakers)- lots of reusable materials in a sneaker.

c) the CEREMONIAL LAUNCH OF THE GIANT FLOATING EARTH BALL- Come help float a Giant Floating Earth Ball to 100ft in the air- signifying 100% commitment to mitigation

of impacts on Climate Change, Ocean Acidification and Fostering a New Green Generation in Brooklyn...bring the entire family for this historic event.

This activity is in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day Celebrations. That is 40 Millenia for some of us...right?

d) half a dozen environmental literacy activity stations for parents and children to enjoy ( catch and release fishing and biodiversity monitoring, live underwater video observation station, estuary wildlife marine touch tank, aquatic ecology lab, falconry and birds of prey display station, solar scoping

e) mobile museum gift shop

f) refreshments

g) A Raffle with a Chance to Win an IKEA Prize. Last year's winners won solar powered lamps, and the lucky grand prize winner won an IKEA office design and furnishing.

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State Senator Squadron To Hold His Second 25th District Community Convention

Daniel Squadron at his Community Convention in March 2009

Some of the Carroll Gardeners who were in attendance at the first

Community Convention, March 2009

New 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 was one of the first politicians to come out in support of the EPA's listing of the Gowanus Canal as a Superfund site. He also joined community activists in protecting Carroll Gardens' historical and architectural integrity by speaking out against a planned expansion by a private school onto one of the neighborhood's signature courtyards.

In order to be more responsive to his constituents, Senator Squadron held a Community Convention in March of 2009 to discuss such issues and topics such as quality of life, education, jobs, transportation and housing. It was a very well attended event. Along with some Carroll Gardens activists, I took part in the convention and found it not only useful but empowering.

The senator followed up with a series of dial-in conference phone calls to update the community on how the goals discussed at the convention will be implemented by him and will help shape his administration's priorities.

Now, Squadron is following up with a second Community Convention. Please see the information attached below:

Dear Friend:

I am writing to invite you to the second annual 25th District Community Convention, on Sunday, April 11th. I hope you will join me to offer your thoughts and ideas on legislative and community priorities.

25th Senate District Community Convention

Sunday, April 11th

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

at BMCC: 199 Chambers Street (just west of Greenwich)

Click here to RSVP

Last year, more than 400 community members attended and offered valuable feedback on topics as far-ranging as school overcrowding, park planning and nightlife concerns. The great ideas I heard influenced my work at home and in Albany. This year, I hope to get your input on those topics, as well as tenants’ rights, health care, ethics reform and more. (Please click here for a complete list of topics we will be discussing.)

Please RSVP to Rosemarie Diaz in my office at 212-298-5565 or rdiaz@senate.state.ny.us. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Daniel

Daniel Squadron

State Senator

25th Senate District

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Watercolor Classes With Local Artist Bonnie Steinsnyder

watercolor by Bonnie Steinsnyder

I 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 CLASSES

Relax and have fun while painting!

Monday evenings, 7 pm to 9:30 pm, Spring 2010

April 12, 19, 26 May 3, 10, 17, 24 June 7

Location: Linden Tree School at Christ Church, 3rd floor, 108 Kane St. (near Clinton St.)

8 classes $200.

Registration and more information: email steinsnyder@nyc.rr.com

Materials list and specific description of supplies available at registration.

Taught by teacher/artist Bonnie Steinsnyder, MFA. View my work at www.steinsnyder.com

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PMFA Is Back In Town!

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 back into my Brooklyn groove.

Will be posting as soon as I unpacked, went thought the mail and had my firts cup of java.

So come back y'all!!!

(Sorry! Forgot that I am no longer in the deep South!)

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A Day In Georgetown, South Carolina

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 a couple that was swept away by the tidal wave of 1893.

After a visit to the Prince George Winyah Church, erected in 1750, we spent some time antiquing on the main street and then stopped at the Rice Paddy restaurant, housed in a former bank. As a matter of fact, the old bank safe was repurposed into a wine cellar.

My kind of place!

It was prom night in Georgetown and as we wandered around town, we saw groups of excited high school seniors in frilly dresses in rather fantastic colors.

They really know how to dress up for the occasion here in the South.

We are heading back to Brooklyn on Monday, so Pardon Me For Asking will be resuming its regular 'schedule.'

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Cute Trespassers At The Pool In Surfside Beach

Surfside Beach, South Carolina

This 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.

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The Restoration Of Surfside Beach's Natural Dunes...And Thinking Of The Gowanus Canal

Surfside Beach, South Carolina

I 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 beach replenishment project. A few years ago, sand was dredged from the seabed further offshore and pumped onto the beach through giant pipes. Then, dune fencing was installed all along the beach, and recently, sea grass has been planted to stabilize the dunes. The effort has been successful. The dunes have gotten higher and higher. Sea grass now grows on them in abundance. Birds and other beach critters seem to love this re-created habitat as well.

Yesterday morning, crews from Earth Balance,Inc., an environmental consulting company, were planting rows and rows of Panic Grass plugs to fill in some of the bare spots. Hopefully, these little shoots will take and further protect the beach. It is an incredibly fascinating process.

As I was watching the planting of this native grass, I couldn't help but think of the Gowanus Canal. I hope that in my lifetime, I will witness the restoration of some of its natural wetland.

A blogger girl can dream, right?

The Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn

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A Man, A Boat And Pelicans At Surfside Beach, South Carolina

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.

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Good Morning, From Surfside Beach

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 soon.

I already cleaned a fair it and the carpets are getting steam-cleaned today.

Mind you, I am not complaining a bit.

It is lovely being here.

Anything new in Carroll Gardens?

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Surfside Beach Report

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, while we live our busy lives in Brooklyn.

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From Brooklyn To South Carolina

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 blogging from down here for a few days, if you don't mind. Please, feel free to send along any news of the neighborhood. I will gladly post your tips, photos and questions about Carroll Gardens this week, so don't hesitate to send them along to the email address on the left.

Katia

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Best Comment Of The Day: Respect

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 that the majority of old timers were scoffing at him.

There are still some businesses I don"t go into because I feel like an interloper.

How to fit here is to respect your neighbors who have been here for a long time. There will be many rewards like Halloween candy saved for your kids to name one.

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Hey, Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking, But...

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 a newcomer after 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or never, unless you were born here!

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Another Sure Sign Of Spring In the Neighborhood: Gowanus Nursery Opens This Week-End

Can't wait! The Gowanus Nursery is opening this Saturday, March 20th. I can imagine that the day has been eagerly anticipated by fellow gardeners like me. Just in the last two days, I have been outside working in the front garden, clearing away the dead leaves from last fall and pruning my roses. Oh, and it felt so great.

Unfortunately, the long and harsh winter has done a number on some of my plants. One of my hardiest lavender bushes is dead and I had to dig it out.

So, I will certainly need to fill in some empty spaces here and there. Which, of course, is why I am so excited that the Gowanus Nursery is back for the season.

How about you, fellow gardener? Did you lose many plants in your garden during that last big snow storm?

GOWANUS NURSERY

45 Summit Street

718 852 3116

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