Life As It Was: 2010 In Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

2010 In Carroll Gardens:

A Year In Pictures

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

My, how fast twelve months pass. 2010 has brought many changes to the neighborhood, some welcomed, some less so. A few beloved neighborhood stores have been lost forever, but there have been a few lovely new additions on both Court and Smith Streets. Some condo developments were finally completed, but received mixed reviews. Others remain holes in the ground, unlikely to rise anytime soon. With the support of the community, the Gowanus Canal has been 'superfunded', finally giving residents hope that this long-neglected waterway will get cleaned up.

Personally, 2010 was filled with joy, unexpected surprises, new friends, and incredible rewards. Now in its fourth year, Pardon Me For Asking continues to give me much pleasure. It connects me to the neighborhood more than I ever thought possible. Most importantly, it connects me to you, dear Readers and Neighbors. It is a daily pleasure to read your comments and emails to me. I always value your opinions and particularly love hearing about your own life, present and past, in Carroll Gardens.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

I'll meet you back here in 2011.

Related Reading:

2009: The Year In Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

Life As It Was: Carroll Gardens In 2008

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A Moment In Time: A Jump And A Skip

Now that the snow has been plowed and shoveled off the streets and sidewalks,

all we have to deal with are those giant black puddles at the intersections.

The word of the day is "waterproof."

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Blizzard Causes Sharp Decline In Citywide Blood Donations. Please Donate!

Yet another side-effect of unplowed streets. Blood donors were prevented from reaching their local New York City Blood Center. Quite a few emergency blood drives also had to be cancelled, leading to a shortage of blood here in the city. So, please, if you can, make and appointment now and help. Below is a press release from Public Advocate Bill De Blasio's office on the shortage.

Dear Friend,

The recent winter storm has precipitated a sharp decline in blood donations. The shortage is now so acute that the City is calling on anyone able to donate blood to do so. Please contact the New York Blood Center at 800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org to find a location near you to make a donation.Dear Friend,

The recent winter storm has precipitated a sharp decline in blood donations. The shortage is now so acute that the City is calling on anyone able to donate blood to do so. Please contact the New York Blood Center at 800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org to find a location near you to make a donation.

This won't be the only storm that hits New York City this winter. Public Advocate de Blasio has begun an inquiry into the City's response to determine if improvements must be made--and feedback from people like you is essential to that effort. Hundreds of New Yorkers have already reached out to the Public Advocate regarding unplowed streets and abandoned vehicles that are blocking snow removal. After reporting such conditions to 311, we encourage you to call the Public Advocate Hotline at 212-669-7250 or file a report online at http://www.advocate.nyc.gov/roadconditions.

Thank you,

Wiley Norvell

Press Secretary

Office of the Public Advocate

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Van Horn, Court Street's Newest Sandwich Shop, "Really Happy To Be Here"

Van Horn, the new sandwich shop coming to 231 Court Street, is advertising its upcoming opening with a sign in the window proclaiming their love for Cobble Hill.

"We are really happy to be here. We love our neighborhood and we look forward to serving you!"

The place looks almost ready to open, though the "fried chicken sandwiches in the back yard" may have to wait till after the snow melts.

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Best Comment Of The Day: Neither Snow Nor Rain

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Pardon Me For Asking, But What Happened To The Mail":

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

This doesn't apply to New York City. ;)

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Stop The Idling...Join A Rally In Support Of "Shore Power" At The Cruise Terminal

This coming Monday, Councilmember Brad Lander and State Senator Daniel Squadron will be joining community members to rally for 'shore power' and against the idling of the huge cruise ships that dock at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. This issue does not only affect our Columbia Waterfront neighbors, but all residents here in Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Red Hook.
Please read the press release below and come join the rally.

Dear Neighbors,

Please join us Monday at noon for a press conference and rally in support of bringing "shore power" to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Along with the community we have been pushing for shore power for a long time -- now we are holding this "Stop Choking Brooklyn" rally because we can't wait any longer!

Switching to shore power -- so that ships can hook up to the electric grid instead of idling their engines in port -- would stop tons of unnecessary and life-threatening pollution, which is equal to thousands of cars idling.

The Port Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency have obtained $15 million in funding to build the necessary infrastructure. However, for shore power to become a reality, the Economic Development Corporation, which operates the cruise terminal, Carnival Cruise Lines which uses the terminal, and New York Power Authority, which delivers electricity to the terminal, need to come to a final agreement about the price of electricity.

Join us on Monday to rally for an agreement now, so the work needed to bring shore power to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal can begin and idling cruise ships stop choking Brooklyn!

Here are the specifics on the event:

What: Rally to Stop Choking Brooklyn, with free surgical masks for
everyone, to show just much pollution is spewing into Red Hook
When: Monday, January 3rd, noon
Where: corner of Van Brunt Street and Pioneer Street

We hope you’ll join us on Monday to rally for a cause that will make our community an even better place to live!

Thank you,

Councilmember Lander and Senator Squadron

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A Moment In Time: Snowball Fight In Carroll Park

Carroll Park Snow Ball Fight

What a blast they were having!

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TJ's Coming To Old Caserta Vecchia Space On Smith

(photo above taken by Manny Simone)

Over the last few months, work has progressed slowly at the 221 Smith Street space formerly occupied Caserta Vecchia. The Spanish eatery closed back in July. However, a new venture seems ready to open for business.

Reader Manny Simone just sent along this photo of the note taped to the storefront's window. The new venture is called TJ's. No word yet on what kind of establishment this will be and what kind of food will be served. One thing is obvious: they don't yet have a liquor license, so bring your own booze for opening night. And its cash only, but an ATM machine is "conveniently located inside."

Not quite sure I like the way the new owner is thinking, though I like the BYOB part.

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Pardon Me For Asking, But What Happened To The Mail?

Now, I know it is difficult to get around our neighborhood since Sunday's blizzard, what with all of the unplowed side streets, but would that fully explain why I haven't gotten mail? After all, most mail carriers walk and don't drive. I have heard from some of my readers that they haven't gotten their delivery either.

Sure would be nice to get the checks I am waiting for, so that I can pay my tax bill. And the water bill. You don't suppose Mayor Bloomberg and his administration is going to give us a grace period because of the delay caused by the snow, do you?

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Funny Newsreel: "Forever Known As The Storm Of ...'47"

Take a look at this newsreel taken in 1947 after a major snowfall here in New York City. It sounds way too familiar...

By the way, my street has still not been plowed. How about yours?

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Best Comment Of The Day: Rumor Of DOS Work Stoppage?

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Borough Prez Marty Markowitz Wants To Hear From Brooklyn Regarding Inadequate Snow Removal":

I am beginning to suspect that the rumors I have heard about a DOS work stoppage are true.When I got up to the corner of President and Hoyt and it looked like Hoyt had been plowed (note that President from Bond to Smith has NOT been plowed). I walked over to Union which has been plowed between Hoyt and Bond. The plow clearly turned onto Hoyt and all evidence of plowing stops between President and Carroll.Union between Hoyt and Smith - not plowed
Carroll between Hoyt and Bond - not plowed.

And what is up with the mail?

****Update****

And this just in from a resident on President Street between Clinton and Henry Street:

While walking the dog I met two neighbors who live blocks apart...both said they had friends in sanitation. they said it was a purposeful slowdown. the mayor laid off 400 workers, THEN offered anyone to come in and plow. It started snowing 11 am Sunday. Our main egress, Clinton St. was finally plowed 11 am on Tuesday, 48 hours later.

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No Snowplows Yet, But Quite A Police Response To Giant Icicle On Court

There was quite a bit of excitement and a rather large police presence on Court Street this afternoon for, hold it....a giant icicle that was dangling from the cornice of number 218 Court Street. As officers closed the sidewalk in front of LOBO, the TexMex restaurant which is housed in the building, pedestrians looked up as an officer whacked the huge piece of ice with a shovel from the top floor window. After several tries, the piece finally crashed down. Quite an entertaining spectacle. Glad the icicle did not fall and hurt anyone.

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Borough Prez Marty Markowitz Wants To Hear From Brooklynites Regarding Inadequate Snow Removal

As of this afternoon at 3 PM.

Neighborhood blocks that haven't yet seen a snowplow. These were just a few I saw on a quick loop down Smith and back up on Court.

Just received this notice from Borough President Marty Parkowitz's office regarding the slow (read non-exisiting) plowing on Brooklyn side streets. He apparently welcomes our complaints. Great...Above are some of the unplowed streets I walked along this afternoon in Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill. Marty, can you do something about this?

BP MARKOWITZ WELCOMES COMPLAINTS REGARDING

INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL IN BROOKLYN

Residents receiving an unsatisfactory response from 311 have made concerns known to BP

In the aftermath of the recent storm, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has received hundreds of calls and emails from constituents frustrated by their attempts to contact 311 and air their concerns. All complaints have been forwarded to the New York City Department of Sanitation. Brooklynites may continue to voice their concerns regarding snow removal by contacting the BP's office at 718-802-3777 or askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov

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For One Block Of President Street, Snow Plow So Near...Yet So Far Away.

A view down unplowed President Street between Smith and Hoyt.

Is that a snow plowing garbage truck in the distance?

Sure enough. It was parked right at the corner of Smith Street.

The Sanitation worker taking a break.

Donuts and hot coffee anyone?

A reader from President Street was kind enough to send me the photos she just shot of her still-to-be-plowed block between Smith and Hoyt Streets. She writes: " I was told by the sanitation driver in the photos that they need a smaller truck for our blocks... that's insane!!!! My friend on shore road was told that they need a larger truck for hers! I think that the Sanitation Dept. is up to something fishy..."

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Best Comment Of The Day: I Want My Netflix

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Hey Neighbors! Has Your Carroll Gardens Block Been Plowed Yet?":

I want my Netflix DVD !!!!!!!!!!

In the meantime I'm streaming like crazy :)))))))

PS: I agree, hopefully there won't be an emergency in our nabe of commoners.

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