Picture Of The Day: Turkey Dinner A Success

Photo credit: Max Kelly

Oh, I know that I said I wasn't going to blog, but then my son took this picture of our Thanksgiving table before we sat down. I have to report that the meal was a success...everyone ate way too much. How was yours?

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To All My Fellow Carroll Gardeners: Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Readers,
I hope that even in these unsettling times, you have plenty to be thankful for. I know I do, though I do have to remind myself sometimes. My little family is staying right here in Carroll Gardens this year. No trains, planes or automobiles. The turkey is in the fridge, the cranberry chutney is made and everything is bought, ready to go. The house still needs to be cleaned, but hey, I found time between blogging and running to B.S.A. meetings to wash the living room curtains....Not bad, I say.
Pardon Me For Asking will be back right here on Monday morning. Till then, have a great Thanksgiving.

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Moment In Time: Collecting Leaves

As her father patiently waited for her,
She picked up one leaf after another
And carefully arranged them into a bouquet.

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Last Sunday's Greenmarket: A Little Clip Of Balkan Music

Carroll Gardens Freshmarket Concert November 23, 2008 from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.

In case you missed the really cool group performing at the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket this last week-end, here is a little clip. Max's New Hat, a Balkan brass street band, performed for free.
There is nothing like being entertained while doing one's weekly shopping, I say.




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Mango, 'The Hardest Working Dog In Brooklyn's Key Lime Pie Business' Is Missing

I am a sucker for little spunky dogs, and Mango, 'The Key Lime Pie Pooch' seems to be a real character. Unfortunately, he has gone missing and his owner wants him back. Read on.

Someone absconded with our trusty sidekick Mango on Saturday, November 22,

2008 at approximately 7:00 PM from in front of Jake's BBQ and the B-61 Bar, corner of Degraw and Columbia streets. For the past few years, Mango has hung out at that corner, greeting passing dogs in his venerable fashion, entertaining those of us who have come to know him, greeting customers of Alma and B-61 (sometimes laying on the doormat inside the entrance). In his many years of untethered freedom, he has lived as good a life as a dog could. Mango does not leave that corner with the exception of walking half a block in either direction to make his mark. As much as one might beg him to follow, he would not leave his life and his routine for the past 4+ years. The price we pay now for allowing him his freedoms is that there are some who would just help themselves to whatever they would like, regardless of any thought beyoind what they want. So be it. If indeed some nefarious neverdowell did scoop him off, I am asking the good people of Brooklyn to assist in returning Mango to his rightful home and his rightful routine with our family and friends, including his 32 children, his partner Mammey and us.

If you have seen him or know where he is, call the number on the flier above or click here.

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B.S.A. Grants Bill Stein His Wish!

The 360 Smith Street/ 131 2nd Place Site

BSA Vote On 360 Smith Street from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.

After watching first hand the deliberations and favoritism at the Board Of Standards And Appeals, this city might as well save money by replacing them with a big rubber stamp.

The Board Of Standards and Appeals voted today to grant Bill Stein, developer of Oliver House at 360 Smith/ 131 2nd Place, an exemption to the Carroll Gardens Zoning Text Amendment.

Mr. Stein's construction site was served with a Stop Work Order immediately following the passing of the Zoning Text Amendment by the City Council back in July. In order to be allowed to continue with construction, Stein had to convince the B.S.A. that his foundation was substantially completed before the Stop Work Order went into effect.
Inspectors of the Department of Buildings determined that only 20%
of the foundation had been completed.

Both members of C.O.R.D. and the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association had testified against the project in front to the B.S.A.

Proving that for the B.S.A., 'substantial completion' is a subjective term, they voted unanimously to allow Stein to continue with his "Oliver House."

It remains to be seen if the developer will go ahead with the construction. After all, there is a glut of housing right now and not enough cash to go around.

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Picture Of The Day: A Very Quiet Court Street

If you get up
Very, very early
On a cold November morning,
As I did a few days ago,
You may witness
An almost deserted
Court Street.

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What Next For "Oyster Bar That Never Was" On Hoyt Street?

Not so long ago, Jim Mamary envisioned an oyster bar at 299-301 Hoyt Street. That didn't sit very well with neighboring residents who pointed out that the restaurant entrepreneur had already opened the Black Mountain Wine House around the corner on Union Street. They argued that the location was zoned strictly residential and that a bar would impact the quiet nature of that block. Months of meetings and letter writing by the Hoyt Street Alliance followed.

As is often the case in such matters, Community Board 6 and the Buildings Department seemed to be on the side of the business owner. It looked as though work on the Oyster bar was going to proceed, but relief for the Hoyt Street residents finally did come when the Buildings Department reversed its original position and made the determination that the zoning at that location did not allow a bar.

Slapped with a STOP WORK order, Mamary pulled out of the deal.
In a New York Times article, Mamary stated that he would seek revenge against the Hoyt street residents by keeping chickens in the little yard in front of the wine bar around the corner.

I am happy to report that no chickens were sighted as of yesterday, but the space is now being marketed for rent by the Carroll Gardens Realty.
If the zoning is Use Group 4, only Community Facility usage is allowed. This would include educational, recreational, religious, health or other essential services for the community it serves.
No bars, no restaurants....


Related posts:

Hoyt Street Alliance Says "No" To Oyster Bar At Public Hearing

Zoning Unimportant In Carroll Gardens!

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If Waiting For Bus On Smith Street, Don't Wait In Laundromat

If you happen to wait for the B71 and B75 on Smith Street between Carroll and Second, and you are cold, don't dare walk into the Super Laundromat. They don't want you sitting there waiting for your bus. Oh, and if you need to use the bathroom, don't even try to ask...


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Moment In Time: Early Morning At The Greenmarket

Early Sunday morning
At the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket
On Carroll Street.
Before the customers arrive
A vendor sets up her
Delicious bread
In the freezing cold.

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Clarett To Pause Construction At 340 Court For Next Few Months?

Clarett's 340 Court Street Project To Be Closed Down For Four To Five Months?

It has been super quiet behind the blue construction fence on Court Street between Union and Sackett Streets. After months of constant activity, Clarett's "Collection On Court" has come to a virtual stand-still. The building driveway ramp and the underground parking garage foundation seem to have been completed, but that is all. Except for a dumpster and a trailer, the lot has been cleared of the usual construction equipment and materials.

It now appears that Clarett is closing down the project while they "work out some details." For how long? That's anyone's guess, but it has been suggested that it could be as long as four to five months ( or even possibly much longer ?) One could imagine that the new economic reality has caught up with Clarrett. Perhaps the developer is too busy working on the Starrett City deal.
Though Carroll Gardeners never warmed to the over-sized, somber looking Rogers Marvel designed project, they also never signed up for a huge hole in the middle of their neighborhood.

Let us hope that Carroll Gardens will not be held hostage by the project. Five months is an awefully long time for the neighborhood to be inconvenienced by the closing of the sidewalks along Union, Court and Sackett and the loss of parking along those blocks.. Perhaps, Clarett should be asked to move the plywood fence back to the property line as well as removing the parking barriers. The developer should also give the community assurances that the site will be cleaned and baited, the snow shoveled around the perimeter and trash picked up during the building hiatus. The last thing we need is a blighted block right on Court.

But the bigger question by far is what ramifications this will have on other projects in the neighborhood. Surely, the Toll Brothers' developement along the polluted Gowanus canal seems like complete folly if Clarrett is already 'rethinking' theirs in the much more desirable heart of Carroll Gardens.
And how about Mr. Stein's 360 Smith Street "Oliver House." Even if the Board Of Standards And Appeals grants him the variance to continue construction, the market forces may be against him.



Related Reading:

Clarett Keeping Mum About Revised Plans For 'The Collection At Court Street"

Carroll Gardens Not Exactly Loving Clarett's 340 Court Street Design

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Tim Robbins' "Possible Side Effects" to Film On Court Street In Early December

Possible Side Effects, Tim Robbins' Showtime project to film on Court Street

According to those yellow 'No Parking' fliers that went up on Court Street between Sackett and President Street just recently, Possible Productions, Inc. will be shooting there on December 4th.
A quick search on the internet revealed that this project is written and directed by Tim Robbins. It is about a powerful, dysfunctional family running a pharmaceutical company. Ellen Burstyn is to play the matriarch of the Hunt Family, Josh Lucas plays son Max.

I wonder how this would relate to our little neighborhood, but I guess we will have to wait and see.

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Picture Of The Day: Peeking Through The Fence

Even as I was pulling my coat's collar closer over my cheeks, these little chrysanthemums, peeking through a decorative cast iron fence, didn't seem to be bothered by the cold in the least.


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City Bloggers Go Where Press Can't Or Won't

Imagine my surprise and thrill to have been included on Room Eight's list of bloggers who dared to speak up during the City Council's recent power grab.
Here is the mention on their blog:

Was the Lie of “Consistent Leadership” Old Media’s Last Stand?

posted by Oneshirt
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 8:43pm

Bloggers Got the Real Story When It Counted

“It used to be that a handful of editors could decide what news was and what was not. They acted as sort of demigods. If they ran a story, it became news. If they ignored an event, it never happened. Today editors are losing this power. The Internet, for example, provides access to thousands of new sources that cover things an editor might ignore.”- Rupert Murdoch

Only the city’s bloggers like Your Free Press, Pardon Me For Asking, The Brooklyn Optimist, The Daily Gotham, Queens Crap, and Washington Square Park reported to their readers during the term limits debate that the Council’s argument for continuity of leadership to save the city’s economy was nothing more than public relations spin to cover the Council’s blatant power grab for an additional term in office. At the same time these citizen journalists across the City were reporting the real facts, the Mayor was meeting with the publishers of the three major dailies to coordinate a cover story for his support of extending term limits. Working in concert, the dailies provided the Mayor with the rationalization to disregard Bloomberg’s previous public statement that “it would be an absolute disgrace to go around the public will” to extend term limits.

Rafael Martinez-Alequin, publisher of Your Free Press, wrote on his blog that it was a sad day for democracy when the Council passed the term limits extension. He openly expressed anger at those that voted for its passage, echoing the spirit of Former Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin. As Breslin said, “Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns that exposed the wrongdoing in government.”

It is bloggers like Martinez-Alequin who are keeping journalism alive and vital in New York City. They are following in the footsteps of newspaper greats like Joseph Pulitzer of the long lost New York World, whose legendary name is ascribed to journalism’s greatest honor. Pulitzer’s passion-filled editorial pages were the true heart of the World. There he crusaded against the robber barons and oil and rail companies, exposed corrupt politicians and brutal policemen, and advocated for decent working hours and humane living conditions for the poor.

That’s just what Martinez-Alequin has dedicated his life to trying to do. And that’s just what has gotten Mayor Bloomberg so mad at him.

Neat, no?
It is important to take a stand and to be involved in local as well as national politics as a private individual. You don't have to be a blogger. Personally, writing Pardon Me has giving me a voice in this big world. Covering my neighborhood of Carroll Gardens has connected me to my neighborhood and allowed me to meet many of you, my readers. It has been an incredible experience.
I hope that you will consider signing a petition that urges New York City to protect the right of freedom of the press for bloggers.


This is the text:

To: The City of New York
We, the undersigned, join ChangeNYC.Org in supporting Rafael Martinez-Alequin, Ralph E. Smith, and David Wallis, three online journalists unfairly denied press passes by the New York City Police Department. We believe that the right of a free press is a cornerstone of our democracy and we applaud civil rights attorney Norman Siegel for bringing suit on behalf of these three journalists to protect this fundamental constitutional liberty.

The NYPD's refusal to issue these three journalists press passes demonstrates a bias on the part of the City against New Media and the blogging community. As bloggers, citizen journalists, and readers who depend upon online publications as an essential source of independent news, we stand together with Rafael Martinez-Alequin, Ralph E. Smith, and David Wallis. Their lawsuit is a significant First Amendment case vital to asserting and protecting the right to a free press for every online journalist in New York City and across America. We strongly urge the City of New York to immediately reform its system of granting press credentials to recognize the importance of New Media.

Here is the link to the petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/12151791/petition.html



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1860's Civil War Era Brooklyn Girl

The caption simply said: 1860's Civil War Girl. But what is more important, she is was a Brooklyn girl. Whoever she may have been, she was photographed at Augustus Morand's Studio at 297 Fulton Street. Tell me that she isn't (still) the cutest...

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Former Sur On Smith Becomes A Clothing Store

What a pleasant surprise. I was so certain that the space once occupied by Sur would just become another restaurant. Work had been going on at the store for the last few weeks. But then, last night, I walked by and saw that there is now a clothing store at that location. The name? 'Smith and Butler' judging by the sign up front. That happens to be the location of the store as well.
I didn't have time to stop in. Has anyone checked it out yet?

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Marty Markowitz Hears From Both Toll Brothers And From Residents

Borough President Marty Markowitz paid very close attention during the ULURP hearing on Toll Brothers' Gowanus development spot-rezoning last night. After Community Board 6 voted to approve the change in zoning ahead of a city-wide plan, it was now Mr. Markowitz's turn
to hear both from the developer and from the community.

There were two presentations of the project. First, Toll Brothers' Vice-President David Von Spreckelsen and his architect went through theirs, flashing the usual 'pretty' renderings of what their condo development will look like. Phrases like "the rythm of the streetscape" were used. Concerns about shadows cast by the two 12 story buildings countered by more charts and more drawings.

The second presentation was given by architects John Hatheway and Chris McVoy.
Both would like to see development along the shores of the Gowanus. Both would support the Toll Brothers' application provided it is dropped down to 8 stories instead of the proposed 12. In their drawings, the two architects showed the impact of the project on the neighborhood. One illustration was especially disturbing. When looking from Smith Street down Carroll Street towards Hoyt, the buildings will be clearly visible from this land-marked block.

Representatives from both the Gowanus Dredgers and from the Gowanus Conservancy spoke in support of the development. So did labor union members.
However, many residents stepping to the podium to give their testimony. They overwhelmingly urged Marty Markowitz to disapprove the spot-rezone. Kevin Duffy, Carroll Gardens resident, stated that he understood the need for jobs and affordable housing, but wants safety to be considered first. Building on brownfield, ' does not make sense.' He asked the borough president if he had ever read the Fema and D.E.P. reports. Both studies called the area along the canal 'uninhibitable' and situated in a 100 year flood zone. Duffy wondered who will take ownership of any problems that will arise from development on the Gowanus. He told Markowitz that he respected his judgment. " This vote weighs heavily on my family." he said.

More members voiced their grave concern about building ahead of a clean-up. Citing from the same DEP and Army Corp of Engineers report, Ludger K. Balan of the Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy told the audience that every thing from Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Creosote,lead, manganese, mercury and zinc was found to be present in the water. (There were lots more chemicals on that list.)

Towards the end of the meeting, FROGG member and architect Ben Ellis summed it up best. To him, putting people next to the canal as a way of getting it cleaned up "sounds like an evil experiment."





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Space Saving Bike Parking In Carroll Gardens

Spotted On Smith Street at the corner of Union, this bike is proof that there is more than one way of parking a bike on the sidewalk. This is the Carroll Gardens special space-saving parking job.

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Next Stop In The Toll Brothers' Gowanus Development Spot Re-Zone: Marty Markowitz's Office

Borough President Marty Markowitz

( photo and map credit: Toll Brothers)

Brooklyn Borough President's Hearing on Toll Brothers Project

The Toll Brothers ULURP application to change Zoning to allow their
Gowanus Canal project is now at the Borough President's Office for review This is our chance for the community to be heard again. John Hatheway and Chris McVoy will be making an updated presentation making the case for an 8 story height limit. This will bring the building height below the horizon from most Carroll
Gardens vantage points, and equally important allows enough sunlight into the Canal Esplanade to make it a viable park.

PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THEIR PROPOSAL OR VOICE YOUR OWN CONCERNS.

If you cannot attend the meeting, please take a minute to write an email to Marty Markowitz. His email address is: askmarty@Brooklynbp.nyc.gov

DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
TIME: 5:30 pm
PLACE: Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

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State Denies L.I.C.H.'s Request To Close Their Obstetrics, Neonatal & Pediatric Services

Citing financial trouble, Continuum Health Partners, recently announced the closing of several departments within the hospital, including the Maternity and the Pediatric Unit. This move seemed odd given the fact that there are more pregnant women and small children the downtown Brooklyn area than anywhere in the city. In addition, massive lay-offs have been announced at the hospital. This slow but purposeful dismantling of vital hospital services seemed to point at one thing: Continuum wants to close L.I.C.H., sell off its real estate assets and transfer the money to its Manhattan hospitals. Now the state has put a stop to those plans.
Maybe L.I.C.H. can move forward after all...

State orders hospital to continue OB services

From Crain's New York By Gale Scott

Published: November 18, 2008 - 5:59 am

Citing Brooklyn's shortage of maternity beds and pediatric care, the State Department of Health has denied Continuum Health Partners' request to end obstetrics, neonatal and pediatric services at Long Island College Hospital. The department has also ordered the hospital to continue running several school-based health clinics that the hospital wanted to close at the end of the year.

At the same time, state health officials approved a $3 million loan to the hospital, money available for hospitals that want to restructure to meet the mandates of the Berger Commission, the Pataki administration panel that targeted hospitals for downsizings, closures and mergers.

In a letter delivered Monday afternoon to Long Island College Hospital's interim chief executive officer, Dominick Stanzione, health department Deputy Commissioner James Clyne says those services are needed sorely in Brooklyn.

Click here to read rest of article

Related Posts:

Brooklyn Rallies Against Continuum Health 'Pirates'

A Message From LICH's Pediatric Ambulatory Care Unit

Carroll Gardens On The Losing End Of Continuum's LICH Sell-Off

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Elusive Carroll Park Hawk Caught On Camera

Photos courtesy of photographer Max Kelly

Presenting The Hawk Of Carroll Park complete with freshly killed squirrel!

There had been sightings of a giant hawk in Carroll Park for a few weeks now, but every time I received a call from Kathleen, the wonderful recreations person, telling me to hurry over because it had just been sighted, it was gone before I could get my camera and run over. Not this morning. Kathleen called excitedly to tell me that not only was he sitting in a tree right next to the park house, he had just caught a squirrel and had suffocated it. I was out of the house in a flash. Thankfully my son was still at home since he has a much better camera. So here is the hawk, dear reader, complete with freshly killed squirrel! And just as a warning...it is cold out there, so dress warmly.

PS: Kathleen, I believe you now. Thanks for calling me.

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Picture Of The Day: Lady Liberty from Carroll Gardens Rooftop

From a rooftop on Henry Street,
In Carroll Gardens
I could see her in the distance.
Against the darkening sky
And the outline of the cranes on the shipping piers,
She seemed frail.
But she held her head up
Resolutely,
And the torch in her outstretched hand
Illuminated the night.

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City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden Meets The Neighborhood

City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden

Toll Brothers' Vice President Von Spreckelsen
Long time Carroll Gardener Diane Buxbaum
expressing her concerns
Ludger K. Balan of The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy

In front of a crowded auditorium, City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden introduced her agency's proposed plan for the Gowanus Canal area. But before starting with the presentation, she announced that due to Councilman Bill deBlasio's efforts, City Planning has fast tracked the re-zoning of the Carroll Gardens' neighborhood. Staff was reassigned to make this possible and "we had to change our priorities" said Ms. Burden.

That's great news! I won't deny that. But deep down, I couldn't get that nagging feeling out of my mind that this very well placed announcement was a way of softening up those neighborhood residents who are critical of development along the canal before the city undertakes a major environmental clean-up. Ms. Burden stated that she had come last night to listen to what residents had to say. "This project needs your absolute commitment. Is this what you as a community want? " If she wanted to have consensus amongst the people sitting in the audience, I am not sure she got it.

As with all meetings concerning the re-zoning, there are sharp dividing lines between those who believe that bringing housing developments to the shores of the Gowanus will provide the necessary political pressure to have the city clean the highly toxic land and water. And then there are those residents, including many who have poured over the extensive environmental reports done by D.E.P. and The Army Corp Of Engineers, who believe that building housing on a brownfield is a recipe for disaster. I tend to agree with the latter. As someone in the audience said, trusting developers to clean up their own sites "is like wall street self-regulating."

There are some very real and scary public health issues that need to be addressed in a meaningful way before condos should be erected. As Ludger K. Balan of The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy stated, there are 50 known carcinogenic pollutants in the Gowanus. None of these facts, he said, are reflected or addressed in the re-zoning report. Nor was the small problem with the broken sewer overflow system along Bond Street. As everyone who lives close by knows, after a particularly heavy rain, raw sewage flows into the canal.

Many times during the evening, the conversation turned to the Toll Brothers' two block spot re-zoning ahead of the proposed City Planning rezoning. (Our community Board 6 just voted for it.) Tolls' New York Vice-President Von Spreckelsen was sitting in the audience. Many felt that the developer's condo project was way too tall at 12 stories and pleaded with Ms. Burden to restrict the height along the canal to 8 stories.

I wonder what Ms. Burden took away from last night's meeting. Lets hope that she and her staff will take the concerns of residents into account. But somehow, I always feel as though the backroom deals have already been made. Read more