A Year In Review: 2011 In Carroll Gardens

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2011,  like all other years, went by in a flash.   It was only after I assembled photos for a neighborhood year in review that I realizes how much had happened in the last twelve months here in Carroll Gardens.
In a year that included a hurricane, a major heat wave and a king tide, the biggest headline was the stabbing of a successful pizza restaurant owner on a spring afternoon on Smith Street.
Real estate wise,  the most notable news by far was the fact that the developer of 333 Carroll Street finally remove the illegal two-story addition (a.k.a. the steel tumor) from this lovely old factory building.  It was a major victory for the community.
360 Smith Street was completed, tenants moved in and the community finally got its subway station entrance at Second Place back.
After years of delays, the apartments in 100 Luquer Street, the 11 story finger building near the BQE, went on the market in the fall, didn't sell and turned rental.
Work started again at 340 Court Street, and over the last few months, the building has grown to 70 feet, changing the streetscape forever.
Quite a few new businesses opened on Court Street and Smith Streets, but Carroll Gardens also lost some treasured establishments.  The neighborhood is still mourning deli man Leo and his Joe's Superette. Who will ever forget those fried rice balls?
2011 brought stars like Beyoncé, Jay-Z  and Gwyneth Paltrow to Carroll Park for a birthday bash.  Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis also stopped by to play bocce for a "Bored To Death" scene that was filmed in the park.  "Men In Black 3" took over Court Street for a few nights and Pan Am girls were seen all over Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill.
On a personal note, this year was very rewarding.  As you can see, blogging is still a big part of my life.  It not only allows me to chronicle events in my own life, but also to capture events in our ever-changing neighborhood.  Though it may just be an illusion, but time seems less fleeting if a moment of every day is recorded in photos or in writing.
Most importantly, writing this site continues to give me the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing  people, like Mr. Burke on 4th Place or  D. who allowed me to share her father's childhood memories.  To all those who shared their story with me, I am deeply grateful.  
To all my readers, I thank you all for making this another wonderful year for Pardon Me For Asking. 
Happy New Year to everyone, Katia


PS: Please don't hesitate to add your own 2011 Carroll Gardens milestones in the comment section.  Whether neighborhood events or personal events, it would be great to record them.