Picture Of The Day: Channeling Spring

The snow is starting to really come down outside and the wind is picking up.  Yellow tulips and baby daffodils on my windowsill are a reminder that spring will be here before we know it.


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The Calm Before Irene

According to every city official, meterologist and news anchor, New York City is in for a wild ride on Saturday night into Sunday afternoon, as Hurricane Irene passes over us.

Here are a few questions for you, dear Readers, as we are waiting the arrival of this monster storm.

*Are you taking the hurricane warnings seriously or are you just going to wing it?

*Did you stock up on bottled water, batteries, granola bars and peanut butter or any other useful stuff?

*Are you in an A Zone and have to evacuate?

*Are you planning on staying with friends or heading to a shelter?

*How are you going to manage without the subway?

*If you stay put, what are you doing to prepare for the worst?

*Have you ever experienced a hurricane?

Though I am taking all the warnings with a grain of salt, I did go to the store to buy some non-perishable food, some bleach in case there is a disruption of our water lines and have three flash lights at the ready and gotten some cash in case there is a power outage and the ATMs don't work.

Over on Pardon Me For Asking's Facebook page, some readers had other useful information.

Reader Nick is going to plug up his cellar drain pipe in case there is a back flow of water. Reader Cynthia bought a drain stopper to fill her bathtub in case flushing becomes an issue.

Do you have any useful tips for the rest of us?

Let us hear them.

And if the power doesn't go out, let me know what you are up to during the storm and send me pictures from your part of the neighborhood before and after the storm. (Whatever you do, don't go out in it, of course.)

Would love to hear from you.

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All The Way From Amenia, N.Y.: Firewood Delivery On Court Street

The Man Who Delivers Firewood To Neighborhood Stores

Amenia, New York

Honestly, I had never much thought about where the firewood sold in our neighborhood delis comes from. But those bundles of firewood, wrapped in plastic wrap, can be bought all up and down Court Street in the wintertime.

Just a few days ago, I happened to see a big red truck parked near Sackett Street on Court. An elderly gentleman was unloading those bundles and delivering them to a deli.
Shortly afterward, I encountered him again a bit further up the street, making another delivery.

"Do you deliver wood to all the stores in the neighborhood?" I asked.
"Yes, I do, all the way from Amenia, New York" he said with a big smile on his face.
A quick search on Google revealed that Amenia is in Duchess County and has a population of just over 1,000.

The name Phillip Carroll was written on the truck's door. I don't know if the man I met was Phillip, or if that is the name of a bigger enterprise.

In any case, it was nice meeting him.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Directly From Albany: State Senator Squadron On Bringing More Transparency To State Government

This just in from John Raskin, State Senator Squadron's chief-of-staff:

Hi Katia,

Here's the latest from Albany: Daniel introduced a bill today that will bring more transparency to state government.

In this clip from about an hour ago, he is announcing (with the support of the majority leader) a bill that would require more disclosure from lawmakers, particularly about their business dealings with lobbyists.

Here for more information: http://www.politickerny.com/3860/squadron-my-form-already-public-why-isnt-yours
and here for a bit of background: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/senate-leader-pushes-for-income-disclosure/

Bravo, Senator Squadron and thanks, John, for sending it right over to Brooklyn! I love this instant feed from Albany. What a great way to stay tuned to and in touch with our Senator.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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