Reader Question Of The Day: Where Do People Like To Buy Their Christmas Tree In Carroll Gardens?

Carroll Gardener and PMFA reader John recently posted a comment here and asked the following question:

"While I've gotten some pretty nice trees in the neighborhood, for the past several years we've been going to CT to chop our own tree down. So much fun! 

Anyway, we can't make it this year, and I'm wondering where people like to buy their trees from here in CG. Tell me who to support and who to avoid please!"

I thought many here in the community would like to chime in. How about it? Where do you get your Christmas tree? And did you already buy yours and decorate it?

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PMFA Reader Question: What Type Of Birds Can Be Heard Singing Around The Neighborhood At Night

I was contacted by a reader this morning, inquiring if anyone else has been hearing birds singing in the middle of the night.
She writes: "I am wondering if any of your readers are hearing birds chirping after midnight most nights and lasting for about 4 - 5 hrs in the wee hours of the morning?
I have noticed this phenomenon for the past two months or so. This is new to the neighborhood.
What type of birds (as they sing together and with call and response type action) do this? and if anyone else hears them?"

The reader heard the chirping on the block framed by Court/Union/Smith/Sackett Streets.

Do we have any ornithologists out there who can answer the question?

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Court Street Accident In Front Of Abilene's Last Night Apparently Involved Drunk Driver

PMFA received two emails regarding an accident that occurred on Court Street in front of Abilene's last night.  It would appear as if the incident was caused by a drunk driver.  Luckily, there were no injuries.
Carroll Gardens reader Eric reported last night:
"Big accident on court at 3rd place. Driver looked drunk. Hit a parked SUV right outside abiline.Very scary. Was walking home from the gym and missed it by about 30 feet. Was so loud it sounded like a gun shot."

Another reader, Daniel, wrote:
"I was sitting outside of Abilene last night around 9:45pm when a car coming down Court St smashed into the back of another car parked outside Abilene, then careened across the street and came to a stop in front of the laundromat on that corner. The driver appeared to be very drunk and tried to drive away before someone took his keys. Do you have any info on the accident? Was he arrested?"

Does anyone have more details?



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Dog Vs. Ivy on Union Street: Dave On Union Street Wants To Poll PMFA Readers

Robert from Union Street just got in touch with PMFA to let us know about an exchange he had with a dog owner in front of his house yesterday. The incident left him wondering if his reaction was warranted or not.
I'll let Robert retell it in his own words:
I am wondering if you can poll your readers. Last night I was sitting on my stoop and a woman with a large dog came walking along. She was deeply involved with her iphone....and was allowing her dog to walk slowly along the fences When they got to my house, she allowed the dog to sniff for a while and then the dog proceeded to urinate on the ivy edging of my garden.

I politely asked her if she could avoid allowing her dog to urinate on my ivy as the dog urine is killing it in sections. She ignored me and stayed buried in her iphone. I repeated myself and then she got angry...told me I had to be realistic....told me dogs needed to be free... I responded she was being un-neighborly and that there were plenty of nuetral places for her dog to do his business without killing my ivy. She started babbling about dogs needing to be free...I told her if she wanted to allow her dog to kill plants she should allow him to go in front of her own house.

Am I being unreasonable here?
Thanks.  Robert from Union Street.

I have warned Robert that this will most probably generate quite a spirited discussion.

I'll add my two cents first. I am always pretty amazed that people let their dogs pee right against my fence and on my plants, especially when I am standing right in my front garden. I always try to catch the owner's eye to relay my displeasure, but shy away from direct confrontation. I am on Robert's side.
How about you?



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What's That Acrid Smell Near 9th Street Subway Station In Gowanus?

Carroll Gardens resident and friend Steven just shot me an email to ask if anyone has mentioned a super strong, strange odor around the F/G train subways station at 9th Street.
He writes:
"I wanted to ask if you or anyone on your contact list has experienced the very acrid smell recently near the smith and 9th station. Very oily and toxic smelling. Very industrial. Its new. maybe a month. Different than anything we have had in the area before. Don't know if its connected to the Public Place testing but I don't think so. Any other reports?"

 Of course, petroleum smells around the Gowanus are not unusual, but as Steven mentions, this is different.  How about it?  Did anyone else notice the smell?

Public Place at Smith Street adjacent to the Gowanus Canal.

The photo was taken during National Grid's pilot study in early March.

(photo credit: Steven Miller)

As far as a connection between the smell and National Grid's Pilot Study at Public Place, it seems unlikely.  The pilot work was just completed.  Here is a press release from National Grid:

March 26, 2014
Dear Neighbor,
National Grid and its contractors are now in the final phase of pilot study work at the former Citizens Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) site, which is bound by Smith, Huntington and Fifth Streets and the Gowanus Canal.
Sheet pile driving was completed along Smith Street, including the intersection of Smith and 5th Street, on March 11th.
Timber piles were removed successfully from the bulkhead along the Canal on March 13th and the land­side areas along the bulkhead have been stabilized. Sheet pile driving was also completed in this area.
National Grid and its contractors will review the noise and vibration data collected from this work and incorporate it into the final remedial design plan for the former Citizens MGP.
Cranes and hammers were removed from the site on March 14th and the remaining equipment was demobilized on March 20th. Final completion of pilot study work is anticipated for the week of March 24th.
National Grid remains committed to keeping the community informed of our activities at the former Citizens MGP site and we appreciate your patience and cooperation throughout the pilot study work.
For more information on the activities mentioned above, the pilot study in general, or if you would like to be added to our email distribution list, please leave a message on our hotline at (718) 403­2084, email us at info@citizensmgpsite.com, or visit our website at www.citizensmgpsite.com for future updates.




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Anyone Else In Carroll Gardens Hear A Weird Vibrating, Humming Noise?

Last night, I kept on hearing a faint vibrating noise and checked the phone in my purse several times because I thought it was on vibrate and someone was trying to call. No one was, but I kept on hearing the noise intermittently for a few hours. It was strange. After a while, it stopped and I forgot about it, until I read the following email from reader Siobhan White:

Is anyone else complaining of hearing a weird humming sound? It's a constant sound, that swells for about 4 seconds, then fades slightly for 6 seconds or so, then swells again. It is consistent, and I've noticed it for the past 4 days or so. I kept hearing it in my apartment, and it was louder in my bedroom. I thought perhaps my upstairs neighbor had a cell phone on the floor and I could hear it vibrating -- it sounds like a cell phone vibrating in another room. I've awakened several times the last few nights and heard it (and fixated on it and couldn't fall back to sleep). Was just out walking my dog and realized the sound was OUTSIDE (and much louder). 

Any ideas? (And I know it's not in my head -- really!) My husband thought it might be coming from the East River (dredging?) and another friend thought it could be the construction on First and Bond. (We live on Union/Henry, so that seems too far away.)I posted on FB and several friends hear it, too. Some live as far down as PS 29! It's happening right now. 

Thanks, Siobhan

I immediately wrote her back to say that I was glad that I hadn't lost my mind and that someone else was hearing the strange noise as well. As a matter of fact, I noticed the same humming and vibration this morning at 7 Am. So did Shiobhan.

She tells me that her husband called 311 last night and was told that they had gotten no complaints.
Is anyone else hearing it too? What could it be?



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From PMFA's Inbox: Is There A Good Old Fashioned Laundry In The Neighborhood?

Friend and PMFA reader M. just sent me the following email:

I am hoping you have a piece of neighborhood information. Where, oh where, is there an old fashioned Chinese Laundry where they do white sheets and fabrics bleached and super white and beautifully folded if not pressed? I have some of mom's beauties that I want to have well-done and wrap nicely for some of the nephews for the holidays. Let me know. Thanks!
M.

Though we still have a few laundromats and dry cleaners in the neighborhood, the last old fashioned laundry places that I remember was the small place on Warren Street right off Court Street. The place was taken over by Idlewild Books a few years back.
I faintly remember a place on Henry Street, but I don't know if it is still open.

Does anyone know of a place where M. can take her mother's 'beauties"? Any info would be appreciated.






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Question Of The Day: Any Photos Of Garnet Street During Hurricane Sandy Out There?

I just received an email from Eileen, a local resident, who would truly appreciate any photos of Garnet Street, 9th or Hamilton Avenue between Smith and Court Streets during Hurricane Sandy. She writes:

"I live on Garnet Street in Carroll Gardens/Red Hook right by Smith and 9th. I am wondering if you have any Hurricane Sandy pics from Garnet Street between Smith and Court or even 9th and Smith. I have lived here for 14 years and my place was flooded but we evacuated and were unable to take pics. If you have anything relevant in your archives I would be truly grateful!"

How about it?  Did anyone take photos of that part of the neighborhood the night of the storm?  

If you did, please send them to me at pardonmeinbrooklyn at gmail  dot com and I will gladly forward them to her.

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Question Of The Day: Any Good Tailor In the Neighborhood?

Here is a question from Reader ES, who wants t know if she could get a recommendation for a good tailor or seamstress in the neighborhood.
She writes:

"I'm not sure if you can field these types of questions, but here goes. I will be needing alterations on a wedding gown in several months -- it's a simple and light gown but with a few delicate details. I know there are no shortage of dry cleaners in the neighborhood to choose from, but I would feel better working with a tailor or seamstress who has experience with wedding dresses. I've visited One Stop on Court Street and he did a great job on a bridesmaid's dress I brought in, but I would also love to hear any other." recommendations. Thanks!

How about it?  Any advice?




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Question Of The Day: Smith And Clinton Traffic Insanity

In an email to PMFA, reader Justin S. writes:
"I have been noticing in the past few days that traffic on both Smith and Clinton Streets is backed up for miles. Does anyone have any idea why?"

I was wondering the same thing. My husband and I were stuck on Smith Street over the week-end. Traffic was insane. I have not seen it like that in a very long time.




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Reader Question Of The Day: Are There Any Book Clubs In The Neighborhood?

Reader Loren contacted me to help her find a reading group/ book club to join here in the neighborhood. She writes: "I'm looking for a group that reads great fiction - new and/or old. But I'm open to what's out there. I look forward to having people to talk about my books with!"

So please everyone! If you belong to, know of or want to put together a book discussion group, lets hear from you. Loren and I appreciate it.

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Reader Question: What's Up With The Vroom Bus On Third Street?

photo credit: Molly

Reader Molly recently sent me the photo above of the green "Vroom" bus that has been parked intermittently on 3rd Street for quite a long time. She writes:

"I'm curious if you know anything about the "Vroom" bus that's been parked on 3rd St. by the Gowanus Canal for well over a year now. Who owns it? Does someone live in it? Anybody know?"

I have to admit that I have wondered about the bus myself and would love to find out what its story is.

*****UPDATE*****

Just received the following email comment regarding the bus which explains everything about it. Sounds really cool. Now I want to see the inside. Read on:

Hello!! Found yr blog through random internet wandering, and noticed your post about Vroom! Vroom is currently owned and operated by the Vroom Collective - a group dedicated to transporting activists and artists around the country, namely the Rude Mechanical Orchestra. The bus is a special, uniquely-outfitted vehicle that has many cool features. It currently can run on veggie oil in the warm months and on diesel fuel (biodiesel or petrodiesel) year-round.

No, no one lives there. For more information, check out:www.rudemechanicalorchestra.org

xoxo

justine

(snare)

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Reminder To Self: It Is December After All

First dusting of snow of the season in Carroll Gardens

Not sure if I am ready for this.

Are you?

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Question Of the Day: And Another Question...

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Pardon Me For Asking, But What Was The Emergency On Court Street?":

And another question, what is the story behind the sewer explosion at Union Street this past Sunday? It shook all the houses for blocks and it was said that three sewer caps were blown off.

Home PageShare

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Hey Neighbor! Pardon Me For Asking, But... How Would You Rate Bill de Blasio's Job Performance As Our Councilman?

From 1 To 10, How Would You Rate Bill de Blasio's Job Performance
As Our Councilman In The Last 8 Years?

And most importantly, based on that performance,
does he deserve to become our next Public Advocate?

I am very interested, dear Readers. The run-off vote for Advocate is tomorrow. I though it would be interesting to learn what people in his district really thought about his job performance.



For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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