BklynSoFar's Profile
Author's Comments
Suggestion: Take a photo of this sinkhole with a little child sitting on that curb beside it. That is if the child would be safe sitting there. It would show how serious and dangerous this is. Then email this photo to the DEP and whomever else, hoping for a more urgent response from someone.
This sounds like an awful predicament.
(Does Brooklyn have underground tunnels like some other cities?)
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 19, 2010 7:07 PM in response to Gaping Hole on Grand Avenue
bessie2, yes, that is interesting and thank you for posting it.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 19, 2010 6:18 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 155 Henry Street, #8D
Nomi, just stretching the boundaries of PS, and going along with the silliness. :-)
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 17, 2010 9:33 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 155 Henry Street, #8D
And, I am guessing that the kitchen is small because when these pre-war, large apartments are chopped up into smaller units, something has to give. This kitchen may have been created from a hallway that once connected to another room. I have been looking at the floor plan and cannot quite figure it out. Maybe someone else can think of this.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 17, 2010 9:20 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 155 Henry Street, #8D
You guys are all imbasils! (Sorry, this is borrowing a phrase from Biff Champion, M. Champignon, from the basil thread.
Mr. B. must be scratching his head now at what wharf his little commenter-lings have fallen off of. Besides this is not Bk Heights at all, it is part of the Park Slope Flats.
All in all, Bk Heights is my favorite neighborhood and I like the place.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 17, 2010 8:27 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 155 Henry Street, #8D
qwikazoid: Google "nuisance abatement law". It comes right up and you will find a great deal. Maybe I can write more tomorrow. It is quite a process and I don't think calling 311 will help with this. After you Google that main title, narrow your search with other key words that apply, such as "noise" and "music". Good luck!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 9, 2010 11:42 PM in response to New Neighbors are DJs...
Agree, this didn't happen before the new marketplace ads (loading and unloading). Btw, this is a chance to repeat along with rf and others: I hope the commercialism doesn't affect the soul and h(Art) of brownstoner!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 5, 2010 6:36 PM in response to Site Problems?
Quote: by Biff Champion, 9:35 AM- tybur6, did Mr. B decide that the final g was to be dropped for all login names and replaced with a "6"?
Biff Champion 6 ( aka Boeuf Champignon ), that was quick thinking!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 5, 2010 6:28 PM in response to Thursday Links
Denton, great photo. I like it and noticed it right away!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 5, 2010 6:13 PM in response to Thursday Links
NOP at 2:3 PM, quote: "I smell a rat. Candela was too good an apartment house architect for this plan. Someone must have taken a hammer to it after World War II, when Brooklyn's fine old pre-wars were on the ropes."
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Hello! This is a CANDELA building. I would love to live in a Candela space. And well anything is possible. If someone desecrated his dwelling design it is criminal (see NOP quote above). My family lived in a pre-war back in the day and one of our rooms had been included in the apartment next door. That was nothing compared to what has happened to pre-war buildings since then, such as making spaces into 1-1/2 rooms with a small closet.
Candela was known for intricacies of design even "puzzles" in his interiors, making people feel wonderful just to exist in them. (This had something to do with his code-breaking work in WW II. Look it up.) His apartments are coveted in Manhattan. There are only 2 of his buildings in BK, as people here already know, and this is the only apartment for sale. If this space is as he planned it, there will be nothing wrong with it; if altered, well -- already said that.
And to indirectly refer to M4L, 4:53, yes, Candela's spaces as he designed them are works of art.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 28, 2010 11:37 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11B
Thanks WBer - re Domino.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 27, 2010 10:49 PM in response to Affordable Housing in Question at Domino
CGar- Looking for caption? If you click on the photographer's name, he or she often has provided one. Some purists think the photo ought to exist on its own.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 27, 2010 10:42 PM in response to Tuesday Blogwrap
BrooklynCouch- here is a completely different possibility to your noise problem than the ones above. This happened to someone I know -- hearing the high pitched sounds from above they thought there was a bird trapped in their attic. Same types of noises as you describe. It was discovered that the battery on their smoke alarm had expired. It emits (sp?) these same kinds of noises as a warning.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 27, 2010 10:31 PM in response to Disturbing Noise In Airshaft....
1:10 PM - I didn't think one could buy Mies van der Rohe (sp?) Barcelona chairs at Ikea, but maybe I'm wrong. And about *faux beams*, consider reading (especially Minard's) comments on Montrose's "Walkabout" piece, of July 22, for a discussion of their positive uses. http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/07/walkabout_victo_1.php#comments
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 26, 2010 11:23 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 85 North 3rd Street, #505
Yes, Denton, nice photo. I can see that Mr. B. would like it because he likes photos of walls from this angle and these are the kinds he takes. I like this old weathered brick where you can still see the details. Then there is a hint of new life in the red windowsill flowers.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 26, 2010 5:36 PM in response to Monday Links
When "sam" was commenting here, he mentioned these medieval themes on some buildings in Brooklyn. Although not one of the three houses mentioned, there are some apartment buildings on Eastern Parkway that have this tudor style, too. One may be the 770 headquarters; another is 201 Eastern Pkwy. I mention 201, because as someone pointed out before, the (roof window) building detail in the center of that structure has been taken off. I didn't know these "pointed" roof window elements were removable (or just decorative?)!! Don't know if that is the case with these smaller buildings either, so just sayin'. Anybody know more about the decor/functional aspect of these "story-book" looking elements?
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 26, 2010 5:23 PM in response to Building of the Day: 16 Nevins Street
Mr. B, you see you will get comments on the Brooklyn Flea threads if attractive eye-catching photos like this are posted. Most Brooklyn Flea photos have been rather so-so, with people mingling among tables of difficult-to-distinguish, nondescript blah merchandise. I didn't think of that before seeing this photo. Oh, actually I like the dresses too.
Is it about waking-up time here you and family are in Germany?
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 24, 2010 12:16 AM in response to Closing Bell: Book Drive Flea
Get Well Wishes, Mrs. B!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 15, 2010 4:42 PM in response to Guten Tag from Berlin!
I am glad Minard is back! I like his added information on these posts.
And yes, mopar, too bad these elegant buildings are broken up into so many units - to make more money, yes?.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 15, 2010 4:40 PM in response to Building of the Day: 105 Montague Street
In must add, referring to my comment above about this bklyn brownout: I am thankful there are very smart (public works) people working on these things all the time.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 7, 2010 9:04 PM in response to Brownout Reported in Downtown Brooklyn
I've been caught in the subway during a power outage. I learned there are catwalks down there. I think being stuck in an elevator would be the worst.
We have read about NYC services being on overload - held together by a "shoe string and a rubber band", so to speak - electrical, sewer, water, garbage, street maintenance, etc. Not much room for expansion, as Denton already mentioned.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 7, 2010 7:10 PM in response to Brownout Reported in Downtown Brooklyn
Mr. B, I hope this new "Marketplace" thing doesn't bring down the quality of Bstnr. Brownstoner is cool and "with it" thanks to the vision of you and your staff. Of course these sellers and brokers will want to be in on Bstnr and profit from Bstnr's good reputation. See comment of cmu at 12:26. Sorry, I usually like to comment positively. I wonder if you can get out of this if it proves to be a negative venture for Bstnr. It looks as if it will grow fast and exponentially like mushrooms.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 7, 2010 6:42 PM in response to Brownstoner Marketplace Launches With Listings
"id feel like a termite if i lived there." LOL! Rob.
"I bet all the really well-to-do termites live in houses with wood wainscotting floor to ceiling." Mopar, there is a proverb someplace that says frogs and bugs can live in king's palaces. Wow! What a place!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 6, 2010 4:55 PM in response to Rental of the Day: 108 8th Avenue
Aahhhh! So beautiful!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 6, 2010 4:46 PM in response to Building of the Day: 185 Montague Street
And Mr. B - by the end of your time in Germany,
you may be able to tell us for sure:
1. the truth about European vs. Brooklyn bike lanes :-) ha;
2. whether Europe is the New Brooklyn - ha;
3. or whether Brooklyn is the New Europe - ha :-)
I hope you and your family have a great time!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 2, 2010 10:48 PM in response to Greetings from Berlin
Mr. B. - I like your photos on your Tumblr blog, the buildings and the façade close-ups. When I am on vacation I take photos of buildings, too. Someone said to me, buildings are so boring I only like to take pictures of people. Not, me, it is the other way around, buildings!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at July 2, 2010 5:00 PM in response to Greetings from Berlin
About NY Post article and BQE expansion proposals, look out when anything is "promised".
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 24, 2010 6:42 PM in response to Thursday Links
"support US covert operations in Iraq"
by Minard at 1:17
Hahahahaha
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 22, 2010 8:08 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 177 Columbia Heights, #14
Great choice Montrose.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 21, 2010 11:06 PM in response to Building of the Day: 539 Eastern Parkway
Love the photo!
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 21, 2010 11:04 PM in response to Monday Blogwrap
Minard, if you are still reading today, I'd like to please know your opinion of the buildings at 3rd and Bond. I like them but I am not a trained or experienced architect as you are. I read and learn from your posts. Thanks.
(Now will get back to reading the topic.)
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 17, 2010 4:52 PM in response to New House Planned at 414 Waverly
Quote by infinitej at 12:13 PM - "Stephen was stoned for saying as much: anyone who so venerates the Temple that it ceases to be a place of worship for the transcendent God and instead a place where self-congratulating men take pride in what they have built and done. ~New Interpreter's Bible"
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Well, InfiniteJ, there is much truth there and room for thought. I was thinking something like that about the Green Church, well not *exactly* like that. But there is a reason that churches become abandoned by congregations. It is usually when the people can no longer feel the presence of God there, and they abandon the building and go wherever the presence of God is felt by them. So there is no one left behind to fund just the building. Then it becomes architecture instead of a place of worship. It is said the world is becoming a much tougher place and people will seek the presence of God in ways they haven't done in recent times. Some churches become so spiritually vacant that God himself moves on. I know everyone doesn't believe that way, but I didn't originate this. It is called something like when, "Ichabod is written over the door." One would have to look that up exactly.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 16, 2010 8:15 PM in response to Brownsville Church Saved from Wrecking Ball
BoHi, linguistic world traveler (10:25 AM). Why so mean? Rob is one of my favorite commenters. I like his social commentary and quick-witted comedy.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 16, 2010 7:15 PM in response to Bar Vets Opening New Spot on Fulton
Sorry, that was no reference to BJ who posted simultaneously.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 16, 2010 7:05 PM in response to Brownsville Church Saved from Wrecking Ball
Ancient historic churches are put to other uses, and old historic theaters are being put to use as churches. Sometimes certain therapy groups meet in rooms of old churches. I was thinking about the Green Church that was torn down. Part of it could have been put to use as a therapy facility for troubled Brownstoner.com commenters. haha
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 16, 2010 6:59 PM in response to Brownsville Church Saved from Wrecking Ball
I like that the Montrose piece was listed in Flashback - ("Byzantine Leaf Work"). It is worth re-reading and she puts so much work into her articles.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 16, 2010 6:45 PM in response to Flashback: One Year Ago
“Robert Moses isn’t here now, and if a new Moses emerges, we have practice,” said Judy Stanton, the executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association. “We know what to do.”
Cobble Hill take notice! Brooklyn Heights knew what to do last time and Cobble Hill did not, thus the 1 mile trench by Hicks.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 14, 2010 7:19 PM in response to Heights Homes Could Be Taken in BQE Fix
younglandlord, quite some time ago a phone number was posted on brownstoner of an agency that helps landlords with rent control and rent stabilized issues. Sorry I don't have it any longer. Perhaps it is the RSA about which Bklnite wrote at 10:54 AM.
In addition one can do a brownstoner search of something like 'rent stabilization' for even more ideas. Here are only 2 sites I saved and don't know if either would be be helpful in your situation. Good luck!
tenants refuse to sign lease
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/06/tenant_refusing.php#comments
tenant wants to break lease
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2009/06/tenant_wts_to_b.php#comments
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 10, 2010 6:46 PM in response to Questions About Rent Stabilized Tenants
So, I am trying to follow this comment thread.
Iraq ? (lol at 11:54 AM, btw.) So what is the gist of this thread?
Bike lane in the middle of the road looks dangerous.
Iraq is dangerous. Knowing too many languages can take too many brain cells, or not. Compliments, however, to Park Sloper who knows so many.
Yes, true that Scandinavians speak many languages.
One of my cousins there who is better at English than most of us and keeps up via TV (!), wrote to me: "my husband only speaks two languages but he is a good man anyway!"
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 10, 2010 4:06 PM in response to Smith Street Bike Lanes Marked
Yes, Montrose, this is most interesting - small beginnings in a library, the backing of Mr. Graham, cornerstone laid by Gen. Lafayette, etc., and other details too numerous to comment on here. I see you have a third article in the works about the Brooklyn Museum. Great!
About the word "Institute" in the title before the "Brooklyn Museum" became just the BM: I have heard the section of Eastern Parkway between about the Memorial Arch to Washington Ave, referred to as "Institute Park." (I don't know if that includes the side of E.P. with the apartment buildings or not.) And the BM building we have now came to be in about 1897? I may be a few years off in that date, but we will await your next article.
Btw, your use of white space in this writing makes easier reading to my tired eyes.
Thanks for all of this, the BM has played a significant part in the lives of many of us.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 10, 2010 3:06 PM in response to Walkabout: The Great Gathering, part 2
OP, after reading all of this - and that one has almost no recourse with dogs, barking dogs, etc., I'd guess that one may need to do some investigation of the man who owns, and breeds (and sells?) them. See if you can find out who or what types of people he is selling to. Perhaps hire a private investigator if police won't or don't have time to help. I agree with talking to all neighbors you can, and forming some kind of united front. Warn them that they may be in real danger and the barking may only be the tip of an iceberg in this case. (I said *may* be.) Clearly the neighbors would not want to be in the path of something more dangerous and sinister than the noise pollution of barking, such as physical danger to themselves or their children.
Good luck! I know from experience also, that uniting the neighbors is no easy task. It takes time and patience when you'd rather be doing something you enjoy. It is easier to think that the problem may go away. But once you approach some neighbors you may find you have some unexpected valuable experiences.
ie, to repeat: see what you can do about criminal activities of the people, not the dogs, because commenters here have said the latter does no good.
Police do know however about trained guard dogs for crack houses. Thieves go in for a stash, shoot the attack dog first then maybe shoot the people to get their stash. I know, this sounds blecchh! but it happens.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 9, 2010 7:34 PM in response to Barking Dogs, Illegal Kennel
OP - Commodore, I decided to do a little Google search after posting previously about dog-mauling victim, Diane Whipple.
One mention of the prisoner and his bizarre relationship to the lawyers is that he "was raising the dogs as weapons to be used by the Mexican Mafia." If you have seen any PBS specials lately, you may have an idea of the brutality the Mex Mafia is capable of in N. Calif, protecting their drug interests ie marijuana fields and meth deals.
The story got deeper and uglier, unimaginable. I hope you don't have anything such as that near you.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 8, 2010 9:26 PM in response to Barking Dogs, Illegal Kennel
OP, some commenters have mentioned dog-fighting. I was thinking more about people who raise dogs for crack houses. Do you remember a case where a San Francisco woman (Diane Whipple) was killed in her hallway? The dog owners, both lawyers, had shady relationships with some prison inmates, and the reasons for the dogs were also shady.
In any case, people who train dogs to kill are meaner than dogs, so yes one wants to be cautious. OP, consider researching the so-called "crack house law" and nuisance abatement.
If this sounds harsh it is because someone we know personally was involved in a horrific scene that I won't go into here.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 8, 2010 8:40 PM in response to Barking Dogs, Illegal Kennel
Nice explanation of CHN and CHS, Montrose, including ballpark sounds from Ebbetts Field in days gone by. Too bad Ebbetts Field wasn't landmarked.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 8, 2010 3:59 PM in response to Building of the Day: 188-190 Sullivan Place
Late posting here, but I think this is an amazing photo. I haven't seen one before where *only* part of the sculpture on the war memorial arch is in such close-up to the Meier glass bldg. In addition, just noticed in the detail that one soldier in the sculpture is pointing toward the Meier glass. Also, this photo seems in keeping with the Memorial Day remembrance of the weekend.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at June 1, 2010 10:57 PM in response to On Prospect Park Thinks Bigger
Gorgeous house and a *gorgeous block*. Just walk down it sometime. Like a different world.
And butterfly, lol! at 1:40 PM
Posted by: BklynSoFar at May 26, 2010 11:55 PM in response to House of the Day: 858 Carroll Street
These prewar buildings used to have apartments with many large rooms. So they have chopped them up considerably to make these small apartments. It seems like a travesty to me.
About a single person or a couple and the closet space: crediting jokesters on a thread yesterday, if one of the couple is a cross-dresser, then a one small closet may be sufficient.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at May 11, 2010 9:41 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 115 Eastern Parkway, #3D
"preporiums"? -- finding my google dictionary. Minard is waxing esoteric today (well, every day). Benson, lol, 2:34 PM, re attire for a Capote reading . Minard and Benson may be the new Brownstoner comedic team.
btw, I wonder if a "preporium" where one buys cross-dressing (2:51 PM) clothes. (Not that I need any.)
Posted by: BklynSoFar at May 10, 2010 6:06 PM in response to Preppiest Store Ever Opens on Hicks
That is cool, Minard. (1:56 PM)
Posted by: BklynSoFar at May 10, 2010 2:26 PM in response to 70 Willow Street Hits Market
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Thanks. If anyone is still reading this, the bathroom and airvent are in the middle of the building depth-wise, and not too far from one side, so I doubt it's a cornice.
Posted by: BrooklynCouch at July 28, 2010 9:49 AM in response to Disturbing Noise In Airshaft....
NYC Noise code summary and complete text can be found here:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/air_and_noise/index.shtml
The summary - sort of - indicates 10PM as a cut-off time, although it does not specifically dictate noise generated by neighbors... perhaps the full-text does.
In the past I've had good results with discussing the problem directly with the noise-maker. Sometimes they don't realize they're being so damn rude.
If that fails to accomplish anything, I've had good results with knocking on the noisy-neighbor's door during the "noise" and screaming at them while acting slightly more menacing than I am.
I can be an intimidating presence, so this has worked. The few times they turned it back up, I'd knock and scream again. The point was to ruin their "good time" and make sure they got used to the idea that they risked a "knock and screaming" session every time they got loud. It's not my favorite approach, but sometimes, I guess, you just have to "rule by fear".
Good luck on this... DJs what a talentless bunch.
Posted by: PicassosLeftEar at August 9, 2010 11:48 PM in response to New Neighbors are DJs...
Tunnels, other than the subway, I meant.
Posted by: BklynSoFar at August 19, 2010 7:09 PM in response to Gaping Hole on Grand Avenue