Only redeeming quality I found with Ellis is that the female bartender can make a seriously delicious bloody mary. Otherwise, good riddance.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 9, 2010 2:34 PM in response to Ellis Restaurant and Bar Has Closed

i went to quaker school for 10 years and never once was I forced to eat oatmeal! But all the desks had to be in a semi circle, and we weren't allowed to chew gum.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 9, 2010 9:46 AM in response to Quaker School Expanding to 470 Vanderbilt

"Court St isn't all that busy or noisy"

Actually Court / Livingston area is pretty chaotic during the day bc of the courts. Evening is quieter, but there are a lot of delivery trucks along that stretch after hours.
Just sayin.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 9, 2010 9:19 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

you don't necessarily need to be facing the back of the building to avoid noise. But you do need to be up high. 7 floors up is pretty good, but buses and delivery trucks run along Court. Noise tolerance is subjective; depends on how sensitive you are to it. If you can, try to visit the apt during the day and evening. And open the windows. Remember that empty spaces will amplify sound.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 9, 2010 9:14 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

what floor is the loft on? that makes all the difference.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 9, 2010 7:02 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

"these balconies are a tragedy waiting to happen..."

Agreed. There are a few perilously supported balconies (think nailed together 2x4's extending 3 stories into the air) on Bedford near the BQE underpass. And 1 or 2 of them might even be jutting over the sidewalk.

like, hello?

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 8, 2010 7:32 PM in response to Closing Bell: Safe for Sukkot?

"Take them all down. Will do more for the nations health than the Obama Health reform plan."

couldn't agree more

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 8, 2010 12:11 PM in response to Prepping for the McD's Demolition

"And also one or two on Pacific between Smith/Boerum/Court. "

I believe those are long gone due to construction. No???

"There are a couple on Pacific Street between Smith and Hoyt"
These are unattended, vacant dirt lots operating as parking facilities.

There is the Parking Club but it's $$$$

The rental and condo buildings along Boerum place both have garages that rent a few spaces to non-residents for around $250 inc tax

Your best bet is across Atlantic.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 4, 2010 10:01 PM in response to Local Parking lots, CH,CG

"I heard that it's going to be records, coffee, and antiques."

Anyone remember when Halcyon was on Smith/Baltic street before all the Smith St hype? I loved it there :-/

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 4, 2010 3:11 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Shop for Court Street

I had a similar problem (although the smell was not cigs) and the following worked pretty well. caulk the entire perimeter of the room where the floor meets the walls and around outlet plates with clear paintable sealant. Don't forget the closet too. And also around any hard wired light fixtures. If you do a careful job, you will hardly see it when it's dry.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 3, 2010 7:59 AM in response to Smoke Smell

7 apts in 10 years. and considering another move at the end of current lease. I think Bono said it best, "still haven't found what I'm looking for" LOL

Posted by: bowl of dicks at March 1, 2010 11:58 AM in response to How Many Times Have You Moved?

Agree with Minard 100%. 11217, is very knowledgable and definately gets around, but his posts almost always come across as holier-than-thou. :-/

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 26, 2010 11:57 AM in response to Looking for Neighborhood Correspondents

And screw Sam Sifton too. Tanoreen is phenominal.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 24, 2010 11:59 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

"and is considering a "Meatless Monday" school lunch program."

i.e., pasta or pizza.....not much better. Actually worse! (no protien)

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 24, 2010 9:09 AM in response to Wednesday Links

During the course of one 15 minute shower, the temperature will fluctuate approximately a dozen times. Of that dozen, maybe 2 or 3 times will it be abrupt to ice cold, or to scalding hot. The rest will consist of gradual temp changes which require me to constantly adjust the knobs (it's almost like someone else is trying to compensate for *my* temp adjustments, and as a result, we are all just constantly asjusting the temp during our showers)

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 2:01 PM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

cmu - I do not know what kind of boiler is in the basement. I have no access. While the temp flucuates, the water pressure coming out of the shower head never changes. There are also no noises (squeeks, knocking etc) coming from the pipes when the temp changes abruptly. During off hours (12-5am) I can get consistant temps.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 1:05 PM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

Hank - Yes, my radiators have only one pipe on opposite side of vent. Is it possible to replace these plastic washers from the outside or does it come back around to the issue of opening up the tile wall? If outside the wall, is it a quick DIY fix? (I am pretty handy) Legion, there are no leaks from the knobs when in the closed position. However there *may* be water trickling out while the shower is on. I never paid much attention, but I will check on that tonight. Thank you everyone for all the help.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 12:31 PM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

So just to clarify - a mixing valve is only used for those single handle style shower faucets, and the seperate hot/cold knobs are controlled by seperate valves behind each knob....correct? Is there a test I can perform to determine which (or both) knob is causing the problem?

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 11:17 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

austin - Yes!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 11:11 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

Hank, yes. I have 1 knob for hot, and 1 knob for cold. And I have an identical, but fixed, knob between the two - presumably where the old tub spigot was(?) There are no temp flux issues whatsoever in the kitchen sink or bathroom sink. There are no water pressure issues throughout the apt. When I flush the toilet, the water temp in the shower does not suddenly change. Same for when I turn on the sink faucet. I ran the shower at 3am a few times, and consistantly got a steady temp. That last test led me to believe it has to do with other apartments using water. Keep in mind half the occupants do not leave at all during the daytime (elderly)so there is contant usage. It is a mystery to me.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 10:55 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

Austin - good point. I am friendly with some of my neighbors, and they have also mentioned they deal with a similar issue.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 10:25 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

^^^ it is a rental building.

After doing a google image search, what I have seems to be called:

"Two handle compression valve for shower only" Model # SF-17

Any more leads given this info? Thank you!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 10:20 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

RE tub spigot > dunno. They also disabled the tub drain plug thingy so no one can take baths. (Not that I care about that....) I was told prior to signing the lease that it functions as a shower only.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 10:06 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

DIBS, yes, there is always plenty of hot water. And there is tons of water pressure as well. (I am on the top floor) There is tile all over the place so they would have to open that up. Maybe that is why I am getting the run around.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 9:47 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

As a follow up question, is the water supplied to my shower typically only affected by the 3 other apts in my line, or does the entire building's usage come into play here? I am no plumbing expert so I don't know how it works. Thank you!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 23, 2010 9:40 AM in response to Hot/Cold Water Issues

Trezza managed the rental building where I previously lived, and I second the recommendation. They keep that building in absolute tip top shape, and always address issues immediately.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 22, 2010 8:13 PM in response to Looking for a Management Company

I lived in an apartment some years ago with an illegal bedroom in the basement. Granted, this was a rental building and thus not "finished" nicely. In the summer I had to run a dehumidifier 24hrs a day down there and empty it twice daily. It jacked up my elec bill. In the wintertime it was fa-reezing even though I had heat and an adjustable thermo. The foundation walls were not insulated enough and those walls radiated cold. sometimes they would condensate. What a mess. If you are sensitive to allergies / humidity I do not recommend sleeping in a basement.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 22, 2010 8:06 AM in response to Cellar "Rec" Space

11217 i'm not a trash talker on Bstoner, and you know it.

I never said I did not like this guy's reno job. I simply do not like the know-it-all tone he took in describing his project, and his follow up responses. I did initially read it as an advertisement. I thought ads and self-promotion were banned from the forum? The latest long winded OP post further fuels my opinion. So ok fine, I'm a spacedesign hater.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 20, 2010 1:47 AM in response to Renovation Reveal and Advice

the funny part 11217, is that OP wasn't asking for advice!

ME ME ME ME LOOK AT ME

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 19, 2010 12:31 PM in response to Renovation Reveal and Advice

311

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 19, 2010 9:45 AM in response to Closing Bell: Busted in Bay Ridge

"Why does it bother you so that someone likes my doors so much?"

probably because your original post, and your follow up responses come across as being arrogant, pretentious, not to mention desperate for attention!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 19, 2010 9:40 AM in response to Renovation Reveal and Advice

How are the PS's in Bay Ridge?

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 19, 2010 9:34 AM in response to Affordable Nabe, Great Schools?

Agree with CMU on this one.

"Also in some weird common sense of mine, it makes sense to have the bedroom upstairs back of the house, away from the front room, with sound insulation around the house so that its nice and quiet"

Actually this makes no sense at all since presumably you have tenants above you on the second floor so the logical place would be to put the sleeping quarters in the basement and the living spaces on the parlor so there is some kind of buffer there.

RE: kitchen / garden / entertaining........hello, it's called deck.

"I drew the doors myself and had them made. The ironsmith liked them so much he charged me a lot less and used them for his portfolio"

Aren't you special!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 18, 2010 11:34 PM in response to Renovation Reveal and Advice

what is all that black stuff hanging from the cieling there? looks neat. can someone go check it out and report back? I will never get over there...dumbo is sorta a sensitive nabe for me.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 18, 2010 5:54 PM in response to Streetlevel: Choice Dumbo Opens Today

:-(

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 18, 2010 5:51 PM in response to Closing Bell: Busted in Bay Ridge

wait, is that the Mobil? I walked by there less than 2 weeks ago and it was open. What happened? Crap, that was my "local" gas station. :-(

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 18, 2010 5:22 PM in response to Closing Bell: Busted in Bay Ridge

RE: bus driver - not suprised. those orthodox bus drivers are CA-RAZY behind the wheel.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 18, 2010 9:14 AM in response to Thursday Links

aren't these the types of questions and concerns you should having *before* buying the property next door? just wondering.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 17, 2010 10:47 PM in response to Neighboring Property a Hazard

"It's funny wine lover that you boast about the restaurants in Williamsburg as being the best ever and a reason to live in the neighborhood, yet don't realize that most of them are employing "illegals" to cook and serve you your perfect food."

11217, was thinking the exact same thing.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 17, 2010 1:00 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Mmmm Sixpoint Sweet Action is my fave.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 17, 2010 11:57 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

CL is your best bet if you do not want to pay a broker. Spend enough time trolling the listings and you will learn what are fake ads, stealth broker ads, scams etc. IMO the "by owner" section has the most legit listings. and no(!!) it is not necessary to hire a broker in this market, although sometimes they do have the "nicer" rentals. I also think your budget will afford you plenty of options in the nabes you listed. Only minor concern would be that those areas are not exactly convenient from the airports. Good luck and welcome.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 17, 2010 10:41 AM in response to Rental Advice for Couple

$1000 for two years? no way. We pay $20 for cooking gas, max, per month. And that's cooking at home 5 nights a week. $20x24 months = $480

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 17, 2010 9:48 AM in response to National Grid Gas Account

Look in Ditmas park - a lot of those homes have 3+ bedroom apts with yard access and off street parking.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 16, 2010 12:30 PM in response to advice to find triplex rental

No interest thru CL? You are probably pricing it too high.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 16, 2010 12:27 PM in response to Rental Broker Recommendation?

agree w more4less. cool looking building at least.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 16, 2010 11:08 AM in response to Hello, Lawsuits

really lurve this blog. I used to ride by your house many moons ago on my bike and always stopped to fantasize. keep up the good work, and the posts! BoD

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 9, 2010 6:10 PM in response to Interior Demo Part 2: Kitchen Hearth Uncovered

my theory on why LL's post their rentals at the last minute is because they know renters are pressed for time; renters NEED to find something by X date, or else. Closer to their X date, the crappier apartments start becoming more appealing!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 8, 2010 10:59 AM in response to Too Soon for April 1 Rental?

I am not a LL, but a seasoned renter. It's way too early to find an April 1st rental. Usually LL's do not post their apts until they are "ready for immediate occupancy". April 1st rentals will start popping up on CL 2nd, even 3rd, week of March. Use this time to research the listings on CL so in March when it comes to make appts, you can be well informed on market rates.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 7, 2010 4:39 PM in response to Too Soon for April 1 Rental?

www.callpaultohaul.com

paul is very professional, very reasonably priced and in my experience very accommodating. He's a man w a van so only does small jobs like this.

He will charge you a lower rate if YOU are his helper, or a slightly higher rate if he brings his own helper(s). He is also very very careful with your cargo.

He delivered a dresser and queen bed frame up a 4 story walk up for me no problem....

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 6, 2010 12:19 AM in response to 2 Men and a Van

the salty dog is my local! holla

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 4, 2010 5:58 PM in response to Thursday Blogwrap

Just curious if you looked at the Belltel Lofts building during your search. Not a co-op building, but loft spaces and there is no traffic on 3 sides of the building.

Posted by: bao at March 9, 2010 10:16 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

It's true there are less cars at night, but that point is moot.

With Montague Street it is commercial traffic that is biggest assault on the senses. That is less of an issue with Court Street but it does have about a dozen bus routes that terminate at Borough Hall, loop around and begin on Court Street or points nearby (IIRC drivers take a 10-20 break then start again).

You should have dinner on Montague or Atlantic one night and then take a late night stroll past 75 Livingston. Or make a point of getting off at Borough Hall after a night on the town in the city and see what its like after hours. Its fine to seek out opinions here - its a great resource, folks are really helpful on a variety of issues - but this is one I think it might be worthwhile to do your own legwork.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 9, 2010 10:36 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

I used to live above Queen Restaurant on court btwn Livingston & Schemerhorn. The biggest noise factor was that McDonalds. It would attract people from the movie theater late at night and it would also have trucks unloading at 4 or 5 am.

In addition to that, my biggest gripe was idling trucks. Sanitation, Corrections, etc... It would make my picture frames vibrate.

Posted by: mrkknox at March 9, 2010 10:40 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

It's the city folks! It is not quiet so if that is an issue for you, downtown Brooklyn (or Chelsea or Soho etc) is not for you. And being on a high floor does not guarantee no noise (sound bounces up). Yes, godd windows (and draperies on them) help, but sound comes in through AC etc....

Posted by: BH76 at March 9, 2010 11:53 AM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor

This has all been very helpful. Thanks.
If I do go forward I plan on having an inspection during rush hour to sample the sounds at that point. Then just stalking the corner at different times is probably a good idea.

Beltel- I haven't seen the building yet, but I assumed it was the opposite problem - a bit desolate at night.

Posted by: lilibete at March 9, 2010 4:42 PM in response to 75 Livingston - Noise Factor