Open Thread Wednesday 5/12/10

I know that many of we Heights residents, especially those of us who live on Henry Street, are aware of the missing tree outside of Clark’s Restaurant. And of the 4-by-4-foot hole of wet, open mud there in its place. Sure, it’s not adding to the aesthetics of the Heights, and it makes for chances of injuring ourselves (whatever our age). The “good thing” about seeing that hole go unattended? Well, it seems to get us together as a good old-fashioned neighborhood. Reminds me of my youth in a suburb of Cleveland. When a lawn would go uncut, or when a “junk barrel” would get a bit too high, or even when the side of a house started to appear needing a painting, by God the neighborhood would come together. Polite suggestions, yes. Not writing on buildings. But maybe a surprise homemade cake for the appropriate neighbor–the one who needed the suggestion. And in those days things always seemed to get rolling again fairly fast. Nowadays? We’ve got our choice of some 500 online TV channels. We order dinners delivered from a variety of restaurants down the block. And few of us can remember how to iron our own shirts. But it is encouraging, in some sense, to see we neighbors-though-strangers all becoming politely concerned about that missing tree on Henry. Right?

I heard that 62 Montague was having it’s semi-annual sidewalk sale on Saturday. A building occupant told me that it had been postponed from last week due to rain. Anybody know if that is true? I always find interesting things at their sale…especially books.

And don’t forget Homer Fink’s Hidden Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour at noon!

http://hiddenbrooklynheights.eventbrite.com

Great day out – walking tour, 62 Montague sale and Willow tour fair!

My gas oven is broke. I think there is an electric filament used to ignite the gas that has conked out. The stove works fine and so does the digital display so I know the gas and electricity are hooked up. Who fixes this kind of thing and can someone recommend a good one of those?

I want to say thanks to the mysterious unnamed man who on Monday dropped off a much-anticipated letter misdirected by the US Mail to the same house number on montague st instead of columbia heights…my gratitude for the hand delivery…

@km– movers not shakers http://www.moversnotshakers.com/

Any recommendations for an electrician to do a small job (replacing some failing recessed lights)? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

@KM – We had a good experience with redline movers. They were very professional and stuck to the flat rate quoted even though it took a little longer than estimated. http://www.redlinemovers.com/

@daddy – thank you also.. :)

gc, upper left-hand corner under About. Homer, painter or wallpaper hanger? They’re totally different specialties, with the latter usually having to repair the mistakes of the former.

Has anyone else noticed a sharp drop in the quality and attitude of sales help and cashiers and the local Barnes & Noble? I’ve had two very unpleasant experiences there in a week’s time after not having shopped there in more than a year.

I’m pretty sure John Lonerghan’s number is 718-875-6100 (not the 212 number posted above).

Thanks NYPD for the helicopter noise and the counter-terrorism show. I feel soooooo safe now.