Open Thread Wednesday 9/2/09

Knife Sharpening Truck:

Does anyone know the schedule, or contact info for the Knife Sharpening Truck that travels around the Heights?

Do they do a good job? Can they sharpen serrated blades?

Thanks,
Bart

Bart, gotta say our experience with that truck is not fabulous. While the guy is sweet as can be, and the whole idea of it is great – he killed our knives. I do know that there are actually two trucks (one green and one red) one is suppose to be better than the other, but for us, once dulled, twice shy.

I’ve just had the luxury of spending time with family in the Connecticut suburbs and discovered a lost shopping art — coupon clipping. Amazing savings, especially when doubled or tripled and combined with specials. This doesn’t seem to be an urban sport, as proximity and quality seem more important than saving $$ (generalization). I’m interested in finding grocery stores in the nabe (no car) that are most coupon-friendly. Any thoughts appreciated.

I just had a very unpleasant run in with Ken Baer. I told him very politely that I was supporting Doug Biviano and he started to bad mouth him. Serious chutzpah! So if anyone out there was considering voting for this guy, please reconsider. He was mean and nasty – not the kind of man I want representing me in City Hall.

I understand how this works, having been involved with campaigns in the past. But when someone tells you they are volunteering for and friends with a candidate, bad-mouthing them is really a foolish waste of time, and really tacky. Baer made himself look desperate and petty.

BTW, we also hear that the Knife Truck does not to a good job.

RRB

Treat them like any other panhandler.
It’s your own dang fault if you are “subtly guilt tripped into signing your life away.”

Haystacker,

My father is equally annoyed by the same people because he is essentially a conservative. He takes great delight in wasting their time in a long conversation and debate.

Now that PS 8 has received an “A” on its latest progress report (see:

will the folks who posted the comments below after last year’s “F” be eating some humble pie?

“I sense a certain level of defensiveness in these posts rather than a willingness to confront why the school seems to be doing so poorly. Doing well on tests is an important part of life. To get ahead in life you have to know how to take tests successfully. Complaining that the test is unfair is not going to cut it in our society. Shame on the school for not preparing the kids adequately to do well on the tests. Do you wish to tell the students in A and B schools that they are just lucky and do not deserve their outstanding grade? A good school teaches a child how to learn and how to use that learning to get ahead in life, which means doing well on tests!
I am very disappointed. If this story is true the principal will have to go and a no-nonesense educator put in his place. I am sick to death of excuses from the teachers and some of the parents too.”

“I was shocked when I read today’s NY Times piece on PS 8. It was not good for the neighborhood. Obviously the older minority students in the school are failing. Is the principal afraid to push them and challenge them for fear of being politically incorrect? Are they lost in a pseudo-St Ann’s of ubber-whiteness? Whatever the reason, we are failing the black students miserably. I blame the principal. This is a disgrace whether we like it or not. Our public school got an F. Not a C…not a D… but an F! do we really think that the test was specifically designed to make brooklyn heights look bad? I think there should be more soul-searching and less chest-thumping. We have failed our students especially the poorest ones. I do not care what propaganda the PTA or the BHA puts out in the coming days and weeks -covering their posteriors- this is an unmitigated disaster, heads need to roll. It is not enough to say ‘the white kids are doing OK’.”

Volunteer: “do you have a minute to help save the children?”

Me, pushing my baby daughter in a stroller: “I hate children”

Gets ’em every time…too stunned to reply

Thanks Cranberry Beret for posting the progress report. I didn’t know it was out yet. As a PS8 parent, I have to admit on a certain level it feels good to see the A – really more for the sake of the school being left alone and for Seth Phillips’ job security.

But, I contend that there was not much difference in last year with the prior years. My child was in 4th grade last year and the education my child received has been consistently excellent since kindergarten.

The grading system is ridiculous and this only further proves this. How could a school go from failing to excellent in one year? It was generally the same teachers, students and overall philosophy at work. There was nothing radical that changed within the school.

We are so lucky to have the incredible leadership of Seth Phillips and his fabulous teaching staff – then and now!

There was some recent news coverage about the company behind the “clipboard clowns” (I will be using that term — thanks!). Some kind of scandal. Not sure what. But yes, they are organized. Crossing the street, looking down, pretending to answer your cell phone are all ruses I use to avoid people I went to high school with. I dont like having to do it for these jokers too. Sure, from a marketing POV soliciting in 11201 makes sense – fish where there are fish. I just wish fewer of us would take the bait. If we stopped producing, theyd move on.

I had a friend who used to work for one of these companies. Their goal was to get people to sign up and donate using a credit card. reason being is that they would automatically charge the credit card every month unless you called to “cancel your donation”. They did get kick backs for how many people they got to sign up with a credit card.

Just don’t make eye contact and keep on walking just like with other panhandlers.

“Don’t you care about the environment?”

“No. Why do you think I live in Brooklyn?”