Open Thread Wednesday 12/16/09

By on December 16, 2009 12:30 am in Brooklyn Heights
Atlantic Ave

BHB Photo Club pic by Tom Rupolo/Urban Landscape Photography

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Has anyone else noticed the proliferation of markings by utility companies on the streets of Brooklyn Heights? Its purpose is to identify any sensitive areas for any future construction crews. Surely we don’t want a crew drilling into a gas main but is there a more sensible way to identify sensitive areas?

    When I inquired about the markings, I was told they would be legally liable if an electric or gas line was disturbed due to lack of identification.

    On your way to work, look at the street and you will be entertained with markings like “E” for electrical. “G” for gas, “Shallow” for close to surface, “NTX” for next to whatever etc, etc.

    Whatever happened to construction crews carrying updated maps that detail the latest work performed? Are we in such a dynamic environment that maps cannot be updated fast enough?

    Am I just a cranky resident with nothing better to do than complain? Am I correct in thinking these are permanent markings as warnings for any future crews and not for imminent work to be performed? Were these marking always there and I’m only now cognizant of them?

    If the colorful symbols are necessary then I’ll adapt and chalk it up to the concept “Life in the Big City” and have to get used to it.

    Here is a YouTube filming I made to show you what I am talking about:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_H49zt2Re0

  • Homer Fink

    It’s Moonstruck! With sock puppets!
    http://brooklynbugle.com/node/919

    Also at the new Brooklyn Bugle site… forums!
    http://brooklynbugle.com/forum

    The site is still in development but we wanted to give BHB readers a chance to take a sneak peek…

    Attn web designers – we need your help! info at thebrooklynbugle dot com

  • tb

    KJ.. you sound a little cranky. Granted, I’m pretty cranky too but still. Let’s take a walk down to the prominade and enjoy the view shall we?

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    tb,

    You are entirely correct. Homer thought I was over the edge and this morning i bumped into Jim, from Cranberries, and nabeguy and both were much more pragmatic about the markings.

    I’m taking your advice and going for a walk on the promenade and give thanks for all the good things that surround me.

    Let’s see, we have caroling at Montague Street this afternoon and the tree lighting ceremony tonite at the promenade and diner at Noodle Pudding. It is great to be alive in Brooklyn Heights.

    Merry Christmas to all and this is a lot cheaper than seeing a therapists who would charge me $150 to tell me the same thing.

  • tb

    kj-lol.. I feel better too! Have a great Christmas!

  • alex

    Just wanted to add that Iris Cafe on Columbia Place seems to be going strong. There are always at least a few customers whenever I walk by. The fact that they allow computers — unlike Tazza — seems to be a big draw. In any case, I’m glad to see neighbors supporting this new business!

    Any news about other things moving into that strip?

  • Fresh

    Can anyone recommend a place to get an oil change and have someone tighten up a loose muffler. I wanted to try the Sam’s Auto Body on Old Fulton Street because it was close – anyone have any experience they can share. Thanks.

  • alex

    I’m going to need to board my dog for 5 or 6 days next month. In the past I’ve rented a car to take her to Eva’s Play Pups in Williamsburg (highly recommended), but I’d really love to find a nice boarding place that’s walkable from my apartment in the southern Heights. Any suggestions?

  • Billy Reno

    Nice pic. If you threw a stone over those buildings, you’d hit my deck.

  • Heights

    I believe the Tailored Pet at 89 Pineapple Walk boards dogs. 718-855-8686

  • No One of Consequence

    @KJ
    Maybe Guder and Rex should apply for those jobs.

    @Fresh
    The Mobil station on the far side of Flatbush Ave Ext is alright.
    Don’t go to the station (I forget which) on Atlantic Ave that I’m sure others will speak up about avoiding.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    alex.

    I have tons of footage of everything in the Heights (I know I need to get a life) and just happen to be around that part of the nabe the other day and took the following footage of the iris Cafe. Indeed, it was filled with customers with standing room only. lol

    You will see, though, that Iris is down Columbia Place a bit from Joralemon and the other properties are empty. When the park is open, my guess is that these property lots will have more of a demand. A charming locatoin none the less.

    Iris looks like a success story so far. Hip Hip Hooray.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKWoLtLRRQ

    One last note, I second the Tailored Pet and tell Andrea that Karl sent you and they will give you a discount. lol Fact is, their prices are the lowest in the nabe already.

  • Katie

    Did anyone else go and get a H1N1 shot at Dr. Turners office on Dec. 2. I paid $20 for the shot but just got a bill in the mail for an additional $55.01. They never told me that that there would be another charge. Did this happen to anyone else?

  • harumph

    Katie – go back to the story – someone there wrote in recently about just that:

    http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/14910

  • Suzy

    To Karl:
    Thanks for the laugh!
    That’s been my block for over 20 years.
    Great Job.

  • Publius

    @Katie: It happened to me as well. Just call the number on the invoice and they will fix the situation. I did it this morning. They said they will send a new invoice showing the adjustment to a zero balance.

  • Publius

    The NY Post has an article about the new head of the BBPDC board of directors, and the possible City takeover of the park: http://tinyurl.com/ycu9dd4

  • http://mermaidsonparade.blogspot.com melanie hope greenberg

    I’ll be back at the Moxie Spot on Sunday December 20 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. 81 Atlantic Avenue. I’ll be reading and signing my picture books. Come and create non religious holiday tree ornaments: brownstone houses, seashells, mom and pop stores. Click on my link for more book and art sale information.

  • Ramona Quimby

    Alex,
    It might be sort of a hike for you if you live in the south heights, but I recommend Cheeky Dog in Dumbo for boarding your dog. The owner and her staff are great.

  • Homer Fink

    Check out the Brooklyn Bugle forums to discuss other services:
    http://www.brooklynbugle.com/forum/520

  • justaneighbor

    Love Iris Cafe. Love. Worth the walk for me…good luck to them!

  • Publius

    The NY Post just published a blog entry on the opening of BBP in January. Also about the handover of Fulton Ferry Park on Jan 1, 2010 to the BBPDC:

    http://tinyurl.com/y88kwsh

  • bklyn20

    Rich Calder used to be a surprising voice of reason on Brooklyn Bridge Park — unexpected at the NY Post. Now, it seems, he reports what he’s been told by the Development Corp or the Conservancy. Will the real Rich Calder please stand up — now!?

  • Climate

    If you want to get a different perspective on the climate summit in Copenhagen I suggest that you read some foreign newspapers. If you do not speak another language, there are plenty of english magazines out there online in Europe and Asia. They portray the summit quite differently than the US media, especially the role the US plays.