Open Thread Wednesday 2/11/09

Nabe, there were two:

John Lonergan, who lives in BH:

cell: 212 475-6100

and SuperCharged:

646 423-7177.

As it turns out, I’m having John, who sounds like a thoroughly nice guy, come to my apartment (fingers triple-crossed) tomorrow to do some ceiling-fixture swapping. If you like, I’ll report.

I should add that John gave me an estimate of $160-80 to do the whole job whereas “Super” charges by the hour. Their rate was $300 for the work.

Who WILL you call?

Connecticut Muffin does have wifi, and they’re very friendly. Starbucks has wifi-for-pay, though you get 2 hours a day if you use their debit card.

I have never set foot in Tazza, completely turned off by their “no laptops” rule. The idea that a computer is somehow disturbing to your neighbors where a book is not is ridiculous. I’ve been waiting for them to go out of business and be replaced by something more welcoming.

It is unfortunate that Tazza has the ban because it is such a great addition to the N. Heights. I don’t know what their thinking is, but I recently had a very unpleasant exchange with a man at Starbucks who essentially had set up his office on a bench and complained when my 10 year old daughter got too close to his things (it was 3:30 on a Tuesday).

The food and atmosphere at Tazza are great. Finally a locally owned business (they are PS 8 parents too) has come into the ‘hood. Please think twice about waiting for them to go out of business. Remember, that space had been vacant for a really long time after a few failed and poorly conceived businesses. Anyone remember Mike’s kosher Steakhouse?

Thanks AEB and bornhere, although neither of those names rings a bell. But keep me posted on Lonergan’s work.

Thanks AEB. I presume you meant that you cannot recommend him highly enough. (sorry, it’s the semanticist in me)

Yes, nabe, locution as in, “I could care,” when in fact you mean you couldn’t care less, I can’t recommend him too highly.

And, yes again, he showed up at the appointed hour, having called FIRST this AM to confirm.

In short, all the fear-and-loathing that usually attends waiting…waiting…waiting for the plumber, electrician, painter, carpenter, etc. to arrive (and finding out after the first hour of no-show that the guy has had an “emergency” and won’t be there at all and he’ll call on Monday, and he doesn’t do) didn’t happen.

As I said before, Lonegrin’s your (and everyone else’s) guy.

Thanks again AEB. The inevitable question ensues…does he do windows? Sounds like a keeper.

I had recommended another electrician on a previous post, Taj — 718-216-8097. Very reasonable and reliable. Even went to Lowe’s and bought the ceiling fan for me. I highly recommend him. But no jaunty hat…
Also, for any other kind of repair/contracting work, my standby is Scott Reid — 347-277-9637 — has been doing all my home repair/renovations for the past 17 years. Professional, pleasant, a perfectionist, honest, and reasonable. Beautiful work.