Open Thread Wednesday

Another “gem” from DIBS! Must be pretty boring and lonely in Penna. You always seem to be chastising people in Brooklyn Heights on this blog. Why don’t you stick it to some people in Bucks County and leave us Brooklynites alone!

I think as parents it’s our responsibility to ensure our kids understand how to scoot safely and politely, but I don’t think it’s fair for others to expect kids never to make a mistake while in motion (especially when they’re younger than 5 or 6), or to expect us to hover along with them like a human emergency brake. Just as others should be patient and tolerant of a small child negotiating stairs in a subway entrance, I would hope they’d do the same for one on a scooter, provided no serious physical risks are presented.

Sorry bro, Playground rules apply, no “Humans” allowed unless accompanied by a Dog.

My wife has Parkinson’s and moves slowly but safely around the downtown with a four-wheel walker and an escort. I would urge you to be sure to look ahead when you’re out with the kids because there are folks who aren’t very agile but who are very vulnerable. Thanks!

Yes, and I do, as does my young kid (most of the time). He has a bell now, which he uses rather liberally to alert people of his approach, and I’m in the process of teaching him to use it respectfully rather than annoyingly.

My main point here is that people can’t just get indignant about little kids on scooters; they’re a fact of life in a neighborhood like ours, one that for most people isn’t a real problem. And as parents we do our best to mitigate and preempt incidents, but it can’t be 100% and it’s nice when our neighbors show understanding for youngsters who are still learning the ropes.

I was gonna respond but I clutched my pearls so hard I just choked a little

What is going on with you guys?! You mysteriously leave us high and dry, with not so much as a vocalized question mark to whine about for two weeks, you come back, and all of a sudden Dan Brown’s a good writer and you deserve a free refill when you spill your own drink in a restaurant?? That’s cray.

On a more somber note, nice to see you back on the air. When are you going to host a Heights-centric version of Wait Wait featuring a panel that includes me and Jeff Smith? Because that would be AMAZING.

I think they meant he was moving $10 mill a year in weed. Probably clearing about $1mill as profit.

I meant relatively small. Like Amazon Prime, not Cheech & Chong.

Haha, our two-week sabbatical was due to a *visit from my mom* and a work trip. You know, typical baller stuff. We’re sorry you missed us but we’re back! I emphatically agree that Dan Brown sucks, but you’ll have to take that one up with Joe. A Brooklyn Heights version of Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me is genius, I’ll get our best producer on it. : )

Yes. I forgot to add the :-) which might hacve helped poor Leave Us Be!

The fake homeless guy in front of starbucks/lassen & hennings. He only shows up when the weather is nice. He blocks the sidewalk. He begs for money. I recently saw him singing out loud while listening to a “walkman CD player” (said use of the portable CD player being the only thing that actually made me think he might be homeless). I’ve also heard that he has been rude and cat called women (although I have not witnessed this). This guy is clearly a neighborhood nuisance. All signs point to him not being in ANY distress. Just annoying.

Jeff Smith is Willow Street Watch, right??? I mean, it’s kind of like Andy Kaufman and Tony Clifton.

Actually, I am thankful they are there. If you recall, that house almost got the axe a few years ago? I think walking around a car is less of an inconvenience than dying in a fire.

I’m at Hillside every day with my border collie. Some people stop by to see the dogs. There are often lots of people leaning on the fence enjoying the dogs’ antics. At least one dog less regular eventually started taking care of an old pup. I think it’s fine. Important to remember not to give a dog a treat without asking the human in case of allergies, etc.