Open Thread Wednesday

By on July 3, 2018 11:25 pm in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away! And happy Fourth of July.

Share this Story:

← 
Newer Comments  →
  • Jorale-man

    Has anyone tried to go to Governor’s Island recently? I went once last year and the ferry situation (hot, crowded, painfully slow, and full of screaming kids) left me frustrated and cranky by the time I arrived. But maybe it’s improved with the new ferries? Would be curious to hear of experiences.

  • Local_Montague_Man

    I went once…never again. Same experience as you described. It’s really too bad, once on the island it was fun, but getting there and back…so painful.

    Maybe they should build a footbridge from the Promenade, haha.

    Happy 4th

  • Jorale-man

    Good to hear it wasn’t just Jorale-man being a curmudgeon. I’ve had that experience more than once now.

    Yes, a drawbridge would do the trick!

  • Andrew Porter

    There are two departure points: from Manhattan, and from Pier Six:

    https://govisland.com/visit-the-island/ferry

  • Andrew Porter

    Does anyone here collect and/or run Lionel electric trains? Or have any moldering in the closet they’d like to dispose of?

    Here’s a photo I took of two of my locomotives:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ab7941ccf623755a70dd11d0f378d4d35bf35a0b2f79bf7c695107370df0560f.jpg

  • MaggieO
  • DIBS

    I assume you are familiar with the website mariostrains.com

  • karen

    We love Governor’s Island. Go at least a couple of times each summer, usually with our bikes, leaving from Pier 6. Yes, it stinks to have to wait for the ferry (both directions) and deal with lots of crowds. But the ride is 10 minutes, totally worth it to get to a place that feels so far from the heat and pollution of NYC in summer. With all of the new areas being opened all the time, we always find we’re able to find peace and quiet in various places. As long as you mentally prepare yourself for the commute (like everything else in this city!) we feel it’s definitely worth the time. (Just my opinion!)

  • Herman on Henry

    Quality of life continues to deteriorate in the neighborhood. A few times over the past few weeks I have seen people urinate in broad daylight against trees and buildings. Not a police officer around to complain to. Disgusting.

  • TeddyNYC

    The first time I went in 2011 wasn’t bad. The ferry actually had empty seats. I guess public access to the island was still kind of a “secret” or something. The last time I went (last year), taking the ferry was a pain, but I was glad to see the new redeveloped areas and the beautiful view of the harbor/Manhattan from the new hill. It probably helps to go earlier in the day and on a cooler day to avoid any heat-related issues as you wait to board the ferry. Another option may be to take the ferry from Manhattan on a weekday if you can do it.

  • BrooklynHeightzer

    Agree. Don’t we already have enough dogs in the hood doing exactly this!

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    Are you looking to add to your collection or to get rid of these?

  • Jorale-man

    I saw a man urinating against a house on State Street a couple weeks ago, also in broad daylight. I gave him a dirty look (and crossed the street) but he didn’t look like someone to confront. It’s especially unpleasant when we don’t have much rain to act as a natural cleaning agent.

  • Andrew Porter

    I want to add to my collection. Here’s another photo; I had this case made to hold trains, but of course it’s already too small:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/66b85cc635cdca823cbc4b44b0222daf1bf1daedd6a4a909be46de872f6c4c26.jpg

  • Andrew Porter

    No. Thanks for the link!

  • Joe Ziemer

    Anyone here anything on the Bossert? They were having a pretty big party last night. I sent it to Brownstoner but no comments there yet. https://www.brownstoner.com/development/hotel-bossert-brooklyn-heights-98-montague-street-bistricer-chetrit/

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    I have a small set I picked up off a stoop sale on Hicks last year thinking it would make a great Christmas present for my kid, but unfortunately there was a problem with the power supply and it doesn’t work. Presently with my in-laws awaiting some electronic tinkering.

  • BrooklynHeightzer

    They need to build more water closets around the Heights to accommodate the throngs of our barbecue guests in the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

  • Andrew Porter

    Likely HO rather than O. But the starter sets nowadays are really cheap in construction, all cars and locos plastic.

    There is satisfying feeling in holding a several-pounds heavy die-cast locomotive and tender from the 1940s or 50s.

  • Diesel

    I hope you don’t have an issue with that. WooF

  • Heights Guy 77

    Do you have the photographer’s permission to post this picture? If it is your own picture, we’ll need a sworn affidavit from yourself, to yourself, granting permission. Thank you.

  • Andrew Porter

    I will write it in blood. Yours…

  • cool

    Even tho the Brooklyn ferry is closer, I find the Manhattan ferry much better. Opens earlier. The boat is much bigger to accommodate the bikers/strollers well. The R train one stop.

  • Jorale-man

    Good to know. If that alleviates some of the pain and suffering of the BBP ferry, I’d be willing to try it.

  • KXrVrii1

    And first two rides from Brooklyn each day on the weekend are free. We’ve never had an issue getting on the first ferry, which is at a not too early 11:00am.

  • Herman on Henry

    A friend and myself were trying to remember all the different incarnations of Roebling Inn. I know it used to be Magnetic Field and Friends. Any help in helping us remember the other bars that occupied the space would be great

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    Yes it’s HO, but the loco is definitely of the heavy die-cast variety. The set is a brand-crossover with Caterpillar—the construction equipment company—and features several flatbeds complete with die-cast bulldozers. Stuff you get into when you have a young kid!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Before all those it was a Spanish social club/bar
    Fuente Uento (SP) In the beginning it was members only but in its last years, it was open to the public.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

    When I moved to the Heights in 1983, there was a Swedish restaurant at, I think, that location (or possibly nearby). I went there, by myself, one December night and was greeted by a middle aged blonde woman who said they were having a special Christmas smorgasbord; all I could eat for $50. Feeling flush (and hungry) I took it. It was excellent.

  • T.K. Small

    On Friday I was rolling around the neighborhood and noticed the new lighting installation outside the entrance of the recently renovated St. Anne school. As great as they look, they are a personal injury lawyer’s dream come true! There is no barricade beneath them and the level of the bracket which holds the lights is at the perfect height to bash someone in the head. Is the essence of a “foreseeable” problem.

    If one of the readership of this page has any connections to the school, please forward this observation to them.

←  
Newer Comments  →