Open Thread Wednesday

By on February 16, 2022 2:41 am in open thread

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

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  • Odessey

    It sounds like those of us who favor open discussion may need to start protectively upvoting posts even if we disagree with them. Perhaps at the point when the number of downvotes approaches a threshold where it would falsely declared to be spam.

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

    There are probably a lot more readers than you think. Most people who read these blogs never post a comment or vote up or down. I’m a moderator on a private, hobby discussion, website. Our membership is over 50k but only few hundred ever post comments. We have thousands of regular readers though.

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    Arch, even though your immune system may be well equipped to fight the symptoms of Covid, you can still get and transmit it to others. (See my earlier comments.)

    Mandates are being lifted only under pressure from powerful entities who put commerce before public health; that doesn’t mean it is the right decision, let alone one worthy of anyone’s deference.

    And while I realize it’s always best to punch upwards, I now live on a distant island where, like in BH, most are very protective of the common good, so it’s important to me to come back once in a while and shine my light on anonymous internet trolls (talking about BH Mike here, not you) in my old hood. ;)

  • Steve

    I agree, most people I know in the neighborhood read this blog and refer to it all the time.

  • Mike Suko

    Basically, I hope (wish ?) you are right. But a story every week or 2 – no, I don’t count reprinting MTA notices about subway service – is the very opposite of “must read”/”what’s happening in my neighborhood?”

    An intern or 2 (Columbia STILL is preparing people for ever decreasing jobs as journalists) would make a world of difference, but current management is approaching 7 years of a mostly hands-off/que sera approach. I’m no hater – CS’ weekly photos are delights – but I remember John/Homer’s walking tours featuring the many fine writers who made a home in BHts. I’m sure Claude HOPES (sadly, not works) to keep the embers from going ALL gray, but an hour or 2 per week of labor barely keeps the lights on.

    The Times lets one submit a story (to be vetted) in its Metropolitan Diary column. The BHB has nothing but this column to distinguish it from a “gilded age” “Dear Diary.”

    I have 2 adult kids in the nabe. They read plenty – but not BHB. The latter need not “age out,” but all signs point in that direction.

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

    Glad to hear you escaped the confines of NYC. I also got out and I am currently residing at my upstate NY residence.
    I under stand how COVID works and all that. It’s about assessing risk, both for myself and others.
    We always accept a certain amount of risk in virtually everything we do, dealing with COVID is no different.
    I have assessed the risk to myself and others is extremely low, so I no longer feel it necessary to wear a mask in most situations.
    I see no evidence that Hochul’s decision to let the mask mandate expire was based solely on pressure from business interests.

  • Mike Suko

    SO hard to believe, but I trust you.

    But here are 2 headlines that caught my eye, courtesy of the Big G:

    CVS Will Move into Former Rite Aid Location on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights

    and

    CVS Nabs Its First Space in Dumbo After Years-Long Search

    OK, the first one is from 7 years ago – would-you-believe? – but the 2nd one is “hot off the presses” – Jan. 25, 2022.

    Front and York … I suspect the one near TJ’s on Court is a bit closer, but I’ll bet the Dumbo one “sparkles” (or will.)

  • Jorale-man

    I walked by the CVS today and saw the “closing soon” sign as well. The shop had seen better days by the end (perhaps attracting anti-maskers as a result…to tie together two threads on this week’s forum).

    After losing the Duane Reade on Court & Joralemon, the drug store population seems to be rapidly dwindling.

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    Get consent…someone around you might be immunocompromised.

    I see no evidence that *any* government decisions are made without pressure from business interests.

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

    Thanks but my world of contact is relatively small, everyone’s status is known and we’re all on the same page.

    Of course and some of those pressures are legitimate reasons.
    A reasonable balance between COVID restrictions and keeping the economy going must be found.

  • CassieVonMontague

    Yes, welcome to the new cycle. Cycle 9: 2020-2025. Reports are due this year. Dangerous conditions must be made safe immediately, which usually means a sidewalk shed. Conditions that are safe but require repairs must have repairs completed before 2025.

  • nomcebo manzini

    I did more digging than I can really justify…. CVS told the world last Nov. that it’d be closing 900 stores over a 3-year period, and that they’d use logic to make those cuts – how close together, how profitable, etc.

    An article in “Curbed” pretty much blew away “theft” as a major factor in the several recent closings (some in Manhattan, some in other boros.)

    Last, the CVS people owned up to the fact that they don’t make “that much money on prescription drugs.” Believe it or not, “the big money” comes from sales of products like Tylenol, hair colorants and ice cream.

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    It sounds like you’re talking about a safe situation where everyone either consents or consent is implied. That can’t be the case in any part of a public place in a city.

    And as for reasonable balance, sure, but reasonable to whom? The CEO of Starbucks, the barista who is considered essential, or the DOD/private prison lobbyist who knows their money competes against relief funding?

  • Jorale-man

    Very interesting. We have had a glut of drugstores in the vicinity of Montague and Clinton/Court for several years now but the pendulum seems to be swinging in the other direction. I didn’t quite buy the theft excuse either (not fully at least).

    That said, I’m not looking forward to visiting the cramped basement of Duain Reade on Court to get my prescriptions filled now.

  • Andrew Porter

    And, before the subway was tunneled under Montague, it had a glorious tall and pointed steeple—which was required to be taken down because they were afraid vibrations would cause it to fall. Here’s the photo:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/32cbfb8570fb8c444d918768f049dbcea0b72deaaac70886174405ae2aad3779.jpg

  • Andrew Porter

    They renovated the CVS at 156 Henry Street. New carpets, signage, lighting.

  • Andrew Porter

    Maybe it’ll become a cellphone store—or real estate office!

    Nah…

  • Andrew Porter

    Could that be what was going to be “Olive+Garden” until the actual Olive Garden’s lawyers likely sent them a trademark violation letter?

  • Andrew Porter

    The BHB has nothing to do with those deletions. They are all done by Disqus, when people file complaints.

  • Andrew Porter

    They flooding damage in the basement from the giant rains recently, which might have contributed to the decision.

  • Andrew Porter

    The Brooklyn Eagle, Brownstoner, and other sites routinely link to articles here, likely boosting the readership.

    I sometimes send news about posts here to a list of about 20 usual suspects, uh, people, I maintain.

  • Andrew Porter

    I’ve suddenly noticed upvotes here by posters with female names that look suspiciously like spam. Anyone else? The upvotes appear almost instantly after I’ve made the post—like this one.

  • KDHicks

    Also agree — I love this blog — it’s a great place to find relevant, emerging info about the neighborhood collected all in one spot

  • DontChangeAThing

    Just because you don’t see people comment, doesn’t mean that we’re not reading. In fact, the overly zealous comments and tiffs about politics, particular neighbors and other BH idiosyncracies make this blog a particular delight. Change nothing. The permanent 1990’s blog look is just perfect. I also would like to propose a meetup where we have the full cast of characters on a panel. Topics for debate would be a joy to come up with.

  • Jorale-man

    Yes, I’ve been seeing these on Gothamist too. No offense, “Courtney.”

  • Ben

    Does anyone know anything about the place going into the old Jack the Horse Tavern location?

  • MaggieO

    compliance date is determined by the last digit of your block number. because of zoning there are pockets of tall buildings in BH, many on the same block, so that may be why it seems like all of the heights is due at once.
    https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/subcycle_9.pdf

  • http://www.yotamzohar.com StudioBrooklyn

    I was disappointed to see your comments gone. Lost all context for your free education session.

  • aarrrrrimapirate

    I, for one, welcome the ability to walk my dog for long distances in the rain without having to use an umbrella!

  • aarrrrrimapirate

    Support small(ish) businesses! I use City Chemist but there’s other independent pharmacies around too.

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