Forum Archive: News/Commentary

In the past week a bunch of dead squirrels have been turning up in the south Slope area, around 12th Street and 8th Avenue. Anyone else notice this, or heard anything about what may be causing it?

Hi neighbors,

I recently moved over to Lefferts Garden after years of living in the city. I instantly fell in love with the community/family atmosphere, beautiful homes and quiet streets. I soon became a regular customer of Enduro’s on Lincoln and went into Lincoln Park from time to time although the “scene” became a bit much for my tastes. Since going there I’ve witnessed the bartender, Karl, treat people in the most aggressive manner. I’ve even heard him brag about throwing people out, banning them and cursing at them because of some small fraction — usually having to do with a tip he didn’t think was sufficient. He seems to think it’s amusing. I’ve hesitated to make any comments because he seems like a loose cannon. I surmised that one must walk on egg shells around him. Apparently there’s no supervisor there either and owner, Jim Mamary seems to be an absentee landlord.
In any case, over the months I’ve hung out there and met some great people there, frequently meet my best friend and her 4-year old son who live on the other side of the park for brunch and/or happy hour, etc. I’m known to be a great tipper (I have friends who work in the food service industry and know that tips are how they get by) I was friendly with the bartenders; many even shared their stories with me (of future jobs, families, etc.). I’m a filmmaker and journalist and I’m naturally interested in people.
I have also been courteous and very generous to Karl.
Anyway, I was having a drink there last Thursday evening and Karl was at the bar; we were chatting, all seemed well until I made the mistake of asking him twice to explain something on the menu. Well, with that, he started to get heated up, pacing back and forth, just 5 minutes after telling me I should come the next night to hear a band he booked for Lincoln Park. He starated making rude comments (using foul language)and said it was not his job to have to explain the menu. Obviously shocked (actually freaked and frightened!), I closed the menu and asked for the check. I paid, tipped him, think I wrote something nasty on the check indicating that his outrageous behavior was unacceptable and from then on the most horrible incident took place — he cursed me out at the top of his lungs in full view of the restaurant, told me I was banned from the restaurant, and essentially moved me from the place. When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was told he was the supervisor. He even threatened to call the cops and had waved his cel phone in my face.
Since then, I’ve attempted to contact the owner many times as I contemplated how to deal with the incident. I’ve left numerous messages for him on Enduro’s voice mail. Apparently there’s no other way to get in touch with him. I have not received a call back to even discuss the matter — to find out what happened, even from my point of view. And I know for a fact that he received those messages as an employee told me they were passed on to him but asked not to get her involved. She also encouraged me to speak with Mr. Mamary and said she knew of Karl’s behavior.
NOTHING! And this is a place where children come to eat? Forget me, but the thought of children hearing that kind of obscene language and seeing that sort of rage is so disturbing as is the fact that Mr. Mamary doesn’t seem to think the matter deserves his attention.
Anyway, before I write an open letter to him on the Hawthornestreet blog as many members of the community and fellow establishment owners have suggested I do — I thought I’d reach out using this forum to find out if anyone else has been subjected to Karl’s extreme bevahior/tactics or have seen them.
Perhaps Mr. Mamary thinks that just because there aren’t alot of places for people to go and have a “margharita” in the neighborhood that his employees are free to act in whatever way they want.
Comments would be appreciated.

Thank you.

I just had one of our trucks serviced at Nam’s Auto Services.

471 Baltic Street
718) 422-7783

It was our first time there and the service was fantastic. I spent some time chatting with Nam and found out he’s been in the auto repair business for over 30 years. He was honest, his shop was clean. Can’t ask for much more.

-SteamMan

I got home this evening and noticed a flier for a community meeting regarding a liquor license for the vacant space on the NE corner of Halsey and Nostrand Avenues. Does anybody have any more info on this or is planning on attending the meeting tomorrow (6/7) evening? I’ve been hoping for a local bar (preferably one that shows NFL games) since I moved to this neighborhood. Should I get my hopes up?

I heard an item on 1010 WINS this morning that a 16-year-old girl was shot in Boerum Hill last night. She either lives on, or was shot on, Warren Street. Anyone have further news about this?

Does anyone know anything about this? Saturday night I awoke at around 4am to multiple gun shots (6-12) heard from Rockwell Place between Dekalb and Fulton. Between 10-20 Squad cars, unmarked police cars, and paddy wagons showed up in literally under a minute and swarmed a large group (over 10) of people headed south on Ashland but that’s all I know. This morning I went by and there’s blood spatter all over the sidewalk and one of the garage doors next to the bar.

Speaking of which, how does one get a bar shut down? This place is SHADY.

Life got in the way of my plans yesterday and we sadly had to miss the Fort Greene House Tour. Did anyone go? How was it? Was it fun? Was it crowded? Did it rain?

What were the highlights?

Aren’t there a bunch of house tours in other neighborhoods coming up soon?

- What happened to the link where I can see my own profile (not edit it) and find the posts I commented on?

- Why is the title field for forums posts limited to 32 characters?

- Why is the form for typing in a forum post very very small, like 1998 style. (The box I’m currently typing in)

- How is this site maintained? I am a web developer and would be willing to donate some time to change small things like these.

- Any plans for a feature to receive email notifications about forums or comment replies?

I just moved into Clinton Hill and heard about the Clinton HIll Society. I heard there is an upcoming meeting either this or next Thursday. Does anyone have any information about this group?