You have to add into the equation that Corcoran are known thieves and are part of the housing problem, not the solution. In fact, if you look at the listings for this sore thumb (located conveniently right next to a 99¢ store), they claim that there is a one bedroom at 707 sf, but the floor plans show no bedroom. These people would sell one of these overpriced units (basically in the ghetto, with shootings and stabbings at least weekly after school gets out—check the crime blotter) to their own mother!

Posted by: Epiphany at November 23, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Forte Reboot Priced to Sell

Sorry, I meant the first person plural.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 11, 2009 5:13 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

I remember when the snivelly little Sam Sifton used to write for The New York Press. A whiny feature article he wrote about a trying trip to Mexico City and how disgusted and unfomfortable the oldest city in the Americas made him has always (unfortunately) stuck in my mind. And it makes me realize that this little St. Ann's boy (someone I know told me he graced the privileged high school—and it did not surprise me) has finally found his calling as a foodie page (no pun intended) for Punch Sulzberger. So it makes sense that Brownstoner has lined up to Brownnose him. Or is Brownstoner really Mugger from the New York Press? Mr. B sure sounds as much of a creep as him. But maybe I'm way off and it's just a coincidence or stylistic ripoff that they both tap out their snarky, self-important materialistic narratives in the singular plural.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 11, 2009 5:12 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

No, no. You don't understand. The buffalo wings special is part of a combined crime prevention program and economic stimulus plan . It's a 5-10 year plan to get those kids so obese that they'll really only be able to waddle from the couch their SUV's (bought on credit) and will keep them off the streets.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 11, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

"no, it's not him. it's the familes that move to brooklyn FROM the suburbs who bring that mentality here under the phoney guise of being new "urbanists".

Well, even in their new familiar looking mall-like surroundings, after being stuck in traffic, ripped off in taxes, ripped off in rent, ripped off by the infamously sleazy NY realtors, ripped off at the grocery store, ripped off on the street and having atrocious public schools to consider (or spending a bunle on private schools), they'll probably consider packing it up, moving out of their insulated brownstone enclaves, and high tailing it out of NYC for good. It'll be especially unattractive if they live near AY and don't like litter on the street, rude drivers, horrific traffic, horns honking, bad air or The Nets.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 9, 2009 2:06 PM in response to Ratner Tight-Lipped on AY Details

Marty Markowitz needs to be thrown out on his ear. He and his creepy rich developer buddies are turning Brooklyn into a place that looks like the blandest and ugliest parts of rest of the country, complete with strip malls, fast food slops and parking lots. Is there anyone out there with integrity to take on Markowitz/Ratner in the next primary? Please!

Posted by: Epiphany at November 9, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Ratner Tight-Lipped on AY Details

bf: So, then you haven't experienced the sometimes 30 minutes backup delay described in post by tyburg6 ("I've been stuck around there for 1/2 hr easy")? That would make at least one of your one way trips y your estimate 50-55 minutes (if you can find a parking spot right in front of your job) — an extra twenty by train and reading time.

In fact I look up on that clogged freeway often and see standstill traffic at different hours of the night and day. All those particles from car exhaust float and drop into different neighborhoods—and into the lungs of people and their kids. Someone should figure out a way to visually show the flow of emissions particles off high traffic areas into neighborhoods.

And if you want to go to Downtown Brooklyn, Ft. Greene, Park Slope, Williamsburg or Prospect Park, do you ride bike or drive? Because it's no more than a half an hour from Marcy and Monroe. And with a saddle pack on the back of a bike you can haul lots of groceries (I use a regular camping backpack).

Posted by: Epiphany at November 7, 2009 10:16 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

rf: Yes, as I mentioned in one of my notes, that's a big catch in the discussion, having kids. I don't, and I am always amazed at the amount of energy and focus it takes in this city for parents to get the simplest thing done. It's really impressive.

It really wouldn't have to be like that if we didn't have such corrupt and greedy politicians running things. I mean, instead of billion dollar bridges, ticker tape parades, TV political campaign ads (the ultimate waste of money!), helicopter rides and subsidies for luxury high rises, there could be some help with things like child care, decent schools for people who can't afford private schools, affordable housing and innovative transportation policies.

We all should have more time to read up on stuff, do Soduku or just meditate. It'd be good for everyone we cross paths with daily. It's hard to keep a positive attitude, but what other choice is there?

Posted by: Epiphany at November 7, 2009 12:31 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

(a followup on my last statement) Actually, rf, I think that the real sloution is to get excellent cross and interborough public transportation planned, but I made a math error in my above idea on how to make the best of a crappy situation. (see above posting). I only took into account one way of a two hour trip. So you'd have been able to read 38 novels.

Unfortunately, New York politicians can't find their way into a paper bag (unless it's filled with money). So it might be best to do everything possible to fend for ourselves and figure out the work/transportation situation on our own.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 6:32 PM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

rf:

I hear your frustration. However, if you used the 70 minutes to read and read 20 pages in that hour, you could read 4800 pages in a year. That's about 19 medium-sized novels a year. If you learned 20 new vocabulary words in another language on each trip, you would have, in a year, a second language vocabulary of 4800 new words.

Now say New York City actually does some work on the transportation system by shuffling some money from fees on private cars to make the trip roomier and more comfortable (maybe even a straight shot on fast buses on dedicated lanes), you'd be able to nap and feel rested enough to do something fun when you got home. The City, if it had the will, probably could fairly easily make most trips significantly faster too with some special planning (though unfortunately you'd have less novels under your belt in a year).

I say we might as well get started gradually doing this type of thing now while we have wiggle room, because it certainly is not going to get easier or less complicated as the years and decades progress.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 6:04 PM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Minard Lafever:

John Liu won in a runoff. And I remember reading an article about how he was often late trying to get to his campaign stops in Flushing because he was often hopelessly stuck in traffic coming from Manhattan, where he does most of his political business.

By the way, when you say you are an American, does that mean you're from the United States, or do you just negate all the other South and North Americans in places from Chile to Canada? Some of these other Americans in cities like Bogota have made innovative and interesting changes in their traffic systems recently by taking a risk on changing the status quo. That said every city is different. What is a given is that New York is hopelessly clogged with traffic.

You offer a lot of rebuttals and negatives. What's your plan, sir?

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 2:37 PM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Petebklyn:

That's an excellent point. That's why public transportation should be reevaluated. Things like dedicated bus lanes, more funds to make public transportation faster, more reliable and more comfortable transport could change the point you make. Unfortunately, the gas and car companies will only fund campaigns of politicians who will make cars the better option.

For the record. I'm far from rich and "luxury". My greatest asset is that I have an affordable place near excellent public transportation and new bike lanes. And I'm not lazy and overweight.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 12:01 PM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Dittoburg and Tybur6:

So at least you do seem to understand and acknowledge the pollution problem. I'm breathing a little easier now.

I can get across the lower bridge across Newtown Creek from Ft. Greene in about 30 minutes (the amount of time that tyburg6 is sometimes sitting in traffic). I can get to Midtown Manhattan in 30 minutes. Chinatown 15 minutes. East Village 20 minutes. Granted if you've got to haul kids or it's raining, it's an issue. But the times require a bit of new transportation strategy (and we're lucky we have options and people thinking about it in NY).

You've probably biked. It's good exercise too (besides breathing all the car exhaust).

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 11:46 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

"There is no current plan to expand the BQE to nine lanes."

So why is the writer cheering? Does he want to pull off on the shoulder and take in the view or think it will help him get to his Hampton house quicker on the ridiculously packed LIE? Don't think he'd want to get Queens quicker. Hmmm. Sounds like LA mentality.

Three less lanes might reduce the budget and maybe (but not likely) the funds could be used to make the G Train and LIRR better and a more attractive option than spewing pollution into our kids' lungs.

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 11:03 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

"nine lanes instead of six (yay!)"

What an idiotic statement. Nine more lanes of cars producing more asthma for our kids, more demand for Middle East oil (and the resulting wars) and more giant chunks of fiberglass taking up space in the crowded city. And what happens when these nine lanes of car traffic disperse (usually speeding) into the rest of the Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods causing a local increase in noise, traffic pollution and blight?

Posted by: Epiphany at November 6, 2009 10:48 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Someone's got to boot this clown Markowitz out. Do we have any decent, experienced people with vision out there who can challenge him? I mean his 9-1 political machine bulldozer win now means even a greener light for him to invite more friends (or more than just friends) like Ratner to make Brooklyn both uglier and more expensive. And he's got the phone number to get The Billionaire's rubber stamp on the documents to boot. Every photo I see of those two they are practically making out. I'd love to see this cat's tax returns and see how much he's augmented his public servant salary (and see if this extra income is connected to moonlighting with bigwigs).

Posted by: Epiphany at November 4, 2009 2:28 PM in response to Election 2009: No Big Surprises in Brooklyn

Africa is a continent. It has dozens of countries and dishes that range from dishes based on food harvested in semi-desert or rain forest, from Muslim to French and European-influenced fare to jungle-based crop cuisine to poached bush meat dishes to bags of UN-supplied grain to cattle blood mixed with milk.

Saying that it may be an African restaurant gives as much information as saying that it will serve vegetables.

Posted by: Epiphany at October 16, 2009 2:04 PM in response to Streetlevel: New Fulton Restaurant Has a Name

It doesn't matter. Brooklyn is too full of rude drivers who are hooked on Mideast oil to make a difference. And these inconsiderate fools probably couldn't locate Iran and Saudi Arabia on a map, yet still whine about it).

Put as many bike lanes in as you want, Brooklyn traffic is destined to get worse and worse with more hit and runs, road rage, parking problems, exhaust and horn-honking cretins. Think it's bad now? Just wait for the new Markowitz/Ratner traffic plan at Atlantic and Flatbush!

Posted by: Epiphany at October 3, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Prospect Park West to Get Bike Lane

Take notice of the type of person who is sitting in a Brooklyn bike lane. I have. It's more often than not the owner of a shiny SUV, something like a Navigator or a Ford Explorer. The driver is usually quite obese or extremely obese and is also taking up part of the regular lane too. They are usually idling. Go ahead, take the survey, see if my statistics are valid.

Posted by: Epiphany at September 30, 2009 11:18 PM in response to Updates for Manhattan Bridge Bicyclists

smeyer418:

Making assumptions about actions taken when shots are heard gives your lecture on civic duty less validity.

Again, I suggest Tasso himself take a stroll in the park along Myrtle on a Friday or Saturday night to see what is going on and to understand the situation better. He should make sure he is armed though, because he probably will look like a nice target in plainclothes.

Posted by: Epiphany at September 13, 2009 11:32 PM in response to Crime Down in Fort Greene, Despite Unease

There is constant gunfire around Ft. Greene Park along Myrtle like it is a war zone. For instance, tonight (9/11/09) many.many gunshots at the corner of Myrtle and St. Edwards. Myrtle blocked off for several hours. Did Tasso hear about that? The gunshots are almost every weekend. Captain Anthony Tasso seems to be talking about a different neighborhood—or at least a different part of the neighborhood. Why doesn't he take a walk plainclothes some Friday or Saturday night and try to make it across the park without hearing pop, pop, pop. This is unacceptable and he needs to be held accountable to his superiors downtown. I'm tired of gunshots on the same corner almost every weekend. It doesn't take a good detective, commander or strategist to figure out that there is something not right.

Posted by: Epiphany at September 11, 2009 11:55 PM in response to Crime Down in Fort Greene, Despite Unease

Bring payphones and Walkmans back. Or better yet, wait til you get home to talk on the phone or listen to music. Enjoy the trees in the park. These thugs won't know what to think.

Posted by: Epiphany at September 2, 2009 8:35 PM in response to Muggings in Fort Greene

Cars are the worst part of living in Brooklyn. The borough seems to be filled with rude, dangerous, menacing obnoxious drivers who idle their cars (mostly SUV's) and consider it their right to be jerks. If the person who is complaining has a car, they should first get rid of theirs to collectively help the air I'M breathing (I don't care what you say, you don't need a car in Brooklyn, it's just a 2000 lb piece of fiberglass luxury), then call 311 and have the inconsiderate polluter shut down. If they don't own a car, good thing.

Posted by: Epiphany at August 15, 2009 9:46 AM in response to Noxious Neighbor Help

And by the way (to follow up), I never shop at the Farmer's Market anyway, which is a COMPLETE RIPOFF. I get off my butt, get on my bike and go to any number of other places not too far away from Bed Stuy where good food can be found. And you can even jump in your SUV and get there (probably, by my observation, blocking the bike lane in process).

Posted by: Epiphany at July 28, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Closing Bell: Malcom X Farmers Market on the Ropes

You can lead a horse to fresh, good, non-chemical food, but you can't make him/her eat (or if he's obese, probably even get him/her out of the stable).

Posted by: Epiphany at July 28, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Closing Bell: Malcom X Farmers Market on the Ropes

So, WHOLE PAYCHECK is coming to Brooklyn to pry our wages out and send 'em to corporate headquarters. Why don't some enterprising individual(s) set up shop here in Brooklyn and use the skill and ingenuity of local New York State (and City!) organic farmers where possible, and sell good food that is not the rip-off that Whole Foods certainly is (not that their products are not good). This would keep profits local and also help the environment by keeping Whole Foods' trucks hauling cross country (and crosstown).

Posted by: Epiphany at July 12, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Whole Foods Gowanus May Not Be Dead After All