Great Painter

"Unless Martha Stewart declares it official, since she has now discovered Brooklyn."

I am kinda of sick of people "Discovering Brooklyn". Oddly enough I think it was a young man from Queens who said, 'Don't call it a come back, we been here for years.'

Posted by: Gross at November 19, 2009 10:17 AM in response to Commercial Klutch: November Edition

I would rather see an Asian lady with a green visor pushing that kart. Collection bottles and cans to put her kids thru NYU.

Posted by: Gross at November 10, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Closing Bell: New Public Art on Flatbush

513 MacDonough Street

Upgrade from IE 6

Select text>Right Click>select Search Google for> Enjoy.

Posted by: Gross at November 4, 2009 10:13 AM in response to Rate It: 513 MacDonough Street Sells for $420,000

I would suggest you SLOW DOWN and try and take the emotion of the new arrival out of the equation. Rule is no construction within 3 months of delivery. The January date is just a suggestion, anything will and does happen.

Pile them all into your bed, banish the Hubby to basement (cellar) and worry about the logistics when the weather is warmer.

Congrats on the new arrival.

Posted by: Gross at November 3, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Air Quality Assessment

Most of the SJ's in Gravesend also have vacation type places in Deal, NJ. Name any apparel company and the chances are pretty good that a SJ owns it, or is close to buying it. All the money is family money. If you can manage to rid yourself of common negative stereotype's it is actually pretty impressive.

Posted by: Gross at October 14, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Last Week's Biggest Sales

The fat cat (street view) at the bodega is worth 2.875 alone

Posted by: Gross at September 21, 2009 1:58 PM in response to House of the Day: 135 Lafayette Avenue

Greenery can go into planters. Trees can't be planted over the subway (Smith Street has no tress (or very few).

I would like to see civic space here, some planters something to sit on (similar to what the DOT did in the meat packing district with re-purposed building materials, video on Steetsblog site).

Article said bike parking was being considered. Maybe Mr. B can set up a Smith St. Mini-Flea and sell some old socks or sumting:)

I say bravo to the DOT, more space alocated to pedesterians is never a bad thing.

Posted by: Gross at September 2, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Calming Traffic at Bergen and Smith

Can we get some new voices here? You all have become caricatures of yourselves. Admittedly I have little to offer but it seems the rut is just getting deeper, I don't believe any of what people write here anymore, seems like a bunch of phony baloney.

Posted by: Gross at August 25, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Streetlevel: Traif Bike Gesheft

Just another business that failed to evolve and serve the community. Adios...

Posted by: Gross at August 21, 2009 3:45 PM in response to StreetLevel: Slope's Old Record Store Up for Rent

I have read before that Brooklyn College will test soil for Lead and other heavy metals. Although I am not sure how to contact them...

Posted by: Gross at August 6, 2009 7:16 PM in response to Toxicity Problems on Properties

If more people voted then the widget would get closed to being valid. Problem is sample size not the widget.

Posted by: Gross at July 29, 2009 9:08 AM in response to Widget Underprices for Third Straight Time

Re: broker

Most buyers first see properties online and will only visit those properties that have made a valid attempt to represent reality. If it looks bad online chances are pretty good that it will be bad when you hit the open house.

Information is valuable when the people you have to deal with hold all the cards.

If Brokers were transparent and provided a service then negative comments would be far and few between.

Posted by: Gross at July 28, 2009 1:53 PM in response to RE Agents Hate Brownstoner

The overall sentiment that Vehicles operate as the wish, while Peds and Cyclists (wild or not) have to be on alert to preserve their own lives is ridiculous.

Slowing down and understanding that driving is the most dangerous thing you will do on any given day might be a start.

Just another example:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_cop_in_dwi_trouble_nypd_mum_as_15yr_veteran_charged_with_mowing_down_e_side_pede.html

Posted by: Gross at July 14, 2009 10:49 AM in response to Tuesday Links

re: TA: Cops Not Enforcing Traffic Laws [NY Daily News]

Just an interesting weekly post counting up vehicle fatalities over on Streetsblog.org A little morbid but a sobering look at how drivers have developed a divine right to put everyones life in danger.

We should also consider way the NYPD doesn't follow Traffic Laws weather on duty or not.

http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/07/10/the-weekly-carnage-73/

Posted by: Gross at July 14, 2009 8:43 AM in response to Tuesday Links

I think to save face Mr. B should ask if he can use denton's image and post or post the good one that he shot. Otherwise I think overall credibility of the site takes a hit.

IMHO

Posted by: Gross at June 22, 2009 3:32 PM in response to Development Watch: 614 7th Avenue

I think it is pretty obvious. I don't believe you or "a reader" returning from vacation doesn't know what Yummy Taco is and who runs them, unless of course you just arrived from Ohio and didn't have you contacts in. From the picture it looks like your reader was close enough to see Asians running the place.

Slow news day eh....

Posted by: Gross at June 3, 2009 2:14 PM in response to Streetlevel: Yummy Taco Opens in South Slope

Hate to sound positive... but I think this is a great idea. Everyone knows that living and working in NYC is about hustling and jumping at very opportunity. This is a open door to be published in MEDIA which gets picked up OFTEN by traditional media all the time.

Brownstoner is in fact a business. Businesses should evolve, this is a smart and innovative step. One more step towards the creating a lifestyle as a brand, then, "sell" that brand (info) to interested parties by way of the web site. Smart.

You wouldn't be on here commenting all the time if you didn't buy in

Posted by: Gross at May 12, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Call For Community Board Bloggers

Thanks for making me cry Brownstoner...

Posted by: Gross at May 11, 2009 7:19 PM in response to Closing Bell: Fifty People, One Question: Brooklyn

There goes the only public restroom in Dumbo :(

Posted by: Gross at May 11, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Flea Popping Up in Manhattan Bridge Arch Sunday

repost here: for some odd reason my 1st post was pulled.

Anyway... Clear and obvious agenda here for the Stable Brooklyn people. I guess they figure low income tenants will be less likely to complain about the smell.

Luxury condo and smell don't usually go together very well.

Posted by: Gross at May 9, 2009 11:22 PM in response to Trying to Make Lemonade of Lemons at 23 Caton Place

Dynamic Wood Designs.High quality, warranty, solid wood. Did a great job for us.

Jimmy 516 383 4051. Just make sure you tell them your in Brooklyn.

Posted by: Gross at May 6, 2009 3:59 PM in response to new kitchen cabinet doors

The south end of Court/Smith needs a "good" bike shop. I'm not exactly sure what I mean by "good". Mainly just want a shop that isn't run by "jerks" who can't be "bothered".

Posted by: Gross at April 21, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Brooklyn Bicycles Ready for Launch

No hate from me, just caught me as odd. Maybe Pb NYC is right, maybe the photographer made a choice maybe not.

What is more interesting is that a raising the question is inciting hate. In fact, I would suggest we talk about race more and "rile people up" if that is what talk about race does.

Says more about you than me.

Point taken.
No more inciting. No riling people up. Forgive me for saying "Black People" minus the typo.

Posted by: Gross at April 20, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Sunny Skies Grace The Flea's Opening Day

Only 4 blacks people (African-American) photographed. There were certainly more than the 4 represented in 3 out of 63 images.

Posted by: Gross at April 20, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Sunny Skies Grace The Flea's Opening Day

More info on the solar/wind combo! Looked at the Duggal site didn't see any specific info on the project.

Very cool. Why wouldn't there be one on every one of the light posts in NYC.

Posted by: Gross at April 13, 2009 10:58 AM in response to Green Lamp Posts Coming to the Navy Yard

The people at Brouwerij Lane are good peeps, a devoted following will no doubt emerge shortly. I would expect exceedingly good beer with an honest no nonsense approach.
Good Luck Brouwerij Lane!!

Posted by: Gross at March 18, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

When will the "BLOGS" start classifying themselves as "news" or something that sounds like I'm working and not participating in glorified gossip.

Access to this web page is restricted.

Reason: The URL Filter category Social Networking and Personal Sites;Society and Lifestyles is filtered.
URL: http://imby.blogspot.com/2009/01/suck-on-this-nimbys-venting-underground.html

Posted by: Gross at January 27, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Sticking It To Their South Slope Neighbors

Hooray!!!!Anything they touch is gold. Most of the 5th Ave bar boom has Ray to thank. That means you GL and your ugly step-sisters.

Posted by: Gross at January 20, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Streetlevel: Commonweath To Run Lighthouse, Mooney's?

You would also need to consider the operating cost of a Brownstone, and if the idea of spending the next 2 million years of your life working on the place is appealing good luck to you.

Condos are cheap and new right now.

Posted by: Gross at January 19, 2009 2:38 PM in response to How To Buy a Brownstone?

I am always amazed that these place stay in business. For some reason New Yorkers love to go into filthy, smelling of roach spray places to buy expired milk and illegal cigs. Some of them I get, there was a place on 5th ave between 1st and Garfield that is now a sushi place where you could buy weed.

Hopefully soon these pics will be only place to see cats sleeping on your wonder bread.

Happy Holidays!

Posted by: Gross at December 24, 2008 9:40 AM in response to Closing Bell: Deli Fever

The name might be appropriate, given the frequency the stable lets the horses crap all over the place. In addition to the horse apples left for people to hurdle, the constant run off of pee pee into the gutter keeps the stench fresh in the air. For some reason the Dept of Sanitation doesn't seem to bother much with them.

I was hoping that the new 100 unit building would mean the end of Stable but it too, has become a blight on the neighborhood.

Posted by: Gross at December 19, 2008 10:04 AM in response to Changing a Name in Kensington

Love the design, great work. Unrelated to the design Red Hook will continue to be the HQ getting your bike stolen. At least now there will be a hub of activity. And a loft too!;)

Posted by: Gross at November 12, 2008 11:56 AM in response to And the Winners of the Red Hook Bike Competition Are...

Great Lakes bathroom?

Posted by: Gross at September 30, 2008 9:53 AM in response to Secret to Brooklyn's Job Market: Diversity

Great! Maybe one or two of those family owned crap-stands will go out of business. Its about time that retailers that will service the community come into Brooklyn.

When will grocery stores (stores in general) learn that crowded, disgusting, overpriced merchandise isn't want people want.

Now Trader Joe's and Fairway have learned that crowded, CLEAN, and overprice is the golden ticket to sucesss in Brooklyn.

Note to any type of business owner in Brooklyn: Change the way you do business or pack your bags. I don't care how long you have been here.

Posted by: Gross at February 5, 2008 9:48 AM in response to Two Trees: Trader Joe’s Is Still Coming

Yes?

Posted by: Gross at February 5, 2008 9:43 AM in response to Tracking Health Code Violations at Brooklyn Restaurants

1:43

Sorry friend I don't pay rent. On the 1st before you write the check, make sure your landlord isn't storing a fire hazard in the basement.

Please continue to change the world by enjoying yourself in your "studio" (Illegal Apartment)

Artist as celebrity is a modern construct perpetuated by individuals with little confidence in the ability of their work to stand on its own, or be more than the product of a hyper self-involved hobby.

Knock yourself out kid.

Posted by: Gross at January 30, 2008 9:40 AM in response to 475 Kent Avenue: How It All Began

The tennants are (were! lol) as greedy as the landlord. I hope they all paid their rent right before they were kicked out.

Good luck!

Hope all those digital photographers documented the event with plenty of photos. Please link to your Flicker feed!

Posted by: Gross at January 29, 2008 11:42 AM in response to 475 Kent Avenue: How It All Began

Hey if anyone has a couch for sale lemme know!!

Let us know if you have any trouble finding an apartment.

Posted by: Gross at January 25, 2008 9:44 PM in response to Closing Bell: Moving Out at 475 Kent Avenue

Thanks for the life lessons and resumes...

All of you are correct I am a bitter failure and the only pleasure in my life comes from this blog...

Everywhere you go there you are...

So I guess I will put on my asshat and go.

Posted by: Gross at January 23, 2008 4:39 PM in response to ‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out

@9:23 1/22

Re-read my post.

Clearly I was not referring to war photogs or NatGeo, or the contributions of either.

My point is that the "Artists" residing in this building are doing so under the same motivation that the landlord is kicking them out. MONEY.

They didn't move into that dump to be "the catalyst for billions$$$ of economic development". They moved in because it was cheap and your pilars of photojournalism can (or could) swim in all the toxic chemicals they wanted without any regard (I'm assuming, maybe the neighbors knew and didn't mind) to the people living/working next door.

As WBer said, "Unfortunately, too right. Of course the people living there knew they were in an "illegal" (i.e., non-residential) building. But beyond that, no one on this board seems to know the least thing about the building or its residents.

I know a number of people who live there, and all of them are indeed artists - actual working artists and professionals making money from their craft. Most of the folks I know there are long-established artists, not the young hipsters everyone wants to pile on. Most of them rely on their art or craft as their primary sources of income, and most of them were in true live-work situations."

So it was good while it lasted and they (both landlord and illegal residents) are lucky they didn't blow anyone up.

And by the way I also make my living with my BFA & MFA, because I choose not to be a slob doesn't mean I am not making, "a positive difference in the world through..." my ART. Nor does it mean I don't know what I am talking about.

So after you finish biting your pillow, go comb your hair and put some clean closes on.

Posted by: Gross at January 23, 2008 9:20 AM in response to ‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out

10:22

what an A-hole 9:51 is. "lazy" creative types are the catalyst for billions$$$ of economic development and are the people who made it possible for development to happen in places like Williamsburg. Funny how the FDNY and the landlords never cared before these neighborhoods got expensive.

You in that building would you like me to thank? Maybe there is one Artist in that building that has made or will made a contribution to ANYTHING.

Artists (true artists) are craftsmen, not idiots in skinny jeans with paint on them convincing themselves that living in a dump means something.

Its all about money. The artists are there because its cheap, the landlords let them live there because they have to operate a building and real estate is a good investment, deveoplers come in and make condos. All Money deals.

By the way Blind person 10:22, same thing happened in Soho, Carroll Garden, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, DUMBO, Green Point, and Bushwick and Coney Island are next. You can say the same for every neighborhood in NYC. Harlem?

Stay home and push your stroller waiting for your tenants to pay the rent (which you jacked up last year).

Posted by: Gross at January 22, 2008 11:58 AM in response to ‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out

I don't know when you dopes are going to get it, Landlords and developers (or the FDNY, and if you don't think they are on the payroll you really are blind) DO NOT CARE about you or "creative types" or illegal squaters. They always have and always will care about money and the amount they are pissing away by letting a bunch of stinky hipsters and burnouts live in a fire bomb waiting to happen.

The story would be much different if the building went up in flames along with a bunch of "creative types".

Just because you have declared yourself a "creative type" doesn't really account for much, in fact most times just means your a lazy scumbag.

Posted by: Gross at January 22, 2008 9:51 AM in response to ‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out

Please God, let the city turn this into a bigger, "(it's supposed to go from 749 to 1,469 inmates)" smelly-er, rat infested, rash of humanity parade to remind all the $700 stroller pushing Mom's and Dad's what downtown Brooklyn is all about!

I am sure it will come as a surprize to all, but I had the pleasure of spending the night here (some time ago), all the stories are true. Bad things happen in this place.

Posted by: Gross at January 18, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Brooklyn House of Detention Plans Falter

@9:52

Just to add to your list and show an example of what happens when there are no taxes AND union coruption.... (drum roll, big lights)

LAS VEGAS Baby!!

Take a step off the strip and its heroin addicts and meth labs. (kinda like 4th ave and 9th street)

Posted by: Gross at January 18, 2008 10:15 AM in response to State of the City: $3.1 Billion Deficit

Please I have said it before, NYC is and always will be about change. And in most cases change weather you like it or not.

13 renters in the way of billions of tax revenue for the city, come on its basic.

All the doom and gloom about traffic, the traffic is bad now, and by the way has always been that way.

@9:43 "Massive increases in traffic and pollution forever. Cost unknown but quality of life reduction for many will be huge and permanent. Deduct that."

Of course in your world nothing changes, your view remains the same only with more traffic and pollition? In 5/10 years the cars driven and the gas we put in them will have nothing in common with the ones sold or driven today.

Yes AY will turn Flatbush in to 34th street, but it is time for Brooklyn to wake up.

If you don't like it move.

Posted by: Gross at January 17, 2008 10:00 AM in response to AY Appeal Denied, Construction Headaches Begin

@9:44

It would seem your malaise is contaigous. Please consider the following suggestion for your 4 remaining rounds.

Please kill only two feral dogs. (which will no doubt upset someone)

Please kill me so I will no longer have to swim in your sobbing self loathing.

and the last round...

@9:44

"Not so sure it makes sense to have incompetent government hacks make decisions that have enormous impact on our lives with no oversight whatsoever."

Well,
Its your opinion that incompetent goverment hacks make decisions.

Its typical that you would say that as you sit back drinking your coffee in your (home?) office.

---

Not sure if any of you look past your noses when you are out and about, but I hate to break it to you; NYC has always been about change, and the condos, and the arena, and your million (+) dollar brownstones are all agents of the current change.

So when you were happy to get rid of your tenants paying 1980's rent and even happier when the nice yuppy couple showed up and is paying 3 times what you had ever wished for, run to the palor floor bathroom and take a look in the mirror, and say thank you.

Posted by: Gross at January 14, 2008 10:00 AM in response to Anti-AY Lawsuits: And Then There Was One