again, it wasn't a school night -- today is a school holiday. Not that that makes it alright, but it's good to know how all the variables worked together to make it a dangerous situation.

and not for nothing, mostly all teens of all races and classes dress predominantly in black colors. cool thing usually, not so much gangster thing.

Posted by: kcf at November 11, 2009 10:09 AM in response to Two Teens Shot on Fulton in Fort Greene

both my girls are "graduates" of PS 261 in Boerum Hill. Very lovely experience, not perfect, but pretty damn good. don't forget for middle school and HS, commuting to manhattan is an option, too.

Posted by: kcf at June 4, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Best Public Grade Schools in BK?

A group of exhausted neighbors living on Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place near Putnam Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, are fighting to control noise coming from Lox Lounge at 15 Putnam Avenue between Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place, a property zoned as a C2-4.

Over the last 12 months, many neighbors have tried individually to solve the problem by calling 311 and the 88th precinct, and by meeting with the club’s owner, Roy. Additionally, some of the frustrated residents (a combination of home owners, landlords and tenants), have met with Lox’s landlord, Waquim Waddi, owner of the entire block of buildings between Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place, as well as owner of Met Grocer on Fulton, nearby.

The neighbors have experienced very loud music, voices and vibrations coming from Lox, weeknights and weekends, especially from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. The Lox owner claims to have little control over the people he rents out the space to, primarily party promoters.

Additionally, Lox appears to be operating illegally as a nightclub and creating a fire hazard by using the basement as a party space without proper means of egress required by the Fire Department. There have been further records of violations of plumbing and electrical codes.

A group of concerned residents is circulating a petition to be sent to Letitia James (NYC Council Member), John Dew (Chairman, Community Board 2), Daniel Boyle (Chairman, NYS Liquor Authority), Captain Anthony Taso (88th precinct), and Delia Hunley-Adossa (President, Community Council, 88th precinct).

The group is also asking neighbors to take immediate action if they hear unreasonable noise. Important steps are:

* To get immediate action, call:
Community Affairs Officer Braithwaite.
88th Precinct
298 Classon Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Direct PHONE: (718) 636-6526

* Call “311”, the City’s help line for non-emergencies. This is important because the City tracks complaints for specific businesses. Having these calls on record is vital for any future actions. You can make an anonymous call and also receive a complaint # for your records. Please keep a record of your calls; the City will even email it to you.

* Register a complaint at the NYS Liquor Authority website: http://www.abc.state.ny.us/ or call them: 212/961-8378
Click on “Register a Complaint” on the left side.
The liquor license # for LOX Lounge is 1198812.
Their address is 15 Putnam Ave.
Or call them: 212/961-8378

Posted by: kcf at March 15, 2009 6:43 PM in response to When a Candy Store Isn't a Candy Store

We went round and round and round on this. We loved the look of marble, but heard all the horror stories. We went shopping, fully expecting to pick an alternative and NOTHING and I mean nothing compares if you love the "life" and look of marble. We went for it. Bought it a few months ago so we don't have a long track record, admittedly. It already has a nick or two, but nothing to write home about. I do use a huge wooden cutting board (as was always my habit) and I'm a fast counter wipe (as was my habit), so so far so good on the stains and burns. But you know what? I adore it. Stains, schmains, bring on the patina. I don't think I'll ever regret it.

Posted by: kcf at December 30, 2008 8:44 PM in response to Marble Counter Top - Practical?

can't say enough about the level plan. it really takes the sting out of those massive winter bills and really helps figure out your overall budget. We do it for Con Ed bills, too.

Posted by: kcf at December 19, 2008 10:33 AM in response to Yikes..Could this Heating Bill be Right?

I ditto the Ikea recommendation. Some surprisingly nice choices in 118" at very affordable prices.

Posted by: kcf at December 15, 2008 9:17 PM in response to Drapes / Curtains

fair enough. the kitchen was more than your figure, though not a staggering amount more for the amount of detail and custom work. There were additional costs as well for 3 massive build-ins in the dining room (Christian's web site shows 2 of them flanking the fireplace under Cambridge and Fulton pantries).

Posted by: kcf at November 11, 2008 8:30 AM in response to Cabinet maker -- Photos posted

LOL on the cactus comment! Poor plant, can't figure out where the heck it should go... The photog, I guess, liked it where it ended up temporarily pulled in from the deck! As to the Bretazzoni range, so far, so good! One comment/complaint we did hear, is that it isn't as great at lower temps (esp in the oven), which I think is true. Beware if you are a souffle and meringue maker! But it looks great and packs a lot of high-end punch, both look-wise and function wise, into a price tag that was a whole lot more reasonable than viking type brands.

Posted by: kcf at November 10, 2008 5:14 PM in response to Cabinet maker -- Photos posted

I'm uncomfortable giving that figure out in such a public forum, but it was reasonable for the high level of work that was done. Everything was totally custom-designed by Christian and Christian was very amenable to coming on site for many many brainstorming sessions. Christian installed everything (with excellent work being done scribing to our cock-eyed, nothing level house). All the cabinets were solid white oak wood and hand-finished, and included many innovative interior features (pull-out lazy Susan for a TV, sliding drawers and garbage can, etc.).

Posted by: kcf at November 10, 2008 11:02 AM in response to Cabinet maker -- Photos posted

Simons and Gracious Home are good, but we found best luck at Restoration Hardware, 935 Broadway near 22nd Street.

Posted by: kcf at November 10, 2008 9:41 AM in response to Kitchen Hardware