Wow, that was fast. What's going on this week? I hope they don't rush to judgement on MacDonough, too. But that block is landmarked, this is not. Might make some difference. I wonder if they can at least salvage the fireplace mantels. Small in the total scope of things, but something.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 21, 2010 11:52 AM in response to 196 Lefferts Place Gets Demo'd

Very true, CG. As it pertains to Sue Rock, she knows that clothing now won't get through, and you are right, money and medical care are what they need first. She is holding the clothes they are making until she can place them with an accredited and reliable larger organization that will get them to those who need them, all happening later this year. The Haitian people will need help, food and clothing for a long time. This is not the most immediate way to help, but it is another viable alternative for helping people in Haiti. Her work with women and families who are starting new lives after leaving abusers is also a very important and viable good cause, and still goes on, along with the project for Haiti.

I think the bsvac is an excellent organization, as well.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 21, 2010 11:16 AM in response to Walkabout: Coming Together in Brooklyn

Minard, I will be there. I can get there by 6:30, 7.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 5:53 PM in response to 20 Grace Court Alley Sells for $2,995,000

Slopey, you are correct. Better is better. More often, maybe not so much, if it is meaningless. You phrased that better than I did in the post I just wrote before reading yours.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 2:49 PM in response to Open Thread

No, jessi, I don't, thank goodness. I block as much of that stuff as I can.

I think he needs to get back to old fashioned presidential politicing - getting out there, especially in areas that are in great need, and pressing the flesh, going to town hall meetings, and meeting people. Of course that doesn't give someone a job, or put food on their table, but it still is a great symbolic gesture, and good pr. Part of his "problem" is perception. He is a wonk and a workaholic. He is in the situation room working to solve these problems, but no one sees that. One of the successful things about Reagan was his personableness, he was always PERCEIVED to be one of the people. (Real or faux, all good politicians and leaders have to at least appear real folks, and then deliver on that perception, but that's another long drawn out discussion) Obama needs to be just as cerebral, but also accessible.

The cynic in me has snarky remarks at the ready with the best of them, but the realist in me realizes that HOW you do something in politics is almost as important as WHAT you do. That's why standing in a flight suit in front of a "mission accomplished" banner was a strong image, too bad wrong mission, wrong time, and mission not accomplished. It backfired big time. It COULD have been the defining moment of Bush's legacy for the right reasons, not the wrong ones.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 2:45 PM in response to Open Thread

I understand how you feel, 11217. It is possible to go to one of these events and not speak to those with whom you have no interest or desire to interact with. There are so many great people there, and you can easily meet those you'd like to, have a great time, and then go home. Please consider it.

Hope we manage to meet someday.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 2:31 PM in response to 20 Grace Court Alley Sells for $2,995,000

Oh rob, honestly. The man is the president, so he's going to be in the media. That's like complaining that that a singer keeps singing whenever they are on stage. He actually needs to get out there more, personally.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 2:22 PM in response to Open Thread

11217, I would like to meet you. Minard too, although maybe in different parts of the room, for your sakes. I think both of you are intelligent and interesting people that I would enjoy talking to. I agree with you on this issue, too, btw.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 2:16 PM in response to 20 Grace Court Alley Sells for $2,995,000

Etson, that must have been why I saw people passed out in their own vomit in the gutters in front of pubs in Camden Yards on Friday and Saturday nights. I've never seen such binge drinking in my life, and I went to a college that has produced some serious alcoholic over-achievers.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 1:16 PM in response to Open Thread

Yep, Cobble, the new senator from Massachusetts took it.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 1:12 PM in response to Open Thread

M4L, I have my photos and docs backed up on an external, as well. The only problem is that it's not an auto backup that adds to, or changes existing files, so I have to replace whole files, especially in the photos, with the updated ones, which takes time. If this was my only back up, I would have lost a lot of data. My livelihood is on my computer, so the money is worth it to me. I fully understand your position, however.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:59 PM in response to Open Thread

M4L, it's a yearly fee.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:46 PM in response to Open Thread

Arcady, Carbonite. It's great. It backs up not only the obvious files, but also your favorites and bookmarks, and anything else you want to keep. The program puts a little green dot next to the desktop and file folder icons when that file is backed up. If it's new and hasn't been backed up (which goes on in the background while your computer is in use, and you're connected to the internet) the dot is yellow. It backs up pretty quickly, too.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:45 PM in response to Open Thread

I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel - my entire computer crashed. I had to use the restore disc, which wiped out all of my programs and files. When it was done, the only icons on my desktop were for internet explorer and Adobe reader, so I could read internet explorer. And I had WIN XP, but no Office. I had to re-install Office, Corel, Illustrator, Norton, Quickbooks, Firefox, etc,etc. It's taken 2 days. Fortunately, I have an on-line backup, and all of my files are now being downloaded back into my computer, and I didn't lose a thing. The best $55 I ever spent. If I had lost all of my docs, and photos, I'd be headed to jump off the nearest bridge.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:35 PM in response to Open Thread

Not to nitpick, but your molding didn't fall down, your sheetrock ceiling fell. Molding is the trim around the sides, or decorative trims elsewhere on the ceiling. If you tell a contractor your molding fell, you're going to get a different estimate (on the phone) than telling him a large piece of sheetrock in the dropped ceiling fell.

I absolutely agree with others, tear the whole mess out and have someone repair the original ceiling. The proportions will look much better. The original ceiling does not look to be in that bad a shape, and could be repaired. The dropped ceiling was obviously done to avoid repairing the original, it's not like you are reducing heat costs with that small amount of enclosed space, and not being code makes perfect sense.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:28 PM in response to Ceiling Collapsed

Herk, I'm in the same boat, and I love my accountant. He's excellent, and has been doing my taxes for years. He's in the city, and his rates are reasonable. If you call him, tell him I (real name) sent you.

Henry Dizenhaus
Sudran and Dizenhaus
212-563-0151

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:13 PM in response to Need a New Accountant!

CarGar - ((((virtual hug))))

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:07 PM in response to Open Thread

Sometimes I can't tell, CarGar. Sorry! I was shocked when you said that.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 12:04 PM in response to Open Thread

CarGar, considering the racial history in this country, not to mention the strong opposition of the Dem status quo to Obama's initial foray into presidential politics, and most especially, the vociferous opposition by all factions of the Republican party, I think the man's birth certificate, the Hawaii hospital records, hell, his astrological charts, have been the most scrutinized documents since the Magna Carta. If there had been any fudging or fooling around with the truth of his birth country, it would have been found a long time ago, probably by Democrats looking to avoid embarrassment to the party.

The birthers need to get over it. Oppose his policies if you want, it's a free country, but move on into reality. Obama was born in the USA, and is now the fairly, and freely elected president of this country.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 11:54 AM in response to Open Thread

In general, I agree with you, Joe, but what else do you call people still waving signs at "tea parties" that say "Obama, show us the birth certificate" a year after he's been sworn in? That is not simply opposing his policies, that's believing the world is flat, and that qualifies as worthy of "nutball".

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 10:51 AM in response to Open Thread

All the Mass. special election proves is that the candidate, for whatever reason - personal flaws, bad campaign, sense of entitlement, whatever.....lost. All of you cracking open the champagne should get a grip. The Dems still have a 19 member majority in the Senate, and a huge majority in the House. Personally, I'm not happy with either governing body. The Dems need to grow a pair, collectively, and stand for something, instead of constantly putting their fingers to the wind. They also need to see the big picture above their own selfish interests, especially in the House.

The Repugs need to stop acting as if they don't live in the same country as the rest of us, and start representing the people, not their ideological philosophies. Since over a year has passed since the election, they've conveniently forgotten who got this country in the mess it's in, both internationally and domestically. Instead of working with Obama and the Dems to fix this mess, which affects ALL of us, they have acted like petulant children who would rather see their country fall into chaos and economic ruin, just so they can say, "told ya". Then when the Dems just go around them, they whine that no one is being bi-partisan. It's disgusting. On top of that, they have lost all focus, by letting their rabid, nutball, far right fringe define the party.

Personally, I'm tired of the whole bunch. I have a few words of advice for the president, but I'm still willing to give him a chance to work on a mess that's been a decade in the making, he's only had a year. I still have hope, and believe that he can still be one of the best presidents this country has ever had.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 20, 2010 10:35 AM in response to Open Thread

I agree. Plus some of us need to actually be around the people who are eager to live here, and who are ready to do what is necessary, not to mention actually go to neighborhoods like Brownsville. Might dispel some of the notions widely held around here about people and places.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 19, 2010 8:23 PM in response to Habitat Brownsville Project a Game-Changer

Double sob.

It really is horrible that the homeless shelter is being torn down, not because a building is being built there now, but may be, sometime in the future, maybe. They are just doing it because they can, not because they need to. As the case continues in court, or even because they won't get up to that part of the site for a while, they could have let the shelter be.

And Tybur, if you think living in a shelter makes being "homelessness more attractive", try living in one for a couple of days. I think you'd change your mind real fast. No one, especially those in them, see shelters as anything other than what they are - emergency stop-gaps. Most families are not homeless because it's more fun or cheaper to be so, they are homeless because they are desperate and there is no other alternative.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 19, 2010 8:19 PM in response to Closing Bell: Barclay's Center Construction Underway

Have fun tonight, people.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 5:00 PM in response to Open Thread

Rob, I think you can get GPS on certain cell phones.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 4:57 PM in response to Open Thread

Benson, thank you for your encouragement and kind thoughts, much appreciated.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 4:13 PM in response to On Walking Away

If you are in the area to gaze longingly at this house, Montrose Morris was all up in here. In addition to #17, he also designed next door #16, plus the next block, the corner house at 18, next door at 19, and #22. All are limestone Renaissance Revival/Neo-Classical houses, built between 1896-1902. The guy knew how to switch gears to adapt to changing styles. This house, in particular, still shows the old Morris style with his signature use of columned loggias, among other things.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 3:45 PM in response to Scaffolding Down at Connelly's Old Digs

When I was in high school, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out who all the people were in the American Pie lyrics.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 1:58 PM in response to Open Thread

The more I look at it, it's starting to grow on me. I really hope someone gets this soon, and brings it back to life.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 1:41 PM in response to Price Cut at Neglected Lefferts Beauty

I know, Minard, and that's a shame. All that space in some great buildings, literally rotting away. In many of them there isn't even any way to get up there, since they closed off the stairs to give the stores more square footage. A real shame and wasted opportunity.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 1:35 PM in response to Sneak Peek Inside Fulton Mall Arby's

It was that pesky White City/Chicago Exposition of 1893, Minard. Everyone came home wanting a limestone tomb.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 1:32 PM in response to Scaffolding Down at Connelly's Old Digs

CarGar,(fond THWACK upside the head)

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 1:05 PM in response to Open Thread

CarGar, I also admire the power of a good *THWACK*.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:58 PM in response to Open Thread

Snappy, I don't like icing much either, too sweet. I prefer my sugar invisible in cake itself, which is why I like pound cake over layer cake. Of course, with all of the extra oils and fat, it's not like I'm doing myself any favors.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:48 PM in response to Open Thread

Expert - *snort!*

Snappy, I use regular pudding inbetween layers. I don't see why you can't use on top, as long as the consistancy is what you want. Do you like whipped cream or cream cheese as icing?

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:37 PM in response to Open Thread

Minard, what's upstairs now? The last time I was up on the second floor, it was restaurant dining space for G&T, so you know how long ago that was. Was there office or living space above?

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:32 PM in response to Sneak Peek Inside Fulton Mall Arby's

Yeah, Crown Heights South has many streets with alleyways, as well as quite a few blocks of semi-detached houses with shared driveways and double garages, one for each neighbor. These date from the early 1900's to about the 1930's. It's a great feature of the neighborhood.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:29 PM in response to Anti-Curb Cutting Rule Inches Forward

Snappy now has a Long Range Guided Glitter Missile System!

It's called C.A.T.S.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:18 PM in response to Open Thread

I know, Tybur, and if it was 3 years ago, the company I worked for wouldn't be out of business, which they are now. That said, one must roll with the punches and keep going. Hopefully, the job market is indeed opening up again, I get hired somewhere, and I will be able to better fulfill my obligations. Believe me, this is not how I envisioned my life.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:13 PM in response to On Walking Away

"they figured OUT that they'd be better off financially by working things out with you."

And I'm just glad they did, fsrg, whatever the underlying reasons.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 12:00 PM in response to On Walking Away

fsrg, you are correct. The bank is under no "moral obligation" to cut me a break. Fortunately, they have, due to the vast number of people in the same boat, also due, in part to mistakes made by their industry. I am under no illusions that if this happened under normal circumstances, I would be in deeper poo.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:47 AM in response to On Walking Away

But I still look good, rob! :)

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:43 AM in response to Scaffolding Down at Connelly's Old Digs

Hopefully, there are provisions in Arby's deal with Landmarks that insist on the upkeep of the historical part of the interior, and that they have staff on the lookout for toddlers trying to decorate the walls with soda. Or so-called adults, too, for that matter.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:42 AM in response to Sneak Peek Inside Fulton Mall Arby's

In case anyone cares, this house was built in 1899, and designed by Montrose Morris. It's really quite good.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:38 AM in response to Scaffolding Down at Connelly's Old Digs

That being the case, fsrg and Snappy, then why should anyone, anywhere bother to honor contracts, or even keep their word? Is it only the fear or desire to avoid retribution, or go to jail, or have someone come over and beat the crap out of you, that makes anyone do what they have promised in writing to do? Where does the idea that it is "right" to pay someone back, or do what you said you'd do, come into play? Some underlying principle is at work, call it morality, fair play, karma, whatever.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:34 AM in response to On Walking Away

Maly, you may well be right, but realistically, if the owner absolutely just wants to unload it, and is no longer interested in financing the remainder of his life in style, then maybe it will go for high $500k's. Despite its condition, we're still talking New York City real estate here. Upstate, where I grew up, you could pick it up for about $75K, in this condition, but it's in Brooklyn. I still think it's a good investment for someone who wants to someday have what will no doubt end up being a multi-million dollar house.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:21 AM in response to Price Cut at Neglected Lefferts Beauty

Maly, you may well be right, but realistically, if the owner absolutely just wants to unload it, and is no longer interested in financing the remainder of his life in style, then maybe it will go for high $500k's. Despite its condition, we're still talking New York City real estate here. Upstate, where I grew up, you could pick it up for about $75K, in this condition, but it's in Brooklyn. I still think it's a good investment for someone who wants to someday have what will no doubt end up being a multi-million dollar house.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:21 AM in response to Price Cut at Neglected Lefferts Beauty

For the record, I am having some troubles right now, but they will have to drag me from my house, I would never walk away. For several reasons. First, it is my home, not just a pile of bricks I bought as an investment. It is also home to two other families who rented from me in good faith, and I have obligations to them as well. Yes, I feel they are moral obligations.

I bought my house able to pay for it, and signed papers saying I will pay the bank back for the privilege, and I plan on doing just that. I just need time and a temporary break while I get back on my financial feet.

Just because fatcat greedy bastards on Wall St. threw out the ethical rule book does not mean everyone else should too. All societies are built on some kind of moral authority - notions that have been codified in law as right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable, legal or a crime. It cannot be dumped willy-nilly, by those above and those down below, without rending the fabric of society, something we have seen a lot of lately.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 11:10 AM in response to On Walking Away

Looks pretty good to me. Kudos to Arby's for taking on the project and working within the restrictions of landmarking. The result will be, as 11217 said, probably the highest grossing Arby's around. The extra money spent will be recouped in no time. There are literally thousands of new customers in the area, and if their salads and wraps are decent, they will do even better, profit wise.

As I said before, since no one else "better" stepped up, I'm glad the building will be maintained and protected.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 15, 2010 10:54 AM in response to Sneak Peek Inside Fulton Mall Arby's

I heard on the news that as long as the housekeeper doesn't work 40hrs/per week both of you can agree on a reasonable pay. But if the housekeeper works for you 40hrs/per week then you need do pay the housekeeper at least an hourly wage.

Posted by: mjuarez at February 1, 2010 3:04 PM in response to what does a house keeper cost?

Correction on my previous post I meant minimum hourly wage.

Posted by: mjuarez at February 1, 2010 3:08 PM in response to what does a house keeper cost?

Another addition to my comment I am talking about an independent housekeeper; I am not talking about a housekeeper from an agency.

Posted by: mjuarez at February 1, 2010 3:11 PM in response to what does a house keeper cost?

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Posted by: luisenrique0571 at February 1, 2010 5:10 PM in response to Ceiling Collapsed

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Posted by: luisenrique0571 at February 1, 2010 5:12 PM in response to Ceiling Collapsed