I would suggest that you do NOT use Terminex. We hired them to eliminate some wood-boring beetles in the cellar. To make a long story short, they proved themselves to be incompetent. We fought to get our $600 back, and we won. Please spare yourself a lot of aggravation; do not use Terminex.

Posted by: PresRez at October 2, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Termite fun...

Streeteasy may be incorrect. The present owner of the house still owns it (I know his name). I live across the street, and it has been an ongoing saga.

Posted by: PresRez at September 25, 2009 2:28 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

The person who bought the President St house lives on the same block. The previous owner was an elderly woman who had passed away, and after a probate delay of at least two years, it was purchased by this person who gutted it and thought he was doing an upscale reno job. The reno is the laughing stock of the block.

Posted by: PresRez at September 25, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

I used to have a problem with people not cleaning up after their dogs in front of my house, and it drove me up the wall. I purchased a small sign online that simply says "Please clean up after your dog." It works & people have respected that. I've never had to clean my sidewalk in the nearly two years since I affixed the sign to my fence.

Posted by: PresRez at September 25, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

The President Street house was purchased at $1.15 million. First asking price was, indeed, $3.6 million (we neighbors on the block nearly gagged at that one). It was then reduced to $2.2, and now $1.88. The house is still not worth that much. Cheesy renovation, awkward floorplan, many open houses, no offers. Wouldn't be surprised if it's reduced further, but owner should really try to cut his losses and rent it for a while.

Posted by: PresRez at September 25, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

I have used Dr. Sofa to dismantle a sofabed to get it out of the house (but not reassemble it; I paid extra for haul-away). I believe they're based in the Bronx, and if you google Dr. Sofa, you'll get the website link. I found them to be professional and reliable.

Posted by: PresRez at July 8, 2009 11:37 AM in response to Need Help to Disassemble Sofa

Here's the NYT link, but note that the article is dated 1996.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/06/nyregion/building-lives-on-brooklyn-s-scaffolds.html?scp=2&sq=antonio%20costas&st=cse

Posted by: PresRez at June 30, 2009 1:51 PM in response to Antonio Costas, Facade?

Sorry, meant to say PROPERLY bagged & bundled, not probably!

Posted by: PresRez at May 15, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Neighbors trash dumping

Definitely call Sanitation directly and tell them you want to file a complaint. You might also be able to file the complaint online. Just go to nyc.gov and scroll down the city agency list for the Sanitation Dept. Calling 311 only adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and delays action. A few years back I called Santitation to complain that their truck did not pick up my garbage on recycling/collection day. The crew just walked right by it, even though it was probably bagged and bundled. Not only did I get a telephone apology, but the district inspector actually rang my doorbell and apologized in person. Needless to say, I was pretty shocked...but pleased that my complaint was handled.

Posted by: PresRez at May 15, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Neighbors trash dumping

The B63 bus has experienced re-routings due to a major sewer replacement project along 5th Ave, currently around Greenwood Cemetery (the last time I was in the area back in March). I'm sure the re-routes have had an impact on the schedule. I don't know when the construction is scheduled for completion.

Posted by: PresRez at May 5, 2009 11:00 AM in response to 5th Avenue Bus

"A startling lack of vision" is right!! There is so much potential here, it's astonishing that a viable entertainment & amusement venue can't be (re)created. A while back, I seem to recall that someone, either on this site or perhaps another, in discussing the redevelopment (or lack thereof) of Coney, suggested rebuilding a modern-day version of Luna Park & Dreamland...rides, attractions, food, (and ok, a little shopping too). There is so much that can be done to bring in not only tourists, but attract and benefit residents of Coney and the entire city, and generating millions upon millions of revenue to boot. I also agree that the Coney beachfront and the expanse of the ocean are extraordinary. I remember going to the beach there (Bay 10) every summer while growing up in the late 50s-60s. It WAS a destination for generations...the Parachute Jump, the Steeplechase, merry-go-rounds, roller coasters, ferris wheels, food (read franks and fresh clams and clam chowder with Oysterettes from Nathan's; salty crinkle french fries with ketchup and corn on the cob dripping in butter and cotton candy from all the boardwalk food vendors)...plus the aquarium, plus the fireworks displays every Tuesday night at 9:00 pm. Because my parents were not wealthy, Coney was our "summer vacation" every year, and we loved it. Rainy days were the worst thing that could happen to us kids! A few cents on the subway (back then), and less than a half-hour from CG you were transported to a completely different world from the city...blue sky, clean salt air, the never-ending ocean. Coney Island CAN be a major destination once more, if only inspiration and creative vision could replace greed.

Posted by: PresRez at April 30, 2009 4:38 PM in response to Thor's Big-Box Dreams for Coney Island

It looks like it could be "Manhattan Euonymous." It's an easy to grow, adaptable evergreen. If you google it, you'll get lots of hits and some photos to compare it.

Posted by: PresRez at April 30, 2009 4:02 PM in response to What's this Plant?

Oh my. If you think that the Gowanus smells bad now, you should have been around in the 1960s. Before the days that everyone had air conditioning, we would use window fans and keep our windows open in summer. After a heavy rain, we would have to shut the windows to keep out the stench which was nauseating to say the least, and I remember it as it were yesterday. As bad as the canal is now, the smell is nowhere near what it used to be. Also, its moniker, Lavendar Lake, really referred to the canal's aroma, not the hue of the water.

Posted by: PresRez at April 9, 2009 11:38 AM in response to EPA Proposes Adding Gowanus Canal to Superfund List

Talk to the owner first, nicely. I had the same situation with my next door neighbor in the front yard. Warm weather not only brings out the aroma, but it also attracts flies, so it's an all-around dirty, unsanitary situation. My neighbor was clueless about this (huh?), but when I brought up the subject with him, he thanked me and said he would clean up in the future...and he has.

Posted by: PresRez at March 27, 2009 5:21 PM in response to Dog poop in yard?

The CG house was purchased for $1.15 million about three years ago. It underwent a 2-year gut renovation. It was put on the market initially at over $3 million about a year ago and had several price cuts before it reached the present $2.2 million (more cuts than the two listed on the realtor's website). Open houses have been held nearly every Sunday for months, but not one offer has been made so far. The double duplex refers to the ground floor and finished basement (which, of course, as has been stated already, can't be used for bedrooms). The upper duplex is the parlor floor and floor above. It's certainly an awkward living space for the lower duplex to say the least. There is no additional floor setback on the roof (I can see the roof from my window). From what I've heard, the renovation was, frankly, cheesy and not sufficiently high-end to warrant even the present $2.2 million price tag. The present owner never occupied the house: he purchased it, renovated it, and flipped it. It will be interesting to see how much of a bath he takes on this venture.

Posted by: PresRez at March 27, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Open House Picks

HAAA denton and modsquad hahah.

breedism hahah

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at September 25, 2009 3:01 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

"I used to have an Akita. You think put bull shit is big, LOL!!!!"

HA HA! Its true!! I swear an Akita actually shits out MORE than it eats. There's on old man on my block with an Akita. When I see him when I walk my doggie, I help him pick up his Akita poop because it looks too heavy for him. Its actually a sight to behold.

Posted by: HoneysuckleWeeks at September 25, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

Photo evidence. Giant poster. Public humiliation. Done.

Posted by: west1 at September 25, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

The breed does matter. Pit Bulls can be intimidating in simply their appearance. This comes from the fact that they are capable of killing people. I seriously doubt the OP is going to yell at anyone with three pit bulls off of their leashes. You can call this breedism if you like. But there is no one to blame for this but ourselves. Different breeds of dogs exist because we made them to fit a purpose. Pit Bulls in case it isn't obvious, were bred to fight. Let's be honest most people in rougher neighborhoods have pit bulls. They are a weapon in certain situations. Sort of a gun on the hip.

Posted by: someguy at September 25, 2009 4:23 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

yeah, my pitbull is used in liu of a gun :-/ get a clue, someguy.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at September 25, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

Aren't we talking about dog poop? There's always someone to pull the breed card! If you catch her on camera, then you have proof. Then confront her or call 311. There are plenty of good suggestions here. I think calling animal control about her(as you said, "well trained") dogs off the leash is a bit excessive and vindictive, especially since the dogs are not the problem - it's their poop and their lazy owner. If by some chance her dogs get taken away and you can sleep at night and live with yourself because of it, then call animal control...

Posted by: Misty B at September 25, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

Oh, and thanks for your last comment rob - I couldn't have said it better myself!!!

Posted by: Misty B at September 25, 2009 5:01 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

@misty - agree with you. too harsh to call animal control. cameras are rolling though! :)

Posted by: guikazoid at September 26, 2009 10:35 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

"HA HA! Its true!! I swear an Akita actually shits out MORE than it eats. "

That explains so much about our dog (he's from the shelter, but everyone thinks he looks like an akita mix). I never met a dog who pooped so much.

Posted by: brooklynstyle at September 26, 2009 11:20 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House

"this is verbatim btw... right outside my old apartment in uptown manhattan...

im scooping up my pitbull's poop.
i hear two kids laughing and they actually said "only hom0s pick up shi+"

:-/ the kids were like 10 or 11.

*rob*"

LMAO!!!-

Classic nyc shit. No pun intended.

Posted by: Brooklynchimp at September 27, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Dog Pooping in Front of House