Rehab's Profile
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Author's Posts
January 19, 2009
My boiler died young!
Enjoyed the delightful news today that my Weil-McLain boiler--a brand that everybody seems to think is so great--has a crack between two of its sections. You can see the steam coming out of it. Which certainly would explain why I was having to top it off every couple of days or it would shut down.
Why would such a well-regarded brand crap out so early? I've only owned it for a year; does this mean previous owner allowed it to burn dry frequently or something?
And does anybody have an argument for Burnham over WM? I'm somewhat disinclined to give WM any more of my money at this point. Muchas gracias.
August 28, 2008
Caprese Diem: Where are the good, ripe, reasonably priced tomatoes?!
So: The Fort Greene farmer's market finally has nice tomatoes—heirlooms for $4.50, New Jersey beefsteaks for $1.99. That, I can live with. But sometimes, you want tomatoes on some day other than Saturday, no? Associated, of course, has nothing but hothouse jobs from Europe or someplace (and those idiots keep theirs in the fridge). Meanwhile, Greene Grape Provisions, which I like for many things, is charging an absolutely criminal $7.78 a pound for heirlooms--I mean, dude, they're in season, already! I ask you: where the hell are the good, ripe, reasonably priced tomatoes?
June 9, 2008
Nasty: The flies are back!!
Just like last summer, as soon as it gets hot, we suddenly have a nasty swarm of giant flies under our stoop. I mean, a lot of them! I know a lot of you had the same problem last year. I'm off to the store for fly traps, and I'm sure that will minimize the problem. But I'm just trying to understand--what is it about the area under the stoop that's attracting these bastards? (It's not garbage; we don't keep garbage there).
March 23, 2008
The Sunday NY Times *kinda* gets Clinton Hill--and kinda doesn't get it, at all...
Did you see the Sunday Times Real-Estate section piece on Clinton Hill? Not bad. Not great. Check it out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/realestate/23livi.html?_r=1&ref=realestate&oref=slogin
I appreciate the writer’s admiration for the architecture. And he tried, I think, to paint an accurate picture of Clinton Hill. But he missed the point on several of the most important fronts. (Which is fine—the last thing we want is a huge influx of hedge-funders…)
The two main things I think he missed is the extent of the huge investment being made in these old houses, and the gravity of the improvement of Myrtle Avenue. There’s a dumpster on every block; new façades, new floors, new roofs, new complete renovations, new conversions everywhere on the Hill’s residential blocks. On Myrtle, yes, he notes that the vacancy rate has dropped from 20% to 8%, and leaves it at that. What he completely neglects to mention is the quality of the retail tenants; the street formerly known here as Murder Avenue has in just the last two years seen several beautiful new restaurants arrive, the area’s third wine shop, sharp boutiques, charming watering holes, new banks, glassy lofts, the new Pratt art-supply store—it’s nothing short of booming. He also seems not to notice that the lovely, bustling restaurant row on Dekalb in Ft. Greene is very much a part of the life of a Hill resident; a few minutes’ walk for me.
The writer seemed Manhattan-centric, a visitor who took a couple of strolls around the neighborhood and seemed to mainly view it through the perspective of one newbie resident family that appears to long for Park Slope.
One thing he got mostly right is that there aren’t good enough grocery stores here. However, it depends where you live. The family he cited bought on Lefferts Place, which is in the far Southern part of the Hill, and, indeed, is nowhere near a good grocery. But my house, in the Northern part, is one block away from an Associated on Myrtle that is fine for staples, has a great beer selection, and a growing organic selection (but a weak produce department, and an unacceptable meat department). Then again, as all of us in Clinton Hill know, we really are part and parcel of Ft. Greene, both neighborhoods being, actually, tiny and interconnected, and fancier groceries are freshly available at the brand-new gourmet shop Greene Grape Provisions, right next to the Lafayette stop on the C line—the train that everybody I know here uses to get into and out of Manhattan. Provisions sells everything from fresh oysters to artisanal cheeses and rack of lamb—and it’s a 10-minute walk for us.
He also has the prices wrong. There has not yet been a single 4-story brownstone that has even broken the $2 million barrier in Clinton Hill. The Pfizer mansion, which is a big, wide, 5-story joint, sold for more than $3 million, but that’s an unusual property.
Finally, what he really failed to grasp about the specialness of this place is the fabulous, friendly, bohemian mix of people here. This is a blend of workers, writers, students, artists, professors, bankers, tradesmen, lawyers, every imaginable race and income. This great mix owes its biggest debt to the stabilizing influence of Pratt Institute, god bless the place. While I think all of Clinton Hill is proud of its legacy as a bulwark of the black middle class homeowner, it is hardly a monolithic, 80-percent “minority”neighborhood reflected by the obsolete census data of 8 years ago. Fascinatingly, it also has a peculiarly large French population, which has brought many of our lovely little eateries. Much has changed in that mix over the last few years—more affluent whites, yes, but fortunately not *too * many more of them. It is a very healthy mix, something you’ll see when the 2010 census is parsed.
March 17, 2008
How 'bout that "Fuh-gedda-boutit" ad? Staten Island, here we come!
You gotta hand it to these "Opal Ridge" developers, currently advertising right up there at the top of Brownstoner, no? It's a good ad, if a bit insulting to Brooklyn, if true—sure, SI probably has lower prices, less crime, and better schools. And it got me to click on it. Unfortunately, the house pictured there—while doubtless an appropriate and decent option for a great many people, and more power to them—is so fugly it's causing great torrents of blood to gush from my eyeballs. Good times!
February 20, 2008
Got a grocery store you love--or even kinda like--in Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, or Bed-Stuy?
I'm looking for decent grocery alternatives closer to my joint than Fairway and better than my crummy Associated on Myrtle, and it occurred to me that maybe I'm overlooking some nice markets reasonably nearby. I just read in another thread that some folks in Bed Stuy really like their Foodtown on Fulton. Anybody else have a hidden gem?
Sure, it would be nice to find places with Balducci's-level cheese, baked goods, and organic lentils, but I would also be thrilled to find a regular ol' market whose meat is the right color and not stinking to high heaven.
Any help much appreciated!
February 19, 2008
Good news/bad news for Clinton Hill residents who eat...
I'm just sayin': This is what the Associated market on Myrtle Ave. does when it's garlic gets so old and dried-up that it sprouts: They cut off the sprouts, turn it upside-down onto a styrofoam tray, and shrink-wrap it to defraud their customers. And it's still there more than a week after several shoppers complained to management about it. If you care about food and your customers, you throw away the spoiled stuff, capisce?
Assos, are we supposed to believe the freshness dates on your pork and chicken?
In happier news: praise cheeses! As of about yesterday, the cheese case is now stocked at Provisions on Fulton in Ft. Greene, and god bless 'em for it. I like Kraft Singles as much as the next guy, but once in a while, when company's coming, it's nice to find something different. Please shop there and keep the turnover brisk for freshness--particularly on the trout. And the oysters. (Oysters, no less-- unbelievable.) Best o' luck to you, Greene Grapers. Thanks for giving a shit.
January 19, 2008
How do you research your house's history?
Anybody had any luck tracing the history of an old pile in Brooklyn? Would really appreciate any suggestions.
I think I've found all I can find online (Bklyn Eagle, etc.) and I'm going to start with the DOB on Joralemon Street, hoping they might have some plans, info on alterations, etc. But what I really want to know is who lived in the place; is the Dept of Finance where they record deeds? The house is in a historic district; has anybody had any luck doing research on an individual house at the Landmarks Commish?
Many thanks for any help.
December 30, 2007
How often do you top off your boiler?
Just got back from five days away, having not topped off 20-year-old boiler in 4-story brownstone for about two weeks, and low-water shutoff had kicked in. No biggie--house was 64 degrees. Plan to check once a week or so.
Does anybody (maybe Master Plumber, whose firm just checked out my system and put new shutoff in place) think it's weird that a steam system would go through that much water in two weeks? Thanks for any thoughts.
December 27, 2007
Attn: Park Slope who is looking for simple fireplace screens
Yo, "Clumpo"-- for some reason, the site won't let me comment to your post.
I have a great place to get really simple, custom screens that won't detract from your restored fireplaces--we just bought two of them for our newly restored fireplaces, and they totalllllly disappear. Which is great. It is a royal bitch finding fireplace accessories that aren't ugly.
http://www.northlineexpress.com/category/custom-screens.asp
Cheers.
Author's Comments
Well, Dave, if you'd like a little sexual innuendo and immaturity, here—and who doesn't?—a friend of mine who saw the finial replicas replied, "Finials? Hmmm. Mine are made of nice, soft latex." Discuss.
Posted by: Rehab at September 16, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
Speaking of lightbulb jokes, I had Polish tradesmen working on our place for months, and they were never late, worked their fingers to the bone, had incredible skills (such as the ability to pull plaster crown moldings and make perfect replicas of walnut baseboards, by hand) and were generally the best carpenters I have ever had the pleasure to meet. To think that Americans spent so many years cracking jokes insulting the competence of Poles!
Posted by: Rehab at September 16, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
Oh, Dave, actually we went with a satin finish, in between gloss and matte. I don't know whether this is historically accurate, per se, but I believe it's the best option. Even a glossy finish will eventually mellow out.
Posted by: Rehab at September 16, 2009 1:06 PM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
You're right, actually, that the apology was insincere—I'll retract it.
It is not a caricature or a stereotype. It is how Vinnie talks, and I greatly enjoyed attempting to communicate with him (it's not easy for us non-Italian-speakers).
I hate the term "politically correct," because it is so often used (usually by wingnuts) to dismiss legitimate issues. But in this case, I think it fits. In any case, anybody who wishes to get their panties in a twist about this may certainly feel free to do so. Me, I have a house to restore. Fuhgeddabahtit, indeed.
My goal, here, was to celebrate an artist and provide fellow neighbors with info about two great resources, should you want to fix your own ironwork. Hope it's useful. Cheers!
Posted by: Rehab at September 16, 2009 1:02 PM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
OP, here. Apologies to anyone offended by my accurate depiction of Vinnie's wonderful Italian accent, but that's the way he speaks. I have only affection for him. And, while he does do great work, you definitely have to "spend-a the money." Ethnic character makes NYC great--I mean to celebrate it, not denigrate.
Posted by: Rehab at September 16, 2009 12:43 PM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
I am deeply disappointed about this. As noted above, streets were demapped to create the Pratt Campus—that is, public way (and parking spaces) were sacrificed by the nabe so the school could create a coherent campus. I appreciate Pratt very much for the stability it brings to the area, and I appreciate its need to protect students. But I think this is a mistake, both for community relations AND security. With adequate guards walking around and removing anybody who's drinking, hassling people, etc., it REDUCES the security of students to forbid stable, civic-minded residents from hanging around on campus.
Now, what does this mean for the annual New Years Eve whistle blow? Glad I saw that a couple times before the lawyers got busy. Bummer.
Posted by: Rehab at September 11, 2009 4:17 PM in response to Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard
What I want to know is who is the Emmy winner living in this house? (See mantle in living room)?
Personally, I would move that statue outta there during open houses and showings. Just sayin'.
Posted by: Rehab at July 24, 2009 1:06 PM in response to House of the Day: 186 Washington Avenue Revisited
I like this building a lot—but, then, I like Modernism. I think this might be described as "International Style" (any architects out there?) The lines are not at all like suburban office buildings; for that, see the Oro, which is a truly hideous building. This one has the sleek, graceful articulation of the "Mad Men" era. And the floor to ceiling windows are nice; the idea, my doubting friends, above, is that your home has tons of light in it, capisce? Delighted to hear that at least SOME of the units have sold; I was beginning to wonder.
Posted by: Rehab at July 14, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Price Cuts, Broker Switcheroo at The Absolute
I love the look of this house, too. Nicely done, sellers, and good luck getting your price!
One downside to mom-n-pop Brooklyn brokers that hasn't been mentioned is their typical practice of refusing to co-broker a deal-- that is, to split the commish with a buyer broker. I know it's less of a tradition in NYC to use a buyer broker, but it's common in most American cities—and if you get a good one, it can take an enormous amount of labor out of the hunt. The real-estate boards of most cities (including NYC) require members to agree to co-broke, which is which so many of these little Brooklyn shops don't join REBNY. I think they should.
I don't know, however, about this particular broker's practices. They do take nice photos!
Posted by: Rehab at June 3, 2009 5:08 PM in response to House of the Day: 240 Dean Street
Oh, please—quit looking for reasons to gripe (futilely) about indies vs. The Man. Total waste of time.
Ft. Greene finally gets a little bookstore in a beautiful storefront; it's great news, period. Jobs, books, streetlife, community; this is one hundred percent great. I'll start there first when I need something.
Economy, schmeconomy--life in FG and Clinton Hill just continues to rock. Love it here. Support your local shops and eateries!
Posted by: Rehab at June 3, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Greenlight Bookstore Location Revealed!
We loved it, too. Fascinating to see the 2-story limestone homes of PLG--Victorian meets Craftsman on the inside. Lots of really great adaptive reuse. Thanks, PLG for a great event!
Posted by: Rehab at June 3, 2009 1:46 AM in response to PLG House Tour Recap
Actually, while I like Crown Heights, no, it does not make any sense to say you want the mansion in the so-so neighborhood.
It is an axiom in real estate that you never want to have the nicest house on the block. How are you going to sell the place to people who want something that fancy when it's surrounded by less attractive buildings? What is smarter is to buy the crummiest house on a great block, get a good deal on it, fix it up, and instantly benefit from the prestige of the houses around you.
Posted by: Rehab at May 31, 2009 9:16 PM in response to Crown Heights Safe?
Meaning what—that it's not an actual dog, but an approximation of a dog? I love the inappropriate use of quotation marks in signs. "Delightful!"
Posted by: Rehab at May 29, 2009 12:00 PM in response to Friday Links
It's fine to lay new tile on top of old SO LONG AS the existing tile is stable.
But there are major issues presented by this. Will this push your door saddle up so high that you'll trip over it and/or the door won't close? Will your toilet bolts still be long enough?
Posted by: Rehab at May 6, 2009 11:38 AM in response to TILING OVER TILE??
I'm really amazed this is politically palatable. Since most of these neighborhoods obviously don't need to be swept so often, I just assumed these policies were in place to preserve patronage jobs for sweepers, meter maids, and sign companies, and to produce massive income from parking tickets (cause believe me, when I forget to move my car, they never, EVER fail to ticket unless it's monsooning). But maybe, in these times, the costs eat into the benefits?
In any case, thanks, CB2. Good luck getting it changed in your zone, Bob.
Posted by: Rehab at May 6, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Reduced Parking Regulations Coming to CB2 Nabes
Commuters from "outer Brooklyn" are going to clog Clinton Hill now? What, so they can catch the G train? Puh-leez.
How about more of us take a moment to enjoy some really good, sensible news and *not* whine about it? There's an idea.
Posted by: Rehab at May 6, 2009 10:45 AM in response to Reduced Parking Regulations Coming to CB2 Nabes
Wow--maybe there is a god, after all.
Posted by: Rehab at May 6, 2009 9:32 AM in response to Reduced Parking Regulations Coming to CB2 Nabes
Oof, we made the mistake at eating at that horrific Viennese place across from BAM last week--worst excuse for a meal I've had in YEARS. The "big salad" was a series of glops that were each dispensed with scoops. The salmon was triple-overcooked. It felt like everything on the plate was made out of mayonnaise.
And yet, I'm kind of glad even that awful restaurant is here. The room has character. The beer is good, if you like German beer. Maybe if you order the right thing--weinershniztle? [spelling?] you'd be happy?
Whatever--I still think the people griping about this neighborhood are crazy. What, you'd rather live in Murray Hill? Harlem? UES? Yeesh. Knock yourself out.
Posted by: Rehab at May 5, 2009 1:50 AM in response to Rosie and Nelson Redux
I used to think nobody in NYC could bitch so much about a great neighborhood than West Villagers, but this fucking thread is giving Villagers a run for their whiny.
For me, Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill is now a better place to live than the Village. I moved here from Barrow Street three years ago, and I love it.
First of all, gentrification has hardly turned FG/CH lily-white; it's STILL predominantly black, thanks to a black middle class that has owned here for ages, and has an enormous range of other races/cultures. Yeah, it's gotten a little whiter, but since when is diversity a bad thing? And I don't know what people are talking about when they say the hood is unfriendly—even before the Flea, which is great, I've felt a great warmth from people of every race and stripe. The park has an enormous community and sense of camaraderie. We have a teeny but decent farmers market. We have the stability and funny-looking students afforded by Pratt. It has comfy, unpretentious old restaurants, diners, and bars, and it has several great new ones (Kif, General Greene). Have you eaten dinner at No. 7? A pretty, friendly, neighborhoodsy restaurant that has genuinely ambitious food. We have great new stores all over the place like Choice Greene, while the Pioneer grocery store that used to be disgusting has been nicely cleaned up.
AND: We STILL do not have a Starbucks, and with their stock price the way it is, we don't seem likely to get one! Yay for us.
Actually, I could go on and on, but I don't feel the need to. I really don't care whether anybody agrees with me here or not. All I know is, there is nowhere I'd rather live.
Posted by: Rehab at May 4, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Rosie and Nelson Redux
Kinda cool, kinda creeps the shit out of me.
Posted by: Rehab at April 17, 2009 1:00 PM in response to The Making of Google Streetview
What matters is: a new food market in the hood! Spectacular news. Memo to Fairway: Try a new, micro-grocery format? Start here? Thanks.
Posted by: Rehab at April 13, 2009 11:39 PM in response to Streetlevel: Asian Market for Wallabout
Y'all are missing the most important issue: the house still has a working dumbwaiter! That serves all 4 floors! That is awesome.
Posted by: Rehab at March 30, 2009 2:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 135 Clinton Street
So what I want to know is: Any intel on prospective retail tenant? Might John give us a branch of the mediocre-but-better-than-Associated supermarket, Gristedes?
Posted by: Rehab at March 20, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Development Watch: 202 Myrtle Halfway There
Rehab wrote a review about Kinara on March 20, 2009 1:34 AM
Kinara is the best and most reliable delivery food in Clinton Hill, period, and really good Indian, generally. Spicy, balanced, consistent, and friendly. Love this place.
Yo, broker dude--seriously, you're being a little transparent.
I live in CH/FG, I wish you the best, and I appreciate you developing a vacant lot on a nice block.
But for you to obsessively monitor this post and reply to any negative comment 9 minutes later isn't going to get any units "scooped up." ;)
Just trying to help ya.
Posted by: Rehab at March 5, 2009 8:41 PM in response to Checking In On The Classic Modern
The three or four posts written by the selling broker are adorable.
I don't have any problem with the facade, except the efflorescence--that is a real shame. Especially when the developer was apparently trying to tie into the existing architecture with that nice shade of red brick (albeit failing to line his windows up with the existing window line, which would have been nice.
Posted by: Rehab at March 5, 2009 7:42 PM in response to Checking In On The Classic Modern
It is definitely not fine as it is. The approach lanes are a mess (although not nearly as bad as the approach lanes to the Manhattan bridge, Manhattan-bound, on the Brooklyn side—that's so bumpy, it feels like you're in a goddammed rodeo). Listen to the prez, folks—we need to maintain our crumbling infrastructure. The process isn't fun, but it's necessary.
For one thing, it would be great if they could refine the ramps to these bridges so they don't need to have concrete barricades all over the place, and lanes that feel three feet wide.
And by the way, with all the talk about pols wanting to add tolls to these bridges, what boggles my mind is this: Nobody talks about where, exactly, they could build a toll plaza for the Bklyn and Manhattan. Where, exactly? You would block traffic all the way back into downtown brookyln (which is already a traffic disaster) and beyond. Impossible.
Posted by: Rehab at March 2, 2009 12:05 PM in response to Brooklyn Bridge Rehab Starting This Summer
I just saw a couple of these fireplace covers at the salvage place on Greene in Clinton Hill, just north of (I think) Classon. They're pretty common. I bet he's cheaper than Olde Good Things.
Posted by: Rehab at February 19, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Source for fireplace covers
Houston? Ha. It's the Oro that belongs in Houston. The Toren is a really cool, unique design. Go, Skidmore!
Also of interest in that area--there's a building rising on the former site of the fast-food joint that looks about the size of a grocery store. Please?
Posted by: Rehab at February 19, 2009 1:35 PM in response to Toren All Glassed Over
Nooooooooo!
Pickle cucumbers, not floorboards.
Posted by: Rehab at January 23, 2009 1:03 AM in response to Pickling a Floor?
Thanks, Eman. It sounds as if you may be on to something.
The crack is, indeed, all the way on the left side of the boiler (viewed from the front) and the outflow pipe (yes, one-pipe steam system) is on the far right. And the left side is plugged. The site of the crack is startlingly corroded--chunks and flakes of rust just crumbling off.
Also, I have strong reason to believe previous owner did not maintain, because he didn't maintain anything.
But how does not maintaining lead to this sad outcome? Letting the boiler burn dry? Overheat?
You perform a valuable service answering these posts, and I'm sure it is excellent for your business. Depending on timing, I will definitely consider taking you up on your offer of a consult. Many thanks.
Posted by: Rehab at January 19, 2009 9:53 PM in response to My boiler died young!
Oh-- I left out that the boiler is only about 15 years old. Don't these damned things last longer than that?
Posted by: Rehab at January 19, 2009 6:26 PM in response to My boiler died young!
Thanks for the validation, Bob (whose tastes I always agree with, here). We're sure some of our neighbors might have been appalled to see us take out the screen, but we knew it was the right call. Aside from it being not original, thus eligible for removal, we found the screen to be utterly the wrong style. Our house, while a mishmash of styles like all of these brownstones, is a neo-grec with Eastlake details. Also, the screen carved up the room in a manner that might be functional if you wanted to have a library or a string quartet playing at one end, but threw off the proportions and fought with the chandelier and fireplace mirror for focal-point attention.
More important, we thought the Stoners would dig seeing more shots of plaster-pulling, which I think is such a cool process.
Posted by: Rehab at January 13, 2009 12:32 PM in response to Renovations: Plaster Molding Repair
Rehab wrote a review about Abistro on January 5, 2009 6:27 PM
I'm so glad to see all these props for ABistro; this is my favorite restaurant in FG, too. It's not light fare, but it's sooo punchy with flavor, spice, and soul. I love the intimacy and I love watching Chef Abdul work (this is why only at this restaurant do I WANT to sit at that back table by the bathroom). Thanks for covering the place. Now, everybody have dinner there. Just not on a night when I need a table.
The whistles are already set up on the quad (yay!) Could it really be the last year? Is the crazy guy who does it retiring or something? I hope not, because this is the only fun thing I have ever seen occur on New Years Eve!
BrooklynGreene, you can enter the campus from Willoughby, at about the halfway point of Pratt's property, and probably from the Dekalb side, too. They usually start the ruckus at 11 or 11:30. Bring Champagne. And gloves. It's gonna be cold as shite out there.
Posted by: Rehab at December 31, 2008 5:10 PM in response to Still Looking for Plans Tonight?
Flight of the Conchords freaking rules, and I can't wait for the new season. Rock on, Jermaine.
Posted by: Rehab at October 14, 2008 7:39 PM in response to Flea of the Conchords
What do you mean, "new" Tillie's? Was it sold? Looks the same to me.
There's been a death notice, farewell note, and picture of the Cellars guy taped to the window for at least the year and a half that I've lived here.
Posted by: Rehab at September 17, 2008 9:10 PM in response to It's Official: L'Epicerie Est Morte
What we need in this space is what was already there--a gourmet butcher and cheese shop--only one that's run properly. It was pretty clear the place was failing--the reason there was no merch on the shelves was (I'm sure) that they didn't have the capital to stock the place. They lost me when I saw that they were selling onions that had completely sprouted.
Come on: somebody bring some decent food to Clinton Hill!
I'll second the motion that Cellars needs to be reopened as some kind of bar, gay or otherwise. How can the landlord afford to keep the place vacant so long? Anybody know the story?
Posted by: Rehab at September 17, 2008 1:14 PM in response to It's Official: L'Epicerie Est Morte
I voted because Brownstoner reminded me to vote--and thanks for that.
Posted by: Rehab at September 10, 2008 12:28 PM in response to Low Voter Turn-Out For Primaries As Usual
Some of you guys are confused, Denton, especially:
"There's not just one artist that is under attack by anti-gay groups, there are several, including Beenie Man, Buju Banton (love him), Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, and Sizzla (another fave)."
This stuff is under attack by GAY groups (and other people with brains), not anti-gay groups. Why? Because many of its artists openly, enthusiastically, repeatedly urge people to kill, maim, shoot, and burn gays, among them Beenie Man and Buju Banton. Have you listened to the lyrics?
Gays are routinely tortured and killed in Jamaica, and the police do nothing. Far as I'm concerned, they can have their impoverished island and their repetitive, religious-stoner/gay-bashing music.
Posted by: Rehab at September 3, 2008 9:55 PM in response to Closing Bell: No Straight Pride
Interesting-- thanks, Gap spotters. Still, if you do a store locator on Gap's website, you'll see that the company itself doesn't seem to know it has stores in BK. Weird.
Posted by: Rehab at September 2, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Dunkin' Donuts: the Starbucks of Brooklyn
This is not surprising at all. What is surprising is how Dunkin Donuts pulled off the amazing public-relations coup of getting people to discuss their coffee as comparable to Starbucks in the first place. DD coffee is the same watery dreck they pour at any fast-food joint, made from pre-ground, canned, Folgers-quality beans. And their specialty drinks, unlike Starbucks, are made with artificial flavors.
Another fact I find surprising, here in retail-challenged Brooklyn: Yesterday, I wanted to go buy a $12 t-shirt, and hit up the store locator for The Gap. There isn't one anywhere in the whole borough. And The Gap--while a little more upmarket than Jimmy Jazz, I guess--is not exactly Gucci.
Posted by: Rehab at September 2, 2008 12:32 PM in response to Dunkin' Donuts: the Starbucks of Brooklyn
I actually really like the discount basement at ABC carpet and home, in the city, across Broadway from the main store. We got the kind of Berber you're talking about, and had it installed in a couple of days.
Posted by: Rehab at August 30, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Where can we get carpet in a week?
Personally I think Provisions' prices on organic meat, nice cheese, etc., is the same as Fairway and everybody else, basically within range for the quality. But $7.78 a pound for heirloom tomatoes when they're in season? Unforgivable. You're never gonna make a killing gouging people on freaking tomatoes. Just sell them for a fair price, as one of the most glorious, celebratory moments in the agricultural season, please.
Posted by: Rehab at August 29, 2008 12:01 AM in response to Caprese Diem: Where are the good, ripe, reasonably priced tomatoes?!
I wish 'em the best, but regarding their suggestion that one "think rattlesnake skewers":
No.
Posted by: Rehab at August 26, 2008 2:47 PM in response to Streetlevel: South Slope Gets a New Restaurant
I will be "commenting" solely upon the incorrect use of quotation marks.
Posted by: Rehab at August 8, 2008 6:52 PM in response to Closing the Door on Ouvrez La Porte
I love Wilco, but man, when Tweedy looks crispy, he looks realllly crispy.
Posted by: Rehab at August 8, 2008 6:36 PM in response to See Wilco, Save Parks
Well, Heather, there's the Myrtle Pharmacy on Myrtle at Waverly, and there's another closer to Ft. Greene Park that's also called Myrtle Pharmacy (genius, no?). I plan on continuing to use the neighborhood pharms for prescriptions, etc. But the arrival of a late-night chain pharm is fabulous news for the hood. These little storefronts just can't carry enough stuff, and they close at 7. Who the hell gets home from work in time to make it to a drugstore by 7?
Posted by: Rehab at August 1, 2008 11:24 PM in response to Streetlevel: Walgreens Signage at The Clermont
This whole kerfuffle is beyond stupid. And it has nothing to do with religion or race, as much as the Times and (especially) that POS story in the Daily News, written by a so-called reporter who wasn't even inside the meeting, would suggest.
In these times of economic upheaval and uncertainty, along comes a lovely little business that's so instantly successful and popular, real-estate agents like Coldwell Banker are mentioning it as an amenity in local listings, and businesses like Tillie's and Chez Oskar have lines out the door. In a time when the environment is finally getting some attention, here's a resource for re-using people's castoffs instead of throwing them in landfills. In a city where race relations and class war are a constant oozing sore, here's an event to which all are welcome and to which all types are coming and hanging out together, with merch for all tastes and income levels, yummy international food, and fun for the kids and oldsters alike. And it provides jobs to Brooklynites.
I live in Clinton Hill. I go to the Flea every week. Then, I go to work on Monday afterwards and walk past the schoolyard. There is not so much as a gum wrapper on the ground. These guys are doing an amazing job, they've brought an exciting new "happening" to our neighborhood, and I, for one, am grateful for it. Jon and Eric deserve a medal, not this kind of crap. The Flea will continue.
Meanwhile, the tiny minority represented by All Saints Church is being selfish and ridiculously short-sighted. Again: Put a sign in front of your lavish, tax-exempt palace of superstition, corruption, and intolerance, offer a string quartet or lemonade or holy water or something, and try to sucker a few new members into the cult—it's a golden opportunity. (Maybe there still are some parents who will allow their children into a Catholic church—although why, I can't imagine.) The Monsignor and co. owe the community an apology.
Posted by: Rehab at July 26, 2008 4:36 PM in response to Closing Bell: Brooklyn Flea + Urban Arts Festival
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Hi,
We restored a marble fireplace in our brownstone and now we're looking for an iron rim to line the interior of the marble (or perhaps a cover)? The opening is 32 inches high and 28 inches wide. Any ideas?
Posted by: cobblehillfire at October 18, 2009 8:10 PM in response to Source for fireplace covers
Bloomberg just lost points with me for being willing to be seen with that douche Guiliani.
Posted by: Rehab at October 16, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Friday Links