There have been racoons further south of there for years. I used to see huge nurseries of them all the time by the train tracks next to the 38th St. BQE exit. One got into my backyard once and tore apart my plants, tv/internet cable, etc.

Racoons carry many diseases and they are skilled with their razor sharp claws which are lethal. It's probably best to not get close enough for an iphone pic (ESPECIALLY if it's hissing at you). Definitely keep your pets away from them.

Posted by: Stiggaman at August 27, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Raccoons Evidently Digging 4th Avenue

Arrest was just made in this case:

http://fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/arrest-in-sanchez-assault/#comments

Posted by: Stiggaman at August 12, 2009 12:58 PM in response to Despite Brutal Assault, Crime Down in 88th

I cross Waverly twice a day on my bicycle (once on Dekalb and once on Willoughby) and have to say this definitely freaks me out. In particular, I caution all of my friends about Waverly and Willoughby (because the bike lane is closer to oncoming traffic), but both are dangerous. ALWAYS slow and check for traffic when you bike across these intersections. I've been glad I did several times before.

Posted by: Stiggaman at July 9, 2009 12:22 PM in response to Another Crash on Waverly

While riding my bike, I heard gun shots near this corner last week. Later, I confirmed on Gothamist Newsmaps that shots were fired at Clifton and Nostrand (1 block away). Perhaps there's a correlation.

Posted by: Stiggaman at June 24, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Police Tower Now on Nostrand

The building on the left (of the first image) is the Fine Arts Building, designed by Charles Atwood. It still stands today as the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

I realize that McKim, Mead and White happens to be a household name in New York (and it should be), but it's worth mentioning the real star of the time, Richard Morris Hunt. He was also from New York and designed the Administration Building (found at the center of the first image) which was the crown jewel of the entire fair, not to mention a masterpiece. Here in New York, Hunt also designed the facade of the Met and the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.

Posted by: Stiggaman at June 23, 2009 2:13 PM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: World's Fairs and White Cities