Top 5% is anyone making over $170,000 a year.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at November 6, 2009 10:54 AM in response to Friday Links

Thanks MM, I always look forward to your write ups.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at November 5, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Walkabout: Italianates, the Ornamental Imperative

Thanks, bxgrl. I always wondered.

This may sound weird but I always thought that the curve and placement of some of the leaf motifs on the brownstones looked like testicles. Especially from far away.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at November 5, 2009 11:12 AM in response to Walkabout: Italianates, the Ornamental Imperative

Why this paticular leaf (acanthus leaf)? What is the significance?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at November 5, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Walkabout: Italianates, the Ornamental Imperative

Where in the article does it say that the rapper Mike Beck was killed in Bed Stuy?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at November 2, 2009 11:14 AM in response to Monday Links

So glad you're back. Can't wait :)

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at October 16, 2009 5:49 PM in response to No More Times

I like that you worked with Pratt students

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at October 15, 2009 12:05 PM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 105

I agree, it is personal. And I admit not logical.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at October 13, 2009 1:00 PM in response to To Own or to Rent?

I'd rather own than rent. All the calculations and investment risk talk makes my head spin. I just know that I don't want to be old and renting.

I don't know why, I just think it's sad.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at October 13, 2009 12:11 PM in response to To Own or to Rent?

The auction of the Bed Stuy place on Macon is troubling ne. The house is beautiful (at least from the outside). The owner was Dave Walker who was tracgically killed just under a year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/10/21/2008-10-21_nice_guy_landlord_slain_in_brooklyn.html

It seems pretty quick to me that a year after someone was killed that the city could move to auction both their properties (Macon & Hart). Given that this guy was only 47 and a corrections officer at one time, couldn't they track down somebody who was related to him?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 29, 2009 10:54 AM in response to Tuesday Links

I feel sorry for Kanye. So talented and so lost.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 15, 2009 10:48 AM in response to Open Thread

There is nothing on the right, it is the entrance to the BQE. If they double parked on the other side they would block traffic since the street has been reduced to one lane.

The need to take out the bike lane. It does not make sense on this block

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 9, 2009 1:22 PM in response to Possible Perils of the Sands Street Bike Path

Randi-

That's funny, that's exactly what I think of most bikers. "selfish and dangerous"

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 9, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Possible Perils of the Sands Street Bike Path

The raised bike lane is stupid and dangerous. It has signifcantly narrowed a road that feeds both the brooklyn bridge and the BQE. This is a major traffic thourogh fare that now feels like an obstacle course of parked cars, trucks, cars, emergency vehicles and now a raised platform that just squeezes it all together.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 9, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Possible Perils of the Sands Street Bike Path

The Boys High School on Putnam is breath-taking. I am compelled to look and linger everytime I pass it. Is it still functioning as a school?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 8, 2009 2:44 PM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: Master of Schools, JW Naughton

Carribean and Italian? Hmmm...Not sure that mixes.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at September 3, 2009 2:36 PM in response to Streetlevel: Bickels Jerk Express

What color and type of stain are you going to use?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 27, 2009 12:01 PM in response to Inside Third & Bond: Week 98

Denton

The price the homes sell for impacts

- the rental market (not all old timers are home owners)
- the tax base. Higher appraisals mean higher taxes. Older owners on fixed incomes risk being priced out if there is too big of a jump.
- Young buyers who grew up in the neighborhood can't afford to buy in the area they have lived all their life.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 24, 2009 4:23 PM in response to Bed-Stuy: 'Experiencing a Little Bit of a Depression'?

I had just finished reading the article and thought "oh that was interesting. Seemed like a positive PR piece for the neighborhood." Then I come on to Brownstoner and the title you guys pulled out is "Bed - STuy Experiencing a little bit of a depression" ???????

How, WHy, WHAAAT

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 24, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Bed-Stuy: 'Experiencing a Little Bit of a Depression'?

drove past there this morning. There is a lot of construction happening on that block right now. Not sure what kind of building.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 24, 2009 10:28 AM in response to An Italian's New York Dream

DIBS does your rental price include utilities or do the tenants handle their own?

I think the prices on these four are a little high but all the properties look like the owner cared about creating a nice functional living space. There is a premium for "pretty" that a lot of people will pay and if the landlord covers the utilities the tenants can make this work, especially the shares.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 20, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Rental Picks: Bed-Stuy Edition

Sorry to hear that, but it seems strange that they would mind or notice, since there are folks taking pictures of the buildings on this block all the time.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 18, 2009 6:22 PM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: Parlez-vous French Flat?

Always wondered about the Macdonough st houses. I couldn't tell from the outside if they were once single family.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 18, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: Parlez-vous French Flat?

Bed Stuy house is pretty

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 7, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Brooklyn Sales: Under a Million

Back in 1998 I was in contract to purchase the apartment right above this floor. It was a 2 bedroom / 1 bath place. Really pretty, but the bedrooms were configured so you would have to walk thru one to get to rest of the apt.

They accepted my bid of $60,000 but we could not close because the co-op's financials were not in order. If I knew more about purchasing back then I am sure we could have figured something out, but alas not to be.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at August 6, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 27 South Portland Avenue, #3

^^^No, Cop's Husbands shoot Cops in Park Slope. But maybe he did have a job.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at July 14, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Closing Bell: Shooting in Front of 370 Lafayette

Montrose-

Did you mean Stuyvesant Heights or Crown Heights? Restoration Plaza is walking distance from most blocks in Stuy Heights no need for a train.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at July 14, 2009 10:47 AM in response to Tuesday Links

Why is it OK for the police to set up a drug sting on the steps of a private residence?

Maybe this guy was a hot head, but he is a military dude confronting some jerk sitting on his Mom's front step looking like he is selling or buying drugs (which is exactly what the cops wanted folks to think).

I am not sure how many would confront such a situation in a calm friendly manner. This is a sad case of escalating testosterone levels.

But I still can't figure out why the police can use your home any how they see fit. We can't openly drink a beer on our stoops, but they can step up stings potentially and actually endangering all who live in the home without their consent.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at July 14, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Closing Bell: Shooting in Front of 370 Lafayette

$1.3 mil is ridiculous, but why would it be less than $900,000. Are fully renovated townhouses going for under a million in Clinton Hill now? Does two steps from the border equate to a $200,000 price cut?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at July 13, 2009 2:45 PM in response to House of the Day: 111 Clifton Place

Since Bloomberg wants a third term, this may get more attention. My letter to Markowitz actually got back a letter specific to the matter, rather than the ordinary form letter response.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at June 25, 2009 3:11 PM in response to Meeting Tonight to Protest Armory Intake Center

Congrats, lived in Prospect Heights for three years and loved it. One question, how did this happen in three years and it seems that extending the Bed Stuy historic district has taken forever?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at June 23, 2009 2:34 PM in response to Prospect Heights Landmarked!

1969

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at June 22, 2009 4:02 PM in response to 493 Myrtle, Before the Fall

Clinton Hill is a Great neighborhood. I think both PS 11 and Community Roots are good schools. Active Parents; involved teachers and good test scores.

I just looked at the State math test for 3rd graders in both schools. 95.8% of the PS 11 3rd graders passed; at Community Roots 96.1% passed, but PS 11 had a significantly higher number of kids who scored in the highest "4" range (31% as opposed to 13.7%)

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at June 8, 2009 4:44 PM in response to Schools in Clinton Hill

I wish I could believe it was a squirrel or raccoon. I like that scenario better.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at June 7, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Stolen Plants

Doesn't Prospect Heights end at Classon?

What are the boundaries anyway?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at May 29, 2009 2:17 PM in response to Open House Picks

Love the mature trees

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at May 19, 2009 10:21 AM in response to Maple Street, Then and Now

I rent my floor thru one and 1/2 bedroom in Stuy Heights for $1400 (heat included/ Electric separate). It is newly renovated and only two blocks to the A/C line. I think the range is about $1100 to $1500 depending on the condition and amenities (garden; W/D; access to train, etc)

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 27, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Rental Reasearch

The deed is a transfer for 50% share; does that make sense?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 24, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

Reports from Tuesday when these fools decided to go for one another indicated the shooting incident happen on Putnam and Ralph not Fulton.

Horrific no matter where it happened, but one first read it was like "oh no not again", until I realized the names were the same.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 24, 2009 10:44 AM in response to Friday Links

I have always loved brick buildings, but what are they using to make the brick these days. Why does the brick look so terrible in new construction?

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 22, 2009 12:33 PM in response to Walkabout With Montrose: Build Me a House of Sturdy Brick

I am also interested in the lot. Let me know. music4094@gmail.com

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 14, 2009 1:58 PM in response to Stair rail, newel and spindles

Sold, thanks.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 13, 2009 2:13 PM in response to Medicine Cabinet for Sale

To clarify my child, nieces and nephews are all in public school. Pre-K, First grade, Second Grade, Third Grade and Seventh. One of my sisters is a first grade teacher in a public school. My Dad taught computer science for years.

I took my child out of private school after one year and took a chance on an up and coming public school. And yes the administration (i.e. the Prinicpal) has to be open to change if not your efforts will be frustrated to no end.

As a parent, you have to make the choices that make you comfortable. As long as I know my child is safe and happy I am willing to work with others to help make changes and improve the school for the better.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 7, 2009 12:58 PM in response to The Shifting School Equation

fsrq-

I have seen "funds and wherewithal" achieve miraculous things. Children can succeed despite the shortcomings of their immediate home environment. Community organizations, churches, other family members and SCHOOLS provide a safety net for the child who has the innate ability but maybe not the means or family support. That is what the American success story is supposed to be founded on, right? That the situation you are born into does not determine the heights you can achieve.

I am not some pie in the sky optimist removed from reality. I am very aware that some of these children have home situations ranging from not so good to heartbreaking. I am also aware of how much work is involved and how challenging an effort it is. But when the doors close, it is the schools turn to try and engage and nurture and support these children. And it is the community's obligation to support the school in its efforts (even if you don't have a school aged child). We can't catch every child, but it is in everyone’s best interest to try to bridge the gap and move a family forward.

OK… rant over for the day going back to work.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 7, 2009 12:27 PM in response to The Shifting School Equation

No Ringo , you did not say stupid. You just correlated the 1/3 of the project kids at PS 8 with the 1/3 of the kids who performed badly on the test and the fact that PS 321 and PS 29 do well and have no project kids.

I don't know PS 8s situation sounds like they are in the beginning stages of a turn around. As I said it takes more than money to pull a school up. You need both commitment and forward thinking but with out the $$$$$$ it's all dreams.

And I agree that kids who have a college educated parent and books at home have a leg up on the competition. But it is that very fact that necessitates that the schools have the funds and wherewithal to help balance the playing field.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 7, 2009 11:38 AM in response to The Shifting School Equation

Ringo

Project kid does not equal stupid kid. That is to put it nicely a gross mistatement. The list of what money can do is immeasurable. But it also takes a focused approach and commitment to put the money to good use. Here are just a few examples of what a school with extra funds can do.

1. hire class room assistants so the teach does not have to solely manage 29 kids; and kids who are not grasping as quickly as others can get some one on one help.

2. afford to keep the school open and pay folks to supervise an after school program. There you can offer a broader and enriched learning experience (art, turoring, etc)

3. Fund more school trips, even local trips to shows and museums so the kids have hands on experience and are exicted about coming to school.

4. improve their physical environment

5. put on plays and shows that the kids can be proud of.

6. have plenty of books available in the library and classroom so that they can take them home to read, since their family may not have the diveristiy of reading material they will need or books on varying grade levels.

ALL of the really "GOOD" schools have active and proficient fund raising activitities that pull in hundreds of thousand of dollars to supplement the schools budget.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 7, 2009 11:07 AM in response to The Shifting School Equation

Instead of complaining and trying to squeeze ever more kids into the already overtaxed "Good" schools, target an underfunctioning school but one that shows some promise and has an administration open to new ideas and partnerships. Organize and recruit your fellow wealthy parents to commit to sending their kids. Instead of $25- 30,000 a year have each of them commit to contribute at least $3,000 per child. Focus on something the funds will go to that will improve the overall quality of the school (library, computers, science lab, gym equipment, sound and lighting equipment for the auditorium, chess teacher, art supplies, after school program). Have them use their lofty connections to get organizations to partner with the school. Create a relationship with local politicians to get your chosen school on the radar. With extra funds and a heatlhy partnership between parents and school administrators, within two years you will see a turn around.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 7, 2009 10:17 AM in response to The Shifting School Equation

Thanks

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 6, 2009 10:30 AM in response to What do you think

When I was training to be a resident adviser in college I received instruction on identifying a perpetrator and properly describing a dangerous situation. One day later we all went out to a retreat location for "bonding". While there, at meal time, someone broke thru the doors yelling and demanding that we all give him our wallets, purses, etc.

Some of us ducked behind furniture, most froze, but less than a minute later our instructor and two local plain clothes police officers let us know that this was a setup and a training follow-up. Once we got over being pissed, we were asked to describe the guy and the situation. There were 30 of us, we came up with 30 different descriptions and scenarios. Some said there were two assailants (there was one); Some said he was wearing a hoodie (he had on a baseball hat); Some said he had a gun (he did not). The only thing we got right was that he was tall and white.

I actually thought it was one of the plain clothes officers only because on second glance around the room he was not a familiar face.

Joe, you followed your instinct and didn't eye ball him; you split your attention to make sure your wife was Ok; you gave him your wallet; you followed thru to help the cops; and you're here to tell the story. Sounds just about right to me.

As for Prop Joe (I can't believe he is Black, way to shtick) screw him. Fools like that either crumple under the pressure or parade around with bravado and get themselves killed.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at April 1, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Getting Mugged in Park Slope

I love the details, I just wish that they were a little cheaper to maintain.

Posted by: bedstuy11216 at March 31, 2009 11:13 AM in response to Walkabout with Montrose: Terra Cotta Delights