Sanitation Hearing

Take if from someone who has had a LOT of bad experiences with do it yourself plumbing projects--GET SOMEONE COMPETENT TO DO IT!! The biggest problem with plumbing, I have found, is in the unloosening of things that have not been loosened in long time, like shut off handles that crack off in your hand (refer to the great toilet debacle of 2001!), supply tubes that instead of coming off, crack instead, shooting water all over the bathroom, etc. The point is that if you don't really know what you're doing, particularly if the stuff hasn't been worked on in a while, you can create more problems that will cost even more money than the original thing would have cost!

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at November 13, 2009 11:46 AM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

I think the name "Sue Perette" may be an homage to Joe's Superette further up on Smith, which for years has been missing an "s" so it looks like, on first glance, Joe's Perette.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at September 9, 2009 1:23 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

I think it's a great idea...I saw a woman get hit there not that long ago. But people are right...it's a lot of sidewalk now, and very bare. Even just some trees would dress it up somewhat. I'm not sure that a newsstand is really what we want, since there are 2 delis on the opposite side of the street as it is.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at September 2, 2009 12:24 PM in response to Calming Traffic at Bergen and Smith

That is such a bummer about Panino'teca. I loved that place, and they had a great garden. It was one of the pioneering restaurants on Smith and they were always very friendly and the food was very good and reasonable. All the good places on Smith are gone. I guess that's the thanks you get for being a pioneer.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at July 8, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

I'm sure high rents have something to do with its closing, but there is also another, large Salvation Army store on Atlantic between Bond and Nevins, not to mention the huge Goodwill store on Bond and Livingston.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at June 5, 2009 2:21 PM in response to Streetlevel: Flatbush Salvation Army to Close

I noticed that the three houses on warren(?)baltic(?-sorry, I can never keep the cross streets straight--and i've lived around there for 15 years!) going towards smith were also posted with notices to vacate, so the makes me think that the real problem is in the back, not the front. But seriously, a patrol car parked in front since Saturday night? A bizarre waste of resources.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at May 11, 2009 1:14 PM in response to 217 Court Coming Down?

I find that people clean up after their dogs a lot less in the winter than in the summer. I guess they can't be bothered because it's too much trouble to take off their gloves to deal with the bag, or that they don't want to pick up snow along with the poop, or they're just cold and want to go back in, but my neighborhood in Boerum Hill is much less poop infested in the warmer months.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 23, 2009 4:31 PM in response to Sunset Park Tops Brooklyn's List of Poopiest Nabes

You can also get an indoor venting kit, like this
http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product/indoor-dryer-vent.do

You put water in it, which traps the lint somewhat. Sometimes it's simply not possible to vent to the outside since dryer vents basically have to be a straight line and cannot be too long. I find that this is a workable alternative. Heats up your house a little, which is nice in winter, but not so much in summer.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 12, 2009 1:42 PM in response to Dryer Venting Outside

Not that I don't think it would be nice of you to adopt a kitty who needs a home, I wouldn't rely too much on a cat to get rid of your mice, and it's an old wives tail that a mouse won't come into a house where cats live. Since it's nearly impossible to plug up every hole in an old house, especially when you have radiators, conduits, etc., and the problem with poison is that you never know where they will go to die. Also, if you have children, poison may not be the best idea. I recommend the d-Con "No View, No Touch" traps. They're little round traps that have a little door, and are spring loaded to kill the mice once they enter. More humane than glue traps, less dangerous for humans and pets than poison.
http://www.d-conproducts.com/traps/nvnt.html

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 12, 2009 1:37 PM in response to Exterminating Mice?

Thanks everyone. I will let you know how it turns out. It just burns me because the ticket is for having trash in the front yard. My neighbor keeps her trash cans right in the front, and she has no fence, so the combination is a recipe for a sanitation ticket. That's why I am so sure that the ticket was intended for her and not me. Also the fact that the ticket was not left at my house like it was the one other time I got a ticket. ($25 for not having an empty cardboard arm and hammer cat litter box in a blue bag. Seriously. Written with great drama--language like "no blue bag in sight!" as if I'd violated the Constitution.)Anyway, thanks for your input.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at February 10, 2009 6:25 PM in response to Sanitation Hearing

I love the sink. Where did you get it?

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at January 5, 2009 3:50 PM in response to New Year's kitchen edition

Petebklyn, my point was to point out the irony of people criticizing this building's level of gentrification when in fact it is one of the very reasons the neighborhood is gentrified at all. I was not aware that the co-op went back as far as the seventies. As for your remark about the neighborhood attracting people as far back as the 1870s, I am also well aware of that and your sarcasm is unnecessary You're not the only one who knows about Brooklyn and its history who reads these blogs.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at December 12, 2008 12:07 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 423 Atlantic Avenue, #2M

Looks like Park Slope to me...narrow sidewalks. Not sure where though.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at December 12, 2008 11:56 AM in response to I.D. This Photo, Win a Book

And don't forget the "Boerum Hill Rocks My World" (hey, I didn't name it) group.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at December 12, 2008 11:53 AM in response to Find Your Hood on Facebook

Regarding the comment that the block is not as nice as the ones nearer Smith, this was actually one of the first buildings in the neighborhood that attracted people to the area, back in the late eighties/early nineties.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at December 11, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 423 Atlantic Avenue, #2M

Just keep in mind that some turtles are amazingly agile (whodathunkit?) and can climb through chain link fences, etc. That's how I ended up with the Texas Mud Turtle who currently resides in a tank in my kitchen. He apparently made a break for it from a neighbor's pond and ended up in my yard, where I, on first glance, thought he was a hand grenade! What can I say-he is that perfect olive drab color and I have an active imagination.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at October 30, 2008 1:37 PM in response to Backyard Turtle

Great bookstore...they always have great quirky picks and books you don't just see anywhere else. Support your local bookstore. You'll be happy you did!

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at October 13, 2008 1:46 PM in response to Book Court Expands

Happened to me a couple of years ago. The problem with the old gates is that you can just lift them off; they're not really attached, s a padlock of some kind should do the trick. That's what I had to do.

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at July 21, 2008 2:28 PM in response to Gate Thievery: All the Rage?

Minard, you might think it's 'dangerous' to do electrical work, but the majority of it is straightforward common-sensical stuff which anyone could do. What's difficult is knowing what you shouldn't do, or need special expertise for. Same for plumbing.

Posted by: cmu at November 13, 2009 12:11 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

I have done work like this before. I would love to take a look and if possible submit a proposal to install the faucet. My name is Anthony and my email is aodrafting@gmail.com. Thanks and good luck.

Posted by: Aodrafting at November 13, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

cmu: exactly!
same for abdominal surgery.

Posted by: Minard Lafever at November 13, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

this person was mentioned positively on the bococa mailing list.has anyone used her?
Jess works on water/waste/heating/fixtures/systems. Her number is 917.207.2403.

Posted by: gowanusgus at November 13, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

Another reason why full-serve buildings are expensive. In my building I call the super the night before and say: I need this done tomorrow by the time I get home from work. Boom, done.

Posted by: Minard Lafever at November 13, 2009 1:21 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

I'm a big fan of DIY repairs and have replaced a few bathroom faucets (using my trusty basin wrench), but when I had to replace my single lever kitchen faucet several years ago I was unable to get the old one off. The plumber tried for a long time and finally cut the thing off. There's no harm in trying, but sometimes you have to call a pro.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 13, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

oooh, a Dyson with diamond earrings, Minard has read my mind. Can you speak to my boyfriend?

Posted by: BHS at November 13, 2009 1:47 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

I have not read all of the posts with this, but:

as one person said be sure that to bend the copper lines. I would ad, put a wrench on them and "backturn" them as you tightent the supply lines. By back turn, I don't mean turn but put some pressure on them to balance the pressure from tightenting the supply.

Do not over tighten the speedy connects on the supply lines. These should be hand tightened plus about 3/4 turn with a wrench. Any more and you may crush the seal.

Yes, the nuts will be a pain, but not unmanagable.

Usually the worst thing with changing faucets is that the turn off valves don't hold. When that happens, the entire floor or house must be turned off.

Steve
www.thetinkerswagon.com

Posted by: thetinkerswagon at November 13, 2009 4:03 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

Can I just add... Steve above (thetinkerswagon) should be your Handyman!! I don't have any proof that he's any good other than he seems like a class act...

He provided a sweet explanation of how to deal with the supply lines and what to watch out for. No mention of the fact that he's a handyman himself.

"Master Plumber" is another example. These types of guys should get everyone's business (at least to try out).

Class acts that have no problem sharing some helpful info -- and then subtly saying, "Hey, but if you need anything else I'm available." That's nice.

Posted by: tybur6 at November 13, 2009 6:40 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?

It's easier than you think. Harder on your back than anything else, and be sure to read through the instructions AND check to see what you've got under the sink, have all the tools you might need before you turn off the water and have a half disassembled faucet and have to go to the store (at 11pm, usually) . And I (a woman) have replaced faucets a few times, along with a lot of other plumbing projects. If you (or any other readers here) are concerned about having a bad experience at a plumbing supply store go to Michael's Plumbing Supply on Flatbush Avenue & Clarendon. Michael is the best, he gives amazing advice and explains everything you need to do when tackling any type of project, simple to complex. I swear I have acquired apprentice-plumber equivalent knowledge and confidence as a result of frequenting (sometimes multiple times in one day) his store. You won't get this service at Home Depot! Good Luck! You can do it!

Posted by: honeycut at November 13, 2009 8:49 PM in response to Installing Faucet - No Brainer?