I am so sick of hearing people complain about rent stabilization. There are 2 vacant RS apartments in my building right now and not one of you people would want to live here. There's too many shootings in the area, not enough restaurants, coffee shops, cute baby clothing stores, no organic groceries. The apartments? Horrifying, no hardwood floors, appliances aren't new, big fat cockroaches that come out when it rains, mice, there's even carpet and linoleum!

Stop pretending that every RS apartment is in a fabulous building, in a fabulous neighborhood, with brand new appliances, perfect hardwood floors, newly renovated, and inhabited by wealthy leeches intent on screwing everyone. None of you would deign to live in half of the RS buildings in NYC, you'd run home with your tails between your legs after the 1st shooting.

Posted by: caseopele at August 3, 2009 5:39 PM in response to Heights Rent-Controller Out on a Technicality

Bob is a rare breed and I'm honored to know him. He's a kind, talented, unique, warm and caring person. If anyone gets a chance to stop and talk to him, do it. I can guarantee you won't be sorry! Great story, John.

P.S. Bob's also a hell of a wood stripper, I've seen his work and he does an amazing job. Here's his number in case anyone's interested: 718-915-1564. Oh, and I have no stake in him getting work.

Posted by: caseopele at July 26, 2009 9:01 PM in response to The Whistler of First Street

Bob Barrett in Park Slope does wonderful work, his number is 718-915-1564.

Posted by: caseopele at July 7, 2009 9:56 PM in response to Stripper for wood paneling?

Wow, there were 10 comments from people who didn't like the design before sam's post yet they weren't chastised. Why do you have such a hard on for sam, 11217?

Posted by: caseopele at July 7, 2009 9:36 PM in response to BBG Visitor Center Design Unveiled, Award Announced

No, he wasn't there 1st. He used to be set up outside Connecticut Muffin until a few weeks ago when he moved 1 storefront away from the bookstore. Catherine had no problem with him until then and never "prevented" him from selling books.

Yes, it probably could have been handled better but no one was asked to do what they did. Catherine's email only asked for suggestions on what to do about the situation.

Posted by: caseopele at April 9, 2009 8:03 AM in response to Wednesday Blogwrap

Anyone who thinks that there is no crack being sold in Park Slope is fooling themselves. And yes, it's being sold near schools. Not just crack but coke, heroin, and acid. No, I don't use any drugs but I'm not blind. I've lived or worked in PS since 1997 and lived in Brooklyn since 1983. Just because you don't notice the drug dealers doesn't mean they aren't there.

Posted by: caseopele at March 18, 2009 11:19 PM in response to Drug Dealing Hotspot in Crown Heights?

600k to live 2 doors away from a drug rehab? The yunnies will be horrified when they figure that out.

Posted by: caseopele at February 19, 2009 11:30 PM in response to Development Watch: 892 Bergen Street

"I am a long-time resident of the Slope who had stayed away from the store during the long period that it was devoting half its window to posting -- in my view --radical left-wing diatribes. I found them offensive, and didn't want to give my (considerable) book business to a store that gave such a high priority to shrill politicking.
Well, now the diatribes are gone and the store is getting more business -- including some of mine. Am I the only one who sees a connection here?"

Personally, I find Barnes and Noble much more offensive. Let's see, what did B&N do after 9/11? Oh yeah, they closed the store and hung a big American flag in the window. Catherine, on the other hand, provided a meeting place for the community. She posted news in the window, collected donations of supplies, and provided an outlet for people that wanted to help but didn't know how. The Community Bookstore has done more for the community than B&N. But I can see why you'd rather give your "considerable" book business to a corporation that doesn't give 2 figs for the neighborhood.

Posted by: caseopele at February 13, 2008 11:02 PM in response to StreetLevel: Park Slope Bookstore Thriving

Wow, are some of you actually very articulate 5 year olds? I can't believe the whiny comments I've just read. They may as well have read like this, "I want it now, why can't I get anything I want right now? I'll positively die if I have to wait one second more to get what I want! Why can't small independent bookstores cater to my every whim? Why can't they just get more inventory and more space? They should have a cafe, a children's play center, a reading room, a ferris wheel, water park, and anything I may desire from second to second."

Don't want another realtor or cell phone store opening up? Too bad because I sincerely doubt you'll get the business you truly want. Have any of you actually thought to ask store owners to carry products you're interested in? It's not difficult and they may be more receptive than you think. I buy all my books from the Community Bookstore because I like them a million times more than B&N. Any time they didn't have a book I wanted, they ordered it for me. So I had to wait a few days for it, it hasn't killed me yet. Heaven forbid people have to actually wait for something.

Give it a few more years and all these annoying small businesses will die out. Then you'll all be complaining that NY isn't interesting anymore and it looks like a strip mall!

Posted by: caseopele at November 6, 2007 12:17 AM in response to Slope Losing Another Small Bookstore

Does anyone have a phone # or email for Joe Salem?

Posted by: guywithahouse at July 8, 2009 12:04 AM in response to Stripper for wood paneling?

Yes, his number is 1 (718) 755-6527

Posted by: Giovanna at July 8, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Stripper for wood paneling?

I second Joe's work. He has done a great deal of stripping for us-it has alwas turned out great. He is fairly priced....

Posted by: PHfamily at July 8, 2009 7:06 PM in response to Stripper for wood paneling?