Besides all the safety concerns that illegal vans bring , another aspect of this is that of a lower paid labor force of unorganized van drivers competing with contractually regulated unionized bus drivers. This bit of chaos was leveled at the public during the "Law and Order Reign" of Rudolph I, in an attempt by republicans to generally undermine unions. It continues under Michael l. These republican mayors essentially give a low priority to regulating these vans. Sgueegee men, aggressive beggars and bike riding groups all have been becalmed by law changes or policing policy, but not so for unlicensed vans. The vans do fill some public transportation niches, howerver at what cost to the society in general?

Posted by: kidbklyn at November 16, 2009 2:24 PM in response to Flatbush Ave Dollar Vans

Rat Zapper. It works.

Posted by: kidbklyn at November 5, 2009 11:38 AM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

That area is basically populated by Hasidic Jews and West Indians. Not any great restaurants, , entertainment, or shopping. So,so schools. A 3 block walk to the subway, on some empty streets late at night.

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 14, 2009 5:53 PM in response to Any thoughts on 522 Lefferts?

It's about as far away from Brownstone Brooklyn as you can get and still live in Brooklyn. I not lived there in decades, so can't comment on the current quality of life. It is residential. Manhattan is a nice commute away. If you like to fish or boat, Jamaica Bay is close.

Posted by: kidbklyn at June 20, 2009 2:18 PM in response to Canarsie Quality of Life

I live near that block, but I usually I walk towards Flatbush Av. and not towards Nostrand Av. Generally the block is quiet. But to really gauge the activity of the block you have to wait until the warmer months, when there's more hanging out at night. A few years back it was a far more raucous block than it appears today. Most of the neighborhood seems to have gotten quieter. There is a lot of traffic, both foot and vehicular, on Nostrand Av. With a heavy volume of people, mostly good and a few bad, and with it whatever a dense urban setting brings. You have excellent transportation, not so hot food shopping, good Carribean takeout , a couple of good restaurants ( near Lincoln Rd and Flatbush Av. ), so,so schools, hard parking at night, a block of fair non-landed marked housing stock, a progressive Lefferts Gardens/Manor area, an improving crime situation, and a sometimes noisy fire station ( I'm happy that it's close by ).

Posted by: kidbklyn at April 18, 2009 12:28 PM in response to Prospect Lefferts Gardens

There are three supermarkets within walking distance from your location. The first is located on Franklin Av. off Crown St., the second is on Empire Blvd. and Washington Av., and the third is located on Nostrand Av and Sullivan Pl. They are not Fairway in their product selections, but all sell the basics. Most stores are located on Franklin Av. and Nostrand Av. There is a restaurant on Nostrand Av. and President St. and a few located on Lincoln Rd between Flatbush Av. and Ocean Av. Laundries I'm not sure of, but with so many apartment buildings there has to be a few.

Posted by: kidbklyn at April 5, 2009 10:56 PM in response to Medgar Evers College neighborhoo

"All animals are equal. Some animals are more equal than others." Exactly who will be writing the ticket to the officer that is committing this violation? Get real. A ticket will be issued by one officer to another officer for this violation as quickly as Bernie Maddoff pays back what he stole.

Posted by: kidbklyn at March 10, 2009 1:34 PM in response to NYPD, Cell phones and driving

Townhouser. Do you have the name of anyone the does wooden window repairs?

Posted by: kidbklyn at March 8, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Kolbe vs. Marvin

This hotel is part of Brooklyn lore. In 1941, it was the place where killer Abe "Kid Twist" Reles inexplicably plunged out of a hotel window, while being in the custody of six NYC police department detectives. Reles was considered a stool pigeon for giving testimony about murders for hire that he was involved in. This included work he did for the mafia.

Posted by: kidbklyn at February 14, 2009 2:43 PM in response to Half Moon Hotel- Seagate

Usually these guys have out of state plates. They use a filling compound on the dent. You are on your own with the paint work. If you aren't happy with their crummy work, you can always ask for a refund when you next catch up to the Tooth Fairy. Honest.

Posted by: kidbklyn at February 9, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Offering to fix bumpers

And what happens to your 10k when Direct Buy goes bust? Is the business then called Direct Bye Bye with your 10k?

Posted by: kidbklyn at February 9, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Has anyone tried "Direct Buy"?

Vinca: Does Ostrovitsky made a good seeded corn bread ( the type made with starter batter and looks like rye bread)? Any other sources for that bread in Bklyn?

Posted by: kidbklyn at January 11, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Best bakery in Brooklyn, where?

As your surroundings become more familiar, you'll probably become more relaxed. Educate yourself about the systems of your home and how to maintain and repair them. Read a book. Use this site and others. If you have an emergency repair, try to find the most reliable professionals to repair it. Ask your neighbors and friends for referrals. When doing of a non-emergency nature get several estimates from licensed contractors. Listen to what they say. As you speak to knowledgeable people you will get a better understanding of what is involved and be able to ask more pointed questions about the work. If you plan to live in your home for a long period of time, the vagaries of the market are not that important. Hopefully, you'll love your home as much as your most comfortable shoes, with only a pebble to bother you every once in a while.

Posted by: kidbklyn at January 5, 2009 10:38 AM in response to First Time Homeowner Anxiety

There is an Iron Works off Grand St. in PH. They came for a small repair job, were prompt, reasonably priced and pleasant. The person I spoke to was Anse. The number is 917-709- 0357. In regards to Vinny: His long winded explanation as to why he didn't want the job was related to to the high cost of gasoline. It didn't pay to send the truck etc, etc. I wouldn't have minded paying the extra cost of gasoline. But, we never got a far as discussing the price, "Because I can't make money on such a small job." In tougher economic times, then I will grant Vinny's wish, least he over charge me."

Posted by: kidbklyn at December 15, 2008 5:49 PM in response to Help me, please. Need an Iron worker and not the Artistic Vinny of Vinny's Italian Art Iron works

Check the dampers in the basement. They regulate the flow of air in each duct. They can be anywhere on the duct, including on the top of the duct. If a damper is partially closed, it will reduce the flow of warm air at the end of a run( top floor). Normally warm air will rise if the flow is not otherwise impeded(i.e. a partially closed damper) , the warm air should get there. Early forced air systems were, I believe, gravity systems. The mechanical forcing came later on. The top floor were warmer than rest of the house.

Posted by: kidbklyn at December 11, 2008 4:33 PM in response to Forced hot air heat not making it to the top floor

Cline's was originally located on Union St. in Park Slope in the space now occupied by the Food Coop. The owners of Cline's at that location did a credible of cleaning area rugs. The business, I believe, was sold and moved. I remember the new owners being sited by BBB or the DCA for changing for work the didn't do. Saying they cleaned the rugs, but were only vacuuming them and wrapping them up. They do a lot of mailings at this time of the year. Since their citing, I have always passed on giving them work. Maybe they turned over a new leaf. I've never heard anything about them since that time.

Posted by: kidbklyn at December 9, 2008 7:06 PM in response to Need great carpet cleaning company

Get a space in a garage, unless you have a lot time to devote to securing a legal spot and not moving from it. On street parking in limited. Traffic Enforcement Agents are numerous. Towing is also done frequently. BH is a busy place juxtaposed to some other even busier places, with people using those limited parking spaces to gain access to them.

Posted by: kidbklyn at December 6, 2008 10:20 AM in response to parking in brooklyn heights

If your house a flat roofed brownstone, you will notice there is a slight downward slope going from the front to rear of the roof. This to allow for drainage. There is more space at the front of the crawl space than at the the rear. The front crawl space looks tall enough to let you place in batts there, but gets progressively lower as you go rearward. It looks too low to work in. If your size was not an impediment, were not claustrophobic, protected yourself from dust and dirt, and were very careful not to cave in the ceiling you were working above, I guess it could be done with batts. Most of the enlightened folks on this site, however, have insulation blown in by a contractor (Federal Conservation has been mentioned here as contractor doing that kind of work). I think I remember someone on this site quoting a price of $2,200.00 for a 45' by 25' roof with fiber glass insulation and soffits.

Posted by: kidbklyn at October 31, 2008 10:36 AM in response to crawlspace insulation

Talking about saving. Save your strength. That stone is very heavy. So, if you a thinking of moving it in one piece, try to get a good estimate of its weight. The one in my house was a thick slab that had to weigh at least couple of hundred pounds. It was broken into pieces and then removed. Additionally, you will have a gap that will support less weight than the other areas of the floor. I would also, that into consideration when removing the stone.

Posted by: kidbklyn at October 24, 2008 6:42 PM in response to new floor over old hearth stone problem

National Grid's service plan works fine. Getting an appointment for preventative maintenance and other work takes longer as you get closer to the heating season.

Posted by: kidbklyn at October 8, 2008 11:31 PM in response to Forced air service tech besides Victory Bros?

It's a company that's been around a long time. I used them about 15 years ago to completely redo an old fashioned forced air coal converted to oil system, with a gas forced air system and new ducts. They were professional and efficient. They weren't cheap. But, I got what I paid for. I've been happy with the system. I had a minor problem in balancing the system. They were responsive and sent someone to balance the system properly.

Posted by: kidbklyn at October 6, 2008 10:44 PM in response to victory bros. heating comments?

DIBS, do you know of any issues involved in using fiberglass as opposed to cellulose or rock wool? . One of my neighbors insulated their roof with cellulose and used Federal Conservation to do the work. They seemed satisfied with the work. What company did you use? FLH, which company gave you the bid? Thanks.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 26, 2008 11:52 AM in response to blown-in insulation savings

I'll second on Bedford Sewer. I've used them about three times over a number of years to clear clogged drains. They were reasonably priced and I was satisfied with the results.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 25, 2008 11:26 AM in response to sewer co. recommendations

Congratulations. Bought in 1988. Had all the anxieties of undertaking a large financial commitment. The prices fell. But, I came to realize that if I wasn't moving or refinancing, price gyrations were of no immediate consequence. There's no more land to be had and no more Brownstones to be built. So, enjoy your home.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 23, 2008 9:30 PM in response to Congratulations to me?

I saw the Court St. incident . Here you had an adolescent, nearly in a man's body, acting in an immature but dangerous way. He was being banned from the store by the manager for running around and screaming in the store, probably as a by play in horsing around with his friends. I don't think there was any more malice than that. The manager told the young man he was observed acting disruptively at other previous times and wasn't welcomed in the store. The young wanted to explain his actions. The manager didn't want to here it. The young man couldn't handle his situation, lost face along with his composure. He cold cocked the manager ( a hard punch flush to his face ) and got away from the security guards. A few minutes later the young man was back in the store sporting cuffs on his wrists as supplied by the the police officers who led him in. Once the manager identified him he was put into a patrol car and taken away.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 20, 2008 10:34 PM in response to More Troubles with Teens

Could the gentleman be from Barton's glass and door on Montrose St? Older man with a west indian accent.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 18, 2008 10:53 PM in response to DOOR GRAINING

And don't forget the food. Crown Heights = Caribbean food. Various distinct dishes from each island sold at representative restaurants. Rotis, patties, stews, jerk chicken,cod fish cakes, peas and rice, bulla cake, pone, coconut drops, currant rolls, sorrel, mauby etc., etc. Too spicy? You can go Glatt Kosher on Kingston Av. south of Eastern Parkway ( closed on Saturdays ). babka, challah bread, roasted chicken, matzoh ball soup, mushrooms and barley, roasted potatoes, kosher pizza.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 12, 2008 6:34 PM in response to Crown Height & Bed Sty - Walking Around

Hopefully, you'll able to drink whatever comprises a Malatov coctail. Be very worried if it's a Molotov cocktail that's tossed.

Posted by: kidbklyn at September 1, 2008 5:30 PM in response to Need advice on evicting squatter

Get a lawyer. I would not trust the opinions on a site like this. How would you know about the validity of comments that were given to you?

Posted by: kidbklyn at August 25, 2008 1:33 PM in response to mechanic lein

There's the same thing in my home, which dates from about 1905 as well. There are two tubes that end in the kitchen. Covering each tube in the kitchen is a hinged metal disc with a small hole in its center. One open ended tube starts on the wall in the the library on the parlor floor and another starts on the hallway wall on the bedroom floor. If you blow into the open ended part of the tube, a whistling sound is made by the disc covered end in the kitchen. If the disc end is opened, a conversation can be had. Initiation of a conversation is meant to be one way only, towards the kitchen. This early intercom still functions. I've seen similar devices in movies that depict older steam ships, with the captain at the helm communicating with the engine room. If the tube is still intact there's no reason not to be able to hear someone at the other end. The somewhat small cup shaped combination mouth/ear piece seems to be made out of porcelain.

Posted by: kidbklyn at August 3, 2008 7:11 PM in response to victorian speaking tube

The kind of permit needed to inflate the Rat, is the kind you need to catch all the hot air exhaled by the anti-union comments made on this web site.

Posted by: kidbklyn at August 1, 2008 8:10 PM in response to Closing Bell: Walgreens Gets the Rat Treatment on Myrtle

I'll second the above comment.

Posted by: kidbklyn at August 1, 2008 8:31 AM in response to Clock repair; place to buy lampshades

I vaguely remember a newspaper report years back which covered a scandal that involved the rigging the of auction process for the bidding on foreclosed homes. The auctions were controlled by a group of insiders. Auctions were held in front of the court houses in the boroughs where each the properties were located. An open bidding process never really took place. When an auction was held, insiders gathered quickly in front of the court house. A fast pre-arranged bidding process was conducted. Before the uninvited knew what was going on the bidding was over. The deal was done. Fait-accompli. This was the way it was done until someone was able to blow the whistle. I haven't heard anything more about this process in many years. But, I wouldn't be surprised that process reverted back to its insider only format, unless the entire procedure has been changed.

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 28, 2008 12:03 PM in response to How hard is buying a forclosure?

WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL ON CRIME IN PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN HEIGHTS,COBBLE HILL...? Read precinct reports! Find the crime free niche of Brooklyn. Move there and be happy. Shangri-la is only the next precinct report away.

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 21, 2008 9:38 AM in response to what's the real deal on crime in Lefferts Manor?

It's probably a bad job. I had a ceiling repaired with plasterboard and taped many years ago. It looked good on the day it was done and continues to do so.

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 15, 2008 2:30 PM in response to When ceilings show their seams

Last year Mega Glass wouldn't come to PLG to look at work needed to be done on windows in my home. The person I spoke to said they weren't interested in working in PLG. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 14, 2008 9:48 PM in response to Can anyone recommend a cheap Window Repair shop in Brooklyn?

Last year Mega Glass wouldn't come to PLG to look at work needed to be done on windows in my home. The person I spoke to said they weren't interested in working in PLG. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

Posted by: kidbklyn at July 14, 2008 9:48 PM in response to Can anyone recommend a cheap Window Repair shop in Brooklyn?

The Carpet Cleaning Company use safe modern cleaning solutions on your carpets which gently break the bond between the soil and the carpet fibre where it is then removed quickly and powerfully. Stubborn stains and ingrained dirt will be easily removed, leaving your home clean, fresh and dry in no time. for more updates http://www.chemdryclean.co.uk/

Posted by: felixg at July 22, 2009 2:03 AM in response to Need great carpet cleaning company

Can you tell me if you decided to move to this place? My husband and I visited and we also liked it so we would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Posted by: mathbelle at October 22, 2009 2:04 AM in response to Any thoughts on 522 Lefferts?

Don't count on cats. We've had several who were excellent mousers but several who were apathetic or downright cowardly in the face of a mouse (and the mouse will march right past a cat, that's how the food chain apparently works--no "fear of cat smell" evident there). We also had a legendary cat, Hodge, who "caught" mice, tenderly groomed them and then released them; we took to carrying Hodge out to the street, his new "friend" still carefully restrained in his teeth, and performing the Heimlich maneuver to make him spit his little buddy into the gutter. The mouse often died of fright shortly afterward; once, a passing jogger nearly did the same when she witnessed the ritual.

Hodge, for the record, steadfastly refused to wear underwear on his head, even in the name of interspecies friendship.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at November 5, 2009 12:50 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

ROFL Brenda you are a hoot and a half!

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 5, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

My first cat also was good at catching mice but apparently never got mouse killing and eating lessons from her mother. She'd run around excitedly with the live mouse in her mouth and we'd do the same thing as Brenda.

Our next cat, and Max, our present guy, were more attentive to their lessons in kittenhood and know that mice are scrumptious.

Hunting prey is instinctive for cats, but killing and eating it has to be tought.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 5, 2009 1:24 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

In lieu of IMBY's suggestion, which, I'm sure, works for IMBY, the best way to get the little buggers is to use empty paper towel tubes.

Balance a paper towel tube perpendicular to the edge of a counter or wherever they are with a bit of peanut butter at the end that dangles over the edge. Tie a string around the other end and fasten it to something heavy enough to hold the tube when it tips over the edge. on the floor beneath the tube, put a garbage pail. Now, if you're a buddhist, don't put a glue trap on the bottom of the garbage pail and dispose of the mice however you wish. If you aren't a buddhist, put a glue trap on the bottom of the garbage pail.

Mice can't resist the peanut buttery smelling tunnel of excitement and fun. When they get to the end of the tube, the tube tips over and boom they fall into the pail. Then, you just have to reset the tube and wait for victim number two. (I caught three in one night like this.) Brace yourself for the screaming though. I live in a floor through so the kitchen is within earshot and in my semi-sleep, with the screaming mice, I dreamt I was choking puppies. On the bright side, the scream seemed to have scared the bejeezus out of the rest of the mice and I really didn't have a problem after that.

Oh and if you use the glue traps, the most humane thing to do, i think, is to just drown them in the toilet. I know, I know, but what else can you do? I heard of one guy taking them outside, and just leaving them bound up in a plastic grocery bag. They can last for days like that. Oh, and ONE GUY (dare I say sadist?) said he wrapped it up in a grocery bag, took it outside and dropped a cinder block on it. I mean, wow.

Good luck. I know what you're going through.

Posted by: The Vidiot at November 5, 2009 1:25 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

The Vidiot -- your post is the best argument I have ever seen in favor of Buddhism.

This has to be bad for the soul:

"I live in a floor through so the kitchen is within earshot and in my semi-sleep, with the screaming mice, I dreamt I was choking puppies."

Oh, and why don't you just whack the mice with a hammer?

Posted by: northsloperenter at November 5, 2009 1:39 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

You have NO idea what I'd been through up until that point. The infestation was due to the construction in the apartment above me and the entire brownstone renovation next to me and no landlord taking care of the basement for 5 months.

I keep my home pretty damn clean so when I started seeing the massive amounts of turds, I was frantic. I had mouse droppings everywhere even AFTER I had plugged up everything, washed EVERYTHING in EVERY cupboard, rented a steam cleaner to clean the couch and the carpets, and ripped apart the whole apartment basically. I was exhausted. I tried everything, the rat zapper, humane traps, predator pee, nothing worked.

Frankly, it just got down to "it's me or them"

Thanks for being so judgmental!

Posted by: The Vidiot at November 5, 2009 2:01 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

"Thanks for being so judgmental!"

Oh, I'm not being judgmental. I don't care about the mice, but I do worry about the mouse screams poisoning people's souls, but only in a philosophical way.

I would have whacked them with the hammer rather than drowning them in the toilet, but that's just me.

I had some mouse issues last winter and found snap traps with peanut butter did the trick. Actually, I sprinkled some sugar on top of the peanut butter, which I think helps (although if you are using "sugar added" peanut butter this is probably not necessary).

I had a little trouble at first, but I found if I left a garbage bag with dinner leftovers under the sink and put traps around it, it was fairly effective.

A trap in the broiler was also useful -- just remember to take it out before cooking!

I kept a hammer around in case any rodents got wounded instead of killed by the traps, but I didn't end up needing it.

So, yeah, I'm no buddhist either.

Posted by: northsloperenter at November 5, 2009 3:04 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!

"Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murdering pattle."

Havelc, I do not leave my home under any conditions.

The following mice have restraining orders against me:

Minnie, Miss Bianca, Gus, Jaq, Jerry, Stuart Little, and Pearl Pureheart. Also entire cast of Ratatouille. Currently on parole after conviction for class B misdemeanor of "Stalking in the Fourth Degree". Clarabelle Cow, please forgive me.

Posted by: IMBY at November 5, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Mouse Infestation - Help!