mshook's Profile
Author's Posts
May 8, 2008
Mason?
Can anyone recommend a good mason to replace a few lintels? It is a small job. Thanks.
March 2, 2008
Anti-scald device
Anyone have any ideas about how to remove (or fix) the anti-scald device on an exposed "rigid riser" shower? Failing that, a reasonably-priced plumber who won't mind a (hopefully) small job...?
January 22, 2008
Alarm system
Ok... so the appointment I made with ADT several weeks ago is finally coming up. I deal with them at work and really feel they are useless, but we have a previously installed ADT system in our home already. Is it even worth the hassle? I don't want random false alarms and phonecalls. ADT stickers are all over everything, and we've been here over a year with so far no sign of trouble from the crackheads next door. The insurance co. did not query me saying "there is a system but it's not connected" when I got my insurance.... Do we bother? Or save the $$ and get a dog/scarier cats? Thanks!
Author's Comments
We live in Red Hook and I was beginning to panic about insurance when I found Max Pollack, whose office is on Van Brunt. Our insurance includes flood coverage and is very cheap. I highly recommend going with your local broker!
Posted by: mshook at February 5, 2010 12:40 PM in response to Hazard Insurance Question
Who on earth would mind tug boats working in their vicinity? I am IN LOVE with the tug boats, they make my day.
Posted by: mshook at February 4, 2010 1:40 PM in response to Sitt Reverses on Student Housing for Red Hook
Ecover powder bleach (it comes in a box) is the best thing for red wine stains. Make a paste and let it sit, but I have no idea how it will work on an old stain.
Posted by: mshook at January 28, 2010 2:30 PM in response to Old Wine Stain in Carpet
Atlantis closed down.
Posted by: mshook at November 6, 2009 3:39 PM in response to What's New This Weekend?
I agree with Miss Muffet... what I take away from this is that once again if the Democrats had had some balls and run a strong candidate and a real race it might have turned out differently.
Posted by: mshook at November 4, 2009 10:08 AM in response to Election 2009: No Big Surprises in Brooklyn
Bob, my girl likes the - as you so politely put it - undigested protein of many mammals, but she does also enjoy unadulterated World's Best, straight from the bag if she can.
Posted by: mshook at October 30, 2009 9:19 PM in response to Mice in Bed-Stuy
What kind of litter is it, Bob? As I posted yesterday, my dog is very partial to World's Best.
Posted by: mshook at October 30, 2009 3:54 PM in response to Mice in Bed-Stuy
Oh, and if you also have a dog, beware: World's Best apparently tastes DELICIOUS.
Posted by: mshook at October 28, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Cats in the House
Having used both types of litter, I would go with World's Best. Feline pine is a cool concept, but has a weird sour smell, to me. Both are flushable, though. We discovered World's Best when it was required after our cat had radioactive iodine treatment (to make sure everything radioactive was being removed). My cats don't use their box often enough for any health issues to have sprung up. In general, though... flushing anything other than what is absolutely necessary into the water system is not a good thing.
Posted by: mshook at October 28, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Cats in the House
We have 2 old skylights in our kitchen which have sides that crank open. When it starts getting cold my husband seals the entire skylight with picture window insulating kits. It's a thin plastic sheet which you tape around the opening and then blow dry until it's taught. Very effective, very cheap, and once he figured out that three strips of tape would hold for the whole winter (one strip and a good windy storm would open the thing up), lasts the whole season. It tightens up really well, so is virtually invisible. We do occasionally get rain drops, snow flakes, or dirt coming through and lying on top, though. Our contractor suggested a wooden frame and plexiglass insert, but I feel like this is tighter and more effective.
Posted by: mshook at October 28, 2009 10:24 AM in response to Skylight Question
Our radiators are never that hot to the touch - hot water system. Do you have steam?
Posted by: mshook at October 21, 2009 9:14 AM in response to Replacing Radiators
mshook wrote a review about Two Boots Brooklyn on October 20, 2009 1:41 PM
The sauce isn't as delicious and spicy as it is in Manhattan; I heard it was becuase of those pesky kids. Anyway, enough to spoil it for me.
It isn't that bad. The B61 runs very regularly in the morning rush hour and gets you to many trains in downtown BK in no time. And now that the meth clinic is closed it is no longer full of quite so many colorful characters. The B61 back to Red Hook can be a wait as it trundles all the way from LIC. The MTA are supposedly cutting the route in half, which would mean the bus would start from downtown BK, and thus be right on schedule. I ride the bus and then walk a few blocks to the 4/5, and door to door to my job near Union Sq is about 25 minutes. If the place is near Summit St or 9th St, you have the option of walking to the F train. The neighborhood is already crawling with visitors and hipsters on bikes every weekend, so I shouldn't worry too much about people not wanting to visit.
Posted by: mshook at October 4, 2009 9:11 AM in response to Living in Red Hook.... Should I?
Our neighbor has a beautiful, huge fig tree, so we planted one too. The recommendation is to put them against a south-facing wall. They do not need wrapping or any special care. Ours is now 3 years old. Last year it produced figs but they didn't ripen; this year we have many more figs, coming along nicely. You might get some in a year or 2, DIBS.
Posted by: mshook at September 4, 2009 10:11 AM in response to A Fig Grows in Brooklyn
That bike has brakes, which means we are talking about single gear, not fixed gear.
Posted by: mshook at September 4, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Closing Bell: Bamboo Bikes
What's with all the complaining? My tomato crop is coming on a treat - 6 varieties, all doing well and all bearing delicious fruit as we speak.
Posted by: mshook at August 27, 2009 9:10 AM in response to Thursday Links
Someone had a peacock in Manchester, England when I lived there. They make scary noises.
Posted by: mshook at August 25, 2009 3:47 PM in response to Streetlevel: Traif Bike Gesheft
mshook wrote a review about Viva on August 24, 2009 12:49 PM
The avocado fries are even better than they sound.
Oh, so sad... I was wondering what they were doing up there on the roof when I walked by yesterday.
Posted by: mshook at August 14, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Revere Sugar Demolition Continues
The worst my Red Hook pit bull would do to a child is slobber on it in unrestrained glee. And PLEASE don't compare such a great place to Molly Ringworm.
Posted by: mshook at August 11, 2009 9:22 AM in response to Realty in Red Hook
Cats do not need food out all day. Fat cats, ignored by their owners, have food left out all day. Healthy cats eat a couple of meals, hunt vermin, sleep, and give their owners lots of love. That's what they do all day.
Posted by: mshook at July 31, 2009 10:45 AM in response to No Rent Reduction: Stay or Go?
Thanks, buttermilk. You have made me feel marginally more comfortable!
Posted by: mshook at July 28, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Refi Closing Costs - Shoe Drops!
buttermilk - I'm currently waiting on a Chase refi. Did you keep the original rate? I was thinking they are running some kind of racket where they drag their feet for so long you lose your rate....
Posted by: mshook at July 28, 2009 1:14 PM in response to Refi Closing Costs - Shoe Drops!
Rob, I know this isn't really my business, and totally not a topic for a "real estate" blog, but if you are so constantly on edge about your economic security, why is it you are against single payer health care? I would think now of all times you would see how precarious the situation is for anyone living in this country. What happened to all those people who are no longer riding the train? If they lost their jobs, they will lose their health care, in all probability. How is it helpful to the economy at large, that people use emergency services because they have no insurance? It puzzles me that you can live so close to the edge of real poverty and not see the scare tactics being used to make you feel that something that would only be beneficial to you is bad. Maybe your "anti-Europe" rants aren't meant entirely seriously.... But if you do lose your job, will you have health care, and for how long?
Posted by: mshook at July 28, 2009 10:08 AM in response to Open Thread
Not many apartments come with a garden, which is why we wanted a house.
Posted by: mshook at July 27, 2009 2:32 PM in response to House of the Day: 49 Dikeman Street
Is that Moses, or one of the 'hoods other lovely specimens?
Posted by: mshook at July 27, 2009 2:29 PM in response to House of the Day: 49 Dikeman Street
gem, if you agree that Red Hook is a great place to ride a bike, then I don't understand why you object to a bit of green paint on the road that is connecting a train station and an easy bike route into Red Hook. We sit and wait at the traffic lights to cross Hamilton, we aren't getting in anyone's way.
Posted by: mshook at July 24, 2009 12:59 PM in response to DOT Greens a New Bike Lane on 9th Street
tlocane, try Ecover's powder "bleach", it works really well.
Posted by: mshook at July 23, 2009 9:31 AM in response to Washer + Dryer Recs?
alsawo, are you kidding? A glue trap is the most awful way there is to kill a mouse. Yes, they get stuck, and do you know what happens next? It's not like they magically un-stick themselves and run off to a field of wildflowers. They injure themselves trying to escape, and then they are slowly eaten away by whatever is in that glue. It's an awful awful death. Anything I ever see stuck on a glue trap I drown instantly.
Posted by: mshook at July 16, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Mouse in the House
If you like Danish mid-century stuff, there is a place on Jay St (I think), right by the water in Dumbo that has a huge collection of beautiful furniture. Not cheap, though.
Posted by: mshook at July 14, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
A tree was just chopped down by the little park where Hamilton Ave meets Van Brunt - beautiful big stump sections, if you can pick them up.
Posted by: mshook at July 13, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Wanted: Tree stumps
Oh, that's not just any run of the mill vacant lot... it also contains all the garbage from the building of the beauties. Heaps of trash - SO Tuscan.
Posted by: mshook at July 10, 2009 11:08 AM in response to Red Hook Townhouse Project Not Flying Off Shelf
There was a vocal community protest against Ikea, and concern about traffic. I have to say, other than the Ikea shuttle buses, the impact has not been too bad. Phoenix are talking about 100 trucks a day, which seems much more than anything Ikea can muster.
Posted by: mshook at July 6, 2009 12:33 PM in response to EDC Talks Latest Red Hook Waterfront Plans
There are trap/neuter/release programs, and people who can help you. Call some local animals shelter to find one that operates near you. I got one of my cats from TNR group, they do wonderful work.
Posted by: mshook at July 5, 2009 8:18 PM in response to Feral Cats—Help!
I second this opinion - they don't really look as nice as they do in the catalogue.
Posted by: mshook at June 19, 2009 2:01 PM in response to FLOR tiles -- reviews?
faithful - I love my vet: Dr Julie Morris at Animal Healing Arts of Carroll Gardens (on Henry). She never pushes vaccinations or anything (has in fact sent me elsewhere for treatment instead of earning money on prescriptions) and is wonderful with animals and just really, really nice. If you're in the area I would recommend her.
Posted by: mshook at May 22, 2009 9:59 AM in response to Open Thread
mshook wrote a review about Reds Tapas Bar on May 21, 2009 12:42 PM
I really love this little place, which looks much better than the picture would lead you to believe. They have some nice plants and a table outside now. The staff are really friendly, the atmosphere always nice. I find it extremely hard to believe that 3 people ate for $30; it's not cheap, especially if you are attempting to eat a meal rather than just a few snacks. For 2 I have never got out of there for under $50 (drinks included, but that's only 2-4 beers). But the beers are REAL pints!
When I was researching machines, I read that Kenmore and Whirlpool are the same, only Kenmore is serviced (poorly) by Sears. So if you were unimpressed by Whirlpool, you might not like Kenmore. I typoed "whirlpoop" twice!
Posted by: mshook at May 21, 2009 10:56 AM in response to Stackable washer/dryer
This is its twin. The one upsetting you is still the same, to the left of this one.
Posted by: mshook at May 21, 2009 10:52 AM in response to 160 Imlay Cleans Up Its Act!
The B61 is great leaving Red Hook, can be a wait as it trundles its way from LIC. The walk from the Carroll St stop via Summit Street is much more pleasant than any walk from the Smith and 9th St stop. Bike is a good suggestion, but the B 61 is really not that bad and gives you many train options in downtown Bk.
Posted by: mshook at May 19, 2009 6:47 AM in response to Red Hook
BEST LOG IN NAME EVER! Robert Haussman is a dog trainer who also walks dog in the area - his web site is dogboynyc.com. I'm not sure if he is expensive, we used him for training and he was great.
Posted by: mshook at May 19, 2009 6:44 AM in response to Dog Walkers?
My brother's apartment has this problem, but if you run the water slowly - or not at full power - it runs clean. Doesn't pick up the sediment from the pipes if it is moving more slowly, I guess.
Posted by: mshook at May 15, 2009 9:00 AM in response to Dirty Bath Water
aha ha haaaaaaaaa! sneaker joint selling uggs. Lame.
Posted by: mshook at May 14, 2009 3:51 PM in response to Streetlevel: Sneakers for Willoughby
I'm kind of with the What on this. I didn't want to refinance even though I was paying 7.25%. It was a balloon mortgage and I was saving enough to be able to own the house outright in 13 years when the loan matured, as well as paying off extra every month. Why pay the bank more finance and finagling charges if I can hack it and then own the house in 13 years? Well, then I lost my second job and just making the monthly payment would have been tough, never mind saving for the lump payment in 13 years. So I'm in the process of refinancing for a 30 year fixed rate at 4.625%, which lowers our monthly payment by $750. The bank wins!
Posted by: mshook at May 14, 2009 11:26 AM in response to Refinancing: How Sweet It Is
Chicken - what I find interesting is that "working class" isn't really a term people embrace here. It seems everyone is middle class. Or Rich. Or poor. Or even "working poor". It's as though part of the '50s comformist swizz was creating this mirage of all-encompassing middleclass-ness.
Posted by: mshook at May 14, 2009 10:23 AM in response to Can Ditmas Park Save The Middle Class?
Probably uselessly late, but I have always loved our vet - Dr Julie Morris at Animal Healing Arts in Carroll Gardens. In fact, one of the reason we bought our house was that we would still be able to walk to see her. She does not overmedicate or over vaccinate, has never tried to sell me anything (in fact, has recommended treatment elsewhere rather than getting herself lucrative drug sales), etc. She's wonderful. Has seen me through the decline and death of 2 very very dear kitties, and never once did I feel uncomfortable with her work or her choices.
Posted by: mshook at May 12, 2009 8:18 PM in response to Open Thread
I already mentioned him on another Forum post this week, but Max Pollack on Van Brunt got us insurance (and cheap). We are very much in the flood zone.
Posted by: mshook at May 12, 2009 11:05 AM in response to Can't Get Insured Near Water
Our boiler was recently replaced by B and B Plumbing, who are based in Staten Island. A friend of mine recommended them after they replaced her old boiler. They did a great job, very thorough, and also got a huge old oil tank removed for us. Bart is the guy we dealt with and he is a good guy, and very helpful. I no longer have his mobile number, but you can get the business number on line if you are interested.
Posted by: mshook at May 11, 2009 4:32 PM in response to Plumber for Upgrade & Boiler
There is a carpentry shop on Columbia (by Degraw maybe?) and they have a beautiful wooden garbage container in front of them, which I assume they made.
Posted by: mshook at May 9, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Carpenter rec for garbage bins?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
I had a roofer/metal worker come today to look at my leaky skylights. He will make a new skylight like the old one without the vents, so it won't leak air, for $1450. But then you have to add a vent to the roof, or else you get moisture buildup in the crawl space below your roof. That's $500 for for 2 vents.
He will also install an insulated skylight, not pretty, made by Insuladome, that will be more energy-efficient, for $1750.
Not as cheap as bubble wrap but more permanent!
The guy's name is John Roggenkamp
718 680 1217
Posted by: frabjousday at November 24, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Skylight Question
Good News!! HIP&HUMBLE HOME has opened on Atlantic Avenue...this store has te most eclectic collection from Indonesia and Morocco that I have ever seen! their prices are VERY fair, and these guys really know the product, they even take custom orders(if you dont mind te wait, its coming from far away places)...what a great find!!
387 Atlantic Ave
Posted by: designfreak at January 11, 2010 4:39 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
Good News!! HIP&HUMBLE HOME has opened on Atlantic Avenue...this store has te most eclectic collection from Indonesia and Morocco that I have ever seen! their prices are VERY fair, and these guys really know the product, they even take custom orders(if you dont mind te wait, its coming from far away places)...what a great find!!
387 Atlantic Ave
Posted by: designfreak at January 11, 2010 4:39 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
What were your cema costs? curious how they compare to a nn-cema refinancing (since will have to pay mortgage tax again).
HSBC is not allowing CEMA refis, so if you borrow from them, and want to refinance you will be forced to use them to refinance or pay mortgage tax again! Ridiculous!
Posted by: megamega at January 19, 2010 4:31 PM in response to Refi Closing Costs - Shoe Drops!
I know this is an old thread, but we always put the cat food up out of the dogs reach.
Posted by: serpentor at January 22, 2010 3:22 PM in response to How to keep a door ajar???
Hi guys ,
I think induction cooktop are worth to try ,here i present a idea ,my self is working in a Asian manufacturer for induction cooktop and electrical cooktop ,i could send a unit for your try ,don't worry about the quality and price,same quality ,half price . my contacts : hunter.sang@gmail.com ,or summer.fruit@live.cn
Posted by: hxlf522 at January 26, 2010 12:26 AM in response to Induction or electric cooktop?
Hi guys , i am working in a Asian manufacuturer for induction cooktop and ceramic cooktop ,if you want one to try ,you could find me ,same quality ,half price ,please send email to me ,i will reply within 24 hours ,summer.frui@Live.cn or hunter.sang@gamil.com
Posted by: hxlf522 at January 26, 2010 12:36 AM in response to Induction or electric cooktop?
i think the more you do to it, the harder it is for the porfessionals to get it out. i've heard from cleaners that they have a much harder time getting out stains because people try home remedies and actually make the stain set more so. salt is a great suggestion if the spill is still fresh, but in this case is way too late. i think meurice cleaners does rugs. i know that my friend had a terrible red wine stain on a white patterned dress and they got it out like new even though the stain had set. meurice ain't cheap but they do miracles.
Posted by: CG_ups at January 28, 2010 3:44 PM in response to Old Wine Stain in Carpet
On a FRESH red wine stain, white whine or vodka often helps as an immediate first aid. You're diluting the substance with a lighter version of itself and the color will normally lighten somewhat. Drinking the vodka and calling the pros probably makes more sense though.
On something as old as the stain you're describing, the substance has probably oxidized so none of the emergency remedies would work. Pros can sometimes remove bad stains, and if the rug is of sufficient quality or emotional value, sometimes they can be re-woven.
I use Kalfaian, which used to be on Atlantic Ave. They have fixed different stains, and also re-finished the ends of unraveling rugs for me. They aren't cheap, but they do pick up and deliver.
Kalfaian carpet cleaning 718-389-9384
Posted by: Stonergut at January 28, 2010 4:21 PM in response to Old Wine Stain in Carpet
It would be a white whine, wouldn't it? DAMN my clumsy fingers ...
Posted by: Stonergut at January 28, 2010 4:23 PM in response to Old Wine Stain in Carpet
I just read a feature on a local moving company on the wordoncolumbiastreet blog. They sounded like a good, responsible company, and are in the area. Sorry, can't remember the name....
Posted by: mshook at February 5, 2010 2:36 PM in response to Movers for Walk Ups