Minard, yes, Baltimore's row houses have service alleys -- and they work wonderfully.

We have friends who have an alley behind their limestone house in Crown Heights. This allows them to use part of their backyard to park their car. They access the alley at the end of the block, where there is a remote-operated gate (which keeps the alley relatively safe). If you drive, it's a very convenient set-up.

Posted by: writeonadelphi at October 27, 2009 11:39 AM in response to 97 St. Marks Avenue Update

I went to A & K yesterday and received such all-time horrible service that I had to post it somewhere.

Apparently, I came at the wrong time beacause both employees were sitting down to lunch and were otherwise occuppied. They sat behind their desks and answered some of my questions while chewing. At one point, I asked, "Does this tile come in different sizes or finishes?" and the woman said, "I don't know which one you're talking about." WHILE SITTING AT HER DESK CHEWING.

At that point, I began asking for the makers of the tile samples so that I could figure out the answers to my questions on my own. Frustrated, I decided to leave.

As I was leaving the store, the male employee says to the woman, "She was asking for the manufacturers so that she could go out and buy it somewhere else. Can you believe people do that?" The woman replied, "Yeah, I know what she was doing." I'm still in shock that a business could operate this way.

Posted by: writeonadelphi at October 21, 2009 10:16 AM in response to Tile shops in Brooklyn

It's definitely not as bad this year as summers of '08 or '07, but still very annoying. I recommend one of the repellants that advertise "clean feel" and contain Picaridin (not Deet). Get the highest percentage of Picaridin you can find. I am extremely susceptible to bites (can be in a room full of people and one mosquito and the thing only bites ME), and we were outside all day yesterday -- doused in the Picaridin stuff and no one got a single bite.

Posted by: writeonadelphi at August 17, 2009 1:20 PM in response to Mosquitos

Is there a reason that neither the above blurb nor any of the links list WHAT items can be recycled WHERE and for WHAT PURPOSE? The press release contains no details. Merely this: "We're going to collect recyclables for a new recycling intiative so we an all recycle and be recyclers!" If you're going to put out a press release, please include some useful information.

Posted by: writeonadelphi at April 20, 2009 7:25 PM in response to Closing Bell: Green Grows in Brooklyn

Re: the friendly staff at TJ's. I tend to go during quieter hours -- weekday mornings soon after they open -- and a few times I've heard staff members discussing where they came from, i.e. TJ's locations elsewhere in the country from which they have been imported. This is why they're uncommonly helpful. In NYC, there is a different (more genuine) brand of friendly, IMO. Shopkeepers who get to know you and DO ask after your family, etc. The superficial friendliness of TJ's staff is more common outside NYC. "Hi. How are you? Do you need help? (smile and move on)"

Posted by: writeonadelphi at October 18, 2008 6:57 AM in response to Commercial Klutch: October Edition

I have found a great, natural solution that has been working for us, it has cut down our mosquito population by about 90%. Mosquito barrier. made of concentrated garlic, you will need a sprayer canister that you can buy for about $25 at a hardware store. You mix the garlic solution with water and a little oil and spray every 4-6 weeks, it is kid/plant/flower safe. Since we have had so much rain this year I have had to spray more often but otherwise a pretty safe, inexpensive solution.

http://www.mosquitobarrier.com/howto.html

Posted by: annieb at August 17, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Mosquitos

Short term - the only thing that will really help you if the infestation is bad is a fogger. And no, they are not green, and you shouldn't spray anything you are planning to eat. Keep your child out of the yard for at least an hour after you use it. I used one once out of desperation and the results were great, but they're also highly toxic, so I consider them a last resort.

Long term - I have a mosquito magnet. It really works. But it take at least a few weeks to noticeably reduce the population. And you do have to be vigilant about replacing the propane and the attractant every 3 weeks, as well as getting rid of any standing water.

Posted by: geekspice at August 17, 2009 2:44 PM in response to Mosquitos

My friend has BBQs in Greenpoint frequently, and used to have a big mosquito problem.
He got a bunch of cintronella tiki torches and has an old school 'bug zapper' that he uses. It seems to have really cut down the amount of bites.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at August 17, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Mosquitos

I know this sounds crazy but it has worked for me. Spray any flavor of listerine or its genric brand around your yard - on furniture, toys, patio, etc. It actually keeps the buggies at bay. You'll have to respray though about every hour or two. I don't mind though because the Off spray realy bothers my nose.

I also spary my back door so they don't sneak in as I open and close the door to go in and out.

Posted by: italiana71 at August 17, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Mosquitos

Nothing works better than good old Avon skin-so-soft (for a double dose, use the shower gel in the shower, than reapply the bath oil before you go outside.)

Our Avon lady keeps us well stocked. Here's the website; if you use code FSWER there's free direct shipping:
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?src_page=product_list.aspx&level1_id=300&level2_id=303&pdept_id=344&dept_id=416&pf_id=7460&repid=9023156
or
youravon.com/tsheridan

Posted by: brooklynblondie at August 17, 2009 4:44 PM in response to Mosquitos

This year is the first year I've been able to be outside any time of day or night without having to use repellent. I've done 3 things in combo:
1) Put mosquito dunks in all of your outside drains (base of basement/under stoop stairs). This has a dramatic effect within 3 days.
2) St. Gabriels Mosquito barrier - hose end application. Works great, and is all natural.
3) Thermacell torches. 2-4 in your yard, depending on size, at dusk/night, just to keep away any buggers who don't get the message with #1 and #2. I use 2 on my deck (16x16) and one further out in the yard. Not cheap, but totally worth it.

I've been absolutely amazed at the difference - we use our backyard every evening for dinner, etc., and no issues.

Posted by: wyckoff at August 17, 2009 5:26 PM in response to Mosquitos

i ordered the thermacell. thanks.

Posted by: wine lover at August 17, 2009 7:57 PM in response to Mosquitos

I have the same problem. Since I rent and do not want to invest in a mosquito magnet, I tried the following:

http://www.diyhappy.com/quick-and-dirty-mosquito-trap/

Pretty clever. Just make a few of them and place them around your yard.

Posted by: mrkknox at August 18, 2009 9:47 AM in response to Mosquitos

mrkknox--that sounds cool, will have to try.

Apparently I had the wrong link for the SSS (so my avon lady gets credit). Try: www.tinyurl.com/avonsss

Posted by: brooklynblondie at September 11, 2009 7:46 PM in response to Mosquitos