ParentDish interviewed Cobble Hill Mom Alex McCord about her parenting techniques, perhaps pulled straight from the parenting book she’s writing with her husband, entitled The Urban Parent: Tales From a Real House in New York City. Continue Reading →
Archive | February, 2009
Ready for happy hour yet?
If you’ve got a case of the Mondays, head over to The Brazen Head at 228 Atlantic Avenue, where you can get free wings with $1 off your drinks from 4-8pm.
Sunday stroll on Smith
Gowanus Lounge takes a walk down Smith Street, apparently before the rain started.
Squadron to Host “Community Convention” March 15
State Senator Daniel Squadron, who lives in Carroll Gardens and whose district includes Cobble Hill and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods as well as lower Manhattan, is hosting a “Community Convention” on Sunday, March 15, from 3:00 to 6:00pm, at Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, just west of Greenwich. In Squadron’s words:
As part of my plan to make our state government more open and accessible than ever before, I am inviting constituents from all over my district to join me at this convention, on March 15th. At our convention, I will ask you to help me shape my priorities and strategies as I work hard for our district in this, my first year in office.
I hope you will bring your ideas, and your perspectives, on what our state government can do to improve our communities and step up more effectively to respond to these difficult times. I want your ideas on housing, on transportation, on the state budget, and on the myriad issues that we can take on to make New York a better place to live.
Those who wish to attend should RSVP to: convention@danielsquadron.org.
What’s Going On at Atlantic Ave. Shell
A CHB tipster sends in this intel on what’s happening at the Atlantic and Henry Shell station:
I spoke with “Jay” (this was the name on his Shell jacket) this morning at the Atlantic Ave Shell Station on the corner of Henry St. As you know, the Shell station has been closed for some time and there are no other gas stations in the area (all the others closed, i.e. the 2 on the corner of Boerum and Atlantic Ave.). Their prices are high, but convenience is key.
Jay said the permits have now been obtained (apparently they weren’t previously) and work can begin. There was work going on this morning, which appeared to be welding on a large and long I beam. “Jay” said the construction contract requires the work to be done in 2 months and he was pretty emphatic that the station should be open within that time frame because of the construction contract. Aah, the joys of construction and the wishful thinking of on-time completion dates.
Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra concert this weekend
Photo by Karen Zuegner
The Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra will be performing a classical concert this Sunday, February 22, at 3:00 pm. The concert will take place at the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity at 157 Montague Street (corner of Clinton and Montague Streets) and there is a suggested donation of $15 (children free). Trombonist Mark Sheppard will be featured in contemporary composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Concerto for Bass Trombone, Strings, Timpani and Percussion. Beethoven’s Symphony #6 in F major (“Pastoral”) and Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor Overture are also on the program.
Brooklyn Housewife declared winner of episode 1
New York Magazine declares Alex McCord as the “winner” of the first episode of the second season of the Real Housewives of New York. Take that, Manhattan.
Cobble Hill Composting
The New York Times published an article on urban composting the other day, featuring a couple from Carroll Gardens. I’m not sure how I’d feel about being their neighbor in the case of composting gone bad…
On a recent Saturday afternoon, Stephanie Stern and her husband poured 1,000 wriggling red worms from a brown bag into a plastic bin outside their bathroom, looked down and hoped for the best.
If things went well, the worms, already burrowing into their bed of shredded newspapers, would soon be eating three pounds of food scraps a week, reducing the couple’s trash and producing fertilizer for their plants.
If not, the bin would stink up their one-bedroom apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, and attract clouds of fruit flies.
“I’m a little nervous because I’ve heard the stories,” said Ms. Stern, 32, a museum educator.
Props to you, Ms. Stern.
“Casual Contemporary Church” open in Boerum Hill
The Brooklyn Eagle reports that Boerum Hill residents have been finding fliers on their doorknobs advertising a new church in Brooklyn that offers “practical teaching, rockin’ music, casual dress and Church that’s actually fun.” The Journey Church meets on Sundays at P.S. 261 on Pacific Street. One might wonder how this isn’t violating the separation of church and state, but a spokesperson for the NYDOE said that “a church or other organization may rent space at a public school building as long as they have a permit and the events are being held on a day when school is not in session, such as a Sunday.”
The Journey Church website sure is interesting – there’s an event coming up this Sunday called “Se7en: They may be deadly, but they sure are fun.” I’d call that casual and contemporary for a church, no?
5 Questions: Jeff Strabone
For our first installment of 5 Questions we talk to Jeff Strabone, president of the Cobble Hill Association, scholar of British literature, inventor of patent-pending voting technology, and sometime blogger.
How did you come to reside in Cobble Hill? Where have you lived before? How long have you lived here?
I moved to Cobble Hill in the fall of 1998 almost by chance. I was looking for a cheap rental in Manhattan when my mother told me that a friend of hers was selling an apartment in Brooklyn. I was only in my twenties so the thought of buying seemed far out. Then I did the math and realized I could do it. Before that I lived in Queens, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Manhattan.
What do you like most about the neighborhood?
My favourite thing about the neighbourhood is that it combines small scale and sophistication. It’s both cosmopolitan and cozy.
How do you feel you contribute to the community?
I just try to stay out of trouble.
How have you and the neighborhood influenced each other?
Living here has shown me that people really can unite for a common purpose—and prevail—when their way of life is threatened by the excesses of the powerful.
What is you favorite restaurant/hangout?
My favourite neighbourhood hangout spot is Bocca Lupo on Henry Street. I should hang out there more often.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Cobble Hill Association is dedicated to preserving the quality of life in Cobble Hill.
For more information or to become involved, contact cha@cobblehillassociation.org. Many thanks to Jeff for being our first 5 Questions participant!
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