Times Article Outs McCain Supporters, Sparks Heated Debate

A New York Times article this week tells the story of a local anomaly: Four — count ’em, four — brownstones on a single Park Slope block are waving a flag rare enough in this liberal bastion to stop passers-by in their tracks: “McCain.”” pastoralia posted the link in the Park Slope forum and added “now we know their names”  What pastoralia mightn’t have expected is that the posting would bring a handful of McCain supporters out of the woodwork and spark one of the most heated political discussions on Brooklynian.com that I’ve seen.  Living in such an overwhelmingly liberal neighborhood such as Park Slope, one might assume that everyone around them is more or less on the same page.  But as it turns out that’s not the case.  Just read transplant‘s first of many posts in the thread:

“I’m voting for McCain and Palin too (well, mostly Palin). I live on 3rd St. between 4th and 5th, no need to hunt me down.  I think there are more of us out there than you think, we just know to keep our opinions to ourselves around Park Slope and NYC in general. Y’all can be pretty intolerant of dissenting viewpoints.”

Who knew?  Come meet your neighbors at Park Slope Message Boards – Now we know their names :: Brooklynian.com

Grocery Round Up for Park Slopers

Lizschillare, a new member of the neighborhood, wonders:

Where’s the best grocery store?”

Well, we’re glad you asked! LongTimeSloper was the first to chime in:

“Key Food on 5th Avenue-it’s far from you, but they do deliver and they have a large parking lot if you have a car.”

Other suggestions include, Steve’s C Town on 9th Street, Pathmark on 2nd Avenue, Union Market on 7th Ave or the one on Union Street, Eagle Provisions on 5th Avenue, and our personal favorite the newly renovated Associated on 5th ave and Union. If you don’t mind a longer trip for excellent produce there is always Fairway in Red Hook or if you rather make no trip at all, there’s the reliable Fresh Direct.

But tybur6 reminds us jokingly of another Park Slope option:

“I’m very proud of this group… 9 replies and no mention of the co-op! Well done.”

Yes, the Co-Op on Union Street. We love to hate it, but it does have an amazing selection if you can stand the membership ‘dues.’ Have another favorite to add to the list, post it on the Brooklynian Message Board: Best Grocery Store?

 

Symptoms of a Bad Economy: Switching to The Y

Looks like we’re all going to have to make adjustments to our lifestyles now that the economy is tanking.  Swapping brunch for a bagel, your Bam membership for a Netflix membership, haircuts for hats etc.  sacrifices must be made.  katbka is making the following adjustment and asked the board to help okay the decision:

“Dearest Brooklynians,
With the economy being in crisis, I decided to quit the fancy Wall St Equinox, and join my local YMCA.  Do any of you belong to the Park Slope YMCA? What do you like/dislike about it?
Is it true that Food Coop members get a discount when joining?”

Turns out The Y gets high marks from the crowd, and there is in fact a Coop member discount.  Read the reviews and share what you’re cutting back on at Park Slope Message Board – Park Slope YMCA :: Brooklynian.com

Mail Held Captive in Closed Slope Store

One would hope that when they rent a mailbox, that mailbox will be eternally accessible.  No such luck for a number of people who were deeply dismayed by the sudden closing of Mailboxes of Park Slope located on Flatbush near Crunch.

stuntvehicle was the first to make this unfortunate discovery:

“Stopped by the mailbox place today and the doors were barred…with my mail inside! Anyone esle in the same situation?”

Several people shared their frustration at being in the same predicament and at a loss for what action they can take.  dailyheights had the following info on the matter:

“I just got an email from an irate customer of MAIL BOXES OF PARK SLOPE … she says the business was closed Friday Oct. 17, 2008. She said the owner didn’t notify her that he was aware of the possiblity of the eviction:

“All of us that rent boxes have mail & packages locked inside. The Landlord’s management company isn’t corporating with our phone calls.””

If anyone has info that might help lead to the timely release of the captive packages, I urge you to stop by the boards and help prevent this scene from transpiring:

thereallawrence: “I will cry manilla tears if this place closes for good and I lose my packages.”

Park Slope Message Board – Mailboxes of Park Slope (Brooklynian.com)

South Slope Yoga

Carmen stopped by the Park Slope forum on a quest to find a good yoga place in South Slope. Some results from the thread:

11thstreet: “There’s a lovely new bikram studio at 5th Ave & 15th St, if you’re into the hot yoga…”

Flexichick: “The yoga teachers at Harbor Fitness are generally pretty good.”

jjgal: “I’ve been going to Jaya Yoga for a little over a year and I’ve only experienced one teacher who I would not go back to. I have really enjoyed all the other instructors and the space. I highly recommend going there. It is also not so expensive and the classes are all an hour and thirty-five minutes.”

filmlover44: “bodhisattva 442 9th St – (vinyassa yoga)”

vidro3 “yoga sole at windsor and 11th ave is nice as well. they have a buy 2 get 1 free special going on now”

There are more insights and recommendations about the best places to strike a pose in South Slope listed in the thread.  If you’re looking for a way to stay limber this winter then stop by Park Slope Message Board – South slope yoga? :: Brooklynian.com

Pit Bull for Adoption Bites Sloper, Accusations Ensue

Nepenthean relayed an unfortunate incident of being bitten by an up-for-adoption pit bull while walking by a Brooklyn Animal Foster Network station last week:

“As I walked by last Monday (Columbus Day), their pit bull lunged at me and bit my thigh. Their first response was suggesting it was my fault because I had a bag of groceries in my arm. They also said that was their sweetest dog. They delayed getting the person in charge (who was across the street), hoping I would just walk away. After I persisted they finally brought over the boss. She offered NO apology whatsoever, but tried to get me to sign a medical waiver! WTF??”

After much sympathizing and calling for lawsuits by other Park Slopers, the director of BAFN caught wind of the thread and offered their side of the story as well as a dissection of the original poster’s claims.  The forum played judge and jury to try to get to the bottom of what had transpired.

One thing that became clear is that however one judges BAFN’s reaction to this incident, everyone agrees that the animals in our midst that are up for adoption shouldn’t be the victims.  Get the whole story here: Park Slope Message Board – Dog Adoption Agency’s Pit Bull Bit Me :: Brooklynian.com

Best Park Slope BBQ?

Such wishful thinking that this thread would reveal a long list of Park Slope’s best ribs, pulled pork and smoky brisket, but alas great local bbq remains the elusive New York dream.  thebends9 sent out out the call:

“Looking for some good BBQ tonight, any recommendations?”

Smoke Joint in Ft. Greene gets a few shout outs as not only the best bbq in the area, but also pretty much the only option.  Hill Country, Blue Smoke and Dinosaur in the city all get thumbs up, but otherwise the real answer to the original question seems to be to get in your car and head south.  Don’t get out until the sign reads “Carolina.”

Dry Rub or Wet Mop? Park Slope Message Board – Best Barbeque in Park Slope? :: Brooklynian.com

Self Reflexive Poster Says Slope Smells Like Pee

just me:

Is it “just me” or does Park Slope smell like dog pee? everywhere I walk I get the lovely scent of dog piss. the worst is the entrance to the park, near garfield and near 3rd st. I know the dogs have to go somewhere but geeeeez it’s nasty in this warmer weather…

Well it might just be just me, because there haven’t been too much many people seconding that notion, but there have been many people quick to blame the “cross between rancid butter and vomit” smell on the female Ginkgo Tree. Jamzer:

“It is a great urban tree, but its fruit smells like puke.”

I suppose this leaves the leading suspect in the case of the dog pee smell to be dog pee.  Exchange Gingko Tea recipes at Park Slope Message Board – Is it “just me” or does Park Slope :: Brooklynian.com

Gowanus Lounge Confirms Hanco’s is Coming to Town!

The Gowanus Lounge via The Brooklyn Paper has now confirmed that Vietnamese sandwich shop Hanco’s will open in the old Tea Lounge space as we reported earlier. The Brooklyn Paper writes:

The shop will have an expanded tea selection, and Ting said they are considering opening a coffee bar. But the main attraction will be the banh mi, that delectable French-influenced Vietnamese sandwich that comprises spicy pork, pickled vegetables and a mayonaise-like spread piled high into a baguette — a remnant of France’s one-time dominance in Indochina.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Berkeley Carroll School Wants Old Time Sloper Out

YankeeFan posted a couple of local articles telling the story of a woman who has lived in her Park Slope apartment for 50 years and pays the highly enviable rent of $147.08.  Naturally she’s been reluctant to accept a buyout to leave from Berkeley Carroll School who owns her home and wishes to use the space for classroom expansion.  Reactions on the boards have been mixed.  Many like new2hood take little pity on a woman who has had it easy for so long:

I feel as if this woman is parroting some sob story her lawyer fed her to make this a PR story. I understand she doesn’t “want” to move, but she’s paying an absurd amount of rent and has been given several opportunities to leave with $$ in her pocket, which, combined with $$ she should have saved paying such a small rent, would allow her to avoid financial hardship.”

While others like LongTimeSloper see things differently:

“I don’t care what paltry sum she gave BC all these years-it was a rent controlled apartment and I assume she had a lease. I don’t see why everyone thinks that just because she doesn’t own it and had a good deal all these years, she should just walk away! I mean, she was a tenant, she did her end of the bargain by paying the rent and she is by no means obligated to just take the buy out offered if she doesn’t want to.

Every one here seems to think that oh well, she had a good run, leave now because the landlord tells you to leave. But, I see it as she also has rights as a tenant-no matter what she has been paying all these years!”

Read the rest of the discussion here: Park Slope Message Board – Eviction threat after 50 years in Park Slope is ‘like a deat :: Brooklynian.com

Park Slope’s Prayers Have Been Answered: Vietnamese Sandwiches on 7th Avenue

It was only recently in the Lookout Hill is closing thread that Belzjm remarked on what business should move into the neighborhood:

i think if someone with an already established brand came and set up shop there, it would be a huge hit.
like nicky’s vietnamese sandwich shop. although i think that this particular space is too large for something like that…

Well someone heard our prayers, and according to the Gowanus Lounge, the old Tea Lounge on 7th Avenue and 10th Street will become a Vietnamese sandwich shop. Hallelujah! A GL tipster writes:

It looks like something will be moving into the Old Tea Lounge location on 7th Avenue and 10th Street soon. Men have been seen working on the space the past week. A neighbor informed me this morning that she had asked them what was coming in and they told her a Vietnamese Sandwich Shop.

We’re trying not to get too excited, but realy!?! Banh Mi?? In the Slope!? Throw in some bubble tea and I’m in heaven.

Cashmere Hungry Moths Take a Bite Out of The Slope

Halloween has come early to a handful of Park Slope residents who are being tormented by a sweater eating moth beast.  The culprit and damage done is described by brooklynpotter:

[The moths are] goldeny and when you smoosh them they’re chalky…i found a mitten i’d left in a bag in my closet. (i’d been wondering why they kept flying out from the closet!) said mitten was missing a giant chunk. i’m not talking about a hole, i mean a quarter of the top of the mitten was gone, like a human had taken a bite from it.

Other posters share tips on how to survive the infestation.  Cedar, lavendar, zip-loc bags, washing your clothes…but brooklynpotter seems to be losing hope: i fear this genus of moth is unstoppable.”

Who among you has the antidote to this winged plague? Save the day at Park Slope Message Boards – moths (that eat cashmere) :: Brooklynian.com

5th Ave. Bike Lanes Unsafe For All

In a reversal of classic urban roles, a recent thread begins with a driver complaining that bike lanes are making driving more dangerous.

YankeeFan:

Is it just me, or is the Bicycle lane on 5th making it quite a dangerous street to drive down? So many drivers are using those Bike lanes for easy double parking.  Obviously this is forcing way too many cars to cross the yellow lines and drive on the wrong side of a two-way street. It’s just a matter of time until we have some serious head to head collisions.

Several cyclists proceed to chime in and agree that this is why they often opt for biking down 6th instead.  Rather ironic that the presence of bike lanes on 5th pushes bikers to 6th (2 way street, single lane each way, no bike lanes) and makes driving on 5th more dangerous.  A couple of posters advocated for increased enforcement of the bike lane rules by ticketing offending drivers.  Do you have the answer to this infrastructural riddle.  Share it at Park Slope Message Boards: 5th ave Bicycle lanes are now extremely dangerous :: Brooklynian.com

Best Coffee in the South Slope

8thandPrez unleashed a flurry of recommendations this week by asking for a good coffee rec in the ‘hood:

We’re finally moving to South Slope this weekend and I’m looking for a good coffee rec. I’m totally in love with Gorilla, and have been known to sneak into Starbucks when I’m too lazy to walk to 5th Ave. Any good coffee south of 9th St (and preferably closer to 16th St)?

What follows is an in depth critique of anyone that serves a decent cup of joe in the vicinity.  Cafe Regular, Red Horse and Parco each get numerous mentions.  Some for the quality of their coffee, some for the dreaminess of their baristas.  From starsinjenseyes:

“Brooklynpotter, I agree- the guys that run the place are dreamy! And they know their stuff.”

Read more about these coffee gems or add your own at Park Slope Message Board: South Slope coffee? :: Brooklynian.com | Brooklyn Blog and Message Boards

Babeland and Lambda Legal Celebrate with Go Go Dancers and Free Drinks

Lambda Legal the organization fighting for the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS, is pairing up with Babeland on Sunday, October 19th for a special night of drinks and dancing. Babeland representative LLinBklyn writes on the Park Slope board:

Join us at Babeland Brooklyn to celebrate Lambda Legal’s work and all things battery operated! 

Sunday, October 19, 2008, 7pm to 9pm
462 Bergen Street (b/w Flatbush and 5th Ave. in Park Slope) 

–free drinks 
–go-go dancing by Bloody Belle 
–10% off Babeland products 

$10 suggested donation 

RSVP (required for admission) at: http://ga4.org/lambdalegal/events/brooklynbabe/details.tcl

So what are you waiting for? RSVP now!

2nd Presidential Debate: The Obama vs. McCain Smackdown

Last night was the 2nd debate between presidential nominees senators Obama and McCain. In a town hall format and held at Belmont University, the face off was guaranteeing a gloves off, aggressive debate focusing on the current economic crisis. In preparation we were unfortunately unable to find a bingo card to help the debate be more palatable. Nevertheless, thanks to Flexichick and SweetTea we were able to get a humorous play by play of all the debate action:

SweetTea, “with all his wife’s money, why can’t mccain get a suit that fits?”

Flexichick, “you know Michelle wouldn’t let Barack go out like that.”
McCain looks like he’s trying not to fart.”

SweetTea, “you and me, flexi, live-bitching the debate.”

Check out the rest of the hilarity and add your thoughts on last nights debate here.

A Proposal For Former Zuzu’s Site

Today the owners and architects of the site formerly occupied by Zuzu’s Petals and Olive Vine will present their proposal for a new building to be built to the Landmark Preservation Commission.  The new building would replace the fire damaged structure currently on that site at 79 and 81 7th Avenue.  belzjm brought this to the attention of the forum by posting the link to the story and proposed design on Brownstoner.com. Most responses to the design have been positive, but not all as seen with this comment by LongTimeSloper:

My problem isn’t with the height of the building, it’s with the way the front of the building looks (HATE the huge factory like windows). My other problem is with the idea of things being torn down and built anew, I hate when i see that, old building or houses being taken down to put up a newer structure when work could be done on the old building and preserve some history (not to say that this is a particularly historic building, but, I think you get my drift).

Have a look for yourself and then add your two cents at Park Slope Message Board: former olive vine/zuzu’s petal space on 7th and berkely (Brooklynian.com)

Person Fatally Struck by N Train at Union Street

Gothamist reports a man was struck and killed by a southbound N train at the Union street stop this morning shortly after 5:00am. WABC 7 provided more details on this tragic news:

A witness told police the victim was pushed onto the tracks, and detectives were investigating that claim.

Morning service on the M, R, D and N trains were impacted by the ongoing investigation that left many unknowing commuters experiencing long delays and overcrowded trains. Bookistan writes:

My child – trying to get to school at the Union St. R train – reported police activity this a.m. – lots of police cars, and the R train was closed down for at least an hour.

Park Slope Message Board: Helicopters again this morning

Child Abuse Witnessed on 7th

A highly disturbing incident of child abuse was witnessed by lurker this week:

“I was riding the bus on 7th Ave in South Slope last night and witnessed a pretty horrible incident. A guy – late 40s perhaps – was walking down 7th with a kid of perhaps 10 yrs. The kid was carrying a bike helmet when suddenly the guy turned around and smacked the helmet out of his hands. The kid started crying and picked up the helmet and then threw it down again in a sort of tantrum. No big deal, I thought.

Then, the guy grabbed the kid by his jacket, at the neck and the lower back, picked him up off the ground, and threw him into the doorway of a store onto the floor (door was open, not through the door). He then walked up to the boy, who was lying on his back, and kicked him at least twice. The store had several people in it. The woman behind the counter came around and helped the boy up. She appeared to be related to both the kid and guy. They talked while she tried to comfort the crying boy.  Pretty shocking and sad. Makes me wonder what kind of family dynamic is at work there.”

lurker adds that the police were called.  Because the scene was witnessed from within a passing bus, we’re not sure what the result of their involvement was.

What would you like this abusive man’s punishment to be?  Share it here: Park Slope Message Board: Child abuse witnessed in South Slope store (Brooklynian.com)

New College Restaurant is Now: South Slope cafe-restaurant

New College Restaurant is now: South Slope: cafe-restaurant

Well, here’s one for the books. The local staple New College Restaurant on 4th avenue and Union street has gone through renovations in this past month. They have broken through all the dim outer walls on that corner and created a lovely open space with sliding glass doors, similar to the look Beso had on Union and 5th (before it closed last year). New awnings now boast “South Slope.” Menus still lay claim to their history of “serving Park Slope for 25 years,” but from the looks of it the owner just decided to revamp the spot with a perhaps hipper name and contemporary look.

I always wondered about the name New (not since the early eighties?) College (there’s a college around here?) Restaurant, but what truly befuddles me is the new name. First of all 4th and Union is barely Park Slope, if anything it’s Gowanus, despite the hopes of Realtors. Second, since when is Union Street considered South Slope? I thought I lived in North Slope? Go figure.

Read More and Comment: New College Restaurant is Now “South Slope: cafe-restaurant” (Park Slope Message Board at Brooklynian.com)

Valet Stroller Parking at the 9th St. YMCA

booklaw alerted the board this week to a New York Times article breaking what is sure to be a hot button issue.  http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/…..artner=rssnyt&emc=rss Who needs Beverly Hills? We have valet parking right here!! Very HappyIt turns out that the Y on 9th street has started offering valet service for parents using the facilities.  Reactions so far have been mixed. Livetotravel seems to feel that things might be getting out of hand in this “Spawnocentric” neighborhood.  I just wonder what has changed over the years to have made it imperative to have strollers with temperature sensors and pedometers since the days when my kids were little.” Jamzer comes out in favor: I think the Y provides this service so that the strollers don’t clog the inside of the building. Since the YMCA provides child care, it makes sense that they need someplace to put the strollers.” And you’ll just have to stop by the thread yourself for Whatchuwant’s less nuanced reaction to the detractors.

Park Slope Message Board: Valet Stroller Parking at 9th Street YMCA (Brooklynian.com)

Atlantic Antic Tip Sheet

This Sunday is the annual Atlantic Antic, the biggest, baddest and latest in the season street fair in the neighborhood. pastoralia did us the favor of sending out a reminder this week as well as some advice.  Just thought I’d remind everyone in the Slope that Atlantic Antic is this Sunday (10/5) so start planning your work excuses for Monday now.And if you think you’ve had enough of white socks and sausages (Hamilton’s street fair impression) then at least hear out Mamacita who writes: “Atlantic antic is one of the few fairs that rock, seriously, Rock bands playing in front of the bars. Lots of food: bahn mi, pies, ice cream, lots of cheap beer, soul food, pernil and beans/rice, Antiques and stoop sales everywhere. It’s awesome! DJ alien sunny .” Three consecutive emoticons can’t be wrong.  The thread contains plenty of hot picks for who’s got the best ales, best sales and where and when the best bands plug in.

So head on over to Park Slope Message Board: Atlantic Antic! (Brooklynian.com) to start planning how to spend your Sunday

VP Debates – puts TVs at risk

Everyone in Park Slope seems riled up about the Biden-Palin debate. Some will be constructively playing drinking games like Brooklynbound or Palin Bingo like dailyheights, others will be taking out their rage on their innocent televisions

Mamacita writes: I’m scared to watch it. I really hate Palin. I may throw a beer at the tv.” And rtraindweller, a similarly inclined viewer posts: “I‘m gonna do my best NOT to throw a forty at the TV. I couldn’t even watch 5 minutes of her speaking at the RNC. I had to shut the TV off and go for a bike ride to regain my senses. Thursday is going to be interesting to say the least…”

Underhill_MT shares another way to calm yourself down if the debate is getting you heated up. “When she spoke at the RNC I had to turn the TV off because I felt sick…Had to go outside and look at the moon to calm myself down.” All told, it might be wise to surround yourself with other people.  Either so they can restrain you, or so your beer can be hurled anonymously from the crowd at someone else’s TV.

Here are a few places to watch the debate in public as compiled by brooklynmatters:
1. Pacific Standard ( 4th Ave / Pacific St) – drink specials
2. Union Hall (Union/ 5th Ave) – drink specials
3. Bar 4 ( 7th Ave/ 15th St)
Also, there’s stuff organized throughout the city by Drinking Liberally- just check their website

Know of other good places to watch the big game?  Share them at Park Slope Message Board: VP Debates (Brooklynian.com)

Stories From Park Slope Past

Old Goat in FL stopped by the boards this week in search of fellow old-timers with whom he could reminisce about the neighborhoods bygone years. “I am retired in Florida. Grew up on 12th Street
between 5th & 6th Aves in the 30’s 40″s & 50″s. Went to PS 124, PS 40’s and the REAL Manual, not John Jay. Attended 12thst Reformed Church. Shocked Is there anyone out there from my neighborhood and era?
” Seems like he predates any of the regulars, but the regulars have been encouraging Old Goat to share his memories of days long past and he’s obliged.

Some excerpts:
In the late 30’s and most of the 40’s most people were still recovering from the depression first and then the war. So few cars parked on the street that we played stickball whenever we were not in school right in the middle of the street. Two sewers was a pretty good hit!

12th Street was like one big family. Every nationality imaginable. There was the Hickeys, Websters, Draddys,
Carsons, Cash, Martin, Jaworski,Strozyk, Murphys, Fiorellos, Placido, Petito, Highlands and so on.”

In Old Goats days the street gangs were the “Smittys’, and the “Garfield Boys”. The best thing was to have friends in each gang and when you met up with a gang member or two be sure to
mention the right guy you knew.”

The only incident I rememnber IN school was when one of the gang members slapped a Gym teacher. The Gym teacher slapped him right back and knocked him on his butt. The teacher offered to meet
the member & his gang one on one after school. The teacher showed up but the gang did not and that Teacher had no more problems.”

“Does anyone out there recall Belmont’s Clothing store for Men & Boy?. Anytime you bought something you got a free gift. It could be a baseball, football or a Baseball glove… Also there was a Bickfords Cafeteria
on 9th Strret as well as a place called the “Cube Steak”. The served a square steak sandwich! Whistle

Well I’m going to try to rig me up a square steak sandwich right now, but I recommend you read the rest of Old Goat’s tales at Park Slope Message Board: 12th street 40’s & 50’s (Brooklynian.com)