My husband, my daughter, and I were walking back from the Pavillion on 14th Street after seeing "Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride," when we happened upon an old white ambulance that’s been repurposed as a vehicle for Trapper John, the man who is singlehandedly saving Park Slope from squirrel and racoons.

Knowing as I do that squirrels have become a big problem in some Park Slope apartment buildings and brownstones, I took down Trapper John’s phone number which is printed on the  car: 718-832-1111.

There was a typewritten note on the back of the ambulance that says:

"To whoever put that dead rat on my Bumper. Now that was funny. But it was also illegal…"

Another sign reads:

    "Park close at your own risk."

My son claims that Trapper John is a math teacher at MS 51, the middle school on Fifth Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets. He was told that by three friends who used to attend MS 51. "That ambulance used to be parked by MS 51 all the time. I don’t know why it stopped being there. But it used to be there." my son added.

Well, it is true. According to Kim Maier, MS 51 PTA Co-President, Trapper John is Mr. Hoffman, the renowned 7th grade math teacher.

Trapper John is obviously a multi-dimensional person; he’s also a good businessman. Got squirrels? Call Trapper John. There’ s no man better for the job from what I’ve heard.

OTBKB has learned that D’vine Taste, formerly International Taste, located on Seventh Avenue between Garfield and Carroll Street, is expanding into the $1 dollar store next door.

For many years, D’vine Taste was Park Slope’s somewhat tepid answer to Zabars. At one time, it was practically the only place in the Slope where you could get gourmet cheeses, sliced meats, pate, cornichons, a huge selection of olive oil and beers. It was also a great source of mid-eastern specialties: pita bread, tabouli, babaganoush,  spinach pie, and halvah They also have a great selection of spices, dried fruits and nuts sold by the pound.

I guess the family that owns D’vine taste is preparing for the big gourmet/organic food invasion that’s already started with Blue Apron, Union Market, Pumpkin Market, and a new organic market on FIfth Avenue.  Whole Foods, Fairway, and Trader Joe’s are also planning outposts here. 

D’vine Taste is a classic Seventh Avenue establishment: quirky, idiosyncratic, eccentric. They do it their way. It’s not the most convenient place to shop or the most comprehensive but we love it because it’s ours.

I wonder if they can survive the coming onslaught of the large, customer oriented giants? Yes, it might be easier and faster to shop at some of these other places – but  it won’t be as fun (or strange). I’d miss saying hello to the nice woman with the skunk gray hair and the very tall man. I’d miss the way you have to wait for the deli man to come out of the mysterious back room. And I’d miss all the gossip about why they changed their name (I know there’s a story there but, alas, I don’t know it).

I can’t wait to see their expansion. Suddenly everyone’s noticed what Slopers have been saying for years: we need better food markets.

This "Across the Narrows Concert" is quite a thing. And what a line-up. Sponsored by Playstation, it’s a two-day, four show concert that’s going on at Keyspan Stadium in Coney Island and in Staten Island simultaneously. I must admit, it’s a cool concept.

Oasis, The Killers, Beck and The Pixies each headline one of four separate concerts on  October 1st and 2nd in Staten Island and Coney Island. It’s a modern rock event with a geographic bent: both events take place at waterfront ballparks on the Narrows section of New York Bay.

In Coney Island, the show’s at Keyspan Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Mets

It’s that time of year again. The PS 321 PTA Candy Sale packets arrived home in my  daughter’s backpack this week. It’s an important fundraiser and it makes more money for the school than just about any other fundraiser the PTA does all year. And this is money that is used for enrichments ike art, chess, music, band and more.

It’s amazing, really. Because there’s almost nothing I want in those catalogs. I usually stick to wrapping paper. Sometimes I find a knick-knack or two. But after 8 years at the school, I really don’t want or need anything from Southern Living, American Scents, or the Winter Nights catalog.

A friend who is new to the school wondered if she could just write a check instead of buying something from the candy sale that she doesn’t want or need. I told her that the PTA would probably invite her to do just that shortly but that I was sure she could find something, just one thing to buy. But she said there was nothing, NOTHING (not even wrapping paper) she’d ever want to
buy. So I said that I’d go home and find something worth buying.

So here goes.As I flip  through one of the catalogs I find myself agreeing with my friend’s acessment that there;s  little I would want to make room for in my house. Even the candy looks gross. There are weird ceramic Hanukkah menorahs and corny frames, single hot dog trays, cheese party paks, and beef summer sausage. Filled with scented candles, there is nothing in the American Scents catalog I can recommend

But I am challenging myself to find ten items I’d like to have. If you want something I mention, email me at louise_crawford@yahoo.com and I can order it for you. It’s for a really, really good cause: our children’s education.

1. BY FAR YOUR BEST BET: The Winter Nights catalog includes
dozens of magazine subscriptions for only $10 bucks, including Time,
Entertainment Weekly, Coastal Living, Real Simple, Parenting, Sunset,
Cooking Light, This Old House, Fitness, Nation Geographic, Travel and
Leisure, Car and Driver and more.

2. THIS LOOKS HANDY IF YOU’RE DESPERATE: Coffee Dreams Emergency Phone Number List. Magnetic, adheres to most metal surfaces. Fold, 6 inches high – $5.50

3. NOT AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS: "Collage of Colors" Umbrella. Butterfly-print umbrella. 38"D. $12.00.

4. USEFUL AND NOT TOO UGLY: Butterfly Magnetic Note Pad and Magnet. Fancy list pad for making notes.

5. SOMETHING YOU DON’T NEED THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Water bottle ice cube trays. Set of 2. $7.50. 

6. WHY NOT. IT’LL GET THE KIDS TO DO SOME CHORES: Disney Responsibility Chart. Adheres to most metal surfaces. Write-and-wipe surface. Pen included.

7. HOW BAD CAN IT BE? BOTTLE OF MAPLE, BLUEBERRY OR PEACH SYRUP. $10. each.

8. YA ALWAYS NEED GROUND COFFEE: 12 oz. COLOMBIAN, VANILLA CREAM OR MORNING

9. I DON’T NEED THIS BUT YOU MIGHT: Car organizer . Made of durable fabric, this 8 pocket car organizer is a great way to keep things neat and handy. $15.

10. THIS ACTUALLY SOUNDS INTERESTING: Nacho Jalapeno Seasoned Virginia Peanuts.  PEANUTS. Not too hot they say. $8.50.

There. I did it. It didn’t take long to browse through these catalogs filled with glossy pictures of chocolate covered peanut brittle and Copper Classic Maple Nut Fudge (actually that sounds pretty good).