Monthly Archives: February 2006

AUCTION: NO WORDS_DAILY PIX

DAILY AUCTION FOR TODAY’S DAILY PIX

1 Comment

2484883_std_1
Bid on today’s No Words_Daily Pix by Hugh Crawford.

"Wonder Coney"
minimum bid: $40.

Make your bids as a comment or e-mail louisecrawford@gmail.com

The picture is framed.
Shipping is not included in price of print but we’re happy to mail
it to you.  Just sent a print off to New Jersey and it cost $8.00. Not
sure about Stuttgart. If you’re in Park Slope or nearby come and pick
it up or we’ll figure something out.

Reason for new min. bid: Hugh is a master printer and these prints take quite a while. He’s a perfectionist, too.

Civics and Urban Life

VACATION DAY FOUR: THURSDAY

Dear Vacation Diary, We’re approaching the home stretch now. OSFO was pretty pooped today after sleepover #2.  She stayed up until 2 a.m. and woke up real early.

Mid-morning, we joined Diaper Diva at the Tea Lounge, where there was supposed to be a kiddie sing-a-long. The performer didn’t show. But we hung out anyway. The place was packed with toddlers, older kids, WiFi-ers, students, parents. A mish mash of a scene.

OSFO joined me in my office and made xerox copies of a comic book she drew this morning.

In the evening, she went with a friend to Word Sprouts, the reading series at the Park Slope Food Coop. Tonight: a special bedtime story night with cookies and milk. The kids were told to come in their PJ’s.

On American Idol, we watched Bobbi Bennett (Mr. Copacabana) learn that he got the lowest number of votes from America.

So tired, so sleepy. One more day of vacation left.  And she better look at the study book for that math standardized test she has to take when she gets back to school next week…

STUFF AND THINGS

THIS I BELIEVE ON NPR

This I Believe is a radio project that invites people to write about the core beliefs that
guide their daily life. NPR airs these personal statements from
listeners each Monday on Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
By inviting Americans from all walks of life to participate, series
producers Dan Gediman and Jay Allison hope to create a picture of the
American spirit in all its rich complexity.

This I Believe is based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, hosted by  journalist Edward R. Murrow. In creating This I Believe,
Murrow said the program sought "to point to the common meeting grounds
of beliefs, which is the essence of brotherhood and the floor of our
civilization."

NPR invites you to share the beliefs that guide you in your daily life.
Tell them what you believe

STUFF AND THINGS

WHY KIDS ARE ON MYSPACE

On BoingBoing, I found post about MySpace, probably the mose popular teen site among teens in this neighborhood and elsewhere. It’s always interesting to try to figure out what Teen Spirit and his friends are up to. I especially like the point about the lack of access to public spaces for teens to hang out. Ya gotta go to Cyberspace to get some privacy around here.

Posted by Cory Doctorow on BoingBoing: Danah Boyd has
published an excellent paper on the hows and whys of the explosive
growth of teen users of MySpace, the most popular social networking
site ever. Boyd, a high-tech social scientist who has an excellent
track-record for winkling out the important truths behind social uses
of tech. Her clear-eyed work on MySpace talks about the
youth-liberation aspects of the service as well as the response,
situating in history.

Adults with authority control the home, the school, and most activity
spaces. Teens are told where to be, what to do and how to do it.
Because teens feel a lack of control at home, many don’t see it as
their private space.

To them, private space is youth space and it is primarily found in
the interstices of controlled space. These are the places where youth
gather to hang out amongst friends and make public or controlled spaces
their own. Bedrooms with closed doors, for example.

Adult public spaces are typically controlled spaces for teens.
Their public space is where peers gather en masse; this is where
presentation of self really matters. It may be viewable to adults, but
it is really peers that matter.

Teens have increasingly less access to public space. Classic
1950s hang out locations like the roller rink and burger joint are
disappearing while malls and 7/11s are banning teens unaccompanied by
parents. Hanging out around the neighborhood or in the woods has been
deemed unsafe for fear of predators, drug dealers and abductors. Teens
who go home after school while their parents are still working are
expected to stay home and teens are mostly allowed to only gather at
friends’ homes when their parents are present.

Link

STUFF AND THINGS

WHERE THERE’S A WILL…

Nobody likes to think about them (wills). But they are a good idea. Check out this workshop; it’s at Families First in Boerum Hill.

Every parent wants his or her child (ren) properly cared for in the event of an untimely passing. Legal and financial planning is especially critical in this era of non-traditional and extended families but even a traditional family must plan to deal with the sophistication of modern life.  Whatever their means, every parent wants their child (ren) to be protected from the burden of taxes, bureaucracy and related pressures.

Wednesday, March 22 from 7:00- 9:00 pm

Marcie G. Roth, Esq. of Freedman Fish & Grimaldi LLP will present a workshop on legal planning for parents with young children. Ms. Roth will address the legal and emotional aspects of preparing your Will, the New York and Federal estate tax, how to name a guardian, trusts for minor children, avoiding probate, and living trusts.  This workshop will also cover Powers of Attorney, Living Wills and Health Care Proxies. 

Gina Stormont, Agent with New York Life Insurance Company, will provide information about life insurance including a discussion on who should consider it and how to determine the appropriate amount for you.  She will also give an overview of the types of permanent and term insurance and their uses.  To register for this important workshop, call Families First (718) 237-1862.

The fee for the workshop is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  Please register by March 15.  Families First is located at 250 Baltic St., Brooklyn, N. Y.  11201.  For more information about Families First, please visit our website:  www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org

Linda Blyer
Families First, Inc.
250 Baltic St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11201
718-237-1862
www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org

STUFF AND THINGS

CONEY ISLAND VIA BROWNSTONER VIA NY TIMES

coney
Thanks Brownstoner for running this WONDERFUL pix and this excerpt from a piece in the NY Times about Coney Island in winter. This is a day for Coney Island pictures (see No Words_Daily Pix). I agree with your, Mr. B, Coney Island in the winter is quite beautiful in, as you say, " a stark,
bleak kind of way." The Times’ Nicholas Confessore had this to say:

On Stillwell Avenue, bumper cars were arranged in neat
rows, unridden. Near the Boardwalk, skeletal plastic frames and a few
shreds of tarp were all that remained of the tents and tables that sell
toys and trinkets during the summer. The crack of baseball bats in the
cages is months away, and a ghostly whistle

Postcard from the Slope

VACATION DAY 3: WEDNESDAY

Dear Vacation Diary,

This vacation week is just flying by thanks in part to my sister, Diaper Diva, who has been kind enough to include OSFO in all of Ducky’s infant activities.

OSFO is completely smitten with 18-month-old Ducky and wants to spend as much time with her as possible.

On Monday they went swimming at Eastern Athletic and saw "Curious George," the perfect G-rated movie with its adorable story and cool Jack Johnson soundtrack.
 
Today, the three of them went to Music Together. Later on, the super indulgent Aunt took OSFO into Manhattan and they ended up at Build-a-Bear-Workshop on Fifth Avenue of all places. Suffice it to say, OSFO came home with a birth certficate for a dog named Spot. And the stuffed animal too.

OSFO joined me at the office and made use of the time taking advantage of all the office supplies for arts and crafts projects.

The evening was spent in the thrall of imaginary play with her downstair’s neighbor while the men of American Idol competed for America’s votes.

Civics and Urban Life

ANTHRAX IN DUMBO

Vado Diomande, a drum maker and choreographer, who had a drum-making studio in DUMBO contracted Anthrax from spores found on the untreated skins of African goats he used to make drums.

Diomande came down with Anthrax while traveling in Pennsylvania, where he is in a hospital. Here’s the story from New York 1.

City officials say a Manhattan resident has been hospitalized after he
was accidentally exposed to inhalation anthrax while working with
animal skins in Brooklyn, but investigators say there is no evidence
the exposure has anything to do with terrorism.

In a press conference at City Hall Wednesday afternoon, Mayor
Michael Bloomberg announced the 44-year-old man, who sources say is
Vado Diomande, became ill last Thursday, February 16th, during a trip
to Pennsylvania.

Diomande was hospitalized in the town of Sayre, where doctors
diagnosed the inhalation anthrax exposure and traced it back to New
York City.

Diomande is now recovering in a hospital in Sayre, where he is in an Intensive Care Unit listed in fair condition.

City officials say Diomande, the artistic director at the Manhattan
dance company Kotchegna, makes African drums from animal skins.
Investigators believe was exposed to the anthrax after he worked with
unprocessed cow and goat hides that he had purchased on a visit to the
Ivory Coast in Africa in December.

The city says he told investigators he worked with the animal skins in the days prior to his trip to Pennsylvania.

Anthrax is a potentially deadly agent that naturally occurs in animals such as goats and cows.

As a result of the exposure, the Department of Health and the
Centers for Disease Control have sealed off Diomande

STUFF AD THINGS

BROOKLYN T-SHIRTS

2 Comments

Coneyist_1I go to A Brooklyn Life every day because it so  full of fun info about Carroll Gardens and environs. Like, what’s happening on Court Street – is everything closing? Today, ABL weighs in on where to get Brooklyn T’s.

Says ABL: "My go-to place for Brooklyn T-shirts and sweatshirts is Enamoo on Smith Street, but the other day I wandered down Atlantic Avenue and into Artez’n. Moderately silly name aside, the store stocks some great Brooklyn T-shirts including this new addition to my wardrobe." READ MORE AT A BROOKLYN LIFE

AUCTION: NO WORDS_DAILY PIX

BID ON TODAY’S NO WORDS_DAILY PIX

2494918_std_2
Bid on today’s No Words_Daily Pix by Hugh Crawford.

"FREE CONEY"
minimum bid: $40.

Make your bids as a comment or e-mail louisecrawford@gmail.com

Shipping is not included in price of print but we’re happy to mail
it to you.  Just sent a print off to New Jersey and it cost $8.00. Not
sure about Stuttgart. If you’re in Park Slope or nearby come and pick
it up or we’ll figure something out.

Reason for new min. bid: Hugh is a master printer and these prints take quite a while. He’s a perfectionist, too.

STUFF AND THINGS

BET THIS IS A GREAT BOOK SALE

GET RID OF ALL THOSE BOOKS THAT YOU DON’T WANT ANYMORE. THE ONES THAT ARE MESSING UP YOUR APARTMENT (NOTE TO YOU KNOW WHO: BRING THE BOOKS ON THE  FLOOR OF THE BEDROOM, THE LIVING ROOM, THE ONES THAT ARE FALLING OFF THE BOOKSHELVES….WE’RE BEING OVERTAKEN BY BOOKS. THE BOOKS THAT FELL TO EARTH…AHHHHHHHHHHHH)

I SAID, BRING THEM OVER TO THE PARK SLOPE METHODIST CHURCH BEFORE SATURDAY FOR THEIR SALE.  And don’t buy too many when you get there.

The terrific annual BOOK SALE at Park Slope United Methodist Church will take place on Saturday, February 25, from 9am to 4pm.

Thousands of new & used books (prices start at 50 cents ), as well as CDs, records, tapes, videos and DVDs. A fabulous Childrens Corner too!

The church is at the corner of 6th Avenue & 8th Street in Park Slope.

We are still accepting donations of books, CDs, records, tapes, videos, DVDs and children’s books & videos. Excellent condition only (no magazines or textbooks, please!).

Donations will be gratefully accepted at the church (6th Ave at 8th Street) on:

Thurs., Feb. 23  7 pm – 10 pm

Friday, Feb. 24  11am – 10 pm

For more information, visit the church website ( www.parkslopeumc.org) or send a note to churchbooksale@earthlink.net

 
 

 

STUFF AND THINGS

BETTER URBAN LIVING WITH BROOKLYN INDUSTRIES

Got this e-mail today from Brooklyn Industries:

Homegrown clothing company, Brooklyn Industries, is striving for a healthier urban environment.  This spring, Brooklyn Industries is joining forces with Recycle-A-Bicycle to educate the community about the benefits of recycling and bicycling as a better form of urban transportation.

Recycle-a-Bicycle is an innovative recycling and education organization that truly exemplifies Brooklyn Industries

Postcard from the Slope

VACATION DAY TWO: TUESDAY

A daily vacation diary presented in the hopes that it will give you activity ideas for your kid’s vacation.

Dear Vacation Diary,

OSFO survived the slumber party. Reportedly, the girls went to bed at 2:30 a.m. after playing a rigorous game of "Girl Talk," which sounds like a board game version of Truth or Dare with some sparkle make-up thrown in for good measure.

I picked her up this morning at 10 a.m. and she seemed quiet and tired. Didn’t say a whole lot about the party but I could tell that she’d enjoyed herself. Or so I hoped.

She took a long nap and then went to see "EIGHT BELOW" with Diaper Diva. They thoroughly enjoyed the film:

Abandoned by their masters when a storm hits Antarctica, eight amazing
huskies find themselves instantly anthropomorphized. All alone, they
must scavenge for food, tangle with sea lions and practice their
sentimental reaction shots.

Tuesday evening passed in a flurry of "American Idol" and female figure skating on the Olympics. Skating anyone?

Civics and Urban Life

WiNot in Park Slope?

From the Daily News:

Residents of five trendy Brooklyn neighborhoods will soon be able to check their e-mails and surf the Web from park benches.

The city is looking to bring free wireless Internet access to Fort
Greene Park, Columbus Park near Cadman Plaza, Carroll Park in Carroll
Gardens, Cobble Hill Park and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

The Parks Department

Civics and Urban Life

Bye Bye Regina

1 Comment

Regina Bakery is closing its Seventh Avenue shop on February 28th.

Farewell colorful cookies, good bye black and white cookies, so long elephant ears and Jewish/Italian cookies by the pound.

Okay. It’s not Two Little Red Hens. It’s not Uprising. It’ sure as heck ain’t Cousin Johns, which is the most sophticated baking operation on Seventh Avenue. It ain’t Cocoa Bar, which has an amazing selection of the best of local artisan bakers (i.e. Red Velvet cake, Oreo cake, ganache cake, etc. Awesome stuff).

But in it’s ordinary way, Regina is beloved, especially by the kids of Park Slope. Their challah on Fridays is pretty darn good. And OSFO loves their cat.      

Are all the stores closing or just the Seventh Avenue one? Or is the Seventh Avenue one the only one left? 

Questions.

Postcard from the Slope

Katharine McPhee Gets My Vote

2 Comments

Katharine
American Idol. It’s taken five years, but we’re finally getting into it, looking forward to it. talking about it. Enjoying Simon. Cringing at his nasty insults. Agreeing with him most of the time.

I was mostly unimpressed with the females. But there were a few I liked. My favorite, since the San Francisco auditions, has been Katharine McPhee. Tonight she sang a knock out version of "Since I Fell For You" and I think she will win my VOTE.

She’s only 21. But her mom is a voice teacher and her idol is Barbara Streisand. Look, she’s not
Fionaapplenorahjoneslucindawilliamsbethortonmarthawainwrightnataliemerchant or any of my other faves.

But she’s good.

Paris
Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker were also great. Paris is only 17 and she did an incredibly confident "Midnight Train to Georgia."

AUCTION: NO WORDS_DAILY PIX

DAILY AUCTION OF NO WORDS_DAILY PIX

2cbw0278_std_1Bid on today’s No Words_Daily Pix by Hugh Crawford.

"Tree of Prospect"
minimum bid: $40.

Make your bids as a comment or e-mail louisecrawford@gmail.com

Shipping is not included in price of print but we’re happy to mail it to you.  Just sent a print off to New Jersey and it cost $8.00. Not sure about Stuttgart. If you’re in Park Slope or nearby come and pick it up or we’ll figure something out.

Reason for new min. bid: Hugh is a master printer and these prints take quite a while. He’s a perfectionist, too.

 

STUFF AND THINGS

WEGMAN’S DOGS AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

66_2On view: March 10 – May 28th. Woof:
The Brooklyn Museum will be the first venue of this
traveling exhibition exploring forty years of the
artist’s work in all media. The first William Wegman
retrospective in more than fifteen years, it will
include more than 200 works, among them the
signature 20 x 24 Polaroids, early black-and-white
and altered photographs, as well as paintings,
drawings, collages, artists books, videos, and film. The exhibition is sponsored at the Brooklyn Museum
by Commerce Bank.
     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

   
   
   

 

   
   
   

 

   
   
   

 

   
   
   

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
       
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

   
       

          

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Continue reading WEGMAN’S DOGS AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM →

STUFF AD THINGS

What a Night at Issue Project Room

At Issue Project Room on Monday night, Steve Buscemi read passages from William Burroughs’Circle_1_2
"Queer." It’s a novel he’s been trying to make into a movie of for years, he said.

Incredible. Funny. Hysterical, really. Crazy. Wild.

Buscemi told a funny story about visiting William Burroughs in Lawrence, Kansas. Burroughs showed him his collection of guns, which made Buscemi a little nervous. "They’re not loaded,’" said Burroughs, who years before had accidentally shot and killed his wife Joan.

Anne Waldman and Bob Holman, legends of beat poetry, also read poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Diane DiPrima, and others.

Singing, yelling, scatting, acting, emoting with language, they were both AMAZING accompanied by a sax player and a pianist.

A GREAT night at a former storage silo on the banks of the Gowanus Canal. A benefit for Issue Project Room.

Become a member and find out about all this great stuff.

Postcard from the Slope

POSTCARD FROM THE SLOPE_SLUMBER PARTY

Tonight, OSFO’s is at the much looked forward to slumber party of her best friend.  Oy, the preparations. The planning. The countdown until the day.

Which pajamas?  Which stuffed animal? Which sleeping bag, pillow, tooth brush, outfit for tomorrow/

She made sure to get a good night’s rest on Sunday because, I guess, she’s wasn’t planning on sleeping much tonight. They never do. At the other sleepover party she went to, the girls were up until 4 a.m.

Tired, cranky the next day. But it was worth every tired, cranky minute.

I hope she’s doing okay (motherworry). She’s probably having a great time (I hope I hope). Is she homesick? (She is prone toward homesickness, doesn’t much like to be away from home.P I hope she’s okay (more motherworry). Hate for her to be sad. Lonely. Frightened.

If I close my eyes, I can communicate good, loving, protective feelings her way (motherpower) Don’t be homesick. Have fun little OSFO. I know you are…

I’m sure she’s okay (motherhoping). Hope we don’t get a call in the middle of the night to come get her. Homesick, needs to come home.

Can’t imagine we will but what if…Come on. She’s a fun lovin’ girl. Probably hasn’t thought of us once. Not even once?

It’s so quiet here. We’re not used to her being away (mothersad). Missing her. Wishing, hoping she’s enjoying herself (motherwishing).

We’ll get through this. We will..

 

Postcard from the Slope

STOP THE NOISE IN BROOKLYN

1 Comment

SHUT UP! we say. Brooklyn resident complained about noise to 311 more often than other borough. From New York 1:

Brooklyn residents have more complaints about car alarms than residents of any other borough.

According to the New York Post, the mayor’s office reported that
the most complaints to the 311 line about car alarms came from
Brooklyn.

Oddly enough Brooklyn only has half as many cars as Queens, but
more cars are apparently stolen in Brooklyn than in any other borough.

The Post reports that 568 car alarm calls to 311 came from Brooklyn
last year out of the 1,865 total complaints about car alarms.

The City Council is doing its part to stop the noise pollution.
Last year it banned motion sensor-activated car alarms that don’t
automatically shut off after 3 minutes.