This from New York 1:

While the City Council said the delay was because it was waiting
for the ballots to get officially certified, the delay came on the same
day the Councilman-elect Mathieu Eugene’s candidacy was questioned due
to his residency.

Eugene beat out nine other candidates this week to win in the
district that includes Flatbush and Crown Heights, but Eugene lives in
Canarsie.

His spokesperson says the law gives council members time to establish residency in their district post-election.

But some election experts disagree.

“He can’t be sworn in,” said Jerry Goldfeder, an election lawyer.
“The Board of Elections can’t certify him, and it can’t be changed
after the fact.”

According to the Board of Elections, the law states that candidates
must reside in the district when the voters elect them. But the Eugene
campaign says that will be official when the board certifies the
ballots, giving him time to move.

While Eugene was not available to comment, his campaign says he
signed a lease for a three-bedroom apartment in the district for
February 1st, and is waiting to be sworn in before he moves into the
residence.

VERY, VERY INTERESTING. This from the Nw York Times.

A generation of mothers who are largely perceived as postfeminist in
every way, from sex to economic discrimination, has begun a
consciousness-raising that is almost old-fashioned were it not for the
technology involved. Raised to believe that girls could accomplish
anything, these women have reached parenthood, only to find they faced
many of the same pay, equity and work-family balance issues that were
being fought over decades before. From that awakening, they say, has
come the inkling of a new movement.

In many ways, these groups
are repackaging issues that have been around for nearly 50 years and
have proven intractable despite the efforts of legions of activists,
lawyers and elected officials.

An organization What MomsRising has done, the organizers say, is frame its
concerns as family and economic issues, which resonate for a younger
generation of women. (They say they will include the fathers later.)

It is not a coincidence that MomsRising is using the tactics of MoveOn.org, the influential liberal organizing site that helped propel Howard Dean’s presidential candidacy. One of the group’s founders is Joan Blades, who, with her husband, Wes Boyd, founded MoveOn.

MomsRising is the newest and most prominent in a loose coalition of
advocacy groups, including Mothers & More, the Mothers Movement
Online, Mothers Ought to Have Equal Rights and the National Association
of Mothers’ Centers, that are sharing information, joining together at
rallies and signing one another’s petitions.

They, in turn, are starting to form alliances with labor groups and traditional feminist groups like the National Organization for Women. And they are communicating with what some might see as unlikely allies: traditional family values groups like the Christian Coalition.

The
various mother’s rights groups are concentrating much of their effort
at state legislatures. In Washington State, they met with the speaker
of the house about passing a bill that would allow employees to be paid
if they take family- or medical-leave time, and in California, they
have proposed legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate
based on family status. Senator Sheila Kuehl has agreed to author the
bill, which is to be introduced this week. They are also hoping to be
heard during next year’s presidential race.

It’s difficult to
know just how big the burgeoning movement is. MomsRising, which has
been around since last May, has attracted 80,000 members from around
the United States. The goal, organizers say, is to build a nonpartisan
grass-roots movement millions strong.

This from the NY Sun:

Mayor Bloomberg
weighed in on the pooper-scooper debate yesterday, saying he supports
stiffer fines for those who fail to clean up their dog’s waste.

Last week, the state Assembly voted to raise the maximum penalty for
pooper-scooper violations from $100 to $250. It is no surprise that the
mayor supports the bill, which still needs approval from the state
Senate and governor, given that the city Department of Sanitation
requested the state take up the issue.

OSFO, Crystal and I visited BARC, Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition, on North First Street and Wyethe in Williamsburg, a haven for homeless animals that provides quality food, shelter, and medical attention to the dogs in their care.

"BARC meets the needs
of homeless animals through the assistance of dedicated volunteers,
revenues generated from the success of our pet supply business, and
from private donations." says the blurb on their website.

Jose was our guide and he took us to the kennel a few doors away from the pet supply business. First I noticed the strong smell of dog, urine, and dog food. Then we went through a door into a big barn-like room with about twenty large cages for the dogs.

The barking was cacophonous at first. The bigger dogs, Pit Bulls and German Shepherds,  barked aggressively.

There were quieter dogs, too. But looks can be deceiving. We found ourselves attracted to a an adorable-looking black and white Shih Tsu.

"Oh that’s a bad dog," Jose said. "Look, he just killed  a mouse." Sure enough. In the Shih Tsu’s cage was a dead mouse.

A Pitbull that looked pretty fierce to me was, according to Jose, a sweetheart. He went into his cage and gave the dog some attention.

A 12-year-old black poodle, Marvin was abandoned by his owner who could no longer care for him. He sat quietly in the corner of the cage. "He’s a sweetheart. He just had surgery." Jose brought us into the cage and showed us Marvin’s shaved spot. "He had a tumor as big as a baseball." Jose said.

He’s deaf, too. That’s why he doesn’t mind being with all those barking bigger dogs. In the back of the room there was a huge dog in a big cage. There were signs that said: DOG NEEDS SPECIAL ATTENTION.

"I can handle him but he’s a very mean dog. He’s been here for seven years." Jose said.

Every dog in the place had a story. In one cage there was a very friendly white lab and a tiny poodle puppy, brought in from the same home. They seemed very comfortable together. OSFO and Crystal spent some time in that cage.

In another room, there were four cages. OSFO and Crystal fell in love with an endearing beagle who had just arrived was in there. "We hang on to them for at least 72 hours to make sure they’re not just missing," Jose told us. "Then he can be adopted."

In another cage there was a very high-strung Chihuahua. We were very moved by his story. He’d had a good life in a good home for ten years. Then he was abandoned and is very, very angry.

"He can attach to one person. Then he’d be alright. But you don’t want to get in his way when he’s eating. He’ll bite."

Another dog in the small room was blind. "She’s tricky to take care of. Her eyes don’t tear so she needs her eyes washed every day. But it can be startling. She’s bit me a lot."

Jose has been with BARC for 16 years. He has three dogs — a Pitbull, a pug, and "a very nice" Chihuahua." All of them from BARC.

Every morning they walk the dogs from 9-12. It’s a great time to visit. OSFO and Crystal both want to come back to walk with the dogs. It must be quite an adventure. We’ll be back.

Mommy. Daddy. Funny. Serious. Anything. Smartmom wants to know.

The Hungry March Band will team with The Bindlestiff Family Circus (a juggling, globe-trotting troupe of vaudeville, circus, burlesque, and sideshow performers) and DJ Tikki Masala (resident DJ of Galapagos Art Space, spinning Bhangra, hip-hop, and dance-pop) on Friday night at BAM Cafe, free of charge.  The show, called “A Night of Marching Bands and Circus Antics,” is presented by Galapagos Art Space and part of the Brooklyn Next series. 

Friday, February 23, 9:30 pm, Free

BAM Cafe
30 Lafayette Avenue

This from New York 1:

The city is rolling out the beach chairs early in hopes of recruiting lifeguards for the summer.

The city parks and tourism departments’ new “whistle worthy” campaign got underway in Union Square Wednesday.

There will be eight chairs scattered throughout the five boroughs in hopes of recruiting lifeguards for the city’s 53 pools and 14-miles of beaches.

“It’s essential [for] all the beaches, our beautiful beaches. And they are beautiful. In fact, they are very close to, especially if you have a decent imagination, as beautiful as the Caribbean beaches are. They really are, Brooklyn style, New York City style,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “And it’s important that we keep those beaches open, and lifeguards are what keep beaches open.”

Anyone 16 years of age or older who wants to know more about applying, can call the city help line at 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/parks.

We LOVE the movie. Really curious about this show.

Not a word is spoken, but the story of the strangely endearing misfit…is as clear, offbeat and enchanting onstage as in the beloved Tim Burton film on which it’s based.”—SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

“…[Matthew] Bourne has fashioned a tender, dark, and funny dance play about the ultimate outcast. 4 stars!”—THE TIMES (UK)

“An unforgettable production that will melt the steeliest of hearts, and strike a chord with anyone who ever felt just that little bit different. Pure perfection.”—EVENING TIMES (GLASGLOW)

DEVISED, DIRECTED, AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY MATTHEW BOURNE
NEW MUSIC AND ARRANGEMENTS BY TERRY DAVIES
BASED ON THE THEMES FROM THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE COMPOSED BY DANNY ELFMAN
MAR 14*—31
(SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC DATES AND TIMES)
BAM HOWARD GILMAN OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS: $30, 50, 70, 80
*Celebrate opening night on Mar 14 at the Spring gala. More…
Known for bending the conventions of theater—from his all-male swan corps in Swan Lake to the dance-drama Play Without Words to his edgy choreography for Mary Poppins on Broadway—Matthew Bourne returns to BAM with a witty re-imagining of Tim Burton’s beloved film, Edward Scissorhands (20th Century Fox). A huge hit at its London premiere, the production comes to BAM for a strictly limited three-week run.
After an eccentric inventor leaves him with scissors in lieu of hands, the bewildered Edward flees to a candy-colored suburban community. Before long, the entire town embraces his unique hair-cutting and topiary talents, and he falls for the teenaged daughter of his adopted family. She’s smitten as well and their tender love story is the heart of Bourne’s stage interpretation, told entirely without dialogue.
Adding to the magic are exquisite sets and costumes, and music based on themes from the captivating film score. Each element, in concert with wonderful performances by the 24-member company, propels the story to an enchanted place where even the hedges—which Edward so lovingly shapes—spring to joyous life.

Approximate running time is 1 hour 52 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission.

This from the Daily News. Naming rights, anyone? And a realy cool design team.

Two new outdoor skating rinks slated to be built
by 2010 will give Prospect Park twice the ice and a possible naming
rights windfall, officials announced yesterday.

The 46-year-old Kate Wollman ice rink, which has slowly deteriorated
over time, will be replaced with two high-tech rinks to accommodate
growing crowds. About 100,000 skaters visit each winter.

"This will give skaters a lot more room than they have on the existing
rink," Mayor Bloomberg said. "That’s great because on a busy Saturday
afternoon, Wollman Rink can really look like Times Square at rush hour."

Construction of the $39 million project, dubbed the Lakeside Center, is
expected to begin next year, officials said. The project, designed by
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, will include two regulation-sized
ice hockey rinks and a building that could house a gift shop, classroom
and cafe.

The site of the current 26,000-square-foot rink will be restored as
part of the original lakefront as envisioned by famed park designer
Frederick Law Olmsted.

"Not only will the Lakeside Center be a shining example of green
design, but this section of Prospect Park will be restored to reflect
the original vision for generations to come," said Brooklyn Borough
President Marty Markowitz.

Besides $24.5 million chipped in by federal, city and local officials,
an additional $15 million is expected to be raised through fund-raisers
and possible naming rights.

"We’re out there talking to foundations and private donors," said Prospect Park spokesman Eugene Patron.

Do you have any suggestions?

The war in Iraq has been going on for 1,434 days. March 19th, 2007 marks the beginning of our fifth year there.

Siegfried Landau, the founding conductor of what is now called the Brooklyn Philharmonic
Orchestra, died on Monday night, along with his wife, Irene Gabriel, in
a fire at their home in Brushton, in northern New York State. Mr.
Landau was 85. His wife, a former ballet dancer, was 70.

READ MORE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES.

Infromation and quotes from Yahoo News:

As a big JetBlue booster, I am shocked and upset about their hideous performance this past week. I see they are attempting damage control. Wonder if they can really turn this around .Jet Blue was the airline that made it possible for me to fly weeks after 9/11. It’s the airline that helped me overcome my fear of flying. Why? Because they did so many things right. Now this. Is this right enough? 

On Tuesday, JetBlue Airways rolled out a customer bill of rights Tuesday that promises vouchers to fliers who experience delays. They are obviously hoping to win back passengers after an operational meltdown damaged its brand and stock price.

JetBlue customers will be compensated based on the length of the delays. The vouchers range from $25 to the full amount of the ticket. The delays include airplanes unable to taxi to the gate within 30 minutes and flight departures held up for a minimum of three hours, according to a program copy provided to The Associated Press.

If JetBlue cancels a flight within 12 hours of its departure, customers can ask for a full refund or a voucher. JetBlue said passengers would also receive vouchers if flight delays are the airline’s fault.

David G. Neeleman, JetBlue’s founder and chief
executive, has been working overtime talking to media, investors and customers promising that the airline will recover and being very remorseful.

The service breakdown "was absolutely painful to watch," he is quoted as saying on Yahoo News.

JetBlue’s shares fell more than 6 percent in morning trading Tuesday.

"Most airlines don’t try to operate when there is an ice storm
problem — they’ve learned that it’s better to cancel all flights at the
outset and then try to get back to normal operations as quickly as
possible," David Stempler, president of the Washington-based,
member-supported Air Travelers Association, told The Associated Press and reported on Yahoo News.

"JetBlue tried to do their best — tried to keep the system rolling,"
he said. "Their heart was in the right place, but their head was not."

The war in Iraq has been going on for 1,433 days. March 19th, 2007 marks the beginning of our fifth year there.

The story of Jacqueline Melendez Rivera, a police officer who stands accused of helping the man she loved cover up a shooting in Park Slope last week, is a sad and strange one.

One freezing cold morning, Officer Rivera’s
husband, Jose Rivera, shot a plainclothes officer, Andrew Suarez, 25. Mr. Rivera then sped
away, they said, as bullets fired by the officer’s colleagues tore into
his sport utility vehicle and shattered its glass.

Officer Rivera was found less than an hour later behind the wheel of
what the police said was the same S.U.V., about a mile from her home in
Prospect Heights. The police concluded that she had not been in the
S.U.V. when the shots were fired, but that she was trying to hide it to
conceal her husband’s crime.

The Times’ has an in-depth look at this couple, who met at 200 Fifth and who lived in a brownstone Officer Rivera inherited from her mother on St. Mark’s Place.

Got this email from someone at NBC. It’s about a new show. It’s going to go on after OTBKB fave Heroes. I guess it’s replacing Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (which we liked flaws and all).

Since your blog covers news and events in Brooklyn , I wanted to let you know about a new show called Black Donnellys that will be premiering Monday February 26 on NBC at 10 pm EST! You might have seen or heard about this show being filmed at locations around the city.

Black Donnellys is a crime drama set and filmed completely in New York City . It is the story of four Irish brothers and how their relationships are tested as they get more involved in the world of organized crime. The show is very reminiscent to a younger version of HBO’s hit show “Sopranos” with a camaraderie similar to the guys from HBO’s “Entourage.”

I noticed that you like the O.C., so wanted to share with you that Olivia Wilde who starred on the show as Alex Kelly (Marissa’s lover) also stars in Black Donnellys. Her character, Jenny Reilly, is the love interest of one of the Donnelly brothers.

The show was written and produced by Bobby Moresco and Paul Haggis, the award-winning team behind “Crash” and “Million Dolllar Baby”. The story was inspired by Bobby Moresco’s experiences growing up in Hell’s Kitchen.

Screening February 21. 7pm That’s this Wednesday night.
Presented by: Fort Greene Association and Society for Clinton Hill.

Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
357 Clermont Avenue
(btwn Greene & Lafayette) [Map]

The film will be preceded by a reception and followed by a panel discussion.

Panelists (all in the film):
Tom Angotti
Director of the Hunter College Center for Community Planning & Development
Editor of Progressive Planning Magazine.

Bob Law
Activist, Entrepreneur

Ron Shiffman, FAICP, Hon.AIA
Professor, Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment
New York City Planning Commissioner [1990-1996]

Praise for Brooklyn Matters
“It
can be difficult to clearly communicate to the public the relevant
details and urgency of such a complex and fraught project. For this
reason, Brooklyn Matters is particularly welcome; the film is a clarion call on an issue of great significance.”
-Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation

“Brooklyn Matters
is a remarkable film that slowly, quietly, calmly reveals the extreme
ugliness at the heart of one of the most ill-conceived mega-development
schemes in New York history.”
-Francis Morrone, Architectural Historian

February 24-March 4, 2007: Look See: Photographs on Reflection

The opening reception with the artists, including NO WORDS_DAILY PIX (HUGH CRAWFORD) is this Saturday from 6:00-9:00. Please come enjoy some wine and some amazing photographs.

168 7th Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215
phone: 718.858.9069
info@brooklynartistsgym.com
brooklynartistsgym.com

Over 50 artists have have been chosen who have taken on the theme of reflection and initiated their own exploration. The quality of the work and the depth of the conversation is stunning.
The opening reception with the artists is this Saturday from 6:00-9:00. Please come enjoy some wine and some amazing photographs.

Over 50 artists have have been chosen who have taken on the theme of reflection and initiated their own exploration. The quality of the work and the depth of the conversation is stunning.

VACATION WEEK AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO? JOIN THE CLUB

Winter Festival in Prospect Park: Kids are invited to check out a nature film fest at the Audubon Center, play historic indoor games at the Lefferts Historical House, and skate the days away at the Wollman Rink.

The Audubon Center at the Boathouse and Lefferts Historic House are open 12 – 4 p.m. all week. The Tennis Center is open 7a.m. – midnight.

The Wollman Rink is open on February 19 through 22 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and from 2 – 6 p.m; on February 23, you can skate from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

The war in Iraq has been going on for 1,432 days. March 19th marks the beginning of our fifth year there.

This from the New York Times:

The founder and chief executive of JetBlue Airways, his voice cracking at times, called himself “humiliated and mortified” by a huge breakdown in the airline’s operations that has dragged on for nearly a week, and promised that in the future JetBlue would pay penalties to customers if they were stranded on a plane for too long.

David G. Neeleman said in a telephone interview yesterday that his company’s management was not strong enough. And he said the current crisis, which has led to about 1,000 cancelled flights in five days, was the result of a shoestring communications system that left pilots and flight attendants in the dark, and an undersized reservation system. Until now, JetBlue and its low fares have enjoyed overwhelming popularity and customer satisfaction ratings.

No Land Grab ran this piece about the Footprints show at the Brooklyn Public Library which is causing lots of controversy about what it left out. Read more here.

Since when is “hagiography” on par with pornography? We’re not sure, but we know it when we see it.

The controversy over the Brooklyn Public Library’s possible censorship of the Footprints art exhibit now turns to Jay Kaplan, director of the Brooklyn Public Library’s programs and exhibitions. According to The New York Times, Kaplan “called the rejected painting of Mr. Goldstein ‘hagiographic.’” This makes us wonder if Kaplan has taken a casual glance at the current Footprints exhibit.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines hagiography as “biography of saints or venerated persons.” Wikipedia’s explanation begins by stating plainly, “Hagiography is the study of saints.”

Hanging in the main gallery of the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is the most blatantly hagiographic portrait of the entire original “Footprints” collection, the oil painting of Joseph Pastore by Claire Wieting (click image to enlarge). Pastore, a 62-year-old retiree, is a 40-year resident of Dean Street and a plaintiff in the eminent domain lawsuit against the City and State of NY and developer Forest City Ratner. Earlier this month, his photo ran on the cover of the commuter daily AM New York, where he was featured with three other property owners who have held out against Ratner’s attempts to take their property for the arena-housing complex called “Atlantic Yards.”

Nice new logo and a bit of housekeeping over at A Brooklyn Life. She calls it Sidebar fun.

So it’d been a while since I’d paid attention to my sidebar links, and today I got a proverbial bee in my bonnet. I’v broken the Brooklyn links into two categories: Goo Brooklyn and Good Brooklyn Lives. The first set linking t more neighborhood-focused blogs, the second linking to th many fascinating lives people live in Brooklyn.

The war in Iraq has been going on for 1,431 days. March 19th marks the beginning of our fifth year there.

Neighbors for Peace is planning a Brooklyn peace march on March 25th.

Sun., Mar. 25
Gather at 1:30 pm
Parade from Carroll Park to Grand Army Plaza, (very child-friendly event!)
Sponsored by Neighbors for Peace

How can you NOT love a bookstore that has a Jewish Philosophy Reading Club and a Underappreciated Book Club? Come on.

 

Tuesday, February 20, at 8pm:

 

Jewish Philosophy Book Club: Martin Buber‘s I and Thou

 

 Please join us at the next Jewish Philosophy Book Club meeting, where we’ll be discussing Martin Buber‘s I and Thou . Written in 1923 and immediately recognized as a classic, I and Thou
has had such a profound influence in the field that almost every Jewish
philosopher since Buber is compelled to address his ideas in one way or
another.  It should make for interesting discussion. Everyone is welcome. 

 

 

 

Wednesday, February 21, at 7:30pm:

 

Unappreciated Book Club: D. H. Lawrence‘s The Lost Girl

 

An interesting Lawrencian journey of self-discovery and (no surprise) sexual awakening, The Lost Girl has not received nearly the same kind of critical attention as many of his other novels….  Until now! The
Unappreciated Book Club will convene to discuss the merits of this lost
classic, and perhaps to sip a little wine and enjoy some pleasing
conversation as well.  All are welcome.  

 

 

 

Any questions, please email me at joshua.milstein@ gmail.com . Hope to see you there!  

I spoke to a class of graduate students in creative writing at Adelphi University  about blogging today. It was really fun.  I told them I’d post some blog basics. Here goes:

1. Give your blog a name and a URL that’s easy to remember and not too long.

2. Avoid the word blog in the name of your blog.

3. Just get started. You can learn about all the special features as you go.

4. Post as often as you can. At least every day. That keeps people coming back for more.

5. If you use an excerpt from someone’s blog always credit them and link to them. Always use the permalink URL for a story that you are linking to.

6. Keep your blog posts short. People don’t want to read too much.

7. Use pictures on your blog.

8. If you use photos from Flickr, credit and link to the photographer.

9. Include a list of all your favorite blogs.

10. Make it clear on your blog how readers can email you.

11. The best blogs have a clear focus, a niche, something they do better than anyone else.

12. If you are going to run a journalistic blog, make sure you play by journalism’s rules. Be fair. Be honest. Respect the wishes of those you speak to to be on or off the record.

13. Remember. As soon as you put yourself out there as a blogger, a columnist, a writer — you need to have a thick skin. You are are target for insulting comments. But good feedback will come your way, too.

14. Keep on blogging.

Norman Oder was none too pleased with the "Brooklyn Footprints" show at the Brooklyn Public Library. See here:

The “Footprints” controversy: omission of work less disturbing than lack of captions
I found the newly re-mounted “Brooklyn Footprints” exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library dismaying, but not so much because the library rejected some politically-charged pieces and claimed, disingenously, “Our interest in this exhibition is in documentation, not advocacy.”

(The New York Observer broke the censorship story, which has been followed up by NoLandGrab, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) and the Brooklyn Paper, among others. Is it censorship? Probably in part.)

Even more disturbingly, the library exhibition lacks footnotes that link the artwork to the inevitable political context regarding the proposed Atlantic Yards footprint. There are no descriptive captions, so the “documentation” is quite sketchy. For the relatively few who can see more into the photos, drawings, and paintings, that’s not a problem; for everyone else, it is.

Even for those of us in the know, Conor McGrady’s drawing (right) seems oblique. In a caption, he contends: “These drawings refer to the removal process at the core of the Atlantic Yards re-development."

This from NY1:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made an about-face on parking tickets issued to drivers whose cars were stuck in the snow after Wednesday’s storm.

The city has now decided to forgive all alternate side parking tickets for Thursday, and Friday.

The mayor’s decision to keep alternate side parking rules in effect following the snow storm drew serious criticism. Many drivers argued the ice and snow made it nearly impossible to dig their cars out.

The mayor said Thursday that moving cars was important for the plows to do their job.

"In retrospect, in some parts of the city, there was not that much snow and in other parts there probably was an imposition,” the mayor said on his morning radio show today. “We did get a lot of calls and listened very carefully to what the Sanitation Department heard, what our community assistance unit heard, we took a look at the call that came in to 311 and … this morning I instructed the Department of Finance to waive any Alternate Side of the Street parking tickets for yesterday and today."

Before this news spread, many New Yorkers worked hard Friday to dig their cars out of the snow.

"I wish I had known this morning, then I could have went to my knitting circle and not spent the last half hour digging out which was really hard," said one driver, Monica Gutierrez.

“It makes no sense,” said another driver, Harry Youssios. “It’s obvious people can’t take their cars out of the snow. Why wouldn’t they suspend the parking?”

Tickets issued on Wednesday during the storm still have to be paid.

Tickets from today and yesterday will be automatically taken out of the city’s computer

This from NY 1:

The federal housing secretary was in Brooklyn Friday where he vowed to
keep housing affordable at the Starrett City complex.

Alphonso Jackson says he’ll review the recent sale of the complex
to see whether it threatens the city’s low-income housing market.

“The Statue of Liberty does not have engraved the words well-off, high-income, or six figure [salaries],” said Jackson.

It is up to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to step
in and reverse the sale of the East New York housing complex.

"This country made a commitment to places like Starrett City," said
Jackson. "This is a commitment that has been honored for the entre 30
year existance of Starrett City and I ,for one, will not pull back
now."

Critics believe new owner Clipper Equity has to have a plan to
price out tenants or it won’t be able to make a profit off the $1.3
billion purchase of the complex.

The new owners say they’re committed to preserving affordable housing.

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo also says the main buyer, David
Bistricer, has a State Supreme Court injunction against him, barring
him from certain real estate transactions for life. Cuomo plans to
enforce this injunction.

"This purchaser has a long and troubled history in housing and a
record of tenant abuse that goes back over a decade," said Cuomo.

In a statement, a lawyer for Clipper Equities says Bistricer is allowed to sell units on a case-by-case basis.

Many residents of the complex are embracing the support of local
politicians like Cuomo and Senator Charles Schumer, and encouraging
them to continue their efforts.

“Please try to keep the building,” said 85-year-old resident Lessie Everett.

Starrett City is the largest federally-subsidized housing development in the country.

The Paper follows up on my Tea Lounge scoop about the cop who told a manager at the Tea Lounge to be on the lookout for weird Internet usage at the Tea Lounge.