The Manhattan Beach Community Group posted on its website last week that con-artists posing as Keyspan Energy (a.k.a. National Grid) workers are making the rounds once more.
Several times over the past few years, reports have emerged of “workers” knocking on neighbors’ doors and asking private information or to come into the house. According to MBCG, “Their hustle includes threats of fines if they can not inspect your furnace, etc.”
MBCG and Sheepshead Bites reminds you not to let strangers into your home. Always ask for identification, and even then don’t be afraid to call Keyspan/National Grid and ask for verification before allowing them in or giving them information. Tell your children the same, and call 911 if you have any doubts.
Contact National Grid at (718) 643-4050 if you have any questions.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Though I’m Jewish, I spent Christmas with my girlfriend’s family. I got full, I got drunk, I got rest.
And now I’m back, and focusing on what’s to come in the New Year.
For Sheepshead Bites, I’m hoping for more of the great growth we’ve seen*, more opportunities to meet my neighbors, and more ways to help you.
Speaking of ways we try to help you, I’d like to remind you all of our wonderful columnist, Daniel Gershburg. Since joining us in November, Daniel has written about Sheepshead Bay co-ops, ways to avoid fraud, money-saving tips, and a possible new real estate bubble on the horizon.
Early in January, Dan and I are going to sit down to brainstorm a list of new topics that he can tackle for 2010. So to prepare us for that meeting, I’m putting the question to you: what would you like to read about?
Leave us your questions, comments, or rants about real estate or bankruptcy issues in the area, and we’ll consider it for a future article on Sheepshead Bites. You can submit it in the comments below or e-mail it.
*Our monthly audience has grown 10 fold year-over-year. Let’s hope for another 10 fold for next year!
Construction inside the planned Starbucks location has been stalled for months
Bad news for those salivating in anticipation of the new drive-through Starbucks on Nostrand Avenue: their planned opening date has been pushed back by several months.
We reported back in July that the 3454 Nostrand Avenue (corner of Gravesend Neck Road) location would open this month. Unfortunately, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials have slammed the brakes on the project over concerns of the location of the drive-through curb cut, according to Howard Weiss, an attorney for the property owner.
Weiss said that after the Board of Standards and Appeals granted a variance giving permission to construct a drive-through in May, construction kicked off and all seemed good. But he said the MTA renovated the B36 and B44 bus shelter there, moving it closer to the corner several feet.
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St. Mark's Nativity Scene From 2008 (Courtesy of Puzzler4879 via Flickr)
Growing up, the holidays held a little more weight than they do as an adult.
By the time you’re in your 20s, it’s something you’ve been trying to get out of for a while. By your 40s, it runs the risk of just being something you keep up for the kids. Beyond that, your mileage may vary.
No matter what’s going on in the world, good or bad, the holidays have always acted as an intangible placebo – we know it’s just another day, but somehow it still makes us feel better.
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City cleans up fallen tree at East 19th and Gravesend Neck Rd (Courtesy of Arthur Borko)
Well, the city has finally gotten around to removing that fallen branch we reported on last week, a full two and a half weeks after it first fell. As you can see they are also trimming the rest of the tree to prevent future incidents.
It’s not quite a Christmas miracle, but it does appear to be another victory for Arthur Borko, following his reports that got a trouble-making sign near Bassett’s Deli removed, and a fallen sign at Cass Place fixed.
Meanwhile, I’m still holding my breath for a few victories of my own. Better transit service, anyone? Repairs to Plumb Beach? Cleaner streets?
I must have been naughty.
This past weekend, someone dragged me here in front of the P.S. 254 playground and just abandoned me during the blizzard. I tried pleading with the person, but to no avail. They just coldheartedly left me in the cold, while the snow was coming down. By Sunday morning, when I got my picture snapped, I was trapped in 13 inches of snow.
I just hope the snow melts soon. I wanna roll outta here before the parking enforcers come by and ticket me for being too close to the hydrant, ‘cuz I really don’t have $115 to pay the city – especially now that I’ve, most likely, lost my job at the supermarket.
Reader Paul Anderson linked us to this photo in his Flickr account, accompanied by the following rant:
This corner, like many corners in this neighborhood are hazardous after any snowstorm because the businesses and residents don’t consider removing the snow and ice from the crosswalks that approach the curbs. The business that faces this crosswalk is a Marines Recruitment Office. Shouldn’t they be more conscientious? The only part of the street that seems to get the most attention is what is used by cars. When I spent some time in a small town in Pennsylvania this condition was a “given”. The car was King and sidewalks were an afterthought. This is Brooklyn not Southeast Bumblef-ck! Can’t the community leaders, whoever they are, get their act together and do something about these continuously hazardous conditions for young and old alike?
I took a walk from this very corner to Avenue U the other day and had this problem just about every corner I passed. My ankles were coated with thick brown slush, and I almost slipped a few times (new source of revenue for Sheepshead Bites?). Your thoughts?
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz with Madelaine Cleaners’ owner, Eric Lederman.
New York may have had a slow start entering its winter wonderland, but as the holidays approach, Sheepshead Bay’s priorities have shifted to keeping warm. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, in league with Met Council and Madelaine Cleaner’s, are spearheading efforts this year to collect winter coats for the needy.
Noting that this year’s state of economic duress may contribute to more of us going cold this year, Sheepshead Bay’s Cymbrowitz states, “We’re in a community where most of us can afford to purchase new coats,” and urges us to “please look through your closets for coats that you will no longer wear. As long as they are wearable, Met Council will accept them and put them to very good use.”
Though last year’s collection was considerable, this year they expect not as many people will purchase new threads because of the economy. The hope is that our community’s generosity will continue, if not increase. Madelaine Cleaners’ owner Eric Lederman has expressed his desire to do “whatever it takes” to collect more coats. The bottom line is without community support, there are no coats for the less fortunate.
Want to warm some hearts this holiday season? Drop your donations off at either Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office at 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road or to Madelaine Cleaners at 1616 Avenue M. If you’ve gotten something sportier and trendier this season, why not make some room in your closets before spring arrives?
