The Bill Brown Square traffic triangle, located at the corner where East 17th Street turns into Sheepshead Bay Road, is clearly indicated as a one way street with signs indicating “No Parking Anytime”.
Still, it is not uncommon to see cars parked there and inhibiting traffic. This green sedan was seen last Friday at the intersection with no driver at the steering wheel, windows locked, and no blinking lights on. One block away on Jerome Avenue and East 18th Street, there was a ticket agent issuing violations to frustrated drivers arriving a minute too late from doing their errands at the bank and post office.
When alerted to the dangerous situation created by the car illegally parked at the narrow turn, the ticket agent said, “Yeah, I’ll be going over there, soon.” Meanwhile, back at the spot in front of Merin Corsettiere (1629 Jerome Avenue), a bus driver was blowing the horn to get the driver to move the car to make some room — to no avail.
While it may be obvious to most that parking on this corner is just not safe, there are others who just don’t seem to get that message or read the signs. The city may need to rethink the type of sign so that there is no question that even standing or stopping at the corner could very well cause a smashup.
I always knew this job would be the death of me.
One fine day, some heavy load these slavedrivers so mercilessly put on me is going to be like the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
I guess it’s a good thing that Abraham Hollander Monuments is right next door. That made it convenient for me to arrange for my final epitaph to be carved on my grave marker. My best friend, Shelley Wheely — named after Percy B. Shelley — was appointed by Marty Markowitz as the Poet Laureate for all shopping carts in Brooklyn. Being the neurotic poet he is, one wintry day when we all would have rathered to stay inside, he rolled over from his home at the Super Stop and Shop across the street, handed it to me saying, “Dear Brother, I felt a premonition that you were on your last revolution.” Was that eery — because, other than being a little chill to the bone, I was feeling not too bad.
Here Lies
Orange Sunshine
A Monument To Hard Work
199?-200?
In bright orange and shiny steel
On all fours you did wheel
Every night and every day
Serving Sheepshead Bay
Adding to the spirit of the community
Now, a spirit in the sky of unity
Roll In Peace
Lovely Shopping Cart
When I finally collapse under this backbreaking work, obviously, I’ll need your help in letting the staff know. They speak English, Russian, Hebrew, Hungarian and Yiddish.
Abraham Hollander Monuments
2558 East 17 St
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 934-2770
(718) 615-1007
Office hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm
Located between Avenue Y & Avenue Z
Email: mail@ahminfo.com
Today’s 35 m.p.h. wind gusts have toppled over a huge tree on East 18th Street and Avenue V, crushing a car. Emergency services have closed off the avenue between East 18th Street and East 19th Street. In addition to the damage to the car, the tree – which didn’t break – yanked up the sidewalk and destroyed the northeast corner’s curb. I hope the homeowner read our article on free sidewalk repair!
Update: 1010 Wins is reporting a tree on the tracks at Sheepshead Bay train station, too.
Local leaders pressed MTA officials and the agency’s contractor for proposals and promises from the authority this morning, but the biggest payoff appears to be for residents of Gerritsen Beach and communities east of Sheepshead Bay.
“Did a magic bullet appear? No,” said Councilman Lew Fidler of the meeting. “The thing that probably will come out of it – and we’re optimistic will come out of it – and it doesn’t affect a whole lot of people, but it does affect Weinstein’s constituents and mine – there was some willingness to consider reversing some of the service cuts on the BM3 and BM4 buses. That’s the thing we’re most optimistic will happen, but obviously it doesn’t help the vast majority of people affected by the construction.”
It appears the MTA came unaware of the demands and complaints awaiting them.
“They were there to tell their side of the story, and I think that’s all they thought they were there for,” said George Broadhead, president of the Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association. Broadhead said they came to discuss the construction plans, not alter them. However, the meeting changed direction when Broadhead brought up the recent service changes to the BM3 and BM4 buses, which provide alternative Manhattan-bound service to Gerritsen Beach and the eastern portion of Sheepshead Bay. Those bus routes now leave many riders with only the handicapped B/Q line.
The MTA officials present only represented the subway service, and according to sources at the meeting, they were unaware of the bus division’s actions and dismissed it as the other branch’s responsibility.
“[State Senator Carl] Kruger blew his top,” said one source who asked not to be named. “[The MTA was] there to really apologize for all the bullcrap. But I think they got a taste of it from Kruger.”
Kruger scolded the MTA for its dismissive attitude towards bus alternatives, reportedly saying, “We bailed you out with billions of tax-payer dollars, and now you’re telling me the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing?” Continue Reading »
This is becoming an all-too-familiar sight in Sheepshead Bay. Reader Lisanne Anderson snapped this photo on the corner of Avenue U and East 14th Street almost a month ago, but it could be on any given day. I’d say this heap o’ trash is actually far tidier than most around the area. Turns out it’s not just city garbage cans that are turning into illegal dumping spots for irresponsible homeowners and businesses. Neighbors are now reporting that they wake up to find other people have dumped non-collectible items in the garbage units outside of their homes and apartment buildings, causing them to receive fines. Sheepshead, it’s time to do something about this – any ideas?
Today the area’s elected politicians are meeting with MTA officials. On the agenda? The B train.
One full week after the B train kicked off its two-year hiatus – though it’s three weeks if you count the unannounced termination of service before that – the area’s leaders are gathering at Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s office on Nostrand Avenue with MTA officials. In attendance are Councilmen Lew Fidler and Mike Nelson, Assemblymen Weinstein and Maisel, State Senators Carl Kruger and Marty Golden, as well as Community Board Chairperson Theresa Scavo. An invite has also been sent to Congressman Weiner’s office.
The gang of seven-ish is hoping to press the MTA to seek alternatives to the current plans, which will see the B train running local until late 2011.
“We want to hear from them on what they want to accomplish. They’re inconveniencing a lot of people,” Fidler said. He added that he’s looking for assurances that they’ve looked into alternative plans. “There’s got to be a better way. I’d like to hear there’s an option that’s more convenient for the public.”
Assemblyman Maisel said he hoped the gang could gain some ground with the agency by airing the community’s grievances. However, he also noted the MTA isn’t required to accomodate the group’s demands. “They’re called the authority for a reason,” he said, and pointed out that the authority system has been a troubled one for decades.
As the only unelected party in the group, Theresa Scavo was more blunt with her assessment. “I don’t think anything’s going to get accomplished,” she said. “I think they’re basically going to ignore us.”
Sheepshead Bites will check in later with the pols to see how it went. Stay tuned!
The Sukkah Mobile has pulled up in front of the Chabad of Sheepshead Bay on Avenue Y and East 14th Street. The Chabad Lubavitch is throwing a street fair until 7 p.m. tonight, complete with food, music, and – of course – Elmo! What, you didn’t know Elmo was Jewish? Nebbish, red-haired, tight with his mom… we know what Jim Henson was getting at.
Anyway, stop on by and say hello to the Chabad’s friendly director, Zev, then scuddle over to pick up some gefilte, schnitzel, and kreplach – not to mention cotton candy. Then be sure to Challah back and let us know how it went!
Today’s 2 p.m. Succos (a.k.a. Sukkot, Sukkos, סוכות, or סֻכּוֹת) cruise from Sheepshead Bay sets sail with a full house. But worry not, you can still get on another boat set to sail today, tomorrow, or Thursday.
Sukkos – or any of its alternative names – is a week-long Jewish holiday, connected to the harvesting season. Sukkot – the plural of Sukkos – is the name of those huts, which are reminiscent of the fragile dwellings ancient Israelites used during their 40 years of wandering in Exodus. Observant Jews make the Sukkot the center of the household, eating all their meals there. Traditionally, Sukkos is also a pilgrimage holiday, when Jews are supposed to visit the Temple of Jerusalem – but in place of that, one group is offering a party succos cruise departing from our ‘hood.
Here is a listing of the details or check the Life of Rubin website for the original listing.
Succos Cruise:
A scenic cruise around Coney Island and the Statue of Liberty – 3 hours. Rain or Shine * Refreshments * Sukkah on Board * Music & Dancing * No reservations necessary. 347-326-4546.
@ Departs Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, almost opposite Loehman’s
Sailings set for 3 days:
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, October 9, 2009
Sails at:
2 p.m. (Sold out for 10/6/09)
5 p.m.
Price: $25 adults, $15 for children under 12
The pier is located on Emmons Avenue (near Ocean Avenue).
Councilman Michael Nelson told members of Community Board 15 last week that he is seeking ramped up enforcement and insfrastructural improvements to curb illegal U-turns along Nostrand Avenue.
Nelson’s office says that they received a number of complaints from constituents about dangerous and illegal U-turns on Nostrand Avenue between Voorhies Avenue and Avenue X. Many involve cars – especially SUVs – that opt to drive directly over the median rather than go to the corner.
“They’re turning over the island, but they’re not falling into the river… unfortunately,” Nelson quipped in front of the board. The councilman’s office is on Nostrand Avenue between Avenue Y and Avenue Z.
Nelson and his staff are looking to press the 61st Precinct into stronger enforcement. They’re also considering options including cameras and reinforcement of the barriers with increased height and green landscaping.
Welcome to the second edition of Open Thread Mondays, a feature so excellent, so awesome, so flabbergastingly mindblowing that we almost forgot to do it today. Remember, this is your chance to rattle off about anything. But here are some suggested topics:
- Would you come to a Sheepshead Bites-hosted event? Would you pay $5 for it? Would you want to do a BBQ on the beach in this weather, or should we nix it and do somethin’ indoors?
- Gene Berardelli and Lew Fidler debate: wanna see one? I do! It was refreshing to see them go tit-for-tat in the comments section of this article (how often do you really get to see two candidates have a public and unfiltered argument?!), but it’d be nice to see how they do with a referree and questions from the SBites hivemind, no?
- Ain’t these kids adorable?
- The House of the Rising Sun by the Animals = Best Song Ever. Not really a point of discussion, since it’s an undisputable fact. (This is my site, so be careful how you respond to that…)
