January/February 2003

UNITED STATES TO ATTACK IRAQ IN MARCH

A British diplomat apparently slipped up---accidently revealing to a leading executive that the United States has set a date to attack Iraq. The Cobbler has learned exclusively that British Ambassador to the U.S, Sir Christopher Meyer, reportedly told the executive--a Carroll Gardens resident-- during a meeting in New York that U.S. forces will go to war with Iraq during the first weekend of March.

SMOKER REFUGE

Angry Wades, one of Cobble Hill's most popular taverns, doesn't want to kick out smokers in March, when Mayor Bloomberg's new smoking ban takes effect. They plan on building a roof deck----and word has it, they may put in a kitchen , as well.

SITE OF FUTURE SUPERMARKET VIOLATES LAW

The Cobbler has learned the builder of a new Genovese Supermarket at President and Smith streets has been cited four times for a variety of building code violations and it's repeatedly been denied an illuminated sign on the building. Most of the violations are a year old and involve lack of permits and plans for the site. The builder even started digging before getting approval and the citations delayed construction of the 17-thousand square foot structure for several months. The store will be built at 295 Henry street, next to the subway station and will include a second floor of apartments.

UGLY NEIGHBORS

Anyone check out that ugly, new apartment building that's going up next to Nino's on Union street.

JACKASS IN CARROLL GARDENS BAR

I'm happy to report Preston Lacy was not a jackass, when he popped in for a few frosty ones at Angry Wade's on Smith street this week. In fact, bar staff say the star of MTV's Jackass, was as kind as could be and even bar hopped with a few patrons. Lacy is one of the self-mutilating lunatics from the popular MTV series. The Missouri native lives in Hollywood, but was in New York to perform a few shows at local comedy clubs.

JACKASS CONTINUED

Word has it one of the kids from the 80's teeny bopper group---New Kids on the Block---was, indeed a jackass at another local watering hole. Not sure if it's Jordan or Jon, but one of the Knight brothers was said to be belligerent and all boozed up at trendy Smith street hotspot Quench earlier in the week.

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN

Be watching for a new community garden to sprout up at the MTA's substation in the empty lot at Smith and 2nd Place.

RADIATORS, WHAT RADIATORS?

New York city's heat hotline has been ringing off the hook. Thousands of people, including one of my friends, are complaining that their apartments are too cold. Many don't have heat. My friend, unfamilar with the new fangled heating gadgets of New York apartments couldn't understand why two pipes, running from floor to ceiling, were the only source of heat. He didn't know what a radiator was---but described two of them, one in his bedroom and one in the living room. "What do they do," he wondered. "They're heaters," I said. Now, my friend has heat.

FEWER DEAD PEOPLE IN CARROLL GARDENS

Census figures show 300 fewer people died in the area that makes up Community board 6 in 1999 compared to ten years earlier. Just 683 residents kicked the bucket in 1999 in Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Cobble Hill and Gowanus. Good work. The population also soared by two thousand residents between 1990 and 2000, but still lagged behind the 1980 peak of over 110, 000 residents, a difference of about 6,000 souls.

TIPS & TIDBITS

Got a tip, a wacky story, a neighborhood complaint, a secret? Send it to me and we'll likely print it for all of cyberworld to see. george@georgeweber.net