Skip to content

Page Header

Posts categoriezed as Brooklyn

Affordable Housing @ NYC.Gov

Affordable Housing @ NYC.Gov published on

58ad3803b.jpg

I was on the city’s site the other day for one reason or another. It’s a great resource that I never took advantage of. Some of these things are pretty obvious, but there just might a helpful tip or two that you never knew about.

Check it out:

Apartment Hunting Tips : Finding an apartment, securing it and protecting your rights as a tenant.

Tenant’s Rights: Guidelines and legal help

Affordable Homeownership includes information on counseling, lotteries, down payment assistance and home improvement.

Repair and Maintenance for tenants and homeowners

Seniors and People with Disabilities

Affordable NYC: Sheepshead Bay

Affordable NYC: Sheepshead Bay published on 1 Comment on Affordable NYC: Sheepshead Bay

375315564_70f84dca66.jpg

I didn’t grow up in an ultra cool brownstone neighborhood of Brooklyn. Being in Midwood, I was sort right in the center of the boro. When my friends and I weren’t running into Manhattan for our thrills, we sometimes hit Sheepshead Bay. Captain Walter’s was a decent bar, always followed by coffee at El Greco or some nasty shit at the not so fast Roll-n-Roaster. (Does anyone remember their late night commercials?)

Sheepshead Bay did kind of fall apart in the 80’s. Lundy’s closed. Then reopened just in time for my high school reunion. Then closed again. Pip’s Comedy Club is gone. But Sheepshead is being resurrected, as all NYC neighborhoods eventually are.Continue reading Affordable NYC: Sheepshead Bay

Jahn’s: Kickin’ it Old Skool

Jahn’s: Kickin’ it Old Skool published on 5 Comments on Jahn’s: Kickin’ it Old Skool

jahns.jpg

This post is for my folks. They don’t read this blog because they have no interest in home renovation or NYC real estate for that matter. But they’ll get a kick out this.

When I was researching Sheepshead Bay, I came across this article on Gerritsen Beach. I haven’t thought about Jahn’s ice cream parlor in about 20 years, but reading it brought back some memories. Actually, it was the mention of the “Kitchen Sink Sundae” that triggered my fondest memories.

At one time, Jahn’s could be found in locations around Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and New Jersey. The Richmond Hill shop just closed in November, leaving one remaining Jahn’s in Jackson Heights. Worth the trip.

The antique fixtures were purchased by a Mid Westerner looking to restore his/her period ice cream parlor. So, not only is NYC losing it’s history. We’re losing it to the Mid West. Great.

A Tree Grows in Bed Stuy: 2 Years Later

A Tree Grows in Bed Stuy: 2 Years Later published on 3 Comments on A Tree Grows in Bed Stuy: 2 Years Later

tree.jpg

We closed on our Bed Stuy home in November 2005. Shortly after that I requested a free tree from the Parks Department. I actually put in two requests because I never received confirmation on the first. As a new homeowner in the area, fixing up my property, I was eager to see some greenage out front. After months turned into a year, I soon forgot about the tree.

Last weekend I noticed a barricade in front of the house. I thought it may have been left behind from Keyspan or Con Ed, who always seem to be working on our block. Then my husband pointed out our new tree, which was behind the barricade. I didn’t even notice the damn thing! After 2 years, I had totally forgotten about it.

Got patience? Want a free tree? Better request it now and plan on waiting. Alternatively, you can plant your own. If doing so, you’ll still need to pass through the Parks Department.

But even after the 2 year wait, getting a free tree planted for you without having to lift a finger: PRICELESS!

More Brownstone Courses At City Tech

More Brownstone Courses At City Tech published on

2064436243_252860b0ed.jpg

Photo: Matt Carman

City Tech’s Continuing Ed program is offering more brownstone series courses starting in January.

For more information: dsalomon@citytech.cuny.edu
To register: 718 552 1170

January 15
Green Home Furnishings and Healthy Home Decor: HHT 075 $40

February 20
Interior Design Basics HHT 072 $40

March 6 – 27
The Art of Home Decor HHT 070 $125

March 11
Basic Home Repairs HHT 077 $40

April 12
Spring Sruce Up (No course number) $20

April 17
Low Impact Living: HHT 076 $40

Habitat’s Eco Homes In The Stuy

Habitat’s Eco Homes In The Stuy published on 6 Comments on Habitat’s Eco Homes In The Stuy

Caroling. Ribbon cutting. Blessings.

26.jpg

14.jpg

20.jpg

Nine new affordable condos in Bed Stuy are complete now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity.

Each owner contributed 300 hours of labor with help from 4,000 skilled volunteers. Habitat hired a professional contractor for the exterior, core and shell of the buildings. The owners learned skills while basically building their own homes.

The condos are constructed of highly energy efficient “insulated concrete forms” meant to save homeowners up to 50% in energy bills. Eco friendly materials such as recycled glass countertops and cabinets consisting of sunflower seeds were used in the building process.

New homeowners received symbolic keys to the homes, located on Halsey Street, but cannot move in until early 2008.

Via Green Brooklyn

Via NY1

New York’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

New York’s Ethnic Neighborhoods published on 1 Comment on New York’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

74038632_bd8e6ee51a.jpg

Interesting series of Q&A on The NY Time’s City Room last week. Joseph Berger, a an education and regional columnist for The New York Times took questions on NYC’s ethnic and immigrant neighborhoods.

Some highlights:

Favorite Italian neighborhood: Bensonhurst, because real Italians live there. He says the Little Italys of Manhattan and the Bronx have Italian shops and restaurants, but few actual Italians. The population of Bensonhurst is shifting too, as working class families are sending their children to better schools and when the children return, concrete yards just ain’t good enough for them. The Chinese, who have an appreciation of rowhouses, are replacing the Italians. Bensonhurst is a quick subway ride to Sunset Park’s Chinatown.Continue reading New York’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights published on 2 Comments on Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

327115698_67f8366bb2.jpg

Brooklynites know where to go to see Christmas lights. It’s not 5th Avenue and Rockerfeller Center (although my parents did take me there too when I was a young’un). It’s Dyker Heights, which is that area between the better known Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. Ah, Brooklyn at it’s finest!

The light and moving puppet thing (What do you call those?) shows are displayed on homes from 83rd to 86th Streets, between 11th and 13th Avenues. The greatest concentration is around 84th and 12th. Weekends are best, but it does get crowded. Be prepared to stand in line.

File under: Sooo not green and completely tacky. But 100% fun!Continue reading Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Finally! Home Depot Video From One of Our Own!

Finally! Home Depot Video From One of Our Own! published on 5 Comments on Finally! Home Depot Video From One of Our Own!

I just received this from a reader in Brooklyn. If he wins the 25 grand he should split it with me, dontcha think?

“Well, it took me a month since I first read about the contest on your blog. But since we’re actually still in the process of buying the house that has the project I want to win the $25,000 for — it took a lot longer to get around to filming and editing a 2-minute video.

I’ll be honest – it’s not the most creative entry. But as least I got it in under the wire!

Thanks again for publicizing the contest. I’m hoping I can win a $200 gift card… I’ll keep you posted.

And I love your blog. I visit every day and bookmark a bunch of your links so I can have reference for our future home renovation projects. We’re going to be thrifty, too!

– chuck & tiffany & sebastian “

LEED Platinum in Williamsburg

LEED Platinum in Williamsburg published on 3 Comments on LEED Platinum in Williamsburg

439-3.jpg

Sustainable developer/architect Mark Helder is aiming for a LEED Platinum rating for his current project in Williamsburg. Platinum is the highest green rating and if he achieves this, it will be the first Platinum LEED building in NYC.

Construction on the 5 story building at 439 Metropolitan Avenue started in August 2007. The ground floor and cellar will act as Mark’s office space. There will be 2 duplex condos on the top floors. The building features radiant heat, filtered ventilation air with heat recovery, a green roof and passive and active solar design (PV and hot water). Low or zero VOC materials were used and all appliance are energy star rated.

Mark studied architecture at Hogeschool van Amsterdam. He is also director of The Urban Ore Initiative, an Amsterdam based non profit dedicated to showcasing quality sustainable design created by emerging artists and designers. He is coordinating almost all aspects of this project by himself, including financial, marketing, design, tax abatements, project managment and LEED documentation preparation.

Helder Design

NYC Represents in Miami Art Fair

NYC Represents in Miami Art Fair published on 1 Comment on NYC Represents in Miami Art Fair

galleries.jpg

Our trip to Florida last week was strictly for visiting purposes. But in between installing ceiling fans for my mother and meeting the Jack Klompus of The Greens of Tamarac, we did get a chance to surprise our friend Liz at the Aqua Art Fair in Miami.

Aqua Art Miami is part of a week long contemporary art fair in which various hotels in Miami Beach transform themselves into galleries. The main event, Art Basel Miami Beach, sister event of Switzerland’s Art Basel, is now the most important art show in the United States.Continue reading NYC Represents in Miami Art Fair

Madison, Brooklyn

Madison, Brooklyn published on 3 Comments on Madison, Brooklyn

wbedford.jpg

Author: Brett

My in-laws and I take a stroll around the neighborhood, Madison, in Brooklyn, with the babies everyday. The name “Madison” is no doubt the wizardry of some enterprising real estate office put in place to give the area some caché. James Madison High School is nearby, so maybe that is the source as the area used to be part of Flatbush.

Marine Park, which is not far from Flatbush Avenue and the Kings Plaza Mall, is a welcome oasis for runners, Young People’s Day campers, and stroller-pushing moms. The attached houses on the streets surrounding the park run in the 500Ks and are along bus routes to the nearest subway stop at Kings Highway.Continue reading Madison, Brooklyn

Anatomy of a Brownstone:Energy Incentives

Anatomy of a Brownstone:Energy Incentives published on 1 Comment on Anatomy of a Brownstone:Energy Incentives

9621978_0e52c4b379.jpg

The final two speakers of the Anatomy lecture were from the energy community. Although they spoke separately, I’m rolling them into one post because both had to do with energy incentives.

Mark Wyman of Energy Smart Communities educated us on NYSERDA’s energy audit program. He went over tax incentives, rebates and how to find energy star contractors and products. All of the information can be easily found on the getenergy website.

Mark covered the Association for Energy Affordability, a program that assists low and moderate income people with making their homes healthy. He also touched upon Power Naturally, NSERDA’s renewable energy program.

Take the pledge to do your part to conserve energy! For more information, contact Wendy Fleisher. wfleish AT pratt.edu

Finally, Judy Torres from Keyspan spoke. FYI, Keyspan is now National Grid after the UK based company bought them out, turning it into the second largest utility company in the world.

Judy covered the Energy Analysis program designed to help people analyze and improve their energy consumption. It’s free and fun to do the profile.

National Grid offers rebates for energy star products such as thermostats and up to $800 in rebates for high efficiency boilers.

Anatomy of a Brownstone:Salvage Design

Anatomy of a Brownstone:Salvage Design published on

debpiet.jpg

Debra Salomon, the principal of 408 Design Group who organized Anatomy’s events, presented with Pietro Calabretta, owner of All Renovation, NY. The two have partnered on several projects.

Pietro spoke of the Greenstone Project, at 695 Degraw, which he worked on with Eitan Baron.

The home features Caesarstone countertops, dual flush toilets, energy star appliances and Fireclay shower floor tiles. We’ve covered all of those items in the past.

What we found most interested was the hot water return system Pietro mentioned. If we understood correctly, the system reuses the cold water wasted while waiting for the hot water to become hot.

Although all of the speakers shared valuable green building information, we found Debra’s subject matter closest to our hearts: old home restoration and salvaged materials.

She presented a design for an air conditioner cover which is an elaborate Victorian pier mirror housing the wall a/c unit. See photos for details.

khairaaccomp.jpg

pier.jpg

unit.jpg

Debra also showed us an antique butler’s pantry she and Pietro recreated in a brownstone as well as some gorgeous salvaged cabinets that are sitting in someone’s basement because they can’t use them. (Oy, I’ll take them off your hands.)

Primary Sidebar