Reuse. Rehabilitate. Restore. Architectural salvage and repurposed pieces for the home.
How did I miss this one? NYC Stuff Exchange launched their site in May, but they’ve had a phone hotline for years.
The City of New York offers way for residents to search for places throughout the city where they can donate, sell, buy, rent, or repair gently used items. The goal is to help lessen the City’s waste by encouraging the recycling of materials that might otherwise end up in the dump.
There is an events calendar where you can search or submit sales run by non profit organizations.
Saturday, Dec 1, 2007, 1 to 5 p.m.
Anatomy of a Brownstone Part 6: Going Green
Greening your House and Living Sustainably
Seminar on Green Restoration and Renovation
City Tech
300 Jay Street, Downtown Brooklyn.
Admission: $35 per person
Register in advance by calling 718.552.1170.
Interactive lectures with architects, contractors, designers, green building firms and the folks from Keyspan, Con Ed and Energy Star.
CEU Credits for Real Estate and New Jersey State Home Inspectors may be available for this course.
For more information, contact Debra Salomon at dsalomon@citytech.cuny.edu.
After reporting on the upcoming Brooklyn Flea Market, I couldn’t believe how many people said to me “Oh, 26th Street is gone? I didn’t know that.” Well, here’s the deal…
The 26th Street parking lot which was home to the Annex Flea Market no longer exists. They paved paradise and put up a luxury condo. There is still a smaller market on 25th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Around the corner from that remains the Antiques Garage, located at 112 W 25th Street. Open weekends.
The original Annex of 26th Street has moved to Hell’s Kitchen. Located on 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, it’s open Saturdays and Sundays.
Kapeesh?
Can you name this former East Village dive bar?
Old Skool New Yorker that I am, I’ve been a fan of Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York for a while now. So I was excited when I came across an article in the Times featuring Jeremiah Moss (not his real name). Ok, the article is a week old, but I only came across it yesterday.
Jeremiah moved from Massachusetts to the East Village 15 years ago, a few years after I had already declared the neighborhood a tourist trap. Little did I know how much worse it could get (or better, if you prefer the new improved suburbanized NYC). On the main page of Vanishing NY is an image of Travis Bickle with gun in hand. The text underneath reads “yuppies, hipsters, real estate developers, billionaire businessmen, frat boys, princesses…”someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets”. Gotta love it!
Of the places on Mr. Moss’ death watch list are the Polish-Ukrainian East Village Meat Market and B & H Dairy. There is a photo of him taken in front of Katz’s Deli, which is something I worry about since the death of Morris Dell earlier this year. His son Alan is co-owner of Katz’, along with Fred Austin. It was my understanding that Morris had alot to do with the purchase of the deli, although Alan is running the show.
Another East Village landmark which I know isn’t going to last too much longer is the Holiday Cocktail Lounge. Owner Stefan is in his late 80’s and although he owns the building, his sons don’t want to take over the bar. I hope Holiday (and Stefan) hold on at least another 9 months so my husband and I can celebrate our 20th anniversary there. It was, after all, where we met.
Lemme just regurgitate someone else’s news for a quickie post here.
Via Alternative Consumer:
Last month The New York Design Center launched a showcase and resource center featuring products that have been created with sustainability in mind. The Green Room will feature 10 exhibits which will change each month. The project is being brought to us by “Verdant” magazine and “Cottage and Garden” publications.
The Design Center is located at 200 Lexington Avenue.
For me, there are two reasons to visit Hyde Park: the restaurants and the antiques.
The restaurants are CIA, the Culinary Institute of America. There are 5 restaurants on the campus and reservations are suggested for all but the Apple Pie Cafe. These places are worth the trip, even just for the day. I only like to eat, not cook, but CIA offers one day programs such as “An Indian Feast” and “Gluten Free Holiday Baking”.Continue reading Weekender: Hyde Park
Bushwick was among the possibilities when we decided to return to Brooklyn. We explored a bit, but realized we’re too old for that hipster meshugas. We wanted the lovely brownstone on a quiet tree lined street (Yes, I know there are brownstones in Bushwick). But being that I was once a hipster myself (albeit over 20 years ago in the East Village), I get it.Continue reading Affordable NYC: Bushwick
If NYC isn’t the center of your universe, you may not know this. There’s no MLS in NYC, any of the boroughs. Well, no real MLS, it’s kind of a joke. It makes it crazy difficult for a house buyer, shopping around with various agents, looking at The NY Times and Craigslist. It’s a full time job. And “buyer’s agent”? Ha! And don’t even get me started on how unfair this is for sellers.
Anyway, REBNY, the Real Estate Board of NY, is the the closest thing we have to MLS. Yesterday, they launched a web search portal called Residential NYC. It’s powered by Trulia, making it seems like….Trulia. Two of the largest real estate firms in NYC opted out: Corcoran and Elliman. So basically, MLS in NYC….not.
Related Curbed Article
George Washington Slept Here…Really!
Kingston is the perfect place to be if you want a weekend retreat, but don’t necessarily want to be stuck in the woods. It’s about an hour closer than Hudson and housing is significantly less expensive.
The Hudson River city is comprised of three districts: Uptown Stockade, Downtown Rondout and Midtown. There is also a mall area for all of your big box needs.
There is a wide range of housing stock, from modest cottages to grand mansions. For those who have dreamed of owning a brownstone but are priced out, Kingston offers some lovely brick row houses within walking distance of many amenities.
PROS
- 2 hours from city. There is commuter bus service leaving frequently during rush hour and Amtrak across the river.
- Affordable prices for gorgeous homes.
- It’s an orgasmic experience for the history buff. You do know it was the first capital of New York, right?
- Plenty of shopping and dining.
- Perfect base for exploring the Catskills. You’re in the country in 5 minutes.
CONS
- 5 hours from city in traffic. That’s 3 hours to get out of the city and 2 hours to get to Kingston.
- Be on the look out for people playing banjos on their front porches in some parts of town. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)
- Property taxes…not so good.
- Although the 3 districts are somewhat connected, it’s a hike to get from one end to the other. A car is more convenient.
National Registry of Historic Places
*There are homes priced under $200k, but we stuck with more desirable neighborhoods.
1 Family: $ 269,900
1 Family: $ 289,900
2 Family: $ 289,900
I spent my teen years in Coney Island. Brightwater Towers, right across from the aquarium. The screams from the Cyclone and the sea lions would keep me awake at night. Had numerous beach parties. Attended the very first Mermaid Parade. Got married at Primorski under the El. Nothing but fond memories. Luvin’ the CI.
PROS
CONS
Coney Island vendors may get one more summer!
Coney Island
Save Coney Island
Coney Island Reporter
Kinetic Carnival
Making CI Green: Gotham Gazette
A Hudson River town just an hour’s drive from the city, with ferry service to Metro North. Homes that rival any Brooklyn brownstone. A 35 acre park right in center of town, designed by those chaps who did Central Park. Gracious homes for under $300k. An international airport. So, what’s wrong with this picture?
PROS
CONS
I visit Wings Castle whenever I’m in the area because it’s an inspiration to any DIY fanatic. I mean, they built this themselves! With reclaimed materials! The swimming pool is a friggen moat!
When I found out Wings Castle was for sale, I started saving my pennies. Currently listed at $5,850,000, I still have a few more years to go before I can afford it. I’m taking donations if anyone wants to see me finish the ongoing 30+ year project started by Peter Wing.
103 Overlook $ 229k