Down But Not Out

Dear readers -- We apologize for the pause in posting.  As you've probably guessed, Theresa is temporarily unavailable.  We hope to have her back on the blog shortly!

Free Concerts - Norah Jones

Norah Jones from Cobble Hill will open CELEBRATE BROOKLYN with a free concert on June 9.  She wil have to have a super act to best David Byrne who opened last year before the largest audience (27,000) in the history of the outdoor concert series.  Come one, come all!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

Tomatoes - Wow! How Much?

I've been reading much lately on the pricey problem of our red friend: the tomato.  Marijuana growers may need to rethink growing the weed rather than tomatoes. Reaching close to $4 a pound, tomatoes are legal and oh so profitable and tasty.  Nutritious too. No information on how they affect the brain but it can be presumed that the results are good.

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

A Foodies' Find

Another find in Park Slope--Naidre's at 384 7th Avenue between 11th and 12th Street (718-965-7585).  Sometimes I go to Naidre's on Sundays to meet up with my friends for brunch.  I particularly enjoy the grilled cheese on whole wheat bread.  When it's cold, I always get a hot chocolate, which I think is extremely good!

The selections are so many, you'll have a hard time choosing one, so have more than one.  Choose gourmet sandwiches through many vegan and vegetarian options and desserts.  You can create your own 100% all-fruit smoothies.  One can enjoy a half-price special after 4pm on all morning pastries and bagels.  If organic is your wish, that's also available as is soy and rice milk.  Another goodie--breakfast is served all day!

Shamrock for Naidre's.

Good Lookin' and Good Tastin'

Want to impress someone special, have someone not special become special - indeed for everyone and every occassion, special or not, send a unique, beautiful and delicious Edible Arrangement (500 5th Avenue in Brooklyn's Park Slope, 718-832-0100).  They have been around since November 2007.  I have been a customer periodically since that time. 

Recently, I purchased an arrangement for a special friend's birthday.  Her brother said, "It's big!"  She was delighted as were the many with whom she shared it.  I know it's a practical and healthy gift. 

Issaac there will advise you on arrangements ranging from $209 to $15.  Issaac with the other employees were super helpful to me and super nice.  With so many price options, your bank account will not be cleaned out. 

Go for it! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!  Edible Arrangements gets a shamrock.

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

Cheers and Chiles

When you have a yen for Mexican food, you don't need to take a plane to Mexico.  Just go to Fonda in Park Slope (434 7th Avenue; 718 369 3144).  There you will experience superb, gracious, friendly and efficient waitstaff, who will seat you and take your order (and your coat).  Be prepared for meals such as enchiladas suizas and the Fonda burger, and desserts from nattillas to drinks like boing juice and jarritos.  Liquor and refreshments are a plenty as are side dishes such as mashed sweet potatoes and sweet plaintains with cream and queso fresco. 

I, myself, started off the meal with fresh guacamole.  Of course, I shared this dish as it was rather large for me to eat alone!  Then I had a delicious plate of vegetarian enchiladas, which were mildly spicy.  I topped off the meal with a flourless chocolate cake dessert, which was super tasty.

Fonda deserves a shamrock!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

ATTENTION
For the month of March, let's all be Irish, even if only a little bit.  The Irish, although often melancholic (with good reason) know how to have fun.  The St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City on March 17 is the pride of all the Irish as are the local parades such as the Park Slope Parade on March 21.  Note who is marching--not just the Irish, but all nationalities are represented.  So, too, do the spectators represent all nationalities.  [I do think we need to work on being accepting and inclusive of ALL people in the parade, though.]  And please, please remember that it's St. Partick's Day, not St. Patty's day!


March is Irish month according to me.  Join me in celebrating, celebrating, celebrating! 


Since the Brooklyn parade began (35 years ago), I have attended every year except ONCE.  I will be there this year. Will you?


Sunday, March 21st, 2010 1:00 pm
12 Noon Parade Assembly Point: Prospect Park West; 14th St
12:45PM "Re-Dedication Ceremony" to the Heroes; Victims of 9/11 - WTC
At Prospect Park West; 15th Street, before Parade "step-off"
1PM Parade Route
Down 15th St to 7th Ave
Along 7th Ave to Union St
Up Union St to Prospect Park West
Along Prospect Park West to 15th St


I have a feeling that the parade will get a shamrock!


ThankyouThankyouThankyou

It's St. Patrick, not St. Patty!

Smith's Tavern (440 5th Avenue) is 78 years old.  Old timers know it as Smitty's.  The owner is Mr. Brady.  A sign outside appeared recently stating "Happy St. Patty's Day!"  Amongst many things which incense me, is calling St. Patrick, Patty.  The last time I looked, Patty is a female; St. Patrick was a male.  I entered Smitty's (I'm an old timer, too) and asked that the sign be changed, which it was the next day! 

Mr. Brady and his tavern get a shamrock! 

On St. Patrick's Day, mugs of beer will be $2.00 and there will be music from a pipe band. Y'all come even before St. Patrick's Day. 

Thank you Mr. Brady and all who so promptly changed the sign.  And yes, the sign also states how many more days until St. Patrick's Day; as of now, there are 20.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

Chasing Chase

I'm on another mission.  Chase Bank -- on 9th street and 5th avenue in Park Slope -- has a parking lot that extends to 8th Street. This area is NEVER shoveled, while 9th street corner, where the bank is, is cleared immediately. I have even told the personnel there to give me a shovel, and I'll clear it on 8th Street myself.  I've contacted 311, a wonderful service at the Mayor's office, but this should not be necessary.  So my point is: watch your step fellow Slopers!

Bank of America is right down the street.

Chase does not receive a shamrock in my book.

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day--the biggest flower and candy day of the year. Tomorrow, some of us will go back to our old ways...like taking people for granted. At least it's not a time for feeding the homeless, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. I always wonder what they are to do the rest of the year. As with love, we all need food every day. But cynical me says, better one day eating big than none at all!

Four attractive things to do for the holiday:
L) View the sunset from Brooklyn Heights (it comes with a magnificent view of the New York skyline).
O) Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge (remember, you have your love to keep you warm on this dreadfully cold day!).
V) Eat a dessert at Junior's on 386 Flatbush Ave Ext.
E) Dine at Bar Toto on 411 11th Street. The food is good and the atmosphere can be romantic.

I've heard that in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day isn't just a day; it is a season. Why not have that here as well, and the same for Valentine's Day. Enjoy! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

The Reopening Mission

The Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue, closed for TWO years on October 30, 2009.  Even I could build a supersonic jet in two years so why are these renovations to a landmark building taking two years???  I am on a mission to have the renovations completed sooner than two years.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease!  I recommend that Mayor Mike be bombarded with calls to 311 for him to get involved in getting the renovations completed in a whole lot less time than, yes, two years.

The library is a wonderful place for senior citizens like myself.  It also is a wonderful safe place for school kids whose parents work.  I was in the process of learning the computer and so miss being able to go to the library and practice what I had learned.  I know there are other libraries not too far away but, at 74, they are too far away for me.  Thanks in advance to all who become my allies in this mission!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

A Star Is Born

On August 15, 2009, a guy named Ben approached me as I was crossing the street . He was looking for an elderly person for a video and explained that it was a commercial for a video game. As we talked in the middle of the street, I had suspicions about him and the video. I asked if it were clean; he assured me it was. I told him I'd let him know. I discussed it with two young friends who said I should do it.

The rest is history!

Check me out around the 0:55 mark!

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

Snow, Bloody Snow!

I was on the corner when a young man to whom I was bemoaning the weather, said "You should move to Florida." I replied, "Oh no, too many old people." Looking at my gray hair, he let out a heavy laugh.

He is probably still laughing. I hope so.

ThankyouThankyouThankyou

My First Video

ThankyouThankyouThankyou