New Signs at Sunset Playground are a Reaction to News Story

We still don't have one of the City's "Playground Rules" signs, like this one from Rappaport Playground:

But it seems the City wants to make sure that no one can say they weren't told about summer safety issues - at the end of August. Here's what was very recently added to the gate at the Sunset Park playground:

Apparently, these signs were put up sometime on Wednesday afternoon. By curious coincidence, that is just a day or so after a NY Daily News reporter spoke with a local parent about the lack of response to her complaints regarding her child's burns on the playground. The brief article was in Thursday's Brooklyn section of the NY Daily News. Keep in mind that the parent's complaints were from early June. Hmmmmmm. Does it take that long to make a few copies and laminate a few signs?

In addition, considering that recent complaints about the playground mats include burns on hands and knees from the frequent falls that toddlers (and sometimes older kids) make, what would appropriate clothing be? Long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and jeans? Any weather that would make that an appropriate or marginally healthy outfit would cause the overheating problems. Any weather that makes the black mats hot enough to burn would cause heat stroke in a 2 year old wearing full on "safety from burn" regalia.

It seems like it would be more effective to get some lighter colored mats or material that doesn't heat up enough to sear the skin off of a child's body. The tiny playground behind PS 169 has red, squishy material that doesn't get horrifically hot. There's one option.

It's a playground, and parents or caretakers should be able to expect a certain level of safety. Sure, shoes are just smart (remember the poo? and what about the constant puddles of stagnant water by the water fountain?), but we can't and shouldn't be expected to cover ALL of their skin in case of falls.

We also have a third laminated safety sign hanging from the gate:

This is a more all-encompassing sign that details safety tips like "ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation" and "if the equipment feels too hot to the touch, it's probably not safe or fun to play on." Enlarge the photo to see the small print about how to "Play it Safe" in your playground.

By the by, the signs are posted on the gate, but inside a gated area. It's not a problem for the ones with large print, but if you want to read the smaller print, you have to enter this area to get close enough. Well, that, or go to the park-side entrance to the playground. The same signs are posted there. I'm glad the signs are finally up; however, it would have been more appropriate if they had gone up in June.

Then and Now: Finland Congregational Church

Established in 1912, the Finnish Golgotha Congregational Church still sits at 733 44th Street, but now it's called the Brooklyn Baptist Church. The doors have recently gotten new handles (the beautiful old doors went a while ago), the stained glass has protective plexiglass - or something similar - to protect and dull the windows, and the prototypical message board adorns the outer wall, but otherwise it looks shockingly similar. Almost 100 years, and still lovely.

Update on Some 6th Avenue Construction

It's been a while since the new building on 6th and 54th has gotten any attention, so here's a tidbit. It took a long time for the empty post-demolition space to take shape, but now you can't see through to the next set of buildings. There are even some doors and the beginnings of (tiny) balconies.
An interesting choice is the decorative grating on the top of the building. Trimmed in red brick, it lends a certain unique look to the building. It really stands out! I wonder what kind of roof deck this will have. Oh, and I want to apologize for implying that the building was a Fedders Building. It's clearly a Friedrich Building.

On 46th and 6th, this corner lot has been rapidly growing. Just two months ago, there was nothing but a yummy looking construction fence. Now the construction workers are rising above the second floor.

Super Nanny is Looking for NYC Families with Issues

Hey Sunset Park! Do you want to be on the small screen? Does your family have some control issues? Do your kids reflect all the worst and none of the best of your personality? Would you like some help while showing the world how your family handles conflict? Do you have a secret crush on the Super Nanny (Jo Frost)? Here's your chance to get up close and personal with fame (infamy?) while fulfilling your family's needs.

For best results, call casting producer Shari Ast directly. And good luck!

from the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/21/2008

Contact: Shari Ast – Casting Producer: 323/904-4680, ext. 1031 sast@ricochettelevision.com

SUPERNANNY CURRENTLY SEEKING NYC FAMILIES FOR SEASON 5:
New York families encouraged to apply NOW for brand new season of ABC’s hit show.

Los Angeles, CA – The casting team of ABC’s popular parenting series SUPERNANNY is currently searching specifically for families from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island to be featured on their own episode in the brand new fifth season of the hit show.

ABC’s announcement of a fifth season of SUPERNANNY is welcome news for parents in the city. This season producers are searching for families living in New York with unique interests; parents who have ordinary and extraordinary circumstances; siblings who don’t get along, teen moms; parents with mean girls or bullying boys, culturally diverse parents, and blended families where both sides are seeking help. Producers want families from every type of background who are ready for the opportunity of a lifetime—a visit from America’s number one nanny, Jo Frost!

Interested moms and dads in need of help with their out of control kids may apply from anywhere via www.supernanny.com. Parents can also call 877/NANNY TIME (1-877-626-6984) for more information. Or contact a casting producer directly at 323-904-4680, ex 1031.

Jo Frost’s expert behavioral techniques and caring ease with children make SUPERNANNY a hit with the audience every week. Her book, “ASK SUPERNANNY” is an international best seller and follows up her first book “SUPERNANNY: HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR KIDS,” which spent several months on the New York Times best seller list.


Please submit by September 8, 2008 to be considered for this round of casting.

Sunset BID Bag of Recyclables but Not Returnables

This was lovingly left behind by someone who collected lots of Poland Spring water bottles. There are also a few Arizona Ice Tea and other non-refundable cans and bottles included. This morning, I spotted a few of our local shopping-cart-returnables-collectors stop and look at the bag, but they didn't take it. It's business, not environmental!

What I want to know, however, is what is a Sunset Park Business Improvement District bag full of recycling doing in a tree well and not in a recycling bin? Who left it there? The bag is in good condition, so I doubt it was swiped by one of the regular collectors. Besides, they know better than to collect bottles that aren't worth five or ten cents.

See what happens when you don't give people monetary incentive? Just one more reason to support NYPIRG's "Bigger Better Bottle Bill." Check it out here. Either way, if it's still there later, I'll stick it in front of my building for pick-up. Can I get ticketed for that?

Green-Wood Historic Fund Hosts Battle of Brooklyn at Green-Wood Cemetery

From LostinGreenwoodHts via the Brooklynian boards:

The Green-Wood Historic Fund presents:

A Day of Free Events Commemorating the Battle of Brooklyn
*Fought on August 27th, 1776*

When: Sunday, August 24th, 2008
Where: At The Green-Wood Cemetery

Run-Down of Events:

10 AM: Tribute to George Washington's Irish Generals, The Bold Fenian Men/The Civil War, Irish Korean War Memorial, Matilda Tone, John Gallagher & Charles Higgins.

12:30 PM: Battle of Brooklyn Revolutionary War Re-Enactors at Green-Wood's Meadow

1:30 PM: United States Merchant Marine Academy's Annual Battle of Brooklyn Parade

2 PM: Battle of Brooklyn Commemorative Ceremony on Battle Hill
Part of Brooklyn Battle Week: August 15-27, 2008

The Green-Wood Cemetery - A National Historic Landmark - Our main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more information, call 718-768-7300 or visit us on-line at www.greenwoodcemetery.org.

Playground Despair and Possible but Slow Solutions

The final days of summer (aka countdown to school) are upon us. Patience with the problems summer brings to local parks (in addition to the joys!) is running dry. As happens every year, those who have younger children have had to adjust their use of playgrounds during the summer due to several camps and day-care facilities using the playground as a daily destination and the influx of school-age children sharing the playground with the barely-walking set. Dodging water-balloons (sold by vendors in the playground who rarely seem to get tickets), yanking toddlers out of scooter and bike "paths" that magically appear in the playground, and sometimes intentionally getting in the way of tweens and teens who, despite being asked nicely to watch for the babies, storm the slides and bridges on the equipment (passive aggressive? who me?) are all part of the fun of summer at the Sunset Park playground.

However, shared stories about the heat from Sunset Park's black playground mats burning children's appendages, poop in the playground, and the reality of the overcrowding in the Sunset Park playground have caused some Sunset Park Parents to feel like nothing can be done to improve the playground conditions.

One parent wrote about what led her to the edge of despair:

...The truth is fixing our park feels like a Sisyphean task. I went to the park last Tuesday at 7 PM. The playground was teeming with kids. Truly over-run. And of course the equipment was the mangled, dirty mess it always is. There was litter everywhere and a vendor set up selling plastic crap inside the playground. Some father whose kid was playing on the same structure as mine literally left his garbage (they'd been eating potato chips) on the playground equipment as he left. Meanwhile over at the water fountain kids were filling water balloons, exploding [them] on the ground and then leaving the detritus. So I despaired. There's garbage all over our park. In part it's because of the respect many of the people who use it show and the utter laziness of the grounds crew who seem to spend their time blowing the garbage around. But it's also because our park is so overcrowded and overused. And it's because the city government really seems to neglect our neighborhood. These things, this week, just felt impossible to overcome to me. *

* used with the author's permission

While some of the issues she brings up don't seem overly offensive on their own, those of us who have been attending the playground regularly - and who have been trying to make small improvements (confronting bicyclists of all ages, closing the gates when entering/exiting, asking elderly groups of men to please take their smoking elsewhere, grabbing children away from broken glass, steering curious children away from the rice and milk vomit recently deposited by a toddler, and so on and so on) can easily understand why the despair would be brought on by the myriad of "smaller" items mentioned above.

So, what CAN be done? Other parents in the area responded with support and ideas.

Suggestions range from contacting Sara Gonzalez (whose email is: gonzalez@council.nyc.ny.us), calling 311 until results are seen, contacting Fox News or CBS2 (hoping for a "Shame, shame, shame" or "Shame on You" story), or getting 7 on Your Side.

However, the day to day efforts are probably just as effective. It's exhausting and demoralizing to "do the right thing" all the time. I certainly don't manage to do it. However, if enough people pick up, call 311, close the gates, confront smokers, ask bike riders to take it to the paths, and so on, it will make a difference eventually.

I kind of like the idea of a television segment, however. More flashy, more immediate, and more dramatic.

Get Yourself Some Chimichurri Goodness

The Village Voice serves up more food options for the evening hours. If you don't feel like tostadas in the park or pozole from a neighbor, check out the carts that offer chimichurris, tacos, skewers, elotes, and even lots of little sausages. The article is worth a read, even though my vegetarian self appreciated the use of "zaftig" and the mention of Rosa's Elotes more than the chimichurri worship. The article provides both descriptions of the food (in case you were mixing up chimichurri with cuchifrito) and locations of the carts. Enjoy.

As always, the teacher/mom/resident/anti-litter-bug in me reminds everyone to properly dispose of the paper products (and any uneaten portions of your meal) in a trash bin that isn't already overflowing. (Ever notice how people tend to think that a good intention is good enough? Bad aim is followed by a shrug which means: "At least I tried" and placing a piece of trash on top of an already mountainous pile of garbage in a bin is performing a civic duty? Come on, you KNOW it's going to end up on the street eventually. Is it going to kill anyone to carry a cup or plate or whatever another block?)

What You See in Sunset Park: Welcome Sign

I don't know why this car tickled me, but I like it. I think it's the "come quickly" part.* JC is patient, but not THAT patient. Also, the photo image of the man with the fedora is pretty fun. I'm not sure who he is, but he looks excited to greet us.


* To those who have already made crude email comments: I would have spelled it differently had I meant it that way. Dear me!

The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre presents "Los Jíbaros Progresistas" in Sunset Park

Saturday / el sábado - August 23rd / 23 de agosto - 5:30 p.m.

Friends of Sunset Park and Young Dancers in Repertory once again host

The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre's Summer Tour's

Gira de verano del Treatro Rodante Puertoriqueño

presentation of / presentación de

Los Jíbaros Progresistas

written by/escrita por Ramón Mendez Quiñones

In Spanish / en español + English Synopsis / sinopsis en inglés

Reminder: ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic Tomorrow

Wednesday, August 20th, the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic will be on 5th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street. Be there at around 7 AM, with no more than two pets per household, for intake. See this past post for the details.

Shakespeare and Frogs at Sunset Park

Free Theatre in Sunset Park! On Saturday, August 23rd, enjoy Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in the open air. The fun begins at 4 PM. The Curious Frog Theatre Company is putting on the show. You can read more about the process on the Curious Frog website.

from the website and about the show:

If Curious Frog's mission is to put diversity in significant positions and roles on stage, we've certainly done that in many more ways this "match." Bring your blankets, some food and drink, lots of friends and family, and sit back and enjoy much ado...

Sunset Park's Tabla Rasa and Artists get Noticed

The New York Observer has an article about Tabla Rasa and the influx of artists - at least artists' work space. Check it out here: NYO article.

Don't forget that the Bridge as Icon show is still going on. Check Tabla Rasa's website for more information.

Don't Forget the 25K You Owe Me!

This was the only lamppost/side of the mailbox sign on 8th Avenue that was fully in English. It might be more effective in Chinese, but what do I know. It's a polite enough plea, and I doubt anyone really forgot about owing 25 thousand dollars. Worth a try, right?

Then and Now: Methodist Episcopal on 4th and 47th

Some things truly do stay the same. Not much difference shows up between this shot of Methodist Episcopal Church on 4th Avenue and 47th Street in 1945 and the same location in 2008. A little paint, different fencing, and more placards on the side of the building are about it. Well, that and a street light that blocks the view on the front door. Enjoy.

It's Our Park: Battered Street Lamp

Last night some vandals with a lot of aggression and not too much creativity attacked one of the street lamps at the 6th Avenue and 44th Street entrance to the park. Several weeks ago three or four more central lamps were cracked, but nothing like this. Those lamps have been repaired.

In the midst of some benches being repaired, the fences around the grass being re-erected, and staff cleaning up the myriad of trash left behind, more destruction. Inevitably, the image of Sunset Park as a place where people just don't care or turn the other way will begin to (continue to?) be the main impression others and the City has of our neighborhood.

So sad.

Then and Now: 4511 8th Avenue

Thanks to a reader who has much more experience than I do with finding historical photos of the neighborhood and beyond, I can show you a photo from around 1970 of 4511 8th Avenue. What used to be the Ritz Theatre became DANS SUPREME and later, Steve's C-Town Supermarket. If you enlarge the photos, you can compare prices on items like apple juice.

One of the changes is that two of the bricked up windows are now open again. The Steve's red paint also highlights the top facade a little bit more. Other than that, you can still see the closed up windows on the second floor haven't been touched or re-touched.

Thank you, Tony, for the DANS photo and more to come!

Sunset's Green Market Has Eggs, Honey, and Cranberry Beans

Here's a comment left by Stacey, the Sunset Park Farmers' Market Manager:

Cash is most welcome at the market but I forgot to mention that we also accept Mastercard/VISA and EBT/Food Stamps. If you want to use your credit card/debit or EBT card just find me - I'm easy to spot in a yellow shirt - and I can swipe your card and give you tokens that you can use like cash at any of the 4 farm stands.

And thanks for pointing out that Rexcroft does sell eggs and honey, too! Hope to see you at the market. Every week the bounty from each farm grows and grows and gets more colorful too! Did you see the fresh cranberry beans Angel Growers was selling last week!? They were beautiful!

Eggs, honey, AND cranberry beans? I missed the cranberry beans, so I guess I'll have to check it out. And who knew that you could use plastic at the market? With just four stands, it seems too small for that, but I guess that's the wonder of technology. Also, the option she mentions about getting tokens sounds enticing. Lots of ways to support the Green Market!

Maybe next year we'll even get baked goods and apple cider. Actually, maybe we'll get apple cider this year.

Health Fair to Celebrate Health Center Week

Yesterday morning was the beginning of National Health Center Week. To celebrate, there will be free screenings and health education events at various area health centers. See this link for a full listing: Health Center Week.

So, if it's been a while, get yourself checked and find out health information. Here's the schedule for tomorrow in our area:

Sunset Terrace Family Health Center

Event: National Health Center Week
Date: 8/15/08 Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Sunset Terrace Family Health Center
514 49th Street
Coordinator: Yoly Bazile
Phone: 718-630-6812

Additional Information:
Free Screenings: Rapid HIV Site / Program brochures

Park SlopeFamily Health Center

Event: National Health Center Week
Date: 8/15/08 Time: 1 - 4 p.m.

Location:
220 13th street

Coordinator: Yoly Bazile
Phone: 718-630-6812

Additional Information: Screenings: blood pressure, dental, Reach Out & Read; NYPD. Refreshments: Healthy snacks, water etc...

ASPCA Mobile Clinic Returns to Sunset Park on August 20th.

Spay and Neuter your dogs and cats. Please.

While that nasty, screeching, large, fluffy black and white cat hasn't been prowling around as often behind the buildings on my block, there are loads of stray cats roaming around Sunset Park. Some of these come from homes that don't know what to do about kittens. Well, here's something you can do: Bring them to the free or low-cost Spay/Neuter clinic sponsored by the ASPCA. If you can afford it, please pay and/or make a donation. I think the price is $25 per pet. Not bad. If you are on public assistance, you can have the services for free. All you need is a few bucks to buy the cone that keeps your pet from licking its stitches. They advise you to arrive around 7 AM to line-up for the intake process. They take the first 25 pets every day.

Check out the details on their website. It includes instructions for feeding the night before and transporting your pet to/from the mobile clinic.

Pet Owners! Be there on Wednesday, 8/20 --> 5th Avenue, Between 42nd Street & 43rd Street, Sunset Park.

Also, if anyone wants a kitten, email me at bestviewinbrooklyn (at) yahoo (dot) com with a contact number. I'll pass it along to someone who just had a litter.

Wall of Words in Sunset Park

sunset park, originally uploaded by f.trainer.

This photo from flickr.com was taken by f.trainer on 3rd Avenue in the mid-thirties. The detail on f.trainer's entry shows various names, titles, and seemingly random words. Click on the image to see it. Pretty cool.

FYI: Test Your Tap Water for Lead (and other fun contaminants)

A friend asked about testing tap water in her apartment. Since we've done this in our place already, I figured I'd share the information.

You don't need to go and buy a water testing kit; the City provides a free kit and the postage and service is all included. Whenever you are ready to take the plunge, call 311 to request that the Department of Environmental Protection send you a free water test for lead. You can also request a fact sheet about lead in your home.

The instructions are pretty simple, but make sure to follow them closely. Testing water should take place in the AM, before you use any water in the household.

Some other general tips are to let water run for a little bit before drinking it; that way any traces will be lessened. Cook with cool water, not hot water. Hot water dissolves lead faster, so it can sneak into your cooking. There are a bunch of other fun tips at NYC's website for the Department of Environmental Protection.

Benches are Repaired in Sunset Park

I noticed recently that several benches, especially on the central promenade, have received new pieces in the form of pristine boards to replace the old ones. It would be nice if they weren't painted in that institutional beige, but that's just my preference. The wood looks really nice just as it is.

This is the bench right next to one of the "fixed" benches.

Either someone was taking out aggression on the wood or it's next in line for replacement.


Some benches along the promenade were covered in yellow Caution tape over the weekend, so perhaps the entire lot of benches are being inspected and repaired. Let's hear it for fewer splinters!

Litter Bugs from the Department of Sanitation

I know this goes under nit-picky, but come on, do you have to add to the trash while you're on the job?These two guys were enjoying an early lunch in the cab of their sanitation truck while parked on 44th by Sunset Park. Usually I like to see people who decide to turn off their trucks relaxing and enjoying our park. Today, however, the guy in the driver's seat decided to toss some of his used napkins out the door. Why? He didn't throw out the styrofoam tray, so why the napkins? Perhaps there was some leftover treat in the tray that he wanted to save for later.

The beautiful irony, of course, is that both sides of the truck say "Don't Litter" in clearly labeled black on white lettering. (I know, the photo doesn't show it well, but I think the guys in the truck have seen it a few times.) Maybe we need to add a "Pretty Please" to the imperative to make it more effective.

Just because you don't live in a neighborhood, gentlemen, doesn't mean you treat it like your personal garbage bin. We have plenty of residents to take care of that for us.

Playground Action by Parents in Bay Ridge

The NY Daily News has a short article about how parents have dealt with ugly behavior in Bay Ridge playgrounds.

Here's the link: Bay Ridge Moms...

The problems had come up recently on the Bay Ridge Parents board. The most egregious mentioned involved a teenage girl cursing and making vulgar sexual motions towards a toddler who was (gasp!) loudly enjoying the playground.

For those of us in Sunset Park, people in the playgrounds without children is a common sight. The folks in the photo from this morning were having an intense conversation for the entire time we were there. No children attached to any of them, as far as I could tell.

Many adult residents also use the equipment in the AM to stretch and do pull-ups and headstands. They have usually cleared out by 10 AM or so, and most seem happy to move over when children get in their circle of fitness. I suppose that technically, we could call 311 about these folks, but would that be productive?

I've called 311 about people sleeping on the benches in the playground in the afternoon, and I heard that tickets were issued to vendors who consistently enter the playground to sell toys/treats. They come right back later, of course, but at least it's more official than a parent. For the most part, I've just asked (okay, told) adults and children who use the playground as their biking short-cut or scooter space to leave the playground. And usually I'm met with a blank stare (Language barrier? It couldn't be each time.). I've also tried closing the gates when I enter (it actually works to keep bikes and some unaccompanied adults out), but inevitably they are left open within a few minutes. Admittedly, I've gotten lazy about all of these responses because I don't see a change. Maybe I'll try once more. The "official" response in the article is encouraging, but what is said to the media and what is actually done can be very different.

from the article:

A Parks Department spokesman said that the parks in question are made strictly for kids, and called on concerned parents to help them stay that way.

"Teens or adults can only be in a playground area if they are accompanied by a child under the age of 12," said spokesman Phillip Abramson. "This is a citywide rule put in place to protect our children."

Residents who see anyone lurking at the park without a child should call 311 right away, said Abramson.

Very Specific Grocery Store: "Delicious Healthy Vegetarian Food"

UPDATE: Looks like this place went the way of ethics in real estate. Too bad. I really liked those spring rolls.


Need some Veggie Bacon? Veggie Miso Broiled Eel? How about some Veggie Lobster Balls? Well, this is the place to come for all things Vegetarian that imitate fish and meat. There's even a Veggie Mutton on the menu list. It's located at 4915 7th Avenue, and its name really is Delicious Healthy Vegetarian Food. Let's hear it for clarity.

For the more conventional, there are frozen vegetarian spring rolls (really good), ten for $1.99. There are also selections like pineapple cake, cup of noodles, green tea cookies, and Poland Spring water. The small bottles sell for just 50 cents...that's a savings of 50 cents from down the block! They also have aloe and other selections in the cooler.


Now, not everyone is a fan of the "imitation" culture in vegan and vegetarian food choices. Despite carrying seitan shaped into a duck (complete with head), there are also less animal-like choices of protein available.

This place is relatively new (a couple of months) to 7th Avenue, and this was the first time I managed to stop in. It's very clean, and well organized. They supply several restaurants, and it seems like that's where most of the income is generated. However, with the friendly and helpful people behind the counter (at least on Monday), it will probably pick up.

They are open at 9:30 AM every day, and they close at 7:30 PM every day except Tuesday. On Tuesdays they close at 5:30 PM.

Former SRO Tagged with Signage and Paint

The corner of 7th Avenue and 43rd Street (directly across 43rd from PS 169) has been an eyesore for a while. It has had SRO status for a long, long time, and it has been affectionately referred to as "That Crack House" for several years. It's been quiet for a while...a long while. Back in January of 2007 an application was filed to convert the SRO to a six family dwelling. But the most recent application/approval for work was back in November of 2007. The building has stood, fairly quiet and unmolested, for many months.

However, a week or so ago, these ominous signs turned up on both the 43rd Street and 7th Avenue sides of the building. Not terribly encouraging.


The signs remained quite pristine until this weekend. Now this building has been re-baptised (old graffiti had been removed/covered) by amateur graffiti artists. There was some silver graffiti on the ground that included a three-pointed crown, and considering the various arrows and such around, we can safely call this gang graffiti and probably Latin King graffiti. Or an attempt at it.
The graffiti extended to my favorite non-construction site at 713 43rd Street as well. (See below.) Still nothing going on there, although the stop-work order has become a partial stop-work order. Nothing like abandoned buildings and empty lots to encourage nefarious goings-on. Gotta love that it's right next door to PS 169. LOVE that.

Human Waste in the Playground - photos included!

I thought this looked suspiciously human (not that any animal should be pooping in the playground), but I got a second opinion from another frequent playground attendee. She was decisive: "Oh, that's human. That's human. Definitely." She then promptly removed her charge from the playground and they went to the large sprinkler. She pointed out that kids will run in the poop and then climb on the playground equipment, slide down the slides, run around "clean" areas - all the while dragging excrement about with them. Pretty darn stomach-churning. They were gone within 45 seconds.


The playground doesn't get locked overnight*, so it's no wonder that it's a hangout for teens and other "too old for the playground" folks after dark. I'm not saying that people can't/won't make a poo-poo (it's a playground, so baby talk is appropriate enough) during the day, but daylight and other attendees tend to be a deterrent, of sorts.

One deposit of human excrement was left pretty much at the base of the double slides on the grassy side entrance. The other was closer to the squiggly orange and yellow things that kids like to climb on and run around. Mmmmmm.


I mentioned my finds to a Park worker, and she said they usually hose down discoveries of this sort. The sad thing is that the playground looked pretty darn good otherwise: the sun sprinkler was finally shut off, so that area could be cleaned well. Also, the rest of the grounds looked nicely picked-up. Perhaps the storms today will take care of it...and maybe I'll take a can of Lysol into the playground with me next time. I don't think plain water will take care of
all the goodies that come with the poo.

*Another issue: Why doesn't the playground get locked overnight? Can't this be something that is part of the rounds/closing routine of the Park? The gates aren't particularly high, especially where the swings attach to the other equipment, but at least it would be a message that the playground is closed.

Before the Storm

A little after 10 AM, the sky grew noticeably darker. The color was incredibly beautiful, so I snapped a couple of photos. You can just barely see the Statue of Liberty to the right of St. Michael's if you enlarge the photo. Sadly, my cheapo camera didn't catch the lightning strikes that hit New Jersey. We (along with the 40 or so dancers by the benches and tables) hightailed it out of there after seeing them.

Plastic Bag Recycling Bill

I haven't noticed the official plastic bag recycling bins in the C-Town on 8th or the Key Food on 5th, but then I haven't really looked for them. I will next time I stop in. Both stores (and most larger food stores now) sell 99 cent reusable bags, which are much more pleasant to fill up than old, crinkled plastic bags. Even so, I'm better at reusing than recycling them. I know the bins are at some locations around Brooklyn. Here's proof.

So anyway, this email came to me via Christine Quinn's occasional updates, and I figured some people might be interested. It has to do with NYS passing legislation that would weaken the NYC law about recycling plastics in certain sized/chain stores. Enjoy.

from Quinn's email:

Earlier this year, the Council, together with Mayor Bloomberg, passed the New York City Plastic Carryout Bag Recycling Law (Local Law 1 of 2008), requiring stores across the City to establish in-store recycling programs for plastic bags and film plastic, such as plastic wrap, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags. The law, which officially went into effect on July 23rd, applies to stores that use plastic bags and occupy 5,000 or more square feet or have more than five branches operating in New York City.

Despite all the hard work that went into making this law a reality, last month the State Legislature quietly passed a statewide plastic bag recycling bill that, if signed by Governor Paterson, would eliminate the City's program and replace it with a far weaker one dictated by Albany. For example, the State's bill would significantly reduce the number of stores in New York City required to recycle plastic bags. The State's bill also only applies to carryout bags (and not film plastic) and would do away with the City's ability to enforce any bag recycling law or ensure that businesses are in compliance.

Because you have been such an important ally in our efforts to help make New York a greener, more livable city, I am hoping you will join us in calling on Albany to take the necessary steps to ensure that the City's plastic bag recycling law remains in full effect. Please contact the state representatives below and urge them to modify the State's bill to allow the City's more robust plastic bag recycling program to continue:

Governor David Paterson
New York City Office
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 681-4580
E-mail: http://161.11.121.121/govemail

Speaker Sheldon Silver
New York State Assembly
250 Broadway, Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Telephone: (212) 312-1420
E-mail: speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos
New York State Assembly
55 Front Street
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Telephone: (516) 766-8383
E-mail: http://www.senatordeanskelos.org/9/Contact.aspx

Assembly Member Robert Sweeney
Chair, Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee
270-B North Wellwood Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY 11757-3708
Telephone: (631) 957-2087
E-mail: sweeney@assembly.state.ny.us

Senator Carl Marcellino
Chair, Senate Environmental Conservation Committee
250 Townsend Square
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Telephone: (516) 922-1811
E-mail: http://www.senatormarcellino.com/5/Contact.aspx

Meanwhile, if you haven't begun to already, we encourage you to recycle your plastic bags and to let your friends and neighbors know about the program as well! If a store you believe should be participating in the program refuses to accept your plastic bags, please call 311 to report the problem.

Thank you in advance for helping us to preserve the City's plastic bag recycling law. If you would like to receive additional news and updates from the Council, please visit us online at www.council.nyc.gov. Just click on the "Sign Up for E-mail Updates" link at the top of our website and select the issues that most interest you and your community.

Sincerely,
Christine C. Quinn
Speaker
New York City Council

Fun Friday Mentions Involving Sunset Park

The New York Times included 23rd Street in Sunset Park for a positive event! Let's hear it for murals.

The Brooklyn Paper highlights The Mumbles, a Sunset Park-based band (even though they are performing in Williamsburg).

Sunset Park Green Market Has Eggs (but you have to look for 'em)

The 59th Street and 4th Avenue Green Market continues tomorrow! According to an earlier commenter, Rexcroft Farms has eggs under its table in a cooler.

Lizzie B. said:

"Rexcroft Farm, the vendor that is usually set up the furthest south in the row (at the corner of 4th Ave. and 60th St.) actually DOES have eggs. They are kept in a cooler under one of the tables, and you usually have to have to ask for them, but they're there! Yum."

Photos of 72nd Precinct's National Night Out

We didn't go because it was too far (Greenwood Playground) to get back in time for a little guy's bedtime routine. But this year's National Night Out looks like it was a lot of fun, and hopefully we can get there next year. Well, that or they move it to Sunset Park. ;)

Did anyone from Sunset get there? How was it?

Gowanus Lounge has a short blurb about it, and kmf221 has 95 photos of the event. Enjoy.

Light Industry hosts Public Opinion Laboratory

First thing: This photograph apparently has nothing to do with the performance on Tuesday, but it came attached to the email. Besides, considering the strange preamble to the announcement for this event, I'm inclined to doubt what is said about the image. And I like how it looks. It was photographed by Brook Sietsinsons. Enjoy.

This Tuesday will be a two-pronged affair. The first presentation by the Public Opinion Laboratory is All Magic Sands: Reels 1+2 featuring LAMP/LICHT (which is an even more interesting name if you know German). It sounds like it's kind of an artsy version of Lost, except with a younger bunch of people. Maybe Lost meets Lord of the Flies? Check it out.

The second installment features Our Dream Deferred by Andrew Lampert (the LAMP of LAMP/LICHT).

Check out www.lightindustry.org for more detail, including the "letter" to the folks who run Light Industry. As always, shows are Tuesdays at 8 PM, and they are $6 at the door.

Light Industry
55 33rd Street, 3rd Floor

Dirty Diapers and Toilet Paper Belong in the Garbage Bin.

We were at the park pretty early this morning, and after doing a round of the park and admiring the dogs, we headed for the playground. Sadly, we passed on the play area because it was still filthy from people using it as a cafeteria/marketplace/dumping ground the day before, the sprinkler was on, the staff was very busily cleaning up the junk others left behind, and older folks were using it as a personal gym. I soon realized that I needed to brave the bathroom despite knowing it was too early for the AM cleaning. The last stall was surprisingly free of debris, but the other three were pretty gross.

This photo was taken at about 8:15 AM this morning. Not only is there a dirty diaper on the toilet, but the toilet paper has various shades of human (I think) secretions. Happily, they don't show in the photo. What is wrong with people? There is a huge garbage can right in the bathroom, and the TP goes in the toilet. If you can't be responsible for a diaper or getting your used TP into the proper place, don't leave the apartment.

The good news is that there was soap in the dispenser and the water faucet worked very well today.

Lost Dog: Bessie

These signs are on all the way from the 30's in 4th Avenue to the 40's on 5th Avenue and beyond. This may be late since the sign says the dog was last seen on July 24th, but it's worth a try. The signs look pretty recent, still. Call 908 591 0006 with information about Bessie. Cash reward is available, and unlimited karma will come your way. Don't worry, the area code is only in Northern NJ (I had to look that up).

An Article About Food in Sunset Park - NOT Mexican or Asian

Johnny's has long been my choice for baked ziti and eggplant and the occasional slice, although I still venture out to Cafe Europa or Il Colosseo if I really want a whole pizza.

The Papa John's that opened next door to Johnny's apparently helped Johnny's step more fully into the modern ages by encouraging a website and on-line ordering. While Johnny's prices have gone up, the dinners are still a great deal...always enough for lunch the next day.

Here's an article about the "turf war" in Sunset Park - Pizza Style: NY Times Article.

Con Ed Emergency at Rest

Seeing a conEdison Emergency Truck on your block is usually a sight met with trepidation. However, these photos sent in by a reader caused a different reaction.

It's not that the conEd workers were napping; everyone needs a siesta now and then. The aggravation stemmed from their truck idling (most likely for the air conditioning) for an hour, according to my neighbor. As she said: "The truck was on and both passengers were asleep for at least an hour! I thought it was interesting since they provide energy and were acting wasteful."

Thanks for the extra exhaust, conEd. Since they are parked right by the park, I'm surprised they didn't just rest on the grass; it's cool and the shade provides some effective sunblock and nap-time.

Cinderella Samba Returns to Close Out Wednesday Activities

The last in a five-week series of free events for kids is this Wednesday, the 6th of August. As always, beginning at 10:30 AM sharp, Cinderella Samba will entertain the children and their adults with music and puppets that reinvent the classic fairytale. A puppet making workshop will also be offered at 9:30 AM! The presentations are near the game tables/playground area, and event-goers are advised to bring a blanket or chair to sit on and some water (or other appropriate refreshment) to drink.

The last time Cinderella Samba landed at Sunset Park, a great time was had by all. Seeing it outdoors will be even more pleasant than in the Rec Center, I'm sure.

The free events are brought to us by the City Parks Foundation in cooperation with: Friends of Sunset Park and City of New York -Parks and Recreation.

Light Industry Hosts Cory Arcangel and his Glockenspiel

As always, the 8 PM show at Light Industry will set you back all of $6 at the door. This week's offering is for Bruce Springsteen fans and Glockenspiel enthusiasts alike.

from the email:
Artist Cory Arcangel appears at Light Industry to perform the first complete and authoritative version of his now-notorious Bruce Springsteen Born to Run Glockenspiel Addendum. This appearance marks the first time *and perhaps
last* that Arcangel will provide live accompaniment on glockenspiel to Springsteen's canonical album in its entirety, alongside the premiere of a new video featuring Springsteen and the E Street Band.

You can read more about the performance on the Light Industry website, and you can check out Cory Arcangel's home on the web here.

Tabla Rasa Show Extended until September 20th

Bridge as Icon, which opened in late May, was meant to end on July 26, but if you missed it (or if you want to see it again - which appeals to me, at least), you can still get there.

While you should call ahead for summer hours, the regular gallery hours are Noon-5 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Call 718 833 9100 to double-check when they are open in August.

New York Times Article and Slideshow Feature Sunset Park's Pool

While the article dwells mainly on the major diving-fest and pool shut-down of a few weeks ago, the photos show a beautiful, not-very-crowded pool with appreciative kids (some breaking the No Diving rule). I'm sure they'll love that they were photographed being naughty. ;)

Here the link: NYT pool article