Brookbit: Red Hook Parrots Actually Rebuilding

As it turns out, the photo of the Red Hook parrots that a reader kindly passed along to us this week has a back story. These aren't the first parrots that have staked out real estate in the Hook. Our most knowledgeable Red Hook sources writes, "They were there a few years ago with a massive nest filling almost that whole rack. Nest was removed. Maybe more than once." We can only think of one entity that might climb all the way to top of very tall light poles in a park to take down parrot nests.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Lookout Hill

The space that was most recently occupied by the defunct Biscuit on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, is coming back to life as a spot named Lookout Hill. A GL reader reports that the new name has appeared on the awning.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Happy Birthday New York Shitty

New York Shitty turns two today. Huge congratulations to NYS and our friend and major contributor Miss Heather, who's tossed us hundreds of photos for hundreds of GL posts. What began as a blog largely covering the byproduct of man's best friend has, over the last two years, turned into an eclectic collection of photos and information that ranges widely through Brooklyn and often turns its attention to important neighborhood quality of life issues that otherwise wouldn't get any coverage. New York Shitty is raw and it is edgy, but most importantly, it's relevant, sharp and funny. Here's to many more years.

Brookbit: CB1 Votes for Greenway

Last night, Community Board 1 voted to approve the Brooklyn Greenway through Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The plan promises a walking and bike path on or near the waterfront. More details to follow.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Congestion Pricing is Dead

Congestion pricing is dead. It fizzled rather than going out with a bang, as it didn't even come to a vote in the legislature. Assem. Speaker Sheldon Silver said that there wasn't enough support for the plan to go through the formality of voting. Today was the deadline for passing the plan in order to qualify for $354 million in Federal money. Of course, the plan could still pass, but as things stand, it would do so without the big pot of funds from Washington--CityRoom

Brookbit: Barrio Opening + Mystery Building Reno!

A GL reader writes to say that the owner of Barrio, the much blogged about new Mexican restaurant on Seventh Avenue at Third Street in Park Slope (if the food lives up to volume of the blog coverage, it'll be a winner), will be opening in about ten days, which would put D-Day around April 16. In addition, the owner says that the mystery building next door on Third Street "is finally in preparation to be completely renovated." There is no evidence of building permits for 497 Third Street being filed yet, however.

Brookbit: Vanished Railroad

"Years ago, along side the Brighton Line, was a spur for the Long Island Railroad that ended in Manhattan Beach. There are some remnants visible today, even though service ended in the late 1800's. I took some photos at Neck Road station on the Brighton Line. Easy to see are two staircases on both sides of where the right of way would have been. To the left is the present bridge truss of the Brighton Line. This is to the east of the present bridge truss. While the truss is long gone, the concrete embankment that used to hold the truss in place is still there." There are some photos of the remains over at Magical Theme Parks (which is a fun site to explore, regardless).--GL Inbox

Brookbit: New Computer Lab

Council Members Bill de Blasio and David Yassky are cutting the ribbon on a new Computer Lab at MS 447 on Dean Street today. Per an email: "grants were awarded to the school upon learning that the school would be moving from one location to another. The total cost of the technology lab which includes complete reconstruction, wiring, furniture and technological equipment was $335,000.00. The new lab will have a total of 15 Apple desktops and 16 wireless laptops networked with the most current operating system, and application software. The lab also has an interactive Smartboard for whole class lesson presentation. MS 447 (The Math & Exploratory School) has grades 6 to 8 with a total of 457 students."--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Brian Lehrer Show Wins Peabody

WNYC Radio’s The Brian Lehrer Show has been recognized with a George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast excellence in 2007. Although Mr. Lehrer's show needs no introduction in New York here's a bit from the WNYC announcement: "The Brian Lehrer Show is New York City’s popular daily news and talk call-in program. The show serves as a town square for New York and beyond, with newsmakers and agenda-setters, journalists and listeners conversing at length on the local, national and international news and cultural and social trends of the day." Congrats to Mr. Lehrer and his entire incredible production team.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Obama Supports Congestion Pricing

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama supports New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing strategy. He told WNYC's Bob Hennelly, "I think Mayor Bloomberg's proposal for congestion pricing is a thoughtful and innovative approach to the problem." He also voiced support for Federal mass transit funding. The full interview will be on All Things Considered later today.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Park Crime

According to a new survey of crime in city parks the largest number of crimes over the last 18 months occurred in Central Park, Flushing Meadows Park, Prospect Park and Riverside Park. Flushing Meadows Corona Park had 99 incidents, including robberies, grand larcenies and two rapes. Prospect Park had 57 crimes, Riverside Park 31 and Bronx Park had 30. No crimes were reported in two Staten Island Parks. Central Park had 162 crimes.--New Yorkers for Parks

Brookbit: Want a Top Spin?

Our frequent coverage of Coney Island has landed us on an interesting mailing list. Yesterday, we got some interesting spam from Svetlana Timofeeva in the Republic of Moldova asking us if we're interesting in buy a carnival ride called Top Spin 2: "Our company name is 'Sinax' SRL and we are the owner of a ride park in the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau city but now we would like to sell one of our ride-Top Spin 2. This ride was bought from Huss Company in 1997 after the major repairs, being manufactured in 1993. Our model represents a mobile version with 28 seats. The price is negotiable." Well, we hear Thor Equities might be setting up a few rides on their land in Coney Island. Just kidding. Astroland already has one.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Barrio

Barrio, the new Mexican restaurant opening in the space on Seventh Avenue most recently occupied by the defunct Tempo Presto, has put up pink and orange fabric bearing its name over its outdoor patio. (It was too dark for a photo when we passed by.) It looks like things will be ready just in time for the onset of nice weather.

Brookbit: Maggie Moo's Will Be Dashing Diva

The signs are up. The former Maggie Moo's space on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope--aka the Storefront of Death--is going to be a "high end" nail salon called Dashing Diva, the nail salon part of the equation having been scooped last week by OTBKB. Will it crash and burn like everything else to move into the space? Will nails end the Curse of Seventh Avenue? Have the ritual sacrifices to rid the place of spirits that doom any business to an 18-month lifespan worked? Stay tuned.

Brookbit: Markowitz Speaks on Spitzer

Borough President Marty Markowitz's statement on the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer: "In what can only be called a personal failure and tragedy, Governor Spitzer leaves office with great promise unfulfilled...I join all Brooklynites and New Yorkers in supporting our soon-to-be-Governor David Paterson. David and I served together in the Senate, and I have no doubt this Harlemite born in Brooklyn will prove to be a very effective Governor—by bringing people together, working with both Democrats and Republicans, and restoring people’s faith and trust in Albany."--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Traffic Light

The city will be installing a new traffic light at Bond and State Streets in Boerum Hill to try to cut down on accidents. Some residents think it will make matters worse with cars speeding up to try to make lights (one person writes, "We should take a stand against all these lights..."), but others think it will make things safer. A light was installed at Hoyt and State Streets and cut accidents. The busy intersections only have stop signs.--GL Inbox

Brookbit: Signs of Spring

The ice skating season at the Wollman Rink is almost over. The last day for skating is just a week from today, on March 16. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Skate rentals are $6. Speaking of the eventual end of winter, pedal boating season on Prospect Park Lake begins on May 3. Info and hours on the Wollman Rink on the website. Seven more days!

Brookbit: Spring Forward

If you are reading this hear and it is coming as news to you, you're probably running an hour late. Daylight Savings Time started at 2 AM, taking an hour of daylight from the early morning and moving it to the evening. As of last year, daylight savings runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November--except in Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas. We understand that Arizona needs to different, but why do the Northern Marianas object?

Brookbit: Brooklyn Indepent Television Celebration

BCAT, BRIC and Brooklyn Independent Television celebrated a second season of new programming with a reception and presentation last night at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Borough President Marty Markowitz spoke and three winners of the Reel Teen contest were announced. About 40 Brooklyn high school students submitted vids for the contest showing their visions and version of Brooklyn. The program featuring the teen vids is called "BK 4 Reel." GL was there and the young participants were really proud and really happy. BCAT produces some great programming. Check them out.

Brookbit: Flood Watch

From the City's Office of Emergency Management: "The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch beginning Tuesday, March 4, at midnight. The Flood Watch is expected to stay in effect until Wednesday afternoon, March 5. Rainfall totals may reach 2.5 inches in New York City, with localized flooding possible, and minor coastal flooding likely at high tide on Wednesday morning."--GL Inbox