The 68th Precinct Doesn’t Respond to Calls

If you follow me on Twitter, you will know that we have contacted the 68th Precinct twice and both times they didn’t come.

Long story short: We have a narrow driveway and some people park in it so we can’t get out. Prior to last month, we would just drive on our neighbors sidewalk and go out another open driveway. My neighbors and I just had our sidewalk cemented, so we couldn’t ride on their sidewalk (well we could have, but it wouldn’t be right).

Basically the city needs to change the way they handle the situation of blocked driveways. An owner should be able to send a picture of a parked driveway and receive clearance to have it towed. Cops don’t want to come out and ticket, but currently that’s the only way to get a car towed out of a driveway. And the owner doesn’t want the stupid person who blocked their driveway to have to pay towing fees and a ticket.

In the early Summer when this happened, we made the call to 311 and the 68th Precinct did not come out. Three hours later, they left a message on our machine and said, “we are closing your call.”

The 68th Precinct wasn’t always this way. Before last year, I called the 68th Precinct and the officer answering the call came out and ticketed the car in 10=15 minutes from when I placed the call. Yes they were that good.  

When someone blocked our sidewalk earlier this week,  I called the 68th Precinct because we had no luck with getting a response from them using 311. We spoke with a female who said they would send a car out. But they didn’t. I called back the precinct and asked to speak to Captain Festino.

Tonight Lieutenant N called me and he was polite, but didn’t have a lot of answers.  Some things the lieutenant wasn’t able to address:

1) He told us that our call was received as a 911 call. We called the precinct number 718-439-4211.  When I called the woman I spoke with did not take my info right away and didn’t seem to care. I felt that is where the communication breakdown started. I hope no one would call 911 for a blocked driveway.

2) I stayed outside and waited for the the police. I had a coffee to drink and neighbors to talk to so I wasn’t lonely. My neighbor walked up to Dunkin Donuts. He saw a patrol car and asked the two officers if they were from the six eight. They said they were,  but that they didn’t have the call. My neighbor came back and waited with me. He has a tow truck company so he was ready to tow the car out of my driveway.  Although we don’t have the names of the officers, the precinct knows who is out on patrol at that time.

3) I waited for two hours and called the precinct back. A woman who identified herself as a police officer answered the phone after five minutes and told me that a car came out to us and closed the call. I asked her if she could tell me the name of the person who we initially put the call in with, but she told me she couldn’t tell me that.  This woman was efficient, but I found out from Lieutenant N that the woman was not a police officer. She used PO after her last name (a regular civilian would have said their first and last name OR Ms. or Mrs. Last name – not last name and PO).  So that was odd.

4) No one responds to complaints at the 68th Precinct twitter acct – Lieutenant L told me that an older officer with 24 years does the twitter acct. Seriously get someone younger or delete the acct. There is no purpose in having an acct if the NYPD isn’t going to respond.

My neighbors are amazing. The silver car with the red arrow double parked across the driveway as if they were double parked against a car. My neighbor called the person with the dark car across the street (see yellow arrow) so Lee could exit the driveway (he had to swing more to the right than my blue line entails)

I wrote this for you my neighbors in Bay Ridge. Are the police responding to your calls? I witnessed something terrible on 3rd, the NYPD was called at 311 and their office and I saw no help for that either.

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Marty Golden – Bay Ridge Why Do We Have a Representative Who Doesn’t Follow the Rules?

The story is here, here and here. 

A mistake was made.  Money is no longer allowed to be used for club membership. There are around 60 state senators and only Golden and Dean Skelos did this.  When you make a mistake, issue an apology and refund the money – it’s that simple.   Instead Golden’s  staff said this: 

Golden didn’t issue an apology or say he was going to return the money even later in the day after all these blogs ran the story.  Rules are for everyone and a retired police office knows that.

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Sinkhole – Street Fell In 64th Street and 5th Avenue Brooklyn 11220 – August 4, 2015

The video is actually kinda scary. Water leak under the street caused the street to fall in.  The overhead pictures of this are unreal.

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60th and 61st Precincts have Night Out – Brooklyn – August 4, 2015

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Seussical in Owls Head Park August 9, 2015

From 2 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, August 9th there will be a Imagination Celebration Day in Owls Head Park in Bay Ridge (enter on 67th Street and Colonial Road) 11209.  They will have the cast from Seussical The Musical. It’s free and looks like a fun day for the kids!

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Bowling in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Maple Lanes closed down and Brooklynites keep asking me where they can go bowling in Brooklyn. Who knew that bowling was so popular! Here’s where you can bowl in Brooklyn:

1) Fort Hamilton Army Base 124 Wainwright Drive Brooklyn 11252      718-630-4440

Very cheap bowling  $3.00    Even cheaper at lunchtime Monday to Friday – $1.50 a game  Shoe rental $1.50     Bring ID with you to get on the Army base.

Also look at the bottom of this page for bowling birthday parties at the Army Base.

2)Melody Lanes Bowling Alley 461 37th Street Brooklyn 11232  718-832-2695

Melody Lanes is probably closest to how Maple Lanes was – the place is not updated – it’s also not as cheap as you think it will be either.

3) Shell Lanes – 1 Bouck Ct   Brooklyn   11223   718-336-6700

This bowling alley is old like Melody Lanes. When the place looks empty the lanes are actually reserved so call ahead and reserve your lane.

4)  Funfest (used to be called Strike 10 Lanes) – 6161 Strickland Avenue  Brooklyn  11234  718-763-6800

This is a nice bowling alley near Kings Plaza. (see prices)

See other activities for children in Brooklyn

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Best Teacher’s Store in Brooklyn

These are the best Teacher’s Stores I’ve visited in Brooklyn over the years:

1. Barclay’s is the best teachers store in Brooklyn – 166 Livingston Street 718-875-2424 Downtown Brooklyn  – it’s a warehouse floor and it has every border ever made! I go on a Sunday to I can park on the Avenue near it. If you are a new teacher, you need to go to this store. I go here once a year and buy everything I need. Many years ago, the UFT office used to be above this store so that’s how older teachers know about it. Bring your work ID so you can get the teacher discount (if you don’t have a work ID, bring your union card – I have used that)

2. Scibbles 1308 40th Street 718-435-8711 is the cheapest supply store in Brooklyn (prices are a bit lower than other teacher supply stores). Scribbles is not open on Saturday.  It’s hard to park near 13th Avenue, so I either have Lee double park or I go later in the day (close to closing)

3. Teacher’s Edition 4902 – 18th Avenue  718-435-1940  Good size store – a bit more $

4. Teacher’s Choice 3009 Avenue J – Nostrand Avenue 718-692-1934- easiest to park near. Nicely organized store – good for elementary school teachers. Okay prices.

5. The Learning Wheel in Sheepshead Bay – 1514 Avenue Z    718-934-5540  Easy to park – store owned by educators. Had items for elementary and middle school teachers.

*Staples sells a small selection of bulletin board supplies.

Teacher Supply Stores In Staten Island

1. Teacher’s Basket – 1949 Richmond Avenue Staten Island (718) 477-7755  it looks small, but they have a lot. They also sell religious things for Catholic school teachers.

2. Teacher’s Corner is located at 1949 Richmond Ave., Bulls Head Staten Island. 917-685-1052.

3. Michael’s Craft Store in Staten Island sells some sets and polkadot borders. Discount for teachers too.

Teacher Supply Stores In Queens

1. Teacher’s Choice Plus  6512 Myrtle Avenue Glendale, NY 11385   718-326-5457 – small store, but they have a lot.

Teacher Supply Stores In New Jersey

Teacher Supply Stores In Long Island

Teacher Tools – 2123 Bedford Avenue Bellmore, NY 11710  516-409-4014  – good sized store next to a bank.

Island School & Art Supplies 1244 Hicksville Rd Seaford, NY 11783 (store in a long Long Island mall – outside of the store says teach and learn)

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Taking a Cooking Class in Indian Cuisine Tonight!

Lee and I are taking a class in Indian cuisine. I wasn’t looking to take a couple’s cooking class, I just wanted to go and learn how to cook Indian Food. When I told Lee about it, he wanted to go to. The chef has the cooking classes at her home in Brooklyn.  

I am so excited to learn how to make the vegetable dish, Aloo Gobi, but really I just like taking classes to learn new things.

I wish Tanoreen had cooking classes – I would run there!

There are a few other places in Brooklyn that have cooking classes that I want to try. We’ll see. 

1. More Indian food cooking 

2.The Brooklyn Kitchen looks like it has some good classes

3. Robicelli’s Classes

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Home Insurance in Bay Ridge

Paperwork and boring stuff…….skip if you aren’t in the market for home insurance.

When we purchased our home in Bay Ridge, it was a pain to get home insurance because insurance companies were leary about insuring  the area because a tornado blew through one or two blocks two years prior. Yes, a tornado hit several blocks in Bay Ridge (I was driving when the tornado hit the Belt Parkway and it was stormy, but not awful.

So we went with Tower Insurance out of the advice of a local office. When we purchased our home, Tower Insurance had  a A or an A- rating. The company’s rating slumped and they were downgraded. Then Tower merged with another company ACP

We are currently insured by MIC General Insurance Corporation (a subsidiary company for National General Insurance.  It has an AM Best Rating of A-. If you are just buying a home in Bay Ridge and need insurance, this might be a possibility.

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New Light Fixture

It’s the hottest day of the year and I had Lee put up the new light fixture……seriously, he is the best!

I purchased the fan and light through Horchow’s Tick Tock Click Tock sale. It’s the type of sale that they have only for a few hours on certain days. The Craftmade Fan was half price so I was so glad to get it. 

I have to take a picture of its beauty!

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Fresh Seafood in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

I love seafood! I like almost all types except maybe scallops (someone served undercooked scallops one time).  During the Winter, I don’t eat fish as often because I don’t like the lingering smell it leaves in the house. In the Summer, it’s so easy to cook fish on the grill. I love fresh fish and it has been increasingly easier to find it in Bay Ridge.

We’ve found some great places to buy fresh fish in Bay Ridge:

** ALC Just announced in August 2017 that they will be selling fresh fish on Fridays from 2 – 8 pm. The fish is from Fulton Market – see here

1) Food Emporium Key Food (formerly Brooklyn Market) – 8102 3rd Avenue  Brooklyn 11209 – huge parking lot across the street. The fish counter at Brooklyn Market has very fresh fish and a good selection as well. The man working there is very helpful as well. The prices aren’t cheap, but they are what you expect to pay for fish.  Has crab legs and crab cakes.

2) Cosentino’s Fish Market   6922 3rd Avenue  Brooklyn 11209 between Ovington and Bay Ridge Avenues  t Ovington Ave & Bay Ridge Ave  (they moved over the Winter so if the address looks strange, that’s why)  Cosentino’s will deliver!  (718) 745-4710

I like this place. It has an okay selection, but the guy always tells me that I can call in my order and he will have it ready for me.  I want to tell him that I just thought of getting some shrimp two minutes before stepping into his store, but I am sure he doesn’t want to hear that. So call him if you want something (718) 745-4710.  For Christmas Eve dinner, you need to call ahead because this store is so packed from December 21st – 24th   

3) Foodtown 9105 3rd Avenue Brooklyn 11209

I know this one surprises me too! Foodtown has the worst bananas (they are always green – call me if you see yellow bananas in there). Their fish department is pretty good. I’ve even purchased live lobste from Foodtown and it was awesome!

4) Metfresh on 96th and 3rd Avenue sells seafood now (it’s in the back left corner of the store and you will be happy with the selection there)

5) LaBella’s – 79th Street and 13th Avenue has fantastic lobsters! Everyone goes to LaBella’s.

6) Seabreeze 2 Fish Market – 8500 18th Avenue Brooklyn 11214   (718) 259-9693 

Before moving to Bay Ridge, I went to this place for about 10 years. The fish is fresh, regular prices and the staff is efficient/pleasant.  Has crab legs and lobsters too.

7)  Shoprite – 1080 McDonald Avenue – Near Avenue I

8) Costco – 976 3rd Avenue  Brooklyn  718-965-7603 – around 39th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. They have huge fresh crab legs.

9) Fairway Market – 480 Van Brunt Street Brooklyn 11231.  There is another Fairway Market on Ralph Avenue, but I haven’t tried their fish.

10) Lobster Pound 284 Van Brunt Street – Redhook has amazing lobster rolls – so fresh (with sweet potato fries – out of this world)

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We Recharged the Air Conditioning in the Car – It’s was Easy!

Many years ago, I dated a car mechanic. I know he doesn’t read my blog, but I believe his brother has stopped by a few time. So G give this message to your brother.  “I recharged the air conditioning in my car.”  BTW years ago, said boyfriend told me that it wasn’t possible for a person to fix their own air conditioning…..maybe that was true at the the time, but I think it was probably that he didn’t want to fix my car on his free time off from work (because he was a talented mechanic and was known for being a master mechanic).

Anyway, we purchased a bottle of recharge from Home Depot, watched this video twice and then we did it. It was sooooo easy!

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