Sunday, November 11, 2012

Shell Gas Station Reopens in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

The Shell gas station on Atlantic Avenue and Henry Street in Cobble Hill has been closed intermittently  since the Hurricane Sandy gas shortage hit.

But on Saturday, with odd-even rationing in full swing, we noticed that police had set cones to block off the southernmost lane of Atlantic Avenue and the station had reopened. A police van was parked conspicuously in front and two officers directed traffic. (The line continues along Atlantic, out of sight of the camera lens.)

Photo by MK Metz

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Friday, November 9, 2012

Brooklyn Still Swamped; Bay Ridge School Rezoning; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Volunteers sort through clothing in Red Hook. Photo: MK Metz

- Brooklyn’s hardest-hit neighborhoods can expect to be in the dark for a looong time. NY Daily News

- Brooklyn D.A. Hynes is investigating Sandy-related scams. Reuters

- District 20 council votes to rezone Bay Ridge schools. Brooklyn Eagle

- Sandy relief at Brooklyn Public Libraries. Brownstoner

- Crazy before and after shots of Sandy. Gizmodo  

- Where the Con Ed assistance trailer is parked in Sheepshead Bay. Sheepshead Bites

- An administrator at Brooklyn's St. Ann's School has been chosen to lead a Quaker School in Pennsylvania. Philly.com

-  Fairway in Red Hook is swamped. NY Magazine 

- This is what all those runners were doing in Red Hook on Sunday. Brooklyn Eagle 

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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Odd-Even Gas Rationing Starts Friday Morning in New York City

Atlantic Ave. Shell out of gas. Photo: MKMetz
Gas hoarding and the Nor'easter have worsened the gas situation, so New York City, Nassau and Suffolk Counties have decided to implement temporary odd-even gas rationing rules starting at 5 a.m. Friday.

Drivers with license plates ending in an even number will be able to buy fuel on even numbered days of each month, and drivers with license plates ending in an odd number will be able to buy fuel on odd numbered days.

Non-numbered vanity plates will be considered odd.

More information here.


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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Brooklyn Snow: Power Lines and Trees Down, Hundreds of Calls for Con Ed

Are you hearing a lot of police and fire sirens? Con Edison is overwhelmed with calls for tree branches down, wires sparking and primary lines and cable wires hanging in the streets.

Photo: MK Metz
With three inches of snow on the ground and icy streets, power is out to 12,000 - 16,000 Brooklyn Con Edison customers and about the same number in Queens.

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UPDATE: Con Ed says the above figures do not include power outages in: Gerritsen Beach, Sea Gate, Red Hook, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, Manhattan Beach, Arrochar, South Beach, Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood Beach, Butler Manor, and Tottenville.

This means there are probably hundreds of thousands without electricity on this cold night in New York City.

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Here are back-to-back calls -- most requiring a response from Con Ed -- that poured in nonstop over the police scanner within 10 minutes or so around 8 p.m.:

* The LIRR partially shut down; an occupied elevator at the LIRR stuck; trees and wires down on the Port Washington branch;
* Unresponsive man on bench in Fort Greene Park;
* Wires down at 83rd Avenue and 260 Street;
* Fire at 6th Avenue and President Street;
* Wires sparking on houses;
* Something at Monroe Place and Pierrepont Street;
* . . . Nostrand and Saint Mark;
* . . . Cropsy Street;
* Large tree blocking 46th Ave 228 St sparking wires;
* Primary line down on the street . . .
* 111 St and Atlantic Ave. fire at a transformer;
* Second transformer out at 111 and Atlantic;
* Belnap street 137-139 wires down;
* Sparking pole on Mayfield Place;
* 120-09 142 Street MTA vehicle stuck in snow obstructing traffic;
* Traffic light hanging at Main Street and the LIE in Queens;
* Large tree down East 4th Street and Ave. C
* Wires sparking 52 Drive
* Notify Con Ed we shut off gas to the stove . . .
* 54 Ave at Queens Blvd wires down
* Sparking wires at 123 and 142 Street
* Pierrepont and Willow Street, tree down middle of the road
* Something at 15 MetroTech

You probably should stay inside . . giant branches are falling off trees.

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Nor'easter Hits Brooklyn: Snow, Rain and Wind Kick In

Snow in DUMBO about 3:30 p.m.  Photo: MK Metz
The nor'easter has started lashing Brooklyn, and Mayor Bloomberg says the city is closing parks, encouraging drivers to stay off the road after 5 p.m., and using door to door operations to urge people without heat to take shelter to stay warm.

Under normal circumstances, according to NYC.gov, the storm would probably result in minor coastal flooding in low-lying areas, and the usual downed trees.

But because Hurricane Sandy weakened trees and caused extensive damage and debris, the predicted wind speeds present an increased risk of more downed trees and tree limbs, as well as windblown debris. All New Yorkers are urged to stay indoors.

Some of the lowest-lying areas in the city – particularly the areas flooded by last week’s Hurricane Sandy – are vulnerable to storm surge today.

If you experienced significant flooding during Hurricane Sandy -- in particular, residents of Breezy Point, Hamilton Beach, and Gerristen Beach -- you should consider taking shelter elsewhere, the Mayor says.

A link to shelters can be found here.


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Today's Nor'easter to Bring a Little Less Misery than Previously Thought

The nor'easter expected to hit Brooklyn and New York City late this morning will bring slightly less rain and wind than had been predicted previously, according to the National Weather Service.

But there is no doubt the storm will bring more misery to those already vulnerable since Hurricane Sandy. Flooded areas should expect more floods, along with damaging winds and cold rain.

Expect winds steady at 25 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph all afternoon into Thursday. Winds of this magnitude will be capable of producing downed trees and power lines as well as minor property damage, NOAA says.

A high surf advisory also remains in effect for the ocean beaches of New York City, with tides three feet higher than usual and 8 - 12-foot waves on top of surge of two - three feet. Expect some flooding, NOAA says; moderate in some areas, but major in others -- especially where Hurricane Sandy has washed away protective dunes.

The storm will blow in around 11 a.m.

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Empire State Building Declares: President Obama for Four More Years

Photo: MK Metz
Even from Brooklyn the Empire State Building could be seen bathed in blue as President Barack Obama was declared winner for four more years!

By 2 a.m., President Obama held 303 electoral votes, while Mitt Romney held 206.

Republicans held the house, while Democrats kept the Senate. Kirsten Gillibrand has won re-election as New York State's junior senator. See Brooklyn returns here.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Voting Chaos in Brooklyn: Where to Vote, Where to Complain

Brooklyn voters report chaos at many polling places; it was so bad that Councilman Jumaane Williams suggested this afternoon postponing the local elections.

Long lines and discarded ballots were today's story in Flatbush, Park Slope, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights -- and may intensify as workers try to vote after hours.

Find your polling place by texting "NYCVOTES" to 877-877 or calling 1-212-822-0282 (or 866 VOTE NYC) Or visit http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/home/home.shtml

Polls are open until 9 p.m. If you're in line at that time you will be allowed to vote.

Gotham Gazette suggested that frustrated voters call the Attorney General’s office at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov to report elections complaints to Civil Rights Bureau.

There may be bigger problems in Pennsylvania -- where a voter videotaped his voting machine changing votes for President Barack Obama to Republican Mitt Romney. MSNBC


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Monday, November 5, 2012

Brooklyn Nets Mascot: Comic Book Villain 'Dr. Doom'

The Brooklyn Nets introduced their new mascot Saturday night -- but instead of a stuffed animal (their old mascot was a fox named "Sly"), they chose a costumed figure who bears an uncanny resemblance to Marvel's evil comic book villain, Dr. Doom.

Dr. Doom, who must wear a horrible  metallic mask over his disfigured face, seeks world domination and the destruction of his nemesis, good guy Reed Richards.

The Nets' mascot "BrooklyKnight" must wear a horrible metallic mask over his face, and seeks world domination etc., too.

But don't expect Marvel to sue for copyright infringement any time soon, since they "designed" the mascot and a matching comic book.

"BrooklyKnight is a superior combination of strength, power, and confidence," Brett Yormark said in the team's press release. "Sounds just like Brooklyn to me."

Ummn, if you say so Brett.

We say it's Dr. Doom.

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Here are a few other reactions:

- Brooklyn Nets mascot needs a safe word SBNation

- LOL: lawsuit, comments New Deal on NetsDaily -- seeing as there is already a soccer team called the Brooklyn Knights.

- And a Brooklyn Knights album by Sene.

- Posted by Cheeze: "He's the !!ty mascot Brooklyn deserves and the one it needs right now." Slumz

- Then there's this little problem: The Brooklyn Nets’ New Mascot Basically Has The Same Name As A Porn Star Deadspin


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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Temporary New Ferry from Sunset Park, Brooklyn - UPDATE

Brooklyn Army Terminal
What a great idea! To help ease commutes since Hurricane Sandy, NYCEDC, Seastreak, and DOT are partnering to provide temporary ferry service from the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park to Wall Street/Pier 11 and East 35th Street.

The ferry starts tomorrow, Monday, November 5, and runs during the morning and evening rush hours.

UPDATE: After one day of operation, the ferry has been canceled! Thanks to our commenter for sharing this information.

 * On the way back, from East 35th Street and Wall Street/Pier 11, ferry service will run from approximately 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM.

UPDATE: The last departure Monday will be 8:45PM FROM PIER 11. After that, no more ferry.

See NYCED for more information and link to a map.

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