Need a vet? Here's a good one in PLG

After delaying a trip to the vet for weeks, I took my cat, Ethel, over to Trixie's (575 Flatbush) yesterday for the biweekly vet care appointments offered there by Dr. Courtney Perry. We couldn't have been more pleased. We've been going to Hope Veterinarian Clinic but our last visit to treat the same problem (which I will euphemistically call "kitty tum tum") proved unhelpful. Dr. Perry had smart, sensible suggestions and her approach was much more systematic than what we got at Hope. She recommended starting with the least invasive measures for pinpointing the problem and working our way up if the problems persist. Her approach is holistic yet scientific. And she's very sweet and personable.

Sure, it's a little weird having your cat examined in the middle of a pet food store but no less weird than running a children's consignment shop in your home (cough).

Appointments (Thursdays at Trixie's):
(347) 559-7729

 

Marty Markowitz Weighs In on Providence House

Borough President Marty Markowitz has submitted an official statement on the Providence House development proposed for 329 Lincoln Road to the City Planning Commission. The statement says a lot of the right things about the need for transitional housing and the success that Providence House has had in their other projects but, in the end, like CB9, he recommends against the project.

To be clear, Markowitz doesn't formally oppose the project: he approves the project "with modifications" and disapproves the special permit "with modifications." Here is a breakdown of Markowitz's proposed changes:

• The current plan calls for 20 of the 26 units to be used for transitional housing with the remainder to be low-income units. Markowitz wants the transitional units reduced to 16, in keeping with the 60/40 split Providence House has in place at their Bed-Stuy facility.
• The current plan calls for the development to be all-Single Room Occupancy units. Markowitz proposes that the low-income units be a mix of SRO and family units.
• He opposes the request for a special permit allowing the building to go as high as 6 stories. Markowitz opposed the request for a special permit unless the units were allocated along 60/40 lines with half of the low-income units set aside for families.
• He further asks that the CPC set up a Community Advisory Committee to be kept abreast of news on the project.

Alas, those modifications appear to be outside of the scope of the Providence House project and are therefore unlikely to be made, and may effectively kill the plan. I presume that the CPC can override the Borough President's recommendation but I don't know how likely that is.

I know that our readership falls on both sides of the issue, so whether you want to yell at or thank the Beep, you can email him here.

New Community Garden Coming to Flatbush

Thanks to Karen, we now know that there will soon by a community garden at the Flatbush Reformed Church, on Flatbush near Albemarle. Sustainable Flatbush is helping to plan the new green space and if you want to get involved, there is a planning meeting next week.

WHAT: Community Garden Visioning Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday June 16th at 6pm

WHERE: Flatbush Reformed Church, 890 Flatbush Avenue (gmap)

Refreshments and childcare will be provided!

Attendees can see where the garden is growing and discuss options for what can be grown and ideas for what should be. You can sign up to attend here. For more information, call 718-208-0575 or write to info-at-sustainableflatbush-dot-org.

Image via Santa Clara University

Longtime Resident To Gentrifiers: Can't We All Get Along?

A reader writes:

I live at the far end of Woodruff ave, across the street from Caledonian hospital (map)… I am 20 years old and i have lived in this neighborhood since I was 5. I would like to get to know the newer residents in the area but i feel as soon as many of them cross that huge dentist office on the corner of Parkside their demeanor's change. I have seen the changes from Lefferts to Parkside, they aren't very friendly. Also are there any neighborhood events or activities that would encourage people to meet or talk to others. I just want to be part of a community where I feel like people are making an effort. Am I the only one feeling this way?

This is a great question, and one that begs discussion, because, as you suggest, there are some significant cultural differences playing out in our neighborhood.

First, people coming in and out of the subway or walking along Flatbush are usually not in "meet and greet" mode. Whether we're new or old-timers in the neighborhood, we're New Yorkers and when we're trying to get some place, we don't make eye contact with people along the way.  Sorry, that's just how it is.

But onto the bigger question. Different blocks in and around PLG have different vibes, so I'm going to throw out a few personal observations that--as a relative newcomer myself (we've been here for four years)--may be relevant here.

My block of Hawthorne has a pretty Afro-Caribbean feel. When the weather is warm, people hang out outside, play music and dominoes, and grill. It can get pretty noisy at times, but that's part of the package. The upside is that it's easier to meet neighbors. I've met many people on my block simply by hanging out outside on our stoop.  As more affluent (and white) people move in, there's a tendency for blocks to get quieter and less outwardly friendly, in part, I think, because the newcomers are more likely to go out to bars and theaters or stay home and play on the computer, than to hang out on the block. This doesn't necessarily mean that they're less friendly (though, naturally, some of them may be); it means that they have different habits.

Cyclist Killed By Van South of PLG

Jake McDonaugh, an 18-year-old cyclist from Kensington, was struck and killed by a minivan after turning onto Flatbush from Duryea Place. The driver, Michael Oxley, allegedly ran a red light and was speeding at the time of the crash. Atypically, Oxley has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless driving, in addition to driving with a suspended license and traffic violations.

I am usually a huge defender of the dollar vans because they are cheaper, run more frequently and are faster than the B41. I admit that I've always considered the white-knuckle ride part of the charm. This tragedy should act as a cautionary tale for all van drivers - all drivers, really - that traffic laws exist for a reason. Nobody riding up Flatbush is in such a hurry that lives should be in danger.

Update: It turns out that Oxley was not a dollar van driver but rather a driver in a hurry. I apologize for the error.

Loew's Kings Theater Photo Gallery

Thanks to our friend Matt, who found this excellent gallery of interior shots of the pre-renovation Loew's Kings Theater by flickr user marioletto.

Flatbush Gardener is where Matt found the link to the gallery, so credit where credit is due. Nice find, Xris.

Park Slope in the LaGuardia Flight Path

The Brooklyn Paper reports that the people in Park Slope complaining that there seem to be a lot of low-flying planes roaring over their heads aren't crazy. A change in flight paths to increase efficiency has led to a 52% increase in planes flying over Park Slope and Prospect Park.

I think this puts to rest the idea that the marching bands and Big Apple Circus are somehow "dumped" on our side of the park to protect the gentle ears of Park Slopers from the noise.

Comedy on Cortelyou

I don't talk about it much here because it would undermine the neighborhood blog if it became a personal listing service, but I am a comedian. I also don't talk about it much because I haven't performed much since Sidney was born 16 months ago. That said, I am performing tomorrow at Vox Pop in Ditmas Park.

My friend Rachael Parenta has started producing a monthly comedy night and has invited me along with fellow PLG resident Paul Goncalves, Emily Epstein, Luke Thayer, Pat O'Shea and host Abbi Crutchfield.

Vox Pop Comedy Night

Sat. Nov 21st

9pm -10:30pm

Free

And then, after the show, karaoke. Come out and laugh.

Brooklyn Jews in Daily News!

The Daily News has a feature on our Brooklyn Jews t-shirts. I think the writer did a great job capturing our (at-best) semi-seriousness.

Please ignore how tight the shirt is across my midsection.

If anyone has any ideas for local stores that might want to sell these, please email Carrie at brooklynite282 at gmail.com.

(Photo: Todd Maisel / Daily News)

PREVIOUSLY:
Brooklyn Jews Now Recognizable Via T-Shirts

Mini-Golf comes to Brooklyn

Attention people without Saturday plans!

PLG-based artist David Lukowski has built a one-day only mini-golf course in a Sunset Park warehouse and, best of all, it's free! You can read more about it at Playing Through.

Thirty artists teamed up to build the course from salvaged materials. It will be family-friendly during the day and give way to live music at night. According to The Brooklyn Paper,

The makeshift mini-golf course will include sand traps, a “Brooklyn-style” water feature made from a discarded fountain and kiddy pool, and even a mock-up of Mount Rushmore featuring the stars of a classic that Oscar overlooked: “Caddyshack.”

And don't forget, Sunday is the PLG House Tour, so your entire weekend is covered.