tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post6523947854844872018..comments2024-02-19T05:18:27.849-05:00Comments on <center>the Q at Parkside</center>: A Little Bit About a Lot of ThingsClarkson FlatBedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13463744536115119388noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-28988568461444609662013-02-02T11:22:09.118-05:002013-02-02T11:22:09.118-05:00 Very well said, CF! Very well said, CF!Ceelledeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-78690185209439124782013-02-01T10:34:51.309-05:002013-02-01T10:34:51.309-05:00No, Anon, it's not out of the realm of reality...No, Anon, it's not out of the realm of reality. But to get to the point where someone is hired, local folk must organize and deem it important enough to write the grant, create a BID, meet with leaders and convince them we're worthy, then implement the plan and hire the right person. They're known as "boards" in the non-profit world, and the word translates to "committed volunteer." Once we reach the tipping point of people willing to put in the work, things will start to change and change quickly. If those leaders have the best interest of "all" our honest neighbors, regardless of background, great things can happen, and all boats can rise.<br /><br />Lest we make the same mistakes, a local group did just that a few years ago. I documented that story in a post here:<br /><br />http://theqatparkside.blogspot.com/2011/11/cautionary-tale-that-bears-rehashing.html<br /><br />It may not end with residents doing all the heavy lifting, but it certainly begins there. There is a fledgling group meeting to find ways to reinvigorate the business environment around here. You can email me if you're interested and I'll hook you up.<br /><br />By the way, I'm most emphatically not saying that PLG has always lacked leadership. In fact, it was such community heave/ho that kept the neighborhood together during the City's most troubled decades. PLGNA was a thriving multi-dimensional powerhouse once upon a time, til mismanagement caused its collapse. The LMA has always been strong, if understandably reluctant to take on issues outside its well-defined border and mission. There have been elected officials who have shown interest and contributed to the neighborhood, though we are sorely under-represented currently. <br /><br />We're all busy. We're all over-committed. But I wonder sometimes if the new generation of residents recognizes the historical value of community activism, cohesion and planning. There is something about the new Brooklyn that often seems to say "gimme gimme gimme" what I want, now, because I paid a lot for my property/apartment and I expect a return on that investment. In my opinion, it doesn't work that way. Look to any neighborhood you admire, and behind the scenes you will see strong leaders, groups, schools, volunteers and officials paving the way. And when they strive to bring everyone along for the ride, they can create a new dynamic urbanism worthy of repeating throughout the nation. I'm not kidding; it really is that important to get it right. Future generations depend on how we treat our neighbors, our neighborhood and our City. Unless you plan on merely "moving through" Flatbush on your way to another more desirable locale, I encourage you to find the time to contribute in any way you can. I've met dozens of people doing just that, and they're every bit as busy as you or I.Clarkson FlatBedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13463744536115119388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-82191585577353567662013-02-01T07:12:26.577-05:002013-02-01T07:12:26.577-05:00There are many residents of PLG who want to help m...There are many residents of PLG who want to help make improvements here but not everyone has the time with work and family to give as many hours as needed or the know how to take the lead on something as huge as this endeavor. Perhaps it's time to hire a PR consultant/ business development leader for PLG to lead the willing residents and at least know there's one person on it full time. Aren't there grants that we can apply for to pay a salary for something like this? Or is this completely out of the realm of reality? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-71900740776563370142013-01-31T15:29:41.419-05:002013-01-31T15:29:41.419-05:00I recently discovered that the liquor store on Emp...I recently discovered that the liquor store on Empire and Rogers carries Mionetto prosecco for $12.99/bottle - that's a few bucks less than stores in Park Slope. At that price I'll put up with the bulletproof glass.babshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365488181982105888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-56696002960773669232013-01-31T12:34:28.265-05:002013-01-31T12:34:28.265-05:00Point taken about the liquor at Empire and Rogers....Point taken about the liquor at Empire and Rogers. If duplication of stores isn't an issue, I'd want a small niche grocery store open up on that corner too. I don't like Western Beef; I *never* liked Western Beef and I rarely shop there even though it is one block away from me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-10262182653933908042013-01-31T11:19:39.564-05:002013-01-31T11:19:39.564-05:00The liquor store at Empire and Rogers is a dump. ...The liquor store at Empire and Rogers is a dump. If the new place has a decent selection and if the merchandise isn't sheltered behind dirty plexiglass, I think it's a good thing.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-74136955395133608832013-01-31T10:48:27.899-05:002013-01-31T10:48:27.899-05:00Judging by the stellar starchitecture, I would gue...Judging by the stellar starchitecture, I would guess that "they" have no interest in creativity. They are interested in leasing to people who have money - green money - pure and simple. There is no David Walentas involved here; heck it's not even as creative as Bruce Ratner. The creativity in businesses must come from creative people, who by and large have chosen other neighborhoods over PLG. Which, when you think about it, shows an alarming lack of creativity! It's coming...but there is no one to boost it. The neighborhood, no offense intended, has an astounding lack of leadership. Just try finding someone to take the lead on any of number of fronts as been very, very hard.<br /><br />Until now. I see a new day dawning. But it takes effort, not just blogs and blog comments.Clarkson FlatBedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13463744536115119388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-37709507068300661122013-01-31T10:32:28.871-05:002013-01-31T10:32:28.871-05:00If it's true they are putting a liquor store a...If it's true they are putting a liquor store at Bedford and Empire, then I will be disappointed. There is already one one block away at Empire and Rogers. They couldn't think of anything else to put there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541468051247516447.post-71210751073962231792013-01-31T10:00:39.533-05:002013-01-31T10:00:39.533-05:00I was very happy to see Purple Berry reopened. The...I was very happy to see Purple Berry reopened. The reconfiguration added tables and chairs for hanging out more comfortably in there. They make excellent hot and hearty breakfast egg sandwiches I used to take advantage of for mornings on the go and I really missed being able to grab one of those. I also like their chicken wrap sandwiches. Which I got yesterday. It was bigger with more chicken in it so they must have made note of customer comments. I've tried hard to like B Fruitee but I'm sorry, somebody needs to be honest, they're disorganized and scattered, it's hard getting answers to questions about the food items on the menu, and worse, the kitchen is really not clean like to an alarming degree. The containers used for smoothies are crusty. I don't know how I am the only one who notices and cares about that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com