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Perspective

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Mike — fix this already

Editorial: Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. Now, get to work. Comments (6).

Roofus: Bloomy bought this election

Cartoon: Our cartoonist, Roofus, continues his assault on Mayor Bloomberg. Comment.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

And from the old-style mailbag…

Letters: The lead letter comes from the mayor of Greenwood Heights, who is already missing our dearly departed reporter, Ben Muessig. Comments (1).

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Smartmom wants to have The Talk with OSFO

Smartmom: But the tween isn’t ready to have her mom tell her about sex — no matter how many seminars Smartmom has taken at Babeland. Comments (1).

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Editorial: Let’s go — gulp — Yanks!

Editorial: Our editorial board weighs in on the Issue of Our Time: What is a Met fan to do with a Yankees-Phillies World Series? Bite the bullet and root for the team from the Bronx. Comments (1).

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

And from the old-style mailbag…

Letters: One man writes in to praise Democratic City Council candidate Brad Lander, while Republican candidate Joe Nardiello writes us — again! Comments (5).

Roofus: The lack of sparkle isn’t the only problem Downtown

Downtown plan: Our cartoonist, Cristian Fleming, thinks some community activists have too much time on their hands. Comment.

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Someone wants to buy this couch?

Smartmom: Could it be true? Someone actually wants to buy Smartmom’s 18-year-old IKEA couch? Comments (9).

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Editorial: State must keep Ratner on hook for affordable housing

Editorial: Our editorial board offers yet another example of how state officials have failed to serve the public as they keep kowtowing to Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner. Comments (1).

And from the old-style mailbag…

Letters: Republican City Council candidate Joe Nardiello writes us to complain about our coverage … of him! Comment.

Roofus: Time isn’t right for Clocktower apartment

DUMBO: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming has some doubts about the most expensive apartment in Brooklyn. Comment.

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

Teen Spirit is doing well at Gap Year University

Smartmom: He didn’t go away to college, but Smartmom’s son, Teen Spirit, is learning plenty. Now, if he only had a bank account. Comments (4).

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Editorial: Yes to wine, no to whine

Editorial: Our editorial board offers its take about why Wednesday night’s vote in favor of a new bar in Williamsburg is a good thing for the neighborhood. Comments (1).

And from the old-style mailbag…

Letters: A wide-ranging group of missives, from one complaining about our coverage of the Brooklyn Friends School plan on State Street to a letter from a man upset about Vito Lopez’s betrayal of the Democratic Party. It’s all good fun. Comments (1).

Roofus: Is a new lawsuit the last straw on Dock Street?

DUMBO: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks Jed Walentas’s Dock Street project is a house of cards. Comment.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

There’s a Republican in the Food Co-op!

Politicrasher: Joe Nardiello is a different kind of Republican, but on a few issues, he’s not different enough. Comments (3).

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

Hepcat is not taking this couch search lying down

Smartmom: Finally, Smartmom’s husband agrees to look at couches. For this marriage, that’s a huge step forward. Comment.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Editorial: We’re still bullish on Downtown!

Editorial: This week’s news of a price slash at one of Downtown Brooklyn’s new luxury towers has been greeted by some as evidence that the city’s dream of creating an exciting, 24-7 residential neighborhood along Flatbush Avenue between Fulton Street and the Manhattan Bridge is a failure. Comment.

Here’s what our Web readers are saying

Letters: Lots of complaints about our endorsement of Mayor Mike. But, hey, that’s cool. Comments (1).

And from the old-style mailbag…

Letters: More complaints about the latest designs for Atlantic Yards. Comments (1).

Here’s what Roofus thinks of cycling in the city

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks this city is not yet truly bike friendly. Comments (1).

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Hepcat needs to see that a new couch is Smartmom’s divan right

Smartmom: They’ve been married for years, but Hepcat still doesn’t get it: Sometimes, you just have to say, “You know what, honey? You’re right.” Comments (8).

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009

Happy 100th, Manny B!

Brooklyn Angle: Fans of the Manhattan Bridge — and they are legion, make no mistake — will finally get a chance to celebrate as the Brooklyn Bridge’s much-maligned younger brother celebrates its 100th birthday this weekend. Comment.

Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2009

Our pick: Mike Bloomberg for mayor

Editorial: The Community Newspaper Group, which includes The Brooklyn Paper, heartily endorses Mayor Mike. Comments (15).

Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009

Couch chronicles, part II: Smartmom learns to love the ratty divan

Smartmom: Looks like that 18-year-old sofa is here to stay — but so is Hepcat, so there is some good news this week. Comment.

Thursday, Sep. 24, 2009

Editorial: Here’s how to beat those crazies from Kansas

Editorial: Don’t descend to their level. Throw a Brooklyn party instead. Comments (4).

And from the mailbag...

Letters: Our letters column opens with a response from a Republican candidate, and includes letters about politics, Atlantic Yards, bag searches at a Brooklyn moviehouse and more! Comment.

Roofus captures the Westboro Baptists perfectly.

Cartoon: Here’s our cartoonist’s take on the Westboro Baptist Church. Comments (1).

Monday, Sep. 21, 2009

All Smartmom wants is a new couch — is that so wrong?

Smartmom: The latest drama: Smartmom wants to replace an 18-year-old couch — and no one will let her. Comments (5).

Thursday, Sep. 17, 2009

Editorial: Anti-Obama hate missive wounds us all

Editorial: All of Brooklyn is also avictim of the repugnant anti-Obama fliers that cascaded from a Downtown skyscraper on Wednesday. Comments (11).

And from the mailbag...

Letters: Our letters column opens with a scathing attack on our editor! Comments (2).

Roofus’s take on the Atlantic Yards planning process

Atlantic Yards: Here’s our cartoonist’s take on the latest Atlantic Yards development. Comments (1).

Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2009

Oh So Feisty One doesn’t call — and Smartmom freaks out

Smartmom: Suddenly, Smartmom goes from protective to overprotective to veryoverprotective in one day. Comment.

Thursday, Sep. 10, 2009

Get engaged! Next Tuesday’s election is important, you know

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board scolds readers to eat their vegetables — namely, to read up on the issues and vote in Tuesday’s primaries. Comment.

And from the mailbag...

Letters: Lots of political commentary in this week’s letters column. Comment.

Oh So Feisty One’s first day blues

Smartmom: It’s the first day of school — and Smartmom relives 16 years of school openers. Comments (5).

No waffling from Roofus: Yards redesign falls short

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist thinks the new Atlantic Yards arena is no better than other versions. Comments (3).

Friday, Sep. 4, 2009

For comptroller, David Yassky

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board picks Councilman David Yassky, over three rivals for city comptroller. Comments (4).

Siegel is the only bulldog in the bunch for public advocate

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board picks civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel for public advocate. Comments (2).

Dems should pick Heyer for the 39th District

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board endorses John Heyer for the Democratic nomination to succeed Councilman Bill DeBlasio. Comments (17).

Evan Thies, a real reformer for the 33rd District.

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board endorses Evan Thies, a former aide to Councilman David Yassky, for the Democratic nomination to represent Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights and the rest of the sprawling 33rd District. Comments (2).

Incumbent James deserves re-election in the 35th District

Editorial: In the 35th District, The Brooklyn Paper editorial board endorses Letitia James for the Democratic nomination for her Fort Greene-Clinton Hill-Prospect Heights seat. Comments (12).

Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2009

The family returns — and rebonds with Teen Spirit

Smartmom: Hepcat, Smartmom and the Oh So Feisty One return from vacation and find themselves back in love with Teen Spirit. Comments (6).

Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

Another bike stolen — again! — from our wheely good editor

Brooklyn Angle: Say it ain’t so! It is so: Our editor is a three-time loser. Comments (16).

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009

This time, Joe Sitt has screwed up

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board, which has long championed Joe Sitt’s plan for Coney Island, makes a strong break with the developer after he locked out his own amusement park in the middle of the summer. Comments (3).

Joe Sitt locks out his theme park operator — and our readers chime in

Letters: Our Interweb story this week about Joe Sitt closing his own Coney Island amusement park in a rent dispute (“Lockout! Joe Sitt shuts down his own Coney amusement park,” Aug. 21) really got people talking. Here’s what they had to say. Comments (1).

And from the mailbag...

Letters: Two letters this week: One from a woman who’s upset by unsanitary conditions on the Boardwalk, another from a girl who misses her dad. Comment.

Is Bloomy buying his re-election?

Cartoon: Our cartoonist thinks so. Comments (1).

Monday, Aug. 24, 2009

Smartmom is away, so Teen Spirit lives the high life

Smartmom: With the family in California, Teen Spirit is in Brooklyn, working and partying. But Smartmom exacts her revenge. Comments (13).

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009

Feds’ CityPoint bailout is a bad use of taxpayer dollars

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper’s editorial board thinks there are better ways to spend $20 million in federal stimulus money than to prop up a failed shopping mall in Downtown. Comments (4).

And from the mailbag...

Letters: A reader criticizes our story about how state Sen. Eric Adams said he would have arrested Henry Louis Gates in his home. Apparently, we’re anti-Obama. Who knew? Other letters are about airplane noise, movie filming and why Bob Zuckerman and Josh Skaller would be great members of the City Council (guess who wrote those letters!). Comment.

Cartoonist shines a light on lamps

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming is not a big fan of the antique lights in Brooklyn Heights. Comments (2).

Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

School gets in the way of OSFO’s summer reading fun

Smartmom: Smartmom’s daughter loves to read — but not the books on her schools “required” summer reading list. Uh-oh. Comments (7).

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

A pol’s kid goes to school — it is an issue!

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper’s editorial board weighs in on the controversy over a candidate’s decision to send his child to a private school. Comments (1).

Finally, a real bike lane for Brooklyn

Brooklyn Angle: The city cut the ribbon on a new — and protected! — bike lane on Sands Street. Finally, Brooklyn has what civilized cities have had for decades. Comments (6).

And from the mailbag...

Letters: You’re going to love this lead letter about what an idiot our editor is! It’s a classic! Comment.

Paterson flip flops on the Canal

Gowanus: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks the state’s flip-flop on federal Superfund designation for the Gowanus Canal shows how lame Gov. Paterson is. Comment.

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009

Teen Spirit’s ‘gap year’ begins — and Smartmom is anxious

Smartmom: Smartmom’s college-age son is taking a year off to find himself. But when do the courses start? Comments (1).

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009

Why we’re steamed

Editorial: Members of the Brooklyn Paper editorial board offer a tossed salad of things that are making them mad this summer. And who doesn’t love a tossed salad in the summer? Comment.

Bloomy’s F train plan has one big flaw

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming sees the one main problem in Mayor Bloomberg’s campaign-year promise to fix the F train. Comments (1).

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009

At last! The ‘greenest block’ in Brooklyn really is!

Brooklyn Angle: Credibility has finally been restored to the celebrated — but controversial — “Greenest Block in Brooklyn” contest. Comments (7).

Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009

Candidates waste big chance to be king of Brooklyn

Politicrasher: Only two candidates showed their Brooklyn street cred at last night’s Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce debate. Comments (9).

The OSFO goes parasailing — and Smartmom finally learns to cut the cord

Smartmom: Smartmom lets the Oh So Feisty One take flight — finally! It’s a very special edition of Smartmom. Comments (1).

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Recchia is the true Coney phony

Coney Island: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board goes after Councilman Domenic Recchia for flip-flopping on Coney Island after getting his payoff from the mayor. Comments (5).

Atlantic Yards is still a mess

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist offers his take on this week’s hearings. Comments (1).

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Oh So Feisty One is no camp follower

Smartmom: Smartmom’s supposed to be on Block Island doing her annual writing week in paradise. But OSFO won’t go to camp as scheduled. What’s a mother to do? Comments (1).

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Pick up your trash!

Meadows of Shame: In the wake of Sunday’s trash-filled party in Prospect Park, The Brooklyn Paper editorial board reminds readers that the park is for everyone — and everyone should pick up his damn trash afterwards! Comments (2).

Our readers debate: Who is to blame for trash in the park?

Letters: Our online readers are going nuts about the filth in Prospect Park Comments (5).

The Oh So Feisty One’s not-so-excellent adventure

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom lets OSFO ride the subway by herself — and she ends up in another county! Comments (2).

The real blame for ‘Meadows of Shame’

Meadows of Shame: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming knows where to place the blame for the messy conditions at Prospect Park. Comments (3).

Thursday, July 16, 2009

And from the mailbag

Letters: The lead letter this week is from a man who likes horse manure! Comment.

The real skyscraper race Downtown

Downtown plan: Our cartoonist’s latest look at real estate. Comments (1).

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Our editorial board speaks: Save Breukelen now!

Editorial: Our editorial board speaks: The world must cry out against this historic outrage. Comments (1).

Believe it: Teen Spirit has graduated from high school!

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom celebrates Teen Spirit’s graduation (yes, graduation) from high school. The kid did it! Comments (1).

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Big news! The Brooklyn Paper says yes on Superfund!

Cleaning the Gowanus: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board has heard the entire debate and makes its decision: We support the federal Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal. Comments (3).

Borough is Mesmer-ized for poet Sharon

Brooklyn Angle: Our readers have spoken: They want Sharon Mesmer to be the next poet laureate of Brooklyn. Comments (1).

Web readers react to story about the mess in Prospect Park

Letters: Our readers react to the pig stuy in the heart of Brooklyn. Comments (4).

And from the mailbag

Letters: A nice mix of letters, including one on the Gowanus Canal clean-up and a poem about the F train! Comment.

Tough to play the real-estate game

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming offers his take on free-falling house prices in the borough. Comment.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

What’s the matter with kids these days? Computers!

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom bemoans the Oh So Feisty One’s “virtual sleepover” with her pal, Luvbud. Comments (1).

Friday, July 3, 2009

The fall of man! Elephants beat humans at Coney contest

Brooklyn Angle: In what may have been humanity’s most humbling day since scientists taught a monkey to communicate by sign language, a trio of elephants from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus defeated three legendary human athletes in a hot dog bun-eating contest in Coney Island this afternoon. Comments (4).

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Save the food vendors!

Editorial: Our editorial board believes that licensed street food vendors are a valuable part of our urban life. Comments (8).

Web readers ask: What’s so bad about street food vendors

Letters: Our online story about a Bay Ridge group’s efforts to ban food vending (“Sh-WAR-ma! Ridge group seeks city ban on food vendors,” June 26) received an astounding number of comments. Here’s a fair synopsis. Comment.

And from the mailbag

Letters: A wide-ranging batch of letters, including one on the Superfund proposal, one on bike lanes, one on prostitution, and even one on our critic’s enjoyment of the elephants at the Ringling Bros. circus. Comment.

One wrench in Ratner’s plans

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming offers his take on the latest Atlantic Yards court battle. Comments (2).

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Smartmom’s first Father’s Day without her dad

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom remembers the father she lost last year. Comment.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

New poet laureate will have big muse to fill

Brooklyn Angle: Brooklyn begins the search for a successor to late great poet laureate Ken Siegelman. Comments (2).

It is a bailout

Editorial: Our editorial board believes that this week’s moves by two state agencies comprises a bailout of Bruce Ratner. Comments (3).

And from the mailbag

Letters: More letters objecting to our pro-Atlantic Yards arena editorial. Comment.

How did Barclays sign that naming-rights deal?

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist has an idea. Comment.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A surprise on Teen Spirit’s birthday — he DOES want a party

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Teen Spirit admits that he wants a party on his 18th birthday. Comment.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

City needs to solve bike lane problem

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board, which supports cycling, still has a problem with some parts of the city’s bike lane policy. Comments (36).

Web readers ask: What WAS that pro-arena editorial?

Letters: Our readers react. Negatively, in case you were wondering. Comments (7).

Born to be mild! Behind the wheel of Brooklyn’s first electric Mini Cooper

Brooklyn Angle: Our columnist got to test drive a 100-percent electricity-powered car. It was cool. With video … Comments (4).

And from the regular mailbag

Letters: More letters objecting to our pro-Atlantic Yards arena editorial. Comments (2).

What if the city removes the bike lane on Fifth Avenue?

Cartoon: Our cartoonist offers his view. Comments (1).

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Same as it ever was — Hepcat and Teen Spirit bond over David Byrne

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Hepcat takes Teen Spirit to the David Byrne show in Prospect Park for some surprise bonding. Comment.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Gehry or not, Brooklyn needs this arena

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board restates its longtime support for the Atlantic Yards arena. Comments (58).

This month, every pol is your best friend

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks politicians are a bunch of two-faced glad-handers. Comment.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Where in the world is Teen Spirit?

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom tries to help a friend with a troubled teen. Comments (3).

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Paper: Stop the BID bid

Editorial: Our editorial board backs a group of rogue merchants on Fulton Street who are fighting a new business improvement district in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. Comments (3).

Cartoonist to cruise ships: Belch somewhere else!

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming is literally gasping over dirty cruise ships. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The Brooklyn chapter of the American Institute of Architects gave us double the pleasure in this week’s mailbag. Comments (2).

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Naughty, naughty! Babeland has given Park Slope a rise

Brooklyn Angle: The sex toy shop marks a successful first year. Comments (3).

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Sex Ed 101: Smartmom finally learns how to talk to her kids about sex

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom takes a course on raising “sex-positive” kids. Could she finally become better at talking to her kids? Maybe next week. Comments (1).

What Smartmom learned at Babeland

Smartmom: So what did Smartmom learn at the “sex-positive kids” lecture at Babeland? Comment.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Ticket sales in the tank? Who you gonna call? Gersh Kuntzman!

Brooklyn Angle: Hey, you! Take a piece of advice from Brooklyn’s most-philathropic columnist: Buy a ticket to the Prospect Park “Party for Playgrounds” NOW! Comments (1).

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Cartoon: The canal is really a mess

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks the mess in the Gowanus Canal has two new sources. Comments (1).

Get on board with the new ‘Brooklyn Local’

Editorial: Our editorial board urges riders to make sure the MTA knows how important the newly expanded G-train service is to Brooklynites. Comments (3).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: Two more letters complaining about rogue bikers. Comments (1).

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Clean the Gowanus? Hold your nose and choose between feds and city

Cleaning the Gowanus: NEWS ANALYSIS: Both proposals for cleaning the Gowanus Canal are flawed. Comments (6).

Other big news from the Gowanus Canal hearing

Cleaning the Gowanus: Other big details about the far-reaching impact of a Superfund designation for the Gowanus Canal trickled out of Tuesday’s meeting. Here’s a round-up of all the major action. Comments (2).

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Smartmom’s Memorial Day memory of her great dad

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom deals wit memory and loss a year after the death of her dad. Comments (2).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Our cartoonist loves a longer G train

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming has to give the MTA some credit, albeit temporarily. Comment.

Pechefsky beats me at chess — but does he have a full deck?

Brooklyn Angle: He came. He saw. He kicked my butt. Comments (2).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The letter of the week comes from Bay Ridge, where one man is a garbage vigilante! Comments (1).

Why parking permits are not the answer

Editorial: Our editorial board has serious qualms about residential parking permits. Comments (9).

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Smartmom says: Plenty of women can be just as happy without kids!

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on the award-winning BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom shows the positive side of life without kids. Comments (2).

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Will there be any BQE left to fix?

Cartoon: Our cartoonist, Cristian Fleming, thinks this BQE roadwork is taking too long. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, we got a mailbag full of letters about our article about a walking tour of Brooklyn’s mob past. Comments (1).

Paper: Here’s how to fix the Mean Streets

Editorial: The editorial board offers one solution for calming Brooklyn’s Mean Streets: car-free hours on some streets. Comment.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Smartmom raises her glass to new bar — the one across from the school

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom says she has no problem with a new bar-restaurant across the street from PS 107 in Park Slope. Comments (6).

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Macy’s gets hit from the Jersey side

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks Macy’s may have not fully thought out its plan to move the July 4th fireworks to New Jersey. Comments (1).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, we got letters about St. Joseph’s College’s plans for a basketball gym, the ongoing struggle to clean the Gowanus Canal, the missing lobster sign on Montague Street and, of course, lard bread. Comments (1).

More ‘Park’ malarkey

Editorial: The editorial board smells another rat in the latest cutbacks at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Comment.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

It’s Mother’s Day — but who’s crying? Smartmom, of course

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom digs in for some serious Mother’s Day tears. Comment.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Swine flu? What’s the big deal?

Cartoon: Our cartoonist, Cristian Fleming, weighs in on the swine flu … among other things. Comments (1).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, we got a lot of letters about the proposal to designate the Gowanus Canal as a federal Superfund site. Comments (3).

Superfund answers are lacking

Editorial: There remain many unanswered questions about the federal plan to make the Gowanus Canal a Superfund site. Comments (9).

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Smartmom wonders: What is a good mother?

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom examines what it takes to be a good mother (believe it or not, she is one!). Comment.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Lard and clear! Carroll Gardens bakery is stuffing our troops

Brooklyn Angle: Here’s a story about a great bakery, a great lard bread and a great tradition. Comments (5).

A slasher is loose at the Brooklyn Museum

Cartoon: Our cartoonist, Cristian Fleming, weighs in on the Museum’s financial problems. Comments (3).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, the chairman of Community Board 2 objects to our recent editorial, plus letters about overweight people, Gersh’s search for a cookie, and a composure who sued the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Comment.

Bread and circuses at Coney

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper’s editorial board sees a bright summer at Coney Island — but lingering problems once the tent stakes are pulled up. Comments (2).

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Candidates to succeed Yassky yawn it out in Brooklyn Heights

Politicrasher: It’s now a seven-for-all to succeed David Yassky in the City Council. Comments (19).

The problem? Smartmom isn’t bad ENOUGH

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom complains that she’s not a bad enough mother to get in on the latest publishing trend: memoirs and confessions from “bad” parents. Yep, she missed the boat again. Comments (1).

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A cartoonist’s-eye view

Cartoon: Our cartoonist, Cristian Fleming, sees some hypocrisy in the federal move to declare the Gowanus Canal a Superfund site. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, a letter about “gay” pizza night and one about charter schools — plus more comments from our online readers. Comments (1).

Brooklyn Paper Web chatter

Letters: This week, most of our online comments were about our coverage of the Gowanus Canal clean-up. Comment.

Superfund hype

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper questions federal intervention in cleaning up the Gowanus Canal. Comments (3).

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Smartmom pining for a foreign affair

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom bemoans how little foreign travel her kids have done and realizes who’s to blame: she is. It’s not just the economy, stupid! Comments (4).

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Let DUMBO thrive

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper comes out in favor of a residential rezoning. Comments (10).

MTA is an F-ing tease

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming, like everyone else, wishes the F train was better. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letter writers are all over the map, but are mostly upset at Jed Walentas’s Dock Street project. Comment.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Smartmom and Hepcat were ‘Gods of Carnage’

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom recalls a playground fight and how her reaction was straight out of the Broadway show, “God of Carnage.” Comments (1).

Thursday, April 2, 2009

More Coney baloney

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper restates its position: Mayor Bloomberg is peddling Coney baloney! Comment.

Our cartoonist takes on Bloomy!

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming sees a mayoral monarch in Mike Bloomberg. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letter writers share their grief about the theft of our editor’s bike. Comment.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Meet today’s unemployed (yes, there are a lot of them)

Vox Pop: They are the faces of the unemployed — your neighbors, your friends, your relatives — and they came, by the hundreds, to a job fair at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Tuesday. Comments (1).

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Teen Spirit, 18, is ready to be a man

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom looks back on a topsy-turvy 18 years for Teen Spirit as her first child becomes a man. Comments (1).

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Squadron’s ‘Park’ plan

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board is cautiously optimistic about a state Senator’s plan to eliminate housing inside Brooklyn Bridge Park. Comments (1).

Our cartoonist takes on the MTA!

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming sees only danger ahead for subway and bus riders. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letter writers express their usual outrage over something we did. Comments (1).

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Hepcat is building up some resentment

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom calls in a handyman when Hepcat could have easily done the work himself. Comments (2).

Friday, March 20, 2009

DiBrienza responds!

Perspective: A former City Councilman responds to a Brooklyn Paper story about a neighborhood charity that he runs with grants from the Council. Comments (3).

Thursday, March 19, 2009

No to MTA bailout

Editorial: The Brooklyn Paper editorial board calls for no increases in revenue for the inept MTA until the transit agency is reformed. Comments (17).

Our cartoonist takes on Bay Ridge’s anti-karaoke community board

Coney Island: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming wants his karaoke! Comments (1).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letters include one from a New York City Hall of Famer’s tribute to late great blogger Robert Guskind. Comment.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

So what if Smartmom ain’t so smart?

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom admits her flaws. Comments (4).

Friday, March 13, 2009

Kelso brewer discovers that no good pint goes unpunished!

Brooklyn Angle: A Clinton Hill brewer’s blood drive idea is snubbed by its would-be benefactors. Comment.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

DiBrienza must quit

Editorial: In light of a scandal, our editorial board calls on Steve DiBrienza to abandon his race for his old City Council seat. Comments (8).

Our cartoonist on Coney

Coney Island: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming weighs in on this week’s supposed approval of Mayor Bloomberg’s Coney Island plan by the neighborhood’s community board. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letter writers focused on Atlantic Yards, bridge tolls, bridge repairs and a public toilet for Grand Army Plaza. Comment.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

What happens on Facebook should stay on Facebook

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom gives her report from deep inside Facebook. Comments (6).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Koval’s departure

Editorial: Our editorial board sees a much bigger story to Marianna Koval’s resignation from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. The story: There is no park. Comments (2).

All drawn out

Bridge ‘Park’: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming looks at an abrupt departure at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Comment.

I am the public face of philanthropy today!

Brooklyn Angle: Does seeing the face of our columnist make you want to make a contribution to Brooklyn playgrounds? The Prospect Park Alliance clearly thinks so. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: This week, our letter writers focused on Atlantic Yards, bridge tolls, bridge repairs and a public toilet for Grand Army Plaza. Comments (3).

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

DiBrienza schools newcomers at Council forum

Politicrasher: He’s been out of politics for more than eight years, but former four-termer Steve DiBrienza held a clinic — call it “Campaigning 101” — for the six rivals for the Windsor Terrace seat he used to hold. Comment.

The unthinkable! Smartmom catches a bad cold

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, our Smartmom comes down with the flu and her whole family gets sick. Comments (1).

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009

Don’t fear the Big Box

Editorial: Our editorial board sees the success of the Red Hook Ikea as another reason to cheer for big box retail. Comments (5).

All drawn out

Cartoon: Cartoonist Cristian Fleming thinks the federal stimulus bill won’t do the job. Comments (1).

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled to the brim — mostly with missives in support, and in condemnation, of our columnist’s debunking of the myth that the Park Slope Food Co-op was considering a ban on Israeli products. Comments (2).

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009

Smartmom is still learning how to be a mom

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, our Smartmom realizes that she’s not so smart after all. Who goes on a trip with four tweens yet fails to bring a Band Aid? Comments (3).

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Protect freedom of speech

Editorial: Our editorial board is sick of politicians making it harder for newspapers to distribute their editions. Comments (2).

All drawn out

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming was tickled by the story of the aborted rescue of the 20-pound lobster from a Dyker Heights restaurant this week. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled to the brim. This week’s highlights include yet another angry response to The Brooklyn Paper’s call for federal funding of Bruce Ratner’s basketball arena, a cheer for Steve DiBrienza’s attempt to win back his old City Council seat, and a letter from a metal detector who feels persecuted. Comment.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

OSFO gets the last, feisty, word

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, the Oh So Feisty One delivers the last word: She doesn’t mind that Smartmom writes about her in public. So there! Comments (20).

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled with criticism of The Brooklyn Paper’s front page editorial last week that supported the use of federal stimulus money to build Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards basketball arena. The editorial, signed by Publisher Ed Weintrob, was called “bizarro,” “nuts” and “ethically challenged.” Comments (1).

Online, some readers applaud The Paper’s stand

Letters: Online, some readers applaud The Paper’s stand. Comments (2).

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009

She still loves Hepcat, the lug

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, our columnist takes stock on Valentine’s Day and decides that marriage is tough, but she still loves her Hepcat. Comments (4).

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009

Build the arena — with fed money!

Editorial: Our editorial board says that the federal stimulus package has changed the equation and it’s now time to build the Atlantic Yards arena on Washington’s dime. A rare signed editorial by Publisher Ed Weintrob! Comments (58).

All drawn out

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming takes a look at the Macy’s on Fulton Mall. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled as usual. The highlights this week include a missive about Steve DiBrienza’s attempt to win back his old City Council seat, plus letters on the Miss America pageant, Brooklyn Bridge “Park,” and campaign fundraising. Comment.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009

Smartmom takes on her critics — including her daughter

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom Day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, our columnist reacts to the condemnation of her as a bad mom. Comments (31).

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

Yes on Dock Street

Editorial: Our editorial board reiterates its support for Jed Walentas’s Dock Street proposal. Comments (17).

All drawn out

Cartoon: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming takes a dim view of our economic situation. Ooh, rough. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled as usual with letters. The highlights this week include a letter from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, the guy who finished 48th on our “90 to watch in ‘09” list, and a woman who hates Park Slope’s entitled parents. Comment.

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

Update: Snubbed Miss New York tells us she’s not bitter

Brooklyn Angle: Miss New York speaks to her greatest champion, The Brooklyn Paper, about her stunning defeat in Las Vegas this Saturday. Comment.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

The poser: Gersh Kuntzman is all nude!

Brooklyn Angle: Our columnist doffs his duds, does the full monty, drops his drawers, bares all, and twists the wick for a bunch of art students. A very special Brooklyn Angle column — and accompanying podcast. With video … Comments (10).

Smartmom decides to keep it real

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it’s Smartmom Day on BrooklynPaper.com. This week, our columnist gets criticized for writing about her kids — but it’s her writing, and her kids, so buzz off! Comments (19).

Readers speak: Smartmom is wrong

Parenting: We asked for your opinion on whether Smartmom should keep writing about her kids. The verdict is in. Comments (4).

Monday, Jan. 26, 2009

Update: Miss New York is wrongly snubbed!

Brooklyn Angle: Well, folks, the inevitable has happened: Miss New York — the former Miss Brooklyn, Leigh-Taylor Smith — was cheated out of the Miss America title on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Comment.

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

Miss New York to roll over the competition!

Brooklyn Angle: Here she is, Miss America! Comments (3).

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

Smartmom’s kids: Write is so wrong

Parenting: Smartmom’s kids have dropped a momshell! Comments (24).

Bloomy’s plan is full of holes

Coney Island: Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to restore vitality to Coney Island with gleaming new rides, hotels and attractions and thousands of apartments on desolate blocks looks good on paper, but the effort to succeed where at least four previous mayors failed raises more questions than it answers. Comments (3).

Make ‘park’ a real park

Editorial: Our editorial board calls for the Brooklyn Bridge Park development to be scrapped and reconceived as a real public park. Comments (8).

All drawn out

Atlantic Yards: Our cartoonist Cristian Fleming offers his take on the mayor’s Coney Island plan. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled as usual with letters. Obviously, people have a problem with some of our stories, like the lady from Kensington, who didn’t like our front-page story on “Stable Brooklyn.” Also, check out more angry mail about Gersh’s takedown of Peter Luger. Comment.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009

Smartmom’s family hates her column

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom says her family is revolting — revolting against her column, that is. Comments (9).

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

Bait and switch

Editorial: Our editorial board says that the new calls to cut costs at Atlantic Yards are par for the course for developer Bruce Ratner: promise the stars, shoot for the moon, get state officials to approve the clouds, then build a project that barely gets off the ground. Comments (5).

All drawn out

Atlantic Yards: Now, Atlantic Yards cheerleader Marty Markowitz falls prey to our cartoonist Cristian Fleming’s rapier pen. Comment.

The Brooklyn Paper mailbag

Letters: The mailbag is filled as usual with letters. See what readers are saying about, among other things, our coverage of Atlantic Yards. Comment.

Web takes bite out of Gersh

Letters: Last week, our carnivore in chief Gersh Kuntzman lived and reviewed the ultimate red-blooded fantasy, back-to-back steak dinners at Williamsburg stalwart Peter Luger’s and Downtown upstart Morton’s. His mouth-tested, stomach-approved conclusions — that Morton’s is superior to Luger in every way — produced a huge pile of reader feedback. For your pleasure, we regurgitate the Grade-A remarks from BrooklynPaper.com. Comments (1).

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009

Economic slowdown? Welcome to Smartmom’s daily life

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom says she’s not worried about the Great Depression of 2009 — because living on less has been her lifestyle for years. Comments (1).

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009

Can this family get back in synch?

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, Smartmom and clan try to get back to their old routines after a long holiday. Comments (1).

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008

Christmas in Cali for Smartmom

Smartmom: If it’s Tuesday, it must be Smartmom day at BrooklynPaper.com. This week, it’s a very special Smartmom as the family treks to Hepcat’s ancestral farm in California. Comment.