Month: October 2008

Brooklyn Represent

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Sure, as a New Yorker your vote won’t change the Electoral College map. But you can make a difference in swing states without leaving Kings County. This weekend (and through election day), volunteer a bit of time to call voters in those swing states and get out the Obama vote.
Brooklyn10000 is looking for 10,000 volunteers:
> This weekend, from Saturday, Nov. 1st, until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, Brooklyn has the power make the difference in this election.
We will be calling into the battleground states to get out the vote for Senators Obama and Biden. Brooklyn Represent.
Locally, Third Ward (Morgan and Stagg) is hosting one of the call-in sites. Hours, and the other 9 call-in locations are here.

It’s Time

My favorite conservative magazine endorses Obama:
> The Economist does not have a vote, but if it did, it would cast it for Mr Obama. We do so wholeheartedly: the Democratic candidate has clearly shown that he offers the better chance of restoring America’s self-confidence.

Preserving NY’s Industrial Past

From CityRoom, a rundown of last week’s MAS panel discussion on industrial architecture, green development and job retention. A lot of discussion of Williamsburg, including some thoughts from yours truly.

G-W Contextual Rezoning

10/29/2008 |

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Greenpoint-Williamsburg Contextual Rezoning
Study Area



Last night City Planning and Community Board #1, in conjunction with Council Members Yassky and Reyna, held an informational session on the proposed contextual rezoning of 175 blocks in Greenpoint & Williamsburg. As in previous rezonings (Grand Street in 2008, Northside in 2005), the aim of the zoning is to limit building heights to the four to five story range (and thereby eliminate finger buildings).
There is another informational session this evening at Greenpoint Savings Bank on Manhattan Avenue. The formal public review is expected to begin in January or February.



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Arizona: Toss Up?

A slew of recent polls have the presidential tightening (considerably) in Arizona. But the latest pool from Arizona State University has the race as *very* tight – McCain 46% to Obama 44%.
This is McCain’s home state. This is a state Bush carried by 10 points in 2004. If you know someone in Arizona, **call them**. If you have free night and weekend minutes, call them a lot.
Let’s put some karma on the Straight Talk Express.

Diwali

Speaking of parking, alternate side of the street parking rules (aka street cleaning rules) are suspended tomorrow (28 October) for the celebration of the Indian holiday Diwali. Diwali is the Hindu (and Sike, Buddhist and Jainist) festival of lights. The festival itself is five days long, with the main day – Diwali – timed to fall on a moonless night. The festival is celebrated by lighting candles and fireworks.
Read more here – something to do while you’re not moving your car.