The hydrant pond is brilliant. Props to Hajj Malik Lovick for an incredibly kind thing for his neighborhood. I offer my most sincere condolences on the loss of his son and the goldfish pond is the perfect memorial to him. I don’t often comment but this needed to be recognized. It is so uplifting to see a bit of nature in a spot where there is usually nothing but dog shit.
There is a spot in the Bronx off Morris Park Avenue where a private homeowner has a turtle pond. I would walk my granddaughter in her stroller to go on the turtle hunt. It wasn’t really a hunt as I knew where the turtles were but she was only 2 1/2 and was excited every time to see the turtles. Ever since we moved to Jerusalem I’m really sorry but I cannot remember exactly where the turtle spot is. You will have to find it yourself if you are interested.
Oh wow, Rita! I would love to visit this sidewalk turtle pond and learn more about it. But when I Google it all I get is a bunch of results for the Bed-Stuy aquarium. Maybe another reader will be able to help with this.
Anne, I found a photo dated May 2021 before we left for Israel and the photo had a location of 1723 Paulding Avenue. That is Morris Park in the Bronx. I would send the photo but I have no idea how to attach it to this little box.
The photo has no info on itself but when I opened my photo the address was on the information about location. I really hope it helps. I also have old friends in the Bronx working on it.
Anne I was able to send actual photo not a copy in second email which may have a map attached. I’m sorry but I’m just not technically astute. Good luck on the turtle hunt. If I get more info I will send it on.
I feel that you have captured the essence of Brooklyn in this issue. A mixture of creativity, diversity, desire to do good, and of course a bit of conflict. That's who we are. My favorite words - "Can't stop love. You know?” Thank you again (and again) for a wonderful substack. Another brighter Monday.
It's worth it to subscribe just for the knowledge I'm supporting your wacky adventures and willful experiments.
That aquarium is fascinating, and I adore the idea. I always thought fish were pretty specific and temperamental about their environments, and a pond that small could have water temps fluctuating quite a bit during a day. I guess I was mistaken! Those are some hardy goldfish.
I think goldfish are cousins to koi in that they are fairly hardy. As you probably know, there are quite a few koi ponds in NYC where the fish thrive (happily?) through our freezing winters and swampy summers.
That aquarium is brilliant, but you know someone somewhere in government is going to freak out that someone will drown in it and shut it down. Because nice things...
Also, I appreciate the young lady wanting to protect the goldfish, but talk about missing the goldfish for the gold, or the trees, or something. Keep the aquarium!
I'm also curious about the city, Mr. Jensen. It's very surprising they haven't "done" anything about this yet. My HOPE is that they wouldn't dare because can you imagine how people would react? So far so good.
On the aquarium, what about stray cats in the neighborhood? Is it covered at night? Very heart-satisfying story. Regarding Eric Adams, do I smell a rat?
That's a good question about cats, Sharon! Right now there is no net over the puddle and it seems to be going okay. Maybe there is some sort of unspoken agreement between the area fish and cats. City animals have their own way of doing things.
I love the hydrant aquarium. I hope the interest continues and they survive the winter. It’s obvious there are no raccoons or coyotes around. Although I’m over here on the West Coast, I feel a kinship and interest in all things NY. Thanks for the quirky news.
I like to think the hydrant has been leaking since the days of floating straw races (40 years). Nothing quite works but everybody rolls with it. I have this image of a water department bureaucrat keeping it on the todo list for 40 years and just occasionally rescheduling the maintenance. Once every quarter someone updates an excel spreadsheet of backlogged work -- ALWAYS one of the best things going on Monday Anne,
We need an all-hands meeting. It appears about 1/4 of the water we divert from the Catskills is leaking out before we actually use it. This kinda sucks so we need to save the comment history of our Excel sheets for each leak we know about so the public is comfortable we are on the case :) In the meantime lets try to minimize all of the flushed pharmaceuticals since the koi in Brooklyn seem to be a little flighty. What seems to be the impact on the black goldfish with all the Zoloft in the water :)
love the aquarium and wish the fish and their caretakers the best! seems they're doing just fine and comparable to life in a bowl/tank to me. reminds me of the "Barbie Pond of Avenue Q" in DC, who I followed on Instagram years ago from an article - he does big artistic themed displays using Barbies in the decorative pond at his house.
I am personally shocked that the Party Animals was the "worst-performing issue"! I think that people were just too overcome with the cuteness to hit the "like" button.
My favorite line: "Taking all this in, I laughed and laughed. People!" What a fantastic issue, from updates about your capricious Mayor to the lovely goldfish pond (I'm a bit concerned about raccoons, from personal experience) to your number-crunching cockroach/assistant. Lots of fun, as always.
"In case visitors got hungry, someone had donated a paper sack of vidalia onions." I laughed and laughed when I read this. There is always that odd sack of something hanging around.
Can I join the goldfish liberation front? I'm on the pond's side, I just need that merchandise in my life. Imagine the t-shirts.
I might bike by this. Seeking out this kind of thing tends to make me feel like a gawker, and then worry about Hogan and Denton watching. But it sounds worth getting over my awkward side. If Eric can pretend to be a part of human society, why can't I?
Congratulations on the solvency! I thought that went against the terms of use.
Someone should tell the Mayor that you can get free refills on iced tea without giving countries a free pass on fire inspections. That someone probably shouldn't be Jeff though who got absolutely roasted by Hizzoner.
The hydrant pond is brilliant. Props to Hajj Malik Lovick for an incredibly kind thing for his neighborhood. I offer my most sincere condolences on the loss of his son and the goldfish pond is the perfect memorial to him. I don’t often comment but this needed to be recognized. It is so uplifting to see a bit of nature in a spot where there is usually nothing but dog shit.
There is a spot in the Bronx off Morris Park Avenue where a private homeowner has a turtle pond. I would walk my granddaughter in her stroller to go on the turtle hunt. It wasn’t really a hunt as I knew where the turtles were but she was only 2 1/2 and was excited every time to see the turtles. Ever since we moved to Jerusalem I’m really sorry but I cannot remember exactly where the turtle spot is. You will have to find it yourself if you are interested.
Oh wow, Rita! I would love to visit this sidewalk turtle pond and learn more about it. But when I Google it all I get is a bunch of results for the Bed-Stuy aquarium. Maybe another reader will be able to help with this.
I will try and find the location for you. It might take a while as I am no longer in the Bronx.
Anne, I found a photo dated May 2021 before we left for Israel and the photo had a location of 1723 Paulding Avenue. That is Morris Park in the Bronx. I would send the photo but I have no idea how to attach it to this little box.
Rita thank you!
Please send the photo to my email: annekadet@yahoo.com
I emailed it to you.
The photo has no info on itself but when I opened my photo the address was on the information about location. I really hope it helps. I also have old friends in the Bronx working on it.
Anne I was able to send actual photo not a copy in second email which may have a map attached. I’m sorry but I’m just not technically astute. Good luck on the turtle hunt. If I get more info I will send it on.
Wow. A stellar edition. My favourite line is about how the fish "slowly circle the leaky fire hydrant in a desultory swirl" 😂
Thanks B.A.! I liked that line, too. :)
I also noticed that your calculator is set the the number of the beast. Happy accident? Or evidence of something more sinister…
Haha glad you noticed! Just having some fun...
I’m so relieved! I was worried about Substack!
I feel that you have captured the essence of Brooklyn in this issue. A mixture of creativity, diversity, desire to do good, and of course a bit of conflict. That's who we are. My favorite words - "Can't stop love. You know?” Thank you again (and again) for a wonderful substack. Another brighter Monday.
I like the idea that everything Brooklyn converges on this puddle, mordy, and I think you are right!
Glad you enjoyed the story!
It's worth it to subscribe just for the knowledge I'm supporting your wacky adventures and willful experiments.
That aquarium is fascinating, and I adore the idea. I always thought fish were pretty specific and temperamental about their environments, and a pond that small could have water temps fluctuating quite a bit during a day. I guess I was mistaken! Those are some hardy goldfish.
Thanks Justin!
I think goldfish are cousins to koi in that they are fairly hardy. As you probably know, there are quite a few koi ponds in NYC where the fish thrive (happily?) through our freezing winters and swampy summers.
That aquarium is brilliant, but you know someone somewhere in government is going to freak out that someone will drown in it and shut it down. Because nice things...
Also, I appreciate the young lady wanting to protect the goldfish, but talk about missing the goldfish for the gold, or the trees, or something. Keep the aquarium!
"Or something," haha!
I'm also curious about the city, Mr. Jensen. It's very surprising they haven't "done" anything about this yet. My HOPE is that they wouldn't dare because can you imagine how people would react? So far so good.
Too bad they don't have something like a crazy, corrupt mayor to distra-- Oh, wait. Never mind!
First, congrats on the success of your newsletter. Well done and well deserved. 👏😊
Second, “goldfish cruelty.” LMAO. This story was hilarious yet beautiful. Lovick needs some sort of community award.
Third, equally hilarious yet beautiful would be if schools took kids on field trips to the smallest aquarium in the world.
Thanks for the congrats CK.
And that is such a fun idea, Bed-Stuy Aquarium field trips for school kids. I can see the school busses lined up now!
On the aquarium, what about stray cats in the neighborhood? Is it covered at night? Very heart-satisfying story. Regarding Eric Adams, do I smell a rat?
That's a good question about cats, Sharon! Right now there is no net over the puddle and it seems to be going okay. Maybe there is some sort of unspoken agreement between the area fish and cats. City animals have their own way of doing things.
I love the hydrant aquarium. I hope the interest continues and they survive the winter. It’s obvious there are no raccoons or coyotes around. Although I’m over here on the West Coast, I feel a kinship and interest in all things NY. Thanks for the quirky news.
Oh golly. Someone else brought up cats but I did not consider raccoons! There are actually lots of raccoons in NYC but maybe not in Bed-Stuy. I hope!
Glad you enjoyed the story, Toni!
I like to think the hydrant has been leaking since the days of floating straw races (40 years). Nothing quite works but everybody rolls with it. I have this image of a water department bureaucrat keeping it on the todo list for 40 years and just occasionally rescheduling the maintenance. Once every quarter someone updates an excel spreadsheet of backlogged work -- ALWAYS one of the best things going on Monday Anne,
LOL So funny Mark! He will need to update the spreadsheet entry with an asterisk now, though, and add a footnote: "pending goldfish situation review."
We need an all-hands meeting. It appears about 1/4 of the water we divert from the Catskills is leaking out before we actually use it. This kinda sucks so we need to save the comment history of our Excel sheets for each leak we know about so the public is comfortable we are on the case :) In the meantime lets try to minimize all of the flushed pharmaceuticals since the koi in Brooklyn seem to be a little flighty. What seems to be the impact on the black goldfish with all the Zoloft in the water :)
I expect Eric Adams to hear about the fish named in his honor any day now and hold a press conference at the aquarium!
OMG that would be so great Claire! Especially if it also includes a prayer breakfast.
love the aquarium and wish the fish and their caretakers the best! seems they're doing just fine and comparable to life in a bowl/tank to me. reminds me of the "Barbie Pond of Avenue Q" in DC, who I followed on Instagram years ago from an article - he does big artistic themed displays using Barbies in the decorative pond at his house.
I'd take the sidewalk pit over a fishbowl any day too, Megan.
I checked out the Barbie pond Insta. Someone is having a lot of fun!
I am personally shocked that the Party Animals was the "worst-performing issue"! I think that people were just too overcome with the cuteness to hit the "like" button.
LOL that MUST be it. I'm still recovering myself Emily!
My favorite line: "Taking all this in, I laughed and laughed. People!" What a fantastic issue, from updates about your capricious Mayor to the lovely goldfish pond (I'm a bit concerned about raccoons, from personal experience) to your number-crunching cockroach/assistant. Lots of fun, as always.
Yay thank you Jessica, I'm so happy you enjoyed the issue so much! This was an especially fun issue to write. Substack the CI says hello!
"In case visitors got hungry, someone had donated a paper sack of vidalia onions." I laughed and laughed when I read this. There is always that odd sack of something hanging around.
Haha, yes! Well, usually at the community garden, or the front desk at the meditation center. But this is sort of the same genre of location.
Can I join the goldfish liberation front? I'm on the pond's side, I just need that merchandise in my life. Imagine the t-shirts.
I might bike by this. Seeking out this kind of thing tends to make me feel like a gawker, and then worry about Hogan and Denton watching. But it sounds worth getting over my awkward side. If Eric can pretend to be a part of human society, why can't I?
Congratulations on the solvency! I thought that went against the terms of use.
Yes I am seeing Che Guevara Goldfish iconography for sure.
I hope you do spin by the pond. Its really a very cozy and heartwarming situation, IRL.
Someone should tell the Mayor that you can get free refills on iced tea without giving countries a free pass on fire inspections. That someone probably shouldn't be Jeff though who got absolutely roasted by Hizzoner.
LOL so funny, Mr. Stephenson.
I think Jeff was proud of his moment, by the way. He promptly went back to the office and tweeted about it!