New York Today: Barbecue Dos and Don’ts

Fire pits are for open country, in the city the smoke drifts up into people’s apartments which is a great imposition as smoke is a health hazard and also stinks. It’s very in considerate of the fire starters since their neighbors have to close their windows. Or maybe call 311 to report the open wood flame to the FDNY.

How about "New York Today: Barbeque, Don't."

We're still ahead of the curve here -- in Berlin, fire officials recently had to declare the roasting of whole sheep in dugout pits located in public parks was against German safety codes...Bon Appetit!

“Manhattanhenge returns next week. Here’s where to see it.” We sang this from last year’s comments over the weekend; no money came of it, but I absolutely thanked New York Today as the source material! Tune of "Satin Doll" Internet typin’ – they’re gettin’ Set for some hypin’ – I’m bettin’ They’re chattin’ - Manhattan-henge Perfect design in - our city Sun is alignin’ – so pretty Life’s phat in - Manhattan-henge So let’s meet on the street 'Cause we’re in for a treat if it’s true And let's sit with a drink As we're painted a pink orange hue (Get there early) If it’s not raining, can’t beat it So entertaining, let’s tweet it Still chattin’ - Manhattan-henge If rain don’t flatten – Manhattan-henge

“The Fourth Estate” is a film about the New York Times journalists covering the Trump presidency. How about "The Trump Estate"? That's property heavily mortgaged and underwater.

Biggest don't: please don't refer to "outdoor grills" as "barbecues". They are not the same thing.

“What are the rules for grills and bonfires around the city? We asked the Fire Department to set the record straight.” Tune of “All I Need is the Girl” (Sinatra rendition, maybe) Got the lawn mowed Got the fire code All we need now is the grill. Got the lamb shanks Got propane tanks Got the pipe for this new gas installation Now, we need our approved application When that is a go Then I will show off my great skill. So let’s speed through the nasty red tape And think of all the guests who we agreed to feed. What we really need is the grill.

Re grilling where it's dangerous: Here in Flatbush, I've seen people set up their grills right up against business establishments that have closed for the day, and right up against parked cars. And then, of course, bit by bit they draw an admiring crowd of friends and strangers, and the noise level goes up exponentially. It can't be legal to butt your barbecue against someone's glass storefront or against someone's automobile. Cop cars pass by. If they don't see what's going on, they should. Or perhaps they just don't want to start an altercation in which they certainly will become the villains.

Having previously read the rules about barbecue grills in NYC online, it's my understanding that you cannot have an open flame (propane fueled or charcoal fueled) within 10 FEET of any flammable surface (like a wooden fence, the wall of an occupied building, etc.). This would mean that my neighbor, who just moved in & bought a large propane-fueled grill for the tar-papered "setback" terrace of his apartment, is in violation of the law - not to mention putting putting his building and the adjacent connected buildings on our block at risk of fire. I just keep thinking of the explosion that leveled the corner of 7th St. and 2nd Avenue (and yes, I know that was caused by an improper gas hook-up) - but a propane tank fueled barbecue on a 3rd floor brownstone backyard-facing setback seems like an accident waiting to happen. And I guess nobody cares that the smoke wafts into the adjacent apartment windows - which is (or should be) unacceptable.