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The angel of darkness (original 1997; edition 1997)
by Caleb Carr
Work details
The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr (1997)
No current Talk conversations about this book.
If you enjoyed the alienist, you will like this book even more. Not only because there is more to like but because many if the weaknesses of the first book are missing in the second.
Now, it is a long slog but it is a pleasant one. While there are a few patches that drag and many of the authors foibles are on display (character after character constantly saying "I'll tell you what I've learned as soon as we get with everyone else and sit down to a fine meal." And then several pages describing the walk to the restaurant before the character tells his tale. ) the choice of voice in this book (as compared to the alienist) seems to smooth over these patches.
As usual, the author has a fine eye for per turn of the century New York but he does not let it get in the way.
All in all worthwhile.
Continuazione de 'L'alienista', andrebbe idealmente letto subito dopo, per mantenersi ancora per qualche tempo dentro una sudicia, cupa e violenta New York della fine dell'800. Anche qui casi al limite dell'orrore per la squadra ideata (molto felicemente e con grande capacità) dall'autore; anche qui la Storia si mescola con la cronaca, in un quadro vivido e documentatissimo. Dalle note finali sembra che C. abbia avuto qualche problema di salute (mentale) durante la lunghissima stesura dei due libri, e che abbia rischiato di assumere lo stile omicida di qualcuno dei suoi personaggi...
I love the cast of characters. Fantastic sequel!
After really enjoying the first book, [b:The Alienist|40024|The Alienist (Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, #1)|Caleb Carr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169386132s/40024.jpg|2266643], when I came across a sequel, I was stoked!! And I wasn't disappointed. although there were a few shaky moments at the beginning. I read The Alienist long enough ago that I didn't quite remember all the details of the characters...I think that reading them back to back would be a little more beneficial for understanding some of the subplots. However, I still enjoyed the book.
As in the first book, this turn of the century novel set in New York is full of big time players--Vanderbilt, Teddy Roosevelt, and Clarence Darrow (who, if you need a refresher was a very well accomplished lawyer, and defended Scopes in the Scopes 'Monkey' Trial--the teacher who dared to teach evolution in his class!...and I had to look that up to remember it...).
One theme remains the same: trying to solve crimes with science like fingerprinting, and other forensics (which at 1900 were very much in their infancy). The other daring move of this novel? It challenges the notion that women can be just as cruel as men...but is this something that society will accept??
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A Spanish diplomat's wife has her baby snatched in 1890s New York and the case is given to psychiatrist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler and his young assistant who narrates the tale. The probe leads them to a nurse turned serial killer of children, including her own. By the author of The Alienist.… (more)
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Being a psychic, you would think talking to the dead was a walk in the park. However, it's not always that simple. The hooded specter haunting me is one I've been dreaming about since I was a kid. One day, he appeared in my bedroom mirror. Good. Evil. I don't know what his true intentions are.
Enter Jackson, ghost hunting show host extraordinaire, and my ex, to save me from the big bad ghost.
From there…well…it's been a world wind of complications. My house burnt down. I'm being stalked by an ancient evil and gotten myself back into the world of being a ghost hunting psychic. Jackson dragged me, along with a few other psychics, to a ghost town wiped off the map called Death's Dance.
From there things went from bad to worse.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Burkina FasoFoodFunding via Agence Communautaire pour le Financement de la Micro Entreprise (ACFIME)
Mankarga V1...Burkina FasoAgricultureFunding via Micro Start/AFD
Mankarga V1...Burkina FasoAgricultureFunding via Micro Start/AFD
Sountong Nooma Group
Ms. ASSETA has been selling grains for five years and also fabrics concurrently. She gets her supplies in Nassira. Her customers include both men and women.
She wants to purchase 10 sacks of peanuts and a sack of beans. She wants to reinvest her profits in her business. She would like to be able to stock more grains (to become a wholesaler), educate her children, and take care of their future.
Mme vend des céréales et est parallèlement tisseuse depuis 05ans. Elle s'approvisionne à Nassira.
Ses clients sont les hommes et femmes.
Elle veut s'acheter 10 sacs d'arachides et 01 sac d'haricot.
Mme veut réinvestir ses bénéfices dans son activité. Elle souhaite pouvoir stocker plus de céréales (devenir grossiste). Scolariser ses enfants et s'occuper de leur avenir.
Additional Information
About Micro Start/AFDThis loan is administered by Micro Start/AFD, Kiva's first Field Partner in Burkina Faso. Micro Start/AFD's mission is to improve families' living conditions in general, and those of women in particular, by facilitating access to financial and non-financial services.
Micro Start/AFD is a professional microfinance institution offering financial services, advice, and training. One of the organization's principal aims is to collect obligatory and voluntary savings that foster clients' financial independence. Micro Start/AFD also focuses on building female entrepreneurs' skills in management and business administration and improving the living conditions in its clients' communities. More information can be found on Micro Start's Kiva Field Partner Page.
This is a Group Loan
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a larger group of individuals. The group is there to provide support to the members and to provide a system of peer pressure, but groups may or may not be formally bound by a group guarantee. In cases where there is a group guarantee, members of the group are responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members in the case of delinquency or default.
Kiva's Field Partners typically feature one borrower from a group. The loan description, sector, and other attributes for a group loan profile are determined by the featured borrower's loan. The other members of the group are not required to use their loans for the same purpose.
About Burkina Faso
11View loans »
Success!! The loan was 100% repaid
- Repayment Term
- 6 months (Additional Information)
- Repayment Schedule
- Monthly
- Pre-Disbursed:
- Apr 16, 2013
- Listed
- Apr 19, 2013
- Currency Exchange Loss:
- Possible
- Ended:
- Sep 17, 2013


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A reader brought to our attention the outstanding match the Hockinson boys golf team had against Mark Morris on Thursday.
Led by Diego De La Torre (38), Jarred Gomez (38) and Nick Huff (39) on the par-36 Cedars course, the Hawks beat the Monarch 158-183 in the 2A Greater St. Helens League match.
"As I'm sure you're aware," the reader noted, "there aren't many boys golf teams in Clark County with three players shooting in the 30s for nine holes."
Well, last week, that was true. There was only one other team that had exactly three golfers break 40 in a league match. Camas had Brian Humphreys (37), Brett Ball (38) and Eugene Hsu (39) accomplish the feat on par-36 Camas Meadows. The Papermakers also had two other golfers come in at 40 and 41.
Other teams had two players break 40 in matches last week. Battle Ground accomplished it twice with Chad Hall and Tyler Betcher. Mountain View did it with Taylor Smith and Zach Ng. Woodland, not actually in Clark County but close enough, did it with Tanner Huddleston and Ryan Sturdivan.
Union had two golfers shoot par or better when Ian Spicer shot an even-par 36 at Green Mountain and Eddie Abellar had a 3-under 33.
Prairie narrowly missed joining that group when it had four golfers shoot 40 or 41. Heritage had a match in which three golfers shot 40 or 41.
And then there was Columbia River, which actually had four golfers break 40 in a match last week at Lewis River: Brandon Barnes (37), Reed Guernsey (38), Grant Guernsey (39) and Matt Cornwell (39).
So, on second thought, there are actually quite a few teams capable of having three (or more) players break 40 on any given day.
But that's not news for folks who follow golf in Southwest Washington. In recent years, it's been a hotbed for boys golf.
And this year, the golfers will really get to showcase their game in their own backyard as the state boys (and girls) state championships will be held at courses next May in Southwest Washington.
Golf fans will get a chance to see a preview of some state-caliber golfers on Tuesday at the Jeff Hudson Invitational.
The Jeff Hudson Invitational is the rechristened Thunder Invitational. Mountain View coaches John McCausland and James Peterson decided to rename the tournament to honor the former Mountain View golf coach who first organized the tournament and developed it into the annual showcase for top-quality boys golf that it has become today.
The tournament will tee off at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Tri-Mountain Golf Course.
Many of the names mentioned here — and a few not mentioned — are expected to compete together for top honors in the 18-hole tournament.
CROSS COUNTRY: The Jeff Hudson Invitational isn't the only event named after a former coach that will be held this week.
The second annual Bruce Flanagan Invitational cross country meet will be held Saturday at the Holland America Bulb Farm in Woodland.
The meet, named for the longtime Woodland cross country and track and field coach, will include runners from Heritage, Fort Vancouver, Hockinson, La Center, Woodland and King's Way Christian, among others.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached by email at email@example.com or phone at (360) 735-4538.


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His head hung low, Brandon Smith shuffled into Clark County Superior Court on Thursday to face accusations that he was the driver of a pickup that hit and killed two Vancouver women in a crosswalk, then fled the scene and never called police. While detectives searched for the mystery driver, court documents say he apparently ordered parts to repair the front end of his damaged pickup.
The 27-year-old man, who has no criminal history, wore orange jail clothes — the color designated for felonies — and ankle and wrist shackles for his first court appearance. Judge Barbara Johnson held Smith on $1 million bail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 7 on charges of two counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of felony hit-and-run, one count of vehicular assault and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
Raisa Mosh, 45, and Irina Gardinant, 28, were killed about 8 p.m. Jan. 19 when a white pickup struck them in a crosswalk at Northeast 72nd Avenue and Vancouver Mall Drive. Mosh's 12-year-old son was injured and remains in a wheelchair, said Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Vu. Mosh is survived by her husband and four children; Gardinant, by her husband and a 2-year-old child.
"Mr. Smith made no attempt to stop, made no attempt to call 911, made no attempt whatsoever to seek aid for the victims," Vu said. "Not only did he not do his duties as a driver … he made an effort to hide and conceal evidence."
Smith's attorney, Jon McMullen, countered that his client has cooperated with police. The Vancouver defense attorney said he plans to request a lesser bail for Smith at his arraignment. Smith hired McMullen after being identified as a suspect.
"If one is exercising one's constitutional rights and one has an attorney and is availing oneself to law enforcement, then I think one is cooperating," McMullen said.
Victims' families in court
During Thursday's hearing, at least nine members of the victims' families sat in the courtroom's public gallery, flanked by Vancouver police officers. The officers escorted the families in and out of the courtroom to shield them from the heavy media presence, which included at least four TV stations, said Vancouver police Detective John Ringo.
"Though we are finding our strength and comfort in God, we are overwhelmed by the kindness and support of those in our community," the victims' families said later in a statement. "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Vancouver Police Department who have worked tirelessly on the case since the tragedy that took away Raisa and Irina. Our families would like to also thank those who have helped the investigation by calling the tip line and are asking those who may be hesitant to reach out with information. Again, we thank you for your support and prayers."
The case was cracked when investigators served a search warrant last week at Larkspur Place Apartments, 7609 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive. Smith lived at the apartment complex with his girlfriend, Kalista Andino, 21.
During the search, they seized Smith's white 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup, which showed front-end damage, as well as his cellphone and laptop. On Smith's laptop, police found he had placed an order for vehicle parts, which were apparent replacements for the parts found or damaged at the crash scene, according to a court affidavit. The order included Toyota grille assembly parts and headlights.
Before the fatal crash, Andino told a neighbor that Smith is an alcoholic who "frequently drives under the influence," according to a search warrant affidavit.
However, investigators so far have presented no evidence that Smith was intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Smith was not arrested until 5 p.m. Wednesday, when he turned himself in at the request of police.
"I wouldn't characterize it as a delay, even though it seemed like the whole world was waiting for him to be arrested," said Detective Troy Price. "We were making sure we have everything we need for a solid case … We don't want to move in haste and miss something."
Price said some of Smith's family and friends hindered the investigation by lying to investigators and telling witnesses not to talk to police.
Smith was named as the alleged driver in the crash on Monday, when his girlfriend, Andino, and 63-year-old mother, Linda Smith, appeared in court to face charges of witness tampering.
Both Andino and Linda Smith posted bail and were released from jail earlier this week.
With the suspected driver now jailed, Price said detectives plan to focus on rooting out and arresting others who may have obstructed their investigation.
"We'll ask: Where were all the snags in this thing? Did anybody commit any crimes in delaying us or misdirecting us?" Price said. "The big picture is (those people) are wasting taxpayers' money, sending police off operating on false information."


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I started an earlier thread about touring on a Wal-Mart bicycle for a tour of about 1,700 miles. But now I'm considering just travelling around the United States on a bike for a couple of years. I am now currently reconsidering taking a Wal-Mart bicycle on this trip. I definitely want to upgrade. The problem with not buying a new bicycle in the first place was budget, but I figure if I save more and extend the start date I could possibly afford a brand new touring bike. I'm currently looking at the Surly LHT complete bike. Would this hold up?
Basically, what I'm asking is, will this bike hold up with minimum problems for 2-3 years of touring with a load? And if not, then what will?
P.S. This message board has been extremely helpful in planning a tour and just getting advice on what I'm getting myself into. Thanks to everyone for not treating me like a total idiot. I'm 18. I'm young. I gotta get out there and live!!


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Jim Ross on New Japan
Rumors sprung up recently that Jim Ross was going to be the new commentator for the weekly New Japan show that is aired on AXS TV, which would make sense because the legendary WWE broadcaster has much respect for the overseas promotion. Unfortunately, though, Ross took to social media to deny those reports, stating that the source has jumped the gun because no official deal has been made between the two sides.
January 15, 2016
Jim Ross to House of Hardcore
Since he happens to be the most popular professional wrestling commentator of all time, Jim Ross is a candidate for every opening in any promotion across the world. House of Hardcore is no exception. You can expect Tommy Dreamer to place a call to Ross now that he has a television deal that will enable his promotion to be seen in several countries across the globe. Earlier in the week, Ross stated that he had an interesting deal on the table.
April 16, 2015
Jim Ross in boxing
Jim Ross might be heading back to the commentating booth in the near future, but it is not what professional wrestling fans had been hoping for. Instead of going back to WWE or joining TNA, the legendary announcer is currently in negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions. The two sides are discussing a permanent role as a boxing commentator. Ross has done it before, but it was essentially a one time deal back then.
March 12, 2015
Jim Ross and Mike Tenay
While an extremely motivated Jeff Jarrett continues to work on getting a television deal for his new promotion, there have been a ton of speculations as to the details of GFW. Rumors surfaced recently that the voice of the promotion will be a very familiar one to longtime wrestling fans. It is being said that Jarrett is hoping to bring together Jim Ross and Mike Tenay as his broadcasting team. He tried teaming them up for New Japan in January.
February 26, 2015
Jim Ross negotiations
Since Lucha Underground has not been doing the numbers that they were hoping for, it is being said that they desperately want to add more known names in order to make their product a bit more appealing to the masses. That has led to speculations that Jim Ross would have more leverage in negotiations. However, as of right now, the promotion has yet to reach out to the legendary commentator about signing a contract with them.
February 7, 2015
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler
When the company decided to move him from the Monday Night Raw commentating table to Smackdown's lesser watched crew, it became clear to observant people that Jerry Lawler was being demoted by WWE. His job security, though, remains fairly high. He still has name value and a good amount of fans. Plus, management is afraid that another wresting promotion will sign Lawler and team him up with Jim Ross.
January 28, 2015
Jim Ross denies rumors
Rumors surfaced not too long ago that officials from Lucha Underground have been talking to Jim Ross about a potential contract with the company. Those speculations were fueled even further when Konnan made a public statement about it as well. Ross, however, has publicly denied those rumors. The longtime WWE commentator stated that while he is willing to listen to offers, he has yet to have any communication with this particular promotion.
January 23, 2015
Tara and Dixie backstage heat
When Tara left TNA, there was a feeling that there was some backstage heat between she and the company. Not a lot of details were leaked back then. That has changed now. During a podcast interview with Jim Ross, she revealed that she has a ton of backstage heat towards Dixie Carter. The veteran performer was upset that the company did not acknowledge the extra work she did with promotions when they were in Chicago.
January 22, 2015
Jim Ross to Lucha Underground
Now that they have successfully launched their promotion in the United States, Lucha Underground is desperately trying to build on the fan base. In order to do that, they need recognizable names and voices. Officials for the company are said to be targeting Jim Ross to become their lead commentator. Many in the industry believe that it will not happen, since they are unlikely to be able to meet the financial requirements that Ross would have.
January 1, 2015
Jim Ross to GFW
While many are under the assumption that Jim Ross is going to be signing on with GFW because he has a deal to work their first pay per view in Japan, that is simply not the case. As of right now, Ross and Jeff Jarrett have a one time deal. The two sides are expected to see how the promotion unfolds before making a contractual commitment to one another. A lot will depend on how well things work out with the New Japan show that is taking place in a few days.
December 31, 2014


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You are here: Home > News > Airparks Birmingham Advance special rates
Airparks Birmingham Advance special rates
Save time and money by pre-booking your airport parking with Airparks when you fly from Birmingham airport.
Book 30 days or more in advance and we can offer you one of our special Airparks Advance rates, even lower than our usual fantastic prices:
8 days parking from £19.60
15 days parking from £36.75
These special prices are ideal if you can be certain of your travel date as bookings on advance purchase rates cannot be amended or cancelled.
Airport parking at Airparks Birmingham is cheap, quick and easy. Airparks Birmingham is the closest off-airport car park serving Birmingham Airport. Transfers between Airparks and Birmingham airport take just 15 minutes and run 24 hours a day.
You can also rest assured that your vehicle will be well cared for in our highly secured airport parking facility, which has been awarded the Park Mark. Airparks Birmingham is fenced and floodlit with CCTV and 24 hour patrols.
Take advantage of our low prices and book your Birmingham airport parking today.
Please note: Bookings are subject to availability and prices change. This price was valid for a search in January 2009.
Published by: Maxine Clarke
Published on: January 19, 2009
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Work is continuing to enhance security and improve the customer experience at Birmingham Airparks. The £350,000 investment will increase the car parkâs security features; providing even more secure fencing and improved CCTV.
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Important information for customers travelling to or returning from or affected by Friday's events in Tunisia.
Birmingham Airparks Upgrade Underway
Work has begun to enhance security and improve the customer experience at Birmingham Airparks. The £350,000 investment will increase the car parkâs security features; providing even more secure fencing and improved CCTV.
Show and Stay winners
Congratulations to the winners of our fantastic Show and Stay competition!
Update on Airparks' kickboxing champions!
Airparks' two amateur kickboxers won gold in the World Amateur Kickboxing Championships


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By Steve Elliott ~alapoet~ in Dispensaries, News
Monday, May 21, 2012 at 2:57 pm
|Stoel Rives World of Employment
A three-judge panel on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by severely disabled Californians who were authorized by their doctors to use cannabis, reports Maura Dolan at the Los Angeles Times.
The patients had sued the Orange County, California cities of Costa Mesa and Lake Forest, charging that the cities' attempts to shutter medicinal cannabis dispensaries violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability.
The 9th Circuit ruled that federal law does not protect the use of drugs banned by the federal government.
"We recognize that the plaintiffs are gravely ill," wrote Judge Raymond C. Fisher, a Clinton appointee, for the court.
The patients' attempt to win legal protection involves "not only their right to live comfortably, but also their basic human dignity," Judge Fisher wrote, and "California has embraced marijuana as an effective treatment for debilitating pain."
But, Fisher wrote, Congress has made clear the ADA provides no protection for medical marijuana patients.


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Wine, chocolate pairings on tap
Vermont winemakers are hosting a statewide Wine and Chocolate Weekend on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Valentines Day.
Fourteen wineries around Vermont have paired at least one of their wines with a local chocolate confection or other Vermont dessert product. The participating wineries will be open from noon to 5 p.m. during the Wine and Chocolate Weekend. Wine and chocolate tastings are free.
The wineries include Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard and Winery in Berlin, Grand View Winery in Waterbury Center, North Branch Vineyards in Montpelier, Caledonia Spirits & Winery in Hardwick, Artesano Mead in Groton and Boyden Valley Winery in Cambridge. For a complete list, visit www.vermontgrapeandwinecouncil.com.
Many of the wineries have partnered with Vermont chocolate makers.
The full range of Vermont wines will be on display during the Wine and Chocolate Weekend, including honey mead, ice cider and grape wines made from varieties like Marquette, La Crescent and Louise.
Some of the sweets are homemade, and some were made by chocolate makers specifically for the wine pairing. Spicy chocolate popcorn will be featured with one of Huntington River Vineyards red wines. This year, visitors will find many different approaches to pairing wine with treats, from sweet to spicy.
Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is serving its own apple pie with its ice cider, an apple-upon-apple dessert special.
The Vermont Grape and Wine Council is a consortium of more than 25 wineries, vineyards and farms in Vermont.MORE IN Central Vermont
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Steve Hoover: Specialist in integrating technology, market, and business opportunities, oversees PARC's work in diverse areas, including networking, electronics, cleantech and innovation services.
Marc Benioff: The bombastic billionaire tech entrepreneur founded his first company at 15 to write Atari videogames.
Pejman Nozad: Silicon Valley power broker with a net worth in the ballpark of $50 million; early backer of Dropbox, Lending Club and Causes.


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Pokemon: True Force Static [R] {OOC + SU}
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September 1st, 2013 (4:12 AM).
the apex predator.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: East Coast
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Nature: Relaxed
Posts: 28
I agree about the legendaries. That's why I made it so it was only semi-legendaries you can have. Those types are pretty easy to defeat depending on your Pokemon. I often have a hard time in-game
defeating them, since I catch all my legendaries with Ultra Balls. I have to use my weakest attack most of the time to keep from making them faint. So I wouldn't worry about them being too powerful. Probably the most powerful out of them would be
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Sorry for my short disappearance and the fact I'm taking forever for my sign-up. I had a few things happen the past few days that prohibited me from really getting on here. Life as an independent adult with a roommate definitely has its perks but it has its drawbacks too. D;
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Homes for the Holidays
There is no need to be politically correct about the holidays in Dyker Heights.
You won't find Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Festivus decorations here.
Nope, this is Christmas Italian-style, so love it or leave it.
Dyker Heights, an Italian stronghold of generously sized houses, has held on to a tradition that began more than 25 years ago, before the demographics of many of the surrounding neighborhoods began to shift with booming Asian populations.
Even after Christmas comes and goes, the lit-up lawns and trees glitter under the dark skies. Dancing bears and gigantic Santas and Nutcrackers guard stately homes. Inflatable characters and some more, um, mundane plastic characters prevail as well (to each his own, isn't that the holiday spirit?).
It's not until after Jan. 6, or Three Kings Day, that it all comes tumbling down (though some start the cleaning up process after New Year's).
And most curious, the crowds keep coming to this far-flung Brooklyn neighborhood, even days after Christmas. By car, by bus, by foot, they came this week, snapping pictures and oohing and awing in every language imaginable. Hundreds of them.
An Elmo solicited money from cars (Where are we, Midtown?) for a church. A reindeer stood outside of another house, which had a sign saying it would give all donations to a charity for special-needs children.
A Party Bus was parked on 12th Avenue near 84th Street at 7:30 p.m. A half an hour later another bus pulled up.
"Unbelievable," said an Italian tourist, gawking at a columned house with rotating carousels and a larger-than-life Santa.
"Wow," said her husband.
Each year the crowds get bigger, transforming the normally sleepy Dyker Heights into an international spectacle. And each year the decorations get a little brighter and bigger (some residents say their electricity bills just about double).
There are plenty of tourists but locals, too. And then there are people like Linda Moldauer, a New Jersey resident who dragged her family back to the neighborhood she grew up in. "As a child growing up in this neighborhood, the big thing after Christmas dinner was getting into the car and driving and looking at all the lights," she said. "And it's just grown every year."
The "Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours" had sold out its 55-seat bus tour every night this week. Company founder Tony Muia said they brought about 6,000 people to the neighborhood this month alone (He also gripes about copycat companies that have started since he began doing tours about five years ago).
"This is where it all started," said tour guide Angela Christensen, who works for Mr. Muia's company, pointing up at a house on 84th Street between 11th and 12th avenues, ground zero for Christmas decorations.
This would be Lucy Spata's house. Every last inch of her lawn and steps is decorated. There are angels, Nutcrackers, snowflakes and strings of lights decorating each window and tree.
Like most residents, Ms. Spata adds something new every year. This year it was oversized Nutcrackers guarding the door; they came in three pieces and required a crane to install.
"I'm the troublemaker that started all this," says Mrs. Spata, 55 years old, who moved to the neighborhood in 1985.
"I wanted to carry it on to remember my mother and father," she said. "And of course it just got bigger and bigger. All the children look forward to it. And I'm a kid at heart myself, too. I just love Christmas."
Are there any scrooges in the neighborhood? There used to be, she says. "You had to move if you didn't like it."
She is unusual in that unlike many of the other most elaborately decorated houses, she and her family do it all themselves. It takes a couple days to go up and a couple to go down. She and her two sons, five grandchildren and a handful of friends aid in the process.
Many of the homeowners use landscapers who double as Christmas decorators to install and take down decorations, or companies specializing in decorations. They store everything in warehouses.
James Bonavita, owner of B&R Christmas Decorators, said about 50% of his 90 clients during Christmas come from Dyker Heights.
"We actually make the mechanical figures," he said.
He prides himself on tasteful decorations, as opposed to some of the others. "I try to do elegant stuff, nothing gaudy as you may have seen there," he remarks.
"There's always competition, meaning like someone has a Nativity set and has a lamb and so someone else wants to get three lambs," he said. "It's just a typical Greek and Italian neighborhood style of doing things. That's good for me, the more the better."
Not everyone is a fan. A pair of elderly men walking down on 84th Street appeared to be, what with their fancy camera.
"I'm from Poland," said one. "It's interesting to see. Not decorated for my taste, though. It's too much."
His friend, a Brooklyn resident, didn't mince words. "I think it's horrible," he said. "I just wanted to show him what kind of disaster this is."
But the men, who rushed off, were clearly in the minority. Even by 9 p.m. cars continued to crawl along in the cold night, cellphone cameras clicking outside of windows, capturing the Christmas magic that was to last a few more days.
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