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BococaLand
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Archive for January, 2011
Now THAT Sucks
Court St. Sandwich Shop Opens for Biz
In Novemeber, we reported that the Van Horn sandwich shop would be opening at 231 Court St, where the shuttered Cafe Mei Mei once stood. Today, a helpful reader let us know that it is open for business and worth the walk in the snow. Eater has actually posted the menu, which includes sandwiches, sides, soups, salads, beers on tap and seasonal cocktails (woo hoo!). From our commenter Willy, “Van Horn is finally open and the sandwiches are totally worth braving the cold and snow for. I had the delicious fish sandwich last night and can’t stop thinking about it… the flavor… the texture… the bread… yum!” Good enough for me!
Free Winter Fun
Just a quick update on free, winter fun for today via the Department of Parks & Recreation:
Time and Location
Bronx: Crotona Park (Fulton Avenue and East 172nd Street)/12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Brooklyn: Prospect Park (on the Long Meadow with hot cocoa in the Picnic House)/12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Manhattan: Riverside Park (Riverside Drive at 103rd Street)/12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Queens: Highland Park (Elton and Jamaica Avenues)/12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Staten Island: Clove Lakes Park (Martling and Slosson Avenues)/12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Event and Photo-op
New York City youth take to the parks for fun, free snowy activities hosted by NYC Parks & Recreation. Snow Day sites (one in each borough, locations listed above) will host FREE, supervised outdoor recreation and winter fun for youth, including sledding, snowman and snow angel contests, friendly snowball fights, music and complimentary hot chocolate. Urban Park Rangers will provide winter walks and nature activities.
Details
This event is free and open to the public. Sleds will be available to borrow.
Be Literary (and Eat and Drink Too)
Oh BAM, you can see into our souls. If we’re going to get out for a night and soak up culture, it’s nice of you to make sure we’re fed and a little tipsy. I’m talking about the upcoming Eat, Drink & Be Literary series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which according to its website, “brings major contemporary authors to BAMcafé for intimate dinners, entertaining readings, and engaging discussions. Each evening begins with a sumptuous buffet prepared by BAMcafé’s acclaimed executive chef, Tim Sullivan, served with select wines and accompanied by live music. Following dinner, authors read from and are interviewed about their work, take questions from the audience, and sign books to conclude an evening of candid glimpses into the creative process and the rich writings it yields. The event begins at 6:30pm; doors open at 6pm.” The series begins on 27 January and runs through 12 May, so you’ll want to check out the schedule here. I’m all about Jennifer Egan on 31 March–just $50 includes dinner, wine and tax. Oh, and if you were wondering, I DID get to put fingers to keyboard again today. Kids finally taking a well-earned rest. More snow later I’m sure.
Here We Go Again
Yes, yes, it’s beautiful. And the kids are super psyched to be home. But I, for one, am tired of this snow. Pros: don’t have to move the car, don’t have to get the kids out of the house by 8:30, can stay in pajamas for a few extra hours, can drink at least three extra cups of coffee before leaving house. Cons: can’t do anything I planned (this post will probably be the last bit of writing I’ll get done today), whining to begin approximately 1/2 hour after playing in the snow, have to dig car out while husband stuck in Atlanta (oh please LGA, get yourself sorted), over-caffeination inevitable. And am I imagining things, or did the weather say it’s going to dump down again tomorrow and Saturday? Anyhoo, have a good snow day and hope your pros are more than your cons. If you’re looking to take the kids sledding in the borough, here’s a link to all the best spots. Would love to see any pics you might take of the hood and the kids today so feel free to share.
Crepe Day is Coming
Chandeleur, Fête de la Lumière, or jour des crêpes is a French holiday celebrating the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus–but in actuality, it gives us all a good reason to gorge on crepes. The tradition being that you keep a gold coin in your writing hand and you flip a crepe in the air with the other. Ctach the crepe in the pan and you’ll have prosperity for yourself and your family the rest of the year. Crafty. And though you may not get a chance to do the flipping, you can certainly enjoy the spoils at our Gallic treasure, Provence en Boite (263 Smith St.). Come on in on 1 February and enjoy crepes of all kinds: sugar, jam, chocolate or Grand Marnier. Bring the kids between 4pm and 6pm and you’ll get one free sugar crepe for children under 12 years old.
New Kid’s Class on Tuesdays
Looking for something different to do with the kids after school? This new class called Songbird Kids has a little of everything thrown in. Poetry! Music! Movement! And it’s beginning 1 February at 4pm on Tuesdays (that first session is a freebie to check it out). The class is being led by Musician Dan Zweben and poet Nicole Callihan and is intended to enhance your child’s imagination, creativity & musicality. All ages are welcome. Here are the deets: Songbird Kids @ Palmyra, 316 Court St. (Between Sackett St. & Degraw St.); 4 week session begins 8 February; $70 for a 4-week session; $20 for drop-ins (if space is available). Want more info? Give Dan or Nicole a yell at songbirdkids@gmail.com.
Blue Marble Shuts for the Winter
Yes, well, we kind of get it. Not exactly ice cream weather out there, is it? So it makes sense that Blue Marble’s teeny little space at 196 Court St. is hibernating. Re-opening on 1 March, you can still get their product at neighborhood spots like Brucie (right down the block on Court), Seersucker (on Smith), Watty and Weg (Court and Kane) and Union Market in Carroll Gardens. And if you’re really hankering for some cold stuff, head over to Brooklyn Farmacy at Henry and Sackett or Karloff on Court between Kane and Degraw. Both comfy cafes have artisanal, hand-churned ice cream all through winter.
Time to Think About Camp-Yes, I Said Camp
Are you like me, dreaming of summer? Well, looks like we’re not the only ones. The New York Family Camp Series comes to Brooklyn next weekend–a convenient, fun and free way for you to meet camp directors and discover the great diversity of options available to you in the city and beyond. New York Family and the American Camp Association- NY (ACA-NY) will bring together more than 60 camps for children ages three to 17 in one place for your perusal. Details are: Sunday, 30 January-noon to 3pm at Congregation Beth El Ohim, 274 Garfield Place at 8th Avenue. Register now and receive a gift bag at the fair as well as qualifiying to participate in a raffle for a chance to win a Camp Trunk from Lesters or a grand prize family trip.
Prospect Park Winter Jam
Well, I mean, if there’s going to be snow, we might as well take advantage. And the Winter Jam in Prospect Park seems a perfect way to enjoy the weather. Taking place Saturday, 5 February, at The Nethermead (enter at Ocean Ave. & Lincoln Rd), the event is free and will include a Snow Field to mess around in; a “Learn-To” area for all ages to learn the basics of skiing and snowboarding (equipment provided); national snowbaording contest the Red Bull Buttercup; and a Winter Marketplace to sip and taste samples from local producers. The event will proceed rain, shine or snow from 11am to 4pm. Want to get your blood circulating before you hit the festival? Join the Hibernation Hike through the Ravine to look for dens of hibernating mammals. Meet-up is at 11am at Prospect Park Picnic House (West Drive and Third Street).
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