Archive for January, 2012

Traffic Safety Meeting Planned in Cobble Hill

By Tobey, 31 January, 2012, 3 Comments

Quick update on our post from earlier in the week. We received this email from Maureen Hogan, we THINK the owner of that totaled Volvo on Kane and Henry St. If you’d like your say about traffic safety, you may want to stop by 155 Kane St next Monday, 6 Feb @7pm.

Meeting to discuss need for traffic calming on our roads around PS 29.
We will have a representative from the DOT: Christopher Hrones, and P.O. Paul Grudzinski from 76Pct.
Please spread the word, and ask people to bring specifics about accidents and near misses that they have witnessed, as the classification of accidents as “side swipes” or “disobeying of traffic lights” does not tell the whole tale as to the reckless driving we have been experiencing on our streets.
Various politicians are making every attempt to come, as well.
Thanks, and hope to see many of our neighbors there! m

Red Hook and Boerum Hill Get Italian Newcomers

By Tobey, 31 January, 2012, No Comment

A wood-fired pizza from Sottocasa in Boerum Hill

A few new eateries have sprouted on opposite ends of our BoCoCa. I noticed the Ristorante Gancio Rosso at 228 Van Brunt St. last time I drove to Fairway. Though I haven’t been inside, it looks like a nice place to come for some hearty fare, with a menu announcing rustic Italian food and pizzas. Sunday nights, you can bring the family in for $11 “Sunday Sauce”–rigatoni, meatballs and sausage with ricotta. And Thursday through Sunday, a $25 prix fixe dinner is available all night (includes appetizer, entree and dessert).
Walk east about a mile or so and you’ll find Sottocasa at 298 Atlantic Ave (between Smith and Hoyt), which was recently reviewed in the Village Voice. More pizza, in the lines of beloved Lucali on Henry St., it serves brick oven deliciousness and a few salads to boot. The pizza oven had to be “crane-lifted over the building and lowered into the backyard because the old floors of the brownstone space on Atlantic Avenue couldn’t handle the weight,” according to the Voice, and the high quality ingredients (and selection of wine and beer) make it a perfect neighborhood joint for date night or an evening with the kids.

Brooklyn Heights Getting a Le Pain Quotidien

By Tobey, 31 January, 2012, No Comment

Coming to Brooklyn Heights main drag soon, an outpost of French bakery chain Le Pain Quotidien. According to Brooklyn Heights Blog, a reader actually saw the architectural plans from the carb palace at 121 Montague St. We’ll still be heading to Smith Street’s Bien Cuit for our fresh-baked cravings, but for those express train commuters and north Heights dwellers, this should be a boost to your day.

Smashed Volvo in Cobble Hill Prompts Neighborhood Safety Meeting

By Tobey, 30 January, 2012, No Comment

All weekend, we kept walking by this smashed-up Volvo on the corner of Kane St. and Henry St., wondering what could have happened and does the owner have a clue? What we found out from neighbors is that around 11pm, a car at the crosswalk was apparently hit by another car (meaning someone went through a red light), then pummeled into this poor Volvo. And this morning, we saw a note attached to the trunk. It reads: Meeting to address issue of speed and safety of driving on our street with 76th precinct and DOT. Time: TBA. Do you think people are driving unsafely? Share! Contact us for details: Maureen.hogan@elliamn.com or Jblock@elliman.com
We think anyone who lives in Brownstone Brooklyn understands the implications of driving unsafely. Especially with so many kids running around and riding scooters. So we appreciate someone taking the issue one step farther. We’ll keep you posted on the meeting as it goes forward.

Carroll Gardens Plus-Size Store Getting Its Close-Up

By Tobey, 29 January, 2012, No Comment

Let’s face it ladies, sometimes we just can’t squeeze into that size 8. At least not all of us. So Lee Lee’s Valise, a plus-sized clothing store at 368 Court St., is a welcome oasis for larger sizes–10 to 18. According to Racked NY, the store will soon have its very own reality show with Stacy London of TLC’s What Not to Wear, giving the hood even more reality TV cred.

On each episode of the as-yet-unnamed show, London and the Dolans [Lisa and Jim] will give fashion advice to curvy women.

Prospect Park’s Winter Jam CANCELED: Too Warm!

By Tobey, 27 January, 2012, No Comment

This may come as no surprise, considering it was over 60 degrees today, but the big Winter Jam planned for 4 February in Prospect Park has been canceled. According to the Park’s Department, “It is simply too warm to make snow, and the long-range weather forecasts and current ground temperatures make it extremely unlikely that snow could be made.”

Hey Brooklyn, What Are Your Kids Doing This Summer?

By Tobey, 27 January, 2012, No Comment

Oh yes, it’s totally that time again. Time to reach into your wallet and grab hold of all the cash you’ll spend to keep your children busy this summer. Time to look at camps. And believe you me, there’s quite a few to choose from. Whether it’s day camp or sleep away, local or far-flung, the NY Family Camp Fair Tour will be in Park Slope this Sunday, 29 January, to help you make a decision. More than 60 camps will be on hand at the Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, from noon to 3pm and Renee Flax, the Director of Camper Placement of the American Camp Association, NY & NJ, will also be there to answer questions. PRE-REGISTER NOW to receive a gift bag at the fair. You’ll also qualify to participate in a raffle for a chance to win a Camp Trunk from Lesters or our grand prize family trip.

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Boogies It Up

By Tobey, 26 January, 2012, 3 Comments

It may be a while until the spring flowers push through the (almost) frozen ground, but the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens wants you to party with the posies. Its Lush Boogaloo & Latin Soul Dancy Party is an evening celebrating the Garden’s collection of over 6000 tropical orchids–but with the added fun of booze and tunes. The event takes place Friday, 10 Feb, from 8pm to midnight at the Palm House and features live music from boogaloo band, Spanglish Fly. Not only will you take in the beauty of these gorgeous flowers, there will also be an open bar and all kinds of Latin eats–like our favorite icy treats, Mexican fruit paletas by La Newyorkina. Also expect classic 45s spun by WFMU’s Mr. Fine Wine and DJ Turmix, a behind the scenes tour with orchid curator Dave Horak, and posing for leaf portraits with graphic novelist Aaron Birk. Tickets are $65 each and you can buy them here. Just remember ladies, tropical orchids can equal bad hair weather, so plan accordingly.

Brooklyn Wine Exchange Talks Rioja Basics-TONIGHT

By Tobey, 25 January, 2012, No Comment

We’re still in the thick of red wine season and though we here tend towards simple Pinot Noirs and Cote du Rhones, there’s nothing wrong with a good Spanish Rioja. Just ask Patrick Watson, wine and cheese expert and owner of our favorite family-owned specialty shops in the hood. Though it’s a little last minute, you can still get in on his Rioja 101 class this evening at Brooklyn Wine Exchange, which will guide you through the geography, the grapes, and the great pleasures gained from this accessible and pleasing Spanish region. Starts at 7pm and you can sign up by calling 718-855-WINE (9463).

Prospect Park’s Winter Jam is Coming Up Fast

By Tobey, 24 January, 2012, No Comment

I don’t know if we’re expecting any more snow just yet, but Prospect Park isn’t waiting to hold its annual Winter Jam. Taking place Saturday, 4 February, from 11am to 4pm, the event is a free annual winter sports festival presented by the NYC Parks Department, Prospect Park Alliance, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (whom will be blowing fresh snow for the festivities–just in case). Here’s some venues you can expect inside the Long Meadow by the Picnic House:
The Lake Placid Snow Field: snowman-making and sledding are encouraged!
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing provided by REI
Prospect Park Jam: Open Ski & Snowboard Competition
Learn to Ski & Snowboard with Mountain Creek
Zagat Warming Lounge
Pride of New York Winter Market
NY State Ski Resort Info Booths
Best of all, equipment is provided at no cost–or you can bring your own and enjoy the terrain.