Looking for a new beach tote this summer? My new obsession is this Lilly Pulitzer limited edition tote bag, which comes with an inner lining and plastic zip bag that–in a partnership with Barnes & Noble–is made to hold your B&N Nook e-reader (now also available in a lower-cost $150 Wi-Fi version). It comes in a blue or pink design to hold towels and extra clothes for the kids if you’re heading to Pier 6 for some sand and water
time. And don’t forget the plenty of snacks you’ll need and a safe place to keep your keys, wallet and camera as well as that e-reader. You can pick one up online for just $70.
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New Equipment in Pier 1
image via Brooklyn Heights Blog
Are you happy with the switch? Let us know.
Water Slide Park Coming to Coney Island
image via NY Daily News
RIP Pier 1 Domes
Image via NY Daily News
The problem with the heat of the metal domes has been a danger in the playground since it opened in April. Park officials tried to respond by putting up festival tents that could keep sunlight from raising the structures’ surface temperature. But the tent solution never really worked since they have to be moved throughout the day, as the sun moves, and often still don’t cover the entirety of each orb. And Wednesday morning, the sunlight was hitting the domes, so when a baby girl touched one, it left her hands blistered, sources said. Another child was also burned earlier in the day, but not as badly.
I’m still not sure how these were greenlighted in the first place. With so much money and time put into the new park, you’d think someone would have some experience in, you know, playground equipment and basic science. And here’s a little tidbit for you: there’s another, similar dome in Union Square Park–designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh, the same architect. It’s bigger (called “The Mountain”) and was covered up in May, but there’s no plans to remove it.
Pier 6, FINALLY
The word on the street is: Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6 is opening this Saturday! According to the Brooklyn Eagle,
This Saturday, June 5, at 10 a.m., Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other dignitaries will preside over the grand opening of the Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The section will now be open to the public after three years of work.
Just to refresh your memory, we can expect a playground with slides, swings, HUGE sandbox and water-park; a continuous bikeway/walkway; and new dog run. And, as an added bonus, a free ferry service to the newly opened Governor’s Island will also be unveiled this weekend from the pier.
Brooklyn Marriott is TOTALLY Bummed
For a very long time, the Brooklyn Marriott was the only game in town if you needed to put someone up in the neighborhood. Yes, there are a few b & b’s that require serious canoodling to get reservations (and many of those have shared bathrooms, which doesn’t work for everyone) and recently, the boutique, Nu Hotel opened on Smith Street across from the jail. But let’s face it, the Marriott has been overcharging our friends and families for altogether too long. Thankfully, there’s a new choice to be had, in the form of the Sheraton Brooklyn New York (located within the MetroTech Center on Duffield Street). The hotel, which opened today, has 25 stories, 321 guest rooms, a rooftop lounge, and swimming pool with a retractable roof. Contemporary American restaurant Grubstake and its adjacent cocktail lounge are open now, but the the rooftop bar–with sweeping views of Brooklyn and Manhattan–won’t be ready until fall.
There are some great limited time rates online for the new Sheraton ($150 for a King or two double beds), but we don’t expect that to last long. We’ll be interested to see if both big hotels will be a little more humane now that there’s some competition.
Red Hook Trolley to Ride Again
If you’re thinking of buying in Red Hook, now might be a good time to call your broker. Seems the city has finally realized how vibrant this neighborhood is becoming, with it’s waterfront businesses, artist community, schools and well-loved restaurants and stores. The one problem for many Red Hook wannabe’s is its lack of transportation. Walking to the nearest subway isn’t really an option unless you have time on your hands. And the already lean bus lines (B61, B77 and B71) are facing further cuts from the MTA. Sure, a bicycle is great but if you have a family, not always an easy option. So what’s an up-and-coming hood to do? The NY Post recently reported on a study that would help build a light-rail or trolley line connecting Red Hook to the downtown area.
The city Transportation Department expects to select a consultant within the next two months to study running the mile-long line from the Red Hook waterfront to Atlantic Avenue at the edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is in walking distance to several subway and bus lines.
The study could also look at extending the route another half-mile east, directly to the transit hub at Borough Hall.
The current cost analysis for the project is about $10 million to $15 million.
New Photography Studio Goes Back to the Basics
These days, everyone can be a photographer. With an expensive digital camera and some good imaging software, even the most inartistic of us can take a fairly good photo and fix it up to look kinda’ professional. But what ever happened to old-fashioned film? You know, prints developed in a dark room with love and time? You can find this art alive and well at Burton Wells, a new photography studio at 372 Atlantic between Hoyt and Bond, which likens itself to the portrait-studio version of a boutique vinyl record store.
Run by two Carroll Gardens moms–Kate Burton (a family portrait and event photographer who has been featured in the NY Times, Time Out NY and New York) and business manager Katherine Wells (who has a day job as an online executive at Bravo)–you will find neither hide nor hair of digital cameras or computers in this space. Their standard sitting fee for a studio shoot is $350, but you can get 20% off for Father’s Day if you come in before 20 June.
Have We Become the Upper East Side?
image courtesy of Brownstoner.com
Nabes Come Together Over BQE Trench
Image via The Brooklyn Paper
The project is ambitious: Experts hope to reduce noise, beautify the area, and improve safety — and do so in a way that’s cost effective, environmentally sustainable and achievable in the next five to 10 years.
Most activists, including Carroll Gardens resident Kathy Carney, said the first step is to cut down on the pollutants and noise created by the highway. “We need more green space, more pedestrian space, and more stroller space,” said Carney.
Indeed, no one veered far from the agency’s initial suggestions, which include sound-reducing “green” walls, and smartly designed pedestrian walkways.
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