Archive for ‘Neighborhood News’

One Brooklyn Bridge Gets Tax Bill Slashed-Park Loses Revenue

By , 16 June, 2011, No Comment

More bad news for Brooklyn Bridge Park this week. In March, we reported on how the park is not fully funded and how housing may be the only way to keep it running and pay its maintenance and operations. According to yesterday’s Daily News,

Luxury condo owners at One Brooklyn Bridge Park got $1 million chopped off the bill – by mounting a challenge to their city tax bill and successfully getting it lowered from $1.8 million to $800,000 a year. The park is spending $4.2 million on maintenance for the coming year – running a $1.8million deficit. Despite objections from Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D-Brooklyn Heights), a park committee yesterday approved the findings of a report that concluded that options besides housing couldn’t raise enough money.

Sure, it would be nice if we didn’t need condos inside a public park, but I’ve always been rooting for whatever gets it finished. Staring at huge swaths of unused land we thought would be part of our waterfront is depressing, especially when Piers 1 and 6 turned out so beautifully. But if park housing is going to wrangle millions of dollars in tax cuts–it doesn’t quite seem as helpful. Stay tuned.

Weekend Links and Stuff to Do

By , 10 June, 2011, No Comment

Almost weekend. And hot. Damn-it. Anyhow, here’s some stuff to plan for if you’re not heading out of town.

Brooklyn Folk Festival- Come check out the lineup of over 30 bands from all over the world. Tickets are $20 per day or $55 for the weekend. Film screenings are included in the admission price. Workshops are included with the weekend pass.

Last weekend for the Sanatorium by Pedro Reyes at 345 Jay Street (across from the NY City Transit building, between WC Arts & Drafting Supply store and Metro Cafe). From the website, “artist Pedro Reyes combines the best of New York’s existing therapy landscape with unexpected, short, experimental treatments. In two-hour windows, Sanatorium visitors experience up to three sessions from a roster of sixteen special “urban therapies.” Upon arrival, visitors will meet a receptionist who will assign the “therapies.” Balancing reality and parody, Sanatorium draws from Gestalt psychology, theater warm-up exercises, Fluxus events, conflict resolution techniques, trust-building games, corporate coaching, psychodrama, and hypnosis. While some of the sessions should be experienced alone, others are specifically catered to couples and larger groups.”


Brooklyn Historical Society (128 Pierrepont Street): ‘Baseball, Nationalism and the Civil War’ will be open to baseball and historical lovers alike. Sports historian George B. Kirsch will be speaking and the event coincides with Home Base: Memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field,” an exhibition on view through 14 August. Takes place 12 June at 2pm.

Whether you want to join in the fun–or make sure not to drive to Prospect Park–take note of Saturday’s Brooklyn Pride Festival. Check here for event times and locations.

2011 Kindergarten Update-Packed Tight

By , 9 June, 2011, No Comment

Though my son did a get a seat at PS 29 kindergarten this September, I was told yesterday there is now a waiting list for in-zone children. So, in addition to adding an extra class (now at six K classes) there are more kids who may not get in. And, just heard from a friend at PS 8 that they also had to add an extra kindergarten class, also making six in all. Not sure about PS 58, but rumour is it’s at its saturation point and has a waiting list for in-zone kids. Anyone know if that’s true? I’m not sure if this is new or if it happens every year, but what does it mean in terms of overcrowded classrooms as we go forward (kindergarten is not mandated in NYC)? If you’ve got insight, would love to get more information. I’m guessing 2005 was an excellent year to get pregnant…

Opa! Greek Festival Hits Schermerhorn St.

By , 7 June, 2011, No Comment

Walking home from the subway this afternoon I was thrilled to see the annual Grecian Festival at Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in full swing. The fun will run through Sunday, 12 June on Schermerhorn St. right off Court, and in addition to the outrageously yummy gyros, plump with seasoned lamb, you’ll also find other Greek food and pastries, music, kids activities, dancers (Thursday and Friday at noon and on Saturday night) and a gift shop sale. It will begin at 11am until Friday and at 1pm Saturday and Sunday.

Don’t Miss Red Hook Jazz Fest

By , 6 June, 2011, No Comment

The next two weekends, you can enjoy the cool sounds and local talent of the 4th Annual Red Hook Jazz Festival. Taking over the Urban Meadow (at President and Van Brunt Streets) from 1pm to 6pm, it begins this Sunday with folks like the Marco Capelli Project, The Wee Trio and Jedd Newlett’s New Trad. Next Sunday, 18 June, you can expect to groove to the tunes of Renku, Jeff Davis Band and the Ingrid Laubrock Trio. Come for the music–stay for the laid back, family-friendly vibe. Tickets are $5 for adults, kids are free.
And, in other jazz news, the NY Transit Museum will be hosting a night of music, art, and mingling on Thursday, 23 June from 6pm to 8pm. NY Saxophonist Roy Nathanson and Sotto Voce will beperforming tunes from their aptly titled second album, Subway Moon and Nathanson’s wife, Charna Meyers, will show photographs from her latest project, The Subway Photos. Refreshments provided by Brooklyn Brewery. You can purchase tickets here for $10 each.

Now, Free WiFi in DUMBO

By , 2 June, 2011, No Comment

Rejoice bloggers and freelancers of Brooklyn. Today, DUMBO Business Improvement District (BID), Two Trees Management Company, and NYCwireless announced that DUMBO is now New York City’s first neighborhood to offer wireless on streets, in its parks and plazas–notably the northern portion of Brooklyn Bridge Park between the two Bridges, The Archway under the Manhattan Bridge and in the Pearl Street Triangle. The building, installation, and maintenance of the network is executed by NYCwireless, a non-profit organizations that builds, supports, and advocates for free, public Wi-Fi Internet access in New York City.
According to Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park, “Visitors can log onto a free Wi-Fi network to learn about Brooklyn Bridge Park’s amenities and find local restaurants and events to get the most out of their DUMBO experience.” And, of course, Borough Prez Marty Markowitz had something to say as well. “One day, mark my words, this area will rival Silicon Valley in terms of high tech ingenuity—so it’s only natural that DUMBO is the first neighborhood to be truly connected 24/7.” Ooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. We’ll see about that. But I’ll take it, thank you.

Monte’s Old-School Gowanus Italian Given Rebirth

By , 2 June, 2011, No Comment

image via Brooklyn Paper

About six years ago, some friends took us to dinner at Monte’s. Back then, it was a fly in amber, memories of a time when Sammy Davis Junior held court and goodfellas dined on piles of veal parmigiana and spaghetti from overladen trays. It was one of those dinners I’ll remember more as a destination than a meal. And then, all of a sudden, it closed its doors last year. So what a nice surprise to see the phoenix rising from the ashes, as it were. Seems husband and wife Dominick and Tina Castelvetre are reviving the restaurant as a more modern Italian haunt. Gone are the vintage phone booth and chandelier, but don’t worry, the ricotta cheesecake is staying the same. According to the Brooklyn Paper:

That means updated interiors that resist kitsch with sage green and exposed brick walls — and the gigantic murals of Venice have been replaced with vintage Brooklyn street maps, wrought iron sconces, and the occasional pizza paddle.
“We kept what we could, like the old bar,” said Castelvetre. “We just gave it a new marble countertop. The tables got a new base. The red booths aren’t original, but we kept the look the same. Everything else needed to be gutted — it was all rotted through.”
The most striking aspect of the renovation is an entirely open kitchen, where patrons can watch pizzaiolo John Censullo shuttle thin crusted pies from a massive wood-burning pizza oven.

The chef, Christian Sbordi, formerly of The Rainbow Room/Cipriani’s and Le Caprice, is promising modern grub with an affordable price tag. Think lamb meatballs with ricotta, sherry onions, cauliflower and sesame cream; pasta with wild boar ragu and parmagiano foam; and sesame-crusted tuna with caponata and saba. So go on, check it out at 451 Carroll St. between Third Avenue and Nevins Street. This ain’t your uncle’s Gowanus.

FINALLY! Transit Museum Gets Elevator Entrance

By , 26 May, 2011, No Comment

Well, this is a nice upgrade. The New York Transit Museum, a gem of a family resource dedicated to telling the story of urban mass transit, is finally opening a new, accessible entrance at the corner of Court and Schermerhorn Streets. Though I’ve made it to the point where my kids can walk on their own, I vividly remember having to skip the museum on several occasions because I couldn’t get the stroller down the stairs. Now, anyone who needs an elevator will have to look no further.
The entrance, which will open 8 June, was designed pro bono by architect and Transit Museum board member John di Domenico, a principal at di
Domenico + Partners, and was funded in part by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs, and Friends of the New York Transit Museum.

One Last Brooklyn Bridge Park Update-Pier 6 Expanded

By , 25 May, 2011, 1 Comment

Wow, it’s been a big week for Brooklyn Bridge Park. I was just informed that this Saturday will also mark the opening of a new, 1.8-acre area at Pier 6 featuring three regulation-sized sand volleyball courts, two 15,000 square-foot lawns, and an expanded network of lighted pathways planted with an array of native plants and trees. In addition to Bark Hot Dogs, other concessions at the pier include Milk Truck, best known for its grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes, Blue Marble Ice Cream and Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices. And, lo and behold! The free ferry service to Governor’s Island also starts on 28 May and will operate on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays through 25 September 25.

Party On at Brooklyn Bridge Park Sunset Fundraiser

By , 25 May, 2011, No Comment

Better save the date, the party of the season is approaching fast. Called Sunset Soca, this is Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy’s time to kick off their shoes and party hard with the community. Plus they get to show off what an awesome park we have–and collect some money to make it even more awesome-er. We’re talking Caribbean tunes, children’s activities, island-inspired eats & specialty cocktails — plus a silent auction featuring steals, deals, and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Think tickets to baseball games (Cyclones, Yankees and Mets), meals at local restaurants, even tix to Shakespeare in the Park. Tickets start at $25 for kids and $125 for general admission. A Family Pack will run you $500 and up to 20 tickets is a measly $5,000. The event takes place at Pier 1 on 2 June and goes from 6pm to 9pm so buy your tix now and show your support.

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