33rd annual Atlantic Antic this Sunday
Rachel Markowitz | September 28, 2007
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In case you haven’t seen the millions of posters plastered across the neighborhood, this Sunday is the 33rd Annual Atlantic Antic, 10 am – 6 pm. The festival spans ten blocks, from Hicks to 4th Ave. Consistently among the best street fairs in NYC, it’s a source of neighborhood pride and an annual highlight.
This year features musical performances all day on ten different stages throughout the festival. Munch on a grilled sardine while watching some hot belly dancers school you in their culture. Also, street festivals always have those fried mozzarella corn things that I never get cause they’re too fattening but always tempting. Treat yourself to one this year and tell me how it is. The festival will also feature countless vendors, and sales from the stores that line Atlantic Avenue. Last year, I almost bought some hot new shoes at a great price but they didn’t fit.
Got kids? Kids love street festivals! Check out the face painting, pony rides, live story telling and live performances of kid’s music.
Sphere: Related ContentEtsy teaming up with Brooklyn Indie Market this weekend!
Josh Guttman | September 28, 2007
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I just heard from my friends at etsy that they’re teaming up with Brooklyn Indie Market this weekend. They’ve invited eight etsy sellers from Texas to visit this weekend, and will be showcasing the work of another 40 etsy sellers. So in total, there will be 50 etsy sellers represented in Brooklyn. Tonight, they’re having a trunk show at 325 Gold Street, and they’ll all be at Brooklyn Indie Market on Smith Street and Carroll this Saturday between 10-5. They blogged about it on the Storque. According to Danielle from etsy, "Along with the Atlantic Antic, Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens is going to be full of crafty goodness this weekend." More information on Brooklyn Indie Market can be found here.
Sphere: Related ContentHateful swastikas found in Brooklyn Heights
Josh Guttman | September 26, 2007
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Swastikas and hateful messages were found scrawled on the steps of two synagogues on Remsen Street yesterday as well as on pieces of paper placed on the windshields of two vehicles, also parked on Remsen street. Swarms of reporters and NYPD officers from the Hate Crime Task Force gathered at the scene of the incident yesterday along with local representatives. Around the same time, in an eerily related event, a helicopter uncovered a large swastika cut out of a NJ cornfield. The NY Times covered the story. The Gothamist reported that earlier in the week, on the eve of Yom Kippur (the Jewish day of atonement), a swastika was found inside the school bus of a local yeshiva.
Big rats in Cobble Hill Park?
Josh Guttman | September 25, 2007
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Last week, someone began posting signs around Cobble Hill Park telling of “large rats” living in the park. Over the weekend, I noticed the city had posted signs notifying the neighborhood that rat poison had been “placed in the area” as the sign (pictured here) shows. This raised a few questions for me. First, has anyone else seen these, so-called, large rats? I live nearby the park and I’ve never noticed anything aside from squirrels. The second relevant question here is about vitamin K. The signs say the antidote for rat poison is vitamin K. Is this serious? If anyone has more detail on these mysterious events, please comment and let us know.
Sheesha adds new flavor and spice to nabe
Josh Guttman | September 21, 2007
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Sheesha opened last week next to Zaytoons on Sackett Street, just off Smith. Its the work of Fahed, the son of the building’s and Zaytoon’s owner. He’s created an intimate space, with seating for approximately 15 people inside and another 4 out front. He told me he and his brother traveled all around the middle east collecting lamps and other artifacts that adorn the space, creating a very authentic vibe. The house specialty, of course, is sheesha (sometimes called nargila or hookah), a water pipe device that originated in India and caught on in the middle east, where it became somewhat of a luxury and delicacy. Molasses tobacco, often artificially flavored, is typically smoked from the device. The Double-Apple (Persian:?????,Do-Sib) is one of the most popular flavors in the middle-east (I recommend it as well) by the every day hookah-smokers because of the strength. Apparently, most two-apple tobacco seen in the U.S. stores are just apple flavor and aren’t as strong, but Fahed told me he would be getting some of the good stuff in the future. Sheesha also boasts choice board games, like Jenga, Scrabble and Connect Four, making it a prime after dinner or date spot . As for food and drink, they will be serving small dishes from Zaytoons, as well as standard middle eastern beverages, such as Moroccan mint tea and Sahlab, a sweet milky desert drink. The space is BYOA for now (bring your own alcohol) and will open around 5pm most nights. Beginning in a few weeks, they will feature middle eastern musicians and belly dancers performing on a regular basis. There is also talk of doing 1/2-price Sheeshas on Tuesdays, though this hasn’t been announced yet.
Margaret Palca gets her name in lights, grand opening
Josh Guttman | September 21, 2007
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Margaret Palca Bakes put the final touches on her new space at 218 Court Street @ Warren this week. She hosted a grand opening celebration Wednesday night before a packed house of locals. She served bagels with lox, pastries and assorted snacks. Palca has essentially improved upon the coffee shop/lunch buffet concept that the previous owner, Christophe, created years ago. From a quick conversation with Palca, I learned that she actually sold Christophe most of the backed goods he sold, so in fact, many of the goodies remain the same. The menu is larger and improved wit a full coffee/cappuccino selection, several options for breakfast including bagels, egg sandwiches and homemade granola. She’s also offering a nice selection of both sandwiches and paninis. In my humble opinion, it seems the place will be operated more efficiently this time around so I’m looking forward to the change.
Margaret Palca Bakes is located at 218 Court Street at corner of Warren.
Sphere: Related ContentThe neighborhood controversy of 360 Smith
Rachel Markowitz | September 20, 2007
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360 Smith Street: to some it is just a street address, to others it is the biggest controversy plaguing the neighborhood. Billy Stein, the man who owns the address, plans to use the property to build a high-rise condo above the Carroll Street subway station. While this could seemingly be the beginning of Carroll Gardens turning into something like Manhattan’s financial district, the development plan isn’t as bad as originally thought.
When Stein first unveiled his proposed building design to the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, it was a clunky metallic structure Gowanus Lounge dubbed “The Heavy Metal Building.” Brownstoner has also covered the development progress extensively. The design proposed to do away with the F-train plaza, and would have added a chintzy, meretricious feel to the neighborhood. However, thanks to protests from members of the community, Stein’s new design is less imposing. Instead of metal, Stein now plans to use terracotta and possibly brick to build his high-rise.
While Stein says that his high-rise will be 70 feet tall, as that’s the height that the zoning dictates, CGNA Land Use Committee Co-chair John Hatheway pointed out that the height was a limit, not a mandate. Just because the city will only allow Stein to build up to 70 feet doesn’t mean he has to, and it’s dishonest to say that the height is something the city “dictates.” Stein countered that the price he paid for the property factored in using every square inch possible, and failure to do so would be a monetary loss. Needless to say, this explanation didn’t get much sympathy from community members. Neighbors have been protesting the building since mid-summer, including organizing this online petition, depicted in the photo.
While building was scheduled to begin this fall, Stein says that given the recent design changes, this probably is not still possible. Stein claims he has done his best to try and compromise with the community, even though doing so has been to his detriment. What will actually be built at 360 Smith Street? Only time will tell.
Sphere: Related ContentZog Sports coming to Brooklyn
Josh Guttman | September 19, 2007
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Zog Sports, the popular social network sports league, which has been operating in Manhattan for several years, announced they will start leagues in Brooklyn this fall. Initially, Zog will do kickball in prospect park and touch football in downtown Brooklyn. According to Zog’s website, kickball is already sold out and a few spots still remain for touch football. Players can sign up as individuals, small groups or teams. Levels span the gamut from semi-serious players to extremely casual. This is great news for the borough!!
Zog Sports was founded in 2002 by Robert Herzog, who wanted to provide a vehicle for young professionals in their 20s and 30s to participate in group sports with a social component that includes giving to charity. The organization was inspired by the outpouring of support Herzog witnessed following the events of September 11. As of this past season, Zog celebrated 35,000 participants since inception. Initially, touch football will take place at Brooklyn Polytechnic High School and Kickball at Parade Ground (Field #9) in Prospect Park. Come winter, they’ll add basketball, volleyball and dodgeball, and next spring, they’ll add outdoor soccer and softball to the mix. There is also mention of adding bowling and other non-conventional sports that may be a good fit for Brooklyn. A percentage of the registration fees and proceeds from bars where teams congregate after games goes towards a charity that the team selects.
Sphere: Related ContentBrooklyn’s best writers come out for the Bookfest
Rachel Markowitz | September 18, 2007
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As a book nerd, I was happy to exit the subway at Borough Hall on Sunday and be surrounded by tents and tents of books. The tents belonged to publishers large and small, literary magazines, and booksellers galore. Our own Book Court had a tent selling books by all the authors present at the Second Annual Brooklyn Book Festival.
Among the authors present this year were Dave Eggers, Jonathan Safran Foer, Francine Prose, Chuck Klosterman, Mary Gaitskill (you know that movie Secretary? She wrote the short story it was based on), Jim Carroll, and A.M. Holmes. While I didn?t get a chance to attend any of the readings or discussions, word on the street is that the rooms of Borough Hall were packed with eager lit nerds.
One highlight for me this year was gushing to the man at the Small Beer Press (small book publisher) tent about how much I love the writer Kelly Link. He looked at me and nodded. Then the woman standing next to him said, “this is her husband.” Also, I got to meet Adrian Tomine, author of wonderful comic book series Optic Nerve, who sat unassumingly at his tent signing copies of his new book.
A tent I found particularly amusing was a tent that I assume was run by the author of the book Finally!: How to Stop Dating Losers Forever. The merchandise on sale here included both the hardcover and paperback editions of the book, as well as bags and t-shirts with the book’s logo sprawled across. Now why would someone want to advertise the fact that they read dating self-help books by wearing a t-shirt with the book’s title? Then again, it could be funny to wear such a t-shirt on a first date.
Sphere: Related Content2am and got the munchies? - don’t forget Carroll Gardens Diner
Josh Guttman | September 14, 2007
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Over the past two years, I’ve come home many a night, hungry and frustrated by the lack of appealing late night eateries ready and willing to satisfy my midnight cravings. My standard practice some time between 1 and 2am on a Saturday night is to do a mental scan of Court and Smith, always coming up empty-handed, as all my area standbys close well before the late night shift kicks into gear. However, it turns out I’ve been guilty of overlooking a trusty neighborhood diner that’s been ready to serve up 2am hotcakes for years. I may be slow to the punch here (it wouldn’t be the first time), but it turns out Carroll Gardens Diner, despite its lack of creativity in choosing a name, serves more than just bacon and eggs. In fact, their menu spans the gamut, covering deli sandwiches, seafood, Italian and Greek. 
But the best part about their menu, in my opinion, are the sections devoted to “eggs and omelettes” (18 varieties) and “pancakes, waffles and french toast” (12 varieties of these). What’s more, you wouldn’t guess it from the unsuspecting facade, but this diner has a beautiful solarium and garden out back. Best of all, they’re open 24/7 and they deliver. So next time you’re looking for something new, whether for brunch or to satisfy a late night craving (we won’t judge), check out Carroll Gardens Diner.
Carroll Gardens Diner is located at 155 Smith Street near the corner of Bergen. They’re open 24/7 and they deliver - (718) 403-9940.
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