A Moment In Time: In Uniform

Fleet Week on Smith Street

Picture Of The Day: What's This? Sunlight?

Could it be?  

After a solid week of rain, the sun makes an appearance.

This Saturday, Help Clean Up Ennis Park/Playground In Gowanus

Reader Kerrie, who used to live n Carroll Gardens, but is now a resident of Gowanus, pointed out that there will be a clean-up at Ennis Park this Saturday.

She writes:

I hope you will post about the Gowanus Canal Conservancy Ennis Park/Playground Cleanup going on this Saturday. Ennis Park is a great little under used park in the Gowanus (11th st and 2nd avenue, right behind Lowe's) and is located a very short walk from the south end of Carroll Gardens. It's super shady and never crowded like Carroll Park.
Thanks,  Kerrie

Ennis Park and Street Tree Stewardship, Block Party

Saturday, May 26, 11 AM

To participate in a Clean & Green volunteer day, please contact the Conservancy at: volunteer@gowanuscanalconservancy.org to RSVP.

More on the event from the Conservancy's web page here:
The day will begin at 11 am at Ennis Park and focus on litter removal, tree maintenance and pruning, planting, among other activities. After 1 pm, we will barbeque and offer fun, games, and crafts for kids. This also represents an opportunity for community members to come and meet each other and discuss neighborhood issues. We will end the day at around 5 pm.   Pathmark and Whole Foods  will supply food for the barbeque!

It's Confirmed. Vinzee's On Court Street Is No More. Space Now For Rent

 

So now we know for sure. Vinzee's Magic Fountain at 412 Court Street isn't coming back. Obviously it wasn't so magic.  After just a year in business and an agonizingly slow decline from the moment it opened its doors, the hamburger joint is now for rent by Prudential Douglass Elliman for the rather insane prize of $15,000 a month.  The space is advertised as followed on the realty's web site:

Prime Carroll Gardens! Corner Location! 2800 sq.ft. with an additional 600 of outdoor space. This location provides an extraordinary amount of foot traffic as its sandwiched between the Smith street subway and steps from CVS and Capital One Bank . It also has the bus stop right outside the front door. Turn key operation that’s practically brand new. Seats 75 plus a full prep kitchen that’s designed for catering. Central air, Walk-in Refrigerator,Walk-in Freezer, Garland 4 burner range, CecilWare double fryer, Broiler, Griddle, Mofat convection oven, Henny Penny pressure fryer, Vita mixer, Chef Mate grinder, Taylor soft serve, and the list goes on and on... Ideal for the person who wants to skip the hassle of construction so they can earn from day one.

Perhaps someone with a bit more savvy can actually operate a viable business here. It's a great location.
What do you think of the rent?

Thanks, Nicholas for making me aware of the ad.

 

No Big Surprise: Greek Restaurant 'Athena' Calls It Quits On Smith Street

Athena, the Greek restaurant at 213 Smith Street in Boerum Hill, has closed its doors.  This won't come as a big surprise to many in the neighborhood,   I am sure.   The Mediterranean eatery never really took off in the neighborhood and in recent weeks, the place seemed mostly empty.
Though the food was all right, the 'trendy' decor, with its white fake leather banquettes, was a bit tacky and didn't really have that "Smith Street" vibe. Athena didn't get much love from Yelp reviewers either. Eric S. wrote: "Athena is a grave insult to one of the world's oldest, richest and most soulful cuisines. Everything about this place bespeaks laziness, corner-cutting and general contempt for (or ignorance of) excellence. Oh, and it's way overpriced, too, adding insult to culinary injury."
Ouch!
Perhaps Athena's biggest problem was that, for a while, the restaurant's owner got himself into a bit of trouble regarding his liquor lisence and using the restaurant as a dance club.
In the fall of 2011, the owner of Athena submitted an on-premises liquor license to the NYState Liquor Authority.  When he came in front of Community Board 6 for a review of the application,  it was pointed out that the restaurant already had a full bar and was serving liquor to patrons.  When asked by members of CB6's Permits and Licenses  why he was serving alcohol without a proper license, he replied that he believed that he was covered under the previous owner's license.
Several neighbors attended the CB6 meeting, complaining that Athena turned into a dance club
at night. and hosted weekly Salsa dances.  The amplified music kept neighbors awake.
When asked by CB6 if he had a cabaret license, a necessity when allowing dancing in an establishment, Athena's owner admitted that he did not.
CB6 subsequently voted against supporting a liquor license for the establishment.

Athena's sister restaurant in Park Slope is still open.
The business on Smith Street is currently for sale.

Any thoughts on what would be a nice neighborhood addition in that space?

Avoiding Manhattanization: Cobble Hill Association To Discuss Topic With Noted Preservationist

On Tuesday, May 29th, the Cobble Hill Association will be holding a reception to honor Christabel Gough, distinguished preservationist, and historian Francis Morrone.  As part of the evening's program, Christabel Gough will be the keynote speaker on an intriguing topic - "Can Cobble Hill Avoid Manhattanization?"
Sounds like an interesting discussion. Perhaps we should have the same discussion here in Carroll Gardens?

COBBLE HILL ASSOCIATION’S SPRING, 2012 GENERAL MEETING AND RECEPTION

Honoring Christabel Gough, distinguished preservationist, and historian Francis Morrone

Can Cobble Hill Avoid Manhattanization?

Keynote Speaker: Christabel Gough

May 29th, 2012

Reception: 6:00 PM

Meeting: 7:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Place: Christ Church (corner of Clinton and Kane Streets)

For more information on the meeting, click here.

"My Brooklyn": Documentary On The Battle For The Soul Of Our City Premieres At Brooklyn Film Festival

“My Brooklyn”, a feature -length independent documentary by filmmakers Kelly Anderson and Allison Lirish Dean is a must see for every Brooklynite. After six years in the making, it will be premiering at the Brooklyn Film Festival on Saturday, June 2 at 7:30pm and on Sunday, June 10 at 8:00pm.

The film examines the impact of re-zoning, re-vitalization and the ensuing displacement of long-time residents and raises the hard question of whose Brooklyn this really is.

From the press release:

In “My Brooklyn”, filmmakers Kelly Anderson and Allison Lirish Dean chronicle how, over the last decade, city government and corporate interests joined forces to remake Downtown Brooklyn, displacing small businesses and long-time residents. The film focuses on the policies and politics reshaping the Fulton Mall, one of the most successful and most maligned shopping destinations in New York City. The film also investigates the historical roots of this contemporary urban makeover, reaching as far back as far as the Great Depression, and expanding beyond Downtown to examine the origins of change in neighborhoods like Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bed-Stuy.

A personal as well as political journey, “My Brooklyn” also follows director Kelly Anderson's quest, as a Brooklyn "gentrifier," to understand the transformation of her neighborhood along lines of race and class. Anderson invites the audience on her hunt for answers as she witnesses the rapid rise of luxury condos and shiny new retail, meeting up with everyone from Downtown Brooklyn Partnership president Joe Chan, to M.I.T. history professor and Bed-Stuy native Craig Wilder. Throughout Anderson's journey, the powerful images of photographer Jamel Shabazz, shot during the 1970s, and 80s, celebrate the everyday life and culture of working-class black and Latino Brooklyn, and help tell a provocative story about the battle for the soul of a city.

Since 2001, the Bloomberg Administration has rezoned over a hundred neighborhoods in New York City, from Downtown Brooklyn to Harlem. Confronted with a broken public process, ordinary residents have largely been shut out of the decision-making. “My Brooklyn” reveals the dramatic impacts of arcane policy tools such as zoning, showing their effects on the ground, and letting the audience evaluate. The film also takes a unique look at seemingly benign "public-private partnerships," and their role in shielding development plans from genuine public scrutiny and input.

 “My Brooklyn” does not disparage new development, but asks how the planning process can be more inclusive and produce more equitable outcomes, especially in light of Brooklyn's past. "The gentrification debate often gets stuck on the role of individuals," says Producer Allison Dean, "but what's often missing is a larger understanding of the collusion of government and private interests that is the real story not just in New York, but in many cities globally as well. There is this belief that cities now have to have very rich people in order to be viable, to be successful. What's exciting is that there is an increasingly strong movement challenging this idea, and building power for people often excluded."

"Many new residents are bothered by gentrification," says Anderson, "and have this uneasy feeling that they are part of the problem, but aren't sure what to do about it. ‘My Brooklyn’ invites these folks to consider the bigger picture, refuse to be pawns in this larger system, and take an active role in promoting development that starts with the premise that everyone has a right to the city, to decent and affordable housing, and to good jobs." In the end, “My Brooklyn” offers hope for preserving the still-rich diversity of Brooklyn and beyond, and celebrates the local community activists and advocates that have stood up to powerful interests and shown us achievable alternatives.

To read more about the film, click here.
For all screening times and Brooklyn Film Festival information, click here.

Best Comment Of The Day: Looking Forward To Trying 'Awash'

Reader Timothy has left the following comment on the post "Awash, Court Street's New Ethiopian Restaurant To Open On Tuesday":

Fantastic! South Brooklyn has very few Ethiopian restaurants - in fact, the only one I can think of is Ghenet on 4th Ave.We're were a bit saddened that Quercy couldn't make it since it had been around for nearly 10 years, however we weren't frequent visitors and found ourselves going to Watty and Meg when we wanted something nicer than the usual.We're definitely looking forward to trying Awash and hope it becomes a destination restaurant for us.

Has anyone tried Awash yet?

This Monday, Let's Give Thanks To Carroll Gardens' Servicemen At Memorial Day Ceremony In Carroll Park

This Monday, May 28th, please take some time to attend the Memorial Day Ceremony in Carroll Park to honor those who gave their lives to defend this country.
The ceremony is sponsored by Court Street Merchants Association and Friends of Carroll Park.
It will take place at 12 PM by the War Memorial in the Park.

Picture Of The Day: Turquoise Heart

Turquoise heart on the bark of a Sycamore tree on Smith Street

'First Place Provisions': A One-Stop Corner Deli With A Great Espresso Bar

A few readers told me about the newly opened 'First Place Provisions' at 414 Court Street and recommended that I try their espresso bar.  Yesterday, in the rain, I happened to walk past and stopped by to take a few pictures and to try their coffee.  I wasn't disappointed.
Grant, the barista, made me a macchiato that was truly amazing and gave me a much needed jolt on such a soggy day.  Grant uses Stumptown Coffee, but I suspect that his skill as a barista has much to do with the rich tan  layer of crema on the well-shot espresso.
If you aren't a coffee drinker, no problem.  Grant also makes a great cup of tea, using leaves from Bellocq Tea Atelier in Greenpoint.

But 'First Place Provisions'  is more than an espresso bar.  It is actually also a deli and health food store, which carries everything from specialty, organic foods to snacks to cigarette and even pet food.  And beer. Lots and lots of beers from around the world.

In the future, this place will also be making sandwiches.  The owner told me that he will get his bread from Sullivan Street Bakery.

In short, imagine 'First Place Provisions' as a one-stop corner deli, just better.  Much much better. It's definitely a great addition to the neighborhood.

Picture Of The Day: Climbing Rose

In full bloom on Hoyt Street

In PMFA's Mailbox: Man's Best Friend?

The note below just landed in my mailbox.

Hi Katia, 

I'm so curious to know if you, or your readers, have seen the man who sits outside of Union Market (on Court St) in the evenings with his large white dog...oh yeah, with the dog sitting upright on his lap facing him. With paws up on the man's shoulders. It is so bizarre, and every time I see their 'coupling' I am speechless, as are every other passerby who often pause and take photos and shake their heads in confusion! The man doesn't seem to mind the attention, but he also doesn't explain this 'unique' choice of sitting. It's just so...odd. And a bit disturbing?! Anyway, just wanted to know what people thought about this. I love my pets, but don't think I'd enjoy embracing them in a, um, 'adult-like' fashion...

I haven't seen this man and his dog myself.  Have you?

Much Accomplished By Volunteers During "It's My [Carroll Park] Day"

This past Saturday, volunteers weeded, spread compost, planted, mulched and watered to beautify Carroll Park during "It's My Park Day." The spring clean-up was sponsored by Partnership for Parks and by Friends Of Carroll Park.  At the end of the day, our neighborhood oasis looked better than ever before.

But it wasn't all work.  Kathleen Henderson, our Playground Associate helped the little ones walk over a zip line and volunteer Sarah had organized a Scavenger Hunt, challenging kids to find and identify plants and trees in the park.

It is amazing how just a few people can make a difference in carroll Park.  Imagine what could be accomplished if more neighbors helped out.  Won't you consider helping next time?  After all. it's your park, too.