Monthly Archives: October 2009

Civics and Urban Life

Oct 18: Indulge Your Voyeurism and Envy on Prospect Heights House Tour

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The Prospect Heights biennial house tour will be on Sunday,
October 18th from noon until 5 p.m. Don't miss your chance to go inside some gorgeous and grand brownstones.

What a fun way to indulge in healthy voyeurism and real estate envy.

The self-guided tour will
include 11 wonderful homes and apartments in a neighborhood that was recently recognized by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on June 23rd when it created the expansive Prospect Heights Historic District.

Prospect Heights was also recently featured
on the show “This Old House” and was commended by LPC Chairman Tierney
for its “architectural integrity and diversity, scale, tree-lined
streets and residential character.”

Landmarks Preservation Commission. This Old House. Double kudos.

The tour will
include all this and more and will showcase the unique character of
Prospect Heights even as the imposing and controversial Atlantic Yards project proposes to make its own mark on the neighborhood.

Tickets may be purchased for $20 prior to the day of the tour at the following locations:

Advance tickets and additional information are also available by calling (718) 393-7653.

Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour for $25 at the Forest Floor.

Prospect Heights is easily accessible by either the 2/3 Train to Grand Army Plaza or the Q/B Train to Seventh Avenue.

Photographs of the homes on the tour can be viewed online.

 

Civics and Urban Life

FTC New Guidelines For Bloggers

The Federal Trade Commission  published final guidelines
Monday that dictate, among other things, that “bloggers or other
word-of-mouth marketers” must state when payments, free products or
“other material connections” have been exchanged between them and the
companies whose products they review or otherwise promote on their
sites.

The FTC announcement states that “while decisions will be reached on
a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or
in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement.”

I'm all for it.

Scott Turner of Rocky Sullivan's

Greetings from Scott Turner: Walk the Walk

This greeting is late because I screwed up and didn't put it up yesterday. But hope you'll still stop in at Rocky Sullivan's in Red Hook for the pub quiz tonight. As always Miss Wit, t-shirt queen is sponsoring this post. Greetings, Pub Quiz Walk Five Hundred Milers…

Okay, any mention of a walkathon is gonna elicit a Proclaimers reference.  Or Nancy Sinatra.  Some things are automatic, like crying at the end of Old Yeller or that gag reflex whenever another Mike for Mayor ad comes on the t.v.

It won't be 500 miles, but two-and-a-quarter miles.  It's the fifth annual Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Walkathon, colloquially named Walk Don't Destroy 5.

I'm walking in it this year.  You know the drill — Ratner, lousy development project, sixteen skyscrapers, a basketball arena, a Russian oligarch
team owner, billions of taxpayer dollars wasted, no appreciable numbers
of affordable housing or newly-created jobs, overwhelming traffic,
exploitation of Brooklyn Dodger mythology, environmental and
health concerns, blighted wasteland created by Ratner and not time,
lack of democratic process, eminent domain abuse.

Wow..that's the shortest I've ever summed it up.

Stopping
Ratner's boondoggle and replacing it with a project that makes sense
for the surrounding communities.  This is a crucial time — the project
will either proceed after New Year's 2010 or it'll be a goner.

Whether you've followed this from afar or heard me talk about it up close, you know what's at stake.  DDDB's legal bill are hefty.  Along with dozens of other community groups, DDDB has been fighting the Atlantic Yards for six years.  Six years. 

The Walkathon is what DDDB does to keep going.  Walkathons…bake
sales…benefit concerts…the passing of many hats…small checks from
concerned citizens.  DDDB has never had the hundreds of millions of
private and government money available to Forest City Ratner for their endless p.r. assault.   The money raised at this year's Walkathon goes to DDDB's legal fight.

These are tough times.  Too many people and groups have their hands
out.  This is mine, on behalf of DDDB.  If you can help out, either by
sponsoring my walk or heading to DDDB's website and signing up to walk yourself, that would be grand.  You can get more info on the issues there as well.

That's the spiel.  I don't make it lightly.

Also, there's this:  a week from Friday, on October 16th, the legendary 1970s London punk rockers
The Spunk Lads will be playing Freddy's Bar & Backroom.  They're
all living in Brooklyn now, and support DDDB's fight against the
Atlantic Yards.  According to the Lads' lead singer Nick Knickers, "wot if they'd
tried this in Camden?  I'd bloody well fall over effin' basketball fans
and condo buggers and end up with me 'ead in bandages.  Bloody
'orrible, that!"

Sez it all.

The Spunk Lads will be headlining DDDB's Pre-Walkathon Party.  Also on the
bill are the John Sharples Band, comedian Pat O'Shea, Judy Gorman,
Steve Espinola and Neil deMause.  Starts at 8 in the evening.

You never know when it'll be the last chance to see the world's most
exciting band, still at it over thirty years after they single-handedly
— well, eight hands between them — birthed the London punk scene. 
Little is remembered of their early days, but much is enjoyed when they
play shows today — rare as that is.  'Loos are wrecked as well.  Call in the American Standard people…it'll be a busy night in Brooklyn.

Don't miss it.  You've been warned.



Back to our regularly-scheduled Quizmail screed next week.

ART

Issue Project Room: Poetry to the Infinitive Power(s) on Friday

Issue Project Room will be open for business on Friday night for a pre-planned benefit event called POETRY to the INFINITIVE POWER(s), an evening of poetry, dance, live AV projections,
and music. All proceeds will benefit ISSUE Project
Room's move to 110 Livingston.
 
Founder and Artistic Director, Suzanne Fiol died on Monday after a one year battle with cancer. The organizers of tomorrow's event say that "it is not memorial; it was, in fact, planned as a benefit party. We plan to carry
on in this spirit, and ask you to join us in celebrating Suzanne's
life and achievements."
 
Over the past days there have been stories about The Times, the Voice, the Post,
and other media outlets and blogs. ISSUE Project Room sent this list by email.
 
Suzanne Fiol,
Avant-Garde Impresario, Dies at 49
(Ben Sisario, New York Times)  
 
(Christopher McIntyre, New Music Box) 

 

R.I.P. Suzanne Fiol, Founder
and Director of ISSUE Project Room

(Zach Baron, Village Voice)

 

ISSUE Project Room's
Suzanne Fiol is Dead at 49

(Gersh Kuntzman and Will Yacowicz, Brooklyn Paper)

 

(Benjamin Sutton, The L Magazine) 


In Gowanus, ISSUE Project Room Founder is Mourned

(Nicole Brydson, Brooklyn the Borough)

 

Suzanne Fiol, A Force of Nature Who Guided ISSUE Project Room

(From Neil Feldman, Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn)

 

Thank You, Suzanne Fiol

(Patrick Hambrecht, Vice)

 

For Suzanne Fiol

(Alex Ross, The Rest Is Noise)

 

(Peter Matthews, Feast of Music)
 
(Glenn Kenny, Some Came Running)
 
(Matana Roberts, In the Midst of Memory)
 
(Kurt Gottschalk, Spearmint Music)
 
(Edwin Torres, Harriet)
 
Read what people are writing about Suzanne on twitter.
Read what people have written on Suzanne's facebook wall.
Food and Drink

Bagel Hole Takes the Cake

I think this story is from my sometime employer The Associated Press. It was sent to me by Leon Freilich, OTBKB's Verse Responder:

In the bagel battle between boroughs, Brooklyn reigned supreme.

That's according to Serious Eats, which conducted a blind bagel taste test and found that Bagel Hole on 7th Avenue in Park Slope schmeared the competition.

The contest was narrowed to the three most bagel happy boroughs — deduced by Serious Eats as Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. 

Bagel
tasters picked a schlew of shops, from the obvious — H&H,
Ess-A-Bagel, Murray's and Brooklyn Bagel — to smaller locales like Hot
Bialys in Queens and Terrace Bagels in Brooklyn that were close
contenders for the top bagel spot.

All
the doughy gems were subject to the same criterion — which in an
nutshel, was consumption quickly out of the oven.  As a sidenote of the
study, Serious Eats found that bagels lose their texture and taste a
mere 30 minutes after their baked.

Civics and Urban Life

Six by Six Gallery in East Village

Hugh was at Paper Slam yesterday to pick up the Brooklyn Reading Works posters. He saw the six by six gallery and thought it was a cool idea. Paper Slam has paid us nothing to appreciate their new gallery. we just thought it was cool

The Federal Trade Commission  published final guidelines
Monday that dictate, among other things, that “bloggers or other
word-of-mouth marketers” must state when payments, free products or
“other material connections” have been exchanged between them and the
companies whose products they review or otherwise promote on their
sites.

The FTC announcement states that “while decisions will be reached on
a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or
in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement.”

Each month, Six by Six Gallery will exhibit a new collection of original art, each and every one of them on a six inch square canvas.

This small and consistent size allows the gallery to show the works of a large and diverse group of artists every month. It also allows collectors the opportunity to curate their own selection of artwork at an identical size that will look great when hung together.

The inaugural exhibit represents over 100 pieces of art from artists from across the country with prices ranging from $40-$500. The artists who exhibit at Six by Six Gallery will enjoy an unprecedented 80 percent commission on all of their work that sells. The gallery is currently accepting artwork for all future monthly exhibitions. To participate, artists purchase an Artist Submission Package at www.sixbysixgallery.com. There are two versions available: The standard submission package, which sells for $40, is housed in an eye-catching, gift-ready red gable box. It includes a six-inch square canvas, a brochure with all the instructions, packaging for the safe shipment of the artwork, and promotional postcards for the exhibit. For local New York artists there is a scaled down version of the submission package available for $20 that can be picked up in person at the gallery. The purchase of either gallery submission package guarantees the artist a one-month exhibition of their work at Six by Six Gallery.

Civics and Urban Life

Oct 15: Fun Poetry Party at Brooklyn Reading Works

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So what is Poetry Punch?

It's BRW's annual poetry party curated by Michele Madigan Somerville. It's a fun, friendly, festive way to hear some great poetry. And there's punch. 

How about a nice poetry punch?

When is it?

On
Thursday October 15th at 8 p.m. come hear Edmund Berrigan, Louise
Crawford, Bill Evans Sharon Mesmer, Wanda Phipps, Joanna Sit, Michael
Sweeney and Jeffrey C. Wright.

Where?

At
the Old Stone House. 3rd Street between 3rd and 4th Streets in Park
Slope. Suggested donation of $5. includes punch, wine and snacks.
718-768-3195

How about a nice poetry punch?

Civics and Urban Life

Suzanne Fiol Obit in NY Times: “Avant-Garde Impressario and Artistic Rudder”

There is a nice obituary in the New York Times today.

Suzanne Fiol, an impresario of avant-garde culture in New York, who founded the performance space Issue Project Room and served as its artistic rudder, died on Monday in Manhattan. She was 49 and lived in Brooklyn.

Marty Markowitz sent out this statement about the death of Suzanne Fiol.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Suzanne Fiol, the heart and soul and extraordinary visionary behind Issue Project Room, a symbol of the forward-thinking culture that makes Brooklyn the Creative Capital of New York City, and contributes so much to our city’s intellectual life. I was thrilled to help in a small way to move Suzanne’s vision of an innovative arts space at 110 Livingston Street —what she imagined as a ‘Carnegie Hall for the avant-garde’—closer to reality, and I hope that comforted her during the later stages of her illness. I am confident the dedicated staff at Issue Project Room and all Brooklynites will see to it that her great work lives on. I join all New Yorkers in mourning this tremendous loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Suzanne’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Food and Drink

Playa is Closed: Doomed Restaurant Location on Fifth?

4 Comments

Playa, the restaurant owned by the folks that brought you Barrio on Seventh Avenue, located in the doomed restaurant spot that is the corner of President and Fifth Avenue, is now CLOSED.

Another one bites the dust on that corner.

Definition: A doomed restaurant spot is a location that has seen repeated restaurant failures. But the curse can be reversed when a successful restaurant goes in. For instance, Yamato Sushi broke the curse on  their location on Seventh Avenue near 1st Street. For years, a restaurant couldn't last in there for more than a year.

Sometimes the curse is broken when a completely different kind of business goes in. The storefront that houses Dashing Diva on Seventh Avenue was a doomed restaurant spot for years. Its final food-related incarnation was as Maggie Moo's.

Who can forget Maggie Moo's?

I thought Playa was a attractive place with its paper lanterns and bright yellow color scheme. I think it served pan-South American food and maybe the identity wasn't that clear. But I enjoyed my two visits there and thought the food was tasty. There were usually a decent number of people in there.

I walked by on Saturday night and it was closed. The tables and chairs were stacked. It said closed to me big time.

I wondered if they were just making changes to the place or if it was closed for good. Maybe a Barrio, Playa's Seventh Avenue sister, will open in that space, I wondered. 

Previous restaurants in that spot were: Night and Day, Bisquit and Lookout Hill. According to one OTBKB reader: "Brownstoner didn’t mention Bebe–my favorite of the restaurants in the doomed restaurant spot. Bebe appeared in the brief time slot between Ralph’s Cleaners and Night and Day. The bar was great, the staff was great, the food was great—4 duck dishes! The story is that they were closed because they were operating without the appropriate licenses. Playa did have a bit of an identity problem. That certainly wasn’t their fault; the beach theme was pretty clear. But more than once, I overheard passers-by saying, “Look! PLAY-uh!” and chuckling about what they thought was a shady name." 

A source close to the
restaurant gives the following account of Playa's shuttering: The guy
who ran the three businesses before Playa was brought in as a partner
on the new venture because he owned the space's liquor license.
However, he's now in a legal dispute with the landlord and pulled out
of his partnership in Playa, taking the liquor license with him. Playa
couldn't turn a profit without the booze license, hence the closing.

I think the building is owned by Robin Hirsch, who owns the Cornelia Street Cafe,  a very successful restaurant and cultural space in the West Village in Manhattan. He opened Night and Day and was a partner in Bisquit BBQ.

Civics and Urban Life

All About Fifth: Interview with Aunt Suzie’s Irene LoRe

In the coming weeks and months, Fifth Avenue Business Improvement (BID) blog, All About Fifth, will have interviews with merchants along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue. After all, who knows All About Fifth like the store, restaurant and bar owners along the the avenue?

Their first interview is with Fifth Avenue powerhouse and BID Executive Director, Irene LoRe, Owner of Aunt Suzie's Restaurant.

Buy Local

Here’s Comes the Bride Zuzu’s-Style in Time Out

Time Out asked Zuzu’s Petals to make a well-priced bridal bouquet for their wedding issue. 

Zuzu outdid herself: Amelia roses, cool water roses, Saint-John’s-wort,
scabiosa, thistle and nigella create a lushness of textures within a
simple color palette, at $175. 

See the link: http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/weddings/78984/bridal-bouquets.

Zuzu’s Petals: 374 Fifth Ave between 5th and 6th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-638-0918

Civics and Urban Life

Bright Nights: Celebrating the Manhattan Bridge Tonight

Bright Nights is a curated program of digital artwork that
celebrates the projected image, draws attention to the iconic
architecture of the Manhattan Bridge, and electrifies the arts friendly
DUMBO neighborhood. The program will be projected onto the Anchorage,
to coincide with the 100th birthday of the bridge and the 10th annual Walk21 conference in October 2009.

Four internationally renowned Brooklyn-based artists created new
works that interpret the unique physical, spatial, and historical
components of the bridge. The artists were chosen for their ability to
energize a public space, in celebration of the major thoroughfare’s
100th birthday.

Music

OTBKB Music: Friday’s Dilemma

It's time to start thinking about Friday.  There are three very good
shows all in different parts of town and all at about the same time,
which means you only get to choose one.  But when you have three good
choices, whatever choice you make will be a good one.

Or_The_Whale_In_Ivy_72ppi_Small Or, The Whale:  I first saw this seven member San Francisco based group
in Austin about six months ago.  They have a wonderful new album out
with the easy to remember title of Or, The Whale.  Call their sound
high energy alt country and rock with great harmonies.

Or, The Whale, Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street (F Train to Second Avenue,
take the First Avenue exit, walk three blocks to Ludlow and Stanton),
10 pm, $10

Main Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: A large band (nine pieces) with a
horn section and they've been packing them into The Rockwood Music Hall
all summer.  SS&TDB play blues, soul and whatever else comes their
way with energy.

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, The Canal Room, 285 West Broadway
at Canal Street (A or C Train to Canal Street), 9pm, $10

Winterpills-roof Winterpills: This Northampton-based band plays ambient rock often
called chamber pop, probably the reason their last album was called
Central Chambers.  But the Winterpills rock out as well, especially on
their song Broken Arm.  But since this show is being held at The
Calhoun School, expect to hear the PG rated version of that song.

Winterpills, Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center, 433
West End Avenue at 81st Street (1 Train to 79th Street), 8pm, $10

 –Eliot Wagner

Civics and Urban Life

Saturday Oct 18: Open House for Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bushwick Parents

Schoolfest an open house for Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bushwick parents is on Sunday, October 18th (11 am to 3 pm) at 325 Bushwick Avenue, home to PS 147 and The Brooklyn Latin School.

Almost 80 schools, day care centers, and other service providers for our children in these
neighborhoods, all at a single venue.   This year they've even added a college component.


In addition,  20 colleges will be represented, including all 17 CUNY schools, Columbia, NYU, and Yale!

Along with informational tables manned by each school there will be workshops to  to help parents understand their K-12 educational choices in our neighborhood, college choices, the application process, key deadlines, and more.

Organizers call it "an unparalleled opportunity to learn about neighborhood schools and services, and considerations for higher education."

For schools, it’s an invaluable promotional platform and networking opportunity. And let’s not forget about the great performances planned by students and service providers to showcase arts & other programs and free raffle prizes..

Organizers say that "if your school or organization has not yet confirmed your participation, please do so quickly. We have almost 80 organizations confirmed and acceptances are rolling in every day." 

Civics and Urban Life

In Memoriam: Suzanne Fiol (1960 – 2009), Founder of Issue Project Room

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I just got this email and I am absolutely shocked and saddened by the passing of this beautiful and amazing woman who devoted her life to supporting artists and creating a space for adventurous audiences.

ISSUE Project Room, currently located on Third Street in the American Can Factory in Park Slope (and soon to be at 110 Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn), was the fruit of Fiol's life work; it was a labor of love that reflected her passion for experimental music, film, video and poetry. I send my condolences to her family and many friends.This is a true loss to the Brooklyn—and the international—arts community.

In the Brooklyn Paper, Borough President Marty Markowitz  called Fiol “the heart and soul and
extraordinary visionary behind Issue Project Room, a symbol of the
forward-thinking culture that makes Brooklyn the creative capital of
New York City.”

He said that the 110 Livingston St. theater would become the “Carnegie Hall of the avant garde.”

It is with great heartbreak and remorse that ISSUE Project Room
announces the passing of our founder, artistic director, and driving
force, Suzanne
Fiol.
Born on May 9, 1960, Suzanne died at 1:05 pm on Monday, October 5,
2009, after fighting a courageous and inspiring battle against
cancer. 
Suzanne passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at New York
Presbyterian Hospital. Our hearts go out to her daughter Sarah, her
sister Nancy, and
her parents Lawrence and Arlene Perlstein.

Anyone who has met Suzanne knows that she devoted her life to creating
and sustaining a space where artists — acclaimed and emerging,
local and international — could develop and perform new, challenging,
and exciting works. Regardless of the different venues we've inhabited
since
our inception in 2003, ISSUE has always been Suzanne's labor of love, a
space that housed and reflected her restless intellect, fiery spirit,
and
great heart. She would often jokingly refer to herself as "Mama Issue,"
a fitting moniker considering the unconditional love she unabashedly
showed
her friends, family, and the steadily growing audiences that have been
coming to ISSUE over the years.

We are grief-stricken by Suzanne's passing, yet inspired by her
vision and strength, and will devote ourselves to fulfilling her vision
with the
strength we draw from our memories of her. Programming will continue
this week in honor of Suzanne, and we welcome you all to come to ISSUE
and share
your memories.

A memorial is currently being planned.
Please stay tuned for information on its time, date and
location.

 
We would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to all of you for supporting Suzanne and ISSUE's mission.
 
Sincerest regards,

Steve Wax, Board Chair

On behalf of Zach, Michelle, Lawrence, and all of us at ISSUE

Photo of Suzanne by Joseph Holmes

Civics and Urban Life

Suzanne Fiol: A Force of Nature Who Guided Issue Project Room

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Neil Feldman of Not Only Brooklyn (NOB) sent out this remembrance of Suzanne Fiol, founder of ISSUE Project Room. She died on October 5th.

…you will share my sadness at the news that Suzanne Fiol, the
striking and intense force of nature who founded and guided ISSUE Project Room, succumbed to
her battle with cancer on October 5.

Not only enthusiasts of avant-garde
music and other new performance appreciated and learned from her edgy and
provocative programming. Now housed in the atmospheric ambiance of the
historic Old American Can Factory, Suzanne recently
secured financing to move into an excellent permanent facility in downtown
Brooklyn: Click here: Issue Project Room, an Avant-Garde Arts Group,
Bites Off a Lot to Chew – NYTimes.com. Not only the Brooklyn arts community has lost a
visionary champion.

Photo of Suzanne Fiol by Joseph Holmes

Civics and Urban Life

Halloween Shocker: The Parade Route Has Changed!

Whoa. I almost fell off my seat. The route of the Park Slope Halloween Parade, a Park Slope tradition for decades, has changed! Yes, you heard me. I nearly did a spit take with the Diet Coke I was drinking. This is, er, big news.

I can see why they did it. Now that there's a huge filed behind the Old Stone House, the nabe has a great football field sized gathering place for a large crowd.

In the past, the parade just sort of peetered out when it reached Lincoln Place on Seventh Avenue. Now the revelry can continue until 9 p.m.

Also, I like the way the parade will now have a Fifth Avenue component.  That's cool, too. So I'm okay with this big change. It won't be easy for everyone to adjust. But I'm okay. So here are the 'tails from the Park Slope Civic Council, one of the organizers of the parade.

    THE PARADE ROUTE HAS CHANGED! The main event—the Annual Park Slope Civic Council Children’s Halloween Parade—kicks off at 6:30 pm. The parade route will begin at the corner of 7th Avenue and 14th Street, continue north on 7th Avenue, turn left on 3rd Street, cross 5th Avenue and end at the Old Stone House on the Washington Park field where the revelry will continue until 9 pm.

In addition to that big change, there's more Halloween innovation to know about. On Halloween, the festivities begin with the very first Friends of Washington Park “Howl-a-Ween” Pet Parade from 12pm – 3pm.

At 4pm the Park Slope Civic Council Halloween Costume Contest will take place in front of the Secondary School for Law, Journalism, and Research (formerlyJohn Jay High School).  “It’s amazing how creative and clever people can be,”says Melinda Morris, owner of Lion in the Sun and one of this year’s judges. After the contest there will be a musical performance of Ethan’s Motley Rockin’ Show.

Even before October 31, there's stuff to do:

The kick-off to the Halloween festivities, the Annual Harvest Festival, will take place on Sunday, October 18, at the Old Stone House in Washington Park from 11am to 3:00pm.
    •    Mr. Ray, last year's popular musical act, will perform at 11:30am
    •    Jon Samson and Co-Creative Music will perform at 1:30pm
    •    A puppet performance of "Witch Bungle" featuring puppeteer Theresa Linnihan will take place at 3:00pm. Theresa says, “We’re excited to work with the local schools as part of their afterschool curriculum and bring the fantasy that these puppets create to this parade."  
    •    A professional costume designer will be on hand to help create costumes that fit with the parade theme, "Spooky Seas."

A Halloween Haunted House Tour will take place from October 27th-October 31st. Please visit parkslopeciviccouncil.org for more information.


Civics and Urban Life

Wed: Homelessness Study Session with Park Slope’s Rabbi/Pastor in Sukkah

This Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. Rev Meeter and Rabbi Andy Bachman will lead an interfaith study session about homelessness in the Beth Elohim's Sukkah, a temporary dwelling built out branches and agriculture. Jews are expected to eat and sleep in their Sukkah during the holiday, which lasts a week or so.

According to Judaism 101, Sukkot is a joyous holiday that comes right on the heels of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) one of the most solemn. It commemorates the forty-year period during which the Jews were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters.
Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest holiday.

The Beth Elohim sukkah was designed and built by Gia Wolf and John Hartmann, with heartfelt assistance from Adam Iarussi and Dan Silverstein.

"It's an original and a deep expression of creativity and generosity of spirit in perfect keeping with the Festival." says Bachman.

A discussion of homelessness sounds like a very appropriate activity durig Sukkot. Sounds like an interesting night. I will definitely try to be there

Civics and Urban Life

September 18 Was the Fifth Anniversary of OTBKB: Read The Very First Post

1 Comment

Welsh-love-spoon
I knew the fifth anniversary of OTBKB was coming up. I thought I would have my new, improved site by then. THEN I realized that the site makeover was delayed. Then I forgot about the anniversary altogether.

But then I remembered and I looked it up this morning. And September 18th, 2004 was the day that OTBKB started. That was the day of my very first post on blogspot.com

Happy Anniversary OTBKB! The traditional fifth anniversary gift is made of wood. Pictured is a Welsh Lovespoon.

Here's how it happened: I was meditating in my office and when I got up I thought:  By golly, I want to start a blog (and what is a blog anyway?).

My son Henry, who was 12-years-old at the time, had a blog on blogspot and I went to his blog and found out that in three easy steps I could start my very own blog.

Within minutes I came up with the name: Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, a play on the title of Thomas Wolfe's famous story originally published in The New Yorker, "Only the Dead know Brooklyn." And then the names of my autobiographical characters: Smartmom, Hepcat (though back then it was Hepcat-Daddy-O,) The Oh-So-Feisty-One and Teen Spirit. 

Then I sat at my desk: What do I do now and what do I want this to be? Here's the very first post.

BUSY SATURDAY IN THE SLOPE

This morning, Smartmom took care of some recent "kitchen problems." The
old man who fixes stoves came by to fix the oven which hasn't been
working in weeks. Later, the cheerful exterminator stopped by. Smartmom
told him about the wheat moth problem but he said there's nothing he
can do about it — he specializes in roaches and mice. "You got to go
to the sauce," he said. Smartmom thought he meant that there was some
sauce that is especially delicious to wheat moths. Actually, he was
saying THE SOURCE in thick Brooklynese and pointed to a box of rice,
and other boxes of grains. "If you see nests in there, they gotta go in
the garbage," he said. Note: Smartmom had already thrown out ALL open
boxes of grain and had emptied and scrubbed the cabinet. She's also
using Pantry Pest traps bought at the PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP.

Speaking of unpleasant insects, a downstairs neighbor came up to
say that his son has Lice and that the 7-year-old Oh So Feisty One, may
have it too because she played with his son the other day. Oh Joy.
"Have you been physical with X downstairs?" Smartmom asked the Oh So
Feisty One. "Not really," she answered, "But he did put his fingers
through my hair." Yeesh.

Smartmom and the Oh So Feisty One may be
takin' EASTERN CAR SERVICE to see the go-to Orthodox Jewish lady in
Boro Park with 10 children who is NYC's de-facto lice expert—she's even
been profiled in THE NEW YORKER. Now how's that for credentials?

The Oh So Feisty One and 13 year old Teen Spirit (TS), managed to
get along so well today that Teen Spirit actually invited her to join
him on a trip to 7th Avenue. That meant big fun: reading Manja books at
Barnes and Noble, eating glazed donuts at the MOJO CAFE, browsing video
games at Game Stop and looking for the latest Bare Naked Ladies at
SOUND TRACK (only local stores get all caps. Not mega brands.)

Meanwhile, Smartmom raced to get her eyes checked at VISIONS on
Lincoln Place. The optometrist thinks her middle vision is going a bit.
But he's not sure if she needs to start wearing corrective lenses and
told her to think about it. Huh? Smartmom had a quick lunch at OSHIMA,
the tasty sushi place on 7th Avenue between Berkeley and Lincoln that
used to be a Zen Palette type of place. The new owners are super
friendly—they have an adorable little boy who hangs out there most days
when he is not at school.

Hepcat Daddy-O met Smartmom at OSHIMA on his way to VISIONS,
thoughtfully schlepping out in the rain to get TS's broken eye glasses
fixed (because Smartmom forgot to bring them and TS says he's blind
without them.) Hepcat Daddy-O didn't bother to tell Smartmom that her
eyes had huge brown and yellow circles around them from the eye drops
the optometrist put in there. Oh well. The nice Japanese people didn't
say anything either. More on that later.

After VISIONS, Smartmom and Hepcat Daddy-o stopped at the COMMUNITY
BOOKSTORE which smelled of clove incense. Hepcat Daddy-o skimmed Art
Spiegelman's new "In the Shawdow of No Towers," and Smartmom bought a a
book by poet Louise Gluck. She stepped on the owner's dog, who was
sleeping in the fiction aisle. Love the homey feeling in that
bookstore. CYNTHIA OZICK will be doing a reading there on October 19th.

Smartmom picked up a bottle of Merlot at SHAWNS, the liquor store
on 7th between Garfield and Carroll. The blue haired girl who works
behind the counter wasn't there today. Smartmom ran into a neighbor
from the building next store who said, "What did you do to your eyes?'
The neighbor looked truly alarmed.

Smartmom explained.

The Oh So Feisty One (OSFO) and TS were already back from their 7th
Avenue sojourn when Smartmom got him home. He: finishing the Ramen
noodle soup he prepared for himself (and spilled all over the kitchen)
She: listening to a CD of her favorite music that Teen Spirit created
for her this morning. B-52's Rock Lobster, Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs.
Robinson, and the Ramones are the high points. Dance Dance Revolution
and Hilary Duff are there too. After a bit, OSFO and TS decided to hit
Seventh Avenue again which gave Smartmom time to read her first
subscription copy of THE NATION. She also had the wherewithal to take a
nap.

She ain't Smartmom for nothing.

TS, OSFO, and Best Buddy (TF's best friend) are in TS's tiny
bedroom being rambuctious. Grumpy Hepcat Daddy-o is cooking up some
Italian turkey sausage from the COOP and making a delicious spaghetti
dinner (recipe to come). Hepcat Daddy-o has never gotten used to the
elevated sound level of children. Just a minute ago, TS went out again
to PARK SLOPE BOOKS around the corner looking for a used art book with
a picture of "The Last Supper" in it—he's reading "The Da Vinci Code."
We should have a picture of "The Last Supper" around here. Yeesh.

Civics and Urban Life

Oct 15: Fun Poetry Party at Brooklyn Reading Works

New Picture (1)
So what is Poetry Punch?

It's BRW's annual fun poetry party curated by Michele Madigan Somerville. She's put together a GREAT line-up. And I'm gonna read, too. My only regret is that  Michele won't be reading but I hope she reads something by way of her introduction. 

How about a nice poetry punch?

When is it?

On
Thursday October 15th at 8 p.m. Come hear Edmund Berrigan, Louise Crawford, Bill Evans Sharon Mesmer, Wanda Phipps, Joanna Sit, Michael
Sweeney and Jeffrey C. Wright. It's an awesome group.

How about a nice poetry punch?

Where?

At
the Old Stone House. Fifth Avenue and 3rd Street in Park
Slope. Suggested donation of $5. includes punch, wine and snacks.
718-768-3195

How about a nice poetry punch?

This is ALWAYS a fun, festive reading. A fun night out. These poets write smart, interesting, juicy, and entertaining poetry. It's good stuff and there will, of course, be good punch.

Civics and Urban Life

I’m Going To See Amy Sohn Read at The Richard Meier This Thursday Night

Wouldn't miss it for the world. Richard Meier. Amy Sohn. I am so psyched.

Momasphere will host author Amy Sohn for a reading of her latest novel Prospect Park West (Simon & Schuster; September 1, 2009; $25.00) on October 8th, 2009 from 7-9pm at the Richard Meier On Prospect Park.

I've got my ticket and I am triply excited to see inside the RIchard Meier building, hear Amy Sohn read from her book and to support my friend and fellow Blogfest organizer the beautiful Melissa Lopata.

I won't be bringing an olive branch—or maybe I should. But I would really like to put this Smartmom vs. Amy Sohn thing behind me.

Yesterday Gothamist ran an interview with Amy Sohn. She was asked about some comment I made on my blog. Here's FIPS:

Sohn did a great interview with Gothamist,
in which we learn that despite the fact that she gives great BJ's, she
considers herself an "uncool mom" (unless, of course, that's part of
the whole "I think you have an act; and that not having an act is your
act" thing–I'm bad with quotes, but I've met her and she *does* seem
kinda cool). Also, she talks a bit about Smartmom.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Book Court will offer
discounted copies of the book for $20. A portion of the proceeds from
this event will benefit www.childrenofthecity.com.

See you there! Should be fun.

Civics and Urban Life

Large Turnout at Singles “Meat Up” at The Bell House

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FIPS, Brokelyn and Brooklyn Based sponsored the recent Meat Up, a singles event, at the Bell House and apparently it was a great success. Here's Erica at FIPS on the event. Yesterday I heard there were 400 people there.

 1. HOLY FUCKING CHRIST there are a lot of you single bros-n-bitches
out there! Rawk the fuck on witch your bad ass selves. We *almost* shut
the Bell House DOWN TO CHINATOWN with that crowd.

2. Who the fuck were the lame ass people in line who did NOT want a
glow-in-the-dark bracelet!? I was handing those mofos out to everyone,
and 98% of all y'all were lovin em. But a small faction of singles were
resisting the bracelets and I was just wondering: WHAT THE HOLY HELL IS
WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?

3. While I was not able to follow through on my promise that EVERYONE was gonna get laid, these two
were sucking face out front for like the entire 5 mins we were waiting
for our Arecibo car to arrive. And I heard a rumor that some dude got
fucked in the women's bathroom.  Also, there was an S&M threesome
in the Makout photo booth…jus sayin.

4. Speaking of getting action, I would have literally fucked a La Cense
burger if I could have. Goddammit those things were good! Hey La Cense
guys: can you just come park outside my apartment? Like e-v-e-r-y day?

5. Wet t-shirt contest: BEST. IDEA. EVER.

Civics and Urban Life

Letter of Thanks from Congregation Beth Elohim

Here is a letter of thanks from Rabbi Andy Bachman, Elana Paru, executive director and David Kasakove, president of Congregation Beth Elohim.

Dear Friends:

These past few days have been some of the most
significant days in the history of our Congregation, making this past
Yom Kippur one of the most meaningful ever.

When a section of
our Sanctuary ceiling fell, in the same week that we were visited by
the Westboro Baptist Church hate group, one had to wonder what tests
God truly had in store for Congregation Beth Elohim!

And
perhaps, through these experiences, we were meant to learn that our
Congregation is truly blessed by extraordinary leaders, a generous and
loving community, and faithful and stalwart neighbors who stand by us
in times of trouble.

Thank you first of all to Reverend Daniel
Meeter and the leadership at Old First Reformed Church. Opening up
their worship space to us on Sunday and Monday was an enormous act of
faith and generosity that we will never forget. True practitioners of
God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself," Reverend Meeter and
the Old First community demonstrated a powerful act of friendship.
Thank you.

Thanks are also in order to our lay leaders,
professional staff, and numerous volunteers who made the transition to
Old First and back again as smooth as possible and as result made for a
warm and meaningful worship experience. As one part of our physical
structure was rendered unusable, we were reminded of how vital, deep
and precious our human infrastructure is. We are truly a community of
members and each and every one of you made this Yom Kippur so special.
Participants in all our services: Main Sanctuary, Yachad Family
Service, Tots and Brooklyn Jews–more than 2000 people were able to
worship on this holiest day of the year and each was able to do so with
a depth of intent and experience that will be felt for months to come.

We wanted to bring you up to date on the state of the situation with our Main Sanctuary.

As
you know, a large piece of the Main Sanctuary ceiling above the middle
of the Balcony fell on Wednesday evening, revealing what will surely be
a long process of repair and restoration. Our Congregation's Executive
Committee will be meeting in Emergency Session on Thursday evening to
develop a plan for immediate next steps. The Congregation's Board of
Trustees will be meeting on October 5th to further discuss our steps
going forward.

As we begin this process, we do so buoyed by the
overwhelming support of our membership, our neighbors, the broader New
York City civic and religious community, and by phone calls and emails
from across the country. This is an incalculable blessing. As we begin
to move toward celebrating our 150th Anniversary as a Congregation, we
do so with the eyes of the city upon us and we are determined to make
our celebration and restoration a source of pride for each and every
one
of you.

We look forward to traveling on this journey
of celebration and restoration together. At this time, we urge you to
take action by making your generous donation today to the Yom Kippur
Appeal, which will enable us to move quickly to take our first steps
towards our Sanctuary's restoration. To donate online, please click here.

May each of you be blessed in the year ahead with abundant goodness, well-being and peace.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Andy Bachman
Elana Paru, Executive Director
David Kasakove, President

Civics and Urban Life

Move Over Park Slope: Bay Ridge is the New Family Nabe Says Time Out

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Move over, Park Slope—there’s a new family-friendly ‘hood on Brooklyn’s horizon. Time Out Kids (the monthly parents magazine) takes a trip to the end of the R train to discover what’s hot for tots in Bay Ridge.
 
The Bay Ridge branch of the Children’s Place keep your kids fashionable, while the stuff-a-bear station at Kaleidoscope lets your kids create their own cuddly companions. Taste of nature beyond Prospect Park at Narrows Botanical Garden,
featuring a butterfly garden and lily garden. Still feeling pangs for
that other neighborhood? Sit down for some Italian food at the original
Bay Ridge-area Peppino’s.
 
For more to explore in Bay Ridge, check out the complete article here: http://newyorkkids.timeout.com/articles/neighborhoods/78668/neighborhood-report-bay-ridge