The Brooklyn Paper reports that there is a woman missing in Park Slope.
Her name is Marion McCleneghan and she disappeared after leaving a party at 14th Street and Seventh Avenue on February 6th and hasn’t been heard from since.
Weird.
Family and friends say this is totally out of character.
An NYPD detective told the Brooklyn Paper that McCleneghan’s case is a priority. She’s described as 5-foot-10, 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Kristen Goode is the woman behind about.com Brooklyn and these are two of her picks for stuff to do this weekend. Lots more at her site.
“Designing an Enduring Legacy” Architecture Symposium
The Pratt Institute presents architects David Adjaye, Peter Cook, and alumnus Rodney Leon as they share experiences on various design projects that relate to the African American heritage. Free.
Thursday, 5pm to 8pm at the Higgins Hall Auditorium (Pratt Institute), 61 St. James Place33rd Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament
New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz hosts this weekend-long event for wordsmiths and crossword fiends.
Friday through Sunday at the Brooklyn Marriott, 333 Adams Street
I knew that it was inevitable that there would be store closures after the holiday season. In a bad economy, the holidays are often the last gasp of revenue before a long hard winter.
Still, I am sorry to see Matter close. Matter, which features classic and adventurous contemporary design items for home, has a location in Manhattan, which will remain open.
All About Fifth had the letter to Matter’s customers that is on the window of the shop. FYI: their entire Brooklyn inventory is now on sale for 15 – 90% off.
Dear Friends of Matter,
After six years here we have decided to close up shop in Park Slope to focus more of our energy on developing the Matter Made collection. Our Manhattan location will remain open and there are future plans for an expansion to include many of the great products you’ve come to love from our store.
Our entire Brooklyn inventory is now on sale for 15 – 90% off. Check back often as discounts will increase leading up to our closing at the end of March.
There are no words to express the deep gratitude we have for your loyalty and patronage over the years.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in Manhattan.
Matter
Cottage in Sag Harbour: CasaCara
She likes Hugh’s Coney photos: My Coney
Details of the Arizona Biltmore: Brooklynometry
Norah Jones’ window #3: Brownstoner
Another store closing: All About Fifth
Stain & Varnish & Poly, Oh My: Reclaimed Home
Crazy morning. Running around. Everything is FINE. Just busy.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that there there are a lot of dog lovers in Park Slope so I thought this might be of interest to OTBKB readers.
The 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show just finished up at Madison Square Garden. Breeds of all shapes and sizes were in town for the competition and many were see roaming the streets of NYC.
But only ONE dog was named champion!
A Scottish Terrier by the name of Sadie took home the “Best in Show” championship cup. Click here to check out all of the finalists:
http://msg.com/photos/westminster-2010-best-in-show/slide/1/
Also, be sure to check out the show dogs hitting the streets of NYC: http://blogs.msg.com/themonitor/2010/02/15/westminster-
Work it Brooklyn is a networking event on February 24th from 7 – 10 PM, at the Arsenal (170 North 4th Street between Driggs and Roebling in Williamsburg).
What exactly is Work it Brooklyn?
The aim is to connect inspired creatives working independently within the creative fields. Graphic designers, dancers, musicians, tech gurus, painters, and others are welcomed in this evening of productive debauchery.
How does it work?
WIB is devised as a forum to connect folks working from home without the benefit of a network support system, opening up the opportunity to meet and forge partnerships, fine and create work, instigate healthy competition, and encourage the exchange of ideas and potential collaborations, all the while having a whole lot of fun.
The evening will be held in two parts. The Arsenal will be divided into six field-related stations, providing a hub for folks to gather within and outside their primary concentration. At the center of the space there will be Speed Networking.
Sounds a bit like musical chairs.
Exactly. Think musical chairs meets speed dating, where attendees get to meet and speak through this spunky and time sensitive activity. We will also be raffling off tickets for a chance to win prizes provided by our proud sponsors, local businesses and organizations that believe that WIB rocks as much as we do.
There will also be a projection screen with a presentation of any attendants who wish to submit a page with a portfolio sample and contacts. That way if someone likes what they see in what you do on this screen, they can contact you once the evening is over, or serendipitously meet during the event and start what could be a beautiful collaboration between creative minds. Download the instruction details on submitting templates for the presentation, due Feb 19th Any questions, you can contact the organizers at workitbrooklyn@gmail.com
So, do you have to register?
Yup. This is a free event and pre-registration via eventbrite is required. Registration closes Feb 19th or whenever they reach 100 attendees. workitbrooklyn.eventbrite.com
Mommy Poppins has ideas.
826NYC AKA the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company, the cool store and free drop-in tutoring program for students from 8-18 on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, is sponsoring its third annual Scrabble for Cheaters, a tournament of verbal smarts and fraudulence, on March 6th, at 826NYC.
This year, Paul Rudd, John Oliver, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Peter Dinklage, and others (perhaps YOU!) will be there to challenge our reigning champions, the wily Morgan Clendaniel & Gideon Friedman of The Fightin’ Caziques.
There are a very limited number of spots available. So sign up soon!
From the Brooklyn Paper:
“The first phase of Mayor Bloomberg’s overhaul of Coney Island into a major amusement park took shape on Tuesday, with Hizzoner unveiling 19 new rides that he said will be in full-swing by Memorial Day in what is being called “Luna Park.”
“The ride operator, Central Amusement International, also announced it will open the “Scream Zone” in 2011, another amusement area that will feature two roller coasters, a human slingshot, and a go-kart track.
“Coney is coming back, big time,” Bloomberg said at Tuesday’s announcement at the New York Aquarium. “It will be more fun than ever.””
It only happens once a year: That’s right, it’s the annual — and awesome — book sale at Park Slope’s United Methodist Church this weekend, where you will find thousands of terrific books in every imaginable category.
You can’t beat the prices: Same low prices as last year: pocket-sized paperbacks for 50 cents, trade & quality paperbacks for $1.50, hardcovers for $2.00. Buy ten, get one free!
It’s Park Slopee so there’s gotta be something for the kids, right? You betcha. Check out the Children’s Room where you’ll find books for all ages as well as videos, games, puzzles & more Also: DVDs — $4 CDs — $3 Videos — $1 Records — 50 cents
Does the early bird get the worm? Not necessarily: To avoid the Saturday morning “early crowd”, organizers suggest that you consider coming later in the day. They’ll be puttingbooks out all day long — so in this instance, the early bird does not necessarily get the worm!
And what about all those books I’ve been desperate to get rid of? They’ll be accepting donations on Thursday evening (7pm to 10pm) and Friday (10am to 9pm).
For details: visit their website at www.parkslopeumc.org. The church is on 6th Avenue at 8th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Directions & more information at www.parkslopeumc.org.
Give me that info one more time:
Saturday, Feb. 20 8:30am – 4:30pm Sunday, Feb. 21 (afternoon only) 12:30pm – 4:30pm See you at the sale! If possible, please bring your own bags. And remember, cash only!
A friend and I went out for drinks last night and I said, “Let’s try Mack’s, the new Snooky’s.”
This friend, a former Park Sloper, was game. She’d dined at Snooky’s umpteen times and attended more than a few parties in the upstairs party room.
Together we’d also tried Elementi, the upscale Italian eatery that went in after Snooky’s closed. We liked the wine selection there, the food, and the atmosphere at the bar.
Snooky’s was kind of a legend in Park Slope’s mind. A longtime sports bar, it represented Park Slope pre-gentrification. A meat and potatoes sports bar with a devoted group of regulars, it was unpretentious, inexpensive and full of characters. When Snooky’s closed there was much bitterness and consternation among its denizens.
Last night when my friend and I walked into Mack’s, on Seventh Avenue between Garfield and Carroll Streets, at around 10:30, there was a small crowd at the bar. The music was so loud I asked the bartender to turn it down. And when I asked about the wines, the bartender said: Cabernet, Merlot or Shiraz.
The Cabernet comes in a small Woodbridge bottle.
You get the picture. If you want Multipulciano (i.e. a broader wine selection) go to the wine bar on the corner of Garfield and Seventh Avenue.
Mack’s is about burgers, drinks, beer, basic wine choices and a friendly, easy, inexpensive place to hang. We sat on stools at the tall tables near the bar. We were glad for the multiple television screens placed throughout the room as we were able to catch some of the Olympic men’s ice skating
Small groups of men and women walked in while we were there. I think the kitchen was still serving food but no-one was eating. The staff is super friendly.
It was a drinking and talking Tuesday night and Mack’s was the place to be.
About the decor: the front room is very plain. Painted mustard yellow, there are two comfortable looking booths in the front and some high tables near the bar. Seems like it’s waiting for the mark of time and customers to define and weather it.
The album cover of Milton‘s album Grand Hotel is a nice study in deco but it neither shows Milton, the Milton Band nor gives any hint at the music inside. What is inside is mid tempo rock and Americana and it is what will be played by Milton tonight, Wednesday, February 17th at 9pm, the third night of The sixth annual Milton residency at The Living Room. I have to add that this band has links to Park Slope, with Milton having lived here for part of 2009, and lead guitarist Martin Kearton still living here.
Further details on tonight’s show are over at Now I’ve Heard Everything.
–Eliot Wagner
Sad news at Broken Angel: The Local
Beware Belt Parkway projects: Sheepshead Bites
Businesses putting grafitti artists to good use: Sheepshead Bites
Roommate Belt: Kensington Prospect
The history of 3 of Bklyn’s entertainment districts: Kinetic Carnival
The future of Fourth Avneue: Brooklyn Bugle
How to make a nice Kosher pickle: Brooklyn Hts. Blog
The phantom toll booth: Bed-Stuy Blog
The Great Williamsburg Fugfest: NY Shitty
Family dog is back home: Fucked in Park Slope
Greenpoint poet loses cafe table: Brooklyn Ink
It’s been a couple of weeks since I decided to host my first-ever dinner-party and already, I’m behind schedule.
All I have managed to do so far is set a date — Saturday, March 6. I don’t have a guest list and I certainly haven’t gotten around to planning a menu.
Granted, I have been soliciting advice about the menu from none other than Martha Stewart, author Giulia Melucci, and Porchetta chef Sara Jenkins. Not to mention my friends and family. It seems everyone has an opinion about what I should serve, but I still can’t decide.
The truth is that I can always come up with something to serve — even if I take Martha Stewart’s advice and order in. But the one thing I can’t do without is guests.
Aside from Giulia Melucci and her new beau, nobody has agreed to come.
Then again, I haven’t formally invited anyone. I made the mistake of e-mailing the date to a few folks asking if they might theoretically be available for the night of the 6th.
The response was lukewarm at best. People seemed downright disinterested. I thought friends would be vying for a spot at the table, not fabricating excuses.
“I’m a freelancer, so it’s hard to commit,” said my friend Ken.
“I’ve got co-op duty that night,” said Dori.
“Who is going to babysit?” asked Kathryn.
And now another friend just rescheduled her Chinese New Year’s party for the same night, so it’s inevitable that I’ll lose some potential guests to that.
“I feel dissed,” I told my husband Avo last night.
Continue reading Undomesticated Brooklyn: My First-Ever Dinner party!
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Brooklyn Based, of course, has all the hipster, cool Mardi Gras stuff in Brooklyn listed on today’s e-newsletter. But here’s an excerpt:
We’ve always thought that celebrating Mardi Gras in Brooklyn seemed sacrilegious in some way–even more so than Bastille Day or Chinese New Year’s. Like, if you’re going to do it, do it right and go to New Orleans. This year though, there are so many festivities taking place (even in the snow!) we’ve changed our tune to a Cajun rhythm. You know, it makes a certain amount of sense that a rowdy, slightly mystical, food-filled holiday should find a northern home in Brooklyn.
The biggest, newest Fat Tuesday party this year is the L Magazine’s parade and show. The sure-to-be-over-the-top affair kicks off at the southern end of Driggs and North 12th at 7pm and will go down Driggs, up Bedford and end up at the Brooklyn Bowl. Burlesque performers Angie Pontani, Helen Pontani, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Akynos, The Maine Attraction and Lil Miss Lixx are confirmed for the parade and bicycles, costumes and gorgeous oddities of all varieties are encouraged to join.
St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights is hosting a symposium called Journalism in the Age of the Internet with Diana Williams (WABC), Ben Smith (Politico), Robert George (New York Post) and other notables.
Where: St. Francis College – Founders Hall
180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
When: Tuesday, February 23
6:30pm – 8:30
A distinguished collection of journalists and media experts will come together at St. Francis College on Tuesday, February 23 at 6:30pm in Founders Hall for the symposium: Journalism in the Age of the Internet, co-hosted by St. Francis and the Manhattan Institute.
The panelists, who will seek to answer the question of how the rise of online reporting and commentary is transforming the business of journalism, include: WABC anchor and reporter Diana Williams; Politico Lead Reporter and Columnist Ben Smith; New York Post Editorial Writer Robert George; WABC Director of Community Affairs Saundra Thomas; Politico Editor Harry Siegel and Hunter College Professor of Economics Lisa George.
The panel will be moderated by Manhattan Institute Vice President of Communications & Marketing Lindsay Young Craig.
Do you know about Kickstarter?
Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious projects. They believe that: “A good idea, communicated well, can spread fast and wide AND a large group of people can be a tremendous source of money and encouragement.”
My friend and fellow blogger, Cathryn Swan of Washington Square Blog, is writing a book called “The B-girl Guide: In the Context of Now – Living Your Life in An Environmentally, Animal & People-Friendly Way” and she’s using Kickstarter to fund it.
She tells me that on Kickstarter, the end call for funding of your project is the most important one, as she will only receive funds pledged IF she reaches her goal of $6500. With your help, Cathyrn can meet her goal. In her own words:
When I decided to go the Kickstarter route to raise funds to finish writing my book, I was excited about having a video on the site to promote the project (something the Kickstarter site greatly recommends). However, when I set out to make, shoot, produce, edit and finalize one, a few challenges arose. (I could write a book on this in itself!)
So, I’m happy to report that THE VIDEO FOR MY BOOK PROJECT IS NOW UP!
Watch it here: http://kck.st/bZEdOM
Some will recognize the setting outside Park Slope coffee shop, the Tea Lounge.
Two Boots isn’t the only location for Brooklyn Fat Tuesday festivities. Turns out there’s lots to do on Fifth Avenue, too. Information courtesy of All About Fifth:
200 Fifth: (718) 638-2925 200 5th Ave. $16.95 pre-fix menu featuring New Orleans style soul food. The dinner includes a main course and two sides.
Babouche: (718) 636-2100 165 5th Ave. Tuesday is fish night!
Bogota Latin Bistro: (718) 230-3806 141 5th Ave. Happy hour all night long.
Trattoria Mulino: (718) 398-9001 133 5th Ave. Prefix for 19.95. It will include an appetizer, entree and dessert.
Miriam Restaurant & Wine Bar: (718) 622-2250 79 5th Ave. From 5:30 to 8:00, two for one draft beers, two for one glasses of wine, and two for one Meze’s.
Feb 18 Transportation Committee
Old First Reformed Church
729 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY
6:30 PM
Feb 22 Pub Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits/Licenses Committee
Washington’s Birthday (U.S.)
Cobble Hill Community Room
250 Baltic Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
6:30 PM
Feb 22 Econ/Water/Comm Dev And Housing
Long Island College Hospital
339 Hicks Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
6:00 PM
Feb 24 Youth/Human Services/Education
If needed
Feb 25 Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting
Cobble Hill Meeting Room
250 Baltic Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
6:00 PM
Artistic Director Susan Feldman just sent this email about a new show at Dumbo’s St. Ann’s Warehouse starting in March:
If you saw the movie, Milk, you may recall the overwhelming joy and awakening that distinguished the early days of the Gay Liberation movement in San Francisco in the late 1960s. At the same time, in Britain, Bette Bourne was discovering drag and fighting the same battles that became a worldwide movement. Now 70 years old, Bette and playwright Mark Ravenhill reminisce about an extraordinary life and an extraordinary time.
I first saw this lovely “conversation,” A Life in Three Acts, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last summer, and I was deeply moved by Bette’s story and his generosity in telling it. I felt privileged to hear about the trials and the triumphs, the pride and the small victories that built upon one another to create an historic struggle that continues today. I was struck by Bette’s humour, his strength and his humility, and I was entertained the whole time. Thank you so very much.
And now we’re pleased to welcome Bette and Mark to St. Ann’s Warehouse, where they will share it all with you. The theater’s in the life, and the story in the telling. How lucky are we. It begins March 4!
Today Mayor Bloomberg will announce plans for 100 new rides this summer as part of his Coney Island revitalization plan.
Stay tuned.
Starting today: C and D train service in Manhattan will be disrupted for the rest of the week to replace signals near Chambers Street that control a track switch.
Northbound D trains will run local from 59th Street-Columbus Circle to 145th Street in Upper Manhattan, and northbound C trains will run express from Canal Street to 145th Street, from Tuesday morning until early Saturday morning.
Any local stops bypassed by the C train will still be served by the E train, and B trains will continue to run local along Central Park West. Officials from New York City Transit, who announced the changes on Monday afternoon, apologized for the short notice.
Honoring the little known if only for a day: NY Times
Should Cuomo return Ratner’s $5,000 contribution?: Atlantic Yards Report
Forum on the future of Fourth Avenue: Pardon Me for Asking
Interview with Councilmember Steve Levin: WG News & Arts
New York City Museum of Complaint: City Room
Park Slope may not be New Orleans but for 20 years Two Boots, the child-friendly Cajun pizza joint on 2nd Street, has been hosting a raucous and fun Mardi Gras celebration complete with colorful beads, authentic New Orleans specialties and great bands.
Tonight for their 20th anniversary Mardi Gras celebration, Two Boots presents Jelly Roll Brundrett and the Zulu Kings, a special New Orleans menu and cocktails.
As always, reservations are a great idea.
Who said you can’t go home again?
Well, it was Thomas Wolfe, whose short story, “Only the Dead Know Brooklyn” is the namesake for this blog.
Mack’s Bar & Grill on Park Slope’s Seventh Avenue between Garfield and Carroll Streets (owned and operated by the folks who own Johnny Mack’s the popular 8th Avenue eatery) is open for business in the space that was Elementi and Snooky’s before that
When Snooky’s, a classic Park Slope sports bar, closed and Elementi’s went in, Snooky’s loyal customers, were none-too-pleased with its replacement, an upscale Italian eatery.
The new Mack’s should make the old Snooky’s crowd very happy. I just took a stroll through the place and it’s got a decidedly Snooky’s-esque vibe. Casual atmosphere, booths up front, TV sets at the bar, grill and sandwiches on the menu, restaurant seating in the back.
It’s a real local restaurant and bar.
If the food is as good as Johnny Mack’s on 8th Avenue I’ll be happy. It may be just what the neighborhood needs. An easy place to grab a drink, a sandwich, a tasty burger.
