We were warned. That’s why we got to the Beacon High School tour early. When we arrived at 4:20, there were already hundreds of people on line.

Luckily they let groupings of us into the building at 4:50, when we were divided again into smaller groups (of about 40 parents and students). First there was a brief introduction by the school’s assistant principal and some words from two impressive high school seniors.

Our group then met with a math, spanish, history and science teacher in their classrooms. Their talks were brief and to the point. With each teacher there was a group of exceptional students, who also got a chance to speak and answer questions. In just about every class, students are required to present performance-based projects to a panel of teachers which seems to develop excellent public speaking skills in the students (just an anecdotal observation).

The tour was over by 5:40 and we had an excellent impression of the school. Brief and to the point. Good job, Beacon! With one caveat, when we walked outside the line had grown exponentially and there were people lined up all the way to Amsterdam Avenue and 62nd Street (and the school is on 61 Street between Amsterdam and 10th Avenue). People I knew expressed anger over the fact that this was the only tour for people from Brooklyn and they were forced to stand on line for an hour or more to see the school.

So, we were lucky to get there early because we got in and out early.

Beacon is a highly selective school (Regents exempt) with high academic standards and a rigorous curriculum. That said, it has a decidedly non-competitive atmosphere and does not rank its students. They do, however, make applicants jump through hoops to qualify for the school (portfolio, an essay, an interview that includes an essay) and there are only 1,100 kids in the entire school. It looks like they have adequate space for that number of students in their very pleasant building, which is light and somewhat airy.

Continue reading High School Tour Confidential: Beacon High School →

How’s this for a funny reason to vote from Babeland:

We’d all like a silver bullet to create jobs, fix the economy, and ensure access to affordable healthcare, but it’s not going to happen if you don’t vote. That’s why Babeland says that if you fulfill your civic duty, they’ll reward your efforts with a free Silver Bullet Vibrator.

All you have to do is tell them you voted.

If you visit their retail stores on election day, Tuesday, November 2, tell them that you voted and they’ll and they’ll give you a FREE silver bullet vibrator ($15 value), no purchase necessary.

Online: At Babeland.com, they’ll  include the silver bullet vibrator with any purchase on November 2, simply type in the code “110210” at checkout. While supplies last.

Think about advertising on OTBKB, one of the most popular hyper-local place-blogs in Brooklyn with thousands of daily hits and a devoted following of daily readers who swear by OTBKB’s stories (and recommendations) on local civics & urban life, arts and culture, food and drink, parenting (long live Smartmom!) and shopping.

The best way to do this: Take out ad. Prices available on request. If you don’t have an ad, we’re happy to design one for you.

OTBKB welcomes advertisers of all stripes including real estate, restaurants, shops, arts organizations, freelance creatives, accounting services, health and wellness, books and more.

Brownstone Brooklynites know and trust OTBKB! Its devoted readers are well educated, creative and community minded. They care about family, education, quality entertainment, the food they eat and their well being in body, mind and spirit.

A clickable banner ad, vertical skyscraper ad or a box ad, is a great way to get noticed in Brooklyn. It’s inexpensive, easy and fast. Your ad could be up within six hours. Prices available on request. Call Louise Crawford (718-288-4290) or email: louise_crawford(at)yahoo(dot)com

Here are some general election guides that might be of help tomorrow WHEN YOU GO TO VOTE!

Your general election guide: It’s a Free Country

Guide for last minute voter: Gotham Gazette

Your general election guide: It’s a Free Country

Guide for last minute voter: Gotham Gazette

Revisionist history on Nets’ effort to land Lebron: Atlantic Yards Report

Cuomo leads over Paladino but battle for NY controller tight: Daily News

Stewart’s rally in Washington: It’s a Free Country

Craig Hammerman, District Manager of Community Board 6, sent this list of civic-minded, athletic (running), and misc.(a spades tournament) things going on this month…

Free Flu Shots, Friday, November 5, 11am to 2pm, Borough Hall Rotunda, 209 Joralemon Street. First come, first served.

Moving Forward on Fourth, Saturday, November 6, 9:30am, 4th Avenue & 9th Street. Park Slope Civic Council’s walkabout featuring 4th Avenue. Reservations required.

Prospect Park Duathlon & Gotham Cup Challenge, Sunday, November 7, 7am, Prospect Park, Willink Rink area.

The ING NYC Marathon, Sunday, November 7, 8:30am to 2pm, 4th Avenue – Go Prospect Park Track Club!

Cleanup in Coffey Park with Red Hook Dog, Sunday, November 7, 9am to 10am, Coffey Park, Verona-Richards-King-Dwight Sts.

Veteran’s Day Ceremony, Thursday, November 11, 11am, Carroll Park, Smith-President-Court-Carroll Sts.

Groundswell Annual Art Auction, Thursday, December 2, 7pm to 10pm, Patron Reception 6pm to 7pm, Affirmation Arts Ltd., 523 37th Street, NYC.

Wow: Park Slope is fun on Halloween. Trick or treating on Seventh Avenue, trick or treating on side streets, haunted houses, puppet shows, you name it: Park Slope is Halloween-Central.

Last night was crazy fun for kids and adults. It was also exhausting and overwhelming for many of the youngsters as it was a long day in costume and the excitement can turn quickly into tears of meltdown and frustration from too much candy, too much walking and too many expectations.

The littlest ones seemed to be running out of steam (or in meltdown mode) just as the parade began at 6:30 on 14th Street and later turned down Third Street. But they persevere and by parade’s end seemed barely able to make it home for bedtime.

At just about the same time, the teenagers were ready for the shaving cream wars in the playground (front and back) of PS 321 and elsewhere.

At the parade, the Paprika Marching Band made joyful, percussive sounds and a floating bedbug sniffing dog, with Gersh Kuntzman’s voice booming out of it, was quite the sight and sound.

Third Street’s sidewalk and street was crammed with costumed revelers marching in the parade or watching from the sidelines.

Barrio, the Third Street Mexican restaurant with the outdoor patio, was packed with costumed eaters watching the parade while consuming margaritas and tacos.

In our front yard, there was a get-together for parents with children under two. Friends stopped by and watched from our building and I enjoyed the babies dressed as pumpkins, as fairies, as lady bugs…

That first Halloween as a parent can be quite a thrill.

As for costumes my favorite was the team of “Food Coop Walkers,” a group wearing day-glow orange Food Coop vests  pushing shopping carts, I saw a Tevye playing a violin, a wonderful jellyfish…

Waiting for No Words Daily Pix to return with his bounty of Halloween images…

The Park Slope Halloween Parade begins tonight at 6:30PM at 14th Street and 7th Ave. It will travel north to 3rd Street, then turn left, continuing down 3rd Street to end the Old Stone House (Washington Park (formerly JJ Byrne) at 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets).

Earlier in the day there are a bunch of events in front of John Jay High School:

3:00pm – 6:30pm  Free Photos in front of John Jay High School

3:00pm – 3:55pm  Registration for the Costume Contest

4:00pm – 5:00pm  Costume Contest

5:00pm – 6:00pm  Musical Performance by Ethan’s Motley Rockin’ Show (also in front of John Jay)

This list of Halloween Safety Tips was published on Park Slope Parents in 2007. I was looking through some old posts and I thought this might be helpful today since today is…

Trick or Treat

Make sure kids can see out of masks or better yet, use face paints
(check to make sure they are non-toxic)

–Review street safety.

–Avoid shoes that are too big or clothing that’s too long

–Use reflective tape or carry a flashlight or glow stick

–Always trick or treat with a buddy (or adult)

–Make sure props don’t have sharp edges and swords and guns are made
from cardboard.

–Pin a piece of paper with the child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the trick-or-treater gets lost or separated from the group.

–Remember kids will be close to flames in Jack o lanterns, so use
materials that aren’t flammable or have dangling edges

At Home

–Clear stoops and sidewalks of any debris to prevent falls

–Keep Jack-o-Lanters away from doors and walkways

Treats

To ensure a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat outing for children,
parents are urged to:

–Give children an early meal before going out.

–Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is
eaten.

–Report to the police anything that appears suspicious about treats.

–Although tampering is very rare, don’t eat anything not wrapped. When in doubt, throw it out.

-Check kids’ candy for choking hazards and keep away from small children
and pets (especially no chocolate for dogs)

Gorgeous fall day but the heat isn’t working which made for a cold wake-up at the apartment. Something’s wrong with the boiler.

Hope it gets fixed. Soon.

Today’s the day and OTBKB will keep you up to date on all the fun that you can have today. Click on read more for all the Halloween that fits to print.

Continue reading OTBKB Weekend List: Happy Halloween! →

The Charter Revision Commission, appointed by Bloomberg, is presenting two ballot questions to the voters this election day. Here’s one of them:

Question 1. Term Limits: The proposal would amend the City Charter to:

Reduce from three to two the maximum number of consecutive full terms that can b e served by elected city officials; and

Make tis change in term limits applicable only to those city officials who were first elected at or after the 2010 general election; and

Prohibit the CC from altering the term limits of elected city officials then serving in office.

Shall this proposal be adopted?

And for tomorrow: Question 2!

If you, like me, missed  last Monday evening’s presentation by the Department of Environmental Protection to the Public Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses Committee on the ongoing Gowanus Facilities Upgrade Project, you’re in luck because Craig Hammerman, Distrcit Manager of Community Board 6 just sent me a link to a copy of the agency’s presentation which is available for viewing at the following link: http://bit.ly/apXoNw

Thanks Craig.

Looking for teachable moments? Lessons in democracy? Something to do on Election Day when the kids are home from school? How about this:

On Election Day, kids can practice voting at Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park.

Here’s how it works: The kids are off from school, right? So take them over to Lefferts House at 12PM where underage voters will mark secret ballots with the names of the candidates running in New York, and place them in a locked box. Kids and adults can learn about milestones in voting history, such as the secret ballot –called an “Australian ballot”  — first used in New York state in 1880.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a serving of Election Cake, a 19th century treat

The big moment arrives at 4 p.m. when the ballot box is opened and our unofficial election results are announced!

Directions:  Lefferts Historic House is located at the Children’s Corner, inside the Park’s Willink entrance, at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard.  By train: Q, S, or B run to Prospect Park Station.  By bus: B-16, B-41, B-43 and B-48 will bring you close to The Children’s Corner.  For further information, call Lefferts Historic House at  (718) 789-2822

Brought to you by the Feldman Family from their local weather tower.