Last night I was a panelist at an event sponsored by the Newswomen’s Club of New York about blogging and journalism. I was joined by two very interesting media savvy women: Gracey Newman of Spa Finder and Jessica Coen of Jezebel.
All posts by admin
Bklyn Bloggage: food & drink
Colton Harris-Moore and Grandma Jean: A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn
Anthony Falco pizza guru: Serious Eats
Fornino adds a take-out shop on Fifth Avenue: NY Times
Burning down the house: Undomesticated Me
What happened to 213 Mexican on Smith Street?: Pardon Me for Asking
Peach mango salsa: Bushwick BK
Brooklyn burger eating competition tonight: McBrooklyn
Current Weather in Park Slope
Brought to you from the Feldman Family weather tower in Park Slope.
OTBKB Music: A Phenom and an Old Timer
The Phenom: last March, The Baseball Project promised to issue a monthly topical song about the 2010 baseball season. July’s contribution, Phenom, is now out. Steve Wynn wrote this month’s song, which is about the 21 year old Washington Nationals pitcher, Stephen Strasburg. You can download your very own personal (and legal) copy here at Now I’ve Heard Everything.
The Old Timer: way back in the 1970s, David Bromberg wrote a song with George Harrison (The Hold Up), played with Bob Dylan, put out a bunch of albums and tour a lot. He played bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country, and rock. He changed careers and hasn’t been around for a while, but tonight, he and his quartet will be playing a free show in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park. You can find the details over at Now I’ve Heard Everything.
–Eliot Wagner
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
Anger About Killing of Prospect Park Geese
Last week, wildlife biologists and technicians working with the federal Agriculture Department herded 400 250 geese into a fenced area, packed them into crates (two or three geese at a time) and took them to a nearby building where they were gassed with lethal doses of carbon dioxide.
Horrific.
This “genocide” was done in the name of aviation safety. Carole A. Bannerman, a spokesperson for the federal Agriculture Department, told the New York Times that these murders were necessary: “The thing to always remember in this New York situation is that we are talking about aviation and passenger and property safety,” she said. “In New York City, from 1981 to 1999, the population increase was sevenfold.”
The geese have been on the chopping block since geese flew into the engines of a US Airways Flight. The pilot averted disaster by landing on the surface of the Hudson River.
I understand the aviation risk that a huge population of geese pose but the thought of these geese being rounded up holocaust style in our park is just disgusting.
An OTBKB reader wrote in with this comment:
It seems to me that the plane incident is being used to eliminate the geese because certain parks and city officials think they are a nuisance. But the killings are a useless operation. Years ago an experiment was done with Starlings in forested area. They were removed and killed several times and always other Starlings came to replace them. The irony is that these geese were almost extinct early in the 20th century. Must we as a species always get rid of what we feel gets in the way of our lifestyles? So now we have a barren lake, devoid of most wildlife. And for what? For a threat that does not really exist…these were resident birds, not migrants. What a great example for all the children who used to enjoy them. Shame on the city, Adrian Benape, Tupper Thomas, the Prospect Park Alliance and the Federal government.
What do you think?
Tom Martinez, Witness: Gowanus Oil Slick
Bklyn Bloggage: neighborhoods
Verdict still out on loft law effects: Bushwick BK
Fatal accident in Manhattan Beach: Sheepshead Bites
The Point these days: Gerritsen Beach
Lost hedgehog: Clinton Hill
Yet another opossum sighting: Pardon Me for Asking
Thor’s Coney Island: Demolition under the radar? Amusing the Zillions
Calm energy dog trainers: Dumbo NYC
Current Weather in Park Slope
Brought to you from the Feldman Family weather tower in Park Slope.
I Rode My Bike on the Prospect Park West Bike Lane
And I love it.
I got on at Third Street and biked all the way up to 15th Street (Bartel Pritchard Square). As I pedaled I tried to find a reason not to like the bike lane.
I couldn’t find one.
1. It gives bikers a place to ride in both directions.
2. It calms the traffic on Prospect Park West.
Two lanes of traffic rather than three has definitely made PPW less of a free-way-like speed zone. I thought about the new parking lane and wondered if it was less safe to park on Prospect Park West without the curb. I’ve heard complaints along those lines. There may be something to that but parkers will adjust and it doesn’t seem like a good reason to derail the path.
As far as I could tell, the bikers seemed to stick to their lanes and to bike carefully. As a biker, I will admit that it is easy to forget to observe traffic lights but there are plenty of signs.
For bikers it is important to ride slowly and responsibly. It is, after all, an urban bike lane and bikers need to be very aware of pedestrians and parked cars. If a biker wants a fast ride, the path inside the park is the way to go. But to get from one end of Prospect Park West to another, if you are willing to ride with care and respect for other traffic elements, the bike lane is an excellent option.
The fact that the DOT sees biking as an important element of traffic is a good sign. Bikes are good for the city and the health and well-being of its citizens. The safer it is to use a bike in this city the more people will ride them. I believe cities should be less auto-centric and more encouraging of pedestrians and bikers.
Bike lanes area a win win for the city and its people.
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
July 21: Learn How to Promote Your Biz with Social Networking
The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District will host a free social networking/media training on Wednesday, July 21st at 9:30 AM at Aunt Suzie’s restaurant (247 Fifth Avenue), where you can learn how to use Facebook, Twitter, Yelp and even YouTube to help promote your small business or cause!
On hand will be representatives from two Internet companies, Postling and Mobile Meteor, who will talk about how their tools can help make your social networking easier and even how you can better spread the word to NYC’s city’s Smart Phone users!
RSVP via email: info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
Coffee and bagels will be served. This training is open to anyone interested, so feel free to spread the word.
Last Minute: Roy Nathanson Tonight in Manhattan
If you’re free, check out what composer Roy Nathanson (sax and voice) and Tim Kiah (bass and voice) are doing on the Lower East Side tonight. Roy sent me this note:
I know it’s insanely short notice but if by any chance you want to shlep out on this steamy summer monday, Tim Kiah and I will be experimenting with some material as a duo on a cool vocal series at The Local 269 on Houston st. We’ll be playing from 8-9 but there are other interesting groups – 2 after us and one before. Here’s the info
It happens tonight: Monday, July 12 at 8PM – Roy Nathanson/Tim Kiah Duo: Roy Nathanson (sax, voice,
compositions), Tim Kiah (bass, voice)
269 East Houston St at Suffolk
http://www.thelocal269.com/
fee: $10 for one band/$15 for two/$20 for all
Hear What the Candidates for State Attorney General Have to Say
And you can submit questions, too.
The DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy at Medgar Evers College, is hosting a debate between the Democratic candidates for New York State Attorney General on Thursday, July 15 at 6:30 PM, is still accepting question submissions from residents of Central Brooklyn. The debate will be held in Founders Auditorium at Medgar Evers College at 1650 Bedford Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The debate will include three questions selected from submitted questions by central Brooklyn residents. Submissions can be emailed to CentralBKDebate@gmail.com and must include the resident’s first name and last initial or name, as well as the central Brooklyn neighborhood of residence (i.e. Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, etc.).
All five of the Democratic Party candidates are confirmed to participate in the event. The list of candidates includes Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; Sean Coffey, lead attorney in the WorldCom securities case; former New York State Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo; Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice; and State Senator Eric Schneiderman.
The candidates are expected to address a number of questions considered to be of particular concern to residents of central Brooklyn and to those living in the state’s urban centers. Topics will range from discriminatory practices in hiring and police misconduct, to installing a special prosecutor’s office to handle cases where there is a potential conflict of interest for district attorneys prosecuting police officers.
The moderator of the debate will be Jonathan P. Hicks, a senior fellow at the DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy and a former political writer with The New York Times.
The debate is co-sponsored by several political clubs from central Brooklyn: Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA); Progressive Association for Political Action (PAPA); Rosa Parks Democratic Club; Thomas S. Boyland Democratic Club; New Era Democratic Club; Progressive Democratic Political Association; and the Unity Democratic Club.
400 Prospect Park Geese Euthanized
The City Room blog reports that nearly 400 Canada geese and goslings that were living in Prospect Park were captured and euthanized last week in an effort to reduce the goose population in the New York City region. Here’s an excpert from the City Room story:
Early on Thursday morning, wildlife biologists and technicians descended on the park and netted the birds. The biologists, who work with the wildlife services division of the United States Department of Agriculture, then packed the geese two or three to a crate and took them to a facility where they were gassed with lethal doses of carbon dioxide, said Carol A. Bannerman, a spokeswoman for the wildlife services division.
The wildlife specialists had taken advantage of the fact that the birds were in the middle of molting season, when they shed their feathers and are unable to fly. On Monday morning, only four geese were seen out on the lake in Prospect Park, according to one nearby resident, and it was not clear if they had avoided the roundup or arrived in the days since it occurred.
Last summer, 1,200 geese from 17 sites around the city were euthanized. The authorities have been trying to thin out their ranks since two geese flew into the engines of US Airways Flight 1549 in January, 2009, causing it to splash down in the Hudson River. Everyone on board survived.
Bklyn Bloggage: civics
Charter commission hearing on ULURP: Atlantic Yard Report
Landmarking progress in Bed Stuy: Brownstoner
Debbie Almontaser drops suit against city: NY Post
13,000 Ebooks at public library: NY Daily News
Tapped at Vox Pop on Wednesday
Food and Water Watch is presenting a screening of this documentary by the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car at Vox Pop on Wednesday, July 14, at 8PM.
Restaurants Must Post New Letter Grades from Department of Health
Will you still eat at your favorite restaurant if it gets a C from the Department of Health?
Starting in July 2010, New York City is requiring “food service establishments” to post letter grades that correspond to their sanitary inspection scores. This report card must be posted at the entrance to the restaurant for all to see.
Los Angeles started a similar system in the 1990’s. Initially, only 40% of restaurants received an A. But now 80% of restaurants are receiving high grades.
Andrew Reggio, the director of operations of the New York Restaurant Association, thinks this will have a negative impact on restaurants and may cause closures. He cites differences between the Los Angeles system and the one in NYC, making it easier to fail in NYC. Here’s what he told Blackbook.com:
The LA system is based on 100 points and is traditional in the sense that 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C. In NYC there are more than 1000 points a restaurant can receive from violations. In NYC, 0-13 points = A, 14-27 points = B and 28+ = C (basically a failing grade). It will be substantially easier to fail in NYC. Percentage wise, a restaurant would need to score between 98.7 – 100% to receive an A grade, 97.3 – 98.6% to receive a B and a 97.2% or less to receive a C. Furthermore, in NYC there are more than 40 violations that carry between 10-28 points. Compared to LA where no violation carries more than 6 points.”
The following is a Q&A from the NYC Health Department, which summarizes the grading program.
Why is the Health Department issuing letter grades to restaurants?
The Health Department is issuing restaurant letter grades to help consumers make informed choices
about where to eat out. Consumer awareness creates a powerful new incentive for restaurants to
maintain the highest food safety standards.
Which establishments are graded?
Some food service establishments that require Health Department permits will receive and post letter
grades that correspond to their sanitary inspection scores. These establishments include most
restaurants, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, retail bakeries, and fixed-site food stands. This
document uses the term “restaurants” to refer to all these establishments.
Which establishments are not graded?
Letter grades are not being issued to mobile food vending units, temporary food service
establishments, food service establishments operated by primary or secondary schools, hospitaloperated
cafeterias, correctional facilities, charitable organizations (including soup kitchens or other
prepared food distribution programs), or food service establishments operated by not-for-profit
membership organizations, which serve food only to their members.
What are the grades, and what do they mean?
Grades reflect how well a restaurant complies with the food safety requirements of the New York
City Health Code and the State Sanitary Code. When inspectors examine a restaurant’s sanitary
conditions and practices, they assign numerical points for different violations of the Health Code.
Different violations carry different numbers of points, depending on their nature and severity. The
total number of violation points provides a measure of the restaurant’s general condition. Under the
new system, the Health Department will use the scores from certain inspections to generate letter
grades that are easier to interpret. Here are the grades:
• Grade A. 0 to 13 points for sanitary violations.
• Grade B. 14 to 27 points for sanitary violations.
• Grade C. 28 or more points for sanitary violations.
• Grade Pending. A restaurant’s B or C grade is not final until the restaurant has had the
opportunity to go before the Health Department’s Administrative Tribunal to contest the
violations cited against it. Until then, the restaurant has the option to post either the
preliminary grade or a card that says “Grade Pending.” Once the grade is final, the restaurant
must immediately post the letter grade card and take down the Grade Pending card.
Continue reading Restaurants Must Post New Letter Grades from Department of Health
OTBKB Music: Pixapalooza
I’ve been giving my new camera a workout out lately and have taken pictures at recent shows by Misty Boyce at The Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 and by Dawes and Phosphorescent at River Rocks (Pier 54). That’s Matthew Houck of Phosphorescent in the picture on the left. More shots await you at Now I’ve Heard Everything; click here for Misty Boyce and here for Dawes and Phosphorescent.
–Eliot Wagner
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
Prospect Park Vs. Central Park
In the NY Times Metropolitan section today, a little sparring match over the merits of Central Park vs. Prospect Park. Here is Jim Rasenberger on Central Park:
I admit I was surprised when the idea of a friendly joust over the respective merits of Central Park and Prospect Park was first proposed to us. It had never occurred to me that anyone seriously considered the two parks comparable. I have nothing against Prospect Park. I have actually been to Prospect Park. It is, as I recall, in Brooklyn. I am sure that if I found myself near it again and had nothing better to do, I would be happy to watch the grass grow, or whatever it is people do there. But seriously. I look forward to sharing with you why Central Park is not only the most visited, most famous, most beloved, but also — wait, I’m going to need the caps lock button for this — THE GREATEST URBAN PARK ON EARTH.
And on Prospect Park, here is Elizabeth Giddens:
I’m sure Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the architects of both these parks, would be surprised by your surprise, as Prospect was their clear favorite. It’s widely understood among landscape architects that Central Park was a mere practice run, and Prospect Park the true masterpiece — like God making man before woman.
I didn’t know Manhattanites actually used Central Park. It’s a wonder you’re even able to, since it’s so entirely overrun by tourists. Though I did once ford a treacherous river of Lycra-clad bikers to find a small flat spot of grass where Upper East Siders sardine together in search of the perfect tan. Ah, park as annex to gym and tanning salon! Inspired!
Consider, by way of contrast, our Long Meadow: the pastoral ideal at its finest, with undulating hills dotted with ancient trees, among which a diverse array of humanity frolics with happy abandon. The difference between our parks is that mine is full of New Yorkers in their own gorgeous backyard, and yours is full of suburbanites snapping pictures out of pedicabs.
The Sunday List: Ceramics, OkayAfrica, The Girl Who Played With Fire
Ceramics and Pottery Event at the (Old) American Can Factory
On Sunday, July 11 from 11AM until 5PM at the The (Makers) Market at the Old American Can Factory , 232 Third Street, at Third Ave, Gowanus, SummerWare brings together the New York community of clay artist, potters and progressive ceramic designers.
Each ceramicist will have display their work, and be on hand to answer questions about design and the creative process. This event will feature both functional and sculptural objects, including wheel-thrown, hand-built, slipcast, wood-fired and raku items A great place to shop browse and learn, come and meet the Potter in a convivial and relaxed setting
In addition to a “Presenting Table Manners”, a special display by the Brooklyn Potters, refreshments and lounge areas, there will be interesting demonstrations:
12 PM: Wheel throwing with Lynn Goodman
2 PM: Clay carving with Judi Tavill
4 PM: Underglaze transfer printing with May Luk
Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park (9th Street Bandshell)
Sunday, July 11 at 6PM at Celebrate Brooklyn: The Roots headline the OkayAfrica World Cup 2010 Finals party to celebrate the first time in its 80-year history the tournament will take place on African soil. With a kick-off by Sahr Ngaujah, the star of the hit Broadway musical Fela!, the show features performances by artists from all corners of the Diaspora, including host Talib Kweli (Brooklyn), Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew (Sierra Leone), Blitz the Ambassador (Ghana), and many others to be announced. Musically omnivorous hip-hop icons The Roots honor the fresh music of Africa jamming throughout th
Film
Through July 29th at BAM: Cary Grant 2. Also at BAM: The Girl Who Played with Fire, Cyrus, I Am Love.
Giglio
This Sunday through July 18th: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast and Festival of the Giglio (an Italian Williamsburg tradition since 1887) presents the ceremonial lifting of St. Paulinus of Nola, the 65-foot, nearly four-ton tower will be lifted by over a hundred men.
Music
Saturday and Sunday (July 10-11) starting at 3PM at the Bell House: The 4th Annual Annual Psychobilly Luau Weekender, two days of Psychobilly, Rockabilly, Garage, and Trash! Featuring Guana Batz, The Goddamn Gallows, The Hypnophonics, Stellar Corpses, The Othermen, The Rebel Angels.
Sunday, July 11 at 7PM at Barbes: Music from Cairo’s cafe scene of the 1920s, including songs by Umm Kulthum, Zaki Murad and Dawud Husni. The group also plays Laster originals such as Genk, Meta-Doina. With Andy Laster-saxophone and clarinet; Kermit Driscoll-bass; Erik Friedlander-cello; and Curtis Hasselbring-trombone.
Another Fourth, Another BBQ For Smartmom
When Smartmom was a young mom, she fantasized about a house with a backyard. She believed that her children would be happier and healthier if they had outdoor space in which to run wild, a garden lush with homegrown vegetables and a playroom big enough for all their toys and even a ping-pong table.
Smartmom thought about this last night at her apartment building’s annual Fourth of July barbecue.
As usual, Mr. Kravitz set up a makeshift table with boards from the basement placed artfully on top of three garbage pails covered by an orange plastic table cloth.
Mr. Kravitz fired up the grill while neighbors brought wine, beer, and platters of meats, vegetables, and salads downstairs as if on cue and the serving table was filled with a potluck feast.
It was a hot night and Mr. Kravitz’s face was turning deep red as he turned an assortment of grilled lamb burgers, Hebrew National hot dogs, turkey burgers and corn.
By 7 pm, the front yard was jammed with an enthusiastic group of adults and children from the building and nearby buildings busily eating, drinking and talking.
Smartmom has been to so many of these barbecues. Not only has she lost count, they all blur together. The children sort of blur together, too.
In her mind’s eye, she can see a young Teen Spirit and his best friend who moved away standing by the Weber carefully wrapping Graham cracker sandwiches of marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate in Reynolds Wrap and tossing them into the fire.
In her mind’s eye, she can see the Oh So Feisty One and her best friend standing at the Weber carefully wrapping Graham cracker sandwiches of marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate in Reynolds Wrap and tossing them into the fire.
Last night, she watched the latest generation of young children standing at the Weber carefully wrapping Graham cracker sandwiches of marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate in Reynolds Wrap and tossing them into the fire.
She imagined it as a black and white movie — faces and hands dissolving together — symbolizing the passage of time and the continuation of childhood traditions and skills.
During the barbecue, Teen Spirit and a friend stopped by. He looked tall and handsome in a red-and-white-striped shirt and his grandfather’s wing tip shoes.
“Hey, do you want something to eat?” Smartmom asked hopefully.
“No, thanks. We just came from a barbecue and are on our way to another,” Teen Spirit said.
They disappeared into the apartment building. He has a busy and complex social schedule that takes him to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. In August, he will leave for college.
Smartmom felt a pang. She never gave her son a house with a backyard. This cement front yard was his yard, his childhood yard.
This is where he played Ninja Turtles, Pokemon, “Star Wars” and other imaginary superhero games. This is where he had stoop sales and birthday parties. This is where he swam in a green plastic pool on hot summer days. This is where learned to roast marshmallows and make ’Smores.
This patch of sidewalk on Third Street is the mise en scene of many of his childhood memories.
Smartmom watched as one of the current 5-year-olds bit into a ’Smore with joy. Later he, adorably, walked around offering mini marshmallows to the adults. Later still, she watched as went to the roof of the building next door to watch the fireworks with his parents.
This is his yard, his childhood yard. This is where he rides his little bicycle, his scooter, plays his imaginary games.
This is where his childhood will live forever.
The Oh So Feisty One was upstairs. She’s reached an age where she doesn’t want to participate in social activities that involve her parents and their friends. She chose to stay inside in the air-conditioned apartment to communicate with her friends on Facebook.
Smartmom thought back to the days when she was envious of those with lush backyards and large houses. With one child on his way to college, Smartmom has no desire to leave Third Street and her apartment — and she doesn’t need a backyard right now.
Besides, she’s got her perfect front yard on Third Street filled with a lifetime of memories.
Who could ask for anything more?
Same Block, Different Drugs
An OTBKB and neighborhood resident writes in:
The tree-lined block of Carroll Street between 4th and 5th was a crack depot during the 1980s. Dealers used the tree pits on Garfield and Carroll Streets as drop off/pick-up sites. During the 1990s, there was a major bust on Carroll Street between 4th and 5th Avenues. Neighbors said, “You know that house that isn’t visible from the street? Well, that guy is gone. Busted.”
That bust really paved the way for gentrification. Those blocks were “cleaned up,” many small houses were bulldozed, and coops and condos went up. Now, people are shocked to learn that one of the gentry was running a drug ring out of his Carroll Street condo. The older residents just think, same block, different drugs.
July 25: Art Show in a Freight Elevator
Recession Art is hosting a one-day solo show with installation artist. Alison Wilder in the freight elevator shaft of the Invisible Dog in Cobble Hill. It will be from 11 am to 7 pm on July 25. Entrance is free, and those who attend will get $5 off our submission fee for the fall exhibit.
Alison Wilder created an inflatable fabric sculpture for our last exhibit, and her installation in the elevator shaft will be called “Why neutral.” It will involve kitchen implements, celebration signage, and video art.
The Satuday List: Ceramics, OkayAfrica World Cup, Cary Grant
Interesting Ceramics and Pottery Event at the American Can Factory
On Sunday, July 11 from 11AM until 5PM at the The (Makers) Market at the Old American Can Factory , 232 Third Street, at Third Ave, Gowanus, SummerWare brings together the New York community of clay artist, potters and progressive ceramic designers.
Each ceramicist will have display their work, and be on hand to answer questions about design and the creative process. This event will feature both functional and sculptural objects, including wheel-thrown, hand-built, slipcast, wood-fired and raku items A great place to shop browse and learn, come and meet the Potter in a convivial and relaxed setting
In addition to a “Presenting Table Manners”, a special display by the Brooklyn Potters, refreshments and lounge areas, there will be interesting demonstrations:
12 PM: Wheel throwing with Lynn Goodman
2 PM: Clay carving with Judi Tavill
4 PM: Underglaze transfer printing with May Luk
Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park (9th Street Bandshell)
Sunday, July 11 at 6PM at Celebrate Brooklyn: The Roots headline the OkayAfrica World Cup 2010 Finals party to celebrate the first time in its 80-year history the tournament will take place on African soil. With a kick-off by Sahr Ngaujah, the star of the hit Broadway musical Fela!, the show features performances by artists from all corners of the Diaspora, including host Talib Kweli (Brooklyn), Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew (Sierra Leone), Blitz the Ambassador (Ghana), and many others to be announced. Musically omnivorous hip-hop icons The Roots honor the fresh music of Africa jamming throughout th
Film
Through July 29th at BAM: Cary Grant 2. Also at BAM: The Girl Who Played with Fire, Cyrus, I Am Love.
Giglio
This Sunday through July 18th: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast and Festival of the Giglio (an Italian Williamsburg tradition since 1887) presents the ceremonial lifting of St. Paulinus of Nola, the 65-foot, nearly four-ton tower will be lifted by over a hundred men.
Union Hall 4th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 10 at Union Hall starting at 12 noon: a 1 hour open bar with Reyka vodka lemonades from 1pm-2pm. Reyka vodka lemonades are $5 afterwards. Union Hall is celebrating its 4th anniversary with a BBQ in their garden. Play some games and dance to the soul music from DJ Bug Bear! No cover! Just good times!
Music
Saturday and Sunday (July 10-11) starting at 3PM at the Bell House: The 4th Annual Annual Psychobilly Luau Weekender, two days of Psychobilly, Rockabilly, Garage, and Trash! Featuring Guana Batz, The Goddamn Gallows, The Hypnophonics, Stellar Corpses, The Othermen, The Rebel Angels.
Saturday, July 10 at 8PM at Barbes: Le Chaud Lapins: Kurt Hoffman and Meg Reichardt cover Charles Trenet songs and other jewels from the French 30′s and 40′s musical traditions accompanying themselves on banjo-ukes.
Sunday, July 11 at 7PM at Barbes: Music from Cairo’s cafe scene of the 1920s, including songs by Umm Kulthum, Zaki Murad and Dawud Husni. The group also plays Laster originals such as Genk, Meta-Doina. With Andy Laster-saxophone and clarinet; Kermit Driscoll-bass; Erik Friedlander-cello; and Curtis Hasselbring-trombone.
Farmers Market and Concert Series in East New York
Saturday, July 10 through August 28th: The East New York Farmer’s Market carries local and organic produce including Caribbean specialty crops like karela, bora, and callaloo. Plus, they’re holding a concert series called “Summer Saturdaze” throughout July and August. Click here for more details! http://www.eastnewyorkfarms.org/
Crazy Crime at Slope Barnes & Noble Yesterday
The Brooklyn Paper has the story. Here’s an excerpt:
A literature lover went rogue on Thursday, swiping tomes from the Barnes & Noble in Park Slope before struggling with a cop, breaking free and stealing and crashing a van.
Police are now throwing the book at their suspect, Jay Wilkins, who is charged with more than just lifting the books from the store, which is on Seventh Avenue near Sixth Street, at about 5 pm
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
This Weekend: The Outer Boroughs on Film at the Anthology
The Outer Boroughs on Film. The title makes me laugh. Does anyone refer to the boroughs as the outerborough anymore? It’s so Manhattan-centric. But it was also organized by the Anthology Film Archives, an iconic film space in the East Village that’s been showing experimental and documentary film since the 1960’s so we’ll forgive them. And the films are mostly from the 1970’s when maybe the term outer boroughs was more apt.
The films in the series sound really interesting. On Saturday, they’re showing a 1977 documentary by Bonnie Friedman I saw years and years ago called The Flashettes about a girl’s track team in Bed-Stuy. I loved it and it really turned me on to documentary filmmaking, which I was involved with for a few years.
Here’s the link to the schedule:
http://anthologyfilmarchives.org/film_screenings/series/36055
The Outer Boroughs on Film
Jul 9 – Jul 11
The Outer Boroughs on Film June 9–11 As New York City becomes increasingly decentralized, with much (though not all) of Manhattan transformed into a gentrified, homogenous, affluent playground, the greater part of the city’s vibrancy and identity have become more deeply rooted in its extremities, the outer boroughs of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and even Staten Island. Each is a city-sized entity with an energy, diversity, and cultural and historical richness that few other independent cities can lay claim to. To celebrate the outer boroughs, we’re devoting a weekend to several programs of short and feature-length documentaries, most from the 70s and 80s, that focus on some of NYC’s most memorable neighborhoods, communities, shops, and individuals. While Manhattan may remain disproportionately represented on screen, these works demonstrate the beauty, drama, and vitality that exist throughout the city. Curated by Lauren Madow.
The Outer Boroughs on Film: : Brooklyn/Staten Island Program
Jul 10 at 6:00 PM
The Outer Boroughs on Film: Bronx Program 1
Jul 11 at 5:30 PM
The Outer Boroughs on Film: Bronx Program 2
Jul 11 at 8:00 PM