20 Henry Street Roof May Finally Get Fixed -- Brooklyn

Too bad they couldn't get around to fixing it before the rainiest spring since the Great Flood.

The tarp on top of 20 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights has been torn to shreds since February and all kinds of complaints have been filed, but now, according to the Brooklyn Eagle, the giant hole in the roof of the old Peaks Mason Mints building (AKA "Candy Factory") might get fixed.

Wonder if birds have been making their nests inside the disintegrating penthouse apartment? (Or with this spring's weather, maybe alligators.)

Worrisome Hole in the Candy Factory Roof May Finally Be Repaired Brooklyn Eagle

- Big Hole In the Candy Factory Roof
- 20 Henry Street Sales Office Dismantled
- Open House Party for 20 Henry Street, Brooklyn Heights
- 20 Henry Street Courtyard Plowed Under
- Work Begins at 114 Henry Street; DOB Disapproves Plans
- 20 Henry Street Was NOT On Fire
- High Winds Cause Scaffolding Problems in Brooklyn

Photo by MK Metz

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Elmo's World: Brooklyn Is Tough

There's been a dramatic cast change for this little Elmo. How could they!?

Elmo was last seen on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.

Photo by MK Metz

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Beauteous Garden at Cobble Hill's P.S. 29

Kudos to P.S. 29 for their gardening project, which can be seen greening up the Cobble Hill school's playground this summer. The garden is lush with tomatoes, squash, peas, beans,carrots and more. P.S. 29 is a Youth Garden Grants 2009 award winner.

The National Gardening Association awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs with an educational focus.

Photos by MK Metz

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Broooklyn Real Estate News: Coney, Starrett City, City Point and More

- The Council City voted overwhelmingly in favor of Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to transform Coney Island into a year-round entertainment complex. Brooklyn Eagle ; Mayor Bloomberg may have reached a Coney deal with developer Joe Sitt. Curbed; More details on the plan. Observer

- Affordable for 30 more years: Gov. David Paterson announced on Wednesday that he had signed legislation guaranteeing that Starrett City, a 5,881-unit complex in Brooklyn, will remain in the Mitchell-Lama program. Crain's NY

- City Point, the giant multi-use complex that was to be "Downtown Brooklyn’s own Time Warner Center," will now be built in two phases, according to the Observer.

- The Brooklyn Rescue Mission in Bed-Stuy could lose half of Bed-Stuy Farm -- its 5,000-square-foot facility on a long-neglected lot -- if plans go through to build on it. NY Daily News

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Grown Men and Women Dressed in Pizza Boxes, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Big changes in Downtown Brooklyn: Thousands of Downtown Brooklyn shoppers, workers and bus riders are coping with the increasing demolition and construction on the Fulton Mall, as the $15 million Fulton Streetscape Project quickens its pace. Brooklyn Eagle

- On a sunny Sunday afternoon in Williamsburg, grown men and women dressed themselves in pizza boxes, thrown-away fruit cartons and abandoned pinatas . . . BRIC

- Brooklyn Boulders rock climbing gym will open to the public next week. Cobble Hill Blog

- A plea for a Bed-Stuy business. Bed-Stuy Banana

- A new, much needed bike lane in Downtown Brooklyn. Brooklyn By Bike

- CB2 recap: Tea Lounge liquor license approved, and a new Japanese restaurant at 78 Clark Street. Brooklyn Heights Blog

- The strategic plan for the Sunset Park waterfront released last week would eliminate as many as 19,500 annual regional truck trips (53 trips per day) and 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Brooklyn Eagle

- The schnitzel truck comes to DUMBO. DumboNYC

- Malcom X farmers market is on the ropes. Brownstoner

- It looks like the City Council fights in Flatbush and East Flatbush’s 40th and 45th districts may be decided in the courtroom: All of the candidates in both elections have had petition challenges filed against them. Courier Life


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'Shop Brooklyn' Wednesday and Thursday

"Shop Brooklyn" runs today through tomorrow (7/29 - 7/30). Participating stores in Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Park Slope, Williamsburg and Bay Ridge are open till 10 p.m. with special events, discounts and refreshments.

A couple of examples -- Try Rae's First, at 430 Court Street, is having a 30 - 40% off super sale. Gumbo, at 493 Atlantic Ave. is having a trunk sale and a free children's class and is giving away refreshments.

Sponsored by the Brooklyn Borough President's Office
See www.ishopbrooklyn.com for further details.

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Starfish Rocks Carroll Park Today (Wednesday), Carroll Gardens

Carroll Park Concert Series presents Starfish today, July 29, bringing rock and roll energy and loads of kid-friendly activities to the park.

Here's the description from the Committee to Improve Carroll Park:

With five seasoned dads/musicians, NJ-based Starfish gives classic rock style a total makeover. The tunes mix witty lyrics with electric guitar, giving kids and grownups the chance to have fun together and dance to the music, doing air guitar moves and enjoying a bubble machine to enjoy songs that remind them of the 60's and 70's.

Extra attractions: The "Be a Brooklyn Reader: Summer Reading at our Local Library" will come to the park. The Carroll Park Branch of Brooklyn Public Library will be on hand to inspire and give information about summer reading and the library programs.

Also, Y Water, a new low calorie, organic beverage, will be available for free tastings (first come first serve).

Please come with pocket money for crafts and treats, including face painting by Gymstars and food and drink provided by Moxie Spot. Fun starts at 3:30, music starts at 4 p.m.

With neighborhood mom and volunteer Simmi Degnemark at the helm, the Series will end with a finale on August 8^th, with rock world music icon Putumayo Kids at the park for a CD release party.

All proceeds benefit the Committee to Improve Carroll Park.

Carroll Park is located at President Street and Smith Street in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn - Take the F train to the Carroll Street Station

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The Brooklyn Headhunter: Find a Job in Brooklyn

From time to time, McBrooklyn puts on its Headhunting gear and scouts out a handful of Brooklyn employment opportunities.

But before we get to the jobs --
To help you cope while you're broke, make sure you check out the Brokelyn blog. Brokelyn knows a way to stretch $10 worth of pork into a feast for a dozen, and where to find cheap or free health clinics.

Here's another way to save money while you're looking for work: Not Eating Out in New York. Blog author Cathy is serious about not eating out; she spent two years diving into dumpsters, foraging for edible weeds, cooking for communal dinners and supper clubs, and throwing amateur cook-offs. There's stuff for non-cooks as well: learn what to add to instant ramen to make it awesome.

Here's the latest batch of jobs:

- The Mac Support Store in Gowanus is looking to hire someone for front desk sales admin. Must be an Apple addict. Craigslist

- A prison in Brooklyn is looking for a warden. Pays $117,000 - $177,000. Federal Gov. Jobs

- The Kings Bay YM/YWHA, located in Sheepshead Bay, is seeking to hire a full-time office clerk for everyday tasks at the center. Craigslist They also need a part time clerk, here. And they need a part time executive assistant, here.

- Waterfront Media, an online health company in DUMBO, seeks a project coordinator. Career Builder

- A Brooklyn charter school in area code 11206 is seeking a secretary. NY Times

- The Union Smith Cafe (305 Smith Street) seeks a down-to-earth bartender. Craigslist

- NYC's Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Regional Catastrophic Planning Team and Public Health Solutions are seeking a Regional Logistics Program Manager to develop an emergency logistics program for the entire NY/NJ area, in preparation for a catastrophic event. (We were sort of hoping we had one of those already . . . just saying.) Job.com

- Old Navy (Atlantic Center) wants to hire a customer experience manager. NY Times

- MakerBot Industries creates robot kits that transform digital designs into physical objects automatically. They need someone to pack and ship the robot kits, sort packages, and deal with things. Craigslist

- A radiology clinic needs a multitasking receptionist, pays $35,000 - 39,000. Craigslist

- Lowes (big box) needs to fill several positions: Store manager; operations manager; sales manager; admin manager; and HR manager. Applyhr

- A dental assistant is needed in Brooklyn Heights. Craigslist

- Holiday Statistics is looking to hire 40 painters for a short term project in Downtown Brooklyn. (Sounds government related: must pass a criminal background check and drug test.) Walk-in registration Monday, July 27th through Wednesday, July 29th. Craigslist

- The AT&T store on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights needs a sales person. Decent benefits. ihispano

- Sears is looking for a home appliance repair technician trainee. Job.com

Photo by MikeColvin82, Creative Commons license

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BWAC's Outdoor Sculpture Show Opens in DUMBO

Windwave by Maximilian Pelzmann

The Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition's (BWAC) 27^th annual outdoor sculpture show opened this weekend at Empire-Fulton Ferry and Brooklyn Bridge Parks in DUMBO.

The title of the show is “Abundance," and the sculptures are abundantly scattered throughout the waterfront parks. The press release says:

"Since the financial world seems to be focusing on the lack, this show points out that the bottom line provider, planet Earth, still provides for the people; the same way it did before the big financial crisis. The show focuses on work that is made from materials that are abundant; not scarce and expensive like a precious metal but rather plentiful or left over from something else."

Untitled by William Brayton

Make sure you get to DUMBO before the show closes on September 5th.

Artists include:

William Brayton, Adam Junior, Miggy Buck, Yasmin Gur, Matthew Burke, Judy Thomas, Kirstin Campbell, Ursula Clark, Kevin Kelly,

Nova Mihai Popa, Martin Springhetti, Oscar Garcia, Sarah Haviland,

Jarett Hawkins, Cathrin Hoskinson, Michael Ritchie, Bernard Klevickas,

Corrina Mensoff (The Friendship Project), Steven Kroeger,

Maximilian Pelzmann, Tyrome Tripoli, Eric Von Arx, Summer Yates

Photos by MK Metz
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Radical Change? Ted & Honey Cafe, Cobble Hill, Gets a Bathroom

Ted & Honey, in the "Red Deli" space at 264 Clinton Street at Verandah Place (right next to Cobble Hill Park), always has a line. The egg sandwiches, which you can get all day, are a big hit (one Yelp review says, "the best breakfast sandwich I've had in a looong time.")

The fact that everything's homemade (try the scones!) and an effort is made to use sustainable sources is a big draw. The mouthwatering bacon is from a local farm. And you can't beat the location -- right next to charming Cobble Hill Park. Lots of stroller moms here.

But for the first year of their existence, there was no public bathroom, which certainly kept some coffee-drinking customers away (and really alienated those with young children and/or enlarged prostates).

The day before yesterday, however, a poster on Brownstoner said there is now a sign indicating a bathroom has opened downstairs. Could it be true? If so, Ted & Honey are pushing closer to perfection.

This used to be the Verandah Deli (the Red Deli), which we always enjoyed.

Note that Ted & Honey is closed Mondays.

The Bergen Carroll blog has been following Ted & Honey as well.

Photo by MK Metz

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Swine Flu Update: Wash Your Hands

- More than 100,000 people have become infected with H1N1 flu (swine flu) this week alone in England. A new website enabling people to access antiviral drugs was swamped with 9.3 million hits an hour and rendered inaccessible for hours. The government has ordered enough vaccine to inoculate the entire population. Telegraph

- The U.S. expects to have 160 million doses of swine flu vaccine available sometime in October. That much would cover only a fraction of the populations that this new influenza strain is sickening the most — school-age children, teenagers and young adults. AP

- Whether or not the H1N1 vaccine is ready in time, people “should still get their regular flu shot,” said Dr. Brianne O'Connor, a pediatrician in Brooklyn Heights. She emphasized that the regular precautions that apply to the seasonal flu also apply to the H1N1 flu. “The most important is hand washing, “ she said. Brooklyn Eagle

- Roche expects sales of Tamiflu to triple to 2 billion Swiss francs ($1.89 billion) this year. WSJ

- The federal government announced Wednesday that the first clinical trials of H1N1 flu vaccine candidates would start shortly. New York Times

- The government has put out a call for swine flu vaccine volunteers. See the video below:



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Clinton Street Closed for Tree Trimming

A tree trimming job on Clinton Street near Livingston in Brooklyn Heights has the street closed today from morning into midday.

Photo bu MK Metz
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NYC Mayoral Control of Schools: Something's Happening

There are signs of movement on Mayor Bloomberg's push to regain total control of the city's schools. Here are the latest developments:

- There's a deal in the works today, reports NY1. Local State Senate Democrats will be discussing a plan this afternoon that would eliminate the newly-recreated Board of Education. NY1 and NYTimes

UPDATE: Deal completed. NYTimes

- Details of the deal: Bloomberg gets the scalp he wanted. Not a pretty picture. Village Voice

- And if that deal falls through: the borough presidents of Brooklyn and Manhattan have called on Dennis Walcott, president of the newly reconstituted New York City Board of Education, to get the Board together in August to tackle at least three urgent educational issues that need to be dealt with this summer. Brooklyn Eagle

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Recent Coney Island Redevelopment Happenings

The City Council’s committees on zoning and land use both approved the redevelopment plan for Coney Island this week, including revisions such as one that would take the property surrounding the Wonder Wheel out of an established parkland area. Here's a roundup of recent related happenings:

- A panel of Coney Island property owners were all over the map on on the Redevelopment Plan. Brooklyn Eagle

- The Final Save Coney Island Rally before the city council vote takes place Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m. by the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Save Coney Island

- Coney sticking point: “I’m the stakeholder. I’m the guy who controls this — it’s my sandbox,” said Joe Sitt. Brooklyn Eagle

- Here's the Brooklyn Paper's story on the City Council approval. Brooklyn Paper

- We may see amusements west of KepSpan park as well. ConeyRocks (And some discussion about this on the Coney Island Message Board)

- A message from Coney Island's "Mayor," below:

-


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Smoke, No Fire On Clark Street, Brooklyn

There was a flurry of excitement on Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights Wednesday afternoon as smoke was reported at 52 Clark Street. Four fire trucks and a couple of emergency vehicles took over the street and fully loaded firefighters poured into the building.

But no fire was found, and the smoke dissipated. After the search was completed, everyone went home.

Photos by MK Metz

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Brooklyn IKEA to Charge Water Taxi Freeriders

IKEA Tuesday announced that on Aug. 3 it will begin charging a fee to weekday riders of its water taxi service who do not shop at its Red Hook store.

And no, you can't just buy a $1 yogurt and enjoy the ride: According to the Brooklyn Eagle, folks who don't ante up at least $10 worth of purchases at IKEA will have to pay the $5 fare. (Get all the details here.)

Eye Heart New York says this isn't fair, that IKEA promised free water taxi rides when they were trying to get into Red Hook, and that the city subsidizes the water taxi. The water taxi is good for Red Hook -- loads of folks are using them to get to the Red Hook ball fields, the waterfront art show etc.

- This article in the Observer indicates that the water taxi wasn't meant to be free forever.
- But this article says it was: "Ikea spokesman Joseph Roth says the new services would be available to anyone, not just customers of the store."

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New Water Taxi Dock at Brooklyn's Pier 6

A new water taxi dock at Pier 6 is scheduled to be announced this morning at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The new dock will provide direct ferry service between Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island.

Pier 6 is just a stone's throw from Governors Island, so this should be the shortest ferry ride in New York City.

Expected to gather at 10 a.m. for the announcement are Chris Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority; Regina Myer, Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation President; Leslie Koch, Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation President; Assemblywoman Joan Millman; NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe; and Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz.

UPDATE: More details here.

Photo copyright MK Metz, 2009
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Italian Restaurant Coming to 34 Columbia Place, Brooklyn Heights

A&G River Deli at 34 Columbia Place and Joralemon has applied for a liquor license for a small Italian restaurant at the site of the old Riverside Deli (on the ground floor of the historic Riverside Apartments). Giovanna Fada, proprietor, runs another establishment on Mott St. in Manhattan.

According to the Ft. Greene blog the restaurant will be open for dinner Monday - Friday, and from 11 a.m. to midnight/1 a.m. on weekends. They're also planning on applying for an outdoor cafe in the future.

According to the Real Deal, the owners have signed a ten year lease.

In April, McBrooklyn reported that many of the retail sites on the ground floor of the complex had been put up for rent. It's long been a mystery as to why the controversial owner of the apartments (the Pinnacle Group) cleared out the retail tenants on the ground floor and left the spaces empty for years.

Meanwhile, the ongoing saga of the planned underground garage at the complex just took another turn.

- Riverside Apartments Gets New Tenant?
- Riverside Apartments Retail, Long Empty, Finally for Rent

Photo by MK Metz

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Five-Legged Puppy Saved From Coney Freak Show, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Charter schools may be dumping low-performing kids on local public schools -- right before the state exams. NY Daily News

- TimeOutNY has a list of the "Best Cheap Dumplings in NYC" and Sunset Park's Wong Wong Noodle Shop is first on the list. Best View in Brooklyn

- A five-legged puppy was saved from life in a Coney Island freak show thanks to a kindhearted Southerner who paid $4,000. NBC New York

- Two women accused of starving a toddler to death while part of a cult, putting his body in a suitcase and fleeing to Brooklyn will represent themselves at trial. Brooklyn Eagle

- A neglected community garden in Bed-Stuy needs rescuing. Bed-Stuy Blog

- Democrats create trouble for Mayor Bloomberg over his retaining control over the plantation public schools. New York Times

- City Council members received a letter from unions and ACORN urging them to withhold support of the Mayor's multibillion-dollar Coney Island plan without changes. New York Observer

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Official Symbol of 2012?

We at McBrooklyn like to keep up with all the latest cultural memes. So, is this the official symbol of the end of the world in 2012? Or a sign of the Galactic Alignment? Rearranged symbol of the Illuminati? Or just some graffiti?

Photo taken in Brooklyn Heights by MK Metz

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The Brooklyn Headhunter: Find a Job in Brooklyn

From time to time, McBrooklyn puts on its Headhunting gear and scouts out a handful of Brooklyn employment opportunities.

Here's a quick read: "Where, Oh Where, Has My Application Gone?" by Phyllis Korkki in Sunday's New York Times. This is a useful article about how to get your application noticed by the hiring manager.

Also, check out the Unemployed Brooklyn blog, written by Matchgirl, who's unemployed and in the fashion industry. Matchgirl discusses topics like networking, health insurance, food stamps and clothing swaps with humor and empathy.

Here's the latest batch of Brooklyn jobs:

- Arts non-profit Marquis Studios is seeking a full-time development associate to increase grants and gifts. ArtInfo

- The Freelancers Union in DUMBO is searching for a member services associate. Great benefits. craigslist

- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) seeks a full-time Board Relations Coordinator. Pays in the upper $30K/yr plus benefits. idealist

- Be a photographer at the circus in Coney Island for two months. Entry level, pays $10/hr. craigslist

- Cobble Hill Theater needs an experienced movie theater manager. craigslist

- Prime Home Health Services is looking for an office support staff person. NY Times

- BounceU party place for kids (inflatable bouncy rides) is seeking party hosts. Must like kids. 67th Street and 9th Ave. craigslist

- The Gap in Bensonhurst is seeking a general manager with five years of retail experience. JobCircle

- Assist in building metal, wood, and hand-blown glass lamps for an award-winning design company. Coordinate, prepare, help design. craigslist

- Boar's Head needs a quality assurance manager (here), an employee relations coordinator (here) and a safety and health coordinator (here).

- The Taco Truck in Williamsburg seeks a full time vendor: "Obtaining a license requires taking a simple unintentionally hilarious 2-day class." $12/hr plus tips. craigslist

- Have experience with autistic individuals? Here's part time employment as a job coach for someone with autism. idealist

- Part time receptionist and data entry person needed at Comtran Associates, Utica Ave & Ave L. craigslist

- The American Cancer Society is looking for a "patient navigator" to help cancer patients in Brooklyn. JobCircle

- Sell upscale women's clothing and accessories at a boutique in Dumbo. $12/hr plus discounts. craigslist

- Low income individuals can received free cable installation training in Park Slope. One more class this year. craigslist

Photo by MikeColvin82, Creative Commons license

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Environmental Festival at Red Hook IKEA Sunday

Urban Divers Enviromedia Mobile's "Urban Trekker Tour 2009" Comes to Red Hook

Come to IKEA in Red Hook today from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. for the 10th Annual Submerge Art & Environment Festival (in the park on the Erie Basin). Events include:

* Get On The Water NYC- Urban River Tours Ecocruise Series- aboard a unique 32ft indian shipping canoe that accommodates 21 paddlers at time

* GoFish N Seine- Family Catch & Release Fishing

* Urban Wings of Water- Birds of Prey education and demonstration

* Live! Beneath The Urban Estuary- Live underwater video exploration

* Under Da BiG TiPi

* Diving Heritage Museum

Also, artists, videographers and photographers will be present along with the High Bridge Children's Art Show II.

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Hi, I'm Miss Cyclone. I’m Calling to Save Coney Island.

While the Bloomberg administration, the City Council and developers are negotiating the future of Coney Island, the group Save Coney Island says they won't let them (and other fans of the “People’s Playground”) into the discussion.

So Save Coney Island is taking its message directly to the people, with some help from Miss Cyclone Angie Pontani. Friday, the burlesque bombshell telephoned thousands of New Yorkers (with an assist from robo-call technology) to urge them to help Save Coney Island.

Listen to Angie’s message here.

- Jane Jacobs Son "Appalled," NY Times Supports Coney Plan

Photo courtesy of Angie Pontani

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LICH Merger with SUNY Downstate, and Other Brooklyn Briefs

- The plan to merge Long Island College Hospital with SUNY Downstate has some supporters, but also a large group of doctors who are vehemently opposed. Brooklyn Eagle

- The Division of Housing and Community Renewal has denied the Riverside Apartments building owner’s plans to construct an underground garage/garden. Brooklyn Paper

- For shame: The treasurer of the Gristedes supermarket chain -- Michael Seltzer --was charged with trying to have sex with a 14-year-old girl he met online (who turned out to be a cop). NY Post

- Brooklyn home prices fell 16 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier and sales of new condominiums slid by almost half. Bloomberg

- David Letterman posted his largest weekly victory over The Tonight Show since 2000. Is Conan losing his grip? Gawker

- When Housing Works on Montague St. was "Mammy's Pantry." Pardon Me For Asking

- O.M.G. The Republicans are promoting their new web site -- only problem is, it's filled with obscenity, degrading images and stereotypes. Seriously. AMERICAblog via Huff Post

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NYPD On Brooklyn Promenade -- Security for Obama

NYPD cars and motorcycles on the Promenade, helicopters hovering over Brooklyn Heights and the Coast Guard in the East River -- this evening's bru-ha-ha was all about security for President Obama's visit to New York City to address the NAACP on their 100th anniversary.

Spectators pointed to the heliport across the East River to what appeared to be President Obama's copter.

Photos by MK Metz

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Brooklyn Farming: The Crops Are Ripening

These little beauties are ripening into yellow cherry tomatoes. We're growing plum tomatoes, string beans, peppers and a few other crops as well. Brooklyn actually has a great environment for farming (if you clean up that contaminated soil).

If you have a backyard or other outdoor space that might be good for farming but aren't really up to it, consider contacting BK Farmyards. BK Farmyards is a network that will grow organic vegetables in your yard or lot for sale to your neighbors. In exchange, they’ll give you a percentage of the crop for free.

There are about six plots currently being farmed, adding up to more than three acres. BK Farmyards is a finalist in the 2009 Buckminster Fuller Challenge.

Photo by MK Metz
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Can't Find This Bunny Blog

We really did want to visit this new neighborhood blog, advertised on lampposts in Brooklyn Heights:

"Come Visit Bunny Blog! www.wwwbunnyblogcom.blogspot.com
It's Going to be Awesome!!! (Note that one article is made a day.)"

It is a rather unusual web address. (When we tried variations, what we found was definitely not a youngster's blog . . . )

So, if anyone is familiar with the creator of www.wwwbunnyblogcom.blogspot.com, let us know what's going on. We'd love to read a young blogger's bunny blog: It sounds awesome!

Photos by MK Metz
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Robert Pattison Draws Teen Fans to Brooklyn Heights

Crowds of teen-aged girls flocked to Brooklyn Heights yesterday to try to catch Rob Pattinson (Twilight) in the filming of Remember Me. Above, fans wait near Pattinson's trailer, hoping to catch a glimpse.

Other fans were thrilled to see Pierce Brosnan wandering the streets of the Heights.

Filming took place all over the Heights. Above, a crew prepares for a car scene on Hicks Street.

Photos by MK Metz

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Wait -- Has Whole Foods Given Up On Gowanus? Yes. No. Yes. No.

The story so far:

1. The Brooklyn Paper reports that Whole Foods has finally given up on building a store in Gowanus.

2. Whole Foods issues a letter saying that they definitely haven't given up on Gowanus.

3. The Brooklyn Paper insists that Whole Foods said they are giving up on Gowanus, and prints an email sent by a Whole Foods representative that sounds like they might be giving up on Gowanus.

4. Whole Foods again denies they are giving up on Gowanus, saying, "Whole Foods Market is actively working on plans for a store at the Gowanus site, and we want to be sure that the Brooklyn Paper's readers understand that fact."

Yes? No? Gosh, we don't know who to believe!

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Flowers, Park Plaza Diner

At dusk, these flowers almost glow.

Park Plaza Diner, Brooklyn Heights.

Photo by MK Metz
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Brooklyn Restaurants Make Up Half of New York Magazine's 'Cheap List'

Want to eat well -- and relatively cheaply? New York Magazine has come up with a list of 22 tasty Cheap Eats venues across New York City, and half of them are in Brooklyn.

Cheap, in this case, doesn't mean McDonalds or $4 dinners, as some commenters desire. It means Dr. Pepper ribs ($16), mayby with collard greens cooked with with ham hocks ($4) at The Brooklyn Star in Williamsburg, or Zuzu's thai-inspired ramen ($10) in Park Slope.

We'd call them reasonably priced, and we hope to eat at as many as we can afford.

Eat Cheap 2009

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Summer Movies 2009 at The Brooklyn Lyceum

The Brooklyn Lyceum will be presenting classic movies on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. during the summer.

Here’s the roster:

* CITIZEN KANE - Friday July 24th
* TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - Friday July 31st
* BRINGING UP BABY - Friday August 7th
* JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG - Friday August 14th
* ON THE WATERFRONT - Friday August 21st
* NOTORIOUS - Friday August 28th
* HIS GIRL FRIDAY - Friday September 4th

Cost: $5. More info here.

The Brooklyn Lyceum is located in Park Slope on 4th Avenue at President Street, right next to the Union Street subway stop for the R train

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Jane Jacob's Son 'Appalled' By Coney Island Plan; NY Times Supports MAS Modifications

McBrooklyn received an email today from Save Coney Island, which released a statement from Jane Jacobs’s son, Ned Jacobs, in which he said he was “appalled” by the City’s rezoning plan for Coney Island.

City officials gathered today on Hudson Street in the West Village to honor his mom, an urban visionary, with a street renaming.

“While I cannot speak on behalf of my mother, the late Jane Jacobs, or predict what she would think about particular proposals today, in my view, this rezoning plan for Coney Island does not appear to reflect the urban values and planning principles she espoused,” wrote Jacobs.

The City’s current rezoning plan would "obliterate Coney Island’s historic and distinctive character," according to Save Coney Island. The City’s plan rezones most of Coney Island, leaving "a narrow strip of 12 acres for a shrunken amusement park.” It inserts four high-rise hotel towers, up to 27 stories, into the historic, low-rise, amusement district.

The City's rezoning plan can be seen here. According to the City, the amusement and entertainment district will consist of 27 acres and will foster year-round activity.

The New York Times ran an editorial yesterday urging its passage but supporting the Municipal Art Society's’ recommendations to improve the plan.

"We like the Municipal Art Society’s idea of doubling the size of the amusement area and removing hotels from the south side of Surf Avenue. This way, when visitors get off the subway, they will meet sunlight and open air, not a high-rise barricade.”

A full Council vote is due by August 7.

Photo by Kevin Downs

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Brooklyn Bastille Day 2009 -- Great Day, Big Crowds

Brooklyn celebrated Bastille Day Sunday on Smith Street and it seemed like half of France was there.

Petanque players had an extra set of sand-covered courts to play on this year. The sand was delivered to Smith Street by John Quadrozzi's cement company.

Competitors throw metal balls (boules), trying to get close to a little ball called a "pig" (cochonnet).

There were 80 teams competing this year, some top notch, others just out for fun.

Sometimes it came down to a millimeter. Then the measuring tape was pulled out.

Though the crowd was huge, there was plenty of food and drink. Bar Tabac is a major sponsor (along with Robin des Bois and Ricard).

There were shady tents to eat under, talk and listen to music.

Spectators gathered at the north end of Smith Street to watch the dare-devil skateboarding competition, now in its third year, courtesy of the Homage skateboarding shop.

More great photos at the Pardon Me For Asking blog.

- Bastille Day 2009 in Brooklyn
- Bastille Day in Brooklyn: The French Conquer Smith Street
- Brooklyn's Bastille Day: Smith Street, Sunday
- Bastille Day in Brooklyn -- La Rue de Smith Sautait!

Photos by MK Metz
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The Brooklyn Headhunter: Find a Job in Brooklyn

From time to time, McBrooklyn puts on its Headhunting gear and scouts out a handful of Brooklyn employment opportunities.

Here's the latest batch:

- "Fresh Fanatic" -- a new organic grocery store opening soon in Fort Greene -- has a large number of food prep and customer service positions opening up. Craigslist

- The Brooklyn Museum is looking for an associate editor with responsibility for the day-to-day editorial maintenance of the museum's web site and other projects. Craigslist

- Public Storage, a self-storage company, is recruiting experienced District Managers. $62,000 plus benefits. Public Storage

- Eugene Myrick, a Democrat running for Brooklyn Borough President, is hiring paid petitioners to help get him on the ballot. $10/hr. Craigslist

- Yoga-inspired athletic wear company, lululemon athletica, is looking for outgoing sales people who like wearing stretchy pants to work. lululemon

- The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) needs a production supervisor to oversee productions. New York Times

- TGI Fridays is looking for restaurant managers who are "both loose and in control." NRN Jobplate

- The Brooklyn Marriott needs someone to perform maintenance and minor repairs requested by guests. Job.com

- Red Bull needs your help bringing the "Red Bull culture" to the local scene and nightlife. Excellent benefits. New York Times

- Best Buy has an opening for a shipping & receiving person. Not a desk job, lifting required. Best Buy

- Esurance is looking for an experienced paralegal. JobCircle

- The Brooklyn Sports Club is hiring a part time, experienced assistant aquatics director. New York Times

- Volunteers of America is looking to hire a maintenance worker. Applyhr

- Sovereign Bank Corp needs a business banking representative. JobCircle

- The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is looking for a funding coordinator. $37,000 idealist

- Brooklyn College seeks an academic adviser for adult and returning students. JobCircle

- School photographer needed. You supply the car, they supply the equipment, training, benefits and "high pay." Craigslist

- Paint-your-own-pottery studio needs a staff member experienced with clay. $9 - 10/hr. Must like children and singing "Happy Birthday." Craigslist

- Red Hook's bakeshop Baked is looking for experienced full time counter help. Good brownies and tips. Craigslist

Photo by MikeColvin82, Creative Commons license

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Whole Foods Has NOT Given Up On Gowanus

It seems that the Brooklyn Paper dropped the ball when it said that Whole Foods has given up on Gowanus. Not so fast, says Mark Mobley of Whole Foods Market. This letter from Mr. Mobley was forwarded to us by Craig Hammerman, District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6:

I am writing with just a quick update to let you know that recent reports of Whole Foods Market's demise in Brooklyn seem to have been greatly exaggerated! As you may have seen, the Brooklyn Paper published a story this week that inaccurately suggests we have definitively decided not to pursue the development of a store on our property at 3^rd Street and 3^rd Avenue and further that we are planning to sell the property. This is simply not true and we have sent a letter to the Brooklyn Paper editor clarifying our position and requesting a correction.

You may recall that last Fall I sent you a memo explaining that Whole Foods Market had begun re-evaluating our plans for our property and that we would be working to identify potential development partners for a Brooklyn store. That is exactly what we have been doing in recent months and we are continuing these efforts in hopes of arriving at a potential development scenario that will enable us to finally come to Brooklyn.

Therefore, while nothing has yet been finalized and we are still not in a position to be able to share any additional information, please be assured that we will be back in touch as soon as we are able to provide more details about our plans.

Mark Mobley, Whole Foods Market

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