Atlantic Yards Photoshoot: Right to Bear Cameras

That story about the MTA officer that harassed someone shooting video of the Atlantic Yards footprint gave a lot of photographers the willies. Now, a "Photographer's Rights Free Expression Mobilization" is planned for Sunday, February 10 at 3PM.

Meet at the Brooklyn Bears Community Garden, Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue, entrance on Pacific. If there's heavy rain or snow, meet at Freddy's Bar, 485 Dean, corner of Sixth Avenue.

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

Photo by MK Metz

Gay Democrats Prefer Hillary and More Brooklyn in Brief, Weekend

- Why did twice as many gay Democratic voters prefer Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama on Super-Duper Tuesday? New York Magazine

- Trouble brewing at The Brooklyn Paper? A tipster tells Gawker that freelancers at the local weekly haven't been paid since last summer and the paper is "undergoing some turmoil." Gawker

- Millionaire Simon Taub and his wife are facing foreclosure on their Borough Park home. Two years ago, Taub convinced a judge to let him divide the million dollar Borough Park brownstone in two so he wouldn't have to relinquish it to his wife, Chana. New York Daily News via Curbed.

- The Bush administration wants to transfer billions of dollars from mass transit to highways. Streetsblog

- More New York’s local retailers are accepting the Euro as payment from their customers. Crain's New York Business

- A man left his keys in his Mercedes for just a minute and it was stolen. Bad. The next day, he spots a guy driving the stolen car into a gas station. Good. Brooklyn Paper

- BCAT community access television visits Dumbo Monday, at 12:30 and 8:30 p.m. This month they visit Recycle-A-Bicycle; Tivoli Home and Prague Kolektiv; and Spring. BCAT

African-American Celebration Friday Night, Downtown Brooklyn

African-American Celebration, 6:00 pm tonight, Friday, February 8 at Brooklyn Friends School in Downtown Brooklyn, features a soul food buffet, dance and music performances, and good times.

The theme is “The Harlem Renaissance,” and the featured presentation is Mickey Davidson and Company in “Swingin’ in Time.”

This family celebration takes place at the school’s 375 Pearl Street building. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children and $55 for a family of four. All are invited to attend, with tickets available in the lobby of 375 Pearl Street the days before and at the door on the day of the celebration.

The Harlem Renaissance celebration begins with a soul food buffet dinner in the Cafeteria at 6:00 pm followed by a rousing program.

The Harlem Renaissance was an outstanding cultural movement out of which emerged a proliferation of black intellectuals, writers, musicians, actors, and visual artists. Although scholars have differing views on when it began and ended, most agree that the movement was at its height between the dawning of the Jazz Age in 1919 and the stock market crash in 1929. Among the luminaries associated with the Harlem Renaissance are W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, Marcus Garvey, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, Marian Anderson, Bessie Smith, Marian Anderson, Zora Neale Hurston, Josephine Baker, Countee Cullen, Duke Ellington, and Fats Waller.

Brooklyn Heights House of Many Shingles

We've never seen shingle styles mixed like this before, at State and Henry Streets in Brooklyn Heights. (Click for closeup.)

Photo by MK Metz

Brooklyn Craigslist Car Salesman Hires Hit Man to Wipe Out the Competition

He listed the cars on Craigslist, and figured he could double his business if he got rid of his biggest rival.

Brooklyn 'Toxic Preschool' Parents Out of Luck?

Councilwoman Letitia James has contacted the elusive head of Boerum Hill's "toxic preschool" (Brooklyn Children's Academy Preschool), Andy Lewis, with a little question about all the refunds he owes the parents.

Now it seems like the parents -- along with a long line of teachers, landlords, and other people who have had dealing with Lewis -- may be out of luck.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, James said that Lewis has hired a lawyer, and he's got no money. If a parent wins in court, “It’s a paper victory,” James told the Eagle.

- Promises of Refund to Parents Underline History of Scandal As Toxic Preschool Moves On Brooklyn Eagle

UPDATE: Catch up with later news about Andy Lewis here.

- 'Toxic' Preschool Families Get Help From Brooklyn Borough Hall Brooklyn Eagle
- 'Toxic Boerum Hill Preschool to Reopen, Director Says McBrooklyn
- 'Toxic' Brooklyn School to Reopen? Brooklyn Eagle
- More Trouble at 'Toxic' Preschool in Boerum Hill McBrooklyn
- 'Toxic' Preschool Parents Wonder: Where's the Money? Brooklyn Eagle
- Brooklyn Children's Academy Preschool Nightmares A Child Grows in Brooklyn
- Toxic Preschool in Brooklyn? Brooklyn Eagle
- 'Toxic' Preschool in Boerum Hill? McBrooklyn

Roll Out the Barrel at Morton's in Downtown Brooklyn

Good times will roll when Morton's The Steakhouse opens in the new addition of the Brooklyn Marriott* in Downtown Brooklyn. According to Morton's, Wine Spectator gave its 2007 "Award of Excellence" to all of the 74 Morton’s steakhouses.

The restaurant will seat approximately 125 guests in the main dining room, 100 in Morton's exclusive private boardrooms and 70 in Bar 12-21, "Morton's new bar dining concept, the place for specialty cocktails and Morton's appetizing Bar Bites menu." (Belltel Lofts) .

Says Morton's, "In BAR 12-21, the night is open for business... from a crisp cocktail before dinner in the main room, to a full course meal without ever having to leave the comfort of your bar stool."

Tonight Community Board 2 will listen to comments about Morton's liquor license application. Based on the idea that we never, ever want to leave our barstool, McBrooklyn votes YES.

*"New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge"

- Red Blooded Downtown Brooklynites to Dine on Barely-Cooked Steak at 'Morton's The Steakhouse' -- and Apple (Or Maybe Barneys) Might Move In Next Door

Top two photos courtesy of Morton's The Steakhouse
Bottom photo by MK Metz

Nathan's, a 'Towering Wiener Wonderland,' and More Brooklyn in Brief Wednesday

- Billionaire and likely mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, whose Red Apple Group is developing a two-block complex on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, is putting the brakes on the project until the lending situation shakes itself out. Brownstoner and New York Magazine

- A little-known section of Coney Island's redevelopment plans could turn legendary hot dog haven Nathan's Famous into a towering wiener wonderland with clubs, stores and hotel rooms. NY Daily News

- MTA cop tries to confiscate videographer's camera at public Atlantic Yards site. It's shivers up your spine time. Atlantic Yards Report

- The rebuilt McCarren Pool will feature a huge swimming pool in summer and ice skating in winter. The details of the $50 million renovation were presented to a community meeting in Williamsburg. Gowanus Lounge

- The DOB approved plans for foundation work on the site of the planned Whole Foods at Third Street and Third Avenue in Gowanus. Brownstoner

- A study casts doubt on the safety of building along the Gowanus Canal, one month before the city is expected to announce a developer for 1,000 apartments and a park there. Brooklyn Eagle

Trader Joe's: It's On the Map

Prompted by much discussion about whether or not Trader Joe's is serious about opening a store at the corner of Atlantic and Court in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, we were led by poster Erin Freeley to actually look at the Trader Joe's Web site for confirmation. And there it was.

UPDATE: Brownstoner actually spoke to a representative for Two Trees, who said "the chatter is a lot of hooey," and that the store will eventually open. "The rumor is, well, just a rumor," says the rep. Brownstoner

In another update, the Cobble Hill blog says that Trader Joe's revealed their projected opening date: "We are aiming for sometime during the second quarter of next year." That's more than a year from now -- more than enough time to start some new rumors! CHB

- Trader Joe's to Open 'Late Spring?'
- The Future Trader Joe's
- Will Trader Joe's Be Haunted by the Spirits of Bankers Past?
- Everybody Gonna Hula to Brooklyn Trader Joe's
- Sovereign Bank Moving to Make Room for Trader Joe's
- All Trader Joe's comments on McBrooklyn

State and Court $$$ Rentals Still Available in Downtown Brooklyn

The three-bedroom, three-bath apartments perched atop 117-119 Court (at Smith) are still available.

The apartments are described as "loft like," with gas fireplaces, wood floors and high-end appliances.


The rents presently range from $8,100 to $8,500 -- according to a little piece of paper glued over the original asking prices.

Photos by MK Metz