smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop Nov. 21-22

We received this notice about this year's smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop:

RSVP now for FREE transportation to 70 art galleries in Brooklyn's “gallery districts”

On Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 70 participating Brooklyn art galleries will offer visitors outstanding exhibitions and refreshments as well as a unique opportunity to learn more about Brooklyn’s expanding art scene and galleries during the second annual smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop, an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn Tourism.

The galleries participating include The Boiler, BRIC Rotunda Gallery, Chassidic Art Institute, DUMBO Arts Center, Kentler International Drawing Space, MoCADA, Momenta Art, Proteus Gowanus and Skylight Gallery.

“We all know that Brooklyn is the Creative Capital of New York City, and contributing to that creative canvas are our neighborhood galleries and lively arts scene showcasing the work of emerging Brooklyn artists,” said BP Markowitz. “Last year’s smART Gallery Hop was a huge success, and again this year there’s no better time to get ‘art smart’—and maybe even find that perfect gift for the art lover on your holiday list!”

The free smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop features bus loops that depart from select hubs every hour on the hour from 1pm–5pm and run through four different gallery districts, allowing participants to hop on and off the bus within each line’s loop. Additionally, a “Tour of Four” bus tour (not a loop) will offer visitors a chance to experience unique art galleries off the beaten path:

* Williamsburg, Bushwick, Greenpoint — BLUE LOOP (Saturday). Hub: Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, 135 Broadway (at Bedford)
* Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene — RED LOOP (Saturday). Hub: MoCADA, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art, 80 Hanson Place (at South Portland)
* Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Red Hook — GOLD LOOP (Sunday). Hub: Brooklyn Borough Hall/Tourism Visitors Center, 209 Joralemon (Between Court and Adams)
* Boerum Hill, Gowanus, Park Slope — GREEN LOOP (Sunday). Hub: Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave. (at President)
* Bay Ridge, Crown Heights, Sunset Park — TOUR OF FOUR Galleries (Sunday). Hub: Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Parkway (at Washington)

Buses will be staffed with expert art docents offering smART tip sheets about collecting and buying art.

The smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop is a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors working to advance local economic development and increase awareness and support of the arts.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. For more information, visit www.visitbrooklyn.org.

For photos of some of the works on display at this year’s smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop, visit the flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/smartgalleryhop.


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City Purchases Chunk of Joe Sitt's Coney Island Property

Today, Save Coney Island spokesman Juan Rivero issued a statement in response to the news that New York City has purchased a key portion of real-estate speculator Joe Sitt’s land in the historic Coney Island amusement area for $95.7 million:

“The City's purchase today of 7 acres of land for a permanent open-air amusement area is a critical first step towards the revitalization of Coney Island. But it is not enough.

“The City's planned outdoor amusement area remains confined to a narrow 12-acre strip of land, squeezed in by a proposed multi-story entertainment mall and blocked off by a wall of proposed high-rise hotels rising up to 27 stories. Until the outdoor amusement area is expanded and the hotels are removed, the City's plan would permanently compromise Coney Island's potential to once again become a world-class amusement destination.

“Unless the City purchases the rest of Thor Equity's land, a large portion of the amusement area will remain subject to the whims of real estate speculation and the future of Coney Island will remain at risk.”

Sources told NY1 that Sitt is keeping the rest of the land to build hotels.

For more information, see www.saveconeyisland.net

Photo by Zero at creativecommons

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Sleeping Nook On Livingston in Downtown Brooklyn

The new trees outside this building 111 Livingston Street at Boerum Place in Downtown Brooklyn form perfect camouflage for a sleeping nook discovered by several of the city's homeless.

With a high wall on one side, a virtual wall of bushes on the three other sides and a grate to sleep on, what more could you want in terms of privacy and warmth?

The old dead trees can still be found on Google Maps (see below). You can see they wouldn't make a very protected hide-away.


Top two photos by MK Metz
Bottom photo by Google

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Healthcare Reform Rally, Friday Nov. 13, Brooklyn Heights

We received an email that a rally to celebrate the passage of the House health bill (and to support its Senate passage) will take place at Rep. Ed Towns' Office, 186 Joralemon St. in Brooklyn Heights on Friday, November 13th, 12 PM

MoveOn says:
"The House bill isn't flawless. It includes a compromise version of the public option and an ugly anti-choice amendment. But it's a huge step forward: it would expand coverage to 96% of Americans, offer more choice through a national public option, and help end Big Insurance's stranglehold on our health care system."

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It's True What They Say About Mean People

Photo by MK Metz

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'Parks and Recreation' Films in Brooklyn Heights

"Parks and Recreation," starring Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Platt and Paul Schneider set up shop in Brooklyn Heights yesterday, filming in Noodle Pudding restaurant on Henry Street and in Tazza on Clark.

Above, wait staff players line up outside of Noodle Pudding. Meanwhile, Amy Poehler was snapped on Henry Street by the Brooklyn Eagle.

Here's the cast and crew's breakfast spread: fruit, cereal, sandwiches, bagels and buns, nuts, cookies, raisins and protein bars.

Photos by MK Metz

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Squadron's 'Winter Bubble' and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Squadron proposes a "winter bubble" and other ideas for Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn Eagle

- The Phantom visited the USS New York and encountered a soldier who looked oddly like himself on board. Bay Ridge Blog

- Coldwell Banker CEO Jim Gillespie says that now is the time to buy a home. ABC via TRD

- Freebird in the Columbia Street area will join Greenpoint's WORD for a sampling of Brooklyn authors and food this coming Sunday. Word on Columbia Street

- Get 'em coming and going: Reynolds American Inc., maker of Camel cigarettes, is in talks to buy a Swedish company that helps people stop smoking. Huffington Post

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Halloween Candy Buyback in Brooklyn Heights

NOW we know what to do with those pounds of Halloween candy laying around the house -- Signature Smile dental office, on Pineapple Walk in Brooklyn Heights, will buy it back from you at the rate of $1 a pound. Brilliant!

Wonder what they do with it?

The buyback is sponsored by Zocdoc, an online appointment-booking service.

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The Newest Bistro On Smith Street, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Drummer Gerhardt "Jerry" Fuchs died in a freaky elevator accident in Williamsburg late Saturday night. Spinner and NY Times

- Williamsburg's first kosher soup kitchen opened Thursday. Vos Is Neias

- If you're going to rob bars in Red Hook, maybe you shouldn't have an incredibly distinctive facial tattoo. Brooklyn Eagle

- The newest bistro on Smith -- La Petite Provence -- has opened in the space once occupied by Alan Harding's Patois. PMFA

- Fish poachers arrested in Brooklyn. NY Times

- A Brooklyn man was rescued in the Long Island Sound, clinging to a lobster pot and nearly frozen to death. Long Island Press

- Former Bear Stearns exec loses $22 million in one hand of poker. New York Magazine

- The trial of the so-called Prince of Darkness "satanic teenager" arrested in connection with the stabbing death of WABC newsman George Weber was put off for a couple of weeks. Brooklyn Eagle

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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:

- The Brooklyn Botanic Garden seeks an experienced editor/writer. BBG

- Siggy’s Good Food in Brooklyn Heights needs an experienced waitperson. (This place always seems busy.) Craigslist

- Good Shepherd Services is searching for a new Director. NY Times

- Sears seeks a shipping/receiving associate. $9 - 13/hr. Benefits sound good. Career Builder

- Babeland is looking for "hard-working, sex-positive, mature people" to work as as part-time sex educators. Craigslist

- Bedford-Stuyvesant's Bridge Street Development Corporation is seeking an Economic Development Specialist. Craigslist Additionally, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation needs a strategic operations coordinator. Craigslist

- Brooklyn Industries is looking for a 5'7" female fit model. Looks don't matter. Must have exact measurements listed at Brooklyn Industries website. If you are the wrong size, sales associates are also needed.

- The management co. of Spring Creek Towers (which used to be called Starrette City) is looking for an experienced editor/writer for their community newspaper, the Spring Creek Sun. NY Times

- Arby's restaurant in the old Gage and Tollner on Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn is hiring for all positions. Apply at Brooklyn Workforce One at 9 Bond Street, 5th floor. NYC.gov

- Uncommon Goods is searching for a product development assistant. The company is located at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Craigslist

- A company in Brooklyn is looking for a part-time data-entry clerk. Pays $15.45/hr. Craigslist (A full time data-entry position in Sunset Park pays $7.25/hr. here.)

- The Brooklyn Paper and its affiliated publications needs a receptionist in Downtown Brooklyn. Craigslist

- Now hiring in Greenpoint: Bartenders, Servers, and Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Baristas, Deli Cooks, Shift Managers. Craigslist

- A Brooklyn institution (probably a hotel) is looking for an experienced chef. $35 - 40,000/yr. Career Builder

- A sign manufacturing company in Williamsburg is looking to hire a full time graphic artist. Craigslist

- Pratt Institute is searching for an editorial manager. Pratt

- A Japanese fusion restaurant is looking for experienced full time and part time servers. Craigslist

- A student housing management and development company is seeking an experienced property manager. Career Builder

- A "sophisticated well known restaurant" in Brooklyn Heights is seeking a dynamic banquet manager. Craigslist

- Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope is searching for a development associate. NY Times

- A small magazine specializing in state and local energy and environmental issues is looking for a full time writer. Craigslist

Find all Brooklyn Headhunter posts here.

Top photo by MikeColvin82, Creative Commons license

Arby's photo by MK Metz

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