New York Comic Con 2010

 Who knew there were so many comic fans in New York? Comic Con 2010 at the Javits Center in Manhattan was seriously over-packed this past weekend with fankids, cosplayers, collectors and possibly a few actual aliens.

 Yaya Han

 Pitched battles broke out in Artists' Alley.

 Serious weaponry from Silent Hill.

 Collectibles.

 Fans.

 Cosplay.

Old Spice Guy

Catwoman

We don't know what he is but he's good.

Check out Brooklyn Vegan for lots more photos.

Photos by MK Metz

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SOLD: 'Candy Factory' at 20 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights -- UPDATED

(See UPDATE below)
According to the Brooklyn Eagle, several real estate blogs report that David Schechtman of Eastern Consolidated, a real estate investment services firm, “just closed on Brooklyn’s 20 Henry Street.” (20 Henry is the former seven-story Peaks Mason Mints building, or "Candy Factory.")

At a quarterly luncheon of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Schechtman reportedly told REBNY members that "Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds inked a $15M deal” with them.

Magic Johnson is the Johnson in Canyon-Johnson. And the new owners might need a little magic -- there's been an incredible string of mishaps at that building.

The artists who once populated the former Mitchell-Lama were forced out in a big ugly controversy in 2003. It took years (and eight tries) before the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved building a four-story annex in the garden, which once was a major amenity.

In December 2007 permit applications were filed with DOB by Urban Realty Partners for the conversion. The garden was dug up but the economy crashed and by April 2009, work stopped. AIG, which put millions into the deal, sued the developers (Shelly Listokin, Stan Listokin and David Tropper of Urban Realty Partners). Sales were halted, the sales office was dismantled, and a hole you could drive a Prius through developed in the roof right before one of the rainiest seasons on record. It tooks months before it was repaired.

New Financing Reported For Stalled Candy Factory  Brooklyn Eagle

UPDATE: The Eagle has confirmed these reports and provides further details.


- 20 Henry Street Roof May Finally Get Fixed -- Brooklyn
- 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

An interesting history of the Mason, Au & Magenheimer Confectionery Mfg. Co.

Photo by MK Metz

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UPDATE: Gelber Proposal -- Watchtower to Generate Funds for Brooklyn Bridge Park

(See UPDATE at the bottom)

Last month we discussed our proposal to generate funds for Brooklyn Bridge Park by funneling taxes from nearby properties currently owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses (the Watchtower) to the park, after the JW's sell the properties. (The JW's have already announced their plans to sell their 25 or so properties in Brooklyn Heights).

The city doesn't currently collect taxes on these buildings (the Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious group), so the city wouldn't lose any money by earmarking the eventual taxes towards the upkeep of the park.

Yesterday the NY Post reported: "During a closed-door session at Borough Hall yesterday, some civic leaders and elected officials discussed having the city revise the waterfront park’s project plan to include dozens of DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights properties that the religious group has put up for sale."

"Brooklyn Heights activist Tony Manheim – who is leading this charge — said the city should buy the Witnesses buildings, convert them into luxury condos and then put tax revenues from the sales toward the park’s anticipated $16.1 million annual maintenance costs."

We don't think it needs to be so complicated:
While Manheim proposes the city jump in and start converting the buildings, we don't think that the city needs to invest money in this. It just needs to earmark all future property taxes towards the park as the buildings are sold to developers (who would have plenty of incentive to put up their own money to convert them).

The tax stream would then continue forever, rather than just being a lump one-off every time a building was sold.

UPDATE:

Marilyn Gelber, president of the Brooklyn Community Foundation, presents a proposal that combines the best aspects of these ideas. She told the Brooklyn Eagle:

"Wouldn’t it make sense for the public sector to complete the original planning vision for the park by negotiating an agreement to purchase of all the Jehovah’s Witnesses property and then coordinate the sale and disposition of this property to the private sector and use the proceeds and the annual real estate taxes for the maintenance and upkeep of the park"

Her full proposal here.


- Here Are Some Ideas to Generate Funds for Brooklyn Bridge Park 

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'Brighton Beach' Reality Show Casting Almost Closed; Still Looking for Gorgeous Guy

“Brighton Beach,” the  reality TV show that follows the everyday dramas of Russian-Americans in Brooklyn, is still casting -- but many slots are filled and the show is now only accepting video submissions.

If you're a "gorgeous guy," however (like Roman, pictured left) the Brighton Beach Facebook Page encourages you to post your photo and let fans vote you up.

One season of "Brighton Beach" has been picked up by the Lifetime network, according to the NY Times, Sheepshead Bites and other sources.

The casting packet asks: "Are you the Russian Snooki or The Situation? Are you a super outgoing and fun-loving Russian-American that sometimes sneaks kalbaska, pel'meni and vodka from the fridge? Can people hear the Euro/Techno/Russian music blasting from your car before they see you pull up? Do you attend birthday parties at Russian restaurants every weekend?"

You'll need to get a friend to videotape you answering a bunch of questions. (Be high energy and have fun!) The questions cover such ground as

• What really defines you as a Russian American?
• What's the first thing you want to do if you're picked for the show? 
• Do you have a girlfriend/boyfriend?
• What is your relationship philosophy?
• Describe your typical weekday (include daytime and nighttime activities, your job).
• Describe three things that people don't like about you.

To audition, click here.

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Full Body Scanners Rolling Out at LaGuardia, Kennedy and Newark Airports

 The next time you fly you may show "security guards" more than you planned. Controversial full body scanners are scheduled to be installed first at Newark, then Kennedy and LaGuardia airports starting this month, according to Travel AOL and the NY Post.

In July, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that scanners would soon appear at virtually all major airports.

There are a few problems with what are known as strip-search scans, however:

- "Body scanners produce graphic images of travelers' bodies and are an assault on their essential dignity," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the ACLU's Technology and Liberty Project.

- Britain may be forced to delay the introduction of full-body scans because of concerns that the images produced may break national laws against the production of pornographic images of children. the lede/ NY Times

- While federal agencies insist the revealing images will be destroyed soon after viewing, the US Marshals service has admitted that over 30,000 of the images were surreptitiously saved and stored at a single Florida courthouse, CNET reports.

- Scientists are now warning that radiation from said scanners has been dangerously underestimated and could lead to an increase in skin cancer, particularly in children. Digital Journal

- TSA security sometimes bullies those who exercise their U.S.  right to request to be hand screened instead of full body scanned.  Consumerist

- Using technology for every threat may cost more and reduce risk less than measures such as increasing visa reviews in “high-risk” countries, said David Schanzer, director of the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security at Duke University.

Photo: TSA

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Oddly Formal Graffiti on Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn

 This graffiti on several wooden boards at the corner of Schermerhorn and Nevins Streets in Downtown Brooklyn has a compelling focus on numbers, money and the government. (You can click on it to see it larger.)

 More numbers.

Photos by MK Metz

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A Few Thoughts About Preschool

- Even as the U.S. claws its way out of the current economic disaster, the groundwork is being laid for tomorrow’s economy in preschool classrooms across the country, says Jim Matison, executive director of the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society.  Brooklyn Eagle 

- China is investing money to make preschool available more widely as part of a push to develop a highly skilled work force. the-signal

- Average salary preschool teacher in the U.S.: $29,000.  indeed.com

- Average salary dog groomer in the U.S.: $36,000.  indeed.com   

- Average salary bartender in the U.S.:  $58,000. indeed.com


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Kate Kerrigan, Exec. Director of Dumbo Improvement District, Is Stepping Down

Kate Kerrigan, the executive director of the Dumbo Improvement District (DumboNYC), will be stepping down at the end of the year. The Improvement District is putting together a search committee to find her replacement, according to a press release.

Kerrigan was praised by the BID, which said she oversaw the first phase of the historic Water Street reconstruction (pictured), led the drive to open the Archway under the Manhattan Bridge, and organized DUMBO's arts organizations to promote the neighborhood as a creative capital for arts and culture.

NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh called her, "One of the best, most energetic BID directors in the City." 

Kerrigan replaced Tucker Reed three years ago.

Photo copyright MK Metz

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Bridge Guy, Way Above Brooklyn

Workers were attaching slabs of metal sheeting under the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday as part of its ongoing $500 million paint job. 

As we looked way, way up at the underside of the bridge, we saw a tiny little Bridge Guy, standing on the edge of one of the metal sheets, looking way, way down.

Wow, that's pretty high. I guess we looked tiny to him, too.

Bridge Guy, making it happen, way above Brooklyn.

Photos by MK Metz

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Nine Days Left to Vote for Your Brooklyn Do Gooders

Vote early and often: You have until October 15 to cast your votes in the Brooklyn Community Foundation's Brooklyn Do Gooder Awards campaign, which will celebrates the altruism, philanthropy and commitment of five Brooklyn Do Gooders. You can vote five times a day (once in each category), and it's fun to search nominees by neighborhood or category.

Pick your favorite Do Gooders now from the many nominees. Then judges will select five winners from among 20 finalists.

The Foundation will publicly honor the winners at the Foundation's anniversary celebration on November 3 at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and will also donate $5,000 on the behalf of each of the five Brooklyn Do Gooders to a Brooklyn charity of his or her choice.

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