Atlantic Ave. Sidewalks to Become Pop-Up Apartments and Workshops in NYCxDESIGN

Map data copyright Google.

 The Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District will host “Design Walk” -- an interactive design experience involving more than 30 businesses -- on Saturday, May 7, from 3 to 8 p.m.

The sidewalks and side streets of Atlantic Avenue will transform into a series of pop-up apartment rooms, workshops and showcases as part of the 4th Annual NYCxDESIGN, New York City’s official celebration of design.

A full list of activities and workshops at “Design Walk” is available here.

Activities include:  Learn home whiskey distilling at the Brazen Head Bar and taste artisanal bourbons and rye from Red Hook distillery Widow Jane; see artists paint delivery trucks at Grumpy Bert; sculpting and painting demonstrations by Clover’s Fine Art Gallery; hear permaculture expert Dwaine Lee at The Commons: bee keeper and green roof expert... and much more.

The action takes place on Atlantic Avenue between Bond and Smith Streets in Boerum Hill. It's free.


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Stanley Cup Mayhem; Restaurant in Brooklyn Bridge Park; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Its mayhem in Brooklyn!!! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/Hu1pCpuGPj

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 25, 2016

- Marina operator adds restaurant to Brooklyn Bridge Park at 360 Furman Street. [Commercial Observer via BHB]

- Goodbye views and reasonable rents: 'Supertall' tower Is Bloomberg's parting finger to Brooklyn.[Village Voice]

- Harley Quinn beats up the ‘Hipster Mafia’ at Smorgasburg in her new comic. [Brokelyn]

- Ex-con from Baltimore representing himself at trial is convicted for Brooklyn shootings. [Daily News]

- There's an illegal art installation in an abandoned subway station in Brooklyn. [Gothamist]

- Can a Brooklyn chocolate maker with a social mission stand out from the crowd? [Forbes]

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VIDEO: Springstein Plays 'Purple Rain' at Barclays, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Brooklyn drug kingpin gets 3 life terms in Colorado's Supermax prison. [Daily News]

- VIDEO: Bruce Springsteen opened his 'River Tour' date at Barclays on Saturday night by playing "Purple Rain" in honor of Prince. [Gothamist]

- Sure, Bill: Mayor de Blasio says that allegations of illegal fundraising are "politically motivated." [ABC]  (And two community activists called on him to step down Sunday. [NY Post])

- Some highlights of the Brooklyn Folk Festival. [BHB]

- Talib Kweli and others toast late rapper PH at Park Slope street renaming. [Billboard]

- NYS Health Department awards $500G grant to examine health care improvements in central and northeastern Brooklyn. [Daily News]

- Ted Cruz and John Kasich have teamed up to stop Trump. Trumps calls it "desperation." [Politico]
(Says Elon Green on Twitter: "would be great if Cruz double-crossed Kasich. There's gotta be at least an outside chance of this happening.")

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Nine People Injured in Six-Alarm Brooklyn Fire Sunday Night

Brooklyn: *6th Alarm fire* Box 1784 at 268 Arlington Ave heavy fire in a private dwelling. pic.twitter.com/kuzAbAm2VJ

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) April 25, 2016

ABC News is reporting that nine people, including seven firefighters were injured in a six-alarm fire in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, Sunday night.

The fire broke out in a three-story residential home on 270 Arlington Avenue, according to ABC. It then spread to five houses and a nearby church.

More here.


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Last Week to Register for Make Music New York

 Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, with over 1,200 concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the five boroughs.

Musicians -- this is the last week to register to be part of this fantabulous event!

Anyone and everyone can participate. Amateurs, part-time professionals, and established artists are all welcome.

If you have an outdoor location where you’d like to host a concert (such as the sidewalk outside of your building), this is also the last week to register. Event organizers will match up venues with musicians.

Musicians can also join a “Mass Appeal” event. MMNY organizes hundreds of musicians to band together to perform massive pieces written for a single type of instrument. Each performance works differently, depending on the genre, the instrument, and the location.

In another offshoot, MMNY will present Sousapalooza, a massive, brassy tribute to the March King in Bryant Park. They’ll be running through all the best-loved marches and fanfares by Philip Sousa and his contemporaries.

More information here.

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Hearing on Citywide Ferry Service to be Held in Brooklyn

Courtesy of NYCEDC

On May 24, a DEIS Public Hearing will be held in at 6:00pm at St. Francis College (Remsen St. and Clinton St.) in Brooklyn Heights to discuss Citywide Ferry Service.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is working with the Office of Mayor de Blasio to launch the service. It will consist of five new ferry routes in addition to the existing East River Ferry service, charging a fare of $2.75.

Meetings will be held in the othr boroughs as well.

More here.

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Looking for Illegal Credit Card Op in East Flatbush, Cops Find Arsenal

Courtesy NYPD

Officers from the 67 Precinct were investigating a tip of an illegal credit card operation being run out of an apartment on Avenue X in East Flatbush and were granted a search warrant.

When conducting the search on Tuesday, ESU and 67 Precinct cops hit the jackpot, according to the NYPD.

They found: a loaded AK47, Glock 19 9MM, Glock 23 .40 Caliber, Glock 34 9MM, Smith and Wessen 9MM , Springfield .45 caliber, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, three forgery devices (skimmer, embosser, re-programmer), forged credit cards, and $23,480.

Three were arrested.

Full story here.


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Meetings to Discuss L Train Repairs to Be Held in May, Starting in Brooklyn

Image courtesy MTA

 The MTA and elected officials have announced the first of two public meetings to discuss future work on the Canarsie Tunnel, which carries the L subway train under the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the Marcy Avenue Armory at 355 Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. A Manhattan-based public meeting to be held later in May will be announced soon, according to the MTA.

Chairman Thomas F. Prendergast said the public meetings will mark the official start of a "robust community engagement effort in which we will detail the need for the project, solicit feedback from the public on the potential construction options and begin a collaborative process to develop an alternative service plan to mitigate impacts on L Subway train riders.”

Any 24/7 closure of the Canarsie Tunnel’s two tubes is unlikely to begin before January of 2019, the MTA said.

The public meetings will include a discussion of the potential construction approaches currently under consideration. They will also include an open house at which community members can discuss their concerns with MTA staff; a presentation from MTA and NYC Transit leadership and technical staff; and a question and answer period.

More.

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Primary Day: Bernie Sanders Takes on Brooklyn Issues

Courtesy Sanders campaign

The Brooklyn Eagle has published a Q & A with Bernie Sanders (Hillary Clinton will also be responding, we're told), where Bernie addresses a number of issues important to Brooklyn residents.

Among these: the fate of Fort Hamilton, keeping hospitals open in Brooklyn and across the country, helping startups and small businesses, gun control, transit crime, funding the MTA and more.

Makes good Primary Day reading!

Looking for your polling place? Visit Who's On the Ballot.

Democratic candidates Q & A about issues of importance to Brooklynites [Brooklyn Eagle]

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Fireworks Over NYC Tonight (April 18, 2016); Watch from Brooklyn

There will be a fireworks display in the area of Battery Park in Manhattan tonight, April 18, at approximately 9:15 PM, according to Notify NY.

Viewable from lower Manhattan, the fireworks should also be easily seen from the waterfront along Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, with decent viewing in western Carroll Gardens and parts of Red Hook. Northern Staten Island should also get a view.


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DUMBO Family Festival This Saturday in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Courtesy BBP Conservancy

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is sponsoring the DUMBO Family Festival, celebrating the first of more than 500 free spring and summer programs at Brooklyn Bridge Park, this Saturday.

From the Conservancy:

This fun-filled party, sponsored by One John Street, will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2016 from 11 am – 2 pm in the John Street and Main Street sections of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Dance, play, and spend the day enjoying free family-friendly games, activities, and amenities. New to DUMBO Family Festival this year will be a 20-foot long wooden replica of the Brooklyn Bridge! The sandstone color painted lattice façade will be woven with ivy and the first 2000 participants will be able to plant white carnations on the deck and towers of the bridge.

Scale the DUMBO Boulders, enter your dog in the Dog Olympics, dive deep into Park ecology and history at our new Environmental Education Center, sing and dance to performances by Mil’s Trills and Moona Luna, play classic games on new lawns under the Manhattan Bridge with DUMBO Recess, get a glitter tattoo at the Half Pint Citizens’ tent, and enjoy more activities from our local partners.

“... Regardless of whether you are interested in arts and culture, fitness, education, recreation or just want to stroll and enjoy the beautiful landscape and view, Brooklyn Bridge Park strives to provide something for everyone,” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.

Special thanks to partners: One John Street, Brooklyn Book Festival, Brooklyn Public Library, DUMBO Recess, Volunteers for Wildlife, Abhaya Yoga, Shake Shack, Dog Boy NYC, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Lizzmonade, Half Pint Citizens, and The Cliffs Climbing and Fitness.


What: DUMBO Family Fest
When: Saturday, April 23 | 11 am – 2 pm
Family Festival Begins | 11 am
Welcome remarks | 11 am – 11:30 am
Mil’s Trills Performance begins | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Volunteers for Wildlife show begins | 12 pm – 1 pm
Moona Luna Performance begins | 1 pm – 2 pm
DUMBO Family Festival concludes | 2 pm
Where: Main Street and John Street at Brooklyn Bridge Park


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BP Adams Opening Free Legal Clinic at Brooklyn Borough Hall Today

BP Eric Adams by MK Metz

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is cutting the ribbon today on a free legal services clinic at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

The clinic will be operated in collaboration with the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer's Project, Brooklyn Legal Services, the Veteran Advocacy Project and the Domestic Violence Project of the Urban Justice Center, and Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT).

The clinic will provide resources for Brooklyn families who cannot afford to hire an attorney, according to a release from the BP.

Adams has previously held “Know Your Rights” workshops for tenants in Brownsville, Cypress Hills, East New York, and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.


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E-Cigarette Blinds Boy; Coney Island Hospital Sited; Bernie, Hillary, Trump & Cruz; and More Brooklyn Briefs

The NYPD, police officers from partner agencies & PERF discussing increasing officer/public safety during a crisis pic.twitter.com/rjHzEJN03Y

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 13, 2016

(Above) Cops are working on planning for a future crisis, thank goodness.

- Crowd cheers as Bernie Sanders joins Verizon workers’ picket line in Brooklyn. [Raw Story]

- All eyes on Brooklyn -- with more voters than any other borough -- ahead of New York primary. [WSJ]

- And ... Ted Cruz should lighten up in Brooklyn. [The Federalist] 

- 14-year-old blinded after e-cigarette explodes at the Kings Plaza Mall. [Pix11]

- Coney Island Hospital hit with 6 violation after grandmother's death. [Sheepshead Bites]

- A Brooklyn principal the city tried to fire for cheating was cleared by an independent arbitrator on Wednesday. [Daily News]

- Jehovah’s Witnesses reach $700M handshake deal for Brooklyn Heights plot. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- WATCH: Brooklyn Fire Inspector mauls bodega clerk -- and nobody cares. [Patch]

- Confusion in Trump world: Wounded Donald Trump is hiring Republican fixers to professionalize his operation and sidelining his original team. [Politico]

- Our hero: Octopus slips out of aquarium tank, crawls across floor, escapes down pipe to ocean. [Washington Post]

- Did they lie to us about vegetable oil being healthier for you than meat fat? [Huff Post]


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Brooklyn Boxer On the Run; Bernie Sanders in Prospect Park; and More Brooklyn Briefs

We're Doomed. Photo by MK Metz

 - Brooklyn boxer on the run after beating girlfriend, sending her to hospital in critical condition. [NY Daily News]

- Police responded to Boro Park where a trailer was allegedly being used as an illegal day care. [abc7]

- Bernie Sanders is holding a star-studded rally in Prospect Park this week. [Brokelyn]

- The By Brooklyn boutique is closing its doors as Smith Street experiences a loss of foot traffic. [DNAinfo]

- Brooklyn man sets TV-binge-watching world record at 94 hours. [Vulture]

- The Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association is defending an NYPD officer who was caught on video telling a driver that Mayor Bill de Blasio wants cops to give out summonses. [CBSlocal]

- The more the U.S. government learns about the Zika virus, the more risks it seems to pose. [Slate]

- David Brock boasted that his researchers had assembled a trove of research on Donald Trump that Democrats could use to “knock Trump Tower down to the sub-basement.” [Politico]

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Half Price MetroCards for NYC's Poor?

At a rally on Sunday, Community Service Society and Riders Alliance announced “Fair Fares,” a campaign for reduced-fare MetroCards for the city’s working poor.
In the Transit for All program, an estimated 800,000 riders would be eligible for a half-price fare for lowest-income residents, saving those who opt to participate up to $700 per year.

A reports issued by the groups found that over a quarter of low-income New Yorkers were often unable to afford the subway or bus in the past year.

Farebeating arrests are now the highest number of arrests by the NYPD -- over 29,000 in 2015, 92 percent involving people of color, according to Robert Gangi, Director of the Police Reform Organizing Project.

Gangi says that most people jump the turnstile not for the thrill of it, but because the $5.50 cost of a round trip is a financial burden.

 Other large cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and London, have fare discount programs.

Below is a graphic from their newly-launched publicity campaign.

A number of officials have signed on, including Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer as well as groups such as the Brooklyn Defender Services, the Brooklyn Movement Center, Fifth Avenue Committee, and more.


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Inside Hillary's HQ in Brooklyn; Alamo Drafthouse; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Anti-gentrification protest shutting down Atlantic & Flatbush, the largest intersection in Brooklyn. #BKNot4Sale. pic.twitter.com/W6Zjuu7aiW

— Keegan Stephan (@KeeganNYC) April 8, 2016

- Video: A New York Times reporter captured a slice of life from Hillary Clinton’s headquarters in Brooklyn. [NYT]

- Movie theater-plus-restaurant chain Alamo Drafthouse will be serving its first screen-side beers in Downtown Brooklyn this summer. [Eater]

- A farm deep inside a Brooklyn warehouse may transform large-scale urban agriculture. [Crains]

- Resorts World Casino now operating shuttle bus from Barclays plaza to casino. [Atlantic Yards Report]

- Brooklyn has got a landmarked tree. [Brownstoner]

- Protests outside a Jewish wedding in Boro Park because protesters say wife did not get proper divorce. [Twitter]



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Bernie - Hillary Debate Watch Party in Brooklyn

Sen. Jesse Hamilton is hosting a free debate watch party on April 14 at 7 p.m.

There will be a live DJ and light refreshments. Full details above.

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Spike Lee's Video Promo for Bernie Sanders, Filmed in Brooklyn

A @SpikeLee Joint for @BernieSanders filmed in Da Republic of Brooklyn, New York.https://t.co/l1jh359TnK

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) April 10, 2016

Spike Lee's first video promo for Bernie Sanders, filmed in Brooklyn, features Harry Belafonte, Erica Garner, Shaun King, and Linda Sarsour.


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'Funny Business: Writing for Late Night' TV Panel in Brooklyn

Writers from The Daily Show, The Nightly Show and Late Night with David Letterman will gather in Brooklyn Heights at St. Francis College – Founders Hall on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. to pass on their wit and wisdom.

In an election year, we're reminded how much we look to comedy and late-night television to provide perspective and give voice to frustrations and absurdities of the political process. Three of the people who put those jokes on TV are coming to St. Francis College.

The event features Zhubin Parang (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah), Franchesca Ramsey (The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore) and Joe Toplyn (Comedy Writer / Producer).

FREE for All Students and Faculty (from any institution) – $10 for all others

The writers will discuss their impact on politics and the national conversation in this election year as well as their process of thoroughly researching and fact-checking each segment.

The event is presented with the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and St. Francis College. Organized by the Center for Communication.

More here.

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Brooklyn Macy's Set for $100M Renovation; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Brooklyn's Macy's is set for a $100 million renovation of its store in downtown Brooklyn. [Nasdaq]

- BP Adams calls for Dems’ debate to be moved from Navy Yard to Brownsville. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Brooklyn teen girl dies after senseless attack in Coney Island. [NY Times]

- De Blasio, Pelosi visit Brooklyn school to tout Universal pre-K, read to the kids. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Spike Lee talks black voters, Brooklyn with Bernie Sanders. [NBC]

- Hillary Clinton says she’s more of a New Yorker than Brooklyn-born Bernie. [Daily Caller]

- Alamo Drafthouse announced Tuesday that its new Brooklyn location is scheduled to open this summer in Downtown Brooklyn. [DNAinfo]

- Brooklyn 15-year-old missing for nearly a week. [PIX11]


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Thursday: NYC Parks Hosts Brownsville Community Meeting for New Newport Playground

Photo courtesy NYC Parks Dept.

Newport Playground in Brownsville is set to receive first major renovation in more than 50 years.

On Thursday, April 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Parks Dept. is hosting a public input meeting where the future of the playground — its complete Community Parks Initiative transformation and reconstruction — will be discussed.

The meeting will be held at P.S. 41, at 411 Thatford Ave.

NYC Parks’ planners and designers will share information about the park and the capital process before turning it over to community members for facilitated brainstorming. Parks says community members have their voices heard and dictate shared priorities for new and renovated park features, such as water play features, playgrounds, sports courts and fields.



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Video: Reminiscing on the Life of Brooklyn's Harry Chapin, Singer of Ballads, Humanitarian

We just discovered this "Behind the Music" video about the life of Brooklyn Heights songwriter/singer Harry Chapin. From his early years -- first singing in public with his brothers at Grace Church, then forming a band with them -- his career was like a luminous, super-heated shooting star.

After Harry (who attended Brooklyn Tech high school) returned from the service, his brothers had no spot for him in the band. During the Nixon recession, he had to apply for a hack license. While he was waiting for it to come through, he heard that an old girlfriend had married a rich guy.

"And here I was flying in my taxi ... and if the story sounds familiar, you know where it comes from," he said during interviews.

Before too long, "Harry got even with us for firing him," one of his brothers said. "Taxi" became a breakout hit -- despite pans from the critics.  After "Taxi" came "Cat's in the Cradle," "W*O*L*D" and others.

Harry became known as the hardest-working singer/songwriter in music, as well as the greatest humanitarian in show business. In 1976, he played 230 concerts, and 130 of them were benefits. Harry personally raised more than $6 million for charity. He traveled to Washington to fight world hunger, and talked President Carter into a World Hunger Congress.

In 1981, while driving to a meeting in Long Island, he died in a fiery crash at the age of 38. A memorial service was held at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights, where the overflow crowd spilled out into the street. (Chapin playground was dedicated to him in the north Heights.)

His legacy is not his music but his life, friends say. He inspired We Are the World and other activities. Harry Belafonte said Harry "threw a pebble into a pond, and I saw the ripples."


"And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, Little Boy Blue and the Man in the Moon,
When you coming home dad? I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, son, you know we'll have a good time then."


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Bernie to Debate Hillary at Brooklyn Navy Yard on April 14

Battle Of Brooklyn: Clinton And Sanders Will Debate On April 14 At The Navy Yardhttps://t.co/8lD2g9zoLE pic.twitter.com/E2EnSBFmPN

— Gothamist (@Gothamist) April 5, 2016

CNN announced that it will co-host a debate (with NY1) between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton on Thursday, April 14, in Brooklyn. The debate will be held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The debate will be moderated by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. CNN chief political correspondent Dana Bash and NY1 political anchor Errol Louis will join in the questioning of the candidates.

Both CNN and NY1 will carry the debate live from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern. More on the debate at CNN.

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BP Adams, Bernie Sanders, Small Penises and More Brooklyn Briefs

Saturday: Help design new middle school in Prospect Heights: M.S. OneBrooklyn. #Brooklyn https://t.co/0FeqPdbEYz pic.twitter.com/NQiLpkFKhy

— Brooklyn Daily Eagle (@BklynEagle) March 31, 2016

- Anti-gentrification protesters call Borough President Adams "The Biggest Uncle Tom In Brooklyn." [Gothamist]

- The best cheap things to do in Brooklyn this weekend, April Fools edition. [Brokelyn]

- Smorgasburg returns this weekend in Williamsburg and Prospect Park, with many new vendors.[Smorgasburg]

- Cops intensify hunt for man who attacked people in Brooklyn, Queens robberies. [Daily News]

- DOE removes teacher involved in controversial arrest at P.S. 193. [Sheepshead Bites]

- R.I.P. Smallest Penis in Brooklyn pageant. [Timeout]

- A massive aquaponic lettuce and fish farm will Grow In A Brooklyn warehouse. [FastCoExist]

- Bernie Sanders embraces Brooklyn roots. [Fox5]

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