Brooklyn Bridge Climber Arrested; Bouncy Squibb Bridge Court Battle Continues; John McEnroe Headed to Barclays; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Squibb Park Bridge. Photo by MK Metz

- Judge orders ‘bouncy’ Squibb Bridge design firm to allow Brooklyn Bridge Park access to key software. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- A man was arrested after police caught him walking on the beams above the Brooklyn Bridge in broad daylight on Monday. [NY Post]

- Cyclists are fed up with officers from Clinton Hill’s 88th Precinct parking their cars across the bike lane on DeKalb Avenue, but cops say there's nothing they can do about it. [Brooklyn Paper]

- Big tennis event in Brooklyn: Barclays Center to host John McEnroe-headlined PowerShares QQQ Cup in January. [CBS]

- Ortiz: Don’t dump homeless in Sunset Park hotels. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- From hot dogs to jean jackets, Brooklyn artist sculpts every day objects from stone. [Fox5]

- Get your clothes ironed for free in Brooklyn bars next month. [Gothamist]

- Spike Lee holidays in Maasai Mara, plants trees in memory of Biggie Smalls, Michael Jackson, Prince, Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, Raheem Nunn, Maurice White, Phife Dawg and George Michael. [SDE]

Carrie Fisher didn't just act in STAR WARS. She shaped it and many other stories and scripts. pic.twitter.com/gpCPbTwFy1

— Alan Sizzler Kistler (@SizzlerKistler) December 27, 2016

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Shots Fired on DeKalb Ave. in Brooklyn near Pratt

From the scanner: A Level 1 mobilization has been declared after two shots were reported fired at 456 DeKalb Ave. in Brooklyn shortly before midnight Friday night.

According to one report, two people were transported to Methodist Hospital in Park Slope just after midnight, and it was police who fired the shots.

Reports were conflicting, however. According to another report, there were no injuries.

456 DeKalb, near Classon, is part of the Lafayette Gardens housing development, a half block from Pratt Institute in Clinton Hill/ Bed-Stuy.

UPDATE 12:25 a.m. Saturday: NYPD's 88th Precinct has requested a hospital canvass for a male shot.

 UPDATE 12:30 a.m. Saturday: NYPD is searching near DeKalb for a male black wearing a yellow shirt and a goatee.

UPDATE 12:45 a.m. Uniformed officers have been sent to every floor at 456 DeKalb. 

UPDATE: The Daily News reports that cops had opened fire on a man who pulled a gun on them as they patrolled the housing project stairwell. 


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Gunfire in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, Early Monday

From the scanner:

Between 5 to 8 gunshots were reported by multiple callers to 9-1-1 early Monday morning from the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The gunfire was reported at 3:15 a.m. at and around Grand Ave. and Lefferts Pl.; east of St. James and Atlantic Ave.; and at 269 St. James Pl.

Dispatchers asked police to carry out a canvass of Brooklyn hospitals to see if any injured persons showed up.

At 3:30 a.m., dispatchers asked the 84th Precinct if there was a hospital in the 84th. Police replied, "No hospital in the 84th."

Dispatch then asked the 88th Precinct to carry out the hospital canvass.


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Brooklyn: Were Bullets Just Shot into the Clinton Hill Coops?

From the scanner:

At least four callers reported four to five shots fired outside 209 Clinton Ave, between Willoughby and Waverly Ave. in the Clinton Hill section of Brookyn Thursday night at 11:04 p.m.

One police responder speculated it was fireworks. At 11:08 p.m., however, a caller from a 4th-floor apartment reported a bullet on the floor.

209 Clinton is the address of the Clinton Holl Coops, located between Fort Greene Park and Pratt Institute.

According to the Coops' website, the Clinton Hill Cooperative Apartments "are a 12 building, 1,200 unit pet-friendly community in a lush park-like setting, featuring beautifully renovated co-ops, 24 hour security, live-in staff and laundry rooms."

The neighborhood is described as "Clinton Hill's historic district, a vibrant, diverse, and urban Brooklyn neighborhood now a mecca for artists, musicians, young families & foodies alike."



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Theater With Poor Door; and More Brooklyn Briefs

The following are the subway station stairway closures West Indian Day Parade pic.twitter.com/5Vn6AU5CYK
— NYPD 78th Precinct (@NYPD78Pct) August 27, 2014

Above: Stairway closures in Brooklyn during West Indian Day Parade.

- Clinton Hill play has ‘poor door’ for cheap-ticket holders. [Brooklyn Paper]

- Brooklyn Tech teacher indicted for sexting selfies to 16-year-old also mentored engineering students. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Brooklyn political power brokers fighting over state Senate race to replace now-Borough President Eric Adams. [NY Daily News]

- The city has reached a new contract agreement with tschool safety agent, who are mostly female and make $7,000 less than other special officers. [NY1]

- The former acting director of cyber security at the Department of Health and Human Services was convicted on federal child pornography charges on Tuesday. He expressed an interest "in the violent rape and murder of children." [Business Insider]


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'Black Artstory' Events in Brooklyn Kick Off Feb. 1 in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill

Chanel Kennebrew, Hyphenated Part 2

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership presents Black Artstory Month, celebrating the arts contributions made by African Americans.

The series of free events kicks-off on Saturday, February 1st at 6 pm and includes art exhibitions, film screenings, storytelling, lectures, performances, and workshops throughout the entire month of February.

The events and performances coincide with Black History month and take place at the small businesses along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

For a complete listing visit: www.myrtleavenue.org/blackartstorymonth/


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Clinton Hill To Be 'Slow Zoned' in 2014; Crown Heights and Prospect Heights by 2016

Photo: Jonas B.

On October 11 the NYC Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Slow Zones Initiative announced five new slow zones for the city, including one for Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

The 2014 slow zones, which lower speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph where needed (in addition to adding new signage, street markings, and speed bumps to city blocks) will help combat speeding in a neighborhood that is seeing increased commercial and residential development, as well as a sharp increase in bike riding.

According to Council Member Letitia James, Clinton Hill was selected for the program following strong community support. The administration also announced an additional 10 slow zones to be placed throughout the city — including the 35th District neighborhoods of Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

For the 2014 slow zone, the area borders Lafayette Avenue to Fulton Street, and Washington Avenue stretching beyond Classon Avenue, extending two blocks into Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Council Member James said, “Clinton Hill is beginning to experience record high traffic, on par with its neighbor Fort Greene. With numerous schools and day care centers that span this strip of Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant, I hope that these traffic calming measures will create a safer community for all.”

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Airbnb 'Illegal,' Parks Cuts Kids Programs in W'burg, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Parents are pissed: The Parks Department cut children's programming at East River State Park to make room for the Brooklyn Flea marketplace. [DNAinfo] 

- Hold that thought: Coney Island fancy toilets won’t be installed in time for Memorial Day weekend. [NY Daily News]

- Forget Airbnb: Short-term apartment rentals ruled illegal. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Subway service disrupted over 11 lines over Memorial Day weekend. [DNAinfo]

- Clinton Hill manse asks record $4.88M: PHOTOS. [TRD]

- Red Hook townhouse tries to set neighborhood record with $2.15 M. price tag. [Observer]

- Boy Scouts Of America votes to lift ban on gay scouts. [Brooklyn Eagle]

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Tish James Gets Union Endorsement in Run for Public Advocate

Tish James. Photo: MK Metz

Brooklyn City Councilwoman Letitia "Tish" James has scored the endorsement of 32BJ/SEIU in the race for Public Advocate, her first labor endorsement.

Letitia James represents District 35: Clinton Hill, Fort Greene; parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant.

James faces Democratic primary rivals Cathy Guerriero, a professor and consultant; Reshma Saujani, a former deputy to outgoing Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; and state Sen. Daniel Squadron, according to the NY Daily News.

State Senator Daniel Squadron announced Wednesday that he’s raised more than $2 million in the race for public advocate.

Bill de Blasio, who currently holds the office, is running for mayor.

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Where to Shop in Brooklyn Today: Small Business Saturday

Photo: MK Metz

Thanks goodness Black Friday is over! Now that we've survived that mess, it's time for Small Business Saturday (today, November 24, 2012), when local shops and small crafts-people offer special deals and holiday activities.

Brooklyn goes in for Small Business Saturday in a big way (and American Express will kick in $25 towards your shopping spree if you have a card).

In Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, shops along Fulton Street and Myrtle Avenue are offering trolley rides, Santa Claus, music and kid's activities today. Businesses along Atlantic Avenue will join in with holiday carolers, trolley rides up and down the avenue, holiday lights and refreshments. DUMBO shops are also getting in on Small Business Saturday by donating a percentage to Sandy victims. More details about these events at the Brooklyn Eagle.

According to Amex, dozens of shops in Park Slope, especially along 7th Avenue (between 1st and 7th Streets) and nearby side streets are also participating. In Williamsburg, numerous shops along Graham and Bushwick Avenues between Scholes and Seigel Streets and along nearby Meserole Street are getting in on the action.

In East New York, look for participating businesses in the rectangle bounded by Fountain Avenue, Sutter Avenue, the Belt Parkway, and N. Conduit Blvd. Sheepshead Bay and Bay Ridge are also Small Business Saturday hot spots. See the map for exact locations.

Additionally, this weekend marks the start of the annual Brooklyn Night Bazaar, at 45 N. 5th Street (between Wythe and Kent) in Williamsburg.

The Bazaar takes place every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight through December 22nd. Expect live music, creative and artisanal Brooklyn vendors, art, and delicious food and drink.

Also, don't forget the Brooklyn Flea's Holiday Gift Market takes place this Saturday and Sunday at One Hanson Place (Williamsburg Bank Building) in Fort Greene.



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Pratt Buys $13 Million Site; Tina Fey Filming in Brooklyn; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Pratt Institute has purchased a Clinton Hill development site for $13 million, possibly for student or staff housing. TRD

- Some folks think that the Con Ed plant in DUMBO -- which had two explosions in the last nine months -- should be turned into park land. Brownstoner

- Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has joined the chorus decrying Bloomberg's "puke green" Boro Taxis. Gothamist

- Admission, starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd, is filming around Dupont St. and McGuinness Bvd. in Brooklyn today. On Location Vacations;  The plot here.

- The number of drinking-related ER visits has "skyrocketed," draining city hospitals. Gothamist

- Did you lose a wedding ring in Fort Greene Park? The Local

- Mitt Romney's dad was born in Mexico, and faced his own "birther" controversy. Huff Post

- Think about it: Facebook rumored to be buying Israeli face recognition firm Face.com. Fast Co.

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Century 21 Coming to Fulton Mall; Real Estate Bd. Snubs Brooklyn; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Finally: Century 21 announces it really will open in the Fulton Mall, in City Point. Brooklyn Eagle

- Rikers is still an out of control hellhole. (Warning: graphic images of bloody injuries.) Village Voice via Gawker

- 30 Washington St. conversion to open next year in DUMBO. NY Times via DumboNYC

- The Real Estate Board of New York has again overlooked Brooklyn in nominations for retail deal winners of 2011. Brownstoner

- Fancy new visitor center opening Wednesday at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Brooklyn Eagle

- Best not to walk around with an iPhone in Clinton Hill. abc  

- Police release video of violent robber attacking young woman in Bed-Stuy. cbs 

- Rangel says, "It's Obama who's after me." Brooklyn Ron

- Brooklyn Paper says there's been a moratorium on filming in most of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO since April 1. City begs to differ. Gothamist


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Cab Warfare in Brooklyn; Littlenecks In Sheepshead Bay; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Cabbie who won't go to Brooklyn threatens to break a passenger's face, caught on video.Gothamist 

- After female trio shoots cabbie's eye out, young woman preps for trial. Brooklyn Eagle  
 
- Every Democrat representing Brooklyn opposed the debt plan. Needless to say, Brooklyn's one Republican, Michael Grimm, supported it. Brooklyn Politics

- Found: Your groceries and supplements on the B train at 7th Avenue. The groceries were delicious.  Brooklynian

- Bad blood: G.O.P. infighting in Bensonhurst goes to court. Brooklyn Eagle

 - Fleeting Eating: Twenty things to gobble and guzzle before summer ends, from littlenecks on the half-shell in Sheepshead Bay, to Franny's seasonal pie in Prospect Heights. New York Magazine

- Now Brooklyn has its own vodka, brewed in Clinton Hill. CBS

- Your smartphone is a hacker paradise. Fast Company

- More Airbnb horrors emerge. Gawker

- The man they named the leotard after. Travalanche

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Deidra Towns' Mystery Non-Profit; Banned Work at Museum; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- As she runs for the Brooklyn Assembly seat previously held by her brother, Deidra Towns is touting her work as executive director of a mysterious non-profit -- which has never registered or filed an annual statement and which doesn't appear to actually exist. Brooklyn Politics

- A construction worker was in serious condition Monday after he fell into a deep pit at the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel at Columbia and Degraw Streets. NY Times

- The Historic Districts Council is sponsoring a tour of three of Clinton Hill’s most opulent structures on Wednesday. Brownstoner

- Banned work by gay artist among upcoming Brooklyn Museum exhibits. Brooklyn Eagle

- In 2006, New York Civil Liberties Union staffers counted 8,000 surveillance cameras in lower Manhattan. NY Daily News Now the cameras are proliferating in Fort Greene and at Atlantic Yards. WPIX

- Is Bubby's in Tribeca stinking up the neighborhood? Gothamist

- That stupid Capote quote on the signs recently stuck around Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights bothers other people, too. Gothamist

- Millions of gallons of sewage spill into New York City's waterways every time it rains a half an inch. NY Magazine

- The weird and creepy side of Facebook's new office. Gawker

- Top U.S. cyber official resigns abruptly. Politico

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Dead Naked Bodies, Million-Dollar Fraud, Miss Brooklyn 2010, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- It started with two naked bodies in a blood-soaked bed in Marine Park. It continued with a million-dollar fraud ring, bizarre wills, crooked law firms and a "curse" put on a partner's gun . . .  Brooklyn Eagle

- All NYC parades to be cut 25 percent and limited to five hours to save $$$ -- including the eight-hour East Indian Day parade. NY Daily News 

- Like fresh vegetables? The Urban Meadow team is setting up a CSA (community supported agriculture program) in the Columbia Street District.  The Word On Columbia Street 

- DUMBO/ Vinegar Hill is holding a meeting about their CSA, too.  Dumbo, NYC  

- Girls, there are only two days left to apply to become 2010’s Miss Brooklyn! The winner will be crowned on March 28 at Brooklyn College. Brokelyn

- Someone got shot at Classon Bet Dekalb and Lafayette. Clinton Hill Blog

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Brooklyn Inventgenuity, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- The dean of a Hebrew day school in Brooklyn was arrested Thursday in an alleged scheme to extort $4 million. WSJ

- A thank you note to an "awesome" Good Samaritan. Clinton Hill Blog

- A 40-year-old Park Slope woman has gone missing. Brooklyn Paper 

- Choice Market cafe and takeout at the J Condo officially opened for business Thursday. Brooklyn Eagle

- Car windows keep getting smashed near Fulton Park. Bed Stuy Blog 

- Toll Brothers to build in DUMBO?  Brooklyn Heights Blog
 
- The Invisible Dog will be the site of the first Brooklyn Inventgenuity Festival for kids. NY Times

- Parents, be careful what face paint you use on your child.  ACGIB

- The Vancouver Olympics is stocked with 100,000 condoms.  Huff Post  

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Brooklyn Soul Summer Fling Sunday

Tamboril Lounge sent this in:
On Saturday August 29th Brooklyn Soul will host a special edition of the dance party Summer Fling. The event will feature special guest, DJ Silence. For this special event, all guests will be admitted FREE before midnight with rsvp. Attendees can rsvp via the event website www.BrooklynSoul.com or by email to rsvp@BrooklynSoul.com.

Brooklyn Soul dance party is held at the new Tamboril Lounge, located at 527 Myrtle Ave in Clinton Hill. The last Brooklyn Soul event attracted well over 200 guests.

About Brooklyn Soul
Brooklyn Soul is a FREE monthly dance party that takes place on the last Saturday of each month. The dance party encompasses music from the US and around the globe. The dance party feature some of the premier djs in New York City including DJ Silence of Pointblank Sound. DJs play a special selection of music including 80s & 90s Classics, R&B, Latin, Neo-Soul, AfroBeat, Funk, Soul, Reggae and Soca.

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New Illegal and Unsafe Greenpoint Gym, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Greenpoint's new Cutting Edge Gym has opened in an illegal basement space in a building with a Stop Work Order that's been illegally tampered with. And the owner has been forbidden by the Attorney General to ever operate a gym. Other than that, it looks great! Newyorkshitty

- Brooklyn Heights solar panels, before and after. GreenBeat Brooklyn

- A most unlikely sight -- a tree covered with sweet, delicious peaches -- in Brooklyn. PMFA

- "Tired of all the stereotype and location judgment? Do you believe that Williamsburg and Greenpoint are Over Rated neighborhoods that truly do not care about humanity, just one's salary...? Ever heard of being too dark to be a Jew.... I heard it on Bedford Ave, Williamsburg!!! Such misjudgment is based about upon projection of people's paranoia and insanity.......living in their closed society!!!" (In other words, Room For Rent.) NY Magazine

- Fighting foreclosure for the people: a Volunteer Lawyers Project director stands guard over Brooklyn homes. Brooklyn Eagle

- What all that work is on the Washington Street underpass in DUMBO. DumboNYC

- A 19-year-old guy from Midwood is the latest winner of the New York Lottery’s Millionaire instant scratch-off game. Yournabe

- This saturday August 22nd will be the 11th Annual Clinton Hill Day. Clinton Hill Chill

- Eastern Cicada Killer in Flatbush. Flatbush Gardiner

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First Zero-Gravity Wedding, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- A Brooklyn couple will be the first to be married in zero-gravity. Their rings are made from a meteorite, and her dress was crafted by Japanese designer Eri Matsui specifically for zero-g's. Brooklyn Eagle

- Small business owners, mostly from the Clinton Hill-side of Fulton Street, delivered a letter of protest against the newly formed Fulton Street Business Improvement District. Brooklyn Paper

- A 9-year-old Canarsie girl has written a plea to Mayor Bloomberg to save the Brooklyn Public Library. The latest cuts give Brooklynites only 25 library hours a week -- compared to Houstonites, say, who get 72. NY Daily News

- Swine flu -- Beth Israel Medical Center says: “It is anticipated that the flu will be back in the fall with a vengeance. It will be an even stronger strain than the one we just saw that was initiated in Mexico." Uh oh. YourNabe

- 10,000 runners: The Brooklyn Half-Marathon is this Saturday, May 30th starting at 8 am in Prospect Park and ending in Coney Island. OTBKB

- Get ready for the BAMcinemaFest, the first annual film festival specially curated for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. indiewire

- A squash seed from Thomas Jefferson makes its way to Brooklyn. Brooklyn Eagle


Photo by Tanya Ryno, Creative Commons License

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MTA Service Cuts Kick In June 28, and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Goodbye B25 -- The first MTA service cuts are slated for June 28, when 21 bus routes will be eliminated and weekend service on most lettered subway lines will be reduced, according to NY1. As we've previously reported (here and here), service on the B23, B25, B37, B39, B51 and B75 buses will be eliminated. Other Brooklyn service changes include ending weekend service on the X27 and X28 express bus routes, and more cutbacks on the B2, B4, B7, B16, B24, B48, B57, B65, B69, B71 and B75.

- Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes has opened a hotline for victims of sex-crimes within the orthodox Jewish community, and some people are not happy. Brooklyn Eagle

- The first five inductees to the Brooklyn Hall of Fame are in. Now it's time to vote for the next five. Brooklyn Hall of Fame

- Has one bar in Clinton Hill become the target of every agency in the city? The FDNY, NYPD, DEP, DOB, and NYSLA have all visited LOX Bar and Ultra Lounge since it opened in March 2008. Clinton Hill Chill

- A promoter from the original Woodstock music festival is hoping to stage a massive Woodstock 40th anniversary concert in Prospect Park's Long Meadow this summer. NY Daily News

- Will the Brooklyn Paper and the Courier, now both ensconced at MetroTech, dare criticize their new landlord -- Brooklyn's most powerful developer, Forest City Ratner? Atlantic Yards Report

Photo by MK Metz

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