Brooklinks is a daily selection of Brooklyn-related information and images. (Apologies for the late schedule on Brooklinks. We’ve had some internet connectivity problems that, hopefully, won’t recur.):

· Taking a Look at the Busy Chef Mess in Brooklyn Heights [NYT]
· Two Brooklyn Prosecutors Were Never Admitted to the Bar [NYP]
· Brooklyn Heights Apartment Flooded, Man Flees to Soho Hotel [NYT]
· Solutions for Downtown Businesses After Rezoning? [AYR]
· Apply to Work at Brooklyn Trader Joe’s This Week [McBrooklyn]
· Lost City Guest Blogging at Curbed This Week [Lost City]
· Here’s One Way to Keep Dogs From Crapping on Your Tree [Bed-Stuy Banana]
· Greenmarket Corn Before the Storm [A Year in the Park]
· More Thor Temporary Attractions Leave Coney [Kinetic Carnival]
· Tall Poles at Riviera Suites [GerritsenBeach.Net]
· Do Caton Place Condos Have a Future? [Kensington Brooklyn]

“I was idly punishing my camera this morning, taking pictures of the backside of 20 Bayard (architect Karl’s crowning achievement), when I noticed 3 long white vans, and a few people milling about in 20 Bayard’s Garden of Splendor. Then out burst what must be the cast of Top Chef. You can tell by their expressions they’re a little suspicious, but happy to have their first paparazzo. Sure, big shot celebrities hate us, but the little people of entertainment, fresh off the bus with stars still in their eyes, love us — and that makes it all worthwhile.”–Restlus

The Atlantic Yards eminent domain case, which the US Supreme Court declined to hear, has been filed in New York State Court, which is where a Federal Judge had said the case should be heard. Nine property owners and tenants filed the petition with the Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court “seeking an order rejecting the Empire State Development Corporation’s (ESDC) findings and determination to seize their homes and businesses by eminent domain.” A release from Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn Attorney Matthew Brinkerhoff says that the case will likely be heard in January 2009. The timetable would further delay any possible beginning to construction of Atlantic Yards, assuming a positive outcome for Forest City Ratner and the Empty State Development Corp. While many observers believe the state court will view the eminent domain case skeptically, DDDB lawyer Matthew Brinckerhoff is optimistic, saying in a statement, “New York Courts have a proud history of interpreting the New York Constitution as providing greater protections for individual rights than the federal constitution…We are confident that the court will see this for what it is: government officials bending to the will of Bruce Ratner, allowing him to wield the power of eminent domain for his personal financial benefit.”

The case alleges five claims against the ESDC’s taking of property including that it violates the Bill of Rights of the New York Constitution because “ESDC’s claims of public benefit are a pretext to justify a private taking” and that it violates due process because “The public process was a sham. The outcome was predetermined in a back room deal between Ratner, Pataki and Bloomberg.” The document can be found and downloaded here.

[Photo courtesy of Rutila/GL Flickr Pool]

This is the Rosenwach Wood Tank factory on Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. It comes to the GL Photo Pool courtesy of Rutila.

“Despite public statements to the contrary, as on the Barclays Center web site, the New Jersey Nets have three, not two, more years at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands–and that’s in a best-case scenario. The word comes directly from Forest City Ratner president (and Nets majority owner) Bruce Ratner, who indicated to shareholders in June that construction would start in January and take two-and-a-half years–a timetable far different from the developer’s and team’s public statements, including to season ticket-holders.” So, mid-2011 is a best case scenario.–AYR

[Photo courtesy of itsnotthatfar/Gl Flickr Pool]

Here’ s a shot of Red Hook at dusk that came to our GL Flickr pool via itsnothatfar.

Outside the Brooklyn Weather Observatory today, we have the makings of a sunny day. It will be sunny and warm today with a high of 88. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low of 72.–Accuweather

[Image courtesy of Captain_Nemo/Coney Island Message Board]

The other day, we had some images of developer Joe Sitt’s land in Coney Island being cleared out as the “Summer of Hope” attractions pulled out somewhat before the end of the summer. This is what the lot now looks like. (It was occupied by amusements until the summer of 2006 when Mr. Sitt evicted tenants and tore down the attractions.) Before the state of the Summer Season Mr. Sitt announced the “Summer of Hope,” promising rides and attractions on the land through Labor Day. Only two ticket booths remain.

Today for our Sunday Missed Connection we turn to one that offers evidence that some vomit does not stand in the way of lust:

Held your hair at Exit – m4w – 26 (the bathroom)

You: hot blonde chick in the silver skirt. Me: Dude that held your hair back while you puked. You have a nice ass. I think we shared a really good moment. Wanna hook up sometime? Hope to hear back from you soon!!!

Touching.

Here’s an email we got about a Car Wash going on today:

The Sacred Hearts – St. Stephen Altar Servers will be holding their annual Car Wash to be held today, from 11AM to 3PM in the Church Yard located at 125 Summit Street (off of Hicks St). The children hand wash each car in an effort to raise money to go on trips, have holiday parities and buy new liturgical materials for the church. John Heyer, the programs director explained that “this event not only raises much needed funds, but it also helps the children to understand the lessons of hard work, responsibility and community.” Cars are $12, Vans $18 and SUVs $18.

A good place to get the car washed if it needs it.

Vids from last week’s arm wrestling in Coney Island.

“The wine bar on the corner of Hoyt and Union (directly below us), is a complete nuisance. We are constantly battling with them about noise, they continually stay open, or at least operating, until 2 or 3AM in the morning, with music blasting. Our 2 year old can not sleep, and is sometimes forced to stay awake all night, until 3 or 4AM when he finally gets enough quiet to sleep. This is completely unfair, and being that this new business will be under the same ownership, very telling of things to come. The owner, James, continually ignores our complaints, doesn’t return our calls, and apparently doesn’t give a shit about what his employees are doing after the bar is closed. We’ve been physically threatened by bartenders after asking them to turn the music down, and now we will be surrounded.”–Work Underway on Hoyt Street Oyster Bar of Doom

[Photo courtesy of Erinmelina/GL Flickr Pool]

This is some of the art on display as part of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition show in Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo. The show alway provides great opportunities to juxtapose images of the city with art.

Is the future of Brooklyn drinking champagne? “Witness the Champagne Cup, a mixture of brandy, Benedictine, maraschino liqueur and Champagne, at the Jakewalk, a Carroll Gardens wine, cheese and cocktail bar that opened in the spring. Or the Grand Dame at Quarter Bar, which opened last summer on Fifth Avenue in South Slope; in the Grand Dame, oranges and cherries are muddled with sugar and orange bitters, then shaken with bourbon, strained, and topped with a float of dry sparkling wine. At Botanica, which opened last week in Red Hook, the Champagne, along with absinthe, is going into an opalescent, Hemingway-inspired drink called Death in the Afternoon.”–NYT

[Image courtesy of Lisacat/flickr]

This is a shot of the smoke pouring out of Sweetwater during a fire on Friday morning. We noted yesterday that a sign outside said the restaurant would be closed for a while.

Today should turn out nicer than yesterday with a forecast that calls for it to be partly sunny with a high of 87. Tonight will be clear with a low of 70.–Accuweather

[Photo courtesy of jlawsoul17/flickr]

We saw the smoke from the big fire at 57 Lincoln Road in Prospect Lefferts Gardens last night in Williamsburg and knew without even seeing the news that there was very big somewhere. Here’s 7Online’s report, in part:

Nineteen people were injured in a multi-alarm fire in Brooklyn on Friday night. The fire started shortly before 6:00 at 57 Lincoln Road in the Lefferts Gardens section. The fifth alarm was struck around 6:45 p.m. and the sixth alarm followed a short time later. At the height of the fire, flames and heavy smoke could be seen pouring from the roof of the building.

The fire was brought under control around 8 with more than 250 firefighters on the scene. More than 40 families have been displaced. There’s a short AP story about it in the Post.

Yesterday morning there were reports of a fire in Williamsburg around N. 6 or N. 7 Street. As it turns out, the fire was a Sweetwater, the restaurant and bar on N. 6 Street. We passed by yesterday evening and found the pungent smell of smoke outside and people that looked like the owners sitting dejected at the bar sipping beer. A sign in the window announced the closing. Outside someone who live above the restaurant was on a cell phone telling a friend about the fire. The restaurant says it will reopen soon.

This week’s adoptable cutie is from the Empty Cages Collective, a new group in North Brooklyn with a lot of wonderful creatures in need of a loving homes:

Here some info about Harlem:

Harlem is a handsome fellow of Manhattan descent. With a black coat and a white belly, Harlem might like to accompany you to your next formal, or perhaps just to your house or apartment as a permanent addition to your family! Harlem is a tall, muscular cat who possesses a tough guy exterior, which hides his inner sweetness and gentleness. He is extremely friendly and likes nothing more then someone brushing his fur or giving him a delicious treat. He likes to nuzzle up against a friend while he is being brushed or petted and giving a loving cat kiss. He is also a big fan of food! Harlem was originally rescued as a stray and brought to another animal rescue organization where he tested positive for the feline leukemia virus (FELV). This was quite a surprise, as Harlem is showing no symptoms of his condition and will likely live for years before succumbing to the virus – if he ever does. He would make a perfect addition to a home that is only looking to adopt one cat or one that already has one or more FELV+ cats. It is important to note, a single positive test result is no guarantee that any cat has the feline leukemia virus permanently. Harlem is up-to-date on vaccinations, has been treated for parasites, neutered, and will be microchipped prior to going to his new home. He believes, like we do, that he deserves his own loving home and not just a cage. Please consider being a hero for Harlem and adopting him into your family!

For more info about the Empty Cages collective, contact 1 (800) 880-2684 or email EmptyCagesCollective@gmail.com. Also, you can check out Harlem on Petfinder here. Here’s a vid below of Harlem shot by Miss Heather for us.

Pastosa Ravioli at 200 Court is history due to (surprise) what the owner says is a big rent increase. The word comes via an email we found on the BoCoCa Parents email list:

I stopped by Pastosa on Court Street today to pick up bread, cheese, etc. and was surprised to see the shelves practically empty. I asked the business owner what was happening. He said we was about to renew his lease but the building owner was raising his rent, a lot! Tomorrow is his last day. He is hoping to reopen somewhere in the neighborhood some day if he can find an affordable space. Please stop by and shop while he is still here. Pastosa, on Court St. between Warren and maybe Bergen.

Maybe Court Street will get another yoga studio or nail salon. Actually the space is too small. It is more suitable for a cell phone store.

The great blog Green Brooklyn is involved in hosting an event on Sunday (8/3) that’s about voting and supporting progressive causes. It takes place at Public Assembly, which is the former Galapagos space on N. 6 Street. GBK writes: “Come party and learn more about how to support local progressive causes in Brooklyn, register to vote, get involved in a national movement to build a million-strong green youth voter bloc, and more!” The event is an after-party for the Jelly NYC show at McCarren Pool and starts at 8PM. Public Assembly is lcoated at 70 N. 6 Street in Williamsburg. Click over to GBK for more.

To see the full flier click here.

We found this yesterday around Bedford Avenue and Lorimer Streets. Morely went missing on Thursday night.

The oracle of Prospect Park, Eugene Patron, sends a list of events coming up in Prospect Park this month “for all ages”:

Great for kids and parents: Songs In The Key Of New York, Saturday, August 16, 3 p.m. at the Lefferts Historic House. FREE. Come to the Lefferts Historic House for a special concert celebrating “Songs In The Key Of New York” a new record which features a collection of original songs about New York for children and parents alike. It is one of the first ever children’s records written exclusively about New York City. Songs In The Key Of New York is led by musicians/educators, Jeremy Zmuda and Clare Manchon. Their songs include “Subways All Ways”, “Taxi”, “Bridges and Tunnels”, and “Five Boroughs” just to name a few. Call (718) 789-2822 for more information. Also visit www.songsinthekeyofnewyork.com.

Twilight boat tours and more, ahead.

[Photo courtesy of Tracy Collins/GL Flickr Pool]

This image was captured by Tracy Collins, who is spending a of time chronicling the dismantling of part of Prospect Heights for the Atlantic Yards Development.

There are a few of these up around Williamsburg. We found this one on Meeker Avenue, oddly enough, attached to a dry cleaning plant that had a fire a few weeks ago. The other notices on the building urge people to contact their insurance company and reassure customers that the owners are working as hard as they can to sort things out.