Park Slope’s ‘SNice, at Fifth Avenue and Third Street, has established itself as a very popular place in the short time since it opened. We stopped in over the weekend for some excellent vegetarian food, including the excellent vegetarian meatball sub and a taste of the tofu wrap, plus some good vegan chocolate chip cookies. What was interesting, though, were the signs saying “No Computers” on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. (We’re not clear what’s defined as a holiday–whether the request covers National Holidays only whether state holidays are included.) We have to say it’s the first such sign we can recall coming across in Brooklyn, although the policy might be more widespread than we know. We can also see both pluses and minuses to the policy, the pluses being keeping tables moving (it was darned crowded) and the minuses being offending people that want to crack open their laptops. They that giveth the wi-fi, we suppose, also can taketh away.

The Prospect Park Alliance sent some great photos of this weekend’s Little League Parade through Park Slope and into the park that are worth sharing. The event drew more than 1,000 Little League players and family members on the traditional park “opening day.” Play ball.

A GL reader writes to say that the owner of Barrio, the much blogged about new Mexican restaurant on Seventh Avenue at Third Street in Park Slope (if the food lives up to volume of the blog coverage, it’ll be a winner), will be opening in about ten days, which would put D-Day around April 16. In addition, the owner says that the mystery building next door on Third Street “is finally in preparation to be completely renovated.” There is no evidence of building permits for 497 Third Street being filed yet, however.

[Photo courtesy of seventyoneplace/flickr]

Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea debuted yesterday in Fort Greene on a less than ideal day. Turnout in the chilly weather was quite good and a GL Correspondent visited and sent back a number of photos, some of which are below. In the meantime, there are more than 100 photos of opening day posted on flickr already.

Related Posts:
Dogs in Bags [General Greene]
Holy Flea! [Clinton Hill Blog]
Brooklyn Flea Starts Today [Clinton Hill]

There is more coverage of that Murakami swag story that broke online at Radar about how Borough President Marty Markowitz’s wife “hoarded” Murakami swag after the Bruce Ratner Gala on Thurdsay. Jotham Sederstrom follows up in today’s Daily News. Here’s a sample:

Who knew the first lady of Brooklyn was also its biggest booster? Jamie Markowitz, the wife of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, scooped up eight pricey fiberglass place mats – works of art by pop artist Takashi Murakami – set aside for guests at a glitzy Brooklyn Museum gala. The limited-edition Technicolor mats, which have sold for $1,000 on eBay after a similar event, were included in a grab bag of pricey freebies for guests celebrating the opening of the artist’s three-month exhibition last Thursday.

“It’s a little true,” Markowitz laughed Sunday when asked about an item on RadarOnline.com that painted her as a tad greedy. Radar reported that when several guests who didn’t get a mat asked for one of her eight, she replied, “You guys really should have acted faster. This is Brooklyn!“

To another, she said, “You snooze, you lose, buddy. Forget it.” …Markowitz wasn’t the only one making a mad dash for the costly dining accessories, according to a witness at the glamorous ball.

Story confirmed, apparently.

We had some preliminary Celebrate Brooklyn bookings last week, and Brooklyn Vegan–the source for music news–is weighing in with more:

Jun 12 – Isaac Hayes (first show of the season)
Jun 19 – Medeski Martin and Wood, Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog (DEFINITELY FREE)
Jun 22 – Salif Keita
Jun 24 – Gilberto Gil (tix)
Jun 26 – Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dixie Hummingbirds
July 17 – Jerry Douglas Band, The Holmes Brothers
July 25 – Philip Glass, Marta Topferova
Aug 01 – The Knights, Christina Courtin
Aug 02 – The Sippy Cups, Ariane Bass Bass Bass
Aug 03 – Daby Toure

Also, there will be appearances by Miriam Makeba, Beth Orton, a screening of Enter the Dragon with music by Karsh Kale, a tribute to Bill Withers and a Feist benefit concert.

Over the weekend, Atlantic Yards Report noted that the Landmarks Preservation Commission is going to present proposed boundaries for a Prospect Heights Historic District at a community forum on Wednesday, April, at 7:00 PM. (The map above shows an independent proposal for a district from the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council and the Municipal Art Society. There’s more info at the Development Council’s website. The forum is at P.S. 9, 80 Underhill Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street). The Atlantic Yards footprint is not within the boundaries of the proposed boundaries.

1) Aperitivo, which is the new Fifth Avenue outpost of the Seventh Avenue Italian restaurant Sotto Voce, is now sporting a name on its glass. The bistro is supposed to open at the corner of First Street sometime this month, as noted by Brownstoner last month. Sotto Voce is also opening a new “family-style” restaurant called Alta Voce on Fifth Avenue between Second and Third Streets, sometime in June.

2) Brooklyn Bread Company continues its march toward opening on Fifth Avenue at Sixth Street. The signs are up and it looks like they are getting close.

What is that stuff? We came across it in front of Brooklyn Fish Camp over the weekend, giving off an indescribable scent mixed with some sort of cleaner. People saw it, stopped, sniffed and walked into the street to avoid walking through it. Some brave souls walked through the watered down megabarf-looking substance. It looked like it might have come from some sort of nasty cleanup at the restaurant, though there is a chance it could have emanated from elsewhere. One person said it wasn’t the first time the sleaze had been out there. All we can say is that it was some of the most disgusting stuff we’ve seen on a sidewalk in a long time (putting aside blown chunks and crap) and that we opted to walk around it. Anyone with knowledge of the vile Fifth Avenue Slime, do let us know.

“The Vue really lives up to its name by providing me with an intimate view of the life going on INSIDE the building. As people have been moving in over the past week or two, I have seen way too much of the new residents, literally. Thankfully a lot of window shades have been put up lately. Hopefully everyone will soon have shades.”–Brooklynian

[Left photo courtesy of Captain Nemo/Coney Island Message Board]

A Coney Island food stand that was shut down last year and surrounded with a fence by developer Joe Sitt has lost the fence. The poster known as Captain Nemo at the Coney Island Message Board took a photo of the de-fenced stand, which had offered a magnificent backdrop last year for people eating in front of a tagged fence amidst trash. Whether Mr. Sitt is simply investing in a better fence or will actually allow a tenant to operate the stand this season is unknown. Here’ hoping for the latter, but expecting the former.

[Photo courtesy of GL’s Carroll Gardens Correspondent]

Brooklinks is a selection of Brooklyn-related information and images:

• Forest City Ratner: “We Still Need More Subsidies” [AYR]
• Brooklyn Man Killed by Subway Train [NYDN]
• Redemption Center in Brownsville Returns Prisoners to Life [NYT]
• BAM Screens The Sargassa Manuscript [DITHOB]
• Artist Paints Tribute to Fallen Cop [NYDN]
• Greenpoint Public Baths [Fading Ad Blog]
• Magnolia Holiday [A Year in the Park]
• Weekend at the Botanic Garden, Part I [Flatbush Gardener]
• Bob’s Grinding Service [Lost City]
• Respect Yourself [Bed-Stuy Banana]
• Madina Reopens [Ditmas Park Blog]
• Waiting for Korres on Montague Street [BHB]

Here’s a new Faile work that went up in the last week on N. 10 Street in the Burg in a spot that has hosted many works over the years.

“Years ago, along side the Brighton Line, was a spur for the Long Island Railroad that ended in Manhattan Beach. There are some remnants visible today, even though service ended in the late 1800’s. I took some photos at Neck Road station on the Brighton Line. Easy to see are two staircases on both sides of where the right of way would have been. To the left is the present bridge truss of the Brighton Line. This is to the east of the present bridge truss. While the truss is long gone, the concrete embankment that used to hold the truss in place is still there.” There are some photos of the remains over at Magical Theme Parks (which is a fun site to explore, regardless).–GL Inbox

From the traffic insanity known as Grand Army Plaza. Hope no one without a clue about finding Prospect Park actually has to do so.

The inimitable Kevin Walsh, whose Forgotten New York site is one of our favorite things anywhere, is holding his 33rd Forgotten NY tour on Sunday, April 20, in Gravesend, the neighborhood between Bensonhurst and Coney Island. He writes that it is:

one of the oldest populated areas on Long Island and in the nation itself. It contains numerous historic homes, and even its street plan is the original one first adopted after the area was first settled in 1643.

There are several historic houses and cemeteries in the area, which we will visit, and along the way we’ll look at one of Brooklyn’s oldest thoroughfares, hunt for remaining trolley tracks, discuss a long-forgotten “bicycle railroad” and spot a few ancient subway cars as we walk past Coney Island Yards, and finish at Nathan’s Famous, where several hot dogs will be consumed.

The group will me up at the Avenue U Station on the F Line, meeting at the SW corner at the Carvel. The cost is $5 and it will last 2 1/2 to 3 hours, covering Avenue U, Village Roads N & S and end at Nathans in Coney Island. (The rain date is Sunday, May 5.) Register by emailing erpietri (at) earthlink (dot) net. Deadline is April 18 and FNY asks for a cell number in the email.

There is definitely early morning gloom outside at the Brooklyn Weather Observatory. Today’s forecase calls for “rather cloudy and breezy with a bit of drizzle.” The high will be 47, but it will feel like 36. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low of 40.–Accuweather

We came across the response to a call in the building next to Willie’s Dawgs on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope this weekend. Fortunately, the FDNY quickly determined that there was no fire in the building.

We were out and about yesterday on a glorious Spring day in Park Slope and at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, while our Correspondent Anna Lewis was at the Opening Day festivities in Propsect Park. We can report that Fifth Avenue is starting to bloom (above) and that the magnolias at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and a few early blooming cherry trees are looking spectacular. Meanwhile, Anna reports that “Opening Day at Prospect Park on Saturday brought the annual Little League Baseball Parade, plenty of unexpected sunshine and dozens of volunteers from around the city to help spruce up the park for its busy spring season.” GL loves spring.

[Photo courtesy of Anna Lewis]
New York Cares volunteers remove leaves and debris from around the historic Tennis House.

A Botanical Garden wedding amidst the magnolias.

Early bloomers at the BBG.

Ah, Sunday, the day we turn to our Craigslist Brooklyn Missed Connection. Once again, the Missed Connections take us to the subway as they so often do, but this one is not like the other MC’s about passing glances traded from seats on the train or on the platform:

Thurs your phone flew on to the tracks at the 25th st R station – m4w – 32 (Brooklyn)

Hey there,

I’m the guys who jumped down to grab your phone for you. I didn’t think to chat with you at the time only because it seemed, for whatever reason, like I would have been trying to take advantage of the situation. Well, I hope you see this. I’d love to chat with you over a cup of coffee or tea sometime if you’re ever up for it.

Please email the guy.

Ah, another weekend of insane service changes on the F line, from Park Slope to Jay Street-Borough Hall, and the Running of the Shuttle Buses. We caught the monthly Running of the Buses at Ninth Street and Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, where people were staring slack jawed at the mindboggling set of directions from the MTA attempting to explain the disruptions and how to get from one place to another. Rumors that the MTA is offering a free unlimited monthly Metrocard to the first person actually able to explain how to get from 15th Street/Prospect Park to Dumbo that doesn’t involve walking, bicycling, driving or taking a car service, are completely untrue. If any readers had experiences with the mess yesterday or today and wish to share, please do so below or via email at thegowanuslounge (at) gmail (dot) com.

Here’s another adoptable pet of the week from the Brooklyn Animal Rescource Coalition (BARC) shelter in Williamsburg.

We got a photo of Sergio yesterday a little late to post, so we figured we’d present him today, as he’s in need of a home and some TLC from someone willing to offer some love to an older dog who could use some comfort. Here’s some info about him:

Sergio has some problems. His eyesight isn’t what it used to be, he’s a little cranky and he’s not going to perform tricks to impress your friends or join you for long walks to the park. His very biggest problem is he’s living in a shelter when he should be napping on a big soft bed, eating yummy treats and being a loyal friend and companion to the lucky human who takes him home! Sergio is a true mutt, can you figure out his heritage? He’s a small dog, about 20 pounds, but has a big personality! Contact BARC to meet him in person.

For more info about BARC click here or call 718-486-7489 and tell them you want Sergio.

Every week, we offer a fairly random selection of comments that GL readers have left during the previous seven days. Here are this week’s choices:

Ratner Post-Gala: Did Marty’s Wife “Hoarde” Murakami Swag? “Actually, a great story… reflects perfectly the current zeitgeist in Brooklyn. Grab as much as you can as fast as you can, and screw your neighbors.” [Anonymous]

Available on Hope Street in Williamsburg. “What is unappealing about the sign, however, is how it blatantly disrespects the artwork beneath it. The sign should read ‘Help drive the final nails in the culture that once thrived in Williamsburg.'” [MikeM]

F Train Weekend Cluster…Complex Series of Service Changes. “It should read ‘Best way to get to Manhattan: Cab’ People were gawking at this sign in the Carroll Street station. I took one look at it and it made my brain hurt.” [Z.Madison]

Will Obscure Charter Provision be Used in Gowanus? “In the past century, there has only been one City Council vote that passed by less than three-fourths of the Council: Congestion pricing. Good luck!” [Anonymous]

Gowanus Rezoning Memory Refresh-O-Matic: Tall. “Just because the City says that the rezoning will occur in a specified way does not mean that there will be building in those area. The enviromental aspects to the Toll brother land are widely present throughout the to be rezoned area. If enough light can be shown on that, and on the impact of all these new people on the already overworked infrastructure, then the City will be forced to do what it should do: clean the enviroment, make plans for the newcomers, and then do some type of building. BTW, Toll Brothers’ bonds have been placed on a “watch” list – a precurser, often, to downgrading.” [Mike]

The move to rename J.J. Byrne Park as Washington Park is continuing to make progress. Mr. Byrne was a Brooklyn borough president elected in 1926 who died in office four years later. The park would be given the name it had in the 1880s “when it was home to the baseball team that would become the Dodgers. That name is a nod to the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, in which British and American forces fought for control of the farmhouse. As a consolation prize, a playground within the park would be named after Mr. Byrne.” The legislation is expected to pass the City Council.–NYT