This vid was posted on the always wonderful Amy’s New York Notebook. It is lovely. It’s a few minutes of natural beauty as seen from Red Hook.

Visual:

• Red Hook Mural [Blue Jake]
• Gowanus [f.trainer/flckr]
• Bed-Stuy Architectural Digest [Bed-Stuy Banana]
• Urban Cowboy [Park Slope Street Photography]
• Rainbow Clouds + Security [Brooklynometry]
• Manhattan Ave. [autovac/flckr]
• Signs of Life/Metropolitan-Lorimer [Blather from Brooklyn]
• Dead Tree, BQE [Blue Jake]
• Botanica de la BQE [f.trainer/flckr]
• Sunset Park 2000 [Fading Ad Blog]
• Vintage in the Burg [globevision/flickr]

Less Visual:

• Killer Involved in Burg Hostage Siege 35 Years Ago Denied Parole [NYP]
• 475 Kent Tenants Write to Bloomberg, Wanting to Be Let Back In [Brownstoner]
• Atlantic Yards Camera Club Tomorrow [AYR]
• Join the Atlantic Yards Camera Club!!! [Brit in Brooklyn]
• Imagining the Possibilities of a Connected G Train [BDE]
• Bed-Stuy Real Estate Picks [Bed-Stuy Blog]
• RIP David Oats, Activist & Dear Friend of Flushing Meadows Park [NYDN]
• Lonely Hearts at Slope’s Community Bookstore [OTBKB]
• More Sanctimony About Pint Sized Park Slope Street Urinators [Brooklynometry]
• Kensington Shooting [Kensington Brooklyn]
• Fort Greene Muggers Have Good Taste in Bags [Set Speed]
• Strollers, Toddlers, Mommies, Bars & Union Hall [NYT]
• New to Market [Dumbo NYC]

Icky in Brooklyn, who so brilliantly chronicled things in Windsor Terrace and weighed in on issues elsewhere that inspired him, is back. We’re noting this because we miss Icky’s voice. He writes: This blog was in effect, retired last month. But sometimes sometimes a story so appealing happens along, well … ya know.” The issue that has inspired Mr. Icky involves the aftermath of an injury and eBay.–Icky in Brooklyn

“What had once been the site of the Hollywood-connected Bay Ridge Funeral Home is now nearly a half-block long hole in the ground, easily providing passersby a glimpse into their neighbors’ side-street backyards from the rare vantage point of Fourth Avenue – for now.” It will become a seven-story condo. Earlier excavation unearthed a time capsule 47 years before it was due to surface.–Right in Bay Ridge

Here’s a very shot vid of one of Brooklyn’s pigs going for a walk, with some shots from pig height. (Warning: kind of irritating soundtrack).

Robert Rodriguez, a 10-year Ridgewood resident by way of Bushwick, says hipsters have begun to penetrate the southern reaches of Ridgewood from neighboring DeKalb and Jefferson avenues in Bushwick “little by little.” With their arrival, the neighborhood has improved. “They’re definitely coming in and cleaning things up around here… They’ve even made it to Wyckoff. There are fewer drunks and crackheads, the shopping is even better…I don’t want to say it’s because of the hipsters and yuppies are coming, because it’s not like they are pushing people out; but when they arrive things do tend to get better.”–The Local/TRE

Grimshaw Architects have been picked to design a possible Coney Island amphitheater in Asser Levy Park in Coney Island. The announcement came from Borough President Marty Markowitz’s who said the Grimshaw firm, which has dozens of high profile projects around the world in its portfolio and is doing the redesign of the historic Queens Museum building in Flushing Meadow Park as well as the (much diminished) design of the Fulton Transit Center in Manhattan, will design a new “Coney Island Center” that would become a stop on the summer outdoor concert circuit akin to Jones Beach. There has been community opposition to the noise such a facility would create, as it is surrounded by apartment buildings.

We are suckers for stories about the Little Pissing Princes of Park Slope, aka the little ones that take whizzes out in the street and the parents that help them. One the one hand, we understand the problem. On the other, we’re not sure why people think it’s okay to have their kids go on a tree like they’re Golden Retrievers. In any case, we have new fodder thanks to the good people over at the Park Slope Forum on Brooklynian. The story:

I was walking my dog this morning around 8:25 on 14th between 7th and 8th, when i walked by what at first looked like a father consoling his son, standing close behind him and sort of hugging/sheltering him (i’m guessing the kid was between 8-10, judging by size). but on quick closer inspection, i realized that he was actually sheltering his son from view while the kid peed into the road.

Which led to this tale:

I was at work last summer with the door open, I have a good view of the tree in front of the bookstore. A woman stopped by the tree with a little girl 2 or 3 years old (I’m terrible with ages). The woman lifted the little girl’s dress (no underwear) then held her up so she could pee in the tree well. This was on a sunny afternoon on 7th Ave, tons of people on the street. A 2 or 3 year old being unable to control their bladder I can understand. But an 8-10 year old? Hopefully, it was just poor planning and there was nothing wrong with the kid.

Which led to this somewhat off-topic, yet compelling story:

I saw a chick pee on the subway one night a couple weeks ago. #2 train (haha) Brooklyn bound from 72nd St. Damn, there is a public restroom at 42nd St. Her friends held a big coat out as a privacy barrier. She pissed right on the train, in front of the door leading to the next car. I changed cars at 42nd. Ew. They were all tore and beyond conversation. It would never occur to my boys to pee in the street because I have never provided that to them as an option.

It has not escaped our notice that the person that related the original Park Slope Pissing story was walking her dog, which does impart some irony. You can follow the entire amusing conversation here. And, for a trip down memory lane, might we suggest our post on the Subway Potting Pissing from last year. We now return to coverage of land use, zoning and other weighty issues.

Was it barely two years ago that the lighting scheme designed by Leni Schwendinger was unveiled? Well, the very subtle lighting debuted to mixed reviews and apparently hasn’t done the trick and, now, Borough President Marty Markowitz is pushing a $1.5 million project that would include another redo of the lighting for Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower. The previous lighting project took two years to design and complete. During his State of the Borough Speech, Mr. Markowitz said, “I look forward to ‘Phase Two’ of the ‘blinging up’ of the Parachute Jump.” He also said that he still hopes it will be returned to its original use as a functioning ride.

Among the highlights of Borough President Marty Markowitz’s State of the Borough speech last night was a suggestion that the city cancel a that puts the New York Aquarium in Coney Island under the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the Bronx Zoo. Mr. Markowitz basically suggested the institution is getting a raw deal in terms of budget and attention from the Society. He said he is working with the Mayor’s office to “consider the possibility of a Brooklyn-based board of directors to take control” of the New York Aquarium. “While I applaud the Society’s work with zoos,” he said, “this aquarium needs a whale-size investment—not a budget the size of a guppy.” He said that “the aquarium remains a perennial after-thought for funding and programming.” The status of the Aquarium’s desperately needed–and much publicized–makeover is unclear.

It looks like Banbalotto, the hooka bar and Mediterranean restaurant on N. 4 Street near Bedford Avenue, may not be drawing smoke much longer. We came across a listing for a restaurant/lounge available for “amazing under market rent.” When we went to look we found it was a “a 2200 sq ft Hooka Bar on North 4th and Bedford. Full Liquor Lic, Full Kitchen w/hood, completely turn key Bar/Restaurant!” Banbalotto has been open a little more than a year. The space can be yours for $5,665 a month.
[Photo courtesy of A Test of Will]

“Is anyone else disappointed at the quality of the coffee at the 7th Ave (10 St.) Tea Lounge? It used to be the best coffee around, but lately it’s fairly hideous…Plus, the place really looks filthy. Behind the counter it’s disgusting, the couches are even worse, and the outside of the place is a total eyesore for the neighborhood. This is a place I’ve loved for years, but the owner I think is really letting it slip while he grows the business and opens locations in other spots…” (GL Note: Recently, we noted that the Union Street Tea Lounge was in particularly disgusting and deplorable condition, without getting into the issue of the out-of-control child threatening to knock scalding hot tea all over us, which is a parental issue rather than a Tea Lounge issue, per se. There was trash and filth everywhere, full trash cans and it looked like no one had lifted a finger to clean anything all day. In a word: Nasty.)–Brooklynian

This is the site of the Jim Mamary proposed Oyster Bar on residential Hoyt Street in Carroll Gardens. Formerly a questionable Dr’s office. Neighbors have protested and are against a liquor license. Mamary claims his patrons won’t be rowdy or drunk and will be mostly women based on his wine bar next door. Yeah, women don’t get drunk. He also claims there will be no kitchen, yet the menu boasts grilled items.

Mr. Mamary is one of Brooklyn’s most prolific creators of restaurants, including Patois on Smith Street. His new foray into Ditmas Park attracted the attention of the New York Times this past Sunday.

Someone forwarded us an email that originated with the busy and often interesting Park Slope Parents email group that returns to the topic of muggings in Park Slope that had flared up a few weeks ago, but that hadn’t been borne out by a statistical upsurge in robbery. In this case, someone living on Tenth Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue was mugged at his door at 6:30PM. The resident was almost inside his door when he realized that someone was behind him. “The man tried to come in the door and he pulled out a knife,” the email says. “The two of them struggled, pushing from either side of the door. The mugger didn’t say anything during the attack. My husband let go of the door and came further into the house–the mugger grabbed his bag and ran up the street.” The mugger apparently ran back to the Seventh Avenue station and took the F Train. The mugger was described being tall, in his 20s, wearing orange pants and a dark top. Orange pants? Way to blend.

[Photo courtesy of keithcarver/flickr]

Maybe it’s a little premature to say that Third Avenue is about to become the new Fourth Avenue (or something like that), but there is clearly a lot of activity on and around this forlorn Gowanus boulevard. All you need to do is put everything together on a map and the picture crystallizes. In short, there is a lot going on as anyone can see in all the arrows.–Brownstoner

That story about the MTA officer that harassed someone shooting video of the Atlantic Yards footprint reported by Atlantic Yards Report pissed off a lot of photographers and bloggers, many of whom do duty as journalists without the minimal protections offers by press credentials. (Not that a press card is a shield against those bent on interfering with reporting and photography, but every little bit helps when one is out there.) In any case, there’s now a “Photographer’s Rights Free Expression Mobilization” planned for Sunday, February 10 at 3PM. Per a posting at the DDDB website:

A “photographers’ rights free expression mobilization” responding to the harassment of video artist/teacher Katherin McInnis by an MTA police officer last Sunday, February 3rd on public property within the Atlantic Yards footprint. We will discuss photographers’ rights and the Atlantic Yards situation, then walk and photograph within the footprint. Depending on circumstances, we may have the opportunity to engage in respectful information exchange with MTA police and/or private security personnel. End point: Freddy’s Bar and Backroom, 485 Dean Street, corner of Sixth Avenue. Meet at the Brooklyn Bears Community Garden, Pacific Street and Flatbush Avenue, entrance on Pacific. If there’s *heavy* rain or snow, we’ll change the meeting place to Freddy’s Bar, 485 Dean, corner of Sixth Avenue.

Nice touch, wrapping up at Freddy’s.

• Markowitz Gives Final State of the Borough Speech [NYDN]
• Pushing a G Train Connection at Atlantic/Pacific Streets [BDE]
• Brooklyn Heights House Has Serious Case of Shingles [McBrooklyn]
• Hello Living Continuing to Rise [Brownstoner]
• 17th Street Fence Details [Brooklynometry]
• Across from the Domino Plant, Circa 1998 [Fading Ad Blog]
• Waiting for the Developer [Pardon Me for Asking]
• Another Kensington Demolition [Kensington Brooklyn]
• Troutman Street Un-Doorman [New York Shitty]
• More Thoughts on Gentrification & Race in Brooklyn [The Borough/TRE]
• Bay Ridge Restaurant Robberies [Bay Ridge Rover]
• 7th Avenue Park Slope Frozen Yogurt Mystery Updated [Brownstoner]
• More Details About Union Hall Gowanus Expansion [OTBKB]
• Real Neighborhood Roots [Lost City]
• Bed-Stuy Murals [Bed-Stuy Banana]
• Virtual Hot Dog Eating Contest [Kinetic Carnival]
• New Vinegar Hill Pharmacy is Open [Dumbo NYC]

With the big development at 340 Court Street about to enter the demolition phase, the Union-Sackett Block Association, which is keeping tabs on the controversial development, is having its next meeting on Saturday (2/9) at 11:30 AM. The meeting will take place at the Carroll Gardens Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, which is located at 396 Clinton Street. The email urges people to attend “because you love Carroll Gardens…Because you’re concerned about the 340 Court St. development. Because you’re interested in down zoning the neighborhood. Because you care about local businesses.” Info about the association is available via its Union-Sackett Blog.

The Burg is getting a green building at 439 Metropolitan Avenue. It will have a mix of apartments and office space from Helder Design. It’s NYC’s first LEED Platinum rating for a mixed-use buildings and one of several green buildings going up in Brooklyn, including the Greenbelt, another Williamsburg structure. The bad news is it’s right where there is a never ending flow of traffic turning off Metropolitan Avenue to get on the BQE.–Curbed

Here’s an email that is making the round to promote a new “monthly lecture series” called Adult Ed that is “devoted to making useless knowledge somewhat less useless,” which is a cause we can always get behind, if not relate to. Per the email, “Each month is devoted to a given theme, and 4 speakers will address some aspect of that theme using visual aids.” And so, the first installment will take place on Tuesday (2/12) at Union Hall in Park Slope. It starts at 8PM and admission is $5. The program is as follows: Daniel Radosh on The Quest to Develop Kosher Bacon, Mikki Halpin on Sexual Violence in the Domestic Pug, Jeffrey Kastner presenting A Brief History of Animals on Trial and Carrie McLaren speaking on a topic to be decided. Union Hall, which has gotten a lot of blog space in the last few weeks for its brave (and short lived) attempt to ban strollers and toddlers is located at 702 Union St. at 5th Ave in Park Slope.