Here’s the WNBC segment aired yesterday called “Open House Coney Island” about our favorite Brooklyn waterfront destination and its future. It was posted to YouTube by “Rapid T. Rabbit” on the Coney Island Message Board and we found it very early this morning thanks to Kinetic Carnival. It’s worth a quick viewing.

There are many Brooklyn Missed Connections that happened on New Year’s Eve, which may be one of the most biggest annual missed connections days of them all. There are 29 Brooklyn Missed Connections on Craigslist that mention New Year’s and 14 that say NYE. Here are two, from Williamsburg and Greenpoint, that we think go together in an odd sort of way:

where are you, anaesthesiologist from switzerland? – w4m – 37

after ringing in the new year, i met you on the roof outside chris and abby’s loft near the williamsburg bridge. you felt strongly about Freud’s neurobiological work in his early career. you were wearing a very battered straw hat for reasons i never discerned. you shamelessly shared your last cigarettes with me, and kissed me after you told me your birthday. i remember your birthday and your name, but can’t for the life of me figure out how to continue our discussion. none of my friends at the party seemed to know you or how to get in touch with you. if you’re out there and would like to talk more about memory, neurosciences, astrology or anything else that comes up, there’s a redhead in brooklyn who would like to speak with you.

I fell asleep on your couch, you asked me to leave… – m4w – 32

We met at CoCo 66 New Years morn. You joined me in a duet of “Need you Tonight” by INXS. We went back to your place off Calyer where I proceeded to doze off on your couch. You told me I had to go. How embarassing! My apologies, had been a long evening. Wanna try this again Miss E? How was your sandwich?

There are many other interesting ones as well.

The notoriously congested Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn would be demolished and replaced by 4 miles of greenery under a plan being floated by a leading architectural group, the Daily News has learned.

Designs drafted by the American Institute of Architects call for replacing the deteriorating Third Ave. expressway with a glitzy cable suspension roadway on First Ave. and filling the gap with miles of trees and bike paths.

We figure the odds of us living long enough to see this magnificent vision realized are slim, but there’s always hope for future generations.

• Hot Saturday Night in the Burg [New York Shitty]
• Baby Killing Kensington Doberman Euthanized [Gothamist]
• Revisiting the Scene of a Firefighter’s Death [NYT]
• Mulchfest at Park Circle [Flatbush Gardener]
• Weekly Dumbo Links [Dumbo NYC]
• Lightpost Philosophy [Brooklyn Junction]
• A Lot of Reasons to Love Brooklyn [NYDN]
• Back in Bed-Stuy [Bed-Stuy Banana]
• Holidays Over on Gerritsen Avenue [GerritsenBeach.Net]
• Scruffy Site Goes Chinese in Bay Ridge [Bay Ridge Blog]

Once a week, we like to feature a few comments left during the previous seven days by GL readers. Here are a few of them:

GL Reader Question: Why So Many Cash Only Restaurants?:
“It used to be more of a thing in Manhattan than it is now. I think in Manhattan they realized they had no choice, but there are still holdouts. I am only truly annoyed by it if the restaurant does not clearly indicate that the establishment is cash only, and/or if the server and other staff cannot immediately tell me where the closest ATM is. It is a detriment to the restaurant and they understand this but they also clearly need positive cash flow at all times. That outweighs any desire they have to get that extra $20 out of you. What irks me these days is ‘no credit cards for delivery’. I’m tired, I’m hungry, I worked until 8:30. I should have gotten money on the way home but I thought there was still X in the fridge. I call and suddenly it’s ‘no credit cards for delivery’? Talk about losing business. [Jukebox Graduate]

“It’s tax evasion. No credit card receipts, no record of how much they actually did in sales that night. Sure they don’t have to pay fees, but they also can evade getting caught paying taxes. It’s the restaurant industry, folks!” [Anonymous]

The Ugliest Karl Fischer: Now on Full View. “Just think of “inner” williamsburg as Rego Park for middle class hipsters. Sorry you can’t afford the really nice stuff.” [Anonymous]

Smith Street’s No. 1 Laundry is Victim of Massive Rent Increase. “What and who will pay the rent? A gullible restaauranteur with lots of capital. Its a corner spot on Smith. Some fool will put a French bisto up in no time. Or the 11th Thai restaurant.” [Anonymous]

Meet the Nightmare on Pacific Street. “This reminds me of the horrific buildings on the outskirts of Sarajevo.” [Anonymous]

Uh, one of those Craigslist Personal Ad with a Brooklyn woman offering, uh, services because she needed Christmas cash was bogus. And so, a 40-year-old Brooklyn woman was bombarded with phone calls from guys offering to pay her for, you know, services. Investigation underway.–NYDN

So we left the safety and sanity of our digs on Manhattan’s toney East Side and, after several changes of subway trains, found ourselves crossing the East River and arriving at the first stop in Williamsburg.

For the better part of the last century Williamsburg had been home to an ultra Orthodox group of Hasidic Jews, but all that has changed as we noted when we stepped from our train at its first stop.

Out in the street the scene looked pretty much as it might have half a century ago – a bit seedy with rundown storefronts and a group of locals who looked less like the Upper East Side of Manhattan than extras from Goodwill.

For my companion this was not a promising start to our day’s exploration of what I had presented of Brooklyn as the newest enclave for hip young New Yorkers. However, I persevered and, in retrospect, had we not we would have missed a day of great discovery.

Indeed the universe does not end at the East River, but continues across the Williamsburg Bridge into an emerging scene of art galleries, chic new restaurants at reasonable prices and lots of young people who have rediscovered the excitement of living “la vida loca” in some place other than Manhattan.

Call it a Renaissance if you like or better yet a rediscovery of the sort of easy laid-back life I remember from the early ’60s when I went to school and worked in Manhattan. While there are other areas of Brooklyn that have been on the radar for a while, including Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg seems to be the neighborhood of the moment.

Seems to be? Talk about understatements. We would take issue with the fact that the story says that the Gowanus Holiday Inn Express on Union Street is in “historic Park Slope.”

Here are some vids posted to the YouTube since New Year’s Day of the Coney Island Polar Bears January 1, 2008 swim.

The Prospect Heights Forum over a Brooklynian has been buzzing for months because of a mini-crime wave of muggings around the Heights. Now, there’s an email that is being circulated via the Park Slope Parents Group that says some serial muggers seem to be hard at work in Park Slope and are targeting women. (Reported robberies in the 78th Precinct were up 33 percent in December, but down 12.5 percent for the year overall.) The email in full:

My wife, daughters and I have been Park Slopers for several years and are dedicated to the neighborhood and the community.

My wife was mugged around 8pm on New Year’s Day on 8th Ave and 2nd Street by two hooded men. They followed her, held her and grabbed her purse. She was physically unharmed, but very upset and feels deeply violated. It was very traumatic for our daughters to see their mother as upset as she was.

The police responded quickly and during the investigation said that this has been going on regularly in the neighborhood. It has happened several times in the last week and the M.O. is always the same. Two or three men with hoods pulled way over their faces or scarves covering them, sometimes with knives, after dark, looming in the shadows – especially on 8th Ave or PPW [Prospect Park West]. They have chosen their location, they have decided on a method and most disturbingly they have picked their victim: women walking by themselves after dark.

I wondered if you could help inform the community about this to help avoid any more women being mugged and violated in this neighborhood so loved for it’s safety and civility. In print, online and/or as e-mail, anything and everything that spreads the word in the community would be a help.

There are many threads on the Prospect Heights mugging wave over at Brooklynian. Meanwhile, crime data from the 78th Precinct shows that there were 20 reported robberies in December, which is up from 15 in December, 2006, making for a 33 percent increase.

[Photo courtesy of keithcarver/flickr]

Would you believe I haven’t found them a home yet? There have been some good prospects, but so far no success. 3 out of 4 ended up adopting grown-up cats, so that’s a very good thing…Last I heard they were still at BARC…waiting.

Brandy and Alexandra were found on Grand Street in Williamsburg. You can find a full photo set of them here. Nor do you want to miss Gitano and Horatio, originally from Bushwick, who are still available. If you have room in your home and your heart for any of them, contact lisacatv (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Coney Island USA’s David Gratt is spreading the word that State Sen. Karl Kruger, who used his campaign funds to bus in people that shut down the first public information session about the Coney Island plan, is planning an encore. He will be bring protestors to the new sessions, the first of which is on Monday at 6:30. Here is what Mr. Gratt writes:

I have been informed that Sen. Kruger and his merry band of yellow-capped seniors will once again be bussed in to the Coney Island information sessions.

If anyone is remotely interested in speaking, for or against the proposal, please come. It’s important that the authentic voice of the community chime in as well as people from outside the community.

Anyone wishing to speak will be asked to sign up at the registration table on the way in. Please keep statements to 3 minutes or under; it’s a drag to be cut off. I have to trim my own testimony.

Again, the Lincoln High School (2800 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn) sessions are:

Monday, January 7, 2008 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

and a daytime session at Coney Island Hospital (2601 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn ) will be held:

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

And please remember that these are *information* sessions…they are not part of the official public approval process. If you don’t get a chance to speak, you can submit testimony in writing to the CIDC or sign up to speak at the public hearing, or submit written testimony as part of the ULURP process. See everyone next week!

The Save Coney Island group has also issued a call to its supporters to show up–in costume, if possible. Sounds like another free-for-all in the works.

[Photo courtesy of dnblg1/flckr]

Yesterday, Brooklynometry expressed some very pointed second thoughts about the “Park Slope stroller mafia.” Then, we came across a long thread on the Park Slope Forum at Brooklynian.com: “The defining moment of Park Slope Parents’ stupidity.” Here is the first post in the thread:

This was posted on Park Slope Parents, and forwarded to me. This sort of thinking epitomizes what I detest about neurotic PSPs. I don’t even know where to begin…but, isn’t the alphabet something YOU teach your kids? Like, umm…sort of naturally? Maybe even have fun without outsourcing it?! I mean, how early do these control freaks want to plug their kids in?! HORRIFIED!

Please help!
>
> Someone told me about a year ago about a web site for kids where they
> can learn an alphabet. I didn’t save it as a bookmark and can’t locate
> it now. I think it was affiliated with PBS television, something like
> Bright Stars or Raising Stars. If you know this web site or any
> similar, please share. Thanks.

The entire thread is composed of many opinions about which readers are likely to have a wide range of opinions.

Photos:

• Cold and Calm in Coney Desktop [Brit in Brooklyn]
• New Year’s Day on the Boardwalk [Park Slope Street Photography]
• Fulton Mall I [Atomische]
• Fulton Mall II [Atomische]
• Marine Park #24 [seriously excited!]
• Pray for Me [Brooklynometry]
• Fenced [Not Another F*cking Blog]
• Water Street [f.trainer/flckr]

Words:

• A Walk Around Brooklyn in 2000 Seems Like a Different Era [AYR]
• A Year of Atlantic Yards [Brooklyn Paper]
• Zoning Out the Chain Stores? [Sustainable Flatbush]
• Pardon Me Breaks Borough Hall Rat Story [PMFA]
• Write a Book and People You Know Might Read It [Bad Advice]
• Adriatic Comes to 79th Street in Bay Ridge [Right in Bay Ridge]
• Big Donald Rumsfeld Mint Tins in Greenpoint [New York Shitty]
• All Religion MLK Day at Old First in Park Slope [OTBKB]
• Actual Brooklyn Artist was on Gossip Girl [Gridskipper]
• Dumbo Gets More Bookish [Brownstoner]
• Dumbo Historic District Designation Report [Dumbo NYC]

Some possible renovations to JJ Byrne Park in Park Slope, which is the home of a big playground and the Old Stone House among other things, are in the works. The Parks Department and the Old Stone House will be hosting two sessions for group discussions about possible renovations to the Fifth Avenue side of the park. One session is on Friday, January 11 from 7PM-9PM. The other on Saturday, January 12 from 10AM-Noon. Here’s an email from Kim Maier, the Old Stone House’s Executive Director:

Play space, open space, green space – what do you imagine?!? Join us for break-out group discussions hosted by the Old Stone House and Brooklyn Parks to get your input on potential renovations to the 5th Avenue side of the park between 3rd and 4th streets. On Saturday, January 12 from Noon – 12:30 pm we’ll host a special session for kids to get their ideas as well.

Please RSVP by Thursday, January 10 and let us know which session you are planning to attend — oldstonehouse@verizon.net or 718-768-3195. This is a wonderful opportunity for community input…

Friday night or Saturday morning for those who are interested.

[Photo courtesy of Bridge and Tunnel Club, which has an excellent page of J.J. Byrne Park Photos]

The Empire State Development Corp. is hiring an “Owner’s Rep” to be its “eyes and ears” during any Atlantic Yards construction (though, uh, not demolition, which has been going on without “eyes and ears”). “The Owner’s Rep will help ESDC identify, address and investigate risks associated with construction activities, including; demolition, site and civil construction, rail yard construction, and construction of an arena and 16 mixed use buildings.”–AYR

We should take the current 2010 pledge with a grain of salt. Arena construction takes 24 months and can’t begin until the pending lawsuits are cleared. As I wrote, it’s possible they could be cleared by July 31, but under other scenarios, they will persist much longer.

Meanwhile, No Land Grab says the most recent attempt to “spin the story is already leaning towards fiction.”

Every GL reader has probably had an Oh Crap Moment in a restaurant upon realizing that they were dining in an establishment that only takes cash and didn’t have enough cash money on them. We’re veering into territory belong to our friends at Eater here, and so aren’t sure if Brooklyn has more or fewer restaurants with cash-only policies (proportionally, of course). A reader writes to complain and ask:

I have a question regarding many restaurants in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens along Smith and Court Streets. So many fine restaurants in the area, featuring great food, great decor, etc., still insist on delivering a farewell go-f*ck-yourself to their patrons when the check is delivered by refusing to accept credit cards. What is with this trend? Why does it have to be this way? Are margins so thin in the area? Am I alone in finding it frustrating either to have to carry $200 cash, be forced into an undignified cash collection with your dinnermates, or to have to go on a 10PM stroll to an ATM while everyone else is having coffee?

I can’t emphasize how unprofessional and unimpressive I find this practice, and Im miffed by the utter lack of remorse or regret displayed by staff when faced with this problem. Is there nothing to be done?

Of course, Luger’s is the standard bearer for this unfortunate practice – but off the top of my head some CG/CH cash-only places include: Robin des Bois on Smith, Joya on Court, Frankie’s on Court, Lobo on Court, BarTabac on Smith (accepts cash and AmEx only) and Cafe LULUc on Smith.

I’m sure there are others too! I’m just am curious as to whether I am alone in finding the practice loathesome.

We’d add Bubby’s and Rice in Dumbo to the list.

Someday, there will be a new pavilion at the base of Coney Island’s Parachute Jump and a Steeplechase Plaza around it, fronting on the boardwalk. The “when” is up in the air, given that the project will probably extend past the end of the Bloomberg Administration, but it continues to move forward. Yesterday, the city chose two firms, EDAW and the Rockwell Group, to do the design and planning work for the Plaza. The $4 million design/planning phase is expected to last about a year. Interestingly, Rockwell produced the renderings that accompanied the city’s announcement of its ambitious Coney Island plan in November. A design for the pavilion was selected about three years ago.

the Transit Authority has put up the attached signs on all four 8th Avenue entrances to the 7th Avenue Station on the F line. I guess this is the Newtonian reaction to the creation of the 9th Street bike lanes.

No word on whether there have been any Williamsburg-style seizures of bicycles yet.