Photos:

• Prospect Park in Late Fall Photos [Blue Jake]
• Window Birds [Brooklynometry]
• Giant Electric Snowflake on Cortelyou [Ditmas Park Blog]
• Coney Island Avenue Competition [lisanne!/flickr]
• Wyckoff Street Houses from the Southwest [Blue Jake]
• Lonely Gowanus Tree [sivanKa/flickr]
• How Trees Arrive [GerritsenBeach.Net]

Words and Photos:

• Court St. BQE Building Rentals are Pricey [Brownstoner]
• Dead Chicken Heads by Northside Piers (Don’t Click if Squeamish) [New York Shitty]
• Weekend Art and Parties [Brooklyn Based]
• Underground Railroad Home Saved Press Release [Duffield St. Underground]
• Local Pols Using Coney Island for Political Mileage? [Kinetic Carnival]
• Bed-Stuy Real Estate Picks [Bed-Stuy Blog]
• The G Train, Circa 1938 [Pardon Me for Asking]

So, Live Nation, the Clear Channel offshoot that produces concerts at McCarren Pool…well, which produces concerts everywhere, is having a BYOB Christmas Party. Are times getting tough in the concert promotion business? The invite says in part, “BYOB- sorry guys, this is a no-budget party, not to mention you people drank a warehouse worth last year… Seriously, please bring a bottle of your favorite booze or wine or a six pack o beer (or your fave Snapple drink if you don’t drink alcohol.)” Priceless.–Brooklyn Vegan

There are a couple of Park Slope retails developments to note or update on this first Saturday of December:
1) Get Fresh, at 370 Fifth Avenue, is having its grand opening celebration this week. The service offers “farm-fresh meals” that are prepared for cooking at home. Meals can be ordered online or picked up at the store. The menu is here. This coming week, they’re offering a Daily Menu Tasting in the store from 11am – 6pm with samples from the regular menu and the holiday menu.

2) The Tempo Presto crash and burn on Seventh Avenue that we first reported yesterday morning continues to give off smoke. While the owners are apparently blaming the Seventh Avenue location saying that it just wasn’t busy enough throughout the day (feeding into the corner of death image that the spot has among many Slopers), GL readers point the finger of blame at inept, uncaring and even surly service. They say it was the sort of place that one went into once, had a bad experience and, then, avoided.

“Among the more amusing items in our inbox this morning was an invitation to a party in Williamsburg, Brooklyn sporting the theme ‘Wall Street Circa 1987.’ ‘Two dark events are upon us: the end of my 20s and the beginning of the recession,’ the woman throwing the party writes. ‘Let’s fight both Brooklyn style with a giant dirty bomb of a party.’–Dealbreaker

Christmas Tree Lighting, originally uploaded by plemeljr.

It’s this week’s Dumbo Tree Lighting, shot from above.

The Red Hook Ikea was “burglarized on Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Monday, Nov. 26 during the hours of midnight and 7 a.m.” of an 800-pound Miller gas welder worth $600. “The burglar fled the scene with the 800-pound welder in an unknown direction.”–Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Brooklyn Historical Society is having its first “Children’s Book Day” today (12/1) from Noon-4PM. The event is free and features performances, readings, discussions and workshops aimed at children aged 1-12 and their parents. Per the Historical Society website’s events page:

Readings include: Dr. Lorenzo Pace, author of “Janlani and the Lock,” presents the amazing, true story of his great-grandfather, who was brought to America as a slave, Leonard Marcus, author of “Golden Legacy,” talks to adults about the launch of Little Golden Books 65 years ago and Jon Sciezka, co-author of the “Stinky Cheese Man,” will read from his newest work, “Cowboy and Octopus.”

The event is free. The Historical Society is located at 128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton in Brooklyn Heights.

The Underground Railroad House at 227 Duffield Street will be spared from eminent domain and the wrecking ball. A press release has gone out from the owner and several groups working to save the building that the city “has pledged that it will not use eminent domain to condemn” the building and that it “has agreed to re-draw its plans for Downtown Brooklyn so that the condemnation of 227 Duffield Street will not be necessary.” The building is on the site of the proposed Willoughby Square Park atop a big underground garage that will serve some of the massive developments planned downtown. The city was planning a commemorative of the Underground Railroad. Could the shift indicate that after enduring bad publicity in what became a national story, the city might be planning a museum that would include an actual Underground Railroad structure? (The other buildings on Duffield aren’t involved in the agreement.) There will be a press conference on Monday. Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn has posted the press release.

A broad-based group that includes local officials supporting the Atlantic Yards development renewed their call for an independent study of security at the planned arena at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues. Citing a setback that is only 20 feet in some places, the officials said a full public airing of issues is needed. Some of the strongest criticism actually came from arena supporters. “If they start talking about street closings, they will have unyielding opposition,” said Council Member David Yassky. “They will have two choices—push the building back, or close streets.” Atlantic Yards Report picks up the Yassky narrative:

“When the security thread is pulled, it may unravel a whole ball of yarn,” Yassky said, noting that security considerations in Lower Manhattan caused “serious changes” in building designs. McClure noted that the Freedom Tower had been moved back 90 feet from the original 25 feet after a security review.

Council Member Bill de Blasio, who is a candidate for Brooklyn Borough President and was a vocal supporter of the Atlantic Yards development said, according to AYR:

“I don’t think that people want to be baited and switched…We need an independent review that says there’s no need for street closings.” He said he had some hope that the administration of Gov. Eliot Spitzer would recognize the importance of transparency.

“The ball game’s not over,” he said, noting that subsidies and other issues must be resolved for the project to move forward. If the developer doesn’t behave more transparently, “then the future of their project is in danger,” he warned.

There is full coverage of the press conference in Atlantic Yards Report and by Jotham Sederstrom in the Daily News. A document by a security consultant says the developer has considered “in detail the ability of the structures to resist progressive collapse or to otherwise fail in a manner that could compromise life or interrupt facility operations.” The press release from the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, which sponsored the event, is here.

Here’s a Stop Work Order music video from Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights. It concerns 614 7th Avenue, aka the Minerva Building site. Their narrative:

Lots of shiny new DOB and DOT permits up …and what do we have here? TWO SWOs! Deplorable conditions on the site that includes TONS of garbage, tires, hazardous waste and a huge water filled (no longer mosquito producing) pit in the middle of the site. Seems DOB felt it was unsafe, let alone untidy! Stinky eyesore be gone! Minerva thanks you DOB…as do the residents. Category Code:* 73 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN

One has the sense this site–which is in disgusting shape–will continue to entertain in 2008, just as it has in previous years.

Life at Warehouse 11 is anything but by-the-book. Industrial sensibilities overlap with modern design, and decadent five-star amenities take the Lifestyle component to the most luxurious of levels. At Warehouse 11, you’ll be properly catered to by your attentive full-time doorman, seated in style in your modern gallery lounge, exercised to perfection in your state-of-the-art fitness center, spiritually awakened in your yoga garden, refreshingly wowed in the open-air rooftop sun deck. And for the little ones—they’ll be imaginatively inspired in the children’s playroom.

Amusingly, the website refers to the building perched atop the former (and cleaned up) Roebling Oil Field as W-11, which is one letter and 29 numbers away from WD-40. If you and the little ones want to see what the W-11 site looked like around this time last year, click here. Also, if the little ones are interested in learning about the “localized plume” of oil in vicinity (and the test wells in the sidewalk outside), in the words of a state Department of Environmental Conservation Official, you can click here and read them a bedtime story imaginative inspiration.

There are Park Slope food & drink-related developments to report, with one being a closure and another being an opening:

1) It would appear that Tempo Presto on Seventh Avenue at Third Street is about to become Tempo Morto. First came the rumor: Tempo Presto is closing. Then came word on Brooklynian that a “For Lease” sign has been spotted in the window of the storefront that has gone through a number of incarnations. Says one poster on Brooklynian: “its not the place. its Michael Fiore. he brought down both Cucina and TP. Hopefully he will let the dream go and find another venue to torture his employees. I say good riddance.” Safe to say, then, that not everyone in the Slope was a convert, although many are mourning the potential loss of favorite sandwiches.

2) Beer Table is getting closer to opening further south on Seventh Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Tost. According to Beer Table’s website: “Beer Table is an intimate drinking and eating room that serves a daily selection of rare and special beers paired with an unusual assortment of snacks, preserved foods, and small meals.” Beer Table will be at 427B Seventh Avenue, which is between 14th and 15 Streets.

This is both the (artist’s version of) future and current state of the northwest corner of N. 5 Street and Berry in Williamsburg. The rendering is of 154 Berry, a six-story Karl Fischer building with 40 apartments. (The rendering was posted by Brownstoner back in late October.) The bottom photo is the construction as it appeared a couple of days ago.

“Say that you and your neighbors have been living a quiet, peaceful life on your tree-lined city block for years and years. Suddenly, you see construction workers digging in that vacant lot next to your condo or co-op building. So you go down to the city offices—or these days, go online—and find out that someone has bought the lot and filed plans to construct a new, taller building. Even if you’re not upset about having your vistas blocked by new development, what about the work itself? What can you do if there’s excessive noise or dust—or worse, problems like a broken water pipe or phone line?” Continue reading for some basic answers.–The Cooperator

The subject of this thread on the Williamsboard caught our attention: “It’s Official! Williamsburg is now the worst place to live in N.Y.C.!!” Here’s the post that started the thread:

Woken up at 6:00 am because there’s bulldozers on 3 sides of my fucking apartment. Can’t find a god-damn parking space ‘cuz they’re takin up by the 100’s of construction workers whom are working on one of the Giganto-rectangular boxes on every fucking corner of every fucking block. Will the last person out please take the fucking flag!!!! This place is OVER!!!!

Nothing like a good Williamsburg construction rant to start the day.

• Much to Note in Greenpoint [New York Shitty]
• Price Cuts at the Fusion in the South Slope [Brownstoner]
• Boro Park Gives Police Commissioner Warm Welcome [Sun]
• Cops Step Up Presence After Day Ridge Stabbings [Bay Ridge Rover]
• Nasty, Nasty Trash Problem [Kensington Brooklyn]
• Do People Litter Because It Feels Good? [Brooklyn Junction]
• First 110 Livingston Unit Up for Resale [110 Livingston Blog]
• 110 Livingston Building News [Dumbo NYC]
• Arts in Bushwick Open Spaces Sunday [New York Shitty]
• Brooklyn Films 1899-2007 @ the Brooklyn Historical Society [Brooklyn Skeptic]
• Coney’s Past, Present and Future with Charles Denson [Kinetic Carnival]
• Brooklyn Parrots on 15th Street [Brooklynometry]

Hey. Look. Up there. It’s a weird sounding bird. But, wait, there aren’t any birds. Ah, there are speakers with bird sounds. Oh, that Ratner.–McBrooklyn

Here is the beginning of a list of cool local places to shop in Greenpoint. If you want the Chandelier Earrings, then you’ve got to go to Brooklynski.–Greenpointers

On Saturday, PS 154 at 1625 11th Avenue in Windsor Terrace invites everyone to their Winter Festival. There’s breakfast with Santa from 8AM-10AM, plus pics with Santa and gifts. The cost is $15 for one child, $25 for two children and $35 for three. Two adults per family are free. Then, there’s the Joyous Annual Winter Festival scheduled the same day 10am to 4pm throughout the building. This event includes performances,
food, over 150 Silent Auction items, a Live Auction, Children’s Auction, raffles, games, crafts and more. The This year’s theme is Alice in Winterland. All proceeds benefit PTA sponsored programs in the school such as Shakespeare in the Schools, Chess, Band, Chorus, Bam’s Dance Africa Program, language classes, Ball Room Dancing and more. Anyone that feels like making a further contribution in this season can bring in “gently” used books and school supplies that will be donated to a sister school in Zimbabwe. Drop of the donations at the storage closet located at the Sherman Street Entrance to the cafeteria.

It’s definitely a sign of the times. Do you want to do your holiday shopping in Williamsburg or in Soho? Of the Burg, it says: “Williamsburg is where the hip kids hang – we all know that by now – converging en mass each weekend to hit the late night scene.” Of Soho it says: “Soho was hip before Williamsburg was born.” Long lists of shops in both, if one ignores the implication that Soho’s fate awaits the Burg.–amNY