Our hearts break about a half-dozen times a day this time of year when we come across appeals like this. Here’s one from a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Bed-Stuy. This is from Bed-Stuy Blog and we want to help try to get word out. Even though these are tough and scary times, most of us are still in a better place than the people here. Please open your heart to them and help.

There is a Domestic Violence Safe House here in Bedford Stuyvesant that would like to have toys to give to the 54 children who will be spending Christmas there (for some, it will be their very first Christmas). There are 25 women/mothers here as well. I know this year has been hard for every one of us, but we all have something so basic that we take for granted; something these families do not have this holiday- a safe place, a home, a warm and welcoming family. I feel like I am a pretty hardened New Yorker, but I cannot imagine what it is like for these families and what brought them to this situation. Even writing the simple list below after reading the names of the children and moms the shelter’s director gave to me made me feel weak. So, let’s help them, even if it’s this small gesture, it would still be meaningful….You may contact me by email at: achang12@earthlink.net On the 12th, I will send out an email to everyone letting you know if there are any children that still need a gift, and we could pass along this email to other family, friends, coworkers who would like to help out.

Read the full post at Bed-Stuy Blog. Be a real hero to some moms and kids this Christmas. Please.

The Sean Casey Animal Rescue and the Open Mic Project are throwing a big fundraiser Friday (12/12) starting at 9pm at the Old Carriage Inn (312 7th Ave b/t 7th & 8th Aves.) for live music, raffles and contests. As part of the celebration of rescuing over 2000 animals in 2008. 100% of your $20 cover at the door will go to making 2009 an even more successful year. Come on… it’s for the critters! Seriously, Sean Casey does amazing work and really deserves our support. The creature pictured here is Noodles the poodle and is available for adoption. You can out more about him here.
–Vaduzuvunt

· Times Notices the Meeker Plume May be Poisoning Greenpointers [NYT]
· Slope Photog’s Obama Campaign Book Hits the Stores [NYDN]
· Center for Family Life’s Food Pantry is Bare [BVIB]
· Old B&B Carousel Site Being Redone [Kinetic Carnival]
· Times Notices Bk Heights Key Foods Worker Who Got Screwed [NYT]
· First Snow of the Season [Brooklyn Born]
· Crosstown Local Co-Dependency [New York Shitty]
· DDDB Holiday Shopping Guide [No Land Grab]
· Inside the Holiday Market at the Masonic Temple [Brownstoner]
· Transgender Real Worlder Disses Gothamist Blogger [NY Press]

If you run a popular Carroll Gardens restaurant (Marco Polo) and you get indicted because of mob ties, who do you call? Marty Markowitz. This story slipped in over the weekend, but deserves weekday treatment because it turns out the guy who likes to be called “Marty” helped “a reputed Gambino crime family soldier” avoid jail. “Joseph Chirico won’t serve a single day in prison: He was sentenced to six months’ house arrest – and can spend 10 hours a day at his Marco Polo restaurant in Carroll Gardens – without even wearing an ankle bracelet.” Among those who sent “glowing letters” on Mr. Marco Polo’s behalf was, you guess it, the Borough President. Guess it pays to have friends who make you pasta even if they have mob ties. “Marty’s” spokesperson declined to comment on Chirico’s mob ties. Think the Beep would write a letter to the judge for you if you got in trouble?–NYDN

This is 357 Dean Street and we took note of it because of how nicely it fits in with the wood frame Boerum Hill homes that adjoin it (and are across the street). The building is six stories and will have six units. It comes from Sears Tombasco Architects. We do love contextuality with our architecture. Also, what the hell are those metal bars where balconies would be?

There is bad news and more bad news about the sudden closing of the Boerum Hill Food Company on Smith Street. First, there’s the news from commenters and readers that says that it happened with no warning whatsoever to employees. (Also there is some vitriol from people who say they were sick of the place because it had become an exclusive club for the Stroller Mafia.) Here’s the money quote with the all the news:

Truth is people Saul and Lisa sold the spot to Planet Wings because the money was right and didnt tell any employee til that day..Merry Christmas to all. It just goes to show what pillars of the community these people are and how much they truely care.

And a little more info:

Yes another one bites the dust, 3 weeks before christmas to boot. Its sad that Saul and Lisa decided to sell out to a chain like planet wings after unsuccesfully managing boerum hill food company for so many years. Yes no one want to see Sauls closed, but to use a tired quote arrogance and ignorance are a deadly combination and Saul and Lisa thought they could tell their community of regulars what was best for them and now the community has to pay the price.

The neighboring Saul’s will soldier on, but as for this space: Planet Wings! Yet another magnificent development on Smith Street.

We may get kneecapped by our dear friends at Park Slope Parents for this one, but one of their members forwards this simple email to us that does raise a fascinating Slopian conundrum:

I found this one on Park Slope Parents this morning: “I’d love to find a book (appropriate to read to a 4 year old) that talks about Jesus’ birth and why we celebrate Christmas — but isn’t too religious. Does anyone have any recommendations?” Because you don’t want to get TOO religious when talking about Jesus…

Just passing on an email we got friends. Don’t kill the messenger.

There are many lovely holiday displays on Carroll Street in Gowanus and Carroll Gardens. This is one from the Gowanus side and it just shows that an air conditioner doesn’t have to look like an air conditioner when it’s Santa’s time of year.

Here’s another item of public interest from our dear and beloved friends at Park Slope Parents about a local auto service center that alleges that something very unpleasant (allegedly) went (alegedly) awry. We go to the copy & paste, which is the way they taught us to do this kind of thing at the Columbia Journalism School:

I want to warn everybody, and if anybody has suggestion on how to spread the word to anybody and everybody. Also if anybody can tell my how to get this resolved, how to go to small claims court etc. I took my car to get an oil change and yearly inspection to the pep boys on 4th ave and 4th st. (and I got a free “winter evaluation”. Car passed the inspection, no problems. I didn’t drive it much the next week. Then my husband was driving to long island.. engine light came on and than as he was getting off the highway the car stopped! completely dead. After opening the hood to our horror.. there was no radiator cap! The engine was completely dry and dead. I had it towed to my father-in-law’s mechanic (not trusting pep boys) who indeed declared it dead, needs a new engine (almost 4K) I contacted pep boys, the towed it to a pep boys and than declared there was no evidence of antifreeze leak. Now antifreeze would have evaporated off since the engine overheated. The manager at Pep boys was obnoxious and of complete no help,, including getting back to me…I can’t even tell you how victimized I feel and not knowing where to go next, except to try my attempt at small claims court. I want to contact as many people not just in Brooklyn but ot have no faith in any pep boys.

Hey, everybody makes mistakes, right? Ouch!

[Photo courtesy of megunski/GL Flickr Pool]

We have seen this vista a zillion times, but all we can say about this particularly striking shot is that it manages to creep us out. Big time.

Lovers of interesting looking buildings might recall The Sochi, which will be a Coney Island/Brighton Beach classic. If it ever happens, as there was word last year the site was on the market. GL Contributor and talented photographer lornagrl was passing by the site yesterday morning and had an interesting encounter:

This morning I was walking down Sea Breeze Avenue to get a cup of coffee. I passed the Sochi construction site (which by the way does not seem to be progressing at all) when I noticed a man at the top of the fence calling out for help and extending a set of keys. “Miss, miss could you please unlock the gate,” he said. It took me a moment to figure out what he wanted but apparently he somehow got locked into the construction site and could not get out. Since it was early in the morning I have to presume that he may have been there all night. I had to try several keys before I found one that would work. I was afraid I would be able to get him out and I would have to call the police. After trying a few keys I was able to unlock the door. He seemed very grateful when I got him out. I didn’t stick around to get his story. I hope I didn’t aid a burglary.

We want our Sochi. Let’s get a move on it. Stat.

Ah, Sunday. Time for our Craigslist Missed Connection of the week. This week we try to connect two miserable cocksuckers sensitive souls who laugh at old homeless people. We sure hope these two scummy shit eating bastards ships passing in the New York night find each other:

We laughed at the homeless guy who pissed himself – m4w – 20 (Uptown A by W4 stop)

You were cute, dark hair, about 5’7″ wearing big cowboy boots. We smiled at each other once but I’m not good with striking up conversation. Thankfully, the old homeless man who was a few seats away came by reeking of piss. That’s when I noticed the stain on his outermost pair of pants. We both had a good laugh. Maybe we can meet up for coffee or something and laugh at other people?

Dudes, if ever there were two people in this freaking borough of ours who sound like they deserve each other, you two are it. Please find each other so that one day you’ll suffer a misfortune and assholes just like you when you were young will laugh at you. Please God, if you’re there, connect these two scumsuckers and give them a hellish relationship that rips each other’s souls to shreds, maybe leading one of them to hit the bottle and end up homeless pissing himself on the A train crying about his lost soulmate.

There will be a meeting tomorrow Monday (12/8) at 7pm for Friends of the Bushwick Inlet Park at the Greenpoint Reformed Church (136 Milton St. b/w Manhattan & Franklin Aves) to discuss the (promised, maybe, someday) Bushwick Inlet Park. The 28-acre park will run between Kent Avenue and the East River, starting at N. 9th and running around the Bushwick Inlet to Quay Street in Greenpoint. Take part in this meeting to learn more about the park, put in your two cents, and find out what you can do to take part in making it a great place and keeping the pressure on the city to keeps its promise about this critical park. Artists, designers, writers, gardeners, neighbors–whoever you are–they need and welcome your input.
—Vaduzuvunt

[Photo courtesy of megunski/GL Flickr Pool]

As we’ve noted, DOT has been going hog wild in Gowanus, Boerum Hill and Park Slope repaving local streets. Of course, nicely paved streets are a good thing. What’s bad about is the process. The photographer who took this photo labeled it “things that are bad for you.” The photo itself is titled “Too Early.” Cranky dude? Well, last week, he wrote about DOT employees being out on 10th Street in Park Slope using bullhorns at 6AM telling people to move their cars. We know they start de-paving streets between 7AM and 7:30AM, using a machine that makes everything in one’s home vibrate. Also, we know they can start re-paving as early as 5:45AM. Five fucking forty five in the morning. Uh huh. The price of nice, smooth streets, we suppose.

Friends, it’s that time again. Get thee to Dyker Heights and see things you’ve never seen before or, at least, watch this collection of vids.

[Photo courtesy of spiffae/GL Flickr Pool]

As the photographer notes, “must be very red in there.” Indeed.

[Photo courtesy of Miss Heather]

This Santa and friends comes from Driggs Avenue in Greenpoint. Merry. Merry.

Today’s adorable adoptable comes from our friend Sonia (and the Urban Cat League) and this fella is really utterly cute and perfect for anyone looking for a hunk, a hunk of kitty love!

How can you resist a cat whose name is Hank the Tank? Just like Will Ferrell’s character in Old School, this two-year-old tabby is quite the lovable lug. His current foster thinks he was a dog in his previous life as he acts much more like a pup than a kitty. He greets her at the door every time she comes home, comes running when called, and loves to snuggle up as close to you as possible. He’s one of the cuddliest and most adorable kitties around.

Hank has been neutered and vaccinated. He tested negative for FeLV, but did test positive for FIV. This hasn’t slowed him down one bit and we don’t foresee it doing so in the future. Cats with the FIV virus can live long and healthy lives when living at home and off the streets.

He’s an incredibly special cat who we hope to find an incredibly special home for. His current foster, who was considering adopting him, has to leave the country for a family emergency. We need to get Hank into a new home ASAP. If you have room in your home and heart for this big doofus please call Sonia at 646.285.7343 or email lulumomma@gmail.com

If you want to adopt there is a $75 adoption fee, application form to fill out, and a required but quick pre-adoption home visit.

Spread the word about Hank and all our other adoptable cuties!

Marbles
Augie
Chatzee!
Senor Don Gato

GL Kitty News: Annabelle and Bishop, two of our profiled kitties, have been adopted! Cheers to Chris who fostered these wonderful cats.
—E.C. Stephens

We came across this yesterday afternoon and immediately knew we had to run this as a Missed Connection Saturday Special. We think it’s a joke, but then we think a lot of the Missed Connections we come across are, so who knows?:

Yr My American Apparel Dream! – 20 (7th & BEDFORD-ish)

In real life I’d make fun of me for posting a personal ad on Craig’s List, but if you’re reading this I can make fun you, too – we can make fun of each other and then fun of other people. With a closet full of everything on www.hypebeast.com and a degree from SVA nailed to the adjacent wall, you’d think a girl with a mop haircut, foreigner-looking jeans, and Monroe piercing would already be in my life. Sadly, I’m dating www.youporn.com – she always puts out, though.

I saw you near 7th and Bedford, but I’m sure I saw you in LES and at SWAY, too. Yr mop haircut – the hood over yr head didn’t help, either – hid what I’m sure are sharp Olga Kurylenko-like features. Yr jeans look like a `80s Ukraine cut and they rode high on yr slim waist. I could see yr socks didn’t match, but that’s OK, `cause yr unique like that. I loved yr pink Chucks, too – we’ll match, I have more sneakers than kids in Mozambique! Yr jacket was MOB, I think – it could have been a `90s Starter jacket and that would be mega cool points on you!

Yr iPod was so loud I could hear you listening to a rap-rave mix – probably Girl Talk? You look super stylish and I bet you check awesome blogs like www.brooklynvegan.com and www.music.for-robots.com for all yr music – if yr still checking www.pitchfork.com I can see past that!

Isn’t Italo disco super-cool, too?? Swear I saw you on www.photobytone.com like a million times – yr so popular! If yr reading this, we should smoke a blunt and drink a Sparks on a nice day. Maybe you could watch me do graffiti with my cool friends? Or maybe go out and eat falafels together? If you have a Tumblr we can reblog each other while we chat on AIM – my AIM screen name is lilwillyburg, add me! If yr reading this holler soon, `cause I have to go back to Nebraska for Christmas holidays.

Fact or fiction? You decide.

Brooklyn at Eye Level [Atlantic Yards Report]
Sign up for the Brooklyn Art Bus [Bed Stuy Blog]
Pizza man Caught on Tape Vandalizing Elevator [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Community Board 7 Brings Back Toy Drive [Best View in Brooklyn]
Myrtle Avenue Window Painting Tomorrow [Clinton Hill Blog]
Brooklyn at Eye Level Photos [Brit in Brooklyn]
Brooklyn Heights Rings in the Holidays [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
Bushwick Loses Firefighting Shift [BushwickBK]
Coat Drive at Connecticut Muffin [Clinton Hill Blog]
Construction Watch: Argyle Showing is Pattern on 4th Ave [Curbed]
Empire Stores on Endangered List [Dumbo NYC]
–Compiled by Lauren Fairbanks

If you’re awake and not too hungover after your night of relief from a horrendous week, today (12/6) from noon-5pm, Myrtle Ave is a host of the beginning creation of seventeen window displays created by local artists in celebration of the first annual Myrtle Holiday Windows Contest.Whether your a resident or in need of shopping for your holiday gifts, head down to Myrtle Ave between Washington Park and Classon Avenue to experience this artistic happening while working on crossing out people from your gift list.
—Vaduzuvunt

[Photo courtesy of Miss Heather]

It would be hard to get any more seasonally appropriate than this sofa on the streets of Greenpoint. Happy Holidays.

A strange little short film shot in black and white on the Coney Island Boardwalk that ends in Dumbo.

Yesterday, Curbed had the Linden Hotel. Note that it has none of that nauseating Gowanus Super 8 puke-colored brick crap. Oh no. Per the Architects Newspaper, “The use of polycarbonate panels, clear glass, expanded metal mesh, and stucco cladding creates a varied composition of translucency, transparency, reflectivity, and opacity, qualities that change over the course of the day.” It’s designed by Lang Architecture, will have 30 rooms and is priced for budget travelers and will hopefully appeal to “neighborhood vacationers.” So, where is this cool building to be located? East New York. Really. The story does call the nabe “rough-edged,” but the developer says he hopes the design makes the hotel stand out from the competition. The architect says, “I’d never thought of working in this section of Brooklyn, but if you share a vision with your client and your contractor, you can build good architecture almost anywhere.”

[Photo courtesy of June Carter Cash Peep/GL Flickr Pool]

On a Brooklyn rooftop looking toward the Atlantic Terminal Mall and the old Wiliamsburgh Saving Bank Tower.