Yes, yes, it’s not a street couch. But, it’s a Fourth Avenue Rocker (Park Slope side) just sitting there waiting to be taken or rocked.

Have a look.

And, now, from our friends at the Center for the Urban Environment, here is this weekend’s very interesting tour:

Ditmas Park. Sunday, November 23, 2-4 pm– with Francis Morrone. Ditmas Park is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn even as its splendid “Victorian” houses have ceased to be bargains. The streets of the Ditmas Park Historic District are among the most beautiful residential streets in the city, the commodious houses intermingled with outstanding houses of worship and interesting pockets of commerce. Like many parts of greater Flatbush, Ditmas Park has its origins in a carefully planned suburb laid out along the historic Brighton Line of the old BRT, itself a highlight of the tour. This is also where the bungalow first migrated to the east coast. Tour guide Francis Morrone is an architectural critic, freelance writer, independent scholar, lecturer, and teacher. He is one of the most popular leaders of architectural tours in New York City. He has authored several books, among them An Architectural Guidebook to New York City, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn and Brooklyn: A Journey Through the City of Dreams. Meet at Cortelyou Road and East 16th Street. Take the Q train to Cortelyou Road. Fees: $13.00 Non-Members, $10.00 BCUE Members, $8.00 Seniors & Students. For information call (718) 788-8500, ext. 217.

This week, Eat It: The Brooklyn Food Blog takes us to Diner in South Williamsburg:

My Dad was visiting recently so I took him to Diner to have dinner. Not only did I know we were in for a fabulous meal, it would be guilt-free, as the people behind diner use only seasonal, well-raised food, happy, quality meat and have sustainability as the cornerstone to their philosophy. Check out their blog to read more about them and their ideas about food. The menu changes frequently, so the dishes I had might not be available exactly as I describe them.

The printed menu lists only a few dishes that are consistently made, like burgers and market salads. Since the specials are many, your server will write them down on the paper table covers as he or she describes them. It’s a nice touch, and makes it easy on you when you’re deciding to refer to the list. In addition to the wonderful food, the interior is lovely and comfortable as well. The main dining room is a renovated 1920’s Kullman Diner, complete with booths and bar stools. The low lighting contributes to the Noir-ish feeling inside and there’s an extra room in the back to accommodate more patrons.

I started with one of their special cocktails, a Martini made with a slice of pickled and roasted red pepper as garnish. Not only was it amazing to behold, it was delicious. Just a hint of hotness lingered with each sip, and as the capsicum soaked in the gin, the heat of the drink increased slightly, adding some adventure to my imbibing. For food & photos, click here!

Heads up book lovers – big sale at Picture Box (121 3rd St. at Bond) down in Gowanus this weekend (Sat 11/22, Sun 11/23), noon-5pm. Everything from educational to fiction, collectible to rare, children’s to graphic novels, as well as magazines. We don’t often promote sales that stores are having, but this is a cool spot in Gowanus, so head on down to check it out.
— Vaduzuvunt

There are few Brooklyn hospitals about which one doesn’t hear horror stories, but a perrennial favorite is Methodist Hospital on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. Today, our dear friends at Park Slope Parents bring two such tales of uplifting visits to Methodist’s emergency rooom. There is this:

We had a horrible experience at Methodist’s emergency room on Tuesday. My husband woke up in the middle of the night with intense dizziness (we think it was a vertigo attack). He could barely get out of bed, but after this went on for eight hours and wasn’t getting better, we called his doctor’s office and they told him to go to the emergency room. We went to Methodist, signed in at the front desk and waited for two hours never even being called to triage. The waiting room was full; most people were in much better shape than he was. We asked at the front desk a couple of times if there was a place where he could lay down while he was waiting and they said no (he really should have been laying down in his condition). After two hours he couldn’t take it any more and we had to go home. Luckily, later that night, he started to feel better. I was appalled at the fact that he was in such bad shape and he wasn’t even seen by a nurse to access the problem. What if it was something more serious like an aneurism? Are all emergency rooms like this, or is Methodist particularly awful? I wonder if I should send them a complaint. Does anyone know how to go about this?

Another heartwarming story ahead.

· Spirituality: Vicitim of Viagra Vicar Files Suit [NYDN]
· Port Authority Dude Says Atlantic Yards is a Bit of a Density Challenge [AYR]
· Is Mrs. Goldstein Brooklyn’s Joe the Plumber? [CityRoom]
· More About the Jail With Retail’s Troubles [NYDN]
· Get a Williamsburg Trailer of Your Very Own [New York Shitty]
· Damn, No Root Canals in Old Mr. Souvlaki Space [BHB]
· Seriously Heartbreaking Story of Park Slope Teacher’s Death [McBrooklyn]
· Thanksgiving in Brooklyn [About Brooklyn]
· Yes, These Cleaners Do All Four Seasons [Lost City]
· AOL Shuts Down Brooklyn Arts Newsletter. Why? [OTBKB]
· You Can Now Go Eat Your Meat at Morton’s in Downtown Brooklyn [Brownstoner]

[Photo courtesy Marco Boni/Flickr]

Several food reports in from that Park Slope dining mecca known as Fifth Avenue:

1) Al di La, one of everyone’s favorite Slope Italians is now reported to be open for lunch, via correspondent E.C. Stephens.

2) Oh Baluchi’s. It was not open last night as had been previously rumored. The report: “Walked by and they’re not open yet. I asked if they might be open tomorrow and got a very iffy ‘Maybe.’ I’m not holding my breath! Did pick up the menu.”

3) The very attractive Playa opened last night with 15 percent off specials. They had people out on the street handing out menus to every person that passed by.

Having had the NYC Department of Transportation show up outside our window at 7:30AM with one of those infernal machines that scrapes the pavement off streets and causes rows of buildings to shake, we’re especially interested in an ongoing exchange in Carroll Gardens about some Con Ed work that is driving people crazy. First, there is this:

I can not believe they dug up our street today (Con Edison) to make some repair, this is fine. but what is NOT fine is the way they “temporarily” fixed it until the street gets re-paved, every time a car goes down the road we get to hear a loud THUD! like thunder! we all know how long “temporary” will take! should we complain? did anyone talk to them, when are they supposedly coming back?

Then, there was this:

I wasn’t here for it but the insanely loud thudding noise scared the kids (and caught me off guard) a few times this evening. Sam thought it was thunder or a car crash …

And, then, this:

Not to mention they waited until 3? Pm to start jack-hammering. AND the street is a %$#@ mess of tar. I’m with the complainer.

Us, we’re wondering when DOT will be back with jackhammers, pavement strippers and earth moving equipment.

There are many letter being written to Marty Markowitz about the Toll Brothers proposal to build a big condo development on the Gowanus. (There’s a letter writing campaign underway both on this project and about asking for an 8-story height limit in the Gowanus rezoning.) The fact that Carroll Gardens residents are now leading the charge against a Gowanus project adds an interesting political dynamic to the process, although the word on the street has long been that the Toll firm would win approval for the zoning changes it wants for the luxe development. CB6 has already given the project the thumbs up. (For more on the hearing at Borough Hall the other night, check out PMFA.) This is one that came to our attention because it’s being circulated by the CORD group in Carroll Gardens:

Dear Marty:

As 15-year residents and property owners in Carroll Gardens, we are strongly opposed to any kind of development that alters the historic and cultural character of this great Brooklyn neighborhood. This includes the Toll Brothers project that is the current subject of discussion by your office and the city. Already, there is deep concern, which we share, over high-rise and other residential and commercial projects that adversely impact the character of Brownstone Brooklyn, which as I am sure you know, is an area of distinctive urban architecture quite unlike any other in the world.

The idea that absentee developers with no stake in a neighborhood other than financial would be allowed to erect inappropriate structures that do damage to its quality and architectural integrity is an affront – indeed, an insult – both to the citizens who have lived here for decades and those who came more recently because of what it promises as a place to live and raise families.

More directly ahead.

Among the many ways in which the real world hasn’t caught up with the way media is changing, is the treatment that bloggers recieve. In many cases we are treated as second-class citizens, both by the print reporters who feel free to lift our stories without crediting us for developing them and in the lack of access to events as bonafide journalists, which many of us are. We operate on the streets and events without the (minimal) protection afforded by press passes and are sometimes denied access to events on this basis. There is much to be said on this subject in general (particularly on the subject of intellectual theft of our hard work by print reporters), but this is about bloggers being denied press credentials. Every day we go out on the street with a camera or go out to report we can be subject to police or other harassment and have no way to even begin to defend ourselves. (And we know plenty of people that have been harassed and hassled by the police.) Here’s an email we received. While we usually don’t us GL as a medium to communicate with bloggers (that’s what God made email for) we thing this is an issue of interest to the general public and to people who read blogs to get their news. There’s a petition circulating about press credentials for bloggers. If you read blogs, please, please sign it.

The information and the petition by clicking here.

Is this huge Ismael Leyva 40-story tower proposed for the Greenpoint waterfront something that’s actually going to happen or just, you know, a pipe dream in a deflating real estate market where credit is hard to come by? One can draw one’s own conclusions. The development was reported by both Brownstoner and the Brooklyn Paper, but we ferreted out the interesting renderings over on Curbed. The address of this puppy would be 155 West Street. The developer wants 40 stories (rather than the allowed 30 stories) because of a sewage pipe and a tiny piece of “wetlands.” The development would have 620 rental units, with 422 of them being in the tower. Another 218 would be in six-story buildings and 140 of the units would be affordable. There’d also be a waterfront esplanade.

“Can we arrest these people for fraud, already?”–GL Day Ender: How to Avoid Being Energy Scammed

This Saturday (11/22) from 11am to 4pm at the Calvert Vaux Park, in Kingston, the will be a wandering performance of “Hello My Name is Dark-eyed Junco,”, followed by a bird-watching tour.

Junco is a response to the immanent installation of six artificial turf soccer fields scheduled to begin at Calvert Vaux Park November 24th. The renovation will significantly change the park’s natural habitat, which serves as a temporary and permanent home to a variety of birds. Junco examines the identity of the bird watcher in nature. The play will begin in a decentralized fashion at various stations around the park that humorously “teach” people about birding- transforming the entire area into a kind of military base configuration of psychic avian awareness.

So, dress warm, grab your binoculars and head on down.

[Photo for GL courtesy of Gary Mirabelle]

If there’s one thing that this pic sent to us by local artist and devoted GL Contributor Gary Mirabelle proves, it’s that Halloween pumpkins do not improve with age. Not at all.

Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights, who have been on top of the wretched energy scams being run all over Brooklyn (and the whole city for that matter), went to CB7 to give “a brief overview as to what the scams IDT Energy (and other ESCOS) have been perpetrating on our communities, how not to get ‘slammed’ and what to do if you do. We’re hoping this will help further educate the residents within CB7…and beyond…I last night at the CB7 monthly meeting with overwhelming feedback from the Board and residents in attendance that this scam has in fact been hitting everyone.” The group has prepared a flier to help warn people and are having it translated into multiple languages:We are asking CB7 (which they agreed) to send a copy of this flyer to all NYC Community Boards for their use and are working on having it translated into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, etc. I also call on our elected officials for HELP in educating their constituencies, whether by distributing this flyer or taking civil or legislative action through City and State legislature. The flyer is also available on the CCGH website: http://www.ccgreenwoodhts.com/pdfs/ccgh-escos-slammed-flyer-111908.pdf (WARNING: It’s a PDF.) I also as ALL OF YOU to pass this on to family, friends, neighbors or other civic.community groups to use for their neighborhoods. Let’s make sure 1. we are all educated by this experience 2. help educate others on how not to get “slammed” while making their decisions 3. stop the disreputable and illegal practices of ESCOS sales persons, such as those at IDT Energy, bu exposing this scam for what it is! There was also talk at CB7 about reaching out again to the Brooklyn DA on potential criminal investigations. I am looking for any advise and will be working with the CB7 Dist. Mgr on a plan of action.

See the flier by clicking here.

The powers that be went out to the Fulton Mall, yesterday (11/19), and officially kicked of the great “Buy Brooklyn” (Or is it “Shop Brooklyn”?) as a borough wide event to promote spending your money here this holiday season.

Participating retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will display a “Shop Brooklyn” logo in shop windows and offer special “Brooklyn Bonuses” on November 28 (“Black Friday”—now renamed “Brooklyn Friday”) and each weekend from November 22 through December 21.

For more information, visit the Shop Brooklyn website.

[Photo courtesy NY Public Library]

Oh, Coney Island, which has been through so many changes and incarnations. Here’s a view of Surf Avenue circa 1917.

A Judge has issued a Temporary Restraining Order to stop the reopening of the Brooklyn House of Detention. A statement from State Sen.-Elect Daniel Squadron says: “I commend the Department of Corrections for agreeing to halt the proposed expansion of the House of Detention pending further conversation with the community.  I hope it is a sign that a new day of community input has dawned, and that we can make progress together toward replacing the jail with the affordable housing and middle school we so desperately need on this site.”

We were delighted to receive this email in our inbox today from the owners of new bar Safe Haven on 689 6th Ave.

What you doin’ this thursday? yeah i know it’s cold outside, so wrap up nice and warm, layers are always good, and amble on over to Safe Haven for our Kelso of Brooklyn, beer event this Thursday November 20th. This husband and wife brewing team make some crazy tasty brews, four of which we will be serving along with some free brats and kraut. We’re even gonna cook the brats in one of these fine brews, oh i can’t wait!! Come on over and join in the fun, we’ll be starting off around 6pm and going ’til 4am as always. P.S we’re open @ midday on saturdays and sundays with free bagels and cream cheese, and sunday papers, on.. well..sunday ok then see ya soon.

Sounds like a good time and it’s hard to pass up free beer cooked bratwurst!

We’re suckers for pics of wildlife on the Gowanus Canal–ducks, swans, geese, fish, whatever–even if the photo quality isn’t the best. These ducks were spotted off the Carroll Street Bridge, where many a duck has been seen, around 3:30 on Sunday afternoon.

This is the current appearance of the front door of our favorite building at 184 N. 8 Street in Williamsburg that serves as a spot for some excellent street art. It does make for one heck of a mail slot. The building is currently on the market for a commercial lease and we’re really hoping that if someone takes it they don’t do anything to really mess with, other then to turn into something cool.

That didn’t take long. Crest Cafe on Union Avenue in Williamsburg near Metropolitan, which died a little while ago, has come back to life as the L Train Cafe. We haven’t been inside, but hope there are some good selections. The real allure of Crest was the garden out back, which was one of that part of the Burg’s true hidden gems. You could sit there and chill and listen to the furor next door in back of Dumont and be glad you were in Crest’s backyard with grapes growing on the arbor above. We’ve got a very fond memory of the place on a really hot summer day in particular. Ah, the good old days of Summer 2008.

And, we do mean the finest parts of Greenpoint.

Just when you thought 4th Avenue had enough generic corner shop delis another one rears it’s Boars Head. Dean Street Grill, a Mediterranean/Caribbean take out on 4th Avenue and Dean Street, closed it’s gates this Summer and has since been gutted and reopened as Dean Stop Deli. Filling the new shelves are sodas, chips, candies, soups and the usual bodega toiletries and everyday essential things. In the back where you could once order creamy hummus and meaty oxtail dishes there is now a deli station carving up the ubiquitous Boars Head’s meats. More than a few local workers and residents will morn the passing of the old Dean Street Grill. After all it was lauded as one of the best cheap eats in Time Out Magazine for Dean’s overstuffed jerk chicken pita for only $4 bucks. On the upside we now have a clean and new deli that is offering a cheap eat of its own for all the morning Atlantic Station commuters. The bacon, egg and cheese on bagel will only put you back a measly $2.50 and on the way home you can pick up a pastrami on roll for only $3.75. Perfect for these troubled economic times.
—E.C. Stephens

Got the menu boards ahead, if you click here.