"Funny you should ask. My teenage goddaughter has just developed a passion for mushrooms, so I went to Great Wall of China supermarket on Ft. Hamilton Parkway, where "gourmet" mushrooms (the $10/lb. kind) are apparently a staple to the Asian community and sell for $1.50 a package.
"Only in Brooklyn!
"I will be making a saute of portabellas, enokis, beech mushrooms, and stupendous-looking King Trumpets! (Oh, and lest I be mistaken for a vegan, turkey and all the fixin's...)
Brooklyn College Professor Jeanne Theoharris speaking at the weekly
vigil for Fahad Hashmi, a former Brooklyn College student who has been in solitary confinement for over two years without a trial (on
charges of terrorism).
He was finally given a court date of Dec. 2nd
and there was a groundswell of support and organizing going on around
that date.
Last night the date was suddenly changed to January 6th
with no explanation (advocates suspect an effort to thwart the strong
show of support that had been building on Fahad's behalf).
Elementi, the short-lived Park Slope Italian restaurant, closed many months ago. Time Out called the restaurant "the best thing to happen to Park Slope since Al Di La" but other reviewers weren't as complimentary. Locals, however, enjoyed their weeknight specials and pizzas.
Before Elementi, the legendary Snooky's, a Park Slope sports bar and restaurant, occupied that space on Seventh Avenue between Garfield and Carroll for many years. Many Slopers mourned the loss of that humble and authentic Park Slope watering hole.
Elementi's windows have been papered over for many months. But the For Rent/Restaurant For Sale sign has come down and work is being done on the inside.
I'm guessing someone is opening another restaurant in that two-story space that includes a large party room upstairs.
It has come to my attention that Living on Seventh, the stylish shop on Seventh Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, is closing.
Another sign of dark economic times?
Living on Seventh carried an unusually well edited selection of chic and well designed women's clothing, accessories, and home decor items. In fact, it was one of the most tasteful shops in Park Slope.
Signature items included Calypso dresses, nice shirts and sweaters, colorful Azerbaijani and Finnish
vases, neat tableware, bed linens, pillows, and beautiful lamps.
Eva, the owner, first opened Living on Smith on Smith Street a number of years ago, which featured mostly home decor items.
She then opened Living on Seventh, Living on Fifth and a shop called Lola in the South Slope. The Park Slope shops sort of morphed into clothing stores. Living on Seventh is her last remaining shop.
Eva is a lovely shop keeper and person. The customer service at all the Living shops was excellent. We will miss this ever-stylish woman and fun conversationalist on Seventh Avenue.
The good news: There's a BIG closing sale at the shop for the next two weeks.
Author Jonathan Lethem has added an event to his marathon reading of his new and acclaimed book, Chronic City and WORD, a bookstore in Greenpoint, is hosting. This relaxed brunch event is on Sunday after Thanksgiving.
That means that on Sunday, Nov.
29 from 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM, there will be a post-holiday reading in their event space.
Lethem will read about 40-60 pages from his latest
novel, but not continuously - he'll take breaks along the way to sign
books and chat with listeners about the book. Bagels, donuts, fruit, pie AND a great story.
Having recently read Anna Karenina I can rewrite the opening line without shame: "Happy family businesses are all alike; every unhappy family business is unhappy in its own way."
Indeed, there is no shortage of stories about family businesses that go awry. And now Park Slope has its own dysfunctional family business, Cafe Regular (11th Street branch) which has become city-wide news thanks to loyal regulars who are keeping the local blogs apprised of the murky situation.
I just heard from Aileen at Grub Street and she's got deep local on the latest over there.
The siblings had been squabbling since the opening of Café Regular du Nord back in July,
but it was some promotional postcards that finalized the breach.
Designed by an employee, Richard (who managed du Nord) and Martin were
distributing these postcards to customers. Anne didn’t like them and
told the brothers to stop giving them out. Richard quit over the
micromanagement, and Martin sided with his brother. Martin declined to
comment to Grub Street, Richard did not return calls or texts, and
several calls to Anne at Café Regular went to message saying the
voice-mail system had not been connected. "It's really a Royal Tenenbaums level of dysfunction," said the source.
Apparently sister Anne wants to go a little upscale over at the Regular du Nord. She's talking computers and uniforms. The regulars of the modest and sort of perfect-as-it-is cafe are up in arms. Barista Martin, Anne's brother, has been ousted, probably for a host of reasons nobody even knows about.
The whole thing makes me kind of sad. It's sad when siblings don't get along. It's sad when mixing family and business gets ugly. It's sad, sad, sad...
And the regulars at the Regular are miffed. That's for sure. Hell hath no fury like a bunch of local cafe fans deprived of their morning coffee (and pleasant place to sit all day...).
From Fonda, owner of Zuzu's Petals, which opened on Fifth Avenue five years ago after a fire ravaged their original location on Seventh Avenue.
Five years ago this week, we opened Zuzus Petals in our new home on Fifth Avenue. We always think of Thanksgiving as our "re-birthday". We were able to re-open 3 months after the fire because of all the emotional and financial support of our customers and neighbors. The lesson for us then, and now: The love you take is equal to the love you make.
We wish you and everyone you hold dear, a wonderful Holiday season from the first bite of turkey to the last sip of champagne and everything in between. with love from all the zuzus wherever they are. fonda
Jonathan Blum Retrospective: Rabbis, Goats & Other Characters
If you LOVE Jonathan Blum's paintings as I do you'll LOVE this:
On December 3rd there will be an opening party for Jonathan Blum’s “Rabbis, Goats and Other Characters”
at the Green Building [450 Union St. at Bond Street in Gowanus, (917)
855-6564] from 6:30 pm to after midnight.
His work will be on display at the gallery Thursdays and Saturdays through Jan. 14, 2010.
The Atlantic Yards Fight Goes On Despite Court Ruling Today
I just got an email from Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn that New York's high court ruled today against property owners and tenants challenged the state's use of eminent domain to seize their homes and businesses for the enrichment of developer Bruce Ratner and his Atlantic Yards project.
Indeed, it was a 6-1 decision in the Court of Appeals, where they ruled that the state agency's determination to take the plaintiffs property had a rational basis under state law.
TODAY AT 12:30 PM, the plantiffs, Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, members of the community, attorneys and elected officials will hold a press conference about the ruling and the fight against Atlantic Yards.
The press conference will be held in front of Freddy's Bar in Brooklyn at 485 Dean Street at the corner of 6th Avenue in Prospect Heights.
Daniel Goldstein, lead plantiff and spokesman for DDDB is not deterred.
"The fight against the Atlantic Yards project is far from over. The community has four outstanding lawsuits against the project and, meanwhile, the arena bond financing clock ticks louder and louder for Ratner. While this is a terrible day for taxpaying homeowners in New York, this is not the end of our fight to keep the government from stealing our homes and businesses,” he is quoted as saying in the DDDB press release.
"Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg now need to decide if they want their legacy to be the next New London—a dust bowl in the heart of Brooklyn caused by the abuse of eminent domain, because that will be the outcome if they allow the property seizures and final clearance for Ratner's unfeasible project."
Needless to say, Borough President Marty Markowitz, who vigorously supports the Ratner's Atlantic Yards Project, was pleased by the news:
“The ruling by the State Court of Appeals reinforces previous decisions supporting the numerous public benefits of the Atlantic Yards project—during these difficult economic times and into Brooklyn’s bright future—including the creation of affordable housing, solid union jobs and permanent employment opportunities for Brooklynites who need work. Today’s decision from our state’s highest court marks what amounts to the final step in the legal process to make it happen. Finally, we will bring a national professional sports team and a world-class facility back to our borough after 52 years! Brooklyn ’s shovels are, and have been, ready. So, let’s pick them up and get to work!”
Dec 10: Feast, a Reading and a Benefit at the Old Stone House
Brooklyn Reading Works presents Feast, Writers on Food curated by Michele Madigan Somerville. A benefit for a local food pantry, Feast authors include: Sophia Romero, Nancy Garfinkle and Andrea Israel (authors of The Recipe Club), Greg Fuchs, Michele, and more .
Thursday, December 10 at 8 PM at the Old Stone House. Third Street and Fifth Avenue. 718-768-3195. Suggested donation for this reading is $10 (because it is a benefit for a food pantry). theoldstonehouse.org
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with
the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the
following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled
products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Stork Craft Baby Cribs
Units: About 535,000 (including 92,000 with the Fisher-Price logo)
Manufacturer: Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada
Hazard: The
metal support brackets used to support the crib mattress and mattress
board can crack and break. When one or more support brackets break, the
mattress can collapse and create a dangerous gap between the mattress
and crib rails, in which a child can become entrapped and suffocate.
Incidents/Injuries: CPSC
is aware of 10 incidents in which one or more mattress support brackets
broke. In several incidents, the support bracket broke causing the
mattress to collapse and create a gap between the mattress and crib
rails. CPSC received a report of a toddler who sustained bruises to his
forehead. In another incident a child reportedly became entrapped in
the gap between the mattress and the drop side rail with no injury.
Remedy: CPSC
urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled
cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their
baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free
replacement kit, with new mattress support brackets.
Consumer Contact: Contact Stork Craft toll-free at (866) 361-3321 anytime to order the free replacement kit or log on to www.storkcraft.com
For more info: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09093.html
Dec 1: World AIDS Day at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Park Slope
The Gay Catholic Ministry of Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church announces its second annual World AIDS Day Candlelight Service and Memorial Ribbon Project.
The Candlelight Service will take place on World AIDS Day, Tuesday, December 1, at 7:00 PM in St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, 116 Sixth Avenue, between Park and Sterling Places in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The Memorial Ribbon Project is ongoing (November 17 through December 1.).
The campaign call for World AIDS Day is “I am.” Why “I am? “ “I am” can mean, “I live.” “I am” suggests a challenge to understand HIV and AIDS from a human rights perspective. “I am” is personal, not abstract: I am accepted. I am safe. I am getting treatment. I am living. I am living well. When Moses asks the God of Exodus 3:12 “Who are you?” the voice answers, “I am.” “I am” reminds us that the divine lives within all who live with HIV and AIDS.
Over 33 million persons in the world are living with AIDS. Approximately two million are children. More than two million have died since 2007. World AIDS Day 2009 calls on us all to continue to hold individuals, religious leaders, faith organizations, international and national governments and agencies accountable for the commitments they have made to fight HIV and AIDS.
Ann Citarella, Sister of Charity, one of the founders of the Gay and Lesbian Catholic Ministry at St. Francis Xavier Church in Manhattan, and Reverend Doctor Daniel Meeter, pastor of Old First Reformed Church in Brooklyn will speak.
The exuberant and inspiring NYC OUTLOUD, a group of choral musicians dedicated to promoting tolerance and acceptance of GLBT and all people through song, will perform under the direction of Brian S. Hunt..
An exhibition of paintings called “Preparation Series,” by the artist and educator Maureen Mullen who teaches art at Friends Seminary in Manhattan, will be on display in the church on World AIDS Day. “Preparation Series” chronicles the artist’s experience supporting someone beloved to her as he made the journey through AIDS. In 1999 the first World AIDS Day Without Art took place.
The church's annual Ribbon Project will take place mid-November through World AIDS Day 2007. It is our hope that the red ribbons bearing the names of loved ones who have died of AIDS which line the iron fence surrounding Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church, will serve as a stark and reverent reminder of the continued need to improve AIDS/HIV education, support all who live with HIV and AIDS as we press for a cure. We invite all who wish to take part to submit names of loved ones who have died of AIDS. This can be done via email (staugustinegay@gmail.com), postal mail, or by hand-delivering names to the mail slot at the church rectory at 116 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn. (Please mark envelopes: “Ribbon Project”).
The names inscribed on the ribbons will be read aloud as part of the prayer service.
A reception will follow the service.
For further information call St. Augustine Church (718 783 3132), write to staugustinegay@gmail.com, www.brooklyngaycatholics.blogspot.com or visit Facebook Page “World AIDS Day St. Augustine”)
Are Other Small Businesses Having This Con Ed Problem?
Kathy Malone, who runs the Brooklyn Idie Market, is trying to find other small businesses who have had their Con Ed billing quadrupled. "I can't afford to be an entrepreneur," she writes. Below read emails that passed between Kathy and another small business owner, who also experienced a Con Ed price increase.
Kathy,
Alas, the only option you have is to file a grievance with the Public Service Commission, (1-800-342-3377). They run an investigation (mine has been going on for over a year and is still not resolved). Many of the representatives there used to work for Con Ed and know about the egregious billing practices. I would also recommend calling your City Councilman's office and filing a complaint with them. You could also try calling Brooklyn Papers (where the story about my situation originally appeared) to see if they want to do a follow-up piece on other local businesses facing the same issue. The louder the drum beat the better the chances of things being resolved in your favor. However, I think Con Ed spends millions of dollars a year on customer service and billing complaints, as well as on inspectors, and I don't think they concede more than 1% of the time, if that. In my case, they set forth criteria for me to prove my case that by their own definitions made it impossible to prove - a catch-22.
Good luck and let me know how you fare. Tommy Safian
Dave Glassman Tommy Safian Manager Owner
Nova Zembla 117 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11201 NovaZemblaHome.com
Subject: Brooklyn Indie Market getting screwed by Con Ed too! Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 2:44 PM
Hi Mr. Safian,
I just found the article in the Brooklyn Paper about your Con Ed bill problem. I run Brooklyn Indie Market in Carroll Gardens, basically a weekend craft market in Carroll Gardens. I have the exact same situation on my hands, my bill was $50 a month for a tent with electricity, then quadrupled to $200 when they changed my billing to a Large Business Billing Rate (as explained to me by a High Bill Specialist -they used to call them high bill inspectors, now they are just explainers) Now it's tripling again! What is your experience/advice? Did you get this resolved?
OTBKB Film by Pops Corn: Loving Precious While Embracing the Backlash
Call me Switzerland. Call me a flip-flopper. While I love Precious, I’ve been fascinated by the backlash and even appreciated the coverage. Armond White’s front cover (!) slam in the New York Press is already somewhat legendary, and with White being the Pres of the NY Film Critics’ Circle, this will cost it some pre-Oscar award-gobbling. The Times’ A.O. Scott compared Precious to The Blind Side, and while not a hatchet job, it only invokes negative comments from his peers. Even Moviefone got in on the hate. The backlash against Precious has been as swift as it comes. Opening weekend even.
I love White’s perceptive piece and Scott’s is just as compelling. Both prove that Precious is a film you react to. In some cases you’re dared to. Is it a film about the black experience for white people? Does it enforce stereotypes? Is the constant dread too thick? It is a film that gets you talking and seeing it with an audience makes for a great moviegoing experience.
First there’s the required racial breakdown of the audience. Mine was about 80% white, 20% black. Reactions varied throughout the film and at the end I overheard priceless stuff. “I thought I would I cry more,” complained half of the couple who were the only other end credit stayers. Meanwhile, wailing emanated from the women’s room, as one audience member couldn’t pull it together. Myself, I came out of the movie thinking about my own parenting and what my life’s achievements have been. The power of the film definitely resonated for me. It’s a movie that challenges audiences to think about race and to face ugliness. Not just the violent, dismal portrayal of poverty, but also the ugliness of our cultural beliefs. The use of fried chicken and McDonald’s, game show footage, Precious’ white-obsessed fantasies, all add up to an experience that can be uncomfortable and is sparking impassioned debate. And the pitch of the film—typical for director Lee Daniels—is very, very high. It crossed a few lines for me with certain clichés and choices, but it’s designed to push those buttons; not being numb to them is a good sign.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites you to attend a public information meeting to discuss upcoming activities at the Gowanus Canal.
Thursday, December 3, 2009, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the auditorium of Public School 32 located at 317 Hoyt Street (between Union/President Streets), Brooklyn
This meeting will include a formal presentation followed by a question and answer period.
Additional site related documents are available at: www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus
Before you start wondering about what those new orange decals are which will begin popping up on our streets, I thought you might be interested in the following...
New York City Marks the Spot (in Brooklyn Community Board 6)
Beginning November 23, 2009 you may notice some changes on the streets in your neighborhood.
New York City inspectors will test street decals as an innovative approach to marking pavement for repair on City Streets.
Why will the City mark the spot?
These markings (pictured on downloadable flyer) are used to identify and mark roadway conditions reported by customers for repair and to let everyone know that the City is coordinating repair of hte issue and to mind the hazard.
When a customer calls 311 to report a condition for repair, a City inspector will visit the site and determine the necessary next steps. For many issues, private companies, utilities or other City agencies may be required to respond which may influence the duration of repair. City inspectors will affix a small, bright orange decal adjacent to the site. For issues that are repaired immediately, no decal will be used.
Customers will know the City is "looking into" repair of the issue.
What can customers expect?
This program is designed to provide customers with greater transparency of how the City is responding to roadway issues and will not provide any obstruction to the roadway surface.
This pilot program will continue into 2010.
To learn more information about street conditions, please visit the reference materials section at www.nyc.gov/operations
On the weekend of December 5-6, 2009 the Department of Transportation (DOT) will replace single spaced parking meters with muni-meters in Park Slope. The change will occur on 5th Avenue from Sackett to 3rd Streets, and on 7th Avenue from Lincoln Place to 6th Street. These boundaries coincide with the current Park SMART pilot area.
Click here for more details, or use the following link: http://www.brooklyncb6.org/announcements/#15
A quick review from Verse Responder Leon Freilich who tried the new tapas place on Seventh Avenue and Garfield It's called 161 (located 161 Seventh Avenue)!
A bite into a tortilla espanola, followed by sushi and a sip of Pinot Noir. Then, sitting at a high table, a taste of chorizo and sashimi moistened by a fine merlot.
You're in 161, the new tapas wine bar that replaced the Japanese restaurant
on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place
The dual-national establishment, which opened this weekend, is an instant hit. The back wall of this sprawling treatery, seen through the many streetfront windows, is the first attraction--
brightly lit red & yellow & blue halos of what appear to be wine bottle bottoms.
From there the delicate wines & tidbits take over. Sunday night, they seemed to be doing their job. More patrons were on hand than in a month of
either of the previous two Japanese incarnations.
There are two fine shows right here in the neighborhood tomorrow
night. They are pretty much mutually exclusive, but each promises to
be good in its own right.
Robbie Fulks and Jennie Scheinman: After spending six months living in
Windsor Terrace and then returning to his home base of Chicago, Robbie comes back to his Brooklyn base of Barbes for another set with Jennie
Scheinman. If you missed their run at Barbes this past spring, you owe
it to yourself to hear Robbie and Jennie play guitar and fiddle,
respectively, on a variety of country, blues and the like. Since
Robbie has just finished a nine year in the making Michael Jackson
tribute album, you might even hear something from that too. And as
Robbie notes on his website, you'll get half off of drinks if you find
Jennie a babysitter.
Leslie Mendelson and Jim Boggia: Part of the monthly Acoustically
Related series at Southpaw. If you haven't already memorized what I've
written about her previously, I'll mention again that Leslie plays
piano, writes great melodic songs in the adult pop vein, knows how to
pull out an inspired cover at the right time and will leave you smiling.
Jim Boggia is a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter. You can call his
songs rock or pop or both. Jim seems to know every song written over
the past 50 years and at times seems poised to play some or even all of
them in his set. And his shows are not only great musically, they are
funny as well.
Acoustically Related, Southpaw, 125 Fifth Avenue (between St. Johns and
Sterling Places), 8pm doors, 8:30pm Leslie Mendelson; 9pm Jim Boggia;
$10
Efrain writes: "I took these Sunday night. on the Smith and Ninth Street subway stop on the F subway line, over the Gowanus Canal moon set over the BQE."
Regulars of Cafe Regular on 11th Street just west of Fifth Avenue seem to be staying away since their favorite barista, Martin, was asked to leave.
It's not exactly a boycott. But one regular had this to say:
"The two mornings since have
been pretty empty... regulars seem to be pretty appalled at the
changes. It's closing for the holiday / renovations and my gut feeling
is that people will be even more upset when it opens with the changes,
not sure what they'll do then to voice their displeasure. Let's just
hope that Martin's photo will remain on the wall!"
In a special 30th anniversary edition, there's loads to read about Brooklyn—and the Brooklyn Paper.
If there’s one constant in
Brooklyn over these last 30 years, it’s change. A Rip Van Winkle
returning waking up in a Brooklyn neighborhood after a three-decade
slumber might not be able to recognize the place. From the glistening
new towers on the Williamsburg waterfront to Yuppies in Bay Ridge, this
borough has been in flux for all of our 30 years of covering it. Here’s
our look back at how each of the vibrant communities in our coverage
area have changed over the years.
Regulars of the coffee shop Cafe Regular (the original 11th Street off Fifth Avenue location) are in an uproar because Martin
O'Connell, the longtime and legendarily sarcastic wizard of the
espresso machine, was suddenly "ousted" by the owner.
Regulars also hear that renovations are planned for this holiday weekend, including
the introduction of a computer, uniforms for the staff, etc.
Regulars consider this a drastic
about-face for this small, low-key neighborhood spot.
Can anyone help to get to the bottom of these sudden changes?
teach media literacy + cultural awareness amongst young women of color
Founders, Sha Sha Feng and Clarisa James
decided to form DIVAS after collaborating during graduate school. James
received her BA in Music & Media Studies and Feng received her BA
in Computer Science & Music. Both are alumnae of the MFA program in
Integrated Media Arts at Hunter College. They are actively involved in
creating socially conscious media.
Through their personal experiences, Feng and James became painfully
aware of the under-representation of women of color in the Information
Technology and New Media fields. Hence, DIVAS was born!
Studies indicate that the Information
Technology profession is made up of only 35% women and the number of women
of color within that percentage is even less. DIVAS for Social Justice
is determined to tear down economic and racial barriers to encourage
young women of color to become future leaders in their communities and
the Information Technology/New Media fields.
On December 1st, the DIVAs are having a fundraiser and lecture at the the Magnolia Tree Earth Center (677 Lafayette Avenue in Bed Stuy). Marcia Harris will deliver a lecture on Imagery & Its Power.
Imagery & Its Power” is a presentation about the original use of the N-word in its historical context using visuals, DVDs, and a PowerPoint presentation to engage youth and adults in an open, honest, and historically revealing interactive
discussion.
The purpose of this effective presentation is to critically analyze history, propaganda, media manipulation, and past/present-day caricatures in understanding why some of us dislike ourselves, continuously distrust one another, and
kill each other so easily.
This event is great for educators and youth facilitators
London's Independent Raves About Hotel Le Bleu and Vue
Leon Freilich wrote in with this tip (Thanks Leon)!
London's progressive broadsheet, The Independent, reviews both Hotel Le Bleu, its rooftop Vue restaurant- bar & adjoining Park Slope, delivering a pair of raves.
"It's where affluent Manhattanites migrated to in the 1800s and its public
library, art gallery, and Academy of Music complete with anything Manhattan
has to offer.
"
OK, so it misplaces BAM. Quick, what district of London is Covent Garden in?
Smartmom sat on the Townsend couch in Room & Board’s second-floor showroom waiting for Hepcat to arrive.
She had to laugh. How had this couch thing gotten so out of hand?
Was it really worth fighting about? For that matter, what was it really
about? Were they fighting about a piece of furniture or the state of
their lives?
Hepcat was late as usual. But no matter, Smartmom was determined to
enjoy what she hoped would be their final couch-shopping expedition.
While she waited, she wondered whether their couch drama had been a
power struggle or an aesthetic disagreement. Was it really about form
and function or the dysfunctionality of their 20-year marriage?
Good questions. Smartmom felt a pang of sadness. If the two long
marrieds had such a hard time agreeing on a new piece of furniture, was
there any hope for peace in the Middle East or the health care bill?
Sitting on the soft chenille of the Townsend, she realized what a
turbulent river she and Hepcat had crossed to get to the point where
they could agree to pay the $1,399, plus tax and shipping, for a new
couch to replace the 18-year-old Ikea divan that Hepcat loves.
When her hubby finally arrived, he and Smartmom walked around the
store and revisited some of the other couches they had considered:
there was the Andre, the Anson, the Metro and the York.
It didn’t take long for them both to agree that the Townsend was the one. It was comfortable, soft and easy on the eyes.
Then they got a phone call from the Oh So Feisty One saying that she was locked out of the apartment.
“We’ll be home in a half hour,” Smartmom told her. Sadly their shopping trip was cut short.
“So should we buy it?” Smartmom asked nervously.
“Let’s pay for it,” Hepcat said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yup, yup, yup,” Hepcat said — it’s what he always says when he wants to sound agreeable.
Smartmom knew it was time to make a decision. She knew it was time
to let go of this disagreement and move on. Hand in hand (or was it
only Smartmom’s imagination?), they walked over to a sales associate,
paid for the couch and scheduled its delivery for exactly one week from
that day.
What a strange feeling to have finally made a decision. The couch dilemma was over. What an accomplishment: PROGRESS.
When they got home, they told OSFO and Teen Spirit the good news.
“So these are the last days of the couch?” Teen Spirit said dispiritedly.
“Why do we have to get a new couch?” OSFO whined.
“I protest the removal of our couch,” Teen Spirit said and walked into his room.
“What’s it worth to us?” she wrote back in an e-mail. “Well, let’s
get together soon so we can look at (and measure) the Green Couch. It
would be especially fun if Dave and I could sit on it with Hepcat and
discuss how proud we are to be part of the .81 percent that voted for
the Rev. Billy for mayor.”
“We’re thinking $300,” Smartmom replied. But Brooke wanted a measurement before committing.
“It’s 88 inches wide and 37 inches deep. Can you come see it before Saturday?”
“Oh, no! Eighty-eight inches is too big to fit with our furniture!”
she wrote back. “Alas, the Saga of the Couch ends not with a bang, but
a whimper. I would never stoop so low as to throw you a headline like
‘Size does matter.’ But in this case, I need eight inches. Before you
say, ‘Who doesn’t?’ let me explain. The couch has to fit between an end
table and an antique trunk — a space of less than 80 inches.”
So for the first time, a woman was complaining about something being eight inches longer than she wanted.
Smartmom didn’t understand why they couldn’t just move the end table
and the antique trunk. But who was she to question the strange calculus
of any relationship?
Smartmom was glum. It wasn’t going to be quite so easy to sell their
green leather couch. Maybe they’d have to give it away. Or leave it on
the street. In less than 24 hours, their new couch would arrive from
Room & Board.
Smartmom was stressing. How would it look? Would it be comfortable?
At 92 inches, would it be too big for their own truncated living room?
Pre-Thanksgiving Fun: Epick and the Mofos at Southpaw Wednesday
An OTBKB reader wrote to say that her brother is a rapper and his band, Epick and the Mofos, will be playing at Southpaw on Wednesday night. I watched the video and he's awesome.
Here's what Epick has to say about his music:
I rip and I rhyme, I rhyme and I rip. Born and raised in Nueva York;
Upper west side in your face. When I'm not working toward reaching the
18th level of the PerkiSystem, I'm out somewhere trying to do it to it.
For good times go to epickmusic.com and vaporworldz.com. Thaaaaaanks.
At Southpaw Wednesday, November 25 at 9 PM (doors open at 8 PM) 125 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope.
The Weekend List: Kepler, smART Hop, Really Real, Chili Takedown!
ART: On Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 70 participating
Brooklyn art galleries will offer visitors outstanding exhibitions and
refreshments as well as a unique opportunity to learn more about
Brooklyn's expanding art scene and galleries during the second annual
smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop, an initiative of Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz and Brooklyn Tourism. Info here. OPERA: Philip Glass' opera, Kepler, Nov 20-21 at 8 PM at BAM. DANCE: Wally Cardona and company return with Really Real, a delicately
calibrated exploration of our species. Balancing composer Phil Kline’s
affecting music with Cardona's architecturally exacting movements, his
elegant and uncompromising troupe—accompanied by the Brooklyn Youth
Chorus—mines the hard-wired forces that make us who we are. At BAM on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM. FILM: Precious, An Education and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans with Nicholas Cage, directed by Werner Herzog at BAM. Men Who Stare at Goats, 2012, Precious and The Blind Side at the Park Slope Pavilion.
TWILIGHT SAGA: New Moon at Cobble Hill and UA Court Street Stadium (not at the Pavilion).
FILM AT BARBES: Short Brazillian Film at 8 PM on Friday, November 20 at Barbes. The works presented range from documentaries to fiction, animation and
experimental films. A majority of the films come from the city of Belo
Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais. The city, which is experiencing
a creative boom of sorts, is home to a large contingent of filmmakers
all working outside the institutions of mainstream Brazilian cinema. FOOD AT THE BELL HOUSE: Ride on down to the Bell House, 4PM Nov 22 for the Brooklyn Chili
Takedown!!! The Takedown has destroyed with bacon, curry, lamb, and
tofu - but it's first and best love is CHILI. Over the past 5 years the
Chili Takedown has proved itself the finest, most important chili
cookoff, ever, of all time. Texas Chili, Cincinnati Chili, Veggie Chili
- free to enter your super brilliant batch of your finest. $100
People's Choice Award, $50 Judges Award, and other prizes! Just contact
Matt Timms at chili-takedown.com! Or come down and for $15 try all the
cooks' barbaric interpretations on this Texas delicacy! MUSIC: Capathia Jenkins and Louis Rosen's "The Ache of Possibility" at Joe's Pub: Catchy new pop standards about the current depression, not the original one. Nov 21-22 at 7 PM.
THEATER: The Electric Ballroom, a new play by Enda Walsh and the Druid Ireland company at St. Ann’s Warehouse • 38 Water St. at Dock Street.
HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING: Artisan items and gifts at Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture on Saturday, November 21; Meet the Makers at the American Can Factory Market on Third Street and Third Avenue.
It's been about two months since Amy Speace packed up and moved out of
the area and down to Nashville, but she is back in town and playing at
The Living Room tonight. Amy will be playing her mix of Americana,
rock and alt country with her band, The Tearjerks. Amy's
album released earlier this year, The Killer in Me (which will
undoubtedly be appearing on year-end best of lists), was born out of
the end of Amy's marriage. Sure, it has some introspective stuff on
it, notably the stand out I Haven't Learned A Thing, but also upbeat
numbers as well, including Would I Lie. Amy also promises to premier a
whole bunch of new songs as well. Since it's likely that Amy will play
fewer dates in the area now, you should take tonight's opportunity to
see her.
In Sweet Melissa's Brooklyn Paper column, she reveals the secrets of her Thanksgiving turkey.
No matter how much effort we put into our side dishes, the turkey is
the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table. Yes, there are some people
who don’t like turkey, feeling like they’re wasting valuable plate
space with a balsa-wood bird. But you can turn those critics into
carnivores by brining your turkey overnight...
A friend told me that there was no F train service yesterday morning and I wondered why.
Sadly, it turns out there was a suicide at 7th Avenue. An unidentified man jumped in front of a Queens-bound G train at the Seventh Avenue F/G Station (at 9th Street) in Park Slope. Service was disrupted for two hours.
25 Park Slope Restaurants Cited/Fined for Labor Violations
Many favorite Park Slope restaurants are on the list released by the State Department of Labor Department yesterday. 25
Brooklyn restaurants owe at least $910,000 in unpaid wages to more than
200 workers.
In Park Slope, state
inspectors found that workers make as little as $2.75 an hour way below state
minimum wage of $7.25. They found that delivery workers earn $210 to $275 a week for 60 to 70 hours of work.
Of the 25 restaurants cited, 12 restaurants paid back the wages while 13 other restaurants are still
in negotiations to pay back the wages.
Park Slope Restaurants With Violations
The following restaurants are negotiating a resolution for payment: Aunt Suzie's Restaurant Bagel World Bogota Latin Bistro Coco Roco Joe's Pizza
Marcho Corp's Cholita Olive Vine Cafe (two locations) Rachel's Taqueria Sette Song Taqueria Uncle Moe's
Believable Imagery When We Should (Dis)Believe Photos And Why
The pen is mightier than the sword but in our increasingly visual culture maybe the image has become the automatic weapon, with unprecedented power for communication and with very real consequences. We swim in a visual culture and yet like fish in water we hardly think about significance of the medium that envelops us: information, news, advertising, pop culture, celebrity portraits and not to overlook our family albums now online and public at Flickr, Facebook and elsewhere. The power of the photograph lies in its obvious immediacy and its assumed reality - but how much should we trust what we see in the digital age? As the 21st Century gets under way the power to make and distribute imagery has never been greater and we need to learn new skills to distinguish fact from metaphor, public from private, art from vernacular, truth from lies...
Panelists:
Stephen Mayes Director, VII Photo, representing thirty globally recognized photojournalists
Kira Pollack Director of Photography, Time Magazine; Fmr. Senior Photo Editor, NY Times Sunday Magazine
Theresa Raffetto Theresa Raffetto Photography, Commercial Photographer; President, Advertising Photographers of America
Fred Ritchin Professor of Photography and Imaging at NYU; Author of "After Photography" (2009) "A fascinating look at the perils and possibilities of photography in the digital age"
Date: December 3, 2009
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Wine Reception 7:00pm-7:30pm Panel 7:30pm-9:00pm
Location: 28 Jay Street, Dumbo - Brooklyn 2 blocks west of York Street station (F train)
Early Deadline for Submissions for Bklyn International Film Fest
I just heard from Nat Kensinger who is now the Director of Programming for the 13th annual Brooklyn International Film Festival (pictured left is last year's loely poster). Nat writes:
"Our first deadline for submissions is coming up! The festival is accepting early-bird submissions up until November 30th, with a discounted submission fee of $30. Please consider submitting your films, and/or letting your filmmaker friends know about the festival.
Artist Jeanne-Claude, who created the 2005 Central Park installation
"The Gates" and other large scale "wrapping" projects around the globe
with her husband Christo, has died. She was 74.
Jeanne-Claude died Wednesday night at a New York hospital from
complications of a brain aneurysm, her family said in an e-mail
statement.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he spoke with Christo on Thursday morning and offered condolences on behalf of all New Yorkers.
"The Gates" festooned 23 miles of Central Park's footpaths with thousands of saffron drapes hung from specially designed frames.
More than 5 million people saw "The Gates," and it was credited with injecting about $254 million into the local economy.
