We got some more great press!

From Sheepless.org
These guys are great and wrote some great things about us!
Thank you guys so much!!!
http://www.sheepless.org/magazine/shorts/realty-collective-hip-realtor-brooklyns-creative-types

Cafe Mei Mei

Time Out writes Chef Robert Ribant (River Café) opens a seasonal American restaurant with a modern design that includes floor tiles patterned after a Mondrian painting. Market-driven specials will feature dry-aged prime steak, foie gras and other delicacies. Wines and beers are planned, but until the license clears, expect free pours on Fridays and Saturdays. Cafe Mei Mei 231 Court St between Baltic and Warren Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-852-8571).

Veteran's Day

To all the men and women who have and are serving in our armed forces we would like to take the time to remember all that you provide us with today.

Thank You

Fall Fling at Red Hook Playgroup

To commemorate their brand new space, Red Hook Playgroup is having a fundraiser today at 7:00pm. If your so inclined, stop by and grab a slice, a brew and cut a rug while contributing to a local cause.

295 Columbia Street (btw Woodhull and Summit)
Wednesday, November 11th @ 7:00pm
Tix - $25.00 get you all you can handle
Slice - House of Pizza
Brew - Six Point Brewery
DJ - DJ Lupe Loops
Raffle

Umm

PDT’s latest chef special: a bacon-wrapped, deep-fried dog topped with melted Gruyère and celery relish and seasoned with truffle mayo.

Jill Santopierto at The Moment reports that Daniel Humm, the chef at Eleven Madison Park, has teamed up with PDT’s Jim Meehan to serve a “haute dog” at the clandestine bar attached to Crif Dogs on St. Mark’s Place.

Happy Sesame Street Day!

Won't you tell me how to get, how to get to... (Jen Carlson/Gothamist)

Not only has your favorite children's television program found an address but they also have an official day. Well, after 40 years November 10th is officially Sesame Street Day and you can find it at 64th and Broadway. Gothamists reported that while the show is filmed in Astoria their headquarters are actually located on the UWS! How are you going to celebrate! cookie, cookie, cookie.

(or you can build your own muppet at FAO Schwarz - http://www.fao.com/whatnots/index.jsp)

Very Happy Hour

Throughout the month of November Brooklyn Bowl has free bowling, including shoes, Monday - Thursday from 6pm-7pm. Come to knock some pins, Stay for the music, food, bar, ect., ect. . .

Red Velvet Spelt Ice Cream

[Photo: Kathy Chan]

Stogo has again come to the aid of the lactose intolerant. Katy Chan over at Serious Eats notes that the East Village dairy free ice cream shop has created this original flavor by combining spelt's distinctive nutty-flavor with crumbs of red velvet throughout the ice cream. Try it for yourself:

Stogo

159 Second Avenue, New York NY 10003 (map)
stogonyc.com

[seriouseats.com]

Osso Quartet + Sufjan's BQE

Osso, New York- and Berlin-based sting quartet, will be performing interpretations of Sufjan Stevens' electronica album Enjoy Your Rabbit at the Bell House. The performance is paired with a showing of Sufjan Stevens' new film, The BQE, a 40-minute symphonic and cinematic exploration of the infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The show is Saturday, November 7th and starts at 7:30pm. Get tickets - Early Show $12.00.

2nd Annual Cobble Hill Bike Ride

There's a little snap in the wind and the sun still shining high. What better way to enjoy the first offerings of fall than to participate in a free ride this weekend. The Cobble Hill Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative are hosting a 10-mile casual bike ride that will start at Cobble Hill Park and pass through Brooklyn Heights , Dumbo, the Columbia Waterfront District, Red Hook, and Carroll Gardens then loop back to Cobble Hill.

This Sunday, November 8th from 11:00am to 2:00pm you can join this casual tour around Cobble Hill. Better sign up fast it's limited to 50 riders! Ride is FREE, simply RSVP to cobblehillbikeride(at)gmail.com. Preference will be given to those who register ahead of time, as well as Cobble Hill Association members. Ride starts from Verandah Place at Cobble Hill Park.

A great way to meet new people and you just might find a new place to brunch. Enjoy.

Archi-cuteness

· Only in Brooklyn: Archostumes [ArchPaper]


These cuties were spotted last week in Cobble Hill in their architectural-themed Halloween costumes. There is hope for the future.

Just in Case You Bump You Head

and forgot . . the ING's New York Marathon is TOMORROW. It's the 40th anniversary for this auspicious occasion and there will be congestion. For those who are willing and able try to get out there and cheer them on. It's no small feat to attempt and finish NYC's Marathon and I'm sure they'll appreciate it A LOT!

. . . and for those just trying to get brunch here's a guide of bridge and road closures. lazy a@%'$

Alternative for you know what

The Vanderbilt on Vanderbilt:

The Vanderbilt is up and running just in time for this Fall's festivities. For a well deserved break, how about dropping in on them and treating yourself to some well deserved pre-halloween sustenance: drink + meal = success.

Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
570 Vanderbilt Ave
(between Pacific St & Dean St)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 623-0570

Go get your ghoul on!

Guess Who's Getting A New Coat of Paint

On the way into the office, I passed by an old development that's getting some long needed love. Apparently, a garden center is to come our way this fall. This green center is nothing less than a welcome addition to our corner of Hicks and Degraw. This location though seems a little ironic as it faces the hurdling fumes of the BQE. WE will keep you updated as events unfold.

Weekend Wonder

Ghouls & Gourds

Sunday, noon - 6:00p (rain or shine): Brooklyn Botanic Garden children's costume parade. Play around with carnivorous plants and recycled instruments. Chat with children illustrators and storytellers and enjoy the Botanical grounds. See site for schedule and admission.

Free Book Swap

Bring a book - Get a book! This Saturday the Cobble Hill Association will hold their book swap at the Long Island College Hospital Sitting Park (at Henry and Pacific Streets in Cobble Hill) from 11 am to 3 pm. Books will also be available for purchase for one buck.

Cosmos, Well Not Exactly But...

For those seeking intelligence in more immediate locals, Imagine Science Film Festival and the Secret Science Club brings you the search for intelligent life through short films. Tonight at 7:30 the Bell House presents for your viewing pleasure: Naming Pluto, MEPE and the Exquisite Corpse of Science - among other fine shorts. Sure, it's no Cosmos but I'm sure you can submit your requests for next year.

Ready Steady GO GO GO!

The festivities for CMJ start today. As always there's a veritable smorgasbord of treats for all the senses. So get your sexten and astrolabes ready cause your gonna need 'em - or you can just consult your tried and trusted music guides at Brooklyn Vegan. Have fun and remember to hydrate.

RED HOOK FOOD EVENT - OCT. 20th at NOON

The Food Network is taping an event on the Barge tomorrow at noon. It's an all ages show and there will be lots to sample. Also, please be aware the dish is fish so anyone with allergies should take note. Otherwise it should be a great event.

Have fun!

National Design Week

Free Admission to Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum
October 18-24, 2009

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, is offering free admission to visitors during National Design Week. They will also be hosting public programs surrounding the National Design Awards.

Kombucha 101 at The Brooklyn Kitchen

Lastly, if you haven't taken Kombuchman's bi-monthly Buch 101 class at The Brooklyn Kitchen, November 11th is a great time to make it happen! Next month The Brooklyn Kitchen is opening their doors to their new teaching space, the Brooklyn Kitchen Labs. Don't miss it! Click here to sign up.

Eric and Rick

Drink the Revolution!

www.kombuchabrooklyn.com

Tom Waits Giveaway

from the website

Tom Waits is releasing 8 tracks from his newest release Glitter and Doom Live. Release date is November 24th which includes a 35 minute CD/track of Wait's compelling song/banter - pre-order here.

The Ultimate

Cobble Hill welcomes Ultimate Burgers and Dogs at 243 Degraw Street in Cobble Hill, between Court and Clinton Streets. It's a build your own joint with options from New York Classic, Southern Slaw, Chicago, to Korean BBQ. Let's hope this D.I.Y. trend works out for UB&D and they'll be able to stay a while, unlike many of their predecessors.

First Annual Brooklyn Fishing Derby

All you anglers out there it's time to get your hooks and lines ready for Brooklyn's own Fishing Derby brought you by Brooklyn Urban Anglers Association (BKUA). The competition is open to novices and experts for some nice prizes and bragging rights. Registration is currently open and the competition is from October 1 - October 30. Sign-up, Rules & Regs., and updates are found at the Brooklyn Chowder Surfer website. Get your lines ready and have fun!

brooklynchowdersurfer.com

Oktoberfest 2009

A few suggestions:

Oktoberfest launch at Williamsburg Radegast Hall & Biergarten (Oct. 2-4)
Second Annual Coney Island Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival (Oct 3, 5-midnight)

Have fun and be safe!

Film Festivals

9th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
October 2nd-4th
The Sideshow by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum

Red Hook International Film and Video Festival
October 3rd and 4th (1:00-6:00pm)
Brooklyn Waterfront's Artist Coalition's Screening Room (499 Van Brunt Street)

see schedules for more information on festival passes and screening times

Extremely Hungry Festival

Target First Saturday at Brooklyn Museum
October 3rd
5:00-11:00p.m.

This evening is brought to you in collaboration with Hungarian Cultural Center and it's Extremely Hungry festival. Performances will be held free throughout the evening: Dallam-Dougou, Vertical Player Repertory, Cremaster 5 (Matthew Barney, 1997), Opera on Tap and Vertical Player Repertory, and dance party hosted by Brooklyn’s DJ Reborn and Hungarian DJ Yonderboi.

Please note that due to limited capacities, some Target First Saturday programs require tickets. Ticket lines often form 30 minutes before ticket distribution at the Visitor Center located in the Rubin Lobby. Members may pick up tickets from the Membership Desk beginning at 2 p.m. while supplies last. Programs subject to change without notice.

FEAST

Saturday, October 3rd - 5-8pm
FEAST, a recurring public dinner designed to use community-driven financial support to democratically fund new and emerging art makers, is hosting a dinner this Saturday the Church of the Messiah. Please come out and commune with fellow artists: Family Band, Laura Zax, Hit Factorie's Harvest Ceremony, and words from Mary Speaker. Enjoy a locally sourced, organic, vegetarian dinner by One & Supp from Satur Farms and Grandaisy Bakery. Sip local brews by Sixpoint Craft Ales served by Beer Table.

$10-20 suggested donation, no one turned away

13TH ANNUAL D.U.M.B.O. ART UNDER THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL

13TH ANNUAL D.U.M.B.O. ART UNDER THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 25 - 27, 2009

That's right, it's that time again join DAC as they present over 80+ projects over this weekend. You can check out the open studios or the video_dumbo, a video art project from artists in New York and around the world. For more information see link above for times and maps. Happy Weekend.

Good Times

The Third Annual Taste of Red Hook was a great success. Jill Eisenhard, president of Red Hook Initiative, appreciated all the support and it looks like yummy dishes were enjoyed by all. Here's a sample of what guests were given a sample of (maybe it'll tempt you to attend next year)!

Calexico - Tomatillo Gazpacho
Good Fork - Mini Crab Cakes
Lobster Pound - Amazing Lobster Grits
Rocky Sullivan - Spicy Wings

Artists: Joe Doucet, Susan Weltman, and Dustin

CHRIS DOMENICK: HIGH TIDE

September 26 – October 12, 2009
Opening Reception Saturday Sept. 26, 7-10pm

WORK, 65 Union Street (at Van Brunt), Brooklyn, NY, 11231

Third Annual Taste of Red Hook

A Fundraiser to Benefit the Red Hook Initiative

The Third Annual
A TASTE OF RED HOOK 2009

Tuesday, 22 September 2009
6 – 9pm at Kidd Yellin Gallery
133 Imlay Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn

To purchase tickets Click here –> NYCharities.org
Tickets are $100 in advance.
Tickets are $125 at the door

We'll be out in support and hope to see you there too! If you need more incentive here are some of the great restaurants featured tomorrow!

Anselmos
Baked
Blue Marble Ice Cream
Brooklyn Botanica
Calexico
Defontes
Fairway Catering
Fort Defiance
The Good Fork
Home/Made Wine Bar
Hope & Anchor
IKEA
Kevin's
Margaret Palca Bakes
Nunu Chocolates
Red Hook Lobster Pound
Red's Tapas Bar
Rice
Rocky Sullivan's
Steve's Key Lime Pies
Ty Ku Premium Sake
and... Fernando Martinez of the Red Hook Soccer Fields

The Observer hails the Queen of Red Hook - or was that Rockaway Park?

I wasn't going to say anything. Honestly. But we were chatting with Gino Vitale in front of his carriage houses the other day about the Observer's article about erstwhile Red Hook resident Rachel Shapiro, and he said, "but she doesn't even live here." Really? Well, at least she puts her residency in the past tense:

There are other brokers in Red Hook, of course—Elliman, Corcoran and a number of other big players based in Manhattan manage sales in the area, and a number of nearby independents, particularly in Carroll Gardens, work with landlords. But, as Ms. Shapiro puts it, “I’m the only one who’s lived here. … You don’t understand the community until you’ve lived here. And,” she adds, “I’m young. I’m the demographic.”

Writer Sadie Stein refers to Ms. Shapiro as "an oft-quoted expert on all things Red Hook real estate," offering as proof a link to the infamous NYMag takedown of the neighborhood (sample quote: "I’m not in a position to turn down a listing. It just means I have people standing in front of my window saying that prices are absurd"). Not sure that her unique willingness to be manipulated by the media qualifies her as an expert, really. 

Or not so unique. She's not the only heavy hitting blurbmeister in the Sadie Stein universe. The Red Hook article also quotes (but does not identify) one Bevin Strand. Not sure who Bevin Strand is? Why, she's the 23-year-old plaster cast maker for The Museum of Natural History who contributed the lede for this vintage Observer story. 

I know it's just a little throwaway article, and maybe it's too much to ask that a Jezebel blogger be expected to behave like a journalist. But I am a real estate agent, and I live in Red Hook. So is Betancourt's Maria Mackin, who is perhaps our most famous real estate agent/resident/chicken farmer. We're not hiding in the shadows. So rather than take Ms. Shapiro's word for it, why not spend five minutes on the internets to check her assertion. Maybe this is why the paper refers to itself as the Observer and not the Reporter. 

Look what's popping up in Bushwick!

Hello,

my name is Tania. I am a new agent working with Victoria "the rockstar broker", at Realty Collective. I deal with apartment rentals in the Bushwick, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint areas of Brooklyn. I am a native Williamsburger (is that what we're called?) and I live in Bushwick.

Some people give me grief about where I live because of its riotous history, but I LOVE IT and this is why:

1) PARKING
2) adorable community gardens where you would least expect them
3) graffiti murals that speak of its streets the way the way Georgia O'Keeffe did of nature
4) its laid back community of extremist-creatives and cool people who can still appreciate a little old-fashioned New York City grit (and like it that way!)
5) it's kinda like Venice,CA, but without the beach and minus people saying "duuuuuude".
6) most restaurants deliver beer

and not only that! Over the past 2 years, I've seen business and restaurants popping up like happy daisies in places where once none would ever dare travel. Just this past year, Beauty Bar opened up another location just around the corner from me! It's lovely inside and the music is slammin'. Imagine that... Beauty Bar in Bushwick. It's there to greet you right when you get off the JMZ Myrtle train.

I just got back from the Northwest U.S. where I got really spoiled by the readily available amazingness of their coffee everywhere, namely Stumptown. Nevermind espresso, I'm talkin" drip. Anyway, I get back to find that Cafe Orwell, the cute little cafe that opened up around the corner on 247 Varet St (between White St & Bogart St), is serving it! They also feature live music and have kicked off an indie concert series, rightfully dubbed "Bush Folk".

Just sayin'... I love being part of Bushwick's real-life renaissance. There will be a lot more to post soon since empty commercial property here is being snatched up quickly and transformed into tasteful and trendy places to shop, chill, and dine. Welcome to my homeland :)

Fort Defiance- Ban Mih Sandwhich

Finally made it out to Fort Defiance this weekend after spending the afternoon at the Red Hook pool.
What a great little space!,with a limited menu.
There were 4 or 5 options for food and none of them were brunch-esque.
I had the most amazing Ban Mih sandwich- extra spicy!
The cucumber gave it that crunch and the spice really brought the flavors of the pork pate' out.
It was so large I had to save the 2nd half for dinner. the juices and spices all had soaked into the bread by this time but it made it even better.
They also had a yellow plum salad, and Italian tuna and a mufeletta on the menu.
I cant wait to go back!

Blockbuster space finally looks like it has a new tenant!

Finally work has been started on the old Blockbuster space on Court street.
Anyone know who is moving in?

Kombucha Brooklyn! Comes to a store near you!

KBBK in Brooklyn Stores!

This week KBBK's founding members, Kombuchman and Rick, are delivering the first cases of Kombucha Brooklyn Straight-Up to Brooklyn area stores. Check out the following locations to grab yourself a bottle:

· Park Slope Food Co-op (782 Union St, Brooklyn)

· Marlow & Daughters (95 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

· Marlow & Sons (81 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn)

· Perelandra Natural Food Center (175 Remsen St, Brooklyn Heights)

· Urban Rustic (236 N. 12th St, Brooklyn)

· Bierkraft (191 Fifth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn)

· Brauwerij Lane (73 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn)

· Brooklyn Label (180 Franklin St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn)

· Second Helpings (448 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn)

http://kombuchabrooklyn.com/

Bocca Lupo Brunch is the best Brunch!

I had brunch here last week and it was amazing!
Why is it so hard to find good brunch in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens?
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bocca-lupo-brooklyn
The only other place I have had a great brunch is the newly opened Meg and Watty's.
I find myself going to Park Slope on Sundays to have brunch.
Why Should I have to leave my neighborhood that is littered with great restaurants to have brunch?
Don't the restaurants around here know that this is a major complaint of residents?

What is this building?

and where did it come from?

Coney Isalnd-Packed with people!

The shores of Coney Island have been filled with people over the weekends.
Anyone know the future of this great place?
Seems ridiculous that they have dragged out tenants and rides and now work is at a stand still.

Pig Roast-Clinton Cafe

There was a whole pig roasted , sliced and served at the Clinton Cafe.
All done on the sidewalk?
I like the American flag in the background.
Makes it more kosher.

Shakespeare's Daughter- new tenant !

Shakespeare's Daughter- new tenant has started work.
The window license had the name blacked out. Anyone know what is going in here?

Realty Collective dishes Red Hook in The Real Deal

Look who's talking! Click here to read how I devalue the neighborhood I love. An excerpt:

Tina Fallon, an agent with Realty Collective — a brokerage that she said mainly represents buyers — observed that the only single- and two-family houses now selling in Red Hook are going for less than $1 million. 

"The $1 million mark seems to be the number buyers have a hard time going beyond," she said. 

She and her husband actually paid more than $1 million for a house in the neighborhood a couple of years ago. But she said the streak of sales priced in that range that began in 2006 has been cut short by the weakened market and by the fact that there was more high-end inventory for sale from 2006 to 2008. 

"There are still renovated properties on the market in excess of $1 million, but they're just not selling," Fallon said. "Renovated properties that come onto the market under a million — those are selling, and at prices very close to $1 million." 

After 2005, said Fallon, "the quality of the housing stock available improved" in Red Hook because fully renovated homes were coming on the market more readily. 

"Pre-2005, we had a market of 100 percent unrenovated properties," she said. "And renovated versus unrenovated makes all the difference in Red Hook." 

Note that I paid more than $1M for my house in Red Hook, making me either a) dumb, or b) cooler than you.

Green Horn's party educational as well as fun

Making Shakes on bike!


Learning about illegal bee keeping in NYC.

Educational Demos!

Hello Summer! Anselmo's pizza on Van Brunt

Okay, it's not Lucali's. But at 1/3 of the price, plus no waiting, shouldn't you check it out? Cash only, no booze, no delivery, but it's summer in Red Hook - reason enough to come on down. They're at 354 Van Brunt, so when you step outside you can check on the progress of the new restaurant going in to the old 360 space...

Anselmo's Pizza

354 Van Brunt Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 313-0169

Mural on Hicks street turns out to be a target ad.

I was really excited about the mural they were putting on Hicks Street.
Then realized it was a Target ad.
Weeks later it was painted over. weird.
Guess the owner( a local real estate broker) and target didn't get everything squared away.

Greenhorns Goat Spit Summertime Throwdown

Greenhorns Goat Spit Summertime Throwdown

Join the RMO for a summer throwdown hosted by the Greenhorns. We'll be celebrating the opening of their new NYC space at the corner of Sackett and Henry Streets in Brooklyn with a barbecue, tons of locally and sustainably grown foods (and tasty local beer), film screenings, workshops, music, and more. Proceeds benefit the Greenhorns work to support young farmers and fight our greed-driven corporate food system. Rude Mechanical Orchestra plays at 7p.

513 Henry Street, Brooklyn
2-9p; $5
thegreenhorns.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/mysterious-brooklyn-pharmacy-to-host-goat-roast/

Lecture on NYC Water Supply

Lecture on NYC Water Supply

Ever wonder how NYC gets its water and why it’s so good? Come hear Scot Chesman PhD speak about the construction of City Water Tunnel No. 3 and the Moshulu Tunnel, which brings Croton water into the new filtering plant being built under Van Cortland park. Scot has worked on both.

Community Center at St. Jeans Baptiste
184 East 76th Street, at Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
7p; $10 suggested donation
RSVP to mm1566@nyu.edu

Henry St. between Sackett and Union St. becomes "Citizens of Pozzallo Way" By- Katrina Kitsis

Having a street renamed after you is a huge honor and today, The Society of the Citizens of Pozzallo will receive the recognition they deserve when Henry St. between Sackett and Union Street will become "Citizens of Pozzallo Way". The organization, founded in 1919 and named after the Sicilian city of Pozzallo, the only coastal city in its province of Ragusa, was originally intended to promote fellowship and friendship among its members and to educate them on American ideals in order to transition them to the American way of life and American citizenship. Through the years the organization has provided assistance to the poor and underprivileged by promoting the advancement of education and by contributing to other organized institutions of science and medical research.

On my way to work yesterday, I saw the city prepping for the ceremony that will take place today, Friday June 12th on Henry St. in Carroll Gardens. As I walked by, I was able to capture this photo of two of the society's members proudly holding their new street sign before it becomes a part of Brooklyn. What a great way to visibly pay tribute collectively to a group of individuals whose society has been housed on the block for almost 90 years. A true symbol of community and honoring the American Dream. Congratulations Citizens of Pozzallo! It's about time, you deserve it!