Invisible Dog Showing

photo: simon courchel

Artist and lighting designer, Thierry Dreyfus, will be showing at Invisible Dog Art Center beginning December 25th and going on through February 20th. This is the French artist's first solo exhibit in America. It's called “(Naked) Absence — (Blinding) Presence … (dis)appearances” and will consist of eight giant mirrors surrounding a light installation. There will also be photography in the basement.

Invisible Dog is located at 51 Bergen Street in Cobble Hill. They have no phone but you can visit their website at www.invisibledog.org.

Redecorated again.

At 145 Atlantic Ave there has been a lot of revamping but the core has stayed the same. First it was La Pizzeta then it closed to redecorate and reopened as Casa Tua pizzeria. Both served Italian food and brick oven pizza. It recently closed again, redecorated again, and opened as Sosta, which is also an Italian restaurant and brick oven pizzeria. It's been modernized and now has a large bar (beer and wine only) and open kitchen. Let's hope this new look gets the results the owners were hoping for.

Pop-up tree vendors

Still need to get a Christmas tree? It seems in Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill you can find them sold on every block. At the church on Clinton and Kane they're selling trees of all sizes as well as wreaths. They're also being sold outside of Trader Joes and at Mazzone hardware store just to name a few places. There aren't as many in Red Hook but we did happen upon a pop up Christmas tree shop on Wolcott and Richards (shown above). So, if you don't have a tree and are planning on getting one you still have plenty of options on where to find one.

Now Wine and Snacks too!

The catering company, Crave, has a storefront on Henry street. Now the storefront has been there for a while, that's nothing new. It looked as though they had an area staged for tastings for clients or prospective clients. What is new is that it's now open to the public as a wine bar. They have put seating in the front, small tables, and have a sign outside saying they serve a selection of wine and snacks. The prices aren't too bad either. It's really a cute little space.

Crave is located at 570 Henry Street. It's open Tues-Thurs, and Sunday from 6-10:30pm and Fridays/Saturdays 6-11pm. Closed Mondays.

Man's Blessed Friend

Here's an event that may interest some of you...and make others go "hmmmm". Visitation church, on Verona and Richards Street, are holding a "blessing of the pets" on Christmas day. The landmark church has been in Red Hook since 1854 and the parish, along with their new Pastor, F. Claudio, and Assistant Pastor, F. Johannes, is planning on renovating. Donations aren't required to get your pets blessed but they are appreciated to help them out with the refurbishing.

Cats, dogs, snakes, birds, iguanas, or whatever. All are encouraged to come by on December 25th between 3:30 and 4:30pm.

Red Hook Star Revue Theater?

Walking by 101 Union Street you'll notice a sign that says "Star Theater". Not really sure what goes on there daily. We just know that The Red Hook Star-Revue, who also has a new storefront (see below), holds a jam session there on Thursday nights and is having a free concert there on Saturday, December 18th featuring local bands. They'll also be free beer and snacks. So since it's called the Star Theater and the Red Hook "Star" Revue is holding events there, can we assume they own the space? Anyone?

Bands playing this Saturday are Union, The Other Side, Karen P Duffy, and The Voles. The night begins at 7pm.

A Holiday Market

Here's an event right in our neighborhood for this Saturday, December 18th from 2pm-6pm

Everyday Athlete Studio
136 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231

The last weekend before Christmas shop locally in the Columbia Street Waterfront District! Check out Children's books and games, tote bags, aprons, yoga bags, whimsical hats, cosmetics and free facial demos, jewelry, and even granola at Everyday Athlete's Holiday Market.

While parents shop, children can sing and dance with Karen and the Jitterbugs, featuring her new CD, Pancakes for Dinner.
Performances at 4 and 5 pm.

Also enjoy cupcake decorating at the Coffee Den (on Union at the corner of Hicks st)by Yum Cupz all afternoon.

Featured vendors:

Barefoot Books - Nurturing a love of reading in a way that encourages children to explore their creativity and discover the diversity of the world's many cultures and traditions.

Mellyi Hat - The jazzy hat that delights your eyes, warms your ears and flaunts your style. Designed for everyone.

Cooking Smarter - New ideas to eat healthier: granola and designer cookies.

ageLOC Galvanic Spa - Come enjoy a free facial demo that can unlock the secret to a younger looking appearance.

Matthew's Aprons - Wonderful aprons, yoga and foam roller bags in eco-friendly textiles.

GoodShip - Roll-up totes designed with exclusive prints hand made in Brooklyn. Reduce plastic waste without sacrificing style.

Elbeto Jewelry - Organic and sterling silver designer jewelry hand made by artisans and artists in Colombia.

Van Horn Sandwich Shop

The space that used to be Cafe Mei Mei, and Cafe Ribant before that, now has brown paper covering it's windows with a sign saying "Van Horn Sandwich Shop-Coming Soon". They have a website, vanhornbrooklyn.com, but it's not up and running yet so we don't have too much more to report on. We did find this comment about the new restaurant made on brownstoner.com. "Van Horn is the owner's last name. Think fried chicken." Hmmmm. Just a little taste of what's to come.

Van Horn is located at 231 Court Street and the phone number is 718-596-9707

Film Shoot

You may run into James Franco or Catherine Keener in the neighborhood today. The film , Maladies, a drama starring the two aforementioned and wonderful actors as well as Carter (also directing) and Vince Jolivette, is shooting in Carroll Gardens between 6AM and 4PM. Sackett Street is blocked off for the film shoot.

Here's the tag line: "A talented and successful actor retires at a young age due to a perceived mental illness. Now living in a small town with his deranged sister and his best friend, we watch as their Maladies intertwine."

Paper Source on Smith

Just opening on Smith Street in Cobble Hill, Paper Source is a nation-wide chain. They sell decorative paper, gift wrap, office paper, and they also do custom printing. The space, at 102 Smith street on the corner of Pacific, used to be the restaurants Bueno and Trout. Both restaurants weren't around for very long but we believe Pacifico, the Mexican restaurant connected to these but at a different address (269 Pacific), is still thriving. You just missed a grand opening event, which was on December 4th, for Paper Source. There were different crafting workshops all day. But don't worry, you haven't missed out completely. They'll have more workshops starting in January. For more info on that you can go to www.paper-source.com

Sleep Tight

Goodnight, sleep tight, ...and, well, you know the rest. I know this subject makes everyone's skin crawl but bed bug awareness is very important here in New York City and we're taking it very seriously. Just this past August a new law has been effective, stating that bed bug infestations anywhere within the seller's building should be fully disclosed. Here's a link to learn more about this law.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/17posting.html?_r=1

Most of us already know about www.bedbugregistry.com, which allows you to view and report bedbug sightings. Now there is an iphone app that does the same. This app not only reports on apartment buildings but includes public areas, such as movie theaters and restaurants as well. Here's more on this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/realestate/17posting.html?_r=1

And to learn more about bed bugs in general, here's an informative link from the New York City Housing Authority. To prevent infestations you have to be informed.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/residents/bedbugs.shtml

Deli on Smith Street

A sign is up at 202 Smith Street,on the corner of Baltic, that says "Coming Soon! Mocha Bagels and Deli". This previously had a sign up saying it was a "gourmet deli". This place used to be a bodega called A&H Tobacco & Candy Wholesalers. It's right in between two other bagel shops, Court Street Bagels (on Court near Bergen) and Bagels by the Park (on Smith and President). They both get a lot of traffic so this place should do okay. We're sure their are enough bagel lovers to go around.

Storytelling Series

Do you have a good story you'd like to share? If you do, and you think you'd be good at storytelling, then we have your outlet. People's Republic of Brooklyn in Cobble Hill is launching a storytelling series. They are asking for people to tell their tales live without a script of any sort. They stress that these stories should be around 10 minutes and non fiction (mostly), which we assume means they expect (maybe encourage?) some flourishing or exaggeration.

Anyone interested should contact them at 347-865-7389 or prbsmith247@gmail.com

Waterfront Kitchens

Walking by 396 Van Brunt Street a few months ago you wouldn't know what kind of business was taking that space next. It was completely gutted and the shell of a storefront left little hints. Then Redhookbk.com reported that it was set to be Waterfront Kitchens. Since then the work is complete and it looks beautiful. Although lights were on in the back, the doors were locked and no one was inside the other day. You could see the contemporary model kitchens through the large front glass window, though, and they look gorgeous. I can't find a phone number and the website, waterfrontkitchens.com, is under construction so I'm not sure if it's actually open yet. Anyone have any info about this place?

Saint Nicholas Fair

Tomorrow, December 4th, is Linden Tree Preschool's St. Nicholas Fair. There will be tons of activities for kids, including face painting, children's movies and best of all Santa Claus will be there! Yayy! There will also be crafts and baked goods for sale. Some cute sounding crafts they offer are cards made by students at the preschool. Add some homemade chili, English meat pies and mulled cider and you have a really festive holiday fair.

Linden Tree Preschool is located at Christ Church, 180 Kane Street (on the corner of Clinton). Get there between 10AM and 5pm.

Bound Sweet and Simply Sewn

Realty Collective's Elizabeth Castaldo will be selling her beautiful handmade books, featured in the NY Magazine online holiday gift guide, http://nymag.com/shopamatic/products/holidaygiftsf10/ , at a few craft fairs around New York. All events are free and one of the markets is located right around the corner in Brooklyn Heights. You can see dates and places below.

Elizabeth's handmade sketchbooks, which have cover patterns that she designed and screen printed, can also be seen and purchased on etsy. www.sweetsimplesewn.etsy.com
So, come out and show your support for Liz and other local artists participating!

Handmade Holiday @ 3rd Ward
Sat, December 4th 12-6pm
195 Morgan Ave in Brooklyn

NY Creates @ The Brooklyn Historical Society
Fair runs December 8th - 12th, Liz will only be there for the 10th and 11th
Weekdays 11 am - 7 pm, Weekend 10 am - 5 pm
128 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn

Bust Craftacular @ the Metropolitan Pavilion
Sunday December 12th 10am to 8pm
125 west 18th st in Manhattan

Tapas on Court

Picture brick walls and tin ceilings in a dim space lit by cast iron chandeliers and candles. This is the romantic and warm atmosphere you will find at a new restaurant in Carroll Gardens called Palo Cortado. The bar top is made of antique tiles from a church in Uruguay and the room is full of rich dark woods . The space really is beautiful and the setting compliments the menu perfectly. Tapas and wine. They have hot tapas, cold tapas, mini sandwiches or bocadillos, and charcuteria y quesos.

Palo Cortado, at 520 Court Street, is open on weekdays from 5pm-midnight and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.