New Year's Eve To Do

A lot of people, if not most, wait until last minute to make New Year's Eve plans.  Well, if you haven't made any plans yet but still want to go out maybe we can help.  Here are a few suggestions.

1. Hang out in Red Hook!  Because of Red Hook's limited transportation you can avoid tourists and huge crowds by hanging at one of the many awesome bars in the nieghborhood.  They are sure to have a good amount of people (pretty awesome people if you ask us) to mingle with without being suffocatingly crowded.

2. Brooklyn Buschenschank is having a champagne toast at midnight along with their normal menu, which is perfect for noshing on all night, and their awesome beer selection.  They are taking reservations but also are excepting walk-ins, so you may want to give them a shot.

3. MikNic Lounge is having a New Years Eve party.  We think this bar, located on Columbia Street, is the neighborhoods best kept secret.  It's a great space with great music but usually isn't too crowded.  It's a perfect place to go tonight to ring in the New Year.

We hope this helps! Have a wonderful and safe night!

Party at Bell House tonight!

We think you may need to practice your partying skills for New Years Eve.  So before you party like it's 2013 you may want to go to tonight's event at The Bell House (149 7th st in Gowanus), "Party Like it's 1999".  It starts at 9pm and runs until 3am.  If you've got cabin fever or have family in town that you'd like a break from, this party is perfect.  More below from the event's facebook page.


Party Like It’s 1999: The Post-Christmas Edition. You won’t hear any Christmas songs, just the best of 1990s rock, pop, dance, R&B and hip-hop that get you shaking off those post-holiday blues. And as always, it’s free in the Main Event Hall at The Bell House!

Take Root is Fully Open.

The storefront, Take Root, on Sackett Street has been halfway open for a while.  They were supposed to open the dining half, we thought, months ago but only the yoga studio was up and running.  Well, earlier last week they had the balloons out and the "noshery" was open.  For those who haven't heard of this new place here's the concept.  It's a shared space, part yoga studio, part snack shop, part tasting dinner parlor I guess you'd call it.  The snack menu is below and the tasting menu for the 10 person max seated dinners are probably ever changing.  the price for now is $85 per person.  We're very interested to see how this place does.  We hope well, of course.  It is an interesting idea and if it goes well we may see more businesses sharing space in the future.  Is your New Years Resolution going to be "Try new things?"

Fun tonight at Jalopy!

Roots & Ruckus is a weekly night of old-time, folk and blues music at Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia Street.  If you have family in town for the holidays this event is perfect.  It's fun, family friendly and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling while you watch these talented musicians playing banjos, guitars, washboards, tub-basses kazoos and harmonicas at this very intimate theater.  The show begins at 9pm tonight.  If this sounds awesome but you can't go tonight you can go any other Wednesday, and it's free too!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from everyone here at Realty Collective.  If you're looking for something to do today we suggest walking down to the Brooklyn Promenade! It's one of our favorite things to do and reminds us how lucky we are to live in such an amazing place...plus it's a great way to walk off all those cookies you've been indulging in.  And if you go after dinner the view is spectacular.  The Manhattan skyline is like the ultimate Christmas light show!  Well, we hope you are yours are well and enjoying the holiday season! 

Holiday Show/Dance Party Tonight!

Some of you may be hitting the sack early tonight, setting the milk and cookies out, and getting ready for Santa to come.  Yet, some of you may not be celebrating tomorrow at all and others still are celebrating but would prefer to do so on little sleep, a slight hangover, and some awesome memories from the night before still rolling around in their heads.  For these last two sets you may be interested in the Special Night Train Holiday Show and Dance Party with Wyatt Cenac!  It starts at 8pm, doors at 7:30 at Littlefield and tickets are $8 at the door.  Other guests include David Cross, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Che, Claudia Cogan, DJ sets by TED LEO and DANNY GLOVER, + more!

Last Minute Holiday Shopping!

Okay, it's crunch time and you need to find a creative and awesome gift for the stragglers on your list.  What do you do?  Well, the first step is head to Red Hook and see if you can't find something in one of the many wonderful boutiques up and down Van Brunt.  Grab some lunch and a sweet snack while you're there.  If after that you still have to finish off that list you may want to consider going to one of these holiday fairs this weekend. 


Brooklyn Craft Central Market at Littlefield, 633 Degraw Street Dec 22nd &23rd  11am-5pm

Brooklyn Night Bazaar, 45 North 5th St. in Williamsburg.  Dec 21st & 22nd  6pm-midnight

Brooklyn Flea, Skylight One Hanson space at the former Williamsburg Savings Bank, near Atlantic Terminal and Brooklyn Academy of Music. Not a holiday fair but has extended hours for the holidays.  Dec 22nd and 23rd 10am- 6pm.

Christmas Caroling Tonight!

First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn in Brooklyn Heights invites everyone to join their choir tonight for a night of caroling.  After caroling you can warm up by the fire with snacks and drinks too.  If this sounds like a fun night then join them tonight at 7pm.  Meet at the Sanctuary at 124 Henry Street and be ready to belt out some Christmas songs...or just murmur and enjoy soaking up the Christmas spirit around you.

New Chipotle.

Only blocks from the Chipotle located on Montague, another one has sprung up at 140 Court Street near Trader Joes.  This makes a lot of sense since every time we've been to the Montague location their has been a line almost out the door.  They do very well for weekday lunches.  This space was "for lease" for a very long time and we got used to walking by seeing the empty store, which used to be the pet store Beastly Bite but moved across the street.  Then out of nowhere it transformed into a Chipotle and looks nearly ready to open.  Five Guys didn't do so well when they expanded from Montague to Court but only time will tell for Chipotle.

Newtown Memorial Fund.

When tragedy strikes an immediate reaction within the community is "how can we help?".  We've definitely been feeling and hearing people talk about this in the wake of the recent horrors that transpired at Sandy Hook Elementary.  We can't even imagine how the victim's families and the residents of Newtown are feeling right now.  We are all grieving in our own community on a smaller scale and have been searching for ways to reach out, in addition to attending one of the several vigils around Brooklyn last weekend.  We recently heard about this memorial fund and thought we'd share it with you.  Click here to learn more or to donate.

MadeinNYC.org

When doing your holiday shopping this year you should keep this website in your hearts and mind.  The products sold on this site are directly from manufacturers located along the city's waterfront who were hit hardest by hurricane Sandy.  Man of these manufacturers lost inventory, supplies, and equipment and need your help.  Read more about it below.


You can help these businesses to rebound and rebuild from the disaster by shopping through www.MadeInNYC.org.  Made In NYC has compiled a Holiday Directory with a growing list of businesses who manufacture products ranging from cupcakes to couture dresses and sell their products directly to consumers online. We’re working to help these businesses get back on their feet by asking New Yorkers (and others) to support them by ordering products NOW for the holiday season through our new Holiday Directory.  You can help keep production lines rolling and employees working during this sensitive time by shopping Made In NYC.

If you are a local manufacturer and want to add your business to the holiday directory, click here.

Restore Red Hook Tattoo and Art Show Reminder!

Just a quick reminder that this benefit for small businesses in Red Hook (all proceeds going to restoreredhook.org) will be this Sunday, December 16th at Kidd Studios 133 Imlay St. 11231 Brooklyn, NY from 2pm-8pm.  Be there!  More info, including a flash sheet of tattoos, from the event's facebook page is below.



"...its going to be a great event in a very unique art space for a great cause! Come on down, shop, eat, grab a drink, hang out, buy art, get tattooed! Confirmed musical guests so far, Brothers N.Y.C."

Made in Gowanus Tour.

The first "Made in Gowanus Tour" will be kicking off this weekend.  Owner and producer, Dom Gervasi, has been giving his "Made in Brooklyn Tours" for a while now, focusing on different areas like Dumbo and Williamsburg.  You can add Gowanus to the list starting Saturday.  The groups he takes out are pretty small and it looks like this one is already sold out.  But don't worry, there will be more to come.  Just keep an eye on this website.

Toy Museum on Smith!

The Toy Museum of NY is now located at 180 Smith Street.  This place looks really cute and perfect for the family neighborhood.  They not only have the museum part of the space but they also have classes, including a theater class, plays, and birthday parties.  Although, they were said to have moved in a couple of months ago, a lot of people in the neighborhood weren't aware, probably because they have a second floor space above Ecopolis Cafe.  Well their signs are out and we'll be visiting soon!

61 Local Gingerbread Block Party!

As they did last year, 61Local had a holiday party that consisted of building a gingerbread house and having drinks and hanging out.  The difference this year? Instead of merely a house they built a gingerbread block!  It wasn't completely finished when we took this pic but mostly.  It's beautiful isn't it?  Probably pretty yummy too!

Red Hook Tree Lighting Tonight!

Okay so it's rainy and there may not be that winter chill in the air that makes you feel like the holidays are coming.  We have something that might help.  Come out tonight to Coffey Park and absorb some holiday cheer!  From 5:30-7:30pm you can celebrate with the annual tree lighting while drinking the warm holiday beverage of your choice (apple cider or hot chocolate, sorry no hot toddies).  There will be caroling, hanging with neighbors and friends, of course, a tree raffle and gifts for children!

Two Smith Street Staples Gone.

We saw a couple of signs back to back on Smith Street earlier this week.  One at 193 Smith, NY Perks, and one at 195, formerly Robin De Bois.  These two places have been around for a while and have both now closed.  NY Perks was a nightclub/bar that received mixed reviews on yelp and you may not have even noticed it walking by because you could never see inside the tinted windows.  It now has a for lease sign out front.  Right next door, Robin De Bois also got mixed reviews but you couldn't help but notice it because it had some really crazy window displays.  That space, as you can see above, will soon be a brick oven pizza restaurant.  We'll see what's to become of the space at 193 Smith.

Winter Festival in Red Hook?

There was a great blog about Red Hook's small business community on Grubstreet a few days ago and while reading through the stories, mostly of community members coming together to help one another out, but also of the difficulties owners have faced and some are still facing in reopening their businesses, we couldn't help but feel heartbroken all over again.  We've written a couple of blogs about how now more than ever people should be flocking to Red Hook instead of staying distant.  In this Grubstreet blog we read something about a possible winter festival in the works for Red Hook and thought "What a great idea!".  We haven't been able to find any more info than this small mention so we assume it's in the early stage of development but we'll definitely keep you updated as we get news.  Until then please tell everyone you know, "Come out to Red Hook, go shopping, have lunch/dinner. get some drinks!!!"

Rum and Raisin.

This new store on Smith is called Rum and Raisin. Cute name!  It's taking over the space that used to be Smith Pet Food at 188 Smith Street between Dean and Pacific.  According to a twitter feed we found, this is the fifth location of this "fashion forward women's clothing store" but on their facebook there is only one other location listed.  Check out their page and see what to expect.

CAG Meeting tonight.

There will be a Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting that is open to the public tonight starting at 6pm.  Senior level official from the NYSDEC will be there to discuss canal clean-up.  You'll have an opportunity to get some questions answered as CAG will be collecting questions and asking them as time permits.  For more info on what to expect read the excerpt below from a CAG email about the meeting.  


December 4 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at PS 32, 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn.

Your presence at this meeting will help demonstrate the community’s strong support for a comprehensive clean-up of the canal.  The CAG will be asking NYSDEC officials pointed questions about the state’s role in the enforcement of Clean Water Act requirements to eliminate sewage overflows, whether and how the state is coordinating with EPA’s Superfund cleanup process, and other issues of vital importance to a proper clean-up of the canal and protection of public health.

NYSDEC is the only agency that has the right to review and provide comments to EPA on EPA’s Superfund clean-up plan prior to its release, which is expected by the end of 2012.  The CAG encourages a strong public turnout at this meeting to show NYSDEC the community’s concern that the clean-up be done right. 

Festivities in Carroll Park!

Carroll Park has a couple of holiday events coming up.  One is a live radio play of "A Christmas Carol" presented by The Smith Street Stage.  It should be a fun and festive event and tickets are a requested donation of $10 for adults and $8 for children.  For more info you can check out their website.  Another event coming up is the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on December 7th followed by a party at the park house.  That starts at 6pm.  If it's the same as last year you can expect hot chocolate, caroling and Santa!

Winter's Tale Filming.

The pics above a below are from last week in Brooklyn Heights.  We walked by the set of Winter's Tale and stopped for a while to check out the beautiful scene.  There was a gorgeous white horse, very old cars, actors dressed in 19th century fashion and the crew was placing fake snow, which was basically cotton sheets, on the stoops and sidewalks. All along this beautiful cobble stone street (Joralemon and Columbia Place).  We're assuming the street would be shot from a distance because that snow wasn't fooling anyone within 20 feet of it.  We looked up the film on IMDB and found that is has a huge cast, which includes Will Smith, Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly. 

Eat Pie and Shop is back.

We must admit it's a catchy title and makes you want to Eat Pie and Shop of course.  The holiday festival/PTA fundraiser for PS29 is back this year with their pie social, pie contest, gift fair, portrait taking, crafts, singing, face painting, and more.  For more info you can go to eatpieandshop.org.  Basic info is below.


Sunday, December 2nd between 11am and 4pm
425 Henry Street, PS29

Dry Dock Deals.

A great thing you can do for the community of Red Hook is shop for the holidays at the local businesses, most of whom were affected during Sandy and are trying to recuperate.  Many are getting back on their feet and ready for customers during this very important shopping season.  Dry Dock is offering a great deal.  Many bottles of wine were damaged (as in the labels) but are still perfectly drinkable and they are offering 20% off for those and 10% off of the damaged spirits and sparkling wines.  Stock up for your holiday parties and reinvigorate Red Hook's economy.

Business Legal Clinic Meeting Today.

Need to speak with a lawyer?  Today is a great opportunity for you to do so in a community meeting setting at this legal clinic coordinated by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.  Starting at 1pm and going until 5pm you can meet with attorney's to discuss FEMA ans SBA related issues as well as commercial landlord/tenant, employer responsibility, insurance, and contract issues. Meet at IKEA in the Bay Ridge Training Room on the 2nd fl. 

Gowanus Meeting with EPA.

Tonight Gowanus residents can meet with the EPA about hurricane aftermath topics, including water samples and any other questions residents and business owners may have.  NYSDEC, FEMA, and OSHA will also be represented at the meeting.   More info is below.


Monday November 26, 2012 at 6:30 pm
P.S. 32 – 317 Hoyt Street near Union Street

Have a Good Thanksgiving Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We've had a rough month but, especially with all the wonderful cooperation and charity going around, we still have a lot to be thankful for.  We also wanted to spread the word about a couple fo things going on tomorrow.

Thursday-

-110 Wolcott 12-2pm Meals to Go being served (small platters not plates) Excepting hot meal drop off 10am on

-Sit Down Family Style Community Dinner 4pm location TBA (to be confirmed tomorrow morning) Excepting hot meal drop off 3pm on

351 Van Brunt will be open Thanksgiving Day from 10am-2pm for anyone who wants a heated, lit place to bring their dinner, be with others or use the usual services at 351 (wifi, computers, recharge).

 

We'll get you more info as we get it.

The Musical Extravaganza to Restore Red Hook!

The Bell House is having a benefit tonight that sounds amazing!  The evening starts off with square dancing and ends with Roseane Cash!  In between Jesse Lenat, John Pinamonti and the Brotherhood of the Whiskey Spitter Rebellion play and Michael Buscemi screens his new film named after the bus that runs through Red Hook, "B61".  It's $30 for a good cause, proceeds go towards Restore Red Hook.  Learn more and buy tickets here.

Thanksgivng News.

Thanksgiving for hurricane victims has come early at a handful of venues around the city.  Barclays Center hosted an early feast as did The Old Homestead.  There is also going to be a pop-up market in Red Hook with farm fresh produce for Thanksgivng.  See more info on that from their facebook page below.  And we know that this is pretty far from the city but it's a very kind offer from the Frost Valley YMCA located in Claryville, NY. "Frost Valley YMCA has set aside several weekends for families directly affected by the storm to come to the Catskills and enjoy our facility, including hot showers, home cooked meals, and warm beds free of charge. We are also offering a Thanksgiving celebration for anyone unable to have their own this year due to Hurricane Sandy."

ATTN: TODAY & TOMORROW: A POP-UP Market!
Where: the Corner of Sullivan and Richards Streets Across from PS 15!!!

If you are in Red Hook today come on down and join! Lot's of local produce from John Glebocki, and Fred Wilklow.

Yams! Collards! Kale! Brussels! 5 kinds of Potatoes!
5 Kinds of Apples, Cider so much more.

If you have SNAP (Formerly Foodstamps) and spend $5 we can provide you with $2.

00 more in coupons to expand your buying power.

If you have an appointment at Addabbo Clinic, today the doctors and nutritionists are providing coupons to increase your buying power

If you are a parent of a student at PS 15 ask for Parent Coordinator Juanita Laboy who can also provide you with market coupons to help you meet your food needs in this holiday season.

SPREAD IT!

Restore Red Hook Businesses.

If you are a small business owner in Red Hook then you probably know about the organization Restore Red Hook, which has gotten a lot of props by local residents and business owners.  We wanted to put the spotlight on this organization for those who have never heard of it and may want to donate.  They are dedicated entirely to getting Red Hook businesses up and running again and were written about in a Huffington Post blog to be "a fantastic resource" that's "doing great work". You can read more about them here.  In addition to this neighborhood wide campaign businesses, such as Red Hook Lobster Pund, have set up individual campaigns through Smallknot.  Check this out.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Almost There.

Though Brooklyn Bridge Park is still recovering first from Sandy and then from the set backs caused by the Nor'easter, most of the park is now open.  They opened several of their lawns last week and have only a few section still closed to the public and those the main street playground, swing valley at Pier 6 as well as the far lawn in the southeast corner near the ferry dock.  They had a lot of volunteers right after the storm (pic above is from their facebook) and I'm sure that contributed to the fact that they were able to re-open so soon after Sandy. 

Thinking ahead for Thanksgiving.

We're trying to compile a list or get more info regarding Thanksgiving relief efforts in Red Hook.  If anyone has any info please share it so we can spread the word.  But on the subject of Thanksgiving, a lot of people have relied on the Fairway in the past for turkeys and trimmings and since it won't re-open for months we just wanted to remind people to pre-order and look elsewhere for their turkeys this year.  Here's a list from brooklynexposed that might help out.

Red Hook Emergency Relief Workshop Today!

The New York City Economic Development Corporation has schedule an emergency relief project for Red Hook Business's today at IKEA.  This meeting is a little short notice so please spread the word to those who may want to attend.  The when's where's and who's are below.


Thursday, November 15, 2012 @ 3:00 pm
IKEA Red Hook
1 Beard Street, Brooklyn, NY
Bay Ridge Training Room located near the Business
Resource Center

Join the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial
Development, Department of Small Business Services and the New York
City Economic Development Corporation at IKEA Red Hook to learn about
available business resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Red Hook Community Meeting Tonight!

With all that's going on it's important to regroup and discuss the issues.  This community meeting will focus on discussions about clean-up progress, relief efforts, and re-building a more storm-proof and sustainable Red Hook all around.  Come down to PS 27, at 27 Huntington Street, today at 5pm to give your input and keep informed.

Register Today for Rapid Repairs.

Starting today you can make an appointment for Rapid Repair service if your home has been badly damaged.  Bloomberg announced this program, which is in partnership with FEMA, in an effort to streamline and expedite the process of repairing homes and getting peoples power back on.  As a homeowner, you will not have to pay upfront for repairs, you will however have had to register for assistance with FEMA (DisasterAssistance.gov) and have a FEMA ID number.  To register for rapid repair you can call 311 or click here.

Your Help Is Still Needed!

For the latest in hurricane relief info check out this website. http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/  Donations and volunteers are still needed and this site will inform you of the latest in supplies and help that running low.  Also if you are interested in volunteering at RHI please fill out this form.  http://tinyurl.com/RHIvols before heading to their staging area at 480 Van Brunt St, 3rd Floor (the Fairway building).

A New Subway.

Just a few blocks from the Subway on Court and Atlantic another one is opening soon on Atlantic and Hicks.  In case you need your sub sandwich fix but don't want to walk another 4 blocks.  It's in a pretty decent spot for foot traffic now that the Pier 6 park is open.  The spot, 75 Atlantic, right next to Montero Bar & Grill, seems like it's been empty for a while but it used to be a place called Adam's Gourmet Deli.  Not sure when it's opening but the chains do tend to spring up pretty quickly so we expect it soon.

Pat Kiernan at Bell House Benefit!

This "Anything But Politics: Pop Culture Trivia" hosted by Pat Kiernan at The Bell House next Tuesday will not only be the last of it's kind for the year but has been transformed into a benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.  In fact 100% of the proceeds will be donated.  So, if you were ever curious about this event now is the time to check it out.  8pm show, 7;30 pm doors.  Tickets are $15 and you can purchase them here in advance.

Home and Business Rebuild Meeting Tonight!

There will be a meeting tonight at 6:30pm at our Red Hook space on Van Brunt Street.  Architect Jim Garrison will be sharing resources on rebuilding efforts tonight with local home and business owners. Of course we'll be there.  He will help explain some of the more arcane FEMA guidelines, and advise regarding updated mechanical systems that are less expensive and less flood-prone.  This will be an essential info session for people who are looking into grants and loans to get their buildings back running again. So, come on down to 351 Van Brunt tonight.

We Voted!

Did you get out to vote yesterday?  The picture above is of an hour long line at PS29 yesterday.  Other election sites were far less crowded and depending on what district you were in you could have waited a while or been in and out.  Some poll sites had to be changed due to Sandy.  Add to that the fact that earlier this year district lines were redraw there was a lot of confusion here in Brooklyn.  Still, people were very patient where we were and people definitely came out to vote.

Hurricane Benefits Past and Future.

The pic above is of the line up at Seersucker last night and this was just at the beginning of their "Eat Pork, Help New York" hurricane benefit with all proceeds going to RHI.  In addition to pork sliders they had organic caramel corn for $3.  We hope they raised a bunch of money.  From the looks of this pic they did! A couple other area restaurants, including Arthur on Smith who were donating 10% of each bill last Saturday,  have been involved in the Red Hook hurricane efforts and we expect more to join them.  Shake Shack is offering something called a "Rally Shake" and will donate $2 to Red Cross for each one sold. 

Eat Pork Help New York Tonight!

Seersucker and Smith Canteen host this benefit for the Red Hook Initiative tonight starting at 6pm.  They'll be serving mini roast pork bbq sandwiches (four for $10).  All proceeds will be delivered to the Red Hook Initiative tomorrow morning.  RHI has made a huge impact on recovery efforts in the Red Hook area and they need your help to make an even bigger impact.  Eat some pork and give generously to the donation jar!

More Information Following the Storm from Rep. Velazquez

Help Red Hook

1) Volunteer and bring cleaning supplies Volunteer HQ: 402 Van Brunt St 10am - 5pm Sat and Sun

2) Donate ready-to-serve meals: Red Hook Initiative, 767 Hicks Street 10am - 6:30pm (close at 8pm)

3) Donate canned goods/non-perisable items (Flashlights etc)

Deliver to: Visitation Church: 98 Richards Street (Verona St. entrance) 10am - 5pm Sat & Sun

4) Apply for Aid: Realestate Gallery 351 Van Brunt Street

Free Acupuncture.

Acupuncturists Without Borders
will offer free treatments
at the Kentler International Drawing Space.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1 - 4PM
at the Kentler gallery -
353 Van Brunt Street

 Acupuncturists Without Boarders has provided treatments
for citizens in New Orleans and Haiti, and in many communities
in the United States after tornadoes, floods and fires.
Group treatments are simple and free and can help with the
effects of stress in post-disaster life. 
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Kentler International Drawing Space
353 Van Brunt Street, between Wolcott and Dikeman Streets

Red Hook Relief Efforts.

Whether you need help or want to help, here are a few things going on in the Red Hook area for residents, businesses and anyone who wants to volunteer.


**Red Hook Farm needs volunteers between 10 and 4pm tomorrow.

**There will be lawyers on-site at the Pal Micco Building and RHI today to help with FEMA documents, lost food stamps, and other hurricane-related questions/issues.

**Our Van Brunt Street Office, 351 Van Brunt, is offering area residents electricity for their sump pumps as well as collecting can goods and clothing donations.

**Please, if you have wifi, open your network so others can use it. 

We'll keep posting more info as it comes in.  Please post more volunteer and relief opportunities in the comment section.  Also, this link (https://redhook.recovers.org/) is for anyone who wants to donate money, goods or receive help.  It'll keep you up-to-date on what is needed.

Halloween Pic.

It's the end of a ridiculous and tumultuous week.  Here's a pic from Halloween that will hopefully make you smile.  He's a punkin.

Post Sandy Info.

So many businesses in Red Hook were destroyed this week, including Fairway as you can see in the pic above from Time Magazine they were disposing of damaged food, not giving food away as rumors would suggest.  It's so strange the differences from one neighborhood to the next.  The Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill neighborhood has returned to normalcy for the most part.  The only signs of damage were the city workers clearing an occasional fallen tree (pic above) or branches but otherwise businesses were all open.  Kids even went trick or treating last night.  But our Red Hook neighbors are really hurting.  It's a very close-knit community in which many of our crew here at Realty Collective live and work.  There is such a pride and love for this community that we are sure everyone will pull through and help each other out but it's definitely tough right now.  Here's a very important link on storm recovery info.  Please pass it along to anyone who may need it.

Red Hook Job Board.

We just got this comment from Arielle through Facebook.  Thought we'd repost it to reiterate and also get it up on all of our outlets.

Arielle wrote: "Due to Sandy's devastation, many employees of Red Hook businesses may be out of work for brief or extended periods of time. Please use this as a job board to connect employees and employers: Red Hook employers looking to find work for their employees, Nearby local business owners looking for help or willing to carry some additional headcount during this unfortunate time, Displaced Red Hook employees promoting their available services. Neighbors helping neighbors... https://www.facebook.com/RedHookSandyJobConnect"

Calling All Volunteers for Park Clean Up.

Just walking around our neighborhood you can imagine what parks might look like with the fallen trees and whatnot.  Cobble Hill Park above had some fallen trees and branches as you can see above.  Brooklyn Bridge Park got hit pretty hard, they were under three feet of water, and could use your help.  So, if you are home from work, as most of you are, and would like to help out the info is below.

Wed October 31 | 9 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 5 pm
Volunteers, please join us as we begin our Hurricane Clean Up. We will concentrate our efforts on the perimeters of the park, cleaning up debris left over from flood waters. Work will take place near Main Street from 9am-12pm and on Pier 6 from 2-5pm. Wear water-resistant shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.

If you have brooms, rakes, and gloves, please bring them. While we have extras, we're hoping that eager volunteers outnumber our current supplies!

Please rsvp to sward@brooklynbridgepark.org. And stay tuned for additional clean up opportunities in the coming days and weeks.

Cobble Hill Pics.

Here are some pics of Cobble Hill from just a few hours ago.  This area fared pretty well compared to the rest of New York.  The occasional tree down, as you can see above and below one fallen on a car on Henry near Kane and several down on Baltic between Clinton and Henry.  Also an awning here and there like the one below from Court Bagels.  Unlike, Red Hook, which was completely underwater last night and probably saw the worst of Sandy in our immediate area.  We haven't been out there yet but heard that the flooding has cleared out for the most part and now people just have to worry about their flood-damaged properties, which is undoubtedly extensive.  We are both so sad for everyone that have had flooded apartments and homes but relieved that we are all safe.