Carroll Gardens Library Events.

There are some great weekly kids events at Carroll Gardens Branch library.  They have their story time for babies on Monday mornings 10:30, Toddler Time Wednesday mornings at 10:30, and for the older kids they have Book Adventures (below).  They also have art programs.  The last Monday of the month is an all ages drop-in session between 2 and 5pm and every Friday at 1pm they have a 2 year old and up art class.  These are all very popular, especially in the winter. The most popular, Toddler Time, has parents and caregivers going to the library as early at 10 AM to get tickets, any later and you're out of luck.  We were told by the relatively new children's librarian, Juana Flores, that she has been trying to expand the children's programs and we can expect an extra Toddler Time added to the schedule Wednesdays at 1pm. 

One Night Stand Movie Tomorrow!

Go see Realty Collective's Tina Fallon in this one night only movie event!!! Tina founded and has participated in The 24 Hour Plays since 1995 and you can see her tomorrow in this film about creating and putting on a play in 24 hours.  Read more on this below.  We're so proud of and excited for Tina.  Go see this!! You can buy tickets and get more info here.

One Night Stand is a funny, intimate, behind-the-scenes journey from the blank page to the live stage, as top Broadway and television writers, actors, and directors produce four original short musicals, all within 24 hours.  Think A Chorus Line meets Project Runway  –  a window into the creative process with a compressed time frame: the spark, the camaraderie, the sheer panic and the ultimate thrill of expression.

Gorilla Cheese

There was a new food truck outside of Trader Joes last Monday.  It's called Gorilla Cheese and specializes in grilled cheese.  Heh heh get it?  Gorilled cheese?  Anyways they told me that this would be a permanent Monday spot for them from now on, although one of the guys said that and the other said "we'll see how it goes".  So, if you need a grilled cheese, you know where to go.

Our Night at Dassara.

Here's a short review of Dassara.   Mmmmmm.  The food is delicious and the atmosphere is nice and laid back.  The best part was that on a weekend night, though the place was pretty busy, we didn't have to wait long for a table at all.  The photos above are of an eggplant and nori dish and their fried chicken steamed buns and the one below is called Deli Ramen, which has smoked pastrami from Mile End and matzoh balls.  Sorry but we couldn't help but take a couple of nibbles before taking these pics.  It's lucky we even captured these before devouring them, though.  Our cream puff we had for dessert wasn't so lucky.

New Salon on Court.

This place at 189 Court Street, between Bergen and Wyckoff, was covered with brown paper when we walked by with no sign of what was to come.  We asked the guys right next door at Fish Tales if they knew and they told us it was going to be an "upscale hair salon".  So there we have it.  We don't know when it will open but we'll take more pics when it does.

Tropic Juice Bar and Grill on Court.

Back when this place, which we now know is called Tropic, at 205 Court first put up signs we reported on it and although we didn't write it into the blog we were convinced it was called "Ropie" because the sign wasn't that legible.  Well, it is now.  Bright and legible. The last time we walked by this place it looked only days away from being open so we assume it is now.  Being right across the street from nectar juice seemed odd but after we got a peek inside we realized they are completely different.  Tropic actually looks more like a corner store, a place to stop in for a quick juice to go. 

New Argentinian Restaurant on Henry.

This cute restaurant, called Libertador, has been open for a few weeks now and it kind of snuck up on us.  The space at 400 Henry has been under renovation for a very long time so we kind of gave up on learning what it would become.  A gentleman who was working on the outside more than a year ago, or so it feels like, said it would become a sandwich shop.  That is not the case.  It's actually and Argentinian restaurant.  The menu has a lot of varieties of steaks but also a good amount of traditional American and even some Italian dishes thrown in there.  Can't wait to try it out!  Anyone been there yet and would like to share?

Bareburger Coming to Court Street!

A space at 149 Court Street is being transformed from a travel inc/clothing store/newsstand into a Bareburger, which is an organic chain burger restaurant.  Okay, so you're either thinking "yum" or more likely "ugh, not more burgers!" .  This place is pretty good though.  There is one already in Park Slope and at least one other in Manhattan.  We've been walking by wondering what that bright yellow window-paned space would become and when we looked it up and saw the picture of the Park Slope Bareburger below, it was pretty clear.

Photo: Courtesy of Bareburger

Sign this Petition for Ferry Service!

State Senator Daniel Squadron is asking for your help.  A Request for Proposal has been released by the EDC for an East River Ferry operator and the Senator's office would like to make sure there is a year round stop at Pier 6. If you would too sign the petition linked below.

See more information and sign a petition hosted by Squadron's office here.  (http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/join-call-year-round-ferry-service-atlantic-avepier-6)

News From PortSide!

We'd like to repost some of the newsletter we've received from PortSide NY.  We always love hearing from them and want to share this with you.  They have some info for those of you having post-Sandy insurance issues as well as news about upcoming projects.  Read below!

Help with Sandy insurance issues: 
The office of NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery asked us to help with outreach about Sandy insurance issues.  Please contact them at 718-643-6140 and ask for Jim Vogel if you or your business has issues with your insurer regarding Sandy.

PortSide's Sandy recovery

Ship cat Chiclet helps Steve Swift measure

We had rare, antique, replacement parts for the MARY A. WHALEN stored in the shed alongside the tanker during Sandy. These were inundated. During the December holidays, we ran four volunteer days to prevent any permanent damage from the storm.  

 We have more work to do.  Please volunteer!

 

Hello, working waterfront! We want your Sandy story

PortSide aims to cover waterfront stories others haven't.  When the mariners' response to 9/11 was overlooked; PortSide made up for that with an exhibit.


Similarly, PortSide is now looking at how to create programs that tell the maritime Sandy story. Please send us your stories, photos and ideas!  We are looking into how the industry prepared for Sandy, rode it out, worked during the storm, was damaged, and served during recovery. 
Reach out via email please.
 

Con Ed Program and National Grid Relief Resources.

We'd like to share what we learned through Red Hook Business Resource Digest last week.  The first news was about Con Ed's energy efficiency direct install program, which you can learn more about here.  The second thing we learned about was that National Grid is giving out grants to their commercial and industrial gas customers that were effected by Sandy.  Read more about this program here and we've posted a little more info below. 

Grants of up to $250,000 towards the cost of energy infrastructure repair and/or replacement; building rehabilitation or reconstruction; and replacement of fixed machinery and equipment.

 

Grants of up to $25,000 to replace inventory and furnishings for small business customers with fewer than 100 employees.

Book Court Event Tonight!

Nick Flynn will be at BookCourt tonight, with live music from Sarah Lipstate (Noveller) as well.  The event starts at 7pm.  If you missed his appearance last Saturday for the book store's All Day Sandy Benefit, this is a great opportunity to see him.  He'll be reading from his new book The Reenactments, signing copies, and answering questions.  For more upcoming BookCourt events see the flyer below or check out their website.  

Dog Photo Contest!

If you have a dog, you can bring it down to one of the two dog runs at Brooklyn Bridge Park, either Main Street or Pier 6, and take a photo to enter the "cutest dog at the dog run" contest.  You've got until January 22nd to enter.  If you don't have a dog you can still vote on the Brooklyn Bridge Park Facebook page for your favorite.  More info from BBP below.


-Voting will begin January 23 on our Facebook page! Read the contest rules and get submission information here.

Gallery on Hicks comments on Sandy.

The very small gallery on Hicks Street between Union and President (directly next to Petite Crevette) is showing the work of two artists whose studio was effected by Sandy.  In these photos you can only see the prints, done by Goloborotko but if you could peek around the corner of this glass door you'd see metalwork also by Jon Perry.  Both artists lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment at their studio on Creamer Street that FEMA can not replace.  You should walk by and check out this show, called floodline.  There is a letter (posted below) outside with the artists info and explains how the idea for this showing came about.

Gowanus Canal Winter Fest Benefit.

Saturday night, January 12th, is the 2013 Winter Festival, although the flyers around town mistakenly say 2012.  It's a benefit for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy with proceeds on ticket prices (ranging from $10 for kids to $45 for membership plus admission) going towards "specifically assisting with its Clean & Green Volunteer Program, Composting and Rain Garden projects".  The night will consist of dinner, drinks, and music.  Read more about the event, including how to get tickets, below.  Or for more info check out this site.


Join us for a very Brooklyn evening of friends, food, music and libations with performances by Mike Doughty, Avan Lava, and Superhuman Happiness.

Dinner will feature:
- Artisanal hot dogs from Brooklyn Cured
- Porky Melts from Pork Slope/TALDE
- Toppings by Mama O's Kimchi, Crock & Jar and Brooklyn Brine
- Cole slaw by Lot2
Sixpoint Brewery is the official beer sponsor, and there will be a selection of the local craft brew available.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by GuS and Plan Tea.
Dinner will be accompanied by a DJ set by DJ Abby Klein and silent auction, featuring items such as Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, art work, gift certificates, and more to be announced!

Purchase tickets here

YMCA Winter Wonderland Pics.

Here are a few photos from the YMCA Winter Wonderland event from earlier this week.  They had a really big turn out, even more than the pictures captured.  All the kids had a great time.  As you can see they set up an arts and crafts section, an obstacle course area, and had a giant penguin come take photos with all the kids.  More importantly the event was to raise funds for the strong kids campaign, which is "focused on raising much needed financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity". 

Hunter's Brooklyn.

Friends of ours went to Hunter's Brooklyn for brunch not too long ago, it's a new restaurant that just opened at 213 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens and their reaction?  "Pretty good!  The fish sandwich was yummy and they very sweetly put together a plate of eggs, pancakes and fruit for our son who didn't like anything on the children's menu."  With so many new restaurants opening in the neighborhood, such as Red Gravy and Krescendo which are both Italian restaurants on Atlantic with lots of buzz, it's hard to decide which ones to try.  Especially hard when there are so many delicious restaurants that we love to visit again and again.  It's good to have some inside info.  Thanks guys!

Winter Wonderland at YMCA!

Have kids and looking for something to do tomorrow..or today depending on when you're reading this?  The Dodge YMCA on Atlantic Ave is having an event from 11am-12:30pm that's open to the public.  It's called Winter Wonderland and should be fun.  Lots of people show up to these events and the kids (mostly babies) really enjoy it.  They'll "offer a light breakfast, winter-themed activities and games, our photo booth, face painting, goodie bags, and much more".  Definitely worth checking out.

Bye Bye Trees 8(.

As we walk around the neighborhood and see all the trees on the side of the street ready to be taken to the big tree heaven, we are reminded that the holidays are over.  See ya Christmas, so long Hanukkah, bye bye New Years.  There is one annual event coming up, though, that you should put on your calendar.  Mulchfest! That's the weekend where NYC parks take your christmas trees for recycling them into mulch.  The dates for 2013 are January 12th and 13th so hold onto those trees until then if you can.  Check out the website for locations and more info.

Cool Brooklyn Brainery Event.

As most of us are welcoming 2013 some people around the world are surprised it even arrived.  At the Brooklyn Brainery event, Doomsday Cults, you can learn about a few of these end-of-the-world predicting extremists and how their visions of the apocalypse never really panned out.  If sounds like a good way to start your year (like if your New Year's resolution is "learn more stuff") then this one is for you.  It's Wednesday, January 9, from 6:30-8pm and $12.  You can sign up here.

Restore Red Hook Benefit This Saturday!

There will be a benefit for Restore Red Hook this Saturday, January 5th.  It's a mini golf tournament at Brooklyn Crab!  The entrance fee for teams of two is $10 and includes one free beer each (or juice/soda, this is an all ages event).  The golfing starts at 12pm and the winner gets a $50 gift card to Brooklyn Crab.  It sounds like a lot of fun but more importantly it's for a good cause so come out and golf it up!

Waterfront Museum President Honored.

Congrats to Waterfront Museum President, David Sharps, who was recently awarded the 2012 John Augustus Roebling Award for his contribution to Industrial Archeology.  "His salvage, restoration and programming of Lehigh Valley No. 79 and his community involvement preserves the industrial heritage of the greater New York/New Jersey area." To learn more about this wonderful museum, along with it's history and upcoming events and activities check out their website here.

Happy New Year!

What can we say about 2012?  It was a year that tested us, our community and our resilience.  We passed that test and feel closer to our community as a result.  We are so happy to live and work in Brooklyn!  We know there are good things to come, a rebuilt better-than-ever Red Hook (including a new Fairway with a second floor restaurant!!), and more of the same wonderful comradery  that we've experienced the last couple of months.  We'd like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!