Children's Garden Updates!

The South Brooklyn Children's Garden has come a long way!  Here are a couple of pics.  The one below is just a few of many raised beds they have.  Ready for lots of spring veggies!  They are also working on building a greenhouse, as you can see pictured above.  That and the picnic tables they have set up makes this for a great space! As of February 12th membership application for the coming season were open.  We couldn't however figure out how to find one.  If you'd like to become a member maybe message them on facebook.

Reminder!!

Tonight is the Carroll Gardens Association workshop "Choose the right legal structure for your business".  We just wanted to remind anyone who may be interested in attending.  It's free, there will be refreshments and lots of information.  Head to 201 Columbia Street, it's from 6pm-7:30pm.

The Americans.

"The Americans" will be filming again today all over the Columbia Waterfront District. Up and down Hicks, Columbia, and some side streets are blocked off.  Last time we blogged about the filming we had seen signs near Carroll Park but also reported of film-related explosions happening on Union and Columbia.  At the time we thought that was from a different shoot but found out later that it was from the same FX series.  They are taking over the neighborhood!

Duman Home on Court.

Here's a pic we took of a new shop coming to 213 Court Street, which used to be a fitness center.  The new place is called Duman Home and from the name you may guess that it will be a home accessories and furniture store.  You'd be right. From what we've learned it seems more accessories (bath, kitchen, bedding) heavy than furniture, which makes sense.  It's not a huge space.  Could be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

Care for Red Hook Scanning Event.

Kentler International Drawing Space, at 353 Van Brunt, will be hosting "CARE for Sandy" this Sunday, February 24th from 10:30am-5:30pm.  CARE stands for Cherished Albums Restoration Effort and this organization's mission is to digitally restore photos that were damaged in Hurricane Sandy free of charge.  This particular event is offering free scanning for future restoration.  There will be more events like this one throughout the winter, so if you can't come out this weekend but have photos that were damaged you can check here for more info, including future dates.

Kevin's Reopening!

Kevin's will be reopening this weekend, after being closed for months after Sandy.  They'll have dinner on Saturday and Sunday and brunch on Sunday as well.  To celebrate their reopening they're having a party tomorrow, Friday night, and anyone can come between 5pm and 8pm.  They'll have complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar until 11pm! We're so happy they are back!

New Fairway Sneak Peek!

We heard that the Red Hook Fairway would be reopening on March 1st but we'd check their facebook every once in a while to see if the date had changed.  Thankfully not! We came across this video posted yesterday. It's a sneak peek at the new (and improved!) Fairway.  We had heard (and spread) rumors about there being a new upstairs cafe.  This video sets us straight.  The cafe has been improved and there will be an all-season outdoor area, but it is in the same place.  That plus wider isles and a few other upgrades.  Check out the video and get the tour.

Brooklyn Brainery Coworking.

The Prospect Heights location of Brooklyn Brainery, that's at 190 Underhill, is trying out this cool new thing during the daytime.  It's called coworking.  And basically for $12 you can use their space as your office, meaning you can use their wifi and tables the way you would at a coffee shop without completely annoying other guests and servers by setting up camp for hours on end.  It's expected here!  This concept just started yesterday so it may catch on quick.  Sign up here if you're interested.

Choose the Right Legal Structure for your Business

There will be a workshop at the CGA Training Center ( 201 Columbia Street) on February 27th from 6pm-7:30pm guiding anyone thinking of starting a new business through choosing a legal structure.  This is such an important decision that has a huge impact on so many aspects of owning your own business.  It's so wonderful that the Carroll Gardens Association will be presenting this free workshop as part of their Entrepreneur Assistance Program.  If you'd like to attend register by calling (718) 243-9301 or emailing Workshops@carrollgardensassociation.com.

Fried Chicken Fundraiser!

I know we've already blogged about the Seersucker folks this week but, what can we do?  They have a lot going on and we wanted to pass this one along.  They'll be having a fundraiser on February 25th for the PS 58 children's vegetable garden.  For $50 you get a three course fried chicken meal...and that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you help people.  If you're planning on going you should make reservations now because the place is pretty cozy and can fill up.  In other news they've announced the opening date is set for February 21st for their new Vietnamese restaurant, Nightingale 9!

Brave!

Oh how we miss the days of sitting in the park or at the Valentino Pier and watching movies!  Picnics, free movies and a warm summer breeze.  Those days will be back.  In the meantime we'll have to settle for free indoor films.  The Carroll Gardens library will be screening Disney's "Brave" tomorrow at 3:45pm.  It's in the auditorium, which has plenty of seating but you'll probably want to show up early.  It's not quite as spacious as Valentino Pier.

Filming in the neighborhood.

We noticed signs for filming of "The Americans", an FX TV series starring Keri Russell, on President Street between Smith and Court.  They'll be filming there today.  We also got a notice from a very cool blog/source through nyc.gov called Notify NYC about a simulated explosion in the Columbia Waterfront area tonight between 6pm and 9pm.  It's a busy day for making movies!

Nightingale 9 to open next week!

Some of you may have heard of the new Vietnamese restaurant opening across the street from Smith Canteen on Smith street.  It's called Nightingale 9 and is owned by the chef and co-owner of Seersucker, Robert Newton. Now, we've been keeping up with them on Facebook and last we heard from that, they said that the opening announcement would be soon but we just saw on Grubstreet (pic above) that they are opening next week!  We are really excited to try this place, and from the buzz going on about it we're sure so may others are too and it'll be packed.

Cute Dogs!

A little while back we blogged about the "Cutest Dog at the Dogrun" photo contest for Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.  We thought we'd share the winners with you!  There were two different dog parks, so two different winners.  Both are pretty adorable.  "The winner at the Main Street Dog Run is Goonie and the winner at the Pier 6 Dog Run is Arrow."  Super cute.  Good names too!

Tell Your Story Campaign in Red Hook!

The "Tell Your Story" Campaign has found a space!  March 2 through Saturday March 9 (with the exception of Wednesday Mar 6) Red Hook residents can drop into Kentler International Drawing Space at 353 Van Brunt Street and tell their Hurricane Sandy recovery story.  There are a few more updates for the campaign.  One being that $20 Fairway gift cards are being acquired to hand out to those who come into the "Tell Your Story Center".  There's more they have to say on that subject below.  Also, between Feb 12 and Feb 14, they will be screening social workers to be considered for the interview pool.  If you or anyone you know have a background in social work or counseling and would like to contribute your time to this project, please contact EMMP at Development@EMMP-Emergency.com with the subject line “Tell Your Story Interviewers Pool”.  And finally we've heard the screening/fundraiser will be held sometime in mid to late April.  The location in TBD.  We'll give you more updates as we get them.  In the meantime, get involved!

"Our partners at Mahila Partnership have raised money to cover the cost of the gift cards and are working toward providing hygiene kits for people coming into the center. The more we can provide for the local residents who have been without their grocery store for so long, the further their $20 gift card will go when Fairway Market re-opens March 1st. If anyone has suggestions or can help in any way with this incentive program, please feel free to contact me (nkepler@EMMP-Emergency.com) or Angela Devlen of Mahila Partnership (adevlen@mahilapartnership.org

) If you would like to make a donation for this program, you can do so at www.mahilapartnerhsip.org by indicating on your donation memo “Red Hook Recovery Project”. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of all donations will go to this project."

 

Our Favorite Neighborhood Bars for Winter.

Bars are a refuge for many of us during the winter months.  A warm place filled with other people to complain about the temperature with over a warming drink.  It's perfect!  We have so many wonderful bars in the area but here are a few of our favorites.


Brooklyn Buschenschank is a great spot.  In the summer the giant windows are open and you feel like you're at a beer garden.  When it's too cold out, though, the frosted windows shut out the winter and all you see is the beautiful tavern filled with candles.  Amazing beer selection too!

These next two bars are on the list, not only because we love them all year round, but because when you find yourself going out more often you may want to opt for a place with good drink specials.  Red Hook's Brooklyn Ice House and Cobble Hill's Boat fit that bill.

Char No. 4 is our last pick.  What warms you up better than whiskey? This place has more than 150 varieties of it as well as some very creative winter-themed cocktails, such as the "Noreaster" -Ginger beer, lime, maple syrup.

Fairway set to Reopen!

Howie Glickberg, founder of Fairway Market, announced the reopening of the Red Hook store.  The date is set for March 1st.  We'd heard it would be sometime in March and are so glad to hear that it's actually the first day of the month!  You can watch the announcement, which includes high praise for Glickberg from Christine Quinn for Fairway's help and generosity after Hurricane Sandy. We can't wait to see the new store!

Upcoming Festivities!

We're all freezing our butts off and February has just begun.  We can't help but want to wish the month away but think about a few fun holidays we'd miss if we skipped it.  Chinese New Year, Mardis Gras, and Valentine's Day.  For Chinese New Year, February 10th, the best place to go is Sunset Park, aka Brooklyn's Chinatown.  To learn more about the parade and performances that day check out this site.  For the other two holidays there is nothing better than indulging at a nice restaurant.  Make plans now because restaurants will be busy, especially for Valentines Day.  Most places will have a prix fix menu.  Some will also have special menus for Fat Tuesday, like this one from Char No. 4.  Have fun and stay warm!

New Bakery Coming to Degraw.

Sadie's Kitchen, the short lived southern food take out restaurant, has been closed for a while now and we've been wondering what would become of the space at 243 Degraw.  Walking by the other day, we saw someone working on the place and he told us it's going to be a bakery.  Poppy's will be part bakery and part catering service, which is a perfect business for this cozy spot.  We can never have too many sweets! Bring it!

Affordable Art Gallery.

We passed this sign a little while back.  It says Recession Art will be coming in February.  This organization soon to become a gallery and store, which is going to carry works from emerging artists and keep the prices low in order to keep art accessible for all incomes, was an original partner with The Invisible Dog gallery.  It's a wonderful idea not just for art lovers with smaller pocketbooks but also for emerging artists trying to break into the art world.  Although the sign says February, Recession Art's website says they won't open at 47 Bergen until March 9th.  We can't wait!