Here Comes the Mega BBQ Joint!

We passed this sign last weekend on Union between 3rd and 4th Ave.  A big sign for a big restaurant.  This seems like the last step in opening when places start the hiring process, although the hiring is at a portable office near the site (a few buildings down) and not actually at the site so we guess renovations are still in progress.  They were supposed to open in March but damages from Hurricane Sandy, the loss of their roof for a start, have changed those plans.  There have been so many BBQ spots opening in the area over the last year or so and you can add this chain to the list soon.

Calling all Vendors!

The Carroll Park Fair is coming up.  Well, it's about 5 weeks away.  But now is a great time to start thinking about reserving a spot if you'd like to sell food or goods.  10 X 10 spots are $35 and you can book by emailing carrollparkfair@gmail.com.  For those of you who may want to attend there should be plenty to eat, browse, and lots for kids to do.  So you can put this on your calendar for Saturday, June 1st from 10am-5pm.  They usually have rain dates for events at Carroll Park but we haven't heard that they've set one yet.  Keep an eye out for signs closer to the day of the event.

Sandy Survivor Get Together Reminder!!

Hey everyone we just wanted to send out a quick reminder about the get together this weekend (details below).  Join us along with PortSide New York and friends and neighbors who survived and came together as a community after Sandy hit the area six months ago.  We'll have cheese, crackers, coffee, cake (!!!) and good company!  Come on over!

Sandy Survivor Get Together
Sunday 4/28/13
4-7pm (but we’ll stay longer if you are there)
351 Van Brunt Street

Metro Chamber Orchestra Finale This Weekend.

We blogged yesterday about an event happening at Christ Church of Cobble Hill this Saturday.  Here's another event happening at a beautiful neighborhood cathedral the same night.  Metro Chamber Orchestra will be performing Beethoven's Ninth in this season finale concert at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity, 157 Montague.  It's really a beautiful building, as you can see especially in the below photo and the interior is just as lovely.  A great setting for a concert like this for both ambiance and acoustics.  Tickets are $25 and you can purchase them here.

Cabaret benefit for Friends of Christ Church Cobble Hill.

We've been seeing these signs (below) everywhere around the neighborhood that read "Help Us Bring Back a Neighborhood Landmark".  This landmark is the Christ Church of Cobble Hill, which has been under construction for a while now, and they are having a benefit this weekend, April 27th at 7pm, in the form of a cabaret at 75 Hicks Street.  It's called "Spring Up, Bizet to Broadway".  Tickets are a steep $75 a pop, but remember it's not just an ordinary theater/cabaret experience it's charity.  If you're interested in you can visit their website for tickets and more details.

Theater in Gowanus.

We passed this sign for the play Enemy of the People by Ibsen.  It's very ironic, or making a statement or at least befitting, that this play is being performed in a warehouse in Gowanus very close to the canal.  The play is about a "quaint waterside village" which "is set to become the next tourist destination when the town doctor finds deadly contaminants in the local water supply". The play runs from May 2nd-5th.  You can buy tickets here.

Sandy Survivor Get Together.

Calling all Sandy survivors!  Come join us this Sunday, April 28th, to reconnect and eat cake! It'll be almost 6 months since Sandy hit us and brought both havoc and a spirit of togetherness and strength to our community.  We'd love to see you all there! You can read the flyer below for more info.


Red Hook Sandy Survivor Get Together
Sunday 4/28/13 4‐7pm (but we’ll stay longer if you are there)
351 Van Brunt

April 29 will be the six month anniversary of hurricane Sandy. Many people in Red Hook talk about re‐finding that spirit of connectedness that supported us during the dark nights and muddy days after the storm.

PortSide NewYork and Realty Collective, the non‐profit organization and real estate brokerage which teamed up to create the Sandy aid center at 351 Van Brunt Street, are opening the doors again to bring people together. Here is our invitation to you. Please pass the word:

Dear Neighbor:
 
We are coming up on 6 months since Hurricane Sandy put Red Hook under 4 feet of water or more in some cases.
 
There was a great community spirit in the days after the storm when everyone was working together to recover. We are hosting an informal open house to hear how you are doing, reconnect and celebrate the resilience of Red Hook. It would be so great to see our friends and neighbors and reconnect.

Free cake, coffee and other beverages. We are looking to arrange some other food by event time.
 
Yours truly,
Your neighbors and friends at 351 Van Brunt Street

To help with the event or post flyers, contact Kerry Quade at sandy6mo@gmail.com

PS 38 Spring Carnival Tomorrow.

This spring carnival sounds like a lot of fun and it's for a good cause, of course, the PTA at PS 38.  The sign lists pony rides, an obstacle course and giant slide as just a couple of activities.  And there will also be food and raffles.  If you'd like to stop by it will all be happening at the PS 38 schoolyard, that's 450 Pacific Street between noon and 5pm tomorrow.

Carroll Gardens Library Upcoming Events.

Here are a couple of cool events we spotted that are coming up at the Carroll Gardens Library.  This first one below is actually Brooklyn Public Library but we spotted this sign at CGL. 

It's on May 11th and it's a bike ride, where you get to choose your route and ride from branch to branch, and raise funds for Brooklyn Public Library.  Great idea! Click here for more info.
  
This event below is coming up very soon, next Tuesday April 23rd 6:30-7:30pm.  It's a family night geared towards younger children (it says they have Kindergarten kits for kids to learn math and science).  This event is on the main floor of CGL.

Filming Today in our Hood.

Two huge TV shows are filming in and around the neighborhood today.  We spotted the sign above at Clinton and Baltic Streets.  It's for HBO's "Girls" and the shoot date is for today.  The sign below we saw on Court Street near Atlantic and their were more lining Court Street for blocks.  This show, "Elementary" (see below), is on CBS and stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu.  Shoot dates were yesterday as well as today.  The no parking is kind of a pain and not being able to walk down certain streets at certain times but can you blame everyone for wanting to shoot here?

Neighborhood Staple Renovating or Closed?

One of the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood, St. Clair on Smith Street, seems to have closed.  Although signs in the window (below) indicate that they are merely renovated the fact that the inside is completely gutted and the outside signs have been taken down tells us that the diner is no longer.  Web buzz, such as the blog lostnewyorkcity, is also reporting that the restaurant is gone for good.  Residents are definitely sad to see this place go.

180 Smith Street.

We walked by this sign a little while back.  It's the sign for the new (coming soon?) establishment that's taking over the space at 180 Smith, which used to be Ecropolis.  This place also seems like it will be a coffee shop of sorts.  The sign is strange, though.  Dough...okay that sounds good, bread and pastries...coffee...yummy...aroma...makes sense...roogel...huh?  It seems clear that the picture at the bottom of that phrase is rugala but we've never seen or heard this spelling/pronunciation.  It looks like the cafe itself might have that word in it's name because we've found two trademarks "Get Ready to Roogel" and "Let's Roogle".  Has anyone ever seen this delicious sweet spelled "roogel" or is this new?

Free Grilled Cheese Tomorrow!

Apparently tomorrow is National Grilled Cheese Day and also the grand opening of Brooklyn Slate Company.  Coincidence? Nope. And they are celebrating both occasions by giving away grilled cheese sandwiches between noon and 4pm at their shop, 305 Van Brunt.  Although it isn't necessary, they do encourage you to RSVP on Facebook.

Carter Family Project.

The Carter family has been said to have given birth to modern country music back in the late 20's.  Cobble Hill couple, Leigh Anderson and Fran Leadon, have been recording and reenacting the songs from the famous family (you'd be most familiar with June Carter but this all started before she was even born) in their living room. Leadon and Anderson will be bringing these tunes, which hope to conjure the sound and spirit of this great music, to Jalopy Theater tomorrow night at 8pm. It's free!!

Participatory Budgeting Winners!

And the winners are...(see below).  A few of these surprised us.  We were actually very surprised to see that the Hamilton/Van Brunt Plaza wasn't on there.  Not that any of these are less worthy, they are all wonderful improvements, but we saw and spoke with so many people rallying for the plaza.  Well, maybe next year.

The 2013 winning Participatory Budgeting projects are:

1. PS 230: Help Kids Connect & Learn With Technology - $180,000
   Install 34 Smartboards w/supporting MacBooks in high-needs, diverse (25+ home languages) school serving 1,300 students.
2. Renovate 8 Bathrooms, PS 58, The Carroll School - $110,000
   Provide healthier environment for generations to come by replacing fixtures & flushing mechanisms. Last renovation was in 1954.
3. Carroll Gardens/Windsor Terrace Library Computers - $75,000
   29 new adult & preschool computers at these branches to support community needs for internet access & computer literacy.
4. Church Avenue Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Improvements - $300,000
   Extend sidewalks and reduce crossing distances on Church Avenue at Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue intersections.
5. PS 179: Technology upgrade for underserved school - $115,000
   27 SmartBoards for high-needs school to aid learning for English language learners, special education and gifted students.
6. 3rd Street Green Corridor: New Trees, Less Runoff - $170,000
   10 trees with enhanced pits will improve storm drainage, and add shade and beauty in Gowanus from Bond Street. to 3rd Avenue.

Vote totals for all projects can be viewed here.

Open House Thursday!

There will be another open house for units at 200 Columbia Street this Thursday, April 11th, between 5:30pm and 7pm.  Here's the info below in case you missed our last blog about it. You can also visit this website for more information.  We'll be updating it continually so keep checking for more pics and availability info.

Cool meets comfort in this boutique-style walkup amid the top-rated restaurants, shops and schools of Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street Waterfront District. For amenities and style, 200 Columbia Street is it. Live in the heart of it all with stunning views of lower Manhattan. Exposed brick, modern kitchens and baths, Brazilian hardwood floors, high ceilings, energy efficient appliances with central heating and air are among the many features that enable you to live smart.
Columbia Street Waterfront District is the ideal location for both families and young professionals eager to experience all the excitement and opportunity that Brooklyn has to offer. A picturesque neighborhood and cultural diversity makes 200 Columbia Street a great place to live. The residences are set in the most populous New York City borough and have everything you need close by. Walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park down the Greenway, or eat at Pok Pok, while exploring the endless things to do in the city. There are hundreds of delectable eateries and all of the shopping venues and boutiques you can handle. The residences of 200 Columbia Street puts you in the hotbed of one of the most cultivated neighborhoods in New York.
-built in dishwasher
-exposed brick
-granite countertops
-high ceilings
-individually controlled heat and air conditioning
-intercom system
-solid Brazilian hardwood floors
-soundproof construction
-stainless steel appliances
-time warner cable ready
-washer & dryer in the units*
-pets allowed*
              *available for an additional fee, see management for more details

Units Starting At $2,800 with No Fee

Save LICH Rally.

Here's a pic from the "Save LICH" rally yesterday.  This photo was taken about twenty minutes before the official start time of the rally, which was 1pm, and still we saw a crowd walking down Hicks Street. Soon after there looked to be well over one hundred gathered and more kept showing up.  Say what you want about LICH, we're so lucky to have a hospital so close. We hope the efforts of all who've been apart of the ongoing efforts to keep LICH open pay off. 

Open House 2 BRs This Sunday!

We're having an Open house this Sunday, April 7th from 1-3pm at 200 Columbia Street!

Cool meets comfort in this boutique-style walkup amid the top-rated restaurants, shops and schools of Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street Waterfront District. For amenities and style, 200 Columbia Street is it. Live in the heart of it all with stunning views of lower Manhattan. Exposed brick, modern kitchens and baths, Brazilian hardwood floors, high ceilings, energy efficient appliances with central heating and air are among the many features that enable you to live smart.
Columbia Street Waterfront District is the ideal location for both families and young professionals eager to experience all the excitement and opportunity that Brooklyn has to offer. A picturesque neighborhood and cultural diversity makes 200 Columbia Street a great place to live. The residences are set in the most populous New York City borough and have everything you need close by. Walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park down the Greenway, or eat at Pok Pok, while exploring the endless things to do in the city. There are hundreds of delectable eateries and all of the shopping venues and boutiques you can handle. The residences of 200 Columbia Street puts you in the hotbed of one of the most cultivated neighborhoods in New York.

-built in dishwasher
-exposed brick
-granite countertops
-high ceilings
-individually controlled heat and air conditioning
-intercom system
-solid Brazilian hardwood floors
-soundproof construction
-stainless steel appliances
-time warner cable ready
-washer & dryer in the units*
-pets allowed*
              *available for an additional fee, see management for more details

Units Starting At $2,800 with No Fee
For More Information Go To:  200Columbia.com

Million Dollar Decision.

We wanted to tell you about a couple of other possible projects that you can vote for this weekend at the participatory budget vote.  There are so many to choose from and you should really go to this site to see them all but here are a couple in our neighborhood that we've noticed people trying to raise awareness about. One is the fences on Hicks Street (seen above in the Fix Hicks sign).  Some think they need to be fixed to create more visibility for pedestrians crossing.  Another is more and newer computers for Carroll Gardens Library.  Again it's your choice so do your research.  Only a handful of proposed ideas will be funded and you have a say!

Saturday, April 6th 10am-7pm at Carroll Gardens Library
Sunday, April 7th 10am-5pm at Carroll Park House

Red Rose Revamped.

Walking by 315 Smith Street the sign above caught our eye. Is this place new? It took us a moment but we realized that this Italian restaurant, Red Rose, has been there forever (30 years to be exact).  They've gotten a long needed new sign is all.  You can see how badly they needed one by looking at the before shot below. We're thinking the new sign will bring in first time customers since it's something that really pops out and demands to be seen. The fact that the place gets good reviews should turn those first timers into regulars.

Hamilton/Van Brunt Community Plaza

You can vote to add this long-needed plaza to the neighborhood, as long as you are over the age 16 and live within the district.  There are so many pros to constructing this plaza.  It can "reduce driver confusion, increase pedestrian safety, absorb storm water, add parking, benches and gardens, and an internet hotspot. Voting info is below.  For more info visit bradlander.com

Saturday, April 6th 10am-7pm at Carroll Gardens Library
Sunday, April 7th 10am-5pm at Carroll Park House

Post Easter Pics.

Here are a few pics from the Easter celebration at Urban Meadow and Mother Cabrini Park yesterday.  There was a huge turnout as always.  Younger kids hunted for eggs in the meadow and older kids were at the park.  The Easter bunny showed up too!