Free Dance Class Intros for Kids.

This is pretty cool.  Dancewave, located in Boerum Hill at 45 4th Ave, is having an open house that includes free trial classes.  This introductory period runs from September 4th-7th.  They have all different types of classes for ages between toddler and teen.  Check it out if you're looking for an extra curricular for your child.

Touch-A-Truck this Weekend!

This is quite possible the coolest fundraiser we've ever heard of and even though it's a little out of our vicinity (South Slope) we had to share this because it looks worth the short subway or bus ride.  PS 295, which is on 18th Street between 6th and 7th avenues, is putting on "Touch-A-Truck".  It is exactly what it sounds like.  They'll have 25 vehicles that kids can climb in, including a school bus, garbage truck, ambulance and more! The operators will also be there to answer any questions. For more info check out this site.

Introducing Nicole May!

Meet one of the newest additions to Realty Collective.  Nicole is originally from New York and after living overseas, mainly Australia, for several years came back and is now residing in the Park Slope neighborhood, which she loves.  Here's what Nicole has to say about how she came to work for us.

When moving back to New York City, what I found most difficult was finding a place to live. My search was long and frustrating.  Although I had a background in event management and music, I was inspired to make a career change and become a real estate agent so that I might help others avoid the many pitfalls and run around when searching for their new home.  Brooklyn has so much to offer and I feel very fortunate to live here. 

Million Dollar Vote Update.

                                                                              photo from bradlander.com
Back in March we blogged about a big decision (one million dollars worth) that had to be made about funding projects in the neighborhoods of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington.  You can read that blog here.  There were many proposals and residents got to vote.  Here's an update.  More than 2,200 people came out to vote (amazing!!) and the list of winners is below.

1. Renovation of two dysfunctional bathrooms at PS 124 ($150,000, 958 votes)
2. Innovative community composting system near Gowanus Canal to turn 1 ton/day of food waste into soil ($165,000, 919 votes)
3. Planting 100 new trees on blocks throughout the district with few or no trees ($100,000, 767 votes)
4. New technology for PS 130 and PS 154 ($140,000, 758 votes)
5. Repairing Prospect Park pedestrian paths to prevent flooding, and adding trash cans in the park ($205,000, 648 votes)
6. Repairs and safety improvements at the dangerous Prospect Expressway/Church Avenue pedestrian crossing ($200,000, 606 votes)
7. New books and equipment for the Kensington public library to enhance the branch’s use for meetings, storytelling, rehearsals, and small performances promoting Kensington's cultural diversity ($80,000, 582 votes)

An Informed Vote.

Later this month voting will begin to decide how we're going to spend 1 million dollars for projects for the area. Community leaders and members have already been hard at work sorting through the many many ideas for what to do with this budget and they've come up with project to put on the ballot at the end of this month. If you aren't already savvy to these plans you can attend a meeting to find out more. More info about this meeting below.

Serving the neighborhoods of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope,
Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, and Kensington

The ballot will include everything from new technology for district schools to improvements to local parks. There are voting locations all across the district and early voting at my office, so there should be a location that is accessible to you. And join us for the Participatory Budgeting Expo on Wednesday, March 14^th, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the Park Slope Armory, to learn more about the projects that will be on the ballot (visit BradLander.com/PB for more information).

BBQ in the Hood!

(Photo: Emily Holbrook)

Blogs around the Park Slope, Gowanus, and Carroll Gardens areas are blowing up about BBQ. For good reason. There is a definite shortage of this meaty, saucy genre of food in our hood. We recently lost Dallas Jones on Atlantic Ave, unfortunately. Well the first of possibly three BBQ joints opening in the Gowanus area (Union and 3rd) has just opened. It's called Fort Reno, 669 Union St, and is owned by the same owners as Palo Santo down the street. (See photo above taken from brooklynexposed). It's got mostly good reviews so far. We'll see how they do as time goes on. Another restaurant coming, scheduled for end of the year or beginning of next, is Dinosaur. This one is a chain, you may have visited their huge space up in Harlem. A lot of buzz about this one. According to eater.com "Wild Whiskey Warthog is trying to get in their own whiskey and BBQ joint" in the area. From a shortage to a bounty! We are stoked!

Save the Prospect Park West Bike Lane!

Ever since the creation of the bike lane on Prospect Park West last year, it has been under attack. Mostly from people living nearby who think its unsightly for some reason. In Fact, Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes, the oragnization formed by those who oppose the new bike lane, has hired a law firm to bring a law suit against the city to try to remove the lane. I use it regularly and think it is a great addition to the already very bike friendly Park Slope. Plus taking one lane out of Prospect Park West seemed to reduce the speeding and other wreckless driving on that street. Now, rather than a big four lane speedway, its now just a normal park side drive, which is nice for pedestrians.

If you are a fellow supporter of the Prospect Park West bike lane, come ride it this Sunday April 10th, starting at 11am. Everyone is invited to bike or walk the lane starting from Grand Army Plaza to the Bartel-Pritchard entrance of Prospect Park at 15th Street to show support for the bike lane. At the end of the ride you can look foward to Free hot dogs from Bark, cupcakes from Blue Sky Bakery and more goodies from bike shop sponsors Bicycle Habitat and Ride Brooklyn. For more info check out the website at http://weridethelanes.com/