Red Hook DOT meeting

A lot is being talked about for improving transportation and walking paths for getting in and out of Red Hook and you should be part of the discussion if it affects you. On November 17th there will be a CB6 Transportation Committee meeting at 6:30pm at a location TBD – check for updates at www.brooklyncb6.org/calendar/. Among topics discussed will be enhancing the pedestrian environment (details below) and the B61 bus. Here are some of the proposals:

An enhanced crossing at Clinton Street, improvements to the W 9th Street median under the Gowanus Expressway, and a new signalized pedestrian crossing at Mill Street will make access on foot to the subway system easier and safer for Red Hook residents. In addition we have completed a study of a proposed new intersection at Mill Street/Garnet Street and Hamilton Avenue and determined that there would be local bus travel times savings of 25-50% and no major negative traffic impacts. We believe this project will not only improve transit but also help to knit together the neighborhood’s pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile transportation network.

Be there to keep informed and put in your two cents.

Pedagogy Musical

Falconworks Artists Group will be performing a special work-in-progress presentation of Pedagogy of the Oppressed - The Musical this weekend, November 11th, 12th and 13th. The Friday show will begin at 7PM and Saturday and Sunday's will be at 3PM. Admission is pay-as-you-wish and since the space is pretty cozy (Cora Dance Studio, 201 Richards Street in the Red Hook Studios building, buzzer #15) you should probably make a reservation, whihc are required, as soon as possible by clinking here http://pedagogymusical.eventbrite.com/. Come out and support them! More info about the show is below.

Based on the famous work by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire this original work which features music by Alex Hills and dramaturgy by Virginia Vitzthum, dramatizes the experience in public schools and the moments that influence our ideas about education. The performance will be facilitated by Reg Flowers and features Matt Behan, Anthony Cowen-Wilson, Chris Hammett, Alex Hills, Olivia Hockenberry, Alys Lugo and Virginia Vitzthum.

Tiny Rhino

We came across this very interesting sounding event the other day. We hadn't been to the Brooklyn Lyceum in a while and were wondering what's going on there. For those of you who don't know what the Brooklyn Lyceum is you may have passed it before. It's the building on 4th Avenue between Union and President that stands out more than any other building in the area. It's been around since 1910, when it opened as a bath house, and now it hosts events from art shows, to plays, to craft fairs. It's a really cool place and you should check it out if you haven't already.

Anyways, the event that we saw on the website that really stood out is called Tiny Rhino. It's a series of plays, six in total, with five dramatic elements. And here's the interesting part. Whenever one of the five elements show up throughout the six plays the audience has to take a sip of their beer. Yes, it's a drinking game! Now the bit that made us really intrigued and actually want to attend was this little blurb we spotted on their website. "Leave the mindless boozing to the frat boys - we're artists and therefore sadists by definition. Fair warning: these plays will venture down a darker path than your average drinking game."

So, if this sounds like a fun thing to do on a Monday night, join them November 14th or December 12th at 8PM, pay $10 at the door and sip away!

Art and Cake!

What a delicious combination! Art plus cake equals happiness. Are we right? This Saturday, November 12th, between 2pm and 4pm you can enjoy both. The Kentler International Drawing Space, located at 353 Van Brunt Street, is having it's 21st birthday and you're invited. It's $15 at the door for adults and $5 for kids. And it's all for a good cause. He's a little about that that we pulled off of their website.

Kentler International Drawing Space, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to bringing contemporary drawings and works on paper by emerging and under-recognized national and international artists to the public; and to providing artists the opportunity to experiment, explore and expand the definition of art in society.

Programs: Exhibitions and events, The Kentler Flatfiles, K.I.D.S. Art Education

So come and enjoy some lovely art and specialty cakes made by Red Hook's favorite sweet stop, Baked!

Char 4 contest

So, we here about these Char 4 events all the time via email. They have a lot going on over there. We've posted about them in the past, although it's been a while, so we usually just read them but don't normally consider sharing. This last subject really caught our eyes though and we had to share. Our inbox read "Drink Turkey Win a Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey". Hmmm. Visions of some roasted turkey concoction danced through our heads for a moment but then we came to our senses. Char 4 is a whiskey/bourbon bar so, of course they're talking about Wild Turkey Whiskey. Yet the whole "Win a Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey" was still intriguing, so we checked it out. Apparently every 1oz and 2oz tasting of Wild Turkey Rare Breed that you order at Char 4 between now and November 18th will count as one entry into a contest to win a 14lb house-smoked turkey. Your Thanksgiving can be the tastiest, not to mention easiest, ever this year if you won. Your order will also get you a 20% off discount to buy a bottle of the same whiskey at Smith and Vine. So, if this contest interests you and you've got a taste for whiskey head down there. You can enter as many times as you want just make sure you "enter" responsibly.

Bake Sale Tomorrow Morning!

PS 29 is having a bake sale tomorrow between 6:15AM and 9PM. So, this being election day, if you were planning on and are zoned to go down there to vote you may want to pick up some brownies or cookies to help support the elementary school while you're at it. Even if you're not zoned to vote there...hey, it's baked goods! What other excuse do you need to take a walk over there? PS 29 is located on Henry Street on the corner of Kane and the bake sale will be going on in the lobby. Come on come all. Bring your friends and bring your sweet teeth!

New Yoga Studio on Smith

At 229 Smith street, a pretty hard to miss awning has gone up to announce to coming of a new yoga studio. It's Prana Power Yoga and they have studio's through Massachusetts and New York. They even have a restaurant in Newton, MA. Could one be coming to Brooklyn also?

The Prana Power Yoga studio offers many types of classes, from all levels classes, to mommy and me yoga, to something called power hour. Some are in heated studio. You've heard of these sweaty and challenging classes and now you can try them for yourself. If this interests you go to their website to find out more about pricing and schedules.

BK Swappers get your tickets!

BK Swappers will be swapping in the neighborhood yet again come November 20th. 61 local is the perfect venue for this event, which will take place between 4pm and 7pm. Not only does the "keep things local" message match up with that of the swappers, but the space itself is large with big long tables. Perfect for displaying your baked goods or other treats you brought along to swap. I'm sure the swappers are happy to be back there. As you may already know, or may not, the event is free but you have to get tickets and they go quickly. In fact, all the spots are already gone. So why am I blogging about this you ask? Well I noticed that the waiting list is still open and saw this footnote on eventbrite. "(A note about cancellations and the waiting list: If you don't land a spot and wind up on the waiting list, have no fear—people always cancel and most folks on the waiting list end up getting in)". So, there you go. You not only still have a chance of getting a spot, it's actually very probable. Get on it! Go to this link to sign up and swap your heart away (not literally of course).

Greenway Party at Alma

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative will be having a "Rooftop Reception" in support of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. The party will take place on Monday, November 7th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at one Columbia Waterfront's favorite restaurants, Alma (187 Columbia at the corner of Degraw). What to expect. Well drinks, mingling with members of the community, delicious food, of course, and great views. If you've never been on Alma's rooftop you need to check it out. It's got a great view of the Manhattan skyline. Also, you'll get a sneak peek of the plans for Columbia Waterfront Park. Everyone else will have to wait until the mid-November meeting to see the conceptual design rendering for the future site. Sponsors of the event are Alma Viva Restaurant, Brooklyn Brewery, Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies and Waterfront Wines & Spirits. Click here for more info and tickets.

Post Halloween Post

If you've got kids one thing you'll need to think about after all those sugary treats they consumed this weekend and yesterday (and probably days and days to come) is getting them to a dentist. If you don't already have a family or pediatric dentist you may want to look into this new pediatric dentist we spotted a few months ago located in Brooklyn Heights. The office is beautiful, they have a playroom as well as a waiting area and the treatment rooms don't look like your normal sterile and scary dental rooms. They are colorful and kid-friendly. Their approach seems just as welcoming as the atmosphere. Here's a quote from their website.

Our goal is to make the children feel the gentleness, encouragement, affection and understanding during their visits. with this in mind, our treatment methods are often fun and relaxed.

That sounds like a refeshing change from your average experience at the dentist. The office is located at 148 Atlantic Avenue. Check them out!