Monthly Archives

September 2012

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Park Plaza Diner Reopens Thursday After August Blaze

September 5, 2012

Following a fire August 4 that decimated the kitchen and HVAC system at Park Plaza Diner, the long-lived eatery at 220 Cadman Plaza West is scheduled to reopen for business Thursday, September 6. Dimitri Likourentzos, a member of the family-owned diner and its chef, tells BHB that the blaze caused extensive damage, requiring gutting of the kitchen, duct-work, AC units and a large portion of the roof.

“We had to practically rebuild the kitchen and fix a lot of the roof, which became a swimming pool after the Fire Department was here,” Likourentzos says. “It also destroyed a good bit of the renovation we had started a month before.” He muses: It’s been a lot of fun.”

Park Plaza will reopen Thursday, hopefully by midday. Likourentzos says, “We make so much of what we serve fresh, so there are a lot of day-to-day items we’re trying to get in stock before tomorrow. We’re hoping to be back in time for lunch.” Normal business hours at Park Plaza are Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., and 24 hours on weekends. (Photo: Park Plaza)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47116

From the Web

P.S. 8′s Middle School to Open Tomorrow

September 5, 2012

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 6), M.S. 8, the middle school extension of P.S. 8, will welcome its first students. The school is located in the George Westinghouse High School building (see photo). M.S. 8 students will use the building’s Tillary Street entrance, between Jay and Bridge streets.

State Senator Daniel Squadron, who advocated and worked to secure establishment of the new school, will be on hand to greet students and parents starting at 7:30 a.m.

Image: a child grows in brooklyn.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47117

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents

Lena Dunham: ‘Girls’ Just Wanna Have ‘Fun.’

September 5, 2012

Here’s a tip for BHB followers who adore celebrity gazing in the neighborhood… Brooklyn Heights’ resident and Emmy-nominated creator, star and writer of HBO’s “Girls” Lena Dunham obviously believes that girls just wanna have fun. According to Gawker, the 26 year old is dating indie rock dork Jack Antonoff from American band fun., whose Queen-esque anthem “We Are Young” reached No. 1 in the U.S. and the U.K. this spring.

A Dunham confidante told “Us” mag, “They’re trying to keep it a secret,” despite Dunham previously describing her love life as a string of “multiple gay ex-boyfriends.” The couple recently made a video for The New Yorker together, and Dunham has requested a fun. song for the sophomore season of “Girls.” Wow, politics and stargazing on BHB on the same day. Wowsah!

Read more about fun. here. (Photo: Gawker)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47100

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Police Blotter

Thug Sentenced To 26 Years For Heights Bank Heist

September 5, 2012

The three thugs that robbed the Sovereign bank at 195 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights last Thursday should be shaking in their shoes about now. Another loser who struck the same branch in 2011 was sentenced to 26 years in prison Tuesday—for having the audacity to actually hit the same Sovereign twice. Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes delivered the verdict against Edward Pride, 49, according to multiple news reports. At his sentencing, Pride received 13 years for two counts of Robbery in the First Degree.

On February 11, 2011, Pride walked into the Sovereign Bank on Montague, and handed a bank teller a note: “No dye packs, no one has to get hurt.” He made a gesture as if he had a gun in his coat, and got away with $2,500. On Feb. 24, he returned to the branch, approached the same teller and netted $3,500. But the third time was hardly a charm for the galoot: On March 3, he walked into a Sovereign on Atlantic Avenue, a teller notified security, and he was busted. So much for foolish Pride. More like… just foolish.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47096

From the Web

Events, Kids

Transit Museum After School Program for Children on Autism Spectrum Enters Third Year

September 5, 2012

The Transit Museum is embarking on a new year of Subway Sleuths, a special after school program for children on the Autism Spectrum. The program teaches social and problem-solving skills in a unique environment – a decommissioned subway station – and uses transit-themed content to engage spectrum youth. This year the Centers for Disease Control issued a new report estimating that 1 out of 88 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Subway Sleuths uses a fascination for trains to help students navigate shared social experiences with their peers.

In a very short period of time Subway Sleuths has captured the attention of ASD experts, transit enthusiasts and Museum professionals alike. Organizations as diverse as the Portland International Airport and the Museum Access Consortium have turned to the Museum for consultation on implementing similar programs. Each session is facilitated by a special educator, a speech language pathologist trained in ASD support, and a Transit Museum educator. In 2011, Subway Sleuths’ innovative approach was featured on the front page article in The New York Times. The Museum will be part of a presentation at the American Public Transportation Association’s Annual Convention. The Museum has also been invited to participate in a proposed panel at the next convention for the American Alliance of Museums.

This fall, 7-9 year olds will meet on Tuesday afternoons at 4pm, and 10-12 year olds will meet on Wednesday afternoons at 4pm. The classes will start on October 2nd and 3rd, respectively. We will be holding thirty minute Observation Sessions on September 11th and 12th at the Transit Museum to form this fall’s cohorts. The observation sessions are a fun, informal way for staff to assess each child’s needs and tendencies, helping them assemble compatible participant groups and craft lesson plans. The program is offered on a sliding scale: for those in need the entire ten-week series costs only $25, thanks in part to a generous grant from Autism Speaks. Additional funding is provided by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, Tiger Baron Foundation, Warren Lewis Realty and individual donations.

To make a reservation, send your child’s name, age, grade level, school and parent/guardian contact information to Julie: Subwaysleuths@gmail.com or 718-694-3385

Flyer for Parents: http://mta.info/mta/museum/pdf/NYTM_autism.pdf

The New York Transit Museum is located at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights.

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights Gets A Shout-Out During DNC’s Opening Night

September 5, 2012

Brooklyn Heights got its very own shout-out during the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte Tuesday night, as Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley opened his speech with a odd little rant about his home state’s history some 225 years ago.

Within the first minute of his adddress—which aired just before the 10 o’clock hour (no major network coverage, but MSNBC and PBS were on it)—the guv said, “Since the first days of the American Revolution, Maryland has been called the Old Line State because of this true story of a group of soldiers called the Maryland Line: (etc. etc. etc.). It is August 27th, 1776, two months since our Declaration of Independence. Outnumbered and surrounded, Washington’s army is about to be crushed forever at Brooklyn Heights. The British are closing in.”

He goes on for another minute about Maryland’s deep-rooted history, before transitioning into a relevant point: “Together with President Obama, we are moving America forward, not back.” (Read the full text of his speech here.) Go, Brooklyn Heights! Yes we can! (Photo: AP)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47074

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Open Thread Wednesday: September 5, 2012

September 5, 2012

Mercy… On this date in 1902, James D. Crichton, assistant librarian at Montague Street’s Brooklyn Library, was suddenly stricken blind on the job. “The trouble came very suddenly and strange to say, was accompanied by no pain. The afflicted man could not tell what ailed him,” reported the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. A doctor diagnosed that oxygen failed to “nourish” his optic nerves, creating atrophy. Crichton told the Eagle, “It is the most depressing, weakening feeling a man could have.” Thankfully, there’s a happy ending: By next morn, he was able to distinguish objects, hearkening a full recovery.

So, as we start the (eye)ball rolling on September, what see you on this Open Thread Wednesday? (Photo: C&C99/BHB Photo Club)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47047

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

FOUND: YOUNG MALE DOG! He’s Safe & Sound

September 4, 2012

The proprietor of Rocco and Jezebel for Pets at 89 Pineapple Walk found a dog wandering the neighborhood this morning, and is eager to return him to his family. Andrea contacted BHB with the following info: “Pugle, young male found around the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Willow Street, black collar with white paw prints, no leash. The dog is with us at the store. We will also be taking him to the vet to check for a microchip.” She has provided a photo, enlarged below the jump. If the pooch belongs to you, contact the store at 718-855-8686.

Rocco and Jezebel offers grooming, boarding, at-home cat sitting, at-home cat grooming, playtime, dog walking and more. Their webbie is here.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47031

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Events, Food, News

38th-Annual Atlantic Antic Scheduled For Sunday, September 30

September 4, 2012

The ever-entertaining end-of-summer Atlantic Antic—which brings madness, music and playful mayhem to a 10-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue, bordering Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill—will convene Sunday, September 30, noon to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, it offers 500+ retailers and pop-up shops pawning goodies, food, dancing, family fun and more, between Hicks Street & Fourth Avenue. Read all about it on the Brooklyn Heights Blog here.
(Photos: Chuck Taylor)


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7801

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment

Way Cool: Artist Jonathan Lopes Recreates Boerum Hill Nabe Out Of Legos!

September 4, 2012

The adult child inside me has always believed that Legos are the coolest toy ever invented, allowing limitless imagination… as long as those pesky kits are avoided. That was the idea behind New York artist and sculptor Jonathan Lopes’ recreation of his Boerum Hill neighborhood as a small-scale replica using nothing but Legos, which is featured on Apartment Therapy. Cool!

This isn’t Lopes’ first Lego replica. The New York Daily News profiled the guy last year after he spent four years and used about half a million bricks to build a detailed train scene that takes up 400 square feet of his living room. He also built a replica of the Williamsburg Savings Bank, 4 feet tall, out of 12,000 Lego bricks.

His Boerum Hill neighborhood comprises buildings that Lopes passes every day, including a flower shop on Hoyt Street and Firehouse Engine 226 on State Street. Every detail of his Lego-land is made entirely with the bricks, including storfront signs. He doesn’t cut or paint the blocks, instead relying on ingenuity to create effects like cracked and peeling paint using blocks with subtly different tones. See his portfolio here.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7793

From the Web