Homer Fink – Brooklyn Bugle

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Food

The Results Are In: Montague Street BID 2012 Survey

December 23, 2012

Results are in from the Montague Street Business Improvement District‘s May 2012 Survey regarding local programs and services, asking the likes of: What business would you like to see on Montague Street? What do you shop for on Montague? What are the most important services? Nearly 450 folks responded to the online questionnaire, comprising Brooklyn Heights residents (79%), visitors (9%) and property owners (8%).

No overwhelming gasps to be had, but the results include:
* What do you shop for on Montague Street: dining and bars (84%), groceries (83%), apparel and accessories (62%). Among the top retail types desired: bookstores; Mexican, Middle Eastern, French & Greek restaurants; housewares; gift shops; and a fish & meat market.
* Specific retailers requested for Montague Street: Gap (hmm, guess respondents didn’t recognize there was a Montague Street Gap in the 1990s), Anthropologie, J.Crew.

How is the Montague Street BID doing? 76% strongly approve or approve; 23% had no opinion and a grumpy 1% gave it a thumbs down.
* Impact of clean streets program: 74% excellent or good, 16% not familiar with the program, 10% fair, <1% poor.
* Impact of Beautification & Streetscape Enhancements Program (landscaping, banners, tree maintenance, seasonal decorations): 84% excellent or good; 8% fair, 7% not familiar, <1% poor.
* Importance of BID Programs, ranked by “very important”: 95%, Clean Streets program, 80%, Beautification & Streetscape Enhancements; 71%, Retail Development; 27%, Marketing, Communications & Special Events programs.

The BID encompasses 78 to 200 Montague Street on the south side of the block, and 89 to 205 Montague Street on the north side of the block.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53137

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Landmark Preservation

To Demo Or Not? Landmarks Debates Fate Of Brooklyn Heights Cinema

December 22, 2012

Developers and preservation advocates are playing tug of war as the Landmarks Preservation Committee debates whether to allow Brooklyn Heights Cinema owner Kenn Lowy to hold onto the landmarked 1895 building—or whether to replace it with a planned five-story condo.

DNAInfo.com reports that six votes are outstanding with the Landmarks Commission to approve or deny a proposal to demo the structure. At a November 27 meeting, design revisions for the new building were bandied, which Commissioner Michael Goldblum felt were “too reminiscent of the industrial Art Deco architecture, an inappropriate style for the district.”

Landmarks has not scheduled its next meeting, leaving the fate of the building hanging in the air. Meanwhile, Jane McGroarty of the Brooklyn Heights Association deems 70 Henry Street—one of the last buildings from the 1800s left standing in the area—”one of the handsomest commercial buildings in the district.” Likewise, Council Member Stephen Levin wrote to the Landmarks Commission, “70 Henry Street is a contributing building within the historic district on two levels: It is both architecturally and culturally significant to our neighborhood.”

DNAInfo reports: “To some movie-goers, the building’s muraled ceilings, stained star-patterned carpeted floors, dual entrance stairways and 150-seat sloping theaters hold historical value. The ornate cornice-covered facade and and boxy construction have survived centuries of nearby demolition which claimed most of the other buildings that were made in the same era.”

But according to Randy Gerner, architect of the proposed new building, 70 Henry has been renovated so many times over the last 75 years, including a commission-approved makeover in 1971, it has lost its historic claim. He also says the building, in its current state, is deteriorating.

Lowy says that Caruana has guaranteed the cinema would have a place on the ground floor of the new condo once it reopens, albeit with a rent hike and less space. He’s been told to expect an 18-month displacement, but is grateful to be included in plans for the new building: “I am an eternal optimist. I know we will continue to screen films whether in this building or one that is yet to be built.” (Photo: (remster_9/Flickr)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53119

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Brooklyn Nets, News, Sports

Nets vs. Knicks at MSG – Blowout is Latin for “Rivalry”

December 20, 2012

The rivalry between the Knicks and Nets is heating up. That is until the Knicks bested Brooklyn handily, 100 -86, on Wednesday night.

Yet, fans took to Twitter for the usual trash talk. Run DMC’s Rev Run took over the Knicks’ feed for the night and for Nets fans that may have been the only interesting thing to happen all night.

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News

Holiday Tipping – What’s the Deal?

December 19, 2012

After you’re done racking your brain figuring out what to buy your loved ones for the holidays it’s time to start thinking about what to tip your service providers. How much and for who can drive you crazy.

The epicenter of etiquette, EmilyPost.com (yes she’s nothin’ but a website now), advises that holiday tipping is “holiday thanking”. They advise against busting your budget on tips and that you may “consider homemade gifts; and if you’re not good with crafts or in the kitchen, remember that words are always a great way to express your thanks for a year of good service.”

If creating an elbow macaroni self portrait for the nanny isn’t your thing the site suggests one week’s pay and a gift from your child is best for your live in caregiver. One night’s pay and a small gift works for a regular baby sitter. But this is Brooklyn, baby, and that suggestion might just be a little light.

For your super, they suggest $20 – $80 cash. For the door man $15. Again Ms. Post’s site’s suggest may be great for Peoria but in New York City you may want to splurge a little more.

What are your thoughts on holiday tipping?

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Brooklyn Heights, History

St. Francis College Chancellor Frank J. Macchiarola Dies At Age 71

December 18, 2012

St. Francis College shares with BHB that Chancellor, past-President and alumnus Frank J. Macchiarola died Tuesday, December 18. Macchiarola was 71. After graduating from St. Francis in 1962, he returned to his alma mater as President in 1996.

“The college flourished under his 12-year tenure and Dr. Macchiarola relished the time he spent with current and former students,” the organization said. “As President, Macchiarola would continuously go through student transcripts, looking to help those that seemed to be struggling and to reward others who showed improvements. A constant sight in the hallways and often as a professor in the classroom, students, faculty and administrators universally referred to him as Dr. Mac.”

Under his leadership, the College completed a $40 million fundraising campaign that resulted in construction of the Frank and Mary Macchiarola Academic Center, a 35,000sf building with a 3-floor library, black box theater, HDTV studio and multimedia classroom. That money was also used to build the Anthony J. Genovesi Center, a multipurpose athletic facility that hosts home volleyball matches, intramurals, lectures and special events.

Dr. Macchiarola held a number of other positions in public and private roles, serving for five years as New York City Public Schools Chancellor under Mayor Ed Koch. He also served five years as Dean of Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where he also taught. He was a professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business and at City University of New York (CUNY) for more than 20 years. Dr. Macchiarola was President and CEO of the New York City Partnership, Inc., Deputy Director of the New York State Emergency Financial Control Board for New York City and Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Columbia Business School Community Collaboration.

Mayor Bloomberg appointed Macchiarola to serve as chair of the New York City Charter Revision Commission. He mediated the 2003 strike of Local 802 Musicians Union against the League of American Theaters and Producers; chaired the New York City Districting Commission, which drew City Council District lines for the 1991 election; and acted as special referee in the case that drew New York State congressional lines for the 1992 election.

Dr. Macchiarola will be waked at St. Francis College at 180 Remsen Street on Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 20 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday, December 21 at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral-Basilica of St. James on Jay Street and Cathedral Place in Brooklyn (one block North of Tillary Street). The burial will take place following mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, 3620 Tilden Avenue.

He is survived by his wife Mary T. Macchiarola, his three sons and seven grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Joseph, James and Henry.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52982

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

MODULE R Founder Donald Rattner Talks Modern Design

December 18, 2012

Donald Rattner, founder of MODULE R—which opened a year ago at 141 Atlantic Avenue—is profiled in the latest issue of Brooklyn’s The L Magazine. Writer Kristin Iversen offers, “How can we exert some control over our spaces in the absence of oneiric home renovation? Enter MODULE R, a high-concept, modern design store.”

The upscale boutique, dedicated to “modular, reconfigurable and customizable design,” was launched by architect Rattner, who was inspired to open the store after he was commissioned to design 30 identical modular prefabricated hotel cottages for an historic spa resort in West Virginia. He says, “This got me interested not only in modularity, but in any kind of creative product or system that accommodates reconfigurability, co-creativity and flexible design. When I discovered that no one in the design, retail or gallery sectors had thought to specialize in this body of work, I figured it was my duty to rectify the situation.”

L says that Rattner, who our Heather Quinlan profiled in 2010, feels the store benefits from “the architects, graphic designers and members of the creative class” who live in the area.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52927

From the Web

Events

2012: The Year #Santacon Jumped the Reindeer

December 16, 2012

Back in 2009, when we had a pretty good time at Santacon. It was a silly and fun way to spend a few hours with friends celebrating the holiday season. Now it seems that most sane folks are not finding any humor in the massive street gang that then event has become. Or at least that’s what the Twitter is telling us.

The Mayans had it half right – the world may not end this year but Santacon just might.

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn

Group Warns That Congestion Is Increasing As Downtown Grows

December 14, 2012

As Downtown Brooklyn’s population continues to grow, a new report suggests that public transportation in the surrounding neighborhoods—including Brooklyn Heights—is falling behind as congestion mounts. On Tuesday, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Councilwoman Letitia James and three local civic groups released the “Brooklyn gateway transportation vision,” which argues for congestion pricing, residential parking permits, more bike lanes, bike-share stations and more rapid-bus service.

Website Capital quotes the report: “Existing traffic and parking congestion, demands on transit service and dangerous roads for cyclists and pedestrians already pose hurdles for residents, businesses and the environment. The opening of Barclays Center in September 2012 has further compounded these challenges. The lack of a comprehensive and satisfactory transportation demand management plan from the Department of Transportation and developer of Atlantic Yards” stands to further complicate the area’s potentially stifling congestion.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52846

From the Web

Brooklyn Nets

Nets Vs. Knicks – Clash of the Boroughs Part Two

December 12, 2012

The Knicks returned to Barclays Center tonight to face the Nets in the second Clash of the Boroughs. The Nets won the first outing and while many New Yorkers (of Brooklyn descent) may be torn over who they’re rooting for, judging from tonight’s tweets everyone is in agreement about Spike Lee being fun to watch at a game. Love to hate ’em or love to love ’em?

The Knicks beat the Nets this time around 100 – 97.

From the Web

Politics

By George! Brooklyn DA Candidate Looks to Relax Marijuana Laws

December 11, 2012

Abe George, a candidate for Brooklyn District Attorney next year has already said he’d like to bring a little “Manhattan” to the office if elected. This week he issued a statement declaring how he’d prosecute marijuana possession cases:

Politicker: “As a career prosecutor who spent considerable time investigating and prosecuting drug crimes, I have seen first hand how valuable resources have been wasted enforcing antiquated marijuana laws rather than fighting crimes that directly impact the public good,” Mr. George said in a statement that also noted anti-marijuana laws’ disproportionate effect on young minorities. “Brooklyn, which has long led the city in homicides and shootings, cannot wait until the New York State Legislature acts at some unknown time to finally decriminalize marijuana possession.”

George adds the he believes the resources of the DA’s office would be better spent, “battling gun violence, stemming the rising tide of cybercrime and identity theft, and restoring integrity to the criminal justice system by ensuring that those convicted are actually guilty.”

George’s faces incumbent Charles Hynes and Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer Ken Thompson in next year’s race.

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