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History, Williamsburg

Ever Wonder What’s Inside the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg?

December 11, 2012

As Two Trees begins its development plans for Williamsburg’s Domino Sugar Factory, filmmaker 2e has posted a really cool look inside the facility on Vimeo.

It’s a special look inside a bygone era.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on Two Trees’ plans in October:

Now, Two Trees says it will reach out to the community before determining if it will stick to the initial proposal — which despite its guarantee of “affordable housing” was the subject of vocal opposition and protests during the site’s contentious rezoning — or come up with something new.

“Over the coming months, Two Trees will be spending significant time in Williamsburg, listening to and learning from the local residents and community leaders who will be our new neighbors,” said Two Trees principal Jed Walentas. “This dialogue will help inform our decision whether to build the approved plan under the existing zoning, or to seek to improve upon it through a new public process.”

(via Free Williamsburg)

From the Web

Music

Smashing Pumpkins at Barclays Center

December 11, 2012

The Smashing Pumpkins were supposed to play Barclays Center on Halloween, but Hurricane Sandy caused the show to be rescheduled to last night. As usual, folks tweeted photos and added their own commentary. Fans of Post Modern music got to take in the latest version of the band – leader Billy Corgan is the only remaining original member – and had mixed reviews.

Eric Sunderman writes in the Village Voice:

Seeing the Smashing Pumpkins now isn’t like seeing the Smashing Pumpkins in 1990. Or 1995. Or 1998. Or pretty much any other time in their 20-plus year history. Seeing the Smashing Pumpkins now is a bit like randomly running into that first love of yours from high school, but now that first love from high school has put on a little bit of weight, talks about “big” concepts like “love” and “hate” and “other bullshit” that just all sound pretentious, and still, despite being the one who broke up with you, unashamedly references the past and how good things were back then. And when you’re with this person from high school, you immediately remember: “Oh yeah. This is why we broke up. This person is a terrible.” But at the same time, you can’t prevent those old familiar feelings from coming to the surface. You get a taste of what things used to be like. You feel that subtle chemistry again. You remember the first time you kissed. You remember the first time you held hands. You remember the first time you locked eyes. Or in the case of seeing Billy Corgan walk on stage, you remember the first time you heard “Tonight, Tonight.”

Smashing Pumpkins at Barclays Center

Party like it’s 1999.

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle · Tue, Dec 11 2012 08:10:35

We saw Smashing Pumpkins last night at Barclays Center. Some thoughts about the evening: http://bit.ly/TNwkRi CC: @BillySound of the City
The @SmashingPumpkin closed out their tour last night at @BarclaysCenter, and The House List has pics: http://tbp.im/UwQZb6bowerypresents
Smashing Pumpkins Crowd Shot at Barclays #smashingpumpkins #newyork #nyc #brooklyn #sp #ba @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TGdRQbCKqT/nicksamberg
Smashing indeed, @Billy. #pumpkins #brooklyn @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TGcRazynpT/Courtney Farrell
The Smashing Pumpkins — Barclays Center — 12/10/12: Better than: No Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan just kind… http://bit.ly/ZamZtrDJ Wug
I saw the Smashing Pumpkins last night at the Barclays Center and wrote about it for the @VillageVoice: http://bit.ly/TNwkRhEric J. Sundermann
Smashing Pumpkins and stuff @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFgnMEtFtd/khalil steward
First visit to Barclays Center, got to see The Smashing Pumpkins tonight #barclays #downto @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFgSFcNrfG/Jon Zanghi
Smashing Pumpkins from the floor of the Barclays Center. http://instagr.am/p/TFbHLdP6hH/Raphael Rodriguez
I forgot how much I love the Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFQKC3BcnF/Carrier_Pigeon
Watching Billy Corgan play some Smashing Pumpkins songs with strangers. @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFPcLIiVJ5/rebel_a
A teenage dream come true. Smashing Pumpkins with @themattlittle @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFK5vMmjTI/Danielle Little
Smashing Pumpkins still killing it…new members are impressive! #barclays #nyc #brooklyn #music #wherebrook http://instagr.am/p/TFJgUKsRD1/Francescaaah
Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFIBNxsLXN/spajennios
Behind the blur: the Smashing Pumpkins… #hereisnowhy @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFGvwFt7g3/The Brooklyn Brewery
The Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center. Billy still soundin like Billy. http://instagr.am/p/TFGNyTCIm0/Ryan Murphy
Barclays is a beautiful, friendly spaceship that serves fish tacos and Fatty’cue. And Smashing Pumpkins are together again. Delightful!Julie Sharbutt
The Smashing Pumpkins. 20 years late to this party. @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFEzbxIRLJ/Bruce
#barclays smashing pumpkins are pretty good! http://pic.twitter.com/uOjDYajtgirafita
Heyyyyy Smashing Pumpkins @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFDxRAOUOc/Stephanie
Smashing Pumpkins! @ Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFDcsuIvw5/apeksha savan
Smashing Pumpkins 3D shoot at Barclays Center http://instagr.am/p/TFCe8ct93o/John Harper

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Events

Brooklyn’s Chanukah Menorah Beams At Borough Hall

December 11, 2012

Monday evening, December 10, in celebration of Chanukah, Brooklyn Borough Prez Marty Markowitz joined Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin of Congregation B’nai Avraham and Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, along with Paul Amit, a parent from Kiddie Korner, and other officials to light Brooklyn’s 29-foot menorah in front of the Supreme Court building in Columbus Park/Borough Hall Plaza.

Musical entertainment was provided by Yanky Flusberg and Kiddie Korner, and Markowitz handed out Chanukah gelt candy coins to celebrants. (Photo: Kathryn Kirk)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52704

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Celebrity Residents

Here’s A Look At Lena Dunham’s $3.7M Book Proposal

December 11, 2012

Brooklyn Heights’ resident and actor, director, executive producer, writer and creator of HBO’s “Girls” Lena Dunham sold her narrative “Not That Kind Of Girl,” in October to Random House for $3.7 million based on the strength of an illustrated 66-page proposal.

The book, packed with “frank and funny advice on everything from sex to eating to traveling to work,” is previewed on Gawker, which notes that the proposal, by itself, is worth about $56,000 a page.

Dunham, 26, proposed to structure the book as an advice tome in the tradition of Helen Gurley Brown’s “Having It All.” When her proposal was first announced in October, “Not That Kind of Girl: Advice by Lena Dunham” had a starting auction price of $1 million. “Girls,” meanwhile, launches its second season on HBO in January. Check out details at L Magazine.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52692

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment

The L Magazine Ponders Seinfeld in Brooklyn

December 10, 2012

The most talked about Twitter account Monday is @SeinfeldToday which is a non-stop stream of new episode ideas for the classic sitcom. The L Magazine’s Virginia K. Smith imagines a redux of the “show about nothing” happening in Brooklyn:

OK, so that’s kind of a blow to the theory. But you know what? It’s not like the entire crew has to live in the same neighborhood. A lot of hilarious dramatic tension can be borne from that! Think of how well it worked for Sex and the City. What a great cultural moment that was. Unfortunately, this isn’t just confined to Elaine.

From the Web

News

Nobody Can Get Used to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel’s New Name

December 10, 2012

On October 22, the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel officially became the Hugh Carey Tunnel. A week later, Sandy hit our area. The tunnel was flooded and closed, finally reopening in both directions on November 19.

Yet it seems that the new name really hasn’t stuck with most newscasters — ok EVERYBODY YOU KNOW.

This despite former Mayor Ed Koch’s solid reasoning for honoring New York’s 51st governor. “He was one of the great governors of the state of New York, vastly unappreciated,” Koch told CBS New York. “Without him we would’ve crashed and gone into bankruptcy.”

Carey was a Brooklynite, born here in 1919. The New York Times wrote about Carey and his wife raising their 14 children in Park Slope. The Helen Owen Carey Child Development Center, which Carey established after her death in 1974, is still in operation in that neighborhood.

So let’s say it all together now – THE HUGH CAREY TUNNEL!!!!

From the Web

Music

Rolling Stones at Barclay’s Center

December 9, 2012

The Rolling Stones performed at Barclays Center on Saturday night and people tweeted about it. Yes, even Boomers scratching something off their bucket list use social media. (Photo via @nancynewberg)

Rolling Stones at Barclays Center

We know it’s only Rock n Roll and it’s expensive.

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle · Sat, Dec 08 2012 18:36:23

Rolling Stones in Brooklyn – Mick & Keith! http://pic.twitter.com/3jgCI41gali wise
Unbelievable, first Rolling Stones concert! So blessed. http://pic.twitter.com/uDb15BpeJasonOates
15 minutes in and the Stones are blowing the doors off the Barclays Center!! 50 friggin years. World”s greatest rock band! #GLIMMERTWINSLou DiBella
Getting my Ya-Ya’s out with The Rolling Stones at the Barclays! Paint it black! http://pic.twitter.com/4ekICWyESean Hammer
"New York, would you please welcome the Rolling Stones!" #StonesNYThe Rolling Stones
#Stones intro video is on, Iggy, perry farrell, scorsese, johnny depp, elton, nick cave, townshend, cate blanchett (!) all testifyingBillboard
We’re sitting next to a dad with three teens at Rolling #Stones show in Brooklyn, all in matching tour tshirts #familyaffairBillboard
Rolling Stones stage at Barclays http://pic.twitter.com/SuPFjd7irhicks
Its @JemAswad from Billboard, we’re in our seats at Brooklyns Barclays Center waiting for the Rolling #Stones show to start…Billboard
Rolling Stones. Brooklyn. One less item on the bucket list. http://pic.twitter.com/fNA9n4pyBobby
Rolling Stones at Barclays Center. #stillgoingstrong http://pic.twitter.com/1Ikz7x2MKosher Sports
Tonite! Rolling Stones at Barclays Center, Brooklyn http://pic.twitter.com/T42ewx9XMikel Aitor Zuloaga
Rolling Stones tonite at Barclays Center! NYC http://pic.twitter.com/U3FmheYRMikel Aitor Zuloaga
At Barclays Center for Rolling Stones concert. Crowd filled with baby boomers. Bucket list?? http://pic.twitter.com/BZgtMxVlSusan G. Bell
So I guess the Rolling Stones are playing at Barclays tonight. Not like I heard two old guys singing "Start Me Up" on the train or anything.julia peters
The Rolling Stones are at Barclays tonight. I was gonna make a joke about them being old, but then I remembered Jay Z is 43.Myles Brown
At the Barclays Center with @SalVulcano to see the Rolling Stones. They just sound checked with Wild Horses. My night is made already.Brian Q Quinn
The cheapest nosebleed seat for tonight’s Rolling Stones concert at Barclays is going for $384 on StubHub…Mike Lobikis
it’d be amazing if everyone boycotted the Barclays/Rolling Stones show.With friends who charge $800 for nosebleed seats, who needs enemiesJason Shaltz

From the Web

Around Brooklyn, News, Police Blotter

Alligator Owning Couple from Gravesend Indicted

December 8, 2012

This dispatch from Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes regarding Michael Volpe, 32, and Alisa Volpe, 25, who were busted in October. Cops found weapons, prescription drugs, marijuana and, most notably, an alligator chilling out in a tank.

Earlier this week an indictment was issued:

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Michael Volpe, 32, and his wife, Alisa Volpe, 25, for possessing weapons and drugs, and keeping an alligator in their West 6th Street home. Michael Volpe was indicted on charges including three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. Michael and Alisa Volpe were both indicted on charges including three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, Possession of Ammunition, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals and Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance, Wild Animals Prohibited and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. If convicted, Michael Volpe faces a maximum of seven years in prison and Alisa Volpe faces up to one year in jail.

On October 1, 2012, officers from the 66th precinct executed a search warrant at the home of Michael and Alisa Volpe, a one-bedroom basement apartment. The indictment charges that when the officers entered, they found metal knuckles, a fully-loaded revolver, and a loaded pistol. They also recovered a variety of prescription drugs including Alprazolam pills and Oxycodone pills. Marijuana was also found. In addition, there was an alligator, which was approximately three feet long, in a tank in the living room, which was taken away by animal control. Under health code 161.01, most people cannot possess wild animals without special permit.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lisa Marie Vellucci from the Trial Bureau Green Zone and supervised by Deputy District Attorney Dianne Malone, Chief of the Animal Cruelty Unit.

(via Bensonhurst Bean)

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment

Is Fred Claus, Starring Brooklyn Heights Resident Paul Giamatti, The Next Holiday Classic?

December 8, 2012

Back in 2010, Brooklyn Heights Blog asked if 2007’s Fred Claus was destined to be the next flick to rise to the level of Holiday Classic. Sure, it was a pretty cheeky question then but today in light of Broadway musicals based upon Elf and A Christmas Story anything seems possible. Here’s what BHB wrote two years ago:

With a plethora of cable networks available, the traditional holiday movie choice has moved beyond just It’s a Wonderful Life. Jean Shepherd’s classic A Christmas Story was the first flick to get the wall-to-wall marathon treatment on cable; Scrooged and Elf followed. Now Fred Claus, starring Vince Vaughn, Kevin Spacey and Brooklyn Heights resident Paul Giamatti, seems to be vying for perennial status. Do you think it’s worthy?

From the Web

DUMBO

RAMBO – Because Brooklyn Needs Another Dopey Nabe Name

December 7, 2012

Our pals at DUMBO NYC (via the NY Post) note that Google Maps is now showing RAMBO as a neighborhood near the Manhattan Bridge:

DUMBO NYC:

What? What?! The area in Brooklyn around Flatbush Avenue Extension in downtown Brooklyn is known as “RAMBO” (Right After the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) has showed up on Google Maps, according to NY Post. Google has set the boundaries to be between Nassau Street and Tillary Street and Flatbush Ave Extension and Gold Street. But don’t look for it anytime soon on the MTA maps, as when Dumbo was included in 2010, says a DOT staff who asked not to be named.

DUMBONYC image

From the Web