Archives

News, Police Blotter

ReBar Owner Jason Stevens Has His Day in Court Surrounded by Angry Brides, Hecklers and Media

May 22, 2014

An angry mob of customers who had planned events and wedding at the now defunct ReBar greeted its owner Jason Stevens with jeers today as he entered Brooklyn Criminal Court to face charges of tax fraud and grand larceny. While he pled not guilty, the crowd outside had already convicted him.

DNAinfo: “If you think we’re not going to sue the living crap out of you, you’re wrong,” Fabian Fall, who lost $12,500 when her June 8 wedding was canceled, shouted at Stevens outside the courtroom. “Even if I don’t get a dollar back.”

WPIX:“There was no remorse on his face,” said Suzanne Pudesa. She and fiancé Steve Obeng say they paid reBar $16,000 for an August wedding.

Stevens made a brief appearance in court Thursday morning for a pending tax fraud case. Many of the couples want Stevens slapped with criminal charges connection with the closure of reBar.

CBSNY: Heather Epstein, who was to be married at reBar in June, said she was “excited” to learn about Stevens’ arrest. She said she paid the venue nearly $20,000 and has accepted that it’s unlikely the money will be recovered.
“I mean, this is good news for at least us reBar couples, whether we receive money or not,” Epstein told Diamond. “It’s great that he has surfaced. We can get some kind of justice.”

WSJ: The news of Mr. Stevens’ arrest was “sweet justice, but it’s bittersweet,” said Brian Cavanaugh, who was to have his wedding at reBar on June 7. Mr. Cavanaugh, 28, who works for a foundation, and his bride, Heather Epstein, 27, are still trying to pull off their 70-person wedding, albeit a scaled-down affair. The couple said they paid $19,000 to have their wedding at reBar. “We know our money is gone,” said Mr. Cavanaugh.

“Individually, it’s been devastating for all of us,” said Mr. Cavanaugh of the other brides and grooms affected by reBar’s closure. Together the couples have created a community, he said, meeting up with attorneys. “Out of this devastating experience is coming some positive, especially with the Brooklyn community. And that’s hopeful,” he said.

Gothamist: A prosecutor indicated that a settlement might be reached in the case by the next court date June 12th, a deal which would not include criminal charges. However, the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs confirmed that they were working with the Kings County DA on the investigation, and many couples are still planning on joining together for a class action lawsuit.

As for Steven’s reaction to all of the attention? He appeared to fumble with his phone for the entire time as seen in most videos of his arrival.

From the Web

Kids, Life, News

Hot Bird Bans Children, Reigniting the Kids in Bars Debate in Brooklyn, But It’s Really About Something Else

May 21, 2014

The New York Post reported today that Clinton Hill’s Hot Bird has “banned” children from the bar. The paper quoted a bartender as saying, “There was a time when there were too many people bringing small children here. It became an issue. So we put up the sign.”

Turns out that sign has been up for a year as owner Frank Moe explains to Gothamist in a dispatch sent on Wednesday night. He also explains the REAL reason for his decision — it’s not the kids, it’s (some of) the parents who are responsible:

The New York Post story about Hot Bird banning kids from the bar doesn’t reflect my decision as an owner. We were not swamped by families, and never said they created a ruckus. The quote from the bartender (“There was a time when there were too many people bringing small children here,” one bartender said. “It became an issue. So we put up the sign.”) also doesn’t reflect my decision, which by the way was taken and posted at the beginning of last summer, not last week as is been reported.
Ultimately, a lot of comments are from people who simply use harsh words to describe parents who bring their kids to a bar. At my age, most of my friends are actually parents. The problem I find is that there is only a little minority of parents who have a sense of entitlement, and it’s been easier for us to ask everyone not to bring their children to the bar, rather than to get into occasionally uncomfortable confrontations with certain parents.

When children are left unattended, which happens constantly because parents treat Hot Bird like a playground, kids run around, play with balls sometimes, go up to patrons who smile because it’s a child but are in fact annoyed. I don’t see why I should allow this when I don’t allow this behavior from my older patrons.

We are legally liable for people injuring themselves at the bar. Unattended children fall, climb on stools, etc. The first year we were open, a dog bit a little girl. The dog owner fled, and all of a sudden the bartend was responsible for the dog bite and the girl petting the dog on her own. Where were the parents?

Some parents have a sense of entitlement when they come to the bar, like asking us to turn down the music because their 5 month old baby was trying to sleep. Again, something we wouldn’t do for anyone else.

We are a fairly busy place and my staff is there to serve drinks, not to watch over children and deal with unreasonable demands from the parents. It’s sometimes difficult to turn away responsible parents that we wished were welcome as customers, but it’s easier just to ask everyone not to come in with their kids, and avoid the headache of selecting who is well behaved and who is not.

So where do you draw the line? Comment below!

RELATED: A Kid Walks Into a Bar Or ‘Welcome to Brooklyn Culture, Noobs’

Earlier in the week a Brooklyn Heights Blog reader commented about the same issue happening in Cobble Hill.

From the Web

Wine

Some Steps to Learning About Wine, Brooklyn Style

May 20, 2014

When I first decided to learn about wine, someone recommended that I read “The Wine Bible” by Karen MacNeil. I got about a quarter of the way through the book before I put it back in my bookshelf and to be honest, it’s been gathering dust ever since. For some academic-minded people, that may be a good route to go, but many learn best by doing and luckily for us, that means tasting.

But…how do you start? Here are a few steps that I took to begin my journey.

1. Select the shop.

Stop into your neighborhood wines shops and pick one that will from then on be dubbed “your wine shop.” Select one with a good selection and high and low price points. Make sure that you’ll feel comfortable talking to the clerks and won’t be intimidated by the vibe. Even if their selection is a bit overwhelming, a good clerk can easily guide you to the right bottles. Take note of their specials, events or classes they offer and their displays. If there’s a tasting, taste! That’s a great way to get the conversation started.

2. Introduce yourself.

Many people are embarrassed that they don’t know much about wine, or that they only want to spend $10 a bottle. No need to be ashamed. It’s a sensible place to start and the important thing is that you be open to everything and ready to learn. Let the clerk know you want to learn about wine but you’re just getting started. Be clear about your budget and your likes/dislikes (if you have any). Let them know that you’d like them to guide you: they’ll be thrilled that you’re a clean, unbiased slate!

3. Start with the basics

A good way to start selecting bottles is to focus on varietals, instead of regions, and to keep each bottle under $10 or $15 (or whatever budget you set). Ask your new best friend in wine to choose bottles for you that they feel represent the varietal you’re interested in. Need a place to start? Begin with the basics: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, to name a few. The bottles the clerk picks for you may be blends of different kinds of grapes but that’s ok. Not all wines, even if they are called by one varietal name, are purely made from that grape. Then once you have some basics down and have tried a few bottles of some standard varietals, branch out into the lesser-known ones. These are often some of the best values in the store because there is less demand for them, but it certainly does not mean that they’re any less delicious.

4.Taste it!

This is the fun part! Go home, open a bottle and pour a glass. Look at the color, the viscosity (the thickness) and the effervescence (if there is any). Take some notes. Then swirl it around, stick your nose in and breathe deeply. Take more notes. Finally, take a sip. Don’t just swallow, let it pour over your tongue, get some air into your mouth and really taste it. Write down anything you think of, no matter how silly. Is it sweet and fruity? Does it dry your mouth out? Is there some spice? A lot of people use strange vocabulary to describe wine, but just try to describe it with whatever comes to your mind.

Can’t articulate the flavors? Have someone else give it a sip. Did you taste the same things or different things? If different, can you taste the flavors your friend tasted? If you’ve given it a few tries and you’re still stumped, go online and look up some tasting notes for the wine. Do you agree with them? It’s ok to disagree too (taste is subjective!), just try to write down what you tasted differently. This will help you get better at identifying and then giving names to the many different flavors that wine can have.

5. Repeat as necessary.

If you continue with this, even if just for a couple months, you’ll start to make connections between how a certain grape varietals display in wine and then how the region it’s from can affect it. At the very least, you’ll recognize common varietal names and know the basics of what they taste like. That’s some pretty solid knowledge to have in your back pocket. From there it’s easy to branch out into blends, different regions and to explore things you really liked. Remember to take a picture of the label. If you liked the bottle, it will be easier to go find it again and easier for you to remember what you liked about. Cheers!

Selina Andersson heads up events and social media for Tipsy, a wine and spirits shop in Brooklyn. Tipsy hosts 3 or more free tasting events every week. Visit us at the corner of Myrtle and Classon or online at www.shoptipsy.com.

From the Web

Real Estate

#UnaffordableHousing : One Brooklyn Bridge Park Penthouse on the Block for $32 Million

May 20, 2014

The latest “record breaking” home in Brooklyn hit this market this week – the penthouse at One Brooklyn Bridge Park with an asking price of $32 million.

The city’s real estate press, as usual, went wild over the announcement.

The Brooklyn Eagle did a little stalking of the home’s owners, Claire Silberman Leaf and her husband Stuart Leaf:

A phone call to the residence further confirmed that the apartment belongs to her and her husband. The couple has lived in Brooklyn Heights since the 1980s, online sources indicate. Neither Claire nor Stuart has called back, or responded to an email.

For a time, they rented 70 Willow St., a source said – the stunning 19th-century Brooklyn Heights house that’s in tourist guidebooks because Truman Capote lived there while writing Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood.

Brownstoner, as usual, stuck to the math of real estate observing:

The unit is 11,000 square feet and has been “totally reconfigured,” according to the listing. There’s a formal dining room, a landscaped terrace, wine storage for 3,500 bottles, a screening room, library, central air, and a private guest suite. There are also two deeded parking spaces.

To put that in perspective, a 4,700-square-foot penthouse in the same building recently sold for $9,825,000, MNS announced last week. The building, whose address is 360 Furman Street, has 14 stories and 438 units.

Curbed , who broke the story, put the whole thing in perspective:

If the place sells for anywhere close to the asking price, it would smash the record for the borough’s most expensive home ever, currently held by 70 Willow Street, which sold for $12.5 million in 2012. This “Brooklyn is the new Manhattan” thing just reached a whole new level.

So what does $32 million bucks get you?

A nice terrace over looking Manhattan

A room for all the wine you’ll drink in this lifetime

A home theater fit for any character in ‘Game of Thrones’

Full listing at Sotheby’s.

From the Web

History

Tickets Available Now for Saturday’s (5/24) Homer Fink’s Hidden Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour

May 20, 2014

BHB publisher/ LICENSED NYC tour guide Homer Fink is brushing off his walking tour shoes and hosting another edition of his Hidden Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour on Saturday (5/24).

Buy tickets here.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/67385

From the Web

Existential Stuff

What Julian Castro Told Us About Running for President

May 19, 2014

Back in 2009, we got to interview San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, who is said to be President Obama’s choice for HUD secretary. Not for nothin’ but he was a really cool guy and took our questions about the Ozzy and the Alamo, visiting his city and running for POTUS in stride. Hey, if anyone’s got the right stuff if could be him! Plus, if he ever does become president, we get a bonus Castro – his identical twin Joaquin!

And perhaps he’s changed his mind since we shot our video?

From the Web

Food

Wine Pairings For Your “Gourmet” Brooklyn Bodega Cuisine

May 14, 2014

Brooklynites love their bodegas. In fact, you’ve most likely developed a serious relationship with your favorite one, and the owner right along with it. It’s your savior on those rainy afternoons when you’re just too lazy to walk to the grocery store, your one stop shop for guilty pleasure hangover indulgences, and of course, it’s always open.

Its also got some great options for those nights when it’s 9pm and you’re eyeing that bottle of wine you’ve been dying to drink, but you have nothing “gourmet” to pair with it. That’s right winos, there are flavor combinations abound in those snack-filled aisles and we won’t pass judgment when you reach for that bag of pork rinds too (plus they go great with a finger or two of bourbon, but that’s another article altogether.).

If it’s a chilly night and you’ve got a big, hearty bottle of red, an easy place to start is with beef jerky. It’s the charcuterie of the bodega, loaded with salty umami flavors and tones of beefy goodness. Almost any deep fruit-forward red with some tannins, whether it’s a blend or not, will be a delicious accompaniment to a bag of jerky. Zinfandel, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese are great starting points for this pairing, but you’ll find that almost any jammier red will do nicely.

Warmer weather means easy-drinking whites that are best enjoyed on your fire escape. And yes, we promise, your bodega will come through here too! If you’ve got a crisp white wine with strong acidity or minerality, look no further than your bodega’s refrigerator. Chances are they’ll have some cheese rounds and a back aisle might even lead to a hidden jar of preserves. Any fruity preserve, like apricot, raspberry or strawberry, atop a slice of cheese is so tasty with a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc or Albariño, just to name a few.

Does your white have some buttery notes, like a Chardonnay, or is it a bit heavier without the aforementioned racing acidity? Find your bodega’s trail mix section and look for some dried fruit. Apricots, dates and figs will match your bottle’s bigger body and add a perfect touch of sweetness to cut the lingering qualities.

If you’ve picked up one of the luscious North Western Pinot Noirs, you’re in for a real treat. These Pinots, especially those from Oregon, tend to have lovely smoky notes, just under a subtle fruity layer so they lend themselves so well to smoked nuts. My pick is a bag of smoked almonds which have a host of complex flavors; they’re nutty, slightly creamy, salty and deliciously smoky. I love to snack on these bad boys with an earthy Pinot Noir that has silky tannins and cedar undertones.

Of course, we can’t forget about those with a sweet tooth. If you’ve got a full-bodied Malbec, chocolate is your best friend. These Malbecs, especially those from Mendoza, Argentina are big and bold, but many times also have undertones of vanilla or spice. Grab a pint of your bodega’s deepest, darkest chocolate ice cream or chocolate bar and indulge.

Nicole works with Tipsy, a wine and spirits shop in Brooklyn. Tipsy hosts 3 or more free tasting events every week. Visit us at the corner of Myrtle and Classon or online at www.shoptipsy.com.

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Events

Here’s the Full Schedule of Free Events at Brooklyn Bridge Park for Summer 2014

May 14, 2014

Brooklyn Bridge Park may be getting even more popular this summer — there’s a robust schedule of free events.

Here’s a handy list of all of them via the BBP Conservancy:

A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – ALL FREE – FOLLOWS
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK 2014 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ARTS & CULTURE

Celebrate Brooklyn! Dance Parties presented by BRIC
Sponsored by Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Thursdays, 7:00 pm, Pier 1
Sweeping views, great lawn, dance lessons, beer gardens, bike valet… and it’s free! Three spring evenings feature some of the coolest dance bands on the planet, the funkiest DJs under the stars, and the greatest view in the world on Pier 1!
May 15 Electro-Jamz Dance Party: Cibo Matto I Javelin | JD Samson
May 22 – African Dance Party: Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars I DJ Chief Boima

Syfy Movies With A View
Thursdays, with music at 6:00 pm and movies at sunset, Pier 1
Join us as we celebrate 15 Season of our movie series on Thursdays this summer! Shorts curated by BAMcinematek, DJs from Brooklyn Radio kick off the evening, and bike valet is provided by Transportation Alternatives.

July 10 – Duck Soup (G)
July 17 – Sharknado
July 24 – Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)
July 31 – Beetlejuice (PG)
August 7 – Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (PG)
August 14 – Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (R)
August 21 – The Birds (PG)
August 28 – Public Vote!

Books Beneath the Bridge
Mondays, July 8 – August 12, 7:00 pm, Granite Prospect
Second annual outdoor literature series curated by six local, independent bookstores.
July 7 – Freebird
July 14 – Greenlight Bookstore
July 21 – Powerhouse Arena
July 28 – Community Bookstore Park Slope
August 4 – Word Bookstore
August 11 – Bookcourt

Danh Vo: We The People
Opening Saturday, May 17
Pier 3 Uplands
Presented by The Public Art Fund
A major new dual-site exhibition inspired by the Statue of Liberty, “We the People” is a full-scale copper replica of the statue in 250 individual parts fabricated over the course of four years using the original techniques and materials. Visitors to the Pier 3 Greenway Terrace will encounter a never-before-exhibited section of the statue: the draped sleeve of the statue’s right arm, which holds the golden torch. This colossal, 13-piece section will be assembled into three forms and presented alongside the ear of the statue. The exhibition continues at Manhattan’s City Hall Park.

John Street Pasture
Coming Spring 2014
John Street Pasture is a temporary living earthwork that celebrates green space, agriculture, and the transitional nature of urban land. This cover crop of crimson clover will bloom into a lush field of reds and greens all while creating a nutrient rich resource of nitrogenized soil for the now under-construction John Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. John Street Pasture is a collaboration of Andrea Reynosa, Alloy and Brooklyn Grange.

Pier Kids
Sundays, June 1 – August 3, 11:00 am
Pier 6
Sing, act, dance, and draw! Please join us on Pier 6 for a weekly family celebration of the arts. Engaging activities will vary each week and be accompanied by an outdoor pop-up reading room from the Uni Project. Each program is followed by art projects from Private Picassos and Project Art.

Walt Whitman’s Song Of Myself
Sunday, June 8, 4:00 pm
Granite Prospect
Annual marathon reading of Walt Whitman’s most critically acclaimed poem.

Shakespeare At Sunset
June 13-15 (King Lear) and July 18-20 (Taming of the Shrew), 7:00 pm
Granite Prospect
Free performances of King Lear by Theater 2020 and Taming of the Shrew by Random Access Theater.

BAMcinemafest Outdoor Screening
Thursday, June 19, Pier 1
Join BAMcinemaFest for an outdoor festival featuring live music, curated food and a special film screening! The films start at sunset.

Barolosolo Cirkus Company
June 21-22, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Pier 1
A kiosk in a village square. What could be more ordinary? Join France’s Barolosolo Cirkus Company for an anything but ordinary New York premier of íle O, and watch as this intrepid team creates a delightful mash-up of modern physical theater around their kiosk-pool moving from comic to absurd in a universe filled with aquatic poetry and music. Presented in association with SummerStage. Kids presented by Disney.

Make Music NY
Saturday, June 21, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pier 3 Greenway Terrace
The 8th Annual Make Music New York festival returns June 21 with more than 1,000 free concerts in public spaces across NYC. More details at makemusicny.org.

Met Opera
Wednesday, June 25, 7:00 pm
Pier 1
This summer recital features three rising Met stars: soprano Amber Wagner, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, and tenor Russell Thomas, joined by pianist Dan Saunders.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony
Saturday, August 2, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Main Street
Help Aeilushi Mistry bring peace and harmony to our shoreline as she performs the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony at the park! Presented with Brooklyn Arts Council.

Jazzmobile: Arturo O’Farrill
Monday, August 18, 7:00 pm
Pier 1
Join us for a performance by Latin Jazz artist, Arturo O’Farrill who brings swinging rhythms to the park!

Battle Of Brooklyn Reenactment
Saturday, August 23, 12:00 pm
Main Street
Join reenactors from Glover’s Marblehead Regiment to learn how sailors saved George Washington’s army during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776.

Kite Festival
Saturday, September 13, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Pier 1
Watch your kite soar above the Manhattan skyline! Kites will be available for purchase or you can bring your own.

Photoville
September 18 – 21 & 25 – 28
Pier 5 Uplands
PHOTOVILLE will be a feisty mix of exhibitions, lectures, hands-on workshops, nighttime projections, photo dog run, and a summer beer-garden that will create a photographic destination like no other at the Pier 5 Uplands. In addition —and in collaboration with Photo District News—THE FENCE, Brooklyn’s premiere outdoor photographic exhibition will present the work of 40 talented photographers from around world. THE FENCE at the park measures 1000 ft in length and stretches along the Greenway. Presented by United Photo Industries.

Dumbo Arts Festival
September 21 – 28
Various locations
Brooklyn Bridge Park is participating in DUMBO Arts Festival again this fall! This three-day celebration of art and culture will feature a variety of scenic locations within the park hosting several of this year’s innovative art installations.

RECREATION

Get Active on the Brand New Pier 2 Courts!
5 acres dedicated to active recreation, Enjoy basketball, bocce, shuffleboard and handball courts, a roller/inline skating rink, swings, fitness equipment, picnic tables and half an acre of play turf. Restrooms, skate and equipment rentals, lockers, water fountains and bike racks are also available on site. Take part in fitness classes, leagues, and free play.

Free Skate
Mondays & Fridays, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sundays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pier 2 (Opening late May. Dates TBD)
Cruise around the new Pier 2 roller/inline skating rink with Free Skate (kid approved) sessions during select hours each week.

Kayaking
June 7 – August 30
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thursdays, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Pier 2 Dock
Glide along the water while kayaking with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse at the Pier 2 floating dock! Children under 18 must have an adult guardian present.

Family Field Days
July 26 and August 23, 10:00 am – 1:00pm
Various locations
Come play games of all shapes and sizes from volleyball, basketball, and soccer clinics to potato sack and relay races with celebrations on each of the park’s active piers.

Pop-Up Pool
Daily, Late June through Labor Day
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pier 2 Uplands
Take in the sunshine and cool waters at the Pier 2 Pop-Up Pool! The 30’x50’ pool includes a sandy beach and play area with refreshing food and drinks from Lizzmonade. Swim lessons are available.

Pier 5 Fields
Check website for dates
Three turf fields invite soccer, flag football, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, and ultimate frisbee players alike to play games looking out at the skyline. Check the website for open play time.
Conservancy Soccer Leagues: Get in the game. Coed and men’s adult soccer leagues play Wednesdays in spring, summer, and fall. Saturday morning youth leagues in spring and fall. Sign up for leagues at brooklynbridgepark.org.

Pier 6 Volleyball
Check website for dates
Walk-up Play: Bring your own volleyball.
League Play: Join a team for organized play on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and join in weekend tournaments.
Reserved Play: A limited number of courts can be reserved for an hour by individuals online at brooklynbridgepark.org.
Public Clinics: Brush up your game with free instruction for children, teens, and adults.

Bike NY Pedal Stops
Select Sundays, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pier 1
Stop by the free rider assistance and information station where you can get a drink of water and healthy snack, then pick up safety instructions, bike maps, and route suggestions.

FITNESS

All Classes Are One Hour.
Senior Fitness with Dodge YMCA
Mondays, May 5 – June 30, 10:00 am
Pier 6

Outdoor Strength wth Brooklyn Strength
Mondays, June 9 – August 25, 7:00 pm
Pier 6

Sunset Pilates with Body In Balance
Wednesdays, June 18 – September 24, 7:00 pm
Pier 5

Pilates with The Fitness Guru
Tuesdays, June 24 – September 9, 7:00 pm
Empire Fulton Ferry

Early Morning Yoga With Dodge YMCA
Mondays, June 30 – August 18, 7:30 am
Pier 6

Zumba with Dodge YMCA
Sundays, July 6 – August 17, 4:00 pm
Pier 2

Hip Hop Aerobics with Dodge YMCA
Fridays, July 11 – August 22, 7:00 pm
Pier 2

Crossfit with Dumbo Crossfit
Sundays, July 13 – August 3, 2:30 pm
Pier 2

EDUCATION & ENVIRONMENT

Wednesday Night Tours
Wednesdays, May 7 – Oct 8, 6:30pm
Pier 1 Entrance
Take an evening’s stroll with New York’s finest scholars and learn about the extraordinary history, ecology, and design of Brooklyn Bridge Park!

The Brooklyn Bridge
May 7
Discover the epic story of this engineering marvel and New York icon as well as the men and women who built it.
David Frieder, The Roebling Museum

The Billion Oyster Project
May 14
Take a look at the park’s oyster gardens and discover the power of these ecosystem engineers.
Sam Janis, New York Harbor School

Natives & Newcomers
May 21
Explore the complex relationships between the Dutch and local Lenape clans as cultures collide.
Emma Nordin, New-York Historical Society

Bringing the Park to Life
May 28
Hear the story of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s creation and innovative approach to revitalizing urban space.
Regina Myer, BBP President

War on the Waterfront
June 4
From Ft. Hamilton to the Navy Yard, Brooklyn’s waterfront played a key role for America in WWII.
Andrew Gustafson, Turnstile Tours

Interactive Photography Tour
June 11
Explore the fundamentals of basic photography while capturing the beauty of the park. Topics covered: composition, lighting, and depth of field.
Alexa Hoyer, BBP Photographer

A Park with a View
June 18
Look across the water in an architectural tour of the historic and modern skyscrapers on the Manhattan skyline.
Kyle Johnson, AIA Architect

Native Plants In Designed Landscapes
June 25
Come on a tour of the park highlighting the use of native species and cultivars in a designed space.
Ulrich Lorimer, Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Abolition On The Water
July 2
Superstar minister Henry Ward Beecher gave voice to freedom and home to the Underground Railroad in 1850s Brooklyn.
Regina McIlvain, Plymouth Church Historian

Building A Sustainable Park
July 9
Gain an in-depth knowledge of BBP’s sustainable features from building materials to storm management.
Leigh Trucks, BBP Director of Capital Projects

The Atlantic Dock Co.
July 16
Learn about the men who built and ruled the docks spanning the waterfront from DUMBO to Red Hook.
Inna Guzenfeld, Historian

Coastal Wetlands
July 23
Where the land meets the sea, the marshlands along the park offer a unique habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Emily Maxwell, The Nature Conservancy

Infrastructure Intersections
July 30
Unravel the tangled histories and structures of all the bridges, tunnels, and highways that keep NY moving.
John Kriskiewicz, Historian

Whales In The Harbor
August 6
Discover a new era when whales, dolphins, and seals have returned to NY Harbor in surprising numbers.
Paul Sieswerda, Gotham Whales

The Golden Age Of Brooklyn Distilleries
August 13
Amble through the historic rise of Brooklyn distilleries of the 1800′s until the death knell of the Volstead Act in 1920.
Jill Paradiso, Culinary Historian

Designing Brooklyn Bridge Park
August 20
Hear directly from one of the innovative minds behind Brooklyn Bridge Park’s award winning design.
Matt Urbanski, Principal, MVVA, Inc.

A Key to the Continent
August 27
The waters of the East River acted as a strategic hub in the American Revolution and the Civil War.
Barnet Schecter, Historian

Blooms and Bugs
September 3
Learn about Pier 1’s native plant gardens including the freshwater pools, woodlands, prairie, and salt marsh.
Matthew Wills, Naturalist

What Was Where
September 10
A journey from colonial times to present day, particularly focused on the industrial dockyards.
Matt Postal, Architectural Historian

My Hand in Yours, Walt
September 17
A literary walk through the legacy of the Brooklyn Bridge in works by Whitman, Crane, Bishop, and Moore.
Adam Fitzgerald, Poet

Interactive Photography Tour: Fall
September 24
Explore the fundamentals of street photography while capturing everyday moments of life in the park.
Alexa Hoyer, BBP Photographer

The Billion Oyster Project: Fall
October 1
See how the park’s oyster gardens have grown and learn the power of these tiny ecosystem engineers.
Sam Janis, New York Harbor School

Docent Tours
Sundays, 12:00 pm
Pier 1
Engage with our docents on a tour about the history of the Brooklyn waterfront, BBP’s sustainable design, and how the park came to life!

Seining
Multiple Dates
Empire Fulton Ferry
Learn about the remarkable creatures of the East River as our scientists use a seining net to humanely catch and release these unique critters.

Wildflower Walk
Tuesday, May 13, 5:00 pm
Pier 1
Explore the parks spring blooms and the many buzzing pollinators that bring the park to life.
Rebecca McMackin, BBP Director of Horticulture

World Science Festival: From The Earth To The Stars
Saturday, May 31, 8:00 pm
Pier 1
It’s an outdoor party beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and the twinkling canvas of the night sky, and a night to explore and discover the vast wonders of the cosmos! Bring your telescope if you have one, or use one of the dozens we’ll have on hand.

Checkmate 101
Wednesdays, June 11 – August 30
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Pier 1
Come learn how to take your chess game to the next level! Best for beginners; limited boards available.

Journey To The Stars
Thursday Evenings, June 19 – Sept 18
Pier 1
The Amateur Astronomers will guide your eyes across the sky as you discover the wonders of the universe.

City Of Water Day
Thursday, July 12
Location and times to be determined
Join us for a celebration of the waterfront, with our free kayaking and seining programs!

VOLUNTEER EVENTS

Green Team
Saturdays, 10:00 am
Pier 1
Join this dedicated corps of volunteers who keep Brooklyn Bridge Park beautiful! The Green Team meets every Saturday to provide essential horticultural care to the park. The Green Team is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature and make the park look its best. Children are welcome to volunteer with a parent or guardian.

Coastal Clean Up Day
Saturday, September 20, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pier 1
Team up with thousands of volunteers worldwide to combat pollution in our waterways and along our coastlines. Volunteers will care for our unique coastal environment by cleaning up the park’s beaches, shorelines, and salt marsh. It promises to be a remarkable stewardship experience.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/67225

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Events

Tell the Bartender Live at Union Hall with Wyatt Cenac of The Daily Show

May 7, 2014

BHB pal/podcaster Katharine Heller will be doing a live version of her popular Tell the Bartender podcast Thursday (5/8) at Union Hall.

If you’re a fan of podcasts from Marc Maron, the Moth or Nerdist and haven’t heard Tell the Bartender you’re missing out!

CATCH UP NOW ON ALL TELL THE BARTENDER EPISODES AT THE BROOKLYN BUGLE

Storytelling guest at the live show will be:

Wyatt Cenac, Comedian/Actor/Awesome Person (The Daily Show, King of the Hill, and many other amazing things)

Mara Wilson, Actor/Writer/Awesome Person (Welcome to Nightvale, Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and many other amazing things)

WITH a special appearance by Matty Blake Actor/Writer (30 Rock, Orange Is The New Black)

It will be a night of stories, drinks and fun! One lucky audience member will get a chance to win a prize with the game, “Bar Talk”, PLUS we play everyone’s favorite game “Craigslist Ad or Casting Notice” with Matty Blake! Prizes sponsored by By Brooklyn.

Thursday, May 8th 8:00-9:00
Doors at 7:30
$10

Tickets:
http://www.unionhallny.com/event/542953-tell-bartender-live-brooklyn/


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/67071

From the Web

Events

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Movies with a View 2014 Schedule Announced

May 6, 2014

Hail Freedonia!!

It’s the 15th year for Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Movies with a View which will kick off with the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup on July 10 on the Harbor View Lawn.

All films this year have an “animal” theme…sorta…

7/10 – Duck Soup
“I’m in a hurry! To the House of Representatives! Ride like fury! If you run out of gas, get ethyl. If Ethel runs out, get Mabel! Now step on it!”
The Marx Brothers take fictional Europe in this Depression-era classic. To stay afloat, the small, bankrupt country of Freedonia must borrow a huge sum of cash from wealthy widow Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). But there are strings attached to her loan: she insists on replacing the current president with crazy Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho Marx) and mayhem erupts. [G] Short: Silo by David Soll

7/17 – Sharknado
Description TBD. [NR]
Short: Phoebe’s Birthday Cheeseburger by Will Lennon

7/24- Fantastic Mr. Fox
“One of those slovenly farmers is probably wearing my tail for a necktie.”
One of Roald Dahl’s classics hits the big screen in Wes Anderson’s quirky, stop-motion animated film. Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) and his thieving ways are threatened by three mean farmers, but his friends, family and neighbors come to his aid. [G] Short: Font Men by Dress Code

7/31 – Beetlejuice
“I’ve seen The Exorcist about a hundred and sixty-seven times, and it keeps gettin’ funnier every time I see it!”
A young couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) lead an idyllic country life until they accidentally drown and become trapped in their old house as ghosts. This ghost couple attempts to scare off a family of cosmopolitan New Yorkers that move into their home, eventually enlisting the help of an insane poltergeist, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). A darkly funny vision of the afterlife that made director Tim Burton a household name. [PG] Short: Passer Passer by Louis Morton

8/7 – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
“Careful Maggie, your claws are showing.”
The Tennessee Williams play comes to life as Maggie (Elizabeth Taylor) and Brick (Paul Newman) duke it out while celebrating his the 65th birthday of his father, Big Daddy (Burl Ives). The temperatures are high, but the tensions are higher in this classic. [PG] Short: Unlocking the Truth by Luke Meyer

8/14 – Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
“All the rappers, they got names like that: Snoop Doggy Dogg, Ice Cube, Q-Tip, Method Man. My favorite was always Flavor Flav from Public Enemy. He got the funky fresh fly flavor.”
Hip hop, samurai culture, and italian gangsters come together in this oddly quiet action movie by independent spirit Jim Jarmusch. Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a reclusive hitman who lives by a strict samurai code. When his mafia employers turn against him, Ghost Dog must go to war against an gang of old-school Italians that simply do not understand his ways. [R] Short: The Roper by Ewan McNicol, Anna Sandilands

8/21 – The Birds
“The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn’t stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?”
Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece of horror, mystery, and slow-burning suspense. A beautiful socialite (Tippi Hedren) visits the sunny town of Bodega Bay, where the weekend’s peace is shattered by a series of inexplicable bird attacks, one more violent than the next. These attacks grow increasingly bigger and more gruesome until the entire town finds itself under siege from above. [PG] Short: Woodhouse by Fred Rowson

8/28 – Public Vote!
As is tradition, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and Syfy invite the public to vote on the last film of the summer. Stay tuned to www.brooklynbridgepark.org for details throughout the summer.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/67052

From the Web