Homer Fink – Brooklyn Bugle

Brooklyn’s 76 Precinct Offers ‘Cash for Guns’ Initiative September 15

September 7, 2012

Capt. J. D. Schiff, Commanding Officer for the 76th Precinct of Brooklyn, has alerted the CHB that on Saturday, September 15, the NYPD, NYC Council, Kings County District Attorney and NYPD Brooklyn Clergy Coalition will sponsor a program that pays cash for any operable firearm. They are offering a $200 bank card for a handgun and $20 bank card for a rifle/shotgun. He stresses: “No questions asked.”

The Brooklyn Gun Buy-Back Program takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Evergreen Baptist Church: 455 Evergreen Avenue, between Woodbine Street and Palmetto Street. No active or retired law enforcement weapons are accepted. The 76th Precinct is located at 191 Union Street in Brooklyn.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7812

From the Web

Plymouth Underground Thrift Unveils Fall Merch Sunday, 9/09

September 6, 2012

What a weekend youse have in store. After getting your kicks at the Housing Works “Best Of Fall” event at 122 Montague Street, Saturday, September 8, mosey on over to the Underground Thrift Shop at Plymouth Church on Sunday for the unveiling of its fall merchandise. The store, at 65 Hicks Street between Orange and Cranberry Streets, will be open from 12:30 to 4 p.m. And then, what could be better than sliding back to Montague Street for the Sunday launch of Summer Space, from noon to 5 p.m.?

The Underground Thrift Store features a curated collection of upscale and designer clothing and accessories for women, men and children and collectibles for the home, in the loft space in the historic Plymouth Church. The Thrift donates 25% of its net proceeds to organizations that fight human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

From the Web

Custom House: Brooklyn Heights At Last Has A Hang

September 6, 2012

It appears that Brooklyn Heights at last has a reliable neighborhood hang. While Jack the Horse Tavern draws a consistent crowd and Eammon’s of Brooklyn had its day, arguably there hasn’t been a true pub to stop by (and/or stay) for a beer or a splash of booze in the nabe for a decade-plus.

A walk by Custom House at 139 Montague Street on Wednesday around 10 p.m. revealed a bustling crowd of all-age ‘hoodies, from the 20s on up past AARP members. Be sure to say hello to Brother Jimmy, pictured at the entrance. Score one for Brooklyn Heights.

The joint offers 80 seats, 16 tap beers, a 40-foot marble-topped bar, a trio of flat screens showing live sports; and grub to wash it all down like burgers, wings and Shepherd’s pie.

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Real Estate

It Pays To Live In Brooklyn: We’re The Second Most-Expensive City In The Nation

September 6, 2012

This isn’t necessarily the kind of statistic that fosters a giddy smile. According to a story in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn is the second most expensive city in the nation, topped only by our sister to the west: Manhattan. The Washington-based Council for Community & Economic Research based its survey primarily on housing. There is no neighborhood breakdown, but past studies would obviously place Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Williamsburg at the peak of the borough’s hierarchy.

Behind Brooklyn are: Honolulu, San Francisco, San Jose, Queens and Stamford. Conn. The Council’s evaluation ranked 300 American cities based on other factors, as well, including utilities, transportation, grocery prices (damn you, Gristedes!) and prescription drug prices.

Using the number 100 to represent the national average, Brooklyn ranked at 183.4 overall: 129.9 in groceries, 126.4 in utilities, 104 in transportation costs and 111.1 in healthcare—along with a whopping 344.7 in housing. Manhattan’s average was 233.5. The Eagle points out that this means housing costs in Brooklyn are more than three times the average American city, like Erie, Pa., or Charlottesville, Va.

Borough President Marty Markowitz told the Eagle, “Brooklyn is thrilled that so many successful men and women, particularly in professional fields, have chosen to live here, adding to our economic diversity and making it one of the most desirable places on the planet to live, work and play. But we are also mindful that Brooklyn must never be a place of only the very rich or the very poor.”

Carlo Scissura, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, added, “As Brooklynites, we want to be No. 1 in everything, but I don’t think we want to be Number 1 or 2 in this survey. We want to keep the middle class here. We don’t want them to leave.”

(Graphic: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47235

From the Web

Downtown Brooklyn, History

Take A Look At Me Then: Downtown Brooklyn’s Fulton Street, 1909/1940s

September 6, 2012

Above, “Bird’s Eye View Of Fulton Street,” December 1909. Below, “Fulton Street, the heart of Brooklyn’s shopping district,” 1940s.
(Postcards: Cardcow.com)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47187

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Events

2012 Montague Street ‘Summer Space’ Launches Sunday, 9/09

September 6, 2012

Reminder: This Sunday, September 9th, the Montague Street BID launches its annual Summer Space, with a fun-filled day of freebies. Brooklyn Heights’ main thoroughfare will be closed to traffic and re-imagined as a pedestrian oasis from noon to 5 p.m., as restaurants expand outdoor seating, retailers offer special promotions and services, and hundreds of tables and chairs line Montague Street.

The day includes opera by The Martha Cardona Theater; AfroBrazilian Samba Reggae by Batala New York City, an all women’s drumming band; Muzik by DJ Ricardo Campos; and dances by the Brooklyn Ballet’s Company and Youth Ensemble. Free outdoor yoga and Zumba classes will convene, as well as chess tables, craft-making demonstrations; and for the kids, a photo booth, scavenger hunt, hula-hoops and chalk drawing.

Summer Space will also take place on Sunday, September 23, featuring the Brooklyn Heights Association’s Third Annual Dog Show, from 1-3 p.m. (More here).

For the full rundown on Summer Space, take a look here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47180

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Food

Italian Eatery Red Gravy (Finally) Coming To Atlantic Avenue This Fall

September 5, 2012

In The New York Times’ extensive Tuesday preview of new restaurants opening throughout New York City this fall, Italian eatery Red Gravy—coming to 151 Atlantic Avenue at Clinton (after what appears to be a year’s delay)—gets a thumbs up from writer “Florence Fabricant.” Regarding the menu: “Saul Bolton’s take on Italian gives a serious nod to the south of the boot (sardines with caponata, bucatini con le sarde, spaghetti with eggplant, ricotta and basil, porgy alla pugliese). Ben Daitz, a partner and designer, is creating an Italian farmhouse seen through a Brooklyn lens.”

Bolton also operates Brooklyn’s The Vanderbilt at 570 Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospects Heights; and Botanica, 220 Conover Street, in Red Hook. New York magazine, Gothamist and The Brooklyn Paper have also heralded the coming of Red Gravy—with previews as far back as a year ago. Boy, talk about generating buzz.

Brownstoner reported in February that a liquor license permit was posted on the door of what was formerly Mezcals in the location. Gravy is expected to start flowing in late October or early November. (Photo: Brownstoner)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/47131

From the Web

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

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