The ninth annual Brooklyn Book Festival will be on Sunday, September 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m at Borough Hall and Columbus Park (immediately north of Borough Hall). There will be readings by and discussions with writers, readings and activities for children, and books for sale. There’s more information here.

During the coming week and the Monday following the Festival there will be “Bookend” events held in various venues around the Borough. Among these venues are Book Court, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Historical Society, DUMBO Sky, the Powerhouse Arena, Smack Mellon Gallery, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, St. Ann’s School, and Vineapple. A full schedule is here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/70198

As we reported last October, Steve Levin, who represents our district in the City Council, has $1 million in discretionary funds that may be used to bankroll projects in the area. Back then he had a community meeting to solicit ideas; now he has a list of sixteen “viable” projects and is asking constituents to vote this week for up to five of these projects to receive funding. The top vote getters, totalling up to $1 million, will be funded. A list of projects on the ballot is here.

Of the projects listed, several would benefit Brooklyn Heights or the immediate area. One would provide funds for laptops and smartboards at MS 8, which serves local students. Another would improve lighting in the Atlantic Avenue access to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Two others would improve Cadman Plaza Park; one by rehabilitating a presently closed comfort station, and the other by installing weight-based fitness equipment.

To vote you must be a resident of the district and sixteen or older. You must vote in person at a designated polling place, and bring ID proving age and residence. These are the locations and hours of operation of the polling places in this area:

The Moxie Spot, 81 Atlantic Avenue (between Henry and Hicks), today (Monday, April 1) through Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Borough Hall, 289 Joralemon Street, Wednesday, April 3, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PS 8, 37 Hicks Street (between Middagh and Poplar), Friday, April 5, 7:45 to 9:45 a.m.

101 Clark Street Community Room, 101 Clark Street (between Henry and Cadman Plaza West), Sunday, April 7, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/57000

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52551

While new ABC TV drama-horror series “666 Park Avenue” may be based on New York’s Upper East Side, its pilot episode features interior scenes filmed here in Brooklyn Heights. The show—which launches Sunday at 10 p.m.—stars “Lost’s” Terry O’Quinn and Vanessa Williams, and is based on the Gabriella Pierce novel. It follows couple Gavin and Olivia Doran, owners of UES hotel The Drake, whose corridors and upscale tenants are haunted by a wicked force.

In early August, the main floor of Brooklyn’s iconic mid-1800s Borough Hall was utilized for a scene that we’ll see in the show, with men decked in tuxedos and women in formal evening dress. The Wall Street Journal reports that the hall acts as a stand-in for the mansion of a fictional New York mayor, while the show “showcases some of the city’s most impressive, and at times forbidding, classic architecture.”

Dan Davis, production designer for “666 Park Avenue,” says, “It’s the mythical New York everyone dreams about but no one who lives here really knows.” The series’ primary exterior shots, meanwhile, are filmed at the Ansonia, on Broadway between 73rd and 74th streets. Other NYC locations you’ll see in the series include The Drake’s “secret room” in the basement of the Church of the Intercession at West 155th Street in Washington Heights. The nearby Hispanic Society of America, a 1904 Beaux-Arts library and museum on Audubon Terrace, will also appear; as well as the Flatiron Building.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48480

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44174

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will join entertainer Ben Vereen Thursday, July 19 for a day’s events to celebrate “Lighten Up Brooklyn” on the Borough Hall Plaza at 200 Joralemon Street. Sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, the event centers on anti-obesity and healthy lifestyle initiatives. It was first launched by Markowitz 11 years ago.

Activities include dancing for older adults led by Mark Morris Dance Center, IntenSati workout, Zumba for youth, a power walk, yoga and capoeira. Events runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, see here. See the schedule here.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44031

Brooklyn’s handsome Borough Hall is all decked out for the Memorial Day holiday, with flags unfurled and flowers surrounding the fountain in full bloom. Ooh, la la!

(Photos: Chuck Taylor/iPhone)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41409