Rubin earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in classic archaeology with a concentration in urban topography from the University of Buffalo, going on to work at the Brooklyn Museum as an assistant to the director, and he’s held a variety of positions at Columbia University, currently directing the Master of Science Program in Sports Management at Columbia University.

A Brooklyn native, he’s lived for much of his life in Park Slope, most recently on Eighth Avenue, in the home he and his parents purchased in the late 90’s, a vintage Brooklyn brownstone at the northern end of the avenue.

“One day,” Rubin said, “my father made a passing, cryptic comment to me – ‘We finally made it to Sportsmen’s Row.’  I thought to myself, ‘Maybe one day I’ll look into that.’”

It was no idle thought, and last year, the History Press published Rubin’s book, the history of the block that in the 1890’s was home to some of Brooklyn’s brightest sporting luminaries, at a time when the city of Brooklyn, then the borough, was home to three race tracks, at Brighton Beach, Gravesend, and Sheepshead Bay.

The first owner of Rubin’s house was James G. Rowe, Sr., a famous jockey and Thoroughbred horse trainer who was elected to Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame in its inaugural 1955 class; the block also attracted other trainers, jockeys, and horse owners.  Some of its more celebrated residents were the Dwyer brothers, butchers who had a shop at the corner of Court St. and Atlantic Avenue before dominating the racing world as owners.

Other residents of Sportsmen’s Row included men well-known in politics, the arts, business, and law, among them William James Gaynor, mayor of New York City from 1910 to 1913.

Rubin made extensive use of Brooklyn resources in researching his book, finding particularly valuable the collection and librarians at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

“I love what I do, but I love the BHS,” he said. “Working for them would probably be the only other job I’d consider.”

He also used the resources of Green-Wood Cemetery, itself a National Historic Landmark and the location of the burial sites of several of the sportsmen about whom he writes in the book.

This Sunday, Rubin will speak at Green-Wood on “Life and Death Along Sportsmen’s Row: Brooklyn’s Eighth Avenue and Green-Wood,” looking at both the famous and the not-so-famous people he writes about, followed by a trolley tour of some of the cemetery’s sites.

Among those whom Rubin is certain to mention is Edward “Snapper” Garrison, a Hall of Fame jockey who rode from 1882 to 1897 and who lived at 30 Eighth Avenue until about 1897.  In addition to their geographical kinship, Rubin discovered something else he and Garrison have in common: their birthdays. Both were born on February 9.

Rubin’s book is available at The Community Bookstore in Park Slope and from Amazon.  The Green-Wood talk starts at 1:00 and is free; the accompanying trolley tour costs $10 for members of the Green-Wood Historic Fund and $15 for non-members. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.

In a Daily News piece, “Long Island College Hospital merged to death”, Denis Hamill retells an ambulance driver’s account, told to Hamill at Thursday evening’s community forum, about picking up a man in cardiac arrest on Hamilton Avenue, administering first aid, taking an EKG that was forwarded to LICH electronically, and getting the patient to LICH where the doctors were able to open an artery to save him, all in an elapsed time of seven minutes. Had the ambulance had to fight traffic to get to Methodist Hospital in Park Slope or Lutheran in Sunset Park, the driver said, “My opinion, add another 12-15 minutes, he wouldn’t have made it.”

In Hamill’s words: “Make no mistake: Close LICH, and people of Red Hook, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights will die.”

Photo: denishamill.com.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55412

Heck, dilate our pupils and hang up a disco ball and we’ve got a party!

NYP: Patients are offered tea, snacks and craft brews on arrival. Most finish their libations in the lobby, but Bazan allows unfinished ales in the exam room, too.

One recent patient wanted to get pie-eyed after a hard day and asked for something stronger.

Bazan took out a bottle of Jack Daniel’s — left over from an art show held at the lens shop — and poured him Jack and Coke.

“The guy had a cocktail instead of a beer,” Bazan said. “He had three of them, actually.”

Not for nothin’ but it seems like Dr. Bazan is a regular Dr. Oz, what with the appearing on TV and the apparent hiring of a publicist (hey he got on WCBS-TV !):

Speaking of press, Business Insider called the good doc a “social media evangelist” who loves the Yelp (which….ahem… is mentioned in the NYP piece today) in a 2011 article.

Not all of Bazan’s Yelp reviews are great, as this excerpt shows:

Like at least one other reviewer, I also witnessed Dr. Bazan verbally berate his staff in front of customers, which is consistent with his hostility toward any critical reviewer on this page. (Take note, especially, of the instance where he responded by posting details of a customer’s medical care on Yelp, which needless to say is unethical behavior for a medical professional.)

I’m truly disappointed PSE turned out to have so much baggage – I was very happy with my treatment, and wish the rest of the experience had matched it.

Like any decent “social media evangelist”, Bazan engages his critics and responded:

Anyone who knows me ,knows I have a huge heart and my head is always in my patients shoes. We maintained a perfect 5 star rating for over 100 yelp reviews. However, when we reminded people that they owed money, the boo brigade began. Sometimes a little pruning is needed if you want to have a prize rose bush.

Love him or hate him you have to respect Bazan’s hustle!

NY Post photo

The beloved Leske’s Scandinavian Bakery in Bay Ridge will be opening a second location in Park Slope, at 588 5th Avenue, a space last occupied by Sweet Treasures Bakery. Leske’s has been a Brooklyn institution since 1961, and has 5,700+ Facebook followers, reports the South Slope News.

The bakery is renowned for traditional Scandinavian baking, Danish, B&W cookies and Brooklyn blackout cakes. According to its Facebook page, the South Slope location will open before Valentine’s Day. (Photo: South Slope News)

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8177

Mallory Hagan, a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident by way of Alabama, was crowned Miss America 2013 on Saturday, January 12. Miss New York, who resides in nearby Park Slope, attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and her platform issue is child sexual abuse prevention. Read more on the Cobble Hill Blog.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/53902

The Chocolate Room in Cobble Hill and Park Slope will be donating 20% of its sales to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to benefit the hurricane relief effort this Wednesday, November 7th. This includes locations in Park Slope (86 Fifth Ave between St. Marks Pl and Warren St) and Cobble Hill (269 Court St between Butler St and Douglass St) as well as its online store. The stores are open from noon to 11 p.m. on Wednesday. More info is here. Or you may contact owners Naomi Josepher and Jon Payson at 718-246-2600.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8010

New York City Marathon officials continue to check damage caused by Hurricane Sandy before deciding what impact the storm will have on the race, scheduled this Sunday, November 4.

Mayor Bloomberg said Tuesday the race will “go on as normal, as of now,” although he will continue to discuss logistics with city and marathon officials before a final decision. According to the Marathon website, “NYRR continues to move ahead with its planning and preparation. We will keep all options open with regard to making adjustments necessary to race day and race weekend events. We will provide an update and more detail as information becomes available.”

The 26.2-mile course begins in Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island and passes through Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Prospect Heights and Boerum Hill, and into Manhattan over the Queensboro Bridge, finishing in Central Park. See the course route here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7991

Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP blog, in which the actress oozes opinions about lifestyle & culture, offers a post on Brooklyn, in which she espouses: “Brooklyn has changed so much since I was a kid, and parts of it are probably unrecognizable from when my dad was born at Brooklyn Jewish hospital in 1943. A lot of this has been good change in the form of art, culture, neighborhood-defining restaurants, shops and more.”

Paltrow includes hot spots in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Gowanus. Read her reviews below.

Park Slope’s Al di Là, 248 5th Avenue
“A homey and casual neighborhood trattoria so popular it has Manhattanites lining out the door (reservations aren’t taken, but you can wait in their charming wine bar next door). The menu hasn’t changed much since opening in 1998, because it’s pretty much perfect Venetian fare, with particularly excellent pastas.”

Prospect Heights’ Franny’s, 295 Flatbush Avenue
“Franny’s churns out some of the best pizza and locally-sourced food in Brooklyn, maybe even NYC. Hit the original location while you can, as they will be moving to a larger space by the end of the year, keeping the old space for a new restaurant, Marco’s, to open in the spring of 2013.

Prospect Heights’ Ample Hills Creamery, 623 Vanderbilt Avenue
“Handcrafted ice cream and sorbet made in small batches, Ample Hills gets its cream and eggs from local farms upstate for the freshest (and most sustainable) product possible, in 24 flavors that change with the seasons. They also do really delicious and beautiful custom ice cream cakes, for any occasion.”

Cobble Hill’s Henry Public, 329 Henry Street
“This handsome, old-timey Brooklyn saloon, with a limited “Bill of Fare” of simple and homey food, including a great burger, is perfect for a late supper and whiskey cocktails with friends.”

Cobble Hill’s Pok Pok, 127 Columbia Street
“People are crazy for this Thai via Portland import to the BK, for good reason – the fresh takes on Thai classics are seriously good (and run on the hot side), from the signature charcoal roasted hen with lemongrass to the sweet, spicy salads and more, plus an awesome Thai-inspired cocktail menu (the Pok Pok Bloody Mary with Thai chilies is a serious kick in the ass.)”

Carroll Gardens’ The Grocery, 329 Henry Street
“Quality ingredients, imaginatively prepared from this superb market-driven menu keeps this tiny place on the top of the borough’s fine dining list year after year. It’s pricey, but for one of the best bargains in the borough, try the Green Plate Special – $40 for the four-course veggie tasting menu.”

Boerum Hill’s Mile End, 97A Hoyt Street
“Hearty, meaty sandwiches and Montreal-style deli food (think house-smoked meats, poutine, brisket and more) served deluxe. Make sure to get a pickle on the side and wash it all down with a good glass of wine.”

Gowanus’ The Pines, 284 3rd Avenue
“While this highly-anticipated Gowanus opening keeps the atmosphere casual, with an artfully shabby, worn in dining room and larger garden in the back, the menu is decidedly ambitious with an Italian bent (think cavatelli with duck heart) with lots of interesting seasonal salads and antipasti.”

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7941

Despite an early afternoon shower and cool temps, Brooklynites came out in force Sunday for the 38th-annual Atlantic Antic, which spans one mile along Atlantic Avenue, from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue. Check out many more pics on our sister Brooklyn Heights Blog here. (Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7848

The actor’s tweet about his problem getting cable installed for his new Park Slope pad inspired hundreds of retweets and stoked the flames of Time Warner Cable hate throughout Brooklyn and beyond. Check the tale of the tweets after the jump and add your TWC horror story.

Patrick Stewart Hates Time Warner Cable

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle · Tue, Sep 18 2012 20:12:54

The ever-entertaining end-of-summer Atlantic Antic—which brings madness, music and playful mayhem to a 10-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue, bordering Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill—will convene Sunday, September 30, noon to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, it offers 500+ retailers and pop-up shops pawning goodies, food, dancing, family fun and more, between Hicks Street & Fourth Avenue. Read all about it on the Brooklyn Heights Blog here.
(Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7801

The Brooklyn Book Festival has announced its comprehensive lineup for the first-ever weeklong series of “Bookend Events” that will take place at venues throughout the borough from September 17 through September 23. The seventh-annual event is presented by Brooklyn Tourism and the Brooklyn Literary Council, initiatives of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, with support from AT&T.

It’s billed as the largest free literary gathering in New York City, with numerous events taking place in Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene and Park Slope. See the full schedule here.

Markowitz commented, “Brooklyn has more writers per square inch than almost anywhere else in the country, all contributing to our growing reputation as the epicenter of the literary universe—where authors from across the globe gather each fall for the Brooklyn Book Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious free literary festivals. This year, the Festival expands from four days to an entire week of diverse literary offerings.”

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7785

Winter Sun Farms, which partners with local sustainable farms to supply a winter share of frozen and storage vegetables throughout the season, is available in Cobble Hill and Park Slope (as well as Bed Stuy, DUMBO, Prospect Park and Kensington). Their goal is to deliver a superior product at a fair price for consumers and the farmer, with a larger mission of creating a regional, fair and sustainable food system.

The initiative’s farmers “care for the land and the food they grow. They are part of our communities. We want you to know them, who they are and how they grow. We make it simple… the name of the farm goes right on the package,” Winter Sun Farms says.

For information on joining, see their website here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7773

After months of bureaucratic delays, Die Koelner Beirhalle opened August 8 in Park Slope. The “KBH” beer hall at 84 St. Mark’s Place near 4th Avenue, boasts long wooden tables with capacity for 200+, with 30 German beers on tap and simple German fare, according to its Facebook page.

“We’d like to think of ourselves as a place where old meets new. Old (as in our beers) meets new (as in you, friendly neighbor folk and all your fun-lovin’ friends),” the KBH website hearkens. Beers range from 150 to over 500 years old and counting. “Good beer, plump sausages & more awaits.”

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7712

Actor Patrick Stewart has moved to Park Slope, according to a Brownstoner tipster. While the address is not revealed, the writer hints that his new digs offer a plentitude of bedrooms and a large outdoor space. He reportedly paid around $2 million for the home.

The Yorkshire, England-born Stewart is best known for his starring turn for seven seasons as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the “Star Trek” redux, as well as numerous Broadway roles. Check out “8 Reasons Why Park Slope Is A Lot Like The Enterprise (And Maybe Better)” at F”d in Park Slope here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7701

Festivities will include a ribbon cutting ceremony led by the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band on the sidewalk in front of the Atlantic Avenue BID office in Cobble Hill at 340 Atlantic Avenue, between Smith and Hoyt Streets, a sidewalk parade and the “Sanitation Dance,” a choreographed piece by the Modern Dance Awareness Society.

Other performers include stilt walkers, acrobats, the Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth All-Stars, the Balkan sounds of Raya Bass Band, an all-female percussion band, and Underground Horns. Artists from Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) will also participate.

Businesses along Atlantic Avenue will also host special events and tastings throughout the day. The Extravaganza is sponsored by the Atlantic Ave. Business Improvement District. See all the details here.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7355

The development is also in the vicinity of a Whole Foods market recently approved at Third Street and Third Avenue, next to the Gowanus Canal; and within walking distance to the 585-acre Prospect Park, with access to numerous subway stations and a five-minute walk from Atlantic Terminal.

“We are delighted to invest in this high-quality, well-located site to develop a luxury rental property in Brooklyn,” said AEW Director Anthony Crooks. “We believe the property will attract young professionals and families looking for affordable, quality housing, good amenities and access to public transportation.”

Residential brokerage aptsandlofts.com is expected to begin marketing the units in Summer 2013.

Naftali Group is also building a 104-unit luxury residential property at 267 Sixth Street, at the corner of Fourth Avenue. That project is also expected to come online next year. The firm currently owns 100 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space in Brooklyn.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7161

The new outposts “secure us two wonderful locations,” Trish Martin, Brooklyn director of sales for Halstead told the real estate pub, saying that Halstead has quickly outgrown its other Cobble Hill location, at 162 Court Street. The new office in Cobble Hill will be located at 206 Court Street, between Wyckoff and Warren streets.

The expansion brings Halstead’s total number of brokers in Brooklyn to 70, as they absorb 15 additional brokers from the newly acquired offices.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/6946