Christmas Trees, Holiday Decorations And Carolers Appear In The Neighborhood

Christmas trees for sale at the corner of Smith and President Streets

Decorating a lamp post on Atlantic Avenue

Christmas carolers spreading Holiday cheer on Atlantic Avenue

The Thanksgiving turkeys were hardly carved and consumed when the attention shifted to Christmas all around the neighborhood.  Christmas tree vendors set up shop, garland and ribbons were wrapped around lantern posts and most festive of all, groups of carolers in beautiful "Dickensian style" attire delighted passers-by with Christmas songs along Atlantic Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
They were part of the Goode Times Carolers, a group of professional vocalists.

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Atlantic Avenue 2012: A Bit Wet, But Great Fun Anyway

In the 27 years I have lived in South Brooklyn, I don't think I have missed the Atlantic Antic street fair more than 2 or three times. It's always great fun, especially because, invariably, one bumps into old friends or neighbors.
Though Atlantic Antic 2012 was a bit rainy, it still was worth it. And as always, my favorite was Eddie The Sheik and his orchestra. And the belly dancers, of course.

Were you there?

On a personal note:

Atlantic Avenue 2012 with my son Max, his girlfriend Lucy and my husband Glenn

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Get Ready For The Atlantic Avenue Restaurant Hop This Week-End

This week-end, take part in the Atlantic Avenue Restaurant Hop and take advantage of this great opportunity to try over 20 restaurants at discount prices.

Just buy your special $15 wristband by clicking  here,  pick it up at the Dodge YMCA, 255 Atlantic Avenue at Court Street and explore the avenue's eateries all week-end long.

All proceeds will go back to the community through the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

Have fun!

Below is a list of participating restaurants:

Betty Bakery, 448 Atlantic Avenue, 

receive a Discount on Red Velvet Cupcakes

Bijan's, 81 Hoyt Street,
Half Price Medicinal Cocktails Saturday and Sunday

The Brazen Head, 228 Atlantic Avenue,
$5 pints on Six Brooklyn Beers including Six Point, Brooklyn Brewery and Kelso

Building on Bond, 112 Bond Street,
Half Off Draft Beer and Wine on Sunday from 4-7pm

Chez Moi, 135 Atlantic Avenue,
$1 Oysters Saturday & Sunday from 3-6pm at this new neighborhood bistro with stylish comfort food

Donna da Vine, 355 Atlantic Avenue,
Summer Sippers Wine Tasting from 2-4pm Saturday and Sunday

Henry Public, 329 Henry Street,
10% off Brunch

Hopeland, 320 Atlantic Avenue,   a Free Bloody Mary or Mimosa with every Brunch order, a Free Glass of Wine or Hopeland Cocktail per person with every Dinner, Dinner Groups of 4 receive a Chef's selection of our House Made Desserts with every Dinner purchase

La Flor del Paraiso, 491 Atlantic Avenue,
15% off on Friday and Saturday

Maimonide of Brooklyn, 525 Atlantic Ave,
Happy Hour drink special

The Moxie Spot, 81-83 Atlantic Ave,
Free Dessert, Glass of Wine or Bottle of Beer with any purchase of $10 or more

Nu Bar & Lounge at Nu Hotel, 85 Smith Street,
Buy One, Get One Tapas

NuNu Chocolates, 529 Atlantic Avenue,
"Buy One, Get One Free" Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolates

Rucola, 190 Dean Street,
Free Drink on Friday, June 22nd 5:30-7pm, including Grüner Veltliner, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Gaffel Kölsch or Rucola Seasonal House Sour Cocktail

Sosta, 145 Atlantic Avenue,
10% for Friday and Saturday dinner

The Soul Spot, 302 Atlantic Avenue,
15% off all weekend

two8two burger, 282 Atlantic Avenue,
$1 off any Burger Saturday all day

Waterfront Ale House, 155 Atlantic Avenue,
15% off all weekend

Yemen Café, 176 Atlantic Avenue,
Free Soup, Salad and Dessert with Dinner entrée purchase

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Collect Recipes At Great Atlantic Avenue Holiday Recipe Give-Away

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Here is something for all the cooks in the neighborhood. Check out the great Atlantic Avenue Holiday Recipe Give-away happening right now on Atlantic Avenue from Brooklyn Bridge Park to Fourth Avenue. 
According to Pam of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation: 
"Over  30 stores are participating and most of the recipes are holiday food favorites of the owners such as Sahadi's Family Stuffing Recipe and other "recipes" are for holiday music to download on the internet from Hardsoul or how to make a holiday tree out of a bottle rack and lights a la Marcel Duchamp from Rico!"
Here is the list of all the participating stores and recipes or just walk the Avenue and look for an image of a whisk tied with a red ribbon and "Recipes Inside."  Collect all 32 and have a wealth of new holiday treats to enjoy!
Grandma’s Oyster Bisque from Moxie Spot
Crunchy Topped Pumpkin Casserole from Floral Heights
Sweet Potato Coconut Soup from Linger Cafe
Rothschild's Classic Vanilla Crème Brûlée
Lemon Bread from Gumbo
Lucy Bett's Gingerbread from Dig
Duchamp Bottle-Rack Tree from Rico
Sam’s Serious Egg Nog from Waterfront Ale House
Sahadi’s Family Stuffing
Grandmother Frances' Pound Cake from Silk Road Antiques
Seafood Sausage from Betty Bakery
Misty Mountain Cookies from Melting Pot
Lasagna Bolognese from Goose Barnacle
Holy Moly Coley Blue Marble Melted Ice Cream Cake from Blue Marble & New York Explorers
Chocolate Pecan Pie from Home and Abroad
Tomato Alfredo Portabella Lasagna from Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
Corn Souffle from Fusion Designs Gallery
Vacuum Cleaner Freshner, The Herb Shoppe
Acorn Squash Nut Bread , Make A Frame
Whole Wheat Nut Bread , Zoe Papers
Banana Bread , The Greenhouse
Aunt Jane’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake , Michelle New York
Strafe’s Twelve Tracks for Christmas (Plus Four), Hard Soul Recording
Curried Eggs and Potatoes , Go Green
Crazy Chocolate Cake, Evolution
Zucchini Casserole, Kimera
Chocolate Moose Pie, Sterling Place Apricot Bread, Ophelia


For further information, go to atlanticave.org.

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A Moment In Time: Foot Traffic

Foot Traffic

Atlantic Avenue in the late afternoon

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Park? Yes! Housing? No!: Take Time Out To Testify Against Luxury Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

Looking towards the waterfront at Atlantic Avenue

Identified building sites in Brooklyn Bridge Park indicated in orange

(image credit: Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation)

Rendering of Pier 6 Brooklyn from Bridge Park Development Corporation

Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates' vision for Brooklyn Bridge Park

made into a postcard by the Park Defence Fund

Another public hearing on alternatives to housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park will be held on Thursday, March 31st at 5:30 PM at St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street (between Court and Clinton Streets)

Though the City and developers have tried to convince the community that five additional buildings within the park are the only solution to finance the Park, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund and community activists know that this is not true.

As Roy Sloane, President of the Cobble Hill Association notes below, the community overwhelmingly opposes the idea of luxury housing in a public park. The public put forth a number of ideas to generate revenue for the park to fund its operation and maintenance.

From Roy Sloane:

I want to thank you again for your commitment to creating the best park possible for our communities, along the waterfront.

We are at a critical juncture. The Brooklyn Bridge Park developers and private Conservancy are out in force trying to convince park users that the only way to pay for the park is through housing inside park borders. 5 more buildings are in the plan.

The new report by Bay Area Economics proves differently. These consultants found many ways to pay for the park without housing. But they did not look at the biggest revenue opportunities: The Jehovah Witness properties immediately adjacent to the park.

Nor did they consider the Atlantic Ferry Landing concept that would serve as an entertainment and recreational draw on Pier 6.

Nor did they consider the Real Estate Transaction fee (East Hampton does this to preserve open space).

Nor did they fairly price events, concessions or even movie shoots (suggesting that Steven Spielberg pay only a $300 permit fee to use the park is, well, irresponsible).

I ask you to please take 1 hour out of your civic schedule to please attend the hearing on Thursday, March 31st at 5:30 PM and TESTIFY that we don't want nor do we need more private housing inside this park. The consultant's report proves this. And if they now look

at the revenue ideas they ignored in the draft, maybe we can move to a new phase for BBP.

They do not read our testimony but they do listen. Could you pls attend this meeting and speak out?

Thank you. Roy Sloane

Related Reading:

*Building In NY City Parks? In 1912, Such A Suggestion Sparked Outrage

*A Moment Back In Time: Atlantic Avenue Before The BQE

*What Would Frederic Olmsted Have Thought? At Second Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

*Public Park Or Private Enclave? Last Night's Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

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Picture Of The Day: Green Umbrella, Green Truck On A Rainy Friday

On a rainy day on Atlantic Avenue and Court Street.

I first noticed the bright green truck

and then the umbrella in the same shade,

before almost getting run over while taking this picture.

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A Moment Back In Time: Atlantic Avenue Before The BQE

I just recently came across this photo of Atlantic Avenue, seen from Hicks Street, before the Brooklyn Queens Expressway Overpass was erected. The picture is dated 1950.

I love the unobstructed view of the water and the harbor.

Yesterday, I attempted to take a photo from the same spot, but honestly, traffic was so heavy, that it was difficult to recreate the shot.

The row of houses on the right side are still intact, but one in the distance, where the on ramp to the highway is located right now, was taken down.

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Visitors To Abandoned Tunnel Pop Out Of Atlantic Avenue

Always a fun sight!
One by one, they popped out of the center of the Atlantic Avenue/ Court Street intersection.
The small crowd had just concluded their tour of the abandoned Atlantic Railroad Tunnel and were making their way back up.

The tunnel, which was originally opened in 1844, runs for a couple of blocks towards Brooklyn Heights. However, its use was discontinued by the 1860's. The tunnel was sealed and forgotten.
It was rediscovered by Robert "Bob" Diamond in 1981. He had tirelessly researched its existence. With a set of plans which he found at the Borough President's office, he was able to locate an opening at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street.
It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989.

I have always wanted to visit the tunnel, but have not managed to do so yet. Have you?

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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A Moment In Time: Reading The Headlines

They were bent over the little cart
stacked with newspapers
and were reading the day's headlines
in front of Clinton News,
right off Atlantic Ave.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Atlantic Antic 2009 Draws Biggest Crowd Ever In Its 35th Year

Atlantic Antic 2009

It is the best street fair in town, isn't it?
The people
the food,
the unique arts and crafts
the cool Tees...

Where else but Brooklyn would one find such variety?

But pardon me for asking! Was it more crowded this time than ever before?

My favorite part is still Eddie the Sheik's orchestra.

What was yours?

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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