The 2013 'Girls Write Now' Oscars Party To Be Held At PJ Hanley's

Reader Elaine reached out to let me know of a charity event for Girls Write Now, which will be held right here in Carroll Gardens.   Founded in 1998, the organization "pairs professional women writers with at-risk and under-served NYC teenage girls for a writing and mentoring relationship."

Its a worthwhile organization and a fun event, so please consider attending and/or donation.

More details below:

The 2013 Girls Write Now Oscars Party

Please join us for light food, drinks, great raffle prizes,

and the Academy Awards on multiple TV screens.

Sunday, February 24, 7 PM

From red carpet coverage until the show ends!

PJ Hanley's

449 Court Street at 4th Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231

F train to Carroll Street, walk one block to Court Street and make a left

Tickets

$25 in advance, $30 at the door

includes light food and one drink

RSVP on Facebook

Buy tickets in advance here: http://oscars2013gwn.eventbrite.com/

All proceeds from the event will support Girls Write Now,

celebrating fifteen years of mentoring the next generation of women writers.

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Community Board 6 Votes To Deny Sidewalk Café License For Buschenschank

(Buschenschank owners in front of CB6 Permit and License Committee last night)

Members of Community Board 6 's Permits and Licenses Committee voted to deny a sidewalk café license for Buschenschank, the pseudo-Tyrolian beer pub at 320 Court Street at a meeting held at the Prospect Park YMCA last night. The establishment had requested a permit for an additional 18 tables and 48 chairs for the outside area. 

Several members of the community had taken the time to show up at the meeting to tell the Committee that Buschenschank was a terribly noisy neighbor and that, on warm days, the eatery actually removes all of its windows, allowing loud music to escape from the establishment. One resident pointed out that the establishment was operating like an open-air beer garden. Another resident suggested that, with the windows wide open, Buschenschank already had a sidewalk café of sorts.

Noise complaints were not the only problem. It was pointed out that there are currently quite a few open NYC Building's Department violations noted for the building housing the bar. In addition,  when asked, the owners confirmed that they do not have a Place Of Assembly Permit, though they clearly have more than 75 people (including staff) in their establishment on a busy night. (The owner denied that they exceed that capacity.)

Glenn Kelly, one of the Committee member pointed out to the owners of Buschenschank that, according to NYC Department Of Environmental Protection's rules, a restaurant or bar's doors and windows are to be kept closed at all times to prevent noise from escaping onto the sidewalk. Asked if they would keep those windows closed from now on, the owners seemed defiant and said "no". "If that was a rule, how come we never got a violation from DEP at Buschenschank or at our other place, P.J. Hanley's?"

Committee member Lou Sones asked if the owners intended to close the windows during the summer, when the air conditioner would be running. The owners again said "No." Sones informed them that that was a violation as well, which did not seem to impress the owners much.

Their cavalier attitude and their arrogance did not sit well with members of the Board. "You seem to to be willing to make getting tickets part of your business strategy at the expense of the community," Committee member Joe Porcelli told them.

In related new, the Commmittee approved a sidewalk café license for both Café Bruno on Henry Street as well as for Marco Polo on Court Street.

The Committee also voted to renew a sidewalk café license for Abelene, but, since the Community Board had received several complaints about the bar, the owner was asked to follow DEP rules and keep its large windows closed.

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P.J. Hanley's Sanitation Inspection Grade Not Quite So Pending

One of my readers recently pointed out to me that P.J. Hanley's at 449 Court Street at the corner of 4th Street, has been displaying a sign in its window indicating that its Sanitation Inspection Grade from the New York City Department Of Health was 'pending'.  
The sign, according to the reader has been there for quite some time, although the Health Department has issued the bar/restaurant a C grade in August 2011, when Hanley's earned 33 violation points during an inspection.  A re-inspection on January 4, 2012 did not improve matters.  It was still issued 32 violation points for, amongst other things, adulterated, contaminated raw and cooked meat, as well as evidence of mice and filth flies.
Just a few days ago, someone else sent me a photo taken of a make-shift open fire pit, which had been assembled on the sidewalk last week-end right in front of Hanley's.  (When I walked by two days ago, it was disassembled and stored in the side courtyard.)  
Besides pointing out the obvious health and fire hazard, the reader wrote: "I can't for the life of me understand why this community puts up with their flagrant abuse of the law."

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P.J. Hanley's Neighbors In For Rough St. Patty's Night As Tavern Expands Its Tented Real Estate

For most, Saint Patrick's Day means wearing green, having fun and going out to drink. That goes without saying. Even here in Carroll Gardens, a neighborhood that was home to a large Irish population before it became predominantly Italian, many will celebrate the night away. That's cool.

P.J. Hanley's at 449 Court Street, is certainly expecting a huge crowd tonight. To accommodate everyone for St. Patrick's Day, they have erected a huge tent over their already tented courtyard, and it extends all the way onto the sidewalk. (Are they allowed to do that? Just asking...)

The tavern, founded in 1875, has been using its side courtyard as outdoor seating for a couple of years now. A few summer seasons ago, the owners covered part of the yard with a big semi-permanent tent, so that they could extend the season and increase seating in their establishment, even when the weather was not co-operating.

As the saying goes, one man's pleasure is another man's pain. One has to feel bad for Hanley's neighbors. It's bound to be a very, very loud and sleepless night for them.

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