"A Charlie Brown Christmas" Returns To Brooklyn Lyceum

If the Christmas spirit hasn't quite grabbed you yet, perhaps the "Charlie Brown Christmas" show at the Brooklyn Lyceum is just what you need. Now in its fifth year, the show has become a local holiday tradition for people of all ages.

The mostly Brooklyn-based cast and band retell the beloved story of how a little crooked tree taught Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang the true meaning of the holidays.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to cover use of the Lyceum space and the remainder is donated the Children's Aid Society. The actors and musicians perform for free just to "bring some smiles to the faces of grown-up children who remember the cartoon from their childhood but we also give their kids a chance to experience the good-natured joy and altruism that Charles Schultz expressed in this holiday favorite."

It doesn't get any better than this.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Join the Peanuts gang again this year and help celebrate the show's 5th anniversary
at the Brooklyn Lyceum!!

4th Avenue between Union and President Street

Performance dates:

December 6th-8pm

December 7th-8pm

December 8th-1pm, 4pm, 7pm

December 9th-1pm, 4pm, 7pm

December 15th-1pm, 4pm, 7pm

December 16th-1pm, 4pm, 7pm

Tickets available at the door or online at brooklynlyceum.com

Directed by Mollie Vogt-Welch

Band:

Keyboards- Stephanie Sanders

Bass- Jon Shaw

Drums- Tim Lykins

Cast:

Charlie Brown-Justin Tyler

Lucy- Gillian Smith

Linus-Doug Aho

Snoopy-Amy Fitts and Susan Forman

Sally-Lindsey Washburn, Rochelle Smith and Ursula Connolly

Schroeder-Jon Barton and JT Mikulka

Pig Pen-Francis Kelly, Christian Rozakis and Jon Siciliani

Violet- Chelsea Lovett and Allison Linker

Peppermint Patty-Candice Pennefather, Kelly Roska and Aly Rosenfeld

Frieda- Erin West and Andrea Brodfuehrer

Shermie-Nathan Chang

Dancing Shoulder Guy- Arthur Rollin 

Dancing Twins- Quinn Vogt-Welch and Mollie Vogt-Welch

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"Etymology" Jewelry Trunk Show at Olives On Court Street

photo credit: Natalie Jacob

If you are doing holiday shopping in the neighborhood this Saturday, you might want to stop by Etymology's Jewelry Trunk Show at Olive's Very Vintage on Court Street. Designed by Natalie Jacob, a local independent jewelry designer, her work "is vintage inspired with a modern edge."

If you miss it, don't worry. You can also purchase her pieces from her Etsy boutique

Etymology Jewelry Trunk Show at Olive's Very Vintage

Saturday, Dec. 8th, from 11 am- 8 pm

434 Court Street between  2nd and 3rd Place

Bklyn 11231

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Question Of The Day: Any Good Tailor In the Neighborhood?

Here is a question from Reader ES, who wants t know if she could get a recommendation for a good tailor or seamstress in the neighborhood.
She writes:

"I'm not sure if you can field these types of questions, but here goes. I will be needing alterations on a wedding gown in several months -- it's a simple and light gown but with a few delicate details. I know there are no shortage of dry cleaners in the neighborhood to choose from, but I would feel better working with a tailor or seamstress who has experience with wedding dresses. I've visited One Stop on Court Street and he did a great job on a bridesmaid's dress I brought in, but I would also love to hear any other." recommendations. Thanks!

How about it?  Any advice?

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Gowanus Canal Superfund Clean-Up Update: During Next Few Days, EPA Collecting Coring Samples For Stabilization Study

photo credit: Brian Carr

In just a few weeks, the US Environmental Protection Agency will be releasing its Superfund Proposed Clean-Up Plan for the Gowanus Canal. The plan, drafted by Christos Tsiamis,  the EPA Project Manager for the Gowanus, and his EPA Region 2 team has been submitted to the Agency's headquarters in Washington for review.  A copy has also been sent to New York State's Department Of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  Region 2 has already received comments on the plan from Headquarters, but is still waiting to hear from DEC.
EPA is planning on holding a public meeting in January or February to explain the plan to the general public.  The meeting will be followed by a public comment period.

In the meantime, more testing is taking place in the canal.  Late last week, Brian Carr, EPA Region 2 Legal Council, shared with me the photo above, showing a crew collecting coring samples in the Canal at Public Place near 5th Street. The coring is being done at EPA's request and under EPA's supervision by a National Grid sub-contractor.
Carr explained: "EPA will use the samples for preliminary laboratory tests to determine the proper mix for "In-situ Stabilization" or ISS. ISS is essentially mixing the sand beneath the canal with concrete which will chemically bind with the NAPL contamination. This is being considered as an additional capping layer at the bottom of the canal after dredging removes the accumulated sediments."

The work will take approximately two weeks.  However, it may take longer since New York City has informed the EPA that the 3 upper canal bridges (at Union Street, Carroll Street and Third Street) have been damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
This would mean that the crew can not take its boat further up the canal for more sampling.

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Update: What Are Those Handwritten Letters "To Business Owner" Taped To Smith Street Storefronts?

I just received an email from Reader N. who noticed envelopes addressed to storeowners taped to storefronts on Smith Street. He writes:

I wanted to ask you (or alert you) about something I saw this morning (8am) on Smith Street: Every store front on both sides of the street between Sackett and Warren (where I got on the train, so it’s likely they extended beyond these blocks) had an envelope taped to it that said (handwritten) “To: Business Owner”. A couple of these envelopes had a return address for TransAmerica (company description mentioned Mergers and Acquisitions). Could you find out what all of these solicitations are about?

Does anyone have an idea what the letters are about? Any shop owners out there who care to share with us?

UPDATE:
I got my hands on one of the letters.  See photos below.
The letters are actually from Transworld, business advisors that offer services like business sales, franchises, mergers and acquisitions.  Transworld was founded in 2010 and is located on Prince Street in Brooklyn. According to a Yelp page, "Transworld Business Advisors is the world leader in the marketing and sales of businesses, franchises and commercial real estate. Whether you represent an acquisition-minded corporation, or are personally interested in owning your own company, Transworld offers the professional services that successfully bring buyers and sellers together. From business brokerage to mergers and acquisitions; we are the business sale specialists."

They were distributed to businesses on quite a few blocks on Smith Street as well as Court Street.
Since it was taped to the front door of almost every store on certain blocks, Transworld does not seem to be in the market for a particular business.
Do you think there will be some takers out there?

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'This The Season: Carroll Park Tree Lighting Ceremony This Friday

The Carroll Park Tree Lighting Ceremony is always a great neighborhood event.  It is organized by the Court Street Merchants Association with the help of Friends Of Carroll Park.  It has been scheduled for this Friday, December 7th (the rain date is December 14th) at 6 PM.  The ceremony will feature Santa and his elves plus caroling and free refreshments.
See you there?

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Rum & Raisin: A New Boutique Coming To Smith Street

Get ready for yet another boutique in the neighborhood. Rum & Raisin, a new women's clothing and accessories store, will soon open at118 Smith Street in Boerum Hill.   Some work remains to be done, but the mannequins have already been moved in.   According to it's Facebook page, Rum & Raisin already has a store on King's Highway here in Brooklyn.
The storefront, which is located between Dean and Pacific Street, was occupied by Smith Street Pet Food until recently.

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