Views of a born and bred Brooklynite. (umbrooklynborn@gmail.com) This blog satisfies my need to hear and air feelings of B'klyn from the people whose life experience were born here. Hopefully it'll balance to some of the revisionist historical musings I've seen as if Bklyn barely existed before the 90's. Brooklyn as Tabula Rasa. If we can all live as best possible while appreciating the past and neighbors we've inherited that would be great too.
I was scoffing all night this snow storm. 6 inches of snow? Closed schools? C'mon… I said. I walked through 26 inches of snow to get to the 7th grade I said. Well I was wrong. If you've gone out in it you know it's not the snow, its the air temps which are hovering around 0º. If you're hyper-active kid you might be okay but otherwise don't be outside long.
Here's some fun pics from Prospect Park, I especially commend the body sledder.
(above) "Summer Breeze" Recorded by: by Seals And Crofts available on
(That's my attempt to show appreciation for my usage of "Summer Breeze"
The days have been breezing by this summer, for me at least. Last year, without going to deep was one of me floating on a raft too small in an ocean too big. This sun season, I'm on a yacht, not mine, but still a comfortable passenger and often going too fast to notice my travels.
All that to say this post will be a digest of what's past and what I've noticed of late in regards to Brooklyn, New York and me this summer (so far):
The tree terrorist is back. Sunday morning I spotted branches ripped from Bedford thru Franklin and down Eastern Parkway. (photos to come) Last week I saw branches ripped off down Eastern Parkway all the way to Grand Army plaza. I presume this is still the reason.
also
The apartment building that was heavily damaged by fire last year at the corner of Franklin Av and Park which housed many residents and two beloved eateries, seems to be getting renovations after a year without residents. Men were unloading trucks with bricks and other construction materials into the building during the week of July 1st. (photos to come)
and
In the midst of the heatwave (Which I missed) Con Ed kept trying to keep Brooklynites and Bronxies (what are the Bronx denizens called?) by threatening to cut power if we didn't first. I saw one of those enormous trucks with the feeder-cables sitting on Franklin as ConEd workers went down on Park. But we seemed to have come through it all fine.(photos to come)
plus
Just when New Yorkers though LeBron's going to Miami would suck all the sports news out of the air, it was suddenly time to say goodbye to George Steinbrenner. A man who let's face it handled more money that most of us every will, who affected the news, the people and the city and occassionally the world in away many never have, and who (this is important to my sensibilities) came from advantage like most people who have affect on the world. All that to say he was not the common man. But his life in New York made you, if you were a certain kind of New Yorker, feel he was as reachable as putting your hands on the concrete at the base of the Empire State Building. He was a tangible part of New York for Millions of New Yorkers who would never meet him, and who frankly he gave to, but overall took from. I quantify that last statement by fact that the New Yankee Stadium was built with around $1 Billion in public subsidized money and that the new stadium's revenues go to the Steinbrenner family and not to the city despite building on city land and enjoying city cops as security among other unpaid for city services.
However in terms of passing, I felt a shift in my perceptions with the passing of George Steinbrenner as much for his outsized personality as for my own sense of time and place. officially another aspect of the life I've lived, the place I knew has ceased to be part of the now and is forever more the then. I don't think that's over stating considering my entire life has known the character of the Boss representing a certain NYC archetype, brooding and billowing in the Bronx and now that mountain moves from the earth to the memory.
In a related story the times has this piece written by the son of a woman who as a young woman got to know a young George, it's a sweet series of anecdotes about "the Boss" that show how we're all young, at least once:
Last week was Summer event crazy with The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew and more at the Prospect Park, Jimmy Cliff (!) at Summer Stage in Central Park, The Soul Summit (Dance Party) back at Fort Greene Park, and non stop line up of events performances and concerts at other parks around the city. I didn't write about any cause I was too busy getting down.
Next up at the MLK Jr Concert series at Wingate Field and Seaside Summer Concert series Asser Levy Park/Seaside Park, are these events
Here a schedule for the Martin Luther King Jr. and Seaside concert series in Brooklyn. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., and are free. Information: (718) 222-0600 or brooklynconcerts.com
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SERIES Wingate Field, Brooklyn Avenue, between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street, Wingate.
Monday: Toni Braxton
July 26: Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele
Aug. 2: Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty by Nature and Slick Rick
Aug. 9: Aretha Franklin
Aug. 16: BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Fred Hammond
Aug. 23: Sean Paul and the Mighty Sparrow
SEASIDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Asser Levy Park/Seaside Park, West Fifth Street and Surf Avenue, where Brighton Beach meets Coney Island.
Thursday: The Beach Boys, the Turtles, the Monkees and Mark Lindsay
July 29: George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Aug. 5: John Legend
Aug. 12: Aretha Franklin
Aug. 19: The B-52s and Belinda Carlisle
Aug. 26: Annual Latino Music by the Sea concert
And I want to draw attention to a few blogs I read.
First the Kensington Stories written by Ron Lopez. His perspective comes as a life time resident raised in the neighborhood of Kensington, think Church Avenue on the F (and now G) Train (although he always writes about his place up state). We've exchanged some letters and Ron's a good guy with good stories of the old neighborhood ( I lived there for three years, but a bit after Ron's day).
Next up is back2brooklyn.blogspot written by Nora Campisi. I don't know much about Nora, but her stories are authentic Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and come with some great photos.
Ah summer... hot, outdoors and thanks to less than civil Brooklynites, filty.
I'm reposting from Gothamist, the Brooklyn Paper and the Daily News with stories and video of Prospect Park post 4th of July trash strewn, and the ashtray formerly known as Coney Island beach thanks to careless smokers. Although in fareness Coney Island while dirty is still cleaner than it used to be....
The Daily News writes:
The Daily News was easily able to gather a small mountain of butts from the sand - nearly 1,000 in all - as the holiday crowds thinned on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
"It's disgusting," said Michael Austine, 50, of Middle Village, Queens, as he surveyed the tobacco addicts' litter.
Meanwhile from Prospect Park comes this video narrated by Gersh Kuntzman of the Brooklyn Paper:
One thing I notice in the video of the park is some people seemed to try and use the trash bins available, but the parks could clearly use more. Perhaps bringing out large dumpsters for Holiday weekends or having staffers come by at the end of the day and point out to park goers where to dump. Maybe that would help with clean up?
The following statement from the Parks Department's Adrian Benepe, regarding not only Prospect Park but all city parks:
“The July 4 holiday weekend, fireworks display, and the extremely hot weather together made for a triple-whammy as huge crowds flocked to the city’s beaches, pools and parks.
More than 2.4 million went to the city’s 14 miles of beach over the three-day weekend, with more than 1.1 million on Monday alone, watched over by a large municipal lifeguard corps. The 54 outdoor pools were filled to capacity, and tens of thousands more made use of spray showers in over 450 parks. Massive crowds also arrived at all the traditional picnic and barbecue spots.
At Prospect Park, clean-up crews were out working in the park every day of the long, holiday weekend from 5 am until midnight as thousands of park goers enjoyed picnicking and barbecuing from early in the morning to late in the evening. The clean-up continues all day today and throughout the week and the summer ahead, and we ask for New Yorkers to pitch in by carrying trash to the receptacles provided and leaving it neatly placed next to the receptacles if they fill up.
Don’t dump your coals near a tree because it will kill its roots. Recycle your bottles and cans. And remember, every time you re-use a water bottle, that’s one less plastic bottle going to a landfill.”
Tomorrow's the big day, the party in the park (Prospect not Fort Greene) in memory of Michael Jackson. Expect to see Spike Lee and Boro Prez Marty, and hear DJ Spinna, more details from Gothamist, who I appreciate for doing the heavy blog lifting.
Remember it's 12-5pm, rain or shine, Nethermead lawn of the Park.
PARK DELICATESSEN SKATE SHOP AND GARDENING SUPPLY Park Delicatessen`s BIGGEST skate jam of the summer is finally here!!
ALL NEW RAMPS!!,LIVE MUSIC!!,GIVEAWAYS!!,NO CORPORATE SPONSORS!!,NO E DRINK GIRLS!! Music starts at noon - 533 Park Place Between Washington And Classon Ave. 2, 3, 4, 5 to Franklin Ave. S to Park Place Feel free to call (them) at the shop with any Questions!!!! 718-789-8889
Clinton Hill
Brooklyn Bayou Brunch in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Saturday, August 8th from 10 am until 1 pm
Council Member James will graciously act as your server during brunch from 10am – 1pm on Saturday August 8th at Autour Du Monde restaurant, located at 860 Fulton Street near Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn – She will assist the chefs and act as waitress for the many food lovers who attend this affordable weekly event, which also features live jazz music. Entrees served include the following: Beignets and Coffee; Bananas Foster Waffles; Shrimp Po-Boys; French Quarter Chicken; and Brooklyn Bayou Breakfast.
You are invited to come share this extraordinary New Orleans experience with her and the community at Autour Du Monde restaurant in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill to host a New Orleans style Brooklyn Bayou Brunch this Saturday.
Where: Autour Du Monde restaurant, 860 Fulton Street (corner of Clinton Avenue – C train to Clinton-Washington exit & B25 & B26 buses along Fulton Street)
For more information contact: Claire Wood at (917) 209-7466, and/or Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
Fort Greene
DER SCHWARZE KöLNER Dale Hall, an Englishman who spent 17 years in Germany, moved to the United States six years ago. He and Randi Lockemann, left, imported German furniture. On Aug. 8, the two are opening a beer hall in Fort Greene, where they live. Sausages, communal tables and 18 German brews on tap are all you need to know. The name, Mr. Hall said, refers both to Cologne’s famous sooty cathedral (schwarze means black) and to Mr. Hall’s Afro-Jamaican heritage: 710 Fulton Street (South Oxford Street ), Fort Greene, Brooklyn, (347) 841-4495. (from the NY Times)
Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn & Lyricist Lounge Present Big Daddy Kane performing live with his band Connie Price And The Keystones
Hosted and special performance by The #1 Beat Boxer In The World: Rahzel feat. DJ JS-1
Exclusive Brooklyn Tribute video mix by VJ Ralph Mcdaniels! Screening of BDK: The Big Daddy Kane Story
Also Performances by
Blitz The Ambassador Emilio Rojas Retro Kidz
@ Prospect Park Bandshell (9 St. & Prosect Park West)
Show @ 7 PM Sharp! It's FREE!!!
Sunday August9th
D.U.M.B.o. Brooklyn Flea 11am - 6pm Under the Brooklyn Bridge(actually)
Fort Greene Habana Outpost is having their movie night sunday starting sunset and featuring Star Wars!
Crunchy! That's how some people are feeling after the Heatwave, (nope not the weather or the 70's singing group who we love, even when they're out of key.) The Heatwave I'm referring to was version "9.0" of a unofficially organized barbecue in Prospect Park, and everybody's still simmering over the aftermath.
Interestingly my dude mentioned it was happening last weekend and for a brief moment I considered going. Instead I chose the Soul Summit in Fort Greene Park, and would have never thought of it again had it not been for the debate that followed.
Celebrate Brooklyn! Presents African Festival Saturday, July 18, 2009 2 - 9 p.m. Celebrate Brooklyn!’s annual all-day festival of music, food and crafts features a lineup of music selected to keep dancers moving into the night [Link]
Macy's Fishing Contest July 15 - 19, 2009 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Join a great Brooklyn tradition: Prospect Park's annual fishing contest![Link]
City of Water Day 10:00am - 4:00pm Governors Island. Take the free Ferry from the Battery Maritime building in Manhattan or Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn. An annual celebration of New York's waterways with fun events and live music, a Scavenger Hunt that highlights the island's history and environmental significance [Link]
Tonight Afrokinetic Party @ the Old American Can Factory, Carmina Soul returns OUTDOORS in the courtyard, part 4 of this 7 part series. 9:00 PM – 4:00 AM cover: $10 [Link]
Sunday July 19th
BoCoCa Arts Festival; held in Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens includes music, theater and more. See Web site for complete schedule.[Link]
Lefferts 2nd Floor Tours every Saturday and Sunday. In June from 1:30 - 4:30; July & August, 1:30 - 5:30 Free! Explore the unique architecture of Lefferts Historic House on this special tour.[Link]
Farmers Market; J.J. Byrne Park • Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street When: 11 am–5 pm, Sundays: Free [Link]
And tonight at the Prospect Park Bandshell, Femi Kuti & the Positive Force/Melvin Gibbs Elevated Entity. If you don't know about the musical majesty of Femi Kuti (son of Afro Beat legend Fela Kuti) now's your chance to jump, funk and sway to the rhythms. Gate @ 6pm donations suggested ($3) http://briconline.org/celebrate/
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