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A Bit o’ Brooklyn in Dublin

A Bit o’ Brooklyn in Dublin published on 2 Comments on A Bit o’ Brooklyn in Dublin

Dublin, Ireland

Honey, we’re home! You may notice some differences in the blog in the upcoming days/weeks. Right now, you may be noticing the amount of spam that has gotten through what with the upgrade and all. I’m dealing with it!

Anyhoo, we dubbed this little strip of shops in Dublin the “New York Street” because it had Bedford Stuy Barbers, a New York Ray’s Pizza (not the original though) and Flip Vintage. Ok, so Flip isn’t native to NYC, but I used to shop at the one on W. 8th Street all the time, so it made me homesick.

This Irish-now-American tourist insisted on being in the shot. Says he’s living in Bed Stuy now. Never saw him before in my life.

Sweet Home Brooklyn

Sweet Home Brooklyn published on 1 Comment on Sweet Home Brooklyn

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So, this Alabama chick desperately wants to move to Brooklyn and posts a donation listing on Etsy (actual listing deleted). You know, she’s a young artist, blah, blah, blah. She’s looking to raise $2500 and settle into a 1 bedroom apartment.

Brokelyn caught this non-story first and then Gothamist picked up on it. Now I feel sorry for her.

The Brokelyn comments are somewhat obnoxious but also apologetic. Basically, people are saying they worked hard to get to this paradise and there are no handouts for fresh faced wannabees. At the time of this writing (last night) there was only one native Brooklynite posting and that was me. I was all like “We don’t need any more artist transplants.” Seriously, we have enough.

Ok, I could see me being obnoxious. Most born and bred New Yorkers I know aren’t having a love affair with the skinny-jean-wearing-lose-that-stupid-beard-hipster-doofus-from-Ohio. But where’s the love from the fellow Alabama (or insert boring state here) doofusi? Lock the door behind you? Not very peaceloveandunderstanding of you.

Jeez, and the Gothamist comments are brutal! Insulting her art and her looks? You know these losers are just sore because they didn’t think of it first! I almost want to give her money just to prove these brats wrong.

But I won’t. I’ll just bitch about it instead.

Coney Island 1/1/11

Coney Island 1/1/11 published on 1 Comment on Coney Island 1/1/11

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Happy 2011! We made our annual trek down to Coney for the Polar Bear swim. Apologies for the photos in advance. Arrived too late to get the 1pm “Everybody into the water!”, then realized my lens filter was shattered and stuck on the lens. So, some artsy “cracked lens” technique going on here.

New Year’s Day Polar Bears 2009

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Check out the shot of me photographing this guy!

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Snow Day!

Snow Day! published on

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Wow, thought I’d get out and take some snappies of the snow this morning. I couldn’t walk more than half as block as nothing is shoveled or plowed yet. These are images of Verona Place and Macon Street. Fulton is a-ok.

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Most importantly, check out my car! I didn’t have to clear it. The wind blew the right way. I know, I know…I’ll be plowed in later.

We couldn’t even open the door to the back yard and the dogs didn’t want to go out on our tiny path in the front. Hubby had to climb down from the second floor window to shovel an area in the back for the finicky pups. Little bitches.

50 Years Ago in Park Slope

50 Years Ago in Park Slope published on

Many of us weren’t even born yet in 1960, but most of us now know what disaster looks like when a plane smashes into a crowded neighborhood. Such was the case in Park Slope 50 years ago today, when a United Airlines flight came down on 7th Avenue and Sterling Place.

It was the deadliest air disaster at the time, killing 134 people. One boy survived, only to die the next morning. Of all the people who perished that day, Stephen Baltz puts a human face on the disaster. Please read these two wonderful articles….

“A Little Brother Remembers” appears today in the NY Times written by William Allen Baltz, Stephen’s brother.

In 2002, Wendell Jamieson wrote a piece for the Times called “The Day The Boy Fell From The Sky“. He writes of Stephen’s rescue and introduces us to the nurse who stayed with the boy in the hospital.

10 Reasons to Shop Gifted

10 Reasons to Shop Gifted published on

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Gifted starts today at 11am and runs through December 23rd. Why shop Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted? LIST!!!

1. It’s indoors and heated.

2. A million subway lines plus the LIRR will get you there.

3. Support small businesses.

4. Nothing made in China. Unless it’s an antique.

5. Most vendors accept credit cards and if not, there’s an ATM in the building.

6. Who doesn’t like hand made??

7. Plenty o’ food for the foodies.

8. Have ya seen The Williamsburgh Savings Bank? It’s friggin gorgeous!

9. Maybe the Christmas music won’t be so bad (no promises).

10. I’ll be there. Space G-69 in the back room. Blog posts may be sporadic this week, so you’ll have to come for in-person updates.

RIP Zig Zag Records on Avenue U

RIP Zig Zag Records on Avenue U published on 1 Comment on RIP Zig Zag Records on Avenue U

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Yeah, it still existed up until recently. If you grew up in Brooklyn, you probably frequented  Zig Zag Records throughout your teens, rummaging through albums, imported 45’s and back issues of NME. And chances are, like me, you haven’t been there since the 80’s unless you’re a vinyl aficionado.

To tell you the truth, I was under the impression that Zig Zag closed years ago. I’m never on Avenue U and I hardly even buy CD’s anymore, no less vinyl.

Ah, but back in the day! There were two record shops worth traveling to Avenue U for. Titus Oaks and Zig Zag. Titus Oaks, which shut down years ago, was the larger of the two. They were major! But Zig Zag was cooler (IMHO). It seemed more “cutting edge” and “under the radar” so to speak.

Zig Zag opened it’s doors in 1977 and had a large punk and new wave following at the time. By the 80’s, it kind of went heavy metal. I only discovered it in the 80’s during my own British Invasion phase and there was enough punk, ska and new wave to satisfy me. Never got into the metal thing.

I found that this guy bought out the collection. What’s next? Bleecker Bob’s?

No, Kush Didn’t Shut Down.

No, Kush Didn’t Shut Down. published on

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One of our favorite restaurants in Brooklyn is Kush Cafe. We are regulars there, but admittedly, it’s been at least a month since we last ate there. So when we decided to go for brunch yesterday and saw that the gate and sign were down and paper covered the window, we freaked out.

The last few times we had eaten there, it seemed slow. My husband was all like “They didn’t survive the recession.” and “It’s our fault. They closed because we haven’t eaten there in a while.”

But don’t worry Kush fans, that’s not the case! After some extensive detective work (facebooking the hostess), I found out that Kush is closed for renovations and will reopen at the end of the month.

So, this is really a non-story. But just in case you were nervous like we were, now you know. And if you’ve never been, you should go so they do stay in business forever.

PS: While I was looking for images for this post, I came across Kush Chef Sammy’s private cooking website. “Moveable Chef” is his business outside of the restaurant. He will come to your home and cook for you or provide personalized menu prepared meals. Kewl.

Coney’s Last Gasp

Coney’s Last Gasp published on

Yesterday was such a beautiful day that we decided to visit Aunt Elaine in Coney Island and have a stroll along the boardwalk. We happened upon the final last call (maybe) of Ruby’s and Paul’s Daughters (aka Gregory’s). Their leases have been terminated to make way for the Disneyfication of Coney Island. Amusing the Zillion and Sheepshead Bites have the full story.

I’ve mentioned here before that I lived in Brightwater Towers across from the aquarium during my teen years. I was still there, living with my parents, when I took up photography. To this day, my favorite place to shoot is Coney during the winter months, when it’s desolate. The decay is what makes it beautiful.

Coney Island’s appearance (or lack of) is not what makes it special. The people do. Like the lost Times Square of the 1970’s, Coney is home to a vast array of eccentric souls. The geriatric handball players. The big Russian guys swimming in sub zero temperatures. The ladies with hair to match the candy apples.

I like to think that they will remain. The courts, the water and the boardwalk will always be there for them. As gentrification spreads around the neighborhood, they will probably be priced out or bought out though.

Who knows? Maybe one day Florida will be become the new Coney Island. Oh right, a bunch of them are down there with my mom already. And you know what? It’s really not the same. 🙁

Props to Brooklyn

Props to Brooklyn published on 5 Comments on Props to Brooklyn

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Awesome news for County of Kings thrift junkies! Film Biz Recycling is moving to Gowanus! If you want to hit the Long Island City space one last time, they are having a name-your-price clearance sale starting today until the end of the month.

Grand opening at 540 President Street will be on or around December 1st.

If you’ve never been, the massive shop is chock full of used TV and movie props. Everything from vintage dish sets to clean linens to artwork.  It. is. awesome. And it will be ours! F.U. Queens where I was never able to find parking.

Also! The new space will stock building materials and paints. So again, Brooklynites won’t have to schlep to Build it Green in Queens for these items.

It’s a win/win for everyone. (Except Queens)

Rant Van in Brooklyn

Rant Van in Brooklyn published on

So, I was driving down 9th Street near Smith and I see this “Rant Van” in front of me. Curious little thing that I am, I googled them when I got home and sho’nuff, Rant Van is exactly as the name suggests.

The venting service is the brainchild of Mad Props Productions. I don’t know if they drive around and people flag them down like a taxi or if they park somewhere. This is the first I’ve seen of them and the video archives only go back to October.

Awesome idea, no?

Gifted ala BK Flea. Save the Date!

Gifted ala BK Flea. Save the Date! published on 3 Comments on Gifted ala BK Flea. Save the Date!

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Yup. It’s not even Halloween and I’m talking Christmukkah already. This year the Brooklyn Flea takes Gifted back to our favorite boro. The 9 day festival of fleas will take place at the beautiful 1 Hanson (aka Williamsburg Savings Bank). Design Sponge is partnering up.

Historic Bed Stuy Architecture Snappies

Historic Bed Stuy Architecture Snappies published on 1 Comment on Historic Bed Stuy Architecture Snappies

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Much enjoyed touring my own area of Bed Stuy yesterday with Andrew Dolkart, Brownstoner’s “Montrose Morris” and Save Bedford Stuyvesant‘s “Amzi Hill”. Since I didn’t take notes, I’m just posting some pics and referring you to the links above for your own research. Because I’m lazy that way.

Or…perhaps some kind reader will comment on what we’re looking at. 🙂

Full Flickr set.

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Historic Bed Stuy Walking Tour

Historic Bed Stuy Walking Tour published on 2 Comments on Historic Bed Stuy Walking Tour

Come see why I love my neighborhood so much! Bed Stuy is HU-UGE! This area is the proposed “Bedford Corners Historic District” aka “My Neck of the Woods”.

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