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PS 321 Crafts Fair This Saturday

PS 321 Crafts Fair This Saturday published on

Been a busy bee this week making stuff for Saturday’s PS 321 Crafts Fair. The annual event is hosted by the PTA to raise money for the Park Slope school. This is the first year I’ll be doing it, but apparently it gets very busy even though there isn’t much info out there for the public. ‘Tis why I created a Facebook page for the event.

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Anyway, between selling the house (not closed yet), the van, a bunch of furniture and doing a renovation and getting ready to refinance, I haven’t had much time to work. Hopefully, I’ll get some more done today and tomorrow and my booth won’t look totally pathetic.

Swing by if you can! Should be lots of cool crafters taking part.

PS 321 is located @ 180 7th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Hours are 11am-5pm on December 4th.

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Ride Vintage NYC Trains & Buses

Ride Vintage NYC Trains & Buses published on

During the holiday season, the MTA runs vintage subway and buses along certain routes at scheduled times. The cost is the same as any other ride. It just might not get you all the way to your destination. Click on the link to see schedule.The wicker seat trains stopped running in 1969. I am so old that I actually remember riding these a couple of time. I would have been 4 years old. They didn’t come often, but it was a treat when I got one. The lack of air conditioning was always fun. People sweating into the grooves of the seats. Ah, but they had overhead fans! And it was 35 cents for a token. Remember those little coin thingies they had before Metro Cards? Surely, you’re not THAT much younger than me!

If you’ve never been, the NY Transit Museum is one of the coolest places in Brooklyn. You can view these vintage trains and buses any time of the year.

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.

Last Ft. Greene Flea of the Season

Last Ft. Greene Flea of the Season published on

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Ah, the end of the outdoor flea season is upon us. This Saturday will be the last outdoor flea in Ft. Greene. Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Brooklyn Flea continues through the winter at 1 Hanson on Saturdays and Sundays. And don’t forget the Gifted market!

Me? I’m still trying to get rid of the larger pieces I brought back from the Beacon house. Oh, how I do miss the large space.

I’m just kind of putting together some pieces, but not painting/finishing them as I don’t have time and it’s hard to get the price for the work involved these days. I’ll have suggested prices on the furniture, but it’s “make me an offer day”!

The desk above is an old tool box sitting on top of porch balusters. We bought a bunch of salvaged balusters when we were redoing our porch, but decided to keep the original shingle design. I’m thinking $90 OBO.

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Hey, whaddayaknow? More balusters! This antique sled makes a fab bench or low table. $85 OBO. Keep an eye out for baluster candlesticks and baluster frames this holiday season.

Other leftover stuff I need to purge:

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This sweet mid century repainted coffee table has been sitting in the attic for a year. $75 marked down from $90 or best offer.

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Ooh, I forgot I had one of these school chairs left. They were selling for $55 last year. Um…$40?

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I have 3 matching marble/cherub tables I got from my cousin. I don’t have room for all 3. This side table…$95. Ask about the other side table or fabulous 8 cherub coffee table if interested. All Italian marble, circa 1950’s/60’s.

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I’m on the fence about selling these two gals. They looked great in my Beacon house and they seem a little out of place in the Bed Stuy home, but I still love them. I’d part with them for about $150 apiece, but maybe not much less.

Come visit the flea! I’m usually on the Clermont fence.

Flea Find: TMRnyc Metalwork

Flea Find: TMRnyc Metalwork published on

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I actually hauled my tuchus back to the Brooklyn Flea to hawk my wares last Saturday. I did get a chance to wander away from my own booth for a few minutes to check out some other vendors.

My “Wow, that’s impressive!” award this week goes to Scott Behr of TMRnyc. TMR is a metal work company. They do design, welding, machining, laser cutting….everything metal. And yes, much of it is recycled!

The “Swarf” tables above are re-purposed industrial scrap. At $2360 they are out of my price range, but if you have the bucks to spare, consider this: An elephant could sit on those tables and not break them (maybe).

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. 🙁

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?

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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RIP KPD. :(

RIP KPD. :( published on 3 Comments on RIP KPD. :(

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The NY Post reports that Brooklyn’s Kings Plaza Diner will close it’s doors after 35 years. There have been rumors going around, but it seems that this is for real as the land has already been sold to a developer.

KPD has been a beloved spot to many Brooklynites, not just those in southern Brooklyn. It took me 2 buses to get to Mill Basin when I was growing up, yet I found myself in that diner many times.

My high school BFF lived in the neighborhood. KPD stayed open late night (maybe 24 hours?) and there quite a few after club meals consumed there. Each booth had a personal jukebox, so we just hung out for hours. Who needed Starbucks back then?

My fondest memory is the night BFF crashed into the parking lot fence. No, we weren’t drunk. There was a snow storm and she had just gotten her permit but still was unsure of her driving skills. We were in another friend’s car and couldn’t get out of the spot because of the ice, so he got out and pushed while she steered. Well, we went screeching down the street and while we were swerving around, my life actually flashed before my eyes. (It really did!) When we were stopped by the fence after missing the telephone pole by about an inch, I was so happy to be alive that I wanted to do it again.

So, I’ll always remember Kings Plaza Diner for surviving my first brush with death.

I had since lost touch with HS BFF. She resurfaced about a month ago and we went to pop in on her in the old neighborhood. Guess where we had lunch before stalking her? We were so excited to be at KPD that I snapped the above photo of L at the booth. Who knew it would be our last time at the diner?

What Bed Stuy Needs

What Bed Stuy Needs published on 4 Comments on What Bed Stuy Needs

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Bed Stuy is home to some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the city. Countless people (including myself) have called it the “friendliest place” they’ve ever lived. The express A train takes less than 15 minutes to downtown Manhattan.

So what’s it lacking? Well, nearly every newbie and lots of old timers agree that the neighborhood could use more amenities.

Before I share my own wish list, please know that Bed Stuy is HUGE and I’m referring to my specific area which is near the intersection of Fulton/Nostrand.

Ok, so here we go:

1. Wine Shop. You can see what my priorities are. Well, it turns out that my prayers have been answered! Brownstoner reported that Breukelen Cellars will be opening on Nostrand and Halsey. They call themselves a “wine and art boutique”. I don’t care how pretentious that sounds, it beats pointing to a bottle through bullet proof glass, which is what we have now. Yesterday I walked into the local wine store (liquor store) and told them to give me their most expensive bottle of red. They handed me a $10 bottle of Merlot. Ok, I’m kidding. But seriously, the most expensive bottle was ten bucks. Hey, not that I have anything against inexpensive wine! I’ve been known to drink Three Buck Chuck. I just want a choice, man. I just want a choice.

2. Organic Grocery/Farmer’s Market. Ooh, the organic grocery is coming, but I’m sooo impatient! Organic Bed Stuy promises to be everything I’ve dreamed of, but I don’t think they have the funds to open yet looking at their Kickstarter campaign. For now, they are selling at the Malcolm X Farmer’s Market. Yes, Bed Stuy has a farmer’s market. So, why am I listing it? Because I am one lazy beeatch and I want it closer to my house! Here’s the deal…On Saturday mornings, I bring my dogs to Prospect Park in the car. The huge market is right there, so it’s more convenient for me to stop at Grand Army Plaza than to head farther east passed my house. I told you I was lazy. And while I’m at it, a Sunday market would be nice too!

3. More food delivery options. Yeah, I’m all about the food. I covered the Bed Stuy delivery options in the past. More please?

4. Bagel shop! Not just any bagel shop. They have to be REAL bagels. And they have to open early. Which brings me to…

5. A place to get a good cup of coffee really early in the morning. Am I the only one who wakes up before 7am? There are a couple of places that say they open at 7, but it usually takes them awhile to get their acts together. One thing lacking in the entire city is a place to get a decent cup of coffee AND a good bagel. I hate having to go to two different places for my breakfast, but I refuse to have a bad bagel and I refuse to have a bad cup of coffee.

6. Old school diner. I promise this will be the last food item on the list. I just want a diner. Oooh, a 24 hour diner! One with a 30 page menu and jukeboxes at the table and a waitress who calls me “Hon”. Is that too much to ask?

7. Um, non-food, non-food…Oh! Pet supplies. Yeah, it’s food, but it’s food for pets. Yeah, I know there are a couple of places on Myrtle. I want to walk from my house, remember?

8. Speaking of pets, we could use more petsitters. I like my Bed Stuy pet sitter just fine, but it was kind of a hassle finding her. There are maybe two dog walkers servicing Bed Stuy. Think about that, entrepreneurs!

That’s good enough for now. I really just wanted to get the food thing out of my system.

Crown Heights North House Tour

Crown Heights North House Tour published on

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The 4th annual Crown Heights North house tour is this Saturday, October 2nd. There are 8 houses and two churches this year. A St. Marks Avenue mansion that most people thought was unsalvageable will be included. It’s still a work in progress and the committee promises it is spectacular.  Other fab homes include the double duplex Kinko house, an American classic Colonial Revival, a new house that rose in an old shell, plus more.

Meet at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, at 991 St. Johns Place, on the corner of Brooklyn Avenue. Representatives of various city agencies and local non-profit groups will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be local vendors selling crafts, art, books, and other products.

The Tour kicks off at 10:00 am with a welcoming ceremony. The self guided tour commences from 11-4pm, rain or shine.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets will be on sale at Barbara’s Flowers, 615 Nostrand Avenue, Brownstone Books, 409 Lewis Avenue and online.

Toto, I’ve a Feeling We’re Not in Brooklyn Anymore

Toto, I’ve a Feeling We’re Not in Brooklyn Anymore published on

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WTF is it with all of these Brooklyn tornadoes lately? So, I come out of my house last night, lock the door, turn around and “Oh shit!” A tree is down. Look up the block….”Oh shit!!!” Another tree. That sonbitch hit hard.

People are just waking up to the damage this morning. I’m hearing lots of shrieks on the block. That woman in the photo above was all like “Well, how do we know nobody ain’t in the car?! We can’t see!” She could have a point, but nobody checked because this is Bed Stuy where “do or die” may still hold true under these circumstance.

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This gentleman ran over to the tree with his cane last night screaming “Take my picture! Take my picture! Put me on the internet!” So I did.

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Our little tree in front of the house survived! Guess those shorties are pretty strong (and bendable).

Remember when Bay Ridge got hit in 2007? Well, now it was all (most of?) brownstone Brooklyn’s turn.

And to think Allstate dumped us because of flooding.

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A House Full of History in Bay Ridge

A House Full of History in Bay Ridge published on

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I managed to check out the Stowe house estate sale during the final hours of the final day. Apparently I missed quite a bit.

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The house was filled with antiquities. Everything from the furniture to the dishes to that crazy Victorian bicycle. I scored some vintage jewelry and kitchen wares. Went for the tschotkes, but I really wanted to check out this historic home.

The Connecticut Stows purchased the home in 1906 for $8500. Harriet Beecher Stowe (the “e” was added in the early 1900’s) of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” fame wasn’t the only notable member of the family. There was also an American Revolution Captain and some dude who recast the Liberty Bell.

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The house looks as if it hasn’t been touched since it was built. The woodwork is to die for! There are built in cabinets, a friggin’ gorgeous antique cast iron stove hidden in the corner of the servant’s kitchen and a few beautiful mantels. Untouched is a good thing, but the new owner (yes, it has been sold) will have lots of plastering to do as it looks like the wallpaper is the only thing holding up the walls. No bother, it will all be worth it!

So, take that other Brooklyn brownstone neighborhoods! Bay Ridge can have a seat at your table too. Who knew? (I didn’t.)

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