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Weekend Events

Weekend Events published on

Tonight! Brooklyn Collective Spring Fling! 30 new collections on display from local artists. Drinks on the house and a performance by The Foo Fighters! (Ok, it just says “surprise musical performance”).

Friday, May 6th
212 Columbia Street
(between Union and Sackett)
6pm – 10pm

Bring yo mama along to to Film Biz Recycling and get 50% off your entire purchase! Damn my mother for moving down to Florida! This event is taking place alllllll weekend long.

Film Biz Recycling is now located at 540 President in Gowanus, Brooklyn. Open 12-7 on Saturday and Sunday.

Hester Street Fair (a weekly market) opens this Saturday. The vendors are of the vintage and crafty variety, so you can’t go wrong. Throw in some food and awesomely witty t-shirts and you got yourself a fab-o market! If you’re in the neighborhood, you can hit Katz’s Deli or Chinese Dim-Sum for lunch.

Hester Street Fair is located on the corner of Hester and Essex.

And for some non-shopping fun, there are two good Mother’s Day weekend family oriented events taking place on Saturday at The Highline. Artist Kim Beck leads a hands on Family Arts Workshop that explores New York’s “canopy”. It involves a scavenger hunt!

The Big Picture Bike Tour follows the original route of The Highline at street level. Tickets are $10.

Closure.

Closure. published on

Ground Zero reaction to Bin Laden's Death, New York

Close to 10 years. Nearly 10,000 American Military and civilians dead as a direct cause of Osama Bin Laden’s jihad. Two wars. Countless Afghan and Iraqi civilians and coalition troops under a President who fought a war that had nothing to do with 9/11.

This finally feels like the open wound is healing.

Until the next attack.

Gordon M. Aamoth, Jr.
Edelmiro Abad
Maria Rose Abad
Andrew Anthony Abate
Vincent Abate
Laurence Christopher Abel
William F. Abrahamson
Richard Anthony Aceto
Jesus Acevedo Rescand
Heinrich Bernhard Ackermann
Paul Acquaviva
Donald LaRoy Adams
Patrick Adams
Shannon Lewis Adams
Stephen George AdamsContinue reading Closure.

Weekend Events

Weekend Events published on

Queens Peeps! The PS 101Q Earth Day Flea Market will take place on Saturday, April 30th from noon-4pm. Address is 2 Russell Place, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Take the E/F train to 71st/Continental. I’ll be set up right next to Ms. Peculiar Whimsy.

It’s here! The 30th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival is on this weekend at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Bring your Allegra!

Clinton Hill House Tour sponsored by the Society for Clinton Hill is this Sunday, May 1st from 12-5. Pick up tickets at various venues or get them online here.

Happy Anniversary, Brooklyn!

Happy Anniversary, Brooklyn! published on

Don’t you remember the date, honey? It was one year ago that I returned to you after the longest break up of our relationship evah. Seven years apart! Ok, so I never reeeaaalllly left. But Happy Anniversary to my favorite borough!

One year ago (Ok, I’m talking to you now, reader), we gave up the “better quality of life” in a small town to come back to where we belong. Sometimes we wonder why we ever left, but all of us (well, many of us) have a love/hate relationship with the city and hubby and I were in “hate” mode. It wasn’t the crazy rat race that bothered us, it was that the city was becoming more like a suburb, so why not live in the country with clean air and more land and less expenses?

Well, easier said than done. It’s hard to wrap your head around not being able to get what you want when you want if you’re from the city that never sleeps. But hey, we lasted 7 years!

So, one year back. How is it?

Answer: Still happy! Still not pissed off riding the overcrowded subway or seeing people litter or having cars cut me off. I mean, yeah, I yell and scream, but that’s good for ya. It lets off steam. Otherwise, you get ulcers.

The best part about being back is that we now take advantage of what NYC has to offer. Whereas 7 years ago, we just kind of hung out around our neighborhood of Park Slope when not working on the house, we no longer take anything for granted. Any Broadway show or concert we want to see, we make sure to book. We try new restaurants now instead of eating at the most convenient place. After a year of being back, we still feel like tourists in our own city! (Well, the hubby is from Dublin originally, so it’s only been HIS city since 1986.)

We have neighbors that are like family on the Bed Stuy block we live on. Our renovations are almost done (sort of). I’m in touch with old friends from every decade of my life and BTW, I’m not the only one who returned to Brooklyn after a hiatus.

So, one year in….it’s still good.

* 1 month back in Brooklyn.

Incredible New York City Sculptures

Incredible New York City Sculptures published on

Check out these images below. You’re looking at mini sculptures from artist Alan Wolfson. They mostly measure under 2 feet. A native of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights, Wolfson creates these narratives of New York’s past in plastic with wood and cardboard. As if the sculptures aren’t fascinating enough, he then lights them to perfection.

Wolfson’s work is a combination of real locations mixed with details from his memory and other locations thrown in. People never appear in this scenes because he feels they would distract from the narrative.

Do you think new NYC would be as interesting? Bet not.

Via Huffington Post

Old House Museums in the Boroughs

Old House Museums in the Boroughs published on 3 Comments on Old House Museums in the Boroughs

Looking for something to do now that the weather is willing to cooperate? Hey kids, here’s an idea that’s fun and productive! Visit an old house museum. Get your inspiration from historic homes on a Saturday and start ripping into your house on the Sunday. (Some of these places are only open on weekdays, so you’ll have to call in sick.)

In Manhattan. FYI, did you know you can take a tour of Gracie Mansion? I never even considered that. Shipping merchant Archibald Gracie built this “country home” in 1799. It went through a few incarnations, including the Museum of the City of New York, until 1942. Fiorello La Guardia was the first mayor to move into Gracie Mansion.

Also, check out Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse!

In Brooklyn. The Lefferts House has been right under my nose all these years and yet I’ve never been inside. This is one of the few remaining farmhouses in Brooklyn. The period rooms reflect daily life in the 1820’s and what finer backyard than Prospect Park?

In Queens. King Manor Museum was home to Rufus King, one of the first senators from New York. The house opened as a museum in 1900 and today, programs focus on King’s role in the antislavery movement.

In The Bronx. The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage is currently closed for restoration, but I’m including it here anyway because Poe is too cool to pass up. Poe spent the later years of his life in the 1812 cottage. He wrote such poems here as “Annabel Lee” and his wife Virginia actually died in the cottage.

In Staten Island. The Alice Austen House Museum is a Victorian Gothic cottage overlooking the water near on Verrazano Narrows. Austen was one of the first female photographers in America. The museum features Austen’s images as well as those of contemporary photographers. Plus, it’s a great old house.

Killing Gatsby (Again)

Killing Gatsby (Again) published on

“They were careless people — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote that about Tom and Daisy back in 1925, but the same can be said about today’s throwaway society. The rumored Gatsby mansion is being demolished, just like many of the other Gold Coast homes of the past.

Developers will tear the house down to build a new McMansion. Because who wants the piece of history that inspired one of the greatest Amercian novels when you can have a brand new super sized tacky house?

Clearly Long Island needs to do something about their landmarks and preservation. This just isn’t right.

Unfortunately, it’s too late for Land’s End. The original fixtures have already been removed. Demolition is under way.

Hundreds of Gold Coast historic mansions have been torn down. Perhaps it’s a good idea to visit the remaining few before it all becomes a valley of ashes.

Via NY Times

All photos by Jen Ross.

Curb Your Enthusiasm, New York

Curb Your Enthusiasm, New York published on

If you haven’t heard, “Curb Your Enthusiasm“, season 8, takes place in New York. Welcome home, Larry David! We don’t mind you filming here because we love you!

You know how New Yorkers are. We get annoyed when we have to cross the street for a film crew. We’re too jaded to get excited over George Clooney. We don’t need Hollywood taking over our city streets.

But Larry David, we can let him slide. Even get excited about seeing him. He’s one of us.

Sidney Lumet’s New York

Sidney Lumet’s New York published on

Over the weekend we said goodbye to one of the kings of gritty old New York films. Sidney Lumet lost his battle with lymphoma at the age of 86.

I came of age on those gritty NY streets in the 60’s and 70’s, but everyone experienced the same New York thanks to Mr. Lumet. The city was a character in his films as important as the leading role.

Instead of going on about Lumet and his movies, I’m sharing three videos of real life people: Frank Serpico (Serpico), John Wojtowicz (Dog Day Afternoon), Bob Leuci (Prince of the City).

Weekender:Have You Booked Your Vacation Rental Yet?

Weekender:Have You Booked Your Vacation Rental Yet? published on

Our first year since 1999 without a country home. Don’t get me wrong, it feels great not to have the extra headache! “We could go anywhere we want now. Not stuck with just one place.” Said I. Overseas? Cross country?

Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? It’s all about the kids. Dogs, of course, in this instance. They ain’t Four Seasons material. Nor are we for that matter.

So, a few months ago we decided to do what we do every year….go upstate. It was early enough to book the house of our dreams. Secluded large home on lots of acres, hot tub, close to a great town.

And then we got distracted.

Fast forward to this week. Oops, better book that perfect vacation rental. Summer is just around the corner!

Let me tell you, it was tough. Lots of places are already booking up. If you’re thinking of staying fairly local for a weekend, week or monthly getaway, you better get crackin’ and book that shit.

In the end, I think we did find a great place. It’s got the hot tub! The house is near Red Hook and sits on 4 private acres.

And the best part about it? It’s not our house.

Looking for vacation rentals? I found Vacation Rental By Owner to be the easiest search for pet friendly homes. There’s a little paw print icon indicating which homes welcome dogs.

Other places to find rentals:

Cyberrentals

Home Away

Craigslist. You’ll have to search the area you want to stay, not NYC. Is that obvious? I thought listings should be posted under NYC for people wanting to get out of NYC, since this is the center of the universe.

Anthony Weiner for Mayor!

Anthony Weiner for Mayor! published on 2 Comments on Anthony Weiner for Mayor!

The campaign starts here and now.

It looks like my dreams are coming true after all. Congressman Anthony Weiner will probably run for Mayor of New York City. I know, I know, he ran before and lost. But he’s hot stuff now. Really made a name for himself. Not since Ed Koch has NYC had such a meshugana loud mayor. I mean, this guy is funny as hell! You know, he was college roommates with Jon Stewart.

His politics? Not bad. He’s pretty progressive. Check out his stand on the issues here.

The video is nearly 12 minutes long, but trust me, it’s worth it. He makes some good Weiner jokes….

Carolines Night from Hell

Carolines Night from Hell published on 5 Comments on Carolines Night from Hell

Veteran comedian Richard Lewis played Carolines on Broadway over the weekend and I was lucky enough to grab tickets to the show. Never been to Carolines and guess what? Won’t be going back any time soon.

The tickets were close to $40 and there was a 2 drink minimum. No problem. Grab a drink at the bar. They “suggested” we check our coats for an extra 2 bucks. My husband was under the impression that the coat check was mandatory. Whatev. Another few bucks for the bathroom attendant. I hate when there’s a bathroom attendant and I’m guilted into tipping her. I can turn on my own water and take a paper towel, thanks.

Anyhoo, I digress. So, it’s a nice place. Not the dive bars or fast food joints I frequent (I kid. Haven’t in a good 20 years). I don’t have a problem with any of this so far, but it’s background for my story.

Here’s my beef….

After we were seated and before the show started, I left my table to relieve myself and have another awkward moment with the bathroom attendant. I fell down a step in the middle of the room and twisted my ankle. Yes, I’m a klutz, but the people who saw it and my own husband who knows how clumsy I am said that the step was in a dangerous spot. It was dark in the club and although there was a single fluorescent strip on the stair, there was no warning of it coming up. Especially as the sound system came up right before it.

So, my ankle swelled to the size of a plum. The manager and bartender gave me ice and helped me back to my seat. They were nice enough. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Totally related to Richard Lewis’ old age shtick. Nearly peed my pants at his Shecky Greene reference!

End of the night, we get the bill. Nothing comped. Our dinner. Our 2 drink minimum. Really? I’m crippled for a week (or three) from your venue and you’re still sticking me with the 2 drinks per person?

I’m not litigious, but I’m not happy. The cab fare back to Brooklyn instead of a subway, the crutches, the Ace bandages, the week of sitting on my ass, the dog walker….it all adds up. And Carolines couldn’t even acknowledge I was hurt in their club?

So, that’s it. I’m adding Carolines to Walmart list of places to boycott. I’ll find my laughs elsewhere, thank you.

*PS: Fun Facts!

* Shecky Greene is still alive.

* Richard Lewis is credited with inventing “_____ from hell”.

Best Brooklyn Gift Ever

Best Brooklyn Gift Ever published on 2 Comments on Best Brooklyn Gift Ever

Know how to make a proper egg cream? Fear not. Junior’s has glasses with the recipe inscribed right on them. And they are cu-ute!

The glasses have been around forever, but I just noticed them last weekend when I went for my latkes. Unfortunately, they are not on the Junior’s website. You can find the glasses or an egg cream kit (as above) online, but if you’re in Brooklyn, pick them up directly from Junior’s for 5 bucks.

Yes, 5 bucks. They each come in their own Junior’s box too. Can’t beat that!

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