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The Hester Street Fair

The Hester Street Fair published on

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Gonna be hawking my wares at a new (ish) market this Sunday. The Hester Street Fair is only a few months young, but both shoppers and vendors seem to be happy enough with it so far.

Like the Brooklyn Flea (Hello, I’ll be there on Saturday!), it’s semi-curated with a mix of vintage, crafts and not-your-average-sausage-fair-food. Hester has about 60 vendors on a given weekend and is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

My grandfather was a rag man on the Lower East Side when he arrived in this country. Looks like I’m taking the family history back a step. Wait till you hear about the seltzer delivery I’m hooking up…..

My grandparents are in their graves ROFLTAO.

Bloggedy Bloggedy Brooklyn

Bloggedy Bloggedy Brooklyn published on 2 Comments on Bloggedy Bloggedy Brooklyn

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Brooklyn Boro President, Marty Markowitz trying to steal the show.

The Brooklyn Blogfest was super professional this year! Not that Louise Crawford aka Madam OTBKB didn’t do a fabulous job in the past, it was just totally streamlined last night. Of course, having Absolut Brooklyn as a sponsor and Spike Lee to launch the new vodka flavor might have had a little something to do with it.

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There was a performance by Aaron Costa Ganis, Charlotte Maier and Natalie Paul for starters. “Blogs Aloud” was adaption of posts from several Brooklyn blogs through the years. Video: Part 1 and part 2.

After a photo blogger video tribute by Adrain “Brit in Brooklyn” Kinloch, Lemon Anderson came out to rap his ode to Brooklyn. I didn’t realize it at the time, but it looks like that’s the Absolut Brooklyn ad.

Then it was time for Spike. He skirted the issue of gentrification and let us know that Fort Greene was fine just the way it was back in the day. He only hinted at the divisive issue and spoke mainly of Absolut, his relationship with Brooklyn and took questions about breaking into film.

Andrea Bernstein of WNYC was the moderator for the panel discussion. Panelists included Heather of So Good TV, Atiba from Visual Stenographers, Brokelyn‘s Faye, Jake from Gothamist and Petra of Bed Stuy Blog.The question was posed to the panel “Why does Brooklyn breed creativity?”Some nice anwers…. (I’m putting them in quotes but they’re not the exact words. My bad.)”It has attitude.” Heather”Newcomers feel we must live up to the reputation.” Petra

“People have an attitude problem 2 minutes after moving here. We’re always giving advice. We wanna tell people how to live.” Jake

“We’re full of ourselves.” “Everybody gets a chance to show their stuff.” Faye

“Brooklyn made NYC in 1898…..People will defend Brooklyn to the death.” Atiba

Towards the end of the evening, we broke up into smaller groups. I’ll post part II tomorrow and fill you in some awesome new blogs in the works!

City Beams: Ask About NYC

City Beams: Ask About NYC published on 1 Comment on City Beams: Ask About NYC

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A freshly launched forum based website hit the internets a couple of months ago. City Beams covers 4 out of 5 of the boros (the ones that matter), plus Boston.

Here’s how it works. People can ask questions about NYC for know-it-alls like myself to respond to. A beam is a vote, so the question can be voted up or down just like all this other newfangled social media these kids use today.

The kid (Well, look at his photo…He’s about 12!) who started it is right off the pick up truck from the sticks. Ok, maybe not that bad, but he’s relying on people who know the city to respond to questions. So, go on over there and shake it up a bit.

You can ask anything. Here are some fun questions being asked…

“Anywhere to get non-skinny pants in Williamsburg?”

“What do you think of the people in NYC?”

“What’s so great about Astoria?”

Moving out of NYC?”

Leaving the City. Got What it Takes?

Leaving the City. Got What it Takes? published on 8 Comments on Leaving the City. Got What it Takes?

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Our moving sale was great! Thanks to everyone who showed up and helped us rid ourselves of worldly possessions. Most of the folks I conversed with were curious as to where we were moving. About 90% were surprised when I told them we’re heading back to Brooklyn. I was informed that we’re heading in the opposite direction of everyone else.

It seems there’s a mass migration to the Hudson Valley again and Beacon is hot at the moment. Good for us, since we want to sell our house. I say, bring it on!

We chose to move back to Brooklyn after six years away for many reasons. The main one is that Hubby has been working in Greenpoint for the past year + and stays in Brooklyn most nights while I live upstate. Just doesn’t make sense.

But just in case you’re thinking of leaving the city for greener pastures, I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask yourself before making the big move. These factors bothered me, but everyone is different.

1. Food delivery! My husband jokes “What does my wife make for dinner? A phone call.” I don’t cook, I don’t cook, I don’t cook. My mother isn’t much of a cook. I come from a “Let’s order in” family. I think there’s ONE place in Beacon that delivers.

2.  Restaurants. Again with the food. I’m a Jew. We like to eat. The restaurants around here are meh. IMO, there are finer dining establishments further north in weekender territory, but they are too far from Beacon.

3. Sidewalks and bike lanes. Ok, so maybe it’s not such a big deal, but some streets lack sidewalks. I’m sorry, I don’t like walking in the road or on someone’s grass. Although I don’t cycle, there are no bike lanes. Not really a reason not to move up here, but it just bothers me.

4. Everyone all up in your business. Small town life. How quaint. You see the same people. Everyone knows one another. For me, it was charming for 5 minutes. There’s something to be said about anonymous city life and that is “I miss it”.

5. Shop hours. Oh, this is a killer coming from “The City That Never Sleeps”. The Main Street store owners seem to come to work whenever they feel like it. I gave up on many of the mom and pop shops because they were never open when I needed something. Special thanks to Beacon Natural and Artisan Wine who open 7 days per week, normal hours.

6. Strip malls. It’s an inevitable part of suburban life. Face it. If the Main Street shops ain’t helping ya, that’s what’s left. Which brings me to….

7. It’s a car culture. OMG, I used to make fun of people who drive a few blocks. Now I’m one of them! Something you would never do in the city because of traffic and parking. Something I do here because the Main Street shops are so unreliable that I may end up driving to the strip mall.

All of the above being said, there are many pluses to living in the Hudson Valley. How about clean air and fabulous mountain views? Being near the Hudson so you can kayak or sail (We said we would, but hardly ever got around to it). No crowds. Better quality of life. Larger living space and back yard.

It’s really about everyone’s own choice. I grew up with the rat race. As much as I wanted a quieter lifestyle, I feel like a fish out of water here. Do I regret leaving the city? No, it was a lovely vacation. But now it’s time to go home.

Best Place You’ve Ever Lived?

Best Place You’ve Ever Lived? published on 3 Comments on Best Place You’ve Ever Lived?

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As I start to pack and plan my move, I’m getting a bit sentimental. The house I’m leaving is my dream home and by far the best house I’ve ever lived in (finished or not). Makes my dream brownstone pale in comparison. Unfortunately, small town Beacon isn’t a perfect fit for me and I can’t take the house with me.

I’ve lived in a gazillion places in my lifetime. My parents moved more than a few times, then I followed in their footsteps. We lived in East Flatbush during my childhood, then Wurtsboro, NY for a few years while keeping the Brooklyn apartment. When my parents moved back to Brooklyn (I told you I’m following in their footsteps!) we lived in Midwood. Then Coney Island.

As soon as I was old enough to move out, I went to the city, then chose to live in brownstone Brooklyn. A bunch of different neighborhoods over the years. I’ve also lived in London, Bavaria, Kingston, NY and The Castro in San Fransisco. None of the long distance places for longer than a year. I always come back to NYC.

So, what makes me smile most when I look back?

Nicest apartment ever: The first apartment my husband and I shared alone, minus roommates, in Ft. Greene. Circa 1988. It was a gorgeous brownstone parlor floor with a young, first time landlord. In other words, he cared about the place.

Best neighborhood I’ve ever lived: Coney Island. Maybe it was because I was at that carefree age, but I loved living in Coney Island! The amusements, the beach, the aquarium, the handball, the flea markets, the boardwalk. It was a trek on the subway, but if the city hadn’t been calling my name at all hours, there would have been plenty to do right in the neighborhood.

So, that’s my story. What about you???

When We Used To Play In The Streets

When We Used To Play In The Streets published on

An old Brooklyn buddy just posted this link on Facebook. Check out the trailer for New York Street Games, a documentary film about a simpler time in NYC. Back before blogs and Facebook and texting when we had to leave the house to have fun. Imagine that!

What I love about Bed Stuy is that it’s old school Brooklyn. I can hang out on my stoop and watch the kids play on the sidewalk (not my kids, mind you). There is still that sense of community that has been lost in many parts of New York.

FYI, I was a Chinese handball gal myself. Never played stickball in my life.

10 New York Facebook Pages or Groups

10 New York Facebook Pages or Groups published on 2 Comments on 10 New York Facebook Pages or Groups

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1. Secret New York.

2. You’re from where? Oh that sucks, I’m from NY.

3. U know ur from Brooklyn if….

4. I’m a New Yorker. I know what a real bagel is.

5. The Queens of Drag: NYC

6. Brooklyn Diners

7. NYC Underground

8. Hidden Secrets, NY

9. Bitch, please. I’m from New York.

10. Yo, Yo, Yo, I’m from Brooklyn

Another Borscht Belt Hotel Dies

Another Borscht Belt Hotel Dies published on 11 Comments on Another Borscht Belt Hotel Dies

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The Nevele was one of the last remaining Catskill resorts from a bygone era. Sadly, last month they closed their doors.

A NJ based investment group purchased the hotel in 1997 and turned it over 3 years later to another NJ company. $11 million was spent on improvements and it’s said that the place was hopping. The financial problems were likely from failed management and not lack of business.

Ellenville has lost some major employers in the past few years and this only adds to the economic woes of the downtrodden town.

By the way, Nevele is eleven backwards because it was originally owned by 11 brothers.

Please see: Borscht Belt. Then & Now.

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