Head to the Heart of Brooklyn for free (on the weekend)

The Heart of Brooklyn partnership is now offering several free shuttle services to make it easier to visit museums an cultural institutions around Brooklyn. Now that they make it even easier to get around BK, who needs manhattan?

Here's one example:

Saturday Scene is free regular transportation to central Brooklyn from select neighborhoods in Brooklyn, running continuous loops from 10am-6pm. Serving Bay Ridge (second Saturdays), Red Hook (third Saturdays), and Williamsburg (fourth Saturdays), the shuttle makes its way to the main entrances of the cultural institutions in the Heart of Brooklyn.

RED HOOK STOPS (third Saturday: November 15, December 20):
NY Water Taxi Entrance on Beard St.
10am, 1pm, 3:30pm, (6pm drop off only)

Van Brunt St. between King & Pioneer St.
10:10am, 1:10pm, 3:40pm

Columbia St. at Carroll St.
10:20am, 1:20pm, 3:50pm

Union St. at Court St.
10:35am, 1:35pm, 4:05pm

What will become of Pier 11?

Nothing for now, according to the Brooklyn Paper:

More than two years after the city began soliciting bids for an inactive city-controlled pier next to the cruise ship terminal and just south of Hamilton Avenue, developers were shocked to receive letters about two weeks ago from the Economic Development Corporation that it had rejected all the proposals.

This is unfortunate considering that there do seem to be some good ideas out there. One example was presented to the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association last week by NY Water Taxi owner Tom Fox, which included public waterfront access, a man made beach, a marina, restaurant(s), and a ship storage and repair yard that would employ around 1,000 people - many of whom would be people that live in the neighborhood.

More on that and the meeting to come soon.

Who has been wondering about 169 Columbia street?

For the past year we have been wondering about what was being built at 169 Columbia street (three doors down from Degraw street). It turned into a yellow brick apartment building. We were sure it was going to be condos, but it is so much more.

This is a residential program owned and operated by the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, it holds 55 studio apartments to be used as permanent housing for homeless people. The goals of the project is to integrate their tenants into the community, stop the cycle of homelessness and enhance the tenants' ability to get education and job training.

It will be staffed by the program director, a live-in superintendent and porter, four case managers, six front desk staff who provide reception service, as well as two staff members on duty 24/7. All this to ensure that the tenants remain stable and maintain a good relationship with the community.

The tenant screening process is quite lengthy. All housing applications must be approved by the Human Resources Administration (HRA). The applications approved for independent living are then sent to PCMH central intake unit and a Masters level social worker conducts a comprehensive assessment to ensure the applicant is ready, willing and able to live at the residence. Those assessed as a good fit for the residence are then sent for a second interview with the program director. Twenty-two tenants will come from the community and thirty-three will be referred by the New York City Department of Homeless Services.

A wonderful project that fits perfectly in this time of change.

We wish them luck!

Wine Tasting at Old Brooklyn

WINE TASTING @ OLD BROOKLYN WINE & LIQUOR COMPANY

WHEN: TOMORROW
TIME: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
WHERE: 145 Union Street

Upcoming events at the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative

Saturday, November 8, 10:00am
Columbia Greenway Clean Up
Join BGI supporters and neighbors in helping to keep the newly finished Columbia Street section clean and safe for pedestrian, cyclists and runners.
Tools and gloves provided. Meet at BGI's office, 145 Columbia Street, b/t Kane and Degraw.

Sunday, November 16, 1:00pm
BGI Bike Ride in Greenpoint/Williamsburg
Meet at 12:30pm at CitiStorage, N. 11th & Kent Ave.
The New York City Department of Transportation is in the process striping bike lanes on many of the streets along the future route of the Greenway in Greenpoint/Williamsburg. Eventually, these will be reconfigured so that pedestrian, joggers and bicyclists will be physically separated from moving traffic with the addition of a planted median. The bike ride is a celebration of this important milestone!
For more informatin or to RSVP contact Michael: info@brooklyngreenway.org

Tuesday, November 18, 8:00pm (doors open at 7:00pm)
Making Way for the Greenway!
A benefit for the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative
Join supporters and friends of the Greenway for an evening of music and program shorts from some of Galapagos' fabulous resident artists! Proceeds support the development of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, a 14-mile off-street bike and pedestrian route that will connect Brooklyn's parks, neighborhoods and people. Galapagos is located midway along the planned route, so it's the perfect place for a celebration of recent milestones.

Matt Wasowski, founder and Big Boss of Nerd Nite will give a presentation about the Coney Island hot dog eating contest and the fascinating world of competitive eating. Also featuring the hot and sweet sounds of Michael Arenella and his music. Other acts TBA.
Door prizes and raffle items!

Advanced tickets are $20 per person, or two fro $30, so bring a friend! At the door, tickets are $25 per person, cash.
To purchase tickets, go to htt://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html
For more information, contact Brian: bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org

Old voting machines lined up for their last run in a Red Hook warehouse

Just a funny neighborhood tidbit that gives me an excuse to remind people to go vote (and tell all of their out of state family and friends to do the same). Obviously this is a historic day on numerous levels.

Pictured above are many of the city's traditional lever voting machines, which are most likely on their last run for this election. They've been in use in NYC since 1962 and are apparently stored in a Red Hook warehouse. It's always fun to see what goes on behind closed doors of so many of the area's warehouses and buildings.

Photo above and original story on NY City News Service

Pictures from our 7th Annual Halloween bash!

What a great time we had! we hope you all did too!
Here are some pix from the event:

Eating candy...

Running around in costume.

The Red Hook Raiders

Visiting the fire engine.

Parading

Thank you to all who participated !

Mystery Caffe coming "soon"!

According to this sign on Columbia St., there will be a new Caffe called the Piccolo Caffe opening "soon." Can't wait to see what it is.

What's that big ship???

Walking along Columbia St. towards Atlantic Avenue today, my wife and I had to stop and look at the huge ship docked at the Brooklyn Marine Terminal - especially when we realized it was French.

Thanks to BrooklynHeightsBlog, we have a little more information on it as well as a great picture:

Apparently its called the Gaspard Monge and its a Missle Tracking Ship.

Fundraiser for PS 29 at Bocca Lupo - Nov 18th - 6-10pm

UNCORKED FOR A CAUSE : Bocca Lupo restaurant hosts a Night of Great Food
and Fabulous Wine to Benefit PS 29.
Tuesday, November 18th, 6-10 pm
391 Henry Street, corner of Warren St., Cobble Hill, Brooklyn

Bring friends, drink wine and sample what Zagat's calls "fabulous
small plates" to support PS 29 in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Owner Jeff
Lederman will donate 100% of ticket proceeds to PS 29.

With the impending budget cuts, WE NEED YOUR HELP more than ever. Your
support will help pay for PS 29's teaching assistants, learning
materials, as well as collaborations with cultural institutions such as
the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music, the Metropolitan Opera Guild,
American Ballroom Theater's Dancing Classrooms and CityLore, among
others.

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 at door.
$60 in advance per couple, $65 at door.

You can also purchase tickets online at:
http://www.nycharities.org/event/c_event.asp?CharityCode=2068