Two Men Shot Dead on 40th Street

Update: Comments have been turned off for this post due to too much back and forth that has become personal towards me and other commenters. If anyone has constructive suggestions about how to improve the site, feel free to use the email address on the upper-right hand side, or start your own weblog for the neighborhood. If you just want attention, move along.

I heard about this yesterday morning, but didn't want to post anything until I knew something for sure. Two men were shot and killed at about 4 AM on Sunday morning. Apparently, they had just left a bar on 39th Street and 5th (Hmmmm, I wonder which one?), and an argument with other bar-goers turned fatal. One of the men killed was only 18; the other was 21. According to one police officer in the park, there is speculation that this was also gang related. Not a huge leap there.

That cool, comfortable sleeping weather means open windows, so many Sunset residents heard helicopters around the area from 5 AM to almost 6 AM on Sunday. Usually it's due to traffic or accidents on the BQE, but early Sunday is a strange time for that.

In both this shooting and the other shooting (just three weeks ago?), the men died from bullet wounds to the head and neck. Shoot to kill - not warn seems to be the trend here.

As of this morning, the shooters are yet to be apprehended. Hopefully the detectives and officers can make quick work of the shooters as they did with the park murders.

New Karaoke "Restaurant" Gets a Big No-No Recommendation for its Liquor License

Both The Brooklyn Eagle and The Brooklyn Paper have articles about a new Karaoke bar - or restaurant - going in on 64th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. The owners say it's for business men. I say, judging from the crowd outside the 100 FUN establishment (opens at 2 PM!), you're going to see much younger clientele. Of course, without hard liquor, you don't get to have fun drinks like "cookie monster," so maybe not.

According to The Brooklyn Eagle, the main issue seems to be its proximity to PS 69; it's less than 500 feet away. The school's dismissal times overlap with the Karaoke establishment's hours of 4 PM to 4 AM, and the principal is concerned about her students' safety.

The existence of 13 private rooms also concerns members of the CB 10 and residents. They are picturing less Lost in Translation, and more, mmmmm, shall we say Private Dancer? Can't we have both? Anyway, the liquor license asks for beer, wine, and sake. The CB 10 members voted to recommend that the establishment NOT receive a liquor license, but they don't get final say.

amNewYork Stretches Reality in Sunset Park

Can someone let me know where the hipster shops are in Sunset Park? According to amNewYork, Sunset Park has "hipster joints open[ing] next door to mom-and-pop Spanish shops." It doesn't mention Happy Days or any of the 3rd Avenue "shoppes" in its list. Not even the bizarre Fiesta Fashion gets a nod. The list of stores includes the famous Mr. C's cycles, My Secret Place (no, no, not THAT kind of shop), and Keonoar Dos Sports. Apparently, My Secret Place - actually a used clothing shop - is counted as hipster. I guess I have to call it vintage then.

The article also mentions "mommies power-walk[ing] Bugaboo strollers that cost more than their neighbor's car." I guess I'm less observant than I thought I was. Which one is a Bugaboo?

It doesn't mention Irish Haven or El Tesoro in its bar/restaurant round-up. It does, however, mention Tacos 2004! Sex on the Beach can be had there.

Ah well. Check out the article here; do you think it is an accurate portrayal of the neighborhood?