Last Two Weeks to See "Bridge as Icon" at Tabla Rasa

Tabla Rasa is a lovely gallery in Sunset Park, located at 228 48th Street, that has been showing a artwork focused on celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge. Since the end of May, Tabla Rasa has been showing Bridge as Icon, a collection of varied pieces that show the Bridge in many different ways.


The installation ends on July 26th, so get over there and check out the art! The gallery is free and open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays from Noon - 5 PM. Call (718).833.9100 for additional summer hours, or to double check dates and times.

For a list of artists and for more detail, check out an earlier post about this installation.

Thank you to Vanessa Velez of www.veesvision.com for the photos of the light installation and gallery.

Amalgamated Opted Out of Fencing

Apparently, the fencing was nixed after yesterday's major Ooops. It's been totally removed and cleaned up. It looks a lot more pleasant now anyway. There is still a lot of work to be done; the doors still even have the old Pollo Campero stickers on them. This will only be the second location for Amalgamated in Brooklyn. The other Brooklyn location is on Fulton Street. The Sunset Park location (5th Avenue and 45th Street) is slated to open in mid-August, September at the latest.

Watch Where You Walk in Sunset Park

Yesterday's Daily News had an article about a Sunset Park resident, Monica Gonzalez, who was arrested for prostitution on her way to the Lutheran Medical Center. This occurred at about 2:30 AM back in November, but it's in the news now due to Gonzalez' complaint and suit regarding the case. The charges against her were dropped after she hired an attorney.

Commenters on the Daily News site wonder what Gonzalez was doing out at 2:30 AM by herself; they question her "true" motivation for being on 3rd Avenue. Well, for those who know the area, it's a four block walk to LMC (2nd and 55th) from Gonzalez' home on 53rd Street. She was "picked up" on 3rd Avenue between 53rd and 54th. Sounds like on the way to 55th Street to me. Not only that, but she was wearing a long winter coat. How many hookers do you see covering up? Also, Officer Spencer (the arresting officer) claimed that Gonzalez had been arrested before. Wrong. His partner even said, at the time of the arrest, that they should let her go and that he'd never seen her on the street before.

The bottom line is that a woman who lives in the neighborhood was out late and mistaken for a prostitute. The charges held despite her house address being local and a family home, an officer calling an ambulance from the precinct house (20 blocks from LMC, not four), and the arresting officer having a past with another suit for false arrest (involving another Latina, by the way).

Most cops (don't argue!) are good cops. However, there are some who will take advantage of vulnerable situations - just like any other group of people. Thankfully, this woman was able to hire a lawyer and have the charges against her dropped. Thankfully, it doesn't sound like she suffered any repercussions in her work-life (the actual one). Believe me, if a teacher had been in her place, that teacher would have been pulled out of the classroom and suffered truckloads of whispers and ridicule at work.

Racoon Drops In On Sunset Dinner Party

Pardon Me For Asking has a cute photo of a raccoon that crashed a dinner party on 33rd Street. It's also a friendly reminder to bag up trash properly and keep it in cans until you must put it out. This cute little guy could grow up to be a neighborhood trash bully!

Parents Concerned About Safety at Sunset Pool

Sunset Park has one of the most beautiful, huge, delicious-looking pools ever. Hyperbole? Perhaps, but I don't think so.

That said, it's popular with lots of children, tweens, teens, and adults. That's a beautiful thing, of course, but it brings problems as well.

On a recent thread on Park Slope Parents, one parent asked about differences between the Red Hook Pool and the Sunset Pool. She mentioned that while it has a wonderful kiddie pool, the Red Hook Pool has many rules that seem "militant." (As another poster mentioned, all City pools have the same rules.) A follow-up poster wished for more militant enforcement of the rules at the Sunset Pool:

I went to the sunset park pool less than 2 weeks on a tuesday around 5pm and there was an organized incident where about 30 teenage boys started diving and jumping into the pool all at the same time, over and over. The life guards couldn't control them and two minutes later, police came out and shut down the pool--everyone had to leave. Thank goodness i happened to be in the middle of the pool with my two children when it started. When we came out, two of our towels were stolen. Now i have a bad taste in my mouth over sunset.*

*Used with author's permission.

Apparently, the sort of incident described has happened a few times (not just at the Sunset Pool) because the teens know that if one or two do running jumps into the pool (against the rules) they'll be thrown out. If a large group does it together, no one person gets in trouble. Of course, then the whole pool gets shut down and everyone's fun is ended. However, some teens (like some adults!) couldn't care less about other people's fun or safety. In another recent incident, a few teens were thrown out of the pool and proceeded to throw glass bottles into the pool area from outside the fence; no regard for other pool goers safety or fun was clearly demonstrated.

The best advice I can offer about the pools in general is to go early. The 11 AM - 3 PM session has far fewer problems than the late afternoon session. Also, I've heard from another parents that sticking close to the ramp area is "uncool" for the older kids, making it perfect for the littler ones.

In regards to towels being stolen, it stinks, and theft happens all the time. It's why the rules keep us from bringing much of anything into the pool area (or the locker area, for that matter!). Even the highest cost gyms have plenty of folks who help themselves to other people's stuff. May all towel thieves one day learn what it's like to have soaking wet kids and no towel with which to dry them.

An aside: Why oh why didn't they put in a kiddie pool instead of a sand volleyball court at the Sunset Pool? There are several areas around the park to play volleyball, but a kiddie pool would serve both the little ones and the older kids who want more space in the pool. This season, I have yet to see anyone utilize the sand volleyball court for something other than digging in the sand.

Sunset Park Kids Take Over 61st Street

The Police Athletic League is providing a "Summer Play Street" in Sunset Park. 61st Street between 4th and 5th Avenue will be closed to all traffic every Monday through Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM making it perfect for summer play. Games and activities, including basketball and Double Dutch (I never could get more than three steps), arts and crafts, and music and dance will be available for children who show up.

According to the PAL NYC website:

PAL’s summer Playstreet Program is the foundation of PAL’s summer programs. PAL closes off streets and other public areas throughout New York City to give children safe, supervised places to play. Playsites offer sports, arts, crafts, games, reading, music and dance. Mobile reading teachers bring a variety of books to the children to encourage summer reading. Summer playsites serve youngsters in neighborhoods in all five boroughs.

Legal Clinics for Immigration Assistance

Every third Wednesday of the month, from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM the Center for Family Life on 4th Avenue and 55th Street hosts FREE Immigration Legal Clinics. They are sponsored and run by the Legal Aid Society and Robin Hood Legal Services Initiative. An appointment is necessary,
but easy to obtain. Call 718-758-3500 for more information or to make an appointment.

What: Legal Clinic to assist with immigration applications, answer questions about immigration status.
When: Every Third Wednesday of Every Month from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Where: Center for Family Life, 5505 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Bicyclist Killed in a Collision on 54th and 7th

Sadly, we've had another fatality on the streets of Sunset Park. The most recent update to this story, which happened Thursday night at about 10 PM, is from the NY Post's Police Blotter. It sounds like a bicyclist didn't stop at a stop sign, and he was hit by a livery cab. The cyclist, Pedro Fernandez-Pacheco, was pronounced dead at Lutheran Medical Center. The driver of the car was issued a summons for an improper license, but he stayed at the scene and wasn't ticketed for the accident.

There is a bike lane on 7th Avenue, but apparently the cyclist was riding on 54th, which has a stop sign. 7th Avenue doesn't have any signs or lights at that intersection.

Stop signs, when heeded, do work! Seems like a good time to remind any interested readers to sign the petition to have stop signs installed at the 6th Avenue intersections around Sunset Park. Anyone who has tried to cross 41st or 44th at 6th Avenue to enter or leave the park understands why we need them! Read first, then sign here.

Fencing Outside New Amalgamated Tumbles

Around 1 PM on Sunday, the plywood and metal fencing surrounding the construction of the new Amalgamated Bank on 5th Avenue and 45th Street fell to the sidewalk. No one was willing to say if any pedestrians or workers had been hurt; everyone was very grumpy and sullen. For good reason, I'd say.

At about 1:45 PM there was an ambulance leaving the scene, but it wasn't in a hurry. This is a seriously heavy fence, so I hope no one was nearby when it tumbled. At about 4 PM (when the photo was taken), the workers were still putting the fencing up again. Hopefully it will be secured more carefully this time.

I saw News12 Brooklyn nearby, but I can't seem to access their webpage. If anyone knows more, please share!

*minor update: News12 Brooklyn (only on cable!) reported that minor injuries were sustained, but they didn't say if pedestrians, workers, or vandals sustained them. I'm just glad no one was crushed.

Son Candela in Sunset Park

The photoblog gunsetpark has a photo and video posted of Son Candela. The photo was taken on the western downward slope of Sunset Park, and the video (filmed on the Brooklyn Promenade) is from youtube.

You can find out more about the group, and order their music, at their website. They have more photos from Sunset Park (with the group in them, of course) in their photo gallery as well.

Enjoy.

Sunset Park's Green Market Produce and Flowers

This year's opening day of Sunset Park's Green Market (every Saturday at 4th Avenue and 59th Street) was busy, bustling, and full of good looking fruits, veggies, flowers, and fragrant basil and cilantro. These selections were truly gorgeous. At $4 a pint, the cherries were tempting, but still a little over my budget. It was $6 for a quart.

These potted plants were waiting to be displayed outside of the sun's reach.

Even before 9 AM, the people came to buy. Almost all of the vendors displayed signs that EBT and Farmer's Market checks would be accepted. Lots of people took advantage of that option.

At 50 cents an ear, it wasn't a huge deal, but the table was surrounded by eager husk-strippers looking for the perfect kernel. Perhaps later in the season we'll get a better selection; I found several ears with deflated kernels on the top third.


These flowers were really beautiful. They, and the potted plants at another table, were the only offerings of purely decorative elements.


Mmmmmm. These, and the calabasa next to them, looked so good. The stand wasn't happy about having a photo taken, until I promised no people were included in the shot.

Kicked to the Curb

Somehow the facial expression is appropriate to the fate of this print. Like the subject is saying, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Or something like that.

Saturday Events in Sunset Park: Green Market, Coop's Stoop Sale, SPAN meeting

Don't forget that the Sunset Park Green Market's first day is this Saturday! It opens at 8 AM and continues until 5 PM (or until the vendors run out of goods). It's on 4th Avenue between 59th and 60th Street. Last year's opening day was small, but there were wonderful squash flowers, cilantro, and a nice selection of greens. Stop by!

One of the 44th Street Coop buildings is having a big stoop sale on Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM. It's at the top of the hill on 44th and 6th Avenue (570 44th Street). Some of the goods up for sale will be air conditioners, baby stuff, housewares, books, clothing, and the obligatory knick-knacks. Come check it out before hitting up 8th Avenue or 5th Avenue for some grub.

As previously posted, SPAN is hosting a presentation about the new power plant. It begins at 11 AM, and it's at Trinity Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue and 45th Street.

Calling All Sunset Park Arts & Crafters

Posted on the Brooklynian site, a local crafter wants to bring it home instead of always hauling up to Park Slope.


If you are interested in crafting of any kind (knitting, quilting, crochet, etc.), I run a free group for local crafters. We get together a few times a month to do what it is we do and help each other learn.

We have members from all over Brooklyn, but we live in SP and would like to get more neighbors involved. The name of the group is Brooklyn Krafthaus and our site is:

http://craftswap.meetup.com/66/

Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors to Host Power Plant Presentation

Instead of the usual Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors meeting, SPAN will be hosting a presentation about the new power plant that will be built followed by a discussion about neighborhood reactions/concerns.

Is Our Health At Risk?

Learn about the new power plant being built in our neighborhood

Saturday, July 12th
11am
Trinity Lutheran Church
4th Avenue between 45th and 46th Street

organized by SPAN (The Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors)
For more info: (718) 853-0949


¿Esta en peligro nuestra salud?

Lo invitamos a un foro sobre la construcción de una nueva planta de
energia en Sunset Park

Sabado 12 de julio 2008
11 a.m.
en la iglesia luterana
Entre la 46 y 45 en la 4ª avenida

Asuspeciado por SPAN (la alianza de vecinos de Sunset Park)
Llame al (718) 853-0949

More Photos of the Magic Show

Thanks to Vanessa Velez of www.veesvision.com, here are some more complete and vivid photos of yesterday's Music, Magic, and Mayhem show. Enjoy!

9th Avenue D Station Won't Be Going to Rehab

AM NewYork has a story this morning about the MTA's cuts and how they will affect subway stations. According to the article, the MTA claims that the delayed repairs won't affect public safety. However, they will contribute to already depressed-looking stations. Three Brooklyn stations are spotlighted; one of them is the 9th Avenue D Station on 39th Street.

from the article:

9th Avenue on the D line:

Garbage is strewn on the tracks, the overhead pipes are repaired with duct tape, paint is peeling off the ceiling, graffiti is everywhere, a wobbly wooden banister is held together with duct tape, water is dripping from the ceiling, pillars are rusting and the cement platform is full of cracks.

"It's terrible. It looks horrible," said Sharon Rhamoolie, 33, of Sunset Park. "There's always stuff breaking and peeling everywhere. The appearance is really bad. When it rains forget about it. It's everywhere. There's always pigeons all around. They live here."

Sadly, this station has long been neglected. From the description above, it certainly sounds like
there are some public safety issues. A wobbly banister and cracked platform being the most obvious. I mean, who knows what's lurking in the dripping ceiling water. Can't be worse than Canal Street, I suppose. But then, with a name like Canal Street, you expect it.

Taco Highlight on 5th Avenue

Lost Taco has a lovely entry about Tacos Xochimilco on 5th Avenue and 45th Street. The blog entry is also very complimentary to Sunset Park.

from the blog:

Sunset Park is charming. The park itself goes uphill to the East, and to the West you can see down the side streets all the way to river. It had just rained, or was just about to rain, so it was clear and bright and muggy.

He even makes mugginess sound "charming." Impressive. He is even more pleased with the food at Tacos Xochimilco:

With bravery and trepidation, I picked up the Carne Asada and bit in. The flavor was surprisingly good and the meat was actually juicy(!). Was that juicy beef and char I just tasted? I think it was. I took another bite. Each little meaty morsel actually had flavor and the protein was balanced perfectly with the generous cilantro, onion, and salsa mix. They even served their tacos on the tiny 3 inch tortillas that I like. (Although you have to ask for pequeno.)

It's almost enough to make a vegetarian try one of these tacos. Almost.

The more recent entry on the blog is for Tacos Matamoros, located almost directly across from Xochimilco. Matamoros used to be on the opposite side and down a block, but they moved to this more spacious location. They are still almost always full. It gets more attention than Xochimilco, so I'll leave you to discover the description for yourself.

Musical, Magical Mayhem is a Hit in Sunset Park

Lots going on in the Park today. Despite a threat of rain, and a few actual rain drops, the first Wednesday of Fun in the Park was a huge success. Dikki Ellis entertained a large crowd of children and adults with juggling and magic for an hour. No small feat.


Even at the end of the hour, kids were still rapt and excited by his antics. Thanks to the City Parks Foundation, Friends of Sunset Park, and the City of NY Parks and Recreation for sponsoring the event.
After the show was over, some kids took advantage of the Play Mobile parked over by the flag pole. Hula hoops, sitting scooters, arts and crafts, board games, blocks, rings, and more were on hand to entertain those who stopped by.

One young lady let me take a photo of her completed masterpiece. It turned out quite well, I think.

Maria's Has a Banner Day

I know, I know. Corny title to the post. It looks like Maria's wants some more sidewalk visibility. They were putting up a new banner/flag today just before opening for lunch. Maybe it will bring in more people for the lunch specials.

They've gotten mixed reviews on Yelp, but I've always been happy with the brunch. And even if everything else was horrid, the guacamole would still get my vote.

Have You Been to Fabio's Yet this Summer?

Get on over there! It's on 49th and 4th. The slushie machine was broken when I stopped in on Tuesday, but they had plenty of the new Cappuccino and the old favorite Morir de Sonado. (Helado de Coco is always available!) Even the smallest size (for $1.50) is plenty to cool you off and change your mood for the better.

If storefronts aren't your style, just walk down 5th Avenue for some freshly shaved ice with your choice of flavors. The carts are out in force...on Tuesday there was one on every corner. The closer to the park the longer the lines, so try out 48th or 47th for a quick fix.

Babywearing Comes to Sunset Park

Sorry for the late information:

I don't know if this is a first for the Brooklyn Babywearing Meeting, but hopefully it won't be the last time it's here. Thanks for the information, Amy!

This month's Brooklyn Babywearing Meeting will be held on July 9 from 2-4 in SUNSET PARK in the grass in front of the flagpole memorial. It's next to the basketball courts on the 41st street side of the park overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Liberty.

Sunset Park can be reached by the R train to the 45th street stop or the N or D trains at the 36th street stop, and by the B63 bus on 5th ave. As always if it rains, we'll be meeting at the Brooklyn Yoga Center (474 Smith St). The meeting is free and open to all interested in babywearing.

If you can't make it, but you want more information on babywearing, check this out: Slings in the City.

Wednesday in Sunset Park - Music, Magic, and Mayhem

On Wednesday, the 9th of July, and beginning at 10:30 AM sharp, the first in a five-week series of events for kids opens with Music, Magic, and Mayhem - also known as "a smorgasbord of oddball antics, riotous slapstick and one darn good time had by all - all served up with a generous side order of original off beat music." The shows are near the game tables/playground area, and event-goers are advised to bring a blanket or chair to sit on and some water (or other appropriate refreshment) to drink.

To see what this Wednesday's show is all about, check out the Dikki Ellis website.

The free events are brought to us by the City Parks Foundation in cooperation with: Friends of Sunset Park and City of New York -Parks and Recreation.

Determined Parents Brave Monster Line for Swim Lessons

This is the line for the Swim Classes at the Sunset Park Pool. It wouldn't be all that bad, except it's the line at 10:45 AM - almost two hours AFTER registration started. When I walked by again, at just after Noon, the line had been shifted (without incident) to allow for pool goers to get in. It was still an impressive line, but it seemed to be moving along. One parent told me he's actually been in line almost three hours. There will be a waiting list for those who don't make it into the classes at first. Mornings in the pool will be worth it, I'm sure!

Course II and Course III have registration days on July 24th and August 13th, respectively.

English as a Second Language Classes at the Sunset Park Recreation Center

Tuesday, July 8th, is the first day for ESL classes at the Rec Center. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 PM to 8 PM classes will be offered for FREE. Space is limited, so call 718 965 6533 to register.

Sunday Morning in the Park

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is to take a morning walk in Sunset Park. By the time I get there, events are already in full swing. The basketball courts are full, the sitting area overlooking the East River is busy with taped music, live singing, fan dancing, waltzing, and sword dancing. The playground has children swinging and adults stretching and exercising.


The bench promenade hosts relaxation of various forms including newspaper readers, pigeon feeders, loving couples, and yes, the overnight sleepers.






The central field, usually used for soccer, has off-leash dogs frolicking with their owners (and the occasional dog moocher).





The 7th Avenue side of the park is busy as well, but in a different way. Staff readies the Rec Center area for pool time. Community Service "recruits" slowly follow-the-leader to their assignments. Picnic tables are already being held in reserve with tablecloths and bags of food for parties later on. And those of us doing the loops around the park smile and nod as we pass each other for the second (or third) time.


The 5th Avenue side of the park is home to some newish flowering plants; while the roses came and went quickly, the hardier plants are still around. Both intentional and wild flowering plants decorate the slope of the park. I'm waiting for the taller flowers to bloom, but today had a couple of photo opportunities.

Proposal Presentation for Sunset Park Academy

On July 8th, the District 15 Community Education Council will be hearing presentations for new charter schools in the district. One of the proposed charter schools is for the Sunset Park area (although all CSD 15 students can apply to any CSD 15 charter schools).

The meeting is at 131 Livingston Street, room 610; it will take place on July 8th at 7 PM.
(6 PM begins the working session for Council members. Residents are welcome to sit-in.)

For additional information:
CEC15@schools.nyc.gov
Phone: 718 935-4267 Fax: 718 935-4356

Here is some information about the proposed Sunset Park Academy:

Proposed Charter School: Sunset Park Academy - a New York City Charter School Preferred Community: CSD 15 - Brooklyn
Authorizer: NYCDOE
Full Grades (year 1 grades): K-8 (K-2)
Full Enrollment (year 1 enrollment): 612 (180)
Institutional/Management Partner: Imagine Schools Inc
Lead Applicant: Joyce Mattera
Lead Applicant Contact Info: joycemattera@childrenofthecity.com
Proposed Launch Date: 2009-10 School Year
Summary of Educational Program: The mission of the Sunset Park Academy is to create a unique learning experience in which parents, students, teachers and other school staff interface to educate pupils to high academic standards, giving them relevant knowledge for the present, hope for the future, and the impetus to become responsible citizens and the leaders of tomorrow. We will partner with the national charter school operating company of Imagine Schools, using their curriculum, which is aligned with the 11 subject areas and 28 learning standards of New York State to achieve this mission.

Our education program will:
*Address Student Lack of Academic Ability, allowing students to make choices related to learning (writing topics and real-world projects) to help them see they can influence their academic success.
*Provide Supporting Behaviors that Lead to Success in School by demonstrating to students that success is based on practice and hard work that attains high academic standards.
*Build Support Systems Related to Education where school staff, mentors, families and community members will partner to build a culture where it is ok to learn and succeed. *Establish a culture where building student character is stressed, infusing shared values such as honesty, justice, integrity, hope, and respect into learning.
*Support strong Family/Community involvement by forging deep connections with our families, school, and service providers, maintaining regular communication, making home visits and welcoming them into the school.
*Define and Structure Success, by establishing clear classroom management and learning processes so students understand what is expected of them and become more independent academically and organizationally.
*Create an economically sustainable school that can continue to educate children over the long run.

Luxury Rental (available for sale as well) Surrounded by Homey Details

I believe in telling the whole story. At least as I see it. On the surface, well, on paper, the condos on 46th between 5th and 6th (what are they called? Nondos?) that are also up for rent sound great! "Sunny duplex with access to yard" and "laundry and storage available in the building" and the landlord is even willing to put in any type of flooring the tenants want. Wow! Three bedrooms, two full baths, new appliances...all for just $3400. I'm not making it up. Check it out on Craigslist and in the NYT.

I thought I'd help out prospective buyers/renters with some additional photos of the neighboring buildings and the view from the front of the building. So, what do you get for $3400 per month in rent or for $529k.

Here's the neighboring building. Notice the welcoming sign in the window.































And here is the view across the street from your half a million dollar condo (or $3400 rental).

Light Industry Presents Jim Morrison Inspired Poetry

So it's not truly, or solely, inspired by Jim Morrison, but I'll take any excuse to post this image.

On July 8th, Marisa Olson (a truly multi-faceted artist) will put her teenage angst on display during Tuesday's 8 PM presentation. Her book of poetry, Poems I Wrote While Listening to The Doors, 1992-1994 (before I found the internet) was written during her high school years. As the description of the evening says, Olson believes we can learn much more from "public humiliation and the aesthetics of success" than from success. Probably quite true. Thankfully, she will be publicly humiliating herself and not the audience - quite generous of her. Guest poets and performers will be reading and performing excerpts of her book, and Olson will perform as well. Sounds like an interesting evening.

As always, it's $6 at the door. For a full description and a list of artists who will perform excerpts, go to Light Industry's website and go to the calendar.

Post Article Highlights Sunset Park Van Thief Turned Informant

That's what we like to see. He wanted to steal a seemingly abandoned van, but instead, he reported "strange substances" found inside the van. Today's Post has the details.

The van was "found" on 2nd Avenue and 53rd Street, and the helpful thief drove it to a more desolate area behind CostCo (uhhhh, not desolate during CostCo's open hours!) to, presumably, protect the residents of 53rd Street and Lutheran.

Security Company in Sunset Park Employs Fireworks and Cocaine Hoarders

Someone at the Brooklyn Eagle was in a hurry to get this article on-line; it has a some major errors/typos. (Isn't today - Friday - the 4th?) Maybe they''ll be fixed soon. Despite that, it makes for interesting reading, and it reiterates the favorite sentiment of police officers around this time: Boo on Illegal Fireworks! (And at all times: Boo on Illegal Narcotics!)

Basically, these guys live in, and store their wares in, Bay Ridge, but they work for a security company in Sunset Park (and perhaps sell their wares here, too?). Considering their shirts, it's probably the creatively named Maximum Security Systems on 54th Street. They sound like the kind of guys you do not want installing and monitoring your security system.

The estimate was that the fireworks had a street value of $3,000; they don't mention how much 12 grams of cocaine is going for these days. Perhaps the assumption is that it was for personal use. Will that lower the charges?

Sunset Park Cleaning Service is Recommended by Park Slope Parents

Okay, so only a couple of people replied to the inquiry about Si Se Puede - We Can Do It! Women's Cooperative Cleaning Service, but the reviews were glowing. And who can resist a business that puts the cash in the hands of the person who did the work. Not I.

Here are some excerpts from the reviews:

My husband uses the Women's Cooperative for his business and has had good experiences. He feels the services are higher quality and less expensive than some of the others he has used like Miracle Maids. Plus the money goes straight to the cleaners and not a middleman.

I've used them four or five times and they're great! They're especially perfect for someone who needs occasional cleaning and doesn't want to commit to twice a month or something. I find my apartment really clean each time, and they have always sent the same person.

So, if you need some cleaning done (they also offer Mexican and Bangladeshi catering and pet sitting!), call them up Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 633-4823.

8th Avenue Heartache

Here's irony for you:

The Fillmore office on 8th Avenue and 45th Street has closed because the landlord wanted to double the rent. That information is from a Bay Ridge Fillmore agent. So, Ho Ho Cleaners is gone (and still empty), and there are several store fronts on 8th in the 40's that have been "for rent" for many months, and in some cases over a year, there is still hope for huge rent increases. These store fronts are all still empty (although now there is a ladder inside one of them.)

Not to fear, 8th Avenue has new construction that's sure to fill up quickly. Just look at these two buildings between 47th and 48th, just two storefronts apart:

Lost Dog - posted in the 50's and 7th Avenue

Lots of lost dogs out there. My cynical self always thinks the worst...since most of them are of the small sort. Here's the info:

Type: Shih-Tzu
Name: Fay Jai
Weight: 8 lbs.
Age: Just 8 months old
Color: White with spots of brown

Last seen on 7th and 50th. The dog wears a baby blue collar with a "D"
The numbers are on the poster. Click on the picture if you can't see it well.

Here We Go Again

7th Avenue between 46th and 45th is home to one more "build it up" location. This one-story building has been gutted and it has high hopes of becoming a three-story building. I think that soon we'll have three floors of rentals available. Hopefully the 2nd and 3rd floor additions will bear some resemblance to the 1st floor facade. Don't forget about the lovely look to this building, quite nearby.

Does the purple graffiti look like a swimming fish to anyone else?

Register for Laps/Lessons/Team at Sunset Park Pool

First things first: Learn to Swim!

The first of three courses for ages 18 months through 5 years and 6 years through 14 years begins on July 8th, and it continues through July 23rd. Registration is on July 7th from 9 AM to 11 AM at the pool. It's first come, first served. Proof of age is required (a copy of a birth certificate), and children ages 6 through 14 will have a water test on registration day.

Lessons for 6 through 14 years take place on M/W/F from 9-11 AM, and lessons for 18 months through 5 years take place on Tu/Th from 9-11 AM. (This was from the city-wide number; I think it might actually be 10 AM - 11 AM.) I do know that lessons are free. Call (718) 760-6969 for more information.

SWIM TEAM! For those ages 6 - 18 who want to challenge themselves to more formal training, the Sunset Pool is hosting a 2008 Summer Swim Team, including a championship meet on August 9th.

Register on Monday, July 7th from 9 AM - 11AM, or on any scheduled practice day.
Practice is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM - 9:45 AM from July 8th through August 7th. Call (718) 760-6969 for more information.

Adult Lap Swim - early bird and night owl. Sunset Pool is hosting both the AM and PM sessions of Adult Lap Swim on Mondays through Fridays at 7 AM - 8:30 AM and 7 PM - 8:30 PM. Registration occurs during lap swim hours on any day throughout the season. The first day is July 7th, and is continues through August 29th. Again, call (718) 760-6969 for more information.

Sunset Park Siesta

The park-side streets often serve as combination parking/lunch/rest stops for local and not-so-local folks on their breaks. This young man, who works for a "cargo express" business in the Bronx, decided to enjoy the shade and the grass while his co-worker stayed in the van's A/C.

Sunset Park Gets a Mini-Mention in New Zealand Newspaper

Hardly worthy of a mention, but it's a slow day. The New Zealand Herald has a short article about food in New York City, and Sunset Park is mentioned at the end of the second to last paragraph on the first page. How's that for directions? Just as well. I want my Bahn Mi to stay cheap. And I saw Bahn Mi and not Fish Balls or Congee or Dumplings because Sunset Park is referred to as Little Vietnam, not Chinatown.

The article also says that Cobble Hill has the best Italian in Brooklyn. Interesting. I guess they didn't go farther south to hit Bensonhurst and Gravesend.

Yoga In The Park is On for Tomorrow

Hopefully the weather won't interfere with tomorrow's scheduled Hatha Yoga class in Sunset Park. The class ran last week, and it will hopefully continue tomorrow night. The class is led by a Sunset Park resident and yoga teacher, and it is an informal Hatha Yoga class every Wednesday evening in Sunset Park. It will be an open-air class, and all levels are welcome.

The details follow:

Time: Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Cost: $12 for single drop-in and $10 for each class when purchasing a 3 class card.
Location: We will be practicing by the Sunset Park recreation center entrance, on the 7th Avenue side between the sycamore and oak trees.
What to Bring: Please bring a yoga mat or blanket (for you ashtangis).

Fence Fixed: What a Difference a Day Makes!

Wow. I have to say I'm impressed. This morning, my trip to the playground was greeted by an upright, repaired, relatively sturdy looking fence at the parkside entrance to the playground. Another playground aficionado told me that an "official looking" van came by yesterday afternoon and "official looking men" looked the fence over. I guess they agreed that it was a hazard, because it's happily repaired now.
*Unfortunately, some dim wits have already removed a couple of pieces from the fence; this is not what it looked like this morning.



In related news: The trash around the park and playground is totally gone (or it was in the morning). That's why we love the Sunset Park Staff. They manage to clean-up after tons of people, many of whom can't seem to figure out what those weird metal bins around the park are actually meant to do.

related story: Fence Hazard