Waterfront Festival Postponed until Next Week

The 10th Annual CB 7 Waterfront Festival scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed until next week due to anticipated inclement weather. Now, on October 4th, 2008, the Waterfront Festival will spread joy and fun from Noon until 6 PM. I think it's the 10th Annual Festival. Here is the website for the Waterfront Festival. Last year's location was the 58th Street Pier, and I'm guessing this year's will be at the same location.

Sunset Park Educational Forum a Success

Read a wonderful summary of the news disseminated to Sunset Park Parents here on the educational blog MySidewalkChalk. The post comes complete with informational run-downs and how-to instructions for applying to the new high school. Check it out.

Tiny, Tasty Tostadas at Matamoros

Tostadas de ceviche at Tacos Matamoros, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, originally uploaded by Eating In Translation.

Thanks to Dave Cook from the blog Eating in Translation for this photo of tostadas de ceviche at Tatos Matamoros on 5th Avenue and 45th Street.

You don't get these kind of tostadas from the vendors in Sunset Park. Usually, Tacos Matamoros is lauded for its Tacos, but these are probably a popular dish as well.

First Annual Benefit for the Green-Wood Historic Fund

Want a fancy night out and do good for the neighborhood? Have $150 that's (probably) tax deductible? Or even $250 to be a VIP? Check this out:

First Annual Benefit for the Green-Wood Historic Fund
Friday, October 3, 2008
6 PM - 9:30 PM
At Green-Wood's Historic Chapel

RSVP today by calling Isabella Vlacci at 718-768-7300 or email info@greenwoodcemetery.org

The evening will honor Pulitzer Prize winning author Debby Applegate for her 2006 biography on Henry Ward Beecher, The Most Famous Man in America.

$150 Benefit Tickets include reception, performance, and ceremony.

$250 VIP Tickets include reception, performance, ceremony, plus a signed copy of Applegate's Pulitzer Prize winning book and a special pre-event VIP trolley tour. VIP tickets are limited.

Official Benefit Sponsors: Brooklyn Brewery, David Shannon Florist & Nursery, and Red, White & Bubbly.

Proceeds from this Benefit will directly fund The Green-Wood Historic Fund's mandate for preservation projects such as the Louis Moreau Gottschalk monument restoration (part of the Historic Fund's Saved in Time Program), educational programs in conjunction with our local
public schools on topics ranging from the Civil War to art and architecture and community outreach events such as our author lecture series in Green-Wood's Historic Chapel, concerts, dance performances and seasonal special events.

What You See in Sunset Park: Large, Painted Canvas

My husband wanted to pick up this canvas to paint over it. I am so glad he didn't. Where the heck would we store it? Where has it been and who has been shedding molecules all over it? Ever since I witnessed a dog peeing all over a piece of art left curbside, I just can't get comfortable with shopping on the street. Not to mention bedbug potential (Yeah, I know, painted canvas probably doesn't carry too many bedbugs, but still.). It might still be there if you want to take your chances. Take a walk up or down 45th between 5th and 6th Avenues for a mini-art-show.

39th and 5th Subway Under New Management

When the Subway here closed down (quite a while now), we wondered who would be leasing the space. Well, now we know. A few weeks ago the Subway opened up again. Perhaps the new $5 Footlong advertising blitz spurred confidence in a strong customer base. Who knows. It's good to have one less empty storefront there, but the lunch deal at Maria's, just a few doors down, gives the sandwich deal a run for its money. It's a couple of dollars more, but it's a lot of food (and the pozole is excellent).

Reminder: Educational Town Hall on Wednesday Evening

The meeting is especially important for parents and 8th grade students who want to find out how to apply to the new high school.

Sunset Park Town Hall Meeting

Join us for this important Town Hall meeting, to address educational opportunities for all ages in Sunset Park.

Learn about:

- Sunset Park High School, opening Fall 2009

- Plans for a new 6th to 12th grade school

- Plans for a new Pre-K to 2nd grade "green" school

Wednesday, September 24th at 6:00 pm

at MS 136/MS 821

4004 4th Avenue, Brooklyn NY

Please bring family and friends!

For more information, please call (718) 788-3500. See you there!

What You See in Sunset Park: Modern, Traditional Dance

This is the same spot that had a group dancing a choreographed set of steps to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" just 15 minutes before. They had a banner, a mini-sound system, and lots of enthusiasm. Whenever they snapped their fans open, one of the dancers was a second behind. It made for a pretty cool echo-effect.

On the benches in front of the dancers sat three of the local drunkards taking in the scene. They seemed to be genuinely enjoying the show.

Dirt Pile Becomes Kids' Joy

It's been sitting there, in the center of the last few feet of the promenade, for over a week. What began as a fairly loose pile of dirt has morphed into a kiddie biker's dream. What this dirt pile has lost in height, it has gained in width. It also has several adrenalin inducing humps that send bikes sailing.

It looks like the young people who have centered the trail managed to center it between two of the poles that keep motorized vehicles from racing through the promenade area. There's quite a rut there in the center, although it's difficult to see from this photo.

I've seen kids biking, attempting to skateboard, climbing, and even some digging in this pile. What I'd like to know, however, is where is it supposed to go? And why was it dropped off more than a full week before anyone had solid plans for it? I mean, I'm a fan of dirt as much as the next mom, but didn't "they" figure it would immediately become a bike ramp? That was the first thing I thought of last weekend!

First Day of Autumn in Sunset Park

This chalk drawing in front of the Rec Center pretty much sums up moving from summer to autumn. Since the leaves aren't changing yet, and the brown, crunchy leaves don't make for very good photos (at least not with my cheap-o camera), this is my first day of autumn offering.

Send in photos of autumn in the park, if you have 'em!

Circus Amok Stopped By in Sunset Park

On Friday, at about 5:30 PM, Circus Amok landed in Sunset Park to delight and amaze children and adults alike. The entertainers presented "Sub-Prime Sublime" - which tells you what some of the topics were. One circus-goer wrote: "The performance, while geared towards children, provided laughs for adults as it was very politically inspired and based. For example, they talked about today's topics, such as the mortgage crisis, the economy, and elections. This was done by injecting these topics in a satirical manner during their performances. While these are extremely sensitive topics, they were deftly handled." She went on to say that her daughter was also entertained the entire time thanks to the bright colors, make-up, and constant activity on stage. Other parents also said that they and their kids really had fun at the performance. The "bearded lady" and tight-rope walker were especially popular, as was the band and juggling.

Thanks to Vanessa Velez of www.afreshphotograph.com for the photos!

Light Industry Does Bootleg Beckett

For reasons many of you know, I have an affinity for Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. This Light Industry presentation looks like a fantastic opportunity to check out a rare video of New York's Classical Theatre of Harlem doing WfG in New Orleans in November of 2007. The video of the performance(s) will be presented by Paul Chan. Some information about him is below, and more is at Light Industry's website, at the above link.

from LI's email:

Because Godot was never meant to be seen outside its original context and form, and because of legal issues, there was hardly any video documentation of the performances themselves. But there are some. And tonight, he’ll show them for the first time in New York.

For more info on Waiting for Godot in New Orleans: here, here, or here.

In 2002, Chan was part of the American aid group Voices in the Wilderness that broke US sanctions and federal law by working in Baghdad before the US invasion and occupation. In 2004 he collaborated with the group Friends of William Blake to create The People's Guide to the Republican National Convention, a free map distributed throughout New York to help protesters to get in or out of the way of the RNC. In 2007. Chan worked with the Classical Theatre of Harlem and Creative Time to produce a site-specific outdoor presentation of Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot in New Orleans.

Light Industry's shows are on Tuesdays at 8 PM. Tickets are $6 at the door.

55 33rd Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, New York

Lost Black Cat from 43rd Street

Apparently, the cat was seen just yesterday (Friday) in the neighborhood, so there is still hope that he's just fine.

From the owners:

Missing/Desaparecido

A large, all black, long haired cat with yellow eyes named Black Jack disappeared from our home on 43rd between 8th and 9th Avenues in Sunset Park, Brooklyn on or around Wednesday, September 17th. He was last seen on the block on Thursday AM. He is friendly and scared. There is a generous reward if you help us find him. We really miss him terribly, so please be on the lookout.

Un grande gato negro, con pelo largo y ojos amarillos que se llama Black Jack desapareció de nuestra casa en la Calle 43 entre Avenidas 8 y 9 en Sunset Park, Brooklyn el miércoles 16 de setiembre. Fue visto cerca la casa por la mañana del 18. El es muy manso y sustado. Hay un recompensa generosa si nos ayuda encontrarlo. Lo extrañamos mucho así que por favor que lo busque.

Call/Llama: 917-822-3003 or 732-768-3253

Industry City Creative Work Spaces Highlights a Different Group of "Food Finds"

Industry City has space for rent, and the Industry City Creative Work Spaces folks have you covered with their newly-booted website. You can check out the rest of their website/blog for information about work spaces in Industry City (rents go from $1100 to $3300 -with water views) here.

However, I'm much more interested in the simple things. The kind of simple things I found in their latest entry: Food Finds. What I like about this version of Sunset Park's food is that it gets off of 5th and 8th Avenue and checks out places that wouldn't otherwise get attention. From the sound of it, these places deserve the highlight. Cakes, lasagna, breakfasts, calzones, and even wraps are mentioned. All good things.

The prices mentioned are pretty enticing as well. With the economy tanking, it's worth a look.

Last Chance for Bridge as Icon at Tabla Rasa

Tabla Rasa has extended the Bridge as Icon exhibition through September 20, 2008. The gallery will be open this Saturday afternoon. Make sure to check it out!

You can preview "The Crossing" - a light installation at the gallery - here.

Table Rasa Gallery
224 48th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220

www.tablarasagallery.com
718-833-9100
info@TablaRasaGallery.com

Sunset Park Town Hall Meeting About Education on September 24th

This September 24th at 6 PM MS 136 will host a Town Hall meeting for Sunset Park residents who are interested in educational opportunities for their children. It's a time to learn about the new Sunset Park High School that's set to open in Fall 2009, the plans for a new 6th through 12th grade school, and the plans for a new Pre-K through 2nd grade school.

The Town Hall meeting is sponsored by Community Board 7 and the Center for Family Life. For more information, call 718-788-3500.

MS 136 is at 4004 4th Avenue.

Community Board 7 Meeting Tomorrow Night

This month's CB 7 meeting will begin the new season of getting involved in your community. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM and it is held at 43rd and 4th; the entrance is on 43rd Street.

I don't know any details about the agenda, but I'm sure there's a lot of business from over the summer that will come up.

What You See in Sunset Park: Jesus and a Dove

I missed a great shot because my battery pack needed to be changed. A moment before this was taken, the entire slab (covered in bird seed) was full of sparrows and doves. This one mourning dove was left by the time I was ready. This particular block of 55th Street has several front gardens dedicated to religious icons. It makes for an interesting stroll.

Light Industry Hosts Peter Goldman's "Echoes of Silence" introduced by Jonas Mekas

This Tuesday, at 8 PM, Light Industry will screen a rarely shown film: Peter Emmanuel Goldman's Echoes of Silence.

from the Light Industry description:

Peter Emmanuel Goldman's rarely screened debut, an underappreciated landmark of the New American Cinema, chronicles the lives of twenty-somethings adrift in New York City, finding tremendous pathos in the smallest moments: a furtive glance across a museum gallery, girls putting on makeup, a stroll beneath the Times Square Marquees. Composed with a lo-fi purity and bereft of diegetic sound, its shadowy images of youthful flaneurs are paired with evocatively hand-painted title cards and a dynamic soundtrack drawn from the artist's LPs that, when combines, conjure up a ballad of sexual dependency like none other.

Light Industry is at 55 33rd Street, on the 3rd Floor. Admission is $6 at the door.

Did You Try to Crack the Safe?

And did you succeed? The new Amalgamated on the corner of 45th and 5th held its traditional "Crack the Bank Vault" on Saturday. Here's the information about it from The Daily News...had I known about it earlier I would have advertised it, but I'm a bit slower on the uptake lately.