Stop Work Order Served to Bigger, Uglier Building

And so it goes. This SWO was duct-taped to the fence due to a lack of approved plans for hoisting materials with pulleys (they should have seen the crane there two days ago), not having guardrails/handrails, and not providing protection to the adjacent roof.

Dia de los Ninos at the Sunset Library Today

Thanks to Rachel, my library connection, for the information. Today the Sunset Park library (51st and 4th) will be having a Dia de los Ninos program at 4 PM. If you need an afternoon activity for the kiddos, stop by and check it out.

YOU WHOOO, Keep off the grass!

YOU WHOOO, Keep off the grass!, originally uploaded by veesvision.

A timely reminder to attempt to respect our newly green shoots around the neighborhood. Granted, soccer, picnicking, and running children and dogs don't help. Would we trade those activities for pretty, empty grass? I doubt it.

Thanks to Vanessa from veesvision for uploading this photo.

5th Avenue is Bargainville for your Feet

Forget the $5 foot long at Subway. Check out the stretch of 5th Avenue from 46th to 53rd for $5 pairs of shoes (ladies, for the most part). Not all had $5 shoes, some advertised 20% off, or various other bargain-sounding prices. I peeked into a couple of the places, and while they were very well patronized, the shoes aren't quite my style - even if they are my price. Seriously, one place had NO flat shoes. None. But if you need a pair of high heels in silver, white, or leopard print, get over to 5th Avenue NOW.


Another place (see photo above), in the mid-40's, did have flats, and I was tempted, but I don't need silver shoes right now.

Anyway, if you are more fashionable than I (and who isn't?), and if your balance is good (the heels were high), stroll along 5th for an hour. I'll bet you find something.

Jump-Start Your Relationship in Sunset Park

According to Time Out New York, the place to put a little pizazz into your long-term relationship is Sunset Park. If you start out here and work your way south, you'll dispel all worry about the solidity of your love. Start out with Ba Xuyen (the article points out that the veggie only option is yummy. Didn't I tell you?), throw in some bludgeoned bass, buy squid on a stick, and you're set. Isn't that true for any romantic relationship?

Check out their suggestions. I'd make a few adjustments, but it's a good walking tour with bountiful pit stops and views. Good effort, TONY.

Deborah Matlack Checks Out Green-Wood's Cherry Trees

With beautiful results, Deborah Matlack, a local photographer and creator of the new blog Brooklyn Rocks, took a walk around Green-Wood with her camera.

After the promised rains of the next few days, the blooms might not be as brilliant. Check it out.

NY1: Swine Flu Affects Sunset - Mildly

I suppose it's natural for a largely Mexican community to be extra concerned with something that seems to be radiating from Mexico. So far, however, it doesn't seem to be affecting too many businesses or too much activity on 4th and 5th Avenue. According to the NY1 story, Mexican airlines are giving people the opportunity to reschedule flights without penalties. Hopefully this flu will prove to be less serious than anticipated wherever it strikes. Considering the massive allergy attacks I've seen and experienced, combined with the heat of recent days, I'm surprised more people haven't run to doctors or emergency rooms to get checked for the porcine virus. Here's what NY1 has to say.

And if you're feeling the need for some adolescent humor (isn't any humor that uses bodily fluids considered fairly adolescent?) regarding swine flu, check out Beehive Hairdresser's take on how it's contracted. It gave me a chuckle.

Mini-Ballerinas and Dancers Wanted for Dance Deal

Got a kid that's between three and a half and six? Want something to do before or after lunch on a Saturday? Here's your chance for a discounted class.



from El Pequeno Artista's email:

ATTENTION!

CALLING ALL BALLERINAS AND DANCERS OUT THERE!

El Pequeno Artista has a super sale this spring - first time for this class! Our ballet workshop started late for our star ballerina was on rehearsals. We have 9 classes left in the workshop and we would like to invite other dancers to come have fun with us. The price for the remaining of the workshop is now $150!

A saving of $70 from the original price!!

Ballet Workshop

Saturdays 12:30 p.m.

Age 3 1/2 to 6 yrs.

A fun introduction to ballet using imaginative techniques! Children learn the primary elements of classical ballet, including floor, bar & center work, and get a true sense of accomplishment with this dance.

TO REGISTER:

First send us an email with your child's name and age and your contact information. After that, you can send a check for $150 to El Pequeno Artista: 372 15th St. #1A Brooklyn NY 11215. Or call 646.207.0626 to have your payment processed by credit card. You'll receive a confirmation email when we have received your payment.

REGISTER NOW!

--
EL PEQUENO ARTISTA
249 20th St. @ 5th Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11215
www.elpequenoartista.com
T: 718.965.1406

What You See in Sunset Park: Peach Flowers

And that's why I'm bleary-eyed and sneezing.* It's lovely though.

* Okay, I don't know if these are allergy inducing flowers, and I'm sorry if I'm defaming a flowering tree by suggesting that. If you must correct my claim that my itchy, watery eyes are caused by trees like this, please do so without using expletives and insulting my parentage. I realize that the comments of a blog are tempting places to bolster up one's ego, especially under the "anonymous" title, but it's a tad boring to read through foolishness when I have a finite amount of time before my daughter wakes up. Thanks!

Going Up? Choosing Uglier and Bigger.

The story of 772 44th Street is one we've seen all too often around here. Let's not pretty up the fact that the building that was here had very little appeal, but the new owners chose to create the new building, and it's much more building than we had before.

The building you see above was a two-family; the building that's shaping up below will be nothing less than a four-family. They are working on the fifth floor now, but it looks like it's only supposed to be four floors. Please do correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Aesthetic concerns are one thing, but something that rankles even more is that changing a two family into a four (or five) family does more than offend the visual senses. Adding people to an infrastructure (water, sewage, sanitation, schools, and so on) that is not making much progress where improvements are concerned is troubling in many more ways. It's something we're seeing a lot of throughout our fair borough. Consider learning more about the proposed re-zoning of Sunset Park.

Green-Wood Cemetery is Showing Off

IMG_2039, originally uploaded by lostinbrooklyn.

Green-Wood is (even more) gorgeous right now, and it will be for a while thanks to blooming trees. So, if you aren't cursed with horrific allergies to beautiful, flowering arboles - check it out. Here's an excerpt from a posting by lostingreenwoodheights on Brooklynian.com:

"So take my friendly BLOOM ALERT and spend a morning, afternoon, early evening (open till 6pm till Memorial day, then 7pm) in the grounds and see some awesome blooms!"

Thanks to lostinbrooklyn for making several lovely photos of early blooms available on flickr.

What You Eat in Sunset Park: Snails with Black Bean Sauce

Snails with Black Bean Sauce, originally uploaded by wEnDaLicious.

This was taken (and eaten) at Lucky Eight Restaurant on 52nd and 8th. Thanks to wEnDaLicious for adding it to the BViB photo pool on flickr.com. Check out her photostream for an amazing array of food around the City. She eats well!

Free Reading of New Play That's Not for the Kids

The playwright found space in Sunset Park because, as he said, the play follows an immigrant Latina, and he thought it would be an appropriate setting. Play readings are usually casual, bare bones affairs that let you listen in during the early stages of a play's development. Think of it as an opportunity to have a dinner and a show on the cheap. Don't forget to frequent one of our local establishments (and then write in to let us know how you liked it!).


Admission is free, but space is limited. Come early for guaranteed seats. This reading is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. (BAC)

Fulana: A play reading by Felipe Ossa
When: 8 PM, Thursday May 14 and Friday May 15
Where: 220 36th Street, #506
How: D, M, N, R to 36th St.
No need to RSVP, just come early for guaranteed seats.

Cast: Marisel Polanco*
Vanessa Benítez
Sharlene Hartman*
Marika Daciuk*
Julio Neira*
Anthony Cruz

Stage Manager: Teresa Violet Cajigas
Music consultant: Gabriel DeSanctis

*Member of Actors’ Equity

Reminder: Youth Baseball Sign-Ups are NOW!

If you have a baseball-loving child between 5 and 12 years old, check out the flyer below and call the Rec Center at 718 965 6533 to find out how you can sign up. It's free, it's outside, it's fun. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Links for a Sunset Sunday

Counterfeit Operation Bust

Rezoning of Sunset Park up for Public Comment

New Charter School Recruiting

Brooklyn Food Conference
from the Brooklyn Eagle article:

Worrisome indicators about the state of the borough’s health highlight serious systemic shortcomings. Conference literature sites a “Supermarket Need Index” created by the Department of City Planning, which determined that three million New Yorkers live in neighborhoods with a high need for grocery stores. In Brooklyn, those neighborhoods are Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, East New York and Sunset Park.

What You See in Sunset Park: Two Wheel Romeo

Two Wheel Romeo, originally uploaded by galvarez51.

I'm not a fan of cut flowers, but this photo in the Best View in Brooklyn pool on flickr seems perfect for the next few days. Enjoy!

What You See in Sunset Park: Wigs and Serious Expressions

Thanks to Venus_in_Furs for uploading this to the Best View in Brooklyn photo pool on flickr.com. These ladies look proud and pensive at the same time.

New Peruvian Steakhouse Opens on 5th Avenue

It's open after many months of activity and occasional signs of life. The tables inside are cozy and decked in red tablecloths. The people who greeted me when I went in to get a menu were incredibly friendly (and those in the kitchen wore hairnets).

I was told that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be special seafood nights. And that's good because the menu doesn't seem too Peruvian. I'm no expert, especially because I'm a (mostly) vegetarian, but there is no ceviche on the menu, nor is there a potato dish - other than french fries. Granted, the awning says Peruvian and American. Take a look below and judge for yourself.

They JUST opened, so it could be that purchasing the fish for ceviche was a monetary issue, but potatoes? That's my go-to dish! Anyway, there is plenty that looks like it would please meat-eaters. Here's a sampling:

Fajitas for $12. Beef, chicken, shrimp.
Soups from $3.50 - $7.50. Chicken, beef, beef feet, ministrone.
Steaks for $9 - $19. 16 oz. Porter House, 12 oz. T-bone, Steak with onions, Pepper steak, Breaded Beef.
Pork Chops for $9 or $10. Pernil for $8.
Broiled chicken for $6 or $8.
Plaintains, yucca, papas fritas for $3.

I hope they do well; they seem really sweet and eager to make a go of it. They have a $6.50 lunch special from 11 AM to 3 PM on weekdays. That may be the way to go to try them out.

Three and a Half Ginger
5th Avenue between 41st and 42nd
718 853 0400

What is This?

An exterminator's pump? Something ditched by Casbar due to its closing? A portable shower? A giant lemon juice applicator?

Any other suggestions as to what it might be?

I called 311 at Noon; let's see what happens.

Update: I got a call from the DEP at 1 PM, but I guess it didn't sound too ominous to them because it's still there at 3 PM. I hope it's not actual extermination stuff because several groups of kids coming home from PS 169 have been checking it out.
2nd Update: The DEP people (two very young and diligent people) came at some point after 3 PM. They left without the giant lemon, but they did leave their mark. See below.

I'm glad we averted THAT hazardous disaster.

What You See in Sunset Park: Blue Busted Stoop

She keeps watch on 47th Street.