Brooklyn

I used to call Assemblyman Vito Lopez the Darth Vader of Brooklyn politics—and that was before I knew about the sexual harassment allegations. Many have charged that he is a Democratic kingmaker, a real old school party boss that rules the roost and is almost never challenged. Tish James told the New York Times in 2010, “Some people, when you mention the name Vito Lopez they quiver. They’re fearful.” Lopez was first elected to the State Assembly in 1984 (representing Bushwick and Williamsburg) and since 2006 has served as the Chairman of the Kings County Democratic Party. Last summer he announced that he would not seek re-election as Kings County Chairman due to allegations that he sexual harassed two of his female staff members and he was stripped of his committee chairmanship. This week the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics issued a report outlining the sexual harassment of multiple women on his staff by Lopez. It sounds like there was a system of sexual harassment in his office. On Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo and many others recommended that Lopez be expelled from the Assembly. On Friday, finally, Lopez, said he would resign his seat in the Assembly in five weeks. Five weeks? He should go immediately. But in an even more exasperating move, he announced that he plans to run for a City Council seat. This guy is just unbelievable. Steve Levin, a Park Slope City Councilman, issued a  statement today renouncing his former mentor. While I am a fan of Levin’s I always wondered why he never spoke out against Vito before. I think he’s either very naive or very beholden to the man who helped him get elected. “I was shocked and saddened to read the findings in the JCOPE report on Assemblyman Lopez.  The findings detail behavior that is disturbing, indefensible, and constitutes a breach of the public trust. During my time in his office there were never any incidents or allegations of sexual harassment. If there had been I would have contacted the authorities immediately. Sexual harassment is unacceptable under all circumstances and I do not tolerate it. Due to the circumstances, I believe it is the best thing for everyone concerned that he voluntarily step down.” Lopez should leave the Assembly immediately and never run for another office. Systemic sexual harassment is not acceptable in our government, in our military, anywhere. Out with the bad. Time to go Vito. Someone show him the door.

Friends of the Berms meets Saturday, May 18 from 10 am-Noon for cleaning and greening of the Plaza Street parks. Beautiful spring weather is forecast- partly sunny, high near 70! We'll meet at our usual spot - the corner of Plaza St & Vanderbilt Ave. - and then move to the day's work area. Please try to arrive by 10:00 so we don't miss you! All hands are welcome - adults and supervised children, experienced or not. Gloves and tools are provided.

So the city provides hundreds of them for the Brooklyn Marathon but zero for the West Indian Day parade. Hmmm...I wonder why.

Hi there! This summer I will be doing a summer course in New York at the Miami Ad School (located in Dumbo near the Brooklyn bridge). I'm looking for a place to stay during those 3 months, but as an international student (I live in The Netherlands) it's quite hard to exactly understand where it's safe to life and where it's not. Hopefully you guys can help me out. Currently I'm looking at 2 appartments (via nyurbanliving.com ): Kingston ave / St Marks ave What's this block like? Nostrand ave / Eastern Parkway What's this block like? Would you guys consider these apartments a good deal and in a good (enough) neighbourhood for a student? Is it easy to find transportation from here to Dumbo? Thanks a bunch!

GRL'D CHZ PLZ July 23, 2011- Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen launches at Dekalb Market, in Downtown Brooklyn. http://mrsdorseyskitchen.com/ The how the where and perhaps the why http://brooklynian.com/forum/prospect-heights/cafe-shane-closed?replies=42

I have never seen this many porta-potties in my life. Why?

FUN & INTERACTIVE WAY TO GET YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS ON TRACK Finally get your business plan done and have fun doing it! Do you stress out at the mere thought of planning your business? But you know how important it is to have clear goals and action steps for your business to succeed. This workshop is designed just for you! Instead of staying stuck and frustrated, how about having fun while moving forward with the [b]Right Brain Business Plan 1-1/2 day workshop on June 7th & 8th, Friday night 7-9:45PM and Saturday 9AM-4:45PM in Brooklyn.[/b] This interactive workshop is based on the bestselling book The Right Brain Business Plan by author/coach Jennifer Lee and led by licensed facilitator & artist, Karen Friedland. You will learn a visual, creative and accessible process to illucidate your vision, goals and actions. Even the traditional (a.k.a. “intimidating”) parts like competitive analysis, marketing and finances will be tackled in a way that’s creative, inspiring, engaging and expressive (just like YOU!) This fun and interactive workshop is perfect for you if…   * You've tried to do a business plan the "traditional way" and you got stuck, overwhelmed, and demotivated * You already have a business plan, but you need to breathe new life into it * You can't stand spreadsheets * Numbers numb you out * AND you’d be a heck of a lot happier planning your business in the same intuitive, authentic, and expressive way that you live your creative life (yes, indeed, it can be that fun and fulfilling!)   You get the following (and much, much more!) from this workshop:   * Detailed, do-able assignments… that deal with all the parts of a business plan, from start to finish * Intuitive exercises and inspiring materials… that tap into your natural creative genius, transforming drudgery into joy * Hands-on support, guidance, and accountability… from a licensed facilitator plus the wisdom and perspectives of your fellow creative cohorts in the circle * A copy of the best-selling book The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success by Jennifer Lee * A follow up coaching session with your facilitator What people have said about the Right-Brain Business Plan® and Karen Friedland:   “This course helped me re-energize and align my vision, purpose and actions. In fact, engaging in this class got me so inspired again about my business that I found myself in action implementing my plan while simultaneously creating it! Results are already materializing.” — Amy Egenberger, Spirit Out!, Inc, www.spiritout.com "Karen Friedland is an inspiring and energizing creativity coach. She combines talent, energy, great personal warmth, and marketing savvy. She has the ideal set of skills and experience for coaching creative people in their enterprises.” -- Brenda Becker, blogger/writer, http://ayearinthepark.typepad.com For more information & to register, go to http://www.ArtistKaren.com click on Right Brain Business Plan button Plus, if you register by May 24th, save $50! Register with a friend and you both get 10% more off!

When the art world starts selling paintings of a topless Bea Arthur for almost $2 Million, it makes me wonder what the true value of my Weiner is. WEINER EXPOSED

Join us for the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Baby Expo – Sunday June 2, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the International School of Brooklyn (477 Court Street) in Carroll Gardens presented by A Child Grows in Brooklyn (www.achildgrows.com/expo) The event is for expectant and new parents (of children up to age 3) and will be a day of fun and education, where participants can interact with other parents, exhibitors and experts. Exhibitors will showcase products and services covering all phases of life as a new parent! Bring your partner, a friend or the whole family (older children are welcome!) and enjoy free lunch in our Fairway Café, play in our movement room and get comfortable in our nursing lounge! Attendees can learn about and shop for everything from gear, clothing and furniture, to child care services and organic baby food. Hands-on activities include testing baby carriers, strollers and car seats, participating in demos, and learning how to make baby food. Parents (and parents-to-be) can attend seminars about preparing for birth and post-natal care, navigating the new-parent world in Brooklyn, raising a good sleeper, best gear for baby and kids, and more. Everyone will be entered to win awesome raffle prizes throughout the day, individually valued between $50-$850. Giveaways include strollers, high chairs, car seats, carriers, kid classes, tickets, gift certificates and more. VIP ticket holders will receive a gift bag hand made by Hiho Batik, which will include a BabaSling Lite by Joovy (retail value $99), and many other full-sized samples and premium gifts from sponsors, valued at over $250. Premium ticket holders will receive a gift bag filled with fabulous samples from our sponsors, values at over $150. Find more info at http://www.achildgrows.com/expo Tickets on sale now at http://brooklynbabyexpo2013.eventbrite.com/

Hi Folks, This summer I'll be moving from Chicago to a 2br apartment in Crown Heights just off Eastern Parkway. The apt is amazing.. living room, dining room, kitchen, foyer and the price is AMAZING. Like really amazing. The problem is that my potential roommate who just got a job in NYC is scared to move to Crown Heights because she thinks there is too much violence. Since I'm from Chicago, AND I grew up in a gentrifying neighborhood with boarded up houses, corner drunks, illicit drug activity, the "violence" in NYC doesn't make me scared to move to Crown Heights. That same lakefront neighborhood is coveted now. The neighborhood where my mother bought a boarded up house for $20,000 and now houses go for $500,000 STILL barely has any commercial activity (we only have Popeyes and J&J Fish and one cafe that closes at 6:30pm). So in short, Crown Heights would be heaven for me. My potential roommate on the otherhand is scared of the violence that has been reported in Crown Heights. I'll admit that the news coming from the neighborhood is very skewed. Up until 1.5 yrs ago, all the online articles ONLY talked of violence and NOTHING else. So I can understand why she might have this view of the neighborhood. And I'm not doubting that violence still exists too. So what can I say to her to convince her to move here or is it a lost cause? Should I just let her find another neighborhood and PAY DOUBLE?