Brooklyn

http://www.fdconline.org/housetour.html Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of tour. Purchase tickets online at http://www.fdconline.org, or call FDC at(718) 859-3800, ext. 209

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKEruQmYQZI&feature=player_embedded

I was just curious if anyone knew of any changes(more bars, cafes etc.) happening between Fulton and Pacific off of Nostrand. I know there's NoBar and Richol Bakery, but that seems to be about it on my stretch of Nostrand. There's a bunch of stuff popping up a couple blocks up so i figured it's only a matter of time. Also what's up with the armory on Bedford and Pacific? I heard tell of a rec center, but that was a while ago. Thanks!

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas): Stories behind Brooklyn neighborhood names: Sheepshead Bay and DUMBO, 17May2013, News12 Mosley, award-winning writer, to speak in DUMBO, 16May2013, BK Eagle Heights’ Resident Paul Giamatti Filming ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2? In DUMBO, 14May2013, BHB DOT Reworks Cadman Plaza West Sidewalk, 17May2013, Brownstoner 50 Bridge Street, #609, $1.5MM, 16May2013, Brownstoner Renderings Live for the New Dumbo Townhouses, 15May2013, Brownstoner Brooklyn designers showcase their handcrafted wares, 10May2013, NYDN Floating Pool for Dumbo?, 14May2013, Brownstoner 28 Old Fulton Street, #5E, $1341/mo cc, 1800sf, #1.35MM, 13May2013, Brownstoner 306 Gold Street, #25D, 1092sf, $970k, 14May2013, Brownstoner

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/nyregion/eastern-parkway-a-triumph-of-olmsted-and-vaux.html?_r=0

Did you lose a bird recently? We stopped at 6th Ave veterinary yesterday (Saturday 5/18) then a woman with a kid & a goldendoodle came in and said that they had just found (or rather a parakeet had found them) at the park. The bird had flown up to the dog and started playing with it. She brought it to the vet hoping that they could take it, but the office was closing and no staff were there. The bird climbed right up onto my partner's finger, onto her arm, and nuzzled into her neck & hoodie. The parakeet wasn't afraid of our dogs either. We took the bird and ended up at Unleashed (pet smart?) on 7th ave to buy a crate and some food. Fortunately for us, an animal rescue shelter was there - and the guy driving the van does bird rescue! He said it was a girl. She was cold and hungry. She was a bit thin so probably had been loose for a few days. If this is your bird, please contact: Sean Casey Animal Rescue 153 E 3rd Street Brooklyn, NY 718-436-5163 nyanimalrescue@yahoo.com open daily 11a-7p We gave her up to the driver. We told him to name her Molly. He said parakeets usually go pretty quickly - so hopefully she will find a good home.

Brooklyn Half Marathon The 33rd annual Brooklyn Half Marathon had a record number of participants this past Saturday. Beginning at the Brooklyn Museum the 20,000 runners blazed a path through Prospect Park, Ocean Parkway and down south until they reached the finish line in Coney Island. Only seven months since the unprecedented damage caused by Hurricane Sandy last October, runners were able to get an up-close view of the re-construction underway throughout Brooklyn, especially in Coney Island, which was severely ravaged by the violent storm. “You can see people rebuilding as we walked around. The whole entire race finished in the middle of a construction zone,” one runner said. Many of the runners, as well as onlookers, couldn’t help but to feel that the race was a positive statement about the way Brooklyn has come back after the storm. “The greatest thing of all was that no matter what time, no matter where we crossed, what mile it was, people were just hanging over bridges, coming out of their cars, coming out of the streets, giving us a high five. The cops, the workers, nurses were coming out of the hospital,” said Petrina Esposito, a participant in the run. “Brooklyn is Brooklyn and the heart of people will always be here.” The Brooklyn Half Marathon is the second largest such race in the country. This year security was heightened, organizers asking runners to place their property in clear, drawstring bags which were provided by them. When the race was over, for many the fun had just begun. People walked around Coney Island, enjoying the rides, eating, drinking and just plain celebrating the new beginning for Brooklyn. “Now what am I going to do? I’m going to eat this hot dog,” said John Bennion, a runner. “It’s good to see everyone come together and have fun and kind of just rebuilding, coming back to normal and try to be positive about it,” said Kathryn Bannister, also a participant in the race.

Anyone know what happened in front of the Museum last night? Lots of cops, saw a few cars in the street, a woman with cuffs on, a bike in the middle of the street. It looked like it should be bad, but didn't see an ambulance or anything indicating a big accident.

Formerly the site of 3-Ds, this site has undergone a really slooooow renovation over the course of the last three+ years: http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/grammar-police-now-correcting-graffiti?replies=15#post-768289 Today (May 18, 2013), I was able to look in at the inside, and see that carpentry tools are finally absent. Tables and chairs are in place and ready for use. In addition, a website (complete with some branding) has recently been launched: http://www.islandczcafe.com/ Here's what this location used to look like: Based on my view, this place looks like it will be the type of venue that serves alcoholic drinks. However, in a sign that we may still have a while to wait, there has been no activity with the SLA or the Community Board that I am aware of. .... navigating this process often takes several months. Does anyone think this site is actually going to open prior to July 4th?

June 1 & 2 from 2–3:30 pm at Greenpoint Yoga 145 Java Street • Greenpoint, Brooklyn http://www.greenpointyoga.com Fee: $20.00 for 1 class or $35.00 for 2 class