The Brooklyn Heights Association joins with ISSUE Project Room to celebrate Walt Whitman as part of their Centennial Celebration.

A Special Evening of Music and Poetry in Brooklyn Bridge Park include a special outdoor performance, “I Do Not Doubt I Am Limitless: Walt Whitman’s Brooklyn” and bands including Wingdale Community Singers, Christy and Emily, Prince Rama, and others.

When: Thursday, July 1, 2010, 5pm – midnight
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn (Rain Location: The Tobacco Warehouse)

The event is FREE. For more info, go to www.thebha.org

Wall Street Journal also mentions the BHA event.

Pier 6 officially opens on Saturday, June 5, 2010. It looks to be one of the coolest kid’s playgrounds in the city, which includes a water park, a giant sandbox, swings- both single and double seaters (and Tarzan style ropes), and a long slides on 1.6 acres of landscaped lawn, trees, and tall grass.

There’s also a free ferry transportation from Pier 6 to Governor’s Island for Family Day (Sat, June 5). For information on Governors Island Family Festival on June 5, go to governorsislandalliance.org.

Below photos from the Brooklyn Paper article on Pier 6.

NY Magazine also mentions the Pier 6 opening in the latest issue. Are there other children’s playgrounds in NYC that rival this one?

Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park
(Atlantic Avenue and Columbia Street, Cobble Hill)

A pop up shop for moms at 360 Furman Street:

A curated selection of great items for mom and kids.
Thursday May 20th 12-8 (and Friday By appointment)

- Special edition cotton saree tunics and kaftans by Two (to get you through a hot summer no matter how big or tiny your belly is.)
- Fantastically soft layering pieces in Organic cotton from Skin Lingerie
- Eberjey baby girl swimwear in adorable prints
- Meet our favorite organic pals, aminals (aminaldolls.com)
- Get inspired with Interior Designer Julia Aulenbacher on your dream’s kids room & view her vienna mini chair and more.
- Graphic linen towels from San Francisco based Studiopatro & Mymu espadrilles

Thursday, May 20, 2010, 2-8pm
360 FURMAN STREET, 1114, Brooklyn Heights

Friday, May 21, 2010
open by appointment.

A NY Times article mapped the NYC Transit station-by-station ridership in 2009. Some areas of NYC went down in ridership, such as Midtown, “which has lost tens of thousands of jobs since 2008, dropped at more than twice the rate of the system as a whole…In all, the system had 1.58 billion rides last year, officials said, a decline of 2.7 percent from 2008.” So how did the Dumbo-area subway stations do in 2009? York Street (F) station increased ridership by 3.2% and High Street (A, C) decreased slightly by 1.8%:

• High Street (A, C) – Avg daily riders, 2009: 5,173. Percent change, 2008-2009: -1.4%
• York Street (F) – Avg daily riders, 2009: 5,243. Percent change, 2008-2009: +3.2%
• Clark Street (2, 3) – Avg daily riders, 2009: 4,674. Percent change, 2008-2009: +4.8%

For other stations, check out the NY Times interactive map of the subway ridership.

When: Thursday, November 19, from 7-9 pm
Where: Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 208, Dumbo, Brooklyn

Plese join us for a very special evening of wine & cheese, and an incredible line-up (below) of New York’s luminary literati.

Suggested Donation: $20/person
See the line-up of writers, scholars, and reporters after the jump.

PART I (7 to 8 o’clock pm)

• Tad Friend, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of Cheerful Money: Me, My Family, and the Last Days of Wasp Splendor
• Warren St. John, reporter for The New York Times and author of Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town and Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Road Trip into the Heart of Fan Mania
• Melissa Milgrom, PS 8 parent, and author of the forthcoming novel, Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
• Rich Benjamin, scholar, journalist and author of Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey into the Heart of White America
• Paul Zelinsky, former PS 8 parent, author and illustrator of Wheels on the Bus, Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin, to name only a few
• Josh Neufeld, cartoonist, illustrator and writer of the graphic novelization, A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, and A Few Perfect Hours and Other Stories from Southeast Asia & Central Europe.

PART II (8 to 9 o’clock pm)

• Janice Eidus, PS 8 parent and author of The War of the Rosens, Vito Loves Geraldine, Urban Bliss, and The Celibacy Club
• Beth Feldman & Liz Gumbinner, co-authors of See Mom Run: Side-Splitting Essays from the World’s Most Harried Blogging Moms
• Fiona Maazel, author of Last Last Chance: A Novel
• Sarah Langan, author of Audrey’s Door, The Missing, and The Keeper
• Paola Corso, poet, essayist and author of Giovanna’s 86 Circles and Other Stories
• Nan Richardson & Claudia Pearson, PS 8 parent and writer, and illustrator of A Tribal Alphabet
• Arthur Phillips, author of The Song is You: A Novel; Prague; The Egyptologist; and Angelica.

Additionally, donated copies of the following books will be available for sale:

• Jonathan Ames‘ The Alcoholic (signed copy)
• Stephen Elliott’s The Adderall Diaries: A Memoir of Moods, Masochism and Murder
• Virginia Heffernan & Mike Albo’s The Underminer: The Best Friend Who Casually Destroys Your Life (signed copy)
• Julie Salamon’s Hospital: Man, Woman, Birth, Death, Infinity, Plus Red Tape, Bad Behavior, Money, God, and Diversity on Steroids (signed copies)
• Signed copies of David Samuels‘ The Runner, and Only Love Can Break Your Heart (signed copies)
• Amy Sohn’s recent novel, Prospect Park West (signed copies)

*All proceeds from this event benefit the PS8 PTA to fund special programs and workshops, enrichment programs, and school supplies and materials.

RSVP: becky_sternal@hotmail.com
Invite (PDF)

Videographer Greg Malcolm checking in with another in his series of Why I Love Brooklyn. This time he cuts a segment of The Brooklyn Promenade, the best view towards lower Manhattan. Once the Brooklyn Bridge Park is completed, we’ll have an even better view of both the Park and lower Manhattan. Several sections including Pier 1 and 6 is planned for opepning in 2010 in the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Check out Greg’s other videos on YouTube and his blog at whyilovebk.blogspot.com.

Previously:
{Why I Love Dumbo: Zakka, 02Nov2009}
{Why I Love Dumbo by Greg Malcolm, 29Jul2009}

In a video report published today, The Real Deal takes a look at Brooklyn Heights. While the area is faring better than most other Brooklyn neighborhoods, it is still seeing softening. Sales for 20 Henry Street were suspended until a model unit is finished, and inventory for co-ops and condos have risen by 10-20% in Brooklyn Heights, according to William Ross of Halstead Property.

Several Montague Street merchants have closed. Brooklyn Heights Blog has been following the troubles facing Montague Street merchants and has posted today a video with interviews of some retail merchants.

Finally, even with inventory rising, the former Standish Hotel (169 Columbia Heights in Brooklyn Heights), converted to rentals are 2/3 rented a pricing from $2900 to $5400 per month.

Let’s say you start working at a new restaurant or a trendy new ice cream store, wouldn’t you want to know if your boss is doing what he can to make it profitable? If you knew that he has a shady past, would you work there? Would you patronize the business? Obviously, you would not go there if you knew the “business owner” was using your credit card number to steal at least $25,000, or that he was paying employees with bad checks. That’s what Daniel Kaufman, who managed Wine Bar, Busy Chef, Blue Pig ice cream, and Oven, all located on Henry Street at the corner of Cranberry Street in Brooklyn Heights is accused of, according to a NY Times story published yesterday. If you’ve been following our neighboring blog, the Brooklyn Heights Blog, they first broke the story of Kaufman’s shady past over a year ago. But not until back payments unpaid, bouncing paychecks, and credit card fraud did the story become much more public. Nearly 50 hard working employees are now out of work, and as BHB states, he “just couldn’t sit on the sidelines“. Neither can we. If any readers can help with a contact or job opportunity for any of the former employees, please contact webmaster @ brooklynheightsblog.com.

The 20 Henry Street condominium has released their first phase of sales last week. (Curbed featured this yesterday.) We’ve received several tips from our readers who mentioned that they’ve met with the sales office. There are two buildings in the project; one is the former Peaks Mason Mints building (on the corner of Henry and Middagh) and the second is a newly constructed 4 story building on the corner of Poplar and Henry. We’ve always liked the older building, which is an 1864 industrial loft building with 22 units. The new building is a 4 story, 14 unit building. There aren’t too many loft conversions left in Brooklyn Heights and the sales office has priced the units appropriately. Our tipster said the sales broker told them that these are great deals. “Get them before the prices jump.” The ceiling height is 9″ for both and there will be a garden courtyard between the buildings and a workout room. (A few floorplan samples after the jump). Some example prices:

• $1,575,000; 3 bed, 2 bath, 1530 sqft, maint: $1296, tax: $181.
• $1,490,000; 2 bed, 2 bath, 1310 sqft, maint: $1110, tax: $153.
• $625,000; 1 bed, 1 bath, 726 sqft (47 sqft balcony), maint: $615, tax: $74.

On one hand, loft conversions in prime Brooklyn are hard to come by. However, with the economy being what it is, will they sell at these prices?

{Sizing Up a Heights Newcomer, 31Jul2008, Curbed}
{20 Henry Swings Back Into Action, 25Jun2008, Brownstoner}
{From Mints to Condos at 20 Henry Street, 29Apr2008, Brownstoner}
{20henry.com}
{DOB filing}

The Brooklyn International Film Festival, a 10 day International event for independent film makers is taking place this week. One of the highlights is a film called The Collective, written and directed by husband and wife team Judson Pearce Morgan and Kelly Overton. Kelly also plays a woman who goes to NYC to look for her sister who disappeared. Her search leads her to a clandestine society, where the film takes us through some dark, mysterious, and thrilling scenes. Several of the scenes were filmed in Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights last year.

A second screening will take place on Thursday, June 5 at 8pm at the Brooklyn Lyceum. (Details here) We caught Judson for a few questions.

DumboNYC: A lot of scenes in THE COLLECTIVE were filmed in and around Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo. Were you and Kelly living in the area at the time?
Judson: Yeah, we were living on Clark St. in Brooklyn Heights. We would go on walks on the promenade to brainstorm as we wrote the movie and naturally be inspired by the beauty of the area and the city.

DumboNYC: Was the filming in the area for convenience or specifically for the scenes in the movie?
Judson: There were a few sequences in the film where the lead character, played by Kelly, is sent on a wild goose chase around the city by a group of her sisters friends, Dumbo and the surrounding area were the perfect locations to send a girl who isn’t familiar with the city, to get her out of sorts. It was a combination of the story needs and the sheer cinematic quality of the streets overlooking Manhattan and the bridges.

DumboNYC: Have you written a follow up to the movie? What’s next for you and Kelly?
Judson: We are in the gearing up for our next film, a modern day take on the story of the prodigal son. But, we are proud to announce that THE COLLECTIVE will be getting distributed, so anyone who misses it on the festival tour will be able to pick it up when it gets a broader release later this year or early 2009.

Thanks Judson and hope we’ll be seeing more of your films!
More info on the Film festival: wbff.org
thecollectivemovie.com

There’s a wine and food opening reception and open house for Yoga People on Saturday May 17 from 3-6 pm. The yoga studio & spa center is an expansion of the existing Yoga People on Remsen St. There’s a free yoga class on Sunday May 18th from 1-2 pm.

Yoga People (yoga-people.com)
160 Montague Street, 2nd floor, Brooklyn, NY
718-522-9642

What: PS 8 Annual Spring Auction
When: Thursday, April 10, 7-9pm
Where: Hillis Hall, Plymouth Church, 75 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights

Please join PS8 for live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the school and support their children. Tickets are $50 in advance ($75 at the door) at www.ps8pta.org. Some items on the auction block:

• Baking lessons for six children at Almondine Bakery
• Wine tasting with a noted wine expert
• Be a Principal of the Day with Mr. Phillips
• Vacation home stays
• Artwork from local artists
• Personal sessions with a fitness trainer
• Estate planning sessions with an attorney
• …and much more…

• Moody McCarthy (Last Comic Standing, Jimmy Kimmel)
• Adam Wade
• DJ Hazard (American Misfits (on Fuse), Boston comedy legend)
• Gilad Foss
• Rachael Parenta, and more

Hosted by Charles Star (charlesstar.com (Onion News Network) with an educational interlude from Monkeywire (Monkeywire.org)

Tuesday, January 15 at 8PM
Magnetic Field
97 Atlantic Avenue between Hicks and Henry (Brooklyn Heights)
Free – and happy hour all night.

Pant-Hoot Comedy – Sept. 25 at 8PM
Magnetic Field (magneticbrooklyn.com)
97 Atlantic Ave. between Hicks and Henry (Free!)
Featuring:

• Tom Shillue (Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central Presents:) (tomshillue.com)
• Becky Donohue (Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and Tough Crowd) (beckydonohue.com)
• Baron Vaughn (HBO/Aspen Comedy Festival, CC’s Open Mic Fight) (baronvaughn.com)
• Jesse Popp (Comedy Central’s Premium Blend) (myspace.com/jwpopp)
• Matt Taylor (Waltz) (myspace.com/matthewallentaylor)

Hosted by Charles Star (Onion News Network contributor, Stay Free!) (myspace.com/charles_star)
with an educational interlude about primates from Monkeywire (monkeywire.org).

Congratulations to Homer Fink’s Brooklyn Heights Blog, who celebrated their one year anniversary last night at Magnetic Field Cocktail Lounge last night. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it, but I’m sure it was fun. BHB has been a great resource to find out about Brooklyn Heights’ hot topics, events, and news. We’re looking forward to another year of blogging.

AM New York’s City Living features Brooklyn Heights in today’s paper, which includes an interview with BHB.

{AM New York City Living}
{brooklynheightsblog.com}