across the park

Parkside Ave Sprouts Internet Coffee House

Because the security gates were down, we were unable to gather any additional information on this place but for its name, "Internet Coffee House," which we assume will sell coffee and internet.  It may not be open yet, or it may just not be open on Sundays (which would be strange).

Very interesting.

Could this place be competition for K-Dog?  That will ultimately depend on whether Internet Coffee House can offer a quality product.  We enjoy K-Dog and cannot see ourselves becoming disloyal unless ICH offers something really stellar.

Anyone know anything about ICH?  Check it out on Parkside between Flatbush and Ocean.

Check Out PLG Arts Jazz Series at Ink Well

This just in from PLG Arts...

Please join us for a unique evening of great music--and art!
PLG Arts Jazz at the Ink Well for a very special evening..........
Tuesday, Dec 11, 8-10:30

DEDICATED TO CHAOS: Danijel Zezelj, live painting; Andrew Drury, drums; Jonathan Goldberger, guitar/FX;Jessica Lurie, sax, accordion
DEDICATED TO CHAOS: a multimedia performance  of live music + live painting

Ink Well Jazz and Comedy Cafe
408 Rogers Ave. , betw Sterling and Lefferts
www.plgarts.org

$5 contribution goes to the musicians and PLG Arts

Lurie's musical works are "both groundbreaking and addictive," Zezelj's artwork is "astonishingly detailed and intense," Drury’s music is "rigorously crafted and liberatingly free."

DEDICATED TO CHAOS: a visual and musical journey unfolding in slow-motion before the audience, rooted in energetic free jazz with influences from Klezmer, blues, punk and funk.

Traffic Calming PLG Style

There's been lots of chatter lately on the Lefferts Yahoo! Group about a possible Lefferts Manor Association plan to add speed humps to certain LM streets.  Some observe cars traveling down their streets at high speeds and hope that traffic humps will alleviate the problem.

Arguments have also been made against speed humps, including the possibility that they could lead to increased noise.

Either way, there's only one thing in the whole string of emails we've read that makes sense: traffic calming initiatives need to take place across the whole neighborhood, not just a few streets in the Manor.  Adding speed humps to one or two streets will only push traffic off onto another street.

In addition, ATP things that PLG has MUCH bigger fish to fry as a community when it comes to traffic calming.  Take, for example, the intersection of Lincoln Rd. and and Flatbush Ave (pictured).  If you haven't had a near death experience at this intersection, then you don't live in PLG and you've never visited.  Drivers never know where to go and seem completely blind to the fact that pedestrians actually use crosswalks.

Calming traffic on Flatbush Ave. (and possibly the superhighway that is Rogers Ave.) would have a greater impact on the neighborhood as a whole than adding speed humps to a few blocks.  We're no traffic engineers, so we have no suggestions on how to fix Flatbush and Lincoln, but perhaps LMA could expand the scope of their traffic calming initiative to the broader PLG communty.  Doing so would be a tremendous boon to quality of life in the neighborhood.

Flatbush Shines in NYT

Sunday's NYT Real Estate Section includes an article on Flatbush, Brooklyn's "catch-all" neighborhood.  Says Lenny Linksker, a real estate investor, "If it's not definitely a different part of Brooklyn, it's Flatbush."

That's a tad broad, Lenny.  But we digress.

What's interesting about the article is that the sentiments of newer Flatbush residents mirrors that of those of us who were new to PLG three to four years ago:

In 2002, the couple bought a one-bedroom co-op on Glenwood Road with an eat-in kitchen and spacious foyer for a price that Ms. Simkins, a 39-year-old art director, would not reveal, except to say “nobody could or would believe” it.

If Flatbush real estate trends like PLG, new co-op owners will see their investment double in value in just a few years.  Real estate agents quoted in the article also claim that a single family home can be had to $450K...  sounds mythical to us, like a real estate unicorn.

Art Show and Fundraiser at Lime

Lime has yet to have its grand opening, but the proprieters have already signed on to a fundraiser for Maple Street School.  The organizers passed us the following information:

The Maple Street School is throwing a benefit to raise money for our local non-profit preschool...an Art Show and Cocktail Party! 

The school has been organizing workshops run by local artists and teachers for the kids of PLG to create unique works of art.  The art includes watercolor self-portraits, collages, finger paint collaboratives, and more, all mounted on wood and other ready to hang materials.  The results are beautiful!  In addition, some grown up local artists will be showing their latest works.  All the art is for sale by silent auction for the evening starting between $20-35, and on display for the month. 

And, introducing the newest  addition to nightlife in PLG, the much anticipated Lime!  Lime is cool, new lounge that hopes to also act as a community arts center with regular showings of local art and hosting community gatherings.  Lou, the owner, is opening LIME to the school with generous donations!

So, toast the holidays and see the inspired works of art created by the children of PLG, also great gifts for the holidays!  Tickets are $20 and include unlimited beer and wine.  All proceeds go to benefit the Maple Street School.  Contact Lizzie at eabicknell@yahoo.com for tickets and information.

For Rent Sign Disappears From Flatbush Storefront

This storefront on the corner of Flatbush Ave. and Chester Ct. once had a large for rent sign tied to the frame of its former awning.  The sign is now gone.

Has the store been rented?  Did someone arbitrarily pull the sign down?  Anyone have any information?

As per our usual sentiment... Thai would be nice.

Cheap Developers: Hands off Ocean Ave.

   =>    ?

We learned last week that time is running out for 185 Ocean Ave, the former home of Planet PLG creator Dan Canale and his family.  For those who are not clued in to the unfolding drama, a developer purchased the property and intends to demolish the house.  We're not against new development, but as a community we've got to make sure that this developer doesn't build some ugly piece of crap on the lot.  The other photo above, taken at the corner of Bedford and Parkside Aves, represents the antithesis of what would be a welcome addition to PLG's architectural variety because it has no style and is ugly.

It would be horrible to flank Prospect Park with a hideous structure.  How does one unearth building plans to find out what this developer plans to do?  If the plan includes something hideous, what can be done about it?

Condo on Caton

We're a little embarrassed to admit that Brownstoner completely scooped us on this one.  We noticed several months ago that a new building was going up on Caton, but we failed to note progress and keep our loyal readers informed.

Now for our commentary.

This building ain't pretty, which is unfortunate and somewhat mind boggling.  Why?  Because developers manage to build and sell reasonably attractive condos in the rougher parts of Williamsburg and altogether rough Bushwick, yet the folks developng our hood can't get their aesthetics together.  Other than 384 Maple, all new buildings in the area are downright ugly.  We fear for what will be built on the site of the former Planet PLG House (see below).  It would really suck if the one and only new development on Ocean Ave turned out ot be a Fedders House.

As everything sells at the right price, the condos on Caton will sell... to people who don't mind living on a crappy block that also happens to be a truck route. 

A new blog is born

Hawthorne Street has given birth to a new blog called Hawthorne Street.  The writers promise that they will offer concrete and practical advice related to life, love and brownstone renovation - without the life and love parts.

Be sure to check it out.

D-Day for 185 Ocean Ave

Ciao bella.