Citibikes Are Coming To Our Neighborhood: Help Plan For The System

The New York City Department Of Transformation will be hosting a Community Board 6 Bike Share Public Planning Workshop on Thursday, June 11th at 7 pm at PS 58 in Carroll Gardens.
Come to find out about the program and help DoT plan for expansion of Citibike into CB6 for the system here in our neighborhood.

The meeting is co-sponsor by Council Members Brad Lander, Carlos Menchaca, Ydanis Rodriguez, Borough President Eric Adams, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Brooklyn Community Board 6, Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Cobble Hill Association, Park Slope Civic Council, and Park Slope Neighbors.



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A Moment In Time: Reflection

At El Milagro on Smith Street

I commented to the owner that his dog seems to like looking at himself in the mirror. Sadly, it turns out that the dog is almost blind. I thought it made the photo more special.



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Picture Of The Day: Sidewalk Message (In French)

Translation: " It is never too early to talk to your children"

Written in chalk on the sidewalk at the corner of Smith Street and Carroll Street.

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This Summer, Smith Street Stage Brings Shakespeare's Henry IV To Carroll Park

This summer, Smith Street Stage, the wonderful Brooklyn-based theater company that has been bringing Shakespeare to Carroll Park since 2010, will be performing Henry IV Part 1 and 2 this summer. And as in years past, the performances will be absolutely free. All you have to do is to show up and bring your own chair.

This thoroughly modern production of "Henry IV" will be directed by Joby Earle. The cast includes Michael Hanson, Beth Ann Hopkins, Jonathan Hopkins, Jane May, Jonathan Minton, Lauren Pennline, Sam Reiff-Pasarew and Hannah Sloat.

From director Joby Earle:
"One of the things that most strikes me reading Shakespeare’s two part Henry IV is the distinct impression that one generation is on its way in, as another is on its way out. Everywhere I identify a country in transition, sometimes subtly and sometimes abruptly, but always the ground underfoot is shifting in a way that, for a multitude of reasons, reminds me of our current times. What is harder to identify, in the play and in our lives, is how these changes take root in a people’s thinking, acting and relating to one another. Usually in times of great transformation, we instinctively fight to keep our self, our values, and our ideals fixed, unbroken by the chaos of world events. The play examines the inevitability of change, and our deeply revealing struggle to try to hold firm or adapt.
The two parts of Henry IV deal with the sequence of such a transition in very different ways, and both seemed essential in wrestling with the questions of what’s gained and what’s lost. As such, Smith Street Stage will produce both parts, in repertory, on alternate evenings, with select nights featuring both plays back to back."

Here is the schedule of planned performances:

Preview Part 1 - June 30, 8pm: Part One
Preview Part 2 - July 1, 8pm: Part Two

OPENING NIGHT! July 2, 6:30pm: Part One; 8pm: Part Two
July 8, 8pm: Part One
July 9, 8pm: Part Two
July 10, 8pm: Part One
July 11, 6:30pm: Part One; 8pm: Part Two
July 12, 6:30pm: Part One; 8pm: Part Two
July 15, 8pm: Part Two
July 16, 8pm: Part One
July 17, 8pm: Part Two
July 18, 6:30pm: Part One; 8pm: Part Two
July 19: 6:30pm: Part One; 8pm: Part Two

Keep up with Smith Street stage here, and on Facebook here.

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Mavi Jeans Says Good-Bye To Smith Street

Not only mom-and-pop shops seem to have a hard time staying open in Carroll Gardens. Even chain stores seem to be struggling these days.

Mavi Jeans, which boast of having "over 310 retail stores with flagships in New York, Vancouver, Montreal, Istanbul, Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Moscow",  has recently vacated its location at 90 Smith Street. It had only opened at that address in the fall of 2013.

The storefront is listed with Smith Hanten Properties. It is going for $13,000 a month.

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Celebratory Concert At Saint Agnes This Saturday Marking Restoration Of Church's 1891 Brooklyn-Built Wissner Grand Piano

St. Agnes' Wissner piano after having been moved to the nave from a hidden corner of the church

photo courtesy of Anthony Cucchiara

Back in January of this year, Saint Agnes Church at 433 Sackett Street in Carroll Gardens ran a highly successful crowd funding campaign to restore its long neglected Concert Grand Piano.
The magnificent instrument was built in 1891 by the Wissner Piano Company on Atlantic Avenue.
Over the past few months, Brooklyn’s master piano restorer, Brian Whiton has worked on the Wissner and it is now ready to be played once again. To celebrate, Saint  Agnes is hosting a celebratory concert this Saturday, June 6th at 7pm.
A reception will be held immediately after the concert. It is absolutely free and every one is invited. No tickets needed.

See you there?

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Savoia On Smith Street To Be Replaced By "Ravioli Wine Bar"

Ravioli Wine Bar has taking the space occupied by the former Italian restaurant Savoia at 277 Smith Street.  Big red posters announcing the opening have been posted in the windows along with mentions of 'grandmas at work' and advise to 'starve yourself' in preparation for its arrival later this summer.
According to its web site, the eatery will be serving raviolis from Papa Pasquale, who has produced pasta in Brooklyn for the past 60 years.
According to its owners:  "We’re working diligently to open our first Ravioli Wine Bar and become part of the culinary fabric that has come to define Smith Street."

Think a ravioli wine bar will do well on Smith Street?




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Carroll Park Fair 2015 In Carroll Gardens Was An Amazing Success

The wonderful volunteers of Friends of Carroll Park, who worked very hard to put this event together.

As in years past, the annual Carroll Park Fair, held this past Saturday, was a huge success. It may have been just a trifle hot, but under bright umbrellas, vendors displayed their wares, organizations offered their services, and locals sold their goods. But of course, the funnest part of the day was to run into neighbors and to catch up on Carroll Gardens news.
The event was organized by Friends of Carroll Park, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the park for everyone. The fair is the group's largest fundraiser of the year and all donations will go right back into keeping everyone's favorite neighborhood oasis looking beautiful.

Where you there?

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