Brooklyn’s Books

Books have not necessarily been synonymous with Brooklyn historically. But things can change and with the summer upon us, why not use this opportunity to encourage our kids to get off their devices and open a book?

Brooklyn’s Public Library has a wonderful summer reading program.  Developed in an effort to encourage young readers to take advantage of the library and not stop their reading once school is out, this year’s theme is “Universe of Stories.”  According to CEO and President of Brooklyn Public Library, Linda Johnson said:

“Being away from school over those months really can result in children losing some of the skills they’ve gained over the school (year), so we are here with our librarians and our staff helping children read all summer long and giving the incentives to read all summer long.”

Brooklyn’s Public Library is doing more than just encouraging kids to read over the summer.  It recently revealed design plans of its smallest (and newest) addition: the Adams Street Library in DUMBO.  This will be the first new branch of the library in 36 years.  Featuring a meeting room, multipurpose space and different sections for adults, teens and children, as well as suggestions put out by community members.

Brooklynites at BK9

Love food?  Love Brooklyn?  Then the next step has to be BK9.  Check out this video in which BK9 owners give a little tour of this hidden gem located at 62 5^th Avenue, Brooklyn.

Basking in Brooklyn’s Scenic Summer

Summertime in Brooklyn is spectacular.  There is even a song about it (by Aloe Blacc) describing it simply as “the subtleties that only you’ve ever seen.” Photographer  Mozes Victor Konig is hoping to learn more about exactly that. This year he is gearing up to leave his Tel Aviv studio to take in some of the wonderful sights in the area.  He explained:

“For so many years I’ve heard about Brooklyn in the summer.  This year I decided to pack up my camera, rent out my apartment and check it out for myself.  I’m very excited about my upcoming trip.”

Konig has many reasons to be excited about this trip.  It is a well known fact that New York is full of a whole slew of fun activities, but what about those highlights which are slightly off-the-beaten track that hopefully will not be quite as crowded?  What kind of advice could we give to an individual like Konig seeking out Brooklyn’s true “subtleties”?

Attending a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game on the boardwalk is a very traditionally-Brooklyn thing to do. Known as “a single A affiliate of the New York Mets,” the minor league baseball team is about as Brooklyn as you can get.  While there, if Mozes Victor Konig is not afraid of heights, he should check out where the team got its namesake from – the Coney Island Cyclone Roller Coaster.

For nature lovers (and photographers who love to capture animals), Kensington Stables should make the list as well. Watch kids take pony rides, teens enjoy horseback riding lessons and more.  Simply take in the views of this spectacular diversion from all that’s buzzing in New York at 51 Caton Place, Kensington.

Konig is right to be excited for his trip.  Kensington truly is a wonderful, scenic and delightful place in the summer and he’ll be sure to hone in on all its “subtleties.”

New York City Market

Time Out Market – a cultural dining experience that was set up in Europe four years ago already – has just arrived in the big city.  Today what visitors get in Lisbon’s Mercado da Ribeira is an amalgamation of 12 stores, 8 bars, 24 restaurants and a high end music venue. It’s become the place to see and be seen.

Now, New York is following suit spreading 21 eateries, 3 bars, demo cooking area and video-installation wall over 21,000 square feet. What is the thinking behind Time Out Market New York and its predecessors in Portugal and Miami?  Simple: if it’s all the rage and people are talking about it and it’s really a great place, then it’s there.  You actual get the opportunity to enjoy the best dishes NYC has to offer, prepared by the city’s most exceptional chefs, all under one roof.  According to Didier Souillat, CEO of Time Out Market:

“We couldn’t be more excited to open Time Out Market New York and introduce a new and unique food and cultural destination to this incredible city. Imagine a place where you get a true taste of the city: you can choose from culinary masterpieces, Tonkotsu ramen, pizza, Middle Eastern cuisine, vegan fare, juicy burgers, Kosher deli, tacos, chocolate babka and more. The variety is amazing and there will be something for everyone, from morning through night. When Time Out Market New York opens, the hottest tables in town will be communal.”

Celebrate Brooklyn! 2019

Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival – an annual event put on by BRIC– begins on June 4 this year.  Kicking off this year’s event is a ticketed fundraiser (prices ranging from $750 to $40,000 sponsorship) paying tribute to Hilary Ackerman, Chair of the BRIC Board. Attendees will fittingly be subject to the dulcet tones of humanitarian entertainer Patti LaBelle who has over the years supported a slew of worthy organizations including Bells for Peace, the HollyRod Foundation and Clothes off our Back. This part of the event is free and open to the public.  Since a party really is not a party without an after party, this opening event has that too from 9.30-11.30 featuring DJ Natasha Diggs and is free for fundraiser attendees as well as Friends members.

And that is just the beginning.  For more information on all the featured events at the festival, click here.

Brooklyn Designs Event

From May 10 to May 12, the 16^th annual Brooklyn Designs Expo was held at Brooklyn Navy Yard.  For local designers and business proprietors in the region, this provided a great opportunity to display their work, network and get recognition.

This year over 60 representatives from various industries in Brooklyn ended up displaying their wares, in architecture, art and more, offering something for everyone.  It was also a family event since there were activities for children, workshops, demonstrations and more. 

The event – founded in 2003 by the Brooklyn Chamber – has now become the main design event for local and up-and-coming designers.

Traveling Around Brooklyn

In this video (sponsored by Cyber Ghost VPN), The Traveling Clatt takes us on a tour of one of the five NYC boroughs – Brooklyn which he describes as “incredible.”  Here, he details everything you need to know having lived in the Williamsburg neighborhood for four months following his transfer from Miami.