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.

Out and About in Brooklyn

Five days ago on Earth Day 2019, Eric L. Adams, President of Brooklyn Borough, held a Bike-to-Work ride.  Now in its fifth year, the annual event was the first of the celebrations for Earth Day for Brooklyn. 

The Tour de Brooklyn cyclists were accompanied by Alicia Ampry-Samuel (a member of the Council) Latrice Walker (a member of the Assembly) and Zellnor Myrie (a Senator). Community groups that participated included: The Brown Bike Girl; Ptkin Avenue Business Improvement District; Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Corporation and Transportation Alternatives.

As Adams noted:

“Earth Day is a reminder of the steps we can all take every single day to reduce our impact on the flora and fauna around us. That includes increasing our use of pedal power. Not only is biking a great way to commute and a therapeutic exercise, it also provides a chance to really see the crevices of our communities.”

For those interested in finding a great outdoors area to bike, they will be happy to know that NYC’s largest state park is going to be getting a $20 million investment from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.  The money will be used to build community gardens, recreational centers and a green space – perfect for local cyclists.

Local Events – with a Difference

There is a lot to do in Kensington, Brooklyn and new activities  coming up all the time.  Here we look at a couple of events that are slightly outside the box that locals can enjoy.

The first one is a plant class. In a recent article by Rebecca Fishbein on ‘The 10 best spots for plant classes in NYC,’ Kensington’s “Twig Terrariums” was ranked in second place.  Set up by good friends Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow, the open studio and store offers a whole range of terrariums, DIY kits, pots and plants and unusual gifts. While there you can also learn how to set up your own plant and terrarium collection.  All materials are provided for the workshops and one can also choose a romantic date night option there. 

The second is a venture set up back in 2014 by Eleanor Rodgers who, at the time hosted informal LEGO classes for her son and some friends at home.  But after a while it developed into one of New York City’s really cool after-school programs.  The program since then has joined up with the Wingspan Afterschool Program at PS130 and is now called the Rodgers’ Kensington LEGO Class.  Featuring a STEM experience for little LEGO builders from Kindergarten to third grade.  From third to fifth grade, kids can make their own LEGO movie through this venture too.

Given that Kensington boasted the highest birth rate in New York City (in 2017) at 12 percent, this really is becoming a great place to set up kid-friendly businesses.