May 23 is the 39th birthday of sensual R&B crooner Maxwell, born in Brooklyn in 1973. Best known for his top 5 single “Fortunate” in 1999, his 2001 album “Now” and 2009′s “BLACKsummers’night” both reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.The latter album also won a Grammy for Best R&B Album and single “Pretty Wings” won for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
So now, BHB comrades, on this Open Thread Wednesday, spread your pretty wings and share what’s on your mind. Continue Reading →
Open Thread Wednesday has arrived again! What’s on your mind, BHB compatriots? Comment away.
(Photo: Chuck Taylor)
It’s a drizzly Wednesday, which means there’s nothing better than staying warm and comfy with the Brooklyn Heights Blog Open Thread. What’s on your mind? Comment away!
Big news on this day, May 2, 1900. According to a headline in the Brooklyn Eagle, “Edna Is Not Insane.” The story reveals that Brooklyn physicians failed to agree with Manhattan experts who examined Edna Wade after her mother charged the child of “being wayward.” Following examination, the Children’s Society declared, “There was nothing in the girl’s actions to lead to the slightest suspicion she was mentally unbalanced.” The reason Edna was declared nuts: She refused to eat.
And so, on this Open Thread Wednesday, let us break bread together and share what’s on our collective minds. But please, don’t get all crazy now, you hear? Continue Reading →
It’s April 25, which means big savings at the Brooklyn neighborhood Abraham and Straus! Today’s Brooklyn Eagle—uh, in 1902, that is—showcases an advert reminding locals that A&S at 422 Fulton Street features the “broadest aisles, perfect ventilation and prompt service from willing people. And A&S prices are the smallest anywhere.” For example, you can pick up a “combination Grand Gramophone for large & small records with recorder, reproducer, case and 14-inch horn,” on sale for $35.
Meanwhile, on this Open Thread Wednesday, blow your own horn and share what’s on your mind with your BHB compatriots. (Kitty Photo: Chuck Taylor: Willow Place @ State Street)
Continue Reading →
Long before there was a Housing Works Thrift Shop or a Fish’s Eddy—or for that matter, a Brooklyn Heights Promenade—122 Montague Street was the location of beloved Southern-style restaurant Mammy’s Pantry. In the 1940s, the eatery served up a lunch and dinner menu of such goodies as Maryland Crab Cakes, Southern Fried Chicken, Shrimps Creole and Chesapeake Bay Oysters. 
For desert, one could order homemade cakes and pies, Mammy’s Pastries, Bittersweet Chocolates, Jams & Jellies or its renowned Cobbler. Wash it all down with generous juleps, swizzlers, fizzes, wine or cocktails from the bar.
Mammy’s, which endured at least from 1941 to 1947, was owned by “Mrs. Christine Heinemann, a grand cook from Virginia,” according to a column in November 1944 from Gourmet magazine “Food Flashes” columnist Clementine Paddleford. Its manager was a Brooklyn Heights resident, Ruth Wagner. Paddleford called Mammy’s “one of the city’s beloved of the home-style restaurants.” Continue Reading →
It was April 18, 1902, when the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported that because of a particularly loud fowl wandering Brooklyn Heights, “the knell of doom has sounded for Brooklyn roosters. No longer shall their clarion calls wake the sleeping city. They must die or go into the country.”
Hens, mind you, were still allowed to traipse throughout the neighborhood. As for the offending Heights rooster, “the crestfallen cock” was sentenced to execution.
And so… on this Open Thread Wednesday, what’s on your mind worth crowing about? Continue Reading →
Hello Open Thread Wednesday! On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson took to the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in an exhibition match between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees, becoming the first African American to play in Major league baseball. Four days later, he played on opening day when the Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves, 5-3. So… what on your scorecard for the day?
Not only is it Open Thread Day on the BHB, inviting your comments and observations… but on April 4, 1973, the once-consummate view from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade—the World Trade Center complex—held its official opening. The North Tower topped out in December 1970, followed by the South Tower in July 1971. First tenants moved into WTC in December 1970. The ribbon cutting ceremony followed 39 years ago today. Continue Reading →
As we reverently raise our hands in unison to the pop music gods and celebrate the 26th birthday of New York-born & bred Lady Gaga today, let us bestow a joyful noise upon the BHB’s weekly Open Thread. Comment away, you crazy critters.
(Photo: Chuck Taylor)
Congratulations! You just beat the 1 in 1.75 billion odds of winning the Publisher’s Clearinghouse $10 million dollar sweepstakes! Your family, friends—and all of us starving writers here at the Brooklyn Heights Blog—couldn’t be happier for your wondrous luck. For the sake of this exercise, let’s pretend the feds are going to award you the entire kitty. $10M in your pocket. So now what? Continue Reading →
March 21 is World Puppetry Day! It’s also the 50th birthday of New Yorker Matthew Broderick, who won a Tony Award for 1983′s “Brighton Beach Memoiors,” set in Brooklyn in 1937.
Now that we have that straight… What’s on your mind? Fire away! (Photo: Chuck Taylor)
An intriguing comment comes from a BHB reader, remarking on the March 15 Blog post, “Is Sephora Coming To Brooklyn Heights?”
Amid frequent discussions that blanket the Brooklyn Heights Blog about chain retailers vs. local shops, AEB writes:
I sometimes feel we’re all in the grip of a mass delusion that BH will become the home of high-end specialty shops ‘curated’ by hip folks who have dernier cri taste, etc. Ain’t gonna happen, much as I wish it would. BH is too small, its real estate too pricey and its live-in ‘audience’ is too old/square. Sorry, I live here too, but…
Interesting thought, yes? And you? Feel free to add your thoughts to this ever-pertinent push-and-pull discussion… Continue Reading →
It’s another Wednesday, giving you the opportunity to let out what’s been brewing inside for the past week. Have at it!
Editor’s note: While March typically comes in like a lion, this forum need not be an open door for ferocity and back-and-forth barbs. Please be kind, keep it clean and maintain an air of respectfulness. We’re neighbors; can’t we all just get along? Continue Reading →
It’s an extra special Open Thread Leap Day Wednesday. There will not be another 2/29 that falls on Wednesday until the year 2040… so start your engines and comment away. Continue Reading →
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Open Thread: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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Brooklyn Heights Rallies For Montague Street Retail Corridor
Adam Yauch Park Closer to Reality: On State Street In Brooklyn Heights
Roof Cornice Breaks Off At 7 Old Fulton Street
Montague Street Revitalization Continues With Launch Of Ruby And Jenna
BHA, Other Groups Settle with City and State over Park Land
Parade of Ships Opens Fleet Week Tomorrow
A Peek Inside Montague Street’s New Starbucks
NYC Fleet Week Brings U.S. Naval Crews To Visit Brooklyn’s opSail & Parade Of Ships
Film Shoot Moratorium Short-Lived: Remsen Street Site For ‘Amish’
Open Thread: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A Peek Inside Montague Street’s New Starbucks
Adam Yauch Park Closer to Reality: On State Street In Brooklyn Heights
Heights’ Resident Lena Dunham’s HBO ‘Girls’ Renewed For Second Season
Tips for New Dog Owners from Brooklyn’s DogBoy Robert Haussman
Taxi Commission Supports 20% Cab Fare Hike
BHA, Other Groups Settle with City and State over Park Land
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