Friday, July 3, 2009. This week, we return to headlining comparative photos of the north end of Pier 1, as seen from the Brooklyn Bridge. The topography is taking shape, with a large central hill sloping gently upward from northwest to southeast. More photos and text after the jump.

South end of Pier 1, Friday, June 26, 2009.

South end of Pier 1, Friday, July 3, 2009. Stuff’s happening here. The south end of the hill we saw from the north terminates in a cliff overlooking the “Grand Canyon”, which now contains a small pond. The cliff is being given a riprap facing over what appears to be a plastic sheet lining.

Bird’s-eye view (from LICH parking garage) of Pier 6, Friday, June 26, 2009.

Similar view of Pier 6, Friday, July 3, 2009.

Brooklyn Heights blogger and fledgling wine video producer Mark Joyella made a day trip to Millbrook, New York (straight up the Taconic) and dropped in on the Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, makers of hand-crafted New York wines that have won awards and earned a local following even on this side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The winery’s known for its crisp, dry summer whites and full-bodied reds, and also for its laid-back atmosphere;  a winery that encourages folks to pack a lunch, buy a bottle of wine and spend the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere at the vineyard.

Vinitrek Visits: Millbrook Winery, Hudson County, NY from Mark Joyella on Vimeo.

For more on Millbrook, visit Vinitrek, Mark Joyella’s not-yet-officially launched wine and travel website.  You can also find Millbrook wine (along with wine from other New York wine regions) at Heights wine shops like Michael Towne.

LISTEN TO THE NEW HOMER FINK SHOW with Suerte now at Blogtalk Radio.

BHB pal and Brooklyn Tattoo owner Adam Suerte will be celebrating the launch of  the final installment of his Aprendiz graphic novel at Rocketship Friday night (7/3)  starting at 8pm.   The books chronicle Adam’s journey from art school grad to one of the most respected tattoo artists in America.   They’re pretty great, you should check ‘em out!

And now the details straight from Suerte:

This Friday, July 3rd
Comic Book release Party
Adam Suerte’s graphic novel: Aprendiz
Rocketship comic shop
208 Smith Street
8-10
beer and giveaways

10 years ago last April 1, I started an apprenticeship in tattooing that would last a year, and propel me into the world of tattooing. This experience has forever affected all aspects of my art, my thoughts on anatomy, and the responsibility of leaving lasting marks on people for the rest of their lives. I have been documenting the year long apprenticeship I served in graphic novel form, one chapter at a time. The first chapter was nominated for a Ignatz award in 2002, and later the series was nominated for a Hanley award (given by the comic shop Jim Hanley’s Universe under the Empire State Building). I have finally finished the last one and Rocketship has been generous to host the final release party for this episode. Being that I grew up in this neighborhood, I couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate. I told the owners that although I am not a heavy hitter in the comics world I do have some local cred (right?). I promised I would bring in some people that might not normally step into a comic shop on the regular, and then again, some that do. Help me keep my promise and stop by. There will be door prizes hidden in some of the books, anything from schwaag to tattoo gift certificates. Come on down, there is something in the shop for everyone, comics are a magical beast.

One of the borough’s most-beckoning attractions — the glorious view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the foot of Old Fulton Street in DUMBO — also has one of the borough’s most egregious tourist traps: an ATM with exorbitant a $3.99 service fee!

The cash machine outside Pete’s Downtown Restaurant on Old Fulton Street and near popular destinations like Grimaldi’s pizzeria, the River Cafe, Empire-Fulton Ferry state park, Bargemusic, the Brooklyn Flea and, of course, the classic bridge, wallops customers like a kick in the keyster.

A word to the wise: there’s an ATM inside Grimaldi’s that charges a more reasonable fee. But, you gotta have the noive to make like you’re trying to crash the line for pizza in order to get to it.

Flickr photo by danielle cumbo

What’s on your mind?  Comment away!

Nearly $1,200 in cash was stolen from the Fulton Mall Dunkin Donuts, located between Smith Street and Gallatin Place, just before 11 p.m. on June 24. Two perps entered the establishment and made their way down to the lower level management office, where a manager was counting cash from the day. The men, who concealed their faces, threatened the manager with a gun, before making off with the cash and his cell phone.

There was more gunplay later in the week, when two men were assaulted and robbed when entering the subway station at Joralemon and Court streets early Saturday June 27. Between five assailants surrounded the victims, 16 and 29, taking their umbrella and beating them over the head with it. After punching and bruising the victims, one of the attackers brandished a gun and asked “Do you want to get shot?” He ordered the men to empty their pockets, and the group made off with one of the victims black Prada dress shoes, an iPod and a cell phone.

Two vehicles were stolen within a matter of hours on June 22, after their owners left the keys in the ignition to run in somewhere to make a delivery. Just past 5 p.m., a man returned to find his blue 2004 Ford van, along with his cell phone and tuxedo, missing after he made a delivery to Porta Bella, on Livingston Street at Nevins Street.

Later, just before 11 p.m., a man had his 2004 Buick Rendezvous stolen while making a delivery to a residence on Joralemon Street, between Hicks Street and Willow Place.

A $2,500 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle was stolen on Wednesday morning on Plymouth Street between Pearl Street and Anchorage Place.

A woman had her purse stolen from the back of her baby stroller after she briefly left it unattended June 25 on the corner of Court and Montague Streets. . The Brooklyn Heights resident had her iPhone and credit cards stolen.

Over $600 in cash was taken from a handbag in a clothing boutique on Fulton Street between Elm Place and Bond Street. The victim left her bag hanging on the handle of her stroller, and later found the empty bag on a display case.

BHB Photo Club pic by jen via Flickr

BHB Photo Club contributor Jen snapped this pic of a diorama in the P.S. 8 end-of-the-school-year trash heap.  We think that Gehry,  Scarano and Two Trees could learn something from this.  Look at all that green space!

NY Observer: Mr. Hermann, 27, has been covering the city’s seamy side for over a decade. His job is one for which he is—quite literally—well-suited. In a double-breasted suit, polished wingtips, and a fedora festooned with his press card, Mr. Hermann cuts the figure of a noir newsman at the city’s crime scenes and courthouses.

Or, to others, a cartoon character. Cops who don’t know him often holler “Hey Jimmy Olsen! Hey Clark Kent!” as he maneuvers around a crime scene

“I get a little sick of that,” he told the Observer, injecting his matter-of-fact tone with just a trace of indignation. “I’m not a Spiderman fan, I’m not a Superman fan. I’m Marc Hermann, a factual character.”

Only on BHB

Governor’s Island - Fantastic!

Park Progress: Piers 1 and 6 (Seventeenth Report)

Cottonball Clouds

Rowf on Hicks Street Moving

“Busy Chef” Kaufman Goes to Trial July 23

Open Thread: The Premier Apartment Building in Brooklyn Heights?

Midday at the Oasis

Brooklyn Heights Tire Slasher on the Loose?

You Could Be Armando’s Excecutive Chef

In other news

City Plans Pedestrian-Friendly Tillary Street

84th Precinct Police Blotter – 6/24/09

Marty Connor, the Comeback Kid?

BQE Rehab Meeting Recap

This Week’s Community Calendar

From CHB:

Sex-crazed birds keep residents awake

76th and 84th Precinct Police Blotter - 6/19/09

One year ago on BHB:

NYC Waterfalls: Rendering vs. Reality

Two Years ago on BHB:

Wig Out! Ricky’s Comes to Montague

Hey Wait a Minute Mr. Postman
Movies with a View is Back!
A Tea Lounge in Brooklyn Heights
Chicks Street: A Family Raises Chickens on Hicks Street
DUMBO Death Plunge
You Must be from Brooklyn Heights If…
High Heat for 90 Minutes
There Must Be Some Way Outta Here: Watchtower Plans Rockland Compound
Open Thread: Best Sandwich in Brooklyn Heights
Sales Halted at 20 Henry

Hey! I can sorta see my house from here!

We made it out to Governors Island yesterday via the free ferry from Fulton Landing.   We stumbled upon Creative Times “This World & Nearer Ones” art exhibit which is taking the island by storm this weekend.   Mrs. Fink and I were amused by Nils Norman’s tent installation by Castle William as well as the many exhibits in the island’s abandoned residences.  We hope that whatever the future holds for the Island, which is now under NY State control, includes preserving the intimate feeling and historic landmarks that it offers.

You can read up on and participate in future park plans via The Park at the Center of the World and stay up to date on park events via the Governors Island blog.

Hey Island historians — while we suspect that Poppa Fink spent some time at Castle William after being picked up for being AWOL (hey it was to see Charlie Parker, we think) from the Army in Times Square right after WWII, was it more likely he cooled his heels at Fort Jay?

Friday, June 26, 2009. This week we focus on the south end of Pier 1, where there’s considerable visible action. The “Grand Canyon” has now been given a plastic lining. You can sign up to receive information about Brooklyn Bridge Park and updates on park construction, site tours, and other activities by sending an e-mail to info@brooklynbridgeparknyc.org. More photos after the jump.

North end of Pier 1, Friday, June 19, 2009.

North end of Pier 1, Friday, June 26, 2009. A hill is taking shape near the center of the pier, just north of the “Grand Canyon”, steep on the landward side, but with a gentler slope towards the river.

Pier 6, Friday, June 19, 2009.

Pier 6, Friday, June 26, 2009. Is that a small pond or a gravel pit just in from the foot of the pier?

Bonus: here’s a photo of activity near the foot of Pier 2, looking north toward Pier 1, taken on Friday, June 26, 2009.

Dave’s Kitchen: A reminder that the Borough Hall Greenmarket in Cadman Plaza is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with a day long party this Saturday, 6/27. You can play CENYC’s Recycling Game; talk to a rep from Slow Food about sustainable food systems; see videos and historical photos of the market and its farmers and customers; and eat some great food: American Seafood will be grilling up some of the local catch, and Dan Leader of Bread Alone will be grilling pizzas made from seasonal ingredients.

BHB reader John Nathan sent us this photo of post storm clouds as seen from Montague Street tonight.

The store is having a moving sale, touting savings of 20-60 % off.

Where the store is moving, however, is still a mystery– even to the owners.

“We just found out a couple of weeks ago,” said Yuning Chiu, co-owner of Rowf. “We’re just trying to focus on moving out by the end of the month.”

Chiu said they were forced to relocate the store, which opened in late 2004, because the landlord wanted them to sign a long-term lease.

While she would like to keep the store in the Brooklyn Heights, Chiu said that if she did, it would have to be on the “outskirts” of the neighborhood, because rent prices on Henry and Montague streets are too high.

Those who want to follow where the store will relocate can check for updates on the store’s website.

“Scooby and Boo are going to miss coming to work everyday,” Chiu said, referring to the two adorable dogs that roam the store.

Bangor likes to remain in his spot at the head of the stairs. His eyes glow green as he stares at me with fake suspicion. I narrow my eyes and bore into him and then explode, “Bangor!” He flies down the stares at that and jumps up to gently bite my chin. I take his paws and, often as not, begin singing “Shall We Dance” as I waltz him around the foyer. He’s the only one of my dogs who loves to dance. When I bend over to put the prong collar on him, he weasels between my legs so I can scratch his butt, at which he begins to stamp is back paws. The better the butt rub, the harder her stamps.

I open Hermia’s door just enough to see one eye. Her tail begins thonking the wall at that and she rushes out of the apartment with a shoe or her human sister’s Elmo in her mouth. I reach down to rub her (she and Milly are silky as otters) and she starts turning tight circles, trying to get scratched everywhere at once. After a couple of turns, she heads toward the stairs, then stops, looks back and decides she wants more. We do this three or seven times before she runs down where she walks in circles near the door. I stalk her slowly down the staircase. We both halt. She drops into a play bow and gives one woof, at which I laugh and say, “I got your goat, Goat,” and her tails starts thonking the walls again.

Pickering is my all time favorite pick up because it’s all about getting as close to me as he can. I sit down on the couch and he burrows his head into my side while flipping over for a belly rub. We can do this for hours as he tries fruitlessly to find a way to become a part of me, with breaks to sit up and gaze at me with his Bette Davis eyes in disbelief that life could be so good as I rub his ears and he leans his big head on my hand.

Farmer was a solo dancer, his butt in syncopation with his head. I had to dance, too, doing the twist while shaking my hands in the air, chanting, “We’ll do the Farmer dance, let’s do the Farmer dance,” winding him up until his tail was a yellow blur of rhythm.

When I walk in after a long separation from Daisy, she turns into Alice Roosevelt, hopping on the couch and pawing the air until I sit down with her and say terrible things about what I had to endure while I was away. She hurls herself into my lap, twisting for a belly rub then jumping up to lick my face only to fall into belly rub position again. Soon she actually climbs into my lap and barks out why I should never leave her.

It would behermia-must-retrieve1 flattering except that she pretty much does this with every visitor or visit.

The last four weeks have been a nightmare health crisis for my mother who is 2,000 miles away. As I lay awake each night in Arizona, praying the Klonopin will knock me out before it’s time to get up again, I think of Milly racing up and down her steep stairs and of Pickering nesting between my ribs. I think about the long moment that Daisy will look at me before she takes it in that I’ve come back after a week and the moment she decides to become a turban. I keep playing over those greetings until sleep comes. That happiness is the love my mother, like most mothers everywhere, promised her babies would always be.

The future of Tillary and Adams streets would include wider, landscaped medians for both pedestrians and bicyclists, according to plans presented last night at the second public meeting about the impending 2012 renovation.

“We want a complete street that doesn’t just function for automobiles,” said Chris Hrones, Downtown Brooklyn’s transportation coordinator.

The two-year Department of Transportation project has already secured $14.4 million in funding, but is looking to secure more federal money from the TIGER stimulus fund.

The work on Tillary and Adams streets will coincide with the upcoming, but separate reconstruction of the Brooklyn Bridge ramp, which also includes a fresh paint job for the bridge.

The center median would be widened to more than double its current size and include 12 feet of landscaping, a seven-foot wide pedestrian walkway and a seven-foot wide bike lane.

“We’re trying to go for more of a street feel, less of a highway feel,” said William Vallejo, a traffic engineer on the project.

Although the wider median would reduce the number of vehicle lanes on Tillary Street, DOT employees said they were confident that it would not affect the flow of traffic. In fact, they said shorter pedestrian crosswalks would allow for better traffic flow, because if it takes pedestrians a shorter amount of time to cross the street, then more cars can go in a traffic light cycle.

Among other changes, the DOT is looking at widening sidewalks in order to shorten the length across pedestrian crosswalks, which are currently 134 feet wide on Tillary Street and 126 feet on Adams Street.

The project would also consolidate the main Adams Street thoroughfare with the service roads running parallel to it. Overall, the project will eliminate about 24 parking spots.

The proposal had a lukewarm reception, with one attendee saying the proposal was “very nice, but didn’t include anything outside the box.”

Some audience members questioned the absence of a mid-block crosswalk on Adams Street between the Brooklyn Bridge and Tillary Street, but the suggestion was quickly shot down because drivers typically don’t pay as much attention to pedestrian-only crosswalks. A suggestion for a pedestrian bridge was also dismissed as too expensive, because it would add as much as $10 million to the project.

If you couldn’t attend the presentation (which we will post as soon as we get it), you can leave your feedback on the project at the Department of Transportation website. What do you want to see happen on Tillary Street?

(BHB photo by Sarah Portlock)

Infamous “Busted Chef” Daniel Kaufman pleaded not guilty to two felony charges in a Manhattan court yesterday, stemming from an incident last December when he allegedly stole his friend’s credit card.

Kaufman was arraigned on charges of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, and released on his own recognizance. His trial is set to begin July 23.

On December 19, Kaufman allegedly stole his friend’s credit card while visiting him on the Upper East Side, and then made a purchase with it at a McDonalds near Penn Station. Kaufman was captured on McDonald’s security cameras at the same time the fraudulent charge was made on the credit card. The full criminal complaint can be found here. 

Formally, Kaufmann was arraigned on one count of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Meanwhile, as BHB reported last week, a Brooklyn DA spokesman said the office is still investigating Kaufman’s alleged crimes in Brooklyn Heights last summer, where he swindled customers out of more than $25,000 by running their credit cards through the machines after they ate at the Busy Chef, Oven, Blue Pig, or Wine Bar restaurants at the corner of Henry and Cranberry streets. 

While neither complex would ever let the likes of us into the fold, we’re wondering what you think.   Comment away!

From frequent commenter Karl Junkersfeld comes this BHB guest post via the BHB Inbox:

I’m sure you have seen this beautiful garden oasis on Poplar and Hicks but possibly many aren’t aware of its existence. It is open to the public for 10 hours per week on Monday and Wednesday 6:00PM to 8:30PM plus other hours like Saturday from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Not sure of hours on Thursday or Friday.

The lady in the picture, Cindy Goulder, and a small group of volunteers (many who are expert horticulturalist) work tiredly to make this garden a unique spot next to the concrete jungle. There are tons of different species of plants and a few trees to see. Fortunately, Mr. Robert Moses missed this spot which I was told was a garden area to one of the houses on Poplar. Thank goodness for little favors.

Felt guilty taking advantage of the beautiful spot, day in and day out, and not letting others be aware of its existence. There are benches to sit and read, eat or just meditate. Hope you can give this wonderful lady a shout out and show some pictures of her labor of love.

More photos after the jump.

First up is a spate of stolen purses and wallets that took place across the neighborhood on Friday, June 19. First, an office worker on Court Street between Montague and Remsen Streets reported that her purse valued at $400 was taken when she left it unattended at her desk while she used the copy machine. While there was no cash, she had several credit cards stolen.

Later that afternoon, a woman returned from her workout to find she had more than $1000 in jewelry stolen when a burglar broke into her locker and stole her backpack at the New York Sports Club on the corner of Boerum Place and Pacific Street. When she checked the activity on her American Express card, she found that her card had been used at McDonalds.

Next, a woman placed her purse on a chair as she browsed in the shoe department of the Fulton Mall Macy’s, and the purse was taken. Although she did not have cash, she had both credit cards and checks in her bag.

A purse containing $70 was stolen from a woman who left it in the restroom of her office building on Joralemon Street between Court and Clinton Streets on June 16. The victim said she left her bag in the stall, and when she returned about 10 minutes later, it was missing.

Finally, earlier in the week, on June 15 a woman had her purse taken after she set it on a bench at the Fulton Street Payless. She found her bag in another section of the store, sans her wallet, containing $300 in cash and credit cards.

Just before 5 a.m. on June 20, a woman said she watched from her 14th floor apartment as a speedy burglar made off with her truck. The woman had parked her Dodge Caravan on at the corner of Gold and York Streets, where her apartment building is located

An unknown number of perps jimmied a lock in an office building on June 19 Washington Street in Dumbo, stealing more than $1200 worth of wine and video games. The office, located between Water and Front streets, has been burglarized three times since June 7. Along with the stolen wine and video games, the business also reported a stolen computer monitor and television.

An $1100 bike was stolen on the morning of June 19 from in front of the River Café on Water Street. The biker said he saw the brazen burglar jump on his bike and peddle away just after 11 a.m.

BHB Photo Club pic by fkuffel via Flickr

What’s on your mind? Go ahead… make a comment!

NY Daily News photo

Our former man in the NYS Senate, Martin “Marty” Connor has been spotted on the senate floor according to the NY Daily News.   As the manchildren (and womenchildren) in that august body try to straighten up and act like adults, Marty was on the scene to lend some advice:

NY Daily News: A short while ago, there was a little confab in the middle of the chamber floor between Shelly Mayer, counsel to the Senate Democrats, Sen. Malcolm Smith and former Minority Leader Marty Connor (he’s the one in the tan suit, if you don’t recognize him).

There’s something really ironic about the fact that one deposed minority leader (recall that Connor was ousted in a 2002 coup by none other than David Paterson himself) advising an all-but deposed majority leader (Smith) on how to hold on to power.

Thanks to “bornhere” for the link

Update: mystery solved. The yacht is Le Grand Bleu, owned by Russian oil billionaire Eugene Shvidler. Russian billionaires were exempt from the conspicuous consumption memo, provided Putin said “Da.” (Thanks to Ulrich and Kent at NYCMaritime for the info.)

I am curious to see if anyone else has reported a string of tires being slashed in the past 48 hours. 2 of our tires were slashed on Joralemon Street (between Hicks and Willow) between Monday and Tuesday nights.  My husband said a woman stopped him last night (as he was waiting for the tow truck..) and said she thought another 12 or so cars has been hit.

Then we counted 4 on Hicks Street this morning.

Any other reports?

Today, the New York State Department of Transportation held two project scoping sessions about the two-decade rehabilitation of the 1.5 mile stretch of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street, and local community members turned up to express their desires and concerns. 

The meetings began with a brief introduction regarding the need for the reconstruction work, and explaining the timeline and process the project will follow. Here’s the PowerPoint presentation: [PDF]

Today’s meetings are the first step in completing the environmental impact statement process. The developers have spilt the project’s review process into what they call two “tiers.” The first tier, which is expected to last until August 2012, will focus on developing the final project design and alternatives.

Following the presentation, community members stepped up to the microphone to express issues and ideas they would like to be considered by the developers. Suggestions after the jump.

Community suggestions:

• Vertical clearances need to be heightened so that trucks don’t have to exit on Atlantic Avenue.
• Many suggested that tolls be placed on the East River bridges and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in order to decrease the traffic flow into Brooklyn.
• The Atlantic Avenue on and off ramps are in dire need of redesign said Sandy Balboza, the president of the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association (AABA). Balboza added that measures need to be taken to avoid additional traffic on Atlantic Avenue during construction.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park should not be used as a staging site for the construction, said Jane McGroarty, vice president of the Brooklyn Heights Association. The park is scheduled to be complete by the time the review process for the BQE rehabilitation ends in 2015. 
• The roadway should be repaired and resurfaced to reduce axle noise, ending the need for the 30-foot berm planned for Brooklyn Bridge Park, said Judy Francis, the president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund.  Additionally, the absence of a berm would allow for greater flexibility for construction, she said.
• A pedestrian bridge should be built from the Promenade down to Brooklyn Bridge Park, said John Dew, chair of Community Board 2.

If you couldn’t make the meeting, information will be available at the project website: www.nysdot.gov/BQEdowntownbrooklyn. You can also submit your comments and concerns until the initial project scoping ends on July 22^nd.

Once the feedback period ends in July, work will begin on a final scoping document that will outline the vision and limitations for the reconstruction.  That document will be released for public review early next year.

(BHB/Sarah Portlock)

Transportation dominates the community calendar this week, including tonight’s major public meetings about the upcoming major rehabilitation of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and tomorrow’s public comment meeting about the future of Tillary Street.

(1)  Today, the state Department of Transportation holds two identical three-hour sessions about the major reconstruction project along the triple cantilevered portion of the BQE from Sands Street to Atlantic Avenue, including the area directly underneath the Promenade.

The afternoon session is under way, but the evening session will run from 7-10 pm  at Polytech’s Pfizer Auditorium (5 Metrotech, along Myrtle Avenue Promenade between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension).

Check back tonight for our coverage of the meetings, including a PDF of the presentation and information on how to provide your own feedback.

(2)  Tomorrow night (6/23/09), the city DOT will hold a public comment meeting regarding the future of Tillary Street from 6:30-8 pm, at Borough Hall (209 Joralemon St., between Adams and Court streets). The meeting will include conceptual designs for the upcoming 2012 reconstruction of the street.

(3) Finally, Thursday evening (6/25/09) the city DOT meeting will present the initial results from a MTA/DOT study about improving surface transit in the Downtown Brooklyn, including more effective and efficient bus routes.

Here’s a pdf flyer for the meeting, which goes from 5:30-8 pm at Polytech’s Dibner Library (5 Metrotech, between Jay Street and Flatbush Avenue Extension). There will be two presentations of the study, at 6:15 pm and 7 pm.

(4) In non-transportation related meetings, on Wednesday (6/24/09) there will be the Youth, Education and Cultural Affairs meeting of Community Board 2. Currently, there are no items on the agenda for this week’s meeting.