Why I Love Brooklyn

A New Anthum For Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:03:00 +0000

While we are busy preparing to launch our radio hour here, I came across a few interesting people and groups. One that I simply had to share was this fun tune paying tribute to the Republic of Brooklyn.

It's from a group called The Seal Breakers featuring Paula Sheniece. While she may hail from Jamaica, Queens, Ms. Sheniece put a lot of love into this song. Hell, I thought she WAS from Brooklyn while watching the video.

Hope you all are finding a way to stay cool in this heat. Click here for numerous ways to cool off, including finding a cooling center. Back to the grind for me, WE GOT A RADIO SHOW TO LAUNCH!

Nihara Nichelle Joins the Radio Team

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:20:00 +0000

Hey everybody. Hope you're keeping cool out there as it is blazing here in the heart of Brooklyn. I love the posting from the Bk Historical Society about the cracked fire hydrant acting as a temporary "pool" for the neighborhood.

Things are heating up here for Why I love Brooklyn Radio Hour. We're getting more interest in the project than we expected. Nihara Nichelle blessed the studio this morning and recorded her promos. We know she is a busy woman but we are so excited to have her involved.

Well, what ever you find yourself doing, be sure to stay cool and hydrated in this heat.

WILB Blog Expands Into "Radio Waves"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:10:00 +0000

What's up everybody. I hope this day finds you almost as excited as I am. I've been wanting to return to the radio waves since I left college radio. Now, I'm using this blog to create an opportunity. With the help of Nihara Nichelle and some other friends, we will be bringing you a monthly talk radio show.

It should get interesting, especially when we open up the phone lines. Make sure you "tune in" this summer!

Brooklyn Festivals in Full Swing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:33:00 +0000

I discussed a few of the concert options last week. Another thing to take into consideration living in Brooklyn is the festivals and block parties, the icing on the cake that is called New York City. Sometimes you have to overcome boundaries (be it natural or man made) to really get the max from Gotham City.

Speaking of crossing boundaries, the Brooklyn Historical Society is amongst the supporters of Loving Day, a celebration of love overcoming institutionalized racism. Held in a park at 23rd & FDR right across the river from Greenpoint, they serve up bbq, beer, good music and good people. I always enjoy the annual celebration. Not only for the personal reasons of my mixed background, it is a great party. It's worth the trip into the city for an afternoon of fun. Matter of fact, it was the second video I made in the WILB video series.

A festival that has kicked off yesterday is the Northside Festival, giving a platform to emerging music and film. Only a few years old, it has grown quite quickly in the short time it has been around. Originally 50 bands, now they are bringing "350 bands in a span of four days to nearly every music venue across Williamsburg and Greenpoint (and some secret surprise spots too)".

A few other festivals worth mentioning this weekend. Every weekend is the festival of food known as the Smorgasburg, featuring a total of 75-100 vendors. This is also the third Sunday of June (time flies!!) so it's time for the Food Truck Rally at Grand Army Plaza. With all sorts of creative types, it has a festival feel. If fine art is your thing, this Sunday is the closing of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artist's showing. They will have the silent auction where you can get quality artwork at bargain prices.

Speaking of art, I'm a little intrigued about the BangOn!NYC in 3D Festival, claiming to be the first of it's kind. They are billing it as a 3D-immersive festival in Williamsburg, featuring 2 stages of electronic music with 3D video mapping and a silent disco in a 40,000 sq ft air-conditioned indoor/outdoor warehouse. Also featuring food trucks, vendors, rides, aerial performances, large scale art installations and a giant 30' inflatable slide, it sounds like a fun afternoon.

There's many other such activities this weekend. I'm excited to go to the Mermaid Parade next weekend. I was really worried that that bitch Sandy hit Coney Island a bit too hard. But you know that tough, gritty spirit of Brooklynites won't let anything slow 'em down. What ever you do, this weekend, Brooklyn, have a great weekend!

Signs Of Summer Finally Surface In Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:32:00 +0000

What up, everybody! It's been a busy busy time over here. Summer is definitely here and the shows have begun. If you didn't hear, Rakim* gave an incredible performance (as if we'd expect anything less of the God Emcee) last night in Red Hook Park.

But not to worry, there are numerous other shows this summer, some free and others not so free. There is the Celebrate Brooklyn series (concerts, films, dance parties) at Prospect Park and various locations. There is no word yet about the Seaside Summer Concert Series out in Coney Island. The News Herald published that it kicked off this week, but I have yet to see anything else on the web.

As for this weekend, I have been hearing of a lot of things going down. Friday is National Doughnut Day, which is one of the few days my wife leaves me alone while eating them. I just may set up camp over in Bed Stuy to win this:

National Doughnut day is Friday June, 7th, Stop by Dough and for every purchase you could win 4 free doughnuts per week for a year
— DOUGH (@doughbrooklyn) June 6, 2013

Then on Saturday, our friends over at Brooklyn Based are doing another installation of their annual immersion series in Red Hook.I keep missing them but hear good things. Bounce on over to Governors Island for the Figment NYC art festival. And if you haven't been to the park in a few years, you don't need to go thru the city to get there.

If you're like me and history is your thing, you might want to head on over to Plymouth Church this Sunday evening. They will be hosting a Juneteenth event. The church itself played a big role in the abolitionist movement in Brooklyn and the greater NYC area.What ever you choose to do, have a great weekend.
* My apologies for playing with the text size, I'm a huge Rakim fan

Historic Restoration For New Rink In Prospect Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:58:00 +0000

With the temperatures below freezing and regular threats of snow, it is safe to say winter is definitely here. As others might moan about this season, I finds many ways to enjoy it. I haven't been on a snowboard in almost a decade nor have I thrown a snowball in a long time. One thing is a certain every winter: I will go ice skating.

I do admit that this is one of the reasons I high tail it into the city. I live in Crown Heights and find myself in a part of Brooklyn with no ice rink nearby. Some of you may respond by saying "what about Prospect Park". I was going there for a while but they have been closed the last couple of years. Before you freak out and scream about budget cuts, it's because they are constructing a whole new rink on Prospect Park Lake. They are even restoring the old rink site to reflect the original design.

I am anxiously anticipating the opening of Lakeside in Prospect Park but will have to wait one more season before it opens. I don't mind making the trek into the city for free ice skating. However, I do miss having the rink a hop and a skip away. I just hope the new rink is not as bumpy as the old one was so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they have the budget for a new Zamboni machine!

Brooklyn Sitll A Borough Of Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Hey everybody, despite my job moving and not finding a new one yet, I'm still busy as ever and haven't had a moment to produce another WILB video. The daily hunt for a job leaves me with not as much time as one would think.

Although I do have some ideas for videos, I've been out on Anti Bling sales calls trying to get the Brooklyn necklace out in stores. I want to give a big shout to Frsh Concepts over in Dumbo for believing in the Anti Bling Store and carrying my line. Marvin has great boutique that focuses on emerging artists and designers. He's located in The Shops at 145 Front Street.

I've also been busy working on new projects. You may have noticed the new indiegogo widget on the left. Well, I'm helping my wife bring to life her latest character, Velma. A wonderful and lovable woman who is bubbly and cheerful but just doesn't get it. Her wacky ways are hilarious and the things that fly over her head is even funnier.

Aside from shooting and editing those videos, we've been plugging away with the fund raising campaign. She has assembled the crew and cast the roles. We are now looking to our community to help launch this initiative. We put together the crowd funding at indiegogo.com. Then we created the Facebook fan page. Now we are promoting in various ways we know how to.

Nihara and I ask that you take some time to check it out and give what you can, even if it's just spreading the word. We appreciate all the support we've gotten this far and we look forward to producing the web series. That's right, she has 13 episodes planned and 3 written.

Hopefully the weather is cooperative in the next few days. I'm hoping to be able to break out the camera finally. I have been wanting to showcase Crown Heights for a while. Living over here for a few years has taught me a lot of it's various history. And there are some interesting places and things to do. I should have that up by this weekend.

My Personal Reflection After Sandy Hits

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:17:00 +0000

Hurricane Sandy made it's way up thru our area and left a lot of people digging out. Some people are still brushing off debris, if they are lucky. A lot of people lost their homes and some did not survive the storm. This has made me very grateful for my family's and friends safety.

My experience during the storm was a rather lucky one. My wife and I stocked up on food and ice, plus candles. We figured being on high ground of Brooklyn, we'd be pretty safe against the storm surges and coastal floods. I now have a new found respect for all those hills I climb on my bike rides around this city. For they have been a protecting agent for me.

After the storm passed thru, I was anxious to get outside and see what had happened. Upon looking out the window, I saw a small pumpkin left in the street. After talking with some neighbors in the building, we decided to stay tucked away in our apartment.

With the storm taking the turns it did, NYC was still in Sandy's clutches and we were still at risk for high winds. Power outages and flying debris was my biggest worry for what could affect us. However, I did leave the house a couple of times, but that was for a job interview (crossing fingers) I had on Wednesday and for work on Friday.

While I was riding my bike to both, I saw a lot of the damage to Bed Stuy. I did not see much on Wednesday riding along Lewis Ave to West Bushwich. However, on Friday, on my trip down MacDonough Street, I was amazed at the amount of large downed trees that crushed cars. One could only hope that no one was seriously injured by these uprooted trees.

One thing that has disturbed me a bit was the notion that natural disasters do not affect Americans like other places. True indeed, my neighbors have some great grit and will rise to a many challenges. However, These types of occurrences grant immunity to no one. They can and do happen, all of the time.

We must remember that recovery is not some sort of restart button that fixes things immediately. These are the times we need to band together to help those in need. We also need to be patient as the recovery process will take a lot of coordinated efforts. This, however, does not act as an excuse to the failings the Red Cross. And Bloomburg finally realized the slap in the face it was to try and have the marathon amidst all the devastation. Then again, he should have done it much sooner.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to thank Lydia Callis. To me, she went a bit beyond her call of duty and helped to put a smile on many worried peoples faces. Her charming, over-emoting while signing for Mayor Bloomburg has become a viral hit.

It added a bit of laughter in my home at a much needed time. And not at her expense. No, it was her exaggeration of the mayors tone that had us busting a gut and forgetting our worries, even if only for a few seconds.

Brooklyn Opens It Landmark Arena

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:45:00 +0000

I have been a busy little bee over the summer and my lack of posts speak to that. As many ideas I have had for new videos, I just wasn't able to make some time. Sorry, I've been busy with the development of my Anti Bling company, among other things. I do see that I have folks who check in regularly to see what's new here and I really do appreciate the support I have. I plan on making a few over the remainder of the month so I have a few to share in the coming time. But in the mean time, check out a time lapse video of the construction of Brooklyn's hottest new attraction, the Barclay Center.

I have had mixed feelings about the development project since the beginning. As a child, I grew up hearing about the Dodgers from my granny. It excited me to know that a professional team in one of the 4 major leagues was going to be back in Brooklyn. Having lived for some time by the Atlantic Yards, I was excited to see Prospect Heights and Fort Greene have better access to the neighboring areas. But the scale of the project seemed way out of place.

While all things grow and change, I feel remaining connected to the history and development is important. By creating sky rise towers surrounding the arena, it would have dwarfed the surrounding neighborhood. More importantly, the existing infrastructure was not prepared to handle the new influx of people. I also didn't like the fact that a housing shelter was closed in the middle of the winter to make room for construction storage.

I still have some mixed feeling about the development. While I am excited about having a Brooklyn team to cheer on (being from Detroit originally, the Nets is the first apparel I donned that isn't Tiger or Piston gear), I'm still leery of how drastic a change the future towers will bring. Having a feel for the community in that area, it would be a shame if it were lost to create a new "Manhattan" in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Serves Up Another Night Of Donuts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:56:00 +0000

When I left Detroit for NYC, it was a weird feeling. I had a lot of great times in the hip hop scene but I knew it was time to move on. Things just weren't the same, especially seeing as how Proof and J Dilla were gone when I decided to go in 2006.

Photo: Regan Coule

I found myself partying a bit more again to throw off some of the homesick blues. I was hoping to find a place that reminded me of St Andrews back in Detroit. One of the things that helped my love affair with Brooklyn begin was all of the Dilla parties that were being thrown in the county of Kings.

The year after he had past, I think I went to four event dedicated to the man. Pharoe Monch host one in Williamsburg. Mary Pryor, a Detroit transplant, held a fundraiser for his legacy in Cobble Hill. Brooklyn seemed to show more love than Dilla's own hometown. While this hurt a bit, it reminded me of the love Dilla received from the St. Andrews crowd. With that, I felt that I was home finally.

As the years passed, less parties were thrown in his honor. This year, I've only heard about one event. While a bit disheartened. I'm glad to see that Donuts Are Forever is continuing to champion his legacy, while raising funds for the scholarship with that namesake. DAF6 at Brooklyn Bowl the past Sunday did not disappoint.

Photo: Gregory Malcolm

Arriving early to assure wifey and I got in, we were able to stake out a great spot to enjoy the festivities. It also allowed us the chance to hear how Dilla had an effect on other people in the NYC area. I am always curious because Dilla really did create an impact on my life, as well as numerous friends back home. It's amazing how many people were deeply moved by him without ever meeting him. For the first time, I met a woman (pictured to the left) who had his name tattooed on her. I've heard about it online but never actually seen a Dilla tattoo in the flesh.

Once the show got under way, it was hard for me to really concentrate on much else besides the music.From the first time I heard his music, Dilla has always had that effect on me. Sunday was no exception.

Photo: Regan Coule

I was hoping to hear something new from Dilla's catalog, since he has unknown amount of unreleased material. I thought maybe Prince Paul or Neil Armstrong had a few gems they wanted to treat us to at this years event. Unfortunately, I didn't hear anything that I haven't heard before.

Nevertheless, it did not discourage me from enjoying the energy from a thousand plus Dilla heads. After all, that is the real reason to go to Donuts Are Forever at this point. I have yet to see the level of appreciation people give to his work than any other hip hop artist.

Note: Why I Love Brooklyn would like to give a special thanks to iHeartDilla.com for allowing us to republish their photos. We would also like to thank Brooklyn Bowl for giving us press access.

Salutations From Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Dear readers,

I am writing this letter to apologize for neglecting this blog. I have been away from my writing outlets due to my new company, Anti Bling Store. I started making my own necklaces last summer and got huge responses. The last month I have been working diligently to spread the word on a limited budget. When you don't have money to spend, you must spend time on it. Things have been working out pretty well so far, aside from the lacking of post on this beloved blog.

Fear not though, my loyal followers. I do have something to entertain you with. My best friend, with whom I've grown up with, and his team have put together a great video called "Brooklyn Insiders". Their first feature is with the world renowned artist Lee Quinones.

Brooklyn Insiders: Lee Quinones from Chuck Gibson on Vimeo.

Again, I do apologize for the disappearing act. I never intended on being so neglectful. Sometimes life has a way of pulling you in a different direction. Sometimes for the bad, this time for the better. I still have immense love for Brooklyn and want to share it with everyone. I still have so many videos to make and share. So please, be patient and know that I have not abandoned this blog.

Signed,
Gregory Malcolm H

PS - Nice job, big homie!!

Slick Rick Rules the Brooklyn Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Friday night at the Brooklyn Bowl, roughly 700 people got more than they bargained for. The bill for the night said F.Stokes and Slick Rick, nothing more. Not only was there a few extra bands involved, but it was a special show for the headline act.

As I wondered the floor before the show began, I heard people discussing which song they had hoped to hear. I can't tell you how many times I heard "If he plays Children's Story, I can die happy." They have obtained their ever lasting bliss and much more that night.

For the second time in a month, I have caught F.Stokes live on stage. I was pretty impressed the first time around, even though it was half way through his set. This time, I was able to watch him introduce himself to music fans unaware of his work. And he definitely has a way of doing such a haunting task. It takes an experienced performer to go in front of hundreds of people eagerly awaiting a hip hop legend. F.Stokes definitely filled that demanding role.

DJ Kaos

His style of stage play puts him right in the middle of the audience, literally at times. He doesn't rely on any types of gimmicks to captivate the crowd. He takes his experiences of growing up in the gritty, blue collar Midwest, as well as his travels along the way, and appeals to the intellect and humanity of his audience. He also has a way of making you connect to the wordplay of his music. During a song he dedicated to small town life, he reminded the audience that New York City, while being a major megalopolis, is nothing more than a large, squeezed together collection of small towns.

Following F.Stokes was the Lifted Crew.A 10 piece ensemble with an influence from all over the place was the perfect back drop for Slick Rick to do his thing. Before he came out, Lifted Crew blessed the crowd with a few of their joints. With a good level of harmonizing and just plain ol' enjoying their time on stage made for a good set. The crowd was awaiting the headliner but they managed to get the crowd moving.

When The Ruler finally entered the stage, the place went nuts. The crowd almost matched the sound system in greeting his highness with great excitement. He knew what the people came to see and did not disappoint. He played the classics that made him a household name, such as Hey Young World (one of my fav's), Mona Lisa, etc. When he performed A Children's Story, I looked out into the crowd and swore almost everyone was rhyming right along.

In between songs, folks were treated to a surprise. The show was a week prior to Slick Rick's birthday. The show stopped for a moment as a cake was brought out and folks could give their well wishes. It was a brief moment but made me feel as I was a part of the celebration.

After his set, a group by the name of Deathrow Tull was to close out the night. I always love live shows because you always seem to get introduced to new music. I was not disappointed with these guys. They have a very funky vibe with a let your hair down attitude. You could tell these musicians were having a ton of fun closing out the show. I'm not too familiar with their work but I look forward to getting to know them.

All in all, it was a great night to end the week with. Everyone that performed gave a great show and the crowd was open to what the night had to offer. Of course, when you get a little extra, you are a bit reluctant to be, well, reluctant. Speaking of a little extra, I walked away with a little more than I expected as well.

Thanks for the drop and happy birthday, Slick Rick!!

New Years Eve Events in Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:10:00 +0000

The time has finally come to say so long to 2011. I've seen a lot of people who said this was a terrible year for them. While it wasn't easy, I like to think of it as a year full of life lessons. In doing so, I feel that it was a great year, even with all the challenges. However you see it, tomorrow night is when we welcome in 2012.

If your like many who don't want to spend much money, head on over to Grand Army Plaza or Prospect Park for the fireworks. My neighbor makes this his tradition every year and says it never disappoints him. He says the NYPD tends to be lenient on the drinking policy but that's always a risk. Other have said that a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is a nice way to save $$ on New Year's Eve. I'm sure you could see the fireworks from around the city. Just be sure to bundle up for the weather.

If you have a few dollars to spend and don't know where you'd like to spend the evening, there are plenty of spots around town to enjoy yourself. Union Hall is hosting a 5/5/5 party. To celebrate 5 years of operations, their party is $5 entrance (yes, 5 bucks for NYE) and $5 drink specials. Plus, after midnight, you will have a chance to win a free iPad (through karaoke, I think). Not bad for a night that usually cost an arm and a leg.

For all my friends out there on wheels, Time's Up is holding their 14th annual New Year's Eve Ride. About.com is reporting that Brooklynites should meet up at the foot of the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn for a group ride up to Central Park. Much like the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, if you partake in this one, please be sure to dress for the cold weather and winds. It would suck to bring in 2012 with a cold.

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary to ring in New Year's Day, head on down to Coney Island and join the polar bears club for a dip in the Atlantic at 1pm. It will definitely get your blood flowing and shake things up a bit. There is no charge but they do ask for donations for Camp Sunshine, which supports children with life threatening illnesses.

What ever you choose to do to celebrate, I hope that you enjoy yourself. But most of all, I hope you have a safe holiday. People have a tendency to be a bit excessive on this evening. Be aware of how much you drink and those around you. AAA is offering the tipsy tow to get you and your car home safe. Unfortunately for NYC, this only happens in Northern Cali, Nevada and Utah. But fear not. There are many organizations that connect someone with a designated drive, if need be. Check with NDDDS to find one in your area. Be safe, have fun and HAPPY 2012!!!

Digable Planet Orbits Thru Brooklyn Bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:04:00 +0000

When I was a teenager, I had a long list of artists I had to catch live. It didn't matter what the genre was, for I listened to all types of music. Luckily, I have been able to see the majority of the acts on my list. Last week, I thought I was lucky enough to have the chance to see Digable Planets, a group I haven't had the chance to see live.

When my wife and I walked into Brooklyn Bowl, F.Stokes was in the middle of his set. I haven't heard of him until this show (another great reason to go to more live shows) and I was pretty intrigued by the guys website. He lists his influences is quite range of folks, which is right up my alley. He kept his show simple but did not fail to engage the audience. One thing is for sure, this guy is now on my radar of artists to watch.

After he finished and the stage hands finished setting up, you could see people were anticipating the headliner. Not from chants or anything of that sorts. Everyone, except those busy bowling, was eagerly watching the stage for Butterfly, Lady Bug and Doodlebug.

Unfortunately, only one of the trio had made it for the show. At first, I thought the group was playing with the audience and building anticipation. But about 2 and a half songs into the show, I realized it was just him. Aside from the setbacks, Doodlebug didn't let me down. It may not have been the show I thought I was going to see but it wasn't a dull show.

Third Degree, the crew he brought to back him up, put on a pretty good show. I didn't know the material they were performing but I liked it. They had a gritty sound I would have expected for a Philly band and they had a nice stage presence. It wasn't what I had expected but it did deliver the feeling of being at a hip-hop show in the 90's. For that, I enjoyed the show. I just wished it was billed as Doodlebug from Digable Planets instead. I still would have went and I wouldn't be left wondering if the crew fell out again.

A Quiet Coney Island

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:36:00 +0000

It's been another gap between postings and I do apologize. I keep saying I've been busy but who hasn't. Instead of giving you excuses, I've created a new video. My last camera was stolen, along with my wife's laptop. But I am a resourceful guy. With my new phone comes a much better camera, i.e. better quality.

The wife and I went to visit Chicago to celebrate our marriage with her hometown friends. It was an incredible time with my new family and new friends. As much fun as we were having, I could help but miss the various parts of my beloved Brooklyn.

Upon our return, we ditch our luggage with a quickness and headed to Coney Island. We heard that Hurricane Irene was scared of the reputation NYC had and tip toed around the place. Even a couple days after the storm had passed, Coney was rather quiet. So much, I figured it would be a nice one-minute video. Enjoy.

Brooklyn Bloggers Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Ok, so the more I intend to do more with this blog, the busier I get in other parts of my life. Obviously, my wedding kept me away from doing the damn thing on here. I have been involved in various projects in (so it seems) unrelated industries. I have come to the realization that this can no longer be a "one man army" project anymore.

So, with out hesitation, I am putting out the call to any ambitious writers and/or videographers interested in contributing. If you are passionate about Brooklyn and are looking for another way to express yourself, then maybe this is good fit.

To be considered, please send a few samples of your work to greg@whyilovebk.com along with a contact number. I would love to add various viewpoints and opinions to this growing website. I finally realized that I can't do it alone.

Why I Love Brooklyn Expands

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Hi folks. I just want to alert my faithful readers that I have expanded my virtual reach over to Tumblr this week. I've been playing around on it but didn't quite know how to incorporate it into my pet project here.
Then it hit me. I figured I can post daily to Tumblr, seeing as how it's geared towards the short attention span audience. I'll show photos and quick thoughts over there, as well as things I find humorous or interesting.

But fear not Blogspot fans, I am not deleting this aspect of the blog. I am keeping this site for expanded posting. What I mean by that is I will publish in-depth articles and video blogs I create here. Speaking of which, I've gotten feedback from a few loyal readers wanting more videos. Rest assured, I have been working on some new episodes showcasing Brooklyn's rich history that helped to shape this country.

To make it plain, Tumblr will be like if this site, Facebook and Twitter had a baby. Not exactly a blurb of a thought nor is it go into great detail, it is sort of a happy medium. To make it even easier, I will be sure to link from Tumblr every time I post on this site. So keep checking in on either site and remember, doctor, always do the right thing. PEACE!!

Brooklyn Bike Lanes Slightly Clearer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 23:30:00 +0000

I made it clear that I love to ride my bike around the city. Riding through Brooklyn is much more enjoyable than when I venture into the city. But the truth is the bike lane is not respected that much anywhere. I'm not claiming to be doing the world a favor riding my bike. But this guy, Casey, pretty much says how I feel about how we cyclist are treated.

Besides, you gotta love the irony of the cop car blocking the lane!

Encouraging Bicycling in Brooklyn And Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:04:00 +0000

One thing I love doing is riding my bike, either in the city or off on some trails. The passion started with road racing a bit here and there. Then I discovered the joys of riding in the middle of nowhere. The fire grew higher the more I rode. Then, I raced in some state championships as well as nationals.

The desire to keep racing waned when I got out of high school. But college life didn't make me put my bike away. I went to Wayne State, which is a couple miles north of downtown Detroit. I drove a lot but I also enjoyed riding the streets to get to where I needed to get. I even found a company that hired bike messengers downtown.

This love of riding carries me all over this megalopolis. I haven't ventured that far into the Bronx as I would like to nor Queens. But I have seen a large amount of Brooklyn and the city as I whiz on by on my bike. I even had a few friends that I used to roll out on a semi weekly ride with. There were a few favorite shops to swing by and sometimes just chew the fat.

Time are always changing and NYC is one excelling example of that. My friends have either moved on to new cities or are rearing children and have less time. That I truly understand. But the loss of the beloved bike shops is a bit hard to withstand. One closed due to the soaring rents of Williamsburg. The other place, well, the owner must have had a greedy agenda he kept well hidden.

Instead of turning this into a grip fest, I'm going to introduce another new page to the blog. I'm going to share different link and videos that will help keep you rolling on my favorite mode of transportation. Not only do I want to share my love of riding, I want you to know how to maintain your bike for yourself. Whether you choose to build up a tool collection or join a local bike co-op is entirely up to you.

If you are finicky about your workspace, I would recommend getting your own tools. I plan on doing this myself by buying a tool or two every month. Keep in mind that quality tools is important, if you want them to last. If you don't have the space or desire, joining a good co-op is a great idea. Not only does it keep your expenses down but it also introduces you to other cycling advocates.

Co-op add an advantage, depending on the culture of it, with the part shares. This will also help in keeping a couple of dollars in your pocket. Instead of scraping old bike that have outlived it's use, they will salvage parts from them and sell/swap with members or to the general public. If you decide other than the co-op, there are places you can order parts for discounted price. I have found, working at bike shops, these are the places where they order from. My favorite is Bike Nashbar. They tend to have the most competitive prices while maintaining a good quality of products.

I have given you a nice amount of info to start with. I would go on and on. Believe me, there are a few subjects that I can talk on about and biking is one of them. But, all this talk of riding/working on the bike and a beautiful day going on outside my window has me salivating to go for a spin. I hope you do too soon.

Brooklyn Development Brings Gentrification Worries

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:33:00 +0000

When I am out and about, I always pay attention to how people navigate around the city. As an architectural designer, it is important to understand how people use space. As people are shopping, I've notice that people like to browse around for a while and take little breaks in between. This is the reason that plazas help commercially zoned areas to grow.

New York City knows this all too well. Just look at the developments in the city around Times Square and outside of Macy's in Manhattan. They have closed off parts of Broadway to make room for pedestrians and people who want to have a seat. And the changes have made quite a difference for the business as well as the people.

Living in the heart of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights for the past few years, I see that the area lacks these elements. Nostrand Avenue and Fulton Street have both been vibrant for many years. I've always enjoyed exploring the many types of shops, even the many dollar stores. But I always felt it could be more.

Needless to say, I was invigorated when I saw the Bed-Stuy Streetscape Project the other day. The existing conditions of the corner of Fulton and New York Avenue are lacking, when it comes to the built environment. As I ride my bike past here everyday on my way into work, I feel that the corner has much more potential than is used.

Clinton Hill has started a project as well. At the intersecting triangle of Fulton, Putnam and Grand, Putnam Triangle may be getting a facelift as well. Having washed my laundry at one of the storefronts on the triangle, I have waited to see it become more than a few plants surrounded by pavement. These proposals don't get greeted with open arms by all, though. For some of the reasons, I understand why.

15 years ago, not too many people ventured into these areas unless they lived there or made money on the streets. Notorious, the bio-pic film about Christopher Wallace, gave a glimpse of the drug trafficking going on in the neighborhood. But this didn't reflect on the entire population of the place. For the majority of the residents, it was a love-hate relationship with there home surroundings.

Many working people have dealt with the headaches of this crime. Those folks have felt neglected, which only increased when the demographics began to change. While we all want to see our home and it's surrounding area at it's best. But many have seen the growth only to push them out of their long time home. I'm not saying that growth is bad but it certainly is when it doesn't include those who have suffered through the hard times.

Bohemian Brooklyn Wedding Brings Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:29:00 +0000

Well, the day has come and gone. It was a bumpy road for me and the misses and it was well worth it. The ceremony brought goods friends together along with our parents. Meeting them helped to put our folks mind at ease as well, we were told. Seeing as how I was slacking on the blogging during this period, I'll share some of the photos with you.

Thanks for the pics, Val and thanks to the staff at the Linger Lounge Cafe. And thank you, baby. You truly worked your magic in planning this amazing day.

Nets New Home In Brooklyn Begets Divide

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 08 May 2011 23:29:00 +0000

I'm not a huge follower of the NBA any more. I haven't since I was a teenager. It's not the sport itself but I don't care for the star system of business that most franchises follow these days. I grew up watching incredible stars relying on the team around them to win championships. My beloved Pistons were the thorn in the side of Jordan, because he didn't have a proper supporting cast during the Bad Boy days. I still love watching games from the 80's for this reason. But one thing does excite me about the league, lately. Brooklyn is getting a professional team again.

I've been meaning to address the controversial project since I started blogging. But the videos I've attempted to produce just didn't pan out as I hoped. Then, a while back, I was reading an article in the NY Times about the new arena popping up downtown. I saw another article in the Brooklyn Paper saying the Nets, like it or not, are new residents of Brooklyn. I knew I had to speak my piece, at least.

Since I've moved to New York City almost 5 years ago, I've been seeing the project discussed in many places. From the park near my then-home in Bushwich to a few classrooms and even at the office, it was a pretty hot topic. The jobs it would create and civic pride would shoot up was one side of the argument. Others felt that it would dwarf the surrounding community and overload the demand on the grid for basic necessities.

I have many mixed feelings about this proposal. I like the fact that it does bring a sports team back to the deserving borough. One of the most popular sports here is basketball so it is only fitting. It also proposes to open up the connection between Fort Green and Prospect height, something I didn't understand until moving into the area in '07.

On the other hand, there were people who lost their homes. Sure, they were compensated, but they didn't want to sell. I understand the feeling of want to stay in a neighborhood you feel attached to. I don't know what it's like to loose property to eminent domain, but it has been used in the acquisition of land for the arena.

As are a lot of people I have talked to, I am a bit on the fence, still. I don't like big brother taking peoples land away that they are not ready to give up. I don't like the idea of Brooklyn being turned into a new Manhattan. It is it's own borough and, as I like to say, it's a world all it's own. With that said, it definitely feels a bit empty without a professional team. After all, my grandmother had the Dodgers to cheer for. Who will I be able to tell my grandchildren about when I describe my time here?

Brooklyn Helps Construct Bright Future

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Howdy, fellow Brooklyn lovers. I am busier than ever before, seeing how my wedding is less than a month away. Both my fiancee and I are scurrying in every direction to make sure we covered all our details. We really look forward to having our families together in downtown Bk for an incredible day. But that is a blog post all it's own for a future date.

Right now, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to my readers and spread the word about Construct Theater Company. They are based out of Manhattan but members hail from Brooklyn as well. I, myself, have participated in a few monologue slams and sketches. What really moves me about this company is the dedication to opening doors to those often left out of the entertainment industry. They also try to deal with contemporary issues that may get ignored by the mainstream.

Right now, they are in the midst of their fund raising drive. They have some nice programs in the plans for the future to help expand the span of involvement in theater. Aside from the fun times on stage, they are looking to reaching out to high school students. In their words, "With your support, we can begin obtaining certifications from the board of education required so that we can go into the schools and inspire these disenfranchised teens to a continued education in college."

Take a moment, check out the theatre company and help out if you can.

She amazes me in so many ways!

Busy Blogger in Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Well, my friends, I have been a very busy man. As of today, I am two months away from my wedding and I have two projects outside of my day job. Needless to say, I am being pulled in numerous directions. Although I have lacked postings lately, I still love working on this blog.

First, I would like to say rest in peace to Edwin "Duke" Snyder. He is a player I related to a few times in my ball playing days. I never was much of a home run hitter but we both expected nothing short of the best from ourselves. In doing this, we both ended up beating our self up for not living up to our own expectations. For a younger me, he was just a name that my grandmother mentioned in some of her stories. As I got older and studied film, I saw how he earned the love and respect of Brooklyn.

I also want to share a few upcoming events with you, my faithful readers. I am a big fan of Shadan's parties. They are always fun times with other like minded professional peoples. He has had the brilliant idea to hold them during the afternoon time on the weekends in Fort Greene. If you can, I recommend you check one out.

After that party, head down the street a bit to the Green Hill Food Co-Op's Fun(d) Raiser party. They are celebrating the soon to be open doors of the new food cooperative with Senegalese buffet at 7:30 to 9. After the food is done, there will be a shake your groove thang session until 11:30.

To wrap things up here, I wanted to share a few sites I came across on the web. I found this site, Brooklynisms, to be quite humorous and informative. I'm not sure how accurate it is but it's worth a glance. I've always been a fan of the skillshare/free school movement and I've finally came across one in Brooklyn. I haven't stopped by and seen for myself what they have to offer. Maybe we'll bump into each other over there.

Dodger Memories Return To Brooklyn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:32:00 +0000

Born in Detroit, it is natural that I am a Tigers fan. People often times asked me if I am to become a Yankees fan now that I live in New York. That would feel like betrayal in my heart. After all, the two teams compete in the same conference. But don't get me wrong, I do want a NYC team to root for. Unfortunately, the Dodgers have relocated to that other city over 50 years ago.

But that doesn't stop me from yearning for their return. You see, I may be from Detroit but my paternal grandmother was raised in Brooklyn. I vaguely remember the stories she would tell me as a very young boy. They may not have been on top during her time in this borough. (Ironically, she beat the team in moving to la-la land by a decade.) I do remember the passion she had in describing the team.

This is why when I hear of exhibits showcasing the teams history in NYC (they had fans outside Kings county) I get a bit excited. This morning, I saw an email from the Brooklyn Historical Society about their latest exhibit to open, Home Base: Memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. As an added bonus to the exhibit, a movie about the Dodgers will be shown, free with museum admission. I don't know about you but I plan on seeing all three. When I leave, you may hear me say "maybe next year", as my grandmother did so many years ago. Only I'll be talking about their return to Brooklyn.