billburg.com - community affairs

Volunteer Orientation!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:52:37 -0400

For those interested in volunteering during any of the 4 Williamsburg Walks Saturdays in any capacity:

Teresa Toro (Community Board #1 Transportation Chair) will be leading us in a presentation on the benefits of pedestrian streets followed by a quick volunteer orientation session on July 16; doors open at 6:30pm at Boricua College. Enter at 186 North 6th Street - signs will be posted. RSVPs are encouraged, but not mandatory. RSVP to williamsburgwalks@billburg.com.

We invite everyone afterwards to head over to Teddy's back room (96 Berry Street) afterwards for more informal discussions about planning & the events.

If you will be unable to make it either to Boricua College or Teddy's, but are still interested in volunteering, please email your interest to williamsburgwalks@billburg.com.

Donuts.

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:10:44 -0400

The guy who started Vimeo is about to start selling donuts, according to Eater, just because he wants to eat more donuts.

I'm not financially driven, rather I'd be content with a break-even business -- I want donuts to be a part of my diet but there aren't any to be had around here. I have no other option than to start a shop myself. From my experience at Connected Ventures, I know the best products come from solving personal needs. I was delighted to realize this particular donut desperation because I've been searching for ways to lay roots in Williamsburg and play a role in shaping its lifestyle and identity.

Donutsburg?

More here.

Art.

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:03:58 -0400

Even though BushwickBK didn't care too much for the Bushwick Open Studios (sarcasm), they've got posted a blogroll of other posts on BOS.

Read about it here.

Stabbing on Driggs

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:50:36 -0400

The Gothamist has posted again today on the rumor of the series of stabbings in the Williamsburg area.

The suspect was said to be in his 20s or 30s (a little late for gang initiation?) and word is that a trained camera on the block recorded the incident -- but it failed to capture the assailant's face.

More here.

"Next he did a Google search for 'what to do if you get locked in a bar.'”

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:57:44 -0400

This New York Times article really speaks for itself, but below, an excerpt from the harrowing story of Kyle Hausmann, the 24-year-old Harvard graduate who managed to get himself snockered and locked in Williamsburg's Trophy Bar.

"The lights are off in the bar, and the chairs are up. And I wondered, ‘Where did everybody go?' " Mr. Hausmann said.

A faint light was coming through the windows - it was about 5:30 a.m. "I thought, ‘I guess I'm going to be late for work,' " he said.

Full story at nytimes.com.

Wiimbledon Update

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:49:45 -0400

We just got an update from Lane over at wiimbledon.net that wiibledon will actually be held on JUNE 7, not July 7th as previously reported. Registration is/was happening yesterday, today (June 2nd) and tomorrow, which means there are only 40 more slots open starting tomorrow at 12pm!

That's great news, but gives us less time to get our A game ready for the match.

Swashbuckling Kickballer Arrested in Macy's

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:48:51 -0400

More Brooklyn Kickball League drama, this time thanks to a member of Los Piratas Mechanicos (the Robot Pirates).

From Gawker:

A rabble-rousing kickball player for a recreational team called the Pirates was busted yesterday for brandishing a swashbuckler's sword in the middle of Macy's Herald Square, cops said.

For more "rabble-rousing," check out the story at Gawker.com.

Growing population leads to...

Thu, 22 May 2008 14:02:15 -0400

The school district isn't prepared for growth in the Williamsburg/ Greenpoint/ Bushwick area.

More here.

Abduction foiled

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:51:25 -0400

A 4 year old was almost abducted in Williamsburg on Wednesday afternoon.

More info here.

WIIMBLEDON

Wed, 21 May 2008 20:12:01 -0400

Billburg is excited and proud to announce Wiimbledon 2008 taking place at Barcade on July 7th, 2008. This is the second annual wiimbledon event in williamsburg and while I haven't been there myself, I have it from very reliable sources that it is "the most fun I've had in a while!" The open bar portion of the event will be sponsored by our favorite brewery, Brooklyn Brewery and Prince and Brunswick will be providing all the prizes.

Bad news is that there are only 128 spots available, and they will be opening up registration on July 2nd online.

Less $ for CB1

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:36:40 -0400

Community Board #1 is facing budget cuts for FY2009, as many throughout Brooklyn are as well.

More here.

Development alert: 110 Green Street

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:34:23 -0400

Magic Johnson is an investor in some new development in Greenpoint. The name: Viridan.

More here

[Curbed]

Clowns & Records

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:05:59 -0400

I've never personally seen the clowns in front of Earwax, but the Gothamist sez:

Back in January video emerged of an enthusiastic street performer, Matthew Silver, dancing in front of Earwax record store on Bedford Avenue. It seems that a war has been going on since, between the employees of the store and the ever-growing troupe of Silver's clowns (dubbed the BC Fools) that adorn the outside of its shop.

McCarren Park Kite Festival Recap

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:36:27 -0400

Anyone interested in viewing the McCarren Park Kite Festival recap should head over to flickr and check out this photo set, courtesy of newyorkshitty.com's Miss Heather.

Penny Licks Opens on Bedford Ave.

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:29:53 -0400

From Gowanus Lounge:

Penny Licks on Bedford Avenue has opened in Williamsburg and the little shop, which aims to recreate an old-time ice cream and candy store, is loaded with vegan and organic treats.

To read more about Penny Licks' sweets and treats, check out the full story at Gowanus Lounge.

Luna Lounge Shuttered by DOH

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:22:12 -0400

In the latest edition of their DOH Chronicles, Eater.com investigates the recent shuttering of Luna Lounge:

A tipster sends word and the Dept. of Health confirms: one of the biggest music venues in Williamsburg, Luna Lounge, was shuttered on Friday and has yet to re-open. According to the venue's official website, they only canceled Friday's line-up and still have bands scheduled through the end of this week. However the DOH tells us a different story. Here's their background: "They were cited for operating without a permit on 3/7 and were given time to renew. They will not be allowed to reopen until they pay their fine, get their permit, and pass their reopening inspection."

For the full story, visit Eater.com.

Broadway Greenway?

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:06:54 -0400

From Curbed:

Last week, a post about a traffic light getting mowed down at Broadway and Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg drew an e-mail from another reader who noted that work is underway to add bike lanes and medians to the street.

To read more about the beautification of Broadway, head over to Curbed.

"New" businesses on North 7th

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:43:31 -0400

The Beehive is moving to North 7th from Lorimer & Grand. East Villiage bar d.b.a. will be their neighbor.

More here.

New bank in Williamsburg

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:40:46 -0400

Capitol One Bank going in at Metropolitan and Marcy. Signs are up, but construction hasn't yet begun.

More here.

New waterfront development

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:38:41 -0400

Across the street from 475 Kent and next door to Schaefer Landing, a new waterfront development is in the land use review process.

As for Rose Plaza, the developers are looking for the same zoning as Schaefer Landing, which has 350 units in two buildings. The developer would be Waterfront Realty, which includes several veteran Brooklyn real estate players including Stanley Gallant and others. It needs approval from the City Planning Commission among others to get anywhere.

More here.