Vintage 1983, from Brooklyn

This weekend isn't Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday program, as I previously thought (Boo to no second week programs!), but I'm still planning a group trip to my native borough this weekend. I'm most excited to visit MURAKAMI, which is running through July 13, but really just love getting to the building and admiring its long-running exhibits like the Rodin Gallery and the Visible Storage Center as well.

I know the face of Brooklyn is changing, and that's something that's a little difficult for me to come to terms with, having been born here to a family that came on a boat to Ellis Island with nothing... and watching a lot of spoiled rich kids move into my city and turn it into a shallow fashionista playground. But, with the influx of people have also come a lot of really great people who are taking communities with a rich past- like Red Hook and Crown Heights- and restoring them into real true communities.

Click, at the Brooklyn Museum this summer, and online right now, is an exhibit that really takes these two thoughts and meshes them. You can register online to sort through a series of over 350 photos and rate them on a sliding scale as to whether or not they convey the message that the face of Brooklyn is changing. There are the usual suspects of Coney Island photos, and an almost staggering amount of Williamsburg hipster photos, but in the mix there are also extremely captivating pictures that capture people from all walks of life- new to the city and lifers, and the ever-changing background of 718.

718 Constant

Checking out design*sponge this a.m. I was reminded about - this weekend!
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
I didn't have a chance to attend last years show because of family obligations, but this year I will be there with bells on, and will be covering the event for a really fantastic website.

If you are able to shimmy down to Dumbo, visit us during these hours:

Friday, May 9: 10am–8pm
Saturday, May 10: 10am–7pm
Sunday, May 11: 11am–6pm

But I am the baby...

Though I don't have any kids of my own, I often write for parenting magazines, and even a family events website. I have six lovely and adorable nieces and nephews and try to spend as much time with them as possible, and always have my eye out for family fun (kids have way more fun than we do- trust me). So when I was sent info about Empire of the Dog's pet and baby integration classes, I thought to myself 'this is something I need to share.'

Baby Makes Four will take place on two days- May 4 and May 18th- both Sunday's, for the price of $95 at their convenient Williamsburg location. I really like the idea of this class since pets are so common in the household right now, and you really do need to take steps to integrate your furry baby and your skin baby. There's no reason everyone shouldn't be calm, happy, and get along fine- and I'm sure this class can help you achieve that.

Contact empireofthedog@verizon.net for more information.

The Flea

This weekend weather and time allowed me to stop by Brownstoner's Brooklyn Flea. While I wasn't sure what to expect, one thing I definitely wasn't prepared for was the overall sense of community and friendliness from people of all walks of life. Hipsters and obvious out-of-towners, low-income natives and sky high income new residents, everyone working together to collect money for schools, support local businesses, and keep Fort Greene exactly what it should be- a neighborhood.

I came in contact with many very helpful people, from native born artists, to a couple new to the city who shared my enthusiasm for mismatched ceiling tiles, and I had a great time.






If you're heading to Brooklyn Flea next week, here are some things you should know:

1. Parking is limited in Fort Greene, but the further down, the better. Try Washington Avenue and cross blocks.

2. Hold off on the food till you arrive. There are a ton of vendors peddling sandwiches, cupcakes, and other yummy treats you'll be sorry to miss.

3. Carry cash. 99.9% of the vendors will only take cash, and the schoolyard that houses BK Flea is not adjacent to any ATMs.

4.Grab business cards, flyer's, and other calling cards. While you may not need a 2x4 print of the Brooklyn Bridge now, it may come in handy as a holiday gift in the future. Give these folks a chance after Brooklyn Flea ends.

Wish List 4/08

Every once in awhile I surprise myself and fall in love with something the general masses (of Williamsburg) have already been diggin on for weeks, maybe months. I tend to march to the beat of my own sometimes dillusional drummer, and have a hard time revealing this, but, yes, its true. This week I'm ready to commit to a life long love of working girl glasses.



They may not be called working girl glasses for sure, but they evoke memories of mom putting on her blazer and going off to work, while I sat in bed with a big bowl of Rice Krispies, pigtailed hair, and rainbow bright nightshirt- Puffalump in lap. I'm crossing fingers that somewhere in the attic is an authentic pair waiting just for me.

Obsession number two comes at no big surprise to anyone who knows me. I'm a stationary freak. I have a drawer full of cards for Birthday, Christmas, Groundhog Day, Thank You, We've Moved, Happy New Year, Happy New Baby, and Just Because. I have a silver plated Pierre Cardin pencil I received years and years ago, sans original lead insert, and now I'm looking to expand this collection.



Call it excessive, but I just can't help imagining my red Ikea vase-made-pencil holder stashing a few of these bad boys. Superfluous? Yes. A little bit of sunshine in my life? Absolutely.

ps: Both items via BK.
www.fredflare.com
300F Kingsland Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11222
(718) 599-9221

www.americanapparelstore.com
314 Flatbush Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 230-3705

Spend some money this weekend!

I am super excited about this weekend. It's actually the first weekend in a long time that I don't want to hide under the covers with a big mug of hot chocolate.

Not only is tomorrow First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring Arts of Japan, and Elizabeth Sackler's Feminist Art, but Sunday, April 6, makes the first day of Brownstoner's Brooklyn Flea! 200 vendors from the 718 will be represented with home wares, crafts, DIY projects, and a ton more goody's. Click the link for location, hours, and more info.

Right now Weather Channel is showing big rain drops for the day, but Brooklyn Flea will run rain or shine. And I will see you there, precipitation or not.