You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. Photo of Freddy’s holiday projections by maudia617.
Have you snapped any neighborhood holiday photos? Share them with us! Add them to our Flickr group, tag them #southslope on Instagram, or email them to us at editor@southslopenews.com and we’ll post them on the blog.
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You know that late afternoon snack attack that you know you shouldn’t feed because it’s so close to dinner, but temptation is too much because you’re work weary and easily influenced?
That’s where we were around 4pm when we walked passed Leske’s Bakery (588 5th Avenue, between 16th Street and Prospect Avenue).
We wanted something sweet, but not too sweet, and happily settled on a crumb bun ($1.25). Think buttery sweet roll with a powdered sugar/crumbly topping. It wasn’t really big enough to ruin dinner (sending that one out to you, Mom), satisfied the sweet tooth, and best of all, didn’t break the bank.
Kudos, Leske’s.
How much are you planing to spend on holiday tips this season? Park Slope Parents just released their 2013 survey to get a Brooklyn average for tips to people like supers, doormen, babysitters, dog walkers, and more.
The survey is anonymous, and should only take about 3 to 5 minutes to complete. Best of all, you do not have to be a member of the group to participate. The results will be announced in the next couple of weeks, just in time for the holidays (so those of us who haven’t got a clue can relax).
Ready to dive in? You can find the survey here.
Ready to show a little local love to one of our neighborhood artists?
A new exhibition from South Slope’s Tamara Staples called The Magnificent Chicken, based on her book by the same name, opens at Powerhouse on 8th (1111 8th Avenue, between 11th and 12th Street) this Thursday, December 5.
Tamara will be on hand from from 6pm to 8pm, signing copies and discussing the prints from her book.
Admission is free, but RSVP is appreciated. For more information call 718-801-8375 or email RSVP@POWERHOUSEon8th.com.
Images via Tamara Staples
It’s safe to say that neighbor Scott Bridi, founder of Brooklyn Cured, is obsessed with charcuterie. Born in Bensonhurst to what he describes as a very food-centric, Italian-American family, the long time South Slope resident credits his early influences to his family dinner table.
“I try to make all the same cured meats, sausages, and deli meats that we all grew up with and were very near and dear to our hearts,” he told us on a very cold morning at the Park Slope Farmer’s Market.
Scott honed his charcuterie-making skills at Gramercy Tavern, working as a line-cook. When the restaurant started a “whole animal project,” he had the opportunity to experiment with curing meats, make mistakes, and ultimately to find his bliss…in sausage.
Scott says that there is a transformative element to sausage-making that fascinates him.
“I like the idea of creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts,” he says.
In 2010, Scott launched Brooklyn Cured, because he noticed that with all the outdoor markets, like the Farmers Market at The Old Stone House, there was a movement toward the democratization of food. These were places where he didn’t need the capital for a store front and he could invest his time, money and energy in to doing what he does best: making and selling mouth-watering sausage, cured meats, and pates.
Scott moved to South Slope in 1998 after graduating college because he felt the neighborhood had the seeds planted for “really cool things to come.” We happen to think that Scott Bridi is pretty cool himself.
The Department of Environmental Protection is urging New Yorkers to reuse and/or properly dispose of their cooking oil this holiday season (and really, all other days of the year), and help keep sewer lines open and functioning as they should.
The DEP recently released their Cease the Grease campaign, which highlights the issues with and alternatives to pouring cooking oil down your sink. Or toilet. Has anyone ever taken a pan into the bathroom to pour its contents down a toilet?
In any case, they suggest instead either pouring the grease into a sealable, non-recyclable container and throwing it out with your regular trash, and/or using the grease to cook other items–which aside from being green, can enhance food’s flavor. They also ask that you wipe out your pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them.
These steps will keep sewer lines from backing up, leading to a happier holiday (and, again, all other days of the year) for everyone. Bon appetit!
Image via Wikimedia Commons
How cool is this??!! Photo by Tom Prendergast.
Have you snapped any neighborhood holiday photos? Share them with us! Add them to our Flickr group, tag them #southslope on Instagram, or email them to us at editor@southslopenews.com and we’ll post them on the blog.
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Christmas decorations are shining across the Slope, and whether you’re a fresh tree newbie or an old pro, it’s never a bad idea to review some fire safety tips from the FDNY.
* Test for freshness by gently grasping a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pulling toward you. Very few needles should come off.
* Shake or bounce the tree on it’s stump. If an excessive number of green needles fall to the ground, the tree may not be fresh.
* Buy your tree early. Most tree lots receive only one shipment of trees. Trees don’t become fresher sitting in a lot.
* If you don’t plan on putting the tree up right away, make a one half inch fresh cut off the bottom of the trunk and place the tree in a five-gallon bucket of warm water. Store the tree in cool temperatures, but above freezing.
* If the tree has been stored for more than three days, prior to putting it up, make another one inch cut off the bottom of the trunk and immediately place the tree into a stand that holds at least one gallon of water.
Continue reading for tips on water level, tree placement, and ornaments.
The 72nd Precinct sent out an alert Tuesday, warning neighbors of a telephone scam involving Green Dot MoneyPak Cards.
According to the 72nd:
The victims are contacted by a caller who states that they work at a utility company and are collecting money that is past due. The caller informs the victim that they can avoid having their utility service disconnected if they immediately pay the past due amount using a Green Dot MoneyPak card that can be purchased at a local store.
The caller instructs the victim to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak card in a specified amount and provides the victim with a phone number to be called back when the MoneyPak has been obtained.
The victim purchases a Green Dot card at a local store and proceeds to call back the number they were given. The victim is instructed to scratch off and read the MoneyPak card serial number to the perpetrator.
Once the scammer has the Green Dot MoneyPak serial number they are able to transfer funds onto a prepaid debit card. The victim has now lost their money.
Scammers also spin a tale involving the Internal Revenue Service, telling victims that they owe “back taxes, fees or fines to the IRS, and if they don’t immediately pay up with a MoneyPak card, they will be arrested or deported.”
It’s important to note that Green Dot MoneyPark cards themselves are not illegal. When dealing with any kind of financial transaction, though, it’s a good idea to keep a few crime prevention tips in mind:
*Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
*Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot MoneyPak card has access to the funds on the card.
*Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited.
*Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know.
*Utility companies and government agencies will not contact you demanding immediate payment by MoneyPak
For more information, contact the 72nd Precinct Community Affairs department at 718-965-6326.
Image via Green Dot MoneyPak
Are you dreaming of a date night, but don’t want to break the bank on a sitter during the holiday season? Juguemos a Cantar (463 6th Avenue at 10th Street) has a deal for you.
Parents Night Out is this Saturday, December 7, from 5pm to 8pm. Potty trained kids between the ages of 3 and 10 will be entertained with pizza, movies, games and fun while moms and dads enjoy a few quiet hours alone. Tickets, which can be purchased on the Juguemos a Cantar website, are $20 for one child, and $15 for each additional sibling.
For more information, call Juguemos a Cantar at 917-453-1187, or email info@juguemos.org.
Photo via Juguemos a Cantar
Collection sites for the Park Slope Civic Council Toys for Tots drive have started popping up around the neighborhood. Here’s a quick rundown of where you can drop off new and unwrapped toys or books in South Slope:
• Councilman Brad Lander’s Office (456 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor, between 9th and 10th Street)
• South Slope Pediatrics (501 5th Avenue, between 12th and 13th Street)
• Assemblyman Jim Brennan’s Office (416 7th Avenue, between 13th and 14th Street)
• Park Slope Plumbing Supply (601 5th Avenue at Prospect Avenue)
• Leathernecks Tattoo (667A 5th Avenue, between 19th and 20th Street)
Spotted any other collection sites around the neighborhood? Let us know where in the comments below.
Photo via South Slope Pediatrics
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to forget that those in the Philippines are still suffering in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Thankfully, we’ve got another local way to show our support. Greenwood Park (555 7th Avenue at 19th Street) is joining forces with The Kings of Karaoke and Authentic Talent and Literary Management for a holiday karaoke fundraiser on Wednesday, December 11, from 8pm to 12am.
There is a $10 suggested donation at the door, it’s $5 per song if you’d like to sing, and 10% of the night’s bar sales will be donated to The American Red Cross Typhoon Fund.
Karaoke, beer, and holiday spirit…you can’t go wrong! If you’re unable to make it, though, and would still like to donate, visit the Authentic Talent fundraising page.
Spotted on 13th Street near 8th Avenue by neighbor Tom Prendergast.
Have you snapped any neighborhood holiday photos? Share them with us! Add them to our Flickr group, tag them #southslope on Instagram, or email them to us at editor@southslopenews.com and we’ll post them on the blog.
Looking for a way to keep up with the site all week? Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Ready to deck those halls and support one of our local schools at the same time?
Purchase a Christmas tree from Foley Christmas Trees, located on the corner of 8th Street and 8th Avenue, mention P.S. 10 or New Voices, and they’ll donate $10 to that elementary school. Pretty cool, huh?
We know what you’re thinking…hiking from 8th Street to South Slope/Greenwood Heights with a tree sounds kinda rough if you don’t have a car. Luckily, the lot offers free delivery, and will even set up the tree in your home if the stand is ready to go.
If you have your heart set on something a bit closer to home, though, we’ve also spotted trees at Food Train (7th Avenue and 11th Street), outside of CVS (9th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue), and by Greenwood Park (7th Avenue, between 19th and 20th Street).
Looking for an artificial tree? Head over to Deals and Discounts (5th Avenue on the corner of 9th Street), Amazing Deals (5th Avenue, between 9th and 10th Street), or Lowes (12th Street and 2nd Avenue).
Where is your favorite spot in the neighborhood to pick up a Christmas tree?
Photo via Chris Schneider
Don’t wait until the weekend for a little neighborhood fun! Here’s a few of the events that are taking place in our area through Wednesday:
Ed Sullivan on Acid
When: Monday, December 2, 9:30pm
Where: Freddy’s, 627 5th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Street
What: Need a laugh after a long weekend with your family? Get thee to Freddy’s for a night of standup.
How much: Free!
Neighborhood Forum on Street Safety
When: Tuesday, December 3, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Park Slope United Methodist Church, 410 6th Avenue at 8th Street
What: Join the Park Slope Street Safety Partnership on Tuesday for a talk on making our neighborhood streets a safer place to be. The meeting will focus on how to improve street safety, from enforcement to engineering to education. The New York City Department of Transportation and the 78th Precinct will be there to listen to your input.
How much: Free!
Open Mic At Supercollider
When: Tuesday, December 3, 8pm to 11pm
Where: 609 4th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Street
What: Grab the mic and come show South Slope your vocal chops. Signup starts at 7:30pm, and performers are allowed up to 3 songs or 15 minutes of stage time.
How much: Free!
Far Side of Green-Wood Tour
When: Wednesday, December 4, 1pm
Where: 5th Avenue and 25th Street entrance to Green-Wood
What: Have some free time on Wednesday? The weather is going to be nice, so head over to Green-Wood and get to know some of the neighborhood’s permanent residents. This week’s Far Side of Greenwood Tour introduces guests to Gangster Johnny Torrio, the sculpture of Azrael the Angel of Death, and much much more.
How much: $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased on the Green-Wood website.
Musical Story Time With Suzi Shelton
When: Wednesday, December 4, 10:30am
Where: Park Slope Library, 6th Avenue, between 8th and 9th Street
What: Suzi Shelton and Abby Levin bring their musical story time for kids ages baby to 5-years back to the Park Slope Library on Wednesday. The duo will sing some of their favorite books, including Silly Sally by Audrey Wood, Head To Toe by Eric Carle, and Man Gave Names To All The Animals by Bob Dylan.
How much: Free!
Photo via Facebook
Have a question? A story tip or idea? Need help spreading the word? Want to advertise? Email us at editor@southslopenews.com.