Happy Halloween!

Halloween on a Monday kind-of stinks, doesn't it? Oh well, make the best of the day!

Don't forget, the Park Slope Halloween Parade will take place today at 6:30 pm. It will start at 14th Street and 7th Avenue, travel down 7th Avenue to 3rd Street, turn left, and end at 5th Avenue.

See you there and enjoy the night, whatever you do! Oh, and when you are down on Fifth Avenue tonight, think about dropping by one of our many bars and restaurants. Check here for specials and events (at least the ones we know about).

News Round-Up

Your Three-day Halloween Guide! [Brooklyn Paper]

Hooked on Henry, Park Slope Bar Celebrates MLS Playoffs [Brooklyn Ink]

Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company [NY Times]

Where the Lake and Stars Designer Finds Antique Dresses [NY Racked]

Halloween in Brooklyn 2011 [Brooklyn Eagle]

Upcoming October & November Restaurant Events

When we hear about special events at Fifth Avenue area restaurants, we like to pass them on. Here are a couple that we heard about this week:

• Stone Park Cafe: On Monday, Stone Park started taking reservations for Thanksgiving Dinner. Yeah, it's actually that time of year, already! Meals will be served from 1 to 7:00 pm, $65 per person. To see a menu, please click here. For reservations, call 718.369.0082. Also, don't miss their next "Meet the Winemaker" event with Aldo Rainoldi on November 8th from 6 to 9 pm. Details are available here. 
• Palo Santo: This Saturday from 5pm - 11pm Palo Santo will be hosting its annual Halloween Costume Party! Just show up for dinner in some sort of costume and get a free drink! Sangria and big bottles of Tecate for everyone who dresses up for the occasion. Traditional Dia de los Muertos dishes will be featured on the $27 three course prix fixe menu. Seating is limited. Please call for reservations: (718) 636-6311

Also, don't miss the Halloween events and specials that we highlighted earlier this week!

Fall Fest Scavenger Hunt

Next month's Fall Fest is starting to take shape. As part of the two-day event, it looks like we'll be having a Scavenger Hunt on the Avenue on Wednesday, November 9th.

The event will have a mystery "who done it" theme with more than 25 businesses from Dean to 18th Street participating. Admission is $15, which includes 2 drink chips good for any house drink at participating businesses.

Scavenger teams will meet at Timboo’s Bar (477 Fifth Avenue at the corner of 11th Street) at 7 pm sharp where Hunt Lists will be distributed. Teams will finish at Piramide Restaurant (499 Fifth Avenue near 12th Street) where points will be tallied and winners will be awarded!

Each member of the winning team will receive a $25 gift certificate to the participating Scavenger Hunt location of his or her choice.

Save the Date!

One More Week Till Halloween

Ok, actually it's less than one week. So, do you have a costume yet? No? Well, we think we can help:

• Friday, October 28th from 3-6pm, GrowNYC will host a Halloween Costume Swap at the new Build It Green! NYC - Gowanus facility (69 9th Street). You can find a costume or donate your old, unused ones. The event is free! Go to bignyc.org/halloween for more details and to RSVP.
• Try one of Fifth Avenue's amazing Vintage shops like Odd Twin, Beacon's Closet or Guvnor's Vintage Thrift (they have special extended Halloween hours this week). Click here for a list of Fifth Avenue's thrift shops.
• Of course, there's always the Ricky's Halloween Store at 550 Fifth Avenue. You might as well check it out, it's temporary!

Any other ideas? Let us know and we'll add them here.

Upcoming Events

You know, October tends to be a slower month until you get to the end. Then, everyone starts jamming events in around Halloween. This year is no different. Here are some of the events we are aware of:

• Tuesday, October 25: Fifth Avenue's Bogota Latin Bistro will be hosting a "Dine Out for a Cause" event. Eat at the restaurant tomorrow night and a portion of the evening's revenue will be donated to The Brooklyn Young Mothers' Collective. Make your reservation here.
• Saturday, October 29 11:00am: The 6th Annual Haunted Halloween Carnival will be held Saturday October 29th with Free Admission 11:00am-4:00pm. It will be hosted at the 1st Street Recreation Center of PS 372 between 4th and 3rd Ave with special guest R2-D2! Featuring $1 snacks, games, crafts, and activities, $2 haunted house, $3 bounce castle. For further details about the Haunted Halloween Carnival visit puppetryarts.org or call 718-768-3703.
• Monday, October 31: Before and after the Halloween parade, Fifth Avenue businesses will be doing a little something special. Here's what we know, so far:
  
  -Bogota Latin Bistro: All dining customers showing up in Halloween costumes who order an entree will receive a complimentary classic Mojito. The Halloween special begins Saturday night dinner, Oct. 29, and goes through all day Sunday (including brunch) and all day Monday, Oct. 31.
  
  - Aperitivo: Annual Halloween Bash, Saturday 29 Oct 8pm-til ? Drink and food specials for masquerading customers.First Prize for best Costume, many other give –a – ways.
  
  -Baluchis: Happy Hour drink specials all day!
  
  Also, don't forget Park Slope's annual Halloween Parade, which will take place on October 31 at 6:30 pm. The parade will start at 14th Street and 7th Avenue, travel down 7th Avenue to 3rd Street, turn left, and end at 5th Avenue.

Friday News Round-Up

Brooklyn is the Coolest City on the Planet: An Eater's Guide [GQ]

All The Details On NYC's Bike Share Program [Gothamist]

GAP Streetscape Improvements Lookin Good [Brownstoner]

City yanks down pop art drug message [Brooklyn Paper]

My Favorite Place to Drink After Getting Laid Off [FIPS]

Tonight: Alice, Or The Scottish Gravediggers

The theatre company Polybe + Seats will be performing Alice, Or the Scottish Gravediggers at The Old Stone House tonight at 8 pm.

Arriving in time for the Halloween season, this sinister French melodrama from 1829 is René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt’s take on one of the most gruesome and notorious scandals of his day - the Burke & Hare murders, in which the victims’ corpses were sold for use in medical dissections.

If you aren't yet in the Halloween spirit, this just might be the play to get you in the mood. The production runs through November 13th, Thursdays through Saturdays (8 pm) and Sundays (3 pm). All seats $18. Get your tickets now via Smarttix.

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Yesterday we took our monthly, detailed stroll along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue. One thing seems pretty clear: the number of vacant commercial spaces along Fifth is smaller than it was in January. In fact, based on our surveys, the commercial vacancy rate is at its lowest level so far, this year

So what's new along Fifth?

• Ricky's Halloween pop-up shop opened in the former Blockbuster Video space at 550 Fifth Avenue. If you don't have a costume yet, you still have nearly 2 weeks to shop around but don't wait until the last minute (yes, we know you will wait until the last minute).


• The take-out space that is part of Fornino Park Slope is now called Polpette. Check out their interesting meatball menu here.


• Caramello will soon be opening up in the old Patio lounge space. Expect tempting baked goods and gelato. More details here.


• Back to Earth Health and Beauty looks almost ready to open at 139 Fifth Avenue.


• Ozzies will be closed for 3 or 4 weeks.

Al Di La Expanding

Brownstoner.com is reporting that one of Fifth Avenue's most popular restaurants, Al Di La, will be expanding to Washington Avenue in "Crown Heights" (Prospect Heights? Not sure where the lines are drawn these days).

Congratulations to Al Di La's owners, Anna Klinger and Emiliano Coppa! Read more about the expansion here.

Help The Old Stone House

Our friends at The Old Stone House have a challenge grant that they need to match. We thought we would help them spread the word. Read below but note that some of the events mentioned have recently taken place:

Dear Neighbor,

During the past 6 years, your support has helped the Old Stone House transform Washington Park and JJ Byrne Playground into the liveliest small park in Brooklyn. The playground renovation is on schedule for completion in March 2012. It is going to be spectacular! We are also planning a major renovation in our gallery space that is an exciting and innovative interpretation of the story of the Old Stone House, focused on the Battle of Brooklyn and life during the 18th century here in our community.

And now, the Brooklyn Community Foundation has offered us a challenge grant to raise $10,000 from you, our neighbors, to signal your support for our efforts.

While the city and state cut "non-essential" programs, the Old Stone House is filling the gaps. We continue to expand our history and environmental education programs, which served more than 7,000 students last year. Our fall season opens with a Bitters Cocktail Tasting on October 15 to celebrate Polybe + Seats English-language premiere of Alice, or the Scottish Gravediggers. In addition to great readings by authors Brian Merlis, Isabel Hill and Gina Barreca, we'll also host community events including the Brooklyn Bike Jumble and our annual Harvest Fest with Park Slope Parents.

PLEASE help us meet this fall fundraising challenge to support the Old Stone House and Washington Park. Your gifts are the most important part of our income, and this donation will be matched one-to-one by the Brooklyn Community Foundation, one of OSH's core funders. We need your participation to reach the $10,000 mark to fulfill the challenge.

Learn more about our upcoming events and donate online or send your donation to Old Stone House, P.O. Box 150613, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Help us keep YOUR local park strong.


There you go! Please, help out in any way that you can!

News Round-Up

Park Slope Council Member Crowd Sources for Construction Projects [The Real Deal]

Hey Park Slope, What’s That Sound? [PS Patch]

Sunset Park Man Is Arrested in Groping Attack [NY Times]

Dog Daze! City is Going after Brooklyn's Pooch-friendly bars [Brooklyn Paper]
‎
Chris Santos Obsesses Over Rico's Tacos [NY Eater]

The Latin Kings Totally Love Park Slope [FIPS]

This Weekend

Occupy Brooklyn: the Brooklyn Paper is reporting that a group called Occupy Brooklyn will stage a rally in Grand Army plaza on Saturday at 11:00 am. If you are interested in the event, which is being held in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, we suggest you follow the group on Twitter.

BAX Super Stoop Sale: Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, from 11:00am – 5:00pm at 438 3rd St. (at corner of 6th Avenue). Save the Date! Please note: BAX needs some volunteer help for the event, setting up tables and coat racks, selling items, cleaning up, etc. If you are interested in helping, email BAX at SuperSale@bax.org or call 718-832-0018.

A Little More Dancing Under the Stars

We always say that Fifth Avenue is a better place with music in the streets.

That's why we are happy that a couple of performers from this summer's Dancing Under the Stars will be returning tomorrow and Friday.

Drop by 4th Street and 5th Avenue at 7 pm to see LA Saxy (Thursday) and try a little Square Dancing with The Backyard Boys & Dance Caller Dave Harvey (Friday).

See you there!

Dine at Bogota for a Good Cause

Save the Date: on Tuesday, October 25, Fifth Avenue's Bogota Latin Bistro will be hosting a "Dine Out for a Cause" event. Eat at the restaurant on that night and a portion of the evening's revenue will be donated to The Brooklyn Young Mothers' Collective:

The Brooklyn Young Mothers’ Collective provides disadvantaged young mothers with a comprehensive set of services focused on their educational attainment and social development to help them to become self-sufficient adults.

Sound good? Make you reservation now via OpenTable.

Happy Columbus Day!

Ok, most people don't celebrate Columbus Day these days, although it is a day that Italian Americans celebrate at an amazing Manhattan parade.

With public schools closed, no postal delivery and many city services on weekend/holiday schedule, today is the perfect day to come on down to Fifth Avenue and explore our stores, bars and restaurants!

Just remember to wear sunscreen. It's going to be 83 degrees and sunny.

Fall?

News Round-Up

Park Slope the Unlikely Backdrop for VH!’s Top 20 Countdown [FIPS]

A Thin Line on Skirts [WSJ]

The Permaculturist of Park Slope [PS Patch]

Spooky Homes On Fifth?

Halloween is coming up soon so when we saw this story posted on Brownstoner, we just had to repost it.

It seems that Scouting New York is holding a scary homes scouting contest this month. To enter, just take a picture of a place in your neighborhood that you feel could be haunted, write a little description and send it to them via email.

The prizes are pretty great (and scary). Winners get tickets to Nightmare, a truly frightening haunted house experience in Manhattan!

So, are there an buildings along Fifth Avenue or nearby that would make a great entry into the contest? Frankly, we've always been a little freaked out by the Mambo Lounge (photo above) but maybe that's just because it is empty.

 Oh, by the way, the contest ends on Saturday at 11:59 PM so hurry! Get more details here.

Dive Bars on Fifth

Park Slope's Fifth Avenue has no shortage of bars, that's for sure. In fact, the list of places to grab a drink keeps growing every month, it seems.

According to complex.com, though, we don't seem to be a good spot for "Dive Bars." Of course, that depends on how you define the term. According to Wikipedia, dive bars "generally have a relaxed and informal atmosphere—they are often referred to by local residents as "neighborhood bars," where people in the neighborhood gather to drink and socialize."

Complex listed only O'Connor's (39 Fifth Avenue) on their recently published Top 50 list of Dive Bars. O'Connors is, of course, a good choice, but by Wikipedia's definition, we certainly have more great dive bars to contribute. Timboos? Jackies 5th Amendment? Does Ginger's count? How about Smith's Tavern?

What's your favorite Fifth Avenue Dive Bar?

You can check out the full top 50 list here. Also, check out the suggested Park Slope additions to the list on FIPS.

BAX Super Stoop Sale

Park Slope certainly does love its stoop sales, right? If you are a fan, this is the event for you. Shop at the Super Stoop Sale and the proceeds benefit Fifth Avenue's own Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX). Everyone wins!

The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, from 11:00am – 5:00pm at 438 3rd St. (at corner of 6th Avenue). Save the Date!

 BAX needs some volunteer help for the event, setting up tables and coat racks, selling items, cleaning up, etc. If you are interested in helping, email BAX at SuperSale@bax.org or call 718-832-0018.

Meet the Winemaker at Stone Park

There are lots of reasons to like Fifth Avenue's Stone Park Cafe. Now, we have another reason:

On Tuesday, October 11, they are hosting a "Meet the Winemaker Over Dinner" event with Alexandre Chartogne. Enjoy a 5 course tasting menu for $125 while Alexandre walks you through his work, and his wines.

Sounds like a great date night! Click here to read more about the event and the Chartogne-Taillet estate.

For reservations, call 718.369.0082 or email info@stoneparkcafe.com.