Jumpin Juniper Fest at BAX

Parents, don't miss this amazing line-up of family-friendly events at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange:

2012 JUMPIN’ JUNIPER FESTIVAL

Experience the exhilarating energy of Jumpin’ Juniper as she hosts an interactive hour of story, song, film, or dance. Immerse yourself in the excitement of high-quality live performances by celebrated guest artists. The hour-long performances start at 11:00 am.

A well-equipped play room is available in conjunction with the performance. Children and caregivers are free to take a break and return to the show at any time. The playroom then remains open until 1:00 pm.

Performances kick off this Sunday with local music favorite Suzi Shelton. Check out the whole schedule here.

NYC Bike Share Program

As you may have heard, a new bike share program will be launched in New York City this summer. It will be run by Alta Bicycle Share and funded by private sponsorship and user fees. Even better, you will have a say in where the docking stations will be located. Yes, they could even be placed along Park Slope's Fifth Avenue!

Take a look at the video, above, and then go to nyc.gov/bikeshare to have your voice heard on where the stations should be placed. Oh, and get ready to ride!

News Round-Up

The Last Act: Southpaw Closing its Doors Up [PS Patch]

Beauty Bar Moving Its Manicures and Martinis From Bushwick to Park Slope Up [DNA Blogger]

The State of the Union, according to Obama Supporters in Park Slope Up [Capital NY]

Bar Corvo, Al Di Là's Washington Avenue Restaurant, Opens Thursday Up [PH Patch]

Dinosaur BBQ Roars Into Park Slope Up [Gothamist]

A Few More Weeks Left

Hey Park Slope- the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle is going on through February 14th. Just shop at participating merchants and receive a free raffle ticket. A drawing will take place on Valentine's Day. First Prize is a $1,000 spending spree along the BID. Second prize is a $500 spending spree and the Third prize is a $300 spending spree.

Get your raffle tickets before the BID runs out!

View the entire list of participants at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/raffle2012. On your smart phone, go to parkslopefifthavenuebid.com to view the list on the go.

Art in the House

Let's face it, once the holiday season is over, winter can be a bit of a drag. It's especially difficult if you are shut in your apartment with the kids on a cold, dreary afternoon after school.

If that sounds familiar, you might want to consider enrolling your kids in This Art in the HouseWinter 2012 session at the  The Old Stone House.

ART IN THE HOUSE at the Old Stone House is a unique after-school art program for ages 7-11 inspired by history. Beneath the magnificent gabled ceilings of the light-filled big room of the Old Stone House, we examine arts and crafts techniques from the past—both recent and distant—and use them as a starting point for our own fun and funky hands-on art activities. Includes painting, print-making and clay projects, with an emphasis on functional "takeaways" the students have created themselves, such as tricorn hats, weather vanes, greeting cards and drinking glasses.

On the last day of class we celebrate with an "art opening" for parents and friends.

Interested? Learn more about the program schedule and cost here. Hurry, because the program already began on Monday!

Timboos to Close Wednesday

We recently noted that Timboos (477 Fifth Avenue) would be closing soon, after many decades of business on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue. Sadly, it appears that tomorrow night (Wednesday, January 25) will be their last night.

So, carve out a little time in your schedule and come out for one last drink at Timboos tonight or tomorrow night before their lights go out forever!

Winter Sale at Odd Twin

Well, winter finally made an appearance over the weekend. It's about time! Of course, today it is right back to spring.

If you still need some stylish winter gear (hey, it's bound to get cold again at some point), Odd Twin is having a winter sale until the end of the month.

25% off all coats and jackets including leather and fur!

News Round-Up

Slippery Slope for Brooklyn Restaurants [WSJ]

Take A Look At Talde, Park Slope's New Pan-Asian Spot [Gothamist]

Meet the New Commanding Officer of the 78th Police Precinct: Captain Michael Ameri [PH Patch]

Absentee Landlord of Park Slope Building Finally Shows Up [The Real Deal]

Julia Ramsey’s Dramatic Knits Meditate on Our Relationship with Clothing [Ecouterre]

Is 20 (mph) Plenty for Park Slope?

The Park Slope Civic Council is holding an important  community meeting this weekend that we thought you might be interested in:


Neighborhood Slow Zones and Safer Local Streets 
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11:45 a.m.
Congregation Beth Elohim 
274 Garfield Place (at Eighth Avenue) 


Is 20 (mph) Plenty for Park Slope?

The city's Department of Transportation is looking at locations in all five boroughs to install neighborhood slow zones, a community-based program that reduces speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph within a select area and adds safety measures in order to change driver behavior. The department is currently accepting applications from neighborhood groups and individuals for these zones.

Is Park Slope the right place for a neighborhood slow zone? You can have a voice in where, how, and if these zones should be installed in and around our community. Take part in this important and informative discussion with elected officials and neighborhood leaders, sponsored by the Park Slope Civic Council.

Body Challenge 2012

Did you promise yourself to get back into shape in 2012? Yeah, us too. Well, the thing is, it's hard to do without a little motivation, you know?

 The Fifth Avenue Fitness Collective (42 Fifth Avenue) may have an answer, though. Prizes. Yup, they want to bribe you back into shape with prizes.

Their Body Challenge starts this Sunday, January 22nd. The cost to enter is $115 and includes unlimited classes for the eight weeks of the challenge, plus three weigh-ins (circumference measurements, body fat measurements and weight).

-1st Prize is 12 FREE personal training sessions
- 2nd Prize is 3 FREE personal training sessions

Now, there is a bit of small print, but it's best to drop by or contact them if you are interested:


1-The winner will be chosen based on percentage of body fat lost in relation to where they begin at the 1st weigh-in. If someone who is 30% B/F loses 5%, and someone who is 25% B/F loses 5%, the the person who started at 25% wins because their starting percentage was lower, and thus yielded a higher percentage of loss overall. 
2-Must have a personal training package with Fifth Avenue Fitness Collective. 3-Must train an average of AT LEAST one time per week.

Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Expanding

Just a quick reminder that the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle is going on through February 14th. Just shop at participating merchants and receive a free raffle ticket. A drawing will take place on Valentine's Day. First Prize is a $1,000 spending spree along the BID. Second prize is a $500 spending spree and the Third prize is a $300 spending spree.

The list of participating merchants has grown to nearly 100 stores, bars and restaurants along Fifth Avenue between Dean and 18th Streets! Check it out at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/raffle2012.

MLK Day 2012

News Round-Up

Derelict Slope Building Could Become Quirky Art Space, Again [Brooklyn Paper]

‎ At Talde in Park Slope, Miso and Barbecue [NY Times]

Robberies Rose in the Slope and Carroll Gardens Last Year [Brownstoner]

Controversial Slope Sports Bar to Open as Farm-to-table Eatery [Brooklyn Paper]

Business Booms at Bridal Boutique [PS Patch]

'Occupy' Churches [WSJ]

Seventh Avenue Survey

Our friends over at the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce asked us for help in spreading the word about their 7th Avenue District Needs Survey. Obviously, we normally focus only on Fifth Avenue between Dean and 18th Streets, but any effort to improve Park Slope is something we support. So, we hope you go to parkslopechamber.com and share your thoughts!

Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Raffle

The Fifth Avenue Spending Spree Raffle is back again in 2012!

From now through February 14th, shop at participating merchants and receive a free raffle ticket. A drawing will take place on Valentine's Day. First Prize is a $1,000 spending spree along the BID (5th Avenue between Dean and 18th Streets). Second prize is a $500 spending spree and the Third prize is a $300 spending spree.

 The list of participating merchants is available at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/raffle2012.

Scottish Dinner at Aperitivo

Our friends at Aperitivo (279 Fifth Avenue at 1st Street) have been offering some interesting special dinners on a bi-monthly basis. This month is no exception!

Join them for a fun night of Premium Single Malt Scotches, Succulent Prime Rib and Haggis and celebrate the birth, life and times of Scotland's Favorite Son - Robert Burns.

Details:

Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Seating - 7:30pm
Aperitivo 279 5th Ave Park Slope, Brooklyn 11215
Prix Fix $75.00 /pp
Please Call the Restaurant or email for reservations 718.369.1123 Email : Aperitivocafe@gmail.com

Each Course will be Paired with a Selected Single Malt Scotch

The Menu:

Soup Cock O'Leekie Soup ( Capon and Leek Soup)

Haggis ( Made in House to Traditional Scottish Standards )
Chappit Tatties & Bashed Neeps ( Mashed Potatoes and Turnips)

Slow Roasted Cherry Smoked Prime Rib Roasted Vegetables

 Dessert Tipsy Laird (Fruit Triffle)

E-Waste Events

Okay, so you got the latest electronic gadgets and gear for Christmas and Hanukkah and you don't know what to do with your tired old/broken stuff, right? Well, don't throw it away!

This coming Sunday, January 15, the Lower East Side Ecology Center, in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and Council Member Brad Lander, will be hosting an Electronics Recycling Event! It will take place on Prospect Park West at 3rd Street and run from 10:00am - 4:00pm.

You can find more details about the event here. Before dropping by, though, don't forget to check out the online list of acceptable items for recycling.

While we are mentioning it, save Saturday, March 24th from 9:00am - 4:00pm. The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and the Lower East Side Ecology Center will be hosting an E-Waste event, using funds allocated by Council Member Lander. The location is being firmed up but, in the meantime, check out the photos from last year!

Photo Set 1
Photo Set 2.

News Round-Up

Human Nature: Artist Dresses Park Slope Trees in Sweaters [Brooklyn Paper]

‘Q’ quake! Brighton Line Closes Down this Weekend [Brooklyn Daily]

Your Guide to Soup from A to Z: Ajiaco to Bouillabaisse to Chicken Noodle [ABC Bay Area]

Batali Against Fracking; Mas La Grillade Launches Lunch [NY Eater]

BAX Works in Progress Showcase

If you are looking for a cool cultural event to attend, we suggest that you drop by Fifth Avenue's cultural center, the Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) next week for a series of special performances by their Artist in Residency (AIR) program.

Since 1991, the AIR program has provided participating artists with one to two years of uninterrupted artistic, technical, and administrative support, as well as the rehearsal space and guidance necessary to take chances, refine their craft and expand their horizons.

Works in Progress Showcases allows these artists take their new works-in-development from the studio to the stage. The evenings are designed to offer both artists and audience the opportunity to exchange their impressions of the work. After the artists show their excerpts, they return to the stage for a moderated discussion that delves into their intentions and inspirations, and the audience’s perception. So, stick around!

 Schedule

THURSDAY — January 19 @ 8:00 PM Jillian Peña and Catharine Dill
FRIDAY — January 20 @ 8:00 PM Morgan Gould + Matthew Paul Olmos and Mariangela Lopez SATURDAY — January 21 @ 8:00 PM Jillian Peña, Morgan Gould + Matthew Paul Olmos and Dan Fishback 
SUNDAY — January 22 @ 6:00 PM Mariangela Lopez, Dan Fishback and Catharine Dill

Tickets: $15 General | $8 Low-Income Buy Tickets, here. 

For more information about the Artists-in-Residence and the work they will be showing, visit bax.org/artist-services/artists-in-residence/.

Recent Changes Along Fifth

Yes, we took our monthly walk along Fifth Avenue yesterday. Not a good idea when the temperature is below 30 degrees.

Anyway, as we noted last week, January can be bumpy, as businesses assess their year after the Christmas season is over and decide whether to keep going in the new year. Sure enough, there were a lot of changes along the Avenue as of January 3rd, although there are still a lot of positive signs:

Closed

* Kappa Sake House (388 Fifth Avenue)
* Aunt Suzie's Restaurant (247 Fifth Avenue)
* Perch (365 Fifth Avenue)
* Comida (230 Fifth Avenue)- this isn't 100%, but the phone appears to be disconnected.
* Scoopz (158 Fifth Avenue)- we hadn't seen this shop open in some time and late last month, the name was cut from the awning.
* Thrifty Liquidators (483 Fifth Avenue)

Opening

* Lullaby Baby (488 Fifth Avenue)- opening soon
* Park Slope Academy of Jiu Jitsu (518 Fifth Avenue)- opening soon
* George's II Barber Shop (78 Fifth Avenue)

There is also construction at a number of spaces, including 202 Fifth Avenue, near Union Street.

In addition, a sign announcing "Coming Soon! We Buy Gold" was posted at 327 9th Street.

Calendar Update

Yeah, we know, you are pretty exhausted from the holiday season. But, in case you are looking for something interesting to do this month, Fifth Avenue has a lot to offer.

We just finished the long process of updating our events calendar and, we have to say, there is a lot going on in January.

Check it out here.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from the gang at All About Fifth and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.