7th Avenue BID Coming?

We know this is a little late, in terms of informing you about this morning's meeting, but perhaps you can make next week's night meeting? Competition may be on the way, Fifth Avenue!
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The Park Slope Chamber of Commerce, local elected officials and community groups are proposing to create a Business Improvement District (BID) along Park Slope’s 7th Avenue. The BID will improve the cleanliness of our streets and sidewalks, beautify and green the area, produce promotional events and materials and provide additional security through storefront cameras and volunteer patrols. The proposed district includes all properties fronting 7th Avenue from St. John’s Place to 16th Street, including contiguous side street commercial properties. 

There will be a public informational meeting about the proposed BID on Thursday, February 28th at 9:00 am at Greenwood Baptist Church (461 6th Street @ 7th Avenue). A second, night meeting, will be held on March 5th at 7:00 PM (same location).

Renovation Sale at Guvnor's

One of Fifth Avenue's biggest and best vintage shops, Guvnor's (178 Fifth Avenue), is having a huge liquidation sale, starting today (2/27) through Sunday (3/3) in preparation for store renovations from Sunday Night (3/3) through Thursday (3/7) at noon.

It sounds like there will be lots of goods marked to move, so drop by and see what you can get!

Check out their event page on Facebook.

Whiskey Tasting at Aperitivo

Fifth Avenue's Aperitivo, known for its monthly special dinners, will be hosting "An Adventure into the World of American Whiskies and American Game" on March 14th at 7:30 pm, in partnership with the Brooklyn Whiskey Society.

This is no average Jack Daniels or Maker's Mark tasting (which is a good thing because Maker's Mark announced it will be watering down its product, maybe). Instead, the following Rare American Whiskies will be offered:

Balcones Texas Single Malt
St. George Single Malt
McCarthy's Oregon
Stranahan's Colorado

A Charcuterie of Wild Game Meats will be offered table side.

The Tasting will consist of 1 oz pours of each whiskey offered and finger foods paired with the selection.

$45 per person (does not include tax or gratuity)

Here is the official Facebook invite. Reserve a spot before it's too late!

All About Fifth Guide 2013

If you've dropped by any of Fifth Avenue's stores, bars or restaurants over the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed that there is a new All About Fifth printed guide available for the taking. This is the third year of the guide, which, as always, features a full listing of the Avenue's businesses, a calendar of the year's events, profiles of our community's leaders and more.

You can get a preview of the guide here, download the .pdf or just pick up a printed copy on your travels along the avenue.

Let us know what you think!

News Round-Up

5 Things: Brooklyn Lacrosse Club, Purim Carnival, Gentrify Brooklyn [PS Patch]

Slope Is Up for the BID: Vote Is On for New Tax Funding Seventh Avenue Improvements [Brooklyn Paper]

Competition heats up at 'Top Chef' tryouts in Park Slope [News 12]

Why Has Park Slope Lost Another Video Store? [L Magazine]

Puppetry Arts to Host Annual Fifth Avenue Family Festival in Park Slope [PS Patch]

The Founding Gardeners Author Talk

Tonight at 7:00 pm at The Old Stone House, join author Andrea Wulf for a talk and reception that will benefit the gardens at the Old Stone House & Washington Park.

Wulf is the author of The Founding Gardeners, a fascinating look at the revolutionary generation from the unique and intimate perspective of their lives as gardeners, plantsmen and farmers. Drop by for drinks and conversation about her book and the history of the Old Stone House, which has its own unique heritage and habitat gardens.

Tickets are $25. Get them via Brownpapertickets.com.

Saturday Winter Wine Classes

Winter can be pretty dreary, even when we aren't buried in piles of snow. So, you might as well make the most of it and drink some wine and maybe learn a little something in the process, don't you think?

Here's an idea to help get you out of the winter blues: Fifth Avenue's Terroir Park Slope is offering Saturday afternoon winter wine classes. The 6-part series has already begun but there's still plenty of tasting and learning left!

Tickets are $20 a seat. Guests can contact Allison Whittinghill at awhittinghill@wineisterroir.com to reserve their space. 

Saturday Afternoons
4:00 and 5:30 pm

Saturday, February 16th
-Wine: so what is it? And why does it taste that way? And why has it been present at every moment in human history?
And why do I think about it all the time? A cool /easy/ fun introduction to the glories of the world of wine.

Saturday, February 23rd-Chardonnay: is it the world's greatest white wine? We will explore six different wine areas, producing six different expressions of this grape, from Burgundy to California to Australia. How did this grape take over the world?

Saturday, March 2nd
-Riesling: its glory is in the multiplicity of styles and its damnation is in the multiplicity of styles. Forget what you have heard and check your pre-conceptions at the door...Riesling is truly the world's greatest grape.

Saturday, March 9th
-Syrah: it was once considered to be the new Merlot and then Merlot got kicked to the curb and Syrah got side-swiped by Malbec. And the constabulary is still trying to figure out the crash site. Needless to say, Syrah is the grape of a modern Park Slope society!

Saturday, March 23rd
-Pinot Noir: this is the Lindsay Lohan of grapes...exciting, thrilling, captivating, gorgeous, great when she is great, but, boy, can she have some bad days. We love her and revere her nonetheless and are thrilled with every encounter (but always prepared for the worst).

Saturday, March 30th
-Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc: two noble grapes, best of friends (and even related) but engaged in a war for Cabernet supremacy. Like the Montagues and the Capulets, can a common ground be found where both grapes can live in peace or will the serenity of the wine world be forever severed?   

Pub Quiz Night at The Monro

Every other Tuesday Night, The Monro (481 Fifth Avenue) hosts a fun Pub Quiz night at 8:30 pm.  It's just $1 to play and there's a cash grand prize for first place (so try not to drink too much if you really want to win).

Tonight's quiz will be fancier than past nights, as the questions will be posted on the bar's television screens and they will be adding a "name that tune" category.

Drop by and join in the fun!

Happy Presidents Day!

- from the merchants of Park Slope's Fifth Avenue and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

Enjoy the day and, kids, enjoy the next two days off from school!

News Round-Up

Leske's Bakery Brings Pink Twinkies, Black and White Cookies to Park Slope [PS Patch]

Speaker Quinn Vows to Keep Park Slope and Carroll Gardens from Becoming ‘Luxury’ In State of the City [PS Patch]

Park Slope Eye Doctor Serves Patients Beers, Cocktails Before Exams [PS Patch]

New Park Slope School Named After Maurice Sendak [PS Patch]

FIPS Weekly Food Roundup! [PS Patch]

Happy Valentine's Day!

- from the merchants of Park Slope's Fifth Avenue and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

Don't forget that today is the last day to shop and participate in the Spending Spree! Get your tickets today!

Also, if you are looking for a place to dine-out with that someone special, here are some ideas on Fifth.

Enjoy!

BAX President's Week Arts Program

So, at least a portion of next week will be school-free (President's Week Break). Not to scare you or anything but do you have any ideas on how to keep your kids busy? If not, Fifth Avenue's own BAX is running a President's Week Arts Program and space is still available!

Details:

February 18th & 19th (drop-off 8:30-9:00 & late pick-up option 3:00- 5:00)

For children currently enrolled in grades K-5

The School Breaks Programs offer a host of arts specialties, including Circus, Drama, Tumbling, Dance, Musical Theatre, and Visual Arts, all of which are led by our excellent specialist teaching artists.

During President's Week, each day includes workshops in two different specialty areas, which are tied together by an exciting daily theme.

REGISTER TODAY!.

Two Big Things to Remember Today

One, as we mentioned last week, Bay Ridge's famous Leske's Bakery opens a second outpost today on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue (at 588 Fifth). There will be a small opening ceremony at 10:30 am and the first 200 customers get a free Black and White (well, red for Valentine's Day) cookie!

And, Valentine's Day is fast approaching! Not only do you need to make a reservation to eat out on Fifth but you have just a couple of days until the raffle winners are chosen. Visit one of 100+ shops on Fifth through Thursday and you could win one of 3 shopping spree prizes!

A Guide to Valentine’s Day Menus on the Avenue

Valentine’s Day takes some finesse to survive. It’s a big date night, but hearts can turn to daggers unless the venue is chosen wisely. If you’re stuck about where to go in Park Slope, we have some suggestions along the Avenue that will ensure you don’t lose that loving feeling.

Stone Park Café will be serving from 5:30 – 10pm, with reservations accepted, (718) 369-0082. A full $70 three-course Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe menu can be downloaded here (.pdf).

Melt is serving a $65 prix fixe American classics menu with a glass of Champagne. Check out their Valentine's Day menu on their website today! Reservations accepted at (718) 230-5925.

If you’re looking for something on the more casual and fun bent, Backyard is offering a $69 (subtle) three-course menu of American comfort eats for two, including endless Prosecco. Reservations accepted, (347) 227-8108.

Latin restaurant Palo Santo will serve a five-course tasting menu comprised of fresh market ingredients, with options to pair with South American and local wines. Atmosphere as always, effortlessly romantic. (718) 636-6311.

For a more casual Latin atmosphere, Bogota Latin Bistro has a crowd-pleasing $40 three-course menu (download the .pdf here). (718) 230-3805

To take a sensuous trip to the Middle East, venture no further than Miriam, where Chef Rafael Hasid is preparing a seasonal, three-course Israeli prix fixe menu for $55. Optional wine pairings an additional $25, (718) 622-2250.

In addition to their regular menu of eclectic wines, Terroir will be serving Valentine's Day themed flights to suit your mood, whether you're a lover (the Valentine) - or a fighter (Love Stinks!). Stop in to see what they come up with, as it's sure to please your heart either way.

Of course not everyone has a special someone to share Valentine’s Eve with. Yet. If that’s your situation, Pork Slope may have the solution. Check out their Valentine’s Day “Meet” Market from 9pm – 2am. Ladies get the first drink on the house. First come, first served. (Let the jokes prevail.) (718) 768-PORK (7675).

- Amanda Schuster, peachesplums.blogspot.com/

News Round-Up

5 Things: Nor'easter Nemo Edition [PS Patch]

Young Filmmaker Sees Comedy in Park Slope's 'Striving for Perfection' [DNA Info]

Barclays Brings Mixed Results for Area Businesses [PS Patch]

Leske's Bakery to Open on Fifth

Long-time Fifth Avenue (in Bay Ridge) baked-goods favorite Leske's Bakery is opening a second outpost next week on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue. If you haven't tried Leske's before, you are in for a real treat. Traditional american and norwegian baked goods (Bay Ridge has a sizable Norwegian population) are made daily, along with creative treats like Pink Twinkies (for Valentine's Day), gigantic Black & White cookies and homemade donuts with unique flavors like Peanut Butter & Jelly.

There will be an opening ceremony, of sorts, next week on Tuesday, February 12 (10:30 am) at their new 588 Fifth Avenue location (between 16th Street and Prospect Avenue). They will be giving away a free black & red cookie to the first 200 customers! Mark your calendars, Park Slope!

4th Avenue Safety Visioning Workshop

Save the Date:

Next Tuesday, February 12 from 7-9 pm, join the NYC Department of Transportation, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the 4th Avenue Task Force for a meeting to discuss the future of 4th Avenue between Pacific and 15th Street.

The meeting will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Parish Hall at 9th Street and 4th Avenue.

February Events Calendar

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Merchant event calendar for February 2013 has been updated. Check it out online here or on Twitter via @allaboutfifth. As always, let us know if you have any additions or corrections by emailing us at whatsupon5thave@gmail.com.

Raffle: Last Full Week

We're in the last full week of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Spending Spree Raffle.

Make sure to visit a participating merchant (nearly 100 from Dean to 18th Street), make a purchase and fill out your ticket for a chance to win a $1000, $500 or $300 Fifth Avenue shopping spree! The drawing will be held on Valentine's Day.

The full list of participating merchants is available at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/spendingspree2013.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday

Whatever your plans, we hope that you enjoy the big game surrounded by your family and friends. If you are looking for a place to watch the game or you need last-minute food, drinks or supplies, Fifth Avenue has what you need! You can use our handy online Business Directory. Or, pull up our mobile-optimized website (parkslopefifthavenuebid.com)on your smart phone to find what you need on the go.

Ed Koch: 1924 - 2013

Former Mayor Ed Koch died today at the age of 88. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for all that you did for our city. Rest in peace.