Dizzy's on 5th is not just a Diner

Have you been into Dizzy's on 5th Ave lately? Well you should! The room in the back has been used for events and brunch overflow, but it's had a facelift. "The Room" as it's now called, has been transformed into a warm cosy area, with album covers on the wall and a full bar. There are weekly performances in the evening of comedy and live music. You can see what's coming up on their website listing.

The Room is also a great place for other events, whether for the community meetings,  private functions or kid's parties. Email theroomatdizzys@gmail.com for inquiries.

Dizzy's main area will continue to serve breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner and the bar will be mainly for sodas and ice cream!

Click here to see their menu.

Dizzy's on @theother5th
Corner of President Street

Joanna Tallantire

Supporting Small Business through Educational Workshops in Park Slope

Jarnail Singh Business Financial Management

Over the past six months, The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has partnered with NYC Business Solutions and Park Slope Parents to bring 5th Avenue Businesses, Park Slope freelancers, start-ups, home-based businesses and entrepreneurs, business courses and networking opportunities to support their understanding of the many hats a business owner needs to wear!

Monique Hector - Social Media

We have held courses in:

• Social Media
• Advanced Social Media
• Business Financial Management
• Small Business Schmoozfest

NYC Business Solutions has tailored their business courses for our community, but did you know they have a wealth of workshops, courses, counseling and events all for FREE, right here in Brooklyn at their Bond Street location? 

From Webinars and seminars to Quickbooks courses and start up support, they have so much to offer. Check out the website , book a course or call up for one on one help with your business plan or marketing strategy.

The next two Fifth Avenue courses are: 

Alternative Lending: A Guide to Investors, Equity and Crowd Funding

Tuesday May 19th 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

Before you Sign Your Lease……Take this Class!

Tuesday June 16th 2015 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

Sign up here!

We thank the Old Stone House for hosting all these events.

#theother5th

South Brooklyn Shakespeare: A Glimpse

Today's weather reminds us that summer is coming up quickly and with it...performances of Shakespeare on 5th Avenue!

This year, performances will take place on:

July 25th, 6:30 pm (between 17th and 18th Streets) South Slope Summer Strolls
August 1st, 8:00 pm (The Old Stone House)
August 15th, 6:30 pm (5th Avenue near Dean Street) North Slope Summer Strolls

And this year's show?

3 Weeks Away!

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair is just about 3 weeks away! 

Sunday, May 17th 12 - 6 pm on Fifth Avenue between Sterling Place and 12th Street.

Highlights include:

- Fifth Avenue’s destination restaurants and bars with outdoor tables and chairs serving their renowned local food, wine and beer.

-  Our charming boutiques and shops will also set up tables and racks outdoors in front of their storefronts

- A new special "Art Walk" section between 1st and 2nd Streets that features local artists curated by local Fifth Avenue artist Jonathan Blum.

- A stage in front of NY Kids Club featuring a performance from The Urban Children's Choir, the Brooklyn Music Factory and more!

- Other local features include a Vintage Car Show courtesy of Antique Automobile Association of Brooklyn, plus collectibles, rides, antiques, crafts and family fun!

Big Events for a Beautiful Weekend

Don't let the cold, damp weather fool you, Park Slope. There are better days ahead, this weekend, and Fifth Avenue is the place to be! Details below. Have a great weekend!

Saturday, April 25th

Fifth Avenue Family Festival
by Puppetry Arts
4th Street at 5th Ave 11am-3pm Rain or Shine
Free Admission!

$2.00 Activities, Crafts and Games
$2.00 Popcorn and Cotton Candy
$3.00 T-Shirt Decorating
$4.00 Bounce Castle
Live Music and Prizes All Day!
Star Wars Characters!

Sunday, April 26th

It's time to make a clean sweep of our neighborhood at the Park Slope Civic Council's annual spring beautification, recycling and clean-up event – the Spring Civic Sweep, on Sunday, April 26, 2015.
Put on your old clothes and come to the sidewalk in front of The Old Stone House/JJ Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets from 10 am to 2 pm (rain or shine).
Join other volunteers in picking up litter on sidewalks, participating in the care of street trees as well as painting over graffiti.

Also,  from 10 am to 4pm, dispose of your unwanted electronics in a safe, legal manner at The Lower East Side Ecology Center's Electronics Recycling Event. The following working and non-working items will be accepted: computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TVs, VCRs, CD and DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, video games, cell phones and PDAs. 

There is no limit on how much materials can be dropped off for free from NYC residents, small businesses and not-for-profits.

For more information please contact www.lesecologycenter.org or call 212.477.4022. For more information, go to parkslopeciviccouncil.org.

Spotlight on Please New York

The paper is down and the huge gaping windows reveal, what exactly? I went to meet the lovely Sid Azmi, owner of Please New York at the corner of 15th Street on #theother5th: a place to discover your sensuality.

The store isn't what you would expect inside. There are, of course many products, from media materials, to toys, lingerie and body products. There are books about talking to your children about sex and naturally some funny ones too. The staff seem warm and welcoming, but the room is chic, clean and inviting too.

With light pouring in and the windows wide and open to the world, many have asked why this "novelty store" doesn't have curtains and blinds to shield those inside from the embarrassment of going in, and even staying! But when you meet Sid and listen to what she has to say, it's all so obvious. The open windows reflect her philosophy of being open to discussing issues of relationships and of sex. Sid tells me that her conservative upbringing is part of why she wanted to open this business, but after talking with her I think she really feels that there is an opportunity to engage the community conversations around themes regarding all aspects of sex and sexual behaviour.

Sid also works in the healthcare service, in radiotherapy, and sees men and women whom have undergone surgeries for breast and prostrate cancers. These patients are well and healthy but doctors don't talk to them about their feelings regarding their bodies and intimacy with their partner. So again, another reason for the store and business.

Ideally Sid would love you to just come in and see for yourself, that it is a place to explore. The staff are there to give advice and guide you through if you wish.

So what's ahead for Please? Sid would like to engage with the community and community groups. She is planning to be at the Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair on May 17th and Brooklyn Pride Festival June 13th. Look out for events and workshops she will be hosting and may run a series of webinars which is a good alternative if you can't get to the store.

Please also has a blog.

Please New York
557 5th Avenue corner of 15th Street
718 788-6969



Open Sun - Thurs 11am - 8pm
Fri and Sat 11am - 10pm

Live Greek Music this Friday - Pitas and Sticks

Not only can you enjoy delicious authentic greek food at  Pitas and Sticks , but this Friday they will host some amazing live Greek Music as well!

7pm at Pitas and Sticks just off #theother5th

at 321 9th St between 5th and 6th Avenues

Drop by and check it out!

Pink Olive - Grand Reopening Saturday 25th April

Have you noticed a change to Pink Olive's storefront on Fifth Avenue?

Spoiler Alert: It's blue!

This Saturday, pop into their new blue shop from 1-5pm and see how they have renovated inside and out while enjoying hard cider and treats!

Don't forget to Instagram your fun and hashtag #theother5th and #pinkolive.

TOMORROW NIGHT: BUSINESS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Just a reminder that tomorrow night (Tuesday, April 21st) the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, NYC Business Solutions and Park Slope Parents will be hosting a course on Business Financial Management. If you are a local business looking to brush up on your accounting skills or a new small business just starting out, this is the course for you. We hope to see you there!

Business Financial Management

Tuesday April 21st 2015 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

This course provides an overview of financial management by assessing internal and external bookkeeping and providing an introduction to key financial statements: cash flow, income statement and balance sheets. You will learn about:

• Basic accounting terms and processes
• How to read and use financial statements
• The importance of bookkeeping to running your business
• Methods and principles of bookkeeping

Sign Up Here

Checking out Sandy's Cafe

Just around the corner from #theother5th on 16th Street is Sandy's Cafe. Many of you may knew it as Internet Cafe awhile back, but it has new owners now and wow does it look different!


Neil, former chef at Intercontinental, has kept some of the old menu but also added his own touches. He makes omelettes and pancakes to order. He and his wife make tamales and empanadas as well; some gluten free. There is also an array of fresh Lilly coffees, herbal teas and shakes.

Neil in front of the new room

When I last popped into see Neil the cafe was much smaller. He has now added another room and brought in new furniture. The whole place is cosy and tranquil. The perfect hangout for a quick coffee, small group meetings, catchup on your work and of course breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can take your food to go, but I think you will want to stay.


The cafe is open 7am to 7pm and there is outdoor seating on the sidewalk to enjoy as well.


Sandy's Cafe
577 5th Ave at 16th Street




#parkslopefifthavenuebid
#southslope

Upcoming Weekend Activities

Spring is clearly here. We're hearing about more and more activities and events. Clearly, Park Slope is ready to get outside!

Saturday, April 18th

NY Kids Club (125 5th Avenue) is celebrating the opening of its new 5th Avenue rooftop space. Yup, it's a rooftop party from 12:30 - 2:30 pm! Don't miss it!

​COST: $50 for first child, $25 for each sibling

RSVP at 718-857-0700 or www.nykidsclub.com

Saturday, April 25th

The YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day, a FREE community event with healthy and fun activities for the whole family.

Schedule (@ Park Slope Armory)

10am-4pm: Face Painting on Drill Floor 

10am-4pm: Bouncy Castles on Drill Floor 

10am-4pm: Arts & Crafts on Drill Floor 

10am-12pm: Family Art in Art Room 

9am-10am: Soccer on 1/2 Court #2 

10am-12:25pm: Soccer on Court #1 

1:00-3:00pm: Family Soccer on Court #1

NEXT BID BOARD MEETING: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

The next meeting of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District Board of Directors will take place next Wednesday, April 22nd, 9:30 am, at The Blackhorse Pub (5th Avenue @ 16th Street).

As always, the meeting is open to the public. Feel free to drop by, learn more about what is happening along Fifth Avenue, ask questions and meet your Fifth Avenue neighbors.

We'll see you there!

Walk to Live

Our friends at Imani House are getting ready for their annual walkathon event called Walk to Live, focusing on ending childhood obesity. It will take place on May 31, 2015 in Prospect Park. Registration opens at 9:00 am!

You can learn more about the event at ihiwalktolive.com (it is currently being updated).

We hope to see you out on the 31st, walking for a great cause!

Spring Traditions Coming Soon!

This is the time of year when people finally come out of their winter caves and rediscover how great their neighborhood is to walk, shop, eat and drink in. The weather this week will be playing along nicely, so come on down to Fifth Avenue (#theother5th) and enjoy it!

Here are a couple of Fifth Avenue traditions that are coming up in just a couple of weeks. Make sure to save the dates!

Saturday, April 25th

Fifth Avenue Family Festival by Puppetry Arts
4th Street at 5th Ave 11am-3pm Rain or Shine
Free Admission!
$2.00 Activities, Crafts and Games
$2.00 Popcorn and Cotton Candy
$3.00 T-Shirt Decorating
$4.00 Bounce Castle
Live Music and Prizes All Day!

Sunday, April 26th

Tis the season for a little cleaning in your homes and offices. It's also time to make a clean sweep of our neighborhood at the Park Slope Civic Council annual spring beautification, recycling and clean-up event – the Spring Civic Sweep on Sunday, April 26, 2015. Put on your old clothes and come to the sidewalk in front of Old Stone House/JJ Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets from 10 am to 2 pm (rain or shine). Join other volunteers in picking up litter on sidewalks, participating in the care of street trees as well as painting out graffiti, supervised by adults.

Also, bring your unwanted electronics for recycling by the Lower East Side Ecology Center: working and non-working computers monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TV’s, VCR’s, CD and DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, cell phones and PDA’s.

For more information, go to parkslopeciviccouncil.org.

Friday News Round-Up

Have a great spring weekend, Park Slope!

Some notable news:

Dimbulla Tea Shop Coming too Corner Burger Space on Fifth [Here's Park Slope]

Food Truck Rally Returns to Grand Army Plaza This Sunday [Park Slope Stoop]

Eagle Provisions to Close in June [South Slope News]

Food fest serves up regional delicacies of Fifth Avenue [Brooklyn Paper]

Out Professionals Women's Event at Bogota Latin Bistro

Out Professionals , the nation's leading LGBT Networking Organization, is hosting a dinner, networking and socializing event for women at Bogota Latin Bistro on Monday, April 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a prix fixe menu: Chips and dips sampler; choice of appetizer (chicken empanada, queso platanos, avocado and watercress salad); choice of entree (arroz con pollo, fish tacos, pernil); churros dessert pastries! Happy Hour prices on cocktails, beers and wines by the glass; bottled wines, 50 per cent off.

Interested in attending? Click here for more information!

It's all Business on #theother5th: Upcoming Business Courses

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has partnered with NYC Business Solutions and Park Slope Parents to bring you a variety of business-related courses for local merchants and budding local entrepreneurs, alike. NYC Business Solutions are providing instructors, Park Slope Parents are offering the courses to their network of 5,000 families, many of whom own home-grown businesses and the BID is reaching out to it's businesses and friends and The Old Stone House is providing the venue. All courses are only $10.

COMING UP NEXT:

Business Financial Management

Tuesday April 21st 2015 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

This course provides an overview of financial management by assessing internal and external bookkeeping and providing an introduction to key financial statements: cash flow, income statement and balance sheets. You will learn about:

• Basic accounting terms and processes
• How to read and use financial statements
• The importance of bookkeeping to running your business
• Methods and principles of bookkeeping

Sign Up Here

COMING LATER THIS SPRING

Alternative Lending: A Guide to Investors, Equity and Crowd Funding

Tuesday May 19th 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

Taking out a line-of-credit or term loan for your business may not be right for your business. Find out what types of alternative lending options are available to business owners as well as how to find them. Learning what types of investors are out there can help you make informative decisions about partnerships and business growth. Choosing an alternative lending solution for your business needs will keep your cash flow current without cutting into your bottom line. In this course, attendees will learn about various financing options, seizing the opportunity, as well as rules for building healthy financing relationships. You will learn about:

• The different types of investors: Angel, Venture Capitalist, Private
• How to approach investors and what they look for where choosing to invest
• What is a pitch?
• Different equity options when working with partners and investors
• Using crowdfunding as a source to fund projects or fill a funding gap
• The science to a successful crowdfunding campaign

Sign Up Here (will be coming online soon)

Before you Sign Your Lease……Take this Class!

Tuesday June 16th 2015 6.30 - 8.30pm Old Stone House

While signing a commercial lease is one of the most important business decisions a small business owner will make, new businesses often fail to properly consider the risks under the belief that they are entering into a “form” agreement with the landlord.  That “form” agreement, however, is almost always extremely favorable to the landlord when it is first presented to a commercial tenant. This course will offer some practical suggestions to ensure that your business interests are being well served and that you minimize the risk to you and your company. The course will be taught by an attorney who regularly counsels both landlords and tenants on lease agreements.

You will learn about:

• The risks in signing a blanket personal guarantee
• Understanding a “good-guy guarantee”
• Default provisions, attorney’s fee provisions and other issues to consider

 Sign Up Here (will be coming online soon)

#theother5th

Common Hands Farm CSA

Common Hands Farm CSA, from Upstate NY, reached out to us for help in spreading the word about their biodynamic/sustainable CSA, which delivers to nearby Brooklyn Boulders. Here is more information, if you are interested: ---

Now that spring is finally here, its time to start getting healthy and happy again! More sun, more photosynthesis, and more fresh vegetables and fruit...It's time to join a CSA!

Common Hands Farm delivers to Brooklyn Boulders (575 Degraw St) during the season June-November. Located 2.5 hours north of the city, they are in their fifth year committed to growing biodynamic produce in sustainable and holistic way, and also running a learning program for young apprentice farmers.

CSA shares with Common Hands are available for purchase now, and you can buy a share (much like a subscription) to receive weekly or bi-weekly deliveries for pick up at Brooklyn Boulders on Tuesdays.

There are Full and Half Shares available from the farm as well as Fruit and Egg shares sourced locally from the Hudson Valley.

Full Shares are $615. Half Shares are $375. Fruit and Egg Shares are $280 and $140 for either the Full or Half respectively.

Please sign up on our website if interested! commonhandscsa.com commonhandscsa.com/join-our-csa/

The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair 2015: Save the Date!

Save the date, Park Slope!

Sunday, May 17th from 12-6 pm, The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair returns between Sterling and 12th Streets.  The annual street fair returns with music, art, food, drinks, vintage cars and more!

If you are interested in vending at the fair, please contact the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District at info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com or 718-551-5545.

Weekend Round-Up

We have a bunch of announcements today, so hold onto your hat and here goes:

- Happy Passover to our friends who observe it!

- Happy Easter (on Sunday)!

- Tomorrow (Saturday, April 4th) SALE of FREDDY’S STUFF​! Freddy's Bar has a lot of extra sound and visual equipment that they've accumulated over the years and they are having a big sale to get rid of it! Amps, music equipment, lights, electronics, projectors, frames and more! 12:30 – 4:30pm. First come first serve. All sales final and no sales beforehand.

- Starting tonight, the Gowanus Experimental Film Festival launches through April 5th. Screenings by Bobby Abate, Michelle Chu, Steve Cossman, Sarah Dahnke, Jimmy Ferguson, Lorenzo Gattorna, Steve Girard, Sean Hanley, Jason Halprin, Nick Heppding, Bryn Jackson, Josh Lewis, Simon Liu, Ryan Marino, Keith Miller, Margaret Rorison, Joel Schlemowitz, Cassandra Sechler, MM Serra, Jessie Stead, Mark Street, M Woods, and many others, including a program by MonoNoAware. 

The Gowanus Experimental Film Festival is part of the third annual Gowanathon, a fundraiser which benefits the Gowanus Arts Building, sponsored by NFP, Spoke the Hub, which offers arts classes and spaces to artists of all ages working in many disciplines. Your tickets will go to renovate the building and keep the independent art scene vibrant.

You can visit the Facebook page for all information and to purchase advanced tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/1375529492770505/ 

Finally, here some pictures from A Taste of Fifth by Erika Clark! Enjoy! [Flickr]

Enjoy your weekend!

THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU for helping to make last night's A Taste of Fifth a HUGE success! We had our largest crowd ever and raise a lot of money for our local schools and community organizations (we're counting the beans now, so more details later). Also, lots more photos coming later. 

We especially want to thank:

-Tim Young and Puppetry Arts for the awesome volunteers and help!

-The School of International Studies for their awesome young chef helpers!

-The Grand Prospect Hall for making our dreams come true!

-The MS51 Jazz Group for bringing their A Game!

-Joanna Tallantire and Abby Forero Hilty for running our raffle and working tirelessly on event night!

-Mario DiBiase, Paul Molnar, Erika Clark and Jennifer Szapiro (BID Board Members) for giving their time and effort!

-Fifth Avenue's amazing bars and restaurants for stepping up to the plate and being the true stars of the show!

-Our sponsors: Adirondack Brewery, Forest City Ratner, Barclays Center, Car2Go, Greenhook Ginsmiths, Breukelen Distilling, Sorel, ACME Wine And Spirits, Ca'Donini, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Melini, Anthony Road Wine Company

-Our participating local community organizations and schools for helping us sell a lot of tickets!

-Public Advocate Leticia James and Council Member Brad Lander for stopping by and checking out the fun!

-Oh, and THANK YOU for all of your support!

Next up: The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair on May 17th!

TONIGHT!

THIS IS IT! Tonight! Wednesday, April 1st, from 6:30 - 9:30pm at The Grand Prospect Hall

Food, drinks, music, dancing, a photo booth, an amazing raffle and more! See you there!

After the event, drop by Freddy's Bar for A Taste of Fifth afterparty! Two for the price of one drinks or beer with the surrender of an invitation attainable only at the "Taste of 5th" event itself. In the Backroom at Freddy's will be "Karaoke​ ​with H-Bomb and  Emma C. Hammer." ​

There are still a small handful of tickets available online and we will be selling a small number at the door. Tickets are $55 online ($60 at door) with $20 of every ticket going to the local charity of your choice!  Link: [http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1273478]

Participants (In Formation)
200 Fifth
ACME Wine and Spirits
albero dei gelati
Backyard
Benchmark
Beygl
Blue Sky Bakery
Bogota Latin Bistro
Bonnie's Grill
Bricolage
Brooklyn Crepe
Buttermilk Bakeshop
The Chocolate Room
Coco Roco
Culture
Du Jour Bakery
El Pollito Mexicano
Fleischers
Freddy's Bar
Gorilla Coffee
Jake's Handcrafted
La Villa
Le Pain Quotidien
Loki
Luke's Lobster
Miti Miti
The Monro Pub
O'Live Brooklyn
Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn
Palo Santo
Prospect Bar & Grill
Pure
Russo's Mozzarella and Pasta
Sky Ice
South
Stone Park Cafe
Taco Santo
Teaus
Two Boots
Uncle Louie G
Varrio 408
V-Spot
Yayo's Latin Bistro

Participating Charities:

*Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX)

*Brooklyn Pride

*Brooklyn Dream Factory

*CHIPS Soup Kitchen and Young Mothers Homeless Shelter

*Fifth Avenue Committee

*Good Shepherd Services

*Imani House

*Middle School 51

*The Old Stone House

*Park Slope Civic Council

*President Street Garden

*PS 321

*Public School 39

*Public School 118 Maurice Sendak Community School

*Spoke the Hub

Sponsors:

A big Thank You to Puppetry Arts for their support and volunteers!