Save the Date: Recycling Event!

Electronics Recycling Event

WHAT
Sponsored by 3r Living in conjunction with the Park Slope Civic Council's Clean Sweep program, this electronics recycling event will take place in two locations, simultaneously, in the neighborhood.

WHEN
Saturday, October 17, 11 am - 3 pm

WHERE
4th Street @ 5th Avenue (Washington Park): with ePlanet eWaste

9th Street in front of the YMCA: with Greg's Express and Per Scholas

Stay tuned, more details to follow!

Thursday: Young, Gifted & Black (Men) at the Old Stone House

This from our friend Louise at OTBKB:

Brooklyn Reading Works presents: Young, Gifted and Black (Men) with Clifford Thompson, Victor LaValle and James Hannham. This reading is curated by Martha Southgate.

Where: The Old Stone House on Fifth Avenue and 3rd Street in Park Slope

When: October 1, 2009 at 8 p.m.

Important Park Smart Update

All About Fifth has learned that, after hearing community and merchant feedback at the public meeting on September 9th, the New York City Department of Transportation has decided not to raise parking meter rates along Fifth Avenue.

Fifth Avenue is part of a pilot program called Park Smart, which raised meter rates along Fifth and Seventh avenues to help improve parking space availability. Merchants were concerned that another rate increase would scare away customers during this difficult recession.

According to the Park Slope Courier, no decision has been made about the rates on Seventh Avenue yet.

To read the full article, click here.

Avenue Feedback Loop

Here is our second in a series of feedback loops on one of Park Slope's most vibrant commercial avenues. This one is of Vanessa, a Park Slope resident for a little over 5 years.

Where did you just shop along the Avenue? The last place I shopped on 5th Avenue was Associated Supermarket at Union Street. This market serves our neighborhood so well and the recent expansion is great. Not only is the Associated a staple in our landscape, but so is the awesome staff. Shout out to the whole crew for always being so friendly, helpful, and an ongoing part of our community.

People say the Avenue has most everything-- what do you think, any gaps? As much as I love 5th, there are still a lot of gaps that fall under the “errands” category. As Park Slope has developed over the past few years, 7th Ave has become known as a go-to for errands and 5th Ave for restaurants, boutiques, etc. This can be hard if you live below 6th Avenue. I’d like to think I speak for all of us below 6th-ers, and even below 4th-ers!, when I say that I’d love to see: a video store, a real liquor store, and a pharmacy!

Any other stores you want to give a shout out to? There are so many stores that I want to give a shout out to because they help make Park Slope, well, Park Slope. If forced to pick, a big-up to:

Cog & Pearl: for adding an artistic flair to our neighborhood, supporting local & independent designers, and helping us fill our apartments with smart, unique design.

Bierkraft: for building a great community out of their shop, supporting and promoting both brand new and staple locally produced/manufactured food items and…. for sometimes giving away free beer!

Bob and Judi’s Collectibles: big shout out to Bob and Judi for maintaining this staple in our neighborhood, reminding us that we don’t always need to buy new, and allowing us to purchase cool old stuff for a reasonable sum of money! Please never leave us!

News Round-Up

Introducing Charles Long [Save the Slope]

Retail Vacancies in Brooklyn and Queens [The Real Deal]

Al di La Trattoria [High Low Food Drink]

Hey, You, Spot the Wild Boar on That Building! [Brooklyn Paper]

Park Slope Merchants Blast City Parking Plan [Courier via Your Nabe]

Interview with Peggy Aguayo of Aguayo & Huebener

All About Fifth interviews Petty Aguayo of Aguayo & Huebener about all things real estate—including the development on 4th Avenue and Park Slope’s new historic district bid.

AAF: Where are you from originally?

Aguayo: Brooklyn, NY, where else?

AFF: When did you open your business and what drew you to the field?

Aguayo: I started real estate part time in 1983. Then in 1984 then I got my broker’s license and opened my own firm. At the time, I was teaching at St. Anne’s in Brooklyn Heights. I always considered it a treat, living in Park Slope. The homes fascinated me and all the renovations that were occurring at the time. At that time there were many vacant buildings and I was fascinated by the potential of making these viable homes.

AAF: Has the local market hit bottom?

Aguayo: That’s a good question. Not having a crystal ball, it is difficult to be totally definitive. But if pressed, I would say that the market has leveled out and that I would expect the prices in 2010 to be slightly higher.

AAF: What is your best advice to first time buyers in any climate?

Aguayo: One word: Prioritize. As in life, you can’t have everything. But a home should meet, at the very least, your top 4-5 needs. As a realtor this next statement might seem a bit oxymoronic: I would not push myself beyond my means as a first time buyer. A home should be a haven, not a yoke.

AAF: What's your professional view on all the building going on 4th Avenue?

Aguayo: It is wonderful to see growth and change, as I believe stagnation is the alternative. Personally, I find some of the architecture of these new buildings not aesthetically pleasing.

AAF: What is your stand on expanding the Slope's historic districts?

Aguayo: I would love to preserve the beauty of the Slope’s architecture and if expanding the historic district would do so, I am for it.

AAF: What are the greatest benefits and challenges of running your business?

Aguayo: Greatest benefits are: freedom and independence and the ability to be creative. The challenges of running my business are managing ambitious and highly energetic sales agents and also competing successfully with firms that are gargantuan compared to mine.

AAF: Does a fig tree bring value to one's property?

Aguayo: I sure do hope so, I have one in my back yard.

Interview conducted by Rebeccah Welch

Green Brooklyn, Green City

Tomorrow at Brooklyn Borough Hall! Drop by and check out the events and workshops, starting at 12:00, with the "State of the Climate" speech.

We always knew that Brooklyn was a Green leader. After all, it's the original home of Fifth Avenue's 3r Living! ;)