This magical avenue has many of Brooklyn’s shops and boutiques. It holds a diverse array of cultures, West Indian, Hasidic, Russian and more. Beginning at Flushing Avenue, it runs all the way to Sheepshead Bay. Nostrand Avenue takes its name from a Dutch member of the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church, Gerret Noorstrand. Boring, right? I thought it would be a way more epic story, like the original settlers of Brooklyn were so amazed by the size of the borough that they exclaimed, “Aye, there’s no strand in view.” But history continues to disappoint. Maybe we can incorporate this into a Brooklyn mythology… So forget Gerret, my way is the way it really happened.

I work about halfway down the road, in Midwood, just past the ol’ Flatbush Junction. The potholes ’round Newkirk are perty bad, but it ain’t too hard to overcome, I reckon, ‘specially if you’re lookin’ down at the road the while.

This morning there was a typical New Yorker on a little blue mountain bike with tires that needed air. For a while he was keeping up with me, but at every red light, he’d take a left or a right to let the cars pass in front of him, before winding back to Nostrand. As we flew through Crown Heights, he started to put his put down to skid to a slow due to the slope of the hill. Eventually, we were crossing a street with a bunch of pedestrians, and this goober, in his New York baseball cap, his week-length chinstrap, and matching blue coat, again skidded with his feet. Narrowly missing a couple of peds, I cut him off and cruised to the end.

Moral: When in New York, do as the New Yorkers do, on Nostrand or Park Ave.

Gowanus is on the up and up. Continue Reading

Upon walking up first and second avenues a few months ago, I was stunned at the rapid changes the city had made. Continue Reading

Duane Reade opened up a store on Bedford Ave., in the heart of Williamsburg, last week. For a long time, there has been outrage at the fact that the commercial pharmacy is moving in, edging out mom-and-pop stores.

But come on, guys. What’s the big deal? I mean, sure, at one time Williamsburg was an artist’s refuge, free from the dominion of 24 hour convenience stores and accessible to people who wanted to move underneath the radar. But as anyone who’s gotten off at the Bedford L stop (or tried looking for an apartment in the area) recently can see, those days are long past. Bedford Avenue needs a Duane Reade to support Bedford’s influx of people who actually have careers, and who need the safety and convenience of a commercial pharmacy.

The L Magazine recently interviewed a local writer who is disgusted at the fact that this Walgreens-operated pharmacy is moving in. Sure you can protest and boycott and pay more money for diapers at the “local” pharmacies, but ultimately if you’re into saving local businesses, you probably can’t afford to live on Bedford Ave. For the girl who doesn’t like the way Bedford feels anymore, just move to Bushwick already.

When New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie condemned plans to build a new tunnel under the Hudson, Bloomberg stepped in and said, okay Christie, you’ll have your way, but we’re not going to settle.

The city is already planning an extension of the 7 train to the Far West Side at 34th and 11th. The $2.1 billion project finished drilling last month. Some are saying that it makes sense to just keep digging to New Jersey. It would only cost about $5.3 billion, the New York Times reports – half the cost of the original tunnel plan.

Gov. Christie cut the plan after expenses reached $11 billion. The Federal Transportation Department pledged $3 billion, the Port Authority of New York another $3 billion, and New Jersey had to come up with the rest. Now with the costs significantly cut, one of the major impediments has been removed.

If this happens, the 7 would be the most powerful train in the city, the first to go interstate, and because it runs into Queens, it would give the borough more clout. It would also make the Far West Side, with its new residential skyscrapers, a legitimate neighborhood due to an $800 million station at 10th and 42nd.

It looks like the region is finally entering the 21st century. Now all we need is the T.

My favorite thing about traveling is the food markets. Continue Reading

“Is there any good night life around here?” my cousin asked the tenant while she searched his apartment, making sure everything was satisfactory.

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

“I’m from Scarsdale.” He chortled.

“Yea, the best bar in America is around the block.” He was talking about Brooklyn Fire Proof East.

Fire Proof is a fine bar, if not one of the best in Brooklyn. They have a kitchen, cheap draft beer, half price happy hour till eight, and a cool performance area in the back. You wouldn’t know it if you saw it, which is part of its allure. Behind a verdant wood-planked wall is seating and a set of steps that leads you down into the bar. Last night was an experimental music show. The red couches and $5 beer and shot of whiskey special made it very pleasurable, although the music was at times weirdly beat-absent, and at other times, bizarrely skillful. My favorite act was Dream Zoo, comprised of a cellist, violinist, and electric guitarist.

Valerie, the cellist, began talking about how the inspiration for her music is found in the unconscious. In one of her dream derived songs the footy smell of trains and mayonnaise came together wonderfully to create an experience more universal than cliche. That’s kind of the way I feel about this bar.

Well I’m not a veteran, which means I’m not going to Applebees Veterans Day 2010 for a free meal, and after a long hard work week, I need something cool and free to refresh my dry palate (and palette).  So I’ve done the research for you Brooklynites, tonight there are a few new openings in and around the hood, so get out there and drink and view to your heart’s content.

Andrew Masullo: The L.E.S. gallery, Feature Inc at 131 Allen has these bright splashy paintings on view tonight. While they look simple and easy, you can clearly see a pentimento or two if you look closely.

Heather L. Johnson: On 30 Grand St. you can see funky embroideries, text-based and watercolored works by this artist point toward the oft-forgotten insane asylums of the 19th century.

Tiffany Bozic: In Chelsea, at 548 West 28th Street, 3rd Floor this San Francisco based artist examines the interconnectedness between animals, plants and humans. Her latest paintings are on maple she stained herself, that self-taught wonderwoman.

Attract/Repel: Isn’t this Brooklyn Trends, you’re asking? Yes, yes, I saved the best for last. Down at 111 Front St. in Dumbo, you can see a collection of works by international artists examining the push and pull of magnetism.

Tonight at Brooklyn Bowl is Brunch After Dark, featuring the musical stylings of Oh Land, Arms, the Canon Logic, Fatty Acid and the Courtesy Tier.

Oh Land was one of the hottest acts this year at CMJ. Fatty Acid opens the show at 7:30. Here’s the facebook page. Tickets are only $7 and the doors open at 6. Stop by and get some friend chicken and a bourbon nutella shake. Here’s a sampler of the tunes.

Deep in the heart of Williamsburg is Pete’s Candy Store. This place, since building up a reputation for being a great party spot over the past ten years, has remained a great joint. Their staff takes their drinks seriously. They are huge and well priced and after a couple you’ll probably be hungry for a roast beef, horseradish, roasted red pepper and cheddar sandwich to quell your drunchies. They have live music every night. With a set designer on staff, the back room looks like a train car and the front has some taxidermy and Chinese newspapers. What’s not to love?

From old to new, another P bar is making a splash in Bushwick. Right off Morgantown lies the Pine Box Rock Shop, a former casket factory. The bartenders know what they’re doing – this is their longtime project finally realized – and the decor is simple and functional. Making use of the industrial feel, they have sliced steel barrels for tables. They also have a couple of flat screens and a kick ass draught selection. The back will eventually be a stage.

So whether you’re into something new or something old, Pete’s or Pine Box are both great choices while in North Brooklyn.