$35 MIL DOWN $40 MIL TO GO

THE NEW 26-ACRE LAKESIDE CENTER BEING BUILT IN PROSPECT PARK HAS RECIEVED $35 MILLION IN FUNDS LEAVING $40 MILLION MORE TO BE SECURED BEFORE CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN. THE PROJECT WILL RESTORE THIS PORTION ON THE PARK TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN OF FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AND CALVERT VAUX CREATED.

GOWANUS GOES GREEN

A FIRST OF ITS KIND FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY JUNE 1ST ON CARROLL ST BETWEEN BOND AND NEVINS STREETS. THE EVENT WILL RUN FROM 11AM TO 6 PM AT THE YARD, AN OPEN AIR SPACE BETWEEN TWO SILOS AT 388-400 CARROLL ST. ADMISSION IS FREE.

SUNDANCE AT BAM

THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WILL BE AT THE BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC STARTING TODAY.THE 11-DAY RUN WILL INCLUDE 10 FILMS 12 DOCUMENTARIES, AND 36 SHORTS. CHECK bam.org/sundance FOR DETAILS AND TICKET INFO.

PROSPECT PARK PACKED

ON MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY THERE HAD TO BE ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE ON THE LONG MEADOW IN PROSPECT PARK. LAYING ON BLANKETS, HAVING BBQ'S, DRINKING WINE WITH CHEESE AND CRACKERS. I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THAT PARK FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE ENJOYING THE PARK LIKE THEY WERE ON MONDAY. LEARN THE HISTORY OF THE PARK, TAKE A TOUR. http://www.brooklynwalkingtour.com/

WHERE DID THE ROOTS GO?

THERE WAS A SCULPTURE IN FRONT OF THE LITCHFIELD VILLA IN PROSPECT PARK FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS. AS I WALKED BY WITH MY TOUR OVER THE WEEKEND IT WAS GONE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY IT WAS REMOVED?

TO THE SOLDIERS

I WANT TO THANK ALL VETERANS AND SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES THAT KEEP US SAFE AND FREE TO HAVE BBQ'S AND ENJOY MEMORIAL DAY. SOME MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, THEY DIE THAT WE MAY LIVE FREE. THANKS BOYS AND GIRLS.

SLOPE SHOWED SOME LOVE

ON THE HEELS OF LAST WEEKS NY TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT PARK SLOPE BEING THE NEW MOST HATED AREA, THE BROOKLYN CYCLONES ARE HOSTING " THE CYCLONES LOVE PARK SLOPE NIGHT " ON JULY 27TH AT KEYSPAN PARK IN CONEY ISLAND.

ON SUNDAY THE PHOENIX LANDS

AT ABOUT 7:43 PM ON SUNDAY MAY 25TH THE PHOENIX SPACECRAFT WILL LAND ON MARS. THIS DEVICE IS EQUIPED WITH A BACK-HOE AND WILL DIG FOR PARTICLES OF MELTED ICE ON MARS. MY BUDDY KNOTTS LIKES TO SAY THE COULD SEND THINGS TO MARS BUT THEY CAN'T STOP THE RINGING IN HIS EARS.

NEW WEB SITE

PROSPECT PARK HAS AN ATTRACTIVE NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHED IN APRIL. SEE PHOTOS AND EXPLORE PARK LOCATIONS ONLINE AT http://www.prospectpark.org/

BROOKLYN ART GOES FOR $11.2 MIL

BROOKLYN BORN ARTIST JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT'S "UNTITLED(FALLEN ANGEL)" PAINTED IN 1981 SOLD FOR $11.2 MILLION AT A PHILLIPS de PURY AUCTION. BASQUIAT IS INTERRED AT GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY.

1ST SOLD OUT TOUR

ON SATURDAY THANKS TO MY GOOD FRIEND PAUL GIROLA I HAD MY 1ST SOLD OUT TOUR. FOR HIS BIRTHDAY HIS FAMILY TOOK HIM TO TWO TOMS BUT BEFORE THAT 13 OF THEM CAME ON THE 1:30 TOUR. I SOLD 3 OTHER TICKETS TO SOME OTHER PEOPLE FOR A TOTAL OF 16 TICKETS WHICH IS A SELL OUT. AFTER TOUR WE HAD DRINKS AND PLAYED BOCCE BALL AT UNION HALL, THEN WE HIT TWO TOMS FOR THE PROVERBIAL FEAST. I'M STILL FULL.

PARK SLOPE IN NY TIMES

THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN TODAYS SUNDAY STYLES ABOUT PARK SLOPE. KIND OF HOW THE AREA HAS CHANGED AND NOT EVERYONE IS HAPPY. BUT IT WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE AND THIS WILL BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS AS PEOPLE WILL BE CURIOUS AND WANNA SEE THE SLOPE.

ONE OF THE BEST

I'M WATCHING ELTON JOHN BIOGRAPHY AND I HAVE SEEN HIM IN CONCERT AT LEAST 15 TIMES. HE WAS ALWAYS GOOD FROM WAY BACK WHEN. THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT IN LIFE IS THE PICTURE ON THIS POST. EVERYBODY LIKED ELTON AND HE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. WHEN HE BROUGHT OUT JOHN LENNON ON THANKSGIVING EVE 1980 AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN FOR LENNON'S LAST LIVE PERFORMANCE, IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS IN ROCK AND ROLL HISTORY. IF YOU GO SEE HIM NOW AND I HAVE RECENTLY, IT WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST CONCERTS YOU WILL EVER SEE.

STILL THE ONE

THE WILLIAMBURG SAVINGS BANK WILL REMAIN THE TALLEST BUILDING IN BROOKLYN, AS A REVISED VERSION OF ATLANTIC YARDS TOWER "MISS BROOKLYN" WILL ON RISE 34 STORIES AND 511 FEET MAKING AT 512 FEET THE CLOCK TOWER STILL THE CHAMP.

TRAVEL CHANNEL IN SLOPE

SAMANTA BROWN WHO HOSTS A SHOW ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL CALLED "PASSPORT TO GREAT WEEKENDS" TRAVELS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE,BUT CHOOSES TO LIVE IN A 3-BEDROOM CONDO IN PARK SLOPE. I'M ALSO AN AVID TRAVELER BUT I LOVE TO RETURN TO BROOKLYN WHEN MY TRIP IS OVER.

PARK SLOPE SLEEP IN

ALTERNATE SIDE OF THE STREET PARKING WILL BE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY IN PARK SLOPE. THE TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING 9200 STREET SIGNS. TIME TO BE REDUCED TO 90 MINUTES FOR STREET CLEANING. SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO PARK. I DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY AS THERE ARE NO SPOTS ON EITHER SIDE NOW, IT WILL JUST MEAN PEOPLE WILL NOT HAVE TO MOVE CARS FOR STREET CLEANING. ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS.

A BUSY WEEK

TO ALL OF MY READERS,SORRY FOR NOT POSTING FOR A FEW DAYS. IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK WITH TOURS ON MON,TUES AND WED. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETINGS ON TUES AND THUR. A BROOKLYN TOURISM MEETING. NO TIME TO BLOG.

THEN AND NOW

BENNY'S CANDY STORE WAS LOCATED ON 3RD AVE BETWEEN PRESIDENT ST AND UNION ST. IT IS NOW CANAL BAR, A COOL BAR BUT FOR ME IT WILL ALWAYS BE BENNY'S. BENNY WOULD SIT IN THE BACK WITH HIS DIAMOND PINKIE RING WITH THE NUMBER 155 IN DIAMONDS. THAT WAS HIS NUMBER. AS A KID I TOOK NUMBERS AND WOULD DELIVER THEM TO BENNY. YOU CAN CHANGE THE OUTSIDE BUT WHAT'S IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS WILL NEVER CHANGE.

BLOGFEST 08'

TONIGHT I WENT TO THE 2008 BROOKLYN BLOGFEST. IT WAS HELD AT THE BROOKLYN LYCEUM BETTER KNOW TO LOCALS AS THE BATH-HOUSE. NICE EVENT, MANY PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE AND ALSO INFORMATIVE.

BROOKLYN $ BUYS MANHATTAN

ACTRESS JENNIFER CONNELLY IS SELLING HER MANSION ON PROSPECT PARK WEST FOR $8.5 MILLION AND BUYING A $7 MILLION PENTHOUSE IN MANHATTAN. ONCE AGAIN BROOKLYN TRUMPS MANHATTAN.

IKEA HIRES LOCALS

IKEA HOLDS TRUE TO ITS WORD TO HIRE LOCALLY WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW STORE IN RED HOOK. WITH OVER 300 HIRED CITY WIDE 200 ARE FROM THE NABE. ONE GUY SAID OVER 30 PEOPLE IN HIS MOTHER'S HOUSING PROJECT BUILDING HAVE BEEN HIRED. GOOD NEWS FOR RED HOOK AND ITS LONG TIME RESIDENTS.

MINERVA VIEW TO SAY

DEVELOPER'S WHO WERE BUILDING A CONDO COMPLEX ON 23RD ST THAT WAS GOING TO BLOCK MINERVA'S VIEW OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY HAVE SCALED BACK THE PROJECT DUE TO PRESSURE FROM NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY OFFICALS.AFTER 88 YEARS THINGS WILL STAY AS THEY ALWAYS WERE.

THE POLICE GREEN CITY

STING AND "THE POLICE" A ROCK AND ROLL SUPER GROUP WILL END THIER WORLD WIDE REUNION TOUR WITH A CONCERT IN NYC. THEY ALSO WILL DONATE $1 MILLION TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S EFFORT TO PLANT A MILLION TREES IN NYC BY 2017. I SAW THEM MANY TIMES BACK IN THE DAY, ALWAYS A GOOD SHOW AND NOW DOING A GOOD DEED.

ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG

JUST TODAY I FOUND ABOUT THE LOSS OF A FRIEND.I MET HIM OVER 25 YEARS AGO AND DIDN'T SEE HIM IN 20 YEARS. WE HAD RECONNECTED AFTER 20 YEARS AND WERE GONNA HAVE DINNER. HE WAS A GOOD GUY AND TOUCHED MY LIFE, IM SAD AS I WRITE THIS POST. HERE IS WHAT HIS WIFE PUT ON TUGS. IT'S A TIME SHARE USERS GROUP THAT HE BELONGED TOO.I THINK IT'S A FITTING TRIBUTE. I NEVER GOT TO GO TO DINNER WITH MY FRIEND JOHN.AND THAT MAKES ME SAD.LOOK FOR MY GRANDMOTHER UP THERE HER AND AUNT TOOSIE WILL MAKE YOU SOME MEATBALLS AND POTATO CROCETTES. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER TILL WE FEAST IN HEAVEN.

Each of you knew John Faeth differently. But I share with you his passing.John died of a massive stroke, which occurred on Monday the 28th.You should know he greatly enjoyed being a part of TUG. It brought him laughter, fun, and suchwonderful friendships. Thank you all for the joy you brought to his life.A Brief Tribute to my Husband John...He was a tough guy. He was a total softy. He drove me crazy, and I could never keep up with himAND I LOVED him no matter what. WHY? Simply, he was the FINEST human being I've ever known.Truly. His heart was bigger than most of us hope to have. He gave when he didn't have to. He loved those he didn't know. He gave to those in need, regardless of his feelings or desires.We should all remember the greatest teachings John brought.Love each other... you don't have to like someone to love them.Confront- mean what you say and say what you mean.... especially if it's hard to do.And, always THINK past what you are told... You can make a difference if you use the gift God gave you and consider more than just what you are told.Think for yourself.Live life- travel, explore, think, try, be, consider, and always have heart. That is what John gave to anyone who listened. Listen now. Go forward with life and love, make him happy. That's what I ask for him.The following are 2 Irish Prayers. If so inclined, pour a shot, and drink at the end of each prayer. He would have loved that... I would love that. Most of all, be kind and loving with all your heart... that was what he left me... I share it with you.Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,I am not there... I do not sleep.I am the thousand winds that blow...I am the diamond glints on snow...I am the sunlight on ripened grain...I am the gentle autumn rain.When you waken in the morning's hush,I am the swift uplifting rush Of gentle birds in circling flight...I am the soft star that shines at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry—I am not there... I did not die...This is how John said goodbye to those he loved:May the road rise up to meet you.May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,And the rains fall soft upon your fields,And, until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of His hand,So you may be forty years in heaven before the devil knows you're there.If you have a desire to do something, please honor him with a gift to charity. His favorite charities were Habitat for Humanity, Hospitalized Veterans, and giving to animal shelters and associations. Evena small act of random kindness always pleased him greatly.With great sadness,Lorelei Faeth John's Wife--------------------------------

MICROSOFT EYES "THE CLOCK"

BETTER KNOW AS THE WILLIAMSBURG SAVINGS BANK, MICROSOFT IS LOOKING TO PUT A RETAIL STORE IN THE LOBBY. THIS IS A LANDMARK BUILDING AND NOT TOO MANY ALTERATIONS CAN BE DONE SO SOME RETAILERS ARE SHYING AWAY. THIS WOULD BE MICROSOFT'S FIRST RETAIL OUTLET.BILL GATES IN BROOKLYN, WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK IT.

STAY IN NJ

THE FOREST RATNER GROUP HAS MEET WITH NETS AND NEWARK OFFICALS ABOUT MOVING THE NETS TO NEWARK. WE DON'T WANT THEM IN BROOKLYN WHERE RATNER WILL PROFIT AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE ALL OUR LIVES WILL GET NOTHING.

BROOKLYN EATS AND EATS AND EATS

LAST NIGHT WAS THE 11TH ANNUAL BROOKLYN EATS EVENT. IT WAS HELD AT STIENER STUDIOS IN THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD. ONCE AGAIN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND IT'S WONDERFUL STAFF CAME THROUGH WITH FLYING COLORS. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT, ENTERTAINMENT ENJOYABLE AND JUST A GREAT NIGHT OVER ALL.CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 12TH ANNUAL EVENT. THIS IS ONE EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED.

SLOPE RISING

THE PRODUCERS OF " SEX IN THE CITY " ARE DOING A SHOW ABOUT THE MOTHERS OF PARK SLOPE. MORE EXPOSURE OF THE SLOPE AND GOOD FOR BUSINESS AS MORE PEOPLE WILL WANNA COME SEE PARK SLOPE.