Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Fab Friday Fashion at Eleven


The spring will make another rare appearance later this week. We promise. So, start this spring weekend (and the Month of May) off right: with a special night of shopping at Eleven Consignment Boutique.

This Friday, May 2nd drop by their 70 Fifth Avenue shop between 7 and 10 pm for discounted shopping (20% off storewide) complimentary wine and sweets from Fabipops!



Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Get Fancy (and funny) at Bar Reis Tonight



Don't let the rainy spring weather get you down! Head out to Bar Reis for a night of comedy at The Fancy Show.

This weekly night of stand-up comedy features top notch talent from New York City and out-of-town drop-ins and takes place in the intimate confines of the basement at Bar Reis.

The show starts at 8pm and admission is FREE (seating is first come first serve). Be there! And laugh!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Submit Your Logo Idea Today!

Just a reminder that there are still a few weeks left in the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's logo contest! Submit a logo and you could win $5,000!

Who We Are: The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) runs along Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue from Dean Street adjacent to the Barclays Center, to 18th Street. The BID provides marketing, business support and sanitation services to its 500+ members along the 30-block stretch of Fifth Avenue.



What We're Looking For: A new logo that reflects the Park Slope Fifth Avenue area — a vibrant mix of independently-owned shops, world-class restaurants and popular nightlife spots. The area is hip and it's growing. The logo will be used on the avenue's banners, promotional materials, websites, social media channels and on all BID printed materials.

Contest Dates

Starting Date: April 16, 2014
Deadline: May 16, 2014
Format: PDF or JPG Format via email to info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
Winning Submission Chosen: June 14, 2014 $5,000 prize

Friday, April 25, 2014

Saturday: 5th Avenue Family Festival


Don't miss Puppetry Arts' 5th Avenue Family Festival, this Saturday on 4th Street near Fifth Avenue from 11 am - 3 pm!

There will be a bounce house, snacks, clowns, Star Wars characters, puppets, kids activities and more! 

Come on down!



Thursday, April 24, 2014

Eat, Drink and Paint (Sounds Good to Us!)



Clearly, our friends at Canvas Wine Bar (348 6th Street, above Fifth Avenue) know how to party. On Sunday, May 4th, they are hosting an evening of painting, eating and drinking! What could be better? Get your creativity flowing while enjoying some fine wine, treats and tips from a local Brooklyn artist. Luckily, no artistic talent is needed. Buy your tickets ($40) today via Eventbrite.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Greening Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue BID


by Joanna Tallantire

Yesterday was Earth Day (the 44th Earth Day, in fact). Since every day is really Earth Day (or should be) the Park Slope Fifth Ave Business Improvement District is launching it’s tree project today! Of the 30 blocks in the BID area, nearly half of them have less than 5 healthy trees per block; that’s both sides of the street! The majority of canopy-less blocks are in the South, below 9th Street.

Trees bring so much to our community. We certainly appreciate our 232 trees when they bloom in the spring and for shade in the summer. More trees will increase the enjoyment for us all when shopping, dining and attending fun BID events like Summer Strollers, Make Music New York and the upcoming Fifth Avenue Fair. But research shows their value goes so much further. Absorbing carbon dioxide from our car emissions; improving air quality; mitigating sound; absorbing storm water thus reducing flooding, even improving safety and thus our overall quality of life.

So to increase the amount of trees in the BID, we are working with the New York Tree Trust. They have investigated a number of blocks in the north, center and south of the BID and will provide a plan of how many trees the Avenue requires, where those trees should be located and an estimate of the cost of tree guards. From there we hope to be able to partner with the Avenue's merchants, property owners and community in putting this plan into place.

This is a long term project, no saplings will appear overnight, but the plan is this:
  • Replace tree stumps and empty tree pits with new trees,
  • Plant new trees,
  • Ask for help from businesses and residents to help care for those trees,
  • Seek support to provide tree guards,
  • Keep the community informed about our tree project.

Million Trees NYC has given us a lot of information on their stewardship scheme, TreeLC. The project encourages caring of trees from all members in the community. Here is a brief summary of the many ways you can be a steward:

Caring
Keep the tree pit free of litter, dog waste, stones and bricks. Dog waste, liquid or solid overwhelms the tree, causing trunk burning and throwing the soil nutrient balance. Putting up a sign may help. A TreeLC template is available from the Million Trees NYC library http://stewardship.nycparks.org/library.php. If you can, dig out bricks, to open up the pit. The larger the pit, the more the roots can breathe and the less likely the sidewalk slabs will buckle up. Break up compacted soil, gently, and if able put some mulch around the tree, away from the trunk but spread out to the width of the canopy.

Adopting
If you have an established street tree, or a new one, you can adopt it. An awesome alternative to a pet, that still needs care and maybe the old chatting to, but you can leave it outside in the cold and rain! Go to the www.milliontreesnyc.org for all the information. Watering will be the main work, but unless exceptionally hot, only once a week!

Guarding
Foot traffic, dogs, cars, lack of space all help to impact the soil and starve the tree roots of oxygen; tree guards are really worth it. The NY Tree Trust has lots of information about this. www.nycgovparks.org/trees/tree-care/tree-guards

Requesting a Street Tree
Million Trees NYC makes it so easy to request a tree. Go online, fill out the information and they will keep you up to date with the status of your request with an email. www.milliontreesnyc.org

As the old chinese proverb states; “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now”! So help us green the 5th Avenue Business Improvement District in Park Slope. Here are the local hardware stores in the BID that can assist with tools:

Brooklyn Hardware Supply
58 5th Avenue
718-638-2666
www.brooklynhardwaresupply.com

R&A Houseware
109 5th Ave
718-622-0657

Leopaldi Hardware
415 5th Ave
718-499-6563

CNS Family Hardware
584 5th Avenue
718-499-2323
www.cnsfamilyhardware.com

Park Slope Hardware and Locksmith
593 5th Ave
www.parkslopehardware.com

If you would like anymore information on the 5th Ave BID or the tree project please contact the Director Mark Caserta (mark@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com)

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Celebrate Spring With Stone Park Cafe


Drop by Stone Park Cafe on Wednesday, April 30 any time between 5:30 and 10:00 pm to celebrate the Spring with Muga. Josh Grinker will be preparing a special market menu with Spanish accents to pair with the wines; Robert Voris will be popping the corks and answering questions.

Bodegas Muga has been producing a variety of sparkling, white, rose and red wines in the Rioja region of Spain for three centuries. Their expertise in cultivation and winemaking has been passed through generations, and is apparent in every one of their bottles.

Sound like a great way to celebrate spring? For reservations, please call 718.369.0082.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Fifth Avenue Fair: Less Than One Month Away!


Remember, the city's best street fair, The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair, will take place on Sunday, May 18th from 12-6 pm (Sterling to 12th Street).

Make sure to save the date, pray for sunny weather and be there!

Friday, April 18, 2014

News Round-Up


Design the New Park Slope 5th Avenue BID Logo and Win $5,000 [South Slope News]

Uncle Louie G Locations Back Open For the Season [Park Slope Stoop]

Dizzy's Turns Back Room Into Internet Cafe [Here's Park Slope]

J.Crew Opening in Williamsburg, Park Slope by August [Brownstoner]

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Brownstone Dog Walkers; More Than Just Dog Walking.


By Joanna Tallantire

It was a delight to meet with Heather Smith of Brownstone Dog Walkers (BDW). She is the enthusiastic, energetic manager of a team, which includes Nevin Edmundson, whom joined us with Toby; their biggest client! Toby is obviously loved and of course is a local 5th Ave celebrity!

Heather tells me BDW is different to other dog walking services, because the team provides dog walking 365 days a year, never walk more than four at a time and boast the lowest prices in the neighborhood. Geoffrey Lewit and Ryan deLorge, the owners of BDW, are locals to Park Slope and certainly are very community spirited. It’s not just about picking up the poop! They undertook a much needed Pet Food drive after Hurricane Sandy, providing much needed supplies to pet owners in the Rockaways. Last year started the Pink Leash Program for Breast Cancer Awareness month; raising money for the American Cancer Society. Other services are puppy visits, cat care and dog sitting.

Check out the website for more info: brownstonedogwalkers.com or call (347) 685-9255. BDW will be at the 5th Avenue Fair, Park Slope on Sunday 18th May, where you can meet some of the walkers!

Speaking of pets, there are a number of wonderful pet businesses in the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID:

NYC Pet
218 5th Ave
nycpet.com

5th Avenue Cat Clinic
225 5th Avenue
bregmanvetgroup.com

Pet Boutique and Supply
320 5th Avenue
petboutiqueandsupply.com

Paws in Paradise
410 5th Avenue
pawsinparadisenyc.com

Park Slope Veterinary Care
413 5th Avenue
parkslopevets.com

Petland Discounts
510 5th Avenue
petlanddiscounts.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID Logo Contest!

It's true, there is a little bit of snow on the ground, but rest assured, it's still spring! The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is taking advantage of the season to do a bit of sprucing up, starting with their logo! See the posting below, which can also be viewed at parkslopefifthavenuebid.com/logocontest:

Calling Artists and Graphic Designers!

We're in the market for a brand new Logo to represent The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID)!

THE WINNING SUBMISSION TO BE AWARDED $5,000!

Who We Are: The Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) runs along Brooklyn's Fifth Avenue from Dean Street adjacent to the Barclays Center, to 18th Street. The BID provides marketing, business support and sanitation services to its 500+ members along the 30-block stretch of Fifth Avenue.



What We're Looking For: A new logo that reflects the Park Slope Fifth Avenue area — a vibrant mix of independently-owned shops, world-class restaurants and popular nightlife spots. The area is hip and it's growing. The logo will be used on the avenue's banners, promotional materials, websites, social media channels and on all BID printed materials.

Contest Dates

Starting Date: April 16, 2014
Deadline: May 16, 2014
Format: PDF or JPG Format via email to info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
Winning Submission Chosen: June 14, 2014 $5,000 prize

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Ground Floor Gallery Celebrating One Year!


Our friends at Ground Floor Gallery are marking one year in Park Slope, Brooklyn this week!

Help them celebrate at their Ground Floor Gala, coming up this Thursday, April 17, from 6 - 9pm.

Featured artists: Kevin Darmanie, Glenn Garver, Jack Henry, So Yoon Lym, Lina Puerta, and Allie Rex. Enjoy a special performance by Eliza Stamps from 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

Bubbly + small bites provided by Backyard!

Friday, April 11, 2014

South Slope News Editor



Our friends at South Slope News are looking for a new Editor. The current editor, Christine Bush, will be taking a different, less time-consuming role. In her place, they are looking for someone energetic, smart and talented to keep up with all of the news and happenings in the South Slope. Is that you? Check out the job posting here.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

THANK YOU!




A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to A Taste of Fifth last night. We truly appreciate your support for our community, our stores, bars and restaurants and our local charities! We broke our ticket-sale record last night and had to close sales at the door within 30 minutes. Yup, it was a sell out!

A big thanks to Poppy, Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store, Spoke the Hub, Tabeel, Flirt, Petrune, Body Reserve, Diana Kane, Goorin Bros., Hiho Batik, Bhoomki and Ground Floor Gallery for their amazing raffle items!

Also, we are eternally grateful for the hard work, time, effort and money donated by the 40 participating restaurants:

200 Fifth, ACME Wine and Spirits featuring Brooklyn Republic Vodka, Al Di La, Aperitivo, Backyard, Baluchi's, Benchmark, Beygl, Blue Sky Bakery, Bogota Latin Bistro, Bonnie’s Grill , Brooklyn Central, Brooklyn Crepe and Juice, Camelia, Chip Shop, The Chocolate Room, Coco Roco, Der Kommissar, Du Jour Bakery , Eagle Provisions, Fleisher's Grassfed and Organic Meats, Freddy’s Bar, Gorilla Coffee, Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn, L’Albero dei gelati, Le Pain Quotidien, Loki, Luke’s Lobster, The Monro, M&S Prime Meats, Palo Santo, Prospect Bar and Grill, Pure Bistro, South, Stone Park Cafe, Taco Santo, Uncle Louie G, V-Spot, Wangs Chicken, Yayo’s Latin Cuisine.

And, we are especially thankful to our sponsors:  Forest City Ratner, Tormaresca Wines, Phoenix/Beehive Distributors, Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Urbansitter.com and Park Slope Parents, without whom this event would not have been possible.

Oh, and Freddy's Bar threw a rockin' after-party. If you didn't drop by, you missed out!




Wednesday, April 9, 2014

ALMOST SOLD OUT!


Tonight is the big night! We look forward to seeing you all there.  Space is limited and sales may have to be cut off at the door. So, buy your tickets today via brownpapertickets.com before it's sold out!
Participants (in formation)
Blue Sky Bakery

Participating Charities:
Sponsored by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, Forest City Ratner, Tormaresca Wines, Phoenix/Beehive Distributors, Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Urbansitter.com. Media partner: Park Slope Parents

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

A Taste of Fifth Raffle


This year at A Taste of Fifth, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has added a raffle of items and gift certificates from the BID's amazing boutiques. Check out the list below before you attend. You'll receive one ticket at the door. Additional tickets are $1 a piece.

1. Jonathan Adler Totebag (worth $165)
Poppy, 217 5th Ave
poppy.myshopify.com 

2. Brooklyn cutting board from A.Heirloom
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, 232 5th Avenue
blueribbongeneralstore.net 

3. Four tickets to "America" A play with live music from Teatro Impiria, Italy. April 26
Spoke the Hub, 748 Union St
spokethehub.org 

4. Pearlessence Spa Mist: Ultrasonic Mister (worth $40)
Tabeel Aromatherapy, 76 5th Avenue
tabeel.com 

5. Two hours of private sewing lessons in Flirt’s sewing studio.
Flirt, 586 5th Avenue
flirt-brooklyn.com 

6. $25 gift certificate for Petrune Classic Clothing from Every Decade
Petrune, 233 5th Avenue
petrunebrooklyn.com 

7. Annual Gym Membership (worth $789)
Body Reserve, 207 5th Avenue
bodyreserve.com 

8. Two $25 Gift Certificates for Diana Kane’s boutique
Diana Kane, 229 5th Avenue
dianakane.myshopify.com 

9. $50 Gift Certificate towards any hat of your choice.
Goorin Bros., 195B 5th Avenue
goorin.com 

10. Gift Certificate to Make Your Own for Two T-shirts
Hiho Batik, 184 5th Avenue
hihobatik.com 

11. $25 Gift Certificate for Bhoomki Boutique
Bhoomki, 158 5th Avenue
bhoomki.com 

12. An original painting by a local artist!
Ground Floor Gallery, 343 5th Street
Groundfloorbk.com

Monday, April 7, 2014

This Week: A Taste of Fifth


This is it! A Taste of Fifth takes place this Wednesday at 6:30 pm at The Grand Prospect Hall!

Tickets are still available via brownpapertickets.com for $45. They will also be available at the door for $50. 

Food from 40 Fifth Avenue restaurants, free beer and wine, music and dancing and a raffle of items from our amazing businesses (detailed list tomorrow). Be there!

Is this your first time at A Taste of Fifth? Check out the photos from 2012 and 2013.

Friday, April 4, 2014

The Nutz and Botz Pop-Up Shop


Save the Date! On Friday, April 11th between 7pm and 10pm, our friends at Park Slope Eye will be hosting a special pop-up shop for The Nutz and Botz, a cool fantasy art project featuring creatures and robots. That's the best explanation we can give, based on their website, so you should check it out, as well. Their branded goods are colorful and amazing! Save the Date!


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Printutopia Moving


We're sad to say that our favorite local printer is moving from Fifth Avenue. Printutopia, located at 610 Fifth Avenue, created a lot of the colorful posters and banners for our BID events, including A Taste of Fifth. This week they will be moving to 393 Prospect and will no longer be operating out of a storefront.

The news isn't all bad, however.  You can still take advantage of their services (highly recommended) at a discount! You can work through their website (printutopia.com) and use the coupon code PDC151 to receive 15% off (one time use per account).

We wish the owners of Printutopia well in their new space. Good luck, guys!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

One Week To Go!





Just one more week until we celebrate A Taste of Fifth at The Grand Prospect Hall (Wednesday, April 9th, from 6:30 - 9:30pm)!

There are still tickets left. Get yours today via  brownpapertickets.com before 4:00 on April 9th. The price goes up to $50 at the door. 

Special Note to Parents: Need a babysitter? Urbansitter.com is offering a discount for anyone wishing to attend A Taste of Fifth. Just use coupon code Taste15 when making the reservation and receive $15 off of babysitting for the night!

Participants (in formation)

200 Fifth
ACME Wine and Spirits featuring Brooklyn Republic Vodka
Al Di La
Aperitivo
Backyard
Baluchi's
Benchmark
Beygl
Blue Sky Bakery

$20 of every ticket goes to the local charity of your choice, from the list below:

*Imani House

Sponsored by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID, Forest City Ratner, Tormaresca Wines, Phoenix/Beehive Distributors, Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Urbansitter.com. Media partner: Park Slope Parents

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Ombra at Fifth Estate


Next Friday, April 11th, 2014 at 8:30pm, drop by The Fifth Estate (506 5th Avenue (between 12th and  13th Streets in Park Slope, Brooklyn) for some amazing live dance performances! Contemporary movement company, Sawtooth Dancers (Artistic Director: Cristina Jasen) will be producing Ombra, a multimedia dance performance embedded within a dance party.

Performed by dancers Mandy Hackman, Cristina Jasen, Anahita Sarabhai, and singer Arla Berman, the piece draws from a hypnotic, Butoh-inspired physicality, and the dance performance emerges as episodic dreamscapes within a clubbing experience and a live cabaret. Performers Chelsea Rodriguez and Elaine Ruscetta light the space with handheld lamps, and as the piece moves through sudden episodes and real time, sound artist Michael Feld orchestrates an eclectic sound score that moves between live percussion, surreal electronic sound art, and 90s dance hits. With filmmakers and collabortors Eliot Routh and Gabriel Barreto, the piece will also feature projected video clips of the performance throughout the evening.

Tickets are $13 via brownpapertickets.com and $15 at the door. Don't miss this unique Fifth Avenue performance!