Nostrand Park

How will Atlantic Yards Affect Crown Heights?

Now that it seems that Atlantic Yards is pretty much a done deal, we were curious what folks think might be the spillover effects, if any, on Crown Heights. Interestingly, during last year's local city council elections, almost all of the candidates for Crown Heights' 36th district - a district located at the bookend of Atlantic Yards - said that they were in favor of the project.  The candidates for the 35th district - which covers not only parts of Crown Heights but also the heart of the A...

Sue Rock Originals in Danger of Closing

We just got word that local non-profit, Sue Rock Originals, is in danger of closing. For five years, Sue Rock Originals has pursued a higher mission -to support and encourage women who leave the cycle of abuse by providing them with new clothes and an opportunity for self-sufficiency. Tirelessly we have donated handcrafted items to women and their families living in domestic violence shelters throughout New York City. If we are unable to raise $25,000 in the next month we will have to close...

East of Nostrand

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The Union of the Unemployed

I recently lost my job. It came as quite a shock after five years of producing a national talk radio show. Budget cutbacks were the reason. Fortunately, I was given a severance package and my health benefits will be paid until the end of April. Soon, I will have to join the millions of others collecting unemployment. Again, I'm probably luckier than most because my wife is working and I'll be able to qualify for her health plan. It's not as good as mine was, but it's certainly better than nothin...

East of Nostrand

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer // All Photos: Shawn Rosvold

Harmony – New Album from Hasidic Hip-Hop Artist DeScribe

We came across this teaser on Jewilicious the other day: It's certainly striking to encounter a Hasidic rap artist; but if you were to see the unique cultural blend anywhere, it makes sense that it would happen here in Crown Heights.  After all,  Crown Heights is home to the likes of Matisyahu (the Hasidic reggae artist) and Yosef Abrahamson (an African-American Hasidic Jew).  Additionally hip-hop has been multi-cultural from its inception, bringing together African American, Puerto Rican...

Crown Heights’ Super Wings Crowned Best Wings in Brooklyn

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer // We've been telling folks, and now it's official.  Crown Heights' Super Wings has been crowned the best wings in Brooklyn, beating out 16 other challengers from across Brooklyn. From Super Wings FB page: "Superwings has won the battle for the best wings in Brooklyn!!! We won against 16of the best wing spots in Brooklyn.  We entered our Ginger Buff / Lava Sauce.   Thanks to the entire SWNY family & especially to our SWNY sup...

Can Starlite Lounge Be Saved?

NP Update (2/19/10 at 11:29 a.m.): We just received the following (uncorroborated) email from a tipster: Just heard a tip that Starlite was served with a 72 hour Notice to vacate on Tuesday!!!!  They could be forcibly removed today. But the tipster also noted that court records indicate that Starlite still has a pending case in front of the court, which might mean that they actually have some time before the landlord can try to make them vacate. Interestingly enough, we were walking by Star...

Can An Intake Center and a Recreation Center Coexist?

Would you feel comfortable attending or sending your children to a recreation center housed in a homeless men's shelter?  This is what the ongoing debate around a proposal to transform the Bedford-Atlantic Armory into a Homeless Men's Intake Center and a Recreation Center essentially boils down to.  In a community where many residents are already leery of sending their children to public schools, the prospect of sending them to play at a venue that doubles as a social service center for adult me...

Protest at Starlite Lounge

Yesterday, the Damon S. Allen Foundation Against Violence, in collaboration with community groups and residents of Crown Heights, hosted a press conference protesting the eviction of the historic Starlite Lounge, the oldest Black-owned, non-discriminating pub in Brooklyn. From the press release "For the last five decades the Starlite Lounge has been a safe haven to members of our community and a space of significant historical relevance for New York City residents. This incredible run in ...