When I was ten, fall ranked behind kissing old people on my list of things I enjoyed. Fall meant no more baseball and a slow decent to another inevitably brutal winter. Then one day, in a Vermont town less populated than your average R train, fall changed in my mind forever.

I was playing a game I called "What in my front yard can I eat" when my mother told me my brother was over at Trent Maxwell's house and wanted me to come over. "They're building some sort of monster leaf pile," she said. I spit out some bark and frantically ran to get my bike.

When I got to Trent Maxwell's, my brother and Trent were putting the finishing touches on a mammoth leaf pile. "That's the biggest leaf pile I've ever seen!" I screeched.

"Wanna be the first to jump?" my brother asked. I stripped off my sweater, took a few steps back and sprinted towards the leaf pile.

I jumped into the air and I thought, "Today will be a day I never forget."

As I fell through the leaves, I braced myself to hit the ground, but where I was expecting solid earth was something sludgy, stinky and wet. They had built the leaf pile over an open sewer and had tricked me into jumping in it. My senses, which had been so pleasantly tantalized on the bike ride over, were now being blasted by the smells of sewage and the sound of exasperated laughter.

While few people in Park Slope can identify with jumping into an open sewer and being hosed down by their mother, they can probably identify with the paradox of fall. It's a few steps away from the oppressive heat of summer, but also only a few steps away from the dark frozen world of winter.

Hopefully, one thing that can make your fall afternoons more enjoyable are the new places opening up in the neighborhood. Their diversity and uniqueness will act as the sunny side of the street or your proverbial extra layer, no matter how the weather turns.

Go ahead, jump right in - I promise your landing will be more pleasant than mine was.

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The Addictive Sport of Not Falling

It's hard to get in shape. Not only is the physical act of working out hard, but the options out there make it harder. It can be hard to feel motivated when your brain knows it can talk you out of another rep or another mile. An alternative that is fun, different and certainly a hell of a workout has moved into the neighborhood - rock climbing. Brooklyn Boulders started as a group on Facebook, connecting the robust rock climbing community of NYC. Through the group, they gathered market research and information about what type of facility climbers wanted. The consensus was so strong - NYC needs a proper place to climb - that partners Lance Pinn, Stephen Spaeth and Jeremy Balboni decided to pull the trigger on a business plan written years ago. Spaeth's family business, Spaeth Design, has been building 3D marketing installations for over 50 years. Ever wonder who builds the intricate displays and miniature roller coasters in Macy's windows? That would be Spaeth Design. In its first permanent installation, Spaeth designed a rock climbing gym to encompass different styles of climbing for all levels, from novice to master climber, in the 18,000 square foot facility. When you first enter the facility, you see a curved wall for Bouldering (climbing without a rope) that stretches 20 feet up. Worried about falling? Don't be. Brooklyn Boulders built state-of-the art compression mats that are 1.5 feet thick so you can climb with confidence. Past the Bouldering wall, there is Lead Climbing (using carabiners and rope at specific spots on your route), and past that is their Top Roping walls where you are strapped in to a rope and can climb a replica of the tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. And you thought you'd shown your out of town friends everything cool about New York. Notorious climber, Ivan Greene, was the head root setter (where the ridges on the wall's surface are) and with help from volunteers from the climbing community drilled over 40,000 holes and put in as many T-nuts to make each place you put your hand or feet perfectly placed and secure. One of the other things about Brooklyn Boulders that separates it from most gyms is its membership options. Want to just come in one day and climb the Brooklyn Bridge? They have a $20 day pass option. Want to give it a shot, but not sure if it's going to stick enough for a full year commitment? They have 1, 3 and 6 month options as well as your standard annual option. The best deal might be their Learn The Ropes Class ($60) where you learn the basic techniques and get two day passes - the class by itself is usually $80. It's the only dedicated rock climbing facility in the city, it's huge and it's in your backyard. Your brain may be able to tell you to skip the next mile on the elliptical machine, but when you're halfway down a rock climbing wall, you've got nothing to do but push yourself. Put on some exercise clothes and get climbing. Brooklyn Boulders 575 Degraw St (between 3rd Ave & 4th Avenue) 347.834.9066 www.brooklynboulders.com

An Artisan's Approach to Fast Food

I need help. For the longest time I've had a deep burning desire to find out how many hot dogs I can eat in one sitting. There's no reason for me to know this. By no means have I ever been in a situation where I thought, "Damn! If only I knew how many hot dogs I could eat!" Bark, the new hot dog joint on Bergen, is tempting me to find out once and for all. The recession proof wonder food that is hot dogs are now available on the northern side of the Slope. Bark is not just another place that takes meat, throws it in a bun and calls it a hot dog. They are very vocal about their commitment to great food made from local, organic and sustainable sources.Bark's signature hot dogs are what makes them stand out. Among others, they have a Slaw Dog, a Beans and Frank dog (baked heirloom beans, smoky pork, onion and mustard), a Pickle Dog, (covered with house pickles, mustard and mayo), as well as a veggie dog made with roasted and marinated mushrooms, chickpeas and lentils. Add a shake and an order of disco fries (gravy and cheese) and you're good to go. Or if you're in a beer with your dog mood, try a Sixpoint Bark (a red ale created specifically for Bark). Draft beers are only $3 and are served in red cups that scream picnic. Growlers of their beer are also available. Bark also has seasonal specials, breakfast options and non-hot dog cuisine for non-hot dog eating people (a.k.a. Zombies). Cut me off if I'm on my 8th hot dog at Bark - 474 Bergen Street (between 5th and 6th Ave). 718.789.1939. www.barkhotdogs.com

I Gotta Have More Kabob

"It's all about the spices," says Aytac, the owner of the Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant that just opened on 7th Ave. at 7th Street. Now in its second location, Istanbul Park offers authentic Turkish cuisine for Park Slopers to dine in, take out, pick up or have delivered. Aytac has wanted to open a Turkish restaurant in the neighborhood ever since he was a pizza delivery guy and noticed Park Slope's cuisine curiosity, but no Turkish cuisine options. When he found the right place, he decided it was time to bring Turkey to the Slope. "People who eat in Istanbul and eat here will see it's the same food made fresh," he says as he shows me their lunch special that comes with your choice of soup, salad or appetizer for under $10. Istanbul Park offers authentic Turkish details that will make your meal stand out from other Mediterranean food, such as homemade Turkish bread instead of pita (fluffier, thicker and sweeter), Turkish style coffee, tea and Raki (a traditional Turkish anise flavored alcohol made from grapes and similar to Italian Grappa). One other plus for you night crawlers is their hours - open till 1:00 a.m. Monday thru Sunday. Istanbul Park is at 293 7th Avenue (between 7th and 8th Street). 718.832.3400.

Where Grumpy Meets Fancy

"Contains tastes of Cinnamon, raisins, sweet & tart with an orange peel finish." Is this description for: a) Wine b) Coffee c) Cinnamon Raisin Orange Peel Candy It's coffee. More specifically, it's Kenyan coffee made in Cafe Grumpy's Clover machine. Clover machines are starting to pop up around the neighborhood (with potential more to come as Starbucks purchased the company that makes the machines). They are advanced coffee machines that brew cups of coffee, similar to the way a French press does, but using vacuum filtration systems and individual times/temperatures for different types of beans creates a cup of coffee more complex than your traditional drip style. At Cafe Grumpy, this isn't a luxury, it's your only choice of coffee. While to some that might seem limiting, they offer 4-5 diverse, regional flavors from coffee havens such as Kenya, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Ethiopia (among others). If the thought of 4 completely different tasting coffees coming from the same machine excites you, you'll have to become a regular as they update their selection frequently. If it all just seems too overwhelming and there isn't enough time to try everything, Cafe Grumpy now offers coffee tasting flights. While it's not a "sit down with your lap top" place, it's the perfect 'grab an exceptional cup of coffee and take on the rest of your day' place. Cafe Grumpy 383 7th Avenue (between 11th and 12th Street) www.cafegrumpy.com

Last I Checked, Coffee is Cheaper Than Airfare

There are more cost-effective options. Instead of spending $45 on a bottle of wine at a fancy restaurant, I'll drink a $10 bottle before heading to dinner. Instead of paying $30 for a lobster, I'll watch the movie Aliens and eat tuna from a can. One measure you can take that is cost-effective and can serve as a suitable replacement is instead of taking a trip to Paris, take a trip to Cafe Regular Du Nord on Berkeley Street. This cozy cafe feels warm, calm and sophisticated. It's the type of place where you don't feel uncomfortable by people not talking. Many might be familiar with Cafe Regular's other location (on 11th street in South Slope), but this cafe makes a name for itself in a homey space that feels like you're on a back street in Montmartre. Their coffee (La Colombe from Pennsylvania, but rooted in French temperament) is a lighter roast for those of you who are tired of an aggressively dark, "I can't tell if you already added milk to this?!" roast. The cappuccino and lattes are made with such quality and precision you'll be sure to peacefully savor every drop. Grab a pastry, get some coffee and sit in Paris while being a few feet from 7th Ave. Cafe Regular du Nord is located at 158 Berkeley Pl (between 6th and 7th Avenue)

Sincerity Affliction

Some businesses have, "User Disconnectitus." Basically, it's a condition that occurs when people who run a business have no idea what the people who buy their products or use their services actually like. Some places, however, have the opposite issue. From the second you walk in the door, you realize the people who put everything they had into the business, created a place they have wanted to go to for years. This is called "Sincerity Affliction." One place certainly ripe with Sincerity Affliction is Littlefield, the new performance and art space that opened on Degraw Street. Littlefield is different than most places you've seen a show. The landscaped courtyard in front offers a place to relax and enjoy the weather without feeling like you've been exiled. The bar itself, made out of salvaged bowling alley lanes, offers a nice perch to sit and peruse the genuinely unique and tasty cocktails. The sound system is state-of-the-art and provides the necessary dynamics to accommodate performances that range from the sonic assault of rock, to the bass and vocal clarity of hip-hop. A retractable partition allows performances to be intimate or truly large. Other performances at Littlefield include monthly art exhibits, literary events and film screenings, with more types of performances on the horizon. One thing that separates Littlefield from other spaces (besides the incredibly clean bathrooms) is the space's commitment to the environment. The sound walls were constructed out of recycled rubber from tires, while the energy is supplied from wind power. In the near future, Littlefield looks to build a grey-water system and a landscaped roof to reduce their environmental footprint even more. Check out their website for a show that hits your interest or head over for their happy hour to enjoy a drink and soak in the abundance of Sincerity Affliction. Littlefield is at 622 Degraw Street (between 4th and 3rd Avenue). 718.855.3388. www.littlefieldnyc.com. Opened Thursday - Sunday. Check the website for mid-week events.

Banh Mi Brewhaha

Ok, kids. This might get ugly. The gloves have been dropped and the battle of Banh Mi has begun. In what sounds like a sitcom story turned real life feud, Henry Huynh has opened a banh mi shop less than four blocks away from the more established Hanco's on 7th Avenue. Not enough drama? How about this little doozy: Henry is a former employee of Hanco's (cut to clip of nuclear bomb going off.) While the drama seems like the spiciest thing going on between these two banh mi shops, it's the food that really shines. Henry's stands on its own and people who crave the subtle differences in a sandwich as complex and flavor intense as banh mi will think the sandwiches at each place are worlds apart in their own way. Giving them both a whirl around the taste buds is the only way to decide where your loyalties lay. Grab a sandwich for comparison or a smoothie for a Henry specific treat at 431 7th Ave (between 14th and 15th Street).

Free Wine & Cheese Lovers Rejoice!

What do you do when you have almost 40 artists working in a 14,000 square foot arts facility on two floors of a former Renault factory? You expand. This past July, MadArts Studios Gallery had their premiere show called INTRO and exhibited individual pieces from all of the studio's residents in a show of their artists' talent and diversity. The art created at MadArts ranges from painting, photography, sculpture, installations and video. Every 4-6 weeks, the exhibits rotate and showcase three MadArts artist's work in a space that is inviting and allows each artist's to stand alone. The gallery hosts a reception to inaugurate the new exhibits, but don't just wait for the wine and cheese event to stop by. The gallery is open Thursday thru Sunday and offers a casual and intimate setting to take in art created at the studios down the street. MadArts Studio Gallery is at the corner of 5th Avenue and 10th street. www.madarts.org.

I'm Looking For Something I Don't Know Exists, But Is Perfect For My Nephew's Birthday

Sometimes I'm not sure what people mean when they say "charming;" there are times I think people mean quaint, cute and pleasant. There are other times I think they're just trying to find a nice way to say something is small, cramped and cluttered. The good news for Scaredy Kat is they no longer have to worry about hearing the word "charming" and wonder if it's anything less than a compliment. Scaredy Kat is not a new business, but they've had new life breathed into them after moving across the street into their new, bigger, space. The nature of Scardey Kat's business is to have a plethora of unique and quirky gifts. Letting your eyes take them in one at a time lets you soak in the store's sincere charm. Scaredy Kat began ten years ago as a simple creative outlet for owners Nora & Damond. Soon they had their own line of greeting cards and gathered gifts you wouldn't know how to find without stopping by. At first glance, the gifts in the store almost feel random, as if the clocks, frames, games and jewelry weren't ever meant to be in the same store. Then, as you continue through the store you start to realize that each gift is tied together because they are all interesting and make you smile. You'll find something at Scaredy Kat you didn't expect and will be excited to give. Check out their collection of cards, vintage post cards, toys, jewelry, custom cards/announcements, etc., etc., etc., at 232 5th Avenue (between President and Carroll). 718.623.1839 www.scaredykatstore.com

Distance Makes the Heart Grow...

Roberto Santibañez is making a restaurant that represents the type of style he's used to. Combining Northern and Southern Mexican cuisine, Fonda creates Mexican dishes that are sophisticated and savory. Check out the extensive and deliberately interesting drink options (including many varieties of Margaritas such as Hibiscus and Guava). Hope you like spicy because the food isn't afraid to kick your tongue around. For those of you who have been waiting for Mexican food worth sitting down for, get your flautas at Fonda 434 Seventh Ave. (between 14th and 15th Street) 718.369.3144

Sushi in 5 Questions

I eat a lot of sushi, but I'm terrible at verbalizing what I think makes a good sushi restaurant. To compensate, I've developed a series of 5 questions I ask when I go out for sushi: I recently put Sushi Ya, the new sushi restaurant on 5th Avenue and Union, to the test. Here's how it works: Does this food taste cheap or stale?: Nope, Sushi Ya has a variety of fish/seafood that tastes fresh and complex. Are there things on this menu that I think sound adventurous?: You bet. How about the Sushi Sandwich (Spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, eel, tempura flak and rice wrapped in a soy beat sheet and cut into sandwich like pieces) or the Fish Avocado Ship (Assorted raw fish, caviar, crunchy and spicy mayo on top of a 1/2 avocado and drizzled with yuzu sauce). Does everything on the menu sound too adventurous?: The Special Rolls are hard to pass up, many are unique combinations I had never seen before, but there are also your go-to standards done exceptionally well. Do I feel like this sushi restaurant will turn into a dance club at any minute?: Nope, Sushi Ya feels like a comfortable invite into someone's home. Not the inside of an iPod. What was the star of the meal?: Too many times, you walk away from a meal thinking about the service, the decor or the prices. At Sushi Ya, while you might be impressed by any of those things, the thing you walk away from is the delicious food. Sushi Ya is at 201 5th Avenue (between Union and Sackett). 718.230.5636 www.sushiyajc.com

If you have a new business opening in Park Slope, South Slope or Prospect Heights area, let us know! office@psreader.com