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The Slope Survey: Daniella Stromberg

June 26, 2018 By admin Filed Under: Slope Survey Tagged With: Brooklyn, interview, local, Park Slope, Slope Survey, spa, spring

The Slope Survey returns for its 8th installment with Daniella Stromberg, a native New Yorker, born and raised in the West Village and owner of d’mai Urban Spa on Fifth Avenue. Daniella opened the spa in 2004. Working with her team to provide a neighborhood sanctuary has been both a thrilling learning experience and a true honor as well.

What brought you to Park Slope?

I moved back to NYC in 1994. I had been living in Amsterdam and somehow returning to Manhattan just felt wrong. Park Slope was beautiful, progressive, had a great Park and seemed close to “the city” (as we called it then).

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Before opening d’mai, friends and I celebrated my new lease by drinking champagne in the old fish market before construction. It was basically just all cement – a blank canvas filled with possibility.

Describe your community superpower.

Kindness.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

I wish more of our restaurants stayed open later.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Things are always changing! It’s so hard to know what this next wave will look like…I imagine even more skyscrapers. To be honest, I find them jarring right now. In 10 years, I think the waterfront and canal restoration will bring the new and old together beautifully.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?

I’m actually re-reading “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, by David Sedaris. I love it just as much as the first 4 or 5 reads.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Full length cashmere bathrobe; I’ve had it for many years and it still looks and feel amazing.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

Easy—the North Fork of Long Island!

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

I’m blown away by the student activists. They’ve given us hope that our nation really will get through this.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

The fact that winter is over and SPRING IS HERE.

Slope Survey: Diana Kane English

December 13, 2017 By admin Filed Under: Slope Survey Tagged With: Diana Kane English, feminist, interview, local, neighborhood, Park Slope, small business, Survey

The Slope Survey returns for its 6th installment with Diana Kane English, owner of the Diana Kane Boutique on Fifth Avenue. Among many other things, Diana is the creator of the ubiquitous “feminist” t-shirt that you may have noticed around the neighborhood.

What brought you to Park Slope?

Park Slope was my landing spot in NYC in 1993 because I got to stay in a friend’s apartment while he was away.. then I moved to (gasp!) Manhattan, but I was back in1996 when I met my now husband (his place was bigger than mine).

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment? Well.. both my kids were born at home .. those feel like a pretty Park Slope moments, and they were certainly memorable.

Describe your community superpower.

I’m a talker and a connecter. Bringing people together is my superpower, and it gives me lots of pleasure.

Tell us what a good day for is.

Enjoying all that my ‘hood has to offer: easy school drop off, yoga, or a walk in the park, coffee with friends, and then a day in the store hanging with my fun, friendly, smart, discerning customers. Seeing people wearing and living with things they bought at my store always makes me feel good too, and I’m lucky enough to have that happen pretty frequently.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years? in 20 years?

I think PS will be pretty similar to what it is now, but more so. As long as we have brownstones, Prospect Park, and the Food Co-op, we’ll still be us.

What were your childhood nicknames?

Bird, shrimp. But you know, if you call me that I may kill you.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Do the Cotton Candy grapes at the co-op count?

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

Rome.. or maybe Paris or maybe a cabin in the back woods of Maine.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Colin Kaepernick; Michelle Obama; anyone persevering in the face of challenges.

You can visit Diana at her boutique:

DIANA KANE

229 5th Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-638-6520

https://www.dianakane.com

SENSIBLE SUNNING

June 13, 2017 By admin Filed Under: Healthy Living

Summer is coming, and so is the annual ritual of spending time outdoors by the beach or the lake. And of course most people follow the modern ritual of going into the sun covered by a plastic goo called . . . sunscreen! How ever did we get to a notion that the sun, that life-giving element, is our constant enemy? While it is true that even the best thing can at times be detrimental (think King Midas), the negative aspect of sunning has almost obliterated its positive side in the public mind today.

Sunlight is required for the internal production of vitamin D. Surprising amounts of research are now showing that a deficiency of that vitamin is associated with a large number of disease states, including osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and many different kinds of cancers including those of the breast, colon, ovary and kidney. Studies have also found that lack of vitamin D is implicated in the tendency of older people to fall.

Vitamin D, essential for human health, is more a hormone than a vitamin, as it is secreted by the body under the influence of sunlight. This activity involves the skin, the liver, and the kidneys, and about 36 hours after the sun exposure the synthesized vitamin D (known as cholecalciferol, or vitamin D₃)is available in the bloodstream. It has multiple effects, one of major ones being that of helping the absorption of calcium from the intestines. The body can store this “vitamin” for several months, so that we can survive the winter with little or no sunshine. Of course, comes the spring, and everybody is out again trying to get some sun. Latitude has a lot to do with the availability of sunlight – people below the 40^th parallel get better exposure.

However, although it used to be that there was very little vitamin D deficiency in sunny climes, this seems to be no longer the case. The deficiency has been found in Hawaii, Florida, and other places where the weather is often bright. What is going on here? Three things: 1) people (adults and especially children) stay indoors a great deal of the time, with work, homework, computers, and TV; 2) when outside, people don’t necessarily walk to where they’re going, but take the car, bus, train, or other covered conveyance, the glass windows of which do not admit the UV rays; and 3) if they do go out, they cover themselves or their children in abundant sunblock creams. Considering that a sunblock of SPF 8 prevents the body from getting as much as 85% of the normal vitamin D, anything higher means you get NONE.

What about skin cancer? The role of the sun in that disease has been vastly overrated. Recently someone in my class took me to task over this issue. She said her father had died of melanoma. I was of course distressed at the news. Then I asked her, where was the melanoma? On his back, she said. I asked if her father regularly worked under the sun with his shirt off. No, he was an indoor person. My question then, what has the sun to do with a melanoma on the back? I believe, rather than the sun causing the cancer by itself, that it pulls to the surface various toxins, drugs, or what have you that may be stored inside the body, and it is those toxins themselves, rather than the actual sun, that cause the cancer.

Interestingly, a number of studies have found that there is an inverse relationship between the incidence of cancer and the exposure to sunlight – that is, the more cancer, the less sunlight, and viceversa.(Moan, Porojnicu et al. 2008) Hospital patients who are put in sunny rooms recuperate a lot faster than those in rooms with little daylight.(Walch, Rabin et al. 2005). Sunlight is a nutrient much like food, and the lack of it can give us many problems, both physical (as we just saw) and psychological – lack of sunlight is associated with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), and possibly depression.

What to do, then, to get sufficient vitamin D into our system? The aim is to be sensible, and in terms of sun exposure, the main issue is to get enough but to AVOID BURNING. For redheads, this may mean no more ten minutes in the sun at a time. For those a bit less sensitive, twenty minutes a day for 3-4 days per week may do it. For Caucasians, a very slight skin redness is OK, and developing a light tan is OK too – that allows for a little longer exposure. For those with darker skin, sun exposure may need to be considerably more, maybe 8 to 10 times more. Each person should know how much sun is enough for his or her body.

In warm seasons, sun exposure should start carefully as the weather warms, and can be increased over time as the skin tans. This also depends on the surroundings: you get more UV rays in places with reflective surfaces, such as sand, water, and snow. In such areas, you may get your vitamin D if you stay in the shade with enough skin exposed (say 40-50% or so), with less likelihood of burning.

In the unfortunate case that you’ve had too much sun, slather plenty of fresh aloe vera gel on your reddened skin – repeat before going to sleep. One redhead in my class who had sorely overdone her sunning, spent about 2 hours submerged in a cool bath, which helped pull the excess heat from her body and avoided the sunburn. In addition, foods rich in antioxidants (colorful vegetables and fruit, especially berries) help lower your risk of burning.

The most noticeable benefit from making your own vitamin D from sun exposure is that you cannot get an overdose – when your body has had enough, it stops making it. Getting an overdose of vitamin D from supplements or fortified foods can be quite toxic and dangerous; it’s called “hypervitaminosis D” and is characterized by high blood calcium and soft tissue calcification which can occur in the brain, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and kidneys.

If you are concerned about whether you have enough vitamin D in your system, check with a health professional. There are blood tests that can tell you – ideally, you should have between 45 and 55 ng/ml. Below that you get into deficiency status. However, you can go much higher with the sunlight approach, maybe up to 80 ng/ml.

Any vitamin D in foods? Indeed there is some, mostly in eggs and fish. Fish livers are particularly rich; the classic Northern European source is cod liver oil. Try a couple of teaspoons per day in some juice during the winter months. There are vitamin D precursors in vegetables, notably parsley and shiitake mushrooms. So then here is a nice recipe for a vitamin D boost, not as good as sunshine, but it certainly can help.

By Annemarie Colbin

We are They: Post Election Thoughts 2016

November 14, 2016 By admin Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Democrat, fear, hate, racism, Republican, sexism, xenophobia

By Mark Nepo

I have felt compelled to speak since the election of Donald Trump but every time I try, my heart sinks and I don’t know what to say. I was born in Brooklyn, New York, six years after World War II, after the defeat of Hitler and fascism, six years after the Holocaust, in which I had family perish. As a child, I saw unfathomable images of how the Atomic bomb obliterated Hiroshima. In grade school, we practiced hiding under our desks, as if that would keep us from being incinerated. I came of age in the sixties, part of a hopeful generation who questioned the war in Vietnam. I later saw the Berlin wall come down, and witnessed the first African-American president sworn in on the steps of a White House built by slaves. During my lifetime, there has been a slow, steady awakening of community that has upheld America as the land of the free. Through all this, I have grown to understand that, different as we are in what we believe, there is no they. We are they.

Given this paradox inherent in freedom, I have tried to stay true to what I know while listening to the opposite views of others. But the underpinnings of this election fall below politics, below Democrat or Republican. Because half of us have elected a man whose way in the world is built on fear and hate, whose tolerance for difference is tissue paper thin, whose understanding of strength is based on vengeance.

As I witness the level of racism, sexism, xenophobia, and unchannelled anger that is spilling out of us as a nation, I fear that Donald Trump has poked and stirred the darker angels of our nature. Now we are taking our turn, as civilizations before us, in the ever-present challenge to give in to fear or to empower each other to be brave enough to love, brave enough to discover and accept that we are each other.

For no matter where we come from, no matter how we got here, we all yearn to be seen, heard, and respected. We all long to belong and to be understood as whole and good. We all long to be needed. And all our gifts are needed to contribute to the tapestry of freedom.

So I am afraid today, afraid the noise of hate is drowning out the resilience of love that is always near. I fear that we are tripping into a dark age. If so, then, as medieval monks kept literacy alive during the dark ages in Europe, those of us committed to a life of care are challenged now to keep the literacy of the heart alive.

At a basic crossroad

For all the things we care about, all the endeavors of respect that we treasure, all the humble ways of finding strength in our kindness—all our efforts of heart matter now more than ever. We are at a basic crossroads between deepening the decency in how we care for each other, and the contagion of making anything different from us the enemy. And, as history has shown us, if we don’t recognize ourselves in each other, all is lost.

We must remain open and steadfast in the face of fear and violence. We must never make a principle of what turns us dark. And we must keep voicing the truth of human decency, no matter the brutalities that try to quiet us. Without this commitment to care and truth, we will become as heartless as those now lost in anger.

Most of all, we must pick each other up when we are heavy with despair. For the sun doesn’t stop shining because some of us are blind. Nor will the grace of democracy vanish because some of us are violently afraid to be in the world.

Still, we are they. And the timeless choice between love and fear, individually and as a nation, is not a choice of policy. It is the choice of decency that keeps us human. In the face of this dark disturbance that is upon us, I implore each of us to be kind and truthful, to be a lantern in the dark, and to call out prejudice wherever we see it. In addition to whatever ways we each are called to gather, participate, legislate, or protest, I implore each of us to never stop watering the seeds of human decency.

I implore us to stay devoted to the proposition that when filled with love, we can work as angels here on earth, using our care-filled hands as wings. Never forget that we are more together than alone.

Read Mark’s article: In Conversation with Life

It’s Summer, Dog. Get Moving!

August 17, 2015 By admin Leave a Comment Filed Under: Bark Slope Tagged With: cat, cats, dog, dogs, exercise, health, pets, vet

As the temperature grows warmer and the days grow longer, many of us feel the urge to get outside and increase our level of activity. What better way of doing this than getting some exercise with our canine companions?

Exercising with your pet is a great way to bond and has health benefits—physical and psychological—for both of you. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 54 percent of America’s pets are overweight or obese. Starting an exercise routine with your pet is an important step toward maintaining a healthy weight.
Exercise can also help your dog burn off the excess energy that can lead to behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, destructive chewing or digging, and attention-getting behavior such as barking, whining, and jumping up on people.
The additional activity is good for people, too. Did you know that studies have shown pet owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, whereas non-pet owners only clock about 168 minutes? That translates into a greater number of calories burned, improved cardiovascular fitness, as well as better mental and emotional well-being.

Warm-up/Cool down

Just like humans, there are some warm-up and cool down routines that may benefit your dog. Launching immediately into strenuous exercise increases your pet’s risk of spraining or pulling a muscle or developing cramps. And by cooling down, you allow your dog to catch his breath. His heart rate will return to normal, and the likelihood of post-exercise soreness will decrease as lactic acid is removed from his system.
The length of your warm-up or cool-down depends on you and your dog’s individual requirements, but five to ten minutes should be enough for your dog’s body to adjust. It can be as simple as taking a light jog or a brisk walk with your dog before and after engaging in any intense exercise.
Routines suitable and safe for your dog will depend on aspects such as age and pre-existing orthopedic conditions, so it is essential to consult with your veterinarian prior to starting a warm-up or cool down/stretching routine.

Get  Moving! 

Are you or your pet new to exercise? The first step is to schedule a check-up for your pet to ensure there aren’t any heart or respiratory problems that should be addressed.
Once your pet has a clean bill of health, get started by introducing a ten minute walk into your daily routine. Try taking a stroll around Prospect Park and gradually build the length and intensity of your sessions as you and your pet adjust to the increased activity. Be sure to vary your route occasionally to give your pet new places to smell and explore.
For those who are already more active, on-leash running, inline skating, and bicycling are fun activities to do with a canine companion.

Here are a couple of important points to keep in mind:
• Dogs aren’t all well suited for jogging or running long distances. Many are built for short, intense bursts of speed. If you do decide to run with your dog, be careful not to overextend her. If she seems sore or exhausted after a jog, cut back next time.
• Be sure to check your dog’s paws after a run. Dogs are susceptible to blisters, just like humans. Hot pavement can also be damaging to a dog’s paws. Consider running or cycling on soft surfaces that won’t be as harmful, such as dirt or grass trails. You can also purchase booties to protect your dog’s pads.
• Sustained running or jogging isn’t recommended for young dogs whose bones are still growing. If you have a young dog, be sure to check with your veterinarian before taking her on a run.

If you’re looking for something more structured, try an exercise class designed specifically for dogs and their owners, such as Go Fetch Run (gofetchrun.com). Classes meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. in Prospect Park.

Heat-Related  Illness

As we enter the “dog days” of summer, it’s important to be aware of the heat-related illnesses that have the potential to turn a fun afternoon activity into an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital.
The most common heat-related illness people hear about is heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises to a high level, inciting inflammation and organ failure. Avoid heatstroke by knowing limitations of your dog, breed specific problems and giving your dog time to adjust to the heat.
Our dogs dissipate heat through their skin and through evaporation from their respiratory tract via panting. They cannot sweat in the same way we do. Humidity makes heat loss through evaporation even more difficult, so be especially careful on humid days.
If your pet does become overheated, contact a veterinarian immediately. You can spray the animal down with room temperature or cool water, but never ice water. Ice cold water causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin and heat can’t escape the body, which makes heat exhaustion symptoms worse.
Don’t give sports drinks or electrolyte supplements to pets. Supplements like sports drinks can actually harm animals and make pets sick.
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark red gums are all signs of heat-related distress. If your pet is panting uncontrollably or collapses, take the animal to your veterinarian or nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Pet owners should also remember to make sure their pets have access to plenty of water at all times. It’s also good to stay near shady spots where a dog can rest and cool off if necessary. There are a number of pet-friendly businesses in our area that will provide water and a place to cool off for you and your pooch. Check Brooklynforpets.com for an up-to-date list.
Certain breeds, termed brachycephalic (short head), are at greater risk for heat-related illness because they have conformations that make heat loss from the respiratory tract difficult. Brachycephalic breeds include French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs. These breeds should be exercised with extreme caution. A simple walk around the block may cause their temperature to rise to dangerous or even life-threatening levels.

Getting  Used  to  the  Heat

A good way to head off heat-related problems is to ensure your pet has adjusted to the warmer summer weather. Heat acclimatization is the body’s gradual physiological adaptation to heat stress. It is what makes an exercise a month into the summer less taxing than that same exercise in the first few hot days. Heat stress on the body is generated by the environment (a hot day), normal metabolism, and exercise.
Acclimatization includes changes such as salt conservation, changes in blood volume, and in humans, the amount we sweat. Heat acclimatization in humans takes around two weeks, so keep this in mind as you begin to take your dog out in the heat.
Also, consider exercising your pet early in the morning or later in the evening when the heat isn’t as intense.

Just  Do  It

Exercise can be fun and beneficial for both you and your dog. Whatever activity you choose, be sure it is one that is safe and that you both enjoy. Also, remember to use your common sense and consult your primary care veterinarian if you have any questions.

Dr. David Wohlstadter is a senior emergency clinician with BluePearl Veterinary Partners. He is also certified in canine rehabilitation therapy.

Park Slope’s New Businesses – Week of July 17th

July 17, 2015 By admin Filed Under: New Wave Tagged With: fries, pasta, pizza, poutine, restaurants

Park Slope’s cheap eats scene continues to grow with two new restaurants.

Poutine at Perfect Potato

Perfect Potato

172 5th Avenue |(917) 909 – 0465

It’s a common complaint amongst Canadian expats that there is simply no good poutine in New York City. As of Perfect Potato’s opening a few weeks ago, they may have to hold their tongue. Owner Stephanie Seitman spent a great deal of time studying poutine all over Canada, which included her time as an intern at the Chez Claudette in Montreal. As such, she takes a great deal of pride in not only her classic poutine, but also her specialized versions. For fans of poutine who are trying to add more vegetables to their diet, the Mushroom poutine offers some greens in the form of peas – along with onions and, of course, mushrooms. That said, the true favorite for brunch fanatics in Park Slope will be the Hangover poutine. While Perfect Potato (tragically) will not be open for super late nights, poutine is an excellent remedy in the morning after a night on the town.

Patsy's Pizza

Patsy’s Pizzeria

450 Dean Street | patsyspizza.nyc

Pizza, pasta — the Italian duo. Patsy’s offers these things, plus the classic Italian New Yorker charm. Fans of thin crust pizza will be pleased, as the pizza is light and easy to eat. The pies are large enough to feed a table of two, or perhaps a very hungry table of one. If pizza isn’t your thing but seafood very much is, the Scoglio is a must-try. Clams, mussels, shrimp calamari with squid ink tagliatelle and marinara sauce is a delight. While Pasty’s seems to be located in area with plenty of pizza-related competition, its personable staff will surely make it stand out amongst the rest. If nothing else, the fact that it’s right by the Barclays Center will surely attract hungry event-goers!

Bulldogs for Bastille Day

July 13, 2015 By admin Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Bastille Day, benefit, Cobble Hill, dogs, pets

All Smiles for the French Bulldog Party! — All smiles for the French Bulldog party!

Instead of storming the Bastille, these Frenchies were storming the water bowls in Cobble Hill last Saturday. For their fourth year in a row the fine goods store By Brooklyn held a French Bulldog party to raise money for a non-profit animal-related organization. This year, they raised money for Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue, a non-profit organization that rescues all breeds of dogs from high-kill shelters in the United States.

Ever passionate, the French Bulldog community in Brooklyn turned out to the party in full force. Several of the attendees had their own Instagram presence, like the fashionable Walter, the affable Enzo, and the petite puppy, Frank. Overall, the event attracted thirty-two French bulldogs — Oh. And 100 non-canine guests attended as well.

Sniff, sniff. Do I know you from somewhere?

While the human attendees may not have been the main attraction, there were plenty of sponsors who donated to cater to their tastes. One Girl Cookies and Stinky Bklyn donated the cookies and cheese, respectively. After all, sweets and cheese are pivotal to La Fête nationale, right? While wine was definitely available, guests were also treated to sake from Dassara Ramen and beer from the Gowanus-based Threes Brewing. Most importantly, however, there were plenty of dog treats and water bowls on hand to please all the pups.

Wine, Sake, and Beer were available to drink - as well as Water, of course. — Wine, sake, and beer were available to drink – as well as water, of course!

Between all the bullies, their owners, and other guests who just wanted to come and see the dogs, the benefit raised $1,100 for the Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue. Whether they’re Frenchies or not, the real winners are Brooklyn’s dogs.
If you happen to be the owner of a Schnauzer or a Dachshund, keep an eye on By Brooklyn’s Facebook page. They have a similar event planned for Oktoberfest in October!

Local Park Slope Comic Carolyn Castiglia Makes Her Own Late Night Show at The Slipper Room

July 10, 2015 By admin Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: comedy, review, shows

Carolyn Castiglia opens her show with rhyme. — Carolyn Castiglia opens her show with rhythm and rhyme.

Before the show started, the audience was asked to submit topics via Twitter for the Rap-O-Logue. While I wasn’t entirely certain what sort of topics they wanted, I decided that I would tweet about a current event that would be amusing enough for a late night talk show host’s opening monologue. After all, this was meant to mirror shows like The Tonight Show, right?

@RightNowCKC NBC dumping Trump

Good. That should make for an easy one-liner, I thought.

But Right NOW! isn’t a mere copycat of talk shows. It’s a whirlwind of energy that sweeps the audience into interacting with the show–the tweets only being one such part.

Turns out that people tweet could suggest anything. Sure, you can tweet about current events like Republican Presidential Nominees and Rachel Dolezal, but you are more than welcome to tweet any random word, like “slacks,” and Park Slope native Carolyn Castiglia will fit the topic into her verses as she raps her opening monologue at the start of the show. In retrospect, I really wish I had tweeted something random like, “Brussel sprouts.” Or maybe “Apple orchard” would have been better? Oooh! Next time, I’ll tweet “the Gowanus Whole Foods!” Ah, well. I can’t change the past. I must look forward to the future!

Especially since this show’s theme was about just that–the Future. Each show has a theme for the evening. This means the variety sketches, the guests, and the game show component will all be tied together in some way.

The game part of the show required two volunteers from the audience to put on a space helmet, drink a carton of orange juice, eat two slices of beef jerky, catch a peanut, spin three times, do ten lunge jumps, and finally, take the space helmet off.

I was one of the volunteers.

As my competitor and I did our tasks, the lovely band leader Rebecca Vigil sang a parodied version of “Rocket Man.” By the time I had spun around three times, I think I felt what it must have been like to be William Shatner during his infamous performance of the song.

In spite of my dizziness, I found success. I won the match by a complete fluke–my opponent forgot that she had to take off her helmet to finish the game. My prize would appear later in the show, when Rebecca Vigil sang a song all about my love life. My love life may not be that great, but apparently, it makes for one hell of a song.

Rebecca Virgil can write songs about the most uneventful of love lives - and make it hilarious. — Rebecca Vigil can write songs about the most uneventful of love lives–and make it hilarious.

The sketches were amusing, including one withKatie Hartman and her time capsule that contained comical futuristic food and fashion trends, as well as a skit with a charlatan psychic (played by Vicky Kuperman). My favorite part of Right NOW!, however, was the talk show portion of the show when Carolyn and her guests chatted while noshing on an Edible Arrangements fruit display. (Carolyn confided after the show that the Edible Arrangements display is the most expensive part of production. This makes perfect sense, in my opinion. One should never skimp on strawberries.) The guests were Elizabeth Yuko, a bioethicist, and Stacie Ellickson-Hastie, a landscape architect, and they discussed some possible challenges that humanity might (or, in some cases, will) face in the future. While this may sound like the driest part of the show, it was anything but. Carolyn kept the energy high and the guests were as quick-witted as they were intelligent.

Overall, an enjoyable experience. Would recommend. Be prepared for anything when attending this show–and join in on the action when they ask for volunteers!

The next show is this month, July 29th at The Slipper Room. The theme will be Feminism. Remember: tweet “The Gowanus Whole Foods” for me as a topic for the Rap-O-Logue. Or tweet “Apple Orchard.” Or tweet something news-related. Why? Well, because. Because it’s Right NOW! Because why not?

Park Slope’s New Businesses – Week of July 3rd

July 3, 2015 By admin Filed Under: New Wave Tagged With: 5th Avenue, 7th Avenue, burgers, juice bar, new business

Park Slope’s burger scene expands yet again with a new gastropub on 5th Avenue, and a new juice bar comes to 7th Avenue.

Brooklyn Burgers & Beer

259 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 | (718) 788 – 1458 | sherry@burgersandbeer.nyc

As the name suggests, this gastropub’s bread and butter is burgers and beer. You can create your own burger and select all possible combinations among toppings, patty, sauce, cheese, and bun. If you want to try something specific, opt for one of their signature burgers. (We’d suggest the Blue Moon, although you can’t go wrong with any of them) If you aren’t in the mood for a whole burger, however, they do have typical pub fare like sliders, hot wings, and pretzels.

Let’s not forget the other key part of Brooklyn B&B–beer! B&B has plenty of craft beers on hand. In the event that you aren’t a beer person, however, there are also specialty cocktails available.

The ambiance of the restaurant has a warm “mom and pop” feel, with friendly staff who are attentive to their customers. The bar features four televisions, which is perfect for any important sporting events that may or may not be coming up soon (Ready for the USA to play in the Women’s World Cup Final this Sunday? Hint. Hint.)

Urban Wellness

72 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 | (718) 230 – 3080 | bo@myurbanwellness.com

Although the store opened in March, Urban Wellness, a vitamin and nutritional supplement store, has added something new to their establishment: a juice bar. That said, Urban Wellness does more than organic juices and nutritional supplements. They also have food made-to-order, most of which has vitamins mixed into the dish. From wraps, salads, dips, pudding, mousse, avocado toast, and homemade energy bars, Urban Wellness seeks to create a variety of foods which will best serve their customers’ needs. If the pudding and mousse don’t satisfy your sweet tooth, they are currently doing a trial run with their new ice cream. Stop by the store and ask for a sample!

Nutritional experts are available onsite to suggest which products would be best for clients’ ailments–be it food, drinks, supplements, or ointments. Too anxious? Can’t sleep? Too lethargic? Urban Wellness will find what’s best for you.

TIP: Go to the store between now and Monday (July 6th)–everything on the shelves is 50 percent off! Go now to take advantage of this great offer!

Park Slope’s New Businesses – Week of June 26th

June 26, 2015 By admin Filed Under: New Wave Tagged With: burgers, new business, please, rose's, sex shop

New businesses in Park Slope are opening up left and right. This week is a treat for the senses.

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Please NYC

557 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 | (718) 788 – 6969 | main@pleasenewyork.com | www.pleasenewyork.com

Everything about Please is warm and welcoming, from the gorgeous glass windows to the decorative flowers. A sensuality boutique, Please strives to make their clients feel at ease. The store’s focus is on sex positivity. They sell books on several topics from how to improve your sex life to basic sex education. In addition to sex toys and kink, they have apothecary items such as lubricant, bath oils, and massage oils. They also sell loungewear and music to help people feel relaxed. Please goes far beyond than just a shop, however, as they also offer education. On weekends, they have workshops to help people discover and discuss new aspects to sex and sexuality. In the future, owner Sid Azmi hopes that they’ll be able to open a non-profit program for sex education and teach children about healthy communication in relationships. Please isn’t just about sex – it’s about sensuality and communication.

Rose’s Bar & Grill

295 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 | (718) 230 – 0427 | www.rosesbklyn.com

The owners of environmentally-conscious Franny’s and BKLYN Larder have opened up a new restaurant – or a pub, rather. Rose’s aspires to be the new laid back neighborhood hangout. Perfect for summer evenings, they have a garden in the backyard. On Mondays and Tuesdays when the kitchen is closed, people go to enjoy drinks and nosh on snack foods. On Wednesdays through Sundays, the kitchen opens at 5:00 PM and people can enjoy some comfort bar food – namely, burgers and fries. Although Rose’s is fairly new, there’s been plenty of hype over their burgers. Gothamist hailed Rose’s Bar & Grill as the source for “New York City’s Best New Burgers” earlier this month.