Mark your calendars, commemoration of the Battle of Brooklyn Aug. 29, 2010

As some of you may know the Battle of Brooklyn otherwise known in other circles as the Battle of Long Island (some people forget Brooklyn is part of Long Island), or at least some important parts of it took place nearby in what is now Greenwood Cemetery. Although the Brits won that engagement the holding actions of our patriots in those early days of the revolution allowed our General George Washington to escape and survive to continue on the fight. Had he been captured we would instead be celebrating the holidays our British masters would have imposed on us.

You can catch all the details at the Green-wood Cemetery website: they are reproduced below in case their site goes down.

Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration Ceremonies

In memory of the brave patriots who fought for our country’s independence in this first battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Part of Brooklyn Battle Week
.
FREE EVENTS:

12:30 PM - Revolutionary War Re-Enactors will relive a portion of the Battle of Brooklyn in Green-Wood’s Meadow and the surrounding area near Green- Wood’s main entrance.
1:30 PM - The Green-Wood Historic Fund and United States Merchant Marine Academy sponsor the Annual Battle of Brooklyn Parade. Meet at the main gate for a parade to Battle Hill led by George M. Cohan’s own, The Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
2:00 PM - Battle of Brooklyn Commemorative Ceremony honoring the Patriots who fought the first battle of our new nation on this sacred ground 234 years ago.

This is a FREE event. Reservations are not necessary.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM Location: The Green-Wood Cemetery

08/29/2010, 10:00 AM

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Store of the Day: Milan's Restaurant

Eating is getting to be a real adventure in Sunset Park with new eateries opening all over the place. Every day a new cuisine arrives in the nabe. Milan's is different. It's been on the same spot for well over twenty years. It's the usual story of an immigrants dream to open his own restaurant. I have written about Milan's before. It is a real homey spot to eat traditional slavic East European fare. And while many of his customers are emigre Czechs and Slovaks he gets a fair amount of the rest of us. Like all local businesses he is struggling to survive these economic times. So, if you're in the mood for goulash, by all means give him a visit. Let's keep our local economy going. They are located on 5th avenue and 22nd street. Don't leave your money in Manhattan, spend it here in Brooklyn..



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Eatery of the Day: La Cuarta Peruvian Restaurant

To contrast with our posting of Popeye's we present La Cuarta, they make Peruvian style rotisserie chicken as part of their menu. Peruvians are to chicken what Argentinians are to steak. If you're tired of the KFC, Kennedy's, Popeye's greasy fried chicken then it's time to give roasted chicken done right a try. The reviews it received at Yelp and Urban Spoon are a bit mixed. In things that are a matter of taste you can only find out by trying. They are located on 4th Avenue between 26th and 27th streets.





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Store of the day: Popeye's Chicken of Sunset Park

It's been open about a year and appears to do a bristling business. Located on the corner of of 64th street and 8th avenue right at the border of Dyker Heights. It's part of the Popeye's restaurant chain offering the standard chicken fare. It's too far from either KFC or Kennedy's to give them any competition and it appears that their target demographics is the Chinese community. At least now you know where there is a Popeye Chicken place in Sunset Park. Yes, they do speak English at the counter.




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Store of day: Y & L Gift Shop

Located off the avenue on 59th street and 8th this is a rather eclectic small shop of Chinese Bric-a-Brac and other curios. It more reasonably priced than similar stores. Chinese vases, dragons, ancient coins etc. Just what mom ordered to decorate your office with Chinese themed oddities. Drop in and say hello to them.


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Store of the day: Cafe Barakah

Cafe Barakah has been around for well over a year. It provides Wi Fi for it's customers and allows you to sit in comfort while you cruise the web and sip your coffee. It is open every day and caters to everyone in our community. It is located on 4th avenue and 21st street.They have an open mike night on Saturdays though I am not sure if it is all weekends. To be more unusual the place is run by two Arab women entrepreneurs who are trying to make a go at it. The place really deserves a bit more attention and we all know we need more Wi-Fi spots in the neighborhood, we are certainly lacking in that area compared to our adjoining neighborhoods. So, give them a visit, if you like the spot maybe you can make it a new hangout while you are cruising the net. They are always running promotions and other things like grls night or open mike night etc. You'll have to drop by there and inquire what they have planned next.



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Store of the day: Blue Moon Bay Internet Tea & cafe

Typical chinese internet cafe. No Wifi, but if you don't have your own computer it doesn't matter. It caters to a gaming crowd but you can rent a computer by the hour. Non members pay $2 an hour, members pay $1.50 an hour. Membership is a measly $5 so it's a no brainer if you intend to use the computers there a lot. It's Located on 58th street right off of 8th avenue..I will be posting about other internet cafes in the area as well.


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Eatery of the day: Dumplings House on 53rd.

I finally got around to trying out the dumpling place on 53rd street off 8th avenue..It's much smaller inside than the other places in my last two reviews. When I was there I was thee only customer so I got a seat by the window and had my lunch. The dumplings are slightly larger than elsewhere. I found them to be just as good as the others. The sauce they serve at the table is of the vinaigrette type, so if you want just regular soy sauce you will have to ask for it. The place caters to the mostly Chinese residents of the area and none of the people there speak English. Next time you're in the area try them out...



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Is this another hotel?

As this building nears completion it peaks our curiosity. The new building located on the corner of 26th street and 4th Avenue appears to have the architectural making of either an office building or a hotel. Hoteliers in the neighborhood to whom I have shown the picture are of the opinion that it is probably a hotel. The postings at the site give no indication what type of certificate of occupancy has been issued if any. We can only speculate for the time being and will have to wait until completion to see what it turns out to be.



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Store of the day: Sneaker Warehouse

There is a rather interesting story behind this store. When Costco first opened and before they took over the extra parking lot on 2nd Avenue the guy who is now at this location used to sell high end sneakers on weekends off of a van. He gathered a following by word of mouth who came over on weekends to see his wares. One day he disappeared and a number of weekends went by when a sign appeared announcing his new location. That was a few years back and he has been at the corner of 58 and 2nd avenue ever since.

UPDATE LINK!!!!:

• Closings: Sneaker Warehouse No More

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Store of the day: Designer Men's Outlet

On the corner of 58th street on 2nd Avenue. Near Lutheran medical Center. They have been there for well over one year and appear to be surviving. Most of their customers get there by word of mouth.




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Store of the day: Subway on 2nd Avenue

This Subway is relatively new and located @ 54th street and 2nd Avenue. The location may seem illogical but it's located near Lutheran Hospital and it's probably intended to cater to the 24 hour cycle there. You hear that? 24 hours!! Now I know where to go when I get the munchies at 3 AM..

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Coming soon: Sunrise Family Pharmacy

Located on the corner of 64th street and 4th Avenue is a new pharmacy that will be opening any day now.I must admit that the out of the way location is an odd place to put a pharmacy as you would have to cross 4th avenue to get there from the rest of the neighborhood. If my memory serves me correctly the spot was once held by a plumbing supply store that had been there for many years. On the side is a dead end street and the timing may jot be auspicious since they will soon begin construction of an HOV ramp there to augment the present ramp going into the Gowanus. I suspect the plans are to serve a niche population, perhaps Russians (notice the Russian Cyrillic word AIITEKA for Apothecary on the awning). This begs the next question, do these people know something we don't? Are Russians moving into the nabe as our Polish population is declining?  Who knows? The place is rather large for a Pharmacy, at least larger than most family Pharmacies.  They also have some hefty competition with a large Rite Aid located on 62 and 4th. Ave.. Well, we wish them luck and will be making a visit to the place when they open. They do have one thing in their favor worth crossing the Avenue for, they do copies on their copy machine for 5¢, now that's a good thing.



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AM New York does Sunset Park

The newspaper AM New York did a writeup on Sunset Park yesterday. You can find the entire paper in PDF format here and the article starts on page 18. Only one problem with the article is that the reporter didn't research the borders of Sunset Park. Sunset Park goes North to the Prospect Expressway and the Eastern border goes to 9th Avenue not 8th. The borders were meant to coincide with the zip codes and 11232, for example goes to 9th Avenue. Other than that, it makes for interesting reading..



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Store of the day: Chic and Cheap Designer Closeouts

Chic and Cheap on 61st street right off of 5th Avenue is one of those places you have to know is there. Unfortunately the owner will be relocating to Carol Gardens when her l;ease is up in less than a year. But for the mean time it will still be here selling both used and overstock clothing to the public. The eclectic store stocks items for both male and female and if you haven't been there maybe it's time to drop them a visit and say hello. Who knows? Maybe she'll change her mind about renewing her lease come next July and decide to stay if more Sunset Parkers know she's there.




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Store of the day: Number One Ice Cream

The owner had a love of ice cream and decided to open an ice cream parlor. It's as close as you're going to get to an Italian Gelateria in this neighborhood.  They're located at the southern edge of the neighborhood at 8th Avenue between 64 and 65th streets. Go check them out and tell us what you think...

Store of the day: Has Beans Internet Cafe

Located at the extreme northern edge of the neighborhood @ 18th and 5th Ave. This place caters mostly to people from Park Slope. I suspect some people to the south might know it's there. They serve coffee and, of course, free wi fi. Starbuck's it ain't and it's not a large place so seating is limited. But hey, it's better than nothing.


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Closings: Spoiled

It's sad to see another store close. Never went in there. They sold women's clothing and articles. Part of the cycle of life. Currently located @ 50th and 5th Avenue. We can hope that it will soon be replaced by something new. Even in this economy we have new stores opening up.


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Coming Soon: Dragon City Reastaurant Chinese Buffet

Finally it appears that Sunset Park will have a Chinese Buffet place. This new place is close to opening with no definite date set yet. Located near the corner of 58th street and 5th Avenue it's set to cater to a growing population of Chinese that are moving westward from 8th Avenue. I suspect we will be seeing more than just Chinese there. :Let's welcome these folks to the neighborhood and wish them success.

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Store of the day: The Tiki Bar

Located on 4th  Avenue between 32nd and 33rd streets and sporting Wi Fi is the Tiki Bar. Open from 2 PM till 4 am they currently don't serve coffee, but the owner has told me he is amenable to the idea if people came in and requested it. The place is very pleasant and also serves as a sport's bar which they don't advertise as such but they should. It's decor is designed to bring images of the south pacific into your mind. If you haven't been there they are definitely worth a visit.

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