Let’s face it ladies, sometimes we just can’t squeeze into that size 8. At least not all of us. So Lee Lee’s Valise, a plus-sized clothing store at 368 Court St., is a welcome oasis for larger sizes–10 to 18. According to Racked NY, the store will soon have its very own reality show with Stacy London of TLC’s What Not to Wear, giving the hood even more reality TV cred.
On each episode of the as-yet-unnamed show, London and the Dolans [Lisa and Jim] will give fashion advice to curvy women.
This may come as no surprise, considering it was over 60 degrees today, but the big Winter Jam planned for 4 February in Prospect Park has been canceled. According to the Park’s Department, “It is simply too warm to make snow, and the long-range weather forecasts and current ground temperatures make it extremely unlikely that snow could be made.”
Oh yes, it’s totally that time again. Time to reach into your wallet and grab hold of all the cash you’ll spend to keep your children busy this summer. Time to look at camps. And believe you me, there’s quite a few to choose from. Whether it’s day camp or sleep away, local or far-flung, the NY Family Camp Fair Tour will be in Park Slope this Sunday, 29 January, to help you make a decision. More than 60 camps will be on hand at the Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, from noon to 3pm and Renee Flax, the Director of Camper Placement of the American Camp Association, NY & NJ, will also be there to answer questions. PRE-REGISTER NOW to receive a gift bag at the fair. You’ll also qualify to participate in a raffle for a chance to win a Camp Trunk from Lesters or our grand prize family trip.
It may be a while until the spring flowers push through the (almost) frozen ground, but the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens wants you to party with the posies. Its Lush Boogaloo & Latin Soul Dancy Party is an evening celebrating the Garden’s collection of over 6000 tropical orchids–but with the added fun of booze and tunes. The event takes place Friday, 10 Feb, from 8pm to midnight at the Palm House and features live music from boogaloo band, Spanglish Fly. Not only will you take in the beauty of these 
gorgeous flowers, there will also be an open bar and all kinds of Latin eats–like our favorite icy treats, Mexican fruit paletas by La Newyorkina. Also expect classic 45s spun by WFMU’s Mr. Fine Wine and DJ Turmix, a behind the scenes tour with orchid curator Dave Horak, and posing for leaf portraits with graphic novelist Aaron Birk. Tickets are $65 each and you can buy them here. Just remember ladies, tropical orchids can equal bad hair weather, so plan accordingly.
We’re still in the thick of red wine season and though we here tend towards simple Pinot Noirs and Cote du Rhones, there’s nothing wrong with a good Spanish Rioja. Just ask Patrick Watson, wine and cheese expert and owner of our favorite family-owned specialty shops in the hood. Though it’s a little last minute, you can still get in on his Rioja 101 class this evening at Brooklyn Wine Exchange, which will guide you through the geography, the grapes, and the great pleasures gained from this accessible and pleasing Spanish region. Starts at 7pm and you can sign up by calling 718-855-WINE (9463).
I don’t know if we’re expecting any more snow just yet, but Prospect Park isn’t waiting to hold its annual Winter Jam. Taking place Saturday, 4 February, from 11am to 4pm, the event is a free annual winter sports festival presented by the NYC Parks Department, Prospect Park Alliance, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (whom will be blowing fresh snow for the festivities–just in case). Here’s some venues you can expect inside the Long Meadow by the Picnic House:
The Lake Placid Snow Field: snowman-making and sledding are encouraged!
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing provided by REI
Prospect Park Jam: Open Ski & Snowboard Competition
Learn to Ski & Snowboard with Mountain Creek
Zagat Warming Lounge
Pride of New York Winter Market
NY State Ski Resort Info Booths
Best of all, equipment is provided at no cost–or you can bring your own and enjoy the terrain.
As much as we love Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, we totally hate getting there. Whether walking on Columbia or Atlantic, the ramps to and from the BQE are always scaring the living stuffing out of us. And yes, there’s been some changes, but not enough to make it safe. The Brooklyn Heights Association has been working to make some fixes and recently sent out an email detailing four things they say will be implemented by the Department of Transportation to make it safe for pedestrians to cross the BQE’s northbound entrance on Atlantic Avenue–starting this spring.
Following a diagram produced by BHA President Jane McGroarty, the agency will: 1) prohibit the right turn on red at all times; 2) change the existing signals to create a dedicated pedestrian-only crossing; 3) add arrow signals to channel the left and right turning vehicles at this intersection. These improvements will make the intersection much safer, and we’re very grateful to the DOT for moving forward with the requests.
Before doing the above, the DOT plans to build up the triangular shaped “island” on Atlantic in the westbound left lane (the island is now marked with stripes just west of Hicks Street on Atlantic Avenue). Because this involves pouring concrete, it probably won’t be done before spring (2012), but “Jane’s Plan” is definitely in the works.
I know we’ll be grateful for these changes, though there’s still a lot that needs to be done.
Well Bococalanders, I’ve had a rough few weeks. Before the new year, the site was hacked by malware called a Pharma Hack. So basically, it’s been spitting out links to all kinds of Erectile Dysfunction meds. Cause really, we don’t see enough of those happy couples in bathtubs on TV. And by the way, if they’re getting so romantic, why aren’t they in the same bathtub? But I digress. We’re just trying to fix it and get back to doing what we do best. Thanks again for your support and remember, all you have to do is comment sometime this month on a post and you’ll be up for winning a free copy of the One Girl Cookie cookbook!
All that is old is new again. This adage is especially true when speaking of the coming soon Middle Eastern eatery/lounge, Levant, named after the owner’s original region (including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Israel). The restaurant is taking over the space of current Middle Eastern restaurant Palmyra (Court St. between Degraw and Sackett) and the food will be Jordanian-based.
According to one half of the husband/wife ownership team, Sara Abus, “Our food is a bit different than Lebanese food because we use different kinds of spices. We do however have a particular dish in common called Manakeesh. They are a cross between pita and pizza, though the dough is made differently than pizza dough,” she says. “Our restaurant will be serving around 20 different kinds of Manakeesh, some which will be authentically Jordanian and others that will have some American influence. They will be served in twos or threes because they are smaller than regular, individual size pizza. Levant will also have a variety of mixed grills including Shish Kebob, Shish Taouk and Kafta. The Mazzeh (appetizers) will have around 10 different items including hummus and baba ghanouj. We will also be offering an Arabic burger which contains parsley and onion and is stuffed with feta cheese.”
Brunch will include Arabic breakfast specialties like ground beef with eggs, pastrami with eggs, and potatoes and eggs. And of course, there will be Falafel. Three different kinds to be exact: Jordanian falafel (made with chick peas and fava beans), Syrian falafel (made with only chick peas) and Egyptian falafel (made with only fava beans). Wine and beer will be available and you can expect it to open for business in mid-February.
rendering via CHA.com
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