The event planners note: “It is a time honored tattoo parlor tradition to commemorate an auspicious date or event with a themed tattoo.” Shops have long been inking $13 “13″ tattoos when that date falls on Friday the 13th, or $31 Halloween images on October 31.

And thus, Brooklyn Tattoo at 99 Smith Street, will again honor one of its biggest inspirations three days after the Bridge’s 129th anniversary on May 24. The Urban Folk Art Gallery, adjacent to the shop, will host a group art show commemorating the Bridge through the eyes of 20+ local painters illustrators, educators, photographers, comic book makers and tattooers, opening Friday, May 25, 7-11 p.m.

The Brooklyn Bridge tattoos draw from several flash (pre-drawn) images that evoke the spirit that has defined New York’s iconic skyline. Tattoos will be etched into your skin by Brooklyn Tattoo staff on a first come, first serve basis. Copies of the flash design sheets will also be available for purchase, as well as a limited edition book by Adam Suerte showcasing 50 Brooklyn Bridge tattoos he’s done in the past. And: Brooklyn Bridge t-shirts, pint and shot glasses, and other themed merch will be sold in the gallery, as usual.

The third-annual, two-part event is sponsored by Bar Great Harry at 280 Smith Street.

Brooklyn Tattoo has been operating in South Brooklyn for more than a decade. Its gallery opened in January 2011. For more information, contact Adam Suarte at 718-643-1610.

Venues include Zombie Hut (273 Smith Street), Knit Lit (253 Smith), People’s Republic of Brooklyn (247 Smith), BookCourt (163 Court Street), Last Exit (136 Atlantic Avenue) and the After Party at 8 p.m. at 61 Local (61 Bergen Street).

Special events include: * Armchair/Shotgun enacts a live old-timey radio show. * The Liars’ League NYC acts out the latest story by Mark Haddon, author of “The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime.” * The Cambridge Writers Workshop presents Literary Cabaret.

The inaugural NYC Lit Crawl took place in September 2008. Last year’s event in Manhattan drew more than 1,200 crawlers, enjoying 70+ authors at some 20 events. This is its first extension into Brooklyn. The full schedule is here, with all info here.

“Brooklyn is so literary, it seemed like a no-brainer,” founder Suzanne Russo tells the Brooklyn Paper. “There’s so many friendly venues and so much going on in the literary sphere there, we thought it’s really the place we should be. The venues are smaller, there’s an energy in Brooklyn, a creative spirit that’s more of a go with the flow, we’ll-do-whatever kind of thing.”

Rides are $2 apiece and an all-day pass is $25, benefitting the non-profit Families First organization, which offers classes for children 0-7, support groups for parents and parenting workshops. Families First is based in Cobble Hill at 250 Baltic Street.

(Photo: Pardon Me For Asking blog)

A wide variety of annuals, herbs and perennials will be available, as well as geraniums and hanging baskets. For the kids, the Tree Fund will offer the Plant Identification Treasure Hunt in the park, with winners receiving a free plant. Information is also on-hand about the Cobble Hill Tree Fund and composting.

The Fund is also looking for volunteers for Saturday’s event. Contact info is here. Take a look at the event flyer here.

The Fund is dedicated to planting trees, providing education on the care of trees and the ongoing beautification of the community. Over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion.

Call Georgia Willett, Co-chair of the Cobble Hill Tree Fund with further questions: 718-237-1585.

Ever wondered why your favorite watering hole doesn’t use its outdoor space or why they won’t let you dance on the bar? Also, why is the trash pick-up always late at night and how does a liquor license get approved?

These questions and more will be answered at the community meeting hosted by Community Boards 2 and 6 on:

April 12, 2012; at 6:00 p.m.
250 Baltic Street
(Court & Clinton Streets) Auditorium

This is a neutral forum designed to clarify questions, and will be conducted as an informal questions and answer session.

Representatives from State Liquor Authority, city agencies and local precincts will be on hand to answer questions in respect to noise, smoking, outdoor usage, garbage and other related issues.

Unfortunately, drinks will not be served.

The location: Public School 261, 314 Pacific Street, between Hoyt & Smith Streets in Boerum Hill. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration for the class and the clinic is advised but not required. Free!

Previous conventions have seen productive discussions on topics of particular interest to Cobble Hill residents like traffic, helicopter noise, schools, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Sen. Squadron is represented on its board of directors), and neighborhood preservation.

There’s more information and a list of topics for this year’s convention, and you can RSVP if you would like to attend, here. You can also RSVP by calling 212-298-5565 or by e-mail to squadron@nysenate.gov.

He offers, “My greatest achievement was last year, when I finished 18th overall and second in the B-division finals. I was also No. 2 in Brooklyn and No. 1 among Carroll Gardens Patch neighborhoods.”

The 35th Annual ACPT will take place at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott, March 16 to March 18, judging competitors on speed and accuracy. According to the Carroll Gardens Patch, nearly a thousand crossword aficionados from more than 35 states, Canada and abroad compete at the ACPT, which was created by Will Shortz, The New York Times crossword puzzle editor and Puzzlemaster for NPR.

Stern has been solving crosswords since childhood, and tells the Patch, “It’s a good mental workout. It’s both entertaining and relaxing for me. I also like that they’re universally accessible.”

But there are also prizes awarded to the victors: in 22 categories, based on skill, age, geographical region and rookie status. The grand-prize winner receives $5,000 and an unabridged dictionary. Read the full piece on the Carroll Gardens Patch here.

(Photo: ACPT)

The Big Movies series is hosted every other Monday at 4 p.m., following the public school calendar.

In the flick, “the irreverent Pippi is back! Never a damsel in distress, the strongest girl in the world moves into Villa Villakulla with her monkey, Mr. Nillsson, and horse, Little Old Man, and the adventures begin.” (1969; Not Rated G, Color, 90 minutes)

Bonus at this showing: A giveaway from Cumbe Dance. See more at bigmoviesforlittlekids.blogspot.com.

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) invites the community to attend an open house at the Brooklyn Detention Complex, more commonly known at the Brooklyn House of Detention or the “House of D’.”
…

The open house in being held in advance of the phased re-opening of the House of Detention. Approximately 100 inmates per week will be transferred to the facility beginning in February. This will be an opportunity to meet Warden Walter Nin, ask questions and tour the facility.

To take advantage of this (we hope) once in a lifetime opportunity, please RSVP to Delilah Ortega in the DOC Department of Public Information at Delilah.Ortega@doc.nyc.gov or (718) 546-0631.

The second speaker of the series will be Peg Tyre, author of The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve (Henry Holt, 2011). Currently a fellow at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where she teaches writing about education, Tyre offers both practical advice and insight to cutting edge research on what works best in education. She is also the author of the NYTimes bestseller, The Trouble With Boys.
Future scheduled speakers include Paul Tough, author of Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America. Tough’s appearance will coincide with publication of his new book on teaching character.

Diane Ravitch: January 10, 6:30 p.m.- 8. p.m.
Peg Tyre: March 7, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Paul Tough: September 2012

If you have questions, please contact Lesley Alderman (Lesley61@gmail.com) or Rebecca Johnson (Beckersny@yahoo.com).

Neighborhood HOLIDAY TREE RECYCLING

In Cooperation with Mulchfest 2012 by City of New York/ Parks and Recreation Department

Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8, 2012

Drop off your Holiday trees at the location below.

Wreaths and garlands cannot be accepted. Please remove lights and decorations.  No artificial trees!

Location: Cobble Hill Park: Clinton and Verandah Place

9:30 am – 1:30 pm

MULCH BAGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WISHING TO TAKE MULCH FOR THEIR GARDENS OR TREE PITS.

Trees will not be accepted after the scheduled times.

Sponsored by:

Cobble Hill Tree Fund ,  Cobble Hill Association,  Friends of Cobble Hill Park, and  Boy Scout Troops 213 & 815

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, come join us as we celebrate the Holiday Season at the 5^th Annual Columbia Waterfront District Tree Lighting Event. The festivities start at 5:00 pm on Friday, December 9^th, 2011 at the Human Compass Garden, located at the corner of Sackett and Columbia Streets. This year’s event will feature live Holiday Jazz Music by the Less Magnetic Band and an assortment of free refreshments from local restaurants and businesses.  Santa Claus will also spread more cheer by handing out toys to children at the event.

Gowanus Canal, Photo by Andrew Nicholas

The Gowanus Canal Conservancy has devised a great way to gift yourself while giving to a local cause this holiday season, with the inception of its first annual Winter Festival fundraiser.

Billed as “a celebration of local food, beer, and music on the Gowanus Canal,” the event will feature a three-course dinner followed by a three-hour concert on Saturday, December 3, at Build It Green! NYC’s warehouse space on 69 9th Street.

“On the one hand, this fundraiser is important to our lifeline” said Hans Hesselein, Director of Special Projects at the watershed stewardship organization. “On the other hand, a lot of what we’re trying to achieve is social and environmental change around the canal. A great way to get people aware is to have social functions like these that bring the community together.”

In keeping with the spirit of community, the Winter Festival’s dinner will be provided by Lot 2, the farm-to-table restaurant on 687 6th Avenue that is located within the Gowanus Canal watershed. “The stormwater that lands on their property usually ends up in the canal, so they’re physically connected to it,” Hesselein noted. “But also, their mission to bring sustainably farmed local foods to their restaurant and to the people that dine there is very much in line with the conservancy. Although we are not a food advocacy organization, we certainly appreciate and support sustainable food practices, which is what Lot 2 is all about.”

Lot 2 will serve up chicken and sausage gumbo, coleslaw with pickled pepper vinaigrette, buttermilk and honey cornbread, and apple crumble bars. The sausage and tasso for the gumbo will be provided by locally based Brooklyn Cured, and the drink selection will include beers from New York microbreweries Butternuts Beer & Ale and Captain Lawrence. Dinner will be served from 6:30 – 9 pm and will be accompanied by a DJ set and silent auction.

After dinner, the concert will kick off, with live music by performers Amanda Palmer, The Suzan, Savoir Adore, and Ambassadors. “I’m really excited,” said Hesselein of the Winter Festival’s musical lineup, which he describes as indie rock pop that is experimental, yet dancy. “It should be a lot of fun.” The concert is scheduled to begin at 9 pm and wrap up at midnight.

Three types of tickets are being sold for the fundraiser – a $15 ticket for the concert only (with a cash bar), a $40 ticket for the concert and dinner (including two beers), and a $60 ticket for the concert, dinner, and conservancy membership. Tickets are available for purchase at Brown Paper Tickets.

All proceeds will benefit the Gowanus Canal Conservancy, including the organization’s Clean & Green Volunteer Program, Compost Program, and Rain Garden projects. “The fundraiser is going to support our volunteer program and help us continue to bring exciting capital investments to the community,” Hesselein explained, noting that two of the conservancy’s current projects are the 6th Street Green Corridor and the 2nd Street Sponge Park, which will create gardens designed to capture and clean the stormwater runoff that presently drains into the canal.

“We’re focused on bringing sustainable environmental practices and green development to the Gowanus Canal and its watershed,” Hesselein added. “In order to support those goals, we have a bunch of different initiatives – from our green infrastructure capital projects… to our meetings with elected officials to try to bring the most effective and green solutions to stormwater management and environmental problems as possible.”

Fruity. Nutty. Savory. Sweet.

From cobblers, crisps, buckles and pandowdies to whoopie pies, tarts, strudels, empanadas, borek, Chinese egg custard tarts, pasteles, crostatas – EVERYTHING pie-inspired will be on hand, as PS 29 in Cobble Hill embraces the hottest food trend of 2011 with EAT, PIE & SHOP.

This holiday festival, flea market and pie-tasting bonanza’s big draw is not only a gigantic TASTING opportunity (more than 300 pies expected) –but also a celebrity-judged PIE BAKING CONTEST (celebrity judges include Gail Simmons, Food & Wine and “Top Chef,” Danielle Kyrillos, “Top Chef: Just Desserts, Chef Marc Anthony Bynum of Food Network’s Chopped).

EAT, PIE & SHOP
Sunday, December 4th
11am till 4pm
PS 29 – 425 Henry Street, Brooklyn

Other draws include a flea market featuring dozens of local, artisan holiday gifts – and activities for the kids.

Event FEATURES:
Pie Social – Home Baked AND Professional Pies
Pie Contest – featuring TOP CHEF celebrity judge panel
Gift Fair – Artisan products with over 20 vendors
Kids Activities – workshops by Children’s Museum of the Arts

SPONSORS: Half Pint Citizen, Fork & Pencil, Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, Shake Shack, Children’s Museum of the Arts and Mini Max Toys & Cuts!

PS 29 is hoping that by embracing the 2011 pie trend, they’ll increase the take from this annual event – as the school’s PTA must raise more than $600 per child to maintain it’s current programs.

For more event information: www.eatpieandshop.org

Cobble Hill Association: In our continuing efforts to green the neighborhood, the Cobble Hill Association and amazing folks at PS29 are yet again holding an electronics recycling event with the Lower East Side Ecology Center. What’s more, it’ll include plenty of other recycling opportunities too throughout the day!
• 10a.. to 4pm…Old computers and electronics will be collected by Lower East Side Ecology Center, in conjunction with Cobble Hill Association. See www.lesecologycenter.org to review the list of accepted items at bottom.
• Composting Workshop led by The NYC Compost Project in Brooklyn. Backyard composters will also be for sale.
• Computer hard drive shredding provided by eRecycleNY, PS 29 parent owned EPA compliant electronics recycling company serving the NYC area.
• Clothing rummage sale, proceeds go to PS 29 PTA. Wearable Collections will be picking up remaining clothes, as well as stained & ripped clothing, textiles & stuffed animals.
• Confidential Documents shredded on-site (& then recycled) for a small fee. by Time Shred Services

Walls and Bridges, the Franco/American arts and ideas festival, is returning to New York Oct 19 – 28 for its third season.  The festival brings together French and American performers, artists, philosophers, and writers who otherwise only encounter each other remotely.  There are 14 events over 10 days, bringing the total of Walls & Bridges events in NYC over 2011 to nearly 50.

Over the course of next weekend, Walls and Bridges will present five events at The Invisible Dog in Cobble Hill and all but one are free.

On Saturday we have:

A Tale of Two Chefs: a pop-up restaurant featuring Mathieu Rostaing Tayard (“one of Europe’s most exciting young chefs”-WSJ) paired with Brian Leth of Vinegar Hill House. The two will mix styles and prepare a $20 haute-cuisine lunch box that’ll be served up with discussion of who and what influenced their cooking in surprising ways. $20

• Screening Identities with Danny Glover and Malian filmmaker Mathia Diawara in discussion about African and African-American filmmaking  FREE
• Playing with Cinema: an exploration of French cinema through live representationin a set of performances pairing American choreographers and theater companies with famous scenes from French films by Godard, Tati, Melville and Demy. Performances by Migues Gutierrez, The National Theater of the United States of America, Annie-B Parson, & Dan SaferFREE
• Stranger Strangers: 4 French performance acts premiere in NYC, including digital juggling, a group that wears realistic pig costumes to explore our fascination/abhorrence with pigs,a performance of Professor Bad Trip, and a performer with an unhealthy obsession with Derek JarmanFREE (my pick of the weekend)

On Sunday we have just one show:

• Please Kill Me, the rock musical based on the lauded book of the same title by Legs McNeil, which used hundreds of hours of interviews to present the punk days of NYC, featuring the Velvet Underground, the Ramones, The New York Dolls and more. The show received raves in France, including from La Monde, and will be performed here for one night only.  In English.  FREE

Full event calendar here.

Under an instructor’s eye, a student kayaker does a roll behind One Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dependable is berthed at Pier 7.

Update: “To be a part of it, you’ll need to pick up a free immersion card at By Brooklyn or Brooklyn Tattoo/Urban Folk Art Gallery starting at noon on June 18. There will only be 500 in circulation, so appoint a responsible friend to pick up yours if you can’t get to Smith St. early. (They go fast!)” There’s a list of participating stores giving discounts here.

via Grub Street

If you have some free time Tuesday evening and a spare $5, consider a trip to Union Hall in Park Slope to see Adult Education Presents: Brooklyn. There will be presentations on Coney Island; corrupt Brooklyn politicians of yore; and Brooklyn’s annexation by New York. And I will be presenting on the Brooklyn accent. Questions I’ll be answering include: Does dese dem and dose qualify as a Brooklyn accent? Where does youse come from? And how do I curse in Brooklynese?

Well, you should be so lucky to find out. Hope to see you there, I could use some friendly faces!