For the Love of Brooklyn » crown heights

snow big deal: just a dusting

Jill — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:43:13 +0000

After the recent succession of blizzards this past month, each time the weather forecast includes snow I worry. Then, on mornings like this when I wake up to sunshine streaming into the bedroom and reflecting off the light dusting of snow, I remember how beautiful the winter is.

Time for a steaming hot cup of cocoa and a cozy blanket. Happy Friday, Brooklyn!

west indian day parade, in portraits

Jill — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:00:46 +0000

Last Monday, Brooklyn saw the 43rd annual West Indian American Day Carnival parade through the streets of Crown Heights to a crowd of more than two million revelers. For lovely shots of the renown parade, be sure to check out the New York Post, Gothamist, and this Flickr group!

But what caught my eye over the weekend were these beautiful portraits from Chris Farling, who managed to find serenity amongst the chaos and capture lovely images of one of the most colorful (and quintessential!) Brooklyn events. Check out his work below, and head over to his Flickr stream for more!

steven ingram, and brooklyn’s homeless

Jill — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:57:14 +0000

Earlier this month, Nick over at I Love Franklin Avenue posted a four-part series on his experiences as a juror in a recent homicide case. While I’ve always found his Crown Heights-centric blog provocative and thoughtful, this series is exemplary — citizen journalism at its finest and its most heartbreaking. He tells the story of how Steven Ingram, a homeless Vietnam Veteran, was beaten to death near the Albany Houses in Crown Heights — all because he was a convenient target.

Nick speaks at eye-opening length about the prevalence of violence against homeless populations in Part I; the continued victimization of the homeless has catalyzed the National Coalition for the Homeless to seek protection under hate crime laws. But what he concludes is wholly unsatisfying and disheartening, but true: that “it is our collective apathy, a crime of disinterest, that allows this hate to find expression so easily and so frequently.”

Part I: The Crime / Part II: The Investigation / Part III: The Trial / Part IV: The Verdict

The whole series is a must-read if you can spare the time. And if you’re a photographer or a writer: use your tools and talents! They’re invaluable. The words and images you create are indeed powerful and speak volumes when others cannot.

“Executive Clemency,” by Reuben Radding:

Untitled by Vitaliy Piltser, and “Woman on C Train” by Natalie Behring:

“Homeless Woman: Coney Island,” by Rob Hoey:

“New York’s Somethingest,” by [mementosis]:

red hot wings in crown heights

Jill — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:08:52 +0000

While I play around and experiment with cross-processing, you should head to little spot on Union Street just west of Nostrand (map) in Crown Heights called Super Wings, which recently won the “Best Wings in Brooklyn 2010″ crown this year.

Of course, I may be a tiny bit biased since it’s just up the block from my new digs, but it’s delicious nonetheless. Ginger Buff wings with lava sauce all the way, baby!

falling in love with a brooklyn limestone

Jill — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:20:29 +0000

In late June of this year, I waded in and finally took the plunge into the deep waters of home ownership. As a first-time homebuyer, I had a lot of things going for me — the tax credit, lower-than-ever interest rates, and an endless parade of real estate listings. After many (MANY!) months of pounding the pavement to see new condos, my eye began to stray. Could I afford an old townhouse in Brooklyn? Maybe a fixer-upper? One with vintage plaster mouldings and a lovely history? Hmmm…

Two weeks, three listings, and one serious blog obsession later, I had an accepted offer on an 1890′s single-family limestone on a beautiful block in south Crown Heights. I was totally smitten.

And so the renovation begins…

flickr faves: cherry blossoms!

Jill — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:03:57 +0000

Though the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival is still a week and a half away, the blossoms aren’t waiting for anyone. In an article I read today, visitors to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden have been treated to the peak displays of gorgeous pinks and whites for a couple of weeks now, and festival organizers doubt that the window will continue through until the fest.

If you haven’t gotten to the BBG for the display, it sounds like this weekend’s weather promises to be gorgeous. For a guide on where to see the fullest blooms, check out the BBG’s map here, or meet up at 3pm at the Visitors Center for a free guided tour!

Check out some of the inspired shots from our Flickr pool below, and for more coverage, check out Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’Flickror this lovely post over at 66 Square Feet by Marie Viljoen!

“Cherry Allee, BBG,” by Marie Viljoen:

Untitled, by Lucy Aboytes:

“Brooklyn Botanical Garden,” by Natalie Behring:

Untitled, by rsb816:

“Cherry Blossom,” by steffiekeith:

reflections of crown heights

Jill — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:21:10 +0000

Though the weather the last couple of days has been unbelievably gorgeous (we hope you’re out at he park and not reading this blog!), this past weekend was another story altogether. However, I did manage to catch a break in the rain on Sunday afternoon to do some exploration in the south part of Crown Heights, and the overcast sky made such beautiful ambient reflections. Stay tuned for more shots from the area, but for now, enjoy these vestiges of life along Nostrand Avenue!