Just a total normal day in Ditmas Park. via DP Corner

There’s always so much going on in Brooklyn, that no matter what you do with your time, you’re bound to be missing out on something. Especially if you’re working in an office or something. Bleh, who wants to do that? Especially when something like The National showing up to Sycamore to promote their new album happens. Hm? Yeah, they played there, because that’s what fantastically successful indie rock bands do, is play small bar/flower shops on a Tuesday afternoon. (more…)

Coming soon to the library: tacos! via Facebook

Food trucks are a new way of life around here. Well, maybe not that new, but they’ve certainly been an inescapable part of life in Brooklyn for awhile. And that’s great, because food should come to you. And with the weather warming up, the library knows just how to take advantage of the food truck craze: hosting one a week at their central location for a month, starting tomorrow. Welcome, to Lunchapalooza! (more…)

Lavender Lake
383 Carroll Street (between Bond & Nevins)
Gowanus
(347) 799-2154

What it is: Destination drinking spot on the shore of namesake Gowanus Canal with seasonal menu and local brews on tap.

Why we love it: Besides well-priced drafts and crafted cocktails, the multi-level yard is an outdoor drinking utopia, even in the depths of winter. Standing around the crackling fire pit with a tasty beer in hand, enjoying the company of friends old and new, that high water mark on the outdoor wall (almost 6 feet high) really makes you appreciate the heart and hard work that went into recovery after Sandy. (more…)

If you really appreciated art history in college but don’t have a hedge fund, you probably weren’t lucky enough to be at Christie’s record-breaking art auction last week, where the art house brought in $495 million selling contemporary art made by a bunch of frustrated, poor artists who hated commodities. But here’s a collection of look-alikes that will class up your place for way, way less, and no one will ever know you’re not Leo DiCaprio. Above, the record-breaking Dustheads by Jean-Michel Basquiat, $48.8 million. Below: your new painting by lesser known artist, $200:

But wait, there’s more!  (more…)

Coney Island’s Nathan’s gets ready for summer, storms [NY1]
Brooklyn’s changes told by a single Lululemon [Atlantic Cities]
New York AG looking at fast food wage theft [Runnin' Scared]
AirBnB takes an NYC legal hit [NYO]
Why do guys always put her in the “girlfriend zone?” [Tumblr]
Shelly Silver’s not going anywhere. Not now, not ever [NYT]
Williamsburg gets an ice cream parlor this weekend [FreeWilliamsburg]
Gowanus residents don’t want a music venue [Brownstoner]
Jimmy McMillan endorsed by Papaya King [ANIMAL]

The view from inside the Rockabus. Photo by Kelly Murphy

Good news for people who like going down to the Rockaways but don’t like the public transportation options: the Rockabus will be running again this summer. Even better news for people who fit in that category and don’t like going to Williamsburg: the bus also has two new pickup location, at Grand Army Plaza and the Lower East Side. (more…)

SORRY! Rich people come first. via Facebook

One thing supporters of giant ugly condos popping up on the Williamsburg waterfront like so many unfortunate genital warts like to say in defense of the developments is that they come with affordable housing. Which, any look at the comments section of any of our affordable housing posts will tell you, is in short supply in Brooklyn. But oh hey, guess what? SURPRISE! Almost none of the housing has been built so far. (more…)

via Twitter user @passantino

Another day, another horrible weather incident, this one with a Midwestern flavor. People around the country were eager to donate cash and goods after Sandy, so we should be willing to do the same after “the biggest, most destructive tornado in the history of the world.” Help is coming from traditional channels, and Occupy Sandy and local Occupy chapters in Oklahoma are also kicking back into high gear to provide assistance. (more…)

Fun fun, oh baby, fun fun

1. A professional psychotherapist stops by BookCourt to talk about the WAR over the DSM V. Maybe he’ll diagnose you while he’s there (Monday)

2. Gowanus Open Studios is here to remind people that art happens in places south of Williamsburg, so see what they’re all about at their launch party (Monday)

3. McSweeney’s and Vanity Fair cartoonist Lisa Hanwalt drops by Powerhouse to talk about her wacky illustrations (Monday)  (more…)

Still worth it. (via Facebook)

GoogaMooga’s washout yesterday might have put a snag in your Sunday plans, but the festival’s cancellation was a real killer for the food vendors, many of whom lost upwards of $10,ooo in revenue and prep expenditures. It’s tough to get a small eatery off the ground here, and even tougher to survive as one, so if you’re dining out today, consider hitting up one of the 85 restaurants, bakeries and food trucks who got hit. And as an added incentive, a few are offering special deals: (more…)