November 27 – December 3, 2013
VOLUME 40
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25¢ NUMBER 48
WILLIAMSBURG
www.greenpointnews.com
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November 27 – December 3, 2013
CB 1 Land Use Committee Approves
MADD New York Announces 2013
Brooklyn Calling: London’s Rough
Two Trees’ Domino Plan
Legislative Champions
Trade Opens in Williamsburg
See CB 1 Land Use Committee Approves Page 5
Búðin Coming to Greenpoint Avenue This Christmas
See MADD New York Announces Page 8
See Brooklyn Calling: London’s Rough Page 10
PS 196/M582 Bask In Co-Lo Victory
Rut Hermannsdottir in Reykjavik, Iceland
By Jeff Mann It hasn’t even opened yet, but Greenpoint Avenue’s Búðin (pronounced booth-in) is already struggling with its identity. Coffee Shop? Bar? Boutique? Any and all fit this Nordic-themed space with its well-planned coffee, beer and spirits programs, chosen to be enjoyed while searching through a selection of carefully-curated Nordicdesigned products. “We’re trying to bring an authentic experience to Greenpoint,” explained co-owner Crystal Pei. “We have a lot of Scandinavian and Nordic friends living here.” (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands make up the Nordic countries, only Denmark, Sweden and Norway make up Scandinavia, in case you were wondering). Pei fell in love with the region while working there on a film project. The design plans (the anticipated completion date is mid-December) call for an environment representative of the Nordic regions, with simple intricate designs and a clean cozy feel. Unlike many of its North Brooklyn peers, the Búðin plan, designed by Kevin Oliver, is neither minimalistic nor crammed vintage looking. It’s also not meant to be a workspace with people spending the day, eyes glued to their laptops. “It’s a place for people to have conversations or interact with us so we can explain our products,” said Pei. Then there’s the coffee menu. Curated by Pei’s See Budin Coming to Greenpoint Page 4
PHOTO PS 196 3rd graders recite acrostic poem thanking their supporters | Michael Cesarczyk
By Michael Cesarczyk Kids, parents, teachers and neighbors packed the auditorium of PS 196 and MS 582 last Friday afternoon. As school staff and community leaders gave speech-
es, the audience cheered, occasionally breaking into chants of “No Co-Lo!” For weeks, the local community had strongly opposed plans by the Department of Education See PS 196/M582 Page 3
Fifth Annual Teacher Toy Drive Gets Underway By Jeff Mann On Friday, December 20th, teachers and school staff from District 14 and 32 schools will celebrate the holiday season while giving back to the community at the fifth annual Teacher Toy Drive. Organized by PROGRESS High School Assistant Principal and Grand Street Campus Assistant Baseball Coach Tommy Torres, the event caps off a month-long toy collection effort by 15 local schools, that will then bring the toys to the party. Nearly 600 toys will be collected and distributed by Santa and the Grand Street Campus Student Government “elves” to Woodhull Hospital, the Annual Three Kings Day Parade and oth-
L-R Tommy Torres, Assemblyman Joe Lentol and State Senator Martin Dilan at 2012 Toy Drive
See Fifth Annual Teacher Toy Drive Page 14