Community Corner

Good News: National Night Out, Book Donations Pile Up

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around NYC.

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Bed-Stuy Urban Arts Initiative Students Recognized by Mcdonald’s

The McDonald’s New York Metro Owner/Operators Association recently honored students of the Urban Arts initiative in Bed-Stuy at a celebratory lunch for successfully completing this year’s New York State Reagents Exams.

In addition to honoring the students, the association made a donation of $3,000 to provide continued support of the program, designed to help close the achievement gap of underserved public school students.

Find out what's happening in Park Slopewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You Can’t Keep A Good Pizza Maker Down

When word broke two weeks ago that Robert Moorman had departed Krescendo Pizzeria in Boerum Hill just a couple of months after his predecessor Elizabeth Falkner bolted, the local food media was quick to start up the rumor mill, churning out possible reasons for the split.

To date, Krescendo’s owner Nancy Puglisi had stayed silent on the topic of the chef changes. But in response to “The Elephant in Boerum Hill: Is Krescendo Cursed?” she invited Patch to sit down with her to set the record straight. What followed was an hour-long conversation that took us from Italy to San Francisco to Brooklyn and even beneath a surgeon’s knife. But in the end, all roads led to the Neapolitan pizza oven at the back of the house.

Find out what's happening in Park Slopewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ratner’s Heir To Open Prepared Foods Store on Myrtle Ave.

Fall brings with it many delicious foods: cider doughnuts, apple pies, roast turkey. But for Clinton Hill residents, this autumn will also welcome with it bowls of traditional matzo ball soup.

Theo Peck—a great-grandson of the legendary kosher deli-dairy Ratner's founder—is opening his own eponymous prepared foods store at 455A Myrtle Avenue, featuring  rotisserie chicken, charcuterie, artisanal cheese, sandwiches, growlers of craft beer as well as kasha varnishkes and lotsa matzo.

"I don't want to be popular," Peck told the Wall Street Journal in a recent article," I want to be around for a long time. I want to feed my family for 50 years. I want my son to learn how to cook in that kitchen."

BBQ, Rides, and Friendly Cops at the Parade Grounds Tuesday

On Tuesday, August 6, local police and residents will join forces to celebrate safety the fun way with National Night Out.

In addition to educating the public about crime prevention,this year's festivities—to be held at the Prospect Park Parade Grounds—will feature free barbecue, games, rides, face painting, blood pressure screenings, cell phone, bicycle, iPod and tablet etching, and more.

The Neighbors Have Been Good to St. Mark's Children's Book Stop

In passing the ‘take a book, return a book’ Little Free Library on St. Mark's Avenue (between Vanderbilt and Carlton), it's usually pretty empty.

But behold, today it is jam packed. So come on over, check it out, and bring a few of your own to drop off.



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