Destination: Maple Street School

The Maple Street School recently published a demographic survey of its students' families and I was surprised to see that only about 28% live in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The rest come from Prospect Heights (8.6%), Bed Stuy (6.9%), Fort Greene/Clinton Hill (6.9%), Kensington (6.9%), and other nearby neighborhoods. Mercy! Who would have thought that PLG was a destination for childcare?

You read more stats about the Maple Street School on its blog.

Step Too: The NEW New Brooklyn & Slim

Being a big fan of Brooklyn & Slim, I was sadly disappointed when this friendly bar closed its doors. Over the past months I’ve noticed some construction activity at the site of the late Brooklyn & Slim. A glimpse of the interior showed that the place has been completely renovated with some fancy finishes: clean walls, wood bar, Starbucks-style pendant lighting.

The new sign, which appeared recently, indicates that the next incarnation of B&S will be named "Step Too Cafe". The word "Cafe" seems to note that they may serve food as well as drink. Anyone have an idea when they might open their doors for business?

In speaking with some former patrons of the old Brooklyn & Slim, I heard that one of the big problems with the location was that there was "not enough parking." Let’s hope that the customers at Step Too have the good sense not to get behind the wheel after downing a few drinks.

Health advisory from the MTA

This MTA poster caught my eye at the Parkside Station, though it's at the Prospect Park station as well:

FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER TODAY?
Best thing to do is not get on the train

"You may feel worse on the train. If you need help now, you can get it at the station. We'll make sure you're in the right hands, or stay with you until you're well enough to be on your way."

Yeah, as if I'm going to seek shelter from the person grunting at me from behind the bulletproof glass.

What struck me as funny is how the copy tries to make it sound as if refraining from riding the train is in the individual flu victim's benefit, when the real benefactors are everyone else on the train. Apparently,
social-consciousness is such a non-starter that even the lamest appeal to self-interest trumps a clear and obvious public interest message. But you'd think they could at least get a bit more creative. As in: "...the best thing to do is not get on the train. Because everyone else will get sick and hate you."