June 30, 2007: Vol. 30, No. 26

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June 30, 2007 / GO Brooklyn

They won’t go Fourth

By Chris Varmus

for The Brooklyn Paper

Brooklyn during the week of July 4 is typically like Rome in August — it empties out of people taking long weekends at the beach or in the countryside.

But with this year’s holiday falling on Hump day, most people seem to be sticking around. While we had visions of empty streets and 8 pm dinners at Al Di La, the reality is that we’ll have to wait until Labor Day weekend to have the borough to ourselves.

GO Brooklyn decided to hit the town and find out how Brooklynites are planning to make the most of the hot, humid holiday, even if they’ll be going back to work the day after.

David Dixon, 36, Park Slope

Dixon’s Bike Shop will be closed on the Fourth, and David, whose father opened the shop 36 years ago, will be celebrating with his family in Park Slope with a barbecue. “I might just spend the whole day playing music,” said Dixon, who is responsible for his shop’s reggae soundtrack.

Jackie Lomassaro and Douglas Calhoun, both 23, South Slope

These two baristas at Tea Lounge, who are also roommates, are having a barbecue on their South Slope rooftop to celebrate Independence Day. When asked if there were good views of all three sets of fireworks, Jackie responded with an exuberant, “Oh hell yeah! We have the best view in all of Brooklyn!”

Jason Kolbe and Maureen Farrell, 31 and 28, Prospect Heights

These newlyweds have been getting taken advantage of by their friends for exquisite roof deck views non-stop for the past several months and while they have agreed to host a barbecue on the Fourth, this time they are putting their feet down: just frozen burgers and dogs — no more fancy surf ’n’ turf for the freeloaders.

Jed Koslow, 30, Gowanus

This recent Brooklyn Law graduate has his pick of his friends’ roof parties. Whether he decides to patriotically booze it up at his former roommate’s new Carroll Gardens roof or his law school chum’s around the corner in Boerum Hill, “It’s nice to have options, especially when you love this country as much as I do,” he said, licking his lips in anticipation of a fine Fourth feast.

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