The Kitchen Sink

Boerum Hill: Within spitting distance of the Brooklyn House of Detention, the Nu Hotel, a boutique inn sharing space in a condo building on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Smith Street, will officially open on Aug. 2, though some rooms are already occupied as part of the “soft” opening. … Coney Island: Lace up your skates because the Dreamland roller rink — which storeowner Lola Staar brought to the historic Childs Building on the Boardwalk near West 21st Street for just one night in March — will open for its summer season on July 19. It may open permanently, pending final approval from the Department of Buildings. Visit www.dreamlandrollerrink.com for info. … Cobble Hill: Francophiles, dust of your berets, and head over to Smith Street this Sunday, July 13 for the annual Bastille Day festivities. What better way to commemorate the revolution, which actually ended up launching the Reign of Terror, than by watching a petanque tournament and drinking Cote du Rhone. All the action will be between Pacific and Bergen streets. … Park Slope: Our friends at the North Flatbush Business Improvement District wanted you to know about their first ever “Summer Stroll Sidewalk Sale” on July 12. From noon to 8 pm, stores from Plaza Street to Atlantic Avenue — including Hooti Couture, Redberi, Pintchik Hardware and Joy Indian restaurant — will be offering huge sales. There will also be face painting! Face painting?! Count us in. … Brooklyn Heights: Ran into Fort Greene Councilwoman Letitia James checking out the “New York City Waterfalls” from the new “pop-up” park at the top of Furman Street, near the Fulton Landing. Tish said she liked the artwork, but questioned the mayor’s claim that it would bring in $55 million in new tourist spending. That Tish, she’s always fighting the power. … Memo to reporters: Don’t forget Ken Baer when you’re writing up your lists of all the people running to replace term-limited Councilman David Yassky. The former chair of the New York State chapter of the Sierra Club reminded us the other day that he’s joined the 4,347 other declared candidates, who include District Leader Jo Anne Simon, frequent candidate Ken Diamondstone, Williamsburg Hasidic activist Isaac Abraham, Yassky’s former aide Evan Thies and Steve Levin, chief of staff to Assemblyman Vito Lopez. … Boroughwide: Our political insider pal Chris Owens, who ran for his father’s old congressional seat two years ago, now has a radio show! Join Chris in his weekly discussion of “black politics” every Sunday at 7 am on WWRL at 1600 on your AM dial (do people still say that kind of thing? If not, just go to Owens’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8179654379). The show, “Black Politics with Chris Owens,” is also streamed online and is repeated on XM Satellite radio on Saturdays at 8 pm. It also features original music by Owens, who used his musical talents to great use during his failed campaign. Who else played “In the Summertime” at senior centers? … Williamsburg: Our pals at the Edge condos seem to have bought into their advertising slogan. Developers Group Executive Vice President Highlyann Krasnow and agents Michael Brooks, Jordan Silver and June Kang have all purchased units in the planned North Sixth Street towers, marketed with the motto: “Live here or die.” Let’s hope Elan Padeh, Developers Group CEO and president, didn’t make them an offer they couldn’t refuse. … A July 8 meeting of Community Board 1 became a surprise 90th birthday party for longstanding Chairman Vinny Abate. Former City Councilman and current administrative judge Abe Gerges kicked off the celebration by presenting a cake (there weren’t actually 90 candles). Abate also received plaques from Rep. Ed Towns (D–Fort Greene), Councilmembers Diana Reyna (D–Williamsburg) and David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights), and Hizzoner himself, Mayor Bloomberg. Former City Councilman Ken Fisher also showed his gratitude, but Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D–Williamsburg) stole the show when he presented Abate with a special medal of distinction for the WWII vet’s service on the board. Never to be outdone, Borough President Markowitz complimented the pint-sized community leader, deeming Abate “one of the few in Brooklyn leadership that I can look at eye to eye.”