The Barclays Area is About to Get a Little Sweeter

Photo via Sugar Factory

Back in March of 2010, when construction first began on the Barclays Center, developers swore up & down that once the arena opened up, the local economy was TOTALLY going to boom! Businesses in the surrounding area would be FLOODED with arena-goers. Real estate magnate Michael Pintchik, who owns a number of buildings surrounding Barclays, was going to make bank by bringing new & exciting businesses to his properties. Neighborhood REVITALIZATION!

Flash forward to 2014 and, almost two years after the rusty stadium first opened, it hasn't exactly panned out that way. Sure there's a Shake Shack slated to open up soon in a Pintchik building on Flatbush across from the arena, but Shake Shack does not a neighborhood make. In the last few days though, there've been a few announcements that hint at things picking up in the area.

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Scott Rogowsky Surprises Potential Roommates With a Talk Show

We here at FIPS are big fans of neighborhood comedian Scott Rogowsky. Whether he's trying to find a girlfriend by dating local, or trying to become a member of the Wolf Pack, he cracks us up with his Slope-centric sense of humor. Still, nothing he's done before quite comes close to his latest endeavor: 

A couple months ago I needed a roommate, so I produced a talk show in my apartment, complete with a live studio audience, four cameras, and Gilbert Gottfried, Andrew W.K., and Michael Gregory of The Gregory Brothers playing sidekick, musical guest, and bandleader, respectively. I then solicited potential roommates (aka talk show guests) via Craigslist with an ad for an open house.

Scott, you're nuts, and you've got balls.

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WHASSUP: The Latest Edition

So, Park Slope, have you been attending my special, hand-picked events? I sure have no way of knowing because very few of you have reached out with your experience. I'm not condemning you for being shy and I'm sure as hell not encouraging you to give me a ten page rundown.  I just want to hear your thoughts—good and I guess bad too.  After all, how else will I ever continue to throw this shit at you if I have no idea what you like.

Here's the deal: I tell you WHASSUP, you tell me WHASSUP.

Without further ado, here's WHASSUP:

Thursday, 5/29, Shipwreck and Word Present: The Great Gatsby, The Bell House: As if Hollywood baby-man, Leonardo Di Caprio, didn't ruin this movie enough—a merry group of misfits plans to take over The Bell House and further rape the literary masterpiece. How do you like that, "Old Sport?"  $10, 8pm

Friday, 5/30, Brooklyn Contra-Dance, Camp Friendship: What in the fuck is this? All I can ascertain from the ad is that it must be where communes and line dancing meet on the other side.  If you should go, please, please tell us about it. $15 general admission, $12 students. Beginner’s workshop 7:30pm, event 8pm-11pm

Saturday, 5/31, Comedy Battle Rap, Union Hall: When I think of comedy and rap my mind goes straight to my boy Weird Al's Amish paradise—you too? There's just something about funy rhymes...I love em'! $10, 7pm doors, 7:30pm show

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Gettin' It Right: Dizzy's

Image via Dizzy's on FacebookGettin' It Right is our semi-regularish column where we call out a Park Slope biz that deserves an online pat on the ass for doing something that's not totally fucking stupid. Today's nominee: Dizzy's!

I love breakfast. I love it at it's normal time, and I love it for lunch and dinner, too. I'm definitely more of an eggy breakfast-food person than a pancake/waffle person, and it's a close call when it comes to bacon vs. sausage (both, if I have someone to share with), but my breakfast is not complete without a delicious order of home fries. I just lurve me some home fries! You know what I hate, though? People who sneak bell peppers into home fries. What the fuck is up with that?!

Listen, it's my one food aversion. I fucking hate bell peppers. They taste fucking gross, and they stink up the joint when you cook with them. I grew up thinking I hated Chinese food. Turns out my parents just always ordered stuff that had cooked peppers in it. And my mom used to order peppers on her pizza. I want to barf at the memory. 

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Caption This Park Slope Photo!

At first glance, this looks like your average, everyday sidewalk giveaway in Park Slope. On closer inspection, you'll see that the small item next to the box fan is a tube of KY. 

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