If you happen to live anywhere near the intersection of North 8th and Havemeyer streets in Williamsburg, then you know what that means: Love it or hate it, the two-week street festival put on each year by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church to honor its patron saint is nearly here.

Published by amNY.com on July 7, 2008.

They range from the creation of a massive world-class park at the 2,200-acre former Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island to $50 million for rebuilding an Olympic-size pool and bringing a recreation center to McCarren Park in Williamsburg.

Published by New York Post on July 7, 2008.

At Crest Hardware, a quasi institution on Metropolitan Avenue near Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, more than 100 works of art, many of them hardware-themed, are on display alongside the workaday items like nails, nuts and bolts. They are part of the Crest Hardware Art Show, which is in its seventh year. It began June 7 and runs through the end of July.

Published by New York Times on July 6, 2008.

These include Kent Avenue from Division Avenue to North 14th Street, Franklin Street from North 14th Street to Greenpoint Avenue and Montague Street between Court and Montague Terrace.

Published by New York Times on July 3, 2008.

• David Zablocki of Wine Cellar Sorbet, the Greenpoint-based vintage wine ices company, hawked his three new flavors: mimosa, port wine and saki. The mimosa was first rate. For more info, call (718) 383-8308 or visit www.winecellarsorbets.com.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 3, 2008.

A group of foul-mouthed thugs mugged two teens on June 23, but cops nabbed some of the suspected offenders.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

The woman heard noises coming from her brother’s room in the apartment, which is between Manhattan Avenue and McGuinness Boulevard, at around 12:40 pm.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

Thieves couldn’t unlock a safe when they broke into a Berry Street trading company overnight on June 25, so they stole the safe itself.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

Neighborhoods with the greatest number of cases included Borough Park, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Greenpoint and East New York.

Published by New York Times on July 2, 2008.

Cops nabbed a savvy crook who convinced gym employees to let him into another man’s locker on June 29.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

The thug sprayed the unsuspecting victims at around 12:40 am as they exited the station, which is at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Lorimer Street.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

The muggers struck at around 10:10 pm as the victim stepped out of the shop, which is at the corner of Graham Avenue and Conselyea Street.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on July 2, 2008.

And so fans like 27-year-old Blair Blanchard, a freelance writer who lives in Greenpoint, has made T-shirts that say “I

Published by The New York Observer on July 1, 2008.

The store, Alphabeta in Greenpoint, proudly embraces graffiti culture and even offers artists a space for their work. But any mention of graffiti among some New Yorkers conjures searing images of a city in economic and social despair. A store that glorifies graffiti, says Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., (D- Astoria), is the equivalent of creating a criminal supply shop.

Published by amNY.com on July 1, 2008.

In Greenpoint, the population is diversifying, as these intriguing and affordable restaurants show.

Published by New York Times on June 28, 2008.

Bedford Avenue is a great place to shop and dine — but on four Saturdays this summer, it will become the perfect place to lounge. The city will close Bedford Avenue to traffic, turning the thoroughfare into a pedestrian-only plaza between Metropolitan Avenue and North Ninth Street.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Every year, the now-scattered descendants of Williamsburg’s Italian community return to the ’hood with one essential goal: to lift an 80-foot tall, three- ton tower known as the “giglio” onto their shoulders and “dance” with it through the streets as part of the annual feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Paulinus of Nola in Williamsburg.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

The place: Coco Roco on Smith Street. The time: Tuesday night. The event: A fundraiser for Simon’s run to succeed Councilman David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights). The problem: Distinguishing yourself from at least five other declared candidates in an election that isn’t even until 2009 for a district that sprawls from Greenpoint to Park Slope.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

The charm of the Palace Cafe, which sits on an unassuming corner across from Greenpoint’s Monsignor McGolrick Park, is that, well, it doesn’t have any. Known locally for the heavy metal music that pours out of the door at all hours, and a bartender who might close up for the night on a whim, the bar stays packed with adventurers and locals alike who appreciate the $1.50 mug of Bud or, if you’re a real high roller, the $3 mug of Stella Artois.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

The crook stole the bag from a 19-year-old woman, who had put her purse on the sidewalk at the corner of Bedford Avenue and North Seventh Street while she chatted with friends. The thief grabbed the bag — which held a copy of “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand — at about 12:50 pm.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Crooks jacked more than $1,000 worth of ladies undies from a truck parked on Greenpoint Avenue on June 19. The thieves parked a blue van behind the trailer, which was stopped between Newell and Diamond Streets, at around 11 am. While the driver was in the store, the crooks pilfered the unlocked trailer and unloaded four cases of assorted lingerie.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Organizers expect this year’s show to have more food to taste than its first effort — from Hot Bread Kitchen, helmed by Boerum Hill’s Jessamyn Waldman, Salvatore Brooklyn’s fresh ricotta, Williamsburg’s own Mast Brothers Chocolate and others — and more things to do, like get your copy of “The Shameless Carnivore” signed by author Scott Gold.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

But it was Williamsburg — his home for 11 years — that was on Maloney’s mind. Citing late-night kickball games in McCarren Park, the backyard at Union Pool — “You can smoke and drink at the same time!” — and the view from East River State Park, Maloney dreamed up a cocktail for us that he said is just right for a steamy summer night, or Fourth of July party, in Brooklyn.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

But it was Williamsburg — his home for 11 years — that was on Maloney’s mind. Citing late-night kickball games in McCarren Park, the backyard at Union Pool — “You can smoke and drink at the same time!” — and the view from East River State Park, Maloney dreamed up a cocktail for us that he said is just right for a steamy summer night, or Fourth of July party, in Brooklyn.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

The half-hour show, starting at 9:25 pm, will launch over 35,000 fireworks from two locations, on the East River between 10th and 24th streets, and at South Street Seaport. Anywhere along Brooklyn’s shores with a good view of the East River between Houston and 42nd streets — ideally, Williamsburg or Greenpoint — will be a great spot to watch fireworks.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Over at Studio B, a Greenpoint nightclub, there’s finally something hotter than the late-night dance parties: the rooftop barbecue. Starting last week, the club is throwing a monthly barbecue party featuring DJs, drink specials and a rotating cast of guest chefs — Avery Wittkamp (Marlow & Sons), Lesley Stockton (Dram Shop) and Heather Meldrom (ex-Craftsteak) are already lined up — dishing out $4 plates of gourmet grub.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

But it was Williamsburg — his home for 11 years — that was on Maloney’s mind. Citing late-night kickball games in McCarren Park, the backyard at Union Pool — “You can smoke and drink at the same time!” — and the view from East River State Park, Maloney dreamed up a cocktail for us that he said is just right for a steamy summer night, or Fourth of July party, in Brooklyn.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Crooks stole nearly $10,000 in cellphones and calling cards from a Nassau Avenue wireless store during a brazen robbery on June 17. One robber entered the shop, which is between Leonard Street and Manhattan Avenue, at around 12:45 pm and purchased a $20 calling card, but his request for a written receipt with a serial number struck the store’s lone employee as odd.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

The duo, described as two men between the ages of 17 and 19, hit three stores in Crown Heights and one in Greenpoint so far.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 27, 2008.

Three thugs forced their way into a Lombardy Street parking lot on June 22, confining the security guards in a portable toilet and beating them mercilessly with the butt of a handgun. The foul encounter started when a female accomplice asked one of the guards for directions at around 3:25 am. When the guard said he didn’t know the way, three male crooks forced pushed through a gate and into lot, which is near the corner of Gardner Avenue, hard against the Newtown Creek.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

With no provocation, the thugs attacked the victim at the corner of North Sixth Street and Bedford Avenue at around 2 am, punching him and kicking him in the face. The vicious assault left the victim with a broken orbital socket and nasal cavity, facial contusions, swelling, and cuts above and below the eyes that required stitches.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Monkey Town, the Williamsburg restaurant and performing arts space, closed on June 23 for six weeks of renovations. Although it often seems that when a “closed for renovations” sign is posted on a window in Brooklyn, it’s code for “we’re out of business,” Monkey Town’s owner assures us that they’ll be swinging from the branches again come Aug. 2.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 27, 2008.

Staffers at a Brooklyn middle school allegedly ignored reports that a 28-year-old male school aide was groping young girls, allowing him to prey on more victims. Johnathan Williams groped nearly a dozen girls as young as 12, some of whom alerted staffers at JHS 126, Commissioner of Investigations Richard Condon charged yesterday.

Published by New York Post on June 26, 2008.

As first reported earlier this month by Curbed and then by the Brooklyn Eagle, Two Trees Management has its sights set on converting an old five-story warehouse at 80 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg into a hotel. As a follow-up post on Curbed also noted, the developer's first attempt to gain approval for increasing the building's height from 50 feet to 111 feet was disapproved by DOB recently. Reached in his office by phone this week, Two Trees' Jed Walentas pointed out the overlooked fact that the Dumbo-based developer is only in contract on the property and is unlikely to close anytime sooner than next January. Which raises the question, Is the deal contingent upon gaining approval for a substantial build-out or are they just getting their ducks in order on the seller's dime? More importantly, how do you think a hotel would fare in this location? If it were well done (sexy but not too expensive a la The Standard), we think it could work. GMAP P*Shark DOB

Published by Brownstoner on June 26, 2008.

A teacher's aide allegedly tickled and groped cheerleaders during games of lights-out tag inside his Brooklyn school, officials charged Wednesday. Johnathan Williams, 28, is accused of sexually touching at least four girls from Junior High School 126 and making inappropriate comments to them, such as calling one a "sexy mama," according to a report by Special Schools Investigator Richard Condon.

Published by New York Daily News on June 26, 2008.

New York City's special commissioner of investigation, Richard Condon, on Wednesday accused Johnathan Williams of inappropriately touching the students inside JHS 126 during a game of tag with the lights off. Williams also allegedly made sexual comments.

Published by New York Post on June 25, 2008.

New York City's special commissioner of investigation, Richard Condon, on Wednesday accused Johnathan Williams of inappropriately touching the students inside JHS 126 during a game of tag with the lights off. Williams also allegedly made sexual comments.

Published by ABC News (Channel 7) on June 25, 2008.

Jonathan Williams had been a school aide at Junior High School 126 in Williamsburg since 2006. The Special Commissioner of Investigation released a disturbing report on Williams' inappropriate behavior toward at least ten students.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on June 25, 2008.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved revised plans for a massive development at the Domino Sugar Refinery in Williamsburg, Brownstoner reported just before noon after blogging live from the hearing all morning. Most importantly "the sign will live," said an architect for the project.

Published by The New York Observer on June 24, 2008.

“The Brooklyn Brewery was a confirmation of the American Dream,” co-founder Steve Hindy wrote in a commentary released today by the Center for an Urban Future called "Trouble Brewing."

Published by The New York Observer on June 24, 2008.

Here she is -- the scaled-down, more contextually appropriate design for the New Domino residential development, which got the official stamp of approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission this morning. Unlike the former, more controversial plan, this one preserves the iconic Domino Sugar sign, better hides the mechanicals, and adds fewer floors on top of the landmarked old factory.

Published by The New York Observer on June 24, 2008.

The diverse district also includes Park Slope, Greenpoint, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Boerum Hill.

Published by New York Post on June 23, 2008.

More than 100 relatives and friends crowded into Pujdak's former Greenpoint firehouse to join Mayor Bloomberg and top FDNY brass, who unveiled a memorial plaque honoring Pujdak.

Published by New York Daily News on June 23, 2008.

Triple Five Soul, Vespa Lease Up at 33 Nassau Avenue

Published by Brownstoner on June 23, 2008.

While their grief remains sometimes overwhelming, Pujdak's parents have been comforted by a tremendous outpouring of support from the Greenpoint community in which they have lived for decades and from their son's colleagues in Ladder 146.

Published by New York Daily News on June 21, 2008.

The crooks started an argument with the 14-year-old victim at around 9:50 pm, knocking him off his feet on the corner of Nassau Avenue and Henry Street. Two of the wrongdoers held the victim to the ground while another beat him with a cane in the groin.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 20, 2008.

A thug heartlessly snatched the purse of a woman praying inside a Manhattan Avenue church on June 14. The victim had been praying for about an hour in the church, which is between Milton and Noble streets, when the unholy hoodlum put her in a chokehold and tried to grab her purse.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 20, 2008.

Crooks broke into a supermarket on Meeker Avenue near Russell Street overnight on June 9 and snatched $5,000.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 20, 2008.

The thug — who was wearing a black baseball cap adorned with a skull and a black do-rag, cops said — confronted his victim near the corner North Eighth and Havemeyer streets at around 11:40 am.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 20, 2008.

Thieves got onto the roof of a Manhattan Avenue warehouse, snatching $6,000 worth of copper from a cellular antenna. The crooks stole the increasingly precious metal from the cell site on the corner of Skillman Avenue sometime between May 11 and June 12, when workers from the national cellular provider made their monthly inspection.

Published by Brooklyn Paper on June 20, 2008.