The Wrestling Ring in the Woods, and More Brooklyn News in Brief Monday

- Early next year, the city hopes to make a decision on which development team will get the nod to develop the Public Place, a more than six-acre site stretching from lower Smith Street to the Gowanus Canal. Brooklyn Eagle

- Apparently, there was a wrestling ring in the woods of Gerritson Beach, and it's really a mess. Gerritsen Beach

- Tourists can't afford Manhattan, so they're flocking to a "cheap" Brooklyn hotel -- only $400 a night. wcbstv

- The phone companies have allegedly been helping the Bush administration to illegally spy on American citizens, without warrants, since before 9/11. First and Court

- December 16th is Bay Ridge's "birthday." This year, Bay Ridge turns 154 years old, says the Right in Bay Ridge blog -- which also says the naming of the area "Bay Ridge" in 1853 had as much to do with a real estate deal as anything else.

- Williamsburg parent wants to bribe his child into a better school. Can you blame him? (If you can, do you have kids?) NewYorkShitty

- Death row doggie: A Brooklyn court freed Duke, the Long Island pit bull terrier who's been on "death row" for four years for attacking another dog. Brooklyn Eagle

- BCAT TV: Errol Louis of the NY Daily News moderates a discussion on the race for Brooklyn Borough President. Tonight, December 17 at 1pm; Tuesday, December 18 at 1:30pm & 9:30pm; and Thursday, December 20 at 2pm & 10pm.

- Paul Robeson Music Series: December 19th-22nd at the Paul Robeson Theater, Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Ticketweb. To Usher: send an email to info@meanredproductions.com

OMG -- There's An Election Today! How Do We Vote?

Today, Tuesday,November 6, is election day.

If you live in Brooklyn, a surrogate judgeship is up for grabs. The candidates are Diana A. Johnson, a State Supreme Court justice, and ShawnDya L. Simpson, a Civil Court judge and a former Brooklyn assistant district attorney.

According to the NY Times, "a number of reform clubs and African-American political leaders have backed Justice Johnson, while Judge Simpson has the support of the Brooklyn Democratic leader, Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez. Either woman would, if elected, become Brooklyn’s first black surrogate. The Surrogate’s Courts handle wills, adoptions and estates."

City Council member Mathieu Eugene, a Brooklyn Democrat, faces a special election to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, who moved on to higher offices.

The Brooklyn Eagle has a roundup of the judicial candidates. Be sure to check it out here. Make sure to read the "Maybe You Heard..." sections about each candidate.

Photo credit: CORD. Please visit web site here.

FUREE: Downtown Brooklyn Plan Destroys Social Fabric of Myrtle Avenue

FUREE -- Families United for Racial and Economic Justice -- says that the Mayor’s Downtown Brooklyn Plan places millions of dollars of public subsidies into the hands of developers who will destroy low-income communities.

Residents of Fort Greene, particularly on Myrtle Avenue, directly across Flatbush Avenue from Metrotech, are already affected by massive development due to the Downtown Brooklyn Plan’s rezoning. Land that for 30 years held a grocery, Laundromat and a 99-cents housewares store has now been emptied, leaving local residents without basic services.

FUREE is producing a video, which can be viewed here.

Boutique Hotel on Duffield Street, and More Brooklyn in Brief Tuesday

- Plans for a boutique hotel on Duffield Street appear to be moving forward independently of the contentious eminent domain proceedings that may hit the Underground Railroad houses just a few doors down, Brownstoner reports. A group of investors recently closed on the purchase of 237 Duffield Street for $9.5 million. Brownstoner

- Brooklyn resident Michelle Williams may be moving to Manhattan, now that her ex, Heath Ledger, the father of her daughter Matilda, has shipped off to SoHo. New York Post

- Bill de Blasio is running for Borough President, here and more at the Gowanus Lounge.

- Now global warming is wiping out pumpkin crops across the U.S. Where will it all end? Huffington Post

- Curbed has an update on the Gowanus Whole Foods. And it's not looking good for 2008. (via Racked) Curbed

'Brooklyn Bests' in Villiage Voice's Best of NYC Guide

The Village Voice just came out with their annual Best of NYC 2007 guide.

Along with many things Brooklyn, the neighborhood of Dumbo made the list -- it was named “Best Manhattan Neighborhood In Brooklyn - DUMBO”. (Thanks to Dumbo NYC)

Other Brooklyn Bests, according to the Voice:

- Best Noble Failure - It's Still Not a Done Deal (Atlantic Yards)
- Best Martha Stewart's Last Meal - Old Poland Bakery and Restaurant

- Best Brooklyn Assemblyman Who Never Quits - Jim Brennan
- Best Way To Enjoy The Brooklyn Promenade - Blue Pig
- Best Bridge Anywhere - Brooklyn Bridge
- Best Place To Get Murdered, Raped, Or Robbed In The City - East New York, Brooklyn.

More here.

Brooklyn's Polish -- and Patient Bird --Celebrate Pulaski Day

So a patient and apparently untethered gray bird (see man in skirt, right) seemed content to perch solidly on its "owner's" hat as he pirouetted, marched and strutted his green beard during Sunday's Pulaski Day Parade on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. (click on photo for enlargement)

The Brooklyn presence was strong, with marching bands, schools and churches well represented.

Photos by MK Metz