Clash Over Plans for a Brooklyn Park

The way Marty Markowitz sees it, the rundown nine-acre park where Coney Island and Brighton Beach meet is ripe for a sparkling transformation.

Residents fear a planned 5,000-seat amphitheater would draw too many visitors and change the quiet character of the park.  (NY Times)

Brighton’s familiar ring: Russian circus stars feel right at home

Ringling Bris. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performer Olga Surnina longed for her mother’s homemade Russian blintzes as she traveled the country. Now, her cravings are being satisfied.

Oceana – a residential resort village off Brighton Beach’s main drag

On a summer Saturday at Brighton Beach’s Oceana Condominium & Club, Bentleys and Lamborghinis cruised the parking lot, a Russian pro wrestler flirted with skimpy bikini-clad beauties in Chanel sunglasses, and rumors of $1 million condos selling in four hours on Craigslist sent whispers around the oceanfront pool.

Too Darn Hot? Hop the ‘Sea’ Train

I was at the bottom of the ocean in Brooklyn when it dawned on me why I love New York City beaches even more than those pristine, remote shores seen in vacation brochures.

N Train From 34th Street to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue

Something about Coney Island still inspires the imagination. It’s a place with a history of fantastical happenings, not least of which is the ability of Astroland, the amusement park, to remain alive and open for business even after dire announcements of its buyout and imminent shutdown.