Lucali Goes Dark (Not for Taylor Swift)

A $5 billion plan to finish Atlantic Yards, fireworks street closures to know before Saturday and more.

Happy early Fourth of July! It has been hot all week, but that didn’t stop me from walking by Lucali Wednesday night. When I saw my favorite Sagittarius in the neighborhood¹ post that the restaurant would be closed, I thought it might be related to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s pre-wedding festivities. Turns out Mark Iacono was at Michael Rubin’s party in the Hamptons.

Nearby, at Henry and Carroll, I noticed this very patriotic display in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

I am currently upstate for the day and off to Pennsylvania tomorrow to visit family. How are others celebrating America’s quarter-thou?

The Roundup

The former after-school program director of Brooklyn New School on Henry Street has been accused of stealing more than $111,000 over six years. She allegedly spent the money on hotel stays, liquor and payments to a luxury real estate company, People reports.

Speaking of America 250, Nick Bello’s breakdown of the Battle of Brooklyn is worth a read. History buffs might already know that the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Carroll Park both used to be forts.

New York State officials unveiled a $5 billion plan Monday to complete Atlantic Yards. The plan would add six high-rises and 5,600 homes, including about 1,242 units set aside as affordable. Union pension funds, including those of local carpenters, bricklayers and communications workers, would finance much of the project, which could take a decade or more to build.

As hot as it is, children won’t be able to splash around the Red Hook Pool just yet due to a mechanical issue. It’s the second year in a row the pool’s opening has been delayed.

Downtown Brooklyn has a new asphalt art mural called Brooklyn Blossoms by Carla Torres, whose work has shown at the Noguchi Museum, according to a press release. The mural, which spans 21 sites across the Shared Streets network, is part of a partnership between NYC DOT and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.

A tentative trial date for the federal corruption case of Frank V. Carone, former Mayor Eric Adams’ longtime aide, has been set for August. Carone was indicted last week on bribery and money laundering charges, according to the NYTimes.

Adam Driver is trading his Brooklyn Heights condo for three units at The Standish, where Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt also live. There are two things Driver will forever be famous for in my mind. First is Girls (duh). Second is this 2012 GQ Men of the Year video, in which he jogs away from “adoring fans” while modeling ‘70s-inspired sportswear. Because of this video, I played Lime’s “Babe We’re Gonna Love Tonight” throughout my college semester abroad. ╮ (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ╭

Goings On

• There’s a Reggaeton Rave at Industry City tonight, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• This year’s Macy’s 4th of July fireworks mark the show’s 50th anniversary and coincide with America’s 250th. The city has reworked street closures to ease last year’s crowding. Brooklyn Bridge Park closes all day Saturday, reopening at 4 p.m. for ticket holders only through the Atlantic Avenue and Old Fulton entrances. If you’re driving or walking through the neighborhood, check this map for frozen zone boundaries, towing times and where you’ll need a Community Pass (email the Brooklyn Heights Association at info@thebha.org by 5 p.m. today to request one).

• Sail 4th 250 will see several tall ships dock at Brooklyn Bridge Park from Sunday, July 5 to Tuesday, July 7. Tickets are free, with reservations strongly recommended. Tours will take place from noon to 6 p.m. most days.

• Cardinal Gift Shop in Fort Greene (outside our usual coverage area, but a great store) is having a miniature pet sculpture workshop on Tuesday, July 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets here, and be sure to bring reference photos of your pet.

One Last Thing

This word appeared in the newsletter A Word A Day this week: Carrollian, after Lewis Carroll, who famously authored Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1965. Carrollian means “fanciful, absurd, logic-twisting or playfully nonsensical.”