NEIGHBORHOODS
Ridgewood

Students got the chance to display their debate skills at the event held at Brooklyn College. Photo by Janet Marcic/Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

Brooklyn students debate to sharpen their public speaking skills

A non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged young people who have fallen through the cracks earn high school diplomas is also helping them improve their public speaking skills to give them more self-confidence. … Full Article

Zak Smith is playing a show at the ShapeShifter Lab in Park Slope at 7 p.m. on Jan. 23. Photo by Stephan Alessi

Zak Smith Band heads to Park Slope to perform Americana-style music

While singer-songwriter Zak Smith may describe his sound as Americana or alternative, his thoughtful lyrics mixed with light accompaniment blend to create a fresh sound not heard often in the New York and Brooklyn music scene. … Full Article

In the weeks following the deaths of NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, the 84th Precinct has been flooded with flowers, food, sympathy cards and other gifts as people pay their respects to the fallen officers. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

Fallen officers remembered at 84th Precinct meeting

Instead of presenting crime reports and Cop of the Month awards, this month’s 84th Precinct Community Council meeting focused on commemorating NYPD Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who died in the line of duty last month. … Full Article

The landmarked Dime Savings Bank at 9 DeKalb Ave. is for sale. The City Point development is seen on the left edge of the photo, and Junior's Restaurant on the right. Eagle photos by Lore Croghan

Massey Knakal is hunting for a buyer for Downtown Brooklyn's iconic Dime Savings Bank building

Brother, can you spare a Dime? And not just any old Dime will do. This one's clad in white marble, looks like a Classical temple and has a firing range in the basement. What more could you want from a landmark? … Full Article

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget released on Wednesday includes $700 million in capital funding for the health care in central and eastern Brooklyn. AP photo by Mike Groll

Cuomo budgets $700 million for health care in central Brooklyn

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Budget released on Wednesday includes $700 million in capital funding for health care in central and eastern Brooklyn. … Full Article

Historic buildings like this one make a walk around Red Hook worthwhile, whether or not the weather is freezing. Eagle photos by Lore Croghan

Red Hook eye candy, seen in winter

A test of true love, when it comes to a neighborhood, is whether one would stroll its streets simply to admire the buildings when the weather is best suited to polar bears. We can assure you: We stand ready to walk around Red Hook no matter how repulsively low the temperature is. … Full Article