We were a little surprised to hear that Brooklyn moms are choosing Manhattan hospitals for their deliveries. According to Gothamist, most of Brooklyn’s ritzy hospitals (Fort Greene, Park Slope, Cobble Hill) are seeing fewer patients than usual, while four in Manhattan have had almost a third more deliveries than usual.

On first glance, this news might seem outrageous, and further proof that those brownstone belt moms are really Manhattanites in Brooklyners’ clothing.

But maybe it’s not that bad. These Brooklyn moms aren’t choosing their doctors by borough alone. They’re looking at experience, reputation, etc. etc., and if those facts point to Manhattan, so be it.

It got us thinking, though — Which activities rightfully warrant a trip to Manhattan?

Shopping? For chain stores, definitely, though our borough can satisfy cravings for Brooklyn Outfitters (obviously) or economical Target expeditions.

Dining? Not at all necessary, but we don’t consider it a treachery to grab a bite on the other side of the bridge.

Finding a job? Either. For Brooklyn residents, staying in-borough might sound convenient, but it really depends on where. Many Brooklyners are closer to Wall St. than Bushwick.

Entertainment? There’s lots to do everywhere, thank god. Gotta love New York.

The already smokin’ Atlantic Avenue shopping stretch in Brooklyn should get even hotter this September, when Barneys Co-op — a division of Barneys New York — opens its doors at this MTA nexus of the universe.

What is Barneys Co-op? Barneys.com describes its hipster branch in a strategically typefaced list of four points:

1. It’s the wayward offspring of Barneys New York.
2. It’s always Downtown even when it’s Uptown.
3. It’s–

Alright, we get the point.

Much of the Barneys merch will cost in the hundreds, however the Co-op does have some nifty sales allowing prices to dip into double-digit territory.

Photo via jackiew on Flickr.

The words “smoke” and “joint” might not automatically connote barbecue in your mind, but all of that will change after your visit our latest Fort Greene find: The Smoke Joint. Located near the Atlantic Avenue mega-stop, this barbecue house is fast and cheap, with a menu full of tantalizing options. You can pick up your grub for takeout, or make a night of it with sit-down service.

The Smoke Joint’s menu is a carnivore’s delight, featuring such choices as beef and pork ribs ($11–$23), sweet and spicy wings ($7.50), and smoked chicken ($4–$14). Alternatively, ladies — and light-eating gents — will love the caesar salad ($5–$9), prepared with just the right amount of dressing and the option to add pork, beef, or chicken. Still not convinced? Nobody can turn down The Smoke Joint’s comfort-food sides, including mac and cheese ($4) and corn on the cob ($2.50).

If you’re looking for booze, you can visit the bourbon-filled Pig Bar adjacent to The Smoke Joint, or order beer or cocktails from the restaurant’s menu. (Let us know how the habanero-infused mango margarita tastes — we were too scared to try it.)

Check out The Smoke Joint at 87 S. Elliot Place in Fort Greene. 718.797.1011.

It’s no wonder Brooklyn is loaded with history, given the borough’s population of over 2.5 million people, which features residents of all cultures and backgrounds.

Originally called “Breuckelen,” Brooklyn was settled by the Dutch West India Company in 1646, making it the state of New York’s first municipality. Brooklyn later absorbed some of the neighboring Dutch villages, including Boswijk (Bushwick), Nieuw Utrecht (New Utrecht), and Nieuw Amersfoort (Flatlands).

Even today, Brooklyn residents and visitors alike are privy to dozens of fantastic historical landmarks, including the Green-Wood Cemetery in Greenwood Heights, a resting place for many famous people, including Leonard Bernstein. Another great landmark is the Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park, a museum capturing the life of Brooklyn in the 1820s. Alternatively, fans of architecture—or just tall things—might enjoy a trip to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank in Fort Greene. Standing at 512 feet, this bank is one of the tallest buildings in Brooklyn, featuring one of the tallest clock towers in the world.

Of course, no trip to Brooklyn is complete without a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1883, and has since become an integral aspect of the New York City’s skyline.

As with any other city or state, some neighborhoods in Brooklyn are safer than others. You have places like Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights, and Fort Greene, which are considered very secure. At the same time, certain areas like Bedford-Stuyvesant, East New York, and Bushwick and known for being more dangerous.

Of course, not everyone can afford a $500,000 home in Park Slope or even a high-rent apartment. But crime isn’t just about location—it can happen anywhere.

I grew up in a wealthy area of Pittsburgh that was usually considered safe, but every so often we would hear about break-ins and other crimes. Thus, while it’s important to think about crime rate while looking for Brooklyn apartments, you also need to think about what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Although there is some information online, I prefer to speak to actual people when researching a neighborhood. These include potential roommates and landlords, local businesspeople, and friends in the area. This way, I can learn everything about a given neighborhood: how late people are still on the street, which areas are the most and least safe, how many cops patrol the streets, etc. With this information, you should be able to find the perfect part of Brooklyn for you.

FLUSHING, Queens - The Brooklyn Tech girls swimming team will be sending a contingent of swimmer to Rochester this weekend for the State Federation championship meet.  Several of the Lady Engineers qualified for the state meet at the PSAL Championship meet at the Flushing Heights/Corona Park Aquatic Center last weekend.

The 200 yard Medley Relay team of Caroline Laskowski, Annie Zhu, Aileen Pablo and Sarah Bouzarouata qualified for the state meet with a PSAL record time of 1:53.41 in their November 5th quarterfinal meet against Fort Hamilton, a meet the Lady Engineers won 60-37.  The Lady Engineers finished second in the PSAL meet behind Stuyvesant of Manhattan.

Bouzarouata also qualified for the state meet in the 50 yard freestyle (25.35, set on Sunday in the finals of the PSAL meet when she placed second in the 50 yard finals behind Rachel Cho of Benjamin Cardozo of Queens) and 100 yard freestyle (55.03, set on Sunday during the preliminary meet of the PSAL meet).

Zhu, who is a member of the USA Junior National Team, qualified for the state meet in the 500 yard Freestyle during the regular season, with a time of 5:01.10, and the 100 yard Breaststroke with a time of 1:04.99.  Both times were set during a October 15 meet against Curtis of Staten Island.

Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech will face each other in the PSAL team championship meet on Tuesday 4:00 p.m. at CUNY/Lehman College in Bedford Park, The Bronx.

(IF YOU GO to the PSAL Meet at Lehman College: CUNY/Lehman College is located within walking distance of the Bedford Park Blvd./Bedford Park station on the #4 train and within walking distance of the Bedford Park station on the (B) and (D) train.)

MANHATTAN – The PSAL Girls Volleyball tournament is down to it’s final four in Class B, while the quarterfinals in Class A take place tonight at Hunter College.

In the Class B quarterfinals, top seeded Leon Goldstein High School for Science of Manhattan Beach ended 24th-seeded Bushwick’s dramatic run in the tourney in a two game sweep, 25-12, 25-16.  Goldstein (14-0) had defeated 17th seeded Springfield Gardens in the second round after having a first round bye; Bushwick (11-4) had defeated 9th-seeded School of the Future and 8th-seeded Riverdale/Kings to reach the quarterfinals.

Goldstein will face B-6 Divison rival and 13th seeded Franklin D. Roosevelt of Mapleton.  FDR defeated the 5th seeded East Harlem Pride of Manhattan in a two game sweep.  Goldstein defeated FDR (12-3) in their regular season matchups on September 22, October 7, and October 21; the three games were the only losses of the season for FDR.

The winner of the all-Brooklyn matchup will face the winner of an all-Queens matchup between 3rd seeded John Adams and 15th seeded Scholar’s Academy…

Tonight’s action shifts to Class A, as 5th seeded Midwood takes on 4th seeded Stuyvesant of Manhattan, while 6th seeded Brooklyn Tech faces 3rd seeded Benjamin Cardozo of Queens.

Stuyvesant is ranked 9th in the Post poll:

Cardozo is ranked 4th in the New York Post/PSAL Girls Volleyball poll:

The two matches featuring Brooklyn teams will take place at the Hunter Sportplex at 6:00 p.m.  The other two quarterfinal match-ups have 2nd seeded Susan Wagner of Queens facing 7th seeded JFK of the Bronx, while top seeded Francis Lewis of Queens faces 8th seeded McKee/Staten Island Tech.

Semi-finals in both Class A and Class B will take place at Hunter College on Friday, with the championships scheduled for Tuesday.

IF YOU GO: The CUNY/Hunter College Sportsplex is located at East 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan.  The (6) Lexington Avenue Local stops at 68th Street/Hunter College station.

BRONX - The Brooklyn Tech boys cross country team edged out Curtis High of Staten Island to capture their first PSAL Cross Country championship since 2001 at Van Courtlandt Park this past weekend.

Brooklyn Tech edged Curtis by one point to capture the team title for the first time since 2001, 80 to 81.  Curtis was led by Jason Stapleton, who captured the Boys’ Individual Championship with a time of 16:43.47.  However, The Engineers captured the team title with strong performances by Michael Coogan, who finished in 3rd with a time 17:00.61, and Zakaraiah Malik, who finished in 8th with a time of 17:23.64.

The Engineers were also helped by strong performances by Chonn Cadiz (21st), Omar Griffin (22nd), and Brandon Seabrook (26th).  Their respective finishes were enough to hold off the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th best times from Curtis.

The team championship is determined by taking the top five finishers from each team and adding the sum of the finishes (ie. 1st place = 1 point, 2nd place = 2 points, 3rd place = 3 points, etc.).  Curtis’ runners placed in 1st, 13th, 15th, 25th, and 27th place; Tech’s runners placed in 3rd, 8th, 21st, 22nd, and 26th.

Seabrook finished exactly one second ahead of Curtis’ 5th fastest runner, Miguel Orea, thus allowing the Engineers to clinch the title.  Had Orea finished ahead of Seabrook, Curtis would’ve captured it’s four team title in the past eight years (Curtis won the team title in 2002, 2003, and 2006).  Finishing in third place was the team from McKee High/Staten Island Tech, last year’s champions, while Bronx Science captured the final state qualifier slot.

The top four teams, along with the top 12 racers who are not members of the state qualifier teams, will compete on Saturday at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County.

TOP 30 FINISHERS – PSAL BOY’S CROSS COUNTRY MEET, VAN COURTLANDT PARK, THE BRONX

1. Jason Stapleton, Curtis/Staten Island – 16:43.47
2. Daniel Hyman Cohen, Stuyvesant/Manhattan – 16:58.70
3. Michael Coogan, Brooklyn Tech – 17:00.61
4. Raul Avalos, Susan Wagner/Staten Island – 17:02.61
5. Mark Dressman, William E. Grady – 17:13.80
6. Sammy Lazhir, Paul Robeson – 17:17.81
7. Joseph Carlin, McKee/SI Tech – 17:21.48
8. Zakariah Malik, Brooklyn Tech – 17:23.61
9. Hao Zhou, Bronx Science – 17:24.04
10. Younes Benzaid, William C. Bryant – 17:24.96
11. Scott Rizzo, McKee/SI Tech – 17:26.43
12. Matthew Heath, Clara Barton – 17:28.08
13. James Bowen, Curtis – 17:35.34
14. Konrad Surkont, Stuyvesant – 17:37.93
15. Michael Gale, Curtis – 17:43.02
16. Hugh Prince, Thomas Jefferson – 17:44.57
17. Shevaun Marsh, William E. Grady – 17:48.74
18. Stephen McNamara, Bronx Science – 17:51.89
19. Gavin Henry, Midwood – 17:52.49
20. Aaron Somoroff, Bronx Science – 17:54.10
21. Chonn Cadiz, Brooklyn Tech – 17:55.33
22. Omar Griffin, Brooklyn Tech – 17:56.50
23. Jonathan Dixon, Midwood – 17:56.81
24. Steven Popper, Tottenville/Staten Island – 17:58.14
25. Kyle Hannafin, Curtis – 17:59.98
26. Brandon Seabrook, Brooklyn Tech – 18:01.94
27. Miguel Orea, Curtis – 18:02.94
28. Tyler Eckel, McKee/SI Tech – 18:04.36
29. Christopher McSorley, McKee/SI Tech – 18:04.94
30. Tozar Roberts, Curtis – 18:05.55

• Qualified for states as part of top four team finish
• Qualified for states as runner not part of one of the top four teams

Wayne LaRoche of Martin Van Buren High School in Queens is the 12th state qualifier after capturing the Individual Varsity championship with a time of 17:18.51.

TOP 10 TEAMS - PSAL BOY’S CROSS COUNTRY MEET, VAN COURTLANDT PARK, THE BRONX

1. Brooklyn Tech, 80
2. Curtis, 81
3. McKee/SI Tech, 124
4. Bronx Science, 134
5. Stuyvesant, 151
6. Tottenville, 223
7. Midwood, 242
8. Thomas Jefferson, 304
9. William E. Grady, 333
10. Paul Robeson, 376

IF YOU GO: Bowdoin Park, site of the 2009 State Federation Cross Country Championships, is located on Sheafe Road in New Hamburg, Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County.

Driving from Brooklyn, go eastbound on the BQE to the Triborough (RFK) Bridge, then take I-95 North to the Hutchinson River Parkway.  Follow the Hutchinson River Parkway to I-684 North just east of White Plains, then take I-84 westbound towards Newburgh.  Take Exit 13-N (U.S. 9) from I-84. From light at exit, proceed approximately 9 miles north on U.S. 9 to traffic light just beyond the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall (get in FAR LEFT lane.) At light (U.S. 9 & Spring Rd.) you will make a left onto Post Road (Hudson Motors is on left) and go to bottom of hill to stop sign. At stop sign make a left onto Sheafe Road. Follow Sheafe Road for about 2 ½ miles to Bowdoin Park’s entrance on right just after Chapel (directions from Dutchess County web site).

Bowdoin Park is located 1.3 miles to the northeast of the New Hamburg Rail Station on the Metro-North Hudson Line (PDF file, Adobe Acrobat required).  The weekend round trip fare from Grand Central Terminal to New Hamburg is $26.00.

From the Metro-North Station, walk to Main Street, then turn left on Main Street away from the center of New Hamburg.  Walk 0.6 miles (Main Street becomes Channingville Road) to Sheafe Road; the Channingville Deli will be at the corner on your left.  Walk 0.6 miles north on Sheafe Road to the entrance of Bowdoin Park.

At his press conference last week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that Brooklyn was one of his favorite areas for fine dining.

“It is amazing the change in Brooklyn in the last dozen years or thereabouts. I’m going to have dinner tonight in Brooklyn,” Bloomberg said at his Thursday City Hall press conference on the Coney Island land deal.

“Time and time again, when I say, ‘Where do you want to go to have dinner?’ Friends who’ve come from out of town pick restaurants in Brooklyn, and that is really different,” the mayor added.

Now, whether or not Bloomberg meant it or was just trying to score points with Brooklynites could be open for debate.  In any event, Bloomberg has been a fairly regular customer at the Stone Park Cafe, 324 Fifth Avenue near 3rd Street, Park Slope, according to the New York Post.

Of course, Bloomberg can afford to dine out at a place where a salad runs between $11.00 and $15.00, a burger $14.00, and entrees around the mid-$20 range and nobody is going to confuse Stone Park Cafe with Nathan’s at Coney Island.

As a related sidebar, the Post also pointed out five other restaurants that its readers should check out (though, as a service to our readers, Brooklyn News is not only including locations, but, where applicable, web sites).

Vinegar Hill House, 72 Hudson Avenue, between Front and Water Streets, DUMBO

The Post says: “This old-fashioned restaurant in the shadow of the Brooklyn Navy Yard features a giant wood-burning oven, where its delicacies, including a tart drizzled with creme fraiche, are concocted.”

One would certainly hope this oven makes that $8.00 mashed potato dish as tasty as a potato one would by from the local grocer.

Located between the Navy Yard and the Manhattan Bridge, Vinegar Hill House is a short walk from the York Street Station of the (F) train.

Marlow and Sons, 81 Broadway, between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg

The Post says: “This tiny eatery serves up fresh oysters and jalapeño-rum cocktails along with an oldschool atmosphere.”

And, there’s also the $9.50 roast beef sandwich on the lunch menu.  Other than the oysters, there isn’t a large menu selection, though the $22.00 brick chicken on the dinner menu certainly sounds tempting enough to try.

Marlow and Sons is located in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge; the nearest subway stop is the Marcy Avenue Station on the (J), (M), and (Z) trains five blocks to the east.

Tanorren, 7704 3rd Avenue, at 77th Street, Bay Ridge

The Post says: “A massive menu is among the highlights at this Middle Eastern restaurant, where garlic and spices aplenty adorn such dishes as ground lamb.”

The $15.00 chicken kabob appears reasonably priced, especially when served with rice and salad.  Half portions of these entrees are available between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Tanorren, which celebrates it’s 10th anniversary in Bay Ridge this year, is located one block away from the 77th Street/4th Avenue station on the (R) train.

Noodle Pudding, 38 Henry Street, between Cranberry Street and Middagh Street, Brooklyn Heights, (718) 625-3737 (no web site found; link to Menutopia’s listing)

The Post says: “It’s like a SoHo transplant with its trendy crowd and trendier wait time of up to 45 minutes, but the gnocchi and buffalo mozzarella are worth it.”

Bounded by the Brooklyn Bridge and the BQE, what is known about Noodle Pudding is that it’s an Italian restaurant.  Unless Menutopia is missing an item or two, the menu doesn’t seem as long as expected from a decent Italian restaurant.

Noodle Pudding is located across the street from Cadman Plaza Park and is accessible from the High Street Station of the (A) and (C) trains.

The General Greene, 229 DeKalb Avenue, between Adelphi Street and Clermont Avenue, Fort Greene

The Post says: “Check out the sangria and the candied bacon at this Southern tinged food hall, where the barstools are refurbished tractor seats.”

Seats in the dining room, however, appear to be only slightly more comfortable than a typical seat on the (L) train.  With that said, breakfast is served during the week between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which seems a little odd, but if it works, more power to them.

The General Greene is located minutes from LIU-Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Hospital Center, Fort Greene Park, and the Brooklyn Flea Market.  The nearest subway stops are Clinton-Washington Station on the (G) train and Lafayette Avenue Station on the (C) train.

There are hundreds of restaurants in Brooklyn, and these are just five that the Post seemed to think quite highly of.  Of course, your mileage may vary, as the old saying goes…

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning service adjustments on several lines, including a shuttle bus though Brooklyn, due to scheduled construction work this weekend.  All service adjustments are effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 5:00 a.m. Monday unless otherwise noted:

• Service on the (D) train will operate in local service between 36th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park, and DeKalb Street station, Fort Greene.
• Northbound (D) trains will operate over the (N) line (Sea Beach Branch) between Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station and 36th Street/4th Avenue; southbound (D) service between 36th Street and Coney Island is unaffected.  The re-routing is due to track panel installation north of 62nd Street.  The re-routing takes effect at 5:00 a.m. Saturday until 10:00 p.m. Sunday.
• Service on the (F) train will operate into two segments: Between Jamaica-179th Street, Queens, to Jay Street, Brooklyn Heights and between Church Avenue, Kensington to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue.  The re-routing is effective between 11:30 p.m. Friday through 5:00 a.m. Monday.
• (G) train service will operate in two segments: Between Court Square, Long Island City, Queens and Bedford Avenue-Nostrand Avenue, Bedford-Stuyvesant and between Bedford-Nostrand and Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, Brooklyn Heights.
• (N) train service will operate local between 59th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park and DeKalb Avenue, Fort Greene, then operate via the Manhattan Bridge instead of the Montague Tunnel.
• (R) train service will operate in two segments: Between 34th Street-Herald Square, Manhattan, and Forest Hills-71st Avenue, Queens and between 36th Street/4th Avenue, Sunset Park and 95th Street-Bay Ridge; no subway service will operate between Canal Street, Lower Manhattan and DeKalb Street, Fort Greene.

A shuttle bus will be implemented between Jay Street and Church Avenue stations, serving Jay Street, Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith St/9th Street, 4th Avenue/9th Street, 7th Avenue/9th Street, 15th Street/Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue.

The service changes will be in effect from Friday evening through Monday morning.  The changes are in effect due to ongoing construction on the Culver Viaduct and for maintenance in the Montague Tunnel.  The (N) and (R) train adjustments are due to track work at Cortlandt Street, Manhattan.

For additional information and updates on this service adjustments, please call MTA New York City Transit at (718) 330-1234 or visit the official MTA web site: www.mta.info.