Place: Brooklyn
via am New York
'Obama Oil' an Atlantic Ave. Hit
The bustling bazaar of Islamic fashion and beauty shops along Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue offer thousands of fragrances – including one called Obama Oil, named after the president.
via The Local
Facebook Alibi Changes Status to Free
Rodney Bradford's Facebook status update about wanting pancakes became his alibi, clearing him of a robbery rap.
via City Limits
Building Outlasts Boom and Bust
The brick apartment building at 1328 Gates Ave. in Bushwick survived the Depression, the 1977 blackout and the 1980s crack epidemic. But it was nearly done in by this decade's housing boom and bust.
via The Brooklyn Rail
A Tempest Blows into Coney Island
The Brave New World Repertory Theatre brought the Bard to the Boardwalk in production of "The Tempest," set on Coney Island.
via Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Getting Physical – and Physics – on Playground
The new science-themed, student-designed playground at Public School/Middle School 394 in Crown Heights also will serve as a neighborhood park.
via 219 Magazine
Big Stink Over Gowanus’ Future
The feds are eying using Superfund money to clean up the Gowanus Canal. But opponents – including City Hall – say the Superfund process would take too long and could prevent redevelopment along the canal’s banks.
via The Local
Banking on Fulton Street
A new bank brings new hope on one of Brooklyn's most vibrant strips.