Park Slope Reader

Slope Survey

Slope Survey: Steven Plac

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The Slope Survey returns for its 13th installment with Steven Plac, who owns and operates City Roots Realty on 7th Avenue.

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Rhinebeck, NY and Daytona Beach, Florida, I spent my summer as a child staying with my grandparents in Brooklyn, which I found fascinating and was able to see it transform over time. After college, I returned to my roots to work in the dot com industry of the late 1990’s. It felt natural to be back in Brooklyn after all those years. In 2005, I started a career in Real Estate, and in 2015 decided it was time to open my own real estate firm. City Roots Realty is a boutique real estate firm located in Park Slope.

What brought you to Park Slope?

Cheap rent, when that was a thing. Way back in July 2001 a good friend had a room available in their apartment. I was in the market and the rest is history.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Meeting the woman who would become my wife in the old Tea Lounge on the corner of 7th Avenue and 10th Street. When I saw her I knew I needed to introduce myself and so I did.

Describe you community superpowers.

That would be bringing people together with the monthly art series I have created in my real estate office, City Roots Realty. I love helping artists get their work in front of the public. Making those connections is incredibly fun and rewarding. If you haven’t been to one yet, stop by for the art, live music, and wine. We feature a different local artist each month.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

I have celiac so I wish there was a really good gluten-free restaurant. Most places that offer gluten free items don’t understand that they need a separate area for food prep to prevent cross contamination.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Virtually the same, except everyone will be 10 years older!

What are you reading, would you recommend it?

I’m not reading a book at the moment, but I do enjoy non-fiction, especially anything written by Mark Kurlansky. I recommend The Big Oyster, which explains the importance of the mollusk to New York City history, a little known fact.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Taking a break during the workday to clear my mind in Prospect Park. If you see me in the park looking down at the ground like I lost something, stop me and I’ll be glad to tell you why… It’s a good story.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

That’s an easy one… I already split my time between Brooklyn and New Hope, Pennsylvania. A city and country life balance is an important part of my personal well-being.

Who is you hero, real or fictional?

I’d say Brooklyn for Bernie Sanders.

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?

Watching Brooklyn continue to grow as an incubator for all things creative.

Follow City Root Realty – HERE

https://www.cityrootsrealty.com

Park Slope Reader Presents: Slope Survey

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The Slope Survey returns for its 11th installment with John P. McEneny.

John P. McEneny is a teacher, playwright, director and long time resident of Park Slope.  For the past twenty one years, he has been the drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51.  His sixth grade play, Maddie Splinter and the Aluminum Chair Rocket Ship will go up at the end of the month.  His theatre company, Piper Theatre Productions, has been in residence every July at the Old Stone House since 2005.  Piper Theatre Productions has been creating theater for and with people ages 7 to 70. Through afterschool and summer drama programing for young people, to opportunities for emerging artists, to a professional stage company that performs free productions every summer; Piper supports artists at all stages of their development and, in doing so, creates a community of artists learning and growing together.  Past productions include Sweeney Todd, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Island of Doctor Moreau, Xanadu, Priscilla Queen of Desert, Wendy Darling, Splitfoot.  pipertheatre.org

What brought you to Park Slope?

Twenty one years ago, a young John P. McEneny, started his job as a drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51 and found an apartment for rent across the street on the first day and he’s been there ever since, making his daily commute exactly 50 seconds.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Any evening in July when Piper is presenting a play at the Old Stone House.  It’s beautiful in all kinds of ways.

Describe your community superpower.

I can make theatre happen – and I mean like a LOT of it.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

Bring back Press 195, Belleville, S’Nice.   If I had a wish, it would be to cast a spell over all our Fifth Avenue treasures – Leopoldi’s, Old Stone House, BAX, Miriam’s – with some protective mojo.  I love my neighborhood.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Hopefully more artists.  Sadly more upscale condos.  And I’m thinking more of those little free libraries in front of houses.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

Lincoln at the Bardo by George Saunders.  And a biography on the  ctress Eileen Heckart.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Travelling.  I went to Romania last summer.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

I would probably return back to my people in Albany.  I have like eight generations of family history in Albany, NY.  I was the only one who got out  so it would be fitting to end up there with my Dad and siblings.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

My heroes are all the actors and artists I get to work with – whether they be children or professionals – who stick their hearts out bravely into the dark world and make us feel, think, do.

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?  

My sister got me this roomba vacuum for Christmas and it is a very good robot.   It’s not exactly “turning me on”, but I am completely obsessed.  My cats are not.

Slope Survey: Tessa Gordon

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The Slope Survey returns for its 9th installment with Tessa Gordon.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Master Tessa Gordon holds a 6th degree black belt in the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do. Gordon was a member of the 1988 Canadian Olympic Team, nine-time Canadian National Champion, World Championship Medalist and Pan American Champion. In 1992, Gordon moved to New York where she founded Pure Energy Martial Arts. She started with just a few students in her home. Today she teaches students of all ages and abilities and her school has become a neighborhood institution in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

What brought you to Park Slope? 

I moved here from Toronto, Canada in 1992, I had family in Kensington and stumbled into Park Sope.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

My most memorable Park Slope moments are spending Weekends in Prospect Park with friends.

Describe your community superpower.  

My community super power would probably be being able to offer something that I love to the neighborhood and that would, of course, be martial arts training. Offering respect, humility, perserverance, self control, honesty and discipline.

 If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

If I could change one thing in the neighborhood it would be the prices of homes and commercial  spaces.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

I think Park Slope will look like Manhattan in 10 years.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

Right now I am reading Good to Great (Jim Collins) for the second time. Last time I read it it was quite a few years ago. 

I would definitely recommend.

 What is your greatest extravagance?  

I would say my greatest extravagance would be, believe it or not, shoes.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

If I couldn’t live in Park Slope or Brooklyn, I would probably move back to Canada or more than likely move close to the water, I love being by the water.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

I admire so many,  Michael Phelps, the Williams Sisters, Apolo Ono, Wayne Gretzky to name only a few.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

I honestly don’t have an answer to that question.  🙂

The Slope Survey: Daniella Stromberg

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The Slope Survey returns for its 8th installment with Daniella Stromberg, a native New Yorker, born and raised in the West Village and owner of d’mai Urban Spa on Fifth Avenue. Daniella opened the spa in 2004. Working with her team to provide a neighborhood sanctuary has been both a thrilling learning experience and a true honor as well.

What brought you to Park Slope? 

I moved back to NYC in 1994. I had been living in Amsterdam and somehow returning to Manhattan just felt wrong. Park Slope was beautiful, progressive, had a great Park and seemed close to “the city” (as we called it then).

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?  

Before opening d’mai, friends and I celebrated my new lease by drinking champagne in the old fish market before construction. It was basically just all cement – a blank canvas filled with possibility.

Describe your community superpower.  

Kindness.

 If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what wuld it be?

I wish more of our restaurants stayed open later.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Things are always changing! It’s so hard to know what this next wave will look like…I imagine even more skyscrapers. To be honest, I find them jarring right now. In 10 years, I think the waterfront and canal restoration will bring the new and old together beautifully.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?  

I’m actually re-reading “Me Talk Pretty One Day”, by David Sedaris. I love it just as much as the first 4 or 5 reads.

 What is your greatest extravagance?  

Full length cashmere bathrobe; I’ve had it for many years and it still looks and feel amazing.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?  

Easy—the North Fork of Long Island!

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

I’m blown away by the student activists. They’ve given us hope that our nation really will get through this.

Last Word, What is turning you on these days?

The fact that winter is over and SPRING IS HERE.

Slope Survey: Martin Medina

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The Slope Survey returns for its 5th installment with Martin Medina, owner of Varrio 408 and Rachel’s Taqueria on Fifth Avenue. Medina is commonly hailed as the man who first brought Taquerias to Park Slope. Here, his California dreamin’ helps us kick off summer.

 

What brought you to Park Slope?

I met a woman.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

That’s so many moments. I’ve been here almost thirty years. There won’t be one, there are just too many—opening up in Park Slope on Seventh Avenue, back in 1990. A good day for you is… Being busy.

Describe your community superpower.

Bringing people together and feeding people. Feeding people is definitely what I’ve done here. If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be? Put a beach right next to it. Or, subtract winters.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years? in 20 years?

The same, except around us it’ll be built up.

What were your childhood nicknames?

Marty.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My old 1953 Chevy pickup truck.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

San Clemente, California.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

There’s so many of them, but I would say Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heroes.