Bikes and Books Get Together at the BPL

In anticipation of the “Bike the Branches” bike tour, the Brooklyn Public Library is outfitting hundreds of adults and children with bike helmets. The annual tour features people riding either on their own or in groups to visit as many as 60 branches of the BPL. When they arrive at each branch riders, and anyone visiting the library, will be able to participate in activities geared to families. Those who arrive at the most library branches will be eligible for prizes.

One helmet giveaway already took place at the Kensington branch of the BPL last week. This week, on Tuesday, May 13, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, riders are invited to come to 10 Grand Army Plaza to be fitted for a free helmet, as long as supplies last.

Participants who sign up ahead of time can join in themed bike rides like the one touring some of Brooklyn’s most famous distilleries. Another ride visits famous literary locales, and another will be going to some of the borough’s most popular landmarks.

Tour day is May 17 beginning at 10am. Registration is online and costs $20 per adult and $10 per child under 17. Seniors over 65 also pay $10. There are group rates for families or groups with up to 10 members.

Mohawk Tavern Changing Name to Something More PC

After  members of the Mohawk Nation complained about the name of a local bar, the owners of that bar have made the decision to change its name.

The bar, which opened up last week, was named quite innocently the Mohawk Tavern after the Mohawk River near Albany, New York, where two of the owners grew up.

Mohawk River

“There was some chatter on the blogs and some members of the Mohawk Nation who lived in the neighborhood were unhappy,” owner Brandon Lenihan said.

Located in Windsor Terrace at Prospect Avenue and Reeve Place, the bar will remain open, but will soon have a new name “in a day or two,” the owners announced. Lenihan added that no matter what the name of the bar will finally be, the public should be aware that they will be serving beers from New York State breweries as well as locally produced wine.

“I am really glad they dropped the name! My uncle was Mohawk — it is 2014, why are we using the name of another culture for a business? I am really relieved to hear about this change and I will be one of the first people to line up for a drink. Glad they did the right thing!” read one comment posted on the local Kensington BK blog, where the name change was first reported.