This Week In Park Slope: A Growing Common Core Opt-Out Movement, Artichoke Pizza Opens On 5th Avenue, And More

Keep up with what’s going on in the neighborhood all week — follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and sign up for our daily newsletter. And if you ever have any news tips, story ideas, questions, or anything, email us at editor@bklyner.com.

Here’s a look back at some stories you might have missed this week:

• Take time to explore the street art of Gowanus, a largely industrial neighborhood that has a plethora of wall space for graffiti artists and warehouses that double as artist studios.

• The growing opt-out movement from Common Core testing in New York City public schools continues to expand, and according to a new report, one local school is among the top of those where students choose to not take the tests.

• The Kindergarten Countdown: Take a deep breath and relax, moms and dads. Kids are extraordinarily adaptable — especially when families begin preparing for the first day of school ahead of time.

• College students have been working all summer to paint a mural at 138 5th Avenue as part of the Summer Leadership Institute at Groundswell, which gives summer employment to students 18-24 years old with a focus on social justice and activism.

• The delicious Artichoke Basille’s Pizza opened at 59 5th Avenue (between St Marks Avenue and Bergen Street) in the former Luscious Foods space.

• Namaste Indian, which took over Zito’s Sandwich Shoppe at 195 5th Avenue, is now open.

• The body of a Brooklyn man was found by two boaters in the lake in Prospect Park on Wednesday afternoon, August 19, according to police.

• CityMD Urgent Care will be opening a location at 288 Flatbush Avenue (between Park and Prospect Places), in a former Chase bank branch that closed last November.

• A would-be thief had to flee empty-handed after his intended target resisted his multiple attempts to steal his Kindle, say cops, who have released the above cell phone photo of the suspect.

• Moving day can be a stressful one. That’s why an open-me-first box is essential for any move, big or small. (Sponsored)

• Meet Donny Levit, the new editor of the Park Slope Stoop!