Full disclosure: I'm addicted to Brooklyn blogs. This is a borough, I'm telling you, filled with amazing writers who write amazing content every day. Just keeping up with a handful of the (hundreds?) of well-written Brooklyn-based sites could be a full-time job (though I do try, mostly when I should be sleeping).

It's for this reason and more that I am currently so enamored with A Walk Around the Blog, a site devoted to profiling Brooklyn bloggers. Produced by Nerina Penzhorn, the videos featured on the site (bloggers discussing their areas of expertise) are part of a program called "Brooklyn Review," which airs on Brooklyn Independent Television.

Episodes on the site now include Ned Berke of Sheephead Bites discussing the fishing industry in Sheepshead Bay, bloggers from Brit in Brooklyn and Not Another F*cking Blog talking about photoblogging and the Atlantic Yards demolition web cam, and a piece from the man behind Williamsburg is Dead on the state of Williamsburg's art scene. It's blogging gone wild! I love it.

Photo by Johan Larsson

Louise Crawford of Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn writes today about the tragic death of Ginelis Jimenez, the 3-year-old who was fatally beaten by her parents last week. It's a sad story for the Brooklyn community--but one that will hopefully affect how child abuse cases are dealt with in the future.

Enter the 2008 Williamsburg Live Songwriter Competition, and you could win fame and fortune (to the tune of $4000!). The annual event is open for submissions: Send in your sweetest songs now, and if you're one of the 150 finalists chosen, then you'll be able to compete in a live competition that will run for 8 consecutive nights in November. Good luck!

Photo by hiddedevries

It's nearly time to get into back-to-school mode, so I thought I'd take a minute to point out some kid-friendly classes of the non-academic sort.

Budding artists will love the Fall Art Classes offered by the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway). Classes take place on the weekends and range from Eco Art to Digital Photography. Kids ages 6 and up are welcome, and there are even offerings for adults. Classes cost about $200, but scholarships are available. Call (718) 638-5000 for more information.

Kids that can't sit still might be interested in taking a baton twirling lesson. Beginning on September 2, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Gym (552-59th Street) will be schooling kids between the ages of 4 and 17 in all things baton-related. The class is free and on Tuesdays at 6:15pm. Call (718) 376-1620 for more information.

Brooklyn's Get Fresh (370 Fifth Avenue) is closed until September 1, but the all-natural cookshop will be hosting cooking classes for kids ages 3 to 9 this fall. Classes are $40 each. Call (718) 360-8469 for more information.

Prospect Park offers a wealth of activities for kids, including an introduction to bird watching, a Friday afternoon sewing class, and even "Nature Babies," a music and storytelling session for kids ages 18 months to 3 years. All Prospect Park events are free, but registration is required. Call (718) 287-3400 for more information.