Bogota Mentioned In Today's NY Daily News: Latin Mix

From the Food Section of today's New York Daily News:

Response to Request for Leave of Absence

Farid:

I can only assume from this e-mail that you are not in the office to discuss this request. While we make every attempt to try to consider the requests put forward, there are certain practices we must follow. Business necessity determines the parameters for a personal leave of absence. At this time we will grant you a two week leave of absence to attend to your personal affairs. The leave will commence as of Thursday, June 16th and extend for a period of 10 days. You will be expected to return to the office on Thursday, June 30th.

Regards,
Human Resources

Leave of Absence Request from the "Day Job"

Memo to Human Resources:

As you are aware, circumstances in my life today are such that I need to request a leave of absence to attend to said matters.

I appreciate the 2 week LOA being extended to me by the firm and am requesting that it begin tomorrow through and including Tuesday, June 28th.

Thank you for your consideration.

Farid

Bogota At the Brooklyn Public Library Business Branch

George Constantinou and Farid Ali

Roses in a Goya Crackers Can
(picture taken by Angel Roman from Boricua College, Small Business Development Center)

Miguel Perez: Artist, Visionary

Miguel Perez, Artist, of DevilsOrAngels.com

The very second I saw Miguel walk into Bogota, I knew we had our man. My instincts just told me so. Upon looking at his work on his website, my instincts were proven right.

Ben Rojas: Actor, Artist, Activist

Ben Rojas

Bogota is honored to have Ben Rojas, actor, artist and activist, as the muralist selected to paint the wall in the patio of the restaurant. We are really excited about the work and vision he brings to Bogota. His work will be a true showpiece of the restaurant. As with the other artists we have working here, Miguel Perez, Sara Odam, and Alex Bitar, I feel very fortunate to have Ben here.

Alex Bitar Photography

We are honored to have Alex Bitar as one of our first featured artists to display and share his artistry at Bogota. (That's Alex on the right!)

Alex recently returned from travelling throughout Colombia and will be exhibiting several of his many photographs, which will also be available for sale, in the restaurant.

Alex does fashion and glamour photography and can be reached at 3200 Broadway, Suite 6D, New York, NY 10026; Email: bitarphoto@earthlink.net

Unveiling A Restaurant

Yesterday, although the bar area isn't finished, we removed the paper covering the windows to reveal the work that has been done inside and to give a Park Slope preview to passerbys of what is to come.

It's also allowed us to showcase our artist, Sara Odam, as she's working away on the mural behind the bar. If you'd love to see an artist at work, walk by the space sometime. We're at 141 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn between St. John's Place and Lincoln Place.

Yesterday, after George and I spoke at the Brooklyn Business Library for the 2nd PowerUP! Business Competition Awards, we zoomed off to the grand opening of Crossroads Cafe in Kensington, Brooklyn.


Then it was off to the Greek Festival on Schermerhorn Street where our insurance guy, Anthony, was volunteering.

Last night, at the space which was a hub of activity with Sara painting the murals and our friends Ivan and Edgar painting the walls, we received visits from more friends who were passing by. Even Freddy, the owner of Pollitos popped his head in to say 'hello' and to complement the look of the bar.

Additionally, today being a Sunday, that usually means we can expect the usual weekend parade of visitors and friends stopping by to say hi. I'm determined to photograph them all today and post the pictures tomorrow.