Get Ready to Rumble Downhill
The Paping Soapbox Derby returns to Suicide Hill in Brooklyn Heights on August 23 after last year’s stint in Manhattan, and so long as you can build a cart in time, you can join the race. (Attention all crafty car makers: let us know if you’re looking for a sponsor!) Organizer John Mejias, interviewed on the Brooklyn Heights Blog podcast, suggests the following advice for contestants: Get a big person to give you a push; Don’t break until AFTER the finish line; and most importantly, “Be Hungry” (site>>).

Casseroleism
Art meets the suburban dinner party at the Slideluck Potshow this Saturday at 6 at McCarren Park Pool, where artists, photographers and other creative professionals share slides and homemade cuisine. Cover up your lack of cooking skills by claiming your lasagna was inspired by Jackson Pollock (Sign up and then RSVP here>> or check out the site>>).

Seaside Skates
Lola Staar’s Dreamland Roller Rink on the Coney Island Boardwalk is now open Fridays through Sundays till October, and the Roller Queen has planned a blowout to celebrate its opening this Sat., Aug. 2 at 7 pm. We haven’t been, but we’d love a report (site>>).

Bon Voyage
Can it be? The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment’s last waterfront cruise, “The Other Islands of New York,” is next Sunday, Aug. 10, and it takes in Governors Island, Randall’s, Wards and the Brother Islands — as well as up close views of Eliasson’s waterfalls. Call 718-788-8500, ext. 217 to book (site>>).

The Bedford Hula
Only two more Saturdays to enjoy the Williamsburg Walks on Bedford Avenue! First folks complained the crowd’s been sparse, now it’s clear it’s doubled foot traffic. We heard about the group hula hoop planned for last Saturday at 3 pm between Metropolitan and N. 3rd. Might it happen again? site>>

Gourmet Grillout
Tonight, DJ collective Finger on the Pulse hosts a BBQ at Hope Lounge with Carolina Style BBQ and “Brooklyn Sides” from chefs Mark Low (Whisk & Ladle) and Cathy Erway (Not Eating out in NY), cocktails from Alexander Day (Death & Co.). The yard is small, so show up early. $5 per plate (veggie options available), 7-10 pm, 10 Hope St.

Sugar Rush
Saturday afternoon at the corner of DeKalb and Clermont Avenues, save your Greenmarket appetite for a good old fashioned bakesale to benefit childhood hunger activists Share our Strength, from 1-5pm. Treats provided by Nichelle Stephens, Cathy Erway and BB’s own Chrysanthe Tenentes, who bakes a mean chocolate cheesecake cupcake (site>>).

Big Draws
On Friday, Cobble Hill comics depot Rocketship opens its annual group show of local artists, “Cartoon Brooklyn Four,” featuring Dash Shaw, Julia Wertz and Cliff Chiang, whose work is pictured here (site>>), while Desert Island in Williamsburg, the subject of tomorrow’s email, is holding a party on Sunday to celebrate the new window display and silkscreen print of another Brooklyn cartoonist, Lauren Weinstein (site>>).

Hello Uninsured!
For $25 a month, you can get a doctor to “see” and diagnose you via IM, video chat, email, or the old-school office visit ($75-100 extra) at the brand-new Hello Health in Williamsburg. Its grand opening is this Thursday (site>>).

Offbeats
Brookyln Bridge Park’s eclectic free music series continues tonight with avant-garde event space Issue Project Room presenting John Zorn’s improvised piece “Cobra” and the delightfully hands-free sounds of the Theremin Society. Arrive well in advance of the 6:30 showtime to guarantee a spot (site>>). On Friday night, Joseph Mount (who’s remixed songs for everyone from Gorillaz to Kate Nash) brings his erratic eclectropop to Union Hall under the name Metronomy (site>>)

Terminally Funny
Tonight, Jonathan Miles reads from his debut novel “Dear American Airlines” at Freebird Books on Columbia St. The dark, comic story focuses on a man stranded at O’Hare whose initial customer service rant eventually gives way to reflections on his life (site>>).
Sent by Keith, Nicole and Chrysanthe.