My apologies for not posing more while I was away!  I meant to, but with Flickr not accessible (and the regular Wordpress photo uploader not working), I just didn’t make the time.

One of many giant buildings on Sheik Zayed Road in Dubai

So, a brief recap:

Dubai couldn’t have been less like Clinton Hill.  The entire place is a buzzing hive of development and almost everything is brand new and very tall.  It’s impossible to cross any major street.  In fact, one night we went to a bar across the street and had to take a cab!  There are approximately six major malls there, with more on the way.  The malls are filled with expensive chain stores that cost twice as much as they do in NYC or London.  And that’s what you do there (as a Westerner, anyway) — go to malls, or go to hotels so you can drink.  It’s not unlike Vegas in many ways.

Our host, a friend in his late 20s, is there to make money.  Yes, he’s met and made friends there, through work and other connections.  But he’s not chilling with the Emirati, and he’s not having TV night with neighbors in his building, and he’s not chatting with people on the street.  It’s a very segregated place, between service workers and the wealthy.

Still, an interesting trip nonetheless, but not a place I’d consider putting roots down.

More lovely was a side trip to Khatar, Oman — a little ancient town on the Arabian Gulf.  While there, my boyfriend and I just happened to get engaged!  I mention that sappy little bit only to say that we’re going to try to use at least a few Clinton Hill businesses in the planning process.

I’m planning on getting right back to business as usual, but bear with me this week.  I am going right back to work and I expect jetlag to be a bitch (Dubai is 9 hours ahead of NYC).

Happy 2009!

A traditional dhow in the Arabian Sea, Oman

On Sunday, I discovered that Fulton Street is back to accommodating two-way traffic (after having to take an A/C shuttle bus).  FINALLY.

The Times offered an interesting article on the state of the street’s BID last week as well.  Many seem to think it’s not needed, but you can’t deny the success it’s had on Myrtle Avenue.  Yet, a BID requires local businesses to pay into a community fund to help pay for street improvements.  After a few years of street construction and hard times, people aren’t feeling so hip to spending more.

(I hope this post is coherent! I’m on vacation in Dubai and it’s only 2:30 am EST.)

CHB will be operating on a light schedule until Tuesday, January 6, 2009. I hesitate to step completely away from the laptop, in case something interesting happens.  Regardless, I probably won’t be posting daily.

Stay tuned for new features and a new design in 09!

One last thing — can anyone recommend a good Xmas Eve church service in the neighborhood?

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hankuuah, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year.

Myrtle Minutes is reporting that the Walgreens on Myrtle is finally open!  Hallelujah! Everyone make a mad dash for greeting cards, shampoo, prescriptions and sunscreen.

Many of you have probably walked by the explosion scene by now, but in case you haven’t, here it is:

No wonder it was so loud!  The sidewalk was completely shattered from below!

Thanks to all the readers who responded, especially in the immediate aftermath.  Many of you have expressed your frustration at not being able to find any news about this, so I’m glad I was able to at least create a space to share information.

Reader David also noted that here may have been two additional explosions on Classon at Myrtle-Willoughby yesterday (via Gothamist Labs).

Is this a common occurence?  The blast was loud and frightening on Friday night.  The authorities seemed to know in advance that it would happen — firetrucks were lining Washington immediately afterwards.  But still.  Someone walking past could have been seriously injured.  It doesn’t seem fair that there was no communication with the neighborhood from ConEd, etc, aside from the residents whose homes had to be searched before and after the blast.

I was just sitting on the couch reading when what sounded like an explosion rocked the area.  From my window, I can see firetrucks and cops lining Washington Ave at Lafayette, some smoke near the intersection, and people with flashlights walking around.

It was definitely NOT thunder.

Anyone have info?

(Waverly Ave)

You may have noticed the fortress-like building on Willoughby Avenue near the Clinton Hill-Bed Stuy border and wondered what it was.  It’s been a convent for nearly 150 years, and is now closing.

The NY Times offered an interesting profile on it recently, including a photo slide show.  Sadly, the building isn’t landmarked so there’s no telling what will happen to it.  It’s also sad to think about the remaining women there being split up.  I wish them well in their new homes.

This just in from the Society for Clinton Hill:

As you will see in the information below, the Sisters of Mercy Convent is soon to be closed and the property sold and possibly demolished. This property is one of 5 recommended for Individual Landmark status in our 2007 Cultural Resource Survey, which was submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission in August 2007 and recommends an expansion of our landmark district. Our report is still under review by LPC and we are now asking LPC to address our request as soon as possible. In just the year and a half since we submitted our report, there have been losses to the fabric of our unique architectural community, including some of those especially unique properties which are recommended for consideration as “Individual Landmarks.” The loss of this intact nineteenth-century religious complex to yet more “luxury condos” would be a sad thing for our neighborhood on many levels. We would much prefer to see this historic religious compound preserved and put to adaptive re-use.

We hope you will help us save the Sisters of Mercy Convent!

Please use the link below to sign our on-line petition to LPC.

http://www.petitiononline.com/convent/petition.html

Christmas Caroling in Clinton Hill

Friday, December 19, 6:30 pm

Community Garden (DeKalb/Hall)

Join a 40-year tradition of song and celebration…bring family, friends and neighbors to share in the season, sing to the residents of our neighborhood, and share cookies and hot chocolate.  The route is not long, the spirit will be high, and the joy of song will go right into your heart.  Bring an instrument if you play.

Call Marge Othrow 718-789-1619 with questions or to volunteer with arrangements.

Infrequent Seams Series
::A twice-monthly series of edgy, creative music, co-curated by James Ilgenfritz and Julianne Carney
$8 Suggested (but we’re flexible!)
8 PM - 11 PM
First & Third Thursdays*
www.myspace.com/infrequentseams

December 18
Nate Wooley / Dan Levin
A Mown Lawn: Jacob Wick / Judith Berkson / Curtis Hasselbring / Josh Sinton / Jessie Marino

*We’re taking January off, so this is your last chance to visit Le Grand Dakar on Thursdays until February!

Some really fabulous musicians this month…stop by to support local music!