Hello, old fans. There have been several problems with the old design of this site, and as a way to simplify (as well as a way for me to practice my very basic CSS skills), I've given CHB a facelift. I still have some work to do, like attributing old posts to the correct author, as well as restoring old embedded photos.
Yes, I am still homesick. But I love that whenever I'm back in the neighborhood I still run into someone I know.
Hope to see you around the Hill sometime soon.
xo
It's been nearly two years since we left Clinton Hill. While it's important to me to keep the site up as an archive for the neighborhood, the site keeps being bombarded by spam comments which is apparently related to the site's occasional crashing. Occasionally, I do still receive a comment on an old post that is valid and related, but it's just not worth it to deal with the spam/virus situation. So for now, all posts older than two weeks - which is all of them but this one - will be closed for comments.
Hope everyone is well.
xo- lesterhead
Lesterhead here. I just now got around to updating our "About" page, to explain that daily posting ended in July 2010. It's been almost a year since I left the neighborhood. The homesickness was honestly heartbreaking for a long time, but I've slowly acclimated to a new setting. (In case you were wondering, we moved to Stuyvesant Heights.)
I was visiting friends back at the CH Co-Op this afternoon and realized how much has changed - new businesses on Myrtle (a Polish food restaurant!), organic produce at the Associated on Waverly, etc. But also, how much has stayed the same - the glorious magnolias!
Would love to hear from residents and old friends - what's new in the nabe? What's changed in the last year? What blogs are you reading these days?
xo- LH
I know it's been awhile since I've posted here - that's what happens when renovating a house and simultaneously getting a promotion at work! You all know how much I love pets -- I felt compelled to share this message that just came in to the CHB inbox:
I lost my cat on St. James Place between Gates and Fulton. I fell on the snow and her carrier broke. I would so much like to post her lost flier to your site. I need people to look for her in their back yards and under their stoops. Can you please help? I can't attach the flier I made to this message. Please ask people to look for a very scared solid black cat (with a tiny white spot on the chest.) She's eartipped and very frightened (formerly feral). Please ask from them to call me if they see her so I can pick her up. They should not approach her. She is too scared. Just leave her food if possible, give me the exact location, and I will pick her up. Please help me find Safie, my cat. I am at 212-759-9890. I lost my cell phone while looking for my cat in the snow. Thank You. Liora
Hope all my old readers and neighbors are having a wonderful new year!
xo-
lesterhead
If you missed the wildly popular free tree giveaway through the FAB Alliance and the Million Trees NYC initiative this past spring, you'll have another opportunity on October 23 in Bed Stuy, at Bed Stuy's Restoration Plaza: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Tree Giveaway Saturday, October 23, 2010 1:00pm – 3:00pm Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation 1368 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11216
Myrtle Avenue will be home to a NYC Plaza Program site, and the time has come to give feedback on design, amenities and programming. Remember, this plaza is being built for the community, and this is your chance to have an impact on how it gets built. I hope it'll reflect the unique fabric of Clinton Hill!
RSVP here.
I only just recently learned that the Fort Greene Park Conservancy offered memberships, and members now receive discounts at several stores throughout Fort Greene and Clinton Hill through its new Merchant Loyalty Program. If you happen to frequent any of these places, it might be a money-saver to get the membership (levels range from $20-$250).
This looks awesome.
It seems like Greenlight Bookstore has been around for so much longer than it has, since it has quickly become a neighborhood institution known for great service, selection and ambiance. But in fact, it is just about to turn one year old! Join the staff and supporters for a fun-filled evening:
Greenlight Bookstore To Celebrate One Year in Business
With Champagne Toasts at Anniversary Party on October 16
Greenlight Bookstore will celebrate the conclusion of one full year in business with a day of festivities on Saturday, October 16, 2010. Two events, at 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM, will feature authors, refreshments, and special offers and announcements to help to mark this special day in the Fort Greene bookstore’s life.
On October 16, 2009, a Fort Greene neighbor – with exact change in cash – bought the first book from Greenlight Bookstore, and the store was officially in business. The store’s launch party the following week hosted more than 300 excited fans for champagne toasts by Borough President Marty Markowitz, City Councilwoman Letitia James, local author Toure, and bookstore owners Jessica Stockton Bagnulo and Rebecca Fitting.
The opening was a fulfillment of the dreams of Bagnulo and Fitting, and of the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, as evidenced by a 2008 survey of residents that named "bookstore" as the number one retail need in the neighborhood. The community has actively supported the bookstore during its first year through book purchases, word of mouth, event attendance, and praise for the store’s selection and staff.
An August 2010 New York Magazine article documented the rise of new independent bookstores in New York City, including Greenlight; the store opened its books to the magazine for the article, revealing better than expected sales figures. The store’s sales during 2010 are projected to exceed $1 million.
Greenlight will host a First Birthday Party for kids and families at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 16. Balloons and cake will be provided for kids, and many of the local children’s authors who have read at Story Time will be present for activities and celebration, including Elisha Cooper, Gilbert Ford, Maya Gottfried, George O'Connor, and others.
At 7:30 PM on Saturday, October 16, the store will host a One Year Anniversary Party for adults, with champagne and refreshments provided. Bookstore staff and friends will read toasts written for the occasion by luminary authors who have appeared at the store during the past year, including Jennifer Egan, Nelson George, Jhumpa Lahiri, David Mitchell, Rick Moody, and Gary Shteyngart. Neighborhood residents, including Paul Holdengraber of the New York Public Library and Johnny Temple of Akashic Books, will be present to offer their toasts as well.
Greenlight Bookstore will also use this celebration as an opportunity to unveil several new offerings, programs and services to be launched in the store's second year. Partygoers are encouraged to RSVP on Greenlight’s Facebook page (which also contains updated information on featured authors), but all events are first come, first served.
Received this email recently and had to post it. As someone with pets, I cannot imagine the worry the poor owner feels, knowing that his/her dog has not only been stolen but needs medication and medical attention. There's also a $200 reward (suggestion: return the sick dog and use the $200 to go rescue a homeless dog from the pound). Well known to any who frequent Ft Greene park's off-leash hours, Basil, a 10 year old Yorkshire Terrier, has apparently been stolen. I spotted this poster on Greene Avenue (contains details) at Fulton, and learned a little bit more from the dog's owner, who was at the park this morning. Apparently the Basil was tied up outside a deli on Greene Avenue, and when his owner came out of the store, he was gone. According to witnesses he was last seen headed east on Greene Ave, being lead by a young teenage girl.
The banner's just been hung outside 313 Clinton Avenue to announce this year's theatrical production: The Vampire Opera.
The show team has already been hard at work for the last few months on costumes, set design and more.
What has your favorite Halloween production at 313 been?
October means Halloween time in the nabe, and it's time to start prepping for one of my favorite events in the city: The Great PUPkin. This will be the 12th annual dog costume contest, hosted by Fort Greene PUPS. The big event will be held October 30 from noon to 1pm, and I expect the competition to be fierce.
The official Westminster Dog Show photographers, Wild Coyote Studios, will be at the event to take dog portrait photography (in or out of costume). The suggested donation for a portrait is $25 (normally $475), and Wild Coyote Studios is donating all proceeds from donations to Fort Greene PUPS.
For more info on prizes, click here.
Start planning, now.
Also in Fort Greene Park that day, the 11th Annual Halloween Festival in Fort Greene Park will offer face painting, hay rides, sack races, entertainment, pumpkins, a costume parade and more, FREE from 12-3pm.
The WA-GREENE Block Association, on Washington Avenue between Greene and Gates, will hold its first ever street fair on Saturday, September 18 from noon to 6pm. The active block association, which has been in existence since 1973, is hosting the fair to celebrate some of its recent accomplishments - working with the DOT, the block now boasts a new speed bump in front of the PS 11 entrance on Washington Avenue, and new truck route signs to prevent trucks from illegally using Washington Avenue. The Association will be including merchants from Fulton Ave between Vanderbilt and Classon at the fair, to help residents learn more about new local businesses and support businesses on that stretch of Fulton. The Greene Hill Food Co-op to have a representative on hand to register new members.
If you're around, stop by to meet your neighbors and celebrate the strength of community. And if you live on or near the block, find out how you can get involved!
Car-free Sundays are returning to Myrtle Avenue starting this weekend, as part of the DOT's Weekend Walks program. Each of the four Sunday events will feature programming, art, fitness, activities for kids and more. The Myrtle Minutes blog has all the details for this Sunday, which will include mural-making with Ellie Balk (yay!), food prep classes, free yoga. Come on out and enjoy streets as public space, hang out with neighbors, enjoy free stuff.
Back during my first visit to Urban Vintage, I noted what a lovely space it would be to host a bridal shower. Thought I'd share this brief note from a reader about a recent baby shower: Wanted to share with you the great baby shower I had at Urban Vintage this past weekend. The ladies there are so great and put together a wonderful event. They even made the cutest cupcake boxes for guests to take with them that had my name and date of the shower on it. Very happy they are in the neighborhood!
Nice! I love to hear about people staying local for their special events. Check out the space if you're looking to organize a small event.
Urban Vintage 294 Grand Avenue
I haven't had the time to actually check this out in person yet, but the description sounds intriguing: Hi, I just wanted to tell you about a new pizza place that is on Myrtle right off Classon. I think it's called Vino's, though I don't quiet remember right now...you should probably double check that...It's in the same spot that another pizza place used to be but it's a new name / new owners and unlike the last spot, this one is actually really good. Not sure if I can say it's better than il porto pizza, but they do have deep fried slices and I doubt any other clinton hill spot has that....
Deep fried pizza! I've never heard of this period, never mind just in Clinton Hill! Might be worth a trip back to the Hill to check this out.
Have you tried it?
A website called NabeWise.com recently contacted me about their site, which helps New Yorkers (and people in a few other cities) find the right neighborhood for them. Of course, I looked up Clinton Hill to see what it had to say:
Ugh. I often feel like the A/C line will be the very last to see new train cars. And now that suspicion is validated. AM NY recently reported that the MTA's decided to keep them in service even longer than scheduled, instead of tossing them into the ocean. I'm sure the G is not even in the plan for new trains. How nice are those super new trains that show all of the upcoming stops (and thus can be programmed for any line, instead of having to see the "this route not in service" light on the 4,5 when you're in a 1,2,3 car)? The only thing I don't like about them is the fact that they all have their letter / number in red on the front car. Part of the fun is seeing the colored circle rounding the corner into the station.
Sometimes, the strangest stuff happens. For example, one day we came home and went upstairs to inspect some of the reno work we're doing, and the contractor had left behind some little slips of old newspaper from 1955 that had seemingly been in a wall or in the floor (it's amazing what kinds of treasures are hidden in an old home). One of the slips was apartment rental listings, and what do you know- there were some listings on Clinton Avenue! Check out the below, which lists an apartment at 286 Clinton Ave for just $90 a month.
Here's the building courtesy of Google Maps:
Too bad the rest had been torn away, but it was almost like the old neighborhood was sending me a little hello.
Writing in this space has become such a big part of my life, so I'm going to continue posting when the spirit moves me.
Anyhow, Mr. LH and I have been making regular trips to the Home Depot in Bed Stuy (yes, I know it's a mess, but they do have most things in one giant store, at least when they're not out of what we need, which happens regularly), and on several occasions I've noticed something interesting on Walworth Street across from the west side of the store parking lot - a makeshift tent filled with stuff and a giant sign that reads, "The Brooklyn Free Store." I've been almost jumping out of my skin to go take photos of it and poke around. And then I remember that I didn't say I'd never post here again! So on our last trip, I jogged over to see what was up.
Surprisingly, the tent was filled with some decent stuff - clothing, some nice handbags, a decent collection of books.
There was no one nearby, and I didn't take anything. Although I'm pretty sure the whole point is to take-something-and-leave-something in some kind of hipster experiment. I Googled "Brooklyn Free Store" and came up with some references to something like this in Williamsburg in the early aughts that has since closed.
Are the same people behind this? Have you ever "purchased" anything from this store?
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
