BBQ Truck Opens in Bed-Stuy

There's a new 'cue in the BK, and this one's served out of a cool truck!  Kings County BBQ opened just a few weeks ago on Quincy just past Bedford.  Natives of Kansas City, owner Chris McGee and his wife have lived in BK since 2001.  Prices and menu look great, and I love a unique dining experience! It's also dangerously close to the Y, which means it'll be easy to undo that workout

Check out Bed Stuy Blog's in-depth post on the truck here!

I stopped by on Sunday, on my way to the gym.  Owner Chris hooked me up with a small sampler to take with me, and it was delicious!

For now, they have one small table outside with more to come.  Best of all?  THEY DELIVER.  Those of you east side Clinton Hillers should stop by and pick up a menu!

Volunteer for Obama

There's still time to volunteer for Obama if you're interested!  This info just in from the Brooklyn for Barack Office: Brooklyn for Barack is opening its headquarters TONIGHT (Tuesday) night for the final sprint to the finish. We're having phone banking there from about 10 am to 8 pm every day through the election.

The grassroots office at Vanguard Independent Democrat Club, 1424 Fulton St., Bed-Stuy, is having a kick-off Open House tonight from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Still waiting on McCain volunteer information...and waiting...and waiting...

Haunted House of the Week

I found a new one for this week, just over the Clinton Hill border on Gates.  It's all boarded up, and the chains "blocking" the stoop are a nice touch, as is the homemade "KEEP OUT" sign.

(Duh- ghosts LOVE chains!)

New Bar on Franklin!

Received this tip from a reader: have you been to sweet revenge yet? i walk by it with my dog on the daily, but have yet to have some free time and stop in. it's on franklin between lexington and greene (right across from the cupcake shop) and seems pretty cute.

I hadn't heard a thing about this place yet, so I took a stroll by on Saturday afternoon.  I couldn't find it, but there were a few shuttered storefronts, one of which was likely hiding this new watering hole.

Has anyone been? The only thing I could find via a Google search was someone complaining on Brooklynian about how noisy it was at night.

UPDATE: I rode past it on the bus Tuesday night on my way to the Y and it looked super cool!  I'll go this wknd and report back.

UPDATE 2: Check out the gorgeous photos of the bar from Bed-Stuy photog WordBK here!

Bed-Stuy Community Garden Tour

This looks amazing, and a great way to see many of Bed-Stuy's unique community gardens!  Also a great excuse to ride your bike around the area.

Photo Studio / Boutique

A week or so ago while walking down Greene, I noticed a new storefront on Franklin and Greene.

From the outside, it looked like a regular boutique.

Inside, jewelry and accessories share the storefront with a photo studio!  Clinton Hill residents and studio owners Antoine and Cherie Gray are offering boutique shopping, along with family portraits, wedding photography, headshots for entertainers and actors, children's portraits and more.

They have a new blog up as well, advertising current specials.  Looks like a pretty sweet deal for headshots!

Franklin Garden

Bed-Stuy has more community gardens than any other neighborhood I've seen.  Walking past the garden on Franklin and Greene caught my eye a few days ago.

A large hand-painted sign outside invites new members to join:

Inside, the theme is"water."  A gorgeous painted mural decorates the side of the adjacent building.  Community involvement is evident.

They have a large rainwater collection system for watering, and they even have a koi pond!

(I did see fish in the upper corner of this pond, even though they're not in the photo.)

The individual plots are lovely and well-cared for.  Plus, there are gorgeous flowers everywhere!

If you live on the eastern edge of the neighborhood and are looking to join a local garden, definitely check this one out!

The garden even has a website, which details history and membership.  The garden is organic and does not use pesticides!

Greene Acres is a NY Restoration Project, funded by Bette Midler to ensure community gardens will be available for years to come.

CHB and BSB at Hoyt-Schermerhorne

A few weekends ago, I was waiting for the A, C at Hoyt Schermerhorne when a woman approached me. "Are you Robin?" she asked. "Yes?" I answered, not sure if I recognized her. It was Petra of Bed-Stuy Blog! Petra and I have been in touch since she started her site, but we'd never met in person! I love this area. I'm always running into someone I know (in both human and virtual form!)

Also, you may have noticed some weirdness and filming on the unused southbound track during commutes. Turns out they are remaking the 70s film The Taking of Pelham 123 and are filming it there! Cool.

S.O.N.Y.A. Stroll THIS WEEKEND!

The SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists) Stroll is by far one of my favorite events in the neighborhood. It's held annually every May, and is a free, self-guided tour of several art studios and exhibits by artists in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy. The range of art is pretty astounding, from sculpture to paintings to photography to jewelry.

(I bought both the sculpture and the chihuahua painting at past SONYA Strolls.)

One of my favorite aspects is finding out that buildings you never before noticed are home to a large artist collective. Be sure to check out 35 Claver Place, an affordable live-work space for artists, and 122 Washington Ave near Park, which is interesting both inside and out and is always filled with cool treasures.

During the stroll, check out the photography exhibit put on by the Fort Greene Photography Organization, which will be up until May 31:

For more info and a downloadable map, visit the SONYA homepage.

This is one of the coolest ways to explore the neighborhood and is not to be missed!

"Mourning" the Loss of Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels Cafe was long the bane of my existence. I'd call them and they were open, but when I'd go by (I tried at least five times), there was no sign of them -- no open storefront, no signage, nothing. Finally, it seems they've thrown in the towel:

(525 DeKalb Ave at Skillman)

I really do try to patronize as many local places as possible, and even when a new business is full of problems, I try to point out the positive.

But let this be a lesson! If you say you open at X am, then BE OPEN at X am. And certainly be open two hours AFTER X am.

Mysterious Wreck on Bedford

I smelled this building before I saw it, on Bedford and Gates (1124 Bedford). It's the smell of damp, rotting wood. I've smelled it before when old haunted houses get pried open for renovations.

The place is huge. According to Brownstoner, the building was once the Bed-Stuy Community Mental Health Center. A Google search for the organization puts it currently at 1121 Bedford, just across the street (the same address as the YMCA). How long was this building in use? How long has it been closed?

Neighborhood Gyms

Someone asked me recently about neighborhood gyms, and as it turns out, it looks like I may be joining one of them soon (I currently belong to a gym near my office, but I'm starting a new job next week!).  I hope to visit them both this weekend, but in the meantime, here are my general thoughts on each: Crunch Fort Greene 691 Fulton St.

• Open extended hours
• Ability to work out at other Crunch locations (ie near my new office)
• Fun, funky classes
• Could be pricey
• Decent selection of morning and evening classes
• So-so weekend class schedule

YMCA Bed-Stuy 1121 Bedford Ave.

• Much more affordable monthly membership
• Pool
•  Seemingly good community programs for kids and teens (not applicable to me, but beneficial for families)
• Very affordable personal training available
• Brand new facility

These are my vague impressions thus far.  The affordability of the Y is a big factor, but so is the convenience of extra locations with Crunch for working out near both work and home.

Have a particularly good or bad experience with either?

Mother of Three Killed

I know many of you are growing tired of all of the crime-related posts, but so many of you have emailed me about this that I've decided to post it. A Bed-Stuy mother of three was randomly shot and killed when she stopped by an impromptu memorial for the rapper slain on Fulton St. Sunday night.

Article here.

Dine in Brooklyn, 2008

In 28 neighborhoods across Brooklyn, restaurants will be serving some of their best dishes during Brooklyn’s restaurant week from March 24–31, 2008.

More than 175 restaurants will offer 3-course, prix-fixe meals for just $23.00. Choose from the list of participating restaurants and call to reserve your table.

(Editorial note: Why isn't Locanda Vini e Olii participating?! Annoying.)

In the Area:

L = Serving Lunch D= Serving Dinner * = Accepts the American Express ® Card

Bedford-Stuyvesant

Solomon's Porch 307 Stuyvestant Avenue 718-919-8001

Soule Restaurant 920 Fulton Street 718-399-7200

Clinton Hill

Autour du Monde (D)* 860 Fulton Street 718-398-3500

Five Spot Restaurant (D)* 459 Myrtle Avenue 718-852-0202

Maggie Brown Restaurant (D) 455 Myrtle Avenue 718-643-7001

Mojito Cuban Cuisine (L/D)* 82 Washington Avenue 718-797-3100

Fort Greene

Caffe e Vino (L/D)* 112 Dekalb Avenue 718-855-6222

Chez Lola (D)* 387 Myrtle Avenue 718-858-1484

Chez Oskar (D)* 211 DeKalb Avenue 718-852-6250

Epoca Ristorante (L/D) 773 Fulton Street 718-596-9070

iCi (L/D)* 246 Dekalb Avenue 718-789-2778

June Restaurant (D)* 229 Dekalb Avenue 718-222-1510

Los Pollitos III (L/D) 499 Myrtle Avenue 718-636-6125

Loulou Restaurant (D)* 222 DeKalb Avenue 718-246-0633

Luz Restaurant (L/D)* 177 Vanderbilt Avenue 718-246-4000

Madiba Restaurant (L/D)* 195 Dekalb Avenue 718-855-9190

Mullanes Bar and Grill (D)* 71 Lafayette Avenue 718-797-7606

Olea Mediterranean Taverna (D)* 171 Lafayette Avenue 718-643-7003

Scopello Ristorante & Bar (D)* 63 Lafayette Avenue 718-852-1100

Thomas Beisl (L)* 25 Lafayette Avenue 718-222-5800

Final Little League Registration!

Inner City Sports Little League will hold its final player registration for the 2008 season. Girls and boys ages 4 to 13 welcome! The league is located in Bedford-Stuyvesant and is open to the communities of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Fort Greene, East New York, Brownsville, Ocean Hills, Crown Heights and, Clinton Hills. Register Saturday, February 23rd 10am to 2pm. Herbert Von King Community Center, 670 Lafayette Avenue (Between Marcy & Tompkins). For registration requirements and details please call Michael Harris @ 917 804 1703 or email at ICSLIttleleague@aol.com

Gettin' Crafty on Franklin Ave.

Finally! We don't have to travel to some other Brooklyn neighborhood to learn trendy crafting skills like sewing! Cooly-curated vintage shop Collecther is offering a sewing workshop!

$40 for four sessions including materials is a really great deal.

They're also hosting a clothing swap at the end of the month:

Little League Signups in Bed-Stuy

Registration for the Inner City Sports Bed-Stuy Little League 2008 season will be held on Monday, January 7th, 2008, from 4pm to 8pm at The Concord Baptist Church located at 833 Marcy Avenue, between Putnam & Madison in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Children ages 4 (must turn 4 by April 30, 2008) to 15 who live within Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Ocean Hill, Brownsville, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, East New York and Bushwick are eligible to enroll to play co-ed baseball. Registration is required even if the child played previously. At least one parent or legal guardian must be present with three proofs of residence and a copy of the child’s birth certificate. The documents will be kept and returned at seasons end. For more information, including a description of the boundaries, call Inner City Sports Bed-Stuy Little League at 917-804-1703. Volunteer Managers, Umpires, & Team Parent needed and appreciated.

Onetime registration fee (covers player uniform & insurance)

Ages 4 - 7 $70.00 Ages 8 -13 $100 Ages 14-15 $125

A $40.00 deposit is required at registration

New Bar on DeKalb!

Bed-Stuy Blog has stumbled upon something wonderful -- a new bar on DeKalb between Franklin and Kent! Called Rustik Tavern, the spot will also offer a full menu. They open on New Year's Eve at 4pm!

Most impressive to me are the wonderfully-designed fliers and website:

Not only does this look nice, but the photo on the card was taken on DeKalb and Kent in 1887!

Rustik Tavern 471 DeKalb Ave (bt Franklin and Kent) www.rustiktavern.com

Four Years at Sputnik

Sputnik bar opened up on Taaffe Place just before I moved to the 'hood four years ago.  This weekend, they're having a big anniversary bash!  Friday & Saturday, December 21st and 22nd, they'll be hosting a cool mix of performers -- including hip-hop greats Black Moon on Friday and Nice &Smooth on Saturday.

Sputnik 262 Taaffe Place www.barsputnik.com

Are they still serving up brunch?

Third Annual Bed-Stuy Alive!

Just received this info about an awesome week-long Bed-Stuy event! THIRD ANNUAL BED STUY ALIVE! TASTE, STRUT, TOUR, KNOW Festive Celebration Honoring Brooklyn’s Culturally Enriched Neighborhood Village Wide Affair Encourages Economic Empowerment & Community Pride

In the spirit of Kwanza principle Ujaama (cooperative economics), Community Board 3 in association with the Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant Inc., Bedford Stuyvesant Artists’ Association (BeSaa), Bridge Street Development Corporation and Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation encourages New York to support the 3rd Annual Bed Stuy Alive! Taste, Strut, Tour Know. This festive event, which runs from Saturday, October 13 – Saturday, October 20, celebrates Bedford Stuyvesant’s vibrant business, cultural and artistic communities while promoting pride among its residents.