Volunteering to Help the Hood

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From SCH:

  • Looking for legal help with the Broken Angel on Downing Street.  Brent Porter is heading up a group of volunteers to help save the Broken Angel (building/architectural sculpture) from imminent demolition.  Architects and engineers have volunteered and are helping with plans to satisfy all city codes.  Now a real estate lawyer is needed who can volunteer some time.  Please contact Brent asap if you can help.  BrentPorterArch@aol.com
  • The Society for Clinton Hill (SCH) is looking for volunteers to help with the 2007 House Tour.  This is the main fundraising effort and it supports 2 years of activity since the House Tour happens on alternate years with the Fort Greene Association.  There is a great deal that needs to be done and we can really use your skills.  We need people to work on public relations, media, advertising, fundraising, house-sitting, clean-up and many other things.  It is fun and of limited duration.  The tour happens on the first Sunday in May.  If you can help, please contact House Tour Chairperson, Linda Scher at Wash308@aol.com.

A very cool volunteer opportunity coming up in the next CHB interview!  Stay tuned...

Blue Bass Vintage Holiday Sale!

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Just received this info from Blue Bass Vintage:Blue Bass Vintage Clothing is having a holiday sale. All items in the store with holiday prints and/or holiday colors are 10% off. When we decided to do this, we found that we needed a little primer on what all the holiday colors are. Here's what we came up with, and we're sticking with it (unless someone gives us a really compelling reason not too):

Christmas colors - Red & Green

Hanukkah - White, Blue Silver

Kwanzaa - Red, Green & Gold

Cool. Plus, it's good form to do some of your holiday shopping at neighborhood establishments!

Blue Bass Vintage Clothing 431 DeKalb Ave (enter on Classon) 347.750.8935 www.bluebassvintage.com

Meetings Tonight

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1. Cases to be heard on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Everyone welcome. Sign in to testify. 1 Center St., Municipal Building, Manhattan, 9th floor. Go to www.nyc.gov/html/lpc to see complete schedule. 12 noon 447-449 Clinton Ave. Application to add extension to Waverly Ave. Carriage House, excavate back yard and add iron work on roof of carriage house.

12:30 pm 173 St. James Place Application to demolish existing 2-story 1850 house damaged by fire and replace it with a large 4-story building.

2:15 pm 473 Clinton Ave. Application to modify work done without permits. Addition at top to be modified. Facade to be modified. Front yard/area way to be excavated to expose cellar door and wall.

2. Next 88th Precinct Council Meeting - Everyone welcome to meet with the police to discuss issues of crime and areas that need attention.

Tuesday, November 21, 7:30 pm, Seventh Day Adventist Church, 88 Hanson Place.

Open House @ Kiki's -- Sunday

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Greetings Pet Parents!! You are invited to Kiki's Pet Spa's Fall Open House. Come get important information and tips on keeping your furry loved ones healthy and obedient, win doggy daycare and grooming freebies, get your pet hand painted on canvas, and take advantage of our great sidewalk sale!!

Meet our in-house veterinarian Dr. Pamella Dendtler who'll be available to answer any pet health questions, take pictures with your pets, and meet our expert dog trainer who'll teach tricks as well as give you tips on training your dog. Adoptable pets will be also be available.

Sale! Sale! Sale! We'll have a sidewalk sale and Dr. Dendtler will be providing discounted Bordatella shots.

Kiki's Pet Spa & Boutique

239 DeKalb Ave
Between Clermont & Vanderbilt
Brooklyn, New York 11205
November 19, 2006
12:00PM-4:00PM

Tastings @ Olivino Fri + Sat

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Hello everybody!! Olivino is gearing up for a jam packed tasting weekend!

Friday Nov. 17th from 6-9pm:  Rudi is back- this time with his Italian portfolio.  He'll be pouring our favorite prosecco-Bellenda; two beautiful wines for your Thanksgiving dinner; an organic chianti and a ruche from Piedmont.  We'll also be tasting a gorgeous aglianico del vulture from Basilicata, and last, but definitely not least, we will be tasting a single vineyard vino nobile di montepulciano from a woman winemaker!!  Don't miss it!! Saturday the 18th from 6-9:  Kerin from Tempranillo will be pouring some delicious new Spanish wines.  First, a Txakoli from the Basque region (all zest and minerality), then a red from Toro called "G" (all cherry, smoke and earth).  We will also be tasting an amazing malbec from Argentina called Alfa Crux, an elegant priorat from Miserere, and finally an Oloroso sherry. Don't miss this one either!

See You Soon!

Olivino Wines 905 Fulton Street btwn Clinton and Vanderbilt 718 857 7952

SCH Meeting Recap

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Thanks to Russell from RePop for reporting back on Wednesday's meeting.  Here's a recap, in his own words: The Society for Clinton Hill General Membership Meeting at St. Lukes was interesting  but I didn't realize we were going to have to speak so my nerves took up most of my attention span.  But, it was a fantastic opportunity for people in the hood to become acquainted with each other and the new businesses that have opened up here in the last few years, some of which I had never heard of before.  We all took turns presenting a speech about our businesses, why we chose Clinton Hill, and what we feel our responsibility is to the neighborhood.

All of the vendors listed below set up tables showcasing their wares. The restaurants offered samples of food.  We of course over did it with a crazy Victorian display providing an example of just about everything we carry, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Chairs and the large folding screen.  (why we insisted upon transporting the entire store....i'll never know)

Hakeem Jeffries, our New York State Assemblyman was the guest speaker and conducted a brief question and answer period about the changes happening to the neighborhood, specifically focusing on the positive in the gentrification of Clinton Hill, as it seems to be a community that can marry change and remain a "community."  "If we keep our dollars IN the community."

In attendance were the following new businesses (in addition to RePOP): Beezu Children's Clothing (CUTE!  I WISH THEY MADE THESE CLOTHES IN MY SIZE) Choice Market Clinton Hill Hardware Crunch Fitness (WHY?????????????????????????????) Embora Wellness & Movement Studio (you definitely HAVE to talk to these people - yoga, fitness, acupuncture, massage and personal training) Head Over Heels (hot shoes and couture) L'Epicerie du Quarter (yummy quiche!) Madiba (delicious crab cakes and to die for samosas) The Outpost  (way cute manager) Rice (not new) Tillie's (not so new either - 10 year anniversary party to be announced soon) Urban Spring (organic cafe) 4W Circle of Art & Enterprise  (one of 20 national African American based performance and exhibition venues - open to all and rental of space available for let's say - DANCE) Yu (high end midcentury modern)

Wish I could report more, but that is the gist of it.  Oddly enough, after unloading the van, we ended the evening at Reign which was hosting it's second Gay Wednesday party.  People did not start arriving at the club until well after midnight, but it actually was GAY.  Carl and I were the caucasian representatives and i was the only one who actually danced on that amazing lighted floor.  My bad ass white boy moves managed to clear the upstairs club (LOL) so we retired downstairs for one last drink and hit the hay.  (Isa was Sexxxy Back by the way in ripped fish nets and black cape!)

Thanks, Russell!

SCH Events This Week

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1. Society for Clinton HillNew Business FAIR Wednesday, November 15, 7:30 – 9:00 PM St. Luke's Church Parish House 259 Washington Ave. (between Dekalb/Willoughby)

Come meet our area merchants, hear about their businesses and view or sample their wares. It's a great opportunity to sign-up for a fitness program, get new ideas for holiday gifts, and try some special foods. Support our local merchants! Merchants include (among others):

Beezu Children's Clothing Madiba Restaurant Burger 67 Peace of Mind Books Choice Market The Outpost Clinton Hill Hardware Repop Vintage Gallery Crunch Fitness Center Rice Restaurant Embora Wellness Studio Tillie's Coffee Shop Head Over Heels Urban Spring L'Epicerie du Quarter 4W Circle of Art Yu

Word has it that there will be some interesting demonstrations of how to whittle that waist, some great discount coupons, delicious food samples and much more.

See you there!

2. COME TO THE COMMUNITY FORUM ON ATLANTIC YARDS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 7 PM HANSON PLACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Hanson Place and Saint Felix Street)

Join your neighbors for a community meeting on the Atlantic Yards arena and high-rise development proposal.

FEATURING:

* An update on the Federal eminent domain lawsuit and other legal challenges. * City Hall and Albany update from elected leaders * A presentation by the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods on the environmental impacts the project would have. * Q&A session

INVITED SPEAKERS:

* Incoming 57th District Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries * 44th District Assemblyman Jim Brennan * 52nd District Assemblywoman Joan Millman * 18th District Senator Velmanette Montgomery * City Councilwoman Letitia James

SPONSORED BY: Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association • Bergen Street Block Association • Brooklyn Bears Community Garden • The Brooklyn Christian Times • Brooklyn Vision • Carroll Street Block Association (5th-6th Ave.) • Dean Street Block Association (4th-5th) • Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn • East Pacific Block Association • Fifth Avenue Committee • Fort Greene Association • Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus • Park Slope Neighbors • Pratt Area Community Council • Prospect Place Block Association Atlantic Yards Task Force • Sierra Club • South Oxford Street Block Association • South Portland Block Association • The Society for Clinton Hill • Times Up! • Warren St. Marks Community Garden • Reverend David Dyson, Pastor of Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church

(Note: The Business Fair sounds cool. I may try to stop by before I dine at Bonita!)

Wine Tasting @ Olivino Tonight

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Good Evening Wine Fans! This Friday, November 10th, from 6:30-8:30pm, Keith from Omni Wines will pour a varied selection of wines!

First up, two lambruscos, one sweet, one dry, both sparkling and red. Next, a Dolcetto and a Barolo, reds from Terra del Barolo in Piedmont, Italy. Finally, a white from Mendoza, Argentina, Zolo Torrontés.

Come sip with us!

Cheers,

Olivino 905 Fulton Street Btwn Clinton and Vanderbilt 718/857/7952

NYC Marathon

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For those of you new to the hood, or who have been living in a cave, you should be aware that the NYC Marathon runs right down Lafayette Ave. nyc marathon route

Crowds gather all day to cheer on runners, blast boomboxes, play drums and hold signs. It's a great way to mingle with neighbors and feel the amazing energy that the marathon brings with it.

Plus, it's cool to see the runners' reactions, especially those from out of town and from other countries.

***

One of the very first days I came to Clinton Hill to apartment hunt, I walked up out of the G train and right onto the marathon route. It was a gorgeous fall day in 2003, and I knew I had found home. (Sorry for the cheesy tidbit.)

Friday's Wine Tasting @ Olivino

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Good Evening Wine Lovers! This Friday, November 3rd, from 6:30 ­ 8"30pm Dominique from Southern Wine will be pouring a red wine from South Africa and three delicious port wines!

The red, called The Wolftrap, from Bockenhoutskloof on the Western Cape of South Africa is a blend of 65% Syrah, 19% Cinsault, 11% Mourvedre and 3% Viognier.

The three ports, all from Warre's are the Otima 10 year Tawny, the Warrior Special Reserve and the 1995 Late Bottle Vintage.

We hope you can come and enjoy these choices with us!

Cheers,

Olivino

905 Fulton Street (bet. Clinton and Vanderbilt) Tel. 718/857-7952

Clinton Hill Society's 12th Annual Halloween Walk

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Tuesday, October 315:30-6:30 pm Pratt-Clinton Hill Community Garden (corner of DeKalb and Hall)

All costumed Trick-or-Treaters up to age 12 invited! The parade route winds through the neighborhood. Maps to the most generous homes will be provided.

PARENTS: PLEASE ACCOMPANY YOUR CHILD!

Also, be sure to check out a popular carriage house on Waverly between DeKalb and Willoughby -- I'm told the landladies put on quite a show for the kids!

The Great PUPkin!

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Thank god for rain, as I was able to attend the Great PUPkin this afternoon! My precious little pup took fifth place. dorothy!

I'm proud to have a ribbon, of course, but I personally think Mallow should have ranked higher. I mean, come ON! I made those ruby dog slippers, and the wig, and attached the Toto on her back.

More of my favs: incredible hulk the incredible hulk

ratner's atlantic yards ratner's projects

fireman NY's bravest

Fifty dogs participated this year, and the weather was gorgeous (and also very windy).

The annual Fort Greene PUPS calendar is now available for purchase. It's $10, and features some of the many "regulars" at the park.

WKND Overview

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I know there's a ton of stuff going on this wknd, and I wanted everything to have its own post. So, here's a little recap to help you (and I) stay organized: Friday, Oct 27:

  • Smoke Joint Opens (87 S. Elliott)
  • Wine Tasting at Olivino (905 Fulton)
  • RePop Halloween Party -- 8pm, artist's reception; 10pm best costume prize; DJs, dancing and drinking (68 Washington)
  • babyDia Gallery's first art show (64 Washington)

Saturday, Oct. 28:

  • Myrtle Ave Community Workshop --10am-2pm (100 Clermont)
  • Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Children's Halloween Festival -- free pumpkins! Event will be cancelled in the event of rain (Ft. Greene Park)
  • The Great PUPkin -- MOVED TO SUNDAY!

Sunday, Oct. 29:

  • The Eighth Annual Great PUPkin -- registration at 11:30; judging at noon. (Fort Greene Park)
  • DRESS REHEARSAL at 313 Clinton Avenue. For those of you who miss this yearly extravaganza on Halloween itself because of the crowds, this is a good opportunity to catch a glimpse.

SATURDAY: Myrtle Ave Community Workshop

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From MARP: Next Myrtle Avenue Community Planning Workshop Scheduled:

On Saturday, October 28, 2006, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at PS46 (100 Clermont between Myrtle & Park), we will be hosting a community planning workshop for Myrtle Avenue stakeholders in cooperation with Project for Public Spaces (PPS). The workshop will build on findings from last year's Envisioning Myrtle Avenue (the file is 2.3 MB, and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) Charrette held in cooperation with Pratt Institute's urban planning program. This year, PPS will facilitate a workshop with a focus on improving the streetscape and public spaces along three sections of Myrtle Avenue: (1) the Hall Street to Emerson Place corridor, (2) the intersection of Clinton Avenue, and (3) the Washington Park to North Portland corridor. The workshop will begin at PS46, and involve breaking up into groups to head out into the field to note existing conditions and make recommendations. A light lunch will be provided for participants.

RSVP to vkungys@myrtleavenue.org or 718-230-1689.

(Note: Next year, can FG/CH orgs spread some of this stuff out? Why is everything happening on the 28th? Ack!)

Wine Tasting @ Olivino

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Greetings from Olivino! This Friday, October 27th, from 6:30 ­ 8:30, Spencer from Winebow will be pouring four delicious whites perfect for this season's dinner table or cocktail party!

Argiolas Costamolino is 100% Vermentino di Saregna. Lemony and fresh, this wine will pair perfectly with any southern Italian seafood dish.

Westside White, from Treana Vineyards is a Rhone-style blend from California. It is rich and velvety with strong notes of overripe tropical fruits. This wine needs food. Its perfect accompanying meal? Roasted pork with prunes, raisins, apples, or figs. Anything sweet like red cabbage or homemade applesauce will be complemented by this luscious white.

Cederberg Bukettraube is a German grape varietal grown in South Africa. It shares characteristics with riesling, with more tropical overtones.

Finally, we have a new sparkling Vouvray in the store for holiday toasts! Domaine Champalou produces this Vouvray Petillat Brut and we think it's delicious!

Cheers!

905 Fulton Street (bet. Clinton and Vanderbilt) Tel. 718/857-7952

PUPdate!

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This email just in from Fort Greene PUPS, re: this weekend's Great PUPkin Contest:

Hello PUPS,We are hoping for a rain-free Saturday afternoon for the 8th Annual Great PUPkin in Fort Greene Park, but rain looks pretty likely.

If there is rain, we will move the contest to Sunday, Oct. 29th, same time and place. Registration begins at 11:30 am, judging starts at noon. Don't forget to move your clocks back an hour on Saturday night! Please pass the word along and come out for the fun and prizes (we have AMAZING prizes this year).

The Fort Greene Conservancy plans to make a decision on whether or not to hold their Halloween Festival at 12 noon on Saturday. If there is rain, they will not reschedule to Sunday.

And I'm pleased to announce that the 2007 PUPS Calendars will be available at the PUPkin. Donate $10 or more to PUPS and you'll get one of these rootin'-tootin' calendars.

Let's not let the rain spoil our party. Please, check your email tomorrow for the absolute latest decision, and spread the word. See you this weekend, with dogs in costume!

Kath www.fortgreenepups.org

From Lesterhead: Y'all better bring your best game on Sunday, as I am very serious about this competition.

Halloween on Washington!

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Friday, Oct. 27 is going to be super haunted up on Washington between Park and Flushing. In addition to their halloween costume gala, RePop will also be hosting artist Brigid Scruggs.

Next door, that interesting art space will also be open! Here's all the info we have from them: Please also join babyDia Gallery at 64 Washington Avenue for their first show of local and internationally known artists, including Jennifer Stockholder, Yoko Ono, Gorilla Girls and others.

Also, the neighbor across the street plans on broadcasting horror movies on the front of his garage. (Possibly some that he himself made?)

If you come to the party, look for me and say hello. I will be dressed as:

Pumpkin Carving @ Outpost: Thursday

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Thursday, October 26, 6pm Halloween comes to Outpost. Grab a sweater and watch the last Outdoor Movie of the year, A Nightmare Before Christmas. Bring Your Own Pumpkin (BYOP) to our back garden and enter into our first annual jack-o-lantern carving contest. The winner of the contest, judged by the Outpost Staff, will win a very special halloween treat.

Pumpkin carving starts at 6pm. Movie starts at 8pm.

Outpost Lounge 1014 Fulton Street (Grand + Classon Aves) Brooklyn, NY 11238 718 636 1260 www.outpostlounge.com

(crap. once again, i have class and can't go. lucky for all of you, since i carve a mean pumpkin.)

Tonight: Wine Tasting @ Olivino

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We know it's last minute, but we here at Olivino are hoping you can join ustomorrow, Thursday, from 6-8pm. Diego from Farmer Wines will be pouring 1 white and 3 red wines, all from Italy, all very interesting!

The white, Greco della Basilicata is a full, crisp, minerally and round white.

Also from Basilicata Diego will open Cabanico, a 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Aglianico.

Molise Rosso is a blend of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Tintilia, a grape variety that Diego assures is in this bottle only in the United States!

Finally we will have open a Rosso di Montefalco from Umbria. This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Merlot straight from the heart of Italia.

Join us after work! And, while you're here, enjoy the artwork of renowned neighborhood artist John Spinks. Perfect for Halloween, these skeletal characters decorate our wall as little windows into the activities of the afterlife. Boo.

Cheers, Olivino

905 Fulton Street (bet. Clinton and Vanderbilt) Tel. 718-857-7952