FG/CH Co-Op Meeting

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The first organizing meeting on The Fort Greene Clinton Hill Food Co-op is January 23rd atLafayette Ave Presbyterian Church at 85 So Oxford (btwn Lafayette/Greene) 7-8:30PM. Get in on the ground floor!

Our big questions: Why we need/want a co-op? What it will take to start it? What support do we have now? What will the structure of the co-op be? What's on our wish list? How can other Co-ops help us?

Sign the petition, get involved, get updates: fortgreenecoop.wordpress.com

Also, here's a link to the petition.

Blogade: Success!

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the groupThanks to all who braved yesterday's frigid weather to attend the January Blogade! We had a great turnout, a diverse and fun group of people and discussed some really cool ideas (bloggers conference in Brooklyn, anyone?).

Shoutout to the blogs represented!

Brit in Brooklyn Brooklyn Based Brooklyn Optimist Citydirt Creative Times Ferentz Flatbush Gardener Lambent, Vast and Ruthless Luna Park Gazette Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn Reclaimed Home Supervegan Sustainable Flatbush

Special thanks to Muhammida at Frank White Cafe for being so welcoming to our group, and to surprising us with a coffee maker raffle! morgan wins a coffee maker!

Congrats, Morgan :)

Upcoming Community Meetings

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88th Precinct Council Meeting January 15, Tuesday, 7:30 pm St. Mary’s, 230 Classon Ave., enter on Willoughby Ave.

These meetings are an important opportunity for you to find out what is happening in the neighborhood re crime and to voice your concerns and raise questions. It would be helpful to have a good representation of neighbors there in preparation for our meeting later in the week.

Community Board 2, Public Hearing, Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 6:15 pm, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, first floor Board Room. The hearing will address the application by Pequena Restaurant to construct an enclosed sidewalk café with 7 tables and 16 seats at 86 South Portland Avenue. This hearing will give you an opportunity to see what restaurants have to do to have sidewalk cafes and will allow you to comment.

Community Board 2, Land Use Committee meeting Wednesday, January 16, 6 pm, Polytechnic University, Dibner Library, Room LC400, 5 Metro Tech Center, near Jay St./Borough Hall stop on C line.

Meeting is open, but non-committee members are observers only.

Fort Greene Association February Meeting Monday, February 25, 7:30 pm Lafayette Ave. Presbyterian Church, Lafayette at So. Oxford St.

Everyone is invited to come and hear about the week of events and celebrations honoring the 100th anniversary of the Martyr’s Monument in Fort Greene Park. The Fort Greene Park Conservancy (FGPC) is hosting a week of events in early fall which will refresh people’s memory of the critical history of the park and the monument, which David McCullough, author of 1776, has called one of our “most sacred historical sites.” FGPC will introduce a new musical work produced just for this event. There will be historical re-enactments, grand parties and a gala ball, the unveiling of the restored monument and other park improvements, and much, much more. Ruth Goldstein, event chairperson, will tell you about all that is planned and how you can get involved.

SCH Meeting: This Thursday!

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General MeetingThursday, January 17, 2008, 7-9:00 pm St. Luke’s Church, 259 Washington Ave. (DeKalb/Willoughby)

AGENDA

7:00 pm    Refreshments (appetizers by Tamboril on Myrtle & wine by Thirst on DeKalb)

7:30 – 8     *Clinton Hill/Fort Greene Food Coop – what would it take to happen??

*Admiral’s Row – We can have both a grocery store and commercial re-use of the Admiral’s Row Houses - Howard Pitsch & Brent Porter

*Brooklyn Was Mine – a new book on Brooklyn by Brooklyn authors. -Copies available for $15.00 cash.  Buy it for yourself & your friends!

*Fort Greene Park Conservancy Dedicate a Bench Program – Jim Barnes

8 – 9 pm    Discussion on Neighborhood Traffic & Crime – Dave Haberer

There has been an increase in robberies, muggings and car break-ins in recent months.  And, as you know, the traffic situation is becoming intense. There will be an informal discussion including various people from our neighborhood on what is happening, what should be done, and how we can get better cooperation from the police.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SAVE THE DATE

Society for Clinton Hill Annual New Comer’s Party Friday, February 15, 2008, 8 pm 315 Washington Avenue (near DeKalb) Everyone is invited and welcome - old timers and especially people new to the neighborhood, so please invite neighbors and others who have recently moved in.  There will be a babysitter for children. Please RSVP to Roslyn at 718-499-8382 x 11

January Brooklyn Blogade: Clinton Hill!

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On Sunday, January 20, Clinton Hill will host the Brooklyn Blogade, a monthly event for Brooklyn-based bloggers to meet, greet and chill. I've volunteered to host this month's event! Here are the details: Brooklyn Blogade January: Waffle Weekend in Clinton Hill Sunday, January 20, 2008 11am

Frank White Cafe + Gallery 936 Atlantic Ave (at St. James) C, G to Clinton-Washington

MENU:

hot waffles. fresh toppings.

yummy belgian waffles served with your choice of fresh fruit toppings: strawberries bananas mango apples n cinnamon blueberries whipped cream chocolate/caramel sauce pure maple syrup

waffles w/butter/syrup $4.50 waffles + toppings for $6

PLEASE RSVP BY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 to: clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com.

Little League Signups in Bed-Stuy

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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

Recycling Your Xmas Tree!

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Drag your dried up tree to Ft. Greene Park this weekend and watch it become mulch: Take your Christmas tree, without ornaments or lights, to the Willoughby/Washington Park entrance of Fort Greene Park next Saturday or Sunday (Jan. 5 & 6) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to have it mulched. If you actually want to experience the excitement of the chipper working, come on Saturday, when there will also be refreshments and merriment. So, bring kids, dogs, friends and a tree. You can also take home a bag of mulch for your street tree pit or other garden area. Sunday, will be a drop off day only for trees.

This event and the chipper are sponsored and paid for by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Society for Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene Association.

Personally, I like to ditch my tree right after Xmas, and have my apartment back to normal before January 1. Wish there was a drop-off area in the park starting on the 26th!

Midnight Steam Whistles

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Each year, Pratt engineer Conrad Milster puts on an amazing steam whistle show on campus on New Year's Eve at midnight. For some reason, I've never heard them sound! I've seen the smoke from my window during test runs, but have yet to venture over for the official show. whistles.jpg

The steam whistles were installed in 1900 to power the campus. They remained in use until a few years ago (they were still operating two campus elevators!).

Milster has maintained the steam plant since 1965, and has been conducting the midnight show for years. The NYT listed it here, back in 1980 (last listing on page). Also check out this YouTube video of last year's presentation.

The steam plant at Pratt is still in its original condition, and was declared a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1977.

Check it out tonight!

Paul Robeson Theater to Host Music Series

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Awhile back, the intriguing Paul Robeson Theater on Greene Ave hosted a fun theater series.  Starting TONIGHT, the church-turned-theater will be hosting a few nights of experimental music: Wednesday, December 19th Bjorkestra and Sun Ra Arkestra 8pm,  $15 door (I just had to post the full info for tonight, because this Bjork thing sounds amazing) BJORKESTRA Blending Bjork's visionary techno pop with the harmonic and improvisational elements of modern jazz, Travis Sullivan has created a truly unique ensemble that transcends genre and style. Comprised of New York City's finest jazz musicians, this eighteen-piece ensemble features full horn and rhythm sections as well as talented vocalist Becca Stevens, performing Sullivan's arrangements that span Bjork's entire catalogue. With visuals by Forward Motion Theater http://www.forwardmotiontheater.org/

SUN RA ARKESTRA From its inception, Sun Ra Arkestra's music was infused with Sun Ra's unique philosophy, an unexpected hybrid of space-age science fiction and ancient Egyptian cosmo religious trappings. This philosophy gained a visual manifestation in the colorful robes, mock-metallic capes, and space headgear worn by the band (it's the only jazz orchestra that brings a tailor on tour), and in a stage presentation that usually features several dancers, a number of group chants ("We travel the spaceways/From planet to planet") and at least one instance of the entire band juking its way, single-file, through the audience.

Thursday, December 20th American Babies and I Am A BISON 8pm, $10 door

Friday, December 21st The Jason Trachtenberg Pop Conception, Christina Courtin and Jigsaw Soul 8pm, $10 door

Saturday, December 22nd Emily King, Cody ChesnuTT 7pm and 10pm, $15 door

Four Years at Sputnik

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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?

Caroling in the Hill

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Received this from a reader: "An open invitation to join your neighbors for Community Christmas Caroling on Friday December 21st.

All who are interested (regardless of age, experience or vocal acuity) will gather in the candle-lit Pratt-Clinton Hill Community Garden (at Dekalb Ave. and Hall Street) at 6:30 pm. After warming up over hot chocolate and cookies, we head off at 7pm, ringing and singing our way through the streets of the Hill.

2007 marks the 41st year for this annual gathering. This year we are reviving a custom of years past and asking carollers to bring a food treat for the garden's birds (i.e. seed, dry corn, suet cakes)

Songbooks of traditional carols are provided for his eccentric evening coordinated by Marge Othrow and Charlie Bayrer."

Apparently this is a pretty hard-core group. Last year they sang in driving rain! Sadly, I am departing Friday morning for tropical Buffalo, but hopefully some of you can join in on the fun.

Jewelry Trunk Show @ RePop

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picture-4.png On Saturday, Dec. 15 there will be an exclusive showing of Ellie's newest jewelry and her limited- edition aquariums, terrariums and keepsake boxes. Back in the midwest they do tupperware parties, well here at RePOP it's all about jewels and gifts! Come lounge in a wonderful vintage atmosphere as Ellie delights everyone with her new merchandise perfect for the season exclusively at RePOP! Festive music and refreshments will be served to all guests! We'll have a grande time. Hope you can make it!

10% off all RePOP furnishings, lighting, and collectibles offered to all guests.

DATE: Dec. 15 TIME: 12:30 - 5pm LOCATION: RePOP 95% Recycled 68 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

Important Hearing on Admiral's Row

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(If anyone attends this meeting and wants to email me a report to post, that would be great.  This week I am buried in grad school paper writing.  Email reports to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com.) navyyard.jpg

(photo by bb2087)

The issue of what to do with the crumbling houses located in the Navy Yard has been a heated one.  Currently, they are slated to be removed and replaced with a giant grocery store.  The press release below is clearly in favor of the plan, although many feel differently.

I'm hoping to do several posts on the Navy Yard in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.  My general position is that the Row should be preserved, but that the Navy Yard in general should be open to the public and used as community space.

For additional info, check out this independent project regarding the history of Admiral's Row, run by a friend of mine.

December 7, 2007

PLEASE JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES, WITH BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ; CONGRESSMAN ED TOWNS; STATE SENATOR VELMANETTE MONTGOMERY; ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH LENTOL; ASSEMBLYMAN HAKEEM JEFFRIES; COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID YAASKY; REV. MARK TAYLOR; COMMUNITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS; FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE AND PUBLIC MEETING TO SUPPORT THE SUPERMARKET DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED BY THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BNYDC)

All are invited to a press conference and public meeting to support the transfer of property in the Navy Yard (Admiral's Row) from the Federal Government to the City of New York, who will lease the land to the BNYDC for development.  The event will take place on Tuesday, December 11th beginning at 6:15 PM.

For twenty years BNYDC has worked closely with the community to acquire Admiral's Row Houses, to then convert the deteriorated and unsafe buildings into a community asset, including a major supermarket and community retail stores.  The proposed supermarket development will provide fresh produce for an underserved community, over 500 new retail and industrial jobs (local hiring commitment), and an on-site BNYDC Employment Center for easy access to job placement opportunities.

The Economic Development Committee of Community Board 2, as well as elected officials at all levels of government support the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation's re-development plan.  BNYDC has a strong track record of retaining the Yard's history, and is committed to historic preservation whenever possible.

WHAT:  BNYDC Public Meeting about the Transfer of Admiral's Row Houses

WHEN:  Tuesday, December 11th - Press Conference at 6:15 PM, Forum from 7 PM - 9 PM

WHERE:  Daniel Hale Williams Public School 307 - 209 York Street (near Gold Street)

Contact:  Ray Martin (Office of Council Member Letitia James) - (646) 942-3180, and Richard Drucker (Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation) - (718) 907-5936

Fort Greene PUPS Holiday Coffee

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The weather outside may be getting frightfulBUT that's never kept PUPS members inside on a cold winter morning!

Please join us at our Annual Holiday Coffee on Saturday, December 15 during morning off leash hours (approximately 8AM-9AM). We'll be serving coffee and baked treats and will have a few t.shirts with us to sell in case you're still looking for a great gift idea.

Champagne Tasting @ Greene Grape

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Kicking off the Holiday Season with a Grower Champagne Tasting Join us in Brooklyn this Thursday, November 29, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for a rare opportunity to taste four different grower champagnes back to back! The bubblies are all from Terry Thiese, the primary importer of grower champagne, and a member of his team will be on hand to answer questions about what Terry calls “farmer-fizz”. Grower champagnes are made by small producers who have the advantage of growing their own grapes and fashioning their own style. The event is FREE and no reservations are required. The Greene Grape is located at 765 Fulton between South Oxford and South Portland (718) 797-9463.

88th Precinct Meeting TONIGHT

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FROM SCH: There is a Precinct Council meeting tonight, 7:30 pm, at Teen Challenge, 444 Clinton Ave., between Gates and Greene.

This is a good opportunity to talk to the precinct officers. You can raise issues, ask questions and learn more about what is going on.

The Society for Clinton Hill was very disappointed in the lack of police presence for our Halloween Walk Oct. 31, for example....and for the House Tour as well. On Halloween night there were thousands of young children in costume crossing streets and watching the play at 313 Clinton Ave. At one point a large group of motorcyclists came speeding down Clinton Ave. going right past #313 where there were people in the street and filling the sidewalks. Where were the police? They said they would be out and about, but no one we know saw a single car or officer. These kinds of things and others as well, need to be addressed.

We can report that the president of PUPS and her German shepphard Tim were out walking yesterday when they saw a mugger shove a woman, grab her purse and run. They both took out running after the mugger yelling to him to drop the purse or the dog would ....well, you know...try to get the purse back. The mugger looked back at Tim, who is a serious looking dog, and threw the purse down and ran. The owner, the muggee, the police officers, and yes, Tim, were all very proud of this local dog who did good.

If you don't have man's best friend, there are many shelters with wonderful dogs just waiting to take care of you....ASPCA, Animal Care and Control, and others.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Remember, no general meeting in December.