HFS: BAKERY!

A week or so ago, I noticed that Frosted Moon Emporium on Vanderbilt just south of Myrtle looked closed.  That made me sad, since despite the bad font on their awning, they often had some really cute things in there.  However, a reader tipped me off to a new sign taped in the window:

You guys!  A bakery!  It's in Fort Greene, but it's just one block from Clinton Hill.  I just tried the number and got a generic voicemail, so I don't have any more info yet.  I think the space will be just perfect for a bakery.

Mullanes: Sweet Outdoor Space

Walked past Mullanes last week and noticed they have what appears to be a pretty nice outdoor seating area along the S. Elliott side of the building. I haven't been in awhile -- any new feedback on these guys?

More Thai on Myrtle: Marree? Mallee?

Yes, folks, the tips have been pouring in all week. There's a new Thai place opening on Myrtle, in the space formerly occupied by Pillow Cafe.

The sign is pretty nice overall, but that font is really misleading. Marree? Mallee?

It's actually Manee Thai, and the sign is a play on mixing Thai and English script.

Next question: Does Myrtle Ave need a third Thai restaurant? Interestingly enough, Manee is being opened by the son and current owners of Myrtle Thai. Perhaps we are witness to a Thai empire rising?

Manee should be opening early next week, but that's not yet set in stone. I've heard mixed reviews about both Thai 101 and Myrtle Thai, though myself have had nice dining-in experiences and slow-ass delivery service from both establishments. Wonder if Maree will offer something new? Send in your reviews when Manee opens its doors.

Manee 372 Myrtle Avenue Between Adelphi & Clermont 718-222-9992

Bittersweet

It seems like everywhere you look in the neighborhood now there's a new cafe/coffee shop. But that's cool with me as long as they're offering good service and tasty treats/coffee.

The latest is Bittersweet, in former home of Location-Location-Location (which has moved to S. Portland by Pequena in a very cute space), offers simple decor close to the park (this is key when walking home with the dog, right around the time you realize you need a coffee, badly). They also sell pastries from Balthazar. I've only stopped in once (the day I left for Poland), but damn, the berry scone I had was great. I also saw Keri Russell walk past me on the street that day, as an aside. A friend tells me the iced Americano is THE best coffee in the 'hood right now.

Per the Village Voice, they also offer some interesting ice cream flavors as well...

Bittersweet DeKalb Avenue between Carlton and Cumberland

Proposal s Being Accepted

The former cleaner's on Lafayette, once rumored to become a 7-11, is now accepting proposals for the space. There are a few already hanging in the window, which seems strange. At least they whited out their grammatical error.

Interested in the space?

Smoke Joint: Not Quite an Expansion

Forgive me if this is old news, as I really didn't have time to read three weeks' worth of blogs while I was away. Looks like while the owners of Smoke Joint have indeed taken over the former Blimpie/Pan-m y Mas space, it won't be an expansion of the restaurant. Instead, it will be a separate market, called Little Piggy (Market). Per TimeOut:

Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman of Brooklyn’s Smoke Joint are back with this Southern country market and café next door to their Fort Greene ’cue house. Pop in for artisanal hams, Anson Mill grits and Greenmarket produce.

A Google search shows some coverage by the Brooklyn Paper as well. The new market will offer both desserts and air conditioning, both lacking at SJ.

Overall, I'm pleased with this. Smoke Joint offers really friendly service and mucho tasty food. Though the SJ is pretty cramped, and it might have been nice to offer more seating.

I peeked inside this morning, and it doesn't seem to be open yet. Also, no sign.

Sweeping Changes North of FG Park

On the rare occasion I take a cab home from the city, I usually guide the driver to make a left on Myrtle.  Those first few blocks of the former Murder Avenue look to be just that -- crumbling buildings, boarded up storefronts, garbage.  It's an even stranger corner, given the luxury condo buildings nearby. Perhaps the property owners there heard the gossip that Brownstoner broke today in advance, and have been neglecting their buildings until the area changed a little.

More than a little.  It seems the infamous Ingersoll and Whitman projects may eventually become middle income housing and/or co-ops! Holy crap.

Several months back, there was talk of razing Admiral's Row to make room for an enormous supermarket.  Perhaps this was planned in advance for the new tenants?   Where will the current residents go?  Will it result in a more unified Fort Greene Park scene?

Dog Wash

FYI, the Laundra-Mutt idea came from Fort Greene PUPS founder Kath Hansen. So witty, that Kath! Anyway, here's the new sign for Who's Your Doggy's grooming They'll also be offering a do-it-yourself dog wash, which will be a great thing. I've seen countless large dogs rolling in the mud at Ft. Greene Park by that old plugged fountain. Now owners can stop in for a wash on the way home.

August Events @ Tillie's

August EventsTillie’s of Brooklyn

248 DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene

(718) 783-6140

www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com Music

Friday, August 3rd

8 p.m.

Mike Beck and friends

Leader of the popular rock band Odd Czar, Clinton Hill-based Beck will play old and new favorites that rock hard. For more information, see www.myspace.com/oddczarwillrockyou.

Cover: $5, $3 with student ID

elastiCity 2007 ( www.myspace.com/elasticityfest)

Friday, August 24th

8 PM Zach Brock www.zachbrock.com

Gary Fieldman, percussion; Ima Jonsdottir, violin; Dan Shaud, horn

"...not just a violinist who plays jazz, but a jazz musician who plays the violin."

-Orbert Davis

9:30 PM Ziv Ravitz www.zivravitz.com

Friday, August 31

8 PM Cold Reading Trio www.christianpinckock.net

Christian Pincock, laptop; Evan Mazunik, accordion; John O'Brien, percussion

9:30 PM Jody Redhage www.jodyredhage.com

Alan Ferber, trombones; Ken Thompson, clarinets; Jody Redhage, voice/cello; Fred Kennedy, drums

elastiCity is an Addtract Initiative (www.rules-of-addtraction.org) All shows have a suggested donation of $5 per set.

--About the series:

Tillie's, now in its tenth year of promoting talent in Brooklyn, is pleased to announce the elastiCity Music Festival on the last Friday of every month from February 2007 through September 2007. elastiCity is a new music series dedicated to showcasing local and regional composers with a common vision and a desire to stretch out to something new, whether it's art song, jazz improvisation, or a little bit of rock and roll.

Tillie's is located at the corner of Vanderbilt and DeKalb Avenues in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. For more information or directions to the store, see our website at www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com or call (718) 783-6140.

-- Lily Maase - guitarist.composer.creative director www.lilymaase.com www.rules-of-addtraction.org www.myspace.com/elasticityfest lilymaase@gmail.com

Friday Photo

(Lafayette Ave, Fort Greene)

Events at Urban Glass

Hi, all: Still in Krakow, and have received a few interesting event emails as of late.  Hopefully I will have time to elaborate more when I return, but for now, here's the info in case you want to check it out:

Friday, July 20 at UrbanGlass

7 – 9 pm Andrew Newbold Object and Atmosphere Opening reception

Free, open to the public

9 pm – midnight Rock the Hot Shop $15 admission, 21 + over

Friday, July 20, Philadelphia-based artist Andrew Newbold's solo exhibition opens in the Robert Lehman Gallery at UrbanGlass. The glass and metal sculpture and site-specific installation reflect the artist's interpretation of his own experience with industry, specifically glass production, and embrace the manufactured landscape of such industrial spaces. Newbold describes the glass factory as a place filled with interesting systems, varieties of containers, vessels, and objects with individual personality, character, and function. As a fabricator of functional metal forms and as an artist, Newbold observes a symbiotic relationship between the workplace and studio environments.

For works such as The Stack, Newbold assembles simple forms with primary building processes in repetition, thereby imbuing the objects with new life and identity. In Glass Containers, bent glass and formed metal cones are combined to create a composition that evokes a precarious balancing act. By integrating sculptural objects with their surroundings, the artist dissolves the separation between the gallery and the object, creating atmosphere and experience.

A graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, Andrew Newbold received his MFA from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University in 2005.  Awarded the Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship in 2006 and a 1998 Glass Art Society Conference scholarship, he has exhibited widely throughout the eastern United States . Newbold's work was included in UrbanGlass' juried 2005 MFA Exhibition. As the winner of that group show competition, he earned the opportunity to mount this solo exhibition at UrbanGlass. Newbold is currently an adjunct assistant professor at the Tyler School of Art and continues to work in metal fabrication.

Following the opening reception for Object and Atmosphere , UrbanGlass hosts a Rock the Hot Shop event from 9:00 pm to midnight. Mighty Redeemer Sound spins records throughout the evening. $15 admission also includes Blue Point Brewing Company beer and white wine sangria all night and a blown glass cup for the first 100 to arrive. The event, which raises funds for the UrbanGlass Education program, is sponsored by Blue Point Brewing Company of Long Island.

UrbanGlass: New York Contemporary Glass Center is a not-for-profit international art center located at 647 Fulton Street, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY. The mission of UrbanGlass is to advance the use and appreciation of glass as a creative medium and to make glass accessible to a diverse audience through its programs, educational initiatives, and publications.

UrbanGlass

647 Fulton Street , 3rd Floor

(Enter at 57 Rockwell Place, between Fulton and DeKalb)

Fort Greene, Brooklyn

718.625.3685 :: www.urbanglass.org

B, M, Q, R to DeKalb; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Nevins; C to Lafayette; G to Fulton

For more information, please contact Brooke Benaroya, 718.625.3685, ext. 210, brooke@urbanglass.org.

Community Gardens Updates

I've received a few Community Garden updates since I posted the comprehensive list. First, here's a blog covering all three of the Brooklyn Bears gardens.

Next, the Hollenback Garden into posted on the NYC Green Thumb site is apparently outdated. The garden coordinators have sent me the latest information:

The Hollenback Community Garden Located at 460 Washington Avenue Between Gates and Greene Avenues Brooklyn, NY

Planting the Seeds of Hollenback The Hollenback Community Garden began in 1980, through the hard work and dedication of community members who saw possibility in a lot rendered empty by the fire that destroyed the Hollenback Mansion.

Brick by brick, and wheel barrow by wheel barrow they cleaned up the site and then seed by seed, they created beauty from destruction.

To learn more garden history, come in and ask to speak to Gertrude. She is one of the concerned citizens who started the garden, and she has been gardening at Hollenback ever since.

Who are we? We are currently about 40 gardeners, each working in individual plots as well as sharing responsibility for communal areas used by the garden membership and the larger community. Our garden is part of the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust, a coalition of 34 community gardens.

What do we do? ☼ We create a place for garden members from the community to produce locally grown food.

☼ We preserve a flourishing green oasis for the community to visit and enjoy, contributing to overall neighborhood beautification.

☼ We make all garden decisions democratically at monthly meetings.

☼ We offer several community events every season, including live music, movies, BBQs, garden workshops, tours

☼ We share our gardening knowledge and experience with the community

☼ Environmentally speaking, we harvest rainwater from a neighboring rooftop, and store it in a 700 gallon tank, reducing both our use of potable water and the amount of rainwater that goes into the city’s overworked sewer system. You can find more information on rainwater harvesting in the city at waterresourcegroup.org

☼ We are very proud of our compost system. We not only compost garden compostable materials, but we also process the food waste of over 50 community members, as well as for the Fort Greene Farmer’s Market. Compost collection lessens the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, and converts that waste into a valuable fertilizing material. The compost we produce is used in our garden and neighborhood tree pits, as well as by community members. Our compost piles have been used as a learning tool by New York City’s Master Composting Class from the Queens Botanical Garden, as well as by the Lower East Side Ecology Center and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It has even been featured on Japanese television. To learn more about our compost, come in and ask for Charlie Bayrer, our head composter.

Where are we going? ☼ We are currently involved in a project to install a composting toilet in our garden. This will allow us to provide restroom facilities for visitors and gardeners, without having to depend on the non-sustainable, chemical, and costly involvement of a rented port-o-potty. We feel that a composting toilet is safer and more environmentally friendly. We also hope that the presence of the composting toilet will serve as a further platform for our garden, and our community, to learn more ways to harness every resource we can when it comes to supporting our planet from the strain we place upon it.

What can you do? ☼ Any time the front gate is open, please come in for a visit. Stop in, smell and admire the flowers, talk to gardeners, sit and read or just relax in the shade. Bring your family and your sketchbook. Share your knowledge and your questions.

☼ Respect the hard work of all the gardeners by not picking any fruits, vegetables or flowers. Also make sure to let them know that their hard work is noticed and appreciated.

☼ To help you plan a visit, we have regular Garden Open Hours, which are: Wednesdays: 6pm to 8pm Saturdays: 3pm to 7pm Sundays: 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 7pm

☼ To get more information, inquire about membership, join our mailing list, find out how you can help, learn about community events, ask a question, or make a request, you can reach the garden coordinators at hollenbackcommunitygarden@yahoo.com Cara Perkins at 917-701-2875 Mark Trushkowsky at 917-804-0414

Telos Apothecary in Fort Greene

On Wordpress, I can check the sites that have linked to CHB. One of them simply says: Telos Apothecary coming to Fort Greene soon!

I can't find any info on them via Google, but maybe it'll be something cool, like a Bigelow Chemists-type store?

Ice Cream in the Hood

If it gets hot again while I'm away, I've earmarked a few places to get frozen treats:

• Java Dave's on Lafayette, which boasts several homemade flavors of ice cream
• Connecticut Muffin on Myrtle, offering a wide selection of frozen yogurt flavors, available in a cup or cone
• Cio Bella gelato cart outside of Choice (Grand Ave) -- I've noticed it once, and hope it's been returning!

• Mario's Pizza on DeKalb, selling cheap and tasty cups of Italian Ice

I have so many posts drafted up (to be published by my "webmaster") that you might not even know I'm away!

See you in a few weeks...

xo,

LH

BARC Benefit in Fort Greene

Received this info from a reader: I wanted to write to you to let you know about an event I'm running in Fort Greene (in my backyard on Carlton Ave) next month. Its local, and its a charitable event, its competitive and its going to be incredibly silly, but fun. I thought it would be great to get some neighbors involved in the event, instead of just my regular crew.

Please take a look at the site. www.thegreathotdogcookoff.com And if you're a hot dog fan, you might it enjoy it yourself. The site has all the details about the event, how this started, and how people can sign up to attend or compete.

Proceeds benefit BARC shelter in Williamsburg.

Empty Storefront on Lafayette

Remember when the former cleaners was slated to become a 7-11? Readers have been asking me what's up. As far as I can tell, there was a problem with flooding in the building (per signage in the window recently). On a recent stroll past, I asked a guy in the doorway what was going in there. His response? "We don't know yet."

Wonder why 7-11 pulled out?

What do you think should open here?

Bidonville on Willoughby

The corner of Willoughby that was once a dead end for businesses (between Adelphi and Clermont) is thriving. Joining the welcome pet store Who's Your Doggy, a new cafe has moved in right next door.

Called Bidonville, the cafe features fresh baked goods from Choice, as well as tasty coffee (your reviews on the coffee are welcome, as I don't drink it regularly enough to give an intellectual review on it). Such a good spot for Choice muffins and such for people who live west of Choice and don't want to backtrack in the morning.

The inside space doesn't look quite finished yet, but I like the rustic look it's going for. The owner's friend was working the day I dropped in, and he was incredibly friendly.

July Events @ Tillie's

July Events at Tillie’s of Brooklyn Music

elastiCity 2007 ( www.myspace.com/elasticityfest)

Friday, July 20

8 PM ~from Boston!~ Know Trio www.knowtrio.com

Gary Fieldman, percussion; Ima Jonsdottir, violin; Dan Shaud, horn

Know Trio seeks a new music on the boundaries of chamber music, jazz, and free improvisation. Blending and overlapping genres, Know Trio has a penchant for absurdist humor, spoken word, and performance art. Their music explores the unexpected beauty in the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, and searches for meaningful expression in a contemporary idiom.

9:30 PM Rick Parker Collective www.rickparker.net

Rick Parker, trombone; Xavier Perez, saxes; Sam Barsh, piano; Dan Loomis, bass; Kyle Struve, drums

Dubbed "the best kept secret in New York right now," by AllAbout Jazz, the Rick Parker Collective's latest CD release, Finding Space, was named to the ezine's "Top Pick CDs for 2006" list.

Saturday, July 21st

8 p.m.

Indoda Entsha Percussion Ensemble

African-inspired drumming and high spirits from a local band that is a Tillie’s favorite. Always raises the roof – a must-see for all rhythm lovers.

Led by Preston Riddick

Donation: $6

elastiCity 2007 con’t.

Friday, July 27

8 PM Sarah Renfro www.sarahrenfro.com Sarah Renfro, voice/compositions; Bob Lanzetti, guitar; Ryan Kotler, bass; Fred Kennedy, drums

Sarah Renfro writes an eclectic mix of jazz, soul and folk rock. Her lyrics range from introspective prose to socio-political commentary. She is a composer with something to say and has the voice to get her message heard.

9:30 PM Monika Heidemann www.monikah.com

Monika Heidemann, voice/compositions; Erik Deutsch, keys; Jonathan Goldberger, guitar; Matt Clohesy, bass; Simon Lott, drums

"...MONIKA HEIDEMANN's self-released ‘Bright’ is the jazz-vocal debut of the year . . . make that the jazz debut of the year . . . make that the debut of the year." -Boston Phoenix, 9/28/06

elastiCity is an Addtract Initiative (www.rules-of-addtraction.org) All shows have a suggested donation of $5 per set.

About the series:

Tillie's, now in its tenth year of promoting talent in Brooklyn, is pleased to announce the elastiCity Music Festival on the last Friday of every month from February 2007 through September 2007. elastiCity is a new music series dedicated to showcasing local and regional composers with a common vision and a desire to stretch out to something new, whether it's art song, jazz improvisation, or a little bit of rock and roll.

Art

July 23rd – August 18th

Otherworldly Variations

Paintings and Wall Sculptures by Lawrence Heintjes

The Director of L & M Studio, a local design workshop, Larry Heintjes and his artist wife, Mary Rieser, produced the stained glass sign in Tillie’s window when the store first opened ten years ago. A skilled carpenter, master mold and cabinetmaker and art restorer/fabricator, Larry coordinates all aspects of design, construction and installation for museums, architects, contractors and galleries.

Whether he’s working in plastic, wood, oil paints, or gouache, Larry’s private artistic landscape accommodates eclectic nuances achieving fantastic metaphors and shades of meaning. Inspired by biomorphic forms in many manifestations, his work is a jumping-off point for a curious mind and a frequently surrealistic imagination. The pieces are rich in detail yet mysterious enough to confound and to instigate further inquiry.

Heintjes was educated at Pratt Institute and still lives in Fort Greene with his wife and two daughters. His art installation clients include the Holly Solomon Gallery, Chase Manhattan, and the Whitney Museum. He has exhibited widely in New York at galleries such as BACA Downtown in Brooklyn and the 80 Washington Square East Gallery in Greenwich Village.

He has also lectured on mold making for artists, paper casting, and related subjects at Pratt Institute, the Brooklyn Museum, and Connecticut College in New London. Check out their website at www.LMStudio265.com.

Reception: Thursday, July 26th

7 – 9 p.m.

Tillie's is located at the corner of Vanderbilt and DeKalb Avenues in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. For more information or directions to the store, see our website at www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com or call (718) 783-6140.

Java Dave's

Java Dave's on Lafayette in Fort Greene never gets much buzz, and I'm curious as to why. Their signage isn't great (is it a franchise?), but every time I've been in the staff has been superfriendly. They also have GREAT loose tea. I highly recommend the cherry-vanilla.

Eating and Learning at iCi

(Damn, this looks fabulous. Too bad I will be in Poland when it happens. Please go and report back!) iCi joins forces with Green Gourmet to celebrate

“The Art of Taste”

On Thursday July 12th iCi partners with Green Gourmet to present The Art of Taste: a new dining experience where guests dine and discover in one bite!

The evening begins with an interactive class led by food educators Elizabeth J.E. Johnson & Ludie R Minaya from Green Gourmet. Through tasting and journaling guests explore the five flavors and realize the connection between taste and health. Diners learn that balancing the five flavors is the secret to creating delicious meals and to maintaining health and vitality.

Following the class guests enjoy a dinner prepared by Chef Laurent Saillard of iCi Restaurant. The meal incorporates examples of the five flavors while featuring the freshest summer foods grown in and around New York City.

Class & Dinner $70

To make a reservation or to get more information contact: Marion Emmanuelle at ICI - 718 789 2778.

MENU

Added Value Arugula Salad

Parmesan Cheese, Pickled Fennel, Red Onions

~

Handmade Spaetzle

Fresh Corn, Tarragon, Lime

~

Wilted Dandelion Salad

Poached Egg, Bacon, Anchovy Cream

~

Dine’s Farm Roasted Chicken Breast

Quinoa, Kale, Roasted Onions

or

Zucchini Green Curry

Basil, Coconut Milk

~

Sea Salt Chocolate Tart