"The Bakery" is Open!

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The bakery at 154 Vanderbilt (between Willoughby and Myrtle) is now open! The name's not yet official, since a bakery called "Crumbs" is protesting to the establishment's use of the name "Krumbs." (This explains the temporary spray paint job over the old "Frosted Moon" sign.) chb-4.jpg

Owner Adrienne Braxton has been a Clinton Hill resident for years. She's become famous for her peach cobbler, often sold on the street, but always longed for her own storefront.

I picked up some mini carrot cakes ($2.50 each) for a dinner party, and they were a huge hit. Braxton's goods are mostly of the dessert variety (ie. no fresh bread), but if you need a fox box of fresh, buttery goodness, this is your place.

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Looks nice inside, and I'm looking forward to see how the place develops!

owner adrienne braxton

Provisions: OPEN

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From the Greene Grape: img_8296.JPG

Fresh Fish and Meat . . . Finally.

If you've walked by the new Greene Grape Provisions store at the corner of South Portland and Fulton, you know we are serving fresh coffee and espresso drinks and are getting daily deliveries of fresh pastries from Balthazar and bread from Il Forno. We also have pantry essentials like olive oil, vinegar, spices and dry pasta.

As of January 22, our fish and meat counters are open. The fish counter will have organic Atlantic salmon, shrimp, scallops, swordfish, yellowfin tuna, escolar, tilapia, arctic char, mahi-mahi and skate, all from Wild Edibles. Rob our fishmonger will be available to advise on your fish purchase, suggest preparations and clean your shrimp. The meat counter will feature filet mignon, New York strip steak, rib eye steak, organic Bell & Evans chicken, pork chops, ground meat and sausages. Come and meet Paul the butcher and let him know what else you'd like to see.

At the wine store we'll be pouring a fish-friendly white AND red and you'll receive 5% off your wine purchase by bringing in a Provisions receipt for $10 or more.

We apologize for the slow roll-out but we want to perfect each aspect of the store one department at a time. You've waited this long, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, and you deserve the best. We have a lot more service-oriented surprises in store so hang in there . . . we promise it will be worth it.

Cheers! FFGG (The Fine Folks @ The Greene Grape)

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(photos by Melanie Flood)

Holy crap. Look at that bread. And salmon. OMG. (drool)

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.

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.

High-End Grocers are Everywhere (EVEN ON FULTON!)

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Oh boy, people. We're on the cusp of an insane explosion...of chi chi grocers! So far, we have:

  • Fresh Garden (Fulton and Lafayette - TriLaFu!) -- They have a nice flower selection, thank GOD:

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  • L'Epicerie (Vanderbilt south of DeKalb): Allegedly cranky service, but also allegedly offering amazing dinners now
  • Karrots (Myrtle at Clinton): A little too crunchy for my personal taste

Soon, we'll have:

  • Provisions, a gourmet grocery from the fine folks at the Greene Grape (Fulton at St. Portland):

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  • Union Market, at the corner of Fulton and Rockwell [BK Paper]
  • Choice Market's new place on Greene near Grand:

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  • AND... (drumroll)...GREEN PLANET, to open at 969 Fulton (between Washington and St. James). All I know is that it'll sell "organic food, health food and juices."

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Do you think they'll be successful?

And finally, just a shout-out to the slightly dank but decently-stocked Associated on Waverly between Lafayette and Greene, which has been increasing their inventory of organic foods and "green" cleaning supplies. Plus, the staff is so friendly!

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!

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

A Good Cause at Addy & Ferro

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Now through Thursday, December 20th Bring in a new unwrapped hard cover children’s book to Addy & Ferro to be given as a holiday gift to Children in a Brooklyn Shelter. Each donation will yield a Good Will coupon, and should you decide to make a purchase, receive 30% of each item for each book donated. Good Will coupon can be used on all merchandise (full priced and sale) and is to be used at the time of donation, it can’'t be saved for a later date.

Addy & Ferro 672 Fulton Street (between South Elliot & South Portland St.) Brooklyn, NY 11217

(718) 246-2900

Store Hours Monday: closed Tuesday - Saturday: 12pm - 8pm Sunday: 12pm - 6pm

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.

Local Gifting

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Yes, the Union Square market is great for holiday shopping. This year, though, you can enjoy some similar gift-buying opportunities right here in the hood! Even better, and less crowded. Plus, support local artisans!
1. PEP Gallery:
Is it better to give or receive?
This holiday season PEP is transforming itself into the hippest, trendiest, most original boutique in Brooklyn. With ARTMART, PEP will be offering limited editions, multiples, and wearable art from some of our favorite artists. With tons of great pieces and prices starting at ten dollars you can do both! Runs Dec. 1-22, holiday reception Dec. 16.
2. Artisans Holiday Fair at Habana Outpost:
The Society for Clinton Hill is co-sponsoring a Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair with Habana Outpost at South Portland and Fulton Streets In Ft. Greene, Brooklyn.
Artisans will be displaying their works for sale from noon to 8 PM, Saturdays and Sundays,
December 1&2, 8&9, 15&16, and 22&23.
Come and meet and view the fare at the Fair while drinking hot chocolate! You'll find knit hats, scarves, jewelry, ceramics, and unusual gift items for everyone.
3. Still Hip Holiday Craft Fair:

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4. Brooklyn-Based Sampler:
Nicole Davis, who occasionally contributes here as Clintoncentric, is offering this unique gift sampler via Brooklyn Based, her e-newsletter of all things cool in the BK.)

Imagine a friend gave you a box filled with delicious-smelling skinnyskinny soap, ingenious holders for soft-boiled eggs called Egg Pants, gorgeous handmade jewelry by wabisabi brooklyn, a striking holiday letterpress card by Jezebel, retro buttons and magnets from Kate Black, and a cool card holder made from the sails of sail boats by Reiter8.

Nice friend right?

Now imagine that you also got at least 6 (6!) of the following in this box:

A beautiful tote bag with avalove’s hand-lithographed designs
a candy-colored diamond acrylic ring from by:AMT
copper and sterling jewelry by Joanne Tracy
a silkscreened notepad and collaged card by Fisk and Fern
a book of fabulous artwork by Robert Mars
a silkscreened onesie
a colorful kid’s skirt made by Fofolle
handmade cards that double as portraiture prints by Desira Pesta
keychains (made either by RePlayGround, 31 Corn Lane, or This is Swigg)
crocheted goods, like an Ezra’s Cousin scarflette or Alicia Kachmar’s adorable mitten ornaments
a fantastic denim clutch, bag or cuff by Wanett Clyde
pretty letterpress postcards by Erin Fae
a wire and gemstone ring from Kimmchi
hand-drawn accessories by Tilly Bloom

No you can’t pick which of those six items you get. But you know for sure you’re getting 11 awesome things… And don’t you like to be surprised? How fantastic is this friend of yours?

Now here’s the kicker: all of these items are made or designed here in Brooklyn, by artists, designers and crafters who hail from Bed-Stuy, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Ditmas Park, East New York, Fort Greene, Greenpoint, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Sunset Park, Williamsburg, and Windsor Terrace, and whose work is available at fabulous boutiques like Spring in Dumbo, Rare Device in Park Slope, the Brooklyn Indie Market, or online at that one-stop-shop for handmade goods, Etsy.

This box is so Brooklyn, it’s even wrapped in Brooklyn maps and lined with The Brooklyn Paper (there’s also a map of the future Brooklyn Greenway and a Zagat’s guide to BK restos inside).

Here’s the other kicker: It’s $20 (plus shipping), an incredible value for one-of-a-kind work made by your gifted neighbors, curated by Brooklyn Based, and sold by The Sampler, a San Francisco company whose founder Marie Kare came up with this brilliant idea of mailing boxes filled with the wares of indie businesses to spread the word about their work. This month they began a series of Samplers called City Samplers, packed with goods native to one place. It launched with their hometown, and Brooklyn Based happened to call at the right moment and propose a box filled with goodies made by Brooklynites.

Fort Greene contributors include:
25 totes from avalove ( www.avalove.etsy.com)
25 prints and cards by Desira Pesta ( www.desirapesta.com)
100 eggpants by Liz Kinnmark (www.designglut.com)

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(more posts to come regarding gifting)

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.

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill News

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I, for one, want one of those "chic chopping bags." Spend a couple of fun and fruitful hours at our table at the Fort Greene Green Market on 11/17 or 11/24. You will meet many engaging and beautiful neighbors, help make our neighborhoods even more environmentally friendly, get some fresh air and dispel guilt. In the past two weeks we have sold 400 energy efficient light bulbs, given out hundreds of applications for non-polluting electricity, and added dozens of people to our list of New York's Greenest.

This week we will be offering very chic reusable shopping bags, as well.

If you can help, please email info@greenfgch.org.

Bulbs sprouting: Save energy and save money. Long life energy efficient light bulbs are offered at stores near you for a non-profit price. Each $2 or $2.50 bulb will save you over $100 because you will use less energy and replace bulbs far less frequently. Now at Yu, Green Farm, Fresh Garden, Greene Pharmacy. Coming soon to 4W, Restaurant New Orleans, Gnarly Vines, L'Epicerie, Green Apple Cafe and many others.

Ask your favorite store owner to join the movement. We supply a handsome decal for their window, leaflets explaining the whole bulb story (so they do not have to ) and the low priced bulbs. The store owner will sell the bulbs at cost for a few months as part of our community greening program. Let us know at info@greenfgch.org and we will follow up with them.

More Thanksgiving Fare

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(Was out of town yesterday -- sorry!) The Greene Grape and Jive Turkey are teaming up to offer a complete Thanksgiving package, delivered to your door! They're hosting a free tasting this Thursday:

Click, Uncork and Gobble!

The Greene Grape and Jive Turkey are excited to host their Third Annual Thanksgiving tasting on Thursday, November 15th from 5 to 7pm at The Greene Grape at 765 Fulton Street between South Oxford and South Portland and at The Greene Grape Downtown, 55 Liberty at Nassau in the Financial District of Manhattan. We’ll be pouring six American wines recommended to go with Thanksgiving dinner and serving a Jive Turkey with all the fixings. The event is FREE and is a great way to try before you buy! For more information, please visit www.greenegrape.com.

The Greene Grape and Jive Turkey are also proud to continue a New York Thanksgiving tradition by offering a full Thanksgiving meal – a deep-fried Jive Turkey and all the fixings – plus a Six Pack of American wines specially selected by The Greene Grape to complement the Thanksgiving meal. The total package is $249.95 plus tax and includes delivery any day the week of Thanksgiving – November 19-22. Quantities are limited and orders must be placed by Friday, November 16. This offer created an absolute frenzy last year – it’s never too soon to sign up! For more information or to order, please visit www.thejiveturkey.com or call (718) 797-1688.

The Greene Grape features offers from individual producers with integrity, skill and pride. For more information, please contact Amy Bennett at amy@greenegrape.com, by calling (917) 412-5901.

Jive Turkey features deep-fried turkey that has been called “a tender, juicy bird so perfectly cooked, with skin so crisp and tasty, you might never roast again.” For more information, please contact Aricka Westbrooks at westbrooksa@aol.com or (718) 797-1688.

Gnarly Vines: Grand Opening Party!

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outside of gnarly vinesI admit, it's taken me awhile to get over to Gnarly Vines. But man, is it NICE in there! The space is enormous -- much bigger than I anticipated -- but is long and narrow, giving the store a cozy feel. nice displayStore owner Brian was ultra-friendly and recommended some great bottles for me.

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Check out their Grand Opening party this Thursday from 6-10pm! picture-5.png

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Also note: CSA members receive 10% off purchases!