Fort Greene CSA Podcast

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Non-profit e-hub Idealist.com offers a podcast on the formation of the new Fort Greene CSA: Real Food and the Fort Greene, Brooklyn CSA

In recent years, communities across the five boroughs have become more concerned with eating "locally" and developing a sustainable food system for all New York City residents.  Community Supported Agriculture--the model of pairing groups of community residents with small local farms--continues to gain in popularity all over the city as an alternative to supermarket shopping.  But how exactly does CSA work?  What does membership in a CSA model mean for community residents?

In the latest Idealist.org Community Podcast, guest contributor Cambra Moniz-Edwards follows Fort Greene CSA Coordinator Jen Datka as she explains the ins and outs of one of Brooklyn's newest CSAs.  For more information on CSAs in the five boroughs, and on developing a sustainable agriculture system in New York City, visit JustFood.org.

Fort Greene Association Meeting: 11/17

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BROOKLYN, NY - The Fort Greene Association [FGA] is proud to announce its next Open Meeting entitled: ENERGY SOLUTIONS - Turning being green into greenbacks. The meeting which is to be held at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford Street on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 7:30PM will feature a panel of experts from the Community Environmental Center as well as local experts from the FGA's own Green Fort Greene / Clinton Hill taskforce.

The panel will include Henderson Callender from the Community Environmental Center who will describe how 1-4 family energy audits and energy improvement work can lead to cash savings.  The feasibility and application of solar thermal, photo voltaic, and ground source energy solutions in Brooklyn will also be discussed. www.cecenter.org

GreenStreet president Robert Politzer has dedicated his company to doing only green projects and will lead a discussion on green new construction as well as green renovations.  GreeneStreet has built an American Lung Association Health House and installed renewable systems throughout Brooklyn.  Mr. Politzer will lead a discussion   www.greenstreetinc.com

Tess Barton from Community Energy, a provider of green power either through ConEd Solutions or RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) sold by Community Energy will discuss green energy choices.  Community Energy maintains contracts with wind farms in New York State and across the country and is the recommended source of green power for projects seeking LEED certification.  www.newwindenergy.com

Jed Marcus chair of Green Fort Green / Clinton Hill will describe how this volunteer project of neighbors working together to reduce the neighborhoods' contribution to global warming is having great success in the Neighborhood and beyond.  www.greenfgch.org

Also on the agenda: - FGA Elections of their new and energetic Board

- An update from the Steve Sachs of the FGA Retail Committee on the search for a location and prospective new name for the new bookstore coming to Fort Greene

- Captain Anthony Tasso from the 88th Precinct will discuss and take questions regarding public safety issues in the neighborhood

What:   Fort Greene Association General Meeting - Energy Solutions, turning green into greenbacks - Open to all

When:  Monday, November 17, 2008 - 7:30PM

Where:  Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church 85 South Oxford Street (between Lafayette and Greene Avenues) Fort Greene, Brooklyn For further information please the Fort Greene Association at 718.875.1855 e-mail:  news@HistoricFortGreene.org web www.HistoricFortGreene.org Serving Greater Fort Greene, Fort Greene Association

Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Centennial

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Ever wondered what that giant tower in Fort Greene Park is?  The one that was hidden under scaffolding for ages? It's the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, and it turns 100 years old this coming weekend!

The Fort Greene Park Conservancy has scheduled several events for this coming weekend, most of them on Saturday and free.  The monument, which has been dark for 70 years, will be relit and the park will host a number of tours and family-friendly events (many of them with a "olden days" theme).

Here is the schedule thus far: Come be a part of history and honor our country as we re-light the monument, which has been dark for over seventy years! To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1908 dedication of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, a grand celebration will take place on November 15, 2008 in Fort Greene Park. The majestic Stanford White-designed Monument which stands in the heart of the Park is one of the most important and sacred memorials in our country. It honors the remains of over 11,500 POWs, interred in a crypt beneath the Monument, who perished for the cause of freedom during the American War of Independence.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008 5:30-7:30 PM - Kick-Off Reception at MoCADA, 80 Hanson Place. Prize-winning art works inspired by the experiences of the British Prison Ship Martyrs during the American Revolution, created by neighborhood high school students; free, refreshments.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008 RAIN OR SHINE Full Day of Free Spectacular Activities in Fort Greene Park 10:00 AM - To reserve for limited space events, sign-up sheets will be available in the Visitors’ Center. 11:00 AM - NYC Department of Parks and Recreation unveiling of the Monument eagles. Noon – 3:45 PM - Visitors Center: Family Roots Project: Explore your family’s roots, free genealogical workshops and assistance with individual searches conducted by professionals from the African Atlantic Genealogical Society; entertainment stage: Jazz by Jeff Newell’s New Trad and Wade Barnes’ Brooklyn Four plus One, Brooklyn High School of the Arts band, performers from Irondale Theater; * Guided bus tours of the Brooklyn Navy Yard; Revolutionary war re-enactors; activities for families – meet Mr. Walt Whitman; Ranger-led tours of the park; *a horse and buggy will be available for family fun and to provide transport for people in need of help to reach the Monument Plaza. *Limited space events 3:15 PM - Fife and drum led procession and parade of flags from South Oxford Park to Fort Greene Park Monument Plaza for the beginning of the formal tribute. 3:30 – 3:45 PM - Monument stairs: Flag-posting ceremony 4:15 PM - Formal commemoration: U.S. National Anthem sung by Tony Award winner Cady Huffman; keynote address by Dr. Edwin G. Burrows, the 1999 Pulitzer Prize winner and author of recently released “Forgotten Patriots; The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War;” 21- gun salute; wreath-laying; color guards; solemn military pageantry and much much more! 5:00 PM - Re-lighting the Eternal Flame of the Prison Ship Martyrs for the first time since 1921, and the return of our eagles after a four-decade struggle by undaunted Fort Greeners. 5:30 – 7:30 PM - Reception: Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 South Elliott Place immediately following the re-dedication of the Monument and the re-lighting of the eternal flame, in the fabulous Art Deco lobby of the school. Food provided by the chef/owner of the restaurant Eletteria, Akhtar Nawab, former sous-chef for Tom Coliccio at Craft. Entertainment will be provided by noted cabaret singer, Victoria England. For this reception there is a charge of $25, which must be paid in advance. For reservations call Ruth Goldstein at 718.596.0899. 7:30 PM - Free Concert: Brooklyn Technical High School Auditorium, 29 South Elliott Place. World Premier of “Brooklyn Bones: Requiem for the Prison Ship Martyrs” by composer Alvin Singleton, text by Patricia Hampl, commissioned by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy to commemorate the Centennial. It is a work for chorus, orchestra and solo tenor.

For more info on the monument itself, click here.

Fort Greene PUPS Calendars on Sale!

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The 2009 Fort Greene PUPS calendar debuted at the Great PUPkin and was a huge success.  I'll say it's one of the best the organization has done (both because I worked on it, and because we accepted user submissions and collected a lot of amazing photos of local dogs!). As always, the calendars will be available locally and will also be sold at the Brooklyn Flea this Sunday:

We're excited to announce that the 2009 PUPS calendar will be on sale at the Flea this Sunday, November 9.  Come and get yours at the PUPS table that will be set up outside the Flea's main entrance beginning at 10 AM.  The calendar is also available at Who's Your Doggy on Willoughby and Adelphi and at Gnarly Vines on Myrtle Avenue.    This year's calendar is filled with more photos of our community canines then ever and makes a great holiday gift.  Plus, the money raised through calendar sales helps support our activities, which include donations to area shelters and to individuals who have rescued dogs in our neighborhood.
See you in the park (and hopefully at the Flea),
Nancy Peterson
President, PUPS
The calendar can also be purchased online here.

PUPkin MOVING TO RAINDATE (SUNDAY)

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(This probably also means the Ft Greene Conservancy activities will also be Sunday, but I haven't received the official word on that.) Due to the rain forecast tomorrow, we will definitely be moving the Pupkin event to SUNDAY, OCT. 26. The Conservancy is also moving their event to Sunday. The time for the Pupkin will be the same: registration starts at 11:30, judging starts promptly at noon.

Set up crew arrive around 10:30. Registration folks please arrive around 11:00. Judges please arrive by 11:45 at the latest. Judging MUST start at noon so it is important that all judges arrive by 11:45.

If there are other volunteers you know of who are coming to help out, please let them know we are changing the date. Also, please spread the word with other dog folks you know who may be entering the contest.

dorothy!

Halloween Events Roundup

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Halloween in Clinton Hill is amazing!  Here's a listing of all the good stuff planned: OCTOBER 25:

Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Halloween Fest Noon to 3:30 pm A day for children, parents, friends and pets.

Noon - PUPS Dog Costume Contest Enter your dog, in costume, or just come and laugh. This is a hilarious event that everyone can enjoy.  See you at the top of the park.

Noon to 3:30 – Games, hay rides, sack races, face painting, entertainment, dancing, pumpkin painting and more.  FREE!

2:30 – 3:30 – Children's Costume Contest and Parade. A delightful ending to a marvelous day for kids and all.

If you can volunteer to help with the fun, call Carol Anastasio at 718-722-3218

fort greene conservancy halloween festival

Habana Outpost

Brooklyn First Eco-Friendly Haunted house! Habana Outpost works is teaming up with The Green School to design a completely “green” haunted house. It’s free fun for kids of all ages. When: October 25th, 26th and 27th 2-7pm Habana Outpost Blood Drive – We want to suck your blood! After a scare in our haunted house, give back to people in need when we team up with New York Blood Center for a blood drive! When: Saturday, October 25th  12-5:30pm

OCTOBER 31:

Free Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest! Bring your little Goblins and Ghouls to Habana Outpost for a fun and safe night featuring dj John Oliver, candy, games and a costume contest.

Friday, October 31st 5pm – 10pm (costume contest at 6:00pm)

The Society for Clinton Hill Presents The Children's Halloween Walk in Clinton Hill Friday, October 31, 2008 Starts at 5 pm at the Community Garden, DeKalb/Hall Children in costume, under 12, with parents can pick up the map of many homes with generous treats. Clinton Hill residents are getting ready with bigger and more exciting displays and shows than ever.  Check out the amazing block long show at 313 Clinton Ave. between Lafayette and DeKalb.  You will be thrilled!!  Then, check out the other wonderful sights on Waverly, Washington and Clinton between Willoughby and Lafayette.  People are already building stages for their shows.  Then, of course, you will want to visit the even larger neighborhood as residents offer treats, wonderful decorations, and excitement.  The evening starts around 5 pm and ends around 9 pm.

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Looking for a comprehensive Brooklyn Halloween list? Try this continually developing post from Fort Greene blogger A Child Grows in Brooklyn.

Gruesome Discovery in Ft Greene Park

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From a reader: In case you haven't heard, a female body was dumped in FGP last night according to some folks I ran into in the park this morning during off leash hours.  The story I heard was that the body had been chopped up and put into  a bag and a box and left in the park, authorities found it maybe between 10-11PM.  Not sure how accurate this is but thought I'd pass along.

Predictably, there is no information anywhere.  I've checked NY1, NYT, the SCH crime map.

Anyone?

UPDATE:

The Real Fort Greene

Newsday

Finally!

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I walked past Bonita a few Thursdays ago to pick up some take-out pre-debate and I noticed the lights on at 247 DeKalb Ave!  As far as I know, this building is owned by the family of the guy who owned Cellars (am I correct?  His son maybe?) and has been covered in scaffolding for as long as I can remember. There are a bunch of permits in the window, too!  Looks like it'll be a restaurant.  Per an internet search, they filed for a liquor license in August.

Debate-Watching

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From a reader: Hey! Any ideas about which bars/restaurants will be showing the presidential debate tonight?

I suspected and then confirmed that Moe's on Lafayette will be having an Obama Party.  I watched the election night coverage there four years ago and had a great time.  Get there early, as it will be packed.  Moe's is truly one of the most diverse places to hang out in all of NYC, so it's a great place to cheer on Obama.

Update: Le Grand Dakar on Grand is also having a party!

(If you like McCain, sorry- I have no idea where you might go to watch.  Statan Staten [whoops, Freudian slip!] Island?)

Are These Your Dogs?

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Thanks to all who submitted to the Fort Greene PUPS 2009 calendar!  We received more than 300 photos to the Flickr group. We're nearing completion and have emailed those who submitted chosen photos.  There's one we're still missing!

Did you submit this photo?  Are these your dogs?  If so, please send us the high-res version, along with the dogs' names, to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-got-com. 445197493_4cfd23a885

Public Art and MARP

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(A quick cut-and-paste before I head to Richmond for the weekend.  This event, happening today, sounds very cool.  MARP is slated to be woking on a number of public art projects!) Myrtle Avenue Public Art Program presents:

Saturday, August 30, 2008, 12-3pm

During Ingersoll Family Day

Ingersoll Houses, Myrtle Avenue between Prince & Navy

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership (the Partnership) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) have collaborated to inaugurate the Partnership’s new Myrtle Avenue Public Art program this Saturday, August 30, with the 11-month installation of pieces from the internationally-known Tree Hugger Project (www.treehuggerproject.com) on NYCHA Ingersoll housing development grounds near Myrtle and Prince.  The Partnership’s new Myrtle Avenue Public Art program is an effort to bring public sculpture, art installations, studio art, and creative street furniture elements to the public spaces and sidewalks of the 20-block retail district, increasing access to art for the entire community.  The sculpture installation at Ingersoll will include an opportunity for community members to participate in the building of Tree Hugger figures as part of Ingersoll’s annual family day celebration. Both the Partnership and Ingersoll Tenant Association invite all local residents to join the celebration, and welcome the Tree Huggers to our community during the community build, which will take place from 12:00pm – 3:00pm that day.

Tree Hugger Project artists Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik will be installing a total of four pieces on Myrtle Avenue as a part of their ongoing public art project that combines environmental sculpture made of natural, found and free materials such as twigs, vines and tree branches with a simple environmental message. The Project is an ongoing work of Environmental Art designed to help us re-discover our relationship with nature at a very personal and intimate level. The focus on the stewardship of public space demonstrates that standing up for the environment can be done in a fun and non-political way, and that contemporary art can be entertaining and make a difference in how we view our world. Community participation in the construction and installation of the Tree Huggers helps to highlight the role that we all can play as stewards in our very own neighborhood, reminding us that we humans are still very much a part of our natural surroundings.  The Tree Hugger Project has been brought to cities and parks all over the world as a way to bring attention to the environment and to bring communities together, and Myrtle Avenue is excited to be part of this international movement.

These art installations are part of the larger Myrtle Avenue Arts & Enterprise Initiative which represents a multi-faceted effort to establish the retail corridor as an access point to visual art and cultural activities for community members of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The Tree Hugger Project serves as a kick-off for the Partnership’s new public art program, launching both an open call for proposals for additional temporary sculpture pieces for locations along Myrtle Avenue as well as a request for sponsors to support future artists and their installations. Seed funding for the new program was provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation and Myrtle’s Business Improvement District.

Where: Myrtle Avenue near Prince Street (adjacent to the community center)

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008

Time: 12 pm - 3 pm

Price: Free, with free food and drink from the Ingersoll Tenant Association’s annual Family Day for those who come

Organization Hosting Event: Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Ingersoll Tenant Association, New York City Housing Authority

Website: www.myrtleavenue.org

Contact Name: Meredith Phillips Almeida, Director of Community Development

Phone: 718-230-1689

L'epicerie Closed!

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I was surprised to hear that the polarizing L'epicerie (either you loved it or you hated it) on Vanderbilt near DeKalb closed!  A friend and neighbor who knows the owner of the space said he's curious to know what we'd like to see there.  (He's thinking a restaurant-type place open from 8am-1am -- maybe a new Grand 275-type joint?)  This is a rare opportunity to have a say, so leave your requests here!  I'll have my friend direct the owner here for suggestions.

I only went in once to get a sandwich, years ago.  I did hear that they started serving delicious dinners, but I never went in to try.

Fort Greene Fulton Observations

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A few commenters beat me to mentioning the fro-yo on Fulton.  Houseowax says it was pricey and overly sweet. After a frustrating day at work the other day, I took the express train home and walked from DeKalb. I came across two interesting things: 1. The delicious but bizarre restaurant New Orleans seems to have closed! Based on the service I had there last winter, I'm amazed it stayed open this long.

2. Looks like Fort Greene is about to be home to a chi-chi fro-yo shop. I hope it tastes just like Eks at half the price. (just past Lafayette)

Bar / Restaurant on Greene

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A reader tipped me off to a new bar on Greene and Fulton, immediately behind the subway entrance. This corner has been boarded up for ages, and I would have never thought to look there (good eye, Maggie).

A peek inside revealed a long bar and what looked like a missing back wall leading to a giant outdoor space! I can't imagine it'll stay like this, but who knows.

This ends up being one of many examples where I've been clueless. And hey, with all the good stuff going on in CH these days, I don't need to wander too deep into Fort Greene! (Hello, great Saturday night at Bar Olivino with neighbors last weekend!)

NY Mag had the scoop ages ago, followed by B'stoner (and who knows who else).

I smell potential.