Bespoke Bicycles: Now Open

We were tipped off by General Greene back in February about a new bike shop slated to open on Lafayette near Fulton, and now Bespoke Bicycles is open for business!

The Lafayette spot was the first one owner Cassidy Vare checked out, which now features some gorgeous retro-style bikes in its front window.

"We're a full-service shop, so we offer repairs, tuneups, bikes and accessories," explains Vare.  "Our focus is on commuting, errands and city bikes, so most of what we offer is on the practical, every-day end of the spectrum."

Vare also hopes to expand his business to include used bikes in the near future.  Also, stay tuned for an interview feature about Cassidy and his city cycling suggestions!

Bespoke Bicycles 64-B Lafayette Ave 718-643-6816 http://www.bespoke-bicycles.com/

Places to Eat with Kids: 67 Burger

67 Burger might be the easiest place to eat out with kids in Fort Greene.  The name says it all.  What kid doesn’t like a burger?  Mine, actually, but luckily there are veggie burgers for the vegetarians and meat-snubbing one year olds among us.  I don’t eat meat either, but my husband thinks their hamburger is one of the better of its kind in the neighborhood.

The format is this: choose a regular, veggie or turkey burger or grilled chicken cutlet.  Then choose a style, such as the 67 Burger with blue cheese and bacon, or the Cheese Lover’s with cheddar, jack and swiss, or the Greek with feta, olive tapenade and crispy artichokes.  All burgers come with tomato, lettuce, onion and pickles.  You can also order toppings a la carte.  There are a few salads to choose from as well.  And they make an extremely tempting milkshake.  It’s not on the menu, but I recommend ordering a “black and white” shake, made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.  They also have beer and wine.

The kids’ menu has the basics: grilled cheese, hot dog, kids’ hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken sandwich.  Each is served with curly fries.

Aside from the menu, things that make this place kid-friendly are the accessibility—it’s a big space with plenty of room to maneuver a stroller.  The noise volume is usually pretty high, so you won’t feel self-conscious if you have a babbling baby or a talkative 3 year old along.  The floors are cement, so anything that gets spilled or dropped won’t be a big deal.  The sidewalk patio is an easy place to sit with all the distractions of the Lafayette/ Fulton intersection to keep kids entertained.  Waitstaff have always been friendly and patient with us too—the people we’ve met at 67 Burger seem to enjoy kids.

Have you eaten here with kids?  How was it?

High chairs—Yes

Space for strollers—Yes

Kids’ menu—Yes

Food delivery—No

Baby Changing Area—No

Outdoor space—Yes

Potential pitfalls—Why are floor drains always a toddler magnet?

67 Burger

Hours:

11:30 am - 10 pm Sunday-Thursday 11:30 am - 11 pm Friday-Saturday

67 Lafayette Ave. near Fulton St. Tel. 718.797.7150 www.67burger.com

You Are Here: Christened

Last night, I stopped by the community mural painted on the side of Tillie's for its official dedication.  The mural, a colorful map of the neighborhood, was painted at the crossroads of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.  Local residents had the opportunity to paint a dot on the map representing their home.

It was a gorgeous, summery evening, and a lively and diverse crowd showed up. We were treated to desserts and drinks by Tillie's owner Pat, and guests were still mingling an hour later, enjoying the weather and the warm light from the setting sun.

I was finally able to paint my own dot on the map! I missed last summer's dotting as I was out of town. Ellie and Pat promise to hold a few more painting sessions this summer -- stay tuned.

Epoca: Closed?

This just in the ol' inbox: Hi Clinton Hill Blog! I think that Epoca Restaurant may have closed?  Am I losing my mind or (gulp) right?  Let me know if you have any info.

I passed by on Sunday afternoon during prime brunch time, only to find the gate down.  The website is also down, but I couldn't find anything online about the place closing down.

Anyone have info?

Earth Day Trunk Show @ Thistle & Clover

The girls of Thistle & Clover, Camilla Gale and Rand Niederhoffer, cordially invite you to our first annual Earth Day Trunk Show. We are proud to present the Spring 2009 Collections of 2 independent, Brooklyn-based, and eco-conscious designers: Francoise Olivas and Sublet.

Running from 4-7PM on Wednesday, April 22nd, customers are invited to take advantage of a 15% discount extended to all trunk show items and enjoy complimentary sweets and bubbly.

Eats and tipples provided with love by local favorites Jewels of New York and Thirst Wine Merchants. A portion of all the Earth Day Trunk Show proceeds will be donated to Fort Greene Park Conservancy.

FRANCOISE OLIVAS, www.francoiseolivas.com

FIT graduate, and former Artistic and Brand Designer for Nanette Lepore, Francoise Olivas creates environmentally friendly clothing, using natural dyed fabric and yarn. The designer works closely with a variety of artisans from around the world--most recently with a cooperative in Guatemala--employing fair trade practices and entitling her collaborators to 'living wages'. All garments are made locally. Olivas says of her line, she “endeavors to create a line of products that are gentle both on the world and the mind.”

SUBLET, www.subletclothing.com

Best friends turned business partners, Tara and Inessah, met in 2005 through a Craigslist post for a summer roommate (hence the line’s name). Sublet focuses on supporting and driving the sustainable movement forward through integrating traditional and emerging sustainable materials, practices and processes. Materials incorporated into Sublet’s collections include organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, surplus, and vintage fabrics. From inception to production, every raw material used is chosen to have the lowest impact on the environment possible. Sublet’s garments are manufactured in the United States in factories that adhere to fair labor standards.

THISTLE & CLOVER, www.thistleclover.com

Thistle & Clover opened March 2008 in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Co-founders Rand Niederhoffer and Camilla Gale conceived of Thistle & Clover as a home away from home. Stacks of beautifully wrought bangles and rings sit amidst vintage books and hand pressed note cards. The clothing is carefully hand picked from an exciting group of young, up-and-coming designers that fit into Thistle & Clover’s unique and accessible aesthetic.

221 DeKalb Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11205 (718) 855 5577

Earth Day at Habana Outpost

It's time once again for the popular eco-eatery to open for a new season!  Here's to tasty corn from the truck and warm summer nights in the Habana yard.

This year, owner Sean Meenan plans kick off his 2009 season with an Earth Day Expo. The two day free event will feature Green Crafts and face painting for children sponsored by Habana Works and The Leadership Learning Lab, a Kid’s Eco-Fashion Show with the Scrapkins, and a Recycled Art Show featuring the art work of local students. There will also be plenty of information for adults - groups like Green Homes NYC, Transportation Alternatives, Green Spaces and Brooklyn Green Drinks will be on hand as well as Habana Outpost suppliers; Solar Energy Systems, Tri State Bio Diesel and Rolling Press.

The following is a schedule of Earth Day events for young and old alike:

Earth Day Expo at Habana Outpost

Two Days of Good Green Fun for the Whole Family!

The Earth Day Expo at Habana Outpost is a chance for the whole family to get started with a healthier, greener lifestyle by offering free activities your whole family can enjoy

When:

Saturday April 18th and Sunday, April 19th 12-6pm

Where:

Habana Outpost 757 Fulton Street (Corner of South Portland) Brooklyn, NY

Directions:

C train to Lafayette / G to Fulton / N,R,4,5 to Atlantic –Pacific

Contact:

For more information please check out www.HabanaOutpost.com

E-mail: info@ecoeatery.com

Phone: 718 858 9500

Schedule of Events

Saturday and Sunday 12-6

Free “eco-friendly” face painting

Have your little ones turned into ladybugs, butterflies and bumble bees as they learn about the importance these vital insects are to our environment

Saturday 1:00pm

Kids Eco-Fashion Show with the Scrapkins

Watch these kids walk the runway in the inventive recycled fashions of the Scrapkins

Saturday and Sunday 12-6

Eco Arts / Carfts and Games

Join us in the Kids Corner where your kids can spend the day crafting away while learning about the environment and recycling. Brought to by Habana Works, Leadership Learning Lab and The Scrapkins

Saturday and Sunday 12-6

Recycled Art Show

The art of local students will be on display throughout the weekend with the winners being announced on Saturday at 1:30pm

Saturday and Sunday 12-6

Fun for Parents too!

Throughout the weekend local community groups focusing on sustainability will be handing out information, giving free samples and selling the wares

Brooklyn Flea Returns

The Brooklyn Flea, held at Bishop Laughlin High School, will return to Fort Greene on Saturday, April 18.  Perhaps the move to Saturday was a deal with the nearby church. Either way, with the weather warming up, I'm excited to do some browsing and try out some of the delicious food vendors.

Brownstone Brooklyn Garden District Party!

From the folks at BBGD: We hope you are planning to attend our Spring Cocktail Party this coming March 22. Enjoy a 3D slide show by Greg Dinkins, jazz by Zach Layton, wine and hors d'oevres by Greene Grape/Provisions,and a spring installation of live flowers and trees by Gowanus Nursery!

For discounted admission, please buy tickets at Brownpapertickets.com (type in Stereoscopic Garden Party), or purchase at Greene Grape/Provisions. Tickets at the door $20.

German Beer Garden – Der Schwarze Koelner -- Opening in Fort Greene Early this Summer!

When my husband and I first moved to Fort Greene from the East Village a few years ago, we quickly developed a wish list of places that we missed from our old neighborhood, that we couldn’t find replacements for in Fort Greene. Among these places were: a butcher, an Ethiopian restaurant (we used to love going to Ghenet on Mulberry), and a beer garden a la Zum Schneider, on Avenue C. I’m happy to say that many of our wishes have already been granted (Provisions, Bati), and now, we’re going to have the beer garden we’d hoped for 7-minutes walk from our apartment! Der Schwarze Koelner will soon occupy 710 Fulton (as rumored on Brownstoner and originally on the Real Fort Greene in January. Dale, a Mancunian who lived in Cologne, Germany for 15 years and his girlfriend Randi, a native German from Stuttgart, will be opening the beer garden come late June or early July. I had a chance to talk to them about their plans:

Can you describe the beer garden? We’ll have communal tables, sidewalk seating, and a small garden out back, and we’ll offer snacks and full meals. The food will be inexpensive -- we plan to price 80% of our meals under $10. We really want to focus on inexpensive food – we live here and it’s hard to go out to eat for 2 for under $40.

Why Fort Greene? Why not? Best neighborhood in Brooklyn. Plus, we live here.

What does the name -- Der Schwarze Kölner – mean? It can be read a few ways – it refers to a big cathedral in Cologne, and the literal translation is “The dark Cologner” or “The dark-skinned Cologner”, which kind of describes me.

What beers do you plan to have on tap? A lot! Here is a preview: Weinstephaner, Schneider-Weisse, Hofbräu, Gaffel Kölsch, and Reissdorf Kölsch, etc. We’ll have 2 Cologne beers on draft and 1 in a bottle—right now that’s all that’s available in the U.S. We’re working with a distributor to get more from that area.

All of our beers are going to be served in a glass exclusive to that particular type of beer –for example, it’s important that a wheat beer be served in a glass big enough, so that the yeast that settles at the bottom gets mixed throughout.

And the beer won’t be expensive, either -- $4 for a small beer, $6 for medium and up to $12 for a gigantic mass, as the huge jugs of beer are called in Germany.

We’ll offer a list of good, inexpensive wines as well.

What type of food? Typical Rheinland food; in Germany you have a number of states – Bavaria, Hamburg, Nordrhein-Westfalen… We’re going to be focusing on Nordrhein-Westfalen, where Cologne is located. We’ll do lots of sausages, “Halber Hanh” which is a half chicken on a rotisserie for under $10, and currywurst, to name a few dishes. We also plan to celebrate lots of German holidays, like Fasching (German word for carnival), Oktoberfest and Advent.

What's your mission? Our mission is to provide people with a place to eat inexpensive food, drink excellent inexpensive beer and wine, and share a communal table with their neighbors. They can sit with a stranger and leave with an acquaintance. There will be NO TVs. We want the focus on conversation and community. We’re offering kids’ meals as well. Families are very welcome here.

What will make you a unique addition to the neighborhood? We really want to get involved in the community, by sponsoring events for local associations and street fairs to bring awareness to all that Fort Greene has to offer, and attract visitors to the neighborhood. We really want to advertise Brooklyn to a wider community. And though this is a Fort Greene establishment, we want to emphasize that all are welcome here – from Prospect Heights to Bed Stuy to Manhattan and beyond. We hope to be a positive addition to the neighborhood and to Brooklyn in general.

When do you hope to open? The plan is about 3 months from now, sometime in late June or early July.

Is this biergarten your only business? No; my girlfriend and I import design pieces from Germany – take a look at our site: http://www.ex49.com/products/

Dale, Randi – Good luck to you. We are very eagerly awaiting our first sip! Prost!

Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day in Fort Greene!

Éirinn go brách! In celebration of Saint Patrick, who cast the snakes out of Ireland, check out these local watering holes for all that is good and Irish: Mullane's Bar and Grill (71 Lafayette Ave.) is offering an Irish Favorites Menu featuring corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Guiness Stew, and more!

(P.S. Interesting note re Mullane’s – in talking with the owner and a bartender, I realized I’ve been mispronouncing Mullane’s for the last 2 years. It’s not pronounced “mullains”, it’s pronounced “mullawn’s.”)

Brooklyn Public House (274 DeKalb) will be celebrating its 1st Annual St. Patrick’s Day, starting at noon and going into the wee hours of the night. They’ll be playing Irish music all day and night, and have some food and drink specials, too:

St. Pat’s Food Specials:

+ Bangers & mash (Irish pork sausage, garlic whipped mashed potatoes, served w/ mushroom & union gravy) $10.00 + Irish bacon & cabbage (Irish boiled ham served w/ white cabbage, mashed potatoes & creamy parsley sauce) $12.00 + Fish & chips (fresh battered haddock w/fries) $14.00 + Plus items from the regular food menu.

St. Pat’s Drink Specials:

$3 bottles of Bud, Bud-Light & Heineken-light while stock lasts.

Craic agus ceol! (fun & music in Irish)

iCi Offering Prix Fix Specials

Last night I went to iCi to try out the $25 Prix Fixe.  For $25 - it's a hell of a meal.  Only problem was that I forgot my camera!! Menu changes every two weeks which is nice.

From their website: January 1, 2009 NEW YEAR! NEW START! NEW MENU!

Alice Waters 40 years ago launched the Delicious Revolution. At iCi we believe that the time has come for that revolution in a larger scale. In 2009, more than ever, we will stay committed to the quality we provided for the past 5 years, working with local farms, using seasonal ingredients and on a daily basis, with all the astringencies of running a business in NYC, trying very hard to be socially and environmentally correct.

2009 will be the year of change in politics and economics affecting all our decisions, even the most basic ones. But who says one shouldn’t eat out 4 times a week anymore as a New Yorker does? For that matter, we are launching a $25 3 course dinner prix fixe, assorted with a wider selection of (natural) wines by the glass. The menu will change every 2 weeks. Offer with no time limit. Happy New Year!

Catherine.

iCi 246 DeKalb Ave

Vocal Auditions at Brooklyn School of Music

Just received this in my inbox.  Looks like a fun opportunity for people who have sung in the past.  (Karaoke attendees, I'm looking at you.)

Join this fun workshop - Light Opera Comedy in English!

CALL FOR AUDITIONS OPERA WORKSHOP AT BROOKLYN MUSIC SCHOOL

REVIVED OPERA PROGRAM CULMINATES IN SPRING PRODUCTION OF GILBERT & SULLIVAN’S “TRIAL BY JURY”

Auditions continue for admission to the Opera Workshop at the Brooklyn Music School. The workshop begins this month and will culminate in the Spring production of Gilbert & Sullivan's "Trial by Jury".

All with some voice training age 14 years old-to-Adult are encouraged to audition. Call 718-638-5660 for an appointment.

Due to popular demand, the Brooklyn Music School Opera Workshop has been reinstated after a seven-year hiatus. Alburtt Rhodes, Chairman of the Brooklyn Music School Vocal Dept, will be the main instructor, with 30 years of teaching, 40 years professional experience. Previous Opera Workshops resulted in the productions of "Don Giovanni", "Cosi Fan Tutte", "La Traviata", "Giulio Cesare", "Le Nozze di Figaro" and "La Cenerentola".

"Trial by Jury" is a one-act comic English-language light opera about a bride who sues her fiance in court for breaking his promise to marry her.

Baritones for the "judge" part are especially needed!

The 2009 performances of “Trail by Jury”, featuring the Workshop members, will be April 30–May 3.

Note, if admitted to the Workshop, total tuition for chorus members will be $75 each and major singing parts will be $200. Workshop includes ensemble, small group and individual coaching. These one hour–long workshops will meet weekly until March, at which time rehearsals will require more classes.

Tuition must be paid in full at time of registration.

The Brooklyn Music School (BMS), chartered in 1912, is located in Downtown Brooklyn, sharing a city block with BAM. Its mission is to serve the community without regard to income, age, previous experience or professional aspirations. Music instruction (instrumental, Voice, ensembles) is offered to those ages 6 to Adult. BMS also offers Dance (ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap) for boys and girls 3–19 years old.

For more information, call

Alburtt Rhodes, Vocal Music Chair, 718–638–5660,

e–mail: contactus@brooklynmusicschool.org

Visit us on the web at www.brooklynmusicschool.org

_________________

Music & Dance Instruction since 1912

Brooklyn Music School

126 St Felix Street

Downtown Brooklyn

718-638-5660

New Gastropub Opening in Fort Greene: Brooklyn Public House

Soft Opening For the Public on Sunday, February 15th, from 5pm ‘til Late! (All are welcome!)

If you’ve been wondering what was happening at 247 Dekalb (between Vanderbilt and Clermont), the answer was worth the wait -- Brooklyn Public House will offer simple quality pub fare, 16 beers on tap, and classic cocktails, all in the first floor of a beautifully restored brownstone. I sat down with business partners Kevin Lunney and Gerry Rooney to learn more about their venture.

(Chris Morgan is also a partner, and Chef John Parlatore will be running the kitchen). The three partners met while working together in Manhattan. Kevin and Chris both live in the Fort Greene area. Here’s what we talked about:

Bar, restaurant, both?

Both. It’s a gastropub so the focus is on the food and the beverages. The front room is more of a bar area; it has a 30 ft. bar, high tables, and two banquets in the windows. The back room has a number of cozy booths and wooden tables, and will have more of a dining room feel.

The food

Comfort food; no pretense, just good home style cooking. The menu consists of straightforward appetizers, sandwiches, lots of burgers and toppings, entrees and salads, such as artichoke dip, fish and chips, pot pies, mac and cheese, and cast iron pizzas (cooked in cast iron pans).

The drink

They’ll have 16 beers on tap, including their own brew, Brooklyn Public House Ale. A note for beer aficionados: They’ll be using a nitrogen port to carbonate the beer on tap, as opposed to CO2, so no flat beer here. There will be classic American cocktails and wine as well.

The décor (and some history)

The main portion of the building dates back to the 1850s, most likely around 1858. The building used to be an old candy shop during Prohibition, and while renovating Kevin, Chris and Gerry found old pulleys used to transport the candy up from the basement.

They also found old posters and newspapers (and even a mirror) dating back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, which you’ll see hanging throughout the pub. If you look closely at some of the walls, you can just make out the text of old newspapers that papered the walls at some point during the building’s history. Another find: Old opium bottles from Behrens pharmacy, just down the block, probably from the mid 1800’s, when opium was legal.

The ceilings in the bar area are the original tin, and the tables in the back room were made using original wood flooring from the building. (Just try to pick one up, they weigh a ton.) The benches along one of the walls in the back room came from an old monastery in Manhattan.

Basic Info:

Address: 247 Dekalb (between Clermont and Vanderbilt), Fort Greene

Phone: Coming shortly

Hours:

On February 15th: Soft opening for the public on Sunday, February 15th, from 5pm ‘til Late. Come enjoy a drink and sample the menu.

Starting February 16th, open every day:

Dinner*: 4pm -2am on weekdays; 4pm -3am on Fridays and Saturdays *Late night menu available from midnight, on

Lunch and Brunch: Coming very soon; within the next week or so

Prices:

Appetizers: $8-$12

Sandwiches/Burgers: $8-$12

Entrees: $13-$18

Cash and Major Credit Cards accepted.

Look for outdoor seating come Spring!

Bati -- Delicious New Ethiopian Restaurant Open in Fort Greene

My husband and I just got back from dinner at Bati Ethiopian Restaurant, in Fort Greene, and loved the whole experience – food, ambience, and service. Bati’s atmosphere is inviting and cozy—dark wood, white brick walls, bright Ethiopian-themed artwork, and the service was very friendly, attentive and quick. The menu offers beef, free-range poultry, and a large variety of vegetarian dishes. (Note: All the vegetarian dishes are vegan as well.) We ate the Doro Wett (chicken stew) and a combination of vegetarian dishes, which were all fresh, delicious and hearty, with generous portions.

Even though it was busy, owner Hibist Legesse made time to talk with me about her restaurant. (Meseret Kibret is also a partner in the restaurant).

Why “Bati”? Bati, the name of the restaurant, refers to a region in North Central Ethiopia known for its sprawling market, to the famous Ethiopian song “Ere Bati Bati”, and to “bati”, a type of music originating in the highlands of Ethiopia. Why Fort Greene? Hibist, originally from Ethiopia, moved to the US in her teens. Trips to BAM when she was living with her family in Harlem sparked an attraction to the Fort Greene area, and she has dreamed of opening a restaurant here ever since. Can you describe the food? Traditional Ethiopian with a focus on nutrition and health. For example, by adding extra teff (type of flour) to the injera (spongy flatbread), we’re increasing the fiber and iron content of the bread. You can see the difference -- the injera is a darker color. And by featuring healthy ingredients, such as flaxseed. We also plan to expand our vegetarian options. Do you have a signature dish? The Ye Telba Fitfit is a special dish, made with lightly roasted freshly ground flaxseed in house dressing mixed with injera. It is packed with anti-oxidants and very good for you.

Who’s cooking in the kitchen? There are a number of chefs in the kitchen, all Ethiopian, and all, as is traditional in Ethiopia, female. This tradition is changing though, with many young men now learning to cook as well. The basics:

Address: 747 Fulton Street at South Portland (right next to Provisions), Fort Greene Phone: 718-797-9696 Hours: Open every day

Starting this week (week of Jan 26th): Lunch 12-5pm; Dinner 5pm-Midnight

Takeout available; currently no delivery

BYOB until further notice (which is not a problem with Provisions right next door and Greene Grape a few doors down)

Welcome to the neighborhood! We will be coming back very soon!

Celebrate Inauguration on DeKalb

I received this amazing press release a few days ago.  Neary every vendor on DeKalb Avenue will be offering a special discount or deal to celebrate Obama's swearing in from Friday through Tuesday.  What a cool way to create unity in the neighborhood, give people a lot of great reasons to celebrate locally, and give discounts at a much needed time!  I can't believe the day is almost here. FORT GREENE'S DEKALB AVENUE MERCHANTS CELEBRATE HISTORIC INAUGURATION WITH PROMOTIONS ALL WEEKEND LONG Obama-inspired special menus, drinks, discounts and other offers. Friday, January 16-Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Brooklyn, NY-January 8, 2009  Twenty-eight restaurants, cafes, boutiques and retail stores of the Dekalb Avenue Merchants' Association in Fort Greene, (a Brooklyn neighborhood long known for its multi-cultural diversity) invite you to "Celebrate the Inauguration on Dekalb" and continue the electrifying celebration that began in the streets on election night and continues right through Inauguration Weekend, Friday, January 16-Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

Participating Dekalb Avenue businesses will be offering discounts, coupons, reduced-price prix-fixe menus, drink specials, vouchers for discounts on return visits or 2-for-1 specials all weekend long. Plus on the day of the Inauguration, locations with big screen TVs will be opening early to broadcast the ceremony and will have live music, DJs and even more specials throughout the day.

The list of participating merchants and their offers include... 20% discounts to celebrate the 20th of January, 2009... 44% discounts to celebrate the Inauguration of our 44th President... special menu creations reflecting President-elect Obama's multi-cultural background... plus coupons, vouchers and other special offers.

ALSO:  "Obama" posters created by students at Dekalb Avenue's Ronald Edmonds Learning Center, Middle School 113, will be exhibited in windows up and down Dekalb during the celebration weekend. Come see the work of these young artists who have been so profoundly inspired. Plus students from the school's Academy of Performing Arts Choir and Band will be performing at select locations on Inauguration Day.

This event re-launches the Dekalb Avenue Merchants' Association (DAMA). The Association covers Dekalb Avenue from Washington Avenue to Ashland Place, plus businesses on intersecting side streets. The association is about businesses working together on issues of mutual interest, connecting with the community and promoting this vibrant strip in the heart of one of Brooklyn's great neighborhoods.

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES AND OFFERS

CELEBRATE THE INAUGUATION ON DEKALB AVENUE Friday, January 16-Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (unless otherwise noted below)

NORTH SIDE OF DEKALB FROM VANDERBILT TO FORT GREENE PARK * Indicates locations also showing the live broadcast of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

BONITA (243 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-622-5300) Special Menu Item: Tacos Al Pastor with a shot of tequila and blood orange juice, $12.00.

BROOKLYN SPORTING GOODS (241 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-638-2537) 10% off all baseball caps and other gear (Sat and Tues only)

KIKI?S PET SPA (239 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-857-7272) 25% off grooming Fri-Mon. 44% off grooming on Inauguration Day.

IMPRESSIONS SALON (233 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 917-704-9237) 10% discount on all Salons Enhancement Services offered (Fri and Sat). Monday: Beauty in the Body Belly Dancing, 6:30pm-9:00pm (participation a must). Inauguration Day: 20% off Haircuts, Regularly $40. Appointments recommended (selected stylist only). Call 917-704-9237 for information.

THE GENERAL GREENE (229 Dekalb @ Clermont / 718-222-1510) Inaugural Luau - January 20, 2009 $20.09 Suckling Pig Dinner: Suckling Pig, Sweet Potato Mash, Grilled Pineapple, Coconut Banana Cream Pie. $5 Mai Tai?s all weekend.

MALCHIJAH HATS (225 Dekalb @ Clermont / 718-643-3269) 10% off in-stock items. Free T-Shirts to first purchasing customers, Fri-Mon (while supplies last). Inauguration Day: 20% discounts.

THISTLE & CLOVER (221 Dekalb @ Clermont / 718-855-5577) 10% off all non-sale items

KIF* (219 Dekalb @ Adelphi / 718-852-7273) Lunch: $15 Prix-fixe menu with Free Mimosa or Bloody Mary - 11am to 5:30pm. Dinner: Prix-fixe 3-courses $20.09. On Inauguration evening:  $5 Special B'amatini

CHEZ OSKAR (211 Dekalb @ Adelphi / 718-852-6250) Prix-fixe for Peace:  3-courses prix fix menu Monday to Friday from 11-5:30 pm - $20.09 plus a very special cocktail menu consisting of: Rotten Republicans, Dirty Democrats and Yes-we-can-ohitos... all at $5 each

HIDE OUT LOUNGE* (266 Adelphi @ Dekalb / 718-855-3010) 10% off all drinks 7pm-9pm on Friday/Saturday, 7pm til closing Sunday. Closed on Monday. On Inauguration Day: 10am-4pm, complimentary coffee, tea, juices, and sandwiches. 10% off all drinks 7pm til closing.

SUSHI D (207 Dekalb @ Adelphi /  718-858-0058) Special $4 Hawaiian and Indonesian appetizer menu. Free glass of sake w/entrees.

MADIBA RESTAURANT * (195 Dekalb @ Carlton Avenue / 718-855-9190) Free Obama Mama Cocktails, Bloody Mary or Mimosa with lunch or dinner. Inauguration Day: Open at 11am, live music and drink and lunch specials.

SMOOCH* (264 Carlton @ Dekalb / 718-624-4075) 20% discount on all items

THIRST WINE MERCHANTS (187 Dekalb @ Carlton /  718-596-7643) 20% off Champagne, to celebrate the 20th.

URBAN SPRING (185 Dekalb @ Carlton / 718-237-0797) Free cup of "Brownstone Beans" coffee with the purchase of a homemade muffin.

SOUTH SIDE OF DEKALB FROM VANDERBILT TO ASHLAND PLACE * Indicates locations also showing the live broadcast of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

TILLIES OF BROOKLYN (248 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-783-6140) 15% discount on everything.

ICI (246 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-789-2778) Diners receive a voucher for 30% of their check total to use on next visit.

ALIBI (242 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-783-8519) $4 Pints of Stella (20% off) Sat-Tues

TWO STEPS DOWN (240 Dekalb @ Vanderbilt / 718-399-2020) 2 for 1 drinks (Fri-Mon, excluding private party times). Inauguration evening: music, dancing and light buffet for customers, free.

BLACK IRIS (226 Dekalb @ Clermont / 718-852-9800) Complimentary Loomi citrus drink (Sat-Tues)

MARIOS PIZZA (224 Dekalb @ Clermont / 718-260-9520) 20% off

RED BAMBOO* (271 Adelphi @ Dekalb / 718-643-4352) $10 coupon for your next visit. $5 drink specials. Inauguration day: complimentary hors dourves, DJ.

CATHERINE?S CAFÉ (184 Dekalb @ Carlton / 718-858-3712) Breakfast: 44% off small coffee/tea with a koblihy pastry. Lunch: Brooklyn Omelet for only $5 (reg. 7.50) plus free soda or bottled water.

BITTERSWEET (180 Dekalb @ Carlton / 718-852-2556) Free 10 oz. latte or cappuccino coupon when you spend $10 (good for next visit)

RICE (166 Dekalb @ Cumberland / 718-858-2700) $11 pre-fixe brunch special (Sat-Tues). Wine, sake and beer specials at dinner and free drink coupon for next visit.

SPECIAL GIFT OCCASSIONS (114 Dekalb @ St. Felix / 718-855-5870) Purchase one custom-made hat at regular price, get 2nd hat at 44% off.

CAFFE e VINO (112 Dekalb @ St. Felix / 718-855-6222) Free bottle of wine for tables of 3-4 people. Free glass of wine or beer for each person at tables of 1-2 people.

GREEN APPLE CAFE (110 Dekalb @ St. Felix / 718-625-1248) 2 for 1 "Black & White" Cookies. 2 for 1 "Obama Latte" (Chocolate & Vanilla)

What Should I Do With My Xmas Tree?

Thankfully, CHB has the answer for you. Option 1: Leave it on the curb.  Sanitation tells us that they will pick up trees, without lights or ornaments, from the curb and will take them to Staten Island for chipping and mulching there. They will do this between January 5^th and the 11^th.

Option 2:  Mulchfest! Take your tree to Fort Greene Park this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-2pm) for a huge chipping session where there will be refreshments for all provided by Provisions (YUM), located on Fulton Street.  Bring the kids and dogs for a good, end-of-holiday-season get-together.  And, best of all, the mulch will be used right there in our own Fort Greene Park to protect and nourish our trees and shrubs.

Option 3: Bring your used Christmas tree to the Hollenback Community Garden on Washington Avenue between Gates & Greene (also Saturday and Sunday) so that the Parks Department can haul them all over to Fort Greene Park for chipping and distribution to the needy trees and shrubs in the park. A great alternative for those who don't live near the park (or have a huge-ass tree that they don't want to haul as far).

If you want to keep it local, and provide much needed mulch for our own Fort Greene Park, take the trees to either Fort Greene Park or the Hollenback Garden this weekend. It is a little more exercise and you have to hang onto that dead tree for a little while longer, but keeping it local and helping the park are good.

Fort Greene PUPS Holiday Coffee: TOMORROW

PUPS HOLIDAY COFFEE

At the PUPS Holiday Coffee on Saturday, Dec. 13, PUPS will be taking collections of money and other donations for Sean Casey Animal Rescue, a Brooklyn-based rescue organization (www.scarnyc.org). PUPS will match all donations dollar for dollar. We will also be accepting donations of towels, sheets, dog and cat food, treats, and toys. Come join us in Fort Greene Park between 8-9:00 am for (FREE) hot coffee, bagels, and muffins. We will also have the 2009 PUPS calendar available for $10 donations.

Friday Photo

(Washington Park at DeKalb)

Dedicated Benches in Fort Greene Park

Noticed some new benches in Fort Greene Park recently, and each one sports a dedication plaque.  I love this idea, since it's a great way to give a lasting gift to the neighborhood. Plus, it's fun to go bench to bench and see what donors have chosen for their plaques. This one was my favorite:

Info on the benches, including sponsorship info, can be found here.

December Events @ Tillie's

December EventsTillie’s of Brooklyn 248 DeKalb Avenue Brooklyn NY 11205 718 783-6140 www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com

Friday 12/5/08 8 p.m. Nico Soffiato Quartet Nico Soffiato, guitar Nick Videen, alto sax Giacomo Merega, bass Zach Mangan, drums

The music of the Nico Soffiato Quartet travels through several musical trajectories that simultaneously comforts and challenges any listener.  While its roots are strongly grounded in the jazz tradition, its routes move towards complex rhythmic and harmonic structures, creating a melodic soundscape in flux with every groove. For more information and audio samples, see www.myspace.com/nicojazz.

Cover: $5; $3 with student ID

Tuesday 12/9/08 4:30 p.m. Rolie Polie Guacamole Now a monthly feature due to popular demand, Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin bring a fresh new acoustic funk to children’s music. Appropriate for both kids and adults, suggested age range for kids is 1 – 7. Please note that strollers must be left outside due to space constraints within Tillie’s. A minder will be on-site. Cover: $5

Friday 12/12/08 8 p.m. Newxotica David Caldwell-Mason, keys Keith Drogan, vibes Eyal Maoz, guitar Andy O’Neill, drums

Newxotica plays/explores the musical world known as “'EXOTICA”, drawing inspirations from many sources, including Duke Ellington’s big band jazz, and soul, but especially the music of the great composers Martin Denny and Les Baxter.

Cover: $5; $3 with student ID

Art The Balkans

Robyn Holl December 1 2008 – January 3 2009

Robyn Holl was born in Virginia and raised in Maryland. She earned a B.A.in Painting from Pratt Institute in 2003.  Recently relocated to the U.S., she lived for four years in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where she volunteered in the Film Klub (Mladi Most) and the Youth Cultural Center. She also assisted with art workshops supported by Cradle in the Pavorotti Music Center and had led workshops in the humanitarian organization, Club Novi Most.  She has exhibited her work widely in Europe and in New York and showed her Senior Thesis Project at Tillie’s in 2003, “Across the Counter,” finely etched portraits of customers. That same year she received the Rose Hoffman Epstein Memorial Award from The National Arts Club in New York.

Of her finely colored abstractions, she says: “Commonly art is thought of as earnestly seeking truth; but to me uncertainty, questions, loss, and acceptance of the lack of simple answers or solutions are in some sense truths.  It is necessary to continue to look, despite the idea that only uncertainty is certain.  What is important for me is the act of looking for, and seeing, that which is not there. To abstract means to subtract from reality, to reduce to a subject’s essence. The process is of losing, which comes back to the reason for the search.  I am searching.”

Reception Wednesday 12/3/08 7-9 p.m.

Open Mic:

Thursday 12/4

Thursday 12/18

8 p.m. sign-up

8:30 p.m. performances

Host: Nick Noir

No cover

For more information on any of the above call Patricia Mulcahy at 718 783-6140 or contact us via mail@tilliesofbrooklyn.com. Directions to the store are on the website under “Getting Here.”