CHB Presents: HAUNTED!

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Last October, I did a fun little Haunted House of the Day series.  It was a big hit, so I'm doing it again.  This time, though, I am going to start TODAY, October 1, and feature one haunted house per day (even on weekends) until Halloween.  This is because I love Halloween, and also because it will likely be harder next year to find 31 haunted houses in Clinton Hill, with the rate of change and renovations and whatnot. As a child, I loved all things haunted.  What makes a house haunted, you ask?

  • Padlock on door, keeping humans out
  • Cemented-over windows, keeping ghosts in
  • Broken windows
  • Unattended trash and mail
  • Graffiti
  • On occasion, bad design/decor

OK then, let's get started!  Bed-Stuy Blog will also be playing along, though not as frequently.

Haunted Church Update

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The Haunted Church (447 Clinton Ave) has been covered in a black shroud the last several weeks.  Now the plywood barricade facing Clinton holds an interesting announcement: dscf1812.jpg

According to a comment on Brownstoner way back from 2005, it sounds like "Clinton Rising, LLC" has owned the building since January '05.  If they're responsible for all that nasty trash sitting outside for the last 2.5 years, I'm worried.  Then another 'Stoner post says it was sold this past April.  Wait, now I can't find that post from 2005!  Am I hallucinating?  This is certainly one of the most confusing situations in the nabe.

I couldn't find any info about the project on the architect's site, and a Google search for Living Space Design on Ryerson yields nothing.

Wonder how this reno will turn out...

October Events in the Nabe

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It's never too early to plan ahead! Monday, Oct. 1, Fort Greene Park Conservancy Gala Wine Tasting This annual party will be held at the roof top gardens and penthouses of the Forte Condo project on Fulton/Ashland which provide stunning views of our park and communities. There will be 100 wonderful wines, food, wine experts, and friends of the park. The VIP session will start at 5:30 pm for a ticket price of $150, the general admission starts at 6:30 for $80 advance and $90 at the door. (All tickets are tax deductible.) Tickets are VERY limited, so purchase early. Contact Amy Bennett at amy@greenegrape.com. Tickets available at www.fortgreenepark.org.

Sunday, Oct. 14, noon, DDDB Annual Walkathon to support the Legal Fund. This exciting event is for the whole family and features entertainment, our favorite elected officials, community activists and others. We need coordinators, team leaders, behind the scenes volunteers, artists, technical experts and others to make this all happen. So, save the date. Plan to walk or sponsor a walker or team. Make a generous contribution. For more information, contact: DDDB.net or Scott Turner at scott@fansforfairplay.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , (718) 499-8729

Saturday, October 20, Daffodil Bulb Giveaway, 1:30 pm to 5 pm. Free daffodil bulbs will be distributed for planting in tree pits, sidewalk containers, front yards, community gardens or anywhere they can be enjoyed by the public at large. Bulbs are being provided by the Brownstone Brooklyn Garden District as part of the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill greening initiative. Planting is up to you. For more information contact natashaharsh@earthlink.net.

Saturday, October 20, Artisan Market, DeKalb Ave. near park entry. What the Fort Greene Greenmarket does for locally-grown food products, the Artisan Market does for local art and design. Open 9am to 6pm. For information contact natashaharsh@earthlink.net.

Saturday, Oct. 27, Fort Greene Park Conservancy Children’s Halloween Fest. Bring the kids in their costumes for a day of excitement. There are free pumpkins, costume parade at 2pm, hay ride, ponies, games, great sponsors, and the dog costume contest listed below. Everyone loves this day in the park. For more information contact: www.fortgreenepark.org. SCH is proud to be a sponsor of this wonderful event.

Saturday, Oct. 27, noon, PUPS Dog Costume Contest, Fort Greene Park. Bring your dogs in costume, many owners are also in coordinating costume attire, join the pageant and maybe you’ll win one of the fabulous prizes. Meet M.C. Christine in her lime green tuxedo. Hilarity is guaranteed for all. For more information contact: info@fortgreenepups.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5 pm. Society for Clinton Hill Children’s Halloween Walk. This event gets bigger and more exciting every year. Meet at the SCH Garden at DeKalb/Hall to pick up maps for the best locations for entertainment and treats. Parents must accompany children. FREE.

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 6-9 pm, 313 Clinton Avenue, Continuous Halloween Show. The show is put on by the Clinton Hill Players featuring Janna Hyten, DK Holland, Claudia Howard, Andrew Watts, Kelsey Hyten and other Clinton Hill stars. Show to be featured in Time Out NY. SCH is proud to be a sponsor. Janna is currently raising money for this year's set and show. Anyone who provides a $100 donation will receive a free ticket to the famous Halloween party at 313 Clinton Ave. (The show is very expensive to put on, and Janna has bankrolled it herself for many years.) Contact janna.hyten@gmail.com.

Haunted Church Update

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Brownstoner spied a dumpster in front of everyone's favorite Haunted Church, 447 Clinton Ave, recently. A few days ago, I spotted this sign on the plywood that now surrounds the house: dscf1236.jpg

Looks like the work's being done for now on the carriage house in the back. This is cool, I suppose, but I'm annoyed since I dreamed of buying it someday and doing a cool green reno. Bah.

At least this means (hopefully) that the property will be cleaned up! I'm tired of looking at all the weird, soggy trash outside this place.

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Open Invitation at Haunted Church

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Nothing's really changed at the haunted church on Clinton between Greene and Gates. There's still trash everywhere, and the building sits in disrepair. BUT, I did notice recently that the gate on the right side of the building had been forced open, and it's been hanging open for weeks now. I am positive that there are junkies and/or ghosts inside. Does anyone know for sure if anyone's hiding out in there? dscf0159-copy.jpg

An Open Letter to a Shady Building

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Dear Shady Building on Waverly: Who owns you? You sure look like you have a lot of potential! Boy, I'd love to win the lottery and get my hands on you and make you into a really rad urban home. Maybe with a green roof? Please stay all creepy and haunty and cemented up until I can afford you. It's gonna be awhile. And please, don't turn into something douchey.

xoxo- Lesterhead

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(Seriously though, what is INSIDE of this place??)

"Affordable" Haunted House

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One of my fav Haunted Houses in the neighborhood has been undergoing a gut renovation the last several weeks. Brownstoner has the scoop -- it's being renovated by the PACC and sold "affordably." (600k) snb11060.jpg Looks like the PACC has several houses for sale with the same situation, many of which will be sold in the 400k range (!!!).

I find this tremendously frustrating, as it's for first-time home buyers only. I understand that, but the only way I personally might afford one of these deals would be to sell my co-op and put the profit towards one of these deals. Without that financial gain, I could never afford one of these places.

Maybe YOU can, and you're a first-time buyer. If so, let me know how it goes.

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Otherwise on Waverly, the house Haunted by Bad Taste is on the market now (the owner passed away recently).

snb11059.jpg I wonder if the ornamental SpongeBob is included in the deal:

snb10977.jpg Then there's this renovated house, FSBO:

snb11061.jpg

LOTS of action on this block (between Lafayette and Greene Greene and Gates).

Haunted House 10/28

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classon between gates and quincy Location: Classon between Gates and Quincy

I've been meaning to get a photo of this one for awhile now, but only just walked over this past weekend. This is, by far, one of the most hauntedest places in Clinton Hill! Earlier this month, Brownstoner reported good news: The Pratt Area Community Council has purchased the building and is set to turn it into affordable housing! Nice to know this place will be saved.

(Stay dry, everyone! I'm headed to Jersey for a wedding, though I'd rather stay curled up in my bed. Pics to come from RePop's party in a day or two...)