SCH Meeting: Tomorrow, 5/16

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Society for Clinton Hill May General Meeting Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (refreshments at 7:00, meeting 7:30) St. Luke's Church, Parish House, Washington Ave. (DeKalb/Willoughby)

AGENDA

7:30     House Tour Report – Jim Barnes & Linda Scher. (A great success that broke all     previous records!) 7:35     Clinton Irving Jones: Brooklyn in 1900, by David Sokosh, Photographer

Jones was a photographer who lived on Steuben Street, in Clinton Hill, early in the 20th century.  Working with the City History Club of New York, Jones documented a Brooklyn of Dutch farmhouses, barns and mills which was fast disappearing in 1900 and is all but non-existent today.  In 2006, Jones' work was the subject of two New York Times articles and two exhibitions at Sokosh's Underbridge Pictures Gallery in DUMBO, Brooklyn.

This presentation is made possible in part by a grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council.

8:15     Getting Back Into the Garden: Tom Osbourne, Jackie Phillips Some tips on what to be doing during May to make your window boxes, street tree pits, front and back gardens beautiful for the coming months.

8:45     COMMITTEE REPORTS Zoning and Historic District Update

8:50     Announcements SUPPORT the DDDB Legal Fund which is now working to protect our brownstone neighborhoods through the courts.  There are critical cases on the abusive use of eminent domain to take private homes for the benefit of a billionaire developer, and the severely inadequate Environmental Impact Study done by Ratner consultants for the proposed Atlantic Yards project. These lawsuits are the only thing standing between our neighborhoods and massive over development with the degrading environmental impacts. Visit DDDB online or mail your contribution to DDDB Legal Fund, 121 5th Ave., PO box 150, Brooklyn, NY  11217.

GARDEN TOUR,  Sunday, June 3, 2007, 11 AM to 5 PM The self-guided walking tour includes gardens in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Prospect Heights. Tickets: $15 advance; $20 day of tour.  Tickets at Tillie's. Info:718-707-1277

BROOKLYN CONTEMPORARY CHORUS, Sunday, June 4, 2007, 4 PM

Spring Concert: Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Bobrowitz & Porter. Adults $15/Children $7.50.  Lafayette Presbyterian Church.

This is our last general meeting until September!  Consider joining a committee or nominating yourself or someone else to the board now.  We need your participation. Contact us through the website www.societyforclintonhill.org.

CHB Interviews: Sister Elizabeth A. Hill, CSJ, President, St. Joseph's College

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sister-elizabeth-a-hill-picture.jpg St. Joseph's College on Clinton Avenue has really been making its presence known of late, offering lots of interesting community events (many of them free!). I spoke with the college's President, Sister Elizabeth Hill, about the impact of the college on Clinton Hill, as well as her own personal history.

1. When did St. Joseph's College first open in Clinton Hill? How did the school come to own some of the most famous mansions in the area? St. Joseph's College opened in Clinton Hill in 1916. I have been told that the Pratts decided that this area was no longer "the" place to live, and they were anxious to divest themselves of their property, and that the Diocese of Brooklyn and St. Joseph's College were able to purchase it, but I don't know any details of the transactions. St. Joseph's only owns two of them...as you know, the Bishop lives in the third, and Pratt Institute still owns the last. There was a fifth, but that was damaged by fire, and finally destroyed to make room for the apartments, needed for workers in the Navy Yard during the Second World War.

2. How has the college influenced the neighborhood, and the other way around? The College has been a physical anchor for the community through many decades of ups and downs in property values, appearance, safety, etc. We have also tried to be a good neighbor, responsive to the needs and concerns of those who live near us and are affected by our activities. In recent years, we have invited the community to our growing arts program, which provides concerts, plays, art exhibits, etc.

3. Who is your typical student? Are they young adults from the neighborhood? Are you welcoming more out-of-town students? We have two schools at the Brooklyn campus...the School of Arts and Sciences, which serves a traditional age population, and the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, which serves adult students. Since we are basically a commuter school, in both schools the vast majority of our students come from Brooklyn and Queens, with a small number from the other boroughs. In the past five years, we have launched a small, but growing, residential program, and so we are attracting more out-of -town students, but they are still a real minority.

4. What do you feel are the benefits of an urban campus? The benefits of an urban campus are many indeed. First is the opportunity to interact with and learn from people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Easy access to the riches of major cultural centers such as world-class museums, art galleries, and performance spaces such as Lincoln Center, etc. is also a wonderful aspect of urban living. The availability of internships and other "hands on" experiences is also very valuable to undergraduates who are exploring new fields and trying to discover if they are a good fit. And public transportation is also a real asset!

5. I've just read your bio on the SJC website, and your educational background is extremely impressive. How did you decide to return to your alma mater as a leader, and what led you to the field of educational administration? I returned to St. Joseph's as the Assistant to the President at the time the college had opened a new branch campus on Long Island. I had earned a law degree and practiced immigration law for two years, but realized that I found the "academic world" more suitable for me than the legal one. I served as Assistant to the President for 17 very happy years, and when my then boss decided to retire, I applied for the position and was elected by the Board of Trustees. I enjoy the challenges of educational administration, primarily because it is a collegial enterprise which, at its best, taps into the gifts and talents and passions of some very extraordinary people, (faculty and staff alike) enabling us to provide our students with an excellent education, at a modest cost.

6. Tell us about the religious order you belong to. How did you choose it, and what influenced you to become a nun? Is it difficult to balance your religious responsibilities and the responsibilities of running a college? I am a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. We were founded in France in 1650, and there are branches of the Sisters of St. Joseph all over the world. Our particular branch was established in Brooklyn in 1856, and we have served as teachers, nurses, social workers, school administrators, prison and hospital chaplains, and in many other ministries through the years. I chose to enter the Congregation because I had had the sisters as teachers at the College and had been deeply impressed by their intelligence, their spirituality and their love for their students and their disciplines. It is no more difficult for me to balance my personal life with my professional life than it is for any other woman who has family and community relationships and responsibilities.

7. You're heavily involved in community groups. What is your favorite aspect of life in Clinton Hill? I love living in Clinton Hill. It is a beautiful place, with gorgeous homes and gardens and wonderful people and interesting restaurants and a great quality of life. I feel very fortunate to be able to live here. When I was elected President ten years ago, someone said to me, "Well, now you can move to Long Island!" (we have a campus out in Patchogue) and my response was "Why ever would I do that?" I was born and raised in Brooklyn, and I can't think of a better place to live and work.

8. What do you think the community is lacking, if anything? I can't think of anything the community is lacking, except for parking and a good bakery! Seriously, I think there is a very real sense of community, people care about the neighborhood, and their neighbors, and many make significant efforts to contribute to the improvement of the area.

9. What's your vision for the future of SJC, both academically and in respect to the neighborhood? As I look ahead, I see St. Joseph's continuing to be a partner in the growth and evolution of the neighborhood. We will strive to provide excellent academic programs at the most affordable tuition possible. I don't envision a major change in our mission, but I believe that we will always stay rooted in the liberal arts, while providing high-calibre pre-professional programs. An ongoing effort to prepare our students to assume roles of responsible leadership in the larger community is and will remain one of our major commitments.

10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why? If I were a flavor of ice cream, it would be a chocolate/caramel/vanilla swirl...it is complex, and sweet!

Call for Historical Essays

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Since lots of readers are interested in neighborhood history (as am I!), I thought I'd put out a call for some resident-penned essays on the Old Days of Clinton Hill. The essays can be about whatever you'd like and if they are compelling, I will try to post them verbatim without editing. It would be nice if they were well-developed, maybe 500-1,000 words. I can credit authors however they'd like. I can't promise to publish everything, but hopefully neighbors will be motivated to submit some cool stuff. I'll see how it goes, and hopefully I can turn it into a regular feature.

Send your submissions to:

clintonhillblog (at) gmail (dot) com

Ten Years of Tillie's!

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snb11184.jpg Patricia Mulcahy opened Tillie's on DeKalb Avenue on February 25, 1997. A true pioneer on the now thriving DeKalb strip, Tillie's was one of the first locales in the neighborhood to cater to the neighborhood's thriving arts scene. These days, Tillie's still hosts open mic nights and art installations.

I just received the following press release, detailing the coffee shop's inception and listing a number of special events to celebrate this BIG anniversary:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TILLIE’S OF BROOKLYN CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY, 2/07 On February 25th, 1997, editor and publisher Patricia Mulcahy opened Tillie’s of Brooklyn on what was then a forlorn strip of DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The new coffee house was a turning point for the neighborhood. Ten years later, with Fort Greene considered one of the most vibrant areas in New York City and the controversial Atlantic Yards project certain to transform the neighborhood even further, Tillie’s is celebrating its anniversary with a month-long calendar of events showcasing Brooklyn-based music, art, and writing.

“Tillie's is my favorite watering hole,” says City Councilwoman Letitia James, “A place where everyone knows my name, and everyone else's as well. A place where artists, writers, students, politicians, seniors and children of every persuasion gather to get the local gossip. But it is a place in a neighborhood that is being threatened by economic forces and chain stores. It is the reason that I raise my voice so loudly against development and luxury coops. We must all do what we can to preserve the character, diversity and soul of this community. I salute Tillie's, and raise my coffee cup in its honor.”

Housed in an 1888 landmark building in what was formerly an antiques store, Tillie’s was named to honor Tillie Asnis, whose family for decades ran businesses on the site and lived above the store. Mulcahy, former editor in chief of Doubleday and executive editor of Hyperion, designed Tillie’s to function as both a contemporary update on the corner hangout and an arts and community-oriented coffee house in the Greenwich Village tradition. In addition to art shows, Open Mic nights, and music and spoken word events, Tillie’s features a well-used community bulletin board and a rack of free publications—from The Onion and The Village Voice to The Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Courier.

“The most rewarding thing about being in business for ten years,” says Mulcahy, “is seeing the neighborhood realize its potential. It has always had amazing people—and beautiful architecture, too—but economically, it took a while for Fort Greene-Clinton Hill’s diversity and artistic flavor to be recognized and celebrated citywide. Now we are struggling to hold on to these features as change swirls around us.”

Once a lonely outpost, Tillie’s has been joined by a raft of new stores and restaurants on DeKalb Avenue as the street develops into an increasingly lively commercial strip in a burgeoning neighborhood. Over the years, Tillie’s offerings have branched out from typical coffee shop fare to include a full range of sandwiches, salads, and other light meals.

Carl Hancock Rux, poet, playwright, novelist and performer, is a longtime Fort Greene resident and Tillie’s regular. “The soup of a neighborhood is in the stock of its watering holes,” says Rux, whose Talk was labeled “a dazzling play” by The New York Times. “At Tillie’s,” he continues, “African drumming circles drown out polite business conversations; would-be iconoclasts plan their mercurial rise to fame; post-emancipation vegan hip-hopsters mingle freely with expatriate bohemes, their toddlers and their terriers. New York hasn’t seen anything like this in a looooong time.”

Tillie’s is located at 248 DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. For directions see “Getting Here” at www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com. For more information, see Calendar of Events, below, or contact Patricia Mulcahy at (718) 783-6140 or mail@tilliesofbrooklyn.com.

snb11186.jpg Calendar of Events at Tillie’s, Tenth Anniversary 2/07 (Please note: there is no cover charge for events unless specifically noted.)

1/16/07 – 2/17/07 Prints and Paintings by Richard Lebenson A professional illustrator for over 30 years, Lebenson shows his moody, atmospheric etchings, drawings, and paintings.

Thurs. 2/1 Open Mic night 8:30 sign-up 9:00 performances Cover: $2 Host: Conquest

Fri. 2/2 8:00 p.m. theSuiteUnraveling Lily Maase, guitar Evan Smith, sax Peter Van Huffel, sax Matt Wigton, bass Fred Kennedy, drums Cover: $5

“Add modern technology, experimental compositional approaches, killer technique and a fearless sense of fun, and you’ve got some seriously remarkable new music.” – The Weekly Alibi

Tues. 2/6 7:30 p.m. A Night of Noir A reading from the popular anthology Brooklyn Noir, published by Brooklyn-based Akashic Books. Editor Tim McLoughlin, plus Nicole Blackman and Arthur Nersesian, will read original crime stories that take place in Brooklyn neighborhoods. “A stellar collection.” Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

Thurs. 2/8 8 p.m. An Evening of Comedy Organized by Julie Miller, who graduated from Pratt with a degree in Writing for Performance and now works at Spike TV. With Sara Alloco, Brandy Barber (“Mortified,” The Kissing Booth”), Jordan Carlos (“Live at Gotham,” Montreal Comedy Festival), Andrew Condell (“The Tunafish Sandwich Story”), Matthew Guzzardo (“The Sizzle Twins”), Julie Miller, and Lindsay Nouis. Based on the weekly comedy writing workshop held in Miller’s apartment (conveniently located directly above Tillie’s).

Fri. 2/9 8 p.m. Pam Fleming and Fearless Dreamer Pam Fleming, trumpet and flugelhorn Allen Won, sax and flute Adam Klipple, keyboards Paul Frazier, bass Todd Isler, drums Cover: $5

Pam is well known for her work with Nathalie Merchant, the Indigo Girls, and Toots and the Maytals. She has recorded two CDS of her own compositions. More info here.

Sat. 2/10 8 p.m. Arthur Kell Quartet Dave Binney, also sax Gerald Cleaver, drums Arthur Kell, bass Brad Shepik, guitar Cover: $5

“Kell’s compositions are filled with melodic arrangements, spontaneous interaction, and vibrant individual performances.” All About Jazz

Tues. 2/13 7p.m. “Kick the Winter Blues” with Felicia Desrosiers, Holistic Health Counselor How to make the most out of winter – simple recipes and post-holiday detox tips Felicia was featured recently in a Village Voice cover story about breaking addictions to sugar.

Thurs. 2/15 Open Mic night 8:30 p.m. sign-up 9:00 performance Host: Conquest Cover: $2

Sat. 2/17 8 p.m. Tim Kuhl Group Tim Kuhl, drums and marimba Aggressive but melodic music from a young drummer and composer originally from Baltimore who now lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Kuhl studied drums and composition at Towson State in Maryland and performs not just jazz but also rock in a band called the Izzys, which has toured the U.S. and U.K. extensively. He cites Wayne Shorter as a particular influence.

Tues. 2/20 7 p.m. Behind the Scenes with Ted and Betsy Lewin The award winning children’s book illustrators present a special evening for both adults and school-age children in which they will show slides of their work and demonstrate elements of the writing/illustrating process.

Fri. 2/23 elastiCity Festival First 07 weekend of Brooklyn’s only ongoing new music festival, a monthly series showcasing performers and composers with a common vision and a sense of reaching out for something new. Curated by Lily Maase. 7 p.m. Nate Renner and special guests 8:30 Gerald Cleaver’s NiMbNI Jean Carla Rodea, voice Ryan Macstaller, guitar Todd Neufeld, guitar Josh Myers, bass Gerald Cleaver, drums $5 cover

Sat. 2/24 8 p.m. Tenth Anniversary party and opening for staff art show, “We Do More Than Serve Coffee,” 2/18/07 – 3/31/07 Organized by Jessie Lied, fiber artist With Bjorn Akerbloom, illustration Lani Bouwer, photographs Katie Deacon, drawings and paintings Maya Edelman, illustration and animation David Nix, photographs Sefu Solace, print Tara Stark, drawings

What Happened to Cellars?

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I'll be honest. I never once went into Cellars, the dive-ish bar on DeKalb across from Tillie's. Yet all of a sudden, I've noticed it's closed! cellars on dekalb

I'm pretty sure the place has some interesting history, at least among neighborhood locals. In fact, my neighbor met his (now ex-) wife here for the first time, back in the day. (I wanted to insert a photo of them on the night they met, but the neighbor still hasn't given it to me to scan.) Anyone know what's to become of this place?

Clinton Hill: Some History

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Clinton Hill and Clinton Avenue were named for De Witt Clinton, a New York mayor and governor in the 1800s. He became one of the most powerful politicians in the state, and while in office helped form the Free School Society, the New York Historical Society and the Literary and Philosophical Society, improved sanitation, helped develop the city's "grid system," and was a proponent for the abolishment of slavery. On a recent walking tour of Greenwood Cemetary, we passed his final resting place.

Thank goodness he was a nice guy.

Biggie's House

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Thanks to the commenters on Brownstoner who were able to identify the exact address where the Notorious B.I.G. grew up: 226 St. James Place, Apartment 3L. Biggie's House

biggie grew up here

Looks like a well-kept building, at least today.

Anyone remember him from back in the day?

I bet there weren't any little white dogs dressed in fleece coats back then...

mallow on st. james place

Maybe he hung out in Bed-Stuy, but this address is clearly in the Hill. Holla!

CHB Interviews: David Velez (Photographer and Life-Long Clinton Hill-er)

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A few weeks ago, I received an email from a neighbor who had a unique story -- he's been living in the same brownstone since he was three years old, on Waverly between Park and Myrtle. I couldn't resist asking him some questions about all his years here. 1. How did you end up in the same house all of these years? How long had your family lived there? My parents bought this house and Mom told me we moved in the day before I turned three. We rented out some of the other apartments but basically it has been our family house all this time.

2. What was it like growing up in Clinton Hill? Was there a similar sense of community like there is today? Growing up in Clinton Hill........ well we never saw it as Clinton Hill as it is seen and known now.... back in the day we had the crack epidemic, empty lots, graffiti and gangs to deal with around here.

3. You worked as a Sea Cadet in the Navy Yard -- what is a Sea Cadet, and what were your responsibilities? Any memories from the Navy Yard that stick out in your memory? The Sea Cadets were like a Boys and Girls Club and we would have our drills or meets in the Navy Yard. Among the things we did as cadets were camping out, learning seamanship and drill competitions that allowed for us to compete against ROTC drill teams and march in Veterans' Parades. I can still see the buildings that were used as barracks, gyms, cafeterias, NIS, and commissary. We used to march all over.

4. How long has that church been on Waverly, where everyone dresses in white robes? The church with the people with white robes -- I think maybe seven years . I am not good with time but I know it has not been there for as long I have been here.

(note: I asked this one because that church had a huge event a few weeks ago and had so many cars on the street that they literally parked directly in the intersection blocking entry to Waverly, and that pissed me off!)

5. Tell us about some of the major changes the neighborhood has seen (openings, closings, local hangouts). The major changes are seeing the people from Billy Burg and Park Slope moving in. It has brought in bars and restaurants like Maggie Brown and Pollitos.

Where Maggies is used to be a doctors office - I went there as a kid when I had a sty on my eye. Then it was a tattoo parlor.

Where Pollitos is used to be a card store not unlike a Hallmark. The Associated used to be an A&P. The hair supply store was a pharmacy. Where the Blockbuster and now gone McD's are used to be a 5 and dime where you could buy just about anything.

The Bergen Bagels was once an ice cream store owned by John's. John owned John's Pizza (where Liberty Pizza is). John's Ice Cream shop which also sold birthday cakes.

Next to the Post Office in that empty space now used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken. The hair salon on Myrtle between Hall and Washington used to be a cool video store - privately owned so we could always get cool movies and concerts there.

The school down Clinton used to be a Drakes Cakes factory - I used to watch the trucks pull in at night when I did my homework on my fire escape. Then it was a huge storage facility which looked more like a junk yard.

6. What's stayed the same? Kum Kau has always stayed packed - for good reason too.

7. Any scary stories from the neighborhood's "rough and tumble" past? Drugs (still evident) was and is a big issue albeit better covered now. Prostitutes as well. The home for grannies up Washington used to be a place to meet and get a "date." I'd get accosted by prostitutes on Myrtle, although it's less often than the panhandlers outside Citibank, Associated and Kum Kau.

8. What's your favorite place to eat in Clinton Hill? Kum Kau, Castro's, El Cofre, Liberty Pizza and Graziella's

9. How did you get into photography? I got into photography when I was stationed in Pearl Harbor. I was in the Navy and fought in the first Gulf War. In this time I picked up a camera and never looked back. I was basically self taught and I also graduated from the Germain School of Photography when I came back to NYC. I have been a professional photographer since 1991 when I was first published in maritime and naval publications and books. I work with film and digital cameras from 35mm up to 11x14 inches. I also have a darkroom where I do my film processing and some printing. I love photography and I am glad I can make my living from it.

10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Ice cream...... my personal favorite is coffee heath bar crunch but if I was to be I would say chocolate because I could be so many different tastes (dark or milk and variations within those). I'm crazy and I barely know what I will want to shoot next - being able to be different tastes depending on my mood would suit me - so chocolate it is.

For more info on David Velez, check out his website. He snapped this hysterical photo of an abandoned leg at Waverly and Myrtle the other night:

legn0097-copy.jpg
I'm guessing this was orchestrated by a Pratt student or the guys at RePop...

WALLABOUT WEEK: NAVY YARD

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The northern end of Wallabout is where the Brooklyn Navy Yard lies. Doesn't the Navy Yard seem extremely mysterious? Steiner Studios is there now (and any time now, the amenities of the area will need to catch up to meet the needs of studio employees -- I'm sure the Hasidic-diner-in-a-trailor on Flushing won't be enough). The studios seem pretty cool, but aside from The Producers, has anything been filmed there? I wish there'd be more action there. The studio website details plans for a screening room and catering services. Wouldn't it be cool to have events open to the neighborhood there?

And speaking of open, it annoys me that a regular pedestrian can't just walk into the Navy Yard. It would be great if the area was open for small shops and such. There are artists working there, and they occasionally open their spaces during the annual SONYA stroll. It would be wonderful to revitalize the entire area.

A controversial aspect of the Navy Yard's future lies with Officer's Row, a collection of crumbling buildings that once housed high-ranking navy offcials and their families. There has been discussion of demolishing these homes to make room for a "big box" grocery store, and some have deemed the homes structurally unsound for revitalization/renovation.

Brooklyn bloggers and historians Corie Trancho-Robie and her husband, Alexis, have started their own Officer's Row project with the aim to document and preserve its history. Read about their project here, and some history of Officer's Row here.

The Fort Greene Association is also pushing for the preservation of the area. Read about their efforts here.

(I think we should do an entire week on the Navy Yard! Too much for one post.)

WALLABOUT WEEK ON CHB

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That area north of Park is usually a mystery. What goes on up there? Do people live there? What the hell is Wallabout? This week, we'll explore some of this uncharted territory and let you know what's new, exciting and intriguing.

As it turns out, this week is going to be quite pivotal for the area. Clintoncentric, one of our favorite 'hood bloggers, has decided to help us out here as she hasn't had enough time to keep CC as updated as she'd like. Turns out, she knows lots about Wallabout!

Here's her first contribution:

On Thursday, October 19th, the Historic Wallabout Association will present the latest developments on creating a Historic Wallabout District for the 22 blocks north of Myrtle Avenue and south of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, between Carlton and Classon Avenues. I pulled up an old pdf from a past HWA meeting and skimmed through it for interesting factoids:

The neighborhood is named after its original settlers, the Walloons, French-speaking Protestants from what is now Belgium, who in 1624 settled along a bay on the East River and named it Waal-bogt. Later, as the area became a major industrial center, it also attracted a major produce mart in the 1880s called the Wallabout Market. This is a pic from 1934, and according to this man's blog, it was the second-largest market in the world at one point: (If only it was still there! Then maybe we would all be eating better!)

To this day, the Wallabout area has the largest concentration of pre-Civil War frame houses in New York City.

The HWA's general meeting is from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Benjamin Banneker Academy, 71 Clinton Avenue.

*** Crap! That meeting time conflicts with the SCH meeting, and I can't attend either. Poo. Hopefully another CHB contributor can check it out.

Clinton Hill's Oral History

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A local resident and Pratt graduate student has contacted me looking for information on an oral history project completed in the area a few years ago. She writes: Hi, I'm wondering if anyone who visits the blog remembers an oral history project about gentrification and Clinton Hill? I believe interviews for the project were conducted about 3 or 4 years ago. Would you post my question and any answers or links that come up about it? I'm working on a paper for graduate school. Thanks.

This is the first I've heard of the project, but I'd love to know more! Anyone out there have any information?

It would be fun to do an "oral history week" on the blog and talk to lifelong residents.

New Contributor: BrooklynJay, and How I Came to Clinton Hill

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This little site seems to be meeting at least some neighbors' needs -- people have found it linked from elsewhere, and through Google searches for resources in the 'nabe. Since I'm always trading information on the area with my friend and neighbor Jay, I invited him to come on board and write some posts of his own. Since he lives farther east than I do, he's usually discovering things over there before I do.

Plus, it just seems fitting. Jay's the one who got me to move to Clinton Hill!

***

Nearly three years ago, I decided to buy an apartment. I had been renting a tiny studio in Hell's Kitchen when my friend and former co-worker Linda told me her childhood friend Jay owned a place in Clinton Hill -- an area I had heard of via recent real estate searches, but knew nothing about.

I came out on the Q train one Sunday afternoon in 2003, and we walked around and did brunch. I admit, coming from W44th Street, I was at first unnerved by the quiet. But each time I came out to look at co-ops, I liked it more and more. There were trees, gorgeous brownstones, parks, restaurants and unique architecture. Not to mention the friendly people. One cold winter morning, an elderly man said hello and struck up a conversation with me on Washington Ave. I couldn't believe it -- it was just how I always thought NYC was supposed to be, but never quite was! Culture, cool stuff to do and best of all, a varied population of mostly friendly people. I knew it was an area I could call home.

At first, I was the one educating Jay on neighborhood amenities. That first day in CH, Jay didn't even know where the C train was! Even though he had a year on me, I was informing him of openings and developments, even before I closed.

These days, we're both always on alert for "what'snew!" in the 'hood. BrooklynJay was my first of many friends in Clinton Hill.

As a native NYCer and having lived in Clinton Hill longer than I, Jay may have some different perspectives and history. Plus, he's pretty funny.

Welcome, BrooklynJay!

Boundaries

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There have been several discussions lately regarding the exact boundaries of Clinton Hill. To clear things up, I consulted the Best Book Ever, The Encyclopedia of NYC. Every NYer should own this enormous book. You can find answers and information on virtually everything in/about NYC. Here's the entry:

Clinton Hill. Neighborhood in northwestern Brooklyn. Overlooking Wallabout Bay and centered at Pratt Institute, it is bounded to the north by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, to the east by Classon Avenue, to the south by Atlantic Avenue, and to the west by Vanderbilt Avenue. The neighborhood is named for DeWitt Clinton and occupies highest ground in the area. In 1832, Clinton Avenue was laid out as a tree-lined boulevard along the crest of the hill, and some grand villas had been built by the 1840s. The area was considered a rural retreat until the speculative development in the 1860s of row houses, which by 1880 lined most of the streets and attracted affluent professionals...

The entry goes on detailing more history, but it sounds pretty defined to me: clinton-hill-map.jpg I've heard talk of the neighborhood extending one more block east to Franklin. That wouldn't be a huge stretch, but I'm sticking with the Encyclopedia.