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.

10th Annual Great PUPkin!

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Up next is a Halloween overview, but this amazing event deserves its very own post!

There are few things cuter than dogs in costumes.  Bring your pooch out this Saturday or just come by to watch.  The competition is serious, so if you plan on entering, please bring your "A" game.  I'll be one of the judges, FYI.

Props to the good founders of PUPS who have volunteered their time and energy for ten years!!!

The 2009 PUPS Calendar will make its on-sale debut as well and will feature many of the neighborhood's cutest dogs.  Thanks to all who took the time to help us out and submit a photo!  You won't want to miss picking one up.

Haunted House Series '08

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A commenter recently asked if I'd be doing my annual Haunted House series this year.  The answer is NO, at least not how I did it last year.  The reasons for this are: 1. It took me days of work last year to find 31 creepy houses, upload the photos and photoshop them, and draft up the posts with locations and witty comments.  This year, I do not have the time.

2. Last year, I was inundated with comments like, "This is so annoying!" and "Let this series die already!"

Anyway, I still love all things haunty, so I'll be doing a Haunted House of the Week.  I will also be taking reader submissions! If you have a favorite creepy house in the neighborhood, email it to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com, and include its location.  Also, try to send a very small file, like less than 100k.  It will make my life so much easier.

And without further ado, here is our Haunted House of the Week!  Happy October :)

This house isn't even visible from the street!  You have to peek through the plywood that's hiding it.

park bt emerson and steuben

(Park Ave bt Emerson and Steuben)

HALLOWEEN CASTING

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Do you want to be involved in the annual Halloween performance at 313 Clinton Avenue?  If so, we need your help!  We need extras to be in costume during the show and dancers to perform a one-minute routine. The theme, as always, is TOP SECRET.

If you want to be a regular extra, you'll need to be ready at 313 on Friday, October 31 around 4pm.  Dancers will need to report at the same time and be available for a few short rehearsals prior to Halloween.

Interested?  Email clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com.

tombstones at 313 clinton ave

More on Reg and Arlaine

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Pat Mulcahy, owner of Tillie's, emailed me some information on the subjects of the Wallabout Memorial I spotted recently: Robin, I am so glad you posted the pic of the planter honoring the memories of Reg and Arlaine because they were real Bohemians in the best tradition of the neighborhood.

Reg was a respected painter who in his later years tended the lawns and flowers at Pratt. He lived in a loft on Washington near the Yard that he decorated with great flair with pieces from the Salvation Army warehouse at Quincy and Downing Streets. His place featured a large collection of radios from the 30s and 40s. A lover of African music and a fine cook, Reg knew a great deal about the Navy Yard and its history and we often walked the perimeter of the Yard to take in the sights and the changes there. A native of Canada, he was full of stories of meeting Jackson Pollock in the Hamptons in the 50s and of his days in the Village -- or maybe it was the Lower East Side - before he moved to Brooklyn.

Arlaine was his daughter. In the wake of Reg's death a few years back, she moved down from Canada to the loft to look after his affairs. She sold vintage clothing and was trying to set up a business here in that trade. She was a charming and shy woman with a lot of style and flair. She hosted a lovely memorial party for Reg in his place about six months after his death, where many neighbors congregated to tell stories about Reg's salty and occasionally outrageous ways. We were all shocked and truly taken aback when she died suddenly. I believe she was only in her mid-forties. The explanation I heard had something to do with a change in medication for an old injury she'd sustained when she fell from a horse.

I don't know who lives in the loft now but am very glad that there is a memorial of this kind to two very special people.

Thanks again for posting! Pat M.

Thanks, Pat, for solving that mystery!

July 4 Party at Tamboril!

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Need a plan for Friday night? Tamboril is hosting a party complete with an art show, live music and DJs. Could be a good place to meet some new people and dance until the wee hours to celebrate our nation's independence. Not to mention all that tasty food (coconut shrimp, hello). The event starts at 10:30 -- AFTER the fireworks -- so no excuse not to boogie locally.july-4th-2.jpg

Earth Day at Luz

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(OK, so you only have one day left to check this out. Apologies- I just started a new job and have had no time to read my email!!!) inside luz

Luz is definitely one of my favorite spots in the neighborhood. The interior is absolutely gorgeous, the food is great and the cocktails are among the best in the area.

From Myrtle Minutes:

Get ready to raise your glasses of organic beer and wine in honor of Mother Earth.

For two days, April 22nd and 23rd, Luz Restaurant will continue to serve up delicious and delectable meals with an added big time nod to our environment.

Luz is serving up special 5-course prix fixe meals which feature all natural, sustainably-grown and/or organic ingredients purchased solely from local farms and markets.

In efforts to really drive home the importance of helping to conserve our Earth, there will be no electricity, no gas, no heat lamps, no telephones, no computers, no credit card machines…

Luz owner, Pedro Munoz, shares, “we hope that at least on these two days we can promote awareness of environmental issues. We want to help spread the fact that consciousness of what we do, buy, use or dispose of has a direct impact on planet Earth.”

Live music both nights. Come out and help celebrate our Planet Earth.

RSVP info@luzrestaurant.com or 718.246.4000

($55.00 per person five courses)

Easter Fun!

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When I was a kid, the local Easter Egg Hunt was one of my favorite events! Someone left a comment about egg hunts recently, so I'm glad to inform you that Cadman Church will be hosting one on March 22! Easter Egg Hunt and Craft Time!

The kids of Cadman Church will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 22nd 3-4:30 for ages 2 - 12 years (all children must be accompanied by an adult)

Cadman Memorial Church 350 Clinton Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 638-2231

Valentine Wine Tasting at Gnarley Vines

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=============================== Valentine's Day Start thinking romance with our special three-night long Valentine’s Day tasting.

Schramsberg Brut Rose, North Coast, CA -- $40 Mon, Tues & Wed, February 11-13 6pm-9pm.

Paired with some decadent dark chocolate!

Too late to snag a reservation for a prix-fixe dinner - what’s so romantic about another molten chocolate cake anyway? Might as well stay home and pop open a bottle of Schrammie Rose.

Among the greatest sparkling roses in the US, and, in our humble opinion, the best quality/price ratio - especially with the discount!

Made in the traditional Champagne method, this elegant beauty predominantly features supple Pinot Noir, along with Chardonnay, giving it a dusty salmon hue. Bright strawberry flavors and biscuit-y notes leap out of the glass.

Feel free to check out our other roses while you’re at it: *Bodegas Llopart Reserva Rose Cava, Penedes, Spain -- $20 *Le Grand Cros, La Maitresse, Provence, France -- $24 *Varnier-Fannier, Brut Rose-Avize, Champagne, France -- $55

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(GV will offer 10% off each of these wines poured during the tastings!)

GNARLY VINES 350 Myrtle Avenue (between Carlton and Adelphi) 718-797-3183 www.gnarlyvines.com

Midnight Steam Whistles

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Each year, Pratt engineer Conrad Milster puts on an amazing steam whistle show on campus on New Year's Eve at midnight. For some reason, I've never heard them sound! I've seen the smoke from my window during test runs, but have yet to venture over for the official show. whistles.jpg

The steam whistles were installed in 1900 to power the campus. They remained in use until a few years ago (they were still operating two campus elevators!).

Milster has maintained the steam plant since 1965, and has been conducting the midnight show for years. The NYT listed it here, back in 1980 (last listing on page). Also check out this YouTube video of last year's presentation.

The steam plant at Pratt is still in its original condition, and was declared a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1977.

Check it out tonight!

Caroling in the Hill

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Received this from a reader: "An open invitation to join your neighbors for Community Christmas Caroling on Friday December 21st.

All who are interested (regardless of age, experience or vocal acuity) will gather in the candle-lit Pratt-Clinton Hill Community Garden (at Dekalb Ave. and Hall Street) at 6:30 pm. After warming up over hot chocolate and cookies, we head off at 7pm, ringing and singing our way through the streets of the Hill.

2007 marks the 41st year for this annual gathering. This year we are reviving a custom of years past and asking carollers to bring a food treat for the garden's birds (i.e. seed, dry corn, suet cakes)

Songbooks of traditional carols are provided for his eccentric evening coordinated by Marge Othrow and Charlie Bayrer."

Apparently this is a pretty hard-core group. Last year they sang in driving rain! Sadly, I am departing Friday morning for tropical Buffalo, but hopefully some of you can join in on the fun.

A Good Cause at Addy & Ferro

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

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

(718) 246-2900

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

Fort Greene PUPS Holiday Coffee

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The weather outside may be getting frightfulBUT that's never kept PUPS members inside on a cold winter morning!

Please join us at our Annual Holiday Coffee on Saturday, December 15 during morning off leash hours (approximately 8AM-9AM). We'll be serving coffee and baked treats and will have a few t.shirts with us to sell in case you're still looking for a great gift idea.