Thanksgiving Dinner

/

I, like many of our readers, will be making T-giving dinner this year and it's time to get on that grocery shopping! Greene Grape Provisions will be having a Thanksgiving tasting event tomorrow (in Manhattan) and Friday (locally) to show off their dinner sides, plus wines to serve with dinner.  Below is info from the shop: We'll hold their annual pre-Thanksgiving wine and food tasting this Friday at the Brooklyn wine store from 5-8pm. People can try six American wines we recommend to go with Thanksgiving, pick up a six pack at 10% off and taste the wines with sides from Provisions. We'll have green beans almondine, stuffing, mashed potatoes and candied yams... all FREE. The Brooklyn wine store is at 765 Fulton Street between South Portland and South Oxford. More information here: http://bk.ly/Y7 . We are taking orders for sides and turkeys up until 9 am Monday morning. People can pre-order all natural, organic, heritage and wild turkeys plus pies and cheese plates here.

We're also offering free delivery Thanksgiving week of the six-pack of wines . . . wine is heavy - you don't want to be lugging a 10 lb bird and bottles of vino. . .

Personally, I'll be ordering a bird there - supporting a local business and knowing I'll receive excellent quality!  Happy cooking :)

Halloween Festivity Roundup

/

Just so you have a listing of all of the great stuff going on this Saturday: *The Fort Greene Park Conservancy Halloween Festival, 12-3 pm, in the park.  This event includes games, entertainment, costume parade, free pumpkins, hay rides and more for kids of all ages. It is a thrill, so make sure to come. SCH is a co-sponsor and loves to do this for the kids.

*The Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest, registration at 11:30, judging at noon – 1 pm. New location: on the steps of the Monument for observers and on the lower terrace for the dogs (in costume.) Finally everyone can see these hilarious pups in their refinery.

*Society for Clinton Hill Halloween Walk, 5-6:30 pm. Kids, in costume with parents, pick up maps of generous homes at the Pratt/SCH garden at DeKalb/Hall. Great treats and even greater decorations!

*313 Clinton Avenue Carnival of Carnage, shows run every 30 minutes between 5 – 8 pm. This year’s circus theme is more extravagant than ever before and will amaze all spectators. Talk about unbelievable acts…fire balls, weird things and more. The street will be closed off and multiple homes will be participating. SCH is a major sponsor of the fun.

In addition, there are many, many homes with decorations and treats even in addition to those on the map, so get out and see and enjoy! The entire neighborhood is alive with decorations and fun.

UPDATE:

Saturday, October 31 | all day block party at Still Hip on Grand at Lafayette: The street is closed off and we are going to have Halloween fun all day! Here is what we have scheduled so far:

  • 11-2 face painting
  • 11-3 - portraits by Orrie King
  • 1pm - Rolie Polie Guacamole
  • 2pm - Let's Dance Brooklyn performance
  • 3pm - Pistachio: A Brooklyn Girl Made From Trash
  • 4pm - Grand Avenue March of the Costumes!
  • 5pm - LIG funk band
  • + MORE

The Great PUPkin: Saturday, October 31

/

boris It's time once again to dress your dog up in costume and bring him or her to Fort Greene Park for the annual Great PUPkin Contest.  I'll be judging again this year (and it's a relief to not have to think of something to top last year's winner- a working dog fountain!).  Bring your A Game.

The 11th Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, October 31 (rain date November 1) at noon in Fort Greene Park. Held by Fort Greene PUPS, the contest usually has between 60-80 dogs in costumes parading in front of judges for prizes donated by local merchants.

To find out more about the history of the event, I recently chatted with my neighbor Kath Hansen, the founder of PUPS, who has been organizing this annual contest for over a decade as a way to get neighborhood dog owners together. Why does PUPS organize the PUPkin every year? Because I can't wait to see what crazy costumes people will come up with for their dogs. Plus I've been lucky enough to have two dogs in a row who are pretty easy to costume. Is the PUPkin part of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Halloween Festival? We started the Pupkin in 1999, and Ruth Goldstein, who was head of the Conservancy back then, thought it was a fun idea. So she expanded on it and the Conservancy has been doing their Halloween Festival since 2000. Their event is larger and geared more toward children, with face painting and games and such. Since they usually have a horse-drawn hayride, we try to keep the dog event separate since dogs can get freaked out by horses. How much does it cost to enter a dog in the competition?  What do you do with the donations raised at the event? It costs $5 per dog for entry.  We use the money to cover the costs of running the event, and to keep the park's poop bag dispensers filled. Each plastic bag costs about five cents. We go through about 200 per week, and that's not even enough. We also occasionally buy trash cans for the park.

What do you tell people who say their dog won't wear a costume? Be sneaky about it. Attach something to their collar or harness and they won't even know they're wearing a costume. Actually, that's how some of the most creative costumes are made.

And how about people who think it's ridiculous to dress up dogs for Halloween? Well, American Idol is ridiculous and people seem to love that! As long as it's doing no harm to the dog, it's hilarious to see them dressed up. You can tell some of the dogs are really into the attention. moneydog

When did this event start, and why?  How many dogs showed up the first year? In 1999. I did it because I had started up Fort Greene PUPS and was trying to think of ways to get more members. I knew of a few people who said they'd dress their dogs in costumes if I put together some sort of judging panel. It was about twenty dogs in costumes. It's sad, but nearly all those dogs are gone now.

What has been your favorite costume to date? The elaborate ones with working parts are always impressive, but I tend to prefer the ones that are simple yet creative. Like the person who dressed their dog in all the things it had destroyed that year. I remember him being festooned in pantyhose, shoes, and pizza boxes. Also, people still remember the Big Bird costume I did for my dog Cameron years ago. I've been told there's a picture of him in this costume hanging at the Applebee's on Flatbush!

cambigbird1

Any suggestions for those serious about winning a prize? Store bought costumes never win a prize, unless you're Rosie Perez. I think the judges were starstruck by her, but her dog was in a store bought costume. Things like pumpkins, devils, bats, and angels are cute but there are generally multiple entrants in these sorts of costumes. Costumes that suit the dog's personality or appearance always impress the judges.

The event has moved farther into the park this year, correct? Yes, we're doing this on the stairs at the bottom of the monument, near the crypt. We've gotten complaints that it's too hard to see the contest because it's been all on one level on grass. With the stairs, I hope it will be sort of like stadium seating and everyone can have a view.

What about this year's prizes? The local merchants have been super generous this year. Go on our site to see a list of them all. I am jealous of whoever wins. We will award first, second, and third prizes, and three honorable mentions.

How will participants know for sure if the event is being moved to Nov 1 due to rain?  Will you put something on the PUPS site? Yes, and I'll also send an email to the PUPS list if we have to move it. But I hope we don't because that's also Marathon day.

(Note: check out the interview we did with Kath back in 2006!)

11th Annual Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest

/

The 11th Annual Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest will be held by Fort Greene PUPS once again in Fort Greene Park. Last year's winner was a dog dressed up as the Fort Greene Park dog fountain (and the fountain actually squirted water!) See a gallery of photos past years' contests here. The event will take place on Saturday, October 31 (Halloween), with registration at 11:30 and judging starting at noon sharp. Lesterhead will once again be on the judging panel so bring your game, people! This year, PUPS is moving the location of the contest to the stairs below the monument (at the crypt level). They are hoping people will have better sightlines viewing the contest from the stairs. The rain date will be November 1, same time, same location. Get those dog costumes ready!

Halloween in the Hill

/

October is here, folks, and that means it's time to start gearing up for HALLOWEEN (Lesterhead's favorite holiday).  Unfortunately, LH will be honeymooning for a big chunk of the month, which means no Haunted House series this year (plus, the last few years readers asked it to be put out of its misery).  I may try to feature a few of my favorites later in the month.  If you're new to CHB, you can check out the past haunted! series here. hallo1

The folks at 313 Clinton have been planning this year's extravaganza since Nov 1, 2008.  They even have a website for this year's event!  The theme will be Carnival of Carnage, and I'm told there will be fire twirlers.  The first banner is already up.  Halloween falls on a Saturday this year - get ready, people!

hallo2

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)

Valentine's Day Prix Fix at Autour du Monde

/

AUTOUR DU MONDE is a distinctive restaurant offering Brooklynites a savory refined meal at recession-friendly prices.  With a new chef and new menu, the french owners have been stirring up quite a buzz on the corner of Fulton St and Clinton Ave. Chef Frank Coe has created a mouth-watering 3-course menu with complimentary glass of champagne on Valentine's Day, February 14th for $45.  AUTOUR DU MONDE is located at 860 Fulton St in Brooklyn (p) 718.398.3500.

CHB Holiday Schedule

/

CHB will be operating on a light schedule until Tuesday, January 6, 2009. I hesitate to step completely away from the laptop, in case something interesting happens.  Regardless, I probably won't be posting daily. Stay tuned for new features and a new design in 09!

One last thing -- can anyone recommend a good Xmas Eve church service in the neighborhood?

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hankuuah, Happy Kwanza and Happy New Year.

finally, it snows!

Neighborhood Christmas Caroling, TOMORROW

/

Christmas Caroling in Clinton Hill Friday, December 19, 6:30 pm

Community Garden (DeKalb/Hall)

Join a 40-year tradition of song and celebration…bring family, friends and neighbors to share in the season, sing to the residents of our neighborhood, and share cookies and hot chocolate.  The route is not long, the spirit will be high, and the joy of song will go right into your heart.  Bring an instrument if you play.

Call Marge Othrow 718-789-1619 with questions or to volunteer with arrangements.

Buying Local: 10 INEXPENSIVE GIFT IDEAS

/

I've been meaning to do a feature like this for the last few years, but now it's more important than ever to shop locally!  I spent a few hours last weekend browsing local shops in search of unique (and inexpensive) finds perfect for rounding out the gift list. The criteria?   Inexpensive and purchased in the neighborhood. Here they are:

1. Owa African Market, 434 Myrtle Ave: Wooden Giraffe (made in Kenya), $10

Giraffes are a favorite animal of mine, and are one of several wood carved items available here.  Great for a bookshelf or side table!

2. Associated, 367 Waverly Ave: Popsicle Molds, $1.99 popsicle

I've been looking for popsicle molds for months now and was pleasantly surprised to find these at Associated!  Great for those with a do-it-yourself attitude and people excited to make a healthier alternative to store-bought pops. Take this gift to the next level by including some popsicle recipes.  (NOTE: THESE ARE NOT DISHWASHER SAFE.  Don't make the same mistake I did and end up with a dishwasher full of melted plastic sticks.)

3. Root Stock & Quade, 471 Myrtle Ave: Paperwhite Bulbs, $1.75/ea or 5 for $8 paperwhites at root stock and quade

Just place these in a glass vase filled with stones and water, and watch them sprout!  A great gift for an apartment-dweller with limited space.

4. Green Planet, 969 Fulton St: Yogi Tea, $3.99

The boxes are lovely and the variety is large.  Buy a few for a stressed-out friend and make a zen gift basket!

5. J. Love Gift Shop, 485 Myrtle Ave: Plastic Dinosaurs, $3.99

A fun idea for both kids and your hipster boyfriend alike.  Small plastic replicas of Jurassic animals will liven up any corporate office workstation!

6. Tessan Boutique, 280 DeKalb Ave: Gold Chain Necklace w/ Red Beads, $22

necklace at tessan

There's a whole table of reasonable jewelry to choose from, but this one stuck out to me!

7. Kulcha Lion, 926 Fulton St: Clinton Hill Chill T-shirt, $20

You'll pay a 100% markup by getting one at this Fulton retail shop (as opposed to the guys selling them on the street), but they sell a few other cool BK t-shirts, too.

8. Karen's Body Beautiful, 436 Myrtle Ave: Homemade Soaps, 3 for $15

These chunky soaps come in a variety of yummy flavors (including milkshake and jasmine lily).  Plus, they're all made on site in the store's open kitchen!

9. Pratt Store, 550 Myrtle Ave: I Love Pratt Mug, $7.99

Show your love for a local institution and let the recipient show off some creative cred.

10. bodega, 971 Fulton St: Botanica candles, $1.79

Yes, they're ubiquitous with bodegas and NYC, but that's part of their charm.

BONUS ITEM(S): Greene Grape Provisions, 753 Fulton St: Fort Greene Park Conservancy Greeting Cards, $3/ea

My plan was to keep the list exclusively to Clinton Hill proper, but the folks at Provisions in Fort Greene let me know that they're selling totes, paperweights and git cards with local historic scenes (BAM, the park, etc.)  All proceeds from sales of these items go to support Fort Greene Park (yes, 100% of sales price!).  Also check out their retro temporary tattoos, great for stocking stuffers, and gift baskets.

Finally, when you spend $15 and mention Clinton Hill Blog, receive a free holiday gift wine box:

Where to Buy a Christmas Tree

/

In Clinton Hill proper, I've located two xmas tree lots and one location to buy other xmas-related plant stuff.  I visited all three this weekend to check on prices, quality and offerings: 1. Clinton Ave at Lafayette, in front of Cadman Church:

The overall selection here is very good.  I usually visit this lot since it's closest to me, and because they often offer a variety of tree types. This is the only lot in the area that I've seen white pine/scotch pine longer-needle trees.

They have all sizes, and the trees are very robust.

It's not cheap, however.  These babies are priced at $10/foot.  If you have a fancy brownstone apartment and are looking to wow, this might be your best bet.

Also selling: wreaths, holiday berry bunches, maple syrup, pine branch bunches

2. Myrtle Ave between Washington and Hall:

The tree selection is large, but not as high quality as lot #1.  However, the lot has a large staff on hand and is offering free local delivery!  If you're looking for a tree with a little more "character," this is your place.  They even have a few "Charlie Brown" style pines.  Plus, you can't beat the price (ranging from $10-70).  Due to the economic climate, I gave this one a try this year (even though it's a much farther walk -- though I suppose I could have asked for delivery!).  I was able to pick up a fairly tall tree (6+ feet) for just $30!  It's not as big around, but it fits nicely in the corner of my apartment.

Also selling: wreaths

3. Root Stock & Quade, Myrtle between Washington and Hall:

Don't want to deal with the hassle of getting a tree, or don't have the room?  Root Stock & Quade is offering lots of holiday goodies for the home.  Pine bunches in a variety of types will provide delicious seasonal scents, and pine garland ($12/yard) will look lovely draped on the mantle.

Also available are mini poinsettias ($6) and mini potted pine trees ($12).  Plus, being potted, they can last for months or years (provided you can keep them alive).

Also selling: tree ornaments and pine-scented candles

Tree locations outside CH boundaries:

  • Tree lot on Fulton near BAM Harvey Theater (Fort Greene)
  • Home Depot on DeKalb just past Bedford (Bed-Stuy)

Any more to report?

Myrtle Ave Holiday Window Painting: TOMORROW

/

I was finally able to meet one of my contacts at MARP - Jennifer Stokes- in person earlier this week!  She and all the folks at MARP have been going above and beyond with innovative programming in our neighborhood. Tomorrow, artists will paint and decorate the windows of local businesses for the holiday season!  Passers-by will be able to vote for their favorite via text message.  This is a great opportunity to take a stroll, grab some lunch, a cocktail or some hot cocoa, and do some holiday shopping locally.

Here's the complete press release:

Join us this Saturday, 12/6 as local artists bring holiday cheer to Myrtle storefronts using paint and lights!

__________________________

Myrtle Holiday Windows Contest: A New Spin on a Popular Holiday Tradition

Watch as Local Artists Bring Sixteen Storefront Windows on Myrtle Avenue to Life with Festive Holiday Scenes!

FORT GREENE and CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN, December 3, 2008 – On Saturday, December 6th from noon to 5pm, seventeen storefronts along Myrtle Avenue spanning from Washington Park to Classon Avenue will come to life with holiday spirit as part of the first annual Myrtle Holiday Windows Contest. The contest will bring local artists to Myrtle to create festive holiday scenes on a portion of each participating merchant's storefront window using paint and holiday lights. Residents and shoppers will be able to vote for their favorite holiday window via text message up until Christmas Day, and the winning artist or team of artists will receive $250 in Myrtle Avenue gift certificates as a prize. Take a stroll down Myrtle this Saturday, and watch the transformation take place! This project is sponsored by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership (the Partnership) as part of their ongoing effort to bring art to public spaces to draw more people to the retail corridor, and is supported in part by a generous donation from the PrattStore.

The Myrtle Holiday Windows Contest is the newest installment in the innovative Myrtle Windows Gallery program, which brings two-dimensional art traditionally limited to the private gallery to the public arena via the storefront window where it is accessible to anyone walking down the street. The Holiday Windows Contest creatively uses the storefront window as canvass to bring art to the community, holiday cheer to the avenue, and shoppers to Myrtle.

All the painting will take place during five hours beginning at noon this Saturday, December 6th, creating a sort of live art performance where the art-making is as much part of the excitement as the final product! All are invited to come out and watch the holiday magic happen. The following businesses are participating in the contest (listed in order travelling from west to east on Myrtle between Washington Park and Classon Avenue): Fort Greene SNAP (329 Myrtle); Ray's Barber Shop (331 Myrtle); Gnarly Vines (350 Myrtle); Burzh-wa (352 Myrtle); Kinara II (368 Myrtle); The Bakery (154 Vanderbilt); Duncan's Fish Market (385 Myrtle); Kiini Ibura (388 Myrtle); Kapella's (417 Myrtle); Karen's Body Beautiful (436 Myrtle); Jive Turkey (441 Myrtle); Joseph Tyler Salon (456 Myrtle); Barking Brown (468 Myrtle); Zaytoons (472 Myrtle); Optimum Care Rehab (474 Myrtle); Pillow Cafe (505 Myrtle); Square Root Café (584 Myrtle).

Special signage posted in each window will instruct viewers on how to cast a vote for their favorite holiday window via text message. The 'polls' will be open from December 6th through December 25th, when the winner will be announced on our website at www.myrtleavenue.org. The painted windows will be on display through early January.

"We're excited to put our own spin on holiday storefront windows traditionally seen in larger department stores, bringing cheer to Myrtle Avenue in a fun, unique way. We are proud to have professional artists, art students, and even local school teachers and students participating in this project. This is a wonderful expression of not just holiday spirit, but community involvement as well," explains Meredith Phillips Almeida, the Partnership's Director of Community Development. The Partnership hopes this contest will boost foot traffic to Myrtle Avenue during the holiday shopping season, and is encouraging residents to support the area's small businesses by shopping local during these tough economic times.

First Friday + Holiday Party @ RePop: Dec 5!

/

From RePop: December marks the last month of the year and thus the final event in 2008 for RePOP. We are extremely pleased to feature fine new paintings by John Mathias as well as a fresh collection of jewels from his darling wife, the incomparable Miss Ellie.

In addition, RePOP will also be hosting our annual Holiday Ball. Most usually a Halloween event, we are decking the halls a little later this year by spreading some Christmas cheer instead.

Art opening and cocktail party will be held within the shop with after hours shenanigans to commence in the back room after 11pm. Quests are encouraged to dress festively and bring a bottle or a suggested $5 to contribute to the bar.

Event: First Friday Dec. 5:  Fine Art & Fabulous Jewels by John & Ellie Mathias "It's a Holiday Ball!  " What: Holiday Party Host: RePop NY Start Time: Friday, December 5 at 7:30pm End Time: Saturday, December 6 at 2:00am Where: RePOP 95% Recycled