Public Art and MARP

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(A quick cut-and-paste before I head to Richmond for the weekend.  This event, happening today, sounds very cool.  MARP is slated to be woking on a number of public art projects!) Myrtle Avenue Public Art Program presents:

Saturday, August 30, 2008, 12-3pm

During Ingersoll Family Day

Ingersoll Houses, Myrtle Avenue between Prince & Navy

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership (the Partnership) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) have collaborated to inaugurate the Partnership’s new Myrtle Avenue Public Art program this Saturday, August 30, with the 11-month installation of pieces from the internationally-known Tree Hugger Project (www.treehuggerproject.com) on NYCHA Ingersoll housing development grounds near Myrtle and Prince.  The Partnership’s new Myrtle Avenue Public Art program is an effort to bring public sculpture, art installations, studio art, and creative street furniture elements to the public spaces and sidewalks of the 20-block retail district, increasing access to art for the entire community.  The sculpture installation at Ingersoll will include an opportunity for community members to participate in the building of Tree Hugger figures as part of Ingersoll’s annual family day celebration. Both the Partnership and Ingersoll Tenant Association invite all local residents to join the celebration, and welcome the Tree Huggers to our community during the community build, which will take place from 12:00pm – 3:00pm that day.

Tree Hugger Project artists Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik will be installing a total of four pieces on Myrtle Avenue as a part of their ongoing public art project that combines environmental sculpture made of natural, found and free materials such as twigs, vines and tree branches with a simple environmental message. The Project is an ongoing work of Environmental Art designed to help us re-discover our relationship with nature at a very personal and intimate level. The focus on the stewardship of public space demonstrates that standing up for the environment can be done in a fun and non-political way, and that contemporary art can be entertaining and make a difference in how we view our world. Community participation in the construction and installation of the Tree Huggers helps to highlight the role that we all can play as stewards in our very own neighborhood, reminding us that we humans are still very much a part of our natural surroundings.  The Tree Hugger Project has been brought to cities and parks all over the world as a way to bring attention to the environment and to bring communities together, and Myrtle Avenue is excited to be part of this international movement.

These art installations are part of the larger Myrtle Avenue Arts & Enterprise Initiative which represents a multi-faceted effort to establish the retail corridor as an access point to visual art and cultural activities for community members of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The Tree Hugger Project serves as a kick-off for the Partnership’s new public art program, launching both an open call for proposals for additional temporary sculpture pieces for locations along Myrtle Avenue as well as a request for sponsors to support future artists and their installations. Seed funding for the new program was provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation and Myrtle’s Business Improvement District.

Where: Myrtle Avenue near Prince Street (adjacent to the community center)

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008

Time: 12 pm - 3 pm

Price: Free, with free food and drink from the Ingersoll Tenant Association’s annual Family Day for those who come

Organization Hosting Event: Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Ingersoll Tenant Association, New York City Housing Authority

Website: www.myrtleavenue.org

Contact Name: Meredith Phillips Almeida, Director of Community Development

Phone: 718-230-1689

Brooklyn Urban Arts Market: EVERY OTHER SUNDAY ON MYRTLE!

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The new Brooklyn Urban Arts Market will take place every other Sunday (until Sept. 21) on Myrtle between Emerson and Hall. There'll be vendors, live music, DJs and seemingly cool people. If this is going to be anything like the Afro-Punk festival (the event is organized by Afro-Punk, BAM and MARP), it's going to be mad cool. MARP is also doing drawings to win a shopping spree on Myrtle!

Here are some related links with more info:

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

Why We Need Root Stock & Quade in the 'Hood

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I know there's been some mixed opinions on the price points at Root Stock & Quade on Myrtle, but I for one am thrilled to have them nearby, even if I can only buy a bouquet there every once and a while. While walking down Myrtle near Hall this past weekend, I noticed these flowers for sale at a bodega:

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Those purple flowers? Yeah, they're half dead.

Il Torchio No More

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Many of you have emailed me in the last two days after trying to make a reservation at Il Torchio, only to be told the ownership had changed. This seems like a bizarre turn of events.  Il Torchio, which opened less than a year, definitely had its growing pains.  Many of you left comments about the price points, service and quality in the first month or so, but they really seemed to get their game together.  In recent months, many people have emailed me and commented on how good the food and atmosphere were.  And that makes this changeover all the more curious.

MARP, in response to my email asking what was up, said that they only knew that Il Torchio's owners decided they no longer wanted to own both the building and the restaurant.  (And as for Los Pollitos, they brought on a business partner, hence the name and menu change.)

Anyone one dined under the new ownership yet?

Catering at Pillow Cafe

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A co-worker of mine recently needed to order sandwiches for a training class near Fort Greene Park. I suggested Pillow Cafe on Myrtle and she was extremely pleased.  The folks at Pillow packed up a variety of gourmet sandwiches, snacks and fun sodas into easy-to-carry crates and I'm told they were super nice and reasonably priced. A good thing to keep in mind if you're having a party or large event!

Pillow Cafe 505 Myrtle Avenue

Visiting Root Stock & Quade

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The lovely new flower shop finally opened on Myrtle mid-month. I stopped in last weekend to pick up a bouquet. chb-1.jpg

The shop boasts a select but impressive selection of fresh flowers, as well as vases, gardening tools and even cute candles.

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Kerry, the other half of the Root Stock & Quade tea, was on-hand to make up a custom bouquet for me. She asked what kind of vessel I'd be putting the flowers in, my price range and the style I liked. For $40, she put this enormous, gorgeous selection of purple lilacs and white peonies together for me:

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Not cheap for sure, but not unreasonable for a huge bouquet. These will make impressive gifts for friends' birthdays for sure.

The back garden should be open by now -- check it out!

[previous coverage here]

Root Stock & Quade 471 Myrtle bt Washington and Hall

Plant-Related News

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This just in from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden: I just wanted to give you a heads up that BBG's annual benefit Plant Sale, the largest in the Northeast (with over 20,000 plants!) opens to the public tomorrow and continues through Thursday morning.  (BBG members have access to the preview sale tonight, from 4:30 to 8.) The Plant Sale takes place on Cherry Esplanade, where right now hundreds of flowering cherry trees are dropping their petals like pink snow to form a breathtaking petal carpet. Considering the multitude and diversity of the colorful plants for sale, the beauty of the setting, the BBG hort experts on hand to answer questions and the little red wagons we provide for shoppers for their "plantsportation,"  the sale is a really dynamic experience all around. If any of your readers are thinking about their backyards or windowsills, there's no better place to shop for their plants.

They're also offering a bunch of free classes.  Check out their website for more info!

And speaking of plants, Root Stock & Quade is slated to open today on Myrtle Avenue!

Antique Refurbishment and Basic Reno

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I noticed this occupied storefront on Myrtle between Washington and Hall recently: storefront, myrtle ave

I might dismiss a random storefront like this, but there was something about the pile of books in the window that I really liked.

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No official signage, but they did have a xerox taped to the door that lists a website.

Looks like they're offering a plethora of services, including light moving, tile work and painting, in addition to refinishing and custom cabinetry.

After painting my own bedroom recently (and having it take three exhausting days), you can bet I'm giving them a call when my living room needs a fresh coat.

They earn a minus for the fact that their website kept freezing up my computer (and for the bad music).

33woodwork.com

Cocktail Opening at Tamboril!

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opening soon on myrtle! Tasty Tamboril is finally getting a liquor license, and they're having a party to celebrate:

A night of cocktails as we unveil our cocktail menu. The menu features nuevo latino inspired martinis to timeless classics such as the sidecar. Best of all enjoy our mojito or a caribbean cosmo.

The celebration begins at 5:30pm with a happy hour until 7:30pm

...it's gonna be a cocktail affair...enjoy your social experience

April 26th, 2008

RSVP info@tamborilnyc.com

If you haven't been yet, the interior space is really beautiful (love those interesting lamps above the platform seating) and the last time I was there (for brunch, which was delish and even satisfied my very pregnant and picky friend visiting from Queens), the art on display was really gorgeous.

Tamboril 527 Myrtle Ave. www.tamborilnyc.com

Root Stock & Quade: Open By May 1!

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(Before I started grad school, I thought maybe I'd like to open a supercute flower shop in the 'nabe. But, not having a business plan or any experience running my own store, I decided to wait for an expert to take care of it. And here they are!) exterior

On Friday -- one of those gorgeous spring days we've had recently -- I met up with John Rattigan, co-owner of Park Slope's Root Stock & Quade along with Kerry Quade. As I reported earlier, the duo are opening a branch of their flower-gardening business on Myrtle Avenue.

john rattigan

As it turns out, Rattigan is actually a two-time resident of the Hill (he lived in the 'nabe twenty years ago and currently lives on Washington Avenue). He and Quade originally came upon the Myrtle Avenue space while trying to find a vase for a job they were working on. At the time, the storefront hosted a one-hour photo and chair rental service (along with other random rigmarole), and the two marveled at what poor shape the storefront was in. Soon after, Rattigan noticed a For Rent sign in the window. The landlord happened to be inside, and Rattigan signed the lease soon after. "It was the easiest thing ever," he says, in comparison to negotiating his lease for the Park Slope outpost. "A snap!"

The lease was signed on February 13, and they plan on being open by May 1.

inside the shop

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The shop will be offering garden design, full service floral design for weddings and events, retail, indoor and outdoor plants (herbs, perennials, shrubs, etc) and flowers by the bunch and the stem. Come fall, they hope to offer the occasional class on window boxes and basic houseplant care (note: can I sign up now for the latter?).

The storefront, an ice cream parlor in the 1940s, will incorporate as many traditional elements as possible. "I really want to make the space correct for the building and the neighborhood, and fill it with cool, modern stuff," Rattigan explains. He was able to salvage the old tile flooring and hopes to frame some old photos of the building, along with some of the vintage wallpaper he came across during renovations. He tells me that the new store will be a "vibey" place with cool music. chb-15.jpg

Rattigan is a huge fan of the energy in Clinton Hill. "I love the mixed vibe," he says. "There's no malaise. People here are always doing something or fixing something. And MARP is so 'together!'

"I love Maggie Brown -- I'm always there! -- and my favorite is A Bistro. I love everything about it," he gushes. "And Castro's! I've heard people come from New Jersey to eat there!"

Rattigan is prepared for the inevitable backlash on pricepoints at the store, but stresses that high quality plants and flowers (ie non-refrigerated!) aren't inexpensive. They're also extending a 10% discount on all plant purchases to Brooklyn Botanic Gardens members. RS&Q won't be the go-to place for every day things, at least for me, but I know I'll welcome the opportunity to swing by for a small bouquet after a pedi at PBB.

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Root Stock & Quade 471 Myrtle Ave (bt Washington and Hall) http://rootstockquade.com/

Additions to Dine in Brooklyn

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These Myrtle restaurants didn't make the original list, but WILL be participating! -Il Torchio  (L/D) 458 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly/Washington) 718.422.1122

-Café Martino  (D) 559 Myrtle Avenue (Emerson/Classon) 718.636.3966

-Tamboril  (D) 527 Myrtle Avenue (Grand/Steuben) 718.483.2152

-Yamashiro  (D) 466 Myrtle Avenue (Washington/Hall) 718.230.3313

Hidden Treasure: Sushi Okdol?

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I've heard some really great things about Sushi Okdol on Myrtle Avenue, but only tried takeout once and found it...meh. Just received this reader note: wanted to suggest that you check out sushi okdol

we go there at least once a week with our kids- and it's almost always empty. the sushi is fine- but things like bib bim bop and soon du bu jigae are very good and very authentic. they are great with the kids- always bring them soup and rice immediately - and tofu- and sushi- etc

we actually had our 5 year old's birthday party there last year- and probably will again this year.

it's the place above the deli on myrtle- across from the associated.

You may haven't even noticed this place, being that it's on the second floor of the building (497 Myrtle at Hall). I don't have children (yet), but it's nice to hear there's a place for cool parents to dine on ethnic foods that the kids can enjoy, too.

Any other reviews?