Volunteering around Clinton Hill

This is the first in a series on ways families can make a positive contribution to our community through volunteerism.  Our fair borough offers so much to its residents, and here’s a chance to give something back to Brooklyn while teaching our kids to be responsible world citizens. In celebration of the crocuses, tulip shoots and forsythia blooms I’ve seen emerging in the last week or so, this set of volunteer opportunities has a hooray-for-spring theme:

First off, the Fort Greene Association is sponsoring an initiative called “Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill.” Part of this effort includes putting up signs that say “Do not place unsolicited advertising materials on this property” at neighborhood residences. Children and/or their parents can become block chiefs, going door to door on a block to get signs put up. If you’re interested in getting involved, contact info@greenfgch.org, call Marcus Attorneys at (718) 643-6555 or stop by 13 Greene Avenue. You can read more about Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill at www.greenfgch.org.

Also in keeping with our spring theme, a group called 21st Century Plowshare aims to “sow wildflower seeds on every single patch of abandoned soil in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed Stuy this April. By early summer, there should be so many wildflowers growing in the untended treepits, vacant lots, half-built developments and other tiny scraps of neglected soil in Bed Stuy that the whole neighborhood effectively turns into a meadow.”  This mission caught the attention of Bed Stuy Blog a while back (http://www.bedstuyblog.com/2009/03/09/the-bed-stuy-meadow-project/). I like the concept of a flower-blanketed Bed Stuy so much that I thought it bore repeating here.  If you’re interested in getting involved, check out www.21stcenturyplowshare.com.  And, come to think of it, there are some empty lots in Clinton Hill/ Fort Greene that could use beautifying too…

Or, you could combine community service, recycling and spring cleaning by making a donation to the Salvation Army.  Drop off is at 22 Quincy Street, right near the Broken Angel site.  Don’t forget to get a receipt—there’s nothing wrong with getting a little tax deduction while performing a good deed!  It’s open most days, but you may want to call 1-800-SA-TRUCK before heading over.

And lastly, now that warmer weather is headed our way, the days of stoop sales and lemonade stands will soon be upon us.  Why not help your kids run one of these and donate the proceeds to a good cause?

Brownstone Brooklyn Garden District Party!

From the folks at BBGD: We hope you are planning to attend our Spring Cocktail Party this coming March 22. Enjoy a 3D slide show by Greg Dinkins, jazz by Zach Layton, wine and hors d'oevres by Greene Grape/Provisions,and a spring installation of live flowers and trees by Gowanus Nursery!

For discounted admission, please buy tickets at Brownpapertickets.com (type in Stereoscopic Garden Party), or purchase at Greene Grape/Provisions. Tickets at the door $20.

What Should I Do With My Xmas Tree?

Thankfully, CHB has the answer for you. Option 1: Leave it on the curb.  Sanitation tells us that they will pick up trees, without lights or ornaments, from the curb and will take them to Staten Island for chipping and mulching there. They will do this between January 5^th and the 11^th.

Option 2:  Mulchfest! Take your tree to Fort Greene Park this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-2pm) for a huge chipping session where there will be refreshments for all provided by Provisions (YUM), located on Fulton Street.  Bring the kids and dogs for a good, end-of-holiday-season get-together.  And, best of all, the mulch will be used right there in our own Fort Greene Park to protect and nourish our trees and shrubs.

Option 3: Bring your used Christmas tree to the Hollenback Community Garden on Washington Avenue between Gates & Greene (also Saturday and Sunday) so that the Parks Department can haul them all over to Fort Greene Park for chipping and distribution to the needy trees and shrubs in the park. A great alternative for those who don't live near the park (or have a huge-ass tree that they don't want to haul as far).

If you want to keep it local, and provide much needed mulch for our own Fort Greene Park, take the trees to either Fort Greene Park or the Hollenback Garden this weekend. It is a little more exercise and you have to hang onto that dead tree for a little while longer, but keeping it local and helping the park are good.

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?

Bed-Stuy Community Garden Tour

This looks amazing, and a great way to see many of Bed-Stuy's unique community gardens!  Also a great excuse to ride your bike around the area.

Franklin Garden

Bed-Stuy has more community gardens than any other neighborhood I've seen.  Walking past the garden on Franklin and Greene caught my eye a few days ago.

A large hand-painted sign outside invites new members to join:

Inside, the theme is"water."  A gorgeous painted mural decorates the side of the adjacent building.  Community involvement is evident.

They have a large rainwater collection system for watering, and they even have a koi pond!

(I did see fish in the upper corner of this pond, even though they're not in the photo.)

The individual plots are lovely and well-cared for.  Plus, there are gorgeous flowers everywhere!

If you live on the eastern edge of the neighborhood and are looking to join a local garden, definitely check this one out!

The garden even has a website, which details history and membership.  The garden is organic and does not use pesticides!

Greene Acres is a NY Restoration Project, funded by Bette Midler to ensure community gardens will be available for years to come.

Wildflower Seed Giveaway at Ft Greene Artisan's Market

The Artisan's Market often sets up adjacent to the Ft. Greene Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 9am-5pm. This coming Saturday. they'll be giving away free wildflower seeds! More info from Natasha Harsh, market organizer:

Wildflower Seed Give-Away on Saturday, May 31 at Ft.Greene Park's Artisan Market Bees are responsible for pollinating 30% of our food crops. If they become extinct- much of the world's food supply will disappear with them. Haagen-Dazs is supplying 2,000 packets of wildflower seeds for plants favored by foraging honey bees. Fort Greene resident and beekeeper,John Howe of Brooklyn Bee Apiary,is coordinating this effort and will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions you may have about bees and their role as part of our ecosystem. Artisan Market is located on the DeKalb Avenue sidewalk perimeter of Fort Greene Park starting at the intersection of DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park. Saturdays 9AM-5PM John Howe contact info: 718-858-6891 or jah1943@gmail.com

Are there any bees making honey in the neighborhood? When I lived in Hell's Kitchen several years ago, the Clinton Community Garden harvested honey from their hives and sold it as a fundraiser at garden events. Might be a good idea for Hollenback!

Visiting Root Stock & Quade

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

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

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:

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

Trying out the Toilet

The Brooklyn Paper offers a podcast about the process of using the Hollenback Community Garden's new composting toilet.  Nice. (The garden is located on Washington Ave between Greene and Gates!)

The UN AND the Composting Toilet!

Last year, I reported on the cutting-edge composting toilet being installed at the Hollenback Garden on Washington Ave.  Saturday is the inaugural flush!On Saturday, May 10^th, Hollenback Community Garden in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn will play host to a delegation from the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Adding to the excitement, the garden will unveil a new composting toilet, adding to the significant “green” activities already underway at the Clinton Hill oasis. Standing on the sight of the old Hollenback Family Mansion, the Hollenback Community Garden has been a green oasis in the city for more than 25 years. Currently, 40 active garden members work the land, growing vegetables, recycling tons (literally) of community food and garden waste into compost, harvesting rain-water from the rooftop next door, working with P.S.11 students to teach them about growing food, and being an active part of the Clinton Hill and urban gardening communities.

Last year, the garden installed a composting toilet, the first of its kind in a community garden in Brooklyn. Won via eBay auction from the Battery Park Conservancy, it took an almost insurmountable effort by garden volunteers to then get it delivered, installed, and ready to turn the community’s collective poop into brown gold! This year, the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UN CSD) is taking delegates around the state to visit urban gardens, farms, and other green spaces being used to sustain and build local community.

On Saturday, May 10^th, to mark the occasion, and to share our experience as an urban garden with some of our international friends, Hollenback is hosting one part of a larger tour sponsored by WHY (World Hunger Year) for the attendees of the conference held by the UN CSD. 60 international visitors will be touring the garden from 10:30-11:30 a.m. to see our space and talk about our efforts to be not only a good neighbor, but to actively improve the community in which we live. That same day at 3p.m., we will be hosting the Ceremonial First Flush of the composting toilet followed by a free community barbeque.

Please join us as we mark not only a notable visit from international guests seeking to engage communities in questions of green urbanism, environmental remediation, and ongoing sustainability, but also the equally momentous opening of the first composting toilet in a community garden in Brooklyn. Contact Mike Dimpfl at 718 288 3509 for more details or with questions.

Plant-Related News

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!

Tree Planting in the 'Hood

This just in from Green Fort Greene and Clinton Hill: Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill had hoped to plant street trees this weekend but our tree donor, the Parks Department, will not get the trees until next week. Planting will be May 3 and 4. (On May 4, combine planting with the Fort Greene House Tour!)

Fun for all. Bring your friends. Bring the kids. Make a piece of Clinton Hill or Fort Greene better forever. Commemorate something or somebody. The digging is not too rigorous because the trees will be delivered bare root rather than with big balls of soil. Your tools or ours. A couple of hours will make a big difference.

If there is an empty street tree pit near your house that you would like to plant, claim it by sending a reply message. Trees also can go on private property.

Let us know if you can help organize things before next weekend, as well.

The trees will most likely be a mix of lindens and oaks. Both very stately. Lindens bloom in June and will cast a lovely scent over our early summer nights.

In addition to the city's trees, we have donations of tools from The Home Depot (Bed-Stuy) and soil supplements from Plant Health Care. Amy Bennett of Greene Grape and Justine Fasciano will provide trucks for moving our forest, etc. where we want it. Jessica Arnold is confirming planting sites in areas surveyed by Jill Rehman and Mary and Hannah Tager during Green FG & CH's comprehensive neighborhood tree survey. Steve Hurwiitz of GFI Capital arranged for us to use the parking lot at 470 Vanderbilt, at the border between Fort Greene and Clinton HIll, as our staging area. Jonathan Barth is planning the reforesting of Univesity Towers' grounds. And Yes! we will use compost made from vegetable waste deposited at the Green Market courtesy of Charlie Bayrer.

Many more Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill projects are brewing.

Together we will do great things.

Earth Day Opening Weekend at Habana Outpost!

Guys- So sorry I sat on this all week. I was starting a new job and, you know how it goes.

Anyway, Fort Greene's eco-friendly hot spot Habana Outpost has its opening weekend Saturday and Sunday, in honor of Earth Day. They're offering a packed schedule, including kids' concerts, composting classes, movies and umbrella recycling. Now, if only they'd revise that ordering-truck situation so that diners aren't left for an hour waiting for their corn...

Earth Day Expo at Habana Outpost

Saturday, April 19th & Sunday April 20th 2008

Two days of free workshops and events for the whole family!

Kid’s Corner-Saturday& Sunday 12-6

Throughout the weekend there will be free arts & crafts, games and entertainment for children focusing on recycling and nature.

The ABC’s of Bees and Beekeeping - Saturday 2:00pm

Local beekeeper John Howe (the Brooklyn Bee) will explain how honey is made with a live observation hive and arts and crafts projects.

FINDERS KEEPERS!!!! TOSSERS WEEPERS!!! – Saturday 3-4 &Sunday 2-3

Recycling within Your Environment – This hands-on workshop will explore how to reuse what is in your home, community and environment. On this day, that environment will be Habana Outpost! Children will be asked to go on a scavenger hunt through the Habana Outpost area and use what they find to create new objects or give old objects new purpose and meaning. Brought to you by the Leadership Learning Lab

Composting With Red Worms – Sunday 1-2

Learn the basics of composting at home with live red wiggler worms! Use kitchen waste to make valuable, all natural plant food…compost.

Composting Workshops for Adults – Saturday & Sunday 2:00 & 5:00

Brought to you by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Department of Sanitation, these fun workshops will teach you how to start composting at home.

Electronic Waste Recycling – Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 4:00pm

The Lower East Side Ecology Center (LESEC) will be collecting your unwanted electronic waste in their e-waste container.

Recycled Art Show- Awards ceremony Sunday at 4:00pm

Local high school and elementary students will create art out of trash. The work will be on display throughout the weekend and the winners will be announced on Sunday at 4:00pm

Umbrella Recycling- Saturday 12:00 – 4:00pm

Umbrella Recycling: A BYOBU (bring your own broken umbrella) Design Project

Bring your own broken umbrella (BYOBU) to recycle, rehabilitate or re imagine. Learn how to craft a reusable (grocery) bag out of a dead umbrella. All other materials provided. Meet up under the solar panels with master tailor and sewing teacher Bonnie Barton.

Shop Green- Saturday & Sunday 12-6

Local vendors and designers will showcase green products and services in an outdoor market

Featuring: Trixe and Radar, Lower East Side Girls Club and Recycle a Bicycle.

Get Involved-Saturday & Sunday 12-6

Meet local eco-minded groups and individuals to find out how you can get involved!

Participating Groups: Good Magazine, Green Home NYC, Green Brooklyn, Greenopia, Atomseco, The Society of Clinton Hill, Sunset-Ridge Waterfront Alliance

Films –

Sunday at 3:00pm

The Water Under Ground- In spring of 2006, the Lower East Side Ecology Center partnered with Center for Urban Pedagogy, City-as-School, and RECYouth to explore the Water Underground–the millions of gallons of water that enters the city, gets used in various ways and discharged to local waterways each day. The Water Underground video is a 25-minute student-led exploration of where water comes from, where it goes and what happens along the way.

Sunday at 3:00pm

Rooftop Bees - A film by Melissa Lohman Wild -John has an unusual hobby for a longtime resident of New York City. He maintains three beehives on his Brooklyn rooftop. This short doc gives a glimpse into the practice of urban beekeeping and shows how John’s bees are helping to pollinate the Big Apple.

Please visit our website for more information- www.habanaoutpost.com or call 718 858 9500

Habana Outpost - 757 Fulton Street ( corner of South Portland) Brooklyn, New York 11217

Spring: Definitely Here!

Spring is my favorite season in Clinton Hill. I first moved to the neighborhood during springtime, and all of the flowering trees remind me of my first walks home from the C train as I was getting to know the neighborhood.

Friday Photo

(spring!)

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill Meeting

Want to get involved in making the neighborhood a greener, more environmentally friendly place? Check out Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill, a group focusing on tree planting, recycling and affordable sales of fluorescent lightbulbs at neighborhood retailers. Greetings Neighbors,

Much going on and much to do. Come to Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford Street, 6:30 p.m., April 8 to plan a greener spring for our neighborhood. See how a small amount of your time will advance an effort which is making a big difference.

Recycling Your Xmas Tree!

Drag your dried up tree to Ft. Greene Park this weekend and watch it become mulch: Take your Christmas tree, without ornaments or lights, to the Willoughby/Washington Park entrance of Fort Greene Park next Saturday or Sunday (Jan. 5 & 6) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to have it mulched. If you actually want to experience the excitement of the chipper working, come on Saturday, when there will also be refreshments and merriment. So, bring kids, dogs, friends and a tree. You can also take home a bag of mulch for your street tree pit or other garden area. Sunday, will be a drop off day only for trees.

This event and the chipper are sponsored and paid for by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, Society for Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene Association.

Personally, I like to ditch my tree right after Xmas, and have my apartment back to normal before January 1. Wish there was a drop-off area in the park starting on the 26th!

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill News

I, for one, want one of those "chic chopping bags." Spend a couple of fun and fruitful hours at our table at the Fort Greene Green Market on 11/17 or 11/24. You will meet many engaging and beautiful neighbors, help make our neighborhoods even more environmentally friendly, get some fresh air and dispel guilt. In the past two weeks we have sold 400 energy efficient light bulbs, given out hundreds of applications for non-polluting electricity, and added dozens of people to our list of New York's Greenest.

This week we will be offering very chic reusable shopping bags, as well.

If you can help, please email info@greenfgch.org.

Bulbs sprouting: Save energy and save money. Long life energy efficient light bulbs are offered at stores near you for a non-profit price. Each $2 or $2.50 bulb will save you over $100 because you will use less energy and replace bulbs far less frequently. Now at Yu, Green Farm, Fresh Garden, Greene Pharmacy. Coming soon to 4W, Restaurant New Orleans, Gnarly Vines, L'Epicerie, Green Apple Cafe and many others.

Ask your favorite store owner to join the movement. We supply a handsome decal for their window, leaflets explaining the whole bulb story (so they do not have to ) and the low priced bulbs. The store owner will sell the bulbs at cost for a few months as part of our community greening program. Let us know at info@greenfgch.org and we will follow up with them.

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill

Looks like this group is ready to kick it into high gear, and it sounds like a cool way to get involved in the neighborhood. Personally, I'm in for a "tres chic reusable shopping bag." One of my neighbors bought one at Trader Joe's, but I just can't stand the long-ass lines to get one: Dear Neighbors:

Green Fort Greene and Clinton Hill is a project of neighbors making our communities even more environmentally friendly. The initiative is sponsored by the Fort Greene Association with the support of the Society for Clinton Hill.

After lots of work getting organized, Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill is ready to hit the streets. We are ready to begin selling energy efficient light bulbs, signing people up for electric accounts that do not contribute to global warming and selling tres chic reusable shopping bags. The other projects we have been pursuing -- for instance, tree planting and new bike racks -- are beginning to show results. Others in the works and additional ideas welcome.

We will be at the Green Market, at other community events, at churches and schools, and in building lobbies. Merchants will help distribute information to our neighbors.

Our web site is about to be launched. Beautiful leaflets, decals for participating merchants and posters featuring our strikingly handsome logo are going to print.

Con Ed Solutions is doing an 11,000 piece mailing on Green Power jointly with us.

So, we need you to come and see how you can do your part.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church 85 South Oxford Street 7:00 pm, Thursday October 18.

Stinky Berries

Has anyone notices the trees, especially on Clinton Ave, that produce those foul-smelling berries?!

Once they burst, they smell like ass.