Clinton Hill: Blog Central

I know everyone and their mom had posted this already, but Clinton Hill was named the "Bloggiest neighborhood" in the USA! Here's an article from the Post: BROOKLYN HAS NATION'S BLOGGIEST NEIGHBORHOODS By HEIDI SINGER

April 25, 2007 -- Brownstone Brooklyn, and especially up-and-coming Clinton Hill, is the busiest blog zone in the country, according to a new study that tracks the most blogged-about neighborhoods.

Steven Johnson, founder of the Web site outside.in, looked at the location and subject matter of more than 100,000 posts involving blogs in more than 3,000 neighborhoods to come up with a top 10 "bloggiest" hot spots during the past six months.

Brooklyn's Clinton Hill, home to two colleges, and bursting with artsy young people, took first place.

Park Slope and other brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods were almost as bloggy, Johnson said, although the official second place went to Shaw, D.C., followed by downtown L.A.

Another rapidly developing nabe, Harlem, ranked No. 8, after areas of Newton, Mass., Chicago and Portland, Ore. "There are far more active bloggers writing about Harlem than the Upper East Side," Johnson said. "There are a lot of people interested in what's happening to Harlem."

"Brooklyn in general lends itself to blogging because it's a borough of neighborhoods," said Jonathan Butler, 37, founder of the Brownstoner blog, which boasts a readership of 100,000. "Unlike Manhattan, people feel connected and empowered to do something about the changes happening in their neighborhoods."

CHB has been a lot of work on my end, but thanks to everyone who reads, comments and sends tips. It's really a group effort. Cheers to neighbors!

The 411 on the Preemie Martini

I noticed this little clip in the Brooklyn Paper a few weeks ago: "Some eyebrows were dancing recently, when the Jelani Lounge, on Waverly Avenue and Fulton Street, announced a new drink called "the Preemie Martini." Turns out, the drink -- an apple martini in a miniature glass -- is owner Guy Soley's tribute to his son, Jelani, who was born premature, but has since grown up into a healthy and strong lad. That made the "preemie" joke fair game, Soley told us...

Well, at least it's an answer.

Original post on this place here.

Another Celeb in CH

This morning, Brownstoner informed us that Ted Allen, the chef from "Queer Eye," and his partner have purchased a home on Washington Ave.

Welcome to CH, Ted. He was always my favorite from the show

Beer Garden: The Idea is Spreading

The awesome people at one of my favorite blogs, Gothamist, have picked up our story on the possibility of a beer garden in the nabe.  If Kelso opens one, it will be a real testament to the power of blogs :)

The Dirt on Liquors

The Brooklyn Paper has been doing some excellent sleuthing on our area recently! Click here for the real story on what happened to Liquors. I still miss Bodegas the most. Yes, the staff was snail-like, but they made a mean burger. Looks like something's actually going on inside Liquor's right now:

I hope whatever it becomes, it will involve Bloody Marys in that gorgeous back yard.

Brownstoner Revealed!

Linked from Brownstoner.com, an article revealing his identity.  He's a neighbor, so say hi if you see him.

TV Pilot Being Filmed Today

A neighbor tipped me off to a massive film crew setting up last night on St. James and Washington, saying, "Probably just Law and Order, but it looks to be bigger than that." So I checked it out. Sure enough, there were countless trailers, equipment, etc on Lafayette, Washington, Clifton and St. James this morning.

This flier was taped to neighbors' doors:

Regency Television Productions, Inc. is currently in production of a FOX Television pilot titled New Amsterdam, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Firewall, Kingdon of Heaven and Wimbledon) and directed by Lasse Hallstrom (An Unfinished Life, Cider House Rules, Chocolat). This project is the first venture into American television for the Oscar-nominated director. The series, written by Allan Loeb and Christian Taylor, centers on John Amsterdam, a man cursed with immortality who works as a homicide detective in New York.

Sounds like a mix of L&O and Heroes, which is fine by me. Plus, if it's filmed in CH, I will watch.

I think this house on Washington is being used as the set, inside and out:

Buzz and reviews sound good so far.  Here's more info on the show:

Hollywood Reporter

IMDB

Waverly Poo, cont.

Miss Heather of New York Shitty read my rant about all the poo on Waverly and asked for some photos.  So I sent them, taken on the west side of the street on just a two block radius, before this latest storm. Check it out here.

(I am filing this under "crime," since it IS illegal not to pick up your dog's crap.)

Essay and Photo Contest

I just found out about a really cool contest sponsored by the Brooklyn Public Library: Enter the My Brooklyn Photo + Essay Contest and you could win $500, plus have your winning work exhibited at Brooklyn Public Library!

My Brooklyn is about what makes this borough unique to you. From the faces and places to the events, food and attitude, show and tell us about your Brooklyn and you could win a $500, $300 or $100 US Savings Bond. From DeGraw Street to DiFara's, from Clinton Hill to the Cyclone, from Greenpoint to Greenwood, Brooklyn is everywhere – show and tell us where it takes you.

You don't have to live here to have a thought, feeling, memory or favorite person, place or thing in the borough to enter. In fact, anyone may enter, except BPL employees and their families.

Visit our website to learn more.

I encourage you to give the Hill a shout-out!  Entry deadline is March 30!

Another Store in the Press

Blue Bass Vintage received a shout out in this week's Time Out NY, though it's listed under "Recently Opened." They actually opened six months ago! Also, isn't the G to Classon closer than Clinton-Washington?

Still, props for the listing.

Congrats (again!) to RePop

NY Magazine's Best Of 2007 issue hits stands today. Flip to the Best Thrift Store listing and you'll see none other than Clinton Hill's (OK, Wallabout's) RePop. I've been a champion of the store since it first opened, and I am so proud of them for receiving the props they deserve. It's great to be in such a vibrant community.

Broken Angel Will Go Condo

Thanks to Brownstoner for the latest info on Broken Angel.  Looks like the precarious building top will be dismantled and the building will be converted to condos.  Thankfully, it will also accommodate artist and community space, and the conversion will take place with help from local developer Shahn Anderson.  I've never met him, but he seems like a good guy. I suppose all things considered, I'm OK with this plan.  I hope the community space will be home to some sort of gallery dedicated to the building's long history, with lots of photos of the building as it is now. More from the NYT here.

RePop Nominated for Best Thrift Store!

One of my faaaaaavorite blogs, Apartment Therapy, has recently nominated RePop for Best NYC Thrift Store 2006. Please support our favorite creepy doll head vendors and vote here.

Stonehome: Mixed Reviews

I're recently discovered The L Magazine blog, which to my surprise covers cool stuff all around the BK and NYC. I assumed that it was just a Williamsburg thing based on the name- doh. Anyhow, they've recently checked out Fort Greene's Stonehome Wine Bar, giving them mixed grades.

I've always had pleasant experiences there, but have not yet stopped in to experience the full dinner menu. Also humorous is the L's description of the patrons as "elderly" -- mid-late 30s.

Smoke Joint: Opening TONIGHT

From the NYT: THE SMOKE JOINT This friendly cafeteria-style place in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is owned by Craig Samuel, above left, and Ben Grossman, above right, who bring pedigree to pulled pork, hacked chicken, ribs and other smoky pit barbecue staples. Mr. Samuel is executive chef at City Hall and Mr. Grossman has worked at Picholine and La Grenouille. Seating is at bare wood tables inside and on a glass-enclosed porch. It opened briefly last weekend and will reopen to the public on Friday: 87 South Elliott Place (Lafayette Avenue), (718) 797-1011.

FINALLY!

Friday Misc.

Wine Tasting TONIGHT @ OlivinoOlivino will host an exciting tasting this Friday, September 29, 2006 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Rudi, from Miskeit Wines will be tasting a flight of five German wines, three whites and two reds!

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn BAKE SALE The bake sale on Sat., 9/30, is sponsored by Fort Greene Kids, runs from 11 am to 4 pm, right near the children's park at Washington Ave. and Lafayette Ave. Great food at excellent prices. The proceeds benefit the DDDB Legal Fund.

Bad Postal Service in the News Here's the article in the New York Sun, focusing on the inconsistent and irritating mail delivery service in our area. The article sadly did not focus on the foul 11238 post office, but mail delivery is just part of the problem being generated there and at other area POs.

More on Post Office Woes

A reporter from the New York Sun has contacted me about our post office woes. She tells me that several Fort Greene residents are having major problems with their mail delivery -- mainly that mailmen/women are too lazy to climb up brownstone steps and are instead dumping all mail by the ground floor apartment, where it often gets destroyed in inclement weather.

I told her I would post a notice and ask for further comments on general mail problems in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill. Go to it, friends, especially if the post office/mail carrier has lost something valuable during delivery.

Want to file a complaint? Go here.

Another Shooting in the 88th!

Per NY1: Man Killed In Early Morning Shooting In Brooklyn September 02, 2006

A 26-year-old man died after being shot multiple times on Carlton Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

A 19-year-old and a 14-year-old were also both shot in the leg.

Police will only say they are in stable condition at Bellevue.

[thanks to reader Guy, who posted a link to this, from the NY Times]

Man Is Killed Outside Deli in Brooklyn; 2 Are Injured By CARA BUCKLEY Published: September 3, 2006

A 26-year-old Brooklyn man was killed early yesterday by a spray of bullets that also wounded two teenagers who were bystanders, the police said.

The man who died, Angel Durant, was shot several times at 12:26 a.m. in front of a deli at 137 Carlton Avenue in Fort Greene and was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital Center an hour later, according to the police.

Seven bags of crack cocaine were found in his pockets, the police said.

A 19-year-man who happened to be walking by heard the shots and then realized he had been hit in the left leg, the police said. The man, whose name was not released, was in stable condition yesterday at Bellevue Hospital Center.

Another bullet pierced the wall of the deli and hit Mohammed Jaber, 14, in his right thigh. Mohammed's father, Jamal Jaber of Park Slope, said that his family was returning from a wedding and stopped at the deli, which is owned by Mr. Jaber's sister, for ice cream.

Mohammed was checking the score of the Yankees game on his aunt's laptop computer when the family members heard eight shots, Mr. Jaber said.

They ducked behind the counter, according to Mr. Jaber, and then Mohammed said, "Dad, I think I've been hit."

He was also taken to Bellevue, but his father said that his injuries were not serious and that he was expected to be released soon.

Mr. Durant lived on Bergen Street in Crown Heights but grew up in Fort Greene. Christella Smith, who lives near the scene of the shooting, said that he was "a good kid from a good mother."

Yesterday evening, mourners lighted candles and laid handwritten notes on the sidewalk where Mr. Durant, who was nicknamed Free, was shot. "The hood will always miss you," one note read.

Through Aug. 13, six murders were recorded this year in the 88th Precinct, which includes Fort Greene, compared with none in the same period last year.

Um. This is disconcerning. WTF?

Hill News

The New York Post had a nice article about how Clinton Hill's still one of the neighborhoods offering 'bargains' for people looking to buy homes. (She fails to mention the crappy G and C train lines and how impossible it is to get into Manhattan on the weekends. But I digress...)

Got an e-mail about a group of neighbors trying to fight the building of a 12 story high rise in the area. Development is always a touchy subject, so please show your support to make sure new construction in the area stays on the good side of tasteful.

Community Meeting details below:

And some pictures of the construction:

Show up and give your support!

For more info, check Brownstoner's coverage.

CH Shooting

From the NY Times: By FERNANDA SANTOS Published: July 31, 2006 A man died and a woman was injured about 1 a.m. yesterday when a gunman fired several shots at a group of people on the corner of Gates Avenue and Downing Street in Clinton Hill, the police said. At least two of the shots hit the man, Teddy McNichols, in the chest, while the woman, who was not identified, was hit once in the left foot, the police said. Mr. McNichols, 21, died on arrival at Bellevue Hospital Center in Manhattan. The woman told the police that she did not see the gunman.

Yikes. This is one of those shady little pockets of the neighborhood that one needs to exercise caution in.