I'm not sure exactly when Brown Betty closed shop, but I'm bummed. Their dinners were amazing (and with only a few small tables inside, you were lucky to partake) and they made a mean thai iced coffee (see one of our posts from 2006 here). At least Cynthia's bringing her tasty food over to Black Swan (mentioned yesterday). And, I hear that the space will soon be home to a creperie! I'm psyched, as it'll be something totally new and different.
Lots of 'em this week, since I've been slacking.
Bed-Stuy Blog tipped me off to this brand-new gastropub open on Bedford near Lafayette called Black Swan. The menu was designed by former Brown Betty chef Cynthia Walker. (more on Brown Betty in our next post). Man, this place looks amazing. Has anyone tried it yet? I have some friends who lived near here in 2001 and I bet they'd be shocked to come back now.
Just noticed today that Andy's Clinton Hill Restaurant at 245 DeKalb Avenue has been replaced by "Mega Bites." When the heck did this happen?
The menu looks pretty similar, but I am assuming there's a new owner or management.
Last week, I made most amazing discovery ever: A LOCAL (NON GROCERY) SHOP THAT IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM 10AM-10PM. I have been in to Greenlight Bookstore before, but I never realized just how accommodating they were. In addition to offering a great selection (best sellers and NYC-centric books) and a beautiful space, they also host regular readings and author events. And are actually open after work. Wayyy after work.
I try to patronize as many local businesses as I can, and I know as a small business owner it's difficult to keep early and late hours every day. But it is frustrating to come home and need something, try to pick it up from a local shop and then realize they've all closed at 6 or 7pm. Greenlight makes it easy for me to keep it local.
To show my appreciation, I will be spending my 3/50 local spending money this month at Greenlight, buying at least one book a week at 9:45 pm (because I can!). First up, City Kid by Nelson George.
Our friend Clinton Hill Chill is back from an all-too-long hiatus and shares some of his neighborhood memories of rapper GURU in one of his latest posts. As always, he gives us some intriguing and passionate neighborhood history.
A reader who's new to the neighborhood just emailed me a slideshow of some photos she's taken recently. Thought I'd share, since it's always interesting to get a glimpse of the 'hood through another lens.
Photo by bitchcakes
This has been covered extensively elsewhere, and it is awesome. Hot Bird is back! Well, not really "back," but there's a new venue called Hot Bird after the sign. Read more on the Examiner, Brownstoner and check it out at Clinton and Atlantic.
I've been having a problem with the CHB comments (meaning they're not getting sent to my email), so I apologize if I am delayed in responding to anything. But I just noticed a comment about a new wine shop on Atlantic, down near where the fresh fruit shop operated briefly. I'll try to check it out this week, but if anyone has any details, please leave them in the comments.
UPDATE: Here's more info from the Village Voice.
Neighbors with dogs have been interested in a full-time dog run for awhile now to cater to those who cannot make off-leash hours (or who have playful dogs who thrive with more exercise off-leash). It looks like the Myrtle Ave Brooklyn Partnership is organizing a community meeting around the idea of adding a dog run under the BQE. I'm in favor- the space there is underused, so why not be creative about its potential? Props to MARP for their forward thinking. Here's the info I have from the group:
(St. James Place)
Last week's Neighborhood News feature noted that in Clinton Hill, a local blogger observed a parked tow truck blocking a fire hydrant. Yes!
Please come out and help celebrate Green in BKLYN’s 1-year anniversary on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010. Activities will take place between 11:30a and 7:00p at the store, which is located at 432 Myrtle Avenue
between Clinton and Waverly Avenues in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.
April 22, 2010 is Green in BKLYN’s 1st anniversary and also marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Come out
and celebrate with jazz, book signings, wine and workshops, all day long. (Refer to schedule of activities below)
Green in BKLYN is a one-stop eco-friendly shop where neighbors can find information and products they need
to easily and innovatively green their home and daily lives. Green in BKLYN offers eco-friendly solutions for
everyday living.
EARTH DAY 2010 - April 22, 2010
First Year Anniversary of Green in BKLYN
40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Green in BKLYN
432 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11205
718-855-4383
Shop Owner: Elissa Olin
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
11:30am – 1:00pm
Leda Meredith, Author of The Locavore Handbook: The Busy Person’s Guide to Eating Local on a Budget
These days, nearly everyone wants to eat green and local, but tight schedules and even tighter budgets can make it seem like an unattainable goal. The Locavore’s Handbook: A Busy Person’s Guide to Eating Local on a Budget is here to help!
With practical, down-to-earth advice, Brooklyn-based Leda Meredith guides readers through the process of incorporating locally grown foods into their meals. In a concise book designed for mainstream readers, she discusses budgeting; sourcing, growing, and preserving food; shopping efficiently; and supporting local merchants and planet Earth. Everyone, including time-pressed, cash-strapped urbanites with mini-refrigerators and zero storage space, will find inspiration and a host of helpful, surprising ideas.
1:30pm – 3:00pm
Vandra Thorburn, Vokashi Composting
Clinton Hill-based Vandra Thorburn is the founder & pioneer of Vokashi, a new local business providing buckets and bran to households, small businesses and catering companies for EM Bokashi composting. The system has no smell, no bad odors, no bugs, flies or pests & it’s easy to manage in your own kitchen. Plus, it works months faster than traditional composting.
Vandra will answer questions & speak about this unique composting alternative.
3:30pm – 5:00pm
Claudia Pearson, Illustrator of Tribal Alphabet
In Brooklyn artist Claudia Pearson’s debut creation for children, Tribal Alphabet, extraordinary illustrations come alive to celebrate the diversity of tribal communities and world's indigenous heritages.
A is for Australian Aborigine , B is for Basque, C is for Cherokee are some of the names of the different tribes from different parts of the world that go alphabetically from page to page all the way till Z is for Zulu. The stunning artwork coupled with the names of each tribe and simple, informative text set in rhyme to describe tribal lifestyle and culture equals enchanting learning galore!
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Organic Wine Reception with from Gnarly Vines, Myrtle Avenue Wine Shop
Additional events: May include live acoustic jazz, face painting, FreeCycle treasures from trash & more…
Looking for a way to volunteer for Earth Day? Join Green Fort Greene and Clinton Hill this wknd and help hang "No Ad" signs to keep unsolicited paper advertisements off of stoops. (Someone needs to get these in the hands of the company who is constantly slipping plastic slipcover ads under my door.) On April 24, join our dozens of volunteers who will get 1,000 "No Ad" signs up throughout the neighborhood. 10 am - noon. You will be able to cover two blocks and together we will cover about 50 blocks. You will be greeted with gratitude. The signs prevent advertisers (like supermarkets and Kohls) from leaving unsolicited ads on our gates and doorsteps. They work. Take your sweetheart or the kids, spend a couple of hours, make people happy and make a big difference. Volunteer: contact brian.bohan@gmail.com
The NYC DOT will be on hand this weekend at the Grand Ave Block Party fitting and giving away free bike helmets for all attendees, 12-4pm. Kids under age 18 need a parent to sign a waiver for them and those 18 and over sign their own waiver. Come pick one up while supplies last - helmets aren't cheap! FDNY will also be on hand with free coloring books for kids and free smoke alarm batteries for adults.
Still Hip Grand Earth Day Block Party April 24, 11am-8pm Grand Avenue bet. Lafayette + Clifton Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is working with FAB, Myrtle Ave BK Partnership and PACC to bring new businesses to Fulton and Myrtle. They have asked that as many neighbors as possible take the following surveys to help better assess the needs and shopping habits of neighborhood residents. Here's a chance to weigh in on new local services- jump on it! Dear Friends,
BEDC (Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation) along with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, FAB (Fulton Area Business) Alliance, and PACC (Pratt Area Community Council) have partnered up to attract several new businesses to your area.
But we cannot do so alone - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
This week we have launched a survey of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill residents about their coffee drinking and clothes buying habits. We are committed to finding business that will complement the existing retail character and provide a much-needed amenity for the neighborhood.
It would be EXTREMELY helpful if you took 2 minutes to fill out the following surveys:
Coffee For Fulton:
www.surveymonkey.com/coffeeforfulton
Fashion for Myrtle:
The fun hat store on DeKalb closed recently, and a pet store will open in its place. The merchandise has been loaded in over the last week. No idea yet what it will be like, but this past weekend I could see a whole selection of cat trees / scratching posts in the window.
Will this be an outpost of the ABC Pet Supply on PPW in Windsor Terrace? (I've never been there - just did a quick Google search).
Negative points for the unimaginative name; positive points for the hearty supply of scratching posts. What do you think?
(Aside - I remember when there was at most one pet store nearby. I think perhaps we're reaching our saturation point of pet services.)
The neighborhood continues celebrating Earth Day, this weekend on Grand Ave. Here's the info from Still Hip Brooklyn: Saturday, April 24 | all day! 12:00pm Fati & Charles 1:00pm Graciela of Music Para Mi 2:00pm rolie polie guacamole 2:30pm Sean Kershaw 3:00pm Pistachio: A Brooklyn Girl Made of Trash 4:00pm Tres Leches 4:30pm Rene Collins 5:00pm Audra Rox! 6:00pm LIG funk band
PLUS: Private Picasso Art Crafts find out about Green Drinks + Vokashi composting Book Signing of Brooklyn Baby by Allison Lowenstein Baby Raising fair with info on Doula's + Montessori playgroups + classes + more!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BRING ALL YOUR CLOTHES TO DONATE TO WEARABLE COLLECTIONS AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR COMMUNITY ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL! We will have tons of bins set up for your used fabric goodies
Bravo to FAB and their partners MillionTrees NYC. Mr. Lesterhead and I arrived around 10 in the hopes of getting a cherry tree and there must have been 100 people in line already. Due to the fact that the cherry trees were way too big to fit in the car and we couldn't wait, I snapped some pics and we were on our way. It was great to finally meet FAB Director Philip Kellogg in person and say hi to neighbors waiting for their trees. Great location for it, too.
Here's hoping I can snag a tree next time.
Did you go? What kind of tree did you choose?
(Washington Ave)
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
