ClintonHillBlog

Recently In Clinton Hill

02.08.10

Lunchtime With Tillie: Bubby’s

Hey everyone out there, it’s the whole family once again (me, Tillie and Tillie’s mom) with tales of our latest dining adventure. And since it was the whole family, we decided to go to the family-friendliest restaurant of them all, Bubby’s in DUMBO.

None of us had ever been before, but we heard the legends of how this place is supposedly a Mecca for the with-kids set, and I have to say after going, it pretty much was. But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself: Let me add our tale to the story of Bubby’s.

We went on a Sunday, when we had all intentions of getting out of the house and doing something fun for the day, especially as how Tillie started feeling better after suffering from an ear infection for about a week and a half. Tillie’s mom was suffering from a cold over that time, too, but was coming around the bend on her illness as well. So after I added up all the factors – healthier baby and mom, nice but cold day, starving dad who needed to write an LWT for this week on a place he’d never been before – the choice was made to go to Bubby’s.

We decided to take a car service down to the restaurant and bring the stroller along instead of trying to march all the way to DUMBO through the blistering wind. The trip was pretty smooth and we entered the sprawling place ready for a fun time. I looked over to my side while we were at the hostess stand and saw a couple of strollers parked, and thought, “Wow, that’s really cool. You don’t have to bring your stroller over to your table and worry about folding it up.” Then I thought, “Wait, where’s our stroller?” I blurted out “Stroller!” then ran outside because I realized we had left ours in the trunk! I ran to the edge of the block, but the car was nowhere in sight. I called the car service and the driver made a return trip, I got the stroller and headed back in.

by Van 2
Tags: dining, kids, outside the hill

02.05.10

CHB Interviews: Karla Schickele, The Willie May Rock Camp for Girls

Recently, a friend of mine told me about a fundraiser she was working on to benefit the Willie May Rock Camp for Girls, a non-profit music program based in Fort Greene. “Rock Camp? In Fort Greene?” I thought. I chatted with Executive Director Karla Schickele about what they offer and about the upcoming benefit.

1. What exactly is the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls?
Officially, it’s a non-profit music and mentoring program that empowers girls and women through music education and activities that foster self-respect, leadership skills, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Unofficially, it’s the funnest summer day camp in New York City… and a brand-new arts education center in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill.

2. Who is the camp open to? What age groups?
The camp is open to girls age 8 to 18. No musical experience necessary, and tuition is sliding scale.

3. How did the camp end up in Fort Greene?
We were looking for a year-round home where we could have our office, store our music gear, and most importantly, have a practice space so we could make music during the year. Two of us on staff have toddlers who go to The Coop School, so we heard the school was looking for tenants in their new building on Irving Place, and the space turned out to be perfect.

4. How many programs are offered?
In addition to the summer camp, we do Music Club, which is a weekly after school program for girls here in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, a D.J. program at the Urban Assembly School of Music and Art, plus we offer lessons and practice space for youth bands.

5. What about grown-ups? Anything for grown up girls?
Glad you asked! We do Ladies Rock Camp for adult women every summer, which is a long-weekend version of the summer camp — instrument classes, band practice, and a big concert at the end. Wicked fun. And all the money goes to the scholarship fund of the summer camp, so it’s a feel-good experience all around. We also do a weekly Ladies Jam drop-in session at our space that’s open to all women!

6. Tell us about your upcoming fundraiser.
Our annual ROCK N’ ROLL AUCTION is next Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at The Knitting Factory. The hilarious Murray Hill will emcee and serve as auctioneer, Kaki King will perform, Erin McKeown will write a love song on the spot for the highest bidder, and camper bands Saffire and The Awkward Turtles will play. We have amazing items to auction off, including local stuff like party space at Still Hip, kid stuff like Big Apple Circus tickets, and grown-up stuff like a beer party for 40 at the Brooklyn Brewery. We’re also doing an ebay auction of hot items like a mic signed by Tori Amos and a guitar signed by Sheryl Crow. For more information, http://williemaerockcamp.org/auction.html

7. How long have you lived in the neighborhood? What brought you here?
I’ve lived in Brooklyn since I was 3, but I moved to Fort Greene in 2005, five minutes after I met my partner Kate. Now we have two kids and we’re still in the same one-bedroom. The neighborhood is powerful like that!

8. If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be and why?
Now that we have a bookstore? Hmmm….a Westbeth-style living place for artists and (ahem) non-profit leaders, to make it possible for us to remain in the community.

9. What’s your favorite local hangout?
Bittersweet! and Outpost!

10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
Well, I don’t know, but my son Emmet and I were playing ice cream stand at playgroup at the Lafayette Church yesterday, and he offered me an imaginary cone with what really sounded like “Sticker Shock Chocolate.” So that’s my new favorite flavor.

***

Who wants to do grown up Rock Camp with me?!

Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls
87 Irving Place
Brooklyn NY 11238
(347) 599-0716
www.williemaerockcamp.org

ROCK N’ ROLL AUCTION
Tuesday, Feb. 9
The Knitting Factory
with Murray Hill and Kaki King
361 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211

by lesterhead 2
Tags: arts, fort greene, kids

Friday Photo

(Lafayette Ave, Fort Greene)

by lesterhead 0
Tags: friday photo

02.04.10

FAB Fridays on Fulton!

The new Fulton BID is starting a new local business promotional program, offering special discounts at select retailers on Fridays. Tomorrow will be the first “FAB Friday.” Eight retailers on two blocks of Fulton are offering specials (and since these two blocks are near me, it’s a good excuse to check it out).

Chance 11
Restaurant/Lounge
895 Fulton Street
“Happy Hour” with 20¢ buffalo wings, from 4:30-8pm
Bar Olivino
Wine Bar
899 Fulton Street
Free bar snacks from 6-8pm, and wine specials by the glass
Just Taste It
901 Fulton Street
Take-out Lunch specials ($6 or less ) extended to 7pm
You-Niques Salon
903 Fulton Street
Special prices from 5-8pm (first-time customers only)
Olivino Wines
905 Fulton Street
Free in-store wine tasting from 6:30-8pm
Autour du Monde
Restaurant & Bar
860 Fulton Street
Selected dessert on the house with dinner
Dajeh Restaurant
919 Fulton Street
Menu of small plates for $6-10 each, as well as $3 beers and $5 wine specials

Cure Beauty Bar
921 Fulton Street
10% all services all day

FAB Alliance / Fulton Street in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill /Tel: 718-928-3322 / e-mail:contactus@faballiance.org
COMING SOON:
More FAB FRIDAYS along other parts of Fulton Street
www.faballiance.org

by lesterhead 1
Tags: deals, fulton

Event

Designing the Myrtle Ave Pedestrian Plaza Gallery

As we’ve reported before, the service road on Hall Street near Bergen Bagel has been selected by the NYC Department of Transportation as a public plaza site. While the city gears up to build out a permanent plaza, Myrtle Ave Brooklyn Partnership will host a pop-up workshop displaying the ideas submitted for the project so far. There will be an opening reception on Friday night from 5-8, and gallery hours this weekend.

It’s a really cool way to get involved in an urban planning project that will actually come to life right here in our neighborhood.

Here’s more info:

You are invited to view and comment on submissions received through our open call for ideas, along with best practices collected by our staff, at the upcoming “Designing the Myrtle Pedestrian Plaza – Pop Up Exhibition and Workshop” from February 5^th – 13th. Please come by to view and comment on the submissions, and contribute your own ideas on sustainable design elements, amenities (seating, public art, etc.), and programming for the Pedestrian Plaza that will be built on the Myrtle Avenue service road between Emerson and Grand. Feel free to forward our invite (below) to your own email lists, friends, neighbors, etc.

by lesterhead 0
Tags: MARP, events, myrtle

02.03.10

Washington Avenue House

I just love this house on Washington Avenue between Myrtle and Park – the weathered wood siding and the peeling teal paint on the garden level. It’s unexpected architectural surprises like these that make the neighborhood so cool.

Anyone ever been inside? A bit of research tells me the house has been in the same family for awhile.

by lesterhead 2
Tags: observations

Event

02.02.10

Haiti Support Fundraiser at Kush- TOMORROW

Kush Cafe is holding a fundraiser for one of their servers, who lost several loved ones in the Haiti quake. The price is good, and attendees will enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet. Kush’s food is excellent – check it out.

Please join Kush Café for an evening of remembrance and hope as we honor the family of our very own server Darnelle Dasne, who lost several loved ones when her childhood home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was destroyed by the earthquake.

Dasne Family Fundraiser
Wednesday, February 3rd  5pm-11pm
$20 Per Person
All-You-Can-Eat Buffet
Salade de Saint Marc Mixed greens, tomato, onions, egg, lemon dressing
Main Courses
Beef Tassot au Riz Djon-Djon Crisp beef bites with black rice & banana pesée
Lambi Fricassee of conch, mirepoix vegetables, red kidney beans, rice & banana pesée
All profits will be donated to the Dasnes.
RSVP: kush@kushcafe.com or (718) 230-3471
Kush Café 17 Putnam Ave (@ Fulton btwn Cambridge & Grand) Brooklyn, NY 11238  www.kushcafe.com

by lesterhead 0
Tags: dining, events, fulton

02.01.10

A New Cafe for Classon: NeroDero

Brownstoner alerted us to a brand new cafe at 395 Classon, that seems to occasionally be hiding behind papered windows.

One of my favorite photobloggers, Brandon King, has been inside and took some awesome shots:

See them all on his blog, word BK.

by lesterhead 4
Tags: Other Local Blogs, new

Event

01.29.10

Knit+Wine First Birthday

Local knitting group knit+wine celebrates its first anniversary on Sunday! Here’s some info bout the group and this Sunday’s event:

Knit+Wine is a monthly casual gathering of knitters and wine-drinkers at Bar Olivino, a lovely wine bar in Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. We meet on the last Sunday of every month, from 5-7:00 p.m.

All levels of knitters & crocheters welcome — this is not a class but an informal gathering to knit, share projects, tips, and drink wine all at the same time!

Knit+Wine Night (1 year birthday party)
at Bar Olivino
in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn

Sunday, January 31st
5:00 – 7:00 pm

RSVP: knitandwine@gmail.com
or Facebook

899 Fulton Street (Clinton-Vanderbilt)

by lesterhead 0
Tags: arts, events