I only just recently learned that the Fort Greene Park Conservancy offered memberships, and members now receive discounts at several stores throughout Fort Greene and Clinton Hill through its new Merchant Loyalty Program. If you happen to frequent any of these places, it might be a money-saver to get the membership (levels range from $20-$250).
Le Grand Dakar chef Pierre Thiam is getting all sorts of acclaim these days - in addition his cookbook, he's making an appearance on Iron Chef America opposite Bobby Flay! In celebration, Le Grand Dakar is throwing a celebration on Thursday, June 24. Attendees will enjoy unlimited food/sangria and live Afrobeat music, including Jojo Kuo's band (he's a Cameroonian drummer who recorded with Fela back in the day). Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Sounds like a good way to spend a summer evening, and support a local business on Grand Avenue.
Clinton Hill Blog is giving away a free ticket to the event! Want to enter? Email us and tell us why you want to attend. The best entry will be posted on CHB and the winner will enjoy a free evening of food and drinks. (email your entry to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com).
Myrtle Avenue's Move With Grace will be featured on Groupon today. It will be their final offer of 3o days of yoga for $30.
Last year, yogi Lindsay Sage offered free yoga in FG Park. I went a few times and it was amazing - there is nothing like spiritual exercise outside. Thankfully, she's back starting tomorrow. See you there!
Hari Om Brooklyn Yogis!
Yoga in Fort Greene Park is eager to start its second season! I hope you are as excited as I am to soak up the warmth of an outdoor practice.
Begins this Tuesday -- May 4 (until mid-July) Weather permitting 7-8PM Fort Greene Park -- near the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument Bring mat (or use the grass) There is no charge but this year I will be accepting donations
Please feel free to pass this along to your friends that live or work in Brooklyn. Also -- FYI -- I teach Yoga in Riverside Park (my other home -- at 115th Street) on Wednesday evenings (6-7) and 6:15PM every other Sunday at my studio (http://www.iyiny.org/, though that's indoors and not nearly as fun).
Looking forward to seeing you!
xLindsay
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 MillionTreesNYC Initiative is awesome! This Saturday, pick up a free tree to plant on your private property as part of the plan to plant one million new trees in NYC at the "Putnam Triangle." Love that they are making use of an interesting place that could function better as a community space. Sponsored also by the FAB Alliance and Greene Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, and the NY Restoration Project. Here are the details:
Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill and the FAB Alliance, in partnership with MillionTreesNYC and the New York Restoration Project, are giving away 200 FREE TREES on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18th from 10am-3pm. Bring your friends and family to the "Putnam Triangle" in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (Fulton St and Grand Ave) and leave with a tree to plant at home, at your business, at church, at school (as long as it's private property).
Are you planning your spring garden? Do you have an open spot for a tree? Plant a tree that will grow as your kid grows. Commemorate a loved one. Come to the Tree Giveaway and walk away with a FREE TREE!
All trees will be first-come, first-served. All you need is a place to plant and access to water. Free trees will be available to individuals, families and community groups for planting on private property only, and not in containers or on rooftops. Trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis until supplies run out. Limited quantities of the following species of trees are expected to be: Eastern Redbud, Dogwood, Cherry, Oak and Sweet Gum.
Need a hand or a shovel? We will have tools for you borrow. We will have help for those who need it to get a tree home and have people to lend a hand with planting if you (or the senior next door) need it.
Trees are renewable resources that benefit the entire community. They reduce air pollution, beautify the neighborhood, slow traffic and teach important environmental values.
Not sure what type of tree you want? Horticulture specialists will be on hand to answer questions and provide species selection recommendations. Simple tree planting and care instructions come with your tree.
Do you want to help out? Volunteers are needed to give out trees, transport trees, help neighbors plant their free trees, publicize the event in surrounding neighborhoods and answer questions about tree planting. To volunteer, contact Marilyn Shaw at volunteer@greenfgch.org
Presented by Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill and the FAB Alliance in partnership with New York Restoration Project and MillionTreesNYC and through the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies and David Rockefeller
About MillionTreesNYC: Led by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and New York Restoration Project (NYRP), MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative that recognizes the benefits trees provide New York City’s residents, neighborhoods and environment, through an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City’s five boroughs by 2017.
About Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill: Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill is a volunteer project of the Fort Greene Association. It is reducing the neighborhood's contribution to global warming and lessening its use of non-renewable resources through projects created and staffed by neighborhood residents and others called to our cause.
About the FAB Alliance: The Fulton Area Business (FAB) Alliance is a newly formed Business Improvement District working on behalf of property owners, merchants, residents and stakeholders along Fulton Street in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill - from Rockwell Place to Classon Avenue (plus adjacent blocks of Lafayette, Greene and Putnam Avenues). Goals are to retain current businesses and improve the atmosphere to make this area of Fulton Street a clean, safe and retail diverse environment that is a destination for people work, shop, dine and play. www.faballiance.org
Recently received this April promotion for $10 classes at Lucky Lotus Yoga on DeKalb. I've actually caught a few classes here recently and liked it a lot. And check out a post on Lucky Lotus from the Local here. (No, I have not done "death yoga." Not my bag. But the non-death yoga classes have all been enjoyable!) WHAT: $10 Yoga Classes at Lucky Lotus Yoga
FOUR WAYS to GET LUCKY – The Lucky Lotus 4 Leaf Clover: · Every Day one $10 Class is Offered on the Schedule · APRIL: Stop in to LuluLemon Brooklyn and pick up a $10 Lucky Lotus Card for ANY Class · APRIL: Bring in your April receipt from LuluLemon to Lucky Lotus and attend ANY class for $10 · APRIL: Attend a FREE CLASSES at LuluLemon Brooklyn, taught by a Lucky Lotus teacher, and you next class with that teacher is $10.
WHEN: The Month of APRIL
WHERE: Lucky Lotus Yoga in Ft. Greene 203 Dekalb Avenue (btwn Carlton & Adelphi) Brooklyn, NY 11205
Subway: C to Lafayette Avenue G to Clinton/Washington N/R, B, Q to Dekalb Avenue
Every year Pratt Institute holds its annual Green Week celebration, promoting green design, sustainable living, and environmentally conscious community. As part of Green Week and for the last three years in a row, student group Envirolution has invited the Department of Transportation to give away FREE bicycle helmets. This event is free and open to the public, as with all of this year's Green Week events. The details:
DOT Free Helmet Giveaway Next Tuesday March 30th 11am - 3pm Center of Pratt Campus ** In the Student Union in case of rain A parent or legal guardians must come with children under 18 to receive a free helmet
For more information about Green Week and the DOT Free Helmet giveaway - please take a look at www.sustainablepratt.org/greenweek/
Helmets can be expensive, and this event is a great all-ages stop for a free helmet and some cycling safety tips.
I've heard varying opinions on the Dine in Brooklyn promotion, mainly that the portions are small and you don't get to try the best stuff from the regular menu. Whether you're a fan or not, it's a good reminder of what's available right down the street. (Or hey, be adventurous and try a different neighborhood!) Here are the participating restaurants in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene (I have bolded my personal favs):
B = breakfast
L = lunch
D = dinner
CLINTON HILL*
Amina Italian Bistro BD Italian 458 Myrtle Avenue 718-422-1122 www.animabistro.com
Autour du Monde D French 860 Fulton Street 718-398-3500 www.restaurantautourdumonde.com
Five Spot Soul Food Restaurant D Soulfood 459 Myrtle Avenue 718-852-0202 www.fivespotsoulfood.com
Il Porto Ristorante & Brick Oven Pizza D Italian 37 Washington Avenue 718-624-0954 www.ilportobrooklyn.com
Kush Café D French/Pan-African 17 Putnam Avenue 718-230-3471 www.kushcafe.com
FORT GREENE Aqualis Grill D Mediterranean 773 Fulton Street 718-797-3494 www.anellabrooklyn.com
Caffe e Vino BLD Italian 112 Dekalb Avenue 718-855-6222 www.caffeevino.com 718-384-6777
Chez Lola D French 387 Myrtle Avenue 718-858-1484 www.bistrolola.com American
Chez Oskar D French 211 DeKalb Avenue 718-852-6250 www.chezoskar.com
Dajeh Restaurant LD Caribbean 919 Fulton Street 718-857-1616 www.dajeh.com
Graziella’s Italian Restaurant LD Italian 232 Vanderbilt Avenue 718-789-5663 www.graziellasmenu.com
iCi D French/American 246 Dekalb Avenue 718-789-2778 www.icirestaurant.com
Luz Restaurant BLD Latin American 177 Vanderbilt Avenue 718-246-4000 www.luzrestaurant.com
Madiba Restaurant BLD South African 195 Dekalb Avenue 718-855-9190 www.madibarestaurant.com
Mullanes Bar & Grill BLD Irish/American 71 Lafayette Avenue 718-797-7606 www.mullanesbrooklyn.com
Olea Restaurant D Mediterranean 171 Lafayette Avenue 718-643-7003 www.oleabrooklyn.com
Scopello Ristorante Bar BD Italian 63 Lafayette Avenue 718-852-1100 www.scopello.net
Thomas Beisl D Austrian/Viennese 25 Lafayette Avenue 718-222-5800
*As always, disappointed that Locanda Vini e Olii is not participating (again)
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
And yet another reason to shop locally! The new Fulton BID (known as the FAB Alliance) just sent me some very convincing reasons to shop on Fulton this month. The new FAB Alliance is giving away 4 FREE TICKETS to a performance of the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall - featuring the Rockettes! All people have to do is to go into a participating SHOP BROOKLYN businesses along Fulton Street (and parts of Lafayette, Greene and Putnam Avenues) in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, fill out an entry form and drop it in the box. You can enter to win at as many businesses that have the raffle box as you want (but you can only complete one entry per person at each business). No purchase necessary and all that stuff. Complete rules are on the entry forms. Tickets donated by the local branch of Capital One Bank, 858 Fulton Street (@ Clinton Avenue). The drawing will be December 17, 2009, and the tickets are for the 8:00pm performance on December 23, 2009. You can enter to win at the local Capital One branch and at any of the participating Fulton Street SHOP BROOKLYN businesses (see flyer attached) - there are nearly 50! Shop Brooklyn is a program of Borough President Marty Markowitz designed to encourage people to shop locally during the holiday season (and all year long!). Each of the businesses is offering a special "Brooklyn Bonus" through Christmas… Free desserts with dinner... drink deals.... discounts on clothing... gift cards... drawings for free books... spa upgrades... eye exams... and even discounted therapy sessions. The variety of businesses on Fulton Street is amazing, and if you haven't explored the entire strip in a while, you have a lot to discover. Check out the list of businesses attached and what they are offering... and enter to win those free tickets to Radio City.
Tomorrow, there's lots going on down on Fulton, thanks to Lashunda Davis (owner of both 'Cure and Grady's). Head down to donate some holiday cheer to a needy child, get a well-deserved holiday mani, and celebrate the opening of a hip new boutique!
Move With Grace on Myrtle is now offering pilates! First class is FREE (through November).
Move With Grace's 30 days of yoga for $30 deal expired Wednesday... but she's willing to extend it ONE DAY ONLY FOR CHB READERS! Readers must purchase the special online by 7pm, Thursday, October 1.
Today is the final day to sign up for the $30 for 30 days of Yoga!
After today new students can still try us out for for one month...now including ALL classes on the schedule for $49 for 30days.
The Fall special for membership at the studio is $79/month for your first 3 months and then $89 for the remaining months. One may cancel after 6 months.
Click HERE for the yoga special!
Move With Grace 469 Myrtle Ave
In more local art news... At 583 Myrtle Avenue (near Classon Avenue), Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery, est. 1991, has devoted a display window exhibiting Michael Jackson headlines and collectibles. The window exhibit began Saturday to accompany the announcement of the framing gallery's new blog (http://clintonhillframe.blogspot.com/) and to encourage her Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Bedford-Stuyesant neighbors to discover Myrtle Avenue south.
Gallery owner L.B. Brown has posted an encounter she had with Michael Jackson on the new blog, which also gives details of a limited-time framing service discount offered to Michael Jackson fans.
The window exhibit can be viewed now through Sept. 9, 2009, 24 hours a day.
*Leave a comment on their blog, print it out and bring it in for a $10 discount (through October 31, 2009).
On Tuesday night, I was finally able to check out the free yoga in Fort Greene Park. Held at the top of the hill near the monument every Tuesday from 7-8 pm, almost 30 students (a handful of whom had never done yoga before) gathered to sweat it out in 90 degree heat.
Teacher Lindsay Sage started out with the very basic moves, and eventually moved to more advanced poses (half moon, anyone?). Students at all levels definitely got something out of the session (though I'd suggest beginners take a few very basic classes on their own to learn the breathing techniques and body positioning). The pacing and the poses were perfect for me (a few years ago, I did yoga regularly but haven't been practicing as of late).
Technique aside, it was an amazing experience. It was hot as a sauna, but we were surrounded by nature sounds (cicadas buzzing, birds singing), and were treated to the occasional breeze. Children played nearby, and a few people practiced juggling. A young couple sat and watched our class, nuring their baby. Lying on our backs and looking up at the clouds -- as well as the illumintaed monument once the sun set -- was very meditative.
Sage hopes to continue her free Tuesday classes into October. Bring your mat and check it out!
(We were briefly interrupted by a fully naked man lying on the grass shouting obscenities, until 5 cop cars drove up onto the grass and took him away. Ahh, Brooklyn.)
CH resident and holistic health counselor Elizabeth Lamb recently emailed me to extend a 20% discount on her services to CHB readers: I am a dedicated reader of the Clinton Hill blog and would like to offer a 20% discount to fellow readers/residents of the neighborhood. I moved to Fort Greene two years ago from the Financial District and I’ve been overwhelmed by the friendliness of my neighbors and the sense of community here. I’m a holistic health counselor and focus on simple, practical and inexpensive ways to get and stay healthy. I help people to lose weight, manage stress and improve their overall health and wellbeing. You can read more about me on my website: www.dandelionhealth.com
As the owner of a small dog, I am a sucker for all things pet-related (and have not hidden this from our readers). So of course, when local pet photographer Scott Gordon emailed me about his very reasonably-priced pet portrait services, I jumped at the chance to take Marshmallow in for a session.
A chatty, amicable guy, Scott was exceedingly patient with Mallow, who refused to sit still for most of the time. (She's deaf, which makes it difficult to tell her to "stay.") When he saw that she needed a break, he took us on short strolls through his apartment and introduced us to his own dog, Tibet -- a large, friendly mutt who loves to play.
Scott, a native New Yorker, has lived in Clinton Hill for 15 years. Originally lured to the area via a family connection, Scott is a dedicated resident who says he wouldn't want to live anywhere else. "This is a beautiful neighborhood," he explained. "Everyone says that when they come to visit. And it's true! You just don't say that about Williamsburg."
Since he's lived in the neighborhood for so long, I ask him about the changes he's seen. "It's changed slowly," he says, "and not too much. You wouldn't get out of the car 15 years later and say, 'This is a completely different neighborhood!'"
Scott does pet portraits out of his home, or will travel to your abode for a special session. As a discount for his neighbors, he is offering a 20% discount for CH residents on portraits done in his home studio!
If you have some done, let us know and we can feature them on the blog. Here are some of Mallow's shots:
Scott Gordon Photography www.sgordonphoto.com
This weekend, RePop is offering 25% off of all merchandise to celebrate their 3rd anniversary!
Aside from being one of my favorite shops in the neighborhood (and the owners some of my favorite people), I have always had a special affinity for RePop. They opened up right around the time that I officially started CHB, and we've worked together on many things along the way.
If you haven't been (or of you haven't been in awhile), it's time to go! The store is lovingly curated with vintage art, furniture and knick-knacks. Plus, it's locally owned (and great for gift shopping).
Here is the sale info they provided:
It seems like only yesterday a little empty storefront in the middle of the Brooklyn Navy Yard opened it's doors to reveal a green treasure trove for scavengers of the interestingly beautiful. Having appeared everywhere from NY Magazine, 30 Rock, Toni On! NY and most importantly: the homes of her patrons, RePOP 95% Recycled is proud to be celebrating three years of business in the incomparable Fort Greene / Clinton Hill neighborhood.
In honor of her birthday, RePOP is offering a store wide sale this weekend to all of the loyal fans who helped her keep the dream of offering affordable, gorgeous designer artifacts alive.
This weekend recipients of this notice please enjoy a 25% discount storewide. It is our pleasure to continue offering you the finest that history has to offer.
RePop 68 Washington Ave (bt Park and Flushing) www.repopny.com
Happy Birthday, from CHB!
CHB reader Lindsay Sage emailed to tell me she is offering FREE yoga classes in Fort Greene Park, every Tuesday this summer from 7-8pm! I'm a big fan of yoga, and I'm excited for the opportunity to practice outdoors (for free!). Here are the details:
Free Outdoor Yoga in Fort Greene Park (outside near the Prison Ship Martyr’s Monument), Weather Permitting
Tuesdays this summer, 7-8PM
Bring Mat, Beginners Welcome
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
