BARC Benefit in Fort Greene

Received this info from a reader: I wanted to write to you to let you know about an event I'm running in Fort Greene (in my backyard on Carlton Ave) next month. Its local, and its a charitable event, its competitive and its going to be incredibly silly, but fun. I thought it would be great to get some neighbors involved in the event, instead of just my regular crew.

Please take a look at the site. www.thegreathotdogcookoff.com And if you're a hot dog fan, you might it enjoy it yourself. The site has all the details about the event, how this started, and how people can sign up to attend or compete.

Proceeds benefit BARC shelter in Williamsburg.

CSA: Week Two

I forgot to post this last week, and I'll have another one tomorrow seeing as it's CSA pickup day! Last week, in addition to the usual lettuce and such, we also received white turnips and these weird curly garlic things!

The turnips made me feel like I was in Super Mario Bros. 2.

Italian on Myrtle: Confirmed!

A reader spoke to the workers in the mysterious space next to Joseph Tyler Salon on Myrtle last week, who confirmed it is indeed slated to become an Italian restaurant. I was able to peek in this afternoon and the space really looks gorgeous -- exposed brick, a really break wooden wine rack mounted on the wall, etc. I'm pretty psyched for this one!

Porn Store Update!

A brief note from BrooklynJay, who should be back to posting soon:

this is what was up where the porn emporium use to be. (next to white castle and mrytle car service)

the dude who owns it saw me taking pics and gave me his card - i'll forward you the info. maybe do a "pre-opening" interview?

anyway, i'm glad the porn place is gone and this could be cool. gonna depend on the food. (and how well they sanitized inside)

A Google search yields a few videos of the inside of the place, pre-reno. Additionally, they'll be sponsoring a summer Fort Greene film with Cafe Martino in August. This whole outdoor film thing looks pretty cool -- I will try to post more on it when I return. Schedule here.

Eastern CH Pet Services

There's a new yet-to-be-opened storefront on Grand, just north of Putnam, slated to become a pet grooming and supply store! They'll also offer day care and boarding.

Definitely needed for this corner, and I'm sure they'll provide some serious convenience.

Full phone number is 718-622-0060.

Empty Storefront on Lafayette

Remember when the former cleaners was slated to become a 7-11? Readers have been asking me what's up. As far as I can tell, there was a problem with flooding in the building (per signage in the window recently). On a recent stroll past, I asked a guy in the doorway what was going in there. His response? "We don't know yet."

Wonder why 7-11 pulled out?

What do you think should open here?

First Fridays at RePop: July 6

FIRST FRIDAY JULY 6: FIGURATIVE ABSTRACT by Fred J. Henzel

On July 6, you are cordially invited to celebrate the New York debut of the fine and absract artist, Fred J. Henzel

Henzel is an amazing up and coming talent who is a true master composing mixed media attractions in a fluently raw style. Credited for linking Frued to Kandinsky, his stunning figurative works juxtaposed with depictions of a bright yet crumbling society are both haunting and ethereal with an intention to evoke the senses.

Henzel lives and breathes his work, combining the city streets for discarded relics and reinstating their lost grandeur into "a hopeful apocalypse."

Artist Reception is from 7:30 - 11, so come on down to the Navy Yard, grab a glass of wine, mingle with the art and get your vintage groove on.

10% of all proceeds this First Friday will be donated to the Motor City Youth Theatre of Detroit, MI. MYCT is a non-profit community group who have initiated a higher cultural awareness among Midwestern youngsters and teens since 1980. For more information log on to: http://mcyt.org/

PEP Show: 7/6

Bidonville on Willoughby

The corner of Willoughby that was once a dead end for businesses (between Adelphi and Clermont) is thriving. Joining the welcome pet store Who's Your Doggy, a new cafe has moved in right next door.

Called Bidonville, the cafe features fresh baked goods from Choice, as well as tasty coffee (your reviews on the coffee are welcome, as I don't drink it regularly enough to give an intellectual review on it). Such a good spot for Choice muffins and such for people who live west of Choice and don't want to backtrack in the morning.

The inside space doesn't look quite finished yet, but I like the rustic look it's going for. The owner's friend was working the day I dropped in, and he was incredibly friendly.

July Events @ Tillie's

July Events at Tillie’s of Brooklyn Music

elastiCity 2007 ( www.myspace.com/elasticityfest)

Friday, July 20

8 PM ~from Boston!~ Know Trio www.knowtrio.com

Gary Fieldman, percussion; Ima Jonsdottir, violin; Dan Shaud, horn

Know Trio seeks a new music on the boundaries of chamber music, jazz, and free improvisation. Blending and overlapping genres, Know Trio has a penchant for absurdist humor, spoken word, and performance art. Their music explores the unexpected beauty in the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, and searches for meaningful expression in a contemporary idiom.

9:30 PM Rick Parker Collective www.rickparker.net

Rick Parker, trombone; Xavier Perez, saxes; Sam Barsh, piano; Dan Loomis, bass; Kyle Struve, drums

Dubbed "the best kept secret in New York right now," by AllAbout Jazz, the Rick Parker Collective's latest CD release, Finding Space, was named to the ezine's "Top Pick CDs for 2006" list.

Saturday, July 21st

8 p.m.

Indoda Entsha Percussion Ensemble

African-inspired drumming and high spirits from a local band that is a Tillie’s favorite. Always raises the roof – a must-see for all rhythm lovers.

Led by Preston Riddick

Donation: $6

elastiCity 2007 con’t.

Friday, July 27

8 PM Sarah Renfro www.sarahrenfro.com Sarah Renfro, voice/compositions; Bob Lanzetti, guitar; Ryan Kotler, bass; Fred Kennedy, drums

Sarah Renfro writes an eclectic mix of jazz, soul and folk rock. Her lyrics range from introspective prose to socio-political commentary. She is a composer with something to say and has the voice to get her message heard.

9:30 PM Monika Heidemann www.monikah.com

Monika Heidemann, voice/compositions; Erik Deutsch, keys; Jonathan Goldberger, guitar; Matt Clohesy, bass; Simon Lott, drums

"...MONIKA HEIDEMANN's self-released ‘Bright’ is the jazz-vocal debut of the year . . . make that the jazz debut of the year . . . make that the debut of the year." -Boston Phoenix, 9/28/06

elastiCity is an Addtract Initiative (www.rules-of-addtraction.org) All shows have a suggested donation of $5 per set.

About the series:

Tillie's, now in its tenth year of promoting talent in Brooklyn, is pleased to announce the elastiCity Music Festival on the last Friday of every month from February 2007 through September 2007. elastiCity is a new music series dedicated to showcasing local and regional composers with a common vision and a desire to stretch out to something new, whether it's art song, jazz improvisation, or a little bit of rock and roll.

Art

July 23rd – August 18th

Otherworldly Variations

Paintings and Wall Sculptures by Lawrence Heintjes

The Director of L & M Studio, a local design workshop, Larry Heintjes and his artist wife, Mary Rieser, produced the stained glass sign in Tillie’s window when the store first opened ten years ago. A skilled carpenter, master mold and cabinetmaker and art restorer/fabricator, Larry coordinates all aspects of design, construction and installation for museums, architects, contractors and galleries.

Whether he’s working in plastic, wood, oil paints, or gouache, Larry’s private artistic landscape accommodates eclectic nuances achieving fantastic metaphors and shades of meaning. Inspired by biomorphic forms in many manifestations, his work is a jumping-off point for a curious mind and a frequently surrealistic imagination. The pieces are rich in detail yet mysterious enough to confound and to instigate further inquiry.

Heintjes was educated at Pratt Institute and still lives in Fort Greene with his wife and two daughters. His art installation clients include the Holly Solomon Gallery, Chase Manhattan, and the Whitney Museum. He has exhibited widely in New York at galleries such as BACA Downtown in Brooklyn and the 80 Washington Square East Gallery in Greenwich Village.

He has also lectured on mold making for artists, paper casting, and related subjects at Pratt Institute, the Brooklyn Museum, and Connecticut College in New London. Check out their website at www.LMStudio265.com.

Reception: Thursday, July 26th

7 – 9 p.m.

Tillie's is located at the corner of Vanderbilt and DeKalb Avenues in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. For more information or directions to the store, see our website at www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com or call (718) 783-6140.

July on CHB

Happy Birthday, CHB! Exactly one year ago today, I started this site. I was worried I'd run out of things to write about. (Can't believe that now!) I'll be having a big Blog Birthday Bash in conjunction with RePop (also celebrating their one-year this month) sometime in August. Stay tuned for details.

Thanks to all readers and commentors for contributing to the site, and keeping it alive. I could never keep the site up without your tips, questions and feedback.

***

The party will be delayed due to the fact that I am going to be spending three weeks in Krakow, Poland for an intensive grad school semester (starting next week). I will have spotty internet access there, and have made provisions for some pre-drafted posts to go up daily while I am away. I have a large amount of historical stuff ready to go (postcards and photos) and hopefully hey mama will jump in with any breaking news. Continue sending tips to our gmail address.

I hope to post a few "Brooklyn vs Krakow" pieces while I'm away.

See you in August! (I'm working on bringing in some Kelso kegs for the bash, so we can all support our local brewery!)

Fresh Flowers Coming to Greene and Grand!

Last week, Brownstoner reported that the folks behind Choice have leased the laundromat on Greene near Grand. In addition to cheeses and fresh produce, they're also slated to offer FRESH FLOWERS. I'm most excited about the flowers, to be honest. If they're as pretty as the dessert display at Choice, I'll be mighty satisfied. I wonder how pricing will be in the new shop. I think Choice's pricing is pretty reasonable, given the quality of the food and the portions. Let's hope the inside setup is more efficient.

Per a neighbor's tip, the new establishment will also have a charcuterie. Yeah, I had to Google it, too. From Wikipedia:

Charcuterie (from either the French chair cuite, cooked meat, or the French cuiseur de chair, cooker of meat) is the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products such as sausage and confit primarily from pork. The practice goes back to ancient times and can involve the chemical preservation of meats; it is also a means of using up various meat scraps. Hams, whether smoked, air-cured, salted, or treated by chemical means, are examples of charcuterie.

The French word for a person who prepares charcuterie is charcutier, and that is generally translated into English as "pork butcher." This has led to the mistaken belief that charcuterie can only involve pork. The Food Lover's Companion, however, says that "it refers to the products, particularly (but not limited to) pork specialties such as pâtés, rillettes, galantines, crépinettes, etc., which are made and sold in a delicatessen-style shop, also called a charcuterie." And the 1961 edition of Larousse Gastronomique defines it as: "The art of preparing various meats, in particular pork, in order to present them in the most diverse ways."

The word can also refer to a delicatessen, a meat shop that specializes in primarily pork products, or that part of a supermarket that specializes in meat products such as hams and sausages.

Friday Photo

(Washington between Myrtle and Park. Has anyone called this number?  Who's behind this?  Apparently the signs are posted in several neighborhoods.)

Java Dave's

Java Dave's on Lafayette in Fort Greene never gets much buzz, and I'm curious as to why. Their signage isn't great (is it a franchise?), but every time I've been in the staff has been superfriendly. They also have GREAT loose tea. I highly recommend the cherry-vanilla.

Eating and Learning at iCi

(Damn, this looks fabulous. Too bad I will be in Poland when it happens. Please go and report back!) iCi joins forces with Green Gourmet to celebrate

“The Art of Taste”

On Thursday July 12th iCi partners with Green Gourmet to present The Art of Taste: a new dining experience where guests dine and discover in one bite!

The evening begins with an interactive class led by food educators Elizabeth J.E. Johnson & Ludie R Minaya from Green Gourmet. Through tasting and journaling guests explore the five flavors and realize the connection between taste and health. Diners learn that balancing the five flavors is the secret to creating delicious meals and to maintaining health and vitality.

Following the class guests enjoy a dinner prepared by Chef Laurent Saillard of iCi Restaurant. The meal incorporates examples of the five flavors while featuring the freshest summer foods grown in and around New York City.

Class & Dinner $70

To make a reservation or to get more information contact: Marion Emmanuelle at ICI - 718 789 2778.

MENU

Added Value Arugula Salad

Parmesan Cheese, Pickled Fennel, Red Onions

~

Handmade Spaetzle

Fresh Corn, Tarragon, Lime

~

Wilted Dandelion Salad

Poached Egg, Bacon, Anchovy Cream

~

Dine’s Farm Roasted Chicken Breast

Quinoa, Kale, Roasted Onions

or

Zucchini Green Curry

Basil, Coconut Milk

~

Sea Salt Chocolate Tart

Tonight at Le Grand Dakar

They're fond of sending me stuff last minute, but this sounded like a nice thing to enjoy on a summer Wednesday: Wednesday, June 27, 2007 7:00 PM - 10 PM - two or three sets

Le Grand DAKAR presents:

Ahnfinod: flexible balance structure chaos nature create patterns movement navigate breathe life

Improvised melodies, textures, rhythms, and sounds beautiful & dissonant, up and quiet

Julianne Carney - Violin James Ilgenfritz - Double Bass Duane Pitre - Guitar - Effects - Ukelin

Le Grand Dakar Restaurant 285 Grand Avenue @ Clifton Place (near Lafayette) Take G train to Classon Avenue Or, C to Clinton/Washington, head north on Washington, turn right on Lafayette, right again on Grand.

Haunted Church Update

Brownstoner spied a dumpster in front of everyone's favorite Haunted Church, 447 Clinton Ave, recently. A few days ago, I spotted this sign on the plywood that now surrounds the house:

Looks like the work's being done for now on the carriage house in the back. This is cool, I suppose, but I'm annoyed since I dreamed of buying it someday and doing a cool green reno. Bah.

At least this means (hopefully) that the property will be cleaned up! I'm tired of looking at all the weird, soggy trash outside this place.

Hallelujah

The boarded-up Cathedral of Deliverance near the worst post office ever is going condo!

The building will be called Fulton on Clinton, which I think it a bit deceiving. Makes it sound like it's on the corner of Clinton and Fulton, when it just refers to the building being IN Clinton Hill.

The exterior rendering looks really nice, and prices don't seem too outrageous. Though the listing does say Fort Greene. I'd think by this point, listing "Clinton Hill" would be a selling point.

Inside? These computer-based images are hard to really judge, but it looks like something I would live in. Though I'd pick a different paint color for the kitchen, and it doesn't look like it has much counter space. But it does have a washer-dryer (swoon).

Two units go on the market Sunday. Just a warning- if you buy here, you have to pick up packages at Adelphi Station! What do you think should move into the retail space? Hopefully this storefront will help fill in the gaps on Fulton and further tie it together as a decent destination (Olivino, Kush, Outpost and Brown Betty are all favorites of mine on/near Fulton). Brownstoner coverage here.

Snow in Wallabout?!

Walking up Hall last week, I came across what appeared to be a pile of dirty snow. WTF?

organic fake-out on lexington

in the comments section for the post on the upcoming restaurant on greene + waverly, a reader asked: Have you checked out the new ‘organic market’ that just started to get all dolled up on Lexington btwn Grand and Classon? Crazy conversion… but needed.

and i was all ready to head down there this morning and check it out....until i went on the local parents' listserve. there was a discussion of the market going on there, and the truth came out: it isn't an organic market at all, but a set for a steve martin movie that's being filmed here.

bummer! on the plus side, if you like steve martin, they should be doing more filming this week....