Smoke Joint: Not Quite an Expansion

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dscf1475.jpg Forgive me if this is old news, as I really didn't have time to read three weeks' worth of blogs while I was away. Looks like while the owners of Smoke Joint have indeed taken over the former Blimpie/Pan-m y Mas space, it won't be an expansion of the restaurant. Instead, it will be a separate market, called Little Piggy (Market). Per TimeOut:

Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman of Brooklyn’s Smoke Joint are back with this Southern country market and café next door to their Fort Greene ’cue house. Pop in for artisanal hams, Anson Mill grits and Greenmarket produce.

A Google search shows some coverage by the Brooklyn Paper as well. The new market will offer both desserts and air conditioning, both lacking at SJ.

Overall, I'm pleased with this. Smoke Joint offers really friendly service and mucho tasty food. Though the SJ is pretty cramped, and it might have been nice to offer more seating.

I peeked inside this morning, and it doesn't seem to be open yet. Also, no sign.

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Sweeping Changes North of FG Park

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On the rare occasion I take a cab home from the city, I usually guide the driver to make a left on Myrtle.  Those first few blocks of the former Murder Avenue look to be just that -- crumbling buildings, boarded up storefronts, garbage.  It's an even stranger corner, given the luxury condo buildings nearby. Perhaps the property owners there heard the gossip that Brownstoner broke today in advance, and have been neglecting their buildings until the area changed a little.

More than a little.  It seems the infamous Ingersoll and Whitman projects may eventually become middle income housing and/or co-ops! Holy crap.

Several months back, there was talk of razing Admiral's Row to make room for an enormous supermarket.  Perhaps this was planned in advance for the new tenants?   Where will the current residents go?  Will it result in a more unified Fort Greene Park scene?

Dog Wash

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FYI, the Laundra-Mutt idea came from Fort Greene PUPS founder Kath Hansen. So witty, that Kath! dscf1258.jpg Anyway, here's the new sign for Who's Your Doggy's grooming They'll also be offering a do-it-yourself dog wash, which will be a great thing. I've seen countless large dogs rolling in the mud at Ft. Greene Park by that old plugged fountain. Now owners can stop in for a wash on the way home.

August Events @ Tillie's

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August EventsTillie’s of Brooklyn

248 DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene

(718) 783-6140

www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com Music

Friday, August 3rd

8 p.m.

Mike Beck and friends

Leader of the popular rock band Odd Czar, Clinton Hill-based Beck will play old and new favorites that rock hard. For more information, see www.myspace.com/oddczarwillrockyou.

Cover: $5, $3 with student ID

elastiCity 2007 ( www.myspace.com/elasticityfest)

Friday, August 24th

8 PM Zach Brock www.zachbrock.com

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

"...not just a violinist who plays jazz, but a jazz musician who plays the violin."

-Orbert Davis

9:30 PM Ziv Ravitz www.zivravitz.com

Friday, August 31

8 PM Cold Reading Trio www.christianpinckock.net

Christian Pincock, laptop; Evan Mazunik, accordion; John O'Brien, percussion

9:30 PM Jody Redhage www.jodyredhage.com

Alan Ferber, trombones; Ken Thompson, clarinets; Jody Redhage, voice/cello; Fred Kennedy, drums

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.

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.

-- Lily Maase - guitarist.composer.creative director www.lilymaase.com www.rules-of-addtraction.org www.myspace.com/elasticityfest lilymaase@gmail.com

Brooklyn in Berlin!

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I've returned from Central Europe (though it took my luggage two extra days to catch up with me -- grrrr).  I spent my last two days in Berlin, which was definitely one of the most amazing cities I have ever seen!  I even found a little bit of the nabe there: dscf1458.jpg

On Friday, I took an eight-hour walking tour of the city.  Sounds insane, but it was amazing. The tour guide, an American student named Robin, has friends who live off of the Clinton-Washington stop!  Small world.

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There you have it:  HALLO from Robin and Robin in Berlin.

It's good to be back home.

Still Hip: NOW OPEN

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Should have posted this last week - was bogged down with finishing class in Krakow! Still Hip (clothing, toy and gear resale boutique) is set to open its new store location Tuesday, July 24! Along with children's and maternity clothing, toys and gear we will offer a wide array of kids' classes such as Sign-a-Song, Musica Para Mi, Private Picassos, Let's Dance Brooklyn!, Lego Mindstorm, and more. Audra Tsanos is teaching her summer session of Music for Aardvarks at the store already.

Our address is 283 Grand, between Lafayette Ave and Clifton Pl, in Clinton Hill. We are sandwiched between two great eateries, Grand 275 and Dakar, and around the corner from Choice Market. The store will be open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm in the summer and will expand hours in the Fall to open at 10am.

Keep an eye out for info on our Grand Opening and ribbon cutting, arranged through Pratt Area Community Council, early this Fall! You can check us out at stillhipbrooklyn.com and sign up for our mailing list to receive updates on the store and info on classes.

Thanks so much for all the support! We are looking forward to showing off the new space and all that Still Hip has to offer.

See you soon! Best, Gabby and Marcie

Injured Cat

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From a reader: hey there, if you guys can post this on the neighborhood blog(s) that would be great:

This morning my boyfriend and I took in a small black cat, medium hair, that was lying in the rain next to our co-op at 325 Clinton Ave. We took it in, it looked like it might have been hit by a car--it was immobile, very scared, and not moving -- although it was fairly alert/mewing, etc. Animal Control picked it up a few hours later. If anyone you know is missing a black cat, please let us know! (kinklosity -at- earthlink.net)

Poor kitty :(