Visit to Frank White

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Wow. WOW. I stopped into Frank White last Friday and I have to say, I was blown away! The space inside is completely gorgeous. I'd kinda like the decorator to renovate my apartment. There's a lot of open space, gorgeous chandeliers, cool magazines to read. The space thing may prove awkward once they become busier, as there's not a whole lot of seating (right now, a table and chairs, plus the two chairs near the window and a window seat). They do have a large back garden area, however, that will tide them over until cold weather season. funky lamp at frank whiteAs readers have commented, the name IS a throwback to the Notorious B.I.G., and they'll soon have a permanent photo of him hung inside. Pretty awesome, seeing as he grew up just up the street. They plan on doing various art installations as well. I suspect the space would be amazing for private parties as well.

When I stopped in, I met the managers as well as another woman on staff. They were all super excited and very nice. The service was great! Props to them for opening such a gorgeous space. Be sure to stop by and check it out - we need to make sure they get enough foot traffic to stick around.

More:

Frank White cafe/gallery/social 936 Atlantic Ave. at St. James Pl. www.frankwhitenyc.com

Hours are currently 7am to 3pm, so it looks to be a coffee/pastry/hangout place for the time being.

Previous coverage here and here.

Quincy Ave Block Association Sale

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Whoops! I've been so busy today I forgot to post. Anyway, the Quincy Ave. Block Assoc. is having a killer stoop sale this weekend. Looks like a good one. Cheap iPods!!!

We have a limited number of 40GB iPods - YES MORE THAN ONE - in mint condition at our annual STOOP SALE on Quincy Street in Bed Stuy. We’ve also got iPod accessories, a Playstation 2 with dozens of games, DVDs, books, artwork, jewelry, rugs, household items and more gadgets and electronics than you would believe. Where: 778 Quincy St Between Malcolm X & Patchen Ave 11221

When: 10am-5pm Saturday 9/22 & Sunday 9/23 (Rain Date 10/6-10/7)

Subway - J/Z to Gates, walk three blocks up Quincy Bus - B46 to Quincy or B52 to Gates

Check our inventory online here.

Development Meeting Tomorrow!

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The Land Use Committee of the CB2 will be hearing two cases of great interest to the community: *  163-167 Washington Ave. (behind Kum Kau on Myrtle)

*    72-76 Grand Ave.

Both cases involve developers who are trying to make the case that even though they were not completely finished with foundations, as required by the DOB, they should be allowed to go ahead with plans to build structures that are not in keeping with the new R6B zoning. In other words, they are asking to be "grandfathered" under the old zoning laws.

In the Washington Ave. case in particular, the community has been especially active in monitoring and objecting to the many work violations, stop work orders, damage to adjoining buildings, etc.  We all believe that bad faith and repeated violations should not be rewarded.

Come to the hearing to testify or just to see what is going on.  These cases will then go to the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA), and CB2 will submit its recommendation.

DATE:       Wed., Sept. 19, 2007 TIME:         6 pm PLACE:      Polytechnic University 5 Metrotech Center, Room LC 400 Brooklyn

311 Issues in CH

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Received these response to the call for 311 documentation photos: I was trying to post on your blog but had some difficulties- it is about that photo problem 311 post! here is what I wanted to add:

What about illegal trucks cutting through the nabe, especially on Washington and Vanderbilt? Their economic gain is a blight and pollution to our area. There are designated truck roads, and any truck that is not local delivery, is a violation. It easy to document! Let's take some photos of 18 wheelers on Washington during morning rush hours. Recently I started to do it, but I would love some help. Another idea would be to convince DOT to install proper no truck signs -- maybe we could get some signatures of local residents and send it to them? Anyway I wanted to work on this issue for awhile now, but I am kind of too busy, maybe someone is willing to help? thanks.

And another:

This is a complaint about the idling ambulances below my window - the corner of Clinton Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

Today, Sept. 9th, it was Truck #3502 from Brooklyn Hospital, idling from 9am - 2pm, parked on the sidewalk. I asked the driver to move off the sidewalk and he got confrontational with me telling me "this was his spot". I'm sure the sidewalk is not "his spot". I had to knock on the passenger window to wake up his partner so she could get him to move to the street, which they did.

On a daily basis, they park on Clinton Avenue, next to the fire hydrant, sleeping with the diesel fumes coming right into our apartments in the complex above. I have attached a pic because he made me so angry - talking on the phone, leaning into a friends car and telling me to leave him alone and call 311 if I didn't like it. I had called 311 but the Department of Health was not open on Sunday and they told me to call back on Monday. Very Frustrating.

According to the Dept. of Health Website:

"While ambulances are considered emergency vehicles under the Vehicle and Traffic Law, allowing these vehicles to idle for excessive periods of time in non-emergency operation is not permitted."

"Unless in emergency operation, ambulances and first response vehicles ARE NOT exempt from the provisions of these environment conservation laws. The penalties for violation of these laws may include fines ranging from $250 to $15,000."

truck3502.jpg

I never noticed this, but today when I walked past with my dog, sure enough, there was an ambulance (FDNY this time) idling right there. Why do they need to keep the vehicle running?

New Obsession: 47 Lexington

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Not sure how I've never noticed this intriguing home on Lexington between Grand and Classon: i want to live here!

*swoooooon*

According to Property Shark, the building used to look like this:

pic_view.jpeg

OK, that's ridiculously small.  But hopefully you get the idea.  I'd love to do this someday -- buy a unique building in the 'hood and make it into a really cool home.  Better start buying some lottery tickets.

Anyone been inside this place, or know the owners?  I'd love to know how this place came about.  What's on the second floor deck?

Clinton Hill Gentrification in 1987

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I came across this article in the Times from 1987 completely accidentally, while I was researching something else.  It details the rise of gentrification in the Hill, starting around 1981, and talks of the process of converting the Clinton Hill Apartments into Co-ops.  It's an interesting read to see how much has changed and how much had stayed the same all at the same time.  Diverse middle class?  Check.  Neighborly vibe?  Yup.  A one-bedroom rental for $550 a month?  HA! I can't believe my luck in finding this 20-year-old article!

SCH Meeting: Thursday, Sept. 20

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sch_9-20-07_meetingflyer.jpg A list of autumn events in FG/CH coming soon! This is the first meeting of the fall season, and I'm told the Society will focus more on issues of interest to younger residents going forward. If you haven't checked out a meeting, do so now (and please report back! I have a grad school reception that evening, so I can't make it!).

A special congrats to Steffon Isaac of the Polish Bar Brooklyn and the other new board members!

Stairwell Art Gallery

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This looks intriguing... stairwell2.jpg

A FOUR STORY STAIRWELL GALLERY ON THE TALL AND NARROW MAY NOT BE A SPACE YOU'D EXPECT A VERNISSAGE, SO WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY?

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE 'FIRST' ART SHOW IN THE STAIRWELL (THE DOOR NEXT TO CHEZ LOLA BISTRO 387 MYRTLE AVENUE) OF SUPER SUPER FRESH SKAINTINGS (SKETCHED PAINTINGS) BY CHARLOTTA JANSSEN.

THE THEME IS AMERICANA 1900-1940S AND THE PIECES ARE NOT SMALL AT ALL AND OFTEN PIECED TOGETHER BY SEVERAL CANVASES. FOR A PREVIEW OF ARTWORK LOG ON TO WWW.CHARLOTTAJANSSEN.COM

PAINTINGS AND LIMITED EDITION PRINTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ...

TO RSVP PLEASE EMAIL TO: STAIRWELLKEEPER@CHARLOTTAJANSSEN.COM

stairwellbk.jpg

Movie Night @ Hollenback Community Garden

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This just in from the Hollenback Community Garden: What could bring together such a wonderful group of people such as yourselves, from across the spectrum of politicians, reporters, activists, green-minded organizers, designers, scientists, local community members, educators, photographers, local gardeners, parents, volunteers, musicians and more?

Why, the Hollenback Community Garden, that's what!

You are all friends of the garden, and as such I wanted to extend an invitation to you all for our upcoming,

third annual...

Triple Threat Yardsale/Free BBQ/movienight!

The event is to take place in the garden on Saturday, September 23rd (with a raindate of Sunday, September 24th). The yardsale is a fundraiser and will begin around 1pm The BBQ is free (though feel free to bring items to grill) and will begin around 4pm The movie will begin once it starts getting dark, around 8pm

Please save the date and invite your families and friends.

We look forward to seeing you there and being able to thank you for your past, present and future support and kindness.

in growth and sunshine, Mark

The Hollenback Community Garden is located at 460 Washington Avenue, between Gates and Greene in Brooklyn. It can most easily be reached by taking either the C-train or G-train to the Clinton-Washington stop.

Cara Perkins (917) 701-2875 Mark Trushkowsky (917) 804 -0414 Contact Coordinators Hollenback Community Garden Brooklyn, NY

Party Cake

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Many of you have commented on the photo of the cake from the RePop/CHB Anniversary party. It was a custom design by Shannon Pridgen of Heavenly Crumbs! The cake was shaped like a computer screen and was sitting on a Clinton Hill Monopoly board. It was chocolate, with raspberry and vanilla filling. If you haven't been over to Franklin to sample their sweets, you MUST go now.the cake!

Grand Ave. Gossip

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Reader Ashley sent me some juicy gossip on some Grand area developments... So, I was passing by an empty storefront on Greene today, the one next door to the next incarnation from the neighborhood tastemakers at Choice Market. This empty space used to be a salon. Anyhoo, I asked the guy working on the space what was going in there. He said a yoga studio! Happy freakin' day! Oh, and Namaste.

ALSO, I was passing by the ever mysterious "Mirrors on Grand" space on Labor Day. It appeared that someone (presumably the owners) were hosting a private holiday party inside the not yet finished, but very promising space. There was a bar, and lovely exposed brick walls It looked nice even though there's clearly more work to be done before they can open anything.

This neighborhood is hoppin'!

Wow -- maybe Mirror's on Grand might actually be decent (someday).

Thanks for Coming!

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Thanks to all who attended Friday's Anniversary party! We had a great turnout and it was great to meet so many readers! Kelso of Brooklyn provided a keg of tasty brew -- hope you were able to try some. It was a huge hit in the back patio area! Their presence on tap in Brooklyn bars has been growing steadily, so make sure to check for them when you're out on the town. the cake!

Hope you were able to try some of the anniversary cake! russell, carl and i with the cake

xoxo-

Lesterhead