New Bar on Franklin!

Received this tip from a reader: have you been to sweet revenge yet? i walk by it with my dog on the daily, but have yet to have some free time and stop in. it's on franklin between lexington and greene (right across from the cupcake shop) and seems pretty cute.

I hadn't heard a thing about this place yet, so I took a stroll by on Saturday afternoon.  I couldn't find it, but there were a few shuttered storefronts, one of which was likely hiding this new watering hole.

Has anyone been? The only thing I could find via a Google search was someone complaining on Brooklynian about how noisy it was at night.

UPDATE: I rode past it on the bus Tuesday night on my way to the Y and it looked super cool!  I'll go this wknd and report back.

UPDATE 2: Check out the gorgeous photos of the bar from Bed-Stuy photog WordBK here!

Holiday Event Discount at Frank White!

I hosted a Brooklyn Blogger Meetup at Frank White in January, and it was lovely!  They're offering a Holiday Event discount for booking early.  This just in from them: receive 20% discount off space rental @ frank white for your holiday/special event if booked by october 20, 2008.

frank white is a perfect location for private/intimate special events up to 200 guests with indoor/outdoor space.

birthdays, baby/bridal showers, engagement party, bar/bat mitzvah, going away, private brunch/dinner, film screening, photo/video shoot, listening party, etc....

corporate events (reception, meetings, etc.) have included: reebok, ciroc, baccarat/brooklyn fashion week, audi, dream home,  vp records, clinton hill blog, etc.

for availability/rate info:

frank white 718.622.0840936 atlantic avenue @ st. james brooklyn, ny 11238 --------------------

Calling All Community Organizers!

PACC is sponsoring an interesting event just south of us next week, focusing on the role a community can play in democracy and action.  A very interesting topic for our time in history.

Pratt Area Community Council

hosts Gabriel Thompson, Author of Calling All Radicals:

How Grassroots Organizers Can Save Our Democracy.

The event will take place on Oct. 6th at 6 p.m. at the

Restaurant Flatbush Farm on 74th St. Marks Ave., in Brooklyn

The Pratt Area Community Council (PACC), one of the most active not-for-profits in Brooklyn, which prioritizes low and medium income housing issues, is hosting a book reading by author and former PACC community organizer, Gabriel Thompson. Mr. Thompson was the Director of Organizing at PACC from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Thompson will be reading excerpts from his book Calling All Radicals and signing copies afterwards.

Calling All Radicals is a marvelous book, which is both instructive and inspiring. If taken to heart by the coming generation, it could have a profound effect on the history of this country.” - Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States.

"Vivid and engaging, full of concrete stories about what it means to build democracy from the ground up." - Paul Loeb, author of Soul of a Citizen and The Impossible Will Take a Little While

About PACC (Prattarea.org):

PACC is known for Housing Development and Property Management. Our Home Services program encourages homeownership through a wide range of products and services. PACC offers workshops, access to lenders, mortgage and down-payment grant packages, foreclosure prevention counseling, outreach and education about predatory lenders, financial education workshops and counseling for debt management and savings plans. PACC also mobilizes residents and develop community leaders to confront broader concerns like the lack of affordable housing, gentrification, and displacement. PACC is the central hub that links low income tenants in the neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Northwest Bedford Stuyvesant with community organizing skills, leadership development, and direct services. We organize and provide ongoing support to more than 30 tenant associations every year. PACC’s staff responded to more than 700 tenant inquiries just last year. Nearly 200 of those inquiries were evictions related to the displacement pressures that low-income tenants are experiencing throughout our neighborhoods. PACC takes a long-term approach to resolving tenant and community problems. Over the past year, PACC worked in 59 neighborhood buildings and with 625 tenants to form tenant associations and block associations and to build new community gardens.

About the Book:

Forty-seven million Americans without healthcare. Soaring economic inequality. Environmental racism. Slumlords and sweatshop owners. Every year, students leave high school and college eager to tackle the crises facing the United States. But how, exactly, does one go about building social justice movements and strengthening our democracy?

Calling All Radicals argues that we can reclaim our democracy in the old fashioned way through grassroots organizing. Beyond campaign sound bites and the occasional election, democracy is about focusing on the development of leaders, taking collective action, and building power among groups usually ignored and abused. In essence, organizers are democracy "scouts" who recruit formerly inactive, sometimes cynical people to play their part in our unfolding democratic experiment.

Using the organizing activities of the author as a backdrop, Calling All Radicals examines the practice, philosophy and history or organizing, with interviews from veteran activists and chronicles of successful campaigns like a group of inner-city teens who help push through a groundbreaking anti-lead poisoning law and immigrants who force hospitals to provide life-saving translation services.

With inspiring stories, resources to connect readers with employment and training opportunities, and real-world advice, Calling All Radicals is the perfect book for anyone interested in stepping into the world of organizing and activism. For more information, and to read an excerpt of the book, go to www.callingallradicals.org.

The event is free and light refreshments will be served. Please call 718-522-2613 ext. 28 to RSVP or send an email letter to Sujatha_Snyder@prattarea.org.

Low-Cost Spay and Neuter, TOMORROW

Sorry this is such late notice, but it's a great opportunity to spay or neuter your pet at a very low cost (or even free!).  A spay at a regular vet can run upwards of $600!  And props to Tish James for being so involved in so many aspects of our community! ASPCA Brooklyn & Council Member Letitia James  Present:

‘Spay or Neuter Your Cat or Dog!’  Get High Quality Vet Care for Free* or Low-Cost

On MONDAY OCTOBER 6TH 2008 at CUYLER GORE PARK in FORT GREENE Atlantic Avenue between Clermont Street and Carlton Avenue

(ASPCA Truck will be parked at Fulton Street and Carlton Avenue)

WHY SPAY/NEUTER?

Ü      Reduces behavior problems

Ü     Eliminates unwanted litters of puppies/kittens

Ü     Helps your pet live a longer, healthier life

HOW: Arrive with your pet by 7:00 am and return on the same day for pick-up. DO NOT give your pet food after midnight the night before the surgery.

Call ASPCA for instructions: 1(877) SPAY-NYC or log on to www.aspca.org/petowners, or call Faye Biggin: 212.788.7081; letitiajames.info

*If you do not have a Medicaid card, please bring proof of public assistance such as TANF, Medicare, disability, SSI, food stamps, a rent receipt from public housing, etc. A donation of $25 is requested for pet owners without proof of public assistance.

Neighborhood Dog Run

A CHB reader has stepped up to the plate to help make a dog run in the neighborhood a reality.  Here is the info he provided:

Clinton Hill and Ft. Greene needs a dog run. The off leash hours in Ft. Greene park are great, but insufficient for many of us. Besides the hours being inconvenient for many, not all dogs can be trusted off leash in an unconfined space. My dog in particular is still a puppy, and can't be trusted not to chase a squirrel across the street. I in no way wish to undermine the off leash hours at Ft. Greene Park. I just think a dog run in the neighborhood would be a wonderful addition.
I'd like to hear from anyone who is interested in having a dog run in the Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene area. Whether you're ready to volunteer services or just supportive of having a dog run nearby, please feel free to email me with your ideas. I would also appreciate input on how to go about organizing volunteers and actually approaching the community board / parks department with a proposal.

I know someone else tried to organize a similar effort a couple of months back. I've tried contacting the previous organizer several times, but to no avail. I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I do want to make this happen.  I will do my best to see this through, and will keep everyone informed as to what's going on.

Please email me at:

clintonhilldogrun@gmail.com

I've also started a google group here:

http://groups.google.com/group/clintonhilldogrun

and a website here:

http://www.clintonhilldogrun.org/

I'm looking forward to hearing from everyone.

-Eric

October Events at Tillie's

October 08 Events at Tillie’s of Brooklyn

248 DeKalb Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11205

718 783-6140

www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com

Music

Friday October 3

8 p.m.

The Akaliko Group

Danny Wolfe, drums

Pascal Le Boeuf, keyboards

Kristian Baarsvick, saxophone

Dion Kerr, bass

Energetic, freewheeling new jazz with indie overtones led by Danny Wolfe, a recent graduate of the University of Miami who has played with the group at such NY venues as Pianos, the 55 Bar, and Brooklyn’s Blue Monday. See www.myspace.com/nedzflow or www.dannywolfemusic.com for more information.

Cover: $5; $3 with student ID

Friday 10/10

David Aaron’s Short Memory

8 p.m.

An excellent ensemble fronted by composer, arranger, and saxophone player David Aaaron, who has performed at the Knitting Factory, Lincoln Center, The Bottom Line, and the Apollo theater, among others. He also composes and arranges for a variety of film, theater, film and modern dance projects. See www.shortmemory.org for more details.

Cover: $5; $3 with student ID

Tuesday 10/14/08

Rolie Polie Gaucamole

4:30 p.m.

Frank Gallo and Andrew Tuzhilin bring a fresh new sound to kids’ music (acoustic folk funk). The well-written songs are enjoyable for both kids and adults. Last year the duo opened The Green Meadow Festival for Tom Chapin. They play private schools, other festivals, and regular programs for public libraries in New York and Rhode Island. Their first appearance at Tillie’s in August was a solid hit and now they have a regular slot on the second Tuesday of the month.

Most appropriate for children from ages 1 – 7.

No cover.

Salon Series

Monday 10/6/08

7:30 p.m.

Faren Simonoff and Cheryl Paradis

Tackling College Admissions: Sanity + Strategy = Success

Paradis and Siminoff offer parents a step-by-step method of assessing their teens’ challenges in searching for the right college. The book includes teen surveys to determine which challenges parents must confront with their teens before beginning the college search.

The authors not only offer simple questionnaires that help parents assess their teens, but also hone in on the right schools and keep their own unrealistic expectations in check. When it’s time to enter the admissions race, the authors help parents:

  • Work with their teens to put together the best college list.
  • Use the application and interview process to effectively “market” students.
  • Motivate teens to overcome hurdles in the process.
  • Come to terms with hopes and fears about college admissions.
  • Keep a sense of humor and inner calm during this stressful time.

Cheryl Paradis has more than 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, and is an associate professor of psychology at Marymount College. Faren Siminoff is an associate professor of history at Nassau Community College and also an attorney. Both are Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill moms who have successfully assisted their teens in navigating the college maze. They will take questions from the audience at the reading and offer advice to parents whose children are getting ready to apply to college.

No cover. Books will be for sale.

Wednesday 10/22/08

7:30 p.m.

Bernard Marsh

Great White Way, Great White Lie

A veteran of stage, screen and television whose film credits include “The Cotton Club,” and Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X,” and who appeared on Broadway in “Eubie,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” Bernard Marsh documents the long-fought and ongoing battle for equity for people of color in the theater arts in this volume. He will read from the book and take questions.

Marsh earned a B.A. in Theater and Labor Relations from SUNY and has taught tap and jazz dance for many years. Currently he also teaches “Acting as Therapy for Senior Citizens” and is a co-founder and resident director of the Living History Theater Group, under the auspices of the African Atlantic Genealogical Society. His performing, choreography and directing have been seen all over the world.

No cover. Books will be for sale.

Art

“Faces of Tillie’s”

Photographs by Bill Kontzias

10/27/08 – 11/29/08

These fifty portraits were taken over the course of the summer in front of Tillie’s. A professional photographer and Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute, Bill Kontzias was struck by the variety of the Fort Greene street scene and the store’s customers, and sought to capture “a time and space to reflect on contemporary life in the neighborhood.” As the glamorous 1940s portrait of Tillie looks out onto the cafe from her framed place high above the coffee machines, he wanted to look around and make a photographic record of what he saw as he lounged at the corner of DeKalb and Vanderbilt Avenues during the summer of 2008.

A location photographer for over 20 years, Bill has done commissions for many major publications and corporations. He apprenticed with Francesco Scavullo and Bill King and specializes in fashion photography as well as people and portraits. Scavullo once advised him: “My dear William, be a photographer. Don’t look back, don’t look forward – look around.” He offers the faces of Tillie’s faces in this spirit.

Bill Kontzias has lived in Clinton Hill for over 30 years.

Reception

Tuesday 10/28

7 –9 p.m.

Open Mic

Thursday 10/9/08

Thursday 10/23/08

8:00 p.m. sign-up

8:30 performance

Host: Nick Noir

All poets, writers, comedians, rappers, singers, songwriters and musicians are welcome!

No cover.

For additional information call Patricia Mulcahy at 718 783-6140 or see www.tilliesofbrooklyn.com. Directions to the store are listed on the site under “Getting Here.”

Haunted House Series '08

A commenter recently asked if I'd be doing my annual Haunted House series this year.  The answer is NO, at least not how I did it last year.  The reasons for this are: 1. It took me days of work last year to find 31 creepy houses, upload the photos and photoshop them, and draft up the posts with locations and witty comments.  This year, I do not have the time.

2. Last year, I was inundated with comments like, "This is so annoying!" and "Let this series die already!"

Anyway, I still love all things haunty, so I'll be doing a Haunted House of the Week I will also be taking reader submissions! If you have a favorite creepy house in the neighborhood, email it to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com, and include its location.  Also, try to send a very small file, like less than 100k.  It will make my life so much easier.

And without further ado, here is our Haunted House of the Week!  Happy October :)

This house isn't even visible from the street!  You have to peek through the plywood that's hiding it.

park bt emerson and steuben

(Park Ave bt Emerson and Steuben)

Two Storefronts Available on Myrtle

The Myrtle Ave merchant association in collaboration with MARP are trying to get the word out that two retail spaces are available between Clinton and Waverly! ( approx 1000 sq ft and 500 sq ft plus basement) any applicants need to send a copy of their business plan to the clinton hill coops, 345 clinton ave. 11205 (that's who owns the retail on the block)  all candidates will be interviewed by the clinton hill board. no phone calls to the coops' office. applicants can email jennifer stokes at MARP for further info: jstokes@myrtleavenue.org

Debate-Watching

From a reader: Hey! Any ideas about which bars/restaurants will be showing the presidential debate tonight?

I suspected and then confirmed that Moe's on Lafayette will be having an Obama Party.  I watched the election night coverage there four years ago and had a great time.  Get there early, as it will be packed.  Moe's is truly one of the most diverse places to hang out in all of NYC, so it's a great place to cheer on Obama.

Update: Le Grand Dakar on Grand is also having a party!

(If you like McCain, sorry- I have no idea where you might go to watch.  Statan Staten [whoops, Freudian slip!] Island?)

Shooting on Monroe

Received this email from a reader yesterday: There was a shooting last night outside our apartment [Tuesday] on Monroe Street between Franklin and Classon Avenues in Clinton Hill Brooklyn between Midnight and 1:00am.  Police arrived promptly and soon after arriving taped off the street until early this morning around 6:30am or so.  I have been checking various News Outlets and blogs but haven't been able to find out anything more about the story.  I realize it may have happened too late to make today's papers but was wondering if this was something you might have heard about or may have seen a posting about...or if you know a good resource to follow up on such a story...

The crime scene, at least per my inbox, has been awfully quiet lately.  Which is nice.  Though it seems those cheerful new recruits were gone from walking the beat as soon as they arrived!

Crown Heights House Tour

This October, Crown Heights North Association, Inc. is hosting its 2nd Annual House Tour on Sat. Oct 4, 2008. Opening ceremonies will begin at 11:15 a.m. in front of St. Gregory’s R.C.C. School at 991 St. Johns Pl. between New York and Brooklyn Avenues.  Self-guided tours will start at noon and end by 5 p.m. The tour is preceded by a free homebuyer’s workshop with info on mortgages, avoiding predatory loans, and financing, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Attendees will have a once yearly opportunity to enter and view some of Brooklyn’s finest residential and sacred architecture. Among the homes this year, we are featuring a Romanesque Revival mansion restored from ruin, a period perfect Renaissance Revival limestone, a thoroughly modern townhouse, as well as homes with enviably large, landscaped gardens. We are also highlighting our newly renovated Children’s Museum, designed by world class architect Rafael Vign*oly, three remarkable houses of worship, and our entire neighborhood of architecturally significant free standing houses, row houses, apartment buildings and churches that have been praised by the Landmarks Commission as some of the finest in New York City.

The recent designation of the Crown Heights North Historic District - Phase 1, has sparked enormous interest in Crown Heights North, not only for its history, but for its housing stock and business opportunities. As Brooklyn real estate values skyrocket, the beauty of this neighborhood, and its local attractions such as the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the world famous West Indian Day Parade, as well as the close proximity of the Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park, and convenient public transportation, have attracted more and more people to the area.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the Tour.

The Crown Heights North Association, Inc. (CHNA) is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.

www.crownheightsnorth.org

Photo Studio / Boutique

A week or so ago while walking down Greene, I noticed a new storefront on Franklin and Greene.

From the outside, it looked like a regular boutique.

Inside, jewelry and accessories share the storefront with a photo studio!  Clinton Hill residents and studio owners Antoine and Cherie Gray are offering boutique shopping, along with family portraits, wedding photography, headshots for entertainers and actors, children's portraits and more.

They have a new blog up as well, advertising current specials.  Looks like a pretty sweet deal for headshots!