Volunteer for Obama

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There's still time to volunteer for Obama if you're interested!  This info just in from the Brooklyn for Barack Office: Brooklyn for Barack is opening its headquarters TONIGHT (Tuesday) night for the final sprint to the finish. We're having phone banking there from about 10 am to 8 pm every day through the election.

The grassroots office at Vanguard Independent Democrat Club, 1424 Fulton St., Bed-Stuy, is having a kick-off Open House tonight from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Still waiting on McCain volunteer information...and waiting...and waiting...

Halloween Events Roundup

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Halloween in Clinton Hill is amazing!  Here's a listing of all the good stuff planned: OCTOBER 25:

Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Halloween Fest Noon to 3:30 pm A day for children, parents, friends and pets.

Noon - PUPS Dog Costume Contest Enter your dog, in costume, or just come and laugh. This is a hilarious event that everyone can enjoy.  See you at the top of the park.

Noon to 3:30 – Games, hay rides, sack races, face painting, entertainment, dancing, pumpkin painting and more.  FREE!

2:30 – 3:30 – Children's Costume Contest and Parade. A delightful ending to a marvelous day for kids and all.

If you can volunteer to help with the fun, call Carol Anastasio at 718-722-3218

fort greene conservancy halloween festival

Habana Outpost

Brooklyn First Eco-Friendly Haunted house! Habana Outpost works is teaming up with The Green School to design a completely “green” haunted house. It’s free fun for kids of all ages. When: October 25th, 26th and 27th 2-7pm Habana Outpost Blood Drive – We want to suck your blood! After a scare in our haunted house, give back to people in need when we team up with New York Blood Center for a blood drive! When: Saturday, October 25th  12-5:30pm

OCTOBER 31:

Free Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest! Bring your little Goblins and Ghouls to Habana Outpost for a fun and safe night featuring dj John Oliver, candy, games and a costume contest.

Friday, October 31st 5pm – 10pm (costume contest at 6:00pm)

The Society for Clinton Hill Presents The Children's Halloween Walk in Clinton Hill Friday, October 31, 2008 Starts at 5 pm at the Community Garden, DeKalb/Hall Children in costume, under 12, with parents can pick up the map of many homes with generous treats. Clinton Hill residents are getting ready with bigger and more exciting displays and shows than ever.  Check out the amazing block long show at 313 Clinton Ave. between Lafayette and DeKalb.  You will be thrilled!!  Then, check out the other wonderful sights on Waverly, Washington and Clinton between Willoughby and Lafayette.  People are already building stages for their shows.  Then, of course, you will want to visit the even larger neighborhood as residents offer treats, wonderful decorations, and excitement.  The evening starts around 5 pm and ends around 9 pm.

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Looking for a comprehensive Brooklyn Halloween list? Try this continually developing post from Fort Greene blogger A Child Grows in Brooklyn.

10th Annual Great PUPkin!

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Up next is a Halloween overview, but this amazing event deserves its very own post!

There are few things cuter than dogs in costumes.  Bring your pooch out this Saturday or just come by to watch.  The competition is serious, so if you plan on entering, please bring your "A" game.  I'll be one of the judges, FYI.

Props to the good founders of PUPS who have volunteered their time and energy for ten years!!!

The 2009 PUPS Calendar will make its on-sale debut as well and will feature many of the neighborhood's cutest dogs.  Thanks to all who took the time to help us out and submit a photo!  You won't want to miss picking one up.

Open Studios at the Navy Yard

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A friend and neighbor explored the Navy Yard on a few Saturdays ago for Open House NY.  She was kind enough to send me a synopsis with some photos!  Thanks, Jen! After the last ship was built in 1964 and the yards officially closed in 1966, they re-opened in 1971 the Brooklyn Navy Yards (BNY) as an industrial park, owned and managed by a private non-profit company (that got the property from the city). This past week, the Navy Yards participated in Open House NY (www.ohny.org), inviting the public in to roam around the yards and meet artists in their working studios. If you missed it this weekend, BNY is partnering with the Brooklyn Historical Society to create a vistors center/museum and tours.

I went down to BNY with a neighborhood friend, and had a fantastic time taking pictures and checking out art studios.  The variety of artists was amazing, and you could tell that many were inspired by the views and essence of the location.  Of course we didn't get to all the studios, so we are looking forward to going back again.

In another venue, I learned there is a current debate over what to do with the ignored and dilapidated "Admiral's Row".  The BNY Development Co (BNYDC) will somehow magically will "get" the property from the city received it in 1988 from the Army National Guard and Marine Corp.  According to BNYDC rep Richard Drucker, "the public" wants a gorcery store there.  When asked how they polled "the public" it was revealed that this is input from a few of the local tenement associations.  Preservationists are involved in the debates and a solution of if and how they can preserve partially or in whole any of these Admiral houses (on Flushing Ave, at Navy), along with city ordinances on the amount of parking required for businesses of varying sizes, etc., are in progress. The best way I recommend to get involved is through the Clinton Hill and/or Fort Greene Societies.

(www.brooklynnavyyard.org) - about renting space, what movies have been filmed here, tenants, (www.bnyarts.com) - info on the artist tenants who participated in BNY Open Studios

Gruesome Discovery in Ft Greene Park

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From a reader: In case you haven't heard, a female body was dumped in FGP last night according to some folks I ran into in the park this morning during off leash hours.  The story I heard was that the body had been chopped up and put into  a bag and a box and left in the park, authorities found it maybe between 10-11PM.  Not sure how accurate this is but thought I'd pass along.

Predictably, there is no information anywhere.  I've checked NY1, NYT, the SCH crime map.

Anyone?

UPDATE:

The Real Fort Greene

Newsday

Upcoming Events

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Folks, I can't keep up with all of the event posting requests I receive.  Soon, I will be providing a calendar where you can add them yourself.  For now, here's a roundup: Debate Events TONIGHT:

  • SuperVegan will be hosting a presidential debate watch party in Ft. Greene at Red Bamboo Brooklyn. More info available at: http://www.supervegan.com/blog/entry.php?id=1177
  • “ELECTION 2008: MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION” – PART II Join us to watch the FINAL presidential debate and have an open discussion about the issues. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear what the candidates AND your neighbors have to say. Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. BMBC Fellowship Hall 484 Washington Avenue (corner of Gates & Washington) Enter on Gates Avenue Light refreshments will be served Brought to you by Brown Memorial Baptist Church - Progressive Adults for Christ Rev. Clinton M. Miller, Pastor
  • Debate Party at Moe's
Obama-Related Neighborhood Events:

House Sundays at Frank White

Oct. 18: PS11 Readathon and Fundraiser!

PS11, a neighborhood elementary school in Clinton Hill, announces kick-off event at Brownstone Books for their 2008 Readathon!

On Saturday, October 18th, one day only, PS11 will host a kick-off event for their first annual Readathon at Brownstone Books, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Brownstone Books will donate 15% of sales from everything in the bookstore to PS11. There will be readings by PS11 teachers, staff, parents and children from their favorite books from 2pm to 4pm at the Bed-Stuy location.

Brownstone Books has two locations – 409 Lewis Avenue in Bed-Stuy, open from 10am to 7pm and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, 2nd floor, which is open from 5pm to 11pm on that day. Customers who mention PS11’s book sale will qualify for the 15% donation to PS11. There will also be a PS11 wish list for customers to purchase books for the classroom.

Can’t make the event but want to help? Sponsor a young reader! Encouraging children to read fosters a lifelong love of learning AND you can help a local school. For more information or questions about the event or sponsoring a child, contact Erin Sircy at erincsircy@earthlink.net. For further information about Brownstone Books, please visit www.brownstonebooks.com.

OCT 18: DDDB Candlelight Walk To Support the Legal Fund of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Walk to save our neighborhood from massive over-development supported by tax-payer funds. Join the Clinton Hill Cares team, or start a new team. Go to www.dddb.net/walkathon to sign up. On Saturday, October 18th, the walk will commence in front of Bob Law's Seafood Café (637 Vanderbilt – between St. Marks & Prospect Place) and will conclude with an after party including free food and live music at the Brooklyn Lyceum (227 4th Avenue at President Street.) Registration: 5:15 pm Bob Law's Seafood Café Walk:  6:15 – 7:30 p.m. Your support and participation are more important than ever as we approach the completion of the fifth year in the fight against the planned massive over-development at Atlantic Yards and for a community friendly development of lower rise housing, retail, recreational facilities, and connections between all our downtown neighborhoods.

HALLOWEEN ROUNDUP COMING SOON...

FG/CH Knitting Group

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Received this from a reader: I just wanted to let you know that there is a Clinton Hill/Ft Greene Knitting Group. We started the group at the end of May and we meet once a week at local cafes. So far, the 3 places that we have on rotation are Connecticut Muffin in Ft Greene, Outpost Lounge, and Tillie's.

We all met online on the knitting/crocheting website, www.Ravelry.com. That is where we post the time and place of our weekly meetups.

The group had a writeup and photos in the Daily News a few weeks ago!

Finally!

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I walked past Bonita a few Thursdays ago to pick up some take-out pre-debate and I noticed the lights on at 247 DeKalb Ave!  As far as I know, this building is owned by the family of the guy who owned Cellars (am I correct?  His son maybe?) and has been covered in scaffolding for as long as I can remember. There are a bunch of permits in the window, too!  Looks like it'll be a restaurant.  Per an internet search, they filed for a liquor license in August.

Ukulele Man

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A few weeks ago, I spotted a man playing a ukulele on the corner of Waverly and Willoughby.  I couldn't tell if he was a Hasidic Jew or a hipster (or both!), but a small crowd of children and parents had gathered around and were excitedly singing along with him.  When I came by later, he was still there playing (sans audience). Sorry for the crap photo, but my hands were full and I only had my cell phone.

Anyone ever seen this dude??