It's hard not to get excited about the World Cup when gatherings like this are happening locally.
(These photos were not taken by me. They were kindly sent by contributor Suzanne, who has been busy with twins! Thanks, Suzanne!)
Cleaning out our drafted post queue, I realized I never published this short review of Chance II on Fulton near Clinton. Back in December, we stopped in at PACC's holiday party, held at the then brand-new Chance II on Fulton! While it was a private event and not a regular night at the bar -- and so I can't attest to a regular night -- the staff was strikingly friendly and the light up bar is pretty cool (see above). The space will be great for parties, and has a small upstairs area as well.
Have you been? What did you think?
Another great program from MARP! Here's the press release: Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Receives Community Experience Partnership Grant to Fund Food Access Initiative Weekly Thursday Farm Stand Kicks Off on July 8th from 4-7pm in Front of Ingersoll Community Center
FORT GREENE and CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN, June 29, 2010—The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC (MARP) received a three-year grant through the ‘Community Experience Partnership’ to support and expand its Food Access Initiative. The $210,000 grant over 3 years will support projects under MARP’s new Myrtle Eats Fresh program, which aims to engage community members of all ages in activities to improve access to healthy, affordable food on Myrtle Avenue, and in the surrounding neighborhoods of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Projects include a community-run farm stand, creating and expanding community gardens on public housing grounds, a community chef program, and the formation of a hyper-local food policy task force.
The Community Experience Partnership (CEP), a national initiative, aims to support projects that specifically engage the talents and energy of older adults for the benefit of their communities. In New York City, The Atlantic Philanthropies is partnering with the New York Community Trust and United Neighborhood Houses of New York (UNH) to develop new program models that engage older adults to increase access to healthy food in low-income communities. “Over the last few years, older adults in Ingersoll and Whitman Houses have emerged as natural leaders in local efforts to get more fresh food in the neighborhood. We are thrilled to be able to support this trend by establishing community-based projects that address the serious need for more fresh food options on Myrtle Avenue,” commented Michael Blaise Backer, Executive Director of MARP.
With the CEP grant, MARP has hired Kassy Nystrom, formerly of GrowNYC, to manage and expand programs under its food access initiative, which started with seed funding from the Brooklyn Community Foundation in 2008 with the founding of the Fort Greene CSA, and grew to include the creation of the Ingersoll Garden of Eden in 2009. Myrtle Eats Fresh will expand that community garden, built in collaboration with Ingersoll residents, and start new gardens at both Whitman and Farragut in the following years. A community-run farm stand will be held every Thursday in front of the Ingersoll Community Center (177 Myrtle Avenue) from 4pm-7pm from July 8th through October 28th, and will be staffed by three youth and two elders from the neighborhood. MARP has also launched a ‘Community Chef’ program, whereby several residents who have a passion for healthy cooking have been trained as certified Community Chefs and will now conduct cooking demonstrations at neighborhood events. In fall 2010, MARP will begin the process of forming a neighborhood ‘Healthy Food Task Force’, bringing together representatives from interested organizations and other groups to help synergize efforts around improving food access in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.
Thanks to all the readers who emailed me this super intriguing story from Daily Intel about a group of Russian spies, recently arrested, who used to meet at Tillie's for vent sessions. Did you ever see them hanging out there? More importantly, if you were a spy, which local coffee shop would you go to?
Abistro on Carlton in Fort Greene is one of the tastiest restaurants in the area.
Hidden behind a simple white gate, you might have just passed by without noticing. Don't let the exterior fool you. This tiny, cozy space offers some of the most interesting food around, not to mention some of the friendliest service. It's a family affair - chef and co-owner Abdoul Gueye mans the kitchen, while his wife serves patrons. The couple's young daughter is often on hand, too.
It's also BYO, which helps save some cash, and communal table often spark discussion between diners who didn't arrive together.
I've recommended this place to many locals and people visiting from other neighborhoods who are looking for a unique dining experience. What's your favorite dish?
Abistro 154 Carlton at Myrtle
After NYC Pet on Myrtle and Washington opened back in 2008, we wondered who painted the beautiful mural on the exterior of the building. Now we know- it was Lisa K. Hokans, professional muralist and portrait painter.
Lisa was also the muralist at iStore Green, the green storage facility on Hall between Park and Flushing.
Where else could we use a mural in the neighborhood?
FABfest Sunday, June 27, 12noon–6pm:• Salsa Dance Party & Dance Lessons • BK Misses MJ: On the anniversary of his passing, Brooklyn remembers the life and legacy of the King of Pop Michael Jackson with an all-day music tribute and community dance party featuring DJ Reborn • Readings and prizes from Brooklyn literary magazines A Public Space, Armchair/Shotgun, BOMB, and Electric Literature hosted by Greenlight Bookstore • Literary trivia contest • Dogs on Parade presented by Fort Greene PUPS and Brooklyn Cares Veterinary Clinic, plus Pet CPR and First Aid classes and Ask the Trainer sessions for pet owners • Crafts, activities and giveaways for kids all day • Streetside Mad Libs game for all ages • 3-on-3 Soccer Games for Kids hosted by Ft. Greene Soccer • SONYA Collaborative Action Mural with Ellie Balk - participatory painting allowing residents to make their mark on a collective community image • Environmental demos and activities presented by Habana Outpost (Schedules subject to change. To get updates, visit faballiance.org)
Pivotal in the march of African Americans toward human rights was Marian Anderson, a contralto of "intrinsic beauty." Only once did she appear in opera, preferring recitals or concerts. When she sang at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1938, the hall announced “Standing Room Only.” That was just a year before Eleanor Roosevelt asked her to sing at the Lincoln Memorial after the DAR refused her entry to Constitution Hall in Washington. (Courtesy BAM. From "Fort Greene" by Howard Pitsch, Foreword by Paul Palazzo, Arcadia Publishing, 2010, $22. Available online: HistoricFortGreene.org)
Fulton Street's Greenlight Bookstore has been hosting a blogger / author pairing once a month that pairs a local blogger with an author whose subject matter or writing style matches nicely for a discussion. I've been invited to lead a discussion with Maggie Pouncey, Fort Greene resident and author of Perfect Reader on Monday, July 12. We'll be discussing literary fandom, urban “small town” life, and Brooklyn’s writing culture. I'm very excited to be a part of this event, especially since I so admire Greenlight's friendly staff, great selection and customer-friendly hours. Hope you'll join us!
More info available on Facebook.
The Fort Greene Conservancy just emailed me a poster detailing their summer events. There's lots of stuff here for kids, but most intriguing to me are the September performance by Reggie Watts (NY Mag just profiled him) and the Urban Bat Exploration (cool!). I'm sure the Whitman tour (only one left!) will also be good. I love seeing such a variety of entertainment and education right here at our doorstep.
Thanks to all the great entries for free admission to Senegalese Summer at Le Grand Dakar! It was a tough decision, but we picked the entry that best described a Clinton Hill experience. Congrats to Samantha V! I hope you'll all attend and enjoy the sangria -- and have some for me. Sadly, Lesterhead has an evening work event.
Long before I knew that Pierre was an acclaimed Chef with a cookbook in stores and a fabulous restaurant in our neighborhood, he was my new neighbor with the bright and warm smile.
I moved to Clinton Hill in 2004 to a block that still had defunct factories and boarded up churches, so very rarely would I see neighbors as I traveled to and from my daily destinations. But one day as I came out of my brownstone, a gentleman was coming out of his dwelling. He smiled and said 'Good Morning' and that became our ritual- to greet each other at the train station or bus stop and discuss neighborhood and social happenings, as neighbors do.
Shortly after, my mate and I decided to try out a Senegalese restaurant in our hood. We sit down at the bar, and ease into what promises to be a nice relaxing dinner. I ordered the coconut curried mussels with yuca frites. As I am deep in conversation, guess who descends from the kitchen with my meal? Non other than Pierre, my neighbor!
Here is a man with so much reason to brag or walk with his nose up in the air, yet he remains so humble. Like me, he understands that sometimes just being one's beloved neighbor, is all the nobriety one needs:)
This is why I would love the opportunity to celebrate with my 'neighbor' and congratulate him on his great new opportunity!
Thank You and Congrats Pierre!
Samantha V, Clinton Hill
I just noticed a new sushi restaurant opening on Fulton and Waverly called Wasabi 1. I wonder how they'll stack up to our other nearby raw fish haunts. (For the record, my favorite is still Sushi D - D ROLL = YUMMY)
Things seem to be taking off down on Fulton - maybe a result of FAB?
Also, I thought I had seen a post on this on another local blog but now I can't find it. So apologies to an original poster! Here it is on Brownstoner!
Just called the number on the awning and no answer, which I'm taking to mean it's not yet open.
This Saturday, the Society for Clinton Hill is hosting a Summer Picnic! The folks at the Society are welcoming and passionate about the neighborhood, and this will probably be a great place to meet people or catch up with neighbors.
Non-profit organization Sing for Hope just launched Play Me, I’m Yours, a public art project that brings 60 pianos to the parks and public spaces of New York City. Fort Greene Park now has two pianos--one on Myrtle (at the Myrtle entrance to the Fort Greene Park) and another just up the hill at the north oval, just opposite the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. The piano is open and available for anyone to sit and play until Monday, July 5th. I always wanted to learn how to play the piano, but sadly never did. However, I was in choir, so maybe we can organize a little sing-along? Who's game? I'm thinking CHB meets Marie's Crisis.
The New York Press is reporting that Fresh Fanatic, the grocery store on Park and Washington, will be introducing a performance space! This sounds pretty Williamsburg to me, but maybe it will be cool?
Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21 — the longest day of the year. Today, hundreds of public spaces throughout the five boroughs — sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more — become impromptu stages for over 1,000 free concerts. Eleven participating venues are located on Myrtle Avenue! PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES in Make Music New York: Anima Italian Bistro 458 Myrtle Avenue Anthony Cedras Global soul and R&B 1:00pm-8:00pm Brooklyn Junior 150 Clinton Avenue -PEMG, a community based program focused on teaching young people about Hip Hop from a cultural and Indie perspective. -Jesse Goldman (http://www.myspace.com/Jessesamgoldman), Experimental / Swing / Americana 2:30-5:00 pm. Castro’s Mexican Cuisine 511 Myrtle Avenue 5:30p-10pm -DJ Fuerte Chez Lola 387 Myrtle Avenue 7:30p to 10:30 pm Sedric Choukroroun Brazilian Jazz Trio Shukroon, Smith & and Monaco are a joyous trio, playing their own blend of Samba-Jazz-Pop: acoustic harp-guitar, saxophones-flute and percussion Chez Oskar 211 DeKalb Avenue 7:30p to 10:30pm The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn consists of: Billy Nemec-guitar/lead vocals, Chris Pistorino-bass/vocals, David Langlois-washboard percussion/vocals, Sam Hoyt-Trumpet/vocals The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn, an early jazz, swing, and blues band, composed of acoustic guitar/vocals, upright bass, homemade washboard percussion, trumpet and saxophone, plays its' repertoire of witty songs from 1920's and 30's, along with its' augmented original tunes and often bawdy lyrics sung in catchy 4 part vocal harmony. Fort Greene SNAP 324 Myrtle Avenue -Anisa Fujah from 3 to 5 (Jazz) -Soulfolk Experience 5 to 6 (also jazz) -Jesse Goldman from 6 to 7 (experimental jazz) Gnarly Vines 350 Myrtle Avenue -Carolyn Leonhart and Jay Leonhart (daughter and dad)—vocals and bass (jazz, soul, standards) 1:30pm-3:00pm and Claire “Raji” Rodriguez folk, indie, pop 5p-6p Green in BKLYN 432 Myrtle Avenue Carolyn Leonhart and Jay Leonhart (daughter and dad)—vocals and bass (jazz, soul, standards) 12p-1:15p and Claire “Raji” Rodriguez folk, indie, pop 4p-5p Los Pollitos III 499 Myrtle Avenue -5:30pm to 9pm Edwin Vasquez Band, Live Latin band Move with Grace Yoga, Dance & Pilates Studio 469 Myrtle Avenue -Nucomme - rock/soul artist 8pm -Cavalier - Hip Hop/Soul artist 8:30pm -The Outabodies - Hip Hop/Jazz/Rock artists 9pm Sans Souci Restaurant 330 Myrtle Avenue Metric Man aka The Freedom Fighter (reggae) 1pm-9pm Fort Greene Park (Myrtle Avenue entrance) All day Upright piano (Sing For Hope): all day (on-site) 12p-1pm WATCH High School 2p-3:00p JHS 185 Drumline [note: I wish this was after work! Damn.] 3:00pm-4:00pm Ronald Edmonds Middle School 113 Choir 6p-7p Maracatu New York (Brazilian Percussion)
Le Grand Dakar chef Pierre Thiam is getting all sorts of acclaim these days - in addition his cookbook, he's making an appearance on Iron Chef America opposite Bobby Flay! In celebration, Le Grand Dakar is throwing a celebration on Thursday, June 24. Attendees will enjoy unlimited food/sangria and live Afrobeat music, including Jojo Kuo's band (he's a Cameroonian drummer who recorded with Fela back in the day). Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Sounds like a good way to spend a summer evening, and support a local business on Grand Avenue.
Clinton Hill Blog is giving away a free ticket to the event! Want to enter? Email us and tell us why you want to attend. The best entry will be posted on CHB and the winner will enjoy a free evening of food and drinks. (email your entry to clintonhillblog-at-gmail-dot-com).
During the summer of 2006, if you didn't spend your Sunday afternoons at the Rope and you lived around here and were of legal drinking age, then I have three words for you: Shame on you.
Not only was the gas grill out back being loaded down to the fullest with burgers, dogs, veggies and the like, but Matt Preis, aka "Max Power" was inside mixing up some of the best Bloody Marys around.
Now personally, I don't drink Bloody Marys, but if you see the same people coming in, ordering the same thing and raving about them, they must be pretty excellent, right?
Over the past couple of years, Preis has taken on other neighborhood establishments with the "Max Power Bloody Battles" and tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Moe's Bar & Lounge on Lafayette, he's holding the first "Max Power Bloody Mixer," which is open to the community.
I caught up with "Max" and here's some of the background and details:
How did the idea for the Bloody Mary Battles come about?
The idea for Max Power's Bloody Battle began when many of the bartenders on Myrtle started giving me [grief] because they kept hearing I had the best Bloody Mary in town—and they were jealous! Finally I organized a battle so we could put up or shut up. I lost by one vote but I still blame it on one person who didn't show up—he usually drinks at least five! So Maggie Brown got lucky I say.
Our neighborhood is pretty chummy, I feel. What do you think the past contests have done for community spirit?
One unforeseen byproduct of these battles is that they are bringing together a lot of people who work in the industry and the patrons who all know them from separate places. And when we get together we all have a blast, proving that no matter where you go in a Brooklyn neighborhood you're usually guaranteed a good time served up by good people. Especially in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, where I feel there is a huge camaraderie and mutual respect among restaurant/bar workers and their patrons.
What made you decide to hold an open competition this go-around?
I decided to host an open competition because I have been promising to do this since the competition began. When I started this, I didn't know I would keep doing it, but once I realized I would do a whole round in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill I always knew I would open up one Battle to residents. In the end, we are looking to find the Queen/King of Bloody Mary for each neighborhood so it's only fair to open it up to residents.
It's coinciding with Moe's ninth anniversary, right? Were they like, "Get Max Power in here to liven the festivities!"
I approached Moe's with the idea and the date I randomly proposed happened to be on their anniversary. At first we thought we couldn't do it because of the anniversary, but after a brief thought we realized that's a perfect time to bring the neighborhood together.
And Matt, I hate to bring this up, but you haven't taken home the title yet: What's up with that?
The obvious and easy answer is that people are idiots! But actually, I am also a victim of messing with my mix in the second battle—I totally screwed it up trying to make it even better. And in the third battle I maintain that my mix suffered because I'm so busy organizing these things I had to make it at the last minute! Anyway, so far I'm always number two so look out 'cause I'm coming with guns blazing from here on!
So come drink your choice of the best Bloody Marys in Fort Greene/Clinton hill and if you are a resident and have the guts, bring a big can worth of mix and see if you can make it into the next round!
FABfest Sunday, June 20, 12noon–6pm:• Salsa Dance Party & Dance Lessons • Performances on the mainstage presented by Greenlight Bookstore, all with a focus on local artists and organizations including - Performance poetry by URBAN WORD - Stand-up comedy from the STEAM BOAT series - Readings by authors such as VICTOR LaVALLE, TOURE & NELSON GEORGE and more • Environmental demos and activities presented by Habana Outpost • Walking tour of historic Fort Greene with Adrienne Onofri, author of WALKING BROOKLYN (3rd of 3 different tours during FABfest) • SONYA Collaborative Action Mural with Ellie Balk - participatory painting allowing residents to make their mark on a collective community image • Crafts, activities and giveaways for kids all day • Streetside Mad Libs game for all ages • 3-on-3 Soccer Games for Kids hosted by Ft. Greene Soccer
For the cause of their country, these naval personnel gave up their limbs during World War I. With its extensive medical facilities at the Brooklyn Navy Yard along Wallabout Bay, the Naval Hospital fitted returning amputees with prostheses designed up to that period. (Courtesy National Archives, the Brooklyn Navy Yard. From "Fort Greene" by Howard Pitsch, Foreword by Paul Palazzo, Arcadia Publishing, 2010, $22. Available online: HistoricFortGreene.org)
Clinton Hill Blog published from 2006 - 2010. Please enjoy these archives - a love letter to the neighborhood.
