SCH Meeting: January 17

Society for Clinton Hill General Meeting, Jan. 17, 2007, 7:00 pm St. Luke's Church, Parish House, Washington Ave. (Between DeKalb/Willoughby) Everyone invited. Refreshments at 7 pm. Meeting at 7:30 pm.

AGENDA

1. Announcements

-Call for volunteers and committee members: House Tour, Newcomer's Party, Street Tree & Tree Guard Committee, Landmarks Committee, Other committees.

-Other

2. 70 Leffert's Place, David Conrad Status report on how this free standing Italianate villa was designated as an individual landmark, and what is next.

3. Atlantic Yards- legal issues, Candace Carponter, esq. & Shabnam Merchant Atlantic Yards is now a legal issue on at least two fronts. There are the lawsuits filed by those whose properties are to be condemned through eminent domain. And, there are the lawsuits filed against ESDC for their inadequate Environmental Impact Study and their inadequate response to the questions raised about it. Ms. Carponter will provide a status report on where things stand and will answer questions. Ms. Merchant will discuss the funding of the lawsuits.

4. Broken Angel, 4 Downing St., Brent Porter After a fire in the architectural sculpture/building known as the Broken Angel, there has been a roller coaster of events, with members of the community working to help the owners deal with the Department of Buildings and others to save the building and make sure it is up to code in its structural elements. Come and see a presentation on the building, its architectural features, design elements, construction techniques, and interiors by Brent Porter, professor at Pratt Institute. You will gain a better understanding as to what this building is and why it is worth saving.

Mark your calendars:

1. February General Meeting – (Feb. 21, 2007, Refreshments at 7 pm, meeting at 7:30) Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, 357 Clermont Ave. This will be a joint meeting of the Fort Greene Association and the Society for Clinton Hill. Topics will include Atlantic Yards status report and an update on many of the other development projects in our neighborhoods by Councilperson Letitia James and more. Watch for details.

2. Precinct Council Meeting – Tues., Jan. 16, 2007, 7 pm, location to be announced. Come and hear what is happening on the crime scene in our area and raise questions you might have. Everyone welcome.

3. SAVE THE DATE – Society for Clinton Hill, Newcomer's Party, Fri. 2/23/07, 7 pm Please invite anyone you know who is new to the neighborhood – renters and owners. This is a regular event sponsored by SCH and is meant to welcome people new to Clinton Hill and surrounding areas. Remember, old-timers bring a favorite dish and newcomers bring themselves. Location and other details will follow.

4. MEMBERSHIP – Renew your membership or join SCH at the General Meeting. Your contribution helps pay for mailings and other community activities of our organization. We welcome your participation and greatly appreciate your support.

5. SOCIETY FOR CLINTON HILL HOUSE TOUR – Sunday, May 6, 2007, noon to 5 pm. Tickets: $20 advance sale; $25 day of tour. Many volunteers needed for this biannual event which is the main fundraiser for SCH and supports all the things we do for the next two years. Volunteer at the General Meeting, or contact Wash308@aol.com for all types of volunteer positions and/or sbarnes437@aol.com to volunteer for a house sitter position. We need more than 100 house sitters and many other people to make this amazing event a success.

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My Two Cents: This meeting sounds great! I plan on being there. First, the CH House Tour is absolutely amazing, and I encourage you all to attend and/or volunteer. It's a really great way to get inside some of the nabe's most intriguing houses. Plus, it only happens every other year, switching off with Fort Greene.  Also, the Newcomer Party is a great idea (though no one invited me when I was new here -- thanks, guys). I make really good salmon toasts, so maybe I'll bring them.