Have you stopped by yet? We've gotten lots of visitors at the Myrtle Farm Stand so far, even Senator Montgomery dropped by last week! Community support is what will make this project successful, so grab a friend and come on over! This week we've got tomatoes, carrots, collards, corn, green leaf lettuce, spring white onions, peppers, tomatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, eggplant, basil, and peaches...yum!

On Myrtle Avenue, we’re serious about protecting our street trees...but, why do it like everyone else does it, right? We’ve been working with the Pratt Design Incubator to design tree guards that are both functional and durable, but also offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects the spirit of local creativity. Tree guards with a Myrtle twist.

That’s where you come in.

We’re inviting artists and designers (both amateur and professional!) to submit designs for the panels of a new Myrtle Tree Guard. Each winning design will be laser cut into the 4 panels of an individual tree guard (visit the prototype, pictured above, on Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly). We may select up to 20 unique designs for 20 new tree guards to be installed this fall on Myrtle!

Download the full application here.
Submit your design using this Adobe Illustrator template. Don’t worry if you don’t have illustrator – contact us if you’d still like to submit a concept. We’ll have a professional designer convert your design to the appropriate file format if selected.

Make sure to submit your design concepts by Monday, August 16th at 5pm. Contact meredith@myrtlavenue.org if you have any questions.

Summer meals (breakfast and lunch) are available free for youth ages 18 and younger. No registration, documentation, or identification is required. Check out the list of nearby locations below or click here for locations citywide.

NYCHA-Walt Whitman 132 Carlton Avenue 9:00:AM-10:00:AM (breakfast) 12:00:PM-01:00:PM (lunch)

PS 67 51 St. Edwards Street 8:00:AM-09:15:AM (breakfast) 11:00:AM-01:15:PM (lunch)

JHS 113 300 Adelphi Street 8:00:AM-09:15:AM (breakfast) 11:00:AM-01:15:PM (lunch)

Commodore Barry Park Flushing & North Elliott Place 8:30:AM-09:30:AM (breakfast) 11:30:AM-03:00:PM (lunch)

Brooklyn Technical High School 29 Fort Greene Place 7:30:AM-09:15:AM (breakfast) 11:00:AM-01:15:PM (lunch)

Community Chef, Ms. Yvonne Bodrick, showed visitors how to cook a seasonal,mixed veggie stir fry of collard greens, cabbage, carrots, onions, and garlic with brown rice. It was delicious! Next week, Ms. Millie Davis will be cooking from 5-7. Come by and have a taste!

Wednesday, July 21
5-7PM
Northeast corner of Fort Greene Park (Myrtle Avenue & Washington Park -- Cumberland Ave. south of Dekalb).

Thank you to The Local for coming to the Farm Stand last week! This article helps greatly in the movement towards getting more fresh and affordable food to all!

Friday is a perfect day for a spa opening (with thoughts focused towards the weekend and relaxation). And ANY day of the week is perfect for enjoying one.

The spa at Karen's Body Beautiful opens tomorrow, Friday, July 16th. Stop in and pick up a menu of services or better yet, stop in and enjoy a service or two. KBB will offer a plethora of services, including pedicures, manicures, facial and wet room services (herbal wraps, body exfoliation, etc.). Free hand lotion with a manicure on opening day.

The spa is actually a natural progression for the business. With the sleek look of the KBB store and the yummy-smelling and feeling natural hair, bath and body products made on premises (which of course are still available!), Karen and employees would very often get requests to see their menu of spa services.

So, wait no further. Stop in and check out the newest spa on Myrtle Avenue. Karen is located at 436 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly Avenues. Drop in or call 718.797.4808 for an appointment.

***********************

On Sunday, July 18th, a 'Loving Your Hair w/Natural Care' workshop with celebrity stylist, Felicia Leatherwood. Leatherwood has worked with stars such as Jill Scott, Sanaa Latham and Will Smith and has appeared in People Magazine, Essence, and InStyle, as well as in film and television. Felicia is the ultimate natural hair guru.

Felicia specializes in helping women transition hairstyles and grow healthier hair, happier hair! Admission for the 'Loving Your Hair w/Natural Care' workshop is $35. To RSVP call KBB at 718.797.4808.

Decked out w/ its signature bright blue awning and also at the ready with its famous turkey dishes (including the deep fried turkey!), sides, sauces, homemade drinks and delicious desserts: Jive Turkey is open for business.

With more than 15 different flavors of whole turkeys and a daily menu of delicious sandwiches, salads and dishes, Jive Turkey has been featured on the Food Network show Unwrapped, Road Tasted with the Neely's and the Travel Channel's Food Paradise and in Gourmet Magazine.

Eat in (front of store or garden) or take out.

What are you waiting on? Stop in.

Jive Turkey is located at 570 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon. Call 718.797.1688, option 2 with any questions.

Yamashiro reopened on July 13th, right on schedule.

After a very brief hiatus to make some aesthetic adjustments, the restaurant has reopened, sporting a much funkier and definitely more well-lit look. Light gray walls, new multi-colored lighting installed on the ceiling and at the base of the sushi bar gives the restaurant a more modern flair. A projected waterfall on the wall behind the sushi bar area will be added by the weekend or early next week.

The food is just as fresh and delicious as ALWAYS, so stop in soon.

Yamashiro is located at 466 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Call 718.230.3313 for additional details.

Maureen, with Just Food, gave the gardeners great advice in Saturday's workshop, "Organic Pest Control: Planting techniques to increase yields and decrease pests". Did you know that ants don't like mint? To reduce their presence you can crush up fresh mint, add it to water and use it as a spray around your garden and plants. This workshop was the second in a series of seven that will run through September. The next, "Planting for Fall Harvest", is scheduled for July 24, 2010 10-noon (weather permitting) at the Garden of Eden on Myrtle Ave between Prince and Navy. All are welcome!

Fort Greene Park voted one of the top parks for public art viewing by TimeOut Magazine. In an article in the mag last week, 'Five Best Parks for Viewing Public Art', Fort Greene is listed along with City Hall Park and Battery Park City.

The article highlights the current Myrtle Bird Town exhibit, which consists of more than 50 birdhouses made from salvaged materials, created by artists, Jennifer Wong and Daniel Goers.

BirdTown can be viewed at the NW entrance to Fort Greene Park (Myrtle and St. Edwards) as well as the Carlton Triangle (Myrtle and Carlton)now through December. Check out the artists' website for additional information: www.myrtleavenuebirdtown.com.