Author Archives: Chad Purkey

Help PS 20 Expand Their Urban Farm Program

PS 20 Farms, at Brooklyn’s PS 20: The Clinton Hill School, located on Adelphi Street between Willoughby and DeKalb Avenues, is gearing up to expand and they need your help!

The farm was founded in 2010 as a PTA created and funded initiative. In 2011 the farm provided the opportunity for kids in two classes to get their hands dirty and learn about urban agriculture. In 2012 the program expanded to provide instruction to four classes. This year, with help from the community, they plan to build beds surrounding the school so that ALL of their 14 classes, over 300 students in Pre-K to 5th Grade, will have the opportunity to get their hands in the dirt and learn about urban agriculture!

To learn more and donate to the cause visit their IOBY site here.

Black Artstory Month concludes: the Wiz, MoCADA, fashion

The first annual Black Artstory Month celebration wraps up this week with films and lectures hosted by Brooklyn Young Filmmakers and MoCADA, and a talk on menswear by Randal Jacobs. Make sure to check out Myrtle Window’s Gallery’s “A Patchwork Story” before it comes down next week!

Last Tuesday Film Club: “THE WIZARD OF OZ vs THE WIZ” 
Tuesday, February 26, 7pm – 9pm
Trilok Fusion Center for Arts and Education 143 Waverly Avenue
($5 suggested donation)
These two classic films were developed from the same source material but took very different approaches to telling their stories, with THE WIZ adding an urban Black point-of-view. The facilitators will compare the two films and the history of their making. You do not need to have seen the films to enjoy and join in the discussion. Presented by Brooklyn Young Filmmakers, who is featured as the Brooklyn Arts Council’s arts organization of the month!

MOCADA’s Public Exchange Series: “Middle of Nowhere” 
Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue
Wednesday, February 27, 6pm
A feature-length narrative film about a woman coping with her husband’s incarceration. Presented by MoCADA and the Ingersoll Tenants Association.

Randal Jacobs: “The State of Menswear” 
Thursday, February 28, 7pm – 9pm
Myrtle Hall, 536 Myrtle Avenue (Entrance in rear facing Willoughby Avenue, access through parking lot or Myrtle gates)
A critical analysis of the traditional and modern “Dandy”, “Prep” and “gender neutral” clothing trends and how they currently affect and influence menswear styles on a global scale.

A Patchwork Story: Myrtle Windows Gallery
February 1 – February 28
Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle), Karrot (431 Myrtle), Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle), Mark’s Gourmet Burgers (441 Myrtle), Anima (458 Myrtle), Kum Kau (462 Myrtle), Miracles Unisex Barber Shop (473A Myrtle), and Soketah (563 Myrtle).
Drawing inspiration from African American quilts, artworks incorporate elements of collage, storytelling, explorations of personal identity and cultural heritage. Featuring works by Melissa Godoy Nieto, Amber Doe, Sophia Dawson, Tony Wells, Jose Baez, Cara Lynch, R. Steve Mosley, Steven J. Mosley and Arlene Jones. To purchase artwork in this exhibit, contact us at (718) 230-1689. Curated by Daonne Huff of MARP.

Freedom Fighters Exhibition
SOCO, 509 Myrtle Avenue
An exhibition celebrating the major personalities, heroes, and icons that assisted in shaping black history in America through their philosophies, socio-political activism, art and personal sacrifices for freedom. Featuring works by Fuse Green, M. Tony Peralta, Suhail Smith, Sam Wilson, Michael ‘TTK’ Harris, and Rasu Jilani. Hosted and curated by Rasu Jilani of Coup d’etat Arts.

Remembrance: SONYArtists celebrate Black History Month 
DC Optics, 390 Myrtle Avenue
Featured artists include Kennis Baptiste, Nina Allen, June Gaddy, Thomas Kwak, Misha Tyutyunik, Jamilla Jennings. Sponsored by South of the Navy Yard Artists (SONYA).
Photo: Glass Quilt, by R. Steve Mosley

Enter the 2013 PowerUP! Competition for a chance to win $15,000

Brooklyn Library Presents: 2013 PowerUP! Business Plan Competition

Who Can Enter?

If you are 18 years of age or older, live in Brooklyn and want to start a business in Brooklyn, you are eligible. PowerUP! is a competition to help applicants start a business.

What Is the Prize?

Nine winners will receive cash awards for entering the best business plan to start a business in Brooklyn. Cash prizes of $15,000 for first place and $5,000 for two runners-up will be awarded, plus valuable business services.

What Do I Have to Do to Participate?

You must apply to the competition, get a Brooklyn Public Library Card, see a business advisor and attend a few classes.

How Can I Apply?

You must attend one of the following orientations. Details about applying will be supplied at the orientations.

Please Register for an Orientation Online at http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/business/events OR call 718.623.7000 (option 4).

P.S. 67’s history featured this month on placeMATTERS

P.S. 67, the Charles A. Dorsey School, which is located at 51 Adelphi Street, just north of Myrtle Avenue, was selected February’s ‘Place of the Month’ byplaceMATTERS.

Check out the link on theplaceMATTERS website.

The school, named for its first principal, is located on St. Edwards, next door the the historic Walt Whitman Library and across from St. Michaels-St. Edwards Church. Fort Greene Park is across the street, to the south.

placeMATTERS, a project of City Lore and the Municipal Art Society, seeks to promote and protect places that connect New Yorkers to the past, host ongoing cultural and community traditions, and keep our city distinctive.

photo credit: NYC Department of Education

Zaytoons Hookah Special

Zaytoons customer appreciation special: Free hookahs with any order of $25 or more. Special is available every night, Monday thru Thursday ’til 10pm. Check out Zaytoons online to order the fresh and delicious menu items.

Zaytoons restaurant is located at 472 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. For more information or to place an order, please call 718.623.5522.

Pratt Institute’s Main Building Recovery Fund

Thankfully no one was physically hurt in the fire that broke out this past early Friday morning at Pratt Institute’s main building. And at this moment of rebuilding and heavy hearts for all that was lost, here’s an opportunity to help, the Main Building Recovery Fund:

Our thoughts are with you Pratt Community.

https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1143/support.aspx?sid=1143&gid=1&pgid=337&cid=958

 

photo: from the Pratt Department of Fine Arts Facebook page.

FREE Screening of Byron Hurt’s Award Winning Documentary Soul Food Junkies

MARP has partnered with the Community Transformation Grant at Bed-Stuy Restoration to host a screening of Byron Hurt’s Award Winning Documentary Soul Food Junkies on 2/22/13 6:30 -8:30PM at the Ingersoll Community Center located at 177 Myrtle Ave (Navy/Prince).

Many screenings are being organized throughout Brooklyn on 2/22/13 in order to spark a borough-wide conversation about how we can make environmental and system changes that will improve health outcomes and access to healthy, affordable foods within our communities.

Filmmaker Byron Hurt explores “the health advantages and disadvantages of Soul Food, a quintessential American cuisine. Soul food will also be used as the lens to investigate the dark side of the food industry and the growing food justice movement that has been born in its wake.” To learn more about B. Hurt and the film visit here.

To lead us in discussion following the film we welcome:

Keith Carr, City Harvest Assistant Manager to Healthy Neighborhoods in Bed Stuyvesant

Nicole Taylor, Heritage Network’s “Hot Grease“ Radio Show Host & Producer

T.I. Williams, Community Advocate and Trainer

Emceed by: Dominique Bryant, Ingersoll Resident Association President

Co-sponsors to the event are:
The Greene Hill Food Co-op
Stop by their table at the event and learn about the co-op and the benefits of becoming a member.

The Raymond V. Ingersoll Resident’s Association

MOCADA – Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts

WHERE:
Ingersoll Community Center – map
177 Myrtle Avenue (Navy/Prince)

WHEN:
Friday, February 22nd, 2013

TIME:
Film Screening at 6:30PM
Discussion at 7:45PM

Light refreshments will be served by the Ingersoll Resident Association and T.I. Williams will prepare samples of a Southern recipe with a healthy twist!

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”

This is the fourth in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue.

MARP’s very own Daniel Scorse designed the “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” panel. The name was a nod to his 18-month old son, Ari, who enjoys the classic children’s song. But the design itself originated from his feelings about the first round of tree guard panels. Daniel is responsible for installing and maintaining the guards and benches, as well as planting ornamentals. “I like the negative spaces, the open spaces, in the tree guards,” says Scorse. “Additionally, I didn’t want an abstract design. So I began to think about real objects that have a lot of open space, like webs. Putting the spider in the center was a design challenge for me, but it’s a fun touch.”

Locations for “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”: Bench near Red Lantern Bicycles, 345 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi; Guard near Trilok’s lot, Myrtle @ Waverly.

Myrtle’s tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a ‘canvas’ that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnership’s goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art.

Stay tuned for more spotlights…

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Repaving

If you’ve spent any time underneath the BQE, you know that the pavement conditions are terrible. There are countless potholes from Navy to Steuben, some very large. In some sections, the asphalt near the raised curb is almost entirely gone. This area has been neglected. Upon our request, DOT did send a pothole crew to this area. Some potholes were filled but many more remain. Fixing this issue may require a complete repaving project.

We will keep the pressure on DOT to fix the pavement in this area. You can help, by signing the online petition and/or sharing it with friends. Including hard copy petitions, we now have nearly 900 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there.

Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights…

Fort Greene Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

University Settlement & the Ingersoll Community Center invite the community to join in on festivities and cheer as they light the Fort Greene Christmas Tree this Friday 12/14/12 from 5-8PM.

The tree lighting will take place at 5:30PM in the Ingersoll Garden of Eden located next to the community center at 177 Myrtle Avenue (Prince/Navy).

Inside there will be entertainment, cookie decorating, crafts and more!

For more information call 718.522.5051

Rain date will be 12/17/12

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Street Trees

Did you know that a full street tree canopy can reduce automobile speeds by 5-10mph? It’s true. That’s why we proposed adding street trees to all available spots on Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben. As you can imagine, a wide open street without trees (like this photo) invites speeding. Trees can help. Besides adding beauty and reducing energy bills, street trees have a calming effect on drivers and vehicle speeds.

The New York City Parks Department is responsible for street trees. They received our report and asked that our proposal be refined to include each specific location where a tree can go. As you can imagine, siting street trees in NYC is not easy. In the coming months, we hope to map each location where a tree could be planted.

Including hard copy petitions, we now have over 800 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there by signing the online version and/or sharing it with friends.

Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights…

Free Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop

The Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center is hosting a FREE Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop TODAY from 1-3PM at the YWCA located at 30 3rd Avenue 11217.

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Daylighting

Daylighting is the practice of removing visual obstructions (parked cars) at intersections to increase safety. At our meeting with DOT, we learned that the city generally does not daylight intersections with traffic signals. However, DOT does daylight intersections with stop signs. At those locations, daylighting gives drivers (and pedestrians) a better view of the intersection so they know when it’s safe to proceed.

DOT asked MARP to specify which intersections in the project area should be daylighted. Based on DOT’s preference to daylight intersections governed by stop signs, MARP formally requested daylighting at the following locations: Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to North Oxford Street. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue. Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Ryerson Street. Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Steuben Street.

For more information about daylighting, watch thisshort film.

Including hard copy petitions, we now have over 800 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there by signing the online version and/or sharing it with friends.

Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights…

Thank You to Miracles Barber Shop and St. Joseph’s College for Your Generosity

The Fort Greene / Clinton Hill Community Food Council partnered with the Ingersoll Tenant Association Community Initiative to lead a food drive for the Ingersoll Community Center Thanksgiving Day Feast.

Miracles Barber Shop was one of the drop-off locations and you can see from the photo that they had great success in receiving donations!

In addition, St. Joseph’s College provided MARP and the Community Food Council with a generous cash donation so that farm fresh veggies from J. Glebocki Farms and Apple Cider & Fresh Fruit from Migliorelli Farm could be purchased for the cooks of the Thanksgiving Feast.

We thank Miracles Staff, residents who donated the food items and St. Joseph’s College for helping to make the Thanksgiving Day Feast a bountiful meal for our neighbors in need.

An evening of shopping and fun @ Shic by Soketah tonight, 11/17!

Shic by Soketah hosts “blazers and jewels,” an evening of shopping and fun “with everything a girl loves.” Stop by for an evening of champagne, beauty products, make-up, fragrances, foot massages, jewelry, fashion and a whole lot more. Don’t miss it.

It’s tonight, Saturday, November 17th from 8pm until 12midnight.

Shic, spelled with an ‘S‘ for Soketah, the owners’ first store on Myrtle Avenue, is a one-stop beauty bar featuring 4 fabulous beauty areas under one roof: hair, nails (manicures and pedicures), make-up and other beauty treatments, including facial and full body massages.

Shic is designed in colors reminiscent of lovely gifts and the boxes they sometimes come in, with its primarily chocolate brown and Tiffany blue color scheme. Shic is owned by 4 locals and entrepreneurs, Keisha Farrell, Sonia Lashley, Kristal Thomas and Jamilla Martin.

Shic by Soketah is located at 564 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon. Please call 718.875.6845/6 for more details, or stop in tonight for an evening of FUN!

Job Opportunity: Barista at the Joint on Myrtle

The Joint on Myrtle (471 Myrtle between Washington Avenue and Hall Street) is looking for an experienced barista, F/T or P/T. Barista must know how to use an espresso machine. Food permit a plus.

Interested? Send resume to thejointonmyrtle@gmail.com.

Free Health Screenings from Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center

A free “Mobile Clinic” will be parked in front of the Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue, tomorrow, November 15th, from 1-3pm.

Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center will be offering the following free health screenings:
Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Hypertension
Glucose
Vision
Hearing
HIV testing
Nutrition

All are welcome!

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: Greene Hill School Steps Up

This week we report on some great community work from Greene Hill School. The elementary school is located on Adelphi just north of Park Avenue. Students, parents and teachers cross Park Avenue multiple times per day. They know the issues and care about them as much as anyone else. Second grade teacher James Choi knew about the Park Avenue Safety Plan and thought that his students would like to help.

And help they did! James’ class collected almost 100 signatures for our petition. Each student then wrote a letter to DOT asking to make Park Avenue safer. Many focused on the issue that confronts them every day: inadequate pedestrian crossing time. Read the letter on this page for an example. Great work class!

Including the signatures gathered by Greene Hill, we now have a total of 725 signatures! Add you name by signing theonline version and/or sharing it with friends.

Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights…

Habanero Festival this Sunday and next, 12p-5p!

Habanero festival at the Trilok lot this Sunday, 11/11 and next Sunday, 11/18.

Come out and experience the the flavorful and HOT habanero. Cooking demo, games, songs — come out and enjoy.

The Trilok lot is located at Myrtle and Waverly. The event will take place from 12a-5p. Come out!

Last call to visit this season’s Myrtle Windows Gallery

Photo Credit: Adrian Coleman

Last chance to view the current, “This is Brooklyn,” Myrtle Windows Gallery. Some of the interior art shows will be coming down also. Be sure to check it out.

—

What do the Brooklyn Museum and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership have in common? The work of GO Brooklyn finalist Finalist, Adrian Coleman as well as several other talented Brooklyn artists.

Only a few more days left to catch the Myrtle Windows Gallery as well as exhibits which are taking place within Myrtle Avenue store.

Adrian Coleman’s work currently hangs in Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu @ 412 Myrtle Avenue and Anima Italian Bistro @ 458 Myrtle Avenue.

Also check out talented artists, Audrey Frank Anastasi, Connecticut Muffin, 423 Myrtle; Liz Johnson (painting), hanging in Green in Brooklyn, 434 Myrtle; Marilyn Kaggen (photography) at Karrot, 431 Myrtle; Ani Kington (painting) at Miracles, 473A Myrtle; and Thomas Osorio (painting)at Soketah, 563 Myrtle.

 

Exhibits inside merchant spaces include:

  • Chris Pardi at Cielo Bar Brooklyn (474 Myrtle).
  • Kerri Ferrara at Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle).
  • South of the Navy Yard Artists ‘Out of Sight’ at DC Optics (390 Myrtle). The first of four SONYA exhibitions features urban-inspired, colorful work that reflects what is great, marvelous and powerful.
  • Dave Barron at The Emerson (561 Myrtle).
  • Fabrice Trombert at Gnarly Vines (350 Myrtle).
  • Deborah Stevenson at Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle).
  • Rosa Katznelson’s Jubilation at Hadas Gallery (541 Myrtle). Born in Argentina under a period marked by virulent anti-Semitism, Katznelson paints in defiance to the adversity she experienced as a child.
  • Cesar Velez’s Corners of a Soul at Mojito Cuban Cuisine (82 Washington Avenue). 20 original pieces are made from recycled materials; even the paints are handmade by the artist! Every piece is a testimony of a place in the mind.
  • Michael Shephers’s Origami Tsunami at Owl & the Pussycat (154 Vandberbilt). Mixed media paintings Words, Birds & Scribbles.
  • Ainsley Burrows and Pillow Café & Lounge (505 Myrtle) Ainsley Burrows combine dadaist, surrealist, graffiti art and modern expressionism. His messages are whimsical and political at the same time.

 

 

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Produce Donated to Occupy Sandy Clinton Hill Headquarters

While we are sad to not be able to open the Farm Stand today we are happy that the food that was delivered this morning from J. Glebocki Farms has been donated to Occupy Sandy Clinton Hill headquarters at The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew located at 520 Clinton Ave.

As of 1:30PM yesterday this location was out of food and the following donations requested:

Meat/Chicken/Ground Beef, Vegetables, Non-Perishables (Canned goods, soups, vegetables) Dry goods and ready to eat food(Cereal, power bars, granola, crackers, etc., winter gear (jackets, gloves, etc) but no general clothes.

For more information and to volunteer locally click here .

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand will be CLOSED Tomorrow, 11/7/12

Hunker down New Yorkers! According to the National Weather Service they are anticipating high winds and heavy rain for tomorrow. So, sadly, we will not have our final Farm Stand. We have enjoyed the season and thank all of you that have visited and shopped at the market! Feel free to contact Kassy Nystrom, Food Access Initiatives Program Manger at the MARP office with any questions, concerns or suggestions for next year’s market – 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenue.org.

We hope that those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy will have a safe and dry place to be tomorrow. Warm, dry and safe wishes to all!

Election Day Party @ Pillow Cafe tonight, 11/6!

Okay, after you’ve gone out and rocked the vote, stop by Pillow Cafe-Lounge tonight to watch the election results roll in. Don’t yell at the TV all by yourself, stop over at Pillow for great company, great eats and drinks.

‘The Big Queer Election Watch Party’ at Pillow Cafe, 6:30pm-until. Everyone’s welcome!

Pillow Cafe-Lounge is located at 505 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Ryerson.

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: Rainwater and the BQE

 

With Superstorm Sandy in the rearview mirror and a nor’easter brewing over the Atlantic, this week we look at rainwater and the BQE. Just a few short years ago New York State DOT completed a major rehabilitation of the elevated portion of the BQE between Navy and Steuben. Lighting was greatly improved (only the area under the BQE at Steuben remains below standard). However, the downspouts that direct BQE runoff to storm drains are already leaking profusely. If you pass under/near the area during a rain storm you will see countless downspouts leaking – some heavily – onto the roadway below. We call on NYS DOT to fix this eyesore.

We also believe that the runoff from the BQE could be used, instead of mixed with sewage and discarded. Innovative planters could be installed at the edge of the parking areas (where these is some sun) and runoff could be directed into them, feeding plants and reducing the frequency/volume of combined sewer overflow events. See the Park Avenue Safety Plan for more details.

As a reminder, Please spread the word about the online petition.

Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights…

Fort Greene Greenmarket remains OPEN this Saturday

The Fort Greene Greenmarket, located at Washington Park btw DeKalb & Willoughby, will be open regular hours 8AM-4PM this Saturday but there will be NO food scrap collection or textiles collection. For a city-wide listing of Greenmarket status for the weekend visit theGrowNYC Blog .