Using specific recommendations and input from the public gathered at workshops, MARP and AFH have developed a set of draft recommendations to improve pedestrian safety on Park Avenue in Fort Greene, Wallabout and Clinton Hill. We will present these draft proposals to the general public on Wednesday, 5/30 from 6-8pm at the Navy Yard Houses community room, 45-55 North Elliot between Park Avenue and Flushing (across from Commodore Barry Park).

MARP and AFH will use your feedback to finalize the safety proposals, which will be presented to Community Board 2, local officials and appropriate city agencies. We hope you can attend, and that you will share the attached flyer with others who would be interested in participating in this important discussion about pedestrian safety.

RSVP and Questions: Dan Scorse, dan@myrtleavenue.org or 718-230-1689

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Garden and Greening Program staff built and filled 8 new garden boxes at the Walt Whitman development along Myrtle Avenue between North Portland and Carlton Avenues on Friday, May 18th. Eight Whitman residents will be growing food in the new boxes and planting flowers and plants around the grounds. The gardeners that were out to watch the boxes be built on Friday were excited and ready to get planting! Ms. Isabella Lee, Whitman Tenant's Association President, encouraged neighbors that were asking how they can get involved to plant flowers and plants all over the grounds; “we're trying to beautify the community” was her message to them. As resources become available additional boxes can be built in order for more residents to grow food but, in the meantime, residents will be working together to spruce up the grounds.

Marks Gourmet Burgers, a new burger shop coming to Myrtle Avenue at the corner of Waverly Avenue this summer, is looking to hire a cashier. Interested applicants can send resumes to marksgourmetburgersllc@gmail.com or call 718-875-2525 to find out more.

The new restaurant will be at 441 Myrtle, in the former Bechamel space.

Chef, author and traveler, Anthony Bourdain and superstar chef and entrepreneur, Marcus Samuelsson (swoon, swoon) have surely talked about the delicious drink, palm wine, in their books and on their television programs. Palm wine, an alcoholic beverage created from the fermented sap of various species of palm tree, is said to especially be a good accompaniment to very well seasoned dishes and pungent cheeses and sweet desserts. It's reminiscent of white wine with a more earthy finish.

Palm wine is popular in Africa and South Asia and hey, now you can find it on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, NY too. 🙂

Owa African Msrket, which is at once an African art, craft and textile store and grocery oasis, located at 434 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly Avenues, now offers palm wine as a new product offering. Stop in to pick up a bottle for dinner tonight!

This Sunday, May 20, at 1:00pm in Fort Greene Park, the Walt Whitmans Fort Greene Park and Area FREE walking tour will be hosted by the Fort Greene Park Conservancy and The Walt Whitman Project. The Walt Whitman Projects Artistic Director, Greg Trupiano will be leading the walk, which begins at the parks Visitors Center at the top of the hill.

Below is Mr. Trupiano description of the approximately two -hour event:

Walk around Fort Greene Park, a greensward that owes its existence in large part to Walt Whitman's editorials written for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, and learn about this poet's intimate connection with Brooklyn's first official park. The afternoon includes discussions about the park, its role in the American Revolution and Civil War, the Wallabout Martyrs and the monument dedicated to their memory. The event continues with a walk up Myrtle Avenue to 99 Ryerson Street, the last existing building in Brooklyn that was a residence of Walt Whitman.

After the walk, visitors can continue over to BLDG 92, the incredible new visitors center and museum at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (admission is free!) before stopping to grab a bite on Myrtle Avenue.

RSVP for the walking tour is not required, but encouraged. Please email info@fortgreenepark.org if youd like to make a reservation. Further information can be found by calling 718-391-8824.

It's that time of year again! Check out the info below from the Fort Greene Association.

Once every two years, Fort Greene homeowners open their doors, literally, to showcase their creativity, spirit, style and historic beauty of our neighborhood.

This year the FGA is producing a unique and intimate guided house tour where they will feature four homes in Fort Greene, where four groups of Fort Greene House Tour Enthusiast will visit each of the four homes in a rotation, similar to a bar crawl lead by Fort Greene Association Ambassadors.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion with homeowners / architects regarding the renovation process for a particular area of each home being featured: parlor floor, kitchen, garden apartment, and a restored exterior fa

This Sunday, May 6th at 11:00am, a neighborhood Janes Walk will be held along Myrtle Avenue and through the Wallabout neighborhood. The walk is open to residents or visitors to the neighborhood and will explore the history, urban fabric, and social life of Myrtle Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods. The walk will begin at the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument in Fort Greene Park and end at 99 Ryerson St, near the corner of Myrtle Avenue. The walk is free, no registration is required, and the walk will occur rain or shine.

Janes Walk is an international event with hundreds of walks held across the globe during the first weekend of May. The walks originated in Toronto and honor the legacy of urbanist and preservationist Jane Jacobs. The Municipal Art Society (MAS) has helped to organize 70 walks this year in New York City. To find out more about Janes Walk or to find other free NYC walks this weekend, visit MAS online.

New bacon cupcakes are in at CakeJoy Bakery! The new cupcakes, called 'You're Bacon Me Crazy,' are bacon and maple syrup-infused cake topped with real maple syrup butter cream.

They sold out within one hour of hitting the display case yesterday. Give CakeJoy a call to inquire about other delicious flavors like red velvet, blueberry and raspberry zinger, orange dreamsicle and vanilla and to find out when 'You're Bacon Me Crazy' will be offered again!

CakeJoy is located at 364 Myrtle Avenue, near corner of Adelphi. Please call the bakery at 718.624.CAKE (2253) or just drop in.

(pic above: from CakeJoy's Facebook page)

Tour

Just received info from Councilmember Tish James' office that the NYC Bike Share Program is hiring. Click here for Bike Share job postings.

Head Station Technician, Office Manager and Marketing Director are a few of the available positions listed.

credit: photo from http://nycitybikeshare.com/ site.

Applications are now being accepted for apartments at 7 Clermont Avenue between Flushing and Park. This building is part of the Navy Green complex.

Click here for 7 Clermont applications, income guidelines and additional information.

The completed application must be postmarked no later than June 13, 2012. Applications postmarked
after this date will be set aside for possible future consideration.

rendering from the 7clermont.com website.

Myrtle Avenue is highlighted in today's NY Daily News! The featured 2-page center spread is in the 'Best Places' section of the paper and is titled, 'BID Up.' The title refers to the role of BIDs, or Business Improvement Districts, in neighborhood improvement.

Four BID executive directors from around the City are included in the article. Myrtle's includes a photo of our executive director, Blaise Backer along with a brief snapshot of current and future happenings on the Avenue. The three other highlighted BIDs, DUMBO, Flatiron and Jamaica Center are in the same format.

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID's boundaries runs for 20 blocks, on Myrtle Avenue between Flatbush Avenue Extension and Classon Avenue.

Have questions about Medicare? Head to St. Josephs College on
Thursday, April 19 at noon and 4pm for a free seminar.

Local candy shop Huey's Chueys is holding a contest looking for pictures and essays representing “My favorite things” by local school-age students. The contest is open until Thursday, April 19th, and winners will be announced on May 1st. Grand prize – $20 + a Huey's Chueys candy bouquet! There are lots of prizes for 2nd – 10th place too! Stop by Hueys Chuey's at 378 Myrtle to pick up an entry form. Good luck!

Myrtle Avenue's unique record store, Dope Jams, was recently featured in Shift, the international magazine that highlights creative culture. The piece, seen here, explains why Dope Jams is so unique in New York and that they're the place to visit if you're looking for anything from Hip-Hop, to 80's disco, to Funk.

To learn about upcoming events or buy products online, check out Dope Jam's website .

Le Petit Bakery is the latest biz scheduled to open at the GWay-managed building located at Myrtle and Adelphi this summer. The owners are working towards an early June opening at the 354 Myrtle Avenue commercial space.

Le Petit Bakery will specialize in both breads and confections. Check out their Facebook page for a list of fresh, delicious items they will create, including tarts, baguettes, eclairs, croissants, whole wheat breads and brioche.

Owners, Susan Tenteromano and Christopher Sanchez, a mother-son team, are bringing years of experience to their establishment. Susan has over 20 years in the food industry. Christopher is a trained pastry chef who has worked under many award-winning chefs. Jean-George, Park Avenue Cafe, Per Se, Bouchon and Eleven Madison Park are a few fine restaurants he's worked. Christopher shared that owning and operating a business is a dream come true. He says he's had a glimpse of his future even as a pre-schooler, with his leadership skills being evident and has been baking with his family since age 2.

With Noah's Bridal (recently opened) and Sakura Tokyo, Burger Ur Way and Le Petit Bakery, all due to open this spring and summer, the commercial spaces at the building are now fully rented. The property owners are planning to use NY Main Street grants to improve and restore tenants to the upper residential units in the coming months.

A high of 74 degrees today. Aaaaah, sidewalk cafes, open gardens and open store windows and doors on deck on Myrtle Avenue, stop by!

Food, drink, fun, fresh air. Welcome Spring!

(picture above of Putnam's Pub & Cooker at 419 Myrtle Avenue, corner of Clinton)

Hadas Gallery's upcoming art exhibit celebrates Jewish identity in the graphic medium. The new exhibit opens on April 15th. Mark your calendars.

Hadas Gallery is located at 541 Myrtle Avenue.

Hadas Gallery is a project of the Rohr Jewish Center, please contact them for information about the upcoming or other exhibits: info@hadasgallery.com.