Category Archives: District News

#farm2nabe Tickets Now on Sale!

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DINE, SUPPORT & MINGLE locally at three of our #farm2nabe restaurants in June: Maggie Brown, LuLu & Po & Putnam’s Pub & Cooker!

Tickets are NOW on sale

Come to an event, or even better all three!, and taste each chefs local flavors, meet some of their regional producers & support two local farm education programs that bring farming education and nutrition awareness to Fort Greene & Clinton Hill youth – City Growers & PS 20 Farms!

The line up:

Maggie Brown – 455 Myrtle
June 3rd – 5-7PM
Featuring Brooklyn Republic Vodka, Milk Not Jails

LuLu & Po – 154 Carlton
June 11th – 6-9PM
Featuring Anthony Nappa Wines, Brooklyn Grange & Feather Ridge Farm

Putnam’s Pub & Cooker – 419 Myrtle
June 18th – 5-7 PM
Featuring Hudson Valley Harvest, Stinky Bklyn , and local beer and spirits.

Farm to Neighborhood June Event Series on Myrtle

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MARP’s Farm to Neighborhood program connects local chefs and retailers with regional producers to increase consumer access to fresh, locally grown foods and to support our regional economy.

In June, all will have the opportunity to DINE, SUPPORT & MINGLE locally at three of our#farm2nabe restaurants: Maggie Brown, LuLu & Po and Putnam’s Pub & Cooker!

Come to an event, or even better all three!, and taste each chefs local flavors, meet some of their regional producers & support two local farm education programs that bring farming education and nutrition awareness to Fort Greene & Clinton Hill youth – City Growers & PS 20 Farms!

 

The series will be Tuesdays in June and the line up so far is:

Maggie Brown – 455 Myrtle
June 3rd – 5-7PM
Featuring Brooklyn Republic Vodka, Milk Not Jails

LuLu & Po – 154 Carlton
June 11th – 6-9PM
Featuring Anthony Nappa Wine, Brooklyn Grange & Feather Ridge Farm

Putnam’s Pub & Cooker – 419 Myrtle
June 18th – 5-7 PM
Featuring Hudson Valley Harvest, Stinky Bklyn , and local beer and spirits.

$40 Tickets go on sale TOMORROW, 5.14.12, at noon – mark your calendars!

6th Annual Shred Fest, 5/19 from 10am – 4pm!

 

Protect your identity. Shred your personal papers for free! Shred Fest is an annual City event to help New Yorkers prevent identity theft.

Bring out your old bank statements, old pay stubs, credit card applications, old papers with personal identifying information, etc.

 

At Shred Fest you can:

–Safely shred papers containing personal information for free using shredding trucks

–Get free identity theft prevention tips

–Get a FREE paper shredder* donated by Staples if you are one of the first 5 people to arrive at a Shred Fest location.

 

Closest location:

Cadman Plaza (Cadman Plaza West; opposite Clark Street)

Click here for complete list of Shred Fest locations.

*Shredder recipients will fill out a form to confirm they are not City government employees.

Trilok School’s Annual Fundraiser: The ‘Spring Swing’ Gala, Sat., 5/18!

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Trilok Center for Arts & Education is hosting its annual gala event, Spring Swing.’ Come out and have a great time for a great cause. Put on your dancing shoes– live DJ, dancing, food, drink, fun! Also, children’s artwork will be on sale.

Help Trilok reach it’s $50K fundraising goal. Event proceeds will go towards purchase of a new state-of-the-art greenhouse for the garden and dance floor for the basement performing arts theater.

Click here to purchase a ticket or to donate to the cause.

Learn Citi Bike Street Skills at Red Lantern Bikes!

Red Lantern Bikes_bike education
Thinking of joining Citi Bike, New York City’s new bike share system?

Attend a Citi Bike Street Skills class at Red Lantern Bicycles & Cafe located at 345 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton for a short session that includes bike share basics, like pricing and station locations, as well as essential street riding tips. Every participant will leave with a free 24-hour pass to Citi Bike, worth $9.95!

Each Bike New York Street Skills class offers important street riding information in a quick, off-bike session. The interactive class will provide concrete examples of city cycling scenarios and how best to handle them so that you enjoy pleasant, stress-free rides. Topics will include where bikes fit on New York City’s bustling streets, whether in a bike lane, traffic lane, bike box and much more. Join fellow Citi Bike riders (and future Citi Bike riders) to learn from certified cycling instructors in an informal, classroom-style presentation and discussion in a lively space where snacks, drinks, and good company are provided.

Want to sign up for classes at Red Lantern Bicycles & Café? Only 3 classes remaining (Thursdays, May 16, June 6 and June 20: 7pm-8pm)! Click hereto register.

Red Lantern Bicycles & Café is located at 345 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton. Please call 718.889.5338 for details.

Yummy Match-up: peanut butter smoothie + apple cider donut!

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There’s enough Myrtle love to spread around, always–all up and down the Avenue!

Paired up a delish, cold and smooth, peanut butter smoothie from Move with Grace with a soft, fresh apple cider donut from The Joint on Myrtle.

Now THAT was a good snack!

Stop in and check out Move with Grace Yoga, Pilates and Dance Studio’s fresh juice and smoothie bar. Move with Grace is located at 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Call 718.230.0013 for further info.

Stop in at The Joint on Myrtle Avenue for an apple cider donut or choose from the delicious assortment of other desserts, including vegan selections! The Joint on Myrtle is located at 471 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street (yep, Grace and T&T are right next door to one another) and can be reached at 347.761.1455 for further info.

Spring Planting: Local Schools Help Beautify Myrtle Av

Tree Pit Planting - Greene Hill Students - 2013-05-06 (13)

Yesterday and today, the “7s” and “8s” (7 and 8 year olds) from Greene Hill School planted ornamental annuals in tree pits along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID provided nearly 1000 seedlings and the tools needed to plant them. Students planted begonias and red salvias in 12 tree pits from Adelphi to Waverly.

Spring planting continues later this week. Students from Trilok and PS20 are scheduled to plant annuals in other tree pits along Myrtle. In mid-May, the BID will install perennial plants in Myrtle tree pits that don’t already have them.

All ornamental plantings are protected by Myrtle’s award-winning tree guards, which were supported by funding from NYS Main Street and NYS DEC.

Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: for any age! Choose private lesson, classes and open house

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Over 40 and thinking about getting started in Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Check out Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s blog today about getting started over age 40. Can you do it? BBJJ says–absolutely!

Check out the blog post about getting started. And please come back and share when you give it a go!

Just $19.95 will get you a free uniform and a private lesson at BBJJ! Or stop in along with a current BBJJ student for BBJJ’s Friends and Family open house night on May 15th at 7pm.

BBJJ will go over the basics of self defense, help you feel extra comfortable taking a first class, and they will show you how to start getting and staying fit and confident.

Read more about BBJJ instructors here.

BBJJ is located at 412 Myrtle Avenue and can be reached at 718.403.0067.

photo credit: Frederick V. Nielsen II

Soco is now serving LUNCH!

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Starting Tuesday, May 14th, Soco will also be open for lunch, T-F, 12noon thru 4pm! New lunch menu and happy hour cocktails.

The lunch menu will be comprised of many SoCo dinner favorites plus some brand new lunch offerings. And what’s lunch without…happy hour cocktail specials! Stop in and enjoy!

Soco is located at 509 Myrtle Avenue between Ryerson and Grand. Please call them at 718.783.1936.

$50 off transition lenses at DC Optics!

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$50 off transition lenses at DC Optics!

Dr. Cheng, optometrist and owner of the eponymous optical store has sooo much passion and excitement for his work.

Good to meet someone with so much talent, passion and excitement for his work that he can even make aclassroom of 1st graders shout, “glasses are cool!”

Being a big supporter of local business, at DC Optics, with a year supply of contacts or a pair of glasses, you will receive a gift certificate to Le Petit Bakery, Red Lantern Bikes or CakeJoy Bakery.

The mission of DC Optics is to provide the highest quality eye care in a relaxed and friendly environment with an emphasis on community outreach and charity work. (DC Optics provides exams and eyewear to children in local schools.)

DC Optics is located at 390 Myrtle Avenue and can be reached at 347.504.1121.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Lola BKLYN!

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Cinco de Mayo is this coming Sunday (5/5, of course)! It celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla. Folks all over the world commemorate the day, in Mexico and outside of Mexico. It can arguably be said that many folks who hail from or reside in the historic city where the battle took place, Puebla, Mexico, really have a handle on knowing how to celebrate the day big time.

Psst, Lola Bklyn’s’s executive chef is from Puebla.

Garden party at Lola Bklyn! Music, brunch specials, $4 Coronas or grab a bucket of Coronas with friends for $16 and receive complimentary taquitos. Check out the full menu of delicious food and drink here.

Lola BKLYN is located at 387 Myrtle Avenue. They can be reached at 718.858.1484.

And the patio’s open too! Stop in at Pillow Cafe-Lounge!

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Have you tried the fiesta salad at Pillow Café-Lounge? You should!

The fiesta salad is a delish dish which includes black beans with corn and avocado tossed in a lime vinaigrette dressing on a bed of greens. Whew–hit the spot, hit the ball out of the park, hit the high note–you get us.

Check out Pillow’s menu, which includes a variety of fresh, delicious salads, sandwiches, breakfast, cold, hot and specialty drinks. And with weather like today’s–sit out and enjoy the wonderful back yard space.

Pillow Café is located at 505 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Ryerson. Please call to order: 718.246.2711.

Sneak Peek: Leisure Life NYC opens this weekend!

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Leisure Life NYC, a fine men’s clothing line specializing in leather goods and accessories, is planning a soft opening this coming weekend at 559 Myrtle Avenue!

This husband and wife-owned venture is oozing with style. Check out the finely tailored varsity jackets with pleasingly placed pops of color in the finest of places, across the forearms, on the elbows, on the pockets, at the collar and waist.

Leisure Life will carry clothing and accessories by many local Brooklyn designers as well as exhibit visual art by local artists on its walls. Please stop in to say hello to these first time-entrepreneurs.

Leisure Life is located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon Avenues.

An Evening with Mark Bittman, New York Times Food and Opinion Writer

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All are invited to this exciting event and opportunity to support the Brooklyn Food Coalition (BFC).

Mark Bittman, New York Times Food & Opinion writer, will speak on “The Future of Food” and will address how we can eat for the health of our bodies and the planet.

All Proceeds go to support the Brooklyn Food Coalition: Working Toward A Healthy, Just, and Sustainable Food System For All!
– General Admin tickets are $20
– Limited amount of student tickets for $10
– VIP Dinner & talk for $175 includes: a 4-course meal, wine, a signed copy of Mr. Bittman’s new book “VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 p.m. to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health…For Food”, and entry to the talk

Purchase your tickets here.

Where: Long Island University in Downtown Brooklyn
Arnold and Marie Schwartz Athletic Center
1 University Plaza (DeKalb and Flatbush Avenues)

When: April 30th

Time: 6PM

Need more info? Visit the BFC website here.

Join Us For a Free Jane’s Walk in Wallabout this Saturday!

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Enjoy the neighborhood this weekend by participating in a Jane’s Walk through the historic Wallabout neighborhood! Jane’s Walk, founded on the principles of urbanist and author Jane Jacobs, offers an opportunity for locals to get together to meet, share, learn about and appreciate their neighborhood. The Wallabout walk will be one of more than 100 offered around the city on the weekend of May 4-5.

The Wallabout walk will begin at 12:00 at the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument in Fort Greene Park and end in front of 99 Ryerson Street. No registration is required.

The walk will explore the Wallabout neighborhood, located in northern Brooklyn near the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and discuss its 380+ year history as a community. The walk will lead past neighborhood landmarks and explore how these places, and the famous residents associated with them, represent the community’s social development over the centuries. The stories will discuss the area’s first European settlers, its role in the Revolutionary War, the area’s 19th century industrialization, famous residents such as Walt Whitman, and the neighborhood’s decline and how these past events and people have defined the revitalized neighborhood we see today.

Find more info on The Municipal Art Society’s website.

You are in good hands at Clinton Hill Animal Clinic!

dog breath

Dog breath? Yeah, seriously, check that dog breath! Dr. Dendtler and Dr. Johnson share that it can be an oral health problem. Pet owners, have you checked out Clinton Hill Animal Clinic? Dr. Dendtler and Dr. Johnson have 30+ years of knowledge and experience.

Whether in need of wellness exams and vaccines, diagnostic testing, blood analysis, urinalysis, fecal exams; surgery (soft tissue and orthopedic), allergy testing; digital x-rays and sonogram service, intravenous fluid therapy; domestic and international travel certificates (USDA), spay, neuter and declaw; cat boarding, arthritis management, anesthesia and vital signs monitoring or a whole lot more, please give them a call.

Clinton Hill Animal Clinic is located at 476 Myrtle Avenue and can be reached at 718.623.3999.

Young Writers Present at BLDG 92 for National Poetry Month, Sat., 4/27

Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month. Tomorrow, Saturday, April 27th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm is a local celebration, stop in and check it out.

BLDG 92 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard presents ‘Finding Your Voice: Young Writers Celebrating Freedom.’ Enjoy a reading of new poetry and prose by talented young writers, ages 7 thru college (Keanu Stowe, Ardelle Stowe, Iyanu Miller, Najaya Royal, Aliah Gilkes, Jaya Samuel, Keredin Samuel, Jamila Wright), mentored by Angeli Rasbury. This public program is supported by The Walt Whitman Project.

Light refreshments.

Free admission.

Zaytoons Restaurant Goodness, Yum!

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Yummm, just had a falafel sandwich for a late lunch at Zaytoons Restaurant, 472 Myrtle Avenue. Looks like NearSay is on the same page–in today’s article on Zaytoons they ask if you know what falafel is. Our answer is a resounding–yes! Those warm, flavorful, filling pillows of chickpeas on a freshly-made pita, with tahini and wonderful veggies and spices. Oh yeah!

Don’t forget to check out Zaytoons upcoming event, the Magic of Belly Dance dinner and performance on April 28th!

Zaytoons is located at 472 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Please call (718) 623-5522 for details.

 

An Evening with Mark Bittman, New York Times Food and Opinion Writer

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All are invited to this exciting event and opportunity to support the Brooklyn Food Coalition (BFC).

Mark Bittman, New York Times Food & Opinion writer, will speak on “The Future of Food” and will address how we can eat for the health of our bodies and the planet.

All Proceeds go to support the Brooklyn Food Coalition: Working Toward A Healthy, Just, and Sustainable Food System For All!
– General Admin tickets are $20
– Limited amount of student tickets for $10
– VIP Dinner & talk for $175 includes: a 4-course meal, wine, a signed copy of Mr. Bittman’s new book “VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 p.m. to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health…For F…”, and entry to the talk

Purchase your tickets here.

Where: Long Island University in Downtown Brooklyn
Arnold and Marie Schwartz Athletic Center
1 University Plaza (DeKalb and Flatbush Avenues)

When: April 30th

Time: 6PM

Need more info? Visit the BFC website here.

Earth Day Celebration at Green in BKLYN

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Celebrate Earth Day this SUNDAY, APRIL 22 with Green in BKLYN located at 432 Myrtle Ave!

EARTH DAY SCHEDULE:
•12-1:00pm: Spoonable Saucy Caramel & Brooklyn Roasting Company Coffee
A taste of Spoonable’s saucy caramel and a cuppa joe from the Brooklyn Roasting Company and you’re tasting the best of both while supporting local businesses. Wake up! Time to eat local!

•1:30-2:30pm: Fresh Fanatic
Fresh Fanatic, the all natural, local and organic market and cafe samples an array of fresh deserts and dips made in-house plus tasty cheeses and sandwich platters. All from Mother Earth!

•3:00-4:00pm: Myrtle Eats Fresh
Myrtle Eats Fresh will share recipes, talk local foods & hand out samples of treats from local farms and folks. Grow and eat)local!

• 4:30-5:30pm: Super Foxy Sweets Vegan Fudge & Raaka Virgin Chocolate
Raaka Chocolates and Super Foxy Sweets will be handing out their locally made virgin chocolate & vegan fudge. A sweet little celebration of local treats & sweet Mama Earth!

• All Day: Pick a Prize…
Spend $43 or more (for Earth Day’s 43nd year) and be entered in our raffle for awesome eco-friendly treasures – foods & other treasures from our treasured earth!

“We hope you’ll join us for some (or all) of the fun on Earth Day. We love Earth Day, we love being here & we love you!” – Elissa @ Green in BKLYN.

Visit the store online at www.greeninbklyn.com

Supermarkets as common spaces for all people — Judith Fourny at Gnarly Vines!

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Paris-born, Brooklyn-based artist, gilder and curator, Judith Fourny, had supermarkets heavily on her mind over a year ago when she approached Associated Supermarket on Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street about the use of their discarded sales posters.

“I love the fact that supermarkets are a common space for all people. They are a common space for everyone, regardless of socio-economic status or culture. They serve all of our basic needs. It is a destination for all of us,” shared Judith.

In an untitled photographic series which includes thirty 18″ x 24″ posters, Judith takes photos of people in front of supermarket posters.

Click here for Judith’s website. Judith works out of her Brooklyn Navy Yard studio. The artist says she has “always been inspired by the beauty in human relationships” and uses art as a medium to reveal their hidden brilliance.

Judith’s series of posters will be up through May 5th at Gnarly Vines, 350 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi.

Park Avenue Update: Daylighting Approved for 7 Locations

DOT approved our request to install “daylighting” regulations at seven locations on Park Avenue!

Parked cars near the approach of an intersection can obstruct the visibility of drivers and pedestrians crossing that intersection. Daylighting is a safety measure where parking is restricted within 20-30 feet of the approach to an intersection, allowing drivers and pedestrians a better field of vision. Daylighting can improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers alike.

Following are the locations where DOT will install “no standing” regulations within the next 90 days: 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.

The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more updates…

Day ‘n Night Gourmet Grocery Store opens at 480 Myrtle Avenue!

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Day ‘n Night Gourmet Grocery store is open for business! After a long wait and build-out, the commercial life returned to the 480 Myrtle Avenue storefront this past Saturday.

Stop in and shop! Say hello to Billo(who formerly owned the 99 cent store at the same location) and his business partners in this new venture.

The store carries a wide variety of groceries, milk, eggs, bread and cheese, gourmet popcorn, chips and other snacks and soft drinks. Additionally, the store includes a salad bar, a fresh juice bar and fresh fruit smoothies section, a sandwich section (bread, rolls, heros, bagels, wraps), lottery and so much more, stop in! What more is in store? Backyard seating and fresh produce selection in front. Local college students gets 10% off with ID.

Visa, MasterCard and EBT payments welcome. Free delivery (w/minimum $10 purchase).

Day ‘n Night Gourmet Grocery is located at 480 Myrtle Avenue, near Hall Street. Call 718.230.4516 for further detail.

Pratt MFA Open Studios, today (4/12) and tomorrow (4/13)!

Pratt MFA Open Studios

Pratt Institute’s MFA program will open its studio and gallery doors to the general public today, Friday, April 12, 2013 from 5:00-9:00pm and tomorrow, Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 12:00-6:00pm. Live performances and a reception will take place on Friday night, starting at 8pm at the Flushing Ave Studios. A performance schedule is available here.

100 MFA candidates will exhibit artwork in various forms, including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, new forms, video, performance, installation.

There are two addresses where studios are located. Off-campus at 248 Flushing Avenue (loading dock between Ryerson Avenue and Hall Street), elevator to 3rd Floor, and on-campus at 200 Willoughby Avenue. All campus security booths will also have Open Studio maps and general information.

Visit the Pratt MFA Open Studios website for a preview of participating artists. Pratt MFA Open Studios website.

This event is hosted by the Pratt Artists’ League and Pratt’s Fine Art Department.