Category Archives: District News

McKinney, MARP Honor Tree Guard Artists

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This morning, Susan S McKinney Secondary School of the Arts gave awards to dozens of students for various academic achievements, such as best grades and most improved. Three students received special recognition for their original tree guard panel designs that were selected in the second round of tree guard installations on Myrtle Avenue.

Kayla Lewis, Emily Vilorio, and Lanique Green (left to right in photo), were each called to the front of the auditorium, accompanied by a round of cheers from their classmates. MARP presented each artist with a laser-cut steel proof of their design. Proofs are made before a design can be manufactured into a tree guard. After that, they can be displayed and enjoyed as artwork.

Each of the student’s designs were made into a tree guard and tree bench and installed on Myrtle Avenue. Following are the locations: Kayla Lewis guard is east of N. Portland; bench is at Waverly; Emily Vilorio guard is at 471 Myrtle between Washington and Hall; bench is at N. Portland; Lanique Green guard is at 414 Myrtle between Vanderbilt and Clinton, bench is east of N. Portland.

Congratulations to these three artists and all the other students who received awards today!

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.

‘Magic of Belly Dance’ Dinner and Performance at Zaytoons Restaurant, Sun., 4/28

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“Spring into the Magic of Belly Dance” at Zaytoons restaurant on Sunday, April 28th from 4p-7p. The evening will include a delicious 3-course Middle Eastern dinner from 4pm-5pm, followed by a belly dance performance from 5:30pm-7pm.

$20 (or $25 at the door) includes performance, buffet dinner, dessert, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Appetizers: hummus, babaghanouj, tabouleh, fatoush; Entree: chicken kabob, veggie kabob, falafel, kafta kabob, rice; Dessert: baklava, lady fingers and basbousa.

Please come out for an evening of good food and good fun.

For advance tickets, please call: 347.533.6226.

Zaytoons is located at 472 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street.

The Silly Dance Off Contest Returns to the Emerson Bar, Sat., 4/5!

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The Silly Dance Off returns to the Emerson Bar. It’s this Saturday, 4/6 from 10pm until 2am. Get those moves ready! Here’s more from the Emerson:

Maybe you were at the first Silly Dance contest, or maybe you’ve heard the stories that became legends that became stories again, or maybe you’ve never heard of it and have no clue what the hell I am talking about.

Well it does’t matter because IT”S BACK!!!

THE GOAL: The Silliest Dancer Wins a $50 Bar Tab, The Silliest Costume Wins a $50 Bar Tab (you could win BOTH), and a $25 Bar Tab goes to the 2nd place dancer. Free drinks will be given away to silliest dancers after each round. You do not need to dress up to enter!

THE STRUCTURE: FOUR 20-30 minute DJ’d rounds with breaks in between for drinking and resting (last time people nearly danced themselves into coma so we’ve added breaks and shorter dancing rounds, but more rounds! YAY! you’re welcome…)

NO ELIMINATION (Except self elimination —- ummmm and by that I mean removing yourself from the contest….)

A SECRET PANEL of judges will determine the winner after round four by a scientific means of calculating silliness in each round and averaging that out and then multiplying that by 54 and dividing by 62 then spilling coffee on it and determining the winner by an in-house developed Rorschach test.

You can REGISTER with Max Power at any time BUT REMEMBER the more rounds you are in the more chance you have to WIN BIG and DRINK FREE all night!!!

So come down, dance, get your silly on or just sit and watch as history is made once again with one of the funnest, funniest, happiest nights you’ll be sure to encounter in your life!

Silly Music Provided During Each Round by DJ MAGGIT (John Keen, Blues Clues, Storage Wars…)

Other Music provide by MAX POWER!

FREE FUN ALL NIGHT LONG!

WHEN: Saturday APRIL 6th, 2013 10pm-2am… (registration for first round opens at 9:30, music and party all night ’til 4am!!!) WHERE: The Emerson, 561 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon WHY: Because we love you…

 

image: hand drawn By John Keen. Ink and colored pencil, March 2013.

21 Tara relocates to new digs on the Avenue!

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Scarves, hats, rings and bracelets with semi-precious stones, shoulder bags, wallets and decorative masks are just a few of the wonderful items available at 21 Tara. Placed around the store on shelves and colorful baskets, 21 Tara boasts a cornucopia of wonderful store items, stop in!

21 Tara recently relocated from smaller digs just off of Myrtle Avenue into its current 1100sf space at 388 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi.

The store’s brand new signage includes both an awning and shingle. A MARP $500 facade grant and graphic design assistance helped with the completed exterior look.

T-Mobile Re-Opens Today, 4/3!

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T-Mobile, the popular cell phone store, opens today at 436 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly, stop in!

T-Mobile relocated from its original space, closed more than 4 months ago due to construction plans at the site. Other stores, including Associated Supermarket on Myrtle and Hall have also or are in the process of moving to the construction as well.

Myrtle Eats Fresh at the Just Food Conference 2013

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The 2013 Just Food Conference is happening now! If you aren’t there already you can come tomorrow! Saturday, March 30th 8AM-6:30pm at the Food & Finance High School, 525 West 50th Street.

Join us from 10:30-11:45AM for the Myrtle Eats Fresh Farm to Neighborhood panel discussion with local chefs, farmers and businesses that bring local food products to our community.

The Farm to Neighborhoodprogram works to connect regional farmers with neighborhood food outlets. The mission is to support our regional agriculture economy as well as our hyper local economy. Attendees will hear the experiences of farmers, merchants, chefs, and MARP staff about how connections are being made in the Fort Greene & Clinton Hill communities.

Speakers include:
Aaron Grosbard, FarmersWeb
Bryn Roshong, Winter Sun Farms
Consulting Executive Chef at Cornerstone Restaurant Danielle Saunders
Andrew Braddock, Clawhammer Farm
Courtney Durfee, J. Glebocki Farms
Kallie Weinkle, Farmigo
Moderated by: Kassy Nystrom, MARP

Buy your tickets TODAY by clicking HERE

We hope to see you there!

4th Annual Biz Expo at St. Joseph’s College is April 6th — mark your calendars!

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The 4th Annual Brooklyn Business Expo is quickly approaching– Thursday, April 4th from 11p-4p. It will be held on the campus of St. Joseph’s College (Tuohy Hall–245 Clinton Avenue).

Sponsored by St. Joseph’s College and The Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, this year’s theme is “Rebuilding Business, Weathering Hard Times.”

The Expo is absolutely FREE of cost to attendees. Geared toward small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and the firms that serve these groups, the Expo will feature interactive workshops, panel discussions, vendor exhibitions, and networking opportunities for small business entrepreneurs. The Expo offers participating businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet and discuss products, services and the issues involved with running a small business.

Join us for the day, meet with your neighboring businesses, exchange ideas and showcase your business!

The Fourth Annual Brooklyn Business Expo is being held on the campus of St. Joseph’s College in Tuohy Hall, 245 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205 on Thursday, April 6, 2013 from 11 – 4 pm and is expected to draw participants from across the five boroughs.

In collaboration with: SBDC of Brooklyn, Fort Greene SNAP, Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, The Office of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and the Office of Council Member Letitia James.

Call 718.940.5857 or email Mamie Summers at msummers@sjcny.edu for further information.

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: “Squiggly”

Today, we take our first look at one of the student-designed panels, “Squiggly,” by Vera Arno from Greene Hill School.

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Says Vera: “When I was first trying to create a design, I sat down with my purple marker and paper and the idea just came to me and I started making some squiggly lines. I made it because it was simple and it was something that I thought of at the moment. I like it that it’s simple and I enjoyed creating it. I really didn’t think I would win, I was just doing it because it was fun. I’m glad that I get to share my art with the neighborhood so that everyone can see it and enjoy it. I think it’s cool that anyone who comes to the neighborhood and passes by will get to see something that I made! “

Locations for “Squiggly”: Bench is near the new Pharmacy at 355 Myrtle @ Adelphi; Guard is near DC Optics at 390 Myrtle between Clermont and Vanderbilt.

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…

Associated to close temporarily, construction to take one year

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Associated Supermarket at 492 Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Ryerson will close by the end of March. This closure will be temporary but long-term while construction takes place. Construction is scheduled to last approximately one year. Both property and store owners have confirmed the store’s return upon construction completion. The plan includes both residential and commercial development, which in the end will include a renovated 13,000+sf Associated commercial space plus residential development. The entire lot is zoned R7A which allows for an up to eight story building, but we will report the details or extent of the construction as soon as we know more. Please stay connected for updates.

Associated Supermarket is working earnestly to make this period, which will be rough for all, as easy as possible under the circumstances. Associated will offer free delivery and pickup services starting April 15th and will also run a shuttle bus for at least a month from Myrtle Avenue to their other two locales: Associated at 367 Waverly Avenue between Lafayette and Greene Avenues and Brooklyn Fare at 200 Schermerhorn Street between Hoyt and Bond Streets. Connect with Associated Supermarket via Facebook (Associated Supermarket 492 Myrtle Ave) or Twitter (@492MyrtleAve) for updates. As Associated prepares to close their doors for now, they are offering big sales on groceries, 20% off beginning today.

Other businesses that were once located in this lot now slated for redevelopment include: Bergen Bagels (now at Myrtle Hall, 536 Myrtle Avenue); T-Mobile (reopening in less than a month in its new space at 436 Myrtle); Yes Cleaners (relocating to 570 Myrtle Avenue); New Grace Kitchen (now at 545 Myrtle Avenue).

Please stay connected to the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership website for Myrtle Avenue business information. Connect to Associated Supermarket via Facebook or email them at 492Myrtle@guzmancorp.net for updates on store renovation and reopening information.

4 Encore Performances: A History of Launching Ships RETURNS, 3/14 thru 3/17 !

 

Beginning tonight, A History of Launching Ships returns to the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s BLDG 92for four encore performances. Performance dates are March 14-17 at 8pm, including a Q&A with the playwright and director + artists whose work is currently on display in BLDG 92’s current “Reflections on Rosie” exhibit after the March 15th performance.

Purchase tickets through SmartTix by clicking here.

Here’s more about A History of Launching Ships from the website:

“A History of Launching Ships is the first-ever theatrical production at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. This site-specific production will lead audiences through the three-floor museum over the course of the performance, stopping to watch scenes among BLDG 92’s exhibits. The Yard’s spirit and elements of its history act as seeds for the play’s mysterious story of four women isolated together inside the gates of a Naval Commandant’s home on the banks of an unnamed bay. Playwright Avi Glickstein has used the story of real-life Revolutionary heroine Elizabeth Burgin and archival materials from BLDG 92’s collection, as well as the gothic New York tales of Washington Irving, as a jumping-off point to create a uniquely American, ghostly tale of his own that echoes the Yard’s history as a center of innovation, reinvention, and sacrifice in service of a larger purpose.”

In the winter of 1779, a woman named Elizabeth Burgin defied New York City’s British occupiers by helping hundreds of patriots escape from prison ships anchored offshore of what is now the Brooklyn Navy Yard. With a bounty on her head, she fled the city. A History of Launching Ships, a new play by Avi Glickstein, joins Burgin during her flight from the British and places her in the middle of a fantastical tale that echoes the gothic stories of Washington Irving. The play, commissioned by Polybe + Seats and written for the unique environment of The Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92, tells the story of the three women who take Burgin in and hide her. Each woman seeks an escape from her own reality, and, together, they realize that the only way to freedom might be on a ship they build themselves.

The one and a half hour performance will involve some walking and standing on the part of the audience; ramps and elevators will be available.

Show your program and get 10% off post-performance dinner and/or drinks at Putnam’s Pub & Cooker at 419 Myrtle Avenue (at Clinton Avenue).

 

 

photo credit: Stephen Yang

Survey: Help Plan Events in the Future Plaza

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Please take a few minutes to fill out this online survey*. It will help us plan events in Myrtle Avenue’s future plaza, between Grand and Emerson.

The Myrtle Avenue plaza will create 25,000 square feet of new pedestrian space by reconfiguring two blocks of the four-block service road. Enhancements include: improved crossings, new bus stops, dozens of new trees, large planters with ornamentals, game tables, a water fountain, a permanent art installation, moveable tables and chairs, and more. The plaza will also provide space for community programming. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and will last over a year.

For more information about the plaza design, see this blog post .

NYU graduate students completing their Capstone project are helping us plan for programming.

Thank you for your time.

*This online survey is closed.

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: “Groundswell”

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

Since 2006, artist Deanna Lee has been making motifs of undulating lines that evoke organic forms, natural patterns like waves and wind currents, geological strata, and topographical maps. Her “Groundswell” tree guard panel design follows this motif. Says Lee: “I think the physical location of the panel, being close to the ground, reminds us of essential relationships in nature: Water and nutrients in soil feed the trees, and the trees feed us oxygen. ‘Groundswell’ conveys the energy coursing within all forms of life, our connections to nature, and a rise in protecting the presence of nature in our communities.”

Locations for “Groundswell”: Bench is in the southbound B69 bus stop, on Vanderbilt just south of Myrtle; Guard near Hardee Chinese Restaurant, 351 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi.

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…

Your Myrtle Ave Itinerary for Dine in Brooklyn 2013

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Are there so many local options for Dine in Brooklyn that you just can’t decide where to go? Do not fear, we’ve taken all the work out of it this year and put together a handy schedule for how to most strategically eat your way through restaurant week in the neighborhood. Here it goes:

Monday, March 11: Kick off restaurant week right away with lunch at FIVE SPOT SUPPER CLUB (459 Myrtle)

Tuesday, March 12: Visit LOLA BKLYN for dinner on Tuesday and enjoy their weekly trivia night (387 Myrtle).

Wednesday, March 13: Stay in with some dinner at home.

Thursday, March 14: Spice up the end of the week with some Latin fare from LUZ (177 Vanderbilt).

Friday, March 15: Take a friend’s recommendation on another participating restaurant.

Saturday, March 16: Start Saturday off with a soul-food filled brunch at FIVE SPOT SUPPER CLUB (459 Myrtle).

Sunday, March 17: Head back to LOLA BKLYN (387 Myrtle) to sample their brunch menu on this lazy Sunday.

Monday, March 18: Dust off the Monday blues at MAGGIE BROWN (455 Myrtle), and dine before 7:30 to enjoy happy hour.

Tuesday, March 19: Let yourself take a break for one day before the final push.

Wednesday, March 20: Take a long lunch or enjoy a lively dinner at MOJITO CUBAN CUISINE (82 Washington Ave).

Thursday, March 21: Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the cozy PUTNAM’S PUB & COOKER (419 Myrtle) to congratulate yourself on successfully taking advantage of yet another Dine in Brooklyn Week. Try to snag even more deals at Putnam by catching happy hour from 3-7pm, where drinks start at just $2!

Dine in Brooklyn Week 2013: March 11-12

As Boro Prez Marty Markowitz likes to say at this time of the year, “Foodies, the wait it over.” Brooklyn’s Restaurant Week: Dine-In Brooklyn kicks off MONDAY! Dine-In Brooklyn is a 10-day affair, March 11 thru March 21.

This are six Myrtle Ave area restaurants offer brunch, lunch and dinner deals during Dine-In Brooklyn Week. Brunch will cost $20.13 for two, lunch is $20.13 for one, and dinner will be $28 for one. Beverages, tax, and tip not included in prices. Please note whether restaurants are participating in brunch (B), lunch (L) or dinner (D). Participating Myrtle Avenue area restaurants include:

LOLA BKLYN (B, L, D) 387 Myrtle Avenue (Clermont & Vanderbilt) (718) 858-1484www.bistrolola.com

FIVE SPOT SUPPER CLUB (B, L) 459 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly & Washington Avenues) (718) 852-0202 www.fivespotsoulfood.com

LUZ (D) 177 Vanderbilt Avenue (Myrtle & Willoughby) (718) 246-4000www.luzrestaurant.com

MAGGIE BROWN (D) 455 Myrtle Avenue (Waverly & Washington) (718) 643-7001www.maggiebrownrestaurant.com

MOJITO CUBAN CUISINE (B, L, D) 82 Washington Avenue (Park & Flushing) (718) 797-3100 www.mojitocubancuisine.net

PUTNAM’S PUB & COOKER (D) 419 Myrtle Avenue (Vanderbilt & Clinton) (347) 799-2382www.putnamspub.com

The State of Menswear: Thursday @ Myrtle Hall!

For the final Black Artstory Month event, we’ve got something for your inner fashionista! We are thrilled to present the lecture “The State of Menswear” by Randal Jacobs, providing 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.

Event details:
Myrtle Hall
536 Myrtle Avenue
(Entrance in rear facing Willoughby Avenue, access through parking lot or Myrtle gates. It is situated on the back side of a building housing a Bergen Bagel and Khim’s grocery store.)
Thursday, February 28, 2013
7pm – 9pm
The event is free and open to the public! Please bring a photo id to enter building.

About Randal Jacobs:
Randal Jacobs calls the small parish of Gadsden, Alabama, home. Mr. Jacobs began his career in fashion while attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. While studying business management, he began to sell vintage apparel from the basement of his home. His vintage sales blossomed into a weekend boutique called “1131”. 1131 was the driving force behind his decision to pursue his fashion career and cross register at a neighboring university enrolling in a Fashion Show Production class. Using his business and leadership skills, he was able to become Director of the Spring Show and went on to produce one of most phenomenal and well orchestrated shows in the history of the university.

With his fashion palette yet quenched, he decided to follow his passion and move to London to study Fashion Marketing. While in London, Mr. Jacobs received a greater understanding of the fashion industry by interning at GQ (UK) and working at M.A.C. Models as a Booker and Creative Director. Immediately upon graduation from American Intercontinental University, he landed a job as a Fashion Journalist; Trends and Accessories writer for Fashion Windows in Milan, Italy. While working with Fashion Windows, Randal reviewed International Fashion Presentations in Milan, New York, London and Paris. During his tenure in Milan he began to manage models independently and gained experience as a stylist for Glamour (Italia) and Grazia (Italia).

Since living abroad, Randal re-located to New York and began his NY career with Polo Ralph Lauren in the Womenswear and Advertising Department. Randal presently works as a freelances for Polo Ralph Lauren, MadeWell, Donna Karan Home, Belk and a growing list of clients.
This lecture is sponsored by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and is a part of Black Artstory Month taking place throughout the month of February on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Brooklyn. For more information, please click here.

Photo Credit: BlackBookMag.com.

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

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.

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…

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!

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.

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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.

 

 

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.