We connected one lucky group of young people participating in University Settlement’s summer program at the Ingersoll Community Center with City Growers, the non-profit arm of Brooklyn Grange. Earlier this week, the young people got a guided tour of the new roof top farm right here in the Brooklyn Navy Yard! City Growers hopes to announce a fall farm tour schedule soon – we’ll keep you posted!
Green Pets Spa has only 17 days to make its dream a reality! Please help them to reach their goal.
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We are really excited that Lucky Ant, the crowdfunding company that works specifically with small businesses has made its way to Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, with its first FG/CH project being a Myrtle Avenue biz! Lucky Ant has committed to working with a few Myrtle Avenue and other local merchants over the next few months.
Small businesses are increasingly using crowdsourced financing as a way to fund their growth. Crowdfunding for businesses can be much easier than getting a loan, especially if the business has a proven track record, doesn’t need a lot of money and has a great idea on how to improve or expand. Locals supply the funds to make the plan a reality in exchange for some VIP treatment, rewards and perks.
First business up – Green Pets Spa located at 464 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon! In exchange for helping Green Pets achieve its goal of a brand new backyard space, which will include lots of greening and benches for pets and pet owners, local contributors will be lavished with discounted prices on pet nail trimming, pet grooming, short-term doggy day care, overnight pet boarding and up to a generous 15 days of doggy daycare.
Interested in getting one of the deals? Please take a couple minutes to check out Green Pets’ Lucky Ant Project Page to find our more and to contribute. Lucky Ant has also set up an iPad for contributions at Green Pets. Only 26 days remaining to help Green Pets reach their goal! Together we can do this!
Green Pets Spa is located at 572 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue and can be reached at 718.230.8300 for further details.
Green Pets Spa has only 17 days to make its dream a reality! Please help them to reach their goal.
*********
We are really excited that Lucky Ant, the crowdfunding company that works specifically with small businesses has made its way to Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, with its first FG/CH project being a Myrtle Avenue biz! Lucky Ant has committed to working with a few Myrtle Avenue and other local merchants over the next few months.
Small businesses are increasingly using crowdsourced financing as a way to fund their growth. Crowdfunding for businesses can be much easier than getting a loan, especially if the business has a proven track record, doesn’t need a lot of money and has a great idea on how to improve or expand. Locals supply the funds to make the plan a reality in exchange for some VIP treatment, rewards and perks.
First business up – Green Pets Spa located at 464 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon! In exchange for helping Green Pets achieve its goal of a brand new backyard space, which will include lots of greening and benches for pets and pet owners, local contributors will be lavished with discounted prices on pet nail trimming, pet grooming, short-term doggy day care, overnight pet boarding and up to a generous 15 days of doggy daycare.
Interested in getting one of the deals? Please take a couple minutes to check out Green Pets’ Lucky Ant Project Page to find our more and to contribute. Lucky Ant has also set up an iPad for contributions at Green Pets. Only 26 days remaining to help Green Pets reach their goal! Together we can do this!
Green Pets Spa is located at 572 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue and can be reached at 718.230.8300 for further details.
Thank you to all who came out for the Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Third Annual Health Fair Event! Shoppers were able to receive information from the NYC Department and Health and participate in a market tour to learn more about how to use their EBT cards and get the most bang for their buck. They were also able to learn more about the Greene Hill Food Coo-op and have a taste of their healthy & affordable walnut, apple and celery snack. Last but not least, Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chef Oliver was there giving samples of his Beets in Orange Sauce recipe, it was delic! Try it at home:
Beets in Orange Sauce
4 – 6 Servings
2 Bunches of Beets – Wash and Scrub; Remove Tops
1 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 Cup Orange Juice
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
2 Tsp. Grated Orange Rind
1/8 Tsp. Ground Allspice
1 ½ Tbsp. Cornstarch
1 Tbsp. Honey
2 Tbsp. Butter
Water for Boiling
Steps:
1) Place prepared beets in large saucepan / stockpot Cover completely with boiling water
2) Add the vinegar and cook for 20 Minutes or until beets are tender
3) Drain beets, SAVING 1/4 CUP OF LIQUID! Skin and dice the cooked beets – BE CAREFUL – and set aside
4) Combine saved liquid, orange Juice, orange rind, lemon juice and allspice in the saucepan and slowly mix in cornstarch
5) Bring to a Boil while stirring
6) Continue to cook until sauce thickens
7) Slowly stir in honey and butter and pour over beets & serve!
Missed this week? No problem! We are on the corner of North Portland and Myrtle Avenues every Wednesday, now through Nov 7th, 2012, from 4-7PM.
We accept EBT/WIC/Health Bucks/cash.
See you at the market!
We are really excited that Lucky Ant, the crowdfunding company that works specifically with small businesses has made its way to Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, with its first FG/CH project being a Myrtle Avenue biz! Lucky Ant has committed to working with a few Myrtle Avenue and other local merchants over the next few months.
Small businesses are increasingly using crowdsourced financing as a way to fund their growth. Crowdfunding for businesses can be much easier than getting a loan, especially if the business has a proven track record, doesn’t need a lot of money and has a great idea on how to improve or expand. Locals supply the funds to make the plan a reality in exchange for some VIP treatment, rewards and perks.
First business up – Green Pets Spa located at 464 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon! In exchange for helping Green Pets achieve its goal of a brand new backyard space, which will include lots of greening and benches for pets and pet owners, local contributors will be lavished with discounted prices on pet nail trimming, pet grooming, short-term doggy day care, overnight pet boarding and up to a generous 15 days of doggy daycare.
Interested in getting one of the deals? Please take a couple minutes to check out Green Pets’ Lucky Ant Project Page to find our more and to contribute. Lucky Ant has also set up an iPad for contributions at Green Pets. Only 26 days remaining to help Green Pets reach their goal! Together we can do this!
Green Pets Spa is located at 572 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue and can be reached at 718.230.8300 for further details.
Yesterday we got on a bus and made our way to Flushing, Queens to visit the Queens Community House Pomonok Farmer’s Market & Garden. The market has two regional farmers and a table with the veggies from the Pomonok Community Garden. We tasted a delicious salad recipe featuring the flavor and health benefits of turnips and took a market tour to learn how and where to use EBT cards and/or participate in a cooking demonstration in order to receive $2 dollar Health Bucks to spend at participating farmer’s markets! Clickhere to learn more about the Health Buck Program.
It was a beautiful day and a pleasure to meet our neighbors in Queens who are also helping their community have access to fresh, affordable food!
The storms kept us from opening yesterday so we will be outside the Willoughby Senior Center tomorrow, Friday 8/17/12, from noon-2PM. The Senior Center is located at 105 North Portland Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205 between Auburn Place and Flushing Avenue. See maphere. We have LOTS of sweet corn, great for that weekend BBQ!
For more information or questions contact Kassy Nystrom at 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenueorg.
See you at the market!
The Give Gang, a new community-giving program, is directed by Michael “Zaki” Smith, one of the barbers at Miracle’s Barber Shop located at 473 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. The goal of the program is just as the name implies…to give, and in this case, to those in need.
The Give Gang has partnered with Zaki’s workplace, Miracle’s Barber Shop, in this latest effort– a school supplies drive to benefit children at local shelters, including the Auburn Family Shelter here in Fort Greene.
Interested in donating? Please drop off supplies, including notebooks, pens, pencils, loose leaf paper, and book bags between now and August 31st to Miracle’s Barber Shop at 473 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street.
Call (347.406.2911) or email (thegivegang@gmail.com) the Give Gang with questions, to donate or to arrange a donations pickup.
Let’s help our kids be prepared for the new school year.
credit: Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership
Burger Ur Way, the eco-friendly fast food burgers, wings and pizza eatery located at 354 Myrtle Avenue is open for biz! Stop in to say hello and to check out the daily $4.99 lunch special, which includes fries and a 16 oz soda (Monday: 2 Nathan’s hot dogs; Tuesday: steakburger; Wednesday: 4 piece wings; Thursday: turkey burger; Friday: Alaskan salmon burger; Saturday: steakburger topped w/turkey bacon; Sunday; 2 piece chicken tenders).
Burger UrWay’s mission is “to provide customers with the ultimate tasting experience by offering homemade burgers, wings and old-fashioned fries, made from the finest and freshest ingredients.” The steakburgers use 100% certified angus beef (see ‘meet the rancher’ section on their website.).
Burger UrWay is located at 354 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi.
Husband and wife team, Stuart and Clair Fraser are settling nicely into their The Owl & the PussycatSalon space. The salon is located at 154 Vanderbilt, just south of Myrtle Avenue. They’ve recently built out the backyard and basement space. They also offer free sangria on Saturdays (“Sangria Saturdays“) and french pressed coffee and iced tea every other day of the week to salon customers.
Events and salon teach-ins are planned on a regular basis, and yesterday was the salon’s first evening event, “Summer School.” Attendees were treated to swag bags filled with beauty and hair products and 4 quick presentations on topics including ‘enduring bridal beauty’, ‘the courage to do color’, ‘complexion secrets’ and ‘hair styling’. Here are a few pictures from the event.
The Owl & the Pussycat Salon is located at 154 Vanderbilt Avenue. Call them at 718.522.5697 for questions, appointments, consultations and to find out about upcoming events.
Photo Credit: Move with Grace Yoga, Dance & Fitness Studio
Beginning next month, Move with Grace Yoga, Dance & Pilates Studio will open up its juice and smoothie bar in the front portion of the studio! Just in time for summer…so yummm. “We are super excited to bring mindful, healthy and tasty options to the neighhborhood,” shared Grace Tappin, the studio owner.
Stay tuned for the fresh, cold and delicious juices and smoothies that’ll be on the menu in the weeks to come.
Don’t forget to check out the amazing intro special at the studio. Move with Grace Studio offers a wide variety of classes, including dance, yoga (Vinyasa, Bikram, Hatha and Iyengar and a late night candlelight flow), Pilates and Zumba. Children as well as adult classes are available. Group and private lessons are available.
As of tomorrow, August 1st, Karen’s Body Beautiful will have moved on from the Myrtle Avenue commercial corridor in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. The local powerhouse of natural homemade hair and body products had been located on Myrtle Avenue since 2004.
The boutique, owned by husband and wife team Karen Tappin Saunderson and Damani Saunderson, has been on a strong upward trajectory since starting in business. In fact, this move marks the third time Karen has outgrown a business space. The first occurred when she moved into her first small retail space on Clinton Avenue just off Myrtle after years as a home-based business. A few years later, Karen moved into her Myrtle Avenue retail space just a half block away. The larger Myrtle Avenue space allowed Karen to build a larger kitchen in order to increase distribution, and obtain much more visibility by being on a busy block with more foot traffic. “As my business and staff grew, it allowed more time for me to think about expansion and the direction to take the business in—we decided to concentrate on even greater distribution, getting the product placed in different stores to expand the brand,” shared Karen. This hard work led to deals with several national retailers – soon to be announced – that are in the works for 2013. The new Sunset Park facility, though smaller than the Myrtle retail space, allows for a larger kitchen space for manufacturing in order to successfully meet the demands of mass market distribution.
For this company founded on the principle of using natural ingredients, do not expect any changes in quality. “Our products won’t change in quality in any way. We made sure of this when creating our relationships with these national retailers. We will control our ingredients and formulations and still make our products ourselves. That’s a priority to us–that our products continue to work as well as they always have for our customers,” shared Karen. Karen has also served as the secretary on the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID’s Board of Directors, and has long been lending a voice to merchant concerns and broader avenue issues while helping to guide the direction of the organization.
Karen’s press release about the relocation, states, “with a heavy heart, we close our shop and spa. We will miss our amazing customers dropping by to chat. (This move) will allow us to share our products with women all over the U.S. in a convenient and direct way.” Karen’s Body Beautiful will relocate to a larger loft space in Sunset Park which will be used as a manufacturing base to increase in order to increase product distribution. “We are working on increasing our distribution and that means getting our products into other stores,” stated Karen.
For die hard Karen’s Body Beautiful fans, online sales will be still be available and select products will be carried by Move with Grace Yoga and Dance Studio at 469 Myrtle Avenue.
Wishing Karen, Damani and the Karen’s Body Beautiful team all the best in this next chapter.
Visit Karen’s Body Beautiful to stay up to date on store happenings.
Touche Lounge, the popular dance and music venue now offers refreshing glass cocktail fishbowls on the drink menu.
Touche, the 4,000sf, bi-level space with bar on each floor, hosts a wide array of artists from the entire global diaspora. If it sounds GREAT, we have it here, shared Ricci, one of the Touches owners. R&B, reggae, soca, and even bangra dance and MORE are either already here or forthcoming. Hold on to your seats!, continued Ricci.
Get your weekend off to a great start every week with Touches Afterwork Thursdays, Uber Fridays, Touche Saturdays and Touche Sundays. Stop in!
Touche is located at 46 Washington Avenue between Park and Flushing. Contact them at 718.643.6500.
Those fresh, delicious Bergen Bagels-baked bagels, breads and pastries are absolutely still on Myrtle! You can find Bergen Bagels at its new digs at 536 Myrtle Avenue between Grand and Steuben.
The larger, airy space is has additional seating, wifi and is wheelchair accessible. It's located between Khim's Millenium Market and Utrecht Art Supplies store.
Bergen Bagels can be reached at 718.789.9300. Stop in to pick up the same fresh and deliciousness!
We are thrilled to be able to offer small grants through our Community Builders Mini-Grant program to support local events and activities! This June, we supported Just Because's Prom Queen Project, and the annual Hillstock Music Festival. A little here about each…
Hillstock 2012
(submitted by Hillstock organizers)
The Hillstock 2012 was a runaway success! The three-day, all-ages do-it-yourself music festival was made possible by the great many artists, volunteers, and supportive area residents who contributed to this eclectic showcase of talent. This year's events brought almost 1,500 people out to venues all around Clinton Hill, shattering previous Hillstock attendance records.
The highlight of the weekend was Saturday's block party, supported by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Community Builders Mini-Grant Program. Neighbors and newcomers alike dropped by Emerson Place to enjoy the great weather, eat up at a barbecue potluck, and listen to the mostly local lineup of live music. Hillstock organizers are grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in the weekend's festivities, and can't wait to do it again next year!
Just Because Prom Queen Project
For many young ladies prom preparation starts early, and can be overwhelmingly expensive for the girls and their families. This year, Just Because raised funds to provide 6 local teens with the full prom pampering experience! Check out their Facebook page for fabulous photos!
Think you'd like to apply for a Community Builders Mini-Grant? Download the application here!
Don't you just lovvvvve the wonderful pictures of Karen and her precious 4-year-old daughter, Imani of Karen's Body Beautiful on the Mater Mea website! Mater Mea, a new website that celebrates motherhood, features pics and stories of moms, including, in this case, a local, entrepreneurial one. Check out pics from the photo shoot on Karen's Facebook page.
Karen's Body Beautiful specializes in bath and body products like lotions, soaps, scrubs, shampoos and conditiners for all skin and hair types. Spa services including pedicures, manicures, facial and wet room services (herbal wraps, body exfoliation, etc.) are also available.
Karen's Body Beautiful is located at 436 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly Avenues and can be reached at 718.797.4808.
photo credit: J. Quazi King
It's hot out there! Find your way to one of these local cooling centers to beat the heat. Don't forget to check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly!
Willoughby Senior Center
105 N. Portland Ave.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes.
Walt Whitman Library
93 St. Edwards St.
Hours: Mon., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tue., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wed., 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thurs., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wheelchair Accessible?: No.
Ft. Greene Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center
966 Fulton St.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes.
Raices Times Plaza Senior Center
460 Atlantic Ave.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes.
Nicole Taylor, host of 'Hot Grease' radio show on Heritage Radio Network had a conversation yesterday, June 18th, with a few “southern women” of the Ingersoll Garden of Eden – Ms. Arnetha Singelton, Ms. Joan Bryant and Ms. Virgina Cunningham.
Listen to their conversation about foods they grew up eating in the South, about the food they are growing in their garden, and their opinions regarding young people and their interest in farming in NYC. Hot Grease quotes Ms. Joan Bryant as saying, “it's exciting because years ago, you would have never heard of young people picking up any kind of activities like this. If you would have said anything about farming, especially farming on the rooftops and little square places in the community, they would have thought you were crazy”.
Thank you to Nicole Taylor, Heritage Radio Staff and the Staff at Roberta's Pizza for a wonderful day! The pizza was delicious, your space is inspiring and the company delightful!
Join jazz legend Randy Weston and the African Rhythms Trio for a special Fathers Day concert and celebration, also featuring House of Waters and Jeff King Quartet. Admission is FREE! This concert is presented by MoCada as part of Soul of Brooklyn week.
Sunday, June 17th, 2012
3pm-6pm
Location: Basketball Court at Walt Whitman Houses @ Park and Carlton
The weather looks fine, why not take in some artwork and tasty brunch on Myrtle this weekend? SONYAs 13th annual Studio Stroll takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 11-6pm, rain or shine (but were betting on shine). You can download the full map here, which includes a list of Myrtle brunch favorites offering 10% off for SONYA Strollers (Anima, Putnams, Fork, Pillow, SoCo, Los Pollitos, Wallys Square Root Caf
Cielo Bar opens tonight, 6/8/12!
Cielo Bar, the new 2000sf watering hole owned by local, Gil Rivera, Jr, opens tonight! The long-awaited bar, which is located at 474 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street will be open weekends only for the next 4 weeks.
Expect delicious offerings from the full kitchen + very live weeknights shortly thereafter.
Enjoy excellent cocktails, ice cold beers, music and lots of fun tonight–stop in!
Connect with Cielo Bar on Facebook for the latest.
Cielo Bar is located at 474 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street.
Treasures of New York celebrates Pratt Institute, excelling in 125 years of educating art and design innovators, premiering June 13th on WLIW21 and June 14th on THIRTEEN. Capturing the colleges milestone through its legacy and contributions to the world of art and design, the film creates a visual timeline of one of Brooklyns most-prized institutions.
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is recognized worldwide as an influential institution of art and design that has impacted the lives of millions since its founding. In the past decade, the college has grown to become a pillar of Brooklyns cultural renaissance and a vital asset to its surrounding communities. Boasting an impressive roster of graduates and faculty such as Eva Hesse, Alex Katz, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sylvia Plachy, Annabelle Seldorf, Peter Shelton, Robert Wilson, and Carlos Zapata, among many others, Pratt has indelibly touched many peoples lives through its legacy of artistic endeavors and commercial designs.
Treasures of New York goes inside the prestigious college to discover its vibrant Brooklyn history through the eyes of the two men who built it; industrialist Charles Pratt, who founded the school in 1887, and Dr. Thomas F. Schutte, who has been articulating Pratts vision since he became the schools President in 1993. One of the defining moments in the film shows how Schutte spearheaded the revitalization of Pratts nearby neighborhoods, particularly on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn.
Hosted by former Pratt student and celebrated writer Pete Hamill, Treasures of New York: Pratt Institute premieres Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 7 p.m. (ET) on WLIW21 and Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) on THIRTEEN. After broadcast, the program will be available to national audiences at thirteen.org/treasures-of-ny. The website offers past episodes and conversations with visionaries behind New Yorks greatest institutions.
excerpted from the WLIW21 Press Release
To read more from WLIW21, visit here.
And to read more about Pratt's involvement in Myrtle Avenue's revitalization, read Channel 13's story online here.
Photo of Pratts Main Building. Courtesy of Pratt Institute Archives
A new eyewear and exam store is set to open at 390 Myrtle! The space, formerly the Myrtle Express Deli, has quickly been transformed by the new tenant, D.C. Optics, which hopes to be open by the end of the June. Dr. Dennis Cheng, O.D. is behind the new business and you can find out more about him, and get some tips on eye care, at his blog. You can also check out the DC Optics facebook page!
The 13th SONYA Studio Stroll takes place this weekend, June 9th and 10th, featuring 50+ locations in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Wallabout, and Bedford-Stuyvesant! Visit open studios and exhibitions on 12-6 pm both days (rain or shine)!
We're featuring 15 artworks by SONYA artists in the most recent Myrtle Windows Gallery exhibition, on display NOW in the storefronts of 10 Myrtle businesses between Vanderbilt and Classon through June 28th!
Brooklyn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (412 Myrtle)
Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle)
Karrot (431 Myrtle)
Green in BKLYN (432 Myrtle)
Thai 101 (455A Myrtle)
Anima Italian Bistro (458 Myrtle)
Kum Kau (463 Myrtle)
Miracles (473A Myrtle)
Soketah (563 Myrtle)
Wally's Square Root Cafe (584 Myrtle)
Tour the exhibition with the artists, and then join them for a drink on
Thursday June 21st at 7pm. Tour begins at Connecticut Muffin and reception follows at The Emerson Bar (561 Myrtle). Pick up an exhibition guide at any of the participating businesses and find special deals and coupons!
About Myrtle Windows Gallery
By breaking down the walls of the traditional private
art gallery, the Myrtle Windows Gallery brings two dimensional art to the public arena via the storefront
window, where it is accessible to anyone simply walking
down the street. The initiative helps bring together artists, local businesses, and the community in a dialogue about art in public spaces. To purchase artwork in this exhibit, contact us at (718) 230-1689.Myrtle Windows Gallery is sponsored by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, with support from the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
Five Spot Soul Food on Myrtle and Washington Avenues is hosting a Plovgh (pronounced “plow”)
Happy Hour & Community Meeting to announce the summer schedule, answer questions you may have and talk about how we can get more neighbors to sign-up. We hope to see you there! RSVP here.
Where: Five Spot Soul Food 459 Myrtle Avenue
When: Tuesday, May 29th
Time: 6-8PM
Also, because Monday is Memorial Day Plovgh will distribute to Five Spot on SATURDAY, MAY 26th 11AM-1PM. The store is NOW open! Place your order by clicking here.
Haven't heard about Plovgh yet? Read on for more info:
Plovgh is “an online marketplace that coordinates the purchase and distribution of harvest from farms to individuals. It's a way for people to get their food directly from farms, right in their neighborhood”.
How does it work? It's easy –
1) Sign up on-line with your email address
2) Choose Five Spot as your pick up point
3) Order your products Wednesday – Saturday
4) Check out on-line by paying with pay pal or credit card
5) Pick up your products on Tuesdays 5-6:30PM at Five Spot
