Dope Jams Celebrates 6 Years!

Hey, party people, Dope Jams turns six this week! Stop in and ring in this new year with them.

Dope Jams 6 Year Anniversary Party will take place on Saturday, August 25th from 10pm to 6am. Music by Francis Englehardt and Paul Nickerson w/special guest DJ, Funmi Ononaiye. Donation: $5 (w/membership); $15 (w/o).

Dope Jams is located at 580 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson and Classon. For more info, check them out at Celebrate Life or give them a call: 718.622.7977.

Hope to see you there. As the invite states: dress to sweat!

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Third Annual Health Fair

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!

Call for Artwork: Myrtle Windows Gallery Exhibition/This is Brooklyn

Calling local artists! Here’s a unique opportunity to display your work on Myrtle Avenue!

By ‘breaking down the walls’ of the traditional private art gallery, Myrtle Windows Gallery brings two-dimensional art to the public arena via storefront windows, where it is accessible to anyone simply walking down the street. The initiative helps bring together artists, businesses, and the community in a dialogue about art and the boundaries of ‘public’ space.

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership seeks existing two-dimensional works of art (paintings, prints, photographs, collage, mixed media, etc.) for temporary installation in 10 storefront windows on Myrtle Avenue between Classon and Vanderbilt beginning in October 2012 for one month (dates to be determined).
• The artworks should relate to the exhibition’s theme, This is Brooklyn. What defines or represents Brooklyn for you? How would you describe Brooklyn’s people, sites or vibe? It’s past, present or future?
• If accepted, artworks must arrive ready to hang. The Partnership will not frame or fit any pieces with hanging hardware.
• Although artworks of any size will be considered, pieces of at least 30” in one dimension (either length or width) tend to have a more impactful presence in the storefront space. Some windows can accommodate very large pieces.
• If the artist chooses to offer pieces for sale, the Partnership will receive a small commission on each sale, to be negotiated with the artist prior to the exhibition. Given that community accessibility is a key component of this initiative, the Partnership hope to exhibit works at a broad range of prices.

The installation system serves to create a uniform look that unifies the exhibit, and displays work in a way that highlights and protects the work itself. The system includes a solar shade to provide a clean backdrop for the artwork while maintaining light and view through to the interior of the shop. A cable hanging system allows the artwork to hang in the window in front of the shade. See examples above.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit the following materials by September 12, 2012 to meredith@myrtleavenue.org.
• Brief artist statement and brief description of the submitted artworks, including how each interprets the theme, This is Brooklyn.
• Up to 5 artwork images with index listing title, medium, and dimensions for each artwork. Please combine photos in a zip folder or pdf.
• Current resume

Preference will be given to artists based in NYC, and especially those based in Brooklyn. The Partnership will not provide insurance to cover the art during this exhibition. However, the artist has the option to secure his/her own policy to cover potential theft or damage to the works while installed in the storefronts. Artists will be required to sign a liability waiver. For more information, visit www.myrtleavenue.org or contact meredith@myrtleavenue.org (email preferred).

Photo: Social Comfort by Anne Lafond at Anima

Join us for the Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Health Fair Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22nd, is our third annual Farm Stand Health Fair! Come by and talk to representatives from the the NYC Department of Health, a nutritionist from Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, learn about the Green Hill Food Cop-op and how to become a member, and receive a market tour that tells you how to use your EBT card and get the best bang for buck at farmer’s markets! Everyone who participates in a tour receives a $2 Health Buck that can be spent right there at the Farm Stand!

The Farm Stand is located 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.

Participating farmers are:
Fresh Veggies from J. Glebocki Farms
Maple Syrup from Poorfarm Farm
Apple Cider & Fresh Fruit from Migliorelli Farm via Farmer’s Web
Honey from Tremblay Apiaries
Jam from Beth’s Farm Kitchen via Farmer’s Web

For more information contact Kassy Nystrom at 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenue.org.

Open Mic Night at the Walt Whitman Library, Wed., 8/22!

“Are you ready to rock-rock y’all, to the beat y’all? Keep on and you don’t stop rockin’ on.” Okay, not exactly a freestyle, but thanks to Salt N Pepa for the inspiration.

Teens, Adults — open mic night at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Walt Whitman Branch is this Wednesday, August 22nd from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Stop in! Perform or recite poetry, spoken word or freestyle it. Feel free to bring your own verse or, don’t worry, the librarians at Whitman will have something on hand for you.

Stop in or give the Whitman Branch a call at 718.935.0244 to sign-up in advance.

The BPL’s Walt Whitman Branch is located at 93 St. Edwards Street, just north of Myrtle (between Myrtle and Park).

Green Pets Spa on Myrtle Avenue Debuts Crowdsourcing Campaign

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.

Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival this Saturday, 8/18!

The 8th Annual Fort Greene Park Literary Festival is this Saturday, 8/18! Join young writers ages 7 to 18 from the New York Writer’s Coalition summer workshops and acclaimed writers Jessica Hagedorn, Tayari Jones, and Earl Lovelace for an afternoon of readings in Fort Greene Park: This Saturday, August 18th at 3 PM. Free!

Myrtle Eats Fresh Participants Visit Pomonok Farmers Market

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!

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Pop-up Market

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!

New Historic District Markers Installed in Wallabout

This week, the city installed new historic district signs in the Wallabout Historic District on Vanderbilt Avenue (between Myrtle and Park Avenues). The brown and white signs, a common sight on New York streets, help identify which areas of the city have been designated as historic districts. In addition to a map of the district, the signs also include a brief history to help passerby learn about the historic significance of the surrounding neighborhood.

The new historic district markers were paid for with funds raised by residents of the Wallabout Historic District and the surrounding blocks. The local fundraising was matched by a grant from the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.

The Wallabout Historic District was created in 2011 and includes 55 historic wood-frame and masonry homes. The district has one of the highest concentrations of pre-Civil War homes in New York City.

 

School Supplies Drive: Drop off at Miracle’s Barber Shop

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.

Visit Myrtle Eats Fresh Chefs at Two Locations This Saturday!

It’s a busy weekend for the Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chefs! You can stop by and taste their healthy, affordable recipes at the following locations:

Chef Millie Davis – noon- 2 – Making a Nectarine $ Radish Salsa
Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center Health Fair
650 Fulton Street, NY (at Lafayette)

Chef Oliver Peters – 12:30-2:30 – Making a Tomato Basil Salad
Lafayette Gardens Family Day
Approximate address is 415 Lafayette. Family Day takes place on NYCHA Lafayette Gardens grounds.

When you visit you can also learn more about all Myrtle Eats Fresh programming and sign-up to get involved in the many community food projects going on now!

For more information or to hire a Community Chef for your event please contact Kassy Nystrom at 718-230-1689 or Kassy@myrtleavenue.org.

Chefs will be at the above events weather permitting.

Burger UrWay is Open!

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.

The Owl & the Pussycat Salon’s first evening event, more to come!

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.

 

Move with Grace Yoga, Dance and Pilates Studio to open Juice Bar in Store

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.

Continue reading →

Le Petit Bakery gets shout out on homemade oreo goodness

Photo Credit: Brooklyn Based

Brooklyn Based describes Le Petit Bakery’s oreo cookies in a recent post titled, ‘Oreos get an upgrade’ like this: “the dark chocolate cookies…sandwiched in between a rich creamy white chocolate ganache, making for one superbly satisfying cookie.” The post goes on to describe the cookie with: “captures the crumbly texture of the real thing, while still remaining soft and moist…there’s a hint of sea salt in each bite which takes it to the next level.”

Le Petit Bakery owners, Christopher Sanchez and Susan Tenteromano, a mother-son team, bring years of experoence to their recently opened establishment. Christopher’s a trained pastry chef, having previously worked at Jean-George, Park Avenue Cafe, Per Se, Bouchon and Eleven Madison Park.

Le Petit Bakery is a classic french bakery with a few American pastry additions, specializing in the sweet and the savory, pasties and breads, like fresh baguettes, demi baguettes, brioche, ciabatta and whole wheat breads, quiches; oreos, nutter butters, chocolate chunk, oatmeal raisin and linzer tarts cookies; banana nut, carrot, poppy seed muffins; scones, coffee cakes, sticky buns, eclairs; plain, almond, almond chocolate and chocolate croissants and red velvet with cream cheese frosting and chocolate blackout with chocolate mousse cupcakes.

Click to check out the Brooklyn Based post.

Le Petit Bakery is located at 354 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Carlton. The bakery can be reached by phone at 718.875.6500.

pic credit: Brooklyn Based

Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chef at the Fort Greene Park Greenmarket this Saturday!

Stop by the Fort Greene Greenmarket this Saturday between 11AM- 1PM to have a taste ofMyrtle Eats Fresh Chef Roisin’s Corn and Scallion Pancakes! If you like what you taste (which we know you will!) you can take a recipe and purchase the ingredients right there at the market!

The Fort Greene Greenmarket is located along the southeast corner of Fort Greene Park on Washington Park between Dekalb and Willoughby from 8AM – 5PM year-round every Saturday.

The Greenmarket accepts EBT/Food Stamps, Debit/Credit, and WIC & FMNP checks accepted. EBT/Debit/Credit accepted 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. In addition, Health Bucks are now available – for every $5 spent in EBT, customers receive a $2 Health Buck coupon to purchase additional fruits and vegetables!

The Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Chef Program includes a diverse group of 15 local residentswho share the goal of improving the health of their neighbors by providing easy, nutritious, and affordable recipes. All chefs have completed 20+ hours of training and have conducted cooking demos at local farmer’s markets, community events, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution sites. If you are interested in having a Community Chef at your event, please contact us at 718-230-1689 or kassy@myrtleavenue.org!

Karen’s Body Beautiful Relocates, Primed for Mass Distribution

 

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.

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Grand Opening Celebration – TODAY!!

You are invited!

Come celebrate the 3rd season of the Myrtle Farm Stand with us at our new location!

Wednesday, July 25th
4-7pm
Corner of Myrtle and North Portland Avenues

We are thrilled to be able to continue to bring fresh, affordable produce to local residents, and to provide part-time employment opportunities for local youth and seniors through this important Myrtle Eats Fresh food access initiative. In each of the past two seasons, the Farm Stand has brought about 5000 lbs. of farm-fresh produce to Fort Greene residents, accepting EBT, WIC and Health Bucks to make sure healthy food is accessible to all community members. Stop by to help us celebrate our 3rd season, meet your neighbors, taste a healthy recipe and pick up some tasty produce! Special Celebration Deal: Spend $6 or more and get $2 free!

The Farm Stand accepts EBT/WIC/Health Bucks/cash. Please bring your own bag.

Here is what you can purchase this week:
Apples
Beets
Carrots
Chives
Cucumber
Collard Greens
Cilantro(br) Garlic
Peaches
Romaine Lettuce
Red & White Potatoes
Red Leaf Lettuce
Scallions
Summer Squash
Sweet Corn
Spinach
Thyme
Yellow Zucchini

From the pantry:
Apple Cider
Raspberry Jam
Honey
Maple Syrup

Participating farmers are:
Fresh Veggies from J. Glebocki Farms

Maple Syrup from Poorfarm Farm

Apple Cider & Fresh Fruit from Migliorelli Farm via Farmer’s Web

Honey from Tremblay Apiaries

Jam from Beth’s Farm Kitchen via Farmer’s Web

CLASSY Awards: Vote for The Doe Fund!

For over five years, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID has contracted with The Doe Fund for all supplemental sanitation services. The hard work of The Doe Fund’s street-cleaning crews is paying off in the form of clean neighborhoods, transformed lives, and now – national recognition.

We are thrilled to share that The Doe Fund has been selected as a Regional Finalist for the CLASSY Awards which celebrates the greatest charitable achievements by nonprofit organizations during the past year. Voting ends July 26th and the winners will be selected on July 31st, but they can’t be recognized as the best in the entire region without your help. Showing your support is easy:

– Go tohttp://www.stayclassy.org/classy-awards/vote

– Click on the East region

– Vote for The Doe Fund in the “Hunger and Poverty Relief” category

– Submit your ballot

Thank you for your support

Photo Credit: Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership

Sale at Brooklyn Stone Boutique — convertible dress and more!

Have you checked out the convertible dress at Brooklyn Stone Boutique? This dress allows you to pay one affordable price for a dress you can wear seven different ways! Take this dress from a one-shoulder wonder to a sexy tube to a halter back to a shortened work-appropriate tie waist. Wear this covertible dress to every summer party, and absolutely noone will be the wiser.

Stop by Brooklyn Stone Boutique this Thursday, July 19th and Friday, July 20th for the Thirsty Thursday and Flirty Friday sales. Sip sangria and enjoy markdowns on town of items and the clearance rack filled with clothing items on sale from for $35 or less! Free gift with purchases of $80 or more.

Brooklyn Stone Boutique is located at 366 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi. The store can be reached at 347.763.2041.

Myrtle Avenue Farm Stand Senior Discount Day is Tomorrow

Calling all Seniors!! Every third Wednesday of the month spend $3 or more and get $1 of FREE produce. Yes, our prices are that low!! $1 can get you a pound of either red & white potatoes, apples, onions, cucumbers, a bunch of thyme or cilantro! Come check us out!

We will be on the corner of North Portland and Myrtle Avenues every Wednesday, now through Nov 7th, 2012, from 4-7PM.

The Farm Stand accepts EBT/WIC/Health Bucks/cash.

Here is what you can purchase this week:
Apples
Broccoli Raab
Beets
Carrots
Cilantro
Cucumber
Collard Greens
Dill
Thyme
Romaine Lettuce
Red, White, & Sweet Potatoes
Summer Squash
Scallions
Baby Spinach
Nappa Cabbage
Green Zucchini

From the pantry:
Apple Cider
Raspberry Jam
Honey
Maple Syrup

Participating farmers are:
Fresh Veggies from J. Glebocki Farms

Maple Syrup from Poorfarm Farm

Apple Cider & Fresh Fruit from Migliorelli Farm via Farmer's Web

Honey from Tremblay Apiaries

Jam from Beth's Farm Kitchen via Farmer's Web

Artist Kate Newby brings playful boulder sculpture to Fort Greene Park

Have you seen the new boulder seats in Fort Greene Park? Inspired by the boulder that locals call the Grey Painted Rock, artist Kate Newby has fashioned two seats out of concrete, stones from Fort Greene Park, mortar, and crystals, which now converse playfully with the existing boulder at the pathway near the hospital. The temporary installation, titled How Funny Are You Today, New York will be on site through November 25th.

Newbys installation invites park visitors to stop and rest or play, while simultaneously asking the viewer to reconsider the environments norms. This installation is sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP).

photo courtesy of the artist

Richard Wright Medallion Unveiling Tomorrow at 175 Carlton

Tomorrow, July 17th at 11:00am, the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center, in collaboration with the Fort Greene Association, will unveil a cultural medallion at 175 Carlton Avenue in honor of famed African-American author Richard Wright. Wright lived at the home in 1938, when he began to pen his most famous work, Native Son.

All are welcome to come to the unveiling to remember and celebrate one of Fort Greenes most famous residents. The home is between Willoughby and Myrtle Avenues.

The Historic Landmarks Preservation Center has previously installed another medallion in Fort Greene, which honors the poet Marianne Moore at 260 Cumberland St.