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Another Mulch-fest comes and goes + other notes from CHA
Josh Guttman | January 14, 2009
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This year’s tree-mulching campaign in Cobble Hill Park was a great success. Tom Synnott of the Cobble Hill From the Cobble Hill Tree Fund:
“Despite the cold weather and the threat of deep snow (which never materialized) we had a record tree chipping - 631 trees. A good deal of mulch was given back to parents and children in Mulch-fest bags provided by our friend and Brooklyn Forester, Andy Rabb.”
You can read Tom’s entire tree-mulching report at our blog:
Tom’s personal mulch-fest account
Brooklyn Bridge Park: January 29 meeting about money
The Cobble Hill Association has had many questions over the past several years about the funding scheme for Brooklyn Bridge Park. We are pleased to report that, after the prodding of State Senator Daniel Squadron, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC) has announced that it will release revised cost and revenue projections.
One would think that such reporting and transparency would be automatic for a public entity like the BBPDC, a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corporation, but one would be wrong. We are grateful to Senator Squadron for his work on this matter. Here is the 411 on the meeting:
What: BBPDC public meeting about the Park’s financial model.
When: January 29 at 6 p.m.
Where: Dibner Auditorium, NYU-Polytechnic University, 5 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn.
Senator Squadron’s staff has told us that the BBPDC will release financial data before the meeting. We will keep you in the loop once the data have been released. We will also distribute information to help the community frame questions for the event. Stay tuned.
MTA hearing on service cuts and fare hikes: January 28
The MTA will hold a public hearing in Brooklyn on January 28 regarding its proposed service cuts and fare hikes. We encourage everyone to attend and make the case for more public transportation, not less. The MTA’s official hearing notice explains the procedures for speaking:
‘Registration to speak will be open until 9 p.m. on the dates of the hearings. Oral testimony is limited to 3 minutes per speaker. To register to speak in advance of the hearings, for more information, or to comment in writing contact Douglas Sussman, Dir, MTA Community Affairs, 347 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10017, (212) 878-7483. Additional information can be found at www.mta.info <http://www.mta.info/> . Comments may also be made on the MTA website.’
What: MTA hearing
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Where: 333 Adams Street, the Brooklyn Marriott
The announcement on CHA blog
State denies LICH permission to close services
Josh Guttman | November 19, 2008
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Yesterday, the Cobble Hill Association reported that the NYS Department of Health has denied LICH permission to close their obstetrics, neonatal, and pediatric services. Permission was also denied for closing their school-based health programs. (DOH permission is required to open or close medical services.) From the DOH’s November 17 letter to LICH:
Currently there is insufficient capacity in the hospitals immediately around LICH and in much of Brooklyn to clearly demonstrate that women will have appropriate access to obstetrical and maternity care if LICH closes these services. Until there is greater clarity on this issue the Department believes it is in the best interest of public health that obstetrical and neonatal services be retained at LICH.
This is a victory, but the community is not in the clear yet, not by a longshot. Stanley Brezenoff of Continuum has reportedly said that, if the state refused these closures, LICH would go into bankruptcy by year’s end. Perhaps heading Continuum off at the pass, DOH has also approved LICH’s request for ‘a $3 million loan from the health care restructuring pool’. (Those of you at last week’s CHA general meeting may recall my question to LICH CEO Dominick Stanzione about restructuring grants. This is what I was asking about.)
We are relieved that the state has denied LICH permission to close services, but now the pressure is even greater for an outcome. We are in the eleventh month of the year and at the eleventh hour. If LICH is going to avoid bankruptcy, the State has to be prepared to act decisively, as will the various negotiating parties of the various plans (the SUNY Downstate plan, the doctors’ plan, etc.).
Today is the day - cast your vote!!
Josh Guttman | November 4, 2008
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If you haven’t been at least slightly drawn in by the presidential election - yeah, the one that has dominated the media for the past two years - it’s time to crawl out from under that rock you’ve been using as shelter. Whether it’s relief (that it’s finally here) or excitement (for the opportunity it represents), all of us are experiencing some emotional reaction to the day finally arriving.
So make sure that YOU get out and cast your vote. Neighborhood polling stations include PS 29 and PS 58, among others. If you don’t know where to vote, you can look it up here. Every registered voter has the right to cast their vote, so get out today and make sure you do it. We may not see an election this important for quite some time.
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Halloween Parade today @ 4pm Cobble Hill Park!!
Josh Guttman | October 31, 2008
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This afternoon at 4pm is the annual halloween parade in Cobble Hill Park. This is one of the best annual events in the neighborhood. The creativity that expresses itself through the costumes worn by this neighborhood’s parents and kids is truly inspiring. After the parade, Verandah and Congress become prime trick or treating (mostly treating) corridors. Click here to see photos of last year’s parade.
Electronic recycling drive hosted by Cobble Hill Association
Josh Guttman | October 30, 2008
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Paco Abraham, Green Chair of the Cobble Hill Association, just emailed me this information about the electronics recycling drive this coming Saturday. The drive is sponsored by Councilmember Bill DeBlasio, the Cobble Hill Association and PS 29 PTA.
Electronics Recycling
Saturday, November 1 - 10am-4pm
Schoolyard PS 29, 425 Henry Street (entrance is on Baltic between Henry & Clinton)
They will accept working and non-working:
-Computers (laptop & desktop), Monitors
-Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
-Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
-Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
-Components (hard drives, CD Roms, circuit boards, power supplies, etc,)
-TVs,VCR & DVD Players
-Radios/Stereos
-Cell Phones, pagers
-PDAs,Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)
-Media (SMALL QUANTITIES of floppies, cd’s, zips, VHS tapes)
Nectar Update - fresh fruit is back
Josh Guttman | October 27, 2008
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A July article on Bergen Carroll inquiring about Nectar’s smoothy ingredients caused quite a stir, receiving links from notable local food blogs and attention from neighborhood residents. But after all, that’s the point of a neighborhood blog, isn’t it?
Since then, I’ve had several conversations with Nectar’s owner, Jeff, who happens to be a very genuine guy who is committed to the neighborhood. Apparently, his supplier discontinued several products on him, leading to a temporary unavailability of the natural peach nectar they had been using. Since then, it seems that they’ve moved to all natural fruit, a move that leaves me thrilled . This morning, I visited Nectar and ordered my ol’ standbye, “Hometown Squeeze”. This time, the ingredients I saw go in the mixer were 100% natural fruit - apples, peaches, bananas and blueberries. I couldn’t be happier about this change and hope they stick to their guns. Thanks to all our readers for caring and thanks to Nectar for listening.
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New Orleans style party at Gowanus Studio Space this Saturday
Josh Guttman | October 24, 2008
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On Saturday, October 25, 8pm-12am, The Gowanus Studio Space will host the launch of Habitus 04: New Orleans. The event is complete with performances by the Sugartone Brass Band and beer from Kelso of Brooklyn!
The Sugartone Brass Band is New York’s premiere New Orleans-style brass band devoted to bringing the traditions of the Big Easy to the Big Apple. They have been featured in New York City’s Annual Halloween Parade since 2004. The Sugartone Brass band is dedicated to promoting the traditions of New Orleans’ music worldwide. Their first album, “Live from Brooklyn,” was released in February.
A donation of $10 is recommended.
___________________
And now a word from the party’s sponsor…
The new issue is here! As always, we have worked hard to bring you a unique perspective on an extraordinary city––a view into New Orleans that only Habitus can offer. Some highlights include:
• A remarkable personal essay abut the conflict between restoration and renewal from Rodger Kamenetz
• Poetry from Andrei Codrescu and Maxine Cassin, fiction from Nancy Lemann and Moira Crone
• A guide to disaster and memory from environmental historian Ari Kelman
• L.J. Goldstein’s photo essays on the city’s dynamic street culture
• Ronne Hartfield’s extraordinary memoir about the intersection of African-American and Jewish roots in one New Orleans family
• Interviews with musician-historian Ned Sublette and the Brazilian urban-planning innovator Jaime Lerner.
The Gowanus Studio Space
119 8th Street #202
Brooklyn NY 11215
between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
take the F or G to Smith/9th Streets
or the F, M or R to 4th Ave/9th Street
Gowanus Harvest Festival - this Saturday 10/11
Josh Guttman | October 10, 2008
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What’s become a bit of an annual tradition now, the Gowanus Harvest Festival will take place this Saturday at our neighborhood’s makeshift outdoor waterfront venue, The Yard. These guys are doing great work in the name of charity. The events has been somewhat hit or miss though, in the past. Nice fall outdoor experiences sometimes offset by long lines, expensive beer and poor sound systems, not to mention musicians of questionable talent. I’m hoping the organizers continue to improve on past events though, because the space has enormous potential. Official event announcement follows….
Brooklyn! Fall! Brews! Bounty! Yes, its that time of year again. The Yard is once again hosting a day of farm fresh food, live music, local vendors, delicious brews and other triumphs of sustainable urban living. Join us! Last year, over 1,000 people flocked to the banks of the Gowanus Canal. This year, with pony-rides, arts n crafts, pumpkin carving, pie bake-offs, urban chickens, raffle prizes, composting, transportation alternatives, voter education, and tons of surprises… it will be a day to remember. Best of all, proceeds from the Gowanus Harvest Festival will be donated to Just Food.
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Atlantic Antic returns to Atlantic Ave Sunday 10/5
Josh Guttman | October 3, 2008
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This Sunday, our neighborhood’s famed main street extravaganza - The Atlantic Antic - returns.
“Spanning 10 blocks of Atlantic Avenue, from 4th Avenue in Boerum Hill all the way to Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights, the Atlantic Antic is New York’s number one street festival, offering something for everyone!”
The festival is known for its eclectic delicacies, with an exciting array of foods from around the world, representing the shops that line the thoroughfare from baklava and funnel cake, to grilled sardines and pulled pork sandwiches, to street fair favorites like fresh lemonade, fried mozzarella, and roasted corn. This year, the Atlantic Ave Local Development Corp released this 2008 Food Map detailing the varieties so we can all be super-efficient in getting our munchies on.
Ten live musical stages will offer free performances all day, featuring blues, rock, country, R&B, jazz, music for kids, and belly-dancing. As always, Atlantic Avenue’s trendy restaurants and boutiques along with a host of local vendors, craftspeople, and nonprofits offer a hodgepodge of one-of-a-kind merchandise (as the local restaurants and boutiques continue to improve, so does the festival).
There will also be pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, live storytelling, and more for kids and families!
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Our very own Marie Carter to read from The Trapeze Diaries
Josh Guttman | September 28, 2008
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One of our former writers, Marie Carter, has recently published a novel, The Trapeze Diaries, with much fanfare. She’ll be reading from her book at two events, the invitations for which follow:
1) Reading @ McNally Jackson September 30
Please join us to celebrate new titles from Hanging Loose Press. Enjoy the acerbic wit of Tony Towle (WINTER JOURNEY), the energetic hiphop poetry of Michael Cirelli (LOBSTER WITH OL’ DIRTY BASTARD) and the lyrical prose of Marie Carter (THE TRAPEZE DIARIES).
Reading at McNally Jackson Bookstore, 52 Prince Street between Lafayette and Mulberry, NYC, 7 PM, Tuesday September 30. www.mcnallyjackson.com.
2) Reading at Sunny’s in Red Hook, November 2nd
Will be reading at Sunny’s in Red Hook on Sunday November 2nd near the new Ikea and Fairway (yes, you can buy Swedish furniture AND go to a reading all at once!).
I hear they do an awesome cheap brunch at Sunny’s and it’s by the water so a nice Sunday afternoon outing.
Sunny’s
253 Conover Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Sunday November 2nd, 3 PM
Directions at www.sunnysredhook.com. (Water taxis throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn will take you to IKEA).
More info at:
The Trapeze Diaries
