Dec 5th - ISB's 5th Annual French and Spanish Book Fair

Dance Theatre Etcetera Holiday Party on The Red Hook Waterfront

Dance Theatre Etcetera, a community arts organization with a nearly twenty-year history of programming, performances, and arts education in Red Hook, Brooklyn, invites the community to their end-of-year celebration Thursday, December 17, from 6pm-8:30pm at the DTE studio in the 2nd floor of the Fairway supermarket building (480 Van Brunt Street)


The event will feature student performances, light refreshments, and the world premier of the latest film to come out of DTE's media education programs, Welcome to Change, a documentary looking at transfer high schools, produced entirely by students at the East Brooklyn Community High School, a transfer school in Canarsie.

There’s no cost for admission, but donations are gladly accepted. To donate to DTE online visit www.dtetc.org. For more info and directions visit www.dtetc.org/space.html.

The Holiday Event at Brooklyn Collective

Presented by Brooklyn Collective and General Nightmare Antiques

Friday, December 11th 2009

7pm-Midnight

196 Columbia Street

(between Sackett and Degraw)

Please join them for our special holiday event featuring over 20 local artists and designers!

Claudia Pearson

grow house grow!

Jacqueline Bos

Emily Falco

warpeDesign

Design And Labor

Jess Yam

AshiDashi

Tattoo Girl Lingerie

Fort Pottery

Happy Clay

Rachel Goldberg

elle s'appelle

Lewis Henry Nicholas

LanVy

Alexandra Batsford

Species By The Thousands

Nathan Gelgud

Niccole Ugay

Sean Mahan

Courtney P. Hewitt

Wine and refreshments will be served throughout the evening.

Plus! A special live performance by The Static Jacks

For further info please visit

www.brooklyncollective.com

www.generalnightmare.com

Great gift idea: an Urban Meadow t-shirt!

Celebrate the Urban Meadow and show your neighborhood pride!

Meadow t-shirts are available for purchase at Everyday Athlete, 136 Union Street (bet. Hicks and Columbia).

All proceeds from the sales go to the Meadow, allowing us to purchase supplies for the garden and to organize all the wonderful activities that are held there during the year.

Prices: $12 for babies' onesies and children's shirts, $15 for adult shirts.

Sizes currently available: Infant onesies, Children (2, 4, 6), Men (L), Women (M and L).

Thanks so much to Meadow members Alejandra Belmar and Tomas Anthony, owners of Everyday Athlete.

Tree lighting ceremony in Carroll Park - Dec 4th

Friday, December 4th at 7pm
(rain date: Dec 11th)

Tree Lighting Ceremony
in Carroll Park

• Say hello to Santa and his Elves
• Sing Christmas carols
• Free refreshments
• Gifts for the children

Hosted by The Court Street Merchants Association, with the cooperation of The Committee to Improve Carroll Park.

Winter Holiday Emporium at Hands on World

Hands on World is hosting an exclusive seasonal event, supporting the debut of these women owned businesses:
Class Ceiling
Massilia Home and Garden
Amini Jewelry

Find gifts for everyone on your list:
Men's, women's and children's attire from up-and-coming NY designers
Quality hand-crafted jewelry from across the globe
Unique home accessories by Brooklyn-based artists
Delightful children's décor

Saturdays, 10am - 3pm
Sundays, 9am - 12pm
Until December 20th
A kid friendly shopping environment - cash only.

Hands on World is located at 132 4th Place (corner of Smith street)

Dec 5th - "Eat Pie and Shop" at PS 29

CATCH THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AT PS 29

Pie! Shopping! Movies! Crafts!

On December 5, PS 29 will host the first annual “Eat Pie and Shop” Holiday Gift Fair and Pie Social. Proceeds from this family-friendly Holiday event will support the PTAs of the school and neighboring PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights.

The Gift Fair will highlight local artisans, craftspeople and merchants, and promises to provide a wide array of handmade, local and sustainable gift-giving choices, from jewelry by Virginia Galvan, to handmade wool hats by Nadege Brunacci, to toys and books by Fork + Pencil and Half Pint Citizens. In all, nearly two dozen vendors will be displaying and selling their wares.

To keep your energy up during your shopping trip, fortify yourself with homemade pie. Local bakers – amateurs and professionals – will supply pies for the Pie Social. For a $5 tasting ticket, the public can sample two pieces of pie of their choosing. Bakers are also invited to bring pies, and a friendly competition will begin at 9:30 a.m.

And while you shop, Rooftop Films will show a selection of independent short films for kids at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Tickets to the movies are $2.
In addition, children can make free holiday crafts – perhaps an ornament or a frame as a present for Mom and Dad.

We are thrilled to host the first annual Eat Pie and Shop event. It’s nice to have this wonderful alternative to all the holiday craze, one where children and adults can spend some time together, and the fantastic arts programs at our public schools benefit.

Melanie Raneri Woods, Principal of PS 29

Eat Pie and Shop will be held on Saturday, December 5, from 10 am to 4 pm, at PS 29, 425 Henry Street, between Baltic and Kane Street. For more information on the event, including a list of all vendors and information on how to enter a pie, click here.

RED Friday in Red Hook on 11/27

A number of businesses have united in Red Hook to form a group called RED: Red Hook Economic Development. Their first event is RED Friday on 11/27, featuring specials and discounts in all of the participating businesses. Confirmed businesses so far (as of 11/25) are below:

Metal & Thread
Tiburon
Red Lipstick
Foxy & Winston
Pier Glass
Kevins
Home/made - has a promo on their website apparently
Suite Hair Boutique
Thrifty Couture
Fort Defiance
Nate's Pharmacy
Bait and Tackle
Liberty Sunset Garden Center
Hair or No Hair (according to their twitter page: "Hair or no Hair will be having all our services 50% off. Only one time a year.917-318-1052")

Check back here or at A View from the Hook as the list grows

Check each of their sites or stop by to see what the details of the specials are. Any store window that has a sign with the image below is participating.

Support local business!

Cobra Clutch Comedy at Moonshine on 12/4

Head over to Moonshine on 12/4/09 at 11 Pm for a Free comedy show - the perfect compliment to Moonshine's cheap buckets of beer!

This show will be happening on the first Friday of the month from now on, so check out the official Cobra Clutch blog page for more details about this and other upcoming events.

Trash and Concrete Problems in Red Hook

The Courier touched on two issues this week that are affecting Red Hook's quality of life: trash and concrete

In an article about State and City procedures for keeping the new Red Hook concrete plant on a "short leash," the Courier's Gary Buiso writes:

State and city officials are vowing to keep a close watch on a concrete plant once it opens in Red Hook — but those hoping for an environmental assessment before that day should expect to be disappointed.

Critics of the arrival of United States Concrete’s facility to 640 Columbia Street are urging the city and the state to conduct air quality testing to determine if the plant’s arrival is even suitable for the site, which stands near neighborhood ballfields and an organic farm.....

According to the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the plant will require an industrial process permit for each type of processing equipment, such as ventilation or exhaust machines, that will be employed. The equipment that has a permit is inspected when it is ready to go into use and then it is inspected every 3 years in order to renew the permit. The company also has to ensure that the piles of sand and dirt on site are sufficiently covered or sprayed with water.

Then, in another article, Buiso writes about a trash problem on Halleck St:

Forget about traffic, a Red Hook roadway has a problem of a different sort: trash.

Halleck Street between Court and Clintonhas been transformed into a veritable dumping ground, and Community Board 6 is urging the city to either turn the messy parcel into a park, clean it up, or both.

While the tract of land is under the jurisdiction of the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), the agency never built it as an actual street, leaving it fertile territory for the accumulation of all manner of trash. And that’s exactly what happened several years back when a contractor dumped enormous mountains of fill material there, creating a mountain of dirt that seemingly encouraged similar activity, according to Board 6 District Manager Craig Hammerman. “The DOT is unwilling to remove the dirt, claiming they are not responsible for putting it there and they don’t have the resources......”

Read the rest of the concrete article here and the trash article here

Local business profiled in the Daily News

The Daily News ran an article earlier this week called "Red-hot deals in Red Hook" where they highlighted a number of local businesses that often don't get media attention. Its almost like a Not-for-Tourists guide to Red Hook. Here's what they included:

GROCERY STORE: Fairway

480 Van Brunt St.; (718) 694-6868

Fairway has the best selection of fresh meats, dairy and produce in Red Hook. Be sure to check the circular every Saturday for weekly in-store specials, like Bartlett pears for 99 cents per pound; fresh-cut swordfish steaks for $6.99 a pound; General Mills cereals, two for $5, and Kleenex tissues for $1.89.

HAIR SALON AND NAIL SALON: Golden Fingers Dominican Style Salon,

70 Lorraine St.; (718) 797-3303

Golden Fingers is the place to be pampered. Monday through Wednesday a wash and set is only $10. Everyday prices include braids for $35 and up, box braids for $80 and up and natural cornrows for $25 and up. Manicures are $8 and pedicures go for $13.

HARDWARE STORE: Celco II Hardware

289 Van Brunt St.; (718) 899-8116

At this corner hardware store, you can get keys made, get help with your locks and buy hardware, paint, heating supplies or vanities.

DINER: Flaco Luncheon,

54 Lorraine St.; (718) 222-3078

Since 1985, Flaco's has been serving up the best homemade food in Red Hook. Be sure to check in every day for the daily specials, like a small plate of rice with pork or steak for $5.50 or a large for $7. A small soup is just $3 and a large is $6, and come in varieties like chicken, beef, oxtail and tripe.

LAUNDROMAT: The Wash Stop Laundromat

34 Lorraine St.; (718) 625-7250

The Wash Stop is a block-long laundromat that really makes getting your laundry done easy. The place has more than 100 machines, drop-off service, a play area for kids and satellite television. It also has private mailboxes for rent.

DELI: F & M Bagel,

383 Van Brunt St.; (718) 855-2623

At F & M, a ham and egg sandwich is just $3, a bacon cheeseburger is $4.50 and a hot roast beef sandwich is just $5. F & M also serves hot plates of food, like meatloaf and chicken parm, starting at $6.50. Fish is served on Thursdays and Fridays, and Boar's Head cold cuts, soup and salads are fresh daily. Free delivery.

TAKE-OUT: Red Hook Cafe & Grill

228 Van Brunt St.; (718) 643-0122

This is a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch. The cafe serves up a variety of burgers for about $5; salads run about $6; a BLT is just $3.25; pancakes are $4 and gourmet tortilla wraps are about $6. Free delivery.

DRY CLEANERS: Y and M Cleaners

592 Clinton St.; (718) 852-0264

For the past 19 years, Van La has been keeping Red Hook's duds looking dapper. All work and alterations are done on the premises. Base dry cleaning prices are $8 for a suit; $5 for jackets; $7.50 for dresses; $3.50 for skirts and $3 for blouses, sweaters and shirts.

PHARMACY: Red Hook Pharmacy

598 Clinton St.; (718) 923-1600

Besides filling your prescriptions, for the past nine years this corner pharmacy has also carried health and beauty aids and over-the-counter medicines.

smART Hop to local galleries this weekend

Marty Markowitz's office is sponsoring the 2nd annual smART Hop this weekend, which offers five different bus loops around Brooklyn to bring people to local art galleries.

Neighborhood participants in the tour include:
BWAC
Kentler International Drawing Space
and
WORK

They are included on the same bus loop as Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. There are also bus loops for Boerum Hill/Park Slope/Gowanus, Bushwick/Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Bed Stuy/Clinton Hill/Fort Greene, and Bay Ridge/Sunset Park/Crown Heights.

The bus rides are free and run every hour, but it is recommended that you reserve a spot on your preferred loop and time.

More details can be found here

Community Round Table with State Senator Daniel Squadron

The Cobble Hill Association is offering us an opportunity to meet with our elected officials through a series of Community Round Table.

The CHA is kicking it off with State Senator Daniel Squadron.

7:30 PM on Monday, November 23rd
@ Christ Church, at the corner of Clinton and Kane Streets


More info on the Cobble Hill Association and this event here.

DO I MOVE YOU, ARE YOU WILLING at WORK

WORK Gallery presents

DO I MOVE YOU, ARE YOU WILLING

November 21 - December 14, 2009

a group exhibition of photography

opening SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 7-9PM.

Curated by JOSIE MINER, the exhibition features eight New York City based photographers whose works collectively consider the meditative quality of photography. Featuring a range of representational and abstract imagery, the exhibition explores the ephemeral and enigmatic interstices of life and offers an opportunity for reverie and feeling.

Featuring the works of Michael Ackerman, Mae Fatto, Allen Frame, Leila Hekmat, Allan MacIntyre, Mariah Robertson, Go Sugimoto, Hannah Whitaker.



More information about the exhibition and about Work Gallery here.

New pieces at the Art Lot

We're a little late on this one, but some new stuff recently popped up at the Art Lot on Sackett and Columbia. Our favorite of the pieces is this robot statue:

Urban Farm Conference from MAS

The Municipal Art Society recently hosted a conference called "Designing Urban Farms to Feed Our City," and they now have a podcast (here) and slideshow (embedded below) related to it up on their site, which describes the event as follows:

Representing a variety of perspectives on sustainable agriculture, architecture and planning, and touching on issues as diverse as zoning, organic farming, national agricultural policy, and climate change, the panelists addressed the question: Can New York, a city with a growing population and shrinking acreage, eventually grow enough food within its boundaries to become self-sufficient?

Our own local Red Hook Community Farm, run by Added Value, was mentioned in the discussion, which shows how this neighborhood is on the forefront of a growing trend! Considering that this area has not only the farm, but a number of community gardens and backyards, its interesting to think about the future of urban farming in NYC.

What's happening to Pit Stop?

A couple of weeks ago we walked past Pit Stop and saw signs on the window advertising that the restaurant would soon be making changes to appeal to families and kids by becoming a racecar themed Bistro 4 Kids. This made a lot of sense, since they had always been popular among families anyway - especially when they previously had the playspace in the back that kids could run around in.

Then, a few days later, I ran into Laurent, the owner of Pit Stop, and asked if I could write a post about the new concept. He told me that it would actually no longer be happening, because he had finally found a buyer for the restaurant. Indeed, Pit Stop had been for sale since the beginning of the summer, and when it seemed that there were no takers, Laurent came up with the new concept, only to find a buyer soon after.

So now there will no longer be Pit Stop as we've known it in the past, or the new kid's Pit Stop concept - that is unless the new buyer decides to run with either or both of those.

Whatever the new buyer decides to do, we can only hope that the food and atmosphere are as good as what Pit Stop had to offer.

Pit Stop has been open for 6 years, but this past Spring Laurent became head chef at a new restaurant at the Hotel Rivington in Manhattan, LEVANTeast.

Red Hook Pupusa Recipe (via Martha Stewart)

Earlier this week, we heard around the internet that there was a taping for a Brooklyn episode of the Martha Stewart show. Then, earlier today, the Red Hook Food Vendors posted a link to their Twitter account for the pupusa recipe below, which is featured on Martha Stewart's website. This is the recipe of Reina Soler, one of the Red Hook Food Vendors that can often be found at Brooklyn Flea.

Makes about 15 pupusas

• 1 pound masa
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 4 cups lukewarm water
• 3 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• Curtido, for serving
• Salsa de Tomate, for serving

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together masa and salt. Add water, a little bit at a time, until a soft, pliable, nonsticky dough is formed.
2. Using damp hands, form dough into 2 1/2-inch balls. Flatten each ball into a 4-inch patty and place 1/4 cup cheese in the center of each. Fold sides of patties over cheese to enclose and reshape into a ball. Flatten each ball into another 4-inch patty.
3. Preheat a griddle and lightly coat with oil. Place patties on skillet and cook, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately with curtido and salsa.

Image above from MarthaStewart.com

Off the Hook!: Plays by Red Hook kids

On 11/20 and 11/21, the Falconworks Artist Group will be sponsoring a theater event featuring local Red Hook youth:

"Six young playwrights, with the support of professional writers, actors, directors, and creative artists, take center stage in their own plays for an evening of funny, moving, raw, original theater."

The event will be taking place at PS 15.

Click here for more details and registration information

Falconworks Artists Group is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support and empower communities and individuals through theater that addresses personal and local issues......

Story Pirate event at PS 58 on 11/20

On Friday, 11/20, the PS58 PTA brings the Story Pirates to Brooklyn and they
are opening the event up with welcome arms to the entire community!

Details from the organizers:

For months our PS 58 kids have been busy writing stories for the Pirates
review. After reading all of our stories, the Pirates will select a sampling
of them and turn them into short plays. Each Story Pirates show is 100%
original, with the kids being the original authors each performance!
This show is NOT just for PS 58 families. We open our doors to the entire
community and welcome anyone who enjoys theater, improv, comedy and creative
art forms! The Pirates are super talented and unique. I guarantee you've
seen nothing like them! Come see what they've done with us and spread the
word. Maybe someday they can land their boats on your school shore!

$15 General tickets, pay through credit card online
Doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7 pm
http://tinyurl.com/yaaoyeo

$20 Reserved tickets, with front row seating AND dinner are available
mornings in the PS 58 school lobby only, available for the first 100
customers. Doors at 6:00 pm, show at 7 pm

Thanks to Kingfisher books, EVERY child attending this performance will
receive a Pirate book of their choice FREE.

This will be a 1 Hour show.
100% of profits go directly to the PTA to fund PS58 programs and events year
round.

PS 58: Carroll St between Court and Smith, Brooklyn NY 11231
Subway: F/G trains, Carroll stop
Bus: B71, B75

The Concrete Plant fight continues

Despite Red Hook's new concrete plant nearing completion, the neighborhood fight against it continues on.

The NY Times published an article about the struggle last week, saying:

So the plant, which is nearing completion, has spurred protests in this split-personality neighborhood. The clouds of dust stirred up could be quite literal: What mostly worries opponents are the airborne particles they say the plant will scatter to the yellow-and-blue Ikea next door, heavily used baseball fields across the street, and a 2.75-acre farm nearby on a former playground.

“There’s a certain irony that we have a mayor talking about no smoking in parks, but he has no problem allowing the construction of a concrete plant that would shower cement dust on children in the park,” said John McGettrick, a co-president of the Red Hook Civic Association.

Seven hundred people signed a petition opposing the plant, and 70 residents picketed on a rainy September day, with children in dust masks holding signs that said “Honk 4 No Cement.”

But city officials, who want to preserve factories and the jobs they provide, have declared a swath of Red Hook that includes the plant site an industrial business zone. Ikea, less than pleased, realized there was nothing it could do....

Read the rest of the article here or some Gothamist coverage here

Also be sure to check out a more detailed, neighborhood based, commentary by A View From the Hook that includes a detailed map of the area.

Freebird Party11/15: Red Hook Chickens, Six Point, and Moxie

LAST FREEBIRD PARTY OF THE YEAR!

Sunday, November 15, 2-4 pm

In conjunction with the New York Independent Book Week (not to mention the present management's 2-year anniversary), Freebird will join forces with WORD Bookstore in Greenpoint to encourage our patrons to B-61 it (along the route of the future Greenway) between neighborhoods for a sampling of Brooklyn authors and food.

Freebird will host John Bemelmans Marciano, Freebird customer and author of the recently released work, Anonyponymous. John lives in Red Hook and will be supplying free range chickens raised in his next door lot (you can see pictures of it in this NY Times article from a few months ago). The chickens will be "moxied" till they are tender and falling off the bone. And by "moxie," they mean roasting a few with a half-filled can of Moxie soda, a process was tested at the Freebird labs earlier this week (Note: Freebird is the only place in NYC to carry Moxie). Six Point beer will be on hand to wash it all down.

WORD will host the Brooklyn author/illustrator duo of Randall and Peter de Sève (who will read and sign copies of their new book Duchess of Whimsey) and offer up grilled cheese sandwiches and milk from local vendors of the Greenpoint Food Market.
---------------
Freebird interviewed their featured author, John Bemelmans Marciano, about his book and the chickens. That interview appears below:

So what is an anonyponym?

An anonyponym is an anonymous eponym. When you have a person whose name becomes a word but you never heard of that person, both the word and the person are anonyponymous. Think Jules Leotard, Charles Boycott, Etienne de Silhouette.

What were your determining factors for these words?

Anonyponyms cannot be defined absolutely, as everyone's knowledge is different. Take the case of 'hoover'. When an older person talks about hoovering something up, they do so with the knowledge that Hoover made vacuum cleaners; a younger person uses the word free of that context. The older person is using an eponym; the younger one an anonyponym.

Who didn't make the cut?

The Earl of Sandwich, who has become famous for his very obscurity.

Would "moxie" qualify?

Absolutely. A certain Lieutenant Moxie discovered a rare sugar cane-like plant in South America from which is made the near-magical elixir that is contained in each can of Moxie. Whether Lt. Moxie is real or fictitious, he is still anonyponymous.

Tell us about the chickens. What kind are they?

They are called 54-day chickens. This is a case of a breed being named after its expiration date. I don't have a word for that yet.

Were they easy to take care of?

It was a shared project, and my share had less to do with the caring part. (And even less with the eating, as I'm a vegetarian.) On the days I did have to take care of them, I would have to say no, not easy. Fifty chickens is not easy.

Would you recommend others do this?

I definitely recommend raising your own food. For myself I recommend a lot fewer chickens.

Where did they meet their fate?

At the Yeung Sun Live Poultry Market on the corner of Columbia and DeGraw.

Would you do it again?

Yes and no. I want to raise chickens again, but ones that make food, not that are food.

-------------------

Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw streets)
http://www.freebirdbooks.com/directions.html


Images above from NYTimes and Wikipedia

Honey, I Shrunk Red Hook video

A video has been released about the "Honey I Shrunk Red Hook" project by Luis Blackaller and Andy Cavatorta that appeared at Lucky Gallery this past August.



This art project and installation - described on Lucky's site as a little Red Hook in the big Red Hook - is such a great concept, and the video does a great job of documenting it.

Check out Lucky Gallery's site for more great installations and events.

Made in Red Hook: Yankee Confetti!!!!

Anyone attending the Yankee parade tomorrow will get sprinkled with a little something from Red Hook.....

According to NY1, local company Atlas Materials will be providing the confetti for the parade:

Atlas Materials in Red Hook, Brooklyn is donating recycled confetti strips for the celebration. They say parades these days are much more environmentally friendly than ticker-tapes of the past.

"What we're doing here today is taking 1,200 pounds of shredded, recycled paper to be delivered to the buildings of Lower Manhattan to start the process of what kind of paper should be thrown from the windows tomorrow. It will all be cleaned up by the sanitation department and recycled yet again. So this is going to be a green parade," said John Cioffi of Atlas Materials.

A video of the confetti being made at Atlas, as well other info about the parade, is over at the NY1 website here (still no embedding NY1?)

“Surviving the Economic Downturn in Cobble Hill” 11/9 @ LICH

Cobble Hill Association Fall General Meeting to Feature Panel Discussion, “Surviving the Economic Downturn in Cobble Hill”

With New York City’s unemployment rate at a reported 8.9% and with under-employment estimated at 17%, many Cobble Hill residents have been affected by the economic downturn , especially with so many working in the fields of finance, media, and law that have been hard-hit. The Cobble Hill Association’s Fall General meeting will feature a panel discussion on coping strategies for this difficult economic environment. It will be held on Monday, November 9, at 7:30 pm at Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street (at Atlantic Ave) at the Avram Conference Room A.

Featured will be an expert on local real estate, William S. Ross, Director of Development Marketing, Halstead Property; co-owners of two successful neighborhood businesses, Henry Zook of BookCourt at 161-163 Court Street and Michelle Mannix of Ted & Honey café at 264 Clinton Street at Verandah Place; and Lauren Young, Personal Finance Editor, of BusinessWeek.

About the Panelists:

Michelle Mannix, co-owner of Ted and Honey at 264 Clinton Street at Verandah Place, is a lifelong foodie who came to the culinary world after spending several years in corporate America working in human resources and marketing. After being laid off from her job as Director of Marketing Partnerships and Promotion for Loews Cineplex Entertainment, Michelle took her career in a different direction. She attended the New School for culinary arts, completing the Master Class in professional cooking, catering, and Italian. She was asked to be the assistant to the Chef Instructor in the next Master course. Michelle then worked as a line cook and prep cook in Danny Meyer’s Café 2 in the Museum of Modern Art. In 2008, she and her brother, Chris Jackson, opened Ted and Honey. It became such an instant hit that when they added a public rest room, New York Magazine listed it as “Brilliant” in their approval matrix! Michelle, her husband, and their new baby, Jackson, live down the block from Ted & Honey in Carroll Gardens.

William S. Ross, Director of Development Marketing for Halstead Property, has over 25 years of real estate experience. An expert in both residential and commercial realty, Bill was the owner of William S. Ross Realty in Cobble Hill until he sold to Halstead. He is an expert on New York City's complicated zoning laws, and Landmarks Preservation regulations. Bill has been involved in many major building conversions and new developments where his ability to work with architects on floor plans and layouts and his understanding of the market is invaluable. Bill is a lifetime resident of Brownstone Brooklyn.

Lauren Young is a department editor for BusinessWeek’s Personal Business section. She joined BusinessWeek in October 2003 after working as a senior writer at SmartMoney. Ms. Young also covered mutual funds for the Dow Jones Newswires and was a frequent contributor to The Wall Street Journal. Her articles have appeared in many publications including The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun, The Houston Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal Europe, USA Today, and T. Rowe Price Investor. She currently blogs about investing and parenting issues for BusinessWeek and is a frequent guest on major network television and radio programs. Ms. Young lives in Cobble Hill with her husband Jon Gordon, a patent lawyer, and her son Leo, who is in kindergarten at P.S. 29.

Henry Zook has co-owned BookCourt at 161 – 163 Court Street since 1981. Rated a 10 out of 10 by New York Magazine and voted the “Best Bookstore Expanding in the Face of a Vanishing Industry” by the Village Voice in their October 2009 “Best of New York” issue, the store is more than just a bookstore. Along with co-owner, Mary Gannett, and son Zack, Henry has created a destination where you can find an excellent selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books and literary magazines. The store offers readings from well-known authors - E.L. Doctorow and Jonathan Lethem among the writers featured in the past two months. There are weekly events for children and young adults including readings, story hours, and one of a kind events like a midnight release party for the last Harry Potter book. BookCourt has recently expanded to better serve their fans, ignoring the common wisdom that Barnes and Noble and Amazon are the only business model for book sellers.

PS 29 and PS 8 Seek Local Crafters and Artisans

PS 29 and PS 8 are hosting their first-ever Toy and Gift Fair on Saturday, December 5^th from 10 a.m-4 p.m. at PS 29, 425 Henry Street, between Baltic and Kane Streets. They're looking for local artisans or crafters interested in selling their handmade wares at our event.

The table rental is only $50 and we welcome artists’ collectives and co-sponsored tables. You can find more details about the event on the vendor application on THIS page of PS29Brooklyn.org. Table fees can be paid HERE.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa at PS29PTA@gmail.com or Alex, 718 488 8855, alex@forkandpencil.com.

Cobble Hill Bike Ride 11-8 / Greenway Cleanup 11-14

2nd Annual Cobble Hill Bike Ride
Sunday, November 8th, 11am - 2pm
The Cobble Hill Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative are hosting a 10-mile casual bike ride that will start at Cobble Hill Park and pass through Brooklyn Heights , Dumbo, the Columbia Waterfront District, Red Hook, and Carroll Gardens then loop back to Cobble Hill. There will be several scenic rest stops as we ride along mostly calm streets with some light vehicular traffic. Bike marshals will travel alongside, as well as a mechanic for any urgent bike repairs needed. It may be chilly so please dress accordingly. Cyclists should bring helmets and observe all the proper rules of the road.

Ride is FREE, simply RSVP to cobblehillbikeride(at)gmail.com.
Space is limited to 50 riders maximum. Preference will be given to those who register ahead of time, as well as Cobble Hill Association members. Ride starts from Verandah Place at Cobble Hill Park .


...........and don't forget about monthly Greenway cleanups!

Columbia Street Greenway Clean-Up
Saturday, November 14th, 10:00-11:30AM
Join us for our regular monthly cleanup of the greenway route along Columbia Street ! Tools and gloves are provided, and all ages are welcome!
For more info or to volunteer, contact Brian: bmccormick(at)brooklyngreenway.org

Reminder: SIgn the traffic petition!

Please remember to sign the Columbia St. traffic calming and safety petition this week.

Currently, there are petitions available for signature at:

The Coffee Den (Union and Hicks)
Everyday Athlete Kids (Columbia b/w Carroll and Summit)

This petition will serve to follow up to letters sent by COWNA in the past, and serve as an important first step in demonstrating community buy-in of the issue to elected officials, the DOT, and other city offices. Some elected officials have responded favorably to emails we've sent them, but we need to keep the issue alive and show them that it really matters to us.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to collect signatures, either on the street, in their buildings or otherwise, please let us know.

Also, if any other business has printed petitions to have available on site, please let us know and we will direct people your way as well.

UPDATE: You can also view the petition here and print out for collecting signatures from your friends and neighbors:

Columbia Street Traffic Petition

Mother Cabrini/Meadow Halloween Photos & Thanks

Thanks to everyone who came out to Mother Cabrini Park and the Urban Meadow this past Saturday for the 8th annual Halloween party!

We'd especially like to thank the following businesses for their support of the event through their contributions of money, food, supplies, or time:

Everyday Athlete Studio / Everyday Athlete Kids
Cook Smarter (for the healthy treats!)
Denise Fasanello Floral Design
Coffee Den
Old Brooklyn Wine and Liquor Co.
Red's Tapas Bar
Brooklyn General
Jalopy
Cozy Quarters
Stop 1 Deli
Margaret Palca Bakes
The Word on Columbia St.
... and the members of the Urban Meadow who volunteered baked goods and time!

We have so many great businesses in the neighborhood that support these great FREE events at the playground and at the meadow, so show your support for them as well by shopping locally and mentioning your appreciation the next time you drop by!

Also thanks to Joan Millman, Daniel Squadron, and Brad Lander for coming out to the event and paying attention to our community!

{several photos above provided by Launa B.}

The Red Hook Playgroup Fall Fling

We are happy to invite you to the Red Hook Playgroup's Fall Fling in our Brand-Spanking New Space. A decidedly informal affair we'd love if you could join us to celebrate our expansion and check out RHP's new 4,000 sf space (in the raw!) on November 11th. The new location is 295 Columbia Street (between Woodhull and Summit).

Featuring: DJ Lupe Loop’s rump shaking mix of Latin, soul, funk, hip hop, rock and disco; Beer from Six Points Brewery; Pizza from House of Pizza; Raffle Prizes

Come shake off the fall’s chill with an old fashioned “rent party.” Ticket price of $25 includes all the beer, pizza and dancing you can handle. All net proceeds go directly to the build out of the new Red Hook Playgroup preschool space. The Red Hook Playgroup is a not-for-profit and 501c3 organization.

Good times, good folks, good karma!

New Space Info:The new Red Hook Playgroup space is located at 295 Columbia Street (between Woodhull and Summit). This brand new building is in a convenient central location and provides RHP an exciting new space in which to continue its child-centered programs in an expanded facility. It features two large classrooms, a generous multipurpose space, lots of space for art projects and cooking, a separate office for teachers, high ceilings with lots of natural light and even stroller parking. Construction will begin soon and doors will open in 2010!

Live From the Audience Illustrations by Robin Hoffman

Live From the Audience documents a selection of memorable performances at the Jalopy Theatre over the past year. Former ballet soloist Robin Hoffman studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts and settled down to live and work in Brooklyn. She can regularly be found in the audience at Jalopy, with a pencil behind each ear.

Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 6-9 PM

Show runs through January 2, 2010

The Jalopy Theatre and School of Music

315 Columbia Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn

718-395-3214

Check out Robin's work here.

Photos from Human Compass Oktoberfest

The Human Compass Garden's Oktoberfest celebration on Sunday 10/25 more than made up for bad weather on the day before, which it was originally scheduled for.

A number of families showed up to enjoy such traditional Autumn activities as pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and bulb planting, on what turned out to be a warm and clear day.
Events like this not only reinforce the importance of our great neighborhood community gardens, but they also serve as a smaller and more intimate option compared to the large Halloween events such as those at Cobble Hill Park, Mother Cabrini, or Carroll Park on Halloween weekend.
Also, if you look at the background of the picture above, you can see a glimpse of the great professional brickwork that the Human Compass Garden recently had donated. It looks amazing - so be sure to check it out next time you're passing by!

{Photos provided by Launa B.}

Realty Collective buys Frank Manzione!

We've always thought that there was a seemingly high concentration of real estate agencies in our little neighborhood, but the number has just gone down by one. The Realty Collective, which started in 2005 and was located on Union St., has purchased Frank Manzione Real Estate, which has been in the area for years, and relocated to the Manzione Columbia St. location.

According to Brownstoner (via Brooklyn Based):

[Realty Collective] has thrived by differentiating itself as a group of brokers with artistic leanings and good hearts, tripled its listings when it bought Manzione earlier this month.

Check out more about this here:
Realty Collective Buys Out Frank Manzione (Brownstoner)
Real Estate Agents Who Aren't Creepy (Brooklyn Based - sponsored post)
Realty Collective's Twitter

Image above from Brownstoner

Private Picassos at Hudson's House

Private Picassos will be offering a two-part Wild Thing Creation workshop for children age 5-8 at Hudson's House! Students will use a variety of two and three-dimensional materials to create their own unique Wild Thing, inspired by the classic children’s story and now major motion picture, Where the Wild Things Are.

This two-part workshop will be offered from 10-10:45am on Saturday November 7th and 14th.

Pre-registration is required.

Email info[at]privatepicassos to register or check out their site here

Hudson's House is located at 413 Smith St.