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.

Petition for Columbia St. traffic calming and safety!!!

In light of recent accidents and ongoing traffic issues along Columbia St, many of our readers, contacts, and friends in the community have expressed real concern about safety and noise issues.

As a result, we have decided to put together a petition. When complete, we will forward it to the DOT and other city agencies and officials.

There are several ways that you can sign this petition:

1) Come to the Halloween event at Mother Cabrini Park/the Urban Meadow this Saturday from 10-12am. We will have the petition available at one of our tables.

2) Stop by the Coffee Den anytime next week. They have agreed to have petition forms available.

3) If neither of these options work for you, please email us and we'll work something out.

Finally, if you have time and are passionate about this issue, we also invite you to collect signatures from your friends and neighbors. Please contact us if interested.

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Haven't been following this issue recently? See the posts below for some info - although this issue has been ongoing for much longer than these posts

Columbia St. crash photos from 10/14 and 10/18
Accident Report from 76th Precinct
COWNA's recent attempts on this issue
Accident at Columbia and Summit 10/18
Information on the issue from CB6
Initial accident post on 10/18 (w/ numerous comments)

Love is a Four-Letter-Word reading @ Freebird 11/1

Reading at Freebird this Sunday

UPCOMING EVENT: Sunday, November 1 , 7 pm
Michael Taeckens, D.E. Rasso and Amanda Stern read from the new essay collection, Love Is a Four-Letter Word Fron Junot Diaz, Lynda Barry, Gary Shteyngart, and Kate Christensen to popular up-and-comers like Dan Kennedy, Wendy McClure, and Brock Clarke, Love Is a Four-Letter Word is a contemporary collection of true stories of seduction, heartbreak, and regret. Fearlessly revealing their shattered hearts and crushed egos; their indiscretions and indignities; their delusions, desperation, and disappointments, these talented writers capture the dark side of love in prose ranging from comic to poetic, poignant to cringe-inducing. Also featuring three cartoon/graphic essays as a sixteen-page color insert, this anthology is perfect for anyone who's ever loved and lost.

Contributors include Neal Pollack, Junot Díaz, Wendy McClure, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Dan Kennedy, Kate Christensen, Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, Maud Newton, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Margaret Sartor, Michael Taeckens, Lynda Barry, Emily Flake, Patty Van Norman, Gary Shteyngart, Michelle Green, Brock Clarke, Jami Attenberg, George Singleton, D. E. Rasso, Pasha Malla, Amanda Stern, Dave White, and Wendy Brenner.

76th Precinct Community Council meeting 11/3

Captain Kenneth Corey of the 76th Precinct has been getting a lot of media and internet attention lately for his online presence, but we honestly think its a great thing

He sent out a reminder to the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association list this week to remind people about the 76th Precinct Community Council meeting on 11/3:

The 76th Precinct Community Council meets on the first Tuesday evening of
every month except July and August. Our next meeting is on *Tuesday
November 3rd - Election Day* at 7:30 p.m. at the 76th Precinct Station
House, 191 Union Street between Hicks and Henry Streets. The meeting is open
to everyone.

I haven't had a chance to go to one of these meetings yet, but between online presence and open meetings, our local precinct is making a true effort to communicate with the community and be aware of any issues.

Check out this week's Daily News and Gothamist articles on the Captain

Foxy and Winston Opening Party 11/7

Foxy and Winston, a recently opened store on Van Brunt St., will be hosting a Grand Opening party on 11/7 from 6-9 Pm. Their website states:

The store will host its official opening party on Saturday November 7, 6 - 9 pm. Drinks and treats (including cupcakes from Baked) will be served. The first 100 people through the door get a party favor; the first 50 to spend at least $20 in store get a complimentary organic tote bag. Foxy & Winston, 392 Van Brunt Street

Check out their site for more information

Image above from Foxy and Winston's website.

Phil's Crummy Corner hosts classic block party!

Phil's Crummy Corner hosted a fantastic block party for family, friends, and curious passers-by last night, on what turned out to be a beautiful evening.

We were lucky enough to catch the tail end of the party and our only regret is that we wish we had been there for the whole party! The food we had, including barbecue chicken, pulled pork, grilled chorizo, rice, and grilled onions and peppers was amazing. Even now, my mouth waters remembering the menu.

The music, which could be heard up Columbia St. - prompting many of the curious passers-by, was also great, with a live band playing Bachatta and Salsa music, and everyone in attendance either dancing in the street or bobbing their head while they ate.

These pictures - taken on an iphone when the party was getting ready to wrap up - just don't do the party justice, so take our word for it!


Phil's weekly weekly schedule is as follows (as of September 09, and presumably still the same now):

Karaoke Thursdays 9PM to 12AM
DJ Fridays 10PM to 2AM
Salsa Band Saturday 11PM to 2AM
FootBall Games ALL SEASON LONG

Even though Phil's is tucked away on Hamilton, be sure to check it out sometime if you haven't already!