Spring Classes and Children's Summer Clay Camp at Clayworks

Clayworks on Columbia Street says it's time to register for their Spring Session.

Come join us..... make some pots..... & have some fun with clay!!

WHEEL/HANDBUILDING CLASSES
Monday 10 am to 1 pm 4/16 thru 6/25 (no class 5/28)
Wednesday 7 pm to 10 pm 4/18 thru 6/20
Thursday 7 pm to 10 pm 4/19 thru 6/21
Saturday 10 am to 1 pm 4/21 thru 6/30 (no class 5/26)

SCULPTURE CLASS
Monday 7 pm to 10 pm 5/14 thru 7/23 (no class 5/28)

$320 for 10 week session includes open studio time, clay and use of our glazes.

To register or for more information about our classes and studio call 917 428 3128 or visit our website www.clayworksoncolumbia.org


And they'll have a new summer daycamp! Read on...

Our new Clay Camp is designed to provide children and young teens with fun and
creative clay projects. They will learn to construct several clay projects, to color
and glaze them and to learn how to turn mud into magic. No prior pottery or clay
experience is required. Our ceramic art instructors are experiences artists and
teachers who will work with all the children to help them have a meaningful and
fun experience.

Camp sessions are a week long --- from Monday to Thursday --- and are either
morning or afternoons. The cost of one session, which includes all materials,
instruction, tools and firing, is $240. For a second child in one family, the cost is
$200.

Our sessions are as follows:

Session 1: July 23 - July 26 10 am to 1 pm (ages 6 - 10)
Session 2: July 30 - August 2 10 am to 1 pm (ages 6 - 10)
Session 3: August 6 - August 9 10 am to 1 pm (ages 6 - 10)
Session 4: August 6 - August 9 1 pm to 4 pm (ages 10 - 15) --- Teen
wheel camp

For more information or to register your child please call or email
info@clayworksoncolumbia.org


Clayworks on Columbia, Inc.
195 Columbia Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231-1402
718-694-9540

Element Healing Arts

I must have walked past Element Healing Arts on Union Street hundreds of times over the years before I tried their massage and yoga classes, and now I feel silly for missing out for so long. It's a little oasis of relaxation in there!

On April 22 they are hosting a special workshop called Beauty From Within. It's all about boosting beauty with whole foods. The class costs $10 and includes juices by Blueprint Cleanse, a handout on workshop topics and gift bag with samples and products from Sprout, Ajara Skincare and more.

They're also offering a free Community Yoga Class on Tuesdays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Ohmmm....

Urban Meadow CSA 2012 Season Beginning Soon

The bounty of  last year's first pickup + eggs!

Last year from June through October my household received super-fresh and organic vegetables and fruit every week direct from a Pennsylvania farm. It was our first time taking advantage of a Community Supported Agriculture program (or CSA) and we are excited for the new season.

This year the season will start on June 2 and will end October 27. A full share is $525 for the season and volunteering for one morning to help with the pickup. (You can make arrangements on your own with a neighbor to split the cost of a full share, but you both have to work a pickup shift.) Pickups will be at the Urban Meadow on President and Van Brunt every Saturday from 10:30am to 12:30pm and offer a wide selection of vegetables from week to week. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 18.

We'll get our veggies from the same farm as last year, Ant Hill Farm, located in Honesdale, PA. (http://www.theanthillfarm.com). Check out their site to see gorgeous photos of the farm, learn about their methods and the produce they offer, and events for CSA members like tours, music festivals, canning workshops.

If you're interested in becoming a member or have any questions, email urbanmeadowcsa@gmail.com. Also check out http://urbanmeadowcsa.tumblr.com/.

Columbia Street Post Office Reincarnated

Photo by _tar0_
http://flic.kr/p/8LmEKP

Good news and bad news about our little post office at 257 Columbia Street. Despite public outcry and a petition with thousands of signatures, our little contracted postal center with the USPS was forced to close after 17 years of operation by Rita Faraone. However, Rita has reopened as a private postal center called Columbia Waterfront Postal Center. The opening hours will be extended, and you can mail out packages via USPS, pick up mail, and purchase stamps. The USPS will still visit on a daily basis.  In the future Rita plans to offer money orders, bill payment and function as a copy center. 

Since this is now a private postal center, "these services will come with a small processing fee" said Rita said in a letter posted at the new Center. "We hope that you will continue to support us."

Columbia Waterfront Postal Center will be open Monday - Friday 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturday 12:00noon-4:00pm. 

Spring Egg Hunt April 8

Kiddos! Get ready for the Fourth Annual Columbia Waterfront Spring Egg Hunt! Babies - 4 year olds hunt in the Urban Meadow, kids 5 and up hunt in the playground. Don't forget to bring a basket. There’ll be baked treats to buy and Urban Meadow t-shirts for sale. Brought to the neighborhood for the fourth year by volunteers with the Urban Meadow garden.

For more information on the Egg Hunt and other events in the Urban Meadow go to urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 08, 2012, 10:00AM
Urban Meadow/ Cabrini Playground
Corner of President and Van Brunt Streets
Free admission

HOME/MADE Damaged in Fire

We were sorry to hear about last week's fire at HOME/MADE on Van Brunt Street. It's a lovely little place and it is run by nice folks who contribute a lot to the Red Hook community. Thankfully no one was hurt, the damage was minor and they think they will only be closed for a couple weeks while they repair the damage. Want to help out? The Red Hook Economic Development Corporation newsletter reported that we can make an online donation at http://redhookcsa.com/2012/03/20/fire-at-homemade/. If you have questions or want to make a cash or check donation email amy.haimerl@gmail.com.

We hope they are back in action soon as we can't go too long without that grilled bread they do at brunch. So, so good...

Summit Street Garden Meeting this Sunday

Interested members and current members are invited to attend a Summit Street Community Garden meeting this Sunday morning. The meeting itself will last about 60 minutes, followed by at least an hour of workday for anyone interested. Anyone who wishes to be a member should attend the entire meeting and will get a walkthrough at the end. Happy gardening!


Sunday, April 01, 2012 11:30AM
Summit Garden, Corner of Summit St and Columbia St

Jalopy Tavern is Now Open!

The Big Time Jalopy Palookaville Tavern and Last Chance Bar and Grill is now open! The owners of Jalopy Theater have been renovating the former Moonshine space next door, and had their soft opening last week. The new floors, booths and tables gleam, and the patio is done up in the trademark Jalopy red lights.

Jalopy Tavern will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 4pm until late. This week they're trying out a different dinner each night starting at 4pm, and in about a week they should have a menu available. So far the kitchen has offered home-style meals like meatloaf and spaghetti and meatballs. Last week a friend and I previewed a dinner of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans with sliced almonds. We cleaned our plates in no time! Our moms would have been proud to see it. We were glad to hear that the kitchen sources local ingredients, grass-fed meats and poultry and organic produce whenever possible. Congratulations to the Jalopy crew on expanding the Jalopy empire! 
Jalopy Tavern is located at 317 Columbia Street between Woodhull St and Rapeleye St.
http://jalopytavern.biz/

Booths built by Mr. Jalopy himself.

Blurry pic of my roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans dinner

Jalopy Tavern patio

Help Keep Portside NY Open

Portside needs a new home confirmed by 4/30 or they will close and their historic ship, the tanker MARY A. WHALEN would likely be scrapped.

To help, sign their petition to Mayor Bloomberg here and forward the petition link! (link is http://chn.ge/PortSideSOS). 


Portside is a young non-profit organization that run programs to educate the community about waterfront history and promote waterways. Check out their site for more ways you can help!

New Free Community Yoga at Element Natural Healing Arts

Just over the highway there is a calm oasis called Element Natural Healing Arts. I recently tried a massage and a yoga class at Element and both were heavenly. Here's a list of holistic therapies they list on their website: acupuncture, herbology, massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, Thai bodywork, rolfing, chiropractic, European & Ayurvedic facials and skincare, nutrition, ear candling, reiki, Alexander technique, craniosacral, yoga, meditation, personal training, pilates mat, Tai Chi and martial arts. 

They've recently added a free community yoga class to their schedule and changed the prices of all classes. Drop-ins are now just $12/class, a 6 Class Card is $66 ($11/class; expires 10 weeks)  and a 10 Class Card is $100  ($10/class; expires 15 weeks). Not too shabby.