Red Hook Playgroup Tours Now Available

Red Hook Playgroup is a progressive preschool founded by Red Hook parents, and the school has become an active part of our community. They are members of the community gardens and take their kids to Mother Cabrini Playground and field trips in the neighborhood. Priority is given to Columbia Waterfront and Red Hook residents, and they are now scheduling tours for families interested in applying for the 2014-2015 school year. Tours will take place from October to early December. See teachers and their classrooms in action, learn about RHP's educational philosophy and approach, and discuss any questions you have about the program and policies with RHP's Directors.

Visit www.redhookplaygroup.org to find more information and an application form. Once your form is submitted, you will receive an email within a few days confirming your tour date. 

Red Hook Playgroup is located at 295 Columbia Street between Woodhull and Summit. 

Brooklyn Collective 9th Anniversary Party

The Brooklyn Collective on Columbia Street is celebrating their 9th anniversary with a party on Friday night! Welcome 40 new collections from local artists and enjoy complimentary cocktails, live music and raffle prizes. 

Friday, October 4, 6-10pm
Brooklyn Collective
212 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY

http://www.brooklyncollective.com/

BBBB Bonanza at Summit Garden this Saturday!

The Summit Street Garden is planning a BBBB Bonanza! That would be a Bluegrass Blues Bulb Bake Bonanza! 
Summit Garden is selling bulbs for your garden and baked goodies at their Fall Fundraiser event this Saturday, September 28th 9:30am-4:30pm. (Rain date is Sunday, September 29th.) Enjoy your cookies with live Bluegrass music in the garden at 2pm. 

Summit Street Community Garden is at the corner of Summit St. & Columbia St.

If you can’t make it to the Bonanza you can still support the fundraiser at Summit Garden's online Bulb Sale: http://tinyurl.com/BBBB2013

All proceeds will be used to beautify Summit Street Garden.

Street Magic: Public Art on Columbia Street Sidewalks

Photo by Rafi Magnes

One evening in late April 2012, on my walk home, I noticed dozens of chalk arrows under my feet, in a rainbow of colors, pointing ahead. As I followed the arrows, the words "street magic" appeared repeating in different colors and configurations. Later I learned that a local young person had put on a sidewalk magic show that afternoon. The next morning I returned to photograph the arrows, but where the arrows had been a perfect square of sidewalk had been removed and the gap was ringed by construction tape. The next day a new square of slate-blue sidewalk magically appeared. Carved into it was a perfect silhouette of the tree growing next to it. This was one of six sites in a public art project by Nobuho Nagasawa, titled Timecast.

You have probably walked over these works hundreds of times over the past year and a half. There are six of them scattered throughout the Columbia Waterfront District, four of them on Columbia Street, one on Van Brunt at Degraw, and one on Hamilton Avenue outside the Backyard Garden.

Nagasawa's press materials describe the work and her process:
The shadow of newly-planted native New York trees was precisely traced at a certain time of the day on the bluestone sidewalk, and became visible as permanent silhouettes on the sidewalk. These tree silhouettes are sandblasted in the bluestone, which is not only quarried in New York, but has been used historically as a paving stone in this neighborhood, as well as in landmarked locations, such as around the New York Public Library and Bryant Park. I want the shadows to be literally 'set in stone,' and to appear as 'jewels' set in time, and to give the impression of time frozen, which is a historical record.


Photo by Rafi Magnes




Photo by Rafi Magnes

I wanted to know more about these tree shadows and how our quiet neighborhood had come to be the home for these works. I was able to reach Ms. Nagasawa by phone and she explained that "in 2004 this neighborhood was the site of a competition to design a work of public art." She won the commission, awarded by 1% for Art. The work of choosing sites and planting trees began, and in 2007 Nagasawa was awarded an Excellence in Design Award, an annual prize given by the City of New York Art Commission Award since 1982.

"It took a long time, the project was delayed because of unanticipated subsurface conditions, poor soil conditions under the ground." They also had to wait until street construction projects were completed before they could move ahead. In 2008, she and Signe Nielsen, the Columbia Street Project Landscape Architect and Vice President of the City of New York Design Commission handpicked the trees from Gowanus Nursery (formerly on Summit St, now on Van Brunt Street) and chose the sites.

"The site at Columbia and Baltic is first one - we call it 'Site One.' The next site is the one I spotted first, at Columbia and Sackett. The third one is by Union Street."

Site 6, at Van Brunt St and Degraw, is different than the others. It is closer to the waterfront. "People should slow down, pause. You can see Governor's Island and Statue of Liberty." But the other striking difference is that here there is no longer a tree, just the carving of its shadow "in memoriam." Nagasawa says, "At Site 6 we planted a Red Oak tree, and somebody came and cut the tree down; it was not an accident. We called the police and investigated." The act of vandalism was tough on Nagasawa. "It is like a little baby for me, tracing the shadow like making a cast of a baby's feet when it is born." The loss of the tree made Site 6 more of a political piece for her. "It brings attention to the fragile ecology. These trees are vulnerable."

Also part of the project are two time capsules, one at Site 5 (Hamilton and Van Brunt) and Site 6 (Van Brunt and Degraw), each in a bottle. "During the installation of the stone, one of the branches of the King Maple it was accidentally broken off. So I placed the tree branch and an artwork of mine, a glass nail I made, and an original site plan in that bottle." In Site 6's time capsule there is also a photograph of the installation.

I told the artist that I noticed rainwater pooling in the tree shapes, glistening. Did she imagine that happening? "I did, and I imagined in the wintertime, water getting in and freezing. i think it will be really beautiful, a frozen tree shadow."

What does she think it will mean for the neighborhood? "I want people who live there and walk there every day, a baby in stroller growing up into a teenager and seeing how it has changed. Since the trees will not continue to cast the same shadows as they grow taller, the shadows will become fixed markers by which the effects of time on the streetscape become apparent as the years pass."

Nagasawa spent the eight years visiting our neighborhood to plan and execute the project. I asked about her favorite place here. "I love the fact that there are so many little community gardens. That's what I noticed. I was really surprised about that. A lot of people have a green thumb here! I enjoyed talking to locals and actually became friends with some, exchanged emails. It was nice to meet the Columbia Street community. They seem really appreciative of the art. I hope they embrace it."

Read more about Nobuho Nagasawa at http://www.artnet.com/awc/nobuho-nagasawa.html.

The Word on Columbia Street Needs YOU

We are seeking more neighbors to blog about the best neighborhood in Brooklyn, perhaps the world!

Help us keep The Word on Columbia Street going as the only blog dedicated to news and history of our fascinating corner of Brooklyn.

Contact andreaoncolumbiast at gmail.com if you are interested in being a part of our team. We are all volunteers who love this neighborhood. You can write about what interests you: local businesses, family events, local history, etc.

Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival and garden tours Sept 14

Carroll Gardens Association is holding its Fifth Annual Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 12 PM to 6 PM. 

The Fall Festival runs from Degraw Street to Union Street on Columbia Street and from Columbia Street to Hicks Street on Union Street in the Columbia Street Waterfront District of Brooklyn. This is a free community event that's always a lot of fun. Last year the local restaurants were selling food outside, local hula hooper Celia was demonstrating techniques for the kids, and there was a stage with live music.

To complement the festival this year, from 12:00-1:30 pm, all of the community gardens in the Columbia Waterfront District will be part of a walking tour. The guided tour will begin at the Human Compass Garden on the corner of Columbia Street and Sackett Streets and will make a stop at each of these gardens along the way: the Amazing Garden, Summit Street Garden, Pirate's Cove Garden, the Backyard Garden, the Urban Meadow and then will end at the South Brooklyn Children's Garden. At each garden there will be current members to give a presentation about that garden, answer questions about what is going on in the garden and how to get involved. 

Amazing Garden's Best Grilled Sandwich Competition Sept 7

Next weekend, get yourself down to the Amazing Garden on Saturday, September 7th for their THIRD annual grilled sandwich competition!

How it works: three chefs compete for the title of best grilled sandwich (meat) and best grilled sandwich (vegetarian). This year's competitors: Lauren Rauh (Iris Cafe), Josh Kaplan (Dassara), and Morgan Jarrett (Nightingale 9). As sandwiches come off the grill, ticketholders get to sample them and vote on which was tastiest.

Entry: $15. It's a fundraiser, and all revenues will be used for maintenance and repairs of one of the most popular community gardens in our part of Brooklyn.

Benefits: continuous delicious food, live music, and beverages courtesy of Brooklyn Farmacy.

Time: 3 pm, Saturday September 7th

Location: The Amazing Garden, at the corner of Carroll St. & Columbia St. in Brooklyn.

Five Questions for Kings Coffee

If you ever walk down Carroll Street between Columbia and Van Brunt, you may have noticed a tiny espresso bar called Kings Coffee. Co-owned by brothers Dominic and John, Kings Coffee sells beans and coffee that they will lovingly brew for you have a few minutes to linger. We asked them to answer our Five Questions for a Local Business. 

1. How did Kings Coffee come to be in the Columbia Waterfront District?

My Great Grandfather, John Vitale, was an artist who immigrated to the United States from Napoli. He opened his photo studio on the 2nd floor of 221 Columbia Street and settled his family into the 3rd floor. Thus, Great Grandpa John established my family's roots on the Waterfront. As my brother John and I set out to find a home for Kings Coffee, fate steered us from other neighborhoods and led us back to where Great Grandpa John had his start.

2. What should we know about your coffee? Will you be selling beans as well as cups of coffee?

My brother and I spent two years apprenticing under a Master Italian Roaster in Bensonhurst whom everyone affectionately calls Mister Joe. After 50 years in the business, Mister Joe decided it was time to retire. And so, he taught John and I his traditions and trusted us to continue his legacy. Mister Joe has an incredible pallet and during his career he perfected two blends of coffee. These two blends of coffee, Mister Joe's Espresso and Mister Joe's Americano, as well as, a single origin Decaffeinato, can be purchased at Kings Coffee.

Kings Coffee also has a small Espresso Bar where you can purchase cups of coffee, mostly in the Italian style with a notable exception, the Breükelen Dutch. A nod to Brooklyn's roots and brewed with the first CoffeeGa Ridge 3.2 in the country, the Dutch Cold Brew method produces one of the finest cups, both smooth and flavorful with noticeably less acidity. You can purchase flasks of the Breükelen Dutch concentrate so you can take the experience with you on life's adventures. Better yet, come back with your stories and your bottle and we'll gladly refill it at a discounted rate.

3. What is your favorite spot in the Columbia Waterfront?

We are lucky to have Chris and his team at Christopher Webb Films as our neighbors. Having creative minds gathering just down the block – or with us when they escape for coffee breaks – is infectious and inspiring.

4. What's your favorite meal in the Columbia Waterfront?

Less of a meal and more of a snack. I have an awful sweet tooth and a wonderful chocolate factory to cater to it. The chocolate from Cacao Prieto is decadent and pairs wonderfully with our Breükelen Dutch, an indulgence you can only experience on the Waterfront.

5. Anything to add?

We will be celebrating our One Year Anniversary on August 4th. We would love to see you and your readers there.


Kings Coffee is offering Word on Columbia Street readers $1 off your next purchase at Kings Coffee when you mention The Word on Columbia Street, good until July 31st, 2013. Conditions apply. Limited one per customer.

Thanks, Dominic!


Kings Coffee is at 37 Carroll St (between Columbia and Van Brunt)
Website coming soon at http://www.kingsroasters.com/

Rooftop Films at the Waterfront Museum!

Rooftop Films comes to Red Hook on Thursday, August 1 at the Waterfront Museum aboard the 914 Lehigh Valley Barge #79, In the water at 290 Conover Street. (Next to Fairway.)

The Expedition to the End of the World (Daniel Dencik | Denmark | 88 min.) NY Premiere
Rooftop sets to sea for this spirited documentary about a three-mast sailboat full of daring artists and off-beat scientists exploring territory only recently revealed by polar ice melts.

*Preceded by:
Reindeer (Eva Weber | 6 min.)
A poetic study in movement and sound, this film takes you on a journey to the twilight expanses of the Lappish wilderness to experience the ancient practice of reindeer herding or ‘husbandry’.

7:30PM: Doors Open8:00PM: Live Music by Biet and Black
8:30PM: Films Begin
10:30PM-12:00AM: After Party at Brooklyn Crab (24 Reed Street) courtesy of Red Stripe & Tito's Vodka

Tickets and more information: http://rooftopfilms.com/2013/schedule/the-expedition-to-the-end-of-the-world/

South Brooklyn Children's Garden Bug Fest

The South Brooklyn Children’s Garden (SBCG) announces its inaugural bug festival,Saturday, July 20, 2013, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This SBCG public event will celebrate bugs for the central role that they play in the environment and in the SBCG garden. This event is open to the public and free.
“As our plants mature during July, bugs are standing room only in the garden. There's no better time than now to demonstrate the importance of bugs in the garden and food cycle," said garden founder Shannon Mulholland. “We are looking forward to inviting the neighborhood into our garden to learn about bugs and to enjoy all the garden has to offer."

Bug Festival activities will include:
Bug Costume Contest and Parade at 12 noon
Lady Bug and Praying Mantis Release
Butterfly Exploration
Arts and Crafts
Live music by The Dad Beats
Food will be provided by Margaret Palca Bakes, Italian ices by House of Pizza.

WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 11am – 2pm (rain date Sunday, July 21)
WHERE: South Brooklyn Children’s Garden, 204 Columbia Street (Corner of Sackett and Columbia Streets)

The South Brooklyn Children’s Garden is a community garden founded in August 2012 with a mission to provide a physical and education space for local children to learn about gardening, food cultivation, how it effects the environment and our local ecology. It is a member of New York City’s Green Thumb Program, a division of the Department of Recreation and Parks.http://www.southbrooklynchildrensgarden.org/.