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Thursday, March 8th, 2012News from Community Board 2
Sunday, March 4th, 2012Dear Neighbors,
Please find enclosed updates from Community Board 2 (CB2) that have an impact on Fort Greene. Community Board Meetings are open to the public to attend; committee meetings of Community Board 2 begin with the approval of the agenda and introduction of the committee officers. The meetings conclude with the approval of the previous month’s meeting minutes, a chairperson’s report, other business and a community forum during which the public may speak
Economic Development & Job Creation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 6, 6:00PM
Long Island University, Library Learning Center Room 515
Between DeKalb and Hudson Avenues.
Zarana Sanghani, manager of partnerships at the Department of Small Business Services, and Andrew Campbell with Grant Associates, the contract operator of Workforce1, will speak about services offered to local businesses and job seekers.
Health, Environment & Social Services Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 7, 6:00 PM
Brooklyn Hospital, Dining Rooms A&B (off of the cafeteria)
121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix Street
Herman Lozada, CASAC, a managing director of the Phoenix Career Academy in DUMBO, will explain to the committee the hazards of synthetic cannabinoids.
The committee will review the following liquor licenses for recommendation to the New York State Liquor Authority:
New Restaurant Wine
New On-Premises
Alteration On-Premises
Renewal Restaurant Wine
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
Top Stories in and around Fort Greene
Sunday, March 4th, 2012
Have you completed the Fort Greene Association's Resident Retail Survey?
Week Ending March 3, 2012
Fort Greene Association’s Facebook & Twitter
Top Stories
Have you completed the Fort Greene Association's Resident Retail Survey?
Fort Greene Association’s Facebook & Twitter
Top Stories
The Communications and Community Engagement Committee of the Fort Greene Association (FGA) sources daily news about Fort Greene and the surrounding neighborhoods to keep you up to speed on what’s going on and to highlight what makes our community unique. If you are interested in receiving immediate daily updates please become a Fan of the FGA on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.
- Vicious Attack at Clinton-Washington Subway Station
- Bar-Cafe Will Open in Old Tillie’s Space
- Storefront in Prime Fort Greene Opening Up
- West Coast Visitor Pushed Onto G Line Subway Tracks
- Is Downtown Brooklyn Going to Choke on its Own Success?
- Crime Report: Man Thrown to the Tracks — Then Mugged There
- After 8 Years, Brooklyn’s First Whole Foods is Finally a Go
- NYC’s 5 Best ‘Beer and Shot’ Bars: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
- Gap Outlet on Fulton Mall Opened to Long Lines
- Ten Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know about New York
- Police Seek Teens Wanted for Beating Women in Downtown Brooklyn Robberies
- NYPD Officer of Note: Carnegie Gig for Ivory-Tinkling City Cop
- Barclays Center Seeking Brooklyn Food Vendors
- Got Rubbers? Police May Hold It Against You
- Pot Busts Spike in Fort Greene
- Rich Man, Poor Man: A History of Fort Greene
- So, You Want to Own Your Own Business? Let’s Talk
- Mind the Gap? Another Huge Retailer Hits Fulton Mall
- The Insider: Pretty Parlor Floor in Fort Greene
- Residents of Fort Greene Houses File Suit Over Living Conditions
- Splash! New Public Pool Coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park this Summer
- Black (Music) In Greene: An Essay by Carl Hancock Rux
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
We Upgraded The Fort Greene Association’s Facebook Page!
Friday, March 2nd, 2012The Fort Greene Association (FGA) has grown tremendously in leaps and bounds when the Communications and Community 
Engagement Committee introduced social media to the FGA’s outreach strategy June 2010. We presently have 847 Facebook Fans, 2020 Twitter Followers and growing daily; additionally we had over 200 attendees at the FGA’s February Neighborhood Mixer and Meeting. Not only does the use of social media help us distribute news regarding Fort Greene and information regarding the surrounding neighborhoods, it has become a vehicle to keep former Fort Greene residents all over the world in touch with the on goings of our beloved neighborhood. We’ve become a source for students, future residents and tourists planning to visit Fort Greene. Additionally, the information we share via social media has caught the attention of the following media organizations (partial list) and generated news stories:
- Eyewitness News
- New York 1 – The Call
- Our Time Press
- NBC New York Nonstop
- The Wall Street Journal
- The New York Times
- CBS News
- am New York
- The Brooklyn Paper
- The New York Times Metro Desk
- Brooklyn News 12
The FGA’s use of social media has allowed Fort Greene residents and businesses to engage with the community in “virtual conversations” as well as get the word out on what grocery stores were open and what restaurants were open or delivering during Snowpocalypse 2010. We are able to share important news immediately from elected officials such as Borough President Marty Markowitz, Senator Montgomery, Assemblymember Lentol, Councilmember James, and District Leaders Restler, Mosley and Alabi. Lastly, social media has helped the 88th Precinct recently catch the Man Sought By Police For Robbing Teens at Gunpoint from a tip they received from a resident who viewed the survallance video circulated by residents and business owners.
The FGA invites you visit our upgraded Fort Greene Association Facebook page using the new Timeline profile. If you recently “Liked” our Facebook page or interested in reading past stores about Fort Greene please visit our page. To learn how Facebook Timeline works take a look at the following video: Introducing Facebook Timeline — a New Kind of Profile.
Lastly, if you are presently not a Facebook Fan of the Fort Greene Association we invite you to please Like our page today. We invite Fort Greene businesses and organizations to Like our page today and participate in “Fort Greene Business Roll Call Friday,” say hello to FGA Facebook Fans and invite them to Like your Facebook page today!
Respectfully,
Lillian Jean-Baptiste
Communications & Community Engagement Chair
Source: ValueWalk
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
Neighborhood Representatives Needed
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
The Fort Greene Association (FGA) wants to hear from Fort Greene Block Association, Co-op & Condo Boards and Tenant Association members. The FGA receives frequently inquiries from the press, local politicians, community partners, Community Board 2 and more each month seeking the opinions of Fort Greene residents. The FGA is an all-inclusive organization representing the people of Fort Greene and need your help in making sure we are representing the views of all Fort Greene residents. Representing your building, tenants or block helps ensures your views are accurately portrayed by the media. There is strength in numbers by coming together to support, oppose or encourage activities and issues that have an impact in our neighborhood. Additionally, the FGA would like to hear from you to learn what type of programing you would like to be included in our Neighborhood Mixers and Meetings as well as the stories included in the FGA newsletter.
If you are a Block Association, Co-op / Condo Board, or Tenant Association member, we want to hear from you. Please send us an email with “Community Leader” in the subject field to [email protected]. Please include in your e-mail the name of the organization you represent, your name, position and contact information.
Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Lillian Jean-Baptiste
Communications & Community Engagement Chair
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
Cultural Medallion to Identify Fort Greene Home Where Richard Wright Wrote “Native Son”
Thursday, March 1st, 2012
Richard Wright
The Historic Landmarks Preservation Center and the Fort Greene Association are joining in an effort to place a cultural medallion on the home at 175 Carlton Avenue in historic Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where acclaimed author Richard Wright wrote his breakout novel, Native Son. This was the first work ever by an African American writer to become a Book of the Month Club selection, and was later adapted into a successful Broadway play directed by Orson Welles.
The year was 1938 when Wright was living at the Carlton Avenue home of his friends Jane and Herbert Newton, from where on most mornings he would walk up to a bench by the Martyrs Monument atop Fort Greene Park and jot his notes on a yellow pad that evolved into Native Son. In its text he wrote: “Men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread.” Among Wright’s other works were an autobiographical narrative, Uncle Tom’s Children, as well as Black Boy, many non-fiction articles, and even haikus.
The Wright medallion in Fort Greene will add to plaques in Brooklyn created by the Historic Landmarks Preservation Center, led by Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, who states: “The HLPC is pleased to honor this great African American writer, linking him with a host of sites associated with outstanding luminaries in New York City. Richard Wright’s cultural medallion will now join other ones in Brooklyn dedicated to the novelist Jack Kerouac, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Marianne Moore.”
Mr. Paul Palazzo is the chair of the Fort Greene Association, assisted in this commemorative event by the writer Howard Pitsch of the FGA Landmarks Committee who explains: “So many times I’ve walked by Richard Wright’s one-time home and wondered, ‘Why has no one ever thought to give praise where praise is due?’ Native Son was a principal facet of African Americans’ bedrock in our nation’s literature.”
The noted author-musician Carl Hancock Rux is also lending his talent to the HPLC and FGA effort. Says Mr . Rux: “For years I’ve had a very special dream — to honor the historical contributions of African Americans in New York City. That dream is legion, and I am now embarking upon realizing that dream. Wright was also significant in adding to the WPA Writers’ Project guidebook, New York Panorama and wrote the book’s essay on Harlem.”
A ceremony devoted to the Wright cultural medallion at the Carlton Avenue home will occur once funding is completed. The Fort Greene Association is now undertaking this program.
Please be generous in supporting this worthy initiative, send a check or money order made payable to the Fort Greene Association with Richard Wright noted in the memo.
Mail:
Fort Greene Association, Inc.
Box 170563
Brooklyn, NY 11217-0563
Click here to make donations via NY Charities. Please indicate in the blue “Designate your donation to a specific program or fund” box, be sure to make mention “Wright cultural medallion”. All donations received will go 100% towards the purchase of the Wright cultural medallion and are tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
News from Fulton Mall Improvement Association & Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Thursday, March 1st, 2012
Please find enclosed some of their recent events, store openings and other exciting highlights that have occurred since the holidays.
GAP FACTORY STORE OPENING
Fulton Street welcomed its latest retailer, The Gap Factory Store, at 400 Fulton
Street this past Friday, February 24th. There were well over 30 people who lined up
at 9:00am to be the first shoppers to grab the latest in Gap fashions from not only
their Gap Factory line, but also Baby Gap, Gap Kids and traditional Gap.
The 12,000sf store is located just down the street from Macy’s and is an exciting
addition to the growing list of retailers coming to Fulton Street. In addition, The
Gap will be working with Workforce One for their ongoing and seasonal hiring needs.
TJ MAXX COMING TO FULTON STREET
Visitors to Fulton Street, might have noticed the large wrap at 505 Fulton Street
announcing that TJ Maxx is coming to Fulton Street within the next year. They are
taking 23,000sf in the landmark Offerman Building, which is adjacent to the future
H&M.
We congratulate our chairman, Albert Laboz of United American Land, on landing this
incredible tenant for Fulton Street and Downtown Brooklyn. We look forward to the
unveiling next year.
Map of Fulton Street Mall
ALBEE SQUARE PLAZA SUBCONCESSION OPPORTUNITY
The FMIA has released an incredible opportunity for a food and beverage
subconcession at our newly built 27,000sf public plaza space (which is under the
jurisdiction of NYC DOT and managed by the FMIA). The Fulton Mall is seeking a
dynamic, creative food and beverage concept that will enliven the plaza and provide
another dining option in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Interested parties can download the RFP.
Proposals are due to Kevin Tolan in PDF form to [email protected] by 5pm on 3/23/12.
NETS EVENT
Presidents Day Weekend saw the NETs mobile unit setting up on Bond Street between
Fulton Street and Livingston Street. In partnership with the NETs, the FMIA
coordinated with the NETs and NYPD to bring the mobile unit to Downtown Brooklyn
during one of the busier holiday shopping weekends.
Participants were able to shoot some hoops, play interactive games and learn more
about the NETs who are set to play their inaugural game in late September at the new
Barclays Center. In addition, participants were also given coupons to area
merchants such as Aeropostale, Bakers and Ashley Stewart.
CITY POINT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
City Point has reached a significant milestone with the substantial completion of
One DeKalb Avenue (Phase 1 of the project).
The Cook + Fox designed 50,000 sf building faces the newly built 27,000sf Albee
Square public plaza and is an iconic building that complements the adjacent
landmarked Dime Savings Bank Building.
The FMIA will keep you posted as to opening dates and tenant announcements as they
become available.
OATH AT 9 BOND STREET
9 Bond Street is now the new home of OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and
Hearings). OATH has 56 employees and is occupying a total of 18,000sf and
represents an investment of nearly $4.5M by the J.W. Mays Company.
NYC BUSINESS EXPRESS
NYC Business Express, developed jointly by 20 City agencies, is the one-stop online
tool for the license, permit, tax, incentive information and applications you need
for any business in NYC. The NYC Business Express Incentives Estimator can even
provide a customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives for which your
business may qualify.
For more information please click here.
FULTON MALL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION AND DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP
The Fulton Mall Improvement Association (FMIA) was founded in 1976 to provide
supplemental sanitation, security, marketing, promotions and capital improvements to
the area along Fulton Street from Flatbush Avenue to Boerum Place/Adams Street.
The FMIA is managed by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, a local development
corporation dedicated to furthering the development and renaissance of Downtown
Brooklyn.
Fulton Street is one of NYC’s largest commercial retail corridors with well over 150
stores and businesses that are easily accessible via 14 subway lines, 16 bus lines
and the Long Island Rail Road. You can find more information on Fulton Street by
visiting our website.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS
Please feel free to reach out to:
Kevin Tolan
Fulton Mall Improvement Association
Director of BID Services and Programs
15 MetroTech Center, 19th Floor
718-403-1608
[email protected]
Black History Month in Fort Greene
Sunday, February 26th, 2012-
- Bill Saunders
-
- Carl Hancock Rux
-
- Freddie Hamilton
-
- Michael Thompson
In recognition of Black History Month, the Fort Greene Association (FGA) salutes African and Caribbean American Fort Greene residents who’ve made significant contributions in and around Fort Greene, committed selfless acts to help others as well as recognize pioneers who’ve paved the way. The New York Times Local Fort Greene – Clinton Hill is our media partner for the FGA’s Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Visit daily http://fort-greene.thelocal.nytimes.com to learn more about your neighbors and friends. In case you missed it, take a look at our next group of Black History Month Honorees:
Bill Saunders — A Late, Great District Leader
Carl Hancock Rux — An Artist Who is All About The Work
Freddie Hamilton — A Mother in Service to the Community
Michael Thompson — From Poetry to Three-Pointers
Please join the Fort Greene Association for our Closing Event
Black History Month Art & Music Series: Jamillah Jennings & David Pilgrim
Wednesday, February 29th
7PM – 9PM
Night of the Cookers
767 Fulton Street
Between South Portland Ave. & South Oxford Street
Come out with your neighbors, colleagues and friends for happy hour $5 drink specials, great music and conversations; admission is free. Please contact Night of the Cookers for table reservations (718) 797-1197, we will be in the gallery space.
About the Artists
Jamillah Jennings is known for her realistic paintings represent various jazz musicians. Her work has been exhibited at the Paul Robeson Gallery, Citibank Financial Center and the Manhattan Borough President’s Office just to name a few places.
Lyrics for adults, riddims for the child in all of us. Songwriter / Bassist / Guitarist DAVID PILGRIM was raised in the island paradise of Barbados and came of age in New York’s concrete cityscape. Since 1998, he’s spanned those two worlds, playing his own Caribbean-accented fusion which he calls ISLAND SOUL. 2011 marks the release of his latest album, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, a genre-stretching work that further expands the concepts of his two previous albums, UNDER THE BUSHEL and ISLAND SOUL.
The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
Top Stories in and around Fort Greene
Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Week Ending February 25, 2012
Fort Greene Association’s Facebook & Twitter
Top Stories
RSVP today and submit your questions for our panelist to [email protected].
The FGA’s Grants Committee asks meeting attendees to please bring non perishable food to be donated to Queen of All Saints Food Pantry. Several food pantries in Fort Greene have closed, thus increasing food demands at pantries. Take a look at our February Newsletter to learn about other opportunities to give back in your neighborhood.
The Communications and Community Engagement Committee of the Fort Greene Association (FGA) sources daily news about Fort Greene and the surrounding neighborhoods to keep you up to speed on what’s going on and to highlight what makes our community unique. If you are interested in receiving immediate daily updates please become a Fan of the FGA on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter.
- Carl Hancock Rux — An Artist Who is all about the Work
- Danny Simmons — Artist, Mentor, Conscience
- Peaches HotHouse: Neighborhood Beat Bed-Stuy
- Food Co-op Readies for Boycott Vote
- Downtown Brooklyn not Ready for Population Rise
- Cops Seek 6 Teen Suspects in Two Brooklyn Robberies
- So, Fort Greene, What’s Missing in Your Life?
- The Gap Will Open a Fulton Street Outlet in Eleven Days
- Brooklyn Feels a Pinch
- Driver Found Guilty in Fatal Accident with Bicyclist, but Only for Suspended License
- Michael Thompson — from Poetry to Three-Pointers
- Behold the Hub, a 52-Story Residential Tower Planned for Downtown Brooklyn
- Tourist in Your Own Town: Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower
- The Latest Trend is Baby Trends
- Glenn Beck is Angry at the Park Slope Food Co-op
- Bat-Wielding Maniac Beats Man at McDonald’s
- Fort Greene to City: Rotate this Statue!
- DUMBO Needs Employees for Growing Tech Industry
- Iron Gate Thieves Strike Again
- Second Navy Green Building Done with Construction
We encourage meeting attendees to become a member of the Fort Greene Association or make a donation to support the FGA’s free programming; please visit our website to learn more. Your financial support is needed to support our neighborhood efforts. The Fort Greene Association is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The Fort Greene Association, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. Follow us on Twitter or become our Facebook Fan.
Black History Month in Fort Greene
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012-
- Rodney Hurley
-
- Matthew Morgan
-
- Carolyn Johnson
-
- Tambay Obenson
In recognition of Black History Month, the Fort Greene Association (FGA) salutes African and Caribbean American Fort Greene residents who’ve made significant contributions in and around Fort Greene, committed selfless acts to help others as well as recognize pioneers who’ve paved the way. The New York Times Local Fort Greene – Clinton Hill is our media partner for the Fort Greene Association’s Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Visit daily http://fort-greene.thelocal.nytimes.com to learn more about your neighbors and friends. In case you missed it, take a look at our next group of Black History Month Honorees:
Rodney Hurley - Running a Theater for the World and the Neighborhood
Matthew Morgan - A Pioneer of Black Punk Music
Carolyn Johnson - Fort Greenes Renaissance Woman
Tambay Obenson — Using Film to Unite The Global African World
Events
Black History Month Art & Music Series: Steven Mayo & Soul Summit
Today, February 23rd
7PM - 9PM
Two Steps Down Restaurant
240 Dekalb Ave.
(Clermont & Vanderbilt Aves)
In honor of Black History Month, Two Steps Down (Fort Greene’s oldest black owned business), Soul Summit & the Fort Greene Association (FGA) presents an evening with local artist Steven Mayo*. Steve Mayo’s work was has been showcased in an exhibition at The World Bank, Washington D.C. and Aljira, Newark, New Jersey. In 2006 his piece Katrina Didn’t Do This was acquired by the David Driskell Center of the University of Maryland College Park.
Come out with your neighbors and friends for complimentary appetizers, drink specials, and great music; admission is free.
Black History Month Art & Music Series: Jamillah Jennings & David Pilgrim
Wednesday, February 29th
7PM - 9PM Night of the Cookers
767 Fulton Street
Between South Portland Ave. & South Oxford Street
Come out with your neighbors and friends for happy hour $5 drink specials, great music and conversations; admission is free. Please contact Night of the Cookers for table reservations (718) 797-1197
About the Artists
Jamillah Jennings is known for her realistic paintings represent various jazz musicians. Her work has been exhibited at the Paul Robeson Gallery, Citibank Financial Center and the Manhattan Borough President’s Office just to name a few places.
Lyrics for adults, riddims for the child in all of us. Songwriter / Bassist / Guitarist DAVID PILGRIM was raised in the island paradise of Barbados and came of age in New York’s concrete cityscape. Since 1998, he’s spanned those two worlds, playing his own Caribbean-accented fusion which he calls ISLAND SOUL. 2011 marks the release of his latest album, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, a genre-stretching work that further expands the concepts of his two previous albums, UNDER THE BUSHEL and ISLAND SOUL.
Songwriter / Bassist / Guitarist DAVID PILGRIM was raised in the island paradise of Barbados and came of age in New York’s concrete cityscape. Since 1998, he’s spanned those two worlds, playing his own Caribbean-accented fusion which he calls ISLAND SOUL. 2011 marks the release of his latest album, ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, a genre-stretching work that further expands the concepts of his two previous albums, UNDER THE BUSHEL and ISLAND SOUL.
The Fort Greene Association (FGA) is devoted to historic preservation, neighborhood and park enhancement, as well as cultural, economic and housing advancement throughout the neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn. We are an all-volunteer organization operating as a non-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization that supports and works in concert with the many other fine organizations that make our community so special and vital. If you are not a current member of the Fort Greene Association please visit our www.historicfortgreene.org to learn how you can contribute to your community.
