Lia Neal Brings Bronze to Brooklyn

At just 17 years of age, Fort Greene resident Lia Neal became the second African American female to make the U.S. Olympic swim team.  Then she brought home a medal. Read all about it.    

The Back Story   The Win   The Applause Back Home  

COOL IN CHFG

These long gaps between posts just won’t due.  So, if I’m ever to finish writing this book I’ve got to cut some corners for the sake of consistency.  From now until publication date I’m going to keep the posts short and sweet, and mostly visual, to tell the CHFG story. Here we go.

On your way to work or your morning cup of Joe, you’ve probably noticed the occasional odd outfit----tulle skirt and Timberland boots or vintage vest and straw hat—on a youngster whose age is still in the single digits.  At this early stage many youngsters have already begun to express themselves through their clothing choices.   When these three strolled into Choice Market, the graphic purse, boots and hip sneakers caught my eye immediately. Unseen in these photos is an awesome backpack carried by the young man in the center, and a full view of the multi-striped, handmade, duct tape messenger bag carried by the little lady on the left.  These kids are cool!

PLENTY PICKS/April in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene

When the temperature reached the 70s on the third Friday in March locals filled the streets and the restaurants; and the next day, we were back indoors.  Well, hopefully, the warmer weather is on the way to stay and our coming out will be ongoing.  Here are a few of the fun things and grand re-openings for this month.

E-WASTE RECYCLING

Friday, April 1, 2pm-6pm

Pratt Institute, Willoughby Avenue | Grand/Classon  

Keep your appliances and rid yourself of computers, and anything which plugs into a computer, phones, TVs, and VCR. Residential and small business e-waste welcome.  Sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center.

ONE NIGHT OF JAZZ 

Friday, April 1, 9-10:30 pm

BAMcafé, Brooklyn Academy of Music, free

30 Lafayette Avenue | St. Felix/Ashland

The 12^th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival features the New Cookers (Kenyatta Beasley, Keith Loftis and Ben Williams) and others. For full festival details visit the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium website.

ART & A PARTY

Saturday, April 2, 8pm, free

Synergy Cultural Collective, 1101-07 Fulton Street | Classon/Claver

WTF: Work That Funk is an exhibition championing the iconic beauty and artistry of the album cover, an element of connection to music that has faded with the introduction of the mp3.  The exhibition features the work of emerging and established artists reinterpreting classic and obscure album covers. Along with the art is a party where the musical soundtrack will feature contemporary songs that feature prominent, memorable samples and the songs that the samples were taken from. Exhibit on display through end of the month. See some of the artists at work.

FAB FRIDAY

Friday, April 8, all day

Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill

Enjoy food, drinks, shopping, performances and more along Fulton Street.  Good stuff includes a free glass of wine with appetizer or entree at Aqualis Grill, 20% discount on smoked fish at Brooklyn Victory Garden, all-day Happy hour at Brooklyn Moon, wine and cheese tasting at Greene Grape Wines, 15% discount on all items at Yu Interiors and a free 5-minute chair massage to any patron who stops by for a "free" portfolio review at Edward Jones Investments. For a detailed list of events visit the FAB website.

ONE-WOMAN SHOW

Saturday, April 9, 8pm

Kumble Theater, LIU Brooklyn Campus, DeKalb & Flatbush

Call Me Crazy: Diary of a Mad Social Worker, is a one-woman show looking at the highs and lows of working for peanuts while trying to save the world one poem at a time. Tickets are $20/$18 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets available online.

MUSIC HISTORY IN FORT GREENE

Friday, April 15, 9am-5pm. Registration at 8am

Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, DeKalb & Flatbush

Come to the place where legends such as Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Merman, Chuck Berry, and Charlie Parker once performed.  Magnet for the Masses: When Theater Was Paramount in Brooklyn, is a one-day, star-studded celebration of grand theaters in Brooklyn, including the legendary Brooklyn Paramount Theater, which is now Long Island University’s gymnasium and the Brooklyn Fox, which is now the Con Edison building on Flatbush Avenue. Event includes panel discussions and live performances. Reservations required, (718) 488-1185 or community@brooklyn.liu.edu.  See event listing on Facebook.

GRAND RE-OPENINGS

Brooklyn Flea

Saturday, April 2

Lafayette Avenue | Vanderbilt/Clermont

See who will be there.

 

Habana Outpost

Saturday, April 16

 757 Fulton Street | South Portland Ave.

All-day Earth Day Expo.  Check out last year’s fun.

 

 
 

 

PLENTY PICKS/March in Clinton Hill/Fort Greene

Free TREES

Saturday, March 26, 10am

Putnam Triangle | Fulton & Grand

Spring is in the air, so get in on the action by perking  up your home, school, church or business with your own flowering beauty when the Fulton Area Businesses Alliance (FAB) in partnership with New York Restoration Project and MillionTreesNYC hands out 300 freebies.  Trees will be distributed one per person on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out.  If you’d like to volunteer to help people get trees home, help plant trees or provide planting advice contact Shertease Wheeler at volunteer@greenfgch.org

 

Fort Greene BARK

Sunday, March 27, 1pm, free

Fort Grrene Park, DeKalb Lawn

Celebrate all things canine during this program for dogs and their owners. Can your dog do tricks, catch a Frisbee, make funny faces, and other cool things?  If so, grab the leash and come on out for some fun. Participating dogs must be leashed and licensed. If you're seeking to adopt, dogs looking for a home will also be on site. 

 

EDUCATION In The Spotlight

Tuesday, March 29, 7:30-8:30pm 

Greenlight Bookstore, Fulton Street | So. Portland

“Educators Night”is an exclusive presentation by publishers of the best new books for all grade levels, open to  teachers, librarians, and administrators in K-12 schools.   Greenlight Bookstore will also share information about its new school partnership programs.  

Seating is limited to the first 30 educators to RSVP,  jessica@greenlightbookstore.com. Include your name, job title and/or grade level, and your  school or institution.

 

Good NEIGHBORS

The Fort Greene Association has a committee working to establish a program whereby elderly Fort Greeners can maintain a good quality of life in their own homes.  Theatre artist, Beverly Emmons, is leading the committee.  To find out how you can get involved, email her at  Beverly@HistoricFortGreene.org  or goodneighbors@HistoricFortGreene.org.

If you would like your event to be considered for April's PLENTY/Picks please send detailed information to plentyug@aol.com.