Rock and Roll Grammar School..(and other music too)

This might not be the utopia that the Ramones envisioned in their 70s classic but it's pretty close. In two weeks the first Ditmas Park Concert Series kicks off. Per the fliers in and around Ditmas Park this was supposed to kick off on last night (4/3/08). However, per their MySpace page the concert series will kick off on 4/17/08:

"The Ditmas Park Concert Series, with the help of a grant from the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs and the Brooklyn Arts Council, presents a series of five concerts and workshops connecting the world-class musicians living in the Ditmas Park area of Brooklyn with the students and residents of the community. The DPCS features five bands whose bandleaders live walking distance from our venue: the beautifully renovated 600-seat auditorium of arts magnet elementary P.S. 217. Each group presents a free music workshop to 120 pre-registered 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students on the afternoon before each concert, and a concert open to the public from 7:00-8:00pm. The concerts are free for students with a pay-as-you-wish donation for adults. The DPCS highlights the diversity of musical genres in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn by programming five diverse bands. Each of these bands plays creative, original music composed by the bandleaders."

The bands are quite an eclectic mix. The Alan Ferber Nonet (Jazz); Fire in July (Art Song/Improvisation); Shayna Steele (10-piece R&B band); Clare and the Reasons (Indie Band); Osso (Classical/New music). Sadly a Ramones-esque band is not on the roster.

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Now playing: The Ramones - Rock 'n' Roll High School
via FoxyTunes

Fisherman's Cove Pulls Anchor and Shifts to the Otherside of the Plaza

Fisherman's Cove, a restaurant specializing in Jamaican cuisine, has moved from the spacious digs on the west side of Newkirk Plaza to the east side of Newkirk Plaza. The new space has diminished seating but the kitchen seems to have made a seamless transition with a sparkling new facade.
My source tells me that the former space for Fisherman's Cove will soon be occupied by a chain specializing in the same type of food that Fisherman's Cove specializes in.

It's a Dogs World

It's a Dog's World, located at 593 Coney Island Avenue, near Beverley Road, will be starting a new series of dog training classes in May.

To find out more about the classes, please goto http://compliantdog.org/Classes.html. You can register online at http://compliantdog.org/Registration.html

Class Schedule for May

Puppy Class for dogs 5 months and younger

Every Tuesday, starting May 6 at 7:30 for 5 consecutive weeks
Every Thursday, starting May 8 at 7:00 for 5 consecutive weeks
Every Sunday, starting May 4 at 11:00 for 5 consecutive weeks

Basic Obedience Class for dogs 6 months and older

Every Wednesday, starting May 7 at 7:30 for 5 consecutive weeks
Every Thursday, starting May 8 at 8:30 for 5 consecutive weeks
Every Sunday, starting May 4 at 12:30 for 5 consecutive weeks

Urban Martial Arts -- Just Opened on Coney Island Ave.

Urban Martial Arts , just opened on the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Newkirk Avenue. Carmen Van Kerckhove, wrote in:

We've been open for about a week doing pre-sales, and our regular
group classes start on Monday, March 17th.

Your readers might be interested in taking advantage of our special:
for just $19.99 they can get 2 private lessons one-on-one with the
Sensei, as well as a free official Urban Martial Arts uniform. No
further commitments. That goes for both adults and kids.

If they'd like to do the special, they can either call us at
718-287-5500 or fill out this form, here.

Spartan Gym

Spartan Gym, a no-frills gym, has opened on Coney Island Avenue. They are offering a 1 year membership for $200 until 3/31/08. They are located at 166 Coney Island Avenue. You can call 718.434.2300.

A Sleeping Giant... Will Pomme De Terre open by March 20

Pomme De Terre, Ditmas Park West's future French Bistro, has gained some "pre-open" press from New York Magazine. This is the latest venture for the Farm of Adderly's Gary Jonas. As a resident of Ditmas Park West it's nice to have a restaurant "right around the corner". Hopefully they can open by the International Day of Francophonie, which is the the day French speakers rejoice in their knowledge of the French language. More to come..

Grooming at It's a Dog's World

It's a Dog's World is proud to announce that dog and cat grooming will be offered in the store, starting Saturday, November 17th.

Please call 718-684-5568 or email Marion@nydogsworld.com to make an appointment.

593 Coney Island Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11216

Grading the Schools: PS 139 and PS 217 Receive a "B"

A couple of weeks back I had heard that all NYC Public Schools would receive a grade of A-F. This grading system obviously was meant to mirror the system 99% have grown accustomed to since childhood. Yesterday I was surprised to come across the actual list in the Daily News. After a brief case of "Not knowing my school district" I found PS 139 and PS 217. My son just started at PS 139 this fall in kindergarten and we have friends whose children are attending PS 217. Alexandra and I have been pretty happy with our limited experience at PS 139. So, it was nice to see that satisfaction validated on some level.
Big question from a lot of people I heard feedback from was, "How are the "Graders" being graded?". I received some feedback on the process, but this is far from official:

Basics on the Construction of the Elementary School Report Card:
€ 85% of the report card grade is derived from the state ELA and math
test scores: 55% from changes in the test scores from year to year
(progress) and 30% from the actual scores (performance).
€ 15% of the report card grade is derived from attendance (5%) and parent
and teacher surveys (10%).

I sincerely hope that other families are just as satisfied with our local grade schools.

Ethiopian.... Silk... Chicken.... $1 Off all Lattes and Cappucinos- The Latest from Vox Pop

As pointed out by Ben and Lien over at Ditmas Park blog, here, and and e-mail from Kristen there is something new brewing over at Vox Pop:

- Ethiopian Organic (Thats Coffee)
- Black Silk Espresso
- New Chicken, Brie, and Cranberry sandwich
- Most importantly $1 off Lattes and Cappuccinos

So, if you didn't hear it there or from Vox Pop directly -- you know now. Also, be sure to bookmark there food page for the upcoming revamped menu, here.

Historic Victorian Flatbush Presentation

Marine Park: Salt Marsh Nature Center, 3302 Avenue U, Brooklyn

Historic Victorian Flatbush. Monday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m

Borough Historian Ron Schweiger presents the lecture on this historic district filled with beautiful homes and memories from the Victorian era. Free. For more information, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/parks.

photo thecmrc.blogspot

Calendar [Brooklyn Eagle]
October [Salt Mary Alliance]