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.

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

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.

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.

Halloween Parades - Ditmas Park

BOO! Join the Annual Prospect Park South Halloween Parade!

• Spooky civil war soldiers will lead marchers with “fife and drum”
• Halloween novelties for the kids
• Refreshments including brownies, cookies and cider
• Meet friends and march together
• Bring noisemakers of all shapes and sizes

Gather by 5pm at 1203 Albemarle Road

West Midwood Halloween Parade

• Donations of cookies, donuts and cupcakes are welcome.
• Apple juice is provided.
• The parade starts at 6:15 p.m. and proceeds down Glenwood Road from the subway cut to Westminster Road. It then disperses into individual trick-or-treating throughout the neighborhood.
• All are invited, especially kids in costumes.
  
• SPECIAL GUEST THIS YEAR CLIFFORD, the big red dog.

We will gather at 5:45 at the end of Glenwood Road (between Rugby Road and the Q train cut)

Please call Virginia Waters at 212-788-0822 with any questions.

Flatbush Family Network
Halloween Parade [Ditmas Park Blog]

Inaugural Concert at The Victorian Place Cultural Center

Sunday October 21, 2007 3:30pm

featuring
The World Renowned
Harlem Blues and Jazz Band

(photos by Daniel Newman)

Tickets can be purchased at site on day of the event (cash preferred) or send money order to: Victorian Place Cultural Center / Temple Beth Emeth.

• Two 45 minute sets with intermission

• Adults $25 - Seniors $20 - Children $15

• Not for profit event dedicated to bringing the arts to Flatbush
  

Brought to you by Marjorie Belson and Wendy Weller Jones at The Victorian Place Cultural Center. For more information call 917-846-7386. Tickets can be picked up prior to event or held at ticket office. Wheelchair Accessible.

The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band
Temple Beth Emeth v"Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek
Victorian Place Cultural Center [Ditmas Park Blog]
Do You Want to see a Performing Arts Center in Victorian Flatbush? [LIVF Archives 1/4/07]

Send local Ditmas Park event news to admin@livinginvictorianflatbush.com

Ditmas Park Links - Who is The Chile Goddess?

Kills 3, From 3 Generations, in a Crowded House in Brooklyn [New York Times]
On illegal sublets [Ditmas Park Blog]
Illegal Conversions Kill [Flatbush Gardener]

Ugly Circulars Be Gone...The magic-of-micro activism [Son of Planet PLG]
Connecticut Muffin Open Tomorrow [Flatbush Gardener 9/26/07]
On The Way Sushi? [ATP]
A new restaurant? [Ditmas Park Blog]
City Approves Use Of Gas Heaters At Sidewalk Cafes [NY1]
City’s ‘Greenest’ Building Opens in Queens [NY Times City Room]
Two Brothers Sort Out Names of City Streets [NY Times City Room]
St. John's professor turns lockdown into 'teachable moment' [NYDN]
City Living: Prospect Heights [AM New York]
New round of neighborhood grants available [Flatbush Life]

About New York Times Mobile Real Estate Listings [New York Times]
Residential Sales Around The Region [New York Times]
REBNY's Listings Search Web Portal Draws Big Crowd [Curbed]
Senators Scrutinize Google’s Bid for Ad Firm [New York Times]
Foxton's Shuts U.S. Operations, Blames Housing Slump [Bloomberg] via Brownstoner
Mortgage woes doom Foxtons [Star-Ledger]

Residential Sales in Brooklyn [Brownstoner]
Blowing In[sulation] the Wind [Brownstoner]
Living in Dust: Gut Renovation on the Cheap [New York Times]
House of the Day 1407 Dorchester Road [Brownstoner]
1890 Ditmas Ave [MKG - Recent Sales]

15th Annual Chile Pepper Fiesta in Prospect Park - Sunday Sept 30th

Sunday September 30, 2007 12:00-6:00pm
Free Admission

"Join us for New York's hottest fall tradition. It's like a big Brooklyn block party where the grooves are smokin', the chile peppers are scorching, and the dancers are calling for water. You can learn the Cajun two-step, master Indian chutney-making, discover traditional Peruvian dance, attend movie screenings, pick up peppery gardening tips from "the Chile Goddess," or join other endorphin-inspired workshops, demonstrations, and exhibits for the whole family. Hot Food/Cold Beer."

15th Annual Chile Pepper Fiesta [Brooklyn Botanic Garden]

Urban Farming: 30 Day Survival "Brooklyn-style subsistence farming" in Prospect Park South

The “locavore” movement says we should only eat what is grown within a few miles of where we live. How about a few feet? An experiment in Brooklyn-style subsistence farming, starring smelly chickens, an angry rabbit, a freak tornado, a vegetable garden to die for, two psyched kids, and a marriage in the weeds.

Manny Howard a writer for New York Magazine and a former Mary Kay Gallagher customer in 2003, is planning on living solely on what he can grow and raise in his backyard for 30 days in his "Victorian Mansion" in Prospect Park South.

Update 9/14/07: Manny is welcome to visitors look for the big green house on Westminster

ONE MAN-MONTH OF FOOD CRAMMED INTO 800 SQUARE FEET.
A Four vegetable planters: cucumbers, cantaloupes, peppers, and heirloom tomatoes.
B The garage, a.k.a. “the Barn”: tool storage, rabbit feed, chicken feed, six rabbit hutches, a slaughter station, a refrigerator, and four egg-laying coops.
C The field, in four beds: 1 Tomatoes, beets, celery, yellow squash, purple eggplant, and a fig tree. 2 Collard greens, cucumbers, and callaloo. 3 Cabbage, Japanese eggplant, white eggplant, rhubarb, leeks, garlic, onions, fennel, rosemary, thyme, and mint. 4 Corn, broad beans, basil, bok choy, and parsley.
D The duck run: a duck coop, a duck pond, and two wayward rabbit hutches.
E The chicken run: a high-rise high-capacity chicken coop and a livestock holding pen (on the porch).
F The potato crop: a raised bed technically known as a “drill.” (Photo: Clockwise from right, courtesy of Manny Howard; Amy Eckert [2]. Illustration by Jason Lee)

My Dirt Empire [New York Magazine]
"My Empire of Dirt" [ChowHound]
The Farm on... Westminster [Ditmas Park Blog]
A Flatbush Urban Farm [Flatbush Gardener]

Finding the Culinary Logic in Going Local [Palm Beach Post]
Annals of Agriculture: New York Local- 9/3/07 [The New Yorker]
A look at the tiny Brooklyn locavore farm hit by a tornado [Greener Daily]
Eating Locally: Tested in Brooklyn [3rBlogging]
My Empire of Dirt [ColdAntlerFarm]
Information Superhighway to Nowhere [HASTAC]
Novella Carpenter [City Farmer]
NYC Farming [Gothamist]
New Yorker pushes limits of the "locavore" life [Reuters]
Urban farm lands in New York [MSN UK]
Digest - Features: Stunt farming, farmers market prices, Seattle goats [The Ethicurean]

Comments 9/24/07 [NY Mag] via OTBKB

The rubuttles:
Look! A Real Farm in a Brooklyn Back Yard [Apartment Therapy]
When A Fool Makes A Garden, It Does Not Follow That Gardening is Foolish [Garden Rant]
Another one bites the Dirt [NotEatingOutInNewYork]
Home Farm Experiment [Everyday Disasters]
Local Yokle? [Serious Eats]

Movie in the Garden: Brooklyn Series at The Farm on Adderly

The Farm on Adderley's Movie in the Garden: Brooklyn Series.

Every Tuesday night beginning at 10:00PM. Movie listings below:

July 17th - Bed Stuy
Do the Right Thing (1989)

July 24th - Bay Ridge
Saturday Night Fever (1977)

July 31st- Coney Island
Little Fugitive (1953)

August 7th - Ditmas Park
Squid and the Whale (2005)

August 14th - Williamsburg
Mutual Appreciation (2005)

August 21st - South Slope
Blue in the Face (1995)

August 28th - Park Slope
Dog Day Afternoon

September 4th - Bensonhurst / Boro Park
Out For Justice

Events [Farm on Adderly]

NEWKirk, Music on the Plaza

Newkirk Plaza had a function this evening-- NEWKirk, Music on the Plaza. They had the same function on the two preceding Thursday evenings. Essentially the event was live/ recorded music, staff giving out balloons, a raffle and a guy making elaborate balloon animals for the kids. I discovered it last week and next week is the last week for this four part series. The music is in front of Pablo's Restaurant and the staff is milling around with the crowd.
Tonight was week 3 of a 4 week series. I think it was a great idea for the families of the neighborhood. The only downside was that the balloon maker pretty much made anything the kids wanted. The elaborate balloon animals caused some serious delay in servicing the 50 or so children. Luckily my two children were pretty good (for a change) waiting on the line for roughly an hour. Larger families clearly had a different experience, some good and some bad. While it's great that "little Joey" got an elaborate Spiderman hat, the kids should have had a limited choice to service everyone. My sons swords and holsters were perfect for the boys. Maybe a butterfly for the girls? Or a boat? Let us see what happens next week.

Flatbush Community Fest 8/11/07 1-5pm at PS 139 Playground

From the FDC Online-

We are the Flatbush Community!

We are neighbors who seek a common meeting ground through the establishment of:

1. A place for our youth and adults in the community that is enriching, fun and safe.
2. A place where people of ALL cultures connect, share resources and discuss community concerns and wishes.

Flatbush Needs a Community Center now!
Let’s build it together.

Saturday August 11 1-5 pm
At the Corner Playground at PS 139
330 Rugby Road at Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, NY 11218

- Talent Show, Open Mic, Arts & Crafts, Games and More!

- This is event is NOT “just for the kids” all ages are welcome.

For more information please contact FlatbushCommuFest@gmail.com

Sponsored in part by Flatbush Development Corporation, Vox Pop, and P.S. 139

Wanted - Ditmas Park Plant Thief - "Considered armed (cactus!), but not dangerous"

The latest from The Flatbush Family Network:

From: FlatbushFamilyNetwork@yahoogroups.com
On Behalf Of TAG482
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 1:29 PM
To: Ian & Laura
Cc: FlatbushFamilyNetwork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Backyard Theft - Sunday, July 15th

My neighbor & I suffered a loss from this crazy woman on Saturday night. She stole a big potted tomato plant from me, ripped a pepper plant out of the ground from my neighbor and stole a potted flower which was on their front steps. I recovered the tomato plant with the help of another neighbor who chased after her and rescued my plant after she dropped it & the pot broke. What we need to find out is where she is bringing all this stolen stuff to sell it. That I've heard so far she hit 4 yards on E 16th btw Ditmas & Dorchester on that Saturday night.

My tomato plant is re-potted and seems to have survived the trauma.
~ Tonia

On 7/16/07, Ian & Laura wrote:
I returned home from errands Sunday afternoon, to find that a woman had just left my backyard from the side exit with about $200 worth of potted plants and flowers we bought about a week ago at the Terminal. Police were called, raced the wrong way up 18th St. to try and catch her, but to no avail. A report was then filed.

Details, as follows:
Suspect woman was black, early 30s, pink dress, and riding a black bicycle. She stuffed the flowers in a garbage bag, and was riding with a large potted cactus plant on her handlebars. Was last seen heading north on E 18th St past Beverley Rd.

Suspect should be considered armed (cactus!), but not dangerous, except to herself. Possibly in some pain, if she fumbled the cactus plant. Plants are from a loving home, and will be sorely missed. We never really got enough time to bond with them until they were purloined.

If anyone knows or has contact with said woman, please pass on an important message to her. I had meant to introduce her to an old Louisville Slugger on my porch which I keep around, but I did not get a chance, before she left in such haste. I would be happy to accommodate another time for her in the future.
-Ian


Keep your eye out for this story in some future New York Magazine coverage...
And here it is Updated 7/20 - Foliage Filcher Attacks Ditmas Park [NY Mag Daily Intelligencer]

Live Earth? How Many Victorian Flatbush Residents Are Going Green?

I think it is pretty safe to say that some people in Victorian Flatbush caught some, a little bit, or all of NBC's (and their affiliates) exhaustive coverage of Live Earth. Beyond the UB40 reunion, Police's "questionable duet" with Kanye West, and Roger Water's "Save Our Sausages" Pig floating around the Meadowlands , What did our little "piece of the Earth" think of the message? Victorian Flatbush is over 100 years old. When the neighborhood was built, going green had more to do with growing grass on the front lawn or backyard than reducing green house emissions. Living in Victorian Flatbush is interested in hearing from our community on the little or big things that you are doing, will do, or want to do to make our little piece of the Earth and Brooklyn a little more environmentally friendly. Please feel free to post your ideas and comments, so we can examine them over the course of this very hot summer and present some helpful hints to the community.

Note: This post is not political at all. It merely is trying to solicit ideas and awareness on how to reduce electricity bills, clean up the neighborhood, and enlighten our diverse community.

Live Earth Video

The Latest from the Flatbush Development Corporation

From: fdconline@yahoogroups.com
On Behalf of kestybelle
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:26 PM
To: fdconline@yahoogroups.com
Subject:Midwood Park and Fiske Terraace flea market
Sunday May 6, 2007

This Sunday, May 6th, from 10AM - 4PM, the Midwood Park and Fiske
Terrace Associations are hosting a flea market. Come get bargains,
chat with neighbors, and have a generally good time. You will never
know what you can find if you don't come. (I even bought a beautiful
baby grand piano at one of our flea markets!)

Families from Foster Avenue to Avenue H, East 19th, East 18th, East
17th Streets and Wellington, Waldorf and DeKoven Courts and Irvington
Place will feature items for sale.

Come join us for a wonderful day.

Brooklyn Half Marathon- This Saturday! 4/14/07

The Brooklyn Half Marathon kicks off this Saturday at 8 AM down in Coney Island. This is an annual New York Road Runner's event that "runs" along the border of Victorian Flatbush. A couple of notes on the event:

- If you are interested in walking or running the 13.1 mile event registration is open through Wednesday, April 11th. You can register electronically at NYRRC.org. Come out and support this Brooklyn event and represent the neighborhood.

- Traffic can be a challenge during this event. Ocean Parkway traffic is limited to the to the North and South bound service roads. Traveling across Ocean Parkway from Coney Island up through Prospect Expressway is prohibited between 8 AM and 11AM. All traffic is diverted to Ocean Ave. and Flatbush Ave. on the Victorian Flatbush side of Ocean Parkway. I would personally reccomend using the Q train during the race if you need to leave the neighborhood.

- Jorin Reddish, from Mary Kay Gallagher Real Estate, will be running in the race for the first time since 2004. He completed the race in 2:02:22 the last time he ran the race. He would like to think that he can beat that time this time around. Hopefully the forecast will hold up for this weekend. They are forecasting a mostly cloudy day with temperatures in the low 50's. Ideal running weather.

Free Workshop at Midwood Martial Arts

SINUS RELIEF - THE NATURAL WAY

Learn to treat sinus problems using acupressure instead of
medication. Acupressure is the application of gentle finger
pressure on specific points of the body. This technique is simple
enough for parents to use on children and sophisticated enough for
the professional. It is extremely effective for all ages and completely safe.

Come prepared for an enjoyable hands-on workshop.

Depending on time and interest, techniques to drain the ears,
relieve jaw tension and relax the neck and shoulder area may also be included.

SUNDAY, MARCH 18TH FROM 2-4 PM

Workshop is led by Elizabeth D. Poole, NYS licensed Massage
Therapist. She specializes in Jin Shin Do(r) Bodymind(tm) Acupressure and
Craniosacral Therapy. She has extensive experience with infants,
children and adults as well as in hospital-based work with the severely ill.

For more information and to RSVP, contact 718 258-KICK

MIDWOOD MARTIAL ARTS & FAMILY FITNESS CENTER
1302 AVENUE H (entrance at 801 E 13TH St/Argyle Rd.) BROOKLYN, NY 11230

Q train to Avenue H. Located two blocks east of Coney Island Avenue
in the Flatbush/Midwood area.

There will be a short mediation session and skills will be taught.
Please do not bring small children you will have to watch, or you
won't get the full value of the class. Come learn the skills and
take them home to use with your children instead. Thank you.

Flatbush Family Network [Yahoo Groups]

Urgent Help Needed - From our friends at CAMBA

Five CAMBA children are in need of your help! They were affected by a quickly moving fire early this morning, February 8^th and are participants in our P.S. 170 Kids Unite after-school program. The fire happened in a 3 family apartment building on Fifth and 74th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Two young girls died in the fire, aged 2 and 4, and are sisters of two of our participants. One of our participants has an older brother, 17. The kids are from three separate families who are now all displaced by the fire and in need of clothes, shoes, money and more. One of the mothers was working at a night shift when the fire started and the other two mothers were both injured and are in the hospital.

CAMBA is organizing a drive to collect clothes and financial contributions for all the kids affected. We and they need your help. For the next week we will be collecting as much as possible through the end of the day next Thursday February 15^th at the following CAMBA sites to be listed below (if you work at another site and can not get to the drop off points call Scott Coopersmith at 718-287-2600) and we will bring the items to them next Friday, February 16^th. Please also pass this on to your family and friends or anyone who may be interested in helping.

Here is what they need.

• Cash or a check (checks should be made out payable to CAMBA with a note that it is for the Bay Ridge families. We will distribute funds to them.)
• Clothes:
• Female – size 5/6
• Female – size 9/10
• Female – size 9/10
• Male – size 8/9
• Male – size 11/12
• 17 year old Male – size 33 pants, extra large shirts, 10 ½ shoe

CAMBA Donation Sites:

• 1720 Church Avenue
• 19 Winthrop Street
• 885 Flatbush Avenue, 3^rd Floor
• 884 Flatbush Avenue
• 2211 Church Avenue
• 2103 Kenmore Terrace (off E 21st), 2nd Floor- Grey House
  

Victorian Flatbush Halloween

Victorian Flatbush Halloween Night!!!

With two great parades is the neighborhood, Prospect Park South hosted one on Albemarle Road and West Midwood on Glenwood Road, an exciting and busy night laid ahead for all the children in Victorian Flatbush.

The weather was perfect. No child had to wear a jacket over their costume.

I was at the Albemarle Road parade where my kids were dressed as Spider Man and Yoda. We had snacks and drinks before we joined the rest of the families for a march around the Albemarle Road Mall.

Then off to Trick or Treat. We walked down Marlborough Road where the homes were all done up with skeletons, ghost, lights and smoke machines, the homes were ready for tricks and of course treats.

My son was all excited about the Halloween and had a great time at the parade but was not ready to Trick or Treat. So we just pushed the 2 kids in the wagon and walked around the neighborhood. Every block we went down was filled with children all dressed up.

When we finally got to grandma and grandpa’s house, my son was ready to go with his buddy who was dressed as a race car driver. So off they went, while Yoda and I answered the door. We had a little party on porch with some of the neighbors.

We were quite busy. All the kids who came to the door were dressed up and very polite. By 8pm things quieted down. Victorian Flatbush had another successful and festive Halloween.

3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting at Picket Fence

October 28th 9am-10:30am
Come in costume!
$10 per person

Includes breakfast, a pumpkin, decorating and fun!
Space is limited - call to reserve space 718-282-6661

Update: Prospect Park also has Halloween Events including "A Haunted Walk and Carnival" on Saturday, October 28th from 12-3

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is also hosting Ghuols and Gords on Sunday, October 23rd from 12-4:30 with free admission for kids under 16. This event includes "Mysterious Music, Electrifying Exhibits, Wierd Workshops, and other Oddities."


Picket Fence
Scared Silly Halloween [Prospect Park]
Ghuols and Gords [Brooklyn Botanic Garden]