Bring me the head of the Juniper Valley Tree-Killer

Posted on 2009-09-17 by admin

Over the weekend, 12 newly planted trees were destroyed at Juniper Valley Park in Queens. This incident marks the fourth case of tree damage this year at the park and a $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in this arborcide. It is believed that the trees were cut with an electric saw, either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. They were just planted in the park this past spring. Ten were cherry trees and two were oaks.
– Parks Asks the Community’s Assistance in Nabbing Juniper Valley Park Tree Killer, Press Release, 2009-09-16

View Larger Map

Juniper Valley Park has been victim of tree arborcide and vandalism four times this year, with more than 20 trees victimized. In April, low branches were torn off a number of trees overnight. In June, two trees were found damaged in the park and in July, seven trees were damaged, leaving four uprooted, two completely destroyed and one with trunk damage.

If you have any information on this crime, please call the NYPD Crime stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

[bit.ly]

Links

Parks Asks the Community’s Assistance in Nabbing Juniper Valley Park Tree Killer, NYC Parks, Press Release, 2009-09-16
Vandals Attack Trees Again in Juniper Park, Juniper Park Civic Association, 2009-09-13

Cortelyou Road Park, this Friday, 9/18

Posted on 2009-09-16 by admin

Cortelyou Road Park, Flatbush, Brooklyn, Park(ing)Day NYC 2008

On Friday, September 18th, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, a park will be born: Sustainable Flatbush will transform a single 8’x15’ parking spot into a green space, complete with grass, plants, and seating. “Cortelyou Road Park,” in front of the Cortelyou Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, at the corner of Cortelyou and Argyle Roads, in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, is one of 50+ sites around New York City participating in Park(ing) Day, an international event.

I’m participating again this year. We’ll be recreating a garden room in the parking spot, like we did last year, as you can see in the photo above.

The park will include art activities and exhibitions for both children and adults. Two sustainable craft businesses based in the NYC-area, Garbage of Eden Design and RePlayGround, will teach free creative workshops on fashioning fun stuff out of garbage. We invite you to bring your favorite cereal box or designed scrap paper to personalize your crafts. Jewelry made from plastic bags and yogurt containers as well as kits to make projects from scrap will be on display.

Come marvel at worms turning food scraps into compost, and charge your cell phone with solar power all while listening to music and relaxing with good neighbors and new friends on a patch of grass!

Be sure to fill up at our BYO Mug Coffee Station, courtesy of Vox Pop Café. Enjoy a snack from the Flatbush Food Coop, or sample a dessert from Visions Restaurant & Bar. Enter the raffle for a chance to win a Coop Food Gift Basket or Visions Gift Certificate.

Plus, beginning at 11:00 AM, Ronny Wasserstrom will be entertaining the kids with his special trick puppets, including the juggling egg puppet!

“Using 120 square feet of concrete for temporary storage of an automobile benefits only its owner. If we can take that area and transform it into something magical that is enjoyed by hundreds of people, maybe that’s a better use of the space,” says says Anne Pope, Founder/Director of Sustainable Flatbush. “I hope it gets people thinking about how public space can be allocated for the maximum
benefit.”

So stop by and bring your own coffee mug and you will never look at a parking spot the same way again!

[bit.ly]

Links

Cortelyou Road Park
Park(ing) Day this Friday, September 18th!, Sustainable Flatbush
Cortelyou Road gets a new park–for the 3rd year in a row!, Park(ing) Day NYC

Flatbush Frolic 2009

Posted on 2009-09-15 by admin

Sunday, I tabled for Sustainable Flatbush at the Flatbush Frolic. For the second year, Sustainable Flatbush presented an Environmental Fair at the Frolic, partnering with organizations that represent their four main initiatives: Energy Solutions, Livable Streets, Zero Waste, and Urban Gardens & Farms.

Now in its 33rd year, the Flatbush Frolic is one of a handful of street fairs that stands out from the hundreds NYC hosts annually. The Frolic is locally organized, and features local businesses and organizations.

Because I spent most of the day tabling, I didn’t get to see much of the Frolic, but here’s some of what I did see.

[bit.ly]

Links

Environmental Fair, Sustainable Flatbush
Flatbush Frolic Web site

Daffodil Project Reservation Deadline is Monday, September 29

Posted on 2008-09-26 by admin

A Daffodil blooming on Cortelyou Road this past Spring

This Monday, September 29 is the deadline for reserving Daffodils from the 2008 Daffodil Project. The Brooklyn pickup will be Saturday, October 18 at Grand Army Plaza.

This year, I requested 1,000 bulbs on behalf of the Flatbush Community Garden. Neighbor Stacey, who kicked off last year’s planting, has requested another 1,000. We’re targeting the first two weekends in November – the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th – for planting on Beverley Road, Cortelyou Road, Newkirk Avenue, and P.S. 139. These dates are listed in my Google calendar in the sidebar as “Flatbush Daffodil Project.” If you’d like to help, watch for announcements as the dates approach.

Daffodil Project

Links

2008 Daffodil Bulb Reservation, online form
Sustainable Flatbush

Riding out the Harvest, BQLT Bike/Van Tour, Saturday, September 27

Posted on 2008-09-23 by admin

UPDATE Friday, 2008-09-26: CANCELLED. The announcement came at 10am from the tour’s organizers:

Intrepid gardeners,

With a forecast of some serious rain, we’ve come to a decision to cancel this Saturday’s (9/27/08) bqlt “Riding out the Harvest” bike/van tour.

Save your energy for next week’s (10/4/08) “Green(e) with Envy,” another great opportunity to explore the world of community gardening.

I’m disappointed, but I’ll admit I wasn’t looking forward to slogging through the rain with my camera. I am looking forward to the Green With Envy Tour of Bed-Stuy Community Gardens next Saturday, October 4.

Classon Ful-Gate Block Association Community Garden, one of nine Brooklyn community gardens on this Saturday’s tour.

The Brooklyn-Queens Land Trust (BQLT) is hosting its Second Annual Bike and Van Tour this Saturday, September 27th:

Jump in the van or hop on a bike – we’re visiting a sampling of BQLT gardens – saying hello, having some snacks along the way. It all begins at 9:30am with a coffee reception at Hollenback Community Garden (Washington Ave between Gates and Green Avenue ). The harvest ride will culminate in a cookout beginning at 3:00pm at Euclid / Pine Street Block Association.

MEETING TIME/COFFEE: 9:30am @ Hollenback Garden
DEPARTURE TIME: 10:00am Sharp!
TOUR’S END/COOKOUT: 3:00pm @ Euclid-Pine Garden

This is a BIKE & VAN TOUR:
Bicyclists will be led by Isak Mendes – RSVP/Info: eaglemendes [at] yahoo [dot]com
Seats in the Van are limited! Reserve yours by contacting Brothel Dean: strechdean [at] msn [dot] com

Suggested donation: $5/person

The gardens on the tour are:

Hollenback Community Garden, Washington Ave. between Gates & Greene Aves.
Classon/Ful-Gate Block Association, Classon Ave. between Putnam & Madison Aves.
St. Mark’s Ave./Prospect Heights, St. Marks between Vanderbilt & Carlton Aves.
Mama Dee’s Garden, St. Mark’s Avenue between Bedford and Rogers Aves.
Westbrook Memorial Garden, Pacific St. between Bedford & Nostrand Aves.
United Herkimer Garden Club, Herkimer St. between Bedfor & Nostrand Aves.
Rogers/Tilden/Veronica Place Garden, Corner of Tilden Ave. and Veronica Place
Sheffield Garden, Sheffield Ave between New Lots and Hegeman Aves.
Euclid-Pine Block Association Garden, Corner of Dumont Ave. & Pine St.

View Larger Map

Classon FulGate Block Association Garden, Green With Envy Tour, II.6, August 10, 2008
Hollenback Community Garden, Clinton Hill, Green With Envy Tour, II.5, August 8, 2008
St. Mark’s Avenue Community Garden, Prospect Heights, Green With Envy Tour, II.2, August 2, 2008

Links

Riding out the Harvest, BQLT Bike/Van Tour
Google map

Happy September Equinox 2008

Posted on 2008-09-22 by admin

Persephone with her pomegranate. Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Proserpine (Oil on canvas, 1874) – Tate Gallery, London

Equinox
Solstice

Links

Wikipedia: Equinox

Cortelyou Road Park, Park(ing) Day NYC 2008

Posted on 2008-09-20 by admin

Cortelyou Road Park, Park(ing) Day 2008

For the second year, Sustainable Flatbush created Cortelyou Road Park, a mini-park-for-the-day on Cortelyou Road in Flatbush that was one of 50 such sites across New York City.

For our park, I loaned furniture and container plants from my garden to recreate a garden room on Cortelyou Road. The grass was sod donated by Transportation Alternatives (T.A.). The Flatbush Food Co-op donated a gift basket to be raffled off, and kept us stocked in popcorn and chips. Vox Pop donated urns of coffee.

Setting up

JUMP!

Finger painting

Drawing

Bounty donated by the Flatbush Food Coop

[bit.ly]

Links

Park(ing) Day 2008, Sustainable Flatbush
Flatbush Food Co-op
Vox Pop

Park(ing) Day NYC
Park(ing) Day
Eyebeam
Transportation Alternatives (T.A.)
The Open Planning Project (TOPP)
The Trust for Public Land
Cortelyou Branch, Brooklyn Public Library, 1305 Cortelyou Rd. at Argyle Road

Visit Cortelyou Road Park on Park(ing) Day, Friday, September 19

Posted on 2008-09-16 by admin

Cortelyou Road Park, Park(ing) Day 2007. Photo: Keka Marzagão

On Friday, September 19th, Sustainable Flatbush will transform a parking spot on Cortelyou Road in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn into a park, complete with grass, plants, and seating. “Cortelyou Road Park”, located on the corner of Cortelyou and Argyle Roads [GMAP], is one of 50 sites around New York City – twice as many as last year – participating in Park(ing) Day, an international event.

“Park(ing) Day is an opportunity to create a community gathering space, and to make a statement about how we allocate public space,” says Anne Pope, Founder/Director of Sustainable Flatbush. “In this neighborhood, despite all the beautiful homes and lawns and gardens, the amount of public green space per person is much lower than the city average.”

Cortelyou Road Park will be open from 9AM to dusk and include activities for children and adults – a school and several day care centers are located nearby – and an art exhibition in the adjacent plaza of the local Brooklyn Public Library branch. “Using 160 square feet of concrete for temporary storage of an automobile benefits only its owner. If we can take that area and transform it into something magical that is enjoyed by dozens of people, maybe that’s a better use of the space,” says Pope. “I hope it gets people thinking about how public space can be allocated for the maximum benefit.”

This year, park builders are putting new emphasis on site-specific designs that will reflect the social, cultural, and architectural contexts in which they’re situated. This approach will also generate innovative proof-of-concept designs for permanent public space reclamation. Seating areas, art installations, and community engagement will all make the case for a more sensible and human-friendly distribution of available urban public space.

Also new is Park(ing) Day Redux, taking place on October 18th. This capstone exhibit will feature a rebuild of selected parking spots on a closed street in front of Eyebeam Art and Technology Center on West 21st Street, photos and media from the September event, and a mixer with the city’s most imaginative public space interventionists.

Sustainable Flatbush brings neighbors together to discuss, educate, and advocate for sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond. Their vision of a sustainable neighborhood includes equal access to healthy food and open spaces; preserving affordable housing (and the diverse population it enables) through innovative energy practices; and high-quality, resource-efficient transportation options (including cycling). As residents of one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the nation, they strive to learn from each other and emulate global best practices in sustainability, whether that translates into cutting-edge technology or just living more simply.

Seven years

Posted on 2008-09-10 by admin

This morning I went to Battery Park to sign my name on a beam which will be used in the construction of the National September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero. This beam-signing opportunity runs through 6pm today, and again tomorrow, September 11, from 10am to 6pm.

I went alone. The collective spirit of those assembled felt strange to me. People waiting to enter were talking with each other, laughing, catching up. For many of these people, it seemed to be a reunion, or even more causal, like a ride in the elevator.

Those of us who arrived before 10am had to wait nearly two hours to sign. Everything had to wait for the arrival – and departure – of Mayor Bloomberg. He played the role of the bad dinner guest, who arrives late, so everyone else’s food is cold, and lingers far too long, straining the patience of even the most gracious hosts.

While I was waiting, reporters trolled through the crowd. Shortly after I arrived, I was interviewed briefly by 1010WINS, a local radio station. They asked my name, asked me to spell it out, asked me where I worked. Then they asked me, something like: When you think about that day, what comes to mind? I looked up at the sky, as blue this morning as it was that morning. My eyes filled with tears. I choked out a response: It’s an atrocity. For anyone to do that in the name of their god is an atrocity.

Ground Zero, September 27, 2001

They also asked what I was going to write. I told them I was going to write the name of the Memorial Cobblestone Campaign I started: Gardeners for Recovery.

Eventually we got to actually wait in line, instead of muddling about in the cattle pen on the sidewalk. Some of this drudgery was relieved by the company of a bulldog. His name was 6, the number. With his underbite and watery eyes, he reminded me of a deep-sea anglerfish. He was very sweet and affectionate. His person said he hated to get his picture taken, but we seemed to have developed a rapport. Perhaps it was the butt-rubbing and ear-fluffing that won him over.

Each of us was given a commemorative marker with which to sign. A magnetic template on the beam constrained the area in which we could write. I had hoped to write the statement of the cobblestone campaign I started:

Gardeners for Recovery recognize the importance of gardens and gardening for individual, community, and global healing and recovery.

There wasn’t enough room for that, so I simply signed it with my name and that of the campaign.

At that point, I had waited so long, I didn’t know what to do next. I was actually shaking a little, so I sat down on a park bench just outside the signing area. I half-collapsed when I sat down. Each beam weighs 4 tons. I was feeling the symbolic weight of what we were all doing there this morning, why each of us felt, in our own way, we wanted to do this.

When I left the beam-signing area, I walked over to The Sphere. Battered and bent, it was relocated from the plaza of the World Trade Center to Battery Park. It will eventually be returned to the site when construction is completed.

The Sphere, Battery Park, September 2003

The radio guys had asked me if signing the beam would make a difference. I don’t really believe it does, certainly not one signature. I told them, “it’s a gesture,” an expression of the hope for recovery. Maybe the collective weight of all those signatures can have an impact, can make a difference on someone. Maybe we can reflect on our own collective responsibilities as a people, as a nation.

The Sphere, yesterday

Flags, flags, flags … flags waving everywhere. I understand the impulse, yet I don’t feel it as a defiant gesture. It feels like a concession to me. That we have no greater symbol than our nation’s flag makes me sad. What evil has been committed in the name of that flag? How is it any different from the evil committed against us seven years ago?

Anti-war graffiti on the base of a statue of George Washington in Union Square Park, September 24, 2001

It has taken far too long to reclaim that void. It will be several more years, and billions of dollars, before we can really reclaim it. I am comforted that the vision for the memorial is essentially a garden: a plaza filled with oak trees, waterfalls plunging into the earth where the towers stood, stairs to lead us down into the earth, where we can be surrounded by emptiness and the white noise of the leaves of the trees and the rushing waters, where we can be alone together, and reflect.

[bit.ly]

Gardeners for Recovery
9/11

Links

National September 11 Memorial
The Sphere

Frolic in Flatbush this Sunday, September 14

Posted on 2008-09-09 by admin

This is not your ordinary, generic, same-vendors-at-every-event street fair. For the second year in a row, the Frolic is organized completely by staff and volunteers from FDC and the Flatbush community.

Via press release.

The Flatbush Development Corporation is proud to announce that the THIRTY FIRST ANNUAL FLATBUSH FROLIC neighborhood street fair is set to take place on Sunday, September 14, 2008 in Victorian Flatbush on Cortelyou Rd. between Coney Island and Ocean Avenues, from 11.00am to 6.00pm, rain or shine.

This year’s FROLIC theme is “Flatbush United Nation AKA F.U.N.: From Many Places, Many Shining Faces.” The Cortelyou Road farmer’s market, a chili-cook-off, bake-a-rama, arts & crafts shows, environmental showcase, and Sports Challenge with Martial Arts, Gymnastics and Basketball Tournament will be just some of the attractions showing the diversity back of this stretch of former farmland in Brooklyn. “We want to celebrate with great local artists and music acts from the heart of Brooklyn, and capture the spirit of the community unity, with participants who’ve come from all over the world but who’ve chosen to live work and play here in Flatbush,” said Mannix Gordon, FDC’s director of economic development, who’s organizing the event.

With an annual headcount of over twenty thousand attendees, the FROLIC is the ultimate celebration of this unique Brooklyn neighborhood and all it has to offer: its history, diversity, character, Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets and its charming feel of Americana in the big city.

Fairground attractions will include a wide range of local food and retail vendors, children’s rides and activities, and information booths detailing the neighborhood and its local businesses.

This year we’re proud to bring three stages of live music to Cortelyou. The main stage at Rugby road will showcase an eclectic mix of top Kid Rock, Hillbilly Blues, Reggae, Experimental Jazz, Hip Hop Soul and R&B acts.

– The Dirty Sock Funtime Band: the highest energy kids’ rock band ever to break out of NYC

– Alegba & Friends w/Jeanine Truly and funky band; intense diva vocals and all-female horn players. Alegba & Friends Band: local roots reggae jazz superstars

– Sean Nowell Band Cerebral Music, but played with soul and feeling; ballads that somehow build into frenetic climaxes

– Tah Phrum Duh Bush & Coole High presenting Off the Dome Flatbush Hip Hop & Phat Beats

– 37 Deep Showcase: Radikal is a live fusion of SOUL, R&B, HIP-HOP, and World music

– The Waywords Hillbilly Blues for the New Millennium with Slim Dixon

– Carlos Jimenez Orchestra & The Latin Fever Dancers High Energy Horn Blowin, Roof raising Toe stomping Latin Jazz with the fabulous and famous dancers form Cortelyou Road.

At Stratford Road at the Western Stage, in front of the Vox Pop café, bookstore and performance space, performers from Victorian Flatbush will showcase the best the neighborhood has to offer. Jenny Hill & Liquid Horn [Brazilian Jazz] Demander [Indie Rock] is a post-sexy, post-punk, post-gregorian/ambrosian trio that sets fire., My Sister in 1994 (indie rock), Robbers on High Street – (indie rock), Andrew Thomas and the Believers (alternative) Rene Collins (reggae folk) Proud Simon (indie rock) a whirlwind of sounds and stories.

A Third stage at the Eastern end will have latin dance lessons all day, by Marisol of Latin Fever Dance Studio, DJ Copa and Tah Phrum The Bush will host an open-mic in the afternoon. Sure to please and get you dancing. And if that’s not enough check out Midwood Martial Arts all-day activities in the ‘Just For Kids’ area & the ‘Cortelyou Station’, Cynthia King Dance Studio and CASYM Steel Pan Orchestra B (Calypso), Traditional Pakistani, Chinese Music & More!!

Fairground attractions include: a carnival amusement park, baking contests, basketball tournaments, games of chance, double-dutch contests, Cortelyou Station martial arts exposition, interactive dance and arts & crafts. Environmental attractions sponsored by Flatbush Food Coop and Sustainable Flatbush will challenge you to think, act and promote green technology.

Stay tuned for more special events, guests, elected officials and public speakers.

FOR VENDING & GENERAL INQUIRIES: please contact Joyce or Jean @ FDC @ 718.859.3800

FOR MUSIC, PRESS & SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION: please contact Mannix Gordon @ 718.859.4831 mgordon@fdconline.org

Links

Flatbush Frolic Web site
Flatbush Development Corporation (FDC)

Flatbush Gardener

Urban Habitat Gardening with Native Plants

Tag Archives: September

Bring me the head of the Juniper Valley Tree-Killer

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Cortelyou Road Park, this Friday, 9/18

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Flatbush Frolic 2009

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Daffodil Project Reservation Deadline is Monday, September 29

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Riding out the Harvest, BQLT Bike/Van Tour, Saturday, September 27

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Happy September Equinox 2008

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Cortelyou Road Park, Park(ing) Day NYC 2008

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Visit Cortelyou Road Park on Park(ing) Day, Friday, September 19

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Seven years

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Frolic in Flatbush this Sunday, September 14

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