Essence and Accident: Photographs by Hugh Crawford at the Gallery at the Old Stone House.

April 1 – June 30, 2009.

The
gallery is open on Saturday and Sundays. It is also open by appointment.
Photographer Hugh Crawford will be in the gallery every Friday in April
and May from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

 Yup. I'm teaching a three-session workshop at BAX (421 Fifth Avenue at 8th Street) and it's a great chance to learn how to blog. You will even be encouraged to start a blog during the workshop.

My workshop is part of of AccessBAX: Classes and Workshop for the Curious, Creative Adult. Pre-registration is required. To register call 718-832-0018. For more info: www.bax.org

The cost is $45 for the three sessions.

Learn how to blog with OTBKB, is a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in becoming a blogger and those who already blog but want to learn more. I will discuss a wide variety of blogging genres, including photo blogs.

Session 1: Introduction to Blogging
Session 2: Hands-on Blogging
Session 3: Next Steps

I just  heard from Joseph McCarthy, who happens to be the development director of the Irondale Center, and he wrote of this interesting cultural event: This Could Be Weird, Could Be Wild, Likely To Be Wonderful.

Check out what's happening at the Irondale Center, the new performance space on the second floor of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Ft. Greene: Anthony
Braxton and Walter Thompson Premiere A
New Soundpainting Composition

Performed by Anthony Braxton, Walter Thompson, the Walter Thompson
Orchestra,
and the actors of the Irondale Ensemble Project

In collaboration with Soundpainter Walter Thompson and the Walter
Thompson Orchestra, MacArthur Fellowship-winning composer Anthony Braxton
– one of music’s most original composers and instrumentalists – will
premiere a new work. Mr. Thompson will combine Mr. Braxton’s Language Music
System with Soundpainting
– the multidisciplinary live – composing sign language created by Mr.
Thompson. The concerts will feature performances by Anthony Braxton, a
woodwind virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist, the fifteen musicians, and
actors of the Walter Thompson Orchestra and Irondale Ensemble actors.

April 16, 17, 18 at 7:30PM

Prices: $20.00 Adult | $15.00Student/Senior/Working Artist

Click here to buy now

Another Special Event: April 18 at 1PM

Irondale's
Big Box of Distractions

Walter Thompson will be running an interactive soundpainting workshop
with the Young Company and audience members. Since Walter spends a lot
of time in Sweden, they're serving Swedish finger
food as a treat!

Prices: $10.00 child + one adult | $5.00 each additional child |
$10.00 adult without child

Apr 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 & 25 at 7:30pm

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conducted by Paul Goodwin
Directed by Jonathan Miller

"Mr. Miller’s staging of the 'St. Matthew' proved a revelation."
— The New York Times

Renowned
for his highly original takes on operatic works, Jonathan Miller draws
out the full magnificence and drama of Bach’s final and most revered
Passion. Sung in English and pared down to its glorious essentials, his
singers—casually dressed—are placed with the musicians in the round,
granting the music an undeniable immediacy.

In an unprecedented
occurrence, BAM brings back this incomparable production which has
delighted audiences in its previous sold-out runs. With a cast
comprising many returning members, Miller again strips away the
traditional performance conventions of this sacred work, allowing us to
confront the emotion and humanity at the heart of this Passion.

BAM Harvey Theater
Running time: 170min with intermission

Subscription tickets: $24, 44, 64, 72
(Full price: $30, 55, 80, 90)

Another great event at Brooklyn Reading Works that you won't want to miss.

Raina Washington curates an evening of new fiction by Brooklyn writers.

April 23rd at the Old Stone House at 8 p.m.
Fifth Avenue at Third Street

A $5 donation includes blender drinks and refreshments.

Photo of voice activated blender by PM Tarrone

And for the opening extravaganza Borough Prez Marty will be on hand to help cut the ribbon at the new Park Slope location of La Bagel Delight at
284 7th Avenue .

The new store will replace and expand on the
252 7th Avenue location. Since
1986, under the direction of partners Frank Bavaro, Dino Bavaro, Dominick Orlando,
Victor Carino and Michael Vazquez, La Bagel Delight has been preparing hand-rolled, boiled bagels for Brooklynites at their five locations, which also include 122
Seventh Avenue, 90 Court Street, 104 Front Street and an independently-operated
store at 73 Lafayette Avenue. There's also one in DUMBO on Front Street.

I went to my first Community Board meeting. I am officially a local blogger! And what an interesting meeting it was!

The Department of Transportation (DOT) which has been addressing traffic calming issues for Prospect Park West for many years, presented a new plan to change Prospect Park West from three moving lanes to two moving lanes and to add a two-way bike lane, which they hope will really reduce traffic speeds and increase safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Prospect Park West, which is 49 feet wide and sees approximately 1000 cars per hour (plus buses), does not require three lanes. It is their analysis that the extra space encourages speeding and bad driving because people are not as cautious when there is extra room. Additionally, there is no lane for bike riding and cyclists tend to ride on the sidewalk, which is a problem for pedestrians and results in tickets for the cyclists.

The DOT believes that the 1000 or so vehicles per hour could be accommodated in two moving lanes and that it would help reduce speeding. According to their studies, over 70% of the cars are speeding on PPW. The speed limit is currently 25 MPH. Between 2005-2007, there were 58 reported crashes and, thankfully, 0 fatalities.

Here's what the DOT is planning for PPW:

–Two moving lanes for vehicles.

–A  "protected" two-way bike lane next to the sidewalk

–Vehicle parking paces next to the traffic on the park side designated by paint stripes.

–Some kind of pedestrian "refuges" near crossing areas

–Warning signs for pedestrians about bike lanes and new signage for vehicles.

According to the DOT this plan brings PPW closer to the goal of "Complete Streets" which they define as streets, which accommodate every user: cyclists, pedestrians, autos and buses. The DOT has done something like this on 9th Avenue in Manhattan it is has been very successful in reducing speed and accommodating pedestrians and cyclists.

There was a mix of comments and concerns from members of the Community Board and members of the public, who attended the meeting. One man, who lives on 10th Street felt that the elimination of a third moving lane would be "a nightmare during peak usage time" when there are school buses and cars dropping off and double parking for school in the morning, little league baseball and Celebrate Brooklyn.

The project manager responded that the DOT would look to the community to locate high volume drop off areas on PPW.

Someone else wondered what would separate the bike lane from the parking lane. A DOT representative said that it would be just be paint stripes and added that this has been effective on Ninth Avenue because if someone parks in the bike lane there is a $115. fine.

There was also the concern that bike traffic going north would not be able to see traffic lights which are south-facing. It was suggested that additional traffic signals for northbound bike traffic be installed.

Someone asked if two vehicle lanes would be sufficient for Fire Department and other emergencies. A DOT representative said that the FDNY is always shown their plans and they make changes as necessary based on their assessment on access and safety.

Eric McClure of Park Slope Neighbors asked if they had looked at the possibility of a two-way PPW and two-way  8th Avenue, a measure that is supported by Park Slope Neighbors. The DOT representative responded that it wouldn't address traffic calming and it would complicate traffic issues at Grand Army Plaza if another "input" was added.

At the end of the meeting, the Community Board enthusiastically voted to approve the DOT's plan with the added suggestions that they add:

1. Additional traffic signals for north-bound bike traffic

2. Analyze high volume ares and make accommodations for drop off vehicles.

On the third Thursday of every month, the Transportation Committee of CB6 "routinely reviews any projects, studies
programs and services related to the use and condition of our local
streets, sidewalks and highways, including infrastructure projects
affecting the roadway subsurface.  The committee concerns itself with
matters pertaining to improving transportation safety, access,
circulation and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
Additionally, the committee regularly reviews intermodal transportation
issues including public transportation systems (rapid and surface), the
use of the airspace over the district, and maritime-based traffic."

The CB6 meetings are always open to the community.

The Park Slope 5th Avenue Business Improvement District is a newly
formed 30 block BID whose mission is to develop, improve and enhance the
economic, environmental and social welfare of the merchants, landlords and
residents of the BID area and all those who benefit from its commerce.

The BID is partnering wit the Park Slope Chamber of Commerce to support local recycling and
sustainability efforts and bolster the expanding green economy. 

The initiative, GREEN
GROWS IN BROOKLYN, coincides with Earth Day celebrations. “Keep an
eye out for the Green Tree in the window of participating businesses on both
Avenues who have signed on to collect donations in order to support local
recycling efforts in the community,” said Irene LoRe owner of Aunt Suzie’s and
Executive Director of the Park Slope 5^th Avenue BID,  who
is leading the campaign.

This is the first of a series of efforts by the
Park Slope 5^th Avenue BID to increase awareness around the issue of
recycling—as well as to create some real community-based resources in the
neighborhood to supplement existing NYC city recycling programs. Donations
from participating merchants and customers will go directly into creating more
recycling drop-off spots and expanding e-waste events in Park Slope. Given the
recent suspension of city e-waste programs around the five boroughs, the
program is more needed than ever.

“There is a real demand for recycling locally,”
said Samantha Delman-Caserta, co-owner of 3r Living,
“and the need exceeds local capacity.” LoRe concurred. “Recycling not only
addresses issues of environmental degradation, but is a major source of jobs,
innovation, and insight—and the BID wants to be at the fore of this issue,” she
said, “it is not only good for the environment, but good for the economy and
overall health of the neighborhood."

The Park Slope5th Avenue BID takes
its broader campaign message seriously, working with entrepreneurs and local
nonprofits to educate the community about the benefits of recycling for the
environment and community. Stay tuned for the results.  To date, merchant participants include Get Fresh Table & Market, 3 R
living, Bob & Judi's Coolectibles, Corduroy Kid and Aunt Suzie's
Restaurant.

Green
Grows in Brooklyn

Date/Time:     The week of Earth Day (April 22^nd)

Location:        Park
Slope, Brooklyn

Contact:         
Irene LoRe, Park Slope 5^th Avenue BID: 718-637-1955;
parkslope5avbid@aol.com

Another great event at Brooklyn Reading Works that you won't want to miss.

Raina Washington curates an evening of new fiction by Brooklyn writers.

April 23rd at the Old Stone House at 8 p.m.
Fifth Avenue at Third Street

A $5 donation includes blender drinks and refreshments.

Photo of voice activated blender by PM Tarrone

Next
weekend there will be two Candidate Forums, a great ways to see all of the candidates in one place and get
to know the people who want to represent you in the City Council.

Saturday, April 25, 10:30 am  – 1:00 am:

CORD/SoBNA 39th District Candidate Forum aka The Dazzle-Me Forum

Where: 396 Clinton Street @ Union Street – enter on Union

Space is limited – reserve your seat by email cgcord@gmail.com or phone: 347-661-8819

Sunday, April 26, 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Boro Park Candidate Forum

Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center (10th Avenue and 49th Street)

Breakfast-of-Candidates:

I did interview John Heyer, candidate for the
City Council in the 39th district and will be posting that
interview/profile on Friday.

Tonight, Thursday, April 16, 6:30 pm:

Community Board 6 Transportation Committee Hearing:

Where: John Jay High School, 237 7th ave between 4th & 5th.

A full schedule with two particularly important items:

• plans to close the 3rd Street entrance at Prospect Park to vehicular traffic.

• proposal
  to remove a driving lane and install two-way class I bicycle lane along
  Prospect Park West between Union Street and Bartel Pritchard Square

Brownstone Voyeur is a joint project of casaCARA and OTBKB.  Look for it every Thursday on both sites. Go to CasaCARA for more pix and text.

THE FIRST THING Amy Samelson did when she bought this Pacific Street co-op seven years ago was “strip everything as bare as possible.”

Amy, an interior designer whose work includes both commercial and residential projects, immediately did away with “every annoying piece of door hardware, bad lighting fixture, and switch plate.” She also pulled off cheap parquet flooring in the living room and ugly ceramic tiles in the kitchen and bath.

‘Annoying’ was probably the least of it. All the different materials had the effect of visually chopping up the diminutive 500 square feet on the third floor of a brownstone where Amy lived and worked until recently (she has since relocated in the neighborhood).

“It was small space broken down further,” she recalls. “I made every effort to create one unified space, without a lot of finicky detailing.” To that end, she painted all the walls off-white,
including the handsomely textured brick wall in the living room. She
did the same to existing baseboards and moldings so they would, as she
puts it, “visually fall away.”

To further make the apartment all of a piece, Amy installed sea grass carpeting, a natural water-repellent material, throughout the apartment, even in the kitchen area and bath.

The effect is pared down and serene, neither particularly minimal nor coldly modern, with warmth and variation from differently textured surfaces, like the white-painted brick wall, sisal carpet, and stainless steel table used as a desk.

Furnishings are few but iconic, including an Alvar Aalto chair, George Nelson side table and sculptural African wood stool.

In the living room, a simple box spring and mattress with a canvas slipcover from IKEA doubled
as a sofa and guest bed. Even mundane objects like CDs and media
components have “color and size relationships and form,” Amy says, and
are candidates for open display.

Orderly open shelves reflect Amy’s belief that
objects like books and file boxes “can be an artful expression, if
arranged beautifully. It’s an upfront organization effort,” she says,
“but once you’ve done it, it functions day by day.

A stainless steel table from a restaurant supply store served as both desk and dining table. Standing lamps create intimacy. “You don’t want light from the ceiling coming down on people’s heads.”

Another great installment of Brownstone Voyeur, a joint project of CasaCARA and OTBKB. Tomorrow: Small space, big ideas in Cobble Hill. Stay tuned…