Brooklyn and Liberia - Imani House in both Communities

Imani House lives on Fifth Avenue, Park Slope and in the African nation of Liberia. It was co-founded by Director Bisi Ideraabdullah with the directive to Assist Marginalized Youth, Families, and Immigrants to create vibrant neighborhoods where residents are decision makers who take responsibility for the improvement of their lives and surroundings. 

Today, Imani House continues to provide health services through their clinic in Liberia, the Imani House International (IHI) and their youth development after-school programs, along with family support and adult literacy classes in and around Park Slope, Brooklyn.

IHI Clinic is now 21 years old. Located on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia, each year the Clinic serves approximately 17,000 women and children. They need assistance. It has lost two of its staff to the Ebola Virus but remains open in the face of the outbreak.

IHI is asking others to join them in this fight against Ebola. It is destroying the lives and fragile infrastructures in Liberia.  Contributions are sought to help the organization; keep the clinic open, purchase much needed protective supplies for the staff and community, acquire an ambulance, complete the renovation of a small building that will serve as a triage and isolation space for suspected cases of Ebola, to expand community awareness and educate about Ebola, and to allow IHI to serve as a public information bridge for health workers and the Ministry of Health.  

If you would like to assist Imani House, please go to GlobalGiving at http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ebola-outbreak-help-us-protect-liberians/ 

$60 will buy a case of 300 safety masks, $25 will buy one Hazmat suit for a staff person, $10 will purchase 5 gallons of clorox for clinic daily disinfecting.

Here is a video about Imani House that explains more. Imani House Liberia Program

The Imani House team welcomes you to visit them and to learn more about the Clinic and their after school programs. Their office is located at 76-A Fifth Avenue, Park Slope between St Mark's Place and Warren Street. Call 718 638 2059 or  visit the website www.imanihouse.org

Barclays Center at Two

Believe it or not, the Barclays Center celebrated its two year anniversary on Sunday. Love it or not, there is no denying that the arena has had an effect on the commercial corridors that surround the arena, including Fifth Avenue.

We've pulled together a couple of pieces, looking at the positives and negatives of the Barclays Center since 2012. The first is a video piece from BK Live (BRIC). It's an honest discussion of the issues including our own Farid Ali (BID Board Member and co-owner of Bogota Latin Bistro)

The second is an article in the Commercial Observer, from a real estate perspective:
Two Years After the Barclays Center Opened, Which Local Businesses Have Won and Lost

Olive Oil 101 on Fifth

This Tuesday, September 30th, drop by O'live Brooklyn (140 5TH AVE between Sterling and  Douglass) for their Olive Oil 101 Class! From 6-7:30, explore the unique flavor characteristics of extra virgin olive oil, enjoy light snacks and cocktails and receive a complimentary bottle of olive oil!
Admission is $30. Highly recommended!

Blue Ribbon Oktoberfest on Fifth

We happened to notice this odd coincidence while walking along Fifth this week:

 

Blue Ribbon (280 Fifth Avenue) is celebrating Oktoberfest with Bavarian food and beer. Sounds awesome!

 

Right down the Avenue, Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store (232 Fifth Avenue) sent us an email this week, wishing us a "Hoppy Oktoberfest" and sharing some of the cool, Oktoberfest-related products that they carry (beer steins!). They also mentioned their  S'well Trunk Show, which takes place today from 4-7. Be there!

So, we have two Oktoberfests, two Blue Ribbons and Fifth Avenue in common, here. Coincidence? Yeah, probably. But come on down and celebrate Oktoberfest on Fifth, anyway!

Shanah Tovah, Park Slope!

Happy New Year to all of our Jewish friends and neighbors!

The Wait is Over!

It appears that the wait for Luke's Lobster is finally over! We received this press release last night:

Luke’s Lobster announced it was “coming soon to Park Slope” back in February. Since then, neighbors have been fairly beating down the door. It took an extra couple of months for the landlord’s contractors to hand the keys over, and a total of two and a half years since Luke’s first found the space, but it’s finally paid off: Luke’s will open at 237 Fifth Avenue on Friday, September 26th with its first ever tap beers and a backyard perfect for fall.

Lobster, New England Clam Chowder, Maine and local micro-brews and desserts by Four and Twenty Blackbirds. We bet we know where you will be visiting this weekend. See you there!

Save the Date: Food for Thought!

It's just under a month away but now is a good time to buy your pre-sale tickets to The Park Slope Civic Council's third annual “Food for Thought” fundraiser. The event takes place on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Prospect Park Picnic House and proceeds will support the Civic Council's education scholarship program.

Featured Fifth Avenue restaurants include Backyard, Benchmark, Stone Park Cafe and Du Jour Bakery!

Purchase your tickets today via brownpapertickets.com!

Questions? Email foodforthought@parkslopeciviccouncil.org or call 718-369-4006.

News Round-Up

Have a great weekend, Park Slope!

Sip of the Week: Rose Milk Tea From Teaus [Park Slope Stoop]

Luke's Lobster Finally Makes It Official on Fifth [Here's Park Slope]

Cosmos Soccer Clinic Out Of This World [Brooklyn Paper]

South Slope Events Spotlight [South Slope News]

Musical Ecologies: Dante Boon

Tonight at the Old Stone House, the 2014-2015 season of Musical Ecologies opens with piano music performed by Dutch pianist and composer Dante Boon.

Boon will perform solo pieces by Antoine Beuger, Taylan Susam, Anastassis Philippakopoulos, and two recent works of his own. Above is a video example of one of his recent shows. Sounds like a great night of music, ahead!

The show starts at 8:00 and admission is $10 by contribution.

Upcoming Musical Ecologies shows: Guy Klucevsek (10/9); TBA (11/13) and Ken Montgomery (12/11)

There Ain't No Pawty Like a Park Slope Pawty

Tonight at The Gate (321 Fifth Avenue), celebrate the end of summer with the folks from Park Slope for Pets. Bring your pet, have a pint and help to raise money for the Charles Henderson Animal Rescue.

Festivities start at 7 and run until 9.

Cosmos Soccer Clinic in Washington Park

Park Slope Soccer Parents: the New York Cosmos will be holding a Back to School clinic today at Washington Park!

Registration starts at 4:30 pm (with free t-shirts and ticket coupons) and the clinic will last until 6.

For more information, check out their website.

Confused about the name "New York Cosmos"? Do you remember that name from the 1970's/80's? Yup, they're back! Learn more at nycosmos.com

Business Courses on your doorstep!

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has partnered with NYC Business Solutions and Park Slope Parents to host a variety of business-related courses and networking opportunities. NYC Business Solutions are providing instructors and Park Slope Parents are offering the courses to their network of 5,000 families, many of whom own home-grown businesses and are, of course, BID customers! All courses are $10 and held at the Old Stone House on our own Fifth Avenue. 

Social Media Fundamentals

Tuesday 14^th October 2014 6.30 – 9.00pm Old Stone House

This course will teach you how to develop and manage an effective online strategy using web technologies and social media. SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/1ssMsfj

Businesses meeting Business Services

Tuesday 18^th November 2014 6.30-9.00pm Old Stone House

A networking opportunity for Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID merchants to meet some local services; such as lawyers, website designers, graphic designers, social media services and others. SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/1CWdpfR

Advanced Financial Management

Wednesday 10^th December 2014 6.30-9.00pm Old Stone House

This Advanced course will show you how to take good bookkeeping to the next level. A strategic approach consistent with financial goals will be applied to various aspects of your business, increasing the potential for long term profitability. SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/1qHlTCp

Advanced Social Media

Tuesday 10^th February 2015 6.30-9.00pm Old Stone House

This course will teach you advanced strategies on how to develop and manage an effective online strategy using web technologies and social media. SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/1pbJRAJ

Website Fundamentals

Tuesday 21^st April 2015 6.30-9.00pm Old Stone House

In this high energy, fast-moving course, you will learn basic information needed to develop a website that best suits your business needs. SIGN UP HERE: http://bit.ly/1whjhM9

Fall 2014 Opening at Ground Floor Gallery

Tonight at Ground Floor Gallery (343 5th Street, just above 5th Avenue), from 6-8:30 pm, drop by for the opening reception for their new fall show: "The Girls Next Door"

We're kicking off our fall 2014 season with a group show featuring six female artists from the Park Slope/Gowanus area: Cecile Chong, Melanie Fischer, Rachel Kroh, Colette Murphy, Elizabeth Reagh, and Liz Sweibel.

We hope you have a great weekend. Looking for something to do in the Slope? Check out some of the events in our calendar .

A Day of Remembrance

Two Roads Brewing

This Thursday (tomorrow) at The Gate (321 Fifth Avenue), enjoy a "Tap Take-Over" by Two Roads Brewery from 7-11pm. Featured beers: Rye 95, Road Jam Raspberry Wheat, Henry's Farm Barrel-Aged Double Bock, Igor's Dream Russian Imperial Stout, Roadsmary's Baby Rum Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Ale.

We never turn down special events with beer. You shouldn't either!

Opera and Live Karaoke at Freddy's

This Thursday, don't miss the monthly Home Brew Opera and Live Band Karaoke event at Freddy's Bar. Starting at 9, hear some of the best voices in Brooklyn belt out famous (and not so famous) opera pieces and maybe even some pop tunes. Live opera is amazing to watch but it's even better with a beer in your hand!

At 11, stay for Live Band Karaoke with the the Dirty Sexy Ensemble. Come with a song in mind and they'll be ready to play it (or something close to it). The ensemble features the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID's Executive Director, Mark Caserta, on guitar.

For more details, click here. See you there!

Tomorrow Night: Fashion Rocks at Barclays

On Tuesday September 9^th 2014, Barclays Center will host Fashion Rocks, a major New York Fashion Week event at Barclays Center.

We received this notice about street closures, related to the event, from the 78th Precinct. We thought we would pass the information on:

Dear Community Member,

On Tuesday September 9, 2014 the Barclays Center will be hosting VH1/Fashion Rocks. This event has a permitted RED carpet that will be located on Dean Street between Flatbush Avenue and 6th Avenue.

The 78th Precinct staff has been involved with the planning of this event and has implemented a strategy to minimize the inconvenience for our local residents.

The following traffic closures will be in effect for Tuesday, September 9, 2014,

- Dean Street between Flatbush Ave and 6th Ave (6 AM till Midnight)

- 6th Avenue between Atlantic Ave and Bergen Street (3pm till Midnight)

- Pacific Street between Carlton Ave and 6th Ave (3 pm till Midnight)  ***Residents and Garage access will be granted.

All closures are for TRAFFIC only. Pedestrians will have access but will not be allowed on the arena sidewalk.

For your information

Captain Frank DiGiacomo

For more information about Fashion Rocks, click here.

Have a Great Weekend!

Lots going on this weekend on Fifth Avenue. We mentioned some important registration events coming up on Saturday in yesterday's post. It's also Week One of the NFL Season. Fifth Avenue has LOTS of places to watch your favorite team play!

Finally, Eleven Boutique (now located at both 70 and 71 5th Avenue) will be celebrating Fashion's Night Out with 15% off everything and a raffle with great prizes! Drop by for some great deals!

Registration Weekend

Okay, remember earlier this week when we said that summer isn't over? Well, school is back in session today, so it's kind-of over now. Sorry!

This weekend is a big one for registering your Park Slope kids in classes at our local cultural centers. Last month we mentioned the Open House Weekend coming up at Spoke the Hub. Also taking place this weekend, the Fall Open House at BAX.

Finally, the BTS Block Party by KidKlass takes place Saturday, all day, at JJ Byrne Playground/Washington Park. The event creates an all-day fun environment for families in the park while learning about and purchasing products and services that make back-to-school simple. The day includes musical performances, panel discussions on PTA funding and school admissions, stress reducing massage area, free babysitting, free family portraits and activities for kids.

On to the 2014/15 school year!

Sweet Paul On Fifth

Save the date, Park Slope! On Wednesday, September 10 from 6 - 8 pm, drop by Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store (232 Fifth Avenue) for an evening of sweet, sweet fun with Sweet Paul! Books will be on hand for signing and enjoy a taste of the "Worlds Best Cake"!

See you there!

The Summer is Over (Not Really)

Yes, according to the unofficial calendar we live by, Summer is over as of today because it's the day after Labor Day.

Yup, no more white pants, no ice cream, no outdoor fun and games and it's back to school for the kids!

Ok, now for the reality check:

- It's going to be over 90 today and near 90 the rest of this week,
- Fall doesn't start until September 23rd,
- Public schools aren't in session until Thursday,
- Ice cream, outdoor dining and fun are still viable options

Carry on as before! We'll see you on Fifth!