Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Food, Drink, Fun and Amazing Raffle Prizes from #theother5th

A Taste of Fifth is a celebration of all the good food and drinks on #theother5th whilst raising awareness and money for local Park Slope community organizations and schools. Restaurants and bars have donated their ingredients, craft and staff to make this evening special.

If that isn't enough,  5th Avenue businesses have also donated some wonderful prizes to the evening's Raffle. 100% of the funds raised from the raffle will be shared amongst the participating charities and schools. So don't forget to bring your cash and come to the table situated in the main ballroom area!

If you haven't bought your Taste of Fifth tickets yet, go online now! There are just hours left to buy! Food, music, drinks (lots of ), a photo booth and great company from #theother5th.

Here is a list of all the businesses that have donated. We thank them immensly for their generosity and support.

Dhaga Aveda Salon - Gift Certificate and Gift Bag worth $300

Behind Bars in Brooklyn - Bike Helmet worth $70

Creative Hair Spa - Gift Certificate and Gift Bag worth $150

O Live Brooklyn - Gift Certificate for a private Olive Oil 101 Class with up to 14 guests worth $400

Tabeel's Aromatherapy Gift Shop and Salon - Gift Certificate worth $25

Flirt Brooklyn - Private Two Hour Sewing Lesson worth $100

La Casa Artesenal - 3 piece Black Clay Pottery worth $150

Diana Kane Boutique - Gift Certificate worth $75

Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store - Brooklyn Pillow worth $65

Align Brooklyn - 5 Free Classes worth $100

NY Kid's Club - One Week of Summer Camp 2.5-8 years old worth $500

Freddy's Bar - Two cool T-Shirts worth $40

Halstead Property - 2 BAM Tickets to see Ghost worth $240

Calexico - Gift Certificate worth $25

Monday, March 30, 2015

Profiling Two Taste of Fifth Charities: Greenspace @ President Street and Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX)

Garden Party - Make Music NY June 2014

Greenspace @ President Street

Located at the corner of 5th Avenue and President Street, this garden was founded in the late 1970s in what was a predominantly Puerto Rican/Italian portion of Park Slope. This small corner lot, on a slope, is an oasis amid the hustle and bustle of a reemerging 5th Avenue.
The redesigned garden showcases native plant communities. The smart design has a small cobblestone patio at the upper end, a bluestone pathway winds it way to an oval plaza in the middle where there is also a tool shed with a “green” roof. The lower area features a flagstone patio surrounded by plants on all sides.  GrowNYC and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden provided assistance with the renovation.

The garden is opened every morning, then closed every evening by neighbor volunteers, making it one of the most accessible community gardens in the city.
The gardeners put out bistro tables and chairs that are easily moved around. This allows guests to rearrange the space as they wish.  The garden also provides seating for meetings, picnics and the summer movie series. A colorful mural graces the wall at the lower end of the garden.

The Garden is an integral part of our neighborhood on #theother5th and we are so grateful for the huge volunteer support that keeps it open for us all to enjoy. Keep your eye on the noticeboard or on the Facebook page to find out what events are happening. We are pleased that the Garden is part of Taste of Fifth. Buy your tickets here.


Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX)


Bax is one of Brooklyn’s great cultural institutions and Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue is lucky to have them. They provide subsidized rehearsal space, grants for artists and a season of over 50 cutting edge performances, workshops and classes, right here on Park Slope's 5th Avenue!

They also provide youth classes, afterschool programs and they even have a drop-in play space!

You can find out more on their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitte


We are pleased to be supporting them at the Taste of Fifth, don't forget to buy your tickets!
#theother5th
#tasteoffifth2015

Joanna Tallantire

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Profiling Taste of Fifth Charities: Dream Factory of Brooklyn and Our Local Schools



"We grant dreams to critically and chronically ill children from the ages of three through eighteen".

The Dream Factory is a large wish-granting organization across the United States and there is a chapter in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Volunteers raise funds within their own communities and then use them to grant the dreams of local children. The organization does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illnesses, but also to children with chronic illnesses and disorders as well.

The ultimate aim of the Dream Factory, and its large team of dedicated volunteers, is to create lasting memories and an inspirational experience for the children and families alike.

If you would like to donate of volunteer, go to the website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to find out more.

We are pleased to be able to support The Dream Factory of Brooklyn through the Taste of Fifth Event. Don't forget to buy your tickets and choose this charity.


Local Schools in Park Slope

We are supporting four schools through the Taste of Fifth Event, all based on or around #theother5th. Public schools rely on private funding (via their PTA/PTO) to help hire additional staff and to provide enrichment programs (music, art, etc.).


PS 321













PS 39







MS 51










PS 118

#theother5th
#tasteoffifth2015






Saturday, March 28, 2015

Profiling Two Taste of Fifth Charities: Park Slope Civic Council and Good Shepherd Services


The Park Slope Civic Council is a volunteer organization that works at the grassroots to make Park Slope a better place. In the past and continuing through to today, they have fought to protect and expand the neighborhood's historic district, planted thousands of trees and launched visionary projects and advocacy efforts.

" The Civic Council's mission is to understand the concerns of the various Park Slope constituencies and to select and implement effective responses through events, activities and advocacy efforts that engage the community and enhance the quality of life".

There are a number of events and initiatives rolling at present and you should check out the PSCC's website to learn more, follow them on Twitter and Facebook and find out how to participate. Don't miss the Civic Sweep on Sunday 26th April and the Annual Park Slope House Tour on 17th May (also the day of the Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair)!

We are proud to support the Park Slope Civic Council's work through out Taste of Fifth event. Tickets on sale here.





"Good Shepherd Services is a leading youth development, education and family service agency with more than 80 programs that serve over 26,000 children, youth and families each year. We give vulnerable youth in New York City the opportunity to take ownership of their future, making a difference today and for the next generation".

Good Shepherd offers services that focus on helping youth to understand themselves and their relationships. They put a large emphasis on the strength of the individual and building the relationships around them so they don't fall through the cracks.

Go to the website to learn more about the Good Shepherd approach, programs, models and results. The Park Slope office is located at 503 #2 between 12th and 13th Streets on #theother5th. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

We are pleased to support Good Shepherd Services, ticket for Taste of Fifth can be bought here. $20 of each ticket goes to the charity of your choice.

#theother5th
#tasteoffifth2015


Friday, March 27, 2015

Profiling Two Taste of Fifth Charities: Brooklyn Pride and the Old Stone House



"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Brooklynites have traditionally crossed over the bridge to Manhattan seeking the gay community. In 1996 several Brooklynites looked to create a new opportunity, whereby local organizations, businesses, friends and supporters of equal rights for all could come together in solidarity and celebration and bring visibility to the multi-cultural gay community in the borough. A new organization was founded – Brooklyn Pride, Inc."

Brooklyn Pride week is June 8th - 13th with various events happening for the whole community. Commencing with flag raising and an interfaith service, to the Fun Run, Festival on #theother5th and Kids' Space towards the end of the week finishing with the Parade. 

You can find out more about the events happening in Brooklyn Pride week and how to join the parade and support all their events, by visiting the website. Come to Taste of Fifth and support Brooklyn Pride. Tickets still on sale.


The Old Stone House (OSH) and Washington Park



We all know, and probably have used, the Old Stone House and Washington Park for events, the playground, the turf and play areas. The OSH calendar is full of community discussions, yoga, historical and contemporary lectures, business meetings and educational visits and tours. The OSH is the center of #theother5th but also a cultural focal point for the community. 

Please visit their website to learn more about the programming at OSH and the Park. Sign up for the newsletter, but also to take their survey about the proposed new building for the Park, which will provide badly needed meeting and cultural space for our neighborhood.

We are very pleased to be able to support OSH through Taste of Fifth. Please don't forget to buy your tickets.


All the participating charities in Taste of Fifth:

*Spoke the Hub

#theother5th
#tasteoffifth2015

Joanna Tallantire

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Profiling Two Taste of Fifth Charities: CHIPS and the Fifth Avenue Committee


Located on 4th Avenue between Degraw and Sackett, CHIPs has been part of the community since 1971 offering free services to those in need in a caring and respectful environment. Many people know that CHIPS provides a soup kitchen with hot, nutritious meals but they also have an emergency pantry, offer seasonal clothing and a shelter for young mothers and their children: all free of charge.

CHIPS does receive grants, but it is really the help of the community and organizations like the Park Slope Food Coop, that helps them thrive. In fact with this support, the soup kitchen provides 200 - 250 meals a day for men and women that's about 103,000 meals a year if you include their pantry bag program.

CHIPS is always looking to partner with local businesses, organizations and schools. You can donate or get involved anytime, check out their website for more information.

We are so pleased to be able to support CHIPS through the Taste of Fifth! Don't forget to buy your tickets.



Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc (FAC) is a nationally-recognized nonprofit community development corporation formed in 1978 that works to transform the lives of over 5,000 low- and moderate-income New Yorkers annually so that we can all live and work with dignity and respect, while making our community more equitable, sustainable, inclusive, and just.

FAC develops and manages affordable housing and community facilities, creates economic opportunities and ensures access to economic stability, organizes residents and workers, offers student-centered adult education, and combats displacement caused by gentrification."

Please visit FAC's website for more detail on their programs. Buy your tickets for A Taste of Fifth and help raise funds for FAC.


621 Degraw between 3rd and 4th Avenues.
718 237-2017


All the participating charities in Taste of Fifth:
*Spoke the Hub

#theother5th
#tasteoffifth2015

Joanna Tallantire

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

One. More. Week!





Finally! Just one more week until A Taste of Fifth! Get your tickets today! A Live DJ, MS 51 Jazz Band, drinks, food, fun and a photo booth, all for a good cause! Join us!

 A Taste Of Fifth, Wednesday, April 1st, from 6:30 - 9:30pm at The Grand Prospect Hall

Tickets are $55 online ($60 at door) with $20 of every ticket going to the local charity of your choice!  Link: [http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1273478]

Participants (In Formation)
200 Fifth
ACME Wine and Spirits
albero dei gelati
Backyard
Benchmark
Beygl
Blue Sky Bakery
Bogota Latin Bistro
Bonnie's Grill
Bricolage
Brooklyn Crepe
Buttermilk Bakeshop
The Chocolate Room
Coco Roco
Culture
Du Jour Bakery
El Pollito Mexicano
Fleischers
Freddy's Bar
Gorilla Coffee
Jake's Handcrafted
La Villa
Le Pain Quotidien
Loki
Luke's Lobster
Miti Miti
The Monro Pub
O'Live Brooklyn
Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn
Palo Santo
Prospect Bar & Grill
Pure
Russo's Mozzarella and Pasta
Sky Ice
South
Stone Park Cafe
Taco Santo
Teaus
Two Boots
Uncle Louie G
Varrio 408
V-Spot
Yayo's Latin Bistro


Participating Charities:

*Imani House

Sponsors:
















A big Thank You to Puppetry Arts for their support and volunteers!



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Profiling Taste of Fifth Charities: Spoke the Hub

Dalienne, Lori, Maril, Elise, Stephanie

One of our Taste of Fifth charities, Spoke the Hub, has been an integral park of the Park Slope cultural and creative community since 1979.

Spoke provides classes for all ages, kids camps, dance and theater performances, movie screenings, gallery shows, artist programs and so much more.


This month, they will start to raise money toward a new stairwell for the Gowanus Arts building. Their first major fundraising event will be March 27-29 -- the third GOWANATHON:  "Stairway to Heaven" -- which is a weekend arts-marathon packed full of classes, performances, film screenings, life drawing sessions, writers reading, dance parties,  and even a "purification" procession and ceremony  to the Gowanus Canal on Sunday!  You can buy day and weekend passes online now at: www.spokethehub.org

The Gowanus building has also received funding for a 6,000 square foot green rooftop garden, where produce will be grown, scheduled to open in September 2016. Check out this DNA Info article for more.

Support Spoke the Hub by purchasing tickets to A Taste of Fifth and attending their fundraising events and wonderful performances and classes. 

@spokethehub
Like Spoke the Hub
All the participating charities in Taste of Fifth:


#theother5th
#parkslope

Joanna Tallantire

Monday, March 23, 2015

Profiling Taste of Fifth Charities: Imani House

Jaclyn, Ms Bisi and Lyse
April 1st is the big day; Taste of Fifth 2015 (just 10 days away)!

Get your tickets soon, they are selling quickly! Remember to choose one of 15 local charities when you make your purchase. They get $20 per ticket when chosen!

One of the charities benefiting from Taste is Imani House.

Imani House, in the north end of the BID (which runs from Dean St to 18th, including some side streets) has long been a part of the Park Slope community. It's mission is "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." As the organization says, they believe that everyone can succeed if they are motivated and have access to appropriate skills, information and opportunities.

Ms Bisi, the founder and Director of the organization has been in the news recently as Imani doesn't just provide services in Brooklyn but they also have a clinic in Liberia. The Ebola outbreak hit the clinic hard and it had to close, but Imani House has worked tirelessly to partner and support the work on the ground against this terrible virus. Check out Imani's website for more on their mission, how they developed internationally and what they have to offer our community.

It is with much pleasure that the local eateries and bars are supporting Imani House and the other charities and schools listed below by bringing you fun, food and drinks at the Taste of Fifth 2015. Buy your tickets here.

Imani House
76A 5th Avenue
Facebook Imani House Inc
Twitter Imanihousebklyn

All the participating charities:



#theother5th
Joanna Tallantire