Vision Zero Mural Ceremony on #theother5th

Artists from Groundswell

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is pleased to have partnered with Groundswell in bringing the Vision Zero mural to the Park Slope community. The artists, led by Marc Evan and Adan Palermo, worked hard to support the students from planning to completion of this mural and 6 more around the City over the course of the summer.

Groundswell clearly and artistically asks New Yorkers to slow down and to stop texting while driving (in keeping with NYC DOT's Vision Zero message). It's a striking piece of community artwork that will be continuously evoke thought on vehicle safety on #theother5th and be enjoyed as a beautiful artwork by all whom pass by.

With thanks to Michael Chuisano who owns the property the mural is installed on and the Miti Miti team for their support on the whole project.

NYC DOT Vision Zero Mural Dedication on #theother5th

This morning, Friday August 28th, is the dedication ceremony for the wonderful mural that has been painted on the side of the Miti Miti building (138 5th Avenue) facing the Key Food Parking Lot. If you are in town today, drop by! Here's the program:

Starts 10am at 138 5th Avenue, near Douglas St, Brooklyn

Welcome and Introductions

Representative of NYC DOT

Overview and Background on Partnership

Rob Krulak, Executive Director, Groundswell

Remarks

New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

Remarks

Council Member Rodriguez, Transportation Committee Chair

Remarks

Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Youth Services Committee Chair

Remarks

Representative of Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID

Remarks

Michael Chuisano

Unveiling of Mural

Groundswell Lead Artist Marc Evan and Assistant Artist Adan Palermo

Remarks

Select Youth Artists

Certificates to Youth Artists

Groundswell Lead Artist Marc Evan and Assistant Artist Adan Palermo

Thank You

Representative of NYC DOT

Fencing in Brooklyn

If you missed the demos and mini lessons from Brooklyn Fencing at Summer Strolls don't worry, here is some information about them and what they offer.

Fencing is great for kids who are bored with or uninterested in team sports. It appeals to really smart kids since a lot of the game is about outmaneuvering your opponent. In fact, fencing has often been called "physical chess." Kids can come in without knowing anything about fencing and over the course of the semester will get a taste of what happens in the Olympics!  They'll know the same basic moves and try out the same equipment as the pros.

The fall semester starts Sept 3 for ages 7 to adult. They have an open house on Sept 3 from 6-8 pm where folks can stop by to talk to a coach, watch some live fencing, and sign up for classes.  Group classes start at $199/month. 

Brooklyn Fencing Center

600 Degraw Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
info@brooklynfencing.com
718.522.5822

Ms Ida Blue at Joe's Pub

This Saturday don't miss Freddy's Bar's favorite Ms Ida Blue performing a big show at Joe's Pub!

Ida channels the spirit of Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Robert Johnson, Sister Wynona Carr and others in her second appearance at Joe’s Pub. The first show, a tribute to Lady Day, was an absolute smash. Blue’s performance garnered the full attention of NYC’s music lovers and industry alike, and pulled multiple standing ovations from a full house that begged for more.

Get a chance to witness a repeat performance of this emerging Brooklyn monarch of song as she pays respect to the music that started it all. Featuring John Gill (Leon Redbone and Woody Allen’s Jazz Band) and Dan Block of HBO’s Grammy winning Boardwalk Empire Orchestra.

This is a show you should not miss!

Saturday, August 29th 2015

Doors at 9pm Show at 9:30pm, $15

Ida Blue: A Blues Debut
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St, NY 10003

$826 for 826 by 8/26

There's still time to donate to the 826NYC fundraiser, a goal to raise $826 by the 26th August.

In case you weren't aware 826NYC is behind a secret door in the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store between 5th and 6th Streets on 5th Avenue, Park Slope. They are "dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write." Their programs include after-school support, in-school help, field trips, workshops and college readiness.

$826 is not just a clever name but the cost of After-School Tutorting for one student! So reach into your pocket, if you can, and help 826NYC reach their goals!

Superhero Starter Kit

Find out more on their website and also learn more about how you can volunteer. You can also swing into the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store, whose profits support the non-profit, and transform yourself into a superhero!

#theother5th
#826nyc
#BSSCo

Summer Strolls Success

Well, that's it for the 2015 Summer Strolls season. There are so many people to thank for the amazing success of the Summer Strolls series this July and August amongst our 5th Avenue community and beyond.

• Erika Clarke for the photographs and assistance at every event. You can view all the photos here.
• Joelle Gonzalez and the TD Bank Team from our 5th Avenue Branch for sponsoring the amazing Pop-Up Park.  It was one of the highlights of the events.
• DoT and NYPD for the closing the streets and looking after us all!
• South Brooklyn Shakespeare - 3 great performances of Much Ado About Nothing
• Freddy's Bar - The always-entertaining Doggy Fashion Show
• Tabeel Aromatherapy Gift and Salon - hosting our 5th Avenue Fashion Show
• Puppetry Arts - For bringing their popular Bouncy House and Kid's activities.

All these #theother5th merchants helped us in some way and we wish to thank them for their support.

Leopoldis, Align Brooklyn, Capoeira Brooklyn, YMCA, Sidecar, Jake's Handcrafted, Tabeel Aromatherapy Gift and Salon, Slope Nutrition, Blackhorse Pub, Pizza Town, Eleven Consignment, Lenny's Pizza, Gorilla Coffee, Amerikick, La Casa Artesanal, Lulu's Cuts & Toys, R&A Hardware, 5th Ave Fitness, Bikram Yoga, Brooklyn Hearth, Yayo's Latin Cuisine, Flirt Brooklyn, 826NYC, Goorin Bros., South Brooklyn Shakespeare, The Old Stone House, Miriam, Peperoncino, McMahon's, Punta Cana, Wolf & Deer, Brooklyn Juice Co, Artichoke Pizza, Dearest, NY Kids Club, BK Bots, South, Subs n Stuff, Convivium Osteria, Blue Sky Bakery, Please NYC, The Chocolate Room, Prospect Bar & Grill, The New Stoop Diner, 

Other businesses that also supported us not on #theother5th.

Printutopia, Antique Automobile Association, Jen Slaw Juggling, Brooklyn Fencing, Leah Shaw, Shipwrecked NYC, the Mayor's Office, All Granola, Feed the Mind, Body and Soul, Green Mountain, L A Blacksmith, Christian Finger Band, Activation Trio, Sharon Enlow Face Painter, ICH Events, Ladder 122, NY Chess.

Next up Halloween!

Tomorrow: The Last Summer Strolls Event of the Season!

The summer is almost over, but you wouldn't know it from the sticky weather we've been experiencing lately. It's time to come out for one more summer celebration before it starts to snow!

North Slope Summer Strolls 
Saturday, August 22 5-9 pm 
Sterling Place to Dean Street

Featuring: 

FREE - FREE - FREE!

- A Pop-up Park sponsored by TD Bank's 5th Avenue branch, featuring activities by Brooklyn Capoeira, Brooklyn Fencing, the Park Slope YMCA and more!

- Live jazz (Christian Finger Trio) and soul music (LA Blacksmith),

- Bounce House (Puppetry Arts) and Climbing Wall,

- Vintage Cars, - A Free Photo Booth, - Games and Activities,

- Al Fresco dining and drinking at Fifth Ave Restaurants and bars,

- A fashion show featuring clothes from 5th Ave boutiques,

- And Much, Much More!

Find Some of the Best Burgers in NYC on #theother5th!

Time Out NY recently polled their readers to find the best burgers in NYC (aka Battle of the Burger 2015). The top 20 were just announced and two Fifth Avenue BID businesses, Burger Bistro (No. 11) and the Dram Shop (No. 9) made the cut! Of course, we think that Time Out NY missed some other great burgers along the Avenue (Bonnies? Pork Slope? Burgers and Beer). What's your favorite?

Click here to see the top 20 winners but, we warn you, the photos will make you hungry!

Special Citi Bike Deal

Citi Bike has started to expand and will (hopefully) create more stations in Park Slope beyond the one at Dean Street and 4th Avenue in the near future. In the meantime, they've already begun adding stations in Queens and parts of Brooklyn (91 new stations in LIC, Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bed-Stuy).

To celebrate their progress, Citi bike is offering $25 off their regular $149 annual membership to people signing up for Citi Bike for the first time. It's a limited time offer available only this month. People just need to go to expansion.citibikenyc.com to sign up with the discount.

Battle Week Begins Saturday!

Battle Week, the annual celebration and remembrance of the important events that took place in Brooklyn during the Revolutionary War, is about to begin! Check out the full schedule of events, below or visit theoldstonehouse.org for more details.

August 22-30, 2015

Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 30
Saturday, August 22, 10 am sharp
Prison Ships Martyrs Memorial Ceremony

Saturday, August 22, 1-4pm
Scavenger Battle!

Sunday, August 23, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour

Tuesday, August 25, 6 pm and Saturday, August 29, 4 pm
Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk

Wednesday, August 26, 6 pm
Gowanus Dredgers Estuary Tour

Saturday, August 29, Noon-2 pm
Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony

Saturday, August 29 1pm – 5pm
Dramatic Reading of The Declaration of Independence

Sunday, August 30
Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at The Green-Wood Cemetery

The Last Summer Strolls Event of the Summer!

Well, this is it. We've come to the last Summer Stroll of the season!

North Slope Summer Strolls
Saturday, August 22 5-9 pm
Sterling Place to Dean Street


Featuring:
FREE - FREE - FREE!
- A Pop-up Park sponsored by TD Bank's 5th Avenue branch,
- Live jazz and soul music,
- Bounce House and Climbing Wall, 
- Vintage Cars,
- A Free Photo Booth,
- Games and Activities,
- Al Fresco dining and drinking at Fifth Ave Restaurants and bars,
- A fashion show featuring clothes from 5th Ave boutiques,
- And Much, Much More!

Much Ado About Summer Strolls

As you already know, tomorrow night is the first night of North Slope Summer Strolls. It's also the last night of South Brooklyn Shakespeare's season, as they do one last performance of Much Ado About Nothing at 6:30 pm between Dean and Bergen Streets. FREE!

Come on down, bring a blanket or a chair, grab something to eat and drink at one of the many spots along Fifth and enjoy a fun summer evening!

Tonight: Closing Reception for "You've Got Mail!"

Over the past several weeks, the Ground Floor Gallery has been host to some amazing pieces of art that were mailed to the gallery from all over the city and the world. Tonight, August 13 from 6-8 pm is the closing reception but there's still time to pick up some beautiful, compact and affordable, right from the gallery walls! Each piece is only $50 and 10% of each purchase benefits Arts Gowanus, the organization that advocates for our vibrant, neighboring community of artists and art lovers!

Hey, the weather is beautiful, there will be amazing, affordable art, interesting people and drinks. There is literally no reason NOT to be there!

This Saturday: North Slope Summer Strolls!

This Saturday, Summer Strolls shifts to the North, between Sterling Place and Dean Streets!

August 15th, 5-9 pm, 5th Avenue between Sterling Place and Dean Street

**FREE - FREE - FREE**

Featuring:

- Free live performance of Much Ado About Nothing by South Brooklyn Shakespeare at 6:30 pm @ Dean Street
- Live music
- Pop-up Park by TD Bank, featuring yoga, kids music, activities and more
Schedule:

@Prospect Place
5:30  NY Kids Club Toddler Time
6:30  Feed the Body & Soul Yoga

@Park Place
5:30  5th Avenue Fitness Collective
6:30 Activation Trio Band outside Gorilla Coffee

- Vintage Cars
- Street Chess
- A Bounce House and Climbing Wall
- Juggling, Board Games and More!

Don't miss it!

Bring Your Change to TD Bank for Charity!

This Friday, August 14th, our 5th Avenue branch of TD Bank is launching a Bring Change campaign to benefit CHIPS (Park Slope's local soup kitchen and women's shelter on 4th Avenue).

They will be collecting change at their 5th Avenue branch from 8:30 am - 4 pm. The change will directly benefit the programs at CHIPS.

Come on, Park Slope, save up that change and do something good (and local)!

Tomorrow Night at Barclays Center: Yes and Toto

A couple of classic rock acts are coming to Barclays Center tomorrow night!
Yes, playing one of their first shows since the death of their highly respected bassist Chris Squire will be teaming up with Toto (Rosanna, anyone?) in what promises to be a an amazing look back at their storied careers.

If you are attending the show, make sure to drop by Park Slope's Fifth Avenue before and/or after the show! Just follow this lit sign on the south side of the Barclays Center!

North Slope Summer Strolls: Just One Week Away!

Next Saturday, Summer Strolls shifts to the North, between Sterling Place and Dean Streets!

August 15th, 5-9 pm, 5th Avenue between Sterling Place and Dean Street

Featuring:

- Free live performance of Much Ado About Nothing by South Brooklyn Shakespeare at 6:30 pm @ Dean Street
- Live music
- Pop-up Park by TD Bank, featuring yoga, kids music, activities and more
- Vintage Cars
- Street Chess
- A Bounce House and Climbing Wall
- Juggling, Board Games and More!

Don't miss it!

The Man "Behind the Glass"

Behind the Glass from JamesBruffee on Vimeo.

Here's a fun little video by James Bruffee, a local teacher and video maker, about Noel Suarez, the man behind the fun windows in front of Neergaard Pharmacy and Toys (5th Avenue near 9th Street). You've probably seen Noel's creations when you walk by. Check out the short video, above!

Upcoming Movie Nights at GreenSpace@President

Weather permitting, the President Street Garden (aka GreenSpace@President) will be host to a couple of fun upcoming movie events:

Saturday, August 8
'Neath Brooklyn Bridge

Saturday, September 12
Cartoon Night

Bring your own chair and cross your fingers for NO RAIN (although honestly, we could use the rain any other time).

Oyster Omakase Series at Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn

This week, Grand Central Oyster Bar Brooklyn is hosting an Oyster Omakase series (August 4-6) as part of National Oyster Day celebrations.

Oyster sommelier Julie Qiu has curated a flight of six oysters (two of three varieties) and two “mystery” beverage pairings to complement the oysters. During the tasting, you will learn all about the oyster, the story behind each variety, and have a chance to capture your tasting notes in your own 33 Oysters on the Half Shell journal.

The omakase is $47 per person, with multiple seating options available per evening. All the information, including how to purchase tickets, is available at www.oysteromakase.com.

Save the Dates: Battle Week

Battle Week is the annual celebration and remembrance of the important events that took place in Brooklyn during the Revolutionary War. Below is the schedule of events for the week. For details on each, go to theoldstonehouse.org.

Save the Dates!

August 22-30, 2015

Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 30 Saturday, August 22, 10 am sharp Prison Ships Martyrs Memorial Ceremony

Saturday, August 22, 1-4pm Scavenger Battle!

Sunday, August 23, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Evergreens Cemetery Walking Tour

Tuesday, August 25, 6 pm and Saturday, August 29, 4 pm Battle of Brooklyn Neighborhood Walk

Wednesday, August 26, 6 pm Gowanus Dredgers Estuary Tour

Saturday, August 29, Noon-2 pm Maryland 400 Remembrance Ceremony

Saturday, August 29 1pm – 5pm Dramatic Reading of The Declaration of Independence

Sunday, August 30 Battle of Brooklyn Commemoration at The Green-Wood Cemetery