Promoting sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond.
Thanks to a reader for sending in this very good news: Home Depot announced on Tuesday that they will start accepting CFL bulbs for recycling. Any instance of producers and retailers taking responsibility for the end-of-life disposal of the products they make and sell can […]
Obama Assails Remarks by McCain on Offshore Oil Drilling Obama laid into McCain over his proposals to ease energy prices through offshore oil drilling, specifically his statement that it would provide “psychological benefit” — since the oil industry is already leasing land that it for […]
Saturday’s Newkirk Avenue Block Party was a great day of fun. In addition to a full schedule of live music (courtesy of Make Music New York, and coordinated by Mannix Gordon), we had Solar One, Brooklyn Compost Project, Alive Structures, and Transportation Alternatives represented; plus a paper casting workshop by Flatbush artist Kathy Levine, fitness activities with Midwood Martial Arts, and the ever-popular Recycling Game.
But the best part of the day was the simple fact that the street was closed to traffic, allowing everyone to enjoy a new (albeit temporary) public gathering place.
Photos by Themis Boaventura except Street Games photo by Anne Pope
More photos here at our Flickr Gallery!
Yesterday’s Newkirk Avenue Block Party was a great success. More photos and story coming up… but I just couldn’t wait to post this one!
Lots going on (or trying to!) in Albany and beyond on environmental issues. Here are just a few links to support important legislation being considered: Solar Energy This week the State legislature approved new tax incentives to encourage the installation of more solar electric (photovoltaic) […]
I’ve been watching the buildup all day on Streetsblog in anticipation of this exciting announcement:
Emulating similar experiments in Paris, London, and Bogotá, Colombia, New York City will close off to traffic a 6.9-mile route from the Brooklyn Bridge to East 72nd Street on three consecutive Saturdays, giving New Yorkers to a chance to explore and enjoy “car-free recreation corridors” — well, for six hours a stretch, at least. (NY Times)
“We anticipate that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors will take advantage of streets temporarily opened for recreation,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We hope the Summer Streets experiment will become as much a part of the New York experience as strolling the Coney Island boardwalk, participating in the 5-borough bike tour, or listening to the Philharmonic in the park.” (NYC press release, via Streetsblog)
(Photo: John Marshall Mantel for The New York Times
Yes, that’s David Byrne and Lance Armstrong bringing some celebrity power to the proceedings. The dates are August 9th, 16th and 23rd — can’t wait! For an idea of how fun this will be, check out the Bogota’s Ciclovia on Streetfilms. Next… BROOKLYN Summer Streets!!
Another brilliant campaign from the Copenhagen Bike Culture blog. In that Nordic mecca for stylish cyclists, a relaxed bike ride to work, school, shopping, or socializing is just everyday transportation (no Lycra allowed!). I’ve already mastered the “Slow” part, but full membership seems to require […]
News from Stacey McCarthy, director of the Cortelyou Greenmarket: =================== Hello Flatbush Community – New this Sunday at the Cortleyou Greenmarket will be eggs and chicken from Knoll Krest Farms in Hyde Park, NY.
Some months ago Sustainable Flatbush was approached by New York City Streets Renaissance to sponsor a Livable Streets Block Party here in the neighborhood (this request was likely inspired by our success with last year’s Park(ing) Day event). Two weeks from tomorrow, Saturday June 21st, the party is on! We will have live music and DJs all day long, courtesy of Make Music New York, plus traditional NYC Street games, and environmental activities and info. Our fantastic local co-sponsor is Flatbush Development Corporation.
Flier design by Keka
Here’s the concept:
Block Party NYC is a new program by the New York City Streets Renaissance which is helping neighborhoods around NYC come together and enjoy their street for a day, free from the usual hazards and distractions of automobiles. This summer alone, we’re providing mini-grants to over 30 block parties throughout the 5 boroughs. Each of these parties also gets the services of a professional urban planner for a day, who will help find community solutions to community problems like traffic, speeding, and noise and air pollution. They will also talk to residents about what they like and dislike about their street, what they want to preserve, and what needs to change.
Yes, we will discuss all of these serious issues with our neighbors, but we will also hang out and have a great time! Here are all the details:
Newkirk Avenue Block Party, a Livable Streets celebration co-sponsored by Flatbush Development Corporation, New York City Streets Renaissance, and Make Music New York, with participation of Solar One, Brooklyn Compost Project, Council on the Environment of NYC, Transportation Alternatives, Alive Structures, Midwood Martial Arts, and Newkirk Area merchants. Join us for:
Live Music and DJ’s all day!
Traditional NYC Street Games:
Handball, Skully, Hopscotch, Double Dutch, Jacks, and more!
Food Vendors!
Environmental Info and Activities:
Solar Power, Composting, Green Roof/Garden Design, Cell Phone Recycling, etc.,
plus Recycling Games and Art Projects just for kids!
WHEN: Saturday, June 21st, 11am – 6pm, Rain or Shine!
WHERE: Newkirk Avenue between East 16th and East 17th Streets
See you there!
Okay, so I’m late on this one. photo by Flatbush Gardener Last Sunday was the season opener for the Cortelyou Road Greenmarket, and it was a very festive occasion! Kids and parents crowded the playground, a klezmer band played, and the market manager cooked up […]
