Mmm... green fruit.

I usually don't like it when my lemons turn all green and fuzzy, but apparently that's good now. Doesn't that picture look yummy? That's all the stuff you can pickup right now in Sunset Park's (courtesy of bestviewinbrooklyn.blogspot.com) Green Market. If you'd like to have a market full of green edibles right here in our back yard, check out this online petition and vote your green pants off.

OASIS

Our friend at Flatbush Gardner sent along this great resource for finding who owns lots within NYC. The OASIS system (http://www.oasisnyc.net/) seems to have a ton of info though we can't seem to figure it out. Give it a try and see if you can figure out our local empty lots at Church Ave b/w Chester and Story, corner of Caton and E5th, Caton b/w E7th and E8th and McDonald & Ft. Hamilton.
UPDATE! FG posted a how to on using OASIS!
The OASIS Mapping Service (Flatbush Gardner)
The Kensington (Brooklyn) blog notes that it "seems to have a ton of info though we can't seem to figure it out." They mention a couple of empty lots, including one on Caton Avenue which caught my eye when I passed it on my way to visit their East 4th Street Community Garden this past Saturday. I'll use that empty lot as an example. What follows is a step by step tutorial on how to use the OASIS Mapping Service to get information about your neighborhood, and get details about a particular piece of property.
1. Select a Theme
2. Choose your Layers
3. Redraw the map
4. Refine your Layers
5. Zoom in
6. Identify

Community Garden - Interesting Approach

The Ditmas Park Blog highlights some locals taking over a privately owned space to be used as a community garden on Albemarle and Marlborough (Community Garden Organizing) . We thought it was interesting b/c this side of Ocean Pkwy is in desperate need of another community garden and we have a bunch of lots that could use some sprucing up. Here are the three we know about - Church Ave near Chester, Caton b/w E7th & E8th and the lot on the corner of McDonald and Ft. Hamilton. If you have the initiative and a green thumb reaching out to the owner may actually evolve into something... The space on Church Ave specifically has sat like a collecting spot for garbage and misc metal parts for as long as we've been here. We don't know how you could do it and imagine it would take some work but if you've got a little time on your hands who knows! We also know of a couple urban planners in our mist who might be able to help you get the names of the property owners. We also think the guys at deBlasio's office know the lot owners which may be the quickest and easiest way to get the info.

20 Weeks 'til Spring Planting

Mayor Bloomberg's tree initiative has its own site w links like "get a tree on my block" and "know a good place for a tree?". (million trees nyc) Please request trees for Church Ave and McDonald Ave or your own block! We are supposedly on the Dept. of Forestry's list for spring planting but want them to know how much we need the green!

FYI: In order to have your street tree request considered for the spring planting season (March-May), your request must be received no later than December 1st.

Daffodil Project - Bulbs in Brooklyn

Saturday Oct 27, 9am-Noon
Prospect Park Green Market at Grand Army Plaza

A few people in the neighborhood ordered bulbs and we are willing to help gather some troops! Please post in the comments on when and where you will be doing planting.

Daffodils to Commemorate 9/11

The city gives out free daffodil bulbs for neglected public spaces to commemorate 9/11. We have many spaces in Kensington that could use a little yellow. First step is to order the bulbs here (www.ny4p.org). Second organize your friends and neighbors for a planting day.

Our thoughts go out to those who lost friends and loved ones on this day.

Greening your Home Seminar - Monday

Local resident and architect, Ellen Honigstock, continues presenting seminars on being green in the home. The Perch date is noteworthy b/c local Kensington res and bar keep at Perch, Terrance, posted the following in the comments section. "I'm bartending that night at Perch cafe, and I assuredly promise drink specials. (maybe super-special drink specials if you prove you are also a Kensington resident...!)". Kensingtonians that like to have a cocktail or two while needing to decipher between appropriate solar panels this one is for you!

Monday, August 6, 2007, 7pm
PERCH CAFE, 365 5th Avenue, Park Slope
http://www.theperchcafe.com/

No Natural Trees!

Last Saturday we saw a parks worker finally clean up the median between the Ocean Pkwy Service Road and Ft. Hamilton Pkwy. What we thought was weird is he tore out about 5 trees that had sprung up naturally along the fence. Yup, it had been that long since they tended that little area.! Personally, we liked the trees and are sure keeping them would eventually save Bloomberg a couple bucks in the PlaNYC green movement. Why did the trees have to go?

Brooklyn Dirt

Unbeknownst to us Brooklyn dirt is quite rich in whatever it takes to grow veggies and fruit. If you have a patch of it toss down some seeds and water. Our friend, and long time resident, grows tomatoes, cucumbers, arugula, basil and variety of other things in her backyard. This cuke is about 2 weeks away from being incorporated into a salad.

Greening Your Home!

Local resident and architect, Ellen Honigstock, will be hosting seminars on being green in the home. From Ellen:

"The seminar will be 60-75 minute talk with the focus on the various types of effects that houses and apartment buildings have on the environment at large. In each case I’ll talk specifically about what problems are affecting the environment and what you can do about it.

To live “green”, there’s no one silver bullet, but there are a wide variety of things you can do, some of which are very easy and inexpensive, that can improve your health and quality of life, reduce your impact on available resources, save money and make you a better neighbor."

Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 7pm

LONELYVILLE CAFE, 154 Prospect Park Southwest, Windsor Terrace

http://www.lonelyvillecoffee.com/

Friday, July 27, 2007, 7pm

VOX POP, 1022 Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Park

http://www.voxpopnet.net/

Monday, August 6, 2007, 7pm

PERCH CAFE, 365 5th Avenue, Park Slope

http://www.theperchcafe.com/

Thursday, August 16, 2007, 7pm

WEST ELM, 45 Main Street, Dumbo

http://www.westelm.com/

Kid Workshops - E4th Community Garden

East 4th Street Community Garden invites children of all ages to its series of free Children's Garden Workshops. Workshops will focus on planting, composting and harvesting flowers and vegetables and other earth friendly topics. There will be plenty of digging in the dirt and enjoying a morning in the lovely, peaceful green garden. Snacks will be served!



Saturdays
June 16, July 7, July 21
9:30-11:00am
East 4th Street Community Garden
(East 4th St. between Caton Avenue and Ft Hamilton Parkway)

Please note!
*All workshops are free
*You do not need to be a member of the garden to participate
*No need to register just show up on time!

Local Composting?

We've been wondering about local composting options... We think there is a composter at the E4th Community Garden but don't know if we're allowed to toss our banana peels in as we're not members of the garden. Anyone have a local composting suggestion?

Trees Planted in Kensington!

Three trees were planted in the front and side of 114 Albemarle Road (near East 2nd). We made a request for this location a few weeks ago but are pretty sure the requests were out there much much earlier since it usually takes at least 6 months to get one.

If you'd like to make a request for a tree (either in an existing or new spot) stop by de Blasio's office for the form. Once you get the building or home owner to sign the form return it to de Blasio's office so CB 12 can approve it at the next meeting. Yippee for green!

Local Co-op Residents Plant!

Residents of a local co-op planted an inner 'garden' this past Saturday with about 10 residents coming out and volunteering their time. (The before and after is above). For those who don't think it looks like much now the pachysandra planted through-out the space will eventually grow to cover the area. We love all green additions to the 'hood and know giving up precious weekend time isn't easy... Good job!

Forget Earthday ....

let's cut down the bushes!

I was sad to see the super at 114 Albemarle took a hatchet to the bushes surronding the building today. (I know it was the super b/c I have a friend who lives there). Seems the irony is only lost on me one day after earth day and the day Bloomberg announces plaNYC for a greener NYC. Seems to me this guys time could have been better spent painting the walls of the building that are littered with graffiti.. *sigh* let's hope it was just spring pruning.