Dessert Party at Lily & Fig Right Now (2-4pm)

Looks so good...

Crown Heights, Atlantic Yards, and the Nets - Brooklyn Speaks Rally on Sunday at 3pm

ILFA doesn't usually cover Atlantic Yards or the Brooklyn Nets, both because Franklin is just far enough east that it often seems to fall outside the immediate Ratner blast radius (though more on this in a moment) and because if you want Atlantic Yards info, Norman Oder's got you covered. Still, a few things I've stumbled across over the past month or so have raised some questions that I thought merited further discussion.

- Most pressingly, Brooklyn Speaks is hosting a rally to demand oversight, jobs, and housing tomorrow at 3pm at the corner of Atlantic and South Portland. An umbrella group for many organizations that have been fighting Forest City Ratner and Atlantic Yards for nearly a decade, they've got the support of many local politicians, including ILFA fave Tish James, who's been a persistent and eloquent critic of the various iterations of the Ratner Plan for Central Brooklyn. There's more info about this event (and other upcoming ones) on their website, but the rally is fairly self-explanatory - they're demanding more jobs (according to their numbers, of 15,000 construction jobs promised, only 186 have been created for Brooklyn residents), the construction of affordable housing (171 affordable units were torn down, 2,250 have been promised, none yet built), and increased oversight of both the construction process and the ultimate result. 

- Trying to take the initiative in the PR game, Forest City Ratner built a playground for Crown Heights residents at St. John's and Buffalo, a few miles from the area, last month. Sonja Sharp had the scoop for DNAInfo, and the Brooklynians have been chatting about  it. Something to think about, given the location of this playground, is that Forest City Ratner, though (theoretically) locked in to providing those affordable units, has considered moving them "offsite" from the main development (between Vanderbilt and Flatbush) to the former St. Mary's hospital on Buffalo. Prospect Heights residents predictably blasted the plan, which segregated the affordable units from the rest of the luxury project, and one wonders whether Ratner is trying to split Community Board 8 by currying favor in the eastern part of Crown Heights in order to eventually effect that plan.

- Those "First Home Game since 1957" signs that have popped up all over? The Nets pay $25 a pop for businesses to put them in the window (as a local business owner informed me). A lot of money and legwork, but still probably cheaper than a 30-second TV spot. 

- Finally, the comically underplanned parking situation at Atlantic Yards, which has been in the news consistently this spring, has ILFA rethinking my earlier comment about Franklin being outside the arena's blast radius. Franklin Avenue residents aren't fighting new clubs and arena liquor licenses, but with parking as ridiculously bad as it may be nearby, we may yet find arena-goers trolling the streets of northwest Crown Heights in search of a place to park.

What sort of impact do you think the arena and the Nets are going to have on the neighborhood? Will traffic and business spill over, or are we too far east? Are you planning to root for the new "home" team (even if they lose Deron Williams and turn out to be awful)? Other thoughts?

Speed Dating for A Cause with Atlas DIY

A dear old friend of ILFA's founded a fantastic Brooklyn-based nonprofit earlier this year, and this coming week, they're hosting a speed-dating fundraiser in Manhattan at the Greenwich Treehouse. The organization, Atlas DIY (Developing Immigrant Youth) is a cooperative (as in the young people they work with are partners in running the organization, planning programming, hiring staff, and the like) empowerment center that provides a wide array of services out of their office in Sunset Park. If you're keen to meet new folks or you just like supporting efforts to empower immigrant youth, check them out. As an added bonus, ILFA readers who sign up for the speed-dating portion of the evening get $5 off the ticket price if you put "ILFA" in your email subject line.

Complete info below, and more at their site:

Wednesday, June 13th, Dating: 6pm-8pm, After Party: 8pm On!
At the always amazing Greenwich Treehouse, 46 Greenwich Ave.
Dating: $30 After-Party Only $10
To register to date (spots are limited!)
email date4acause@gmail.com

Little Zelda's Big Nights, New Garden at Bombay Masala

As reported last week in a nice article on DNAInfo (whose Sonja Sharp is now absolutely destroying ILFA on new scoops), Little Zelda, the 18-seat gem of a cafe on Franklin between Sterling and Park, is now open in the evenings serving wine, just in time for the summer. Having finally scored their license, owners Michael and Kate are currently serving Spanish wines of all varieties and small plates of goodies (marcona almonds, olives, boquerones, cheeses, and such) until 2AM. Drawing on Kate's connection to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (as profiled by the New York Daily News), they've also got some great-looking new planters outside, which promise to "grow up to be quite jungly and beautiful," according to Michael. ILFA typically makes morning stops at Little Zelda's for chocolate bread, but it looks like ducking in for a drink on the way home from work will soon be part of the routine as well.

Just down the street, Bombay Masala has bought and begun to to renovate the space formerly occupied by Ebita Realty, where they've hung a sign promising their new "Bollywood Bar." While that project may be in the works for awhile (permits and such), the owners have made quick and spectacular use of the adjoining backyard spaces, installing a leafy deck with a fountain and outdoor bar that's as lovely as any outdoor eating space on Franklin. Bombay's always been a takeout staple, but with their upgraded menu (the food has definitely gotten better in the last few months, and it was always good) and their new garden, it's now a great place for a night out, too.

The Kids Day Needs You: Contribute Now to Keep a Great Annual Tradition Going

The annual Kids Day on Franklin Avenue is one of ILFA's very favorite events of the year, so much so that I insisted on posting about it from Mexico while the lady and I were on our honeymoon last year (did I mention that the lady is a very tolerant individual?). If you haven't heard about the Kids Day, check out the video from 2010 and the photos from 2011. Going into its 5th year, the Kids Day offers a full afternoon of completely FREE good times for hundreds of local kids, including carnival rides and inflatable equipment, face painting, water games, food, and prizes of all sorts. Spearheaded by Kevin and Garnet Philip, Kids Day is always a community effort, one to which the Franklin Avenue Merchants contribute a huge amount of time and money. This year, after many years of low-tech fundraising, the organizers have put together a Kickstarter campaign to make the event bigger and better than ever.  Check them out, and click on the widget below to make your donation to support this year's edition of this fantastic local tradition.

From the Kickstarter campaign: 

Kids Day is an annual event that takes place in Crown Heights Brooklyn. One stretch of Franklin Avenue from Sterling Place to Park Place is converted into a carnival for a day with games, rides, prizes and more. And best of all IT’S COMPLETELY FREE!!! 

Kevin Phillip started this event in 2008 in a vacant lot. Now it takes up an entire block on Franklin Avenue and is put on with the help of the Crow Hill Community Association (CHCA) and The Franklin Avenue Merchants Association (FAM). The theme this year is “Coney Island” and we will be bringing some of the iconic rides from everyone’s favorite Brooklyn theme park right to Franklin Avenue.

Not everyone in our community has money for, or access to these types of events, that is why it's so important for us to make Kids Day 100% free and accessible to everyone. We still need $6500 to pay for permits, rentals, and prizes (and to cover the Kickstarter and Amazon fees). The Crow Hill Community Association is a 5013C, so your donation is completely tax deductible! 

Last year was a huge success, and this year we want to top that! Donations of any and all sizes are greatly appreciated.  Kids Day is an important event that brings our community together and we hope everyone can make it out on July 21st to take part in this amazing fun filled day!

Here is a sneak peak at some of the rewards!

Kids Day T-Shirt ($25)

Small Gift Basket ($25)

Large Gift Basket ($100)

Coveted Spot on the Kids Day Banner ($500)

Event Space at The Candy Rush ($1000)

For more pics and info visit The Candy Rush Facebook page!'

SOS Crown Heights Launches Kickoff to a Safe Summer Today, March to End Gun Violence Thursday at 5:30pm

Fresh off a great week of programming for "Arts to End Violence," which included a fantastic screening of youth films and a heartbreaking documentary (if you haven't seen it, Player Hating: A Love Story is as honest and thoughtful a look as you can find anywhere of the trials and tribulations that many people face in Crown Heights) at LaunchPad, SOS Crown Heights is leading "Save Our Streets Week" this week, culminating in a March to End Gun Violence Thursday evening. Complete info from their website is copied below: 

We need your help to end gun violence in Crown Heights. Please join Save Our Streets Crown Heights (S.O.S.) for our annual March to End Gun Violence on Thursday, June 7th, convening at Brower Park at Kingston Avenue and Park Place at 5:30 PM and departing at 6 PM. The March will be an opportunity to celebrate the reduction in shootings in the S.O.S. target area in the past two years, from 23 incidents in 2010 to only 12 in 2011, and an opportunity to commit to taking action to make our streets safer. Before the march, S.O.S. will host a block party from 12:00 – 4:00 PM on Park Place.

The March to End Gun Violence is part of Save Our Streets Week, June 2nd - June 10th, a week of events to celebrate our accomplishments, identify the costs of gun violence in our neighborhood, and discuss the next steps in reducing violence in the neighborhood. Religious leaders throughout Crown Heights will commence and close the S.O.S. Week of Peace with “Worship Weekends” June 2-3 and June 9-10 by dedicating their religious services to nonviolence messages. Monday, June 4th will be “Virtual Peace Day” when we spread our message online, and on Tuesday, June 5th we will have our first Peace Games, a day of games for people of all ages in Brower Park, 4:30-7:00 PM. We will also screen Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed at The Candy Rush at 733 Franklin Avenue, on Friday, June 8th at 8:00 PM. Please see the complete schedule below. Please see more details on our blog.

S.O.S. needs volunteers to run this week of events. If you can volunteer at any time during the week of June 2nd - June 11th, please email Eliana at ehorn@crownheights.org.

Sunday: Soccer for Harmony

Don't forget about this great event tomorrow from Seeds in the Middle:

Do you play soccer? Do you support healthy kids? We're calling all players - of all ages - and SPONSORS on June 3rd for our 3rd Soccer for Harmony tournament - this time in conjunction with the 71st Precinct's Family Day, featuring rides, food, festivities, a parade for kids and more.  The friendly competition will feature three different rounds - male adult teams, youth teams and women/co-ed games, with players spanning the globe. You can sign up individually or put up a team. You can also join a 6 pm co-ed pickup game. In our first Soccer for Harmony, the Orthodox Jewish community team trounced the Caribbean crew. Second round, the Caribbean crew rallied, and beat the Jewish contigent. Now - round three, they face off again. We invite you to expand the challenge! We're looking for 16 teams of 7 vs 7. Not only play ball, but you also help kids get fit, play soccer for low-cost or free & support our Crown Heights Farmers Market. Parents - sign up your child for youth soccer now.     Stay tuned for our next Seeds in the Middle newsletter to tell you about all our activities: gardens, chefs, Hip2B Healthy Market, running, zumba, ballroom dancing, arts and more. SPONSORS: We provide great publicity for any sponsoring business! Look at the press coverage! Check sponsor opportunities here. See our letter and sponsor form. We've been featured in the: Daily News, Epoch Times, Caribbean Life, Collive.com, Gowanus Lounge, Shalom Life ,Jspace.com,ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com, Bed-StuyPatch and more...  Check the Crown Heights Farmers Market on NY1. Click on the link below to register now!

Get more information Register Now! I can't make it

Questions? Contact seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com or call 917-756-4202.   We look forward to seeing you in Crown Heights - on the field - on Sunday, June 3rd.  Don't forget! Send the kids to march in the parade at 11:30 am! Sincerely,   Seeds in the Middle seedsinthemiddle@gmail.com