Poll: Where are you moving from?

I'm walking around the neighborhood today and daydreaming about our new home. I'm going to miss our current apartment, on the corner of Clinton and Gates where I've rented since graduating college in 2001. Where will you be moving from when you move into the Lineage?

Temptation just got closer to home

The New York Times did a feature on the new "Donut Craze" that's hit brooklyn of late, including a review of the new Choice Market outpost "Dough" which opened this winter on the corner of Franklin and Lafayette.

When Brownstoner tweeted this photo from the shop this weekend, it occurred to me. This place is located far too close to The Lineage to allow me to enjoy a new donut habit without repercussion. Apparently the dulce de leche donuts topped with toasted almond and the lemon/poppy donuts come highly recommended.

Photo (c) Brownstoner

New book features history of Clinton Hill

Living in Clinton Hill for the last 10 years, I am always discovering little stories that have made up the neighborhood's past. Like, the legend that wealthy businessmen would build mansions for their mistresses up and down Clinton and Washington Avenues so their wives in Manhattan would never find out.

Or, the story that empty boats coming in to the Brooklyn Navy Yard would be weighed down with bricks. When they would pick up their shipments at the Navy Yard they would have to dump all of the bricks - which were then used to create some of the incredible buildings lining Clinton Avenue.

Now, I can finally find out if these rumors are true. A local historian has published a book about Clinton Hill's past. You can order the book from his website here or pick one up at Green in Bklyn.

Community Spotlight: Jane Bailey Memorial Garden

The Jane Bailey Memorial Garden is located at 327-329 Greene Avenue, our neighbor to the left of the building. According to the New York Restoration project, the garden was established in 1988 by Jane Bailey to provide green space, shade and enjoyment for a group of senior gardeners. According to the NY Times, the Green Hill school adopted a plot in September 2010 to grow lima beans, tomatoes, basil, collard and cucumber plants.

The garden is seeking sponsorship from local businesses, and will be posting its spring hours and volunteer opportunities this month. Visit the garden's website here.

From the New York Restoration Project website:

"Named after the garden’s founder, the site contains raised planting beds, where vegetables are grown and harvested by local residents – including an impressive supply of late-season collard greens, peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. The front of the space features a selection of plants, such as butterfly bushes, verbena, Echinacea and St. John’s Wort – designed to attract butterflies and other pollinators to the space. In the back of the site, rain barrels collect water for garden maintenance and a large picnic table is used for informal gatherings."

I can't wait to see those pretty butterflies when the weather warms up.

To sign up to work with the garden, visit the NY Restoration Project website.

View the slideshow from the Fort Greene Local here:

Community Spotlight: Cedar Tree Community Garden

My favorite thing about our new block is that there are three beautiful community gardens! They are a vital resource for local Brooklyn residents to grow their own food and flowers, build and support our community, to teach children the importance of healthy food and our environment amongst other things. I will highlight each one of these gardens in the coming weeks. (It's hard to imagine that there is a garden hidden deep under the blanket of snow covering Brooklyn.)

On the east end of the block, closest to Classon Avenue is Cedar Tree Community Garden.

NY Magazine provided some background on the garden in their 2008 "local heros" section:

"Cecil Prince started clearing this lot 30 years ago with his father, not long after they arrived from Guyana, and he’s still hauling the rocks around. Today, twenty members garden there, producing vegetables, fruit, and flowers. He started planting peach trees twenty years ago; now there are four."

I am trying to find out if there are ways to contribute to the garden and lend support. Stay tuned. 

Lineage hits 30% mark

According to selling agent Toni Martin's page on the Corcoran Website, there are now 15 units at the Lineage in contract including 8 units in #315, 4 units in #317, 2 in #319 and 1 in #321.  This brings the building to the 30% in contract mark. The majority of units now in contract are lower duplex units.

The breakdown on what's in contract: 
315: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b (completely sold out)
317: 1a, 1b, 2a, 3b
319: 1a, 1b
321: (looks like one of the 3rd floor units.. unconfirmed.)

To keep posted, follow the Street Easy feed for the Lineage.

Photo from 4th floor unit, photo by Cranburry

Reviews: Tigerlily

Tigerlily is a fantastic vietnamese sandwich shop located on the corner of Greene and Classon Ave.

Read the reviews online here.

Photo (c) Browntoner blog