Council Member Letitia James and Clinton Hill contituents are holding an emergency press event, Wednesday, May 21--today, at 4pm to bring attention to the increase in crime in the borough.

The group plans to discuss strategic plans specific to addressing crime in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, including more police presence in the area and the creation of a website for constituents to collect and track crime data.

Where: Corner of Grand Avenue and Putnam Avenue (if rain - the event will move to the Fort Greene Senior Center located at 966 Fulton Street). Subway: C train to Clinton-Washington stop * exit Washington Avenue onto Fulton Street * walk towards Grand Avenue on Fulton

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191 for additional information.

Save the G train kick-off rally to be held Wednesday, May 21st, 6:30pm at the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (85 South Oxford Street, btwn Fulton and Lafayette).

Rally is sponsored by Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and is an opportunity to make your voices heard on needed improvements on the G as the MTA will soon be deciding on G-train improvements.

The 9th Annual South of the Navy Yard Artists (SONYA) stroll is this upcoming weekend, Saturday, 5/17 and Sunday, 5/18: 12p-6p. There is literally something for everyone.

The art stroll is free and open to the public.

Please make certain to stop by the following local businesses to pick up maps and check out exhibits:

Clinton Hill Art Gallery, 154 Vanderbilt Gnarly Vines, 350 Myrtle Pillow Cafe, 505 Myrtle PrattSTORE, 550 Myrtle Square Root Cafe, 584 Myrtle

Tour maps are also available for download from the SONYA website.

Bring your friends and family along and make it a celebration of art making and appreciation! For more information call 718.857.5696.

Change, an exhibition of the Fort Greene Photography Group at Pillow during the SONYA Art Stroll, Saturday, May 17th & Sunday, May 18th.

Stop in, enjoy the art and also enjoy the great food and wonderful vibe and conversation...

Tamboril's still celebrating the arrival of their fully stocked bar with cocktail specials galore, including 2-for-1s and other special deals. Stop in and join the celebration. Sidecars, mojitos, caipirinhas, whatever your drinking pleasure... Happy hour is Tuesdays thru Fridays, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Stop in.

Aaah, and while you are there, you know you will be hungry, or at least you will after feasting your eyes on or taking in the tantilizing smells of all the many dishes: bacalao cakes, rum scented grilled shrimps, chicharonnes, vegetarian paninis... Hey, just check out the full menu!

Information on a small business seminar at St. Joseph's College:

Marketing Strategies For Your Small Business May 15, 2008, 6:00 PM Tuohy Hall Auditorium Description: Micro and Small Business owners can create business cards, letterhead, and brochures on their own computers in a pinch, but is that the only way to go?

Featuring Henrietta Koffi, Associate Director/Project Manager Entrepreneur’s Corner Fort Greene SNAP (Strategic Neighborhood Action Partnership)

We'll cover what to think about when you are taking the "do it yourself" route, then talk about inexpensive ways to buy and order online, and finally how to choose a designer to create your own unique look.

For additional information or to RSVP please contact John Keenan by email at jkeenan@sjcny.edu or by telephone at 718.399.2745. Refreshments will be served

Event held in the St. Joseph’s College Tuohy Hall, Auditorium 245 Clinton Avenue Between DeKalb and Willoughby Avenues Contact Email: jkeenan@sjcny.edu Contact Information: 718.399.2745

Don’t miss out on all of the wonderful Mommy's Day specials on the Avenue. Whether you are buying for mommy, mommy-to-be, wife, sister, girlfriend, daughter, friend, auntie, grandma...or yourself, you might want to stop into one of these local jaunts. Bet you will be glad you did.

Karen's Body Beautiful, 436 Myrtle Avenue Purchase individual or a combination of heavenly fragrances in lotion, soap, shampoo or a number of other forms. Prepared or custom made gift baskets available. Call 718.797.4808 for additional information.

Kiini Ibura Jewelry, 388 Myrtle Avenue Saturday May 10th Third Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Jewels and Jazz Shopping from 11:30am until 8:00pm Jazz and blues vocalist, Pamela McPherson Cornelius Music set starts at 5:00pm (music donation appreciated) Light refreshments will be served. Call 718-858-5195 for additional information.

Polish Bar of Brooklyn, 470 Myrtle Avenue Mom & Me: A Private Event Sunday, May 11th $75 per/person Package includes— -A cocktail inspired pedicure from the spring mixer menu -signature Polish Bar manicure treatment -mini makeovers -desserts & champagne Call 718.622.5363 to book and/or for more information

The Bakery, 154 Vanderbilt Avenue Mother’s Day cakes--$30 -coconut layer cake w/pineapple filling -lemon cake -chocolate raspberry layer cake -banana chocolate mousse cake -red velvet cake -carrot cake -yellow cake w/pale blue butter cream frosting ...and much more Call 718.596.5999 for additional information.

Root Stock & Quade, 471 Myrtle Avenue Grand bouquet? Single long-stemmed? Petals at her feet? Nothing says it like flowers. Call Root Stock & Quade at 718.230.8081 for additional information.

Root Stock & Quade opens Friday! Soft opening planned but keep an eye out for something a little more formal in the coming weeks. Stop in to say hello or give them a call at 718.230.8081.

Hours this opening day are 2pm to 7pm. Regular hours thereafter:

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 to 7, Wednesday thru Friday; 10 to 7, weekends.

Root Stock & Quade: 471 Myrtle Avenue, between Washington Avenue and Hall Street

Don't miss the Archetypes exhibit at Square Root Cafe. Artist, Katharine Sandalls presents large-scale portraits which capture the very essence of her diverse subjects.

Square Root Cafe is located at 584 Myrtle Avenue (corner of Classon), and can be reached by telephone at 718.230.7077.

Thought I'd share Brian from Clinton Hill Foodie's recent post (and pics!) of Cafe Martino. Cafe Martino is located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place & Classon Avenue, and can be reached by telephone number at 718.636.3966.

Photo is courtesy Brian from Clinton Hill Foodie