The FREE Brooklyn Food Conference is this Saturday, May 12th, 9AM-6PM at Brooklyn Tech HS (29 Fort Greene Place). The event will bring over 5,000 people together to attend a day filled with workshops, panel discussions, food demos, family programming, art, notable food activist keynote speakers and much more! This is a family-friendly event with a youth summit and kids activities. FREE childcare is also available! Check out the schedule here and be sure to pre-register and purchase a lunch ticket in advance to avoid long lines!

With over 150 workshops to choose from we wanted to help you plan your day by recommending the following local activists speaking on local issues:

9:30am-5:00pm / 7th Floor Cafeteria
Expo (For-Profit & Non-Profits)
The Fort Greene / Clinton Hill Community Food Council (FG/CH CFC) will have a table with information on how you can get involved in the 10 community food projects happening now!

11:00am-4:45pm / 8th Floor Gym
Youth Summit
The youth of the FG/CH CFC will be here sharing information about youth centric food projects to get involved in and provide high school students with an application to be a Myrtle Avenue Community-run Farm Stand Youth Manager. The Farm Stand is open July-October, every Wednesday, 4-7PM and located at Myrtle and North Portland Avenues. We hire 3 youth to set-up, perform market operations and break-down.

Myrtle Eats Fresh cooking demos

11:00-11:30am / Room 6W16
Community Chef Darrell Robinson will cook up a quick and healthy pasta dish recipe.
12:00-12:30pm / 8th floor gym
Community Chef Oliver Peters will cook up a healthy, hearty rice and beans recipe for the kids!

11:00am-12:15pm / Room 6S4
"SUPERMARKET STRUGGLE: Food Access in Low-Income Communities of Color"
Organizers with Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE) will discuss how local public housing residents and allies fought for, and won, the struggle for the new Red Apple supermarket.

12:30pm-1:45pm / Room 5E14
"Starting a Community Garden on New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Grounds"
Gardeners from the Ingersoll Garden of Eden will share their successes and challenges in starting and maintaining their community garden located on Myrtle Avenue between Navy and Prince streets. NYCHA Garden and Greening staff will share what resources are available for all NYCHA residents to start a community garden.

2:00pm-3:15pm / Room 5N6
"Low-Income Patronage at Farmers’ Markets: WIC Participants and Low-Income Seniors"
Myrtle Avenue Community-run Farm Stand Manager and Fort Greene resident Dominique Bryant will join representatives from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell University Cooperative Extension’s Farmers Market Nutrition Education Program and NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation in a discussion about the issues associated with highly targeted nutrition assistance programs such as the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the utilization of benefits by program participants.

6:00pm-9:00pm / 70 South Elliott Place
After Party hosted by FUREE
Tickets are available on a sliding scale ($10-$75. Tickets at $15+ get free drinks) Cash bar of beer and wine. For more info and to purchase tickets visit here.

To learn more about the Brooklyn Food Conference visit here .

We look forward to taking this step towards "changing the food system in Brooklyn, neighborhood by neighborhood" with you this Saturday!

This event is hosted by the Brooklyn Food Coalition.

If you're looking for a way to warm up, think about dropping by Waza Sushi and Ramen (485 Myrtle) to sample something from their new sake menu! The restaurant is now serving both warm and cold sake, in addition to their delicious sushi and ramen menu.

Update: Just confirmed! Local bassist Bill Lee and The New York Bass Violin Choir will be performing bass duets and quartets at Wednesday's holiday fundraiser!

It's time to come to Myrtle Avenue for the holidays, from Small Business Saturday on November 26th, to the start of the Holiday Windows Contest on December 3rd, to the annual holiday fundraiser on December 7th. This year's holiday fundraiser is at Putnam's Pub & Cooker (419 Myrtle), from 5:30 to 7:30pm, where you'll have open bar and your favorite holiday cocktails, live music sponsored by our friends at ConEdison, and lots of great food from Putnam's menu. We really hope all of our friends and neighbors can join us this year to take in the holiday cheer.

Tickets are only $30/person or $50/couple (all drinks, food, and music included!) if bought by December 6th at HelpersUnite.com or at http://tinyurl.com/MyrtleHolidays2011. (It's $35/person on December 7th or at the door)

Hope to see you there! And happy holidays!

It's time to come to Myrtle Avenue for the holidays, from Small Business Saturday on November 26th, to the start of the Holiday Windows Contest on December 3rd, to the annual holiday fundraiser on December 7th. This year's holiday fundraiser is at Putnam's Pub & Cooker (419 Myrtle), from 5:30 to 7:30pm, where you'll have open bar and your favorite holiday cocktails, live music sponsored by our friends at ConEdison, and lots of great food from Putnam's menu. We really hope all of our friends and neighbors can join us this year to take in the holiday cheer.

Tickets are only $30/person or $50/couple (all drinks, food, and music included!) if bought by December 6th at HelpersUnite.com or at http://tinyurl.com/MyrtleHolidays2011. (It's $35/person on December 7th or at the door)

Hope to see you there! And happy holidays!

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and the Fulton Street Area Business Alliance (FAB) are EXCITED to be participating jointly in Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 26th! Are you ready? Join in on the fun from 10:00a – 6:00p!

Santa’s coming, the free trolley is set, musicians are singing, Myrtle and Fulton business specials and in-store events are brewing! All for the BIG event: Please come out and join in the Small Business Saturday fun! Check out the trolley map—to hop on, hop off and join in the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhood fun!

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership is partnering with the FAB Alliance to jointly sponsor festivities along Myrtle Avenue and Fulton Street in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The fun starts at 10a and continues the day long ‘til 6p.

A nationwide celebration, the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. One of the things that makes Fort Greene and Clinton Hill so wonderful is the diverse array of locally-owned small businesses. And this is your chance to make a statement of support for the business owners, staffs and their families who contribute so much to what makes the area vibrant. There will be events, activities, music, treats and free trolley rides all day.

FREE TROLLEY - 10am-6pm

SANTA RIDES THE TROLLEY - 11am-3pm

There will be a free trolley traveling along Myrtle and Fulton Street and back again from 10am-6pm (check out the route map!). Bring the kids because SANTA will be riding the trolley from 11am-3pm. Bring the family because shopping local matters.

GET UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND SANTA'S WHEREABOUTS

Like both organizations on Facebook (Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and FAB Fulton and also follow FAB on Twitter to keep up-to-date on activities, events and ho ho ho, Santa’s whereabouts.

Meet artist Tarra Rehounek on Tuesday, November 1st at Connecticut Muffin (423 Myrtle Avenue)! She will be showcasing her patterned designs and greeting cards (also for sale) from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Light refreshments will be served, so grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

This past Tuesday's BID Annual Meeting had a great turnout from merchants, property owners, residents, and our elected officials. Thank you to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Tish James, Assemblyman Joe Lentol, SBS Commissioner Rob Walsh, and Commanding Officer Anthony Tasso for joining us and sharing their comments. And thanks to Malissa Browne and the SoCo team for hosting us and putting on a great event!

Photos from photographer Frederick V. Nielsen, II below and at our Flickr page:

There are still a few spots available for guests to join us at the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID Annual Meeting, with guest speaker NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The meeting is on Tuesday, September 27th, from 5-7pm at SoCo, 509 Myrtle Avenue. Drinks and light appetizers will be served. The meeting is open to the public, but RSVP is required.

RSVP at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MyrtleBIDAnnualMeeting2011.

Whew, how quickly a year zips by. It's that time again. This Friday, 9/16 is Park(ing) Day on Myrtle Avenue, and all over.

In case you aren't familiar, Park(ing) Day is an international event started by Rebar that reclaims and reimagines parking spots as mini-parks and engaging public spaces. As Transportation Alternatives describes, “Park(ing) Day sparks dialogue about our valuable public space and how we choose to use it.”

Gnarly Vines, 350 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi.

Gnarly Vines Park is all about fun: inside the store: great music and wine tasting with discounts on featured wines. Outside will be face painters and sidewalk chalk. Here's more from GV: "starting at noon there will be sidewalk chalk for the kids and wine tasting for parents. Adults unaccompanied by children can let loose their inner kid on the sidewalk and join the grown-ups for a taste of wine after!" Gnarly Vines can be reached at 718.797.3183.

Red Lantern Bicycles, 345 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi

Red Lantern Bicycles Park describes their space as "all about bicycle love." Iced coffee stand, snacks, demos and...hey, ride/walk by and get your flat fixed! Red Lantern Bicycles can be reached at 347.889.5338.

Brooklyn Stone Boutique and CakeJoy Bakery, 366 and 364 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi

Brooklyn Stone Boutique and CakeJoy Bakery Park is all about "very tasty treats, acoustic music and fashion." On the heels of Fashion Week and celebrating a first anniversary on Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn Stone presents a fashion show, mucho fashion advice (think of it as solicited what not to wear)and sales galore. CakeJoy presents yummy tastings, other tasty bites and delicious specials on the hour. Brooklyn Stone Boutique can be reached at 347.763.2041. CakeJoy can be reached at 718.624.CAKE (2253).

Green in BKLYN, 432 Myrtle Avenue between Clinton and Waverly

Green in BKLYN Park presents “Insert__Here”, an interactive installation that creates community awareness around climate change. Brooklyn-based artist, Eve Mosher invites participants to post bright yellow arrows suggesting creative climate change solutions such as "Insert a tree here", “Insert a green roof here” “Insert solar panels here." Read more about Eve Mosher and 350.org here. Green in BKLYN can be reached at 718.855.4383.

Pillow Cafe, Dee & Ricky's, Fork Cafe and Sapolo Restaurant, 501-507 Myrtle betweeen Ryerson and Grand

Called the 501-507 Myrtle Avenue Hot Spot, these four businesses, Pillow Cafe, Dee & Ricky's, Fork Cafe and Sapolo Restaurant have lots of great activities planned, including tastings and lunch specials. They also have an open call to acoustic musicians, spoken word artists and others, to stop by.

Dee & Ricky's will roll out what they are calling their "soft, soft opening." If you only knew what they have in store for...er (yikes, almost let it slip), soon, you'll know that this is very very true (be ready!). Wing specials and beers on tap inside. Dee & Ricky's can be reached at 718.789.1111.

Fork Cafe has tastings on the hour, great lunch specials galore, including their "very amazing chili." Fork Cafe can be reached at 718.622.FORK (3675).

Pillow Cafe has tastings and DE-licious sandwich, salad and smoothie specials planned. Pillow Cafe can be reached at 718.246.2711.

Sapolo Restaurant has tastings and lots of food specials planned. Sapolo Restaurant can be reached at 718.789.7788 or 718.789.7766.

Special shout out to the amazing John Rattigan from Root Stock for ALWAYS helping us ("beyond the call") to make this happen.

**special request: Anyone available to volunteer Friday morning, 9/16 for about 1-2 hours? Could use about 4-5 volunteers to help unload sod from van and roll out into 3 parking spots. If available, please call Jennifer at 718.230.1689. Unique morning workout + a brand new MyrtleBag (eco-shopping bag) + uber gratitude + a great cause (Parking Day 2011)

pic from Park(ing) Day on Myrtle, 2007.

Tonight, we're celebrating the inaugural exhibition of the Clare Weiss Emerging Artist Award at an opening reception for artist and award recipient, Ruth McKerrell. Her sculptures, Ancient, Goatie Boy and Goat as Wolf, are installed at the northeast corner of Fort Greene Park (Myrtle and Washington Park) from June 2011 – June 2012. This award, in memory of Clare Weiss, Parks’ curator of public art from 2005 to 2009, will be granted annually by the NYC Parks Department. Clare was special to us here at MARP, as she closely advised us during the launch of our public art program in 2008 with the Tree Hugger Project installation, and we are thrilled to host the inaugural installation here on the avenue!

We will meet at the installation in Fort Greene Park (Myrtle Avenue & Washington Park) at 6pm for remarks, and continue to Chez Lola (387 Myrtle) for light refreshments. Join us!

This award was made possible by the friends of Clare Weiss with additional support from the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.