We just got word that local non-profit, Sue Rock Originals, is in danger of closing.

For five years, Sue Rock Originals has pursued a higher mission -to support and encourage women who leave the cycle of abuse by providing them with new clothes and an opportunity for self-sufficiency. Tirelessly we have donated handcrafted items to women and their families living in domestic violence shelters throughout New York City.

If we are unable to raise $25,000 in the next month we will have to close our doors. The building we are currently in is running at a deficit and on the verge of losing the utilities.  We need your help.

$25,000 may seem like a lot of money to raise in one month’s time, but if anything, the feat that the residents of Bed-Stuy were able to pull of in raising $10,000 to save local bakery, Bread-Stuy, when it was in danger of closing should be a heartening example of just what can be achieved when a community rallies behind a cause.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Though we’ve been talking about the local gallery SUPERFRONT for a while now, we still meet people who say that they didn’t realize that this gem exists in the neighborhood.  Well folks,  if you didn’t know about them before, now’s your chance to check them out:

Making Space – Closing Reception at SUPERFRONT Brooklyn
Reception: March 28, 2010, 5 – 8 p.m.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

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Even though they boasted an RSVP list around 100 people, unfortunately, the snow severely reduced the turnout at last Saturday’s screening of “Taboo Yardies” at 1158Dean Art Gallery.  Nonetheless, the topic was too important to keep everyone away.   Those who braved the weather were treated to a half hour short based on the unfinished long form film and a spirited discussion on homophobia in Jamaican culture lead by filmmaker, Selena Blake:

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And stay tuned for pictures from the exhibit opening of Baruti Tucker’s Women’s Month art exhibit, which opened the day after the film screening.  By then, the snow had melted enough to significantly bolster the turnout.  As Gary, the gallery’s owner related to us: “The room looked great. Nice turnout of a very, very diverse audience. A few pieces sold. The trio that performed (a cellist, guitarist and an amazing singer featuring a sister from Bed Stuy) was wonderful.“

Popularity: 5% [?]

UPDATE: TONIGHT’S FRANKLIN PARK READING SERIES has been moved to SODA BAR, at 629 VANDERBILT AVENUE, between PROSPECT PLACE and ST. MARKS AVENUE in PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN.

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Monday March 8th’s edition of the Franklin Park Reading Series will feature acclaimed novelist Victor Lavalle, who will also be participating in Medgar Evers Black National Writers Conference later this month. According to the FPRS curator, the reading series will be hosting several of the participating authors in the coming months.

Victor LAVALLE’s novel Big Machine was named one of 2009’s Top 10 books by Publishers Weekly. He’ll be joined by STEPHEN ELLIOTT, author of TimeOut’s pick for the Best Book of 2009, Hasidic performance poet/author and Crown Heights resident MATTHUE ROTH, who launched the Franklin Park Reading Series last March, and Marie Claire dating blogger and freelance journalist MAURA KELLY.

Here’s a review with Lavalle done during discussing Big Machine

The Franklin Park Reading Series was recently named a TimeOut Critics’ Pick for the 3rd time!  And you can find more details about Monday’s reading on their Facebook event page.  In honor of the reading series’ one-year anniversary there’ll be FREE cupcakes, along with $4 well vodka drinks and $4 Krusovice beer.

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Credit: Abeni G.

Click image to enlarge.

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Just a heads up for our local foodies- I Love Franklin Avenue reports (via an article in Time Out New York) that new Dutch Boy Burger will be opening this week.  Additionally, the Crown Heights News blog reports that the new pizza and wine bar, Basil, will open today. We called the restaurant to confirm, but just got a voice message.  Given the Jewish Sabbath, we are curious what the days and hours of operation will be.  In any event, the menu for Basil is now available on CHN’s website, so check it out. READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

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A few weeks back we posted an entry about a forthcoming occupant in the Jewel in the Crown Spa. This occupant is no longer a surprise and as many area residents now know, Assemblyman Karim Camara is the new resident at 1216 Union Street. Sitting next door to Super Wings practically guarantees that Assemblyman Camara will be able continue growing in his relationship with his constituents, who themselves will likely continue growing around the waste as they delight in the Brooklyn’s Best Wings.

Assemblyman Camara who’s usually in Albany Mondays – Thursdays was not in when NP dropped by on Tuesday afternoon to snap some photos of his new digs. We look forward to capturing some photos and bringing them to you soon.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns that you want to make sure our advocate in Albany is aware of, particularly during these uncertain economic ties, do not hesitate to contact Assemblyman Camara’s office:

1216 Union Street
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-771-3105

Or better yet drop by and check out our new jewel in the crown….

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Credit: Abeni G. (www.jenone.org)

Spotted construction activity at 600 St. Marks recently. Seems like balconies are going up.  A little bit of digging around with our shovel called Google revealed that the previous owners had apparently been caught up with a mortgage fraud scandal involving the building.   Then READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

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ALL ARE WELCOMED TO ATTEND!

Tenth National Black Writers Conference

THEME:  “And Then We Heard the Thunder: Black Writers Reconstructing Memories and Lighting the Way”

Thursday, March 25 – Sunday, March 28, 2010

Toni Morrison
Nobel Prize winning author
Honorary Chair READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

Popularity: 25% [?]