Smoke Joint Owner Expands Into Bed Stuy

Craig Samuel owner of the Lil' Pig and Smoke Joint in Ft. Greene is preparing to open a restaurant in Bedford Stuyvesant. The Smoke Joint was voted the number one barbecue in New York by NY Magazine.

In an interview with Monique Greenwood (the Mayor of Bed Stuy) Mr. Samuel says his new venture will be called Peaches Market. The new restaurant will open in the space once occupied by Petite Basam on Macdonough Street and Lewis Avenue. It will provide an "urban farmhouse" experience. Peaches Market will serve contemporaryAmerican food with a Southern tinge.

Mr. Samuel who lives in Bedford Stuyvesant, "wants to see the neighborhood become what it could be." Click here to watch the interview and for more information -->

The Walls Come Tumbling Down

Should We Get Tree Guards?

Tree Guards or No Tree Guards That Is the Question

Yesterday at our block association meeting we were trying to decide whether we should fill out the application for tree guards being offered by the city for free.

The cons highlighted by a couple of our members, is the fact that people will use the area inside the tree guard as a trash can and it will be harder to sweep around the tree. They also stated that the city sometimes cuts too much of the curb (sometimes unevenlly). I highlighted the fact that there is an advantage to having a tree guard, it will keep people from letting there dogs $h!t around the base of the tree.

While walking around downtown Brooklyn, I snapped a few shots, and noticed how nice the tree guards look in Brooklyn Heights. I think I'm going to fill out that application.

There's more information on the Neighborhood Beautification Fund Application. The deadline is June 6, 2008... and you can only include trees located on residential blocks as of May 15, 2008.

Renovation Pitfalls

PACC Restores 420 Classon Avenue

Eventhough I'm still mad at PACC (Pratt Area Community Council) for withdrawing my application for 55 Putnam Ave, 5 years ago, I think they did a great job of restoring 420 Classon Avenue, which is on the border of Bedford Stuyvesant and Clinton Hill.

PACC took three dilapidated builidings and turned them into 12 affordable condominiums. According to Brownstoner.com, the lottery has been held and the non-profit is currently checking applicants' credit records and confirming their eligibility. Hopefully PACC doesn't stifle another young man trying to attain the American dream.

The job doesn't look cheap but the prices are pretty good: Four one-bedrooms priced between $185,000 and $211,000 are available for households earning up to $73,700; four two-bedrooms priced from $258,000 to $270,000 are available for households earning up to $92,200; four two-bedrooms priced from $374,000 to $424,000 are available for households earning up to $116,900.