CREATIVE TIMES: May 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sunday, May 25, 2008

WHAT GAVIN THOMAS LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

1. Diversity

2. DUMBO

3. Rooftop parties

4. Pulaski Bridge

5. Graffiti

6. Slices (pizza)

7. Beer (Brooklyn Brewery)

8. Coney Island

9. cheap restaraunts

10. Brooklyn Bridge

Gavin Thomas is a fashion and portrait photographer. His photos of skateboarders are particularly amazing. For more info, go to his WEBSITE.

SOME WORDS FROM PEMA CHODRON

"Ego is like a room of your own, a room with a view, with the temperature and the smells and the music that you like. You want it your own way. You'd just like to have a little peace; you'd like to have a little happiness, you know, just 'gimme a break!'

But the more you think that way, the more you try to get life to come out so that it will always suit you, the more your fear of other people and what's outside your room grows. Rather than becoming more relaxed, you start to pull down the shares and locking the door. When you go out, you find the experience more and more unsettling and disagreeable. You become touchier, more fearful, more irritable than ever. The more you just try to get it your way, the less you feel at home.

To begin to develop compassion for yourself and others, you have to unlock the door. You don't open it yet, because you have to work with your fear that somebody you don't like might come in. Then as you begin to relax and befriend those feelings, you begin to open it. Sure enough, in come the music and the smells that you don't like. Sure enough, someone puts a foot in and tells you you should be a different religion or vote for someone you don't like or give money that you don't want to give.

Now you begin to relate with those feelings. You develop some compassion, connecting with the soft spot. You relate with what begins to happen when you're not protecting yourself so much. Then gradually [...] you become more curious than afraid. To be fearless isn't really to overcome fear; it's to come to know its nature. Just open the door more and more and at some point you'll feel capable of inviting all sentient beings as your guests."

-- From Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, by Pema Chodron

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

SOME SPRING INSPIRATION

If you've fallen off the wagon

can't get up from the couch

If living has lost its zing

and the simple thing comes hard

Remember the shift from one season to the next

the interlude when animals shed their coats

leaving tufts of fur

caught in the yet dry weeds

when the birds are spending their last reserves

flying to warmer climes

when the turtle and frog stir

in their muddy dens but wait

for the ice to ease

These cold winds bring advance news

here and there we hear the home birds

sing a different song

the light strikes with new vigor

Ease out of your rut: get to bed a little early

rise and greet the sun

or bike to a point and watch it set

get somewhere you haven't been:

a few blocks away

talk to a stranger about deep things

stop, breathe and listen

to the beat of your own heart

- Written by Myra Klockenbrink, reprinted from The Linewater Gazette

- Painting by Mike Sorgatz

WHAT DAVE CASTILLO LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

Prospect Park in the Summer:
Where else can you watch cricket, soccer, kites flying AND smell goat being barbecued?

Brooklyn Museum:
For me, the museum embodies civic pride for the city of Brooklyn.

The neighbors :
The diversity, the unique character of each 'hood, and the places that time has forgot.

The Promenade:
The spot where pretty much everyone I know who moved to Brooklyn made that decision.

Dennet Place in Carroll Gardens:
The little street that seemed to have been transplanted from Europe. I love the street. It's where I got married on my stoop, with 250 close friends and neighbors.

The Boat Bar on Smith St.:
A great bar where I have met some amazing people over the years. The ever changing jukebox and the decor that never changes.

Parties & Gatherings:
Having a party in a one bedroom apartment and hearing Russian, French, Spanish and several dialects of English while trying to maneuver to the fridge.

The Creative Spirit:
Knowing writers, painters, photographers, filmmakers, chefs, musicians, designers, architects, and...

The Kick-A** Music Scene:
Yeasayers, Regina Spektor, Jay Z, MGMT, Antibalas, Vampire Weekend, Lil'kim, Animal Collective, Matisyahu, Dirty projectors, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Slavic soul party, Grizzly Bear, Chicha Libre, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Naysayers, and well to many more to mention here

Working in Dumbo and living in Carroll Gardens:
Never having to leave Brooklyn unless I want to.

David H Castillo is a third generation cinematographer and an owner of Blue Barn Pictures Inc., an international multimedia production company based in Dumbo, Brooklyn. When David is not behind the camera, he is biking through Brooklyn exploring its neighborhoods, updating The Barn (the company blog), and searching for new music and food. David dwells in Carroll Gardens ,where he lives his mantra "It's all about lighting; it's all about the sauce, and it's all about moments."

DAILY NEWS REPORTS ON BLOGFEST 2008

Brooklyn's Bloggers Show Real Faces
ERIN O'NEILL
Tuesday, May 20th 2008, 4:00 AM

When Petra Symister moved from Chelsea to Bedford-Stuyvesant she lost her sense of community - but blogging cured her loneliness. "I feel more connected to this neighborhood by blogging than I did in nine years living in Chelsea," she said.

Symister created the Bed-Stuy Blog 14 months ago, joining a Brooklyn-based network of citizen and professional writers, photographers and videographers who leave the comfort of their computer desks to meet in person every year at the Brooklyn Blogfest.

Last week, the Brooklyn Lyceum hosted the third annual event, which was started by Louise ("Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn") Crawford in 2006 to put virtual names to actual faces.
"We were calling each other by our blog names," said Crawford, whose blog is four years old. "We're not that sort of cyber-weird. People come out from behind their computers and meet up."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

CREATE GOOD KARMA: HELP THIS BLOGGER (ME!) WITH HER JOB SEARCH

MY GOAL: A job (part time is fine) that allows me to what I love to do, am good at doing, and am already doing in my life!

WHAT I LOVE TO DO AND AM GOOD AT DOING:

Meeting, interviewing, writing about, and bringing together writers, artists, entrepreneurs, parents, philanthropists, community-minded folks.

Bringing people together for a common purpose or cause.

Introducing people to each other.

Connecting people to tools and resources for personal and professional development.

Choreographing, conceptualizing, and collaborating.

Making people laugh.

OTHER SKILLS & INTERESTS:

Team-building * Going Behind the Scenes and Getting the Scoop * Muppets * Comedy* Dance Facilitating Group Workshops * Client Relations * Children’s Literature * Theatre * Pageantry

IDEAL WORK SETTINGS:
New York-based publications (blogs, newspapers, magazines)
Local radio, television, or film

Libraries
Organizations related to culture/the arts - museums included
A place where creativity, human relations, collaboration, and a sense of humor are valued

Community-based organization

Natural environment/outdoor setting – e.g. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens

THIS WOULD BE GREAT:
If you hear of or know of a person, job opening, or organization that you think would be a good fit for me, let me know via email or phone. 917 499 7395 or ETraubman@aol.com

REWARD:
My undying gratitude!

Monday, May 19, 2008

NEXT BROOKLYN BLOGADE IS JUNE 22ND

Every month, a different blogger in a different part of Brooklyn hosts a gathering of Brooklyn bloggers! It's called the Brooklyn Blogade.

It's a great chance for folks to meet each other, share tips, etc. It's a diverse group of people -- parents, artists, bakers, photographers, teachers, environmentalists, community activists, etc.

The next Brooklyn Blogade will be hosted by Adrian Kinloch of Brit in Brooklyn.

June 22, 2008 at noon at Root Hill Café on 262 Fourth Avenue at Carroll Street.

For more info: a...@adriankinloch.net

Saturday, May 17, 2008

WHAT BARBARA ENSOR LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

1. People think you are a gangster when you say you are from Brooklyn.

2. People see the streets as their living room. They bring chairs out onto the sidewalk and sit on stoops.

3. People tawk so good and have their hearts in the right place.

4. Great bargains.

5. The norm is not to be normal.

6. It has its own beating heart and can also piggyback onto Manhattan's.

7. Everybody is a minority in this borough.

8. We all love to eat.

9. The whole nation came through here.

10. We are so damn modest!

Barbara Ensor, (pictured cheek to cheek here with Hans Christian Andersen) recently collaborated with that legendary storyteller in a retelling of one of his well-loved tales. Thumbelina, Tiny Runaway Bride, is due in bookstores in mid June. Her previous book Cinderella (as if you didn't already know the story), was enthusiastically received by critics and children alike. Ensor, a former journalist, is also an artist and teacher. She lives in Park Slope with her children, Georgia and Dexter.

Photo Credit: Ariel Orr Jordan

Friday, May 16, 2008

A FUNNY MEMENTO FROM MAIRA KALMAN

The other day, I was weeding out my files and I found a note that Maira Kalman wrote to me after I sent her a copy of a children's book I made for my nephew. On the back of the note was the above announcement.

PS - The Julie Saul gallery regularly shows Maira's work. Maira Kalman is a children's book author, designer, painter, illustrator, and editor. Her most recent book is called The Principles of Uncertainty and is based on the work she did as a guest blogger for The New York Times.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WHAT KYRON ROGERS LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

1. It's my home.

2. BAM and BAM Rose Cinema.

3. Allan's Bakery.

4. The churches.

5. The Cyclones

6. The library at Grand Army Plaza on a hot summer day.

7. The Brooklyn Museum.

8. The history - real Brooklynites know incorporation in 1898 was a mistake.

9. The people.

10.The possibilities for the borough's future.

Kyron Rogers worksfor a non-profit social services agency serving Bed-Stuy, Bushwick and South Williamsbug in the school programs department. He's a lifelong New Yorker, born in Queens, raised in Crown Heights and living in Bed-Stuy.

He aims to start a blog of his own in the coming weeks.

SPRING IS THE TIME TO GET ORGANIZED

Hey there, busy New York Women!

Would you like to have a desk that is free of paper piles?
Would you like to locate important papers within a matter of seconds?
Would you like to have a work or living space that inspires you?
Would you like to learn tools and tips to make time work for you?
Would you like to have a closet that you love to use?

If you answered “YES!” to any of these questions, I have good news:

I am a professional organizer who has been featured in Time Out New York, Fitness, Family Circle, Esquire, and The Sun Times Chronicle.

I help you to simplify and streamline

· Time
· Space
· Papers
· Projects

To chat about your organizing needs, call: 917-499-7395

NEED HELP STARTING A BLOG?

Would you like help to launch your own blog?

Do you need help writing or editing documents?

I offer friendly, professional assistance for creating

blogs

cover letters

resumes

proposals

press releases

website content

articles

Give me a ring:917-499-7395

Or send an email: ETraubman@aol.com

Monday, May 12, 2008

GERSH KUNTZMAN'S THOUGHTS ABOUT BLOGS

At this year's Brooklyn Blogfest, Gersh Kuntzman, Editor of The Brooklyn Paper, asserted that bloggers need to moderate their readers' comments more carefully so that people don't have to sift through pages of hate-filled, purposeless stuff. Below is an email dialogue which took place between Gersh and Creative Times after the Blogfest.

Creative Times: I think there's room for both print media (which I love, by the way: I am totally addicted to local newspapers and New York-based magazines) and blogging. I think there needs to be some way for us all to get together to dialogue, not to attack each other. There is room for everyone.

Gersh: I love the blogs, but I don't think blogs are creating READERS. I think blogs are creating chatter. Now, chatter is GOOD. It is. But the entire industry — newspapers, books, blogs, too — will disappear if people stop wanting to take the time to READ. And my point that night was that some blogs are hurting their own efforts to create and nourish READERS.

Creative Times: So what does it take to create and nourish READERS?

Gersh: I'm a newspaper man, so I'm the last to know! But I think blogs do a GREAT job of creating a modern readership that likes an insidery, gossipy take on the issues of the day. Readers who pick up the Daily News and read a story about, say, a local issue, say to themselves, "Man, that paper doesn't know my community at all." That's where the blogs and, I'd like to think, The Brooklyn Paper, come in. (And that's why I started my speech by saying that we're all in the same game.) The idea is to tell the reader, "Listen, sister, here's the real story." Readers love that. But if it gets too insidery, new readers are alienated. It's a fine line.

Photo Courtesy of Dope on the Slope

Saturday, May 10, 2008

WHAT PHYLLIS BOBB LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

1. The natives! My tribe.

2. The Stoops. Nothing like hanging out and kibbutzing with my neighbors and passers by.

3. Sahadis. Can't live without it.

4. Coney Island. Best in winter when it's desolate.

5. Diners.

6. Egg Creams. Go to the old school diners for the best ones.

7. Brooklyn Flea. It's brand new, but I think it's a great addition to Brooklyn.

8. Brighton Beach Russian restaurants. Great night out!

9. Brooklyn Museum

10. Prospect Park and Botanic Gardens

- Phylliss Bob writes the blog Reclaimed Home: Low Impact Housing and Renovation Options for Thrifty New Yorkers. To see a short video about Phyllis' work, Click Here.

WHAT HEATHER JOHNSTON LOVES ABOUT BROOKLYN

Big Nose Full Body Wines, with their great bottles, good music, and fun folks

Union Market, where I can get a baguette, my favorite cheese, aged sirloin, sorrel lemon verbena pesto, and milk all in one stop

Blue Ribbon Restaurant. Try their Chilled Lobster with a White Burgundy. The crowd rocks.

Starbucks, for making me feel like I live in a small town even though they are a big chain.

Park Slope Seafood, for being so kind when I can't make up my mind and then get salmon again.

Old First Church, for sharing their wonderful kitchen and making consistent contributions to C.H.I.P.S.

El Gran Castillo on Flatbush Avenue, for feeding me great Dominican food since 1989.

The Newstand/Deli on 7th Avenue between 1st and 2nd for patiently feeding the kids of John Jay and 321 every day.

Coney Island Nathans, for making it still worth while to go to the boardwalk for a Hot Dog.

The Cafe at the Botanic Gardens is an oasis where I can get a great Tuna Sandwich with iced tea.

Heather Johnston writes the blog So Good: Food and Wine with Heather Johnston. She is a chef, wine professional, mother, wife and indie filmmaker.

Friday, May 09, 2008

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BROOKLYN?

If you live in Brooklyn, or used to live in Brooklyn, or have visited Brooklyn, I invite you to send me a list of ten things (or less) that you love about this borough.

I am going to run some blog entries which include these lists.

If you have a blog or a website, I will link to that.

Start emailing me your lists! And be sure to include your first and last name and your blog or website URL (if you have one). ETraubman@aol.com

BLOGGERS IN THE HOUSE: A REPORT ON BROOKLYN BLOGFEST 2008

Last night, 200 or so people gathered at the Brooklyn Lyceum for the Third Annual Brooklyn Blogfest. Louise Crawford of Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn started the Blogfest in 2006. It was her way to pull together bloggers – new, veteran and aspiring – as well as the folks who read blogs and care about the impact of blogging on our daily lives.

For two years, Louise held the event in the Old Stone House. Last year, people had to be turned away from the door because of the risk of exceeding maximum capacity. This year, to accommodate the growing number of Blogfest participants, Louise chose the Brooklyn Lyceum as the venue.

The event started with a video montage of Brooklyn Bloggers from Bluebarn Pictures, followed by an official welcome from Louise. From there, a lineup of bloggers and guests from other medium – print, television and radio – spoke about different aspects of blogging.

I spoke about blogging as a vehicle for putting down roots and building community. Petra Symister of Bed-Stuy Blog talked about the importance of diversifying the blogging community in terms of race and class and geography. "We definitely need more place bloggers," she said.

Gersh Kuntzman, Editor of the Brooklyn Paper, asserted that bloggers need to moderate their readers' comments more carefully so that people don't have to sift through pages of hate-filled, purposeless stuff.

Brooklyn Optimist showed his Tribute to Brooklyn's Photobloggers.

Heather Johnston of So Good presented Top Ten Tips for New Bloggers.

Chris of Flatbush Gardener (the photographer of this post's photo) invited all bloggers to participate in the Brooklyn Blogade – a monthly gathering of Brooklyn bloggers who meet in the various neighborhoods of the borough.

The evening concluded with the Shout Out, where roughly 60 bloggers from the audience came to the mics up front to introduce themselves.

People stayed well past the ending of the program to dine on the donated edible goodies, mingle, and get their portrait taken by Hugh Crawford of No Words Daily Pix from Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn.

A personal highlight from Blogfest was being part of the team of bloggers and non-bloggers who pulled together as Staff to make every aspect of the event go well, from the food to the DJing, to the sound system. It definitely takes a village to raise a Blogfest.

FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THE BLOGFEST CLICK HERE.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

THIS IN FROM ONLY THE BLOG KNOWS BROOKLYN (ORGANIZER OF BLOGFEST 2008)

Brooklyn Blogfest '08 Basics

The Third Annual Brooklyn Blogfest 2008 is an event for bloggers, blog-readers, those interested in Blogging, those passionate about Brooklyn. It is open to one and all. Everyone is warmly welcomed.

Date and Time: Thursday May 8th, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Location: The Brooklyn Lyceum. 227 Fourth Avenue at President Street just steps from the R-trains Union Street station.

For cool Blogfest T-shirts: http://www.cafepress.com/blogfest

More info: Louise Crawford at 718-288-4290 or louise_crawford(at)yahoo(dot)com

What to Expect: Here's the line-up for the program. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Video: Place Matters: Blogging My World by Blue Barn Pictures

Brief Welcome: Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn (Louise Crawford)

Speaker: Creative Times (Eleanor Traubman)

Speaker: Bed-Stuy Blog (Petra S.)

Video: A Walk Around the Blog Promo by Brooklyn Independent Television

Speaker: New York Shitty (Miss Heather)

Speaker: Gowanus Lounge (Robert Guskind)

Speaker: Gersh Kuntzman, editor of The Brooklyn Paper

Video: A Word from WNYC's Brian Lehrer

Speaker: Top Ten Tips for New Bloggers presented by So Good (Heather Johnson)

Speaker: Outside.in, a resource for bloggers who blog about where they live

Video: A Tribute to Brooklyn's Photo Bloggers (produced by Brooklyn Optimist)

Speaker: Bloggers Reach Out: The Brooklyn Blogade presented by Flatbush Gardener

ANNUAL SHOUT-OUT: Your chance to share your blog with the world introduced by Luna Park Gazette

Food and Fun: There will be light refreshments and other goodies from Maria's Mexican Bistro, Red Mango Bakery, Brooklyn Fudge, and beer courtesy of Outside.in

After the presentation there will be plenty of time for networking, beer, delicious snacks courtesy of Maria's Mexican Bistro, Red Mango Bakery and Brooklyn Fudge and conversation.

Many Thanks to the Sponsors of the Blogfest: Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, Blue Barn Pictures, Outside.In, Brooklyn Optimist, Gowanus Lounge, Michael Sorgatz, Brit in Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy Blog, Red Mango Bakery, Brooklyn Fudge, Maria's Mexican Bistro, DJ Solo P from Groovalicious Entertainment and the Community Bookstore.
Poster designed by Michael Sorgatz.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

THE MAGIC OF MAIL

FOR 41
CENTS
YOU CAN:

let your mom know that you love her

thank someone who refers customers, clients, or patients to you

express gratitude to a mentor who has given you good advice

tell your aunt what a good friend she has been to you

send your nephew a news article about something he is interested in

let your brother know what you've been up to

send someone an apology

comfort someone who is sick or who has lost a loved one

send some cool stickers to a young person

send some photos to your grandparents

send a check to pay a bill

share a poem you've written

send money to an organization or person who has inspired you (a twist on tithing)

MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY!

To order stamps via internet, click here!

Friday, May 02, 2008

NIKO RIPS IT IN BIG SURF COMPETITION

My ten year old nephew, Niko, showed his colors in the 7th Annual Irons Brothers' Pine Tree Classic surf competition for young people. He won second place in the keiki division - that's Hawaiian for young people under the age of 12. Way to go, Niko!