Friends of Brook Park: World Beneath the Pavement

A living blog and composting archive of updates, fun announcements, crucial reports and other wonderful information for new volunteers, recent participants and stalwart supporters alike!

Monday, February 27, 2006

Teacher Meeting and...

Using Brook Park as an Educational Resource

March 2 Thursday

4:20 PM

Where: PS 179

Library Room 206 fruit to share


Entrance on 140th Street between Brook and Willis Avenues

RSVP!!! Please let us know that you will be coming!

*Learn about the capital project and Eco Classroom

*Give Input and Support

*Lear about ongoing activities and events to get your students outside and enhance your classroom experience

*Get a key!

Hear from Teacher of the Year Lori Puglia of PS 179 go through a
presentation of the capital project to remove the asphalt and increase the greenery. Lori will also share first hand how she has used Brook park with her class!

Director Harry J. Bubbins will review previous and ongoing projects and
activities.

Tell your fellow educators! Post a flier at the bulletin board!

_______________________


And paint your vision LAST DAY MARCH 3rd!

Of a greener Bronx as part of a collaborative project. For smaller groups or groups we could break into smaller sections...

For a limited time only there is an opportunity for you to paint a circle step on a 5o foot diameter canvas labyrinth that will be unveiled next month at the Annual Parks Speak Up at Lehman College.

Many people form throughout the City have added their colorful vision of a better environment and more harmonious world.

Including Citizen One, Zimad, Joseph and Donna, Ludger of urbandivers.org, Span (whose olde school subway tag is seen on the recent Beastie Boys DVD) and many organizations, classes and youth groups.

Timing by appointment or give a ring to see if we'll be open when you swing by.


Also on display are plans and visions for a greener waterfront and the new park to come on the Harlem River, soon!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Art Opening with DJ and Dancing


Friday 2-17-06 Gallery Opening Zimad
7-10 PM With DJ Alien Hua spinning trance electro world auralness to dance to...

Green Corner/Rincon Verde
11 Bruckner Boulevard (Art & Antique Row at Lincoln Avenue)

Featuring the art of muralist, tagger and vaunted painter Zimad, otherwise
known as Luis Laboy Jr. Zimad came up in the Bronx, inn 1982 was included
in the group exhibition at Fashion Moda New York City, titled, "The South
Bronx Show" with other artists such as, Ladypink, Tracy 168, Daze, Crash,
TKid, and Aone.

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology art, Zimad has been
exhibited in "Space Time Light Gallery", at Sotheby's auction house in New
York, and at Guernsey's Graffiti Auction with the works of Haring and
Basquiat at the time.

In July 2000 he exhibited at a group show at "American Vision 145
Gallery", featuring artists Henry Charfont, Rom Rios, Duro, and Zepher, more
of his graffiti peers.

Recently, Zimad has been featured in 2 documentary's, 1 by EAC called "From
the spray can to the canvas" and the 2nd produced by MTV.

***And he co-created the Mural in Brook Park, with our own Span***

http://zimadgallery.com

Snow Spring Update Feb 2005


Some great developments, volunteer opportunities, a video clip online, and an art opening this week!



1 Intern as a Youth Development Associate

Tuesdays 12- 3 PM
Join the Green Team, our teen mentoring program with Community School for Social Justice. Send a resume and letter of interest please.


2 Permaculture Gardener Intern/Volunteer Openings
Tend beds for our CSA farmer's market launching this year! In addition to getting to work with great people on exciting meaningful efforts, you can grow your own food!

See: http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/SiteIndex/AssetViewer/view?asset=Org& asset-id=111369-99&sid=47002194-255-GKwWa
for our announcement
(Also seeking event coordinators for our spring and summer extravaganzas to come!!!)



3 New on our website!

a Testimonial by 10th Grade Green Team member Edwin
"... now I am more conscious of the earth and Mother Nature, I don't pollute as much as I use
to and advice others not to do it as well..."

See: http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/testimonials.html



b Video clip by Roger Hernandez of DVD (Available for $15) featuring Manuel Kuatli Vasquez sharing deep insights about the unity of indigenous peoples and the importance of connecting with nature from our Taino family at

http://www.presenciataina.tv/teepee.mov

c Updated and continually added to Calendar on our website to mark your calendars now for Bike tours, volunteering, paddles and advocacy days...


4 Art Opening
Friday February 17th with Zimad's large paintings, and DJ Alien.. 7 - 10 PM, sans alcohol for your enjoyment pleasure...


5 Space Sought
Alas, we haven't been able to link up with sufficient partners to make our new space work sustainably, so help us find another space in the area! Free, low cost, some kind of sharing arrangement we are open to all possibilities! Contact: Harry J. Bubbins. This underscores the need to launch an effort to identify and obtain our own property in the community to be able to share space with other needing causes and create the reality we want to live as a model for others on a long term sustainable basis. Since opening the Green Corner we have hosted: yoga, tango, meditation, exhibitions, meetings with local groups and projects like Bronx New Mommies and South Bronx CSA and elected officials, met funders, help us move on in style!


6 We are Featured on Green Map
The all new Powerful Green Map of New York made its debut on February 15, 2006 featuring many sites in the South Bronx.


Focusing on energy conservation, renewables and climate change, this map has great potential to mark a turning point in our city’s energy future.
“Taking action to make smart energy choices will help us make the move towards a more secure and empowered future, in addition to having a positive impact on our environment and our wallets,” says Wendy E. Brawer, Founding Director of Green Map System, the global eco-cultural mapping organization behind
this community media project. Use the Powerful Green Map to lower your utility bills, plan a new cycling route, see cutting edge green buildings, plan a riverside solar tour with the kids, to track down fresh local vegetables for dinner and much more.

The Powerful Green Map is the 5th citywide edition of the Green Apple Map of NYC’s environment since 1992. “We are glad that the South Bronx was not forgotten in this city-wide resource. Not only can we see the power plants and waste transfer sites that litter our shore, but our flagship garden and farmer’s market are highlighted to balance out the blight,” says Harry J. Bubbins, of Friends of Brook Park.

Printed on 100%
post-consumer recycled paper, it’s available in both folded and poster formats. The project’s website,
GreenAppleMap.org, features a new digital edition of the Powerful Green Map, plus resources in
English, Spanish and Chinese.
Get free copies of the new Powerful Green Map for your friends, neighbors or class at Greenmarkets
around town, or check online at GreenAppleMap.org for more pick up points. For one copy by mail,
send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Green Map, PO Box 249, NYC 10002-0249. For several, call
Green Map at 212 674 1631 or email apple@greenmap.org.

7 Donate by mail or online!


http://friendsofbrookpark.org/donations.html

8 March 2 Teacher Meeting Ps 179 see our calendar!!!

End of Year Letter 2005

Dear Friend,

Since 1999 we've been growing the Friends of Brook Park spectrum of activities and events. From community gardening to canoe paddling, bike tours and indigenous culture tipi ritual opportunities, we have offered meaningful opportunities for deep connections with the environment and with each other.

This year, with your support, we have reached a critical watermark -------- advocating for over $1,000,000 in the city Parks budget to revitalize our park by removing the asphalt and increasing the greenery, with a natural labyrinth, fruit tree grove, daylighted brook and outdoor classroom. (http://friendsofbrookpark.org/design.html)


But our efforts don't end there. After a series of community design meetings in partnership with New Yorkers for Parks, we are setting our sites to create a new public access and launch site on the Harlem River. (http://www.ny4p.org/advocacy/june29_enews.php)

Of course, Friends of Brook Park's work isn't limited to creating more open space. We are also growing into the third year of our Community Supported Agriculture project with Just Food and For a Better Bronx that brings farm fresh organic food to our South Bronx community. (http://friendsofbrookpark.org/sbcsa)

Our Environmental Education programs have provided hands-on physical activities access for hundreds of students from local schools such as PS 179, MS 220 and 222 and PS 30. Our Green Team mentoring program with Community School for Social Justice continues in it's fifth semester of focused attention for teens.

With our newly opened community strorefront space along the Art & Antique Row, the 2500 sq.ft. Green Corner/Rincon Verde will serve as a meeting place for long-time residents and new-comers alike, to channel and synergize creative energies for expanded programming possibilities.

We are confident that the interest and momentum we've helped to create over the years has effected a holistic change in many peoples' lives that benefits us all. News articles in the New York Times, New York Newsday, New York Press, The Sun and television reports indicate that our energy and efforts are recognized as vital. But we can't do it alone.


Donate securely online now, or mail in a contribution today! (http://friendsofbrookpark.org)

Your contribution to FoBP also brings you email notices and information on a whole range of interesting, educational events, from dig your hands in the Earth volunteer days, to Raw Food workshops, to holistic retreats in Mexico.

I urge you to be as generous as you can.

Sincerely,

Harry J. Bubbins, Director/Founder
Friends of Brook Park