Months ago, Katie mentioned here that we were “starting a commune.” I’d like to amend that statement slightly, based on our now enlightened understanding of vocabulary: we are staring a compound, not a commune. Or have started, rather. [Compound (enclosure), a cluster of buildings having a shared purpose, usually inside a fence or wall; a [...]

Men & ladies are welcome.

• Strawberry Spice Macaron recipe • Small update from The Brooklyn Paper on the proposed Greenpoint pier / ferry • Free composting workshop at the McKarren Park / Greenpoint Greenmarket this Saturday a.m.; more info on Greenpointers … • Also via Greenpointers: Veronica’s People Club now open. The Franklin Street bar / coffee window and [...]

We wanted to share with you a new report we published on Thursday which concludes that the vast majority of New York City street fairs are bland and repetitive. Our report features ideas for improving these staples of summer from 25 innovative New Yorkers, including the founder of Chowhound, the organizer of Red Hook Food [...]

• NY Health Department Announces Rules for Restaurant Grades • Students nurture dreams of being farmers in urban Miami-Dade • Italy fears for Nutella with new EU food labels • Tim Carney @ Washington Examiner brings up the Greenpoint Food Market and asks if “more corporatism in Brooklyn” will drive folks here to libertarianism • [...]

The Greenpoint Food Market was featured in a New York Times article at the beginning of June. Good for Greenpoint, right? Perhaps not. The market’s vendors operate on a wide spectrum of the professionalism and legality scale. For some, this is a career; for others, it’s a hobby, a community-bonding activity, a stepping-stone to bigger things, [...]

Ibsen in Bushwick … why not? Saint Jude of the Cats is putting on Lady from the Sea (Henrik Ibsen’s “quirky 1888 drama of necromancy, gender politics, and family dysfunction”) at Chez Bushwick this weekend (Thurs., Fri. & Sat. @ 8 p.m.; 304 Boerum Street #11). If it’s good, I’m pulling for Chekhov’s “The Cherry [...]

The paper has compiled lists of Brooklyn’s summer street festivals, outdoor movie screenings, farmer’s markets and free concerts. Some North Brooklyn highlights: June 24: Rooftop Films presents “The Rural Life and Spirit” (a collection of “cute cartoons, fascinating fictions, and delightful documentaries”) on the Automotive High School lawn, 8 pm [50 Bedford Ave. at N. [...]

I am this. close. to getting out of the city. On a Bolt Bus somewhere on the near outskirts of Manhattan, heading to Boston for the night before taking another bus and then a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. I’ve never really been on the New England coast before, so I have no idea what to [...]

I spent what seemed like a billion hours hawking nut pate and iced coffee at the Greenpoint Food Market last Saturday. Which was a wonderful way to meet even more lovely people doing groovy food things in these parts; sample a billion cupcakes (and a macaroon, but more on this later); and generally taste, see [...]

• M. Stone jewelry sale & rooftop gathering Saturday. 252 Norman Avenue, 3-7 p.m. keg beer + necklaces & earrings that look like the west • May’s Greenpoint Foodmarket is also Saturday afternoon. Church of the Messiah (basement), 129 Russell Street, 12-5 p.m. From creator Joann Kim: The market is hosted by the Church of [...]

Or “I ate at every restaurant in Greenpoint and Williamsburg this weekend.  Go on and ogle that pulled pork slider from Teddy’s Bar and Grill. [Photo courtesy of the Goddamn Cobras.] Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint was this past Sunday (if you did not happen to notice the raucous crowds feasting hungrily on North 11th) to benefit Northside [...]

beer crawl + shopfest in Greenpoint tomorrow from 12-7 p.m., featuring discounts and freebies at Franklin Street’s shops, cafes & bars. Via Brooklyn Based.

I’m on Greenpointers answering the “Greenpointers 5″ survey. I sound silly, but whatevs: go read more about what I like about this neighborhood. And then email them at greenpointers@gmail.com with your own answers. Promote the places that make this neighborhood great for you!

* The Greenpoint Public Library is looking for local artists for its spring benefit art show/silent auction. Deadline: April30. * Roberta’s wood-fired pizzeria in Bushwick has a new bun in the over – literally (hahahahaha. it’s the kind of morning for bad puns): “We’ve learned a lot working with small accounts and now we’re going [...]

* Greenpoint Soup Kitchen Garden, a volunteer-run community garden housed in the backyard of the Greenpoint Reformed Church, is holding an informational/organizing meeting this Saturday from 4-5 p.m. in the backyard of 136 Milton Street.  Looking to set up volunteer schedules for gardening, watering. * Food Safety Bill (S510) debate in the Senate pushed back [...]

We’ve been noticed, darlings! Perhaps recession solidarity is behind overalls percolating on the street and trickling down from the runway. Long associated with farmers, Rosie the Riveter and OshKosh B’gosh babies, the uniform is having a moment: the blog Brooklyn Home Companion has declared that “2010 is the Year of the Overall.” The blog, chronicler [...]

Fresh off my “Why I Love Greenpoint” post, I see this: Tonight marks the launch of a weekly dance jam called No Lights No Lycra. It takes place inside a dimly lit church where attendants are encouraged to do nothing but dance in the dark. It’s an ingenious alternative to dancing in clubs where intoxicated [...]

NY Magazine says Greenpoint, Brooklyn (my home sweet home) is NYC’s 5th “most livable” neighborhood: Ah, Greenpoint, Brooklyn. A neighborhood at once blessed and cursed. Upside: It borders the East River and has glorious views of Manhattan’s spires. Downside: Much of the waterfront is blocked off by a grim stretch of decaying industrial sites. Upside: [...]

Says organizer Joann Kim: April 10th, we will present the next market with uncontainable excitement as we present SPRING AWAKENING. Join us for a hippiefied day of flowers, patchouli, butterflies and eat some vegan granola bars! This just might be our BIGGEST market day yet, the church will be PACKED with all sorts of goodies [...]

Rooftop Farms co-founder Annie Novak will participating in EDIBLE ESTATES: Attack on the Front Lawn, a conversation about growing food in public spaces on Thursday, April 8th at WNYC’s The Greene Space.  [44 Charlton Street (at Varick Street)] For EDIBLE ESTATES: Attack on the Front Lawn, Annie will be joined by Manhattan Borough President Scott [...]

So Niels Windfeld Lund, aka The Bib Professor, is visiting New York for a conference and asked your Brooklyn Home Companion bloggers here if we would support him organizing an overalls party in Greenpoint while he’s in town. Of course! This is the kind of just-random-enough-to-be-fun endeavor we fully support. So, if you happen to [...]

Lots of food policy, agriculture news this week: * Pittsburgh considers reining in urban agriculture, beekeeping and chicken raising. Says the mayor’s spokesperson, “Anytime you see something growing and expanding and there are no rules, you need to regulate it.” Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear …(but darling for the way she manages [...]

Cafe Royal: It is adorable. It is owned by Cody Utzman, the same guy who owns Brooklyn Standard & Papacitos. It has coffee/tea/pastries now, and plans on alcohol and light food in the future (for now, you can bring in sandwiches from Brooklyn Standard across the street). It is, like, 4 blocks from my house. [...]

Cobra Pate featured on Greenpoint Food Market blog: What the hell is cobra pate? Awesome sauce for your next ninja bedtime love fiesta. How’d you come up with the name? The Goddamn Cobras’ hot films don’t make themseles – this is our preferred fuel source. Why the decision to share your product at GFM? Why [...]