The Bed-Stuy Blog has been around for 4¼ years. When I started the blog I did it because at the time I felt that Bed-Stuy’s blog presence was non-existent. That’s not totally true. Bed-Stuy was being mentioned on blogs, but it was often by people whose only knowledge of Bed-Stuy came from that one time back in the 10th grade when they rented “Do the Right Thing” from Blockbuster. Now, times have changed. I’m seeing Bed-Stuy being blogged about the way it should be, and as such it’s time for the Bed-Stuy Blog to end.

I absolutely hate long goodbyes, but I do have some people to thank.

First I need to thank everyone who was a contributing writer for the blog. No matter how many (or how few) posts you wrote for the blog, I was grateful for your contribution. Among the Bed-Stuy Blog reporters, there are four who deserve a special mention because of the size of their contribution to the blog. I want to thank Joanna (aka Alexa11221) who worked on the blog pretty much from the start, and who offered lots of great posts. Many thanks to Kel (aka The Progressive Southside), who came to the blog after writing his own neighborhood blog in Queens. He moved into Bed-Stuy and began churning out some of the most interesting stories about the things going on in the southwest part of the neighborhood. Kel has kept me laughing since the day I met him. I also want to thank Rosie (aka Inquisigal) for her stunning photos of Bed-Stuy residents as well as her hilarious only-in-Bed-Stuy tales. I also appreciate her taking me along for her pub crawl posts. Of course I’d like to thank Michael Corley of Corley Realty Group and My Brooklyn Report. Michael’s posts on real estate in Bed-Stuy sparked some of the liveliest conversations on the blog. And last but not least, I also have to thank all of the people who sent in tips. You were the ones who helped us keep our fingers on the pulse of the community.

I gotta send a huge thanks to Carmen de Jesus (aka Zengine) who set up this blog for me. I came to Carmen and told her that I wanted to blog about Bed-Stuy and she put together the site for me and began to teach me more than I ever wanted to know about how things work on the back end.

Thanks to all of the businesses that advertised on the site. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the biggest business supporters, Irving Boyce-el of Ironwork NY and Nikima Frenche of Le Chateau de Frenche Day Spa and Private Tea Room.

And finally, thanks to the readers! I’ve met so many of you through this blog. I enjoyed getting to know you and learning about the neighborhood from you.

Even though the Bed-Stuy Blog will be no more, I’m leaving you in capable hands. If you’re not already reading these blogs, then you should check them out. They’ll keep you up to date on what’s going on in Bed-Stuy:

Reclaimed Home
Brownstoner
Our Time Press
Bed-Stuy Gateway Blog
Brooklynian (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill & Bed-Stuy)
Bed-Stuy Patch
and pretty much any blog that is listed in our blogroll.

I’m not sure when (or if) I’ll take the Bed-Stuy Blog down, but you can be sure that it won’t be anytime soon. Keep us in your reader, because, who knows, after spending some time in non-blogger mode, I just might decide to start blogging again.

Wanna know what I’ll be doing with all of the extra time I’ll have now that I’m no longer blogging? I’ll be spending it offline. Enjoying the neighborhood.

Sincerely,
Petra (aka The Changeling)

Do you remember when you were a kid and you were sitting in the den waiting for your 8:00 p.m. show to come on and all of a sudden the CBS Special Presentation music would start playing and you’d see the word SPECIAL rotating on the screen? For me, that was always a moment that made me fearful. If I were facing away from the TV I would whip my neck around and my eyes would lock onto that rotating C. It was something about those conga drums and tympani and the way the segment would just appear on the TV screen without much warning that would make me very anxious. Those drums always sounded so ominous! Whose idea was that anyway? Who decided that a few measures of heavy percussive music would be the signal that regularly scheduled programming was going to be interrupted? I guess they had to compose something that would get your attention, but did it have to scare the hell out of small children? Thank goodness that the musical segment was only a couple of seconds long, because I recall my heart stopping each time it came on and I didn’t breathe again until it was over. The good thing about the CBS Special Presentation segment is that even though it was scary to me, it was usually followed up by something that was enjoyable and calming. Not one second after you’d hear the last of the drum beats, you’d begin to hear the Vince Guaraldi Trio signaling the start of a Charlie Brown Special or maybe you would start to see the snow-covered landscapes that began many of those Rankin-Bass stop animation specials. In any case, I wanted to use that CBS Special Presentation music for my upcoming post.

William DuBose is an architect and designer living in Bed-Stuy. He has his own company, Will DuBose Design.  His sophisticated designs which include retail, office, residential, and entertainment spaces are eye candy for anyone who loves to see interiors completely transformed.  All of the photos included in this post are of Will’s work. I recently got a chance to ask him a few questions about his life and his business.

So how long have you been living here?
I’ve spent the last 2 years in Bed-Stuy. Prior to that I lived in the Village. Bed Stuy wins the comparison hands down.

I think a lot of people, once they’ve moved here, start to become attached to the neighborhood and they see all of the advantages of living here compared to where they lived before.

How long have you been in this business?
Since 1994. I began studying architecture then, after a long love affair with Painting and Fine Arts. When I began in the field I made it my business. Friends in the business school would ask me for help and I would propose projects to help them raise funds for their ventures.

What led you to choose this line of work?
I wanted to see and create beautiful spaces. Since I was young my mother would drive us through neighborhoods in Chicago.

I’m guessing that you would dream about the beautiful spaces you could create in all of those gorgeous Chicagoland row houses.

What’s your favorite part of your job?
100% completion… Well it’s never complete, but when most of what I’ve instructed the contractors to do is done I get a sense of fulfillment that lets me know the project has come together well.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of a job well done. So that’s the best part of the job. What, then, do you think is the hardest part of your job?
Helping clients believe in the possibilities in design. Each time I’m with a new client I have to overcome a few minor visual obstacles: I’m a 6ft, 225lb, muscular, black man. Also I speak as if I’m from the south. With all that said, I have to rock for a client to believe in my artistic skills. They have to get past the facade and all they have ever known about designers and how they think a designer should look and talk.

What current projects are you working on that you are excited about?
A PR office in Meatpacking District. It’s a small 1,200 square foot space but the clients are wonderful and propose more creative elements than the usual.

In the past you’ve gotten to work with HGTV on their show Freestyle! I love HGTV! What was that like?
It was amazing and a step on the ladder. I designed on a budget. Next step, designing on an endless budget.

Sometimes I feel for the designers on HGTV because some of the people who go on those shows have absolutely no idea what they want! I mean, they know that they don’t like their kitchen but they can’t articulate what they do like or what they want. How do you help people create their dream space when they are not quite sure what they want?
I request that each client brings images: magazine clippings, websites.

Oh, that makes sense! When I’m imagining what I can do with my limited space, I usually look at photos online to see what the possibilities are, even if I’m not able to pull it together into a coherent vision. What suggestions would have for people who want to design a space but they are on a limited budget?
Do the best you can with what you have. One person’s garbage is another man’s treasure. For furnishings make sure you exhaust the possibilities for reusing and distributing before you discard furniture.

That’s great advice. Now that the weather has finally gotten warm, many of us have turned our attention to our backyards, terraces and roofdecks. Have you designed any outdoor spaces?
I’m working on 2 outdoor spaces now. I designed 28 condo units for a developer. The purchasers for two of the units demanded that I do their outdoor space (after seeing the before and after for their units).

Your home must be amazing! Your friends must feel envy when you invite them over.
I love my home and the two little ladies (my wife and daughter) in it. My friends love it too. And I always help them with their spaces.

Aww, what a great guy! It’s so nice to see such talent in Bed-Stuy. Be sure to check out William DuBose’s website and Facebook page.

Take a look at some of these before and after shots of Will’s work.  Gorgeous transformations aren’t they?

Will DuBose Design
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN + INTERIORS + EVENT DESIGN
Phone: 646-344-9798
http://www.willdubosedesign.com

UPDATE: I just found out that Will is looking for 1-2 great interns. Interest necessary, design background preferred, but not mandatory. You can email him at info@willdubosedesign.com or contact him via facebook. (hours are flexible)

Are you an aspiring business owner?
Are you a property owner with vacant space?
Are you an existing business owner and want to expand?
Are you an organization with resources for effectively running a business?

If you are a start-up or an existing business wanting to expand and are looking for a home in Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant or Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, come join Pratt Area Community Council for another Rolling Up the Gates Storefront Stroll event. They’re rolling up the gates of the vacant commercial spaces along Fulton Street, Bergen Street and Bedford Avenue for an exclusive viewing.

Also, local financial and business resource organizations will be available to speak about the business services that are available to help you become a better entrepreneur and make your business more competitive.

Then take a ride on “Molly the Trolley” for a guided tour of vacant commercial spaces to locate a new home for your new business.

“Rolling Up the Gates” Storefront Stroll
Vacant spaces open for viewing along Fulton Street, Bergen Street and Bedford Avenue!!

Saturday, June 25, 2011
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
PACC’s Fulton Street Office
896-900 Fulton Street, 2nd floor
(Between Waverly & Washington Avenues)

AGENDA
*9:00 AM – 9:30 AM*
Breakfast Reception

*9:30 AM – 11:00 AM*
Guest Speakers: Pratt Area Community Council, FAB Alliance, Heart of Brooklyn, NYC Small Business Services, NYC Business Solutions, Capital One Bank, CAMBA, Business Outreach Center, and others

*11:00 AM – 2:00 PM*
RUG Storefront Stroll along
Fulton Street, Bergen Street and Bedford Avenue Avenue via Molly the Trolley

Limited Space – Registration is required please RSVP:
Phone: 347-823-5700 ext .25 or by email: dale_charles@prattarea.org

The New York City Domestic Violence Hotline receives an average of a thousand calls from teenagers every month.

Columbia University’s Center for Youth Violence and Prevention has recently discovered that sexual and dating violence are extremely common among NYC youth. In their study, more than one in six young people reported experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives.

Empowering Ourselves is committed to working to reduce violence among young people in New York City and cities across the nation.

In 2011, Empowering Ourselves is especially focused on combating youth violence. This campaign will begin with “A Rally to Promote Peace and Empower Young People” on June 25, 2011. The rally will take place in Raymond Bush Park, which is located next to Public School 44 at the corner of Monroe Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn, NY. The rally will be from 12pm-4:30pm.

Empowering Ourselves will provide free food, beverages, and t-shirts.

There will be inspirational speakers who will present alternative strategies to violence and conflict-resolution techniques. There will also be a showcase of talented young people: hip-hop dance performances, spoken word artists, singers, steel drummers, and music that does not normalize violence or encourage young people to view themselves negatively.

Come celebrate. Have fun. Be empowered.

About “Empowering Ourselves”
Empowering Ourselves is a program focused on empowering and uplifting
African American youth. It was featured on CNN in October 2010; the
story can be viewed at: http://www.empoweringourselvesnow.com

St. George’s Episcopal Church (800 Marcy Avenue, bet Gates Avenue and Monroe Street) is hosting a presentation on autism on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at approximately 12:30 pm (to follow the 10:00 am Youth Service). The presenter is Lucina Clarke from My Time Inc.

On the same day at 3:00 pm the St. George’s Episcopal Church Annual Youth Concert
will take place. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children.

For more information on either of these events, call 718-789-6036 or email stgeorge@att.net.

Bed-Stuy based folk/soul/pop band Itchy Hearts have just released their third album “Tried to be Punk.” The band members draw on influences from the Jackson 5 to Steve Earle. (I love it when bands cite influences that are wide ranging and seemingly unrelated.) They’ll be touring this summer so check their website for a list of cities/venues (the dates are still TBA) and be sure to check out their latest album by clicking here. Oh yeah, and like them on Facebook!

Some of the families who are now Bed-Stuy homeowners.  Photo credit: Deborah Schwartz

From Habitat for Humanity’s Press Release:

Sixteen hardworking, low-income families recently celebrated their new Habitat for Humanity – New York City homes in Bedford-Stuyvesant, receiving symbolic keys to their affordable condominiums.

The joyous dedication ceremony marked the completion of construction and the 300 hours of “sweat equity” that every adult family member gave to help build their homes.

Under Habitat-NYC’s urban “barn-raising” construction model, more than 2,500 volunteers – from all sectors of New York City and all walks of life – joined families to build these homes. Among them were luminaries like former Mets stars Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry,filmmaker Spike Lee and actress Susan Sarandon.

Josh Lockwood, Habitat-NYC Executive Director, said “Today is the most special day of our year at Habitat-NYC, as we salute the incredible, hard-working families who will become homebuyers as a result of our partnership together. It is a time when we reflect on the journey we have taken together, a journey of friendship, sacrifice, challenges and joys.”

Joining in the celebration were Congress Member Edolphus Towns and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who handed out voter registration cards and urged new homeowners to be active in their new community.

Habitat-NYC’s Hart-Lafayette project includes four buildings on three sites – two buildings at 512-514 Lafayette Avenue, and single buildings at 544 Lafayette and at 118 Hart Street.

This $6.8 million project was funded by individuals, corporations and government, including Brooklyn Borough President  Markowitz, Brooklyn Community Foundation, the New York City Housing Trust Fund, New York City Capital Funds, NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal – HOME Program and NYC Councilmember Al Vann. HPD contributed the land and Amalgamated Bank provided a construction loan.

Hart-Lafayette families earn between 50% to 80% of the city’s area median income, contribute sweat equity and assume an affordable mortgage, paying no more than 33% of their gross income on monthly housing expenses.

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Habitat for Humanity has a new, large-scale rehab and construction initiative in Bed-Stuy (and Ocean Hill-Brownsville) that they call 100 Homes in Brooklyn.  They are actively seeking new homeowners for these developments, so if you are interested, you can find information and applications on their website (www.habitatnyc.org). Just click on Own a Habitat Home.  Also, be sure to check out their new blog that focuses on updates about this initiative:   http://100homesinbrooklyn.tumblr.com/