Hello, faithful readers!  Just got back from the first of four Summer Streets on Vanderbilt.  Basically, they’re turning Vanderbilt into a pedestrian plaza from Dean to Park Place all four Sundays in June from 12 to 5pm.  It was pretty neat!  It wasn’t at all like a street fair, more like a block party for the neighborhood.  A lot of the restaurants and bars had tables out on the street, like Amorina and Plan B, and several neighborhood organizations had information booths.  Expect more information soon about Vanderbilt Flea @ 633, Brooklyn House Tours, and the Prospect Heights Community Farm.

We bought some lemonade from little kids, someone was setting up yoga mats on the boulevard, and there was chalk for drawing on the street out in front of Beast.  It seems like the businesses are still figuring out how best to use the event, but lots of people were out and about.  My gentleman friend and I were talking about how in New York, where so many people work far from where they live, it can be hard to get to know your neighbors or to reach them with information if you’re a community group.  Events like this seem like a great opportunity for that.  I’ll be dropping by for the next three weeks, let me know if you’ll be there and want to say hello.