Woman Killed By Train at Prospect Park Station

A woman was killed early Saturday morning when she was hit by a southbound Q at the Prospect Park station. According to witnesses, the woman was attempting to cross the tracks when she was struck by the train.

While I'm not one to dispute the integrity of unnamed witnesses, this sounds like a suicide to me. Newspapers and train operators routinely conspire to under-report suicides on the tracks because of a valid fear that the press coverage will lead to copycats. However this woman died, our sympathy goes out to her family.

Meytex with the Black Stars

As promised, I was at Meytex Cafe (545 Flatbush Ave.(gmap)) this morning to watch Ghana take on Australia in their second game of the World Cup.

While the crowd was a little light at kick-off (10AM on a Saturday, so I understand...), by 10 minutes in the place was buzzing. Sadly, the Australians scored first after Ghana's goalie fumbled a rebound of a free kick right onto the foot of an onrushing Aussie who put it home. Temporarily deflated, the crowd came alive shortly thereafter when a point-blank shot for Ghana was only kept out of the goal by the arm of an Aussie defender, leading to both a penalty kick and the ejection of the Australian. Asamoah Gyan slotted in the tying goal and the crowd went crazy (see below; a bad photo by a horrible photographer).

Unfortunately, despite having over an hour of play with an extra man on the field, Ghana was unable to score the go-ahead goal. In truth, their play didn't warrant an extra goal. Instead of trying to put together a patient attack, any player with an open look from 30 meters away took it, rarely even getting the ball on net. It seemed that every player wanted to be the hero but nobody wanted to be the guy who passed the ball to the hero. To advance to the next round, Ghana will need a tie against a talented and desperate German squad or, failing that, a one-goal loss and a tie by Serbia.

Still, it was great to watch with a crowd so invested in the result. I was invested too - choosing to support my neighbors - and even made the impulse purchase of a Ghana team jersey (modeled here by Sidney). Unfortunately for me, Ghana's final opening round game will be on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30, when I'll be at work. If you are in the neighborhood, I'd suggest stopping in. And ordering the fried chicken with an amazing hot sauce. You won't regret either.

Don't Miss the Community Board Meeting Next Tuesday (6/22)

Remember last week how we mentioned the nightmare intersection at Empire/Flatbush/Ocean? It turns out that the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has already mapped out a solution and will be presenting it at the Community Board 9 public meeting next week!

There are several other interesting items on the agenda as well:

• Reps from the DOT will be discussing its proposal for the Nostrand Avenue Select Bus Service

• The Department of City Planning will discuss the Car Share Text Amendment, which will allow services like ZipCar to do more business in our neighborhood

• NYH20 will do a presentation on to the threat to New York City’s drinking water from companies proposing to use Hydraulic Fracturing/Horizontal Drilling to drill for gas.

Per usual, the meeting is Tuesday (June 22) at 7 pm at the Middle School 61 Auditorium, 400 Empire Blvd. (between Nostrand and New York Avenues).

Contact CB President Pearl Miles in advance if you'd like to speak a few words about any of the agenda items: 718-778-9279 or bk09@cb.nyc.gov.

Hope to see you there!

Free Cast Iron Bed, Anyone?

We sold this full-size, antique bed frame to someone on eBay a few years ago but the person broke her leg skiing and ended up never coming to get it. Her loss, your gain! Caveats: It's been sitting in our basement for a few years and has gotten rusty, so you'll need to sand it with steel wool. Also, I can't promise that the casters won't destroy your wood floors. But if you want it, email me at brooklynite282 @ gmail.com and the first person to come and get it wins.

The World Cup and PLG

I hate it when I get scooped by the New York Times.

I was planning on going to Meytex Cafe (gmap) next Saturday to watch the Ghanaian World Cup team take on Australia in the only Ghanaian restaurant in Brooklyn. I thought I'd have an exclusive but George Vecsey got there first, going yesterday to watch Ghana defeat Serbia 1-0.

I'm still going next Saturday to cheer on the Black Stars as they take on the horribly named Socceroos. The game kicks off at 10AM and I can't wait.

Image via The New York Times.

New Community Garden Coming to Flatbush

Thanks to Karen, we now know that there will soon by a community garden at the Flatbush Reformed Church, on Flatbush near Albemarle. Sustainable Flatbush is helping to plan the new green space and if you want to get involved, there is a planning meeting next week.

WHAT: Community Garden Visioning Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday June 16th at 6pm

WHERE: Flatbush Reformed Church, 890 Flatbush Avenue (gmap)

Refreshments and childcare will be provided!

Attendees can see where the garden is growing and discuss options for what can be grown and ideas for what should be. You can sign up to attend here. For more information, call 718-208-0575 or write to info-at-sustainableflatbush-dot-org.

Image via Santa Clara University

Stoop Sales This Weekend and Next

There's going to be a stoop sale this Saturday, June 12, at 28 Chester Court, from 10 am to 4pm. We're told they'll have books, movies, housewares, baby stuff and oddities.

The following week, on Saturday, June 19, the block of Midwood between Bedford and Rogers will be having a mass stoop sale from 10 am to 5 pm. 

Come on down!

Rumor Alert: Pet Store Slated For Flatbush Avenue

We've heard from an inside source that a pet supplies store is coming to Flatbush Avenue, just south of Lincoln Road. The "for rent" sign is still on the property, though, so don't quote us on this one.

Unearthing The American Revolution on Clove Road?

This Summer, Clove Road is going to be an archaeological site. The Daily News reported this morning that the efforts of historians of the American Revolution has led to funding to dig up Clove Road in the hopes of finding war-era artifacts.

Clove Road is a short spur in Crown Heights, running North from Empire Boulevard between Nostrand and New York to Montgomery Street, with its only other intersection at the tiny, vestigial Malbone Street (gmap).

According to the Daily News, Letitia James obtained $200,000 to fund the project after a private report found that:

800 American soldiers guarded the road - then known as the Bedford Pass - in August 1776 before retreating from advancing British forces.

Even though evidence was thin that important archeological objects would be found, the report concluded the dig should go forward because it "would enhance our understanding of American defenses in Brooklyn" and "provide a glimpse" of how camp life was for the troops.

I hope the dig doesn't inconvenience the residents of Clove Road too much - and that the dig doesn't destroy the remaining cobblestones. In fact, it would be great if the result of the dig is to restore the cobblestone path - but I don't expect that to happen. Local architect Michael Cetera is noted in the article for proposing that the street be turned into a park or a pedestrian path. Since I can't imagine it gets much vehicular traffic, I think that is a great (if also unlikely) idea.

Image via Forgotten NY's excellent article on the alleys of Brooklyn (including Clove Rd, Malbone Street and the Miami, Palm and Tampa Courts).

Boutique Flea Offers Vintage Clothes, Flowers

A new vintage clothing shop has just opened on Rutland, near Flatbush. Zenobia Marion, who has lived on Rutland for 18 years, opened Boutique Flea (7 Rutland Road, 646-479-5139) after selling informally out of her home. In the near future, she plans on adding fresh-cut flowers and greeting cards to her list of wares.

In addition to the new store, Zenobia also runs Serenity at Home, a bed and breakfast on Rutland.

Welcome, Boutique Flea! Everyone, we command you to come and shop here. Now.