Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp board poses with Santa and local childrenRelease Date: December 6, 2008
Contact: Michelle Karshan
Telephone: (212) 613-6033 or Michelle.Karshan@gmail.com
Atlantic Avenue Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony a Great Success!
Holiday Cheer and Merriment Abounded Amidst Theme of World Peace
Annual Atlantic Avenue Window Design Competition Winners Announced
Brooklyn, New York – December 6, 2008 – On Thursday December 4th, the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation hosted its annual tree lighting ceremony at the Belarusian Church on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street in Boerum Hill. Once again, Council Member David Yassky officiated the tree lighting and was accompanied by State Assemblywomen Joan Millman as well as special guest Santa Claus. More than a hundred and fifty people crammed the church’s common room to join in the celebratory holiday events of the evening where the winners of the Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition were also announced. See slideshow of the event!
White Christmas lights encircled the room’s columns and framed the stage where Christmas performances by local schoolchildren filled the room with holiday excitement. A chorus from PS 38, under the direction of Choir Teacher Monica Padilla, and the choir and musicians from the 4th and 5th grades of PS 261, under the direction of Emilie Williams and Rocco Oppedisano, enthusiastically performed Christmas songs while the very jolly, and oh so popular, Santa shook his belt of bells along to the classic holiday tunes.
Ian L. Kelley, Esq., President of the Board of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp., announced the 2008 winners of the Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition as follows:
- First Place: Mai Restaurant at 497 Atlantic Ave between Third Avenue & Nevins Street. Mai’s window was designed by Kristin Austin,
- Second Place: Dig Gardens, 479 Atlantic Avenue between Third Avenue and Nevins Street. Dig’s owner, Chuck Door, designed the window himself.
- Third Place: Opalia Flowers, at their new address, 377 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt & Bond Streets.
- Honorable Mention: Melting Pot, 492 Atlantic Avenue between Third Avenue and Nevins Street, Blue Marble, 420 Atlantic Avenue between Bond and Nevins Streets, and Downtown Atlantic restaurant, 364 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets.
On the evening of December 3rd, this year’s judges, Brooklyn playwright Lynn Nottage, Charlotte Phillips, M.D., Chairperson and Co-Founder of Brooklyn For Peace (founded in 1984 as Brooklyn Parents for Peace.), Nancy Doniger, illustrator for over 20 years, and Nicole Pajor, manager of Creative Services for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, viewed the various holiday windows along Atlantic Avenue from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue spanning Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill. The judges took into consideration original creative concept; use of materials; display technique; merchandising acumen; execution on a holiday theme and eye catching appeal for pedestrians, artistic merchandising and creative window display, aesthetic contribution, while bearing in mind this year’s theme of World Peace.
“We thank all of the Atlantic Avenue merchants and restaurants who participated and especially those who incorporated this year's theme of peace,” wrote Sue Wolfe, member of the Board of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp. and President of the Boerum Hill Association, in her post to the Boerum Hill listserv. Wolfe added that, “The judges enjoyed efforts of the building and store owners who lighted the trees on the Avenue - especially the four trees in front of Atlantic Gardens between Third and Fourth Avenues.”
Local stores and restaurants, Pete's Waterfront Ale House, Sahadi's, Damascus Bakery, Betty Bakery, Downtown Atlantic, Govinda Organic Market, Moon Deli, The Moxie Spot, Blue Marble Ice Cream, contributed an abundant and wide array of scrumptious holiday treats making the evening even more enjoyable and festive.
Finally, Wolfe, in her same email to neighbors, urged all to “Please stroll down the [Atlantic] Avenue - the windows are beautiful and the goodies inside the stores and restaurants are very special! Great holiday gifts - whether you purchase items or gift certificates - it's great to support you local neighbors.”
The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, originally formed in 1974, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the economic development of the Atlantic Avenue area from Fourth Avenue to the East River waterfront in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to producing the Atlantic Antic, one of New York City's major cultural attractions, and other special events, the organization's activities include implementation of streetscape improvements, historic storefront preservation, and advocacy on issues of importance to the retail and residential community. The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp. is charged with bringing to fruition the Atlantic Avenue Master Plan which was conceived by the Atlantic Avenue Leadership Conference, a collaboration of 50 local community groups and businesses including the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation.
Press Inquiries: Contact Michelle Karshan at 347-281-2958, See original press release and holiday poster
Slideshow of events and windows on Flickr
Editors: Photos of Tree Lighting Festivities and Window Winners at Flickr (click on each photo to enlarge and read description)
OTHER INFO: Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation at 718-875-8993
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