Release Date:  December 5, 2005 
Contact: Michelle Karshan 
Telephone: (212) 613-6033 
mkarshan@aol.com 
 

Local Officials Joined Santa Claus at Downtown Atlantic Avenue’s

Tree Lighting Festival and Winners of Annual Atlantic Avenue

Holiday Window Design Competition Announced 

Brooklyn, New York – December 5, 2005 – On Thursday December 1^st, the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, together with Atlantic Avenue merchants and restaurants, hosted its annual holiday festivity. Councilman David Yassky officiated the annual tree lighting ceremony in front of the Belarusian Church on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street in downtown Brooklyn.   

Well attended, and filled with holiday charm, the candle-lit evening featured schoolchildren from local public schools 261 and 38 singing Christmas carols, Santa’s guest appearance, the presence of local officials, and complimentary holiday treats and refreshments donated by local restaurants. This year’s event also served as a collection point for children’s clothing to be donated to the Coalition for the Homeless.   

Deputy Borough President,Yvonne Graham, stood in for Brooklyn’s Borough President, Marty Markowitz, and addressed the crowded church room of children, their families,  local neighbors and merchants.  Also present were Jo Anne Simon, Female District Leader 52^nd AD, and Leroy P. Branch Jr., Assistant District Manager of Community Board 6.  

The Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition 

Twenty-two stores along Atlantic Avenue dressed up their windows in time for the annual window contest. Judges viewed and assessed individual store windows based on original creative concept; use of materials; display technique; merchandising acumen; execution on a holiday theme and eye catching appeal for pedestrians along Atlantic Avenue spanning the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill. 

Ian Kelley, President of the Board of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp., gave out awards to this year’s winners:  #1 went to Baltic Bazaar, #2 to Lewis Gallery, both Downtown Atlantic and Floral Heights tied for #3, The Antique Room received Honorable Mention and Special Category went to 'Out of the Box'  City Foundry.  

The judges, Bob Korn, Boerum Hill resident and graphic designer; Claire Klarewicz-Okser, renowned artist; Lisa Shimamura, founder of COlab Projects Group, and founder and producer of Brooklyn's annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk; Jamel Gaines, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Creative Outlet, Dance Theatre of Brooklyn; and Ellie Winberg, who is known for her artistic work in paper and serves on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, all live and work in Brooklyn and were selected based on their artistic merit, diligence and accomplishments in the fine, visual and media arts.  

Shop & Dine 

Twenty-six stores and twelve restaurants along Atlantic Avenue, from Flatbush Avenue to the waterfront, are participating in this year’s Shop & Dine and will remain open late on Thursday evenings until 8:30 pm throughout December, and will stay open late every night the week leading up to Christmas.  Several restaurants along the avenue will offer specials to late night shoppers.

For list of participants, click HERE.

 
Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation 
 
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.

Editors:  Please contact mkarshan@aol.com for images of unique holiday gifts available on Atlantic Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and the waterfront. Also, image of First Prize to Winning Window is available.