The Hill Goes Digital

By DK Holland

WHEN TIMES OF TROUBLE CAME TO THE HILL back in January, we were well into developing the print issue. Ironically it was designed to help our neighbors who we figured were struggling with the recession. Then it dawned on us that we had our own very real struggle: we were feeding a dinosaur, a very expensive print project for which we had absolutely no marketing plan. We loved "putting out the paper" as one board member likes to say, but we have never even told people where to find The Hill. We just dumped 7500 issues at 35+ locations twice a year.

You looked forward to reading it. But you were lucky if you found a copy, they were gobbled up so fast. How's that for an admission? But we (the Board and Hill contributors) love The Hill too much to let it become extinct so we rethought what we deliver and the way we deliver it so we could insure it a robust future.

What has quickly emerged is a hybrid - a very modern animal: streamlined and durable, combo print and Web publication (thank you, designer Tom Dolle and IT guys Mike Westfall and Bruce Zenel, sine qua non).

Readers will see that there are fewer ads in the print version. That's part of the problem: business belt tightening made funding suddenly very difficult and delayed the issue. But all the ads are also now on our spanking new Website giving our much-appreciated advertisers (i.e., our income source) far greater exposure, increasing our value to our advertisers.

There is a lot more content that is only on our Web site. And all the content is searchable so the world can now access The Hill (note to world: come and visit but you might think twice about moving here as we are running out of room).

The Hill is still free, is still published by volunteers. Still comes out twice a year (although the next issue will come out in January, we need a rest). And from now on, we will try to let you know where and when to find us. The Local (fort-greene.blogs.nytimes.com) broadcast our list just before we distributed this issue. Printed below is a typical distribution list.

We do not currently offer to mail The Hill on a subscription basis.

If you are a Hill supporter please consider that we are a 501-C3 nonprofit besides being all-volunteer run (want to join us?). We are having a fun raiser at Parlor Jazz on September 20th (see page 2). Our coffers are not at all flush and we hope to create a little cushion. In the meantime, enjoy our Website and pick up a free print version if you can find one (they go fast!).

Where on the Hill
can you find The Hill?

Copies of The Hill are available at our advertisers' places of business. In addition, copies are available at various locations throughout the neighborhood. Below is a partial list of both. Note: Next issue comes out in early 2010.

> Myrtle Avenue, East of Clinton
Connecticut Muffin
Karrot
Jive Turkey
Bank of America
Maggie Brown
Thai 101
Five Spot
Citibank
Body Beautiful
Myrtle Pharmacy
Clinton Hill Hardware
Joseph Tyler
Healthy Body

> Myrtle Avenue - West of Clinton
Klevor Wines and Liquors
Duncan's Fish Market
Rope
Gnarley Vines
Bakery (Vanderbilt)
Emigrant Savings

> DeKalb Avenue
Tillie's
Ruby Nail
Elly's Market
Black Iris
Bittersweet
Caroline's
Bonita
Brooklyn Sporting Goods
Kiki
Amin Indian Restaurant
Behrens Pharmacy
The General Greene
Bagel World

> Fowler Square Area, Including Lafayette
Deniz
Academy Restaurant
Brooklyn Properties
Corcoran
67 Burger
Gourmet Market
Connecticut Muffin
La Bagel Delight
Fillmore Real Estate
Moes
The Smoke Joint

> On Lafayette Below Fulton
BAM
Dare Books

> Fulton - Classon to Vanderbilt
Mercantile Antiques
Kush (Putnam)
Paw and Claw (Grand off Putnam)
Cambridge Dental
MET Foods
Fine Care Pharmacy
Senegal Fashion
Olivino
Olivino Wine Bar
Raif
Outpost
Embora
Autour Du Monde
Capital 1 Bank

> Fulton Street - Greene to Ashland (including Greene off Fulton and Hanson Pl.)
Cakeman Raven
Greene Pharmacy
Courtney Washington
BZ Greene
Aqualis Grill
Michal Stone Bridal
Night of the Cookers
Greene Grape
Greene Grape Provisions
Fresh Garden
South Oxford Near Fulton
Brooklyn Social Therapy Group

> Grand and Lafayette Area
Choice
Still Hip
Grand Dakar
Choice Greene (on Greene)

> Washington North of Myrtle
Mohito
Kiki
St James/Hall
Mikes Coffee Shop
Pratt Coffee Shop
Apple Art (Dekalb)

> Here and There
Who's Your Doggie
Washington Avenue Public Library
Pratt Library
88th Precinct Community Council
Graziella's