Sunday, July 31, 2011

UPDATE ON AUGUST EVENTS AT GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND

Greenwood Playground August Calendar

Singalong with Debbie Deane
Wednesday, August 3rd, 10:00 a.m.
For ages 0+
Meet at the flagpole.

Native Plant Workshop
Sunday, August 7th, 2:00 p.m.
Presented byEast 4th Street Community Garden
For ages 4+
Meet at the chess tables.

Singalong with Debbie Deane
Wednesday, August 10th, 10:00 a.m.
For ages 0+
Meet at the flagpole.

Make Mail!
Sunday, August 13th, 1:00 p.m.
Make mail with Melissa Lohman-Wild of Viva Snail Mail
Children: bring the mailing address of someone you want to write to. 
For ages 3+
Meet at the chess tables.

Super Camp Craft
Sunday, August 13th, 1:00 p.m.
With Dari of KWT Craftwork
For ages 6+
Meet at the chess tables.

Family Movie Night
Saturday, August 13th, 8:30 p.m. Movie starts at 9:00 p.m.
Friends of Greenwood Playground's first-ever family movie night. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks.
For all ages

The Swedish Marionette Theatre presents "Bessie's Big Shot"
Monday August 29th, 11:00 a.m. 
For all ages

E. 5th Street by Greenwood Avenue
Windsor Terrace

Friday, July 29, 2011

INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES AT WINDSOR TERRACE LIBRARY

Windsor Terrace Library will feature an International Film Series for three Wednesdays in August. The library is at 160 E. 5th Street, corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway.

"Children of Heaven" (Iran, 1997; in Farsi, with English subtitles)
Wednesday, August 3rd, 1:00 p.m .to 3:00 p.m.

"The Counterfeiters" (Germany, 2007; in German, with English subtitles.)
Wednesday, August 10th, 1:00 p.m .to 3:00 p.m.

"Pather Panchali" (India, 1955; Producer: Government of West Bengal;  black and white; in Bengali, with English subtitles)
Wednesday, August 17th, 1:00 p.m .to 3:00 p.m.

DINING ON PROSPECT PARK'S FISH AND WILDLIFE

"Cops have busted a group of oddball poachers in Prospect Park — a band of vagrants that was trapping and eating ducks, squirrels and pigeons. The city would not immediately release details of the incidents, which occurred on July 17 and 18 — just days after park-goers told rangers about a “Beverly Hillbillies”-like scene on the southeast side of the lake, near the ice skating rink."

LANYARD TIME!

Super Camp Craft
Sunday, July 31st, 11:00 a.m. to noon

Super Camp Craft, with none other than Dari Litchman of KWT Craftwork, who says "We will be breaking out the lanyards! Want to learn box? barrel? butterfly? cobra? twisted cobra? Come on over!"

For ages 6 and up.

Meet at the chess tables in Greenwood Playground, E. 5th Street near Greenwood Avenue.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

MISSING SENIOR CITIZEN: ALERT: WOMAN MISSING SINCE THIS MORNING


July 28, 2011, 8:20 p.m. The NYPD has issued a Missing Senior Notification for Shahina Akter, female, Indian, age 63. She is 5'0" tall, she weighs 130 pounds, and she is wearing a light blue sari (traditional Indian dress) with a purple and white scarf.

She was last seen this morning at 9:00 a.m. near Newkirk Avenue and Rugby Road.

Ms. Akter suffers from severe memory loss and diabetes. If you see her, please call 1-800-577-TIPS (1-800-577-8477).

Please help circulate this information and the photo of Ms. Akter.

KIDS CAN COMPOST

Worm Bin Composting Workshop for Kids
Sunday, July 31st, 11 a.m. to noon

This is a free workshop on how to use worms to compost your food. It'll be held at the East 4th Street Community Garden, 171 East 4th Street, between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway. Everyone is welcome to attend.

ANOTHER FREE CHOCOLATE AND WINE TASTING


Chocolate and Wine Tasting
Friday, July 29th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At Brooklyn Commune tomorrow night, enjoy sampling ki' Xocolatl's 100% organic, sustainably grown, gourmet chocolates, which have been paired with wine from local liquor store Juicebox Wine and Spirits.

The event is free.

Brooklyn Commune
601 Greenwood Avenue, at the corner of Prospect Avenue
(718) 686-1044
e-mail: feedme [at] brooklyncommune.com
http://brooklyncommune.com

Hours of Operation:
Mondays: closed
Tuesday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

LAST SQUIRTING TOMORROW AT "STORIES AND SQUIRTS"

  • Friday, July 29th, 10:00 a.m. The third and final "Stories and Squirts." Creative Writing Workshop with author Jen Nails. Bring a notebook and pencil. For ages 8+. Greenwood Playground, E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue. Meet at the chess tables. Free.
"If you were an aspiring young author, and your literary mentor suddenly sprayed you with water while discussing your manuscript, you might think it was time to consider a different career." Read more in The New York Times' "Spare Times for Children."

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

AUTHOR AND HURRICANE KATRINA-SURVIVING DOG AT WT LIBRARY

Tomorrow (Thursday), author Jane Paley and her dog Hooper, a yellow Labrador who survived Hurricane Katrina after being abandoned and left homeless, will visit the Windsor Terrace Library to read Hooper’s story to children.

Hooper was saved by Labs4rescue in New Orleans and now lives in Connecticut. Hooper Finds a Family: A Hurricane Katrina Dog's Survival Tale, was written for children ages eight to twelve. 

Ms. Paley and Hooper are active participants in animal-related services, including Labs4rescue. Hooper is a certified therapy dog who visits patients in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and physical therapy centers. He is also involved in a reading for buddies program that matches dogs with young children who are learning to read.

3:00 p.m. at the Windsor Terrace Library, 160 E. 5th Street at Fort Hamilton Parkway

A SAFETY MURAL FOR CHURCH AVENUE

A mural designed to promote traffic safety at a dangerous intersection will be painted at 338 E. 5th Street, on the side of Connie's Cafe. Two artists from Groundswell Community Mural Project will guide thirteen students through the creation of the "Church Avenue Mural." The students are learning job skills as they create public art for their neighborhoods.

The team has conducted studies on local traffic patterns and strategized ways to promote safety and respect among the many communities present in the neighborhood.

The Lead Artist on the Church Avenue Mural is Yana Dimitrova, the Assistant Artist is Adam Kidder, and the Youth Artists are Ariel Azore, Ra-Shawn Barino, Michael Coleman, Richie Einhorn, Yves Fatal, Nataya Friedan, Jazmine Hayes, Ivan Jacobson, Peter Kehinde, Cassandra Parbolus, Joanna Roberts, Dustin Washington, and Bill Ng.

Community Painting Day will be on Tuesday, August 9th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the mural will be dedicated on Thursday, August 25th, at 11:00 a.m. at the site of the mural.

The mural is being painted in partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation’s Office of Safety Education and its Urban Art Program division.

FREE ROOFTOP SCREENING OF "GASLAND"

Film Screening Outdoors: "Gasland"
Saturday, July 30th, 7:30 p.m.

Only nine spaces out of twenty are still available for a free screening of Josh Fox's powerful film "Gasland," a documentary about the hazards of the current domestic natural gas drilling boom in the U.S. ("fracking").

Heather Brown and the Park Slope group of the Brooklyn Food Coalition and Food and Water Watch are hosting the screening on Heather's garage rooftop at 427 17th Street, No. 2, by 8th Avenue. A spokesperson from United for Action will speak at the event.

Bring food to share at the potluck meal before the screening. Drinks will be available. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. 

For more information, call Heather at (347) 458-3522.

RACCOON LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN ALBANY

"State Sen. Tony Avella submitted a bill Monday that would force the city to pick up raccoons at the request of the public. The city now only picks up raccoons that are considered dangerous, sick or hurt. The bills submitted by Avella and Crowley also provide for humane relocation whenever possible. Because of rabies fears and logistics, many trapped raccoons are euthanized instead of released." More on the legislation in "Raccoon round up: lawmakers propose city pick up critters in new bill" in the Daily News.

More about raccoons on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website. "Raccoons are among the most widespread mammals in New York State. Raccoon rabies reached New York in 1990 and has become widespread."

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (TERRACE): TOMORROW THROUGH SATURDAY



The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace)
Thursday, July 28th, 5:00 p.m.
Friday, July 29th, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 30th, 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 31st, 3:00 p.m. 

Brave New World Repertory Theatre
presents 
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace)

a play by William Shakespeare,
updated to the 1980s 
and set in Windsor Terrace

See it for free outdoors at
Our Lady’s Field of Holy Name Parish 
Windsor Place, off Prospect Park West
Windsor Terrace

Bring a picnic!


Take the F or G train to the 15th Street/Prospect Park West station.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BISHOP FORD WILL SHARE ITS SPACE WITH A CHARTER SCHOOL

A charter school that was housed in Sunset Park High School will be moving into Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in September. 

Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, a college-preparatory public school currently serving sixth and seventh grade students, will lease classrooms in unused wings in Bishop Ford until its permanent facility in Gowanus is ready to be occupied. Construction of that building has not begun; in fact, an occupant of the building that is supposed to be torn down so the school can build in that spot is suing to remain in the building. That will make construction of a new building by the December 2012 target date difficult.

Monday, July 25, 2011

UPDATE ON E. 3RD STREET PAVING

Tomorrow (Tuesday): towaway zone/no parking signs are posted from Albemarle Road to at least Avenue C.


Today (Monday): the blocks from Fort Hamilton Parkway to Albemarle Road got paved.

CLOTHES CLOSING

The women's clothing store that opened in mid-April on the former site of Basmati Restaurant is having a going-out-of-business sale, with items up to 80% off. Next!

221 Church Avenue, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets


STREET PAVING ON E. 3RD THIS WEEK

E. 3rd Street, from 18th Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway, is scheduled to be paved this week from today (Monday, July 25th) through Thursday. The night before each block is due to be paved, tow-away/no parking signs should be posted up and down the block.

When the roads were milled during the week of July 5th, the milling began at 18th Avenue and worked its way north.

MEDIA COVERAGE OF KENSINGTON VIGIL FOR LEIBY KLETZKY

Selected Articles, Photos, and Videos of
Kensington's Vigil for Leiby Kletzky




The light bearers of Brooklyn (You Are Not a Winner blog)

Sunday, July 24, 2011

KARATE MOVIE NIGHT

Karate Movie Night
Friday, July 29th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Local teen and karate student Dmytro Tatarynov has made the national team and now has the opportunity to go to Brazil in a few weeks to compete. To help him out financially, DKD Sport Karate will host a fund raiser--a movie night--on Friday, July 29th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

DKD staff will take care of your kids while you have a night out--or, if you'd like, you're welcome to stay. The cost for the movie (probably "Karate Kid" Part 1, 2, or 3),  pizza, and soda is $20 per person. This event is for ages 5 through 16.

DKD Karate
338 E. 5th Street, 2nd floor, off Church Avenue
phone: (718) 851-6912
e-mail:dkdsportkarate [at] aol.com
website: http://www.dkdsportkarate.net

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

THE VIGIL FOR LEIBY KLETZKY: BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER

Tonight's vigil in Kensington
for Leiby Kletzky

Two weeks ago tomorrow, eight-year-old Borough Park resident Leiby Kletzky got lost while walking seven blocks to meet his parents. He asked a man in the street for directions. That man has confessed to kidnapping Leiby, murdering him, and--pardon us for writing these words--cutting him into pieces. Some of the pieces were found in the man's Kensington home. The man has confessed to the crimes, although he has pleaded "not guilty." 

Like people everywhere who heard about the crime, the residents of Kensington were horrified by its gruesome and unfeeling nature. The act was incomprehensible. And it was awful to know that the crime took place right in their neighborhood.

A few people organized a candlelight vigil in the P.S. 230 playground, and neighbors gathered together tonight vigil to honor the life of Leiby Kletzky. Afterward, people were invited to write their thoughts and feelings on a scroll that will be given to Leiby's parents.


EVENING AND MORNING WALKS FOR ADOPTED DOGS

Two Walks (and Sniffs) around Prospect Park
Thursday, July 28th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 31st, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Dogs adopted from shelters and rescues and their adoptive "parents" are invited to walk together, exchange stories and advice, and get exercise while enjoying a casual leashed walk in Prospect Park. This is an opportunity for the dogs to socialize and get exercise in a controlled environment.

Kate Tully--who organized Adopted Dogs of NYC--and her dog Batman will greet you at 9th Street and Prospect Park West by the horse statue. Batman, a black chihuahua, will be wearing a red collar.

These will be the last two walks for about a month, so sign up for either or both! You don't need to own a rescue dog--or any dog at all--to participate.

WINDSOR TERRACE COUPLE IS FIRST SAME-SEX COUPLE TO WED TODAY AT BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL

UPDATE: Other newspapers have spelled "Fury" as "Furey" and have referred to Bobby Bienvenido as "Bobby Amagna" and "Bienvenido Amagna."

Youngsters Michael Fury, 62, and Bobby Bienvenido, 65, who have been together for eighteen years, were the first same-sex couple to get married at Brooklyn Borough Hall today, the first day of marriage equality in the state of New York.

The term "youngsters" is being applied to them in comparison to Barbara Pilgrim, 82, and Geraldine Whitsett, 76, newlyweds who have been together for forty-eight years.

City Clerks’ offices throughout the state and in the five boroughs, which are normally not open on Sundays, were open to honor the law passed in Albany on June 24th, which took effect today. New York is the sixth state to recognize the legal right of same-sex couples to be joined in matrimony.

We wish these two couples and all the other couples who are going to get married a continued long and happy life together.

FREE CANDLES AT FOODTOWN FOR TONIGHT'S VIGIL

Foodtown is giving away candles all day today for people who are going to tonight's candlelight vigil in honor of little Leiby Kletzky, who was so gruesomely murdered. The store has set up an area by the exit so people can help themselves to a candle. Foodtown is on McDonald Avenue, at the corner of Albemarle Road.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

THIS ONE IS NOT CANCELED: MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE

HERE'S A YARD SALE THAT IS NOT CANCELED!

Multi-family Yard Sale
Sunday, July 24th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

308 East 4th Street
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road

Partial list of items that will be sold for
a fraction of the original cost
or given away free:

FURNITURE / HOME GOODS
*Stylish narrow bamboo cabinets with drawers (2)
*Vintage geisha lamp
*Sleek LED under-cabinet lighting
*Inexpensive bookshelf
*Picture frames
*Fancy throw pillow
*Sheets, bed skirt
*Leather basket
*Christmas ornaments

SHOES & ACCESSORIES
*Women's, Men's, and toddler boys (some barely worn)
*Scarves, bags, and accessories

TODDLER ITEMS
*Crib, in great condition
*Phil & Ted's Stroller (with doubles kit)
*Lego DUPLO Blocks
*Toddler winter gear (brand new boots, used boots,
gorgeous brand new pea coat, hats, gloves, mittens)
*Toddler sun hats, rarely-worn bathing suit with rash guard
*Toddler/baby quality toys, games,
puzzles (from Melissa & Doug, etc.), clothes
*Baby-proofing items
*7 a.m. Enfant Foot Muff (super warm and luxurious for your baby/toddler) *Learning Tower
*Radio Flyer Tricycle

BOOKS
*Books for adults and kids (some nice recent fiction included)
*GRE Books

ANTIQUES
*Wedgwood Flying Cloud - Rust (Tall Ship) pieces for sale
(ask us if you'd like to see them)

GARDEN
*Tools (cultivator and more)
*Assortment of pots

TECHNOLOGY
*Canon Digital Rebel SLR in need of TLC
*2 GB Ram (x 2)
*Scanner with special slide tray
*iPhone case

FREE
partially-used paint, still good enough to use in lots of neutral colors
Lots of flimsy plastic pots

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE OF $10 or more!

POSTPONED: YARD SALE TO BENEFIT SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE HOT WEATHER

Two-family Yard Sale
Sunday, July 24th, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All proceeds will go to Sean Casey Animal Rescue

books, furniture, glasses, dishes...and more

312 Albemarle Road, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets

Support our neighborhood no-kill animal rescue and shelter
while you get good stuff for yourself!

HOLY NAME PRIEST PASSES

Father Gary P. Rogers, pastor at Holy Name of Jesus Parish on Prospect Park West, passed away on Tuesday, July 19th, while still on sick leave. He began serving at Holy Name in 2007 and has been on sick leave for the past two years.

GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND AUGUST SCHEDULE

UPDATE: The Saturday, August 6th, movie has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 13th. Same time, same place.
 
Greenwood Playground August schedule:

Saturday, 8/6, 8:30 p.m.: Friends of Greenwood Playground first-ever family movie night. Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks. The movie starts at 9 p.m. All ages.

Sunday, 8/7, 2 p.m.: E. 4th Street community garden presents native plant workshop. Ages 4+. Meet at the chess tables.

Wednesday, 8/10, 10 a.m.: Singalong with Debbie Deane. Ages 0+. Meet at the flagpole.

Sunday, 8/13, 1 p.m.: Make mail with Melissa Lohman-Wild of Viva Snail Mail. Ages 3+ and Super Camp Craft with Dari of KWT Craftwork - ages 6+. All meet at the chess tables.

Monday 8/29, 11a.m.: The Swedish Marionette Theatre returns with "Bessie's Big Shot." All ages.


Greenwood Playground is on E. 5th Street by Greenwood Avenue in Windsor Terrace.

MEET WINDSOR TERRACE

The Daily News published an appropriately flattering portrait of Windsor Terrace today: "Your guide to NYC neighborhood Windsor Terrace in Brooklyn." Highlighted in the article are "The Merry Wives of Windsor (Terrace)," the greenmarket, Prospect Park Lake, Kensington Stables, Babbo's Books, Farrell's, Black Bear Vintage and Handmade, DUB Pies, and Prospect Park Tennis Center.

Friday, July 22, 2011

KIDS' MINI FLEA MARKET POSTPONED

The kids' mini flea market that was scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday, July 23rd) on E. 4th Street from 10 a.m. to noon has been postponed until the weather cools off.

CON EDISON ALERT

Con Edison just issued an alert requesting that all New York City customers conserve electricity by turning off equipment that isn't being used, keeping air conditioners set at 78 degrees, and running washers, dryers, and dishwashers only at night. If you lose electricity, call Con Edison at (800) 752-6633 or report it online.

Con Edison’s overall electric use peaked at 13,189 megawatts at 4 p.m. today, beating the all-time record of 13,141 megawatts set on August 2, 2006.

MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE

Multi-family Yard Sale
Sunday, July 24th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

308 East 4th Street
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road

Partial list of items that will be sold for
a fraction of the original cost
or given away free:

FURNITURE / HOME GOODS
*Stylish narrow bamboo cabinets with drawers (2)
*Vintage geisha lamp
*Sleek LED under-cabinet lighting
*Inexpensive bookshelf
*Picture frames
*Fancy throw pillow
*Sheets, bed skirt
*Leather basket
*Christmas ornaments

SHOES & ACCESSORIES
*Women's, Men's, and toddler boys (some barely worn)
*Scarves, bags, and accessories

TODDLER ITEMS
*Crib, in great condition
*Phil & Ted's Stroller (with doubles kit)
*Lego DUPLO Blocks
*Toddler winter gear (brand new boots, used boots,
gorgeous brand new pea coat, hats, gloves, mittens)
*Toddler sun hats, rarely-worn bathing suit with rash guard
*Toddler/baby quality toys, games,
puzzles (from Melissa & Doug, etc.), clothes
*Baby-proofing items
*7 a.m. Enfant Foot Muff (super warm and luxurious for your baby/toddler) *Learning Tower
*Radio Flyer Tricycle

BOOKS
*Books for adults and kids (some nice recent fiction included)
*GRE Books

ANTIQUES
*Wedgwood Flying Cloud - Rust (Tall Ship) pieces for sale
(ask us if you'd like to see them)

GARDEN
*Tools (cultivator and more)
*Assortment of pots

TECHNOLOGY
*Canon Digital Rebel SLR in need of TLC
*2 GB Ram (x 2)
*Scanner with special slide tray
*iPhone case

FREE
partially-used paint, still good enough to use in lots of neutral colors
Lots of flimsy plastic pots

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE OF $10 or more!

KIDS' MINI FLEA MARKET TOMORROW

UPDATE: CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT.
POSTPONED UNTIL THE WEATHER IS COOLER.

kids' mini flea market
tomorrow, Saturday, July 23rd
10 a.m. to noon

E. 4th Street, between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway



Refreshments

Fresh-baked cookies
ice-cold lemonade



Hand-made items

Soap
Lip Balm
Candles



Fresh, Organic Brooklyn Kale

Clipped from the Plant as You Order



Good Advice

10¢

CHURCH AVENUE CLEAN-UP POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER

bannerfinalsmall.jpg   
Church Ave. Clean-Up Postponed till Sat. July 30
Church Avenue BID - 884 Flatbush Avenue - 2nd Floor - Brooklyn, NY - 11226 - www.churchavenue.org

From the Church Avenue Business Improvement District:
We have to postpone the Church Avenue graffiti clean-up and mulching until next Saturday.  As much as we want to get this done and have a great group of volunteers, it’s going to be just too hot and with a weather advisory now in effect for tomorrow, we’d rather have healthy volunteers.

The event is being rescheduled for next Sat. July 30 (see details below):

When:  Sat. July 30, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to noon
Meeting Place:  E. 17th Street and Church Avenue
Volunteer thank you luncheon catered by Flatbush Latin Grill to follow behind the Flatbush Reformed Church (enter on E. 21st Street between Church Ave. and Snyder Ave.)!

Interested individuals and groups can register by calling Nivine Faraj or Sara Nordmann at (718) 282-2500, x63224 or by emailing info [at] churchavenue.org.

A Clean Church Avenue clean-up is sponsored by Con Edison and National Grid.

BANGLADESHI NEIGHBORS, HONORING THE LIFE OF LEIBY KLETZKY

ESTATE SALE SUNDAY

Estate Sale
Sunday, July 24th, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
306 Parkville Avenue, at the corner of E. 8th Street  

A few of the thousands of items that will be sold at this indoor and outdoor estate sale:

antiques, grandfather clock, crystal, globes, BBQ grills, projector screen, projector, old electronics, dolls, unique postcards, kayak, row boat, mini piano, designer clothing, futon, baseball cards, stamps, file cabinets, old ash trays, old board games, vintage tabletop games, pocket pool, outdoor planter, vintage metal milk container, printing presses, electrostatic platemaker, electric lift table, throw pillows, wicker baskets and wickerware, kids and adult bikes, stuffed animals.

"Everything will be sold super cheap - need to clean out tons of stuff"

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN KENSINGTON FOR LEIBY KLETZKY

Correction: 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Join with others at a candlelight vigil to honor
the life of young Leiby Kletztky.

Sunday July 24th, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
P.S. 230 playground on McDonald Avenue at Albemarle Road.
Bring a candle and another one to share.

LAST NIGHT'S BIG BOOM

Last night at 8:30, residents and merchants around Fort Hamilton Parkway and E. 2nd Street heard a really loud sound. Was it thunder? No. A bomb? No. It was the sound of a steam pipe exploding, followed by electrical cables catching fire and a manhole cover getting lifted and moved a few inches. Everything was repaired by 5:00 p.m. today.

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND SERVICES MANUAL

Immigrant Rights and Services Manual: Important Information You Need to Know to Participate in the Life of New York City is essential reading for all immigrants--you, your family, your friends, or your neighbors. It was published in English in July 2010, and it's now available in Chinese and Spanish. It'll also be translated into Russian, Korean, and French, among other languages.

The manual is a resource for informing immigrants of their rights and responsibilities and for navigating government benefits and services.

The contents cover a wide range of crucial issues, such as workers' rights, education, small business services, public benefits, language access rights, deportation and detention, health care, tax returns, housing, and more.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR NEEDED FOR PROJECT TO LOCATE GRAFFITI

Kensington Action Force (KAF) needs a volunteer "Community Graffiti Cleanup Volunteer Coordinator" for its annual project of locating graffiti in KAF's target area (Avenue C and a few avenues south of it). The person would coordinate a team of three or four people. The job will take about thirty-six hours.

Although the word "cleanup" is in the job title, volunteers are NOT cleaning up graffiti. They're just looking for graffiti and noting its locations. "The team leader will coordinate the team members and help identify locations that require graffiti removal. The actual cleanup services will be performed by NYC agency resources."

Anyone interested in volunteering for the position should send an e-mail to kaforce [at] gmail.com or send a fax to (718) 941-5500.

JAZZ AT DITMAS ACOUSTIC THIS SUNDAY AND MORE

Ditmas Acoustic Presents

Sunday, July 24th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Garth Stevenson Solo
8:00 p.m. Joe Morris Quartet 


John Sprung + The 'bĀD, featuring Kamala Sankaram
Sunday, September 4th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
John Sprung, a local Brooklynite, is an urban singer/songwriter with an edge, whose songs are filled with compassion, insight, wit, and love.

Named for the Southern Indian city of Hyderabad, the 'BÃ¥D plays a quirky and eclectic mix of covers and originals: Bollywood, spaghetti Western, and Yma Sumac mix with 60s exotica and classic cumbia. Featuring Kamala Sankaram, Timothy Quigley, Drew Fleming, Gil Smuskowitz, and Jeff Hudgins.

Sunday, September 11th, 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. to be announced
8:00 p.m. Rising star Becca Stevens brings her lyrics and multi-instrumental virtuosity to Ditmas Acoustic. She'll be with her trio for this special concert: Becca Stevens, Chris Tordini, and Liam Robinson.

Sunday, October 2nd, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Haitian guitarist and vocalist Movelyno Alexis
8:00 p.m. Accordion virtuoso Rob Curto and his experimental Brazilian trio 

Sunday, October 16th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. James Shipp and Nos Novo playing Brazilian world fusion
8:00 p.m. Oran Etkin and his band playing sweet sounds of Africa

Sunday, November 20th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Jody Redhage
8:00 p.m. Mivos String Quartet 

Admission for an evening costs $10. 

The Sanctuary at Temple Beth Emeth
83 Marlborough Road at Church Avenue

YARD SALE TO BENEFIT SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

 POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE HOT WEATHER


Two-family Yard Sale
Sunday, July 24th, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All proceeds will go to Sean Casey Animal Rescue

books, furniture, glasses, dishes...and more

312 Albemarle Road, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets

Support our neighborhood no-kill animal rescue and shelter
while you get good stuff for yourself!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

LIVE JAZZ ON CHURCH AVENUE

Live Jazz
every Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Jazz Duos and Trios at
Connie's Cafe
424 Church Avenue, corner of E. 5th Street 
(718) 633-3557

LEIBY'S FAMILY CREATES A MEMORIAL FUND

The family of little Leiby Kletzky has established The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund to carry out the acts of charity and kindness that Leiby would have, had his life not been extinguished.

The Memorial Fund's slogan is "Coping with Grief by Doing Good." Contributions will be used to
  • Help young orphans cope with tragedy
  • Help indigent families feed their children
  • Help needy children falling behind in school
  • Help poor parents clothe their children in dignity
  • Help financially strapped couples to marry
  • Help families going through a critical time in their lives

From The Yeshiva World:
Upon rising from Shiva this morning, Reb Nachman Kletzky very poignantly declared. “Had my dear son Leiby lived he would have contributed so much good to the world. He was such a sensitive and kind soul. Now that his beautiful life was cut so short we should not allow the world to miss out. Our family wishes to establish the LEIBY KLETZKY MEMORIAL FUND to perpetuate the memory of our dear Leiby and to keep him alive in our hearts and minds. This fund would help anguished families in crisis and need, something that Leiby would have wanted to do had he been given more years of life. By making this fund a successful one we can turn the anguished cries of “Leiby, Where are you?” into the sacred reply of “I am here, helping my fellow Jews”.
The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund is the only effort specifically established and authorized by the Kletzky family. It will be administered by the Kletzky family and their rabbi, Rabbi Binyomin Eisenberger.

Donations in any amount are welcome. Contributions should be sent to
Nachman and Esty Kletzky
c/o Rabbi Binyomin Eisenberger
1448 56th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219

Contributions can also be made online
on the website of The Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund.

HOW LEIBY DIED

Autopsy results for Leiby Kletzky

Leiby’s official cause of death, released Wednesday [July 20th] and based on autopsy and toxicology testing, was “intoxication by the combined effects of cyclobenzaprine (muscle relaxant) , quetiapine (antipsychotic), hydrocodone (pain medication), and acetaminophen (Tylenol), followed by smothering.”
Hydrocodone is better known as the widely abused prescription opiate Vicodin; cyclobenzaprine is known under the brand name Flexeril; and quetiapine is sold under the brand name Seroquel.
Autopsy results also indicate that Leiby was killed on [Wednesday] July 13, two days after he was kidnapped and mere hours before cops arrived at Aron's apartment to discover the grisly scene.

FELONIES IN KENSINGTON FROM JULY 11TH THROUGH JULY 17TH THAT WERE REPORTED TO THE 66TH PRECINCT

The 66th Precinct's PIMS unit tells us that six felonies were reported to the precinct for Kensington from July 11th through July 17th. Unfortunately, they didn't provide us with the dates or times of the crimes.
  • Grand Larceny: At 464 E. 9th Street, between Cortelyou Road and Ditmas Avenue, an unknown perpetrator removed personal items from a twenty-year-old man's vehicle. No arrests were made.
  • Grand Larceny: At 1455 36th Street, between 14th and 15th avenues and near Dahill Road, and unknown perpetrator removed a twenty-five-year-old woman's wallet from her vehicle. No arrests were made.
  • Assault: Three assaults occurred at 455 Ocean Parkway, between Cortelyou Road and Ditmas Avenue, in one incident. An unknown perpetrator struck a man in the head with a rock. All of the victims, who are seventeen or eighteen years old, are uncooperative.
  • Assault: At 476 Coney Island Avenue, near Church Avenue, a perpetrator swung a hammer at an intended victim. The intended victim wasn't injured. No arrest was made.

COOLING CENTERS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH SATURDAY

Windsor Terrace Library

The National Weather Service has forecast a Heat Index in excess of 95 degrees for the next several days. In response, New York City Cooling Centers will be open on a daily basis beginning today and continuing through Saturday.

The cooling centers are in air-conditioned public facilities for use by people who are experiencing physical discomfort in a heat wave.

Visit http://www.nyc.gov/oem and click "Find a cooling center near you," then type in either a street address or two cross-streets, choose "Brooklyn" from the drop-down menu, and click "Find." Or call 311 for locations, hours, and further details.

Our neighborhood has several cooling centers. Call ahead to make sure they're open. Some of them are Windsor Terrace Library, Kensington Library, Senior Citizens League of Flatbush Senior Center, Brookdale Senior Citizens Center, Dorchester Senior Center, and Prospect Hill Senior Services Center.

In some locations, hours may be extended during a heat emergency.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

THIS WEEK'S AND THIS WEEKEND'S NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, JULY 20TH THROUGH JULY 24TH

Neighborhood events for the week of July 20th through July 24th
from the Kensington Area Community Calendar

Wednesday, July 20th
  • 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Windsor Terrace Greenmarket. Prospect Park West and 15th Street. 
  • 10:00 a.m. Singalong with Debbie Deane. For ages 0+. Greenwood Playground, E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue. Meet at the flagpole. Free.
  • 1:00 p.m. to 2:48 p.m. Movie: "Il Postino." 1994. For adults. Rated PG. Windsor Terrace Library, 160 E. 5th Street, corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway. Free.
Thursday, July 21st
  • 10:00 a.m. Playground Scape Collage. With Art of Parenting. For ages 0+. Greenwood Playground, E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue. Meet at the chess tables. Free.
  • 2:00 p.m. to 3:47 p.m. Movie: "The Last Song." For adults. Rated PG. Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas Avenue, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets. Free.
Friday, July 22nd
  • 10:00 a.m. Stories and Squirts. Creative Writing Workshop with author Jen Nails. Bring a notebook and pencil. For ages 8+. Greenwood Playground, E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue. Meet at the chess tables. Free.
Saturday, July 23rd
Sunday, July 24th
  • 8:30 p.m. Candlelight Vigil for Leibby Kletzky. P.S. 230 playground, McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Caton Avenue. Bring a candle for yourself and another one to share.