THE FUN ART OF WORKING OUT

At My Namaste Yoga of Brooklyn, Zumba classes now cost only $15 per class. Venezuelan native Danella Garcia has joined the Namaste family. The classes are held every Saturday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

As of Monday, September 13th, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., a Monday night Zumba class will be starting, with Joelle as the instructor. The fee is $15 a class.

And, as of Saturday, September 11th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Namaste will offer a cardio kickboxing class with Kaseedee. Fee: $15 a class.

You can purchase a class card for any of these classes to save more.

My Namaste Yoga Studio of Kensington
Wilhyn Larsen, Owner
482 Coney Island Avenue, 2nd Floor (The main entrance is on Church Avenue. Walk up the red staircase to the red door, behind the corner pizzeria and next to the car wash service center.)
(347)533-6226 or (347)533-6227
http://www.mynamasteyoga.com

"Join us for a class. Don"t miss

THE FUN ART OF WORKING OUT WHILE HAVING A BLAST!"

BP'S CONCLUSIONS ON THE CULVER EL PROJECT

The Borough President issued his report on the Culver El project two days ago. He approved the plan "with modifications/conditions." He recommended that the City Planning Commission and the City Council "conditionally approve the land use action."

The City Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing about the project this morning. Hopefully, its members read the Borough President's report. The Commission has sixty days to announce its decision (until September 24th).

Excerpts from the report of the Borough President, Marty Markowitz:

"However, the borough president has concerns with a number of issues including: the provision of affordable housing on privately‐owned properties and permanency of such housing on city‐owned sites; the anticipated loss of jobs; lack of open space and streetscape greenery in the surrounding area; and, the need to accommodate parking."

"The borough president urges DCP [Department of City Planning] to incorporate the inclusionary housing regulations in the future whenever it undertakes a rezoning intended to facilitate residential development."

"The 17 sites intended for affordable housing will have shallow rear yards and side yards that are intended for parking. With four‐ and five‐bedroom units intended, it is anticipated that many children would be residing in these homes with virtually no outdoor area for recreation other than the adjacent sidewalk."

"HPD should establish easements for the benefit of the 17 residential development sites to facilitate use of the property for recreational purposes during hours that these lots are not in use for accessory parking."

"The street‐bed of 35th Street between Church and 14th Avenue presents another opportunity to increase the supply of open space."

"The borough president’s office noted the lack of street trees in the area. Sites to be redeveloped as housing or accessory parking would be required to provide street trees in accordance to the rezoning. For the adjacent West Kensington residential area to the north, it was noted that Church Avenue completely lacks such plantings despite the mix of residential buildings along this corridor. It was also noted that Story Street had tree pits with either stumps or no plantings at all. Other area residential streets lacking adequate street tree coverage include Tehama Street and Louisa Street. In that regard, in a letter dated July 22, 2010, the borough president has written to the commissioner of the DPR [Department of Parks & Recreation] calling for the agency to survey the residential area bounded by Church Avenue, 36th Street, Fort Hamilton Parkway and Dahill Road to note opportunities where trees could be planted, included where tree pits would need to be established."

YOU'LL LOVE CHINA (THE DOG)

From Sean Casey Animal Rescue:

After our great adoption day, we need to give special attention to those who have been with us for a longer than usual stay....my China-Girl is one of them.

China is a very energetic Pit Bull Mix with some challenging issues, none of which I feel cannot be overcome with the right owner. China needs an experienced owner... with no children and a backyard. The rewards will be priceless...you will have a loyal, loving companion who will always be grateful for getting a "second" second chance.

China is 4 years old, spayed and up to date with vaccinations. She'll get (5) FREE training sessions at our shelter, one free month of pet health insurance, a free exam at one of our participating vets' offices, and she is microchipped.

She has been watching her neighbors get their chance and going home to their new families. I have told China that she will get the same, she just has to be a little more patient. Please help us make this day happen for China! For more information please give us a call (718-436-5163) or just come on over for a visit!

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street (between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue)
Phone: (718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S
LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.

LA FLOR DE SANTA INES RECEIVES LIQUOR LICENSE

La Flor de Santa Ines received its liquor license yesterday to sell beer or wine products for off-premises consumption. They applied for the license eight months ago.

La Flor de Santa Ines
737 Church Avenue, near E. 8th Street
(718) 854-4854

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S
LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.

THE NEED FOR GREEN SPACE AND A COMMUNITY CENTER

A Kensington resident has asked KARMA to publish this letter to our community, and we're happy to do it.

For several years, a group of neighbors has been trying to get various people in city government to pay attention to our neighborhood's need for green space and a community center. Unfortunately, we still have nothing. On the other hand, the city is in the final stages of giving a two-block-long piece of unused city-owned property--just one block west of the Kensington border--to a developer, Southern Brooklyn Community Organization. The city could have easily used this land for both green space and a community center.

The developer is going to build sixty-eight condominium apartments, some with four bedrooms and some with five, as affordable housing for large families. Those apartments will house hundreds of children. No plans were included for green space for those children, other than small front yards and smaller side yards. No recognition was given that our overcrowded neighborhood schools already have more students than seating.

In addition to the rezoning of those two blocks, major rezoning changes will be made in a nine-block area between 36th and 39th streets and 12th and 14th avenues to accommodate new apartment complexes. This could bring thousands of more children into our neighborhood schools, which are currently filled to capacity.

Green space is essential for the health and well-being of the children in our neighborhood. Instead, they are playing in the street.

City government has not carefully planned for this major increase in the population of our neighborhood. It is important that this area be developed, but it is even more important for it to be planned thoughtfully, with the future of our neighborhood in mind. We do not want our area to be an overcrowded, tenement-like neighborhood.

Please encourage our elected officials to plan more thoughtfully. While it may be too late to change politicians' minds about the Culver El project, it is not too late to let city officials know that we are disappointed that West Kensington has once again been ignored.

I hope that you will be able to attend the City Planning Commission's public hearing on the Culver El proposal this Wednesday, July 28th, at 10:00 a.m., in Spector Hall in the lobby of 22 Reade Street (near the corner of Broadway) in Manhattan.

If you cannot attend, please take a moment to voice your thoughts to Borough President Marty Markowitz, who will be holding a closed door meeting this Monday afternoon. Call him at (718) 802-3700 or e-mail him at askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov. Let him that you support a community center and green space in the Dahill section of Kensington for the health and well-being of our neighborhood's children.

Dear readers, please write to us at karmabrooklyn@gmail.com to let us know if you can attend Wednesday's public hearing and if you can send an e-mail to Mr. Markowitz. Thank you.

ECO ART COMMUNITY FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY

Eco Art Community Festival
Sunday, July 25th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join dozens of Brooklyn's premier artists, more than sixty vendors, and leading environmental groups for a free day of celebration to promote "green" habits and eco-friendly practices.

The festival will feature

• fine art vendors and workshops,
• hands-on fun and activities for children,
• eco exhibitors with simple ways to go green, and
  
• information on how going green can save you money.

New York State Senator Eric Adams, whose district includes the northernmost portion of Kensington, is a co-presenter of the festival.

Location: Prospect Park Carousel entrance, at Flatbush and Ocean avenues and Empire Boulevard, across from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

THE CHALLENGE TO SAVE ENERGY

After posting information about the neighborhood energy savings competition, I finally signed up for "Reduce the Use in District 39." Monthly e-mail notifications will tell me how much electricity I used each month, how it compares to my use over the same period for the previous year, and how it compares with my neighbors' use.

Sign up, and get your neighbors to sign up too. Tell them to write your name in the "Referred By" box in the registration survey. The participant who refers the most people will receive a $50 gift certificate to Aunt Suzie’s Restaurant on 5th Avenue and Carroll Street in Park Slope.

Be part of our neighborhood's team and show Brooklyn that we're the most efficient and least wasteful!

Visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/ReduceTheUseD39 to register for the competition. The launch date is August 1st, 2010, so please apply now.

LOWER YOUR CON ED BILL

A message to you from New York City Councilmember Brad Lander, District 39:

Lower your Con Ed bill & join me for a "green homes" party!

I hope you have been managing the heat these past few weeks ... and also managing your summer electricity bills. Cooling our homes can be a huge burden on our budgets, on our city's power grid, and on the environment.

To help lessen the burden, I’d like to remind you to sign up now for our Reduce Your Use – Green Homes Challenge. It’s the perfect way to reduce your energy consumption, learn about how to maintain a more sustainable home, and win prizes.

The challenge begins on August 1st, so please sign up today! In partnership with the NYS Energy Authority (NYSERDA) and Con Ed, we are signing folks up by the day to compete with one another on energy savings. All it takes is filling out this quick online sign-up form: (www.surveymonkey.com/ReduceTheUseD39).

You will need to enter your Con Ed account number, so please have it ready (you can begin the survey without your account number if you don’t have it handy).

Winners will be announced in two categories at the end of the challenge -- the home with the lowest overall per capita electric bill, and the home with the greatest overall reduction in usage over the course of the competition. We’ll also be keeping track of how different neighborhoods stack up against one another, so we can see which is the greenest neighborhood in our district.

Also, I hope you will join me at the kick-off event for the competition on Sunday, August 1st at 2pm at the Old Stone House in Park Slope. NYSERDA, Con Ed and vendors of energy efficient equipment will be there to offer some good starting tips on greening your home.

If you are not yet a part of the challenge, you will be able to sign up at the event. The Old Stone House is in J.J. Byrne Park at 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Food and refreshments will be served. You don't have to attend to join in the challenge, but it will be a great way to get started.

I look forward to competing along with you and to seeing you on August 1st! The challenge starts soon, so please take just a minute to sign up right now.

Thanks,

Brad

CHURCH AND MCDONALD: BANGLATOWN OR NOT?

"Is Kensington 'Banglatown?' The Question Divides a Neighborhood," published in today's Brooklyn Ink, presents two issues that are eliciting varying opinions among neighbors:

1. renaming the area around Church and McDonald avenues "Banglatown" and
2. "erecting a monument to Bangladeshi liberation 'martyrs' on a traffic island at Avenue C and McDonald Avenue."

The proposals were put forward at the March meeting of Community Board 12 by the board's Bangladeshi member, Abu "Zaman" Khaliquzzaman.

You can post a comment at the bottom of the Brooklyn Ink article.

BROOKLYN TOWN HALL MEETING IN SEPTEMBER

Brooklyn Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, September 21st, 7:00 p.m.

A town hall meeting has been scheduled for Brooklyn by New York City's Public Advocate, Bill de Blasio. At the meeting, residents and members of community-based organizations can talk to the Public Advocate and his staff about recurring problems affecting their neighborhoods and learn about potential solutions.

Already on the agenda are the issues of giving parents a voice in public schools, the availability--or lack of availability--of affordable child care and after-school programs, local development, preserving public safety resources, keeping senior centers open, and police community relations.

The location of the meeting will be announced.

IN SEARCH OF LOCAL TALENT

A big multicultural festival is being planned for Kensington toward the end of October, and the organizers are looking for local talent to perform--especially a mariachi or a klezmer band. For information, please contact Maggie at MemtobinATaol.com (use the @ symbol instead of the letters AT) as soon as possible.

FELONY REPORT FOR THE 66TH, JULY 5TH-11TH

66th Precinct CompStat Report for July 5 through July 11, 2010


CompStat reports don't show how many felonies are committed in a precinct. They only show the number of felonies reported to the precinct. If a felony isn't reported, it doesn't appear on the report.

SCAM ALERT FROM THE 66TH PRECINCT

Received via e-mail from John Sprague, Deputy Inspector at the 66th Precinct:

FYI: I would like to inform everyone about a case regarding a male posing as a water delivery employee, he rings bells and has taken advantage of an elderly person by distracting her and removing a large amount of money and jewelry from her private house.

If you are not sure or suspicious of anyone who comes to your door, please call 911 immediately!! Better to be safe than sorry.

Utility companies make appointments!!!

Bottom line: If you are not expecting someone, do not let them in!!!

CULVER ESTATES, STEP THREE

Public Hearing on the Culver El Proposal
Wednesday, July 28th, 10:00 a.m.

Spector Hall
in the lobby of 22 Reade Street
(near the corner of Broadway)
Manhattan

Community Board 12 has approved it, Borough President Marty Markowitz is reviewing it, and the City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on it and then either

• approve it,
• approve it with modifications, or
• disapprove it.

YOU, THE PUBLIC,

have the right to attend the hearing to say whether you

• approve of it,
• approve of it with modifications, or
• disapprove of it.

"It" is an application submitted by the Department of City Planning to amend the zoning map by the former site of the Culver El subway, near Bergament. The detailed proposal can be seen at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/culver/index.shtml. From there, click on "Existing Context & Zoning" and "Proposed Actions."

This proposal will result in major changes in our neighborhood, as addressed here.

BUSINESSES CAN OPEN SOONER WITH NBAT

FREE REPAIRS OF SIDEWALKS DAMAGED BY ROOTS OF CURBSIDE TREES

sidewalk before

Sidewalks damaged by the roots of curbside trees will be repaired free of charge by the Department of Parks & Recreation. One-, two-, and three-family homes occupied by the owner (NYC Tax Class 1) whose sidewalks are affected by the roots of their curbside trees are eligible for this free program.

sidewalk after

To sign up, call 311, (212) NEW-YORK, or (212) 504-4115 for TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) and ask for the Trees & Sidewalks Program. Parks & Recreation's inspectors will rate the damage and leave you with an inspection report. Or use the online forestry service request system to submit a service request.

The request system can also be used to report a damaged or dead tree, request a new street tree, notify Parks of illegal tree damage, submit a report of potentially hazardous trees or branches, and notify Parks of an undesirable root or sewer condition.

FOLLOW-UP TO "KILLING OF 250 TO 400 GEESE IN PROSPECT PARK"

A "somber and angry" vigil was held in Prospect Park Saturday evening over the "unnecessary and inhumane" killing of the "hundreds of Canadian geese slaughtered by federal officials last week." The Brooklyn Paper reports on the vigil in its article "Meadows of Shame."

SALE AT SNEAKER DRAMA

Sign in the window of Sneaker Drama: "Blowout Sale, 30-50%"

Sneaker Drama
418 Church Avenue, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets
phone: (718) 435-7800

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

KILLING OF 250 TO 400 GEESE IN PROSPECT PARK

A few days ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rounded up the 250 to 400 Canada geese that lived at the lake in Prospect Park, took them to a nearby building, and gassed with lethal doses of carbon dioxide. 

The story has been covered in a number of media outlets. See, for example,

• The New York Times: "400 Park Geese Die, for Human Fliers’ Sake"
• The Brooklyn Paper: "Dead Goose Walking?" and
• the Washington Square Park blog: "Why did New York City approve a massacre of 400 geese in Brooklyn's Prospect Park?"

Local residents, distressed and angry about the gassing, invite everyone to join them at a vigil in the park tomorrow, July 17th, at 6:30 p.m., by the lake on Prospect Park's southwest side near Vanderbilt Playground and the gazebo. State Senator Eric Adams has contacted the Chief of Police and has alerted Community Affairs that this is a peaceful vigil, not a demonstration.
The vigil organizers have created a Facebook page, "For the love of the geese in Prospect Park."

TRAFFIC CALMING ON BEVERLEY ROAD

In early June, City Councilmember Brad Lander reported that the Department of Transportation would be working on several projects in Kensington this summer.

Currently, on Beverley Road, between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street, traffic calming measures are being put into place to make the street safer for pedestrians and drivers. These measures include

• narrowing the street by widening the sidewalks and creating bulb-outs,
• restriping the crosswalks,
• adding stop bars and other pavement markings, and
• improving signal timing.

A bulb-out widens the curb and the sidewalk. A stop bar is the solid white line where cars are required to stop before reaching a stop sign.

"DOLLAR VANS" NOW PERMITTED ON DISCONTINUED BUS ROUTES

The Taxi and Limousine Commission has licensed five commuter van operators, allowing them to pick up riders along bus routes that were discontinued on June 27th.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) today voted unanimously to authorize a pilot program that would create a framework for livery van group ride service in certain areas throughout the city that are either underserved by mass transit or impacted by recent MTA service cuts. The program was announced by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, TLC Commissioner David Yassky and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn on June 22, 2010.

The new service will allow point-to-point, shared ride service among specified pick up and drop off locations, with initial service areas based around MTA bus routes that have been eliminated or significantly reduced. It is anticipated that passengers will pay a flat fare of $2. Vehicles will be clearly marked (both outside and inside) for identification as participating in the pilot. Pick up and drop off locations will be marked with DOT-provided signage. Drop-offs can occur at the fixed stops or at other locations passengers negotiate with drivers.

“The TLC’s action today paves the road for a new form of service that we believe will be of great benefit to people affected by the MTA’s service reductions,” said Commissioner Yassky. “One of the great advantages of having a comprehensive transportation network as we do in New York City is that it sometimes has the flexibility to serve people in new and better ways that never before existed, and this van program is a perfect example of this.”

Bases, commuter van authorities, and other businesses capable of providing the service can participate by responding to a Notice of Solicitation that will be distributed shortly. The program is limited to vehicles that can hold 6 to 20 passengers. Drivers, vehicles, and bases/commuter van authorities will apply for a new license specific to the piloted service. Insurance and licensing requirements for the pilot will be similar to existing van/livery service requirements. TLC will select operators for the pilot and enter into MOU agreements with them. We anticipate the service being available to the public on or around August 16, 2010.

The following are five service locations that have been initially chosen. Several others will follow. (Specific pick-up and drop-off locations will be announced once MOU agreements have been finalized.):

1. Former B23 Borough Park, Kensington, Flatbush
1,580 weekday customers

2. Former B71 Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Prospect Heights
1,080 weekday customers

3. Former B39 Williamsburg, Manhattan
1,180 weekday customers

4. Former Q74 Kew Gardens, Queens College
2,100 weekday customers

5. Former Q79 Little Neck, Glen Oaks, Bellerose
650 weekday customers

The program, which will be implemented in close coordination with members of the New York City Council and other elected officials, will include a strong enforcement component in conjunction with the NYPD.

The program, which will be implemented in close coordination with members of the New York City Council and other elected officials, will include a strong enforcement component in conjunction with the NYPD.

THIS SATURDAY, THERE'S ONE LESS THING TO DO

Unfortunately, the Kensington International Movie Festival that was going to begin this Saturday at Greenwood Playground has had to be canceled because the equipment isn't available. But you can still enjoy the rest of the events listed on our blog at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2010/07/this-saturday-theres-so-much-to-do.html!

FOLLOW-UP TO "MAN DIES IN FIRE AT 36TH STREET BY CHURCH AVENUE"

From The Wall Street Journal:

JULY 14, 2010
Fire in Van Used as Shelter Kills Homeless Man
By JESSICA FIRGER And TAMER EL-GHOBASHY

A van that served as shelter for two men in Brooklyn caught fire early Tuesday, killing one and critically injuring the other, police and fire officials said.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly described the victims as either "homeless or itinerant workers." Business owners in the Borough Park neighborhood said day laborers often spend nights in abandoned cars in the area.

The fire broke out just before 2 a.m. inside a Chevrolet van parked in a lot housing yellow school buses on 36th Street near 12th Avenue, police said.

According to police officials, officers saw the vehicle ablaze and moments later observed a man kicking out the driver's side window to escape the flames. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center by ambulance and was listed in critical but stable condition, police said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire almost immediately after arriving and soon discovered a second man trapped in the van. He was pronounced dead at the scene, fire officials said.

Mr. Kelly said the van did not have license plates. Fire officials said the cause of the blaze was being investigated and it did not appear to be intentionally set.

The medical examiner was conducting an autopsy on the dead victim, a spokeswoman said.

The identities of both men were not immediately available, police said, but friends gathered at the scene identified the dead man as Danny Torres, a homeless man who they said grew up in Kensington and lived on the street because of a difficult relationship with his mother.

"He preferred to sleep outside," said Moses Rodriguez, 44, who said he attended Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School with Mr. Torres.

Workers and business owners on the heavily industrial block said the pair was likely among the handful of laborers who hang out along the strip, huddling together for company and sleeping in empty cars. Groups of men would line up early in the morning waiting for employers to pass through and pick them up for a day's work, said Andres Beato, 52, a contractor who said he has worked on the block for 25 years. When the laborers would return in the evening, they would spend the night in cars.

"They didn't have no money to rent a room," Mr. Beato said.

Danny Rosenblum, 53, the owner of New Breah, an auto-body shop on 36th Street, said he "knew guys were sleeping in the car," and said the van had been on the school bus lot for more than a year.

A police official with knowledge of the investigation said he was unaware of any complaints regarding the van and said it likely blended into the block, which is lined with auto-repair shops and warehouses.

Frank Candiano, 45, a glass installer who also said he was a high school classmate, said he planned to purchase a votive candle in memory of Mr. Torres. He recalled Mr. Torres as having a "jolly laugh."

"You couldn't tell that he slept in the streets sometimes, he was always happy," Mr. Candiano said. "I am sure he will be missed around here. He was a good guy, just didn't get along with his family."

—Rosaleen Ortiz contributed to this article.

MAN DIES IN FIRE AT 36TH STREET BY CHURCH AVENUE

From NY1.com

"07/13/2010 09:40 AM
Man Found Dead Inside Van Following Fire
By: NY1 News

Police are investigating after a man's body was found inside a van that caught fire in Brooklyn.

Police say they found the van in flames at 36th Street between 12th and Church Avenues in Kensington around 2 a.m.

They say a 30-year-old man kicked out the window on the driver's side and jumped out.

After firefighters put out the fire, they found a dead man inside the van.

The man who jumped out was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation."

THIS SATURDAY, THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO!

The E. 4th Street Community Garden will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The garden is a beautiful, peaceful place to relax.

Kids will learn how to compost at Greenwood Playground from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (held in cooperation with the E. 4th Street Community Garden). A word of caution to the squeamish: worms will probably be involved!

The Hamilton Dog House is having its annual Summer Celebration and Adoption Event from noon to 5:00 p.m. This is a fun event for adults and children.

An art workshop for kids aged six and up will teach them how to make outdoor sculptures at Greenwood Playground from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

At sundown, take in a movie. The Bollywood Blockbuster "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" ("A Match Made in Heaven") will be shown at Greenwood Playground.

Details about all of these events are posted on the calendar above. Enjoy!

HAMILTON DOG HOUSE SUMMER CELEBRATION

HAMILTON DOG HOUSE IS CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE "BEST PET STORES"

The Hamilton Dog House is one of Time Out New York's picks for New York City's best pet stores. The Dog House carries supplies for "practically every pet imaginable."

Owned and operated by Sean Casey--of Sean Casey Animal Rescue fame--the store sells food, treats, and supplies for dogs, cats, reptiles, and small animals. It also offers dog training classes, has a professional groomer on staff, and boards animals.

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are all accepted.

Delivery is free, with no minimum charge.

The store is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Hamilton Dog House
155 E. 3rd Street (between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway)
(718) 436-PETS (7387)
info@thehamiltondoghouse.com
http://thehamiltondoghouse.com

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

BRAD LANDER'S TESTIMONY ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT, SCHOOLS, AND OPEN SPACE

Borough President Marty Markowitz held a public hearing on Thursday about the rezoning proposal for land formerly used by the Culver El subway. City Councilmember Brad Lander's testimony to Markowitz about the proposed affordable housing project (to be called "Culver Estates") and related issues is posted on Brad's website.

In addition to discussing the affordable housing project, Brad goes into the broader issues of the "lack of affordable housing in the mixed-use districts" and the "loss of manufacturing through as-of-right conversions" and suggests two modifications to the Culver El rezoning proposal.

He also addresses two pressing issues in Kensington: our need for additional space for students in our public elementary schools (currently, they have more students than seats) and our lack of public open space (we especially need green space, not just paved space).

SOHO CAFE & GRILL - AGAIN

The Kensington Prospect reports that it could be another three weeks before Soho Cafe & Grill opens because the owner is "still waiting on NYC inspection and approval."

A few days after this blog first reported on the cafe on May 11th, co-owner Roxanna Zosayas said that she and her husband, Jose, were waiting for the paperwork with the city to be completed. Four weeks ago, on June 10th, Jose said that it would take about another two weeks. Now it looks like it could take another three weeks, for a grand total of eleven weeks.

City agencies need to work faster than this to help small businesses open. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn says

In our meetings and conversations with the small business community, one of the issues that we've heard is that many new businesses are facing months-long delays because of the multiple inspections by different agencies that are needed to open. In response to this, we've been working closely with the City to streamline inspections for new businesses, and we're very pleased to report that we recently launched a new initiative to help begin to address this problem: the New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT).

Let's hope that this initiative really provides a solution.

Soho Cafe & Grill
215 Church Avenue, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets (next to Rich Frog Toys)
Opening on __________?

FREE SERVICES ON FRIDAYS AT STATE SENATOR PARKER'S OFFICE

State Senator Kevin Parker is sponsoring events at his office this summer on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• July 16th: Empower Yourself Day
• July 23rd: Check Your Health Day
• July 30th: A Healthy You Day
  
• August 6th: U.S. Passport Day

To find out if Kevin Parker is your state senator, see the map of District 21.

New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker
District Office: 1300 Flatbush Avenue (enter at Bedford and Foster Avenue intersection)
Phone: (718) 629-6401
Fax: (718) 629-6420
E-mail: parker@senate.state.ny.us

LOCAL COOLING CENTERS FOR RELIEF FROM THE HEAT

New York City has cooling centers in air-conditioned public facilities for people who are experiencing physical discomfort in a heat wave. Our neighborhood has several cooling centers. Call ahead to make sure they're open.

Windsor Terrace Library
160 East Fifth Street
Phone: (718) 686-9707
Hours: Monday, 1-8; Tuesday, 10-6; Wednesday, 10-6; Thursday 1-6; F 10-6; Saturday, 10-5

Kensington Library
410 Ditmas Avenue
Phone: (718) 435-9431
Hours: Monday, 10-6; Tuesday, 1-8; Wednesday, 10-6; Thursday, 1-8; Friday, 10-6; Saturday, 10-5

Senior Citizens League Of Flatbush Senior Center
550 Ocean Parkway
Phone: (718) 438-7771
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00

Dorchester Senior Center
1419 Dorchester Road
Phone:(718) 941-6700
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30-4:00
Hours may be extended during a heat emergency.

To find additional cooling centers, see the Office of Emergency Management website at http://gis.nyc.gov/oem/cc/index.htm.

Stay cool and stay safe!

GREENKIDS WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

The first of Friends of Greenwood Playground's six Greenkids Workshop was a huge success that was enjoyed by the kids and their adults. Print out a copy of the workshop schedule for yourself and give one to a friend!

AM-THAI CHILI BASIL KITCHEN AMONG 10 BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

The Village Voice's "Fork in the Road" blog rated Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen's Mock Duck Spicy Bamboo as the fifth best vegetarian dish in New York City.

"Mock Duck Spicy Bamboo at Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen [vegan] - The mock duck is amazing at this tiny restaurant, a stone's throw from Green-Wood Cemetery. The texture is fibrous, dense, and dark, just like real duck, and stir-fried with green beans and bamboo shoots in a mellow coconut-milk sauce -- You just can't beat it."

Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen
59 McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Caton Avenue
(718) 871-9115
(718) 854-5054
http://www.amthaikitchen.com

VERONICA GUZMAN: CITIZEN OF THE WEEK

Veronica Guzman, co-president of the PTA at P.S. 230 (pictured above), has been named Citizen of the Week by New York City Councilmember Brad Lander's office. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor, Veronica!

"This week, our office is pleased to honor Veronica Guzman, whose contributions to PS 230 and the Kensington community have touched many lives in significant ways. Her commitment to helping children and their families makes her our choice for Citizen of the Week. Ms. Guzman strives to help parents be involved in their kids’ education, as she believes that good values, morals, and education start with parents at home and continue at school.

As PS 230’s PTA co-President, she represents the parents of the students and is their voice in the school community. Despite all of the work that being PTA co-President entails, her work at PS 230 goes above and beyond, affecting children’s lives in countless ways. She founded the Gallery Night event, where the students’ artwork is auctioned and sold to raise funds for library books. She also organizes parents to help translate parent-teacher conferences with parents who do not speak English. She is also a part of the PS 230 Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, an after school musical theater program dedicated to fostering creativity, self-expression and teamwork through performance art. She was recently honored with a certificate of recognition from Senator Velmanette Montgomery as well as an Outstanding Service Award from the Department of Education for outstanding service and dedication to the children of PS 230.

Ms. Guzman has a particular passion for working with kids with special needs. She wants to make sure that they find the right teaching and learning environment. Her goal is to collaborate with schools to identify children’s specific needs and provide each individual with the assistance they deserve. She is also a part of the Title One committee, which examines the effectiveness of assessment for disadvantaged children, as well as the impact of using standardized testing as a means of assessing schools and individual teachers and the research on alternative forms of assessing student performance.

Before being involved with PS 230, Ms. Guzman collected toys to donate to kids with leukemia at the New York Methodist Hospital and collected blankets for the homeless. Ms. Guzman and her son also founded a non-profit organization called Stand by Me to help others in any way they could. Stand by Me has taken her to courtrooms, hospitals, clinics, high schools and immigration offices, and through the organization she’s translated letters for people who cannot speak English and taught kids how to help their parents file taxes without overpaying. Currently, she is working on a project with her daughter and a special team of volunteers to prepare our community’s schools and local hospitals to help kids with the mental and emotional issues.

Ms. Guzman immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her parents, who always told her that they had traveled to this country for a better life and so that they could make education a strong priority. She graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico with a B.A. in Child Development/Child Studies, received a certificate in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Arts, and is a certified nutritionist from the Allied Health Institute. Ms. Guzman has worked as a chef for the Spence School in Manhattan and as a catering chef at the Clever Company. Ms. Guzman’s goal, to help every child in her community have access to the best education and care that is possible, is an extension on her parents’ (now realized) hopes for her. Ms. Guzman’s story, of an immigrant who finds success in the United States and then works to help others, is a quintessentially American one."