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Thursday, March 31, 2011

MAKING THE PARADE GROUNDS SAFER

An online petition "Help Make the Parade Ground Safer" is addressed to the NYPD, NYPD 70th Precinct, Elected Officials of Brooklyn, Commissioner - New York City Department of Parks, and Prospect Park Alliance. It reads
In the past year alone three murders and a shooting have occurred at the Parade Ground near the entrance off Crooke Avenue. This is mere feet from the Dillon Stewart Playground, named for the NYPD officer killed in the line of duty. In light of this appalling violence, we the undersigned strongly advocate for the following redress, namely that:
  • Cameras sufficient to surveil the full walkway off Crooke Ave. as well as other heavily trafficked areas of the park be installed
  • Signs reading "Under NYPD Surveillance" be prominently displayed
  • NYPD patrols of the Parade Ground be increased
  • Lighting be reassessed and improved
While the recent crimes at the Parade Ground may not be linked, it has become abundantly clear that criminals see the Parade Ground as a place where murder and assault can be committed. We wish to send a message that this behavior will no longer be tolerated.

We will not stop until the Parade Ground is as safe as it can be. As of this moment it is not, and we believe strongly that the above remedies will help make the Parade Ground a place where families can once again bring their children without fear. 
Online petitions have been known to work!
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

SCHOOLCHILDREN MAY BE IN A "RACE TO NOWHERE"

A neighborhood parent has organized a screening of the film "Race to Nowhere" at the Brooklyn School of Inquiry, the school her son attends. The screening will be followed by a discussion with a high school guidance counselor.

Brooklyn School of Inquiry is a citywide school located in Bensonhurst. A number of children from families living in the lower Windsor Terrace/Kensington/Ditmas Park area attend the school. The film can be of service to all families in the neighborhood.

Our neighbor writes
Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, "Race to Nowhere" points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression, and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

"Race to Nowhere" is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing, and leading citizens. 

Come see "Race to Nowhere" on Wednesday April 13, at 7:00 p.m. at Brooklyn School of Inquiry (50 Avenue P at Stillwell). Tickets are $10 in advance and are available at http://www.racetonowhere.com/epostcard/4630. The film is rated PG-13.
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MOMMY AND ME SPA HEALTH & FITNESS DAY

Immaculate Heart of Mary
Girl Scouts
 is sponsoring a
Mommy and Me Spa Health & Fitness Day

  • Make your own beauty products to take home and try with the recipe. 
  • Everyone gets their nails polished! 
  • Healthy snacks and food available for purchase. 
  • Glitter tattoos 
  • Raffles
Saturday, April 2, 2011
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Immaculate Heart of Mary School cafeteria, 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets

$15 adult + 1 child, $5 additional child

Contact Maribeth Dono at (347) 680-9943.

1:00 p.m. - Yoga
1:30 p.m. - Pilates
2:00 p.m. - Zumba
2:30 p.m. - Anti-bullying Class
3:00 p.m. - TurboKick
3:30 p.m. - Hip Hop Dance Class
4:00 p.m. - Aerobics

Namaste Yoga of Kensington, Amerikick Karate, Park Slope and Kensington Fitness, Cynthia King Dance Studio
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COMPOST FOR BROOKLYN: UPCOMING EVENTS

Compost for Brooklyn is an active and flourishing "community composting project and native plant garden in Kensington, Brooklyn." It thrives where a vacant lot used to be at E. 8th Street and Newkirk Avenue (map).

Three spring events are planned at Compost for Brooklyn:

Street Tree Care and Compost Workday
Saturday, April 9th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join Compost for Brooklyn and TimeBanksNYC
to care for neighborhood street trees and turn compost heaps.
Aerate the soil, spread compost, paint signs.
To RSVP, call Carla D. Ibrahim at  (347) 633-5837
or send an e-mail to brooklyn [at] timebanksnyc.org.

Garden Club
Sunday, May 15th, noon to 4:00 p.m.
Turn the compost and tend to the garden.

Block Party
Sunday, June 5th, noon to 5:00 p.m.
Free workshops, live music, and raffle prizes.


Drop-off hours for compost:
Current:
  • Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
As of April 11th:
  • Thursdays from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon
  • Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Find out from their website which items can be composted.

Sign up for their mailing list to learn directly about upcoming events.

Subway directions:
  • F train to 18th Avenue, walk east on 18th Avenue toward Ocean Parkway to E. 8th Street, left on E. 8th, walk two blocks.
  • B or Q train to Newkirk Avenue, walk west six blocks on Newkirk toward Rugby Street.
E-mail: compostforbrooklyn [at] gmail.com
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OF "HANDS AROUND THE LAKE"

In addition to News 12 Brooklyn's video coverage of "Hands around the Lake" (previously mentioned here), the protest against any future slaughter of Prospect Park's geese also got excellent coverage by Prospect Heights Patch and vegan hodgepodge in story and photos and in 115 (!) photos by Javier Soriano on the Facebook page "For the love of the geese in Prospect Park."
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ASSEMBLYMEMBER BRENNAN WILL ADDRESS NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS

Albemarle Neighborhood Association Meeting
Thursday, April 28th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

State Assemblymember Jim Brennan of Assembly District 44 will speak on various topics--including the New York State budget--at the April 28th meeting of the Albemarle Neighborhood Association (ANA). Mr. Brennan serves on these committees in the State Assembly: chairperson, Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; member, Committee on Codes, Committee on Education, and Committee on Real Property Taxation.


Foodtown and the ANA will provide refreshments.

The ANA's public meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month, from September through June. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether you're an ANA member or not. New faces and new members are always welcome!

The meeting will be held at Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center, 327 E. 5th Street, at the corner of Church Avenue. Enter through the wheelchair-accessible entrance at street level on E. 5th Street.
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FELONIES IN KENSINGTON REPORTED TO THE 66TH PRECINCT, MARCH 21ST THROUGH MARCH 27TH

Two felonies were reported to the 66th Precinct for Kensington during the week of March 21st through March 27th:
  • Burglary: On March 22nd, an unknown person entered the victim's apartment at 269 Ocean Parkway, between Beverley Road and Avenue C, and removed jewelry. No arrest was made.
  • Robbery: On March 26th, three known men in their thirties went to the victim's apartment at 305 Ocean Pkwy, also between Beverley Road and Avenue C, hit him with a pipe, punched him, and took his chain. No arrests were made.
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Monday, March 28, 2011

THE CHURCH AVENUE STREET FAIR IS COMING!


bannerfinalsmall.jpg   

The Church Avenue Street Fair is coming!
Church Avenue BID - 884 Flatbush Avenue - 2nd Floor - Brooklyn, NY - 11226 - www.churchavenue.org

Don't miss the Church Avenue street fair, sponsored by the 70th Precinct Community Council and co-sponsored by the Church Avenue BID.  We hope to get a lot of participation from the our great Church Avenue businesses and from members of the nearby communities so register today!

When:  May 1, 2011 (times to be decided)
Where:  Church Avenue from E. 10th St. to Argyle Road

Free family activities; rides; demonstrations; great food; interesting, creative, and everyday goods and essentials.

How to get a booth:   
Vendors will be registered on a first come, first served basis and applications are being accepted now.  Discounts for vendors who register and pay in full by this Thurs. March 31.

To print the vendor contract:  http://www.streetfairsny.com/uploads/6/6/9/2/6692236/vendor_contracts_2011.pdf (page 2)

Vendors need to have the proper permits, which are inexpensive.  Information can be obtained at:  http://www.streetfairsny.com/become-a-vendor.html

Special for BID members:
The first ten Church Avenue BID members who register will NOT have to pay a fee; the next ten who register will get a deeply discounted fee.

For more information, please contact the fair's producer at 718-444-6028 or email >info [at] streetfairsny.com>.  Also, feel free to contact Lauren at the BID at 718-282-2500, x234 or .
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A FIGHT, A DEATH, AND A NOT GUILTY VERDICT

A jury today found a defendant not guilty of assault in a fight that ended in a death. The trouble at El Gran Prestigio Restaurant, 623 Church Avenue at E. 7th Street, began when two men, one of whom was the defendant, were dancing together and kissing each other.
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JOB FOR A COOK SOMEWHERE IN KENSINGTON

We are looking to hire well experienced cook -- full time position.

We are: small Upscale European style cafe, very healthy food, most electrical equipment, small kitchen for only 1 to 2 cooks most, family oriented, clear, local customers only.

Qualities we need: know how to cook well: fish, stake, pastas, salads, soups, breakfast. Can work alone in a fast paste environment. Has entrepreneur spirit. Not messy and knows how to clean well the kitchen after yourself. On time to work and can start at 6am. Not a drinker, honest, reliable, loves to make food look and taste good. Can take extra responsibilities: make food orders. Understands value and cost of each dish. Has food-handling license. Not a smoker. Prefer someone who lives closer in Brooklyn.

Please send resume.

Compensation: Bi weekly pay, depending on hours, minimum $2.5K a month  
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PTA 5-KILOMETER FUN RUN IN PROSPECT PARK

PTA 5-k Fun Run
Saturday, April 30th, 10:00 a.m.

From Brad Lander:
Register now for the PTA 5-k fun run in Prospect Park.

Last year, over 500 parents, teachers and students from 17 Brooklyn public schools joined us for the race/walk/stroll/toddle on a beautiful Saturday in Prospect Park. It was a huge success and we raised over $6,000 to support Brooklyn’s PTAs.

As we all know, potential budget cuts in Albany threaten not only after-school enrichment activities but also many of the core programs our children rely upon in their schools. This fundraiser is our way, as defenders of public education, to come together and take action in support of our kids’ schools.

You can run as part of a school group to raise money for your own PTA, or you can register as an individual and we will assign you to a school. Go to the NYCRUNS website for registration and more information. To be a team leader for your school, or to get involved with the race as a volunteer, please email Jessica Turner at jturner [at] council.nyc.gov, or call (718) 499-1090.
The fourth annual PTA 5-kilometer fun run will start at Bartel Pritchard Square (Prospect Park West at 15th Street). Participants pay a registration fee of $15 per individual or $25 per family and raise additional money through sponsors. The registration fee is waived for any individual or family who raises at least $50 through sponsors. Prizes will be awarded to the top three fundraisers.
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Sunday, March 27, 2011

NEW STREET FAIR ON CHURCH AVENUE

Church Avenue BID Street Fair
Sunday, May 1st

The Church Avenue BID (Business Improvement District), along with the 70th Precinct Community Council, will host its first street fair on Sunday, May 1st. The BID would like to make its street fair different from other street fairs by including community artisans and local businesses. The fair will be held on Church Avenue between E. 10th Street and Argyle Road, just four blocks east of Ocean Parkway.

People who are interested in participating can e-mail Lauren Elvers Collins, Executive Director of the Church Avenue BID, at laurenc@churchavenue.org or call her at (718) 282-2500 x234.

Church Avenue BID
phone: (718) 282-2500
fax: (718) 282-8329
e-mail: info [at] churchavenue.org
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MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES LINED UP FOR GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND FLEA MARKET

Friends of Greenwood Playground will present these excellent musicians and dancers at the Flea Market on Saturday, May 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
  • 10:00 a.m.: Debbie Deane sings lush, soulful songs influenced by jazz and soul.
  • 11:00 a.m.: "Vo-Duo" is Markus Schwartz on percussion and Monvelyno Alexis on guitar and vocals playing Haitian roots jazz.
    12:00 noon: Caroline and David Gould of The Inner Banks will delve into their songbook of British folk, Americana, and rock for this special KWT affair.
  • 1:00 p.m.: Marje Wagner, vocalist/pianist, jazzes up the playground.
  • 2:00 p.m: Cynthia King, our community dance diva!
  • 3:00 p.m.: Merle "Misty" Jones croons country classics with his lonely guitar.
  • 4:00 p.m.: "Miss Katie" sings her original twinkly and folkish songs.
And for the adults, they'll have Katie Mullins.

Friends of Greenwood Playground is now taking reservations for vendors. And they still need volunteers!
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BROOKLYN IS STILL THE "FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA," BUT....

Brooklyn's population in the 2010 federal census was counted as 2,504,700 people--1.6% higher than in the 2000 census. If our borough were still a city, it would still be the 4th largest city in America.


(Sebastian Leone, Brooklyn Borough President, 1970 to 1976)

 Nonetheless, city officials are certain that portions of the borough were undercounted. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, for instance, says there must have been an undercounting of Asians in South Brooklyn and residents of Central Brooklyn. A report by Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy cited Brooklyn's population as 2,556,598 in 2008. Mayor Bloomberg is going to officially challenge the census results through a formal appeals process.

New York state's population increased by 2.1% from the 2000 census to the 2010 census. But Mapping the 2010 U.S. Census shows that the population of many states increased by more than 2.1%--sometimes by much more, like Nevada, whose population rose by 35.1%--so New York is going to lose two seats in the House of Representatives and the electoral college.
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NPI COMPUTER SAVES THE DAY FOR LORNAGRL


When lornagrl got home from work the other night, she realized that she'd left the electrical cord for her computer at her job. Her options seemed slim to none...but NPI Computer on Church at E. 4th saved the day!

NPI Computer
401 Church Avenue, corner of E. 4th Street 
phone:(718)438-0438 and (718)436-3064 
service [at] npicomputer.com 
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NO MORE "CHURCH AVENUE BONANZA" STREET FAIR


Last October, we posted this about the two-times-a-year street fair held on Church Avenue between McDonald Avenue and Ocean Parkway:
Socks, clothing, sheets.
Jewelry, perfume, magnets.
Sausages, roasted corn, lemonade.
Things for kids to bounce in.
Kitchen Magic.
Lotto.
Church Avenue was almost eerie yesterday during the hours that I was at the Church Avenue Bonanza. The large crowd that used to fill the street wasn't there. Maybe the age of generic street fairs is over....
As far back as August 2006, The Center for an Urban Future issued a report describing New York City's street fairs as generic and not representative of New York's uniqueness. These were common complaints about the Church Avenue Bonanza: it had the same merchandise time after time, and local merchants didn't participate in it (although Sean Casey Animal Rescue participated last October and drew the largest number of people of any vendor).

In New York City in 2006,
  • 46% of the food permits were held by 20 vendors,
  • 9 of the 20 vendors were based outside of the city,
  • 3 of the 9 organized more than 200 of the 367 fairs, and
  • 25% of the merchandise vendors were based outside of the city.
In September 2008, Mayor Bloomberg declared that (1) the city has too many street fairs, (2) they don't financially help the neighborhoods they're held in, and (3) they're all the same.

In June 2010, the city stopped granting permits for new street fairs. The mayor said the reduction was needed in order to cut the cost of police overtime.

In March 2011, the mayor said the police department's shrinking budget means the city can't afford to provide security at fairs and also fight street crime and terrorism. Other city agencies involved with street fairs also have smaller budgets now.

Rabbi Zvi Florence, who passed away in March 2010, coordinated the Church Avenue Bonanza for many years. During Rabbi Florence's last few years, Michael Hyatt and his mother Susan ran the fair on his behalf. When Mr. Hyatt applied for permits this year--possibly in his own name and possibly in his mother's--the city told him that the fair would be considered a new one and that it isn't granting permits for new fairs.
 
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Saturday, March 26, 2011

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD AND CANDIDA

Teri Gorbea's talk tomorrow on "Candida Busters--Eliminate to Rejuvenate" will include a discussion about how genetically modified food may be the cause of Candida and other issues.

Sunday, March 27th, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Namaste Yoga of Kensington
Coney Island Avenue
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TODAY WAS ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR ADOPTIONS

In just one day, Sean Casey Animal Rescue (SCAR) found new homes for five dogs and three cats: Snoopy the Parson Russell terrier//Basenji mix, Snoopy the toy poodle, Emery the pit bull terrier mix, Fluffy the Shih Tzu mix, Bruno the pit bull terrier mix, Carmela the kitten, Ava the kitten, and Chamomile the cat. Nice work, SCAR!

Sean Casey Animal Rescue is a no-kill shelter where all animals are treated with love and respect. Stop by any day of the week between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and see who captures your fancy.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street (between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue)
(718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org
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"HANDS AROUND THE LAKE" ON NEWS 12 BROOKLYN

News 12 Brooklyn has posted its coverage of today's "Hands around the Lake," an event that was organized to protest last year's extermination of hundreds of Prospect Park Lake's geese and prevent it from happening again. 

You may also want to sign Change.org's petition "Tell Mayor Bloomberg: Stop Killing Canada Geese."
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CHAMBER-JAM MUSIC AND VOCAL TRADITIONS AT DITMAS ACOUSTIC

Concert
Sunday, April 3rd, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Ditmas Acoustic @ The Sanctuary Presents

"chamber-jam music for the remix generation'"
Ljova (viola)
Inna Barmash (vocal)
Patrick Farrell (accordion)
Mathias Kunzli (percussion)
Mike Savino (bass)

and

"visceral and provocative interpretations of vocal traditions from
Appalachia, the Balkans, Caucasus Georgia, Corsica, and beyond"
Aurelia Shrenker and Eva Salina Primack (vocals, accordion, panduri)

Admission is $10 for the whole night (both sets of music).


Artists often bring their CDs or other merchandise that can be purchased.

For now, no food or beverages are available for purchase.


The Sanctuary @ Temple Beth Emeth
83 Marlborough Road (at the corner of Church Avenue; take the Q train to Church Avenue)

www.facebook.com/ditmasacoustic
www.myspace.com/ditmasacoustic
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MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK: FREE CONCERTS IN OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACES



Make Music New York, a free citywide musical celebration, will greet summer for the fifth year in a row with free concerts in outdoor public spaces throughout the five boroughs. This year, June 21st--the first day of summer--falls on a Tuesday. The music begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends by 10:00 p.m.

All New Yorkers, whether they're amateurs or professionals, are welcome to perform. Last year, more than 1,000 performances were given on New York City's sidewalks and in parks, plazas, community gardens, and closed-off streets.

Everything is completely free. There's no cost of any kind to the audiences, the venues, or the musicians.

Are you a musician looking for a place to play? Or do you have a garden, a restaurant, a block party, a sidewalk, or any other outdoor space where you'd like musicians to perform? Musicians looking for spaces and spaces looking for musicians can register here now. Registration ends on Thursday, April 21st.
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Friday, March 25, 2011

MISS KATIE'S SPRING MUSIC CLASSES--AND A FREE TRIAL CLASS

Miss Katie's "Rockin' Robins"
Wednesdays, April 6th through June 15th
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.,
and 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Registration is open for Miss Katie's spring music classes. The ten-class semester starts on April 6th and ends on June 15th. The classes won't be meeting on April 20th when public schools are on spring break, so a make-up class will be held on June 22nd.

Fee for ten classes, one free make-up class, and a folder of all of the music sung in class:

  • $185 for returning students
  • $195 for first-time students
  • $100 for siblings over eight months old
  • free for siblings under eight months old
FREE TRIAL CLASSES
To reserve a spot in one of the free trial classes listed below, send an e-mail to musicwithkatie [at] gmail.com.
  • Wednesday March 30th, 10:00 a.m., Terrace Dance Studio, (273 Prospect Park West at 17th Street
  • Wednesday, March 30th, 11:00 a.m., Terrace Dance Studio
  • Wednesday, March 30th, 4:30 p.m., Rory's Room Playroom, 3003 Fort Hamilton Parkway at E. 3rd Street (entrance on E. 3rd Street)
For more details about the classes and registration information, see http://www.musicwithmisskatie.com.
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VIDEO OF WINDSOR TERRACE/PARK SLOPE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Enjoy four minutes of marching and music from the Brooklyn Irish American Parade 2011 that kicked off at Bartel Pritchard Square this past Sunday, March 20th. The video is posted on a Facebook page, and you'll need to log in to Facebook to watch it.

Video by Arthur De Gaeta
A Mike Wright Production
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FISH AND CHIPS FROM MARIA'S PIZZERIA

An order of fish and chips from Maria's Pizzeria completely fills a plate.


Maria's Pizzeria, 3007 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
(718) 854-7575
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"TEACHING TO THE TEST" IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

New York City Councilmember Brad Lander reports on the "Community Conversation on Public School Instruction and Assessment" that he hosted on March 14th. The conversation focused on "(1) what we want our kids to learn, (2) how we know whether that’s happening, and (3) how we should evaluate kids, teachers and schools." and the hoped-for "move away from 'teaching to the test.'"

The Common Core Standards that Councilmember Lander refers to are described in detail on the Department of Education website.

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INTERESTING STUFF FROM THE MARCH 22ND COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETING

Kensington residents won't be going to Borough Park to attend Community Board 12's May meeting because...the meeting is going to be in Kensington! The May 24th General Meeting will be held at P.S. 230 at 1 Albemarle Road. A big thank-you to the people who have been encouraging the board to hold its meetings in other neighborhoods besides Borough Park.

She didn't say "storm" or "corrupt," stated Midwood resident Natalie DeNicola, who was quoted in a Daily News article as saying that people were going to "storm" the February meeting and that the Community Board is "corrupt." She said that when the reporter asked her if people were going to storm the meeting, she replied "No."

The minutes for the February meeting weren't read because they're in the process of "being reconstructed," Chairperson Alan Dubrow reported. Copies of the agenda for last night's meeting weren't available at the meeting either. 

"The elephant in the room" was how New York City Councilmember David Greenfield described the February meeting. He delivered a message that came out of his discussion about that meeting with Councilmember Brad Lander and Borough President Marty Markowitz: They expect civility from board members from here on in or they won't be reappointed. Board members must agree to disagree civilly.

Nominating Committee chairperson Josh Weinstein announced that the current officers had been unanimously renominated. A board member then nominated fellow board member Mendy Reiner to run for chairperson against incumbent Alan Dubrow. Mr. Dubrow has been the chairperson for the past fifteen years.

District Manager Wolf Sender said the board's website might be live in April and that it would have been done a month ago, but it was delayed by the Department of Technology. Hopefully, the redesigned website will include the type of information that residents have been asking for.
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AREA LIBRARIES' LATE DAYS AND CLOSED DAYS

Windsor Terrace Library, 160 E. 5th Street, corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway
Closed: Sundays and Mondays (formerly closed on Sundays and Wednesdays
Open late (until 8:00 p.m.): Wednesday

Cortelyou Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road at Argyle Road
Closed: Sundays and Mondays
Open late: Wednesday

Kensington Library, 410 Ditmas Avenue, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets
Closed: Saturdays and Sundays
Open late: Tuesday and Thursday
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Thursday, March 24, 2011

EXTRA GARBAGE PICKUPS AND EXTRA PARKING SPACES FOR THE APRIL HOLY DAYS

The Sanitation Department will make extra garbage pickups prior to Passover in portions of Kensington, Midwood, and Flatbush as neighborhood Jews rid their homes of chametz (leaven). Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 18th. 

The extra pickups will be on Friday, April 15th, and Monday, April 18th, in these areas:

Additional Collection for Friday, April 15th
  • Avenue F/18th Avenue on the north
  • Railroad Cut on the south
  • Coney Island Avenue/Foster Avenue/Ocean Parkway on the east
  • McDonald Avenue on the west
 
  • Avenue L on the north
  • Avenue P/Kings Highway on the south
  • Nostrand Avenue on the east
  • Coney Island Avenue on the west

Additional Collection for Monday, April 18th
  • Railroad Cut on the north
  • Avenue L on the south
  • Nostrand Avenue on the east
  • Coney Island Avenue on the west
 
  • Dorchester Road on the north
  • Foster Avenue on the south
  • Ocean Avenue on the east
  • Coney Island Avenue on the west
 
  • Foster Avenue on the north
  • Railroad Cut on the south
  • CB14 Boundary on the east
  • Ocean Parkway on the west


Alternate side of the street parking is suspended in April for these days:
  • Tuesday, April 19th and Wednesday, April 20th (first two days of Passover)
  • April 21st (Holy Thursday)
  • April 22nd (Good Friday)
  • Monday, April 25th, and Tuesday, April 26th (last two days of Passover)
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

TENANT HOUSING ISSUES AND MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE: TOPICS AT THURSDAY'S ANA MEETING


Also, the Nominating Committee will announce its slate of candidates. Nominations will also be accepted from the audience. The election will take place at the April 28th meeting.
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MORE NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS FOR MARCH 22ND THROUGH MARCH 27TH

A few more neighborhood events have been added to the list we posted on Sunday. Please take another look!
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SPRING CLEANING AT PROSPECT FARM

Spring Cleaning at Prospect Farm
Saturday, March 26th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 27th, 10:00 a.m. to "earlier than 3:00 p.m."
Saturday, April 2nd, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Spring is here, so it's time to "clean" Prospect Farm. Help with trench composting, turning soil, preparing a new composting site, and planting ornamentals. Bring drinking water, gloves, and a shovel (if you have one). Children will need to be supervised by an adult. If you have any questions about the clean-up, e-mail them to prospectfarmbk [at] gmail.com.

Prospect Farm is "a community group in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn that is working together to grow food in a formerly vacant lot, with the mission toward creating a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm that can serve our community."

Prospect Farm welcomes volunteers for an hour, a day, or more with no commitment. You can also become a member or a friend of the farm.

Prospect Farm
1194 Prospect Avenue, between Seeley and Vanderbilt streets
e-mail: prospectfarmbk [at] gmail.com
blog: http://prospectfarmbk.wordpress.com
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DIRT AND SOIL TALK IN A NUTSHELL

The blogger at "gardening in the boroughs of nyc" wrote an enthusiastic summary of last month's talk on "Dirt and Soil," presented by Prospect Farm and Sustainable Flatbush.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

MUSIC VIDEO SET AT KENSINGTON STABLES



Kensington Stables provides an unusual backdrop for the music video for "Flawless Executioner" by Brooklynian Christopher Paul Stelling. A horse named Margaret "performs" a solo at the end!
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RESCUED CYGNET SWIMMING WITH MOM AND SIBLINGS

All 4 cygnets playing together this morning, including the rescued one we named Hail from yesterday, with their mother swan looking on. Everyone cooperating and working together achieved this happy ending. The best way to observe in this urban park is with respect and understanding. The more people who show they care, the more urban wildlife we will have to enjoy.
Our thanks to wildlife rehabilitator Anne-Katrin Titze for the photo, the commentary, and the assistance she and Ed Bahlman gave to Hail.
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FELONIES IN KENSINGTON REPORTED TO THE 66TH PRECINCT, MARCH 14TH THROUGH MARCH 20TH

Four felonies were reported to the 66th Precinct for Kensington during the week of March 14th through March 20th:
  • Burglary: Sometime between March 7th and March 14th--when the occupant was away--an unknown person broke the front door of a woman's apartment at 322 E. 9th Street, between Avenue C and Cortelyou Road, and removed money and jewelry. No arrests were made.
  • Burglary: On March 15th, an unknown person entered a victim's apartment at 348 E. 9th Street, also between Avenue C and Cortelyou Road, and removed electronics, a purse, and jewelry. The police don't know how the criminal got into the apartment. No arrests were made.
  • Burglary: On March 15th, two seventeen-year-old boys entered 647 E. 7th Street, between Ditmas Avenue and 18th Avenue, through a window. Police on patrol saw them trying to exit through the window and arrested both of them on the scene.
  • Grand Larceny: On March 19th, an unknown woman took $115 from a victim's hand in front of 330 E. 9th Street, again between Avenue C and Cortelyou Road. No arrest was made.
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GINA'S MUSICAL STEW FOR KIDS UP TO FIVE YEARS OLD

Musical Stew with Gina
Sunday, April 3rd, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

In Gina's Musical Stew class, she leads parents and children in songs, rhymes, and movement as they play along with shakers, other instruments, and props. Music includes songs from her Parents' Choice Foundation Approved CD Together and other lively, seasonal material. Classes focus on basic music concepts. 

Designed for children up to five years old, the class costs $15 per child and $2 for each additional sibling.

Make a reservation by sending an e-mail to info [at] ginasing.com or calling (917) 648-4454.

Terrace Dance Studio
273 17th Street at Prospect Park West
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Monday, March 21, 2011

DOG AND CAT BACKSTORIES

The "Adopt a Pet" column of "Prospect Heights Patch" tells the moving backstory every Monday of a different dog and cat waiting to be adopted from Sean Casey Animal Rescue (SCAR).

Hundreds of animals have been adopted from SCAR, but there are always more to take their place. The adoption fee for a number of dogs at SCAR has been reduced from $200 to $50. Pictures and information about these and other dogs are available on SCAR's website. Hover your mouse over "Adoptions," click on "Dogs," and then click on the names or faces of the dogs to learn more about them.

A no-kill shelter, SCAR specializes in "the rescue, rehabilitation & placement of reptiles, amphibians, exotic & domestic animals."

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street (between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue)
(718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org
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BARBED FISHING HOOK SNAGS PROSPECT PARK SWAN


UPDATE at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2011/03/rescued-cygnet-swimming-with-mom-and.html

A swan thrashing around in the pond in Prospect Park last night caught John Guidry's attention as it attempted to shake off what John thought was a piece of garbage stuck around its lower beak. John left phone messages with the Prospect Park Audubon Center and Prospect Park administration, called 311, and spoke to Sean Casey. This morning, the Prospect Park staff called John to tell him that the natural resources crew had found the swan and had removed a barbed fish hook (these are not allowed in Prospect Park) from its beak.

Anne-Katrin Titze, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and her partner Ed Bahlman (pictured above) met with a crew member this morning and examined the cygnet (young swan). Anne-Katrin says its beak is cracked where the hook had been attached but that there doesn't appear to be a fishing line or other debris in its mouth nor was damage done to the interior of its mouth. She'll be monitoring the injured cygnet's condition this week. Anne-Katrin and Ed named the cygnet "Hail" because of the hail that was coming down this morning.

Thanks to Anne-Katrin for sending KARMABrooklyn the two photos above. The upper photo is titled "injured cygnet before examination" and the lower one is "cygnet examination."
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VEGETARIAN INDIAN COOKING CLASS, SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH

Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class
Sunday March 27th, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Vegetarian Delight--Healthy Eating
at Mukti Banerjee's Hands-on Cooking Class

If you're new to cooking Indian food, these easy Indian dishes are a great places to start. Mukti Banerjee will teach you the nuances and secrets, where to get the masalas, and how to keep the aroma intact. Take the initiative into the mysteries of Indian cooking! Unravel the secrets of the mouthwatering spices.

MENU:
  • Vegetable Korma
  • Dal Makhni
  • Pulao (rice, cashews, raisins, and other aromatic spices)
Price: $40/person.

Mukti needs to make preparations based on the number of students in the class. Please confirm your RSVP on her meetup site.

Mukti’s Kitchen (run by Mukti Banerjee)
Beverley Road near E. 9th Street
http://www.meetup.com/muktiskitchen
http://muktiskitchen.blogspot.com (weekly blog)
Phone: (917)-703-3998
Email: muktiskitchen [at] gmail.com
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GREENS (AND SOME REDS AND SOME WHITES) AT NEW MCDONALD

 








         Fresh produce.                                         Good prices.

New McDonald Fruit Corner
130 Church Avenue
on the triangle across the street from Walgreens
(718) 972-7402
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Sunday, March 20, 2011

THIS WEEK'S NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS, MARCH 22ND THROUGH MARCH 27TH

Neighborhood events for the week of March 21st through March 27th

Tuesday, March 22nd
Wednesday, March 23rd
Thursday, March 24th
Saturday, March 26th
Sunday, March 27th
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