THREE KENSINGTON (ISH) RESTAURANTS

The Warren Lewis Realty Team explains why it favors these Kensington (Kensington area) restaurants: Xpress Pizza (709 Church Avenue, between E. 7th and E. 8th streets), Thai Tony's (3019 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets), and Taqueria Los Poblanos (733 Church Avenue, between E. 7th and E. 8th streets).

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

KIDS' BOOK FAIR

Book Fair

Friday, November 4th, to Thursday, November 10th

The P.S. 154 PTA's Book Fair will sell easy readers, picture books, best sellers, and other children's books.

Online: shop at the online book fair from Tuesday, November 1st, to Monday, November 21st.

At the school:

• Friday, November 4th: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 7th: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday, November 9th: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and at the PTA meeting, 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 10th: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

P.S. 154

Multi Media Room

1625 11th Avenue, near Windsor Place

Book Fair chairperson: Abby Moskowitz

phone: (646) 246-5446

STAY OUT OF THE PARKS...TREES ARE FALLING

An alert from the New York City Office of Emergency Management:

No one should enter any City Park until further notice. Heavy snow and strong wind gusts, combined with full leaves still on trees, are damaging thousands of trees in parks throughout the City. This is creating an elevated and ongoing danger of falling branches and trees. City crews are working to address the damage and will continue throughout the storm.

HOWLLOWEEN ISN'T CANCELED

Sean Casey Animal Rescue's  

4th Annual Howlloween Block Bark Party 

is not canceled!

Sunday, October 30th, noon to 6:00 p.m.

in the street in front of

Sean Casey Animal Rescue

 Pet Costume Contest

Music to Dance to

 Burgers, Hot Dogs, Beverages, and Desserts

Raffle Tickets

Sean Casey Animal Rescue

153 E. 3rd Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
on the border of Windsor Terrace and Kensington

(718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org

nyanimalrescue [at] yahoo.com

THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING AND HIPPOTHERAPY AT PROSPECT PARK BOWLING GREEN

GallopNYC is now offering Therapeutic Riding Lessons and Hippotherapy at the Bowling Green in Prospect Park.

Alicia Kershaw, Executive Director
GallopNYC
540 President Street, 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11215

alicia [at] gallopNYC.org 

phone: (917) 602-1733
fax: (212) 945-1243

www.gallopNYC.org
http://www.facebook.com/GallopNYCTherapeuticHorsemanship

FREE HEALTHY FOOD OUTSIDE THE GARDEN

City Harvest didn't collect the produce that was left over from today's KWT CSA pick-up; so, neighbors, go get yourselves some free apples, endive, purple bok choy, cilantro, braising greens, sweet potatoes, daikon, and fennel.

As of 12:55 p.m., the food is on the sidewalk outside of the East 4th Street Community Garden (E. 4th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue).

HAUNTED WALK AND CARNIVAL CANCELED

Prospect Park's Haunted Walk & Carnival has been canceled because of today's weather conditions, but the indoor activities that were planned for today and tomorrow will still take place.

NEXT TUESDAY'S PARKING RULES

Alternate side of the street parking regulations designed to facilitate street cleaning will be suspended on Tuesday, November 1st, for All Saints Day. All other regulations, including those for parking meters, will remain in effect.

SATURDAY WALKING TOUR RESCHEDULED

The weather forecast for Saturday has led Green-wood Cemetery to reschedule its Late October Walking Tour from Saturday at 1:00 to Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Bring your ticket and a flashlight.

If touring on Sunday at 4:00 isn't convenient for you, you can either attend the tour on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., request a refund by sending an e-mail isabellavlacci [at] green-wood.com, or contribute the dollar amount of your tickets(s) to the Green-Wood Historic Fund as a tax-deductible donation. If Green-wood doesn't hear from you by November 7th, they'll consider your ticket payment as a contribution.

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MINUTES POSTED

Minutes of the September 20, 2011, Community Board 12 meeting have been posted. Click here, and then click on "Minutes - 9/2011."

"LA LLORONA, A PUPPET SHOW CELEBRATING THE DAY OF THE DEAD

La Familia presents

La Llorona, a Day of the Dead Celebration

Experience the traditions of El Dia de Los Muertos! Build an ofrenda [offering], with gifts for our loved ones. Hear the legend of La Llorona in a puppet show for all ages. Rejoice in the music! Dance in a procession of giant puppets.

On Friday, November 4th, at 7:00 p.m.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for crafts and refreshments. All proceeds from food and crafts sales will be donated fully to the P.S. 230 PTA.

All tickets $2.00.

The production was put together by a group of P.S. 230 parents and students and will be performed by some P.S. 230 students as well.

At the P.S. 230 Auditorium, 1 Albemarle Road, between McDonald Avenue and Dahill Road.

La Familia presenta
La Llorona, un Día de los Muertos

La experiencia de las tradiciones de Muertos El Día de los! Construir una ofrenda, con regalos paranuestros seres queridos. Escuchar la leyenda de La Llorona, en un espectáculo de títeres para todas las edades. Se regocijan en la música! Bailar en un desfile de marionetas gigantes.

SPRAGUE AT ANA

ANA President Larry Jayson and Deputy Inspector John Sprague

Deputy Inspector John Sprague, commanding officer of the 66th Precinct, addressed the Albemarle Neighborhood Association's community meeting last night. Detectives Michael Milici and Vincent Galeno from the precinct's Community Affairs division were also present.

Inspector Sprague informed residents that reports of burglary and grand larceny auto have decreased the most in the past year. Reports of felonious assault have increased the most.

Felonious Assault: an object is used as a weapon, be it a coffee cup, a plastic fork, a gun, or another object. Strangulation during domestic violence that causes dizziness or passing out is also felonious assault. Most assaults are committed indoors.

Major crimes reported for the Year to Date: 2% decrease. The seven crimes tracked by the NYPD are those tracked by the FBI: murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault, burglary, grand larceny, grand larceny auto. Reported crimes decreased 80% in the past ten or twenty years.

Reports of all sexual crimes decreased this year. Two rapes were reported; both were related to domestic situations. Reports of stranger assault decreased. Reports of forcible touching (groping), a misdemeanor, increased. Or maybe the frequency of reporting increased. 

Thirteen assaults by pellets fired from a BB gun reported in the vicinity of Ocean Parkway by Avenue C and Cortelyou Road.

4800 calls from 311 to the precinct last year. 311 calls are triaged; the most serious gets attention first. 

Ten anti-crime officers work in the precinct (covertly). 

Answers during question-and-answer period:

• A police officer shouldn't refuse to take a report for a legitimate complaint. If that happens, report it to the precinct, the precinct's community council, or the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.
• A beat cop is patrolling the neighborhood. He's centered around Church and McDonald, and he's mobile (scooter-qualified).
• The 66th Precinct is big, covering 3.5 square miles and 228,000 to 300,000 people.
• NYPD staffing decreased by 6,000 officers but is adequate.
• Demand to see a sergeant or a supervisor if an officer discourages you from pressing charges.
• Complaints about prostitution have been made in the vicinity of Hinckley Place and Beverley Road.
• About two officers per tour are reassigned to terrorism prevention.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARE COMMONPLACE BUT NOT REPORTED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH

The Crime Report's "The Lessons of the 'Brooklyn Groper' Case" explains that the ongoing series of gropings in the area fits the national pattern.

"The National Crime Victimization Survey estimates 188,400 people were raped or sexually assaulted in 2010. Yet thousands of these crimes go unreported to police. The survey shows only half of rapes and sexual assaults were reported to police. Even fewer made the news."

"'The problem of sexual harassment and groping in public spaces is epidemic,' said Suzanne Goldberg, director of Columbia University’s Center for Gender and Sexuality Law. 'I think most women do not report women being groped on the street or in public transportation.'"

"'The more reporting, the more chance that perpetrators will be caught, and that law enforcement will take more action.' Even so, [Goldberg] said, 'It is very difficult for police to find the perpetrator and prosecute.'"

"'The public just doesn't have an accurate assessment of the prevalence of crime in their communities,' said Carol Tracy, executive director of the Woman’s Law Project."

"The narrative of the Brooklyn Groper has opened Brooklyn’s eyes to the prevalence of sex crimes."

PRE-HALLOWEEN WALKING TOUR OF GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY

UPDATE: THE SATURDAY TOUR HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY AT 4:00 P.M. PLEASE SEE SATURDAY WALKING TOUR RESCHEDULED FOR OTHER OPTIONS.

Late October Walking Tours

Saturday, October 29th, and Sunday, October 30th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Celebrate the fall season with tales of murder, mayhem, spirits, and ghosts on Green-wood Cemetery's annual tours, led by Green-Wood's historian Jeff Richman. Visit the graves of The Wizard of Oz, George Washington's favorite dentist, the founders of Spiritualism, and many more. The tour also includes a visit to the Catacombs, which are usually closed to the public. The tour is popular, so arrive early.

Cost: $10 for Green-Wood Historic Fund members; $20 for non-members.

To purchase tickets, call (718) 210-3080 or order online for Saturday's tour and/or Sunday's tour.


Green-Wood Cemetery entrance at 500 25th Street at 5th Avenue.

F AND G TRAIN CHANGES FOR VETERANS DAY WEEKEND

The F Line
From 11:30 p.m. on Friday, November 11th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 14th , free shuttle buses will replace F trains between Jay Street and 18th Avenue, due to preparation work on the Culver Viaduct. F trains will run in two sections:

• between 179th Street and Jay Street, then rerouted on the C to Euclid Avenue and
• between Church Avenue and Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue.

The G Line
From 11:30 p.m. on Friday, November 11th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 14th, G trains will operate between Court Square and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. Customers may take the A or C at Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. to Jay Street and transfer to a free shuttle bus making all F and G stops to Church Avenue. These changes are due to work on a temporary platform, signal work, and preparation work on the Culver Viaduct.

REPAIRING THE TRIANGLE BY THE CEMETERY

Donald Cook (1934-1967) grew up at 107 E. 2nd Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1956. In 1964, during the Vietnam War, he was assigned to Saigon. Three weeks after arriving, he volunteered to lead a search for a downed helicopter. The enemy attacked, and he was shot, captured, and held as a prisoner of war for three years.

Throughout his imprisonment, his conduct was heroic, selfless, and beyond reproach, and for that he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The enemy reported him dead on December 8, 1967. His body has not been recovered.

Blogger Ron Lopez wrote about Colonel Cook on his Kensington Stories: "A Local Hero You Should Know About."

Join your neighbors on Veteran's Day--Friday, November 11th, at 11:00 a.m.--in repairing the memorial to Colonel Cook at the intersection of Fort Hamilton Parkway and McDonald Avenue.

FUN IN GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND AT THE HARVEST HOOTENANNY

Dari Litchman

Miss Katie (Katie Mullins)

GARDEN SING-ALONG WITH STEVE MAYONE

Sing along with Steve Mayone

Thursday, October 27th, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join your neighbors of all ages in singing environmental songs with Steve Mayone. It's free, and it'll be fun.

Steve has played with Earthtunes, a children's environmental music group, for twenty years and is a frequent musical guest at local libraries and schools. 

In addition, Steve has been a singer/songwriter for thirty years and has released four CDs: "Bedroom Rockstar," "Unfortunate Son," "Understories," and "Long Play Record." A multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, piano, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, lap steel, and drums), Steve has performed and toured with Levon Helm, Kate Taylor, and others.

Compost for Brooklyn 

Newkirk Avenue and East 8th Street

compostforbrooklyn [at] gmail.com

www.compostforbrooklyn.org

YESTERDAY'S "STAY SAFE" EVENT AT THE Y IN PICS

                                    Daniel Zeltser, Program Director
                                    at the Y in Windsor Terrace

        

      Jay Ruiz, founder of Brooklyn Bike Patrol.
      Bike riders escort women home from subway stations.

Jack Wallace and Tim Molloy of Molloy Security, 

                    which is also escorting women home from subway stations.

Mel Ramsey, martial arts instructor: "80% of self-defense is awareness."

                            event attendee defending herself against Mel Ramsey

picking up self-defense pointers

HALLOWEEN STORYTELLLING AT BABBO'S BOOKS

Babbo's 4th Annual Halloween Reading 

Sunday, October 30th, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Join storyteller Helen Engelhardt for a night filled with awe at the magic of storytelling and terrors as old as time. 

Refreshing blood for the adults and candy for the kids. This reading is suitable for ages 13 to 113. 

$5 suggested donation. 

Helen Engelhardt has been performing original and traditional stories since 1997. She won first prize in the storytelling competition at the Hemingway Days Festival, Key West in 1998. 

RSVP by e-mail (admin [at] babbosbooks.com), phone (718-788-3475), or Facebook if you can make it, as we have limited space. 

Babbo's Books

242 Prospect Park West

Brooklyn, NY 11215

(718) 788-3475 

www.babbosbooks.com

Happy Halloween!

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES.

COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETS TOMORROW NIGHT

Brooklyn Community Board 12's General Meeting will be held tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 25th), from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It is open to the public. Residents are invited to bring up any topic relating to Kensington or Borough Park.

Click here to read the minutes of this year's board meetings.

General Meetings are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from September through June.

Amico Senior Center, 5901 13th Avenue, 3rd floor, corner of 59th Street.

Enter on 59th Street.

Phone: (718) 851-0800

Fax: (718) 851-4140

E-mail: bk12@cb.nyc.gov 

Chairperson: Alan J. Dubrow

District Manager: Wolf Sender

F AND G STATION CLOSURES AT A TIME OF INCREASED SEXUAL ASSAULTS

The Culver Viaduct Rehabilitation Project will resume in November and continue through spring 2012. This time, F and G trains traveling southbound are affected.

The F train traveling toward Coney Island and the G train traveling toward Church Avenue

• WILL NOT STOP at the 15th Street-Prospect Park station or the Fort Hamilton Parkway station, 
• will stop on the express track at the Church Avenue and 7th Avenue stations, and
• will have to be accessed via a temporary platform at the 4th Avenue-9th Street station.

This is a bad situation in light of the sexual assaults that have been taking place in our area, and our City Councilmember Brad Lander has written a letter to the president of New York City Transit discussing the plan's potential impact on commuter safety and requesting service alternatives.

KENSINGTON'S HUGE PUMPKIN

Last year, Kensington resident John Zambito grew a 502-pound pumpkin and set it out for display for Halloween. Mr. Zambito has outdone himself this year with a pumpkin that weighs in at 800 pounds. A fascinating sight to behold, it's sitting in front of the Zambito family's home at 416 McDonald Avenue, between Church and Albemarle. Go take a look and be amazed!

PARKING RELIEF ON WEDNESDAY

Alternate side of the street parking regulations for street cleaning will be suspended on Wednesday, October 26th, for Diwali. All other regulations, including parking meters, will remain in effect.

AUTUMN LEAVES

SCARY STUFF FOR HALLOWEEN

A SATURDAY WALK (AND SNIFF) AROUND PROSPECT PARK

A Saturday Walk (and Sniff) around Prospect Park

Saturday, October 29th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

From Kate Tully, organizer of Adopted Dogs of NYC:

Let's cross our fingers for good weather and try to squeeze in another walk before the temperatures drop! This walk will be on Saturday because on Sunday there's a Halloween event at Sean Casey Animal Rescue. (Give a holler if you're interested in going to that event.)

This casual leashed walk around the park will provide an opportunity for our dogs to socialize in a controlled environment, while we share stories, tips, and a few laughs about our pets. You don't need to own a rescue, or any dog at all, to participate. 

I hope you can make it! 

9th Street & Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY (map)

Batman and I will be waiting by the horse statue at 9th St and Prospect Park W. Look for the grouchy black chihuahua with a red collar,

                                                            Kate

Sign up here for the walk and sniff.

HAPPY SCARECROW AT DJ JEWELER

COUPONING CLASS COMING SOON

Coupons 101

Saturday, November 12th, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Are you tired of spending so much money in your local stores? Don't you wish there was a better way? Want to learn about how to use coupons successfully?

You're in luck!

Come learn about how to use coupons to maximize your savings and get the answers to the following questions:

• Where do you get coupons?
• How many coupons can I use at one time?
• What are the different kinds of coupons?
• How can I get free products?

And much more!

The cost is $10 per person (to cover rental and material costs). Each paying guest will receive coupons to help them get started!

Please RSVP, as we have a 50 person limit. You are welcome to forward this invitation to friends.

                                                   Amara Mahmood, Host

Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace

1224 Prospect Avenue and Vanderbilt Street

near the 15th Street-Prospect Park West station of the F and G trains

(718) 407-6377

http://ywindsorterrace.org

https://www.facebook.com/ywindsorterrace

info [at] ywindsorterrace.org

FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS THIS SUNDAY

Self-defense Class (free)

Sunday, October 23rd, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Assemblymember Jim Brennan, a representative from the 72nd Precinct, and Councilmember Brad Lander will speak. This is an excellent opportunity to bring up our safety concerns about Windsor Terrace and Kensington as well as learn what is already being done in our community.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Experienced self-defense instructor Mel Ramsay will provide a free class on self-defense.

Tim Molloy and K9WaTch will be available to talk to people about what they're doing to protect the neighborhood--and K9WaTch hopes to sign up more volunteers.

Coffee will be provided by Steeplechase Coffee Shop.

This event is not appropriate for children.

Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace

1224 Prospect Avenue, corner of Vanderbilt Street

VENDORS WANTED FOR HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, December 10th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

P.S. 130's PTA is putting out a call for vendors for its Holiday Bazaar, to be held on December 10th. The cost for renting one table is $25; a double table costs $25. If you're interested in being a vendor, contact Charlotte Kelly at charkellynyc [at] gmail.com or fill out the form on the PTA's website.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF 66TH PRECINCT ON POLICE AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS

NEGOTIATING A COMMERCIAL LEASE

Celebrating 47 years of Building Community Together! Negotiating a Commercial Lease Small Business Workshop   Wednesday October 26, 2011 (6pm-8pm)   click here to see all upcoming events PRATT AREA COMMUNITY COUNCIL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP PRESENT A Small Business Workshop: How to Negotiate a Commercial Lease This interactive workshop will cover: How to find a commercial space that best fits your business needs How to get the best deal once you have found a commercial space Strategies professionals use when negotiating with landlords and contractors One on One assistance to help you with your leasing process What's next? Free one-on-one counseling Determine how to apply the principals learned in the workshop Discuss attainable goals in negotiating a contract Other counseling and assistance with financing, leasing, legal issues, and referrals to government programs and resources. This event is sponsored by Capital One and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. Wednesday October 26, 2011 6:00 pm to 8:00pm PACC's Fulton Street Office 896-900 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11238 Between Waverly and Washington Aves Limited Space - Registration is required Please RSVP by Phone: 347-823-5700 ext .25 or by email:   dale_charles [at] prattarea.org www.prattarea.org  |  pacc [at] prattarea.org PACC launched it's economic development initiative in 1997 with the mission to create vibrant commercial corridors and sustainable businesses. Our economic development department works closely with merchants and other agencies throughout Central Brooklyn. Our workshop initiative is to provide starting and continuing businesses with the proper tools to develop thriving businesses. Join PACC's Mailing List!