COMPOST FOR BROOKLYN'S DONATION MATCHING FUND

Compost for Brooklyn's (C4B) accomplishments in 2011:

• tons of organic waste collected
• outreach to Brooklyn schools
• events for discussing urban waste management
• Award from Citizens Committee for NYC
• composting in the P.S. 217 cafeteria
• on-site compost pick-up service
• composting introduced to the Cortelyou Road Greenmarket
• compost given to community members for public greening projects

C4B is looking for tax-deductible donations to its all-volunteer organization. Especially since a neighbor is going to match donations made through January 13th--dollar-for-dollar--up to $500, making $500 into  $1,000. Any size donation is welcome--$5, $10 or $100--and is needed to buy tools, equipment, seeds, and plants.

Donate $100 or more and get a C4B t-shirt for free.

Click here to donate. All contributions are tax-deductible.  Compost for Brooklyn is fiscally sponsored by the Open Space Institute, Inc. as part of their Citizen Action program. 

Compost for Brooklyn

Newkirk Avenue and E. 8th Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

BURGLARY LAST WEEK ON EAST THIRD STREET

A house on E. 3rd Street, between Caton Avenue and Albermarle Road, was burgled at about 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23rd--the one day that nobody was home.

The burglars used a chair (or chairs) to enter the house through a rear second-floor window and stole a lot of valuable items. Rear windows of houses have been the entry point in several recent burglaries in the vicinity.

The victim, in reporting the burglary on the KWT Neighbors listserv, reminded people to lock up their homes.

MULCHFEST 2012: RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas Tree Chipping

Saturday, January 7th, and Sunday, January 8th
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Recycle your Christmas tree into wood chips that will be used to nourish New York City's street and garden plantings--or that you can take away for use at home.

Bring your tree to the Park Circle entrance at Prospect Park Southwest at Parkside Avenue, to Prospect Park West at Third Street, or to one of many other locations. Remove all of the decorations from your tree before bringing it to the site. Click here for a complete list of Mulchfest locations by borough on the Department of Parks & Recreation's website.

Volunteers will assist people by removing ornaments and distributing mulch. Call (718) 965-8960 for details about volunteering.

PARKING REGULATIONS FOR THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY

Alternate-side-of-the-street parking regulations  (for street cleaning) as well as parking meter regulations are suspended on Sunday, January 1, 2012 (New Year's Day), and Monday, January 2, 2012 (the day that New Year’s Day is officially observed in 2012).

On major legal holidays--like these two days--stopping, standing, and parking are permitted, except in areas where stopping, standing, and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (for example, "No Standing Anytime").

QUILTING EXHIBIT AND PROGRAMS AT WINDSOR TERRACE LIBRARY

"Botanical Inspirations"

Wednesday, January 4th, through Tuesday, February 7th

"Botanical Inspirations," an exhibition of quilts made by members of The Quilters' Guild of Brooklyn, is on display at the Windsor Terrace Library from January 4th through February 7th. Two special programs will be offered in connection with the exhibition:

"Quilting for Adults: Open Forum"

Wednesday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

Learn about various approaches to quilting: traditional, modern, abstract, and realistic. Explore the use of assorted textiles, applique, embellishment, embroidery, painting, and stitching techniques. Hosted by the Quilters' Guild of Brooklyn.

"Quilting Program for Kids: Story and Craft"

Saturday, January 28th, 11:00 a.m. to 12:03 p.m.

This storytime will feature a fun hands-on quilting activity for kids. Hosted by the Quilters' Guild of Brooklyn.

Branch Contact Person: Ianthee Williams

Windsor Terrace Library
160 E. 5th Street (corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway)

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

(718) 686-9707 

http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/windsor-terrace

SPIN VINYL AT THE DOUBLE WINDSOR ON JANUARY 16TH

Monday Night Vinyl Club
Monday, January 16, 2012, from 8:00 p.m  to midnight

"You bring it, you spin it." Bring five songs on vinyl records and play them for the crowd. Hosts: Chris and Amy.

Monday Night Vinyl Club is free at The Double Windsor every third Monday of the month.

The Double Windsor

210 Prospect Park West (corner of 16th Street)

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

(347) 725-3479

http://www.dwbrooklyn.com

e-mail: http://www.dwbrooklyn.com/contact.html

20% OFF NEW HARDCOVER BOOKS

Post-Christmas sale at Babbo's Books

20% off new hardcovers (except photography books)

Some of the titles:

• Rin Tin Tin by Susan Orlean
• Inheritance (4th book in the Inheritance trilogy) by Christopher Paolini
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• Zone One by Colson Whitehead
• 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
• A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
• Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1 by Mark Twain
• Cat Stories (Everyman's Pocket Classics)

A nearly-full set of Mark Twain (19 volumes, Harper, 1913) that was $100 is now $60.

Babbo's Books has an online store. About 900 of its more than 7,000 books can be purchased there.

Babbo's Books

242 Prospect Park West, between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue

(718) 788-3475

admin @ babbosbooks.com

www.babbosbooks.com

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

RESCUED DOG STOLEN, THEN FOUND

A one-year-old Pekingese was stolen from Sean Casey Animal Rescue Friday afternoon and was tracked down and returned about four hours later, with the assistance of  Sean's employee Scott Berliner, who wrote down the license plate number of the thief's car as she drove away; the 72nd Precinct, which traced the car to the thief's father's home; and the thief's father, who told the police where his daughter lives.

Scuffy, the dog, was not harmed, and is still available for adoption. See "Scuffy. Pekingese Mix: An adoptable dog in Brooklyn, NY" on Petfinder.

Read "Dog-napped Pooch Found In Time for Christmas" by Cynthia Magnus for the rest of the story.

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 @ yahoo.com

Open seven days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

SENIOR YORKIE GETS ADOPTED

When this ten-year-old  Yorkshire Terrier was found, his teeth were in such bad condition that they all had to be removed, and his matted and dirty coat had to be shaved off. But  Bear's loving nature remained intact, and he was adopted from Sean Casey Animal Rescue on Christmas Eve. 

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 @ yahoo.com

Open seven days a week, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

CROSSROADS CAFE SCHEDULE THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2012

Crossroads Café schedule through New Year's Day:

• Monday, December 26th, to Thursday, December 29th: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, December 30th: closed
• Saturday, December 31st, New Year's Eve: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• Sunday, January 1st, New Year's Day: closed

Crossroads Café

1241A Prospect Avenue, at the corner of Reeve Place

(718) 972-1852

xroad [at] cafe-crossroads.com

http://www.cafe-crossroads.com

OPEN HEART MEDITATION AND GROUP REIKI TUMMO CHANNELING

Open Heart Meditation and Group Reiki TUMMO Channeling

Saturday, January 14th, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 11th, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 10th, 1:30 p.m.

These three free meet-ups of Reiki TUMMO & Open Heart Meditation of NYC & Lower CT will be held at the Windsor Terrace Library.

"All truth is in your heart, not in the physical heart, but in the core within yourself where your true self resides. To access that truth you must open your heart and Reiki TUMMO can help you do just that. When you learn Reiki TUMMO you are introduced to energy channeling for healing, but also as a tool to lead you into your heart so you can learn directly from your heart, rather than from others." Irmansyah Effendi M.Sc (founder)

This group is open to everyone and we are dedicated to sharing and providing a space where others may come to share and learn more about Reiki Tummo, Kundalini, and the spiritual Heart.

The spiritual Heart, the key to deep calmness, inner peace, happiness and spiritual growth, is the foundation of Open Heart Meditation and Reiki Tummo. Reiki Tummo offers an energy system that incorporates learning about our spiritual hearts and energy bodies while healing physical, mental, emotional and other non-physical parts of our being.

Through a series of gentle steps and courses, Reiki Tummo prepares the foundations to support your continuing spiritual growth and development. So come along and be prepared to smile, relax, and experience the sweet feelings of Love radiating from within your Heart :-)

You can learn more about Reiki-Tummo at: www.reikitummo.com or www.padmacahaya.com.

Windsor Terrace Library

160 East 5th Street, at the corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway

in the meeting room to the right after the 2nd entrance doors 

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

CROSSROADS CAFE IS FOR SALE

Crossroads Cafe is for sale. The cafe opened in 2008. From September 14th of this year until the end of November, the location served as a cafe by day (Crossroads Cafe) and a wine bar by night (Nanny Goat Hill Wine Bar & Kitchen). 

The asking price for key money is $190,000--that includes all of the equipment, the inventory, the kitchen, and the take-out window. Rent on the new ten-year lease is $1200 per month. A wine and beer liquor license is already in place. The cafe was renovated this past June.

The most recent online ad says "This listing is Off the market!," but the realtor said yesterday (Friday) that it hasn't been sold yet. 

1241 Prospect Avenue, near Reeve Place
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

DISHING 19TH- AND 20TH-CENTURY DIRT AT GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY

Uncovering Long-Lost Stories:

Digging Dirt at Green-Wood with Ben Feldman

Saturday, January 14th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Author, historian, and storyteller Ben Feldman uses Green-Wood Cemetery's historical resources to discover long-forgotten characters whose colorful stories he tells.

One character is Dr. Harvey Burdell, a well-to-do dentist who was gruesomely murdered in 1857, possibly by his mistress, although she was acquitted. Another is Roaring Twenties playboy Edward Browning (age fifty-one) and his underage mistress Frances "Peaches" Heenan (age fifteen). A third is Brooklyn rags-to-riches industrialist Henry Knight Dyer, whose pocket-size diary dated 1870 was discovered by Mr. Feldman.

Learn how Mr. Feldman uncovers the details of these long-lost stories and how you can too. His talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a trolley tour to the gravesites of Burdell, Browning, Dyer, and others.

Price: The talk is free. Tickets for the trolley tour cost $15 for members of the Green-wood Historic Fund and $20 for non-members. 

Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. Purchase tickets online or by calling (718) 210-3080.

The Historic Chapel at Green-wood

Green-Wood Cemetery

500 25th Street, Brooklyn

Phone: (718) 210-3080

info @ greenwoodcemetery.org

http://www.green-wood.com

TEENAGERS BRING GIFTS AND LOVE TO SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

Bishop Kearny High School students visited the dogs and cats at Sean Casey Animal Rescue yesterday, gave them gifts, and donated $200 they'd raised for the shelter. Nice work, young people!

See the video on News 12.

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 @ yahoo.com

Sean Casey Animal Rescue is open seven days a week, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

PARK "ANYWHERE" THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY

Alternate side of the street parking regulations (normally in effect to allow street cleaning) and parking meter regulations are suspended on Sunday, December 25th, and Monday, December 26th, for the observance of Christmas.

LAND PURCHASED FOR NEW PS/IS IN KENSINGTON

A proposal for the construction of P.S./I.S. 437 in Kensington to alleviate serious overcrowding was adopted unanimously by the New York City Council on November 29th. The school will be a public primary and intermediate school for grades pre-kindergarten through 8.

Plans call for an approximately 750-seat school about 20,000 square feet in size, to be opened in 2015. It'll be located within School District 15, Community Board 7, and City Council District 39.

The school will be built in the now-empty lot at 701-11 Caton Avenue; the property is generally bounded by Kermit Place to the north, Caton Avenue to the south, East 8th Street to the east, and East 7th Street to the west.

Two days ago, the New York City School Construction Authority bought the lot from 701 Caton Avenue Realty LLC for $8.8 million.

The Department of Education's Deputy Chancellor for Portfolio Planning addressed some of the concerns raised by Councilmember Brad Lander and area residents in the letter below. 

Click here for the agenda, minutes, and a video about this and other legislation discussed by the City Council on November 29th.

CHANGE OF COMMAND IN THE 72ND PRECINCT

Deputy Inspector Jesus "Raul" Pintos (above), commanding officer of the 72nd Precinct (Sunset Park/Windsor Terrace) has been reassigned to a new command, the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau.

Inspector Pintos' successor is Captain James Grant (above), formerly the executive officer of the 68th Precinct.

72nd Precinct

830 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11232
(718) 965-6311

website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_072.shtml

Compstat (crime complaints): http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs072pct.pdf

HAIL THE CAB

Car service cars/livery cabs/radio-dispatched cabs will continue to pick up people who hail them on the streets of Brooklyn (and the other "outer boroughs" and north of 96th Street in Manhattan), but they'll be doing it legally. The needed legislation was passed earlier this year and, after much negotiating, will be signed by Governor Cuomo tomorrow (Wednesday).

Special hail licenses for use in the outer-boroughs will be issued to a total of 18,000 livery cabs over the next three years. Twenty percent (3,600) of the cabs will be handicapped-accessible. After the first 6,000 licenses are sold, 6,000 more will be offered for sale, followed by 6,000 more.

The cars will have metered fares, credit card readers, and roof lights.

In addition, 2,000 new yellow cab medallions will be sold. All of them will be handicapped-accessible. About 13,200 medallions are now in use.

HELP NEEDED TO FINISH THE TOOL SHED AT PROSPECT FARM

From Prospect Farm:

"Anybody who's off work this Friday afternoon (12/23) and looking for an excuse to avoid shopping can come by Prospect Farm and help put up the rest of the frame for the tool shed -- 12-4 pm."

As always, bring gloves, water, and snacks with you.

Prospect Farm

1194 Prospect Avenue, between Seeley and Vanderbilt streets

F/G Train to Fort Hamilton, exit toward Prospect Avenue

prospectfarm.org
facebook.com/ProspectFarmBK

SELLING ALL KINDS OF STUFF FOR THE BABY

Opened on November 1st: Dainty Baby's New York City boutique on 12th Avenue near 36th Street in Kensington, Brooklyn.

Dainty Baby sells strollers, baby monitors, high chairs, shoes, socks, toys, clothing, cloth diapers, diaper bags, diaper rash cream, breast pumps, crib rail covers, towels, swaddle wraps, blankets, car seats, and more, more, more.

"Stepping into our upscale Brooklyn baby store will transform you to the world of baby care, showcasing an exclusive array of strollers, designer diaper & baby bags, cloth diapers, baby carriers and much more."

Free shipping--no minimums.

Store hours

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to noon
Saturday: closed

Dainty Baby
3605 12th Avenue at 36th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

Phone: (877) 5-DAINTY / (877) 532-4689

E-mail: info @ daintybaby.com

Website: http://www.daintybaby.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dainty-Baby/217192862557

FRIDAY'S RALLY AGAINST GOLDEN FARM: PRESS RELEASE, PICS, AND VIDEO

 

Press release from New York Communities for Change: 

Friday December 16, 2011
Contact: Lucas Sanchez – 646-600-2426
lsanchez @ nycommunities.org
For Immediate Release

Justice in the Aisles: Grocery Store Workers Rally Against Wage Theft

Workers, Activists Take On Church Avenue Store Owners Over Systematic Wage Theft and Harassment

Workers, activists and members of NY Communities for Change rallied Friday in Kensington, Brooklyn, in support of grocery store employees who are experiencing wage-theft and unfair treatment by their employers.

Current and former employees – from cashiers to stockroom workers – reported excessively long workweeks for less than minimum wage and harassment by store managers at the Golden Farm supermarket (329 Church Ave).

“Since we started our fight to be paid at least minimum wage, the workers at Golden Farm have been victims of different types of attacks from management, and the owner, Sonny Kim, has done nothing to stop them,” said Martin Gonzalez, a Golden Farm employee. “We believe that the state of New York should be free from discrimination and the exploitation of workers, and we are fighting to ensure workers who stand up for their rights are not threatened with jail time and deportation by management.”

Golden Farm employees are working with the NY State Department of Labor, NYCC, RWDSU/UFCW Local 338, the local community and the law firm Advocates for Justice to seek justice at their workplace. Prior to organizing to sue for their back wages and a contract, workers at Golden Farm were being paid $400 for a 70+ hour work week.  The store grants workers no vacation days, no sick days, and offers no job protections. Workers were scheduled for seven days a week during the holidays.

The workers delivered more than 400 postcards from community members pledging not to shop at Golden Farm until they respected their workers' right to a fair wage. Joining the workers were several members of the Kensington Community who were surprised and outraged to find out that their local store was stealing wages from its workers.

"Honest pay for honest work is a fundamental right for workers in this country.  Golden Farm should pay its workers the money they are rightfully owed,” said Council Member Brad Lander.  “Our community is strengthened when small businesses do right by their neighbors and staff."

The event was a continuation of an ongoing NYCC and Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union / United Food and Commercial Workers (RWDSU/UFCW) Local 338 campaign to improve conditions for low-wage supermarket workers in the city. The campaign kicked off last December with a bus tour where workers and activists rallied at three grocery stores – including Golden Farm- demanding fair treatment in Brooklyn.

The campaign has already been successful at winning a union contract and back wages for workers at one of the three stores. Workers at Master Foods (3008 Church Ave.) signed a deal in October that provides back wages and a contract with paid time off and grievance and arbitration procedures. Since the campaign kicked off, workers from various stores in Brooklyn have sued their employers and won back wages and benefits.

A lawsuit was filed on June 20, 2011 on behalf of 10 workers at Golden Farm by the law firm Advocates for Justice, who is representing the workers.

“I decided to do this lawsuit because it was not fair that we were paid so little for so long,” said Joaquin Trinidad, a 23 years old Mexican immigrant and named plaintiff on lawsuit. “That is why I decided to put my name down on the lawsuit. With the support of NYCC we were able to start it and hopefully we will finish it and accomplish something big with this campaign.”

Friday’s action marks one of many to come. “We’ll be back,” said Lucas Sanchez, an organizer with New York Communities for Change, as he led the workers out of the store. “We’re going to keep fighting until these workers get justice.”

SURVEY OF YOUR SAFETY CONCERNS

"The recent attacks in the neighborhood have resulted in an increased demand for information about staying safe. The Center for Anti-Violence Education (a local nonprofit that’s been providing anti-violence programs in this neighborhood and throughout NYC for 37 years) is working with local organizations to tailor workshops and educational programs to fit the needs of the public."

The Center has designed a short survey for women, transpeople, and parents so it can determine how to improve the anti-violence services (violence prevention and self-defense programs) it provides to adults and youth.

The survey is confidential, but you can provide contact information, if you like. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered in a drawing to attend a free violence prevention workshop, and five winners will be chosen.

Please let others know about this survey.

The Center for Anti-Violence Education

327 7th Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11215

(718) 788-1775

www.caeny.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CAENYC

Twitter: http://twitter.com/caenyc

COUNTDOWN SIGNALS ON OCEAN PARKWAY

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has installed pedestrian countdown signals at fourteen intersections along Ocean Parkway. They're between Ditmas Avenue and Avenue R. The signals let pedestrians know how many seconds remain for them to get across the street safely, before cars get a green signal again.

Federal data for 2007 through 2009 shows seven pedestrian deaths on  Ocean Parkway. The DOT reports that countdown signals have been helping pedestrians avoid getting caught in the middle of a crosswalk when the signal changes, particularly on wide streets.

Countdown signals will eventually be at all major intersections along Ocean Parkway from Park Circle to Sea Breeze Avenue.

Read "Countdown Signals Installed At 14 Intersections Along Ocean Parkway" in Vos Iz Neias.

ROLIE POLIE GUACAMOLE AT THE LIBRARY

Frank Gallo and Rolie Polie Guacamole
Tuesday, December 20th, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Frank’s musical style blends acoustic rock, funk, and folk with catchy sing-alongs. Kids are encouraged to dance, shake, and use their imaginations in this musical adventure with Rolie Polie Guacamole.

For ages from birth to five years old.

Windsor Terrace Library
160 E. 5th Street, at the corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway
(718) 686-9707
http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/branch_library_detail.jsp?branchpageid=138

RALLY FOR THE WORKERS AT GOLDEN FARM

Statement by Ruby Malik, organizer for New York Communities for Change (posted with permission):

"Rally Against Wage Theft in Kensington!

Workers at Golden Farm supermarket (329 Church Ave, between E. 3rd St. and E. 4th St.) have organized to sue the owner of the store, Mr. Sonny Kim, for back wages and for a contract that guarantees them basic benefits on the job. For many years, workers worked 70+ hour work weeks for less than minimum wage. Mr. Kim started paying minimum wage in March after the publication of the following article:

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110303/FREE/110309948

However, the workers that have organized have been continually threatened and harassed on the job due to their organizing efforts. They are still owed their back wage and have no rights on the job. New York Communities for Change and members of the community are coming together to support the workers.
 

We need your support! See you Friday!

WHAT: Rally Against Wage Theft in Kensington
WHEN: Friday, December 16 @ NOON
WHERE: Golden Farm Supermarket, 326 Church Ave., between E. 3rd Street and E. 4th.

For more information please call Lucas Sanchez at 646 - 600 - 2426.

For more information on the campaign please see:

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/12300/there_is_power_in_community_allies/"

66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT

From the 66th Precinct:

           Reminder:

Tonight will be the Monthly 66 precinct Community Council meeting at 5910 13th Ave. 7:30pm. You are invited to come meet Deputy Inspector John Sprague, the Commanding Officer of the 66 Precinct update the community on the latest crimes in our community, and what is being done about it. There is also an opportunity to bring any crime issues you may have to their attention. You can also find out about the many different programs available that may be of interest to you.

The event is open to the public so let your friends and neighbors know.

We The Community Council
     President: Marc Katz
     Vice President: Felix Burgos
     Recording Secretary: Fran Starapoli
     Treasurer: Tony Pedri
     Sergeant At Arms: Ari Weiss
     Corresponding Secretary: Mohammed J. Alam
     Assistant Secretary: Hymie Mochon

FREE CELL PHONE REGISTRATION BY NYPD

Because of the increase in thefts of cell phones, you might want to register yours with your local police precinct.

Cell Phone Safety Tips from the NYPD

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Thieves may be watching you.
• Use your cell phone security lock.
• Avoid becoming distracted by your cell phone conversation when walking on the street.
• Keep your cell phone out of sight. Don't hang it from your purse or jacket.
• Switch the ringer off to avoid attracting the attention of thieves.
• Never loan your cell phone to a stranger. In case of an emergency, offer to make the call for them.
• Consider using hands-free technology.
• If your phone is lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to your cell phone service provider and the police.

STEAMY DANCE NIGHT AT THE RUSSIAN BATHS

Steamy Dance Night at the Russian Baths
Saturday, December 17th, 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

 presented by
Gemini & Scorpio

For ages 21 and up, with ID. Ages 25 and up suggested.

Prices: $35-$85.

Brooklyn Banya

602 Coney Island Avenue

between Beverley Road and Avenue C
Kensington, Brooklyn

Details: http://www.geminiandscorpio.com/events.html
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/134605
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157369431028311

"Break out your bikini or swim trunks, and join our hand-picked crowd of artsy, funky (and nearly naked) New Yorkers for the glorious return of Gemini & Scorpio's legendary Russian Baths party.

We will have the banya to ourselves, with a few hand-picked professionals on hand for the optional platzas and massages. Enjoy: Russian, Turkish, and Swedish steam rooms, jacuzzi and cold plunge pool; poolside dance floor; rooftop smoking deck; hookah lounge and chillout rooms; authentic and delicious Russian food in a private restaurant room with a view of the dance floor.

We'll keep the dance floor sizzling with live Balkan brass bands & ethno-mesh DJs till 2am while we dole out pierogies for everyone. There will be an open vodka bar 9-10pm.

Only 100 tix on presale; 50 more at door. Three ticket levels: $85 (7pm entry + open vodka bar + multi-course Russian banquet) /$45 (9pm entry + open vodka bar) / $35 (11pm entry). More details on each ticket tier are on our website.

This is the kind of party you always imagine, but can never quite find in real life...and the only one where you'll come out cleaner than when you came in."

TREES AND SYRUP, STRAIGHT FROM VERMONT

Christmas Tree and Maple Syrup Sale

Saturday, December 17th, 9:00 a.m.

Poorfarm Farm in Vermont will be selling Charlie Brown Christmas trees (balsam fir) again this year in front of Brooklyn Commune until dark or until they run out. 

They'll also be selling maple syrup tapped from their own trees.

Brooklyn Commune
601 Greenwood Avenue, at the corner of Prospect Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(718) 686-1044
e-mail: feedme [at] brooklyncommune.com
http://brooklyncommune.com/

"VEGUCATED": FREE SCREENING

Free Screening of Vegucated

Sunday, January 15th, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Cynthia King Dance Studio is hosting a free screening of the award-winning documentary Vegucated.

Vegucated is a feature-length documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Before long, they find themselves risking everything to expose an industry they supported just weeks before.

Click here to watch the trailer. 

The film premiered in September at the Toronto Independent Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary. At Cynthia King Dance Studio, it will be shown on a 51" screen. Free vegan refreshments will be served after the film.

An RSVP is required for this event because of limited space.

Cynthia King Dance Studio
1256 Prospect Avenue, between Reeve Place and Greenwood Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(718) 437-0101
http://cynthiakingdance.com

Take the F or G subway to the Fort Hamilton Parkway station. Use the Prospect Avenue exit.

PROTEST AT GOLDEN FARM

A protest against Golden Farm will be held outside the store (Church Avenue, corner of E. 4th Street) on Friday, December 16th, at noon.

This past June, a class action lawsuit was filed in court against Golden Farm and Sonil (Sonny) Kim, its owner, for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act--specifically, violation of minimum wage and overtime laws.

The plaintiff, Juaquin Trinidad Tzatzapolta, filed the lawsuit on June 20, 2011, in Eastern District Court. The case will be tried by a jury.

The New York State Department of Labor is demanding back wages and penalty payments. Employees will be able to recoup the money they are owed plus a 100% penalty.

Employees have been trying to organize a union.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE KENSINGTON POST OFFICE WANTED

Unhappy Kensington Post Office customers were swapping stories on Facebook last week about the unpleasant and unsatisfactory experiences they've had both inside the post office and with getting their mail delivered. One of them suggested starting a Facebook page for complaints about the post office that would be printed out and presented by a group of customers to the post office's supervisor, local politicians, and the media.

In less than a half-hour, a page was created: Kensington Post Office, Brooklyn. "This page is meant as a forum to discuss issues, concerns, solutions, etc. in reference to our 'friendly neighborhood' post office at 419 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn."

If any of you have had a negative experience either inside the Kensington Post Office or with mail delivery, please join your neighbors in writing about it on the Kensington Post Office, Brooklyn page.