MISSING TEEN: CECILIA CRUZ

Cecilia Cruz, age 17, has been missing from her home in Sunset Park since 8:00 a.m. on the day before Christmas. Cecelia lives on 8th Avenue near 45th Street.

She was wearing a red sweater, blue jeans, and black sneakers when she was last seen. Her hair is black, her eyes are brown, and her weight is about 120 pounds. 

Anyone who has any information about this is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477), submit a tip on the Crime Stoppers' website, or text a tip to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

All calls are kept strictly confidential.

NEW YEAR'S DAY'S PARKING RULES--1/1/14

 All parking regulations will be in effect on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31st.

But alternate side parking regulations and parking meter regulations will be suspended on New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st.

                              HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TREECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AT MULCHFEST 2014

Christmas Tree Chipping at Mulchfest

Saturday, January 11th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Your Christmas tree can fulfill a second purpose at New York City's 18th annual Mulchfest. At this tree recycling event, trees are turned into wood chips that will nourish trees and plants on city streets, in city parks and ball fields, and in community gardens. 

Mulchfest will be held in all of the boroughs. The locations are listed on the Department of Parks & Recreation's website (scroll down and choose a borough). Two of the chipping locations in Brooklyn are at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and Prospect Park Circle (Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest).

If you'd like to take home some free mulch, bring a sturdy bag with you.

Remove the tree stand, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration from the tree before you bring it to Mulchfest.

Christmas Tree Drop-off

Saturday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 12th

Some locations won't have chipping equipment on-site during Mulchfest. They're designated for tree drop-off only. Sometime after they're dropped off, the trees will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees not only during the two days of Mulchfest but every day from Saturday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 12th. Some drop-off sites will give away mulch.

Before you bring your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations on it.

CURBSIDE CHRISTMAS TREE PICK-UP

Christmas trees placed at the curb between Monday, December 30th, and Wednesday, January 15th, will be picked up for free by the Sanitation Department. The trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into mulch that will be used in city parks, playing fields, and community gardens.

Before putting the tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and all tinsel, lights, and other ornaments that are on it. Don't put the tree into a plastic bag. Trees that have decorations on them and/or are in bags will be collected, but only undecorated, unbagged trees will be recycled.

CITY SERVICES CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS

Closed in NYC on Wednesday, December 25th, Christmas Day:

• All government offices are closed. 
• All public schools are closed from Monday, December 23rd, through Wednesday, January 1st, for vacation. 
• Alternate Side Parking regulations are suspended and parking meters do not have to be fed.
• Additionally, no stopping, no standing, and no parking regulations are suspended, except where those regulations are in effect at any time or seven days a week. 
• There is no garbage or recycling pickup. If Wednesday is your regular garbage collection day, put your garbage out after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 25th. If Wednesday is your regular recycling collection day, put your recyclables out after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1st. 
• Mail will not be delivered. No bills!
• The Staten Island Ferry runs on a holiday schedule. 
• All branches of the New York library systems (Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens) are closed.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

NO COMPOST FOR BROOKLYN THIS THURSDAY

Compost for Brooklyn will be closed this Thursday, the day after Christmas. It's normally open every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Compost that's acceptable is residential food scraps, not including dairy, meat, bones, woody material, lawn clippings, coconut shells, or "compostable" dinnerware. 

Compost for Brooklyn is a community composting project and native plant garden in Kensington, Brooklyn. 

Compost for Brooklyn 
at the intersection of Newkirk Avenue and East 8th Street 
Kensington, Brooklyn

http://compostforbrooklyn.org/ 
https://twitter.com/CompostBrooklyn/ 
https://www.facebook.com/compostforbrooklyn

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT SYCAMORE

New Year's Eve at Sycamore

Live Music

Super Swanky Jazz

11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DJ E'SE

Spinning the Hot Licks

Midnight Champagne Toast

at

Sycamore Bar and Flowershop
1118 Cortelyou Road
between Stratford Road and Westminster Road

Brooklyn
 
(347) 240-5850 
sycamorebrooklyn @ gmail . com
 http://sycamorebrooklyn.com
https://www.facebook.com/sycamore.brooklyn

CHRISTMAS' PARKING RULES-12/25/13

On Wednesday, December 25th--in observance of Christmas--alternate side of the street parking regulations and parking meter regulations will be suspended.

NOTE: All parking regulations will be in effect on The Night Before Christmas, on Tuesday, December 24th.

TEENAGER DIES IN E. 8TH STREET FIRE

A two-alarm fire killed a teenager this morning in her home on E. 8th Street in Kensington. She and her sisters had tried to escape the flames by going into the third-floor bathroom and shutting the door.

When the three were found, they were all unconscious but alive. The youngest, 16-year-old Jasmine Guillaume, died soon after in a hospital. Her sisters, ages 26 and 28, were transported to a hospital in critical condition. Their mother and her sister escaped; they suffered minor injuries but were hospitalized.

Jasmine was in her junior year at St. Saviour High School on 6th Street in Park Slope.

The fire began on the second floor sometime before 5:30 a.m. and spread to the third. Its cause, the Fire Department said, is unknown. They don't think it looks like arson.

The house at 293 E. 8th Street between Beverley Road and Avenue C had no working smoke detectors in it.

HOLIDAY PARTY AT 66TH PRECINCT MONTHLY MEETING

From the 66th Precinct Community Council:

Dear Community Members:

This Thursday December 19, will be the Monthly 66 precinct Community Council meeting AND ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY at 5910 13th Ave. 7:30pm. You are invited to come meet Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo, 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.

The 66th Precinct Community Council meets on the third Thursday of the month from September through June, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

Meeting place:
Community Board 12 office
5910 13th Avenue, between 59th and 60th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn
(718) 851-5601

Going there, take the B16 bus to 57th Street on 13th Avenue, and then walk just two blocks to the building. On the way home, get the bus on 14th Avenue. It's a pretty short trip.

SNOW ALERT AND TRAVEL ADVISORY

Notification issued 12/16/13 at 6:00 PM:

The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today issued a Travel Advisory for Tuesday, 12/17. The National Weather Service has forecast 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation.

Snow is expected to begin early Tuesday morning before the morning rush hour. The snow will continue through mid to late afternoon. The Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Tuesday at 4am.

The city’s Severe Weather web page will be available tomorrow at nyc.gov/severeweather.

The New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Department of Sanitation, today announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended citywide tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, to facilitate snow removal.

PUT KENSINGTON BACK IN THE FOOD COOP'S NAME

Community Meeting and Pot Luck

Tuesday, December 17th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Vote for your favorite choice for the food coop's official name, choosing from among the top three online vote-getters. The names and their current positions are

1. Windsor Terrace Food Coop (BUT this name ignores Kensington,  one of the two neighborhoods the coop will serve.)
2. Prospect Park Food Coop (Prospect Park does abut Windsor Terrace, BUT it doesn't abut Kensington.)
3. KWT Coop (This is the most appropriate name because it includes both of the neighborhoods that will be served--Kensington and Windsor Terrace.)

For the pot luck holiday celebration, bring a homemade or store-bought holiday dish that you enjoy and would like to share with neighbors.

The food coop community meeting will be held at

Knights of Columbus Hall

1511 10th Avenue (street map)

between Prospect Park Southwest

and 16th Street

Windsor Terrace

NO WT-P.S. 154 GREENMARKET TOMORROW

The Windsor Terrace-P.S. 154 Greenmarket has been canceled for tomorrow, Sunday, December 15th. Collection of food scraps and textile recycling has also been canceled. 

American Seafood will, however, be one of the vendors at the Cortelyou Greenmarket tomorrow. It's located at Cortelyou Road, between Argyle and Rugby, and will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SATURDAYA'S PARKING RULES--12/14/13

Alternate side parking regulations will be suspended throughout New York City tomorrow--Saturday, December 14th--to make storm preparation and snow removal easier.

Payment at parking meters will remain in effect.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Saturday at 8:00 a.m.

The National Weather Service has predicted that 2 to 4 inches of snow will accumulate in the daytime and another 1 to 3 inches at night, for a total of 4 to 6 inches.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management has issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for Saturday.

Snow is expected to arrive on Saturday at midday and change to rain in the late evening as the temperature rises. The rain will taper off overnight on Saturday into Sunday.

Sunday morning, a shower might fall. That night, freezing temperatures will return. Sounds like a barrel of laughs!

ALBEMARLE ACTIVISM BRINGS ABOUT ACTION ON IMPROVING SAFETY

On Albemarle Road, from McDonald Avenue to Ocean Parkway, measures are going to be taken to improve safety, reports our City Councilmember Brad Lander. The Department of Transportation will 

• encourage slower driving speeds by narrowing the traffic lanes,
• slow down traffic by installing two speed humps, and
• improve visibility by installing "no standing" signs at the highest injury locations (which have already been added).

Brad writes to his constituents:

You asked. They listened.

The stretch of Albemarle Road in Kensington (between Ocean Parkway & McDonald Avenue) is a big safety concern for our community. Speeding is prevalent, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at risk. This year alone, there have been ten crashes on this corridor, including a two-car collision at East 2nd Street just last week.

After a year of community advocacy, I am happy to announce that New York City Department of Transportation has put forward a plan to improve safety along the street.

Thank you for speaking out, and thanks to the Department of Transportation for listening. Neighbors put safety proposals forward through Participatory Budgeting, nearly 100 neighbors filled out our Albemarle Road safety survey, and the Albemarle Neighborhood Association and Community Board 12 kept the pressure up. Together, we pushed for these changes.

The Department of Transportation’s planned improvements include narrowing lanes to encourage slower speeds, improving visibility by installing “no standing” signs at the highest injury locations (which have already been added), and installing two speed humps along the stretch.

You will be able to learn more about the plan at the January Community Board 12 meeting.

We have made big strides for safer streets throughout the district this year – from Hicks Street in Cobble Hill, to 4th Avenue in Park Slope, to Church Avenue in Kensington. I look forward to talking the next step with you at Albemarle Road.

Brad

Serving the neighborhoods of 

Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope,  

Windsor Terrace, 

Borough Park, and Kensington

456 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-499-1090

THAI FOOD FOR ONE DAY AT SYCAMORE BAR

 

Flatbush Food Court 
Sunday, December 15th, noon to 6:00 p.m. 

Sycamore Bar's outdoor food series

with drink specials

An adventure in eating

  Queen Cobra 
Grilled pork skewers with spicy dipping sauce
Grilled Thai sausage
Spicy Laab chicken salad
Tom yum lemongrass soup with shrimp

 Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Road
 between E. 11th Street and Argyle Road
 Brooklyn
 
(347) 240-5850 
sycamorebrooklyn @ gmail . com
 http://sycamorebrooklyn.com
https://www.facebook.com/sycamore.brooklyn

FUTURE WINDSOR TERRACE-KENSINGTON FOOD COOP TALKS WITH OCCUPY KENSINGTON

Occupy Kensington Meeting
with Windsor Terrace-Kensington Food Co-op
Wednesday, December 18th, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Occupy Kensington welcomes guests from the Windsor Terrace-Kensington Food Coop, a local initiative to develop a community-based, member-owned, member-operated food store that will be an alternative to commercial profit-oriented business.

It is envisioned as being part of the cooperative movement. Members will contribute labor to keep prices low. The coop will try to avoid products that depend on the exploitation of others and will support non-toxic, sustainable agriculture.

Learn more about the coop, how to get involved, and what progress has been made so far.

Meeting location:
309 E. 5th Street
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road
Kensington, Brooklyn

TREE LIGHTING AT HOLY NAME

Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 14th

following the 5:30 p.m. Mass

Holy Name of Jesus Church will have its annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday in front of the rectory. After the tree lighting, stay for refreshments provided by Enzo's Pizzeria & Restaurant.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church
245 Prospect Park West

at Prospect Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Phone: (718) 768-3071
Fax: (718) 369-2039
http://www.holynamebrooklyn.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holy-Name-of-Jesus-Roman-Catholic-Church-Brooklyn-New-York/127225753993725

TONIGHT: WT NIGHTTIME SHOPPING AND IN-STORE PROMOS

Windsor Terrace
Nighttime Shopping and In-store Promos

Thursday, December 12th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Windsor Terrace and small business--perfect together. Shop or dine in these neighborhood stores tonight between 6:00 and 8:00 and take advantage of the discounts, free entertainment, and complimentary refreshments.

• Juice Pedaler
• 15% off most accessories
• 30% off accessories with the purchase of a bicycle
• live music with percussionist Neil Ochoa and vocalist Mayra Lawrence
• complimentary coffee and hot chocolate
• Windsor Place Antiques
• 15% off any one item
• free bubbly drinks
• free snacks
• free gift wrapping
  
• Cynthia King Dance Studio
• 20% off all dancewear
• Brooklyn Commune
• 10% off your meal and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine if you mention the Windsor Terrace Holiday Event
• Juice Box
• 10% off everything in the store
• live music by The Hillfillies

• Le Paddock
• $2 off all drinks
• Black Bear Vintage & Handmade
• 15% off any single item
• Terrace Books
• 15% of their proceeds will be donated to P.S. 154
• cookies
• holiday cheer

• Smart Hair Studio
• coupons for services
• product discounts 
• free consultations (organic hair color, organic keratin)
• refreshments

Visit the participating merchants'
Facebook pages and websites:

      *Juice Pedaler           *Windsor Place Antiques

              *Smart Hair Studio       *Le Paddock                 *Juice Box Wine & Spirits    *Terrace Books
            *Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria
*Black Bear Vintage & Handmade    
      *Cynthia King Dance Studio   *Brooklyn Commune
    *The Gifted Putterer       *City Owl Vintage

Support local, independent small businesses!

SATURDAY'S HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

Brooklyn Prospect Charter School's

First Annual Holiday Craft Fair 

• jewelry,
• crafts,
• stuffed animals,
• rainbow loom,
• holiday cards,
• caricatures,
• henna artist,
• paintings,
• ornaments,
• gift wrapping,
• 3-D art by students,
• a dance performance,
• a food table,
• a bake sale,
• a raffle,
• and more.

Saturday, December 14th,

from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

the school gym

 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway

between E. 3rd and E. 2nd streets

GRAB A SEAT AT LITTLE NEST PRESCHOOL FOR JANUARY

Sometimes it seems to take forever for a new business to satisfy the various New York City agencies that issue permits. Little Nest Preschool, which had scheduled a September opening for its new Church Avenue location, has now cleared the last hurdle put in its path and will open on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

One of its two classrooms is for a pre-K class and the other is for a class of late two-year-olds and three-year-olds. Applications for the few remaining seats in both classes are being accepted now. Contact Kathleen Fink, the program director, by e-mail at info @ littlenestpreschool . com.

Open House for 2014-2015 classes will start being held in January. The dates will be announced soon.

 

Little Nest Community Preschool is at 511 Church Avenue, between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway. It's easy to notice--it's the place with the most brightly-colored walls on Church Avenue!

TUESDAY'S PARKING RULES--12/10/13

The Department of Transportation and Department of Sanitation have announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations have been suspended Citywide today, Tuesday, Dec. 10th, to facilitate snow removal.

Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.

MOTORISTS: NO STANDING IN TWO PLACES ON ALBEMARLE

AN UPDATE IS POSTED AT "ALBEMARLE ACTIVISM BRINGS SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Less than three days after the tenth reported car crash of the year on Albemarle Road, the Department of Transportation (DOT) installed "NO STANDING Anytime" signs at two intersections on Albemarle. 

Each sign eliminates one parking space in favor of increased visibility and improved safety. The fine for a violation is $115.

One sign is on the southwest corner at E. 3rd Street. The other one is on the northeast corner at E. 4th Street, the scene of a car-ambulette collision in May.

A "NO STANDING Anytime" sign indicates that no vehicle can wait in that space or stop there to load or unload anything at the curb. Only stopping very briefly to drop off or pick up a passenger is allowed.

ONE NIGHT OF NIGHT SHOPPING IN WINDSOR TERRACE

Windsor Terrace

Holiday Shopping

Event 

Thursday, December 12th

6 pm to 8 pm 

The Windsor Terrace Small Business Community invites you to visit them on Thursday for holiday shopping. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit local shops after work. All participating shops will stay open until 8 pm. Make a night of it by visiting a participating restaurant afterward for a delicious meal.

All participating shops and restaurants will offer a promotion during the two evening hours. Visit the Facebook pages or websites of the individual businesses for more information.

• Juice Pedaler: live music
• Windsor Place Antiques:
• 15% off unframed prints,
• free cocktails,
• free snacks, and
• free gift wrapping
  
• Brooklyn Commune: 15% off the cost of dinner
•  Juice Box: live music
• Smart Hair Studio:
• free consultations (certified organic hair color, organic keratin, waxing, threading),
• coupons for services,
• product discounts, and
• refreshments.

Participating Merchants

Windsor Place Antiques        Juice Pedaler

The Gifted Putterer                  City Owl Vintage

Le Paddock               Juice Box Wine & Spirits

Bene Restaurant & Pizzeria

Black Bear Vintage & Handmade    Terrace Books

Cynthia King Dance Studio    Brooklyn Commune

        Smart Hair Studio