UPDATE ON KNIFE AND GUN DEATHS IN MIDWOOD APARTMENT

News reports on last night's stabbing and shooting deaths in the apartment at 820 Ocean Parkway indicate that a woman's former boyfriend stabbed her current boyfriend. The police then shot the former boyfriend, who died on the spot. They also hit the current boyfriend with a stray bullet. He died later in the evening at Maimonides Hospital.

Kataryzna Russo protected herself and her two children, ages 6 and 7, from attempts by Francisco Carvajal, her ex-boyfriend, to stab her by going into a bathroom in her apartment and locking its door. She called her current boyfriend, Rafael Laureano, for help.

When police arrived in response to a 911 call, the 51-year-old Laureano met them and entered Russo's apartment with them. He tried to attack Carvajal, who stabbed him. Carvajal, 47 years old, who lived on the floor below Russo, was holding two knives. He refused to drop them when the police ordered him to, and they shot him to death.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AT IHM CHURCH

Blessing of the Animals

Saturday, October 4th, 11:00 a.m.

Bring your pets to the Blessing of the Animals in front of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. All animals are welcome. They have to be secured with a leash or in a carrier for everyone's safety.

The annual event celebrates St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the animals, whose Feast Day is on October 4th.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway

between E. 4th and E. 5th streets

Windsor Terrace (one block from the Kensington border)

http://www.ihmbrooklyn.org

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Immaculate-Heart-of-Mary-Roman-Catholic-Church/1432137603707177 

RELIVE THE MUSIC OF THE 60S AT THE ADIRONDACK (OR LIVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME)

Sounds of the 60s: Rhythm and Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, and Soul

Thursday, October 2nd, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Every first Thursday of the month,

DJ Kyle Brown will play his vintage vinyl 45s.
 

The Adirondack

1241 Prospect Avenue

between Greenwood Avenue and Reeve Place

Windsor Terrace

(718) 871-0100

theadirondackbar @ gmail.com 

http://www.theadirondackbar.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_Adirondack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Adirondack/858246554191009

DISPUTE LEADS TO TWO DEATHS IN MIDWOOD APARTMENT

A man armed with a knife stabbed another man during a dispute tonight inside an apartment at 820 Ocean Parkway, near the Kensington/Midwood border. At about 7:20, police responding to a 911 call shot and killed the knife-wielding man inside the apartment. The stabbing victim died in Maimonides Hospital.

The woman and the two children who were in the apartment were not stabbed. It has been reported that the woman and the man who had the knife are a couple.

ANIMALS WILL BE BLESSED AT HOLY APOSTLES

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 5th, 4:00 p.m.

The annual Feast of St. Francis Blessing of the Animals
at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church

Church of the Holy Apostles

612 Greenwood Avenue

between Prospect Avenue and E. 7th Street

Windsor Terrace

www.holyapostlesbrooklyn.com

PAINTING FACES AND PUMPKINS

Harvest Hootenanny

Sunday, October 19th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual HOOT (Harvest Hootenanny) in Greenwood Playground will offer a dazzling array of dance performances by Cynthia King Dance Studio, spooky storytelling, arts and crafts with Barking Cat Studio, a Halloween parade, glitter tattoos, face painting, pumpkin painting, balloon twisting by Mike Gold the Ballooniac, raffle prizes, and more.

A $5 donation is suggested and would be appreciated. The money will be used for future programs from Friends of Greenwood Playground.

Canned food and other non-perishable items can be brought to the Hoot to be donated to The Food Bank for New York City. 

Friends of Greenwood Playground would love to have help with putting the Hoot together. These parents donate their time and energy to making Kensington and Windsor Terrace even better neighborhoods for families to live. Anyone who can help out can e-mail them at greenwoodplayground @ gmail.com.


Event location
Greenwood Playground
E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue
Windsor Terrace
One block from Kensington

Friends of Greenwood Playground
phone: (347) 497-3490
e-mail: http://friendsofgreenwoodplayground.org/contact-us
website: http://friendsofgreenwoodplayground.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Greenwood-Playground/223014854379847 
Twitter: FOGP1
Instagram: FOGP1
Hashtags: #FOGP #friendsofgreenwoodplayground #greenwoodplayground

WILLIE WONKA AT GREENWOOD PLAYGROUND

It's Family Movie Night at Greenwood Playground tonight--a night at the movies in the great outdoors, showing the original version of 

Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Tonight

Saturday, September 27th, starting by 7:15 p.m.

"Doors" will "open" at 6:45.

The suggested donation of $5 per family at the door will be used for future Friends of Greenwood Playground (FoGP) programs.

FoGP will be selling its tee-shirts.

Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks with you--and a sweater or a lightweight jacket because the weather is going to be a brisk 62 degrees tonight.

Film Rated: G

Event location
Greenwood Playground
E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue
in the handball courts
Windsor Terrace
One block from Kensington

Friends of Greenwood Playground
phone: (347) 497-3490
e-mail: http://friendsofgreenwoodplayground.org/contact-us
website: http://friendsofgreenwoodplayground.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Greenwood-Playground/223014854379847 
Twitter: FOGP1
Instagram: FOGP1
Hashtags: #FOGP #friendsofgreenwoodplayground #greenwoodplayground

TOXICITY BLOOMS IN PROSPECT PARK LAKE

 

A report on the widespread presence of blue-green algae (BGA) blooms in Prospect Park Lake was confirmed through water sampling on September 15th, and no change has been reported through today. The blooms that produce BGA can be toxic.

When blooms are widespread, they affect the entire lake, a large portion of the lake, or most to all of the shoreline.

While confirmation of the presence of blooms doesn't mean that harmful toxins are in the lake, blue-green algae can still be irritants to some people. Stay out of the lake, and keep children and pets away from it.

Blooms have been reported in the lake other times this year. On June 25th and August 12th, they were reported to have ended. When multiple reports are made about a site, it could mean that bloom conditions change frequently.

BGA is cyanobacteria. A BGA bloom can make water look like pea soup or like green, blue, or red paint. Or, mats of blue or green pond scum can be floating on the water surface or might have accumulated along the shoreline.

The possible effects of BGA on living creatures are

• skin and eye irritation from external contact,
• asthma-like symptoms from inhaling water or spray, or
• gastro-intestinal and neurological symptoms if you've ingested it.

Read more on the Department of Environmental Control website. See photos of toxic blue-green algae blooms. 

If you believe you have been exposed to a bloom and are experiencing symptoms, seek immediate medical attention and contact the New York City Department of Health.

If people or pets are exposed to a bloom, rinse with clean water.

DOLLAR BARGAINS AT TWO-DAY FLEA MARKET

Flea Market

Saturday, September 27th, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The East Fourth Street Community Garden welcomes fall at its biannual flea market. For the kids' enjoyment, the special event "Snail Play" will take place on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Don't miss the dollar bargain table, a regular feature.

If we get rain, the event will be canceled for the day that it rains.

East Fourth Street Community Garden 
179 E. 4th Street 
between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway 
http://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

The garden is open to the public from May through October on

• Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.,
• Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and
• Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

as well as anytime you see the garden gate open.

GRAFFITI COMPLAINT STATS

In zip code 11218, 153 complaints have been made this year to the city's 311 complaint hotline.

Zip code 11215:169 complaints

All of Brooklyn: 4,800 complaints, the highest number of all the boroughs.

Keep complaining!

QUEER PARTY MONTHLY

Q Train, a Queer Party
Thursday, October 2nd, 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

An LGBTQ party
the first Thursday of every month
no cover
featuring DJ Go Go Gadget
live burlesque performance by Legs Malone
 
bingo at 8:30, hosted by Ariel Speedwagon,
and followed by late-night performances

Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Road 
between E. 11th Street and Argyle Road  
Brooklyn

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

https://twitter.com/SycamoreBklyn 
http://instagram.com/sycamoreflowershopbar

NATURE LOVERS: GARDENERS AND WANNABES ARE WANTED FOR TREE CARE ON A BLOCK OF OCEAN PARKWAY

More and more neighbors have been joining forces to beautify Kensington. One block of Ocean Parkway is the latest focus of those efforts.

Hi, KARMABrooklyn!

A bunch of neighbors and I started a community based gardening organization called the "Ocean Parkway Garden Association" last fall. We are dedicated to cleaning up the northbound block of Ocean Parkway between Church and Caton avenues. That block has residential buildings on one side and the historic bike path (with tons of litter and weeds) on the other.

We are having an event on Saturday, September 27th, from 9 a.m. until noon. We're looking for volunteers to join up with us and Brooklyn Urban Gardeners as we welcome Million Trees NYC's TreeLC Mulch Truck. Everyone is welcome as we mulch and tend the tree beds along both sides of Ocean Parkway between Church and Caton avenues (northbound side). We'll have tools, gloves, and light refreshments. All we need is a bit of your time and camaraderie.

Are you interested in getting involved in the newest community-based gardening organization in Brooklyn--the Ocean Parkway Garden Association? E-mail me at mariagclausen @ gmail.com.

Hope to see you all on Saturday morning!

Maria

AM THAI HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Going, going...

gone.

Amma Thai (aka Amma Chili Basil Thai Kitchen and Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen) on McDonald Avenue was scheduled to close as of September 30th, but it officially closed yesterday. It is now solely on Church Avenue as Am Thai Bistro.

Click here for Am Thai Bistro's menu. Click here for a map of the delivery area.

Am Thai Bistro

1003 Church Avenue

between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road

phone: (718) 287-8888

fax: (718) 287-8889

e-mail: info @ amthaibistro.com

website: http://www.amthaibistro.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmThaiBistro

WANTED: THE HATE GRAFFITI WRITER IN THIS PHOTO

Let's hope that the NYPD Detective Bureau finds and arrests the man shown in the pictures above. He was caught on camera in the act of writing anti-Muslim graffiti on mailboxes on Ocean Parkway. He committed a hate crime, he defaced federal property, and he defiled our neighborhood with his immoral, antisocial acts.

The Detective Bureau has released this WANTED flier:

WANTED

FOR CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

PERPETRATOR - PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST

On Saturday, Sept 06, 2014 at approximately 4:54 AM the perpetrator depicted in the above photo did write "Anti Muslim" statements on two U.S. Postal Storage Boxes located in front of "300 Ocean Parkway, and 330 Ocean Parkway" in the confines of the 066 Precinct.

Anyone with information regarding the above subject, please notify Det. JOHN VRLIC at 646-610-5267 OR Detective Borough Manhattan South at 212-477-7447.

Investigator: Det. Anderson Smart Command

Assigned: 556 HATE CRIME TASK FORCE

Case # 2014-7 Complaint Report # 2014-066-03230 

In 2012, Kensington residents rallied against anti-Muslim graffiti that someone spray-painted on a Muslim-owned business on Beverley Road. Vigil Tonight Against Hate Crime at Church and Beverley and Vigil against Islamophobia, in Words and Pictures

A few months later, hate graffiti was sprayed on a newspaper box on McDonald Avenue near Astoria Bank. Anti-Islamic Graffiti Appears Again

Earlier this year, a neighbor wrote a post about hate graffiti on these storage boxes. Toxic Hate Graffiti Has Got to Go The graffiti has also been sprayed regularly on public litter baskets, Muni Meters, and bike racks and recently extended to Albemarle Road.

Some people had speculated with a shrug of the shoulders that the graffiti writer was "just a kid doing what kids do." These photos have finally put an end to that notion.

PARKING RULES ALTERED FOR THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH AND 26TH

The alternate side of the street parking regulations that are normally in effect so that streets can be cleaned will be suspended on Thursday, September 25th, and Friday, September 26th, for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. All other regulations, including those for parking meters, will remain in effect.

WORKING TOGETHER: THEY GET JOBS AND TRAINING, WE GET A CLEANER, GREENER CHURCH AVENUE

City Councilmember Brad Lander allocated to Church Avenue and Kensington Plaza the majority of the funding provided to his district in the City Council budget for the NYC Cleanup Initiative. Brad is flanked by the workers from the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE).

The workers from ACE, together with the Horticultural Society of New York, will beautify Church Avenue from Ocean Parkway to Story Street and Kensington Plaza.

As Brad Lander wrote below, they "will sweep sidewalks, remove liners from trash and recycling baskets, clean tree pits, and remove snow from corners" and will also provide seasonal plantings in tree pits and water them.

Henry Buhl (left), who founded ACE's predecessor organization in 1992, with Brad Lander

Brad Lander with Kensington Plaza Stewards Bridget Elder (in blue shirt) and JC Martinez (wearing a cap)

Kensington Plaza Stewards Mike Rosenbluth and Sue Braverman. Mike is describing the satisfaction he gets from helping his neighborhood.

Community Board 12 president Yidel Perlstein (left) and Sergeant at Arms Larry Jayson

The Walgreens branch manager, Al (left), and the supervisor of Walgreens' Brooklyn pharmacies, Daniel. Al and Daniel talked about how happy they are to have the plaza in front of their store and how it has increased foot traffic into it.

And now, a word from our City Councilmember Brad Lander, who has worked alongside the residents of Kensington for years to make our neighborhood cleaner, greener, and safer.

21-SECOND VIDEO FROM NEWS 12 ABOUT CHURCH AVENUE CLEAN-UP

Update: That video got replaced. In the new one, Sue and your blogger are still on the bench, and Bridget is still standing. JC, unfortunately, ended up on the "cutting room floor." Showbiz can be a tough gig!

------------------------------- 

News 12 has posted a 21-second video of this morning's press conference in Kensington Plaza about the Church Avenue clean-up initiative. In the first "scene" are your KARMABrooklyn blogger (in red, sitting on the bench), Sue (in purple, also on the bench), JC (standing), and Bridget (behind JC). JC is telling a story that's cracking us up.

In the second "scene," City Councilmember Brad Lander is on the left, and Albemarle Neighborhood Association president Larry Jayson is on the right. Behind them in red jumpsuits are the workers from ACE (Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless) who are going to clean and green Church Avenue.

More news will follow!

A WEEK OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, FOLLOWED BY A WEEK OF TICKETING

This week, the NYPD and the Department of Transportation will go into schools, churches, and senior centers in the 66th Precinct to educate the public about pedestrian and driver safety hazards on Ocean Parkway. They'll also hand out flyers by the F train's Church-McDonald station and along Ocean Parkway. 

The week after, enforcement of traffic rules will get serious in an attempt to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries.

The statement below refers to "the New York City limit of 30 MPH." The default speed limit in New York City is 30 miles per hour until early November; at that time, it will be reduced to 25.

From the 66th Precinct Community Council
(66precinctcc @ gmail.com)

As part of Mayor DeBlasio’s Vision Zero program, the NYPD and Department of Transportation have a major 2 week initiative planned along Ocean Parkway in the confines of the 66th Precinct. This initiative will begin Monday, September 22nd and the first full week will focus on Pedestrian and Driver Safety Education.

As part of this we will be visiting schools, churches and senior centers throughout the Precinct as well as an aggressive flyer campaign near F/G Line train station located at Church Avenue and Mcdonald Avenue. Speed signs will be present along Ocean Parkway to advise drivers of their speed in relation to the New York City limit of 30 MPH.

Beginning Monday, September 29th, a full enforcement initiative will take place to set in place a long term effort to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries along the Ocean Parkway corridor.

We invite all our elected officials and community leaders to join us next week---we will have police officers, traffic enforcement agents, 66th Precinct Auxiliaries and Explorers working hand in hand with DOT "Street Team" representatives distributing flyers during both the evening and afternoon rush hours at key pedestrian points along Ocean Parkway.

We will have an NYPD Command Post at Church Avenue  and Ocean Parkway, and an NYPD Community Affairs tent at Church Ave and Avenue C.

If you wish to participate please let us know when you may be available--directly to me [(718) 851-5611 or ] or Community Affairs Sgt. Michael Andreano [(718) 851-5601] or Police Officer Michael Riomao [(718) 851-5620]. Thank you.

Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo
66th Precinct Commanding Officer

KNITTING WORKSHOPS FOR FALL AT ARGYLE YARN SHOP

Argyle Yarn Shop has announced the schedule for its fall knitting workshops. Learn how to make something great for yourself, your family, and your friends.

• Seamless Kid's Raglan Pullover Sweater Workshop
• Two two-hour sessions: September 28th and October 12th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• $80 for the two sessions. Class size limited to 6 students. 
• Colorwork Mitts (Fingerless Gloves) on Magic Loop
• One two-hour session: October 5th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• $50 for the session. Class size limited to 6 students. 
• 1920s Style Women's Sprig Hat
• Two two-hour sessions: October 19th and 26th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• $80 for the two sessions. Class size limited to 6 students. 
• Adult Pullover Sweater Workshop 
• Three two-hour sessions: November 2nd, November 16th, and December 7th, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• $145 for the three sessions. Class size limited to 5 students.

Argyle's Calendar of Classes through the end of the year is posted on their website. Descriptions of the classes are also posted.

The shop is open Tuesdays through Sundays, from noon to 7:00 p.m.

Argyle Yarn Shop

288 Prospect Park West, near 18th Street Windsor Terrace

(347) 227-7799

info @ argyleyarnshop.com

http://argyleyarnshop.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Argyle-Yarn-Shop/266391510057439

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

JAMMIN' IN THE SCHOOL YARD, P.S. 154 STYLE

The School Yard Jam

Saturday, September 20th, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Highlights:

• Live music
• Bouncy castle
• Arts and crafts
• Flavor of 154 food fair
• Cupcake baking contest

Enter your homemade cupcakes in the cupcake baking contest by 3 p.m. The entry fee is $5 per recipe. Judging begins at 3 p.m. The winner will be announced at 3:30 and will be awarded a trophy.

P.S. 154-The Windsor Terrace School   
1625 11th Avenue 
between Windsor Place and Sherman Street  
Windsor Terrace
info @ ptaofps154brooklyn.org
http://www.ps154.org
https://www.facebook.com/PTAofPS154Brooklyn

A CLEANER AND GREENER CHURCH AVENUE--NEXT WEEK!

Kensington Plaza

 Church Avenue is going to be cleaner and greener starting on Monday, the day that the Horticultural Society of New York and the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE) begin providing that street with streetscaping and landscaping services.

Several blocks of Church Avenue, along with Kensington Plaza (the open area in front of Walgreens), will receive the services five days a week, including Saturdays and Sundays.

An official announcement will be made at a press conference in Kensington Plaza this Monday, September 22nd, at 9:30 a.m. by our City Councilmember Brad Lander, the Horticultural Society, and the Kensington residents who have been cleaning, planting, and tending to trees for several years. You're all invited to attend.

The New York City Council allocated $3,500,000 in the 2014-2015 budget for the NYC Cleanup Initiative, which promotes cleaner streets. Each Councilmember gets funds to pay an approved organization to provide cleaning services. Our city councilmember, Brad Lander, chose to spend the majority of his funding on Church Avenue and Kensington Plaza.

The services include--but are not limited to--street sweeping, litter pick-up, and graffiti removal. A councilmember can also direct the money to the Department of Sanitation to spend on litter basket pick-ups or similar services.

ITALIAN BILINGUAL PLAYGROUP IN WINDSOR TERRACE

Posting on behalf of a member of the Board of Directors of New York Italians.

Piccoli is an early childhood bilingual playgroup for children aged 12 months to 4 years old and their caregivers, with an Italian native instructor.

In a one-hour Piccoli class, you can expect the children to sing traditional Italian songs, play musical instruments, participate in storytelling, delight in colorful scarves and puppets, and move, wiggle, and dance!

Come join us Monday mornings in Windsor Terrace at 10 a.m.

E-mail us for details at info @ newyorkitalians.org.

www.facebook.com/groups/159253824092728/
twitter.com/NewYorkItalians
http://instagram.com/newyorkitalians
www.newyorkitalians.org

FOOD COOP: WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?

 

Windsor Terrace Food Co-op

Community Meeting 

 

Tuesday, September 30th

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Knights of Columbus Hall 

1511 10th Avenue

between Prospect Park Southwest

and 16th Street

What's the next step? When will the food co-op open? Join the growing list of neighbors who are moving the co-op toward reality by sending an e-mail to windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail.com. 

Get more information about the co-op on its website at www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com.