OPTING OUT: P.S. 130 AND P.S. 230 PARENTS WILL SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT OPTING OUT OF HIGH STAKES TESTS

Opting Out of the State ELA (English Language Arts) and Math Tests

Friday, April 3rd, 7:00 p.m. 

Is your child losing the love for learning because of all the testing?

Do you think State tests don't fairly evaluate your child's intelligence?

Do you think test scores don't fairly represent your child's teachers' qualities?

A growing number of New York City parents are opting out. Join parents from P.S. 130 and P.S. 230 who are considering opting out in a discussion at 23 Minna Street, 2nd floor, near Micieli Place.

Janine Sopp, a District 15 parent who opted her child out last year, will be there to answer questions.

Questions? Contact Eleanor Rodgers (3rd grade parent at P.S. 130) by e-mail at rodgers_eleanor @ hotmail.com or by phone at (347) 403 3798. 

--------------------------- 

Resources for opt-out information:
Change the Stakes
NYS Allies for Public Education

BANGLADESHI WEDDING PERFORMANCE AT P.S. 230

Sailing Home

Friday, April 17th, 8:00 p.m.

Experience the vibrant culture that is part of Bangladeshi weddings through dance, song, and a material art Palki. The free event will be presented by Annie Ferdous and the always fresh and exciting Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA).

Kensington resident Annie Ferdous founded the non-profit BIPA in 1993 to promote and preserve Bangla culture and traditions outside of the mother country.

P.S. 230 Auditorium
1 Albemarle Road, between McDonald Avenue and Dahill Road
Kensington, Brooklyn

P.S.230 has an accessible entrance.

"WHAT IS A POSTPARTUM DOULA?" LEARN AT LARK CAFE

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A free event at LARK Café 

Whether you're pregnant or adopting; having your first child, your second, or more; expecting a singleton or multiples; partnered or single; breastfeeding or not...support from a postpartum doula can help make the arrival of your new baby (or babies) easier and give you confidence!

Go to a free event at LARK to talk about creating a "postpartum plan" and find out how a postpartum doula can support your growing family. You'll get to hear from four local postpartum doulas and ask them any questions you might have about the "4th trimester"--those first three months after a baby is born.

WHAT: Free Meet and Greet with Local Postpartum Doulas

Meema Spadola, Grace Veras Sealy, Amber Star, and Ashley Brichter

WHEN: Wednesday, April 1st, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: LARK Café, 1007 Church Avenue (between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road), Brooklyn

OPTING OUT: WINDSOR TERRACE PARENTS WILL GET TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT OPTING OUT OF HIGH STAKES STANDARDIZED TESTS

Opting Your Child Out of High Stakes Tests

Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 p.m.

Parents of P.S. 154, P.S. 130, P.S. 107, and other neighborhood schools:

Get together for an informal conversation with other parents and people from the Opt Out movement. Listen, learn, ask, share, and discuss opting out of the upcoming high stakes standardized tests.

Gather on Tuesday (March 31st) at 7:00 p.m. at the Windsor Cafe at 220 Prospect Park West, between Windsor Place and 16th Street.

On hand to talk and answer questions will be Katie Lapham, elementary school teacher and blogger, Fred Smith, retired Department of Education testing specialist, and, hopefully, Michael Elliot, P.S. 321 parent and maker of "Refuse the Tests," the film of opt out testimonials posted above.

Find more information about the opt out movement in New York City on the NYC Parents and NYC Opt Out Facebook pages.

"BIG NIGHT" AT BROOKLYN COMMUNE ON DINNER AND MOVIE NIGHT

Dinner and Movie Night

Wednesday, April 1st, 7:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Commune presents Dinner and Movie Night.

Dinner will feature a meal of artisan popcorn, mixed green salad, eggplant caponata, and roast pork and broccoli rabe lasagna.

The meal will be accompanied by a showing of the 1996 comedy-drama "Big Night," a movie about two brothers, their restaurant, and big dreams. The film stars starring Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Tony Shalhoub, and Stanley Tucci.

Non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased in the restaurant. Patrons are welcome to bring their own wine and beer.

To secure a seat, buy tickets in advance ($25 per person) via PayPal. Walk-ins will be welcomed only if space is available.

Brooklyn Commune
601 Greenwood Avenue
corner of Prospect Avenue
Windsor Terrace
(718) 686-1044
e-mail: feedme @ brooklyncommune.com
http://brooklyncommune.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Commune/109783589077211?ref=ts&v=wall

MOVE IT FOR BROOKLYN'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS: PTA 5K FUN RUN

8th Annual Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run for Public Schools

Saturday, May 9th, 10:00 a.m.

Raise funds and honor Brooklyn's public schools by doing something healthy and invigorating: take a 5-kilometer run/walk/stroll/toddle through beautiful Prospect Park.

Registration is open for the 8th Annual Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run for Public Schools. More than 60 schools participated last year and raised $13,000 for public schools in Brooklyn.

The registration fee for an individual is $20; up to five additional family members can register for $5 each. Additional funds can be raised by having people sponsor your run.

Sponsors of the run are the PTAs of Brooklyn’s public schools and four of the New York City Council members who represent Brooklyn: Brad Lander, Laurie Cumbo, Steven Levin, and Carlos Menchaca.

The run begins at Bartel Pritchard Square (Prospect Park West at 15th Street) at 10:00 a.m. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. for number pickup and pre-race activities.


For more information, visit the Brooklyn PTA's website and register online.

FREE TREE TO GREEN YOUR BLOCK

Tree Giveaway

Sunday, April 12th, noon to 2:00 p.m.

Take a free tree home from Kensington's Compost for Brooklyn, one of the community organizations that has partnered with New York Restoration Project (NYRP) as part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative.

Through NYRP, hundreds of free trees are given to New Yorkers nearly every weekend during the spring and fall. Over the years, tens of thousands of trees have been given away. Click here to read more about the current giveaway, which is exclusively featuring fruit trees.

To qualify for a free tree, you must agree to

1. plant the tree in one of the five boroughs,
2. plant the tree in the ground of your yard and not along streets, in city parks, in containers, or on terraces, balconies or roofs, and
3. keep the tree properly watered and maintained.

With your tree, you'll be given a planting and care guide, and a brief tree care workshop will be held at the tree giveaway event.

To reserve a free tree ahead of time, register at https://www.nyrp.org/green-spaces/tree-giveaway when the registration link gets posted (approximately two weeks before the event).

If registration is already full by the time you try to register, go to the event anyway--a limited number of trees will be available for drop-ins on a first-come, first-served basis at the beginning of the event. 

If you do reserve a tree, you'll have to pick it up within the first hour of the event (between noon and 1:00 p.m.). After 1:00 p.m., any reserved trees that haven't been picked up will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.

Compost for Brooklyn 
corner of Newkirk Avenue at E. 8th Street 
Kensington, Brooklyn 
compostforbrooklyn @ gmail.com  
https://twitter.com/CompostBrooklyn/ 
http://compostforbrooklyn.org/ 
https://www.facebook.com/compostforbrooklyn?fref=nf

FARMING SEASON BEGINS IN WINDSOR TERRACE

The first work day of the season will be held at Prospect Farm tomorrow, March 28th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in to help prepare the farm for the growing season.

Prospect Farm welcomes new members. The cost of membership is $25 per year, and a work commitment is required.

Prospect Farm
1194 Prospect Avenue, between Seeley and Vanderbilt streets

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

e-mail: prospectfarmbk @ gmail.com

http://prospectfarm.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProspectFarmBK
Google group: http://groups.google.com/group/prospectfarm?pli=1

Take the F or G train to the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station, and exit onto Prospect Avenue.

MORE FOOD AND MORE NEWS FROM THE FOOD COOP

Update to the update: Credit cards and debit cards can't be accepted this weekend.

Update: The credit card processing company has had some technical difficulties. It hopes to have the problem resolved by 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

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

Credit and debit cards will be accepted for payment this weekend at the Windsor Terrace Food Coop.

Twice as much food will be on hand as last weekend, when everything sold out on opening day. Look for the addition of oranges, pineapples, more types of berries, organic potatoes, multi-colored eggs, and dairy products (milk, eggs, yogurt).

Shopping hours this weekend will be

• Friday, March 27th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
• Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and
• Sunday, March 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bring bags to carry your food home in.

To become a member, go to the coop's website for instructions on joining by mail, in person, or online.

Windsor Terrace Food Coop
825 Caton Avenue, corner of E. 8th Street 
windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail . com 
http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com 
https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Terrace-Food-Coop-Inc/118978878257944?sk=timeline

GOT MILK? YES--AT THE FOOD COOP.

Refrigerators are in place at the Windsor Terrace Food Coop...so starting this weekend, members will be able to buy organic eggs, milk, half and half, yogurt, and cheese. 

Credit and debit cards will be accepted for payment.

The shopping schedule for this weekend:

• Friday, March 27th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
• Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and
• Sunday, March 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bring bags to carry your food home in.

Windsor Terrace Food Coop
825 Caton Avenue, corner of E. 8th Street 
windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail . com 
http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com 
https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Terrace-Food-Coop-Inc/118978878257944?sk=timeline

WE'VE GOT TO GET OURSELVES BACK TO THE GARDEN* (ON EAST FOURTH STREET)

Welcome, spring! The reopening of the East Fourth Street Community Garden is just a few days away. Its open hours from April through October will be

• Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
• Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
• Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and
• whenever the garden gate is open.

Several events are scheduled for the open season, including flea markets and children's events. Check the garden's calendar for the dates.

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

* "Woodstock," by Joni Mitchell 

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT; A SCHOOL FUND RAISER

3rd Annual Card Party

Friday, May 1st, 7:00 p.m.

Have fun and raise funds at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy's third annual card party. Food, games, and prizes await you in Shepherd's Hall.

Bring your own food; soda, water, coffee, tea, chips, and cookies will be provided.

Tickets cost $15 each and have to be purchased in advance. You can buy them in the school office or at Holy Name Rectory (245 Prospect Park West, between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue) or Immaculate Heart of Mary Rectory (2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets).

Shepherd's Hall is at 241 Prospect Park West, between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue, in Windsor Terrace.

FOOD COOP'S OPEN HOURS THIS WEEKEND

Friday hours have been added to the Windsor Terrace Food Coop's schedule. The shopping schedule for this weekend is

• Friday, March 27th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,
• Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and
• Sunday, March 29th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bring bags to carry your food home in.

Windsor Terrace Food Coop
825 Caton Avenue, corner of E. 8th Street 
windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail . com 
http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com 
https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Terrace-Food-Coop-Inc/118978878257944?sk=timeline

25 CENTS MORE AND WE CAN'T EVEN GET ON THE BUS

A request for feedback on local bus service...

Hi,
I'm gathering feedback on a section of the B67 and B69 weekday bus routes for Community Board 7 which is looking into the possibility that the current bus schedule may be inadequate to handle demand. Feedback is needed by this Friday 3/27/15.

The routes in question are the Kensington to Downtown Brooklyn direction on the stops between the Ave. C/McDonald Ave. stop and the 7th Ave./19th St. stop from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

My experience has been that these buses (primarily filled with middle schoolers) fill up quickly at either Church Ave. or Albemarle, leaving kids and adults behind at the stops and regularly skipping all the stops between the Ave. C and 19th St. stops.

If you take these routes during these times or if you have a kid who takes them, I would appreciate your feedback (and theirs) on the experience. All responses will be forwarded to the Community Board.

Thanks in advance,

Lauren
--
Lauren Elvers Collins
lauren.collins00 @ gmail.com

VENDORS AND VOLUNTEERS, REGISTER NOW FOR GREENWOODSTOCK

Greenwoodstock

Sunday, May 3rd, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Folks who are interested in being vendors or volunteers at the 6th annual Greenwoodstock should contact Friends of Greenwood Playground (greenwoodplayground @ gmail.com).

The event features all-day entertainment, handmade goods, stoop sale items, and representatives from community organizations. Everywhere there will be song and celebration.

A vendor space (10' x 10') costs $30. A table and two chairs, if you need them, cost another $20. Proceeds go into Greenwood Playground's programming fund. Set-up can begin as early as 7:00 a.m.

The Greenwood Playground ballfields are on E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue, in Windsor Terrace, one block from Kensington.

Food vendors aren't permitted. 

Rain date: Saturday, May 9th

SOLD OUT! FOOD COOP CLOSED TOMORROW

The early bird gets the food: the peppers and potatoes, the apples and asparagus, the beets and bananas, the spinach and shallots, the turmeric, garlic, and ginger, and everything else in the store were snapped up by an unexpectedly large crowd of happy coop members.

And so, the Windsor Terrace Food Coop will NOT be open tomorrow after all because there's nothing left to buy!

Next weekend, if everything goes as planned, a refrigerated case will be installed, and dairy products will be sold.

The coop will be open next weekend (March 27th, 28th, and 29th) on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. More information will be posted here when it's available.

Windsor Terrace Food Coop
825 Caton Avenue, corner of E. 8th Street
windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail . com
http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com
https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop

GRAND OPENING TOMORROW FOR THE WINDSOR TERRACE FOOD COOP

UPDATE: The Windsor Terrace Food Coop will NOT be open tomorrow (Sunday). All of the food was purchased today.

Asparagus, broccoli, chicory, blueberries, strawberries, and more, more, more are in transit to the Windsor Terrace Food Coop for its Grand Opening. 49 boxes of fruit and vegetables will greet coop members when the door opens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Over the next few weeks, additional products will be offered.

This weekend's open hours are Saturday, March 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 22nd, also from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Credit cards, debit cards, and cash will normally all be accepted, but this weekend, the coop won't be ready to accept credit or debit cards. So, bring cash.

Only members will be permitted to shop at the coop. Members are entitled to participate in discussions on coop policies and directions, vote for Board Members, and vote on any policy changes. Almost 400 people have become members by paying the $100 membership fee.

The Windsor Terrace Food Coop is located at 825 Caton Avenue, on the corner of E. 8th Street (across from Shenanigan's). On-street parking is available.

Bring bags with you to put your purchases into and carry home.

Thank you to the good folks who worked so hard for the past two-and-a-half years to make a food coop in our neighborhood a reality!

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

If you'd like to become a member...

You can send or bring your membership application (see below) and a $100 check to

     Windsor Terrace Food Coop
      825 Caton Avenue
      Brooklyn, NY 11218

making the check payable to Windsor Terrace Food Coop.

Or you can go to Juice Box Wine Shop at 1289 Prospect Avenue and give them the membership application below and a $100 check. 

Or go to the food coop's website at www.WindsorTerraceFoodCoop.com and follow the instructions to pay online to become a member.

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

Application for Membership

Windsor Terrace Food Coop

Name____________________________

Address___________________________

Phone_____________________________

Email Address__________________________

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

Windsor Terrace Food Coop
windsorterracefoodcoop @ gmail . com
http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com  
https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop

SNOW IS EXPECTED ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, March 20th), through 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21st. Snow will begin falling tomorrow morning and continue throughout the day.

The snow will intensify in the afternoon, and the heaviest snowfall is expected during the Friday evening rush hour.

Late tomorrow evening, the snow will taper off, with an expected accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Be cautious. Be prepared for limited visibility and slippery travel conditions.

So far, alternate side parking rules haven't been suspended for the impending snowstorm.

JOYFUL DANCE AND MUSIC CONCERT BY BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS

Family Evening of Bangla Dance and Music

Saturday, March 21st, 6:30 p.m.

The talented and energetic dancers and singers of the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) will present a spring concert of Bangla dance and music in Kensington this Saturday. BIPA welcomes people of all ages to what is sure to be an exciting event. The free concert will be held in P.S. 230's Upper School.

The program will include a performance by BIPA, vocalists, a lap steel guitar recital, and Bangla folk songs. In addition, the winners of BIPA's Children's Art Competition, held at P.S. 230's Lower School on March 7th, will be given their prizes. 

Kensington resident Annie Ferdous founded the non-profit BIPA in 1993 for the purpose of promoting and preserving Bangla culture and traditions outside of the mother country.

Event location
P.S. 230 Upper School auditorium
1 Albemarle Road
between McDonald Avenue and Dahill Road
Kensington, Brooklyn

NEW COMMANDER OF THE 66TH PRECINCT WILL BE AT THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

66th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Thursday, March 19th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This month, the 66th Precinct Community Council will meet at a different location than usual: Friends Field, 1310 E. 4th Street at Avenue L.

The public is invited to listen to Captain Kenneth Quick, the precinct's new commanding officer, give an update on the latest crimes in our community and what is being done about crime in general. Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo, the departing commander, will also be at the meeting.

There will also be an opportunity to bring any crime issues or other policing issues you may have to the precinct's attention. You can also find out about the many different programs available that might interest you.

The 66th Precinct Community Council meets at 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month. For further details, meeting times, or information, call them at (718) 851-5601.

The council's e-mail address is 66precinctcc @ gmail.com.

JOB AVAILABLE AT BATATA

Batata is looking for a capable, multi-tasking, spirited person to join their staff. E-mail them at batatabk @ gmail.com for more information.

Batata Pita Bar
3021 Fort Hamilton Parkway
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(347) 599-1260

Stay informed about Batata via
Instagram
Google+
Facebook
http://www.batatabk.com

SESAME STREET'S BOB WILL PERFORM IN CONCERT HERE

Bob of Sesame Street in Concert

Sunday, April 19th, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Singer and actor Bob McGrath of Sesame Street, singer/songwriter Pete Sinjin of Hootenanny Arts House, and children from Park Slope Performing Arts will perform in Windsor Terrace at a fund raiser for the P.S. K280 PTA.

The money raised will help support the school's music, art, and enrichment programs. P.S. K280 is a District 15 pre-K in its first year.

The concert starts at 2:00, but get there when the doors open at 1:00 for a raffle ($1 tickets) and a bake sale.

The ticket price is $10 for an adult (age 13 or older) and $5 for a child (age 12 or under). All tickets are general admission and can be purchased here. Get 10% off the ticket price if you share the event on social media during checkout.

The concert will take place at P.S. K280 at 500 19th Street. Use the entrance near 10th Avenue. The building also houses Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School and is the former home of Bishop Ford High School.

For more information, contact psk280events @ gmail.com.

VENDORS WANTED FOR GREENWOODSTOCK

Peace. Love. Music. Crafts. Bargains.

Friends of Greenwood Playground (FoGP) will hold its 6th annual "Greenwoodstock" on Sunday, May 3rd. It's a community market and live music festival with local performers and artisans.

FoGP is looking for vendors to sell stoop sale items and handmade craft items (no food vendors). Registration will open soon, so if you're interested in participating, send an e-mail to greenwoodplayground @ gmail.com.

Volunteers are also needed at the event. Use that e-mail address for volunteering too.

Greenwood Playground is on E. 5th Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue, in Windsor Terrace, a block from Kensington.

SPICY (BUT NOT HOT) INDIAN COOKING CLASS

Secrets of Healthy Indian Cooking

Sunday, March 22nd, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Chef Mukti Banerjee will teach students how to prepare these dishes:

• Coastal shrimp Curry (Shrimp with coconut, cooked with aromatic Indian spices)
• Kashmiri lamb Kabob (Minced lamb with marinated masala)
• Mung Lentil curry (Small mung lentil cooked with peas and coconut)
• Dahi Okra (Okra cooked with onion, ginger and yogurt masala)
• Pulao (Basmati rice with carrots, peas, onion, and cashews)

You'll be given printed copies of the recipes, but it's a good idea to bring a notebook to write cooking tips in.

 

The fee for the three-hour class is $90 per person.

Mukti’s Kitchen (operated by Mukti Banerjee)
816 Beverley Road, near E. 9th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn
(917) 703-3998 

muktiskitchen @ gmail.com 
http://www.meetup.com/muktiskitchen

http://muktiskitchen.blogspot.com 
https://muktibanerjee.wordpress.com 
http://muktiskitchen.com
https://twitter.com/muktibanerjee 
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofIndianfood
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muktis-Kitchen/315215025307615

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muktis-Kitchen/315215025307615