72ND PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

70th Precinct National Night Out Against Crime

Tuesday, August 1st, 4:00 p.m.

The 72nd Precinct's free annual National Night Out Against Crime will feature music, dance, and play. The event will take place in Sunset Park. Enter the park on 44th Street and 6th Avenue.

The sponsors are the 72nd Precinct Community Council, NYU Langone Health, New York City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, Sunset Park B.I.D., Health PLUS, Tacos el Bronco, Latin Records, UTZ, and others.

This event is held annually on the first Tuesday in August.

The National Association of Town Watch introduced National Night Out--America's Night Out Against Crime--in 1984. The night's goals are to

• heighten crime and drug prevention awareness,
• generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts,
• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and
• send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In the 1970s, before the creation of National Night Out, people in several communities participated in a grass-roots effort to deter crime by turning on their porch lights, sitting outside, and talking with their neighbors.

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

The 72nd Precinct Community Council keeps the community connected with all NYPD Community Affairs activities, notifications, and alerts.

Community Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month from September through June. Meetings are held at the Marien Heim Senior Center, 4520 4th Avenue, in Sunset Park, at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

HIGH LEVEL OF TOXINS IN PROSPECT PARK LAKE CONTINUES UNABATED

A high level of toxins continues to flourish in Prospect Park Lake.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reconfirmed on July 24th, through a lab sample, the "widespread/lakewide" presence of blue-green algae blooms (cyanobacteria).

The lake is being monitored for blooms every week. Adults, children, and dogs should not have any contact with the lake.

Prospect Park Alliance has been awarded a grant to create a natural filtration system that would stem the growth of algae blooms. 

Two previous blog posts have additional information about the hazards and what to do if anyone makes contact with the blooms: 

• Toxins in Prospect Park Lake Are Widespread

• Toxins Remain in Prospect Park Lake

 

70TH PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

                      National Night Out Against Crime, 70th Precinct
                      Tuesday, August 1st, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Join the 70th Precinct and the 70th Precinct Community Council at the Prospect Park Parade Ground for National Night Out Against Crime.

Meet leaders and personnel from the 70th precinct and interact with neighbors, community members, and local businesses with the common goal of partnership and safety.

Enjoy a free, child-friendly evening of BBQ, rides, games, face painting, giveaways, and other activities.

Get useful crime prevention tips to keep you, your home, and your neighborhood safe. 

Have your cell phone, bicycle, and iPod etched for identification purposes.

The 34th Annual National Night Out Against Crime will take place on Tuesday, August 1st, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Parade Ground is at Caton Avenue and Argyle Road.
 
For more information, contact the 70th Precinct Community Affairs Office at (718) 851-5557. 

This event is held annually on the first Tuesday in August.

The National Association of Town Watch introduced National Night Out--America's Night Out Against Crime--in 1984. The night's goals are to

• heighten crime and drug prevention awareness,
• generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts,
• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and
• send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In the 1970s, before the creation of National Night Out, people in several communities participated in a grass-roots effort to deter crime by turning on their porch lights, sitting outside, and talking with their neighbors.

PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSAL FOR SIX-STORY SCHOOL ON MINNA STREET

Public Hearing on Variance for High School on Minna Street

Tuesday August 8th, 1:00 p.m.

A variance application for a proposed high school for boys, to be built at 182 Minna Street, was presented to Community Board 12 in June 2015. The board, which serves in an advisory capacity only, rejected it. The next step in the process is now at hand: a public hearing by the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA).

The owner of the property, Yeshiva Machzikei Hadas, can, under the existing R-5 zoning, build a school that's three stories high. However, its variance application, if approved, would permit it to build a six-story school on a street whose structures are all one- or two-story houses. The school would replace a one-story house. 

Councilmember Brad Lander and Assemblymember Robert Carroll are opposed to permitting the variance because the building would be out-of-scale for this small residential street.

The BSA will hold the initial public hearing on the application on Tuesday, August 8th. The application is the first case on the BSA's zoning calendar for the afternoon session, which starts at 1:00 p.m. Councilmember Lander will testify against the variance at the hearing.

At least two additional BSA hearings will be held on the variance application.

People who want to either object or consent to the application but aren't able to get to the hearing can fill out a form provided by the BSA (Form for Objection or Consent). Next to Address, write 182 Minna Street, Brooklyn. Next to Applicant, write Law office of Jay Goldstein.

The form does NOT need to be notarized. E-mail the completed form to submit @ bsa.nyc.gov, using the subject line: 87-15-BZ.

Blank forms will be available at the Minna Street block party this Saturday, July 29th.

Hearing location
Spector Hall
22 Reade Street
between Broadway and Elk Street
Manhattan

KENSINGTON PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING WITH OFFICERS FROM THE 70TH PRECINCT (FREE)

Kensington Public Safety Meeting, 70th Precinct, Sector C
Tuesday, August 8th, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Residents of the portion of Kensington that falls within the 70th Precinct's Sector C are invited to discuss public safety problems with the officers who serve that neighborhood.

The officers would like to hear suggestions from a broad range of residents about what can be done to make everyone in the community feel safe and secure.

The NYPD divided the 70th Precinct into four sectors over a year ago as part of a new, citywide policing model known as "community policing." As shown in the map above, the boundaries of Sector C are Cortelyou Road on the north, Bedford Avenue on the east, Foster Avenue on the south, and Coney Island Avenue on the west.

The two officers (Neighborhood Coordination Officers) who patrol Sector C are PO Bryan Cipolla (Bryan.Cipolla @ nypd.org) and PO Dilek Kahveci (Dilek.Kahveci @ nypd.org). Their function is to build strong relationships between the police and the community.

The meeting is free. It's scheduled for Tuesday, August 8th, at the Dorchester Senior Citizens Center. The doors will be opened at 7:00 p.m. for refreshments to be served. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Children are welcome to attend.

Location
Dorchester Senior Citizens Center
1419 Dorchester Road, near Marlborough Road
Brooklyn

SUGGESTIONS WANTED FOR NEW SERVICES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS WITHIN COMMUNITY BOARD 14 (KENSINGTON, DITMAS PARK, AND FLATBUSH)

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 14 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS
FISCAL YEAR 2019 (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019)
 
Dear Community Resident:
 
Each year, in accordance with the New York City Charter, all 59 Community Boards are required to submit recommendations for NYC’s capital and expense budgets for the following fiscal year.

If you have any suggestions you would like to see funded in the district, please complete the information below. Only in cases where the request is for a new service or capital project (generally capital items have a value of $35,000 or more and a “useful life” of at least 5 years), should the request go through the budget process.
 
Requests for ongoing programs and regular city services such as street signs, building inspections, park maintenance, road repairs or tree pruning for example, should be directed to the Community Board 14 District Office staff as a service delivery request.
 
Recommendations must be received by the Community Board 14 office via fax, email or mail no later than Friday, September 8, 2017 to be considered at Community Board 14’s Public Hearing on Community Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2018 to be held on Monday, September 11, 2017, 7:15 PM at Edward R. Murrow High School (1600 Avenue L, Brooklyn, New York.)

PROJECT OR ITEM RECOMMENDATION:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
SUGGESTED LOCATION:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
BENEFIT TO COMMUNITY:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
NAME (INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION): ________________________________________________________________________________________
 
ADDRESS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
PHONE NUMBER / EMAIL ADDRESS:
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
____ YES, please add me to the Community Board 14 Mailing List. I prefer to receive meeting calendars & notifications via: ____ EMAIL ____ MAIL
 

BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 14 ∙ 810 EAST 16TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11230 ∙ WWW.CB14BROOKLYN.COM
PHONE: (718) 859-6357 ∙ FAX: (718) 421-6077 ∙ E-MAIL: INFO@CB14BROOKLYN.COM

66TH PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

National Night Out Against Crime, 66th Precinct

Tuesday, August 1st, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At the 34th Annual National Night Out Against Crime, meet leaders and personnel from the local precinct and interact with neighbors, community members, and local businesses with the common goal of partnership and safety.

Enjoy games and activities for youth and get information on ways to work with the NYPD and keep your neighborhood safe. 

Join the 66th Precinct, the 66th Precinct Community Council, and Community Board 12 for this year's National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 1st, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event is held annually on the first Tuesday in August.

Enjoy free food, drinks, ice cream, rides, bounces, games, a petting zoo, giveaways, and more.

The event will be held in front of the 66th Precinct at 5822 16th Avenue, between 58th and 59th streets, in Borough Park.

For more information, contact the 66th Precinct Community Affairs Office at (718) 851-5601.

The National Association of Town Watch introduced National Night Out--America's Night Out Against Crime--in 1984. The night's goals are to

• heighten crime and drug prevention awareness,
• generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts,
• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and
• send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

 
In the 1970s, before the creation of National Night Out, people in several communities participated in a grass-roots effort to deter crime by turning on their porch lights, sitting outside, and talking with their neighbors.

ALBEMARLE PLAYGROUND BEAUTIFICATION, A COMMUNITY EVENT (FREE)

Clean-up Albemarle Playground

Tuesday, July 18th,Thursday, July 20th,
Tuesday, July 25th, and Thursday, July 27th
10:00 a.m. to noon

Beautify the garden in the children's playground at Albemarle Playground, alongside The Singing Winds. Help with light weeding, mulching, and general clean-up from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, July 18th, Thursday, July 20th, Tuesday, July 25th, and Thursday, July 27th.

The clean-up is an annual event of "It's My Park," presented by Partnership for Parks, a joint program of NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation.

Albemarle Playground is on McDonald Avenue, near Albemarle Road, in Kensington. You don't need to RSVP.

Event organizer: The Singing Winds, cultural storytellers whose events are hosted by P.S. 230
Contact number: (718) 564-5983
Contact e-mail: thesingingwinds @ gmail.com

FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR EVERYONE 18 YEARS OLD AND UNDER

All school-aged children and teenagers (ages 18 and under) are eligible for a free breakfast and lunch Mondays through Fridays until Friday, September 1st, while school is out of session. Just walk in and be served a meal.

New York City residency is not necessary. No registration, documentation, or ID is required or requested in order to receive a free breakfast or lunch.

The July breakfast menu is here. The July Breakfast Express menu for pools, parks, and libraries is here.
 
The July lunch menu is here. The July Express Cold Lunch menu for pools, parks, and libraries is here.

In libraries, lunch will be served in the libraries’ meeting rooms.

The free Schoolfood Feed Your Mind app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch is in the App Store. The one for Android is in Google Play.

The Department of Education's Office of Schoolfood's annual Summer Meals Program is available at hundreds of public schools, community pool centers, parks, libraries, New York City Housing Authority complexes, and other locations around the city.

In addition to those locations, four food trucks visit beaches, parks, and playgrounds throughout the city every day of the week and hand out free, delicious, nutritious lunches.

The Brooklyn food truck stops at Fox Playground, 5324 Avenue H, between E. 54th and E. 55th streets. The July food truck menu is here.

To find a meal site near you, click here, type your address or zip code, and click Search. Click the name of a school, library, etc. to see if it serves both breakfast and lunch or lunch only and to see what times the meals are served.

Searching zip code 11218 leads to a list of sites that includes these as well as other sites further away:

• P.S. 249, The Caton, 18 Marlborough Road,
• J.H.S. 62, Ditmas, 700 Cortelyou Road,
• P.S. 217, Colonel David Marcus School, 1100 Newkirk Avenue,
• Borough Park Library, 1265 43rd Street,
• Parkside Preparatory Academy, 655 Parkside Avenue, and
• Kensington Library,, 4207 18th Avenue.

This is a nationwide program.

CUITE PARK CLEAN-UP

Clean-up Thomas J. Cuite Park

Sunday, July 16th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join the Friends of Thomas J. Cuite Park for light weeding, mulching, and general clean-up on Sunday, July 16th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The clean-up is an annual event of "It's My Park," presented by Partnership for Parks, a joint program of NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation.

Thomas J. Cuite Park is on 19th Street in Windsor Terrace, between 11th Avenue and Seeley Street (map). Meet at 19th and Seeley streets. You don't need to RSVP.
 

TOXINS REMAIN IN PROSPECT PARK LAKE

Toxins continue to flourish in Prospect Park Lake. The "widespread/lakewide" presence of high toxins in Prospect Park Lake from blue-green algae (BGA) blooms was reconfirmed on July 12th through a lab sample taken by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Toxins from blue-green algae can harm people and animals. All people and all animals should stay out of the lake and away from its shoreline. The DEC offers this advice and more:

• Swimmers should be concerned about HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) in any lake in which they are considering swimming.
• Never drink untreated surface water, whether or not algae blooms are present.
• The New York Freshwater Fishing Guide advises anglers to avoid eating fish caught from areas that have the thick paint-like or pea soup-like coloration characteristic of cyanobacteria blooms.
• HABs cells can stick to animal fur and become concentrated when the animal cleans itself.

The latest announcement on the Prospect Park Alliance website about the toxic condition states that

"To minimize the risk of exposure to blooms, the Peninsula has been closed to dog swimming. Dog Beach currently remains open and will be monitored on a weekly basis. Please continue to check this website for updates as environmental conditions may change the presence of algal blooms."

When the blooms are widespread, as they are in Prospect Park Lake, they can affect either the entire lake (as they're now doing), a large portion of the lake, or most to all of the shoreline. 

Blue-green algae 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.

Photos of the various appearances that the toxic blue-green algae blooms can have are posted on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) here.

If people or animals are exposed to a bloom, wash the skin with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water.

The possible effects of the toxins on living creatures are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties. The toxins can also affect the liver and nervous systems if a lot of water is swallowed.

Read more about this on the DEC's website.

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

FREE BLUEGRASS MUSIC AND FREE PAINTING, PLANTING, AND HEALTH WORKSHOPS

The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective
and
Painting, Planting, and Health Workshops

Sunday, July 16th, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Kensington Stewards will host an afternoon of free live music and free painting, planting, and health workshops this Sunday, July 16th, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective, a five-member band, will play from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

At the "Paint Outside the Box" workshop, professional painter (and photographer) Diana Sanzone will guide you in using sponges and tempera paint to create eight-foot-long paper murals that you can take home. Painters will be provided with protective smocks and gloves.

At the "Plant and Take" workshop, Horticultural Therapist Master Sue Braverman will help you pot a plant that you can take home.

In the health workshop, "Autism Awareness," Mohammed Mahab, the co-founder of BACONA (Bangladeshi American Center of North America), will focus on making the best choices to achieve wellness for an autistic child.

Location 
Avenue C Plaza
at the intersection of Avenue C and McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn

CHANGES ON THE G TRAIN FOR JULY 14TH TO 17TH

This weekend service notice for the G train covers 11:30 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. on Monday, for July 14th to July 17th.

• No G trains will operate between Hoyt-Schermerhorn and Church Avenue. Service will operate in two sections. A and F trains will provide alternate service.

• The G train will not stop at the Bergen, Carroll, Smith-9 Sts, 4 Av-9 St, 7 Av, 15 St-Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue stations. Take the F train instead.

• Transfer between the A and G trains at Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
• Transfer between the A and F trains at Jay St-MetroTech.

• G service will operate in two sections: 

• Between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs, and 

• Between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Hoyt-Schermerhorn, every 20 minutes.

• Transfer at Bedford-Nostrand Avs to continue your trip.

NEW VIDEO OF SWASTIKAS BEING CARVED INTO A KENSINGTON SIDEWALK

NYPD Wanted: Criminal Mischief (Brooklyn)

                       -- posted on NYPD YouTube channel on July 12, 2017

Update: The NYPD has released a video and additional information about the swastikas carved into a Kensington sidewalk early Saturday morning.

"The New York City Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individuals depicted in the attached video and photographs in connection to a criminal mischief incident that occurred within the confines of the 70 Precinct. 

Details are as follows:

It was reported to police that on Saturday July 8, 2017, at approximately 12:15 a.m. in front of 242 Newkirk Avenue, an individual drew approximately 20 swastikas and wrote "mobundles" on freshly poured concrete. In addition, a second individual removed a camera in front of the location.

• The first individual is a male; last seen wearing a hooded sweater, shorts and sneakers.
• The second individual is a male; last seen wearing a short sleeved shirt and dark colored pants.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential."

The original KARMABrooklyn blog post, "Swastikas Carved on Kensington Sidewalk," is at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/07/swastikas-carved-on-kensington-sidewalk.html.

UPDATE ON "SAFETY UPGRADES BEGIN AT CHURCH AND MCDONALD AVENUES"

UPDATE: Councilmember Lander's website reports that

"Construction at Church Ave. & McDonald Ave. will begin Summer 2017 and is estimated to be complete prior to the beginning of the school year in the fall.

After completing a feasibility study at Church & Coney Avenue, DOT informed our office that curb extensions are not feasible at this location due to a freight route. They can implement a hardened center line, which will be completed by the end of July.

In addition, DOT is now completing a feasibility study for a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) intersection (that shows a walk sign for pedestrian before showing a green light to car traffic).

DOT is also undertaking a feasibility study for curb extensions at Caton Ave. & Coney Island Avenue."

--------------------------------- 

Reconstruction of the intersection of Church and McDonald avenues is underway. The goal of the transformation is to make the crossroads safer for pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists.

Funding for the work was approved by residents of City Council District in 2013 through City Councilmember Brad Lander's Participatory Budgeting project.

An article in Windsor Terrace Patch says that

"The improvements at the site will include curb extensions, pedestrian ramps and catch basins, replacement of the water main and a complete pavement restoration."

The Patch article is here.

SAFETY UPGRADES BEGIN AT CHURCH AND MCDONALD AVENUES

UPDATE: Councilmember Lander's website reports that

"Construction at Church Ave. & McDonald Ave. will begin Summer 2017 and is estimated to be complete prior to the beginning of the school year in the fall.

After completing a feasibility study at Church & Coney Avenue, DOT informed our office that curb extensions are not feasible at this location due to a freight route. They can implement a hardened center line, which will be completed by the end of July.

In addition, DOT is now completing a feasibility study for a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) intersection (that shows a walk sign for pedestrian before showing a green light to car traffic).

DOT is also undertaking a feasibility study for curb extensions at Caton Ave. & Coney Island Avenue."

--------------------------------- 

Reconstruction of the intersection of Church and McDonald avenues is underway. The goal of the transformation is to make the crossroads safer for pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists.

Funding for the work was approved a few years ago through City Councilmember Brad Lander's Participatory Budgeting project.

An article in Windsor Terrace Patch says that

"The improvements at the site will include curb extensions, pedestrian ramps and catch basins, replacement of the water main and a complete pavement restoration."

The Patch article is here.

SWASTIKAS CARVED ON KENSINGTON SIDEWALK

 Swastikas etched in cement at 242 Newkirk Ave., Brooklyn, NY

                                      -- posted on YouTube channel Hikind News

In the surveillance camera video above, a man is seen etching swastikas into recently-poured, still-wet cement. By the time he finished, he had carved more than two dozen of them into the new sidewalk.

Cement for a sidewalk had been poured this past Friday in front of the construction site at 242 Newkirk Avenue in Kensington, between Ocean Parkway and E. 8th Street.

The crime was committed soon after midnight on Saturday. The perpetrator, believed to be a teenager, held a small flashlight in his mouth as he spent thirty-five minutes slashing swastikas into the cement. He photographed what he had done.

On Monday, the building's owner, who is Jewish, saw the vandalism. The neighborhood is home to many Jews and several synagogues. The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the crime.

A seven-story, forty-four unit residential apartment building is being constructed on the site.

CANCELED: TODAY'S FREE FITNESS CLASS AND FREE ART WORKSHOP

UPDATE: The cancellation has been canceled.

 ------------------------------

UPDATE: The events scheduled for today (July 11th) have been canceled because of the weather.

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

Avenue C Plaza is hosting three weeks of free two-hour fitness classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A different instructor will teach each week's classes.

This week's classes will be taught by  A. J.  Sharp of The Brooklyn Dance Center, who will lead a two-hour workshop in contemporary jazz dance from Tuesday, July 11th, through Thursday, July 13th.

The second week (July 18th through 20th) will feature hip-hop, and the final week (July 25th through 27th) will feature Bollywood.

The three-week program, called "Summer Dayz," is hosted by The Kensington Stewards, a volunteer group of local residents who manage and arrange programming for Avenue C Plaza and Kensington Plaza (in front of Walgreens). 

Simultaneously on the three Wednesdays (July 12th, 19th, and 26th), an art workshop will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., run by The Singing Winds' Jill Reinier. At the workshop, peacock gardens will be made from papier mâche.

Location 
Avenue C Plaza
at the intersection of Avenue C and McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
 

FREE FITNESS CLASSES AND FREE ART WORKSHOP

UPDATE: The events scheduled for today (July 11th) have been canceled because of the weather.

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

Avenue C Plaza is hosting three weeks of free two-hour fitness classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A different instructor will teach each week's classes.

This week's classes will be taught by  A. J.  Sharp of The Brooklyn Dance Center, who will lead a two-hour workshop in contemporary jazz dance from Tuesday, July 11th, through Thursday, July 13th.

The second week (July 18th through 20th) will feature hip-hop, and the final week (July 25th through 27th) will feature Bollywood.

The three-week program, called "Summer Dayz," is hosted by The Kensington Stewards, a volunteer group of local residents who manage and arrange programming for Avenue C Plaza and Kensington Plaza (in front of Walgreens). 

Simultaneously on the three Wednesdays (July 12th, 19th, and 26th), an art workshop will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., run by The Singing Winds' Jill Reinier. At the workshop, peacock gardens will be made from papier mâche.

Location 
Avenue C Plaza
at the intersection of Avenue C and McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
 

ORGANIZING MEETING OF NEW YORK STATE SENATE 17TH DISTRICT FOR PROGRESS

       Organizing Meeting of New York State 17th District for Progress
                        Sunday, July 9th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Progressive constituents of Brooklyn's New York State Senate District 17 banded together this year to stand up for progressive issues and legislation.

The district encompasses Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Flatbush, Kensington, Madison, Midwood, and Sunset Park, and Simcha Felder is its State Senator.

Felder is a registered Democrat who has caucused with the Republicans since first being elected to the State Senate in 2012. He regularly votes the same way as the Senate Republicans.

Some of his constituents formed New York State 17th District for Progress in March. They would like him to align himself with the Senate Democrats, not the Senate Republicans, and help pass progressive legislation.

The group organizes its actions for the upcoming month at its monthly meetings. The next one is this Sunday, July 9th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The tentative agenda items are
 
1) Group organization and fundraising
2) Voter registration and education
3) Legislative wrap-up
4) Meeting with State Senator Simcha Felder and media strategy
5) Allies update
6) Our different media platforms

Children are welcome at the meeting. The group will try to arrange communal childcare so that parents or other caregivers will be able to focus on the meeting.

The group's e-mail address is nysd17forprogress @ gmail.com. You can follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nysd17progress and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYSD17forprogress.

The meeting will take place at the East Midwood Jewish Center, 1625 Ocean Avenue, between Avenue K and Avenue L, in Brooklyn. When you arrive, check in with security and then go up to the 4th Floor Board Room.