Saturday, December 30, 2017

KEEP LOCAL REPORTING ALIVE


When news is made in Brooklyn, Brooklyn residents need to know about it. We have the right to know about it. The more information that's readily available to us, the better equipped we are to make smart decisions that affect our lives.

Bklyner gives us that.

A society thrives on real journalism. Reporting that gives us the real story, the facts, the verified truth that not every publication is willing to commit itself to. Reporting by people with open minds who are persistent and have a desire for an informed populace.


Bklyner gives us that.

While many resources exist for us to learn about what transpires internationally, nationally, statewide, and citywide, it isn't so easy to find out what's going on right around us.


Bklyner gives us that.

It's vital that we be informed about actions and decisions where we live: our State Senate district, State Assembly district, City Council district, school district, police precinct, community board district, neighborhood, and block.


Bklyner gives us that.

This blog post is a request that my readers subscribe to Bklyner to help local media stay alive--to serve YOU. A subscription costs $5 per month. If your budget can't accommodate that, you can get a Community Subscription for $1.99 per month. The deadline for subscribing is tomorrow.

My fellow Brooklyners, Brooklynians, and Brooklynites, please support our local media!


Friday, December 29, 2017

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL LOCATIONS


Curbside Collection
Tuesday, January 2nd, through
Saturday, January 13th

Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for composting during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Weather permitting, collection will begin on Tuesday, January 2nd, and end on Saturday, January 13th.

Trees put out at the curb before January 2nd or after January 13th will be collected as garbage; they won't be composted.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and the netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations that are on the tree. Don't put the tree in a plastic bag.

Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost that will be used in city parks, institutions, and community gardens.

Trees that still have decorations on them will be collected as garbage.

Put out artificial trees that are mostly made of either metal or rigid plastic on regular recycling days, after removing ornaments from them. If they aren't mostly metal or rigid plastic, put them with your regular garbage.

Mulchfest
Saturday, January 6th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will accept trees and recycle them into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any of the chipping locations throughout the five boroughs on January 6th or 7th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and every other ornament or decoration before you bring the tree to Mulchfest.

Brooklyn's chipping locations include one at Prospect Park (Third Street at Prospect Park West) and one at Park Circle at Parkside Avenue.

All of the chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down the page and choose a borough.

The Parks Department will give you a free bag of mulch, if you want one, to use on your own trees or on street trees. The department will provide the bags.

Drop-off
Sunday, December 31st, through Sunday, January 7th

During Mulchfest, not all of the Parks Department's locations have chipping equipment on-site; those locations are for tree drop-off only. Sometime after you drop off your tree, it will be recycled.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees during the two days of Mulchfest (January 6th and 7th) as well as every other day from Sunday, December 31st, through Sunday, January 7th.


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

SNOW ALERT AFFECTS PARKING RULES



The Sanitation Department (DSNY) has issued a snow alert for tomorrow. The chance of snow falling tomorrow is 40%, with one inch of snow predicted to fall. As a result, alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended to facilitate snow removal.

All other regulations, however, including parking meter regulations, will be in effect.


Go to PlowNYC at maps.nyc.gov/snow to determine the priority designation of any street and about how long it's been since a DSNY salt spreader or snow plow was on that street.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

F AND G TRAIN CHANGES FOR THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE YEAR


Coney Island-bound F trains will run express from Jay Street-MetroTech to Church Avenue from 9:45 p.m. on Friday, December 29th, to 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 31st.

Coney Island-bound F trains will stop at
7th Avenue, but they will not stop at Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith-9th streets, 4th Av-9th Street, 15th Street-Prospect Park, and Fort Hamilton Parkway.

For service to these stations, take the F to 7th Avenue or Church Avenue and transfer to a Jamaica-bound F.

For service from these stations, take the F to 7th Avenue or Jay Street-MetroTech and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F.

Note: No G trains will stop at these stations during this time.


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


The G train will be rerouted from Friday, December 29th, at 9:30 pm., until Sunday, December 31st, at 7:00 a.m.

The G train won't make any stops between the Hoyt-Schermerhorn streets and Church Avenue stations. Trains will run every 20 minutes between Bedford-Nostrand avenues and Hoyt-Schermerhorn streets.

The G will skip these stations: Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith-9th streets, 4th Avenue-9th Street, 7th Avenue, 15th Street-Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue. Take the F train instead.

Transfer between the A train and the G train at Hoyt-Schermerhorn streets.


Transfer between the A train and the F train at Jay Street-MetroTech.

The G will operate in these two sections:
1. between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand avenues and
2. between Bedford-Nostrand avenues and Hoyt-Schermerhorn streets, every 20 minutes.

Transfer at Bedford-Nostrand avenues to continue your trip.


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

PARKING RULES SUSPENDED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY





On New Year's Day, alternate side of the street parking regulations--normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned--will be suspended.

Parking meter regulations will also be suspended. They are suspended on these major legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Tuesday, December 26, 2017

COMMUNITY BOARD 12 DECEMBER MEETING AGENDA


                    Community Board 12 Monthly Public Meeting
                 Tuesday, December 26th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Board 12's monthly public meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, December 26th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The meeting, as always, is open to the public.

If you have any concerns, questions, solutions, needs, or problems that you'd like the community board to address, arrive at the meeting before 7:00 p.m. and sign up to speak during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. You'll have three minutes to present your topic.

For example, you may be concerned about any of these issues:

    pedestrian safety,
    traffic congestion,
    housing,
    land use and zoning,
    construction sites,
    outdoor lighting,
    potholes,
    sanitation,
    libraries,
    crime,
    police presence,
    graffiti,
    social services,
    rodents,
    trash collection,
    public litter baskets, or
    street and sidewalk conditions.

General meetings of Community Board 12 are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from September through June, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..

Every neighborhood in New York City is represented by an all-volunteer community board, which serves as the neighborhood's liaison to city agencies. Board members are appointed by the neighborhood's city councilperson and the borough president.

The goal of a community board is to help resolve issues involving pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, housing, land use and zoning, outdoor lighting, potholes, sanitation, libraries, crime, police presence, social services, rodents, trash collection, public litter baskets, street and sidewalk conditions, etc.

Community Board 12's committees are

        Planning, Zoning Variances and City Map
        Education, Library, Cultural Affairs
        Sanitation & Environmental Protection
        Fire, Safety & Police
        Health & Social Services
        Housing & Buildings
        Legislation
        Parks, Capital Projects & Site Selection
        Transportation & Franchises
        Youth & Community Development


Meeting location
Community Board 12 office
5910 13th Avenue

between 59th and 60th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
e-mail: bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
website: http://www.brooklyncb12.org
https://www.facebook.com/BkCB12/

Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein
District Manager: Barry Spitzer

Sunday, December 24, 2017

WINDSOR COFFEE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S SCHEDULE



Windsor Coffee will be open on Christmas Eve Day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., owners Karen and Mark Newfeld have announced. It will be closed on Christmas Day.

It will be open on New Year's Eve Day from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be closed on New Year's Day.




Location
Windsor Coffee
144 E. 4th Street, Windsor Terrace
just north of Fort Hamilton Parkway, next to Hair Care by Yolanda

https://www.facebook.com/Windsor-Coffee-1917585921857432

Friday, December 22, 2017

FOOD COOP HOLIDAY SCHEDULE


Windsor Terrace Food Coop Holiday Schedule


CLOSED ON

Christmas Day, 
Monday, December 25th,
and

New Year’s Day, 
Monday, January 1st


 ---------------------------


Regular hours on other days,
except on
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve,
when it will close at 2:00 p.m.


Saturday, December 23rd,
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 24th,  
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Monday, December 25th,
closed
 
Thursday, December 28th,   

4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.


Friday, December 29th,

 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.


Saturday, December 30th, 

 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.


Sunday, December 31st,

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Monday, January 1st,
closed

Location
Windsor Terrace Food Coop
825 Caton Avenue, corner of E. 8th Street
on the border of Windsor Terrace and Kensington
(718) 972-4600

contact online: http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com/contact-us
website: http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop
Instagram: https://instagram.com/windsorterracefoodcoop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windsorterracefoodcoop

Thursday, December 21, 2017

WINDSOR TERRACE FOOD COOP MEMBER MEETING SCHEDULED


Windsor Terrace Food Coop Member Meeting
Tuesday, January 9th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

If you're a member of the Windsor Terrace Food Coop, its board and managers ask that you fill out a form about the upcoming member meeting. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

The form asks

  • Will you attend the next member meeting of the Windsor Terrace Food Coop?
  • Would you like to help plan the meeting?
  • Can you bring a festive drink or snack to share?
  • What would you like to learn about the coop from this meeting?
  • Are there any topics (i.e., membership, fund raising) you're interested in discussing?

Meeting location
Knights of Columbus Hall

1511 10th Avenue
between Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street/Captain Vincent E. Brunton Way
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Windsor Terrace Food Coop

contact online: http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com/contact-us
website: http://www.windsorterracefoodcoop.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WTFoodCoop
Instagram: https://instagram.com/windsorterracefoodcoop
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windsorterracefoodcoop


Wednesday, December 20, 2017

DATE CHANGED FOR 66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

Captain David A. Wall
66th Precinct Community Council Monthly Meeting
Thursday, December 28th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Meet the 66th Precinct's commanding officer, Captain David Wall, at the next meeting of the 66th Precinct Community Council. 

Captain Wall will update residents of Kensington, Borough Park, and Midwood on recent crimes in those neighborhoods. He will also provide information about what the police are doing to deter crime and arrest criminals.

This is an opportunity to bring crime-related issues to Captain Wall's attention. The meeting is free and open to the public.

In addition, you can find out about various programs that are available through the precinct.

This month, the meeting will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month instead of the third Thursday. The date is December 28th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
The Community Council provides the critical interface between citizens and police through regular monthly meetings. Meetings are normally held on the third Thursday of the month, from September through June. The Community Council does not meet in July or August.


Meeting location
Community Board 12 Office
5910 13th Avenue
between 59th and 60th streets
Borough Park 
(map)
B16 bus to 13th Avenue at 56th Street; return on 14th Avenue (schedule)

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

Contact information for the 66th Precinct:
phone: (718) 851-5611 
e-mail: 66precinctcc @ gmail.com
website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_066.shtml 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct 
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn

PARKING RULE SUSPENSION ON CHRISTMAS



On Christmas Day, alternate side of the street parking regulations--normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned--will be suspended.

Parking meter regulations will also be suspended. They are suspended on these major legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Monday, December 18, 2017

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE PLAN WILL COVER ALL NEW YORKERS--IF THE STATE SENATE WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE IT


Public Forum on Health Care for All New Yorkers
Sunday, January 7th, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

At the national level, essential health care coverage for Americans is being undermined. The Affordable Care Act may not survive. Fortunately, we in New York State can rely on our state government to provide us with a health care plan that will comprehensively cover every one of us. Or can we?

Under the New York Health Act (NYHA), everyone in New York State would have all of their medical expenses covered. No co-pays, deductibles, or premiums would be required.

Patients could see any doctor they want to because networks would cease to exist. Valid claims wouldn't be denied because private insurance companies wouldn't be overseeing our health care.

We would be covered for primary care, specialists, hospitalization, dental, vision, prescriptions, reproductive health care, mental health, medical supplies, and preventative care.

Health care would be publicly financed:

"Coverage would be funded through a graduated assessment on payroll and non-payroll taxable income, based on ability to pay. For 98% of New Yorkers, it will be a substantial reduction in what they now spend." (http://nyhealthact.com/)

Thirty-one Democratic State Senators are in favor of the NYHA and are sponsoring it. Thirty-one Republican State Senators and the one Democrat (Simcha Felder) who caucuses with the Republicans are opposed to it.

Our State Assembly has passed the NYHA three times.

BUT THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND SIMCHA FELDER WON'T LET THE NYHA BE RELEASED FROM THE HEALTH COMMITTEE SO THAT THE FULL SENATE CAN VOTE ON IT.

At a public forum on the New York Health Act, find out what New Yorkers can do to help get this bill passed in the upcoming legislative session.

The public forum will be on Sunday, January 7th. The program will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by conversation and refreshments until 6:00 p.m.

Location
Pakistani-American Youth Society
1001 Newkirk Avenue
between Coney Island Avenue and Westminster Road
Kensington / Midwood, Brooklyn

IMMIGRATION LAW SERVICES FREE


                                Free Immigration Law Services
              Two Wednesdays per month, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free, confidential immigration law services are available in Kensington in City Councilmember Brad Lander's office at 486 McDonald Avenue, in partnership with CUNY Citizenship Now! The services are available to everyone.


Services are offered two Wednesdays per month, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Find assistance with relative petitions, naturalization and citizenship, and immigration documents replacement and renewal.


Shahana Hanif, Councilmember Lander's Bangladeshi Community Liaison, staffs the office. To schedule an appointment, call Ms. Hanif at (347) 480-4792 or send her an e-mail at shanif @ council.nyc.gov.

If interpretation is needed for a language other than Bangla, please tell Ms. Hanif when you call or e-mail her.
 
Location
Office of Saboor Waizun Medical PC 
486 McDonald Avenue
between Church Avenue and Avenue C
Kensington, Brooklyn

Saturday, December 16, 2017

BANGLADESH VICTORY DAY CELEBRATION (FREE)

Bangladesh Victory Day Celebration
Sunday, December 17th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Presented free by Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts

Speeches by guest speakers
Children's performance
Theatrical play "A Starving Voice"
Patriotic songs by Ali Mahmud Tulu

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

Friday, December 15, 2017

FREE BREAST CANCER SCREENING IN KENSINGTON

No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening
Wednesday, December 27th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
by appointment only

Free digital mammograms and clinical breast exams will be available in Kensington for one day for uninsured and medically underserved women. Breast cancer screening can detect cancer before any signs or symptoms appear.

The American Italian Cancer Foundation's mobile care clinic will bring its No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program to Kensington on Wednesday, December 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Screenings are by appointment only. Schedule an appointment by calling (718) 277-5500 or (877) 628-9090.

Women who live in New York City, are forty years old or older, and have not had a mammogram in the past twelve months are eligible.

No co-pays are required, and deductibles are waived. Medical services will be provided by Multi-Diagnostic Services.




The American Italian Cancer Foundation has been providing these free screenings since 1987.

Location
Liberty Medical Office and Latina Medical Office
188 Dahill Road
between Church Avenue and Louisa Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

 

Thursday, December 14, 2017

TIME CHANGE FOR "STAND IN PEACE AND SOLIDARITY WITH KENSINGTON'S BENGALI COMMUNITY"


The time for the gathering has been changed. It will start at 2:00 p.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.

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

Kensington Stands in Peace and Solidarity
Friday, December 15th, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Stand together in peace and solidarity with Kensington's Bengali community on Friday at Avenue C Plaza. 

All Kensington residents, whatever your religion or ethnicity may be, are invited to be a part of Kensington's collective commitment to help our Bengali neighbors be safe and to make sure their rights are protected.

Mosque and interfaith leaders, Bangladeshi associations, the office of City Councilmember Brad Lander, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) will be gathering to speak about the Bengali community.

Everyone's presence is desired and is important at a time when anti-Muslim attitudes are on the increase, bolstered by government policy.

Kensington will stand in peace and solidarity on Friday, December 15th, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT MEETING: LA LECHE LEAGUE


                 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Meeting
             Wednesday December 20th, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

La Leche League meetings
are free and open to all breastfeeding and pregnant parents, moms, babies, grandmothers, and women interested in breastfeeding or chestfeeding. The next meeting in Windsor Terrace will be held on Wednesday, December 20th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The doors will be opened at 10:50 a.m.

Some of the topics that are frequently covered are
  • How can I get breastfeeding off to a good start?
  • How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
  • How often should I expect to feed my baby?
  • What does a "typical" feeding look like?
  • What is paced bottle feeding?
  • How can I work with family and others' expectations about feeding my baby?
  • What about solids?

Bring your babies and your thoughts, questions, feelings, and experience to share with others. La Leche League embraces all kinds of families and feeding arrangements.


The group is free of charge. Check the calendar to keep updated on the meeting schedule and other news and to confirm the meeting time and location. Scroll down the page for the Windsor Terrace calendar.

If you have questions, contact Suzanne Najarian Goodson IBCLC, BFP, at (347) 574-9563 or lllpswt @ gmail.com.

Meeting location
577 Prospect Avenue

between 10th and 11th Avenues
Windsor Terrace 

STAND IN PEACE AND SOLIDARITY WITH KENSINGTON'S BENGALI COMMUNITY


The time for the gathering has been changed. It will start at 2:00 p.m. and end at 3:00 p.m.

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

Kensington Stands in Peace and Solidarity
Friday, December 15th, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Stand together in peace and solidarity with Kensington's Bengali community on Friday at Avenue C Plaza. 

All Kensington residents, whatever your religion or ethnicity may be, are invited to be a part of Kensington's collective commitment to help our Bengali neighbors be safe and to make sure their rights are protected.

Mosque and interfaith leaders, Bangladeshi associations, the office of City Councilmember Brad Lander, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) will be gathering to speak about the Bengali community.

Everyone's presence is desired and is important at a time when anti-Muslim attitudes are on the increase, bolstered by government policy.

Kensington will stand in peace and solidarity on Friday, December 15th, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

WEEKEND CHANGES ON THE F AND G TRAINS



From 11:45 p.m. on Friday, December 15th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 18th, Jamaica-bound F and Bedford-Nostrand Avs-bound G trains will not stop at the Fort Hamilton Parkway, 15th Street-Prospect Park, and 4th Avenue-9th Street stations because of track maintenance.

For service to these stations, take the F or G train to 7th Avenue or to Smith-9th Streets and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F train or a Church Avenue-bound G train.

For service from these stations, take the F or G train to 7th Avenue or to Church Avenue and transfer to a
Jamaica-bound F or Bedford-Nostrand Avs-bound G train.

LEAF DROP-OFF AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN


                                          Leaf Drop-off
                Saturday, December 16th,  11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
                   Sunday, December 17th, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Leaves are valuable "browns" (carbon-rich material) that balance the food scraps in compost bins. Put your fallen leaves into clear plastic bags or brown paper bags and bring them to the East Fourth Street Community Garden, where they'll be turned into compost. Don't bring twigs, branches, or trash.

Location
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

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Holiday Bazaar
Sunday, December 17th, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Handmade goods by local artisans will be sold at the All Souls Bethlehem Church Holiday Bazaar. 

Some of the proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood, Chilis on Wheels, Puerto Rico Relief, and UCC U.S. Virgin Island Relief.

Location
All Souls Bethlehem Church
566 E. 7th Street
between Cortelyou Road and Ditmas Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn

Monday, December 11, 2017

STORIES AND SONGS FROM PUERTO RICO: JUAN BOBO Y EL COQUI


 Juan Bobo y el Coqui
 Saturday, December 16th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Singing Winds: Storytelling from Around the World
presents
Juan Bobo and Kiki Koki
Stories and Songs from Puerto Rico

with
Jill Reinier, storyteller
and friends

en inglés y español
(in English and Spanish)

suggested donation:
flashlights, headlamps, and batteries
to aid Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane Maria

P.S. 230 Lower School
425 McDonald Avenue
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road
Kensington, Brooklyn