PEDESTRIAN DEATH (AGAIN) AT CHURCH AVE. AND OCEAN PARKWAY

(photo not related to last night's collision)

As the driver of a Bread Depo box truck traveling west on Church Avenue turned right to go onto the Prospect Expressway last night (Tuesday) at about 9:30, he struck a pedestrian crossing Ocean Parkway on foot.

The victim, Faustino Garcia, who had been walking west on the north side of Church Avenue, was taken to Methodist Hospital. He died there as a result of severe injuries to his head.

Nobody has been arrested, as of Wednesday morning. A video of the aftermath of the collision is on YouTube.

The collision appears to have happened in the same location and under the same or similar circumstances as the one that caused the death of Ngozi Agbim in 2013.

This intersection has been hazardous for many years. Just the year before Ms. Agbim's death, residents of City Council District 39 (represented by Councilmember Brad Lander) had voted to allocate participatory budgeting funds to improve safety conditions for everyone who uses that intersection.

The neighborhood activism that followed Ms. Agbim's death (rallies, a petition, statements by our elected representatives, communication and public meetings with the New York City Department of Transportation, communication and public meetings with the New York State Department of Transportation) led to changes at the chaotic intersection of Church Avenue, Ocean Parkway, and the Prospect Expressway.

We need to act again to protect our community from injury or death.

MOTION TO REMOVE DISTRICT MANAGER OF COMMUNITY BOARD 12 IS ON AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S BOARD MEETING

Community Board 12 Monthly Public Meeting

Tuesday, February 27th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

"Motion by the chair to remove the District Manager" is on the agenda for tonight's monthly meeting of Community Board 12. 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.

Some issues you may be concerned about are

•     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, and
•     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.

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
Amico Senior Center
5901 13th Avenue, 3rd Floor
(enter on 59th Street)
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

CREATE A CHILDREN'S GARDEN AT ALBEMARLE PLAYGROUND

Create a Children's Garden

Sunday, March 4th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Head for Albemarle Playground (51 Dahill Road, Kensington, behind P.S. 230) on Sunday, March 4th, at 10:00 a.m., to prepare the ground and plan an ever-blooming Children's Garden. All ages are welcome to join in. 

The New York City Parks Department has given gardeners permission to lock the garden to keep dogs out of the planted areas. Hopefully, the garden gate can be kept open year-round; help will be needed to keep the flowers blooming. 

If you have any questions about this gardening project, contact Jill Reinier at albemarlegardeners@gmail.com.

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING EXPO FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 39

District 39's Participatory Budgeting Expo

Monday, April 9th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Participatory budgeting in New York City Council District 39 has given residents the power to decide how to spend tax dollars to directly benefit our neighborhoods.

Starting in autumn 2011, thousands of District 39 residents have proposed ideas, researched needs, developed proposals, and voted on their favorite projects. Based on these votes, District 39 has funded these useful projects throughout the district, including several for libraries, schools, and pedestrian safety in Kensington and Windsor Terrace.

The winning projects for 2017 are listed here.

This year, choose how to allocate up to $1.5 million of City Councilmember Brad Lander's budget toward capital projects. These projects tend to be toward improving a long-term asset, such as equipment or a building.

You can also allocate $50,000 toward expense projects; these are often short-term programming/expenses for organizations that benefit the community.

Learn more about this year’s projects from the neighbors who created them and cast your vote (Saturday, April 7th, through Sunday, April 15th).

Refreshments will be provided free.

For more information, go to http://bradlander.nyc/pb.

Location
Camp Friendship
339 8th Street
between 5th and 6th avenues
Park Slope, Brooklyn
(map)

DIAPERS AND CLOTHES ARE NEEDED AT THE KENSINGTON FAMILY SHELTER

The families at The Kensington Family Shelter need a few items donated to them. The storage capacity at the shelter is very limited, so please only donate the specific items that are being requested.

The babies need

• diapers in sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6,
• pull-ups,
• wipes, and
• baby carriers that have been gently used and are clean.

The children need

• spring clothes in sizes 2T- 5T that are clean, have been gently used, and have no stains or tears (no snow boots, heavy coats, or other winter clothing),
• rain boots,
• rain coats, and
• children's umbrellas.

The shelter accepts donations seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It's located at 385 McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue, in Kensington (across from Foodtown).

Donations can also be shipped to

Kensington Family Shelter
Attention: Uniquia Parker
385 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11218

In addition to donating diapers as an individual, you might also want to join forces with other people by organizing diaper drives in schools, scout troops, parent groups, faith organizations, neighborhood associations, etc.

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

Neighborhood residents Catherine and Tracy maintain a mailing list to let subscribers know what the sheltered families needs are;  they also announce opportunities for volunteers to assist in celebrating holidays and other events.

To join the mailing list and receive approximately one e-mail a month, send an e-mail to Catherine and Tracy at givemeshelterBK @ gmail.com.

HOW THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES TO SPEND YOUR TAXES

Town Hall Meeting on the New York State Budget

Wednesday, February 28th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Assemblymember Robert Carroll will present a summary of the proposed New York State Executive Budget for State Fiscal Year 2018-19 and its implications for transportation, education and higher education, local government, housing, the environment, health care, and more. He'll also discuss the budget negotiation process.

During the Q&A session following his presentation, constituents are invited to express their views.

RSVP or get more information on this free event by calling (718) 788-7221 or e-mailing carrollr @ nyassembly.gov.

Location
P.S. 889 / M.S. 890
21 Hinckley Place
between E. 8th Street and Coney Island Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING CANCELED FOR PURIM, MARCH 1ST

Alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended on Thursday, March 1st, for Purim.

All other regulations, including parking meter regulations, will be in effect. Those are only suspended on major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

SHUTTLE BUSES FROM CHURCH AVE. TO STILLWELL AVE. FOR SIX WEEKENDS

UPDATE: For the weekend of March 2nd to March 5th, replacement of the F train by shuttle buses is not listed among the Planned Service Changes on the MTA website.

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

Community Board 12 reports that free shuttle buses will replace the F train between Church Avenue and Stillwell Avenue for six non-consecutive weekends, from Fridays at 9:45 p.m. through Mondays at 5:00 a.m.

F train service will operate normally from 179th Street to Church Avenue. Transfer between the F train and the shuttle buses at Church Avenue.

The buses will stop at the F train stations at Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue N, Avenue P, Kings Highway, Avenue U, Avenue X, Neptune Avenue, and W. 8th Street.

This change takes place during the weekends of February 23rd to 26th, March 2nd to 5th, March 16th to 19th, March 23rd to 26th, April 20th to 23rd, and April 27th to 30th.

AFRICAN AND SPANISH MUSIC CONCERT ON CHURCH AVENUE TONIGHT

Church Avenue Sessions Music Series

Thursday, February 22nd, 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Performances by Tomas Rodriguez Trio (guitar music from the Americas and beyond) and AFARA (African/Spanish fusion) will be featured at "Church Avenue Sessions," the monthly music series at Flatbush Jewish Center.

AFARA is a collaboration between Tomas Rodriguez (Spanish and flamenco guitar), vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Hasan Bakr, and mbira master Kevin Nathaniel Hylton.

The concert will take place on Thursday, February 22nd, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The cost of admission is $15 per adult and $7 per child under 16.

About Flatbush Jewish Center
Flatbush Jewish Center, a Conservative synagogue offering programming and services for families, adults, and children, serves the Windsor Terrace and Kensington communities and offers traditional egalitarian services.

Event location
Flatbush Jewish Center
327 East 5th Street, corner of Church Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 871-5200
fax: (718) 871-5204
office @ flatbushjewishcenter.org
http://www.flatbushjewishcenter.org
https://www.facebook.com/FlatbushJewishCenter 

GUARANTEED HEALTHCARE FOR ALL IN NEW YORK: FILM SHORT AND FORUM

                                    Film Short and Forum:
                     Guaranteed Healthcare for All in New York
                   Sunday, February 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 A film short screening and a forum will feature the documentary film Fix It: Healthcare At The Tipping Point and a discussion and Q&A with Dr. Roona Ray. The evening will focus on building the momentum to pass single payer, universal healthcare for all, the New York Health Act, and the best ways for everyone to get involved.

The event is open to the public, and it is free. It will be held on Sunday February 25th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in a wheelchair-accessible venue. Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

The host organizations are HEAL NY: Healthcare Equity Action League of New York; Campaign for New York Health; Pakistani American Youth Society; NY Senate District 17 for Progress; Ditmas Civic; and Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) - NY Metro Chapter.

Fix It: Healthcare At The Tipping Point examines how the healthcare system "damages the economy, suffocates business, discourages physicians, and negatively impacts on the nation's health--while remaining unaffordable for one-third of our citizens."

The advocates for reform included in the film are activists, health policy experts, economists, physicians, nurses, patients, and business and labor leaders.

After the screening, Dr. Roona Ray, family doctor and board member of Physicians for a National Health Program - NY Metro Chapter, will speak and will take questions about the New York Health Act and grassroots efforts to bring universal healthcare to New York.

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

"COCO" AT MOVIE NIGHT AT P.S. 130 (FREE)

Movie Night Presents: Coco
Saturday, March 3rd, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

In Coco, Disney/Pixar’s animated fantasy adventure comedy set in Mexico, aspiring twelve-year-old musician Miguel Rivera is up against his family's ancestral ban on music.

On the Day of the Dead, Miguel accidentally enters the Land of the Dead and embarks on a journey to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. Miguel enlists his help to return to the land of the living and to his family.

Coco received Academy Awards nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, won a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature, and was chosen by the National Board of Review as the best animated film of 2017. 

Rated PG. Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes. U.S. release date: November 21, 2017.

Admission to the movie is free. Pizza and snacks will be sold. The P.S. 130 PTA will host the event, and all proceeds will be used to benefit P.S. 130.

Location
P.S. 130 Upper School
713 Caton Avenue
between E. 7th and E. 8th streets
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn 

CHILDREN'S ART, RECITATION, AND WRITING COMPETITION (FREE)

Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts Inc. (BIPA)

presents

Children's Art, Recitation and Writing Competition

Saturday, February 24th, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 location

P.S. 230 Cafeteria

1 Albemarle Road

between McDonald Avenue and Dahill Road

Kensington, Brooklyn

Winners in three groups from pre-K to 8th grade will receive trophies.

• Art: Draw As You Like (open to all)
• Bengali Writing: Bangla Alphabets, words and sentences
• Bengali Writing: Memorized and age appropriate

Art papers will be provided.

Please bring your own pencil, crayon, marker and paints.

For more information, call

(917) 674-4746 or (347) 237-1628 or (718) 666-5850.

This free program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

in partnership with the City Council Member Brad Lander.

G TRAIN WILL SKIP LOCAL STATIONS THIS WEEKEND, FEBRUARY 17TH AND 18TH

From Saturday, February 17th, at 4:30 a.m. until Sunday, February 18th, at 7:00 p.m., the G train will not stop at the following stations: Bergen, Carroll, Smith-9 Streets, 4th Avenue-9th Street, 7th Avenue, 15th Street-Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue.

F trains will provide alternate service at these stations: 4th Avenue-9th Street, 7th Avenue, 15th Street-Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton Parkway, and Church Avenue.

Free shuttle buses will operate between Jay Street-MetroTech and 7th Avenue, stopping at Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith-9th Streets, and 4th Avenue-9th Street.

Transfer between F trains and shuttle buses at 7th Avenue.

Signal maintenance is the reason for these changes.

NO ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH

Alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended on Monday, February 19th, for Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day).

All other regulations, including parking meter regulations, will be in effect. Those are only suspended on major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROOKLYN POST OFFICES ARE BEING COLLECTED

If you've had any problems with your neighborhood post office and you live in Congressional District 9 (map), U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke would like to hear from you. Problems inside a station, problems with mail delivery, problems with package delivery--she wants to know about all of it.

Her staff is keeping a log of the complaints. Send an e-mail by filling out the form on her website at https://clarke.house.gov/contact/email or call her office at (718) 287-1142. I'm going to fill out the form right now!

Congressperson Clarke issued this press release yesterday, February 12, 2018:

Clarke Meets with Brooklyn Postmaster Concerning District’s Ongoing Postal Issues

BROOKLYN, NY – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement after meeting with the Brooklyn Postmaster for USPS. In advance of today’s meeting, Congresswoman Clarke directed her staff to meet with constituents and visit post offices to gather firsthand evidence after receiving several complaints about poor postal service across the Ninth Congressional District:

“Today I met with the Brooklyn Postmaster, Anthony Impronto, to discuss the ongoing postal issues in New York’s Ninth Congressional District. The meeting was a good first step. I walked away with an even greater understanding of the systemic issues plaguing the USPS.  I expressed my concerns about delivery, efficiency, and service, including the suspension of mail service for nearly a week last month, which affected many seniors and people with disabilities. I also specifically raised concerns about unique issues faced by residents of affordable housing buildings.

“During the meeting, problem areas were identified and I suggested a number of new strategies to ensure that issues raised by Brooklyn residents are promptly and completely addressed, such as updating equipment and technology, providing better training, and a renewed commitment by USPS leadership to better retain staff. My staff is also exploring legislative options which we will share with the community and the Postmaster.

“Ultimately, Mr. Impronto and I had productive and open dialogue. I look forward to working with his team in the coming months and will continue to hold him accountable until the concerns of my constituents are addressed.”

                                   ###

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH AND 16TH

Alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended for two more days this week: Wednesday, February 14th, for Ash Wednesday and Friday, February 16th, for Asian Lunar New Year.

All other regulations, including parking meter regulations, will be in effect. Those are only suspended on major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

CRIME UPDATE AT NEXT 66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

Captain David A. Wall

66th Precinct Community Council Monthly Meeting
Thursday, February 15th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Meet the 66th Precinct's commanding officer, Captain David Wall, at the 66th Precinct Community Council meeting on Thursday, February 15th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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, including quality-of-life issues. The meeting is free and open to the public.

In addition, you can find out about various programs that are available through the precinct.
 
The Community Council provides the critical interface between citizens and police through regular monthly meetings. Meetings are 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 or @66precinctcc
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FOR SALE

UPDATE: Cookies will not be sold outside of the Windsor Terrace Library on March 10th. Instead, they will be sold outside of Walgreens at 589 Prospect Avenue, between 10th and 11th avenues, on these two dates: Saturday, March 10th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and on Sunday, March 18th, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Details at https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2018/03/girl-scout-cookie-sale-this-saturday-in.html.

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

Girl Scouts will sell cookies in our neighborhood once in March and once in April.

They'll sell the cookies outside of the Windsor Terrace Library* on Saturday, March 10th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and at International Baptist Church** on Sunday, April 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The net revenue raised through the Girl Scout Cookie Program goes to Girl Scouts of Greater New York (the local Girl Scout Council) and the neighborhood troop.

Locations
* Windsor Terrace Library
160 E. 5th Street
corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

** International Baptist Church
312 Coney Island Avenue
between Caton Place and Ocean Parkway
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn 

BIKE SHOP COMING TO CHURCH AVE.

According to a banner hung on the awning at 733 Church Avenue, a bicycle sales and repair shop will open there soon. The site, located between E. 7th and E. 8th streets in Kensington, is the former location of Taqueria los Poblanos.

VOTE FOR CHEF CHRIS TO HELP KIDS AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Vote for neighbor and excellent chef Chris Scott of Brooklyn Commune and Butterfunk Kitchen for Top Chef Fan Favorite. With enough votes, Chris will win $10,000 from S. Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water.

Over the years, Chris and his wife Eugenie have shown so many times that they are civic-minded humanitarians and good neighbors. Chris will use the $10,000 for food education, kids' cooking classes, and beautifying our neighborhood. 

You can vote for Chris up to forty times--all on the same day, if you want to! Vote by computer or cell phone at http://www.bravotv.com/fan-favorite or text Chris Scott's name to 27286.

Good luck, Chef Chris!

DINING AND DANCING IN PROSPECT PARK; TICKET SALES BEGIN

Prospect Park Soiree. Photo by Jonathan Grassi

An invitation to the public from Prospect Park Alliance

                                     Prospect Park Soiree:
                       A Magical Evening of Dining and Dancing
                             Under the Stars in Prospect Park
                                    Saturday, June 23, 2018 

                                 Tickets on Sale February 13

The most anticipated party of the year is back! Prospect Park Alliance will host its second annual Prospect Park Soiree on Saturday, June 23: a magical, one-night-only celebration of Brooklyn’s Backyard. Tickets go on sale to the public on February 13 at 9 am. Please note that guests must be 21 and over.

We provide the entertainment and breathtaking setting, while guests gather with thousands of Park lovers in festive attire, prepare a delicious feast, bring their favorite bottle of wine, and dine and dance under the stars in one of the Park’s most scenic locations, the Peninsula.

Guests are encouraged to show off their creativity with a show-stopping topper—a fabulous hat or headpiece of your choosing—as well as table décor that celebrates the beautiful surroundings, and raise a glass in a toast to Brooklyn's Backyard.

Individual tickets are $45, and table packages for groups of ten come with two complimentary bottles of wine. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Prospect Park Alliance's mission to sustain, restore and advance Prospect Park.

Visit https://www.prospectpark.org/soiree for more information and tickets.

Prospect Park Soiree is sponsored in part by City Point.

Prospect Park Alliance is the non-profit organization that sustains, restores and advances Prospect Park, "Brooklyn's Backyard," in partnership with the City. The Alliance provides critical  staff and resources that keeps the Park green and vibrant for the diverse communities that call Brooklyn home. Learn more at https://www.prospectpark.org/soiree.

LOCAL SUBWAY STATIONS WILL BE SKIPPED THIS WEEKEND

From 9:45 p.m. on Friday, February 9th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12th, 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 repairs.

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.

SERVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS VOLUNTEER TREASURER FOR THE KENSINGTON STEWARDS

 
The all-volunteer civic group The Kensington Stewards is looking for someone to serve as its treasurer. The group of local residents manages Avenue C Plaza (Avenue C at McDonald Avenue) and Kensington Plaza (on Church Avenue at Beverley Road, in front of Walgreens).

If you'd like to be active in the community by filling this position, send an e-mail describing your qualifications and the reasons you're interested to The Kensington Stewards at Dianasanzone @ gmail.com or Mian Quadry at emailmian @ gmail.com.