CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL METHODS: AT THE CURB OR IN A PARK

Curbside Collection 

Wednesday, January 2nd, through Saturday, January 12th

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 Wednesday, January 2nd, and end on Saturday, January 12th.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and the netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations. 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 for use in city parks, institutions, and community gardens.

Trees that still have decorations on them will be collected as garbage and not composted.

Trees put out at the curb before January 2nd or after January 12th will also be collected as garbage and not composted. 

Artificial trees that are mostly made of either metal or rigid plastic can be put next to your recycling container on regular recycling days, after removing ornaments from them. But if the tree is taller than four feet, schedule a bulk pick-up appointment.

Artificial trees that aren't mostly metal or rigid plastic will be collected as part of your regular garbage. 

Artificial trees that are four feet or smaller can be thrown out with your regular garbage.

Artificial trees in good condition can also be donated or sold. See donateNYC for details.

Mulchfest

Saturday, January 12th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 13th, 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 12th or 13th 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.

Among Brooklyn's chipping locations are 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
Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th

Not all of the Parks Department's locations have chipping equipment on-site during Mulchfest; those locations are for 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 12th and 13th) as well as every other day from Friday, January 4th, through Sunday, January 13th.

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

EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY WITH CITY GOVERNMENT DATA; A TRAINING SESSION

     Brooklyn Community Board 7 Data Empowerment Training Session
                 Monday, January 7, 2019, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The New York City government has many web pages that provide helpful data to residents, but sometimes these portals are confusing or overwhelming to use. And sometimes New Yorkers don't know that they exist, making the sites unusable to the communities they're trying to serve.

Community Board 7 board member and urban planner Fred Wolf will help you empower your community by teaching you how to navigate some data sites that have a lot of reliable and useful information. These data portals can be valuable tools when conveying your ideas to City agencies or advocating for or against the issues that matter to you.

The data empowerment training session will take place on Monday, January 7, 2019, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sunset Park Library, 4201 4th Avenue. The entrance is on 43rd Street.

Agenda:

• What is "data" and how can it be used
• Introduction to some of the City's data portals
• How to navigate the websites to find the information you want
• Questions and further discussion

If you'd like to attend the training, make a reservation. The Sunset Park Library will provide some laptops for participants to use during the training session. To reserve one, you'll need a current and valid Brooklyn Public Library card. 

Or you can bring a laptop or other Wi-Fi-enabled device with you to use during the training instead of reserving a laptop.

Send an e-mail to bk07 @ cb.nyc.gov with the subject heading "Attn: Natasha - Reservation for January 7" to reserve a spot. State in the e-mail that you need to reserve a laptop (with your Brooklyn Public Library card) or that you'll bring your own device.

Send your e-mail reservation no later than Friday, January 4, 2019. No reservations will be accepted after January 4th.

F TRAIN SERVICE CHANGES THIS WEEKEND

F train service in Brooklyn will be affected from 10:45 p.m. on Friday, December 28th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 31st, because of electrical improvements.

The F train between Bergen Street and Stillwell Avenue will be replaced by the G train. 

The F train will run between 179th Street and Jay Street-MetroTech* and via the A local, C to and from Euclid Avenue.

The G train will replace the F train between Bergen Street and Stillwell Avenue.
• Transfer between the F train and the G train at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn A, C, G station.

*The Jamaica-bound F train will run via the A from Jay Street-MetroTech to W. 4th Street during this time.

This service change affects one or more ADA stations.

LIBRARY CLOSING FOR RENOVATIONS

Update

February 27, 2020

The library is tentatively scheduled to reopen in October 2020. The renovations are taking longer than expected due to poor conditions on the roof.

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The Windsor Terrace Library will be closed until sometime in 2020. Its last day of operation will be Friday, February 1st; closing time is 6:00 p.m.

While the library is closed, bookmobile service will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., starting on Tuesday, February 5th.

The branch's building--its first and only one-- is located at 160 E. 5th Street, at the corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway. It opened forty-nine years ago on October 22, 1969. Renovations will include a new HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electrical upgrades, and improvements to the library's interior, another librarian reports.

Previous closings include a one-month closing in part of March and part of April in 2017 while the green roof was being installed, a one-week closing in December 2016 for computer and furniture upgrades, and a one-month closing in 2011 to install self-check machines and book return slots.

The names and addresses of the branches located closest to the Windsor Terrace branch, along with the buses and subways that will take you to them, are the

• Cortelyou Branch, 1305 Cortelyou Road at Argyle Road (B11, B16, B35, D),  
• Flatbush Branch, 22 Linden Avenue at Flatbush Avenue (B12, B16, B35, B41, B49, B, Q), 
• Borough Park Branch, 1265 43rd Street at 13th Avenue (B11, B16, B35, D),  
• Kensington Branch, 4207 18th Avenue at E. 2nd Street (B8, F), and  
• Park Slope Branch, 431 6th Avenue at 8th Street (B61, B67, B69, F, G, R).

PARKING RULE CHANGES FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY

Alternate side of the street parking regulations AND parking meter regulations will be suspended on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, for New Year's Day.

On most holidays, when alternate side parking rules are suspended, rules for parking meters still remain in effect. Rules for parking meters are only suspended on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

PARKING RULES SUSPENDED FOR CHRISTMAS

Alternate side of the street parking regulations AND parking meter regulations will be suspended on Tuesday, December 25th, for Christmas.

On most holidays, when alternate side parking rules are suspended, rules for parking meters still remain in effect. They're only suspended on these major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

COMMUNITY BOARD 12 AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S PUBLIC MEETING

Community Board 12 Public Meeting

Tuesday, December 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Board 12 (representing Kensington, Borough Park, and Midwood) will hold its monthly public meeting tonight, Wednesday, December 19th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., after a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. about rezoning 600 McDonald Avenue.

The board's monthly meetings are 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 (agenda item 3). 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. 

Agenda for the December 19th meeting
(received via e-mail at 12:08 p.m. today)

1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Adoption of November Minutes
3. Public Session 
4. Chairman's Remarks - Yidel Perlstein
5. Variance Report - 600 McDonald Avenue - David Shlomovich
6. District Manager's Remarks - Barry Spitzer
7. Street Co-naming Proposal by Jules Fleischer - Co-naming the triangle at Dahill Road, 16th Avenue and 39th Street in honor of Giorgio Perlasca
8. Old Business
9. New Business
10. Attendance
11. Adjourn

Public meetings of Community Board 12 are normally 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
corner of 59th Street
Borough Park, Brooklyn

Enter the building on 59th Street. The meeting room is accessible by elevator.

Community Board 12's office is at 5910 13th Avenue.
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
e-mail: bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
https://twitter.com/BrooklynCB12
https://www.facebook.com/BkCB12

SING ALONG AT THE WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

Celebrate Winter Solstice with song.

The Kensington Stewards invite you to join in a one-hour singalong on Friday, December 21st, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Plaza. Local singer, composer, and mom Jen Jane will lead the singing, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Get there early for free hot chocolate and candy. Angelica's Coffee Shop on Church Avenue will provide the hot chocolate, Walgreens will provide the candy, and TDS Insurance Brokerage on Beverley Road will provide the electricity.

Push back the darkness by hanging out with your neighbors from 6:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the longest night of the year.

Jen Jane is a singer, songwriter, and composer based in Brooklyn, New York. A lifelong musician, she holds an MFA in Fine Art from the School of Visual Arts. Her background in visual art, painting, and arts education greatly informs her work in music.

She has collaborated with dancer/choreographer Natalie Green to create original music for Green’s choreography. As half of the pop duo Photoplay, she writes and performs (vocals, keys, guitar) with partner and composer H. Leon Harris, a project which draws upon many influences, including rock, jazz, classical, choral music, improvisation, scores for film and television, dramatic storytelling, collage, and painting.

Jane’s mission is to create transportive musical experiences with a compassionate sense of humanity and self-examination that hold the potential for transformation and healing.

Location
Kensington Plaza
Beverley Road 
Kensington, Brooklyn

Kensington Plaza is in front of the Walgreens that's located at 114 Beverley Road. It's near the F and G Church Avenue subway station and the B35, B67, and B69 bus lines.

66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL (KENSINGTON, BOROUGH PARK, MIDWOOD) WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK

66th Precinct Community Council Monthly Meeting
Thursday, December 20th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Crimes and other policing matters in Kensington, Borough Park, and Midwood can be reported by the public at the upcoming 66th Precinct Community Council meeting. 

The 66th Precinct's commanding officer, Captain David Wall, will update residents on recent crimes in those neighborhoods, but the input of people who live within the boundaries of the precinct is essential. 

At the meeting, the public can learn about the various programs available to the community through the precinct. 

The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 20th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It's free, and it's open to the public. 

Boundaries of the 66th Precinct:

The purpose of the 66th Precinct Community Council is to provide 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, Brooklyn
(map)

To get to the meeting, take the B16 bus to 13th Avenue at 56th Street and walk three blocks along 13th Avenue to 59th Street. To return home, take the B16 on 14th Avenue (schedule).

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Contact information for the 66th Precinct:
phone: (718) 851-5611
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn
e-mail: 66precinctcc @ gmail.com
website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/66th-precinct.page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct or @66precinctcc

RESTAURANT CLOSINGS: BUTTERFUNK KITCHEN AND SUMNER'S LUNCHEONETTE

The rent is too damn high. So, at the end of the night on New Year's Eve, Butterfunk Kitchen and Sumner's Luncheonette will close permanently.

They'll be open with regular service through December 30th (except on December 24th and 25th).

Mingle with the much-loved owners, Chef Chris Scott and Eugenie Woo, and the staff at Sumner's on Sunday, December 30th, at 3:00 p.m., for cake and coffee and laughter and tears.

The next day, Monday, December 31st, Butterfunk Kitchen will offer regular service, followed by a New Year's Eve/farewell party reception. A ticket page will be going up soon on their website.

Chris and Eugenie will open a restaurant, Birdman Juke Joint, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in early 2019. They will, no doubt, spread their love of humanity and community there as they've done in Brooklyn.

Best wishes and good luck always, Chris and Eugenie. So sorry to see you go.

Butterfunk Kitchen
1295 Prospect Avenue
near Greenwood Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(917) 909-0421
https://www.facebook.com/butterfunkkitchen
https://www.instagram.com/butterfunkkitchen
http://butterfunkkitchen.com

Sumner's Luncheonette
601 Greenwood Avenue
corner of Prospect Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(718) 686-1044
https://www.facebook.com/SumnersLuncheonette

MOVIE THEATER OPENING SOON ON THE WINDSOR TERRACE / PARK SLOPE BORDER

A seven-theater multiplex will open on Prospect Park West next week. Film fare will include blockbusters, family-friendly movies, art-house movies, independent films, and foreign films.

Nitehawk's intended audience is 18 years old or older. But children who are age 6 or older are allowed to attend when they're accompanied by an adult. Each adult can be accompanied by up to 3 children.

Guests who are age 13 or older can attend any appropriately-rated matinee showtime that starts before 6:00 p.m. Anyone who's under 18 years old won't be admitted to a show after 6:00 pm without a guardian.

The opening schedule for Wednesday, December 19th, at the Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park features Mary Poppins Returns, The Favourite, Green Book, The World Before Your Feet, Free Solo, and Shoplifters. Aquaman will open on Friday, December 21st. 

The seven theaters combined have 650 seats, with the largest theater seating 194 people.
 
Advance tickets will be sold online on the theater's website on Monday, December 17th. Assigned seating will be available sometime in the future.

The price of general admission tickets are set at $13 for adults and $10 for children and seniors (age 60 and older). 

Mondays through Fridays, first-run shows will begin at around 3:30 p.m., with the last show starting at around 10:00 p.m. On the weekends, brunch will begin at around 11:00 a.m. Midnight screenings will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays.
 
Full food and beverage service will be available in all seven theaters and will include vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian items. The food will not be kosher.

The theater has ADA-compliant elevators.

A bar on the second floor provides a view of Prospect Park.

Location
Nitehawk Prospect Park
188 Prospect Park West
between 14th and 15th streets
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

718) 384-3980
https://nitehawkcinema.com/prospectpark

AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 7 PUBLIC MEETING, DECEMBER 2018

Community Board 7 Public Meeting

Wednesday, December 19th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The regular monthly board meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, December 19th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public.

The following is the proposed agenda:

1. The Pledge of Allegiance

2. Opening of the meeting

3. Adoption of the agenda

4. Adoption of the Minutes of the Board Meeting of November 14, 2018

5. Public Comment

6. Committee Reports:

A) Ability & Access/Parks Joint Committee (No Vote Required)

1) Updates and announcements

2) Presentation from Adapt Ability – new non-profit dedicated to creating custom made bicycles for children with disabilities

3) Presentation from NYC Parks and Recreation on accessible recreational activities and opportunities

B) Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness Issues (No Vote Required)

1) Discussion with Councilman Menchaca and Congresswoman Velazquez’ Office

2) Call to Action

3) Homelessness Committee ongoing business

C) Economic Development/Waterfront Committee (No Vote Required)

1) Presentation of the Section 197a in the NYC Charter

2) Review of the CB7 197-a Plan

D) Education/Youth Committee (No Vote Required)

   1) Youth Recognition Award

   2) Joint Youth Resource Fair with CB6 Youth/Education/Human Services Committee

E) Membership & Attendance Committee

   1) Review the attendance record for the following board members: Ms. Gladys Bruno, Mr. Daniel Pol, and Mr. Samuel Sierra

   2) Discussion on a board member’s complaint about another board member.

F) Personnel/Internal Budget Committee (No Vote Required)

   1) Internal budget updates and discussion

   2) Personnel updates and discussion

   3) Next steps   

G) Public Safety Committee (No Vote Required)

   1) Mail theft in CB7

   2) NYPD enforcement around homeless shelters

   3) Rise in violent crime in CB7 District

H) Sanitation & Environment Committee (No Vote Required)

1) Presentation by DEP on their Green Infrastructure Grant Program

7. Elected Officials Representatives

8. District Manager’s Report

9. Chairperson’s Report

10. Old Business

11. New Business

12. Public Comment

13. Adjournment

Location
Community Board 7 Office
4201 4th Avenue
entrance on 43rd Street
Sunset Park, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
communityboard7 @ yahoo.com
website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225

HOLIDAY PUP-UP SHOP AT SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

UPDATE:  This event has been rescheduled because rain is forecast for Sunday. SCAR will sell holiday items for dogs and cats in front of 153 E. 3rd Street on Saturday, December 15th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Santa will not be able to attend.

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                                     Holiday Pup-Up Boutique
                        Sunday, December 16th, noon to 4:00 p.m.

At the Holiday Pup-Up Boutique at Sean Casey Animal Rescue, shop for holiday gifts for your four-legged friends and have a hot chocolate and a delicious treat.

When Santa arrives at 2:00 p.m., take photos of him with your animal companions. Bring a camera or phone with you. 

All proceeds will be used to benefit Sean Casey Animal Rescue.

Donations of baked goods are welcome. Please drop them off by noon.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn

(718) 436-5163
info @ nyanimalrescue.org
http://nyanimalrescue.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html
https://www.facebook.com/SeanCaseyAnimalRescue
https://www.instagram.com/nyanimalrescue
https://twitter.com/nyanimalrescue
https://websta.me/n/nyanimalrescue

Sean Casey Animal Rescue is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day.

Help local, independent small businesses thrive!

NO F TRAIN THIS WEEKEND SOUTH OF CHURCH AVENUE

From Friday, December 14th, at 9:45 p.m., until Monday, December 17th, at 5:00 a.m., F trains will follow their usual route between 179th Street and Church Avenue (and vice-versa).

But because of track replacement, F trains won't stop at any stations between Church and Stillwell avenues (and vice-versa). Instead, free shuttle buses will provide alternate service, operating between Church and Stillwell avenues.

Transfer between F trains and shuttle buses at Church Avenue.

The shuttle buses will stop at Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue N, Avenue P, Kings Highway, Avenue U, Avenue X, Neptune Avenue, and West 8th Street. 

For direct service between Coney Island and Manhattan/Downtown Brooklyn, take the D, N, or Q train instead. 

• Transfer at Stillwell Avenue for the D, N, Q, or bus or at West 8th Street for the Q or bus.
  
  

MEN'S SHELTER ON CONEY ISLAND AVENUE DISCUSSED AT OCTOBER COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETING

From the minutes of Community Board 12's public meeting, held on October 23, 2018, at Amico Senior Center:

He [Assemblymember Robert Carroll] said the New York City announced today that on Beverly Road and Coney Island Avenue they would like to put a 140 bed Men’s Shelter at this site [former location of Park Manor Adult Home]. A public school is right up the block and a Yeshiva is around the corner.

He said we need to work together to make sure the quality of life is good at this location.

Board Member Yeruchim Silber asked what was the shelter operator’s track record. Assemblyman Carroll said most likely they will be there, there is a public school is right up the block and a Yeshiva school around the corner.

We need to work together to make sure it’s safe, welcoming place and the neighbors who live around this area feel safe.

Assemblyman Carroll said Kensington already has a shelter six blocks away, he’s very not happy. He knows the organization that will be running the shelter, but we still need to work together to make sure it’s a safe environment.

District Manager Barry Spitzer added he also received a phone call today. Mr. Spitzer said they assured him there will be no sex offenders because of the close proximity to the schools but when Mr. Spitzer asked about people with criminal records, he was told everyone is welcome in the facilities.

The organization is The Black Vets for Social Justice, who have a very good track record. Assemblyman Carroll said yes they do.

Assemblyman Carroll said Coney Island Avenue is on the border of CB12, CB14, 66th Precinct and 70th Precinct and wants a joint meeting so we all can work together and everyone is on the same page.

The Chairman said it’s a little disturbing that the Mayor promised us when the last shelter went up there will not be any more shelters in our area for at least a few years. The District Manager said the target is six months to open this shelter.

Spitzer said he will be meeting with DHS & NYPD with the Assemblyman and many others regarding the Men’s Shelter to work together and be on the same page.