FREE CULTURAL SHOWCASE AND CONCERT CELEBRATING IMMIGRANT HERITAGE

Press Release
June 19, 2019 

Hasiba Haq, program director
Arts & Democracy
(347) 963-3408
haq.hasiba@gmail.com

Emily Ahn Levy, program manager
Arts & Democracy
(917) 971-1441
emilyalevy@gmail.com

Celebration of Immigrant Cultures with performances at the Avenue C Plaza on Saturday June 29
 
As a culmination of  Immigrant Heritage Month’s programming at Avenue C Plaza, the Kensington Cultural Council will be hosting its second annual multicultural concert celebrating immigrant communities and showcasing music and dance from around the world on Saturday June 29th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Avenue C Plaza.

June is nationally recognized as a time to honor and celebrate the many cultures that have contributed to the history and foundation of this country, and this concert and month long programming pays tribute to the diversity of Kensington and beyond.

Throughout the month of June, the Kensington Cultural Council (ArtBuilt Mobile Studios, Arts & Democracy, BIPA - Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts, The Singing Winds, and Casa Cultural) in partnership with The Kensington Stewards (TKS) and Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY have been hosting workshops at Avenue C Plaza that celebrate the many cultures of Kensington. Every weekend, community members have had the opportunity to work with local artists and cultural organizations to learn new skills, practice a new art form, and enjoy the breadth of heritages that make Kensington so special.

At this year’s concert, artists include multigenerational dancers from the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) as well as returning artists like Yacouba Sissoko, a Malian instrumentalist who plays the mesmerizing and tranquil Kora, as well as Ballet Nepantla Sin Fronteras, an energizing dance group that combines modern and traditional Mexican dance.

The Kensington Cultural Council will also be welcoming two new groups to the showcase. Jenny Luna and Kane Mathis will introduce the audience to Turkish music while the Brooklyn Nomads, a modern day Arab music collective, will play their favorite songs from across the Middle East.

“We’re so excited to welcome these incredible artists to the Avenue C Plaza,” says Hasiba Haq, Program Director with Arts & Democracy. “The collective programming on the plaza this past June and the culmination of our work with this concert is a true celebration of what immigrants contribute to this country and to Kensington. Their customs, culture, and art reminds us of our shared values as well as the beauty of our differences.”

The concert is open and free for all to attend.

Location + programming info:
Avenue C Plaza is located at the intersection of McDonald Ave and Ave C in Kensington and is accessible via the F/G trains at Church Ave and the B67 bus.

Weekly program listings can be found on the Ave C Plaza Facebook page.

Twitter: #AveCPlaza Facebook: https://facebook.com/avecplaza/ Or @avecplaza.

Programming on the Avenue C Plaza is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Small Business Services, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L Adams. It is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Special thanks to City Councilmember Brad Lander for his ongoing support.
 

AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 12 JUNE MEETING

F AND G TRAINS WILL SKIP LOCAL STATIONS THIS WEEKEND

Due to track maintenance from Friday, June 21st, at 9:45 p.m., through Monday, June 24th, at 9:45 p.m., F and G Queens-bound trains will skip the Fort Hamilton Parkway, 15th Street-Prospect Park, and 4th Avenue-9th Street stations in Brooklyn.

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

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

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Due to signal improvements from Saturday, June 22nd, at 6:45 a.m. through Sunday, June 23rd, at 7:00 p.m., Jamaica-bound F trains will skip the Avenue U, Avenue P, Avenue N, Bay Parkway, Avenue I, and Ditmas Avenue stations in Brooklyn.

For service to these stations, take the F to Kings Highway, 18th Avenue, or Church Avenue and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F.

For service from these stations, take the F to 18th Avenue, Kings Highway, or Avenue X and transfer to a Jamaica-bound F.

KITE MAKING AND DECORATING (FREE)

Kite-making for All Ages

Saturday, June 22nd, noon to 4:00 p.m.

Kites are a popular part of cultures all around the world. Join Jill Reinier of The Singing Winds to make and decorate your own easy-to-fly Delta kite.

Free kite kits to create birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and more will be available, followed by kite-flying lessons. Use the kites to showcase your own heritage and creativity.

Join Singing Winds tomorrow, Saturday, June 22nd, from noon to 4:00 p.m., for a free kite-making workshop.

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

KEEPING KENSINGTON PLAZA NEIGHBORHOOD-FRIENDLY: A WALK-THROUGH WITH NEIGHBORS AND PARTNERS (FREE)

Kensington Plaza Walk-through with Neighbors and Partners

Wednesday, June 26th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Take a walk through Kensington Plaza and speak with representatives of the city agencies and organizational partners whose goal is to maintain and improve the plaza as a clean, accessible, and safe neighborhood space. Learn how you and other neighbors can contribute to that work.

The city agencies and organizational partners are Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE), Department of Transportation (DOT), The Horticultural Society of New York, Sector D 66th Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), and Breaking Ground. 

Shahana Hanif, Director of Organizing and Community Engagement in the Office of New York City Councilmember Brad Lander, will host the event on Wednesday, June 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

RSVP by sending an e-mail to Shahana Hanif at shanif @ council.nyc. gov.

Location
Kensington Plaza
Beverley Road, at its intersection with Church Avenue, in front of Walgreens
Kensington, Brooklyn

66TH PRECINCT AND ITS NEW COMMANDER WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK

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

The public can report crimes and other policing matters in Kensington, Borough Park, and Midwood at the upcoming 66th Precinct Community Council meeting.

The 66th Precinct's new commanding officer, Deputy Inspector James King, will update residents on recent crimes in those neighborhoods, but the input of people who live within the boundaries of the precinct is also 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, June 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

WIN TWO TICKETS TO A ROLLING STONES CONCERT

The Rolling Stones are bringing their No Filter tour to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and you can win two tickets to see them.

They'll be performing "Sympathy For The Devil," "Paint It Black," "Brown Sugar," "Miss You," "It’s Only Rock N Roll," and many more.

The tickets, valued at $500, are for Monday, August 5th, at 8:00 p.m.

Enter to win by purchasing ten raffle tickets for $10, 30 for $25, 75 for $50, or 200 for $100. Tickets can be purchased at Sean Casey Animal Rescue or https://go.rallyup.com/stones.

The raffle winner will also receive two Rolling Stones VooDoo Lounge t-shirts. 

The drawing will be held on July 21st at 6:00 p.m. The winner, who doesn't have to be at the drawing to win, will be notified by phone and e-mail. The prize can then be picked up at Sean Casey Animal Rescue, or it can be mailed.

All proceeds will be used to benefit Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Brooklyn's non-profit, no-kill shelter. It's located at 153 E. 3rd Street, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue, in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn.

STREET FAIR ON CHURCH AVENUE

Church Avenue Spring Street Fair

Sunday, June 16th, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Church Avenue Spring Street Fair will feature food, games, rides, and shopping. Presented by Meteor Festivals, the street fair will take place on Sunday, June 16th, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It'll run from McDonald Avenue to E. 3rd Street in Kensington.

FREE PAINTING WORKSHOP FOR ALL AGES

Paint Outside the Box

Saturday, June 15th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Paint on heavy paper with abandon at "Paint Outside the Box." Guided by neighborhood artist Diana Sanzone, participants will use washable tempera paints and sponges on an 8-foot easel to create murals with their neighbors.

This event is free and open to the public. All materials will be supplied at no charge to participants. The workshop is for adults and children. 

Location
Avenue C Plaza
Avenue C at McDonald Avenue, near the northeast corner of the intersection
Kensington, Brooklyn
https://www.facebook.com/avecplaza
 

OPEN PUBLIC MEETING OF COMMUNITY BOARD 7 (WINDSOR TERRACE AND SUNSET PARK): JUNE MEETING AGENDA

UPDATE: The presentation by the Department of Transportation on the Fort Hamilton Parkway protected bike lane has been postponed until the September meeting.

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Community Board 7 Public Meeting

                     Wednesday, June 19th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The regular monthly public meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, June 19th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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 May 15, 2019
5. Presentation: New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on worker rights
6. Public comment
7. Committee reports:

    A) Ad Hoc Committee on Census 2020 (No Vote Required)
       1) Planning for June 12th job fair with Community Board 7 and Congressmember Nydia Velázquez
       2) Outreach plan for 2020 census

    B) Ability and Access Committee (No Vote Required)
       1) Presentation by NY Connects on programs for those who require long-term services and support needs

    C) Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness Issue (No Vote Required)
       1) Discuss plans for a town hall meeting
       2) Follow-up on plans to meet with shelter managers

    D) Public Safety Committee (Vote Required)
       1) Liquor license application with alterations and change in method of operation for Urban Soccer Brooklyn Holding, LLC d/b/a/ Socceroof, located at 14 53rd Street, 3rd floor
       2) New liquor license for Liberty Belle LLC, an excursion vessel to be docked at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Pier 4, located at 80 58th Street

    E) Land Use/Landmarks Committee (No Vote Required)
       1) Review of the 2018 town hall meeting discussing the impact of the Industry City rezoning application and community needs assessment reports

    F) Transportation Committee
       1) Presentation by the Department of Transportation about electric vehicle fast-charging stations in Community District 7
       2) Presentation by the Department of Transportation on the Fort Hamilton Parkway protected bike lane
       3) Presentation by the Economic Development Corporation on its proposal for a one-way conversion on 1st and 2nd avenues from 39th to 58th streets

8. Elected officials/representatives
9. District Manager’s report
10. Chairperson’s report
11. Old business
12. New business
13. Public comment
14. Adjournment

Meeting location
Community Board 7 Office
4201 4th Avenue
entrance on 43rd Street
Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY 11232

phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
e-mail: bk07 @ cb.nyc.gov
website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225 

ANTI-HARASSMENT TRAINING FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

Upstander Demo

Saturday, June 15th, noon to 2:00 p.m.

Someone is being harassed. It may be you. Or it may be someone nearby.

If you're at the receiving end of harassment--because of your gender, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, nationality, etc.--a workshop at Avenue C Plaza on Saturday, June 15th, from noon to 2:00 p.m., will teach you verbal, emotional, and physical techniques to equip you to face hate and violence through the use of de-escalation skills and basic self-defense.

Or you may be a bystander who becomes an upstander, a witness to harassment who decides not to look away or stand by and watch but, instead, uses safe methods to change the nature of the confrontation.

The two approaches combined offer unique and critical options for keeping ourselves and our fellow New Yorkers as safe as possible and mitigating violence.

Zola Z Bruce, the Associate Director of Communications and Impact at Brooklyn's Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), will lead the workshop.

-- The Kensington Stewards

Location
Avenue C Plaza
Avenue C at McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn

PROSPECT PARK LAKE HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF TOXINS

UPDATE
On August 11 and August 18, 2019, at 8:00 p.m., the New York City Parks Department observed and reported to the New York State of Department of Environmental Conservation the continued widespread, or lakewide, presence of high toxins--HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) in Prospect Park Lake.

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June 7, 2019

Toxins are flourishing in Prospect Park Lake. The toxins--Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)--are reported to be "widespread or lakewide." 

Every year, starting in June, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) notifies the public about these HABs. Bear in mind that some bodies of water that have HABs may not have been reported to DEC, so avoid contact with floating mats, scums, and discolored water.

The specific HABs in Prospect Park Lake are blue-green algae blooms or BGA (cyanobacteria). They can make water look like pea soup or like green, blue, or red paint. Or, mats of blue or green pond scum may be floating on the water surface or may 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) website. 

When the blooms are widespread, as they currently are in Prospect Park Lake, they can affect either the entire lake, a large portion of the lake, or most to all of the shoreline.

Prospect Park Lake is monitored for blooms every week. Adults, children, and dogs should not go into the lake or near the shoreline. If you or a pet have been in contact with a HAB, rinse thoroughly with soap and water or just with clean water, if that's all that's available to you.

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

Possible effects of the toxins on living creatures are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin or throat irritation, allergic reactions, and 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 website.

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.

Prospect Park Alliance is going to create a natural filtration system that would stem the growth of algae blooms.

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY

On Sunday, June 9th, and Monday, June 10th, alternate side of the street parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended for Shavuot.

Parking meter regulations and all other regulations will be in effect.

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

KENSINGTON'S COPS WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK

Community Safety Meeting
with Police Officers Assigned to Kensington and Ditmas
Wednesday, June 5th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) assigned to the 66th Precinct's Sector D (Kensington and Ditmas) will meet with residents at a community safety meeting on Wednesday, June 5th, at 7:00 p.m. The doors will be opened at 6:30 p.m. to serve refreshments.

The NCOs are Police Officer Viviane Perrone (phone: (917) 863-5169, e-mail: viviane.perrone @ nypd.org) and Police Officer Karol Smiarowski (phone: (917) 826-6569, e-mail: karol.smiarowski @ nypd.org.
 
For the past few years, the NYPD has divided precincts into sectors as part of its new policing model, which it calls "community policing." The four sectors within the 66th Precinct are Sector A or Adam, Sector B or Boy, Sector C or Charlie, and Sector D or David.

The boundaries of Sector D are Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue to the north, Coney Island Avenue to the east, 18th Avenue and Avenue F to the south, and McDonald Avenue and 37th Street to the west.

The officers will update the community about public safety issues in the neighborhood. They'll answer your questions and listen to your concerns, complaints, and suggestions about assaults and robberies on the street, home burglaries, packages stolen from porches and lobbies, street safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and any other issues.

Location 
Christ Apostolic Church
622 Cortelyou Road at E. 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

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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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NYPD66pct/posts/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct or @66precinctcc
 

WINDSOR TERRACE'S COPS WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC NEXT WEEK

"Build the Block" Neighborhood Policing and Summer Safety Meeting

Wednesday, June 12th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Doors Open at 6:00 for Refreshments

The Neighborhood Coordination Officers assigned to the 72nd Precinct's Sector A (Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, and South Slope) will meet with residents and business owners at the next "Build the Block" neighborhood policing and safety meeting.

Join Detective Specialist Daniel McGrath and Police Officer Francis Ghanney at Church of the Holy Apostle on Wednesday, June 12th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as they update the community about public safety issues in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, and South Slope, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns, complaints, and suggestions.

The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for refreshments to be served.

Contact information for the officers:

• Detective Specialist Daniel McGrath: (917) 853-2601, daniel.mcgrath @ nypd.org

• Police Officer Francis Ghanney: (929) 343-7645, francis.ghanney @ nypd.org

Meeting location
Church of the Holy Apostle
612 Greenwood Avenue
between Prospect Avenue and E. 7th Street
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

72nd Precinct contact information
Phone number: (718) 965-6311
web page: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/72nd-precinct.page
CompStat report (crime statistics): http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-072pct.pdf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD72Pct
Facebook page for 72nd Precinct:  https://www.facebook.com/NYPD72pct/
Facebook page for 72nd Precinct Community Council: https://www.facebook.com/72nd-Precinct-Community-Council-1611883092371304