CLEAN-UP ON MCDONALD AND CHURCH AVENUES HAS BEEN SCHEDULED

Clean-up on McDonald and Church Avenues

Saturday, October 5th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Do you love a clean Kensington? McDonald Avenue and Church Avenue will get cleaned up this weekend, and everyone in the neighborhood is invited to pitch in!

The Kensington Stewards (TKS) invite you to join your friends and neighbors at Avenue C Plaza (at the intersection of Avenue C and the east side of McDonald Avenue--map), grab a broom and some trash bags, put on a TKS Trash Mob t-shirt, and do an autumn cleaning.

Kensington Trash Mob 2.0 will cover McDonald from Avenue C to the Kensington Post Office as well as Church to the east and west of Kensington Plaza and the F/G Church Avenue subway station.

The Kensington Stewards, who manage the Kensington and Avenue C plazas, are sponsoring this effort to make Kensington beautiful again.

"OUR CLIMATE CRISIS, OUR COMMUNITY" WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW? WHAT CAN WE DO? (A FREE EVENT)

Our Climate Crisis, Our Community:
A Kensington/Flatbush Conversation about

Climate, Community, and Creating Change
Friday, October 4th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

We are in the midst of a mass extinction event. Scientists say we are experiencing abrupt climate breakdown. We are all threatened by this unprecedented ecological crisis. 

"Our Climate Crisis, Our Community: A Kensington/Flatbush Conversation about Climate, Community, and Creating Change" will cover these topics and concerns:

• The latest climate science and its global justice context
• First person: What the climate crisis means for my family
• What do fires in the Amazon have to do with glacial retreat in Asia?
• Building community ties and resilience in Kensington/Flatbush
• What we can do together to change course.
  

Our neighbors and community organizers Kashif Hussain and Shahana Hanif will join Bhumika Muchhala and Richard McLachlan, climate activists with Extinction Rebellion Flatbush, for this important discussion about everybody's future on Friday, October 4th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The free event is open to all. It is co-sponsored by Pakistani American Youth Society and Extinction Rebellion Flatbush. 

Event location
PAYS Community Center
1001 Newkirk Avenue, at Coney Island Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn

LIVE MUSIC TODAY IN KENSINGTON PLAZA (FREE)

The delightful sounds of the hammered dulcimer and hand drums will fill the autumn air at a free live performance this afternoon (Saturday, September 28th) in Kensington Plaza. This will be the first performance in the Music in the Plaza series.

The flowers in the plaza are in full bloom, and seating is available on the plaza's benches and granite blocks.

Members of Mecca Bodega will perform from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the percussive-driven band on its website at http://www.meccabodega.com.

Location
Kensington Plaza 
114 Beverley Road (in front of Walgreens)
between McDonald Avenue and E. 2nd Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

TOXINS ARE STILL THRIVING IN PROSPECT PARK LAKE

Toxins flourishing in Prospect Park Lake are still "widespread or lakewide." New York City's Parks Department observed and reported the ongoing condition as recently as September 23rd to New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The DEC's map shows the location of the HABs throughout the state.

The toxins are "Harmful Algal Blooms" (HABs). The ones found in Prospect Park Lake are blue-green algae blooms or BGA (cyanobacteria). They can make water resemble pea soup. The water can be blue-green, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red. It can resemble paint.

Or, mats of blue or green pond scum might be floating on the water surface accumulate along the shoreline.

When the blooms are widespread, they can affect either the entire lake, a large portion of the lake, or most to all of the shoreline.

"Prospect Park's Lake, waterfalls and other water features are fed by the city water supply. Phosphates in the water, which make it safe for us to drink, lead to excessive algae growth." 

            "Prospect Park Alliance Tackles Toxic Algae Bloom"

Every year, starting in June, Prospect Park Lake and other bodies of water in New York State are monitored for blooms weekly. Bear in mind, however, that some bodies of water with HABs might not have been reported to the DEC, so people and animals should avoid contact with all floating mats, scum, and discolored water.

Adults, children, dogs, and other animals should not go into the lake or near the shoreline. Anyone who has been in contact with a HAB should rinse thoroughly with soap and water--or just with clean water, if that's all that's available at the moment.

Anyone who might have been exposed to a bloom and is experiencing any symptoms should get medical help immediately and should also contact the New York City Department of Health (DOH).

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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says

• If your animal gets in water with a bloom, immediately wash it off with clean water. Do not let the animal lick cyanobacteria off of its fur.

• Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any of these symptoms of cyanobacteria poisoning: loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, stumbling and falling, foaming at the mouth, diarrhea, convulsions, excessive drooling, tremors and seizures, or any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water.

Prospect Park Alliance will be creating a natural filtration system to stem the growth of algae blooms.

PARKING REGULATIONS CHANGE FOR ROSH HASHANAH

Alternate side of the street parking regulations will be suspended on Monday, September 30th, and Tuesday, October 1st, for Rosh Hashanah.

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

VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE AT KENSINGTON PLAZA

Kensington Voter Registration Drive

Tuesday, September 24th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

On the occasion of National Voter Registration Day, Shetu Inc. will register citizens who are eligible to vote. Register as a voter so that you can vote for your preferred candidate in the upcoming primaries and general elections. In addition to voter registration, you can also change your voter registration information and discuss community issues.

Location
Kensington Plaza
110 Beverley Road
between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

DON'T BE AFRAID..........TO ATTEND THE HOWL-O-WEEN PARTY AT SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

YOU'RE INVITED! SUNDAY, OCT 20th IS OUR 12th ANNUAL HOWL-O-WEEN BARK BLOCK PARTY! You're invited to attend our Halloween fundraiser and adoption event, hosted by Q104.3 Radio DJ Maria Milito. Everyone is welcome, admission is free! On Sunday, October 20th, 12pm-5pm, we will close off the street in front of our shelter (153 East 3rd St, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn) and throw a fun, family-friendly day-long party! *Enjoy games, contests, prizes & activities for adults, kids and pups.   Start planning now for the Kids Costume Contest & Pet Costume Contest! *Face painting and tattoos at the Goblins & Ghouls parlor. * Face painting and games with HAPPY the CLOWN Entertainment * Brooklyn Children's Theatre will host a mask decorating table featuring dog and cat masks and all the tools you'll need to make them super-tacular! * Twisted balloon designs by Flames Cagney of DM Stellar Amusements * Hula-hooper Fannieka Dawkins will perform at 12:30 p.m. and teach a hoop class afterwards.   *Smooch-a-pooch at our Doggie Kissing Booth.    *Take chances on over 70 fabulous raffle prizes! Themed baskets, event tickets, restaurant gift cards, jewelry from Gurhan and lots more!    *DJ music and LIVE performances by   Baron Misuraca's Vampire Lounge, circus performer and comedian extraordinaire Roller Boogies, Kristin West's skating duo Kit & KaPoodle, the Silent But Deadly mimes  and more...   *Visit a variety of animal welfare information tables - including veterinarians, dog training, grooming, dog walkers & pet care - to get expert pet advice.   *Have your family portrait taken by James Morrissey, the official portrait photographer of the Westminster Dog Show, at Brooklyn Bark's Phantasm Photo Booth.   *Taste your way through a smorgasbord of delicious food and sweets. Be sure to make your way to the Der Pioneer table!   * Check out fabulous merch from Funari New York, Lola Star, Vivi S Creations and more!    *Plus, it's our biggest adoption event of the year! Find your newest family member with help from our adoption specialists.  All proceeds from this event benefit Sean Casey Animal Rescue.  We look forward to seeing you there!  For updates, please check out our Howl-o-ween Event page.    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We need lots of volunteers for the day of the event and beforehand to distribute flyers and postcards! Plus we can use some baked goods and a few more raffle prizes. If you would like to donate your time, baked goods or a prize please email maria.bowen@nyanimalrescue.org. Thank you! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Location Sean Casey Animal Rescue 153 E. 3rd Street between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway on the border of Windsor Terrace and Kensington (718) 436-5163 nyanimalrescue @ yahoo.com http://nyanimalrescue.org http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html https://www.facebook.com/SeanCaseyAnimalRescue https://twitter.com/nyanimalrescue https://www.instagram.com/nyanimalrescue

FLEA MARKET TO BENEFIT EAST 4TH STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN THIS WEEKEND

Fall Flea Market

Saturday, September 21st, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 22nd, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The East Fourth Street Community Garden invites you to find treasures in its "trash" at the biannual flea market. This is the garden's biggest moneymaking event of the year.

This year, the fall flea market will take place on Saturday, September 21st, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Items for sale will include books, clothing, toys, housewares, and knickknacks. The gardeners will also be selling pumpkins, chrysanthemums, and baked goods.

Two workshops will be offered on Saturday: toddler music at 11:30 a.m. with Joanne Riel of Flying Teapot Music and a writing workshop at 2:00 p.m. with Micky Shorr.

While you're there, see how good the garden looks in the fall.

The garden is open to the public from April through October on

• Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.,
• Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
• Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and
• whenever the garden gate is open.

Location 
East Fourth Street Community Garden
173 E. 4th Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

FAMILY SHELTER IN KENSINGTON NEEDS CLOTHES, DIAPERS, AND TOILETRIES

This is what the families at the Kensington family shelter need right now:

• clothing for the fall and winter for boys and girls, from infant sizes to 5T and 6 to 16,
• coats for adults and children,
• warm/waterproof boots for adults and children,
• diapers, sizes 3-4-5-6,
• tampons and pads, and
• toiletries (full size or travel size, unopened).

 

Only donate clothing that's in very good to like-new condition, meaning that the clothes have no holes, stains, missing buttons, etc.

 

The folks at the shelter don't need any housewares, baby gear, bedding, furniture, or toys at this time. The shelter has limited storage, so items that aren't on this list will either not be accepted or will be discarded.

 

Drop off any of the items on the list before 7:00 p.m. any day between now and October 1st, to the attention of Uniquia Parker.

The Kensington family shelter is located at 385 McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue, across the street from Foodtown, in Kensington, Brooklyn.

POLICE SERVING WINDSOR TERRACE WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC TOMORROW

"Build the Block" Neighborhood Policing Meeting

Thursday, September 19th, 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 Holy Name of Jesus Church on Thursday, September 19th, 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
Holy Name of Jesus Church
245 Prospect Park West
between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue
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

BILLIARDS AND GAMES NIGHT FOR ALL

Billiards and Games Night

Thursdays, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Play billiards and games on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Flatbush Jewish Center's 2nd floor pool room.

BYOB, and bring $5 to cover pizza/snacks.

This is a neighborhood event that's open to everyone.

Location  
Flatbush Jewish Center 
327 E. 5th Street 
corner of Church Avenue 
Kensington, Brooklyn

66TH PRECINCT POLICE WILL MEET WITH THE COMMUNITY THIS WEEK

66th Precinct Community Council Monthly Public Meeting
Thursday, September 19th, 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 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, September 19th, 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

DEADLY FUNGUS HAS INFECTED PATIENTS AT KENSINGTON NURSING AND REHAB CENTER

Deadly fungus Candida Auris has infected or is being carried by at least thirty-nine patients at Palm Gardens Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation. A year ago, that number was six.

The skilled nursing facility is located at 615 Avenue C, at the corner of E. 7th Street, in Kensington, Brooklyn.

Patients either picked up the yeast-like fungus at Palm Gardens or already had it when they transferred there from another facility, such as one patient who contracted it at Maimonides Medical Center.

Medicare rates Palm Gardens as below average on health inspections, below average on staffing, and average on quality measures. But that doesn't mean that the pathogen isn't also present in higher-rated facilities.

Infection is rare in healthy people.

"Patients who have been hospitalized in a healthcare facility a long time, have a central venous catheter, or other lines or tubes entering their body, or have previously received antibiotics or antifungal medications, appear to be at highest risk of infection with this yeast.

"Specialized laboratory methods are needed to accurately identify C. auris. Conventional laboratory techniques could lead to misidentification and inappropriate management, making it difficult to control the spread of C. auris in healthcare settings."
            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Candida Auris is a global problem. It lives on the skin as well as inside the body and spreads easily. It is contracted by either direct contact between people or contact with contaminated surfaces.

It causes serious infections, is often multi-drug resistant, is difficult to identify, and has caused outbreaks in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.

"Symptoms might not be noticeable because patients infected with C. auris are often already sick in the hospital with another serious illness or condition. The symptoms of C. auris infection depend on the body part that is affected. For bloodstream infections, the most common symptoms are fever and chills."
             Virginia Department of Health

In the U.S., the fungus was first detected in 2015. In New York State, 396 people are known to be infected and 496 are carriers of the fungus but haven't exhibited symptoms at this time.

"We detected 51 clinical and 61 screening cases. All but 1 of the clinical cases from New York were diagnosed in NYC: 21 from 7 hospitals in Brooklyn, 16 from 3 hospitals and 1 private medical office in Queens, 12 from 5 hospitals and 1 long-term acute care hospital in Manhattan, and 1 from a hospital in the Bronx. One clinical case was identified in a western New York hospital in a patient who had recently been admitted to an involved Brooklyn hospital.

Of the 51 clinical case-patients, 31 (61%) had resided in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) immediately before being admitted to the hospital in which their infection was diagnosed, and 19 of these 31 resided in skilled nursing facilities with ventilator beds (VSNFs); 1 (2%) resided in a long-term acute care hospital; 5 (10%) had been transferred from another hospital; and 4 (8%) had traveled internationally within 5 years before diagnosis."

"Candida auris in Healthcare Facilities, New York, USA, 2013–2017" National Institutes of Health

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 2019

                           Community Board 7 Public Meeting
             Wednesday, September 18th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

The regular monthly public meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, September 18th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the board office at 4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street).

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 June 19, 2019
5. Public Comment
6. Committee Reports:
    A) Public Safety and Sanitation & Environment Joint Committee Meeting
       1. Presentation by UPROSE on an alternative plan for the waterfront
    B) Immigration Committee
       1. Presentation on the Industry City rezoning application in Chinese
    C) Ability and Access with Transportation Joint Committee Meeting
       1. Interactive community visioning workshop focusing on the future of pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety and accessibility on the 3rd Avenue corridor connected to the proposed Industry City rezoning and future developments along the waterfront
    D) Housing Committee
       1. Multi-media exhibit on displacement
       2. Personal experiences of residents affected by gentrification
    E) Education/Youth Committee
       1. Review 197a section on Community Facilities and Services/Quality of Life that discusses education and workforce opportunities and how that related to Industry City’s rezoning proposal
       2. Conversation with Liliana Polo-McKenna, CEO of Opportunities for A Better Tomorrow
       3. Additional presentation TBA
7. Elected Officials and Representatives
8. District Manager’s Report
9. Chairperson’s Report
10. Old Business
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

WINDSOR COFFEE IS READY FOR THE CHANGE OF SEASONS

The owners of Windsor Coffee, Karen and Mark Newfeld, are welcoming everyone back after a great summer. You'll notice that they have some new additions, including a swing sign, window logo, and solar shades to manage the morning glare.

In addition to serving fine hot and cold Oslo coffee specialties and a selection of gourmet teas, they are straddling the seasons with cold brew, hot chocolate, and pumpkin spice lattes.

They continue to offer delicious baked goods from La Bagel Delight and Colson Patisserie.

Stop by and enjoy their offerings while supporting a neighbor-owned and operated local, independent, small business.

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/pg/Windsor-Coffee-1917585921857432/posts/?ref=page_internal