PESTICIDE WILL BE SPRAYED TO REDUCE WEST NILE VIRUS IN BROOKLYN

Update: Spraying has been postponed until September 7th/8th.

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

Pesticide Spraying

Tuesday, September 6th, between 8:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of West Nile virus, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) will conduct mosquito adulticide treatments in parts of Brooklyn. DOH sprays in neighborhoods where its surveillance has found an increasing number of mosquitoes that are infected with West Nile virus.

"West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile virus can infect humans, birds, horses and other mammals."

To kill adult mosquitoes, trucks will spray pesticides between 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6th, and 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7th. If spraying is delayed because of bad weather, it'll be done during the same hours on Wednesday, September 7th/Thursday, September 8th.

DOH states that very low concentrations of Anvil® 10+10 or Duet® will be used and that the risks associated with these pesticides for mosquito control are low to people and pets. The active ingredients in Anvil are sumithrin and piperonyl butoxide. In Duet, they're sumithrin and prallethrin.

However, some people who are sensitive to the spray's ingredients could experience short-term eye or throat irritation or a rash. People who have respiratory conditions, such as asthma, could also be affected. If you have a stronger reaction to the pesticide after it's been sprayed, call the New York City Poison Control Center. Its phone number is 212-POISONS (212-764-7667).

How to keep yourself safe while spraying is being done:

• Stay indoors, whenever it's possible. 
• Keep doors and windows closed for thirty to sixty minutes after spraying is finished.
• If you keep your air conditioner on, you might want to either close its vents or use the recirculate function. 

What to do after spraying has been completed:

• Wash any skin and clothing that's been exposed to the pesticides with soap and water. 
• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly with water before cooking or eating them. 

How to reduce your exposure to mosquitoes:

• Use an approved insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under 3), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535. 
• Make sure that windows have screens and repair or replace any that have tears or holes. 
• Eliminate all standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Having standing water on your property is a violation of the New York City Health Code. 
• Make sure your roof gutters are clean and are draining properly. 
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered when they aren't in use. Drain the water that collects in the pool covers. 

If you see standing water, you can report it by calling 311 or visiting https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02298. 

For more information about West Nile virus, call 311 or visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/west-nile-virus.page. 

Map of Pesticide Spraying Scheduled for Parts of Brooklyn on September 6th/7th

Neighborhoods 

Parts of Borough Park, Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gowanus, Greenwood Heights, Kensington, Little Caribbean, Little Haiti, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope, Prospect Park, Prospect Park South, South Slope, Sunset Park, and Windsor Terrace. 

Boundaries

Bordered by Union Street, Eastern Parkway, Pitkin Avenue to the North; East New York Avenue, Utica Avenue to the East; Avenue D, Ditmas Avenue, 18 Avenue, 45 Street, Fort Hamilton Parkway, 52 Street to the South; and 3 Avenue to the West. 

Zip Codes 

Parts of 11203, 11204, 11213, 11215, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11225, 11226, and 11232

PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT PROPOSED DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC FROM PROSPECT EXPRESSWAY ONTO E. 5TH STREET AND CATON AVENUE

Linden Boulevard Detour

Update: From Assemblymember Carroll's September 26th newsletter:

It is clear from the meeting that the volume of traffic that DOT anticipates from this detour is inappropriate for East 5th Street and the already overburdened Caton Avenue. Community members and myself acknowledge that these repairs on the BQE are essential and must happen quickly, but we have specifically asked DOT to look at multiple alternate routes to fairly distribute this traffic burden, as well as to provide traffic agents at East 5th Street, 20th Street, Caton Avenue, and any other area in Windsor Terrace, Kensington or Prospect Park South that will be impacted by these detours.

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

Update: Community Board 14's video of the meeting is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFUMMEJKnY8. The meeting begins at minute 9:30.

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

Update: Community Board 14 will livestream the meeting on its YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFUMMEJKnY8.

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

Update:

Meeting Location

Gymnatorium 

2nd floor (accessible by elevator)

(The Parkside Educational Complex, P.S. 130/M.S. 839)

713 Caton Avenue

between E. 7th and E. 8th streets

Windsor Terrace/Kensington, Brooklyn

Register for the meeting and also submit any questions you have at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/116D59kdMEJdUpjFyZL5TUuBqpcY91S4QEDQ9NEtIIMM/viewform?pli=1&pli=1&edit_requested=true, by sending an e-mail to Assemblymember Carroll's office at CarrollR@nyassembly.gov, or by calling his office at (718) 788-7221.

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

Public Meeting about Proposed Detour 

onto E. 5th Street and Caton Avenue

Thursday, September 22nd, 6:30 p.m.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is planning interim repairs to the BQE in 2023 that would temporarily dump every southbound car and truck--including tractor trailers and other oversized trucks--from the Prospect Expressway onto E. 5th Street and Caton Avenue. 

Assemblymember Robert Carroll will host a public meeting with DOT about the controversial detour plan on Thursday, September 22nd, at 6:30 p.m., along with Brooklyn Community Boards 7, 12, and 14 and City Councilmembers Shahana Hanif and Rita Joseph. Join them and the Transportation Committees of the three Community Boards for DOT's presentation about the proposed interim repairs and detours.

The DOT proposal would divert every southbound vehicle from the Prospect Expressway onto E. 5th Street--a narrow, one-way street--from Greenwood Avenue to Caton Avenue. Traffic would then turn left onto Caton Avenue. 

This diversion is intended to facilitate repair work on the BQE, which will be done on unspecified overnights and on three unspecified weekends (Saturdays at 2:00 a.m. until Mondays at 4:00 a.m.) from March 2023 through October 2023. 

DOT made a PowerPoint presentation to Community Boards 2 and 6, posted at Microsoft PowerPoint - 202200621_Public Outreach_Interim Repairs_For Distribution (cb14brooklyn.com). The proposal for E. 5th Street and Caton Avenue is shown on the map on page 42.

Video of the meeting at which the PowerPoint was presented to Community Board 2's Transportation & Public Safety Committee on June 16th is posted on YouTube here, starting at 1:02:04. Its presentation to Community Board 6's Transportation/Public Safety Committee on June 21st is posted on YouTube here. 

Streetsblog, in its June 27th article "Carmageddon Likely from BQE Repair Work as DOT Will Detour Trucks into Residential Neighborhoods," reports

"One major eyebrow-raiser in the plan: When Queens-bound lanes are closed, freight traffic will be rerouted along Linden Boulevard after a circuitous detour from the highway’s Prospect Expressway exit around Prospect Park and to the east via Caton Avenue." 

On June 29th, Robert Carroll, New York State Assemblymember for the 44th Assembly District, shared his reaction on social media:

"The East 5th St and Caton Ave truck detour during the planned weekend and night closures of the BQE triple cantilever is unacceptable.

These residential blocks cannot bear the burden of all this traffic. Every community should help carry the load. I’ll be writing a letter and discussing alternate routes with NYC DOT to make sure this plan doesn’t go into effect when construction starts in March."

On June 30th, Assemblymember Carroll followed up with this post:

"After the announcement of NYC DOT’s plan to detour the vast majority of the BQE’s trucks during the closure of the BQE triple cantilever - I immediately wrote a letter and called DOT to express my concern and proactively devise a better plan.

Know that this plan is only a proposal, and my office will do everything in our power to make sure all of Brooklyn shoulders this truck traffic and not just Windsor Terrace and Kensington."

Below is Assemblymember Carroll's letter to DOT:

Streetsblog posted a second article on July 13th entitled "Community Leaders Slam DOT for Planned BQE Detours."

FOOD PANTRY OPEN TO ALL NEIGHBORS AT IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH

 

The food pantry at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (IHM) serves its Windsor Terrace and Kensington neighbors who are in need.

The pantry distributes non-perishable items, such as cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, tuna fish, crackers, non-refrigerated (UHT) milk (Parmalat or other brands), and other non-perishable goods as well as personal care items. Donations of these items are gratefully received.

Donations of heavy-duty reusable grocery bags to distribute the food, such as the ones from Fresh Direct and other delivery services, are also appreciated. Bring your bags to the rectory (next to the church) and indicate that they are for the food pantry.

From the IHM website:

FOOD PANTRY

“To distribute food to those in need”

 

The IHM Food Pantry provides non-perishable food and personal care items to families and senior citizens in our parish and local community. During the holiday season, families also receive clothing, toys, and gifts. Emergency distributions are available when a local family is in crisis.

Our volunteers work together as a team to make sure the shelves are stocked, donations are picked up and brought to the food pantry, and ample bags are prepared and distributed to the recipients on a monthly basis.

From time to time, people do struggle to meet their financial obligations, and as a Christian community we are charged to care for the poor, elderly, needy, disabled, and homebound.

Donations are needed for distribution each month. Please place food donations in the baskets located in the side vestibules of the church.

The Food Pantry is supported by the generosity of our parishioners. For an application, or to volunteer time at the pantry, please contact G. Cassone by calling the Rectory at (718) 871-1310 ext.10.

For additional information, contact the parish office, located in the rectory. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is closed on holidays.

Location

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway

between E. 4th and E. 5th streets
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

one block from the Kensington border
phone (718) 871-1310

website https://ihm-brooklyn.org/

contact form https://ihm-brooklyn.org/about/contact

FREE BIKE REPAIR AT FINAL OPEN STREETS ON BEVERLEY ROAD

Free Bike Repair

Sunday, August 28th, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Get your bike looked at by experts from Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op and use tools and parts to fix it up. Free and open to all, no sign-up needed. From their website:

"The Mechanical Gardens holds public programming for do-it-yourself repair education and creates community-based workshops that empower every bike rider to take charge of their mobility."

The block of Beverley Road between E. 2nd Street and Church Avenue is part of DOT's Open Streets program on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Grand Opening was on Saturday, June 25th, and the last Open Street will be on Sunday, August 28th.

What is the Open Streets program? From "Open Streets" at https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openstreets.shtml: 

"New York City’s Open Streets program transforms streets into public space open to all. These transformations allow for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, and provide new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community.

NYC DOT works with community-based organizations, public, private, and charter schools, and groups of businesses to execute Open Streets citywide."

CURBSIDE LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULE FOR COMMUNITY BOARDS 7 AND 12

Curbside Leaf Collection

Sunday, November 20th, and Sunday, December 4th

The Sanitation Department will hold two special curbside leaf collection days in Community Boards 7 (Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park) and 12 (Kensington, Borough Park, part of Midwood) as well as in other Brooklyn Community Boards (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18). The first collection is scheduled for Sunday, November 20th, and the second for Sunday, December 4th.

Put fallen leaves at the curb after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 19th, and Saturday, December 3rd, preferably in thirty-gallon paper lawn and leaf bags or in rigid, unlined garbage cans labeled “yard waste.”

Homeowners and property owners are required to collect leaves on the sidewalks (including tree pits and grass strips) and 18" from the curb into the street in front of their property.

The leaves collected on these two days will be composted to nourish street trees, soil, and parks. On these two days, don't put the leaves in plastic bags.

Just as with the weekly curbside composting program, these special leaf collection days aren't for leaves, grass, branches, or yard clippings that are generated by hired professionals, who are required to bring them to a permitted composting facility.

For residents of Community Board 7, these two special collection days are in addition to being able to put their leaves curbside for pickup on their weekly Curbside Composting day. 

LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND ON PEOPLE'S PORCHES

   

Operation Gig! will provide outdoor, live music performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic, while providing a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

No entrance fee is charged, but donations to the musicians are welcome either at the performance or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.

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

Friday, August 26th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

303 Westminster Road

The Jefferson Hamer Trio

Primo Americana from one of the best in the city.

Saturday, August 27th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

121 Marlborough Road

Lulada Club

Lulada Club is an all-female salsa band currently playing live music in New York City. Vocalist and band leader, Andrea Chavarro, has curated a collective of vibrant New York-based musicians, each brilliant and accomplished in her own right. These women bring excitement and charm to the stage, their vibrant music and contagious energy will keep crowds dancing all night long!

Sunday, August 28th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

131 Buckingham Road

Art Baron & Friends

Art Baron joined the Duke Ellington band in August 1973 at the age of 23, the last trombonist Ellington ever hired. Previously, he had spent time on the road working with Buddy Rich, Stevie Wonder, and James Taylor. Since then, Baron has built a career as one of New York's most distinguished jazz, studio, and pit trombonists.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE TO BE REMOTE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 12TH

 

New York's COVID-19 disaster emergency status has been extended again, this time through September 12, 2022.

Executive Order No. 11.9 allows state and local government meetings--including community board meetings--that are normally held in person to be held remotely instead. 

The public has to be allowed to watch or listen to these meetings, the meeting has to be recorded, and the proceedings have to be transcribed later. Meetings can be held over a video service (like Zoom) or by phone. 

72ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING IN SEPTEMBER

72nd Precinct Community Council Public Meeting

Wednesday, September 14th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm.

 

Meet with the 72nd Precinct Community Council and the precinct's Commanding Officer (Deputy Inspector Ernesto Castro Jr.), its Community Affairs Officers, and its Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) in person on Wednesday, September 14th, from 7:30 p.m. to 8: 30 p.m. 

 

Everyone who lives or works in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park is invited to the meeting to discuss past crimes and what the precinct is doing to prevent future crimes. Learn about the types of crime that have been taking place, their frequency, why they were able to happen, and how to prevent them.

Members of the public are invited to voice their concerns about criminal activity: armed robberies, rape and other forms of sexual assaults, home break-ins, burglaries in local stores, bank robberies, speeding drivers, stolen bicycles, package theft, and any other crimes.

 

Meetings of the 72nd Precinct Community Council normally take place from September through June on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

To sign up to receive e-mail announcements of 72nd Precinct Community Council meetings, send an e-mail to 72nd Precinct Community Council President Tina Ponce at tinaponce76@gmail.com or call her at (570) 540-5016.

Location

Holy Name of Jesus Church

Shepherd's Hall

245 Prospect Park West

corner of Prospect Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

behind the church; enter through the parking lot

(map)

 

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

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

ALBEMARLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES, OCTOBER 2021

The Albemarle Neighborhood Association (ANA) had a recent zoom community meeting.
Here are the minutes:

Minutes of the Albermarle Neighborhood Association Meeting October 6, 2021
Larry Jayson: President
Diana Sanzone: Vice President
Peter Gomori: Treasurer
Jannette Katz Gomori: Secretary
Attendance on zoom : 19 people

CAMBA Shelter: Larry Jayson started the meeting by introducing Denise from the CAMBA shelter on MacDonald Ave. She gave an update on the services currently being provided to homeless adults and children. Services include liaison with local educational facilities, Brooklyn Public Library bookmobile once a week, recreational services, job search support, etc. Monthly newsletters provide a listing of neighborhood resources.

Questions were asked regarding when clients are supposed to be returning to the shelter during the evenings. The curfew times are 9 pm for families and 10 pm for adults.

Comments include praise for the way the shelter is run.

Volunteer opportunities are being created as fall programming continues. Donations gladly accepted include diapers for the 3 to 1 matching Diaper Program, meals that are individually wrapped, no perishables.

Efforts to clean up the front yard are being taken. Protocols for Covid are being observed as are provision of vaccinations.
Any concerns , please email denisel@camba.org

Motorbikes: a discussion of the danger of motorbikes on streets, and sidewalks, as well as in Prospect Park took place. The delivery service bikes as well as others often do not observe traffic rules and are not ticketed when they are in violation of rules. It was suggested that people boycott restaurants of delivery people who violate rules. This issue should be addressed in the upcoming mayoral administration as well as the City Council.

Clean-up on Ocean Parkway
Peter Gomori reported on recent efforts in clean up in collaboration with the NYC Parks Department.
Garbage cans have been placed. Funding of a job box has been gotten through grant money so that volunteers can continue clean up efforts. There is a noticeable improvement in the cleanliness of Ocean Parkway.

Looking towards the future, efforts to clean up local city streets is being considered by encouraging volunteer participation.
Safety of Streets: Complaints have been made regarding harassment by local people who hang out on Albermarle Road and are currently be addressed.

Robberies of catalytic converters: There has been an uptick in robberies of catalytic converters in cars. The robberies take less than 5 minutes and are difficult to report. An incident was discussed of a robbery that occurred in our neighborhood was reported by the car owner after she moved her car due to alternate side regulations and therefore the police refused to take the report since the car was moved. This was unjust and it was suggested that future complaints be made in person to the captain of the 66th precent.

Docks for CItibike: Complaints about the saturation of bike docks in our neighborhood were made. One of the attendees suggested that complaints be made to Lyft who owns citibikes. Of particular concern are the bike docks placed in the streets such as the dock on the intersection of Church Ave and MacDonald Ave. It is a concerning location for bus drivers and pedestrians.

Rite Aid: the vacant store on Church Ave has a lot of unsightly graffiti. Efforts to remove it were made by volunteers to partially remove some of the graffiti. It was realized that the job is a much bigger effort to undertake. Several attendees volunteered to paint over the graffiti. It was suggested that a mural be drawn in place of the graffiti.

Rite Aid still leases that property , according to an investigation.

Sterling Bank recently merged with Webster Bank. The merger with Webster bank was discussed as well as quality of services currently being provided.

A Zoom meeting with the current candidate for City Council for our district, Shahana Hanif was announced for Thursday, October 28 at 8 pm. Below is the link to register
https://forms.gle/4cCyXL6jfjHExXtr5

Regarding the Deli on Church Ave: it was reported that there is much sidewalk obstruction because of garbage outside a deli on Church Ave between East 4 and East 5 street. It will be brought to the attention of the community police .

Composting : Efforts to bring back the Brown Bins for composting have yet to be successful. There needs to be participation via signing on to a website to indicate a desire to do this. The Department of Sanitation is happy to send representatives to any community event to publicize the website and sign people up. The more willingness to participate , the greater likelihood that brown bins will be placed in our neighborhood. If you want a representative to come to a community event, please reach out to jodi.cook@corcoran.com.

Next Zoom ANA meeting will be in a month. Tentative date is Wednesday, November 17 at 6.30pm

Respectfully submitted by Jannette Katz Gomori

MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL BATH SALTS AND SHOWER SCRUB (FREE, OUTDOORS)

Make your Own Herbal Bath Salts and Shower Scrub

Wednesday, September 21st, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

At the free, outdoor event "Make your Own Herbal Bath Salts and Shower Scrub,"

"Learn how to make your own herbal sea salt scrub using the aromatherapy properties of herbs from the garden such as lavender and lemon balm. Participants will make a 4-ounce sea salt herbal scrub to use in the shower and bath. 

Facilitated by Marshallah Ramos-Inde (Bubbly Moon Naturals and Patchen Community Square Garden)."

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-your-own-herbal-bath-salts-and-shower-scrub-tickets-387068952657?fbclid=IwAR311uWWc8zpjEt2QuHvab3mbOWu4uRLLbk14up8Vq0YKdMRFB5A_ABJFQs.

Location

East 4th Street Community Garden

171 E. 4th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Windsor Terrace/Kensington, Brooklyn

https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475/

THIS WEEKEND'S LIVE PORCH CONCERTS

  

Operation Gig! will provide outdoor, live music performances on Saturday and Sunday. The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic, while providing a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

No entrance fee is charged, but donations to the musicians are welcome either at the performance or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.

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

Jazz with Gentile, Romano, Pavolka, Garcia

Saturday, August 13th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Local jazz musicians Michel Gentile, flutes; Tony Romano, guitar; Matt Pavolka, bass; and Rob Garcia, drums.

Location

34 Wellington Court

West Midwood/Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

Dominique Gagné and Cesar Garabini 

Sunday, August 14th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Flutist Dominique Gagné and 7-string guitarist Cesar Garabini have been exploring the world of Brazilian music together for the past 10 years. Their shows are a joyous and exuberant expression of Samba, Choro, Bossa Nova, Forró and Brazilian jazz, showcasing their virtuosity, while making the music inviting, accessible, and danceable."

Location

131 Buckingham Road

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

FREE READING SERIES IN KENSINGTON: WRITERS AND POETS READ FROM THEIR WORK

 

Ditmas Lit Reading Series

Wednesday, August 24th, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Ditmas Lit is a free monthly reading series in Kensington dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging and established writers in all genres. Sarah Bridgins and Lena Valencia are its hosts.

This month's edition features poet Eloisa Amezcua and writers Simona Blat, Carina del Valle Schorske, and Emily Zhou. They'll read at Hinterlands Bar on Wednesday, August 24th, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

From Ditmas Lit:

Eloisa Amezcua is from Arizona. Her second collection of poems, Fighting Is Like a Wife, was published by Coffee House Press (April 2022). Amezcua's debut collection, From the Inside Quietly, is the inaugural winner of the Shelterbelt Poetry Prize selected by Ada Limón. A MacDowell fellow, her poems and translations are published in New York Times Magazine, Poetry Magazine, Kenyon Review, Gulf Coast, and others.

Simona Blat is a Russian American writer from Brooklyn. She is the poetry editor at Epiphany magazine, and owner of Black Spring Books, a real life bookshop & literary social club. Somehow she also teaches writing at NYU and in whatever time is left, when she’s not reading or taking care of her blind dog, she tries to write.

Carina del Valle Schorske is a writer and literary translator based in Brooklyn. She's a Contributor to New York Times Magazine, and her first book, The Other Island, won a Whiting Nonfiction Award and is forthcoming from Riverhead.

Emily Zhou’s book of short stories is forthcoming from LittlePuss Press, and her writing has appeared in e-flux journal and a few other places. She was born in Michigan and lives in New York. 

Hinterlands Bar serves beer, wine, cocktails, and some food.

Location

Hinterlands Bar

739 Church Avenue

between E. 7th and E. 8th streets

Kensington, Brooklyn

(718) 633-0550

hinterlandsbar@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/hinterlandsbar

JAZZ CONCERT (FREE, OUTDOORS)

 

Jazz Concert: "You Hear Me Hear You"

Saturday, August 20th, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A free, outdoor jazz concert entitled "You Hear Me Hear You" will take place at Newkirk Community Garden this month. The performers will be Noa Fort (voice), Lathan Hardy (saxophone) Vinnie Sperrazza (drums), and JP Schlegelmilch (keys). 

The concert, sponsored by Brooklyn Arts Council, is scheduled for Saturday, August 20th, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Originally scheduled for July 24th, it was rescheduled because of the unhealthily high outdoor temperature that day.

Location

Newkirk Community Garden 

736 E. 8th Street (at Newkirk Avenue) 

Kensington, Brooklyn

phone: (347) 903-7297 

https://www.newkirkgarden.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1958333187626429

LIVE MUSIC ON PORCHES THIS WEEKEND

 

Operation Gig! will provide two outdoor, live music performances this weekend. The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic, while providing a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

No entrance fee is charged, but donations to the musicians are welcome either at the performance or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.

New Camerata Opera

Saturday, August 6th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Principal soloists from New Camerata, NYC’s most exciting young opera company, will offer serenades of some of the greatest musical masterpieces."

Location

726 Argyle Road

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

Dolunay

Sunday, August 7th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Since 2012, Dolunay has lured audiences with their approach to Turkish and Rumeli musical traditions. At once ethereal and grounded, Dolunay flirts with the soundscape of the ancient Ottomans, tracing its migration through Balkan villages, coaxing it across seas and oceans, and grafting it onto a Brooklyn-based backdrop."

Location

131 Buckingham Road

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

PUBLIC SPACE WORKSHOP FOR KENSINGTON, PLUS ART AND MUSIC (FREE, OUTDOORS)

 

                                  

Update, August 6th: Street Lab will conduct a Community Visioning Survey at tomorrow's event to find out what ideas people have for Beverley Road Open Streets. 

The survey is also available online in several languages (Bangla, English, Spanish, Urdu, and Yiddish) at https://www.streetlab.org/initiatives/new-public-spaces/beverleyrd_churchave-e2st/. for people who want to fill it out ahead of time or who won't be at the event.

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

Public Space Workshop

Sunday, August 7th, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Share your vision for the future of the Department of Transportation's Open Streets program in Kensington in a community collage with Street Lab. 

Learn about the New York City Department of Transportation’s opportunities for creating more Open Streets as well as permanent public space in our neighborhood.

Free artmaking and music performances will take place that day, Sunday, August 7th:

• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Street Lab Chalk Mural Drawing
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Public Space Workshop
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Bangladeshi Ladies’ Club Cutting and Stitching Workshop
• 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) Children’s Chorus Performance

Street Lab's host and partner for the Beverley Road Open Street is District 39 City Councilmember Shahana Hanif, with funding from the New York City Department of Transportation.

Location

Beverley Road

between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

66TH PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME (FREE, OUTDOORS)

National Night Out Against Crime

Tuesday, August 2nd, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On National Night Out Against Crime, join the 66th Precinct, the 66th Precinct Community Council, and Community Board 12 for free, food, drinks, ice cream, rides, bounces, games, giveaways, and more.

National Night Out Against Crime is held annually on the first Tuesday in August. The National Association of Town Watch created it in 1984. 

Prior to that, in the 1970s, as one facet of the Women's Liberation Movement, women engaged in their own non-governmental, grass-roots efforts, called "Take Back the Night," with the goal of protesting and deterring violence against women through their visible presence outdoors.

From the website of National Association of Town Watch:

"National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live."

For more information about the event, call the 66th Precinct Community Affairs Office at (718) 851-5601.

Location

66th Precinct

5822 16th Avenue

Borough Park, Brooklyn