THIS WEEKEND'S CONCERTS ON PEOPLE'S PORCHES

From Operation Gig!

 

Friday, Sep 1, 6–8PM
Albert Marquès Trio
498 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Spanish pianist Albert Marques (Barcelona, 1986) currently resides in Brooklyn where he’s been flourishing in the New York jazz scene after a successful stint in Paris. 

 

Marques plays a style of contemporary piano, with a distinctive urban Spanish feel. His sound is unique and profoundly percussive, a mix that has led him to be part of several jazz projects with drummers such as Leon Parker and Ari Hoenig. 

 

He has also collaborated with legendary Afro-latin composer Arturo O’Farrill and flamenco singer Antonio Lizana. 

 

On this occasion Marques will play piano surrounded by two (!) drummers. Come and enjoy an evening of groove and improvisation! Albert Marques - piano Eric Reeves - drums Rodrigo Recabarren - drums

 

Saturday, Sep 2, 4–6PM
Miss Maybell
121 Marlborough Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Miss Maybell & Charlie Judkins play a large repertoire of early Jazz, Ragtime and Blues from the 1890’s - 1920’s. They source their tunes from dusty old 78 records and antique sheet music, trying to give new life to songs created over 100 years ago! 

 

With this unique sound and dedication they were recently featured on The NPR Show “Person, Place, Thing” with Randy Cohen. They have played and sold out residencies at the legendary Birdland Theater. 

 

They also have played on festival bills throughout the country and abroad. In Europe, they recently headlined ‘Sevilla Swing’ in Seville, Spain and they sold out a week of shows at Marian's Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland.

 

Sunday, Sep 3, 4–6PM
Scott Stein
726 Argyle Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Scott Stein is a Brooklyn based songwriter, composer, pianist and music director. His classic sense of melody and plain-spoken vocal delivery have earned comparisons to the likes of Paul Simon, Elton John and Bruce Hornsby. 

 

Scott's latest record Uphill was produced by Mark Marshall (Amy Helm, Fife & Drom). For this stripped-down acoustic performance, Scott will be joined by Marshall on guitar as well as Abby Ahmad (vocals/guitar/percussion).

 

"Mr. Stein plays the kind of blues that might help you shed a few of your own." - TimeOutNY

 

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Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

 

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. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.

 

Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

KENSINGTON POLICE WILL MEET WITH THE PUBLIC THIS WEEK

 

66th Precinct, Sector D

Build the Block Meeting

Wednesday, August 30th

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The police officers who patrol Kensington will meet with neighborhood residents on Wednesday, August 30th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to address safety concerns.

 

The Build the Block neighborhood safety meeting between Kensington residents and the 66th Precinct's Sector D (Kensington) will be held at Christ Apostolic Church.

"These "Build the Block" neighborhood safety meetings are strategy sessions between local police officers and the people they serve. The meetings have two simple goals: identify the public safety challenges of a specific neighborhood and discuss potential solutions." 

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/buildtheblock.page

The Neighborhood Coordination Officers for Sector D are PO Jennifer DeSanto (JENNIFER.DESANTO@nypd.org) and PO Mostafa Mahmoud (MOSTAFA.MAHMOUD@nypd.org).

"Neighborhood Policing is "a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy built on improved communication and collaboration between local police officers and community residents. Neighborhood Policing greatly increases connectivity and engagement with the community without diminishing, and, in fact, improving the NYPD's crime-fighting capabilities.

The same officers work in the same neighborhoods on the same shifts, increasing their familiarity with local residents and local problems."

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/neighborhood-coordination-officers.page

Find out when Build the Block meetings are scheduled by visiting https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/find-your-meeting.page and entering your street address. 

 

At this Build The Block neighborhood policing and safety meeting, the officers will update residents about neighborhood public safety issues. They'll answer your questions and listen to your concerns about assaults and robberies on the street, home burglaries, packages stolen from porches and lobbies, street safety for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and any other issues that are on your mind.

 

NYPD precincts are divided into sectors as part of the policing model known as "community policing." The same officers work in the same neighborhoods on the same shifts. The radio dispatchers, supervisors, and sector officers work together. Sector officers and sector cars stay within the boundaries of their assigned sectors, except in precinct-wide emergencies.

 

The 66th Precinct's four sectors 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.

Location

Christ Apostolic Church

622 Cortelyou Road

near E. 7th Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

 

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66th Precinct

5822 16th Avenue

between 58th and 59th streets

Borough Park, Brooklyn 

phone: (718) 851-5611

website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/66th-precinct.page

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYPD66pct

CONCERTS ON PEOPLE'S PORCHES THIS WEEKEND

From Operation Gig!

Friday, Aug 25 6–8PM
Jon Dell
188 Stratford Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218

Jon Dell is an American songwriter, guitarist, and music educator.

 

Currently based in Brooklyn, his upcoming release “I Love You and Wish You The Best” explores weighty topics such as terminal disease, lost love, second chances and most things in between. All this, while maintaining his trademark gallows humor.

 

The fact that his songs tread the line between dolor and blissful jubilance so well is a testament to Dell’s deftness as a storyteller and his uncommon sensibilities as a songwriter.

 

Having played in bands since his early teens, he has played hundreds of shows coast to coast, sharing the stage with artists such as Charley Crockett, BJ Barham, Justin Wells, Wayne "The Train" Hancock, and many, many others. He is preparing for a deluge of tour dates in the fall in 2023, be sure to keep a weather eye open.

 

Saturday, Aug 26 4–6PM
Timmy Ivories 
270 Westminster Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218

For many many years, Tim Davis has been the resident pianoman of Sunny's bar in Red Hook. Almost every Saturday night you'll find him tickling (and pounding) the keys as part of the iconic Saturday night jam.

 

He is also a resident of Ditmas Park! We are thrilled to be able to give him the spotlight his amazing talent and energy richly deserves.

 

Sunday, Aug 27 4–6PM
Elsa Nilsson and friends 
131 Buckingham Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Referred to as "the logical choice to provide a next step for her instrument in the world of jazz and improvised music.” by Paul Rauch of All About Jazz, Elsa Nilsson's music is diverse and exciting.

 

The performances take the listener through lyrical melodies reminiscent of her Swedish homeland through a touch of the avant-garde and arriving at a soundscape that is quintessentially her own. 

Nilsson is the recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant, the winner of the 2018 National Flute Association Jazz Flute Competition and Adjunct Faculty at The New School where she teaches Rhythmic Analysis and Socially Engaged Artistry.

 

For this performance she will be joined by Sebastian Noelle (Guitar), Pablo Menares (Bass) and Rodrigo Recabarren (drums) for what promises to be a thrilling afternoon of music.

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Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

 

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. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.

 

Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

SOFT OPENING AND GRAND OPENING FOR KENSINGTON BOOKSTORE

 

Lofty Pigeon Books

Soft Opening

Saturday, August 26th

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Grand Opening 

Saturday, September 9th

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Lofty Pigeon Books, Kensington's newest independent bookstore, will have its soft opening on Saturday, August 26th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and its grand opening on Saturday, September 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Lofty Pigeon Books will be a general-interest neighborhood bookstore. It will sell books for adults as well as children, will carry gift items, including stationery, greeting cards, home goods, toys, and games, and will be a gathering space for neighbors, featuring literary events, open mics, storytime, and book clubs.

 

Hours of operation for the week of Saturday, August 26th, through Friday, September 1st are

• Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Monday: closed
• Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thereafter, the open hours will be

• Mondays through Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

When online ordering is set up, it will provide access to all in-print titles for either shipping or in-store pickup.

 

To receive news and updates from the bookstore, sign up at https://loftypigeonbooks.com/.

 

The owners are the wife-and-husband team of Briana Parker and Davi Marra. Davi has been a bookseller for twenty-three years, most recently as the book buyer and manager at WORD Bookstores. Briana is a third-generation Brooklynite who has spent the past ten years in publishing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

Location

Lofty Pigeon Books

743 Church Avenue

at the corner of E. 8th Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

info@loftypigeonbooks.com

website: https://loftypigeonbooks.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loftypigeonbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loftypigeonbooks/ 

 

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT

 SMALL BUSINESSES!

 

COMPOST GIVEAWAY

DSNY Compost Giveaway

Sunday, October 29th

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Brooklyn residents can get up to eighty pounds (two bags at forty pounds per bag) of free compost soil at the Newkirk Community Garden on Sunday, October 29th, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 

 

The New York City Sanitation Department and Big Apple Compost will provide the compost. 

 

The event is free, but pre-registration is required on the Eventbrite website. Bring your registration confirmation with you, a printed or digital Eventbrite ticket.

 

Compost from Big Apple Compost is made from 100% New York City organics.

Big Apple is comprised of yard waste and food waste through the Department of Sanitation of New York City. We’re enrolled in the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program, providing transparent compost analytics to end users.

The compost has the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) from the Composting Council.

The program – created in 2000 – is the culmination of research and discussion by many of the leading compost research scientists in the United States. Currently this is the only compost testing program available providing this.

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

FREE KOSHER FOOD DISTRIBUTION AT FLATBUSH JEWISH CENTER

Mobile Kosher Food Pantry

Thursday, August 24th

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Free kosher fresh and canned food items will be distributed at Flatbush Jewish Center on Thursday, August 24th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Met Council's mobile food pantry.

 

Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving all needy New Yorkers. Its partner pantries, such as Flatbush Jewish Center, serve food-insufficient clients of any race, faith, ethnicity, sexual identity, or gender.

 

In 2022, nearly 9.7% of New Yorkers reported that they experienced food insufficiency, defined as "inadequacy in the amount of food intake because of a lack of money or resources to access enough food."

Location

Flatbush Jewish Center

327 E. 5th Street

corner of Church Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 871-5200
fax: (718) 871-5204

office@flatbushjewishcenter.org

https://flatbushjewishcenter.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FlatbushJewishCenter

STABBING VICTIM LIVES IN KENSINGTON

 

 Update, August 15, 2023: Police have arrested a man for the felony assault on Mr. Ahmed. "David Trotman, 38, a man with prior arrests, was linked to this stabbing after he allegedly assaulted someone on a Chelsea subway." https://abc7ny.com/nyc-stabbing-midtown-crime-subway-panhandler/13651349/

 

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Iqbal Ahmed, a seventy-six-year-old resident of Caton Towers (135 Ocean Parkway), was stabbed in the chest in a subway station last night. He needs financial assistance from anyone who is willing and able to help him.

 

He was stabbed on Sunday, August 13th, at about 11:30 p.m., at the Herald Square subway station. The knife was plunged in just inches from his heart and it punctured a lung. Mr. Ahmed is being treated at Bellevue Hospital. 

The attack on him is described by ABC7ny at https://abc7ny.com/nyc-crime-subway-stabbing-panhandler-midtown/13646109/ and The Daily News at https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-iqbal-ahmed-recounts-herald-square-stabbing-20230814-7cp5eh5c2jhdlf25oiyf5rwoqm-story.html.

From Mr. Ahmed's gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/bd8mh-stabbing-victim.

I am a 76 year old man who lives and works in New York City. I was walking home from work to the 34th street train station which I take every day. 

 

A panhandler asked me for money and I refused as I did not have any. The only thing I remember is walking away and feeling a sharp pain in my torso. There was blood everywhere. He stabbed me in the torso and I bled profusely. 

 

I was rushed to the hospital and admitted due to severe bleeding and blood in my lung. I am now in Bellevue Hospital. 

 

I live alone and have no family to turn to. I am hoping that my fellow New Yorkers can help me in my time of need. This can happen to any New Yorker and the perpetrator is still out there. 

 

I am requesting funds to cover my hospital bills and expenses. Below is the link to the news story of my stabbing. Please help me raise awareness. 

https://abc7ny.com/nyc-crime-subway-stabbing-panhandler-midtown/13646109/ 

INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSTING PLUS A KITCHEN CONTAINER GIVEAWAY

 

Composting 101

Saturday, August 26th, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Curbside Composting: Kitchen Container Giveaway
Saturday, August 26th, noon to 4:00 p.m.

From Windsor Terrace Library

Join Big Reuse educator(s) for an introduction to composting. Learn about composting programs and get a primer on various forms of small scale composting that you can do at home or with your neighbors at a community scale.

 

Please bring any questions you may have about composting at home or participating in NYC’s free composting services.

Big Reuse advances New York City’s sustainable urban environment through circular economy programs that divert waste from our landfills and reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.

 

That same afternoon, from noon to 4:00 p.m., kitchen containers will be given away.

Curbside composting service begins in Brooklyn on Oct 2nd! Learn helpful tips and best practices from a DSNY representative for using your building's brown bin and pick up your free Kitchen Containers and paper lawn & leaf bags.

Kitchen Containers are small bins to keep the food scraps in your kitchen separate from your trash and other recyclables. These containers allow you to easily store your food waste before putting it into your brown bin.

 

Location

Windsor Terrace Library Community Room

160 E. 5th Street

corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

(718) 686-9707

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/windsor-terrace 

FREE DRAG STORY HOURS

 

Update, September 23rd: A bomb threat was called in to the Cortelyou Library; Drag Story Hour will be held at a different venue. Inquire at the library about the new location.

 

Update, October 27th: The October 28th Drag Story Hour has been canceled.

 

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Drag Story Hour 

Saturday, August 26th, 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, September 23rd, 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 28th, 11:00 a.m.

What is Drag Story Hour?

It’s just what it sounds like! Storytellers using the art of drag to read books to kids in libraries, schools, and bookstores.

DSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.

In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves! https://www.dragstoryhour.org/

Cortelyou Library will host a Drag Story Hour on three Saturdays: August 26th, September 23rd, and October 28th, all from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

 

Because space is limited, reserve tickets for yourself or other caregiver and your child or children as soon as you can at the reference desk at the Cortelyou Library.

 

If the date of your choice isn't available, you might be able to reserve tickets for either of the other two story hours.

 

Support our free public libraries!

Location

Cortelyou Library

1305 Cortelyou Road

between Argyle and Rugby roads

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

(718) 693-7763

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/cortelyou 

FREE OUTDOOR BLUEGRASS SESSIONS

Sunday Bluegrass Sessions

Sundays, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

From the East Fourth Street Community Garden:

Come join—or simply listen to—a bluegrass session! The community garden's new artists in residence will be making weekly appearances until the weather gets cold. Check it out this Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6!

Location

East Fourth Street Community Garden

171 E. 4th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/ 

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

BACK TO SCHOOL AND BACK TO WORK EVENT FOR KENSINGTON FAMILY SHELTER RESIDENTS

 

The Kensington Family Shelter will hold a Back to School/Back to Work family event on Thursday, August 31st, from noon to 4:00 p.m., for residents of the shelter. It'll take place outdoors, rain or shine.

 

The activities that have been planned for the currently homeless adults and children who live in the shelter include resources, school supplies, a fashion show, giveaways, and more.

 

The shelter's staff wants to make sure its neighbors know ahead of time that a DJ will be playing music at the event. It's possible that the music will be loud enough for some neighbors to hear, but the staff would greatly appreciate it if people don't file noise complaints that could shut down this special event.

Thank you.

Location

Kensington Family Shelter

385 McDonald Avenue

between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

LAUNDROMAT REOPENED

The laundromat at 3025 Fort Hamilton Parkway (at the corner of E. 2nd Street) has reopened under new management.

 

FUN DAY OF PLAY: AN EVENT FOR YOUTH

Fun Day of Play

Saturday, August 12th

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

72nd Precinct Youth Coordination and Blue Chips Officers will present an event for youth--"Fun Day of Play"--this Saturday, August 12th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will take place at Greenwood Playground.

 

The Blue Chips program is managed by NYPD Patrol Services Bureau.

Through mentorship, personal enrichment and sports, this program focuses on bridging the gap between the police and youth. Blue Chips provides the opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of youth across the city.

Blue Chips is a coed program open to kids ages 12-17 and 13-16 to play in a Basketball League. Teams, citywide will consist of 12 players with two coaches who are members of service. Each team will play six regular season games; the top team from each patrol borough will move on to the playoffs.

Blue Chips will promote locations designated by Saturday Night Lights and Activating Spaces to provide additional engagement opportunities. Precinct Youth Coordination Officers will assist members of service coaches in recruiting youth for the program.

There is also a mentoring component, community problem solving component and youth development with guest speakers.

Additional mentoring opportunities involve career development such as college fairs and tutoring.

Location

Greenwood Playground

E. 5th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

RESCHEDULED: A NO-COST MAMMOGRAM AND CLINICAL BREAST EXAM ARE AVAILABLE

Update: This event has been canceled because the mammogram machine broke down. The event will be rescheduled. Assemblymember Carroll's office will notify everyone who signed up about the new date and time. 

 

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No-cost Mammogram

and Clinical Breast Exam

Tuesday, August 15th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Free mammograms and clinical breast exams will be available at the Mammogram Bus in front of Assemblymember Robert Carroll's District Office on Tuesday, August 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

 

Yes, a monthly breast self-exam is essential, but you can't detect all forms of breast cancer with a self-exam. So get an annual mammogram too. This slogan is still true: "Early detection is the best prevention." That offers you the best chance for a cure. 

 

You're eligible for the free mammogram and clinical breast exam if

• you're a woman from the ages of 40 to 79, and
• you live in any of the five boroughs of New York City, and
• you haven't had a mammogram in the past twelve months.

 

When you go to your appointment, wear a two-piece outfit with a top that can be easily removed. Don't apply any oil, powder, deodorant, or perfume to your breast, underarm, and chest areas. 

 

Uninsured patients are welcome. But if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or any other health insurance coverage, bring your card with you and your insurance plan will be billed directly. You won't be charged a co-pay and the deductible will be waived.

 

To make an appointment, call the American-Italian Cancer Foundation, the sponsor of the Mammogram Bus, at (877) 628-9090.

 

Location

Assemblymember Robert Carroll's District Office

416 7th Avenue

between 13th and 14th streets

Park Slope, Brooklyn

 

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP HOSTED BY CLEAN UP KENSINGTON AND NEWKIRK COMMUNITY GARDEN

 

Clean Up Kensington

Sunday, August 6th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Join your neighbors in a partnership between Clean Up Kensington and Newkirk Community Garden to clean up a few blocks of Kensington. The neighborhood cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, August 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Meet at Newkirk Community Garden at 736 E. 8th Street (corner of Newkirk Avenue) to pick up litter, sweep the streets, and beautify E. 8th Street and Newkirk Avenue.

 

All of the cleaning materials that will be needed will be provided.

 

Bring water and sunscreen, if you'll need them.

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Clean Up Kensington

cleanupkensington@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/cleanupkensington/?hl=en

Newkirk Community Garden

newkirkcommunitygarden@gmail.com

https://www.newkirkgarden.com/

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