Friday, August 15, 2025

CRAFT CIRCLE MEETUP THIS SUNDAY (FREE)

 
The Craft Circle
Sunday, August 17th, 2:00 p.m.
 
From The Craft Circle:
Hi
We’re meeting finally.  Summer goes so fast.  

Crafts group is back!
It’s been a while!  
Summer scatters us. 
But we’re meeting this Sunday!
Bad Therapy
1008 Cortelyou Road 
2pm
Sunday, August 17
Free!
 

The Craft Circle is an informal monthly meetup for neighbors to get together to knit, crochet, and work on other crafts. You can bring what you're working on or learn a new craft.
 
The meetup is for all levels; learners are welcome.
 
For more information, call or text Barbara at (917) 847-8330.
 
Location
Bad Therapy Bar
1008 Cortelyou Road
between Coney Island Avenue and Stratford Road
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
badtherapybar@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

BIKE LANE PROPOSAL FOR MCDONALD AVENUE IS ON THE AGENDA OF THE COMMUNITY BOARD 7 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE'S VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MEETING IN SEPTEMBER

 


Community Board 7 Transportation Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 3rd, 6:30 p.m.
 
From Community Board 7:
The CB7 Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 3 @ 6:30 p.m. at the CB7 Office-4201 4th Avenue (enter on 43rd Street & 4th Avenue).

Agenda:

  1. NYC Ferry Route Optimization - 2025 NYC Ferry Network Optimization | NYCEDC; Discuss implications and requests for CB7
     
  2. Committee Discussion on McDonald Avenue from 20 St to Ft Hamilton Pkwy - See Presentation from DOT
     
  3. Committee Discussion on fall/winter Transportation Committee agenda Items
You can attend in person or register to attend virtually on Zoom: https://bit.ly/3ULuCqO

You can view the committee meeting on the Brooklyn Community Board 7's YouTube Channel: 
https://bit.ly/2ROsJwJ
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
A two-way parking-protected bike lane has been proposed for the west side of McDonald Avenue (the Green-Wood Cemetery side) from the 20th Street/10th Avenue intersection to Fort Hamilton Parkway.

The Department of Transportation presented the proposal to the Community Board 7 Transportation Committee when it met on June 10th.

Vehicles would travel in one northbound lane and one southbound lane; the center lane would become a turn lane.

Bus boarding islands would be constructed to prevent buses from interfering with the flow of traffic when they stop to let passengers on and off.

The bus stop at Terrace Place and McDonald Avenue would be eliminated. 

The length of the traffic signals would be coordinated; they currently last for different lengths of time.

A physical barrier between the bike lane and vehicle traffic would eventually be installed, but initially, paint would serve as an indication to drivers to stay out of the bike lane.

Committee members and neighborhood residents raised a number of questions and issues about the proposal in person and in the Zoom chat. Committee members needed time to consider the proposal as well as study residents' comments, so they didn't vote on the proposal at the June 10th meeting. 

The discussion will continue at a meeting of the Transportation Committee on September 3rd. 

The entire June 10th committee meeting can be viewed on CB 7's YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UAzgCXhdc. The presentation about the bike lane starts at 1:12:45.

DOT's nineteen-page PowerPoint presentation is posted at https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/mcdonald-ave-10-ave-20-st-ft-hamilton-pkwy-jun2025.pdf.

Location
Community Board 7 Office
4201 4th Avenue
entrance on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
bk07@cb.nyc.gov

F LOCAL AND EXPRESS TRAIN SCHEDULE, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 11, 2025

 

The schedule for local and express F trains has been updated, effective August 11, 2025. Express trains operate in Brooklyn on weekday mornings traveling toward Manhattan and Queens and on weekday afternoons traveling toward Coney Island.

The timetables for local and express service at https://www.mta.info/document/10366 show key stops/timepoints along the F train route where the trains are scheduled to start, end, or leave at a specific time. The Church Avenue station is one of those key stops/timepoints.

F trains operate local in Manhattan and
express in Queens at all times except late nights when they operate local.  

 

OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: ALBERT MARQUES TRIO, BIG LAZY, AND THE BENNETT PASTER TRIO

 

From Operation Gig!:

Friday Aug 15 6-8pm
Albert Marques Trio
324 Westminster Rd

Brooklyn-based pianist Albert Marques is known for his powerful and unique percussive style, blending rhythmic intensity with bold improvisation.

His performance promises to bring a fresh and energetic approach to contemporary jazz. Marquès has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Time Out, Le Figaro and press from all over the world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see him live in his/our neighborhood!

Saturday Aug 16 4-6pm
Big Lazy
121 Marlborough Rd

"Big Lazy, the elegantly gritty instrumental trio led by the extraordinary guitarist Stephen Ulrich, plays stunningly beautiful music that evokes everything from truckers' romps to the haunting film scores of Bernard Herrmann." - The New Yorker

Sunday Aug 17 4-6pm
The Bennett Paster Trio
121 Buckingham Rd

The Bennett Paster Trio plays Hammond organ-fueled blues & jazz, music at the crossroads of beauty and groove. Featuring original songs, classic blues and shuffles and standards. 

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


Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website (https://www.operationgig.org/) to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 

Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: MAGGIE CARSON AND MARCUS JADE; LA MADRUGADA Y SANCTUARIO

From Operation Gig!:

Sat Aug 9 4-6pm
Maggie Carson and Marcus Jade
335 Rugby Rd

Two fantastic local singer-songwriters, Maggie Carson and Marcus Jade, serenade us this Saturday. Maggie Carson carries the torch of folk music and Marcus Jade stamps his own transcendent Delta blues.

Sun Aug 10 4-6pm
La Madrugada y Sanctuario
484 Rugby Rd

La Madrugada Y Sanctuario collaboration is a multicultural NYC based sextet exploring Afro-Caribbean rhythms through salsa staples, originals and folklore.

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


Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website (https://www.operationgig.org/) to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 

Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

Monday, August 4, 2025

KENSINGTON DOG RUN FIFTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (FREE)

 
Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Kensington Dog Run on Saturday, August 9th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
 
Food and drinks will be served. Or bring your favorite refreshments, if you like.

Located on Coney Island Avenue in the Parade Ground near Prospect Park, the Kensington Dog Run opened in 2020. It came to fruition after years of grassroots planning and organizing by neighborhood dog owners who wanted to create a dog run where dogs could enjoy the benefits of exercising, socializing, and breathing fresh air off-leash.

The project was made possible with allocated funds via Participatory Budgeting from New York City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene of District 40 and via Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams' capital allocations. The balance of the funds needed were covered by Councilmember Brad Lander of District 39. 

The Kensington Dog Run Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Location
Kensington Dog Run
397A Coney Island Avenue
between Kermit Place and Caton Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map) 

Thursday, July 31, 2025

66TH PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME, 2025 (FREE)

 
National Night Out Against Crime
 Tuesday, August 5th
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
Join the 66th Precinct, 66th Precinct Community Council, and Community Board 12 for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 5th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
Highlights of the evening will include free food, drinks, ice cream, rides, bounces, games, giveaways, and more.
 
For more information, contact the 66th Precinct Community Affairs Office at (718) 851-5601. 
 
National Night Out Against Crime is held annually on the first Tuesday in August. The National Association of Town Watch created the event in 1984. 

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

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.
Location
66th Precinct
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn 
phone: (718) 851-5611

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: THE YOON SUN CHOI QUARTET; NUMBER CRUNCHERS

 

From Operation Gig!:
Sat Aug 2 4-6pm
The Yoon Sun Choi Quartet
225 Argyle Rd

Vocalist and composer Yoon Sun Choi brings her adventurous quartet to the stage for an afternoon of dynamic, genre-defying music.

Known for her fearless improvisation and deeply expressive voice, Choi draws from jazz, songwriting, and experimental traditions to create music that is both intricate and emotionally direct.

She’s joined by longtime collaborators Jacob Sacks (keyboards), Lim Yang (bass), and Vinnie Sperrazza (drums)—three of NYC’s most versatile improvisers. Together, they shape spontaneous compositions that are spacious, rhythmic, and deeply alive.

This is music that embraces risk, beauty, and the unexpected.


Sun Aug 3 4-6pm
Number Crunchers
336 Westminster Rd

Number Crunchers is a synth-jazz fusion group that draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including funk, bossa nova, and electronica. Dan Kessler (chapman stick), Dave Fugel (sax), Eric Reeves (drums), Julia Chen (keys). 

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


Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 

Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

Sunday, July 27, 2025

BOOK DISCUSSIONS: "ANOTHER COUNTRY" AND "I'M GLAD MY MOM DIED" (FREE)

 
Book Discussion: Another Country 
Tuesday, July 29th
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
From the Windsor Terrace Library:
Set in 1950s New York, Another Country explores love, race, and identity through the lives of friends grappling with grief, desire, and the pressures of societal expectations. Baldwin’s bold novel delves into interracial and same-sex relationships, offering a powerful look at human connection in a divided world. Please ask for a copy at the front desk.
Location
Windsor Terrace Library
160 E. 5th Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 686-9707

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

Book Discussion: I'm Glad My Mom Died
Friday, August 8th
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
From the Kensington Library:
Join our book discussion group on "I'm glad my mom died" by Jennette Mccurdy! Share your thoughts on the book and get to know other readers in your community.  

"A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor--including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother--and how she retook control of her life"

Visit the branch to check it out. No need to finish the book beforehand. All are welcome!
Location
Kensington Library
4207 18th Avenue
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Kensington, Brooklyn
(718) 436-0545
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/kensington 

Saturday, July 26, 2025

KARAOKE SATURDAYS AT SHENANIGANS PUB (FREE ADMISSION)

 
Karaoke Saturdays
Every Saturday, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
 
Sing your heart out at Shenanigans Pub every Saturday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.--or listen as the other karaoke fans belt them out!

Big G is the host. Admission is free.

Location
Shenanigans Pub
802 Caton Avenue
corner of E. 8th Street
Windsor Terrace/Kensington, Brooklyn
(718) 633-3689

"LEARN TO PLAY THE UKULELE" WORKSHOPS (FREE)

 


"Learn to Play the Ukulele" Workshops
Sunday, July 27th
Saturday, August 16th
Sunday, August 17th
10:30 a.m. to noon
 
Learn to play the ukulele at one or more of three free workshops on Sunday, July 27th, Saturday, August 16th, and Sunday, August 17th, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
 
Bring your own ukulele.
 
The workshops are open to all skill levels. They're designed for adults and older children who would like to learn to play the ukulele or are in the early stages of learning.
 
Location 
East Fourth Street Community Garden
171 E. 4th Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
 

Friday, July 25, 2025

CRAFT CIRCLE MEETUP ON SATURDAY (FREE)

 

The Craft Circle
Saturday, July 26th
3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
 
From The Craft Circle: 
Crafts group! We’re still at it! Miss my crafty neighbors! Saturday July 26, Cortelyou Road Library At Argyle Road, 3pm.

The Craft Circle will meet at the Cortelyou Library on Saturday, July 26th, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
 
The Craft Circle is a free, informal meetup where neighbors knit and crochet together or work on other crafts. You can bring something that you're already working on or you can learn a new craft.
 
All skill levels are welcome, and learners are welcome.
 
Location
Cortelyou Library
1305 Cortelyou Road
between Argyle and Rugby roads
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
(718) 693-7763 
https://www.facebook.com/cortelyoulibrary/

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

SUNDAY CONCERT CANCELED. OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: THE MARTINEZ-TEUBAL-LANOUGUERE TRIO, THE SIVAN ARBEL EXPERIENCE, THE DRD MODERN ORGAN TRIO

 

From Operation Gig!



Fri 7/25 6-8pm
The Martinez-Teubal-Lanouguere Trio
303 Westminster Rd

The Martinez-Teubal-Lanouguere Trio draws from a wide variety of musical styles: Latin-American folk music, jazz, progressive rock, free improvisation, classical music and some hints of Middle Eastern music. 

 

Sat 7/26 4-6pm
The Sivan Arbel Experience
492 Marlboro Rd

Rooted in jazz and rich with global rhythms, The Sivan Arbel Experience invites you to awaken your body and remember our shared humanity. 

 

SUNDAY'S CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Sun 7/27 4-6pm
The DRD Modern Organ Trio
131 Buckingham Rd

DRD Modern Organ Trio, a collaboration of Rafael Rosa (guitar), Dylan DeFeo (organ) and Danny Borg (drums), brings interpretations and new arrangements of jazz, blues, classic soul, R&B, funk, Latino & Brazilian standards and classics.

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


Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website or Facebook page to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 

Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

72ND PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME, 2025 (FREE)

 

National Night Out Against Crime
 Tuesday, August 5th
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join the 72nd Precinct for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 5th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Highlights will include free live music, games, bounce houses for children, a bike raffle, and activities for all ages.

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

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

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.
Location
Sunset Park
entrance at 44th Street and Sixth Avenue, in the soccer field
Sunset Park, Brooklyn

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

Monday, July 21, 2025

LIVE MUSIC FROM SPAIN, VENEZUELA, CUBA, AND BRAZIL WITH THE TOMAS RODRIGUEZ TRIO

 

Music in the Plaza: Tomas Rodriguez
Thursday, July 24th
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
 
Next Thursday, July 24th we return to Kensington Plaza for a live outdoor performance featuring music from Spain, Venezuela, Cuba and Brazil as well as original compositions. 
With guests Enrique Lopez on guitar/tres and Manuel Carro on percussion and vocals. 
Hope to see you there....(if you are in NYC). 

Location
Kensington Plaza
114 Beverley Road
between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)
 

Sunday, July 20, 2025

P.S. 179 SCHOOLYARD IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN THE "SCHOOLYARDS TO PLAYGROUNDS" PROGRAM

 

P.S. 179 has joined the list of 268 New York City public schools that already participate in the city's Schoolyards to Playgrounds program, which was launched in 2007. The schoolyards are open to the public when school isn't in session. 
 
During the school year, the schoolyards are open from Monday through Friday from the end of the school day until dusk and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. During the summer, they're open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to dusk.
 
New York City established a goal in 2015 of having 85% of New Yorkers live within walking distance of a park or open space by 2030. The Schoolyards to Playgrounds program increases the public's access to green space in neighborhoods that are further away from a park than a ten-minute walk (one-quarter of a mile).
 
The Schoolyards to Playgrounds program is co-managed by the Department of Education, Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Trust for Public Land.

Location
P.S. 179
202 Avenue C
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Kensington, Brooklyn
 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: AIDAN & ALIDA, THE GREAT LONGMEADOW FIRE, BAKLAVA EXPRESS

 
From Operation Gig!

Friday, July 18th, 6pm-8pm
Aidan & Alida 
1415 Dorchester Rd

This guitar/voice and accordion duo performs passionate renditions of folk songs from Latin America. Featuring the legendary Roy Nathanson on sax!

 

Saturday, July 19th, 4pm-6pm
The Great Longmeadow Fire 
455 Marlborough Rd 
The Great Long Meadow Fire blends gothic Americana, gospel blues, New Orleans jazz and swampy rock n' roll to make a dark and danceable sound. 

 

Sunday, July 20th, 4pm-6pm
Baklava Express
770 Rugby Rd

Baklava Express is a NYC based Middle Eastern fusion project, led by Oud player Josh Kaye. The band performs original music, influenced by the traditions of the Arab world and Turkey, as well as Jazz, Flamenco, and Eastern European Folk music. The eclectic influences and vast differences in the musical backgrounds of its members have created a group whose style is distinct, yet genre defiant.

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


Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website or Facebook page to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 

Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES IN ALBEMARLE PLAYGROUND (FREE)

 

Summer Activities in Albemarle Playground
Tuesdays and Thursdays
July 15th through August 21st
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 
"The Singing Winds in Albemarle Playground" annual series offers free summer activities for all ages, including
  • arts and crafts,
  • gardening,
  • science and engineering,
  • chess,
  • checkers, and
  • playground games.
Also offered from 11:30 a.m. to noon is a storytelling circle with Jill Reinier.


Location
Albemarle Playground
McDonald Avenue
near Albemarle Road, behind the P.S. 230 Lower School
Kensington, Brooklyn
 

WRITING WORKSHOP (FREE)

Writing Workshop
Friday, August 15th 
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Rain Date: Friday, August 22nd
 
From Newkirk Community Garden: 
Join us for a writing workshop inspired by the Newkirk Community Garden!  
In this workshop, you will be guided by several prompts to explore the garden with your senses, your imagination, and your care.  
We will spend the first ten - fifteen minutes of the workshop introducing ourselves, leading into quiet contemplation and observation of the garden. 
The next half hour will be devoted to writing; participants will choose to create a poem, an essay, a short story, a letter to a politician, or any form of writing to communicate the experience of the garden, linking it to community and a sense of place in the world.  
The workshop will be guided by Sherri Machlin, garden member, author,  and a composition instructor and art librarian for CUNY.  
Journals and pens will be provided.  
Location
Newkirk Community Garden