MULTICULTURAL INTERFAITH COMMUNITY IFTAR IN KENSINGTON, FREE AND OPEN TO ALL

Kensington Community Iftar

Tuesday, March 18th

6:00 pm. to 8:30 p.m.

From Arts & Democracy:

Join us for a multicultural community Iftar in Kensington, Brooklyn! The event is in-person, free of charge and open to all.

rvsp here

Ramadan Kareem! Break fast with your Muslim neighbors and celebrate and learn about Ramadan. Join friends and neighbors at PS 179 in Kensington, Brooklyn to taste food from around the world as Muslim artists share their work. Co-sponsored with ArtBuilt, NOCD-NY, NIA Beacon @ PS 179, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif Date: Tuesday March 18, 6:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm. Location: PS 179, 202 Avenue C in Kensington, Brooklyn Please RSVP. It is very helpful for us to make sure we have enough food for everyone. Your info will not be shared. Schedule: 6:00pm - Doors open 6:30pm - Opening remarks 7:06pm - Dinner is served at sundown 7:30pm - Program with Muslim artists artwork: Sabrina Malik

This event is supported in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council and Brooklyn Org

KENSINGTON COMMUNITY IFTAR, FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

                         

Kensington Community Iftar

Wednesday, March 29th

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The annual Kensington Community Iftar to break the fast during Ramadan will be held on Wednesday, March 29th, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a rain date of Monday, April 3rd.

The multicultural, interfaith event is open to everyone and it is free. Neighbors will share a meal together to break the fast and to celebrate Muslim women artists. Artwork on invitation by Sabrina Malik.

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of drawing closer to God and cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.

                                        Islamic Networks Group

Arts & Democracy will host the Iftar, with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, New York City District 39 Councilmember Shahana Hanif, ArtBuilt, and NOCD-NY (Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts) as co-sponsors.

Schedule

6:30 p.m.

Welcome

Hasiba Haq, Arts & Democracy

Remarks from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif

7:00 p.m.

Dinner is served. Meet your neighbors.

7:45 p.m.

Muslim-American artists share their work

The event is supported in part by public funds from the Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.

RSVP here so that the host will know how much food will be needed.

Location

Avenue C Plaza (map)

557 McDonald Avenue at Avenue C

Kensington, Brooklyn

WINNING PROJECTS THAT WILL BE FUNDED IN OUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT

Residents of New York City Council District 39 voted for five out of thirteen proposed projects to determine how City Councilmember Brad Lander should spend $1.5 million of the discretionary funds in his budget. These are the seven winning projects in this year's participatory budgeting vote:

1. A/C for PS124 Cafeteria ($200,000) -- 1442 votes
2. 146/MS 448 Innovative Gym Renovation ($225,000) -- 1200 votes
3. PS 179 Auditorium Renovation ($230,000) -- 1196 votes
4. Make Union Street and 9th Street Greener ($150,000) -- 1100 votes
5. Four Safer Intersections on Hicks Street ($300,000) -- 1077 votes
6. Technology for Local Arts Non-Profits ($90,000) -- 1027 votes
7. New Drainage along Path in Prospect Park ($200,000) -- 997 votes

The cost of those seven projects adds up to $1,395,000. That leaves $105,000 unallocated out of the original $1.5 million. If another $145,000 can be "found," the 8th-highest vote-getter can be implemented:

8. Park Slope Library Storytelling Garden ($250,000) -- 936 votes

HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR CITY COUNCILMEMBER TO SPEND $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS BUDGET?

Money will be spent on projects in Kensington and Windsor Terrace if enough people vote for them.

City Councilmember Brad Lander has allocated $1.5 million from his discretionary fund to finance the projects that the most people in his district vote for. You can vote for up to five of the thirteen projects.

Voting is open to residents who are age fourteen or older. You don't need to be a registered voter to vote in participatory budgeting. When you go to vote, bring with you an ID, a utility bill, or another document that shows your address.

If you have any questions about Participatory Budgeting, call Councilmember Lander’s office at (718) 499-1090.

The possible projects for Kensington and Windsor Terrace are:

P.S. 179 Auditorium Renovation
P.S. 179 is a title 1 school with 1,000 students; 45% of them are English Language Learners. The renovation would make a decrepit auditorium functional with a wireless sound system, new curtains, and a refurbished stage.

Location: 202 Avenue C, between E. 2nd and E 3rd streets, Kensington
Cost: $230,000

Windsor Terrace Stormwater Greenstreet

Inclusion of a greenstreet enhancement to a pedestrian refuge to capture stormwater, calm traffic, provide stewardship partnership opportunities (like with nearby P.S. 154), and beautify the area.

Location: Prospect Park SW and 16th Street, Windsor Terrace

Cost: $80,000

Water Service for Thomas Cuite Park

Restore water service to the water fountain in Thomas Cuite Park by excavating the street and replacing broken pipes. This local park has a playground and grassy area, located near the Prospect Expressway.

Location: 11th Avenue and 19th Street, Windsor Terrace

Cost: $350,000

Vote at the Windsor Terrace Library (160 E. 5th Street at Fort Hamilton Parkway) on Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or at the P.S. 230 Upper School (1 Albemarle Road at McDonald Avenue) on Sunday, April 19th, also from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

ALL PARENTS ARE INVITED TO TONIGHT'S COMMUNITY MEETING ABOUT HIGH-STAKES TESTING

School-to-School Dialogue on High Stakes Testing

Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

With the approval in Albany of changes to the way teachers are evaluated, parent leaders and advocates are considering what the next steps will be.

Now is the time to address the implications of increased emphasis on high-stakes testing: the tests have an oversize impacts on the lives of students, parents, teachers, and other school staff members.

State Senator Jesse Hamilton, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and Councilmember Brad Lander will host a community dialogue on high-stakes testing this Wednesday. They will provide information on how different school communities can organize around these issues and give updates on budgetary, legislative, and political developments.

Members of various school communities can share their strategies and perspectives because everybody's schools are affected.

For additional information, contact Paul Rothblatt in Senator Hamilton's office at (718) 284-4700.

Registration isn't required, but it's appreciated. Call (718) 284-4700 or fill out the form at tinyurl.com/schoolforum.

Old First Reformed Church
729 Carroll Street, corner of 7th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn

SCHOOL-TO-SCHOOL DIALOGUE ON HIGH STAKES TESTING

School-to-School Dialogue on High Stakes Testing

Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

With the approval in Albany of changes to the way teachers are evaluated, parent leaders and advocates are considering what the next steps will be.

Now is the time to address the implications of increased emphasis on high-stakes testing: the tests have an oversize impacts on the lives of students, parents, teachers, and other school staff members.

State Senator Jesse Hamilton, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and Councilmember Brad Lander will host a community dialogue on high-stakes testing this Wednesday. They will provide information on how different school communities can organize around these issues and give updates on budgetary, legislative, and political developments.

Members of various school communities can share their strategies and perspectives because everybody's schools are affected.

For additional information, contact Paul Rothblatt in Senator Hamilton's office at (718) 284-4700.

Registration isn't required, but it's appreciated. Call (718) 284-4700 or fill out the form at tinyurl.com/schoolforum.

Old First Reformed Church
729 Carroll Street, corner of 7th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn

MOVE IT FOR BROOKLYN'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS: PTA 5K FUN RUN

8th Annual Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run for Public Schools

Saturday, May 9th, 10:00 a.m.

Raise funds and honor Brooklyn's public schools by doing something healthy and invigorating: take a 5-kilometer run/walk/stroll/toddle through beautiful Prospect Park.

Registration is open for the 8th Annual Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run for Public Schools. More than 60 schools participated last year and raised $13,000 for public schools in Brooklyn.

The registration fee for an individual is $20; up to five additional family members can register for $5 each. Additional funds can be raised by having people sponsor your run.

Sponsors of the run are the PTAs of Brooklyn’s public schools and four of the New York City Council members who represent Brooklyn: Brad Lander, Laurie Cumbo, Steven Levin, and Carlos Menchaca.

The run begins at Bartel Pritchard Square (Prospect Park West at 15th Street) at 10:00 a.m. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. for number pickup and pre-race activities.


For more information, visit the Brooklyn PTA's website and register online.

ART COMPETITION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS (FREE)

Children's Art Competition

Saturday, March 7th, 2:00 p.m.

Kids can freely express their vision of the seasons through drawing, painting, and coloring in a free art competition this weekend. Children from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to participate.

The sponsor, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), will provide the art paper; the kids should bring all other materials that they'll want to use. At BIPA's spring concert in P.S. 230 on March 21st, the twelve winners of the art competition will be awarded trophies.

If you'd like to have additional information about the art competition, call (917) 674-4746 or (347) 237-1628.

City Councilmember Brad Lander is funding the program.

Location:
P.S. 230 Lower School, Multimedia Room
425 McDonald Avenue
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road (between the bank and the post office)
Kensington, Brooklyn

DOT'S PRESENTATION FOR SAFER STREETS IS ONLINE: "TRAFFIC & SCHOOL SAFETY IN WINDSOR TERRACE & KENSINGTON"

At last night's highly-anticipated street safety meeting in P.S. 130, the Department of Transportation (DOT) presented the Kensington-Windsor Terrace community with a slide show that detailed several proposed improvements. The presentation is posted on DOT's website.

The meeting was particularly welcome in light of the death of Mohammad Naiem Uddin as he crossed E. 7th Street near Caton Avenue as well as continued vehicle collisions in the neighborhood and additional near misses.

A heightened awareness of the area's hazardous traffic conditions has led concerned members of the community to form two grassroots groups, Windsor Terrace Safe Streets and KWT Safe Streets.

DOT's presentation covered

• city-wide improvements already implemented
• reducing the speed from 30 mph to 20 mph
• adding speed cameras
• recently-completed KWT projects
• the pedestrian refuge on Ocean Parkway 

Pedestrian refuge on Ocean Parkway at Church Avenue; photo courtesy of Colin Klebanoff

• daylighting on Albemarle Road (removing a parking space near an intersection to make drivers and pedestrians visible to each other)

from the DOT presentation

• projects approved for KWT but not yet underway
• speed bumps on Albemarle Road 
• curb extensions at the Church Avenue-McDonald intersection



Church Avenue-McDonald Avenue intersection

• projects for KWT that require further study
• increasing the Leading Pedestrian Interval (pedestrians start crossing before vehicles start moving) at E. 7th Street at Caton Avenue
• speed bumps near P.S./I.S. 437; the school is currently under construction on Caton Avenue at E. 7th Street and scheduled to open in September 2015

DOT's proposals for Caton Avenue, between Ocean Parkway and Coney Island Avenue

Particular attention is being paid to cures for trouble spots near our local schools: proposed reduced speed zones, proposed street conversions, upgraded signs and parking, crossing guards, and more.

from the DOT presentation

Residents packed P.S. 130's auditorium just about to capacity to listen to the DOT's presentation and to ask DOT representatives many pointed, pressing questions afterward.



A resident's proposal to install left-turn signals at the notorious and deadly Ocean Parkway-Church Avenue intersection drew the loudest applause. 

The left-turn signals would allow vehicles traveling on Church Avenue to turn left onto either the Prospect Expressway or Ocean Parkway. The point of installing the signals is to give pedestrians time to get across the roadway before vehicles make the turn.

Speakers representing the Department of Transportation were Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner; Kim Wiley-Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner of Education and Outreach; and Rob Viola, Senior Project Manager in the Traffic and Planning Division.

Commissioner Polly Trottenberg addresses the community

Thanks go to our New York City Councilmember Brad Lander and Community Board 7 for working with the community and DOT to bring about this meeting.

New York City Councilmember Brad Lander

SPEAK OUT TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER: PUBLIC MEETING ON TRAFFIC SAFETY IN KENSINGTON AND WINDSOR TERRACE

Public Meeting on Traffic Safety

Thursday, January 8th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

At our community's request, our New York City Councilmember Brad Lander and Community Board 7 have arranged for the commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Polly Trottenberg, to report on what the city's agencies are going to do to make our streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Ms. Trottenberg will address the safety issues on Caton Avenue and other streets in Kensington and Windsor Terrace.

Residents have concerns about a number of local roads that have been the scene of collisions--some of them fatal--and potential trouble spots, including Fort Hamilton Parkway, Caton Avenue, Albemarle Road, McDonald Avenue, Minna Street, Dahill Road, E. 5th Street, E. 7th Street, Church Avenue, Ocean Parkway, and Prospect Expressway.

Your information about hazardous conditions and your suggestions will be welcome at the meeting.

Meeting location
P.S. 130
70 Ocean Parkway
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Related KARMABrooklyn blog posts:
IN THE WAKE OF ANOTHER DEATH, A STREET SAFETY GROUP FOR KWT HAS FORMED
P.S. 130 IS SURROUNDED BY DANGEROUS STREETS AND INTERSECTIONS
PHONE CALLS FOR SAFETY AROUND P.S. 230
PETITION TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS NEAR P.S. 230
TRAFFIC SAFETY IN WINDSOR TERRACE: THE NEXT STEPS
KEEP ON TRUCKIN', BUT DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE

PETITION TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS NEAR P.S. 230

An online petition to improve traffic conditions around P.S. 230 calls for

• installing better school crossing signage,
• creating speed bumps on the surrounding side streets, and
• adding more school crossing guards.

Please sign the petition. Getting motorists to drive more slowly and cautiously can benefit children and people of all ages and abilities who travel in that vicinity on foot, on a bicycle, and in or on a motorized vehicle.

The petition is addressed to Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. Copies will also be delivered to our City Councilmember Brad Lander, our New York State Assemblymember Jim Brennan, and Mayor Bill de Blasio. Neighborhood parent Tara Schad posted the petition.

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

I am writing to express my outrage at the hazardous traffic conditions surrounding both the upper school (2nd - 5th grade) building and the lower school (pre-k - 1st grade) buildings of PS 230K in Kensington, Brooklyn.  We have repeatedly reached out to NYC DOT for help addressing the dangers posed by traffic near our school.  You have failed to address our concerns or respond in any way, leaving our community frustrated. 

We submitted formal requests for appropriate signage around our school to alert traffic to the presence of young children (April 21, 2014:DOT-242331-H7R7, DOT-243780-F1C1,DOT-242331-H7E7). 

We formally requested more crossing guards to protect our young school children at the hazardous intersections of McDonald Ave and Albemarle Rd.  We requested speed bumps on the side streets surrounding our school buildings to inhibit drivers from approaching the school buildings at hazardous speeds.  All these requests have been ignored.

PS 230K is a large school (1,400 students) and with new rezoning effective next 2015/2016 academic year, our student population will increase.  It is the Commissioner of NYC DOT's responsibility to ensure that proper signage and safety measures are in place surrounding our school to make sure our youngest citizens are protected from dangerous traffic.  Please address these safety matters immediately.

Polly Trottenberg, you have failed to address our concerns or respond in any way, leaving parents at PS 230K angry and frustrated.  We sincerely look forward to your response in addressing our needs before it is too late.

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

Reminder: Tomorrow is the 311 call-in campaign about traffic safety for P.S. 130 and P.S. 230. Call 311 if you're a past, present, or future parent of a student at P.S. 130 or P.S. 230 or if you simply live in the neighborhood and want everyone to be safe, yourself included.

MONEY FOR KENSINGTON PROJECTS, IF WE SUGGEST IT AND VOTE FOR IT

Kensington Participatory Budgeting Assembly

Thursday, October 16th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For three years, Kensington residents have suggested winning projects for the neighborhood, paid for with Participatory Budgeting (PB) funds. This Thursday, Kensington residents will meet at P.S. 230 at 1 Albemarle Road to collaborate on ideas for projects that the neighborhood needs. RSVP here.

In previous years, our City Councilmember Brad Lander made $1 million of his budget available for PB projects. This year, the amount will be $1.5 million.
Aside from this one neighborhood assembly, Councilmember Lander has organized issue-based assemblies. 

Streets & Transit:
Tuesday, October 14th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
NYC Transit Museum (Boerum Pl & Schermerhorn St)
RSVP here

Parks & Environment:
Monday, October 20th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Picnic House in Prospect Park (95 Prospect Park West)
RSVP here

Arts, Community & Culture:
Wednesday, October 22nd, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
ReelWorks (540 President Street, #2F in Gowanus)
RSVP here

Public Education:
Monday, October 27th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
PS 154 (1625 11th Ave in Windsor Terrace)
RSVP here

WINDSOR TERRACE SAFE STREETS ADVOCATES WILL HOLD PUBLIC MEETING WITH 72ND PRECINCT

Ryan Lynch moderated the first public meeting of Windsor Terrace Safe Streets.

Windsor Terrace Safe Streets meeting 

Tuesday, October 21st, 6:00 p.m.

The grassroots neighborhood group Windsor Terrace Safe Streets (WTSS) is focusing on making the neighborhood safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. On October 21st, at its second public meeting, WTSS and its new partner, New York City Councilmember Brad Lander, will meet with the 72nd Precinct to discuss traffic enforcement and Vision Zero efforts in Windsor Terrace.

Residents' input is essential. Last month, at the first public meeting, more than 100 Windsor Terrace residents met with New York City Department of Transportation representative Zeph Parmenter and Councilmember Lander's representative Hannah Holland. 

WTSS wants, based on feedback from residents about dangerous conditions, a slow zone, more stop signs, more traffic lights, more crosswalks at dangerous intersections, and more bike lanes.

Meeting location:
the cafeteria in P.S. 130, The Parkside School 
70 Ocean Parkway 
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue, and between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway
Windsor Terrace

Event organizer:
Terrace Safe Streets
https://www.facebook.com/winsdorterracesafestreets
https://twitter.com/windsorsafe
windsorterracesafety @ gmail.com

SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT CRIME BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE 72ND PRECINCT

Windsor Terrace Residents/72nd Precinct Meeting

Monday, October 20th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Complaints about the 72nd Precinct's failure to respond to reports phoned in by residents and 911 about crimes in the precinct have led to the scheduling of a special meeting later this month between residents and the precinct.

Windsor Terrace residents who have reported crimes either directly to the precinct or to 911 say that on several occasions no officer has showed up to take their reports in person or to look for the criminal.

City Councilmember Brad Lander's Constituent Services Director, Hannah Holland, has set up a public meeting between residents and the precinct in the rectory basement at Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 245 Prospect Park West, between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue, in Windsor Terrace. The entrance is in the rear of the building, through the parking lot.

WORKING TOGETHER: THEY GET JOBS AND TRAINING, WE GET A CLEANER, GREENER CHURCH AVENUE

City Councilmember Brad Lander allocated to Church Avenue and Kensington Plaza the majority of the funding provided to his district in the City Council budget for the NYC Cleanup Initiative. Brad is flanked by the workers from the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE).

The workers from ACE, together with the Horticultural Society of New York, will beautify Church Avenue from Ocean Parkway to Story Street and Kensington Plaza.

As Brad Lander wrote below, they "will sweep sidewalks, remove liners from trash and recycling baskets, clean tree pits, and remove snow from corners" and will also provide seasonal plantings in tree pits and water them.

Henry Buhl (left), who founded ACE's predecessor organization in 1992, with Brad Lander

Brad Lander with Kensington Plaza Stewards Bridget Elder (in blue shirt) and JC Martinez (wearing a cap)

Kensington Plaza Stewards Mike Rosenbluth and Sue Braverman. Mike is describing the satisfaction he gets from helping his neighborhood.

Community Board 12 president Yidel Perlstein (left) and Sergeant at Arms Larry Jayson

The Walgreens branch manager, Al (left), and the supervisor of Walgreens' Brooklyn pharmacies, Daniel. Al and Daniel talked about how happy they are to have the plaza in front of their store and how it has increased foot traffic into it.

And now, a word from our City Councilmember Brad Lander, who has worked alongside the residents of Kensington for years to make our neighborhood cleaner, greener, and safer.