FREE BREAST CANCER SCREENING

 

Free Screening Mammograms

Friday, June 2nd, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. The most recent update about breast cancer screening from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force "recommends that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 to reduce their risk of dying from this disease."

 

The American-Italian Cancer Foundation's mobile mammogram bus will give free screening mammograms in Kensington on Friday, June 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Multi Diagnostic Services will provide the medical services. No co-pays are required. Deductibles are waived. The uninsured are welcome.

 

Appointments are available for women and trans women who are ages 40 to 79 and currently living in New York City and who have not had a mammogram done in the past twelve months.

 

To schedule an appointment, call New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif's office at (718) 499-1090 or the American-Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF) at (877) 628-9090.

 

AICF recommends that on the day of your appointment, you

• wear a two-piece outfit with a top that can be easily removed,
• do not use any oil, powder, deodorant, or perfume in the breast, underarm, or chest areas,
• bring your insurance card with you if you have Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance; your insurance plan will be billed for services, but you will not be charged a co-pay or deductible.

Councilmember Hanif is hosting the event.

 

Location

118 Beverley Road

between McDonald Avenue and E. 2nd Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

FREE FLU SHOTS IN WINDSOR TERRACE

 

Free Flu Shots

Thursday, November 5th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

In partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Assemblymember Robert Carroll is hosting an annual free flu shot event with State Senator Kevin Parker on Thursday, November 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Quantities are limited.

 

COVID-19 safety precautions will be enforced. Masks must be worn.

 

Shots are available for adults eighteen years old and up.

 

Reservations are required. Schedule an appointment by sending an e-mail to Assemblymember Carroll's office at Carrollr @ nyassembly.gov or calling his District Office at (718) 788-7221.

 

Location

Shepherd’s Hall

Holy Name Parish

245 Prospect Park West

between Prospect Avenue and Windsor Place

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn 

DEADLY FUNGUS HAS INFECTED PATIENTS AT KENSINGTON NURSING AND REHAB CENTER

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

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

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

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

Infection is rare in healthy people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MOSQUITOES THREATEN HEALTH

Written by Maria Scarvalone and reprinted with her permission.

How to take action on our mosquito problem

Hi all,

I called Brad Lander's office today, and they would like everyone to call 311 to report this problem to establish a paper trail of complaints. Tell 311 that you want to report a terrible mosquito problem in the neighborhood to the Department of Health. Let them know the mosquitoes are coming up from the sewer drains in front of our houses and in the street. Tell them that it is a standing water issue (even beneath the ground) and that the Health Commissioner has asked for these complaints to be filed

Please send a record of your complaint number, address, and any letters or other documentation to Brad Lander's assistant, Jessica Turner, who will work with us on this: JTurner@council.nyc.gov, tel. 718-499-1090, fax 718-499-1997. Also, please let me know so I can work on compiling a master list.

Brad Lander will be meeting soon with the Commissioner of the Department of Health to discuss several matters, and this will be on the agenda.

Please take a moment to call 311 and report this problem. There is power in numbers. Don't forget, these Asian tiger mosquitoes are vectors for various diseases, including West Nile, dengue and chikungunya, to name a few, so are not only a nuisance but also a health risk. (I actually wrote an article about them for The Washington Post, if you'd like some more information:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/15/AR2008081503123.\html).

Maybe if we get some assistance from the city on this, we will be able to enjoy our gardens next year......

OCTOBER SPECIALS AT KENSINGTON PHARMACY

Kensington Pharmacy's October Specials 

for Women and Children Month

KENSINGTON PHARMACY'S HEALTH FARE

Kensington Pharmacy Health Fare

Thursday, October 21st, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

At its health fare, Kensington Pharmacy will offer free blood pressure checking, medication reviews, blood sugar testing, and, for a small charge, cholesterol screening and flu vaccinations. Nurse Eddie Korycka will be there throughout the event.

Kensington Pharmacy is open Sunday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

309 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets, in the back of MF Discount

Phone: (347) 533-6619
Fax: (347) 533-6618
E-mail: ruben@mrbrklyn.com
 

Website: http://www.kensingtonpharm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=110297515659712&v=wall 

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

FALL HARVEST FEST + SOUP COOK OFF AT PROSPECT FARM

Fall Harvest Fest + Soup Cook Off

Saturday, October 30th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Support and learn about Prospect Farm, a local urban farm at 1194 Prospect Avenue, between Vanderbilt and Seeley streets. Take a tour of the farm. Enjoy food, drinks, games for kids, live music, and a raffle. And taste the results of the Soup Cook Off!

Enter the Soup Cook Off and win prizes. Contestants must make a soup that feeds eight to twelve people. The soup has to contain one locally-sourced ingredient (grown within 100 miles from here) and be brought to the festival to be judged. Prizes for the two best pots of soup include a $75 and a $25 gift certificate from Grab Specialty Food and more. 

To sign up as a contestant, send an e-mail to prospectfarmbk@gmail.com.

The Cook-Off judges are Brandon Maya (http://entertainingchannel.wordpress.com/about-2) and Joe Brancaccio (http://brancacciosfoodshop.blogspot.com).

Learn more about Prospect Farm from its Google Group and its Facebook page.

PROSPECT FARM: AN ALTERNATIVE TO INDUSTRIAL FOOD

Civil Eats published an article today about Prospect Farm in Windsor Terrace. In "A Farm Grows in an Empty Lot in Brooklyn," Monique Peterson describes Prospect Farm as

a volunteer movement that’s working to make a difference in the way we think about food, community, and what it takes to democratically run a major project comprised of individuals holding various opinions on urban agriculture.

She says that

The intent is to make Prospect Farm a living public model and teaching tool.

The farm is about 5,000 square feet in size and is located at 1194 Prospect Avenue, between Seeley and Vanderbilt streets.

To learn more about Prospect Farm, take a look at its Google Group and its Facebook page.

WT'S WOMEN'S ROLLER DERBY IN NEW YORK TIMES

Greenwood Playground's Derby Fit class was mentioned in The New York Times story "Aggression on Wheels, With Bruises as Badges." Are you interested in joining Derby Fit? Get on the waiting list for the Saturday class by e-mailing greenwoodrollerderby@gmail.com.

CITY MAY BE REQUIRED TO TRAP RACCOONS

A bill requiring the Department of Health to trap raccoons seen anywhere in New York City was introduced by the City Council last Wednesday. It was then referred to the council's Committee on Health. The bill, Int. 0319-2010, is titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to the removal of raccoons."

According to the Daily News, "the city Health Department would be encouraged to humanely release the critters. Under current guidelines, most trapped raccoons are euthanized because they can carry rabies." 

The raccoon situation has been discussed by residents at Albemarle Neighborhood Association meetings. Our City Councilmember, Brad Lander, is one of the six co-sponsors of the bill. The main sponsor is Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley of Queens.

JOIN DERBY FIT!

From Friends of Greenwood Playground:

We're finishing up our first session and loving it. One mom wrote "I had no idea it would be this fun when my friend talked me into it (I thought it would be some lightweight fitness instructor jumping on the latest fad!)." It's really great and you can go at your own pace. It's as challenging as you need it to be! We all leave the class pretty sore and really proud of all that we've learned.

What is roller derby, you say? It's a team-based roller skating racing game. Our brand of roller derby will not be crazy or too dangerous. It's really just a way to have fun and get fit while learning some interesting skating skills.

The first hour or so is on quad skates (sorry, no in-lines) and we learn the important skills of turning, falling, stopping, skating fast, and more! During the second part we work on strength and flexibility with land drills. Absolute beginners are welcome.

Check out the video. Girls in the Gotham Girls Roller Derby are all shapes, sizes, and ages. It's a great post-baby workout and a good way to make new friends!



You will likely need to purchase some equipment (4-wheel skates, pads, mouth guard, helmet, etc.).

ROOM IS AVAILABLE FOR OUR THURSDAY EVENING GROUP, or join the wait list for the Saturday class.

If you're interested, please e-mail .

Best,
Jasmina
on behalf of Friends of Greenwood Playground
http://www.FriendsofGreenwoodPlayground.bbnow.org

BED BUG RESOURCES ONLINE

If you have bed bugs in your home, you shouldn't think that it says anything about you personally or about the cleanliness of your home. It just means that bed bugs travel easily from one place to another. In New York City, bed bugs are a major problem; they've been found in apartments, houses, stores, schools, and hospitals.

If you see bed bugs anywhere,
call 311 immediately to report it!

Landlords in New York are now required by law to tell potential tenants about any previous bed bug infestations in the building. The law went into effect in June.

And a few days ago, New York City announced that it will begin an educational campaign on how to better combat bed bugs. It will also coordinate efforts between city agencies better, create a new health department task force, and establish an online bed bug portal.

Several websites have helpful information about dealing with bed bugs:

• Preventing and Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Safely: A Guide for Property Owners, Managers and Tenants
• Bed Bugs in New York City
• NYC Laws and Resources
• Bedbugger.com

FREE DIABETES EDUCATION AND TESTING

Diabetes Education and Testing
Saturday, July 3rd,
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and
Sunday, July 4th through Thursday, July 7th,
9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Diabetes is one of the most dreadful killer diseases in the U.S. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. To assist the Kensington community, the pharmacists at Kensington Pharmacy (and/or a nurse) will help you test your blood sugar level and teach you about treating diabetes. Learn about diet, sugar control, Type I and Type II diabetes, and how diabetes and high blood pressure are linked. They will also tell you how to get a free glucose testing machine. The event will be held on the sidewalk in front of the store.

Kensington Pharmacy
309 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets, in the back of MF Discount
Open Sunday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone: (347) 533-6619
Fax: (347) 533-6618
E-mail: ruben@mrbrklyn.com
Website: http://www.kensingtonpharm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=110297515659712&v=wall

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

THE GREAT KENSINGTON BROOKLYN SMOKE-OUT

The Great Kensington Brooklyn Smoke-out
Monday, June 7th, 9:00 a.m.
through Sunday, June 13th, 7:00 p.m.

The pharmacists at Kensington Pharmacy will be handing out literature, talking to people about the dangers of cigarettes, and explain how to quit smoking. Nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum will be on sale for 10% off. Free patches can also be arranged through the NYS Quit Line. Literature, support, and help will be available all week.

Support Group Meeting
Thursday, June 10th, 1:00 p.m.

The support group meeting is open to everyone.

Kensington Pharmacy
309 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets, in the back of MF Discount
Open Sunday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone: (347) 533-6619
Fax: (347) 533-6618
E-mail: ruben@mrbrklyn.com
Website: http://www.kensingtonpharm.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=110297515659712&v=wall

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!