SUCCESSFUL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS PANEL: FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Wednesday, March 31, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Free Workshop:
Successful Women Entrepreneurs Panel
for Small Business Owners and Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Celebrate Women’s History Month by networking with and hearing from a diverse group of women business owners and professionals who will discuss their extensive business experiences and life lessons.

Introduction: Pravina Raghavan, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

Moderator: Michele Smith, Associate at Exec|Comm Communications consultant and former entrepreneur

Panelists:

• Vera Moore, President & CEO of Vera Moore Cosmetics, will share her experience in getting this successful line distributed in Duane Reade stores.
• Veronica Rose, President, Aurora Electric, a veteran entrepreneur, will share her experiences about government contracting.
  
• Elisa Balabram, author of Ask Others, Trust Yourself: The Entrepreneurial Woman’s Key to Success, will talk about her book and about women asking for advice.
  

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
25 Thornton Street, Brooklyn
(between Flushing Avenue and Broadway)

G train to Flushing Avenue station
or
M/J trains to Broadway and Flushing Avenue station

Registration is required, as seating is limited.
Call (718) 797.0187 or e-mail .

The New York State Small Business Development Center (NYS/SBDC) program is a free program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

New York State Small Business Development Center http://www.nyssbdc.org
U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov

ATTENTION, CONEY ISLAND AVENUE SHOPPERS!

Do you use Coney Island Avenue, between Parkside Avenue and Cortelyou Road, for shopping or other purposes? If you do, please fill out the short online survey. The Pratt Center for Community Development wants to know how Coney Island Avenue and its businesses can better serve the needs of people in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thank you!

BUSINESS WORKSHOP: THE LOAN PROCESS FOR SECURING BUSINESS FINANCING

Wednesday, March 31st, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Free Workshop:
The Loan Process for Securing Business Financing

"THE BUSINESS OF BROOKLYN" ON BCAT

"Sector B: The Business of Brooklyn" is a weekly TV show that helps small business owners connect with tools and institutions that can assist them in marketing their companies, managing their employees, and dealing with problems that can arise while building or sustaining a business.

The program features studio interviews as well as videos shot on location throughout Brooklyn. Randy Peers, the host and the Executive Director of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, interviews respected business and government leaders on topics relevant to the Brooklyn business community and discusses the many resources available to support businesses and entrepreneurs.

The show airs on cable's BCAT TV Network (Brooklyn Community Access Television). You can watch it on Time Warner Cable channel 56, Cablevision channel 69, RCN channel 84, and Verizon channel 44. New episodes are shown on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 p.m. They are repeated on Tuesday and Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Episodes are also viewable online. Click on the "Sector B: The Business of Brooklyn" link on the left-hand side of the page.

A video highlighting the struggles of immigrant-owned small businesses in South Brooklyn is viewable here.

The Business of Brooklyn has a page on Facebook that "supports the content presented on the TV show Sector B: The Business of Brooklyn on Brooklyn Independent Television, and also provides additional resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the borough."

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

A NEW PLAN FOR OUR CITY

KARMA received this e-mail from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The portions of it that aren't relevant to Kensington have been omitted.

March 2, 2010

Dear New Yorker,

This past month, during my State of the City address, I laid out a new plan to help strengthen our economy, create more jobs and get us moving on the path to full recovery.

Included in this plan are a number of practical steps to help small business owners across the five boroughs. Specifically, our proposals will:

* Improve the City's inspection process - New York City has thousands of rules and regulations for small businesses that protect public safety and the rights of consumers. But one of the biggest problems we hear from small business owners is that these rules are enforced in a way that's unfair and inconsistent. That's why we're taking steps today to make the inspection process fairer for business owners. First, we'll educate businesses about their responsibilities. Second, we'll improve the way we train inspectors, putting a new level of focus on consistent enforcement. Finally, we'll introduce new legislation sponsored by Council Member Karen Koslowitz creating a Business Owner's Bill of Rights. This bill of rights will list the rules that inspectors have to follow and the steps that business owners can take if they feel they've been treated unfairly.

* Help small businesses get the loans that they need - Small businesses owners who've been turned down for loans will now get a second chance through our "Second Look" Program. Created in partnership with the New York Bankers Association, this new program will give business owners a second shot at securing the financing that they need. We'll also convene a summit with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce where participants from banking and small business can work to develop and propose ways to get credit flowing to small

* Provide training and support to minority- and women-owned businesses - This year we'll partner with the City's Small Business Commissioner, Robert Walsh, to launch a new executive management program for minority- and women-owned businesses. Individuals participating in this program will receive training and support in a number of critical areas to help them to successfully grow their business. This same program has already shown great results in Massachusetts, where three out of four participants increased their sales and were able to hire new employees.

* Provide tax relief for mom-and-pop retail stores - Last year we created a new tax credit to eliminate the double taxation on small unincorporated businesses and freelancers. This year we'll extend that same kind of relief to another group that's currently struggling - small mom and pop retailers. Together with Council Members Joel Rivera and Inez Dickens, we'll work with Albany to create a new tax credit exempting mom and pop stores from the City's corporate tax. About 19,000 small retailers will be eligible, saving them up to $3,400 a year.

If we're going to come out of this recession stronger than we were before, we need to continue doing everything that we can to help support the home-grown businesses that are so vital to our City's recovery. With this new plan we can help small businesses grow, create new jobs and set the stage for our long-term growth and recovery.

If you'd like to watch my speech online and share any comments or questions you have about these proposals, please click on the following link: http://council.nyc.gov/html/soc/main.shtml.

Sincerely,
Christine C. Quinn
Speaker
New York City Council

CONNIE'S CAFE'S MENU

Check out the menu for Connie's Cafe, posted by Liena tonight on her Kensington Prospect blog. Connie's Cafe is owned and operated by Connie Lambropoulos, who was raised right here in Kensington.

Connie's Cafe
424 Church Avenue, at the corner of E. 5th Street
Open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free delivery, no minimum
(718) 633-3557

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

WORKSHOP: DIAGNOSING THE HEALTH OF YOUR BUSINESS

Wednesday, March 24th, and Thursday, March 25th,
8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Workshop: Diagnosing the Health of Your Business

Understanding your business's financial statements is crucial to improving your business operations. Knowing where to look for financial leaks and then monitoring them allows you to make shifts that will make your business more efficient and profitable.

Brendan Guastella will lead this free workshop. He is the owner of Soundview Business Consulting, a Brooklyn-based firm specializing in assisting entrepreneurs, start-ups, and other small businesses in the New York metropolitan area.

Part 1 will be held on Wednesday and Part 2 on Thursday at Capital One Bank, 356 Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

To make a reservation, call (718) 368-6790 or register on the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation's website.

More information about the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is available at www.bedc.org.

HAITI FUND RAISER AT NAMASTE YOGA TOMORROW

Saturday. February 27th, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Chi Kung Workshop--A Fund Raiser for the Haiti Relief Fund

To raise money for the Haiti Relief Fund, Namaste Yoga of Kensington will offer a special Chi Kung (Qigong) workshop tomorrow. Teri Gorbea will lead the workshop. This is an introductory class for beginners, but people at all levels are welcome to attend.

• Learn special self-massages to wake up the inner chi and help alleviate blockages within, allowing energy to flow freely.
• Feel the Three Powers of Chi Kung: breath, movement, and mental concentration. Experience breathing techniques to revitalize your internal system.
• Do movements that will strengthen your internal system and work your muscles.
• Meditate to free your mind, body, and spirit of stagnant energy.

A portion of the $25.00 fee will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call Namaste Yoga now to reserve a spot!

Namaste Yoga of Kensington
482 Coney Island Avenue, 2nd floor
(347) 533-6226 or 6227
http://www.mynamasteyoga.com
email: info@mynamasteyoga.com

The main entrance to the studio is on Church Avenue. Walk up the red staircase with the red door that's behind the corner pizzeria and next to the car wash service center.

CONNIE'S CAFE WEBSITE

It's a cafe! It's a restaurant! It's a diner! It's Connie's Cafe, where you're welcome to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Connie's website should be up and running soon.

Please see our other posts about Connie's Cafe at
http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/07/connies-cafe-new-business.html,
http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/07/platters-at-connies-cafe.html, and
http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanks-for-your-community-spirit.html.

And try Connie's new sweet potato fries!

Connie's Cafe
424 Church Avenue, at the corner of E. 5th Street
Open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free delivery, no minimum
(718) 633-3557

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

"PUP" CRAWL TO BENEFIT SEAN CASEY ANIMAL RESCUE

Saturday, February 20th, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Smith St. "Pup" Crawl

The Smith St. "Pup" Crawl won't be taking place in our neighborhood, but it'll benefit neighborhood hero Sean Casey's animal rescue.

For $20.00, you can buy a bracelet that will get you drink specials at these participating bars: Angry Wade's, Zombie Hut, Camp, Bar Great Harry, and Ceol. Buy the bracelet at Camp, 179 Smith St., between Warren and Wyckoff streets, starting at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

All proceeds will go to Sean's animal shelter.

To RSVP--or if you have any questions--please e-mail Jessica at jessmeyer216@yahoo.com.

The Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street (between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue)
Phone: (718) 436-5163
http://scarnyc.org

On Sean's page on Petfinder, you can see photos and read about some of the animals available for adoption.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22sean+casey+animal+rescue%22&search_type=&aq=f

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

NEW MENU ITEMS AT MARIA'S PIZZERIA

To coincide with the start of the Lenten season, three shellfish entrees have been added to the menu at Maria's Pizzeria: linguine in clam sauce, shrimp scampi, and shrimp marinara. For shellfish lovers in the neighborhood, Darren will continue to offer them after the end of Lent.

Also new to the menu are slices of cake: chocolate mousse cake, carrot cake, New York cheesecake, cheesecake with a brownie crust, and Mississippi mud pie. A slice costs $3.50. Your KARMA blogger is enjoying a slice of chocolate mousse cake while typing.

Maria's Pizzeria runs specials on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

• "Monday Madness": an extra large cheese pie (pick-up or dine-in only; toppings extra) for $10.00, a saving of $4.00.
• "Turnover Tuesday": two extra large cheese pies, twelve garlic knots, and a garden salad for $28.00, a saving of $8.50.
• "Wacky Wednesday": all heroes (except shrimp parmigiana and veal cutlet with peppers and onions) for $5.00, a saving of $1.50 to $2.50.

Please see our other post about Maria's Pizzeria at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/09/welcome-marias-pizzeria.html.

Maria's Pizzeria
3007 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
(718) 854-7575

winter hours:
Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

WHAT IS KARMABrooklyn?

It's been almost a year since the Kensington Area Resident/Merchant Alliance was formed, and we'd like to tell you more about what we are and what we've done.

KARMA is a group of local small business owners and local residents. We want to help small businesses in our neighborhood stay in business and improve the Kensington area shopping district and your shopping experience. This includes working on beautification and safety issues.

Our "official" boundaries are Church Avenue from 36th Street to Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue from Caton Avenue to Ditmas Avenue--but we sometimes go a bit beyond those boundaries.

When we began meeting last April, we surveyed business owners to find out what their common needs and concerns are. They told us that they aren’t getting enough customers, their rent is headed toward being unaffordable, and the appearance of our streets and sidewalks needs to be improved.

In June, we began holding community meetings, which are open to business owners and residents.

Also in June, we started the KARMABrooklyn Blog and the Kensington Area Community Calendar. We write about local small businesses, post announcements about programs, events, assistance, and legislation that can help them, and post events on the calendar that are of interest to local residents.

We created a two-page color brochure about KARMA.

We collected data for a Shop Local brochure, which will serve as a descriptive guide to our neighborhood’s retail stores, restaurants, and services.

KARMA helped the West Kensington Action Group (WKAG) organize a party to celebrate the opening of a triangular park in the middle of Church Avenue at 35th Street. The celebration featured local musicians, a storyteller, a troupe of young dancers, games for children, and refreshments. WKAG was the driving force behind the creation of a Greenstreets park in an area that was being used as a parking lot for buses waiting to begin their routes.

We sponsored “Daffodil Day,” a day for local residents to beautify the tree pits on our main shopping streets by planting daffodil bulbs, and made arrangements with Connie, the owner of Connie's Cafe, to provide coffee and muffins to participants.

We compiled a list of empty tree pits where trees can be planted and submitted it to the Department of Parks & Recreation through our New York City Councilmember’s office.

We lined up local merchants to donate items to a raffle held by the Albemarle Neighborhood Association.

We designed a flier for a sale being held by a local merchant and helped publicize it.

To help a local restaurant owner obtain a beer and wine license, we created a petition for residents to sign.

We speak up at Community Board 12 meetings.

We speak up at the 66th police precinct's community meetings.

We encourage people who write for the local print and online media to provide much-needed coverage for Kensington.

We formed relationships with the elected officials who represent our neighborhood.

We are working in support of New York City's proposed Small Business Survival Act. The bill would create a program that establishes a fair environment for negotiations between small business owners and their landlords during the commercial lease renewal process, with the goal of determining lease terms that are reasonable.

There's more to do, of course, and we hope that business owners and residents will continue to join KARMA and work together to make Kensington an even better place.

Our blog is located at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com.

We welcome your comments at karmabrooklyn @ gmail.com.

BRANCACCIO'S FOOD SHOP ON FACEBOOK

Brancaccio's Food Shop has a page on Facebook. See a sample menu--and become a fan!

Joe has also started a blog. There isn't much on it yet, but there will be, so keep checking!

Brancaccio's Food Shop
3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
info@BrancacciosFoodShop.com (e-mail checked nightly)
(718) 435-1997
http://brancacciosfoodshop.blogspot.com

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

A MOTHER'S REVIEW OF THE OAK AND THE IRIS CAFE

The Oak and The Iris Cafe has made a mother and her baby very happy. Mom is a blogger and has reviewed the cafe on her blog, Brooklyn Baby Momma.

The Oak and The Iris Cafe
2826 Fort Hamilton Parkway (corner of E. 4th Street)
(718) 208-7713

menu: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/the-oak-the-iris/menu

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

BRANCACCIO'S FOOD SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Your KARMABrooklyn blogger has now happily eaten the delicious dishes prepared at Brancaccio's Food Shop that are listed below--including the ones on my kitchen table in the photo above--and enthusiastically recommends every single one of them:

• poached salmon with pistachio crust (twice!)
• pasta pomodoro (also for sale in the freezer case)
• butternut squash risotto
• fingerling potatoes and carrots
  
• roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic
• grilled mixed vegetables
• caponata (a Sicilian dish containing eggplant, red peppers, pine nuts, capers, raisins, and more)
• roasted brussels sprouts, and
• a chocolate croissant (made on the premises by Chef Joe Brancaccio).

See "Brancaccio's Food Shop Is an Immediate Hit" on this blog for more information and the store's hours.

Location

Brancaccio's Food Shop

3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
info@BrancacciosFoodShop.com (e-mail checked nightly)
(718) 435-1997

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT

SMALL BUSINESSES!

THREE CHEERS FOR KABIR'S

Oh, the sweets! Kabir's Bakery carries a delicious assortment of goodies for breakfast, dessert, and midnight snacks. Just a few of them are

• cranberry and banana walnut muffins,
  
• cappuccino and blueberry yogurt muffins,
  
• chocolate and butter croissants,
  
• cherry cheese and apple fruit danish,
• raisin and cranberry scones,
  
• coffee and butter sprinkle cookies,
• and slices of black forest, mocha, and carrot cake.

From the Indian sub-continent come

• color burfee, made from condensed milk and sugar and flavored with nuts,
• hubshe halwa, rich and dark, made with nuts and cardomom,
• the heavenly golup jum, balls of fried dough in a flavored sugar syrup,
• and many more.
  

Kabir's also makes gorgeous layer cakes, themed sheet cakes for children's birthday parties, and inspired wedding cakes.

Enjoy your treats with a cup of coffee or tea at a table in the back or get them to go!

Kabir's Bakery
97 Church Avenue
between McDonald Avenue and Dahill Road
(718) 853-7907
http://www.kabirsbakery.com

Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

FREE "LUNCH N LEARN" WEBINAR FINANCIAL SERIES

St. Nicks Brooklyn Business Center (BBC), the business services arm of St. Nicks Alliance, is launching a free "Lunch n Learn" Webinar series on the first Tuesday of each month, from February through June.

Their experts will guide small business owners and entrepreneurs through the aspects of financial management that are relevant for optimizing your business operations.

Participate in the webinars from your home or office. Find out what bankers, investors, and lenders are seeking by interacting with them during the webinars. Learn best practices in the industry. Network with other business owners, bankers, lenders, and investors to help grow your business.

These free webinars will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

• February 2nd: "Quickbooks for Beginners" - Tiffany Brown from Opulence Group
• March 2nd: "What Bankers Want to See" – Betty Tamberg from Bank of America
• April 6th: "What Microlenders Want to See" – Jahaira Guerrero from Brooklyn Cooperative FCU
• May 4th: "Understand Your Credit Score" - Cori-Ann Roublick from My Financial Possibilities LLC
• June 1st: "How to Raise Money from Friends, Angel Investors, and Venture Capital Firms"

Visit http://www.brooklynbusinesscenter.com for more information and to register for the webinar.

The recorded video feed will be available on the website thereafter to watch at your convenience at no cost.

KARMABROOKLYN SUPPORTS
LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

BIG SALE AT RICH FROG TOYS

Rich Frog Toys is having a two-week winter sale, starting on Friday, January 29th.

A rack in the back of the store will be filled with merchandise priced at 30%,40%, and 50% off. The rack will be filled every day with more merchandise.

All wooden puzzles will be on sale for 20% off.

A lot of new and exciting toys will be arriving this season. In response to requests, Alexa, the owner, is adding projects for kids ages 6 to 8 and above.

Alexa is also giving away $5 coupons for every purchase of $30 or more, which can be redeemed on the spot(excluding sale items).

Rich Frog Toys
"Where children learn to use their imagination"
Educational Toys for Boys and Girls

211 Church Avenue, between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
(866) 371-1858
http://www.richfrogtoys.com

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

BRANCACCIO'S FOOD SHOP IS AN IMMEDIATE HIT

Brancaccio's Food Shop, a take-out prepared foods store, opened on Thursday and has already received glowing reviews from many of its neighbors.

Chef Joe Brancaccio shops every morning for the ingredients he'll use in his cooking that day. What he buys depends on what's in season, the quality of the food, and what he feels like cooking that day. He prepares about fifteen items daily.

Some of Joe's many delicious and creative offerings so far have been

• poached salmon with a pistachio nut topping,
• sliced flank steak,
• pot roast,
• baked chicken,
• roasted chicken,
• pork loin,
• short ribs,
• 5-cheese macaroni with truffle butter,
• orecchiette with sausage,
• butternut squash risotto,
• mushroom risotto,
• pasta pomodoro,
• penne with tomato sauce,
• cous cous with beets,
• fingerling potatoes and carrots,
• roasted potatoes,
• mashed potatoes
• roasted plum tomatoes,
• braised teenage bok choy,
• grilled mixed vegetables,
• chicken soup,
• sandwiches, and
• wraps.

Joe sells the food by the pound in round plastic, see-through pint and quart containers and also in plastic trays.

He also sells olive oil, pasta, canned tomatoes, frozen soup and pasta sauce, and cold bottled soda.

Try it, you'll like it!

Brancaccio's Food Shop 

3011 Fort Hamilton Parkway 

between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets

info@BrancacciosFoodShop.com (E-mail is checked nightly.) 

(718) 435-1997

http://www.brancacciosfoodshop.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/BRANCACCIOSFOODSHOP 

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT

SMALL BUSINESSES!

MEET THE LENDERS

Meet the Lenders

Inaugural Lender and Business Matchmaking Event
for Small Business Owners

Meet one-to-one
with loan officers from SBA-participating lenders
and learn how to apply for loans from
the New York City, New York State,
and federal governments.

Experts from 8(a) Division and SBA resource partners
--Small Business Development Centers, SCORE,
Women's Business Centers,
and local Chambers of Commerce--
will also attend.

Monday, February 8, 2010
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Welcome Remarks
10:00 a.m.— 10:10 a.m.
New York City Loan/Incentive Programs
10:10 a.m.— 10:20 a.m.
New York State Loan/Incentive Programs
10:20 a.m.— 10:30 a.m.
“SBA Financing Programs” and “How to Apply for a Loan”
10:30 a.m.— 10:50 a.m.
Meet the Lenders at Exhibit Tables
11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

U.S. Small Business Administration
New York District Office
26 Federal Plaza
6th Floor Conference Center
(enter on Broadway)

INFORMATION/REGISTER:
Make your reservation by January 31st. Send an e-mail to Man-Li Lin at man-li.lin@sba.gov or call (212) 264-7060.
Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance by sending an e-mail to man-li.lin@sba.gov.

Visit SBA online for 24/7 access to small business news, information, and training for entrepreneurs.

KENSINGTON CRIME -- TELL THE NEW HEAD OF THE 66TH PRECINCT WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND

Dear Kensington residents,

I'm a member of the Kensington Area Resident/Merchant Alliance and the Albemarle Neighborhood Association, but I'm sending this to you as an individual who is concerned about crime in Kensington.

Our police precinct has a new commander, Deputy Inspector John Sprague. He will be meeting with the residents of the 66th Precinct this Thursday, January 21st, at 5910 13th Avenue (near the corner of 59th Street), in Borough Park, at the 66th Precinct Community Council's meeting.

Inspector Sprague was just transferred to our precinct from the 62nd Precinct in Bensonhurst. This will be his very first meeting with our community.Please attend this meeting. Please urge your neighbors to attend.

Tell Inspector Sprague what's on the minds of the residents of Kensington. Make your voices heard. Don't let Kensington be ignored!

Let's make a big impression on him about our need for more police involvement in Kensington. Let him know that the residents of Kensington are awake and aware and want his attention!

The meeting will start at 7:30.

To get there by bus, take the B16 to 13th Avenue at 56th Street, then walk three blocks on 13th Avenue to 59th Street.

The schedule for the B16 is at http://www.mta.info/nyct/bus/schedule/bkln/b016cur.pdf. The ride should take about twenty minutes. A map showing the bus route is on page 10.

I hope to see you there!

Joy

DONATE IN KENSINGTON TO THE HAITI RELIEF EFFORT

A donation drive will be held in our neighborhood this Saturday, January 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

ALL OF THE ITEMS COLLECTED WILL BE DONATED TO THE HAITIAN CONSULATE.

Wilhyn Larsen, the owner of Namaste Yoga of Kensington, has donated her studio as the gathering-place for donations. The studio is located at 482 Coney Island Avenue on the 2nd floor. The main entrance is on Church Avenue. Walk up the red staircase with the red door, behind the corner pizzeria and next to the car wash service center.

These items are needed:

First Aid: Band Aids, Sterile Gauze, Plastic Bandages, Adhesive Bandages, Tweezers, Alcohol Wipes, Hand Sanitizers, Cotton Balls, Scissors, Medical Masks

Rescue Relief Items: Water, Water Purifying Tablets, Hard Hats, Dust Masks, Blankets, Women's Hygiene, Batteries, Flash Lights, Trash Bags, Non-Perishable Food Items, Canned Foods/Dry Foods, Tents, Sleeping Bags, Ropes, Soap, Shovels, Baby Formula, Baby Bottles, Tooth Brushes, Tooth Paste, Toilet Paper

Medication: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Triple Antibiotic Ointments, Pain Killers, Tylenol, Aspirin

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer your time, please contact Wilhyn at 347-533-6227 or Amara at 347-466-6108.

To anyone who is concerned that monetary donations should be made in lieu of items: Wilhyn is in touch with the volunteers in Haiti. They are in desperate need of supplies. The Haitian Consulate has designated drop-off points all over New York for the specific items mentioned above. The Haitian Consulate is also working with various charities that are on the ground in Haiti, which will insure that all items are delivered.

If you still have any concerns about where items are going to be delivered, contact the Haitian Consulate of New York for more information.

EXHIBIT ON THE GENTRIFICATION OF BROOKLYN

February 4th through May 16th

Exhibit: "The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks"

February 4th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Opening Reception: "Set It Off"

"The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks" is the first exhibit of the new year at Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA). The exhibit presents work by contemporary, urban artists in Brooklyn who have been directly affected by either gentrification, extreme real estate development, eminent domain, and/or class issues related to income and housing.

The first exhibit of its kind on the subject of Brooklyn’s gentrification presents the work of more than twenty professional artists of diverse ethnicities, utilizing varied media and approaches, including painting, photography, illustration, mixed-media, video, sculpture, poetry, music, and theatrical performance.

While all of the artists in the exhibition do not currently reside in Brooklyn, they all have a connection to the borough and a poignant perspective on its past, present, and future. Some have seen their neighborhoods gentrified, while others view themselves as part of the ongoing gentrification process.

Work by students from two Brooklyn high schools, The Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School and The Secondary School for Research, will also be on display. The students have been documenting the impact of gentrification on their neighborhoods over the past few years through photos and essays.

A reception, “Set It Off,” will be held on Thursday, February 4th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at MoCADA. It will feature a musical set by Brooklyn-based author and DJ, Rich Burroughs.

Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts
80 Hanson Place, near the Brooklyn Academy of Music
(718) 230-0492
e-mail: info@mocada.org

Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed on major holidays.

Suggested donation: $4 adults, $3 students up to age 16, free for children 12 and under.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER'S WORKSHOP

Monday, April 12, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Franchises and conglomerate malls are having a devastating impact on Brooklyn’s small businesses. What’s looming on the horizon? How does one survive in a sea of change? For this event, several small business owners in Central Brooklyn will come together to discuss how they have navigated what many have called “gentrification on steroids.” This discussion, moderated by Christine La Cerva of The Social Therapy Group, will include the owners of several businesses, including Brownstone Books, The Greene Grape, Olivino, and The Smoke Joint.

This intimate discussion will take place at The Social Therapy Group at 106 South Oxford Street, Brooklyn.

Seating is very limited. An RSVP is required. To reserve a seat, please send an e-mail to sc@mocada.org.

KARMABROOKLYN SUPPORTS
LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!

NEW CLASSES AT NAMASTE YOGA

Namaste Yoga of Kensington has introduced MORE new classes!

Yoga classes for Mommy/Daddy/Grandparent/Caregiver and Infant/Baby/Toddler are held on Tuesdays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Zumba classes (aerobic fitness) are held on Saturdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

See the full schedule of Namaste's classes at http://www.mynamasteyoga.com/schedule.html.

Special for New Customers
Buy 4 classes and get 1 FREE! The offer expires 14 days after purchase.

Namaste Yoga of Kensington
482 Coney Island Avenue, 2nd floor (The main entrance is on Church Avenue. Walk up the red staircase with the red door, behind the corner pizzeria and next to the car wash service center.
(347) 533-6226 or (347) 533-6227
http://www.mynamasteyoga.com

SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES!