Friday, April 21, 2023

FLEA MARKET AT THE EAST FOURTH STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN (FREE ADMISSION)

Flea Market
Saturday, May 6th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
Books, clothing, toys, housewares, knickknacks, and seedlings will be for sale at the East Fourth Street Community Garden's sidewalk flea market.
 
The flea market will take place on Saturday, May 6th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 7th, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 
The proceeds of the garden's spring and fall flea markets are used to fund garden maintenance as well as the community events that are offered free to the public.
 
Location
East Fourth Street Community Garden
179 E. 4th Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn
 

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

CLEAN UP KENSINGTON ON APRIL 30TH

 

Clean Up Kensington
Sunday, April 30th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
 
Join your neighbors to Clean Up Kensington at the springtime volunteer litter clean-up on Sunday, April 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You're welcome to stay for as long or as short a time as you like.
 
Meet up with the other volunteers on the southeast corner of Beverley Road and E. 9th Street and end up at the newly-reopened Lea.
 
The route begins at Beverley and E. 9th, goes north on E. 9th to Cortelyou Road, turns left onto Cortelyou, goes to Stratford Road, and ends at Lea, located at 1022 Cortelyou.
 
The organizers will provide gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, brooms, and dustpans. But you can bring your own reusable gloves and picker, if you have them.
 
Jenny, Clean Up Kensington's founder, writes
"Clean Up Kensington is a volunteer-driven community group that meets to clear litter and care for street trees in Kensington. 

I had been going out once or twice a week and picking up litter around our block while listening to podcasts for about a year, and I kept running into friendly neighbors who wanted to help out, too, or asked if I was part of a group they could join. I was also feeling inspired after joining the New York Parks Stewardship program and taking a class on street tree care. 
I welcome the partnership and expertise of anyone who's already been doing work in this space."
Clean Up Kensington

Friday, April 14, 2023

FREE LIVE MUSIC SERIES IN KENSINGTON PLAZA: BROOKLYN BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE


Press Release
 
Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective
to perform at Kensington Plaza 
Sunday, April 16, 2023, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Spring has landed full force, bringing with it the first Sunday afternoon musical performance at Kensington Plaza on Sunday, April 16th, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., by Kensington local bluegrass ensemble “Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective.”
 
Called MUSIC IN THE PLAZA, the series is produced by The Singing Winds and is underwritten by NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NY City Council. The Sunday afternoon concerts will happen every Sunday, except April 30th and May 28th, until mid-July. Mothers’ Day, May 14th, will feature a performance by Grupo Wayno, Music from the Andes.
 
The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective was a favorite of Diana Sanzone, the recently deceased chair of The Kensington Stewards. The Bluegrass Collective will perform a set of lively, danceable tunes that will get your toes tapping and hands clapping.
 
Four members of the Collective will perform on guitar, fiddle and other traditional American folk instruments. Musicians will be Jason Borisoff, Ellery Marshall, Jack Devereux, and Kells Nollenberger. The ensemble just played The Knitting Factory and performed at Avenue C Plaza several summers ago.
 
The Music in the Plaza concert series highlights mainly local and immigrant Brooklyn musicians presenting a diverse soundscape to our neighborhood and has done so at Kensington Plaza for the past 3 years.  Among the performers are two groups from Africa –and even an afternoon of circus performers, plus Andean flute musicians a women’s acapella choir, a  hammered dulcimer player, a Latin guitar ensemble, and an oud & hand drum duo.
 
The Kensington Plaza is the area in front of Walgreens at Church Avenue and Beverley Road. It is around the corner from the F/G subway stop on McDonald Ave at Church and adjacent to Denny’s Bar. 

Saturday, April 8, 2023

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT PROSPECT FARM (FREE)

Earth Day at Prospect Farm
Saturday, April 22nd, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Rain Date: Saturday, April 29th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Prospect Farm's annual Earth Day celebration will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

See what your neighbors are growing, and join in these activities:

  • arts and crafts
  • garden tours
  • plant swap/sale (trade clippings of your house plants)
  • stoop sale
  • bake sale
  • compost demonstrations
  • compost giveaway.
 
The band Protectors of the Wood will provide live music from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
This is an outdoors event. It's free, although donations are always happily accepted. Prospect Farm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; contributions are tax-deductible.

Location
Prospect Farm
1194 Prospect Avenue
between Vanderbilt and Seeley streets
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
(map)
prospectfarmbk@gmail.com

CHAND RAAT FESTIVAL (FREE)



Chand Raat Festival
Thursday, April 20th, 6:00 p.m.

On the last night of Ramadan, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts will present a free Chand Raat Festival outdoors. The festival, which is open to the public, will take place on Thursday, April 20th, at 6:00 p.m. 
 
The festival will feature melody & rhythm, henna art, and small vendors selling clothing and jewelry.

For additional information, call (917) 674-4746 or (347) 488-2835.
 
Location
Kensington Plaza
114 Beverley Road
between Church Avenue and E. 2nd Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY'S SPRING AND SUMMER HOURS HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT

As of April 1st, Green-Wood Cemetery's entrances are open during these hours:

  • Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance (Fort Hamilton Parkway at Micieli Place) and
  • Prospect Park West entrance (Prospect Park West at 20th Street): 
    • Mondays through Fridays, : Only pedestrians are admitted from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
    • Saturdays and Sundays: Pedestrians are admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicles are admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Main Entrance (Fifth Avenue at 25th Street): 
    • Seven days a week: Both pedestrians and vehicles are admitted from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunset Park Entrance (Fourth Avenue at 35th Street):
    •  Seven days a week: Only pedestrians are admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicles are admitted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Leave the cemetery ten minutes before closing so you don't get locked in!
 
Not allowed:
  • children without adults,
  • pets,
  • bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, etc., 
  • running, jogging, or exercise other than walking, 
  • music playing, 
  • picnicking,
  • littering,
  • touching, sitting, or walking on monuments or mausoleums. 

The complete set of Green-Wood Cemetery's rules is posted on its website at https://www.green-wood.com/rules/.

Green-Wood Cemetery

72ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL APRIL MEETING

72nd Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 11th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
The 72nd Precinct Community Council's next meeting with the public will be held in person on Tuesday, April 11th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Talk with the precinct's Commanding Officer, Captain Krystin Suarez, its Community Affairs Officers, and the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) for each of the precinct's sectors.

Everyone who lives or works in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park is invited to the meeting to discuss past crimes and learn the precinct is doing to prevent future crimes. Find out about the types of crime that have been taking place, their frequency, any enabling factors, and how to prevent them.

Members of the public are invited to voice their concerns about criminal activity, including armed robberies, rape and other forms of sexual assaults, home break-ins, burglaries in local stores, bank robberies, speeding drivers, stolen bicycles, package theft, and other crimes.

Receive e-mail announcements about future meetings by sending an e-mail to Council President Tina Ponce at tinaponce76@gmail.com or calling her at (570) 540-5016.

Location
Marien-Heim Senior Center of Sunset Park
4520 4th Avenue
between 45th and 46th streets
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
(map)
------------------------------------------

72nd Precinct contact information
 
 

Monday, April 3, 2023

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COLLECTION EVENT (FREE)

Free Electronics Recycling Collection Event
Monday, April 3rd, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 
Bring your broken or simply unwanted electronics to the Community Board 12 District Office today between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for them to dispose of.

Because some electronics contain hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, they can't be thrown out with either your regular trash or your recycling.

The Department of Sanitation chart in this blog post shows which items will be accepted (televisions, computers, etc.) and which won't (air conditioners, appliances, etc.).
 
Location
Community Board 12 Office
5910 13th Avenue
 

Saturday, April 1, 2023

HANSEL AND GRETEL PUPPET SHOW (FREE)


"Hansel and Gretel" Puppet Show
Sunday, April 2nd, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Scaramouches Latino Puppet Theater returns to Albemarle Playground to present the free puppet show "Hansel and Gretel" on Sunday, April 2nd, at 2:30 p.m. 
 
An example of the group's work is posted on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of2zmM8eCJM.
 
The Singing Winds will host the show.

Location
Albemarle Playground
McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Caton Avenue, behind P.S. 230 Upper School
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)

"WINDSOR TERRACE GO BRAGH!" GREAT IRISH FAIR RETURNS TO WINDSOR TERRACE

 
42nd Annual Great Irish Fair of New York
Saturday, September 16th
Mass at 9:00 a.m., Fair at 11:00 a.m.

The Great Irish Fair of New York, billed as "New York City’s largest, longest running, and most popular Irish Music Festival," will again be held in Windsor Terrace, in the outside areas of Holy Name of Jesus  Parish. For many years, Coney Island was the home of the family-friendly fair.
 
During the coming weeks, the entertainment lineup and the honorees will be announced on the website of the host, the Irish American Building Society.
 
Tickets, which are on sale at https://www.iabsny.org/the-great-irish-fair, provide access to all of the day’s events, which include Irish music, vendors, Irish step-dancing, and bagpipes.
 
Location
Holy Name of Jesus Parish
245 Prospect Park West
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

FOOD SCRAP DROP-OFF RETURNS TO THE GARDEN


Update, January 2024: Compost drop-off is no longer available at East Fourth Street Community Garden, due to city government budget cuts.

------------------------------------------------
 
The East Fourth Street Community Garden is partnering with Big Reuse once again to collect food scraps and turn them into compost at Big Reuse's Salt Lot site in Gowanus.
 
From Wednesday, April 5th, through Sunday, October 29th, drop off at the garden during its open hours the types of food scraps that are listed below.


Open hours:
  • Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

Those hours went into effect today (April 1st) and will remain in effect through October 29th.

WHAT TO BRING

  • fruit and vegetable scraps
  • coffee grounds, filters, and paper tea bags 
  • bread and grains (nothing with oil!)
  • egg and nut shells
  • food-soiled paper towels or napkins
  • shredded newspaper or brown paper

 WHAT NOT TO BRING

  • meat or fish scraps
  • cheese or dairy products  
  • fats, grease, oil, oily foods 
  • paper take out containers or produce trays
  • bioplastics (compostable bags, compostable cutlery, compostable cups)
 
The garden follows the COVID-19 protocols established by the New York City Parks Department's GreenThumb program. New York City is currently at a low level of community spread, so face masks and social distancing aren't currently required in the garden, and there isn't a limit on how many people can be in the garden at the same time. These policies could change if the COVID-19 situation worsens.
 
Location
East Fourth Street Community Garden
171 E. 4th Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn, New York

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

USED TOY AND BOOK SALE

 
Used Toy and Book Sale
Sunday, April 2nd, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.
 
The Craft Salon will hold a used toy and book sale on Sunday, April 2nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.
 
The day before, on Saturday, April 1st, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you're invited to donate gently-used toys and books for the sale. If that time frame doesn't work for you, arrange a different time by texting (917) 324-8290 or e-mailing dari@thecraftsalonstudio.com.
 
Toys need to have all of their parts in working order. Stuffed animals can't be accepted.
 
Books can be anywhere from baby books up to young adult books.
 
On Sunday, April 2nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visit The Craft Salon to shop for toys and books at rock-bottom prices (nothing above $5).
 
All of the proceeds will be used to benefit Brownsville Abroad. "Started in 2016, the travel club is helping underserved student populations discover the world beyond the traditional classroom." Read about the program at https://www.bkreader.com/featured-news/next-stop-hawaii-brownsville-abroad-program-offers-local-students-the-experience-to-fly-high-6747420.
 
Location
The Craft Salon
625 Church Avenue
between Ocean Parkway and E. 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP (FREE, INDOORS)

Poetry Writing Workshop
Saturday, April 1st, 11:00 a.m. to noon

Celebrate both National Poetry Month and Earth Month at a poetry writing workshop with The Kensington Stewards on Saturday, April 1st, from 11:00 a.m. to noon.
 
Share poems, learn and discuss poetry styles, and meet your neighbors.
 
"Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives."
-- Academy of American Poets https://poets.org/national-poetry-month
Windsor Terrace Library, the site of the event, is partially accessible.
 
Location
Windsor Terrace Library
Meeting Room
160 E. 5th Street
corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 686-9707
 

Monday, March 27, 2023

COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETING ONLINE AND IN PERSON

An e-mail from Community Board 12 (Kensington, Borough Park, Midwood). On 3/27/2023 9:28 PM, Community Board 12 wrote:
Dear Residents,

Our March board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm. For those that wish to attend in person, the meeting will be held at Amico Senior Center, located at 5901 13th Avenue (entrance on 59th Street) on the 3rd Floor.

For those that wish to attend on Zoom, please use the following link:

To speak at the public hearing, either in person or on Zoom, please click on the following link and fill out the form:
https://forms.gle/cqq3GMiBa1rXF2Pu6

If you are calling in by phone please dial the following number and then enter the Webinar ID:
Phone #: 646-558-8656
Webinar ID: 880 7855 2875

We look forward to seeing you all!

Thank you,
The Community Board 12 Team
 
AGENDA
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ADOPTION OF FEBRUARY MINUTES

3. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS – YIDEL PERLSTEIN

4. PUBLIC HEARING

5. DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT – BARRY SPITZER

6. REPORTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS, REPRESENTATIVES & AGENCIES

7. OLD BUSINESS

8. NEW BUSINESS

9. ATTENDANCE

10. ADJOURN
 
Community Board 12
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein
District Manager: Barry Spitzer
 

Sunday, March 26, 2023

BROOKLYN BUS NETWORK REDESIGN AND KENSINGTON POST OFFICE CLEAN-UP (FREE, REMOTE)

Albemarle Neighborhood Association Meeting

Wednesday, March 29th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
 
Guest speaker Michael Rosenbluth, a Kensington resident and neighborhood activist, will speak about the Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign, which would eliminate numerous bus stops and modify many routes. 
 
The second guest speaker, Sisi Keghida, Esq., will speak about the Kensington Post Office clean-up.
 
New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif and New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll have been invited to discuss issues of importance in New York City and New York State.
 
Join the meeting via Zoom at tinyurl.com/anameetingzoom.

Or join by phone by dialing 1 646 558 8656, then dialing the Meeting ID 846 9458 7577, and then dialing the Passcode 329381.

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

About Albemarle Neighborhood Association

Albemarle Neighborhood Association (ANA) is the oldest neighborhood association in Brooklyn. Since its founding in 1973, it has worked to advance Kensington's quality of life. ANA's meetings are free and are open to the public. They provide a place for Kensington's residents to address safety, security, and quality of life issues.

ANA helps create a safe and stable neighborhood by working closely with its members, other neighborhood residents, city agencies, and elected officials to address key issues.

The boundaries of the geographic area that ANA serves are

    north: north side of Caton Avenue
    south: south side of Beverley Road
    west: west side of McDonald Avenue
    east: east side of Ocean Parkway

Albemarle Neighborhood Association

Saturday, March 25, 2023

KENSINGTON COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

 
Community Clean-Up
Sunday, April 2nd, 10:00 a.m. to noon 

Join Clean Up Kensington next Sunday, April 2nd, from 10:00 a.m. until about noon for a quick and easy volunteer street clean-up. Stay for as long or as short a time as you like.

This clean-up will start at the northeast corner of Avenue C and E. 9th Street. Meet up afterward at Der Pioneer.

Gloves, trash bags, and a limited number of trash pickers, brooms, and dustpans will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own reusable gloves and picker, if you have them.

Jenny, the founder of Clean Up Kensington  (https://www.instagram.com/cleanupkensington/?hl=en) writes
"Clean Up Kensington is a volunteer-driven community group that meets to clear litter and care for street trees in Kensington. 

I had been going out once or twice a week and picking up litter around our block while listening to podcasts for about a year, and I kept running into friendly neighbors who wanted to help out, too, or asked if I was part of a group they could join. I was also feeling inspired after joining the New York Parks Stewardship program and taking a class on street tree care. 
I welcome the partnership and expertise of anyone who's already been doing work in this space."


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

COMMUNITY GROUP FOR LGBTQIA+ AND QUESTIONING YOUTH (FREE, INDOORS)


Rainbow Connection
Sunday, March 26th
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 
Rainbow Connection is a free community group that offers LGBTQIA+ and questioning youth a safe and accepting environment for engaging in lively conversation.

The group is open to ages 0 to 18+.  Ages  6 and under should be accompanied by an adult. Ages 7 and up are welcome to bring an ally.

In addition to chatting with each other, participants will be able to work on a craft. 

Craft Salon Studio owner Dari Litchman and her "queer co-captain" Austin Tabor will be the adult facilitators. Discussions and rules are child-led. 

The next meeting of Rainbow Connection will take place on Sunday, March 26th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. The capacity of the group is 12 people.
 
Location
The Craft Salon Studio
625 Church Avenue
between Ocean Parkway and E. 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn
(917) 324-8290
dari@thecraftsalonstudio.com

Thursday, March 16, 2023

JOIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COOPERATIVE FOOD PROJECT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND GAIN ACCESS TO FARM-FRESH FOOD!

 

Update: A third distribution location has been added. It is in Windsor Terrace at Bartel-Pritchard Square every other Wednesday, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

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

From the Neighborhood Cooperative Food Project:

In 2020, a group of Kensington /Windsor Terrace/Ditmas Park neighbors launched a small bulk buying experiment to prioritize solidarity and safety in the way we buy food and support the local community and economy.
Our experiment is proving fruitful! And we welcome involvement from more members as our neighborhood needs continue to shift and grow.

Our volunteers currently fulfill 30-40 orders every other week, with around $1,000 of food going towards solidarity needs every round.

We order directly from nearby Lancaster Farm Co-Op and they deliver bi-weekly in bulk. 
Neighbors pick up their farm-fresh items every other Wednesday morning in front of volunteers' homes, one located in Kensington [E. 8th Street, near Caton Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.] and one in Flatbush/Ditmas Park [near Newkirk Plaza from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.].
We are considering adding a third distribution location, and/or coordinating an evening pick-up time, now that more members of our community are commuting again.

Sample items:
  • Organic Produce Box, mix of seasonal items: $35.10
  • Organic Spicy Greens/Arugula/Baby Spinach: $4.84/5 oz box
  • Kombucha: $3.32/12 oz bottle
  • Whole or 2% Milk, half gallon: $3.71-$3.97
  • Organic Yogurt: $4.21/32 oz
  • Organic Tofu: $2.90/15 oz
  • Organic Ground Beef: $10.46/lb
  • Organic Flour: $13.85/5 lb bag

The food is fresh and delicious! Every paying order helps to cover the cost of an order for those who need support. Each time you order, you can request a solidarity discount as needed, or contribute money towards groceries for others.

Participating in this project is a fantastic way to feel connected to your neighbors, plus the flexibility and adaptability make it really easy, as you do not need to worry about committing to a whole season of CSA deliveries when you may be traveling or unable to get through all of your items in just a couple of weeks.

However, the flexibility also makes the project tricky, as we never know exactly what the need will be with each order, nor do we know exactly how much coverage we will have to fulfill those needs.

Please get in touch if you are interested in helping out with your time and labor, a space for an additional distribution spot, a car to help move orders around the neighborhood, or new ideas for fundraising and support.

We are connected to the Kensington-Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid group.
Reach us at foodcoopproject@gmail.com to sign up and receive details and access to order forms [or leave a voicemail or text at (347-389-1848].
We can always use extra funds to help cover the gaps, so if you would like to make a donation to support solidarity orders, please send through Venmo to @murberry. [The donation site has changed to https://opencollective.com/gotham-food-pantry/projects/kwtma.]