KARMA'S NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING, JANUARY 5TH

Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m.

KARMA's next community meeting for residents and merchants will be held at

Old Brick Cafe Lounge
507 Church Avenue
between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/old-brick-cafe-lounge/menu

Guest speaker: Vicki Weiner, Director of Planning and Preservation, Pratt Center for Community Development

The Pratt Center is working with community partners on new neighborhood-based and citywide strategies to strengthen neighborhood retail as a strategy for community economic development in a worsening economy.

The meeting is open to local residents and merchants who are interested in the future of our shopping district.

KARMABROOKLYN SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESSES!

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

During National Small Business Week, we honor the entrepreneurs and small business owners who are the engine of our economy. Their ingenuity and hard work are critical to our Nation’s prosperity…I call upon Government officials, industry leaders, and advocates across the Nation to encourage our citizens to celebrate the achievements of small business owners and encourage the creation of new businesses.

Barack Obama, President of the United States
Small Business Week Proclamation

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America.

The estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America are major contributors to America's economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. Small businesses create 60% to 80% of new jobs in the U.S. They drive innovation, create 21st century jobs, and increase U.S. competitiveness.

Small Business Week 2010 will be celebrated the week of May 23rd.

KARMABROOKLYN SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS!

PARTY SPACE AT THE OAK AND THE IRIS CAFE

Posted on a neighborhood listserv and reprinted here with permission:

"Hi neighbors,
We heard from this list that The Oak and the Iris was available as a party space, so this past weekend we had our two-year-old' s birthday party there. It was absolutely lovely! The space is comfortable (and was truly ideal for toddlers), the food was delicious, the staff was accommodating and helpful, and the price is right. We heartily recommend this neighborhood gem for your next affair!"

And don't forget O&I's special: buy one dinner and get the second one for half price!

The Oak and The Iris Cafe
2826 Fort Hamilton Parkway (corner of E. 4th Street)
(718) 208-7713
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/the-oak-the-iris/menu

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR PENALTY RELIEF PROGRAM

From Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council:

“As part of the New York City Council's ongoing effort to assist small businesses and homeowners, I wanted to forward a recent video clip on the Penalty Forgiveness Program.

This special three-month program, which was created by the Mayor's Office and the City Council to help local businesses and homeowners deal with overdue fines, is scheduled to end on December 21, 2009.

So far over 14,000 entrepreneurs and homeowners across the City have submitted applications to have late fees, interest and other charges waived from outstanding Environmental Control Board summons.

Please take a moment to view the video clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tamofYSRag8.

This video gives explicit instructions on how to apply for this waiver. For more information about the Penalty Forgiveness Program, please click here.

I hope this information is useful. The City Council is committed to helping small businesses get through these difficult times. We have passed a number of new initiatives and laws to help individuals and businesses. You can read more about these initiatives, collectively called "Open for Business," on our website at http://www.council.nyc.gov.”

HOLIDAY IN WINDSOR TERRACE

Specials! Discounts! Free events!
One day only, Saturday, December 12th,
starting at 11:00 a.m.!

Prospect Park West
between Bartel Pritchard Square and 17th Street

The Windsor Terrace Alliance and participating merchants on Prospect Park West invite you to

Eat, Drink, & Stroll

along Prospect Park West and take advantage of a day of

fun and bargains!

Participating businesses:

• Babbo's Books
• Clemens
• The Double Windsor
• Enzo's
• Elora's
• Fez Art Cafe
• Hallmark
• Hot Diggity Dog
• Le P'tit Bistro
• Park West Vision
• Sushi Yama
• Windsor Cafe
• Windsor Shoes
• Windsor Shoes Too (kids)
• Windsor Wines

Get details and the full schedule on the Windsor Terrace Alliance website - or stop by the WTA table set up outside Windsor Cafe, 220 PPW, from noon to 4:00, for free hot chocolate (compliments of Windsor Cafe) and a directory of participating businesses.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

ANOTHER GLOWING REVIEW OF AM-THAI CHILI BASIL KITCHEN

Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen has gotten another thumbs-up review, this one from The Village Voice's New York Food Blog: "News from Kensington's Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen: Menu Additions, Stall at Holiday Market."

Am-Thai Chili Basil Kitchen
359 McDonald Avenue, between Albemarle Road and Caton Avenue
(718) 871-9115
(718) 854-5054
Open Sunday-Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

CANCELED: RALLY AND CALL TO SAVE NYC'S SMALL BUSINESSES

The rally that was scheduled to be held on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday, December 9th, in support of the Small Business Survival Act has been canceled, due to the setback described on this blog.

DEATH OF THE SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL ACT

Over the past few weeks, several New York City Council members who had supported the Small Business Survival Act decided to withdraw their support. As a result, the Coalition to Save Small Businesses has asked New York City Council Member Robert Jackson to withdraw his motion to discharge the bill from the Small Business Committee, which would have allowed the full Council to vote on the bill.

Crain's New York Business explained in Rough Road for commercial rent control, in its December 3rd edition, the politics behind the death of the bill, saying that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn "opposes the motion, and presumably would not look kindly on members who vote for it. Quinn, if she remains speaker, will soon be handing out prized committee chairmanships."

As always,

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

RALLY AND CALL TO SAVE NYC'S SMALL BUSINESSES

Wednesday, December 9th, noon

You have two opportunities to help the small businesses in your neighborhood survive: call your City Council Member, and participate in a rally before the City Council votes next Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. on a bill that can help our city's small businesses stay afloat.

That bill, the Small Business Survival Act, would establish arbitration and mediation procedures between landlords and commercial tenants. It is NOT rent control, despite the claims of the bill's opponents! The influence of real estate interests has prevented the bill from moving forward.

Council Member Robert Jackson will ask the full City Council to vote on discharging the Small Business Survival Act from the Small Business Committee so that the City Council can finally vote on it. The bill has been lying stagnant in the Small Business Committee since this past June's committee hearing.

The last time a vote was held to discharge a bill was in 1989--for the same bill!

Having the bill discharged by the committee challenges the committee's chairperson, David Yassky, and the Speaker, Christine Quinn, but it is the only way to get a vote.

The chairperson and the Speaker have united to prevent a vote, leaving Jackson to either let the bill expire on December 31st--when all pending legislation expires and the process has to be started all over again--or make a motion to discharge. He chose the latter.

At the hearing in June, almost everyone who testified was in favor of the bill. They stated that

• a crisis existed for the city's small businesses,
• without the protection of this bill, thousands of small businesses would be forced to close,
• jobs would be lost, and
• the extortion of the mostly immigrant owners would continue.

Only the Mayor's representative spoke in opposition. Thirty-one Council Members were sponsoring the bill, including ALL of the members of the Small Business Committee, with the exception of Yassky. He testified that

• he would take some action to stop the loss of small businesses,
• the Survival bill seemed like the best choice, and
• unless someone came up with a better solution, he would support it.

Soon after the hearing, Yassky became a sponsor.

But no vote has been held. Yassky decided to would leave it for the next chairperson. At the same time, the Speaker's office said the bill would be found unconstitutional by a court, and the Speaker would not allow a vote.

However, a team of legal experts led by Attorney Sherri Donovan (who wrote the bill twenty years ago and successfully defended it before the City Council at a special hearing) updated the case law on the bill and presented it to the Speaker's council. It was Ms. Donovan's finding that the bill was legal.

Jackson went back to Yassky and again asked for a vote. This time, Yassky said that it was up to the Speaker to DIRECT him to vote on the bill, even though

• the majority of the City Council wanted the bill passed,
• Yassky had held a public hearing without any opposition to the bill and strong support from the business community,
• the entire Small Business Committee was sponsoring the bill, including Yassky himself, and
  
• Yassky had made a promise to small businesses that he would take action to save them.
  

Yassky would not vote on the Survival bill unless ORDERED to by the Speaker!

The Speaker's staff would not work with Jackson to modify the bill to their liking. Instead, they presented two proposed new bills to Jackson and the Small Business Coalition.

The first bill proposed by the staff would make it a misdemeanor for a landlord to extort funds from a tenant and make it easier for a tenant to report a landlord. Store owners with no lease renewal rights would have to call the police to arrest landlords who demanded extortion money under the table! But without any rights or protection, tenants will be afraid to report their landlords for fear of losing their businesses when their leases expired.

The second bill proposed that when a commercial lease came up for renewal, a city agency would produce a list of arbitration agencies and data on vacancies and read the rights of tenants (New York City has none). Neither proposal gave any rights to tenants or made claims on landlords. It did not change the status quo.

Jackson decided to file a motion to discharge the bill from the Small Business Committee and let the full City Council stand up in public and state "yes" or "no" about supporting small businesses in our city.

Help get a YES vote on the Small Business Survival Act.

Phone your City Council Member and tell him or her to save small businesses by voting YES on the Small Business Survival Act. Spread the word to co-workers, family, and friends to phone. To get the phone number of your City Council Member, go to http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml, type in your street address, choose a borough, and click "Find My Council Member."

And go to the rally on the steps of City Hall on the day of the vote (Wednesday, December 9th) at noon!

Information provided by Steve Null of The Coalition to Save Small Businesses.

WOULD YOU LIKE WINE OR BEER WITH THAT?

Enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with your dinner at Old Brick Cafe. To help Old Brick get a wine and beer license, please support its application to the State Liquor Authority by signing the petition.

Old Brick Cafe Lounge
507 Church Avenue, between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway
(347) 425-8391

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

SHOP AROUND THE WORLD ON CHURCH AVENUE

The international nature of our neighborhood makes people in other neighborhoods envious! "Eat Globally, Shop with the Locals: Kensington's Church Ave." advises readers to "Visit Church Avenue in Kensington for a chance to shop for a world of food in 11218, a zip code that is often cited as the most diverse in the country." But we don't have to visit--we're already there!

The article describes Church Avenue as "a paradise of high quality ethnic food shops." Four stores--Bastek Deli, Dinosha Albanian Village, Golden Farm, and Mexican Grocery & More--are singled out for praise.

Bastek Deli
321 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets
(718) 437-1081

Dinosha Albanian Village
319 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets
(718) 851-9773

Golden Farm
329 Church Avenue, corner of E. 4th Street
(718) 871-1009

Mexican Grocery & More
326A E. 2nd Street, between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road
(718) 871-6882

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

HUGE SALE AT RICH FROG TOYS!

Moms! Dads! Aunts! Uncles! Cousins! Grandparents! Friends!

There's no need to go all the way to Toys 'R' Us or to any store in another neighborhood to buy toys and other gifts for kids. A wonderful children's store is within walking distance--Rich Frog Toys!

Rich Frog Toys has a wide selection of toys and other gifts, including

• dolls
• books
• cars and trucks
• wooden games and puzzles
• educational toys
• stuffed animals
• rainy day outfits
• Kettler tricycles and other fun vehicles
• wooden kitchen sets
• puppets
• strollers
• etc., etc., etc.!

Check out the great buys from manufacturers like

• Melissa and Doug
• Under the Nile
• Haba
• Kaloo
• Hello Kitty
• Kettler
• and others.

Print out a copy of this blog post to get 20% off any item in the store through December 24, 2009 - or mention KARMA when you're in the store!

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 BUSINESS!

BUSINESS RECORDKEEPING (FREE)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Free seminar on Business Recordkeeping, designed to inform small business owners about their recordkeeping responsibilities and answer these questions:

• Why are good books and records necessary for the success of your business?
• How will well-organized records help you if your business is audited by the IRS?
• What types of records are generally accepted by the IRS?
• How long should you keep your business records?

Register by calling (718) 797-0187 or e-mailing sbdc@citytech.cuny.edu.

Brooklyn Public Library Business Library
280 Cadman Plaza West, first floor conference room

Presented by the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Brooklyn Public Library Business Library, Internal Revenue Service, New York State Small Business Development Center, City Bar Justice Center-Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX PLANNING SEMINAR (FREE)

Thursday, December 3, 2009, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free Small Business Tax Planning Seminar for small business owners.

Topics:

• Business Legal Structures for Existing and Emerging Businesses
• Tax Tips for "Start Up" Businesses

Reservations required. Call (718) 522-4600, extension 10, or send an e-mail to n_sampayo@bedc.org.

Location:
Capital One Bank
356 Fulton Street, Brooklyn

Presented by the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation and the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS COLLECTION AND TAX PAYMENT OPTIONS FOR FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED SMALL BUSINESSES (FREE)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A free workshop about IRS Collection and Tax Payment Options for Financially Distressed Small Businesses will provide information about various options for payment of outstanding income tax liabilities. The collection process will be reviewed, electronic payment options will be explored, and installment agreements and offers in compromise will be discussed in detail.

To register, call (718) 797-0187 or send an e-mail to sbdc@citytech.cuny.edu.

Sponsored by Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Brooklyn Public Library Business Library, Internal Revenue Service, New York State Small Business Development Center, City Bar Justice Center-Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project.

Brooklyn Public Library Business Library
280 Cadman Plaza West, first floor conference room

THANKS, CONNIE'S CAFE, FOR YOUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT

THE KENSINGTON AREA RESIDENT/MERCHANT ALLIANCE DAFFODIL DAY

COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD

IS AWARDED TO

Connie's Cafe

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING KENSINGTON
GREEN AND BEAUTIFUL
BY SPONSORING DAFFODIL DAY

OCTOBER 25, 2009

THANKS, OLD BRICK, FOR HELPING TO BEAUTIFY CHURCH AVENUE

THE KENSINGTON AREA RESIDENT/MERCHANT ALLIANCE DAFFODIL DAY AWARD FOR

MOST BEAUTIFUL
TREE PIT

IS AWARDED TO

Old Brick

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING KENSINGTON
GREEN AND BEAUTIFUL

OCTOBER 25, 2009

CALL OR E-MAIL TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES SURVIVE!

From The Coalition to Save Small Businesses:

The Coalition to Save Small Businesses urges everyone to help end the crisis faced by New York City's small businesses. Join the phone and e-mail campaign directed at New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

If the Small Business Survival Act isn't voted on during the last City Council meeting of the year (December 21st), the bill will automatically die. It will have to be submitted all over again in 2010.

Until the bill gets passed, thousands of hard-working small business owners will continue to pay unreasonably high rent and continue to pay money to the landlord under the table in order to get their leases renewed. And New York City will continue to lose successful small businesses and tens of thousands of desperately needed jobs.

What can you do to help get the Small Business Survival Act passed this year?

Beginning Monday (tomorrow), from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Call Speaker Quinn's City Hall office to "demand that the Small Business Survival Act be immediately voted out of the Small Business Committee and voted on by the full city council."

Repeat the calls on Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11a.m.

Ask everyone who cares about the future of our city to get involved. Only public pressure will lead the City Council’s leadership to do the right thing and end the crisis. Regulating property owners who donate to politicians and have influence over them won’t happen without public pressure.

Speaker Quinn’s telephone number: (212) 788-7210

Fax: (212) 788-7207

E-mail: Cquinn@council.nyc.gov

This is the last chance this year to get a vote on this bill. The Mayor and Speaker Quinn have stalled and formed worthless programs that they claim will assist small businesses in the hopes their actions and words will draw attention away from the crisis and the Small Business Survival Act. A real solution is needed to save small businesses and jobs.

Please see http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/10/slip-me-cash-to-renew-your-lease.html for more information about the Small Business Survival Act.

66TH POLICE PRECINCT AND OUR CONGRESSPERSON'S REP AT ANA MEETING

A representative from the 66th Police Precinct will address neighborhood issues at this month's Albemarle Neighborhood Association community meeting. Please be there to voice your concerns!

Also speaking will be Eli Slavin, Constituent Liaison from the Office of Congressperson Yvette Clarke. He will discuss some of the issues that Ms. Clarke is addressing, such as health care reform, immigration reform, and cyber-security.

Refreshments provided by Foodtown and ANA will be served after the meeting.

Thursday, November 19th
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center, 327 E. 5th Street, corner of Church Avenue

CRIME AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Dahill Neighborhood Association (DNA)
and
West Kensington Action Group (WKAG)

invite you to their first joint meeting.

Monday, November 16th, 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Guests:

• a representative of the 66th Precinct
  
• our incoming City Councilmember, Brad Lander
  

Your input and observations are crucial to making this a successful meeting.

Make Kensington a safer, cleaner, better place to call home.

P.S. 230
corner of Dahill and Albemarle roads, in the auditorium

Please pass this invitation on to others.

OLD BRICK APPLYING FOR BEER AND WINE LICENSE

Old Brick Cafe Lounge is applying to the State Liquor Authority for a beer and wine license. Please support this effort by signing the petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/OldBrick/index.html.

Old Brick's owners are community-minded. They have been hosting KARMA's meetings, and they have fixed up the tree pit in front of the cafe to make it attractive. They're good neighbors!

Old Brick Cafe Lounge
507 Church Avenue, between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway
(347) 425-8391
Menu: http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/old-brick-cafe-lounge/menu

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

HALF-PRICE DEAL AT OAK AND IRIS CAFE

Buy one dinner and get the second one for half price at our local family-friendly cafe, The Oak and The Iris. Check out the delicious entrees on their dinner menu on MENUPAGES, including

• grilled chicken cutlet with portobello mushrooms and choice of mashed potatoes or vegetables,
• stuffed chicken roll with asparagus with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes,
• grilled salmon fillet with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes,
• and several newly-added entrees!

Read more about O&I on our blog at http://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2009/08/free-wi-fi-and-tasty-food-oak-and-iris.html.

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

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS!

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN CONSIDERS ITS FUTURE

Kensington is Andrea Swalec's beat for the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism's New York City News Service. Andrea has immersed herself in learning about Kensington, including by attending KARMA meetings. In the process, she's grown quite fond of our neighborhood.

Andrea interviewed several local merchants--Namaste Yoga of Kensington, Pizza & More Dahill Halal Gourmet, Rahman Fashions, Bangladesh Hair Dresser, Foodtown, and Rich Frog Toys--and got their take on Kensington's future.

NEW YORK STATE DIRECTORY OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

The New York State Directory of Small Business Programs was updated in September 2009. The directory helps small business owners find resources for business planning, operations, and growth. Almost all of the programs listed in the directory serve established businesses. Some of the programs also accept start-up businesses that have been in operation for less than a year.

Topics include

• Information Resources, such as Permit Assistance and Licensing, Starting a Small Business,Tax Guidance, and Property Casualty Insurance,
• Technical Assistance, such as Entrepreneurial Assistance,Small Business Development Centers, and Minority and Women Business,
• Funding Incentives, such as Community Development Financial Institutions,
• Tax Incentives, such as Recruiting and Training Employees,

and much more.

KARMA'S NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING, NOVEMBER 3RD

The next community meeting of Kensington merchants and residents who are interested in the future of Church Avenue will be on Tuesday, November 3rd, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Old Brick Cafe Lounge, 507 Church Avenue, between E. 5th Street and Ocean Parkway.

Our guest speaker, Rick Miranda, is the President and CEO of the Brooklyn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He will tell us about the availability of loans to small businesses, something that many businesses need to think about in these difficult economic times.

KARMABROOKLYN SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS!