Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6

April 2014, Vol 5, issue 4  
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Welcome to The Sixth Sense - the monthly newsletter of Brooklyn Community Board 6, serving the neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens/South Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Columbia Street Waterfront, Gowanus, Park Slope and Red Hook.  

 


April come she will. Which means that Earth Day is just around the corner. I've already started my spring cleaning. Lots of old clothes to give away, hangers to return, and dry cleaner bags to give to an artist friend who uses them to protect her drying pottery pieces. Time to clear out the cobwebs, throw the windows open wide, and let in the fresh air. Spring is here, the days are getting longer, and we'll soon be shedding those extra layers of clothes to give our bodies new sources of that elusive Vitamin D. Yes, Dr. Frankel, my self-proclaimed pasty dermatologist, I'll wear my hat and SPF 30.

That's 5 year old Craig Hammerman with his Mom and Dad (on his shoulders) at the first Earth Day in Prospect Park, April 22, 1970.

Something magical happens this time of year when people emerge from their hibernation. They take a fresh look at their surroundings. They notice what's changed. Lots of potholes out there. The streets are still dirty from the constant black ice and weeks of missed sweeping. The neighborhood could certainly use some polish and elbow grease. Keep in mind what Gandhi said about being the change you want to see in the world. Let's roll up our sleeves and get 'er done. Grab a broom. A can of paint. Plant some seeds and bulbs. We can do this!

Remember what happens if you start singing a few bars of "Alice's Restaurant"? If only one person did it, people might think them a bit odd. If three people did it, they might think it was an organization.  And if fifty people did it, well, folks might think of it as a movement. Let's start our own movement to put the shine on our neighborhoods. It's not too far-fetched an idea. You can get anything you want.

Join the Park Slope Civic Council on April 27th for their Spring Civic Sweep, 10am-2pm, at Washington Park, 5th Avenue and 3rd Street to clean, plant and beautify the neighborhood. And bring your e-waste to dispose of. If your civic group doesn't organize a neighborhood cleaning day, then do it yourself. Pick a date, send an email to friends and neighbors, circulate a flyer, tell everyone you see. We can do this ~ no excuses!

 

 

Stay active and engaged. It's our community! 

 

Enjoy our newsletter and please let us know what you would like to see in future editions.

     
P.S. If you like what you see here, please use the "Forward email to a friend" link at the bottom of the page to pass this email along to a friend or two.  There are over 104,000 residents and thousands of businesses in our district.  We'd love it if they would all sign up!
Help Us Find Meeting Space

CB6 relies on donated space to host our monthly committee meetings, public hearings, general board meetings and informational sessions. Depending on the subject of the meeting, we strive to hold our meetings as close to the affected community as possible. Our general meetings are held at rotating locations throughout the district to ensure that all of our neighborhoods take their turn hosting.

 

We are very fortunate that so many of our houses of worship, schools, non-profits, hospitals and other community-based organizations are willing to donate their space and personnel to us. We can't stress how important these spaces are to our daily operations, and how grateful we are to have them.

 

Nevertheless, it can be a challenge to find space for specific meetings. We often have to scramble to find available space. And we recently lost two important meeting spaces that we've relied upon, namely, LICH and the Prospect Park Residence.

 

Do you have any space, or any leads for free meeting space to help up update our list of go-to places? If so, please email Liza at officemanager@brooklyncb6.org 

 

Here are our requirements:

  • FREE
  • able to accommodate us from at least 6pm to 9pm
  • can accommodate at least 30 people sitting
  • has several tables and at least 30 chairs available
Having a variety of meeting space options throughout the district enables us to serve the community better. You can help!
Participatory Budgeting Voting early April

All three of our Council Members are using Participatory Budgeting to decide how they'll spend money from their capital budget allocations. Their budget delegates have come up with many exciting proposals for projects all over their districts. Below we've listing the proposals for capital projects within the boundaries of our district. 

 

Click on the Council Member's name to read the whole list of projects and to find out when and where to vote.  

 

Hon. Stephen Levin, 33rd Council District:
  • Gowanus Community Center Renovations & Repairs
  • NYCHA Playground Repairs
  • Thomas Greene Park Playground Improvement

Hon. Carlos Menchaca, 38th Council District:

  • Red Hook Library Community Garden
  • Upgrade Basketball Court in Red Hook
  • Technology for Local Schools
  • Air Conditioning and Wiring for PS10 & PS15
  • Stormwater Greenstreet for Red Hook
  • New Equipment for Red Hook Fitness Park
  • Electronic Bus Location Signs for B61 

Hon. Brad Lander, 39th Council District: 

  • Repair & Repave Ennis Playground Basketball Court
  • Install security cameras around the district 
  • Media Van for Community Film and Filmmakers
  • Outdoor Plaza at John Jay Educational Campus
  • Laptops at PS 130, 230 & 321
  • Smartboards for PS 29 and 131
  • Industrial Shredder for Community Composting
Attention block party organizers! 

 

It's time to start planning your annual block party! 

 

Apply for your event at least 90 days in advance through the City's Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) E-Apply system. There is an application fee. SAPO emails electronic permits directly to applicants; so be sure to apply with an email address you check regularly. 

 

SAPO is a tiny, overworked office.  It is customary to receive your permit only several days before the block party. We know this is frustrating! The good news is if you are denied your permit you will find out early in the process.   

 

CB6 requires applicants to submit a block association letter, or a petition with at least 20 signatures and corresponding addresses from the block, to demonstrate consent.  Mail, fax, email or hand deliver the letter or petition directly to our office.   


If you plan on having amplified sound at your block party...
police precincts issue sound device permits for electronic sound amplification devices (e.g.; speakers, microphones, amplifiers, etc.). There is a fee. Apply for your sound device permit at least one week prior to your event.

For more information about sound device permits please contact your Community Affairs Division. For the 76th Precinct call (718) 834-3207, and for the 78th Precinct, (718) 636-6410.

The New Bin on the Block  

 

Join your neighbors to divert NYC's organic waste from the landfills! This spring, portions of the Park Slope and Gowanus neighborhoods of our district will be added to the Department of Sanitation's pilot program to collect organics from residents.

In this pilot program area organics will be collected twice per week on your regular trash collection days. Organic waste includes all food scraps, food-soiled paper products, and yard trimmings. The collected waste is converted to renewable energy or compost, used to fertilize gardens, parks and street trees.

Organic waste accounts for roughly one-third of all waste generated in New York City. Collecting organics can help us reduce millions in landfill disposal costs, achieve our recycling goals, and reduce pests by storing food waste in secure bins.

Residents in our pilot program area will receive information starting the end of April, a few weeks before collection begins. Sanitation will provide pilot homes with special outdoor bins designed to hold food waste, and other helpful tools.

Mailers will be sent to homes in the pilot program area the last week of April, bins and supplies will be distributed May 12-22. Collection is scheduled to start the week of May 19, 2014.

Single-family homes, small apartment buildings (3-9 units), and public schools in the pilot program area are automatically enrolled in the program. Large apartment buildings (10 or more units), private/charter schools, agencies, non-profits and institutions in the pilot program area may be eligible and can apply to participate in the program.

The Brooklyn CB6 pilot program includes residences in the area roughly bounded by Union Street*, Prospect Park West, 15th Street (both sides), and the Gowanus Canal. (*Union Street: south side between 3rd & 5th Aves, both sides between 5th & 7th Aves, and neither side between 7th Ave & PPW.)
Going Wireless in Red Hook

Red Hook WifiOne of the many lessons learned from the impact of Hurricane Sandy is the critical value of having a reliable communication network. Communication means different things to different people. Everything from developing an emergency plan for loved ones to knowing where to turn to for information and instructions during a disaster.

 

Red Hook WiFi is a community-led effort to close the digital divide, generate economic activity, facilitate access to central services and improve quality of life in the neighborhood through the deployment of a wireless Internet network. In partnership with local businesses and residents, Red Hook WiFi provides free Internet access to residents and visitors to Red Hook. Each time a user signs on to the network, a splash page displays local news, job listings, events and more.

 

The Red Hook Digital Stewards program trains local young adults ages 19-24 to install, maintain and promote the wifi network and understand and apply technology as a tool for community building. After completing a six month training and employment period, Stewards are placed in jobs, internships or further training in technology careers.

 

Want to host a node and help expand the coverage area? Build a free community wifi network? Interested in the digital stewards program? Contact redhookwifi@rhicenter.org or (718) 858-6782.  

 

Red Hook partners include Brooklyn Fiber, Visitation Church, HL Contractors, Dance Theater Etcetera, South Brooklyn Community High School, Red Hook Volunteers, Miccio Center, Bumblebees-R-Us Day Care, Red Hook Art Project, Treasure Island Storage, Added Value, Red Hook Library, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, Pioneer Works, and local residents.

Things to do in the District 

Wednesday, April 9th, 6:30- 9:30pm. The Park Slope 5th Avenue BID presents A Taste of Fifth! Celebrate Fifth Avenue's acclaimed destination restaurants and legendary watering holes, all in one place. Tickets are $45 in advance ($50 at the door), with $20 of every ticket going to the local charity of your choice. Location: Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Avenue.  

 

Thurday, April 10th, 10am-2pm. New York Cares Volunteer Project: Sort, Measure & Organize at Build It Green!NYC Brooklyn 69 9th Street. RSVP required.  

 

Saturday April 12th, 10am. The Municipal Art Society presents: Springtime in the Atlantic Avenue Bazaars. Join this popular walking tour to learn about the Arab American community that was established around Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn over a century ago. This tour provides an opportunity to explore Atlantic Avenue's stores and their unique offerings. Cost: $20 / discount for MAS members.

 

Saturday, April 12th, 11am-4pm. Friends of Douglass Greene Park presents the 6th annual Gowanus Grind. Food, skate, music, climb, plant, face paint, Gowanus Wildcats, fun! Location: Thomas Greene Park, 3rd Ave between Douglass & Degraw. FREE.

  

Saturday-Sunday April 12-13, 11am-3pm. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy presents Clean & Green volunteer opportunity. Building wildflower planters with Future Green Studios. Location: Salt Lot, 2 Second Ave between 5th Street and the canal.  Sign-up in advance, these events fill up fast!

 

Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30pm. Maimonides Health Center presents Women's Heart to Heart, a free lecture and dinner on the facts and risks of heart disease in women, at the Montauk Club, 25 8th Avenue. Seating limited, RSVP to (718) 283-8832. 

 

Thursday, April 24th, 2-6pm. New York Cares Volunteer Project: Sort, Measure & Organize at Build It Green!NYC Brooklyn 69 9th Street. RSVP required.

Sunday April 27th, 10am-2pm. Volunteer for the Park Slope Civic Council's Spring Civic Sweep, its semi-annual spring beautification, clean-up and e-waste collection event withrefreshments and entertainment. Meet at Washington Park on 5th Ave between 3rd and 4th Streets.  FREE and open to all! 

 

Saturday, May 3rd, 7pm. The Red Hook Prom: A prom for adults to benefit Cora Dance. Fasten your corsage, put on your dancing shoes, and come celebrate the start of summer in style. Tickets: $100 or pay-what-you-can. Location: South Brooklyn Community High School, 173 Conover Street.

 

Sunday May 4th, 9am. Join CAMBA's Healthy Way 5k Run/Walk fundraiser and start training for our annual race around Prospect Park. $30. Location: Peristyle (Grecian Shelter), 96 Parkside Avenue.  

 

Thursday May 8th, 5:30-9:30pm. Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation presents Sunset Swing! Join us for an evening of cocktails, light dining, and live jazz music at our annual funraising gala. Tickets: $250 and up. Location: The Bell House, 149 7th Street

Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. was established in 2003 to support the work of Brooklyn Community Board 6 in improving the quality of life in the district.  Friends seeks to provide planning, advocacy, research and administrative resources to supplement the limited capacities and budget of the Community Board, thus enabling it to properly carry out its City Charter mandated tasks of evaluating the needs of the district and advocating on behalf of its communities.
 
Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal EIN 04-3780020).

Donations are welcome and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
In This Issue
* Help Us Find Meeting Space
* Particpatory Budgeting Voting
* Attention Block Party Organizers
* The New Bin on the Block
* Going Wireless in Red Hook
* Things to Do
* For the next meeting
* Good & Welfare
* Quick Clicks
Next General Board Meeting
photo by Bryan Bruchman
6:30pm, April 9
P.S. 32, Auditorium
317 Hoyt Street
(btw Union/President Sts)
Brooklyn, NY 11231

(Board members are encouraged to supply corrections to minutes.)

All posted meetings (general, committee, informational, etc.) are open to the public; however, participation may be limited.

Contact the district office for further clarification.
Quick Links

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Who's Who at #BKcb6

CB6 2014 Officers:
● Daniel M. Kummer,
Chairperson
● Thomas Miskel,
First Vice Chairperson
● Lou Sones,
Second Vice Chairperson
● Gary Reilly,
Treasurer
● Elizabeth Shipley,
Secretary

CB6 Committee Chairs:
● Richard Bashner,
Waterfront/Community Development
● Paige Bellenbaum,
Human Services, Co-Chair
● Peter Fleming,
Land Use; Elections
● Glenn Kelly,
Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs
● Mark Kolman,
Education, Co-Chair
● Ariel Krasnow,
Housing
● Daniel M. Kummer,
Executive
● Robert Levine,
Landmarks
● Sayar Lonial,
Transportation, Co-Chair
● Rick Luftglass,
Budget;Economic Development
● Thomas Miskel,
Transportation, Co-Chair
● Gary Reilly,
Finance/Personnel & Law; Permits & Licenses
● Mark C. Shames,
Environmental Protection
● Matthew Silverman,
Public Safety
● Benjamin Solotaire,
Human Services, Co-Chair
● Suzanne Turet,
Education, Co-Chair

District Office Staff:
● Craig Hammerman,
District Manager
● LeRoy P. Branch, Jr.
Assistant District Manager 
● Liza Santiago-Sierra,
Community Associate 
● Sarah N. Phillips,
Special Projects Coordinator
● Helena Miskel,
Office Volunteer
● Mia Brezin, 
Planning Fellow
 
Newsletter Production:    
● Craig Hammerman,
Editor-in-Chief
Sarah N. Phillips,
Managing Editor
GOOD AND WELFARE

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Steven F. Faust, AICP, of Park Slope, who passed away last weekend. Steve was a tireless cycling, pedestrian & neighborhood activist active since the 1970s. Read an article about him here.

Two of this year's Crain's New York "40 under 40" honorees hail from #BKcb6. Congratulations to Park Slope's Jeffrey Roth and Red Hook Initiative's Executive Director Jill Eisenhard for making the cut!

Congratulations to #BKcb6-based cultural orgs who received grants from the Brooklyn Arts Council this year: The Waterfront Museum, Interference Archive, Falconworks Artists Group, Allison Prete, Sarah Nicole Phillips, and Find & Seek at the Red Hook Library. 

Congratulations to so many special people and places mentioned in Brooklyn Magazine's The 100 Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture, including Cobble Hill: Aaron Hills' Video Free Brooklyn; Park Slope: Emily Lloyd of Prospect Park Alliance, Steve Buscemi, Schott Adkins & Erin Courtney of Brooklyn Writers Space, and FLONYC Chirlane McCray; and Red Hook: Dustin Yellin, founder of Pioneer Works.

Time Out New York's 2014 Critic's Choice honor, "The Beyond the Kale" award went to Dover Restaurant of Carroll Gardens.


Congratulations to 78th Precinct Police Officer Anthony Raghubir, named 2014 Officer of the Year by Park Slope's Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church at a special event on March 30th. Officer Raghubir was selected for his work to promote the "Vision Zero" concept which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities by enhancing street safety.

Brooklyn is now tied with Manhattan for producing the most EGOT winners-those who have taken home an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony in their careers. Park Slope composer Robert Lopez evened the score at three with his Academy Award for co-writing the ballad "Let It Go" from the Disney movie Frozen.

SAVE THE DATE!
2014 Volunteer Fair will be on May 29, 2014. Stay tuned for more details.  
QUICK CLICKS

Last chance to nominate a deserving young person, or an adult serving a youth population, who lives, volunteers or works in the district. Our Youth Acknowledgement Award nominations are due by April 4th.

Calling All Artists!  The Textile Arts Center is seeking (8) eight working artists or designers dedicated to textiles to partake in its Artist in Residency program for the 2014 - 2015 cycle. Applications are due April 15th, 2014.

Red Hook Youth Court: The Red Hook Youth Court is recruiting teens 14-18. Deadline is April 4th.
Click here for more information and to apply online.

 

Drill & Play Basketball Training Program: Free basketball training program at Red Hook's Miccio Center every Friday night for teens 11-18.

Summer Youth Employment Program for young people 14-24 is still accepting applicants for the 2014 program. Placements will be by lottery system. Apply until April 25th.

 

Youth Summer Internship and Job Fair: The Red Hook Justice Center's annual fair is Tuesday May 6, 2014 in Red Hook. Don't miss out! There are lots of great organizations that want to hire teens for the summer.

GrowNYC is looking to hire seven Brooklyn Organics Collection Coordinators, a temporary, part-time position paying $15/hour for up to 80 hours of work. Apply by April 9th.
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