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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.
What motivates someone to get involved? An awareness that they are in a position to help? A desire to build, support, or protect something that's dear to them? A belief that their contribution can make a difference? Maybe a combination of all of the above? Every couple-few years, CB6 has partnered with some of our greatly motivated officials and institutions to help put together a Volunteer Fair where organizations who rely on volunteers will set up a table, and members of the community who are looking to volunteer can "window shop" for opportunities. It started with a small group, Assembly Members Brennan and Millman, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn CB6, the Park Slope Civic Council, and Congregation Beth Elohim. And from there, it grew. Each successive time we've held this Volunteer Fair, we've had more organizers and sponsors, more participating organizations and the number of attendees has mushroomed. What does that say about us as a community? Clearly, we place a high value on helping others. Our community is full of many wonderful people of generous spirit. People who think globally, and act locally. We step up, even before there is a crisis or a need. And when there is a crisis as we have witnessed repeatedly ours is a community that gets involved and stays involved. This is a community that isn't helpless and won't wait around to be rescued. This is a community that's creative, resourceful and empowered. How fortunate are we to be able to live, work and be of service here? This year's Volunteer Fair is being organized by Assembly Members Brennan and Millman, Borough President Adams, State Senator Montgomery, Council Members Lander and Menchaca, New York Methodist Hospital, Prospect Park Alliance, Park Slope Civic Council, ThinkBrooklyn, and Brooklyn Community Boards 6, 7, 12, and 14. Brooklyn Volunteer Fair 2014Thursday, May 29th, 6:00-9:00pmYMCA Armory, 361 15th Street (between 7th/8th Aves)If you're looking to get involved and volunteer, now is the time! You can make a difference. Right here and right now. Please come, and bring your friends and neighbors.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!
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Put Your Money Where Your Map Is!
Brooklyn Community Board 6 is proud to announce the launch of Community Budget Suggestions: Put Your Money Where Your Map Is, an online tool that gives citizens a stronger voice in budget decisions that affect their communities and lives.
The map is available at www.BKcb6budget.org.
The Community Budget Suggestions map is used to gather ideas from the public for local capital improvements related to buildings, roadways and open space. This map is intended to increase community involvement in the local budget process and ultimately make the City's budget process more democratic and responsive to local needs.
Input your suggestions for neighborhood improvements on the map, and the ideas generated will be considered by Brooklyn CB6 when it prepares and prioritizes its annual budget requests submitted to the City.
Community Budget Suggestions was created by OpenPlans, a non-profit that builds open source civic infrastructure to create technology for more efficient, responsive, and inclusive government.
Got an idea for a capital improvement? Put it on the map!
For further information or questions please contact Mia Brezin, Community Board Planning Fellow, at budget (at) BrooklynCB6 (dot) org or (718) 643-3027, ext. 203..
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Shining a Light on PPD
 10 to 20% of new mothers in the United States suffer from Post- partum Depression (PPD), one of a group of perinatal mood disorders which also includes postpartum anxiety, and in the most severe cases, postpartum psychosis. PPD includes a wide range of emotional, psycholo- gical and physiological reactions to childbirth. The stamina of the new mother is challenged and her ability to function, care for, and bond with her new born child is impaired. How can New York City and State ensure that mothers and their families have access to resources and treatment for this debilitating and sometimes life threatening condition? Join PPD service providers, specialists, and elected officials on Thursday, May 29th, 7:00-9:00pm, at Congregation Beth Elohim, 271 Garfield Place, Brooklyn, for a chance to discuss this important issue - and devise solutions to address it. Click here to learn more about this event and to register.
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Construction Updates
 Springtime means its prime time for construction throughout the district to ramp up. We are fortunate that there continues to be significant public and private resources being invested and reinvested in our community. If you've got any thoughts on where some of that public money should be invested, put it on the map! Meanwhile, here are some updates that might be of interest to you.
DiMattina Dog Run at Hicks and Rapelye Streets, which was closed last Fall for a year so the Parks Department could give the site some much-needed improvements, is well under way. New, improved surfaces that will be kinder to tender paws, separated big and small dog facilities, water fountains, drainage, fencing and landscaping are all in the works. While Parks originally predicted the job would take a year, it looks like we may see a completed project ahead of schedule. Keep your fingers crossed for a possible summer re-opening. The northern half of Coffey Park, in the center of Red Hook, was recently closed for a year while Parks Department spruces up the footpaths, landscaping, picnic tables, barbeque facilities, and benches. After further consultation with the community at a recent CB6 Parks Committee meeting, the new layout has been further improved with the benefit of additional community input.
Construction of The Lightstone Group's 700-unit residential development and public esplanade project at 363-365 Bond Street and 388 Carroll Street in Gowanus recently began. The contractor is excavating and preparing the foundations, which involves pile driving, soil borings, soil removal, demolition, and site preparation which includes the closing of 1st Street between Bond Street and the canal, erection of a sidewalk bridge and fence installation at the perimeter of the site.
The B-2 residential tower at the Atlantic Yards project site at Dean Street and Flatbush Avenue continues to grow as additional modular sections are added to the structure. Approximately 117 modules have been delivered and installed to date. Also, Forest City Ratner Companies will be adding a green roof element to the Barclays Center, as a sustainable feature which will be an amenity for the newly constructed housing. Expect further announcements about the green roof element as designs are developed.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun its spring roadway resurfacing work in our district, which will include the milling and paving of St. Johns Place (between 5th-8th Aves), 4th Street (between cul-de-sac west of 5th Ave-PPW), Carroll Street (between 4th-5th Aves), and 6th Street (4th Ave-PPW, with the hospital block of 7th-8th Aves to be done at night). Additional resurfacing work is expected to occur in another phase over the summer.
DOT has also advised us that they will be installing the new Bond Street bike lane between 3rd and Schermerhorn Streets in two phases. The first phase involving the segment between Union and Schermerhorn Streets will be installed sometime in late May. The second phase between 3rd and Union Streets will be done over the summer after the department mills and repaves the roadway in response to a request made by CB6.
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Things to do in the District
Saturday, May 3rd, 7:00pm. 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 10:00am-4:00pm.The Lower East Side Ecology Center presents an e-waste collection event. Location: Cobble Hill PS 29, Baltic Street between Henry & Clinton Streets. Sunday, May 4th, 9:00am. 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. Friday, May 9th, a little after 8:00pm. Friends of Carroll Park presents the Spring Movie Screening Series.The first three screenings will be family friendly, and we'll wrap up the spring series with a grownups-only night:
Friday, May 9 - "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
Friday, May 16 - "Mars Attacks"
Friday, May 23 - "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Friday, May 30 - "True Romance"
The rain date for each of the Friday night movies will be the following night. Permits are pending for all events.
Saturday, May 10th, 10:00am, The PTAs of Brooklyn's public schools and the offices of Brooklyn City Council Members Brad Lander, Laurie Cumbo, Steven Levin, and Carlos Menchaca are coming together to sponsor the 7th annual PTA 5-kilometer Run for the Schools run/walk/stroll/toddle in Prospect Park. Number pickup and pre-race activities will begin at 8am. See website for information on how to register.
Saturday, May 10th, 6:00-9:00pm. Photography exhibition opening reception at Court Tree Collective . "Social Graces" - A photography group show. Showing old legends with new legends, exploring the common and uncommon portrait through photography. Generations of photographers are included. FREE. Location: 371 Court Street between Carroll Street & 1st Place.
Saturday, May 10th, 4:00pm. "Hidden In Plain Sight" An MAS walking tour. Join historian and genealogist Mary Ann DiNapoli for this tour of Carroll Gardens that traces its history from when the neighborhood was home to a sizable wave of Italian immigrants beginning in the late 19th Century. Cost: $20 / $15 Members.
Thursday, May 15th, 7:00-10:00pm. The 2014 Proteus Gowanus Benefit Gala, The Gowanusian Ball A Celebration of Disorderly Conduct and Delightful Derelicton Down By the Canal. Strange creatures from the Gowanusian mud will cavort with you as we drink, dance and conduct ourselves badly on the banks of our nasty, beloved canal. Ticket Prices: $65 per person in advance; $75 at the door. Saturday, May 17th, 6:00-8:00pm. The Kentler Drawing Center Annual Fundraiser: 100 Works on Paper. OVER 100 ARTISTS generously donate original drawings & works on paper to support our 12th Annual Benefit, celebrating our 24th year. Tickets $200 ($250 for two people). Each ticket holder draws a number when they arrive at the event. This number determines when the ticket holder gets to choose one of the 100 works on paper. Saturday, May 17th, 2:00 pm. Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) presents Art of the Fantastic: From Sketch to Finish. Science Fiction and fantasy fans will get a rare opportunity to see illustrator and painter Donato Giancola, a titan of the genre, demonstrate his ground-breaking techniques during the show OUTER LIMITS this spring. Location: 499 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook. Saturday-Sunday May 17-18, 11:00am-12:30pm. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy is hosting walking tours. Gowanus Canal walking tours give an overview of the canal's history, ecosystem, and the Superfund cleanup process. Participants visit historical sites along the banks of the Canal and see Conservancy design-build projects while learning about the environmental challenges the canal faces. RSVP: Space is limited. Reserve your ticket by sending an email to [email protected]. Tickets are $15.Sunday May 18th, 11:00am-1:00pm. Build-it Green!NYC Brooklyn hosts the MillionTreesNYC Free Tree Giveway at BIG!NYC Brooklyn, 69 9th Street, Gowanus. More details and pre-registration coming soon.
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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).
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Next General Board Meeting
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photo by Bryan Bruchman
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6:30pm, May 14Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Court Room
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(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.
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ADVERTISE WITH US
The Sixth Sense newsletter is delivered to over 5,300 email boxes of some of the most civic-minded people in the known universe.
Interested in supporting a local non-profit organization and advertising at the same time?
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Who's Who at #BKcb6
● Daniel M. Kummer,
Chairperson
● Thomas Miskel,
First Vice Chairperson
● Lou Sones,
Second Vice Chairperson
● Gary Reilly,
Treasurer
● Elizabeth Shipley,
Secretary
● 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
● 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
Newsletter Production:
● Craig Hammerman, Editor-in-Chief
● Sarah N. Phillips,
Managing Editor
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GOOD AND WELFARE
Congratulations to the Park Slope Armory Woman's Shelter operator CAMBA for receiving the You Rock Partner! Golden Dumpster Award this year.
MTA/NYC Transit advises us that on June 29, 2014 they are restoring partial B37 bus service along the 3rd Avenue corridor, between Bay Ridge and the Barclays Center.
Also, effective June 2014 the MTA will be increasing B57 service frequency on Saturdays during the late afternoon and evening runs. Currently, the B57 operates every 20 minutes, or 3 buses per hour. Under the new schedule, they will operate every 15 minutes, or 4 buses per hour. Thanks, MTA!
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QUICK CLICKS
City residents ages 10 through 16 who are attending school may be eligible to attend the 2014 Youth Police Academy, a six week program which runs 8:30am-2:00pm on weekdays, July 7-August 15, 2014. Applications will be taken between April 18-June 27.
Each year the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Contest promotes streetscape gardening, tree stewardship, and community development through block and merchant associations and other community groups. The contest is free to enter. Winners will receive cash prizes or gardening tools, and all participants will be awarded a recognition certificate. Deadline to enter is June 1st.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting applications for the 2014 Environmental Excellence Awards program. The program recognizes and gives visibility to outstanding, innovative and sustainable projects or programs. Applications must be postmarked by May 9th.
How's My Waterway? Learn the condition of local streams, lakes and other waters anywhere in the US quickly and in plain language. See if your local waterway was checked for pollution, what was found, and what is being done. The source of this information is a US EPA database of State water quality monitoring reports provided under the Clean Water Act.
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