| 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.
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but the live by them."
~~~John F. Kennedy
What better way is there to start off a new year than to take stock in all we have to be grateful for. An active community filled with energetic, caring and resourceful neighbors. People who take time to show up. Investors. Builders. Protectors. Contributors. Our residents, business owners, municipal workers, and visitors are indeed our most valuable natural resource.
Recently, residents of 7th Street between 4th and 5th Avenues contacted our office to thank us for referring their request for a speed hump to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for further investigation. It took roughly 2 years from the time they requested the speed hump, to the time the work crews showed up to install it. They didn't contact us to complain about the wait. They didn't contact us to complain about the inconvenience of accommodating the work itself. They contacted us to thank us. To show gratitude.
Our media hypes so much toxic information these days. Stories that rob our souls bit-by-bit. Take a good look at the faces of the people in these precious photos shared by Kathy Price of 7th Street. You'll see the joy of giving, as our residents present a special Speed Hump cake to the DOT work crews. You'll see the joy of receiving as the workers are clearly unaccustomed to such a reception. Mostly, you'll see the joy of expression and the magic that happens when people connect.
Let's embrace JFK's message. Let it into our hearts. Let it feed our souls. Turn off the news. Make your own. Just like the residents of 7th Street did.
Happy New Year all!
Stay involved. Be inspired. 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" 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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Thanks to our Party Sponsors
We had a blast at our 2015 holiday party and could not have done it without our generous sponsors, raffle donors and volunteers.
Sponsors:
The O'Connell Organization Family Foundation
NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Erie Basin Marine Associates
Raffle donors:
Brooklyn Strategist, The Chocolate Room, Bruce McDonald, Pawel Klin, Eric McClure, Avlee Restaurant, Mazzone Hardware, Families First Chiropractic, Black Mountain Wine Bar, Bar San Miguel, PDQ Micro, Wilma Jean, Layla Jones
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MulchFest 2016
Mulchfest will be held Saturday & Sunday, January 9 & 10, from 10am - 2pm at 30 chipping sites around the city. The parks department's 48 drop-off sites will be accepting trees beginning Saturday, January 2 through January 10.
The Park Slope Civic Council and Prospect Park Alliance will be giving our free hot chocolate at the Third Street entrance of Prospect Park or the Park Circle entrance at Parkside Avenue and Prospect Park Southwest.
All lights, ornaments, decorations and netting must be removed from trees prior to drop-off.
To learn more and see all locations click here.
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Curbside Christmas Tree Collections
The Department of Sanitation began its annual Christmas tree curbside collection program on Monday, January 4.
City residents should remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments from trees before they are put out for collection. Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees left on the curb between Monday, January 4 and Friday, January 15 will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into rich compost for the city's parks, institutions, and community gardens.
Learn more here.
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Red Hook Flood Protection Meeting
In December 2014, the Economic Development Corporation issued a Request for Proposal for the development of an Integrated Flood Protection System (IFPS) for Red Hook based on prior commitments of $100 million in funding from the State and City. An IFPS aims to make the community more resilient and better protected from future storms.
The first in a series of public meetings will take place at 6:30pm on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Miccio Center, 110 West 9th Street.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please help spread the word.
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Winter Nighttime Collections
Each winter season starting in November the Department of Sanitation shifts some collection routes to nighttime hours so that there is sufficient manpower available around the clock in the event they are needed for emergency snow removal. Affected sectors are rotated each year to ensure that no individual area is unduly burdened.
You may continue to put out your refuse and recycling at the same time, just be aware that nighttime collections will be occurring.
This winter, the following areas are affected:
Sector 64: Central Park Slope/Gowanus
Thurs-Fri-Sat: Metal/Glass/Plastic Recycling Route
Sector 65
: South Park Slope/Gowanus
Mon-Tues-Wed: Metal/Glass/Plastic Recycling Route
Normal daytime collections will resume in April.
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Bulk Trash Items Pick Up
You may have noticed that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has not been regularly picking up bulk items. This is due to a temporary capacity problem related to the expansion of organic waste collections in our district. DSNY has a temporary system for collecting bulk trash items.
For the time being, DSNY is picking up bulk on an "as-needed" basis. To have your bulk item(s) collected, place your item at the curb then call the DSNY
BK6 Sanitation Garage at (718) 768-3367 (before 2pm to speak to a human). They will add your location to their list for collection. Bulk pick-ups are taking place on
Fridays and Saturdays.
You should not get a Notice of Violation for having bulk items in front of your property. If you do get a ticket, call Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty at the Brooklyn CB6 District Office at (718) 643-3027, x204.
DSNY is currently working on a long-term solution to restore regular bulk collections and appreciates your patience.
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HOPE for the Homeless
On
Monday January 25
, 2016
, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will conduct its annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE), a HUD-mandated citywide community volunteer effort to count each chronically homeless person living in public spaces across the five boroughs during the coldest time of the year.
New Yorkers are needed to canvass parks, subways, and other public spaces to estimate the number of people who are living on the street. Thousands of volunteers are needed for the HOPE count to be successful. Last year, a record 3,500 New Yorkers participated in the count.
DHS teams work tirelessly every day to engage and assist these individuals and combat street homelessness. HOPE information is used to improve their outreach during winter and beyond.
Through HOPE and other initiatives, including
a new commitment to expand supportive housing, expanded street teams, and more specialized programs to bring street homeless people into safe and appropriate indoor spaces, the City is bringing hope to people who have been homeless, and guiding their journey back home.
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Things to do in the District
Painted Bunting in Prospect Park
Friday January 8, 7-9pm
Placebos, Nocebos and Voodoo Medicine, An Illustrated Lecture with Mark W Green MD, FAAN Professor of Neurology. Many think of placebo as an inactive substance used in clinical trials or to fool someone, but placebo means far more than that, as the neurobiology of placebos is becoming increasingly understood. The opposite can also be true: harm can also come from the use of inactive substances, known as "nocebos." Location: Morbid Anatomy Museum. Admission: $12
Sunday January 10, 2-5pm (& every Sunday & Monday evening)
Volunteer with Books though Bars. Help match letters with books and package them to be shipped to prisons. It is difficult for prisoners to access decent educational reading material on the inside. We believe literacy and access to reading material is a human right. No need to call or email ahead - just come! We're in the basement of Freebird Books at 123 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231. **Books Through Bars always need donations of paperback dictionaries & westerns & adventure stories**
Monday, January 11, Doors: 7:30pm Show: 8pm
Night Train with Wyatt Cenac: Hari Kondabolu, Kevin Avery, + more! Hosted by Brooklyn-based comedy favorite Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show, King of the Hill), Night Train show features comedy from the best local and international stand up comedians, and--at times--special guest appearances by musicians, local celebrities, and the occasional surprise only found in Gowanus. Location: Littlefield. Cost $6.70-$8
Thursday Tuesday January 12, 7-8:30pm
New York Methodist Hospital offers a free support group to give patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) tools for managing stress. Mind/Body Methods for Managing MS Stress will meet in the Hospital's Buckley 8 Conference Room located at 506 Sixth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn. Please call 800-FIGHT-MS (800.344.4867) for more information and to register (required).
Thursday January 21, 2-4pm
New York Methodist Hospital offers free cancer support groups open to individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones. Look Good...Feel Better®, "helping women with cancer feel beautiful inside and out," will meet in the Hospital's Wesley House 6A, 501 Sixth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn. For more information and to register (required), please call 718.780.3593.
Saturday, January 16 @ 10am & 11:15am
Spellbound Theatre’s Pop-Up Performance: A Book of Hours. A Book of Hours features a larger than life book that leads children through familiar daily events using favorite nursery rhymes and songs to tell the story, as well as surprising treasures, puppets, and discoveries. Exploring storytelling, nursery rhymes, and daily routines, Brooklyn-based Spellbound Theatre creates original work for audiences of all ages. Tickets: Children $12; Adults $15 available at Brown Paper Tickets.
Sunday January 17 @ 10am-4pm
The Lower East Side Ecology Center: E-Waste Recycling Event. Location: Park Slope at Prospect Park West & 3rd St. Bring your unwanted electronics to our e-waste collection event. We will accept working and non-working: Computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TVs (all sizes), VCR & DVD players,Phones, audio/visual equipment,Video games & Cell phones.
Thursday, January 21, 8pm
Musical Ecologies continues with New York-based electronic artist Antenes (Lori Napoleon). Known for her inventive soundscapes and eclectic DJ sets, Napoleon will present a solo performance using her custom-designed analog synthesizers. Admission by contribution ($10 suggested) Location:The Old Stone House in Washington Park, 3rd Street & 5th Avenue Park Slope.
Saturday, January 23, 10-11:30am
Birding: Super Winter Bird Walk in Prospect Park. New York City is home to an amazing abundance of wildlife. Our Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Location Grand Army Plaza Arch in Grand Army Plaza. This is an accessible walk.
Saturday, January 30, 7pm-1am
The Gowanus Canal Conservancy presents their annual party ANTIFREEZE. The Maritime Mutants will descend on Littlefield once again, to throw a killer party for an excellent cause. Watch for the toxic spikes!We'll be feasting on delicious food from Lot 2, dancing to awesome local bands and DJs, and bidding on a silent auction with Brooklyn-based goodies. All proceeds support another great year of Gowanus Canal Conservancy stewardship, education and advocacy programs. Location: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street.
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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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General Board Meeting
photo by Bryan Bruchman
6:30pm, January 13th
John Jay Educational Campus
237 7th Avenue
(between 4th/5th Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11215
All posted meetings are open to the public; however, participation may be limited.
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Who's Who at #BKcb6
●
Gary G. Reilly,
Chairperson
●
Sayar Lonial,
First Vice Chairperson
●
Pauline Blake,
Second Vice Chairperson
● Jerry Armer,
Treasurer
● Ariel Krasnow,
Secretary
● Jerry Armer,
Finance/Personnel & Law
● Richard Bashner,
Waterfront/Community Development
● Paige Bellenbaum,
Human Services
● Peter Fleming,
Land Use; Elections
● Glenn Kelly,
Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs
● Ariel Krasnow,
Housing
● Gary G. Reilly,
Executive
● Robert Levine,
Landmarks
● Rick Luftglass,
Budget; Economic Development
● Eric McClure,
Transportation, Co-Chair
● Thomas Miskel,
Transportation, Co-Chair
● Mike Racioppo,
Permits & Licenses
● Mark C. Shames,
Environmental Protection
● Matthew Silverman,
Public Safety
● Suzanne Turet,
Education
● Robert Underwood,
Youth Services
District Manager
Assistant District Manager
Special Projects Manager
● Craig Hammerman,
Editor-in-Chief
● Sarah N. Phillips,
Managing Editor
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QUICK CLICKS
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden wants to understand the impacts of the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest and how to make it better. If your block has ever participated in the contest, please consider completing
BBG's 10-minute survey
. Questions? Call (718) 623-7209 or email
DSNY is recruiting temporary, per diem snow laborers. These workers are called on after heavy snowfalls to remove snow and ice Citywide from areas like bus stops, crosswalks and fire hydrants. Pay starts at $13.50 per hour and increases to $20.25 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week. To be eligible, applicants must be: At least 18 years old. Eligible to work in the United States.Able to perform heavy physical labor. More info here.
And in sharp contrast, Parks is looking to hire lifeguards for their 2016 swim season!
Parks' beaches open each Memorial Day weekend and are open through Sunday, September 13. Pools are open from late June through Labor Day. Lifeguards work 48 hours each week and first-year lifeguards will earn a minimum of $13.57 an hour, for a weekly salary of over $650.00.
Think you're whistle worthy? Find out how to join.
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GOOD & WELFARE
Congratulations to our 2016 Officers who will continue their leadership positions for another year:
Gary Reilly, Chairperson
Sayar Lonial, First Vice Chair
Pauline Blake, Second Vice Chair
Jerry Armer, Treasurer
Ariel Krasnow, Secretay
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
FROM THE CB6 AREA
Available at Fairway, Pathmark, Met Foods & other fine local institutions
www.redhookstar.com
George Fiala
Kimberly Price
Publishers
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