The Sixth Sense, v7, i10

Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6

December 2016, Vol 7, issue 10

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.

I love this time of year. The days are short and the nights continue to grow longer. The winter solstice is my favorite time of the year. And it's not because of the holidays--although I do count the "solstice" among them--it's simply because of the mystery of the long, dark night. The solstice unites us as a species. We are all travelers on the same bright blue marble circling around the same majestic sun.

We are so fortunate to live and work in a district with such a rich diversity of people and ideas. Where some old-fashioned notion of neighborhood still resonates strongly, even as we consider the bright and promising future of our communities. Where there's room enough for old-timers, newcomers, and folks who are somewhere in-between. After all, really, aren't we all somewhere in-between? Now more than ever it's so important that we recognize that there is strength in community.

Our neighborhood civic and merchant groups continue to thrive as newcomers join old-timers to become part of the engine that drives local community engagement. Just look at all of the opportunities to get together as a community to celebrate together--whether it's at our annual Brooklyn CB6 Holiday Party (please come, or consider making a year-end donation to our non-profit organization), or any of the many other warm and wonderful local events listed below.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is to attend the annual Paul Winter Consort's Winter Solstice Concert to enjoy hauntingly beautiful world music, heightened by a Gothic setting, complete with a warm sense of renewed faith in spirituality and humanity. I'm so grateful for another chance to howl at the moon together. Aroooooooooo!

Celebrating the solstice there is only one race--the human race. Language, culture, and dogma yield to the forces of humankind striving to evolve as a species. We pause to celebrate the most basic, common Earthly experience. When the moon dominates the sun for time in the sky. When nocturnal creatures celebrate. When the harvest is in and people begin wrapping themselves in layer-upon-layer of clothing and outer garments. When body heat really counts for something. This is perfect weather for snuggling, cuddling and lounging around with friends and loved ones. The smell of wood burning, the crackle of leaves crunching under foot, and the brisk feeling of cold air as it enters the lungs.

Ah, winter! Welcome back again my friend.

Happy Solstice! See you on the other side.

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" 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!

You are invited to:

The annual Friends of Brooklyn CB6 Holiday Party Fundraiser
Monday, December 19th, 6:30pm

Loki Brooklyn
341 2nd Street (off 5th Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Don't delay...RSVP and purchase your $40 ticket here. Your ticket entitles you to a delicious meal, beer & wine and unlimited cheer!

It's very helpful to us if you purchase your ticket in advance. When you rsvp you may indicate if you are paying by credit card or check.

Thanks to our generous sponsors:

Friends of Assembly Member Jim Brennan &

Organics Collection Survey

The Department of Sanitation's Organics Collection Program launched in our district in the Fall of 2015. Since then, thousands of tons of organic waste have been separated out from regular trash. Whether or not you currently participate in the program, we would greatly appreciate you taking a short survey to help us understand how our community has been experiencing and responding to the program.

If you have any questions about the survey or Organics Collection in Brooklyn Community Board 6, please contact Assistant District Manager Ty Beatty at 718.643.3027, ext. 204.

Please click here to take the survey

Morning Solar Information Session

with American Solar Partners

December 6th, 9:30am

Cobble Hill Community Room

250 Baltic Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Coffee and refreshments will be served.

RSVP here.

Join us on for a morning Solar Information Session, as part of our Solarize Brooklyn CB6 2: Sun for All campaign.

Our chosen installer American Solar Partners (ASP) will educate you on the ins & outs of purchasing a traditional solar array. They will talk about how solar power can cut your utility bill and make your home more valuable. Current incentives allow you to recoup up to 75% of your investment. Using Solar1's Here Comes Solar model, ASP is gathering a cluster of households and businesses to install solar at a lower price based on economies of scale.

For a more bespoke experience, please bring a copy of your latest electric bill to the event.

For more information contact:

Paige Alderoty, Project Manager, American Solar Partners

Phone: 914-699-3366

The final day to join the purchasing group is February 2, 2017.

This program is open to all Brooklyn residents. Your building does not need to be in Brooklyn CB6 to participate.

Create NYC Brooklyn Borough-Wide Workshop

December 6, 6pm - 8:30pm

BRIC
647 Fulton Street , Brooklyn, NY 11217

How should NYC support Arts & Culture? Show up to share your ideas about the future of arts and culture in New York City. Make sure your voice is included in the plan. Food & Performances. Childcare and Spanish interpretation provided.

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Create NYC Background: In June 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation requiring the City to produce its first comprehensive cultural plan: CreateNYC. CreateNYC will become a roadmap to guide the future of arts and culture in NYC.

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and Hester Street Collaborative (HSC) are working together with artists, cultural organizations, New York City agencies, arts and culture experts, and community residents to collect data and public input to inform the cultural plan. To develop a comprehensive cultural plan, HSC will analyze the City's current cultural priorities, assess how service to different neighborhoods can be improved, study the condition of arts organizations and artists, and plan how the city can remain a place where artists live and work in a time of high rents and other economic pressures.

The CreateNYC cultural plan will then be released in summer 2017, providing a living blueprint for supporting art and culture across all five boroughs.

Things to do in the District

NYE Brooklyn Fireworks by Barney Bishop

Friday, December 2, 6-9pm
Unbroken, a silent art auction to benefit ACLU. A pop-up show and silent auction of art. One night only, free to attend, 100% of sales to benefit the ACLU. Silent auction closes at 8:30 so get there early! Location: 183 Lorraine St, Brooklyn, NY 11231-3803 (the big red white and blue building)

Saturday, December 3, noon-6pm
Makeville Handmade Holiday Popup Sale + Open House.
Meet Makeville staff and check out our facilities
Shop for unique wooden gifts made right here
Put your name in the hat for awesome prizes
Enjoy some holiday cheer with other woodworking enthusiasts

Saturday,December 3, 11am
MAS Walk. Park Slope South: By the Numbers
Join architectural historian Matt Postal for a walking tour of the South Slope, exploring the lesser-known numbered streets within the 1974 historic district and the 2012 extension. Here, in contrast to the north section, the streetscape varies, juxtaposing wood, brick and limestone residences with handsome late 19th and early 20th century churches, schools, and library buildings. Highlights are likely to include the Litchfield Villa, a distinctive group of "Kinko" Houses, and the former Ansonia Clock factory.
Cost: $30 / $20 Members

Tuesday December 6, 6:30pm
Red Hook Community Collective General Meeting
Resident led organization organizing for equitable development in Red Hook. Location: Red Hook Library.
Questions contact Ben at 718-243-9302

Thursday, December 8, 6 - 8pm
FRIENDS OF PS 15 PRESENT: AUTHOR JACQUELINE WOODSON. Jacqueline Woodson is the 2014 National Book Award Winner for her New York Times bestselling memoir BROWN GIRL DREAMING, which was also a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, a Newbery Honor Award, the NAACP Image Award and the Sibert Honor Award. Woodson was recently named the Young People's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. She is the author of more than two dozen award-winning books for young adults, middle graders and children; among her many accolades, she is a four-time Newbery Honor winner, a three-time National Book Award finalist, and a two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner. Free
P.S. 15 Patrick F. Daly, 71 Sullivan Street, Red Hook.

Friday December 9, 8pm
Sixth Annual No Office Holiday Party. Brokelyn and the skint present: Brooklyn's best holiday party for everyone who ain't about that office life (or anyone who just wants to turn up without their boss watching) is back for its 6th year! And it's on a Friday this time, so we can truly wreck the halls. We'll have live-band karaoke, DJ spinning holiday tunes, a holiday photo booth, sexy Santa and Lady Santa and drink specials, plus lots of surprises in store this year (hint: start saving up all the mean things you ever wanted to say to your boss). $5 advance ($8 at the door). Location: Littlefield

Friday December 9, 6-7:30pm
Community Tree Lighting at The Human Compass Garden at the corner of Columbia and Sackett Streets. Celebrate the Holiday Season with your neighbors! Enjoy live music by the Afro-Latineers and food and drink from local businesses- Bring your kids for a surprise from Santa! Questions contact Ben at 718-243-9302 or [email protected]

Saturday, December 10, 10am - 4pm Rain or Shine
LESEC E-waste event. PS 321 east side of 7th Avenue between 1st & 2nd Streets, Park Slope. WE ACCEPT: Working & non-working computers,monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TV's, VCR's,DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, cell phones & PDA's. Can't make the event? Drop off e-waste Tuesday through Saturday at the Gowanus eWaste Warehouse 469 President St, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Sunday, December 11, 4-10pm
Pioneer Works Second Sundays. A monthly series of open studios, live music, and site-specific interventions presented by Pioneer Works the second Sunday of every month. The series showcases artists in residence along with musical performances and DJs, curated by Olivier Conan. Free

Saturday December 14, 7pm
Jingle Bell Jamboree: A family holiday concert event and sing along. The musical extravaganza will feature performances from a variety of performing ensembles including: The MS 51 Show Choir, The Mark Morris Dance Group's Student Company, Purelements: An Evolution in Dance - Jr. Company, & The Brooklyn Community Chorus. In addition, Schlesser and Old First Reformed Church's Rev. Daniel Meeter host a festive sing-a-long throughout the show. And who'd want to miss the traditional Grande Finale: The 12 Days of Christmas being performed by the entire audience!Location: Congregation Beth Elohim at 8th Avenue & Garfield Place in Park Slope. $10 suggested donation at the door.

Date: Friday, December 16th, 8pm
Join Morbid Anatomy and Ghoul A Go-Go at The Bell House as we celebrate Krampus, St. Nicholas cloven-hooved, chain-swinging, lolling-toungued, child-punishing Eastern-European sidekick! We've emptied a bag full of children to make room for all the fun! This year's iteration of our annual party will feature our infamous costume contest (with prizes), a sing-along with Night of the Krampus author Matt Lake, the alpine exotica tunes Dj Friese Undine, and a variety of thematic drinks sold by The Bell House. You will also have the opportunity to immortalize your costume in a photobooth designed by Kellfire Bray and Rose Callahan, bash a Krampus piñata made by Macabre Piñatas, and delight in our Krampus cake.Admission: $20 Location: The Bell House, 149 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (A block away from the Morbid Anatomy Museum)

Tuesday, December 20, 7pm
Office Hours: A Casual Park Slope Civi Council Hangout
LOCATION: Parish Cocktail Bar, 223 7th Ave (between 3rd and 4th Streets) OPEN TO ALL: Members and Neighbors Welcome! Office Hours is an informal way to meet and chat with PSCC and neighborhood folk, brainstorm, schmooze, etc. No agenda. Just come and be social!

Wednesday December 21, 6:30pm
Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union Meeting
Tenants and allies organizing for housing justice in Southwest Brooklyn . Location: Carroll Gardens Association, 201 Columbia Street. Questions contact Ben at 718-243-9302 or [email protected]

Thursday, December 31, 11pm
New Year's Eve Fireworks: Prospect Park 150. Join the Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for this annual fireworks celebration, this year with a twist! Help kick off the celebration of the Park's 150th anniversary with more fireworks fun, live music and more. Locations for viewing the fireworks include Grand Army Plaza, the Park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. RSVP if you like.

Friends of Brooklyn Community Board 6, Inc. supports 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.