Improvements soon at Pier 6 / Atlantic Avenue intersection

"Construction to improve pedestrian access to the beloved Brooklyn Bridge Park is slated to begin at the end of the month, the DOT says."

http://carrollgardens.patch.com/articles/construction-to-begin-at-pier-6

Registration open for music classes at Jitterbug NYC

From Karen at Jitterbugs NYC, who offer retro-style music class for babies, toddlers and preschoolers:

Calling All Jitterbugs!

Thanks again to all of those who joined us at Carroll Park last week for the Karen K & the Jitterbugs concert.  Over 300 people came out, and we had a ball!  Check out photos on Facebook at Jitterbugs NYC! 

FALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  Classes offered with Karen & Aaron in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook!  Check out the Schedule & Register at www.jitterbugsnyc.com. Classes are already filling up, so be sure to register soon!  10 weeks for $225 / Classes begin Sept. 19th.  $25 / siblings.  Remember, Stroller Strides participants get $10 off. (Sing, wiggle, shake and...exercise with baby!)

LATE SUMMER / EARLY FALL DROP-INS!  $20/family, and FREE if you've never been to a Jitterbugs class before!  Classes offered the weeks of September 6th-9th & 12th-16th.  Check www.jitterbugsnyc.com for details. 

FAQ: Who's teaching what?  Karen will be co-teaching the Wednesday and Thursday morning classes with Aaron this fall, so you'll see her often.  And you'll see Aaron more often on Mondays, Thursday afternoons and Fridays! 


Karen
_____________

Karen Kalafatas
Jitterbugs, Inc.
www.jitterbugsnyc.com

Columbia Waterfront District After Irene

Minor flooding at Van Brunt and Union St

I took the dog out at 10:00am when he couldn't wait any longer. We walked up and down Columbia and Van Brunt and I didn't see any trees down or any damage or debris except for leaves and small branches. This large puddle on Van Brunt St and Union St was the worst of the flooding that I saw in the District. There must be some basement flooding close to the water, though, because I saw one basement flood through its open door and another basement getting water pumped out.

I didn't see any businesses open. If you see a local business open today, post in the comments. 

Glad our neighborhood was not too badly damaged. I hear that there is some bad flooding on Imlay Street in Red Hook and other neighborhoods.

Now the wind is picking up and the sun is coming out. What a crazy weekend.

No Apparent Flooding on Columbia Street

Columbia at the corner of Sackett Street

As of 11 am between Kane and President, Columbia Street appears to have been spared any surge from the storm, and certainly any major wind damage (more blown leaves than downed tree limbs). Just checked the basement at Freebird and other than a wet floor (which happens with any significant rainfall), no water is accumulating above the floorboards.

However, there is still the risk of a secondary surge from departing Irene. Will check again later this afternoon and hope that there are no hidden leaks or broken lawn furniture.

--Peter Miller, Freebird Books

A message from the 76th Precinct

A message from the 76th precinct: There have been numerous calls to the precinct inquiring as to whether or not they need to evacuate their homes. As the mayor has stated repeatedly if you live in "Zone A" you are in a mandatory evacuation zone. Much of the RedHook area is in "Zone A". If there are any questions as to what zone you reside in go to nyc.gov and click on hurricaine info.

Inquiries can be made to the 76 Precinct at (718) 834-3211, if that number is busy try (718) 834-3231. The mayor has requested that evacuees ride out the storm with friends or family. For those requiring shelter, the nearest evacuation centers are NYC Technical College located at 300 Jay Street, John Jay HS located at 237 4th Avenue , Brooklyn Tecnical HS located at 29 Fort Greene Place and Cobble Hill High School at 347 Baltic Street.

There will be increased patrols by the 76, to deter crime and aid those in need thoughout the duration of the storm.

Those requiring routine Police assistance are asked to call the numbers above, as well as utilizing the 311 system. As always, emergency situations should be called into 911. Be safe.

Wine and Southern Fried Chicken tonight in Red Hook

A special event at wine shop botta di vino:

Tuesday's Education in a Glass is here.

Inexpensive, delicious and fun.
How do you Southern Fry your Wine?
Menu: Southern Fried Chicken with Fennel & Grapefruit Salad.

Wine: Comelli Sauvignon Blanc, Soffembergo & Moscato

$20 per person

Only 12 Seats

First come first serve

Tuesday, August 23, 6-8 p.m

botta di vino

357 Van Brunt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
347.689.3664

http://www.bottadivino.net/

Brooklyn Women's Rugby Club Celebrates Five Years

A message from your local women's rugby club:

Join the Brooklyn Women's Rugby Club on August 27th as we celebrate our 5th birthday at PJ Hanley's! Have some cake, dance the night away and party with the Brooklyn Women's Rugby Club as we celebrate our 5th year as a club!

Specials at PJ Hanleys (449 Court Street, BK, NY)
- $20 for all you can drink
- $25 for all you can drink plus a birthday t-shirt
- Fun rugby-themed birthday games
(Pin the scrumcap on the rugger, Sir Says, Bobbing for mouth guards and many more!)
- Birthday cake!
We have come a long way since 2007 and aren't stopping now!

Our home games are coming up so please check out our website for the complete schedule!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or if you would like to get in touch about another project!

--
Sasha De La Cruz
Public Relations Chair
Brooklyn Women's Rugby Club
Cell: 917.573.5943

www.BrooklynWomen'sRugby.org
Follow us on Facebook! <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13222988493&ref=ts>
Or on Twitter! <http://twitter.com/BrooklynRugby#>

Save the date for the first annual RED HOOK FALL FLEA

Save the date for the first annual
RED HOOK FALL FLEA

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011, 10AM-5PM

LOCATED IN THE PS 15 SCHOOL YARD, along Van Brunt between Sullivan and Wolcott

**OPEN CALL FOR VENDORS OF ALL STRIPES**

Red Hook's local community school PS 15 (Patrick F. Daly School) in conjunction with Red Hook Economic Development (RHED) will host the first annual Red Hook Fall Flea on September 25th in the PS 15's school yard from 10am-5pm. Attendees will enjoy diverse vendors, a variety of activities and entertainment including children's music fave Audra Rox, Added-Value's green-market, and so much more!

The Red Hook Fall Flea is currently accepting applications for vendors of all kinds, from food to clothing, antiques to crafts & collectibles, and services to community groups. The modest commercial vendor fee of $40 to $75 will go to benefit the PTA-sponsored programs at PS 15. Special consideration for nonprofits! Early confirmed vendors include The Good Fork, Metal and Thread, Tiburon, and more! Vendor confirmations are due by Friday, September 2.

Additionally, RHED will operate a 'Made in Red Hook' themed booth for local artists and artisians. Ideal for those who want to participate in the flea on a smaller scale. No upfront fee; but 15% of booth sales will go to benefit RHED'S activities. Contact info@redhooked.org for more info about the 'Made in Red Hook' booth.

To apply for a vendor booth, or to get more information,

CORRECTION: info email PS15flea@gmail.com or call 718-791-1968.

What are you doing tonight?

Tonight, Thursday, August 18, 2011 @ 7pm; Rain or Shine

Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance will present portions of their latest choreographic work, “Prey” as a benefit concert in support of Visitation Church’s restoration efforts and Cora Dance’s “pay-what-you-can” performance and dance education programs in Red Hook.

Admission is by donation at the door or online by clicking HERE (Suggested donation $20 or pay-what-you-can).*Those making a $100 donation in advance will receive a private tour of the church and surrounding property at 4pm the afternoon of the event.

Go to the Cora Dance site for more information:

http://www.coradance.org/index.php/calendar-2

The reason Degraw Street is ripped up...

If you've wondered what was happening behind the barricades on Degraw and Columbia, this Carroll Gardens Patch writeup gives some insight. The EPA is improving the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel which runs under the street. Wayyy under the street, apparently. See photos taken from Alma's rooftop in the article below:

http://carrollgardens.patch.com/articles/inside-the-gowanus-canal-flushing-tunnel-work-site#photo-7263788

Port Authority Failure

Thanks to Brad Kerr of the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association for keeping us up to date on the port pollution issue. The Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports has posted this damning report on the Port Authority's failure to spend the 33 million appropriated to their clean truck program. Here's the full article.

http://www.cleanandsafeports.org/2011/08/the-price-tag-for-the-port-authority%E2%80%99s-clean-truck-boondoggle/

“Replacing 11 trucks out of a fleet of more than 7,000 does nothing to reduce diesel pollution, eliminate childhood asthma, prevent heart disease and clean the air in New York and New Jersey and it certainly didn’t create any jobs for our residents – instead it created more hardships for the drivers who are already overburdened by debt and low wages. This is an environmental injustice for both the drivers and community residents impacted by port pollution every day.” - Ana Baptista with the Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark

Amen to that.