2018 Participatory Budgeting - Voting Open

PBNYC - Voting Now Open

Though not a lot on the ballot for our neighborhood this year, the South Brooklyn Children’s Garden is on the ballot for funding Solar Panels for the garden and PS 146 (along with 2 other schools) is also looking for funds for a coordinator in order to accomplish their Outreach Plan for Elementary School Diversity. 

Nonetheless, there are plenty of other worthy projects on the list this year. Check out what is on the ballot here. 

Voting is open to anyone 11 years of age and older even if they haven't registered, as long as they live in District 39 and they made it very easy to Vote Online, as well as, giving locations to vote in person. 

Voting Ends Sunday.

Brooklyn Collective's Holiday Bazaar

Shop local and find unique gifts handmade by local artists and designers at BROOKLYN COLLECTIVE'S HOLIDAY BAZAAR!

Friday, December 12th at 6:00 PM
Brooklyn Collective 

212 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 

Pumpkin SMASH this week!

Don’t Trash Your Pumpkin! Smash It to Green After Halloween! Until November 7th, the SBCG and the NYC Compost Project invites community members of all ages to bring their jack-o-lanterns and decorative gourds to Pumpkin Smash 2014.

Event: PUMPKIN SMASH
Host: Shannon Mulholland
Time: Saturday, November 01, 2014 12:00PM until Friday, November 07, 2014 12:00PM
Location: South Brooklyn Children's Garden: 204 Columbia St

Two plastic barrels have been setup in front of the garden. Please bring buy your pumpkins, whenever you are free and throw it into one of the barrels.

The barrels will be emptied next week into our reinforced 3-bin compost bin, which will be open for community composting all winter!


New to composting? Here is a cheat sheet to get you started:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/downloads/pdf/nyc-compost-project/What-to-Compost.pdf

Halloween Storytime at Summit Street Garden

Photo from summer storytime at Summit Street Garden

Please join us for one last hurrah in our lovely Summit Street Garden for a Halloween-themed storytime and singalong!

When: Sunday, November 2nd, from 11:00am - 11:45am
Where: Summit Street Garden lawn, corner of Columbia and Summit
Who: Children of all ages and their families are welcome. Come in costume or come as you are. It's free to all! You may want to bring a blanket to sit on.

Stories will be read by garden member and Brooklyn Public Library children's librarian Andrea Vaughn Johnson, and music will be led by garden member Rob Jost of Little Folkies and the Sesame Street band! 

11th Annual Halloween Party and Parade

It's back! The annual Columbia Waterfront Halloween Party and Parade will be on Saturday, November 1st from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mother Cabrini Playground on President Street. The Underground Horns will lead the costume parade around the block and there will be face painting, treats for sale, and other surprises. 

The Summit Street Community Garden at the corner of Summit and Columbia streets will host its second annual Fall Bulb Bake Band Bonanza on Saturday, October 18 from 10 am–4 pm. Buy flower bulbs for your garden while enjoying snacks and music in the community garden. Baked goods and a selection of bulbs—including daffodils, tulips and crocuses—will be for sale, with all proceeds benefiting the garden. Live music from jazz-rock fusion trio City Samanas begins at 2 pm. Admission is free. The rain date for the event is Sunday, October 19.

http://summitstreetgarden.blogspot.com/ 

Brooklyn Collective Friday Night

Shop the new collection while enjoying cocktails and live music at the Brooklyn Collective Summer Event!

Friday, July 18th at 6:00 PM
Brooklyn Collective
212 Columbia Street , Brooklyn , NY

Story time and music at Summit Street Garden Sunday afternoon

Please bring yourselves and your little ones by Summit Street Garden tomorrow from 1:30pm - 2:30pm for story time and music making!

Children's librarian and garden member Andrea Vaughn Johnson (that would be me!) will perform a story time beginning at 1:30pm. Story time will be followed by an interactive music class for the children led by Sesame Street bass player and garden member, Rob Jost. The music class will be suitable for children of all ages.

This will be a very informal event for garden members and our community at large; simply some Sunday neighborhood fun. Bring a blanket and your favorite little ones (and if they have an instrument, bring it along!).

Summit Street Garden
Corner of Columbia St and Summit St

http://summitstreetgarden.blogspot.com/
Sunday, June 29 1:30-2:30pm

Summit Garden Tag Sale June 21

Support one of our local community gardens and find some treasures at the Summer Street Garden Tag Sale June 21 10:00am - 3:00pm. (rain date: Sunday, June 22).

Urban Meadow Membership Meeting - 4/6/14

You know Spring is in full swing when it is time to sign up or renew your membership at our local Urban Meadow.

As always, the Urban Meadow provides a peaceful and enjoyable spot in our community. But joining gives you the opportunity to help dig in, beautify and maintain a gem in our neighborhood. Membership is a paltry $25/year per household and membership requires a monthly gardening committment as well as a few other various requirements to keep the meadow functioning.

According to their website - two opportunities to renew or join are offered below:

The First Spring Membership meeting: Sunday, April 6, 1 PM - The House of Pizza and Calzone, 132 Union Street bet. Hicks and Columbia

The First Spring Garden Clean Up will be Sunday, April 13 10 AM-12 PM at the Urban Meadow (President St at Van Brunt) - there will be another meeting and orientation after the clean up from 12:30-1:30.

More info on how to join the Urban Meadow and membership committments can be found here.

How would you spend one million dollars in our community?

All three of Brooklyn Community Board 6's City Council Members - Hon. Stephen Levin (33rd C.D.), Hon. Carlos Menchaca (38th C.D.) and Hon. Brad Lander (39th C.D.) are giving their constituents an opportunity to determine how to spend $1 million in Capital funds.

If you live in one of these three council districts you are eligible to vote, even if you are not a U.S. citizen. The Columbia Waterfront District is represented by Brad Lander. If you are unsure who your Council Member is, use this online address translator to find out, or call 311.

To learn more about Participatory Budgeting, click here.

All three Council Members are hosting PB Project Exposwhere the public can learn more about the proposed projects:

Hon. Stephen Levin, 33rd Council District:
When: Wednesday, March 19th, 5-9pm
Where: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street

Hon. Carlos Menchaca, 38th Council District:
When: Saturday, March 15th, 12-3pm
Where: Sunset Park Rec Center, 7th Avenue & 43rd Street

Hon. Brad Lander, 39th Council District:
When: Wednesday, March 19th, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Camp Friendship, 339 8th Street

Voting will take place late March through early April.

Help for Sandy-impacted Residents

We got this message from Council Member Carlos Menchaca about resources for Sandy-impacted residents:

Red Hook,

Our community is still rebuilding seventeen months after Hurricane Sandy and I am committed to making sure our neighbors get the resources they need and deserve. In partnership with the NYC Recovery office, I am proud to be sponsoring a workshop to provide comprehensive updates on the Build It Back program.

Here are the details:

NYC Build it Back Program Information Session

P.S 15

71 Sullivan Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Thursday, March 6th 7pm-9pm

As many of you know, NYC Build it Back program offers support for those living in communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The Deputy Program Director for Build it Back will be discussing assistance for single and multi-family homeowners.

Representatives from NYCHA will also be available to give updates on planned improvements

Please see the accompanying flyer for complete information.

Carlos Menchaca
Council Member, 38th Council District

Jorge Muniz
Office of Councilman Carlos Menchaca
O: (718) 439-9012 | C: (312) 608-1265

Columbia Waterfront food pantry

Since having my first child a year ago I find myself not only worrying about the comfort and safety of my child but of all children. I know this is a common thing with parents. It's given rise to many mother activist movements, and it has hit me pretty hard. Late at night, as my baby sleeps, warm and fed, I am kept awake by the thought that there are children who are hungry and cold at that moment. Probably a few blocks away from my apartment. And I wish I could bring over a hot pizza and a space heater, if I only knew how to find them.

Then I remembered the food pantry at the church around the corner. Every Sunday there is a line of people with granny carts who leave with groceries. Even with all the work and baby care I juggle these days, I could manage dropping off a few things around the corner. So I contacted the Reverend Rene Baez at the Christian Pentecostal church on Summit Street. They have been operating the food pantry for over 15 years and are happy to accept donations of food, clothes, school supplies, and bags. Here is a list of what they are seeking this month:

canned goods and other nonperishable food items
bread
baby food
garbage bags
plastic "t-shirt" shopping bags or heavy duty bags to pack the groceries
twine

They are also in need of monetary donations to for expenses to keep the operation going.

Donations can be dropped off at 90-92 Summit Street on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between the hours of 7-10 pm and Sundays between 9am-2:30pm. The church usually receives deliveries on Thursdays and Fridays between 7am-1pm and during those times the church is open to receive any donations as well.

If you are looking for a way to help neighbors who are struggling, this may be an easy way to help. I plan to post an update here monthly to let you know what is most needed.  Thank you Rev. Baez for all that you do.

It's Gonna Be a Love Fest Friday Night

NYC renowned D.J. John Swan will be spinning his magic on Valentine's Day at MikNic Lounge, 200 Columbia St! Come shake a leg, drink some "Love Me Tender" champagne and "Cupid's Arrow" shots and let loose. Share and keep your memories by getting your picture taken at the Valentine's photo booth. Friday at 9:00pm, cover is only $5. 

Park Bagels: Six Months Out and Already a Neighborhood Staple

When Stefano Mannino came to Red Hook last winter to size up some for-sale kitchen equipment offered by the then going-out-of-business South Brooklyn Bagel Cafe at 75 Hamilton Avenue, he had no idea he was heading towards the resting place of his third Park Bagels branch. As soon as he saw the

incredible location and space left by the previous business, however, he signed on the dotted line and started to build.

And lucky for us: a little over six months after their opening day, the cafe is doing a roaring trade in fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch fare, provided by some of the friendliest people in the City.

The bagel cafe has become a go-to spot for the longshoreman who work the nearby Red Hook cargo docks (the only operational dock left in Brooklyn--all the rest are on the New Jersey side of the Hudson), locals and commuters on their way to and from work, moms, dads, caretakers and kids, as well as those of us who simply cannot resist a good bagel, sandwich or cup of coffee.

Stefano Mannino

Speaking of coffee, if you have already been here and you think their brew is something to rave about, you’re not the only one. “99% of people say our coffee is amazing”, says Stefano Mannino, owner, with the remaining 1% coming in on the “too strong” side of the tracks. Their sourcing team went through over 100 different brands before finding the perfect one, and have settled on a selection that will simply melt your soul. An easygoing $1.25 (plus tax = about $1.36) gets you a cup of regular coffee, and $2.00 will place a delicious, nutty, ka-powwwerlicious espresso into your hands.

All three Park Bagels locations were opened and are run by Mannino, with the help of his two brothers, Vinny and Frankie. Mannino opened his first cafe in 2004 on 86th Street in Brooklyn, and last May he cut the tape on a Staten Island location just a few steps from the Saint George Ferry Terminal.

Vinny Mannino

The Red Hook menu is still being finalized as they continue to take into account all the suggestions and requests being made by patrons, so keep an eye out for exciting new items. Recently added: french toast. They offer tofu cream cheese and soy milk for the dairy-averted, and are currently working on a couple of vegan dishes as well.

Plans are under way to revamp the two already well-used seating areas, and are projected to be ready for spring 2014. The aim, says Mannino, is to make the cafe and garden “more of a destination” with greenery, an inviting, open design, twinkling lights, and easy stroller access. Those with kids, take note!

Park Bagels

75 Hamilton Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours:

M-F 6am-5pm

Sat 7am-3pm

Sun Closed

Donate a Coat to a Family in Need

Red Hook Playgroup & Jalopy are co-organizing a coat drive! The drive is running now through December 21st. People can bring their clean & gently used coats (child or adult) to Jalopy at 315 Columbia Street during their hours of operation (noon to midnight). The coats will benefit Brooklyn Families in need this winter.

Help Red Hook Strategize for the Future!

TOMORROW, November 19, 7-8:30pm
New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program at the Miccio Community Center 
(110 West 9th Street between Henry & Clinton St.)

The NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program is helping communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy to rebuild and become more resilient through innovative community-driven plans that consider current damage, future threats to community assets, and the community's economic future. Over the past several months Red Hook's Community Committee has taken the community's input and with the help of our Planning Advisors, have identified and documented the Needs and Opportunities, local to our waterfront community.  You can see the final document published here - http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/nyrcr/community/red-hook. 

The Event will be a series of round table discussions so we can talk, neighbor to neighbor about our visions, and ideas, and explore our future reconstruction. 

The next step is to create a set of Strategies, linked to our Needs and Opportunities. These Strategies will lead to specific projects to help us reach our resilient community goals. Identifying these Strategies is critical to laying the foundation, and we need your voice and input.

Visit the Red Hook Community Reconstruction Program website for more information about the program, project and up to date process at redhookcrp.wordpress.com.

Join the conversation using #NYRising
Twitter.com/NYStormRecovery
Facebook.com/NYStormRecovery

If you want to provide more detail and input, see this interactive map where you can give detailed ideas on the shape of Red Hook's future: http://redhook.nyrisingmap.org/page/about

Informational Meeting about Rules and Regs for Bars and Restaurants

We love our local bars and restaurants, but living near a popular hangout can sometimes bring noise and other disturbances. Brooklyn Community Board 6 will host an informational meeting for Columbia Street Waterfront District residents on Monday night at the 76th Precinct. In an effort to better understand the rules and regulations governing restaurants and bars in our districts, representatives from the 76th Police Precinct will be on hand to answer any questions in respect to noise and other related issues. 

DATE: Monday, November 18, 2013
TIME: 7:00 pm
PLACE: 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street (between Henry and Hicks Streets)

Halloween Fun in the Neighborhood

You're invited to our neighborhood Columbia Waterfront Halloween Party and Parade on Sunday, October 27 from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Mother Cabrini Playground. Starting at 11 am, the Underground Horns band will lead the neighborhood costume parade. Come in costume, bring percussion instruments and get ready for a good time. 

This event is organized by volunteer members of the Urban Meadow Community Garden. Face painting, baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate and Urban Meadow t-shirts will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the Urban Meadow.Cabrini Playground and the Urban Meadow are on President Street between Columbia and Van Brunt.
http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/




Love Thy Pet's Halloween Party is Saturday, October 26 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Bring your costumed pet between 1 and 2pm for the costume contest.
Guess the weight of the Pumpkin for a chance to win the door prize!
Enjoy cake, coffee, dog cake, and Doggy Goody Bags.
You can also get a free, professional photo shoot of your dog in costume, taken courtesy of Taryn Truese-Smith.
Love Thy Pet is at 164 Union Street (between Hicks & Henry)
http://lovethypetbklyn.com/
718-596-2399

Clayworks on Columbia's Children's Clay Class presents The Halloween Show
in the Clayworks Gallery Window October 30 - November 10. 

http://clayworksoncolumbia.org./

Spooooky... what other Halloween events are happening in the hood? Please let us know in the comments. Happy halloween, everyone!

How would YOU spend $1 million in the neighborhood?

Our City Councilmember Brad Lander's Participatory Budgeting process has begun! There is still time to submit ideas for improvements to the neighborhood. On the District Council 39 PB website you can post an idea, see what your neighbors are proposing, and support or comment on their ideas. The deadline is November 3rd. 

Through Participatory Budgeting, community members propose ideas and vote for how to spend at least $1,000,000 of the public budget in our Council District. If you have an idea about how things could work better in your community, share it on the map. Check out the guidelines to see what ideas can be funded. Your idea will be then reviewed, alongside all the others, based on its feasibility, the need it would address, and the number of people it would benefit. The top projects will be put on a ballot, and next April, all residents of the 39th Council District will be able vote on which to fund.

Go forth and make a real difference!