Kensington (Brooklyn)

Filming on Dahill

2008-07-26T10:12:00.001-04:00

We got a note that there will be filiming (read: no parking) on Dahill and 12th Ave on Tues. Our tipster looked it up and it seems the filming will be for a Bank of America commercial. Anyone else find that funny?

Construction at Old Jimmy's

2008-07-24T07:40:00.002-04:00

We heard from a neighbor that although we've missed it that construction is coming along at old Jimmy's Deli. The rumour is it'll be a coffee shop but we don't want to get our hopes up. Anyone got any inside scoop?

Also the old M&A space on Ft. Hamilton and E4th is for rent. The space is HUGE! Another local spot for rent is the Furniture store that lasted all of 4 months on Church Ave b/w East 4th and 5th. We don't have any info at the moment on either space but there is a sign w a number at the M&A. What would be useful in these spots?

Maki Sushi is OPEN

2008-07-23T14:49:00.001-04:00

Maki Sushi has a menu available on the door.
$5-10 rolls and an $8 bento lunch deal
Also a "chunky monkey" dessert roll!

UPDATE! Maki Sushi is OPEN for business
3011 Ft. Hamilton Pkwy
718 871 2540

(Min. $10 for free delivery)

Kensington Stories

2008-07-20T09:36:00.002-04:00

Lifelong Resident Ron Lopez posted a very poignent and funny Top Ten List on his blog Kensington Stories.

Top Ten Reasons why Kensington is better than Park Slope
10 Instead of the Pavilion, we have the Kensington Post office, and the shows are free every day.
9 If you loose your job as a television comedy writer, you can start your own construction business by simply walking to McDonald Avenue at eight in the morning.
8 You’ll always be able to walk off your meal from the nearest nice restaurant, because it’s not near at all.
7 When you shop lift at Golden Farms, you can immediately gain celebrity status by having your Polaroid taped to the cash register.
6 Our calves are smaller because we don’t have to walkup and down hills all day.
5 Dressing up as an Amish Farmer and re-selling vegetables bought at Golden Farms is always a “hoot” at the green market every Saturday morning in Park Slope.
4 We know that “ugly” train yard on Atlantic Avenue is actually ugly,and are not fooled by the “Develop don’t destroy Brooklyn” people.
3 Cousin Brucie and Albert Shanker can kick any of your celebrities asses.
2 We also use our Yoga mats to lie on when we steal the lithium batteries out of your hybrid cars.
1 Electro shock therapy is alive and well in Kensington and involves licking a live slot car track at the Buzz-a-rama for only twelve dollars an hour.

Foodtown Reno

2008-07-20T09:15:00.002-04:00

Foodtown now has an olive station, a fish counter including sushi, a wider array of organic and veggie products as well as a coffee station with beans you can grind. They have also added to the outside some benches and flower pots lining the parking lot. Check it out!

Local Obama Event

2008-07-20T09:12:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to let you know that my wife and I are having an Obama event at our apartment on Sunday evening at 6 PM, as part of the campaign's push to get rank-and-file Democratic voters' input for the party's platform for the national convention. We'd like to invite anyone and everyone from the community to attend, and take part in the discussion.
Our apartment is at 280 Ocean Parkway, #1C, between Beverley and Avenue C. Our apartment is directly accessible from the street- come to the left side of the building, with the small brick path leading up to a white door, and that's us. We're still relatively new to the area, and would love to meet other people in the neighborhood.

Comment of the Day

2008-07-20T09:11:00.000-04:00

From Victoria:
I don't understand the anger at wanting amenities here. So having to go to other neighborhoods for certain foods and items rather than being able to support local business equals loving Kensington more? And thinking it would be nice to have a place to go sit with a friend and have a cup of coffee makes you a snob who settled? This attitude makes absolutely no sense. We live here because we really like it here--there were many neighborhoods that we looked at and could have moved to. We love the ethnic shops and the diversity of the community. Also thinking some more options within the neighborhood would be nice does not lessen that in any way. Frankly, if there is any elitism, it's from the attitude of "I love Kensington more because I don't want anything to change--nothing new or different moving in." Do you also hate the new falafel shop and the new toy store on Church? Do you hate that Foodtown is now renovated? Where do you draw the line?

Graffiti Cataloging

2008-07-18T10:53:00.001-04:00

Jacob Stevens from Council member Bill de Blasio's office will be coordinating Graffiti Cataloging THIS Friday, July 18th at 5:00. Any volunteers, please meet at the district office of Council-member de Blasio, at 2907 Fort Hamilton Parkway.

2008-07-18T10:51:00.001-04:00

We've gotten a few emails about Joe on Church Ave asking nieghbors about turning his deli into a coffee shop. Go give Joe your 2 cents. Here's one email:

Joseph who currently owns a deli on Church Ave next to the giant pharmacy on Ocean Parkway is telling anybody who will listen that he is planning on turning the deli into a coffee shop with fresh juice, outdoor seating and"the free internets".

New Elevator

2008-07-18T09:19:00.000-04:00

Thank you for the picture!

Stephanie F. Black

myspace + facebook: blackfrances

flickr.com/photos/blackfrances

Sunshine Storytime - Greenwood Playground

2008-07-16T21:57:00.000-04:00

The Brooklyn Children's Museum's 'On the Go' Program will be at Greenwood Playground the next two Mondays (7/21 and 7/28) from 10:00 a.m.m to 11:00 a.m. with free programming entitled Sunshine Storytime. Best for kids ages 18 months to 5 years old, the Museum will bring a live animal for the kids to meet, help the kids create their own special craft and read them a story. Come out and enjoy this fun event!

Japanese for Ft. Ham! SOON!

2008-07-16T11:04:00.003-04:00

We got word a Japanese restaurant, including sushi, is set to open NEXT WEEK in the space previously occupied by Estelle's.

Local Yoga!

2008-07-14T22:59:00.000-04:00

Summer Yoga in Prospect Park
Enhance your health and enlighten your mind. YogaSole joyfully combines the classical styles of Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa flow to develop a safe, compassionate and playful yoga sequence. Beginners most welcome!
Please join us Wednesday Evening at 7:00pm and Saturday Morning at 8:30 am
Beginning July 9th and continuing through August 27th, 2008

Come to the PERISTYLE the Grecian Shelter Prospect Park (just across from the Prospect Park Tennis Center) Enter Parkside Ave & Parade Place or Enter Park Circle bear right Head North on East Drive (aprox 300 yards)
Please bring a Yoga Mat
Classes: $10 suggested donation gratefully accepted

Also Please join us for Evening Yoga at Caton Towers 135 Ocean Parkway Apt 15T Between Church & Caton
Monday & Thursday Evening at 7:00pm Beginning July 7th (Summer Schedule)
Please bring a Yoga Mat Beginners most welcome!
Classes: $10 suggested donation gratefully accepted

For More Information please contact
Evalena V. Leedy
NYC YogaWorks certified instructor
Visit our Website: www.yogasole.com
email: evalena@yogasole.com
tel: 718 541-1382

Studio in Greenwood Playground

2008-07-14T22:57:00.000-04:00

Studio in the Park continues at Greenwood Playground
Tuesdays 10-2:00.
Tomorrow: clay exploration
10 - 10:45 ages 4 - 6
11 - 11:45 ages 4 - 8
12:30 - 2:00 ages 8 - 12
(Tweens encouraged but the later session is open to all ages)
We must limit the classes to 15 children per class so please just sign up for the next session if the one you want is full. \

23 Caton

2008-07-10T21:57:00.002-04:00

Local blog i2 does a good job of showing the current conditions at 23 Caton.
Abandoned development of 23 Caton Place

Also noteworthy on i2 are the posts about garbage along the OP service road.

Kensington's Train World - Top 15!

2008-07-10T21:56:00.001-04:00

Page 54 of the July 2008 issue of New York Family magazine mentions the Kensington store Train World in it’s list of “Top 15 Things Every City Child Should Do Before Turning 15,” calling the store a “model train heaven.”

Kensington (DP?) Artist Meet Up

2008-07-07T18:25:00.002-04:00

From the In-Box:
local artists meet Tues. July 8 at 7 p.m. @ Connecticut Muffin on Cortelyou

Hi all you creative souls out there!
Local artists who would like to shmooze/network with neighbors who know what they're talking about, come on down !We're abandoning first Monday this month in case people are still wending their way back from holiday frolicing.
Let's move East for a change and meet at Connecticut Muffin (1106Cortelyou)---- lots of room, very tasty looking stuff and an interesting lite menu. Hope to gather in some Beverly Square, PPS and Ditmas Park folks by meeting in their backyard.
Come if you can, some folks may arrive later, very informal, no demerits for late arrivals or here-and-there attendance .Bring samples, current work, small portfolios, suitable for smalltables.
Feel free to bring a topic. I'm wondering if we could borrow someone's block and have a September art & craft sale----small works, some of us do notecards, whatever. I picked up artist's business cards when I saw them at yard sales. Why not all art ?

TOMORROW at Greenwood Playground

2008-07-07T18:23:00.000-04:00

Studio in the Park
Date: Tuesday July 8, 2008
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Every week until Tuesday August 5, 2008.

2008-07-07T18:20:00.000-04:00

Free New York Philharmonic Concert at Prospect Park
July 14, 8 p.m.

Studio in Greenwood Playground

2008-06-30T18:21:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow join art educator Michelle Hinebrook and her assistant (local LaGuardia High School student Sam Campbell) for the first Studio in the Park. This is art programming for kids which will focus on using art to teach kids about sustainability and the environment. (And also just have fun with cool art supplies and new materials). The first session, starting at 10:00 a.m. will be for 4-6 year olds, the later session will be for older kids. There will be a limit of 20 kids per session so we will have some kind of sign up sheet.
Michelle Hinebrook is an art instructor through Studio in a School with over 7 years of art education experience. She has an MFA from Cranbrook and is currently an actively exhibiting artist in New York City and Denmark.
This is a free program sponsored by Friends of Greenwood Playground from a generous grant from Partnership for Parks. We don't have it all ironed out yet and have had some bumps with supplies arriving on time, so be patient as we figure it out as this promises to be a great program for the next 5 weeks for neighorhood kids.

NY Times Features Local School

2008-06-23T22:59:00.002-04:00

And the Band Honked On
A professional musician confronts the real world at a Brooklyn junior high. (Our local Ditmas, IS 62)

Be sure to check out the multi-media photos and audio here:
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/arts/20080621_BAND_FEATURE/index.html

Pet Adoptions

2008-06-23T22:57:00.001-04:00

From our friends at Hamilton Dog House:

This is Annie. She is a Boston Terrier who was hit by a car and dragged. She was nursed back to health at the shelter. She is adorable and loving.

Color Conundrum at Greenwood Playground

2008-06-23T22:39:00.000-04:00

TUESDAY JUNE 24th
ages 3-6
10:00 a.m
Color Conundrum Prospect Park Zoo Puppet Show
Starting JULY 1 on Tuesdays - Studio in the Park
Join Studio-in-a-school art educator, Michelle Hinebrook for art programming at Greenwood Playground. Children will learn about the environment and sustainability using paint, clay, collage and otherart materials. First session begins at 10:00 and will be geared for4-6 year olds. The afternoon session will be appropriate for tweens and younger. Sign up at the park will be necessary because each class will be limited to 20 kids. Note: this is NOT a drop-off class.

Hamilton Dog House Summer Grand Opening!

2008-06-18T22:47:00.001-04:00

THE HAMILTON DOG HOUSE
155 E. 3rd St., Brooklyn, New York
Between Caton and Ft. Hamilton
718-436-PETS

JOIN HDH ON JULY 12th FOR THEIR GRAND OPENING EVENT!
Food, Games, Prizes & Raffles from Noon til 5pm!
Free treats for our 4-legged friends!
Hot dogs and hamburgers available for a $2 donation, the proceeds will benefit the Sean Casey Animal Rescue.

ANA 6/12 Meeting Minutes/ Notes

2008-06-17T20:46:00.001-04:00

Albemarle Neighborhood Association Meeting - June 12, 2008

MTA elevator installation: Installation of the MTA elevator on McDonald Avenue near Church Avenue is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Foodtown renovation: The renovation of Foodtown is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Kensington Post Office aggravation: The Kensington Post Office (KPO) has a new manager and a new delivery supervisor. According to the KPO, a lobby director is required to be on duty in the lobby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to direct people to the post office’s various resources, such as the stamp machine and the passport line, and answer customers’ questions about which forms to use and how to fill them out. If you are in the KPO between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and do not see a lobby director on duty, report it to 1-800-ASK-USPS.

At last month’s ANA meeting, an ANA member volunteered to attend the May 21st meeting of the Brooklyn Post Office’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) on behalf of ANA. The CAC, chaired by the Brooklyn Postmaster, was founded a year ago as a result of borough-wide complaints about Brooklyn’s post offices. Its goal is to be accountable to the public. The ANA member’s report included this information:

Report complaints, such as misdelivered mail, to 1-800-ASK-USPS.
The name and phone number of the KPO manager are supposed to be on view inside of the post office.
Based on the amount of credit card usage by customers, the KPO is not eligible for a self-service kiosk. However, an attendee at the ANA meeting stated that credit card usage is low because the credit card machines are broken.
KPO is eligible for scales for use by customers, foreign language posters, and passport fairs.
A Contract Postal Unit (CPU) will open in Kensington (a CPU is a privately-run kiosk that is inside of an existing retail store and has a person in attendance) if a retailer can be found who has an appropriate space and is willing to house the CPU.
The Brooklyn Post Office participates in the USPS’s Mystery Shopper project (http://www.usps.com/strategicplanning/stp2007/improve_002.htm).

The manager of the KPO has been invited to participate at the next ANA meeting. Assemblymember Jim Brennan pointed out that zip code 11215 (Park Slope) has three post offices, but Kensington only has one. He said that Congress would have to designate money for an additional post office for us and suggested that Yvette Clarke, our representative in the House of Representatives, be invited to the September meeting.

Traffic congestion: An ANA member reported on a Department of Transportation (DOT) meeting about street traffic congestion on Church Avenue between McDonald Avenue and Utica Avenue caused by double parked cars, cars making illegal U-turns, bicyclists, and the lack of ten-second pedestrian phasing (which turns the WALK light on ten seconds before the green light goes on) and on sidewalk congestion caused by merchandise placed in front of stores. On Thursday, June 19th, DOT will conduct a walk-through of Church Avenue to learn about specific problems. We are invited to meet up with the DOT representatives at Church Avenue and Coney Island Avenue at 5:15, walk with them to McDonald Avenue, and point out the problems as we see them.

Express bus service elimination: The MTA’s Vice President of Planning and Operations unsuccessfully attempted to justify to the large number of aggrieved commuters the elimination of the BM1 and BM2 express bus stops in Kensington.

The major issues mentioned by the Kensington commuters are: 1) During the day, there is often a forty-five minute wait between buses because the staggering is “off.” This is detrimental to the community because the bus functions as a viable transportation alternative for the elderly and the sick. 2) Kensington commuters often see BM1 and BM2 buses that are only half-filled drive past them as they wait for the very full BM3 and BM4 buses to stop for them. As a result, some Kensingtonians have to stand up on these BM3 and BM4 buses (the MTA VP told us that that does not happen). It is clear that resources need to be allocated better.

The VP told us that Command Bus left a mess that the MTA has been cleaning up. We in Kensington are defined as part of that mess: When an express bus stops to pick us up, we make the commute longer for passengers who boarded at the beginning of the route. He promised that larger buses will be assigned to the BM3 and BM4 lines. He said that if those get overcrowded, the MTA will think about restoring some of our BM1 and BM2 service. If the MTA does change the schedule, it will not go into effect until September.

In response to requests for Sunday service, the VP told us that we have no Sunday service because we do not use the bus much on Saturdays. If you have problems with the bus and would like to complain about them, call:
James J. Harding, Jr.
Vice President, Intergovernmental and Community Relations
128-15 28th Avenue
Flushing, NY 11354
Work: 718.445.3100 x 3420
Cell: 347.203.8382
Fax: 718.961.2660
Jim.harding@mtabusco.com

To complain about the F train, call 646.252.5800 and ask for:
Lois Tendler
Director, MTA NYC Transit Government and Community Relations2 Broadway, D 17.140
New York, NY 10004
718-694-5127
ltendle@nyct.com

The VP will report back to the ANA president in two to three weeks.

ANA committees and changes: Over the summer, the ANA will establish a committee to draft changes to the by-laws in order to address boundary issues for members, membership and membership dues, and streamline the officer core. Once complete and in effect, the ANA will nominate officers for the new positions and hold elections.

Next meeting: The next full meeting of ANA will be in September, date to be announced.