Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Preferential parking permits for certain neighborhoods?

From the WTA but it affects our little 'ole Kensington:
We've been in contact recently with Community Board 7, with members of a committee pushing residential parking permits for Downtown Bklyn, and by a local elected official's office about residential parking permits and two upcoming meetings. I've also looked into some of the history of it online. Community leaders from the neighborhoods of northwest Bklyn (from Bklyn Heights to Park Slope) have apparently joined forces to push for permits for their neighborhoods, something which some of us are concerned will have a negative impact on Windsor Terrace and Kensington.
These groups are campaigning quite aggressively and we hope we can do as much as we can to keep our neighborhoods from becoming even more of a parking lot than they already are. Just because the plan focusses on conditions in Downtown Brooklyn doesn't mean that there won't be a real, noticeable affect in our neighborhood if preferential parking is made available to everyone from Brooklyn Heights to Park Slope.How these permits would work has not been fully determined. For a description of several possible scenarios, you can go to the following Dept. of Transportation link, starting at page 5:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/parkingworkshops.pdf

For information on the entire Downtown Brooklyn Transportation Blueprint, see: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/downtownblueprint.shtml#overview


Tuesday, January 29, 2008

City Council

Shameless Plug Happening Now...
Gary Reilly our man about the F express just announced he's running for City Council. Check out his blog First and Court. You can also read about all the other candidates on a short post from Brownstoner.

Did I Mention I'm Running For City Council? (First and Court)
De Blasio, Yassky Replacements Start to Campaign (Brownstoner)

OVERCAT Tonight

OVERCAT featuring John Seden tonight, Monday @ MAGNETIC FIELD!
8PM, FREE!
Magnetic Field 97 Atlantic AveBrooklyn, New York 11201(718) 834-0069
Overcat is: John Seden - tapes, oscillator, Ebow guitar, digitized 78s, etc
Roger Murdock - drums and stuff
AND of course, Kensington homeboy, Dave Rick - bass

Sunday, January 27, 2008

PS 230 Gifted & Talented...

The Gifted and Talented Open House at PS 230 is next week. February 4th at 7 pm for families that have completed the G&T application. Enter at 425 McDonald Ave.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Walgreens to go GREEN!

Due to a few residential requests and a very persistent community activist the regional manager of the new Walgreens on Church/Beverley has agreed to do some planting in front of the store. We are very happy Walgreens has decided to a leadership role in bringing more "green" to Church Avenue. The store will either plant trees or put in large planters.

WTA announces Parking Forum

From WT Alliance:
There has been a movement in some parts of Brooklyn west of Windsor Terrace (like Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and similar neighborhoods.) to push for residential parking permits for their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, these neighborhoods are more vocal than Kensington and Windsor Terrace and as a result, there is growing concern that these Park Slope, etc. neighborhoods might get such permits. The potential affect of this is it could turn Kensington and Windsor Terrace into parking lots. This would especially apply to anyone living near a subway stop or an express bus. We already have a big "park and ride" problem in Windsor Terrace and residents of Kensington tell horror stories of looking for a parking spot there.
There is a forum coming up on Feb. 4 on residential parking which is being supported by groups from the neighborhoods who are pushing for such permits, as well as several elected officials, at least one of whom has openly advocated for permits for his neighborhoods. The Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Transportation is also scheduled to attend.
We wanted to get the word out to people in Kensington to come to this meeting if they have an opinion on this issue. It seems that other people are making decisions for residents of Kensington and Windsor Terrace and these decisions may not be the best for us. Please pass this info on to people you know.
Residential Parking Forum
Mon. Feb. 4 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Francis College Auditorium (on Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights)
Subway: 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Borough Hall; R to Court St.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Kensington Facebook crew plans bar night

Let's go to Shenanigans!
Because a single shenanigan wouldn't be nearly enough
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 9:00pm
End Time:Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 12:00am
Location:Shenanigans
Street:Caton Ave b/w E7th and E8th Streets.
City/Town:Brooklyn, NY
Come on folks. We've only got one thing in common and it's location. Let's ring in 2008 a little late by going to the Shenanigans, named Best Kensington Bar by New York Times Magazine an astounding 36 yearsrunning. They have Foster's on tap and a Guinness Surge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4M_-bZ9sq8&feature=related
It sends ultrasonic waves through the glass to achieve an authentic cascade effect. So it's our job to send ultrasonic waves through Kensington by creating an environment of greater than 10 people that doesn't involve tube socks or manicures.
Tell everyone you know! The guy that pretends to have no arms and sells flowers on Ocean Pkwy? Tell him. The man with the beret and awesome train-robber moustache? Bring 'em along. Hell, even invite some of those rude Rite Aid cashiers so we can dump beer over their heads and see how they like it. This is our chance to shine.What's the worst that could happen?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Local Story Times

WT Library
Toddler Time (18 months - 3 years)
Tues. 9.30-10, 10.15-10.45, and 4-4.30
Pre-School Time (3-5 years)
Weds. 9.30-10
Babies & Books (birth - 18 months)
Once a month - 1/18, 2/29, 3/28, 4/25, 5/30, 6/27
10am

Kensington Library
Pre-School Stories
Mon. 1-2
Nap Time Stories
Tues. 1:30
Babies & Books
Weds. 11-12

WT Alliance Focus - Traffic

Yes we understand this was spearheaded by the WT Alliance (kudos to them!) but there is some info here for those troubled by the traffic on Caton Ave.
Brooklyn Neighborhood Tackles Tangle of Traffic Troubles (Brooklyn Eagle)

Caton Avenue Traffic Dangers
Caton Avenue is a stretch of roadway with congestion and speeding vehicles with out-of-sync traffic lights, the survey and speakers noted. There are backups from Caton onto McDonald Avenue, forcing some drivers to seek escape onto side streets where they are often seen speeding. A resident near Canton Avenue added that truck traffic there is not always related to local deliveries.
Suggested solutions include more traffic cops during rush hours, closing the Fort Hamilton Parkway exit from the Prospect Expressway at the same time, and making left-hand turns from McDonald onto Caton illegal.

Hamilton Dog House needs wheels!

From our friends at Hamilton Dog House:
Sean was involved in a accident last Saturday (1/5) while he was on his way to an adoption event. Thankfully, Sean is ok and so are all the animals! But the rescue vehicle is totaled which makes it VERY difficult for us to transport animals. If you know anyone who has a van that they are able/willing to donate or even just a cheap station wagon, truck or van please message us through myspace or email us at nyanimalrescue@yahoo.com

For details on the accident you can read the article published in the New York Post :
CRASH LEADS TO ANIMAL RESSSCUE

Monday, January 14, 2008

Local's Mini-Retrospective

Local rabbi painter Jonathan Blum is having a mini-retrospective of his work in Park Slope. Stop by!
January 13 through mid-April
Park Slope Jewish Center, Brooklyn (8th Avenue and 14th Street)
Opening Reception: Sunday, January 13th, 5:30-7:30

Credit Fraud hittin' Kensington?

Gowanus Lounge posted about credit card fraud outbreak happening to residents of Park Slope. Watch out it looks like its coming our way!
I live off Church Ave and like many residents of Park Slope recently was charged over $400 at gas stations in Florida where someone used my debit card number.

Foodtown Reno in Full Swing

We stopped by Foodtown last night to see changes-a-coming. We're really excited for it all to come together in the spring. We're also hoping they add some greenery to the front of the store along w the new facade.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Brownstoner checks out K-town Rentals

Brownstoner checks out the rentals in Kensington. Post a comment!
Rentals of the Day: Kensington Picks From Craigslist (Brownstoner)

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Update on the Old Brick

From the inbox:
Did you know that Old Brick now has an expanded menu (Italian food now too, not just Balkan/Mediterranean) AND free delivery?

Nope, we didn't. Thanks for sharing!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Around $300k

Local FSBO 1 bedroom at a building near the border of WT and Kensington. We know people in this building and have heard great things (live in super, friendly neighbors, quiet street etc). The apartment appears renovated and move-in ready plus the ad boasts quick walk to WT library and Greenwood Playground. $309000 1 Bedroom in Kensington (maint: $372)

Drilling

We just got a tip that there is drilling happening on the corner of East 7th and Church.... anyone know what's up?

Monday, January 7, 2008

Wolman Rink

Skating season started over a month ago but we just recently got to go and highly recommend it! (Warning they only accept cash!) It's a pretty easy walk or very quick bike ride from the 'hood and considering the recent weather you may even get to wear short sleeves. Hours and link below:
Winter 2007-2008 Schedule
November 29, 2007 - March 16, 2008
Mon 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tues 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wed 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thurs 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fri 8:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat 10 a.m - 1 p.m., 2 - 6 p.m., 7 - 10 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 - 6 p.m.
Prices: Adults: $5· Children (14 and under) and Seniors: $3· Skate Rental: $6

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Local Family Profiled...

Fortune’s Sisters (Sunday New York Times, January 6th)
Mrs. Parker-Myers, 35, a preschool teacher who lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Kensington with her husband, Lars, a manager of jewelry trade shows, is the writer of the group. She chronicled their two-week journey to China in an eloquent adoption diary that includes comment on everything from the sparrow kebabs and goat testicles that she encountered during her first days in Beijing to the mothers’ attempts to absorb the essence of the country that their daughters never knew.

New Kensington Story!

New one up at Ron's Kensington Story blog!
Jerry "Fish" and the Strawberry Shortcake

Local Traffic Forum w DOT

The Windsor Terrace Alliance (WTA) and Community Board 7 will be co-sponsoring a community forum on Thursday on traffic and transportation issues affecting Windsor Terrace:
Public Speak Out on Traffic and Transportation
Thursday Jan. 10
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Grand Prospect Hall (263 Prospect Avenue between 5th and 6th Avenues)

Windsor Terrace residents have expressed concerns about traffic and parking issues on a number of local streets, such as the East 5th Street exit off the Prospect Expressway, noisy traffic on Prospect Park Southwest and trucks on Caton Avenue. This meeting will give you a chance to express your concerns directly to representatives of the community board as we work with them to identify the most pressing traffic problems to address and hopefully bring these concerns to the Dept. of Transportation.

We know this has been set up by the WTA but since Caton and East 5th impact many Kensington residents we wanted to highlight it here.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Mulchin'

There is some mulchin' going down at Park Circle (where Coney Island meets the park) of used x-mas trees and such. Flatbush Gardener sent us a mail on Thurs. that volunteers where still needed and we hear he'll be there most of the weekend. Even if you can't volunteer drag your used x-mas tree over!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Nearby Nabe Reviewed

Check out the AM NY article on Prospect Park South our neighbor across Coney Island.
City Living: Prospect Park South

Nearby Youth Baseball

SFX Youth Sports - which begins its 30th year of little league baseball in Prospect Park for boys and girls - is having registration and player ratings (only to ensure team balance) this weekend at the SFX gym at 752 President Street near 6th Avenue. SFX Youth Sports also will be hosting indoor baseball workouts this winter for kids interested in trying out for the travel program. Contact SFX Board Member (and Kensington resident!) Steven Reiser at steven.reiser@verizon.net for details on the baseball programs or visit http://www.sfxyouthsports.com/RatingsDayInfo.pdf.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Get your tickets NOW!

We are very excited to inform you that local band Pistolera has been invited to perform at the fifth annual globalFEST (www.globalfest-ny.org) on Sunday, January 13, 2008 , starting at 7 pm on three stages at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street, NYC).

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy 2008!

We're back but need info of local events, happenings and real estate tips. Wishing you and yours a great 2008... Hopefully the new year will bring more useful local business and greenery for our our great section of Church Ave!

Local Music Classes

Parents of toddlers, we have alot of local music classes right in our own backyard. There are Music Together classes at Cynthia King Dance Studio and Playground of Sound is starting at both Honeydew Drop (a good place to arrange a playdate in February) as well as the Flatbush Jewish Center at Church Avenue. (See past listings linked for info).

Church Ave Commercial Spaces

We got a tip that 327 Church Ave is up for rent. $2900/ month for over 800 sq. feet. We also think the spaces on either side of the Old Brick are up for rent or at the very least vacant at the moment... The neighborhood needs lots of stuff so we'll be interested to see what pops up! Any potential renters out there? Email us (kensingtonbrooklyn AT gmail DOT com) for the realtor's listings. Lastly, anyone know if the old Jimmy's Deli on the corner of Ft. Hamilton and E4th got a new tenant yet?

Kensington Stories

Ron's got another one up at Kensington Stories...
New Years Eve and Pitta's Funeral Home