YouthMarket Baby Step on Way to Full Kensington GreenMarket

The community of Kensington, Brooklyn is beginning to make headway on the proposal to have a farmer’s market in the neighborhood.

Discussions have commenced with GrowNYC, the organization which oversees the largest group of farmer’s markets in the City, to see what it would take to get a farmer’s market running in Kensington.

After preliminary discussions GrowNYC has said that they will be happy to work with the community to get a Kensington greenmarket organized sometime this coming year, but they want to begin on a smaller scale. The proposal suggests starting with a limited greenmarket run by youth, or a YouthMarket.  GrowNYC describes YouthMarkets as “a network of urban farm stands operated by neighborhood youth, supplied by local farmers, and designed to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to communities throughout New York City.”

Community representative Jessica Turner is excited by the idea of the YouthMarket, especially as a first step towards a full scale greenmarket. The location which is now being considered, at least to begin with, is Fort Hamilton Parkway between East 4^th and East 5^th Streets.

Supervisor of Kensington Sanitation District Sanctioned

The severe snowstorm suffered by residents of New York last week challenged the Sanitation Department to the maximum. Unfortunately, not all districts met the challenge to an acceptable standard.

Councilman Brad Lander of the 39th District in Brooklyn received hundreds of complaints about the inadequacy of the snow removal from his constituents. The vast majority of complaints, however, came from Sanitation District 12, the Kensington/Borough Park neighborhoods, which is geographically only one third of Lander’s district.

By December 31st it was strikingly clear that Kensington/Borough Park were under served by snowplows, as by this date there were still many streets under snow, while the rest of District 39 was basically clear.

As a result of the failure of the supervisor of Sanitation District 12 to do his job properly, he has been sanctioned, held responsible and has been reassigned to a different district.

Kensington Kids May Attend District 22 School on Coney Island Avenue

The Department of Education of New York is clearing the way to make it possible for an undisclosed number of Kensington children to attend school in District 22 on Coney Island Avenue.

The proposed new school will accept some students from District 15, which includes the Kensington area, but the number of children which will be allowed in is still uncertain. Assurances to the parents of Kensington children were made by the DOE spokesman Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld, who added that the number of children will be determined by admissions criteria and demand.

A large influx of school-age children is expected into the district when families begin to move into the newly approved housing project, the Culver El Estates, which has yet to be built.

Snow Delays Ambulance, Results in Elderly Man’s Death

A 73 year-old Kensington man died while waiting for an ambulance in his Kensington home last Monday, December 27^th.

At about 12pm Joel Grossman called 911 and explained to the dispatcher that he was “not feeling well.” The operator took Mr. Grossman’s words to mean that his illness was not life-threatening, and therefore, due to the bad weather and extreme backlog of calls for emergency assistance, and ambulance was not sent immediately.

Mr. Grossman kept in touch with the 911 dispatcher, with at least two additional calls made between them. No ambulance was sent because he said that he “only felt sick.”

Unfortunately Mr. Grossman died in his Ocean Parkway home in Kensington before an ambulance could reach him.

Kensington Pumpkin Weighs in at 502 Pounds

John Zambito, resident of Kensington, Brooklyn, and his wife, grew a pumpkin capable of filling more than 450 pumpkin pies on land in upstate New York. Using nothing but donkey manure and fish fertilizer, this oversized pumpkin could only be transported back into the city in time for Halloween by the removal of Zambito’s car’s backseat.

Mr. Zambito is an MTA supervisor, and will keep his giant pumpkin on display in front of his house on McDonald Avenue until Thanksgiving, when the pumpkin will be forced to succumb to the will of a chainsaw.

Hikind Loses Temper at Fringe Baptist Protest

A small group of members of the fringe Westboro Baptist Church held a protest in front of Chabad Lubavitch of Kensington when things turned ugly.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind, known for his support of Jewish causes in Brooklyn and even throughout the world, was participating in a counter protest in support of the Brooklyn synagogue and against the beliefs of the Westboro group, when he lost control.

Suddenly Hikind ran from his protest and approached the small fence which was holding in the Westboro protestors.

Hikind screamed at Westboro member Shirley Phelps, “You’re a whore! Just be careful the rest of your day in Brooklyn.”

Hikind was pulled away by the police, but was not arrested.

The assemblyman explained that he was infuriated by one particular sign that Phelps was holding which read, “Thank God for dead soldiers” a reference to the group’s belief that God punishes America’s tolerance for gay people by allowing US soldiers to die.

"It was an emotional moment," Hikind said. "I just wanted to take that sign from her. They're a despicable group."

Phelps said that she would not press charges against Hilkind although she did comment that “he needs to get over himself.”

Errol Cockfield: Running Communications for Democrats

Beginning in September Guyanese born Errol Cockfield will run communications for Democrats in the New York State Senate.

The Democrat Majority Leader, State Senator John Sampson, also of Guyanese descent, hired Cockfield, who is 36 years-old, to be the Communications Director of the Senate Democratic Majority.

Cockfield went to SUNY at Stonybrook, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a minor in Journalism. He has been a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times as well as the head of Newsday’s Albany Bureau.

More recently Cockfield held the position of head spokespman and advisor for New York Governor David Paterson, as well as Eliot Spitzer, the previous Governor to Paterson. Cockfield became well-known for his leadership and crisis management expertise during the historic power transfer from Spitzer to Paterson.

"I'm very humbled and excited that Senator Sampson saw fit to tap me for this important role. Under the Senator's leadership, Democrats have accomplished important victories, including reforms that allowed New York to get $700 million in federal education funding announced this week," Cockfield told reporters.

Senator Sampson was elected in 1996 to the New York State Senate where he represents Brooklyn’s 19^th Senatorial District. Among the many sections of Brooklyn included in the 19^th District are Kensington, Midwood, Crown Heights and parts of Old Mill Basin.

New Van Service Replaces Busline

Starting on August 16^th, 2010 the old B23 bus line servicing Borough Park, Kensington, and Flatbush, will be discarded in favor of a pilot commuter van service.

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) announced the start of the Group Ride Vehicle Pilot Program, and are hoping that its success will lead to expanded service.

Other bus lines which will be replaced by the new service are the B39 and B71 in Brooklyn, and in Queens the Q74 and Q79.

The B23 carried 1500 daily weekday customers and 1240 daily weekend riders until it was cut to help get the MTA budget deficit of $800 million under control. Unfortunately without the B23 commuters were left stranded with no way to get to work, school and other places. Alternative routes commuters were forced to take added an average of 15 minutes to each person’s commute time.

"Throughout the last few months, I have heard from many constituents who relied on the B23 to get to work, to family, or even school. It’s been very difficult for commuters who relied on the B23,” said Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn).

“The innovative decision by the TLC to place the Group Ride Vehicle Pilot Program along the discontinued B23 line goes a long way towards providing residents with a safe and affordable way to travel."

The vans which will replace the B23 can carry between six and eight people at a time, and will cost each traveler only $2. The new stops of the route have not yet been announced.

“This community desperately needs public transportation and the TLC’s innovative program will ensure that residents have a safe and affordable way to travel, something the MTA should, but clearly cannot, provide,” Greenfield says.

From Pizza to Heroes

Two Brooklyn police officers, Sgt. Edward Kraemer and Officer Timothy Stines stopped off for a couple of slices of pizza on Cortelyou Road in Kensington when they suddenly heard a woman crying for help.

Kraemer explained that, “A bunch of people started screaming that there was a fire," so they raced outside to see a building with smoke pouring out of the third floor.

They rushed into the apartment building and together helped a woman and her one-year-old baby out of the building and to safety, according to the police.

Collapsed wall on Expressway!

So this is basically a picture from outside my window last night. Yes, now you all know where one of us lives, sort of. It sounded like thunder when it happened, and I looked out the window to see if it was an accident, but couldn't really make out what happened until it got dark. Emergency crews, news crews, and rubberneckers galore were milling around the overpass and Ocean Parkway service roads for hours until they got it cleaned up, but I wasn't able to gather any information on how it happened: whether it just collapsed or if someone hit it. The only news story I found online was The Yeshiva World News which, if nothing else, provided a much cooler picture:

Sweet, Sweet mayhem!

WTF??

What're These Fliers??


These are ALL OVER the neighborhood. Any ideas?

Tire thefts/car vandalism on the rise?

The local mailing lists for Kensington/Windsor Terrace is crawling with folks complaining that their tires are being stolen. Currently, the problem seems to be the worst right on the gray area between the two neighborhoods.

Another Car Break-in
September 17 in the mid afternoon! Location: East 5th between Vanderbilt and Greenwood (yes, next to the expressway.) Our Honda was pried into via front engine and window - we don't know what was taken - all the knobs to our heating and air conditioning are missing - we're not sure if some internal parts are missing. Waiting for police after calling 911. Whatever is decided about trying to stop these thefts, we're in.

Car Broken into on the corner of E4th & Caton
A Lexus was broken into on the corner of East 4th and Caton (Windsor Terrace side of the intersection) sometime last night. We live right there and heard nothing. No alarm, nothing. It's already been reported to the police and the owner knows.

Tires stolen in Windsor Terrace last night
Last night, around 3am, I saw two guys steal two tires off a handicap equipped minivan on E. 4th St. (near Greenwood). I was unable to tell if they were changing their own tire or up to no good. They had pulled up next to the minivan and were working in between their own car and the minivan. I was in the house in front of the cars (but on the minivan side). As soon as I realized they were in fact stealing, I yelled "Hey!" and called the police. They got two tires and drove away. The cops came by a little later. They took the info I had and said the owner would need to file a report when they woke up and found their car in the morning.

This is just a sample of some of the messages that have flown back and forth over the past three weeks. While there's plenty of blame to go around here (many folks seem ready to blame practically non-existent police presence) the question is, what can be done to curb or stop this?
The 66th precinct will have a representative at the next ANA meeting, THIS thursday, according to folks on the group:

I URGE, URGE, URGE concerned Kensington residents to come to the next ANA meeting to discuss crime with a representative from the 66th precinct.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR, THIS THURSDAY September 24th at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting is just ONE HOUR LONG and is right here in the neighborhood in the basement of the Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center (the synagogue on the corner of East 5th Street and Church Avenue). Just go down the ramp and you'll find friendly neighbors AND refreshments!

Whether or not you own a car, an increase in this type of crime does absolutely nothing for anyone. If this concerns you, and it should, please make your concerns known this thursday.

Come show your stuff at a Kensington talent show.

The always busy folks at the WKAG are back with a plan celebrate the new green space in Kensington for which they were instrumental in having created.

COME CELEBRATE OUR NEW GREEN TRIANGLE!!!!

Hello, everyone! After a long, hot, very busy summer, it would be great to get together and have some fun. We are looking for local talent to perform at our first annual Green Triangle Talent Show!

Do you Sing? Dance? Juggle? Play the Accordion? Guitar? Banshi?

We know our neighborhood is full of talent. Come show us yours! Please limit performances to 10 minutes or less. We encourage people of all ages (kids welcome!) to perform. Please contact us at:

WestKensingtonActionGroup@gmail.com

very soon to get on the sign-up list. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and have some fun!

WHEN: Saturday, September 26th, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: the GREEN TRIANGLE at Church Avenue and 35th Street
(35th street will be closed off to all traffic)

WHY: To have some fun, get to know your neighbors, and show us your stuff!

Sounds like a wonderful idea to us. Come on, Kensington, we know you're talented. I just wish we had some of those Tuvan throat singers living in the area. Now that's talent.

Skaller and Zuckerman

Ogden C. Kellogg
Political Correspondent

Seems as if there's only two candidates left to tell you about before tomorrow's big primary... We do hope we've been helpful in the process. As I said before, politics ain't exactly our thing. I was only promoted to Political Correspondent early last week. Prior to that I was mainly in charge of mindin' the Pot Still and doin for the fellas a bit of cleaning up.

Firstly, Josh Skaller, someone we've all seen in the neighborhood lately:

A word about Mr. Skaller: Of all the candidates, Josh is the only one we've met personally outside the context of a rushed pitch and literature transfer outside of the subway. He was kind enough, last year, to attend Festivus and introduce himself to the folks of Kensington in a more personable setting. We don't know much about Mr. Skaller's politics, so if you're looking for that sort of endorsement, try the Brooklyn Downtown Star or Howard Dean. But we do know that Josh Skaller is a regular guy who you can sit down with and have a beer... and how many politicians not named Teddy Roosevelt can you say that about?

The final candidate is one Mr. Bob Zuckerman.

Mr. Zuckerman is somewhat of a mystery. His NBC video is non-embeddable, so you'll have to click that link to see it. Secondly, he is the only candidate on this NY Times page for whom there is no fundraising information. Thirdly, we suspect Bob might be an alter-ego of Joey Slotnick.

Update: We've been contacted by the Zuckerman campaign with a link to his site, his financials, and this highly amusing video:

Lander and Reilly

Ogden C. Kellogg
Political Correspondent

Hello again, friends. The return of gridiron this Sunday last found me, as they say, soured on beer and given to claims. It also found me in a state not quite capable of continuing the flow of information on the impendin' city council race. Now we find ourselves only one day away from the donkey primary and a whoppin' four candidates left to tell about. So we'll do two now and two later and then tomorrow, the Democrats among you can all use the wits the Lord gave you to make the best choice for you and your family.

First, Meet Brad Lander and his Big Book of Ideas:

Next up, Gary Reilly:

Later today: Josh Skaller and Bob Zuckerman.

Another big idea from the West Kensington Action Group

Maggie and the other kind folks at the WKAG (you may remember them from this recent victory) have come up with another grass-inspired caper to expand greenery in the 'hood:

WKAG writes:

COME ONE. COME ALL!!! CREATE YOUR OWN PARK!!!

Do you think Kensington needs more green space? Now is your opportunity to make our needs known! National (PARK)ing Day is around the corner! Friday, September 18th, join in the fun and set up your own temporary park at any metered parking spot. All you need are a few quarters for the meter and a little sod (astroturf will work in a pinch) to transform your Park(ing) spot into a Park! Then sit back and relax, have a picnic, read a book, fly a kite, whatever you want to do in your port-a-park! Just don't forget to plug the meter! Look for West Kensington Action Group's Park somewhere along Church Avenue, west of McDonald of course! For more info. contact WestKensingtonActionGroup@gmail.com

For pictures of past parks and guidelines, click here.

You're reading that right. On September 18th, WKAG wants you to find a metered spot, feed the meter, and turn it into a park. This plan involves having sod on hand, but you could also build a sandbox, fill it with rose petals to provide walking space for visiting dignitaries, or just set up a hammock and nap. We at the blog plan to steal 10 consecutive spots and turn them into a bowling alley. Good luck, WKAG!

On the race for City Council

Ogden C. Kellogg
Political Correspondent

We're not much for politickin' at the Kensington Blog. We're simple folk, with simple ideals and simple values. Our simpleness... why, it simply seethes selfless salt-of-the-earthiness. But we hear tell that the coming election is of particular interest to those of us who have grown soft and complacent durin' the long reign of Bill de Blasio. Truth is, such times have been known to usher in madmen while the less fortunate are busy livin' and the rich dine on fine cakes and city-wine. Before we were consigned to a life of aimless bloggin', we sold cornbread along the whistle-stop campaign trails of days past, so we know a thing or two about the business of people. Between now and ballot day, we're going to do our part to help spread the word about the who's who's and the what's what, on account of it bein' our civic duty and all. So without further pomp or preamble allow me the pleasure of introducin' to you the very first candidate (alphabetically speakin', that is) on the ballot: one Mr. John L. Heyer, the second of his name, of Brooklyn.

Seems this Mr. Heyer has some big ideas for our little section of the city. Do you agree with what he's got to say? Here at the Kensington Blog, everyone has a voice. If you think Mr. Heyer is a sterling candidate for the job, well go on and let us know. If you think he's a bum for this, that, and t'other reason, well you stand right up and say so. This is your hour.

The Village Voice keeps eating in Kensington

Some of us were a bit disappointed to see Ambrosia on Church Avenue close a couple months back, as it was one of the few places within the borders to get a half-decent veal parm. I took it so personally that I boycotted its successor, Bangladeshi joint Zaffran, out of pure spite. Luckily the Village Voice was there to take up the slack and tell us all about the place.

Hidden under the fluffy, oiled rice, this biryani was replete with chunks of bone-in lamb (suck out the marrow!), long-cooked onions, prunes, and small green chiles. A faint slick of neon yellow on the bottom of the plate gave away the presence of mustard oil. With the deluxe addition of a boiled egg, this is truly a feasting dish. (read more)

That sounds almost good enough to take them off my blacklist. I'm also rather fond of their No Politics policy, as evidenced above. Has anyone gotten around to eating here? Tell us about it in the comments.

66 Square Feet profiles Kensington

The folks (folk?) at 66 Square Feet, a Brooklyn blog about "gardening in tight spaces", took a trip out to Kensington the other day, a neighborhood they had previously never heard of (shocking, I know.)

66SF snapped a few shots of the local flora and had a lot of nice things to say about what she saw during her excursion.

On the cement sidewalks of Kensington were old Ukrainian ladies in sandals and knee high natural stockings, ladies in saris, in burkas, men in kurtas; yarmulkes, kufis, Hasidic hats.

I liked it.

Even before I saw the people, I knew from my recent BBG judging experience that the mosaicly bright gardens in front of the houses signified an "ethnic" population. The adjective amuses me. Am I ethnic? And why is an Indian family ethnic? Anyway, folks were growing things. Food. (read more)

We're glad you made it out! If you ever get tired of the rent in Cobble Hill, We'll find at least 66 more square feet for you here.

Catching up - Bloomberg wants F Express

One of the items we missed from early in August was this piece from the Brooklyn Paper about the oft-discussed F Express. This time around, Bloomberg is voicing support for the F Express as part of a larger plan to ease commutes that would include expanding service to underserved neighborhoods like Red Hook and Greenpoint.

Express trains could stop at currently an unused platform at Bergen Street beneath the existing one, but they would skip Carroll Street, Smith-Ninth Streets and Fourth Avenue before stopping again at Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. From there, they would bypass the Prospect Park and Fort Hamilton Parkway stations en route to Church Avenue in Kensington. (read more)

As a former user of the Church Ave stop but recent emigrant to the Fort Hamilton stop, I vehemently oppose this move for reasons that are in no way selfish.