Brooklyn Public Library Launches "Party With A Purpose!"

To combat the proposed 17% budget cut, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) has begun a "Support Our Shelves" campaign meant to put the power of re-invigorating the BPL back into the hands of Brooklynites. The "Brooklyn Vanguard", the BPL's young professionals crowd, is hosting a party (with a purpose!) at the Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden with this goal in mind.

The details are as follows:
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden
618 Saint Johns Place (near Franklin Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11238

Please consider attending, and invite your friends. You can get further information here and here.

FUREE Screens "Some Place Like Home"; 5/16; 12PM; FUREE Building

If you haven't gotten the chance to see it yet, we very much suggest you check out Families United for Racial and Economic Equality's (FUREE's) film, Some Place Like Home. It is narrated by writer and activist Kevin Powell, and focuses on the exclusion of low-income families and small businesses from the development of Fort Greene and Downtown Brooklyn.

Screening is-
Saturday, May 16, 2009
12PM- 5PM
FUREE Conference Room
81 Willoughby Street, #701
Brooklyn, NY 11201

*For more information, contact FUREE's Valery Dean at valery@furee.org or call (718) 852-2960, ext. 301. RSVP required. A light lunch and beverages will be served.*

UPDATE: SCREENING FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF COMMUNITY HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND HISTORIC ICONS AFFECTED BY THE REZONING AND REDEVELOPMENT OF FORT GREENE & DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN.

Rep. Towns Holds Job Fair; 5/8; 9AM; Brownsville, BK

Congress Member Ed Towns, along with the Federation of Multicultural Programs, is sponsoring a 2009 Job Fair. The job fair will include information on jobs such as clerk typist, accountant, books keeper, office managerial work, social work, psychologist, dietitian, and nursing.

The fair will take place-

Friday, May 8, 2009
9AM-3PM
Brownsville Recreational Center
1555 Linden Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11212

*Bring numerous copies of your resume. Please contact Ronald Major at ronald.major@mail.house.gov or (718) 855-8018 for further information or to register.*

Job Opportunity: Visions Positions Available!

Visions VCB is a non-profit that has provided services for the blind and visually impaired for over 80 years. Most people they service have limited income, and thus most of the services are free-of-charge.

Visions currently has a job openings for the following positions:

Visions VCB provides services for the blind and visually impaired are recruiting workers for an 8 week summer period. All positions include room and board.

Supervisor

Social work, teaching, recreation, camp or related experience required. Masters in social work, education, recreation therapy, rehabilitation or related field preferred. Masters level students are encouraged to apply. Supervisory/management experience a must. Spouses and children welcome. Preferably post-collegiate. Salary is from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on experience

Nurse

Requires N.Y.S. R.N. standard first aid and CPR. Part time, work hourly available. Salary negotiable. Hourly wage, part time and per diem.

Dining Hall Manager

Experience in food service delivery and supervision of wait and bus staff. Must be 24+ years. Salary $3,000+

Program Specialist/Artist in Residence

Arts (crafts, pottery, music, dance), Fitness (must have certification), education (adaptive computers, nature), Rehab Teaching, O&M, TVI, Early intervention Specialists etc. Experience teaching special populations. Expertise in program area. Supervisory experience a plus. Preferably post-collegiate. Salary negotiable full/part time or per diem.

Counselor

Outgoing, warm, committed and interested in working with people of all ages and those who are blind. Leadership skills, maturity, enthusiasm, creativity and motivation a must. Counselors will also assist with the care of staff children on a rotating basis. Must 18 years or older. Salary range beginning at $1,200

Lifeguard

Lifeguard certification, B.L.S. CPR and standard first aid required. Mature, responsible, and energetic. Preferably post-collegiate. Salary negotiable

Driver

Must have a clean license– no outstanding tickets! Driving record will be checked. Patient, friendly and mature attitude a must. Experience driving in New York City a plus. Must be 24+years. Salary negotiable. Full/Part time, $10 per hour.

Support Staff

To assist in kitchen, dining hall, maintenance, and housekeeping. Serving and cleaning up of meals, cleaning dormitories, program areas and bathrooms, grounds work, assisting with program activities when assigned. Ability to work as part of the team. Must be flexible. Must be 18 years or older. Salary $1,200+, depending on experience

Language Interpreter/Rehabilitation Office Assistant

The interpreter will interpret for consumers receiving services from Visions and the working environment will include field work (i.e. consumers’ homes, neighborhoods, schools, and offices). The interpreter will facilitate communication through the use of spoken foreign language, spoken English, cultural mediation and knowledge of vision loss.

The applicant:

* Must become familiar with rehabilitation terminology
* Must show evidence of fluent ability in English and the foreign language for which they are training
* Must be willing to have a background check
* Interpreter training and certification through ATA is a plus

The salary is commensurate with experience.

Visions VCB is located at 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor. New York, NY, 10013. The telephone number is (212) 625-1616, fax number is (212) 219-4078, and their email is info@visionsvcb.org.

CM James Co-Sponsors BK Bureau of Community Service "Conversations With Community Leaders" Discussion on Mental Health

New York City Council Member Letitia James on Why She Is a Co-Sponsor of the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service event- Conversations with Community Leaders:

"Conversations with Community Leaders is necessary and extremely important at this time. Now more than ever, especially during this country's worst economic crisis in decades, when incidents of violence and abuse have a greater potential to rise, it is imperative that the community have increased access to social services. Mental health services, in particular, help people at all income levels to cope with the drastic changes to their lives. It comforts me to know that the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service continues to provide superb support and resources for the community, specifically for individuals with mental health challenges."

-Council Member Letitia James
35th Council District, Brooklyn

Please join us and the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service (BBCS) at their continuing "Community Leaders" discussion entitled "Healing Starts With Us: A Mental Health Initiative" The panel will include "Road To City Hall" host Dominic Carter, author and mental health advocate Terrie M. Williams, and NY Daily News columnist Errol Louis.

The event takes place-
Thursday, April 30, 2009
11AM-1PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

ATTENTION: Community Boards- Block Party Protocol

We've collected the requirements and standards for block parties from the local Community Boards within the 35th Council District (2, 3, 8, 9,). See below:

CB2

* Applications must be submitted 60 days in advance
* $15 fee
* No multi-day or multi-block parties permitted
* If the application is being submitted by a block association, a formal letter from them is required. If the application is not coming from a block association, a petition is required. This ensures that the occupants of the block are aware that the party is going to be held and also provides the office with evidence of this.
* There is no limitation on how many block parties can be held.

CB3

* Applications must be submitted 60 days in advance
* $15 fee
* A notarized letter from the block association must be submitted
* There is a limit of 7 blocks parties per precinct per weekend

CB8

* Applicants must complete a steer activity form which must be approved by the 77th precinct
* If there is no block or tenants association, or the association has not held a block party in the last 5 years, a petition is needed. Otherwise, a letter from the block or tenants association will suffice
* There is a limit of 5 parties per Saturday

CB9

* Street activity permits can only be issued to a sponsor, who then takes responsibility for the conduct of the event. The sponsor must be a community based, not for profit organization, association or something similar which has an indigenous relationship to the street or community.
* The number of street activity events per day may be limited to 4
* Street activities cannot begin before 8am or end later than 7pm
* The sponsor must obtain, on the organization's letterhead, signatures from 60% of the residents on the block
* There is a $15 fee
* For a single day event, applications must be submitted to the Community Board office at least 90 days in advance
* Applications for multi-block/multi-day events must be filed no later that December 31st of the year prior to the date of the event.
* For street activities which occupy more than one block, fee equal to 30% of the total fees paid by the vendors to participate in such events shall be charged (excluding fees paid by organizations determined to constitute community based, not for profit organizations).

35th District House Tours!!!

About 3/7 of Team Tish went outside the office for lunch today, and we were pleasantly surprised by the wonderful weather. The birds were chirping, the hills were alive, and it seemed a great time to follow-up on our post about the Clinton Hill House Tour (because nothing says "Hi, summer" like checking-out the great things your neighbors have done with their homes over the cold winter!)

Luckily for us, Brownstoner has already done the work for us, so check out the list of local house tours coming-up next month here.

And enjoy the weather!

teamtish

Mayor Bloomberg: Please Offer A Buy-out Plan to City Employees

April 20, 2009

Mayor Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Blooomberg:

I am writing to state that these challenging times require you to offer a buy-out plan to city employees, similar to the plan you began studying late last year.

Similar plans have been proposed in Memphis, and Lynchburg, Virginia.

The economic tailspin has forced all of us to make difficult decisions as we face a multi-billion dollar deficit. Recently, you instructed a number of agencies to further reduce their operating expenses amidst plans for layoffs, attrition and consolidation.

To achieve further savings and to avert any further involuntary reductions, I strongly urge you to announce a voluntary reduction plan by offering a buy-out plan to city employees. This voluntary separation would be subject to the approval of each respective agency head to control the departure and mass exodus of essential staff.

It is my understanding that a number of civil service employees have expressed interest in accepting such a buy-out offer. As Council Member and Finance Chair, David Weprin has stated, buy-outs are a “win-win.”

During these austere times, it is critically important that we consider all viable options to assure the long term financial health of our great city. I thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Letitia James

Let's Talk: Soccer Games in Fort Greene Park

There's some pretty lively discussion on the New York Times blog, The Local, regarding soccer games in Fort Greene Park. Council Member James has long been aware of the matter (you can read a succinct background here; basically, some feel that soccer playing has rendered parts of the park grass-less).

Recently, we received the following comment on TeamTish-
"Hi Tish,

I have been reading about your activities regarding the FG park soccer dispute on the NYTimes blog. Is there any way that you can start documenting/clarifying your positions/actions vis-à-vis the soccer dispute on this blog?

Many of us are very concerned that a small minority of your constituents may be driving soccer out of the park completely at the expense of all of the other stakeholders in the park, including the soccer players. On the NY Times blog, a vast majority of the commentors are FOR soccer in the park.

It seems that you are moving towards taking out of the park completely. That does not seem to be a win-win outcome that treats all fort greeners as equal stakeholders.

Concerned Constituent"

As Council Member James has been quoted in many of the articles and posts written on this matter, and has held a number of meetings between the parties involved to discuss various solutions, we have not followed this issue on our blog. However, in response to the comment received, we said the following-
"Anonymous, we've been following the conversation over at the NYT-The Local.

CM James has been a part of this discussion for quite a while (it is in no way, a 'new' issue), and has actively been working to find a compromise between all parties involved (meeting multiple times with stakeholders and players, etc). We'll try to get a statement from Tish at her earliest convenience on this matter, but in the meantime it would be inaccurate to make any assumptions, as conversations with Parks (and all other parties involved) are ongoing."

Firstly, we recognize the complexity of this issue, and although we are eager to hear input from all residents, we feel that this matter needs to be addressed in a community-minded spirit. It would be unfortunate if anyone interpreted the Council Member's efforts to assist in this matter as anything other than a sincere desire to bring about a solution that benefits stakeholders and players alike. At this time, Council Member James is in discussion with alternative sites to access their soccer fields for these players for part-time use. Such a proposal may also grant the soccer players the opportunity to continue use of a designated Fort Greene Park area. We will update this blog as we receive more detailed information. Conversations with the Parks Department are ongoing.

Thanks,
TeamTish

US Congress Committee on Oversight/Government Reform Holds Hearing; 4/21; 10AM; BK Borough Hall

The United States House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight & Government Reform will host a Full Committee Field Hearing entitled "The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: The Role of State and Local Government."

DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009

TIME: 10 am

LOCATION: Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street (Downtown Brooklyn)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

SPONSOR: Congress Member Ed Towns

Note: The hearing is a follow-up to the recent Town Hall Forum on the Economic Stimulus Package (The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009) held on April 4, 2009 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) by Representatives Ed Towns and Yvette Clarke. All are invited to attend and/or submit testimony.

CM James and Habana Outpost Present Earth Day Expo: 4/18-4/19, Habana Outpost

Following on our recent posts about Earth Day events-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Grass Is Always Greener At…Habana Outpost!

Earth Day Expo, April 18th and 19th, FREE ADMISSION

(New York, NY April 17, 2009)- Long before President Obama put ideas like “Green Recovery” and “New Energy” into our everyday vocabulary, Sean Meenan was starting his own green revolution in aptly named Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The eco-eatery, Habana Outpost (New York’s first solar powered restaurant) has been Meenan’s labor of love since 2005, where his goal is to present sustainability to the public in a way that is actually fun. Some “green” highlights of Habana Outpost are: a Human Powered Bike Blender, picnic tables made of recycled soda bottles, harvesting rainwater to flush the toilets, and a company car that runs on vegetable oil.

Schedule of Events :

Saturday, 12 noon
Opening Ceremony with Owner Sean Meenan and Council Member Letitia James
Kicking off Earth Day and the Expo weekend in style!

Ongoing Saturday and Sunday, all day (12-6 pm)

-Free “eco-friendly” face painting
-Eco Arts / Crafts and Games
-Recycled Art Show
-Free samples, info and shopping with local green organizations and vendors

Saturday, 1 pm
Kids Eco-Fashion Show with the Scrapkins
Watch these kids walk the runway in the inventive recycled fashions of the Scrapkins

Sunday, 2 pm
Environmental Film Series with an exclusive screening of FLOW – the movie
Screened at Sundance; awards include honors from the Mumbai, Vail, and United Nations International Film Festivals. Don’t miss it!

Participants include: Alive Structures, Brooklyn Green Drinks, Brooklyn Public Library, Engineers Without Borders, FLOW – the movie, Fort Greene Association, Green Edge NYC, Green Homes NYC, Green Spaces, Green Edge NYC, Greene Grape Provisions, Greene Harvest CSA, Imperial Bag and Paper, Leadership Learning Lab, Letitia James, Rolling Press, Root for Trees, Scrapkins, Solar Energy Systems, Still Hip Brooklyn, Transportation Alternatives, Tri State Bio Diesel, Tribal Alphabet, and Trixie and Radar.

We hope you will join us for two days of Good Green Fun, Habana Outpost-style!

Habana Outpost
757 Fulton Street
(corner of South Portland)
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Press Contact– Patricia Scull/patricia@ecoeatery.com/ph.718-858-9500

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Additionally, ClintonHillBlog has been posting some great Earth Day events!

CMs James and Mealy Hold Girls Empowerment Legislative Breakfast

**For Immediate Release**


Council Member Letitia James and Council Member Darlene Mealy Hold Girls Empowerment Legislative Breakfast

Council Members Address Issues Facing Young Girls Growing Up in New York City

(NY, New York, April 15, 2009)- New York City Council Members Letitia James of Brooklyn’s 35th District and Darlene Mealy of Brooklyn’s 41st District brought together dozens of local young women and girls to discuss a wide range of issues they face in their communities. The Council Members took the opportunity to have a frank discussion with the girls and to empower them with information to deal with the many pressures they experience every day.

The Girls Empowerment Breakfast was well attended by over 60 girls, and was represented by a number of groups including YWCHAC, Keep Your Pearls Girls, Holding On to Our Jewels-Diamonds, Banneker Sisters United, Girls for Gender Equality, and G.R.A.C.E International.

Claire Simon, the executive director of YWCHAC said “The Girls Empowerment Legislative Breakfast truly showed the commitment, support and passion of Council Member Mealy and Council Member James to the issues that impact the lives of young women and girls in NYC. The young women and girls who attended were inspired by the Council Members to take better care of them and open up discussions about the issues they care about. The Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition looks forward to continued work with the Council Members on these issues”.

Both Council Members were surprised by some of the questions and issues the young ladies raised during the question and answer portion of the program. These young girls were hungry for information, and their interest showed a need for more programming and workshops to prepare girls to handle the pressure from their peers.

Council Member James said the experience “was very enlightening for the girls that attended the Girls Empowerment Breakfast. I think we all learned something today. I’d like to continue this type of dialogue in the future. They were excited, inquisitive, and eager to learn. What we witnessed was very empowering to all in attendance”.

Council Member Mealy revealed to the girls that she wished there was an outlet for her like this when she was their age, and she wants to continue these kinds of activities during her tenure as chair of the Women’s Issues Committee in the New York City Council. Mealy said “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these young girls and listening to their stories. We must equip our girls with the tools to navigate through life, and talking openly about our experiences may help someone else. I had a great time!”


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*All photos courtesy of William Alatriste. The photo album may be found at the New York City Council Flickr album here- http://www.flickr.com/photos/34210875@N06/sets/72157616725611731/

ATTENTION: NYT and BPL Present: Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Discussion

The New York Times and Brooklyn Public Library are presenting a discussion on our local areas entitled, "Fort Greene and Clinton Hill- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow."

The discussion will be moderated by Andy Newman of New York Times' blog The Local; and the panel will include Brownstoner's Jonathan Butler, artist and journalist Nelson George, The Hill's DK Holland, and playwright and musician Carl Hancock Rux.

Information:
WHEN: Tuesday, April 28, 2009
TIME: 7PM-8:30PM
WHERE: The Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture
Brooklyn Public Library (Central Library)
10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238
FREE ADMISSION

See NYT Community for contact information.

PACC Celebrates 45th Anniversary/Earth Day!

Our friends over at Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) are celebrating their 45th anniversary with Earth Day activities.

Join them in planting a vegetable bed and picking-up gardening tips! Activities include a tour of Gibbs Mansion, and the Hawthorne Condos on Classon Avenue, as well as a local bakery outing.

SATURDAY, April 18, 2009
10AM- 1PM
Gibb Mansion at 218 Gates Avenue
(btwn Classon and Franklin Avenues)

RSVP with PACC at RSVP@prattarea.org or by calling (718) 522-2613x 14.

20% off Trees Grown In Brooklyn!

An exciting tree coupon program is being introduced by MillionTreesNYC (a PlaNYC 2030 project in collaboration with the Parks Department and New York Restoration Project), for the development of New York City area nurseries. Residents may receive a $20 discount on eligible trees purchased at participating nurseries, and are given the opportunity to help the City reach its important PlaNYC 2030 goal of planting 1 million trees by 2017.

The coupon program's launch was April 1st but lasts until June 15th!

Please visit the MillionTreesNYC website to see the list of participating nurseries, and the PlaNYC 2030 website to learn more about the overall program.

ATTENTION: NYC-DOT Launches 2nd NYC Plaza Program [PlaNYC 2030]

On Wednesday, April 14, 2009, The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the second round of the NYC Plaza Program. A key part of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030, the NYC Plaza Program is a community-based planning program that will create new plazas every year so that all New Yorkers will have greater access to quality open space.

Through this program, eligible non-for-profit organizations propose sites within the public right of way (street and sidewalks) to be built as plazas. Selected sites are fully designed and constructed as permanent plazas. Nonprofit applicants are involved in the design of the plazas and become partners with the city to maintain, program, and manage the sites. We urge interested nonprofits to discuss concepts with their Community Boards to get their input and to include them in the decision-making process. Early collaboration and partnerships will lead to successful projects.

To learn more about the NYC Plaza Program and to get current updates, please visit www.nyc.gov/plazas. On the website you can download the program Guidelines and the Application. Proposals may be submitted by email. The deadline is Tuesday, June 30, 2009. The first information session has been scheduled; please feel free to attend to get an overview of the program and to have your questions answered.

Information Session #1:
Monday, May 4th from 3:00-4:00pm
NYC DOT
220 Church, Rm. 814
New York, NY 10013

The dates/times for following information sessions will be posted on the website: www.nyc.gov/plazas.

To RSVP for an info session, please email plazas@dot.nyc.gov or call Vaidila Kungys at (212) 442-7154.

To see which sites were awarded in the first round of the Program, visit the website (www.nyc.gov/plazas) and click on the "Round I Plazas" link.

REMINDER: CM James Sponsors Lien Sale Help Session TODAY; 4PM; PS 20

Just following up on this previous post. Please join us if you have not yet fulfilled settled you lien, or have any questions.

Info:

LIEN SALE HELP SESSION
April 16th, from 4:00pm-7:00pm
PS 20
225 Adelphi Street
(Between Willoughby & DeKalb Avenues)

If you have any questions, please contact Alfred Chiodo at (718) 260-9191.

teamtish

Job Opportunity- District Manager for Community Board 8

Community Board No. 8, which encompasses the areas of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn is seeking a qualified individual for the following position:

District Manager (Full-time position plus mandatory evening hours)

A District Manager (DM) performs multiple roles for a Community Board- including manager, service coordinator, mediator, advocate, etc. A CM is effectively a "chief of staff" for the Community Board. If you want more information on Community Boards, please see the NYC Charter (warning: it's 340 pages long).

Key Responsibilities:

-Expedite, monitor, and evaluate municipal services in District 8 (comprised of North Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, and Weeksville)
-Represent Community Board 8 in monitoring and evaluating the delivery of municipal services within the District, and actively participating in the coordination of delivery of these services
-Serve as a conduit among residents of the District, members of the Community Board, and District personnel providing municipal services
-Preside at meetings of the District Service Cabinet, composed of agencies providing municipal services on a decentralized basis.
-Attend Community Board meetings, reporting on issues concerning, and actions taken at Cabinet meetings as well as on other pertinent matters
-Process complaints from community residents relating to services provided by municipal agencies within the District
-Supervise and administer the office and staff of the Community Board
-Compose budget requests and District Needs Statement based on Community Board input and committee reports
-Interact with various agency representatives, elected officials, the Borough President, the Public Advocate, and the Mayor on various issues and concerns

Requirements:

·Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in community work, public administration or planning or related fields, or public information or relations, of which one year must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity
·Computer skills including at a minimum, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access
·Ability to type a minimum of 35 wpm
·Familiarity with issues affecting the community district
·Familiarity with City agencies and protocol

Salary:

·Commensurate with experience, plus City benefits

Interested persons are advised to mail or email a cover letter and resume with salary history and desired minimum salary for the position to:


Ms. Shalawn Langhorne, Chair
Search Committee
Community Board #8
1291 St. Marks Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213
Email: Info@Brooklyncb8.org

The Community Board is seeking to fill position on or before July 1, 2009.
*NO TELEPHONE CALLS*
Only candidates under consideration will be contacted

Prospect Heights' North Flatbush BID Hosts Children's Earth Day 2009!

If you are a parent and are looking to include your children in your Earth Day events (April 22nd), please consider attending Children's Earth Day 2009!
Events will include:

*Learning to recycle and compost
*Designing you own tote bag
*Face painting
*Storytelling
*Learning to paint vegetables
*Free activity books and snacks!

WHEN: Sunday, April 26, 2009
TIME: 1PM-4PM
WHERE: The Pacific Street Bears Community Garden
Flatbush Avenue and Pacific Street

Children's Earth Day 2009 is sponsored by the North Flatbush BID.

You can reach the North Flatbush BID at (718) 783-1685.
Event organizer Sharon Davidson can be reached at sdavidson@nfbid.com.

Toni On! New York Travels to Fort Greene!

We hope that you checked-out Toni On! New York when it aired on the CW, Saturday, April 11th, at 7:30PM. Fort Greene was the focus of this episode, and viewers got a healthy dose of knowledge about the history, culture, and life of the local area.

For instance, did you know that Fort Greene Park was Brooklyn's first park?, named (like the area) after General Nathaniel Greene, an aide to President George Washington (whom he served with during the Battle of Long Island, better known as the Battle of Brooklyn) [If you want to learn more about the history of battles fought in Fort Greene, we very much suggest you contact the Fort Greene Association and Fort Greene Park Conservancy].

The area was originally meant to serve the wealthy society of the (former) City of Brooklyn, including writer Walk Whitman, former U.S. Senator and Governor DeWitt Clinton (after whom Clinton Avenue is named), and the businessman Charles Pratt (who founded Pratt Institute).

Today, though, Fort Greene is home to a diverse community of people. The show did a great job of exploring this, mentioning our neighborhood gems like Vespa Brooklyn, South-African restaurant MADIBA, and local churches such as Emmanuel Baptist and Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian.

We love Fort Greene, and although it's not uncommon to see the neighborhood recognized in the local media as a great place to live, we very much appreciate the fact that Toni On! New York paid special attention to our rich history and growing diversity in their segment!

Lastly, according to Toni On! New York, Fort Greene is the home to the most French-speaking residents in all of Brooklyn! Merveilleux! (We would've bet money that distinction belonged to our Haitian-American population in Crown Heights:)

CM James On Facebook

If you weren't aware, Council Member Letitia James is a Facebook user. If you are a Facebook user, you should add her as a friend! Local pictures, regular status updates, and these blog posts can be found on her Facebook page.

Also, please vote in the newly-created poll on the side regarding what you'd like to see us focus on over the summer. These are all ideas we've been throwing around, and it would be great to narrow it down to a few things people really care about. If you're answer is 'other', just leave your preference in the comments section.

teamtish

ATTENTION: Summer Jobs and Internships Available!

So we’re in the process of compiling information for youth who are looking for summer jobs and internship opportunities.

First we want to bring your attention to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which has been funded in part through Federal stimulus money. SYEP helps build knowledge about community programs and organizations, while teaching invaluable instruction and training on real-world employment. Their application should be posted on the website soon, and we encourage all interested youth to apply.

Additionally, the City of New York has a lot of job and internship information on their website. You can follow the links for internships and summer job opportunities there, but we’d suggest going straight to each governmental and City agency site listed and searching for their summer internship/employment opportunities one-by-one (the agency and departmental sites tend to be the most updated). We’d also suggest getting started on these searches as soon as possible.

The New York City Police Department offers summer programs (and other youth programs) developed with the specific goal of reducing negative youth behaviors, and improving relationships between police and young people.

Lastly, you should also check out the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services Summer Internship Program. The internships listed here are solely for undergraduate and graduate students, and many are non-paying, but they are some of the best governmental internships the City of New York offers.

Hopefully, we can start listing more summer job and internship information as we get them, specifically opportunities that are locally-based. If you are an employer looking to hire youth in the 35th Council District, please send detailed information about the position, establishment, and any requirements to TeamTish@gmail.com. Please help give independence, experience, and education to a young person in our neighborhood.

teamtish

ATTENTION: Upcoming Local Events

"Town Hall Meeting on Predatory Lending and Mortgage Fraud"

Sponsored by Representative Yvette Clarke and Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes

DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
TIME: 6PM- 9PM
LOCATION: Medgar Evers College Auditorium
1650 Bedford Ave. (btwn Crown & Montgomery Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11225

SPONSORS: Congress Member Yvette Clarke, (718) 250-2340); Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes (718) 287-1142.
_________________________________________________
"How to Mentor Urban Young Males"

Special Remarks by Susan Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine

DATE: Monday, April 13, 2009
TIME: 6:30PM
LOCATION: Brown Memorial Baptist Church
484 Washington Ave. (at the corner of Gates Avenue, use this entrance.)
Brooklyn, NY 11238.

SPONSORS: Kevin Powell, Black & Male in America, Hot 97, Bed Stuy Restoration Corp., Black & Latino Filmmakers Coalition, Man Up, Mentoring USA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of NYC, National CARES Mentoring Movement, & BlackPlanet.com.

__________________________________________________
"BOOK FAIR"

DATES: April 15, 16 and 17, 2009
TIME: 10AM- 3AM
LOCATION: Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Main Floor Lobby
100 North Portland Avenue (btwn Park & Myrtle Avenues)
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205

_________________________________________________
"Community Fundraiser Sidewalk Sale"

DATE: Saturday, April 25, 2009
TIME: 10AM- 6PM
LOCATION: Hall Street (btwn Dekalb & Willoughby Avenues)
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205

Purpose: To benefit the Senior Citizen Luncheon (given by the 88th Precinct and Brooklyn Art Incubator)

If you wish to be a vendor, please call Florence at (718) 636-9263.

________________________________________________
"Mayoral Control of New York City Public Schools: Mend It or End It???"

DATE: Sunday, April 26, 2009
3PM
Union Temple
17 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238

OR

DATE: Thursday, April 30, 2009
6PM
Teen Challenge Center
444 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238

SPONSORS: Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID), The 57th Assembly District Democratic Organization, United Federation of Teachers (UFT), State Senators Velmanette Montgomery & Eric Adams, Council Member Letitia James, & District Leader Olanike Alabi.

ATTENTION: CM James Sponsors Lien Sale Help Session; 4/16; 4PM; PS 20

Following-up on the information we posted regarding the 2009 lien sale (which is, effectively, everything you'd ever need to know about the 2009 lien sale); we'd like to let you know that our office has contacted the individuals on the 2009 Lien Sale list who live within the 35th District. If you are one of those individuals, and have not yet settled your outstanding liens, we hope that you attended the April 2nd Outreach Session at the Brooklyn Finance Business Center (210 Joralemon Street, 1st Floor). If you did not, we want to make you aware of a special outreach program sponsored by Council Member Letitia James.

On Thursday, April 16, we have arranged for representatives from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Environmental Protection to come to the 35th District so you can make arrangements to begin a payment plan. Representatives from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will also have information on low-cost loans. The information is as follows:


LIEN SALE HELP SESSION
Thursday, April 16
PS 20
225 Adelphi Street
(between Willoughby & DeKalb)
4:00-7:00pm

Please be aware that there is a similar event on Tuesday, April 21, sponsored by Council Member Albert Vann, in Bedford Stuyvesant at the Boys & Girls School, 1700 Fulton Street (Utica/Schenectady), 5:00-8:00pm.

*Note that if you are a senior, or disabled, you may be eligible for a property tax reduction that could prevent the sale of a lien on your property. Properties owned by active duty military personnel may also be removed from the lien sale.

If you do not contact the City of New York by May 1, 2009, the City will sell a lien on your property. Please see our original post for more information.

teamtish

Blogs In The District: What Matters To You

First, we want to bring your attention to The Local, which has some great information regarding Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project and Just Food. They have a job opening to work on food access initiatives. Full description can be found here.

Deadline to apply: April 15, 2009
Annual stipend: $13,548 (plus: $4,725 education award or $1,200 cash bonus at the end of year of service)
Other benefits included.

Also from The Local, there will be a public meeting regarding the 11217 post office. The meeting is at 138 South Oxford at 6PM, and will include a representative from USPS. Although the New York City Council has no authority over the United States Postal Service, most of the staff of Council Member James live in the district and can attest to the service-complaints regarding that branch. We won't be there tonight, but it would be great if someone could update us on what was discussed and the response from USPS.

Lastly, (via Clinton Hill blog) Council Member James is aware of the noise complaints regarding the mosque on Fulton between Cambridge and St. James. Our office is open to facilitating a meeting between the residents, Council Member James, and the representatives of the mosque in this regard. Please contact our office at (212) 788-7081 if you have any questions or comments.

ATTENTION: NYS Department of Civil Service and NYC Jobs Available!

We’ve been posting all the information regarding jobs that we get over here. The New York State Department of Civil Service has sent a list with its recent job openings (skip to listing below).

You can search through the NYS Department of Civil Service on your own (it includes jobs with local government as well). You can also search New York City jobs at the City website here. Lastly, if you're interested in a job that requires a civil service examination, and you're looking for study materials, please consider to going to a small/local store like the Civil Service Bookshop on 89 Worth Street before going to a mass-market bookstore. We'll be posting later regarding some of the struggles of local booksellers.

*The following jobs may be applied for on-line.

You will find application and fee payment instructions on the
examination announcements.

Open-Competitive Examination Announcements:

28-211, Animal Health Inspector
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/28-211.cfm

25-153, Health Planner
25-155, Associate Health Planner
25-154, Senior Health Planner
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-153.cfm

25-180, Beverage Control Investigator
25-183, Beverage Control Investigator (Korean Language)
25-185, Beverage Control Investigator (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-180.cfm

25-174, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1
25-177, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1 (Korean Language)
25-179, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-174.cfm

25-156, Business Systems Analyst 1
25-157, Business Systems Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-156.cfm

25-186, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Health)
25-187, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Health)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-186.cfm

25-089, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Environmental Conservation)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-089.cfm

25-141, Citizen Participation Specialist 1
25-142, Citizen Participation Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-141.cfm

25-113, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-113.cfm

28-205, Financial Analyst 1
28-206, Financial Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/28-205.cfm

25-127, Labor Standards Investigator
25-128, Labor Standards Investigator (Chinese Language)
25-129, Labor Standards Investigator (Korean Language)
25-130, Labor Standards Investigator (Spanish Language)
25-131, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee
25-132, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Chinese Language)
25-133, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Korean Language)
25-134, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-127.cfm

25-190, Mapping Technician 2
25-191, Mapping Technician 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-190.cfm

25-192, Mapping Technologist 1
25-193, Mapping Technologist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-192.cfm

25-194, Mapping Technologist 3
25-195, Mapping Technologist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-194.cfm

25-188, Medical Conduct Investigator
25-189, Senior Medical Conduct Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-188.cfm

25-166, Rent Inspector 1
25-167, Rent Inspector 1 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-166.cfm

Promotion Examination Announcements:

36-127, Agency Training and Development Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-127.cfm

36-132, Animal Health Inspector 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-132.cfm

36-055, Assistant Industrial Superintendent
36-056, Industrial Superintendent
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-132.cfm

36-095, Associate Health Planner
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-095.cfm

36-097, Associate Unemployment Insurance Internal Security Specialist
36-098, Associate Unemployment Insurance Internal Security Specialist
(Quality Control)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-097.cfm

39-628, Associate Unemployment Insurance Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/39-628.cfm

00-169, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-169.cfm

35-444, Business Document Specialist 2
35-445, Business Document Specialist 3
35-446, Business Document Specialist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-444.cfm

35-978, Business Systems Analyst 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-978.cfm

36-128, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Health)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-128.cfm

35-980, Business Systems Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-980.cfm

35-982, Business Systems Analyst 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-982.cfm

35-986, Business Systems Analyst 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-986.cfm

35-979, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Insurance)
35-981, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Insurance)
35-984, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Insurance)
35-987, Business Systems Analyst 4 (Insurance)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-979.cfm

36-035, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Tax)
36-036, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Tax)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-035.cfm

36-037, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Tax)
36-038, Business Systems Analyst 4 (Tax)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-037.cfm

36-083, Citizen Participation Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-083.cfm

00-159, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-159.cfm

36-006, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-006.cfm

36-004, Environmental Chemist 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-004.cfm

36-059, General Industrial Training Supervisor
36-060, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Abatement)
36-061, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Construction)
36-062, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Garment Mfg.)
36-063, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Metal Products Mfg.)
36-064, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Optical Mfg.)
36-065, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Soap Mfg.)
36-066, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Wood Products Mfg.)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-059.cfm

00-160, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee
00-161, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Chinese Language)
00-162, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Korean Language)
00-163, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-160.cfm

36-134, Mapping Technologist 2
36-135, Mapping Technologist 3
36-136, Mapping Technologist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-134.cfm

36-138, Mapping Technician 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-138.cfm

36-057, Production Control Supervisor
36-058, Quality Control Supervisor
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-057.cfm

36-007, Regional Coordinator Correctional Food Services
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-007.cfm

36-114, Rent Inspector 2
36-115, Rent Inspector 2 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-114.cfm

36-129, Senior Beverage Control Investigator
36-130, Supervising Beverage Control Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-129.cfm

Open-Competitive Continuous Recruitment Announcements:

20-880, Junior Engineer
http://www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/cr_announcements/20-880.htm

20-881, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor
20-882, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor (Manual Communication)
20-883, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/cr_announcements/20-881.htm

Promotion Continuous Recruitment Announcements:

30-180, Environmental Engineer (Civil) 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom-cr/30-180.cfm

CM James Reports Mayor Bloomberg Stimulus-Funded Brooklyn Infrastructure Projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Brooklyn, NY)– Council Member Letitia James is pleased to report that Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the City’s selection for infrastructure projects this week, which will receive financial backing from the $261 million of federal transportation funding, allocated through President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As chair of the Contracts Committee, and co-chair of the Infrastructure Task Force, Council Member James advocated for all infrastructure projects receiving funds, specifically the descriptions below of plans within the 35th Council District. She has held several meetings with Edward Skyler, Deputy Mayor for Operations, and has kept pressure on the Bloomberg Administration to ensure these projects were prioritized.

Infrastructure projects supported by federal stimulus funding will supplement the City’s current capital plan. The federal stimulus dollars mean that the City gets projects moving quickly to rebuild infrastructure, creating jobs for thousands of people– exactly what the New York economy needs at this time. Strategic investments in essential infrastructure will help promote necessary economic development. President Obama, Congress and the City government are delivering real change to all five boroughs - more info. can be found at www.nyc.gov.

Improvements to the Brooklyn Navy Yard - The project will reconstruct several roadways in the Navy Yard area and upgrade water and sewer systems. The new roads will allow for the reopening of the historic Sands Street gate, providing more efficient pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle access to the Navy Yard. This includes better access to the A/C/F trains, adding much needed parking, facilitating additional industrial development, and improving water conservation, storm water run-off management and landscaping. Total project cost: $35.4 million - construction bid March 2009, and estimated completion summer 2011.

Streetscape Improvements to Flatbush Avenue - This project includes streetscape improvements along Flatbush Avenue from Tillary to Hanson Place, including new street and pedestrian lights, an elevated landscaped median in the street, and new pedestrian crosswalk refuges at medians. The project also includes sewer and water main upgrades. The project will create a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere for one of Brooklyn’s major thoroughfares and support additional private development in the area. Total project cost: $23 million - construction bid April 2009, and estimated completion June 2011.

Reconstruction of Eastern Parkway - The project involves reconstruction of the roadway from Washington Avenue to Grand Army Plaza to improve the street, which is currently in deteriorated condition, and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic. The reconstruction will reduce the frequency of future resurfacing and repair work, which can cause lane closures. The project will improve access to several cultural, recreational and educational institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum, The Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Public Library, and Prospect Park. Total project cost: $12 million - construction bid fall 2009, and estimated completion Spring 2012.

Citywide Sidewalk Repairs for all Boroughs - The project will repair sidewalks that are damaged by curbside trees in locations throughout the City. The damaged sidewalks cause inconvenience and safety concerns for property owners, who are responsible for the condition of their sidewalks. The sidewalk repairs, done at no cost to the homeowner, will maximize the strength and durability of the sidewalks, while minimizing the damage to tree roots. One-, two-, and three family homes occupied by the owner are eligible for this program. Total project cost: $3.7 million, construction bid spring 2009, and estimated completion summer 2010.

The City of New York’s economic plan focuses on making investments in neighborhoods that will create more jobs, as well encourage greater economic opportunity now, and when projects are completed. In order to maintain transparency and accountability when using stimulus funding, the funds allocated to the City can be followed on the “Stimulus Tracker” located at the official New York City web site.

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

###

ATTENTION: Funding Process for Organizations/Programs (UPDATE)

We are following up on this post concerning the NYCC budget process. Please note that the deadline for expense funding from Council Member Letitia James was March, 31, 2009. Please do not send us your applications at this time. You may still apply for capital funding, as that deadline is April 24, 2009 (we may move this date up 3-4 days prior to April 24th to ensure that all paperwork is completed in time for financial analysis; in such case, we will update this blog with most current information).

The forms that would be necessary to fill-out for capital funding are available on the City Council's website:

http://council.nyc.gov/html/budget/fy2010_funding_application.shtml

Full instructions are also available at that website. Please get the applications to our City Hall office (Attention: Kate Suisman) as soon as you can, so that we can let you know if anything is missing or needs to be clarified. Please remember that submitting an application for funds does not guarantee that you will receive funding. After the City budget is passed in late June, our office will send letters to groups that receive funding.

Thank you for the work you do in our communities.

Office of Council Member Letitia James

If you have any further questions, please call (212) 788-7081. If our Budget Assistant is not available, our British intern will be able to assist you.

Team Tish: Some Recent Photos

Another round of "Recent Photos," following Council Member James' many (many) activities within the 35th District and throughout New York City.

*
CM James joins her colleagues in the City Council on February 12, 2009, at Speaker Quinn's State of the City address (helping local and small businesses, the economic state, City and State taxes, and public safety were mentioned as priorities for the Council).


CMs James and Mark-Viverito join protesters, fellow elected officials, advocates, and New Yorkers from all over in condemning the New York Post's racist 'chimp' cartooon on February 19. 2009 at NewsCorp Office Building.


CM James is joined by International Lifestyle Adviser (and our British Intern) Maudlyn Darkwa. (2/19 NY Post Rally; NewsCorp Office Building).

**

**
CM James speaks on the steps of City Hall on March 11, 2009 with ConnectNYC, an organization that addresses family-based and gender violence, on the subject of HIV/AIDS Prevention.


CM James is joined by Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes and Embora's Emory Moore at the March 29, 2009 Self-Defense Awareness Event at LIU.


CM James stands safely back as Mr. Moore demonstrates a creative attack defense (3/29 Self-Defense Awareness Event; LIU).

If you have any pictures of Tish in the district you'd like to see on the TeamTish blog, please forward them to me at aworthydavis@council.nyc.gov. Note: We try not to post pictures from media sources; and we'll give independent photographers a shout-out here.

thanks,
teamtish

*Photo courtesy of William Alatriste.
**Photo courtesy of Quentin Walcott of CONNECT Training Institute & Community Empowerment Program.