Friday, June 29, 2012

41st Annual International African Arts Festival; 6/30-7/4

The highly anticipated 41st Annual International African Arts Festival (IAAF) will take place Saturday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 10 AM – 9 PM rain or shine at Commodore Barry Park (Navy Street at Park and Flushing Avenues) in Brooklyn, New York. The theme of this year’s IAAF is Baadenyya (baa-deny-ya), its English translation means brotherhood and sisterhood - derives from several ethnic groups of West Africa: Mandingo (Sierra Leone/Liberia), Bambara (Mali), Malenke (Guinea), Dioula (Ivory Coast).

The International African Arts Festival (IAAF) began in 1971 as the African Street Carnival, a PTA block party fundraiser for Uhura Sasa (Freedom Now School), an independent school in Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. Local entertainers, arts and crafts vendors, along with food prepared by the parents attracted an estimated 2,000 people who attended, making it an instant success. That early format of entertainment, food, and marketplace drew increasing crowds annually and became known as the African Street Carnival. Four years later, the festival moved to the field at Boys and Girls High School where it became the African Street Festival.

This year’s five-day IAAF has themes for each day with coinciding performances. Afro Latin Jazz sensation Cita Rodriquez, Daughters of Makeba Ensemble, Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble are just a few artists scheduled to participate in Saturday’s opening day’s “Tribute to Women in the Arts”. In “Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence & Bob Marley’s and Reggae’s Global Influence,” some of Sunday’s confirmed participants includes Sister Betty, New York Brass Band, K-Vibe & Ruff Scott, Destiny Africa - Children's Choir from Uganda, AKOM, Clarisa the Violin Diva, Secouba, Melame Gange and the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.

In an effort to support the five-day IAAF’s production, attendees are asked to make minimum donations of $3 per adult and $1 per child for admission.

Visit http://www.iaafestival.org/to learn more about the IAAF.
Like IAAF on Facebook www.Facebook.com/iaafestival to receive IAAF updates.
Follow IAAF on Twitter @IAAFtweet
International African Arts Festival Promo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UTgy2pW7IM&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

Monday, June 25, 2012

Job Opportunity: School Safety Agent

SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT EXAM 2012
THE NYPD’S SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT EXAMINATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. STARTING SALARY FOR A SCHOOL SAFETY AGENT IS $30,057.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX-DAY-A-WEEK WALK IN EXAMS, AND THE APPLICATION FEE IS $47. THE EXAM PERIOD WILL CLOSE JUNE 30, 2012.

FOR INFO REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SEE HERE: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/careers/school_safety.shtml
[THE EXAM # IS 2345]

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 311.

Friday, June 22, 2012

ATTENTION: NYC Pilot Booting Program

New York City’s pilot vehicle booting program begins in Brooklyn on Monday, June 25, 2012, and will be expanded to the other boroughs throughout the summer.

Booting is an enforcement tool used primarily by transportation authorities in lieu of towing (which is time-consuming, inconvenient, and doesn't allow you access to personal belongings, such as infant car seats, prescription drugs, or important paperwork). With booting, a device is attached to a wheel of your vehicle to prevent you from moving it. You can be booted for owing the city more than $350 in parking, or red light camera or bus lane violation tickets that are in judgment. If you do not pay the judgment debt and related fees within two business days of being booted, then your vehicle may then be towed.

We encourage you to review the attached paperwork, and contact the NYC Department of Finance (at 311) with questions or concerns.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

ATTENTION: Making Home Affordable Program Hosts Mortgage Assistance Event; 6/25; BK Marriott



The Obama Administration's Making Home Affordable Program, HOPE NOW and several local, non-profit partners and government agencies are hosting this event that will afford homeowners the unique opportunity to meet directly with their mortgage servicer and/or a HUD-approved housing counselor to find alternatives to foreclosure.

Several local, HUD-approved non-profit counseling organizations will be on-site as well to advise homeowners, including:

- American Debt Resources
- Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, Inc.
- Bridge Street Development
- Brooklyn Housing and Family Services
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors
- Legal Services NYC
- Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation
- Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc.
- NID-HCA Greater New Jersey

WHEN: Monday, June 25, 2012
10AM- 8PM


WHERE: NY Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
333 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

For more information, contact 1-888-995-HOPE (4673).

Monday, June 11, 2012

ATTENTION: 88th Precinct Night Out Against Crime 2012; 8/7; FG Park

Please join the 88th Precinct and the 88th Precinct Community and Youth Council for their National Night Out Against Crime 2012.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 7, 2012
1:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE: Fort Greene Park
(corner of DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park)

Free rides, food and information. Meet and greet your neighbors, police officers, precinct council board, local elected officials and more…

Captain Scott Henderson Commanding Officer – 88th Precinct
Delia Hunley-Adossa President – 88th Precinct Community & Youth Council

For more information: 88th Community Affairs at 718-636-6526.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Committee for Arena Justice Call for Fulfillment of FCR Promises; 6/10



The Committee for Arena Justice (a coalition of community religious leaders) is demanding stronger oversight and the housing and (union/ living wage) jobs promised by Forest City Ratner for Barclays.

WHEN: Sunday, June 10, 2012
3:00PM

WHERE: corner of Atlantic Avenue and South Portland.

For more information, please contact (917) 532-4121.

ATTENTION: Housing Advocates Rally for BK Housing Court Fairness; 6/14

Brooklyn Tenants United-- a coalition that includes Make The Road NY, Pratt Area Community Council, and Fifth Avenue Committee-- plan to MARCH and RALLY for tenants rights at Brooklyn Housing Court!

Please see this 2011 Make The Road report on conditions at Brooklyn Housing Court: http://www.scribd.com/doc/76062986/Home-Court-Advantage-Housing-Court-Report.

WHEN: June 14, 2012
4:00PM

WHERE: In front of Brooklyn Housing Court (141 Livingston Street)

Thursday, June 7, 2012

ATTENTION: Barclays Center Hiring Process Begins!

Barclay’s Center has announced that jobs are available at the arena in areas including Retail, Food and Concession, Security and Ticket Sales. Residents of one of Brooklyn's NYCHA housing developments or Brooklyn Community Boards 2, 3, 6 or 8 are being prioritized. Please visit www.brooklynbarclayscenterjobs.com to begin the application process! Pre-screening recruitment events are being held June 25- 29 in Downtown Brooklyn. All interested and qualified candidates must attend a pre-screening event to be considered for a position. Candidates that are screened and chosen to move forward in the process will be scheduled interviews at job fairs.

NYCHA RESIDENTS— Barclay’s has partnered with the Department of Small Business Services and NYCHA to pre-screen candidates for these positions. Please visit www.brooklynbarclayscenterjobs.com to begin the application process! Register online or at one of the approved NYCHA locations by June 23, 2012; until that date, residents may register at—

Farragut Community Center, 228 York Street 
Monday-Thursday, 3:00-6:00 pm
Friday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday, June 9 & 23 only, 1:30-5:00 pm

Ingersol Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue
Monday-Friday, 1:00-3:00 pm

Please note, while a candidate may sign up today, final interviews will be conducted in July. All positions start work in August 2012.

ATTENTION: Submit Comments Regarding Barclay's Transportation Demand Management Plan

Downtown Brooklyn residents have until Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at midnight to submit comments and questions on FCR's draft Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to AtlanticYards@esd.ny.gov. The NYS Empire State Development Corporation will compile responses to questions, and post the final TDM Plan along with responses to all questions by the end of July.

The goals of the TDM are to reduce vehicular traffic to the arena and minimize the effects of the traffic that is generated by the facility (although many local elected officials and community representatives favor the more comprehensive “Neighborhood Protection Plan” which calls for measures that include the institution of residential parking permits, increased garbage can placement, and an early cutoff for alcohol sales).

Please see more information here: http://esd.ny.gov/subsidiaries_projects/ayp.html

ATTENTION: BK Hospital Hosts 'Saturday In The Park' Health Day; 6/9; FG Park


WHAT: Brooklyn Hospital Center Health Fair, which will include FREE Health Screenings

WHEN: Saturday, June 9, 2012
10AM- 3PM

WHERE: Fort Greene Park
DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park

For more information, call (718) 250-8344.

Moving Pictures: Now On The Web

On Thursday June 7, 2012 a web series is scheduled to film interior scenes at Bergen Street between Classon and Franklin Avenues. (We hope it's The Slope Show).

APPROXIMATE TIME: 9:30AM -1PM

If you have further questions you can contact their Locations Department at 201-638-2527.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

ATTENTION: FBI, Fed. Agencies Host FREE Educational Day For Families


WHAT: An exciting, hands on, FREE program for children and families that will feature live displays and lectures from the FBI, Secret Service, Homeland Security and others.

WHEN: June 10, 2012
12 noon- 5PM

WHERE: Jewish Children's Museum
792 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY

For more information, please contact 718-907-8805.

ATTENTION: Mobile Mammography Available In Crown Heights; 6/13; CrH Mediation Center

Crown Heights residents are encouraged to take advantage of a FREE digital mammogram/ clinical breast exam at a mobile clinic!

It is important that women 40 years and older undergo annual mammograms as early detection of breast cancer can save lives!

Look for the Mobile van at: Crown Heights Community Mediation Center

WHERECrown Heights Community Mediation Center
256 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213

WHEN: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
10AM- 5PM

AN APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY Call 1-877-628-9090 Eligibility Criteria: Women age 40 and older with a New York City mailing address, and no mammogram in the past 12 months.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Join Community Leaders for March To End Stop & Frisk; 6/17; Harlem


WHAT: Silent March Against Racial Profiling: END STOP AND FRISK!

WHEN: Sunday, June 17, 2012
1:00 PM

WHERE: 110th Street btwn. 5th Avenue and Lenox

Monday, June 4, 2012

Moving Pictures: Know Your Meme

On Tuesday June 5th and 6th, 2012 a Feature Film Production of “IRL” will be shooting exterior scenes at Steuben Street between Williamsburg Place and Flushing Avenue.

APPROXIMATE TIME: 5pm –5am

If you have further questions you can contact their Locations Department at 917-456-2523

ATTENTION: CM James and PACC Host Community Meeting On Myrtle Village Green; TODAY 6/4; Pratt Center; 6PM

You can read more about Myrtle Village Green here: http://www.myrtlepark.org/