ATTENTION: Love Your Block Application DUE 11/30

The Citizens Committee for New York City and NYC Service invite volunteer-led neighborhood groups to apply for a Love Your Block award.

Groups will be awarded grants of $1,000 for projects to clean up, beautify, and improve their blocks. In addition to funding, groups will receive support of City services from the Department of Transportation, Department of Sanitation, and Parks and Recreation to complete the projects.

The application is available here (http://www.citizensnyc.org/programs/grants/love_your_block.attachment/lyb-2013-5923/LYB%202013%20Application.pdf), and the deadline is November 30, 2012.

CM JAMES COMMENTS ON NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL COLLECTION IN OUTER BOROUGHS

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 13, 2012

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL COLLECTION IN OUTER BOROUGHS

(New York, NY)— “A growing concern in the effort to keep New York City streets clean is the lack of supplemental sanitation collection from public litter baskets in the outer boroughs, which is a service that is routinely provided in many Manhattan neighborhoods.

The City’s Sanitation Department (DSNY) provides Manhattan commercial strips with dedicated trucks whose sole purpose is to empty street litter baskets located in those commercial districts as frequently as several times per day. In the outer boroughs, street litter baskets are serviced only as often as residential pickup occurs (in most communities 2-3 times a week). This supplemental service keeps Manhattan streets cleaner than many streets in the outer boroughs.

Supplemental collection is costly and requires considerable resources. It is not something that can or should be implemented on every block within the five boroughs. Business Improvement Districts overseeing commercial strips relieve much of the burden of street cleaning along heavily-trafficked blocks. However, there needs to be a mechanism put into place that would allow residents to report areas where street litter baskets are consistently overflowing, and that would require the department to respond quickly. This would be especially useful in the 35th District, which is home to a busy transportation hub; vibrant commercial strips; and arts, cultural, and sports attractions.

I will be working with Department of Sanitation officials to discuss this matter in the coming weeks, and I hope to move forward in spearheading necessary changes to our City sanitation system.”

In 2010, Council Sanitation Committee Chair Letitia James pushed-through a revolutionary legislative recycling package that included expanding plastic recycling, a new clothing and textile recycling program, and improved public space recycling. This represented the first significant expansion of the City’s residential recycling program since it was created in 1989.

Residents may check their recycling and sanitation pickup schedule here: http://gis.nyc.gov/gisapp/sn/sanitation.jsp

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ATTENTION: FGA Hosts Spotlight on Public Safety; 11/21; 7PM

The Fort Greene Association is hosting Shining a Spotlight on Public Safety--

WHEN: Monday, November 21, 7PM
WHERE: Brooklyn Music School
126 Saint Felix Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Confirmed Guest Speakers include:
Council Member Letitia James
Arif Ullah, Director of Neighborhood Resources, Citizens Committee for New York City
Department of Transportation
Deputy Inspector Anthony Tasso, 88th Precinct
Jay Ruiz, Brooklyn BIKE Patrol

Attendees will receive tips on how to create or strengthen local block and tenant associations, as well as learn about the available grant programs and workshops. Tips will be given on personal safety, property safeguarding, self-defense and late night home escort options. Attendees will also have an opportunity to address street lighting concerns.

Contact FGA at 718-875-1855 for more information.

ATTENTION: Celebrate the New Putnam Triangle Plaza; 9/25

Block Party To Celebrate The New Putnam Triangle Plaza

WHEN: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
12:00NOON -8:00PM

WHERE: Fulton Street at Grand Avenue/ Putnam Avenue (Clinton Hill, Brooklyn)
Family Yoga and FREE 5-minute massages begin at 11:00AM

Please come out SUNDAY, September 25th to celebrate the creation of a BRAND NEW public space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, THE PUTNAM TRIANGLE PLAZA at Fulton and Grand. Celebrate with FREE live music; the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band; Yoga on the Plaza; Free Massages; Face Painters, Free Balloons, Games, Crafts, Activities and Giveaways for Kids; Interactive Art Projects; Food Tastings from Fulton Street Chefs and much more.

For more information, please visit the Fulton Avenue BID/FAB Alliance at faballiance.org or facebook.com/FABfulton.

ATTENTION: Citizen's Cmte 2012 Love Your Block Application Available

Citizens Committee is now accepting applications for their Love Your Block grant program. Love Your Block is a special partnership between Citizens Committee and the City of New York that provides a unique opportunity for city residents to transform and beautify their neighborhoods.

Love Your Block offers resident-led volunteer groups a cash grant of $500-$1,000, as well as community-building assistance, to transform a city block. The City of New York matches the grant by providing services from the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and Sanitation to help improve the block; such as trash collection, vacant lot cleanup, graffiti removal, dead tree removal, tree planting, providing woodchip mulch for gardening projects, repair of and installation of street signs and street lights, and traffic safety surveys.

Please note the following key dates:

· September 20, 2011 - Grant Application Workshop (Manhattan)

· November 8, 2011 – Grant Deadline

· Early-December 2011 – Grantees Announced

· Mid-December 2011 – Program Orientation

· April - June 2012 – Project Implementation

The application may be found here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/65081320/LYB-2012-Application

For more information, you can visit http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants.html. If you have any questions about the Love Your Block grant, do not hesitate to contact the Citizens Committee for NYC at (212) 989-0909.

CM James Sponsors "Beautify and Unify" To Encourage CrH/PH Revitalization; 8/20

Council Member Letitia James invites the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights communities to "Beautify and Unify", sponsored by Council Member Letitia James, NYC Community Cleanup, the Crown Heights Mediation Center, The Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force, and the Executive Director of IKOKO!

The event is Saturday August 20th, beginning 10:00am (participants are encouraged to meet at 9:45am) on the corner of Sterling Place and Nostrand Avenue.

The clean-up day will encourage and assist in the ongoing North Crown Heights revitalization, and include graffiti removal, store front cleaning, garbage removal and street tree care. NYC Community Clean Up will provide these services (with the exception of street tree care) at no cost to the merchants and residents. Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force will handle tree care which will include soil aeration, mulching, and pruning. The Crown Heights Mediation Center conceived of the clean-up day as a way to support new and existing businesses along Nostrand Avenue.

Council Member James encourages store owners along Nostrand to contact the Brooklyn Solution Center Branch of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which provide alternate sources of capital and business solutions. Also, we encourage new store owners to access NBAT, New York City business acceleration initiative.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Perez at the Office of Council Member Letitia James at 718-260-9191.

Society for Clinton Hill Hold Summer Picnic; 6/26; 2PM; St. Luke's Church

The Society For Clinton Hill's Summer Picnic

Saturday, June 26th

2:00PM-5:00PM

St. Luke's Church

259 Washington Avenue

Come meet your neighbors, and bring your favorite dish!

BK Boro President Markowitz Presents 9th Annual Assembly of the Fed. of BK Block Assns. 4/22; BK Boro Hall; 5:30PM

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz invites you to the Ninth Annual Assembly of the Federation of Brooklyn Block Associations at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday, April 22nd from 5:30pm- 8:30pm.

Keynote Speaker

Caswell F. Hollaway (Commisioner, New York City Department of Environment Protection)

Presentations
Assistance for Community Building Projects (Citizens Committee for NYC)

Postal Service and Solutions for Residents (United States Postal Service)

Volunteer Services and Skills Exchange (TimeBanks, Department for the Aging)

Census 2010 (U.S Census Bureau & Brooklyn Borough Presidents Office)

Workshop
Social Security Online Pension Services (Social Security Administration)

This is a chance for you to talk with agencies, organizations and company representatives about issues and concerns facing our blocks and communities.

Please RSVP 718-802-4042 by April 14th, 2010

ATTENTION: Community Notice- Construction on AY Project Begins 2/1

COMMUNITY NOTICE

Please be advised that construction is about to begin on the Atlantic Yards Project on or about Feb. 1, 2010. There will be closures of sections of Fifth Avenue and Pacific Street, directional changes and bus route changes [removal of the Cobble Hill B63 bus stop on 5th Avenue, between Pacific Street & Atlantic Avenue. Passengers can use the existing bus stops on 5th Avenue (at Bergen Street) and on Atlantic Avenue (at 4th Avenue)].

Please click the image on the side to read the complete community notice. Feel free to print out this notice, or make additional copies. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Office of Council Member James at (212) 788-7081.

Construction delays for the project may make some temporary conditions last longer. Some examples:

-It's possible the 78th Precinct will be given twenty-four temporary surface parking spaces in two places in the second phase footprint. They will become permanent underground spaces when and if building #15 is built.

-Norman Oder reported earlier this month that DOT says the Carlton Avenue bridge is anticipated to be reopened just before the arena in 2012. The bridge closure will necessitate Carlton Avenue between Pacific and 6th Streets being turned into a 2-way and will include the temporary loss of street side parking there as well as the routing of Pacific Street traffic on to Carlton Avenue and Dean Street.

We'll post more (and more definitive) information as we receive it.

ATTENTION: New Grants for Block Beautification from Citizens Committee for NYC

NEW GRANTS PROGRAM FROM CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR NEW YORK CITY

A new block transformation grants program has been implemented, which is intended to support 50 resident-led block beautification projects. Community groups can request a wide range of services from the NYC Departments of Sanitation, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation that will be completed over the course of the grant cycle.

Awardees will receive a $500 cash grant along with expedited support from city agencies for block improvements.

The application can be downloaded from www.citizensnyc.org

The deadline for applications is November 30, 2009.

For more information, please contact Alicia Rouault at 212-822-9558 or arouault@citizensnyc.org.

CM James Joins CLEXY Block Assn for "A Night Our Against Crime" Vigil in Honor of Pratt Attack Victim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2, 2009

Council Member Letitia James Joins CLEXY Block Association for “A Night Out Against Crime- Candlelight Vigil” in honor of student Eddy Sanchez, still recovering from an attack last month- this Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 7:30 pm- at Lexington and Grand Avenues

Please come to this gathering to stand against the heinous, senseless acts of crime that are occurring in our community. Architecture student Eddy Sanchez was beaten unconscious by five teenagers at the vigil location. The community is invited to come together for comfort, support and a moment of silence.

What: A peaceful night for neighbors to gather and honor Eddy Sanchez, as well as to hold a candlelight vigil to support victims of violence - hosted by CLEXY Block Association (Classon, Lexington and Quincy – email/JohnCeriello@yahoo.com)

When: September 3, 2009

Where: Lexington and Grand Avenues in Brooklyn

Time: 7:30 pm -8:15 pm

Call (718) 260-9191 if you would like more information.



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You can read out prior posting of Mr. Eddy's attack here.

And you can read the New York Times- Local's close coverage here.

Organizing Block Parties This Summer? Process Made Simple!

NEW YORK CITY’S 3,000 BLOCK PARTIES HAVE A NEW HOME WWW.BLOCKPARTYNYC.ORG offers maps, promotion, how-to guides, financial support

There are more than 3,000 block parties in New York City every summer, and today the New York City Streets Renaissance (NYCSR) launches an interactive website that helps New Yorkers organize and promote their own. BlockPartyNYC.org was developed by The Open Planning Project, and provides block party hosts with:

• Interactive Google Maps where visitors can plot or find block parties in their neighborhood

• Step-by-step guides to getting block party permits, approval and logistics

• Details on each of the 59 community board’s specific block party requirements

• $500 grants awarded to select block parties promoting safer neighborhood streets

• Free webpage and URL to promote each individual block party

The Block Party NYC program is dedicated to helping residents reclaim neighborhood streets from traffic, turning underutilized asphalt into public space for a day.

“Every time a block party is held, New Yorkers see proof that our streets don’t have to be all-car, all the time,” says Lindsey Lusher of the NYC Streets Renaissance. “With Block Party NYC, we’re untangling the Byzantine process so that more and more residents can reclaim their streets one afternoon at a time.”

Last year, Block Party NYC awarded over 30 mini-grants to blocks across the five boroughs. This year’s grant recipients will receive money to fund the party, materials to publicize, and most importantly, the services of an urban planner to help reduce speeding, thru-traffic and pollution.

To find out more about the program or the parties, visit www.blockpartynyc.org.

United Coalition of Block Assns Presents Community Forum; Crown Heights; 6/4; 7PM

The United Coalition of Block Associations presents a Community Forum

When: Thursday June 4th, 7pm
Where: Crown Gardens Community Room
1185 Carroll St.

With special guests:

Hon. William C. Thompson Jr., Comptroller of NYC and Democratic Candidate for Mayor
Will challenge the Republican Bloomberg's record and agenda, and present democratic solutions to the problems facing New Yorkers.

Hon. Letitia James, Council Member, 35th CD
Will introduce a field of candidates that will further define and clarify the issues for the coming November election.

Hon. Hakeem Jeffries, State Assemblyman, 57 District
Too many guns on the street, too many black boys in jail! How the second chance program and Obama's stimulus plan will help our youth.

Come, ask questions and get answers, bring a neighbor!

Refreshments will be served.

ATTENTION: Love Your (NYC) Block Contest, Applications due 2/15

Trees-- New York Citizen Pruners

Love Your (NYC) Block Contest, Applications due February 15

Mayor Bloomberg and Citizens Committee for New York City invite your volunteer-led neighborhood group to apply for a $1,000 cash award to transform the public spaces on your block. Twelve groups from across the five boroughs will be selected as finalists, and each will receive a $1,000 grant to beautify their block. The group that demonstrates the most impressive transformation will win an additional $3,000 to be used toward future block improvements. The groups will be supported by services from multiple City agencies, including the Mayor’s Office and the Community Affairs Unit; and the departments of Transportation, Sanitation, and Parks. For more information, visit www.citizensnyc.org or contact Saleen Shah at 212.989.0909 or sshah@citizensnyc.org.

2008 Greenest Block In Brooklyn Ceremony

The Office of Council Member James was represented at Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s “2008 Greenest Block in Brooklyn” Ceremony on October 2, 2008. The event was co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s GreenBridge Program with support from Sovereign Endowment Fund.

Council Member James would like to congratulate all the blocks that were awarded at this event, and would especially like to recognize the following blocks:

Commercial Category- 3rd Place Winners- Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington Avenues (South Side, Clinton Hill)

Greenest Storefront- 1st Place Winners- Cake Man Raven at 708 Fulton Street entered by Cake Man Raven Block Association (Fort Greene)

2nd Place Winners- Burrito Bar at 307 Flatbush Avenue entered by North Flatbush Business Improvement District (Prospect Heights)

Best Greenbridge Window Box Kits- 1st Place Winners for Shady Box- Callie Janoff & Randi Stolzfus entered by 1200 Dean Street Block Association (Crown Heights)

Residential Honorable Mentions- Atlantic Village Homeowners Association for Fulton Street between Cumberland & Carleton Avenues (Fort Greene)

B & W Sterling Street Block Association for Sterling Street between Washington & Bedford Avenues (Crown Heights)

Commercial Honorable Mentions- Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street & Washington Avenue, North (Clinton Hill)