ATTENTION: NYC Summer Meals Program Begins TODAY

Dear Resident,

New York City's Summer Meals Program starts today (June 27th), and we wanted to help get the word about this great opportunity for kids 18 years or younger to receive free breakfast and lunch every weekday during the summer.

The Summer Meals program is completely free and doesn't require any paperwork. All kids need to do is show up at one of the 1,000 of schools, parks, pools, community centers and other sites around the five boroughs where this program is being offered and they can receive a free healthy lunch and breakfast. The only requirement is that they be 18 years old or younger.

Families are encouraged to take advantage of this important program, which will be operating throughout the summer until August 30th. To find a site near you, call 311, text the word NYCMeals to 877-877, or visit http://newyorkcity.nokidhungry.org/free-summer-meals.

CM James To Appear On MSNBC Morning Show, 'Up With Chris Hayes'

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 15, 2013

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

Council Member Letitia James To Appear On MSNBC Morning Show, 'Up With Chris Haynes'

(New York, NY)— On Saturday, March 16, 2013, Council Member Letitia James will join the panel of UP With Chris Hayes, an MSNBC morning political talk show, to discuss the New York City “soda ban” proposal introduced by the Bloomberg administration.

On March 11, 2013, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

Council Member Letitia James has long argued that the ban was arbitrary and would most harshly target small local businesses; and has additionally proposed that the administration focus on improving physical education in public schools, re-developing local parks and playgrounds, and supporting urban farming programs and community gardens.

UP With Chris Hayes airs on MSNBC from 8:00AM to 10:00AM.
MSNBC: http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/15/march-16-pope-francis-new-york-citys-soda-ban/

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CM JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN'

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 11, 2013

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

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN’

(New York, NY)— Today, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

"I have argued that the Mayor's proposal to ban sugary drinks over 16 ounces was arbitrarily punitive and would most harshly target small local businesses, and I’m glad that the New York State Supreme Court agrees,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I believe in promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and if the administration wants to make meaningful gains in this area, they can begin by seeking to meet New York State requirements for physical education (PE) in schools. Although state requirements set the minimum standard for PE in high schools at two classes per week, IBO reports show that the DOE fails to meet this standard. I believe that increasing exercise, promoting healthy food choices, and developing urban farming programs in schools has a real and lasting effect on obesity.”

Council Member Letitia James has been actively involved in the “Let’s Move” Brooklyn campaign, developed nationally by First Lady Michelle Obama; and she recently joined with Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Women's City Club of New York, and the American Heart Association in calling on the NYC Department of Education to bring New York City public schools' Physical Education (PE) programs up to State requirements.

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ATTENTION: SNAP/ Food Stamp Reimbursement

Please see the following information concerning SNAP (food stamps) and lost food reimbursement:

Individuals who receive SNAP (food stamps) will be reimbursed on their EBT card, for 50% of their monthly allotment to help purchase food lost due to the storm.

People who receive SNAP that lost more than 50% of their food for the month because of the storm, may be able to get reimbursed for more of their lost food by completing and submitting the following form: http://foodbanknyc.org/files//dmfile/LDSS-2291form-updated2.pdf

People who receive SNAP will be able to temporarily purchase hot/prepared food from retailers licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA, using their SNAP benefits. This is important because SNAP recipients are generally prohibited from purchasing hot/prepared food. However, because of many people left without electricity or ways to cook food, this prohibition will be waived until November 30th.

People who lost food but not on food stamps, MAY be eligible for a reimbursement to cover the cost of spoiled food due to power outages from ConEdison. The application for that program is attached and available by following the link here: http://www.coned.com/customercentral/brochures/Residential_Claim_Form_English.pdf

ATTENTION: Citywide Food and Water Distribution

There will be food and water distribution sites throughout the five boroughs. The details of these sites, including the exact locations and hours of operation, can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/foodandwater.html
The two Brooklyn sites are Coffey Park at Richards Street (1PM - 5PM), and West 25th Street and Surf Avenue (1PM-5PM).

At the sites:
- Each person will be able to take three meals and five bottles of water.
- People should bring their own bags to carry their food and water.
- There will be 500,000+ flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese to get word out to these impacted communities.
- 400 members of the National Guard, 150 volunteers from NYC Service, and 24 staff from the Salvation Army will help implement this program.
- Supplies are being delivered by FEMA in coordination with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Management.
- AT&T will bring pods that provide cell service and charging stations to the areas around the food distribution sites. These distribution centers will be open for as long as they are needed.

ATTENTION: SchoolFood Summer Meals Program

The SchoolFood Summer Meals Program is designed to provide children and young adults with a healthy alternative to junk food. Lunch is available for all children under 19 years, and all handicapped persons (regardless of age) who participate in special education programs.

FREE Breakfast and lunch will be served during the Learn to Swim Program at pools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Nearest Location: Commodore Barry Pool
North Elliott between Flushing Avenue & Park Avenue
[Please contact (718) 965-6578 for more information]

Meals are provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through SchoolFood, a part of the New York City Department of Education.

ATTENTION: Free Summer Food Program

July 9- Aug. 31: City-wide Free Summer Food Program
Youth up to age 18 now have access to breakfast and lunch at locations citywide. Summer school enrollment is not required to participate in the program; no application is required; and meals are available at any of the open sites, regardless of where a child lives.

Nearest Location: Lafayette Gardens
415 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11205

Times: Mon. - Fri.— Breakfast: 9AM- 10AM
Lunch: 12PM- 1PM 

For additional information or to inquire about a location please call 311 or (212) 306-3358. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/summer-food-service-program-flyer-2012.pdf

BK Mourns Loss of Luigi Viaggio, Founder of Clinton Hill Pizzeria

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
January 31, 2012

Contact: Amyre Loomis (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES SADDENED BY PASSING OF LUIGI VIAGGIO, FOUNDER OF LUIGI’S PIZZERIA IN CLINTON HILL

(Brooklyn, NY) The Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy communities mourn the loss of Luigi Viaggio, who together with brother Angelo, and Rosario Longo founded Luigi’s Pizzeria in 1983 located on DeKalb Avenue; the restaurant now has an additional shop on Grand Avenue.

He died on Wednesday, January 25 at the age of 62, and Luigi was the beloved husband of Mattia and the loving father of Maria Antonella Viaggio-Giovanni, Daniela Viaggio and Nicolo Luigi Viaggio. A Christian mass and burial was held at Our Lady of Hope Church on Monday, January 30 at 9:45am. The pizza shop was closed Monday, and a makeshift memorial can be found at the eatery on Dekalb Avenue near Washington Avenue.

“Luigi’s Pizzeria has always been known as the pizza shop around the corner that the community can depend on to provide high quality slices and pies to residents, students, local churches, as well as to me when in need of a snack after a long work-day. The restaurant will continue to provide delicious Italian food in honor of its founder, a big-hearted man remembered for making sure that locals were fed, regardless of the money in their pockets,” said Council Member James.

“A constituent who resides across the street shared that her now 21-year old daughter would have gone hungry on many days while growing up, if it had not been for this pizzeria, and she cried when expressing how good Luigi had been to her. Godspeed to this generous spirit, Luigi Viaggio, your presence is already missed.”

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ATTENTION: New York City Council Restaurant Inspection Survey

As part of the City Council’s oversight of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and in response to mounting concerns raised by city restaurateurs regarding the restaurant inspection process, the New York City Council has recently announced the launch of a comprehensive restaurant inspection survey.

City restaurant owners and operators are urged to participate in this Council effort to gather information on food safety inspections, with particular emphasis on the recently implemented letter grading system and its impact on city restaurants.

Starting today, the survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection and accessible through the Council’s website at www.council.nyc.gov.

The survey results will provide a foundation for an oversight hearing in late February, where the Council intends to further explore the inspection process and possible areas for reform.

CM James Scores A+ On Urban Justice Center- Human Rights Report Card

Council Member Letitia James has scored as A+ on the 2011 Urban Justice Center- Human Rights Report Card. The report card examines Council Members' compliance with universal human rights standards- especially in regards to employment, housing, health, food, education and other economic and social rights.

Council Member Letitia James is a supporter of the Council's living wage legislation, and has spoken against Walmart coming to New York City. She was recently part of the leadership that removed a racist anti-abortion billboard in SOHO; and joined with women's advocacy organizations to hold a press conference in support of a fair trial for Nafissatou Diallo, the Guinean housekeeper who accused former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault.

Council Member James sponsored a law that addressed the Department of Corrections reporting to the Council violent incidents involving adolescents in 2009. She has been a strong advocate for restoring childcare vouchers, and fought to avoid the closure of childcare centers Citywide. She sponsored a 35th District Food Conference last term, and continues to work towards increasing green jobs throughout the City.

Council Member James is the sponsor of legislation that would address inequality in City housing, and paid family leave. She can be seen in the Atlantic Yards documentary Battle for Brooklyn, and was a contributer to the documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, following her introduction of a City Council resolution to reopen Till's murder case.

Council Member James has scored consistently high scores on the report card (see 2008, 2009, and 2010).

Those interested in reading the report may do so here.

Weeksville Heritage Center Fall 2011 Harvest Festival

The Weeksville Heritage Center presents
the Fall 2011 Harvest Festival - the final day of Weeksville's Farmers Market.

The mission of Weeksville Heritage Center is to document, preserve and interpret the history of free African American communities in Weeksville, Brooklyn and beyond and to create and inspire innovative, contemporary uses of African American history through education, the arts, and civic engagement.

OCTOBER 29TH / FROM 11AM-4PM
(Free Admission)

WEEKSVILLE HERITAGE CENTER
1698 Bergen, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Directions are available on website at http://www.weeksvillesociety.org/

~ Children’s Cooking Classes
~ Canning & Seed Saving Workshops
~ Iron Chef Competition
~ Food Vendors & Farmers Market
~ Youth Art Exhibition
~ Tours of the historic Weeksville houses
~ DJ

This event is funded by the National Grid Foundation, Valentine Perry Snyder, and Con Edison. For additional information, please contact 718-756-5250 or info@weeksvillesociety.org

Job Opportunity- PACC Position for Kitchen Assistant

Pratt Area Community Council Department of Social Services is seeking a part-time kitchen assistant to assist the chef at a residential facility in Brooklyn. Since many of the residents are living with chronic conditions and/or their immune systems are compromised, the Kitchen Assistant must be experienced in healthy cooking and knowledgeable of nutritional values.

Responsibilities:
-Assist Chef with one meal per day 5 days a week;
-Assure the cleanliness of the kitchen;
-Ensure kitchen and food handling practices complying with state and city’s standards;
-Work part-time evenings Monday thru Friday

Qualifications:
-Experienced in working with people living with chronic illnesses;
-Have Food Protection Certificate and willing to attend the required training;
-Experienced in cooking for large groups of people

Interested persons should send letter of interest and resume to PACC, Attn: Kitchen Assistant, 201 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11205; email resumes@prattarea.org; or fax 718.422-0413.

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.

Job Opportunity- Restaurant Positions Available in District

A few restaurant positions available in the district:

Romans Restaurant
Romans on DeKalb Avenue is seeking a server. Candidates much possess 2-3 years of serving experience, and have weekend availability. Benefits are available after three months of employment. Please see the following link for more information: [LINK]

Cellars Restaurant
Cellars restaurant is seeking an experienced cook. Candidates may drop their resume off at the 250 DeKalb Avenue location. [LINK]

Crown Heights Pizza Restaurant
A new pizza shop opening on Crown Heights seeks experienced pizza makers, pizzaiolos (?), line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers for full and part-time positions. Interested candidates should attend open-house/interviews from Monday-Friday (12noon -2PM). Location is at 781 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. [LINK]



Sharing of employment opportunities is not an endorsement of any business.

Update: Food Stamp Replacement Benefits (Hurricane Irene)

If you are receiving food stamps and you have lost food that you purchased with your food stamp benefits, you can have the monetary value of that food replaced. New York State has made replacement food stamp benefits available for food stamp recipients who lost food during Hurricane Irene (due to flooding, power loss, etc.). In order to receive replacement benefits, your food loss must be reported within 10 days.

More information can be found at Food Bank NYC here: www.foodbanknyc.org/news/hurricane-irene-food-stamp-replacement-notice

The request form (LDSS-2291) must be completed. Please call Food Bank NYC at 212.894.8060 for further assistance.

ATTENTION: Upcoming Community Events

Lecture on Skin Cancer: Prevention and Detection
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Brooklyn Infusion Center will host a free community lecture on skin cancer prevention and detection on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5PM- 7PM at the Brooklyn Infusion Center (557 Atlantic Avenue). Space is limited and registration is required. Please call 718-752-6190 to register.

Panera Bread Cafe Manager

An upcoming Panera Bread restaurant to be located at the intersection of Adams Street and Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn is seeking to fill a position for a Café manager.

Comptroller John Liu Town Hall
Today, June 13, 2011, Comptroller John Liu will be hosting a town hall. The Comptroller will be on hand to discuss the work he has done over the past year and a half. Comptoller Liu's Community Action Center will also be on hand with information about constituent services, claims guidelines, audit submission forms, etc.

Wednesday, July 13th
6:30pm-7:30pm
Prospect Park Residence
Multipurpose Room, 5th Floor
1 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Job Opportunity- Red Apple Market Job Applications Available

Our office has recently acquired the Red Apple supermarket application and Orientation Guide for potential employees of their Fort Greene location being developed at Myrtle Avenue and Ashland Place, in the Andrea apartment building. Potential employees should fill out the application here, and send the completed application to the Office of Council Member Letitia James at 67 Hanson Place (Ground Floor) in Brooklyn. Please call the office at 718-260-9191/ 212-788-7081, or email teamtish@gmail.com for more information.

teamtish

Gus Vlahavas of Tom's Restaurant – Retirement & Going Away Celebration

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
May 18, 2011
Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191, (646) 201-8183
THIS SATURDAY: PLEASE JOIN RELATIVES; NEIGHBORS; FRIENDS; LOCAL LEADERS; BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ; NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES; BROOKLYN STEPPERS MARCHING BAND; NOEL POINTER FOUNDATION(CHILDREN MUSICIANS); AND THE COMMUNITY TO HONOR GUS VLAHAVAS OWNER OF TOM’S RESTAURANT ON HIS RETIREMENT – MAY 21 AT 10:30AM - CORNER OF WASHINGTON AVENUE AND STERLING PLACE
Facts: Constantine (Gus) Vlahavas …is 72 years old, and married to Nonie Vlahavas. The son of Stella and Tom, the family lives on Sterling Place adjacent to their business Tom’s Restaurant. Gus is a neighborhood legend (as is Tom’s Restaurant), as well as a dedicated member of two church choirs.
The Restaurant: Tom’s is located at 782 Washington Avenue on the corner of Sterling Place. It was started in 1936 as Lewnes, an ice cream parlor, and taken over by Vlahavas family during the 1940s. The restaurant soon evolved into a luncheonette and was renamed Tom’s in 1945 when Gus’ father, Tom came home safely from Philippines in WWII.
The Feel and Décor: The enue is quintessential Americana style with Coca Cola signs and stained -glass windows. Also, during the 1968 Crown Heights riots both black and white customers protected the restaurant from looters, who destroyed other businesses in their neighborhood. FYI - Tom’s restaurant is not the inspiration of Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” song, but IS the inspiration for the Greek diner in Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel Middlesex. Also, Tom’s is known for Lime Rickey and Perfect Egg Cream, along with its Belgian Waffle Sundae.
Who: Fans and Friends of Gus Vlahavas
What: Celebration and ceremony for Gus’ retirement and move to Colorado
When: Saturday, May 21, beginning at 10:30am (ceremony at 11am, party until 1:30pm)
Where: 782 Washington Avenue (corner of Sterling Place) in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, (718) 636-9738; Transit - 2, 3, 4 trains to Eastern Parkway - Brooklyn Museum (0.2 mi S)

ATTENTION: CM James Joins Community Leaders and Advocates To Develop Recommendations For FG Supermarket; TODAY (4/14); FG

In 2007, the billionaire developer John Catsimatidis (CEO of the Red Apple Group) acquired land on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene, to make way for luxury condos and new retail space.

After five years of delay and unmet requests to confer with the local community on development, the developer recently announced that a new Red Apple Supermarket is slated to open later this summer on the corner of Myrtle and Ashland. The need for a nearby supermarket along that strip of Myrtle Avenue has been difficult for residents, specifically those in Ingersoll and Whitman houses (NYCHA). At this time, the developer has agreed to participate in an open public forum on the new supermarket today (April 14, 2011).

Local residents will be able to hear directly from representatives from the Red Apple Group, and to collectively draft community recommendations for the new supermarket, such as affordability, food selection/quality, senior citizen issues, and local hiring/job quality.

You may read FUREE's Food Fight Report (2009) for more information about the neighborhood's fight for accessible and healthy food.

When: Thursday, April 14, 2011

6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Ingersoll Community Center

177 Myrtle Avenue c/o Prince Street

Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

This event is co-sponsored by FUREE, Council Member Letitia James (35th CD), NYS Assembly District Leader Lincoln Restler (50th AD), and the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project.

Local CSAs Have Low-Income Shares Available

For individuals interested in accessing fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables, consider joining a local CSA (community-supported agriculture).

A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support and investment to a farm, and the individuals share the benefits of its food production. CSAs usually consist of a system of weekly or bi-weekly direct pick-up of farm vegetables and fruit (may also include dairy products and meat) at a specific location, and a small time-commitment from each member seasonally. Food acquired through a CSA is generally much more affordable than store-bought food.

Both the Clinton Hill CSA and Fort Greene CSA have reduced-price shares available for low-income residents at this time. It is important that these shares go residents of the Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill area who may have limited access to fresh produce.

Fort Greene CSA
Low-cost shares are reserved for individuals making less than $25,000 a year, or families making less than $30,000 a year. If you or someone you know qualifies for a low-cost share, get in touch with the CSA via email at csa@fortgreenecsa.org.

Clinton Hill CSA
The low-cost shares are reserved for families making less than $30,000 a year. If you or someone you know qualifies for a low-cost share, get in touch with the CSA via email at information@clintonhillcsa.org or give them a call 718-907-0616.

Both websites have the application available.