ATTENTION: BPL Offers Expanded Hours

The Brooklyn Public Library is launching a expansion beginning September 10, 2011. Branches borough-wide will open their doors for 21% longer.

The updated hours for local branches are as follows--

Clinton Hill Library
380 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
M- 10AM-6PM
T- 10AM-6PM
W- 1PM-8PM
Th- 10AM-6PM
F- 10AM-6PM
Sa- 10AM-5PM

Washington Irving Library
360 Irving Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
M- 10AM-6PM
T- 10AM-6PM
W- 10AM-6PM
Th- 1PM-8PM
F- 10AM-6PM

Central Library
10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY
M- 9AM-9PM
T- 9AM-9PM
W- 9AM-9PM
Th- 9AM-9PM
F- 10AM-6PM
Sa- 10AM-6PM
Su- 1PM-5PM

See coverage at the FG/CH Patch.

ATTENTION: NYC Imagination Library

The NYC Imagination Library is an initiative of the NYC Department of Education and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The goal is to promote the development of emergent literacy and language skills that are important for every child's success in school by encouraging all NYC parents to read aloud to their children from birth until age five.

Just enroll your preschool-aged child (age 0- 5 yrs) in the NYC Imagination Library- through filling out the application on the link below- and a new, age-appropriate book will be mailed each month in your child's name directly to your home. Books will begin arriving at your home six to eight weeks after your registration form has been received, and will continue every month until your child turns five.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/NYC_Imagination_Library_application.pdf

Your child will be eligible for this program as long as you live within the five boroughs of NYC. To reach the NYC Imagination Library program, please call (718) 642-5791 or email imaginationlibrary@schools.nyc.gov.

FREE Reading and Writing Program for Adults

The Brooklyn Public Library Central Learning Center is offering a FREE reading and writing program for adults 17 and older.

The Learning Center is open days, Monday through Sunday, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Grand Army Plaza, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, New York, 11238.

For additional information please call (718) 230-2191.

ATTENTION: Family Literacy Night; PS 270; 4/4

Family Literacy Night! With P.S. 270 & CPCS

Parent Workshop On...

*How to make family reading time fun.
*Reading aloud with your children
*Choosing the right books
*Simple reading games
*Reading tips & tools
*Encouraging reading at home

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Where: School Auditorium
(Light refreshments will be served)

To RSVP please call Marilyn Rivera Program Coordinator at Everybody Wins! at 212.965.2296

Met's Icon 'Mr. Met' Visits LIU! 2/27; 3:30PM

MR. MET SPEAKS!

Saturday, February 27, 2010
3:30 pm (free admission, doors open at 3pm)
Long Island University
One University Place, Brooklyn
(corner of DeKalb & Flatbush)
Cyber Cafe- inside main LIU gate

Come meet the beloved icon of the New York Mets baseball team!
Mr. Met does not actually speak, but will sign autographs, pose for pictures, shake hands, and bring good news about the upcoming season.

Accompanied by William Corbett, poet, critic and longtime baseball fan, and...
Dana Brand, author of The Last Days of Shea.

All residents are welcome to attend for FREE.
For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Michael Randazzo at rockets.rollerskates@gmail.com or at 917-605-5624.

Sponsored by Long Island University, Council Member Letitia James and
Brooklyn Sporting Goods.

For information about other community events in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill,
and Fort Greene, or about LIU Summer Camp 2010 contact Jorge.Rosales@liu.edu.

Greenlight Bookstore Opens Its Doors; FG; 10/24

The Greenlight Bookstore, an independent bookstore opening in Fort Greene, is celebrating their long-awaited grand opening!

When: Saturday, October 24
7:00PM
Where: 686 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Please visit the Greenlight Bookstore's website for more information.

Two Free Summer ’09 Theatrical Matinee Readings In Fort Greene Park

ONE: An adaptation of Charles Dickens’
A (Sort of) TALE OF TWO CITIES
By David Joss Buckley, from a storyline by David Joss Buckley and Mickey O’Donoughue

Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 3PM
Fort Greene Park
Rain Date: Sunday, August 23, 2009 AT 3PM

TWO: an adaptation of a Medieval Play
PIRATE BESS: A swashbuckling Elizabethan romantic adventure comedy
Adapted by Thomas Haywood’s “Fair Maid of the West” by Raymond Gaspard

Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 3PM
Fort Greene Park
Rain Date: Sunday, September 20, 2009, 3PM
Sponsored by: The Fort Greene Park Conservancy; The Society for Clinton Hill; and in part by funding from the Partnerships for Parks, a joint program at City Parks Foundation and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Independence Community Foundation.

The Frederick Douglas Creative Arts Center in conjunction with the Classical Theatre of Harlem is organizing this special theatrical event for the whole family. The interactive performances will take place in the grove of trees by the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument (designed by American Architect Stanford White) at the top of the knoll. Bring a picnic and enjoy the FREE cultural event.

Further information at www.societyforclintonhill.org or 917-292-8042.

Commenting On The Issues: DHS, The Budget, and Central Brooklyn

We just came back from this press conference, which went very well (although we all almost melted). With regards to the issues of homelessness, we thought one of our recent comments deserved to be posted:

From David Scott:
I have been homeless at several points in my life. Contrary to popular belief, most homeless did not become so out of choice and not because they are lazy, stupid, or immoral. Many homeless people are victims of abuse in the form of neglect and abandonment by their parents or other caregivers. Some of them are simply victims of life’s tragedies, such as hurricanes, fires, or other catastrophes from which they simply don’t have the resources to recover. I invite you to my blog devoted to raising awareness on homelessness: Freethegods.com. There you will find an article I wrote on homelessness and pictures I have taken of homeless people. I always give them a dollar or two for the privilege of photographing them. I am often surprised by their cheerfulness and sense of pride. Often, they will show themselves to have some kind of talent. There is a fine line between genius and insanity.

Our response:
David,

Working with the 35th community on a very direct level, we [teamtish] don't make assumptions about the life situations our residents often find themselves in. We are very aware of the problems associated with how homeless individuals are treated in this society. We see the issue surrounding the Brooklyn Intake Center as yet another example of how this administration does not fully address the concerns and needs of non-Manhattanites (and the poor and working-class specifically). We maintain that, considering the fact that a number of factors make Crown Heights an inappropriate area to house Citywide homeless individuals, this was a poorly-conceived plan to begin with. To add insult to injury, the fact that the additional intake center for Manhattan (which was promised to Brooklyn elected officials) was not earmarked in the budget-- constitutes yet another broken promise. Please search through this blog to find more information about the (long) history of this issue. Thanks

We also encourage readers to check out the history of the Brooklyn Intake Center's proposed expansion into a Citywide center here; the posts outline the many reasons that elected officials, the Crown Heights community, and homeless advocates have rallied against this proposal. Council Member James has been involved in this issue from the beginning, and feels strongly that the administration should treat both New York City's homeless population and the Crown Heights community with the respect they deserve.

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: 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

Self-Defense Awareness Event: Follow-up

We are so excited about the excellent feedback we've gotten concerning the Self-Defense Awareness Class held March 29th at LIU.

Local resident Jana wanted to recommend this book- The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker; noting it as vital in the preliminary education of the principles of defense awareness.

We'd also like to bring your attention to the excellent Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE), who offer a wealth of information and programs concerning self-defense awareness. If you are interested in furthering your knowledge in this area, please contact CAE at (718) 788-1775.

We'd like to thank the Embora Wellness & Movement Studio for their excellent presentation, Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes for his insight and leadership, the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Public Safety Task Force for staying on top of effectively everything, and all those who joined us!

teamtish

Please see the following message from our Communications Director-

I want to thank all of you for your contributions, which helped to make the Self Defense Awareness Event at Long Island University this past Sunday a big success. I, along with Council Member James left the event feeling inspired, more knowledgeable and empowered, and we have received only positive feedback from attendees and participants.

The venue, support staff and desserts were excellent (kudos to Sharon Abbate, Peg Byron, and Lisa Gallo from LIU); the superb instruction given by Emory Moore and his students kept all entertained; and District Attorney Charles Hynes charmed everyone with his wisdom.

Thank you to every organization and individual who donated their time, literature and voices, including John Castelli, Assistant District Attorney, and other representatives from the office of District Attorney Charles J. Hynes; Karen Moffitt and representatives from the Brooklyn Aids Task Force; Susan Moesker, with the Center for Anti-Violence Education; Susan Debrango, with the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Public Safety Task Force; and Elisa Mala from the New York Times, The Local- Fort Greene/Clinton Hill blog.

Council Member James and I look forward to working with you again. Each of you helped to bring all of the pieces together to make for an enlightening and enjoyable afternoon.