Thursday, February 11, 2010

ATTENTION: 2/11 Suspension of Alternate Side Parking

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) in conjunction with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) today announced the suspension of Alternate Side Parking (ASP) regulations Citywide for Thursday, February 11th to facilitate snow removal. However, parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.

For the most updated information, please call 311.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

NYC Public Schools Scheduled to OPEN TOMORROW - February 11th


After inclement weather conditions, all New York City public schools are closed today, February 10, 2010. All after-school activities and PSAL events are also cancelled. While travel conditions to school in the morning may be difficult, New York City public schools will open and operate on a normal schedule Thursday, February 11, 2010. After school programs also will operate on a normal schedule.

You can always contact 311 for up to date information.

Moving Pictures: High-Rollers Anonymous

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, and Thursday, February 11, 2010, the television show “Boardwalk Empire” returns to shoot interior scenes at 285 Willoughby Avenue at Taaffe Place.

APPROXIMATE TIME: 7am- 7pm

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On Friday, February 12th, 2010, “Boardwalk Empire” also shoots interior scenes again at 285 Willoughby Avenue at Taaffe Place.

APPROXIMATE TIME: 9am– 3am

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

ATTENTION: 2010 Lien Sale Information

Snow storms bring about lien sale season again, let's dive right in:

A lien sale is when the City sells debt to a private collector (known as a lien holder) who assumes the right to collect the debt, charge an additional 5% surcharge and 18% interest, and move to foreclosure if owner remains in arrears. In a lien, the lienholder assumes the debt, not property.

Property Tax Debt:
You are at risk if you own— a 1-3 unit residence, a condo/co-op, a small business with 1-2 residences, or a vacant land zoned for residential use.
[-any of the above categories with 3 years back taxes are at risk]
You are at risk if you own— a 4+ units
[-the above category with 1 year back taxes are at risk]

Property tax liens will not be sold on 1-3 family homes with the Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE), Disabled Homeowner Exemption (DHE), or the Real Property Circuit Breaker Personal Income Tax Credit (PIT); military personnel may also request an exemption.

Water/Sewer Liens:
You are at risk if you own— single-family and multi-family residences, as well as commercial properties, that have acquired water/sewer debt $1,000 or more for 1+ years.

Water/sewer liens will not be sold on 1-3 family homes with the Senior Citizen Homeowner Exemption (SCHE), Disabled Homeowner Exemption (DHE), or the Real Property Circuit Breaker Personal Income Tax Credit (PIT); military personnel may also request an exemption.

NYC Finance is making an effort to allow those who would be excluded from liens (SCHE, DHE) to resolve their debt through outreach sessions, data match of at-risk persons/mailings, and automated phone calls.

Stats on At-Risk Properties:
-Total Parcels CityWide- 24, 963 (Brooklyn- 11,017)
-In 2009- 4,792
-Total Liens CityWide- 53,184 (Brooklyn- 21,990)

Important Dates:
February 2- 90-Day Mailing & Publication
March 3- 60-Day Mailing
April 2- 30-Day Mailing
April 22- 10-Day Publication
May 7- Lasy Day to Pay
May 10- 2010 Lien Sale


Important Contacts:
Finance Tax Lien Ombudsperson- (212) 504-4039
Senior Citizen’s Tax Lien Ombudsperson- (212) 504-4037
Business & Community Outreach- (212) 232-1776
*Lien sale customers with any complaints or concerns should contact the Ombuds Unit at (718) 595-6628 or ombuds@dep.nyc.gov.

Brooklyn Outreach Session:
-April 8- Brooklyn- Finance Business Center
210 Joralemon Street, 1st Floor

Payment Options:
-All property and water/sewer payments must be received before May 7th (any payments sent after April 28th must be sent using an official bank check or money order sent to “NYC Department of Finance”).
-(Water)- Checks and money orders (with acct #) to “NYC Water Board, P.O. Box 410, Church Street Station, NY, NY, 10008”
Brooklyn Borough Office- 250 Livingston Street, 8th Floor
(between Hoyt and Bond Streets)
-Others who are at risk may pay through installment agreements; those eligible must make 5-20% initial down payment on delinquent balance (plus installment payments). Must see Finance Department for eligibility.
-May also pay online or in person at any Business Center.
-DEP has developed a Safety Net Referral Program, managed through the Ombuds Unit. Seniors, low-income customers, and those affected by the national mortgage and foreclosure crisis will be will be referred to other agencies in collaboration with this program.

Please give us a call at (212) 788-7081 if you have any further questions.

teamtish

CMs Join Legal Aid Society In Call for Immediate Solution For Cancelled Section 8 Vouchers

For Planning for February 9, 2010

Contacts: Anna Deknatel, (646) 200-5311, Amyre Loomis, (718) 260-9191

SIX WEEKS LATER, STILL NO HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR 2,600 NYC’ERS WITH CANCELLED SECTION 8 VOUCHERS

Electeds, Advocates & Impacted Families to Demand NYCHA & City Find Housing for Low-Income & Formerly Homeless Families

Six weeks after New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) abruptly rescinded Section 8 vouchers for 2,600 New Yorkers, elected officials, local legal agencies, and housing advocates will join together to call on NYCHA to provide solutions for the impacted low income and formerly homeless families.

In December, NYCHA announced they would issue no new Section 8 vouchers this year, including for emergency applicants. The announcement left nearly 3,000 families and individuals without alternate housing— and, in many cases, facing homelessness.

Never in the 35 year history of the Section 8 voucher program has there been a mass termination of Section 8 vouchers.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as the Section 8 voucher program, is the largest rental subsidy program in the country. The program, created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by local housing authorities.


WHEN: Rally at Noon
Oversight Hearing on the recent loss of Section 8 vouchers at 10am
Tuesday, February 9th

WHERE: Steps of City Hall

WHO: Council Member Rosie Mendez, chair of Committee on Public Housing

Council Member Annabel Palma, chair of Committee on General Welfare
Council Members including Margaret Chin, Danny Dromm, Letitia James, Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, Ydanis Rodriguez, James Van Bramer

Legal & Housing Advocates: Legal Aid Society, Legal Services-NYC, Coalition for the Homeless

Impacted Low Income & Formerly Homeless New York City Families Denied Section 8 Vouchers

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Friday, February 5, 2010

Moving Pictures: Would Ya Just Watch The Hair

On Monday, February 8, 2010 thru Friday, February 12, 2010, the feature film “BLACK SWAN” is dancing back into our mist to film interior scenes at Turner Towers (135 Eastern Parkway between Washington Avenue & Underhill Avenue).

Approximate Times:
Monday 7am – 11pm
Tuesday 8am – 12am
Wednesday 9am – 1am
Thursday 11am – 3am
Friday 12pm – 4am

Trees NY and Prospect Heights Urban Forestry Initiative Hold Puppet Show To Teach Kids About Trees

You are invited to a puppet show designed to teach children about the importance of trees. Children should be forewarned that puppet Mrs. Crabapple does not like trees and will try to persuade children to do the same. Will Prospect Heights youngsters be able to convince Mrs. Crabapple that trees are awesome? Bring your youngster and find out for yourself!

February 28, 2010
12:30PM- 2:00PM
Soda Bar
629 Vanderbilt Avenue @ St. Marks Avenue
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Cookies and milk will be served. Trees NY and PHUFI are sponsoring.

Trees New York is a non-profit organization founded as a volunteer response to the City's devastating cutbacks in tree-related community services. TreesNY has worked to plant, preserve, and protect New York City's neighborhood trees through education, active citizen participation, and advocacy.
The Prospect Heights Urban Forestry Initiative (PHUFI) will ensure that Prospect Heights Street Trees receive the care and attention needed to survive. PHUFI is working to involve the entire neighborhood in the maintenance and upkeep of our street trees.

Trees New York (NY)
www.treesny.org
(212) 227-1887

Prospect Heights Urban Forestry Initiative
PHCForest@gmail.com

ATTENTION: Upcoming Community Events

"Promoting Good Health in a Challenging Economy"

The Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center's Community Advisory Board cordially invites you to attend a legislative breakfast.

Friday, February 5, 2010
10am- 12noon
Woodhull Medical Center- Auditorium
760 Broadway, 3rd level
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206
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African-American HIV Awareness and Health Fair

February 6, 2010
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus
Health Sciences Building Lobby
DeKalb Avenue at Flatbush Avenue Extention
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Obtain free HIV testing, access various health education materials, and undergo screenings for health defects (including asthma).
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ATTENTION: CM James Extends Invitation to LIU Community Day Sports Event

Council Member Letitia James cordially invites you to join her at the-

Long Island University Community Day
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Game time- 1:00 pm
(free admission, doors open at Noon)

L.I.U. Wellness Center
161 Ashland Place, Brooklyn
(between Willoughby and DeKalb)

Join members of the Bedford Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene neighborhoods for an afternoon of exciting basketball and fun. Cheer on the Long Island University Blackbirds Women’s basketball team as they tip off against the St. Francis Terriers of Brooklyn Heights.
See the nationally recognized PS 307 Diamonds cheerleading squad. Meet with the L.I.U. players after the game.

Parents, students, teachers, administrators, and supporters from all of our neighborhood schools are welcome to attend for FREE.

Event sponsored by Long Island University and Council Member Letitia James. For information about other community-based events in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene, please contact Michael Randazzo at 917-605-5624, or email rockets.rollerskates@gmail.com.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Moving Pictures: Still Look Pretty When They're Putting The Damage On

On Thursday, February 4, 2010, the television show “DAMAGES” returns to film exterior scenes at Clinton Avenue @ Lafayette Avenue.

Approximate Time: 4pm– 8pm