Join CM James at Ebbets Field Middle School 352 - this Saturday

Council Member Letitia James invites you to join her at Ebbets Field Middle School 352, this Saturday for a special event:

Through Ebbet's Field MS 352's long term partnership with Computers for Youth, each one of the school's sixth graders will receive a free computer this Saturday. Additionally, each student will also be given a one year free subscription to high-speed Internet service.

This opportunity to make the internet more accessible will benefit students academically by bringing information into their living rooms. We hope you'll join Council Member James in being a part of this event.

Saturday, October 23, 2010
First Presentation
8:30 Principal addresses families in auditorium.
8:45 Workshops.

Second Presentation
12:40 Principal addresses families in auditorium.
1:00 Workshops.

CM James Given "A" Grade on Urban Justice Center- Human Rights Report Card

The Urban Justice Center’s Human Rights Project (HRP) released their 2010 Human Rights Report Card yesterday. The report card grades each of the 51 members of the New York City Council on their human rights record. Council Member James is one of the nine Council Members who received an "A" grade on the report card.

You may view the report here; from Council Member James' review:

"Council Member James is working to promote green jobs and human rights in housing. She will reintroduce a bill to address economic and racial disparities in accessing housing, as well as others on paid family leave, pay equity....Her other priorities include expanding LGBT rights; and addressing HIV/AIDS rates in communities of color and government outsourcing of city jobs to the private sector...She has protested rent increases proposed by the Rent Guidelines Board. She is a member of the Progressive Caucus, and co-chair of the Brooklyn delegation."

In 2008, Council Member James was ranked #1 by the Urban Justice Center's Human Rights Report Card.

Culture Classics at LIU this Weekend

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University Hosts: Culture Classics

Friday • OCTOBER 22 • 8PM & Saturday • OCTOBER 23 • 8PM

Come celebrate three years of fabulousness as Brown Girls Burlesque presents Culture Classics. BGB’s Culture Classics is a fusion gumbo of movement and storytelling that merges neo-burlesque with post modern theater and dance. Guest artist Yalini Dream shares her magic. Ashley Brockington will host this unforgettable evening.

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza, Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 - (718)488-1624

For more info:
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/407011/e578b7717d/1644000515/dd17c25cbd/

DOE Launches 2010-2011 Elementary School Gifted and Talented Admissions Process

This week, the New York City Department of Education released information for families interested in testing their children for eligibility and possible placement in elementary school Gifted and Talented Programs, kindergarten through third grade, in September 2011. Families interested in having their children participate in the testing – which is required for eligibility to a Gifted and Talented Program – must submit a Request For Testing Form (RFT) by of Wednesday, November 17, 2010.

The Request for Testing Form and the New York City Gifted & Talented Information Handbook 2010-2011 are available to public school students at all public elementary schools, to non-public school students at all Borough Enrollment Offices and to all students at the NYC Department of Education’s website.

The Department of Education will host five borough-wide Parent Information Forums on the Gifted and Talented admissions process. At these sessions, Department staff will present an overview of testing, scoring and placement, and answer questions from families. Each session runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The schedule for the Gifted and Talented Parent Information Forum for Brooklyn is as follows:

Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunset Park High School
153 35th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232

Crow Hill Protest In Opposition to Opening of Pawn Shop at 649 Park Place

Press Rally/Protest In Opposition to Opening of Pawn Shop at 649 Park Place

Crow Hill Community Association and Council Member Letitia James hold rally on October 16, at 12 Noon on corner of Park Place and Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in protest of proposed pawn shop

(Brooklyn, NY) – The Crow Hill community is gathering to protest a proposed pawn shop in their community. Crow Hill is a residential community that is working hard to bring renewed life and vitality to their commercial corridor: Franklin Avenue.

Crow Hill is situated in the west section of the 77th Precinct, which is currently experiencing a rise in burglaries, and the Crow Hill Community Association believes an establishment that specializes in buying and selling goods will not be beneficial for its neighborhood. Crow Hill is committed to the revitalization of Franklin Avenue, and will use all of its resources towards the goal of improving quality of life and public safety issues. The Crow Hill Community Association is united in opposing any landlord or developer who wishes to bring inappropriate projects to the community.

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What: Protest of Inappropriate Development in Community – Park Place & Franklin Avenue Pawn Shop
When: Saturday, October 16
Where: Corner of Park Place and Franklin Avenue, Crown Heights
Time: 12 PM

FG Park Conservancy Presents Halloween Festival; Great PUPkin; 10/30

On Saturday, October 30, 2009 from 12 noon- 3:00 pm, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy presents the 11th annual all free Halloween Festival in Brooklyn's historic Fort Greene Park.

The festival kicks off at 12 noon with a wild costume contest for dogs and their owners, "The Great PUPkin," sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS, the local dog-owners organization.

FG Park Conservancy Hosts Dance Party; 10/14; 7PM; FG

You are invited to join the Fort Greene Park Conservancy in a dance to support free programs at Fort Greene Park--

WHEN: Thursday, October 14th, 7PM
WHERE: Brooklyn Masonic Temple
317 Clermont Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

For more information, see here.

ATTENTION: UPDATE Concerning Stars of NY Dance; DATE CHANCE

Council Member Letitia James thanks you all for your overwhelming response to The Stars of New York Dance! We are all looking forward to a tremendous event. In an effort to make the event more accessible, the date has changed and the new date will be posted both on the event website and here shortly.

"Great, I have more time to rehearse and win!" - Council Member Letitia James

For more information, please call 917-623-7299, or e-mail cheryltod@verizon.net.
NY Times Features The Stars of New York Dance: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/dancing-stars/. Here's their video coverage--

BMBC Special Breast Cancer Awareness & Prayer Service on 10/10

Brown Memorial Baptist Church invites you to: A Special Breast Cancer Awareness & Prayer Service on Sunday, October 10, 2010 10:45 am

Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Reverend Clinton M. Miller
484 Washington Avenue (enter on Gates Avenue) – 718-638-6121
Come worship with us as we empower breast cancer survivors, caregivers and the community, through prayer, testimonies, music and the word of God.

With special appearances by the producers and cast of the new Off Broadway play Die Laughing the Stage Play, a compelling story about a misogynistic male comedian who on the eve of the biggest break in his career, is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Supporters:
LETITIA JAMES, COUNCIL MEMBER, 35TH DISTRICT

For they (His Words) are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:22

Dance Kings of Black Brooklyn at Kumble this Saturday

Dance Kings of Black Brooklyn
Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
Saturday • October 9 • 7:30 PM

You won’t want to miss this special event honoring an important generation of Brooklyn’s Black male dancers and choreographers, who have served their communities and influenced younger dancers, including Obediah Wright, Baba Chuck Davis, Ron Brown, Jamel Gaines, Reggie Wilson, Michael Manswell, and Kevin “Shock-a-lock” Porter. They will be joined by protégés of their choosing for an evening that includes dances by the kings, a panel discussion, including Ella Moore and Lee “Ako” Thompson and a crowning moment.

This event is presented as part of Brooklyn Arts Council’s year-long initiative Black Brooklyn Renaissance: Black Art + Culture, 1960– 2010, sponsored by MetLife Foundation and presented in partnership with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.

Tickets: $15, $12 students and seniors
Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza
Long Island University- Brooklyn Campus
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
(718) 488-1624