APPLY FOR A NEW YORKERS FOR BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS GRANT

Have a great idea for a community improvement project? Citizens Committee for New York City awards grants of $500 to $3,000 to volunteer-led groups for projects that bring neighbors together and have positive community impacts. Application deadline: January 31, 2011 Citizens Committee also offers Mollie Parnis Dress Up Your School Awards of $500 to $3,000 to support student-led projects that beautify schools or neighborhoods immediately surrounding schools. Application deadline: January 31, 2011 Past award recipients have transformed empty lots into community gardens, organized tenants to preserve low-income housing, increased access to fresh, locally grown food, and created projects that foster understanding and collaboration among youth. For more information, visit http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants.html.

CITIZENS COMMITTEE GRANT APPLICATION WORKSHOPS

Come to a Citizens Committee Grant Application Workshop to learn more about their grants and for a Q&A about the application. The next application deadline is January 31, 2011. Manhattan Tuesday, December 7, 6pm Just Food Offices 1155 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor (between 44 and 45 Streets) Queens Thursday, December 9, 6:30pm Queens Borough Hall 120-55 Queens Boulevard Kew Gardens Please be sure to RSVP to Wole Oduye at (212) 822-9563 or email aoduye@citizensnyc.org. Stay tuned for workshops in other boroughs.

SOUND WALK

SOUND WALK Sunday, Nov 28th 6PM, meet at Force and Flow 1102 Dean St. #4 $15 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds Our monthly Sound Bath series returns with a very special installment of sonic immersion - a guided Sound Walk! On Sunday, Nov 28 Katie will lead us on a walking meditation on how we hear through the streets of Brooklyn. We will take turns, half the group at a time, walking blindfolded so that our listening senses become heightened as our ears become ever more finely tuned to the sonic environment around us. Walkers will experience the phenomenon of deep listening through other senses such as touch, taste, and smell, getting in touch with the soundscapes we usually take for granted. This is a sonic adventure not to be missed, a great way to get to know the neighborhood and to walk off all that extra Thanksgiving food!!! Bring a warm hat and coat, and if it decides to rain on us we'll do a more traditional Sound Bath indoors. For more info please contact us at info@forceandflow.com

OCTOBER MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Safety: Without being alarmist, we want people to continue to be aware of crime in the community: there was an attempted rape this past month on a Sunday, at 10:30 p.m. at 679 Sterling Place (between Franklin & Bedford Avenue). The victim was unable to give a description of the man because he approached her from behind and she didn't see his face. Please be alert when you are on the street, especially when you are entering your vestibules. Burglaries are still up, it is critical that we keep our windows locked, especially those on fire escapes. Intake Center at the Armory: A brief update from CBAAR (Coalition for Bedford/Atlantic Armory Reform) The news regarding the Bedford Atlantic Armory is both good and bad. We have been in contact with the new Commissioner for the Department of Homeless Services: Seth Diamond. In response to our queries he has said that there are no immediate plans to open the intake center for single homeless men at the Bedford Atlantic Armory shelter. However when the intake center at Bellevue closes, the city still intends to open the intake center at the Armory. We are holding the city off but we must remain vigilant and continue to oppose the intake center. We have requested that DHS keep us informed about the status of the intake center. However there is no guarantee they will do this. Right now and for the foreseeable future, it is imperative that each of us keep an eye on the shelter and report any changes back to us November Elections EVERYONE MUST VOTE: This is the most important community effort that you can make in November! It is crucial to the work that the Association undertakes that Crown Heights (and specifically Crow Hill) is seen as a caring and vocal community. The issues that we face are duplicated throughout the City and there are limited resources to deal with them. The communities which get out and vote and make the most noise, are going to be the communities that receive the most attention, it is that simple. Please be sure to vote on November 2. Landmarking Crow Hill: On Tuesday, October 26th the Landmarks Preservation Commission will be holding a meeting at which a group of 13 buildings on Park Place between Franklin & Bedford will be presented for landmarking. Landmark status has already been granted to parts of Prospect Heights and other areas of Crown Heights North, we ask everyone who has an interest in extending this status into Crow Hill to attend this meeting in support. Again, the meeting is Tuesday, October 26th at 11:35 in the Public Meeting Room of the Municipal Building: 1 Centre St, 9th floor North in Manhattan. SOS Peace March: On Wednesday (tomorrow) there will be a walk sponsored by Save Our Streets beginning at 6 PM at the northwest corner of Utica & Eastern Parkway. We will walk west towards Franklin Avenue ending at Franklin and Eastern Parkway. There we will recognize the lives lost and those affected by gun violence in Crown Heights North. For more information contact Lisa Jones, S.O.S. Program Manager at 718-679-9410. Garbage The Go Green/Go Clean committee has been working to get a Big Belly Solar powered trash receptacle/compactor for Franklin Avenue. It would be EXTREMELY helpful if whenever you see an overflowing city garbage can any corner of Franklin Ave. if you would call 311 and give its location.

Free Art Classes at LaunchPad

Free Art Classes at LaunchPad Adults & children Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-6PM until 10/22 721 Franklin Ave Interns also needed for Sunday 10/24 noon-6PM see this flyer for more information or contact Kimberly urbanriverarts@gmail.com or 917-584-4616

From DA Hynes

Read the current Community Newsletter from Kings County D.A. Charles Hynes: click here

27th ANNUAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

TUESDAY 8/3 - BROWER PARK (Park Pl between Kingston & Brooklyn) 11 AM - 8 PM presented by: 77th Precinct Community Council & the 77th Precinct Please Join us for a fun filled day of food, music, fashion, games, Brooklyn Steppers, Health Fair, etc.

GREAT NEWS

We just heard from Community Board 8 that the Impact Zone WILL remain in effect on Franklin Avenue. Thank you to everyone who sent in letters, building community is an important step towards deterring crime!!! Please take a minute to contact Commissioner Kelly and thank him, either by mail or through this email link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mailnypd.html

IMPORTANT LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN

UPDATE 7/20 The Impact Zone WILL remain on Franklin Avenue (see next post) By this time, you probably know a young man was shot in the leg on Franklin Avenue, Saturday afternoon at about 2:30. What you might not know is that Commissioner Kelly is planning to pull the Impact Zone from Franklin and Nostrand Avenues at the end of the month. This means we will lose the increased foot patrol that has had such a positive effect on our community since January. We got the first Impact Zone as the result of a very strong letter writing campaign. We need to do another immediately!!! Even while our neighborhood continues to improve, this is the 3rd shooting on Franklin since the middle of May. We urge you to write a letter asking Commissioner Kelly to keep the Impact Zone on Franklin Avenue. You can either print the PDF version to sign and send, or you can download the .doc to customize with any personal concerns. PLEASE do it today.

FREE HELP FORCOMPLETING CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS

Ready to apply for citizenship but want free assistance to complete the forms?

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center (a non-profit organization) is offering FREE ASSISTANCE to eligible individuals to complete the N-400 citizenship application forms. The dates are:

• April 7 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
• April 29 4 pm- 8 pm
• May 15 10 am -3 pm

If you are eligible to apply, you will be scheduled to meet with a trained volunteer to fill out the N-400 form and receive information about the additional requirements and documents you will need to complete your application.

To find out if you are eligible to make an appointment, call (718) 773-6886 or email cshapiro@crownheights.org * All information will be kept confidential *

Visit our blog at http://crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com/

LAUNCHPAD ART AUCTION

As you may know, LaunchPad recently had an open call for art donations. The response was amazing and more than 30 artists donated their work to help support LaunchPad. The auction opened at the LaunchPad party this past Saturday, and we received a lot of bids that evening. We are now opening the auction online for greater exposure.

http://auction.brooklynlaunchpad.org

We encourage you to review all items included in the auction, and to please pass this message along to anyone who might be interested. To place a bid on any item, please send an e-mail to 'auction@BrooklynLaunchPad.org' including:

• your name
• your telephone number
• auction item #
• bid amount

The auction is a silent, blind auction. The auction will close at noon EST on March 22, and the highest bid for each item will be selected at that time. Winning bidders will be notified shortly after.

Please remember that all bids will help support LaunchPad, a non-profit organization.

Haitian Family Resource Center

A new Haitian Family Resource Center is now located at the Bedford Armory, 1579 Bedford Avenue in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. The Center will be a one-stop resource center for families impacted by the earthquake. It will offer Creole speaking translation services, temporary protected status for Haitians in the country illegally as of Jan. 12th, immigration assistance, and help with completing immigration applications, child guardianship and custody services, legal assistance, help in locating family members, mental health services, coordination of volunteer efforts and daily accurate briefings on the status of the relief effort. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. call Councilmember James' office for more info: District Office Phone: 718-260-9191

"Gentrification" Show coming to MoCADA

"The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks" will be at Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts: 80 Hanson Place, from Feb. 4 to May 16 with a satellite show at the Adriala Gallery on 57 Putnam Ave You can read more about it here: Brooklyn artists dare to discuss gentrification that rocks borough

Street Closings

Closure of sections of 5th Avenue and Pacific Street It is anticipated that beginning on or around Monday, February 1, 2010, the following streets in Brooklyn will be permanently closed: *5th Avenue (between Flatbush & Atlantic Avenues) *Pacific Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) *Pacific Street (between Vanderbilt & Carlton Avenues) Local and emergency vehicle access will be maintained as needed. These streets are being closed to accommodate the Atlantic Yards project. Northbound traffic on 5th Avenue can use Flatbush Avenue or 6th Avenue to continue north; southbound traffic can use 6th Avenue. Eastbound traffic on Pacific Street can use Dean Street; westbound traffic can use Bergen Street. To facilitate vehicle circulation, 6th Avenue (between Flatbush Avenue & Pacific Street) and the block of Carlton Avenue (between Dean & Pacific Streets) will become two-way. These changes necessitate the 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)...

Engels at FiveMyle Gallery extended

Strange Intersections new work by Engels is on view at FiveMyles Gallery through January 558 St. Johns Place Gallery hours: Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun, 1 - 6 p.m. or by appointment: 718-783-4438 this is an excellent show; well worth the visit!

November Events

CLICK HERE to find out more about the events and opportunities listed below This information brought to you by our friends at Citizens Committee of NY Block transformation grant deadline is November 30th! Group Structure workshop is on November 14th. Fiscal Sponsorship workshop is on November 24th. Tenants & Neighbors fact sheets on tenants’ rights available online! Credit Card Management/Identity Theft Prevention workshop is in December. Foreclosure Prevention workshops in Brooklyn are on November 7th and 21st. Office of Rent Administration public hearing is on November 6th. Rights of Way: New Politics of Movement in New York City? event in Manhattan is on November 12th. Free H1N1 Flu Vaccinations in Queens. “Food, Inc.” documentary screening and panel discussion is on November 19th. Bronx Green-Up workshops are scheduled throughout the month. Check out the event calendars of Just Food, Green Thumb, and CENYC. Participate in community events at the New York Public Library or your local library!

Panel Discussion on Affordable Housing

Panel Discussion on Affordable Housing will be on
Thursday Oct. 29th at 7 PM sharp
Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

(Classon bet. Park and Prospect Places)

Final Questions for Affordable Housing Discussion.
1. What is affordable housing?
2. What do you see as the main reasons we don't have more affordable housing in New York?
3. What can New York City and New York State do to encourage the creation of more affordable housing?
4. What are the pros and cons of affordable ownership and affordable rentals?
5. What has been your experience with the Section 8 Housing program?
6. Would it be possible to screen affordable housing candidates for financial responsibility, independent living skills and ability to contribute to the stability of the community?
7. Why do you think the city spends so much on homeless housing when it's so much cheaper to build permanent housing?
8. Can derelict homes and buildings be converted to affordable housing?
9. Can already built empty developer buildings be converted to affordable housing?
10. Do you see "green" features as something that should be required in affordable housing projects?
11. What was your most successful affordable housing project? What was your least successful? Why?
12. What role can the community play in helping create more affordable housing?

Block Transformation Grants

Citizens Committee for New York City is pleased to announce a new block transformation grants program. Awardees will receive a $500 cash grant along with expedited support from city agencies for block improvements such as cleaning up a vacant lot, replacing worn out litter baskets, removing graffiti, and replacing worn out street signs. Application deadline: Monday, November 30, 2009. Application forms can be downloaded here: http://www.citizensnyc.org/projects/love_your_nyc_block.html For more information, please contact: Scott Codey at 212-829565/scodey@citizensnyc.org Alicia Rouault at 212-822-9558/arouault@citizensnyc.org

YOU'RE INVITED!

CHNA's 3rd annual House Tour

Sponsored by the Crown Heights North Association, Inc. (CHNA)

Date: Oct. 3rd, 2009
Starting Location: St. Gregory's R.C. Church, 919 St. John's Place and Brooklyn Ave.
Opening Ceremony: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Self-Guided Tours: 12:00noon - 5:00pm

Other activities: Information tables and representatives from city agencies and community non-profit organizations (10:30 - 12:30)

Raffle: Prizes: Spa Gift Basket; Dinner for Two; Wine Gift basket; Decorative Throw Pillows; Grand Marnier Cake; Red Velvet Cupcakes

Our tour this year features the homes of artists, artisans and entrepreneurs. We once again visit homes brought back from the ruins, as well as some of the newest homes in the neighborhood. We also feature two very different and magnificent sacred spaces, all worthy of your attention for their architectural beauty and for the services they provide to the community. We celebrate our Children’s Museum, as well as a museum dedicated to our famous West Indian Day Parade, and we invite you to visit our beautiful and award winning Community Garden.

Please visit our website: www.crownheightsnorth.org

Armory Update

The updates regarding the Bed-Atlantic Intake Center plan follow: 1. There have been rumors that we have stopped the plan to place an intake center for homeless men at the Bedford Atlantic Armory shelter/assessment center. These rumors are not true. We have slowed the city down but we have not yet stopped this plan. We must keep up our opposition with petition signatures, phone calls and attendance at rallies and press conferences. 2. The Task Force's Executive Committee met with our lawyers this week. The lawsuit is prepared and ready to go, when and if we need to deploy that strategy. In the meantime, Councilmember James is planning a press conference for right after Labor Day to highlight the spate of shootings on Franklin Avenue near Bedford-Atlantic and the overall increase in gang activity in the area, in order to drive home the point that this is already an overstressed neighborhood, . We also plan to have another rally in opposition to a Bedford-Atlantic intake center at the end of September. It is urgent that we to keep the pressure on. Everything we're doing is having an effect. So be prepared for a phone call or email asking for your help to bring people out to both the press conference and the rally. In the meantime, keep those signed petitions coming in..